#Flight Simulation Cockpit

[atom-aviation32]

Discover the Secrets of the Pilot Cockpit at First Cockpit

Introduction: The Pilot Cockpit – Your Gateway to the Skies

When aspiring pilots begin their journey, one of the first things they are introduced to is the pilot cockpit. This vital part of any aircraft is not only where the pilot controls the plane but also where critical decisions are made, ensuring safety and efficiency during every flight. At First Cockpit, we understand the immense responsibility of flying an aircraft, and our training programs focus on teaching you to master the pilot cockpit from day one.

In this blog, we’ll dive into what the pilot cockpit entails, why it’s so important, and how our First Cockpit training programs will help you gain the skills needed to navigate it confidently. Let’s take a look at the elements of the pilot cockpit and how they contribute to a successful flight experience.

What is a Pilot Cockpit?

A pilot cockpit is the area in an aircraft where the pilot controls the airplane. It houses the flight controls, navigation equipment, and instruments that allow the pilot to monitor the aircraft's performance and communicate with air traffic control. The cockpit is often referred to as the "command center" of the plane, as it is where all critical flight decisions are made.

At First Cockpit, we place a strong emphasis on training our students to become proficient in managing the cockpit. Whether you’re handling the controls or interpreting the readings from various instruments, understanding the pilot cockpit layout and its functions is a key element of your training.

The Key Components of a Pilot Cockpit

1. Flight Instruments in the Pilot Cockpit

The pilot cockpit is equipped with a variety of flight instruments that provide essential information during flight. These instruments include:

Altimeter: Measures the aircraft’s altitude.

Airspeed Indicator: Displays the speed of the aircraft.

Attitude Indicator: Shows the plane's orientation relative to the horizon.

Heading Indicator: Displays the aircraft’s direction in degrees.

Turn Coordinator: Indicates whether the aircraft is turning and the rate of turn.

At First Cockpit, our training ensures that you become adept at reading and interpreting these instruments, allowing you to make informed decisions while flying. Mastering the pilot cockpit instruments is critical for ensuring that the flight is safe and within legal flight parameters.

2. Flight Controls in the Pilot Cockpit

The pilot cockpit is where all the flight controls are located, enabling the pilot to maneuver the aircraft. The main controls include:

Yoke or Control Stick: Controls the pitch and roll of the aircraft.

Throttle: Manages engine power to control speed.

Rudder Pedals: Control yaw and assist in turning the plane.

Flaps: Used to increase lift and drag for takeoff and landing.

Effective use of these flight controls is a significant focus of our First Cockpit training programs. You will learn how to handle these controls under various conditions, which is essential for smooth flight operations.

3. Communication Systems in the Pilot Cockpit

Effective communication is a critical part of flying. The pilot cockpit includes communication systems that allow pilots to stay in contact with air traffic control (ATC) and other aircraft. These systems include:

Radio Transceivers: Used for communication with ATC and other aircraft.

Intercom Systems: Enable communication between the pilot and co-pilot or passengers.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Records all cockpit conversations for safety and legal reasons.

At First Cockpit, we emphasize communication training. Effective communication from the pilot cockpit ensures that pilots follow proper procedures and are able to manage any situation that arises during the flight.

The Importance of Mastering the Pilot Cockpit

Understanding the pilot cockpit is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, a well-versed pilot knows how to operate the aircraft under various conditions. Mastery of the pilot cockpit allows pilots to make quick, informed decisions, ensuring smooth flights in both normal and emergency situations.

At First Cockpit, we believe that a strong understanding of the pilot cockpit is key to success. Our curriculum is designed to familiarize students with every aspect of the cockpit, from controlling the flight to interpreting instruments and making safety-critical decisions.

Training at First Cockpit: Preparing You for the Pilot Cockpit

At First Cockpit, we offer specialized training that prepares you to confidently enter the pilot cockpit. Our training programs are built around real-world scenarios that teach you how to handle the flight controls, interpret instruments, and communicate effectively in the cockpit. Here’s how our training program prepares you for success in the pilot cockpit:

1. Hands-on Flight Experience

We believe that the best way to learn is through practice. Our students spend a significant amount of time in the cockpit, learning how to operate the aircraft under various conditions. Whether it’s your first flight or you’re advancing to more complex maneuvers, we ensure that you gain plenty of flight time in the pilot cockpit.

2. Ground School Training

Ground school forms the foundation of your training, where you’ll learn about aviation theory, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, and communication protocols. Understanding these concepts ensures that you’ll have the knowledge to make informed decisions once you’re inside the pilot cockpit.

3. Advanced Simulators

We incorporate flight simulators into our training program to help you practice in a realistic but risk-free environment. These simulators mimic the pilot cockpit experience, allowing you to practice maneuvers, troubleshoot problems, and respond to emergencies, all while gaining valuable experience.

Why First Cockpit’s Pilot Cockpit Training Sets You Apart

Choosing First Cockpit for your pilot cockpit training provides several key benefits that set you up for a successful aviation career:

1. Experienced Instructors

Our instructors are seasoned pilots who bring years of experience in the aviation industry. They are dedicated to helping you become proficient in the pilot cockpit and providing you with the guidance needed to succeed.

2. State-of-the-Art Equipment

At First Cockpit, we use the latest aircraft and simulators to ensure you train with top-notch equipment. This helps you become familiar with modern cockpits and prepares you for real-world flying.

3. Career Support

We don’t just teach you to fly; we help you launch your aviation career. With job placement assistance and career counseling, First Cockpit ensures you’re ready to take off and succeed in the aviation industry.

Conclusion: Master the Pilot Cockpit with First Cockpit

The pilot cockpit is where your aviation journey truly begins. With the right training, you can gain the confidence and skills needed to control an aircraft and navigate the skies safely. At First Cockpit, we provide comprehensive training that covers every aspect of the pilot cockpit, from flight controls to communication systems, ensuring you are fully prepared for your career as a pilot.

Start your training today and discover how First Cockpit can help you master the pilot cockpit and take your first steps toward a rewarding aviation career.

[transhuman-priestess]

It's been a stressful week, so i'm cruising across the Atlantic to relax

[ladypilotuniform]

Flight simulation tests - adopt crash positions!

[ratatatastic]

baby boy excitedly looking out the metal flying death trap with miss silver in his arms...

[networkthoughts]

Experiencing the Made in India flight simulator

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – Leonardo da Vinci This quote sums up what every aviation geek goes through during the phase from getting introduced to aviation to getting hooked to it completely. From seeing the plane in the sky to seeing the ground from the sky and…

[flight-sim-world]

Flight Simulator 2020 - City Update IV, Geneva from cockpit

[missdc10-avgeek]

V1, Rotate!!!

This is my secondary blog dedicated to all things Aviation.

My interest in Planes has been relatively recent, before 2020 I was terrified of flying!! After spending most of the Pandemic Lockdowns watching Aircrash Investigation, my fear of flying was cured and I became an Aviation Geek and hopeless lover of the Macdonnell Douglas DC-10

I am making this blog a space to share my Plane Spotting, Flight Experiences, bothering cockpits of all kinds and making a disaster of playing Microsoft Flight Sim 2020

As well as the history and aesthetic of Commercial Aviation, the Air Disasters that grabbed my fascination and of course...

Just how much I love the DC-10 😁

Seat belts on, seats in the upright position and tray-tables stowed, get ready for Takeoff 🛫

[incorrectclassicbookquotes]

"Some teachers express concern that giving students a second chance might be unfair and that “life isn’t like that.” They point out that that a surgeon doesn’t get a second chance to perform an operation successfully and a pilot doesn’t get a second chance to land a jumbo jet safely. Because of the very high stakes involved, each must get it right the first time."

"But how did these highly skilled professionals learn their craft? The first operation performed by that surgeon was on a cadaver—a situation that allows a lot of latitude for mistakes. Similarly, the pilot spent many hours in a flight simulator before ever attempting a landing from the cockpit. Such experiences allowed them to learn from their mistakes and to improve their performance. Similar instructional techniques are used in nearly every professional endeavor. Only in schools do student face the prospect of one-shot, door-die assessments, with no chance to demonstrate what they learned from previous mistakes."

These are two paragraphs in one of my papers and it's so true. These old-fashioned teachers try to use the "surgeons and pilots can't try again excuse" but forget that surgeons and pilots don't go into it doing it the first time. In fact, I'd be very afraid if I was getting surgery and the surgeon had never practiced once or if I was on a plane where the pilot had never once practiced.

[umlewis]

From the Racetrack To Space: IWC Schaffhausen and the Polaris Program Give Lewis Hamilton Astronaut Flight Training

Schaffhausen/Qatar, 26th November 2024: In a compelling new short movie produced by IWC Schaffhausen, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team driver Lewis Hamilton embarks on a flight training for astronauts. The same training was used to prepare the crews of the Inspiration 4 and Polaris Dawn commercial human spaceflight missions. During the training day, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion and IWC brand ambassador was accompanied by students from Dibia DREAM, a non-profit organisation fostering STEM education. Their presence is also a reminder of Lewis Hamilton's own incredible career journey spanning more than three decades and sends an inspiring message: you can be anything you want in life – a pilot on the racetrack, in the air or even in space.

One of the most successful racing drivers of all time, Lewis Hamilton is a multifaceted personality whose interests and ambitions extend far beyond his sport. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is deeply fascinated by space and human space exploration. He has visited renowned space training facilities and repeatedly expressed his desire to take part in a space mission in the future if it serves a purpose and contributes to the betterment of all humanity. IWC Schaffhausen now teamed up with the Polaris Program and its Philanthropy Director and instructor pilot, John "Slick" Baum, to offer Lewis Hamilton an opportunity to experience the flight training that is part of the organization's programme of preparing astronauts for space. The Polaris Program, which is supported by IWC, recently completed the first of three human spaceflight missions. During their five days in orbit, the Polaris Dawn crew wrote history by successfully performing the first commercial spacewalk.

FLIGHT TRAINING IS ESSENTIAL FOR ASTRONAUTS

Fighter jet training has been at the heart of human spaceflight since the beginning. All early astronauts were fighter jet pilots, and experience in piloting a jet was an essential requirement for going to space. Flight training was also a key pillar in the preparation of the Inspiration 4 and Polaris Dawn crews for their missions. While the g-loads experienced in a jet or a rocket cannot be directly compared, as they affect the body in different ways, jet training still offers compelling benefits for astronauts. Most importantly, it allows the crew members to familiarise themselves with operating in a high-risk and high-consequence environment, similar to what they would experience during launch. While they are pressed down into their seats by several times their own body weight, they have to communicate with each other, go through extensive technical checklists, and monitor critical flight parameters – all while being mentally aware of their surroundings and prepared to act in case something unexpected should happen.

A COMPLETE SEQUENCE OF TRAINING MANOEUVRES

Lewis Hamilton's space training kicked off with an extensive briefing and inspection of the L-39 Albatros jet. John "Slick" Baum gave Hamilton a detailed overview of the manoeuvres they would fly and how they simulate different situations an astronaut experiences during a spaceflight. During their subsequent discovery flight lasting almost one hour, Hamilton and his instructor performed a series of manoeuvres. They practiced accelerations and decelerations to experience lateral g-forces, simulating the ascent of a rocket. They also practiced higher g-loads by banking or pitching the aircraft hard. A highlight was flying a parabola figure for a zero-g demonstration, during which Hamilton briefly experienced the feeling of weightlessness. A racing glove, which eventually began to float freely in the cockpit, was used as a zero-g indicator. In flight, the F1 pilot pulled a maximum of 7.5 g, which is more than astronauts typically experience on ascent. Hamilton wore a dedicated race suit featuring a "space mission" patch with his car number 44. He will wear the same suit during this weekend's race at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.

DIBIA DREAM STUDENTS SEND A POWERFUL MESSAGE

The training was also attended by a group of students from Dibia DREAM. This nonprofit organisation sparks social change through STEM education and recreational activities for underserved youth and has impacted the lives of 40,000 students across 32 states and twelve countries. The students spent the entire day engaging in a variety of activities related to space exploration. They also got a chance to meet with Hamilton and ask him questions prior to take-off. Their presence served as a powerful reminder of Hamilton's incredible journey, from his humble beginnings in karting at the age of eight to becoming one of the most acclaimed drivers in the history of motorsport. As the students cheered alongside the runway, they sent an uplifting message to youths around the world: you can be anything you want in life – whether it is a racing driver, a pilot, or even an astronaut.

[typewritingyip]

Arcturus Two

Masterlist

—

Logs: Pilot 2672

Name: Clifford Rothschild

Callsign: Cliffjumper

Cliffjumper was originally from New York state, a graduate of Cornell, and spent most of his life among the vastly intelligent and wealthy. When the pilot program was first announced he and several friends of his applied as a joke, not anticipating selection or later compatibility. Out of the twelve of them who applied, three were found compatible and one died within a year of being a pilot. He went to work for Mecha as a favor to an old friend, knowing several of the scientists and engineers on staff. Fairly young in the program, but always wanting to know and learn more he volunteered for the Arcturus Program. Pilot 2672; single, no children, mother and father reside in upstate New York, fourth son of eight children, applicable for Arcturus mission.

One Year Till Arcturus Two Launch

Pilot 2672 was sent to intermediate training for his solo mission to collect data and information on the enemy past our atmosphere, he will spend the next year preparing for the mission and the last six months working with NASA as well as other space agencies to prepare for the trip. He enters isolation three months from today to prepare him for his extended isolation. As of the moment, he states he’s enthusiastic about the venture and quotes, “looks forward to seeing space.” Logs will be filled at specific intervals to keep files updated on pilot and mech suits condition, limited classified information will be added and later redacted at time of release. Each log will end with a status of information and condition.

Two Weeks Post Arcturus One Launch

Pilot 2672’s timeline has been expedited in the recent loss of contact with Arcturus One, them being unable to launch the relay satellite before going offline. Their control is <REDACTED>. He is to enter isolation immediately, to enter training with NASA along with the various other agencies immediately, all contact with the pilot will be remote from this moment on in preparation for his departure. His mech has been moved into R&D and taken off the duty roster. Pilot 12437, name Stacey Rivers, callsign Slipstream is re-assigned to 2672’s coastal region, moved off suspension. Launch date remains the same temporarily. Loss of Arcturus One remains in Mecha’s systems, do not release to the public. Information expected, condition atypical.

Nine Months Till Launch

Pilot 2672 is displaying mild signs of distress, attempting more conversation than permitted with <REACTED> who is unauthorized staff. Mech upgrade is 27% complete, exterior plating upgraded for sub-zero temperatures with the average temperature for space calibrated and oxygen tanks installed. Multiple staff are being authorized for a mental health check of pilot, clearances required. Pilot of Arcturus Two continues to ask about pilots of Arcturus One, maintaining public response and clarifying classification status. If his condition continues to worsen, Pilot 3535 is on standby for reassignment. Information expected, condition typical.

Six Months Till Launch

Pilot 2672 is no longer displaying concerning behavior, maintaining communication with authorized specialists and unauthorized communications have ceased. Pilot 3525 deceased, removed from standby, updated Pilot 4807. Suit testing begins in one week's time, 48% complete. Preparation testing was successful and pilot is preparing for next stage, once his mech is fully upgraded he will have access to the cockpit for further needed testing. Flight simulations start in twenty four hours. Movement to location <REDACTED> necessary. Pilot still has frequent questions of Arcturus One, further limiting his status and classification. Information expected, condition typical.

Three Months Till Launch

Cliffjumper, requesting to be labeled as such in further documentation, is displaying concerning behavior and negative attitude towards authorized specialists. Time in isolation has been terminated based on medical professional guidence, still deemed safe enough to participate in the mission. Pilot 4807 removed from standby, sent back to typical assignment. Questioning of Arcturus One status remains frequent and answers remain to public information through NASA, the entire Arcturus One mission is now classified aside from limited NASA false releases. Maintains limited contact with not sanctioned personnel. Mech upgrades 76% complete, cockpit viable for further testing. Pilot undergoing updates to installed tech, projected integration time; five days, sixteen hours, and thirty-seven minutes. Information expected, condition typical.

One Month Till Launch

Cliffjumper seemingly has returned to typical status, no longer acting out nor asking about Arcturus One mission. Integration procedures were successful, limited information in file on request of Dr. Shockwave citing potential copyright claims upon declassification of documents, procedure <REDACTED> was successful. Medical records sealed until pilots’ return to Earth. Pilot no longer seems hostile after an attempted assault on staff and unsanctioned personnel. Updates made to both drift compatibility technology and integrated software. Mech upgrade 97.6% complete, projected to be completed before launch date. Repaint complete with heat resistant paneling installed. Information expected, condition typical.

Launch Day

Pilot refused to speak with anyone on the day of launch, including close friends and family who he had not had recent contact with, and has limited his contact with sanctioned personnel. Did not pass drug screening for blood alcohol content night before flight, passed in morning. Negative for any narcotics. Cleared for flight day of launch by medical personnel. Mech upgrade 100% complete before launch.

Any concerns held by personnel at Mecha were not voiced nor were any formal reports written on Cliffjumper’s current status. <REDACTED> maintains, pilot prepared for launch with no further updates. Information expected, condition typical.

Two Weeks Post Launch

Nominal readings, data remains consistent, anticipation of loss of contact remained till several hours after typical loss. Pilot regained optimism after that point, remaining in contact for an extended period and requested communication with sanctioned personnel. Mech suit remaining stable and data flow continues to what is supposed to be a typical level. Communications remain stable and pilot seems enthusiastic, speaking of <REDACTED> over the comms. Information unexpected, condition atypical. Status: Active

Three Months Post Launch

Pilot vitals, typical. Mech suit data, typical. Communications, stable. Information expected, condition typical. Status: Active

Six Months Post Launch

Communication with Pilot 2672, Cliffjumper, has been lost. Last known location, <REDACTED>. Information released by NASA to the public before Mecha could alter information. Public remain unaware of loss of Arcturus One, family received stipend to remain silent on loss of pilot. Public funeral will be broadcast at six pm local time. Cliffjumper logged as MIA, last known coordinated logged and data being received remains under review. Status: Unknown.

Logged data of Arcturus Two archived and closed, remarked to classified status and further redactions needed. Government assistance requested and awaiting approval. Signed off on by coordinator, Pilot 2162 of South East Coastal Region. Confirmed by department lead, <REDACTED>.

—

New File: Arcturus Three

Logs: Pilots 3141, 6986, and 17741; Medical Advisor Requested

Name(s): <REDACTED>

Callsign(s): <REDACTED>

Two and a half years away from the launch of Arcturus Three, pilots maintain current statuses and are unaware of results of Arcturus One.

———

A/N:

I don’t think I can actually begin to describe how much of a pain writing this was. I don’t know why, I loved the idea when I first thought about it but man, I will not write another one like this for a while.

Part Eleven will be out in the next few days hopefully, I haven’t had much time to work on it.

I’m so thankful for all the support I’ve been getting on the Arcturus missions, it means so much to me.

Tags!

@lunarlei68 @whirlywhirlygig @loop-hole-319 @pixillandjester @alek-the-witch @not-a-moose-in-disguise @goddessofwind8water @neurologicalglitch @dersereblogger @pixel-transformers @mrcrayonofdoom @wireplaces @twilightfreefaller @original-blog-name-2 @devilangel657 @robbin-u @childofprimus @miniartistme @starwold @tea-enthusiasm @valeexpris606 @celticdoggo @bird599

And once again thank you to @keferon for this amazing AU

[h50europe]

Some funny know it all doesn't believe dear Tommy could be part of saving Athena. I did a little write up.

Pilot's daughter heads up. How do pilots train flying an airliner? Imagine, Boeing has so-called flight simulators of different plane types and models. Let's say Athena's plane is a 747, there is a flight simulator with the exact same cockpit. If B*die edits weren't the only thing you watch, you'd know videos/movies, where pilots sit in these simulators and talk civilians with no clue through the process of flying a plane. They go through it step by step while simulating the situation on the ground. You can simulate anything, weather, daytime, nighttime, instrument failures, even a plane crash. Meanwhile you have flight simulators for Xbox or PlayStation. But I go with the real ones. The basic instruments are the same in every plane. Like altitude, speed, horizon. Plus there is also the autopilot you can use, if working. Landing nowadays is mostly fully automated. So yes, Tommy sitting in one of these, supervising Athena is a thing. And that is only one scenario out of many for 8.02+03. You can also fly parallel to the airliner and talk her through, or sit in the tower with a manual of the airliner... Anything is possible in 9-1-1. And no, I don't do videos. I prefer old-school writing.

[vintagerpg]

This is Ace of Aces: WWI Air Combat Game (1980). This is the very first one, called Handy Rotary Series for reasons I don’t quite understand, as it isn’t a series. Maybe it refers to the planes.

Ace of Aces is a genius idea. It’s a box containing two books, one for the Ally plane, one for the German plane. Each book contains a mind-boggling number of illustrations of a cockpit from a first-person perspective (always locked on the enemy plane) and, by calling out the numbers at the bottom, you “perform” dogfight maneuvers. And that’s basically it — use the books to fly around and try to shoot the other player out of the sky. A two-player analog flight simulator.

This thing astounds me. Like the design of it. It is so brilliant and cumbersome at the same time. I can’t imagine the work that went into this. It’s so cool! I will probably never play it!

This is the first product by Nova Games, who would go on to produce the Lost Worlds series of one-on-one fantasy combat gamebooks in the same vein. The form would be periodically imitated by other game makers — West End knocked off both versions in a Luke vs. Vader lightsaber dueling game and an X-Wing vs. TIE fighter dogfighter.AceofAces

[disparition]

ok i don’t know where else to brag about this nerdy shit lol

i’ve been reading one of antoine de saint-exupéry’s memoirs and decided to try recreating the first leg of his first mail route in microsoft flight simulator. toulouse to barcelona. i even bought a nicely modeled 3rd party nieuport from the early 20’s so that it would be fairly close to what he flew in the period. i didn’t look at any maps, i just used the compass in the virtual cockpit and my general sense of direction and knowledge of the region. and you know what i flew over the pyrenees and came down a river valley on the other side and it ended up pointed exactly at the barcelona airport! i was honestly surprised how dead on i managed to be without consulting a map even once on the trip

of course, it was clear weather the entire way i didn’t have to deal with storms or winter like he did, i’ll try that next

[thegingerwrites]

i'd wanna be next to you

obikin, pre-relationship flying lessons, lots of fluff,

This is a warm up that has been sitting in my drafts for a while, slowly getting out of hand 😅 Here is Obi-Wan and Anakin learning to fly together just before the start of the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan is learning to see Anakin as a partner and a friend and Anakin learns that his former master cares more for him than he realized.

Also on AO3 here.

"Wait, you want to fly? With me?" Anakin asks.

"Essentially, yes."

"The Council's asking you to fly with me?"

Obi-Wan shakes his head. "Not exactly. We skipped over most of the flight exercises in your training because you had already proven your proficiency. With the coming war, the Council has asked both of us to put some time in on the new fighters. I thought we could go together."

"Even though you're not technically my master anymore."

Anakin doesn't mean the words to hurt, it's more of an observation than anything. A reminder, to both of them, that things have changed.

"Perhaps you can teach me a thing or two.”

Anakin grins.

After obtaining the proper clearances, Obi-Wan and Anakin head up into Coruscant's upper atmo in the new Aethersprite starfighters. Anakin has flown ships during his training, he has flown nearly every mission he and Obi-Wan have been on over the course of his training, but it has been a long time since he's flown something like this. The Aethersprite is sleek, streamlined. It isn't built for cargo or long-haul trips. It is made for speed, stealth, precision. The craft fits around him like it was made for him and Anakin can't wait to see what makes it tick.

"I thought we could run some simulations, work on some new formations," suggests Obi-Wan. "Eventually, we might be able to teach them to the clones."

His voice comes through Anakin's headset slightly tinny and distorted but Anakin can hear him almost amplified through the Force. It's like Obi-Wan is here in the cockpit with him.

"Sounds like a plan, Master," Anakin agrees. "But let's put these fighters through their paces first."

With those words as the barest of warnings, Anakin gives the signal to Artoo and they press the engines as hard as they can go. He leaves Obi-Wan in less than a second, quickly disappearing from view. They're too close to Coruscant to fly near anything interesting. No Beggars Canyon and the like to test the craft's maneuverability but there are ships out here, star destroyers awaiting orders and crew members. They're stationed too far above the surface of the planet to be seen. On the streets of Coruscant, you could almost forget that the Republic has just entered a war.

Anakin heads for one of them. So what if there are likely new regulations about airspace? This is a new galaxy. Anakin is a general. Surely he can still fly wherever he wants so long as he is too fast to be caught. And in this baby? He isn't sure anyone can catch him.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan says over their comms. "Are you quite finished messing around yet?"

He can't see Obi-Wan, wonders if his master can see him or at least track his general direction using his scanners or the Force. Anakin flies in close to the viewports on the stern of the star destroyer, so close he thinks he can see clone troopers marching inside.

"I haven't even started."

He loops around the ship. Artoo picks up a couple of nasty comms but quickly dismisses them, sending their clearance codes and little else, before heading off on their way. They pass a squadron of fighters sent out on a training bout, the same thing that Anakin and Obi-Wan are out here doing really, only far less amused by pilots going rogue.

Eventually, Obi-Wan finds him and they circle up on each other, flying a steady path in orbit around Coruscant.

"Why did you want to fly anyway?" Anakin asks over the comms. He's grinning and breathless, just from the sheer exhilaration of being in the cockpit of something so fast again. He has done some podracing on the lower levels in his time as a padawan, but while the narrow streets provide a heady rush of excitement and danger, there's something about being able to fully turn the engines loose in the wide expanse of space. "You hate flying."

"I wanted to test out the new Aethersprites, get a sense of their capabilities before they become the standard ship for Jedi in this war."

Anakin runs his hands over the steering controls of his ship. "You mean we're going to be assigned these ships?"

"The Council signed off on the decision a few days ago."

Obi-Wan has them make several passes in tandem. They fly near the star destroyers, as it's easier to perform maneuvers with a point of reference in common. They work on flying as close together as possible, wings mere inches from each other. When Anakin pushes his fighter harder, Obi-Wan does the same, feeling the instincts of the other through the Force.

They work on fighter passes, running drills as though they are enemy combatants. From parsecs apart, they come at each other and separate in the blink of an eye with a hairsbreadth between them. The precision and timing, the anticipation of it, lights something up inside Anakin.

"Okay," Anakin says, coming back around again. "Let's form up and try something like this."

He doesn't have the words for it, just projects a mental image of the maneuver he has in mind to Obi-Wan. Anakin is good at this, exceptional and he knows it, but Obi-Wan is right, he doesn't have the formal training some of the other Jedi and the clones will have. It isn't either of their faults really. Anakin's skills were going to be more than good enough for the life of a Jedi. No one anticipated the need to learn military flight maneuvers.

"Why would we ever need to do something like that?" Obi-Wan asks, joining Anakin off of his port side, close enough that without the void of space, Anakin could probably hear his voice in the cockpit.

Anakin shrugs. "Spinning's a good trick."

In his mind’s eye, he can see Obi-Wan shaking his head. There's a smile on his face though. It's a foregone conclusion that they'll at least give Anakin's idea a try.

“Fine,” Obi-Wan concedes. The line their two ships up on each other’s wings, Anakin on the left and Obi-Wan on the right. The wingtips are mere inches apart, so close it sends a thrill through Anakin even though flying in a straight line is something a droid can do. “On my mark. Three…two…”

At the signal, Anakin maneuvers his ship into a roll at speed in time with Obi-Wan. The feeling of perfect synchronicity sings through him in the Force. The durasteel bodies of their ships nearly kiss with how close they are but because Anakin can feel Obi-Wan—so connected to him even with space and speed and transparisteel to separate them—it’s like Anakin can hear Obi-Wan’s heart beating in his chest. Amplified, perhaps, because it beats in time with his own.

They ease out of the movement together, their ships once again aligned wing to wing. “Woohoo!” Anakin shouts and Obi-Wan’s laugh crackles over the headset.

“Again?” Obi-Wan asks and with that they are off, tumbling through space in a series of spirals and turns, ever increasing in their difficulty and flamboyancy. There is no reason anyone would ever need to fly like this. Anakin and Obi-Wan race past each other and past the fleet ships stationed in orbit around Coruscant at breakneck speeds, pushing their ships to their utter limits and getting a feel for what they can really do. Anakin’s Aethersprite feels like an extension of his body, in a way that he has ached for, for years.

They race to a planet not far from Coruscant where the Grand Army of the Republic has established their barracks and dockyards. Coruscant itself is far too populated to accommodate the airspace and acreage on the ground for an army base and so the GAR has had to spread out into the system.

The two of them dip their fighters into atmo and Anakin feels his ship automatically adjust to the planet’s gravity. The transition is almost seamless but the new weight gives him a greater sense of his speed.

Flying like this gets Anakin’s heart racing. While he loves the acrobatics of space flight, nothing beats the adrenaline rush that comes from navigating tougher conditions. Here when they fly wing to wing, they have to account for wind and weather. When they bank their turns or maneuver their ships into a dive or a climb, they have to fight the pull of gravity that wants to knock them off course.

At first, Obi-Wan is more hesitant, using his skill to face off against the unseen and as yet unknown enemy of g-force, but he gets his bearings soon enough. He calls out formations and positions, getting them both used to the kinds of call signs they are going to need to communicate with their men. Some of it is familiar, from basic flight training, but the rest of it is new. Anakin struggles to imagine a scenario in which he is going to need to execute a “hesitation roll” or a “tuck-over roll” but he learns them anyway. He and Obi-Wan begin building longer maneuvers out of those composite positions and a thread of amusement sparks across their bond as they begin calling out commands and positions, testing their reaction time and synchronicity.

When their Aethersprites line up wing-to-wing, the Force sings with how right it feels.

They fly for hours, feeding off of each other’s energy—Anakin, almost dizzy with the sheer delight of speed and swiftness after going so long without, and Obi-Wan, flush with the challenge of keeping up with him, the puzzle of figuring out just how far and fast these machines can go.

When they finally touch back down at the Temple, Anakin leaps from his cockpit breathless and grinning. The longer bangs of his grown-out padawan cut stick to his forehead a little with sweat. He is there on the ground waiting when Obi-Wan climbs out of his starfighter.

“That was incredible,” Anakin says, bouncing a little on the balls of his feet. “It’s been ages since I’ve flown like that and you—”

Anakin has flown with Obi-Wan before, watched him navigate strange planets and asteroid fields and Coruscanti traffic. He has never seen Obi-Wan fly like that before.

“You were amazing,” Anakin continues. “Where did—how did you—?”

The questions cling to his tongue but he has no way of asking them. No way of reconciling the exhilaration of flying with his master only moments ago with the person who tries to obey speed limits even when running for their lives.

But when he looks at his master, senses what little he allows to escape his shields, Anakin sees that he is just as exhilarated. Just as breathless and excited as Anakin, though he wears it beneath a calmer exterior.

“You loved that, didn’t you?” he asks his master instead.

“Excuse me?”

“Flying. You always get so bent out of shape whenever we fly anywhere. I thought you hated it but that’s not true, is it?”

In answer, Obi-Wan looks down and away. “I don’t hate flying, no.”

“Then why—”

“It’s easier when I do it myself. I don’t get nauseous or uneasy. Piloting the ship and knowing what is going to happen next lessens those effects somehow.”

“Oh.”

Now it’s Anakin’s turn to look somewhere else. Because if that’s the case, then why didn’t Obi-Wan ever say anything? Why let Anakin fly every mission while sitting there beside him in obvious discomfort when there was clearly a simple fix?

Anakin is about to ask—he has to know. Because he can’t come up with an explanation that makes sense. His master loves to fly. Clearly does. And yet he takes the co-pilot’s seat every mission without fail. They move into position without thinking. The roles natural to them after years of being at each other’s sides.

Obi-Wan claps Anakin on the shoulder before they make their way out of the hangar. His hand solid and steady as though to wrest control over the flight of Anakin’s emotions. “It isn’t a big deal. I manage just fine in the copilot’s seat, as you well know.”

“But you love it,” Anakin says. Perhaps the part that is most difficult for him to understand. He can’t imagine giving up flying for anyone. If he had to sit quiet in the copilot’s seat watching someone else move too slowly or treat the ship poorly, Anakin would mutiny.

“I do,” Obi-Wan admits, something Anakin never thought he would hear and yet undeniable after the flying they just did. “But not as much as I know you do.”

Anakin’s face colors and when Obi-Wan moves to leave the hangar, it takes him a second to follow.

Obi-Wan says that like it isn’t a big deal. Like it means little to him that he chooses to suffer from flight sickness even though there is an extremely simple solution, all because Anakin likes flying. Like that is the natural thing for him to do when it is anything but.

Anakin jogs a little to catch up to his old master and forces himself to let it go. Not forget—no, Anakin will think about this conversation and its repercussions for many nights to come—but move on. Because it is clear that Obi-Wan thinks there is nothing more to be said, like this should be obvious to him, and Anakin is eager to get more out of him by any means necessary. Obi-Wan has just admitted to something like caring for him, wanting to see him happy, and perhaps that should be obvious to Anakin, but he has never felt so much like he had the evidence of it there in his hands, something that he could point to until now.

The thought warms him from the inside out, makes him want to do something reckless like try to hug Obi-Wan even as it makes him want to keep his distance. Because the idea of his master being fond of him is so fragile and tenuous a concept that Anakin needs to be careful or else it might break.

Anakin and Obi-Wan walk in step, side by side, and Anakin lets their shoulders brush every now and again. When Obi-Wan doesn’t pull away, he preens and decides to change the subject.

“They fly like a dream. I mean, there are a few things I could see myself changing. The thermal oscillator would run more efficiently if the fuel cell could redirect power intermittently rather than automatically. You would get a smoother ride out of it if you never had to fully wait for it to recharge—”

Obi-Wan laughs. “You can take that up with the technicians if you like but I’m sure you’d be much happier to make the changes yourself. For all intents and purposes, she’s all yours.”

“Wait, mine?”

“The starfighter will be stored onboard your star destroyer. You will have full discretion over its use.”

Anakin lets out a long, slow breath, forcing himself to slow down. The child in him has latched on tight to the idea of a starfighter of his very own while the adult—the <i>knight</i>—that he is falls sober at the reminder of the war ahead and all that it means for them. His blood sings at the thought of action, of taking to the skies and righting wrongs across the galaxy. At relaxing some of the strictures of the Jedi Code for the sake of saving lives.

He looks to his Master, with his eyes a little too wide, feeling for a moment like he is back in anti-gravity. Obi-Wan offers him a small close-mouthed smile and reaches out to link their hands as they walk. Even a few months ago, Anakin might have refused, might have shaken him off and insisted he no longer needed the kind of coddling he did as a youngling. But Geonosis changed everything. The galaxy is a new and terrifying place. Everything is different now. Anakin is different now.

“We have some time before all of that comes to pass. The Council wants to send us out on our first mission in a week’s time, hence the starfighter training.”

There are a number of things Anakin could latch onto in that sentence: the fact that he is going to war in a week, the fact that their hours of joyriding in new starfighters was somehow meant to be combat training. Instead, Anakin’s head rings with, “Us?”

For once, Obi-Wan looks…well, he looks a little embarrassed if Anakin had to guess at what that expression might look like on his normally composed Master. “Well, yes. Though I suppose if you want to be assigned separate missions, especially on our first time out, I could go and speak to the Council. The Force knows that there are countless battles to be fought—”

Anakin lets him keep going, staring at him like he has encountered a new kind of droid and can’t seem to figure out how it works just yet.

“But all of this is entirely foreign to both of us so I thought, at least for the first mission, it might be…beneficial to have each other close by. A team, if you will.”

Not Master and Padawan, but equals. Fellow commanders, each in charge of their own battalion of soldiers. Obi-Wan’s concern for how such a plan might be received is well-founded, so much so that even Anakin can spot from a distance just how poorly he might have taken the idea if it were presented any other way.

Except Obi-Wan has presented it to him like this, like Anakin has a choice. Like he wants this but is afraid there is a chance Anakin will turn him down. After a day spent practically inside each other’s heads and after finding out that Obi-Wan has essentially been torturing himself every time they have ever flown together all to make Anakin happy… No. There is no way that Anakin could refuse him.

But it isn’t as though Anakin is going to confess to the soft, molten feeling in his chest. “You’re just saying that because you know you’ll need me there to save your ass.”

“Just as you’ll need me there to save yours.”

Partners. Generals. Maybe even friends. Anakin could get used to this.

He grins. “Alright, old man. You’re on.”

[beyondthesefourwalls]

Return Back Home to You

Summary: Five months after the accident that took his memory from him, Bradley gets the all clear to return to the sky. He thought he would be ecstatic to get back in the air, but all he can think about is how the last time he was in a plane, he almost didn’t come home to you. When he tells you he can’t handle doing that to you again, you remind him that all you need from him is to love you and do his best to always come home, and you’d figure out the rest together. 

Word Count: 5.3K

Pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x Reader (Forgetful Boy & Pumpkin from RYEWID)

Warnings: Angst. Smut. Oral. Anxiety. Fluff. Language. 

Notes: This little (long) one shot was inspired by two requests I got during the TGM Blurb Party I hosted a few weeks ago: 

Forgetful Boy & Pumpkin. Smut. Glitter. “You liked that, huh?”  Forgetful Boy & Pumpkin. Angst. Glitter. “What do we do?” 

This takes place between Part 10 and the Epilogue of Remember You Even When I Don’t. While it's not completely necessary to read that story before reading this, it will probably make a lot more sense if you do. I hope you enjoy! 

______

Bradley gets the 100% all clear to return to his normal duties on a Friday. It’s late February, five months after his accident, and all of his scans and tests show nothing abnormal. He still doesn’t have all of his memories and there’s a chance he never will, but for all intents and purposes, he’s as healthy now as he was then. 

He’s gone through flight simulations and recertifications and the last thing he needs to actually get back in the cockpit of the brand new F-18 with his name on it is his doctor’s stamp of approval. He hadn’t let himself think that today would be the day he got it, but he holds the paperwork in his hands, the scrawling signature there in black below a recommendation to return to regular duty, declaring him fit and ready. 

All he has to do is turn it in, and it’ll be like nothing has changed. 

But really, in a lot of ways, everything has changed. Even the things that had ultimately stayed the same. He’s not the same person he was before the accident that took his memory from him, even as they slate back into place piece by disorganized piece. 

He sits in the parking lot for a long time before he finally turns the key to start the Bronco. He catches sight of the picture he has of the two of you stuck to his visor and suddenly he knows he has to make a detour before going back to base. Mav had given him three hours because Bradley had expected more tests and poking and prodding to be done, but his appointment had barely lasted an hour. He knew if anyone could help him work through the unexpected jumble of emotions he was feeling, it was you. He was regretting insisting you didn’t come with him this morning to begin with. 

He makes a quick stop on the way, grateful when he sees that you hadn’t run any expected errands and your car is still in the garage when he gets home. You’re not downstairs when he goes inside, so he’s quick to toe off his shoes and head for the stairs. He can hear music playing when he reaches the landing and breathes a sigh of relief that you aren’t on a call. He can hear you at your desk typing away at your computer and when he gets to the doorway, you have the most adorable focused look on your face. 

The sight of you still makes his heart beat a little bit faster, even as it immediately calms him, too. He hopes that never goes away.

“Hey!” you exclaim in surprise. You push your chair back and stand, immediately coming to wrap your arms around him. It’s strange that five months ago, a thick hesitation hung in the air between the two of you. Now it was second nature to press his lips to yours in greeting. “What are you doing home? How was your doctor's appointment?” 

He goes in for another kiss instead of answering you right away, and you hum against his lips in approval. 

“I brought you iced coffee,” he says, handing you the cup he had been holding that he stopped for on the way here from your favorite coffee shop. 

“Thank you,” you murmur, eyeing him as you take a sip. You set the cup down on your desk and tilted your head at him. “What’s wrong?” 

It still surprises him sometimes that you can read him so well. He’s always excelled at concealing his emotions, but you had been able to see right through him from the very beginning. He’s almost glad for it at this moment, because he had no idea how to bring it up. The anxiety that had calmed at first seeing you stirs in him again and with a deep breath, he holds the stack of papers he had received out to you. You take them with furrowed eyebrows. He watches as your eyes scan the document and knows the moment you see the recommendation by how they widen and a soft “oh” escapes you. 

“Baby,” you breathe, looking at him now, “you got the all clear?” 

He nods, suddenly feeling nervous. You’re quiet for a long moment, looking between him and the paper you’re gripping a little bit tighter now. He desperately wants to know what’s going through your head, but he keeps quiet and lets you process instead. 

“Bradley,” you finally whisper. He’s startled to see tears start to shine in your eyes even as a smile brightens your face. “This is so great.” 

The words fall out of his mouth before he can really think them through or stop them. “Is it?” 

“What do you mean? You’re healthy, baby; of course it’s great.” 

Bradley twists his wedding band on his finger as his heart starts to pound. His inner turmoil must read on his face because you set the papers down on your desk next to your coffee and step to him again, resting your hands on his chest. His wrap around you automatically in return. “What’s going through your head right now?” 

“I’m happy everything is okay,” he promises you. He would never want you to think he’s anything but grateful to still be here with you, and that’s true. 

“But?” you prompt. 

There’s a window seat in your office. It’s normally resolved for Florry when she wants a good sun spot, and it’s one that you curl up in when you can tolerate only working on one screen, or when you’ve been sitting at your desk chair for too long. He leads you over to it and you don’t hesitate to crawl into his lap when he sits. You’re patient with him as you always are and you play with the hair on the back of his head as he contemplates what he wants to say. 

“I get to fly again.” 

He’s surprised when his voice cracks. He clears his throat and breathes out heavily, picking at the soft material of your sweater. “I fought so hard to be an aviator. It was all I ever wanted. I used to hate even going a week or two without flying. This is the longest I’ve gone in over 15 years without being in the cockpit and I-I thought I’d be more excited. And I am. But I’m also…I..” 

“Scared?” you offer softly at his hesitation. He meets your eyes, his own wide and confused, and nods. With a sigh, you let your forehead rest against his. Your noses brush and he lets his dark eyes flutter shut for a moment as you center him.

“The last time I was in a plane, I almost left you,” he continues. Though he said it quietly, you flinch against him like he yelled it, and he tightens his grip on you. “I can still feel every ounce of terror that I felt when the canopy wouldn’t open. All I could think about was that we didn’t have enough time and there was still so much we needed to do together. So much that we talked about and hadn’t got to, and I was breaking my promise about growing old with you. And then I woke up in the hospital and I had no idea who you were.”

A tear slips down your cheek and he feels one drip from his eyes, too. He breathes you in slowly. “You looked so broken. And even then, when I didn’t know who you were, I knew you meant something to me. And I knew I was the reason you were hurting. I still see it in my nightmares sometimes. I’m so sorry.” 

“Baby,” you cooed, shaking your head. You removed your hands from his hair and cupped his cheeks instead, gently encouraging him to lift his eyes and look at you. “We’ve talked about this. You have nothing to be sorry for. It was an accident. And I’d do it all again for you. I’d do anything for you.”

“But what if next time it’s worse? A funeral instead of a hospital.” You gasp at his words, but Bradley presses on. “I want to fly. I do. But I don’t think I can feel that fear again. And I can’t put you through something like that, Pumpkin. I can’t.” 

The thought alone makes him shake and feel like the room is closing in on him a little bit. He wasn’t lying when he said he often sees the moment you realized he had lost his memory of you. It’s raw devastation and shock played in high definition over and over again when he closes his eyes. Even then, it had cut him deeply. You were everything to him. He knew that before, and he knew it now. Relearning everything about you and how he felt about you - really, getting to fall in love with you all over again - had reaffirmed that you were the most important thing in his life. What kind of husband would he be if he willingly risked the chance of you having to go through that all over again? And selfishly, he didn’t want to go through that again. 

He wanted to spend forever with you. 

You sigh his name and press a kiss to his lips. “I’m scared too, sweetheart. I’ve always been a little bit scared of what you do. Since the very beginning. Do you remember that?” 

He racks his brain for that particular memory, slowly nodding his head. Yes, that was something he knew. 

“I knew the risks that came along with falling in love with you, Bradley. But it never for one single moment made me hesitate. I love every single part of you, and that includes the very large part of you that includes flying and the Navy, even if it scares me a little bit. I’d never ask you to quit. I don’t want you to quit, not if it’s because it’s what you think I want. All I’ve ever asked is that you do whatever you can to make it home to me, and I know without a doubt that you will always, always do that. Right?” 

“Of course I will,” he says immediately, not even needing to think about it. 

“That’s all I need,” you tell him, brushing your lips together before pulling back so you can look at him. “I’ll support anything you do, baby. Anything, always. But I don’t want you to alter the rest of your life because of fear, or because of me. Not without at least trying first.” 

“So what do I do?” Bradley asks softly, “what do we do?” 

“I think you need to get back in that jet of yours and fly, baby. And we take it from there, together. Like we always do.” 

______

Fridays typically aren’t hop days. Still, as soon as Bradley hands him his forms, Mav offers to make an exception and get him in the sky before the end of the day, if that’s what he wants. He considers for a moment before forcing a smile and telling his godfather and Captain that they might as well just start fresh on Monday. Bradley thinks Mav can read the expression on his face and the apprehension he’s feeling, but he’s glad when he doesn’t push him on it. He reassures him that Monday is a good plan, and that if for whatever reason that didn’t work, they’d have plenty of other opportunities, too. 

He spends the rest of the day in the small closet he was assigned as an office, pretending to focus on the administrative reports he’d been working on. His conversation with you plays through his mind on a loop, and he knows you’re right. He needs to try. But even if he promised you he wouldn’t let fear dictate his decisions, he's thankful for the delay nonetheless.

As it typically does with his friends, word spreads quickly that he was given the green light to get back in the air. His phone goes off with texts in the groupchat from everyone in rapid succession, and while he strategically avoids running into anyone on base, he knows it will be short lived since you both had already agreed to meet everyone at the Hard Deck for drinks tonight. By the time he makes it back home, he’s toying with the idea of canceling so he can delay all of those interactions until Monday too. But you’re waiting for him in the kitchen in a pretty dress with your hair and makeup already done, and he’s not going to let the effort you put in go to waste. 

“I didn’t really feel like cooking,” you explain after he kisses you. “I thought we could go out for dinner before we meet up with everyone?”

“Looking as beautiful as you do, we can go anywhere you want.”

You roll your eyes, but you laugh, too, and it’s one of his favorite sounds. He kisses you again before going to take a quick shower. 

You had been talking about pizza all week, but you end up splitting two different entrees at his favorite Mexican restaurant instead, sipping on frozen margaritas and indulging on too much chips and queso. You insist that your craving changed, but he suspects you changed your mind just for him after the morning he had. He kisses you a little longer at the table than he probably should, but the lime and tequila tastes better from your lips.  

The meal passes by quicker than he likes and he has his hand on your thigh as he drives the two of you to the Hard Deck. He notices you fiddling with your ring, which has always been a nervous tick of yours. When you start sneaking glances at him, Bradley clears his throat. 

“This isn’t just drinks at the Hard Deck, is it?”

You flash him a guilty look from the passenger seat. “Nat didn’t fill me in until right before we went to dinner. They really wanted to throw a party for you to celebrate your clean bill of health. I told her to try and reel it in and that you didn’t want all that attention but…you know how they are.” 

Yes, Bradley knew exactly how his friends were. Supportive to a fault for both successes and failures, and they hadn’t been shy at telling him how they were itching to get him back in the sky ever since he started on administrative duty. 

When his silence stretched on a little too long, you spoke up again, “We can go home, baby. They’ll understand.” 

He wishes it was as easy as that. But he had promised you that he would try, and he knew his friends had good intentions with whatever they were planning. Truly, he should feel special that he had people who cared enough to do things like this for him; it still took him by surprise sometimes, considering how he had forgotten it. So with a sigh, he shakes his head and turns his palm over on your thigh. Once you intertwine your fingers with his, he squeezes lightly. 

“It’s fine. Just stick with me tonight?” 

“Always, baby.” 

______

If this was Nat’s best attempt at reeling it in, Bradley’s a little scared at what it would have been if she didn’t. There are streamers and balloons damn near everywhere, not to mention the handmade banner reading “Roosters CAN Fly” that hangs on the wall. He’s not sure how they got Penny to agree to let them decorate her bar like this on a Friday night. As soon as the two of you walk through the door, he’s greeted with yells and a round of applause, along with a confetti gun that’s shot in his direction and leaves both of you covered in glitter. He’s handed a drink before he can make too much of a fuss over it. He doesn’t let go of your hand until he has to, accepting hug after hug and congratulations after congratulations. He feels a little overwhelmed, but he’d be lying if he didn’t feel warm, too. 

“Hope you’re reading to get your ass kicked first thing Monday morning,” Jake greets him with a hard pat on his back. “You’ve been locked in that bird cage for so long, Rooster, are you sure you even remember how to climb into the plane?” 

“Fuck off,” he scoffs, “I’m still a better pilot than you.” 

Jake smirks at him widely, handing him a fresh bottle when he had run empty. Bradley doubts he’ll end up paying for a single drink tonight. “Guess we’ll see next week.” 

He clinks his bottle against his in acknowledgement. 

A lot of the night goes by just the same. Everyone is so happy for him getting this final seal of approval that he can get his old life back and so excited for him to officially be back on the squad in every sense. There’s already talk of what training course they’d run and who all would have the opportunity to get in the air with him on his first day or the rest of the week. Everyone is eager, not doubting him or his ability for a moment, and he starts feeling more of the excitement he had expected when he was handed the verdict this morning. When he meets your eyes from across the pool table, some of the tension he had felt at letting you down loosens around his heart, because you’re looking at him like you’re proud of him. He opens his arms for you and you make your way over to him without any further prompting, allowing him to hold you against him. You stay with your back against his chest for the remainder of the conversation he’s in, and for a long time after that, too. 

By the time you decide to head home, it’s a little before midnight. You’ve both had a little more to drink than anticipated, and while neither of you are drunk, you decide to grab an Uber home and plan to come get the Bronco in the morning instead. You sit in the middle of the blue Toyota Camry that had picked you up, snuggled against his side. You ghost your lips across his neck and your breath on his skin makes him tingle all over when you speak. His arm tightens around your shoulder, trying to pull you closer. 

“You looked like you ended up having a good time.”

“I did,” he confirms, keeping his voice quiet in the effort of some sort of privacy. “More than I thought I would.” 

“Do you feel better about Monday now?” you asked. You let your fingers dance across his denim covered thigh. He felt his cock stirring in his jeans at your touch. 

“I do feel better about it,” he says. He leans down so his lips brush your ear and loves how you shiver for him. “I feel great about what’s going to happen tonight, though.”

“Mmm, and what’s going on tonight?”

He knows that you’re trying to be coy. He nips at your earlobe, smirking at the small gasp you let out. He risks a glance into the front seat, but their driver is singing along to the music on the radio under his breath, completely ignoring them in the backseat. Still, Bradley lowers his voice as quietly as possible as he whispers to you, “I’m going to get you in our bed, and remind you how thankful I am for you, and how ready I am to marry you again soon. I’m going to make you come so hard that you’ll be screaming for me, Pumpkin.” 

Your nails dig into his thigh and you bite your lip to contain the moan you want to let out. In the darkness of the passing streetlights, he sees your eyes flutter shut. He had remembered quickly after your - second - first time together that you loved when he talked to you like this, and it was always guaranteed to get you going. He continues whispering all the things he wants to do to you as the driver turns into your neighborhood. When he knows your street is coming up, he dares to let the arm draped over your shoulder slip a little lower, squeezing your covered breast in the palm of his hand before flicking your nipple with his fingers. 

“And you’re going to love every second of it, sweetheart.” 

He swallows the sound you threaten to make before it can escape with a kiss. When the car slows to a stop at the end of your driveway, he thanks the driver before helping you out of the car. You’re a little wobbly on your feet at first and he knows it’s not from the alcohol. He sets a hand at the small of your back and leads you up the driveway and to the front porch. He’s anxious to get you inside and fulfill everything he said he was going to do to you. You’re a little less patient, pressing your body up against his as he searches his keys to find the one for the front door. 

“Another minute in that car and the driver would have been tipping us,” you tell him, running your hand down his chest and cupping him through his jeans. You press a kiss to his throat as you squeeze, and Bradley smirks through a groan as he finally gets the right key in the door. 

“You liked that, huh?”

You hum in agreement as you work your lips and tongue over his skin. “I like you.” 

“Just like?” he asks, mock offended as he gets the door open. You squeal when he picks you up and carries you inside, kicking it shut and locking it behind him, but never letting you even come close to falling. He holds you up right there in the entryway; your hair tickles his cheeks when it falls around him like a curtain as you look down. 

“Maybe a little more than like,” you concede with a shrug, a mischievous glint in your eyes that he loves so much. 

“What do I do to get upgraded?” 

“Take me to bed and maybe we can find out.” 

The words are barely out before he’s shifting his hold on you to have you draped over his shoulder instead. He can’t resist the playful smack to your ass he delivers, and you’re laughing as he carries you up the stairs. He narrowly avoids tripping over Florry, who is laying at the top looking at both of her parents like they’re crazy, but she scrambles away and Bradley makes it to the master bedroom without incident. 

You bounce on the mattress when he drops you down on it, immediately following behind you so you’re laid underneath him. You’re still giggling and he can’t help but laugh with you. He runs his fingers through your hair, smiling at the flecks of gold and silver that’s still there from when it was thrown over the two of you upon your arrival at the bar.

“You have glitter stuck in your hair,” he tells you. 

“What can I say baby, you make me sparkle.” 

He snorts, and he knows how unserious you are by how your laughter increases too as you pull his face to yours. “That was terrible.” 

The drinks from the night are still simmering in your system, even if the buzz has dissipated significantly from the drive home and the lust both of you are feeling. He loves how playful and carefree the two of you can be, even in the most intimate of moments. It still shakes him to his core that for a moment, he lost this feeling. But it’s made him appreciate you and all the memories you create together all the more.   

You smile against his jawline, peppering kisses along his skin until you end at his lips. “You love it.” 

“I do,” he says, very matter-of-fact, and your smile grows. “Do you? Have I been upgraded from like to love yet?” 

“You’re getting there,” you joke, raising an eyebrow in challenge and glancing down at both of your bodies, still completely covered. “You might get there faster if you get naked, though.” 

He rises from the bed to quickly strip himself of his clothes and starts trying to tug at yours at the same time. You laugh and swat at his large hands to do it yourself. He gets momentarily distracted watching you shimmy out of your dress and underwear without ever leaving the bed, but focuses on kicking his jeans away and toeing off his socks when you lay back, watching him; he never wants to keep you waiting. 

Bradley returns to the bed and kisses his way down your body once he joins you in your state of undress, spreading your legs for him so he can lay between them. He curls his arms around your thighs to hold you just the way he wants you, completely open for his enjoyment. He latches his lips around your sensitive bundle of nerves, nose brushing against the soft skin of your pelvis, and your hips raise at the sensation. Your hands take residence in his hair, effectively holding him against you. 

“Bradley.” 

He’ll never get enough of how good you taste. He alternates between long licks of your pussy and sucking on your clit. He does his best to take his time, wanting to draw out your pleasure, but he can tell you’re just as eager for him to be inside of you as he is. He reasons that he can spend the entire morning tomorrow with his head buried between your legs to make up for how quickly he’s going to make you cum now. He spells out your name with his tongue and hums against your clit and you start to tremble. Your nails scratch at his scalp and tug at his hair as you yell his name, just as he promised you that you would. 

He crawls back up your body as you come down, dragging his throbbing cock through your wetness, but not sliding into you yet. “How about now, Pumpkin?” 

“What?” 

He can’t help but smirk at the dazed look on your face, knowing he’s the one who put it there. “Do you love me?”

“Yes,” you breathe, clutching at his arms. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

Your voice breaks off as he sinks into you. You’re so tight around him, gripping him like a vice, and he gives you a moment to adjust once he bottoms out. He can feel the aftershocks of your previous orgasm still shooting through you. It’s tempting to start moving just to see you immediately go into another orgasm, but he wants to take his time with you now that he’s buried as deeply as he is. 

“Okay?” he rasps. You lean up and lick at his mustache, which he knows is coated in your wetness. He groans and falls to his forearms, pushing his body closer to yours. “Pumpkin, tell me I can move.”

“Make me scream, baby.”

Bradley pulls out almost the entire way before slamming back into you. Both of you moan at the feeling. He finds a rhythm easily, keeping his movements tantalizing slow. There is no other feeling in the world like being with you, especially like this. You’re so warm and tight around him, your walls velvety and sucking him in with every thrust. It’s like you were made just for him. 

“Please,” you whimper. At your pleading, he rolls his hips in a way that makes you keen. With little warning, he’s pounding his hips into yours. Every gasp and moan has him fucking you faster and harder, and when he knows you’re getting close, he rolls the two of you so you’re on top. You nearly choke on the moan of pleasure you let out. His fingers grip your hips tightly as you immediately begin to bounce on his cock, meeting every downward movement with an upward thrust of his own. Your nails scratch down his chest in a way he knows he’ll be able to see in the mirror tomorrow, just the way he likes it. You look so glorious above him like this. 

“Come on, baby. Scream for me.” 

Bradley gives one more targeted thrust of his hips and you do just that. His name echoes throughout the room, joining the sounds of skin slapping against skin. Your pussy clenches around him as your orgasm rocks through your body. He rolls the two of you again so that you’re beneath him and he joins you over the edge with only a few more sharp grinds of his hips. 

You shower together afterwards, washing away the sweat from your bodies and the glitter from your hair. You drop to your knees for him when he’s massaging in your conditioner for you, smiling up at him and telling him not to miss any strands before wrapping your lips around him and swallowing him down. He helps you dry it afterward as a thank you.

When you’re laying in bed, your back pressed to his chest and his face buried in your neck, he breaks the peaceful silence that had overtaken you as sleep starts to pull you in. 

“I’m always gonna try and come home to you, Pumpkin. You know that?”

You turn in his arms so you’re facing him and press a kiss to his bare chest, right above his beating heart. “I know.” 

————

Pumpkin🧡: You’re gonna do so well, sweetheart. I love you, and I’m so damn proud of you.

“You ready for this?”

Bradley stares at the text you had sent him not too long ago for another moment, memorizing every word and taking strength in them. He rubs his thumb over your contact picture at the top of the chat before locking his phone. With a deep breath, he stands from the bench he’s been sitting on in the tower. Mav is looking at him expectantly. 

“You don’t have to do this today, Bradley,” his godfather says quietly, taking his silence as hesitation. But Bradley shakes his head and reaches for his helmet bag. 

“Yes I do. I’m ready.” 

Being back in the cockpit is perhaps the most familiar thing he’s encountered in the last five months. It’s a different plane, of course, but everything is the same. He takes several deep breaths as he goes through his preflight checks and when he loads himself into the plane and the Tower clears him for takeoff, he momentarily wants to back out. But someone had the foresight to tape a picture of the two of you near his control panel, the exact one that was in his last plane, and he knows this is what he has to do. 

It’s a beautiful day for flying, not a cloud in the sky. The moment Bradley becomes airborne, he feels like a piece he didn’t even know was missing just slotted back into place. He can’t help the smile that takes over his face or the happy laughter that bursts from him. He hadn’t let himself really miss it, but just like being with you, it feels so natural being up in the air, so right. He doesn’t stop smiling the whole time he’s in the sky.

Bradley grabs his phone as soon as he’s able, your message thread still pulled up when he unlocks the device. 

Back on solid ground. I can’t wait to come home to you. I love you.

------

Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did writing it. I've missed these two so much 💚

Thanks Mak and Em for your help as always!

RYEWID Epilogue

RYEWID Masterlist

Masterlist

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[flight-sim-world]

Nimes, France from Cockpit view - Flight Simulator 2020 - City Update II