Walking Fire Hazard

Ruby grinned, adopting a mock thoughtful expression as she tapped her chin. “Funny, I can’t remember your name, your HIghness. I know it starts with a C, right? Cartwell? No no, Clayton…. or was it Christopher?”

He rolled his eyes at her mocking, chuckling as they stepped out onto the street from the coffee shop. “Funny, Ruby.. Very funny. Christopher? I look like a Christopher to you?”

#c; ruby

“Funny how things have changed since I became King.. Before it, the people of the city barely knew my name.” He scoffed, chuckling to himself as he lifted his coffee to his lips.

#crownsstarter

supagirl

Don’t do that crooked smile thing, ok? 2/∞

#gpoy

parkerathena-blog1

“You ever feel like your just walking in a daze? It’s like something is missing from my soul. I can’t even think straight, something is wrong.”

“It’s like you’re taking the words right out of my mouth.” He sighed, glad to be away from the public and away from the cameras. His father was dead and he was on his way to be king, but it didn’t feel right. Nothing felt right.

#c; parker

an hour of honesty; maybe less

#honesty hour

“No,” Caleb said finally, pulling lightly at Carlisle’s arm to pull him aside, away from prying ears that would probably rejoice at the news of his father’s death. “Stop acting like that. Stop acting like you took something away from me. Our father deserved what he got. And when I confronted him, the first thing he said was he’d kill all of us to keep his throne. I’m not sorry, and you shouldn’t be either.”

As he was pulled away from the crowd Carlisle couldn’t help the twinge of fear that passed over his features, remembering the times his father did the same thing and gently pulling out of his brother’s grip as his eyes fell to his feet. He was silent as Caleb spoke, swallowing hard at the words. “I just... It should have been me. You were finally in a good place, Caleb.. And now you have this weight on your shoulders and I can practically see it... I’m not sorry that he’s gone, I’m just sorry that his blood had to stain your hands..”

“No, it isn’t.” Ruby disagreed, shaking her head at the melancholy excuse Carlisle was using. Caleb might have gone after their father because of what he had done to Carlisle, but in the end he had done it for the good of both of them. “No one could have stopped Caleb from protecting us.”

#music #brotp; we are blood; we are brothers #brotp; blood is thicker

“I should have done it myself... I should have been strong enough to protect myself.” His jaw clenched as he finally stood, pacing lightly as he ran his hands over his face. “Caleb wouldn’t be in this mess if I wasn’t so God damn weak.” He didn’t realize the flames that danced across his fingertips as he spoke, anger rising in him as his pacing continued. “He wouldn’t have to protect me if I was stronger.”

#c; ruby #ignore text

carpediem8d

Visit Original Link

“…What if I’m far from home?

Oh brother I will hear you call What if I lose it all? Oh sister I will help you out! Oh, if the sky comes falling down, for you There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do…”

Caleb wasn’t sure what to say, eyes drifting down to the ground as people moved around them like nothing was wrong. He wanted to say the words, to quell his brother’s fears, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit to it. “I was laying low for awhile. Had to clear my head.”

The way Caleb’s gaze dropped made Carlisle frown, fearing the worst as he stood there practically frozen in place. He was the reason for this, and if he’d only kept his mouth shut, his brother wouldn’t have been in this mess. “... Ruby and I were worried. I can-- I can leave you alone, if you’d rather that. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He hated that Caleb had to bear the weight of their father’s death on his own, but he just wasn’t sure how to fix what had been broken.

Caleb’s attitude dropped when he realized who was staring back at him, running a hand through dark locks as he blew out a deep breath. “I’m fine. I’m fine, he just…drunk idiot, he wasn’t looking where he was going,” he muttered.

Carlisle was still cautious, even as the other responded. With a soft sigh he looked around before letting his eyes settle back on Caleb. “Are you sure it’s just about him?” He paused, as if uncertain, before he continued.. “You haven’t been returning any of my calls..”

Blushing, Ruby glanced away from Carlisle to the bottle in her hand. Despite Carlisle’s assurance, all she had really accomplished with the two brothers was friendship. “I haven’t really done much.” Her smile fell somewhat as Carlisle explained his brother’s absence. Knowing that Caleb was dodging them both didn’t exactly fill her with confidence. “Do you think he’s okay?”

“You’ve done more than you realize, Ruby..” At the question Carlisle’s expression fell into one that showed more pain than anything. He had no idea how the other was feeling, and as much as he wanted to tell Ruby that everything would be okay, he wasn’t even sure himself. With a sigh he shrugged, staring off as if meeting her gaze wasn’t something he was capable of. “I hope so... If not, it’s all my fault.”

#c; ruby

“Whoa!” Caleb snapped when a drunk almost spilled a beer on him, jumping back as he shook his head. He was already on edge, waiting for the day his father’s disappearance was announced. He hadn’t even bothered to bury the body very deep, but he was finally gone. And Caleb held the weight of his death so hard it was practically weighing him down. “Just…get outta here..”

Carlisle frowned as he watched on, jaw clenched as he moved to place himself in between Caleb and the drunk in question, a sort of fire in his eyes. “I believe he meant sooner, rather than later.” As the stranger tore off in the other direction Carlisle spun around to watch his brother, unable to hide his worry at the state the older man was in. “Caleb? Brother, look at me... Settle.”

“Well you’re popular with me. That has to count for something.” Ruby reminded him with a gentle nudge of her elbow. Carlisle and Caleb were a part of her family now. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt them. At the mention of Caleb, she sobered a little. Her worry for him evident as she nodded hesitantly. “A little. He said he was going to be here tonight? I take it you’ve had radio silence too?”

“It counts for everything, Ruby.” Carlisle managed a smile at her nudge, leaning over to place a light kiss to the side of her head. “I appreciate, all you’ve done for Caleb... and for me.” Knowing that she hadn’t gotten much out of the wolf didn’t make him feel any better about what had occurred only a week prior, a heavy sigh leaving him as he shook his head. “Right.. I haven’t gotten much from him since the other night. Shame, cause I made friendship bracelets..” He added the last bit in an attempt to lighten the mood, sneaking a small smile.

#c; ruby #ignore text

esmeevans-blog

His eyes shifted towards the older, but never met the other’s face or gaze before they went directly into the light. It was like a trained reaction, the way his hands went out of sight behind his back– like hiding or protecting an aspect of himself that could be stolen so easily– and the soldier stance that emphasized his height as his shoulders and back straightened. “Something akin to that,” he muttered, with a slow languid blink. “You can the whole thing predictable, if you’d like, given each pawn involved.”

Carlisle frowned at the almost rigid stance Esme straightened into, wondering just what this family had done to the other. He’d only ever worried about himself, and his own pain, that he’d never really taken notice of what the twins went through; especially Esme. With a sigh, Carlisle shook his head, shoving his hands into his pockets as he listened on silently. “Predictable, yeah I suppose you could say that..” He scoffed lightly, managing a light smile before he glanced over at his younger brother. “How are things, Esme?”

#c; esme

“I think you underestimate her, I don’t think she’d want to get rid of you just yet. Considering what has just happened.” Ruby didn’t need to say it. Nor did Carlisle. They both knew what had befallen his father and just how much of a monster he was. “I don’t think Nia was really thinking about the irony of the situation when she planned it.”