#( muse interaction: bradley ft. avigail. )

[awalkoflife]

@karmasainted sent: ❛ do you remember when we first met? ❜ ( from avi for bradley )

❛ let's see... the snot-nosed little kid with the pigtails who liked to dance to the spice girls ? she had a death stare. still does. how could i forget ? ❜

he's teasing. she wasn't snot-nosed. if anything, she was adorable. still is. their paths crossed multiple times, singular meetings that spanned into entire summers spent together. a blossoming friendship that was born out of tolerance. at least on avi's part. she was younger and he always enjoyed making her mad on purpose. their childhood was full of so much shared understanding. one that up until now, they probably didn't fully appreciate.

❛ you know, if you still feel like spicing up your life, i'm big and bad enough to join you now... ❜ he signals to alexa to play 'wannabe', as he dances over to avi, a beer in each hand. it's rare that they have a day off together, so he's fully intending to make the most of it. she's draped over his couch, wearing one of his hawaiian shirts and not much else, looking like a dream come true. ❛ i'm also pretty sure there's a picture of you dressed up as baby spice for halloween in one of my mom's old photo albums. ❜

[awalkoflife]

BROWN EYES SOFTEN , A SMILE CURLING AT THE CORNER OF HIS LIPS --- she's choosing to withhold information. he won't hold it against her though. no matter how easily he could pry that file out of her hands and take off down the tarmac. child's play really, isn't it? something they were entirely familiar with no matter the amount of years that had passed. she's somehow still in charge. the boss. even if she's younger and smaller. he thinks fondly on their childhood; a time when they didn't have to worry so much about rules, regulations and responsibilities. the sun is setting on another day and he tries not to dwell on what's to come. avi has been brought in for her expertise. this he knows. she's one of the best and although she's choosing not to be transparent, he knows when the timing is right, she'll tell him what he needs to know. his eyes follow the movement of her fingertips against the file and he chews inquisitively on the inside of his cheek. she keeps things short and sweet. he supposes it's protocol. the job is no longer what's on his mind now however, it's her. would she be interested in catching up? would it be too soon to suggest so?

❛ wait... was that a compliment? ❜ he asks, this time choosing not to hide his smile. throwbacks were kind of their thing purely because they shared so many memories together. ❛ if i'm entirely honest with you, i'm not really sure what chicks dig anymore. ❜ bradley admits, a light shrug of his shoulders suggesting that it wasn't a big deal anyway. he didn't have the time to date or to update his wardrobe all that often. women were complicated. they had expectations. his facial hair was a choice for him and him alone.

he nods, crossing his arms over his chest. she's happy to see him. or is she simply being polite? he couldn't always tell with avi. in their younger years, he could've swore that she hated him. in retrospect, he did make a lot of effort to make her life difficult. so could he really blame her? it was all innocent, of course. teasing. playful. ❛ do you --- ❜ he pauses, hesitating on the rest of the question because they're adults now. they have duties. ones he doesn't want to complicate.

❛ would you want to get dinner, later? ❜ it's a simple question, right? it shouldn't make his heart feel like it's suddenly working overtime. if she says no, it wouldn't kill him. or maybe it would. if his bpm is anything to go by right now. ❛ just the two of us. ❜ he adds, no pressure, just letting her know coyote or hangman won't be there to make her uncomfortable. he looks out toward the horizon, then back at her, thumbs tracing across his biceps. ❛ i know a place that does really good tacos. ❜

LIPS PURSED TOGETHER FOR A MOMENT - THAT ATTITUDE HE MIGHT BE FAMILIAR WITH ; but avi can't help her guarded nature - he knows that - his expression shows it as she turns more towards him and away from the knowledge that she has to eventually drag herself back to the main buildings and work on some cartography. for now it feels right to stay put and not make her excuses. to stand here and be with him. it's been a while , more than a while really since she'd found herself in his company. hazel eyes gaze back up towards him as she speaks, casing around the shape of his face - the small wrinkles that cling to the creases at his eyes , the tan noticeable shimmering with sweat across his forehead - the scars that litter his chin and jawline. every single millimeter of him - everything that's changed and everything that's remained the same. the warm haze of a smile moves across her lips as her expression becomes suddenly hopeful - silence her only real response when he speaks with warm rough tones. the temptation to admit she's missed him to is always there , but instead she shuffles on the concrete beneath her feet - fingers tapping at the folder.

❛ just some maps to work on again. we get new intel every couple of hours - ❜ it might sound like it's nothing but it's definitely something. not that he or any of the other pilots need to know the changes just yet - there's a fine line between keeping them informed and letting them stew on details they'll encounter no matter what.

❛ you should. chicks dig a throwback. ❜ her smirk grows , a glaring shield towards the way his eyes linger - unable to move her own away from his. it's been too long --- the familiar ache in her abdomen growing as her thoughts flicker back to easier times ( beaches and bonfires - life in virginia before the move. his melancholia , his mom's distance from the rest of them. it seems so long ago but she swears she can still smell the smoke ... ) times that seem so far away now. further than she'd want to admit

❛ happy to be here lieutenant bradshaw. ❜ she nods , her voice settling into something less formal and more friendly as avi finally lets herself breathe , filling her lungs with the warm salty air rolling in from the coast. ❛ happy to see you, too. ❜

[awalkoflife]

bravi's first valentine's day ♡ / @karmasainted ( lt. avigail baker. )

the setting sun shines through the windows of bradley's apartment, illuminating the last of its golden rays upon the wooden floorboards. ground beef is cooking on the stove, there's fresh guacamole, sour cream and salsa prepped in bowls alongside it. he's dicing onions and red peppers to add to the mince meat, seasoning accordingly because tonight.... he's making his very own tacos. avi is running late and while he waits on his valentine to arrive, he's fully aware that she's forgotten what day it is. breakfast earlier that same morning was rushed despite his efforts to attempt eggs benedict with a side of chocolate chip pancakes. unsure if she would be in the mood for savoury or sweet, the pilot opted for both.

stevie wonder's isn't she lovely can be heard from his record player, accompanying him while he cooks dinner. bopping along to the beat, bradley barely hears the front door open, dancing in the kitchen to a song that reminds him of his girl. he figures on today of all days, he's allowed to be corny and if she still hasn't guessed the occasion yet, well.... the gifts set up on the kitchen island are sure to give it away. ❛ evening, lieutenant. ❜