Hi, I'm back. This is kind of a filler with some fluffiness, still, I hope you enjoy!
Alex :)
The next morning, it was Cooper who awoke first. The evening before he had draped a blanket across the two of them to offer some warmth; even though their intimate position meant that they were sharing a lot of body heat as it was. The quilt was now tightly wrapped around Peyton's slim form, leaving Cooper exposed. He didn't mind at all though, he'd slept in jeans and a jacket; whereas Peyton only had her cheerleader outfit.
He laid back and observed Peyton as she slept, taking in every minute detail.
There was a slight gap in the blinds of the window, causing a ray of sunshine to stream into the room. The beam of light was the main focus of the room, standing out a mile from the darkness surrounding it. The shaft of light just so happened to fall over Peyton; heightening her beauty in Cooper's opinion. Her sun-kissed blonde curls were splayed across the pillow, creating a halo effect due to the light that they were bathed in. Her complexion was clear and smooth, her skin looked soft to the touch; making Cooper want to reach out and stroke her cheek. Her breaths were short and even, causing her chest to rise and fall to an unheard beat. The thin blanket hugged her long, slender figure; only her feet peeked through, her pink painted toenails teasing Cooper.
He smirked, not quite believing that he had waited so long to kiss her. All of those nights he had spent worrying and trying to rid her from his mind were gone. He carefully slipped himself off of the couch, cautious not to disturb Peyton as she slept so soundly.
He padded to the kitchen, just his socks on his feet. He shook his head, smiling, when he saw the bowl of untouched Mac and Cheese from the night before. He rooted through the fridge which was surprisingly well stocked for a girl who lived primarily alone. It held all the ingredients he needed to make his speciality; omelettes.
Cooper didn't claim to be a chef by any means, but everyone said that he made the best omelettes they'd ever tasted. In Cooper's eyes, breakfast was the only meal he needed to know how to make anyway; lunch and dinner always tasted better when they were made by someone else in a restaurant or at a kiosk.
After a quick search, Cooper found a couple of plastic trays that would be perfect to carry the meal on. They were hand painted, by Peyton and her Mom, he guessed. One was a masterpiece, there was no other word. Even though it was just a tray, the artist had put a lot of effort into their work. It was a montage of flowers, swirling and dancing across the dish; each one delicate and perfectly detailed. The second tray was obviously the workmanship of a child, but a talented child at that. The scene depicted butterflies and birds, each with a happy expression. Cooper grinned, seeing a side of Peyton he hadn't seen before, a soft, happy, and childlike. It was as though he was beginning to discover the layers that made her. He liked what he saw.
Loaded with omelettes, toast and orange juice, Cooper carefully balanced the trays and made towards the living room. He whistled quietly, his good mood obvious for all to see. As he backed into the lounge he heard an odd noise, kind of like whimpering. Cooper frowned, he didn't remember seeing or hearing about a pet. He set the trays down and glanced around the room for any creature that might fit the mystery. He crossed the divide into the snug area of the room, where they'd slept the night before and realised that the sound was coming from the couch.
Peyton was moaning in a low voice and thrashing about wildly. Her forehead was beaded with sweat, even though the blanket was now strewn on the floor.
Cooper approached her rapidly, 'Peyton. Peyton!'
He shook her shoulder gently to try and ease her out of her nightmare, but this only caused her to lash out and utter a scream. Her arm lurched out and swiped Cooper across the cheek. He winced slightly, seeing as it was where Derek had punched him, but didn't back away from her.
'Peyton, it's okay.' He said in a hushed soothing tone, 'I'm here it's okay; you're dreaming.'
This time Peyton didn't cry out or hit him, which he took as a good sign. He continued to whisper to her until he felt she was calm enough to shake awake. He stroked her hair away from her face, discovering that it was damp with sweat and clinging to her clammy forehead.
'Peyton. Peyton wake up.' He called to her, concerned by her behaviour.
She moaned softly, and then her eyes popped open. They were wide and fearful.
'It's okay, you just had a bad dream.' Cooper explained, stroking her arm to settle her.
Her gaze was desperate and searching, Cooper just wanted her to believe him. He wanted to take away all of the fear she felt and keep her from feeling that way ever again.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, 'It wasn't a dream.'
Her voice was raspy and broken but Cooper heard every word.
'You're safe now, it's over.' He told her.
She shook her head, her curls limp as though reflecting her sad state of mind; 'It'll always be there to haunt me. I won't ever be completely free of him.'
Cooper's eyebrows knitted in an expression of unease; he was worried that she was still afraid and shaken, whilst he was angry at Derek for doing this to her.
'You will.' He said fiercely, 'It might take some time, but one day that fear and panic, it'll change. It'll become strength and vigour, you'll look back and know that you defeated him and you were the victor. You took his power from him.'
Peyton offered a weak smile, 'When that happens, I'll let you know.'
Cooper stared her straight in the eye, his cool blue orbs had a calming effect on her. 'Well, for now, to cheer you up, I made breakfast.'
He sprung from his crouched position on the floor and went to retrieve the food. Peyton stared after him in adoration and amazement. She didn't know how he did it; but whatever she needed, whenever she needed anything, he seemed to have a sixth sense for it.
She smiled properly when the smell met her nostrils, 'That smells so good.'
'It tastes even better.' He said as her gave her a tray and fork.
He picked the blanket up from the floor and placed it over their legs. She reached for the remote and put on the kids channel. They curled up and watched Tom and Jerry as they tucked into the first meal either had eaten in twenty-four hours.
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Half an hour later, Peyton was in the shower, and Cooper was laid on her bed admiring her room. He'd only seen the room once before and that was when he was tearing down creepy photos from the walls. In the warm daylight, he could now appreciate the details he'd missed the previous night.
There were enough records to fill a small music store, which had both impressed and intimidated Cooper. Then there was her artwork. It was brilliant, mysterious and dark, but that's why he liked it. It made her stand out from the crowd, she wasn't afraid to be herself. Although Peyton was far from being a sheep and following the trends and crazes that teens always do, she still wore a mask in public, as if to show that she was tough and fearless. Her artwork ripped all of that away and showed how she was really feeling. All of her insecurities; hopes; fears; loves; hates; questions; desires; they were all there in her pictures, for the world to see, if only they looked hard enough.
As he was studying the pictures above Peyton's headboard, his phone started ringing. Cooper felt his pockets for his phone but when he followed the sound, he discovered that it was under the bed. He figured that he must have dropped it there when he'd been clearing up.
He flipped it open and a familiar voice met his ears.
'Cooper, man, where have you been?' Nathan asked rapidly.
Cooper grinned, it was as though Nathan was the grown up and Cooper was the teen who had stopped out for the night, 'Sorry, Dad.'
He heard Nathan sigh, 'Haley and I have been up half the night worrying, Luke said you were in this massive fight with Peyton's brother.'
'Didn't he tell you I'm fine?' Cooper questioned, 'I saw him afterwards.'
'And that's the last anyone heard of you. You could have been passed out in a ditch somewhere for all we knew.' Nathan pointed out.
'I misplaced my phone, I'm sorry.' Cooper said, genuinely.
'It's okay, we were just concerned, and Lucas said it was pretty bad.' Nathan eased up.
Cooper smiled, 'Yeah, you should see my face.'
'Well we've got frozen peas whenever you feel like rolling in.' Nathan chuckled, 'I'll see you at home.'
'Will do.' Cooper said, hanging up.
'Who was that?' Peyton asked in a soft tone as she vacated the bathroom.
She was wrapped in just a towel. Her skin glistened in a way that Cooper had only seen on adverts for moisturiser and shower gel. Her hair hung in ringlets around her face, droplets of water fell from her curls onto her bare shoulders in a sexy way.
'Oh, er, Nathan.' He replied, gruffly, 'He was playing protective parent.'
She nodded, 'It can't help to practise, I guess. You can use the bathroom if you want.'
He accepted and went for a shower as Peyton dressed in jeans and a band t-shirt.
She then flicked through her albums, looking for something that would make her feel like her again. Music had the ability to take her away, to cheer her up, to keep her grounded, to do anything really. She hadn't yet found a way in which music had failed to remedy her. This of course was going to take some healing, but music would take her at least a step in the right direction.
Her eyes fell upon Feeder and she smiled, knowing exactly what song she needed to hear. Just the Way I'm Feeling didn't just have fitting lyrics and brilliant lyrics, it also reminded her of Cooper, which could only be a good thing at this point.
As the chorus played for the final time, Cooper appeared, smirking and shirtless; a combination that Peyton loved on him. He approached her slowly, his eyes never breaking contact with her own. She listened to the music, and at once, everything felt as it should be.
'I'm waiting for your healing hand; one touch could bring me round.'
'Kiss me.' Peyton requested, standing on her tip-toes so that she could whisper the idea into his ear.
Cooper slipped one arm around her waist, and put his other hand to the back of her head, so that he could get lost in her curls as he loved to. He pulled her close and smiled, 'You're gorgeous.'
He didn't wait for a reply, he didn't want one. He kissed her tenderly, secretly wondering if she always tasted as sweet. His hand slid to her hip, as she wrapped her own arms around his neck, so that she was in the position to pull him in closer.
He took a few steps backwards and sunk into a seated position on her bed. She giggled in an adorable manner as they parted. She took a second to take in his fine physique and then let her hands wander over his bare chest as they kissed once more.
'Cooper, how do you know?' Peyton pondered as they fell back onto the quilt.
He stroked her arm and frowned, 'Know what?'
'Exactly what I need.' She breathed, 'When I'm with you, I almost forget about it all.'
Cooper smiled at her theory, 'I haven't left you yet, how do you know it's me?'
'When I'm not with you, like this morning when I had that nightmare, and when I was in the shower, it just flooded me. When you're not there, I can't help but think about him, and it scares me.'
Cooper pulled her in closer, 'You'll be fine, with or without me, you'll get through this.'
'I'd prefer if it was with you.' She whispered. She couldn't remember a time when she'd been so needy and dependent, or so deeply honest, and yet it didn't bother her in the slightest. She felt as though she could say the corniest statement to him, and he would understand, he wouldn't judge her.
'Then that's how it'll be.' He vowed, 'You and me.'
She smiled and nestled in his embrace, 'This feels right.'
'It does,' he agreed, 'I can't explain it to you, but this is how it should be.'
She nodded, her head resting on his chest. 'Maybe it should just be you and me though, I mean, not that, I don't know, it just might be best if we,'
'Keep this between ourselves.' Cooper finished for her.
Once again she nodded, but this time he felt the regret and uneasiness she was feeling.
He wriggled slightly and lifted her head to face his, 'You know that it's not because of you, I'm not ashamed or anything. It's just complicated. I don't want this to be tarnished by jealous ex-girlfriends or confused nephews. If it's just me and you, we can be us, and we can be this way.'
'I know.' She agreed, 'It just feels kind of unclean, hiding this away.'
He considered this for a second, 'I see it more as unspoilt.'
She smiled widely, 'There you are again, knowing just what I need to hear.'
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Cooper and Peyton spent the day hiding out from the world at the Sawyer residence. Neither said that they were hiding out, but both knew that it was the truth. The only person they'd spoken to was Lucas who had called Peyton to check up on her.
'I have to go back to school tomorrow.' Peyton sighed heavily from where she sat on the kitchen counter. Her legs swung back and forth as she happily licked her spoon free of any remaining ice-cream.
Cooper didn't answer; he just threw her a deep, concerned stare.
'I'll be okay.' She tried to assure him but he could hear the shakiness and uncertainty in her voice.
He strode towards her and placed his hands on her thighs, 'There's no rush, you don't have to prove anything to anyone.'
'I know, but I can do this.' Peyton told him.
He smiled at her defiant attitude and reached forwards to kiss her, 'If you need me though,'
She nodded, glancing down, 'I know.'
'Good. Now are you gonna share the ice-cream or what?' Cooper teased reaching for the spoon.
She giggled and leaned back, stretching her arm out as far as possible to stop him from grabbing it. He lunged but missed, causing Peyton to laugh further.
'For a kiss?' he bargained.
Peyton shook her head, grinning.
'No?' Cooper narrowed his eyes, 'Okay, well you asked for it.'
He began to tickle her feverishly, making her squeal and squirm, but still she held onto the treasure of cookie dough. He then wrapped his arms around her waist and stood between where her legs were hanging from the counter. He lifted her up, taking her weight easily and swinging her around.
'Cooper! You'll make me sick!' She shrieked, even though she was laughing.
He chuckled along with her, loving to hear her laugh. The transition from the morning was amazing; he was relieved that she was no longer in the state she had been in before.
'You want some that much, huh?' Peyton arched her eyebrows.
She scooped some onto her spoon and went to feed Cooper, as he was unable to considering that he was still carrying her. Cooper smiled and opened his mouth, but at the last second Peyton delivered the ice-cream onto his nose.
Cooper tried to look mad, but Peyton was giggling so hard and infectiously that he couldn't keep a straight face. He'd look like a fool for her anytime if it meant that he got to hear that laugh, it was so sunny and cheerful, and so unlike her persona. He loved it when the real Peyton broke through, especially when he was the one to cause her to drop her guise.
'You look,' she started but was cut off by her own chuckles. The vanilla cream was running straight off of his nose, and he was attempting to catch every drop on his tongue.
'Are you happy? Do you see what I've been reduced to?' Cooper smirked, licking at his top lip.
She grinned coyly, 'Let me help you.'
Peyton leaned forwards in Cooper's arms and kissed his nose, clearing most of the liquid as she did so. She progressed down to his mouth, the pair closing their eyes as their lips met.
'You taste good.' Cooper remarked, 'Kind of like Cookie Dough actually.'
'You don't taste at all like Cookie Dough,' she frowned, 'which is odd considering that I just gave you a whole spoonful.'
Cooper pouted, 'You're cruel, you know that?'
Peyton refrained from laughing, 'You have the funniest facial expressions, you know that?'
He rolled his eyes and set her down on the table, 'I'm hiding all of the good food, seeing as you're so stingy. If I don't grab it now, it'll never see it again!'
'Hey! This is my food we're talking about!' Peyton called, rushing to her feet.
She caught up to him in the pantry, his arms laden with chocolate. Peyton eyed him suspiciously, mainly because of how much he had.
'What?' He questioned.
'That's quite a loot, either you've got a problem we haven't talked about, or you're the Easter bunny.' Peyton said.
'Easter bunny? I don't think so, Babe.' Cooper shook his head, chuckling.
Peyton tilted her head so that they were eye to eye and then squinted, 'With the right set of bunny ears, I think that you could pull it off.'
'I can't think of anything worse right now.' Cooper said in disbelief.
Peyton slung her arms around his shoulders and stared into his eyes, 'Please don't take my chocolate.'
'How can I say no to those eyes?' Cooper sighed, instantly dropping the candy and gathering her in his arms. 'You're sweeter that chocolate, anyway.'
She rolled her eyes at the line, but flushed slightly at the same time, 'Come on, Easter bunny, lets go and pick a film.'
Hand in hand they walked through to the lounge, both thinking that a romance wouldn't be a bad choice of genre, even though usually it'd be their last pick.
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When the end credits of the second movie rolled up, Cooper nudged Peyton awake.
'Oh,' she said softly, 'What happened at the end?'
Cooper waved a dismissive hand, 'The guy got the girl, same old, same old.'
'So predictable.' She sighed, in a sad tone.
'What's the matter?' He asked, cupping her chin.
Peyton looked down, 'Well, I have school in the morning and so I should get to bed, and I should really spend the night alone. Not because of you, I just need to do this.'
He nodded in understanding, 'It's okay, you don't need to explain it to me.'
'Thank you.'
'Are you sure that you're going to be alright?' Cooper asked.
'I'll be fine.' She assured him.
Cooper looked sceptical, thinking back to her nightmare the previous night, 'If you need anything, anything at all, just call.'
'I will.' She promised.
Cooper reluctantly left her fifteen minutes later. He gave her a final kiss before descending the porch steps and jogging towards home. He stole a last glance back and saw her slender frame leant up against the doorframe, she offered a wave, which he returned. She looked so small and delicate against the backdrop of her large house, it worried Cooper. He hated to leave her, he understood that she needed to do this, but he didn't like it.
Instead of going home however, Cooper headed around the block to retrieve his car. He had left it there before checking out Peyton's house when Derek was still at large, for now he was thankful it was there so that he could watch the house in a least some kind of comfort.
He parked across the street and rolled down his window so that the cool evening air blew into the car and kept him from sleeping. He set his phone on the dashboard and waited. He hoped that the morning would come and he'd still be in the same position, but just in case, he was there for her.
Around an hour later all of the lights went out excluding the one in her bedroom. He smiled softly, willing Peyton to be alright.
He watched intently for another half an hour before he noticed one by one, all the lights going back on. He sighed, and hoped that she was okay. When he heard the ringing of his cell however, he knew that she wasn't.
'Peyton?' He called urgently.
She didn't speak, she didn't have to, her sobbing at the end of the line made his heart ache.
'Peyton, it's alright, I never left you.' He said in a calm voice, 'I'm right outside in my car. I'll be at your door in two minutes, don't freak out or anything, it's just me.'
'Okay.' She whispered in a barely audible voice.
When he reached the door, he could make out her curls behind the glass. He gently rapped on the wood, hoping not to startle her.
'Peyton, it's me.' He said softly.
The door immediately swung open and she was in his arms before he had the chance to react. He held onto her tightly, as though fiercely telling her that he was there for her and wasn't going to let her go anytime soon.
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