"Choose me, Henry."

Chapter 3: Dave Is A Good Friend

A/N: There will be an endgame ship and alternative endings. I'm not telling you what those are cause that would spoil the fun.

Dave was carrying two cups of coffee as he was trying to find Henry. Dave Panpa was Henry's only friend in the Government since he joined, Dave used to be a police officer like Rupert but was fired cause of certain "things". He took a job as a security guard and he was doing a good job until he was captured by The Toppat Clan. He was saved by Rupert and the Government, he lost his legs, and Dr. V gave him a new set of legs.

He made friends with other soldiers like Charles Calvin, Victoria Grit, June July, the Bukowski twins, etc. However, he's been spending time with Henry cause Henry needs his help. Dave was humming merrily while still holding the coffees, he walked past Charles and Rupert who were talking when they saw him walk past them. They watched him as he went over to Henry who was waiting for him, Dave handed Henry's coffee to him as they leaned against a rock. Henry thanked him as he took a sip, Dave smiled at him.

Charles and Rupert stared at them while they were chatting. Charles shook his head as he crossed his arms, Rupert was glaring at them. "I don't know why Dave keeps talking to him, Rupert," Charles said.

"I don't know either, Charlie." Rupert replied as he also crossed his arms, "I don't want him talking to Henry."

"Have you tried telling him to not talk to him?"

"No. Dave is his person, I can't tell him not to talk to Henry."

Charles nodded in agreement as Rupert continued, "Besides Dave's my friend. I have to support him, if he wants to talk to Henry, he can talk to Henry.

Charles nodded again as they both kept staring at Dave and Henry.

Meanwhile, with Dave and Henry, they kept talking about random stuff.

"So, Henry," Dave said as smiled at him. "While you were the leader of the Toppat clan, did you have any friends or any significant other?"

Dave was the only one in the Government who could ask these questions without getting triggered.

Henry's face fell when Dave asked that question, he quietly clenched his cup as he sighed heavily, and he then closed his eyes. He exhaled a sharp breath as he opened his eyes, he glanced at Dave who was waiting for an answer. "I only had like two friends and for significant other...he was a good lover," he replied sadly.

"Oh?" Dave said as he tilted his head in confusion. "Who? What happened to him?"

Henry chuckled as he scoffed, "I think you know him by Burt Curtis." he said bitterly.

Dave blinked at Henry's tone, "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

"It's been a while since I came here and none of my "friends" or Burt has come to find me," Henry replied sadly as his voice wavered. "They should have come for me by now..."

Henry turned away from Dave so he wouldn't see him crying, he dropped his cup on the ground, spilling coffee onto the dirt. He covered his face with his hands, Dave immediately put his cup down and hugged him. Charles's and Rupert's eyes widen in shock and surprise at Dave's actions. Henry never lets anyone touch him even when to help him, he always lashes out or snaps at them. Heck, Dr. V can't go near him unless she tells him. So seeing Dave hugging him without getting pushed back or scolded by him is just a shockingly weird sight to witness.

"Hey, shhh. Calm down, Henry." Dave said softly and gently. "It's okay, I'm here. If your friends and Burt haven't come for you, they're not worth it...believe me, I know."

Henry ceased his crying as he leaned into Dave's embrace, "B-But I-I love Burt... He was the first relationship I ever had." he mumbled sadly.

"Like I said before, Henry. If he hasn't come for you yet, he's not worth it."

"I guess you're right."

Dave kept hugging him until Henry gently let go of him, he shuddered for a minute as he took deep breaths, and then he finally calmed down. "You feeling better?" Dave asked.

Henry nodded as he looked at the ground, "Yeah... Listen I'm gonna head off to my tent, I'm tired. It was nice talking to you." he replied.

"Okay, bye Henry," Dave said. "Get some rest."

Henry nodded as he went back to his tent, he waved goodbye to Dave, and Dave waved back. Charles and Rupert stared at Henry leaving Dave alone, they were still wondering what happened. "I wonder what's that about?" Charles said with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm...not sure, I'm gonna have to ask Dave later," Rupert replied.

Charles and Rupert resume their conversation but the scene where Henry's breakdown still lingers in their minds.

Later that night, Rupert and Dave were getting ready for bed. Rupert saw Dave lying on his bed and he took a deep breath. Okay, he's going to ask Dave his questions about Henry. "Oi, Dave... What were yer and Henry talking about earlier?" he asked nonchalantly.

Dave looked at Rupert and shrugged, "Just normal stuff." Dave replied.

Rupert blinked for a moment, "Alright but what's with Henry's breakdown earlier?"

Dave sat up to look at Rupert, he sighed as he lay back down. "It's just something personal, he's fine now," he replied as he thought about Henry's breakdown.

Rupert stared at Dave, "What kind of personal stuff?" he asked as he mentally slapped himself. He knew he shouldn't be asking but he was curious about Henry's breakdown.

"It's none of your business, Rupert," Dave said firmly. "You know this."

"Oi, I just wanna know." Rupert defended as he put his hands up.

"Look, I know you hate him and you only see him as a criminal." Dave snapped suddenly as he got up in front of Rupert's face, making him jump a little from his tone. "And I'm not gonna invade Henry's privacy so you can use it to bully him, I know you and Charles bully him."

Rupert wanted to say something but Dave interrupted him, "Don't try to deny it. I have seen and heard what you guys have done to Henry. Just because he used to be a former criminal doesn't mean he does not have feelings." Dave continued. "He's already feeling bad, he doesn't need you or Charles to make it worse."

Dave went back to his bed and got under the covers, he looked over at Rupert with an angry expression on his face. "I'm going to bed, I want you to think about your actions towards others, especially Henry. Now good night."

Dave shut the lights without hearing Rupert's reply, Rupert stood there in the dark looking dumbfounded, "Oi...what just happened?" he thought as he quietly slipped into bed.

He didn't get any sleep cause he thought of what Dave had said to him about Henry.

A/N: Fanart above by Blue_Fanlady