#nate x taliah

[nathaniel-donovan]

@taliah-tezel​

Seeing Taliah sitting alone-- or more with a space beside her that just screamed for him to jump into he does (he had done the whole is it her is it not earlier so he already knew what she was wearing), giving her a quick peck on her cheek he settled back into his seat. “Did you hear about the cartoonist found dead in his home?” he asked, waiting for an adequate amount of time to pass to give her time to process what he was just randomly putting out there. “Details are sketchy.” seconds passed and he’s laughing, unable to stop himself from doing so.

[nathaniel-donovan]

Nate briefly scoffed out a laugh in response to Taliah's protest - a reaction that spoke enough for itself, one that was a silent spoken bullshit. Though he did ease back into a smile as he heard her out, knowing that she meant well and that it was good for Kip to have somebody looking out for him. "Mm... better be careful though, don't wanna give him the wrong ideas." as he glanced at Taliah he rose both his brows playfully; naturally just joking considering he was aware of the set-up.

As he continued to listen he nodded lightly, understanding in some ways what she did mean and he wasn't going to pick at her for that. The only time he would, would be if she didn't actually start carrying all the time - what with him knowing that she had some fucked up stalker - something that only came from that place of friendship and wanting her safe.

With his response being twisted back at him, more so his wording, his lips part as if he was going to answer and he stopped himself, mostly because he didn't know how to. In every way it tripped his brain up. Settling for a shrug - at it not sounding happy, he wasn't intentionally deflecting that, Nate was just in that mindset of it is what it is, and so he didn't actually have a return for that. It didn't sound happy because he wasn't, yet Nate was very good at masking that. "Yeah I know, I'm good though - don't need to worry about me, rather you worried about yourself." considering her current situation.

"I do not smother." Taliah would protest, despite knowing that's exactly what she did. "I know he's an adult, but he's still so young, and lost? It does make me a little bit smothery, I suppose. But I think he knows what to expect from me now. The other day, he approached me for a hug, usually it's the other way around. Really made my heart happy." Which was probably obvious by the way her face beamed.

As Nate asked her the question, she only found herself frowning in her own confusion. "Partly? Mostly I just think it's because it's foreign to me. Aside from being at the range, it's not something I think about. So it's hard to try and remember that I need to now, when for so long my fists have been enough," she chuckles quietly, giving him a soft shrug.

"Can't or won't?" Narrowing suspicious eyes paired with a softer smile, she can only sigh quietly. "That doesn't sound very... happy?" Taliah questions, not sure that's the word she wanted to use. "You know you can talk to me, right? About anything."

[taliah-tezel]

Location: Taliah's Home. Tag: @nathaniel-donovan

"Um, hello? Are you even listening? I'm still here you know, existing outside of you two!" She huffed, watching with a pout as Styx happily fussed around him, taking in his smell, adoring the attention. "Okay be honest, did you only come here for her?" Narrowed eyes, she soon relents into a soft eye roll, grabbing a pack of chips before slouching back. "I'm starting to feel a little neglected. You know, just because I don't have paws and fur doesn't mean I'm not super cute and cuddly too."

[taliah-tezel]

location: nate's home tag: @nathaniel-donovan

It had been two or three hours since she'd let herself into Nate's home with a hoard of shopping bags. The fact he wasn't here wasn't an issue ( for her ), she took some time to fuss over Chip and Chedder before setting to work. Batch cooking after ensuring she had enough room in the fridge and freezer for the mass of Tupperware they'd be placed in. Taliah was just about to finish up the last meal when she heard the door open and so, instead of a tub, she set a couple plates out and was readily bringing them to the table when he came into view.

"Hope you're hungry." It's all she says at first, her face void of her usual happy, warm smile. She wasn't angry, per se, just mildly annoyed. It all stemmed from a place of love and worry, after being caught up with what he'd done lately, how he'd disappeared, and hearing about how he had possibly been using, she wanted to approach this with a firm head. Returning with two glasses and a jug of ice water, she nods towards the chair. "Sit." Not necessarily a command, but not a question either.

"Feels like we're long overdue a catch up, don't you think?"

[taliah-tezel]

location: nate's house tag: @nathaniel-donovan

"About time," scoffing as she felt as though she'd waited for him forever. In reality, she had only text him around half an hour ago to ask him where he was. Oh, with the added note that she'd let herself in his house and was now cabbaged in his bed with Chip. Snacks and soda she knew he favored sat on his dresser, along with having one of his favorite movies set up to play. "Impromptu girls night," grinning, she shuffles over enough for him to climb in when he's ready. It had been a while since they'd just chilled together, and given everything that had been happening lately, it felt only right to spend some time with him. Check in, lowkey. "If you haven't had dinner, we can order?" She wonders, just to make it even more obvious to him that she was here for the better part of the night.

[nathaniel-donovan]

/end

"Feel free to introduce us sometime." She shrugged, smiling mostly because she knew that was just her being nosy. Slipping on her jacket, she felt a little better in herself now that she'd managed to lay her eyes on him. Judge for herself, she supposed, how he was doing. Would she say he was okay? No. Very far from, but, he seemed to be quite self-aware and trying to stay clean, work out his shit. That had to count for something, right? With a soft smile and a sigh, she's happy to move in and wrap her arms around him. "Don't thank me. Just get better, okay? Because I'm still upset and... cross, but I love you, and I'm not the only one who needs you to be ok. Call me if you need to talk, I don't care what time it is, I'll be here if you need me." It wasn't something she wanted him to respond to, it was just a parting statement. Giving him one last squeeze and a soft kiss on his cheek, she grabs her purse and takes her leave.

[taliah-tezel]

location: her home tag: @nathanial-donovan

Dropping Nate a text earlier in the day to come by for dinner, she knows it's time they had a sit-down and a real conversation. In the days after her dive into the lake, she'd be lying if she hadn't been avoiding him. Shame and guilt mostly, but then the fires at the town event happened and time just seemed to get away from her. Not today though, no, today, she'd managed to sleep, bathe, clean the house and repaint her kitchen. Gone with the charred walls, now it was like nothing had ever happened.

Hearing him pull up, she quickly takes the lasagna out the oven and places it down on the counter. Tossing the gloves aside as a mischievous thought overtakes her brain, she runs to the front door. Not to open it, knowing by now that when invited, he'll just walk on in. She hides in the corner so when he opens the door and goes to close it, she can jump out at him. And she does. "Raaah!!" Jumping out, she's already falling into a fit of laughter and a grin that lit up her eyes. "Hi, angel..." With a softer chuckle, she lifts her arms up, telling him that she wants a hug. "Thanks for coming, I've missed you."

[taliah-tezel]

tag: @nathanial-donovan location: her home info: post para(cliff dive)

The travel back from the lake was as miserable as it was uncomfortable. Wet clothes, a throbbing across her ribs and right side, burning cuts on her already swollen knuckles. Not to mention the bloodshot eyes and blotchy cheeks, she looked a little... worse for wear. Which would be fine, if not for the fact that on the other side of her door, Nate was waiting for her. How was she going to explain herself? She wasn't sure, what she was sure of was that she just needed to walk in and face him before she turned around and ran.

Pushing the door open, hand resting over the ache in her side, she steals a glance at him only to look away almost instantly. "Hi," Taliah croaked, a slight wobble in her lower lip. "Told you I'd come back." As promised. Certain that she couldn't feel or look more pathetic than she did right now, the fresh batch of tears that silently slipped down her cheeks can't be swiped away fast enough. "I didn't mean to worry you."

[taliah-tezel]

tag: @nathanial-donovan location: nate's home

After visiting the clubhouse and learning about Hallie's confession, Taliah hung around for a while wondering if Nate would show. When he didn't, a simple warning text that she was coming over was all he would get. Though she supposed it gave him the time to leave before she got there if he really wanted to, maybe he didn't want to talk about it? She wouldn't make him, that's not the point of her wanting to see him. Being one of the few people who knew just how fragile Nate's ego actually was, Taliah was more than worried about what this meant for him. He already didn't think he was worth much, if anything, in spite of how wrong he was there, just what would he be thinking now?

"Nate?" Letting herself in, she wanders through the house and around to his room. "You've got about 5 seconds to put your pants on if you're naked." Taliah calls out, slowly peeking around the doorway. "Hey, angel." A soft smile graces her lips. "Am I still welcome in your bed or have you replaced me with another Turkish Delight?" Smirking, she's trying her best not to let how sad he looks make her look sad for him, even though she was. "Come on, scoot over..." Taking off her jacket and shoes, she climbs in next to him lifting her arms up for him to move in and let her wrap him in a hug. "If it helps, this hug is for me as much as it is for you."

[nathaniel-donovan]

/end

"Rather you didn't," she chuckles, nudging him with her elbow, she nods silently. She didn't pretend to understand what he was feeling, she could only draw from her own experiences which were vastly different, but his pain, his grief? That much she could relate to completely. "Giving in is always easier, that's why so many people do. And it's always easy to say you just need to remember what you're fighting for, sometimes it's not that simple." Though, she's sure he knows that already. "I can only tell you what you already know, but maybe, you just need to think of it like it's one or the other, not both. So recognizing which option will make you happier long term might be something to ponder." Shrugging a shoulder, what she's saying is, if he slips, chooses drugs, he gives up his family, his friends, his life. All she could do now was hope he would talk to someone before slipping too far. "Right come on then, let's start watching this movie until food comes." Nodding, she shuffles closer to him, not asking permission as she lifts up his arm and cuddles into his side.

[nathaniel-donovan]

"You sayin' my fine ass would steer them away?" He starts, playing on her joke, "I know my worth; this face attracts." For those added feigned dramatics he ruffled his hand through his hair, messing entirely. He settles, however, listening and in turn frowning slightly. "You don't have to say sorry to me, Tali, you know that." He knew she wanted to, so it was different, yet he still didn't feel there was a need. He didn't need to hear apologies for he fact that he was there for her, whether he witnessed her breaking down or not, the only thing it did for Nate was make him worry more.

Smiling at her mentioning Cole he couldn't help his small chuckle, knowing just how much the pair genuinely loved each other, something that was clear for not just him to see, but everyone around them, so it always went without saying whenever Nate mentioned Taliah to him. More so when there were concerns. "Nothing I haven't done before." He shrugs lightly, taking her thank you and while he appreciated it, like her sorry, it wasn't needed. Even in different circumstances he'd have done the same. "Yeah? Well please don't." Cry. "I'm seeing Alara after, don't want a damp top." He was joking, that soft smirk that lifted would tell her so. Hell, if she did want to cry he'd encourage it. Always. He loved her too.

"Hey," his hand moved to where the towel whacked on his skin, lightly laughing, "I bruise easily." He didn't. He was just trying to be funny, not able to wipe that smile from his expressions when she continues and tells him he was rude. "Well, thank you for the food I'm in love with right now..." he dodged out of her way, more so to avoid an attempt of a smack this time.

Continuing to tuck into his lasagne he has to refrain himself from dishing out another compliment, but the fact that it tasted so fucking good was clear to see. The surprise, the sigh, that contentment. Even despite the topics they were touching on. "No that's fine, whenever you're ready." and only if she actually wanted to talk about her mom with him, he found it was a nice thing to do in terms of his own mom, keeping her memory alive was important to him. He found himself pausing and looking towards her, swallowing his food he stops eating momentarily. "Just feel like I should have noticed." That was all. It's also that knowing thought of how bad the situation could have ended, that made him reflect on wanting to do better. Even if he didn't need to.

"Really? You're not going to offer your bad guy biker services? Because I feel like if you just posted yourself outside the fire station, you could clear off all my unwanted reporters and news crews..." Taliah laughed, obviously just joking with him.

"Is it?" Taliah raised a brow, amused by just how accepting he was of the entire situation. "I'm not trying to dwell, but what I put you through... It doesn't feel fair. I really hope you know how sorry I am." Pausing just to look at him, she doesn't want to dive into the depths of what, why, etc. She just wants him to know that she understands that she had put him through a short stay in hell, and she's genuinely sorry for it.

"I'm glad you were there too. And thank you for calling the other half of your angel," smirking, she knew she didn't need to tell him, of all people, that she was talking about Cole. "Had you asked that night, I would have told you no... But I'd have been wrong. I needed him, and you knew that, so thank you. I honestly love you both so much it makes me want to cry sometimes." Taliah laughs gently, moving around to pick up the cutlery and place it between them and the food.

Watching him speak his love to the food, she scoffs, picking up a tea towel just to try and whip it off his arm in protest. "Rude. So rude. I slaved away to deliver this meal to you, your credit needs to go to me, not the food that I made. All it did was chop and cook how I told it to." Narrowing her eyes, she tries to fight off the smirk but most likely fails at doing so. "I made all of it, yeah." It had been a while since she whipped up something from scratch, but she was glad to have Nate as her first taste tester.

Brown eyes soften at his offer, along with the mention of her mom. It wasn't surprising that he'd clung to that part of her outburst given that it was also the moment she fell apart, again. "Thank you, I'm... I might take you up on that, just not right now." She smiled. The truth was, she found it too painful to really delve into a conversation about her mom, but she was working on it, on being more open - it just took time. "No, enough of that. Everything that happened is on me. I know you would have been there any time if I reached out, I just didn't realize I needed any help, you know? You've got nothing to be sorry about, I promise. Please don't blame yourself for what I did."

[nathaniel-donovan]

With Taliah telling him she was just sore, he only had the one option to believe her. Even if the concern he felt would only really ever ease up with the whole seeing is believing and yet he nods a few times, accepting it for what it was. "Yeah, okay..." He's acknowledging her need to get up, to shower, to get changed, whilst he continues to remain that support for her as she moves. Not really saying too much when she apologised, only offering a faint smile her way. Knowing that she didn't need to tell him again that she was sorry, it wasn't needed and hearing her tell him she was going to be okay had him doubting that. From where he stood he knew this was her just trying to ease his mind, rather than her actually believing she would be. There wasn't much he could do the convince her otherwise, at least not now. Accepting her hug it feels like the roles are suddenly reversed - something he's confused by yet he doesn't allow that to show. Lightly nodding he makes way to stand up, offering his hand so she too could pull herself up from the floor. "Yeah sure, I'll just finish what I was doing." In other words he was planning on dragging that out until he had spoken to Cole, knowing earlier he had told him he'd let him know when she was home.

She can feel the burn in her knuckles as she squeezes a fist around his shirt. It only alerts her to everything else that hurts, from her side, to her arm, right up to the bloodshot eyes that stung not just with tears, but probably from the lake water too. With every breath that slowed into a calmer state, the weight of what she'd done fell heavy on her shoulders. The concern she'd fused into Nate's heart alone made her feel guilty, especially when she looks up and sees those sad blue eyes. "I know." Quietly, she manages a soft, if not tired smile. "I love you too." Thinking to add, knowing him well enough now to know the misery she's caused him. She didn't need him to tell her, she already knew that he'd be thinking he should have seen this coming, or noticed something off, putting blame on himself where it wasn't warranted.

Swiping the tears off her cheeks, she sucks in a deep breath and slowly blows it out. At the very least, she's calmer now, enough to stop crying, something she's sure they're both grateful for. "I'm good. It's just a bit sore." Or a lot, but she didn't need him to look, or check her over. She could do that herself. "I am cold though, so, um... I'm going to go have a hot shower and get into something dry." Mumbling, she slowly moves around to rest on her knees, using him for balance. "I'm... I'm sorry. For all of it... But I'm going to be okay." She wants to at least try and soothe his mind, however futile. Bringing a hand up to his cheek, she then brings him into a light hug where this time, it's to try and comfort him. "Thank you for being here," Taliah whispers, squeezing his shoulders. "We can talk tomorrow? I'm going to shower and go to bed, okay? Please go home." She says, kindly, not wanting him to feel unwanted but also, not wanting to sound like she wants him to stay. All she wants now is exactly what she's stated.

[nathaniel-donovan]

"I know," he smiled lightly. He knew he wouldn't be stuck in a rut forever and even if he couldn't see past that, he had plenty of people to help lift him out. Taliah being one who always seemed to cheer up his mood without even trying sometimes. They both were the same in that retrospect. Nate did know that right now, the only person that could actually help him here was himself and pushing through the negative thoughts was proving hard. Its the fear he needed to stop overthinking, yet was something making him avoid Hallie and Rosie. Not his finest moment, he knew that. Another thought that dragged him down. It was fine though, he wasn't searching for sympathy.

"Definitely agree with that." he mumbled, knowing he wasn't a shining example of somebody who could commit to anyone in the long run. There was always something and that thing being himself. "Nah..." he chuckles, "You're completely alien." being able to fully understand a woman was something he had also struggled with. Perhaps a running theme in the way Nate was realising that maybe it was just him that was the problem. "Plenty of good ones out there, when you're ready to look." he gently prodded her side, knowing that over the years he had known Taliah she had never shown interest in being with anyone. Not that that was something Nate thought defined her.

"Well... I mean if I had to pick right now, sure." he chuckled, before releasing a soft sigh. "Yeah I see the appeal..." he smirked briefly, "I dunno... she makes me feel gooey," he wasn't really afraid to admit that because that was his truth. Even with that dark cloud looming over his head he'd think of Alara and she'd make him feel like he was a teenager. In was strange in the way he wasn't used to it. "I'll probably fuck it up though, so don't hate me." he was being honest, actually believing that that would be the outcome because he didn't think highly of himself at all.

“You won’t, I wouldn’t let you be.” Sad forever, that was. Prodding a finger into his ribs, she sighs quietly, trying not to dwell too much on the fact he was currently sad. Of course he was, anyone would be, that didn’t mean it wasn’t something she wanted to wave a magic wand at and fix. Nate deserved better, though she knew he didn’t believe that, in spite of how many times she tried to make him see it. How was he ever going to when people kept doing shitty things to him? It was infuriating – just as it was a reminder to have a kind word with Alara about not following what seemed to be a track record with him and his choices in women.

“Uh-huh. They know more about commitment than most men,” she grinned, looking up with a renewed vision of soft smiles. “How do you know it isn’t? Girls like pretty rocks and sentimental gestures. Honestly, you make out like we’re so complicated but we are very easily pleased.” She teased, mostly because she knew it probably wasn’t at all true. Or alternatively, was it just that men were too stupid to succeed? A thought to ponder. “Female penguins don’t give pebbles, just the males, because fuck feminism or whatever,” chuckling, she adds a shrug. “Even if I did find a perfect pebble, I don’t have anyone to give it to.” Which was fine, and also not out of the ordinary. Her first and only relationship was enough to put her off forever. If she was honest with herself she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to let someone new in, some scars just ran too deep. “So… She’s perfect pebble material? Serious statement.” Raising an amused brow, she pats his chest. “I’m happy for you. Good taste, too, Turkish women are obviously superior.”

[nathaniel-donovan]

A smile lifted as she mentioned that she didn't have favourites, knowing that she was full of shit there and still, he wasn't surprised by Kip being mentioned. "You still smothering him like he's a baby?" he joked lightly, feeling that touch happier that Taliah was acknowledging that she was being stubborn, more so because it was just a headache when she didn't. "Oh yeah.." he nodded a little as he let out a soft laugh, having no problem when it came to being right, especially with their topic of conversation. "Because you might kill someone?" he asked to her saying that firing a bullet into somebody didn't sit well, trying to understand on his own level, "Still can do that with your fists." he wasn't countering how she felt, he just knew if it came down to it the last thing Taliah needed to do was hesitate if she had a gun in her hand. "Okay... good." his smile widened, satisfied enough with her response. However, that notion didn't necessarily apply to her flipping the spotlight onto him, not because he didn't want to talk but because he felt on the scale of things, how he was doing wasn't important. "Yeah I'm alright, getting there so can't complain." in every way how he was now, was considerably better than how he was at the beginning of the year and so Nate was taking that as a good thing. "Tryna stay in my own lane so I don't fuck anyone else up, you know how it is."

"Look, I know you're right, I know I'm being stubborn, and I don't know why I'm bothering, actually. Cole is going to say the same thing and I'm going to end up saying yes or I'll be hyper-aware that I'm adding to his stress. I would want to choose who has to tag along next to me though. Not that I have favourites or anything." She managed to break into a genuine grin, knowing fine well she did. Taliah loved them all the same, but naturally, there were members she got along better with. "Kip... I would accept Kip." Which shouldn't be any surprise at this point, it had to be very clear that she'd taken on the mother-hen role when it came to him. "... Yeah, I know. God, you must be enjoying this, huh? Being right twice in the space of a few minutes." Taliah gave a soft eye roll, like a child in a sulk. "I just don't... I think about using it, and I can't picture it. Does that make sense? When I carry it, it's almost like a reminder that it's there because one day I might have to actually use it. Throwing fists I have no problem with, but firing a bullet into someone? It just doesn't sit well." She tried to explain, not sure if she was making any sense at all. "I'll let my one brain cell know we need to shape our ideas up, don't worry. I'll start making sure it's with me." Smiling, she turns her head towards the delivery and scowls instantly, getting up just to move it out of her sight. "Enough about me though, tell me how you are. Are you as good as you look?"

[nathaniel-donovan]

"Creepy's different to threatening." he responds, it was more there to correct her rather than him actually thinking being persistent would actually work. Taliah's mind was clearly set with what she wanted - or didn't, so Nate just thought it was down to Cole to sort out and was happy enough to let it be. Nate soon shrugged lightly, "This isn't about me." he glanced in her direction, giving her that look just to say come on, especially when it came to worrying about him when she was the one with a stalker. He chuckled, giving a silent nod of acknowledgement when it came to her holding his words against him, if her weird theory was correct that was. "You leave it in your bedroom?" he tossed back, taking in what she was telling him about knowing how to shoot, yet focusing on the fact that she didn't even fucking carry. "Need to stop being lazy, T, not just because of this," he made a small gesture towards the wooden box, "But because of who you're with." meaning Cole. "Use that brain of yours, know you've got one somewhere." it was a light tease, he didn't want to fully scold her but that essentially was what he was doing.

"I know what you're saying, but I'm always careful. I don't walk anywhere in the dark by myself, and during the day I'm either at work or around people. You guys have enough to do without babysitting me because some random whackjob wants to send creepy notes." Frowning, and mostly because she expected Cole would only say the same thing. "Wouldn't it be better if I asked someone? If you ask, and it turns out to be someone on police radar who then disappears, eyes will look to you? And I don't want that." Obviously, she didn't. "I'm going to hold that against you if it turns out I'm right." Taliah cracked a half smile, only to end up wrinkling her nose at his question. "Mm... sure. Well, not so much carry as... spends a lot of time in the bedroom draw or glove compartment because I forget about it... But yes, I know how to shoot. Serkan taught me." Granted, she was probably rusty now, but what did that matter if she didn't even carry. Awaiting the disapproval, she does her best to give him an adorable smile - the one she typically does when she knows she's in the wrong.

[nathaniel-donovan]

"Mhm, seems it." Nate turned his back to the wooden box and leaned against the surface, crossing his arms he stared at a fix point on the other side of the kitchen. "Think making sure you don't end up six foot under is more important than being stubborn." he comments, he knew it wasn't his place to tell her what to do - Taliah was her own person, after all, he just personally thought her not wanting to come across as afraid was stupid. Though that was purely because he didn't want to see her hurt. "Up to you, if you want me to I can try." his offer was always there, though naturally he wasn't sure how legit it'd be if she left it a while. Still, Nate wanted to give her that option anyway. His brows creased together as she mentioned the type of vibe, causing him to let out a humorous scoff, "You watch too much shit on Netflix." That wasn't saying it couldn't be true, just merely that it seemed a far stretch for his own mind to comprehend right now. "Guessing you're carrying?" he was talking about a handgun, figuring himself that she knew that and he didn't need to spell it out. "Know how to use it?" he didn't doubt she did, he just wanted to know she knew.

"That's exactly what I thought." That club enemies would do more than send gifts. A haunting thought, really, but at least in this case she could mostly rule that out. It was just unfortunate that she didn't know who else to consider a culprit. "Personal, yeah," she agrees. "And calculated, right? First the firehouse and then here, but both nice gifts. Like they wanted me to know they knew my job and my home address, but didn't want me to worry until they decided I should. I guess that's today," she gestured to the box, her features settling into a permanent frown, especially when he suggested having a couple of guys with her. "That's not happening. I'm going to run on the assumption whoever it is, is in plain view, right? And I'm not about to let them think I'm afraid of their weird little games." Taliah knew he just wanted her to be safe, but she didn't want to give whoever it was any kind of power over her. Of course, if Cole suggested the same thing, she imagined she could only argue against it for so long before she had to yield - if only to stop the pair of them worrying. "I didn't think about that," she thought about it, slowly coming to a shake of her head. "No. I mean... I don't think so? I'll think about it. Don't use your favours on me," she chuckles. "I know it feels personal but nobody comes to mind. Maybe it's just some stalker type, if I can't have you, nobody can type of vibes."