(Pony's POV)

I felt numb. After I had cried out all of the tears my body could physically produce, I shifted to the other extreme and felt like an emotionless statue. I knew I should've felt embarrassed at how much of a bawl baby I was being, but after about five seconds of embarrassment, I stopped feeling altogether; I just sat next to Soda while time continued passing by. While everyone around me was digging into the food Steve brought, I felt too nauseous to even think about eating. I stared down at my hands and kept thinking about what Soda said before everyone showed up.

'He might not get better.'

'He might not make it out of this hospital.'

'Sometimes it's not up to us.'

"Pony? You okay man?" Johnny's quiet voice brought me back to the present, where Dally was playing cards with Steve and Two-Bit was having a quiet conversation with Soda right next to me. They probably knew I wasn't listening, but they still kept their voices quiet.

"As okay as I can be," I muttered back to my best friend.

Johnny looked troubled as he tried to figure out what to say to make me feel better, but I wished he wouldn't. There wasn't much to say anyways, given the circumstances. Still, he gave it his best shot. "He's gonna be alright, Pony. He's tough as nails."

I tried to grin or give him a simple nod in reply, but I was pretty sure I remained motionless. How would Johnny know he's gonna get better? Even the doctors don't know.

"Hello gentlemen. I see we have some new seating arrangements," Dr. Jones said as he entered the room. He was looking directly at Soda and me, and even though I knew he probably didn't like me in such close proximately to my injured brother, I couldn't find it in me to care. "I have some news for you revolving Darrel."

The room went silent as the tension immediately spiked. Soda put an arm around me and squeezed, nonverbally telling me he would support me no matter what the doctor had to say.

"He is still alive and we have finally stabilized him," the doctor said in a neutral tone. "However, he is on a ventilator and in a coma."

It felt like it was my turn getting stabbed in the stomach.

"What does that mean?" Two-Bit asked carefully. I glanced in his direction, and even though he was breathing a little too fast and he was shaking slightly, Two-Bit kept his determined gaze on the doctor.

"It means that even though we repaired his lung by removing the damaged area, he needs a machine to breathe for him," the doctor said. Even though I understood every word he said, the sentence he formed with them confused me. A machine is breathing for Darry? How does that work? And did he really say they removed part of Darry's lung, or am I just losing my mind? "His vitals have stabilized, meaning his heartrate, breathing, and oxygen levels are all steady. However, his body still trying to repair itself, so it isn't ready for him to wake up yet."

"So when will he wake up?" Dally asked on behalf of all of us. Even though his voice and facial expression displayed anger, I knew he was hiding his true feelings.

The doctor looked at Dally. "As I've told you gentlemen before, there's no certainty that he will wake up."

I heard a strange noise that sounded like a strangled cry, and it wasn't until everyone looked at me that I realized I was the one who made the noise. I practically jammed my fist into my mouth so I wouldn't start crying hysterically. Soda tightened his arm around me and whispered words that were probably supposed to be comforting, but I couldn't hear him over my heart pounding in my ears.

"Doc-" Two-Bit started, and somehow, I knew he was trying to protect me, and maybe even Soda. I figured he was going to tell the doctor to keep his mouth shut, or maybe he even to leave the room, but I didn't let him.

"It's okay, Two-Bit," I managed to choke out. Two-Bit instantly looked at me, and a strange, hurt look crossed his face. In that instant, I could see the guy whose friend was in a coma, but instead of acting scared or upset, he had to push his own feelings aside to take care of that friend's kid brothers and protect them from the world, which included the unfortunate truth. I had to let him know I could handle it. "I know Darry ain't lookin' good. We need to know what's goin' on."

The room went quiet again, and after a few moments passed, Two-Bit gave me a small nod and turned back to face the doctor. "When can we see Darry?"

The doctor looked at me with a hint of pity in his expression, but I didn't want pity, I wanted good news. "I am allowing visitors to see Darrel now. There's some research that indicates patients in a coma can hear their surroundings, so speaking to him might help him wake up. If you gentlemen can promise not to interfere with the medical staff entering his room, I see no reason to keep you all from seeing him."

I perked up. We can see him now?

As if sensing my excitement, the doctor was quick to add another thing. "I have to warn you, it can be startling seeing a patient in a coma, and the ventilator and other machines can be especially unnerving."

"Can I get a wheelchair or something?" Soda asked suddenly.

Even before the doctor responded, I could see it in the man's face that he wouldn't allow Soda to visit Darry. "You have to stay in bed and rest, Mr. Curtis. You also had a life-threatening injury that landed you here, and I'm not about to let you make things worse by getting out of that bed."

I felt Soda stiffen next to me, and I knew he would do practically anything to get out of his hospital bed and see Darry. "He's my brother! I can't just-"

"Soda," I said softly, cutting him off. My brother looked at me with a questioning look on his face. "He's right. You're hurt too." Suddenly, the memories of watching Soda get stabbed and being hauled into the hospital replayed in my mind, and I knew I couldn't let him risk injuring himself more. "I'll go, and I'll be sure to tell him you're okay. You know he'd want to know."

Soda wanted to argue with me, that much was obvious, but after a few seconds, he sighed and reluctantly agreed. "Alright. But I'm going to see him tomorrow, even if I have to break outta here."

Luckily, it seemed like Dr. Jones didn't take Soda's threat of escaping too seriously because he ignored Soda and addressed me. "I can bring you to Darrel's room right now if you'd like."

I nodded and slowly got off the hospital bed. Without Soda pressing against my side, I felt cold and unsupported as I stood on my feet. It didn't help that my balance was off thanks to my concussion. I thought I was going to be completely alone as the doctor walked me down the halls to my comatose big brother, but Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny were all on their feet, ready to come with too.

"Tell Superman I said hi," Steve said as he moved to the chair closest to Soda's bed. I was grateful someone would stay with Soda, and out of everyone, Steve had the best chance to keep my brother where he was supposed to be.

"Will do," Two-Bit said as we followed the doctor out of the room.

As we walked down the hallway, I was so scared and focused on following the doctor, that I didn't even look to see who wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Whoever it was provided the stability and support that I desperately needed, and I was grateful.

The doctor stopped at a door and turned to face us. "Remember, he's alive and in stable condition, but there are a lot of machines and monitors attached to him. I know this can be unsettling and confusing, so please reach out to any of the medical staff if you have any questions or need to talk." I was sure he meant to talk to all of us but the doctor looked at me as he spoke.

"Thanks doc," Two-Bit said on my behalf.

When the doctor walked away, the four of us stood outside Darry's. I didn't understand why at first, but eventually I figured out the guys were waiting for me to make the first move towards the door. I took a breath before opening the door and walking in.

I immediately froze. The guys stopped with me, and I hear several curses escape under their breaths.

Darry was a big guy, but somehow, he looked smaller, almost like he deflated or something. Maybe it was the wires or the giant tube coming out of his mouth that made him look small, or maybe it was the fact his pale skin reminded me of a ghost; either way, his presence didn't see as intimidating as usual. Then I glanced at all of the devices attached to him, and a small voice in my head was wondering what all of them did and which one would be the first to tell me he was dying. As I approached his bed, I saw that his eyes were closed like he was sleeping, but there was a sensation in the air that made it obvious there was a more serious reason why he wasn't awake. When I spotted the bandage wrapped around his bare torso, my mind flashed back to seeing him save my life, only to get shot moments later. Then I remembered Dally yelling at him to not give up.

I dropped into the chair next to Darry and choked out a sob.

"Let's give him a minute," I heard Johnny mutter. I figured he was talking to at least Dallas, maybe even Two-Bit, but I refused to take my eyes off my brother. My savior.

I heard footsteps, and then I felt a gentle hand land on my shoulder. Even though it was my injured shoulder, the numb feeling had returned just enough for me to ignore any pain that may have surfaced from the contact. "Do you want me to stay, or do you want some time alone with your brother?" I turned my head, and through the tears in my eyes, I could see Two-Bit looking down at me. He seemed troubled, but somehow, he still looked determined, like he had a mission or something.

Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted. I didn't want to be left alone and unsupported, but Darry was there, so I technically wasn't alone. I also didn't want to cry in front of Two-Bit. I had to be tough. Who really expects me to be tough with Darry in a coma, fighting for his life?

Sensing my dilemma, Two-Bit ruffled my hair and gave me a pitiful smile. "I can go stand in hall, just outside the door. I won't leave, so you can holler if you need me, okay?"

That was about the best idea possible, given the circumstances. I nodded. "Thanks," I said as I tried to wipe my tears away. Pull yourself together, Pony. You told Two-Bit you could handle it.

My buddy pulled his hand away and straightened up. "Any time." He looked like he was about to turn to leave, but then he added, "Remember, the doc said talking to him can help. I know you can't talk as good as me, but give it a shot, yeah?"

I grinned at him. "I'll do my best."

"Atta kid," he said. He looked at Darry one more time before walking towards the door. "I'll just be out here," he reminded me before leaving the room.

I took a deep breath before looking back at Darry. His eyes were still shut, and besides the rising and falling of his chest, he hadn't moved. He's in a coma, of course he hasn't moved.

"Hey Darry, it's me, Pony." I started, not really sure where I was going with my attempt of a conversation. It was strange because unlike when Darry slept normally, I knew no matter how loud I spoke, he wouldn't wake up anytime soon, so I just talked at a normal volume. "Steve says hi," I added, no able to keep myself from rolling my eyes. What a dumb thing to say to someone in a coma.

"Soda's okay, by the way. I figured you'd want to know," I continued, and slowly, finding words became easier. "He got hurt from that blade, but he's alright. He's mad that he's not allowed to see you yet… said he'll come by tomorrow."

There was still no response from Darry, not that I was expecting one, so I kept going. I tried to keep things light, almost like I was having a normal conversation with someone that could actually respond.

"All the guys are here, keeping us company and probably keeping an eye on us for you too. How come you didn't tell us you put Two-Bit in charge if something like this happened?" I didn't really mean to ask the question, but I guess my mouth was working faster than my brain. "You'd be impressed; he's been real good about keeping his head and making sure everything's taken care of. Two-Bit's great and all, but it'd be real nice if you woke up and got better real soon."

The beeping in the background was slowly driving me insane, even though I knew the sound was a good thing. He's still breathing, and his heart is still beating. He's still alive.

"We're all real worried about you. We know you're tough, but getting shot is…" I trailed off, then I forced my sobs down. Don't let him hear you cry. I instinctively reached for his hand and held it. "Thanks for saving me, Darry. You really are Superman."

I looked at Darry's pale, bruised face one more time, and I completely lost my composure. I started crying for what felt like the hundredth time that day, and I squeezed Darry's hand as I continued speaking through my sobs.

"I'm sorry, Darry. You shouldn't be in here. It's all my fault… Soda said it's not, but I know it is. You were protecting me when this happened, after all." I was starting to tremble, and I felt dizzy again, so I kept my elbow on the bed while I moved my hand so I could rest my forehead on my fist as I still gripped Darry's hand in mine. I closed my eyes, hoping the dizziness would disappear and the tears wouldn't flow as freely.

"Please be okay, Darry. We need you to be okay," I sobbed. "I love you Darry. You gotta keep fighting. We can't lose you too."

He didn't respond, and I didn't have anything else to say, so I just stayed motionless and cried.

I don't know how long I sat there, sobbing, before a pair of arms wrapped around me in a warm embrace. I gently set Darry's hand back on his bed and I turned to sob into Two-Bit's chest.