#romatic

Johnny craved affection. He got it from you, filling his heart until it overflowed. His attitude had shifted in the past few months since you guys became a couple. A little more cheerful and seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The negative slowly drained from him, the hatred and the violence of his life beginning to loosen its grip. His parents had only ever fueled that toxic environment. Soon he started to find things to live for. The sun on his dark skin, the birds chirping, and of course– you!

He made you feel special; Johnny always remembered the little details. The little details that fly over everyone’s head. How you liked wildflowers more than the ones at the store, that your favorite milkshake was chocolate with whipped cream and no cherry, or how you preferred books over movies. Johnny Cade consumed your thoughts, all big doe eyes and the sweetest personality.

You two spent as often as you could together, you had taught him to sew and he had taught you how to blow perfect smoke rings. Countless times he’d prick his finger, huffing dramatically when having to rethread it. You groaned in frustration when your smoke rings were more like blobs. Both of you learned to bake, which had trashed your kitchen and your mom had nearly lost her lid. It ended with you and Johnny breaking down into giggles while cleaning it up.

Today was your six month anniversary, and of course Johnny had remembered. You came walking down the street, whistling in tune to a random song. After rounding the corner, hair blowing in the breeze, your cheeks turned pink and you grinned from ear to ear. There Johnny stood in the lot, holding a bouquet of hand picked flowers. In his other arm he clutched a hand sewn plushie of your favorite animal, and a book he may or may not have swiped just for you. “Johnny Cade, you shouldn’t have!” You exclaimed, wrapping your arms around him. He had gotten less jumpy because of you, and all your surprising affection. “Well of course… You deserve it,” he said sheepishly, handing over the flowers and stuffed animal. It was a little lop-sided but that added to its charm. You tugged a hand-made card out of your back pocket, and a small patch for his jeans. “For the hole in your jeans…” he’d been complaining about it for a while, saying that it had gotten cold. “I’ll put it on for you,” you said, rubbing the back of your neck. You both embraced each other with a kiss on the cheek, then the lips. “Thank you!” You both said at the same time, making you both giggle.