#cakepop

{Author’s note: Hi hi this is cakepop/johnnypop fluff. Yall can thank chris for this one. 7,300 words}

{Happy reading}

The Curtis house always woke up slowly, but Johnny and Soda seemed to exist in a world that stirred even earlier. Most mornings, before Ponyboy’s alarm buzzed or Darry’s footsteps started their steady march through the hallway, Johnny would slip through the front door and find Soda already half-awake in the kitchen, hair sticking up, smile soft and sleepy. They’d share cereal, quiet jokes, and the kind of easy silence that only happens when two people feel safe around each other. Day by day, those mornings stretched longer, the touches lingered, and the space between them grew smaller, until it felt like the sun wasn’t the only thing rising in that kitchen. Something warm was building there too, slow, steady, and impossible to ignore.

One morning, Johnny was already sitting at the table when Soda padded into the kitchen that morning, hair sticking up like he’d been wrestling with his dreams. He blinked blearily, then grinned, bright and warm in a way that made the quiet feel less empty.

“Morning, Johnnycake,” Soda mumbled, reaching for the cereal box and immediately knocking a spoon onto the floor. Johnny snorted before he could stop himself.

Soda pointed at him, eyes half-open. “Don’t laugh. I’m fragile before breakfast.”

“You ain’t fragile,” Johnny said, but the smile tugging at his mouth gave him away.

Soda finally managed to pour cereal into the bowl, mostly. A few Cheerios bounced across the table, and Johnny nudged them back toward him without comment. Soda sat down across from him, stirring lazily, watching Johnny with that soft, easy attention he never seemed to notice he was giving.

“Pony still out cold?” Soda asked.

“Yeah,” Johnny said. “He was up reading again.”

Soda snorted. “Figures.”

He leaned back in his chair, stretching, shirt riding up just a little. Johnny looked away fast, ears warming, but Soda didn’t tease him for it. Instead, he nudged Johnny’s hand with his own, gentle, casual, like it was just part of the morning routine now.

Johnny didn’t pull away.

“Nice way to start the day,” Soda said quietly.

Johnny nodded, feeling something warm settle in his chest. “Yeah. It is.”

The house stayed still around them, the sky brightening inch by inch. Ponyboy would wake soon, and Darry would start clattering around getting ready for work, but for now it was just them, two boys sharing the softest part of the morning, like it belonged to them alone.

…………………………..

One summer day, the afternoon heat settled heavy over Tulsa, the kind that made the air shimmer above the pavement and slowed everyone down. Ponyboy had gone off with Two-Bit to look for a movie, and Darry was still at work, leaving the Curtis house unusually quiet. Soda was stretched out on the front steps, shirt damp from the humidity, a bottle of Coke sweating beside him. Johnny hovered near the porch railing, kicking lightly at a loose chip of paint.

“You can sit, y’know,” Soda said, tilting his head toward the step beside him. “I ain’t gonna bite.”

Johnny huffed a tiny laugh and sat, careful to leave a little space between them. Soda didn’t seem to notice the distance, he just leaned back on his elbows, eyes half-closed, soaking in the sun like a cat.

They sat like that for a while, the neighborhood humming around them. A lawnmower buzzed down the street. A dog barked. Somewhere, a radio played a song too fuzzy to make out. It was peaceful in a way Johnny didn’t get often.

“You’re quiet today,” Soda said eventually, glancing over at him.

Johnny shrugged. “Just thinkin’.”

“About what?”

Johnny hesitated. He wasn’t used to people asking. He wasn’t used to people caring enough to ask. But Soda’s voice was soft, not pushy, and the porch felt safe, like the mornings did.

“About… our mornings together,” Johnny said. “They’re nice.”

Soda smiled, slow and warm. “Yeah. I like when you’re around early. Makes the house feel less empty.”

Johnny looked down at his hands. “Didn’t think anyone noticed.”

“I notice,” Soda said simply. “I notice a lot about you.”

Johnny’s breath caught, not in a dramatic way, just a small, startled way, like someone had opened a door he didn’t realize was there. Soda didn’t look away. He didn’t tease. He just let the words sit between them, honest and easy.

Johnny swallowed. “I like bein’ here. With you.”

Soda’s smile softened even more, the kind of smile that made Johnny feel warm all the way down to his bones. “Good,” Soda said. “’Cause I like you bein’ here too.”

The porch felt different after that, still quiet, still warm, but charged with something new. Not scary. Just… real. Johnny shifted a little closer, barely an inch, but Soda noticed. Soda always noticed.

He nudged Johnny’s knee with his own, gentle and familiar. “We make a good team, Johnnycake.”

Johnny didn’t pull away.

Those mornings became the part of the day Johnny looked forward to most, and the part Soda seemed to protect without even realizing it.

………………..

By the time evening rolled in, the Curtis living room was packed. Two-Bit had claimed the couch like it was his birthright, Steve was sprawled on the floor flipping through a car magazine, and Dally leaned against the wall with the kind of bored intensity only he could pull off. Ace, legs crossed, hair tied up with a bandana, sat perched on the arm of the chair, teasing Ponyboy about his latest English assignment while Darry tried, and failed, to pretend he wasn’t listening.

Johnny slipped in quietly, as he always did, but Soda noticed him instantly. He scooted over on the couch, patting the spot beside him with a grin that was way too bright for someone who’d been up since dawn.

Johnny sat, trying to act normal, but Soda’s knee brushed his. Not hard. Not accidental. Just… there. Warm. Familiar. Soda didn’t move it.

Johnny didn’t either.

Two-Bit raised an eyebrow. “Well ain’t this cozy.”

Soda tossed a pillow at him. “Shut up, Two-Bit.”

Johnny ducked his head, but Soda nudged his shoulder lightly, an unnecessary touch, soft and quick, the kind that made Johnny’s stomach flip. Soda kept talking to Steve about some guy at the DX, but every few seconds he’d glance sideways at Johnny, like he couldn’t help checking he was still there.

Johnny caught him once.

Soda didn’t look away.

Johnny did, face warm, heart thudding, but Soda’s smile lingered like he’d seen something he liked.

Ace noticed too. She smirked, leaning forward. “You two are awful close tonight.”

Soda shrugged, casual as anything. “Johnny’s my buddy.”

But his hand brushed Johnny’s again, barely a touch, just fingertips grazing knuckles, and Johnny felt it all the way up his arm.

Ponyboy narrowed his eyes. “Since when do you sit that close to anybody but me?”

“Since always,” Soda said, but he didn’t move away. If anything, he leaned in more, shoulder pressing lightly against Johnny’s. Johnny didn’t know what to do with the warmth blooming in his chest, but he didn’t pull back. Couldn’t.

Dally watched them with a look that wasn’t quite teasing, wasn’t quite judging, just sharp, observant. “Huh,” he muttered. “Didn’t know you two were close.”

Johnny’s head snapped up. “Dally..”

Soda cut in fast. “Drop it.”

Dally smirked but let it go, turning his attention back to Pony and Ace arguing about whether Pony’s English teacher hated him.

The room buzzed with laughter, teasing, the usual Curtis‑house chaos, but Johnny felt like he and Soda were in their own little pocket of quiet. Soda’s knee stayed against his. Soda’s shoulder stayed warm beside him. And every time Johnny looked up, Soda was already looking at him.

………………………

The gang eventually drifted out into the warm night, Two-Bit chasing Ace down the sidewalk with some ridiculous joke, Steve and Dally arguing about engines, Darry calling after Pony to be home before ten. Soda lingered on the porch, talking to Steve, but his eyes kept flicking toward Johnny like he was checking to make sure he hadn’t wandered off.

Johnny felt every glance.

Ponyboy hung back, watching Soda for a moment before nudging Johnny’s arm. “Hey,” he said quietly. “Walk with me for a sec.”

Johnny stiffened. “Uh… sure.”

They stepped down the porch and onto the sidewalk, the streetlamps buzzing faintly overhead. Pony shoved his hands in his pockets, kicking at a pebble as they walked.

“You and Soda have been… different recently,” Pony said finally.

Johnny’s heart jumped. “Different how?”

Pony gave him a look, one of those looks that said he’d been paying attention way more than Johnny realized. “You know how.”

Johnny swallowed hard. “We’re just… close.”

“I know,” Pony said. “But you were sittin’ real close. And he kept lookin’ at you like you were gonna disappear if he blinked.”

Johnny’s face warmed. “I didn’t mean nothin’ by it.”

Pony shrugged. “Didn’t look like nothin’.”

Johnny stopped walking. Pony stopped too, turning to face him.

“I don’t wanna make things weird,” Johnny said, voice low. “Soda’s your brother. I don’t want you thinkin’ I’m…”

“Johnny,” Pony cut in gently, “I don’t mind.”

Johnny blinked. “You don’t?”

Pony shook his head. “Soda cares about you. You care about him. I ain’t dumb, I can see when two people are drawn to each other.” He nudged Johnny’s shoulder lightly. “And Soda’s happy when you’re around. Happier than usual.”

Johnny didn’t know what to say. His chest felt tight, but not in a bad way, more like something inside him had loosened.

Pony smiled, small and sincere. “Really. I don’t mind.”

Johnny let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “Thanks, Pony.”

Pony bumped his shoulder again. “Just don’t get all mushy in front of me. I see enough of Soda’s nonsense already.”

Johnny laughed, quiet, but real.

Behind them, Soda called from the porch, “Johnnycake! You wanderin’ off without me?”

Pony smirked. “See? He’s already lookin’ for you.”

Johnny felt the warmth rise again, but this time he didn’t try to hide it.

Johnny walked back toward the porch, Pony peeling off toward the house with a casual wave. Soda was leaning against the railing, arms folded, one foot propped up like he’d been waiting there the whole time.

He probably had been.

Soda’s grin softened when Johnny got close. “You two were talkin’ for a while,” he said, voice light but curious. “What’d Pony want?”

Johnny shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Nothin’ big.”

Soda raised an eyebrow, the kind of look that said he wasn’t buying it for a second. “Johnnycake,” he said, stepping closer, “you’re a bad liar.”

Johnny’s stomach flipped. Soda wasn’t teasing hard, just nudging, like he always did. Johnny looked down at his shoes. “He just… noticed stuff.”

“Stuff?” Soda echoed, leaning in a little more. Their shoulders brushed. Johnny felt it everywhere.

“About earlier,” Johnny said quietly. “About us sittin’ close. About you lookin’ at me.”

Soda blinked, caught off guard for just a second. Then he smiled, small, warm, almost shy. “Yeah? And what’d he say?”

Johnny hesitated. Soda waited, patient in a way that made Johnny’s chest ache.

“He said he doesn’t mind.”

Soda’s breath left him in a soft laugh, relief, surprise, something else Johnny couldn’t name. “He doesn’t mind,” Soda repeated, like he needed to hear it twice.

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.”

Soda’s hand brushed Johnny’s arm, gentle, deliberate, lingering just a second longer than it needed to. “Good,” he said, voice low. “I didn’t want him thinkin’ anything was wrong.”

Johnny looked up at him, and Soda was already looking back.

The porch light buzzed overhead. The night air was warm. And for the first time, Johnny didn’t feel like he had to hide the way he leaned just a little closer.

……………

The DX smelled like gasoline, old rubber, and whatever cologne Steve had drowned himself in that morning. Soda was leaning against the counter, wiping down a rag that was already clean, humming to himself like he didn’t have a care in the world.

Johnny and Ponyboy walked up together, Pony sipping a Coke and Johnny trailing a step behind, hands shoved in his pockets.

Soda lit up the second he saw them.

“Johnnycake!” he called, way louder than necessary. “And Pony, hey.”

Pony rolled his eyes. “We were literally here yesterday.”

“Yeah, but today’s different,” Soda said, tossing the rag aside and leaning forward on the counter. “Johnny’s here.”

Johnny blinked. “I’m… always here.”

Soda grinned. “Yeah, but today you look good.”

Johnny froze. Pony choked on his Coke.

Soda didn’t even pretend he hadn’t said it. He just leaned his chin on his hand like he was posing for a magazine. “Whatcha been up to?”

Johnny shrugged. “Nothin’ much.”

Soda nodded like Johnny had just told him something profound. “That’s real interestin’. You wanna hang out while I finish up? I got tires to stack. Could use an assistant.”

Pony stared at him. “Soda. You’re not subtle.”

Soda ignored him completely. “Whaddya say, Johnny?”

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh… sure?”

Soda beamed like he’d won a prize. He hopped over the counter, and landed beside Johnny, brushing his shoulder as he passed. “C’mon. I’ll show you the good tires.”

“There’s no such thing as good tires,” Pony muttered.

Soda shot him a look. “Let me have this.”

Johnny followed Soda to the back, where stacks of tires leaned against the wall. Soda grabbed one and pretended it was heavier than it was, flexing dramatically.

Johnny blinked. “You okay?”

“Never better,” Soda said, grinning. “You should try it’s real fun..”

Johnny frowned, confused. “It’s just a tire.”

“Yeah,” Soda said, stepping closer, “but you make everything fun.”

Pony, watching from the doorway, groaned. “I’m gonna lose my mind.”

Johnny didn’t seem to notice. He picked up a tire, set it down, and wiped his hands on his jeans. “That good?”

Soda nodded, eyes soft. “Perfect.”

Johnny shrugged again, oblivious. “Okay.”

Soda laughed under his breath, half fond, half exasperated, and nudged Johnny’s arm. “You’re killin’ me, Johnnycake.”

Johnny blinked. “Huh?”

Pony stepped forward, clapping Johnny on the shoulder. “He’s flirting with you.”

Johnny froze. Soda froze harder.

Pony took a sip of his Coke. “Just thought someone should say it.”

Johnny’s face went red. Soda’s ears went red. Pony looked extremely pleased with himself.

Soda cleared his throat. “Well… yeah. I mean. Maybe a little.”

Johnny stared at him, wide‑eyed.

Soda’s smile softened, just a little, like he was about to say something real, something that would’ve changed the whole air between them.

And that’s exactly when Steve Randle shoved open the DX door so hard it rattled.

“HEY,” Steve yelled, already annoyed, “who moved the socket wrench? I swear if one of you idiots!”

He stopped dead when he saw Soda and Johnny standing way too close, Soda’s hand still hovering near Johnny’s arm, Johnny looking like he’d just been caught doing something illegal.

Steve blinked. “Uh… am I interrupting something?”

Soda jumped back so fast he nearly tripped over a tire. “Nope! Nothing! Absolutely nothing!”

Johnny’s face went red. Ponyboy, standing behind Steve, looked like Christmas had come early.

Steve squinted at them. “You two look guilty as hell.”

Johnny opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. “We were just… talkin’.”

Steve raised an eyebrow. “Right. Sure. Talking.”

Soda cleared his throat loudly. “Anyway! Johnny was helping me with tires. Very normal. Very manly. Very not‑weird.”

Pony snorted. “You’re the worst liar in Tulsa.”

Steve grabbed the socket wrench off the counter, still staring at them like he was trying to solve a puzzle. “Whatever you’re doin’, don’t do it near the tools. I don’t need emotional drama in the work area.”

Soda sputtered. “It’s not emotional drama!”

Johnny wished the floor would swallow him whole.

Steve pointed the wrench at them. “Uh‑huh. Sure. I’m goin’ back to the garage before I see something I can’t unsee.”

He walked out, muttering under his breath.

Ponyboy took a long sip of his Coke. “Well. That was fun.”

Soda groaned. Johnny covered his face with his hands.

And Pony, absolutely delighted, added, “Don’t worry. Steve interrupts everything.”

Johnny’s face was still red when he mumbled, “I’m gonna… uh… get some air,” and slipped out the DX door. The bell jingled behind him, leaving Pony and Soda alone in the quiet shop.

Soda watched the door close, rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to scrub off the embarrassment. Pony took one long sip of his Coke, eyes narrowed in the way only a little brother could manage.

“So,” Pony said.

Soda groaned. “Don’t start.”

“I’m not starting,” Pony said. “I’m continuing.”

Soda dropped onto the counter stool, burying his face in his hands. “Steve’s timing is the worst in the whole damn state.”

“He walked in on you practically making heart eyes at Johnny,” Pony said. “What’d you expect him to do? Applaud?”

Soda peeked through his fingers. “I wasn’t makin’ heart eyes.”

Pony raised an eyebrow. “Soda. You were flirting so hard I thought you were gonna propose.”

Soda’s ears went bright red. “I wasn’t flirting that bad.”

“You told him he looked nice. Several times..”

Soda winced. “Okay, maybe a little bad.”

Pony hopped up to sit on the counter, swinging his legs. “You like him.”

Soda didn’t answer right away. He stared at the floor, then at the door Johnny had walked through, then finally at Pony. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I do.”

Pony nodded like he’d already known. “Johnny’s… different with you. Happier. Less shy.”

Soda’s expression softened. “He makes me feel that way too.”

Pony shrugged. “Then don’t freak out so much. Johnny’s not gonna run off just ‘cause Steve walked in.”

Soda let out a breath, leaning back on his hands. “I just don’t wanna mess things up. Johnny’s been through enough.”

“You’re not messing anything up,” Pony said. “You’re just bein’ you. And Johnny likes you. Even if he’s a little slow on the uptake.”

Soda laughed, quiet, relieved. “He is kinda oblivious.”

“Kinda?” Pony scoffed. “He didn’t realize you were flirting even when you flexed at him with a tire.”

Soda covered his face again. “Don’t remind me.”

Pony nudged his arm. “Relax. He’ll figure it out. And when he does? He won’t mind.”

Soda looked at him, hopeful. “You sure?”

Pony nodded. “I don’t mind either.”

Soda’s shoulders loosened, the tension melting out of him. “Thanks, little buddy.”

Pony smirked. “Just don’t get all mushy in front of me. I don't wanna see that.”

The DX door jingled as Johnny stepped back inside, hands shoved in his pockets, cheeks still a little pink from earlier. Soda straightened so fast he nearly knocked over a display of oil cans.

Soda straightened fast. Pony just grinned.

“Hey!” Soda said, voice way too loud. “You’re back! Cool. Great. Normal.”

Ponyboy snorted.

Johnny blinked. “Uh… yeah. Just needed some air.”

“Air’s good,” Soda said, nodding aggressively. “I love air. Big fan of air.”

Pony took a long sip of his Coke to hide his grin.

Johnny frowned slightly. “You okay, Soda?”

“Me?” Soda laughed, high, nervous, absolutely suspicious. “I’m peachy. Totally fine. Just workin’. At the DX. Like a normal person.”

He grabbed a random wrench off the counter and pretended to inspect it, even though it was clearly the wrong tool for anything he’d been doing.

Pony leaned toward Johnny. “He’s trying to act normal.”

“I am acting normal,” Soda insisted, gripping the wrench like it was a lifeline. “This is the most normal I’ve ever been.”

Johnny stepped closer, brow furrowed. “You sure?”

Soda nodded so hard his hair bounced. “Yep. Normal. Super normal. Ultra normal.”

He set the wrench down, missed the counter entirely, and it clattered loudly onto the floor.

Pony nearly spit out his Coke.

Johnny bent down to pick it up, handing it back gently. Soda’s fingers brushed Johnny’s, quick, soft, familiar, and Soda froze like he’d been caught doing something illegal.

Johnny didn’t pull away.

Soda swallowed. “Thanks.”

Pony rolled his eyes. “You’re hopeless.”

Soda shot him a glare. “I’m fine.”

“You’re flustered,” Pony said.

“I’m not flustered.”

“You’re sweating.”

“It’s hot in here!”

“It’s seventy‑two degrees.”

Soda groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Pony, please.”

Johnny shifted closer, voice quiet. “You don’t gotta act normal around me.”

Soda looked up, surprised, relieved, a little shy. “Yeah?”

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.”

Pony hopped off the counter. “Thank God. Maybe now he’ll stop pretending he’s not losing his mind.”

Soda shoved him lightly. “Get outta here.”

Pony grinned. “Gladly.”

He wandered toward the door, leaving Soda and Johnny standing close, closer than before, Soda finally letting himself breathe again.

Johnny glanced toward the door, still a little pink around the ears. Ponyboy was already halfway there, tossing his empty Coke bottle into the trash.

“I’m gonna head out,” Johnny said softly. “Pony’s waitin’.”

Soda straightened, trying to look casual even though his heart was doing cartwheels. “Oh, yeah. Sure. You guys go on.”

Johnny nodded, giving Soda a small, shy smile. “See you later.”

Soda’s face warmed. “Yeah. Later.”

Johnny turned to follow Pony, and Ponyboy shot Soda a look over his shoulder, half teasing, half knowing. The kind of look that said don’t blow it without saying anything at all.

Soda tried to act normal. He really did.

“Have fun!” he called, voice cracking just a little. “Be safe! Don’t… uh… trip or anything!”

Pony stopped in the doorway, staring at him. “Soda… what?”

“Nothing!” Soda said quickly. “Totally normal goodbye!”Johnny bit back a smile, ducking his head as he stepped outside. Pony followed him, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.

The door jingled shut behind them.

Soda stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where Johnny had been. The DX felt too quiet without him, like someone had turned the volume down on the whole world.

He let out a breath, rubbing the back of his neck.

Soda was still staring at the door Johnny had walked through, a goofy, dazed smile tugging at his mouth. He looked like someone who’d just been handed a secret he didn’t know how to hold yet.

He muttered to himself, “Real smooth, Curtis. Real smooth.”

That’s exactly when Steve shoved the garage door open with his shoulder, wiping grease off his hands.

He took one look at Soda’s dreamy expression and groaned. “Oh, for crying out loud. You’re still thinking about him.”

Soda nearly jumped out of his skin. “STEVE. Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

“I didn’t sneak,” Steve said. “You were just standing there like you were in a romance novel.”

Soda’s ears went bright red. “I was not.”

Steve leaned against the counter, smirking. “You were staring at the door like Johnny was gonna come back and confess his undying love.”

Soda sputtered. “I! He.. shut up.”

Steve crossed his arms. “You got it bad, man.”

“I do not,” Soda insisted, grabbing a rag and pretending to clean the counter even though it was already spotless.

Steve watched him for a long moment. “You’re wiping the same spot over and over.”

Soda froze. “No I’m not.”

“You’re polishing air.”

Soda threw the rag at him. Steve caught it easily.

“Look,” Steve said, tossing the rag back, “I don’t care if you’re into Johnny. I just need you to stop acting like a kicked puppy every time he leaves the room.”

Soda groaned. “I’m not a kicked puppy.”

“You are,” Steve said. “A very pretty, very pathetic kicked puppy.”

Soda covered his face with both hands. “I hate you.”

“No you don’t,” Steve said. “You love me. I’m your best friend. And I’m telling you, Johnny’s into you too.”

Soda peeked through his fingers. “You think so?”

Steve snorted. “Buddy, he looked at you like you hung the moon. And then he left with Pony because he was flustered. You two are a mess.”

Soda lowered his hands, cheeks still warm. “I just… don’t wanna screw it up.”

Steve softened, just a little. “You won’t. You’re good with him. Just stop panicking every time he breathes.”

Soda laughed weakly. “I’ll try.”

Steve clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. Now help me with this car before you start writing poetry about him.”

Soda shoved him lightly. “Shut up.”

Steve grinned. “Never.”

………………..

Johnny showed up earlier than usual the next morning. The sky was still pale and sleepy, the Curtis house quiet in that soft way it always was before sunrise. He slipped inside, shutting the door gently behind him.

Soda was already in the kitchen.

He was leaning over the counter, pouring cereal with one hand and rubbing his eyes with the other. His hair was a mess, worse than usual, and he looked like he hadn’t slept much. But when he saw Johnny, his whole face lit up.

“Johnnycake,” Soda said, voice warm and rough from sleep. “You’re early.”

Johnny shrugged, stepping closer. “Yeah. Just… felt like comin’ over.”

Soda’s smile softened. “I’m glad you did.”

Johnny sat at the table. Soda joined him, bowl in hand, knee brushing Johnny’s under the table, light, familiar, intentional. Johnny didn’t move away.

For a moment, they just sat there, listening to the quiet house breathe.

Johnny cleared his throat. “Soda?”

Johnny cleared his throat. “Soda?”

Soda looked up instantly. “Yeah?”

Johnny swallowed. “About yesterday. At the DX.”

Soda froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. “Oh. Uh. Yeah. That.”

Johnny’s voice was small but steady. “Were you… really flirtin’ with me?”

Soda set the spoon down slowly. “Johnny… I wasn’t tryin’ to make you uncomfortable.”

“You didn’t,” Johnny said quickly. “I just… didn’t know what to do.”

Soda let out a breath, relief, nerves, everything tangled together. “I was flirtin’. Yeah. I like you. More than just buddies. Been tryin’ to act normal but I’m terrible at it.”

Johnny looked down at his hands. “I thought maybe you did. But I didn’t wanna assume.”

Soda leaned forward, voice gentle. “You can assume with me.”

Johnny’s chest tightened in a warm, aching way. “I… like you too.”

Soda blinked. “Yeah?”

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.”

Soda’s smile broke across his face, bright, soft, real. He reached out, brushing Johnny’s hand with his fingertips. Not grabbing. Not pushing. Just touching.

Johnny turned his hand so their fingers could rest together.

Soda’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I been hopin’ you’d say that.”

Johnny looked up, meeting Soda’s eyes. “I been hopin’ you’d mean it.”

Soda laughed quietly, relief and joy all mixed together. “I mean it, Johnnycake. I really do.”

Johnny felt something settle inside him, something steady and warm. “Me too.”

They sat there in the soft morning light, fingers touching, shoulders close, the house still quiet around them. Ponyboy was still asleep. Darry wasn’t up yet. The world hadn’t started moving.

Johnny and Soda were still sitting close at the kitchen table, fingers brushing, shoulders touching, both of them wearing soft, shy smiles that would’ve been invisible to anyone who wasn’t paying attention.

Unfortunately, the gang paid too much attention.

The front door slammed open.

Two-Bit burst in first, singing off‑key and waving a newspaper like it was a victory flag. “Mornin’, Curtis brothers! Mornin’, Johnnycakes! Mornin’,”

He stopped mid‑sentence.

His eyes dropped to Soda and Johnny’s hands.

His grin stretched slow and wicked. “Well, well, well.”

Johnny jerked his hand back so fast he nearly knocked over his coffee. Soda went bright red.

“Two-Bit,” Soda warned, “don’t.”

“Oh, I’m gonna,” Two-Bit said, leaning against the doorway like he’d just discovered buried treasure. “This is better than the romance section.”

Before Soda could respond, Steve walked in behind him, wiping grease off his hands. “What’s better than the romance-?”

He saw the scene.

He froze.

He pointed at them. “I KNEW IT.”

Johnny covered his face. Soda groaned. “Steve, please.”

Steve ignored him completely. “I told you yesterday! I told you you were makin’ heart eyes! I told you you were polishing AIR!”

Two-Bit cackled. “Heart eyes? Soda? At Johnny? Oh, this is rich.”

Soda shoved his cereal bowl away. “Can everyone calm down?”

“No,” Steve and Two-Bit said in perfect unison.

Ponyboy wandered in next, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “What’s going on?”

Two-Bit pointed dramatically. “Your brother and Johnny LIKE each other.”

Pony stared at them, unimpressed. “Yeah, I know.”

Two-Bit blinked. “You what?”

Pony shrugged. “Soda told me yesterday. Johnny told me last night. Keep up.”

Steve looked personally offended. “Why am I the last one to know anything around here?”

Dally appeared in the doorway, cigarette dangling from his lips. “Because you’re slow, Stevie.”

Steve flipped him off.

Dally took one look at Soda and Johnny, still sitting close, still blushing, and smirked. “Huh. Knew it.”

Johnny’s head snapped up. “You did?”

Dally shrugged. “Kid, Soda looks at you like you’re a puppy he wants to adopt. Wasn’t hard to figure out.”

Soda buried his face in his hands. “I hate all of you.”

Ace slipped in behind Dally, tying her hair up. “Oh my god,” she said, grinning. “Finally.”

Johnny groaned. “Can everyone stop actin’ like this is a big deal?”

Ace laughed. “It is a big deal. But it’s cute. And we’re happy for you.”

Soda peeked out from behind his hands. “Really?”

Ace nodded. “Yeah. You two make sense.”

Two-Bit threw an arm around Steve. “Group vote: I approve!”

Steve raised his hand. “Approved.”

Pony raised his. “Approved.”

Ace raised hers. “Approved.”

Dally didn’t raise his hand, but he smirked. “Approved.”

Two-Bit turned to Soda and Johnny with a dramatic flourish. “The council has spoken.”

Johnny dropped his head onto the table with a groan. Soda laughed, bright, embarrassed, relieved.

And despite the chaos, despite the teasing, despite the noise…

Soda reached out under the table and brushed Johnny’s hand again.

Johnny didn’t pull away.

The gang eventually scattered, Two-Bit off to find breakfast, Steve back to the DX, Dally muttering something about needing a smoke, Ace dragging Pony outside to show him a stray cat she’d found. The house finally quieted down, leaving Soda and Johnny still at the kitchen table, sitting close in that new, soft way that felt both terrifying and perfect.

That’s when Darry walked in.

He had a towel slung over his shoulder, hair still damp from his shower, and he froze mid‑step when he saw them. Not dramatically, just a tiny pause, the kind only someone who knew him well would notice.

His eyes flicked from Soda… to Johnny… to their hands resting close together on the table.

Johnny tensed. Soda straightened.

Darry didn’t say anything at first. He just grabbed a mug, poured himself coffee, and leaned against the counter like he was thinking through about twelve things at once.

Finally, he cleared his throat. “So… you two wanna tell me what’s goin’ on?”

Soda swallowed. “Darry?”

Johnny’s voice was small but steady. “We… kinda like each other.”

Darry blinked once. Twice. Then he set his coffee down.

“Well,” he said slowly, “I figured something was up. You two been actin’ different.”

Soda winced. “Different bad or different good?”

Darry shrugged. “Different… obvious.”

Johnny’s ears went pink.

Darry sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I ain’t mad. I just wanna make sure nobody’s gettin’ hurt.”

Johnny looked down at the table. “I wouldn’t hurt Soda.”

Soda nudged his knee gently against Johnny’s. “And I wouldn’t hurt Johnny.”

Darry watched the little gesture, watched Johnny relax just a bit, and something in his expression softened.

“Alright,” he said. “Then I guess I don’t mind.”

Johnny looked up, surprised. “You don’t?”

Darry shook his head. “Johnny, you’re family. Soda’s family. If you two care about each other… that’s your business. Just be good to each other.”

Soda let out a breath he’d clearly been holding. “We will.”

Darry pointed a finger at Soda. “And you, don’t get stupid about it.”

Soda grinned. “Me? Stupid? Never.”

Johnny snorted. Darry rolled his eyes.

He grabbed his coffee and headed toward the hallway, pausing just long enough to add, “Pony already told me, by the way.”

Soda’s jaw dropped. “He WHAT?”

Darry smirked. “Kid can’t keep a secret to save his life.”

Johnny laughed, quiet, warm, real.

And Darry, halfway down the hall, called back, “Breakfast is on you two tomorrow. Since you’re up early anyway.”

Soda groaned. Johnny smiled.

And just like that, Darry was gone, leaving the kitchen warm, quiet, and empty again.

The house stayed still after Darry left, sunlight creeping slowly across the kitchen floor. Soda and Johnny sat close, fingers still loosely intertwined, both of them wearing small, shy smiles that felt brand‑new.

Johnny looked down at their hands. “Feels kinda crazy,” he murmured. “All this happenin’ so fast.”

Soda shook his head gently. “Doesn’t feel crazy to me. Feels… right.”

Johnny’s chest warmed. “Yeah. It does.”

Soda shifted a little closer, slow and careful, giving Johnny plenty of space to pull back if he wanted. Johnny didn’t move. If anything, he leaned in too, just a little, just enough.

Soda’s voice dropped to something soft. “Johnnycake… can I?”

Johnny nodded like he’d been waiting for Soda to ask.

Soda leaned in, brushing his lips against Johnny’s cheek, a tiny, warm kiss, barely there, more like a promise than anything else. Johnny’s breath caught, but he didn’t pull away. He turned slightly, eyes meeting Soda’s.

“That was nice,” Johnny whispered.

Soda smiled, relieved and glowing. “Yeah?”

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.”

Soda reached up, cupping Johnny’s jaw gently with one hand, steady, warm, careful. Johnny’s eyes fluttered shut, and Soda kissed him again, this time on the lips. Soft. Brief. Sweet. Nothing rushed, nothing heavy, just two boys finally letting themselves feel something they’d been carrying for a long time.

Johnny exhaled slowly when they parted, forehead resting lightly against Soda’s. “I been wantin’ that,” he admitted quietly.

Soda laughed under his breath, brushing his thumb across Johnny’s cheek. “Me too.”

They stayed close like that, sharing the quiet morning, the soft light, the newness of everything between them. No noise. No teasing. No chaos.

Just them.

Together.

……………..

That afternoon, the sun was sinking low, turning the Curtis porch gold and warm and Johnny stood by the railing, backpack slung over one shoulder, the kind of tired settling into him that came from a long, good day. Soda leaned against the doorway behind him, arms folded, watching him with that soft look he’d started wearing more and more.

“You headin’ out?” Soda asked, voice gentle.

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.I want to get home before dark.”

Soda stepped closer, hands sliding into his back pockets like he didn’t know what else to do with them. “You sure you don’t wanna stay a little longer?”

Johnny smiled. “I been here all day.”

“Yeah,” Soda said, grinning, “and it’s been the best day I had in a long time.”

Johnny’s ears warmed. He looked down at the porch boards, scuffed and sun‑bleached. “Mine too.”

Soda hesitated, then reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against Johnny’s wrist. “Hey… before you go…”

Johnny looked up.

Soda’s voice softened. “I wanna ask you somethin’ proper.”

Johnny’s heart thudded. “Okay.”

Soda took a breath, stepping close enough that their shoes touched. “I know we kissed this morning. And I know we said we liked each other. But I wanna make it real. Not just somethin’ that happened ‘cause the house was quiet.”

Johnny swallowed. “What’re you sayin’?”

Soda’s thumb brushed Johnny’s hand, slow and warm. “I’m sayin’… I wanna be with you. For real. Not just mornings. Not just when nobody’s lookin’. I wanna be your boyfriend.”

Johnny blinked, stunned all over again. “You… you mean it?”

Soda nodded, eyes steady. “Yeah. I mean it.”

Johnny’s breath caught. He stepped closer, closing the tiny space between them. “Then… yeah. I wanna be yours.”

Soda’s smile broke wide and bright, the kind that made Johnny feel like the whole porch lit up. He cupped Johnny’s cheek gently, thumb brushing along his jaw.

“Can I kiss you?” Soda asked softly.

Johnny nodded. “Yeah.”

Soda leaned in and kissed him , slow, warm, careful. Johnny kissed him back, hands curling lightly into Soda’s shirt. Soda kissed him again, a little quicker, then once more, laughing quietly against Johnny’s mouth like he couldn’t help himself.

Johnny whispered, “You’re real sweet.”

Soda grinned. “Only for you.”

He kissed Johnny again, soft, lingering, the kind of kiss that made Johnny forget the fading daylight and the time he was hoping to be home. Johnny kissed him back, one hand sliding up to Soda’s shoulder, pulling him just a little closer.

Soda rested his forehead against Johnny’s. “My boyfriend,” he murmured, trying the words out like they were brand‑new.

Johnny kissed him again, small, shy, perfect. “Yours.”

Soda kissed him one more time, slow and warm, before finally pulling back with a soft sigh. “You better get goin’ before I decide you can’t leave.”

Johnny nodded, cheeks warm, heart steady. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Soda brushed his thumb across Johnny’s cheek one last time. “Count on it.”

Johnny stepped off the porch, turning back once to see Soda still watching him, smiling like he’d never seen anything better.

And Johnny walked home with the kind of warmth that didn’t fade, even after the sun went down.

………………..

The Curtis house had gone quiet hours ago. Pony was asleep, Darry’s door was shut, and the porch light buzzed faintly in the warm night air. Soda was lying on the couch, half‑awake, flipping through a magazine he wasn’t really reading. His mind kept drifting back to the porch, to Johnny’s shy smile, to the way he’d said yours like it meant something big.

A soft knock sounded at the front door.

Not loud. Not urgent. Just… hopeful.

Soda sat up fast. “Johnny?”

He crossed the room and opened the door. Johnny stood there on the porch, shoulders tense, eyes tired, backpack hanging off one arm like he’d left in a hurry. He looked small in the porch light, smaller than usual.

“Hey,” Johnny said quietly. “Sorry. I… didn’t know where else to go.”

Soda didn’t ask questions. He didn’t need to. He stepped aside and held the door open. “C’mon in, Johnnycake.”

Johnny slipped inside, shutting the door gently behind him. Soda could see the way his hands shook a little, the way he kept his eyes down.

“You okay?” Soda asked softly.

Johnny swallowed. “Home’s… loud tonight. Didn’t feel safe stayin’ there.”

Soda’s chest tightened. He reached out, brushing Johnny’s arm with the back of his hand. “You never gotta apologize for comin’ here. Not ever.”

Johnny nodded, but his breath still came uneven. Soda guided him to the couch, sitting down beside him, close enough that their knees touched. Johnny leaned into him almost immediately, like his body recognized safety before his mind did.

Soda wrapped an arm around his shoulders, slow and gentle. “You’re alright now. I got you.”

Johnny let out a shaky breath and rested his head against Soda’s shoulder. They sat like that for a long moment, the quiet settling around them like a blanket. Soda didn’t rush him. He just held him, thumb brushing slow circles against Johnny’s arm.

After a minute, Johnny whispered, “Thanks for lettin’ me come back.”

Soda pressed a soft kiss to the top of Johnny’s head, gentle, warm, nothing rushed. “You can come back any time. Middle of the night, middle of the day… doesn’t matter.”

Johnny shifted closer, turning his face toward Soda. Soda cupped his cheek, thumb brushing lightly along his jaw. Johnny leaned into the touch, eyes soft and tired.

Soda kissed him, slow and sweet, the kind of kiss meant to calm someone down. Johnny kissed him back, small and careful, like he was afraid he’d break the moment. Soda kissed him again, a little longer this time, then once more, quick and warm.

Johnny whispered, “You make me feel safe.”

Soda’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Good. That’s all I want.”

Johnny curled up against him, head tucked under Soda’s chin. Soda pulled a blanket over them both, his arm still around Johnny, holding him close.

Johnny’s breathing slowed. His eyes fluttered shut.

Soda kissed his forehead, soft and lingering. “Sleep, Johnnycake. I’m right here.”

Johnny murmured something too quiet to catch, but he relaxed completely, sinking into Soda’s side like he belonged there.

Soda leaned back against the couch cushions, keeping Johnny close, warm, safe.

Within minutes, Johnny was asleep.

A little while later, Soda drifted off too, the two of them tangled together under the blanket, the porch light glowing faintly through the window, the Curtis house quiet and safe around them.

And for the first time, Johnny fell asleep knowing he wouldn’t have to wake up alone.

……………………

The next morning, the Curtis kitchen glowed with early sunlight, the kind that made everything look softer than it really was. Johnny sat on the couch hair still mussed from sleep, blanket draped around his shoulders like he hadn’t quite woken up yet. Soda sat beside him, close enough that Johnny was practically in his lap, close enough that Johnny didn’t have to wonder if he was welcome.

He already knew.

Darry moved quietly around the kitchen, not saying much, but every so often he glanced over at the two of them on the couch, snuggled up together. He didn’t look surprised. He didn’t look bothered. He just looked… relieved. Like he was glad Johnny had somewhere safe to land.

Ponyboy wandered in next, yawning so hard his eyes barely stayed open. He took one look at Johnny wrapped in Soda’s blanket and smirked. “You two look like you hibernated.”

Soda waved a hand at him. “Make your breakfast and hush.”

Johnny laughed, soft, real, the kind of laugh that came from feeling safe.

When Pony and Darry stepped out to get ready for the day, the kitchen fell quiet again. Soda leaned closer to Johnny, chin resting in his hands as he looked at him.

“You sleep okay?” Soda asked, voice gentle.

Johnny nodded. “Yeah. Better than I have in a long time.”

Soda’s smile softened. “Good. I like wakin’ up with you here.”

Johnny felt his chest warm. “I like bein’ here.”

Soda reached out, brushing his thumb along Johnny’s cheek, slow, warm, familiar. Johnny leaned into the touch without thinking. Soda’s smile grew even softer.

“You know,” Soda said quietly, “you don’t gotta wait for things to get bad to come over. You can come here just ‘cause you want to.”

Johnny swallowed, eyes stinging in a way he didn’t mind. “I… want to.”

Soda leaned in and kissed him, gentle, lingering, the kind of kiss that didn’t rush anything. Johnny kissed him back, hands curling lightly into Soda’s shirt. Soda kissed him again, quick and warm, then once more, softer than the first two.

Johnny whispered, “You’re real sweet in the mornings.”

Soda grinned. “I’m sweet all the time. You’re just finally seein’ it.”

Johnny kissed him again, small, shy, perfect.

Soda rested his forehead against Johnny’s. “You stayin’ tonight too, right?”

Johnny nodded. “If… if that’s okay.”

Soda cupped his cheek, thumb brushing along his jaw. “Johnnycake, it’s more than okay. I want you here.”

Johnny felt something settle inside him, steady, warm, safe.

Soda kissed him one last time, slow and soft, before pulling back with a smile that looked like sunlight.

“Welcome home,” Soda murmured.

Johnny didn’t say anything at first. He just leaned into Soda’s shoulder, letting the quiet morning wrap around them both.

And for the first time, Johnny didn’t just feel like he had a place to stay.

He felt like he had a home.

{Thank you for reading! Heres a cookie}

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