¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He turned to Colt, a wide grin breaking across his lips, accompanied by a playful furrow of his brows. "Mind?" Sebastian echoed, his voice light as he rummaged through the cooler, humored by the assortment of snacks Colt had packed. A soft chuckle escaped him as he fished out a few treasures with one hand. "Goldfish and beer—just what I need," he declared, beaming as he settled into his seat, the warmth of the sun washing over him.

The weather had been exceptionally kind lately, with gentle breezes and clear skies, making Sebastian feel a swell of excitement at the thought of fishing, just as Colt had suggested. It had been far too long since he had enjoyed a moment of leisure like this. Throughout his life, he'd found himself casting lines only a handful of times, with just a couple of those outings shared with Colt. Being out on the water like this with him made him feel younger, strangely enough.

As he settled comfortably into the rhythm of the day, a deep sigh of relief escaped him, blending with the soft lapping of water against the boat. He neglected to prep his bait, momentarily surrendering to the simple pleasure of being outdoors, surrounded by nature.

"No problem," he said, reaching into the cooler to pull out a can of beer. "I figured something was better than nothing when we're out on the water. I'm not sure they doordash this far out even with an extra tip thrown in." He winked, taking a sip of his own drink as he settled into the easy rhythm of the day off from both jobs.

As the boat drifted, Colt’s thoughts started to clear, the weight of everything he’d been pushing aside easing just a little. But then, Sebastian’s words hit him and Colt couldn't help but nod. "Yeah," he said, the word coming out quieter than he intended. "It’s easy to forget how much you need to unplug sometimes. Life just keeps... y’know, piling up. But when you’re out here, it’s like everything slows down." He let out a slow breath, his gaze drifting over the horizon where the sky met the water. "Feels like a whole different world."

Kit tried to take a few deep breaths as Colt spoke. He could feel the snot running down his nose, mixing in with the tears that had fallen down his cheeks. "I- I really don't know. I- I bought it because I could- I never- I never wanted to drink it. I swear!" he spoke, trying to keep his voice down as to not wake up his kids, or worse, alarm them.

Colt's heart tightened as he heard Kit's voice crack, the rawness and pain in the other’s words cutting through the haze of his tiredness. He gripped the steering wheel tighter, trying to keep himself focused while keeping Kit talking, holding onto the thread of their connection as best as he could. “Hey, man. Don’t apologize,” he said softly, voice calm but firm. “You’re not the first person to feel lost, you know? It’s okay to miss things, even things you thought you were done with. You’re not failing at this. You’re not weak for feeling the way you do. Fuck knows I've been there a few too many times myself,” he added softly.

He took a breath, glancing at the road as he pulled out of the driveway, making his way toward Kit's place, but his thoughts were entirely with him on the other end of the line. "You’ve already made it through worse than this. You don’t have to figure out all the answers right now, okay? You just gotta keep breathing.” Colt’s voice dropped an octave, soothing but firm.

He ran a hand through his hair, glancing down at his shirt again, looking almost apologetic before he smiled over at the other. "How can I say no to such an offer?" A coffee would have been welcome, but something a bit stronger would only make things better after what he'd managed to get done before the place flooded. @pinarxcerkez

the truth was, river was a tangled mess of emotions. she felt like she was trapped at the center of a chaotic vortex, each problem and feeling a swirling wind threatening to pull her under. this wasn't a momentary frustration; it was a deep, pervasive sense of dysregulation. her thoughts raced, her emotions surged, and she felt utterly untethered from her own control with the weight of everything was crushing her.

the unrelenting exhaustion gnawed at her, making even taking a few simply steps into colt's home felt herculean. a dull, persistent ache throbbed behind her eyes, amplifying her irritability. and looming over everything was the uncertainty of what was going to come next. she was adrift, lost in a sea of possibilities and anxieties, with no clear direction or even a rudimentary map to guide her. all she knew was she was tired, overwhelmed, and completely unsure of what to do next.

river settles into a chair at the kitchen table, she closes her eyes, a small sigh escaping her lips as she savours the moment of quiet. the hum of the refrigerator is a steady, predictable drone that allows her to unwind, just a little. her eyelids flutter open when she hears colt's footsteps approaching.

the mention of the er, the chaotic environment, sends a sharp pang through her chest. the images, sounds, and smells. she didn't want to go there but the feeling is fleeting, suspended in the tense silence that follows his words. after a beat, colt breaks the quiet again, his voice a low rumble, and tells her that he'd rather her be here. the simple declaration washes over her, a balm to her anxieties, grounding her in the present moment. she looks at him and the knot in her chest loosens, replaced by a warmth that spreads through her. " i'd rather be here too. "

And he couldn't stomach putting her through that again. However in the span of finding his kit and heading back to where River sat, Colt had already forgotten any protocol that he had been trained to do in the state of even the smallest emergency. All he could think was seeing her there again, and their last conversation, and everything else that'd gone wrong for him since he'd messed up everything between them.

It was a mistake, one that he couldn't take back or even explain what was going on before it was too late and as quickly as she'd made an impression on his life for the better, then she was gone again. Until tonight as he moved towards where she sat, releasing the breath that he'd been holding onto when she would rather be there too instead of going to the ER or anywhere else. He set the kit down by her her chair, kneeling down to unzip it as he started to go through some of items inside even as his entire being wanted to say everything on his mind first.

His gaze shifted slightly when she spoke again, causing his heart to leap into the base of his throat as he could barely keep his priorities straight when they all swirled around her. "We should make sure you're alright first," he spoke, though his tone was quiet and somber as he tried to keep it still as he started to inspect the hit to her head that he was sure that she took first when he'd seen on the ground. But one glance was all it took for him to lose his train of thought, and want to make it all up to her and then some. "It's not what you think, I promise. Olivia, she's a friend. One that was.. is helping me out with my folks."

“Well,” she said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her voice softer now, more thoughtful, “I’m not sure if the universe is giving you a sign or just making sure you don’t collapse in the middle of the street… but either way, coffee sounds like a safer bet.” Her eyes glinted with quiet warmth as she turned slightly, nodding toward the corner café she’d been meaning to try.

“Come on,” Vivienne murmured, her steps falling into an easy rhythm beside him, her usual grace softened by the early morning stillness. “I wouldn’t want Briar Ridge’s favorite fireman becoming a cautionary tale because he wandered into traffic.” Her smile grew, playful again, but there was something gentler beneath it—an unspoken acknowledgment and admiration.

As they walked, Vivienne glanced sideways, her expression softer now. “You know,” she murmured, her voice barely above the hum of the waking town, “you don’t always have to be running on empty, Colt.” Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she added, with a playful glint returning to her eyes, “But since you are… I’ll make sure the coffee’s strong enough to keep you upright.”

Her concern about him wandering into traffic tugged at him in a way he wasn’t sure how to navigate. It had almost become a second nature to him to be running on fumes, and walking into traffic seemed right on par for the likes of him. It was laughable, but also something that was entirely possible as he shook his head. “Briar Ridge’s favorite fireman, huh?” He raised an eyebrow, a playful edge creeping back into his voice. “I might start asking for royalties if that catchphrase takes off.”

The ease in her stride beside him was contagious, and as they neared the café, Colt felt a strange comfort in the quiet of the morning. Thought her soft words broke the quiet, Colt couldn’t help but feel a lump form in his throat, even though he didn’t show it. He wanted to protest, to say that running on empty was just how he worked, how he survived. But Vivienne’s gaze, that soft look, made him reconsider.

“Maybe I don’t,” he said, his voice quieter now, like the truth was slipping out without him fully intending it. He ran a hand through his hair, shrugging again, the exhaustion creeping back into his shoulders. “But it’s hard to stop when everything’s moving so fast.” He let the words sit there, unsure of where to take them when the truth was something that he'd learned a long time ago to walk away from when it came to himself.

He gave a small smile at her promise about the coffee, letting the familiar, comforting idea of something strong and warm fill the space between them. “I’ll hold you to that. It’s the only thing that’s going to keep me from face-planting in front of your café,” he teased lightly, the weight of the day momentarily eased by her presence.

When he finally spoke, her brows pulled together in confusion. “Who else would I start with, hmm, aptal şey?” She nudged him with her shoulder affectionately, hoping to dispel some of his nervous energy. 

Then he said River's name, and just like that, her patience was tested already. Her body tensed instinctively. Living with the girl, she’d always sensed there was something between River and Colt. It was probably what had sparked her initial feelings of unease—her fear of being replaced in Colt’s life, if she were being honest. This was going to take a lot of maturity on her part. But for Colt? For Colt, she’d try.

Nodding as she listened, she let out a sigh. “I’m no relationship expert, Colt, you know that.” She said after a bit with a self deprecating laugh, removing the compress she had pressed against his head for a moment to check how the cut was doing. Finding it still bleeding, she replaced the compress again. “But uhh… maybe two minds are better than one and we can try to think of a solution?” She offered, gaze remaining firmly on the task at hand instead of making eye contact during such a vulnerable offer. 

“What happened with River?” 

He shifted, rubbing the back of his neck again, this time with a little more force, as if trying to shake off the weight of it all. His chest felt heavy, his heart thumping hard. The truth was right there in front of him, and he knew he couldn’t keep hiding from it.

"River..." He let out a breath, a tight, almost strangled sound. His voice dropped, quieter now, filled with regret. "I... I didn’t handle things well with her. I... I got so caught up in everything else—both jobs, my parents, Olivia. And now, I think I’ve ruined it."

He let out a shaky sigh, eyes searching for hers for a fleeting moment before he dropped them to the ground, his voice growing smaller. "I should’ve told her the truth a lot sooner. I should have told her about Olivia, about my parents, about how I felt about her." He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat only getting worse. "I’m not good at this, Alara... I’ve never been good at any of this."

He sighed again, his gaze turning back to the bloodied towel. "I can’t fix it all in one go but instead of fixing anything, it feels like it's all falling apart around me." His voice dropped, barely a whisper. "I’m trying to hold it all together, but I don’t even know where to start anymore."

Work was a touchy subject for a lot of people, herself included, but Colt damn near clenched up any time she tried to get him to open up about it, which left her with only a vague idea that things might not have been going so well. She was one to pry though, and they had been mostly keeping things at a surface level, which might not work out well the more his parents kept requesting her attendance to things and wanting to hear her perspective on his life choices. How else would she continue singing his praises unless she had more info to exaggerate?

As Colt actually started letting her in, she sipped on some wine, listening intently as she processed it all. It sounded like he was reciting the same things his parents would say about him, and she hated that he didn't give himself more credit or allow himself to just be proud of what accomplishments he'd made so far. Letting him finish explaining, she had to swallow down some more wine before she gave him a small smile. "Not getting fired yet deserves to be celebrated, and I'm really proud of you." Liv praised. "But has it occurred to you that maybe you won't get fired from the station and can commit to it fully?" She questioned curiously.

"Not to be..the opposite of your parents, but even passing all of those tests to become a firefighter is a huge deal, Colt. It's not like some random person on the street can just walk up and do what you guys do. You put in work to even make it this far, so regardless of what your parents think, you're a lot more than just scraping by." She insisted, and even if it didn't hold as much weight as what everyone else told him, she hoped it would count for something.

Liv was good at the whole talking and getting people to be vulnerable with her thing, but that was also because she just liked talking to people. She smiled at the compliment anyway, and she was just glad that he had trusted her enough to be honest. "Thank you. Being talkative works in my favor sometimes." She teased. "And now that I got you to give me one straight answer, you know I can't help but ask if you're ready to talk about your other girlfriend."

He leaned back a little further, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly as he let her words about work sink in. He knew she was trying to get him to see things differently, and part of him appreciated that. It felt like a small part of his brain was starting to loosen up from the usual self-criticism he’d been trapped in. Olivia had a way of doing that—of getting him to at least consider a different perspective, even if it wasn’t easy.

Her next question hit him like a splash of cold water. Could he commit to the station fully? The question lingered in the air for a moment, and Colt found himself unsure of how to answer. The idea of fully diving into the station, leaving behind the auto shop, and taking that step forward felt like a leap. But as Olivia had pointed out, he’d already put in so much work to get to this point. The truth was, he hadn’t really allowed himself to think about the future in those terms. Too much of his energy had been spent worrying about whether or not he was enough in the eyes of his parents, in the eyes of everyone.

He chuckled, though it was tinged with a touch of sarcasm. "Yeah, well, I’m still trying to wrap my head around that idea. The whole ‘commit to one thing’ thing sounds nice, but it’s hard to ignore that voice in my head telling me I’m not cut out for the whole 'success' thing. You know, the one that says I’m barely keeping it together as it is?" He paused, then gave her a small, almost hesitant smile. "I guess I’m just trying to figure out if I can really make it work without falling flat on my face."

But then, of course, things had to shift to a more serious topic than his entire future that hinged on him making up his mind before he ran out of steam completely. Deep down, Colt knew that the station was where he wanted to go but there was always going to be that part of him that second guessed everything that he did. And the same went for his feelings towards River. "I'm pretty sure I messed that up beyond repair, Liv. You should have seen the look on her face. I don't think she's ever going to want to see me again after that." He sighed, letting out a slow breath, feeling a knot in his chest that seemed to tighten with every word he spoke.

there's a look of disappointment in her features before the words, sharp and laced with an edge of raw emotion, escaped river's lips before she could fully process them. " don't do that. i hate it when you do that, " she blurted, the sentiment raw and honest despite the lack of premeditation. even as the words hung in the air, a flicker of regret crossed her face – she hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. but the feeling lingered, a prickly discomfort she couldn't ignore.

she gestured vaguely, her hand trembling slightly. " minimize yourself. what you do. what you did back there. " the frustration bubbled to the surface, brought on by a chaotic mix of emotions she hadn't yet untangled. and to top it off, she could feel the telltale throb of an impending migraine hammering behind her eyes. the pressure built, amplifying her already heightened sensitivity and turning her into a very moody person. she paused, taking a deep breath in an attempt to regain some composure. despite the turmoil, she couldn't deny the underlying truth. " i'm still trying to process, – everything, " she admitted, her voice softening slightly. whether she meant what was between them or what had happened at chapman's was neither here nor there. " but you got me out of there. so ... thank you. and take it. "

she leans against the door once more was so intently focused on ensuring they weren't being followed that she almost missed colt muttering under his breath, calling himself an idiot as they pulled into his parking spot. " colton, " she warned, her tone soft but edged with a hint of impatience. but he was already telling her to wait, and to let him give her a hand. she sighs and he's already out the door. it's probably for the best, anyway. she'll put this away, for now.

the urge to grasp colt's hand was almost a physical ache, but the sharp, unwelcome reminder of " he has a girlfriend! " echoed in her mind, a jarring counterpoint to the vulnerable impulse. it wasn't just about the ethics of it, though that certainly played a role. if she couldn't navigate this simple act of disembarking from a truck without relying on colt, without needing his support, how could she possibly face the bigger, more daunting challenges that lay ahead? how could she prove to herself that she was strong enough, capable enough, to handle whatever life threw her way?

she forced herself to step out of the truck, denying the pull of his presence. her hand, aching to intertwine with his, instead groped for the cold, hard metal of the truck's side for balance. she deliberately avoided meeting his gaze, knowing that her eyes, usually bright and expressive, would betray the wave of sadness threatening to engulf her. wordlessly, she turned and moved forward as quickly as her legs would allow her, putting distance between them before she could see the disappointment clouding his features.

All he could do was jump from the front seat of the truck and move around to her side, ready to give her a hand or space, whichever she preferred rather than think about himself. Or the way they hadn't so much as spoken to each other since New Years Eve. He'd tried calling a few times, but only made it through to her old roommate before even that wasn't someone that could tell him where River had gone. He'd taken it all with a grain of salt, that Colt wasn't supposed to know what was going on, mostly because of what he'd done.

At least in the span of the few moments of being outside the truck, Colt felt that he could right himself again and not fall directly into the same headspace that he'd been fighting since that night. He could continue to pick apart how he'd done everything wrong in the span of just a few moments or the way that he hadn't been able to think straight for more than a few minutes. All he could think about was River, and how much he wanted to fix everything, or at least be able to explain his side of things.

Still, his hand shook only slightly as he pulled open the door and avoided meeting her gaze for too long, unsure if she'd want to continue the momentary conversation that dipped before focusing back on what happened at the grocery store. "I want to help, that's all." His voice gentle, though he could feel the weight of disappointment weigh him down like stones in his stomach when she held onto the truck rather than his hand. Colt nodded as he followed a few steps behind as they headed back up towards the front door.

A heavy quiet fell over them, words lost, and thoughts clouding anything else he might be able to say or do as he stepped around at the last moment to unlock the door and hold it open again for her. "If you'll sit, I'll grab my kit and be right back," he spoke quickly, leaving back towards where he'd last seen his bag after he'd dropped it after a long shift. Inside would be anything that he would need to check her out, but he still didn't know if she wanted him to even be near her anymore than they already were. Colt came back quietly, setting it on the table as he glanced back at her. "Unless you'd rather I call you an Uber, but I'd recommend taking it to the ER if you do want to go first."

her vision swam, blurring the edges of everything into indistinct shapes. whether it was the onset of a concussion or simply the overwhelming rush of tears blurring her sight, she couldn't tell. but through the haze, a familiar scent, a comforting anchor in the chaos, cut through the confusion. it was colt. he had come to help her, save her, protect her. despite the crowd, despite the lights and cameras. she recognized his solid, reassuring frame that cradled her, the way he tucked her close, as if shielding her from everyone else.

the next thing river registered was the familiar, slightly worn leather of the passenger seat in his truck. he leaned towards her, his face etched with concern, his eyes searching hers for any sign of pain or distress. his voice was soft, though laced with detachment. the genuine concern radiating from him cut through the fog in her head, grounding her in the present moment. she was safe, she was with him, and somehow, that was all that mattered.

relief washed over her in a dizzying wave. she was safe. she was with colt. and that's all that mattered. logically, rationally, it was all she needed. so, why did a sob break loose from the back of her throat, a raw, ragged sound that betrayed the carefully constructed facade of composure? it was all so much. a relentless barrage of fear and uncertainty had slammed into her, leaving her battered and bruised on the inside. it felt like one thing after the other, a never - ending cascade of horrors that threatened to drown her. she couldn't catch a break, she couldn't catch her breath. each inhale felt like a struggle, each exhale a fragile promise to keep it together.

colt's concerned gaze was unwavering, his questions hanging in the air as river tried to think of a solid, coherent answer, something that would ultimately makes sense for the both of them. " ... um, " she sighed, hiccuping through the tears that were now streaming freely down her face. the word was weak, inadequate, a poor substitute for the swirling vortex of emotions she couldn't articulate. anywhere, she wanted to say at first, the desperate plea echoing in the silence of her mind. somewhere no one will find us. instead, a different, only slightly less vulnerable response escaped her lips. " your place. " as much as she didn't want to go back to beach front, it was still somewhere familiar.

But he couldn't leave her there, hell, he hadn't even wanted to leave her at the resort when she'd run off from him and asked for space. Or time. Something until he could give her an explanation to who Olivia was and why his old man had confused her with the other. Or how he was completely wrapped up in how he felt about the girl sitting in the front seat of his old truck with him. And not anyone else.

Part of him knew that he should take her to the ER and get checked out, but he had his kit back home where he could do practically the same thing at first. If he found something wrong, then they'd head over there right after. Colt nodded, unsure of what even to say in the moment as she was the one that broke the silence once he'd turned off the main road to head towards his part of the neighborhood. "Okay, my kit is there and I can check you out. Make sure that you're alright," he spoke softly, his words trailing off as he glanced away to stare at the road ahead.

It was in part his training that pushed the words to the forefront of his mind, but there were so many other racing thoughts and things that he wanted to say to her. Explain how he felt in seeing her on the ground there, collapsed and unsure of what had happened. All he had done was act without thinking, knowing that he needed to help get her out of there and then take the step backwards again if she asked for it. "I didn't do much," he added with a shake of his head as he cast a sideways look in her direction.

He could have done more, gauging the way his knuckles were white on the steering wheel and doing everything in his power to keep calm under the weight of everything unsaid. "Or something," he almost chuckled at the sheer remarkable nature where River was able to joke after what he'd seen happen back at the grocery store. "Not a firefighter all the time. That's usually reserved for me being an idiot instead," he added almost like a mutter under his breath as he turned down the drive to his place and slowed the truck to a stop. Colt killed the engine and paused. "Wait there, let me give you a hand, okay?"

Because she was about as beginner level as beginner could get and had some questions for whoever decided that designator fit. Namely: what the fuck, dude?!

For all her grousing, though, it really wasn't that bad. In fact, even if the pauses in conversation were filled with little grunts and shallow pants, she was enjoying herself. She'd enjoy it even more if she made it to the top without going 'splat!'.

"But I'll tell you what," Peri initiated moments later, having just cleared her newest foothold and onto the next. "If I make it up there without falling or perspiring to death, I'll uphold my promise of burritos and beers so long as you promise me one thing in return..."

Fingers screaming, she lugged her body up, up, up another few inches. "Don't tell anyone, even me, about fifteen minutes ago when I sworn on Greg I was just gonna give up and quit." Teasingly, or as best as she could joke in her current state, Peri breathed, "I have a reputation of always being down for anything, you know? For bein' a committer, not a spitter, or... however the hell that saying goes."

He reached for the next handhold, steadying himself with the same ease he had when he’d first started climbing, but his attention lingered on her for a moment longer to make sure that she was doing alright. He admired her determination, the way she was pushing through the struggle, even if they came with what could only be considered fighting words in his general direction.

"I won't tell a soul about anything that happened fifteen minutes ago," he tossed her way with a chuckle. They were different people at the bottom of the climb compared to who they would be at the top, something that he knew in the back of his mind even if it was going to be a struggle to get there for both of them. "I think ‘committer, not a spitter’ is a pretty solid mantra. Whatever the hell it actually means."

His grin didn’t waver as he made the final push to the next ledge, feeling the weight of the moment shift. There was something grounding about climbing, something simple and real that made all the noise of the outside world seem so far away.

"I- I brought- It's in the pantry- You need to come get rid of it-" he spoke quickly, stumbling over all of his words. He couldn't pinpoint why he was shaking, but he was. Was it anxiety? Was it fear? Was it anger?

He'd have to wake up faster than he was currently moving, but Colt also knew there was a chance that as long as he could keep Kit on the line that the other would be with him rather than go find the booze. "Okay, talk me through what you were feeling at the store. Tell me what you were thinking about before you bought it. Just talk to me," he spoke slowly, trying to keep the other on the line as he dug around for his keys in the dim light as he rubbed at his eyes once more.

"How about next time call me before the disaster goes form bad to worse, okay?" He was half-joking, as Colt knew that no matter what or when something happened that he’d offer to help in a heartbeat. "I don't mind, really." He gave her a gentle look as he crossed his arms, knowing full well that this probably wouldn’t be the last of their kitchen adventures. @pinarxcerkez

@coltonatwater

Nervously tapping her shoe against the pavement, Esra watched as the firetruck she had called was granted access through the estate gates. She had been at a small gathering at a family friend's home for lunch when someone fainted, leading to a fall that caused a small fire in the kitchen. An alarm went off, and thankfully, the fire was extinguished before it could get out of control. However, a good portion of the stove and countertops were burned to a crisp. It all happened so quickly, but Esra was prompt in calling the fire department just in case.

The homeowner, a close friend of Esra's mother, was visibly shaken and distressed. Sensing her turmoil, Esra gently guided her outside to breathe in the cool evening air while they waited for the fire department to arrive. As they stood together, the woman began to open up, pouring out her frustrations and fears. The fainting incident involved her husband, a situation that had become alarmingly frequent over the past month. His stubborn refusal to seek medical help for his recurrent fainting spells had not only wreaked havoc in their once-cozy kitchen but had also spoiled the beautifully planned party she had been looking forward to for weeks. Overwhelmed and burned out, she felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her, making it difficult to concentrate on any one thing.

He'd been there a few times, the neighborhood, but never had he been to this exact place as him and his shift partner sidled up towards where thy could see a crowd of people standing and sitting around outside the place. At least they had the wherewithal to stay outdoors even after the fire was supposedly extinguished as he caught the guys on the truck moving in already. Colt nodded at the other who started to check on people who were sitting while he moved to do the same, looking for any signs of burns or smoke inhalation. "Is there anyone that is struggling to breathe?"

At his teasing about the spider, Sahra's jaw dropped in faux offense as she let out a laugh. "Hey! Just because a girl ran a block in a robe to get away from a spider doesn't mean she couldn't face it if she had to. I'm no chicken." She was, but that wouldn't help prove her point. Sitting up so she could peer at him over the back of the couch, the brunette's grin matched his own. "You wanna come fight off the spiders and under the bed monsters for me? My hero." She swooned playfully, falling back onto the couch once more with a laugh. "Lia can just get Emil to fight her spiders and monsters. They're still in that lovey dovey honeymoon phase that makes you want to pour a bucket of cold water over them, you know? He'd do anything for her." Though there was a hint of bitterness in her words, no one would be able to miss the affection that dripped from them, too. Her best friend deserved all the happiness in the world after what she'd been through and she was so glad that she'd found the type of relationship she deserved with Emil. Even if their happiness sometimes made her nauseous.

She'd missed the bottle when he threw it, but it'd still landed on her chest with precision and when she picked it up to view the label, she grinned and blew him a kiss. "You're speaking my language right now, Colt. And I gotta say, I love you for it." Taking the phone from him, she began to scroll through the app, smiling at the choices he'd already selected and adding (more than) a few of her own. Including two dessert options she was now more excited for than the pizza itself. "Giving me free reign over this order was a mistake, but probably the best mistake you've ever made because we are going to eat like kings tonight. And for probably three days after because leftovers are going to be unavoidable." Laughing, she handed the phone back to him so he could look over the order and make any final decisions- whether they be additions or subtractions. "As much fun as that game sounds, these are perfect. Besides, I think we'll need the time to decide what we're watching. We always have trouble coming to a consensus and end up watching Fast and the Furious and I'm just not in a Dominic Torretto mood tonight."

He paused for a moment at the mention of Lia, but managed to keep anything from his face for too long when he'd only begun to realize in recent months that she lived down the beach from him. Or what that meant for the two of them when they hadn't spoken or seen much of each since high school. Still, he could be grateful for the chance to reconnect even if it felt weird at times to talk again. "Well, now you have your own spider fighter, even if it's not the same. But you can always call me for help," he spoke as he glanced down at the phone when she handed it back, seeing the selections she'd added and already feeling a bit of excitement for the impending feast. “I’m pretty sure we’ve just ordered enough to feed an entire army.”

"Okay, so we stay in and wait for the food to arrive. That gives us enough time to pick something so we don't watch the same thing we always do together." Though he didn't know what that meant for them if it wasn't something they already watched together, considering there were too many options out there anywhere and it always left him feeling overwhelmed by it. "You feeling a comedy kind of night or something else?" He wasn't in the mood for much more dramatics or romance, seeing as his own world was twisted up a bit and would only remind him that he needed to figure out how to straighten it all out again. Or if he even would be able to do that. "There's bound to be plenty of options if you wanna scroll through what we've got? Or you can always rent something too." Colt didn't mind or care, swapping out the phone she'd handed over with the remote while he dug around in his pocket for his wallet to make sure he had the right card on the app.