COASTAL COWGIRL.

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."

she felt fragile, like a glass filled to the brim, ready to shatter or overflow at the slightest tremor. spill over – the phrase echoed in her mind, undefined but heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions, fears, suspicions, hurt.

her eyes, which had been darting around the room, seeking distraction in the patterns of the carpet, returned to colt's face. perhaps she looked more vulnerable than she felt, or perhaps her anxiety was radiating off her in waves. whatever he saw – a plea, a threat of imminent emotional collapse, or simply her genuine confusion – it was enough.

he visibly shifted, the resolution in his eyes softening, and she knew, with a surge of relief that was almost dizzying, that he changed his mind and decided to share.

colt's explanation tumbled out in a rushed, almost panicked tone, each word blurring into the next. it was difficult for river to keep up, her head already swimming in a confusing cocktail of disbelief and pain and uncertainty. still, she clung to each word, needing to know, needing to understand the story behind the image seared into her mind. ' it's not what you think ... we're not together ... she's not my girlfriend ... we came up with it. '

silence followed, thick and heavy, punctuated only by the frantic beat of river's own heart. she needed to process his jumbled confession, to sift through the chaos and find the truth buried beneath. her brow furrowed as she pieced together the fragmented information, her gaze fixed on colt. she felt his hands shaking against her skin and without thinking about, takes them in hers and sets them in her lap. she didn't know what else to do. she didn't feel angry or as snippy this time, now she was in a truly exhausted state.

Her instincts tell her to stay put, to demand an explanation before she moves. But River’s grip is tight, nearly frantic, and it sends a prickle of unease up Val’s spine. She hesitates, just for a second. This whole situation feels off.

“Okay,” she finally says, voice measured. She squeezes River’s hands, trying to be reassuring, but even as she does, doubt coils in her gut. She flicks a quick glance past River’s shoulder, scanning the street.

She spots movement—figures lingering just beyond the flow of foot traffic. Cameras, half-lowered but ready. Paparazzi.

Her breath catches. How had they found River? And more importantly—why were they already in position?

Val swallows the uneasy feeling rising in her chest and tightens her grip. “This way,” she says, tugging River toward the side street. It’s more open, more visible, but it’s the first direction that comes to mind. Maybe it’s the wrong choice, maybe it isn’t—but either way, they have to move.

She holds on tighter, her voice dropping low. “Trust me.”

as many times as she tried to outrun it, to escape the shadows that clung to her, her past always caught up with her. it was relentless, a vengeful hunter. and it was always vicious, snapping at her ankles, threatening to trip her and drag her back into the darkness she so desperately wanted to escape. the fear tasted like bile in her mouth, sharp and bitter.

before she could fully grasp val's change of heart, the woman's hand closed firmly around hers. the contact was surprisingly warm, a stark contrast to the cool dread that was already settling in her stomach. with a swift, urgent pull, val tugged her down a narrow side street, the abrupt movement catching her off balance for a moment.

they were trying to disappear, to melt into the shadows, but the haste of their escape, the obviousness of their sudden detour, felt more like a spotlight shining on their backs.

her skin began to prickle with a nervous energy, a creeping sense of exposure that raised goosebumps on her arms and the back of her neck. she could practically feel the eyes of their pursuers boring into them, even though they were supposedly hidden from view. the feeling of vulnerability was overwhelming, a cold wave washing over her and threatening to pull her under.

river stopped so abruptly she nearly stumbled, her runners skidding slightly on the pavement. a dead end. but not a wall. river wished for a wall, maybe then she would have had a chance to climb over it. but no. there was a blockage of paparazzi waiting for them. her chest grew heavy, a lead weight settling in her lungs, making it hard to draw a breath. dread, cold and clammy, tightened its grip.

“ ...val? ” the blonde whispered, her voice barely audible above the rising tide of panic. she shook her head slowly, back and forth, a frantic, silent denial of the reality before them. the relentless flashing of cameras felt like physical blows. river flinches, ducking her head to hide her face, which did nothing. then a terrible thought popped into her head, a seed of paranoia taking root and blossoming into full-blown suspicion, dragging her down into a spiral — if she wasn't already plummeting. maybe val did this. maybe this wasn't an accident. this couldn't have been an accident.

the blonde whipped her head towards valentina, her eyes wide and searching, something raw and vulnerable flickering behind the accusation that has not yet been spoken.

"You'll be the first to know," Lucas lifted his own beer bottle to his lips for a thoughtful sip, "you have my word on that." And Lucas was a man of his word. If broken, something were severely wrong.

As River spoke of horseback riding and surfing being alike, he listened intently, curious to what she were going to say. "That makes sense," he nodded his head along to her words. Getting your ass kicked by nature, now that was something he could agree with though he had only ever been horseback riding himself. "I've yet to come face to face with the beast that is the ocean." Lucas joked with her, "but maybe you'll be able to give me some pointers," his lips curled into a smile at her. "I've not even been horseback riding in some time," he paused, giving her another smile, "so it seems I've got to get back out there, have myself humbled by nature a bit." Lucas teased, taking another sip of his drink.

" good, " river says, giving a firm nod, her eyes gleaming with a spark of enthusiasm. when lucas hesitantly mentions that he has yet to truly experience the ocean, a confession laced with a hopeful suggestion that she might offer some guidance, the blonde exclaims, " if course i can! " her voice rings with genuine excitement. if there was something, anything in this world that truly captured her attention and held it captive, it was the unparalleled joy of teaching. it was inextricably linked to the thrill of unloading any and all information she possessed onto a willing student, transforming them into a vessel overflowing with knowledge. a sudden business like demeanour fills her voice as she grabs her pen and asks, " give me a time, a date, and i'll jot it down in my schedule. we'll make sure you're properly acquainted with the sea. "

" being humbled by nature is certainly a privilege, " river said, a genuine warmth in her voice. she then chuckled, a light, airy sound. " and if you do it right, a lot of fun. " she snickers while swirled the remaining liquid in her glass, her eyes sparkling with an unspoken adventure.

Wes let out a low chuckle, shaking his head as River practically radiated with excitement beside him. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen someone this eager to meet a horse — not that he minded. If anything, her energy was kinda contagious, drawing out an amused smirk as he watched her take in every little detail about Daisy. "She's eleven," he answered, reaching out to run a hand down Daisy's neck, fingers moving with natural familiarity. "Been with us for a while now. Used to belong to a family with a couple of kids, but they moved, couldn't keep her. She's about as steady as they come, though— patient, forgiving. Good horse for getting your bearings," he said, giving River a knowing smile. His brow lifted slightly at her enthusiasm, her near-breathless excitement making him huff another quiet chuckle. “You’re one of those people who talks to animals like they’re old friends, huh?” His tone wasn’t teasing, not exactly—more observational, laced with something bordering on fondness.

" yes to being a surfer, yes to the australian accent, " she replied, a hint of amusement lacing her voice, mixed with gladness that wes was able to pinpoint her accent. many still ask, most who don't know any better, if she's from the u.k or new zealand which of course can be very irking. " have you ever been? to australia, i mean. and i hope i don't have to either, but just in case it does, i won't hold it against you or daisy. " there was a playful challenge in her tone, a suggestion that she was capable and self-reliant, but also willing to share the blame if things went south.

Even though his hands haphazardly held supply reports under one arm, a recognizable voice instantly halted his tracks, the building's upstairs occupant undeniably making herself known. “River, hey.” Jackson’s features brightened, the blonde’s company quickly became a high point in any given day. He hadn’t thought twice assisting Vanna with providing her a comfortable living space at Vim’s for as long as she needed or wanted. River didn't even have to go above and beyond what she did helping out around the business either, yet it was definitely appreciated. A brow quirked upon the veiled offer, noticing the disclosed whiskey bottle. "Is the last option even a question?" A knowing smirk played on his lips. "Impressive magic trick you just did there by the way." ( @riverwlker )

this pop by, though, was more for jackson than for river. since they've met, she's only ever seen him in this very office, sitting in that very chair, hunched over papers and ruining his posture. she wanted to see him loosen up a little, to confirm he was a real person, not some meticulously crafted android dedicated to spreadsheets, or whatever the hell he was always looking at. either way, river knows what it feels like to be under the suffocating pressure of responsibilities, and sometimes you just need someone to help you live a little.

Esra's brown eyes softened at River's obvious openness, and her warm demeanor betrayed any preconceived notions she had about her newfound companion. She relaxed, surprised to find herself feeling comfortable in the presence of another person. Initially, Esra had just intended to go outside for some fresh air, but perhaps she needed a connection more than she realized.  

With a soft chuckle, she turned back to watch the motion of the waves, the sound demanding her full attention. It was an unsettling noise, yet it helped her stay composed in an unusual way. "I needed to get some fresh air," she said, shrugging with an embarrassed grin. It felt silly and dramatic to go this far just for a breath of fresh air, but Esra was a romantic at heart. The crashing waves called to her to ruminate.  

river also struggled to understand esra's vague description of her husband being "a lot." the phrase hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications. "a lot" could mean anything from being overly demanding and clingy to behaving obnoxiously or inconsiderately.

whatever it encompassed, river instinctively knew it wasn't positive. the very fact that esra needed space, a refuge from her own partner, sat uncomfortably with river. the situation made her want to offer more than just a platitude, but she hesitated, uncertain of how to proceed without overstepping. " you wanna talk more about that? " river offers, tilting her head slightly.

now, it was her turn to explain herself. " uh, well, " river begins, a small sigh escaping her lips. her gaze drifted away from the pretty brunette across from her, as if the act of looking at her made it harder to articulate the mess swirling within. " i got my heartbroken a little bit, i think. " she hastened to clarify, her hands moving slightly in her lap. " not a full split in half, broken to pieces heartbreak. it's like a crack, y'know? a hairline fracture, maybe. not a total collapse. "

she paused, chewing on her lip for a moment, as if trying to find the right words to explain the specific brand of ache she was experiencing. " but now i'm out here just ... thinking about him, the person who caused the crack, because i miss him so fucking much. " her voice dropped a little on the last part, a raw honesty slipping through. " but he caused the crack, so now i need space, but the space hurts. " river huffs loudly after rambling on, the sound a frustrated expulsion of all the tangled emotions. she took a deep inhale, holding it for a beat before slowly releasing it. " i'm choking on the irony, i think, " she added quietly.

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."

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. "

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?"

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.

river's move from alara's beachfront apartment to vim's couch marked a transition in her living situation that involved adjusting to a new space with its own set of dynamics. in an effort to be considerate of vim's, vanna, and the rest of her families hospitality, as well as the limited space available, she developed a routine of visiting the rusty spur after her shifts at the aquarium. this routine was her way of subtly minimizing her presence at Vim's place, aiming to strike a balance between being appreciative of his kindness and maintaining a sense of independence.

by making the rusty spur a part of her post-aquarium routine, river sought to find solace in the company of familiar faces and the comforting ambiance of the bar, which provided her with a temporary escape from the shared living arrangements that she was adjusting to.

Holly’s eyes sparkled with recognition as River’s voice cut through the noise of the bar. As she worked on clearing away some empty glasses, her lips curved into a playful smile that matched River’s energy. "Well, if it isn't my favorite Aussie! I was just about to wrap up, actually. You must've known I was in need of a drink and a little distraction." She chuckled, her fingers tapping against the bartop as she took in the blonde's infectious enthusiasm.

"Normally I would wait until I was off the clock, but I've got ten minutes left and it's hard to get fired when your brother owns the place." With a loud chuckle, Holly grabbed a bottle from the shelf behind the bar, her expression softening as she glanced back at River. "Vodka or Tequila?"

" my holly-senses were tingling, " river grins, wiggling her brows suggestively. she hopped onto a bar stool with a fluid motion, settling her forearms comfortably on the polished wood. the playful expression on her face, coupled with the slight forward lean of her torso, broadcasted her anticipation for the time she was about to spend with holly.

"It's just a tease. You know, the whole anchor or rose ordeal, with them being overdone and overused?" Sammie waved it off. Coming from her, the artist and owner of the studio, it could sound like a putdown and she wasn't of the opinion that either of those options were a bad thing. "Who do you have an appointment with?"

When she pulled her raised feet up off the desk and leaned forward she smiled at the rambling and over-explanation of things. Was she nervous? "River, River, River..." Sammie mumbled quietly as she guided an unclicked pen down the appointment blocks for the day, nodding absently as the blonde carried on. "Sometimes," she said when she looked up, amusement and interest in her eyes as they met River's, and leaned leaned an elbow onto the desk, "who am I kidding? Most nights, somewhere in the small hours, I live in my notes app. It's a catchall for my brain."

A diary/journal, random thoughts, important notes, even some doodles made it into there, quotes she wanted to save and remember, to-do lists, details of her dreams/nightmares jotted down as fresh as possible, etc.

shifting her weight from foot to foot, a nervous habit kicking in, river offered a tight, somewhat strained grin. " ummm ... can my appointment be with you? " she asked, her voice laced with limited hope, but hope nonetheless. despite knowing sammie for just a short time, river felt strangely comfortable with her. there was something in sammie's demeanour, a quiet understanding perhaps, that put river at ease, making her believe that sammie might actually be able to help her navigate this overwhelming process.

river's lips curved into a genuine smile at sammie's confession about the notes app. a small, almost imperceptible nod acknowledged the shared experience, the up-and-down movement betraying a flicker of amusement. a whisper of doubt, however, lingered beneath the surface. was sammie truly as scattered as she claimed, or was this a carefully crafted tactic to soothe river's frayed nerves? regardless of the motive, the effect was undeniable; river felt a sliver of tension ease.

Natalie leaned back, taking in River's words. The way she spoke with such authenticity made the conversation feel easy, natural. She grinned at the compliment, feeling a little flattered. "Thanks, I try," she said with a modest shrug. "I guess I’ve always been a bit of a talker. You know, trying to figure things out by bouncing ideas around. But I have also been called a yapper practically all my life and that I could talk to a brick wall and get it to respond before I give up."

At River's question about her work, Natalie hesitated for just a second, trying to gauge how much to share. She'd gone through her fair share of people that could care less about her work in general even if it was her passion. “Well, for the most part, I work in sports," she began, her voice steady, but there was a spark in her eyes when she spoke about it. "I do a lot of reporting for the local news but occasionally I freelance to some of the worldwide events for interviews. It’s fast-paced, always changing, but I love the challenge. The pressure can get intense, but it’s also... kind of a thrill." She gave a small laugh. "I guess that’s where the motivation comes from—there’s always something new to chase after, some new obstacle to overcome."

" what? no way! that's really neat, " she exclaimed, genuine surprise and interest lighting up her face. " i've never met anyone who works in sports. — well, " she corrected herself, a slight self-conscious laugh escaping her, " that's not technically true. i surf, and like you, it's taken me all over the globe chasing the perfect wave. so, in a way, we both understand that nomadic lifestyle. " she elaborated quickly, her curiosity piqued. " what kind of sports do you cover? is it any and all, or is there a niche interest? do you specialize in a particular sport? " her mind raced, a playful thought bubbling to the surface. she wondered if their paths had ever unknowingly converged at some point, maybe in a crowded beach or a bustling airport terminal, both drawn to the energy of athletic competition but never realizing the other's presence. the possibility of such a near-miss fascinated her.

As her blonde locks were tossed over her shoulder, delivering her grand proclamation, he shook his head, though he wore a grin. "You contain multitudes, huh? That's one way to put it," he said, tilting his head to study her for a beat. "One session in and you're already making headway? Sounds like you might be on the fast track to the rodeo." He continued to jest, leaning back slightly with amusement. "Just try not to get yourself launched into orbit, it would be a damn shame to lose my future expert sander to a horse-related incident." @riverwclker

she then punctuated the observation with a long swig from the green bottle she held, the liquid gurgling as it went down. " perfect! " she declared, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. " i'll be waiting for the call, mate. and i mean it, too. don't think i'm saying this just to be nice. i genuinely believe you can do this, and i'm going to hold you to it. so, call me, lucas. if you ever need any help, alright? " the lively tone vanished, replaced with genuine expectation.

" ' that's one way to put it '? " she repeats with a snort of laughter, accent become thicker and muscles loosening with each sip from the better bottle. " i'm not even gonna ask what the means. " she grins with a playful scowl. " ha! please. it'll take a few launches before you get rid of me that quickly. " she chuckled, her eyes glinting with a playful defiance. " y'know, i'm finding that surfing and horse back riding, despite being worlds apart, are kinda alike? " a thoughtful furrow appeared on her brow, a world away from the casual bravado she'd just displayed. she picked at the label of her beer bottle, the condensation already making it peel. her nails dug into the paper, leaving pale crescent moons in the damp paper.