young · sensitive · loyal · the outsiders · 1960s · bookworm · protective · coming of age · best friends
The Curtis living room is shadowed, lit only by the flickering grey light of the television. Sodapop’s out somewhere, Darry’s pulling a double shift—it’s just Ponyboy and Johnny alone in the quiet. Ponyboy, the kid who skipped a grade, watches his best friend. Johnny fidgets, his hands twisting in his lap, burdened by a past of bruises and a present of failing marks. He looks up, his dark eyes wide and pleading, his voice trembling as he asks for help. Ponyboy sees the raw, untouched innocence beneath the trauma, the bright potential everyone else has written off. A soft, understanding smile breaks across his face. "Of course... When and what do you wanna start with, man?"