UNDER EDITING 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑉𝐸 𝐷𝐴𝑁𝐺𝐸𝑅 | 𝐴𝑃𝑂𝐶𝐴𝐿𝑌𝑃𝑆𝐸 ✔︎

A Half Empty Pod

(Cooper's POV)

I dampen a paper towel with cold water and rest in against Lexi's nose. She takes the towel from me and holds it herself while leaning against a sink.

"I must've scared Noah so bad.." She mumbles. I look over to her and sigh while drying my hands. "He knew this was coming. It scared us all a little bit but we all know that you're getting better. If it did bother him then Jasper would comfort him, so there's nothing to worry about." I reassure. She nods.

"I guess so. I just really hope that they find the antidote soon.." I shut off the sink and turn to her. "Lex, I swear that everything is going to be fine. Trust me."

She nods and removes the paper towel, revealing a clean face. When I take a better look at her, I can see how exhausted she really is. Whether it be from the infection or from lack of sleep, she was tired.

Lexi walks across the bathroom to a nearby trash can, only her movements weren't swift. She had a hard time walking in a straight line and she swayed a bit while doing so.

Once back from the trash can, I decide to ask her how she's feeling. "Lexi? You're looking a little dizzy. You okay?" I put my toned arm around her and rub her back. She stares off blankly for a second or two and snaps back into reality. "Oh what- yeah I'm fine. I think the blood loss from my back combined with the blood loss from my nose is just making it hard for me to function." She says sheepishly.

"Yeah.." I say. "Let's head back to the pod so you can rest up. You're obviously too tired to function right now." Lexi nods and we start walking. Only immediately after, she stumbles and falls into my back. I plant my feet so she doesn't take us both down.

"Lexi can you walk?" I ask plainly. I honestly didn't know if I was teasing her or genuinely asking. Her face flushes with embarrassment and she just shakes her head. "I guess not for right now." She mumbles.

I sigh and pop a sympathetic smile. "Alright, we are going back to the nurse in the morning. I'll carry you back to the pod." Before she can protest, I scoop her up carefully in bridal style and exit the bathroom.

"C-Cooper!" She stammers all embarrassed. I place a finger to my lips, telling her to quiet down. "You know, most people have gone to bed so maybe pipe down?"

She rolls her eyes. "Don't wake the boys when we get there." I say sternly as we turn a corner to our hallway. We get a few weird looks from stray people heading to their pods as well, but I ignore it. I'm sure Lexi is crazy embarrassed though.

We reach the pod and I set Lexi to her feet. She grips my arm for support while my other one unlocks the door. We enter and I turn on a small lamp.

Lexi pokes my shoulder. "Cooper, the boys aren't here.."

If this was the first time that this had happened, I would be more concerned. Yet this has been happening since we went to that shabby hotel for a night.

"I'll check for a note on their bedside tables." I say while moving Lexi over to her bed, setting her down. I first check Noah's; Nothing. Then Jasper's. A small piece of paper sits there.

I'm taking Noah somewhere to get his mind off of everything. We should be back tonight so don't worry. Take care of Lexi though. AND JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE POD TO YOURSELVES DOESN'T MEAN YOU TWO CAN MESS AROUND! So don't try anything, Cooper. - Jasperrrrrr

My face flushes a little from the last bit but I brush it off. "What does it say?" Lexi yawns. Of course I would never tell Lexi what that dumb fuck actually said. I could handle the embarrassment but I don't think she could.

"Nothing special. Just that they went out to get their minds off of things and that they'll be back by tonight." She nods hesitantly. "Jasper won't do anything reckless.. right?"

I trot over to her and plop down on her bed. "I think he normally would. Noah's the only thing keeping him from it." I chuckle. She lets out an exasperated giggle.

I cock my head to the side. "Probably time to sleep, huh?" She nods. "You should.. lay with me. I'm just a bit worried about everything now."

I nod. We change into our sleep wear. Once done, we lay down together. Lexi lays on top of my chest and I run my hands through her brown hair.

We are silent for a good five minutes. I had assumed Lexi was sleeping. "Can we talk for a bit... it would help me sleep." Her voice muffled into the crook of my neck. I nod, hoping she can feel it.

"It's crazy how far we've all come, you know?" I start. "I remember meeting you and Noah at that pharmacy and wanting nothing to do with you. Thankfully, Delores and Harold persuaded me. The junk yard wasn't our home for long after that. We only were there a week or so after the two of you arrived. The woods and the quarry weren't great but we did bond there..." Lexi nods and I decide that I should do all the talking.

"The supply runs had to be my favorite. The four of us crammed into Delores' crappy car with just one weapon each. I mean the one time with the car accident wasn't great but we just won't mention that. And even though we all made acquaintances anywhere we went, we always stuck together. Whether it was the junkyard, the quarry, Carlos' town, the hospital, or even here. I feel like we're all gonna be together for a long time."

Lexi leaves light breaths on my shoulder and I decide that she's asleep.

"Goodnight Lex."

A/N- I hope whoever read this liked this chapter! Thanks for 600+ reads omg!! I really enjoy comments so please feel free to leave any! Stay posted 😇