see the sea

Noah Taylor. 37. Marina Biologist at UCLA

[noahtaylr]

noah + aidan || parallel trenches

[noahtaylr]

gapsofsvnlight‌:

Despite what Noah had done to her, Aidan found herself actually hurting for the other woman. She wasn’t gonna sit there and admit that, nor would she try to boost her ego, but the bartender knew there was another side to her ex deep (sometimes very deep) down; a side she didn’t show many people or give herself credit for. At the peak of their good times (though Aidan had to wonder if Noah was already cheating then, too) the two could open up to each other in ways they never had before with anyone else. There was a level of comfort and understanding, of trust and honesty, that made it so easy for Aidan to fall…and made the downfall hurt that much worse. She let the woman finish completely before responding, needing the time to collect her thoughts and take it all in. “Thank you,” Aidan started, because she had to at least try to believe that her words were coming from a sincere place and not a selfish one so she could live with herself easier. “I don’t even know what forgiveness would look or feel like at this point, honestly. What you did…it kinda fucked me up for a while, Noah.” The admission causes her to avert her gaze down to her lap. “So I think I’ll always feel some.. resentment towards you for that at least. But we’re old, life goes on.” Aidan looks back up at Noah then and shrugs “And for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re past the point of changing.” 

Noah listened, clasped her hands in front of her as she gazed out towards the park. Fuck, this was harder than anything else she’d ever had to do. Although Aidan had clearly stated she had stopped thinking about Noah a long time ago, Noah couldn’t exactly say the same. It was hard when the one person who had really held your heart was indifferent to you now. And why, because Noah had been weak and dumb? And for what? Pussy? She shook her head and cleared her throat. “Like I said,” Noah rasped, “I don’t expect you to forgive me and that’s not what I’m looking for.” She felt her hands shake and tightened them together before letting out a breathy humourless laugh, “I don’t actually know what I’m looking for. Honestly, I just wanted to apologize for everything, and being an asshole the other day. You don’t deserve it, you never did.” She shook her head again and reach to pull cigarettes out of her jacket. “Do you mind,” she asked as she pulled one out. 

[noahtaylr]

lauralaword‌:

Lana interpreted the slight smirk that formed on Noah’s face to be a relatively good sign.  Or at least she hoped.  Still, it was confirmation that Lana needn’t spend all of spring break on her own.  “Don’t worry, I’m sure that’s nothing a few bottles of wine between us couldn’t fix.”  She blurted; then quickly  “That came out wrong.”

There was something about the professor that Noah found entertaining. Perhaps the fact that the other woman had a PHD but seemed to say whatever came to her mind when she was even just a  hair nervous. “Well I didn’t know you were looking for that kind of trip,” she said, amused, “I’m kidding obviously. I think drinking wine and forgetting about all the exams will have to mark when we get back sounds like a great idea.”

[tasyabelliqueur]

N🥂T. are you ten years ago? (i let myself finally feel taken like I was yours) — flashback.

[noahtaylr]

tasyabelliqueur‌:

read more

Something about having an audience to their activity made Noah’s heart raced. Everything about Tasya was as intoxicating and delicious as the drink the the other girl had brought her earlier. As the other girl melted into her arms, face in her neck, Noah stilled the movement of her hand, used the other hand to hold the other girl up as she rode out her orgasm. “Good girl,” she praised as the girl came undone. The sight and sensation was almost enough for Noah to unravel herself, easily swayed by the attraction she had to Tasya. As the other girl calmed, Noah removed her fingers from the girl’s wet folds and brought them up to her mouth. She placed them inside her mouth and sucked on them as she winked in Tasya’s direction. “See how good it can be when you listen to instructions?”

[lucifergifs]

You know, I wouldn’t just kick ass for anyone.

[noahtaylr]

@gapsofsvnlightgap

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

This was what she got for being nice. Her mistake, clearly. “Well since I didn’t ask, please,” Susie hummed, giving the woman a nod as she continued to speak. When she was finished, her lips pulled into seemingly the most earnest and sweet smiles. The kind only a southern girl could perfect. It was in her bones.  “Oh, bless your heart, Noelle. I don’t think it’s anymore pathetic than sitting here insulting someone that only sat down because you seemed pitiful and very much alone. I was feeling charitable.” Her shoulders shrugged as she followed the brunette’s lead and pulled out a few bucks. Only she placed them in the tip jar. “Glass Houses, Doll, figured a woman your age.. what Forty? Forty-five..? Am I getting close yet? Would know that.”

Noah planted her feet, smirk deepening at every word the younger girl was saying. She had to admit, she was a little surprise at the vitriol the girl somehow managed to pass off as patronizingly sweet.  She reached to her back pocket, pulled out a carton of cigarettes and then picked one out before putting the carton back. At the final comment she let out a laugh, understood now why Tasya was getting entangled with this baby faced sweetheart and resigned that at least they’d be a good match. “I guess you’ll be okay, junior,” she stated, ominously, as the tucked the cigarette behind her ear. “Have a good night now,” with that she turned and headed outside, eager to have a smoke to balance her intoxication. 

[noahtaylr]

tasyabelliqueur‌:

         Tasya couldn’t help but tense the instant she felt the air shift around her⁠— Noah closing in. She didn’t even have to directly look to know it was so, painstakingly aware of the peripheral looming silhouetted shape of the girl. Even a motion as infinitesimal as a step closer felt leagues beyond the durable distance she’d grown accustomed to handling. The type of choice the context of their aftermath had explicitly branded and compartmentalised into one of two categories: unattainable, or inappropriate. Whether it was the advance, Noah’s shifted tone of voice or the initial direction her comment had slanted towards, Tasya’s skin prickled as if electrified by a flare of static. The unexpected response piqued her interest enough to really look up. For the fleeting moment Noah’s attention was pinned elsewhere, her brown eyes unguardedly looked upon her estranged companion’s face; openly attentive and softened with curiosity before she rolled them and glanced at the supposedly offending figure nearby. Any alarm she might have felt at a stranger bearing witness to their interaction subsided once she registered the equipment around his neck. “Relax,” she quietly muttered out of the corner of her mouth, head turning a fraction to send an indignant yet amused look in Noah’s direction before she offered an amiable wave towards the photographer. “It’s just a tourist trap thing, he’ll take a couple aesthetic shots then be on his way. Everyone’s gotta make a living somehow. Just grin and bear it.” Leading by example, Tasya glued a performative desultory smile into her face. “Ta-da.” After a beat of parodied happiness, her dimples suddenly grew far more pronounced at the presence of a particular thought. Expression evidently becoming more genuinely invested in the aforementioned cause, her lips parted slightly when she looked towards Noah and again spoke through clenched teeth, “Oh, fuck, hold on…” she reached out to lightly touch Noah’s elbow, mockingly consoling, as her eyes mischievously glinted with provoking challenge, “You do know how to smile, right?”

Noah would have loved to to have been witness to the myriad of facial expressions she displayed in the span of a minute ranging from surprised, upset, and then settling on indifferent. Right, tourist traps were definitely not a new phenomenon at the pier. Hadn’t she just navigated the hoard of people trying to sell her souvenirs atop of the pier? When would it end? Was this penance for her sins? 

The indifference on her face faltered as Tasya’s hand reached out and touched her. It felt like an electric shock after all these years and Noah was sure has she not been firmly planted in the sand she would have pulled away. Instead, she let out a breath, eyes darting between Tasya’s playful ones and the hand on her elbow, and leaned into the soft touch. At the girl’s teasing tone Noah smirked, shook her head and looked at the photographer before planting a sweet smile dripping in sarcasm. The action did not have the desired effect and instead he seemed to take it as an invitation. “Is it cool if I grab a shot of you guys here, can you hold hands, just against the pier posts”. 

Although a No was on the tip of Noah’s tongue, she felt the need to regain a bit of leverage and ground over Tasya. “Sure,” she said as she made eye contact with the other girl, “that’s alright, right babe?” With that she grabbed the hand on her elbow and interlaced their fingers together as she finally pulled Tasya into her space and towards the direction the photographer had indicated. “All these years, still a brat,” she muttered through her smile towards the other girl.

[generaldamneron-deactivated2020]

I will be talking about this song for the next 10 years holy shit. Guys these harmonies are insane, I’m getting chills. And Ian on the drums, holy shit. I just love this band so much

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Susie wasn’t sure if she was offended or amused at the moment. “One, I’m not twenty-one, thank you. Twenty-six actually, but I’m pretty sure nobody cares. Two, I’m not an addict? I just gave up alcohol for lent. Not that it’s any of your business…” Dating? Is that what they were doing? This is why she’d never had a proper relationship in her adulthood. “You sure you’re okay? You seem a little fascinated on the bartender, not that I can say I blame you.” 

“Lent, right...” Noah said, not bothering to hide how much she really didn’t care about this conversation. She looked over at Susie, raised and eyebrow, and then down the rest of her drink. “Look, blondie, I don’t really care about you, or any bartender, and this conversation has run it’s course.” She fished two crumbled up $20 bills from her jean pocket and threw it down on the bartop. “Goodluck with your cleanse,” she stated as she started leaving. At the last second in Susie’s ear shot she paused to add, “Oh and just a word of advice, it’s kind of pathetic skulking around someone’s working hoping they’re there like some sad little mouse. It’s 2020, texting is a thing.”

[earpwave]

It’s kids like us who’ve been through more than other kids. We’re tougher than other kids. We’re really good builders. We make ourselves really safe. And no one ever gets in.

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Susie squinted a little– feeling a shift in the air. There was a lot of tone in all of that. She wasn’t sure of what but it wasn’t necessarily pleasant. “Friend, girl I’m kind of seeing. Same thing,” she shrugged, wondering how they’d gotten back to that.  “In my experience, nobody okay drinks like that alone at a bar, but what do I know?”

There was a pause in their conversation where Noah processed what she had already pieced together anyway. She took another sip of her drink, felt the familiar buzz of alcohol but still felt like she was in control. Fuck she needed a cigarette. “What do you know,” she asked pointedly, “you’re like what... 21? Bit young to have knowledge on what you’re insinuating is a drinking problem. Does the girl you’re kind of seeing know you’re a recovering addict, water girl? Kind of ballsy dating a bartender, it’s like dating your vice, right?”

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Her brows knitted together in concern, but it wasn’t her place to say anything. If Noah wanted to drink until her liver never forgave her, that was her decision. She had to be what forty? That almost made it worse. “I’m beginning to think there’s something in the water here,” Susie chuckled, knowing a thing or two about crazy. “You OKAY over there, doll?” So much for minding her own business.

Something about being called doll grated Noah like nails on a chalkboard and she huffed as she took a hefty sip of the rye she’d just ordered. “I’m just peachy, doll. Are you okay? Most people don’t just come to a bar to order water, at least they don’t do that just to see their friend.”

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Susie waves down one of the less relevant bartenders for a glass of water. Her mouth suddenly feeling dry at the mention of ‘love’. “Uh, wow, um… just a change in scenery. Less homophobia. Less cow poop.” Less cow poop? What the heck? “What about you? What made you move out west?”

Noah let out an almost disbelieving laugh, took the opportunity with the bartender to order something stronger, all the while wondering how long she’d have to endure this conversation. “Work. Warmer weather. Less crazy. Although I’m finding I tend to draw that anyway, given the last few days.” In flashes she thought about her run in with Tasya, them fucking in Noah’s car while knowing they shouldn’t start that up again. Noah debated going back against that promise, if only because she didn’t know what Southern Bell could possibly bring to the table. 

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Admittedly, Susie hadn’t been too far east of the Mississippi River, but she liked to pay attention. Whether she let people in on that little secret or not was irrelevant. “Oh, gosh no… Mississippi.” Her face scrunched up while she ducked her head at the admission. “As if that’s any better, but at least you ain’t gotta worry about any rivalries here.”

Noah raised her eyebrow, choosing to distract herself from the irony of the conversation by bringing the fresh glass of beer to her lips. She should have known this... girl... was a southern belle. “What brings you to LA then. Love?”

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Susie didn’t respond straight away. Instead, a foreign tenderness washed over her face as she thought of the bartender. “Oh, um, yeah she can be,” she admitted, almost wishing she hadn’t given up drinking. Clearing her throat, she shifted the conversation without any real finesse. “You’re not from around here, huh? I mean… not many are but I hear it in your accent.”

Noah raised an eyebrow in surprise. So Tasya’s new... something was perceptive. She flagged the bartender down for another round and then turned to face the girl. “Good ear, I’m from New York. Usually admitting that around LA turns on some buried rivalry. Are you from LA?”

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

Susie took hopped up on the stool with a grin. “Uh, I guess you could say we’re kind of friends,” she quipped, not sure how to answer. “… you?” 

Friends. The title made Noah clutch the beer in her hand just a little tighter and she smiled at the other girl. Tasya had friends, a job, she was settled here. What was Noah thinking, ruining her life, again. She gave the friendly girl a once over, could see how Tasya would get tangled up with that, and finally said, “I uh.. don’t know her actually. I’ve just seen her working here before. She seems nice.”

[noahtaylr]

makebelicve‌:

“It’s cool, I’ll just text her later,” Susie shrugged, not too bothered. Her brows raised, but she took the seemingly older woman’s hand all the same. “Susie.” She gave a gentle but firm shake before letting go. “This is a little strange, but would you like some company? Just so this whole trip isn’t a waste?” 

Noah raised an eyebrow when the girl stated she would text her, obviously not privy to things that happened in Tasya’s life. Nor should she be. “Sure, take a eat. So... how do you know her?”

[noahtaylr]

 makebelicve‌:

Susie kept a polite smile on her face, not letting anything deter her. “What’s it to me,” she repeated, a little surprised by the other woman’s tone. It immediately had her brows nearing one another, but she kept her cheery disposition nonetheless. “I was looking for her is all.”

“I don’t know if she’s working tonight,” Noah said before taking a swig of her beer. “I’m Noah,” she said in greeting, extending a free hand to the other girl.