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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Mar 31, 2024 19:50:46 GMT

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[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

With an elbow propped on the bar, DAMIEN RUSSO watched the shitshow unfold in front of him. There wasn't much he could really do for Noel Parker now. His big mouth had dug it's own grave.[break][break]

"You're kind of a fuckin' idiot, Noel..." Damien muttered amusedly under his breath as the officer turned toward Jerry and his entourage, spewing some bull about Pokémon battles. As if they settled things that way in a place like this.[break][break]

To emphasize that point, Jerry stomped over to where Noel Parker was slumped in his stool and popped him — hard — on the jaw, sending the younger man tumbling to the floor. Unconscious in one hit. The alcohol probably had something to do with it, too.[break][break]

"C'mon Jerry, go easy on the kid. He's obviously some dumbass that doesn't know where the hell he's at." The bartender said, but the guy still had murder in his eyes.[break][break]

"Here, I'll take care of it. Y'all can have a round on the house for the trouble." That seemed to dissuade him a bit. Grumbling, Jerry and his guys marched back over to the booth they'd been occupying, leaving Damien to clean up the mess.[break][break]

A while later, DAMIEN RUSSO was throwing a drunk Noel off his shoulder and onto the ratty couch in his shithole apartment. The officer would just have to sleep it off and head out in the morning.[break][break]

"You owe me one, asshole."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Noel Parker[break]
SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT[break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

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[newclass=".gunstempdamien .credit1"]font-size:15px;[/newclass]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Mar 17, 2024 17:51:30 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

I care about you a lot. [break]
I always have.

[break]

There was a confusing pang of disappointment in the wake of Frank Caffey pulling away. And, as the warmth from the man's hands on his face began to dissipate, so too did the last of DAMIEN RUSSO's resolve.[break][break]

He leaned into his friend's offered embrace, burying his head into his shoulder.[break][break]

To Damien, that hug almost felt like a goodbye. And he'd had to say goodbye to enough of his loved ones already. If he rejected Frank here and now, was there a guarantee he'd feel the same going forward?[break][break]

Could he risk that? The pain in his chest was screaming no.[break][break]

"Wait...!" He wrapped his arms around Frank's torso, squeezing tighter.[break][break]

"It's not a no, okay? I just..."[break][break]

Damien turned his head then, heart pounding out of his chest as he peeked up at Frank Caffey.[break][break]

"I need some time."[break][break]

For now, he probably needed to head back home and face his family.

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Mar 2, 2024 2:59:43 GMT

ollie morales likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

Unresisting, he allowed the older man to take him in his hands, forcing eye contact. Glossy and unsure, his eyes warily watched as Frank explained himself.[break][break]

Eventually, the reality of it all slowly started to sink in. And what Damien realized was something that had been locked inside the deepest depths of his heart, unspoken and shoved down at every reminder. [break][break]

DAMIEN RUSSO had never liked Jackie. From the moment she'd taken Frank Caffey's attention away from him when they first started dating, he'd resented her for it. They were a shitty fit for one another, anyway. You could just tell they fought all the time. Why else was Frank over at Damien's so much? To get away from a crappy relationship, obviously.[break][break]

Yeah. They weren't right for each other. She didn't know Frank like he knew Frank. Didn't grow up with him. Hadn't been there through all the good shit and the bad shit in their lives.[break][break]

Of course Frank Caffey was coming to him now that he was older, DAMIEN RUSSO reasoned. He wanted to help. He wanted to be there for him. To care for him at his lowest, in ways deeper than he ever had before. [break][break]

Had Frank been suppressing himself too? [break][break]

"Frank..." Damien's voice wavered as much as his resolve. [break][break]

He allowed the kiss to the corner of his mouth and even turned his head slightly toward the touch, unsure but unwilling to beat back the swelling of emotion building in his chest.[break][break]

"We... we shouldn't..."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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Sweetheart Sale 2024

POSTED ON Feb 27, 2024 1:12:24 GMT

jayden cross, Naomi Sato, and 4 more like this

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december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Feb 12, 2024 1:59:16 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

"Damn, dude... you might wanna slow down."[break][break]

Did this guy just chug his damn drink? After saying he wasn't much of a drinker? That seemed to be a fucking lie...[break][break]

And now he was begging for more! The hell? Damien would have been annoyed if the whole thing wasn't kinda endearing. [break][break]

"Hey, hey. Here. But try not to throw it back this time, got it?" Damien offered his next drink — a Cosmopolitan — to Noel Parker with a lopsided grin. What would the guy do next?[break][break]

"Come on, ya can't be that dense. Bartenders can't drink on the job." Still, Noel seemed pretty insistent with those puppy dog eyes of his. "Fuck, fine."[break][break]

Damien threw back a quick shot of something light. Like hell was he gonna get shitfaced with this punk.[break][break]

"Happy?" He asked, an eyebrow quirked. "Now out with it. What brings ya ta this part of town?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Noel Parker[break]
SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT[break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

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dove

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december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Feb 4, 2024 23:17:45 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

"The fuck? When is stupidity needed?" Damien gave him a crude, doubtful look, before his expression suddenly brightened and he asked, "Oh, wait, are you doing it right now to get a laugh or somethin'?"[break][break]

The bartender snickered, playing along. Despite him being an officer, Noel lacked the rigid demeanor most of those assholes had. Damien decided he'd continue to play with him for a bit longer.[break][break]

"Not a lotta alcoholic drinks? Somethin' light? What are ya, a baby?" He made a show of looking Noel Parker up and down.[break][break]

"Yeah, no, that tracks, actually. Ya got that baby face fer sure. Gimme a sec."[break][break]

Damien turned, perusing the shelves of liquor behind the bar as he decided what would fit best. Eventually he settled on one of his own personal favorites.[break][break]

"Here, try this," He ordered, sounding more like a pushy friend than a bartender. "It's a Moscow Mule. I think you'll like it."[break][break]

If Noel was brave enough to take a sip, he'd find the cocktail to be citrusy and bubbly, with a barely-detectable tinge of vodka and ginger beer.[break][break]

"Damien Russo, by the way. Good ta meetcha, Noel."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Noel Parker[break]
SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT[break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Feb 4, 2024 4:17:05 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

"Ha!" Damien let out a sharp bark of a laugh.[break][break]

"Nah, man." The several burly men giving them sidelong glances were held off by a placating wave of the bartender's hand. [break][break]

"The types we get around here would gut a naive-looking guy like you once you stepped one foot out of line."[break][break]

Though the statement was obviously ominous, Damien's amused expression was meant to disarm. [break][break]

"Well, at least you're self-aware. But are you confident or just stupid?" He posed the question with a cheeky grin on his lips.[break][break]

"First one's on me for your bravery, officer. What're you havin'?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Noel Parker[break]
SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT[break]

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Jan 22, 2024 0:47:07 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

"Hog piss? The fuck, Jerry? If you don't like it, then take your ugly ass over to fuckin' Hoothooters down the street."[break][break]

A roar of laughter flooded the small, backwater barroom. Jerry remained seated, as did his drunk as fuck friends, and even ordered a second round of beers. All in good fun, in their minds.[break][break]

Riling up DAMIEN RUSSO was a favorite pastime of the regular customers. Despite being dwarfed by most of the men in here, the young bartender had the tenacity of a fuming TAUROS with the reputation to match.[break][break]

Frothy beers were slid across the worktop. When that lot was finally sated, Damien turned to see an unfamiliar face on the other side of the bar.[break][break]

"Huh?" Striding over, he propped an elbow down on the counter.[break][break]

"You lost?" Damien drawled, a spark of amusement in his voice. "We don't see a lot of your type around here."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Noel Parker[break]
SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT[break]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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SLEEPLESS IN SLATEPORT

POSTED ON Jan 22, 2024 0:23:04 GMT

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 29, 2023 3:33:15 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

Frank caught his arm and Damien had half a mind to aggressively yank away. Barely contained cuss words cut his tongue, begging to be thrown in the older man's face. But, somehow, he resisted the urge. Maybe because what came out of Frank's mouth next was so startling — and illuminating.[break][break]

"W-what—?" Damien turned back, planted on the spot by his friend's admission. [break][break]

"I've always really liked you, Damien."

[break]

Heat flushed from his cheeks down all the way to the back of his neck. His stupid fucking heart reacted without his permission, beating a mile a minute, while his hands balled into clammy, hesitant fists.[break][break]

With all these physical reactions came something else, too: a confusing mix of repulsion... and awful, dirty elation.[break][break]

"...Do you..." God, Damien couldn't meet Frank's eye. That pleading expression of his was too much. His words were overwhelming. [break][break]

So, Damien looked down, focusing instead on the mascara stains on Frank's shirt.[break][break]

"...Do you want a r-relationship with me or somethin'?" His faced burned red hot as he sputtered out the question between pinched lips.[break][break]

In Damien's naive, teenaged mind, there was no other explanation for Frank's actions. Why else would a friend — someone he'd known for so long, who he cared for, too — kiss him and say he liked him?

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 28, 2023 21:06:17 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

Though Damien wasn't used to this sort of attention from his longtime friend, he chalked it up to simple consolation in a moment of grief. The soft strokes to his cheek, the gentle, doting look in Frank's eyes. [break][break]

He cared. Damien knew that. He'd always known that. So it didn't seem that weird in the moment.[break][break]

DAMIEN RUSSO liked feeling important to Frank, after all. [break][break]

But they'd never crossed the line between friend and something more. Not until now.[break][break]

When Frank Caffey leaned in closer, Damien froze in place, unsure of what to do or even what was happening. Panic suddenly welled up in his chest, shooing away the earlier numbness.[break][break]

And then their lips met, causing him to hurriedly pull away. His usually pale cheeks were a damning shade of crimson.[break][break]

"The fuck are you doing, Frank!" Sirens blared in his ears, alarm bells went off, anger and confusion and anxiety intermixed.[break][break]

"What about—!" Holy shit, what the fuck was happening right now? [break][break]

"What about Jackie?!" And his kids? Why the fuck—[break][break]

...why the fuck was Frank trying to kiss him?[break][break]

"Man, screw this."[break][break]

It was too much of an emotional upheaval. So, as usual, Damien tried to run from it by attempting to shift around and stand up.

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 28, 2023 19:10:42 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

After the crescendo of his breakdown, the previous numbness Damien had been feeling began to creep in again. There was no reprieve from the pain, apparently, just variations in its intensity.[break][break]

Would it be like this forever? Damien couldn't imagine he'd ever get used to his brother being gone, so this hopeless hurt was probably here to stay.[break][break]

At least it felt a little better with Frank Caffey around. He'd known Tommy since they were all kids. So he understood, to some extent.[break][break]

"...You didn't have to come, ya know." [break][break]

Deep down, however, DAMIEN RUSSO was glad he did. He appreciated the care, even if it felt like his friend was babying him a bit.[break][break]

Damien was more pliable in Frank's hand than he'd normally be. Usually, he'd be squirming away from the touch, lest it reveal too much to the older man. There was no resistance now, though.[break][break]

"But... thanks."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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part of

TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 27, 2023 16:49:48 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

"I don't know."

[break]

Yeah, of course not. There was no rhyme or reason to this sort of bullshit. It was just their luck — or lack of it. The Russo name felt fucking cursed most of the time.[break][break]

But what could be done? All he could do was buckle down and bear the pain.[break][break]

Damien knew that when he went home tonight that he'd need to put on a tough face. Crying like this was out of the question; he'd have to be the strong shoulder for his siblings that Frank was being for him right now.[break][break]

So he got it all out while he could. Wept more in the span of a few minutes than he'd ever had in his entire fucking life. And, eventually, his body gradually began to still in Frank Caffey's arms. The racking sobs mellowed into shallow, wet breaths. His shoulders stopped their shuddering. His iron grip slackened. [break][break]

But he didn't move right away. The warmth and security Frank provided in that moment was too comforting. Damien just wanted a little bit more time like this, before he had to face reality again.[break][break]

The kiss was what startled him enough to pull back. When he did, he looked down at what he'd caused.[break][break]

"...Fuck, my bad." He apologized quietly, not meeting his friend's eye.[break][break]

Damien reached out to try and smooth the damp, mascara-stained fabric that clung to Frank's chest, but it was a futile effort. The shirt was likely ruined.

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

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played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

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124 posts

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TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 26, 2023 21:43:38 GMT

ollie morales likes this

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

The tears didn't come immediately.[break][break]

Damien tried to be strong, like he always had to be. He was the oldest. The one responsible for his siblings' wellbeing when his deadbeat parents were gone. He couldn't show weakness or else it would just hurt everyone else.[break][break]

But he couldn't keep it in anymore, either. With Frank's permission, teardrops came unbidden and uncontrolled. Small sobs soon gave way to stifled wails. It didn't take long for his friend's expensive dress shirt to be soaked through.[break][break]

The pain was immense and foreign to DAMIEN RUSSO, unlike anything he'd felt before in his seventeen years. There was a burning in his ribcage that threatened to implode in on itself. Every difficult breath was sharp and unfulfilling, like he'd never get enough oxygen again.[break][break]

I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this

[break]

It hurt too much. [break][break]

How could he possibly get through this? [break][break]

The answer was right in front of him. He'd come when Damien needed him most.[break][break]

He clutched onto Frank Caffey like a sinner begging for redemption. Any reprieve from this hell was good enough in the moment.[break][break]

"...Why Tommy, Frank?" Damien whimpered into Frank's chest, his voice hoarse from the crying.[break][break]

His little brother was only sixteen. Too young to die the way he did. How did this make any damn sense? [break][break]

"Why couldn't it have been one of the other million fucking junkies in this shithole city?"

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]

close tab

played by

dove

he / him

december 31

black city, unova

gay

bartender / thief

grunt

5'7" / 170 cm height

so sweet with a mean streak. cigarette daydream.

awards

124 posts

DOLLARS

part of

TAG WITH @damien

POSTED ON Dec 24, 2023 21:10:56 GMT

[nospaces]

[attr="class","gunstempdamien"]

[attr="class","body"]

He'd know the sound of those fancy leather shoes anywhere — too nice for this part of town now. There was only one person like that who was aware of the little culvert at the back of the park.[break][break]

Frank Caffey. [break][break]

Damien didn't even turn to face him, but his friend would still be able to see the state of him regardless: hollow, numb, with eyes that were dulled and unfocused, staring back again at the water below.[break][break]

"...Leave me alone, Frank." Damien managed to mutter into the older man's chest after being pulled into his embrace. He didn't try to flinch away, fully expecting his demand to be followed. Surely Frank knew he just needed some time.[break][break]

"I just want to be by myself right now."

[break][break]

[attr="class","notes"]

Frank Caffey[break]
CUT ONE'S LOSSES[break]
BLACK CITY, UNOVA [break]2017

[attr="class","credit1"]