#ltbrdshw

[fyrewalks]

WHATEVER'S GOING ON WITH HIM LATELY, it's not good. it's probably the aftermath of the mission, how close to death he'd truly gotten that time; a mere matter of seconds before the lights would've flipped out for good. bradley knows he should probably swallow his pride and finally see a therapist; it might at least help with his nightmares, which became part of the reason he started avoiding sleep in the first place. having company helps, although the fellow pilot's words could mean enabling each other down the line, and what good would they be in the sky with exhausted bodies and minds? still, tonight he finds himself forming a smile that's verging on BITTERSWEET before giving a acquiescing nod. ❝ …yeah, i guess we can. i was gonna take a walk on the beach while it's quiet. wanna come? or we could just have a drink, watch a movie... ❞ // @ltbrdshw

Bob isn't sure what makes him propose the offer, makes him confide, however small the admission, his inability to sleep to Rooster. If there's anyone Bob should be telling, it's Nat. She deserves to know if her backseater is compromised, but Bob isn't ready to admit his troubled sleep outright. He isn't ready to tell her the bird strike bothers him; that they took root in the quiet after the successful mission and they've since overstayed their welcome. It's safer to brush it off and blame it on his poor habits that ordinarily only flare up on the weekend when avoiding sleep isn't so detrimental.

"I don't really drink, so," he says, rubbing at the back of his neck. "The beach sounds nice," Bob answers as he pushes himself to his feet and offers Rooster a hand. Maybe the roar of the waves will drown out the thoughts in his head.

[fyrewalks]

END OF DISCUSSION, SHE SAYS. but bradley isn't the kind of person to back down so easily, especially if it means admitting a chink in his armor in the process. "i'm fine, phoenix — really. it was just a nightmare. barely even that." never mind that he'd woken up with his heart pounding and goosebumps erupting all over his skin; the sound of the EXPOSION as he and mav's plane was hit in said nightmare still ringing in his ears, his mind fooling itself into thinking that he was right back there in that f-14 trying to escape a far superior fighter jet… only this time hangman hadn't gotten there in time. it's a recurring nightmare, but he's still not great at dealing with it.

chances are he's not fooling natasha one bit.

"Oh, fuck off," Natasha grumbles, slipping under the covers beside Bradley.

It makes more sense than it doesn't - staying over on Bradley's couch when they drink a few too many beers between them, making herself comfortable beside him now. He can kick her out, if he really wants to, but Natasha suspects he won't. No matter how much he minimizes a nightmare bad enough to wake her in the next room, there's no denying that company is nice when you're fortunate enough to have it. Better when you don't have to explain it.

She's had her own share of nightmares, of bad runs and terrible what-ifs that haunt you. For a horrifying moment, she thought her own friend had died and that had terrified her. If she's honest, it still does.

"Go back to sleep," she says into the dark. "I'm not gonna make you talk about it." Natasha wishes that he would, but forcing it won't help. // @ltbrdshw

[fyrewalks]

“ you’ve been avoiding me and i don’t know why. ” // @ltbrdshw

Bob makes an undignified sound in the back of his throat and manages to pull the coffee cup from his without making too much of a mess. Wiping at his lips with the back of his hand, wide blue eyes glance over at the pilot, confusion evident.

"Um, I.." He hates this, the question Rooster has sprung without warning, being put on the spot with absolutely no warning. It makes his skin itch. There's no quick, easy answer Bob can offer to make it ease up.

"I didn't realize," Bob says, mouth twisting to the side. He'd forgone their usual hangouts as late, preferring the quiet and solitude of his apartment. It'd only been a few nights, but now that Bradley's standing beside him, Bob isn't so sure. Sometimes, the days have a bad habit of blurring together. At least he can say it hasn't been deliberate - it hasn't just been Rooster he's avoided.

[fyrewalks]

LOOKING HER WAY WITH NOTHING LESS THAN SAD PUPPY EYES, rooster finally averts his gaze toward the ground, inhaling deeply, jaw visibly clenching before he speaks up; an attempt to buy some time and process it all before offering any words.

"…i'm sorry, nat. i never meant to make you feel like that."

he hopes that will at least go some way in making her feel better, although it probably won't. she's been a good friend, good coworker, good support system, good everything. he cares deeply about her. he doesn't want to jeopardize or lose this in any way, if he can help it. dark hues drift back to study her face.

"what do you want? what can i do?" // @ltbrdshw

She hates the apology he offers, the way his eyes widen and swirl with emotion, but mostly, Natasha hates herself more for saying anything at all. There's nothing to excuse her bit of honesty except, maybe, the late hour. That's a flimsy excuse, though, and while Natasha wishes she hadn't said anything at all, she won't sweep it away. She won't pretend she didn't speak up.

Even if it were easier.

"I don't know," Natasha answers, offering more honesty. It's practical; there's nothing he can do. It's her burden and her's alone to carry. She won't make him responsible for her feelings. Tucking a stray piece of hair that escaped her usual bun, Natasha shrugs. "It was simpler when you were in Virginia." The distance hadn't eased her worry, and Bradley's slow response times hadn't made for the easiest of friendships, but it at least meant Natasha could shove aside and ignore the worst of her feelings.

[csmistcres]

𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛 / @ltbrdshw / 𝙱𝚁𝙰𝙳𝙻𝙴𝚈 & 𝙴𝙻𝚈𝚂𝙴

being new to the area , the nurse was eager to explore san diego. she had been to california only one other time and that was years ago when she was still in gymnastics. after a particularly rough overnight shift at the local hospital , she decided she needed some liquid courage. something to get her mind off what happened. she had heard about a bar on the beach called the HARDDECK and that it was one of the best bars in the area. so naturally, she thought she would go check it out. of course when she walked in she did not realize it was a navy and military bar. however, now that she thought about it , she did remember seeing a huge navy base right down the road. after making her way to the long bar where she ordered a beer, she started to take a notice at the man playing piano and singing. obviously having a good time with his fellow service men and women. she couldn't help but bop along and get into it.

when he finished up, she watched as he walked in her general direction, taking a drink of her beer. she gave him a smile as her eyes gleamed. it was when he was close enough she decided to say something to him. ❝  gotta say , you are really good. seemed like you were having the time of your life. ❞ she said loud enough for him to hear in the loud environment.

[fyrewalks]

❝ C'MON, PHOENIX — i know your aim's better than this, ❞ bradley provokes in a playful manner as she continues throwing the foodstuff in his direction to catch in his mouth; so far having mostly landed on his shirt. he loves when they can just have fun and do dumb things like this — it's like a release, taking the edge off and providing some much-needed RELIEF from the seriousness of their job. the fact he has had a couple of beers definitely helps, too. ❝ come on, ❞ he repeats encouragingly, rooting for his friend. ❝ you can do it. nothing but net! ❞ // @ltbrdshw

Natasha is laughing too hard to do anything more than a half-hearted throw that results in another few pieces scattering across Bradley's shirt and couch. It's stupid; it's fun - no expectations, no watchful eyes. Just a couple of beers and a good friend by her side. "My aim is fine," she insists. It usually is - Nat can smoke anyone at darts and loves hustling people out of their hard-earned cash with a few well-placed throws. "Stop wiggling!" She tosses another few pieces, arms pumping up in the air with a delighted shout when Bradley finally catches them.

[krasnayavedma]

⭐️ (a headcanon about our muses meme)

Wanda and Rooster having mutual understanding about the dangers and worry that comes with being a pilot and doing what they do. I can imagine they try not to let on how much it really affects them especially after becoming a thing but they also know how much being a pilot/wingman means to the other. And, while Wanda doesn't necessarily agree with Mav making the choice by himself to pull Rooster's naval admission (even though the intentions were good), she understands and sympathizes.

On a lighter note, Rooster probably teases Wanda from time to time for being scared of The Thing the first time they ever watched it, and make it a tradition to watch it for Halloween every year, along with a few other Halloween appropriate films.

for each “⭐️” i get, i’ll write a headcanon about our muses / @ltbrdshw​ !

[krasnayavedma]

"INTERRUPTION"

Hair pulled in a messy bun and bubbles all around, the smell of lavender quickly and quietly fills her senses and her muscles instantly relax. Having gone through a hell of a week of intensive training and so many damn pushups, followed by spending a well-deserved day at the beach playing football, needless to say taking a hot bath to wind down and decompress was a necessity; and truth be told, she couldn't think of a better way to help alleviate some of her soreness. Fully relaxed, Wanda soon finds herself on the verge of dozing off. However, sudden movement by the door makes her jump and curse in Sokovian. She calms down quickly when recognition sets in. How long had Rooster been standing there? Apparently, Bob wasn't the only one who was stealthy. ❝ If this is about Mav, or training, it can wait until morning. Otherwise, you can continue to stand there and enjoy the view or join me. ❞

interruption meme / 15. Your muse interrupts mine during a relaxing bubble bath / @ltbrdshw !