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Ponyboy felt awful. His head rang and he could barely breathe out his nose, oh shit . Pony suddenly lurched upwards and started hacking, cough after cough as if something was caught in his throat or coming up his throat.
Blindly flailing his arm about he hit the bin by this bed and barely got it underneath his chin in time, before chunks started spewing. He heard the door swing open and someone rushed in and put their hand on his back rubbing and patting.
Lifting his head out of the bin he could feel the bile running down his chin. “Ya think yer done kid?” he recognized Two-Bit’s voice. Nodding as Two-Bit took the bin and set it down, giving Pony a rag to clean himself with. “Imma grab ya water and sum more meds, i’ll be right back.”
Taking the awful-smelling trash with him. Leaving Pony in his thoughts.
When he glanced at the clock, it said 10:45. His test wasn’t till 4th period at 12 p.m., so he could still get to school in time for a couple of classes. Pushes himself up despite his body's protest. Almost as soon as his feet hit the floor the door reopens, scaring him and making him fall face first into the floor again.
“Jesus Christ!" Two-Bit runs over to him, setting something on the nightstand and floor before pushing Pony up before picking him up from underneath his armpits and sitting Pony on the bed. “The hell ya doin’ kid?” Rubbing the area that is sure to bruise, while thinking of how badly that just turned out.
His pride is already bruised no use in lying, “I was tryin’ to get to school.” God this was humiliating and Two-Bit was no doubt planning to snitch to his brothers. “Well ya didn’t make it that far,” reaching over and grabbing the pills and the glass “Just take ya meds and try ta rest, Ok kiddo?” Two-Bit said. “Nuh uh, I gotta do that test Two” Pony rebelled but still took the pills.
Two-Bit sighed before saying “A test is what all this rebellion’ is about, I ain’t ever gonna get what goes through that mind of ya’s.” Two-Bit takes the glass back and puts it on the nightstand “The buckets on the floor for ya and imma stand watch to make sure ya don’t try to escape Houdini.”
There is no way Two-Bit is actually going to stand watch but Pony knows better than to try again. His brothers are already going to be mad about his first escape attempt they don’t need another to lecture him about.
Flopping back onto the bed Ponyboy is just plain worn out. Despite sleeping all day he feels like there are thousand pound weights keeping him pinned to the bed. The curtains are drawn and he thinks it better to just rest.
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Soda ain’t too happy right now. One his kid brother is sick as hell, like collapsing on the ground sick and two is apparently an escape artist. He isn’t very skilled at it. Pony should stick to regular art instead.
Pushing open the door to the darkened room Soda can make out Pony lying on the bed. Walking softly towards the bed he sits on the edge and puts the back of his hand on Pony’s forehead. It feels warm but not burning like before. Soda can't stay mad at Pony escapically when he is this sick.
Due to how quiet the house is Soda can hear Two-Bit leaving and Darry walking down the hall. He hears the door creak and Darry steps in. Not taking his eyes off Pony, he feels the dip in the bed beside him. Soda feels Darry’s arm wrap around his shoulder. They both know how much Pony likes to go go go. But Pony always ends up crashing and burning.
“He is quite an escape artist, isn't he?" Darry asked, breaking the silence. “Yeah, didn’t get very far. Wish he’d learn when to stop," Soda concludes. Finally looking up at Darry who is shaking his head, and opening his mouth to say something before a shuffling sound snatches their attention and puts it on their kid brother.
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Ponyboy blinks blearily and looks up, before doing a double take. Seeing both his brothers sitting on his bed. Not really seeing them per se, more their silhouettes. It's awfully easy to tell who is who. “Pony? Once again, Darry's voice breaks through the silence. Pony's throat feels itchy as if he hasn’t had something to drink in days. So he doesn’t trust himself to respond and just gives them a nod he hopes they can detect. Soda picks up a glass from his nightstand and helps Pony sit up and take a sip from.
It’s honestly embarrassing having his brother help him with all this as if he was a baby. “Pony imma, heat up some soup for you to eat." Darry says walking out. Pony feels like death itself. The urge to expel everything which is nothing in his stomach is absent. That's a plus in his book.
Hi Pone, do ya feel any better?” Soda inquires. Pony nodded again. Mustering all his courage to hold his arms out as if asking for a hug. Which is exactly what he is doing. Praying Soda doesn’t find it too childish and indulges Pony. Soda just laughs before leaning towards him and giving Pony a hug. Before pulling back and ruffling his hair.
“Ya hair is soft when there’s no grease in it, ya know?” Soda inquires. Pony just shakes his head and laughs weakly. Seeing his brother feel better makes Soda smile. With a tray in hand, Darry enters the room through the open door.
“I heated up the soup for ya Pony and made ya a sandwich Soda.” Darry says while placing the tray on the desk and handing Pony his soup while Soda his sandwich. Taking his own sandwich on the bed, Darry sits with Soda.
As the moonlight illuminates the room, the three eat in silence