dcmiens

[dcmiens]

“i hear you, and i agree. still, it’s not irrational to expect mature communication from my future wife. i’m not enabling the theatrics..” his words trailed off as heard his cousin out, leaning back and resting his arm against the edge of the bar while his fingers wrapped loosely around the glass. DAMIEN understood both sides, but his interest in that excuse had waned because the roles had been reversed. or was he the only one with a functioning memory? “nah, i spoke with her too. i understand we were all drinking, but i had to explain the multiple boundaries she crossed. i think two lashings were enough though, i’m preventing a third before lisha gets back.” he sighed, expecting the situation to be laid to rest upon delivery of his apology. as the conversation evolved, DAMIEN found himself nodding in full support of his cousin’s decision to explore other options, humming in acknowledgement as he polished off the last of his cognac. he’d been stressing the importance of focus since he could remember, attempting to steer the younger male away from the various pitfalls he’d encountered over the the years. dating wasn’t the easiest to maneuver while juggling a career in the spotlight, and while tyriq had quite the history— DAME maintained faith in the man’s ability to responsibly balance career and personal life. “give yourself a break, riq. the two of you have history and that won’t be erased overnight. you just have to move differently moving forward. you taking your time with your new interest?” he allowed the bartender to switch out their glasses, the man glancing up to offer a nod in appreciation.

Keep reading

[dcmiens]

“ yes, and funnily enough — she’s here on this panel.” he leans forward to motion in @blcnks direction, “ i think we can all agree blanka’s sound is phenomenal. the fact our paths have only crossed now is beyond me. but yes, that’s an easy answer. ” he chuckles, lowering the mic and awaiting the next question.

@dcmiens is there an artist you’d like to work with but haven’t got the chance to?

@dcmiens !

[dcmiens]

“ain’t shit goin’ on with my voice.” DAMIEN waved the male off with a light chuckle. he always preferred to maintain a level of stoicism, though he knew tyriq of all people would see right through the façade. his brows raised at the revelation, assuming their brief conversation was more productive than the one he attempted with his own fiancé. “listen, there’s nothing to move on from. even having to explain my relationship is rocky because of a dare sounds juvenile. or my lack of response being held over my head after,” his hand lifted, thumb pointing behind him at nothing in particular. “last year? c’mon with that. she’s blowing things out of proportion.” he kissed his teeth as he raised the drink to his lips again, hearing the glass clink softly against the bartop once he placed it down. “and if we’re being real, i have a feeling i’m the last person that display was for.” he alluded as his eyes narrowed, shooting a look to the man beside him. "speaking of, what’s going on with your situation? last time we spoke, those ladies had you sweating bullets.”

TYRIQ made his way to the Hotel Fusion bar where he and Damien decided to meet up for drinks. In his truest form, RIQ arrived a bit early. Pulling out his phone, he shot a quick text to his cousin to let him know that he’d arrived. In the meantime, his eyes scanned the menu to see what quick bites he’d eat and if there were new drink options. 

@dcmiens

[dcmiens]

“nah, not surprises. you planning to have shit jumping out the walls at us or something?” DAMIEN responded after adding in his order for a glass of remy on the rocks, turning toward riq as they continued. “whatever y’all are doing in practice, keep it up. it’s brutal now but it’ll fade away as the wins keep piling.” as his mind flooded with the memory of the last game, DAME couldn’t help but to grin— ever amazed (and made proud) by his cousin’s skill on the court. “i’m good man. i feel like i have a lot going on but,—” he paused abruptly, debating on whether to correct the half truth. he knew he could talk to riq about anything , though he couldn’t decide if it was even worth acknowledging. once their drinks arrived, DAMIEN brought the glass to his lips for a swig before continuing. “aside from lisha being in her head, things have been good. things are good.”

“Hey man.” TYRIQ greeted while rising to his feet and pulling his older cousin into a hug after dapping him up. “Shit, just planning this Halloween party. I got a few surprises in store, so that’s been cool. Also, just been riding the high of our win but practice was still brutal yesterday.” He confessed while settling back into his seat. “I can drink, I just can’t go crazy how I normally do. I’ll take maker’s mark on the rocks.” The male requested from the bartender. “How have things been with you?” 

[dcmiens]

the light ding sounded from DAMIEN’s phone as he walked through the entrance to the bar. he checked the message before placing his phone in his back pocket, declining to respond as the two would be face to face within seconds. “riq,” his baritone called out endearingly as his cousin came into view, clapping his hand against the male’s shoulder once he neared. the two hadn’t spoken since the night of the yacht party, but DAMIEN couldn’t bring himself to be awkward around his family. especially over something so trivial. “what’s good with you, man.” he motioned the bar tender over after their greeting, sliding into the empty seat beside his kin. “you drinking, or do you have to refrain for the whole season?”

TYRIQ made his way to the Hotel Fusion bar where he and Damien decided to meet up for drinks. In his truest form, RIQ arrived a bit early. Pulling out his phone, he shot a quick text to his cousin to let him know that he’d arrived. In the meantime, his eyes scanned the menu to see what quick bites he’d eat and if there were new drink options. 

@dcmiens

[dcmiens]

If your muse went through something traumatic, what are some things they usually avoid now? how are they handling things now compared to how they did when it first happened?

damien hasn’t necessarily dealt with anything he would consider earth shattering, aside from the finalization of his parents’ divorce last year. he still hasn’t dealt with the ending of their 40 year marriage head on, choosing to ignore his father and make excuses for his mother and her behavior instead. the situation opened his eyes to a lot of the patterns he inherited from his father in regard to relationships, and he’s currently making strides in unpacking the event (and the aftermath) with his therapist.

[dcmiens]

with his head cocked to the side, DAMIEN hummed in disbelief of the woman’s claim— pearly whites on display as she made the playful expression. “as long as i’m special enough for a private show, i’ll let you do ya lil’ shy thing. just know you ain’t fooling me.” he raised a hand to his bare chest, giving the woman a side eye as if they were the only two aware of some sort of secret. “and hell nah, you know that ain’t me." he waved her off with a chuckle, eyes scanning their surroundings in search of the bar. sliding his hand to grab aylisha’s, he nodded toward his desired destination, beckoning her along. “i’m talking shit like i won’t be ready for anything after a couple rounds. and y’all messed up for real cause they won,” he bragged on the warrior’s first accomplishment (of many to come) of the season. ”we’re celebrating all weekend.”

[dcmiens]

DAMIEN was just moving through idly, taking in the surroundings of the party and bopping to what the DJ queued, when he heard the voice call out to him. before he had a chance to move, he felt the balloon crash against his chest — the man scoffing in suprise once he realized what had happened. with arms outstretched he looked toward the culprit, lips upturned in a playful grin. he wasn’t always a good sport, but the bar had him feeling right. “now, was i bothering you?” brown hues shifted to the tub of balloons and back to the woman before him, brow raising in a form of challenge. he couldn’t walk away without payback. “i don’t think you wanna play this game with me, for real.” after a short pause he was swiftly moving forward, reaching for one of the balloons and tossing it in the woman’s direction as she fleed — not prepared to rest until retribution was served.

placing her fingers meticulously at the neck of the last balloon she twirled the elastic into a tight knot securing it. 𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐄 looked down seeing the full tub of water balloons that she’d prepared. noticing a figure walking in front of her a mischievous thought crossed her mind. ❝ head ups! ❞ the girl warned through a giggle before flinging the water balloon in her hand at the figure’s abdomen causing it to pop onto them.

[dcmiens]

just before the faint click sounded— DAMIEN snuck himself behind the woman, snugly wrapping his arms around her waist as full lips pressed a kiss to her exposed shoulder. “i hope you aren’t sitting out on my account,” he began with a grin, moving so he could face be face to face with his counterpart. “we’re on a yacht, i wanna see my baby have fun. plus, you know i’d enjoy watching you wipe the competition.”

Puckering her lips towards her phone to blow kisses to her camera, AYLISHA scrunched her nose as her thumb tapped the task bar. Sliding it in her mini purse quickly. ‘We should have a wet T-shirt contest, I just wanna watch and vote. Let's make it happen.’ she chimes in with a smile coating her features.

[dcmiens]

“nah, what i’m hearing is you enjoy bland food. no seasonings just...texture.” he accepted his turn to tease the woman, furrowing his brows at her comment as they continued. “i wouldn’t say i’m a wall flower necessarily,” he looked around for a napkin to rid his fingers of the residue left behind. “i tend to observe my surroundings at first— dip in when i see something that piques my interest. by your standards, you must consider yourself a social butterfly.” the assumption was genuine. he couldn’t help but to see ashlei around quite often, noticeably a ball of energy with each passing thus far.

[dcmiens]

“buffets were never the same. n’ yeah, pour me up.” he turned, eyes glancing around the table for anything stronger to add to the mix, coming across a brown bottle tucked off to the side. he heard the players weren’t supposed to drink, so the man didn’t bother offering. “you should know better than to start me on some ideas man. we’ll be franchising by the end of next year.” he warned playfully, adding a bit of the liquor to his cup before tasting to see if he should adjust the ratio. “riq.” his brows furrowed, giving his cousin the look. “you didn’t say you had two exes on dance team. you knew that before you traded?” his expression was almost filled with amusement, though he knew the other male wouldn’t find it nearly as funny. “focus on the game. don’t let the possibility of whatever they got goin’ on to become a distraction.” he tagged on a bit more seriously.

[dcmiens]

Truth or drink: expose yaself, nastiest thing you wanna try for freaky time and explain it to the class.

nah see, you want me to explain it to y’all too? i'm tapping out. 

[dcmiens]

Truth or drink: worst pick up line you've received.

anything comparing me to chocolate, or using the phrase ‘climb you like a tree’. streets are begging for some new material, for real.

[dcmiens]

what’s three things that you feel like keep relationships healthy ?

honesty — no matter how brutal, is the biggest one for me. the other things like trust and intimacy are usually the byproduct of having the ability to just.. tell the truth.

[dcmiens]

“i learned from the best. you know unc’ used to keep something like this in his pocket, bring it out at all the restaurants.” the man huffed a laugh at the memory, nodding in encouragement as he allowed his cousin reach for more. “i could’ve been a chef in another life, i keep trying to tell y’all.” DAMIEN lifted his shoulders in a light shrug, placing the bowl on the table before crossing his arms, trying to think of a good answer to the question. “good, for the most part. shit is so busy right now though. feels like i’m a chicken running around without my head n’ shit. what about you— i imagine you’re feeling good about tomorrow? kind of surprised you’re not resting up somewhere.”

[dcmiens]

head tilting to the side as he extended the bowl once again, DAMIEN insisted on the snack as he chewed. immediately his face brightened as he watched the woman embrace the flavors, knowing the heat would kick in, in just a moment. “what, you don’t rock with spice? there’s a lil’ tony chachere's in the mix, but that’s all you get.” he pulled the bowl away, grinning as the woman referenced a show that rang a bell, even though he was outside of their target audience. “it was after my time, but i think i got you. can’t believe you came for my age after i just offered you some grub. one of my favorites at that. and here i thought we had the potential to become friends.”

[dcmiens]

❝ well, a couple of releases have caught my eye recently. seeing all of these talented folks creating and offering their vision to the world — it restores my hope in tomorrow, for sure. ❞

the next question is for @dcmiens !

what have you witnessed recently that has given you hope for humanity in any big or small way ?