@reddlng hates happiness / ft. kiwi
63. Our muses being the sole survivors of a shootout.
he's been trying to stay out of situations like these. which is exactly why he'd left the air force just before maddie was born. the 'simple private pilot' job had turned out to be much more than that ages ago though. by now, he almost feels obsolete considering pepper could fly herself just about anywhere she wants and the thought has crossed his mind that she keeps him around because they've grown past that employer / employee relationship over the years.
it was a regular round trip, nothing out of the ordinary, up until they were on the way back to the airport. tires were shot out first and before the driver could lose control over the vehicle he was taken out as well. what followed is quick words thrown at each other, commands so they can organize themselves and the realization that hits him that all he had learned during training never really left him and muscle memory also stuck with him. the whole thing didn't go on for very long but his ears are ringing so it's hard to tell when the gun fire actually died down. he's still crouched behind the car, door open next to him to shield him from another side. after another breath, he glances over his shoulder to check for pepper who meets his eyes. unharmed, of course, he expected nothing less. once he got that confirmation and they both agree the air is clear, he pushes himself into a stand. adrenaline still pumping but steady hands on his weapon, he moves over to her. " could have warned me we might be getting a last minute surprise. "
