d a k o t a

dakota wade hawkins 1987. he/him. the advocate. jesse lee soffer lookalike.

[dakotawhawkins]

Some people become who they needed when they were younger.

💼THE BASICS💼

Kismet Harbor → England → Kismet Harbor (2013)

Answers To: Kota, DK

Current Residence: Emerald Mist

Coffee Order: Black coffee during the workday, something embarrassingly sweet when nobody's looking.

Snack of Choice: mixed nuts or protein bar

💼SMALL QUIRKS💼

He always carries a pen, despite rarely needing one.

He double-checks locked doors before bed.

He saves children's artwork, notes, and random treasures long after he's run out of room.

💼THE VIBE💼

intelligent, protective, grounded, compassionate, reserved, reliable, overworked, emotionally guarded, self-sacrificing, observant, quietly stubborn

💼AROUND TOWN💼

Whisker & Wags Salon

Uptown Books

Seaside Sweets

Putt-Putt Park

Ocaquatics Community Pool

Kismet Harbor Museum

Kismet Harbor Marina

💼KNOWN FOR💼

Looking intimidatingly put together until someone mentions his kids.

Advocating fiercely for people who can't advocate for themselves.

Quietly paying attention to everyone's needs before his own.

Softening instantly around children.

Carrying responsibility like it's second nature.

💼GOOGLE DOC💼

[zoexhawkins]

"We could," she nodded, looking over at her husband as was speaking, nodding along. "The beauty of being the second and third born," she herself was the third of three kids, "plus Cammy was massive and I just hope this kiddo isn't." She pressed her hand softly to her bump and rubbed it before squeezing his hand. "Yeah, and that sounds good," she couldn't help but chuckle, "just when I thought we didn't need to buy any more car seats." Walking along, she switched her bag to the shoulder of the arm whose hand wasn't holding her husband's. "Absolutely, and exactly. Plus we can probably transition Cam to a booster seat at the table then too." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"For your sake I hope not either." he laughed, though he were serious. "I never thought we'd be in this position again." he admitted with a laugh. "I'm happy, but I never thought we'd be here. I really thought Cammy was going to be our last baby yet here we are." he laughed, shaking his head again. With his wife's hand in his, he listened, nodding along with her words. "The idea of transitioning Cam to a booster seat at the table breaks my heart." he admitted with a small chuckle. "But I know he's going to be happy to be moving right along with his siblings. He's been ready to sit at the table since he started eating food." he admitted with a shake of his head. "I don't know how our babies got so big." @zoexhawkins

[connorxbowen]

"The same goes for you guys," he said as a collective nature, not singling anyone out. "But I think that's why a lot of us are in this line of work, you know? We like being able to help people." And Connor would always go above and beyond for those that were around him. It didn't matter if he knew them at all, if he could lend a helping hand, he would. "Good," he answered with a nod of his head, "I cannot imagine how scary that must have been so I am glad that she is healing up decently." Connor knew that if anything happened to someone that he loved, that he wouldn't be a mess of a man. "Of course." He smiled, not being able to imagine not checking in on someone. "Are the kids looking forward to being big siblings?" @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"Thanks, man." Dakota stated, shrugging his shoulders. He knew that nothing he did was mild as he worked with children in court more days than he didn't, however, he personally didn't find the work he did to be anything special. In the end he could only do so much anyways. "I do what I can and just hope that whatever is out of my hands is handled properly." he shrugged. "But it's nice to get the recognition regardless." he smiled. "We're all very thankful it wasn't worse." he spoke, looking at the other, scratching the back of his head. "We were already nervous and then finding out she was pregnant on top of it all was well, a lot." he stated. "As for the kids, they're very excited." Dakota nodded. "They're one of the few people that we've told because we've been going in for checkups a lot more regularly and they were worried." he paused. "Nothing that a little explaining can't help ease, you know how that goes." @connorxbowen

[dakotawhawkins]

✦ open starter for anyone (1/2) [ NOT KAYLA, NADINE OR REBECCA ] ✦ based on: 🎅| where christmas is sneaking into the stores already

"Maybe I sound like a Grinch -" Dakota paused, looking in the display window of the store. "And I know Christmas in July is a thing, but, don't we think it's a little early to already be advertising Santa photos and also putting out Christmas decor?" he questioned, eye focusing on the other. "I'm not judging -" though he totally was. "But this just feels all sorts of wrong. We haven't even had Halloween yet. Hell, we've not even made it into fall yet."

[zoexhawkins]

Who: @dakotawhawkins and Zoe

Where: Oceanview Plaza

When: August 2026

"I don't want to go overboard," Zoe replied as she stepped out of the car after they parked by the plaza. Though a fourth child hadn't been planned, they wanted to get some stuff for them, new stuff since they didn't have too much of Cam's stuff from when he was a newborn. Plus they didn't know if this baby would be a boy or a girl, so why not start over and buy for either. "Though knowing us, we probably will be going overboard anyway," she gave a chuckle before reaching for her husband's hand.

[dakotawhawkins]

"Well, we can always talk logistics on the way to the store if you want." he spoke. "I also don't want to go overboard, but, we don't have a lot of things from Cam's newborn phase that we can still use; mostly because a lot of that was hand me down's from Carter." he admitted, intertwining his hand with his wife's. "We probably should get a new car seat; I've been adamant about new ones with the other three so why not this baby too?" he paused. "Though most of the other big purchases like high chairs and cribs we're good on. I'm sure by the time this baby is ready for the crib Cam will be in a toddler bed which is kind of terrifying to think about." @zoexhawkins

[marixdominguez]

She looked at him and sighed. "Are you sure?" She really appreciated it, but didn't want to take the towel if he needed it. "Okay." She said, drapping the towel on her arm as they talked. "I'm sure you're right, but I definitely am annoyed by the situation." She sighed and shook her head. "Sorry. Thank you for the towel and listening to me. I appreciate it." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"Positive." he smiled, reassuringly. "I have plenty more at home, and I don't live to far from here. If I am not completely dried off before I have to go inside, it'll be fine in the end." he admitted, a shrug of his shoulders. "You're allowed to be annoyed, it's a crappy way to start anyone's morning." he admitted. "I've been there. I'm just happy I could help." he smiled. "I hope the rest of your day gets better." @marixdominguez

THE END

[connorxbowen]

"It would not be impossible, per say." Connor admitted with a chuckle, "Just not ideal at the end of the day." He hadn't been running it on his own when he started, but he was glad to have Makayla by his side to take lead around the station instead of someone on the brink of retiring. Together, he knew they'd do great things with the station. "I get my two days a week, they're just not always the same two days a week." Connor paused for a beat, "Admittedly, being as senior as I am, I get a better schedule than most but I'm known for switching it up when others need an extra day or a day swapped." Connor admitted to the man. "How's Zoe doing? I heard about her hospital visit." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"Valid point." Dakota nodded, even if he didn't have the knowledge to know what it took to run a place by himself. With his career, he wasn't one that typically had to run a lot of things by himself, not an entire company anyways. Maybe a case or two that he'd have to run solo, but, never a whole company. "It's people like you in the business that we all admire, being there for your people in ways that they'd not normally expect." Especially considering Connor didn't have to volunteer his free time to give it to someone else. It was just proof of the kind of person that he was in the end. "It's always nice to have seniority." Dakota smiled. Yet at the other's question, Dakota let himself smile a little. "She's good. Healing up decently." he nodded. "It was scary; but, we're all very thankful that it wasn't worse. Thanks for checking in on her." @connorxbowen

[fatmaxaslan]

Inspecting the canine's teeth, she happened to share Dakota's thoughts. There was tartar over her teeth, inflamed gums and some even wiggled when she slightly pushed them, also resulting in a little whine from the dog. "Yeah, I would definitely advice getting her teeth cleaned. Some will need to get pulled too." She told him, just so he wouldn't be up for surprises later on. "Maybe move to wet feed or keep watering down her kibble until then. Refrain from using hard toys unless you get the feeling she has the need to chew on something. Sometimes they get that tendency whenever their teeth or gums hurt." She made sure to check her heart next, to see if she could hear anything strange. When she didn't, she turned her attention to Dakota again. "She's slowly turning into an old lady, she's going to be slower and she'll be sleeping longer too, so that isn't anything to be concerned about. Her breathing is good, her heart is strong, but her teeth definitely need some work. @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

When the vet confirmed Dakota's suspicions, he let himself exhale, offering her a small nod. "I figured that was probably the case." he nodded. He did admitted that they'd not been the most proactive with getting the dog's teeth cleaned professionally, however, he'd done his best to offer things like bones, or anything that would help keep the tartar build up off the dog's teeth. Unfortunately, Veda had taken to those less and less the last couple of years as well, a sure sign she were likely hurting. Something he'd regret not looking into more thoroughly later when he were home. "Can we schedule that today?" he questioned. "I'd rather get it over with so it doesn't cause her any pain or long term issues." he explained, offering his dog a pet on the head, only backing away so that the vet could check her heart and lungs. When she confirmed that everything else sounded good, but, that in true aging fashion she was no longer as young as she once was, Dakota sighed. "That's the unfortunate part of furry companions. Watching them age is not for the weak." he admitted. "But thank you, for confirming that she's fine. I haven't seen too much change wise in her to assume any differently, but, it's nice to know we're doing something right." he smiled, adding to pick up wet food on his way home. @fatmaxaslan

[marixdominguez]

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I definitely know that." She said and looked down at herself as she stood there soaking wet and then looked up as Dakota offered her a towel he had. "Thanks." She said, taking it and wiping herself off a little bit, but like he said, it wasn't the best and better than nothing. "Thank you. I appreciate it." She said, handing it back and sighing. "True, but doesn't make it less annoying." At least right now. Later, she'd probably find it even funny that this happened. @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"You're welcome." he nodded, taking the towel back for a second and then shaking his head. "Keep this." he admitted. "In case something happens and you need it before you completely dry off." he shrugged. "I don't need it." He shifted, weight now on the other foot. "This is one of those situations that seem to feel big. But later when you're sitting along you'll be laughing about it." he admitted. "I'm annoyed for you though. There's really nothing worse than getting soaked by a puddle in the street." @marixdominguez

[zoexhawkins]

Dakota had always been the one to truly make her feel safe, his arms around her had been the shekterbshe always craved. She knew he was also their children's protector in ways she couldn't be. And now she needed the protecting and thankfully when she woke up he was there. She could feel the way his pulse raced even through his hand against hers. For as much as she was terrified, she could only imagine his fear and how it was two fold involving both herself and their kids. Though hopped up on pain needs, she understood that him joining her wouldn't be the best option, despite how lovely it sounded. "Mhmmm," she hummed, "these meds are great though so I might not even feel it if you did." She tried to maintain her composure, though her fear was still real and relevant. "You did, and hey I never protested either. Plus we make son really cute kids." She smiled at him, bringing his hand in hers to her lips. "I'd say both of us just let mother nature happen, it's not like I used any birth control you know." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"That's the perks of pain killers, baby." he laughed, lips pressed to her forehead. "You'll feel it later though and I don't know if I can handle hurting you." he exhaled. "We'll reevaluate tomorrow." he admitted, shaking his head. Yet, as she continued talking, mostly about their kids and how cute they were, Dakota found himself smiling. "We do make adorable kids." he laughed. "And I'm certainly not complaining." he added, shaking his head again. "I just -" he paused. "I know we weren't necessarily planning more, and I wish we could've found out in a not so tragic way." he exhaled. "But I'm excited none the less." @zoexhawkins

[connorxbowen]

"It's one hell of a way to spend a day." Connor agreed, having clearly had the same thought himself. "Yeah, I run it, more or less," he said with lighthearted laughter. He often had the same thought. How could the place run if he wasn't there? If he took a day off? A weekend even? In the same regard, Connor trusted those that worked there. "I'm fortunate enough to have employees I trust and know the job." He answered Dakota with a smile. "It's not often I take time for myself, but we are no good to others if we don't take care of ourselves either. Plus, Mack is working today, too." He added at the end with another laugh, "She's our other lieutenant." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"That's a plus." Dakota laughed, knowing that it was important for the other to take some much needed time off work even if he were typically the one in charge. It was important to get some time away from work and personal life to just relax, and to Dakota there was no better way to spend the day than fishing on the water. It was something he'd always enjoyed, and something he wanted to make a habit to do more of. "I guess you have a point. It would be kind of impossible to run that place with just yourself." he admitted. "It's good to see you out here though; how often are you off work?" @connorxbowen

[dakotawhawkins]

"I guess it's just a habit I can't seem to break." he shrugged. "Plus, I'm a dad of three, soon to be four." he laughed. "My kids are always wanting something that costs no more than five dollars, and I'm an advocate not to use a card for that small of a purchase." He knew that other people were the opposite, but, Dakota just didn't like the idea of it. He'd seen too many people he worked with that have claimed it was easier to get hacked; he didn't know how true that was. "You're right about that." Dakota nodded, eyes focusing on the other as he stated that someone would be out of a job. Sometimes he had to remind himself that were the case; that everything someone could need was likely because someone else was making it happen. "We do indeed." he nodded. "Which is fine; I should've just done that anyways, I just was hoping this would be quick." @silas---rochester

[silas---rochester]

"Y'know, that does make sense. Kids—they get ya. 'M so glad mine is a teenager now, but, sometimes that's not any better." Although he tried to help Sorel and Blake with things, he knew she was a lot more self sufficient at the age she was now. "As stupid as it is. I swear way back when things were made better, but I'm not about to get into conspiracy theories." He laughed. It was sort of a joke, but, it was also very true. Things now didn't seem to last as long, and needed to be replaced more often. "Well, better get it over with. I'd like to get out of here myself." Smiling, he allowed the other to go ahead of him as he made his way to the counter.

End

[fatmaxaslan]

Fatma smiled, the trust the man put into her was warming. She knew there were some vets that would use this as an opportunity to get as much thrown in there and get a payday but she wasn't going to let her morals get tainted. She loved animals, and though she was primarily a large animal vet and a companion pet second, she loved engaging with pets "Hi darling, how are you today." She greeted Veda once Dakota put her on the exam table, handing her a treat she had the ready in her pocket, just like she had done Roxy before, then starting her examination. "So, any health concerns you have for Veda?" She asked him as she was checking the dog's eyes. @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"Nothing that we can tell." he shrugged. "Well, that's not true." he stated. "We noticed that she's struggled with eating a few weeks ago, so, we've been adding some water to her kibble to soften it which seemed to help. I think it's her teeth." he admitted, knowing the dog wasn't the youngest nor was she in the best of health in comparison to what she was in when he first got her. "And she's moving a little slower these days, especially after a long sleep, but, overall she's still healthy I think. Nothing that I've noticed outside of the food issue." he shrugged, hand petting his dog's back. "She's a good one." he smiled. @fatmaxaslan

[zoexhawkins]

This had been the first time Zoe had ever truly been petrified when it came to something happening to her. Fearing for her own safety and how it would affect her children and her husband. She had never experienced an on the job injury, especially one that included a hospital visit and subsequent surgery. Not to mention finding out she was pregnant because of it, the prospect of her losing the baby being very real all due to her line of work. But she trusted the doctors and surgeons in town and she trusted her training and her superiors. Though her hand was in his, she wished he could join her in the hospital bed, desperately wishing his arms were around her. She always felt safest in his arms, like nothing bad could ever happen to her or their kids. "I still can't believe it," she took in a breath and winced, her side still sore though the meds were definitely helping, "me too." She leaned her head back against the pillow of the hospital bed, eyes closed momentarily before meeting her husband's, those bright blue eyes she always adored. "It was definitely memorable to say the least but yeah, now we really will always remember it." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

Even with his hand in hers, Dakota's heart was beating heavily against his rib cage. He'd been terrified. Not knowing anything about his wife's condition, just knowing she wasn't okay and was on her way to the hospital had had his mind reeling. Preparing for the worst; doing anything he could to figure out how to tell his kids how much their mother loved them in the off chance she'd never be able to again. It wasn't a place he liked to go; but one thing about Dakota Hawkins was that he was an overthinker. He looked down at her again, lips pressed against her forehead once more before he cleared his throat, shaking his head. "I don't want to hurt you, but I'd love nothing more than to be next to you." he stated, almost as if he had read her mind. He just knew that not only would it make him feel better, it would her as well, and right now her comfort was all he cared about. Even if that meant he stated right where he were, his hand in hers. "You know I've said from the beginning that I wanted as many kids as we could have, but, just know I wasn't trying." he laughed. "I guess I wasn't doing a great job at preventing it either." @zoexhawkins

[marixdominguez]

Dripping, Mari turned and saw a familiar face. "What gave it away?" She asked and looked over herself. Her hair was soaked and the front of her clothes was too. Part of her was glad that her phone was in her back pocket. That seemed to be the only part of her that was dry. Taking a breath, she shrugged. "I've definitely been better. I can't believe he really hit that puddle with me here." @dakotawhawkins

[dakotawhawkins]

"People don't have the ability to care who gets hurt in the process as long as it's not them." Dakota spoke, shaking his head as he looked over at her. "I'd offer to help you if I could -" he paused, remembering he did have a cooling towel around his neck. "I have this towel. It's microfiber and it's not the best for drying skin or clothes, but, it's something." he shrugged. "And the least I feel I can do to help when I don't really have any other way to help." he spoke. "I guess to be fair he probably didn't know that puddle was there. It's not the brightest out here right now." he shrugged. @marixdominguez

[connorxbowen]

starter for @dakotawhawkins

location: fishing pier

Taking a day off was not like Connor. Not that he requested it, but it was a day off nonetheless. Having dropped Sammy off at Abraham's horse camp for the day, he took his fishing gear and headed down to the pier. It was still early in the morning, but the sun had come up above the ocean's horizon already when he arrived at the pier. He carried his gear, fishing poles and bait down to the edge. As he was setting up, footsteps approached and he looked up to see a familiar face. Though, most of them in Kismet Harbor were. There was a perk in working for the fire department, he was well interconnected in the community. "If it ain't Dakota Hawkins," Connor greeted him with a grin, "You get a rare day off, too?"

[dakotawhawkins]

The sound of his name ordinarily would've made Dakota pause on a normal day or anywhere else, but, something about the familiarity of the other's voice was a comfort. "I am." Dakota laughed, a shrug of his shoulder, his tackle box placed on the ground a moment later, fishing pole in his hand. "It's not a common occurrence, but, the kids are at their own camps for the day, Zoe is working so I figured there was no better way to spend my alone time than to spend the afternoon by myself." he shrugged. "How'd you manage to get a day off?" he laughed. "Aren't you the one that runs the place? How are they surviving without you?" @connorxbowen

[silas---rochester]

"I'm the opposite. I try not to keep cash on me." With busking, Silas got plenty of different kinds of bills, big and small. It was bad enough with the amount of change he carried, and he didn't want to carry so many bills if he didn't have to. "Looks like I might have to this time." It wasn't that big of a deal if he were to have to carry cash around, at least until the ATM was fixed, but it sure would be inconvenient. There were rare occasions when having cash came in handy, but he didn't have any reason for it as of right now. "At least. I'm just glad my luck hasn't run out," he joked. "You'd think, but if they did, someone would be out of a job. That's what makes the world go around, I s'pose. But it sure does throw a wrench in the day." Nodding towards the bank tellers at the counter, Silas sighed. "Guess we'll have to go talk to them. Demand them to make this thing work, or just to deposit and withdrawal our money."

[dakotawhawkins]

"I guess it's just a habit I can't seem to break." he shrugged. "Plus, I'm a dad of three, soon to be four." he laughed. "My kids are always wanting something that costs no more than five dollars, and I'm an advocate not to use a card for that small of a purchase." He knew that other people were the opposite, but, Dakota just didn't like the idea of it. He'd seen too many people he worked with that have claimed it was easier to get hacked; he didn't know how true that was. "You're right about that." Dakota nodded, eyes focusing on the other as he stated that someone would be out of a job. Sometimes he had to remind himself that were the case; that everything someone could need was likely because someone else was making it happen. "We do indeed." he nodded. "Which is fine; I should've just done that anyways, I just was hoping this would be quick." @silas---rochester