Work Text:
Walking in after a late shift at Bucks, Johnny sighs and slips off his shoes - something he’s never had to do until Ponyboy insisted that everyone take their shoes off before entering the apartment. Usually he doesn’t mind it; it’s such a simple thing, and it makes Ponyboy happy to see everyone’s shoes neatly lined up by the door instead of on people’s feet, tracking dirt everywhere. But today it feels like the hardest thing ever, after the tiring day he’s had.
Dally wasn’t able to be there because he was sick in bed, so Johnny had to do twice the work and worry about how Pony and Dally are doing while he’s away. Plus everyone seemed more rowdy than usual, and Johnny swears to all that is holy that he had to break up three times as many fights as he usually does. And he doesn’t even want to think about what he had to clean in the bathroom. Honestly, if Johnny and Dally didn’t need the pay so bad, they’d insist that Buck gets more staff that isn’t just them and himself.
But Johnny and Dally do need the pay, so Ponyboy is happy and comfortable, which sounds silly, but it’s the truth. If they wanted, they could cut back on some hours so they have the bare minimum to feed the household and pay bills, but then they wouldn’t get to see Pony’s face light up when they bring him a book he’s been wanting. They wouldn’t be able to save up and buy the three of them tickets to see the newest Paul Newman movie. They wouldn’t be able to buy the nicer ingredients for Pony to work with every time he makes them food. So Johnny and Dally work, and normally they don’t have a second thought about it, even when it gets hard.
But today was far more than hard, and Johnny thinks that no matter how much he loves Pony, he’ll just have to handle not getting any more gifts until Dally is recovered and back at work, because Johnny can’t do the 9 AM - 11 PM shifts without Dally next to him. Correction: he thinks that until he walks into the kitchen and sees all of his favorite snacks on the counter. A bottle of coke still slightly chilled, the bottle-opener, a bag of his favorite chips, a couple chocolate bars, a pack of cigarettes, strawberry mentos, and a note. In Pony’s messy yet swirly handwriting, it reads:
Johnny,
I went out to the drug store and got some stuff for you. I hope the strawberry mentos are good - I couldn’t remember if you liked them, but I know you like mentos, so hopefully the strawberry ones are good. I hope you had an easy day at Bucks. There’s a plate of food in the oven, and the TV is turned to your favorite channel if you wanna watch a bit before coming to bed. Dally and I are fine. He’s still sick, but he should be able to go back to work with you in a few more days. He’s taking the bedroom, so come sleep with me in the guest bedroom once you’re ready.
Love, Pony <3
Tears sting at his eyes, and Johnny has to work to blink them away before they can fall. How could he have been thinking about not making money for Pony, when Ponyboy had to take care of Dal all day and still thought about Johnny? Dally’s a menace when he’s sick, and Pony still took time out of his day to make things a little easier for Johnny. Going to the oven, he opens it and pulls out a still-warm plate of chicken, mashed potatoes, and hushpuppies. It’s his favorite meal that Pony makes, but he always complains about making it because he struggles mashing the potatoes, and isn’t the biggest fan of hushpuppies. But he made it for Johnny.
Holding back tears, he gathers his plate, snacks, coke, and cigarettes, and carefully walks to the living room, placing it all down carefully. When he turns on the TV, it’s already set to a low but audible volume, and on his favorite late-night channel. Johnny doesn’t know how long he sits there, smoking away and eating his favorite foods, and taking sips of coke, but he does know that he’s never had anything more delicious in his life. And once he’s done and everything is all put away, he walks to the guest bedroom, quietly gets changed, and slips in next to Ponyboy.
“Thank you for the food and snacks. I love you,” He mumbles, pressing a soft kiss to Pony’s temple. He doesn’t get a verbal response, but Pony’s small, sleepy smile is enough for him.