c o h e n

cohen james blake 1992. he/him. the redeemed rebel. chase stokes lookalike.

[cohenblake]

I've made enough bad decisions to know a good thing when I see one.

🔨THE BASICS🔨

Greenville, North Carolina → Kismet Harbor (2022)

Answers To: Cohen, CJ

Current Residence: Cresthill Meadows

Coffee Order: Whatever's strongest and closest.

Snack of Choice: teriyaki beef jerkey

🔨SMALL QUIRKS🔨

He constantly fidgets with keys, coins, bottle caps, or whatever happens to be nearby.

He collects scars and stories in roughly equal numbers.

He claims he doesn't remember dates, then somehow remembers every important one.

🔨THE VIBE🔨

loyal, impulsive, protective, rebellious, emotionally reactive, charismatic, stubborn, rough around the edges

🔨AROUND TOWN🔨

Kismet Harbor Beach

Kismet Harbor Park

Galaxy Cinemas

The Hiking Trails

Dough Depot

Aquatica

Paws and Beyond

🔨KNOWN FOR🔨

Speaking before thinking.

Having a reputation that sounds far worse than the man he actually is.

Being fiercely protective of his family and friends.

Volunteering for difficult jobs nobody else wants.

Looking far tougher than he actually is once you get to know him.

🔨GOOGLE DOC🔨

[berkanxyilmaz]

He nodded. He knew what it was like. Even living in Salem for as long as he did, he didn't go everywhere in town. While the man talked about his daughter, an actual smile crossed his face. "I'm sure she is." He said, looking at Cohen. In his profession, he knew the looks parents had if they truly loved their children and he could see that in the younger man. "What's her name, if you don't mind me asking?" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"I don't mind." he shook his head. "I'll talk about her any chance I get. When I say she changed my life, I mean it." Cohen exhaled, a glance in the rearview mirror at the empty car seat as if he were trying to look at her even though she weren't back there. "Her name's Clara. Clara James specifically." he smiled a little wider. "We call her CJ a lot, but honestly man she's the best." he exhaled. "I don't mean to get all gushy but she makes it hard not to." @berkanxyilmaz

[connorxbowen]

"You can help if you wanna stay busy." Connor knew that he did not particularly care to sit still himself. He gestured to a spatula if Cohen wanted to It was partly why he was manning the grill in the neighborhood cookouts. "Thanks," he smiled at the man, "I have seen a lot of people today so far," he chuckled softly, flipping a burger. "People here love community," though he was certain Cohen had long seen that for as long as he'd been living in Kismet Harbor as well. "This is just another one of those things to bring people together and get new neighbors out." Connor smiled at Cohen, "Doesn't hurt to know your neighbors around here." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"I wouldn't mind staying busy." he stated, turning so his back was away from the majority of the people mingling, yet, focusing on Connor. "At least if I look busy I can avoid the people I don't really want to talk to." he admitted. He wasn't antisocial, but Cohen didn't see himself as someone that was social either. In fact, if he had his way he'd prefer to have his small contact of people and be done with it. But, since relocating to Cresthill Meadows, he'd promised himself that he'd get to know more people. Even if it was just for Clara. Connor just happened to be someone that Cohen already knew since he was related to Cohen's wife. "That they do." he nodded. "I will say, the people in the trailer part over in Driftwood Haven are friendly but they don't care as much about community as the rest of the town." he stated. "Honestly I think a lot of it is because they just can't afford anything else and being a community often means being forced to feed your neighbors." he stated, the spatula now in hand as he gestured towards the grill the other was flipping burgers on. "I definitely enjoy getting to see new faces." he stated. "I hope that in the end I can find some people with kids my daughter's age; get a cute little baby play date or two set up so they can carry on that tradition when we're all too old too." @connorxbowen

[courtneyxblake]

The sounds of baby giggles filled the kitchen which caused Courtney to smile. The sound of her daughter's laughter was her favorite thing in the world. Now combined with the way Cohen laughed, it made Courtney laugh right alongside them. She the playfully groaned after hearing Clara only slept for a short while. "Hopefully that means she'll just sleep better tonight," she let out another playful groaned and got close to her daughter. "Lady, you're supposed to nap during the day," she shook her head before kissing her daughter's nose. "Sleep deprivation by you or her?" She quipped back before giving Cohen a wink before looking him up and down. The food she had gotten would keep them well fed for a bit and she was so happy to be able to afford groceries like they never had before. "Great," she folded the bags before tossing them in the trash, "I did buy some chicken breasts that I figured we could find something to do with them. So maybe some grilled chicken one night this week?" That in turn made her stomach growl, and was already looking forward to said meal. Finding new ways to cook, with some help from her brother had been a lot easier since moving into a house from a trailer. "I thought you were going to turn into a watermelon baby," she went over to him and playfully ruffled his hair before kissing his cheek. "I bet CJ is gonna love it," and she started to cut up some pieces. "Me too, I'm excited to watch her grow but I miss her being so tiny." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"I hope so." Cohen agreed, though he knew as well as his wife did the no sleep days often lead to no sleep nights and before they knew it they'd be in the trenches of no sleep at three in the morning. "I tried to tell her the same thing but she didn't listen to me." Cohen laughed. "We got some cuddle time in though before I ended up trying to feed her and well, here you are." he stated. "Giggling in the kitchen on an empty stomach." Tossing a wink back at her Cohen smiled, only turning away from their daughter to wrap his arms around Courtney from behind, peppering kisses against her cheek. "Both." he laughed. "Definitely both of us." A second later though, he'd removed himself, eyes focusing back on Clara who he didn't like leaving alone in the highchair unassisted. Not that she were wild yet but he didn't want to make a habit that he couldn't break when she was able to stand and climb out of the high chair. "Grilled chicken sounds perfect, actually. Sebastian gave me this marinade recipe that I've been wanting to try so I'd love that." As she cut up watermelon, Cohen took a step towards the counter, snatching a bite and watching as they placed some in front of Clara. "It's the true test. How much is she really like me?" he joked; Clara was more like him than he was her in most cases. @courtneyxblake

[courtneyxblake]

"Hi," she replied back, her cheeks blushing purely from the way her husband looked at her, kissing him back. Even after all these years he made her swoon. Seeing their daughter in the high chair made her shake her head, guessing she was either done napping and had only a short nap or decided to rebel and not nap at all. Going over to their daughter, she placed a kiss on the top of her head, her hand caressing the back of the dark hair. "Whats so funny my love?" She asked and looked up at Cohen, "is daddy being silly?" She smiled and then joined in on the giggles, the sound of baby laughs always making her smile. "Definitely a good haul, they had cold cuts on sale so I got some and then a bunch of fruits and veggies," she then turned to Cohen and raised an eyebrow. "A watermelon kid huh?" Looking at their daughter for a moment and then back at her husband, "oh I just know she is. How much you wanna bet she goes feral for it?" She chuckled and started to unwrap it from the plastic and looked for a knife, "me neither. I hate how fast she's growing." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Cohen watched as Courtney kissed their daughter's head, all of which made Clara laugh even harder, sending Cohen into another fit himself. At this point he'd been laughing for so long and so hard at Clara's laughter, he was beginning to get a side cramp. "She only slept for like fifteen minutes." he managed to say once he was done laughing enough to form a coherent sentence without it being broken up by silence or the sound of his laughter. "So I'm sure most of this is sleep deprivation." he admitted. As she admitted the things that she got - cold cuts, fruits and vegetables - Cohen smiled. "Perfect; we have dinners planned all week. Anything good we can grill sometime soon?" he asked. "I've been itching to try out that grill Mom and Dad got us for our anniversary." Granted, it wasn't a huge grill, nor was it anything fancy, but it was a grill. More than they'd ever had in the trailer before and something Cohen was eager to figure out how to do. He'd used one enough back home with his parents and all their holiday cookouts that he got the idea of it most of the time. "You remember we'd have to buy two watermelons a week during the summer because I would sit and eat the entire thing." he spoke. "I probably would now but;" he paused. "Watermelons aren't cheap." Yet, as Courtney mentioned how fast Clara was growing, Cohen nodded. "It's really sad." he exhaled. "I love that she's growing, but, honestly it also makes me really sad that she's already so big." @courtneyxblake

[xrowanxbennettx]

"Lemonade and watermelon... Sounds like a strange combo," Rowan commented, but it sparked curiosity in her. Despite the combo sounding like it might not mix, it wasn't strange enough that she wouldn't try it, at least once. "Really? I feel like when I have a watermelon at home, it ends up being gone in a few days." Her parents barely even got some before Rowan had eaten most of it. It was so refreshing and if it was bought at the right time, a great sweet treat that wasn't packed with artificial sugar. "I feel like you're just looking for an excuse to get another one," she said with a grin. "But if you're offering, then I'm in."

[cohenblake]

"I didn't think I'd like it either, but honestly you can't knock it until you try this." he admitted, eyes shifting from the other to the glass he'd nearly half finished now. He was happy that he'd opted for the 'share size' which of course had been a half liter; two glasses essentially. Because he was sure that if the other were going to deny it, he'd have it finished before he could even think about it. Not that he were one to complain. Frozen lemonade and watermelon just so happened to be two of his favorite summer treats. "I am definitely looking for an excuse to get another one." he laughed. "Or several more, honestly." he added, eyes shifting to look at her. "I love watermelon too, and I think my daughter's also going to love watermelon." he paused. "But, we're still only two people and even if my wife does eat it, I get what they call flavor fatigue where after so many meals I can't handle it anymore." @xrowanxbennettx

[archiemorgan]

Archie just shook his head at both of his best friends, "dude we ain't in middle school anymore. Axe is for kids, and deal. I'm sure it ain't that bad. Just rub some Vicks up on your lip. It'll be fine." He sounded more confident than he actually was, having never changed any sort of diaper before. "Okay fine no weed smelling around the babies, it's not like we'd be smoking by them," he rolled his eyes before playfully flipping off Cohen, "you know you love me dude. And fuck yourself right back because I ask myself that every day. How I got such an amazing woman to fall in love with me. I still can't believe it." He couldn't and he'd forever try to make sure he was the man she did fall in love with. "Just go with the flow with Alli, don't dig in your heels you know? Hey even if you never get married and you both are happy together that's all that matters," that was all that ever mattered. As he inhaled the smoke around them he shrugged, "you tell me. I don't mind supplying the goods every time, we can save the other two or we can smoke 'em all. You guys tell me." He had a good supplier, a good contact that offered up premium weed with a good price. "Good point," he pointed at Nolan, "though I don't think a big city one would be good. That could make national news and we'd all be banned from every aquarium in the country." Was that true? He had no clue, plus the weed was clouding his thoughts ever so slightly. Pressing a hand to his chest, Archie wiped a fake tear with his other, "well Clara and Jordan definitely have Uncle Archie's heart. And I promise I'll try not to spoil them but no guarantees." He grinned then laughed, "Okay fine. Or we could figure out some design and the three of us get matching tattoos, that way no one gets a divorce or a portrait on their ass." @nolanxmurray @cohenblake

[nolanxmurray]

He laughed, "Maybe so, but Axe will cover up any smell, dude, you have no idea how bad baby shit can be." It was wild how smelly and messy it could be. "I have used Ali's location and Vicks, Jordan can beat it." It was a wild thing. "You two are wild with the married and long-time thing... "He didn't understand it yet, yes, he loved Alli, but he knew they were not at that step yet. It was a wild thing that he and a friend had a baby, and all were like in comment on dating or were married. He needed this outing to relax, even though he didnt really have much to do. "We need to do this more, but I also have no time for that" he laughed at the next thought. "Eh," he waved his hand. "Also, I don't need another mark on my record, so let's not do it anywhere." It was better for all of them not to get into trouble. But he was doing his best to work hard and keep in line to do better for Alli and Jordan. He passed off the joint then laughed . "the girl are gonna be spoiled for sure" but each other uncles, "and the girls will be... like..." he paused, "ugh sister, cousins or something." he knew none of them were dating any family of each other, so every uncle wasn't just a title and not real. "Yeah, Alli would not like that... no faces," he put up his hand to show no way. "I already have Jordan's name...well, sort of." It was from his friend, but Jordan was named after his friend, so it counted. @archiemorgan @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Cohen had missed this; spending time with both of his best friends, doing absolutely nothing but talking about whatever shit they could manage to think of on the spot. It was always something with them; never anything consistent and while Clara and Jordan were the topics of most of Cohen's conversations with Nolan, it was nice that Archie enjoyed being just as much a part of it. "It's all wild." Cohen stated. "I feel like this is how I should be spending all of my free time -" he paused, taking a hit of the joint as it was passed to him before passing it to the next person. "And instead I spend my afternoons at home making my kid belly laugh. It's great." he spoke, eyes shifting between his two friends. This really was the life; Cohen was happy to be part of it. "I personally vote we hold onto them. This is the strong shit and if I have anymore than what I'm getting I'm going to be floating and unable to drive home." he admitted. "Both things I can't have happen; it's been too long." he paused. "I've missed you guys." he stated. "We should do this more often. Get the girls together. Both the ladies and the babies." he nodded. "We deserve this." @archiemorgan @nolanxmurray

[berkanxyilmaz]

Berkan noticed the car seat and made note of it. He felt a little bad for judging the man a little and knew now he would take his business to Lucy's Auto. He may look and act cold, but there was still parts of him that was his old sweet self when it came to kids and helping out families. "It's a small town." He commented, but he wasn't going to say much more. Especially because he didn't know everywhere himself. Glancing back again at the car seat, he looked at Cohen. "How old is your kid?" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"It is." he shrugged, leaving it at that himself. "I go where I know. And where I used to be able to afford." He wouldn't dwell on his answer to that either as he knew that his financial situation wasn't the other's business. And not something he liked to talk about anyways. It had been a stage of his life he hadn't been excited about in the slightest. "She's seven months." he stated, eyes shifting towards the other as he smiled a little wider. "And I don't mean to brag, but she's the best thing that's ever happened to me." @berkanxyilmaz

[cohenblake]

"I know." Cohen laughed, shaking his head at his brother's words. "I don't get it either. Tease me all you want, I deserve it for being a shit growing up." Cohen laughed. Though, truly a lot of him had changed in the years past. Not only in general but even more so since Clara had been born. He really felt like a new man, one that he was proud of. One that he hoped their parents and his brothers were also proud of. "I've also called Mom in the middle of the night. Courtney's called her mom." he spoke. "We're really all out here just winging it." he laughed. "I love her so damn much though I regret not doing this years ago." he admitted. @brodyblake

[brodyblake]

"You deserve it anyways just for being my brother." Brody teased him more, as he would their older brothers. Laughing, he nodded. "I'm sure she's getting used to calls at this point." He knew their parents didn't mind and figured Courtney's didn't either. That's what they were there for now, right? "Hey, you did it when you guys were supposed to. That's what I believe. This all came when we needed and that's what matters." @cohenblake

END

[cohenblake]

📍kismet harbor w/ @courtneyxblake

cjblake: Who would've thought that these two young kids in this photo would be where we are now? I did, but I would've never expected that you'd have put up with me this long. Happy Anniversary, baby. Here's to another twelve years.

[brodyblake]

He laughed and nodded. "I don't know. Me I can see. You though..." He nudged his brother as he teased him. Really, he knew that Cohen and Courtney were perfect together and they were great parents already. Brody had no doubt that that was going to continue as Clara aged. "It is. I mean, I have called Mom in the middle of the night once, but it's nice having my brother to talk to. And that we're both girl dads so we'll be experiencing all of it together." He laughed. @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"I know." Cohen laughed, shaking his head at his brother's words. "I don't get it either. Tease me all you want, I deserve it for being a shit growing up." Cohen laughed. Though, truly a lot of him had changed in the years past. Not only in general but even more so since Clara had been born. He really felt like a new man, one that he was proud of. One that he hoped their parents and his brothers were also proud of. "I've also called Mom in the middle of the night. Courtney's called her mom." he spoke. "We're really all out here just winging it." he laughed. "I love her so damn much though I regret not doing this years ago." he admitted. @brodyblake

[courtneyxblake]

Who: @cohenblake and Courtney

Where: Their house

When: June 2026

As Courtney walked into the kitchen, her arms were filled with grocery bags, being as quiet as she could knowing Clara was napping. Being able to go on weekly grocery runs had her arms building muscle so she was able to carry everything in a single trip. "Hi," she said to Cohen, going over to place a kiss upon his lips after putting down the bags, "I got everything for dinner and some things to make lunch for you for the week." She started to unload the bags, and took out half a watermelon, placing it on the counter. "This looked so good I couldn't pass it up," she pointed to it and emptied everything else. "Plus I feel like Clara might like it. She's old enough to have some so why not? Plus it'll be really cute to see her so messy with it." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"Hey beautiful." Cohen smiled, turning to look back at Clara who was sitting in her high chair, clearly having been in the midst of a giggle when her mother walked in. Kissing her softly, Cohen shifted his attention back to Clara, laughing with her as she laughed, shaking his head. "She's been laughing like this for the last ten minutes." Cohen laughed, wiping it his eye that had filled with tears as he too laughed at their daughter. "Looks like a good haul though." he stated, looking at the bags, and then spying the watermelon. "Want to place bets if she'll be a Watermelon kid like I was?" he paused. "And still am for that matter, this looks amazing." he stated. "I can't believe she's already old enough to have this stuff." @courtneyxblake

[cohenblake]

📍kismet harbor w/ @brodyblake

cjblake: I still have absolutely no idea who was in charge of making us dads, but, I'm happy to share this title with one of my built in best friends. Happy first Father's Day, broski. I'll watch Nellie for a couple hours for some alone time if you return the favor. Hell, let's just show up at Anthony's and tag team him. He can't say no to both of us together.

[cohenblake]

📍kismet harbor w/ @sebastianxthomas

cjblake: According to the calendar in my kitchen it's your birthday. Come over for burgers tonight, my treat. Just don't look in the garage, that may be where this exact surfboard has been hanging out for the last year after I told you I didn't know where it was.

[cohenblake]

📍kismet harbor w/ @archiemorgan

cjblake: Happy birthday, asshat. Onne third of the three stooges and the man people always mistake as my husband, what better titles could you be given honestly? Hope you enjoy getting all the sex, weed and whatever the hell it is you do for funny without me and Nolan a guy could ever want.

[connorxbowen]

starter for @cohenblake

location: cresthill meadows neighborhood cookout

Connor opened up the grill, giving the burgers a flip and rotated the hot dogs before he placed on the corn on the cob, still covered in their husks. Manning the grill was second nature to him, just as much as fire fighting had become. While he questioned a lot of things in his life, if he was good at feeling people had never been one of them. Over the course of the afternoon, the sun beat above them and he was grateful he remembered his baseball cap. It blocked some of the sun from beating down in his face, though he had a feeling his shoulders would be red tomorrow. People had come and gone, a steady stream of hungry neighbors that appreciated his cooking. Connor had just closed the grill again when a new face appeared. "Hey there," he greeted Courtney's husband, "you guys get all settled in?"

[cohenblake]

"Hey man." Cohen nodded, his eyes focusing on the other as he closed the grill. Since moving to Cresthill Meadows he and Courtney had made a vow to get to know their neighbors a little more. Something he wished they'd done when they'd lived in Driftwood, however, now that they were in what he'd assume would be their forever home, he couldn't help be want to build a bigger community for Clara. It just happened to help that Connor was also family. "You need any help?" Cohen questioned, eyes landing on the grill before shifting back to the male. He wasn't exactly the best cook, and was still learning but he was no stranger to the grill. He at least knew how to make sure nothing was burning. "It smells great; you had a lot of people come by?" @connorxbowen

[berkanxyilmaz]

As he sat in the man's Bronco, Berkan nodded after taking a breath. "I'll give you directions." He said and put his seat belt on. It had been a long time since he was in a vehicle like this. Honestly, it was his former best friend that would drive him around campus in a similar car and all he wanted to do was get out of it as soon as possible. "How long have you been in town exactly?" He asked curiously; wondering how Cohen didn't know where Modern Heights was, but then again, Berkan didn't know everywhere in town either after a year. He was just grumpy and finding more things to poke at. @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"Thanks." Cohen nodded, reaching to turn down the radio he'd been blaring moments prior, his daughter's car seat in the back of the Bronco, secured with a seatbelt. He still wasn't used to having one back there as they'd always kept a car seat in Courtney's car; it was only recently they'd purchased a second in the off chance they ever needed it. They were cruising for a bit, taking the turn Cohen knew would get them to the main road of the town when the other asked how long he'd been in town. "A little over three years." he admitted with a shrug. "Oddly enough though, we don't all know the higher end places in town, dude." There was a hint of irritation in the male's voice, and while Cohen normally would've kicked him out of his car for the mere fact his attitude sucked, Cohen liked to consider himself a better person these days. @berkanxyilmaz