If You Just Smile

Cole Hickes || 145 || Taboo Vampire "When we’re older things may change, but for now this is the way they must remain."

[colehickes-blog]

kapnos-agori:

Zeke had been bumped into by the same person who had bumped into Cole. So he was still near by recovering his own balance when he heard Cole asking for help. “Oh yeah, sure, man! I got you,” he said, picking up the bags for him and slinging them over his shoulders. “That guy was a douchenozzle and a half,” he added, rolling his eyes with a shake of his head.

As he saw Zeke, Cole smiled softly to him and nodded in thanks. “Thanks, man.” He said, looking over the young Elemental to make sure he got the bag alright. “You have no idea. He looked like he was in trouble. Probably a Nefarious.” Rolling his eyes, he waved for Zeke to walk with him. “C’mon. My car’s not too far. I just gotta drop all of this off at the school.”

[colehickes-blog]

Cole was carrying a bunch of bags filled with Halloween decorations from Green Savvy. When he was about to make his way to his car, he felt someone flit by him and he spun before dropping a couple of the bags. “Fuck me.” He groaned, adjusting the bags in his arms so he wouldn’t drop the rest. “Mind helping me?” He asked, hoping the person would stop to help him pick up the bag that fell.

[colehickes-blog]

dirtybird-sinclair:

His grin disappeared, replaced with an intense frown, the mention of the raids dulling his buzz for a moment. “S’long as ya didn’t run durin’ those, then you’re fine by me.” Those exact words held a lot more weight if they were said to Cole while Sinclair was sober, delivered during a conversation about their strained relationship. But instead, they were given to Cole by a drunk Sinclair. “Huh?” He blinked slowly, gaze flicking around them, trying to gain a sense of where they were. “My place ain’t that far from here. Just that way.” A vague wave of his hand towards the left followed his words, his other arm still slung around Cole’s shoulders. “It’s easier to get to work if I live out here.”

“Never ran during that. I usually run from the shit I fucked up on.” Cole said, shaking his head while nipping hard on his bottom lip again. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring down your mood.” Smiling to him again, he nodded once and then looked back to the ground. As they continued to walk while Sinclair gestured to his home, he nodded and continued while staying in the Demon’s slight embrace. “That’s fine. I’ll take you back to your place. I live out here because I don’t have to pay any sort of rent. I just pay for my food and supplies for work.” Shaking his head, he chuckled a bit at the thought of such a bland conversation. Looking back up and into Sinclair’s eyes, he slipped his arm around the back of the man’s waist to show he wanted to stay close to the Demon.

[colehickes-blog]

dirtybird-sinclair:

Laughter left him randomly, the way Cole had described him had struck his alcohol soaked mind as funny. “I’ll just keep on absorbin’ knowledge an’ smarts until I have to split into two separate Sinclairs.” Laughter ensued again, the corners of his lips turned up into a wide smile. Inspired by the booze, Sinclair slung an arm around Cole’s shoulders, dragging the vampire closer to him even as they would continue to walk. “Ya can’t keep on avoidin’ stuff, Cole. It’s gonna sneak up on ya when ya least expect it. Trust me, I know.” This was how he had lost his last vessel, having ran off and left his problems behind him. The alcohol was causing Sinclair to forget the tension that was still lingering between them both, inspiring him to act more friendly and closer than they had been lately.

Feeling the arm around his shoulder caused Cole’s eyes to grow wide. What was he supposed to do? Biting even harder on his bottom lip, he slowly looked over to him and saw the same casual demeanor on the man he knew back in the Cirque. It was one of the things that drew him into the Demon which only made this moment so much harder for Cole. “I know, I know. It’s just hard. I’ve always been a flight person, not really on the side of fight. Only time I did was when it came to the raids.” Cole sighed heavily, slowly looking away from the other as they continued to walk the man back to his penthouse. “I’ll be honest, I have no idea where you live. You can always crash at my place. It’s got my Sire and his lover there but I don’t think they’re home. You can crash on the couch or something.”

[colehickes-blog]

dirtybird-sinclair:

“I do go to libraries. I was in one all day yesterday. But even I need a break now an’ again.” The names of his lovers left Cole’s lips, bringing Sinclair’s wandering attention back to the vampire walking next to him. “They did? Good, ‘cause they’re right an’ not spreadin’ lies. That place is full of angels, but I love the books there.” Cole might have been talking about the hypothetical taxi situation, but Sinclair’s drunken mind was moving to other things. “A bad date? I don’t need to know what the prick did if he got ya to punch him in the nose. Ya don’t do that unless it was somethin’ horrible.” He moved into step next to Cole, his boots making scraping sounds now and again, his strides not quit matching up to Cole’s. “Want me to punch him in the dick? I love penis, but I’ll do it for a good cause.”

“You do love books, and knowledge. Well, pretty much anything to make you smarter and smarter.” He said, nipping his bottom lip while thinking of what Sinclair was bringing up. Cole sighed softly while he continued to walk, his hand back into his pocket. A chuckle left the Taboo, his bright eyes at his feet while he shook his head. “No need to punch him in the dick. I’m just avoiding him now. But he seriously got up from our table and sat with someone he knew. Not to mention he showed up late and didn’t even fucking shower. He had no excuse, either, since he wasn’t an Eerie or the like. He was a Taboo like me.”

[colehickes-blog]

dirtybird-sinclair:

“I’m here sometimes. Or other places. Ya know I don’t like bein’ cooped up.” Sinclair had been drinking, buying his own drinks and having several of them bought for him, but he wasn’t so inebriated that he couldn’t make his way home. But their Cirque ties ran deep, like with everyone else who had traveled and performed with Sinclair, so to refuse Cole’s company seemed a little wrong. “Taxis can be almost as good as beds. I can always fuck ya in a taxi an’ then sleep in it if you’re jealous.” The words were teasing, his smirk matching the playfully tone of his voice. “So, what’s got you sittin’ outside a club? i didn’t see ya in there when it was open.”

Rolling his eyes in a fond manner as Sinclair talked on and on, he slipped his hands into his own pockets while he continued to walk next to his fellow Cirque member. “I do. I just thought you might be in a library or somethin’. Stefan and Acadia told me you’ve been obsessed with the books at your work.” Though, as he thought of Sinclair talking about having sex with him in a taxi, Cole swallowed hard and smiled small. “I’ll have to skip the taxi part, but I’ll take your word on it about it being as good as a bed.” Scratching the back of his head after pulling his hand out of his pocket, he wondered how he should even point out the reason he was outside. “A lot of things. I was in there for awhile, but I left because...I saw someone, someone I didn’t want to see. He was a guy I had a date with recently and he was the biggest asshole and I punched him in the face. He still has the busted nose.”

[colehickes-blog]

dirtybird-sinclair:

Feeling buzzed, but not wasted, Sinclair knew his time at O Positive was over for the night, the party goers exiting the club slowly since it was closing time. With reluctant steps, Sinclair made his way through the club, pausing time and again to chat up people he knew and even others he didn’t. Eventually, though, his feet led him to the main entrance doors. “Thanks.” The words left him before he had even recognized the voice, but dark eyes lit up with recognition when Sinclair recognized Cole’s voice. “Hey there, good lookin’.”

As soon as he saw who it was, Cole sighed and smiled small to the other. “Hey, didn’t think I’d see you here tonight.” Looking him up and down and taking in the other’s scent, his swallowed a bit when he realized how drunk Sinclair was. “C’mon. I’ll help you home. I have a feeling you might end up fucking in a taxi and then sleeping in it.” Cole offered, chuckling a bit as he let the door close behind his fellow Cirque member. Soon enough, though, he was walking and hoping Sinclair was at least somewhere close by.

[colehickes-blog]

acadia-jacques:

“I think I have that bottle somewhere. Have you seen a bottle of Vodquila?” Acadia laughed. “I’d love something made from that!” Her laughter soon died down as he started to explain. After a moment she sighed deeply and leaned in to bump her shoulder against his. “I’m sure I should shake my finger at you and tell you that punchin’ someone is frowned upon, but he deserved it. I’m sorry people suck. Look, it’s nothin’ against you, he just doesn’t know what he missed out on.” Her nose wrinkled some and she sighed again. “I just need to be your wingwoman, I think.”

“No, it might be in the box but when I get this to your place, I’ll check it.” He said, chuckling a bit until she responded to his situation. “Honestly, I should’ve seen it coming. It’s karma for treating Sinclair like I did. My Sire keeps trying to set me up, I’m putting myself out there more and more. I just don’t know what to do anymore.” As she gave her own option, he smiled a bit more and nodded once as he bumped her shoulder gently like she had done for him. “I’d love that, honestly. I’m still pretty timid at bars and stuff. When is your next day off?”

[colehickes-blog]

acadia-jacques:

“I’m perfectly capable of holding it.” Acadia spoke up in mild defense but a moment later found herself handing over the box. “Relax, they’re empty. I’m takin’ them home for a project. Thought Maia would find it badass to have a bottle of Jack Daniels set up for the bathroom soap dispenser or a Patron one in the kitchen with dish soap.” The bout of creativity had come to her days before, it just came down to patiently waiting until she had enough empty bottles to make up for the inevitable mistakes that would happen. “Alright,” she huffed once the box had been handed over, pausing to fish a hair tie out of her pocket and pull her hair up in a messy bun. “You goin’ to tell me yet?”

Taking the box and placing it on his right shoulder easily, he looked over to her and nodded. “The bottles are a good idea. My Sire has one in his kitchen that he made out of that one liquor with the skull-shaped bottle. It’s pretty fuckin’ cool.” Though, as she put up her hair and initiated for him to talk, he sighed and nodded. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll tell ya.” Nipping his bottom lip, he started to head away from the bar while keeping his eyes ahead of them. “I had a date the other day that turned out incredibly shitty. The guy showed up looking like he just woke up, it was eight in the evening and he smelled like he was just so fucking hungover. I tried to salvage it, but then he wandered off after he saw someone he knew. I was so mad that I punched him in the face and went on a long walk for the entire night.”

[colehickes-blog]

acadia-jacques:

“Thanks,” Acadia huffed softly, turning so she was no longer using her back to push open the door while juggling a box full of empty liquor bottles. “Hey you–” It took her a moment to realize who held the door for her but her own small smile faded as she looked over his features. “Alright, spill,” she said and rested the box against her hip, weight shifting to her opposite leg. “…What’s wrong?”

Taking in her expression and what was in the box, he held out his free hand as he put out his cigarette while he thought of her question. “Give me the box and I’ll tell ya.” He said, waving his hand to let her know that he wanted the box. Their friendship was a strange one, despite where they both originated from, but their connection to secrecy always bound them. He smiled faintly again, still waiting for the box.

[colehickes-blog]

I’ve been standing here my whole life Everything I’ve seen twice Now it's time I realized It's spinning back around now On this road I'm crawlin' Save me 'cause I'm fallin' Now I can't seem to breathe right 'Cause I keep runnin' runnin' runnin' runnin' Runnin' runnin' runnin' runnin' Runnin' from my heart

[ramsayofhousebolton]

[colehickes-blog]

Cole was avoiding the heat, especially with summer being here, so he was sitting outside of O Positive since the place had closed just a few minutes ago. Taking a drag of his cigarette, he looked over to his side when he heard the door open. “Oh, hey.” He uttered, giving a faint smile as he slowly stood up. “Let me get the door for you.” Cole grabbed the handle and held it open, trying to be friendly despite his own slight sorrow.

[colehickes-blog]

blair-lennox:

A curt nod acknowledged Cole’s advice and Blair pulled the tape closer to her, suddenly protective of it. Her eyebrows pinched in and she frowned. “Do you think the Ringmaster knew and just didn’t tell us?” The question came easily but her expression was riddled with concern over the thought. At home she had done her best to keep a stoic face when discussing anything work related but it was moments like this that the cracks in her demeanor showed. “We’re just sitting ducks, then. We have to do something. We—We have their locations, we can plan an attack to take them out before they get to us, can’t we? It’s better to cut them off ahead of time instead of just sitting around and hoping they overlook us.”

“I think he knew, but I don’t believe he expected it to be the extent of what I knew. Those hunters that got in the Cirque were lucky findin’ us, Blair. Don’t assume otherwise.” He said, watching her expression as he tried to figure out how to get her to stay calm. “This isn’t something we can do.” Cole told her, gesturing between the two of them. Though, as he continued, he pointed loosely towards her. “They aren’t in Castor, the hunters. No one in the A.F. can do shit, honestly. They’re restricted to Castor. But...there is one organization that can go out of Castor’s boundaries. You’ll need clearance from the Captain to give it to them, of course.” He expressed conspiratorially, his eyes widening a bit. “I’m talking about Castor’s own Bounty Service. Phoenix Headquarters in West Garler. They’ll be able to take care of them.”

[colehickes-blog]

blair-lennox:

After a moment of hesitation Blair picked up the recording he had conjured. After inspecting it she turned to face him better, nodding along every so often in acknowledgment of what he was saying while the corners of her mouth began to turn down in a gentle frown. It truly was nothing like what the Cirque had gone through. “So there’s even more out there…” She said finally, eyes pulling away and shifting to scan over all of those around them. She took in their faces and bit back a deeper frown - How aware were they of what lingered in the outside world, just waiting? The touch on her shoulder was quick to pull her attention back to him. “I’ll be fine, but I’m just starting to wonder if Castor will be. What if we’re on our way to another War? Then what do we do?”

“It’s not just more out there, it’s what we were very lucky in avoiding while we were in those locations. It’s just, you know, luck runs out.” He pointed to the tape, his eyes on hers as he did so. “That tape holds all of those locations. Keep it safe, show it to Mischa, and it’ll help Castor avoid those zealots and fear-induced hunters. We were so close to so many of those fucking bases for the hunters that I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.” Letting his hand fall to his knee, he continued to keep eye contact with Blair. She needed to know that he was here to listen, to help her get through this since he had been too silent for much too long. “It’s been ten years since the War, Blair. If my Sire gives me any inclination as to any sort of War, I’ll be here with him and talking to the Captain. I’ll even send you a thought so you know what’s up.”

[colehickes-blog]

Coffee & Tension || Sinclair & Cole

[colehickes-blog]

 dirtybird-sinclair:

With his lovers happy and satisfied, it seemed as if it was time to work on his friendships. Or one in particular at the very least. Following a small group into Six O’ One, he let himself be swallowed up by the beings around him for a brief moment, letting his gaze flick around the cafe before landing on Cole. “Mornin’.” He detached himself from the small group he had temporarily been attached to, hands in jacket pockets, gaze fixed on Cole. 

Cole smiled small at Sinclair’s greeting, standing up when he noticed the other was as well. “Mornin’.” He said, walking over with his coffee and looking into his eyes. “Want a coffee or somethin’?” He asked, looking over to Ofelia who was behind the counter and helping with a slight rush of customers. He honestly didn’t think Sinclair really wanted to be here, but Cole felt better being in the café thanks to his friend running it. For him, it was encouragement, letting him feel better about this whole conversation.

[rockn-rolla]