"Choose me, Henry."

Chapter 5: Jealousy Thy Name Is Charles

Rupert and Henry spend more time together and they both come to be mutual, and then friends. However, someone doesn't want them to hang out.

Rupert and Henry's relationship became less antagonistic and more mutual. Of course, their relationship is still rocky.

Henry was brushing his hair when Rupert and Dave came into his tent. He looked at them and waved at them, "Hey, Rupert." he greeted. "Hey, Dave."

"Hi, Henry," Dave said happily as Rupert waved at Henry.

"What are you guys doing here?" Henry asked as he resumed brushing his hair.

"We were wondering if you would like to join us?" Dave replied.

"For what?"

"We're going to the bar tonight and Dave wanted you to join us," Rupert said.

Henry thought about it as he finished brushing his hair, he put his brush down and glanced at them. "Sure," he replied, smiling.

Rupert nodded as Dave said "Great! Do you want us to come to get you or you'll meet us there?"

"I'll just meet you there," Henry replied.

Dave nodded in agreement as he turned to leave the tent, Rupert was about to leave when he remembered something important, and he glanced at Henry. Henry stared at him in confusion, "What's wrong?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"Dave didn't mention this, but Charles is going to be there too," Rupert said as crossed his arms.

As expected, Henry's face fell. "Oh..." he murmured.

"Ya. I know yer and Charles are still not getting along but please, don't start something."

"I don't always start the fights... I try to defend myself."

Rupert sighed as he shook his head, he uncrossed his arms as he stepped closer to Henry, and he noticed Henry wasn't looking at him. "I know. It's good to defend yerself," he said softly and firmly. "But the best thing you can do is just ignore him."

Henry turned around to face Rupert, he was now trembling in rage, and he had some tears in his eyes. "I tried that, Rupert!" he bellowed, he was using his actual voice which surprised Rupert. "It doesn't work!"

Rupert saw Henry turn away from him again, he looked down at the ground, and he suddenly felt immense guilt. Before he stopped being a bully toward Henry, he never considered the consequences of his actions. His mom always told him to think about his actions towards other people, but Rupert thought his mom was a hypocrite since her actions of abandoning him gave him everlasting consequences.

Rupert was still watching Henry sobbing when he had an idea, "Oi, Henry." Rupert called out gently. He saw Henry cease his sobbing and trembling, Henry then glanced at Rupert with his red, puffy eyes. "Y-Yeah?" Henry replied, his voice wavering.

"What if...I keep Charles in line so he won't bully you?" Rupert suggested as he rubbed his hair awkwardly.

Henry sniffed as he wiped his tears, "You can?" he asked, his eyes lit up with hope.

"Ya."

"That's great."

Without warning and Henry thinking, he hugged Rupert. Both men froze at the contact, Henry was panicking on the inside, and Rupert's brain stopped working. "Oh shit! Fuck! Why did I just do that!?" Henry thought to himself. He knew should let go of Rupert but...he loved the feeling of Rupert's warmth, he also sneakily smelled Rupert's scent. Rupert smelled like cigarettes and cologne.