You guys, I swear that there is this crazy phenomenon that whenever I write a sick!fic I end up getting sick – it happens without fail, ugh.
As they pulled into the driveway Ponyboy jolted out of the car and headed straight to the bathroom. Darry knew he would want his privacy so he took his time in getting the bags out of the car, when he finally did enter the house he could hear the faint sound of retching coming from behind the bathroom door. He set the bags down on the kitchen counter and hesitated there for a few moments waiting for the gagging to end.
After the sounds didn't stop for awhile Darry knew what he would have to do. Whether the younger boy would like or not, Darry could no longer stand the idea of Pony being alone. If their mother was still around she would be right next to him, stroking his back and singing softly. He filled up a cup of water and knocked on the bathroom door, "Ponyboy, I'm comin' in."
"Go away, Darry." Pony mumbled into the toilet bowl as another wave of nausea hit him. He began to heave once more – Darry cringed at the sound. That was it, he ignored what his younger brother said and pushed the door open. The boy was kneeling next to the toilet, his hands shaking as they gripped the sides of the ceramic basin. His cheeks burned bright red but the rest of his face was paler than the moon. Darry could see that the younger boy was having trouble just keeping his eyes open.
"Glory, kid." he let out a sigh as he tried to take in the image in front of him. He hated seeing his kid brother looking so sick and tired. Accumulated sweat caused his clothes and hair to stick to his salty skin making him look weak and thin.
"Darry," he groaned as he wrapped his arms around his stomach, "I feel terrible."
"I know you do, Pone." He said lovingly as he handed the boy the cup of water, "You need to drink this. You lost a lot of water from all that throwing up and we need to keep you hydrated."
Ponyboy shook his head, "I can't."
"You need it." He spoke soft and sweet as he sat down on the floor next to his brother. He reached out and touched the boy's forehead to gage how high his fever had gotten.
"I'll just throw it back up." Pony moaned. He brought up a shaking hand and brushed it through his drenched hair.
"You might not, little buddy" He reasoned with a half smile and held out the cup for his brother to take.
"I will, Darry." He said exhaustedly as he laid his head against the bathroom wall, "I can't keep anything down."
"Well Ponyboy, that's why you need to try and drink this, we need to keep you hydrated." He was getting slightly annoyed. One of the reasons he and Pony were always fighting was because they were both too damn stubborn for their own goods. One time Darry wouldn't allow Ponyboy to leave the dinner table until he finished his peas which he claimed were too mushy and "not even worthy of being pig food." He refused to eat another bite and Darry refused to let him leave. Their stand offs always started strong but eventually they would start talking about something else and completely forget what they were even fighting over in the first place.
"I don't want the water." He repeated himself pushing the cup back towards Darry.
"Just drink it, damnit" he said the words more sternly than he intended; Ponyboy's fevered eyes looked like they might begin to cry, "Look, Ponyboy...I...I didn't mean to raise my voice but I just don't want you getting any sicker than you already are."
"It's fine, Darry." He mumbled quietly, "I'm sorry for always causing so much trouble."
Darry's heart sank, "You ain't causin' any trouble Ponyboy and you hardly ever do. I just want you to feel better and I think this will help, okay?"
"I'll try drinking some in a little bit," Ponyboy said standing up – he swayed slightly before regaining his balance, "I'm going to go lay down for a little bit."
"Sure thing, Pone." Darry said with a light smile. This wasn't what he signed up for. He didn't care about looking after his brother but it wasn't the constant worrying about them that got to him. He just wished things could go back to how they used to be, when he could be their brother – not their mother and father.
Sorry – I know this is shorter than normal but I really need to try and sleep this off haha. Expect a lot more action and visits from the gang in the coming chapters! Please review if you get a chance, it'll make me feel better : )
