bradleymorrisx

[bradleymorrisx]

Brad grinned and laughed, his blue eyes rolling before she pressed her lips back to his. Feeling those butterflies inside of him that he had thought were long gone reawakened him; bringing new feelings to the surface for the first time in almost twenty years. He held her close, cradling her back as she straddled him, their lips pressed against one another's. He wanted her, not just in a sexual way but a romantic way; wanting anything and everything with her.

A chuckle escaped Navy's lips as she nodded. "I did. I do." She laughed, letting her lips press against his, eyes gazing up at him under her lashes. He was a beautiful man; not just externally but internally as well. She couldn't seem to get enough of him. His hands were pressed into her sides and Navy let out an audible exhale, shifting so she was now straddling his waist. Both hands now pressed against his cheeks, she let her lips move hungrily with his, trying to get as close to him as she could.

[bradleymorrisx]

For over two decades, Brad didn't believe in love. He didn't believe in relationships. But here he was, falling for her, wanting to kiss her and be with her. And not just for a single night, or for fun. No he wanted a full fledged relationship. One where they could grow with one another and be with each other. "Oh really now? Because I thought you just wanted to watch some trashy reality tv wish someone," he teased with a goofy smile and his own wink. Her lips were soft as he kissed her, and it was the first taste of a drug he knew he needed and was hooked, a drug by the name of Navy. As her hand pressed against his cheek, his own hands held her waist, pulling her closer to him.

There was something comforting about Brad. She still couldn't believe it, but something about him made her want to be around him more and more. The way he seemed to be intoxicating, she nearly couldn't get enough. "I knew there was a reason I liked having you around." she winked at his words, though they were genuine she thought it was cute how encouraging he was being. His hand on her knee made her heart skip and she looked up at him as he leaned forward, his words echoing in her ears as his lips met hers. The softness of his kiss made her eager; grounding her before she leaned in, hand pressed to his cheek as she deepened the kiss, her own cheeks reddening.

[bradleymorrisx]

Though he had always sworn off a relationship or even getting too close to someone, there had been something about Navy that caused him to ignore that promise. He had no longer believed in love or soul mates but with her, that all went out the window. "Hey as an adult you get to pave the way and own it," he smiled, "and that's good. Because any adult making fun of you or your name is not someone you wanna associate with anyway." One thing Brad had always hated were bullies, and though he never was bullied as a child he had witnessed it and how devastating it could be. Blue eyes flickered to hers at the mention of charming anyone, and usually she'd be right. But with Navy he was nervous as hell, even if he thought this was originally only a booty call. But in all honesty he had feelings for her, real ones that made his heart flutter and made him nervous, all things he wasn't used to. He truly liked her and was afraid that after he had shown up and saw she just really wanted to hang out, that they'd only be friends. Which wasn't a bad thing at all and at least he'd have her in his life, though of course he would love for more. At the mention of her nephew, he could see the genuine reaction, which both tugged on his heartstrings and made him smile at the same time. "Hey I get it," he shifted closer to her, taking her hand, "and I'm sure she's proud of you and him and how far you've both come." He smiled genuinely, softly as he looked at their hands and then in her eyes, their faces inching closer and closer before he reached up and caressed her cheek. "I'd like that too," he whispered before leaning on and gently pressing his lips to hers, just grazing them at first before deepening it.

There was something about Bradley that Navy had always admired. Maybe it was the way he carried himself, or the way that he seemed to want to carry himself around her, but either way it was admirable. Like a man that knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to get it. The mention of her name made her laugh. "Well, that's one thing about being an adult that I admire." she nodded, eyes focused on him now. "I don't get the same reaction to my name as I did as a child." she admitted, which was maybe something he didn't exactly care about, but, one thing he'd quickly learn about Navy was that she were an open book. "Well lucky enough for you I knew you could charm the pants off of anyone that you came in contact with, I just didn't know if I was actually right." a smirk tugged at her lips, only ending when she brought her bottom lip between her teeth at his question. Of course she liked him; why else would she have confessed her darkest secret - not that it was anything to hide it was just not something she didn't tell a lot of people unless she was letting them in - nor would she have invited him over. She really liked his company, and she'd decided a long time ago that if things never worked between them romantically at least she could look at him as a friend. The mention of her nephew nearly made her teary eyed and she nodded. "I love that kid like he's my own." she stated, thinking about him in that moment. "I think in a lot of ways he saved my sister and I both, even if she's no longer here to vouch for herself." she stated with a shrug. Though there was a shift in the air and she let herself nod at him. "I think I'd like that." she nodded, her voice barely a whisper. She leaned forward, face inches from his. "What's stopping you?"

[bradleymorrisx]

Brad had put the wine glass off to the side and gave Navy his full attention, leaning forward with his hands on his knees. "Honestly I just thought it was a cool name," he hooked a shoulder, "I didn't really have much thought on your name." After his confession he figured he was way past the Pou t of no return. "Honestly I just thought you were gorgeous and your smile was nothing I had ever seen before," his heart was racing and his hands felt clammy. He hadn't done this in over a decade, falling for someone like he had with her. He hoped he wasn't rambling and that he was making sense, the wine swirling through his veins. But he needed her to know how he felt. "You... You do?" He asked, perking up a bit and hoped they were both on the same page as initially they weren't regarding g him coming over. But he was glad he did because he truly had feelings for her and needed her to know. Scooting closer to her, he rested his hand upon her knee as she spoke, reassuring her and nodding with a gentle smile. "I can only imagine, and I'm sure they were grateful for you. I mean you're amazing and I bet your nephew is so thankful for you." He nodded and looked at her, meeting her eyes as he felt a magnetic pull between, wondering if she felt it too, before leaning in and whispering. "I have another secret, I really want to kiss you right now."

She listened as he confessed it wasn't the first thing she thought about. Sure the first thing she thought about when she heard even the color these days was herself, but, that wasn't usually the case with everyone. But now that he'd confessed it wasn't his thought, she was curious what was. "So what do you think of first when you hear it then?" she questioned, despite the fact her racing heart likely already gave her the answer she needed. Her eyes watched as he began to chew on his bottom lip and she exhaled, only feeling the breath catch in her chest when he admitted that he did just tell them. "I- oh." she smiled, though she quickly averted her eyes when she felt her cheeks redden. "That's interesting because I think I feel the same." she stated, refocusing on him. "Falling for someone I consider a friend that is." she shrugged as if it was the most casual thing that she's ever said. She was thankful for the small shift in conversation, allowing herself to relax as she listened to Brad's words. "It was a lot. To give up what I wanted to come back here and take care of my family." she stated. "I wouldn't trade it for anything but it wasn't easy."

[bradleymorrisx]

Who: @celineediz and Brad

Where: Dino's Steakhouse

When: April 2025

Sitting down across from Celine, Brad smiled at her and ordered a bottle of wine for the table. "What's been up with you?" He asked, opening the menu in front of him after spreading the napkin on his lap. "It's been a while, I've missed our," he paused for a moments and smirked, "our work outs."

[bradleymorrisx]

Who: Brad and OPEN (0/3)

Where: Willowbrook Park

When: April 2025

Brad leaned against the park bench, staring out at the scattered joggers and dog walkers. Bluey, his energetic pup, was already darting around the grass, chasing after a squirrel like his life depended on it. A smile tugging at his lips as he watched Bluey weave between people like a tornado on four legs. He pulled his hoodie tighter around himself, the crisp morning air biting at his skin. "Great day to be outside, huh?" he said to no one in particular, though he knew the park was buzzing with people, kids and adults, and their dogs alike. Still, something about the serene park vibes made him feel… like today was the perfect day for something *spontaneous*." What do you think, bud? Should we do something crazy today?" Bluey barked, now fully distracted by a butterfly, making Brad laugh. "Would you say that's a yes?" He asked to the person beside him.

[bradleymorrisx]

Brad raised an eyebrow, watching Grace with a mix of disbelief and amusement as she took another bite of her bagel. "Oh, come on, Grace. I was trying to save everyone from the jellyfish—clearly, you weren't there for the dramatic underwater battle." He gestured dramatically, rolling his eyes. "But fine, if you want to downplay my heroism, I’ll just have to accept my fate as a tragic legend." He paused, eyeing her smirk before adding with a wink, "And hey, at least I saved your dignity by pulling off the greatest act of heroism since... well, ever. You're welcome." Looking over at the girls, he shrugged dramatically. "Girls, don’t listen to your mom. One day, when you’re older, you'll realize the truth: I did it for all of humanity." He grinned as their laughter filled the room. Shaking his head, he playfully bowed in his seat before adding. "Dr. Morris, saving lives and crashing into fences. That's my motto."

END

Grace scoffed, rolling her eyes as she reached over and snatched her bagel back off his plate. "Oh, please, Brad. You didn't save us from the jellyfish you just sacrificed yourself dramatically so you could whine about it later." She took a victorious bite of her bagel, chewing pointedly as she continued, "And don't try to turn this into some heroic act. You just wanted an excuse to make that pained face and soak up the sympathy." She gestured to her daughters, who were giggling at their uncle's theatrics. "Girls, let's all take a moment to thank Uncle Brad for his bravery." she clapped her hands together as if in prayer, dramatically bowing her head. "May his noble sacrifice against the terrifying jellyfish never be forgotten." Lifting her head, she grinned as the girls joined in, giggling even harder. "There. Now you're a legend. Happy?" Then, with a smirk, she added, "And for the record, Doctor Morris, your math was off. The only thing you successfully removed was your dignity."

[bradleymorrisx]

Brad had run to the store during his lunch break to grab a few items. He had forgotten to restock the plastic cutlery at the office and he took the last fork and knife. He felt bad that the nurses and other office staff wouldn't have anything to eat their lunches with so before his break ended he'd get more. Seeing someone kneel down to help a cat brought a smile to his face, wishing more people would help animals. "Uh, I have no clue, I've never had a cat before. Only dogs, but everything I've ever heard says yes?"

Where: Outside a corner convenience store Who: open @newbellevouxstarters

"Here you go kitty." Meyra's voice was low and soothing as she knelt besides the creature and poured the milk she had just bought in the store into a small plastic dish that usually held nachos. She'd only been walking down the street to run down to the library to drop some books off, but the cat had followed her the whole way. The poor creature had no collar and Meyra could tell by its coat that it was a stray. When she'd walked in the corner small convenience store, she had been hoping for some cat food but all she could find was some milk. But now she was questioning her decision as she saw a pair of shoes approach the pair while she knelt down next to the pair. "Cats like milk, right?" She asked, looking up.

[bradleymorrisx]

The confession of her secret, though nothing major, was still something she didn't have to dhar with him. Especially the origins of said secret, to which he furrowed his brow and tilted his head momentarily. "I mean that's valid," he shrugged, holding the wine glass before taking another gulp and speaking. "Though honestly I never even put two and two together when you first said something about it. Like yeah Navy is a shade of blue but like it's not what I think of. But now..." His voice drifted off and he let out a giggle, mainly the effects of the wine starting. At her suggestion, he chewed on bottom lip, nodding, afraid to tell her it in fact was her that he was talking about. So he just stayed quiet and nodded for the time being and sipping on the wine before taking the plunge. "Though I feel like I kind of just did. Tell her I mean," he said into the glass before his eyes shifted back to her. When she shifted the conversation, he let out a silent exhale, his expression softening at her words. "Right," he nodded, placing the glass on the table, "oh, wow." He said softly, fully turning to face her, seeing the tears in her eyes and his hands art just breaking. Though his sister was alive and well, he couldn't imagine losing her, the turmoil and heartbreak he'd feel. "I'm so sorry," replying as he shifted closer to her, taking her hand to give it a reassuring squeeze, "I'm sure she's definitely watching over you guys. But I get it. And you're doing a good thing with Jace and your parents, it takes a special kind of person to upend their lives to move back home to help raise a child. Let alone someone else's child."

There was a small smile on Navy's lips as she witnessed Brad's reaction to her secret - while it was true it was nowhere near the juicy secret she was sure he was expecting - it wasn't exactly a fact she told many people either. "My name is Navy." she emphasized, eyes focusing on him again as she drank the wine in her glass, finishing it off and topping off the glass again. "It's why I hated it, but ultimately what made me decide it was kind of a cool color." she admitted, letting her fingers trace the outer rim of her glass as he spoke. Though she exhaled, about to speak up when she heard him speak and she smiled, feeling her cheeks flush a little. Maybe she wasn't the friend he was talking about, and maybe she had no business feeling the tiniest ounce of regret from his admission, but, she was human. And there was something about her pull to Brad that made her want more of him. To know more about him, to explore more of him, to have him intertwine every thought in her mind. It was something truly scary and humbling all at the same time. "You should tell her." she admitted. "Or him, if that's what you're into." she admitted, eyes focused on the other. "If I've learned anything in life it's not to let those things go unnoticed or unsaid. Don't miss out on an opportunity because you're scared." she encouraged, though, she was beginning to feel like the pep talk was for her. "I have another secret as well." she stated. "I - well, there's not a lot of people that know about this." she mentioned. "I think I told you briefly when we first met that I moved back for family. Turns out I moved back because I'm helping my parents raise my nephew." she admitted, feeling her eyes fill with tears, regardless of how much she tried to fight them. "She met a man - Jace's father - and the two were kind of toxic for each other. She ended up taking the wrong path - drugs - and addiction ended up taking her life." she exhaled, the tears now falling. "I just miss her so much, you know." she sighed. "Her son looks just like her; and there's so much of her in him and it breaks my heart she's not here to see it."

[bradleymorrisx]

"Great," he smiled and took a sip of his wine, his eyes never wavering their focus upon her. He finished his quickly and made his way to the living room behind her, placing the glass on a coaster nearby. As she said she'd have to think of a secret, he let out a chuckle, "take all the time you need," he put his hands up before getting settled. "Hopefully you're good at keeping them though. Better than I am."

As the night wore on, his original thought and aim for calling her had faded from his mind. However, he was very much so enjoying their time together, and thought maybe this in fact turn into a beautiful friendship. What that friendship entailed? That was up in the air but he was enjoying every minute of being by her. As she brought the bottle back and settling back on the couch, it wasn't lost on him that she was closer than before, and he liked that as he felt some sort of pull between them. Whatever that maybe, he could feel in the air and wondered if she felt it too. His eyebrows raised as she chimed up about her secret, his nodding a signal for her to go ahead. "Wow," he hummed, "what made you change?" He asked, then feeling bold, "I have another secret," he took in a deep breath, "I'm starting to think I might be falling for a friend, and I hope she's feeling the same."

As the other admitted that popcorn was a good snack for him, she smiled. "Popcorn it is then." she smiled, eyes looking at him for a moment as she finished her first glass of wine, filling up her glass before they made their way to the living room. At his confession to give him a secret she shook her head. "I don't think I can do that just yet." she admitted, tossing him a wink. "You've gotta give me time to think of one first; I'm not great at having secrets."

The hours passed and what had originally been the plan to watch an episode or two had long surpassed that. The two were sharing time on the couch, their glasses of wine remaining full at all times. It had resulted in Navy bringing the bottle to the living room, but, it worked out for the best; with every movement from the couch when she'd return she'd inch that much closer to Brad, almost like she was magnetized to him. She'd ditched reality television a long time ago and instead had lightened the mood after their night of chatting about reality television; it wasn't doing anything for warmth but it was keeping the mood peaceful none the less. She swallowed before her eyes fixated on Brad again. "So that secret." she stated. "I used to hate the color blue." she admitted, though she laughed behind it, likely a result from being a little tipsy. "Despised it for literally years, but, now it's one of my favorites."

[bradleymorrisx]

Feigning that he was offended, Brad placed her s bagel down on his plate and wiped his hands on his napkin. "I took one for the team Grace, it was either me, you, your girls, or Maisie. I saved you all from that jellyfish," his voice laced with a playful sternnes to it as he pointed to everyone at the table. "And I don't think letting out the pain is a bad thing doctor Morris." He was only kidding but couldn't let his sister tease him in front of his nieces without a little push back. He went back to his bagel, stoic before huffing, "I mean I wasn't complaining. I was telling you that your math was off." He shrugged before taking bite, "okay so I took it out. But I helped to fix it didn't I? And it looked better than it did beforehand so there." He was proud of himself and beamed at all the laughter.

Grace rolled her eyes dramatically, shaking her head at her brother's antics. "Tragic hero, my butt," she teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "You screamed like a banshee when that jellyfish got you. And don't let him fool you, girls—he practically threw himself onto the sand like he'd been shot." She smirked, looking at her daughters, who were clearly enjoying their uncle's dramatic retelling. At his comment about her forgetting the years, Grace gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I am not old. You, however, are just in denial about how long ago that was," she shot back with a smirk. "And you did not just crash into the fence, Brad—you took it out! Dad had to fix it, and Mom wouldn’t stop laughing for days!" She leaned back, shaking her head fondly. "Honestly, it was one of your finer moments."

[bradleymorrisx]

"To a point. It's just me and my sister and I didn't necessarily raise her but," he paused and nodded, offering up a sympathetic smile, "I do get the pressure of being the oldest. At least as I got older." He then listened to Wesley and would be there for his friend. "How many siblings do you have?" He asked, not really knowing the answer.

He smiled nodding his head. "So you understand the responsibility and it's even harder when you basically raised your siblings," he spoke. After their grandfather passing, Wesley was the one that was there for his siblings and helped as much as he could. Despite that one of his siblings still hated him and wanted to take him down too. "I don't think there is anything anyone can help with sadly."

[bradleymorrisx]

Bradley rolled his eyes at his sister and leaned forward, "whatever. But hey at least no one else got sting. I took one for the team." He nodded, proud of himself before shaking his head, "next time you can get stung and tell me it doesn't hurt. Shi-, it hurt like hell." He nodded, clearly making sure not to curse in front of his young and impressionable nieces. "You sure about that? I'm only two years older than you and can at least remember dates and ages, and I'm not in denial I was making sure you didn't forget how old we were." Reaching to refill his glass with orange juice, he then shrugged his shoulders, "I had to help dad rebuild the fence, I think I still have a splinter in my finger that no one would get out," displaying the small dot on his hand to his nieces, "grandma and grandpa were not happy with me after that."

Grace rolled her eyes dramatically, shaking her head at her brother's antics. "Tragic hero, my butt," she teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "You screamed like a banshee when that jellyfish got you. And don't let him fool you, girls—he practically threw himself onto the sand like he'd been shot." She smirked, looking at her daughters, who were clearly enjoying their uncle's dramatic retelling. At his comment about her forgetting the years, Grace gasped in mock offense. "Excuse you, I am not old. You, however, are just in denial about how long ago that was," she shot back with a smirk. "And you did not just crash into the fence, Brad—you took it out! Dad had to fix it, and Mom wouldn’t stop laughing for days!" She leaned back, shaking her head fondly. "Honestly, it was one of your finer moments."

[bradleymorrisx]

"It's okay dude, we've all been there," Brad smiled with a nod. "I get it, I mean I'm the oldest of two so I know," though thankfully he was close with his sister and they both helped out with their parents. "is there anything I can help with?"

"I guess it really obvious for sure," he replied as a sigh escaped his lips. He ran his hands through his hair for a moment. Letting out another heavy sigh. "Just a lot of stuff going on and wondering how I can handle everything. Sometimes being the oldest and most responsible one is----is just hard."

[bradleymorrisx]

Putting down his bagel, Brad wiped his mouth on a napkin and leaned forward, his tone playfully serious. "Oh yes, the jellyfish story," he nodded as he looked at his nieces, "I am a tragic hero. Especially after that day." He kept his cool and sat back up straighter and then shook his head, feigning emotion like he didn't want to go into detail about it. Then as she mentioned the slip and slide, he started to laugh, "I was seventeen mind you," he corrected his sister, "see she's old and forgetting her math and years." He was only teasing, but couldn't resist, "and I made it onto the slip and slide. I kept kept going. Slipping and sliding onto the grass and then crashed into the fence!"

Grace gasped, placing a hand over her heart as if she were utterly shocked. "Oh no, not the jellyfish story, Brad! You’re going to make them think you’re some kind of tragic hero!" She turned to Ginny and Josie, her eyes twinkling. "But you know what story Uncle Brad doesn’t want me to tell?" Josie and Ginny perked up instantly, giggling as they leaned in. "What? What?" "The Great Slip ‘N Slide Disaster of ‘99!" Grace announced grandly, throwing her hands in the air. "Oh yes, that one," Grace said, grinning. "Picture this—your uncle, all of ten years old, standing at the top of the biggest Slip ‘N Slide in the neighborhood. He was ready to show off his epic sliding skills to everyone. So what does he do? He takes a running start, launches himself forward like a rocket and—" she clapped her hands together, "—goes flying right over the Slip ‘N Slide and lands face first in the grass!" Ginny and Josie burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching their stomachs.

[bradleymorrisx]

Brad put his hands up, "I never said any of that," he teased looking at his nieces before him. He knew they'd take her side but he couldn't help it, "Ginny, Josie, when did I ever accuse her of making things up?" He shot the girls a funny look, knowing they probably wouldnt back him up but he tried anyway. He then felt a small weight on his thigh as his dog came over to rest his chin upon it.

Looking down at his dog and then at his sister, he let out a laugh, "Touche. They have that effect on him and vice versa I guess." He scratched the dogs head and smiled, and took a sip of his water. "I'd never ditch you and the girls," he then pretended to be offended. "I'm offended you'd even say that." He laughed, letting her and the girls know he was playfully joking. "Oh you mean that time I decided to join them and then got stung by the jellyfish!?"

Grace rolled her eyes at Brad’s teasing, but the small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips gave her away. “You act like I’m the one making things up,” she shot back, nudging his foot under the table before stealing a bite of her own bagel. The warmth of the room, filled with the hum of conversation, the occasional burst of giggles from the girls, and the thump of an excited tail against the floor, made her chest feel full. These moments, the easy ones, were the ones she cherished the most.

At his offer, she huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “Bluey’s welcome, but let’s be real—he’s more likely to encourage the chaos than calm it.” She reached over to scratch the dog’s head as he nudged at Brad, tail wagging. “But I appreciate the thought. I’ll send you the details later. Just make sure you don’t bail last minute and leave me to fend for myself.” There was no real bite to her words, just the usual sibling ribbing. She leaned back in her chair, letting the familiar comfort of their back-and-forth settle over her. “I mean, you owe me. After that time, you conveniently disappeared when it was your turn to help corral them at the beach,” she added, arching a brow and daring him to deny it.

[bradleymorrisx]

"It happens," he patted his friend on the shoulder for a moment. Then watched Wesley, nodding, "anything I can help with?" He asked, knowing how hard it could be to be the oldest and have to take care of everything and everyone.

"I guess it really obvious for sure," he replied as a sigh escaped his lips. He ran his hands through his hair for a moment. Letting out another heavy sigh. "Just a lot of stuff going on and wondering how I can handle everything. Sometimes being the oldest and most responsible one is----is just hard."