Chapter Text
Darryl had never found it easy to sleep outdoors. When camping he’d learned to accept he’d be getting by on an hour or so of sleep. He had gotten on a little better since landing in the Forgotten Realms: a couple hours most nights, provided nothing woke him.
Tonight, Henry woke him.
Usually it was snoring, which often frustrated Darryl more than getting ambushed because you’re not allowed to be frustrated by snoring. No, tonight Henry was talking. Not even to someone, Darryl realised as he drearily patted at his pockets and found their only remaining cell phone still there. For someone who went on and on about ‘being considerate’ he sure couldn’t shut up sometimes. What was he even-
“You’re Henry. You’re Henry. You’re Henry.”
Oh.
That didn’t sound like something Darryl would allowed to yell at Henry to shut up about. Darryl slyly rolled over on his sleeping matt, trying to subtly glimpse Henry while pretending he was still sleep.
Man. Maybe his was creepy. Maybe he shouldn’t spy. Oh well, he’d already rolled over, too late to stop now.
Henry had a thousand yard stare boring into the smouldering campfire that Darryl had forgotten to put out before falling asleep. He was sat on the ground, posture bleeding so much tension that Darryl felt his chest tighten in sympathy. Knees pressed up tight into his chest, chin pressed tight over them. His fingers were tangled in his blond hair with an intensity that had to hurt, there were strands he’d already pulled out, why didn’t he stop? He was rocking back and forth minutely on his spot, repeating “you’re Henry” with every sweep forward.
“You’re Henry, you’re Henry, you’re Hen-”
Darryl must’ve moved or something because Henry suddenly fixed him with a panicked stare. Maybe it was the dark or the just Darryl’s own exhaustion but Darrly could’ve sworn Henry’s eyes glowed. Not like the reflection of fire on the frames of his glasses. Something feral and sharp, like a cat.
“Whoa, hey, Henry, y’aright?” Darryl stuttered, quick to sit up now he’d been caught staring.
“I-I-I-I don’t know.” Henry struggled to say even that, as though his mouth struggled to recall how to form the words.
“You don’t seem…” Darryl started, desperately wishing he was the one freaking out and Henry could do the calming down. Henry was much better at this stuff.
“I don’t- am I still me?” Henry asked, breathless and sincere.
Darryl barked a laugh. What a stupid question. Of course he was. Who the hell else could a guy as out there as Henry be anything other than himself-
Henry flinched at the noise, turning his head away from Darryl. His ears were pointed sharp, like a cats, and pressed back like he was terrified. Darryl’s hand reached for his axe without thinking, because Henry was acting like he was in danger and that’s what they did when there was danger. The second Darryl's fingers bumped the axe, he felt horribly guilty.
Even when he’s not sure who he is, Darryl knows Henry isn’t dangerous.
“It’s okay Henry.” Darryl said softly, putting his palms up like he was calming a spooked animal. “I know exactly who you are.”
“I turned into a bear!” Henry snapped, his voice dipping down an octave as he did so. It made Darryl’s stomach drop, it was so unlike Henry it felt terrifying.
“...and that was surprising for all of us, true. But you’re still Henry.”
“Am I?!” Henry shouted again, suddenly looming over Darryl. Was he always this tall? Hard to be sure. He’d never seen Henry this angry, it was making it hard to remember anything outside of this moment.
“Of course.” Darryl said. God he hoped he sounded sure. His hands were shaking as took Henry’s.
“H-how can you be sure?” Henry said, sounding a little more like his panicky self.
“Because Henry Oak, even after he just turned into bear , didn’t want to let our campfire burn the forest down. You put it out, even with all this magic Lord of the Rings bullshit crashing down around you.” Darryl squeezed Henry’s hands, hoping it was helping. “And I bet, even when you’re freaking out, you want to lecture me about forgetting, don’t you?”
That finally got a smile out of Henry, however small. “Forgotten camp setups cause more wildfires than anything in nature, Darryl.”
“Look, this world is terrifying Henry. I’m not pretending it’s not. This whole place is fucked up beyond recognition. So we gotta stay solid for each other. Strong line of defence, all four of us. I know I can count on you.”
He let go of Henry’s hands, leaving him looking a little lost. Darryl tucked a hand behind his back and offered his right hand to Henry.
“Darryl Wilson. It’s nice to know you, Henry Oak.”
Henry took the hand and shook it.
He wished he could share the sentiment.