Chapter Text
Small beams of sunlight streak through the blinds in the living room, causing Ponyboy to squint slightly. He readjusts his blanket, pulling it up and tucking it just under his chin, letting out a quiet groan of pain. He shifts his body to a more comfortable position on the couch, and his eyes gaze over to the clear bowl beside him, taking everything in him to not throw up then and there.
“Hey, Pone?” Soda says through the other room. “You doin okay in there?”
Ponyboy’s eyes close for a moment and he shakes his head, even though he knew Soda couldn’t see the action. A small whine escapes his lips and his fingers grip the blanket closer to his shivering body.
“Pony?” Soda asks, his footsteps nearing closer as he walks into the living room.
Ponyboy’s eyes remain closed as he lets out one more small groan, his face beet red from throwing up and coughing. A shaky hand reaches for the clear bowl and he clutches it, not quite placing it on his lap.
“You shouldn’t have eaten that chicken,” Darry calls from the kitchen. “It looked pretty damn pink in the middle.”
Soda gives Darry a look and turns his attention to his youngest brother.
“Stomach still killin’ ya?” he asks, taking a seat on the couch a cushion away.
Ponyboy’s head nods and his knuckles turn white from gripping the bowl so hard. His eyes flicker open for a moment and he glances over towards Soda, a gleam in his eye from the heavy vomiting he did just minutes earlier.
“Can I have some water?” Pony asks, his eyes silently pleading.
Soda gives him a small smile and a nod before standing back up and heading for the kitchen. He could hear the noises of cupboards opening and closing and the sound of Darry’s voice, but he couldn’t quite make out what he was saying.
The sound of footsteps return, Soda walking into the living room first with a tall glass of water, while Darry follows behind him with a bowl of soda crackers. Darry places the bowl on Ponyboy’s lap and motions for him to eat one.
“I ain’t hungry,” Pony whispers, pushing the bowl close to the edge of the couch.
“Did I ask if you were hungry? Eat. You need something to put in your stomach.” Darry says sternly, crossing his arms and looking down at Pony.
Ponyboy looks up at him before letting out a small sigh, picking up one of the crackers slowly before nibbling on it. Soda gives him a small smile of encouragement while Darry just nods and takes a seat on his chair, the newspaper resting on his armrest. He glances over at Ponyboy and stares him down, his face emotionless.
“We ain’t goin’ back to that restaurant anytime soon.” Darry states, grabbing the newspaper and flipping it open. “We ain’t riskin’ another day of this.”
Ponyboy lets out another small groan as he finishes his cracker. His hands almost immediately yank the clear bowl into his lap as the contents of his stomach empty into it, causing his eyes to sting with tears. Soda immediately sits next to him and rubs his back, giving him small words of encouragement.
“You’re alright, kid. Let it out.” he whispers, continuing to rub small circles in between his shoulder blades.
Ponyboy finishes puking and breathes heavily, wiping a trail of saliva off of his lips. He closes his eyes for a second and a tear droplet falls down his cheek. He feels a small poke on the shoulder and he slowly opens one eye, seeing Soda holding the glass of water out for Pony to take.
“Thanks, Soda,” he mumbles, taking the glass and placing it to his lips.
Darry glances back towards his brothers and shakes his head, his facial expression dropping slightly as he takes in Ponyboy’s appearance. His hair wasn’t greased and he had the darkest eyebags he had ever seen. He could see that Pony was also wearing the same clothes and knew he hadn't bothered to change or shower since he had gotten sick.
“You wanna try a bath or somethin’? Darry asks, placing his open newspaper on his lap. “It’ll probably help you feel better.”
Pony turns his attention to Darry and nods hesitantly, knowing he needed to bathe sooner or later.
“Yeah, I can try,” he says, setting the vomit-filled bowl beside him and slowly peeling the blanket off of his cold-sweated body.
He pushes himself off of the couch and shuffles over to the bathroom, his clothes sticking to his sick body. He groans as he swings the door open, flicking on the light and starting the bath, making sure the water was hot enough for his liking.
“Hey, Pone, let me do this for ya. Go get comfortable.” Soda chuckles, jogging over to the bathroom and taking over Pony’s duties.
Ponyboy doesn’t object as he strips down and sits in the tub, laying back and closing his eyes tightly. He lets out a content sigh and sinks down into the hot water, already feeling his body beginning to heal.
“You alright? Water ain’t too hot is it?” Soda asks, looking at Pony with a smile.
Pony shakes his head and relaxes even further into the water, letting it surround him. He opens his eyes and looks at Soda for a moment.
“This is the best I’ve felt in days.” he says, exhaling and closing his eyes once more.
Soda lets out a chuckle and ruffles Ponyboy’s hair, kneeling down beside the tub. Footsteps approach the bathroom and the door creaks open slightly, Darry peeking his head in.
“I’m gonna get your bed ready, okay Pone? Come out when you’re done.” he states, his footsteps fading as he heads up to Pony’s room.
Ponyboy nods and feels himself fall back into the warm embrace of the water once more, feeling as though he could stay in there for hours. A few minutes later, he could feel himself drifting off to sleep as his ear touches the water, jolting his eyes open. Soda looks at him and chuckles, grabbing clean clothes for Pony and a fresh towel.
“Let’s get you to bed before you fall asleep and drown in here, kiddo.” Soda chuckles, draining the tub and helping Pony to his feet.
Pony gladly lets Soda help him and he wraps the towel around his slick body, his hair sticking up in all directions as he dries himself off. Soda passes him underwear and some pajama pants and he dresses himself, already feeling much better than before.
“Need me to grab Darry to drag you to bed, or are ya able to do it yourself? Soda questions with a slight smirk.
Ponyboy groans and shuffles his feet as he pushes his way out of the bathroom and to his room. As he sees his bed, his body relaxes and he flops on it with a huff. Darry looks up when he hears a noise and chuckles to himself when he sees the state of Ponyboy.
“Doin alright, kiddo?” Darry asks, helping tuck Pony into bed like he was a little kid again. “Bath feel good?”
Ponyboy nods and closes his eyes, sinking into the creaky mattress and yanking the blankets up to his chin.
“You wanna grab the bowl in case I puke again?” Pony whispers, his face half buried into the pillow.
“Course I can, be right back.” Darry says, leaving the room and coming back a few minutes later with a clean bowl.
Ponyboy gives him a nod in acknowledgement and places it down beside him, just in case he needs it in arms reach. He glances at Darry through his tired eyes and gives him a grin.
“Is food poisoning contagious, Dar?” Pony asks, his voice curious.
“I don’t believe so, why?” Darry responds, crossing his arms.
Ponyboy shrugs and shifts his body closer to the blanket.
“Just wonderin if I could give this to you and Soda,” he smiles, his eyes drooping from exhaustion.
Darry chuckles and ruffles Pony’s hair.
“In your dreams, kid.” he says, shaking his head.
Ponyboy smiles and yawns, closing his eyes gently and laying his head fully into his pillow. He shifts his body to sink into the firm mattress and sighs.
“Tell Soda goodnight, I’m too tired,” Pony whispers, his words slurred from the pillow underneath his face.
“Will do, Pone. Get some rest, alright?” Darry says, walking over to the doorway and standing there for a second.
Ponyboy lets out a small hum, almost forgetting about his stomach and body aches for the moment. He feels himself drift off into sleep and mumbles something before it is too late.
“Love ya, Darry.”
Darry smiles and flicks off his light, turning to face Pony before leaving.
“Love ya too, kiddo.”