— come money dance with the good fellas —

I have no idea what you’re talking about. What wild is this that you speak of? Granted we lived in very different world in New York, I’m almost a little surprised you never heard about me. I believe I was about sixteen when I crashed a Ferrari, and it was purposeful. Would you call that wild? I have always been into autos, my father was and likely still is a collector. I used to go to shows with him and he’d hold my hand as we walked the grounds and I would awe and gasp at the beauty. The first time I ever sat on the back of a Harley as well was with my father —- he wasn’t too upset about the Ferrari though, I think I actually made him smile with that. Oh, you should know me better than to think I’d ever suggest a fast food burger. Could they really even be called a burger?

I’m Missin’ You Less and Less // Para

It was that weird hour past twilight where the sky had a strange near darkness to it but not completely. The lights of the homes that lined above the beach shone down on the sand where Damien laid back and gave time to his thoughts. He reflected on how long it had taken him to get to a point where he no longer looked back on the past with as much pain and longing for old days. The hardest thing he had done to date wasn’t surviving the streets, it had been losing and separating from the only family he had ever really had in life. All for what? The prospect of a different and less violent future?

The phone still occasionally lit up with her number, either a call or text, and it was strange to be in a place where there wasn’t a mad rush to answer. The voices on the other end of the line didn’t soothe the pangs of nostalgia like they had. When out to lunch with his good friend Zosia he had asked if that was what moving on looked like. Even when looking at her, he no longer felt the connectivity he had before with how similar Zosia and Elizabeth were. Which he only saw that as a blessing because the friendship was opened up to grow. There was something even greater in that realization though and it was the recognition that he was ready to actually actively pursue dating again maybe. Not that Damien was ever the dating type, which was just another show of growth in his mind.

When seeing things that would typically remind him of the two women of the past that had treated his heart like a meat grinder, Damien was finally able to look at them differently. In a new light. As he laid there and felt his phone buzz, his mind didn’t immediately jump to Bessie or Harper, but to Sophie. A woman his fondness and interest was growing in, someone so opposite of his past and those connected to it. In her he saw someone beautiful, no doubt, but also someone he admired for how hard she worked towards her goals. It was inspiring.

It took Damien a minute to glance at the lit up screen once he had pulled his phone from his pocket. It was Harper, someone he’d felt responsible for after one of her brothers disappeared and the other killed. Rather than unlock the phone and reply, he simply slipped the device back into his pocket and laid back thinking of a future unknown.

That’ll work just fine, so long as there’s also chips and salsa! I’d love to catch up. We could grab lunch and then do something fun… go karts? Pedago bikes? Something like that! Zeph is one of the friends I’ve had the longest here in LA. She shares my love of tacos, and that kind of thing just bonds you for life, ya know?

I’ve just been busy! Between the new Spider Man game, having Zeph and Connor back in town, prepping for the Seize the Awkward campaign, and making plans for Blizzcon, this week has been a giant blur! It’s exciting, though I could use more sleep.

Tacos are the glue that binds people together... I feel ya on that. It’s good to learn there’s lastin’ friendships out here and whatnot. I think the friend I’ve had here the longest who’s also on the network is Zosia. Chips and salsa and catchin’ up... sounds like an awesome time. Especially when followed up with kartin’. Gotta hit up the arcade too!

Eh who needs sleep? Ya can sleep next week once the excitement settles a little. It’s been a good time to ya lately, huh. Glad for ya. Tell me about this Seize the Awkward Campaign...

I think it’s the costuming, love it - oh and I’m a sucker for a good musical so there’s that.

I never really got the point of musicals but then again I ain’t never really had much viewin’ of ‘em.

Think On Your Sins // Para

Time spent in the gym with the earbuds in and music encouraging Damien along as he worked out was one thing. Sparring and grappling while listening to trainers and following instincts was another. For some reason running was different because his head cleared of all the white noise, of all the constants from friends and associates and business, and focused in on memories and regrets. It always seemed to happen when his feet pounded pavement or a trail. His thoughts would travel back to New York, a place he loved and a place he lost quite a lot in. Damien began to wonder if his triumphs and successes were the cause of his nostalgia, since he owned a popular club and was opening a second in Southern California, traveled around the globe for other talents, and had nothing but victories under him when it came to his fight career.

When he was a kid on the streets, out there in the wild where there was no honest helping hand or guidance from anyone that saw him as something other than a tool for their own success with their greeds. Damien had always been strong, tougher than all the other kids he ran with, and had the ability to endure so much pain and punishment. He was also intelligent, something innate about him given that he never finished school beyond junior high. All those positive qualities helped him pull himself from the gutter but he was sure he wouldn’t have gotten as far as he had if hadn’t have been for the money his family left behind, when it was finally awarded to him. It made him wonder why he had to suffer through all those years and all those hardships. What was the purpose? What would his life would have been like if his parents had never died?

I have sinned ; r e p e n t

It was likely that he never would have known the feeling of a hungry belly for days. Or how falling asleep on the street meant you would wake up to your shoes being stolen from your feet. There would’ve been no waking up to a beating. No purses and wallets would’ve been snatched. He wouldn’t have been in a gang, and wouldn’t have hurt people. There never would have been guns and knives and drugs in his hands. The life of chaos that beat at his back and infiltrated his sleep too many nights would be non-existent but more than thinking of all the things he wouldn’t have gone through, Damien felt most weighted with guilt and remorse for all that he had done.

What?! It’s tacos and margs, ya fool! I’d love to do coffee! You free in the morning? I’ll try not to gush about Zephyr too much. Have you met her, by chance? She’s one of the friends I’ve had the longest here in LA. How’ve you been my dear? I don’t think I’ve seen your face around in awhile! Working on anything fun? 

Aiight... tacos and ritas for you and I’ll continue to take down some tacos with beer. It’s the only way to do it. I’m free and ramble all ya want. I ain’t met her in person but we talked a little a ways back. So you and her are real tight then uh?

Depends on what ya find fun... I got a fight comin’ up so I’ve been trainin’. Nothin’ all that excitin’ but I’ve been good. What’s been up with you? Ya lookin’ smiley...

I was only meaning the sentiment of it all, not actually stealing a truck. It’s a nice looking truck though, if I can say so. I wish I could say the same, but a big juicy burger certainly hits the spot sometimes for sure. 

After getting through this long week, I think we all deserve to hop in this truck to go get a burger so big and delicious that we have to take a nap after. I’ll drive —- who’s got shot gun?

I have Singin’ in the Rain on, it’s that kind of Sunday. Anyone else have a go to movie for those kind of Sundays?

Not really. I’m not real up on movies and shit. What’s it ‘bout Singin’ in Rain that’s got ya?

Sometimes your average day turns into reuniting with your best friend, eating too many tacos, and rolling all the way home! I’m absolutely exhausted, but my heart is full. Anyone up for grabbing coffee tomorrow? I’m so excited I don’t think I’ll be able to get much sleep! 

Thirty-five and in peak physical form. I’m glad I got to celebrate the past two weeks in Australia with my family. Now it’s time to get back to the routine. Who thinks @lucas-peterson​ and I can be ready by February 8 for a Quadrathlon in New Zealand?