#&&. COLE 001

[maxcarson]

Max looked down and raised a brow as he looked back up at Cole. "What time did you order it at?" He questioned as he started to stand. "Yeah, I'll go get it. What am I even looking for down there?"

@colexwalters

who: @maxcarson where: ocean crest

"Bro," He said, gesturing down to the bracelet on his ankle. "I got a curfew of 10pm and the fuckin' uber eats guy fucked up. He took too long now I can't go out there and pick it up." He let out a heavy sigh. "Would you? Please?"

[whispercddesires]

Though they had spent almost every moment together since he returned, Cole thought it was time for a proper date. With the help of his grandparents and the twins, he had everything planned and in place to surprise the one woman who stole his heart and made him feel alive all over again. "Alright, so before we can start our evening of fun activities. I have a surprise for you." The smile he seemed to permanently wear whenever they were together only grew larger as he took her hand in his. "Now, before you protest and tell me it's too much, I just want you to know that this is something I want us to maybe do together someday." Without giving away any more information, he nodded toward the parking lot that he led them to, revealing a 'sold' sign on a little food truck. "Surprise! I know it's always been a dream of yours and I want you to follow those dreams Bee and I known it doesn't seem like much right now but it's yours to create into whatever you want and I'll help every step of the way." / @writermuses

[laureljacobs]

closed @colexwalters

location: driftwood

"Cole," Laurel greeted succinctly as she took a seat across from him. She slid over a cup of black coffee and a few packets of sugar and creamer she'd picked up, raising a hand to say 'have at it.' She sat back, stirring her own drink a little as she appraised him. Laurel didn't do this often — checking in on former clients after she'd sent them on their way — but with Cole so close by in town and with her having vouched for him last time he'd gotten in trouble, she thought the occasional update was necessary. "Been a good boy lately?"

[fearthereaperx]

WHERE: Laura's Home WITH: @sawyerdecker & Cole Monroe

Laura didn’t know that she’d ever actually said two words to Sawyer Decker– not because she had anything against the blonde, but because their paths had never really crossed before, despite how connected Laura had always known them to be. But now that the truth was out, she felt a need to bridge that gap, mostly because it was important to her nephew– the closest thing to a son that she’d ever have. It'd be harder to bridge than that gap with Shepherd, she felt quite sure. And so as the knock sounded against her front door, she found herself smiling wide before she even opened it. Quick to greet her nephew, she held him tight for a moment, but soon moved onto the more unfamiliar presence in her doorway. “Sawyer– hi, I’m Laura,” She greeted, leaning in for a brief hug because that was just who she was– fuck a handshake; no one was a stranger once they were welcomed inside the house she and Michael had built, “Good to finally meet you. C’mon in.”

Waving them both inside, she didn’t waste any time jumping to the drink menu, “I’ve got some wine– maybe a Merlot, I’m not sure, to be honest,” she chuckled, having never been much of a wino, “or we can cut the shit and go straight to whiskey?”

That was enough to elicit a soft chuckle from Cole as he strode in alongside Sawyer. Lightly elbowing her, he offered up a crooked smile, “Told ya she was cool,” he murmured just out of earshot, turning his focus back to his aunt. In that short amount of time, Laura had managed to snag that bottle of wine that she thought was Merlot– though she wasn’t quite sure– and her favorite whiskey. Weighing them both between her hands, she turned her attention to Sawyer, leaving the decision solely up to her, “Up to you, darlin’.”

[itscolecroft]

( @hugotownsend )

"You ever need to just let it out, then you know were to come, oaky." Cole uttered as he gave his fellow slave a warm, friendly hug before letting go and watching as the slave went into wards the dormitory. With a sigh, the human felt like he had helped the other slave out in someway. Even if really it had been just to listen to him rant about his last master he had.

Cole was ready to move, turning to go occupy himself with one of the many books on the shelves, when he was stopped when his large frame impacted someone that he hadn't realized was behind him. Being tall and muscular, he didn't budge much but he was quickly to look at the other, a slave going by the collar. "Woah. Sorry about that. You okay? I never hurt you did I?"

[lydsdonovan]

where: sons of silence clubhouse who: @colemonroe & lydia donovan

Normally, you wouldn't catch her dead anywhere near the Sons of Silence or their usual haunts. Nate might have held a high rank among them, but Lydia had never minced words about her disdain for the motorcycle club. In her perspective, they were a menace, not only to their own kin but also to the town at large. Perhaps her father's influence played a role in shaping her views, but Lydia had more than just her own safety to consider these days – she had her son. She was determined never to let her guard down long enough for anything to jeopardize his well-being.

Nevertheless, it didn't mean Lydia was devoid of compassion. Cole Monroe might have been a person she regarded with caution, but she understood the deep connection he had once shared with Cassie, even if he hadn't bothered to attend her funeral. It had left her perplexed, yet it didn't deter her from fulfilling her responsibility of returning some belongings she had unearthed in Cassie's apartment. Although Lydia considered giving the box to Nate, he seemed absorbed in his own world these days, and she hesitated to burden him further. Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she clutched the cardboard box and ventured into the clubhouse, her nose wrinkling at the overpowering scent of cigarettes and alcohol that enveloped her upon entering.

"Cole?" she called out from across the room, her brows raised. "Do you have a sec?"

[reneebrxndxn]

Redwood Prom - The Clinic

Where Cole comes to Renee after his fight with Isaac, she patches him up and Fleet wins the best son award. @colcreznik & @fleetsummers

cole.

-when he entered the community building, cole asked around for renee. he'd gotten a few weird looks, but finally he found the woman and made a b-line to her- I acquire your assistance, doc. -he forced a smile- If you don't mind.

Renee Brandon

-Renee was resting her feet and sipping on some punch. It had been an interesting night, to say the least. And it was just abou to get more interesting as Cole approached her, looking a lot more worse for wear- Oh my God, what happened?

cole.

That damn mountain troll’s what happened. -cole sighed, giving a nod toward renee- You got a kit or something around here or can we hustle to the clinic? Heard human bites can be fatal - living or dead.

Renee Brandon

-Renee pulls herself to her feet instantly- We'll head to the clinic. -her boys were off with their friends and it wasn't like she was worried about anything happening to them here- Come with me. -she nods towards the door as she leads him to the clinic_

cole.

-without another word, cole follows renee to the clinic. the cool air against the wounds weirdly felt nice; a plus side. when they reached the clinic, he stayed standing and looked around- Where you want me, doc?

Renee Brandon

-Renee unlocked the door to the clinic and let Cole step inside before closing the door.- Sit down on the exam bench and tell me exactly what happened. I don't care if you don't tell me who did this but I need to know what caused all of this so I can treat it properly.

cole.

Yes ma'am. -he taunted with a smirk. cole did what she said, keeping himself sated for the time being since he needed his wounds tended to- Got a chunk of my scalp bitten off and a skewer stabbed in my cheek. My cheek I'm not worried about, but this shit? -cole moves his head for renee to see the head wound clearer- I'm more concerned about.

Renee Brandon

-Renee puts on a pair of gloves while she listens, only to turn and see the missing chunk from his head as Cole turns his head- Jesus... -she carefully cradles his head as she gets a closer look at the wound- There's a lot of bleeding....I don't think I'm gonna be able to stitch this up or even staple it. The area is too big. -she grabs some cleaning supplies and soaks a rag in the disinfectant- This is gonna sting a lot but I need to put pressure to get the bleeding to stop -she gives him a second to prepare before pressing it to his scalp-

cole.

Do what you gotta do, doc. I've been through worse. -cole took in a deep breath, partially putting himself in another area - mentally that is- You think cauterizing it would work better?

Renee Brandon

-Renee applies the pressure but does glance over at Cole, her brow knitting together a bit- Depends on if I can get the bleeding to stop or not. Cauterizing is only needed as a last resort.

cole.

Might be the best way to go. -cole flinched but did his best to stay still-

Renee Brandon

I was unaware you were a doctor. -she presses a bit more firmly before easing off to see whether the bleeding was slowly or stopping- It's slowing, so that's good. Looks like we won't need to cauterize. That's good.

cole.

Ow! -cole let out a rough sigh, his knuckles whitening as he clutched the seat- I'm not. But I've been in a hospital long enough.

Renee Brandon

-Renee throws the rags to the side to clean them before grabbing some gauze and pressing it to his head wound- Oh yeah? What had you in the hospital?

fleet summers

-comes darting in, looking horrified when he sees Cole- Dad? Ohmigod is he all right? There's so much blood! What did Isaac do to you? -looks pleadingly at Renee- It looks worse than it is, right?

cole.

Which time? -he asked. suddenly the door flew open with fleeting storming through- I’m fine.

Renee Brandon

-Before she could ask, the door opens and Renee looks up. She's silent at first as she adjusts to the knowledge that Fleet is Cole's son and that it was Ike who did this. That shouldn't have been as surprising as it was.- He's fine. He's missing a piece of his scalp but the bleeding is under control. Just need to stitch up the hole in his face and he'll be good to go. -she looks back to Cole with a raised eyebrow- Ike did this? Should I even ask why?

fleet summers

Missing a ... piece of his scalp? That's...Daddy, that's horrible. How can someone do this to you and everyone's fine with it?

cole.

It’s how men are sometimes. I’m fine, really Fleet. Don’t worry about me. Your dad’s been through way worse.

Renee Brandon

He didn't tell me it was Ike. -she sighs as she wraps the bandage around his head so the gauze stays in place- Obviously this is not acceptable, Fleet. I can let the other Council members know if you want me to, Cole. -although she would give Ike the benefit of the doubt and ask him about it first - if he would talk to her-

fleet summers

Yes, please, I'd appreciate that so much, Dr. Brandon.

cole.

I’m not going to sit here and say I was a saint. I might have provoked him a bit by asking to go after his precious Mayra. It’s fine. No need to round everyone up.

fleet summers

-puts his hand on his father's knee, stroking it and looking at him in concern- It's still no reason for you to be so viciously attacked. I know Ike Apatow understands how to talk. He didn't need to ... what is that? Did he bite you? That's -- the man is an animal.

Renee Brandon

Fleet, honey, I know you're worried but I need you to back up so I can work, okay? -she grabs her suture kit and sits down in front of Cole- But Fleet is right - he shouldn't be scrapping with you like that. Are you sure you don't want me to call the Council? Or at least try talking to him about this?

cole.

What the man needs is to be let out of these walls. He’s getting stir crazy. I’ll cut ya a deal. He does this again, then I’ll say round up the troops. But for now, let the caged bird free.

fleet summers

-acidly- Um, if he was better at his job he wouldn't be stuck inside the walls. Dad, I know you don't want to make a big deal out of this, and I respect the whole 'sometimes us menfolk fight it out' thing, but ... that's normal fighting. Punching and elbowing. Not whatever this is.

Renee Brandon

Ike is very good at what he does and he's lead raider for a reason. He saved someone, Fleet. Not saying that gives him a pass to do this, but.... -she stops as she starts to clean Cole's cheek- If he doesn't want to bring it to the Council, I can't force him. But I'll recommend that he gets an outlet so that this doesn't happen again, okay? But if he does, Cole, I need you to tell me.

cole.

Yes ma’am. -cole smirks, looking up to renee as she worked- This mean I’m finally off your shit list, doc? -he asked with a stupid grin-

fleet summers

-has backed up, but puts his hand on his father's forearm as Renee works; his voice is a little more chilly when he speaks again- I don't see why we're condoning this sort of thing. You're a member of the Council. You decide what's brought before them if someone in town asks you to, right? I'm asking you to. My dad's trying to not cause trouble because he knows he's on thin ice with you people. -his tone turns disappointed as he pets Cole's arm- I thought Uncle Sol at least would care more. But he didn't seem to at all.

Renee Brandon

I'm not condoning it. -she says it very pointedly at Fleet- I promise you, Fleet, that I will have a word with Ike about this. You can ask me to, but ultimately this is between Ike and Cole and if Cole doesn't want to brought to the Council's attention, then that is his choice. -she looks back at Cole, not liking that shit-eating grin on his face- Yes, Cole, you're off my shit list. I think you're off just about everyone's unless you've done something I don't know about.

fleet summers

-flatly- Really. Dr. Brandon, everyone knows that you and Isaac don't get along. Your talking to him alone is only likely to make things worse for my dad.

Renee Brandon

-she sighs as she holds Cole's face carefully- This is going to hurt. -she carefully threads the needle through his skin and works to tie it off- I understand you're worried about your dad, but if I go to the Council without Cole and tell them about what happened, it's just as likely that things will get worse for him. Ike doesn't have to like me but he is reasonable. -she wanted to add infuriating but she wasn't going to include that- If talking to him doesn't work, then I'll bring it to the Council and I'll try to keep Cole anonymous.

fleet summers

How would things get worse for him? You think Apatow would come after him for it? -his grip on Cole's arm tightens- Are people in Redwood that petty that they'd blame my dad for what happened to him??

cole.

I can take i- OW -cole winced, tightly holding into the chair- Kid, people don’t like those who break the rules. I broke them by breaking in.

Renee Brandon

-Renee sighs inwardly- No one is going to come after him, Fleet. I'll take care of it.

fleet summers

Daddy, you were looking for somewhere safe to live. You've been nothing but an asset to Redwood since then, you haven't broken any rules. This isn't right. I'm not going to sit by and let you get treated like a second-rate citizen when your own brother won't even stand up for you or -- or care that you got hurt.

cole.

Guess I’m lucky I got you then, huh, kid? -he tries to force a smile at fleet but winces instead- Almost done there, doc? Got a killer headache going now. -he meant for his words to be playful but they came out more forceful and aggressive than he anticipated-

Renee Brandon

Almost done. -she ties off the second stitch before dropping her kit and reaching behind her for pain meds- These are for the pain. No alcohol. And I would prefer it if you stayed here for a bit so I can monitor you.

cole.

Oh come on, Ray Ray. You should know better than anyone people recover better in the comfort of their own home.

fleet summers

-nods firmly- I'll take care of him. He'll be fine with me. -tucks his arm into Cole's, patting it with his other hand- Come on, Dad. I'll get you back to your place and get you set up where it's nice and dark and quiet and you can rest.

cole.

Just the way I like it. -cole lifts himself to stand with the help from fleet and takes the medicine from renee- Thanks, doc.

Renee Brandon

-she's not sure she likes the nickname but she's not about to argue against it- Alright, but Fleet, if you notice anything wrong, please come find me. -she stands up and throws away her gloves- Of course, Cole. And I'll keep you updated with everything.

cole.

-he nods at her statement before lowering his head to fleet- She wasn’t serious about the alcohol, by the way. -cole whispers-

fleet summers

-giggles, but tamps it down so Renee doesn't notice, whispering back- The cider doesn't count as real alcohol!

[nickitxrres]

closed starter for @colcreznik

location: community gym

Nicki had planned on a nice, relaxing work-out as she waited for Isaac to get back for whatever the next raid was going to be. She was gonna start simple - some yoga to calm herself and put her in the zone, then a good deep stretch to wake up everything before she hit the weights and the bag. It was bound to take a few hours, but she didn't mind. Everyone had their own way to pass the time. And since she couldn't go out to hit something or someone right now, the punching bag in the gym would have to do. And it was early enough in the day that most people were waiting for the heat to dissipate and come work out when it was cooler. So more than likely, she was going to have the whole gym to herself.

She got through her yoga and was mid-stretch when she heard the door to the gym open. Damn it, she cursed to herself. So much for having the gym to herself. "I know there ain't much," she called without looking as she folded in half to stretch her hamstrings, "but if you could leave the punching bag, that would be great. I was going to use it once I'm done stretching."

She held her stretch for a few minutes before standing up and twisting to loosen up her hips before turning and seeing who it was that had come into the gym. His face was new and she actually did a double-take as she realized this was not anyone she had met. She crossed her arms and popped out her hip as she sized him up. "Or are you here to just check out what we got, chico? Considering you're new 'round here and all that."

[edsmcnson]

who: eddie & @courtroomphilosopher​​

what: is it the 80s again?

where: the hideaway (where else tbh)

if being back in hawkins had taught eddie one thing, it was that almost dying in a supernatural dimension was apparently not something one could just work through in therapy. even over the course of twenty fucking years. not that eddie had kept up with his sessions much these last months. scratch that, these last years, too busy with being miserable living his dream life. it had also taught him that this town still blew.

and that he needed to get out of there, stat. he’d initially driven to the hideout, that piece of junk corroded coffin had played in a couple times in their prime, but had quickly come to find it boarded up, an eviction notice taped to the door with police crime scene tape. not that it surprised him much, it had been pretty crappy, even in the golden age of seedy crappy bars. 

so where was there left to get a drink but the hideaway? the only place to get something to drink, really, if you didn’t want to sit on the hood of your car with a six pack of beer like some freshly graduated jock loser. yes, he was thinking of tommy hagan specifically, but that was another thing. eddie needed to be among people, people that weren’t his suffocatingly loving almost-step-aunt and uncle. people that were just as much of a mess as he was. what better place than the only bar left in hawkins. nobody respectable would choose to have their shameful drink there, much less on a week night.

three senses hit him first when he walks through the door. one - smell, obviously, always smell at the hideaway, that one hasn’t changed since the first time he flashed his fake i.d. to the bartender. the second - sight , as his eyes zero in on an unfamiliar face sitting on a bar stool in the corner. his eyes travel down the stranger’s form and unavoidably eddie’s gaze stops on the piece of fabric dangling from the other guy’s back pocket. no fucking way. it ties into sense three, which, well, it’s more of a ... a sentiment his body expresses suddenly, with an urgency that nearly overwhelms him. telling him that holy hell, eddie needs to get laid. like, yesterday.

no wonder he’s been so tense since arriving in hawkins, there’s been no shenanigans to ease up the tension from all the crazy happening around him. mostly due to a lack of options. and here was his golden ticket to salvation. ugh, too cheesy. anyway. 

eddie truly felt like the hottest piece of action in the joint, as if there was a fan pointed on him and everything was happening in slow motion as he casually got himself a drink and made his way across the bar, ignoring everyone around him but him.

he knew it was stupid to even ask - but ... well, he was also in indiana. in the middle of nowhere, indiana, to be exact, and everything around him seemed to be stuck in the 80s. so it was worth a shot. eddie cleared his throat, flashed the other a grin when he got his attention. “uh... so, you can, like, totally tell me to get lost if not but ... shit i’m - i’m just gonna ask, are you flagging? by any chance?”

[tenderstars]

@cherrysugcr | continued from here

Nobody had ever looked after her, not even her own mother. Therefore, when she gazed into Cole's eyes and discerned genuine concern within them, it served as a poignant reminder of how special he actually was "No, no need to worry about me. Round one is already done," she dismissed, swallowing hard to get the lump out of her throat. "I forgot just how bright those camera flashes actually are," she shook her head softly. "...But is it bad that I'm already looking forward to being cuddled in my bed?" one corner of her mouth curled upward, knowing that press was a double edge sword of their profession.

[spellbcok]

a closed starter for cole ( @nightwhispcrs )

"i know i promised i'd make dinner after the next time the town goes crazy, but—" she hands him a spoon for him and steps aside to make room for him at the stove. "will you taste it and let me know if it needs more salt?" today shen li had the unique combination of being unable to taste, smell, or feel touch. so, her seasoning was more on instinct. fingers were crossed that she didn't overdue it since she didn't consider ordering delivery meeting her promise.

[whispercddesires]

"Hey, I'm not too late, am I? Things got a little crazy at the restaurant."

@littlewrensx

[ac1numa]

❛ if this is truly what you need, i'll go. ❜ for jackie!

jh. jackie looks at cole with a mix of emotions, and she reaches out to gently touch his arm. " cole, it's not about needing you to leave. it's about understanding each other and finding a way through whatever we're facing, " she says softly. " let's talk about it, figure things out together. i-i care about you, and i want us to be on the same page. leaving isn't the solution. staying and working through this is. "

[fearthereaperx]

WHERE: Stargaze Station WHEN: October 2000

Michael Monroe didn’t have the slightest comprehension of what he was doing, though judging by the stern set of his jaw and his steady, forward facing eyes, no one would have ever known. It was only apparent in the little tells– the way he occasionally reached up to scratch at the stubble lining his jaw, or how his hands tensed with a reflexive need for a cigarette. To anyone else, Michael would have appeared as calm and composed as he always was, but inside? He was reeling.

He didn’t know how to be a father. How could he when he’d never had an example to follow? Without that blueprint in mind, Michael had no idea how to confront his new reality– the one in which his sister had overdosed on heroin and god only knew what else, and he’d been called upon to pick up the pieces. He hardly knew where to begin, but as he glanced over at his fifteen year old now motherless nephew and noted the way the glow of moonlight betrayed the smallest glimpses of the grief that consumed the boy, Michael knew that he had to try.

He just didn’t know where to start.

Admittedly, Michael didn’t know much about Cole, and he knew that was largely by his own doing. When Diana had told him she was pregnant all those years ago and who the father was, Michael had done what any brother would have. He’d gotten her the fuck out of Tonopah Valley. And then he’d done the thing he doubted he’d ever fully forgive himself for– he’d stepped back. He’d stepped back and let Diana fend for herself hundreds of miles away when she hadn’t been in a position to do it.

Hindsight was always twenty-twenty– naturally– and as Michael looked back, he knew the decision he’d made hadn’t been the right one. He’d allowed selfishness to guide it– the Sons of Silence had been in its infancy and he, along with the other founding members, had desperately been chasing that dream into a reality. The short and long of it was that he’d pushed all of his focus at the club, rather than his own flesh and blood.

"See that?” Michael began, gesturing up at one of the constellations overlooking the valley. “That's Orion, and just below him, there’s Sirius, one of the brightest stars we can see from down here. Something, ain't it?" He’d always liked the stars, for more reasons than he could possibly name. They were a nice reminder of how vast the universe really was, and how small he was in comparison. In a lot of ways, it helped him scale his problems, one by one. Not make light of them, no, but place them in a way that made it all seem that much easier to manage.

"Guess so,” came the mumbled reply from the teen at his side.

One thing he’d noticed about Cole? He didn’t say much. And that was fine– Michael had grown quite accustomed to leading conversations over the years and had learned to take certain cues for exactly what they were. Glancing over at his nephew, he eased out a long sigh and reached into the inside pocket of his cut, hauling out a worn pack of Marlboro Reds and a lighter. Setting a smoke between his lips, he offered another to Cole, already hearing Laura scolding him inside his head, but for half a heartbeat? He didn’t think about the consequences– particularly how much Laura would have his ass for offering their nephew a smoke– but perhaps that was because it didn’t take a genius to realize that Cole had already smoked his fair share.

"Y'know why I like coming out here?" Michael continued, picking up where Cole’s silence had left off. “When I’m at my worst, I like to look up there,” he paused then, gesturing up at the deep indigo night sky and the bright stars that dappled it. “For every star I see, I try to think of something good. It’s almost like I sorta assign ‘em, in a way,” he explained, shrugging a shoulder. When he said it out loud, Michael figured it probably sounded silly, and maybe it was to a degree, but it helped steady him when little else seemed to work. “When I need reminding of everything that’s good in the middle of everything bad, and I need something to ground me? I just look up, and I can name ‘em one by one.” Perhaps it was just a more elaborate way of saying count your blessings, especially in a life that afforded so few of them. 

"But more than that, you see how vast all of that is? Reminds me of how small I am,” he started again, hoping that the message was coming across the way that Cole needed to hear it. "Not insignificant, no. But it’s got a way of putting things into perspective– makes you realize just how much of this world is out of your control.” If he wanted Cole to take anything away from his monologue, it was that, because he knew what his nephew was thinking, what he was feeling, without him uttering a single word. There was a name for that weight he saw in Cole’s eyes. It wasn’t just sadness, or grief. It was guilt– something Michael knew so well and could spot from miles away. In this situation, it wasn’t justified– Cole hadn’t done anything wrong, he hadn’t let his mother down in some way– but still, Michael could understand why the boy felt it anyway. It was the way he was wired. Like Michael, Cole felt everything so deeply– whatever emotion it was, he tapped into the deepest parts of it and felt it on a visceral level…and because of that, Cole would always be in pain, just as Michael was.

Peeling his eyes away from the night sky, he eyed Cole, a soft frown sinking between his brows, "What happened with your mom wasn’t your fault, Cole. You know that, right?"

Beside him, the boy unleashed a smoke stained sigh and shrugged, "Ain't so sure," he muttered, head shaking before he swallowed hard and dropped his gaze.

“I am,” Michael countered, glancing down at him with a raised brow, “If that means something to you.” He liked to think that it did if only because he hoped it might bring Cole some measure of comfort. Maybe it might relieve him of some of the weight he carried on his shoulders. "Your mother was a complicated woman," he continued, sighing heavily, "Complicated kinda runs in our blood, in case you hadn't figured that out already." He’d never known a Monroe to live simply, or breathe easily. It just wasn’t in their DNA, he was convinced of it. They were all complicated people, stubborn, and hard to love, and yet somehow, they carried on. Softening then, Michael found himself smiling in spite of the somber turn the conversation had taken, "But one thing that wasn't complicated was the love she had for you. It was the single most straightforward thing about her." 

Admittedly, Michael and Diana had grown apart over the years, and it was something he wasn’t proud of. It haunted him, really– if he was being completely honest about it. But on those rare occasions when they did talk and catch up, all Diana ever talked about was her son. It wasn’t about the big things though– no, Diana told him about the finer things, those that required a keen eye to pick up on. She told him all about Cole’s expressions and what certain ones meant, and about how she’d always known when something was bothering him when the way the warmth of his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. Diana saw all the things Cole probably thought she didn’t– because she loved him. 

"Your mom had a passion for life unlike anything I've ever seen,” Michael murmured, raising his cigarette to his lips and inhaling a long drag.

“So why’d she run from it?” Cole fired back without missing a beat. 

It was a fair shot, Michael figured. Diana’s death looked an awful lot like a suicide, but he had a hard time believing that his sister had set out to end her life. He wanted to believe it was a miscalculation, an honest mistake on her part. Or maybe that was just what Michael kept telling himself to hold his own guilt back. After being so absent from Diana’s life for so long, how would he even recognize the difference? “I don’t think she meant to, Cole,” he offered, though he wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince more– Cole, or himself.

“How ya figure?”

It was a loaded question, but not an unexpected one. The bitterness sneaking in between each word wasn’t unexpected either. Michael shook his head, knowing neither one of them would ever know for sure, but he liked to think Diana hadn’t done it on purpose. That reality was one he couldn’t bear to stomach. “Because she would’ve never left you intentionally, no matter how awful things got,” he offered, shrugging a shoulder. Michael had to believe that the love Diana had for her son outweighed her demons, but even as he sat there, trying to convince Cole of that, he knew just how troubled his sister had been– how deeply she hurt. 

“It’s easy to feel angry. In your shoes? Hell, I’d probably feel the same way. Feels easier than facing the hurt, sure,” Michael started up again, switching gears the slightest bit. He couldn’t take back what happened to Diana, nor could he explain it. But what he could do was try and get through to his nephew– a boy who knew more hurt than he should ever have to and who’d been forced to grow up long before he was ever supposed to. “But hurt ain’t a bad thing– not if you grow from it. And you’ve got a real shot at doin’ that now.”

Still, even as he said it, Michael knew that was easier said than done. Diana had been all Cole had ever known for his entire life and within an instant, she was gone and his world had flipped on its axis. He’d been sent to live across the country with an aunt and uncle he didn’t know. He could only imagine how overwhelming it was, how angering and frightening. Whatever Cole felt, Michael figured he had full rights to it. “I know your world’s been flipped upside down, son,” he murmured, reaching over to tuck an arm around the teen’s shoulders, “You’ve got every right to be twisted up, spun out– whatever the case may be.” But he didn’t want those feelings to bulldoze the warmer memories of his mother. Cole deserved a softer landing than that– he deserved to think about his mother and not hate every second of it, or hurt. It wouldn’t happen overnight, Michael knew that, but he hoped that one day, Cole could remember the good before the bad– the beginning before the end.  “I ain’t ever gonna tell you how to feel, but I will say this,” Michael started, tossing his dying cigarette down into the dirt. “I dunno if it’ll ever make sense, if it’ll ever not hurt…but I’m here every step of the way, alright? We don’t know each other all that well, but I’ve got you, Cole– I’ve got ya.” Shaking his head, he glanced down at his nephew, and when he did, the sight before him damn near broke his heart. That sad, lost look in Cole’s eyes had only grown, finally reaching that point where it was bound to spill over. He could see Cole holding it back, fighting to keep his tears at bay, but as one managed to slip and slide down his face, Michael only held the boy tighter and swallowed hard when Cole clung back to him, nestling himself against his side. “Your mother was more than the worst thing she ever did– some of us are.” Michael had to believe that– it was the only way he could reconcile with what he was and the awful things he did. "And before you let her go, I hope you look for her– for who she really was," he murmured, reaching up to wipe that stray tear away. "Think you'll see a lot of yourself whenever you do." Michael smiled then because even in the midst of his grief, he’d been able to spot the similarities between his sister and his nephew. In a lot of ways, Diana was still very much alive through him. "And that ain't a bad thing."

[itscolecroft]

( @councillor-roland )

This looked rather interesting. At least the cover did, Cole thought to himself as he picked up one of them. He found a quiet place away from everyone else and he began to read through it. It was clear that maybe the cover was better than the contents itself. A low sigh escaped his lips as he set the book aside. The human rolled his neck, or at least rolled it as best as he could with what the collar allowed before he felt some eyes on him.

Never one to snap at anyone. He gave the stranger a smile and a wave. "Hey there. Can I help you at all?" It was a little dark in the undercroft today, so he never realised that the person he was speaking to, didn't have a collar.

[ulyflynn]

"His legs are this big," The gap between Uly's index finger and thumb was so minuscule it would be a miracle for a thought to fit between them let alone any alleged rodent legs, and a shake of his head follows as he continues to comb the area.

Try as he may to not care about it, he knew Cole had a soft spot for the little plague carrier and he didn't actually want something tragic to happen to him, despite his violent words.

"If that does happen, I'm blaming you for it. I can't get kicked out of here, I burned down my only other spot."

He rarely regrets that act of arson, but this might have been enough to push him to. He's crouched down and zeroing in on some tiny scratches on the skirting boards when he see's a flash of grey scurry across the floor.

"Cole! There! Get the motherfucker!"

@colexwalters

Cole sighed, feeling a miniscule pang of guilt at Uly's exasperated tone, nods solemnly, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Look, don't pets need walks and shit?? I thought I was doing the right thing. Rocky needed to stretch his legs." He watches as Uly searches the hallway with the flashlight, his stomach churning at the thought of Rocky being in danger.

As Uly mentions the possibility of encountering a rat without knowing it's someone's pet, Cple knew it was the harsh reality. "Not only that but, he's probably got game. He'll knock up some pretty girl rat and I'll be responsible for the building's rat infestation." He sighed dramatically as his eyes scoured the ground. @ulyflynn