#ouaughghgh idk something abt this im just shrimply not vibing w

[juicezone]

(WIP) A transporter malfunction has somehow altered both Cooper and Ward's physical state, leaving them looking more around the age of seven or so. ...Cooper's not handling it great.

Cooper barely gets a chance to feel disoriented and slightly nauseous when they return - immediately, a hand on his back guides him off the transport pad. He's grown used to McCoy's voice lately, but there was an urgency in the doctor's bark as he orders the halls to be cleared.

"What's-" He doesn't even finish speaking, startled at how pitched his voice sounds. Cooper stumbles, crashing into someone's hip instead of their shoulder or back.

He shouldn't have to tilt his head so far back to look at McCoy's face.

"Cooper, it's okay! Just the transporters being weird, we'll be fine!"

That voice is pitched too, and Cooper never knew Ward as a kid. But there's no one else that mop of messy hair could be, swamped in Starfleet science blue, the uniform several sizes too large.

He looks like a seven year-old.

He's the only one at Cooper's level.

He's saying something more, and someone else is speaking, but all Cooper hears is ringing in his ears. Everything seems to spin, and the ground gets a lot closer-

----

"-disrupted the transport beam somehow. You're both healthy and unharmed apart from this... altered physical self, so there's no concerns at this moment."

Dr. McCoy is talking still, but Cooper's not really listening. He's just staring blankly at the console across from him. Ward's squirming beside him, and somehow, that feels like the only familiar thing at the moment.

He doesn't want to be seen like this - in a uniform several sizes too big, his feet dangling pathetically over a biobed.

"We're working on getting you something to wear that's a bit better fitting, as well."

Cooper's breath hitches, and he clenches his fists tight, knuckles white as they remain in his lap. He doesn't need to look up to know that Dr. McCoy is eyeing him with concern. Thankfully, Ward's always a blabbermouth. He starts bickering with McCoy about wanting to finish some sort of project, and Cooper just tunes them out.

--

Carefully, Cooper wriggles free of the blankets he'd been huddled under. Ward stirs slightly but doesn't wake, so Cooper carefully shuffles out of the room.

Cooper had locked themself in their room as soon as McCoy brought him and Ward back. Hadn't said anything, hadn't eaten anything, just curled into a corner with all the blankets they had until Ward had come in.

They peek around the corner, trying to see if McCoy can still be seen. He had taken himself off all but emergency duties, promising to look after them.

Cooper resented it. He didn't need to be looked after when he was regressed normally, and he doesn't need it now. The only difference is that he's a bit shorter.

Using the restroom proves just annoying enough to frustrate Cooper. He shoots an irritated look at the toilet and sink, wiping his hands on the plain green shirt he's wearing. Both were definitely designed for adults, not six year olds. It wasn't impossible, but it was... irritating.

He reaches for the door handle to go back to his space, but he can't quite open the door. Can't quite bring himself to do it.

Cooper wedges himself in the space between the shower stall and the toilet and tucks his knees up close. He puts his arms over his knees and he hides his face.

He shouldn't even fit here. They'd be too big normally. The fact that they can sends a wave of- disgust, anger, despairdistressfrustrationnausea-

Cooper sucks in a shuddering breath and ignores the tears prickling at the corner of his eyes.