Chapter Text
Ponyboy hated watching Johnny’s physical therapy. In his opinion, it was too recent of an injury to be doing any of this.
They had had an MRI done earlier that morning, which showed that his spine was in pretty good shape for someone who had broken his back. The doctor was sure that Johnny would walk, it was just a question of when.
The doctor in charge of the physical therapy had helped him stand, but Johnny let out a terrible cry when he tried to move. They eased him back to the bed gently, and Ponyboy was by his side immediately. He laid his hand on Johnny’s shoulder gently. Tears streamed down Johnny’s face as he muttered curses under his breath.
People appeared in the doorway then, from opposite ends of the hall. Ponyboy looked up from his hurting friend to find Two-Bit and Darry in the doorway, Soda and Steve right behind them.
“What happened?” Darry asked, looking every bit like Superman.
“He’s experiencing some pain while standing, but it’s perfectly normal after a broken back, along with burns,” the physical therapy doctor, Dr. Miller, said, perfectly matter-of-fact. “Your friend is doing quite well, all things considered.”
“Is he done?” Ponyboy asked sharply. He was getting tired of doctors shrugging off just how much pain Johnny was in.
Dr. Miller looked down at Ponyboy. “Yes, he’s done for this morning. We’ll be back this afternoon. I believe we can finally get him in a wheelchair to take a little tour of the hospital.”
Johnny looked up, eyes sparkling. “I can go see Dally today?” he rasped, still trying to catch his breath.
Dr. Miller smiled. “Yes, Johnny, I believe you can.”
Johnny grinned, looking at Ponyboy excitedly. Dr. Miller said his goodbyes and left the boys to themselves. Johnny still leaned heavily on Ponyboy, breathing heavily, but he had perked up significantly. Pony took the oxygen mask from where it hung around one of the bed posts, holding it up to his friend’s face. Johnny covered Ponyboy’s hand with his own, breathing deeply.
“How you two doin’?” Two-Bit asked.
Johnny gave a thumbs up, still taking deep breaths from the oxygen mask. “We’re good,” Ponyboy said for them both.
Soda and Steve sat down on the sofa in the corner of Johnny’s room, setting up cards. Two-Bit and Darry took the chairs in the room, sitting on either side of the bed. Two-Bit propped his feet up on the mattress, despite Darry’s dirty look.
“How was Dally last night?” Ponyboy asked. He knew that was what Johnny wanted to know, and to be honest, he was a little curious himself.
Darry shrugged. “Okay.”
Johnny removed the oxygen mask for a moment. “You’re lying,” he rasped out. Ponyboy guided his hand back to his face, covering his mouth with the oxygen mask again.
Darry sighed, running a hand over his face. “Guys, look, I know you’re worried. But he doesn’t need to lose his dignity, too.”
Johnny frowned behind the mask, but said nothing more.
“You’ll see him this afternoon, Johnny,” Darry said.
Johnny nodded, leaning back into bed. He grimaced as his back was bent (as much as it could be in the brace they made him wear), but managed to lie down fine. Ponyboy laid back with him, and Johnny put his head on the other boy’s shoulder, obviously exhausted.
Ponyboy sighed, slipping his arm behind Johnny’s shoulders, conscious of his friend’s back. The only noise for a while was the sound of Steve losing at cards and Darry flipping through his newspaper.
“They’re calling you three misunderstood heroes now,” Darry commented.
Ponyboy chuckled. “Someone add it to the list.”
“My favorite is still the heroes from the wrong side of the tracks,” Soda said, looking up from shuffling the cards.
“I liked two angels and a rebel with a heart of gold,” Two-Bit laughed.
“I think the absolute best was ‘Greasers in jean jackets, or knights in shining armor?’” Johnny said, lifting the mask for a moment.
The newspaper had gone wild praising Johnny, Ponyboy, and Dally. Every little kid had managed to make it out with minimal problems. The only severe injuries were to Johnny and, later, Dally. The papers had started writing opinion pieces on the Greaser vs Soc issue, and whether or not everyone judged Greasers too harshly. It was honestly a little bizarre to Pony.
Johnny fell asleep after a while, which would have been odd considering it was 10 in the morning, but Johnny had been sleeping a lot lately. The doctors said it was perfectly normal; that between the smoke inhalation, the burns, and the back injury, it was impressive for him to be awake as much as he was.
He was deadweight against Pony, but he didn’t care. It didn’t bother him as long as Johnny was alright. The other boys managed to stay quiet, even Steve as he lost at cards for the millionth time. After a couple hours of the boys entertaining themselves quietly, a nurse dropped in. Darry seemed to recognize her, so Ponyboy assumed she was probably Dally’s nurse.
“I just wanted to let you all know that Dallas was back in his room,” the nurse said. “He’s doing well, so if you want to visit, now would be a good time.”
“We’ll stop by when Johnny’s doctor brings a wheelchair down,” Darry said. “They think he can get down to visit Dally today.”
The nurse smiled. “That’s wonderful! He’ll be happy about that.”
Everyone in the room grinned. Ponyboy knew they all shared the same sentiment: everything might really be okay.
—✯—
Johnny woke up to find his regular doctor, Dr. Asher, and his physical therapy doctor, Dr. Miller, talking to his friends. He sat up as much as his brace would let him, using Pony’s shoulder as support.
“Can I see Dally?” Johnny asked, taking his oxygen mask off and hanging it on the side of the bed.
Dr. Asher smiled kindly. “Yes, you can. We just have to get you in the wheelchair.”
Johnny’s grin faded a bit. He wanted to see Dally, but the idea of having to get in that wheelchair… it sounded unpleasant, to say the least. His back hurt badly.
Dr. Miller, seemingly reading his mind, said, “Don’t worry, Johnny. There’s plenty of strong guys in here; it shouldn’t put too much stress on you.”
Johnny nodded. Together, Dr. Miller, Dr. Asher, Darry, and Two-Bit managed to get him in the wheelchair with minimal pain. It was a little embarrassing, needing other people to help him, but at least he was getting to see Dally.
Ponyboy walked alongside Johnny as they moved down the hall. Finally, Darry, who was pushing Johnny’s wheelchair, turned into a room.
There, in the bed, sat Dallas Winston, looking worse than Johnny had ever seen him. And yet, just seeing Dally, alive, made Johnny feel ten times better. Darry stopped the wheelchair right next to Dally’s bed, while the rest of the boys settled into the various chairs and sofas around the room. Dally didn’t quite seem to believe that he was seeing Johnny for a moment. Johnny reached out, taking his friend’s hand. “Hey…”
Dally looked away for a moment, and Johnny was afraid he had done something wrong. But then, Dally was looking at him again, and tears were falling down his face. Johnny hadn’t ever seen Dally cry, ever. He felt his own eyes brimming with tears then.
Johnny wished he could have gotten out of his damn wheelchair and hugged his friend. But as it was, he held onto Dally’s hand like a lifeline. He was still unsure of a lot of things, but surrounded by his friends, he knew one thing: he wasn’t alone.