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saltyshrimpzz · 1 year ago

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For @be-side-my-self - thanks for being so kind and always there! 🙏

Companion piece to This

Rating: Mature

Abi's blush matched her hair to a 'T' the first time she met him.

Chris Hackett.

Their illustrious camp leader.

For some reason, she'd pictured someone...older. Not that Chris wasn't older. He has twenty years on her and then some. But he wasn't what she'd envisioned from their exchanged phone calls, emails, and texts about the camp.

The way he'd presented himself was, to her, as someone in their mid-sixties at the very least. Chris is not sixty. Not by a long shot.

He's fairly young and devastatingly handsome, the lines on his face only making him look more distinguished. Silver is interwoven throughout his hair and his stumble and he has a bit of pudge, but he's just-?

Abi can't quite describe why she's so drawn to him, but she is. It feels like a neigh primal thing, something she finds hard to ignore.

Although she does her valiant best.

And then Emma happens.

Emma is only a year older than Abi, but it feels like lifetimes. Emma is so... sophisticated. Smart and confident and comfortable in her body in a way Abi never has been, nor ever will be.

Emma takes one look at Abi and announces to one and all that she's going to take the girl under her wing.

Abi doesn't know how exactly she feels about this.

On one hand, it's nice to have a friend right off the bat. On the other - to use the wing metaphor further - Abi doesn't like the idea that she's the ugly duckling to Emma's swan.

But she knows Emma doesn't mean it that way. Emma's too...vapid to. And no, that's not the word - too mean to be right. Emma's too shallow to notice-! Oh, but that's worse!

The point is, Abi's sure Emma's offer of mentoring and friendship doesn't necessarily stem from a bad place. Emma's just...Emma.

A girl with a big personality and stunning looks who naturally turns heads and - when her mind is set on something - she does it.

One such example is Jacob Custos, a fellow counselor who they only know for two days before Emma has him completely wrapped around her finger.

And this is where the trouble starts.

Because once Emma feels she has Jacob on lock, she turns her attention to Abi, "We have got to find you some summer lovin', Abs."

"I-I don't need that! Really!"

Emma rolls her eyes, "Abigail..."

"...please don't say my name like that..."

"Abigail," Emma repeats in the same authoritative voice that borders on patronizing, "We are young, strong, sexually capable women. We need - no! Deserve some strange."

Abi is sure her face is going to catch flame and it's not just from the heat.

"Well," Emma chuckles, clearly enjoying Abigail's embarrassment but pushing on, "Not so strange. I mean, clearly the person in question is going to be working here. I mean, you have options."

"I-?"

"There's Ryan, of course - but I think he's already caught both Dylan AND Kaitlyn's eye and I don't think you want to get caught up in that mess."

Abi just makes an uncomfortable sound.

Emma's smile grows, "There's Jacob. But I've already called dibs and I tend to be bad about sharing..."

"Oh!" Abi gasps, shocked, "I-! I would never-!"

"...so that leaves Nick and Caleb."

Abi swallows thickly at both names. Emma, picking up on what she construes as interest, continues, "Nick is cute. He's got the accent, the boy next door thing - but he also seems too safe."

Abi doesn't know what to say to this, so she says nothing.

"Then there's Caleb. He's got a wildness about him, but he's also a bit off putting. Not to mention he's Mr.H's baby boy. Might be awkward."

Emma doesn't know the half of it.

As if on cue, Chris and Nick walk by, Caleb behind them. Abi looks their way. Abi notices Chris talking lowly to Nick, his camp shirt slightly unbuttoned as he leans closer to the boy. There's a small triangle of chest hair peeking out and her fingers clench involuntarily. To distract them, Abi brushes some hair behind one ear and colors at her own awareness.

And it's as if fate is laughing at her when Emma cries, "Whoa! Abs?!? Why didn't you tell me?!?"

Abi turns to her, eyes wide, alarm bells on full ring, "T-tell you-?!"

"Yes!" Emma giggles with delight, "I saw you! Eating him up with your eyes!"

Abi gulps.

"You have a thing for Nick!"

...for-?

Abi blinks several times, trying to absorb what Emma just said. Nick had been standing close to Chris. It would be easy for Emma to misinterpret the look. To her, it's as if Chris wasn't even there.

And while Abi's always considered herself an honest person, she finds her mouth working of its own volition, "Oh! Um? Yeah! It's - it's Nick!"

It's such a blatant lie and Abi has always considered Emma shrewd, yet somehow the falsehood floats, "I like Nick!"

"Girl! Good choice!" Emma crows and pats her on the back and Abi tries to keep a grin in place but she feels awful.

She just lied! And lied to someone who (in their own way) is trying to help her! But what else can she do? While it's perfectly acceptable to fantasize about someone, it's another to admit to it.

And Abi can't admit to it - not to Emma.

True, Emma might understand, but somehow Abi doubts it. And that doubt makes her simply repeat the words she almost wishes were true, "Yeah. I like Nick."

So - as far as Emma is concerned - like Nick Abi will.

It's late into July when it happens.

It's a muggy night, a fog in the air giving the evening an almost dreamlike quality. The mandatory movie night is coming up and there's a big argument as to what film to stream.

Jacob is all in on Top Gun.

Dylan is for School of Rock.

Nick is torn in-between and Emma doesn't understand why it has to be a male-led film, Mean Girls obviously the best choice.

Abi wants no part of the discussion, and while the crew argues the merits of Jack Black versus Tina Fey versus Tom Cruise, she sneaks out.

She takes her trusty sketchbook with her and is huddled beneath the awning of the front deck of the lodge, silently sketching when she hears a noise behind her.

Startled she turns to see Chris emerge from the storm shelter. He emerges and he...wobbles some. Abi's eyes narrow as she watches him, trying to figure out what exactly he's doing.

It takes her a moment to realize he's loosely holding a six pack in one hand - several bottles missing from the cardboard carton. His other hand holds one of the bottles and he sips at, growling under his breath.

It sounds like 'fuckin prison' and with the way he kicks shut the storm shelter doors behind him, she wonders if that's the place he's referring to.

Abi wouldn't know.

She hasn't dealt with the storm shelter much - only vaguely aware of its' existence through the times she's passed it.

She's certainly never thought of it as a prison and she wants to ask Chris why he does, but doesn't know where to begin.

Besides, it's probably for the best if she just stay hidden. Unnoticeable. Like she normally is. And she thinks she will be, until suddenly Chris...stops. He lifts his head and inhales through his nose, almost as if sniffing the air itself when suddenly he turns and his eyes land on her, "Abi?"

Abi wishes she could just melt through the earth.

Instead she holds up a shy hand, an innocent smile on her face, "Mr. Hackett."

He moves towards her, wavering on his feet, tone baleful, "What're you doin' out here?"

"Uh..."

"Wh-why aren't you with the others?" His slur hints to him as being the culprit responsible for the missing bottles in the six pack. That and his haggard expression...

...one that Abi finds embarrassingly attractive. Some bits of his hair are sticking out at odd angles and she finds herself wanting to brush them down with her fingertips.

Heat suffuses her cheeks as she resists the urge, instead sucking her bottom lip into her mouth as she tries to think of a reply.

Chris groans and then curses before ruefully shaking his head, a smile appearing, "Sorry. Just sounded like a mean old bear, didn't I?"

Abi just shrugs, unsure how else to answer, as he sighs and comes closer. The scent of him hits her - hops and yeast from the beer he's been consuming as well as something else, something distinctly rich and masculine that makes her insides quiver.

None of the other male counselors smell like this. This is something dark and older and his eyes are very much the same as he mummers, "You alright there, Abs? Look a little-?"

"I'm fine!" She interrupts brightly and she raises up her sketchbook, "Just wanted to get in some art time. That's all "

"That's all, huh?" Chris repeats, bobbing his head to himself and then - much to her surprise - he sits himself down across from her. He sits the six pack down as well, tipping the bottle he's holding her way, "Mind if I join you?"

Abi feels a wave of nerves rush through her, but impresses herself when she calmly replies, "Sure."

"Good girl." He chuckles and Abi is going to one hundred percent ignore how her belly tightens at that and, worse, that a...certain part of her anatomy flushes with wet heat.

Jeez, Abi! Kinky, much?!?

Abi has never thought of herself as kinky, much less bold - but here she is, sitting with her camp leader who is casually drinking and he looks at her thoughtfully, his lips wrapped around the end of his bottle.

Abi shifts about a little, feeling as if she's under his scrutiny as he looks at her with those unreadable, dark eyes of his, "What?"

The bottle pops free noisily and his lips are shiny from the alcohol, "Nothing, just-? You're a strange one, Abi."

She lets out a shocked puff of laughter, "Who? Me?"

He chuckles huskily, "Yes, you. Didn't imagine you as the type to be okay with me sitting here with you while I flagrantly break the rules."

"What rule?"

He waggles the bottle at her and she feels dumb for not knowing better, "Oh! Well! You ARE the camp leader! You're in charge!"

"Being in charge doesn't mean I have the right to break the rules, Abi. If anything I should be the one the most adamant about enforcing them."

Chris sounds so sad when he says this. Terribly so. Abi wants to reach out to him, wants to comfort him. But she resists, instead saying weakly, "Okay, well, then you-? You get a demerit!"

Abi has no idea what exactly she means by that, but it doesn't matter. Chris starts cracking up. His laughter lifts Abi's spirits and soon the two of them are laughing together.

When it fades, Chris is still in an amiable mood and he holds out his free hand towards her sketchpad, "May I?"

Abi makes a sound of confusion until she realizes what he means and then she ducks her head, a shy 'of course' leaving her as she hands it over. Chris flips through the pages and Abi starts shifting about where she's sitting again - antsy with worry.

But a slow (sexy) smile curls up Chris's face as he moves through the pages, "Wow. These are really good."

"Yeah?" Abi blushes and Chris reiterates her 'yeah' even as he keeps looking through her work. He doesn't take his eyes off her art, moving page through page even as he speaks, "My wife? Amelia? She was like you, you know? Real artsy."

Shaking his head, he laughs, "Not with art like this, I mean. She did some embroidery and made a few sculptures. She liked using her hands. She liked to create."

Abi can see the wistfulness about him, the air of lost love and she speaks gently, "She sounds wonderful."

Chris turns and looks her directly in the eyes, making her heart seize, "She was."

...the way he says it, the way he's looking at her...

It makes Abi wonder just how much, exactly, like Amelia she is. Because this moment? It speaks volumes. It's as if Abi shares more with Amelia than just a love of art. It's as if, looking at her right now, Chris sees Amelia.

Or, more frighteningly (excitingly), Chris really sees her.

Either way, the moment ends as Chris returns the sketchpad to her, "You, uh-? You show Nick this?"

Ah, yes.

Nick.

Abi has a crush on Nick.

Emma's not very good at keeping secrets - even fake ones. Not that she knows any better. And Nick is nice. And sweet. And he does seem legitimately interested in Abi.

Which is good.

And right.

And how it should be.

And it should be what Abi wants.

But she looks at Chris and finds herself wordlessly shaking her head. He looks down and says something and it's almost inaudible, but she's pretty sure she heard him and she's pretty sure she heard him right.

Good girl.

That's what he says, in response to her not showing Nick her art, but allowing him to see it, and Abi squirms, feeling hot and confused and all out of sorts and Chris - sensing it or seeing it - clears his throat and grabs his six pack, getting back to his feet.

He removes one of the unopened bottles and offers it to her, "Here."

She looks at it and then up at him and her initial response is to reject it, only for him to say quietly, "Our little secret."

Abi takes it without a second thought. The bottle is cool and beaded with condensation and she gives a soft 'thank you' when taking it.

She tries to unscrew the top with little success and she can just make out Chris smirking as he says, "Here."

Chris takes it back from her. He easily pops off the metal cap, but his palm brushes over the bottle's open lips. So, when he hands it back to her and she drinks it, she tastes more than just the beer.

She tastes him.

The salt of his palm, the warmth of it. It splashes over her open mouth and waiting tongue and yes, apparently Abi is kinky or something along those lines, because the thought of this makes her breath catch, her nipples tighten.

Chris clears his throat and inclines his head to her, "Evening, Abi."

He quickly trots away before she can stop drinking and return the sentiment, but maybe that's for the best. As the burn of the alcohol settles in her belly, Abi realizes she's not sure how she would have responded.

What she would have done.

All she knows is the way his face looked like when he looked at her...

Those eyes so serious, expression almost too open as he watched her drink the beer he handed her - the one he opened for her.

She doesn't want to forget that face and so, setting the bottle down, she quickly grabs her sketchpad and gets to work - determined to capture that look forever, knowing full well she'll be seeing it again later tonight in her dreams and that - by capturing it now - she can call upon it again for future ones.

Right or wrong.

#the quarry #chris/abi #i love this #such a good fic

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saltyshrimpzz · 2 years ago

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Happenstance 🫰

Travis finally had an hour to himself. Just him and his office. Alone.

No annoying deputies interrupting him with questions, no one clearing their throat and seemingly choking on their own tongue, no one droning on and on about protocols that hadn’t changed in years.

He’d sat through conference call after conference call for the past four hours, and honestly, most if it could have been an email.

He liked his job, liked helping people, and, well, liked most of his coworkers, but they weren’t really the kind of folks he could see himself going out for drinks with after their shifts. Once upon a time, maybe, but now.. not so much.

They still saw him as their superior despite the events of that summer a few years back. Although some of the longer term colleagues gave him odd glances, but that might be because of Laura.

He would give himself a glance if he wasn’t himself because he is still surprised that she even gave him a chance. Not once, but twice.

The first being when he handed her his shotgun.

The second being when he gave her his heart on a tarnished silver platter.

The trauma and bloodshed between them bonded them closely. There were small hitches, but they made it work..and it was good. More than good. They complimented each other well, despite what others might think of their relationship.

He grunted as he sat in his chair, it creaking almost in pain as he stretched back. He gently unlocked the top drawer and pulled out the small felt box he kept secret and flipped it open.

The ring wasn’t gaudy or flashy, that wasn’t his Laura. He chose a simple thin, gold band with a small rounded square of opal that had a sunrise of dazzling colors in it.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he lifted his hips to fish it out. He smiled, seeing Laura’s beautiful laughing face pop up with a text attached to it.

> Are you free for lunch today?

He bit his lip and looked at the ring once more, then cautiously put it back in the locked drawer. One day he’ll have the courage.

> Should be, unless I get dragged into another meeting.

He sat his phone on the desk, then picked up a file and started flicking through reports that needed to be sorted and signed off on. Another message comes in.

> Can you buzz me in? Didn’t want to come through the front, the guy at the front desk gives me weird vibes.

He stood automatically, sending her a quick text as he made his way to her.

> On my way.

He approached the security door where he could see Laura shivering and holding two takeout bags on the CCTV. He pushed the door open, seemingly surprising her slightly as she jolted away from the door, “Hey.”

“Hey!” She smiled, squeezing into his space and into the entryway. “Sorry, I wanted to surprise you with lunch, but you said something about meetings this morning before you left-“

He leaned down and placed his lips softly on hers, shushing her. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” she breathes, looking up at him with kind eyes, almost forgetting the whole reason she was here as she drowned in his chocolate eyes, “Got you your favorite.”

“From Vinny’s?” His lips tugged slightly, looking down at the bags excitedly.

“Mmhmm,” she watched him closely, “C’mon, can’t let it get cold now.”

He nods, gently putting his hand on her lower back to guide her back to his office. They go unnoticed until Travis gets stopped by one of his younger deputies, a kid fresh out of the academy. The very same one that wouldn’t shut the hell up earlier. Todd? He thinks his name is Todd.

He’s shorter than Travis, but as the kids say, he’s stacked. A bulldog of a man.

“Sheriff, could you-“ he stops short, eyes almost bulging out of his head as they fall on Laura, “Oh, hello.”

Travis squeezes his eyes shut, stepping to the side as he sighs. Gesturing to the blonde, “Deputy Presscot this is Laura,” he gestures to the officer, “Laura, this is Deputy Presscot, he’s our newest officer on the force.”

“Hi,” Laura nods, looking at the man before her, rolling her eyes as she sees him eyeing her up, she clears her throat and leans into Travis’ chest from the side.

“Oh, um,” he sticks out his hand awkwardly then draws it back as Travis scowls at him, “Todd. You can me Todd, ma’am.”

Laura snorts, her head lawling against the sheriff as she tries to stop herself from laughing too hard. Her body hums when she feels a large hand on her hip, knowing full well that Travis is getting annoyed by someone that wasn’t her.

“What’s.. what’s funny?” He looks confused, even more confused at the way the two are interacting. Almost like..

“Nothing, nothing. Inside joke,” Laura shakes her head, tone slightly changing, “However, you better keep your eyes to yourself. I’m happily taken by your sheriff here.”

“You’re- what-“ He stammers, looking between the two and something finally clicks. “You’re the one he has the ring for! He fidgeted with it all morning during the-”

“Presscot.” Travis bites, danger in his voice.

Laura’s smile falls in shock, her insides tightening as she feels the hot rage of Travis boiling beside her. Something clearly just snapped within him.

She looks at him and sees that he honestly looks like he’s moments away from killing, so she calmly takes his hand and tugs on it, “Hey, Trav, look at me.”

His face twitches as he takes in a long inhale, but he does meet Laura’s eyes and by doing so he just wants to melt into the earth beneath them. He exhales, focusing on her.

“Good, good. Keep breathing,” she reassured him, squeezing his hand gently, “Let’s go to your office, okay?”

He nods, “Yes, sweetheart.”

She smiles at him and stretches up to kiss his cheek, she shoots the deputy a look before heading down the hall with Travis right on her heels.

Todd stands there awkwardly before scurrying back to his cubicle. He has a feeling he needs to start packing his stuff up before the end of his shift.

Back in his office, Laura closes the door with her hip, following Travis to his desk and setting the bags down. But as she’s about to sit down, she notices he’s just.. standing there staring at the floor.

“Trav?” She gently touches his arm, rubbing a small circle into the fabric of his uniform, “Hey, it’s okay.”

A low growl escapes him as he forces himself to look up, “It’s not ‘okay’! He just.. I’ve had your ring for months and now..! I thought I was being smart by keeping it here, not bringing it home because I didn’t want you to find it when I accidentally left it in my pocket or…. It’s.. it’s supposed to be a surprise.”

She tilts her head slightly, watching his expression go from angry to crestfallen. She stretches up and plants a soft kiss on his lips. “It can still be a surprise.”

“Laura,” He leans his forehead against hers, his voice cracks, “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she smiles, pressing another kiss to his lips, “You still hungry, or did you want to talk?”

“I’m hungry, but-“ He exhales, “Do..do you want to see it? The ring? Since.. now you know.”

“Trav, you don’t have to do that,” she smooths her thumb over his cheek, “I’m sure I’ll love it.”

“Okay,” He says calmly, but then his lip quirks up, “Can I at least check if it fits? You don’t have to look at it, I’ll just see if I can slip it on.”

“Okay, okay,” She rolls her eyes and smiles at him, she gently puts her hand on his, “Ring me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” He grins at her, brings her hand up and kissing her knuckles. “Close those beautiful eyes of yours.”

She does and turns her head to the side, and while doing so she hears Travis unlock and open a drawer in his desk. His hand that’s holding hers trembles and then she feels cold metal slide like butter on her finger. His breathing hitches audibly and then she hears him unlock his phone.

“What’re you doing now?” She smiles, “It feels like it fits.”

She thumbs it and the ring might be a bit loose, but that’s better than being too small.

“You’re beautiful,” his voice cracks, “It..it’s perfect.”

Unknowingly to Laura, he snaps a picture of her hand and keeps it locked away for when he’s feeling doubtful about his life.

He slides the ring back off and locks it away again. “You can open your eyes, sweetheart.”

She opens her eyes and smiles at him, tugging his face to hers by his chin. She gives him a kiss and withdraws, “C’mon, you better eat before someone barges in here and takes you to another meeting.”

He chases her lips, but ends up pressing little kisses all over her face. He smirks, “Can’t drag me anywhere if I lock the door.”

“You know that won’t stop them,” she leans into him, “Plus, you love your job.”

“Maybe,” he squeezes his arms around her, before gently tickling her, “But, I love you more.”

She laughs, squirming in his arms, “Traaaavis!”

He chuckles, pulling her down with him into his desk chair.

She sits on his lap as they eat their lunch, Laura’s hand sneaking up to steal a couple of his chips and Travis passing his pickle spear to her.

Laura leaves soon enough, taking their trash with her. Travis escorts her out of the building and to her car, where she leans back against as he kisses her goodbye. Then.. she’s gone and down the road.

“Sheriff?” A voice pops up behind him as he makes his way back inside.

He turns and sighs, “Yes, Presscot?”

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he shifts on his feet, “I blubber when I’m nervous.”

“..it’s fine,” Travis crosses his arms, “Because of you, I was able to test if the ring fit.”

“…did it?” Todd looks at him intently.

“It did,” he smiles

A mix of prompts suggested by @blookitty and @saltyshrimpzz via replies on my post! 🥰

If you have a prompt you'd like to possibly see, feel free to shoot me an ask or dm about it! 💕

#beautiful #i love it sooo much #it’s cute as hell!#the quarry travis #laura x travis #i love travis x laura #laura kearney #JUST ASK HER DUDE!#it’s still very wholesome

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