(closed; coop. backdated to 12/23.)

[writtenby_caden]

What's the most upsetting is that he can't surf. The water is too cold for him to even step foot into it, and that's why he's just sitting on the beach at the water's edge, arms wrapped around his knees while he stares out at the waves. The water always makes him feel better, and he can't even do that right now.

He isn't sure why he's so upset. It hasn't even been two months, and to his knowledge they weren't even serious, but it's never fun to be dumped. Maybe it's because he was just starting to fall for Les, and because he's not the only one hurt. April is probably with Les right now while he sits here, and he feels like it's all his fault that she's going to get hurt as well. Maybe if he had just kept his mouth shut they would be together right now.

He's also a little pissed off, because who dumps someone right before Christmas? Now Caden feels like the holiday is ruined, after he stayed in Siren Cove instead of going home to be with his family so that he could spend it with Les and April instead.

But now he's just sitting here with his ass in the sand, full on moping. Merry Christmas.

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[coopdetat]

Coop's up early this morning just to watch the sun rise. Some days, he'll go for a jog or for a quick surfing session when the waves are good, he'll maybe do some yoga in the backyard because he knows people watch sometimes so it's always fun to do it without his shirt off; but today's one of those days that's just a little too cold and a little too lazy for Coop to be willing to do any of that. He'll make up for it later, when he's finished with work and finds the time to fit in a quick workout before taking the dogs on a walk but for right now, he's happy just to be outside and breathing in the cool air.

He wanders from the backyard out to the beach, protein shake in hand, when he spots Caden with his knees against his chest, looking like someone's just told him his next novel's bombed or something, and the sight of his friend looking so down makes Coop frown with concern.

"Don't tell me," he starts as he approaches, clapping a hand down lightly on Caden's shoulder as he settles down on the sand next to him, "you're devastated that I kept my clothes on this morning. You peeked through your window and saw me in a shirt and now you're just devastated." Coop offers him a small, teasing smile before leaning back and resting his weight on one hand. "Seriously, though. Why the long face?"

[writtenby_caden]

"Les' apparently inevitable realization that he's in love with Corrine Flynn," Caden answers quietly, staring out at the water for a long moment before turning to look at Coop. He knows that Coop and Les are close, far closer that Caden and Coop are, so he doesn't want to put him in an awkward position. He tries to keep his voice light and joking, tries unsuccessfully to mask the pain in his eyes. "I just got dumped two days before Christmas, and you didn't even have the decency to do naked yoga and distract me."

[coopdetat]

Okay. So that's not exactly what Coop had expected to hear, but it makes him wince with sympathy as he digs his toes into the sand, watching them disappear the way he'd kind of like to just in general right now. He remembers seeing Les leave with Corrine the day they'd all gotten out of the cave, remembers the look on April's face and the way she'd seemed to be trying not to show that it was getting to her, but Coop had quietly understood. They hadn't really talked about it because she clearly didn't want to, and Coop's always good for a hint like that. He just hadn't thought that Les would actually follow through on something like that, on whatever the hell his screwed up relationship with Corrine Flynn--make that Corinne Flynn-fucking-Cabot--when he'd had something so epic going with April and Caden.

He does give two shits about the guy, Les is his friend, but Coop knows what it's like to be left without warning. He can see how hurt Caden is, it's written all over his face, and Coop lets out a small sigh. "I know it's not worth much, but I'm really sorry, man. There's not much that can really even be said, not that you can't say all you want. You can, and I'll listen because I'm your friend, just know that I get what you're going through. So just tell me what you need, and I'll try my best to give it to you."

[writtenby_caden]

"i just - I feel stupid, for being so upset. It's not like we were serious, or even together very long. But I had never done anything like that and it was really hard for me. It was a big leap, and I took a chance. And it didn't even mean anything." He sighs and pushes his feet into the sand, glaring out at the waves. The water gets a little choppy all of a sudden and a chill whips over them.

"Maybe I'm more upset because he hurt April, and now she's leaving," Caden gets out, swallowing hard. That is the worst part. He's falling for April and he knows how closed off she is, but he really thought they were getting somewhere. "And I really - I wish I was enough to get her to stay."

He's kind of rambling and opening himself here, but Caden has always sort of worn his heart on his sleeve and Coop is one of the first friends he made here. He's a good guy, and Caden trusts that he'll at least listen without judgement.

[coopdetat]

"Hey, man, just because it didn't work out doesn't mean it didn't mean anything."

Maybe the words sound empty to someone freshly broken up with, but Coop can attest to that fact. He can't remember feeling more hurt than when Sylvie had left and that had quickly turned into anger, resentment, but enough time has passed now that he can reconcile the way he'd felt about her in the prime of their relationship and the way he feels about her now. What they'd shared together had been so important, incredibly vital to his life and to the person he is today, to the outlook he has on life and the way he treats the people he cares about, and he knows he'd be a different kind of guy without the experiences he'd had with Sylvie. The same is true for Caden, Coop's sure of it, even if he isn't ready to see that right now.

"And listen, if you know April, you know she's her own woman. It's not about you being enough, it's about her doing what's right for her, right? You have every right to be upset, I sure as hell would be, but one thing I've learned when it comes to relationships is that when they end, it's the easiest thing in the world to wallow in the hurt." He lets out a soft sigh, inching closer to Caden so he can throw an arm over his friend's shoulders, nudging their knees as he ducks his head to catch Caden's eye. "I think Les is a moron for letting either of you go. I really do. But you're a good guy, and you're not alone. You're going to be okay."

[writtenby_caden]

Caden leans heavily against Coop, taking comfort in the warm, firm press of him against his side. He shrugs a little and squints out at the water. "I know. I'm not upset with her for going or anything. I just... really didn't want her to. It's selfish, but I just wanted to be with her. She needs to do her own thing though, and I respect that."

He just misses her so much already, and he's worried that she doesn't miss him, that she doesn't need him. It's terribly insecure and he wouldn't voice such thoughts but still, they're there.

Coop tries to catch his eye and Caden looks up at him, lips quirking in a small smile. "Thanks. He said he wasn't even going to go after her. Just that he couldn't be with us anymore. He must really love her."

He sighs and scrubs his hand over his face before leaning in and resting his head against Coop's shoulder. Sure, they're two grown men cuddling on the beach, but Caden feels like he needs that right now. Coop's easy touch is comforting, and Caden just closes his eyes and accepts it gratefully.