Chapter Text
Mare had invited Colin over for dinner at her place. The kids and her mom were out at some event, which gave the whole house to her.
Of course, not before her family helped her get dressed up, telling her she had to look nice for Colin. They wouldn’t stop musing about how Mare was going to cook dinner for a date. (And also how Mare was definitely going to ruin the food, as she couldn’t cook). Everyone urged Mare strongly to follow the resecpie.
And she did, really! She tried to anyway. But she couldn’t find the right measuring cups, and she accidentally used sugar instead of salt. So maybe their food would be a little sweater then it was supposed to… Who put the sugar where the salt usually was anyway?
So now, Mare was rushing around the kitchen, cursing wildly as things started to get worse and worse. The kitchen had been in the oven too long as she was running around. The kitchen suddenly smelled awful, and Mare’s eyes went wide. “Fuck!!” She cried out, slamming the oven door open. Heat poured out and coiled around her face and legs. She reached out and pulled the smoking food out of the oven. She threw it into the sink, and let cold water pour over the ruined food.
“Fuck….” She muttered again, wiping her brow. Just then, her phone pinged with a text.
Of course it was Colin. And of course the text was followed by the doorbell ringing.
He was here.
“Fuck.” Mare stated.
She moved downstairs, and opened the door. Colin looked so handsome as he stood before her. He took up most of the doorframe, and was illuminated by the porch light. It gave the illusion that he was glowing.
Mare had to fight off a flush. She wasn’t some giddy school girl. Just because Colin looked like some kind of glowing angel in her doorway didn't mean she had to show she felt that way.
Colin on the other had no trouble showing how smitten he was for Mare. He beamed on instant. Mare looked like a very nervous, pressed queen. Colin elected to ignore the fact of her mood to focus on her outfit and how beautiful she looked first.
Mare always seemed to be in a spoiled mood on dates, so Colin would choose to focus on the nice stuff first. He grinned as he stared at her.
For a moment, they marvel at each other. Then, they stepped inside.
Immediately Colin paused. Suddenly he knew why Mare looked so displeased. The smell of the house was awful. It smelled like everything had caught on fire and then the ashes had burned all over again.
“What happened?” Colin asked, peeking his head into the kitchen. Mare cringes, “I burned the food. And mixed up some of the ingredients too.” She grumbles, annoyed and a little embarrassed.
Colin smiled, “It’s ok. I can help you cook something else?” Colin offered, staring at Mare so intently. His eyes were always so soft, even with their dark hue. It made Mare stutter a little as she answered, “Sure. actually, that’d be great.” She admitted. Colin smiled, and stepped fully into the kitchen.
He draped his coat over the back of the table chairs, and rolled up his sleeves. Something about this made Mare’s stomach do a little flip.
Colin threw out the ruined food, and checked what they had left. Colin found that they had enough to make some pasta and red sauce. It wasn’t all that fancy, but it was what they had.
“Hang on, check the fridge again there might be more chicken.” Mare said suddenly as Colin was setting up a pot of water.
Colin moved back to the fridge, and surely enough, there was more chicken.
Colin washed his hands, and began prepping all of the food. Mare sat at the table while he did so, watching him work.
It was impressive, really. Colin seemed to know his way around the kitchen so effortlessly. His moves were smooth and well paced. It made Mare wonder how it could work so well for him, and not for her. She figured she’d ask him to teach her sometime.
Just as she was thinking that, Colin called her over. “Here, let me show you how to do this.” Colin smiled. Mare got up and walked over, not really believing she’d take on whatever he’d show her.
Mare pressed up against the counter and stared uselessly down at the chicken. Colin pressed up against’ Mare’s back, making her breath hitch. (Was he being more confident tonight than usual? yes).
Gently, Colin took Mare’s hands, and moved them into position. He gently led her hand together and helped her work through the steps. Mare was barely paying attention, however, focusing more on Colin's hands. They had always been relatively soft with callouses. But now that he had quit his job, his hands were even softer, and his callouses had softened.
Colin was looking for jobs still, taking his time to heal better before jumping into something different. This gave time fior his hands to get softer and dimenor to shift and grow less heavy. Without the weight of his job, he seemed even lighter and sweeter than before. (Of course, he was not without his moments. He did get shot in the face afterall).
--
After a little while, the fpd finished cooking. Oclin plated and served while Mare sat down. She fussed about how it was her house, and how she was supposed to be feeding him. But Colin waved her off, insistent that she let him do it. Ever the kind gentleman, it seemed. Mare sighed fondly despite herself.
The two ate in between light conversation. Colin went off as he did on their first date. But this time, Mare listened. This time she let herself care and indulge in his sweet childhood stories.
It was nice to hear him talk and speak about what it was like growing up and working as a detective. They chatted intermittently, occasionally Mare would take over and tell a story about how wild her family always was.
It was comforting to Colin, to feel close to a large family. It was something he’d always lacked. Despite living with his mother, he was mainly disconnected from his whole family. He was also disconnected from his high school friends and colleagues at the county. Their personalities had never worked together very well, leaving Colin feeling like an outsider.
Finally, Colin had found a place to belong.
And finally Mare had found a person she could really be herself with. Allowing herself to slip into his stories. She could imagine him as a highschooler--apple cheeks and big dimples.
Colin on the other hand, could imagine himself sitting on their couch or in the kitchen. He could see the stories the Mare was telling. Could see Drew running around, and hear Siobhan complaining and joking.
The both of them felt more in place then they ever had before.
Suddenly, Mare looked back on Colin's soft hands and guiding touches. She was thankful, for once, that she never learned how to cook.