A\N: Plot twist: this is based on COVID.

it's not like nothing is gonna go bad, right?

wrong.

Charles couldn't even speak the next morning.

Henry woke up with sobs next to him and it broke his heart.

he tossed the Charles, who was sobbing due to the pain in his throat.

his sobs made such an awful noise in Charles that Henry had never heard before. he knew he had to do something.

"Charles? why are you crying?" he asked, rubbing the pilot's back.

"n-not so good." he managed to spit out.

Charles coughed after he spoke, making those sobs turn louder.

Henry sighed and got up from the bed. he picked Charles up an carried him down the stairs.

once downstairs, Henry noticed that Ellie was nowhere in sight.

in fact, she didn't even come back last night and she's not here when Henry passed out.

he could tell she's not here because her shoes weren't near the front door.

Henry fished out his phone quickly and dialed Ellie's number as fast he could.

he knew the place was far but he knew she would be back by midnight but she isn't here.

as he waited, Charles kept groaning in pain and he hugged his stomach tightly.

Ellie was in the highway, driving.

damn, was it far.

Johnny managed to fall asleep and now, he's in the backseat.

well, Ellie had to carry him there and surprisingly, he's really light. well, to her at least.

her phone rang and she picked up.

"'ello?" she answered.

"where the hell are you?" a hint of anger was in Henry's voice but mostly worry. he's not a mom, bruh.

"uh, driving." Ellie scoffed. that didn't really answer Henry's question but she didn't care at all.

"no, i mean to where??" he asked.

Ellie sighed and rubbed her eyes. 

"why should i tell you?" she said. rudely, Henry didn't really need to know.

but this is Charles we're talking about. his sickness gets worse by the hour and day, Ellie can't be running off to some places with Charles sick. well, due to Henry's rant.

"because i care. look, i been through some crazy shit but Charles is legit vomiting on the couch right now." Henry groaned.

Ellie took a long pause.

Charles was her friend too but she had some other things in mind. maybe on her way back she can buy Charles was corn muffins.

"Ellie? hello?" Henry spoke, pulling Ellie out of her thoughts.

"oh! oh, here." she spoke up so Henry wouldn't have a panic attack.

Johnny let out a sleepy groan, causing Ellie to panic herself.

"who was th-"

"oh jeez, i got caught traffic, bye Henry!" Ellie lied.

she hang up quickly before she saw Johnny sit up, rubbing his eyes.

"who was that?" he asked.

Ellie felt sweat crawl on her face. not because Johnny asked but it's because Henry almost found out that she wasn't alone.

"uhh, it was Henry." Ellie answered.

Johnny groaned again and plopped onto the car seat. he somehow still tired.

he fell asleep late so there's no telling when he'll fully wake up.

Henry's eyes were widened by Ellie's sudden burst.

Charles was taking breaths and and seemed to calm down. finally.

Henry raised a brow and looked at Charles.

"are you feeling okay?" he asked. Charles gave Henry a look then nodded.

he sat up from the couch and stood up.

he walked over to the confused ex-convict and gave him a peck on the cheek. since Charles was sick, he couldn't give Henry a full kiss.

"why do you look so confused?" Charles asked.

right after he asked, he coughed into his elbow so he wouldn't get Henry sick as well.

"i called Ellie and she just cut me off." he blurted.

Charles gave Henry a confused look.

"so, what are you thinking about?" Charles questioned. he straightened his red headphones.

"i'm thinking of go after her but i don't want to leave you alone." Henry sighed.

Charles face brightened for the first time that week. since that week been kind of hard for Charles it has been impossible to brighten up.

"what if i could come!" Charles offered.

Henry turned to Charles as quick as a flash.

"how could you survive a long trip at your state?!" he cried. Charles blinked twice at Henry's exclaim.

"be prepared, i guess." Charles shrugged.

Henry shook his head making Charles sigh.

"c'mon Hen! i'll be fine, i promise." Charles pleaded. Henry took a long look at Charles and wasn't so sure about that.

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busy life.

stupid life.

Words: 749