Chapter Text
I woke up gasping, drenched in small, pathetic sweats. Another nightmare about my childhood. Instead of waking up to Mom yelling at me, I turned to see Ralph looming over me, a worried expression over his face, and I knew I'd messed up.
"Henry!! Are you alright?! Your-"
"I'm fine, just another nightmare."
I tried to turn over to go back to sleep, but knowing Ralph, I knew he wouldn't let that slide. His arms grabbed my jittery body and he reeled me into a huge hug. I was too tired to cry, I didn't want to be too emotional at 2 in the morning. But Ralph knew everything about me, even when I didn't want him to. We were very close as kids, so I guess that's how he was able to read me so easily.
The longer I spent seeping into Ralph's warm embrace, the less I actually felt myself shaking. I buried my head into Ralph's shoulder, he smelled like dirt (in a good way) and the air in the fall. I got to thinking about the last time I saw mom and dad, it was when they kicked me out at 18 as expected. I knew they didn't have even a percentage of hope that they had for Peter.
I went to community college, he went to medical school. I'm in a local band with Ralph that pays well, but he's a famous doctor. Surprisingly, we still see each other once every few months although I hate to admit it. We usually talk about life updates, how my therapy's going, if he's wifed someone up yet. I was seeing him tomorrow actually.
I had to cancel 4 months ago because of a nervous breakdown I had, Besides hanging out with Ralph was better, even if it was just him pressing a cold cloth to my hot tears.
At least he was there.
At least he cared.
To be completely honest, the only reason I kept in contact with Peter was because I needed someone who actually first-handedly knew what I went through. I snapped out my thoughts. I was being a sensitive coward again. I slithered out of Ralph's arms, and our eyes met for a second.
"Ralph, I'm okay now." I whispered, keeping a cold gaze. He cracked an exhausted smile and wiped the lousy bangs out of my face. "If you say so, Hen-hen."
I playfully slapped his back. "I told you not to call me that!" He glanced at me and we both started laughing. Not a little laugh, but rows of massive rib-hurting belly laughing. Ralph could always make me laugh, and I still could make him laugh, we still had our charm. After we almost killed our voices, he kissed me on the cheek and the base of my jaw. "Love you." Ralph whispered. I mumbled it back and turned over. I thought I had finally escaped the haunting nightmares, but "Horrid Henry" should know better. As soon as my eyelids started to droop, the yelling of that awful phrase started. Sigh. The tears finally came.
"DONT BE HORRID HENRY!"