masoncxllins

[masoncxllins]

Mason had decided today was the day to get his yard into shape, though he wanted nothing more to be inside with August playing with whatever action figures the kids had picked out. He had left the 3 year old inside the house on his own, but he did have the camera on and a window open to keep an eye on him. It was just too hot for the toddler to be outside for too long and it was fairly close to nap time. Between his new job at the animal clinic and dealing with his mother and cleaning her house out, he hadn't had too much time to get his own house in order and had managed to unpack all the boxes, which left him with the outside.

Looking up as he heard someone jump over his gate, he raised an eyebrow. "It's alright. I mean, haven't we all jumped into a random person's back yard after what I am assuming was a bad night with a stranger?" Mason said with a laugh, shaking his head before putting the shovel he was holding down. "I do actually have some pants I'd be willing to part with, hold on a moment."

He walked into his house and to his room, grabbing a pair of sweats out of his drawer before going back outside, holding them out to the other. "Here, on the house." Mason said with a smile. "Do you need some water or something? AC?"

open starter / @coyotestarters

your muses front/backyard

Andrea didn't really know what it said about her to be sneaking out of a man's home after his mother arrived from her late night shift. She figured it was better than a wife, but it didn't help her self-esteem at all to be wearing nothing but an opened button shirt and a bikini which didn't even belong to her.

That should have been her red flag. When the man had a bathing suit readily available for her so they could go in his hot tub. Now she was left wondering if it belonged to his mother.

"I'm sorry," she paused after she jumped their gate, standing still in front of the person who clearly lived there or nearby. "I'm just passing through and if it makes you feel better, or gives me sympathy points, this is exactly what it looks like." A one night stand gone back. "You wouldn't happen to have pants or something?"

[masoncxllins]

"Paint smell isn't even that bad." Mason said with a shrug of his shoulders. "But it is hard to get off of any clothing or anything." He had done a lot of handy things growing up, including any painting that his mom has wanted. "Nope, no explanation honestly. I just think she wasn't interested, which is fine. She just could have tried a little more I guess." He laughed. "That could be true. I mean, I don't think I'm the most interesting guy in the world, if I'm being honest."

"He thought it was something gross but it was just paint from the gate that I was painting. Apparently it's a lot harder to get off than you would imagine." She'd spent hours scrubbing at her hands to no avail and then she'd finally given up. "Oh that's horrible. Did she give you a good explanation like she was waiting on a call tha was urgent or was she just not interested?" Which brought her to her follow up question. "Do you think you weren't interesting maybe?"

[masoncxllins]

Mason loved working with the big animals, he just had chosen to do small animal medicine in school. He would always take any chances to learn more about the large animal side of veterinary services. "I don't have anything left for the day and I can always have them call me if something does come in." He said with a shrug as he looked over. "Besides, it will give me something to tell Gus about when I get home. He'll be thrilled. He loves all the big animals. The bigger the better for him." He said with a laugh, shaking his head some as he grabbed his wallet and phone, telling the receptionist that he'd be going with Shay and to call him if anything came up. "It could cut down the time with a second pair of hands, who knows."

       for  shay,  when  riding  competitively  had  no  longer  been  an  option,  it'd  been  easy  to  turn  to  equine  medicine.  with  her  freshly  printed  dvm  from  texas  a&m  the  one  and  only  place  she'd  put  her  license  to  was  best  friends  animal  hospital.  it  was  the  only  in  the  county  that  had  large  animal  services  and  that  meant  she  was  able  to  split  her  work,  some  appointments  at  the  hospital  and  others  at  her  ranch.  that  said,  most  of  her  appointments  was  done  mobile.  so,  when  mason  mentioned  tagging  along  shay  offered  a  lopsided  grin.  "you've  got  some  time  to  step  away  for  a  bit?  could  be  an  hour  or  two,"  she  warned.  the  truck  was  outside  already  running.  "i  definitely  don't  mind  and  could  actually  use  the  extra  hands,  it's  hard  to  predict  the  time  though."

[masoncxllins]

Where: Booktown Books Status: closed for @anoukmeijer

Mason had promised his 3 year old that he would buy him some new books to read which is how he found himself staring at the different kids books the bookstore had to offer, arms full of books about baby animals and fairy tales. He had told himself he would only get a couple but he couldn't help but spoil August. He just wanted to give his son the childhood he didn't have. He looked up as he put another kids book in his basket. "How many is too many books for a three year old?"

[masoncxllins]

Where: Clocktower Records Status: closed for @vmick

Mason had left most of his records back in Sacramento before he moved back with a friend as he didn't want to bring too much. He at the time didn't know if the move was permanent but now that it was, he wanted to get his record collection going again. He flipped through the records, Gus sitting at his feet playing with the toy he had brought in. "You got any good recommendations on records? I got a few of the classics already and I think I'm in the mood for something new."

[masoncxllins]

Where: The Siren Status: closed for @kaancevdet

It had been a long month or so for Mason and he needed to take a break from everything happening which is how he found himself at The Siren. He ordered a drink and then turned to look at the person next to him. "Tell me something. Are people allergic to turn signals or something? I swear I have seen less turn signals recently than when I used to play with hot wheels as a kid." He took a drink from his glass and set it down on the bartop.

[masoncxllins]

Where: best friends animal hospital Status: closed starter for @rvstiks

Mason had finally settled into his new home and his new job and while it was weird to not own the practice, he actually found it nice to be able to focus on the vet care and clients rather than the business. He had been getting to know his new clients and all their dogs and cats and his coworkers. He had refound his love for horses, something he didn't see much of in Sacramento and he had found himself watching Shay work, learning more about the medical side of horses. "Hey, you mind if I tag along on your next client? I want to learn more about your side of things."

[masoncxllins]

Mason heard his name and then smiled as he saw Bek. "I know. it's absolutely nuts. who thought it was a good idea to let me be a dad?" Laughing slightly, he shook his head. He loved being a dad and he thought that he did really good at it. He looked down at Gus, watching him study the stuffed toys that were around him and he shook his head a bit.

"I cannot believe that I have a kid either." Mason said, looking back up to Bek. "And I have been able to take care of him all on my own, so that's a miracle on it's own." He said. "You'll get there one day of you want to. I mean, I kinda did things backwards, not that I would trade August for anything."

It had been a long three years trying to raise August and run his business, now the move and starting over while dealing with everything going on in life. He hadn't really talked about his mom since he had gotten back. He didn't want to do it, but he knew he had to. He was an only child so everything fell back on him. Now that the funural was done, he knew he was going to have to go through her house, his childhood house, and clear it out, getting ready to sell it. He would never admit to it, but he was scared of this part.

"Did you ever imagine me having a kid Beks? Cause I never did." Mason said and shook his head. "See what happens when I move away? It's crazy to even think about."

setting — foothill mercantile, on a weekend afternoon, august in tow

status — closed for mason collins / @masoncxllins

"Mason." The name hissed quietly from Bek's upturned lips. Aware enough to keep her voice down, but just unfiltered in an old friend's presence to let a curse slip— "I can't believe you have a whole ass kid."

That kid in question, an adorable little three year old who, in her opinion, was almost a mirror copy of his dad, currently stood elbows deep in a stack of stuffed bears. Hands on hips she watched as Gus rooted around for the lucky winner among a sea of identical toys.

In a sense, it shouldn't have felt too crazy—Mase as a dad. That sort of thing tended to happen when you graduated, grew up, got out and got on with your life. Still, something about seeing the evidence of so many years passed right in front of her was at once endearing... and alarming.

"I'm not sure if I should be patting you on the back right now with pride—" fatherhood really did suit him— "or cringing over the fact that at this point the closest I have are two dogs and a snobby cat." Swiftly closing in on thirty six, and pets aside, the most Bek had to show for a life lived were a few framed diplomas hung on the wall.

[masoncxllins]

[masoncxllins]

Mason had finally got himself settled into his and Gus' new home and had mostly unpacked all their boxes. He decided that he would reward himself with a night out and arranged for a sitter to come and watch Gus while he did. He had been somewhat nervous to come back to his hometown but he was determined to make it there and give his son the life he didn't have while growing up there.

Walking up to the bar, Mason ordered a drink and waited for it, intending to relax for the evening, not think about his mom's house that he still had to go through and get rid of things. He looked up when he heard someone and couldn't help but laugh. "I think people usually drink to forget something, not remember anything."

OPEN STARTER

Where: The Siren

When: Late night

Noelle had long ago forgotten all about the luxuries her family could afford her. Truthfully, she rarely thought anymore about the last time her mom had called, late at night, to tell her she was getting too old to keep running wild, and that this time she was getting financially cut off for real. She rarely thought about how much she just wanted to go back home sometimes, about all the personnel that would have to work hard to keep her happy. No, she didn't think about it anymore, unless she was working late over shitty whisky.

Unfortunately, it was one of those nights for her.

She typed away at her computer, too entrenched to realize there were even people around her. What does envolvimento translate to, again? Her brain was too tired to even process. "If only drinking could jog one's memory...", she said, to no one in particular.

[masoncxllins]

Mason looked over towards her with a laugh, shaking his head some. "You'd think if he actually fished he wouldn't care what it smelled like no matter what it was. Fish smell terrible. Besides, what could he have possibly thought it was?" He asked, mostly just to put the question out there. "I've been on some terrible dates, but the worst one was when this girl stared at her phone the whole time so I just drove her home and she asked if that was all."

"What's been your worst date? I'm only asking because I went on one two days ago and had stain on my hands from doing some DIY's at home and he was convinced that it was something else. He was appalled when I asked him to smell it if he didn't believe it. I should have known when his first picture on his profile was him with a fish."

open to: anyone

location: cafe, restaurant, anywhere

[masoncxllins]

✧ ⸻  hey, is that CHACE CRAWFORD i saw going for a walk in SIERRA SPRINGS? no, it’s just MASON COLLINS, a THIRTY FIVE year old VETERINARIAN AT BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL from COYOTE VALLEY, CA.  HE identifies as CISGENDER and HETEROSEXUAL. they seem +OPTIMISTIC and -IMPULSIVE, always reminding me of unwashed dishes, half read books, and Legos on the floor. they’re most frequently seen at WILDFLOWER RIDGE RESERVE going on about 90'S GAME SHOWS and that’s okay because it’s been their thing for RETURNED 1 MONTH AGO. you’re going to love them!

Name: Mason Collins

Nickname: Mase

Birthday & Age: March 6th & 35

Hometown: Coyote Valley, CA

Length of time in Coyote Valley: Been back for 1 month

Neighborhood: Sierra Springs

Gender & Sexuality: Cis man & heterosexual

Quick facts:

Mason was born in Coyote Valley and was gone from the age of 18 - now at 35.

He has a 3 year old son named August "Gus"

He's a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Hospital.

TW under the read more: death, drunk driving, car accident

Growing up in Coyote Valley was something that Mason was proud of. He loved his town and the people that lived in it. He was born to Lucille and Matthew Collins and they lived in The Meadow, well off and wanting for nothing. He lived the perfect life or so it seemed to everyone on the outside. When Mason was just five years old, his father decided to leave the family and never look back, taking the house from beneath them and leaving a young Mason and his newly single mother desperate for housing and food. The pair found a home in Southside and settled in, his mother finding a second job just to keep them afloat. Mason would never have thought that he grew up poor, his mother made sure of that. There was always food on the table and presents on birthdays and Christmas and Mason never questioned it until he got old enough to understand. 

Once he could, Mason took a job as a bus boy at a local diner and tried to help his mom out as much as he could. When Mason wasn’t working, he would be studying hard at school or exploring areas around the town he had grown up in. He eventually found a stray dog who he named Luke and he brought him home after stopping by the vets office to ensure his health. With a promise to pay them back later, he got his new friend home from the vet and begged his mother to let him keep the pup. Luke in turn inspired Mason to want to work with animals for his career and he fell in love with the idea of becoming a veterinarian.

Once he turned 18 and graduated high school, he applied to college and went through school to become a vet. He missed home but he found peace in the work he was doing. After eight long years of school, he finally earned his degree and started work. He had his own practice in Sacramento and everything was going well. Things were going well and his practice was very successful until one day  he had come home to find a baby at his doorstep with CPS standing there, telling him that the baby was his and the mom had signed her rights away. He was stunned at the news but took things in stride, not wanting to let his son go into the system. From then all, it has always been just the two of them, too busy with work and with August for dating. Things were going well until he received a call to let him know his mother had passed after being struck by a drunk driver. He returned home to bury her and has moved back. He sold his practice in Sacramento in order to purchase a home in the Sierra Springs area. He took a position as a veterinarian at Best Friends Animal Hospital.