#blacksmiley-c

Havana Gabe Posted with permission from @blacksmiley-c.  Commissioned from @blacksmiley-c as a Thank You for all of my followers and all those who joined us in the Deep in a Dream project. And by luck of timing a Christmas present as well. Sending warm wishes from the tropics.

And as a Bonus!

A beautiful sunset drew Gabriel away from the dance halls. Cocktail in hand he kicked away his loafers and peeled off his socks to better enjoy the warmth lingering in the white sands of the beach. The very pace of his life slowed to drag out every precious second. It was one luxury he would never be able to give up. The cascade of rubies and sapphires mingled with nuggets of gold glittering across the rippling sea. Of everywhere he had visit in the world his island home remained his favorite. 

He relished the feel of the cool waves against his bare feet. The surf splashed against his legs, soaking the cloth of his trousers. The saltwater would crust later. Worry for that vanished with the gentle evening breeze and the distant call of gulls. Beneath his neatly trimmed goatee a soft smile grew as he lost himself in the scenery. He kicked absently at the oncoming wave and marveled at the spread of the water drops. 

A loud clatter announced his company. Glancing over his shoulder, Gabriel found his good friend leaning against a palm tree winding the film of a Kodak camera. “Saul? What are you doing?”

“Preserving your happiness for all eternity.” The slender dark skinned man grinned at the growing blush of embarrassment on Gabriel’s cheeks.

*

Gabriel’s office was a lesson in precision and organization. Jack took one of his Saturdays to go through the paperwork before the Lavender Shade was finally destroyed. Most of the valuables were already safely stored in the detective’s apartment. This was just the last run through. Jesse was invaluable in finding all of the mafia boss’s secrets. Gabriel had many hiding places. Jack sat at the desk and ran his hands across the beautifully carved roll top. Moving this piece of furniture would be complicated. 

On his pass along the back of the inner hood revealed an uneven break in the wood. Jack leaned in and investigated. There a hidden panel popped open with just enough pressure. A tiny treasure trove of pictures spilled from the pocket. A fuzzy black and white image of Gabriel and a much younger Jesse stood at the entrance of this very supper club. The day the Lavender Shade opened. But one colored imaged caught Jack’s attention. Colored pictures were so rare. And the subject immediately captured Jack’s imagination.

A beautiful golden red hue filled the image where Gabriel walked a beach. The shallow surf splashed at his feet as he kicked into the wave. He looked so peaceful. Jack would have loved to have seen that look on his dance partner’s face. Their time had produced similar expressions. But Jack was enamored with this young man gazing off across the horizon. This was Gabriel at his most carefree. 

I’m sobbing! This gorgeous moment from Check Mate by @blacksmiley-c!!! ❤❤❤ It’s beautiful!!

Go give her some love!

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaQaUaWt1D8)

I’m in a vampire mood lately all thanks to @blacksmiley-c 

CHRISTMAS HAS CAME GUYS! 

this is just a part of @blacksmiley-c‘s christmas gift for me, everything there is perfect, SO DAMN PERFECT, a flamingo, Jesse (he was packed into a smol lootbox with chocolate coins sdfghjk), pink dino eraser, comic, sweets, all the rest, EVERYTHING! 

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DARLIN’, BLESS 🍩🍩🍩

I had to show it to ya, I’m so happy, this flamingo is my guardian now

Also bonus: