#i:nate

[fcreverlasting]

starter: theodora ( @earlyblues ) location: cake a diem, sometime end of january 2026

His feet carry him in before he can think it through. He knows her schedule, but he should've double checked, should've messaged Danny to make sure he'd be the one behind the counter. In hindsight, he should've gone to Harvey's instead. He hasn't bought groceries all week, fridge empty save for old, spoiled milk he hasn't thrown away yet. Now he's in the queue, overthinking how much worse it'll be if she sees him turn and leave. This is fine. He's just going to order something to eat, first time today at an unhealthy 4pm, and be on his way. No chitchat, no pressure — just a normal, well-adjusted customer and the most beautiful cashier in the world. No big deal. "Hey." Shit, he doesn't even know what he wants. "Can I get a coffee, please?" Not that he needs help staying awake at night, but he's desperate to fill the silence.

[fcreverlasting]

starter: theodora ( @earlyblues ) location: nate's flat, jan 18th

He's working on it, really, he is, but as he holds the cheap biro he leaves in the kitchen drawer, it just doesn't feel right in his hand; too light, too flimsy. Between that and Theodora's perfume, he can't keep his thoughts straight, and he has no intentions of asking Theodora to do anything but come closer. "Baby, can you fetch me the pen I like while you're in the bedroom? I'll keep an eye on lunch." He asks after her retreating form, likely off to dig another layer out of his wardrobe. Why is it so cold in here? "I'm guessing it's on the side— And she's gone." Lips pursed, he glances at the oven, reaches over to turn the heat down a little, then shifts his attention back to his crossword while he waits.

[fcreverlasting]

starter: your choice ( @grxndvoile ) location: penny park, penny lane

Nate's always preferred his morning runs in the winter months. The cooler temperatures don't just remind him of home, but the chilled breeze feels better on his skin, too. He'll always start to slip in the summer, when it's already hot before he even gets out the door, so it's a priority to him to be consistent in the colder season, to make the most of it while he can. Unfortunately, it seems like plenty of others feel the same, because his usual route is busier than usual today. As he beelines for a bench, it's hard to decide whether his heartrate is so high from the exercise or the frustration of constantly being almost ran to the ground by yet another person with their headphones in, blissfully unaware of the world around them.

"Do you mind if I sit?"

[fcreverlasting]

starter: danny ( @stup1d4u ) location: harvey's market

"Hope you don't mind," he starts, tone casual despite the smile he's hiding facing away from his long-time friend, "one of my elderly regulars yesterday asked me if I'd take her daughter out, so I told her I know another, more single Brit I could put her in touch with." His head tilts as he finally meets Danny's eyes, dropping his carefully chosen bag of apples into his basket. "I can get you a reservation at Al Tavolo..."

[fcreverlasting]

starter: river ( @apxrtures ) location: penny park

Though Nate had, naturally, covered every base before deciding to look for a dog, he can appreciate now how easily it could've gone wrong. He'd gotten lucky, pun intended, that his Golden Retriever had sensed his nerves from the beginning, never been real trouble to him besides a few chewed television remotes and extra lace holes in his shoes. It shows even now, as she walks peacefully with him, River and Chilequile, just happy to stick her nose up into the fresh air. "I can't wait for the weather to warm up a little. Might be able to persuade Theodora to come with us." He laughs softly, reminded of how disappointed Lucky often looks when Theodora goes off to work and he walks her out the door alone. "I'm not saying she's sick of me, but Lucky always seems to have a bit more fun when there's other people and dogs with us. More the merrier with her, I think."

[fcreverlasting]

starter: frankie ( @wildestdrexms ) location: lois & found

Nate’s not sure what feels worse, his incessant need to check his watch and remind himself how he’s a little too early to meet Frankie at the end of her shift, or how each second that passes is another he spends with the scent of freshly baked muffins he can’t yet sink his teeth into wafting from the paper bag in his hand. He’d spent all morning making various batches, a genuine labour of love as opposed to a 3am stress bake, and he’s ashamed to admit he’d already scoffed one before he left the house — strictly as a taste test, of course.

“Hey, sorry I’m a little early.” He greets, once he finally steps into the thrift store and makes his way to the counter. He sidesteps to let someone pay before continuing. “I bought treats! They’re still a little warm, too. How was your shift?”

[fcreverlasting]

starter: maureen ( @ecrivainlcvande ) location: cake a diem, ocean avenue

nate's spent more than enough time in cake a diem to know all of theodora's coworkers. maybe a little too much as someone they mostly see just before and after theodora's lunch break, but he tries not to think about that. "hey, maureen." the heat outside is bad enough, he dreads to imagine what it's like in the back of the bakery, with the ovens blasting and people working. hence why— "I brought smoothies, for everyone. this heat is awful. although, maybe I'm just... british." his cheeks burn. "anyway, which one do you want? there's mango, mixed berry or banana."

[fcreverlasting]

starter: sam ( @mildewedfruits ) location: penny park, penny lane

now, nate is well aware he's not everyone's cup of tea. he's lived thirty-two long years of people making their opinions on him very clear, so he's no longer surprised when he catches someone rolling their eyes or clicking their tongue. he is, however, a pushover who keeps putting himself through it for the sake of everyone else. in this case, their mutual friends. who aren't here right now and he's still stuck making small talk. god, he needs to get better at setting boundaries, and saying no. or goodbye, either would work right now. he blames lucky. "how are you getting on with him?" he gestures to the black lab, keeping a close eye on his own four-legged friend.