Chapter Text
It was in the shed when the realization hit. In the shed that was shared among three boys for years.
Freddie was leaning against the wall waiting for Cook to wake up after getting in a scruff with “some nobody’s”. Cook was always getting bruised and beaten and it was a constant that Freddie would have to “take care of him”. It wasn’t even taking care of more like trying to knock sense into a piece of wood, Cook would never change.
Freddie knew this but still he couldn’t completely stop Cook from coming to him for aid and he didn’t know why. Maybe it was because Cook didn’t have anyone, he was pitying Cook yup that was it! The more he looked at Cook the more he realized that might not be it “oh shit” he accidentally said aloud.
Cook was partly a light sleeper and of course this had to be one of the times he really was a light sleeper the asshole. He just looked at Freddie with dazed eyes he was exhausted, he stood up stretching from sleeping on the uncomfortable chair. “What time is it Fred’s?” he said you could he the exhaustion in his voice “it’s 10.” Cook looked confused “ten in the morning? Shit it looks so dark out.” Cook was such an airhead sometimes Freddie thought “no 10pm you dumbass” he responded dryly.
“Oh fuck I gotta go home gotta run see ya Freddie!” He ran out the door so fast it honestly surprised Freddie. Cook never liked being at home but ever since his mother got a new boyfriend who actually liked him, he started to be at home a little more as he had never had much of a father figure in his life it was a new experience. Freddie closed up the shed it was fucking freezing so he went up to his room pretty fast.
After lying in bed just listening to music and looking at the ceiling the clock strikes midnight it’s now Saturday. His shitty headphones didn’t even go to the full volume anymore but it didn’t matter much as he was already saving for new ones.
All the sudden he heard a noise , it’s not that he’s scared of the dark but come on it’s midnight fucking pitch black out and absolutely silent in his house even Karen had her TV off after a marathon of “The Simple Life”. He heard more noises hoping they would just go away but after the seventh bang he finally decided to investigate.
Looking out the window he looks down and of course it’s Cook, fucking Cook. The closer Freddie looks the more he saw the expression on Cooks face and it was odd he looked kind of upset, not in an angry way but more of a sad way which was unusual especially for him.
“Can I come up” he said “meet me at the back door you idiot” Freddie responds, with an eye roll as he turns to go down the stairs. As soon as he opens the door he gets a closer look at Cooks face, yup weird expression on his face. He brush’s past him quickly but quietly walking up the stairs, Freddie confused but follows slower but still quietly up the stairs.
He opens the door that Cook slightly shut “so why are you here this late?” He says. Cook doesn’t respond doesn’t even try to make much eye contact. Now Freddie knows a lot about Cook and he KNOWS how Cook is always keeping eye contact I mean so much sometimes it’s a little creepy.
“Are you alright?” Freddie closes his door slowly walking closer to Cook but not too close. Cook still stays standing still almost shaking but Freddie couldn’t really tell as he was trying to keep a little distance, he knows how Cook can be. He finally decides this is dumb and just goes to Cook and yeah he’s shaking pretty bad it was shocking to Freddie he hasn’t really seen Cook in this state before.
“Hello Cook??? Are you ok..?” He finally puts a hand on Cooks shoulder. Cook who was facing the other way looking out the window finally turns his head around to face Freddie but his eyes darted to the ground immediately. Before his eyes darted Freddie noticed something, Cooks he was crying..I mean Cook never cries was he really crying? The curtains already open from Freddie investing the noise earlier have now the moon as bright as can be lighting up Cooks face.
He looked empty it was bizarre Freddie was left in a state of shock how could he be so beautiful yet so empty. Cook is tired, he is tired of everything mentally but right now physically as well. His eyes start dozing off and he stumbles right into the taller boys arms.
He fainted? Is all Freddie could think of. Freddie was strong but he couldn’t just hold up Cook till he regained consciousness so he gently placed Cook on his bed. He sat next to Cook noticing how chilled his body was he threw a blanket over half of his body. Freddie was worried but wasn’t quite sure what to do I mean Cook was breathing and came all the way to his house.
As he looked at Cook all he could think of is how peaceful he finally looked it was mesmerizing. He laid down on the other side of his bed and continued to listen to music putting his headphones back on but keeping a close eye on Cook.