CALL ME ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ nathan young
⋆ ★ when you’re found vandalizing a nearby alleyway it isn’t just police officers you steal the attention of.
cw ᝰ.ᐟ sfw ,, swearing ,, fem!reader ,, alcohol ,, running from the cops ,, nathans not slick at all
PURPOSELY LOWERCASE 🎧 &&. written on iphone , sorry if funky format !
the alley was narrow and dank, the kind of place where the sun rarely pierced the gloom. the walls were covered in a patchwork of graffiti, the once-vibrant colors now faded and dull. the air hung heavy with the stench of rotting garbage and stale piss. empty beer bottles and crumpled fast food wrappers littered the grimy concrete, crunching underfoot with each step.
at the far end of the alley, a single flickering streetlamp cast a sickly yellow glow, barely illuminating anything. the sound of distant traffic and muffled laughter from a nearby pub drifted in, a stark contrast to the eerie silence that permeated this forgotten corner of the city.
brick walls loomed on either side, their jagged edges crumbling and sharp. the uneven cobblestones beneath your feet were slick with a mixture of rainwater and god knows what else, the slick surface glinting under the yellow glow of a single flickering streetlamp.
your heart raced as you scrawled a crude, lewd drawing on the wall with a can of spray paint, tongue poking out the side of your mouth in concentration. the harsh, acrid scent of the paint filled your nostrils, making your eyes water. you were just putting the final touches on your masterpiece when the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the alley.
two burly, uniformed figures emerged from the shadows, their silhouettes growing larger and more menacing as they approached. your breath caught in your throat as one of them, a beefy man with a thick mustache, barked out a command.
"oi, you there! what d’ya think you're doing, you little tart?"
your instincts screamed at you to run, and without a second thought, you dropped the spray can and bolted. your heart hammered against your ribs as you sprinted down the alley, hair whipping behind you.
the cops gave chase, their heavy boots pounding against the ground, growing louder and closer with each passing second. your lungs burned as you ran, chest heaving with the effort. you could hear them shouting behind you, their voices tinged with anger and frustration.
your heart pounded like a drum in your ears as you tore out of the alley, lungs screaming for air. the cool night breeze whipped past your face, moving strands of your hair across your eyes. you blinked away the obstruction, gaze fixed straight ahead as you raced along the dimly lit sidewalk.
the bustling streets of london blurred past you, the neon signs and flickering streetlamps a kaleidoscope of color. the distant wail of a police siren sent a jolt of fear through your spine, spurring you on to run faster. your feet slapped against the pavement, the sound echoing in the narrow gap between towering buildings.
up ahead, a tall, lanky figure leaned against a wall, his posture casual and relaxed. he was dressed in a tattered flannel, his curly brown hair disheveled and falling into his eyes. as you sprinted closer, he glanced up, his gaze flicking over to you with a mix of curiosity and amusement.
nathan watched the girl racing towards his direction, her face etched with panic and fear. he could hear the heavy footsteps and shouted orders of the cops hot on her heels. a slow, mischievous grin spread across his face as an idea took shape. he pushed off from the wall, falling into step beside the fleeing girl.
"oi, love," nathan called out, his voice tinged with a thick Irish accent. "looks like yer in a bit of a pickle, yeah? need a hand?"
he gestured to a narrow alleyway branching off the main street, hidden in the shadow of a crumbling brick archway. "there's a way out back there, if ye want it. might be a tight squeeze, but it beats getting caught by those blokes." he jerked his thumb back towards the alley, his grin widening. "fancy a detour?"
y/n’s eyes flicked to Nathan, taking in his disheveled appearance and the mischievous glint in his eyes. you hesitated for a split second, heart still pounding wildly in your chest. the sound of the cops grew louder, their shouts more insistent, urging you to make a decision.
biting your lip, you nodded jerkily, a flicker of relief and gratitude in your eyes. "aye, alright then. lead the way," you gasped out, words punctuated by ragged breaths.
nathan's grin widened. "right this way, miss," he spoke with a note of mocking formality in his voice. he led you down the narrow passageway. the alley twisted and turned, a labyrinth of shadowy corridors and hidden nooks. nathan navigated it with ease, clearly familiar with the secret paths and shortcuts. you followed close behind, heart gradually slowing as the sounds of the pursuing cops faded into the distance.
finally, after what felt like an eternity, you emerged into a small, walled-off courtyard. a single streetlamp cast a feeble glow over the space, illuminating a few rusted metal chairs and a overturned crate that served as makeshift seating.
nathan turned to face you, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket. "there we are. safe and sound." he cocked an eyebrow at you, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"cheers," you panted out, a hint of a grin on your face. "i owe you one."
the boy raised an eyebrow, looking you up and down, taking in your disheveled appearance and the adrenaline still sparkling in your eyes. "aye, you do," he agreed. "so, what's a pretty little thing like you doing, getting yerself into trouble with the coppers? guessing it's not yer first time, yeah?"
you held your breath. you could feel the heat radiating off his body, could smell the strong scent of cigarette smoke and something uniquely him.
you leaned against the rough brick wall, catching your breath as you eyed nathan warily. you werent in the mood for idle chatter, especially not with a complete stranger. all you wanted was a moment to collect yourself.
nathan, however, seemed undeterred by your look of lack of enthusiasm. he didn’t wait for you to reply, instead taking a step closer, his gaze roaming over you appraisingly. "you've got a pair of lungs on ye, sprinting like that." he chuckled, a low, gravelly sound.
you rolled your eyes, pushing off from the wall and moving to brush past him. "cheers for the help, but im not really in the mood for a chat," you muttered, voice still slightly breathless.
nathan matched your stride easily, falling into step beside you. "aw, don't be like that, love. just trying to be friendly." he grinned, undeterred by your cool reception. "names nathan, by the way."
he extended a hand towards you, waiting for you to introduce yourself in return. "and you are...?" he prompted, his tone laced with curiosity.
“not interested.”
nathan's grin faltered slightly at your blunt refusal, but he quickly recovered, a stubborn glint entering his eyes. he was used to people pushing him away, but something about this girl intrigued him. maybe it was the fire in your eyes or the way you carried yourself with a defiant tilt to your chin.
"ouch, not interested, eh?" nathan said with a dramatic clutch to his chest. "well, can't say i blame ye. im not everyone's cup of tea." he shrugged, his grin returning. "but still, a bloke can try his luck, can't he? especially with a bird as pretty as you."
he took another step closer, invading your personal space. up close you could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes and the dusting of freckles across his nose and cheeks. "come on, don't be like that," nathan cajoled, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "i saved yer sweet little arse, didn't i? the least ye could do is tell me yer name. unless..."
he trailed off, his gaze dipping to your lips before flicking back up to meet your eyes. "yer hiding something? got a price on yer head or something?"
his tone was playful, teasing, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface. a glimmer of genuine curiosity.
your eyes narrowed and you crossed your arms over your chest. "im not in the habit of spilling my guts to just anyone who comes along," you said, voice sharp and clipped.
nathan had the decency to look mildly offended, but the gleam in his eye never wavered.
"oi, im not just anyone," he protested, his tone playful and mocking. "im a hero, remember? i saved you from the clutches of the law." he struck a dramatic pose, one hand over his heart, the other outstretched as if to ward off an imaginary foe.
you snorted, rolling your eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't get stuck. "a hero? is that what you call it?" you scoffed. "i call it a bloke with too much time on his hands and a penchant for pissing people off."
his grin only widened at the insult, clearly amused by your demeanor. "guilty as charged," he admitted, not sounding the least bit repentant. "but still, i think that earns me a wee more than a curt 'not interested'. don't you, love?"
he cocked his head to the side, studying you with a critical eye. "tell you what, how about a drink? i know a cracking pub just around the corner. my treat, of course. what do you say, fancy a pint?" he jerked his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the direction of the establishment.
you hesitated, biting your lower lip as you considered the offer. a drink did sound nice, and it would give you a chance to relax. plus, there was something about this guy that both irritated and intrigued you.
"fine," you relented with a put-upon sigh. “but dont think this means anything, yeah? i just need a minute to get my head together."
nathans grin widened into a triumphant smile, his eyes sparkling with amusement and a hint of something more intense. "scout's honor," he declared, holding up a hand in a mock salute. "i won't read too much into it.”
he added with a wink, “well, maybe a little.”
he stepped back, gesturing for you to lead the way out of the courtyard. "ladies first, of course. can't have you tripping and falling into my arms." his tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity in his words.
you rolled your eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at your lips as you brushed past him. "cheeky git," you muttered under your breath, but the insult lacked its usual bite.
as you emerged onto the bustling london street, nathan fell into step beside you, his long strides easily matching your quicker pace. the pub he'd mentioned was indeed just around the corner, a cozy-looking establishment with a warm glow spilling from its windows and the muffled sound of conversation and laughter drifting out into the night.
nathan held open the door for her, a gallant gesture that seemed at odds with his rough exterior. "after you, my lady," he said, a note of mock formality in his voice.
you hesitated for a moment before ducking inside, the warmth and noise enveloping you like a blanket. the pub was filled with an assortment of patrons, from the after-work crowd still in their suits and ties to the more casual regulars who looked like they'd been there since opening time.
nathan led you to a small table in the corner, the worn wood smooth and slightly sticky beneath your fingers. "what's your poison?" he asked, signaling the barmaid with a jerk of his chin.
you thought for a moment before answering. "whiskey, neat. double."
nathan raised an eyebrow but nodded, relaying the order to the barmaid. a few minutes later, two tumblers of amber liquid appeared on the table, the glass warming in your hands.
he watched as you took a swig of your whiskey, eyes watering slightly at the burn. he couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "bloody hell, yer a proper little firecracker, aren't ye?" he remarked, taking a swig of his own drink. "most birds can't handle the hard stuff."
you shot him a withering look, but there was a glimmer of amusement in your eyes. "im not most birds," you retorted, voice sharp. you finished your whiskey in a matter of seconds, purely determined to prove him wrong.
nathan leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "no, you certainly are not," he agreed, his gaze roaming over you appraisingly.
you felt a blush creep up your neck at his bold once-over, but you held his gaze steadily. "and you're a right cheeky bastard," you shot back, voice laced with laughter. "do you always talk to girls like this, or am i just lucky?"
nathan's grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "oh, yer lucky, alright," he said, his voice a low murmur. "not every girl can handle my particular brand of charm."
he leaned forward, invading your personal space just a little. "but yer not like other girls, are ye, baby?" his voice dropped to a husky whisper on the last word, his gaze dipping to your lips before flicking back up to meet your eyes.
you rolled your eyes, but a smirk tugged at the corner of your mouth. "you're bloody right I'm not," you retorted, leaning back in your chair and crossing your arms. "im not one of your little airheads who fall all over themselves for a pretty face and a silver tongue."
nathan gasped, a hand clutched to his chest. "pretty face? i thought you said I was a right cheeky bastard," he said, a note of playful indignation in his voice.
you snorted, shaking your head. "cheeky and pretty. dangerous combination.”
his grin widened. "dangerous for who, love? cause i have to say, yer not exactly a shrinking violet yerself." he finished his whiskey, his gaze never leaving yours.
he signaled the barmaid, pointing to your empty glasses and holding up two fingers. you watched as she nodded, disappearing to fetch your refills.
turning back to you, nathan leaned forward, his elbows on the table and his chin propped up on his hands.
you matched his grin with a smirk of your own. "takes one to know one," you shot back, eyes sparkling. "besides, im not the one who dragged a complete stranger through a dodgy alley and then invited them for a drink."
nathan held up his hands in mock surrender. a laugh escaped him. "but in my defense, i didn't drag you. you came willingly."
you shook your head, a reluctant smile tugging at your lips. "aye, because you gave me no choice," you said, but there was no real bite to your words.
he leaned forward, his elbows on the table, face mere inches from yours. "ah, but that's the thing. you had a choice. you could have told me no. yet you chose to come with me. why do ye think that is?" his voice was a low murmur, his eyes searching yours.
a sudden flush crept up your neck and spread across your cheeks at nathan's intense scrutiny and the low, intimate tone of his voice. you werent used to men looking at you like this, with such blatant interest and something more. something you couldn't quite put your finger on. it made you feel flustered and off-balance, two things you hated being.
"i...shut up," your voice came out more breathless than intended. the barmaid returns with the drinks, placing them down on the table and you quickly took another gulp of your whiskey, hoping the burn would hide the sudden heat in your face.
nathan's grin widened at your flustered reaction, and he leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself. "thats not very polite, love," he teased, his eyes dancing with amusement. "here i am, being all charming and witty, and ye want me to shut up?"
you glared at him, but the effect was ruined by the blush still staining your cheeks. "youre impossible," you muttered.
he just laughed, the sound rich and warm in the noisy pub. "aye, but you like it," he said, a note of smugness in his voice.
he reached out, plucking your glass from in front of you and taking a deep swig of your whiskey. you watched, eyebrows shooting up.
"cheeky bastard," you muttered, but there was no real heat behind the words. you reached for your glass, only to find it empty. "hey, i was drinking that! you’ve still got your own, dickhead."
nathan shrugged, a look of feigned innocence on his face. "looked like ye needed a top-up," he said, his tone placating. he reached out, grabbing his own glass this time and swiftly finishing his beverage in one go.
you snorted, shaking your head. "i don't need you to tell me what i need," you retorted, but you couldn't quite suppress the smile tugging at your lips.
nathan’s grin widened, "no, i suppose ye don't," he agreed, pushing the empty glass towards you. "but im more than happy to provide, if you'll let me."
he waved his hand once again, gesturing for a refill. “like, how ye definitely need a third drink.”
the barmaid appeared with a fresh round, placing the glasses on the table with a friendly smile. you eyed the liquid, knowing you should probably slow down. but the warmth of the whiskey and the buzz of the conversation had you feeling more relaxed than you had in a long time.
you picked up the glass, swirling the liquid around before taking a sip. the alcohol burned your throat, but you welcomed the sensation, letting it chase away the lingering adrenaline from your narrow escape earlier.
nathan watched her over the rim of his own glass, a thoughtful expression on his face.
you could feel his gaze on you, heavy and intense. you glanced up to find him watching you, eyes dark and unreadable in the dim light of the pub. a faint blush colored his cheeks, a rare sight on a man who seemed to wear his confidence like a second skin.
the moment stretched between them, the noise of the pub fading into the background. your heart stuttered in your chest, a sudden fluttering sensation that caught you off guard. you werent used to this. the way nathan looked at you like you were the only thing that mattered in the world.
"what?" you asked softly, voice barely above a whisper. "why are you looking at me like that?"
nathan blinked, seeming to come back to himself. he shook his head slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "like what?" he asked, his voice a low murmur.
you shrug, taking another sip of whiskey to hide your own sudden nervousness. "i don't know. like you're trying to figure me out or something," your gaze dropped to the table.
he was silent for a moment, and you could feel the weight of his stare on her face. "maybe i am," he said finally, his voice thoughtful.
glancing up at nathan, your brows furrow slightly. "and why would you want to do a thing like that?" you asked, with a note of genuine curiosity.
the curly haired boy was silent for a long moment, his gaze never leaving yours. when he spoke, his voice was low and earnest, a stark contrast to his usual teasing tone. "because you’re not like anyone ive ever met before," he said simply.
you felt a fierce blush spreading across your cheeks at his earnest words, the heat of it making you suddenly warm. you werent used to such straightforward compliments.
fustered, you drained the last of your whiskey and set the glass down with a slightly shaky hand. "i...i should probably go," you said, standing up abruptly. "its getting late."
nathan's brows arched slightly at your sudden movement, but he stood as well. "late? its not even midnight yet," he pointed out, a note of disappointment in his voice. "i thought we were getting to know each other."
you shook your head, grabbing your jacket and slinging it over your shoulder. "aye, well, im not used to staying out this late," you said, avoiding his gaze. "i have an early start tomorrow."
it was a lie, and they both knew it. you had no plans for the next day, but you suddenly felt overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. by the way nathan was looking at you with those dark, unreadable eyes. you needed to get some distance, to clear your head and make sense of the strange fluttering sensation in your stomach.
the brunette was silent for a moment, a flicker of something indecipherable in his gaze. then he nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "alright then," he said, his voice a low murmur. "let me walk you home then, yeah? cant have ye getting into more trouble without me around to bail you out, can i?"
with reluctance, you accepted his offer, nodding your head appreciatively. you, after all, would never object to having company during a walk at night.
as you stepped out into the cool night air, nathan fell besides you. the streets were quieter now, the after-work crowds long gone and the late-night revelers yet to emerge.
"well, this is cozy," nathan remarked, glancing around at the narrow, twisting streets. "i feel like im in a bloody episode of sherlock holmes or something."
you snorted, shaking your head. "aye, welcome to the real london," you said, a smirk tugging at your lips. "not all glitter and glamour like in the movies."
he laughed, a rich sound that seemed to echo off the close-set buildings. "no, but there's a certain charm to it," he said, a note of sincerity in his voice. "a gritty, unpretentious charm."
you walked on in comfortable silence for a few moments before nathan spoke again, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "you know, i never did catch your name earlier," he said, a teasing lilt to his voice. "only fair, since ive dragged you halfway across london."
you rolled your eyes, but you couldn't quite suppress the smile that tugged at your mouth. "its y/n," you said, a hint of reluctance in your voice.
"y/n," nathan repeated, trying out the name on his tongue. "pretty name for a pretty girl," a grin spread across his face. "im glad i saved you tonight, y/n. among other things."
you couldn't help but blush at his flirtatious words, ducking your head to hide the sudden heat in your cheeks. "aye, well, im glad you were there too," you admitted, a note of grudging honesty in your voice.
you continued walking, the night air cool and crisp against your skin. nathan couldn't help but steal glances at you as they strolled, admiring the way your hair caught the faint light.
"so, tell me something about yerself, y/n," there was genuine curiosity in his voice. "besides your knack for getting into trouble and your impressive whiskey tolerance."
you thought for a moment before answering, a wry smile on your face. "im an artist," there was a hint of pride in your voice. "i paint, mostly. landscapes and portraits, that sort of thing."
nathan's eyes widened in surprise, a note of admiration in his voice. "an artist, eh? thats impressive," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "id love to see yer work sometime. maybe ye could paint me, capture me rugged good looks." he winked, a teasing lilt to his voice.
shaking your head, you responded. "and i suppose you want me to paint you as some sort of brooding, byronic hero?" you shot back, a smirk playing on your lips.
nathan racked his brain for a response as you walked on, but your curiosity beat him and you glanced over at him, a curious expression on your face. "so, what about you then?" you asked.
nathan was silent for a moment, considering your question. "well, as you can probably tell, im not exactly yer average bloke," there was a wry smile on his face. "ive got a bit of a...gift. call it what you will, but it's made my life a right bloody adventure."
he paused, glancing down at y/n with a mischievous grin. "but im not supposed to talk about it."
just then, they turned a corner and your flat came into view. you want to press further but decide against it. you stop abruptly, pointing to the modest brick building. "there we are," you said, a note of finality in your voice. "home sweet home."
nathan looked up at the building, a slow grin spreading across his face. “nice gaff," he complimented, a hint of approval in his tone. "not bad for a birdie who likes to play fast and loose with the law."
he turned to face you, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. "well, this is where I leave you, love," there was a note of reluctance in his voice. "unless...ye want to invite me in for a nightcap?" he winked, a teasing lilt to his tone.
"i don't think so," you spoke finally, shaking your head. "but..." you paused, a mischievous glint in your eye. quickly, you reached into your back pocket and pulled out a sharpie, grabbing nathan's arm before he could protest.
with a few swift strokes, you scrawled your phone number in bold, graffiti-like font across his forearm, followed by the words "CALL ME" in capital letters.
"there," a smirk visibly showed itself on your face. "now you have no excuse not to ring me up and take me out properly."
nathan glanced down at his arm, a grin spreading across his face as he read the words. he looked back up at you, a note of admiration in his eyes. "well, well, well," he said, a chuckle escaping his lips. "i thought ye wanted to get rid of me, not give me an excuse to see ye again."
with a final wink, he stepped back, giving you a small bow. "until next time then, love," a grin played on his lips. "watch yerself, yeah?"
and with that, he turned and walked away, leaving you standing alone outside your flat, a blush on your cheeks and a sudden flutter of anticipation in your chest.
` ੈ˚ ★ a / n : me writing this for me and the remaining 11 nathan young fans left ….. it’s ok i mostly wrote this for myself 💜💜
started 1.15.2025. finished 1.17.2025.
©️ nolovelingers 2025
