(Darry's POV)

When I saw Pony's green eyes, it was like the sun was suddenly shining and I was allowed to be happy again. Ponyboy's awake. My kid brother's finally awake.

"Hey Pone," I said, not able to quit smiling.

Ponyboy blinked at me, then he turned to look at Soda.

"We're glad you're awake," Soda said. Even though I knew he was beyond happy, Soda was able to maintain the calm, gentle voice that he developed years ago. Who would've thought all of those times working with his horse would come in handy for something else.

Somehow, Ponyboy looked more vulnerable with his eyes open. At least before, I could pretend he was just sleeping like any other day, but with his eyes open, it was obvious that he was hurt. The bruises on his skin had gotten darker, and a black eye was also developing. My attention was drawn to the cut under his eye, and I remembered what Curly said about a Soc pulling a blade on my brother. Glory, it barely missed his eye.

Pony blinked again and furrowed his eyebrows like he was confused about something. His eyes kept moving back and forth between me and Soda, but he didn't say anything.

"How are you feeling kiddo?" I asked as I squeezed his hand, hoping to get some kind of response.

Ponyboy glanced at me, but otherwise, he completely ignored me. He pulled his hand away and then tried to push himself up into a sitting position, but after only a second, he squeezed his eyes and groaned in pain.

"What's wrong?" Soda asked immediately.

Ponyboy shook his head slightly, and instantly, he put his hand on the side of his head and let out another sound of distress.

I reached for Pony's hand to get it away from his head. "You can't touch it, Pony. You got stitches." I was surprised when Pony tried to fight against my hold, but I gently overpowered him and didn't let him touch the stitches. "Ponyboy-"

Suddenly, Dr. Wilson appeared. "It's good to see you awake, Ponyboy. I'm Dr. Wilson," he said as he walked over to the opposite side of the bed. Ponyboy ignored him just like the rest of us, but the doctor continued talking to him. "How are you feeling?"

"He hasn't said a word," I said, feeling myself getting anxious.

"I think he's confused," Soda said. "And he's makin' sounds like something's hurting him."

Dr. Wilson nodded and leaned forward to get a closer look at Pony, who had finally given up fighting against me. "What's bothering you, Ponyboy?"

Pony looked in the direction of the doctor, but just like before, he just blinked and looked puzzled.

"What's goin' on with him, doc?" Two-Bit asked from behind me. The concern was obvious in his voice. "Why isn't he talkin'? Is he gonna be silent forever?"

Glory, could that happen? Could it be possible that we'll never hear Pony talk again?

Dr. Wilson straightened up and looked away from Ponyboy and towards us, still with the world's best poker face. "Remember, he's been through a lot. He had a traumatic incident, then had surgery, followed by a seizure. That's a lot for anyone to go through, let alone in a short amount of time. It could just take some time for his brain and body to recover, and he still could completely recover." He gave us a second to let that sink in before he spoke again. "For the time being, I'm going to give him some painkillers to give him some relief. He'll likely be drowsy and sleep a lot while he recovers."

I felt myself nod, but I was only half-listening. It'll just take some time, Darry. Don't freak out. It could be permanent, but he could also heal and go back to being typical Ponyboy. It doesn't matter, Ponyboy's alive, and that's all I wanted.

By the time I snapped back to reality, the nurse was putting something in Pony's IV, and not long after, he was sound asleep.

(Ponyboy's POV)

It felt like I was floating, but I wasn't still. I was flying- no, swinging. It was like I was on a swing; I was weightless, but I was somehow moving. It was quiet and peaceful, but a little unsettling. Where am I? Where is everyone? It wasn't necessarily dark, but I couldn't quite see anything. I was somewhere that I couldn't see, hear, smell, or feel anything, all I could do was think.

Am I in space? That must be it, I'm in space! But if I'm in space, how am I breathing? Wait… am I breathing?I can't feel myself breathe, but if I'm thinking, I must be alive… right?

Nothing was making any sense.

Then another thought hit me. If I didn't know where I am, that probably means my brothers don't either. I willed for them to know I was okay, just confused, and for them to somehow find me. I had a strange feeling that they'd be able to.

After an unmeasurable amount of time, it felt like something was pulling me down to Earth, and as I was being tethered, gravity and pain were the first two things I noticed. As I started to feel the pain throughout my body, I started feeling like I should be worried. Then the piercing pains in my head and stomach made me wish that I was back to swinging in space. I wanted to alleviate the pain, but when I tried to move, my body resisted.

I fought against whatever was dragging me down, but I was no match for the invisible force. I wasn't strong, especially when you compared me to Darry, or even Soda. No, I was the weak one in the gang; I always have been, and probably always will be.

I suddenly wanted nothing more than to be with my brothers.

I could practically hear their voices calling me towards them, and I wanted to follow. My brothers always helped and protected me, and I knew that's what I needed. They would find a way for the pain to stop. They would make everything make sense. They would bring me back home and hopefully make some chocolate cake.

I thought I was making progress, but my body started aching so much that I didn't think I had it in me to fight against evil gravity anymore. I want Darry and Soda. Hell, I'd take Two-Bit or even Steve at this point. Just make it stop and let me be weightless again.

My prayer was answered, because eventually, whatever was pulling me down to Earth was severed, and I floated back into space.

I know this was a short chapter, but the next update is coming soon! Thank you to everyone who is sticking with this story!