the sharp snap of gloves being pulled on / sirens cutting through early-morning fog / the smell of smoke that doesn’t wash out / coffee gone cold on the apparatus floor / boots lined up by the door, ready at all times / bedtime stories read in a low, tired voice / a lighter carried out of habit, unused / silence that feels earned / knuckles scraped, healed, scarred again
basic info.
name: nicholas reyes
nicknames: goes by cole, actually hates being called nick
age: 32
birthday: 10th January, 1993
gender + pronouns: cis male / he/him
birthplace: san bernardino, california
current residence: downtown, windsor bay, oregon (since August, 2025)
occupation: firefighter
strengths: level-headed, hard-working, observant
weaknesses: emotionally guarded, workaholic, stubborn
digging deeper.
“What’s your family like? Are you still close, or have you blocked all their numbers?”
"Family is... complicated." By the way he kept the answer short it was evident the subject of his family wasn't something Cole liked to discuss. "Always has been." A pause, followed by a sharp inhale and even louder exhale. "We love each other, but we don’t always know how to sit at the same table without old ghosts pulling up chairs and we're definitely not the kind that talks things through. I keep the door cracked — not wide open, not slammed shut either. Some wounds just heal better with a little space." A heartbeat of silence follows his last words. "But if one of them called at three in the morning, I’d answer. No questions asked."
“Would you say you’re easy to get along/work with? Why or why not?”
"I’m easy if you’re honest and you pull your weight." A smirk pulled at the corners of his lips. "I don’t do drama, and I don’t like wasted time. I’m quiet, I listen, and I’ll have your back. If you show up on time, do the work and don’t sugarcoat things, then I don't see why we can't get along. I just don’t waste energy trying to be liked."
“We’ve all had our fair share of shit hit the fan and moments in the sun — tell me about a defining moment in your life, good or bad.”
Cole smiled, because the answer to that question was simple. "The day I became a dad. Everything else stopped being about me in that moment." There was unusual softness in his eyes when he spoke of Isabella and the way she'd turned his whole life around. "Fear, pride, responsibility — all of it hit at once. It was the moments I realized real bravery isn’t running into danger. It’s staying. It’s choosing to be better every single day because someone’s watching you. Someone's depending on you."
“Are you a leader or a follower?”
"I step up when it matters. Not for the fame and glory, but for the people standing next to me. If no one else is moving, I will." Cole shrugged. "If that makes me more of a leader than a follower, then so be it."
“It’s the little things in life; tell me three things that bring you a great deal of joy or put a smile on your face.”
"My kid." The answer came immediately, his lips curling into a soft smile. "Especially when she's laughing so hard, she accidentally snorts." A clear reminiscence of her mother. "And early mornings right before the town wakes up. When the house is quiet, too." He continued. "And those rare moments when everything feels steady — like maybe I’m doing something right."
"It's no problem at all, I'm not looking for anything in particular. Just casually browsing since I really don't need any more books." His bookshelf at home was already stuffed full of more books than he even had the time to read between his job as a dance teacher and pursuing his musical theater dreams. "Nice to meet you, Cole. I'm Sebastian." Seb held his hand out for a proper introductory handshake.
Sebastian's words prompted Cole to try and recall the last time he'd read a book — anything other than a child's book, of course. It's certainly been a while since not many memories resurfaced. Between high school and shortly before Isabella's birth, Cole used to be an avid reader. But then life took over and anyone who thought nigh shifts at the fire deparment were long and boring, have clearly never worked one in their lifetime. "It's nice to meet you, too." Cole accepted her offered hand, smiling at the man. "So what's your favourite genre?" He figured a small talk wouldn't hurt and since they were at a bookstore it was natural for it to revolve around books.
For her part--Aria had been quite taken by Cole, there was something to be said about going on dates with a true gentleman which was Cole for sure. He'd been so great and so while the reason to break up had left her feeling a little surprised and quite frankly a little hurt, she hadn't wanted to show that to him. Not to appear indifferent but because truly she found his honesty refreshing and had told him as much. That didn't mean she was ready to become best friends or anything but being in this type of situation with Cole felt...okay, comforting almost and having Isabella there helped immensely.
"Neither? Oh my gosh--the breakfast food Gods will be disappointed," she teased before hearing his words about a grilled cheese. Now that redeemed him instantly because one of the best comfort meals in Aria's opinion was the grilled cheese. "That's almost a passing answer, don't you think Bella?" She said, raising their joint hands together before seeing that cute little smirk on the little girl's face at her dad's answer before nodding. "Oh for sure--she's truly your daughter," she commented before looking back at Cole with another grateful smile as the diner came into view. "Thanks again, I know coming last night was part of your job but helping out this morning when I honestly didn't know how to deal--it was going above and beyond," she smiled back at Isabella. "Not to mention you brought along the best helper in Windsor Bay which made it even better."
He couldn't help but chuckle. It was Aria's sense of humor that matched his and the way she always spoke what's on her mind that had drawn him to her in the first place and something he still appreciated in her, despite their break up, which he still refused to acknowledge as such and often taught of it as a simple fall out between people who met at the wrong time. "Almost, huh?" He teased her back as they neared the diner. "I wonder what you'll say if I tell you I always hated the PB & J days at elementary." He gave Isabella's hand a light squeeze before letting her enter first, holding the door for both of them. His action being caused by the fact he also knew those were her favorite days back home, especially when the jam was with blueberries. "You don't need to thank me, Aria." His features turned serious for a moment, but only because he wanted her to know he actually meant what he was saying. "I'm sure anyone in my place would do it." At least that's how he'd been raised and how he imagines the community in small towns operated, too. "Besides, Bells here did most of the job." He teased the little girl while giving her a light push to sit in one of the booths before seating himself next to her.
Atlas for once had listened and so decided to take the night off and the next day off. The doctor did not have any plans at all and thought that it had been awhile since the town had seen his handsome face and he had missed being social. Atlas was an extrovert, he was always at some party, at a bar making friends, annoying people too. The male had been people watching, zoning in and out for the last hour before putting his order finally after deciding what he wanted to drink. He smiled at them. "Well as a doctor, my schedule tend to be all over the place but tonight and tomorrow I off," he spoke with a grin on his face. "I was wondering when I would see a handsome face. How is your night going Mr. Firefighter?"
Cole had his genes to thank for the slight flush in his cheeks remaining invisible, however he couldn't help the smile that cracked after the compliment. At least he hoped Atlas had meant it as one and not teasing him out of habit for it. "As if yours isn't enough?" The words slipped before he'd got a moment to think them through, followed by a soft laugh meant to soothe any damage his moment of recklessness might cause. After being alert all night, his instincts were finally starting to ease in, which only meant accident like this might happen. "One would think community service in small towns would be less busy, but you and I could both argue, huh?" Cole mused, picking up the freshly placed glass on the counter and taking a small sip. "Wish I could say the same, but I'm full on dad duties tomorrow." It wasn't like he was complaining, but it'd be a lie to say it was easy, too.
“Maybe,” she repeated with a nod before smiling at him when Cole mentioned maybe she’d have another chance to hear this list of his good ideas and nodded before looking back at the mess on the floor. It was looking much better than it had last night, thanks to all the help she’d gotten from both Cole and Isabella. When she’d first met him, she’d never imagined they’d be in this situation one day but she had to give him credit for keeping the potential awkwardness at bay. But seeing as he was honest with her when they broke up, she couldn’t even hold it against him. “There is a bathroom, right through here,” she led them both towards her office that she was lucky enough to have an ensuite bathroom and smiled as she hung back in the office space.
At Cole’s words about Isabella being more of a waffles girl, “Okay we’re in luck then—I think the diner has a special on different toppings for the waffles,” she told her with a grin, nodding as she committed that little tidbit to memory before smiling, truly pleased that the little girl had clasped her hand as well. It was sweet and she hoped it wasn’t giving Cole the wrong message. She wanted to thank the two of them and spending this time with his daughter was just an added bonus. But she didn’t want him to think for a moment that she was trying to force her way back into his life. Sure it had stung when he’d said he didn’t think it was working out, but she wouldn’t want that to taint their friendly nature with one another. “You remember that?” She asked with a chuckle before nodding and glancing his way. It shouldn’t have sparked anything in her heart that he remembered that about her and their first meeting and yet—it still did. “I do love my waffles, so Isabella clearly has great taste,” she pointed out with a grin as she glanced down at the little girl. “What about you Cole? Are you more of a pancakes or waffles kind of guy?”
Part of him always believed it'd be awkward being around Aria after their break up, which is why he'd probably avoided any places he may run into her on purpose. But avoiding an emergency call in the middle of the night while he was on duty wasn't something he could avoid. He was glad that part was wrong and perhaps his honesty was the reason why they've managed to remain on good terms, which couldn't be said about his relationship with Isabella's mother. It was messy and partially the reason why he'd probably jumped in so quick, giving himself no time to process and heal first.
"Hm," Cole glanced back at Aria, his brain needing a moment to process the question, which was a clear sign he needed another dose of caffeine. "Neither." Soft chuckle escaped his lips. "I'm more of a grilled cheese sandwich kind of guy." It was a memory from his childhood that had stuck to the present day. "But if I have to pick one - I'd say blueberry pancake." He looked down at Isabella only to catch the smug smirk forming of her face. "It's clear where she'd got it from, huh?"
The blonde laughed a little at his surprise, nodding in response to his question. "Yeah, grew up in a small town in Georgia." She replied "My sister and I moved to LA for a bit trying to spread out wings and what nots, but after a few months there we decided to move back to another town in Georgia, not far from home." she rattled on like he'd asked her whole life story.
A warm smile spread over her features at the comment "Thanks! I didn't do a lot of farmin' growin' up so I'm hopin' I kinda just know how to do it" she admitted. "Suppose theres internet for a reason though"
The woman continued down his list, picking up items and placing them in the basket, listening as he spoke. "That means you's doing a good job" she shot him a grin. She looked at him for a moment "Have you been a firefighter for a long time?" she asked
"It's still a long ride from Georgia to Oregon." Cole mused. Not that it was any less from his hometown, but at least both were on the west coast, so it at least made more sense for him to move up north than for how the blonde had ended up in Windsor Bay. He wasn't willing to pry on, though. They weren't close enough and if she was willing to share, he figured she would have. "So what did you do, if not farming?" She'd sort of set that impression in him that she came from a farmers family or at least had her fair share with it to be eager to give it a try on her own, so hearing she was relying on the Internet for advice and help surprised him and piqued his curiosity a little bit. "No, not at all. I took all the required certifications a few years ago. I used to work at my grandfather's car shop as a teen, but we had to sell it shortly after he passed. I took a gap year after I graduated from high school since I wasn't sure what I want to do. I went on a missionary trip with my local church and I met my ex-girlfriend there. I did quite few odd jobs before I figured helping people was what I desire to do and I had a friend who sort of got me into the whole firefighting thing."
Sebastian had the afternoon free, which meant he had time in his day for a quick stop to Bookmarked. He didn't necessarily need more books, but there had been a few suspense/thrillers that his friend had recommended to him and he was now on the lookout for. As he perused the aisles, he realized another customer had been speaking to him. "Yeah, what's up?" he asked before listening to the man's question. "I'm pretty sure it's over this way," he waved his arm in a motion to signal for the other man to follow behind him. "Not sure what kind of selection they have, but this is the kid's section." He motioned towards shelves of books for kids of all ages. "I think they may be organized by age or reading level, if that makes things any easier."
"Thank you." Cole said, once they've reaced their final destination. "And I'm sorry for taking you away from your own browsing. I'm still getting used to living at a slower pace." He admitted. If he'd only taken a couple more minutes to explore the place, he probably would have found his way to the kids' section without any need of guidance, but he was still having that mindset that he'd come in with a purpose and there was no need to waste time. "I'm Cole, by the way." Despite the man's features looking vaguely familiar, he still couldn't put a name to them, so maybe they simply didn't get a chance to properly introduce themselves yet, Cole figured.
Ava had a basket hanging from her arm that was already almost halfway full. Her paycheck had just hit her bank account, so it was practically begging to be spent on books. Even though she worked at the local library and had access to thousands of free books at her fingertips, there was something about building her own little personal library at home that called out to her. Ava's attention turned towards the fellow customer asking for some advice. "I do actually," Ava said with a small sense of pride. "I'm actually heading over there next if you want to follow me." She weaved through a couple different aisles before arriving at the designated kids section. "I'm the youth librarian at the library here. So I'm constantly searching through the selection of kids books here to see if there's anything cool or different to add to the library's collection." She paused for a moment, spotting a pile of picture books that piqued her interest. "I know I don't work here, but if there's anything in particular you're looking for, I may be able to help since I feel like I practically live in this store on my days off."
Cole followed the woman to their destination, skimming though the titles once they've arrived. Her words caught his attention, piquing at his curiosity. Glancing back, Cole raised his eyebrows. "So you're saying you like to be around books on your days off?" He couldn't hold back the light and amused chuckle that rose in his chest, followed by a shake of his head. Enjoying the moment of silence, streching in the space between them, Cole pulled a book from one of the shelves and flipped it through. "I'm looking for a book for my daughter." He admitted, figuring an advice wouldn't hurt. "She's five. We recently moved to Windsor Bay and she's about to start at Windsor Bay Elementary in fall." Offering some additional information felt necessary. "Do you have some suitable books for that age at the library?" He'd already made up his mind about getting Isabella a book today, but if he could, he wasn't oppose to giving her the full library experience, too.
Isla looked up from the stack of books she'd been flipping through, offering a quick, reassuring smile. "Oh, yeah, I think it's in the back now," she said, standing and pointing down the aisle. "Past fantasy, near the little reading nook with the beanbags." She brushed her hair behind her ear, adjusting her tote on her shoulder. "I got lost in here the first time too," she added lightly. "I'm Isla, by the way."
"Oh," Cole traced her words with his eyes, surprised to learn that the place was a lot bigger than it looked. He would have never guessed there was something beyond the aisles. "Thank you." He offered a quick smile before nodding when the girl introduced herself. "I'm Nicholas, but everone calls me Cole." He'd been introducing himself like this since he could remember. He liked his full name, but the clarification about the nickname always felt necessary. "So, how many times have you been here already to know the place by heart?"
Aria couldn't help the grin on her face when Cole remarked that he didn't keep a list handy or anything. If his daughter wasn't present, Aria would've made a comment about how he should've kept a list--it would certainly impress people. But she knew the audience and wouldn't say something like that which could have his daughter ask him questions. No--Aria merely smiled and shrugged before commenting, "I get it, but I would've enjoyed hearing these ideas." She commented, her gaze lingering on him for a few moments too long as he swept away the rest of the wet paper.
The relationship they'd shared had been quiet brief but it had left a lasting impression on her. But that was something she didn't want him to be privy too. He'd been so comfortably casual with her since the fire alarm and she wanted to keep it that way. When she offered to take them out for brunch, she'd seen the way his daughter had been looking up at Cole and couldn't resist adding her own little pout to the picture, smiling happily when Cole agreed. "How about the Sunrise Diner? I have a feeling Isabella will really enjoy those pancakes," she smiled as she held her hand out for the little one to take if she wanted and if Cole was okay with it.
By the time they were done cleaning up the place, his hands had turned black from picking up wet paper from the floor. Same could be said about Isabella, too. At Aria's words, Cole smirked. "Maybe you'll get another chance someday." He shrugged, considering the idea of starting a list only for a brief moment — he doubted it could work. If he was any good with ideas, he would be a billionaire by now. At least that's what most had in common, he thought. He was simply good at coming up with solutions, that didn't make him any special than other people. "Come on, Bells." He turned to the little girl. "Let's get you clean first, then we can go." He glanced back at Aria, silently asking if there was a bathroom of some sort around where they could at least wash their hands.
"She's more of a waffles girl." He mused, though there was no doubt she'll love the pancakes just as much. What kid didn't? Squeezing her hand in his, he was surprised when Isabella reached and took Aria's hand, too. It made him smile, despite the settling in him awkwarness of the whole situation. "You know, I actually remember you having waffles when we met, too."
closed starter for @atlasxsinclair
location: shooters, mountainside
The atmosphere inside the bar was chill on a Saturday night. Cole wasn't sure whether that was due to the fact it was around midnight, or that it was the weekend and most people preferred to spend it at home. Either way the lack of many people was welcome. He was supposed to get home after his shift has ended, but Isabella was in good hands and he honestly needed a little time to himself before slipping out from the work mode and back into the father role for the day. He took a seat at the bar, his eyes glancing at the TV that offered a replay of a game no one was really interested in. "The usual." He ordered when the bartender came close to take his order. At home the usual was a glass of whiskey, but out he allowed himself a beer or two. "Weren't you off on Saturdays?" He mused, finally taking in his surroundings and the familiar face sitting to his right.
open starter @windsorbaystarters
location: bookmarked, downtown
Single parenting at a new town was a lot harder than Cole expected. There was so much he'd taken for granted back home and he was only now starting to realize that. He strolled down the aisles, his eyes drifting over the books' backs without actually reading the titles. Romance, thrillers, non-fiction — he was honestly surprised at the organization since at least in his opinion there was huge difference between all of it but maybe that was the idea. To help people find their way better. "Excuse me," he spoke softly, trying not to startle the first person that came to his view. "Do you happen to know where I can find the kids section?" He knew he should be looking for bright and colorful covers but book industry seemed to have changed quite a lot in the last few years when even romance books had such now.
she couldn't believe it. well, she could, but acting surprised meant that she got to keep a little bit of dignity. "i'm really sorry about this," she exhaled as she fumbled with loose strands from her messy bun. she'd tried to make eggs and like usual, it hadn't gone the way she wanted. "i opened up the window and waved the towel in front of it. usually, it turns off." except for now, in her fully vented kitchen, it was beeping like a future warning.
It took him a moment to realize what that loud, beeping sound, which awoke him, actually was before Cole sprung into full-on work mode. The building wasn't the newest, with walls thin enough for noise to pass through but still allowing each attendant some level of privacy. "That's because there's still smoke." Cole concluded, the thin layer making his eyes watery and itchy. "If I turn of the electricity for a moment, though, I think it may do the trick to restart the system." He wasn't sure whether it'll work, but at least it was worth the try before another neighbor had called the fire department, despite that he'd already texted them that it was a false alarm. "Let me guess." After taking a look around the scene was already clear in his mind. "You tried frying eggs, but thought it'd take the oil a bit longer to warm, then it burst into flames and your natural instinct was to throw water at it, which caused an explosion?" Despite how serious the consequences could have been, Cole still couldn't hold back the smirk.
The light laugh that fell from her lips wasn’t only because of his teasing remark but because he was right. However for Aria—news came with the bustling vibe of a newsroom. Most of her happy memories in college came from that very aspect and getting to enjoy that here in her hometown was important to her. It was something a lot of people were sadly pulling away from now which left her wondering how to bring it back. “I agree, but only to a certain extent,” Aria retorted with a grin as she continued bundling up some of the still wet papers and tossing them in the garbage. “Having the chance to read a physical paper in the morning, there’s something calming about it. So while I do think we can try to go digital for some people, I’d still want to keep the printing side alive,” she grinned back at him before turning her attention to the young girl.
Aria didn’t have much experience being around young children so she wasn’t entirely sure of what to say or do but Isabella was being so helpful that her eyes kept darting towards the young girls every so often. That’s when she made the comment about Cole, not missing how cutely the little girl looked back at her father before Cole answered instead. “I’m almost tempted to get you to list some of these good ideas,” she grinned back at him, truly finding it freeing that some of the initial awkwardness from earlier with him being the firefighter on the scene was thankfully disappearing. “But I hope you both—will agree to let me thank you by taking you out for a quick brunch?” Before Cole could argue it, she continued quickly, “I mean, you’re spending your morning helping me when you don’t have to—it’s the least I can do.”
Aria's words naturally brought him back to California and his mother, who liked to skim over the latest news — she never actually read the whole thing cover to cover, but it was like a ritual to get a copy each day and flip it through with her morning coffee. She would have loved Aria and her view on physical copy. The thought alone surprised him, given their shared history, but it was one Cole quickly dismissed of once Aria's suggestion about him making a list of his ideas came up. It was enough to get him paused in his tracks and look at her, small laugh escaping his lips followed by a shake of his head. "I'm afraid I don't keep a storage of them at the back of my mind at all times. Most times they just come right on the spot." He rubbed the back of his neck before picking a broom from what seemed like a storage room and swept away the rest of wet paper, which was hard to pick up in piles. He was about to say how he'd already made sure Isabella had breakfast before they came, besides, bringing Bells a smoothie was kind enough, but meeting his daughter's eyes, he couldn't resist agreeing to Aria's offer about a brunch. Growing up, take out wasn't something his family did and while they were in California his mother made sure her granddaughter had a similar upbringing, but ever since the move to Windsor Bay and Cole's hectic working schedule, it's become a practice and now it was hard to keep her from eating out, too. Finishing off with the clean up by bringing the last bags close to the door for easy disposal, he turned to face both of them. "Okay, ladies, where to now?"
She laughed a little at his admission “that’s fair, I’m also not the best cook, but I’m a pretty good baker.” Her brows lifted, impressed. “Oh wow, lucky you.” She said “I think I threw tantrums for a while…. If you were to ask my sister she’d say I still throw them.” She chuckled, shaking her head. The woman hummed softly trying to figure out how to answer his question. "Kinda.. well. I moved here like 3ish months ago and its been too cold to really do any actual farming but I'm planning on getting everything running this spring" she said with a smile. "Oh wow firefighter, that sounds scary" she stated, her eyes widening, "Well congratulations on the job" she smiled.
The initial surprise after Hattie mentioned she'd only been in town for a few months, too, was hard to contain and hide and Cole's eyebrows furrowed. "For someone who has only been in town for a while, I must say you fit in right away. Have you by any chance lived in a small town before?" His own hometown wasn't the biggest, but it was still considered one of the biggest in California and though the neighborhood Cole grew up in was really tight-knit, he could never tell the serenity surrounding Windsor Bay was something he found familiar. Perhaps it was why he still stood out as the newcomer to some of the local folk. "Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying some of your local produce in the future." He genuinely missed the local markets back home, even if his mother was the one shopping and bringing all the good back then.
"I consider myself lucky, yes." He agreed. "Isabella has always been an easy child and ever since she learnt to talk, she's also become so thoughtful and considerate. Sometimes a little too much even for her own good, I think." He couldn't help but smile at her words about his profession, nodding. "Thank you. And yes, there is always a risk, but so far work has been different from anything I've expected. Maybe different from what it is in bigger towns, too."
Aria hated how despite the horrible situation that led them to see each other, it still felt nice being around Cole. They hadn’t dated for too long and yet he’d left an impact on her. One that allowed her to feel at ease with him here. “Perfect,” she smiled and watched the little one have the smoothie which honestly did fill her with a little burst of happiness. During those days, she’d not interacted too much with Isabella but they had met, strictly as friends. But today, they would be spending some time together and while Aria and Cole were split up, it didn’t mean she didn’t want to give the little one the best day, especially when she was spending it helping them clean. It was cute to watch Cole in father mode with her as he told her to be careful and she repeated the same words back to him.
Aria was smiling as she gathered around to get some of the other damp papers up and into the garbage, actually taking a second to react as Cole repeated the same instructions to her. “Yes sir," she finally said with a soft giggle before shaking her head as she and Isabella stole a glance at one another. A little time passed in silence before Aria brought up the digital edition she’d put out in the wee hours of the morning, essentially running on no sleep and smiled at his words about the notification. “All good, I added a whole editor note about the situation and expressed how I was feeling about not keeping in tradition with a paper copy and have gotten some good feedback so yeah I might do that…and you’re right, it would be a nice way for people to stay connected to the community while on vacation or living away for a time,” Aria grinned at him before looking back at Isabella. “Hey Bella, quick question—is your dad always full of good ideas like this or just when you’re around?”
Windsor Bay Daily was one of Windsor Bay's hidden gems in Cole's opinion — it was something he had never fully disclosed to anyone and his opinion wasn't because he had once briefly dated its editor. Having the local news printed on paper felt special when nowadays most people preferred to scroll through Internet to get them. It kept the townsfolk united and he loved that Isabella was going to get to know the process a little bit more. "It's high time Windsor Bay joins the new era, don't you think?" He teased her, his tone light and cheerful. "I doubt it'll be a double work if you already have everything on the computer." He didn't know much about the modern day printing industry, but he hoped they at least typed everything on computer now.
Cole gathered a big pile of paper and tossed it in the nearby bin, then proceeded to examine the damage on the desks. Last night the office has looked a lot worse than right now, in the daylight. Things still needed time to dry, especially those wired to the eletrical system, but he had high hopes there won't be much need for replacements. Hearing her question to his daughter, Cole smirked. Glancing back at the two of them, he noticed the moment of hesitation which made the little girl look at him before offering a quick shrug. "Not to brag, but I think I've given some good ideas in the past." He answered instead.
