Freddie Cook is NOT a Sex God

jumpstart

The plan was to go to the sports centre the next day but his sister got sick so Freddie stayed home to look after her for a couple of days. The day he returned to campus it was raining, there was an accident, and he was running late so there was just no time to even think about the sports centre. He was in such a hurry he jumped out of the car without noticing his lights were still on. It was late when he returned to the car because he'd spent time after class in the library catching up on everything he missed during his time away. 

Freddie was exhausted when he finally climbed into the car. He turned the key, thinking of his bed, and something warm to eat. Nothing happened. He turned the key again, the engine attempted to splutter to life, then died. Again. Nothing. 

"Shit," he said shouted at the steering wheel. 

Freddie pulled his phone out his pocket but he knew what he'd find. It was dead. He'd been planning to charge it on the drive home. 

"Shit," he repeated.

Climbing out of the car, Freddie opened the bonnet even though he knew there was nothing he could do. He looked around the empty car park but there was no one but it was dark and empty. 

"Shit," he shouted again.

Shutting the bonnet Freddie grabbed his keys and started to run back to campus. The rain was light but the more time he spent in it the wetter his clothes got. He was soaked through by the time he reached the main road that ran past the entry. He had to stop at the road because a car was coming but instead of driving past the car pulled up next to him. Freddie bent to look as the window rolled down revealing, Leo. Smiling at the sight Freddie walked over to the car and leant into the window.

"Leo! You're just in time. Do you think I could get a jumpstart?"

"Get in," Leo said a little shortly.

Freddie laughed at his abruptness, but he climbed into the car anyway.

As soon as he sat down Freddie felt bad about dripping through Leo's pristine new car seats.

"Sorry," he said.

"It's fine," Leo replied.

Awkward silence filled the air with each breath.

"Uh," Freddie said. "I'm in the overflow, if you don't want the mud I can call the NRMA but my phones dead."

"It's fine," Leo said again.

The awkwardness started to lift when the car began to move. Leo reached for something between them, taking the charge cord out of his phone and handing it to Freddie without a word.

"Thanks," Freddie said pulling his dead phone out his pocket and plugging it in.

They reached Freddie's car quickly.

"I'm pretty sure I've got a jump cable in the boot, just give me a second," Freddie said getting ready to get out of the car. "Wait here and I'll let you know when to pop the bonnet."

The rain was heavier when Freddie climbed out of Leo's car. He rushed to open the boot, as he searched through all the junk he'd been meaning to clean out he could feel the rain pelting against his back until suddenly he couldn't anymore. Spinning around Freddie found Leo holding an umbrella over him.

"Uh," Freddie said. "You don't have to."

Leo gave Freddie a look that suggested he shouldn't stop arguing and get to work. Still wary, Freddie returned his search, thankfully finding the cable quickly with the pressure of prying eyes. He turned back to Leo excitedly.

The umbrella followed Freddie as he worked connecting the cars, only leaving him as he climbed into the drivers seat. The car started, Freddie shouted with glee, jumping out again to disconnect the cables. Leo held the umbrella over him the whole time. It was only after his car was running smoothly that Freddie realised Leo was soaked through.

"Dude what the hell?" Freddie said moving close to Leo pulling the umbrella over them both.

"It's —"

"Fine I know except it's not. Come on I've got a jumper in my car."

Freddie threw an arm around Leo and pushed him towards his passenger door. Once Leo was safely inside he ran around to boot grabbing a couple of jumpers he'd left in there before heading back to the drivers side. Inside he tossed one of the jumpers to Leo and pulled his own shirt off without thinking. Turning to finally look at the man next to him Freddie realised he might have been behaving inappropriately.

"Shit sorry dude I'm over stepping?"

Leo looked like he might vomit and Freddie swapped embarrassment for worry.

"Are you okay?" He reached out but Leo flinched away and Freddie pulled his hand back like it was burnt. "Sorry."

That seems to knock some sense into Leo because he shook himself and some colour returned to his face.

"It's fine," he said pulling his own shirt off quickly and swapping it for the jumper Freddie had given him.

Freddie didn't mean to watch but it was already looking intently, watching for signs he might be unwell, so he couldn't help taking in all of Leo's body as he switched shirts. A strange thought flew across his mind as he stared, Freddie thought that maybe this was how people felt when he took his shirt off in year 9. He didn't have long to dwell, he pulled his own jumper on and tried to figure out what he should do now that he'd forced the guy into his car.

"I'm just gonna run it for a bit. Sorry about, you know, manhandling you."

"It's—"

"Let me guess," Freddie teased.

"Nice," Leo said. "It's nice that you care."

Freddie felt his face heat to the point that he had to turn away towards the window for some air.

"Don't feel like you have to stick around," Freddie said suddenly nervous. "I should be right now."

"I don't mind," Leo said.

Again Freddie blushed.

"At least let me buy you a snack or something. To say thank you."

Leo gave a small nod that seemed to be the only permission Freddie was going to get. He put the car in drive and set out in search of snacks with Leo beside him.