"Choose me, Henry."

Chapter 7: New Feelings

After Henry's mental collapse, Rupert has the sense to tell him about his trauma. Rupert and Henry are now closer than ever, however, things get more complicated when Rupert develops feelings for Henry and someone acts on their feelings for Henry.

Rupert and Henry stayed in their position for a few minutes until Henry let go of him, he hadn't noticed he was on Rupert's lap. Rupert stared at him as he saw him wipe his tears, he also didn't realize Henry was still on his lap. "Oi, are ya okay now?" Rupert questioned softly.

Henry nodded as he looked down, he blinked cause he was not looking at the floor, he was looking at Rupert's lap...or specifically his crotch. His face immediately went red and now warm. Rupert noticed Henry's red face, and he furrowed his brow in confusion. "Henry? Are you feeling okay?" he questioned.

Henry nodded vigorously with his face still red as he gave him a thumbs up, he was shaking. Not in rage or sadness, he was shaking with nervousness. Rupert didn't look convinced, "You don't look okay." he said as he narrowed his eyes at him.

Henry became more nervous as Rupert leaned close to his face, he felt Rupert's hot breath next to his face, and he could smell his cologne. Rupert hated to admit this but he was enjoying seeing Henry all nervous, he thought he looked adorable like that. Wait...hold up! Rupert pulled his head back as he felt himself go scarlet, what did he just think? Now both boys' faces were red as if they had a tomato for a head.

There was an awkward silence making the boys uncomfortable.

The sound of a door opening broke the awkward silence, they both glanced at the storage door as Dave and Victoria came in. Rupert quickly pushed Henry off his lap, making Henry fall on his butt with a yelp. Rupert felt guilty upon doing that as Dave and Victoria looked around the storage room. Victoria gasped in shock and Dave stared at them, Henry felt embarrassed. "What happened in here?" Victoria demanded in worry.

Henry and Rupert glanced at each other and looked away from each other, Dave took note of their body language.

"Well?" Victoria said impatiently.

Henry raised a hand as he stood up, "It's my fault, Captain Grit." he explained as he stared at Victoria. "I sorta had a breakdown...and I destroyed most of it."

Victoria nodded as she listened to Henry's explanation while Dave and Rupert watched him. "I could have hurt myself if it weren't for Rupert here, stopping me." he continued as he pointed to Rupert, and he smiled at him. Rupert saw his smile and he blushed, he covered his face with his hat. Dave saw this and he smiled. Victoria turned to see Rupert who was blushing up a storm, "Awww. The prickly, angry thorn is blushing!" she thought.

"So...yeah..." Henry finished as his eyes became dull.

Victoria nodded as she pursed her lips, "Alright. It's good Rupert has stopped you but..." she stated as she crossed her arms. "You still did some damage."

Henry nodded as he rubbed his arms, Victoria then ordered everyone to clean up which they did.

A couple of days later, Rupert was lying down on his bed. He stared up at the bunk he was in, he was thinking about Henry. He thought about Henry's mental collapse and their hug, why did he comfort Henry like that? He doesn't like people touching him, he doesn't even like to initiate contact. However, despite not being very good at comforting, he enjoyed hugging Henry. He groaned as he turned to his side, why is he feeling weird toward Henry?

He enjoyed Henry's hug, he enjoyed his voice when he talked, his empathy for Harry the hedgehog, his smile, his laugh, his... Argh! Rupert growled to himself as he scolded his brain, he shouldn't be thinking Henry is cute. Rupert then felt a pang in his heart, he laughed softly as he covered his face, and he choked out a tiny sob.