Work Text:
Hanging out in the lot, it was a nice night out. There was no breeze, just dogs barking and cars driving in the distance. Johnny and Ponyboy were chilling on the little couch, looking up at the stars.
"It's a bit hot out here," Johnny commented, taking his jean jacket off. He was wearing a t-shirt underneath.
"Yeah," Ponyboy said and glanced at him, then noticed these sort of scars on his arms. He knew that his father beat him till blood was drawn, but these scars looked... different.
Johnny noticed that Pony was staring. He covered them with his hands shamefully. "O-o-oh, sorry... you didn't need to..."
Ponyboy's eyes widened. The hundreds of red lines on Johnny's tan skin weren't someone else's doing, Johnny did that to himself.
Something beat in his heart different.
Johnny saw the change on Pony's face. "It's fine, really. I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."
Ponyboy looked from Johnny's carved arms to his beautiful, scared doe eyes. He always knew about Johnny and his horrible life, but he didn't deserve to hate himself like this. Why wouldn't he worry about him?
"But Johnny, you're my friend." Pony said. "I know your not fine, that a big fat lie."
Johnny slowly looked away. Ponyboy moved closer to hug Johnny from behind. He rested his head on Johnny's left shoulder and whispered, "Of course I'm worried."
Johnny got more comfortable in the hug, adjusting his position. He looked down at his arms, tears stung his eyes. He put his hands on Ponyboy's arms and let the tears fall silently.
Pony nuzzled into the back of Johnny's neck. He adjusted himself around Johnny, rubbing his arms gently.
Ponyboy slowly pulled Johnny's arm closer and lightly kissed it. Well, not really it, more like the scars on his arm. Johnny looked at him with confusion, blinked, "What are you doing?"
"Shh," Ponyboy kept kissing him.
Johnny smiled a little, then chuckled. He let Ponyboy kiss the other arm, peppering his lips over each scar once, twice, three times. He then kissed Johnny's scar on his cheek. They stared at each other for a moment before Ponyboy whispered "I love you." and kissed him on the lips.
Johnny froze. He breathed a little heavier, and kissed Ponyboy back, softly. Then he flinched. "Ponyboy, we're in public."
Pony looked a bit disappointed. "No one is out, though."
Before Ponyboy could kiss him again, Johnny asked. "You serious that you love me?"
Ponyboy nodded. "Yes, of course. I hate to see you all hurt. I love you, Johnny. I love you." He kissed Johnny's scarred cheek again.
Johnny gave him a pained smile. "... Love you too."
Ponyboy got a little more on top of him and kissed Johnny's lips again. More passionate this time. Hands brushing Johnny's side part away, tongue brushing against his bottom lip. Johnny didn't know how to reciprocate, but he tried his best by wrapping his arms around Pony's waist.
Ponyboy mouth left Johnny's, his forehead leaned against Johnny's. He breaths harshly, then looks into Johnny's big brown eyes. Hurt, neglected, but also hopeful.
Johnny gave him a quick kiss on the nose, grinning.