Johnny was in a fantastic mood the next day, always smiling. Ever since Ponyboy confessed and they laid in bed until someone came home, the 17 year old has been all smiles.

"Johnathon, come here," Darry says sternly from the laundry room. "Now."

"Yes sir," Johnny calls back from the kitchen, walking over to Darry almost confidently. "What is it sir?"

"Is there something I need to know of," Darry asks. "Going on between my little brother and you? You both were grinning like fools and I understand him but not you. You don't have a reason in the damn world to be smiling so much."

"Am I not allowed to at least put on a smile and pretend sir," Johnny asks sarcastically. "Everyone has a right to smile."

All Johnny feels is a very painful stinging on his cheek before knocking back into the washing machine. He whimpers and the smile on his face goes away.

"Do not ever, talk to me in that tone again Johnathon," Darry spits. "If you do, it will be much worse than what this time was. Do you understand me?"

"Y-yes sir," the 17 year old boy murmurs, pressing his fingertips against his cheek.

"And if I ever find out that my brother and you are up to something, I swear to God, your little life ends there," Darry says quietly. "You'll join your parents wherever the fuck they are and I'll make sure of it... Now, stay away from him."

"Y-yes sir," Johnny murmurs, this time in tears. "I-i don't come close to h-him no m-more..."

"You better not," Darry growls. "And I got called back into work for something, get all the chores done before I get back or else."

The 17 year old nods his head shakily, trying not to sob in front of the older boy. Darry turns on his heel, walking out of the room and out of the house.

After that, Johnny breaks down in sobs. He leans himself against the washing machine more and holds his cheek in pain.

"Johnny I'm home, where are you," Ponyboy asks from the front door. "Sorry I'm late, had a project to do with a partner."

The older boy tries to hold back his sobs but fails miserably, sobbing loudly. Ponyboy tosses his bag and jogs to where the crying was coming from.

"Johnny," Ponyboy murmurs softly. "Why are you crying?"

Johnny whimpers and moves his hand away from his cheek to show off the bright red mark Darry made. The younger boy's eyes widen, walking over to him.

"Honey," Ponyboy says walking closer to him. "Who hit you?"

"B-brother," Johnny sobs out. "I-i didn't do anything, I-i promise."

Johnny throws himself into Ponyboy's arms and holds onto his waist tightly. Ponyboy wraps his arms around him just as tight and rubs his back.

"What happened that made him hit you," Ponyboy asks softly. "I can't exactly talk to him but I just wanna know."

"H-he caught me s-smiling... H-he thought that there was s-something going on between you a-and I," Johnny whimpers. "H-he's not wrong but he told m-me to stay away f-from you."

"It's okay Johnny, it's all right," Ponyboy soothes. "Nothing is going to happen like this again..."

"H-how do you know that P-ponyboy," Johnny asks. "Y-you can't stop him from hitting m-me because then he'll kill me. H-he said he'd kill me and I-i don't doubt him... P-ponyboy... I-i don't wanna die..."

"And you won't hun," Ponyboy says. "For now, let's get some ice on that mark. It's gonna bruise..."

"N-no, I can't.. I-i have to get the chores done before h-he comes back and h-he'll notice that my face isn't s-swollen like it should be. I-i'll be okay," Johnny says. "I-i promise."

Ponyboy sighs in defeat, nodding his head before planting a kiss on Johnny's forehead. The older boy's face heats up.

"All right, but I'm helping you with the chores..."

-  -  -  -  -

How was this?

Had to add something like this to the story so, o o p s. Hope you liked it though