So yeah... you know how I said I would update this during the year... yeah, I lied. It is 2007... this story was last updated in 2006... haha, oh well. I'm only late by a few days, so give me a break.

So after calming down, readjusting myself, reassuring Darry that I was okay, I was finally left alone... sort of. Don't get me wrong, the whole comforting thing was nice, but it's still a little awkward.

At least the pain was going away.

Sighing, I reached up to attempt rubbing out that prickling feeling in my eyes.

"You alright Pony?" Darry asked, placing one of his large hands on my shoulder, gently squeezing. Ugh, don't freak out again.

"Yeah, just..." And so I, of course, yawn right here, "... tired or something." Shifting my hand so I was touching his hand, I gave him a few pats. "I'm good, really."

He smiled, a good sign, but he looked really exhausted all the sudden. Must be the sun setting through the window, shifting the lighting. Pushing his chair back with an unnecessarily loud scrape across the linoleum floor, he cringed. "Well kiddo, unfortunately, I have to get back to work, but I will be back tonight."

"Don't worry, I'm alright here. I mean, I'm probably gonna pass out eventually anyways, so I doubt you'll be missing much in a bit." I commented in an attempt to make him feel a little less bothered. Really, I don't want to upset everyone that comes in and leaves. Soda was bad enough for today.

Ahh, he chuckled. Good, I'm making progress with this guy. Give me some points here.

"Alright, you be good. No trashing the room." It seemed like he was trying to be sarcastic since, really, what can I do from a hospital bed, aside from throwing the vase of flowers at something? I smirked in response, waving my hand.

"Aye, I shall not move an inch."

He reached over with that large, tanned hand of his and promptly proceeded to mess up my already untidy hair. An effort of affection, I believe. I smiled as he turned to face Dally and Johnny who were standing off to the side.

"Are you guys staying?" Darry said it in a form of a question, but his tone gave off the impression of being demanding. It's not hard to see who was really the boss around here.

"Oh, y-yes!" Johnny piped up, surprisingly, in my eyes anyways. "We'll be staying until at least Soda gets here." At the sound of my other brother's name, I felt a skip with my heartbeat. I suppose I must've made some kind of obvious movement since Dally's gaze flickered towards me with an eyebrow quirked.

Eh, don't look at me like that. I don't know why my body reacted weirdly. I mean, c'mon, brothers... it's a family thing, right? One brother is leaving, so naturally I would either want that brother to stay or the other one to show up quickly... maybe?

"Good, I'll be back tonight, so I'll see you later or tomorrow." Darry cut into my rambling thoughts, leaving with a quick wave of his hand. "Bye Ponyboy."

I wiggled my fingers, letting my hand fall back onto the sheets. Johnny was pretty quick to replace himself back in the chair he was previously sitting in. I looked at him.

"Hey."

He smiled. I'm getting good at this. "Hey. Feelin' better?"

I thought about it. "Yeah... I mean, I want to think I am... so... yeah." Snorting, I covered half my face with one hand. "Ugh, I dunno anymore. I'm just so... tired or something, you know?"

Johnny titled his head a little bit; his eyes seemingly grew darker. "Yeah... I think I know what you mean." He replied quietly.

This guy... something about him... I mean, I feel... at ease. "Hey?"

"Hmm?" He scooted a little closer, leaning forward.

"Could you... stay until at least I fall asleep? I mean, if you have to leave, that's fine-"

"Yeah, I'll stay." He interrupted softly, placed a hand on top of mine. "It's okay, Pony, I'm here for you."

Hold it in... hold it in, damn it. "T-Thanks."

I guess I did end up dozing off, because when I opened my eyes, the light overhead was brighter and the sky outside the window was darker. A dark, navy blue color...

"Pony?" A quiet voice called out... it wasn't Johnny. I looked over, only to see a blond-haired guy sitting in that chair, holding my hand. He smiled when my eyes met his. "Hey honey, how are ya doing?"

I stared at him, my hand gripping his tightly. My lungs suddenly clenched up, causing me to gasp loudly. "S-Soda?" I had to make sure. If it was someone else... oh God...

"Yeah, it's me." He answered delicately, stroking my hand with his thumb. "You okay? You want a drink or something?"

"It hurts." I don't know even know what, but I just feel... strange...

"What hurts?" Lifting his other hand, he placed it on my forehead, stroking the pieces of hair sprawled all over.

"My head... chest... I dunno, but," Gosh, I can feel my voice cracking, "I-I'm really happy you're here. Like... really happy." Am I crying?

He blinked, as if he was surprised, then he grinned. A wide grin. Standing up, he leaned over me, lifting and wrapping me up in his arms. It was tight, but it was warm. Nice, comfortable, a pleasant feeling.

"I'm happy too." He whispered in my ear, his breath warm and ticklish. "You have no idea how thrilled I am to just to... see you, let alone hold you."

Shifting, he held onto me so my head was placed under his chin, against his chest. I guess I was still crying, feeling the fabric against my face growing damp. "Soda... gosh, I'm... I dunno... scared. No, not scared... ugh, I don't even know."

"Hush, you're probably just exhausted. You woke up, met a lot of people and talked your head off, so Johnny tells me. You'll feel better tomorrow, I promise." He leaned his body forward, forcing me back onto the bed in my former position, releasing his arms. Still seated on the bed, he rubbed my hair, grinning. "Get some sleep. You look like crap, especially with your red nose, Rudolph."

I attempted to glare viciously at him for that comment, but I must've failed miserably, considering the response was laughter. "Rude. Really, you are." Even though I said that, I knew I was smiling back.

Wow... umm... apologies if this was lame... I mean, c'mon, six months later... yeah, it'll be a bit different... hopefully a BETTER different... haha, read and review?