𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐱𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫

❝ 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 ❞











































✈ ✈ ✈



A PARTY FOR AVIATORS OF FIGTHERTOWN, USA, MEANT A PARTY AT THE HARD DECK.

Everyone had gone home the next morning when they reached North Island, saying that they needed a day's worth of sleep before they stepped out to celebrate. By sunset, they'd slowly started to seep into the crowd of the Hard Deck, waiting for the others to arrive before they ordered themselves something to drink.

Faith and Natasha were the last ones to arrive, as they walked in together with their hands wrapped around each other's hand. Faith wore a black, one shoulder off sleeveless cropped top, which rode up the perfect amount to show off her abs, and wide-legged blue jeans. her brown leather jacket was in her hands with her purse as she walked beside Natasha towards the pool table where the rest had gathered, baring one.

On the way here, Natasha had made Faith pinky-promise to tell her how she felt about him. Faith had shook her head with wide eyes, telling the younger woman how much of a reckless idea it was. Natasha just smacked the woman's head in the back, giving her extreme details about how they both looked at each other like they were so in love with each other, or the way they showed clear affection for each other, no matter where they were. That still did not convince Faith. Then Natasha brought forward the talk Faith had with Sarah the night before Carole's funeral.

Faith shut up after that.

Jake, Javy, Natasha and Faith engaged in a game of pool while they waited for that one person to arrive. The green-eyed blonde was practically stomping his foot in annoyance at the way Faith was scoring nets one after the other. Natasha and the others could barely hold in their laughter at Jake's antics.

Fifteen minutes later, Bradley had finally entered the Hard Deck, aviators perched on his nose top, clad in a black Hawaiian shirt with white leaves on it. The shirt was open, and he wore a white tank-top underneath it as he paired the shirt with light blue jeans.

Natasha had to bump Faith with her cue stick to make her stop staring at Bradley.

Oh, yeah, she was down deep.

Bradley comes around the pool table, wrapping an arm around Faith's shoulder as he pulls her into his side. The brunette has to remind herself to take a breath. She wraps an arm around his back as she hugs his side. He presses a quick kiss on her forehead in greeting. The woman leans into his touch, leaning her head against the side of his shoulder as she watches Javy take a shot, netting just one ball into the pocket.

They way the were at this very moment, the voice in Faith's head told her that this was perfect. Absolutely perfect. She didn't want this to end. She didn't want him to let go of her. She didn't want to let go of him. She wasn't ready to part ways with him. Bradley Bradshaw was someone who lit her life up like it was goddamn Christmas, the very day he entered into her life. His beautiful green-brown eyes she'd fallen for, his sweet melody of a laugh she never wished to forget. The way his hands fit perfectly into hers'. The way his lips would crinkle upwards whenever he gave her that amused smirk.

Bradley stared ahead as Natasha took the next shot, unaware of the one by his side looking at him with love of such depth, with adoration, one of a kind. Everyone whistled in amusement at the woman netting two balls into the pocket like her partner had done not so long ago. Jake's practically fuming.

The blonde steps up to line up his shot, and Faith turns her attention back to her competitor as she catches him send a smirk and wink his way before he pushes the cue stick towards the ball. She presses a hand against Bradley's chest when he's jerking forward in Jake's direction. Two balls in the net.

Faith purses her lips, meeting Jake's eyes crinkled by the huge smile on his face. She detangles herself away from Bradley, stepping up to take her shot.

She takes a second, finding the perfect angle to score the three balls lined up into the net, when an arm wraps around her waist, and Bradley leans down against her to catch a view of the angle she'd settled for.

His hand is cold from the beer he held barely seconds ago as he brushes it up to Faith's hand on the somewhat end of the cue stick, holding her wrist as he shifts it to the side dangerously slow. The woman pays no mind to the angle he was setting her up with, turning her gaze to look at him with darkened eyes at the feeling of being so close to each other.

He looks away from the shot he'd set up, and meets her darkened gaze with his own, whispering in a rasp, "That's your shot." Faith doesn't miss the way his eyes flicker down to her lips. Bradley pulls away, his fingers sliding up her arm holding the cue stick, sending a flutter of butterflies in her stomach and a thunderous chill to slide down her back. They keep their eyes on each other, as Faith moves her wrist to take the shot.

All three balls go into the net perfectly. Her surroundings which had been drained out as she stared into the eyes of the man she'd fallen for, return back to her as Natasha cheers loudly, booing Jake as he visibly sulks in his place.

"I need a drink." Faith mutters to Natasha once she pulls away from the hug the younger woman had pulled her into. She makes her way towards the bar, where she recognizes a woman older than her, "Oh, Penny! It's been a long time, huh?" The older woman's eyes spark at the sight of Faith leaning against the counter top of the bar. "Sure has, honey! I heard you got up in the air and made three confirmed air to air kills?" Penny leans against the bar with a smirk, proud written all over her face as she places a glass of water on the counter.

Faith smiles, taking a large sip of the water in her hands, flicking a few strands of hair off her shoulder as she waves Penny off who chuckles at her. Before Faith can thank Penny for the compliment, she hears a familiar voice call out to her, "Wilson!" Hurricane.

Unwillingly, the water she'd sipped is thrown out of her mouth at the man she heard calling out her name. Faith scrambles away from the countertop to look to her side where the older man was.

Not knowing what else to do, she stands in attention, bringing her right hand to her forehead as she pressed her middle finger and index to her right brow. She mutters in extreme apology as she catches the rag Penny threw at her head, stepping forward to hand it to Hurricane who just took it and wiped off the remaining water which hadn't seeped into his clothes.

They spend several seconds helping him, before Penny brings her the beer she'd ordered earlier. With another mutter of sorry, Faith makes a move for the back corner where her team was, but Hurricane grabs her bicep, pulling back when she unexpectedly gives him the glare.

"Uh, I wanted to talk to you about... Well, it's more of a.. There's a team, a squadron, stationed at TOPGUN itself which I'm assembling." Her former instructor pitches the idea. Faith had been adamant about joining the Golden Warriors with Bradley, she'd even promised him.

Hurricane could see he was losing her. So, he brings up, regretfully, "I'm sorry about Ice, too."

Oh, god, Ice. Did Hurricane mention that the squad would be stationed in Fightertown istelf?

The biopsy was two days away. A complete period of forty-eight hours, and then they'd know just what exactly has him so down. Faith begins to spiral. Her promise to Bradley, the promise she'd made to not leave him, the promise to go where he was going, and that was to Oceana. To fly with him. To be with him.

"Look, Faith. Throughout training, you've been at the top. Every single day. The mission, frankly speaking, you nailed it out of the goddamn park, lieutenant. TOPGUN's not done with you yet. If you choose to accept, you could stay here, in Fightertown with your family." She's completely engrossed in the conversation now. If she left for Oceana, there was a chance she wouldn't get to meet her family as often as she would if she stayed in North Island. There was a chance she wouldn't get to be with Ice for all of his procedures. He wants her to stay, even though he won't probably say it, he needs her with him, just how she needed him.

And Bradley. She promised him. Oh god, she made a promise to him, to not ever leave him. Her mind was on him. But her heart? It stayed loyal to her family, even with the profundity of love she had for the only Bradshaw.

Faith is broken out of her thoughtful trance when Hurricane pats her on the back. "You're one of the best pilots this program has ever produced. Be sure you know where you can put your talent." With that, he leaves her alone to ponder over his words.

With her head low, and the smile on her face long gone as she thinks over Hurricane's words, Faith makes her way to the pool table. Natasha is first to notice her deflated face, placing a hand on her shoulder as she asks her what happened. Faith tells her everything when she pulls her aside. Ice's sickness, her promise to Bradley, Hurricane's pitch.

Natasha gives her one word of advice with pursed lips and eyes brutally honest, "Talk to him, Fae." The distressed woman brings her palm down her face as she breathes deeply. She finishes the full glass of beer in less than five gulps, wiping her mouth before she walks towards Bradley.

The second he turns around to meet her gaze, she falters in her position. Natasha, having seen her shoulders sink, rolls her eyes and pushes Faith forward towards Bradley. Faith grabs Bradley's forearm to steady herself as he brings his other hand around her back to steady her.

"I- I need to speak with you." Bradley gives her a smile and nod, cheerful at the thought of being alone with her and away from Hangman's stupid face. His smile drops hesitantly as he sees the deflated-ness crystal clear in her eyes.

The both of them walk towards the doors of the Hard Deck, shoes in their hands as they find a perfect spot to sit down and just talk.

Once they find a good place away from the crowd, they sit down in the sand, like they always did, thigh against thigh, leaning into each other's security and warmth.

Faith turns her face to look at Bradley with a solemn look on her face. His brows furrow as he catches a glimpse of the tear forming in her eye, how she was fidgeting with her fingers. He places a hand on her fidgeting hand, entangling his fingers with hers' as he catches her gaze, giving her a simple nod, a notion to say carry on.

It's time to tell him everything.

Faith's heart beats faster when she realizes that Bradley was drawing circles on her palm, she couldn't bear to see the betrayal in his eyes when she finally told him. So she stares at the horizon, where the navy blue water met the navy blue sky with a white sphere in the middle of them, splitting the two apart. She found it funny how the moon was just there between the sky and water. It was like her, and Bradley, right beside each other, but then there was this huge white lie she was keeping from him.

Keyword : was.

She starts off with a question, "Do you know my name, Bradley?"

Bradley lets out a scoff, "God, I hope so, what are you a spy or something?" He continues to look at her as he plays with her fingers. Faith gives him a pointed look, and he sighs, saying, "Your name is Faith Wilson."

"No."

"What- What do you mean, no?" A simple question, for which she gives him a simple response, throwing it all on his face, "My name.. is Faith Wilson-Kazansky." Bradley looks at her, his brows even more furrowed, his playing with her fingers slowly becoming hesitant.

"You remember the angel I told you about? That's Iceman. He took me in when I ran away." There's loud silence around them.

Faith decides to dump it all out, "He taught me most of what I know about flying. Screw that, he taught me literally everything I know about flying. He raised me. Bradley," she pauses, unable to continue. But Bradley stays silent, wondering just how many more things she'd kept from him. Faith's voice is low, "He's sick. They think it's cancer."

"Hurricane was here tonight." Oh, here it comes...

"He... He's assembling a team, a squadron, based right here. He wants me to lead it." The only thing she could hear was the waves crashing against the shore and progressing further towards it, extremely faint chatters from behind them.

"If I take it, I could stay here... Bradley, I could be here for Ice." He's stopped playing with her fingers, he's stopped drawing circles on her palm, he's turned his gaze away from her, he's trying to hold in a single crystalline tear Faith does not fail to notice. He knows her too well. He knows what she was going to do.

A thunderous clap hits the sky, lighting it up with white bright light.

"Bradley, you have to understan-" Faith is cut off as Bradley gets up from beside her, making his way towards the parking lot. Faith follows after him, muttering a curse under her breath as she realizes that now there was no going back or taking back. It's out. Everything's out.

They've walked further ahead from the Hard Deck, a few steps from the parking lot as she calls out for him, "Bradley, you know I can't just leave him like this! I need him, and I need to make sure he's alright." Bradley doesn't stop. Bradley doesn't turn around to flash at her his beautiful eyes.

So she makes one last try to get him to stop. "Bradley, honey, please listen to me." He's paused, dead in his tracks, a deer stuck in headlights at her words.

"No. You listen to me." He's turned around before he's spoken, and there's nothing but pure yearning in his eyes. His pupils are dilated, his jaw is clenched as he walks towards her in a couple of strides, his breath is heavy. His index points at her. He stops right before her, towering over her as she looks up at him, brows furrowed as an apology is painted across her face.

"You promised. Fae, you promised you wouldn't leave me. You promised me that you'll fly with me." His brows furrow impossibly more as he looks down at her. Slowly, Faith brings her hand to slide up his arm, stopping at his shoulders, her brows furrow down with sadness. "You have to understand, Fae, you're the only one I have now. Please." His whispers are coated with anguish, as he leans down to press his forehead against hers', closing his eyes as a tear escapes his eye. Faith brings her hand up to cup his cheek, wiping his tear with her thumb as she brushes it against his soft skin.

They stand like that, unmoving even when rain begins to pours down on them, soaking them completely. Bradley leans into her soft touch, wrapping an arm around her back as she wraps hers' along his neck. He nuzzles into the crook of her neck, hot breath against her skin. Bradley kisses a scar on her neck, bringing his other hand from her back to push a strand of hair behind her shoulder. Faith closes her eyes in bliss, her breath hitting his neck. The warmth of each other's breaths sends electricity across their spines.

Faith pulls away the tiniest bit. His lips brushed against her cheek, then the corner of her lips. She turns her head, so that his nose grazes her lips. Bradley inches away, looking into her eyes to find the very thing he'd looked at her since what seemed like forever.

Love.

Bradley leans forward hesitantly, and Faith does too, lips skimming against each others'. As soon as his lips touch hers' in a feathery touch, Bradley leans back, eyes still closed, but foreheads leant against each others' still. He moves to walk away, but Faith pulls him down as she wraps her arms around his neck, finally capturing his lips with hers. His warm fingers cradle her hot cheeks lovingly, as he moves his lips against hers'. Faith's lips part when she feels the heat of Bradley's breath mix with hers', closing his mouth around hers'. She gasps at the foreign sensation at his lips against her own, and Bradley takes the chance to run his tongue along her lips, placing several softer kisses, before he's pulling back.

His warm lips leave her swollen ones, eyes opening as she looses sense of his security around her, simply watching as he walks away from her towards his car. Her mind plays an alarm, a loud one, which yells for her to run after him, to chase him down and pull him close to her like they were seconds ago, lips locked underneath pouring rain.

But her heart? It plays a symphony, one of love and loss. One that tells her that maybe it would be better if she let him go. Her heart tells two tales, both she wanted to pursue, but the one she could follow. Staying here in North Island. The other? Bradley Bradshaw. For now, she lets him go. For now, she lets her heart break as she watches him drive farther away from her.

The warm atmosphere that had engulfed the both of them a minute ago is replaced by a stark, cold one, as she misses his touch, his lips, his laugh.

A few words and their months worth of friendship was thrown into the water. A few words of what was supposed to be a long confession breaks the friends apart. Faith felt like she'd been hit by a truck. A really big one, with endless wheels which ran over her repeatedly. Had she made a mistake? Had she shown him that she didn't love him by not choosing him? Had she broken his heart?

As Bradley drives back home, there's one thing he yearns to do, turn back and stop the car to get out and kiss Faith. But it wasn't right. And she made her choice.

The woman watches the thief of her heart drive away. There's one thing that crosses her mind as the tears stop.

One day, Bradley Bradshaw and Faith Wilson-Kazansky would find their ways back to each other. But that day wasn't one that would dawn soon. They were meant to be. Faith knew it. Bradley did too. And they'd made the move. But it just wasn't the right time for them.

It was the right person, though.

It was definitely the right person they'd fallen for, alright.









































author's note:

AND THAT'S THE END OF ACT ONE OF THE ARCHER.

writing bradley and faith's history was a beautiful experience. they're the perfect fit for each other, even though it may not be right now. they'll find their way back to each other. even if they didn't know it, they would.

bradley and faith are my babies. they're honestly, incredibly adorable.

ALSO, HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT THE FIRST KISS?? took 'em just twenty chapters, am i right?

i'm planning to launch act two probably tomorrow, though i doubt an official chapter won't be out for a couple of days, but i promise to make it soon! frankly speaking, i've already started writing for act two, and i'm absolutely here for the easy back and forth everyone shares.

thank you, so much, seriously, from the bottom of my heart, for choosing to read the archer. it means so much to me, and i promise you i will keep delivering.

please do tell how you've liked the first act and this chapter.

yours truly,

destiny <3.