this blasphemy ;

" Imagine the worst, the very worst that one man will do for money. --- ( you’re not even halfway there. ) --- You think I’m smiling because I wouldn’t do that to you.                               I’m smiling because I would. "--------- cole winslow | 27 years old | most wanted. sailor & mercenary | charming & ruthless

[theonlypair]

[colewinslow]

genevieve-skyes:

Her in-laws were watching Zoe on their own for a few hours, giving her a bit of space and time to relax. Genevieve couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to lay out on a beach and soak in the sun. She’d missed the beach. The state of Washington didn’t have very many beaches, and it was always quite a drive to get to the nice ones too, so she didn’t really bother. Since her arrival, her in-laws had been talking about this quaint and secluded island she needed to see. They had all decided getting away for the 4th was better than celebrating it. She agreed. Suddenly, a warm, furry animal she figured could only be a dog began frantically licking her face all over, most likely savoring the taste of her sun tan lotion. She burst into a fit of laughter, trying to fight off the eager animal. “Hey there,” she greeted the dog warmly. “Where’d you come from? Aren’t you a sweetie? Yesh, oh yesh you are,” she continued to laugh, shaking her head, being playful with the new friend she just made.

While most of the dogs hung close to Cole and closer to the shore, where they could prance through the waves, King predictably wandered off, and Cole tracked his movement carefully; he was more adventurous than the other dogs, and the one most likely to test Cole’s limits. But he was still a good dog, so apart from basic dog-related politeness, Cole wasn’t too concerned when the mutt ran up to a woman and tried to make friends. “King,” Cole called, following it up with a short whistle that brought the pup loping back to his side. He hadn’t brought leashes with him, which, he thought wryly, was what would probably bring him down one day: Al Capone died in prison after being arrested for tax evasion. Cole Winslow would be brought down by leash laws. But the dogs, though excitable as any canine and eager to be able to stretch their legs, were impeccably trained, and hung close when he asked them to. Now, they nosed and nudged at one another, full of playful snaps and roughhousing. Cole raised a hand at the brunette woman apologetically, giving her his slow, easy smile. “Sorry ‘bout that,” he called to her, friendly but forgettable.

[tragicsloveaffair]

…Ready For It? - Taylor Swift, 2017. 

[diver5ion]

[lilolelily-blog]

Time seemed endless. The only difference between days, and the act of keeping sane, is sleep. Being a necessity to human life, it seemed as though the majority of people never got enough. Artemis, being apart of that large percentage, certainly hadn’t gotten enough sleep in a very long time. Insomnia was an absolute bitch. It consisted of tossing and turning, and waiting for the morning to some. Everyday, the moment the day awoke, Artemis would jump out of bed. Anything to push the sleepless night far from her mind. She combed the short strands of hair, and dressed herself before making her way to the nearest coffee shop. Arguable, the only good cafe in town. Seconds after she walked through the door, she was able to toss the correct amount of change on the counter and immediately receive her beverage. One of the few perks of being a townie here. The girl picked up her iced tea and turned to make her exit for the door.

[colewinslow]

In general, Cole didn't miss much from his life before - that is, sunwashed siding and wrap-around porches, the debutants and the heavy food. Cole was not a poor man, but he had lived on such little for so long, that decadance only served to make him feel claustraphobic and bogged down. These days, his greatest luxuries were wide open horizons and a good bottle of scotch - but, this early in the mornings, a cold brew would do, too. Cole lifted his gaze as he reached for the door, the sunlight reflecting in such a way that the dominant reflection was his own, even if he should have been able to see inside. He pulled the door open and took half a step forward before he noticed the young woman making to exit, and he ducked his head in deferral. "Pardon me, darlin'," Cole said, smiling as he backed out of the doorway, holding the door open with his forearm. "After you."

[colewinslow]

The air around Northpoint still smelled like sulfur, Cole thought, as he carefully secured the knots that would his boat in place. He imagined all of that ash and soot and cardboard, sinking to the bottom of the ocean, and smiled. Turning, he gave a short whistle, and twelve eyes turned to stare at him. "Alright, everyone, let's go." The dogs don't need more of an allowance, happily bounding off of the boat and onto the dock, already running for the beach, barking and snapping at the waves. Cole followed more slowly. They had gone to one of Maine's many small, private islands for the brunt of the 4th - the dogs hated the fireworks, and while they made something electric and hungy curl under Cole's skin, delicious in its promise of violence, he loved his motly (mutt-ly, ha ha) crew and had taken them somewhere quieter. The dogs ran hard, never getting too far away, but stretching their legs and working off the excess energy, and Cole followed slowly, content to watch them as the sun slowly warmed the sky and water.

[bitchbettergivemesomedick]

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[colewinslow]

addisonharker:

Slightly distracted by the lilt of his accent Addison didn’t even have chance to pull her hand back or stop him from giving her control over his dogs before he was turning away. She let out a slight huff at the turn of her situation, this day was really not going as planned. One of the dogs pulled slightly on his leash drawing her attention to the four legged creatures and she couldn’t help but coo slightly at them, dogs were always a weak spot. Bending down she scratched behind one of their ears and nodded towards the others, “Yes, you’re very cute too and your turn is next.”

The kind associates at Life's A Beach were all too happy to offer Cole some paper towels, and he was back, blinking into the sunlight, before too long - but it seemed that it had been long enough for the redhead to get herself acquainted with the dogs, all of which stared up at her adoringly. "'right," he drawled, thick as a Georgia afternoon, "I'll trade ya these for those," he said, as he took the leashes back and pressed the paper towels into her hand instead. "I am sorry," he added, trying for something closer to sincerity than amusement, but maybe unable to help the upward quirks of his lips. "Think you'll survive?"

[colewinslow]

addisonharker:

She rolled her eyes, still keeping her hand away from her body as the brown liquid started to cool some, “No. Do you know how hard it is to get coffee stains out of suede? Hard.” Addison glanced up at him, noting the dogs and his non-coffee stained clothes, “You should watch where you’re going.”

He quirked an eyebrow as she poised her rhetorical question. No, it wasn't something that he knew much about, and he couldn't help but smirk as she explained it to him. He didn't mean to be rude - he was sorry that he had caused this, and was sorry that he hadn't paid much attention. But it wasn't like he could do anything to take it back, now. Cole grinned, nonplussed. It was a little coffee, they'd both survive. "Sorry, darlin'." He took one of her small wrists and slid the leashes over it. "Sit tight, I'll go get some napkins, 'nd we'll be alright," he assured her, already half turning into the nearest storefront.

[addisonharker-blog]

Addison hadn’t really thought about how much she would miss Northpoint until she had been away from the town for an extended amount of time. She wasn’t quite sure when it had happened - maybe it was between the lunch trips and lack of sirens at night - but this silly little town had somehow worked its way into her heart. And she wasn’t entirely sure she minded. Not that she would admit it to anyone. Walking down the sidewalk, coffee cup in one hand, suitcase being pulled with the other, the redhead was enjoying her stroll home when her shoulder was knocked by a passer by and just like that - her picturesque home coming bubble was popped. “Fucking hell.” she hissed under her breath, shaking her now wet and scorched hand, trying not to get any of her pale pink jacket or matching bag. 

[colewinslow]

"Ah, 'scuse me," Cole drawled, turning the leashes around his wrist as he paused. The pups were all well behaved - anything else would be irresponsible and dangerous in Cole's line of work - but he liked to keep them close, nevertheless. He half turned, bright blue eyes running over the woman's form. Little bit of coffee, that was all. It wouldn't hurt anyone. "Are you alright?"

[colewinslow]

sophiadxniels:

Time to admit defeat, Soph. The thought had a bitter tinge to it, and she half contemplated ringing the girl that had claimed that this date would be amazing, and that Sophia would be thanking her for setting her up. The more pressing urge to get ice cream and binge on netflix to forget the experience was stopping her though, and she was about to grab her bag and finally vacate the table when she heard a voice beside her table. Jade hues locked on the newcomer as he slid into a chair opposite her, and it didn’t even occur to her to protest or even tell him that she was just about to leave anyway. She cleared her throat awkwardly, thumb tracing the stem of her wine glass as she brought her gaze to his with an obvious expression of surprise that she was having a hard time wiping clear. “You didn’t have to join me.”

It had been said that it was easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission, and Cole had never asked for either. He had always been bold to the point of recklessness, certain that his reputation or his wallet or his sheer brutality would get him out of any hot water. But then – playing at civility was something altogether different, and while he supposed he could have gone about this a different way (gotten her to invite him to sit, for example) he made himself comfortable. “Well,” Cole drawled, slow and syrupy sweet, “I’m here now.” One of the servers had come over, confused or relieved or something in between, and Cole smoothly saved him the trouble of asking about what had just gone on. “Could I get another scotch, please? And how about some bruschetta, to start?” He slanted a glance across the table as he ordered, smiling easily at his company, lifting his chin towards her glass. “Would you like more wine?”

[badlcves-deactivated20191001]

This was the last time she let one of the assistants set her up, too young to be so serious my ass. For someone so strong willed as Sophia, the fact she’d agreed had surprised everyone, herself included. But of course, the woman worded it as a dare, as if daring her not to say yes, thus ensuring the woman would have no choice but agree. Something she was now regretting as ten minutes late creeped into twenty, then thirty. She needed to get up, this was just sad…wasn’t it? As the waitress approached, about to ask again if she just wanted to order, and Sophia shook her head. “No thanks, they’ll just be another few minutes.” she lied, wondering how obvious it was she’d been stood up as she avoided eye contact with everyone around her.

[colewinslow]

It wasn’t that Cole had been watching the woman, really. He had his own meeting, his own thoughts, to keep him company. But it was a common misconception that leaving first was the power move – the power was in claiming an area as your own and forcing the other entity out of it. So his client had left, leaving Cole to his scotch and thoughts, and eventually, the woman had caught his eye – sending the server away again, and again, and again. It was clear she was waiting for someone, and the restaurant was getting antsy, having one of their tables taken up. Cole carefully folded his napkin along its creasing and stood – the restaurant could have his, if they were so desperate. He moved through the tables until he’d come upon the woman. “Is this seat taken?” He didn’t wait for an answer. Cole swung the chair out and settled into it in a single graceful movement. A lifetime on the sea may have made him feel antsy when he couldn’t see/hear/smell/feel the water, but it also gave him an ease of balance that life on dryland wouldn’t have – it gave him a lot that a landlocked life wouldn’t have, actually.

[colewinslow]

danixkane:

“You might call it that, but that’s not exactly the term I would use,” she noted. Dani knew that adventuring was a benefit to her lifestyle, but it was really her line of work and restless nature that caused her to move, aside from the sheer fact that she just liked it better that way. Having no ties or roots made working a lot easier, and made it much more lucrative. “Oh god no, everyone gets into your business here, and it’s so, small, I guess. Not very profitable either, hard to get a job,” she shrugged before she straightened, in a small bout of shock, “Well, I wasn’t, unless, you’d like to take me on a date. I’ve had a hard time getting anyone here to take me to dinner, might just be because I’m too far north to find a real gentleman, but hey, to each their own, right? But, granted, my idea of a perfect date isn’t something the average guy would consider..”

No, it never was. "Then what term would you use?" he asked. "I'm not a mindreader, darlin', though that would make me life infinitely easier." He chuckled, shaking his head. "You came durin' the slow season. You should come 'round the summer time, you can't go a yard without runnin' into someone hiring." A beat, and then, "I think they're looking for help mindin' the docks down at the marina, if manual labor is your thing." Somehow, he didn't think that it was. Thievery, yes. Scraping barnacles from docks - no. Though it was a worthy, important endeavor, and Cole had often profited from having a good relationship with the guards and maintenance workers who cared for the docks. "Oh," Cole asked, grinning, an eyebrow raised like an underline to his sarcasm: "'n New York City is filled with gentlemen, eh?" He shook his head. "I wasn't beggin', no, but if it's been so difficult for you," he said, eyelashes fluttering, every picture the southern belle that he most certainly was not. But then he blinked and his expression had hardened, even the curiosity flushed out of it in favor of polite interest as he asked, "That sounds promising, then, doesn't it? I think you'll find I'm difficult to scare off, though, love." Because that was what she'd wanted him to say - she wouldn't have brought it up at all if it was something too terrible.

[colewinslow]

danixkane:

“Oh, no, not Candyland, but pretty close,” she teased, laughing, “I come from anywhere and everywhere really, I’ve lived in nearly every state, Canada as well, but I moved here from New York City, so it’s kind of bleak, less hustle and bustle than I prefer.” The realization of what he saw dawned on her, and her eyebrows slowly rose in sync with her smirk, “Well, if you think that’s cute, you haven’t seen what I usually do..” Rolling her eyes she laughed, “Oh yeah, like that’s the worst way I could take advantage of them, I’ve done worse.. Not that you, or anyone else could prove, but nonetheless. Anyway, we all gotta eat somehow, don’t we? But if you’re really concerned, I would be doing that for much longer.”

"Ah, an adventurer, then," he said, pleasant enough. Cole had met people like her before: the runners, the vagabonds, the restless. It was easy enough for him to paint a picture of who she was - or, at least, what she could be. Some pretty little thing got in under her head and would spend the rest of her life running from whoever she had wronged. Yeah, Cole had met girls like her. Cole had made girls like her, had been the reason that they felt they had to run. "I woulda' thought this would seem like heaven compared to New York. All this space 'n nature..." he waved a hand. Cole's eyebrows rose in something close to surprise - amusement, maybe, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. She certainly wasn't shy, and Cole couldn't help but think that he might come to like her. "Are you askin' me on a date?"

[colewinslow]

danixkane:

Dani always was able to blend in seamlessly into a crowd, especially when she wanted to be invisible. It was a natural talent she had perfect over the years, and so much so that she didn’t notice the eyes following her as she moved about the area. When she settled beside the stranger she cringed at his words, “Oh god, please don’t remind me, I try to pretend it isn’t as quaint as it is, it’s a bleak difference from where I usually call home,” she grumbled, continuing to drink. Her eyes narrowed for a moment, before she lifted her head again, feigning innocence, “Cute? What was cute? I mean, I know I’m all around fucking adorable but I’m confused..”

A slow, lazy grin spread across Cole's lips, and he let his head loll back slightly as he took in the scene: the lights, the sculptures, the kids playing in the snow, the parents sharing coffee and conversation. It was like somethin' from a picturebook. "Bleak? Where do you come from, Candyland?" Not that Cole was entirely sold on Northpoint, either ----- he came from the land of sand and seventy degree winters and sunhats and guns hidden in linen jackets. Things felt muted and heavy here, like it would be more difficult to run, if he had to. "Now then, darlin', don't do that. I can already tell - you're way too smart t'play stupid." He nodded back at the milling crowd. "Takin' advantage'a these good, trustin' folk?" He tilted his head. "Not the best way to celebrate the first day of such a warm event."

[danixkane-blog]

The first day of the festival was the perfect opportunity for Dani to get a better footing in her new home, and she took it in stride. The Town Gardens were swamped with people, the hustle and bustle from the skating rink and garden creating the perfect working conditions. Dani moved effortlessly through the crowd, her hand slipping, undetected, into numerous pockets and purses, stashing the cash before returning the item. After getting a heavy pocket of earnings she slipped to the outer corners of the crowd, lifting a coffee that had been sitting unsupervised before she propped herself against a wall, turning her head to the person beside her, “I’m not the only one who finds this whole thing, kind of, obnoxious am I? I mean,” she took a sip from the cup, “It’s kind of super cheesy, right?”

[colewinslow]

Technically, the girl was very good. The fact that she wasn't caught spoke to that - she could lift wallets and valuables and return what she didn't want. That took talent twice over. Cole was certain he couldn't do better - but what he could do was notice it. And even that was an accident. He watched the girl, amused and curious, as she worked her way through the crowd; it seemed fitting that she would somehow find her way to his side. "It's a small town, darlin'," Cole said, leaning back against the inexplicible stone wall. It had probably once been the foundation to a barn or old manor house that was now under the care of the historical society. Or somethin'. "They eat things like this up." He turned his head from the crowd to the young woman beside him, blue eyes bright. "That was very cute, by the way," he said, inclining his head towards the crowd.

[colewinslow]

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what makes a good man ; the heavy

ain’t nothin’ wrong with this chemistry,   ain’t nothin’ wrong with this blasphemy