you're a sunflower.

  thirty-three years old. district attorney for the city of olympus. georgia born and raised.  

[isaacxmarshall]

bowieleblanc​:

-

Bowie has never really been the sort of person who bites their tongue. They firmly believed in saying what they thought or how they felt, because suppression is good for absolutely no one. But it’s always been different with Isaac, and sitting across from him now, they keep all the words that surface to themself. Mostly, they’re too tired, both in a literal, present sense and in a way that stretches far beyond this coffeeshop. It’s the same dead horse they spent so much time beating towards the end of their relationship. What’s the point of arguing about it again now, this time over tea and pastries as exes? It’s the last thing Bowie wants to do or even talk, especially considering it pertains to his momma, but more specifically, his goddamn daddy. “I remember,” They say simply in response to his constant need to explain himself as they reach for their tea again, taking a sip. What they want to say, however, and maybe they will, is that this matter of wanting to build something and wanting to provide for and take care of his parents doesn’t make him special. It’s a basic human desire. Hell, Bowie wants to build something. They want to make sure their momma’s good when the time comes too. Difference is, they never felt the need to sacrifice or change or compromise who they are in order to make these things happen. 

They laugh as they place their mug back onto the table, ready, willing, and eager to move on. “Poetry don’t got a name?” Bowie teases him in spite of themself, tilting their head right back at him as a smile pulls at their lips. They roll their eyes, their smile growing as Isaac speaks. “Oh like me, huh?” They ask, looking at him for a beat longer. It should be a shame how he’s still able to warm the same heart he broke. “Why would I laugh at that? You know I love creativity and color,” They add, gesturing before letting their hands settle in their lap.

✴ 

Sacrifice, settling for less because it was the right thing to do. As a kid, his mother raised him to reach for the stars no matter how far away they were. But his father? His father had him on a path for success since he was in diapers. It was always the same thing. Excel in school, graduate from Law school, pass the bar and work in the public sector for a little while for the experience. And then, when all was said and done and his father was ready to retire, he'd move back to Macon and take over the family practice.

That was what he meant to do.

That was what he was supposed to do.

And yet... the longer he sat there with Bowie, the more at home he felt. He never felt this way in his own childhood abode, never felt comfortable enough to shed his skin and show the world what was underneath. They brought him out of the shell he had formed around himself to keep the frivolous dreams and hopes instead, and they actually encouraged him to delve into a part of himself he left behind.

If only things had been different... if only he were different.

His face split into a wide grin. "Yeah, yeah, poetry got a name. It's uh, this old French dude. Sonnet on Love XIII," His smile turned sheepish. "It's, uh, kinda corny. Every time I read it though... your face pops in my head." He shrugged, his cheeks reddening at how open he was being. He chuckled. "Yeah, I know you do. How's the shop going?"

[isaacxmarshall]

harpercarmichael​:

.

“Just trust me,” Harper said, waving a hand dismissively at the man. The terminology wasn’t important when it came to the brass tax of it all. “Too many people get upset that their sauce didn’t go well with the overall dinner, so I’m glad I could at least assist.” Laughing a bit, the chef nodded. “Harper. And god yeah I hope I sound professional - I’m the head chef up at Calliope,” She said, holding a hand out for him to shake. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Okay.” He said with a polite grin, though he never entirely trusted anyone. Still, when it came to food he was more inclined to take someone else’s expertise than lean on his own -or lack thereof- skills. His eyes widened for a split second, taking in the name of the restaurant and putting two and two together on who exactly she worked for. “Oh, Calliope, that’s uh... Reina Thane’s place, right?” He said, nodding his head as he spoke. “Yeah, I heard about that place. Good food, so says just about everybody... What’s it like working for her?” He wondered, briefly recalling when he volunteered at the Rec Center the day of the storm and how she basically took charge of, well, …everything.

[isaacxmarshall]

summcrscng​:

┼

Summer had been deep in concentration reviewing her notes, trying to remember what connected with what, when Isaac came into her office with ‘an offering’. Her eyes drift from the screen momentarily, eyeing the bag. “I accept your offering,” she nods, closing the window and folding her laptop down to commit her attention to the attorney. “Is this a bribe or…” she says before he manages to assure her that he was coming down to her office anyway. “You know, this place wouldn’t creep you out if you just came down here to see all my cool stuff,” she reminds him, grabbing the bag and opening it to eat the first fry on the top of the food. Summer wasn’t sure if it was hers or not but now, it was. “Are we work chatting or am I talking you from a ledge? Because I can do either and you look like it could be either. I’m bad at reading people. It’s why I would be a terrible lawyer. Dead people don’t have body language. I mean– not in the traditional sense I guess.”

Isaac chuckled. “As an ADA, I have to say no. Bribery isn’t exactly in my forte, but sandwiches defintely are.” He said as he handed off Summer’s bag to her. He settled into the seat across from her, snorting at her offer. “By ‘cool stuff’ do you mean dead bodies? Because I gotta tell you, Summer, I think you’re a part of the rare few who thinks that’s cool.” He shivered at the thought. He could never do Summer’s job. Looking at crime scene photos and evidence was enough to make his stomach curl at times, and he doubted that would ever change. Even sitting in the confines of her office, he was still hyper aware of the fact that there was most likely a room full of bodies somewhere close by. He chuckled again and shrugged. “A little bit of both.” He said with a small bob of his head. “But mostly the second thing, with the ledge.” The lawyer shivered visibly at her words, shooting her an unamused look. “I still don’t know how you manage to eat in here all the time. I can stomach once... maybe twice a month.” 

[isaacxmarshall]

riverpatel​:

-

River shot him a quick smile, unable to resist the urge for pleasantries. To just catch up and go back to the time before he broke their best friend’s heart, but that was simply not something they could do. Not without knowing his intention, at the very least. “I’m fine.” They answered them with a shrug. When the server stopped by, they put in their order for a grilled cheese and fries with a cup of tomato soup. With that out of the way they could get down to the real reason they’d slid into Isaac’s booth. 

“Hey, so like, I’m not sure if you came here for the job or Bowie or both but-” they sighed. “I mean, last time this all happened it messed them up real bad and I’m not one to stand in the way of anyone’s path. But, I’m just sayin’ that if you aren’t sure you’re one hundred percent into it- maybe just be upfront about that, or at least say you just want to keep it friends.” River hated this. It’s not like they were the least bit intimidating, especially opposite of someone like Isaac. Nor was that their intention. They would honestly love for Bowie and Isaac to get back together or just be friends, or whatever. However, they did not want to see their platonic life partner in the pain they did the first time around. It killed them and there was almost nothing they could do to help. River felt like they were doing their bond a disservice not to say something.

It took Isaac a moment to process the kid’s words. Though he doubted they meant any ill-intent, the almost knee-jerk reaction to get defensive was damn hard to ignore. Him and Bowie were... complicated. And it was mostly his fault. 

Okay, it was entirely his fault. Still, he didn’t like being reminded about it, didn’t like thinking about how he intentionally screwed up the best thing that had ever happened to him. He preferred burying himself in his work, because avoiding problems outside of a courtroom was always the safest bet for him.

Isaac shifted in his seat and sighed. “Look, I know you mean well, but... I don’t think there’s a kind way of saying ‘mind your business’ without sounding like an asshole but... This is between me and Bowie.” He said the words lightly, hoping they came off less defensive than they sounded in his head. “We’ll always be friends. Always. And while I didn’t... intend to come here, I’m glad for that at least.” He shrugged, his fingers spinning his mug anxiously before him. “And frankly... I don’t really need anymore pressure from anybody about anything.”

[isaacxmarshall]

harpercarmichael​:

.

The month of November was like Harper’s Olympics. She met up with Andy to figure out the menu for this year and with a game plan set up, the chef was going to test out recipes all the way leading up to when the Big Dinner was happening. She had spent her time in the produce aisle on a call with Andy, asking what kind of rub he was going with for the turkey and what he thought about a cornbread stuffing instead of her traditional stuffing that she used the ends of her sourdough bread. She was in the aisle, going down her checklist of the different oils she needed to restock in her kitchen when Harper was stopped by another patron in the aisle. 

“Hm?” Harper asked, glancing up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. What one works best for Ziti? In his hand was a jar of premade sauce. Something that Harper typically avoided but in some cases - they served a purpose. “Well, I guess it depends. Are you going traditional baked with cheese? If so, go with something with a more interesting flavor profile.” Rolling onto her toes she grabbed a jar of what she was talking about. “If you’re adding a protein or something, you have to match that.” Grabbing a jar of garlic tomato sauce, she put that one in the man’s hand. “This one is my favorite in a pinch. Kinda goes with everything, but obviously since it’s premade you gotta add some stuff.”

✴

He blinked at her. Flavor profile? Logically, he knew what that meant, but as a clueless individual standing in the middle of the grocery store, she might as well have been speaking another language. “Uh... I was just making ziti.” He said, cringing at the cluelessness that tinged his tone. “Right, protein. I got that.” He nodded, watching as she reached up, grabbed a jar and put it in his hands. “He sighed in relief, giving it a quick read-over before he put it in his basket. “I think I can do that. Thank you, really, I was... well, not lost, but somewhere along that line.” He said, grateful. Isaac reached forward and shook her hands. “Isaac, by the way. You cook? I’m guessing you do, the last time I heard something like ‘Flavor profile’ was on the Cooking Channel.” Not that Isaac watched the Cooking Channel late at night when he couldn’t sleep...

[isaacxmarshall]

emmetalbot​:

✽

“She’s at a friend’s house. She’s at that age where the last thing she wants to do is hang out with her mom, you know how teenagers are.” Though Annie is just barely a teenager, having turned thirteen back in September and she hasn’t really wanted much to do with her mother since before even then but Emme is happy to let herself pretend, for now, that it’s just teen angst and not a direct result of how much she has screwed up as a mother in the last few years. She shakes her head, laughing and looking around the dreary rental with the grey and beige walls. “It looks like a dorm room, no offence taken. I think I want blue cabinets.”  She listens intently while Isaac lists off all the things he loves about his life, but eyes him apprehensively when his smile comes across as blatantly fake — or at least, not completely genuine. “You wanna tell me the truth now?”

✴

“Yeesh.” Isaac said with a small wince at Emme’s expense. He couldn’t imagine being at the stage in life that she was currently in- settled, with kids that their own minds and opinions, having a life that wasn’t dedicated to work or goals that weren’t his own. However, the longer he stayed in the DA’s office, the more he felt the creeping of what he believed to be purpose. Though it could have been rage and frustration propelling him more than anything else. He looked back down to Harley, hitting her with wide eyes and a animated features. “I can do that. Mommy wants blue cabinets, so she’s gonna get blue cabinets!” He said in a high tone, making the small human smile up at him again. He avoided his cousin’s gaze, shrugging his shoulders. “What truth? I am, I’m... okay.” He sighed heavily, making to pass Harley off to Emme. “You’re startin’ to sound like my moms and I don’t know if I like that. I’m fine. Not... happy, but fine. And hell, after the year I’ve had, I’ll take that while I can.”

[isaacxmarshall]

Do you think you'll stay in Olympus longterm or are you looking for a way out?

"Olympus was never in my plan. I was supposed to chop it up in New Orleans for a few years and then go back to Macon to take over my dad's practice, but... Look, I'm here now. The only thing I can do is my job and keep my head above water. And now... I don't know what my plans are."

[isaacxmarshall]

closed starter for @summcrscng

coroner’s office.

While Isaac wasn’t entirely happy about his current professional position, he was at least going to make the most of it. Being banished to a town with a high crime rate and little to no remorse for the dead bodies dropping in it’s streets, it should have been every prosecutor’s nightmare, and at first it was. He loathed going into to court to fight a case that he knew was to end in a ‘not guilty’ verdict, and the fact that his boss was more than happy to take a payment from Otto for the privilege was grating on his nerves. But, it also gave him a purpose, and that purpose meant he needed friends in every facet of his office and beyond. Summer, the County Coroner, was nice, hardworking, and had yet to be bribed by Olympus’ underbelly as far as he could tell. It didn’t take much for them to shift from colleagues to friends- even though he preferred their visits  to take place in his office. He did not like dead bodies.

Still, he could stomach them for awhile for lunch. He pushed his way past a few doors before he found Summer’s office, shuffling the bags of food in his hand as best he could. He smiled when he saw her at her desk. “I bring an offering.” He joked, holding up the bags for emphasis. “I had some free time and was coming down here anyway, figured we could eat and chat. That is if you have a rare moment of free time.”

[isaacxmarshall]

danillablnco​:

➖

DANI felt like life had slowed down and no matter how hard she ran or tried to catch up, she never could. Sleep was almost non-existent these days and she was just a mess of jumbled thought and fatigue. It made it impossible for her to remember things or even feel like a functioning member of society. Luckily for her, she had set reminders on her phone and that was probably her saving grace with her appointments and work. 

As for right now, she was heading back to work after a coffee break and had paused to fiddle with her phone. Turning to look at him when he stopped her from apologizing by telling her it was okay, she paused and gave him a sympathetic smile. He was probably being nice. “I would hope not but I know that people hate rings. I once put a coffee mug on a friend’s living room table and I thought she was about to die.” Dani laughed softly but then stopped, leaning up on her toes to make sure nothing was there. “Don’t I know it. I think people get meaner as the years go by.”

✴

“Trust me, Lucille has enough nicks and dings that a coffee ring is the least of my worries.” He also needed to replace one of the doors and fix the back bumper that was hanging on for dear life, but it ran. Besides, he had too many memories to part with the bucket of rust and old leather, even though he could more than afford a new one. 

Isaac nodded, tightening his hold on the strap of his bag slung across his chest. “Meaner is a word for it.” He said, trying not to allude to the fact that the people of Olympus were mostly comprised of criminals or those associated with criminals. “I’m Isaac, by the way. Since you’re using my car as a coffee table and all.” He said as he held out his hand, hoping his joke actually landed. 

[isaacxmarshall]

emmetalbot​:

✽

Seeing how good Isaac is with Harley isn’t a surprise. Though she had been isolated from her family for most of her eldest daughter’s younger years, there had been times that she had managed to connect and get together with her family — they were few and far between, but they were there, none the less. Though now a teenager, Annie has little to no interest in spending any real time with their family and would much rather hang out with her friends, but at least Harley is no where near that. Instead, the nearly one year old basks in the attention any time it’s thrown her way, especially loving when it comes from Isaac. A grin tugs up on her lips as he baby talks her, leaning back in her seat and watching with a soft gaze. “You’re too soft,” she jokes, “She isn’t even speaking yet and you’re already wrapped around her finger. You’re in for a long eighteen years.” But Isaac’s softness was always something that she admired about him, the warmth and kindness that he radiated was one of her favourite things about him. “I think we’re okay. I might try and talk you into giving up a Saturday to help me slap a coat of paint on this place in a few weeks, though. I’m not a fan of all of…. this.” A hand gestures at the walls of her home. Being a rental, almost every wall is a neutral shade of light grey and Emme longs for something with a little more colour. “Are you settling in okay?” 

✴

He chuckled at the mention of him being soft. He didn’t mind it at all. Not when it came to how he treated the people he cared about. “Yeah, yeah, make your jokes.” He said, gesturing to the boxes he had set near the door when he walked in. “I brought some gifts for her and Annie too.” He glanced around. “Where is Annie anyway?” Isaac’s relationship with his family had been complicated, at best. His father was mostly to blame for it, but... without his father, there no reason not to reach out to his family. Not to bond with them like he was now. He came over to sit beside Emme, Harley still cradled in his arms while her little hand clung to his t-shirt. He looked around at the walls she gestured to, nodding his head. “Yeah, okay. I can do that. No offense, it kind of feels like my dorm room.” Isaac told her with a cringe. He wondered if he should, or even could, tell her about all the bullshit that settled over his life. His corruption filled job that didn’t seem to be leading anywhere, his relationship with Bowie... “I’ve been good.” He said with a nod. “Yeah, my apartment is nice, I got a dog. Even got a little plant for my office.” He said, trying to give her a smile that he wasn’t sure reached the rest of his face. 

[isaacxmarshall]

closed starter for @harpercarmichael

olympus grocery.

“What the hell?” Isaac whispered to himself for what felt like the 100th time that day. Why was he doing this again? To somehow fake the sentiment that he was a grown ass man, he had told himself. While he had been raised by a woman who absolutely threw down in the kitchen, those skills hadn’t exactly passed on to him. Isaac was a man of books, his abilities with a stove were... well, there was a reason he was currently standing, staring at jars of tomato sauce as if he had any clue what to get. 

He picked up one jar before quickly putting it back to do the same with another, his brows furrowed in uncertainty. “Uh, excuse me,” He said, turning to the person walking down the aisle toward him. “I apologize if this is a... very, very stupid question, but which one do you think would work best for Ziti?” He said, cringing slightly. “I love to eat, but uh, I’m kind of clueless about this.”

[abdulmateens]

endless yahya abdul-mateen ii gifs: 1/?

[isaacxmarshall]

jeremiahthcne​:

.

Jeremiah blinked at the accessory in the man’s hands, then at Leighton. “How in God’s name did you get that out of your hair?” He had practically begged Emme to help him get them to stay in her hair before class started. They were Leighton’s favorites and if you didn’t put them in for her she let you know exactly how disappointed in you she was. “Thanks man,” Jer took the accessory from the man who’s face he didn’t quite recognize, before pocketing it. Leighton didn’t notice and her father wasn’t about to let her know that they weren’t in her hair. “She recently came into my life so we’ve been getting to know each other - which means she’s learning what buttons to press.” Shifting so he’s holding Leighton against his hip instead of like a football, Jer offered him a hand. “’m Jeremiah Thane - don’t think we’ve ever met.”

✴

“Magic, I’m convinced.” Isaac said, though he was sure the question wasn’t directed at him. As an only child, he had clung to his cousins when he was young. Their children were like his nieces and nephews, and often he was ‘Uncle Isaac’- the one that every child felt the need to climb, clamber on and wrestle with. Isaac was okay to indulge them and even found himself helping out their parents from time to time, so he was no stranger to hairballs and ribbons. “No problem.” He said with a nod. He chuckled. “Lemme guess, it’s every one in the book, huh? I gotta little cousin like that- an adult one too.” He snorted, remembering Emme in their youth. His brows furrowed as he took in the man’s name. Jeremiah Thane. Reina immediately was pulled to the forefront of his mind, along with everything that name meant in Olympus. He wondered if they were related. “Isaac, Isaac Marshall. Nice to meet you.” He said, reaching forward to shake his hand. “And we probably haven’t, I’ve only been in town a few months. Seems like everyone knows everyone around here though.”

[isaacxmarshall]

closed starter for @emmetalbot​

at emme’s house.

Isaac didn’t have too much experience with children. It was honestly limited to holidays and get togethers, when he’d pretend to be some kind of monster to chase around screaming and giggling children, or help them with whatever mischief they had planned to irk his mother’s nerves. Despite his inexperience, his heart swelled as he smiled down at his youngest cousin. Harley was cradled in his arms, looking up at him with big eyes as she contently nursed a pacifier. “Look at you.” He said in higher tone than normal, producing a sort of baby talk he didn’t even know he was capable. “Are you gonna be Cousin Isaac’s favorite? Huh?” He wiggled her foot with his words and looked to Emme, who sat nearby. “Thank god she takes after you, huh?” He joked, balancing the baby in his arms. “You settling in okay? Need anything?”

[jonstarks]

Candyman (2021) dir. Nia DaCosta

[danillablnco]

STARTER FOR @isaacxmarshall​

LOCATION: OUTSIDE ON THE STREET

HER hands were full and with her phone ringing, the brunette couldn’t reach for the device without having to drop something. The last thing she wanted was to accidentally knock over her coffee by placing it on the ground, especially since she’d waited thirty minutes in line for it. Finding a nearby car, the brunette placed her drink on top of it and answered the phone but frowned when it stopped ringing just as she rose it to her ear. Sighing, the brunette turned towards someone who seemed to be walking towards her. A pang of guilt immediately surfaced as she rushed to grab her items from the top of what she thought was their car. “I’m so sorry that I put my things on there. I swear I didn’t do it hard and it was only to answer the phone.” She knew how people could be when it came to their personal items so she was fully expecting to be yelled at even though the car was far from new. 

[isaacxmarshall]

Isaac walked out of the courthouse with a little bit of a pep in his step. The past few months had been tedious for him professionally, as he had gone from trying cases in a large, diverse city to slumming in circuit court in a town with one of the highest crime rates in the county- hell, he could even say the state. Hopefully, based on the talk he just had with the DA, that would change. The long nights and shitty office had paid off to actual cases where he could maybe, hopefully, do some good in a town that had been his punishment. 

He jumbled in his pocket for his keys, his briefcase slid between his arms. He was eager to get home to Daisy and get a jump start on the new case files he had received. He raised his brow and craned his neck to look around the cup of coffee sitting on his car at the woman profusely apologizing to him. “It’s all good. Honest. She’s got some years on her, so I’m sure a paper cup won’t hurt her too much.” He said. Hell, Lucille was a gift from his grandfather, and he’d had the car ten years before that. “I wouldn’t recommend doing that to anybody else though. Not everybody is as nice as I am in Olympus.”

[riverpatel]

set: october 2021 location: little dove diner availability: closed | @isaacxmarshall​

River hadn’t talked to Isaac much since he entered back into Bowie’s life. In the grand scheme of things, it was Bowie’s choice to let him in again and be friends or date or whatever they ended up doing. They knew well about their connection and all that. However, none of that logic made them any less mad about seeing the greatest platonic love of their life in the lowest spot they’d ever seen them when Isaac ended things. If it had been nearly anyone else, River would have been able to see both side of things and respectfully validate them both, if warranted. This was Bowie, though and there was zero logic involved when someone hurt them. Now, they worried it would happen again and while there was nothing they could do to stop it, they could at least see what was on the horizon. So when they spotted them at the diner, they forwent their order to go and moved over to his table.

“Mind if I sit?” They asked rhetorically and slid into the booth across from him. What really was a drag about all of this, is River liked Isaac. At least they did before, they didn’t know him much anymore and they’d never reached out after the break-up. Though there were a couple times they’d thought about it. “How are you?” They started light, so they could order their food before getting into the heavy questions. That way there’d be less interruption. River also wasn’t too keen on the whole confrontation thing, it made his veins buzz with anxiety. Which only made them want to kill the feeling immediately in any way possible. 

[isaacxmarshall]

He dug into his nice stack of waffles with a relieved sigh. After his run that morning, he had been left ravenous, and he quickly learned that Little Dove was the best spot to settle in and enjoy his food. Minimal bullshit, unlike... other locations in the small New Orleans town. Good food made him miss the little life he had built for himself in New Orleans. Before he had lived in this upstairs apartment that overlooked the river. He would spend his days on his balcony with a book in hand, watching the sunset on an old city. Olympus wasn’t quite calm enough for such things, and he hadn’t found a way to remedy it yet. He didn’t know why he felt he urge to be that person once more, the one who risks it all for the good of many. Perhaps it was because he was used to making sacrifices for others, even if it meant his own well being was left wanting.

At least he had his waffles though. Isaac’s shoulders sagged and he melted into the booth almost, mid way to reaching for his coffee when a familiar voice caught his ears. His gaze was quick to dart to River, a wide smile spreading out on his lips. “Yeah, yeah, of course. Long time no see, kid.” He told them, offering the seat across from his with a wave. “I’m good, I guess. Can’t really complain, don’t really want to. How about you?”