navyphillips

[navyphillips]

Bradley, I know that we don't have any kids together, and Sailor was kind of a package deal when you chose to have me in your life, but, I know already that you're one of the best dad's I've ever met. I hope this isn't overstepping; I wanted to give you something to recognize the great man I know you are. It was just an added bonus that Sailor was on the cover of this card. -- Navy & Sailor <3 @bradleymorrisx

[navyphillips]

If there was a word that could describe the way that Navy was feeling in the moment, it would be peaceful. Despite the way her head was spinning as she felt her lips move in unison to Bradley's, or the way that her heart was beating so hard out of her chest that she was sure it was the only thing Bradley could hear as well, she felt nothing but peace. Safety. Security. All the things that she truly wanted in a partner. Those feelings she'd denied for so long were coming creeping out and Navy felt herself growing lightheaded at the thought. Yet instead of pulling back she embraced, leaning into Bradley until there wasn't an inch between them. Her whole body pressed into him as she allowed herself to deepen the kiss, the taste of wine on her lips as she did. That was only until she felt a sigh escape her, eyes fluttering open a moment later. Lips were tired, bruised feeling, yet she shook her head. "I can't get enough of you, Bradley Morris." @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.

[navyphillips]

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.

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.

[navyphillips]

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.

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.

[navyphillips]

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?"

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."

[navyphillips]

"I mean there's always that, but." Navy spoke, eyes focusing on the other before she took another bite of the food in her hand. "That's why I usually wait until I'm standing in one spot to eat, put it back in the container to keep moving and so forth." she shrugged. "I get it. And thankfully I'm not typically clumsy but I do have to look out for other people." she laughed. "No, I think that just means your smart. And someone that really loves their food."

Layla watched in amusement as Navy enjoyed the food on the stick. ''I mean sure it looks good. What happens if you trip and drop the whole thing? That's why it's easier to sit and eat, lessens the chance of it being ruined.'' She laughed with a shake of her head. ''Maybe I'll try it but at a table. I trip over my own feet sometimes. Is that chicken?''

[navyphillips]

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."

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."

[navyphillips]

Shaking her head, Navy's eyes landed on the other as she shifted into the next yoga pose. "No way in hell is this a beginners class." she commented, feeling herself a little more winded as she tried to speak again. Though that ended in just her trying to focus on her breathing, keeping an asthma attack from hitting her; of course today had been the day she'd left her asthma inhaler at home. "Dammit.." she cursed, shaking her head before she nodded enthusiastically at the other's words. "Don't gotta tell me twice." she added. "One. Two-" she paused, not even saying the word three before she hit the mat, lying flat on her stomach and groaning. "Dear lord this is the worst thing I've ever volunteered to do." she admitted. "What kind of steroids is this instructer on?"

Sydney hadn't attended a hot yoga class before, though she had done plenty of other things before Jesse's death like pilates and more. She had seen then flier and coming out of a meeting with her therapist pushing her to go do something in public and to rejoin the land of the living had made Sydney sign up. But now she regretted everything about this. She was going to be sore for a week at this rate. At least she wasn't alone, and it made her not feel like such a failure. "There's no way this can be a beginner class." Sydney huffed, her heart ready to burst out of her chest. "I have no clue, they don't even have a clock in here. Probably to make you focused on the class." Sydney wiped at the sweat dripping down her forehead. "Okay, count of three let's both lay down. I can't do this anymore."

[navyphillips]

The offer for a coffee made Navy smile, nodding. "I think a coffee sounds great." she added. "The wind is a bit much today so it'll be nice to indulge in something warm for a change." she admitted, eyes landing on the other. "Sweet treats are always a necessity in my book, but, maybe start with coffee." she smiled. "I'll never say no to coffee."

A chuckle when Navy admitted that it meant she herself was indulging in the ice cream. At the thought, Teagan couldn't help a shiver. While she could tell the change of season was coming, it wasn't upon them just yet. "Well, I don't know about ice cream, but would you let me buy you a coffee?" The blonde offered, head tilting, smile touching her lips. Because getting out of the wind for a moment would be nice -- as well as the excuse to be with Navy. "Or any other sweet treat you're craving." @navyphillips

[navyphillips]

"I'm not usually one that even likes this type of food." she stated, eyeballing the selected meal of choice in her head. It was some sort of chicken on a stick, something that she normally would've just preferred to eat with a fork, but, something about the inspiration of the field trip that had come through earlier this week had inspired her to try again. "But something about eating food on a stick almost makes it tastes better." she shrugged. "Not to mention it's so much easier. You don't have to find utensils or plates; you van just walk and eat at the same time." she smiled. "And this flavor is fantastic." she exhaled. "You really should try some." @laylacjennings

[navyphillips]

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."

"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."

[navyphillips]

Navy didn't attend hot yoga often, and in the rare chance she did she often found herself tucked in the corner, thankful that no one else seemed to be interested in watching her. She wasn't great at it; in fact most of the time she looked as if she were contorting her body in directions that legs and arms weren't meant to be moved in, it was a shame she didn't leave sore every time. "I don't know, but I'm right behind you." she sighed, taking a moment to catch her breath, realizing how loudly she was huffing. "I swear we somehow managed to show up to the advanced class; there's no way this is the beginner class I thought I had shown up for." she admitted. Her eyes shifted to the other when she said maybe on three and Navy nodded. "I don't know if I can either." she admitted. "How much longer do we have?"

When Sydney had entered the room, she had navigated to the only woman she'd recognized in the room. She hadn't even gotten the woman's name, or had she forgotten it, but she still remembered her showing up one day and looking for her missing package. It'd been a maybe good omen to the start of the class. "How am I this out of shape?" Sydney panted, hating that she had used to be so athletic. She'd gone hiking, swimming, did pilates and more. And now she felt so out of shape. "How about on the count of three? Though if I lay down I'm not sure if I'll be able to get up again after."

[navyphillips]

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."

"You do?" He asked, before he had realized they were on separate pages of what the goal for that night was. "Hm good question, I guess it sort of depends. But I'm really good with anything," he shook his head before adding, "popcorn is perfect." Though he definitely kept up with a regiment of food and snacks, he wasn't one who had to stick to a plan with every single meal. Plus having a sweet tooth definitely didn't help, so he liked to have a little wiggle room when it came to snacks. "Though I can definitely say I'm a sucker for anything sour," he took a sip and let a beat go by before adding in, "or anything sweet," as his eyes focused upon hers. He had to admit to himself that though they seemed to be on different pages, he was still glad to be there with her. "Yep, only you," he nodded and took a long sip, "true. And it's only fair that you share one back. You know as security and what not." He said with a smirk, his blue eyes fixated upon her.

[navyphillips]

"Tell me about it, it's the worst." Navy groaned, standing straighter as if to try to ease a pain in her back that she'd inflicted in that last pose. She grabbed a towel from her feet and wrapped it around her neck, trying to dry the sweat that had collected there. "I don't think I was as ready for this as I thought I was." she exhaled. "If you lay down I'll do it too. Maybe if we pretend we're stuck we don't have to finish the class and we can just vow to not come back and save ourselves embarrassment."

Where: Inspire Yoga Who: open @newbellevouxstarters

"Why is it that we live in a literal swamp, but yet hot yoga feels way more hot and swampy than outside?" Sydney asked the person next to her as they came up from yet another chair pose. Her therapist had been pushing for her to get out more, to try and become one of the living again since she was stuck in the past and the grief of Jesse. It felt stupid, just trying to do this when she wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up on her couch once more. "I might just lay down soon, I'm so out of shape." Maybe jumping into a hot yoga class hadn't been the best idea. Even if it was open for beginners.

[navyphillips]

"That's a good way to explain it." she nodded, eyes focusing on the other. Things weren't necessarily easier when the seasons changed and work slowed down, it was most so just a matter of the fact it was less hectic as the other had stated. The work load didn't really change it just seemed easier to get accomplished because you weren't doing seven hundred different tasks on top of each other. "Sadly it's not. Which is both good and bad. Good because we get to indulge in it a little more often, even if it does make the day chillier." she smiled. "Bad because we get to indulge in it a little more, so combined with the holiday feasts we're always so stuffed."

A hum left her lips as a shrug fell from her shoulders. "I don't know about easier. Maybe less hectic." Still a lot of the same problems, just less of them when there was less people. Though the die-hard hunters were still out and about. Teagan was thankful she didn't live in a parish where she was required to be out on the water, because hated boating in winter, the ice cold waves sending bitter spray everywhere. No, she much preferred the woods. "Ahh," Head tilted slightly as she nodded. "I guess the zoo's ice cream vendors don't do as well in the winter." Lips curved up into a smile. @navyphillips

[navyphillips]

"Well, that's good to hear." she nodded, eyes focusing on the other as they spoke. Navy couldn't deny that she'd enjoyed Teagan's company even if it was just for the sake of transferring the catch from one person to the next, and even though she'd never reached out, she was happy to have the opportunity to spend a little time with her now. "I didn't really think of the fact that people probably weren't fishing as much." she admitted. "So I guess it makes your job a little easier in the winter then?" she asked, crossing her arms before she smiled. "The zoo is still just as busy. Probably busier honestly because it's cooler so the families and schools just book back to back trips." @teagan-monroe

If Teagan didn't have an ongoing relationship with Navy's supervisor, she could understand how it would seem like some kind of scam or something. Luckily Navy had been told it was a legit deal, happily taking the cooler worth of fish for the animals back at the zoo. The blonde let out a chuckle at the other's comment about her being full of surprises. "Not too bad. Not as many people out now it's cold. A lot of the lakes have frozen over." And ice fishing was not for the faint of heart, that was for sure. "What about you? Business still go on as usual at the zoo even when it's snowing?" @navyphillips

[navyphillips]

Dramatically rolling her eyes, Navy nodded. "Ugh yes." she stated, eyes focusing on the other as she nodded nearly as dramatically as her eye roll had been. "That's about as similar as my mom's 'measure with your heart' which is fine but also how am I supposed to know what that means?" she questioned, raising an eyebrow as she looked over the recipe in front of her again. Her eyes fixated on the other and she offered him a small smile, shrugging. "I guess my family thought I needed to learn a proper Louisianna dish." she shrugged. "And if I had to guess they really want me to tell the difference in all the knives." she laughed. "What about you?" @arlancaster

───there really wasn’t much to say when it came to talking about cooking and trying out recipes; he had only started to cook for Ari and could still do pretty much basic stuff. his mom was responsible for most of Ari’s meals for now and he did want to be able to do more for her hence putting in the effort. but then he had to absolutely agree with Navy when she mentioned how confusing it was to have ingredients be measured in cups, grams, and ounces, then having to figure it all out. “it is better than my mom’s ‘as much as needed’ and ‘just a bit,’ though,” he laughed a little. and then laughed a bit more when she brought up the knives. “that kinda makes more sense to me…” he shrugged a bit, “bread knife, butter knife..” but there are still too many, that was true. “I don’t mean to pry, but what brings you here then?”