How to be a (functioning) human being.

And yet, its enticing.

As days rolled past in the tent recovering, Henry felt more and more bored, looking for anything he could do. Which wasn't much knowing he wouldn't be using his right arm until the doctor who fixed him up (her last name started with a V... that was all he knew.) to come, probably turn him into a robot by the end of the year with the way he was going.

The highlight of his day was when Charlie visited him, he didn't mind how quiet he was and never asked. He simply filled the empty void with words Henry would never be able to say without prepping himself. In fact, the smiling pilot was sitting next to him, telling him another story about around the camp

"And then he actually quit for a month! for a dare! he somehow seemed more confused, I wonder if he smokes weed too, I don't mind it. I mean, my grandpa from my mothers' side probably did, but I'm really curious. Maybe he used that inst-" the man was cut off by a loud tap, both men's heads shot up, eying the door carefully.

A soldier looked at the two, snorting. "The general wants you two, he has an offer or whatever, didn't listen." The soldier then immediately left without confirmation, leaving Charlie to get Henry onto the floor without him wobbling from lack of use in his legs.

A lot of people looked at the two, Henry knew it was because there's the former leader of the toppat clan in a hospital gown (Still after weeks! they had yet to let him change in fear of anything breaking) and stumbling around a military camp. Charlie didn't realise, he never really did "what's up with those guys? You shouldn't stare at someone who's injured! maybe they just think you're cool."

Henry couldn't help but snort at the other's tone, he was so excitable at all times, so it was easy to get the beautiful smile Henry loved out of the other. but he had also seen him upset, which made him want to kill whatever did it, he's done it before.

But he decided not to think about it, it was a terrible idea in a military camp when he can barely walk. Speaking of walking, they were close to the general's tent, Charlie straightening up (while also making sure Henry could still use him as a support.)

"Sir? What did you want to talk to us about?" The general was on the other side of the room, sitting down at a small desk. "I would like to know, if Henry gets pardoned, and he makes a smooth recovery, if he'd like to join you on missions. Looking through your files Henry, I see so much talent wasted." The thief was stunned, he was one of the most infamous criminals, and as many people said, he was incapable to change! So why was he...?

"Don't worry, you can agree later, or decline. Charlie, come here, we need to discuss your next mission" "Oh! I should bring Henry back first sir, he can't really walk on his own." The general simply smiled, the pilot clearly was seen as a good man by others as well.

After an hour, the pilot came back from the meeting, a smile still on his face. (by now henry had to stop himself from the thoughts that would come.) "Sorry to keep you waiting! The general just wanted to talk about a mission to get the doctor from the Toppats, she could be a good asset even after she mends your arm up!" He smiled at the pilot, the man grinning back, his headset placed around his neck, a hand holding them in place, stroking the red plastic softly.

"Then we could go on missions together then!" Henry nodded, he liked that idea. But that meant he would have to work for the military. The exact reason he decided to join the largest criminal organisation. But he wouldn't let the other realise this yet.

----

The next day Charles was out on his mission, leaving Henry alone and bored. Bored enough to count the drops that slowly came down to form a puddle near the entrance, he got to fifty-four before he was interrupted by someone. "Mr. Stickmin?" Henry looked up, frowning. First, he interrupted his counting and second, call him a title he only associated with his father. He breathed out, reminding himself that the person wouldn't realise this and nodding. "You're allowed to come out now... Here's some clothing." the man placed down the clothing and scrambled out of the tent, Henry snorting at his eagerness as he shut the tent closed.

He carefully put on the clothing, finishing after half an hour, it was hard with only one arm. He let out a sigh, sitting down on the bed before looking back, seeing his coat patched up.

The thief carefully went over, holding up before shoving it on and placing his hands (well, his right hand.) in the pockets. His hand brushed over a note, pulling it out to see a note with careful handwriting.

Hello Henry!

I decided to stitch your coat back together, it seemed important,, I hope I didnt ruin it haha

You seem pretty cool minus all the illegal stuff, so you wanna hang out later?

-Charles

(Ps: if the guy who came in seemed scared i kinda maybe forced him to take the coat tell him im sorry please)

He snorted, folding it carefully and placing it in his wallet, shoving his objects into the pockets in the way he always had them, wallet and phone on the right and the rest on the left. The pilot stitched it up well, better than anything Henry could do.

He sighed, stumbling out of the tent and was greeted by more chaos than most mornings. Maybe less, he didn't know, he was stuck inside. But there were too many soldiers for the thief to be comfortable.

His train of thought was cut abruptly by a happy pilot already back, grinning wildly. "HENRYOHMYGODTHATWASSOCOOLIHAVETOTELLYOUALLABOUTIT" he yelled in the others direction, Henry understanding less than half of it. Less than a quarter if he didn't hear his name.

Charles ran up, lightly giggling "she said she'll help with your arm! How cool is that?" Henry nodded, smiling quietly (he wanted to know how you'd steal a sound because he loved the others happy little giggles.) "yeah, apparently she was from a different division of the military, but she's well hidden. Luckily we found her!" He looked up, Henry following his gaze to see the general speaking to a woman, long blonde hair and a doctors coat.

Henry could already hear her thick accent from his muddled memories from before he left to get his revenge. His wings tucked neatly into his metallic chest twitching uncomfortably. "She's the one who fixed you up, right?" He nodded quietly, bouncing his foot as he tried to still the wings, luckily it was easier said than done. Thank the lord she was a good mechanic and doctor.

Speaking of the doctor, she came over, her heels sadly not clicking to match her expression. "Doctor..." "Vinschpinsilstien." "Vin.. schinsilstein! Hello!" She snorted, nodding. "You're the pilot, Charles, Да?" Charlie nodded, still grinning happily. He was rather happy with his career, Henry noted that weeks ago.

The doctor nodded once, a small twitch almost like a smile coming over her face before she looked at henry's broken arm, poking it harshly and nearly making him wince "This is the arm I must replace. The bones are nearly crushed." Henry winced at that, no wonder he felt nothing in that arm the past month. "I will go get a sling, wait here." the two nodded, Charlie nodding happily while the thief simply wanted her to just stop pushing her latex covered fingers into his arm.

She left the two, Henry letting out a sigh of relief. Just because he could barely feel it didn't mean it hurt for him. "I see you're wearing your jacket... Did you see the note?" Charlie slightly bent down, meeting Henry's eye level as he nodded. "So do you wanna hang out?" he asked another question, straightening up.

Henry simply nodded to have Charlie light up, bouncing "First we gotta get the sling for your arm." The pilot mumbled, walking away to find the doctor.

That was the moment he decided to agree to the general. Charlie was the only person who could get him to, and he did so unknowingly.