dumb boys becoming dumb hipster boys.

[longwinded]

[John met Dave at a fashion shoot two years ago. Kanaya had been holding a fashion show and Dave had agreed to be one of the models in it, this is when John was trying to dabble in photography as the person behind the camera. He found he really had no talent for it at all, instead he graduated with a degree photo processing. So Kanaya had kept him on board after they found a new photographer.

That's when John officially met Dave. Dave was a special kind of guy. No college degree, just a knack for what he loved to do. John had seen some of Dave's work through some hipster tumblr blog. The photos had been obviously raw, no processing- but he had to admit Dave has this special ability to take the PERFECT shot. It makes him jealous that he decided to not pursue the career behind the camera.

But as talented as Dave may be, he's also like any other person John works with. He's kind of picky when it comes to how his photos are processed and while John sometimes gets some of the shots processed how Dave wants them. He doesn't always get it right the first time. Which makes Dave complain and become high maintenance which in return causes John to complain about Dave to Rose. Today he decides to bring three different options. The model was Rose, an absolutely beautiful girl who she knew through Kanaya. Who better to model your clothing line than your girlfriend, right?]

Hey, Dave.

[He walks into the studio with three of her prints, all processed differently. It looks like John has been behind the computer for quite some time being as careful as he could to process them the three different ways he knows Dave likes. He never thought of even trying anything new.

When he approaches Dave he holds them out.] I finished three separate prints, and one of them has to go to Kanaya by tomorrow evening. Which one do you like best?

Comments

[knightime]

[Dave slipped his shades onto the top of his head as he inspected the three prints. Green eyes seemed concentrated as he looked from print to print. He even took the prints from John to look at them.

It was a ridiculously long time for just staring at a print, but...]

None of them. [Dave was one of the most picky guys in his line of work. It's also known in the business that everyone respected Dave but never wanted to deal with him personally. It was always strictly business when it came to Dave. No one really knew what Dave did outside of photography honestly.] I don't like any of these.

[longwinded]

[It's funny because John wasn't even let down by the rejection. Any processor just starting out and getting stuck working with Dave would have thrown their computer to the floor and quit just then probably.]

I tried brightening the picture, was that not what you were looking for? [He goes back into his office and brings out his computer. It was strictly business with Dave most of the time.]

Okay here is the raw shot you took. [He pulls up the unedited form of the picture and hands his computer over to the other.] Look at this and give me exactly what you're envisioning and I can create it from there. These three were just from previous things we had discussed.

[knightime]

You brightened it too much. It's important that the dress looks good, but it's also supposed to look good on the model. You got too wrapped into make the dress look gorgeous that you made her nose disappear. We're not trying to have a line of dresses fit for Voldemort.

[Dave, for as tech savvy as he was, hated processing for some strange reason. But Dave was pretty hard to push digital for photography, even though he was good at it. His film photography just seemed to have something more.]

Also, we need to keep to the colors. If we release this, the dress in person is going to be harshly criticized because the colors are off slightly. Rose is one of our paler models so we gave her a darker dress. A more muted midtone for the background will probably pop better versus making her even brighter. Unless we're trying to get Rose to get casted for the next Twilight film.

[longwinded]

[So he pulls up a chair in the studio, and does exactly what Dave tells him to do. He gives Dave the option to either stand there behind him while he did it or get back to doing whatever he was doing. John and Dave had chemistry as a team- but they never really talked outside of work unless it was about work. At odd hours of the night. Through text only.

After he was done this time, he sent the print to the wireless printer and waited. It would take about five minutes before it was okay to touch. Once he got it though he could see what Dave was talking about. So he brings it back into the studio and hands it to him.]

You know if you keep rejecting me, we're going to be here all night. My coffee cup isn't endless you know. [Though that was a common joke between the two- they really have spent all night here. John was one of three people able to work with Dave. No one else really had the guts, nor skin thick enough to handle the photographer in question.]

[knightime]

You make it sound like I haven't been here all night before. [Dave took the new print from John so he can inspect it again.] And you're shitting yourself if you're going to act like you didn't get stuck here for entire nights.

[Dave slid the print across the table back to John.] It's passable.

You might want to just sleep and look at this in the morning. You've been staring at this shit for too long. [Dave was being oddly nicer today. But he was also rather tired and didn't know when he was heading home.]

[longwinded]

[John quirks a smile. Dave was being oddly kind today.] We've been here for three straight days, remember last month when Kanaya had that magazine she needed a shoot done for? Three days, no sleep.

[He takes the print and tucks it into a folder.] Do you want me to put it in Kanaya's box then? I might make another one and show it to you in the morning if that's cool.

[He smile falls into a smirk.] You act as if I haven't stared at my computer screen for hours upon hours before. I'll be fine if I stay a bit longer. You can go home if you want.

[knightime]

I don't want to think about that again. It was a dark fucking time and I don't think I came out of my place for two days straight after. Honestly, I don't think I was awake for any part of those two days either other than to take a piss.

[Dave was being oddly chatty today too.] Do what you want. It's not like she hasn't gotten used to us turning things in right at the hour.

I have other jobs other than this one that I need to finish. So is the life of someone who also freelances.

[longwinded]

At least we got paid days off, shit was crazy. I don't think I ever want to do that again unless we absolutely have to. [Honestly John doesn't remember what he processed or how he did such a smashing job being hardly awake. He was sure Dad called him at some point during that because he hadn't heard from him in awhile.]

We make sure it's perfect, nothing big. I'm sure she appreciates us trying to get it right for display. [Someone is in a good mood.]

I've been deprived of your freelance photography lately, Dave. Does this mean I get to see some more of your work? [Raw, unprocessed, and something for John to admire.]

[knightime]

Speak for yourself. I've already pulled off near entire weeks to get shit done. [Which isn't to say that he was a procrastinator. He just does a lot more work than usually needed.]

Kanaya just doesn't give a shit because she knows we always have something ready that's at least presentable within the first few days. She just let's us have our time running around like headless chickens for the remainder.

Not my fault you don't visit the studio. [Dave shrugs.]

[longwinded]

I'm not as useful as you are either, I just process your photos. [So it's like a collaboration of sorts. Dave is impressive all the time.]

She just doesn't realize we're perfectionists, and if she does she doesn't realize how dire the situation is. [He yawns a little.]

When are you going next? I can totally drop by or something. Because heck if I'm gonna pass up a chance like that.

[knightime]

You're the only person that deals with me. [Dave shrugs like he doesn't care, but that statement speaks a lot in itself.]

Oh she knows. She probably finds it hilarious.

My studio that's attached to my studio apartment. If I'm not here or out on location, I'm there.

[longwinded]

You're not that bad. Honestly. [John doesn't get why people don't want to work with Dave, he can be a pain in the fucking ass but he is worth working with.]

She finds our perfectionism as a resource for her own entertainment, no one was surprised.

[He snickers.] It was a joke Dave, seems like you're here more than you're there. You don't mind me coming over? [He's been like twice. It was awesome.]

[knightime]

There's a hell lot of people who will say otherwise. [He also thinks you're lying.]

It's because Rose is the same about perfectionism. She thinks we're like the next show for her watch on Oxygen.

[Dave just slams his face against the table. Whatever.] It was a shitty joke. If I minded, I wouldn't have let you over the other times you numbnut.

[longwinded]

Not enough for me to notice. You really aren't bad to work with. Just a pin in the ass sometimes. [Shut the fuck up and take a compliment, Dave.]

We could be on Oxygen. I have to wonder if we're really that bad.

[...Dave stop that.] Dude, loosen up. Sure thing then, you think you'll be around Friday night?

[knightime]

That's because you don't overhear all the people talking shit behind your back like I do. [There was no emotion behind his words, but Dave was pretty bitter about it.]

Sometimes.

I am as loose as a limp dick. Probably. I tend to sleep in on Fridays so I don't usually set work up for that day.

[longwinded]

When they have the skill and ability to do what you do every day Dave, then they can have a reason to shit talk. But until then, the next time I hear someone say something shitty about you- I totally have your back. [John was used to getting made fun of in high school, and through college even. "Bucktoothed Hipster" came to the forefront of his mind and that was not something he wants Dave to even go through. Next person to talk shit gets John's fists in the mouth.]

I think I'm coming in to process a few photos on Friday, it'll take me no less than a couple of hours if Kanaya is pleased with what I give to her. Does five in the evening work for you? I'll bring dinner too. Probably Taco Bell or something like that.

[knightime]

It's not about my skill. [Dave snaps a bit.] Being an uncaring and heartless asshole has nothing to do with being a great photographer. [Except Dave grew up being an outcast for a multitude of reasons. Not that you're aware that he wears colored contacts.] I've dealt with this since middle school. No need to try and show off your mangrit, John.

Five is fine and Taco Bell is the fucking shit.

[longwinded]

[John raises his brow. He's pretty used to Dave snapping at him. So this isn't much of a scare really.] I seem to have missed the memo where you were a heartless asshole, or uncaring. You're really just a pain in the backside to work with sometimes, but thats how you get shit done. [He smirked.] I have the most mangrit in this place I'll have you know!

[Taco bell fuck yes.] What do you eat from there?

[knightime]

[Oh my god. You are so obnoxious sometimes, John!] It's not like you've always had a pretty word to say about me. [Don't think he doesn't know you complain about him too.] You only stick around because its convenient. If someone with at least have my talent and a stunning personality came your way, you'd rather work with them.

Yeah. Right. Noodle arms. [Dave has no space to talk considering he is skinny as skinny gets.]

Chalupas and nachos are where it's at.

[longwinded]

[He aims to be obnoxious sometimes.] Not always. I still call you an asshole and I still say you're a pain my ass. But that doesn't mean I don't want to work with you. Asshole is just an affectionate name. [He shakes his head.] Dave Strider, I'm your photo processing bitch until the end of time, you know this.

[He flexes his noodle arms.] All of this mangrit right here.

[Annnnd finally he writes that down.] Mountain Dew to drink? Or tea? Pepsi?

[knightime]

You know you'd bounce for a higher paying job with someone easier to work with even if they might not be as good as me. Bills need to be paid. [Dave is pretty skeptical that John wouldn't leave for a better job with someone who wasn't a complete asshole.]

You're a load of shit, dude.

Man, if it ain't coke, it ain't worth it. Coke and apple juice are basically the shit and are the only things worth drinking. I guess orange soda usually is also pretty chill though.

[longwinded]

I wouldn't bounce for anything. Not even an extra seven dollars an hour. [An actual offer John turned down, jfc. The guy didn't have the skill John was used to working with. His pictures were shit and he didn't have any freelance for John to be a fan of.

Suck on that, Strider.]

As if you aren't?

I'll pick some up. No problem.

[knightime]

Bullshit. [Dave is under the impression that no one legitimately likes him. Or tolerates him enough to turn that down.]

I'm making bank, so screw you.

If you want. I have a fridge with drinks you know.

[longwinded]

No I actually turned that down about three months ago, go look on my records. I'm not bullshitting you. [It's not that John likes him. It's that John appreciates how meticulous Dave is. He's never worked with someone who rode his ass to get the perfect picture.]

I'll bring extra. [He could bring adult drinks if he wanted to. He might just do that too. Because they are indeed- adults.]

[knightime]

[Dave doesn't respond, instead sulking as he continued to rifle through some negatives.]

Whatever you want to do. [Now he's just being a sour puss.]