𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐢 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫

❝ 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 ❞







































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Faith was panicking.

A man had asked her out, that man being Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw. Very quickly, the pair had grown close. Extremely close. She felt like she didn't understand, did she know him for two minutes, or two whole decades?

Probably the latter part. In these past two weeks, now nearing three, the two were always by each other's side, finding a deep connection with each other. He was the sun to her sky, feeling and looking incomplete if she was alone, bare, without him. After the incident at the bar, when Bradley punched her father, she was crying, but for a second, in her head she could her the devil tell her, god, this man is hot.

Faith didn't know how she was even living without the presence of this man in her life.

And now, said beautiful man, was taking her to a carnival. Just her. With him.

Natasha, very sneakily, had disagreed to go with the two, afraid she may have to put up with the two constantly gazing into each other's eyes, smiling at each other the entire time. And she was left thinking, anytime the trio would hang out, that it was better to hang out with Hangman, the the two of them.

Faith was currently pacing in her bedroom, Natasha sat at the edge of the bed, with Hulk looking at his mother move around the room constantly, head in her hands as she would look down at the clothes sprawled out on the floor. It was nearing one in the afternoon, and Bradley would be here to pick her up to go to the carnival. Just the two of them.

Natasha was growing tired of the girl's indecisiveness. To be fair, she had already tried on three different outfits, before pulling them off and saying they looked "blegh".

"Help me, Nat! I don't know what to wear, please." Faith pleaded her, falling to her knees in front of the woman, putting her palms together, as if she was a beggar.

The other woman smacks Faith's forehead, making her snort. Faith moves to rest her head against Natasha's knees, who just sighs, putting her hands in her hair, playing with the soft curls.

"Just be you, babe. Just be you." Natasha mutters, looking down at the girl with a lop-sided smile.

"Thanks, 'Nix, that's a lot of help." Faith grumbles, shaking her head with a small smile.





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It was two.

And Bradley had just pulled up into her driveway.

Walking towards the door, he brushes a hand through his hair, making it look messy, and just perfect, with his natural curls, some pieces falling against his forehead. He was wearing his usual Hawaiian shirt unbuttoned, white tank top, full jeans, aviators covering his hazel green eyes.

Knocking on the front door, he takes one deep breath, as he hears the locks clicking open. His heart beats faster and faster with every passing second.

And there she was.

Hair down in her natural chocolate curls, tight blue jeans, a white shirt underneath a brown leather jacket. Her mother's leather jacket, callsign written at the back, multiple patches and ribbons signifying her work.

Bradley thought she had never looked prettier than today. She always looked pretty, but today, felt different. She seemed to be ethereal as she stood in front of him, gazing back at him with her charming emerald green eyes, lips pulled into a soft, welcoming smile.

Two pairs of eyes meet, two hearts beat even faster, and simultaneously pull into a similar rhythm.

Almost as if he was shaking himself out of the intense moment, he moves a step closer as she opens the door more, letting him enter inside.

"Um, you want something to drink?" Faith asks Bradley, looking on over at him. He was cowering towards her as he sees the frightening gaze of Hulk.

"Uh, Water, yeah, that's good." Bradley grabs ahold of her jacket sleeve as he hides himself behind the woman, who was about to break into a loud laugh seeing how the little kitten frightened him, a goddamn TOPGUN candidate, third in class, behind Archer and Phoenix.

"Roos, are you seriously this scared of a kitten?" She laughs as she hands him the glass of water, him taking a sip with shaking hands, still using her as a shield in front of Hulk.

Faith moves to pick the terrifying kitten up, showing him that he was actually harmless. She pulls Hulk towards her neck, letting him rest his tiny head in the crook of her neck. Faith brushes a hand down his silvery fluffy coat.

Bradley moves closer to her, towering over her, as she looks down, hiding her face in Hulk's coat, also hiding her flush as she could feel him breathing down at her.

Faith looks up into his eyes slowly, smile never leaving, and it never would, at least not around him. She softly speaks, "You wanna hold him, chicken?" letting out a chuckle, not too loud to disturb the tiny animal.

As she shuffles the kitten in her arm, and passes her baby from her arms into Bradley's, she doesn't realize how severe his gaze was, not on the fluff cloud sitting comfortably in her arms, but at her. The way she was so gentle, not only with the cat, but with Natasha, Bob, every single one of her friends. They all adored her too, even Hangman, who'd started to become like an elder brother to her.

Feeling the feathery fluff of Hulk, Bradley listens intently to her instructions, of how to properly hold Hulk, the way he likes to be held, the way he doesn't, rambling on about his likes and dislikes. He looks at her, eyes and focused on every feature on her face, they way her emerald green eyes lightened whenever she talked about her mother, Hulk, Natasha, Bob. Him.

Hulk, at first did not like the feel of being in the arms of anyone other than Faith, or Natasha, but he seemed to warm up to Bradley pretty quickly.

Maybe Hulk's realizing just how good he was. Not only for the little kitten, though.

Faith found herself inching away from her two boys to grab her phone on the counter to snap a quick picture of the two. Bradley had pulled him closer to the crook of his neck, holding him closely, and resting his head, not completely knowing it could harm him, but still holding most of it's weight. Bradley closes his eyes, feeling the soft fluff of Hulk brush against his moustache.

"Guys, I'm not feeling that well, I think I'm just gonna stay at home." A 'sick' Phoenix says from halfway down the staircase, hand curled around her stomach, unnoticeable mischievousness in her eyes.

Faith rolls her eyes at the woman. Bradley opens his eyes, looking up at Natasha with concern in his eyes, "But, I had three invites." He looks at the her, tinge of sadness in his eyes. Then he realizes, Faith and him would be alone, after days of hanging out around their friends.

"Yeah, but I'm just not feeling well. You guys go on your own. I'll go some other time." Natasha moves down the stairs towards Bradley, pulling Hulk from his hands and handing him the keys to his Bronco he kept on the kitchen counter, passing Faith her purse, and pushing the two of them out of the house.

Boy, had she had enough of the two of them making googly eyes at each other.

"You better have her home not any later than 7, Bradshaw, or I'm gonna make a chicken outta your Rooster." Phoenix utters, looking at Bradley with fire in her eyes.

"Yes Ma'am!" Bradley shoots her a quick two-finger salute.





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The two stood at the door, having just been pushed out by Phoenix.

Oh that was Phoenix, alright.

They shared a quick glance, bursting into laughter together, series of chuckles escaping.

"Well, we better get going, or god knows, angry bird's gonna start yelling at us again." Faith says, saying the last few words a little loud, making it sure Nat could hear her.

Bradley shakes his head, letting out a chuckle of his own, before moving ahead of her, rushing towards the passenger's door, opening it for Faith.

"Oh, wow, it's nice to know chivalry's not completely dead." Faith laughs, shaking her head, as she steps into the car, thanking him before pulling the door shut.

Bradley enters the car a few seconds later, shutting the door to the driver's door. "You wanna play some songs?" He asks, looking at her, eyebrows raised, his signature smirk on making an appearance.

Faith nods, "Hand me the aux, chicken." She puts her hand out, waiting for him to hand her the cord, as he rolls his eyes at her, laughing at the nickname which he was sure was not leaving any time soon.

Bradley begins to drive down the free lane, not more than two cars passing by them. This is also what made her fall in love with San Diego, at least the region near the base. It was all so quiet, and not in a haunting way, but a peaceful way. It made Faith feel like she was with him, and the family she was making at the academy made her feel as though there was something to actually live for.

Pushing the aux cord into her phone, 'Danger Zone' by Kenny Loggins starts playing. Bradley looks over at Faith with wide eyes and a huge grin on his face, "I love this song! Sing with me, Archie! "

Faith smiles before they both start singing the main lyrics, "Revvin' up your engine, listen to her howlin' roar," Faith looks at him, shaking and bobbing her head with the song, face scrunching up. Bradley looks back at her, bobbing his head too, making sure he still pays attention to the road.

"Metal under tension, beggin' you to touch and go," Faith does a little dance in the seat, Bradley echoes after the lyrics, smiling at her, singing the next bit together in an incredibly horrible tune, "highway to the danger zone, ride into the danger zone."

Yelling as loud as she could, she screamed the next lyrics, Bradley soon following her into a laugh of his own, then screamed the lyrics too, "ride into the danger zone!"





✈ ✈ ✈





A few more songs were sung, a few times the car swerved to avoid hitting another, as Bradley was too distracted by the girl sitting in his passenger's seat. She was looking heavenly in white, and that brown leather jacket of her mother seemed to fit her perfectly, and she felt perfect in it too, like she was back in her mother's arms.

They had reached the carnival, immediately hopping out of the car and buying tickets to all of the rides. They were adamant about going on the ferris wheel, and it was the first ticket they bought. Bradley had wanted to pay, as always, but today Faith stepped up, making him shove his wallet back into his pocket, thinking about all the other times he had paid for her whenever the entire squad would hang out.

The line to the ferris wheel was long, so they decided it would be better to stand at the back of the line with food to keep them entertained, than being in the middle of the line and being bored. They had grabbed a plate of nachos and hot wings to snack on.

Faith had challenged him into a contest of who could finish their plates first. And so they began. Shoving food into their mouths, the two looked as if they were starved since three days.

Faith finished first, obviously. The sides of her mouth which were covered in the barbecue sauce, burning, but that was not what she cared about at all, but the look of defeat on Bradley's face when he couldn't finish his plate first was all that she could laugh about, his lips pulled into a frown, eyes drooping down as he made a pathetic attempt at giving her the puppy dog eyes.

Controlling her laughter, she calms herself down by putting a hand on her heart, making sure it calmed down, before removing a packet of tissues, and wiping her face with it.

Faith brings the tissue in her hand up to Bradley's mouth, other hand holding onto his shoulders as support, carefully wiping away the cheesy sauce off of the side of his mouth.

As Faith does so, she feels him stiffen under her touch, and she tries to ignore his intense stare, feeling a chill run down her spine at his hot breath against her neck, eyes fixated on his lips. She pauses for the briefest seconds wondering to herself, was he always this beautiful?

He was.

So beautiful.

His auburn eyes with a tinge of sage green in them.

His lips. His lips, soft under her touch, finger brushing against them as she wipes at them one last time.

His gaze on her. Intense, but so soft, just for her.

His style of just Hawaiian shirts and white shirt underneath, either full jeans or short ones he would always wear.

His hands. His touch. Smooth, but rough at the same time.

The way her eyes were drawn to him whenever he would enter the room, or when she would step into one, she would go to him. Someone she was so comfortable with. Someone she could be so happy with.

Not more than two weeks ago, she's met him, and she's completely captivated by him. Completely enchanted.

Oh no.

No, no, no.

You're in deep, babe, Faith could practically see the huge smile on Natasha's face.

Shaking her head to pull herself out of the trance, she could feel the heat on her hips, not noticing until she had left the dazed state, his hands on her hips, pulling her the tiniest bit close. His warm breath fans onto her face, growing hotter and hotter as he leans in close.

"Hey, lovebirds! " The lady standing behind them yells at them, and the two jump apart, looking back at her.

"It's your turn, you know, there's many others waiting in line besides the two of y'all." The lady sneers to Faith, making her step back, hands ahead of her as she gives her the 'I surrender' hands, back against Bradley's front, pushing him ahead and onto the scaffold of the ferris wheel.

Bradley gives one look to the woman in front of them, before grabbing Faith's hand and pulling her into their seats on the ride, smile lighting up his face as he holds her hand tightly.

They sit quickly, before the ride operator checks the railing before shooting a quick wink and thumbs up at the two.

The ride immediately takes off fast, making Bradley yelp before grabbing onto Faith's hand for comfort. Faith looks over to him, chuckling at his expression, before pulling his other arm into her grasp, resting them against the railing, looking up at the afternoon sky.

"It looks so beautiful. It always does from up there." Faith keeps staring at the periwinkle sky with scattered clouds in it. The moon was somehow visible, in a crescent shape.

"It does, doesn't it?" Bradley asks, not at all looking to what she was, instead his gaze was fixed on her. Her eyes looked a darker emerald from the side, and her chiseled face looked softer, but sharp still. Her eyebrows had raised unknowingly, surprised at the gentle beauty of the soft blue sky. He squeezed her hand under his, making her look to him with a tender smile, eyes fixating into his.

They did nothing but smile at each other until the end of the ride.

Hazel met emerald green. Hearts synchronizing to the other's beat. She rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the little time they had left on the ride, closing her eyes in his embrace. He put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer, kissing the top her head, lost in the moment.

They had soon gotten off the ferris wheel, even though they wanted to stay a little longer in the other's embrace, moving towards the other rides they wanted to enjoy together.



✈ ✈ ✈



It was nearing 5:30 in the afternoon. The pair had gotten lost in the fun games at the carnival, but now it seemed their time together was coming to an end. They were in the parking lot, and the sky had shifted from a pale blue to an orange, amber shade.

"Hey, listen." Bradley had pulled her off to the side of his car.

They were in the parking lot, nearing sunset. She turns to him, listening at what he was saying, "I had a really great time with you, Fae, but I don't want it to end yet. What do you say, we go to the beach, watch the sunset, and then I'll drop you off?" He really wanted her to stay for a while longer.

Faith purses her lips, looking up at him. He was looking into her eyes, hopeful expression on his face, eyes pleading her to stay with him for just a bit longer, his hand softly grasping hers. She looks down at her mother's watch she had put on.

"Bradley, well," Faith looks to the side, and feels him falter the slightest bit. Immediately, she turns back, not wanting him to falter anymore, and hope spreads into his eyes.

Faith lets out a soft sigh, returning her gaze back to his, "if we wanna make it 'til sunset, we better leave right now." She chuckles softly, squeezing his hand which had tightened at the anxiety of her rejecting his offer.

Bradley smiles again, pulling her into a side-hug she gladly accepts, pushing her shoulder into his as he looks at her with nothing but joy in his eyes.

"Let me drive, though." Faith offers, pleading look in her eyes, looking up at him. His smile immediately falls, eyes widening at her request.

"Fae, after how you did me wrong when we raced to the beach, I'd rather not." He shakes his head, immediately disagreeing with the dangerous idea.

"Oh, c'mon, Bradshaw! Please, I've always wanted to drive a vintage Bronco." She looks up at him with a somehow convincing, weird puppy-dog face.

How could he ever disagree to her?

Before he could reply to her request, she threatens, eyes narrowing, "I'll tell everyone you're scared of a kitten, chicken." She smirks at him, hands folding at her chest.

Bradley gasps audibly, eyes widening at her threat, "Oh, you wouldn't!" He folds his hands too, leaning down to her face, starting a staring contest.

She narrows her eyes even more, trying to make him think that she was blinking her eyes close.

He takes the bait, blinking his eyes in a second of excitement, before he realizes that she fooled him. He groans in defeat, and she jumps in excitement, arm extending forward, asking for the keys. He looks off to the side, shaking and grumbling under his breath, before dropping the keys on her open palm.

Faith dances her happy dance, smacking the back of Bradley's head, tossing her jacket off to give to him to hold, placing her wallet into her front pocket. She sits into the driver's seat, giving him a smirk as he slips into the passenger's seat.

Bradley holds her jacket tightly, putting on his seatbelt, gazing out the window as she begins the drive. He had never sat in the passenger's seat, feeling vacant. He rubbed his eyes, feeling a rush of sudden tiredness hit him, as he leans his hand against the armrest on the door, placing his elbow on it, and face on his palm. He closes his eyes, enjoying the soft breeze.

Faith knew he was tired, so she turned off the music when she first saw his eyes shutting close. Her eyes were steady on the road, but she would occasionally sneak a few glances at him when a speedbump would hit the wheels of the car, making sure he's not waking up. She reminds herself to drive as smooth as she could, trying not to wake Bradley up from his short slumber.

In about a fifteen minute drive and nap, they had reached the beach. The roads were pretty much empty, but the beach was probably filled already. It was a Saturday after all.

Bradley wakes up from his short nap seconds after he feels the car slow down to a halt. Faith was looking through the rear-view mirror, trying to avoid hitting a car parked extremely inappropriately, muttering curses at the person who committed it.

"We're here already?" Bradley mutters, half asleep, half awake, looking over to his left. The sky was turning a burnt orange, from it's amber shade just a while ago.

"Yeah, the roads were barely filled, so we got here quick." Faith looks to him, smiling at his sleepy eyes.

"You wanna stay in the car, or get in the sand?" She asks him, eyes meeting his slowly awakening gaze.

"Let's get down." Bradley yawns, fist over his mouth, as he opens the door to step outside.

She gets down, walking with him. The beach was surprisingly not filled at all. Just a few birds on the sand, and a couple of kids in the water by the shore.

Bradley sits down on the sand, hands behind, touching the cool sand behind him, legs stretching ahead. Faith sits right down beside him, thigh against his, she pulls her knees to her chest, gazing intently at the beautiful sky.

It was a bright yellow at the very top, then a shy orange below it, burnt orange and red amber following at the bottom. The water was shaded by the various colors of the sky, making it appear as a beautiful horizon. Californian sunsets were the absolutely best. They watch as the sky painted itself with a maroon, pink hued clouds, shining out because of the sunlight fading into them.

Bradley turns his head to look at her, completely mesmerized by the sky. But he was mesmerized by only her.

Bradley drove her home in complete silence that night, multiple realizations striking him.

Would she ever want me to stay with her?

As Faith ran to her room after Bradley dropped her off that night, she closed the door, pressing her back against it, closing her eyes, seeing a pitch black.

She should have asked him to stay.





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author's note:

HELLO LOVES!

back with another chapter for my babies, guys, i adore the two so much.

currently, they're in the realization phase, understanding what they feel about each other, and how they can juggle it with their training.

next chapter, we're back to the academy, where a bunch of new scenes will come up, between brad and fae, and even the others too. next few chaps, we're gonna focus on the academy a little more, to balance out the severity of it.

stay tuned!

thank you for choosing to read THE ARCHER to read today, i'm so grateful for you guys!!

please do specify how we're feeling so far about everything!

destiny <3.