Colm McCarthy

"And to that I would argue with you that it's half the fun," Ingrid beamed back with a mischievous glint in her eyes as she was handed her own taco. She had watched Colm size the food up, never having seen a man so afraid of something in a long while. "I didn't realize you were so fussy about getting dirty– it's actually kind of endearing," she teased softly, already having to suck some sauce off of her thumb as holding the taco alone was causing spillage. It was a fickle thing and the longer she delayed eating it, the worse it was going to be to tackle afterwards. She didn't seem too bothered by it. "I've got plenty of napkins and there's always magic. Besides, maybe it could do you good to get a little messy," Ingrid added playfully. "Come here, we can eat over the bins," she suggested with amusement.

“Is it though? Is it really?” he countered, because honestly, he couldn’t imagine much worse than food collapsing in his hands and ending up everywhere. “It’s not that I mind a bit of mess, but food being messy? That’s a different beast entirely. Some things I can handle, sure, but this…” He gestured at the offending taco with an expression of betrayal. “This looks like a culinary bomb went off in the kitchen after they assembled it. Who likes a soggy taco, honestly?”

"Alright sorry I'm taking in the beauty of nature and all that comes with it," Damien scoffed at his best friend sarcastically. "I'm often so busy at work and rushing around," he argued. While he was someone who would take a task seriously any other day, he had seen their destination as something they could work towards at a more leisurely pace but apparently that wasn't Colm's impression. "It's been nice to slow down. Surely you can appreciate using your time off to just relax– non?"

“There’s slow… and then there’s you,” Colm remarked, smirk tugging at his mouth as his gaze flicked sidelong. “Next time, I’m getting you a pair of Heelys. That way at least I can give you a little push. Or a big one, if it’s downhill.” His tone was light, but the grin he wore said he’d enjoy the image far too much.

"You know I'll always be worried, however I also know you can be trusted," Lucy replied. She knew her concerns could eat away at her but she also could acknowledge that most of the time they were irrational. In her experience, Colm could always be trusted so she knew she had no real reason to worry about him.

"I know. If you didn't look so young, I'd wonder if you were the older of the two of us. You're forever mothering me." Colm spoke in amused fondness at her consideration for his health. "It's a nice reminder that I'll always have someone caring about me even when I forget to."

closed starter - colm & harper ( @hcrperleeclcrk )

"I think you may have been given the message incorrectly. No consult is needed. It's magical. I do need you to take them to your floor though, thanks." He said with a smile as he picked up the files on the child, handing it over to the woman. "It's not Emergency and we really need the bed." He admitted, knowing that Harper would understand that. "It's always tight in here until we get answers."

"Trust me, I've learned some hard things over this last decade that I should not mess with it," Max replied with light laugh. "Careful with that though," she gestured toward the breakfast bar, "before I'm having to do the Heimlich on you. Flu season is always so crazy, I don't know what's worse, Flu season or some other magical disease."

"I think far too many of us learn things the hard way." It seemed to come with their line of work in a way. The care they extended to their patients often came at the expense of their own health, at least until they learned better. "Heimlich manoeuvre? If you wanted a hug, all you had to do was ask." Colm teased the other, tossing Max a wink. "But I understand that. The flu tends to be more of an epidemic and everyone ends up here."

"I don't believe in being too old to do anything," she insisted with a huff. Laurel did not like thinking about age or more specifically, that she was aging herself. The thought of being old irrationally terrified her. "Let's get drinks then," she jumped on that quickly, waving the bartender over. "Little old me? Why thank you. I take that as a compliment."

"Oh, I know people like you," He was probably someone like her too in his younger years, and he couldn't pretend like he'd grown up all that much honestly. "You are the type who can definitely get people into trouble. Some how I imagine you're extremely convincing."

"I don't think Cinderella with a broken foot is really the look you'd be going for." Colm pointed out though he found himself laughing lightly. "I met up with a friend whilst I was here, yes." He confirmed. "You're awfully curious though."

closed starter - max & colm ( @cclmmccarthy )

"You know there is no need to apologise for that. I'm glad you're looking out for yourself first and foremost. You're no good to anyone if you've collapsed on the floor. If anything, you'd be creating more work. No offence." He said with a playful grin at that last part as he grabbed a breakfast bar from his own locker and immediately began to try and get it down his own throat. When he was done swallowing the bit he spoke again. "It's still going but no impending doom now at least. Everyone is where they should be so I'm actually following your lead and grabbing something whilst I can. I'm not sure what my breaks are going to look like today and others need them more so I'll get this in me and head back out there." He stated, pouring himself another cup of coffee.

"Sounds like we're on the same page about these things then," Ingrid replied with a small smile. The topic had come up rather naturally but she certainly didn't want to give him the impression that suddenly she was expecting more than what was already going on between them. "That all said I am glad to have met you. Even if took a very serious accident for it to have happened."

"I think that is the case for most things where we are concerned." They were surprisingly like minded in a lot of areas which Colm could appreciate. It was probably one reason he found it so easy spend time with her. Of course, there were other bonuses too. "I could never regret meeting you, Ingrid, that is not even a question."

"I know you are strong but kick my doors in? That couldn't end well." Colm stated with a little chuckle at the thought. "But yeah, we can start with drinks and dancing. Sounds like you think I have plenty of game though."

He barked a hearty laugh at that. "So now you're just calling out facts, huh?" he snorted. "It's like you don't know me at all– I've always been sensitive. And it works wonders on the ladies," Damien shot him a playful wink.

"Some facts explain everything and I believe this is one such time." He answered with a teasing wink in his best friends direction. "You know what, you're terrible. I feel sorry for the women that fall for your faux charm." Colm stated with a snort, as usual finding himself highly amused by their line of discussion. It never failed to be ridiculous and funny at the same time.

Colm did know he had his moments though he hoped that where it counted his confidence was well placed and not cocky. That of course, was where he hoped his work rested. "Only sometimes? Well I'll remember that when you want my opinion on something." He answered with a grin.

"I do admittedly have a hard time turning you down. You may be a bad influence but it seems even I'm not immune to that," Damien winked back at him in a more lighthearted manner. "Not at all. It's more that I imagine she'd prefer to be having me all to herself, especially tonight," he pointed out with a chuckle. "But that'll be much appreciated I'm sure. You're making me feel like a regular old Cinderella here."

"Says a fellow bad influence. Since you've moved here we have not been great for one another." At least not on nights out. Damien was definitely the reason that Colm had come stumbling in on many a morning and had his day off turn into a day of recovery. "And how do you feel about her having you all to herself? Don't you get a say?" He teased lightly. "Cinderella hm? Unfortunately you are far less pretty."