chase-mccarthysaxton - Tumblr blog

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

"No it does not, especially when you're as good as you are," Chase told him, no longer shy about giving him a compliment. Especially when it was true. "I do know you, which is why I hope you're not trying to do it all alone. You and Haven had been working on something, right?" He laughed at Kieran's question and glanced over at where Emory and Mariela were taking selfies. "Depends, you still think you can take me on? I wouldn't want you to be taken out by an old man like me."

"The grind doesn't stop." Kieran shrugged. While his social life wasn't dismal, he was also well aware that his friends all thought he worked too much nonetheless. It wouldn't have surprised him if Chase had set up the whole thing as a secret intervention, though he was glad that wasn't the case. "Just work, man. Can't remember the last time I thought about anything else. Trying to do it all at once, you know me." In an effort to at least appear more present he leaned back in his seat and looked around them. "So when's this dance battle?" he smirked.

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

Out of everyone, it was of course most surprising to Chase that he was in a place where he actively wanted to be around Kieran. It made Chase laugh when he thought about the childish rivalry he felt between them. It made him laugh at all when he thought about how much dance had been his life. It didn't mean he didn't miss it but some time away focused on other priorities had made his life so much more full. But in a way he was still jealous of Kieran, at the peak of his potential, getting to dance and produce talented dancers in a way Chase could still only dream of. "Depends, you gonna stop looking like you're gonna crack your head with how hard you're thinking?" Chase had known him long enough to recognize his thinking face and he swatted at his hand as he sat. "I'm not gonna cry, yet. One or two more of these and we might have a little drizzle of tears." He sat back and looked over at Kieran. "You wanna talk through whatever you're mulling over in that cranium of yours?"

Some would say Kieran was selfish, a born hater, which wasn't untrue. He would argue that he didn't have the room to focus on anyone but himself. Everything in his life was about dancing, his company, his legacy. To see his peers' responsibilities changing in front of his eyes was such a foreign concept because he couldn't imagine himself in such a position. Emory and Chase were both married, Chase was in his fatherhood era with a side of handymanism, meanwhile he was sitting there with his mind still so occupied with the final touches to the Alice in Wonderland show that he'd likely head over to his studio afterward. "You wanna make a toast while you're at it? Sit down," he shook his head at Chase and gestured to the seat next to him before he did actually start a speech. "Don't cry, don't cry," he patted at Chase's face, very clearly being a shithead.

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

"Don't you want to think about it for half a second at least?" He smirked, not actually offended but it had made him laugh loudly. "Helicopter dad? I was going for caring, chill dad but I'm really not hitting that mark, am I?" He put his hand on top of hers and gave it a squeeze before laughing. "Okay so not even in double digits yet, I'm not doing bad." It was hard for him to believe that they were all here too but it felt right for him. At this point Chase had felt like he had already lived many lives and he was barely past 25. But he knew party of that had been because of his diagnosis and the sense of urgency than ran like an undercurrent in his life. He led them inside to the kitchen to get another drink, his dogs following close behind them. "So...not to sound like a helicopter dad but what's been new with you? And don't give me the standard option, I've had like two drinks, I'm hardwired to be annoying and nosey. And like everyone already knows what's going on with me, no one wants to hear about me supporting my gorgeous pregnant wife for another hour."

"Pass," Haven responded perhaps a bit too quickly, looking over her shoulder to smile at Chase. If there were an actual title on the table it'd probably mean more to Emory or Mariela anyway. Admittedly it was a bit strange, all being in the same room for the first time in who knew how long, but not an entirely bad strange. She stood up and walked over to Chase, setting a hand on his shoulder. "I'll get my own drink if you turn off helicopter dad. It's making me nervous," she teased, giving his shoulder a pat before letting her arm fall to her side. "That's the.. sixth time you said it? I think, I lost count."

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

"So we're actually going to do a dance battle to see who gets to be a godparent," Chase teased, his smile ridiculously wide as he took in all of his dearest friends sitting in his home. He and Odessa had decided they both were long overdue for time with their friends so she had gone over to Dulcie's and he had invited his friends over to the house for a bonfire and a chance to show off the new patio space he had been working on. "Alright who needs another drink? Some more food? Have I said I'm really happy y'all are here enough times yet cause I am. Don't think any of you are leaving without me taking a selfie."

@kieran-parsons @emoryjeffers @themarielaalves @havencurriere

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

"Oof, I wouldn't go for those. Total rip off for that price." Chase couldn't recall the last time he and Perrie had actually talked or been around each other. Though that wasn't really surprising given the fact that Chase had gone into full soon to be dad mode. If he wasn't doing something with Odessa, he was prepping for the baby around the house or taking parenting classes or spending time with his parents. Life felt full and yet he felt like he was very much in his own world until his friends had all come over recently. "I'd go with the store brand, it's so much better. Looking good, Cruz. It's been a minute." @perriecruz

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

kieran-parsons​:

“I know we’re supposed to be good vibes only in here,” Kieran took a mouthful of his drink as if he were trying to wash a bad taste out of his mouth. “But how are the vibes supposed to prosper with that in the room?” The that in question being a couple who, all credit to them, seemed like they were having fun even if not one of their moves on the dance floor were hitting a beat. “I’m sorry, I’m being judgmental… Let me- let me face the other way. If I can’t see it, it can’t hurt me. Tell me when it’s safe.”

***

“The only way if for you to lead a class right here and now,” Chase teased as he stepped up next to Kiernan to observe what he was looking at. Chase was the least judgmental but even he cringed when he saw the couple in front of them. “Oh no they’re just on acid for sure, for sure. They’re trying to like melt into each other, that’s not even dancing,” he admitted with another sip of his drink. “You want to show them how it’s done, don’t you?”

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

odessamcsaxton​:

“Oh, you would have been the cutest hamster. I’m sensing very class pet teas for a bunch of like, second graders.” Odessa said, as she waved her hands over her husband comedically as she pretended to read his aura. But despite the teasing, Chase was genuinely one of the warmest and understanding people she’d ever met. The man could see the best in even the worst people, a trait that she’d very much tried to carry on with her ever since she’d had the pleasure of getting to meet the man laying besides her. Because of that, she’d known she’d been ready to take this next step in their lives. If he showed everyone in his life, from his parents to her friends to hell, strangers so much love– their baby was going to be beyond spoiled. She couldn’t have asked for a better person to share this journey with.

“No, no. I don’t ever want you to think you’re pushing anything on me.” Odessa said, a small laugh leaving her lips. “You’re delivering this perfectly. I have no complaints, what so ever.” She let her beloved know, as she was happy in this very moment. No, she was beyond happy. This was essentially her vision of happiness. “And there’s so many—” She noted, as she looked at the number of pillow scattered around their bed. Dulcie and Tahani had definitely gone a bit overboard, but she was also beyond lucky to have her girls in her life. The women in her life had played just as big a role in readying her for this next chapter in her life as her husband had. “Oh, no. I don’t think anyone could ever compete with you.” She let him know, happily cherishing the moment. “Chase…” She began, feeling her cheeks begin to burn up as he spoke. Just hearing that, there was so much weight to those words. Yes, they mattered but when you knew just how much her husband dealt with and the uncertainty that came with their future… knowing she’d made him happy– that was enough to make her eyes water. “Now you know I’ve never been one for subtleties.” She said with a scrunch of her nose, before pressing a small kiss to the tip of his. “You’re so welcome.” Odessa told him. “Thank you for letting me.”

***

The moment he saw her tears there were some forming in his own eyes and he reached up to brush away hers as she brushed away his. He had been so scared when they met, before the marriage, before the past five years when they were still two kids in high school. Opening up to her, letting her into his process and his diagnosis had been one of the most terrifying times of his life but there had never been a moment where Odessa had made him feel unloved. From the very moment she was in his life, she was just in...all the way, supporting in every way possible. Loving him exactly for who he was. And it had changed and saved his life in more ways than he could count. “Look at us,” he said softly, leaning in to kiss her again, lingering there for a longer moment before he rested back on the pillows again with her. “The thing is if the two of us on that ski trip could see us now I don’t think either of them would be surprised,” he admitted and kissed the top of her head. 

“So, on this anniversary, what’s one thing we want to do this year. Just for us? Even when this kid is in the picture. We’re not lacking for babysitters and we are gonna have our hands full. But what do you want hm? More money? More sex, for me to grow a beard?” He laughed as he said it, but he was serious and setting intentions had always been important to them. 

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

odessamcsaxton​:

“Can you imagine? We’re, You and I, the parents who named their child after their dog sibling– I refuse.” Odessa shook her head at the thought before she found herself laughing at the sight of him. His cheeks big, as he’d stuffed his mouth with fries. “No, I can’t say this is the face of stress. It’s the face of the beautiful man I get to call my husband and soon enough, baby daddy. That or a really adorable hamster.” Odessa told him, as she slowly made her way closer to him before she pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “And that’s all that matters to me.” She said, meaning that wholeheartedly. She never once wanted him to feel as if he was an afterthought in this journey they were taking on. He and his contributions mattered, because honestly, she wouldn’t have wanted to do this with anyone else but Chase. Motherhood, it was terrifying. And there was moments she looked down at her stomach and was scared of what the future would bring but then she remembered that she had Chase. “Yeah, yeah, we are. But like, it’s us. We crush anything we put our collective minds towards.” Odessa nodded, as of course, Chase would have thought that to be true. “I just though with all the baby craziness, it wouldn’t be at the forefront of our minds–” She explained, as they’d both been pretty busy with doctors visits and in her case, remembering to take a shit ton of vitamins and such. “Wait, there’s more?” She asked, as she tilted her head. “No, because now, you’re pushing it.” Odessa said through laughter as he pulled out two rings. “Of course you were, because not only are you perfect, now you’re into woodworking.” She teased, watching down at their hands as he placed her ring and she soon followed by putting his on him. “Five years.” Odessa repeated after him, as it’d felt like just yesterday they’d gotten married but yet a lot had happened in those five years since they’d gotten married in that chapel in the middle of nowhere. “Oh? Is that so? Sorry River Phoenix, I know we spoke–” Odessa joked, laughing. “No, even in the afterlife, you’d be all I’d ever want.”

***

“I think I would have probably made a pretty solid hamster in another life now that you mention it. I can see the animated move already, Chase the Hamster.” He nodded in agreement, knowing that to be the truth. Odessa had taught him so much about genuine partnership and really showing up with love. Things weren’t perfect all the time and not every day was the happiest but most days way and there was no one else he wanted to survive the world with as much as he did with Odessa. To be the father of their child, to spend this life with her, it felt like a dream and if the rest of his life, however long that was, was like this, he would surely die an extremely happy life. He had surprised himself a lot in his own reaction to the pregnancy, sure he would go into that same secure hole of his that only saw him dying young. Instead, it gave him a reason to live even more and it had given him a new perspective on everything. But especially his own life. 

“Well you’re always at the top of my mind so you don’t have to be, duh. Am I pushing it? I think I’m delivering this very smoothly. I fed you, we’re laid up in our comfy ass bed with all your pregnancy pillows,” he joked, recalling the day Dulcie and Tahani had showed up with what seemed like an army of pregnancy support gifts for Oddie just days after she had found out she was pregnant. “Five years,” he repeated with a grin as he thought about how five years ago today they were standing in that random chapel. “Yeah sorry to River but he never stood a chance.” He laughed as he kissed her again, one of his hands going to rest on one of her cheeks. “I’ve loved every single day with you,” he told her softly, “I still remember the first time I saw you and when we hung out on the ski trip...god did I come on strong or what?” He let out a louder laugh and pressed his forehead against hers for a moment. “Thanks for loving me the way you do.”

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

odessamcsaxton​:

“I don’t know about that one–” Odessa said with a small laugh. “See, I just wouldn’t want to confuse the two. Imagine I call out for one of them, then all of a sudden, I get both and as cute as that’d be…” She said before shaking her head, scrunching her nose in that way that he loved. so much. “Oh, that I will never forget.” She let her husband know. She had a lot to be thankful for when it came to Titus as their dog had been her first taste of responsibility. This being looked to her to care for it and she’d liked to think she’d smashed that job with flying colors. And now, they had Lucky and soon enough, their baby. The culmination of their love for one another. “It was exactly what I needed, like nothing beats a good ol’ Big Mac.” She let her husband know with a satisfied sigh. “Thank you, for everything you’re doing.” Odessa let Chase know with a bright smile. “I know, attention is all on me cause I’m the one carrying him but… like, you’re killing it as daddy to be and don’t think it ever goes unappreciated.” Odessa said. “Wait, what?” She asked, as Chase reached into his bedside table. Out of it came out a signature Tiffany’s box. “Chase, come on.”  Odessa said with a small laugh, her eyes already watering at just the gesture. “I love you so much.”

**

“Yeah that might get old pretty fast and then our kid will have to go to therapy for being named after a dog.” Chase laughed at the idea, just totally taken by the fact that this was something he could actually think about right now. To say he was excited would have been an understatement. “Of course baby, I mean do I look stressed?” He took a handful of fries and stuffed them in his mouth with a grin. He was mostly trying to get her to laugh but he was serious. As much as he appreciated her gratitude, he always wanted her to know that showing up for her would always be at the top of his list. It was pretty much the entire list. “Thanks, baby. I feel very cared for too. We’re really crushing this whole having a baby era, huh?” He pressed a kiss to the side of her head a few times and smiled. “What do you mean, what? Of course I was gonna get something. You don’t have a fifth wedding anniversary and get nothing. Plus, apparently the fifth anniversary gift is supposed to be wood. Symbolizing the relationship having like strong roots and stuff. So that’s just a gorgeous necklace I couldn’t resist getting you but there’s also this,” he added and reached into the nightstand again to pull out two wooden rings. “I may or may not have taken a few woodworking shops with my Dad when we were “playing golf” on the weekends so. One for you and one for me,” he told her, taking her hand to slide it on before giving her his to put it on his finger. “Five years down, a lifetime to go. Afterlife too cause there’s no way in hell I’d let some other dude slide up to you in the after life.” 

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

“You know I’m sold on Theo but I think Titus Jr might work too.” Chase laughed softly as he lay in bed with Odessa in the early morning. A McDonalds bag lay on the side of them after Chase had made a run for one of Oddie’s late night cravings. Which he was enjoying more than he should and had surely gotten some food of his own. “You know, since Titus is our first child,” he joked, the dog in question sound asleep at the foot of the bed. Chase brushed his fingers over his wife’s stomach and pressed and kiss to her temple. “Did the big mac do it for you?” He smiled softly before reaching into the bedside table when he realized it was far past midnight. “A little something for my queen,” he told her and handed her a Tiffany’s box with a grin. “Happy Anniversary, baby.” @odessamcsaxton​

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

Jordan Fisher photographed by Veronica Graye

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

odessamcsaxton​:

“If you ask me, they just couldn’t take how utterly sexy you looked out in that junkyard.” Odessa let her husband know, she understood that he wasn’t exactly happy with the fact he’d been eliminated. While she was personally over the moon that she’d no longer have to sit idly by while Chase engaged in those dangerous challenges, she understood that those challenges had pushed her husband in a way that he hadn’t been in quite some time. “Very that. Plus, you saved him from that horrid place.” She told Chase, knowing they’d have their work cut out for them once the newest addition to their household was up. “Are you really?” Odessa asked. “Or is this just the midseason finale?” She teased, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Speaking on that, you’ve got Dulcie’s seal of approval on Theo.”

**

“You know that must have been it, Panic couldn’t take how sexy I am, it absolutely makes sense.” Of course Odessa was able to make him feel better and honestly sitting here next to her with their new dog was probably the outcome that was meant to happen all along. Even if it stung now, he’d find a way to see the best in it, and wish the best to whoever came out on top in Panic in the end. “Mm no, no it’s definitely a canceled show. Oh yeah? Well if we have the Queens approval then I think it’s time to deliver, we can’t let Dulcie down,” he teased but he was grateful that Oddie had not only shared it with Dulcie but that their community could get excited about them welcoming in a kid some point soon. “No really, it’s time to get your pants off.”

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

odessamcsaxton​:

Odessa had barely had any time to process the fact that her husband was back, but then she’d found herself with a Pitbull just sleeping on her couch. She looked between Chase and the sleeping dog, not knowing what topic to take on first. “I—” Odessa managed to say, before sighing. “I think that Lucky’s a perfect name for him… or her… or them.” She said with a soft smile. “A part of me wants to say I can’t believe you left that junkyard with an actual dog but this is so perfectly you.” She told him before pulling him in for a tight hug.

***

“Yeah well I had to get something out of it. Now that I’m no longer in the game he feels like a really solid consolation prize.” Chase hadn’t quite processed not being able to compete in the final. Even in his early dancing days he was competitive and he had been certain that he’d be able to see this thing through. But he supposed whoever the judges were just didn’t think the same. But he was trying to shake it off and not let some strangers dictate how he viewed himself. Instead he leaned into his wife’s arms, smiling softly as he hugged her back. “Well I guess since I’m done with my existential crisis,” he said with a heavy sigh and picked Odessa up in his arms as he stood up from the couch with a grin, “We can focus fully on baby making.”

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

“So..he has all of his shots, he’s been bathed like..twice, his leg needs to heal and he’s eaten a lot. We may need to get him some training, I mean we definitely need to but I mean...at the very least we can help him get back to help before we get someone to adopt him?” Chase was staring at the now sleeping dog in their living room, turning back to his wife. “I was thinking we could call him Lucky. Or Panic but that seems too cliche.” @odessamcsaxton​

[chase-mccarthysaxton]

#3 - The Junkyard

location: the junkyard 

mentions: @odessamcsaxton @havencurriere

notes: teamwork makes the dream work. also is chase about to adopt a junkyard dog? 

Chase hadn’t felt too panicked, pun intended, as they piled into the back of the vans at the party. Of course having to pull his pants up quickly and kiss Odessa goodbye once his phone went off hadn’t been pleasant but it wasn’t the first time they had been in that scenario. So he had tried to just settle into it, even as they instructed them to strap on their cameras and laid out what the rules of the game where. Even when the vans drove away and he was left standing there with the rest of the group in confusion. 

As he and Haven found each other, he was grateful to have a partner, especially some he trusted so fully and it boosted his confidence even more. They moved their way through the junkyard slowly, almost as if following others tracks to avoid getting caught up in too much trouble. But the further they got, the harder it got and junk pile after junk pile proved useless until he caught a glint of silver hanging from a fence near an abandoned shack. Without causing too much noise he signaled to Haven, his heart rate only spiking as he got closer and heard the low grumble of what could only be a dog. 

“Okay, here’s what’s gonna happen. I’m gonna make a run for it, grab the medallion and then throw it to you. You take off and I’ll lure the dog away, okay? Haven, we’re not arguing about this anymore, just..just be ready to catch it. And don’t wait for me, okay?” They went back and forth in whispers before Chase went for it and took off towards the fence, the loud bark following after him. But he managed to grab the medallion and just as the dog caught side of him, he chucked it towards Haven, only just catching himself so he wouldn’t cheer like they had just won a football game. 

“Run!” He yelled out and did just that, faking out the dog the way he would in a video game before he started running in the opposite direction that Haven had, feeling like the dog was right on his ass before he found another pile of junk and started to climb up it as best as he could. But as he started to climb, one of the flattened cards had started to slip from the pile and just as quickly as he had climbed up, he was falling down, holding onto the sliding hunk of metal until it hit the floor and he heard a whimper as it crashed to the ground. 

Almost worse than getting bitten by the dog, he had actually injured one of them, the bottom half of the dog stuck under one of the cars as his head was stuck out. 

“Shit, shit, shit, shit,” Chase breathed out, thinking of Titus at home. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” he whispered over and over again, trying to get closer to the dog but it only barked and bit at him as he did. “Listen, you want me to leave you here to die? What the fuck, this is fucked!” And for the first time that night Chase started to panic, the sight of the injured dog making him feel beyond guilty. He instead focused on pushing the car off the dog, using all the strength he head to allow it some space to crawl out from under but it was clear that the once beastly thing no longer had any energy in it. As much as he was trying to fight it, Chase had turned the tables and he watched as the dog got too tired to struggle anymore. And it was then that Chase was able to get close enough to realize the dog had a medallion hanging around his neck. 

“Looks like it was meant to be, friend. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

Even rabid dogs deserved care and he’d be damned if he was about to have a dead dog on his conscious. 

So with the dog turned into just another injured puppy, Chase took his chances and left the medallion on the dog, instead lifting the dog on his shoulders to carry him out of the junkyard.

And it wasn’t easy, considering he wasn’t the only one there and he couldn’t exactly just stroll his way through. But after a near miss with a shotgun, the dog turning out to be a big baby, a quick tussle with a fence - Chase finally found an exit to the junkyard, only allowing himself to feel relief when he saw Haven further in the distance.