SWEATER PAWS | CSCOOP X READER (completed)

august

wednesday, august 30, 2020. 9:37 am.
cooper

"i'm so glad you're home," cooper's mother envelops him into a hug. he carefully wraps his arms around her and tries his best not to break down on the spot. he was so ultimately tired of all the emotions, that all he could do in that moment was simply shut his eyes and relax in her embrace.

it was the first time he's seen his family in months, and decided august was the time to visit. his sister was about to start school and their parents were at a thrill from receiving a one week holiday off work, but their expressions very much changed after they saw cooper's state. bony, fragile, and worn out is all that could describe the boy, as he stood in the doorway of their family home.

his bags were plopped down onto the floor and he took off his shoes and was escorted into his old bedroom, just to see what changed.

barely anything has moved it's position, except maybe a few decor items, and cooper felt a slight sense of ease as he entered his room. he breathed steadily as his mother put her hand on his back, waiting for him to step inside and begin settling down before dinner.

"your dad will be home soon. he's gone to the store."

cooper stared at his posters, the old, childish lights and skateboard decks still on his walls. he made his way over to his desk in an instant and searched around for a paper and pen to update (y/n) on his status.

dinnertime came around earlier that day than he expected. he heard his dad's voice from downstairs but didn't come out of his room until his mother shouted that food was ready.

the rest of the evening was spent partly in unnerving silence and partly full of chatter and small talk. it was mostly cooper's parents doing the talking, and occasionally getting his sister to talk about her school life.

"i can help you with your school work," cooper turns to his sibling, who, jokingly, shoots him a concerned look in return.

"i think i'm the smarter sibling here." she spits out playfully but her expression instantly freezes. she realizes that she could have triggered cooper, but before she could begin to frantically apologize he shrugs, nodding, and the corners of his lips turn up ever so slightly as he cuts his steak.

"i think you may be."

it was towards 11 p.m. that the entire family started heading off to bed. they spent the evening watching movies on the television, judging the terrible acting of some mainstream hollywood men, as cooper let his sister braid his hair whilst he sat on the floor in front of the couch. he allowed himself to smile that night, feeling safe and sound in the presence of his family, but as he began to head up the stairs into his room, he felt his stomach fall and the thrill of the butterflies die down after realizing this won't last forever.

and nothing does.

and i guess that's a blessing in disguise sometimes, but we all have to move on.

it's just the letting go part i'm a little worked up about.

my dad hugged me today, right before i went upstairs to go to bed. it's not rare that he does this, but it's special. i felt him crying on my shoulder, so i hugged him a little tighter than i usually would.

i really look that awful, don't i?

cooper chuckles to himself. he noticed that this time, his vision was blurry, but no tears came out.

i want to get better.

for me, for them, for the boys.

for you.