SWORD OF JUSTICE.

[ . . . ]ㅤdealingㅤwithㅤ𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧ㅤisㅤlikeㅤ𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜ㅤ𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙨ㅤ.

[cityserve]

" well, you picked the right place, cole — city that needed an honest cop like a thirsty man needed water. you'd heard the stories, but you weren't interested. you were here to fight the good fight — solve cases, right wrongs — but the force is like politics. there's no sitting on a fence. you have to choose sides .

an independent, private & highly selective COLE PHELPS of rockstar games' L.A. NOIRE. 21+ only to follow & interact. studied by COLE, on whom the irony is not lost. switches between first, second & third person pov.

[ . . . ] IT COULD ONLY EVER END ONE WAY. "

CARRD. PROMO.

[cityserve]

𝚃𝙰𝙶 𝙿𝙴𝙾𝙿𝙻𝙴 𝚈𝙾𝚄'𝙳 𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴 𝚃𝙾 𝙶𝙴𝚃 𝚃𝙾 𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆 𝙱𝙴𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁.

𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐑(𝐒). carmine red, glacier gray, slate blue. 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑(𝐒). mango, blue raspberry, strawberry. 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂. rock/metal, but i listen to a little of everything. 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄(𝐒). the mummy (1999). 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒. silent hill. 𝐅𝐀𝐕𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊(𝐒). the shining, american psycho, along came a spider, crime & punishment. 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆. i am the storm - ad infinitum. 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒. golden girls. again. 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐄. consecration (2023). 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊. the summer i died by ryan c. thomas. 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆. penpal by dathan auerbach. 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆. nothing. could use some recs. 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍. laundry & playing alan wake 2.

𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐃 𝐁𝐘: i stole it from @bridgeirton. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆: if you see this, consider yourself tagged.

[1701d]

[cityserve]

ㅤthis is just a reminder that cole phelps, while a gold-hearted and caring individual, is by no means a perfect, shining protagonist, and that’s why i love and adore him.

       he wants so desperately to help and protect those that can’t help themselves, and when he can’t, he feels as though he’s failed not only them, but himself and the squadron he lost in japan.   he lost countless men, women and children to his recklessness, and strives to atone for his mistakes.   he hates knowing that he was awarded for an act of cowardice, often deflecting any sort of praise or comments about his performance / duty in the war.

       like many that have served overseas, he found it difficult to relate to his wife when he returned home, and while he still loved and cared for his family with all his heart, his trauma and emotional distance put a clear strain on his marriage.   down the road, he sought comfort in the arms of someone who he felt better understood him and his troubles.   was it a mistake?  yes.   does he regret it?   yes.   did he deserve the resulting backlash?   not to that extent.

        he’s the poster child for following the rules and adhering to every code in the book, and the one time that he deviates from any moral laws or conduct, the one time he makes a selfish decision after promising himself to be more selfless after the war, the one time he decides to do something that he knows is wrong, his is entire life crashes down around him, and the bright name that he’s made for himself is immediately dragged through the mud by a man he’d reluctantly come to call a partner.  

       he’s intelligent and methodical, but reckless and headstrong; compassionate, but stern; open-minded, but stubborn; modest, but confident  —  and his selfless acceptance of death, after aiding others to escape, is a perfect example of the hopelessness that often underlies noir stories.   he tried to do what he thought was best by exposing the corruption that had slowly consumed the LAPD, and paid the ultimate price.

[cityserve]

ㅤYOUR HAND IS SHAKY as it presses against the wound at your midriff, fingers slick with blood that seeps between them in lazy pulses. it's funny — they talk about how being surrounded by death, being close to it yourself, makes you think that much harder about life. it sounds like a cliche. but they're right.

ㅤafter all these years, what do you have to show for it? a badge you wear day in and day out, and not one person to show it to. no family, no real friends. not anymore. your whole life, you've wanted to be the hero, wanted to help others — and yet, when push comes to shove and you arrive at what seems like the end, you have no one.

" clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. " @priveyes

ㅤkelso's voice cuts through the air louder than the gunshot that had caught you several minutes earlier, bullet now lodged somewhere in your abdomen. maybe it's the demanding nature of his tone, or simply the familiarity of his voice, but something breaks you from your stupor just in time to catch a handkerchief and some tape that kelso had scavenged from a nearby drawer. at least holing up in this bank office, awaiting the next scuffle with the current perps at large, gave you time to slap the cloth over the open wound and tape it down. it'll hold until the paramedics arrive.

ㅤ" thanks. " concise as ever. " we should move in on them, not the other way around. i'll try not to slow you down. "

[cityserve]

l.a. noire is currently $6 on steam. if you want to play this phenomenal game, i will absolutely buy it for you.

[nightprompts]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ ah, so you aren’t heartless after all. ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ you look like you've got something to say. ❜

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ do you mind if i smoke? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’ve never cared for anyone the way i care for you. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i want you to forget this ever happened. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[cityserve]

ㅤ" for every cop, there's the case that makes you — gives you that leg up, gets you recognized as the shining new star on the squad. the case that you solve that shows that you have the gumption, the gung ho, the get - up - and - go to make you stand out from your average rank - and - file patrolman. THIS COULD BE THE ONE, COLE. ©

[arcticgotham-deactivated2023112]

( . . . ) ⠀ * ⠀a ʳᵃⁿᵈᵒᵐ starter ! ⠀ ━━━ ⠀𝙲𝙾𝙻𝙴 𝙿𝙷𝙴𝙻𝙿𝚂，@cityserve

THE ⠀ MAN ⠀ SMILES, ⠀ & ⠀ IT ⠀ REACHES ⠀ HIS ⠀ EYES. ⠀ his gaze is locked upon the woman on the stage, watching from where he's seated at the bar. ⠀ as he places the glass to his lips, he swallows down the remainder of his whiskey; ⠀ within seconds he's raising his pointer finger to the bartender, a silent motion for another drink to be given to him. ⠀ Oswald notices the presence of the other easily, even with his back turned to the detective. ⠀ ❝⠀took you long enough to find me !⠀❞ ⠀ a laugh escapes from his throat, the sound deep and uneasy. ⠀ when a newly filled glass is slid onto the bar - top, the dark - haired man makes sure to grab it quick. ⠀ taking a sip, he places it down before he's turning to look up at Cole. ⠀ ❝⠀you're looking dapper today, Detective.⠀—⠀just for me ?⠀oh, you really shouldn't have !⠀❞ ⠀ more laughter ensues, the sound both both throaty and unnerving. ⠀ Oswald licks his lips, the taste of the alcohol making him give a quiet hum of approval. ⠀ ❝⠀you're looking for Jack, aren't you ?⠀❞ ⠀ Oswald sighs, though it's more of a theatrical sound than an upset one. ⠀ ❝⠀he mentioned you.⠀❞ ⠀ the villain smirks, turning away to take another sip of his drink. ⠀ when he speaks again, he makes sure to look at Cole; ⠀ because Oswald wants to see his reaction to what he has to say next. ⠀ ❝⠀do you know that he's in love with you ?⠀❞ ⠀ he nods, and the smirk on his mouth turns into an amused grin. ⠀ ❝⠀he got quiet when I mentioned it.⠀❞ ⠀ the concept of love, of companionship...⠀ well, it's what Oswald craves, what he longs for. ⠀ his expression drops, a scowl now taking place upon his features. ⠀ ❝⠀he would die for you. ⠀— ⠀he's willing to now !⠀❞ ⠀ he says this more angry than anything else; ⠀it's as if he's angered by how Cole is receiving what he isn't, even if it's a silent devotion on Jack's part. ⠀ ❝⠀it's all very touching.⠀❞ ⠀ except he doesn't say this in a pleasing manner ⠀: ⠀he practically hisses the words at the other man. ⠀ ━━━ ⠀[⠀𝙹𝙴𝙰𝙻𝙾𝚄𝚂𝚈 ⠀𝙸𝚂 ⠀𝙳𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁𝙾𝚄𝚂.⠀]

[cityserve]

ㅤTHE CITYSCAPE IS A MERE BLUR outside the window as my car streaks through gotham's streets, each passing streetlight nauseatingly bright, seeming to flicker due to the vehicle's speed. the roar of the engine, almost deafening in its fever pitch, matches the anger broiling, churning, in my gut. i shouldn't have been the one to answer this call. i shouldn't have been the one to receive the news — over a voicemail, no less, stripped even of the courtesy to speak with kelso man - to - man. but he's always been this way, hasn't he? and i should know more than most, left to pick up the scraps in his wake.

ㅤmy grip on the steering wheel tightens, knuckles blanching white at their uppermost points, and my foot all but slams onto the gas. the grimy, neon world around me is dizzying as i fly past pedestrians and pickups alike, manic thoughts almost daring another cop to flag me down. everything beyond that is a blur, from managing to park the car to practically storming inside the iceberg lounge and demanding to be directed to its owner.

ㅤa quick flash of my badge and the bouncer points me to the bar — empty, save for one familiar patron. eventually, i find myself approaching from behind . . . and i freeze in my tracks. the burning rage in my chest, the all - consuming fire that led me here, gives way to an icy sense of dread that spills through my ribs, pours into every vein and roots me in place. i try and untangle the knots that my stomach's currently twisting into and take a seat at the bar, leaving one stool between me and the club's owner.

ㅤ" i'm not here for business, cobblepot. " i know who he is. what he's capable of. but if i'm looking for any sort of cooperation, i need to take it slow and easy. the bartender affords me a glance, and i briefly raise one hand to request a drink. i'm not picky. not right now, anyway. DO YOU KNOW THAT HE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU? my stomach tightens, brow involuntarily furrowing. kelso and i have never been close, never been friends. not in any sort of traditional sense, anyway. but it's true what they say about the men you serve with — you come back home as brothers, like it or not. and given my track record, i'm sure he likes our newfound familial ties a hell of a lot less than i do.

ㅤbut that deep bond is exactly why i'm here now, talking to a known criminal like we're catching up on old times. " you know where he went, don't you? he left me a voicemail— he sounded stressed. and the only other sound was the same, tired jazz you play here, day in and day out. "

[cityserve]

a few tags and such.

* 𝒊. ooc. * 𝒊. self promo. * 𝒊. threads. * 𝒊. inbox. * 𝒊. prompts. * 𝒊. study. * 𝒊. image. * 𝒗. main. * 𝒗. modern. * 𝒗. gotham. * 𝒗. undetermined. * 𝒅. jack kelso.