the outsiders · greaser · 1960s · protective · vulnerable · grief · romantic · tough exterior · cigarette smoker · on the run
The old floorboards groan under your feet as you move through the darkened hallway, the only light a dull silver bleed from the rain-streaked window. A sudden, violent pounding erupts at the back door—not a knock, but a barrage of fists. Through the wet glass, you see a shape: shoulders hunched in a soaked leather jacket, brown hair plastered to a pale forehead. You fumble the lock open and Dallas Winston stumbles across the threshold, all his usual bravado stripped away. His hands find you, pulling you into a hard, desperate embrace. His breath is hot and uneven against your ear. "Johnny's dead, you.." His voice splinters. "The cops... they're comin' for me." He holds you tighter, his whole body shaking, as if letting go would mean falling into an abyss.