to misery's end.

dom blair , 38, professor. 'he sighed when he heard the scream, but he finished shaving before he did anything about it.'

[dominikblair]

alicesolak‌:

She laughed, reaching forward to grab his hand, to squeeze it to show her affection. Very few people could get her to feel anything but sadness and worry these days, her heart having been ripped away when her child was taken, but Dom always seemed to know what to say. Of course he did. He had grown up with her, shown her what it meant to be loved and to love, and for that she would always be grateful. “I would rather not talk about the snow,” she replied. “Unless there’s a philosopher somewhere who has something to say about it.” She nudges him a bit and gets up, taking her mug of tea with her. “I’m gonna go get ready for bed. I’ll be right back- make yourself at home.” It didn’t take long for her to get changed and to wash her face, and she came back out in a long white nightgown, a braid draped across her shoulder. There were few people she let see her in her nighttime attire, but it wasn’t the first time Dom had seen her. “Where…where do you want to sleep?” 

The years had not been good to Alice and Dom as the lights behind their eyes became dimmer and dimmer. However, if there was one thing he could bring himself to be proud of was his friendship with Alice. It hadn’t fallen apart like everything else around them. It wasn’t perfect either. But it was the one thing that’d remained the same before adversities began crashing into their lives. He wasn’t sure what he’d done to deserve her, or if he did at all. "Choose your words carefully, Alice,” Dom said, lips slightly curled into a faint smirk. “You can’t unscramble an egg.” Though, in reality, he was relieved she opted not to return to the table. He wasn’t confident in his ability to talk about snow enough to serve as a distraction. He simply nodded in response before taking off his jacket and jumper. He hung his jacket off the coat-hanger and neatly folded his jumper before placing it on a chair. When Alice returned, Dom walked over towards her, noticing the braid. It’d been a while since he’d seen it. Nostalgia nearly breaks his lips into a small smile, but he scratched his beard instead. “Anywhere is fine, Alice. I don’t mind. My back is already ruined.”

[dominikblair]

Dom had texted Alice asking to meet him in the bathroom. It was Christmas Eve. He was packed up and ready to go but needed to check in with Alice before leaving.

@alicesolak

[dominikblair]

loganncrowe‌:

Logan stood near the doorway of his room, clipboard in hand. He wasn’t exactly ready for the lockdown to begin, but he knew the Haunt would stop for no one. No one was happy to be here, and he realized as the few people in his room filed past, the next two weeks may be harder than he expected. When Dominik approached him, he could tell the man wasn’t in the best mood either. “Yeah. Alice asked me to be a room leader,” he said, a smile plastered on his lips as if that would make any of this better. "Is Iris in a different room?” he asked. The pair were rarely seen in public together anymore, but he figured he could ask. 

"Room leader,” Dom repeated, monotone. “Congratulations.” It was one of those occurrences where sincerity lacked, but his voice and expression left just enough room for someone to question where he stood on the matter. As if someone more than ten years is junior being in charge wasn’t bad enough, the kid had to bring up Iris. This time, it was very clear in the sharpness of his gaze exactly how he felt about this topic. “No,” he replied bluntly, and walked into the room. “No phone for room service, I take it...” Dom muttered, disgruntled. Clearing his throat, he turned to the other. “Logan,” he said, dropping his bag and settling his gaze on Logan’s, “I am going to tell you now so you’re not alarmed when it happens, but I am going to leave this place.”

[dominikblair]

iriskings‌:

Vulnerability was not something taught in the King household. Her mother had said something as horrid as vulnerability could make Iris look weak, and in the world, people jump at the opportunity to cut someone down at the first sign of weakness. She was right, of course. Iris had seen many of her friends expose a flaw, something weak or intimate about themself, and she had just as soon watched others tear them to shreds in an instance. She herself had even been known to behave in such a way - which may or may not have been the other thing her mother had taught her. 

But Dominik Blair cared not for what others thought of him, and little seemed to ever effect him. Where Iris King was built upon a facade that she kept up so no one could ever cut her down, Dominik Blair simply couldn’t be cut down. And she envied that slightly more than she hated him. 

Yet here she stood, as vulnerable as she could get, crying in front of a man she’d hated for a good portion of her life. And even with such a high fight or flight instinct with Dominik, her body would do neither, and she could only hear his attempts to ease her worries. It was bizarre to be standing before him, and odd that he seemed not to care who she was and who he was, but just genuinely cared to make her feel better. Iris decided she didn’t mind this sort of attention from him, and it was an odd comfort in her current state of distress. It was short lived, of course.

It’s going to be okay. How could he possibly know that? She tilted her head up at him, and for a moment her anger almost overpowered her. But then there were those eyes again, staring down at her, and instead of whatever he was always looking at her like in class, there was something soft in his gaze, something that almost made her feel safe. Iris sniffled loudly and turned to look around the bathroom, because that gaze made her feel like her world wasn’t crumbling when it so clearly was, especially with the thing that was going to start growing inside of her. “This wasn’t supposed to happen like this.” She admitted, crossing her arms and looking down at the tile around them. “How am I ever going to know what to do?” Her question was honest and desperate, and the quiet sob that came out at the end certainly did not make her seem anywhere near calm.

Iris despised feeling out of control - and that was exactly what this little bathroom had made her feel. Uncertainty sat in the pit of her stomach, and her heart beat heavy as Dominik took another step forward. Despite her mind yelling at her body to step away from him, Iris took a small, hesitant step toward him. “You’re an odd one, Dominik Blair.” Iris almost laughed, which was a sudden feeling to have in the midst of crying. She let their eyes meet for only a moment, and she let herself show him an ounce of trust as she began to reach toward him. Even if her mind was telling her not to trust him, Iris wasn’t listening. She needed this. So, Iris wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed her tear stained face against his chest. And in some vain attempt to maintain control of the situation, she offered a muffled threat from against Dominik’s chest,

“If you tell anyone that I cried on you - I’ll castrate you.”

Dom was more than relieved as Iris wasn’t dismissive, as he so expected, but rather accepted him, and it appeared not to be so begrudging. It was noticeable in the way she let her eyes meet his, no matter how brief, contrasting the way her gaze had darted all over the place looking for a safe place to land, and this was more telling above any roll of the eyes, glares and stolen glances they’d ever shared. This felt pivotal. 

He stepped towards her more confidently, more comfortably, to somehow assure her of his sincerity. That this wasn’t all just to mock her later in front of the school or through whispers within the hallways. It was clear she wasn’t used to opening up like this, revealing all her chinks in armour and hoping no harm would come to her in return. He wasn’t used to seeing her like this either, but he found himself admiring her for it. Perhaps it wasn’t so much the fact that she wasn’t used to this level of intimacy but more so being used to the kind of hurtful responses whenever she, or anyone around her, tried that brought her hesitation. Flashbacks to her very public but unfair break-up came to mind, and it made him even more careful in his approach. 

The room faded away when she stepped into him his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her, gingerly rubbing her back with one hand and the other on the back of her head, hoping it’d be reassuring. Until a sudden recollection came to mind, and Dom quickly lowered his hand from her head in hopes she wouldn’t realise he’d been stroking her hair with a hand that’d touched her own urine. 

Could she sense it from the way his heart beat sped up a little? Dom was pleasantly surprised from the way she fit into him, as if he was made to hold her forever. He never realised she was so petite but he supposed that was the Iris King attitude making her seem bigger than she really was. And it came into action once again. 

A low, throaty chuckle rumbled from the pit of his chest as he drew back slightly to look at her with a feigned frown. “You were crying? No, that’s impossible...” He said, voice gentle with a teasing lilt, whilst bringing one hand up to cup her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb. “I must’ve missed it. Besides, I would have never have walked into the women’s bathroom.” Only Iris would make a threat in a situation like this and he hadn’t expected any different from her. Whilst his lips curled into a soft smile as an attempt to lighten the mood, a part of it came from being absolutely charmed by her. 

“Hey, it’s going to be alright,” and this time, Dom believed it a little bit more. He wasn’t sure what changed in the last thirty seconds but he could feel it in his chest. “There isn’t anything the Iris King can’t handle. And even if you can’t, if you don’t feel like going to anyone you particularly like, then I’ll be here for you if you ever need me. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t really know. Or, to be more precise, hate.”

[dominikblair]

Dom had argued with Iris all night and right up until the moment they both parted ways towards their separate lock-down destinations. It left him in one of the foulest moods, which was visible in the edge brought to his hardened features. Having ignored the information given to him the night before, Dom received his room allocation upon arriving at the church, then decided against any and all conversation as he stormed past everyone. He was familiar with the classrooms, and knew which one he’d be living in for the next two weeks, so he was surprised to see Logan standing outside his. “Logan,” he greeted with a small nod as he approached the room. “You’re in here?”

@loganncrowe

[dominikblair]

iriskings‌:

Iris typically would have fought him on whether or not it had been in the negatives, but given the fact that she was still freezing from her brief walk from the car to the house, she’d believe him just this once. Her drunken state was the least of her worries tonight, and if she were honest, she drove home under the influence often - she just supposed tonight had been the night where she’d drank a bit too much for even Dominik’s standards. And the thought of that was funny all in itself.

It was desperate that she craved his gaze, wasn’t it? Even as he stared at her in what she could imagine was a disapproving look, it still made her stomach twist in knots. She still longed for him to long her - desperately wanted him to flash her a smile, or say her name without exasperation following suit. Instead, she shrugged at him, watching him walk away from her and clean up her mess, again. “But, love - I never do.” With nothing left to say, Iris turned to go upstairs, satsified that she’d be getting out before a horrid fight started. 

Of course, he was known for pushing the limits just as often as she, and when he spoke again she leaned against the wall, sighing heavily. She didn’t bother to turn and look at him as she spoke. “Last I checked I wasn’t as devout as the company you keep.” She paused, fighting the way her heart jumped at the thought of the two of them going somewhere together. Reason settled in, of course he’d offer to go with her, she hated this time of year. “I planned on going to the motel. Will you be joining me, Nikki?” The nickname slipped out again, and she felt her face flush temporarily. 

Dom could hardly remember when or how things had gotten so complicated and bitter between them, which was unfortunate considering he could very vividly remember when things had been utterly heavenly. Euphoric. Too good to be true. It made these moments harder to digest, even though they were the only moments Iris and Dom had together these days. “God keeps the door of his mercy and offer of salvation open to everyone,” he quipped back, not meaning to sound as sarcastic as he did but he couldn’t help his purposefully reverent choice of words. With the bottle in one hand, her shoes in the other, he walked back towards the other side of the room to the shoe rack, though he was pretty sure this one belonged upstairs in her room. At the second utterance of the nickname, he froze for a fleeting moment before clearing his throat, and continuing towards the shoe rack. There was a few seconds of silence as he thought of how to say what he wanted to say. Once he’d put her shoes away, he stood up straight, finding her eyes as he sighed once before replying, “I thought we could go to the church. It’s safer. Less people.”

[dominikblair]

alicesolak‌:

Alice let herself get lost in him, burying her face in his chest, and keeping herself pressed to him as much as she could. Few people had ever seen her react to things this way, few people knew the real pain she had been feeling the past year. Dom was one of them, as he always seemed to know how to comfort her. He always knew what to say and what to do. She was sure, if God had granted them a previous life, they would have been intertwined in some way. He had always just felt so familiar to her, in the same way Father Reilly did. It was so simple to get lost in someone who provided them with the emotional intimacy they had been missing. She nodded at the question, keeping her eyes down as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “Yes, alright,” she replied, looking up at him then. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I can’t even…begin to describe how much you mean to me.” she put her hand on his cheek, running her thumb across the line of his beard, then let it drop back to her stomach, holding herself together. “I…well…It usually happens at night. Around this time, while I get ready for bed. That’s when I hear him.” 

“The least I can do,” he said calmly, desperate in still wanting to provide some form of reassurance by holding her face again, bringing her closer towards him as he tried to be a kind of safe space. “And you to me,” he replied so certainly, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. No language, ancient or existing, could ever capture how fundamental Alice was to Dom’s existence. It was easy to blame his taciturn nature, but every time he tried to express it himself it felt like a great injustice to them, and so he relied on her knowing to their connection. Over the years, it became harder and harder to have people by his side. None of it their faults. With Alice, it was different. She was the only one left. The only one he could stand to have by his side and he could breathe easier. As if they’d been breathing together for a long, long time. “Okay,” he nodded, checking his wrist for the time. Rubbing her shoulders, he spoke again, voice gentle and warm, “Would you like to get ready for bed now? Or, if you’d like, we can finish the tea... continue our very important conversation about the snow.”

[dominikblair]

isnotgold‌:

“Obviously you thought wrong,” Rowan snapped, polishing off his drink and gesturing for another. The bartender hesitated for a moment before doing as he was asked. That was the right move, considering if he hadn’t, Rowan would have “forgotten” to tip.

“I’ll be as nervy as I fuckin’ want to. After all, you’re the one who invited yourself into this shitstain of a day. You could have asked any question—any fucking question—and you lead with that. Do you know how many times a day I hear that? Everyone in this backwater wants to glimpse a little glitter. Little do they know, everybody’s already mined all the gold, so you better keep searching, buddy.”

The guy could have left then, and though he stood, he didn’t disconnect completely. Rowan arched a brow, his hackles raising at the mention of a pacifier, but when he saw what was offered, he barked a laugh at the unexpectedness of it.

He didn’t hesitate to take one, though his eyes never left the face of the unfortunate interloper. Who was this guy? Following his cue and walking over to light it, Rowan’s gaze softened a little, seeing the olive branch for what it was.

“Alright. I’ll bite. I told you to fuck off fifty ways and then some, but here you are, offering me stuff. What’s your angle? Are you that bored or just stupid?”

One of the most offensive sights one could find at a bar would be a young John-Wayne wanna-be drinking a good bottle of whiskey straight from the bottle. Something less distasteful, but just as worse, would be slamming the nectar down the gullet from a tiny glass. This was a sentiment his father always voiced over his own tumbler of honeyed gold, and Dom was unsurprised to find himself sharing it at the stranger now holding an empty glass. 

As the words continued to spill from the other’s lips, along with a laugh that nearly filled the space of the dreary bar, Dom remained as unmoved as stone. Even as he came to stand by him, though his curiosity seeped back into him again. He seemed to be a peculiar character after all. 

Dom didn’t respond just yet at the other’s questions, taking his sweet time as he slowly took a sip from his drink, letting the warm liquid wash across his palate and warm his stomach before placing the cigar between his lips as the flavours mixed in harmony.  

“Do you usually overthink trivial gestures?” He finally responded, and took another inhale from his cigar before speaking again. “Is this a... Californian thing?” 

A faint smirk curled along his lips. “Figured this would earn myself two more questions.” He brought his glass up to his chest, pausing to settle his gaze on the other’s. “Five, does everyone call each other dude?” This time he couldn’t help the small, humourless chuckle that escaped him as he looked into his glass. “Six, does everyone surf?” 

Dom then turned to fully face the stranger, a hint of amusement lingering in the corners of his lips. Perhaps because he was equally as, if not more, paranoid but wasn’t used to it being expressed in such a manner. “That whiskey is nice with this cigar.” He took another sip of his drink. The pairing was one of his father’s favourites, but he didn’t feel the need to share that piece of information with the stranger. “It’s calming. That’s all.” 

[dominikblair]

iriskings‌:

Iris met his gaze, noting the way his eyes flickered from her discarded belongings and back to her. She ignored him, of course, far more concerned in staying steady on her feet. All she wanted was a warm bath, and probably some more to drink. “It’s not in the negatives…” Iris countered, though she didn’t actually know for sure. “Please don’t be so dramatic, Nik.” She sighed, and took another drag of her cigarette. She wasn’t sure if smoking was more habit or stress induced, but she did find that she could keep her cool for longer when one was between her lips. And for nights full of unexpected arguments conversations with Dominik, it was best if she continued breathing in the nicotine, only mildly concerned of the second hand smoke he was facing. 

A soft chuckle left her lips as he talked from the kitchen, noting the way he stated it as if he couldn’t fathom why she was asking. She walked further away from the entry, hoping to reach the stairs before being provoked any further. However, Dominik is quick, his large strides reaching her before she had barely made it five feet from her original location. She frowned and crossed her arms, eyes floating to the bottle of wine. For a moment, she thought of asking him to share, and memories of curling up by the fireplace and talking about their days flood to the surface, wrapped up in blankets and drinking whatever expensive bottle they’d purchased.

“Hm?” She asked, tearing herself away from the memory to gaze up the seven inches from her face to his. She fought a soft sigh, taking in the tired eyes and shaggy hair - it seemed only yesterday he’d had bright eyes and a cocky smile, his hair scruffy but maintained. “Oh? Yes, Nikki, of course.” Iris’ face fell into a sort of ‘duh’ expression, and she patted her husband’s arm and tilted her head. “How else was I supposed to get home?”

“It is in the negatives,” he stated firmly, and for no reason at all but the fact that it was just one of those nights. It was one of those nights where they clashed left, right and centre. There was nothing they could do about it, as if it was written in the stars. Their roars would tear through the roof in a desperate cry for help, and they would always go unanswered. And so, Dom could feel something acerbic bubbling under the surface, and had he looked at Iris a little longer, he would’ve been able to see that she felt the same: she was tired too. 

He hated the fact that he caught ear of her chuckle, and tried to erase it from his memory immediately. Until they clashed again. And he confronted her, again. His eyes bore into hers, refusing his mind to go to a place of futile questions and expired memories. And her response helped. He fell silent for a moment and looked at her with disbelief. Taking a deep breath, he simply sighed and walked past her, shaking his head lightly. “You could’ve hurt someone,” he grumbled under his breath as he picked up her coat and shoes before walking over to the coat stand across the room. 

“Where are we going then?” He asked lowly whilst hanging up her coat. “For this ridiculous quarantine.” 

[dominikblair]

calsamuels‌:

Dominik Blair. Oh, there was nobody else in this town who thrilled Cal more. He had been half of the reason she’d gotten a job at Grand Madam’s, and even better yet, he’d been one of the first people she’d met in town. Not all of the men she hitch-hiked from were quite as attractive, nor as kind. She’d taking a liking to him, but oddly enough not from a sexual standpoint. He was married, after all ( as if that’d stopped her before ). No, Dominik Blair was in a class of his own - he was a mystery she’d never be able to figure out.

“Dom, looking sharp today, aren’t we?” She teased, giving him a wink. The only way she knew how to communicate was in a flirtatious manner - even when she didn’t mean it. “Big night indeed. Last night was exhausting, but tonight I’ve got that psychopath who wants me to call him ‘doctor’. I’m already gagging.” She replied easily, as if what she was saying was everyday conversation. “When am I gonna finally swindle you into spending the night with me, hm?” She joked again, bumping her hip against his playfully. This is how you talk to men - it’s how you have to talk to them, right? “One of these days I’ll catch you off guard, Blair. And it’ll be the best sex you’ve ever had, guaranteed.” 

The compliment brought a somewhat playful, incredulous roll of the eyes. He laughed quietly, a short huff of air out his nose that was barely audible. Naturally, his hand wrapped around his chin, stroking his beard – a bashful habit whenever he felt his features remotely lightening up – as his gaze fell to the floor briefly. “I see you still don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said looking back up at Cal.

“Doctor…” he repeated. His expression twisted to reveal his perturbation, along with some resentment towards his wife crawling back up his throat. “You don’t have to do anything you are uncomfortable with. You know that, don’t you, Cal?” A pause. “Iris is understanding.” No matter how he looked at it, she was his responsibility. This wasn’t something he could be in denial about. He’d brought her to Sallybrook, and then into his own home where she’d met Iris, which he knew was more than enough reason for anyone to want to join Grand Madam’s. “Still got the ring, Cal,” he said half-heartedly, tapping his ring finger. These reminders lost their austerity the more time he spent with her, understanding her better. “But no swindling need. You’re welcome to come over for dinner any time. Liam too.” he said warmly, though Liam’s invitation was a given. “How is he, by the way?”

[dominikblair]

alicesolak‌:

She watched as her friend turned into his normal, caring self and into his professor self. She knew this would happen, knew he would analyze it like he was writing a philosophical paper about spirits and entities. And yes, she still invited him over, still opened herself up and asked about this. She wondered, for a moment, if that was a mistake. But there was something about the gentleness in his eye, the way he looked at her with too much concern, that made her heart melt. Made her see the caring and nurturing side of Dominik that he usually hid away, only giving it to those he was closest to. Despite everything, she was glad she was one of those people. “Please don’t think I’m crazy,” she said, standing up and going to his room. “The door. I lock it every night before bed, and it only locks from the outside. But every morning I wake up, and it’s open.” She looks at him with wild and worried eyes. “But that’s not the only thing. Sometimes I just…hear him. Just…yelling my name, begging for me to see him. But I never see a thing. I can’t see him, Dom. I can’t, and he needs me and I can’t help.” That was when he hands began to shake, the tears coming to her eyes. “Please tell me I’m not crazy. Please.” 

Again, Dom shook his head at Alice’s notion that whatever she was going to say would make him think she was ever crazy. No; if anything, she was the closest to proof of the divine he’d seen. He’d never grow tired of reassuring her, especially when it came to this particular topic. So he stood up and followed wherever she lead him. As she stopped outside a room, one he knew had lost it’s owner, his chest felt heavy. It was Winter. This was only going to be one thing. Dom turned to Alice, and the look in her eyes made him fearful. He could feel her horror as a cold rush down his spine. He believed her, but he only allowed himself one explanation. Even as Dom explained himself before, he could hear himself echoing all the textbooks, journals and scholars he’d delved into rationalise the unknown. Somewhere along the way he’d lost his voice for a belief that wasn’t his but one for his own peace of mind. He cupped her face as he listened to her, tucking strands of hair behind her ears. “Oh Alice...” He whispered under his breath, pulling her into a warm embrace as he stroked her head. “I don’t think your crazy.” He pulled back a little, his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry you’re going through this. This sounds awful. I should’ve checked on you sooner, Alice, I’m so sorry.” He paused as he was about to offer some form of reassurance. However, the door opening over night wasn’t something he could explain with a ‘coping mechanism’ or ‘grief’. This was a physical action. There had to be something else. “Why don’t I stay with you tonight? Or a few nights. However long it takes for this to stop.”

[dominikblair]

iriskings‌:

There was just the waiting, the sweaty palms and the uncertainty. Iris had no idea if he would see the pregnancy stick, and it took a lot of internal struggle to stop herself from launching between him and the stall. Such a scene would only draw more attention to the stall, and peak his interest, yet standing and waiting felt far worse. Her heart pounded, as she waited for a question, laughter, judgment, or whatever young Dominik Blair would deliver upon seeing the pregnancy stick, but it took its sweet time coming.

Dominik was by far the person she tried to think about the least. Yet there was something about him that always caught her eye, despite her resilience in never speaking to him unless to argue. She figured it must be his eyes that drew her in, and the intensity that seemed to be just beneath their surface. His eyes had always felt like it pinned her in place. She’d always had to avoid his intensity, the gaze that held her in class when she’d speak against him, rival his opinion, or merely scoff at his words. 

Part of her knew her opinion didn’t need to be said, and many thought it annoying that she would encourage his behavior in class by arguing with him. But Iris supposed a good part of her relished in the fight, the way his gaze would set on her and no one else, and for a moment she could pretend that she was actually worth his time. Of course, Iris couldn’t stand him, it’s what she had truly believed, but even as she stood there, yelling at him, and trying to think the worst of him, he was still nothing but kind. Maybe there was a misjudgment in her assumptions, and maybe she had pushed her insecurities on him and turned it into hatred, but now was not the time for such thoughts. She distracted herself with turning on the sink, running water over her hands and trying to wipe the mascara from her cheeks.

The clatter was enough to get Iris to look away from the mirror and back at him, noticing the sheepish gaze in Dominik’s eyes. First she saw how close he was to the door, then the bag clutched in his hands, and then the source of all her (and now, she supposed, his) problems. Lying in the middle of the bathroom rested the positive test, mocking her as it stared up at them, and the pregnant pause between his words and her own was deafening. She stared at that test and saw her future turned to nothing but stress and uncertainty, stability slipping through her fingers once more.

“Y-yes.” She couldn’t fight the lump in her throat and the way her voice shook when she spoke. Iris sniffed loudly, trying to stop the onslaught of tears ready to fall, and she avoided his earnest gaze once again. “I’m not sure what to say.” She admitted, feeling the first tear break past her defenses. She could only hope Dominik was truly genuine with his words, and not waiting for the perfect moment to argue with or humiliate her. “I don’t know what to do.” She whispered, barely choking out the words. She was mortified to be saying this to him, of all people.

Iris King was pregnant. 

Dom wasn’t sure why but the fact hit him like a tonne of bricks. Perhaps it was because teenage pregnancy was surprisingly uncommon in Sallybrook, or unsurprisingly well hidden. Or maybe it was because she’d been dating a family friend of his not so long ago, and the thought of the pair having a baby together unsettled him. Or maybe it was because of how distraught she looked that could possibly mean unwanted circumstances -- was it disapproving parents, lack of a supportive partner, or the simple fact that this would mess up her plans for the future? Whatever it was, crying alone in a public bathroom didn’t exactly seem like she was over the moon.

Days like this should be filled with joy, he foolishly thought. He remembered when his own mother found out she was pregnant after trying for almost nine years. She’d been elated. He couldn’t remember if she’d ever shown such true and genuine emotion before. She’d lightened up wherever she went for nine months. This felt far from that, but it didn’t have to be. 

As the first tear rolled down her cheek, he instinctively took a step forward, and his hand jerked upwards, but he stopped himself there. “You don’t have to say anything,” he reassured quietly, wiping his hand on his jeans. 

His heart broke for her. It was difficult to even look at her when she looked so sad, even more so at her struggle to maintain composure. He was starting to think he was doing more harm than good by staying here. She’d always held her head up high, even when everyone was wanting for it to hang in shame, and he’d liked that about her. But there was a time to be prideful and a time to be vulnerable, and she clearly was only comfortable with him seeing one of them.

“Hey, hey...” he said, taking another careful step forward, relaxing his posture as much as possible to let her know he really was just trying to be there for her. “You’ve just found out, right? How are you supposed to know what to do? Just take one step at a time. It’s going to be okay.” The last sentence slips out of him. Dom was never known to utter words that could amount to an empty promise, no matter the circumstance. However, in this moment, desperate to comfort her in any way, he lied. 

“Iris, look... I’m going to give you hug...” He said, walking towards her slowly, arms open. Though she continued to avoid his gaze, he didn’t stop searching for hers. “But if you want to be alone, just tell me to... fuck off. I can stand outside, make sure no one comes in until you’re ready.” 

[dominikblair]

The downfall of a mangled bike and an injured ankle meant a little help to force the day to go faster was out of the question, which was a shame for he really could’ve had something stronger to wash down the pain killers with. He hated driving, and grew impatient as he waited at the crossroads. Tapping his thumbs against the wheel, he silenced the radio that was beginning to grate his nerves. Finally, the light turned green...

Dom quickly slammed the brakes at the sudden flash of colour, trying his best to steer the wheel but the collision was inevitable. He jolted forwards. The shit bag of an airbag remained unseen - his fault for driving a vintage car. “What the fuck...” He muttered and stepped out of the car, cracking his back and stretching his neck. A deep sigh escaped him as he observed the damage, “Fuck me...” He turned angry then, on the verge of losing his composure. However, as he glared into the other car, he froze on the spot.

“Oh shit...” He whispered under his breath, hardened features dissolving into a regretful expression. He walked over to the other car cautiously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Isaiah, are you okay?”

@theisaiahmiller

[dominikblair]

avercyy‌:

A small smile tugged at the corners of their lips towards the reaction they at least assumed they were receiving. Avery had a knack for being the teacher’s least favorite. Their record was impeccable and they couldn’t figure out why this professor was unrelenting. It wasn’t like Avery took this class seriously, so why on earth would he be taking them seriously? Was this some sort of no student left behind kind of thing? Because as much as Avery was interested in a challenge, they also weren’t opposed to simply dropping the class. Last resort in their eyes. 

“I don’t know.” Avery retorted simply, keeping an even gaze with their professor. “Keeps me entertained for one thing.” There were brief flashbacks Avery began to have of what they’d spy on the other student’s laptops. Their favorite had to have been the girl who was writing straight up novels length text messages to what Avery assumed was an ex. Although today’s fetish junkie was definitely a close second. “You know, you’ve got some real weirdos in this class you should be focusing on over me.” 

Avery stared towards the door as though it would show to their counterpart this conversation’s expiration was fast approaching. “Anyways, for the sake of saving both of our time. Could we possibly wrap up this heart-to-heart? I’ll work harder, it’s not you it’s me, blah, blah, blah.” 

Dom gave Avery a stern glance, nodding once at their reasoning. “You must be easily entertained,” he said simply.

Every day Dom stood in front of an audience and was exactly the type of person he’d hated as a child. If Dom had been nineteen again -- spirited, cocky, in love -- and had to sit in one of his current lectures, he would have either walked out, changed classes, or pushed all of his buttons to encourage him to do his job better. He knew he was unenthusiastic, hypocritical, but most of all he hated being here just as much as his students... so why should they listen to him? 

He had no reason for it, except that he was biased -- another trait he hated as a kid but had grown into. He watched Avery leave and had been genuinely happy for them, if not a little jealous. But he also watched as they came back, closing up their family business with an emptiness in their eyes he recognised all too well. He didn’t care if no one listened to him, but he cared if Avery did. It may have been too late for him, but if he could get at least help one kid from Sallybrook on the right path out of this prison of a town, then maybe he could rest easy.

Avery’s choice of words sparked further concern within Dom. He had a vague idea of how this conversation would go, but this caught his attention. His brows furrowed, gaze lifting up from his papers to meet theirs. “Over you? What makes you think they deserve it and you don’t?” He pulled a sheet of paper from his folder, a manual log of the assignments handed in by the class and their grades recorded. Only one row was empty with the name Avery Bones highlighted in orange. “This isn’t one of those talks, Avery.” Unusually, he dropped the formalities for just this moment. “It’s nearly the end of the semester. I can’t pass you when you haven’t submitted a single assignment.” He was simply stating facts they both knew, which was again, wasting both their times. 

“If you are willing to write an essay, article, paper, anything... that is of your interest, something you are passionate about, I will pass you with whatever grade you get. No word limit. And no need to take an exam.”

[dominikblair]

imogenlewis‌:

“Nothing can kill you,” Imogen observed casually. After all this time they were still alive, against all odds they had survived decades, despite The Haunt, despite her job, despite his hobbies. It spoke volumes about who they were as people. In a town inherently dangerous, they pursued danger even in their professional and private lives; as if living in Sallybrook wasn’t dangerous enough. Funny, almost, that they were so alike while she had nothing but a badge in common with her brothers.

When the bike toppled over and Dominik’s frustration visibly and audibly increased, Imogen sighed and got out of the car, engine still running, headlights losing themselves in the fog. “Is that thing even worth taking home?” She asked, inspecting the disfigured bike vaguely. “Take what you need from it and leave the frame,” she suggested helpfully. He might have use for a seat and wheels, and she might have a set of tools in the back of her car.

That was the thing about growing up in a patriarchal family. You weren’t taught make-up and dresses. Perhaps there had been a time Imogen longed for that cliché of a girl, but if she was being honest with herself the dirty life suited her much better. Not so much Dominik, it seemed. “Here, let’s get this done and get home. You look like you need a shower.”

'Nothing can kill you’ -- it shouldn’t have sounded as ominous as it did; after all, wasn’t the survival instinct a human’s most powerful drive? He wondered if she had intentionally spoken that way, if she was agreeing with what remained between the lines. Surviving, it felt like a curse of it’s own. However, despite Imogen putting her life on the line every day, and Dom purposefully testing his limits, when it came down to it would they fight or run? Whilst they shared more in common than they did with blood, he figured their differences would be revealed then. 

“Just because something’s broken doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed,” he grumbled, rubbing the side of his jaw. It was impractical and stubborn of him, and he knew it made sense to listen to Imogen, but he had a bad habit of holding onto things, even if they were damaged beyond repair. He cleared his throat, taking off his small back pack to pull out a 16-in-1 portable repair kit -- a gift from her, if he remembered correctly. Grabbing the bike on one end, he looked up at Imogen, silently asking for her help to turn the bike over. “First, I need a drink,” he corrected firmly. “Could we go to yours?”

[dominikblair]

marinaogden‌:

Coffee cup nearing half empty, she dipped the cup from her lips, gently swinging it in tiny circles so that the contents might swirl together. While her smile and laughter was common and obnoxious, hearing Dom’s was often contagious even if it was difficult to draw it from him. This time, she wasn’t successful; it was easy to get used to her antics after a time. Nonetheless, she missed the days when he was less brooding and easier to. Not that she should love the person he was any less. 

“Already done. But I think you could h-have went with a better blend. I’m thinking that one with the tiger on it? And more sugar, as per usual,” they chimed, rolling their eyes as a hardy elbow nudged him. The remnants of his coffee was deposited in his hand before they plucked the sign back into their embrace without much of a noise other than a smacking of their lips. Eventually, they could not help themselves. “Are you doing alright?” The voice that asked this was not elated and lively, but quiet and careful, similar to the one that they’d sported the very first day they’d become friends. “I know I haven’t seen you in awhile, but you’ve been keeping up with Alice, right? And you weren’t in the fire?” A smile was erased from her lips, curling downwards as their eyes deduced what they could from his appearance. 

Dom watched Mar as they casually drank from his cup, though his brows were furrowed his lips had curled upwards ever so slightly. The trees were bare, skies grey, and dispirited parents were hoping this winter wouldn’t be the last they’d have with their children, but in the middle of it all, standing in a bright orange jacket was Marina Odgen, breathing colour into everyone and everything around them. It was a part of their magic and Dom was eternally grateful the years hadn’t stolen that from them. At least not yet. 

“This is Guatemalan, Marina,” he stated, almost offended, taking the cup back as they switched. Though he figured they were referring to the pungent taste of alcohol mixed in. "It almost sounds like you should try, I don’t know, making your own coffee,” he said dryly though all in jest. There was a quick shift in atmosphere at their next question. Dom’s hardened expression returned. Whenever he was either with Mar or Alice, the other’s absence was always felt. However, the fact that he hadn’t seen them both in quite some time wasn’t something he was proud of, and his eyes betrayed his guilt. “I... I’ve been meaning to go see Alice. This time of year, it’s going to be hard on her,” he admitted, hoping Mar could be a better friend than him, which wasn’t difficult. “But no, not in the fire. I’m alright.” A pause. “I was home. And you? I can’t imagine what that night was like for you.”

[resynth]

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)