Daniel J. Collins

37 - Scotsman and Proud - If you see me in the street, don't bother.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

haveanicedae​:

Dae frowned, biting his lip. “That’s not honest..” he said quietly. He still glanced around nervously, hoping to see someone who could help before he followed Daniel anyway. He stood there a moment before he took out a couple of the things he bought to show the other.

“I got her cute toys! A new mushroom and uh.. what was this called? In English.. oh! Cottage! It looks like a little that she can go in. Little windows to pop out her little head!” Dae giggled while he held it close for Daniel to see.

“Oh I like to be honest, but sometimes you need to tell a little white lie or hide something to get through it.” Daniel continued to lead Dae away to another aisle. 

“Oh, how positively delightful.” Daniel said both sarcastically and genuinely. “Yes, a lovely little cottage... with the windows.”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

haveanicedae​:

Dae frowned, biting his lip. “Mm.. I just feel bad.. I don’t wanna make somebody else do it cause I did it,” he said, not uncommon for him to get down on himself for little mistakes. He managed a tiny grin at the other and spoke up again. “I got cute decorations for my axolotl’s tank! Do you wanna see?” 

“Then pretend you didn’t do it and walk away.” Daniel said as he guided Dae away from the mess and into another aisle.

“If you insist.”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

haveanicedae​:

Dae had jumped when the bottle broke and caused the juice to stream out of it and onto the floor. “Oops…” he muttered, audibly disappointed in himself. “I’m sorry! I need to clean it… um… I don’t know how I only have tissues in my backpack…” He glanced around in hopes of spotting someone who could help, but the sight of his friend had shortly distracted him from that task. “How are you? Shopping for anything fun?” 

“Just walk away and pretend you didn’t do it. That trick works for me when I break something.” Jeez, why is he getting so beat up about it? “Accidents happen, don’t get beat up about it.” Friend? FRIEND? Since when? “Groceries.”

[haveanicedae]

Dae was at Target shopping for his little family, consisting of his fiancé and their many pets. He didn’t like to play favorites with the animals, but the axolotl was his obsession and something that brought him infinite joy even on a horrible day. He spoiled the little salamander with little plastic plants for his tank. He was still giggling about the colorful mushrooms he found for her when he was turning into an aisle to pick some drinks, another item on his list. “Mr. Little Foot is gonna loove his mushrooms!~” he sang under his breath, in his own little world. He was reaching for apple juice when he grabbed the bottle too quickly and dropped it in between him and another person who was nearby. He hadn’t noticed who had joined him when he was absorbed in thought. He gasped, startling himself before he apologized, “S-sorry!”

@danieljcollinshartenstraat​

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

Daniel was doing his daily shop for himself. Potatoes, cereal, biscuits, snacks, all that sort of stuff. 

He manoeuvred his cart over to the fruit juice section and began scanning the shelves for some orange juice. He wasn’t even aware that Dae was also at the same place.

He was knocked out of his thoughts when he heard the bottle fall to the ground and smash, which caused the contents to spill out.

He was about to tell them off, but he saw who it was and he softened a bit. “It’s fine, It’s fine. Just be careful.”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

hotdamn-matt​:

“You’re completely blowing my mind with this right now. No joke. Mainly because you’re the first person to ever that about me. Just wait til you see me on one of my hyper moments and you’ll think I’m a cat strung out on cat nip.” 

Matt caught the towel with one hand and hung around the doorway while he spoke with Daniel. “That’s the spirit. It’s also a good and safe way to tack on more weight and not worry the bar will drop on your throat and strangle you.” He gave him a nod as he watched the man step into the locker room. In the meantime Matt walked around and scoped out the layout of the place. As he walked back he spied Daniel and returned to him. “You know it. It feels as if I’ve gone a solid year without a workout. Fair warning, I can go for an hour or more when I’m in the zone. So whenever you’re ready to leave thunk me on the back of the head or something.” Matt said as they went into the actual gym. 

Daniel reappeared a few minutes later, changed into a tee and shorts.  “Oh I feel that way sometimes, if I break my routine then it feels like I’ve neglected myself. Badly.”

Daniel led the man into the main gym, which was surprisingly quiet for the time it was. “It’s quiet today, which is good.”

Daniel nodded. “Sometimes I get in the zone too, so we might need to thunk each other to try and knock ourselves out of it.” That sounded closely like fuck, maybe not the best word choice.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

haveanicedae​:

Dae grinned softly, nodding once. His eyes scanned around the room, just more comfortable looking at other things sometimes rather than making eye contact with people. It was never to be rude, just to feel more relaxed. “Um, yeah, she stood too close to the fireplace when she was trying to get Pip to forgive her.. and her wedding dress caught on fire.”

He nodded, taking more in his palm and eating them. “Mm..” he hummed, not meaning to audibly show how good they were but he just couldn’t help it at times. He took a few sips of iced tea before he spoke again. “I like to read a lot of different things. When I read in college I was more comfortable reading in English at that time but some things I still needed to look up a little bit more so I could understand better. Just cause of how it’s written.”

“Very good.” He was impressed, the kid had actually read some good literature rather than that silly Manga. “Impressive.”

Daniel nodded as he listened to Dae talk. “Very interesting. That’s fair, especially considering English isn’t your native tongue?”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

tessasays​:

Ahh, the dreaded threat of a blind date. Although… wouldn’t her grandson’s father be her son? Or son-in-law, which is… potentially even more odd. Progressive, yes – but odd.

Oh. Well, it really depends how old he is. She told me she was 78, so it does depend what age she was when she had him. 

Y’know, I’ve actually forgotten where I was going with this.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

tessasays​:

Ah, but would she be likely to flirt more or less, if she knew? 

I suppose, but I don’t often feel like I have to speak up, honestly. In the grand scheme of things there are much more important things to be getting on with than my thoughts and opinions.

Probably less. But then I feel it would open the can of worms of; “Oh my grandson’s father is recently single and I know he likes men. I can set you up.” 

I guess, it’s really up to you.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

becksdonovan​:

I usually lean more toward cardio at one of the local gyms, myself – they have boxing gear and a heavy bag, and a buddy of mine who joins me occasionally. I might have to look into the trails, though, just for the fresh air.

So I hear – I’ve been trying to remember to take a day or two off here and there, but it’s hard to walk away when the bar is my baby, you know?

Oh absolutely, I get you. But the prime thing to do is realise it before you really do burnout. It’s not a nice thing to happen.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

devitrixpatel​:

I am too used to taking my bike everywhere that I somehow managed to forget about the trains. There must be deals happening at all times I can jump on! Now the brain cogs are turning and I can mention it to Jackie to see if she wants to go on a weekend trip. There you go with the genius ideas. A million thanks your way!

You are extremely welcome, buddy. I hope it goes well for you.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

hotdamn-matt​:

“You know something about rottweilers. They used to scare the hell out of me when I was a kid. Probably because of that Man’s Best Friend movie, but I finally got to chill with one when I used to foster dogs. They look intimidating but they are one of the sweetest dogs. At least that’s what happened with me and Rocko. Me? A cat? Me? I have never heard anyone compare me to a cat before.” he laughed. 

Still in disbelief about this whole thing, especially when he used to hang at the hospital around the time he met Betsy all those years ago. He had no idea there was this kind of level of….Jesus, he doesn’t even know what to call this because it all so asinine. “I know you can’t run your own practice, but I hope you find a place that’ll appreciate what you bring to the table and not if you’re able to charm the pants of someone.” he said with a soft smile. “By the way, what was your specialty anyway?”

He thanked Daniel for holding the door open for him and followed him while he stuck the one day pass into his wallet. “Cool, thanks man. I’ll wash it and return it to you the next time we hang.” he said once they entered the change room. Matt folded his towel and stuffed it into a locker. “Do you need someone to spot you? Core work can do me some good, too. I used to have great definition and after two months it’s starting to fade, which is no bueno. So, core and legs for me. Those bastards hurt the most after a hard workout but you keep burning those calories long after you’re done.”

“Well, you definitely give off that kitten like vibe.” Daniel chuckled and put his bag down.

“Hopefully, one day. A man can dream.” Daniel smiled and took out the spare towel and tossed it to Matt.

“Someone to spot me would be good. I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing it right, but I’m always willing to learn and grow.” Daniel smiled and took his workout clothes out of the bag. “I’ll be back in a minute, I’m gonna get changed.” Daniel popped into a cubicle and closed the door behind him, emerging a few minutes later in his gym clothes. “Ready?”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

haveanicedae​:

Dae nodded, “That’s okay. Manga’s really great, the stories are fun like anime and I like the style it’s written in. Just very quirky and fun.” He tilted his head as he looked at the book in the other man’s hands and grinned. “I’ve read that before, it is very good. I read that back in college.” He took a sip of his iced tea and then got a handful of M&M’s to munch on. “Would you like some?” He didn’t forget to offer some of his snack to Daniel.

“Hmmm.” In his opinion, literature shouldn’t be ‘quirky’ or ‘fun’. It’s an art form. “Oh! You’ve read it then?” Daniel snapped the book closed and placed it down. Time to test. “Tell me, how did Miss Havisham die in the book?” He shook his head when Dae offered M&Ms. “No thanks. I don’t have a sweet tooth.”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

becksdonovan​:

Yeah, I’d have to put my foot down if there were any actual fighting. I haven’t had to toss people out very often, but it happens once in a blue moon.

It doesn’t even have to be cycling, since I don’t currently own a bike. I did a little bit of traveling before I settled in Amsterdam, but not as much as I would have liked – and I’ve been rather pointedly reminded that I work too much, lately.

I’m a bit of a fitness nerd, so I do like to get out into the country. There’s trails and all sorts around, suitable for cycling, running and walking. Theres too much to name.

Overworking is never good, it makes the risk of burnout higher.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

“hotdamn-matt​:

“You’re grumpy and standoffish while I’m goofy and welcoming. It’s like you’re a cat and I’m a dog.” he said with a bit of a chuckle at this. “For the record, you’re a pretty cool guy. Been easy to talk to you.” Matt admitted as they passed by some people on the street. “That’s around the age I stopped, too. Though mine was because I got married. And before you ask,” he raised his left hand up and showed the wedding band is gone. “It didn’t work out.” It was stupid of him to think he and Betsy could make it work.

Matt’s in disbelief over the whole thing. “You would think that would be the major priority for someone. When I go to someone I want it to be someone who knows what the hell they are doing. Not if they can talk to me about movies or some shit. I mean, yeah, that would be cool, but when it comes to my health it’s not that important.” He frowned, hating the situation Daniel’s been placed in. “How long ago did you lose your job?”

They slowed to a stop in front of the gym and Matt’s glad it’s a straight shot from his front door. Hell, he can get a bike and get here even faster. “Wonder if they sell any smaller towels. I don’t know why I brought this massive one. Not like I’m going to sweat buckets.” He stepped inside and after talking to someone up front Matt secured a day pass to try things out. “What are you working out today? I want to hit the weights.”

“Hah, that’s a new comparison. I’m a Rottweiler, that’s the type of dog I am.” Daniel chuckled a little. “You are definitely one of those little curious tabby kittens. They always fall all over the place and act goofy. It’s rather light heartening.”

“I know, but apparently because I didn’t bow to them and give them a foot massage, that means more than me curing them. My job as a Doctor was to cure and care, not to abide by every need and whim. If it isn’t related to your symptoms, I’m not interested.” Daniel knew his approach was different to most Doctors, but it was a stressful job. 

Daniel walked into the gym and held the door open for Matt. “They don’t give out towels, but I always carry a spare.” Daniel smiled and led him to the changing rooms. “I’ll probably do weights and then some abs, I’ve been neglecting them.”

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

tessasays​:

That sounds sweet, though! Perhaps a little forward, depending on how old is “old,” but sweet nonetheless. I’m fairly certain I would have had the very same thanks-and-run-away reaction myself in your shoes, though.

Oh, I know it, it’s just a bit of a struggle sometimes, really. In the grand scheme of things, very few people are going to care all that much for my opinion, so I mostly just keep it to myself, even when I should probably be speaking up.

I think she’s in her seventies, I’ve never asked. It’s definitely forward, but I know it comes from a place of kindness. She doesn’t know that I’m into men though.

Don’t worry about what others care or think about. If you feel you have to speak up, and the situation warrants it, then do it.

[danieljcollinshartenstraat]

graciesnaps​:

…How offensive was the mispronunciation? That sounds like some mad over-reacting, but I guess the whole “drunk” part would be a contributing factor, so good on you.

Oh, I mostly do portraits and event photography – weddings and the like. I’ll occasionally wander around the city photographing whatever strikes my fancy, and there’s a few local publications that I’ll do freelance work for in that capacity, but mostly it’s out of my studio.

He started the fight, I may be grumpy and standoffish, but I’d never intentionally start a fight. I’m the sort of guy who will fight back though.

Oh that’s interesting. I tried photography once but I couldn’t get the hang of it so I stopped.

I’m assuming you enjoy the work?