///TW this one shot has vulgar language and is centered around alcoholism(not researched) if you are not comfortable with this then please do not read this, I don't recommend anyone 15 or younger to read this either\\\

They were screaming all night long. Johnny found himself wondering how they haven't completely fucked up their vocal cords. His fingers wrapped around the corner of the blanket, eyes shifted to the ceiling. He flinched. Every time their voices got louder. He heard a loud thud.

He flinched.

How long have they been going at it for? They've been at it ever since he got home. Every time he thinks they're done they start screaming again. He wished he took up Ponyboy's offer to spend the night. A door slammed and the house went silent after a few minutes.

He sat up, rubbing his face. He looked down at his hands. He was shaking. He should be used to this by now. He waited for a couple more minutes before standing up. He didn't want to see them, but he was sure they were finally asleep. His heart raced as he opened his door, tip toeing down the hallway.

The floor creaked under his foot. He flinched. He blinked away the tears forming in his eyes. The living room was trashed and he couldn't count how many beers were scattered around the place. He saw pieces of a broken lamp on the floor. He grabbed a trash bag and began cleaning up the place. He couldn't stand the filth.

He grabbed a can on the coffee table, stopping when he felt it was half full. Why did they drink this everyday? What was so special about it? Why did they let this ruin everything?

He brought the can to his mouth. He took a sip. He nearly spit it out, it was nasty. But, he finished it.

He poured the rest of the full cans in the sink and went back to sleep.

~

The same process happened every time he was home for the next month. Every time, he got more adjusted to the bitter taste and drank more.

~

Johnny's been avoiding everyone like a plague. He just wants to drink more and go back to sleep.

~

Johnny has been skipping school for the last month. He figured he should make an appearance. He didn't give a damn about his grades, he knew he was stupid.

The halls were littered with people and the air filled with excessive chatter. He squinted, the light nearly blinding. His head pounded from the night before.

"Johnny! Where've ya been?"

He turned around and faced Steve. Steve winced, seeing that he was sporting another black eye.

Johnny shrugged, eyes glued to the ground. He could see why Two-Bit drank, the liquid felt good going down his throat. At first, the taste was so nasty it was hard to swallow. But, he's used to it now.

"H-Hey Steve."

Steve arched an eyebrow at the stench coming off the kicked puppy. "You doin' alright? We haven't seen you around much lately. Kid's worried about you."

Kid referring to Ponyboy. Shame pulsed in his veins as Johnny clutched his backpack strap. "Sorry, it's been c-crazy lately.." he stammered over his words. He didn't want to talk. He didn't even want to be here.

Steve pursed his lips, his eyes stormy. "What've you been doing, Johnny? You know how this turns out."

Yeah, of course he knows. His parents are fucking alcoholics.

"I-It's fine.." he kept his responses sweet and to the point. He didn't want to drag this conversation. He just wanted to leave.

"How hasn't Dal noticed yet?"

Truthfully, he's been avoiding Dally like the plague. Every time he's seen him or everyone else, he keeps the visit brief. Makes an excuse. Dally's been busy too, from the cooler and Shepard and Sylvia.

Johnny shuffled his feet, eyeing the clock. "L-look man, I gotta get to class."

Before Steve could say anything else, Johnny walked away, thinking about when he could get his next drink.

~

Johnny never went to Darry's. He got booze, went to the lot and drank himself to sleep.

~

When he woke up next, he was on a very familiar couch. Darry set a glass of water on the coffee table next to him along with two pills.

He watched Johnny, his icy eyes looking so solemn and sad. He never pictured Johnny drinking, ever.

Johnny sat up with a groan, taking a drink of water and swallowing the pills. He couldn't bring himself to look at Darry, he didn't want to see how disappointed he looked.

Darry sighed, rubbing his temple. He looked at Johnny. "How long has this been going on for?"

"A couple months.."

"Is it your folks?"

"Y-yeah."

Darry stood his ground, arms crossed. "Is this why you haven't been around? You know, we've all been worried for you. You know you can come over anytime, doesn't matter what time of day it is."

Johnny sighed, looking up at him. "How d-did you find me?"

Darry sat down next to him, giving him a sad smile. "I was driving home from work and saw you knocked out at the lot. You must've drank a lot."

Johnny shrugged, looking down at his feet. "I'm sorry. I-I didn't plan on this happening. I just w-wanted to see why they did it so much."

"You need to get help, Johnny. You're a good kid with a good head on your shoulders. You don't want to end up like them."

"D-does Ponyboy know I'm here?"

Darry shook his head. "He's out of town for the day at a track meet. I have to pick him up from the school in a couple of hours."

"I'm sorry."

"You need to get help before it's too late."

Johnny's shoulders shook. "W-what if I don't want help? What if it's too late?"

A hand fell on his shoulder and squeezed it. "I know it's not too late. This isn't you, Johnny. I've known you since you were a kid."

He wept for the first time in what felt like forever.

"Darry? I think I need help."

///Sorry I cut this so brief. I know this is OOC and AU, I haven't written anything for The Outsiders in a very long time. I know this isn't 100% accurate to alcoholism, I didn't do any research before writing this. Alcoholism is very serious, and if any of you are suffering, there is help for you. I know people suffering from alcoholism in my personal life, and for me personally it is very hard or impossible to forgive them for what they've done. But everyone is different. I hope you are all doing well and I'll see you the next time I randomly write something.\\\