hale bent

"That's what my dad told me when I asked about you over the holidays." Her parents were big on their annual Christmas party. Everyone in town came to her family's property. Live music, gourmet food, and even a Santa Claus to pose with if the libations encouraged you just enough. The hug was unexpected, but well-received as she squeezed him in return. It felt like eons ago when they were just kids running through the streets of their hometown. Now here they were. "You can thank the ridiculously expensive pilates class and biweekly spa treatments for that," she chuckled. "I'm sorry for being such a stranger, but lucky for you, I'm here for the foreseeable future. So, what have I missed?"

"You asked about me?" Nate smiled sheepishly. He didn't really think he was all that and a bag of chips--maybe once upon a time, but that shine had burned out years ago. Or so he thought. "Careful, I might get the impression that there's a version of me that lives rent free in your mind." He teased, eyeing the produce all around them. He'd had a clear list before he'd gotten here, but now? He couldn't remember a single item. "Next thing you're gonna tell me about is your undying love for avocado facials. Why do those exist? It's basically like guacamole, is it not?" He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her--it truly had been a while, but even now the rhythm seemed to be finding itself pretty easily. "You're asking the wrong person, I'm afraid. Most I can say is I've poisoned my brain with reality TV."

"i don't want to brag but i definitely think we have the best fries in town, if that gets you across the line," charlotte grinned proudly. bleachers had been quite the success so far and with the football season in full swing, the basketball not too far off, it was only going to get better. chuckling, charlotte found nate's words amusing, "i definitely don't think the band would be giving early 2000s backstreet boys." the story was sweet, seemed very on brand for nate to do something like that for his family. "i'm sure they appreciated it." with a warm smile, charlie nodded, "i can't remember the last time i really took a decent break and yes, exist in the present. that couldn't be more what i want. i have something special and i just want to spend time indulging in that while i can. take the back seat for a while." her smile grew, "it's not just the roses i'm smelling, it's the whole damn garden."

"well, shit. i'm sold." nate tapped his fingers lightly against the tabletop, snorting under his breath. "nah, you're right. somethin' about 'em being too mainstream. but all jokes aside, the band was...different. but definitely the good kinda different. sometimes when i'm workin' in the shop, i'll turn shuffle on, and it's nice to listen to a buncha different genres. except ska music, though. i never got the hype of that. but i digress." the corners of his eyes crinkled ever so slightly as he smiled. it was nice having seen both charlie and corey in their own individual elements. nate was kind of a sucker for a happy ending, and if anyone deserved it, it was corey and charlie. "how was it on the road with 'em? everything you dreamed of?"

WHO: @goldenboyhale

Nate's eyes lifted when he heard his name, a yukon potato in one hand, produce bag in the other. Recognition glowed on his face, and he quickly stuffed that potato plus one more into the bag. "Isla, wow. Hey." At the compliment, he chuckled, ducking his head a bit bashfully. "I feel like I should be asking you the same. I'm good. You know, just plugging away, fixin' cars." He scratched the back of his neck, then leaned forward and scooped her into a hug before he could talk himself out of it. She'd been there for him during one of the hardest periods in his life--it was one of the things he never could forget. "You look great, too, for the record."

"i'll be honest with you — i'm not sure i can recommend all that much as can't say i eat much off the menu other than a salad or sharing a bowl of fries with corey but i know they would recommend the platter of wings. i hired incredible chefs so whatever it is you choose, i can guarantee it's going to be nice." even when it came to her own restaurant, she was still cautious about what she ate. as the topic turned to the band, she couldn't help but smile, glancing over at her partner's direction for a brief moment and back to nate, "it's always a treat. i don't think i could ever tire of watching corey do what they love — the place it transports them to. they're getting exposure and i couldn't be more proud." after taking a sip of her water she answered, "i've been busy, the wnba is very close to wrapping up so i've been travelling a lot between, phoenix and las vegas. i'll be taking a break once it's all finished up, really spend some time here, time with corey at home. i'm looking forward to just being a stay at home partner."

nate blinked, considering the suggestion. "yeah, that sounds like corey. will say, though, i'm not one to turn down fries--like, ever." he snorted. he didn't say it, but he was at least glad she was hydrating. the shop had busy stretches, so he was all too familiar with putting his well being on the back burner. now that they were settling into the whole new friendship thing, he figured the least he could do was be supportive. "I agree. wasn't really sure what to expect when i showed up. last concert I went to was with my sister back in...god, 2000? 2001? she begged me to go see the backstreet boys with her and a couple friends, because she didn't know anyone willing to drive them there since none of her friends had their permits. I like to think of myself as not a killjoy, so I went." nate smiled fondly at the memory, shaking his head. that had been just a couple years before everything went downhill. he was comfortable just staying home most days, but he was glad he'd gotten to see corey and the band in their element. he let out a low whistle, tapping his fingers against the tabletop. "well, damn. i'm sure a break'll do ya good. i've learned sometimes it's good to just exist in the present moment. why rush, right?" there was a bit of wistfulness to his tone--no surprise there. nate found without fail that around this time every year he started poring back through his memories for some glimpse of his dad that he could grab onto and just hold for a bit longer. he smiled gently at charlie. "this is probably where i'd say something about smelling the roses."

starter: @goldenboyhale

texas fall was a hell of a lot different than the season up north. nate knew that from the brief period in his twenties when he'd spent some time driving around the northeastern united states just to catch the picturesque scenes and capture them with the polaroid disposable camera his sister had gifted as she'd seen him off. fall in texas, however, meant much more mild weather and talk of football. nate's eyes pulled away from the game on screen once he'd heard charlie's voice. "you sound like my sister. truth is, you're right--was a long day at the shop and i'll be payin' for it later if I don't get somehin' in me." he tilted his head slightly, giving her a smile. "what do you recommend?" he was glad that he and charlie had struck up a friendship again. while he'd grown up surrounded by people who really just wanted to be attached to him because of his athleticism, nate knew he'd become much more withdrawn as he got older. wasn't really anything anyone had done wrong--he just didn't need the popularity. it felt much more meaningful to have a close few that he could name with one hand. "was pretty cool to see the band in their element, wasn't it? but good to be home. how've you been?"

"Heh, I've played worse places," Corey shrugged. "The dressing room was cold as balls but there weren't any pubes in the shower, so I'll call it a win." Corey was freshly home after their short-lived tour with the boys. They weren't sure if three dates could really be classed as a tour, but it was with a band who had a decent following, a queer band. They'd take what they could get. "It's cool you decided to come out. I know it isn't exactly Madison Square Garden. But yeah, things have been a little crazy. I took on a big construction job, too."

"I'd ask what places are worse, but I don't mind a lil' mystery now and then." Nate snickered quietly, grinning at his friend. "You gotta start somewhere, right? I'm glad I could make it work, and I wanted to. S'what friends do for eachother, right? They show up." He nodded and listened as they mentioned the big construction job, but eventually he sat a little straighter as Corey spoke. "You might say I've gotten pretty damn good at observing lately." He gave a little shrug.

“Well, you told me if you got it right, I’d owe you– so I guess I do,” she supplied, shoulders giving a coy shrug as she lifted her fresh drink to her lips again, sampling another taste. Lifting a brow at him from behind the rim of her glass, she was almost grateful for the way her drink hid the smirk forming on her lips at whatever suggestion Nate left between them, “I’m all for the less conventional. I hate predictability.” Setting her drink back down, she shrugged again, a thoughtful hum sounding in the back of her throat, “Lucky for you, when I give my word, I’m good for it.” He could keep track as much as he wanted, as far as she was concerned. “I wasn’t thinking that,” the getting off scot free bit, that was. “Just thinking about the getting off part,” she clarified with a smirk that was just as dangerous as a loaded gun, “Too forward?” Probably. She often was, but rather than apologize for it, she’d let Nate be the judge.

"A woman of honor. Can't say I hate that." Nate remarked, tilting his head curiously. He took a sip of his own drink, chuckling so low it practically rumbled in his chest. She was intriguing--as bold as she was blunt. Something about her was different from every other woman he'd met--and Nate knew that was cliche. He hated cliches, just for the record. Her admission caught him off guard, but Nate liked to think he maintained a pretty good poker face. his fingers twitched on the bar top, like he wanted to reach for her and pull her close but was still testing the waters. "No, not at all." He surveyed her expression for a minute, then leaned in close to her, lingering so she could hear him clearly so that his voice wasn't dimmed by the surrounding of the bar. "Long as you don't mind me returning the favor." He pulled back easily, the faintest of smirks on his lips and a mischievous glint in his eye.

Seeing Nate roll his eyes made him laugh, only because he knew that if his nieces and nephew were not shielding him with their presence, Isaac would’ve gotten a different gesture. “Well to be honest, I lagged in telling everyone so really that’s me. But, I know they’re glad you came by. Laurel too, she’s been enjoying the visitors.” A nice change from the bedrest, he supposed. “I am glad, though if you hadn’t answered, I would’ve just shown up and woken you up myself. So now, I’m lamenting that I didn’t get to do that.”

"Well, of course. Anything for Eli--by extension, that means you and Laurel. Hell, anyone in this damn house. I'm sure there's a house plant I owe a debt of gratitude to." Nate rubbed at his eyes with the palms of his hands, ridding his eyes of the sleepiness that he supposed just...came with age. Fuck, if there was ever a day to feel old as hell, this would be it--but he didn't wanna give Isaac the satisfaction.

Eli made a face at him. "The day we don't have snacks with two chefs in house is when the world ends." he warned him. "With Espi back, you know there's never not snacks around. She still feeds us like we're seven and six." Which to her credit, she did see her brothers as small children who always wanted to eat something being outside. "That's what you say now, but he yanks it hard. Might even see you cry." Eli snorted and laughed. "The last Deveaux making all his uncles fight over him. Now, that's trippy. Never thought I'd see it." Like Phillip knew he was being talked about, he squirmed and made an o with his mouth. "Let's hope he doesn't get that stubbornness," knowing them, though, stubbornness would be the trait at the forefront. "He's named after two people who Lau and I could never not see as family. Nate, come on. Every big thing in our lives you've been a part of. This kid will use the power of namesake against you as he grows older. Fair warning." Eli looked up at him and smiled. "If your point was to make me cry, you've succeded."

"And when you don't see me in the path of said snacks, something's gone wrong." Nate teased back, shrugging a little. "Well, food is kind of a love language, is it not? Acts of service or whatever." He waved one of his hands absently, eyes locked on the little boy in his arms. Though his throat threatened to close at Eli's words, Nate caught himself just in time--although he was sure his eyes were just a little glassy. Whatever. He'd chalk it up to the heightened emotions from the last few days, and he wasn't even the actual parent. "Kid's got me wrapped around his finger already. Tell him no, and I promise ya--I'll be there to tell him yes." He beamed at his best friend, then back down at the baby. "Anything I can do for ya while I'm here, aside from bein' a baby whisperer?"

"it's one of the things i love so much about them. i helped them with their mother before she passed, saw first hand the depth of their heart, how selfless they are. it's something they didn't let people see but i'm so glad i was able." letting out a breath, she shrugged, "it's what i've always done, juggled everything, made things work, if you don't the industry will swallow you. even though my life is still rather fast paced, coming home here, really slows things down, gives me a chance to ground myself."

nate bowed his head as charlie spoke, a subtle pang hitting his heart. "damn." he murmured softly, understanding how painful that had to have been. he'd lost his dad in a pretty quick way--couldn't imagine having to watch someone wither away slowly but quickly at the same time. he looked charlie in the eye, a sad little smile on his face. "you were their rock in a hard time. s'important to have that. i'm glad they have you. and evidently me now, too, since we're friends and all." nate flashed her a more genuine smile this time, eager to shift gears. "y'know, corey got me into watching that show about the housewives. dunno how they did it, 'cause it wasn't on my bucket list for this year, that's for damn sure. they're very persuasive, and I guess it does work for mindless entertainment.."

Dawn felt her heart do a little flip at his words. A smile spread over her face, bright and genuine. “A real date,” she repeated softly, like she was testing how it sounded. When he stepped closer and took her hand, she looked down at their laced fingers, then back up at him. “Yes,” she said, maybe a little too quickly, blushing furiously when she caught herself. “I mean, yes, I’d really like that.” Her thumb brushed over his knuckles and the back of his hand. “I haven’t felt this way about someone in a really long time either, so maybe we’re both a little out of practice, but…” she shrugged, still smiling. “I think that’s okay. We can figure it out together, right?” 

His eyes sparkled as they found hers. He'd been married previously, but it had fizzled out. Nate had told himself when that ship had sailed that he would do things different. Maybe for a while, 'different' meant swearin' off getting close to someone. He couldn't put his finger on why, but things with Dawn felt different. "No, I think you're right. Figurin' shit out together's the best way to go." He brought Dawn closer, pressing his forehead to hers with a light laugh. "Definitely out of practice, because there've been moments when I've wanted to kiss you, but the old-fashioned guy muddled somewhere in my brain is screamin' to hold off. Is that weird? Probably. I don't want to mess it up, but I do think either way it'll be worth it." Nate exhaled softly, a weight lifting off his shoulders. "I'm not goin' anywhere. Count on that, yeah?"

-> @goldenboyhale

"Snacks?" Nate perked up just a little--who wouldn't where snacks were concerned? Then, he had to quickly redirect as Phillip was placed in his arms. Phillip Thomas. Nate smiled fondly, brushing the pad of his thumb against the baby's soft skin. "Ah, I'll let him. I'm not some prepubescent sellout, and it'll grow back." He gave Eli a sheepish grin. "If I do get hungry, you might have to spoon feed me. I thought I saw some banana pudding in there, and you know I'm a sucker for it. But I'm not letting this little man go, not without a fight. Sorry 'bout it." He exhaled softly, moving around the room a bit but keeping a strong and steady hold on the small child. "My old man would probably choke on his words a bit if he knew. Wouldn't be able to get out how much it means to be a namesake. I mean, it's just a middle name, but still." Thomas Hale was strong, stubborn as hell, but when he loved--he did it deeply. Nate would tell all the stories he could possibly remember if it would keep his father's memory alive. Nate smiled at his best friend, squeezed his shoulder. "He'd be proud of you too, you know. You're doin' great."