Best Friends

Chapter 5

Charles was still suffering from food poisoning. So he decided to take the day off. The general wasn't thrilled. However, it was better then having the man vomit in the training yard. Charles was watching Donald cook. The poor soldier was sat at a picnic bench and had his head down.

The door opened and Donald looked over. "Oh hello, Sharpe. You come to help or goof off again?" Donald teased. Sharpe blushed and huffed. "I'm gonna help!!" He walked up to charles and put a blanket over him. The sick man lifted his head up. "Aaron?" Charles asked in confusion. Sharpe smiled and sat down a basket of vegetables. "I'm surprised you actually got them. Now you can wash and peel them in the sink." Donald instructed. "Of course I got them!" Sharpe huffed and grabbed an apple. He set it in front of Charles.

"Aaron? How come your so nice to me? I'm serious." Charles asked as he grabbed his stomach in pain. "Because you deserve to be treated kindly. Everyone does, even the mean people." Sharpe said while smiling. He picked up a potato and rinsed it under the tap. "That and everyone deserves to have some extra happiness. And you are genuinely my best friend!" He held his hand up to show his bracelet. "We're best friends forever!" Sharpe smiled and set the washed potato aside. 

"Do you only pity me because I was in the hospital for a year?" Charles said in an upset tone. "Huh?" Sharpe looked at him. "I was...in the hospital....and everyone seems to alienate me because of it!" Charles teared up and sharpe set down what he was holding. He wiped his wet hands on his pants and gently hugged Charles. "Who cares if you were in the hospital? I like you for YOU! And you deserve to have happiness!" Sharpe nuzzled his best friend. Charles buried his face in Sharpes chest and sobbed. "Best friends forever. No matter what." Sharpe embraced the man and rubbed his back in comfort.

"Charles, I mean what I say. You arent bad for being in a hospital. We all have things we deal with!!" Sharpe let the man cry in his chest. Donald had left to go to the toilets, so he didn't see the crying man. "You are alive and you are my best friend." Sharpe softly kissed the top of Charles' head. Charles sniffled and looked up at him. "I-Im sorry...I'm...I-I..." Charles tried to speak, but couldn't find the words. "Shh. Its ok. There's no need to rush yourself." Sharpe said gently. "T-thank you..." Charles said between sobs. "There's no need to thank me, Charles. I'm always here. And I choose to be here." Sharpe smiled kindly to him. "Really....?" Charles asked nervously. Sharpe nodded. "I really really do."

Sharpe picked up the apple and offered it to Charles. Charles ripped it in half and handed half to Sharpe. "To being best friends." He sniffled and smiled. Sharpe took it and smiled. "Best friends forever!" Sharpe said in excitement. They both shared the apple. Charles ate slowly since his tumny hurt. Sharpe didn't rush either. "I'm sorry I'm being slow." Charles apologized. "Slow and steady wins the race you know." Sharpe smiled and Charles blinked in confusion. "I read it in a book awhile ago. But who cares about speed? Its about enjoying life." Sharpe smiled and took a bite of the apple half.

It was later on in the day. And the duo were walking around the garden district. They were going to the apple tree. The constables were guarding it of course. The 3 bobbies looked at the soldiers in curiosity. "Just here to get some apples!" Sharpe said with a big smile on his face. Constable Bacon opened the gate for the soldiers. Knowing they werent downers. Though he watched Charles closely. "Oi? You takin' your joy?" Constable Bacon asked to the sickly man. "I always take it!" Charles said defensively. "Just making sure. We have to check you know." The bobby stated and let him in as well.

The soldiers got a handful of apples in their basket and then headed out. "Why do we need apples anyway, Aaron?" Charles questioned as they went over to a grassy hill. Sharpe set the basket down and plopped onto his butt. "For eating of course! As a way to celebrate being best friends!" He smiled as Charles sat next to him. "You really are a good man, Aaron." Charles smiled. The sun was slowly setting. "Thank you, Aaron. For being my best friend."

(770 words!! Woo! Thicc_Boi_Soldiers)