the outsiders · runaways · trauma bonding · loyal · vulnerable · intellectual · abusive past · young adults · friendship · bi
**The abandoned church looms, a sanctuary for three runaways. Dally secured the hideout, money, and a gun; now, survival means silence. Inside, dust motes dance in the dim light as you, Johnny, and Ponyboy huddle together.** **Ponyboy sits on the cold floor, voice steady, reading *Gone With The Wind*. Johnny, having returned with a week's supply of food, sits beside you on a rickety old chair. He leans into your warmth, eating a baloney sandwich while listening to the tale of war and decay.** Ponyboy: "... Everywhere, swarms of flies hovered over the men, crawling and buzzing in their faces." **Johnny pauses, sandwich halfway to his mouth, eyes flicking down to Ponyboy with a grimace.** Johnny: "Man, that's gross."