Johnnyboy
They/Them Ponyboy because this legit happened to me and I'm sad about it

Word Count: 1,206

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Ponyboy shifts from their spot on the bed, humming gently. They were snuggled up to Johnny since Soda wasn't home to take his spot back in bed. He was staying at Steve's for the night. Both teen didn't seem to mind.

It gave them more time to relax and cuddle close. The two were suckers for any sort of physical affection. So it worked out quite well. Eventually both teen heard the door open and close.

Darry was home. Ponyboy pulls away from their boyfriend, sitting up and stretching. Johnny simply smiles. He loved his partner a lot. They were just so sweet.

"I'll be back," Ponyboy says. "Gonna have Darry sign my progress report."

The redhead had been making good grades as always. They did their best to do everything to the best of their ability. And sometimes it didn't seem enough. At least Darry seemed to think so. It was irritating to hear Darry nag, but Ponyboy knew that Darry loved them.

Johnny nods his head and sits up, giving Ponyboy a quick peck to the lips. The ravenette would wait patiently for the younger teen to come back to bed. The redhead grabs the progress report from their backpack, taking it out to Darry who was sitting in his chair.

"Darry, can you sign this for me?" Ponyboy asks, holding the paper out to their oldest brother. "Its for extra credit."

"Yeah, hand it over," Darry says, taking the paper as Ponyboy handed it to him.

The brunette grabs a pen, reading over the assignments and points earned and whatnot. He knew that the younger redhead's grades were good. He always pushed him to do his best, even if the younger teen took it as nagging.

At the note from Ponyboy's teacher though, his eyebrows furrow. The brunette was a bit confused. He couldn't help but scoff, glancing at the redhead before looking back at the note.

"Ponyboy is an exceptionally talented and bright student! They are an absolute pleasure to have in class!"

Ponyboy's cheeks flame red. They had forgotten about the note on the back. The teacher for this specific class used their pronouns. It made them feel more comfortable. They were thankful.

"What? There's two of you now?" Darry asks. "I know I ain't good at english but your teacher is dumber than a box of rocks."

"He's smart," Ponyboy responds, standing there uncomfortably. "Got a degree and everything."

"Well if he were so smart, he wouldn't be calling you two people," Darry quips. "You aren't two people. Just one person. Did you write the note? Ain't too bright if you used they for just yourself. I thought you were supposed to be good at english."

The redhead takes a small breath, feeling their heart start to race. They hadn't come out to Darry or Soda yet, so these types of comments were crushing. The teen knew who they were as a person and just wanted to be respected.

"I didn't write it.. Just sign the paper please," Ponyboy says. "I wanna get it in my bag so I can turn it in."

Darry simply stares at the younger teen, holding the pen and paper in his hands. The brunette thought that this was stupid. Ponyboy wasn't two people, and anyone who thought 'they' could be put into singular use was stupid.

"Please, Darry, come on," the teen says, giving an awkward laugh. There was a lump forming in their throat. Ponyboy was close close tears. "Just sign the paper."

Darry scoffs but he reluctantly signs the paper, handing it back to the young redhead. Ponyboy takes it and holds it in their hands tightly, the paper crumpling into their touch.

"And tell your teacher its him," Darry says. "They is for describing multiples of something or someone. Even I know that and english wasn't even my best subject in school."

The redhead nods wordlessly and scurries back to their room, closing the door. They were quick to shove the paper back into their bag, choking back a small sob. The teen was embarrassed and upset.

Embarrassed for forgetting about the note and not coming out and upset because Darry was so disrespectful about the whole thing. They just wanted Darry to love them as they were. The teen couldn't fake who they weren't.

"Pone, what's the matter?" Johnny asks, looking at his partner. Seeing the redhead close to tears was alarming, especially since it was just over a progress report. "Darry scold you or something? I've seen your grades, they're just fine."

Ponyboy shakes their head and climbs back into bed with Johnny, wrapping their arms around his neck loosely. The older teen holds them close, rubbing a hand over their back. Seeing them upset always broke his heart. The teen didn't deserve sadness.

"What happened?" Johnny asks gently.

"Darry seen what my teacher wrote about me," Ponyboy whimpers, burying their face into his shoulder. "He used my pronouns and Darry called him stupid for it, said that I wasn't two people. Called me stupid too."

"Oh, honey," the ravenette murmurs gently, pressing a kiss to the top of their head. "Your teacher ain't stupid, and you surely aren't either. You're the smartest person I know."

Ponyboy sniffles, curling up into the older teen carefully. The redhead was still upset. They hated when people talked to them like that. The teen wanted to be validated and cared about just the same as if they still used he/him pronouns. But they didn't. And it wouldn't change. It made them comfortable.

"You're the best person I know," Johnny says quietly. "And certainly the greatest significant other I could ever ask for. I wouldn't ever ask you to change."

The redhead pulls away a bit, carefully using their forearm to wipe their tears. Johnny was the best boyfriend they could ever ask for. He always knew just what to say. It made everything better.

"Thank you, Johnny," Ponyboy murmurs gently, giving a small smile. "Sweetest boy I've ever known."

Johnny smiles gently and moves a hand to cup their cheek, rubbing a thumb over their cheekbone. Ponyboy was so precious to him. They've known each other since they were kids and started dating about a year ago. 

Ponyboy remembered coming out to Johnny and feeling so scared that it would ruin everything. And it didn't in the end. The ravenette only asked a couple of questions but was overall supportive. Their relationship had been nothing but smooth sailing since.

The ravenette leans in and presses a gentle kiss to the younger teen's lips. Ponyboy kisses back, relaxing into the hand on their cheek. They certainly couldn't ask for anything better.

Eventually the two pull away and press their foreheads together, bodies still pressed close to one another. The two were more than happy. Ponyboy would just have to find a way to come out to Darry later. Just not now.

"How about we walk to the gas station and get some Pepsis?" Johnny asks, grinning gently. "Bet that'll make you feel a bit better."

Ponyboy giggles softly, nodding.

"I'd like that a lot."