InsaneJournal

Crescent Sonata (11:06:08 PM): Johnny limped to the Curtis house, needed a place to crash for the night. He stumbled into the living room with a small "ouf" sound. He was banged up- not the worst he'd ever been, but banged up still. "Ponyboy?" Oh course he'd be asleep.

JesJamesMeowth (11:07:48 PM): But Darry wasn't. He slid out of his room, standing in the doorway to his room. "Pony's asleep, Johnny," he said softly. "You should be too." He looked at him, trying to assess what was wrong, besides the usual. Poor kid.

Crescent Sonata (11:08:31 PM): He looked at him. "I'm real sorry to come barging in here like this..." He said softly, shaking a little bit. Darrel Curtis was a scary man.

JesJamesMeowth (11:09:08 PM): Darry waved the thought off with a hand. "You know you're always welcome here."

Crescent Sonata (11:11:05 PM): He brushed himself off as he stood. "I don't know what got Dad so hacked off at me..." Johnny said, depositing himself on the couch. He tucked into himself to stay warm.

JesJamesMeowth (11:12:16 PM): "He wasn't hacked off at you, just hacked off," said Darry. He moved a little closer. "What's the damage?"

Crescent Sonata (11:12:32 PM): "Cracked rib. Pulled muscles."

JesJamesMeowth (11:14:33 PM): He nodded. He left him there on the couch for only a moment so he could get him a bandage. "Take off your shirt, Johnny," he said.

Crescent Sonata (11:15:28 PM): He carefully shrugged out of his shirt. "It doesn't hurt too bad, Darry."

JesJamesMeowth (11:16:09 PM): "Good. We should probably bandage you up anyway." He knelt next to the couch and got to work, trying to be really careful. Assessing his work, he helped Johnny get back into his shirt.

Crescent Sonata (11:19:18 PM): "Thank you." He said quietly, tucking into himself again. He was a bit nervous being so weak with only Darry. Not that Darry'd hurt him.

JesJamesMeowth (11:21:22 PM): He hesitated for a second, sensing Johnny's nervousness. "It's late. Did you get dinner?" he asked.

Crescent Sonata (11:23:06 PM): Johnny shook his head.

JesJamesMeowth (11:23:43 PM): "C'mon, then." Darry pushed up off his knees and went into the kitchen, flicking the light on.

Crescent Sonata (11:24:55 PM): He followed after him, sighing softly.

JesJamesMeowth (11:25:17 PM): "You like ham, right, Johnny?" he asked absently.

Crescent Sonata (11:26:16 PM): "Um, yeah, it's fine." He said.

JesJamesMeowth (11:28:12 PM): Darry glanced over his shoulder at him. It sounded like something was bothering him. He finished fixing Johnny's sandwich and a glass of milk, setting them in front of him, leaning against the counter with the thumbs of his large hands hooked in his pockets, watching Johnny eat.

Crescent Sonata (11:30:22 PM): Johnny attacked the offered food like it would be the last he'd eat in his life.

JesJamesMeowth (11:30:52 PM): Darry's eyes widened. "We . . . have more where that came from," he said awkwardly. "And mind those ribs."

Crescent Sonata (11:34:00 PM): "Thank you. Thank you." He said, hardly chewing.

JesJamesMeowth (11:34:50 PM): The end of his lip quirked a little. "Don't make yourself sick either. Want another?'

Crescent Sonata (11:35:22 PM): He looked at him, eyes shining with need. But he wouldn't ask, couldn't ask.

JesJamesMeowth (11:37:45 PM): Darry decided he'd make one and eat it if Johnny wouldn't. He set it on the table near Johnny, taking a seat near him. "I think locking the door might help you get some sleep, if you're gonna have trouble. You probably gotta sit up for it too."

Crescent Sonata (11:39:03 PM): "L-lock the door? But Darry....you can't do that." He took the sandwich, no chance he could have stopped himself from taking it.

JesJamesMeowth (11:39:41 PM): "Why not? I know we don't, usually. It just might help, if you're scared."

Crescent Sonata (11:41:48 PM): "What if one of the guys needs to stay here?" He asked.

JesJamesMeowth (11:43:12 PM): He shrugged. "I'll leave it open, then. Guess you ain't scared." He knew they had a phone if someone needed them and, hell, windows, if one of the guys needed a place to crash. It was just one night. Most of the time, Johnny was the one stayin' anyway.

Crescent Sonata (11:44:06 PM): "Can I stay in your room? I'll stay on the floor..."

JesJamesMeowth (11:45:11 PM): "You should be on the bed. I'll prop you up--gotta sit up with them cracked ribs, Johnny." He put on a small smirk. "I promise I won't squish ya in the night."

Crescent Sonata (11:47:28 PM): Johnny gave him a small smile. "Are you sure that's okay?" He asked.

JesJamesMeowth (11:48:25 PM): "You know if I thought it wasn't, I wouldn't have said it. You all finished?"

Crescent Sonata (12:16:20 AM): "Thank you so much."

JesJamesMeowth (12:18:32 AM): He helped sit Johnny up against the headboard, all comfortable, flicking off the lights before stripping to his boxers and settling in too. "You scared, Johnny?" he asked quietly.

Crescent Sonata (12:24:05 AM): "Always scared, Darry." He said.

JesJamesMeowth (12:25:16 AM): Darry reached for his hand. "He can't get ya when you're right here with me, okay? That's a promise."

Crescent Sonata (12:25:33 AM): Johnny nodded. "I know. Thank you..."

JesJamesMeowth (12:26:25 AM): "Stay for breakfast in the morning," he muttered before closing his eyes and relaxing, still holding Johnny's hand.

Crescent Sonata (12:27:08 AM): "I will." He relented, tucking under the covers.

JesJamesMeowth (12:27:41 AM): Darry fell asleep with the odd thought that Johnny's small hand was real nice to hold.

JesJamesMeowth (12:33:00 AM): The next morning, Darry made the works--oatmeal, eggs, bacon, pancakes.

Crescent Sonata (12:38:05 AM): "What's all this, Dar?" He asked, not knowing about Johnny being there. The tan boy was sleeping.

JesJamesMeowth (12:38:42 AM): "Johnny's here. But you let him sleep," he warned, "'cause his old man cracked a rib on him."

Crescent Sonata (12:39:04 AM): Soda's eyes widened. "Oh, my...."

JesJamesMeowth (12:40:14 AM): Darry put some food on a tray for Johnny and came into his room. "Johnny?" he said softly.

Crescent Sonata (12:45:19 AM): Johnny was just starting to wake up. "Mmm, Darry?"

JesJamesMeowth (12:45:47 AM): "Made you somethin'," was all he said.

Crescent Sonata (12:46:31 AM): "Oh...you didn't hafta..."

JesJamesMeowth (12:47:24 AM): Darry held the tray right in front of him, enticing him to eat with its smell.

Crescent Sonata (12:47:54 AM): Johnny's stomach growled and he sat up a bit more. "Thanks a lot. I'm starved."

JesJamesMeowth (12:48:30 AM): He smiled and gave it to him. "How'd you sleep? And how're the ribs?"

Crescent Sonata (12:53:53 AM): "I slept alright. Just fine, really." He took up the fork.

JesJamesMeowth (12:55:02 AM): Darry sat for a little, watching him eat. "I took off to make sure you're alright," he said. "And don't feel bad about it," he said, before Johnny could apologize or something.

Crescent Sonata (12:55:23 AM): He had an apology already on his lips, and it squeaked past anyway.

JesJamesMeowth (12:55:35 AM): Darry sighed and ruffed up his hair a little.

Crescent Sonata (12:56:43 AM): Johnny was too busy filling his stomach to notice.

JesJamesMeowth (12:57:02 AM): "I take it you approve of my cookin'?" he chuckled.

Crescent Sonata (12:57:18 AM): "It's real good." He said, mouth full.

JesJamesMeowth (12:58:44 AM): He bit back wanting to tell him to stop talking with his mouth full. This wasn't Soda or Pony. "Maybe it's about time you moved out," he said after a silence. "You're 16."

Crescent Sonata (1:00:16 AM): "And go where?" He asked, swallowing. "I dropped out, and you can't buy no place to stay on gas station pay."

JesJamesMeowth (1:00:51 AM): He hesitated. "I think we could manage you here for a little while, until you figure something out."

Crescent Sonata (1:01:37 AM): "I couldn't do that, I couldn't."

JesJamesMeowth (1:02:05 AM): "Yeah you could."

Crescent Sonata (1:02:57 AM): Johnny shook his head. "You all do enough for me already."

JesJamesMeowth (1:03:47 AM): "Think of it as doin' somethin' for everyone. We worry about you. You're important to us, Johnny, even this busted-up body o' yours. You know?"

Crescent Sonata (1:04:35 AM): Johnny nodded slightly. "I'll just never go home again. Move into the lot."

JesJamesMeowth (1:05:37 AM): Darry shook his head. "That's stupid. Just take what I'm offering, okay? I wouldn't let the boys do that, and I'm not ready to let you do it either."

Crescent Sonata (1:07:00 AM): Johnny bowed his head, but gave in.

JesJamesMeowth (1:07:55 AM): Darry stroked his cheek briefly. "You'll be a lot better off, an' Pony'll just flip havin' you around."

Crescent Sonata (1:08:29 AM): He smiled, leaning his head in.

JesJamesMeowth (1:15:07 AM): Darry hadn't even felt awkward about it because he didn't know he liked guys yet. Some people knew at age 5, but some people take a little longer. Darry was one of those. He thought girls were alright, but nothing to go crazy over, like some of the guys did. He'd never really considered actually being with a guy.

Crescent Sonata (1:15:50 AM): Johnny finished all of his breakfast, patting his belly in a grateful manner. "Thank you so much..."

JesJamesMeowth (1:16:44 AM): Darry nodded, taking the tray away again. When he came back in, he offered to help Johnny get out the living room and maybe watch some t.v. or something.

Crescent Sonata (1:22:34 AM): Johnny found something he figured they'd both like, and sat the remote down. He watched for a while, but ended up falling asleep.

JesJamesMeowth (1:23:31 AM): Darry went ahead and started cleaning up his room while Johnny slept, then settled in for a little more t.v.

Crescent Sonata (1:24:12 AM): He turned towards him, resting against his shoulder. It was nice to be close to someone so strong. Johnny didn't have to worry about anything at all.

JesJamesMeowth (1:25:27 AM): In that moment, Darry could see why Johnny was the only person Dally cared about. He felt real protective. Like Johnny was some baby bird he was chosen by God to help care for, or something. It was a strange feeling, but a good one.

Crescent Sonata (1:26:40 AM): He nuzzled into him, smiling. Johnny couldn't get enough of the comfort.

JesJamesMeowth (1:29:19 AM): After that day, he was satisfied that Johnny could cope being at home with his rib. He made Johnny swear to call Soda at the DX if he had any troubles. It wasn't until that afternoon after work, when he was napping, that he had his first wet dream about a guy. And it was Johnny.

Crescent Sonata (1:30:53 AM): "Darry are you alright?!" He asked urgently, gently shaking his shoulder. Johnny had taken to always building a nest of blankets and tucking down with a comic (just perfect for his reading level) by wherever Darry was. The noises startled the greaser, but also got his stomach tightening.

JesJamesMeowth (1:33:41 AM): Darry was real close to the edge when he was woken--by Johnny. He let out a startled sound, staring at Johnny. He swallowed. Pushing himself up, he muttered that he was fine, closing himself in the bathroom, but forgetting to lock it. He went for a really quick one. He could be real silent when he was doing it on his own, with only a soft grunt as he'd finally let go. He was aiming at the toilet, almost there.

Crescent Sonata (1:35:24 AM): But Johnny was worried, and when he was worried, he got scared. He followed after him, and when he heard the same sounds from behind the bathroom door, he opened it right up. "Tell me what's- WHOA!"

JesJamesMeowth (1:37:53 AM): And, just then, Darry came, his sudden movement to look at the intruder causing him to shoot all over the toilet, rather than into it. For a second he stood there stunned, hanging out for all the world to see. Then he kicked off his boxers and hopped into the shower, turning on the water without another word. He'd get to the mess when Johnny left.

Crescent Sonata (1:39:35 AM): Johnny threw himself back out of the room. "Ow, my rib." He winced, righting himself and going back to his nest of sorts.

JesJamesMeowth (1:42:13 AM): Darry took a deep breath. It'd be awkward for a little bit, but they'd get over it. It wasn't like he'd never caught Soda before. Johnny didn't know of the dream, only he knew, so he should be safe, he thought. He sighed. Judging from that dream, his subconscious had imagined coming in front of Johnny just a little differently. He stopped the water, drying off and stepping back into his boxers. He cleaned his mess up with a sigh before heading to his room to get dressed. He was definitely up now.

Crescent Sonata (1:43:05 AM): Johnny was blushing all over his body, looking down into his lap when Darry came in. He had seen...and Darry had been...and he had kept staring. "I...I didn't mean it..."

JesJamesMeowth (1:44:00 AM): He glanced at him. "It ain't your fault." Well, technically it was. "I've caught Soda before. I've just never been caught myself. I should have locked the door. Think I forgot."

Crescent Sonata (1:46:17 AM): "I was just worried..." He told him.

JesJamesMeowth (1:46:38 AM): "Well I'm . . . uh . . . fine," he said awkwardly.

Crescent Sonata (1:47:41 AM): Johnny just nodded. "Yeah, I know."

JesJamesMeowth (1:48:51 AM): "We cool? I mean, if you don't wanna sleep next to me . . . but I swear I don't have those much." Especially not about you, Johnny, he added silently.