cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"Well good because if you did.." he stated, looking over at her, a look on his face as if to internally say the words 'I'll kill them' in his mind. Listening as she complimented him and his own heart he shook his head. "I'm very much the guy that will do anything to keep those around me safe." he stated. "To hell with what happens with me, you know I don't care." And that was the truth; Cohen would do literally anything to keep and make those around him happy and comfortable even if it meant sacrificing his own. That's just the kind of guy he was and if that wasn't something to admire, he wasn't sure he wanted to be. Though as she reminisced on their life together, Cohen let himself smile, hands working diligently to prepare her sandwich, eyes only looking at her when she stated that he was what made her fall in love with him. "Sometimes I'm trying to figure out why." he laughed. "I mean, me falling for you makes sense, you were a smoke show even back then." he stated, eyes looking at her for a moment. "I was certainly goofy looking." he laughed. Though, he was thankful. For the life he'd been handed, the journey he'd been on. It all made him the person he was today. With his wife's arm stretched around him Cohen exhaled. "Well now that you say that." he laughed. "That feels weird. You've been Courtney Blake for so long now sometimes I forget you were once a Thomas." @courtneyxblake

THE END

No matter what kind of day Courtney had, Cohen knew how to make her smile and laugh, as he was doing now. "I know," she teased him from across their small kitchen, "there's no one in this world love more than you. And I'm so glad you did." That was the truth, and she would forever cherish that and him and their love. As he started to go on about her heart, she wasn't sure if it was just the emotions or the hormones but she started to tear up. She sniffled and shook it off before laughing, "you don't. You have a big heart too. Especially for those you care about, I've seen the way you treat your friends and your brothers." She would always remind him that he too was a good guy, one with a big heart. "I mean sometimes, but I'm sure I do the same for you, or rather smoke a little extra instead of pulling out your hair," something she'd have to give up as well for the foreseeable future. "You did that, make me fall in love with you. The military school and distance just made it a bit more intense." Not being able to see him just made her want him even more as teens, her venturing there on more than one occasion, lying to her parents of taking a trip with friends but instead she went to see Cohen. As she hugged him, her shoulders relaxed a bit, the way he felt and smelled calmed her sour stomach. She buried her face into his back then as she sat down, she almost laughed at his question. "Honestly? It doesn't, it just feels right," but then it hit her how at one point he was in fact baby Blake and she was in fact baby Thomas way back when. "It didn't until you said something!" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Much like friends did, Cohen had known about Rory long before she'd known him it seemed, and while things hadn't worked out with Rory and Cohen's best friend Nolan, it was obvious something was working with Rory and Brody. It put Cohen in an awkward position to say the least. "I am." he nodded, offering her a smile as he agreed that he was in fact the infamous Cohen. "I uh." he paused. "I don't know if you even knew of me then but I'm also friends with Nolan." he stated, eyes focusing on her as he spoke, though the tone in his voice was nothing short of nice or sincere. "I know you don't need me telling you this, but what happened between the two of you really fucked him up." he stated, though he exhaled. "And as his friend, that hurts me for him." he started. "But as the brother of the guy you're currently dating, just know I don't blame you." he added. "I see the way Brody lights up when he talks about you, and well, I approve." @auroraxjackson

Rory needed groceries, she had been staying at Brody's place more and more. And wanted to stock up his fridge when she stayed at home so he'd have food to eat. This particular outing was just to grab some things that he could take with him to work, ones that would be quick and easy to eat and not leave a mess, nor needed refrigeration. As she made it down the aisle, she scooted by a cart, her eyes meeting the others, meeting him with a smile and a shake of her head. "No worries, deep in thought about ingredients takes over sometimes," she chuckled, having been there before. "I am, and you're Cohen right?" She asked having seen photos of him from Brody in the past, nodding as he mentioned that very same man. "I am, one and the same." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Taking the joint from his friend and allowing himself to take a draw off of it, Cohen shook his head. "Sure I did." he laughed. "I have Archie." he chuckled. "Where else do you think I got this from?" he questioned, taking another drag before passing it to Nolan. Smoking wasn't something that Cohen did a lot of these days, but, he couldn't deny that every now and then it was still one of his favorite ways to pass the time. Even if he had to do it alone. "But seriously, my life is a little more dull when you're not around. Or well, for now. That's probably going to change in about five months or so." he slipped into conversation, eyes focused on his friend and the mood shifting when he mentioned what he'd done. "Wait, you got arrested?" he questioned, eyes focusing on his friend. "When? And more important what did you do?" The likelihood of the boys getting arrested wasn't too foreign of a concept, but it was something Cohen was convinced they'd only ever do together. "I mean, it had to be a big deal for you to do it alone and not give a shit what happened." @nolanxmurray

He looked over at the other; he had kept the full truth of what had happened to him from most. A few here and there knew parts of it, but not many knew the full truth. "Because you had no one else to smoke with," he joked on why his friend would have noticed. He handed over the joint so Cohen could have his turn. He looked at his friend for a moment. "I got arrested..." he admitted that it was hard to hide a record. He sighed as he moved to lie back now. "I fucked up a lot.." he admitted. @cohenblake.

[cohenblake]

@cohenblake

[cohenblake]

The comment made Cohen laugh and he nodded. "Okay, that's not how I meant that." he chuckled. "I certainly hope not. There's a reason I'm the one that put the ring on your finger." he admitted, looking down at his own hand, shiny - dulled through the years - silver wedding band sitting on his left finger to prove it. "I just meant in general. You have one of the biggest hearts of anyone in Kismet." she certainly had him beat in the department of caring. "I feel like I do the opposite." he laughed. "I mean, if anything I'd say I make you wanna pull your hair out. But even through military school you somehow managed to fall more in love with me I swear." As her arms snaked around him - nearly on cue - he smiled, leaning back a little as if to lean into her hug. It was the most he could do with a knife in his hand. Hands gripped the pickle jar as he opened it, taking out one as a snack for himself before he used the knife, chopping another into slices for the sandwich - and for easy access later if she were to decide a second sandwich was likely - and he looked back at her. "Does it not freak you out to say baby Blake out loud?" he exhaled, focusing on her for a moment. "I mean truly. At one point I was baby Blake and now I'm old enough to be a dad." @courtneyxblake

She leaned against the counter and nodded, "I know babe, I know," she then took a seat at the table but kept her gaze upon her husband. She knew he would do anything for her, including taking away any pain or discomfort she had. Just like she would do for him, in a heartbeat. She then let out a laugh, "I don't necessarily love other people like I love you," she was only teasing of course. But she really did try her best to just be laid back and go with the flow. "But you make it easy, to love you and be patient with you," she decided to get up and stand closer to him, snaking her arms around his abdomen for a moment. "I love you too, more than you'll ever know." She replied and looked up at him before going back to her seat at the table, watching him as he started to make the sandwich. "I know that, but I wanna be by you, you make me feel better and I love you think baby Blake knows that already. And wants to be by you too." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

'Outer Banks' Star Chase Stokes is on a wild ride ｜ Only Natural Diamonds

[cohenblake]

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @auroraxjackson

"Oh, sorry!" Cohen apologized, eyes scanning the shelves for the ingredient he was looking for. He'd found this recipe on social media that he'd remembered Courtney had said sounded good. It just helped that now that he was working two jobs he could actually make it happen. "I didn't even realize that I had my cart in the middle of the aisle." he stated, eyes finally meeting the others. "Rory?" he asked, a smile forming on his lips in the process. Though, the second he said her name that's when it clicked. That's why the name had sounded so familiar when Brody had mentioned her. "Wait.." a pause. "You're Brody's Rory, right?" He didn't want to assume, but something about putting the pieces together finally also made him feel really strange.

[cohenblake]

Nodding slowly, Cohen looked up at him. "That would be helpful." he nodded, thankful that someone understood where he was coming from. He wasn't one that typically liked 'hand outs' and while he was currently working three jobs to make sure that they could handle it, Cohen still felt bad accepting such an 'easy offer' on the car. He was thankful for it, but he didn't feel right about it. "If you really don't mind and it's not going to put you out than that would be really, really helpful." he nodded. "I just need a second vehicle." he stated, letting his hand run through his hair for a moment. "I'm expecting my first baby this winter and my wife and I currently share a car; anything that would help her get to appointments without me having to take a day off work or something is really helpful. How much do you need the payments to be? I'll make it happen." @rohanxwalsh

Rohan smiled softly and nodded his head. Rohan did not need the money, all he cared about was that the car was going to someone that needed it and would use it. Rohan thought about it for a moment and see what will be easier for both him and the other. He most likely can handle the stores on his own and he felt bad if the other worked for him. "How about you send me monthly payments with no interest or late charges? Does that work for you?" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

@cohenblake just posted to Instagram for the first time in awhile.

[cohenblake]

"Oh I did, trust me." Cohen nodded, waiting for his turn again as he watched his friends. Despite what people may have noticed, Cohen was a people person through and through. Especially for those he cared about. And while he hadn't done his best to keep up with his friends recently, he had noticed Nolan's disappearance almost immediately. He was just happy to see him coming back around. "It's good to have you back, man." he stated, eyes focusing on his friend. "What's been going on in the world of Nolan?" A simple enough question that was open ended enough to let Nolan decide what he wanted to share, all while showing that Cohen was actually interested. @nolanxmurray

He sighed, "I pretty much did," losing it all, no job, no home, no nothing left him with nothing to do. So he hid away for a while. But he was glad he got a job again, so he could have a life again. He took the joint from Cohen and sighed as he took a drag. "I just.. had a lot of shit happen at once and it sucked ass" he hated it. "But glad you noticed," he felt at times, not one noticed what had happened to him. @cohenblake.

[cohenblake]

"I know you don't. Just like I don't want you to have it." he stated, eyes focusing on the other for a moment. Cohen was the kind of guy that would legitimately do anything to take pain away from Courtney. Especially the bad parts; if he could he'd do it all in a heartbeat. "You do more than try." he smiled. "Maybe not with other people but you do more than the minimum with me." he stated. "You're so patient and sometimes I don't know how I managed to get so lucky." he exhaled. "I love you. In case I haven't told you that today." He grabbed a plate from their pantry and the pickles from the fridge, then the peanut butter and looked back at her as he began making her sandwich. "You know I'll never turn down an opportunity to be around you whenever I can." he laughed. "But, if you feel sick you don't have to follow me." he laughed. "I'd rather you relax in that case." @courtneyxblake

"I hope so," she chewed the inside of her lip for a moment, not wanting to be one of those crazy pregnant ladies that always yells or makes a scene. "I don't know about that, but I try," she let out a soft giggle, as she always tried to go with the flow. In most cases she would, but occasionally she'd have anxiety or something and usually Cohen would be the only one to help calm her down. Her lips turned down in a slight frown, "I wouldn't want you to be nauseous, even if that would mean I just had the cravings and could eat." She wouldn't wish that upon anyone, never being able to eat because of the nausea. She then nodded softly, the sound of the words, Baby Blake making her heart flutter, as it was still so surreal that she was having their baby. "There's no one I'd rather this do this life with," she meant it more than she could describe, "and I wanna just be with you. And I can always get comfy again. At least for now." Once her belly grew it would get harder to, but for now it was easy. @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"You are." Cohen nodded. "You're the most chill person I've ever met." he smiled. And that was the truth. Falling in love with Courtney had truly been effortless, but, Cohen loved her even more for how chill she was in any given situation. Truly something he admired. “I think that sounds like a win.” He smiled. “Or I’d take the nausea if you could have the cravings and actually eat.” He smiled. “Whatever I could do to make you happy and baby Blake healthy.” The truest statement he’d spoken all day. When she said she was lucky Cohen smiled, placing another kiss against her lips before he nodded. “I’m so happy I get to do life with you, babe.” He spoke. At this point they’d made their way to the kitchen and he nodded. “If you want to stay here you can but you looked so comfy on the couch I didn’t want you to move unless you wanted to.” @courtneyxblake

"I might be the most laid back pregnant lady in the history of, well ever," she rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out playfully at her husband. She gave him a smile, squeezing his hand, she always seemed to feel good around him. Whether it was physically, mentally, or emotionally. He just made her life so much better, and the way they could go back and forth just made it more fun. "I mean I wouldn't complain," she scrunched her nose with a chuckle, "I'll give you the cravings, and maybe neither of us would carry the nausea." The thought was nice but unrealistic unfortunately, but since she had to have it, she wouldn't want anyone else by her side. Her heart fluttered as he kissed her, something that happened every damn time he did so. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing but me being lucky to have you," she took in a breath, "I'm the luckiest girl in the world." She felt and believed that one thousand percent. "I can come with you," she started to say, "I believe in you. Like I always do!" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

"Who's to say what will happen?" he laughed, smirking as he shook his head. There was something about their playful banter that he'd never argue about. The way they could pick back and forth at each other without a care in the world. He loved her, and loved this side of their relationship. And he couldn't deny that his heart did swell a little at the thought of their child joining in on the fun in a few years. It was a comforting feeling. "I have been, it's weird." he smiled. "I was beginning to think I was the one with all the cravings and maybe I'd spared you." he laughed, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss against her lips in the process. "I'm lucky to have you, you know?" he smiled, hand resting against her cheek before he stood. "Alright. To the kitchen I go." he nodded. "Let's see how creative I can get with this sandwich." @courtneyxblake

He had always known how to comfort her, whether by his words or his actions, he always had that effect on her. And now as they started down the path of her pregnancy, she was ever so much more grateful to have him by her side. Shooting him a look at his reply, she had the tiniest of smirks plastered on her face. "And who's to say that'll even happen mister?" She laughed but then nodded, "I know and I apologize in advance about that. If it happens. But just know that I love you so much and it's just the hormones." She looked down towards her belly, the smallest of bumps starting to form, and she smiled to herself about it. But she understoid where he was coming from, though she'd never take things personally either. She loved him too much and knew he felt the same towards her. At the mention of pickles again, she could feel her stomach finally grumble with hunger, "good, and I know you've been on a pickles kick lately," she laughed seemingly always on the same page even after all these years together. "Pickles and peanut butter," she nodded, pondering momentarily, "maybe a sandwich? Like instead of banana and peanut butter, a pickle?" @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Something about comforting her comforted him and even when he couldn't manage to actually fix the issue or whatever she was feeling, Cohen would do his best to comfort her day in and day out. It truly was the least he could do for all the times she'd been there for him. "I just appreciate that we haven't made it to the stage of pregnancy where everything's my fault." Cohen sighed, eyes focusing on his wife before he laughed. "I'll do my best not to take it personally, but." he paused. "You know I can't always do that." The truth. Sometimes when they'd argue or she'd be upset he couldn't help but let his emotions get the best of him. She sat up, and he smiled, letting his hand now move to touch her hair, nodding when she said pickles sounded good. "Well, thankfully for you we do have pickles." Pickles and pickle flavored snacks had been Cohen's go to for a bit now; at least he knew he could help curb her craving with that. "Pickles and-" he paused. He wasn't one to judge; he'd invented a soda by mixing different flavors together growing up, food was nothing. "Okay. I mean would you like me to make you a sandwich?" he asked. "Or do you want like, a spoonful mixed with pickle juice? How can I help?" @courtneyxblake

As she sat on the couch, the wave of nausea disappointed the more he rubbed her feet. Something about his touch instantly out her and apparently their baby at ease. Seymour joined them, his head resting way as close as he could get to Courtney without being on top of her. She took in a deep breath, counting to five before speaking, "I know and you are," she reached down as far as she could to pat his hand before laughing, "guess I really haven't been so hungry lately. And when I am nothing satisfies me." She had heard about the weird cravings during pregnancy but none have been too bad as of late, though she didn't hold her breath on it staying that way. As the tv changed to a commercial one for food, instead of being nauseous, she finally got hungry. Looking over, she randomly started craving something but didn't know what exactly. "I know," and she sat up, still able to reach across and touch her feet, covering his hands with hers, "hopefully it calms down. I just hope it doesn't get worse." She blinked a few times and leaned her chin on her knees before hearing the commercial mention pickles. "Pickles sound good," she nodded before adding, "and peanut butter. Pickles and peanut butter sounds really good." @cohenblake

[cohenblake]

Sitting up a little straighter as she joined him on the couch, he let his hands move towards her feet where he massaged them, eyes focused on the other as she spoke. He had the slightest pout on his lip at her words; he truly felt terrible that he couldn't do more for her than he was. If he could take her place, he'd do it in a heart beat. But sadly he couldn't; all he could do was support her from wherever she needed him. Currently on the couch. "I would eat for you if I could." he exhaled. "I mean, I have been I guess." he laughed a little, letting his hand move to rub her leg a little, eyes meeting hers before moving his hand back to her feet, rubbing them again. "Are you hungry for anything in particular?" he questioned. "I know the morning sickness that is basically all day sickness is trying to tell you otherwise, but, if you want anything you know I'll go get it in a heart beat." he smiled. "Just say the word." @courtneyxblake

Who: @cohenblake and Courtney

Where: Their home

When: June 2025

Courtney was going almost into the last month of her third trimester, every day the baby inside her growing a tiny bit more. And with this passing of time, the morning sickness as reared it's ugly head, along side with some cravings. So far nothing too crazy, and she felt bad everytime she mentioned one, not wanting to make Cohen sick or have him rushing all over town to get it. But she knew he would go to the ends of the earth for her and their baby and she couldn't love him any more than she already did. After a particularly rough morning, she finished on the bathroom and headed on over to the couch, Seymour knowing his cue to come snuggle as she groaned and climbed on it laying her head on her husband's lap. "How can I be so hungry and so sick at the same time?" She asked, looking at up at Cohen from his lap, reaching out to take his hand and place it over her forehead.

[cohenblake]

“I’m a mess of broken promises and second chances—trying to make something worth holding onto.”

🎧 Smoke & Splinters – A Cohen Playlist

Chapter One: Shadows & Scrapes (0 - 14) The golden child’s shadow, scraped knees and wild grins.

Young Blood – Noah Kahan

Glory Days – Bruce Springsteen

Rivers and Roads – The Head and the Heart

Chapter Two: Rebels with Bruised Hearts (14 - 20) Military school, long-distance love, and breaking the world to feel something.

Do I Wanna Know? – Arctic Monkeys

I Wanna Get Better – Bleachers

Reckless – Madison Beer

Chapter Three: The Night Everything Broke (20 - 22) Jameson’s death. Kacey’s silence. The spiral that followed.

Youth – Daughter

Need the Sun to Break – James Bay

I Always Knew – The Vaccines

Chapter Four: Starting Fires to Stay Warm (22 - 25) Marriage, grief, guilt, and rebuilding with blood under the fingernails.

Tired – Beabadoobee

Burning Man – Dierks Bentley ft. Brothers Osborne

Out of the Woods – Taylor Swift (acoustic version)

Chapter Five: Smoke, Salt, and Soft Mornings (25 – Onward) Exterminating bugs, fixing broken pipes, learning how to breathe again.

Better Man – Leon Bridges

You’re Somebody Else – Flora Cash

Growing Sideways – Noah Kahan

Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

——————————————————

🧰 What You’d Find in His Glovebox

A dull box cutter with paint flecks on the blade

A Ziplock of guitar picks and a bent photo of Courtney from middle school

Unpaid parking tickets stuffed in an old bill envelope

A half-smoked cigarillo, no lighter in sight

A crumpled Post-it note that reads “Call Ma” with a line through it

An unopened bottle of hotel shampoo he keeps for no good reason

A small ring box with nothing inside

——————————————————

🗣 Rumors They Whisper About Him

“He once punched a guy for calling his wife a bitch. Didn’t even flinch when the guy swung back.”

“He’s not afraid of jail. He’s afraid of being alone.”

“They say he’s the reason three stop signs are missing in Greenville.”

“You think he’s gonna run? Nah. Cohen doesn’t run. He breaks the door down.”

“If you want someone who’ll burn the world for you—he’s the match.”

“He talks like a storm’s always five seconds behind him.”

——————————————————

📓 Survival Guide According to Cohen

Don’t throw the first punch unless it’s worth finishing.

Keep your promises—even the dumb ones you made at fourteen.

Always carry a lighter. Even if you quit. (He doesn't, but you know.)

Protect what’s yours, even when it breaks you.

Cry in the shower, not in front of strangers.

Love loud. Regret nothing.

Keep your head down until you can hit back.

Don’t let anyone call you broken if they never tried to fix you.

Forgiveness is for family. Everyone else gets the door.

——————————————————

📆 Inside His Mind - 6 Thoughts From The Past Year

February - Wanted to get high with Archie. Stayed home instead. Thought about how far I’ve come — and how far I still gotta go.

May - Woke up next to her. Thought about how lost I'd be without her. I love her so damn much it hurts sometimes.

July - Got drunk, walked past the fire station. Thought about Jameson. Didn’t cry. Threw up instead.

September - The trailer’s too quiet. Fixed the sink anyway.

October - Told Mom I was fine. Wasn’t. Courtney knew. Let me lie.

December - She smiled at me like she used to. That was the best thing all year.

[cohenblake]

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @liamxadair

"I'm still trying to figure out how we can back and won that." Cohen stated, his attention focusing on the other as they left the home. Playing dungeons and dragons wasn't something that he'd been able to do a lot over the course of the last few months for whatever reason, but, as he was determined not to lose himself, Cohen had started attending regularly again. "I was sure they were going to win overall for the night, honestly. They're a tough team to beat." he admitted, placing his hands in his pockets. "Thanks for showing me that last move a few weeks ago. I don't think I would've won it for us if it wasn't for that."