Freddie ~3

Tess sat in the sterile waiting room of the clinic, her fingers tapping nervously on her knee. The room was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of feet from nurses and the dull hum of fluorescent lights overhead. It was so much colder than it needed to be, and Tess couldn't shake the chill that had settled deep in her bones.

She stared at the floor, trying to focus on anything but the fact that she was about to make a decision that would change everything. Her head was a mess, tangled in a web of fear and uncertainty. She had felt sure, so sure, when she made the appointment. When she convinced herself it was the only option.

But now? Now with Cook back in the picture—her brain was scrambling.

Her mind kept flashing back to the conversation they'd had, her blood running cold at the memory.

But... maybe they should talk first. If they were even on speaking terms right now.

Her breath caught in her throat at the thought. Was it really right to make a choice like this without talking to him? He was the father. No matter how much she hated the idea of relying on him, they should at least discuss it. Hell, it was only sensible.

Tess shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her stomach twisting in knots. She didn't even know where they stood anymore, they hadn't exactly had the time to discuss it.

She glanced up briefly, realising Michelle had been talking this whole time, rambling about Tony being at uni and how much she missed him. Tess wasn't sure if Michelle was just trying to fill the silence or if she actually needed to vent, but it wasn't helping her focus.

Tess wasn't really listening. Her eyes drifted down to her hands again, her knuckles white from gripping the edge of her seat.

"I should just talk to him," Tess muttered to herself, but loud enough for Michelle to catch the words.

Michelle paused mid-sentence, giving Tess a confused look. "What? Talk to who?"

Tess didn't answer right away. She rubbed her forehead, trying to push past the overwhelming weight pressing down on her chest. "Cook," she said finally, glancing up at Michelle. "I— I don't know what I'm doing, Michelle. I thought this was the only way but- but it's not right? I should at least talk to him about the baby. Properly."

Michelle looked stunned for a moment, her lips parted as though unsure what to say. "Tess... are you serious? You want to talk to him about this? After everything he's done?"

"I know." Tess's voice was low, tinged with frustration. "But I just can't— I can't make a choice like this without at least seeing where his head's at. If he even wants to be involved, or... or if he doesn't, you know? Maybe it's just me being stupid, but I don't think I can do this today.."

Michelle let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head. "I don't get it. He's been gone, Tess. He's not— you don't owe him anything."

"I know," Tess admitted, her voice quieter. "But I just feel like... like I need to hear him out. Maybe that's dumb, I don't know. But I don't wanna regret this decision."

She stood up suddenly, her chair scraping against the floor. Michelle looked at her, wide-eyed, clearly not expecting Tess to act on this.

"Wait, Tess. What are you doing?" Michelle asked, her voice rising a bit as Tess began to walk toward the door.

"I'm leaving," Tess said shortly, her throat tight. "I can't do this right now."

Tess stepped outside, the cool air hitting her like a slap to the face.. It wasn't just the Cook thing—though that was a mess in itself—it was the sheer terror of what she was about to do, what she was already doing. The future, the decision, the unknowns—everything felt too big, too fast, and she was drowning in it.

---

Tess elbowed through the packed street, nearly getting whacked by a foam sword some kid was swinging. Streamers floated down like neon snow, music blaring from giant speakers on the floats. People were everywhere — glitter on faces, hats lopsided, drinks already spilling onto the pavement even though it was barely past noon.

Katie had forced her and Emily to come — "Moral support, you slags!" — because she was on one of the floats. Dressed as an angel or something.

She scanned the crowd, spotting Emily looking lost next to a guy painted gold from head to toe. Tess shoved her way over, relieved.

"I didn't really dress up," Emily said as Tess approached, pulling at her blue cardigan awkwardly.

"Neither," Tess replied, flicking a stray streamer off her jacket.

They wormed through the noise to a quieter side street, the buzz fading just a bit.

Emily looked her over, biting her lip. "So... have you, like... made a decision yet? About... you know."

Tess shoved her hands deeper into her pockets, staring at the floor. "Can we not talk about that? For once?"

Emily nodded quickly, backing off. "Ok, ok."

An awkward silence stretched until Tess asked, "What about you? What's been happening?"

Emily's face brightened. "Well... I met someone. Well, not like that. Mandy. We met at this party and we've been hanging out loads. She's... nice. Normal. Not emotionally destroyed."

Tess smiled properly for the first time today. "Sounds nice."

Emily laughed but then shifted awkwardly. "I feel guilty, though. About Naomi."

"Why?" Tess asked, frowning. "You don't owe her anything. Besides, you're just mates with Mandy, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it's not like that. I just..." Emily hesitated. "I don't know. Me and Naomi are still living together, so technically... we're still together? It's like living with a ghost."

Tess nodded, fiddling with a loose thread on her sleeve. "Yeah. Whenever I see her at school. She's... not the same. Not there."

Emily's eyes were glassy for a second, but she blinked it away. "I don't know if we'll ever be the same."

Tess opened her mouth to say something comforting — or something, anything — when Emily suddenly jolted, grabbing Tess's arm.

"Is that— no way. It can't be... it is him! It's Cook!"

Sure enough, there he was, stumbling through the crowd in the most ridiculous disguise she'd ever seen — fully painted red, little plastic horns bouncing on his head, and a cheap cape flapping behind him. A devil. Of course he was.

Cook spotted them and visibly hesitated, like he was considering legging it. But Emily was already waving him over.

"Emilio," Cook said grandly, spreading his arms. "How'd you see past my brilliant disguise?"

Emily snorted. "It's pretty obvious, Cook. You look like you fell in a paint bucket."

He laughed, that familiar reckless grin flashing, but Tess could see the tension in his jaw. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest.

Tess stayed frozen, her stomach clenching.

Emily fired off questions like a machine gun. "Wait, how are you even here? Did you get released early? What's going on?"

"Technically speaking, I escaped. Proper movie shit." He said it so casually, like he was talking about skipping a school detention, not breaking out of prison.

Tess couldn't stop herself — the words slipped out, low and spiteful: "Then why are you out here dressed like a dickhead if you're supposedly 'Bristol's most wanted'?"

Cook's smile faltered for a half-second before he masked it again, chuckling. He opened his mouth to say something but clearly thought better of it.

"Fine then ladies," he muttered, bitterness dripping from the word, "I'll leave you two to it."

He didn't wait for a response, just turned and melted into the crowd, horns bobbing above the throng.

Emily blinked after him, frowning. "What the fuck was that?"

Tess sighed, heavy and exhausted. "You thought I'd be happy he's back?"

Emily looked at her, genuinely confused. "Yeah? I mean... It's Cook. You and him are— were— whatever."

Tess gave a sharp laugh, not at all amused. "Yeah. Maybe if the idiot hadn't broken out. Or he hadn't hung up the second I told him I was pregnant. Maybe if he hadn't gone dark for a month, no calls. And then try to justify it."

Emily's mouth fell open. "What?"

Tess nodded grimly. "Already saw him. Few nights ago. Was fucking brilliant."

Emily's face twisted into outrage. "That little shit! He's out here prancing around looking like a demonic toddler, and meanwhile you're the one who's— fuck's sake!

Tess gave a tired half-shrug.

Emily wasn't done. "Jesus Christ, he's worse than Naomi sometimes!"

Tess didn't even try to stop the tiny, broken laugh that escaped her.

"Fucking men," Emily muttered fiercely,  "They all deserve to be set on fire."

Tess smiled grimly. "He's halfway there with that costume."

----

They trailed behind the float, Katie still waving madly at them like she was royalty, bouncing around in her ridiculous glittery angel wings.Tess stood, squinting up at her, thinking she'd rather set herself on fire than dance around like that.

Emily nudged her. "She's loving it," she said dryly.

"'Of course she is," Tess laughed.

They walked a bit more, the crowd thinning just slightly around them. Emily checked her phone and gave Tess a sheepish look.

"I should go," she said. "I've got plans with Mandy."

Tess raised an eyebrow. "Plans?"

Emily just grinned, not saying anything.

Tess snorted. "Alright, piss off then."

Emily gave her a quick hug and disappeared into the masses, leaving Tess weaving her way back toward the outskirts of the street party alone.

She was almost out — almost free — when she spotted someone through the crowd that made her stop dead.

Effy.

She looked... wrong. Her eyes were red, face streaked with tears, and she was shoving her way through people with this wild, panicked look, like she couldn't breathe.

Tess whipped her head around, searching for Freddie, anyone, but there was no sign of him.

Without thinking, Tess pushed forward, using her elbows more aggressively now. People shouted after her, but she didn't care.

When she finally caught up, Effy was near-hyperventilating, her hands clutching at her hair.

"I need to stop, I need to get out, get me out!" Effy was saying, over and over, barely making sense.

Tess grabbed her arms to steady her. "Hey. Effy. It's alright. It's ok."

But the crowd had closed around them like a net, and there was nowhere to go.

Then she heard a familiar yell — Katie, leaning over the side of the float, beckoning them frantically.

Without thinking, Tess led Effy toward her, boosting her up as Katie and another girl hauled Effy onto the float.

Effy curled into herself, shaking, as the float kept moving.

Tess scanned the crowds, desperate — and finally, finally spotted Freddie, pushing through the people like he might collapse any second.

"Freddie!" she shouted. He looked up, eyes hollow and bloodshot.

"Effy's on the float," Tess told him. "She's freaking out. I don't know what's going on!"

Freddie didn't even respond, just pushed past her, running for the float. Tess followed.

Katie had climbed down by now, catching up to them, panting. "What the fuck happened? Is she alright?"

Freddie barely glanced at her. "Let's just get her out of here."

---

They walked up the gravel path toward the big sandstone building, the afternoon sun glaring off the windows. It looked like something out of a film — all neat gardens and polished brass handrails, too fancy for any normal nursing home Tess had ever seen.

Freddie led the way, barely saying a word. Katie and Tess trailed behind, arms around Effy, exchanging confused glances.

People sitting on benches or shuffling along the path turned to stare, and Tess didn't blame them — Katie's glittery angel wings were still bouncing behind her like she was about to ascend into heaven at any minute.

Tess couldn't take it anymore. She jogged a few steps to catch up to Freddie.

"Uh... why are we here?"

Freddie didn't look at her. "Granddad."

Tess blinked but didn't press it. He clearly wasn't up for questions.

Freddie led them upstairs, Effy still leaning into him, barely aware of where she was.

They reached a door with a gold plaque with 'Norman Mcclair' on it and Freddie knocked once before pushing it open.

Inside was a room bigger than Tess's entire house, probably. It had a huge window, crisp white bedding, bookcases on every wall, lined with paper swans. A friendly looking man sat in a leather armchair, reading the newspaper.

He looked up as they entered, his face lighting up into a wide, genuine smile.

"Freddie! What a lovely surprise!"

Then his eyes flicked to the girls trailing in behind, still a bit out of breath and — in Katie's case — covered in glitter.

"Oh," he said, eyebrows lifting.

Freddie rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I didn't know where else to go."

His grandad set his newspaper down and pushed himself up out of the chair, steady despite his age.

"Which of you lovely girls is Elizabeth?" he asked warmly, smiling between Katie and Tess.

They both looked toward Effy, who stood silent and pale at their side.

Understanding flashed across the old man's face immediately.

"Lovely," he said simply, his voice gentle. "Sit down, Freds."

Freddie shook his head. "No, no, Grandad — I've gotta stay with her."

He chuckled softly. "It's fine. Sit down."

He turned his gaze to Tess and Katie. "Now why don't you two take her to the dining hall? They do a very nice cup of tea there."

Katie, still looking a little shell-shocked, stepped forward, her wings drooping.

"Come on, Eff," she said quietly, slipping her hand into Effy's.

Effy let herself be led, and Tess followed, glancing back once to see Freddie sinking heavily into the chair by his grandad, head in his hands.

----

They sat around a polished wooden table in the dining hall, the room full of low murmurings and the soft clatter of tea cups. Effy hunched over, arms crossed tight against her body, still pale and shaking. Katie and Tess kept exchanging worried glances across the table, unsure what to do.

Katie cleared her throat awkwardly."So, uh... lovely place, isn't it?" she said, flashing a stiff smile.

Effy didn't react. She was staring at the floor, muttering under her breath.

"They're gonna get me. They're gonna get me. They know."

Tess shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "Right," she said, voice a bit too loud. "I'll, uh—I'll go get us some teas, yeah? Just... stay put."

Katie gave a tight nod, her hand hovering uncertainly by Effy's arm.

Tess walked to the little service counter where a smiling old lady was ladling out cups of tea. She drummed her fingers against the counter, heart hammering harder than she wanted to admit.

She was just reaching for the cups when she heard hurried footsteps. Katie.

"Tess!" Katie hissed, breathless.

Tess turned sharply. "Where's Effy?"

"I-I—she said she needed the toilet,"

"Katie, what the fuck!?" Tess snapped, already scanning the hallway.

"I'll get Freddie," Katie said, panic rising in her voice.

Tess nodded sharply, then caught sight of a door at the end of the corridor. "Effy!"

She started running just as Freddie appeared from the corner, his face ashen. Without hesitating, he sprinted toward the door, ramming his shoulder against it once, twice, three times.

There was a loud crack as Freddie finally smashed the door open.

Tess stumbled forward and gasped.

Effy was crumpled on the floor, blood spreading out from her wrists, her skin ghostly white. The room tilted. Tears stung Tess's eyes before she even realised she was crying.

"Eff!" Freddie cried, dropping to his knees beside her, trying to press his hands against the wounds. "Help! Someone help!"

Tess fumbled for her phone, her fingers slippery with fear.

The line clicked as someone picked up."Emergency services, what's your emergency?"

"M-my friend," Tess stammered. "She's—she's—"

"Sweetie?" said the woman on the phone, her voice firm but kind. "Sweetie, I need you to tell me what's going on."

Tess swallowed the sob rising in her throat, forcing herself to speak even as the world spun.

"Please," she said hoarsely, wiping her eyes. "She's... she's bleeding. A lot. Please. Please send someone."

Freddie was still on the floor, clutching Effy's limp body, begging her to stay with him. Blood soaked his hands spilling onto the clean white tiles beneath them.

The woman on the phone kept talking, calm and steady, but Tess could barely hear her over the ringing in her ears.

The sirens were getting closer, but Tess stood frozen in the doorway, wondering with a sickening certainty — was it too late?

----

Tess sat in the corridor of the hospital, her back against the cold wall, arms wrapped tightly around herself. She hadn't said much — neither had Freddie.Katie had gone home an hour ago, after pacing and wringing her hands until she couldn't take it anymore. Tess had wanted to go too, but... she couldn't leave him like this. Not yet.

Freddie sat slumped on the plastic chair beside her, his hoodie pulled up like he was trying to disappear into it. His hands, still slightly stained with Effy's blood, moved clumsily over an old sweet wrapper, folding it, creasing it, twisting it into shape.

Another paper swan.

Just like the ones that had filled his grandad's room.

Tess watched him for a moment, something tight pulling in her chest.

"They're beautiful," she said quietly.

Freddie didn't look at her. His voice was rough when he replied, barely above a whisper. "My mum used to make them."

Tess didn't know what to say to that, so she just sat there, shoulder barely brushing his, offering the only comfort she could.

A few minutes later, footsteps echoed down the hall. Tess looked up to see Karen, Freddie's older sister, hurrying toward them. Without a word, she dropped to her knees in front of him and pulled him into a tight hug. Freddie sagged into her, finally letting his head fall onto her shoulder.

Tess stood slowly, feeling like maybe — just maybe — he didn't need her anymore. Someone was here now.

She grabbed her jacket off the floor. "I'll, uh... I'll see you later, yeah?" she said softly.

Freddie didn't answer, but Karen looked up and gave Tess a grateful nod.

Tess made her way outside, the cool night air hitting her like a slap. She spotted a familiar figure sitting on a bench near the entrance, smoke curling from a cigarette between her fingers.

Anthea Stonem.

Tess hesitated, then walked over, heart hammering nervously. She perched awkwardly on the edge of the bench.

"Hi, Anthea," Tess said.

Anthea turned her head slightly, a faint, tired smile tugging at her lips. "Hello, darling."

They sat in silence for a moment, the smoke drifting between them.

Tess shifted, her voice small. "She's gonna be alright, isn't she?"

Anthea nodded slowly, blowing out a long breath. "She woke up before. She's gonna be fine."

Tess let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. "Good."

Anthea stubbed out her cigarette, then stared at her hands for a long time. "Before she hit the world," she said, her voice distant, "she was this... fire. Heating every bit of me. Think I knew even then she was gonna be remarkable. And then when I held her for the first time — oh man — it was like holding this beautiful bomb. Even then it scared me." She shook her head, a small, broken laugh escaping. "So I think I'm prepared for this... Whatever this is."

Tess swallowed thickly, not sure if she should say anything. Instead, she asked gently, "Does Tony know?"

Anthea blinked, almost startled by the question. "What? ...No. No, I haven't told him yet. I don't want him to freak out. He's got school to worry about."

"But Anthea," Tess said, voice firmer this time, "he should know. He deserves to know."

"I will," Anthea said, too quickly. "I will. Just... not right now."

She stood, brushing ash from her jeans. Without another word, she walked back toward the hospital doors.

Tess stayed sitting for a second longer, breathing in the cool air, the taste of smoke still clinging to it. Then headlights cut across the car park.

She spotted her mum's car pulling up by the curb. Tess pushed herself up and started walking toward it, the weight of the night sinking heavier with every step.

Tess opened the car door and slid in, the cool leather seat pressing against her legs as she buckled up. The quiet hum of the engine filled the air, but it was a kind of silence that was heavy, like it had been lingering all day.

Anna reached across the car and pulled her into a quick, tight hug. Tess let herself relax into it, just for a moment. It was the only kind of comfort she could accept right now. Once the hug ended, Anna started the car, but her hands gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly, her face more serious than usual. She didn't push Tess to speak; she just let the quiet stretch between them.

It was only after a few minutes that Anna spoke again, her voice a little softer than Tess expected. "So... how is she?" Anna asked. "Effy. Are they all okay?"

Tess glanced out the window, not really wanting to talk about it. "Yeah. She's... waking up now." It wasn't much, but it was all Tess could give without reliving the whole mess in her mind again. Effy's face when she found her... the blood, the panic. She shuddered just thinking about it.

"God that poor thing," Her mum muttered.

The silence came back. Tess wasn't sure if her mum was waiting for her to say something else, but Tess couldn't seem to find the words. Her mind was too busy with everything else, too overwhelmed by the weight of the day.

Then, finally, Anna spoke again, breaking the silence. "Michelle told me about this morning."

Tess stiffened. "Oh," she replied, her voice distant. "That felt like days ago now."

"I know it does," Anna said quietly, glancing at her for a second before focusing back on the road. "It's okay if you're not ready yet, Tess. But you're going to have to decide soon."

Tess's jaw clenched. The words felt like they came at her from all angles. The whole abortion thing, the pressure of it.

"Please," Tess muttered, staring at her hands, her fingers twisting the seatbelt in her lap. "I don't need to hear this right now, okay?"

Anna didn't say anything at first, just kept her eyes on the road. She wasn't pushing Tess, not really. But Tess could feel the shift, the weight of everything she was trying to understand, the frustration building in her mother's silence.

After a long beat, Anna finally sighed. "I'm just trying to help, Tess. I know you're upset, but you can't avoid it forever."

Tess's chest tightened. She wanted to yell, tell her mum to just stop, that she didn't know what it felt like, that she didn't know why Tess hadn't gone through with it. She couldn't tell her about Cook. She couldn't even say his name right now. It would make everything so much worse.

But then Anna's hand reached across the seat, brushing Tess's arm, soft but firm. "You've had a big day, haven't you?" Anna said, her voice gentle, trying to offer something Tess could hold on to. "We'll figure it out ok?"

And it was like the floodgates broke open. Tess couldn't hold it back anymore. She let the tears fall, quiet at first, then harder, faster, until her shoulders were shaking. 

Anna didn't say anything more. She just kept driving, her hand resting on Tess's arm, comforting her in the only way she could.

----

Tess had barely left the house for the past few days. The sun had come and gone, but the warmth of its rays never quite seemed to reach her. She'd been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to focus on homework but failing miserably. It wasn't that she didn't care—it just felt impossible to concentrate when her mind was so full of other things. 

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror as she turned to the side, examining the faint curve of her belly. She was still barely showing—thankfully—but the fear that she'd wake up one day and be too far gone was always there, lingering. She didn't know what she wanted to happen. Part of her was hoping it would just stay this way, invisible, unnoticeable.

The afternoon light finally pierced through the curtains, spilling onto her floor like a signal. Tess wasn't sure why, but something in her told her she needed to leave. Maybe it was the quiet, the weight of the room pressing in on her. She didn't know. All she knew was that a walk might make her feel better.

The park wasn't far, just a few blocks away. She walked around for a while, the breeze cool on her skin, the soft crunch of the grass beneath her feet. It was peaceful, a welcome break from the chaos in her head. As the sun started to dip, she made her way to the top of a hill, looking out at the fading light, the horizon painted in oranges and purples. The quiet was perfect, and it felt good to just be away from everyone.

Tess pulled out a cigarette, her fingers shaking slightly as she lit it, the smoke curling around her. She inhaled slowly, staring out at the view.

The grass rustled behind her and Tess stiffened, fingers curling tight around the cigarette.

She turned sharply.

Cook was walking towards her, hood low over his head, hands shoved deep into his pockets. He looked rough , like he hadn't slept right in days. Maybe he hadn't.

He dropped down beside her without asking, without looking at her.

"You shouldn't be doing that," he muttered, nodding at the cigarette.

Tess froze, realising, and quickly stubbed it out against the ground. "Shit," she muttered, flicking it away. Her chest tightened — she'd been doing so well. It was like muscle memory. She barely even thought about it anymore.

They sat in silence. Heavy. The kind that felt like it might crush her if she moved wrong.

After a while, Tess cleared her throat. "How'd you find me?"

Cook shrugged, eyes on the horizon. "Lucky guess."

Tess huffed under her breath, looking away.

Neither of them said anything for a while. The distance between them stretched and stretched.

Finally, Tess said, voice low and tight, "You didn't even text."

Cook turned his head slightly, not fully facing her. "Wasn't like I could."

"I'm not talking about then," she snapped, sharper than she meant. "I'm talking about after. When you could've picked up a phone."

Cook's mouth twisted. "Yeah, well. Thought you didn't want to hear from me."

Tess stared at him, anger rising up fast. "Is that what you decided for me? Without even asking?"

His shoulders tensed. "You think I didn't want to?"

"You didn't act like it!" Tess shot back, voice rising. "You're just hiding away. From everything"

He turned properly now, his face twisted up. "You walked away too, Tess. Don't pretend you didn't."

She stared at him, heart pounding.

He laughed, dry and hollow. "You're good at that, you know? Shutting people out before they can do it first."

Tess flinched like he'd hit her. Her mouth opened and closed. She wanted to deny it. Wanted to scream at him.

Instead, she said, low and shaking, "I never wanted to walk away. I just...I didn't know how to stay either."

Cook shook his head, kicking at the dirt. "You didn't exactly fight for it, did you?"

Tess glared at him. "Neither did you!"

The words hung in the air between them, ugly and too true.

Cook scrubbed a hand over his face, looking exhausted. "I didn't know how," he muttered.

Tess swallowed hard, chest aching. "You could've tried. You could've said something. Anything."

He swallowed hard, guilt flashing across his face

"I'm shit at that," Cook said, voice rough. "Always have been."

They sat there, breathing hard, the air crackling around them.

Cook finally broke the silence, his voice lower. Almost hoarse.

"I get scared, alright? Proper scared. That I'll end up just like him."

Tess felt her throat close up.

"Same fuckin' mess. Same fuckin' waste."

His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, and for a second it looked like he might break — but he didn't. He just blinked slow and hard and kept going.

"Watched him wreck everything he touched. My mum. Me. Thought if I stayed away... maybe I'd spare you from it too."

Tess's heart cracked open at the edges.

"You're not him," she said quietly.

He laughed, but there was no humour in it. "Not yet."

Tess shifted a little closer without thinking, knees brushing his.

"You're better than him," she said. "Even when you're acting like a complete tosser."

"I ain't cut out for this shit, Tess." He rubbed his face, exhausted. "Not for you. Not for..." He gestured vaguely at her stomach, avoiding her eyes.

"I'm scared too," Tess said, softer. "I don't know how to fucking do this. Any of it."

Cook picked at a rip in his jeans, shoulders sagging like all the fight had drained out of him.

"Maybe this time we try not to fuck it up," he said eventually.

Tess snorted under her breath, "You say that like you've got a plan,"

"Nope. Just... less fuckery. Bit more staying put." He glanced at her, hesitant, "If you fancy it."

She rolled her eyes, but she smiled.

Cook shifted his hand, pinky finger hooking clumsily around hers. His hand was warm and rough and a little bit shaking.

Tess squeezed back, barely.

The sky stretched out dark and endless above them.

Slowly, carefully, Tess leaned her head against his shoulder.

Cook stiffened — just for a second — then let out a breath and leaned back into her, their weight tipping together like two tired trees in the wind.

They didn't say anything else.

They just stayed there, together, as the last light faded from the sky.