When We Were Young (Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x FEM reader)

Chapter Six

Y/n sat in her pajamas, ready for Phoenix to get back with pizza, and face masks. She took a bottle of beer from the fridge and turned on some random show. Finally, she has a chance to relax. That was until a knock came on the door. She groaned and called out "Just a minute," as she scrambled to throw an oversized sweatshirt over her tank top and booty pajama shorts. Hey, it gets hot at night in California. She opened the door to come face to face with Rooster. "Hey," he called, voice tight from nerves. "Hi," she smiled sweetly "Please come in." "No I want to make this quick and easy," he said and she walked back to the door. "Look, I am sorry for what I said today. I shouldn't have yelled," Y/n smiles to herself. "It's ok. I just wish you weren't so close to judging Maverick. There might have been a reason he pulled your papers?" she tried to coax him. "Did your dad know?" he asked. Y/n sighed, shaking her head. "Why? I mean how? Maverick and your dad are practically best friends." "Because it was right around the time he first got diagnosed!" Y/n raised her voice. The silence grew between the two pilots.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come over," he mumbled. "No wait, I'm sorry. I yelled when I should not have. Look are you sure you don't want to come inside? I've got a 6-pack and pretty cool Tv show on," Y/n flirted. Rooster turned around "Oh and Phoenix is on her way with Pizza." Rooster rolled his eyes. "Fine, but only because I can never say no to a beer, pizza night." Y/n chuckled as Rooster walked in. "So tell me, what is retirement really like?" he asked and Y/n sighed, handing him a bottle from the fridge. "So far, never-ending online shopping, going to karaoke nights at Pennies bar, and driving your sibling everywhere because you are their personal taxi driver." Rooster laughed as Y/n placed a bowl of chips down as well. "Where have you been?" Y/n asked sitting next to him "I've kinda been all over. Made sure to see my parents' sight a few times. When my mom got sick, she made me promise I would go to her sight at least once a month and plant new flowers. I've been going for as long as I can remember I have."

"I am so sorry Rooster. Who did you stay with after she was gone?" "Anyone that would let me." he admitted eyes shifting from the table and his feet "Friends, cousins, hell sometimes I would stay with teachers. Once I was 18 and didn't get into navel school, I just worked. Did some basic collage classes. Got a small apparent in Orange County. Until I could go in." Y/n watched him very carefully. He was hurt and she could tell. "I really am sorry, Rooster. I never thought about that." she mumbled "Nah, it's no big deal. Now I'm at the age to do whatever I want." Now the two were face to face. "Like what?" She whispered "Anything. Buy a house, get a dog," he swallowed thickly "Get married." A breath escaped Y/n's mouth. Their eyes lock and a peaceful silence grows. Rooster leans in a little. But a door opening broke the couple apart. "Hey, Rooster. I didn't know you were gonna be here, I would have gotten another pizza and more face masks." Both girls chuckled as Rooster shook his head. "I'm sure we'll be ok," Y/n said, moving to the kitchen to grab plates and napkins. "And you two are sure that I'm not intruding?" "Rooster just sit down and have a drink." 

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After an entire pizza was gone and Phoenix was asleep. "I think I should head out," Rooster whispered. Y/n nodded. "Wasn't she awake like 5 minutes ago?" he asked. Y/n stood up and chuckled "I don't know how, but this girl can fall asleep anywhere," Y/n through Roosters boots at him gently. He smiled as she retreated to her room to grab her jacket. "Going somewhere?" he asked, seeing more than a jacket. "Yeah, I'm walking you out." Once his boots were all tied up, Rooster grabbed his jacket and Y/n followed behind him. She glanced at her phone. "Hope we don't regret this later on." "What do you mean?" Rooster asked making his way to his keep. "Well it is almost 1 am, and we still have to train for this mission we know nothing about." "Yeah, you would think Maverick would tell us a little bit more. But it was just the first day." Y/n chuckled and watched Rooster climb in his jeep. "Well, tonight was fun," he sighed. "Well, I'm glad you decided to stay." "Daggers?" he started looking into her eyes "Yeah?" He paused. Should he complement her, should he kiss her. "Good flying." Shit. Did he really just say that.

But Y/n blushed. "Thank you. You too." She walked away and turned back to him. "Rooster! Text me when you get home, you had a few extras tonight. I wanna make sure you actually make it home." Rooster smiled and started his car. Driving off into the warm California night, Rooster looked to his mirrors to still see her there. Y/n watched him drive off. 'No, you can't be doing that! You need more time. It's only been a few years Ghost.' Y/n sighed and walked back into the house. She walked past the sleeping Phoenix. Y/n smiled and walked into Phoenix's room. She grabbed a thin blanket from the floor and placed it on Phoenix's sleeping figure. Y/n walked into her room and sat down on her bed. "Oh god, Ghost, what are you doing to me?" she teared up. Suddenly her phone rings. With shaking hands, she picks it up. 'Just made it home. Thanks for a really fun night.' It was Rooster. As tears spilled from her eyes, Y/n looked up at the sky. "Is this a sign? From you Ghost?" she asked quietly "Dad always says to move on, but I can't. And if this is your sign to move on, I'm sorry but I don't know how!" Y/n looked down at her phone and typed out 'Glad your home, I'll see you tomorrow.' And looked back up through her window. And she let a small smile spread. "I am ready." She mumbles and laid down.