TAKES PLACE AFTER TRIPLE THREAT

CHARLES IS NOT DEAD, HENRY REFERS TO A DIFFERENT STICKMAN

(Hope you guys like a little bit of angst and fluff for my first ever ship fanfic! Also, do you like Henry in a turtleneck?)

(This fanfic will be in Ellie's POV only. Henry and Ellie are not together yet, but there will be some fluffy comforting :> Also, all fanfics made in this book is SFW. Don't think I'd be saying it here, but meh.)

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I heard the door to our house make a small, crackly popping sound as it opened, and two shoes hitting the ground afterwards. This could only mean two things in my mind. One, Charles was visiting, which wouldn't make sense since he's still at work, or two...

"You're finally home, Henry!" I got up from the couch and ran over to the entrance, my eyes catching sight of Henry in his usual getup, a dark blue hoodie with jeans.

I was wearing my usual outfit too, which was my airy tank and some at-home jean shorts. (Don't worry, I'm wearing a bra under the tank top! You better not be thinking what I think you're thinking, you sicko!)

"Jeez, what took you so long? You're home an hour and 37 minutes late!" I exclaimed, pointing outside, where a calm, orange light bathed the backyard.

Oh yeah, I should probably explain how we got this house.

So after Henry, Charles, and I managed to take down the Toppats from launching the rocket, me and Henry decided to settle down for a bit and get a house in a small neighborhood, that wasn't too far from the military base. Man, you should've seen Henry's face when I told him the Wall confiscated all my money! Heh... Don't worry, the government gives me enough money for me to at least pay the rent.

But anyways, let's continue. (Don't ask how I managed to count each minute for when he was late. I'm just a worried friend!)

Henry forced a laugh as he took off his shoes. "Yeah, I know... My bad, hehe."

That's weird. He sounds a lot more monotone than usual.

"... You alright, Henry? You sound a little sad." I asked, obviously worried for him.

Henry nodded and hummed, as a way to say "yes". To be honest, I doubt him. As he took off his shoes, he headed up the stairs quickly and wordlessly, and motioned to me that he was going to be in his room, most likely to change or something. I nodded with a concerned look and gave him a thumbs up.

I hope nothing happened at work.

Well, I should get to cooking dinner, since Henry cooked yesterday.

... Wait, I don't know how to cook. Alright, looks like I'll have to order some food from Grape Garden. I ran back to the couch, where the TV was playing on the opposite wall. Unfortunately, I couldn't see a thing because the afternoon sun was covering it in it's light.

I picked up my phone and dialed the normal number to the neighborhood Grape Garden, and ordered the usual...

Then I heard something really weird.

I heard small sobs, as if somebody was weeping quietly upstairs. And it sounded like... Henry?

Then, I felt my fight or flight mode instantly turn on for some reason. Why is he crying? Did someone bully him at work? I need to see him.

I quickly ran upstairs, immediately getting delayed by almost tripping over one of the steps. Y'know what? I don't have time to have a stare argument with the stair step. I need to see Henry. NOW.

I quickly opened the door to Henry's room, only to be met with a shit-ton of darkness. Oh crap, I hope he's okay. "Henry?!" I called out in the maybe empty room. "Henry, are you okay?!"

The crying stopped for a moment, and a small sigh broke the silence. "... I'm fine. One sec."

Soon, there was a small *click* and the lights in his room instantly turned on. His room had the essential things: a bed, which he sat on with a light switch in hand, a desk, a chair, and some other some other extras: such as a small gun shelf where there were a few sniper rifles and handguns.

I've been his room before, but... That was only to plan a infiltration strategy, since my room had one big window with some shutters that barely covered them.

"If you're fine, then why'd I hear you crying from downstairs!" I asked him angrily. Jeez, this guy really knows how to make me overthink.

"None of your business." Is that all he's going to say? Just why is he so cold to me all of a sudden?!

I stomped frustratingly over to his bed, worry and anger clouding my eyes. "Why won't you tell me?" I asked him, the worry seeping into my voice.

He looked down at his legs with a somber, wistful look in his eyes. There must've been a lot on his mind.

My eyes widened when I realized I was being a total douche towards him. What kind of person prys their way into really personal affairs? I sighed quietly and sat next to him on the bed, keeping my distance so he wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

"Sorry for the outburst, but..." I apologized at first, looking up at him. "... I'm being serious, Henry. You've got to tell me what's wrong. I'm really, really worried about you."

For a moment, I thought I saw his cheeks light up, but I think that was just my imagination. He looked back at me with a forced smile and a pained expression. His eyes were watery too. Dammit, I'm such an asshole...

"I've fucked up, didn't I...?" His voice was so pained and unsure. I had no idea what I just did at the moment, but it did result in me hugging him.

Y'know what? It felt kind of nice. Accept that I felt like my face was on fire and my heart was beating louder than a jackhammer. Henry's heart was beating hard too... I wonder why.

"Ellie..."

"Tell me everything, Henry. I'm listening."

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And he did. He told me everything that happened on the battlefield today. I just can't believe he died... He was such a good friend of Henry's too. I can't say who though... I don't like giving out too much information.

But one thing I noticed was that when Henry was talking to me about it, he hugged me back, and wouldn't let go. I didn't let go either.

I wonder why though, heh. It's not like I like him or anything you idiots, haha!

Once he was done venting, we went downstairs to watch some TV, and to help with Henry coping with ''his'' death.

For some reason, he slid really close to me while we watched TV. His face looked a little red too.

Maybe... He's fantasizing on stealing again! Ugh, he never gets over it.

And then, the door bell rings. "Grape Garden!" The stickman behind the door yelled.

Henry looked over at me. "You ordered Grape Garden?" His eyes lit up as he talked.

I smiled and nodded. "Yep, and it's all for dinner!" He smiled happily at me, kinda hands- COOL-LY! Yeah, that's what I meant to say...

"You're the best, Ellie~."

"Wait, what?!? I mean- you too! Hehehe..."

Maybe he did fuck up. But hey, he'll get over it and grow stronger over time.