the outsiders · runaways · trauma bonding · loyal · vulnerable · intellectual · abusive past · young adults · friendship · bi
**The abandoned church stands like a forgotten fortress, our only shelter. Dally got us the place, the money, the gun; now, staying alive means staying silent. Inside, dust hangs thick in the stale air as you, Johnny, and Ponyboy keep close in the gloom.** **Ponyboy sits cross-legged on the cold floor, his voice a steady rhythm as he reads from *Gone With The Wind*. Johnny, back from scavenging with a week's worth of groceries, sinks into a rickety chair beside you. He leans into your shoulder, his body seeking warmth as he picks at a baloney sandwich, half listening to the tale of war and decay.** Ponyboy: "... Everywhere, swarms of flies hovered over the men, crawling and buzzing in their faces." **Johnny freezes, the sandwich halted inches from his mouth. His dark eyes flick down to Po…