(Darry's POV)

Soda and Pony both had tears in their eyes, and I could only hope they were tears of relief. Pony looked like he wanted to tackle me in a hug, but either he managed to restrain himself, or Soda's hand on his shoulder was telling him to stay where he was.

Thankfully, I was given some water to drink and soothe my throat before the oxygen mask was placed over my mouth and nose again. After that, the doctor and nurse looked me over right away. They checked the machines I was attached to, and the doctor even shined a bright light into my eyes, which instantly gave me a headache. When they asked me questions like my name or what year it was, I thought I passed all of their tests, but when they asked me more complicated questions like twenty-five multiplied by seven or what the date was, my mind felt scrambled.

"Do you remember what happened that landed you here?" Dr. Jones asked.

"A fight… I got shot," I said, the oxygen mask muffling my voice a little. It still felt like glass was cutting the inside of my throat as I spoke. I got shot protecting my brother from a crazy Soc during a rumble.

The doctor nodded. "That's correct. You have two gunshot wounds; one in the chest, and one in the right quadricep. Your wounds were life-threatening, but you are one lucky son of a gun. Thanks to the actions of the gentlemen that brought you here, you survived."

I vaguely remembered Dally and Two-Bit doing something that had me screaming out in pain, but after that, everything was a blur. What else did they do to save my life? I pushed that thought away for a moment to focus on what was going on at that moment instead of the past.

"What's the damage, sir?" I asked, the feeling of swallowing sandpaper barely allowing me to finish the sentence. I didn't necessarily care about every detail, but I needed to know what was wrong with me and how soon I could go home.

The doctor grinned. "I figured you'd be one of those… the kind of person that just wants all the facts, nothing sugarcoated." I looked at him determinedly. Exactly. Just give it to me straight.

The doctor's tone changed, and it sounded like he was reading off a list or something. "As soon as you got here, you underwent emergency surgery. We extracted the two bullets, removed the damaged part of your lung, and repaired all of the soft tissue damage we could. Despite receiving oxygen and several blood transfusions, you coded on us a few times. However, after all of that, you survived. You were in a coma for several days, and when you woke up the first time, you weren't able to breathe without the ventilator, so we sedated you until recently. Now that the sedation wore off and you can breathe on your own, we hope you can make strides in your recovery."

I thought I wanted all the facts right away, but truthfully, it was a little overwhelming. My parents had told me that I woke up before I was ready, but the rest of the information was news to me. Did he say they took some of my lung out?

"I have to tell you Mr. Curtis, you are one tough man," Dr. Jones added. "The odds were against you from the start, and despite losing you a few times, you fought your way back and survived. It'll be a long road to recovery, but you've proven to be strong, so I think you'll be just fine."

I didn't know how to respond to that, and even more than that, I was worried about how my brothers would react to the doctor's words. I looked over to them, and while they both still had tears in their eyes, they didn't look surprised at all, which almost made me feel worse. They must've known all of this the whole time. They've spent days with this knowledge, and they've had to watch me lying here in a coma.

Soda had slung his arm across Pony's shoulders in a show of support, and that's when I noticed Pony's sling. What happened? I realized I had missed a lot, and I needed to know exactly what happened with my brothers. Everything else that revolved around me could wait.

"Can you give us a minute?" I asked the doctor and nurse, my voice sounding as bad as it felt.

The nurse looked apprehensive, but Dr. Jones nodded. "Of course. We'll come back to check on you again soon, but all things considered, you're looking good, Darrel. In the meantime, don't disconnect anything attached to you, and try not to talk too much; your throat will be sore for a while from the tubing." He turned to the nurse, who was still looking at me carefully. "Come on Patty, let's give them some privacy."

As soon as it was just me and my brothers in the room, Pony practically dove into my chest as he threw his arms around me– or at least the one arm that wasn't in a sling. Even with just one arm holding me, my kid brother was stronger than he knew, so despite the restraint I knew he was trying to demonstrate, my whole body hurt from the embrace. Even so, I wasn't about to push him away.

I wrapped my arms around him as tight as I dared, and he immediately started crying into my bandaged chest. It felt like my heart was breaking at the sound. "It's okay, Pone." My throat still hurt as I spoke, but I was starting to get used to it. Plus, I didn't care about my wellbeing, I just needed to comfort my kid brother.

Pony's sobs got louder. "Darry… I was so scared… I thought… I'm sorry… Darry… I'm so sorry." It almost sounded like he was wheezing in between his sobs. He couldn't say anything else, and I didn't bother asking him to.

"Shhh, it's alright kiddo," I said as I put my hand firmly on the back of his head. I didn't know what he was so sorry about, but I needed to find out so I could fix it. "What are you saying sorry for?"

Pony was mumbling into my chest, but I couldn't understand him at all, so I looked at Soda in hopes he would understand.

"He thinks it's his fault you got shot," Soda said softly. He reached forward to rub circles on Pony's back as our kid brother bawled. "I told him it ain't true, but he doesn't believe me. He's been real upset about it."

I felt my face scrunch up into a look of confusion. Why would he think it's his fault? I looked down at Pony again, and seeing my youngest brother so upset and worried about me filled me with even more emotions than I thought I was capable of. "It's not your fault, Pone."

Pony shook his head, which caused a spike of pain in my achy chest. "It should've been me… not you or Soda."

The pain in my chest turned into feeling like I got stabbed in the heart. "No. Don't you say that Ponyboy," I said, my words harsher than I meant. The tone I used made my throat feel like it was burning, but I ignored it so I could make my point. "I don't want you thinking that. We had to protect you. None of this is your fault."

Then I looked over at Soda, who had tears still in his eyes, which meant he was still upset too. I wondered if he was remembering the rumble and the awful scene that played out in front of all of us. "You okay, Pepsi-Cola?"

He sniffled before he nodded, then he rubbed his eyes, trying to hide his tears.

I moved my left arm out to open up the embrace, inviting Soda to join. "Come here, little buddy." I knew he needed the physical contact, and he didn't hesitate to move towards us and hug me and Pony.

"Glory Darry, you scared us somethin' awful," Soda muttered before he was quieted by his own sobs.

"I'm sorry," I said, pulling both of my brothers tighter against me. "I'm okay. Everything's okay now."

We stayed like that for an unmeasurable amount of time. It was obvious we were all overwhelmed with emotion, even though I refused to show it. Thank God I woke up and they're okay. I needed to be here with them. It was a long time before I felt comfortable to create a little distance between us. I didn't want to let go of my brothers, but I needed to look them over and make sure they were alright.

As Soda eased into his chair, I noticed him wincing, and I cursed myself for forgetting about his injury, even if it only slipped my mind for a moment. He got stabbed, Darry! How could you forget? "How bad are you hurt?"

Soda looked at me like I was insane. "I'm fine Darry, just a little sore. They patched me up real good, so don't worry about me."

I wished I could believe him, but the memory of seeing my brother with a knife in his stomach flashed through my mind, and it was impossible to push away. "Soda-"

"Quit it, Darry. I'm fine," he said shortly.

I wasn't going to let Soda off the hook that easy, but then Pony slowly moved from the bed to take the other chair, and the mystery of his sling drew my attention again. "What's with your arm, Pone?"

Instead of replying, Ponyboy just stared at me like he thought I'd disappear if he took his eyes off me for one second.

"Ponyboy," I said a little sterner, which made my throat burn. I coughed a couple times, my throat aching every time, and my brother's eyes instantly looked worried.

"Darry!" Ponyboy shrieked, jumping to his feet. He was panicking, and he turned like he was about to run, probably to get the doctor, but I grabbed his hand, not letting him go.

"I'm fine," I said hoarsely. His head snapped in my direction, and I could still see the terror in his eyes. "Throat's sore… that's all." He didn't seem entirely convinced, but after a few seconds, he slowly sat back down in his chair.

"You ain't supposed to talk so much," Soda jokingly scolded me, but I knew there was some truth and genuine concern hiding in his voice. "Doc's orders."

I nodded, sparing myself from speaking more that I had to, then I pointed to Pony's sling. "What happened?"

Pony looked hesitant to answer me, and right when he opened his mouth to reply, Soda interrupted. "He's alright Darry, I promise. You know I'd force him into one of these hospital beds if he wasn't."

I knew Soda, along with the rest of the gang, would make sure Ponyboy got looked at by a doctor if he needed it, so I knew he must've not had a significant injury. Even so, it was obvious my brothers were hiding something from me, but I didn't have the energy to argue with them just yet. Even if I did want to argue, I was sure my throat would feel like it was being ripped to shreds if I spoke much more.

I needed to know everything that was wrong with my brothers, but they seemed determined to not give me any answers, so I changed my approach. "What have I missed?"

"Darry, I mean this in the nicest way possible," Soda started seriously. "But shut up."

I raised my eyebrows at him. Excuse me? Even Ponyboy gave Soda a surprised look.

Soda grinned sheepishly. "I'm not tryin' to make you mad or anything, but you just woke up from a coma, and the doc just told you to not talk too much. You need to relax and rest to get better. Everyone else is okay, we've just been worried about you."

I opened my mouth to say something, but apparently that was suddenly a no-go.

"Hold on a second, Darry," Pony said as he reached towards the side table next to my bed. There was a glint in his eyes, which meant he was thinking and must've had an idea. Sure enough, he was suddenly handing me a notepad and a pen. "Try writing instead of talking."

I nodded and took the items from him. I hated being told what to do, especially when it was my younger brothers treating me like an injured kid or something, but if it made them happy, I'd listen. I wrote down my question, then I showed them the paper.

Are you two really okay?

My brothers looked at the question, then Soda answered. "We're alright, Darry. Honest."

It was hard to believe him since I knew they'd both lie to me if they felt the need to, but I accepted their answer and moved on to the next question.

What happened while I was out?

"We've all been here, waiting for you to wake up. The guys have been working and stuff, but when they're not, they're here," Pony said. I wasn't sure if I was happy about everyone's spare time being used to just watch me sleep, but I couldn't find it in me to say anything about it. "Two-Bit's been in charge of us. He's done a real good job."

"He reminds us to eat an' sleep an' everything, but I don't think he's been following his own advice," Soda said. By the sound of his voice, I could tell that he was worried about Two-Bit.

I knew my friend would fulfill his promise of taking care of my brothers, and it made me feel even better hearing it from them. However, I didn't want Two-Bit to be neglecting himself because of everything that was suddenly put on his shoulders.

Have the cops been around?

My brothers both nodded, which made my stomach drop, then Soda answered. "They came here and asked all of us questions about what happened."

"I hope that Soc goes to jail," Pony added quietly, but fiercely. "Both of you almost died… they can't just let him get away, can they?"

Soda wrapped his arm around Pony again and gave him a grin. "He'd be safer in jail than if they let him walk. If we don't get to him first, Tim and Dally will take care of him."

I immediately scribbled my next note.

DON'T.

As my brothers read the note, I stared intensely at Soda. When met my eyes, and I knew he understood me. Don't do anything stupid. Don't go after that Soc. We could lose everything if you do. We could be split up.

Soda looked mad, but he nodded. "Yeah yeah, I know. I'd like to put that guy six feet under, but I won't."

Good.

Before I could write anything else like ask what else the cops said or if people from the state have been around, a new voice sounded nearby, which earned the attention from all of us.

"Hey Curtises, how's-" Two-Bit immediately froze in the doorway and stared at me. In that moment, I understood why Soda had seemed worried about Two-Bit. Even from a short distance, I could see the bags under his eyes, the dirt on his clothes, despite his attempt of keeping his voice light, it lacked his typical tone. "Darry?"

"Hey Two-Bit," I muttered, forgetting that I was supposed to not be talking, but my painful throat giving me a swift reminder.

My gravelly voice seemed to be the reason Two-Bit cringed, but he quickly moved past it and approached the right side of my bed. Even though he looked exhausted, even more so, he looked relieved. "Glory, it's good to finally see you awake Superman. How ya feeling?" he asked as he sat down in a chair.

"His throat is sore and he ain't supposed to talk much," Pony was quick to say for me.

Two-Bit glanced at Pony, then at me. "Well shoot, and here I was all excited to finally get to talk with you man. That's alright, I've been talking to you for days without any answer, I can keep doing it a bit longer."

I quirked an eyebrow at him, which he interpreted right away.

"Your brothers ain't the only ones who've been in here with ya. All of us have been here, waiting to see you finally wake up from that long nap," Two-Bit explained. "Doc said talking to you might help, and you know I love to talk!"

I grinned at him, but I wasn't sure he could see it due to the oxygen mask covering half of my face. I quickly wrote on the paper and showed it to him.

Thank you.

He read it, the waved me off. "Shoot man, don't thank me. Thank you for listening to all my stories. And hey, now that you're awake, I can tell you them all over again!"

I could hear my brothers chuckling a little. Leave it to Two-Bit to finally get them laughing again. I owed him so much, and making my brothers laugh while I was in a hospital bed was just another thing to add to the list.

I wrote something else and showed it to my brothers.

I need to talk to Two-Bit.

Ponyboy seemed reluctant to leave, but Soda must've known why I needed to talk to Two-Bit alone because he stood up and pulled Ponyboy up with him. "C'mon Pony, let's go call the guys and tell them the good news! Maybe we'll even grab some food."

Still, Pony didn't seem to want to leave. After some encouraging from Soda and Two-Bit, as well as me promising to talk with him more when he returned, he finally let Soda lead him out of the room.

Once we were alone, Two-Bit's light, joking voice turned softer and more serious. "It's really good to see you awake, Darry. I mean it. You scared all of us real bad."

Sorry.

Two-Bit shook his head after reading it. "Nothing to be sorry about man. You did what you had to do, but damn, it almost took you out. Tim said if it was anyone else, they wouldn't have lived through it, and I think he's right."

I was really that bad off? Was Tim here? Has the state been here? I had a lot of questions, and now that I was alone with Two-Bit, I hoped for honest answers.

Tell me everything that happened.