Black Dog

carry on my w a y w a r d son. there'll be P E A C E when you are d o n e.

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

Nicolette giggled the way up to David’s apartment, feeling Janis squirming with excitement in her carrier for being around her adopted cat-father. “I moved to New York for college when I was 19,” Nicolette thought aloud, doing math in her head. “I turned thirty there and it was one of the most miserable birthdays of my life. I was there for a whole ten years.” A decade half-wasted, she thought to herself, five of those years Nicolette having the time of her life and five more wondering if life was worth it at all. “You always get her toys, babe. I think you spoil her more than me.” Once inside Nicolette set the carrier down and let Janis loose, the black furball gravitating towards David’s ankles. “Um, do you care if I do on and get comfortable? I just sort of want to relax tonight,” Nicolette asked, wringing her hands nervously. 

A frown crossed his face as he took in her words. “I’m sorry your birthday was such a bad experience.” A blush spread over his face as she made a comment about him spoiling Janis. “I know, I know. I just want her to be comfortable here. I want you both to be comfortable here.” He smiled and shook his head, “of course I don’t mind princess. I’ve got my stuff set up on the dining table so I’m good to fix it.” He started walking towards the table before he turned his head over his shoulder and called out, “actually can you grab my guitar? It might help with tuning. Its on the right hand of my closet in a black case.”

[jam-al-damiri]

It was starting to cool down outside and Jam was thrilled.  He’d grown up in Egypt and had been used to the heat, but he’d been living in New York and Chicago since he was 18 and he’d lost his tolerance for heat.  He had a catalog shoot that day and he was on a break for a little while, standing on the street outside the studio so he could smoke when he saw someone he knew. 

“Hey! You know, I’ve got about 45 minute left on break and I’m dying for some coffee, do you want to go grab some before I have to go back in.” 

@chicagcstart​

[thedavidreyes]

David walked a little faster than normal. He was on his lunch and usually that meant having a smoke. But, he was in the process of trying to quit, he thought maybe a nice walk would help, he’d always liked it colder. He was doing his best to try and stay distracted from the itch. He looked up from his feet and smiled, “Hi. You know what, I would kill for a coffee right now. There’s a pretty good spot, about two blocks up. Want to check it out?”

[harrison-bennett-deactivated202]

Harrison had been pacing the aisles of the store for a good thirty minutes, still unable to find exactly what it was that he was looking for. It had gotten to the point where he couldn’t even remember what he was there for, so he found himself standing in the middle of the walkway, staring at the shelves in front of him. “Have you ever really given much thought into how there came to be so many different kinds of chips? I mean, just fucking look at them all. Who’s idea was it? Who looked at a potato and thought, ‘Fuck, I know how to make this shit better! Slice it up nice and thin and let’s see what happens!’ Then there’s the flavours. Don’t even get me started on the fucking flavours.”

@chicagcstart​

[thedavidreyes]

David stared at the chips in front of him trying to pick another flavour. He had already grabbed a bag of honey soy chicken chips but now he was trying to figure out a flavour that Nicolette might like. Just as he was mentally cursing whoever made so many options he heard someone voicing his concerns. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he nodded, “I know it’s ridiculous. Why are there so many?” He turned to look at the man, “but I mean, if there’s one thing people like to mess around with, it’s potatoes. Chips, fries, mash, even vodka.”

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

“Good. I hope you know it’ll probably be my shirt after tonight. Don’t expect to get it back,” she smiled. Nicolette would be lying if she said she hadn’t dug through David’s closet once or twice already, imagining wearing his clothes out and about, around the house, in bed, basically any chance she could get. Anything to feel like he was closer to her. “Yeah, I’m not really good at it I guess,” she cringed. “I passed the paper version of my test when I turned sixteen. Failed the driving portion. Anytime anyone tried to teach me they ended up cutting the lesson short. I just rode around everywhere with friends or Lucas in high school, and when I lived in New York I didn’t need a car at all. I’m used to it here, by now. Besides, now I have you to drive me around,” Nic teased. 

He chuckled and shook his head, “don’t worry i would never be so stupid as to think that I’d get it back.” Its not like he’d be upset if she did steal his shirt. It wouldn’t even be considered stealing, he’d willingly give it to her. He looked at her while she spoke and felt his eyebrows raising on their own accord, fighting to bring them back down. It was a little odd maybe, everyone he’d grown up with couldn’t wait to get their license, even the bad ones. But he wasn’t about to judge her. Lord knows there are bigger concerns in life than driving. “Makes sense, especially while living in a place like New York. How long did you live there?” He grinned and gave a scoff at her teasing comment, “oh, so I’m the chauffer huh? I see how it is.” He smiled as her turned to face her, “I got Janis a toy, I hope you don’t mind. Its just on the coffee table by the couch.”

[viktoriaaliz-t]

“Guess who is now officially an American citizen?” Viktoria smiled bright as she gave a little dance at the bar. It took forever, but she finally was free of any visas that she had. She truly didn’t realize how much went into it until she started the process three years ago. “I want to celebrate. Do you want to take a shot with me? Or I can buy you and drink and we can dance? Please celebrate with me,” she looked over at the person with puppy eyes that stayed with the smile. @chicagcstart​

[thedavidreyes]

David looked up from his drink with a grin. He didn’t have many memories of his father being happy, but one he did was when they had all become citizens. And if it had the power to make that man happy, this woman must’ve been over the moon. “Look, I don’t dance. But I’m not going to say no to another drink.” He flashed her a grin as he finished the beer he had in hand. 

[a-small-drop-in-a-big-pond]

Ella smiled and nodded her head in thanks, grabbing her coffee. Ella held one out to her friend. “So like I was saying. I was trying to gather information on my client and do all the legal stuff I have to do. When my client turns to me and asks me out for coffee.” Ella said as she reached up and brushed a strand of blonde hair out her eyes. “I just froze, I didn’t know what to say. Which is dumb right? Because clearly it’s a breach of so many rules.”

[thedavidreyes]

David took the coffee with  an appreciative nod, sighing as he took the first sip of the dark liquid. “What a dick,” he pulled a face as he looked at the woman. “Yeah its breach, and fucking rude of him to assume that was okay. I think you should’ve decked him.” He shrugged his shoulders, “or at least thrown him out.”

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

“Anything to get a little more time to gawk, babe,” Nicolette said, laughing for the first time that night. “Yeah, I do. Some undies would be nice,” she mentioned, pretty sure some of those had been left at David’s place at some point. “Maybe a t-shirt to wear to bed too.” The thought made her happy, the woman actually glad that she’d forgotten her usual overnight bag. There was something special about getting to wear his clothes to sleep. They smelled like him, somehow felt like him, and always managed to lull her to sleep better than even the silkiest of pajama sets she could own. “Um, I don’t have a car,” she reminded him. “I actually don’t even drive.”

David smiled at her laugh and nodded at her requests, “I think I can manage that.” He added with a chuckle. He was surprisingly happy that she wanted to wear his shirt. Maybe it was the fact that no one  had ever really worn his shirt before, not in such a fluffy and domestic way. “Oh.” He tried to control his emotions not wanting to over react or have her feel like he was judging her. “I forgot you said you didn’t have a car. But, I didn’t realise you couldn’t drive.” As they got to the door he opened it and let her walk in first with Janis. “Do you find it tricky to get around? You’re probably use to it now huh?” 

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

“I’ll just make sure i watch you really carefully. Shouldn’t be a problem,” Nicolette laughed. She’d be lying if she said she didn’t want any excuse to just look at David for a prolonged period of time. She’d always thought he was handsome but the longer they were together the more and more she felt he was the most attractive man on Earth. She smiled into his kiss and started to follow him to the door, her feet moving faster than usual so she wouldn’t get too far behind. She didn’t want to be out here alone. It didn’t feel safe anymore. “Huh? Oh, damnit.” She groaned at herself, realizing that she’d overlooked packing a bag in her hasty decision to stay the night with him. “I don’t want to,” Nicolette piped up, quickly thinking over her word choice. “I don’t need to, either,” she said. “I just forget with the guitar and Janis and everything. Guess life would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to worry about getting a ride everywhere too,” Nic sighed. “Can I just sleep in something of yours tonight? Please?”

He smiled, “just needed an excuse to stare huh? You know a photo will last longer.” He couldn’t help the teasing tone to his words. he still couldn’t believe that someone younger and as gorgeous as Nicolette would give him the time of day. But he was more than grateful and ready to do whatever it takes to keep it that way. His proper smile returned when she said she didn’t want to go home, “of course you can. I think you still have a few things here, and you could always borrow something if you want? It might be a little big though.” He trailed off slightly as he pictured her in one of his t-shirts. He strated walking up towards the apartment when he asked, “are you having car problems? I could’ve come picked you up.”

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

“Hi baby,” Nicolette said with a smile, pushing the guitar case his way for him to take. “You mind getting that for me? I kind of have my hands full.” It was an instant relief to be in David’s presence, a wave of comfort washing over her and covering almost every bit of stress that had built in her body. “Come on Janis,” she said, pulling the carrier out of the car with her and using her hip to push the car’s door shut. “You know I’m really glad you play guitar because I suck at this kind of stuff.” As if she was only there for him to restring her guitar. “My man,” Nicolette smiled once she had herself situated and ready to go inside. “Where’s my kiss at?”

He quickly grabbed the case that was being offered out to him, “yeah of course.” He stepped back as she got out and smiled at her and the cat that he had some how managed to bond. He watched as she used her hip to shut the door and his smile faltered slightly before he recovered. She didn’t have any of her clothes with her and he was disappointed at the thought of her having to leave tonight. “yeah, it’s not a problem, took me a while to get the hang of it too.” He smiled and lent down to kiss her, pulling back he started walking towards the house as he casually mentioned, “you didn’t bring clothes? When do you need to go home tonight?”

[nicblanchet]

Nicolette glanced down at her phone, almost reluctant to look at the screen. There were a handful of alerts: instagram, facebook, the usual. There was a text from David as well. Let me know when you get here, he’d said when Nicolette told him he was catching an uber to his apartment. She was desperate to get there and be with him, maybe even more so than normal. He didn’t have to know why, she thought to herself. She just wants to be around him, and that was the truth. 

She’d been quiet the entire ride and was thankful for the fact that her driver wasn’t much of a talker. With her nerves at their end and the blonde having to juggle her guitar case and a cat carrier she didn’t have the mentality to make conversation with a stranger. Green eyes gazed out the window until she saw the familiar building coming into view. I’m pulling up, Nicolette texted David, and felt the car begin to slow to a stop. “Thank you,” she said quietly to the driver, then began to pull her things out of the backseat. @thedavidreyes​

[thedavidreyes]

David moved around his house trying to straighten things up a little. Even though Nicolette had been coming over often far more often he still felt the need to try and impress her. He looked down when his phone vibrated and smiled when he saw her name across his screen. He ran a hand through his curls as he made his way outside. It didn’t matter if they had texted all day or even face timed, he got excited at the thought of physically spending time with her. Which was something that he was still getting use to, wanting someone else around like that. As he reached the car he smiled at seeing her and helped open the door, “Hi beautiful.” 

[thedavidreyes]

harkenntt​:

“Are you serious, David? This is amazing. People are going to eat this shit up.” Mitchell pulled out his phone, taking a quick snap of it so he could show some friends before it was fully placed in his new home. “Lemme talk to some people. I know plenty in the market. Always redoing their houses and shit. I mean hell, I’d let you do my whole house if you wanted to.” The medic was ready and willing to pay whatever it was to have a cohesive home. David’s work was amazing. “Let’s see if I can catch some interest, and if you’re serious about this, I’ll help. We’ll get you up and running with your own thing.”

David took a moment to process everything the other man said. He took in the words of support and gave Mitchell a slightly confused look, “would you really do that?” His face broke into a smile as he said, “that would be really great actually.” If he was honest with himself this had always been something that he loved, truly loved, and the fact that someone else thought he was good enough to make it a business really was encouraging. But, he didn’t want to get his hopes up too high, “why don’t you we see what people say and then we can go from there. Although, this is something I would be serious about.”

[thedavidreyes]

orionxceleste​:

Celeste was surprised by the idea. “Your girlfriend?” She asked, turning more towards him in confusion. “Oh! That’s amazing! Does she charge a lot for things to be fixed like this?” She asked, looking at the rip. It wasn’t a total disaster, but definitely noticeable. She laughed, looking at her very tight gown. “Does it look like I have anywhere to put a pen, hon? Here, let me ask the bartender.” She waved down the man behind the counter and got a pen and paper, holding it out to him eagerly. “I’ve been thinking about getting some custom dresses. Not many 6′7″ drag queens around here and it’s impossible to find dresses my size. They all look far too short. But really, it’s very sweet of you, thank you for recommending her. Are you at least having a good time?”

He paused, brows creasing comically as he thought, “I don’t know. I’ve never asked her.” He looked down at his drink and then up with a look of confusion, “I should know that shouldn’t I?” He shook his head and then smiled, “I’m sure she’d be reasonable, she’s amazing. Just say your Davids friend.” He smiled and couldn’t help the laugh, “no I don’t imagine its super common.” He jotted down the details and slid it over to the woman. “No problem. Happy to help. I am, I always enjoy live entertainment.” He had a lopsided grin as he spoke and motioned to the bar tender for another drink, “do you want one?”

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

“Is it bad for me to say that I’m happy none of them worked out before? I don’t know what I’d be doing without you right now.” It felt silly to say something like that. David had only been in her life for a few months - barely even three - but the thought of him not being in her life sent a chill down Nicolette’s spine. “I guess I’m more glad that I get to be the one that you trust instead. I trust you too, David,” she sighed, letting her eyes close as she nuzzled into his shoulder. “I’ve been so scared of letting people into my life for years,” she admitted. Truthfully it was men she was scared of letting into her life, and between the trauma of her past and the extremely biased advice from her father Nicolette had become convinced that no man could ever been good enough.

“What would you be doing right now if we hadn’t met? It sucks to think about, but humor me. I uh, I’ve thought about it a few times. I guess I’d be at home alone like I usually always would be with Janis. Maybe I wouldn’t have gotten up to sing again after all. I think hearing you was what gave me that little boost of courage to finally do it.” She looked up at him, green eyes glowing with adoration. “I want to hear you sing more. I think about your voice a lot.”

“I don’t think its bad” he answered with a slight chuckle. “I’m glad to, I guess it all lead to being here with you.” he turned red, still not use to speaking so openly about his feelings, even though it was something he was working on. He gave a small sympathetic smile as she spoke of trust, he understood what she was saying, it many ways it described himself. “I’m glad you can trust me too Nicolette, truly.” He thought about it for a moment before answering, of the path he was on and where he’d be if not for Nic. Probably drinking at home alone or in some dodgy bar getting into a fight, he thought rather bitterly to himself. He gave a slight shrug, “probably home, maybe trying to get the courage to sing on stage. You know I probably would have backed out if you weren’t there. So, thank you for that, I forget how much I love it sometimes.” He smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder slightly, dropping another kiss to her head, “only if I get to hear you sing too. Maybe we could actually go to a karaoke place together this time. He stood up a little reluctantly and held a hand out to her, “why don’t we try this skating thing one more time? 

[nightofthecreeps]

OSCAR ISAAC in INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS 2013 | dir. Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

[orionxceleste]

“Do you know how hard it’s been, looking for dresses for someone six foot seven? This was custom-made, and very expensive. And of course, it ripped during my performance. So please, please join me in a shot. Or three, before I go jump off a cliff.” Celeste was already finishing off a fruity cocktail, exhausted from performing all night, and irritated. “Did I at least look alright? Could you tell I stepped on the hem?”

@chicagcstart​

[thedavidreyes]

“Speaking from personal experience, no. But, I can only imagine.” David gave a sympathetic smile and a shrug of his shoulders. This kind of show wan’t something he’d been to before but he always had time to appreciate a good entertainer, especially when there was a few drinks in his system. “You looked great, I didn’t know until you told me.” He gave a grin, definitely feeling a buzz at this point, “oh! you know who you need! My girlfriend.” His face broke into a large grin as he said those words, still not quite use to it. “She’s a designer and amazing at what she does. I’m sure she could help you out.” He grabbed a napkin and started patting at his pocket, “do you have a pen? I can give you her shop information.”

[thedavidreyes]

nicblanchet​:

There was a subtle spring to Nicolette’s step while she walked with David into the park, her arm linked in his and their fingers laced, the blonde wanting to be as close to him as she could be even while they were walking together. “I mean this in the best way, babe, but that was a really long time ago.” She chuckled. Tenth grade was a long time ago for her too. “You have to tell me now, did she say yes? Come on, she had to have said yes. Mister handsome hockey player,” Nicolette teased. “I bet you were a cutie in high school. I’m just happy I get to have you now. You know, you kind of drive me crazy with that face of yours?”

Nicolette spotted a park bench and pulled David over to it, resting her feet for a moment. She wouldn’t admit it now, but her feet hurt from the short time they’d been in skates. Maybe they were too tight, maybe she was just foolish when it came to moving around on them. Nothing a little rest wouldn’t fix, though. “David?” Nicolette asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. “What took you so long to ask someone again?”

He nodded, not even attempting to act hurt or shocked. It was true, tenth grade was a long time ago. School in general seemed to be a life time ago. “She did, I think we dated for about two months.” He chuckled, shaking his head a little, “I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing.” He bumped his side playfully against hers. Bringing the hand the wasn’t holding her up to run over the back of the knuckles of one of her hands. “This old thing?” His tone stayed mostly playful, but there was a flash of real insecurity behind his eyes. He happily let her pull him over to a bench, happy to sit for a moment, as long as he was still spending time with her. He let out a happy sigh as he sat down, moving his arm to rest around her shoulders as he leaned on him. “Looks, its not that I haven’t dated since then. I just haven’t made anything official. I don’t know why, exactly. It use to be because I was to afraid to bring anyone home, and I didn’t want them meeting my family, so I thought if I avoided it, then it wouldn’t matter.” He let out a shaky breath staring straight ahead as he brought his hand up to scratch at his beard in a nervous tick, “then I never really trusted anyone to want to make that commitment. I did get close though. But with you,” he trailed off as he looked at her, “with you it’s different. I trust you, and I really do care for you.” 

[aglionby]

[thedavidreyes]

@nicblanchet