Hide Your Lungs||SMPLive AU

Chapter Four

When they entered the basement, the first thing Travis noticed was the fact that Cooper looked like absolute shit. Even in the darkness of the basement, it was clear he had a hard night. If Travis hadn't known what happened he would have guessed he was turning. He was sleeping, but as the two of them approached, his eyes flew open.

Travis saw panic slowly be replaced with relief as he saw who it was. He let out a shaky breath and a small wave to the two, "Good morning..."

"Morning Cooper," Ted placed the plate on the bedside table, "How's the leg?"

Cooper smiled weakly, "Better than last night."

Ted nodded, "Yeah, I expected that," He gestured to the plate, "We brought you some food, try and eat some of it, just don't push it. We don't need you to vomit."

"Okay, thanks... uh... I know I said that the pain is better... but..."

As he trailed off Ted smiled, "I'll get you some Advil," Cooper nodded and Ted started to leave the room, "I'll be back in a bit."

He went up the stairs and the two friends, just like before, were on their own again.

Cooper sat up a bit and patted the space in front of him. Travis understood and took a seat on the bed. His legs hung over the side, and he turned to look at Cooper. His eyes looked down where Cooper's leg were covered by the blankets and he could make out exactly where the one was cut.

"Does it hurt?" Travis cringed at his question, "Sorry, that was stupid... of course it hurts..."

Cooper smiled, "It's fine Trav... it does hurt but they put me on so much I can't really feel it... think I'm just now starting to come off the high," His gaze locked onto his leg for a few seconds before turning back to Travis, "What's the rest of the house like?"

Travis' face lit up, "It's awesome! They have a garden with food! They have power from solar panels and they can cook food! It's insane Cooper!"

Cooper looked at Travis with wonder, "They have power?! And I can't even get a lamp?"

Travis laughed and nodded excitedly, "Yeah! And I know it's kinda crazy to say this, but I trust these people," Travis started to fidget with his hands, "I mean... if they wanted us dead they would have killed us in Canton..."

"Or while we were sleeping..."

"Yeah... they wouldn't be wasting resources on us... especially not this close to winter..."

A silence fell upon the two of them, but it didn't last for too long before Cooper spoke, "It doesn't feel real..."

Travis scowled, "What do you mean..."

"None of this, finding people we can maybe trust with a house... losing my leg... which doesn't even feel gone..." Cooper sighed and Travis could see the tears forming in his eyes, "I just feel so numb Trav..."

"Cooper, it's gonna be okay..."

"Is it? I mean, is it really? Because I'm trying to tell myself that everything will be fine... that maybe you're right and we can trust these people and we'll be safe here... but Travis I'm scared... I'm scared this is all going to end and I'm gonna be dead weight..."

"Cooper, that's not true-"

"It is, and you know it. If we get attacked, either out there or here, I won't be able to fight or run. I will just drag you and anyone else with us down,"Cooper rubbed his eyes hard, leaving large red marks over them when he stopped. He looked at Travis, with tears still threatening to spill out of his eyes, "I'm so scared Trav... so fucking scared..."

Travis put his hand on Cooper's shoulder, "Cooper, it's okay to be scared... these are scary times we're living in... as cheesy as that sounds," Cooper let out a small laugh, which made Travis smile, "It's okay..."

"But-"

"There is no "but", it's okay. What happened in Canton won't be the end, I will make sure of that. We've made it this far and haven't died yet... that has to mean something..."

"I... yeah... I guess so..." Cooper whipped his eyes, sniffling as he let out another pained laugh, "Thanks Trav... I guess I needed to hear that..."

Travis smiled, removing his hand and opening his arms up for a hug, which Cooper returned quickly. Cooper gripped his shirt tightly and his body began to shake as he silently cried. And Travis could feel where Cooper's tears were sinking into his shirt's shoulder. They stayed still for a few minutes, and only stopped when they heard footsteps starting to come down the stairs. Ted soon was in the room, holding a cup of water in one hand and the other balled up in a fist. He walked over, placed the glass on the bedside table and held out his fist towards Cooper.

Cooper blinked before getting the hint and holding his hand out as well. Ted opened his hand, revealing four pills, which he poured out into Cooper's hand. He handed him the glass, taking notice of Cooper's shaking hands, "Those should help with the pain."

"Thanks Ted," Cooper eyes shifted from Ted down to the pills in his hands, "Do I..."

"Take two now, should knock you out for a few hours. If you wake up in pain, take one more," Cooper nodded in understanding and placed two of the extra pills on the table. He took a breath before downing the pills with a gulp of water. Ted took the glass from him, "Get some rest. Travis and I will be down again in a few hours, okay?"

Cooper nodded, sleep already starting to gather in his eyes. He looked at Travis, who now stood next to Ted, "Keep your shoes tied."

Travis stiffened, shooting a glance at Ted, who just looked confused at the sudden remark. Travis looked back to Cooper, whose eyes hadn't left Travis. He forced a smile, "Always do, Cooper."

Cooper sighed, before closing his eyes and lying down completely in the bed, "Good."

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