Chapter Text
THUNK
That's what Ponyboy’s body sounded like when it hit the floor, tripped over his feet when walking down the hall that connected all his rooms.
God dammit was Pony’s thought as he fell down and now all he can hear is ringing and he can't sense what’s happening around him. He knew he was sick and tried to get out of the house with his brothers or the gang hearing him. However, nothing went his way. He really needed to do that test though.
He despised being sick or injured because if Soda’s normal mother henning is bad it is 100x more so and even Darry turns into a mother hen. In addition, the rest of the gang watches out for him and doesn't let him do anything. In short he gets babied even more than normal and it annoys him a shit ton as well.
Pony feels Soda before he can hear him, the back of his hand resting against his forehead and trying to get Pony into a standing position asking frantically if he is alright and shouting about him burning up. When Soda lifts him up by his arms and turns him back towards his room he regains his voice.
“No.” “Whatcha mean no? Pony ya hafta get back ta the bed.” Soda confusion seeps into his words. “Nope got stuff to do.” It’s what he tried to say but came out more slurred and mumbled and an overall mess. But Darry who was right behind Soda with his blurred vision could see a pill bottle and a glass of water.
“Don’t be a hardass Pone” Darry sighed “Take this Soda, I’ll get him to bed.” Pony could feel the annoyance in Darry's voice almost as much as he could hear concern.
Pony felt his body shifting into broader stronger arms whose tight grip told him he wouldn’t get out of it anytime soon. That didn’t stop him from trying. “Let g-” He barely got let out before a voice told him it wasn’t just his brothers here. “Pone ya should just go back ta bed especially after that tumble.” Johnny’s voice rang out.
Again God dammit ran through his head because unless Pony himself invited Johnny over he typically tagged along with at least one other gang member either Steve or Two-Bit and if Johnny is here then Dallas is definitely here. And both Steve and Two-Bit arrive together.
So it was clearly seen by everyone and he is screwed for trying to get out of this. Darry starts to push him towards the room and Pony is powerless to do anything but walk along with him. He knows from experience that if he doesn’t at least trudge along Darry will either A. Throw him over his shoulder or B. Just straight up pick him up and carry him.
Before he knew it he was sitting or leaning on a standing Darry while he was underneath the blanket struggling to sit up. Sodapop was sitting on the side of the bed in front of him looking at the thermometer that said 100.5.
“Here honey take these.” 3 aspirin pills were shoved in his face before he accepted them and the glass of water Darry handed him. Darry took the glass back and set it on the nightstand before pushing down Pony. “Ya ain’t gonna be at school today and if this temperature lingers, ya won't be at school tomorrow." Darry said it in a tone that wasn’t to be argued with but when has Pony ever listened?
“I got a test.” Shit that sounds even worse of a mumble and jumble than earlier. If he didn’t mention it then he wouldn’t know what he attempted to say. It seemed to confuse Soda who typically could understand him “Test? Is that what you said hon?” followed up by someone walking into the room saying “A test? Ya throwin’ this much of a fuss over not bein’ able to do a test?” Steve so helpfully interrupted.
Steve leaned towards Soda and handed him a bowl with a rag on the side of it. Soda took it while telling Steve to knock it off. Darry started speaking so Pony turned his attention to him, "Ok, Pony, you need some rest.". If the fever passes before tomorrow mornin’ ya can go ta school.”
Pony nodded before something wet and cold hit his forehead and scrunched up his face. “Sorry sorry I was just trying to cool you off." Soda said, chuckling as he concluded.
Sending a glare towards Soda because apparently his pain is funny to his brother. Soda pulls the blanket to tuck him in as he gets off the bed. “Just sleep, okay honey. We’ll get one of the guys to watch over today.” Soda said softly.
“Rest lil colt ya feel better later.” Darry whispered before walking out with Soda trailing behind him.
Ponyboy’s mind kept trying to come up with ways to get to school. However, eventually despite how awake but sluggish he felt sleep dragged him under and the world around him grew dark.
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“Oh thank God!" Soda exclaimed after gently shutting the bedroom door. He is reminded of all the times Ponyboy is sick and how he never seems to want to rest. Their parents let them in on a small secret a couple years back on how they would slip a low dosage sleeping pill in with the aspirin they would give him. It worked like a charm. Only to be used if Pony wasn’t letting his body rest.
“I ain’t know how he ain’t realized y'all gave him those pills.” Dallas spoke through a mouthful of eggs. Sitting with Johnny at the table while Steve and Two-Bit were by the couch.
“And he better not, it’s the only way he actually rests when he gets sick.” Darry said sternly as if daring one of them to tell Pony why he actually falls asleep when ill. Soda patted Darry on the arm “Any one of y’all willin’ to watch him?” Despite that being what was said it meant “One of y’all better keep an eye and ear out for him here.”
“I can, that Show Pony is in capable hands!” Two-bit offered. He was typically the one who watched the boy when he got ill. Most of the time he stays sober or doesn’t get drunk enough for it to be noticeable.
Darry nods before hurrying to get everything together and rush to work as does Soda. Soon everyone but Two-bit and the sick boy in bed has vacated the house.