The Good Timeline

Tired

Henry had just gotten back from work, his long day coming to an end with his head hitting his pillow. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep, but he always tried anyway. Maybe if he just tried, the loud thoughts in his head would quiet down just long enough to let him sleep. He glanced at the picture on his nightstand. He and William together, a picture of them with their first spring-lock suits. William. William had been acting so off lately, ever since his divorce. Henry thought he was upset about losing Eleanor, but he never talked about her, not even to complain. He had been losing weight, which Henry noticed, but never brought up.

Maybe if he did, he could somehow hell him fix it, but William was so erratic and odd, Henry didn't feel like he had any 'good time' to actually talk to him about it. Even when he looked for a chance, Williams mood swung around to the opposite extreme end and would go on a rampage of either overly positive feedback or nearly screaming at rude customers. Henry was used to this entirely by now, he grew up with the man, but people who have never met him may jump to the conclusion of him being a creep. Which is understandable.
Henry sighed, laying his head back down. He worried for William often, even though they were both grown adults he still knew William since elementary, and could tell when something was wrong. William always was a weirdo, but it was the way he had become... so touchy, lately. When he'd grab Henry by the shoulders, catching him off guard, or the times he grabbed Henrys cheeks to pinch them, just as a 'joke.'

Henry glanced at the clock, noticing he had been lost in thought for almost an hour. He sighed, but thought that if he couldn't sleep, at least his mind brought him places where he could pass the time quickly. But he was bored. And he was tired.
He dragged himself out of bed, rubbing his eyes as he dialed Williams phone number. Hopefully he was awake at such a late hour.
The line clicked "...Hello?"
"Oh, William. Hello... I hope I didn't wake you up."
Henry's voice croaked, breathing with relief at his friend being awake, even if he did inconvenience his sleep.
"No no, you didn't! I was just in the living room. What do you need?"
Henry paused, staring at the landline in front of him. "...Can I come over. If that isn't too much."
William also paused, blinking and processing the words as his face lit up like a child's.
"YES!- Erhrm- yes, yes of course Henry..."
Henry smiled, relaxing a little. "I'll be over, see you soon."
With that, he hung up. Henry walked to Charlies and Sammy's shared room, knocking on their door.
"Hey kids, do you want to go to Mr Afton's house? I'm sure Elizabeth is back by now. You can have a sleepover." They both shot up from their beds, rushing to pack their things for the sleepover. After they were sorted, they loaded into the car and started the drive to William's house.

When they got there, it was around midnight. Sammy and Charlie rushed inside to get to Elisabeth's room, and Henry followed behind, seeing William.
"..Hello. Sorry for coming so late, I just..."
"-It doesn't matter!" William's extroverted and louder voice stopped Henry's unneeded explanation. "I'm always happy to have you around. You're my best friend."
Henry sighed, sitting down on the couch with William following suit, smiling widely at him. Henry turned to him, rubbing his head from a bad headache.
"Are you okay?" William's smile didn't fade as he inched closer to Henry.
"Oh, yeah. Just a headache."
"Have you gotten sleep?"
Those words hit henry like a truck, and he looked away sheepishly. Was it seriously that obvious... embarrassing... he'd have to hide it better-
"..."
His thoughts were interrupted by William putting his hand on Henry's shoulder. It didn't feel like before, this time it was soft and light, like William was trying to be comforting. Henry turned to him, seeing William's wide smile gone, replaced by a more understanding and caring smile.
"Henry. You should try to sleep tonight." His tone was so much more serious, more put together than most of what he says. Henry put his hand on top of Williams, nodding.
"I know. But not here, it's too much to sleep in your house after dropping my kids off here so late like this.."
William shook his head, holding Henry's hand and looking him straight-on.
"We've known each other since grade school, I wouldn't care if you just barged in even without a call!"
Henry's breath shuddered softly. How could he have hidden something from his best friend for this long, obviously William was the only person who would understand. He leaned forward, letting his head fall onto William's shoulder. His body felt heavy, and he just let himself melt right there on the couch, his eyes finally staying shut as he fell asleep.

William had no idea what to do. He wasn't expecting Henry to just fall asleep there on his shoulder, but now that he was finally sleeping he couldn't just wake him up. He found somewhere comfortable, even if it was inconvenient. Or was it, really?
William turned his head, staring at Henry. He was finally closer to him, able to see exactly what he did through the night. Just like the cameras. William could watch over him like he wanted to for so long. Even though it was the only thing he could do for entertainment, it was the only thing he'd ever want to do. So he did. He sat with Henry for hours through the night, watching him move in his sleep. Make noises. Dream.
He wished he could see his dreams, maybe for the farfetched possibility that he was apart of them, but he knew what was impossible. At least watching him on the outside was possible.
He eventually closed his eyes, leaning his head against Henry's. They were both tired.