#oc:edward walters

[angsty-violet]

Gasping

Brimmer sighed and adjusted his glasses. He knew he was caught out, and he couldn’t stand it. How dare this insolent, shabby lieutenant figure it out? How dare he undo all the hard work Brimmer had put in? He scowled at the man as Columbo explained what had led him to find out it was Brimmer. Brimmer could feel his temper start to rise, but he didn’t care. It was all over anyway. They knew it was him, they had the evidence, and they had him confessing to witnesses. The temper reached its boiling point, and before any of them could blink, he was on Columbo.

He talked the man to the ground and put his hands around the throat. He could hear the shouting of the other policemen, but it was distant like he was underwater. The only thing he knew was that he wanted to kill Columbo, and he was going to do it with his bare hands. He had the satisfaction of the lieutenant gasping for breath underneath his hands for a few paltry seconds. Then he was being hauled off him and carried away.

They dragged him away, shouting in anger and screaming at Columbo.

 Columbo rubbed gently at his neck. That was going to bruise badly. Edward would be appalled, but then he usually was when Columbo came home like this. Columbo gave a single thought more to his lover and then turned back to Mr. Kennicutt. He gave him a weak smile and glanced down at the contact lens in his hand.

Likely the man would be shocked when he realized that this was all for a hunch that just happened to play out on luck.

 At the precinct, he had excused himself to the bathroom to inspect the bruises on his neck. They had turned purple and when he probed one gently with a finger, a sharp pain radiated outward. A few hours had passed, and somehow, it had become even worse.

All Columbo wanted to do was crawl into bed with Edward and sleep for the next week. However, before he could do anything, he needed to finish his report, complete the rest of the paperwork, and check in with his Captain.

That knowledge didn’t make it any easier to go out there and do his job, though. Columbo scrubbed a hand over his face and, for the first time since he had made detective, felt the urge to run away. To leave the precinct and never look back. He knew that he never could do that, though. He would power through the last of the paperwork, and then the day would be over. He gave one last glance in the mirror to look at the dark shapes that decorated his neck, and then he forced himself back into the bullpen.

Columbo made a beeline for the coffee pot. Edward was pressuring him to give it up, and Columbo had scaled back quite a bit. However, to get through the rest of this miserable day, he would need a cup of stomach-eating sludge.

He got his coffee and headed back to his desk, where he spent 45 minutes slogging through the rest of his paperwork. When he finally managed it, he gave a sigh of relief, set it into the interoffice mail to be forwarded to the right people, and quickly stepped into his Captain’s office.

She looked up at him and glanced at his neck. “All finished, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, ma’am. All the paperwork is ready to go.

She nodded. “Alright then, go home and get a little rest. You have the next three days off. You’ve taken a lot of overtime lately, so let’s move your schedule around a little. Besides, we hopefully won’t need you for that long.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He agreed with a smile.

“Take care of yourself, Frank. It would help if you got into less trouble. One of these days, Edward is just going to lock the door and never let you out again.”

Columbo laughed in agreement. “Probably, but that’s what retirement is for. He can lock me in the house and take me out on vacations as much as he wants when we get there.”

She nodded and waved him out of her office.

 Columbo took a deep breath and entered the house. He knew that Edward would be upset. They had had this argument a thousand times. Columbo would come home injured, Edward would go into overprotective mode, and they would argue about Columbo taking so many risks on the job.

Edward was in the living room sipping on a drink and watching the news. He glanced up as Columbo entered and his drink stopped halfway to his mouth.

“What the Fuck happened to you?”

Columbo flinched a little, and Edward’s face softened.

“They had him off me in ten seconds flat. I didn’t take any chances this time. I had plenty of back-up there to help. I had no idea that he was going to attack me in front of a group of policemen.”

Edward approached him and wrapped his long arms around him. He rested his chin on top of Columbo’s head and held him close. Solid, dark fingers gripped his back firmly, and he sighed softly.

“I love you so much, Frank. You know that, right?”

Columbo nodded into his chest lightly. “I hate it when you come home to be banged-up and bruised. I want you to be safe, and when you aren’t, it scares me. However, it does make me feel better that you are more careful out in the world. It’s nice to know that you have back-up when you are doing these stunts.”

“Can you live with that?” Columbo asked him softly.

Edward traced the purple bruises. “Yes, I can. I am happy if there is someone to pull the crazies off you and stop them from killing you. Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed. Tomorrow you can tell me all about the crazy guy who tried to kill you.”

Edward took his hand and led Columbo towards the bedroom.

#whumptober2021 #no.2 #choking #columbo #fanfic #violence #whump #hurt columbo #columbo x oc #oc:edward walters #s01eo2:death lends a hand

[angsty-violet]

Barbed-Wire

Columbo took a short breath and let it out slowly. He breathed through the pain that was shooting up his wrists. Every time he moved or adjusted them, they hurt even more than they had initially.

“Oh, this is a pickle,” he said to himself softly. He moved around a little, looking for something that would help him get the barbed wire off his wrists. He couldn’t see anything, and he knew that he needed to get away from this place as soon as possible. If the suspect came back, who knew what they would do to him. He was massively hindered by the darkness, though. He knew it was daylight, but there didn’t seem to be any windows to let in some light.

Columbo sent a silent prayer, hoping that his Captain had noticed he was gone and would be sending out some help. He closed his eyes and focused on not panicking. That would only bring more danger. He did his best to remember what the place looked like when he had been drug in. He remembered the crates and the hooks that had been on the path he had brought in. The suspect had to walk around them to put him in the corner.

However, he wasn’t entirely sure which direction they had come from. The headwound wasn’t doing him any favors, but Columbo paid it no mind. He moved away from the corner he had been put in and scanned the warehouse where he had been stashed. Columbo looked for anything that might be familiar and found that there wasn’t much. He sighed but continued on his way.

Even if the suspect came back, if Columbo wasn’t there, the man would have a hard time finding him, and it would buy him a little more time. Every second he was away from the man was another second that his people would be out looking for him.

He moved forward several feet, using them to feel along the way so he didn’t bump into anything. He moved at what felt like a snail’s pace. However, moving forward allowed him to see that there was a slight glimmer of light. It was vertical, and Columbo desperately hoped that it was a doorway. The little bit of light illuminated the path in front of him just enough to see that there were a few things in his way.

He began to move a little faster, still holding his hands as still as he possibly could. When he reached the door, he prayed it wasn’t locked and reached for the doorknob. He sent up a prayer when it turned out that it wasn’t. He opened it, wincing as the motion caused the wire to dig further in. Columbo blinked away spots when he stepped out in the sun and quickly looked around. There didn’t seem to be any vehicles around, but the warehouse was on the water, limiting where he could be.

Columbo glanced down and winced at the sight of his wrists, bound and bleeding. He looked around and came across a pole sticking out of the ground. He quickly approached it, using the pole to unwrap the tightly wound barbed wire. He cringed as the spikes were pulled out of the ragged skin but continued.

He jogged quickly to the road and nearly burst into tears when he saw a taxicab driving by. Columbo promptly flagged them down, patting himself down to make sure that he still had his wallet. He hopped in and gave the address of the precinct.

 When Columbo finished giving his report, he was happy to see that someone had called Edward. Columbo didn’t bother waiting until they were alone. Everyone at the precinct knew, and they supported them. Those that didn’t had never bothered to make a big thing about it. He wrapped his arms around Edward’s broad strength and sighed into his chest. Edward stroked one dark, elegant hand through Columbo’s hair and held him close.

“It’s been a hell of a day.”

Edward laughed, deep and low. “I can tell.”

Columbo unburied his face and looked up at Edward. “Take me home, please.”

Edward nodded and guided him out. “They found your car. A couple of officers took it back to the house. Let’s get you home into a nice warm bath.”

Columbo pouted at him and allowed himself to be led to Edward’s car. He took the passenger seat and fumbled for one of his cigars. It took a minute of patting himself down to discover that he didn’t have one on him. Edward glanced at him and took out his pipe. He prepped it and gave it to Columbo.

“No, Frank, a bath it has to be. We need to keep your wrists and the bandages dry. You can leave them out, and I’ll scrub you down.”

“Alright, if you insist. I don’t think it’s fair, and I want you to remember that.”

Edward sighed. “I’ll put it on the record, lieutenant.”

“Thank you, counselor, that’s very kind of you. So generous of you to do so for a lowly little detective.”

Edward snorted. He was pretty sure that his lover had a dozen accommodations. Not to mention that his Captain gave him nearly total freedom to do his work however he wanted. The uniformed officers were in awe, the higher-ups impressed, and the other detectives had a keen sense of respect and affection.

“Sure, darling, I’m just humoring you.”

A glance to the side revealed Columbo smiling a little. Edward sometimes liked this game they played at. Sometimes, but not tonight. Tonight, all he wanted to do was wrap his lover up and pretend like he didn’t have such a dangerous job.

Edward smiled sadly when he felt Columbo’s hand on his. He wouldn’t change the man for the world, but he couldn’t help the worry he felt about how his lover lived. As though tomorrow had no chance of arriving and yesterday was gone and never coming back.

Edward shook his head and focused on driving.

#whumptober2021 #no.1 #bound #barbed wire #columbo #fanfic #blood #whump #columbo x oc #oc:edward walters #hurt columbo

[angsty-violet]

Prescription Murder

Burt Gordon drew him away, and Columbo went willingly. The DA’s office wasn’t their direct supervisor, but they had a lot of pull, which was dangerous. A man like that could get a lieutenant into a lot of hot water. Best to do as he was told. Otherwise, his Captain would catch it. Columbo didn’t want to put her in that position, when she was already so good about letting him investigate his way. Before Columbo had a chance to determine what it was about, the man was up close.

“Get this dealt with now,” Gordon hissed at Columbo, gripping Columbo’s arm firmly.

Columbo nodded quickly and tried to pull away. “Yes, sir, of course. Please let go now.”

“Listen very closely. Ray is a close friend of mine. He and Carol mean a lot to me, and you are going to find her attacker. You are going to do it quickly. Are we clear?”

“Yes, sir. Please, let go now. Please, sir, I need to go and work on this case.”

Gordon narrowed his eyes, gripped a little harder, and then let him go. Columbo gently pressed his hand against the bruise he could feel forming on his arm. He took several steps away from Gordon and eyed him warily.

Gordon wasn’t the only person who he spoked with who thought he could rough up the detectives. Usually, it didn’t happen in such a public place, though. Columbo wasn’t the only one he knew that had this happened, although it seemed to happen to him more often than other people. His captain said that it was because he was so soft when it came to his suspects, but he didn’t let them push him around. Not to mention that he was well below average for a man, some would even say, short. The men who towered over you often felt like they had the power, and it made them think they could get harsh with you.  

Columbo didn’t like being roughed up, but he knew that the people who usually did traditionally were the killer. Which often put him on the scent of who the killer was. Not always, like this DA who bruised him up. No, he wasn’t the killer, the husband though, there was something about him that just niggled at Columbo. Not to mention, if the DA was in this big of a rush, there might be something important there.

Columbo bobbed his head at Gordon and turned quickly back to Flemming. When he mentioned going to see his wife, Columbo jumped at the chance to go with him and get away from Gordon. He knew that if he was left alone, the man would likely do more damage or even start in on the threats. Odd, usually it was the murder suspects who got touchy. Columbo had to admit that this was a first for him.

 As Columbo egged Flemming on, he saw him approach and refused to take a step or two back. Flemming glowered at him and then turned away. Columbo heard him laugh, and Flemming turned around. Flemming’s face turned cruel. He reached up and gripped Columbo’s chin roughly. He spoke his cruel words reached up with his other hand to grab the back of Columbo’s neck. They tightened to the point of pain, but Columbo didn’t stop him. If he wanted to reveal himself like this, he was more than welcome. With all the cops around, it would be a cinch to get a conviction.

Columbo winced at the large rough hands on him. As Flemming spewed the vitriol he knew would convince Joan to flip on her boyfriend, Columbo just wanted this moment to be over. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see several of the uniformed officers wishing to step in. He stayed calm so that they wouldn’t.

When she revealed herself. Columbo gave a deep sigh and removed Flemming’s hands from his person. He absolutely couldn’t wait for this day to just be over.

 When Columbo got home, he was tired. He sighed and dropped his briefcase, and flopped down on the couch. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Columbo felt a soft kiss on his cheek and smiled gently.

“Rough day at the office, darling?” asked a deep husky voice.

“Turn on the light, and you can see for yourself,” Columbo said. He could almost hear Edward’s eyebrow raise.

Edward flicked on the light and winced at the sight of him. He sat back down next to Columbo and traced a hand lightly across the deep bruising on his neck and chin.

“Is there more of this?”

“Just my arm, but you already saw that.”

Edward clenched his jaw. “Yes, I did, and I am livid about it. He has no right to lay his filthy hands on you.”

Columbo smiled up at him. 6’1, broad-shouldered, cocoa colored skin, thick dark hair and a face you could hardly take your eyes off, Edward, was the light of Columbo’s life. Sometimes he couldn’t believe that he had gotten so lucky.

“I referred to you as my wife all day long, you know.”

Edward smiled at him and kissed him gently on the lips. “You always do. What details were you sharing about me this time? You tell me, I’m getting the arnica. You’re going to need a lot to help take the ache off that puppy. If you behave, I might even let you have a puff of my pipe. I’ll even put in the good tobacco because I love you that much.”

Columbo smiled and began to recount his day. How he had come to have the bruises that peppered his skin and about all the little details of his case. Edward dolled out the arnica carefully and contemplated whether he could get his lover into the bath. He internally shook his head. No, it was better if he slept through the night, and came at it fresh. Once Columbo was a little less bruised, it might be a little easier to get him to do what Edward wanted.

#whumptober2021 #no.6 #bruises #columbo #fanfic #lieutenant columbo #columbo x oc #hurt columbo #oc:edward walters #whump #angst #hurt comfort