Commander Smiley

If you’re wondering what it looks like to film into a state of delirium with your best friend, it looks like this.

“Let’s see if they got my coffee right...”

[ text ] Aye much appreciated!! Glad I can finally talk about it without feeling like Disney’s got a killer eye on me. 🙌🏾

One more time for the Bay 🙌🏾 #BlindspottingStarz

Just hearing Donald say the name of his band had him feel all sorts of odd. It was a word he never thought he’d hear come out of his mouth. “Yeah, we -- we sort of have this ongoing theme when it comes to horror. Each song is a story.” The man explained, anxiously downing the rest of his drink and clearing his throat. “Oh man.” He paused, dropping his gaze to the ground. This felt like a very strange test. As if whatever he had chosen was going to be the song that Donald could possibly hear first. “I’m really proud of our recent shit. I...shit man, It’s hard to pick a favorite. It’s like a real kid you know?” He laughed nervously, feeling himself ease back into that vulnerable state. At the thought of Donald possibly hearing their work before, it was something that he highly doubted. There was just no way. “Maybe you have and just forgot it, like how you forgot when we met.” Daveed chuckled. 

Though at the mention of music, Daveed tried to put himself at ease. He couldn’t be bitter when discussing something he was genuinely passionate about, and he knew Donald felt the same. At least, he thought he may have. “Yeah...! I’ve been making music since I was...shit, since I was like sixteen. I’m in a group called Clipping.” he began, clearing his throat as he stood up just a bit straighter for confidence. “It’s...we make experimental shit, our albums are horror based.” Daveed struggled to explain for a moment, hoping to god he didn’t sound ridiculous at this point. But honestly, why did he care so much what this man thought? 

“I don’t really make shit for notoriety or exposure. I kind of just do it because I enjoy it and I’m proud of what I make. That’s why you end up all bitter and pissed when you out cause, you end up thinking it’s all about you and not your work you know?” Raising his shoulder in a small shrug, Daveed quirked a brow and took another swig of his drink. “Maybe it’s just a Bay thing, but we humble hard working people, we ain’t looking for a pat on the back.” With that, Daveed shifted his attention back to the man and forced another smile. “Shit, I’ve actually been busy. Writing and filming my show on Starz, filming Snowpiercer, just released an album not too long ago...” he lingered, doing his best at this point to keep a cool demeanor. “What about you man? Haven’t heard any Gambino in a while...Or maybe I just haven’t heard about it?” 

“Yeah, I like your choice of the flower to the suit. It reminds me of the suit from Dumb and Dumber – you fly though, you fly. Always killin’ it with the fits, man,” Daveed quickly reassured, forcing another big smile as he took in a breath and flickered his gaze over towards the bar once again. Oh, what he would do, to just have another glass of Hennessey right at that moment. “Surprised to see you here though man, I know you like coming off as some sort of anomaly. Sights of you are rare, right?” Small talk, it would be as easy as just continuing small talk and maybe they’d both run out of things to talk about and go their own ways. Though, with the amount of liquor Daveed already had in his system

Daveed couldn’t really pinpoint what exactly it had been about premiere after parties that made him feel incredibly unsettled. Perhaps it was the flashing lights or the fact it had always been loud to the point you could barely hear your own thoughts. Being here, he knew that in many ways he was also just humoring Emmy. They had spent countless nights at home just settled on the couch and scrolling past their choices on streaming sights; Being out right now just felt necessary. With a glass to his lips, he kept flickered his gaze around the room and searched for familiar faces. It was only after he had finished off his drink and turned to grab another that he spotted Donald across the room. Like a match to a flame, Daveed could feel his mood just plummet. What was he doing here? Who the hell did he know? And why the hell did he decide to wear a blue suit this night? For a moment, he wanted to just turn back around and consider himself done with the bar until Donald had moved but why the hell would he do that?  Get the fuck over it, D. It’s been two years. Shrugging off the general disdain he was feeling for this man, he made his way towards the crowd and stopped at the bar. It was impossible not to acknowledge him, especially when he had been speaking with a mutual friend. The moment Daveed made eye contact with said friend, he let out a sigh of defeat. This was definitely when he’d be somehow pulled into a forced interaction with him, of course it was. The man raised a weak hand of acknowledgement and cursed under his breath. “Hey…!” he exclaimed, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm. Feeling Donald’s gaze on him alone had him wishing he had another drink in his hand, still he forced a smile. “Yeah, yeah we’ve met before.” Here we go. Turning to greet Donald, he gave a small nod of acknowledgement and reached a handout to shake, “What’s up man? Nice to see you.” That was a lie. What had made it even more infuriating was the fact that although they both had been standing there in similar attire, he somehow still looked better than him. Of course he did.