The Outsiders meet elves: A Keeper of the Lost Cities crossover a Sophitz story

Chapter 11 - Johnny

"Tess, wait. Could I talk to you for a moment?" I asked.

"Okay." Tess said, as everyone else walked inside the church.

"I really like you, Tess." I said. I screwed up. That doesn't sound romantic at all.

"I like you too, Johnny." Does she not like me, the same way I like her?

"I mean, like I've had a crush on you for a year." I said, trying to get my point across.

"Johnny, I've had one on you for years. I never thought you'd see me as anything more than Pony's little sister." Wow. How did I never see that? I feel a little embarrassed. Oh, well. I have to let her know how much she means to me.

"We could skip the talking." I said, before leaning in, and pressing my lips against her soft lips. They taste like strawberries.

"Johnny, you have no idea how much you mean to me." Tess whispered.

"I doubt I could mean as much to you as you mean to me." I whispered, "I'd die for you, if it came to that. You and Evelyn mean the world to me. Sometimes, I wonder how much the gang would miss me, if I died."

"Johnny! We'd all be crushed. Dally would do something stupid. I have no idea exactly what he'd do, but it would definitely be stupid. Pony would be heartbroken, to have lost his best friend. Two-Bit's jokes would stop, he'd drop the act. Everyone else would follow. We'd all spiral into the abyss known as grief, and we wouldn't be able to stop it." She sounded so heartfelt, I knew she would be heartbroken if I left her. I knew in that moment that I'd never leave her. Ever. Unless it would protect her life. I'd keep her safe no matter the cost.

"Tess, I wonder why Pony can feel our emotions without touching us, but not the rest of the gang's."

"Maybe it's because we hear thoughts." she whispered. She leaned on my shoulder. "The stars are so beautiful. The way they twinkle and shine, like nothing can ever hurt them."

"Tess, would you be my girl? I want to be the one that makes your eyes light up, and shine like the stars. I don't want to see you sad. I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy." I said.

"Yes." she whispered, before gently kissing me. She fell asleep, curled in my arms. She looked like an angel. So peaceful, so beautiful. I guess I must've fallen asleep too, because the next thing I knew, Evelyn was shaking me awake.

"Johnny, what happened? Why didn't you and Tess come in last night?" Evelyn asked.

"We fell asleep outside." I said.

I guess I must've been blushing, because she asked, "What else happened?"

"I asked her to be my girl. She said yes." I replied. Tess stirred.

"Johnny? What time is it?" Tess asked, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Probably 'round eight or so."

"I'm hungry, but I don't want bologna." she said.

"I don't either." I said, as Pony walked out. "Hey Pony. Got a cancer stick?"

"Yeah, here." He passed me one.

"Johnny, please don't. It smells awful, and it makes your breath stink as well." Tess said. I'd do anything for my baby.

"Alright." I passed the cancer stick back to Pony.

"What's going on? You two seem much closer." Pony looked real confused. I don't blame him.

"Johnny asked me to be his girl." Tess said, "We're going steady."

"That's cool." Pony said, "I could see the looks you two gave each other. I was wondering how long it would take before you two started going steady. It's just gonna take some getting used to. You dig?"