I Want Everyone To Know That This Is Me Every Time Someone Drops A Comment On Something I've Written:

“What if I write it and it’s bad-”

WHAT IF YOU WRITE IT AND ITS GOOD? WHAT IF YOU WRITE IT AND ITS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANTED? WHAT THEN????

me, a writer, at 3am: WHAT? I CANT FIND THE SPECIFIC FANFIC THAT I MADE UP IN MY MIND WITH A WHOLE PLOT AND ORIGINAL CHARACTERS??? WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE??? DO THEY EXPECT ME TO WRITE THE STORY I THOUGHT UP OF???

There’s no such thing as work-life balance for neurodivergent & chronically ill people.

This is because everything in my life requires work:

maintaining friendships

keeping up with my hygiene

managing bills

making money

remembering my basic needs

sleeping regularly

outputting creatively

All requires some aspect of work for me.

And when everything in your life requires work, your balance goes out the window.

If you're neurodivergent and overwhelmed — I see you.

If you're chronically ill and overwhelmed — I see you.

You're not dysfunctional.

You're not incapable.

You're doing your best.

By far my fave comfort fic!!❤️❤️❤️

Stay?

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x fem!reader

Word Count: 1356

Warnings: sooo self indulgent, soft Bradley, best friends to lovers, falling asleep on each other. I'm a bit touch starved. Can you tell? Should I write a fic specifically with a touch-starved reader?

A/N: Ok, I had this thought and I had to make it a reality. I also just closed on a condo, so there probably won't be another fic this weekend because I have to move all my stuff and unpack and I don't have wifi set up at my new place yet. Anyways, I had a lot of fun writing this, and I hope you all enjoy!!

“Wait, hey, you can’t take an entire pizza!” you cried foul, smacking Bradley’s hand in rebuke. 

“I can order more if there isn’t enough,” Javy offered, already picking up his phone.

“There’s plenty! I was picking it up for us to share,” Bradley defended himself, reaching for the box again. This time you let him grab it. “This is the type you want, right?”

‘I-- yeah?” In your shock, it came out as more of a question. 

He knew, somehow, just flashing you a crooked smile and a wink before turning to claim your spot on the couch. You could vaguely hear the bickering over what movie to watch going on behind you, but you couldn’t focus on anything other than that little upturn of Bradley’s lips. You would be lying if you said it didn’t make your heart flutter.

Reuben grinned, nudging you with his elbow as he got his own pizza. He was well aware of your crush on your best friend. In fact, he’d recently started pushing you to tell Bradley. You weren’t about to, but you suspected he would soon move on to intentionally putting you in positions that could force you to reveal your feelings. 

Perhaps he already had started to.

When you turned around from getting a drink for you and one for Bradley, there was only one spot left. It happened to be right next to him, but with the way everyone had crowded in, there was just enough space for you to sit pressed up against him. 

He accommodated you easily, shifting an arm around your shoulders so you fit together more comfortably. You felt your face heat up even as you leaned into him. Bradley set the pizza across both your laps and took his drink from you, seemingly unaffected.

You could have sworn Natasha winked at you before starting the movie. For now, you dismissed the thought and settled into Bradley’s side.

One and a half movies later, you were intensely cozy and full of pizza. With the warmth radiating from the aviator next to you, it was a dangerous combination. And oh it worked.

You were so sleepy, and the movie was one of your favorite comfort movies. Slowly but surely you were falling asleep. Bradley seemed unfazed by the whole thing. If anything, he was pulling you closer every time you dozed off.

The first couple of times your eyes drifted shut, you jerked back awake.

“Sorry,” you mumbled when you realized you were leaning more heavily against him.

“S’ok. Go back to sleep,” he encouraged quietly. 

If you were more awake, you might have registered the way his nose pressed into your hair. Even without really processing it, you tilted into the touch. Bradley’s mouth turned up in a gentle smile you couldn’t see as you relaxed against him again.

By the end of the movie, you were fully asleep and fully curled into his side. The other aviators gradually made their way out of his place, though Jake and Natasha handled the leftovers quietly before leaving too.

“Quit waiting around, Bradshaw,” Jake teased, standing in the doorway. “For real though, tell her and spare us all the pining.”

Bradley used the hand not passing up and down your back to flip Hangman off. Jake just chuckled and closed the door behind himself.

You were still sleeping peacefully, and Bradley debated the best way to move you to his bed. The couch was comfortable, but no couch was that comfortable. 

He shifted you carefully into his lap, then into his arms. You stirred just a little when he started walking, grumbling and pressing your face into his shirt.

“You’re ok. It’s just me, sweet girl,” he soothed.

You settled at the sound of his voice, and he swore his heart melted. If it hadn’t melted then, it certainly did when he set you on the bed and your fingers gripped his shirt, unwilling to let go. He didn’t want to release you either, but he still reached up to unclench your fingers gently. You held onto his hand instead.

“Stay?” you asked quietly. Still mostly asleep, you didn’t have the filter that normally kept you from speaking your desires.

“I have to lock up and turn the lights off.” He was trying to convince himself to pry his hand away.

“Then come back after. Please?”

“Honey, I…” he paused, trying to gather his thoughts. “Are you sure?” he asked at last.

You hummed an affirmative, twisting your face into the pillows that smelled like him. He lifted your hand to his lips, pressing a quick kiss to your knuckles.

“Ok, I’ll be back in just a minute.” You could hear the smile in his voice.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

True to his word, he was back before you had fallen completely asleep. You felt the bed dip as he slid under the covers behind you and rolled over to face him. He tugged you into his arms and you fit like you were meant to be there.

When he chuckled, the sound reverberated through you where you lay on his chest. You hummed contentedly, nuzzling into him.

“I wish we could stay like this forever.” You mumbled the words softly, so softly he almost couldn’t hear you. But he did.

“You mean that?”

You hesitated, looking up at him to find his eyes trained on you. “Yes,” you said at last.

Something flickered to life in his eyes at your confirmation, something eager, something longing. Suddenly, you weren’t so sleepy. “I want that too.”

“Kiss me?”

“Your wish is my command, honey.” 

You couldn’t help the faint gasp that escaped you when his lips met yours. You had been waiting for this for far too long, imagined it too many times. It was better than any dream you had ever had. He kissed you gently at first, but you reciprocated like he was the air you needed to breathe. 

And he kind of was. Some small part of you was afraid that if you let go, if you let him stop kissing you, if you even breathed, Bradley might vanish in front of you like it was all a dream.

Eventually, of course, you were forced to part from him. Reluctantly, you acquiesced to your lungs’ demand for air. Despite your momentary fear, he didn’t disappear. He watched you with bright eyes and traced his fingers across your face lightly.

“Why haven’t we done that before?” you asked rhetorically as a grin spread across your face.

Bradley returned your smile, tilting your chin so he could kiss you again briefly. “Dunno,” he mumbled against your lips. “But now I don’t think I’ll be able to stop.”

You grinned into yet another kiss. “Good. Think I might be addicted to you.”

He tilted your lips together again, though this was more of a soft touch than a kiss. Your sleepiness was catching up to you again, and you could feel your eyelids starting to droop. Bradley noticed it too, nudging your nose with his.

“Go to sleep,” he said softly, shifting so you could nuzzle into the crook of his neck.

“You’ll stay?” you slurred the words, very quickly drifting toward sleep.

He hummed, brushing his fingers across your skin. “Course I’ll stay. I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise.”

That was enough to settle you the rest of the way to sleep.

Tomorrow, you would both wake to find your phones spammed by naval aviators with pictures of you asleep on Bradley’s shoulder, demanding to know what happened after they left. You would have a new contact photo in Bradley’s phone, and he would have a new lock screen. He would admire how soft and relaxed you were and you would marvel at the way he looked at you. Even in the picture, you would feel the love in his gaze, so you would print a copy to keep in the chest pocket of your flight suit to keep him close to you.

For tonight, however, there was just the two of you in each other’s arms, and that was all you needed.

Top Gun Taglist:

@malindacath @army24--7 @mads-weasley

Let Me Help (Part 2)

Part 1

Pairing: Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw x Autistic!Fem!Shy!Reader

Summary: You're pretty sure you imagined last night. After all, why would someone like Rooster care about someone like you? (Well, that's what you ask yourself, anyway...)

Warnings/tags: Super soft Bradley, a little bit of angst, mentions of autism, mentions of sensory issues, mentions of social awkwardness (I think?), mentions of injuries, one mention of painkillers (Tylenol), so so self-indulgent

A/N: Sorry, the writing's probably kind of clunky.

***************************************************

As you wake up, the memories of the night before come back to you.

It was probably all a dream, you decide. It feels devastating, but it's the only reasonable explanation you can come up with as to why Rooster, of all people, would actually care enough to go knocking on your door to check up on you.

I probably just went straight to bed the minute I got home, and just imagined all that other stuff.

Trying to suppress the sting of disappointment, you carefully lever yourself out of bed, and try to stand on your ankle.

You're unsuccessful, of course, and you have to bite back a yell of pain when it nearly gives way beneath you.

After hopping to the door, and opening it, you take a quick breather, before starting towards the kitchen. Maybe some food will help me feel better.

"Sweetheart?"

You don't quite jump, but you do lose your balance in your shock at hearing Rooster's voice.

Fortunately, he manages to catch you before you can fall.

"Hey, whoa, what are you doing out of bed?"

He looks so worried that you can't help but feel a little guilty, despite the fact that you hadn't even known he was in the house.

"S-sorry…"

"Don't." Rooster takes a good look at you. "Did you put any weight on your ankle?"

Your cheeks burn as you nod. "Just for a second."

"Did you fall?"

You shake your head, staring miserably at the floor.

Rooster sighs softly, before lifting you in his arms. "You shouldn't be trying to walk. You could really hurt yourself."

"I'm sorry," you mumble. "I didn't realise - I thought you would have gone home by now."

"Why would I do that, sweetie?"

"I don't have another bedroom..."

"I slept on the sofa."

"You could have just gone home."

"Yeah, but what if you'd needed something during the night?"

You bite your lip, trying hard to hold back the tears. "Thanks, Rooster."

He smiles. "How about we use first names, sweetheart? Mine's Bradley."

You smile shyly. "Mine's Y/N."

Bradley smiles. "I like that. Now, do you want me to take you to the living room, or your bedroom?"

"Living room, I guess? But I was - um, I was actually going to the kitchen, to make myself some breakfast…"

Bradley shakes his head. "It's okay, I'll take care of that."

You stare at him. "Are you sure?"

Bradley's lips turn up slightly. "Of course. You need to rest, honey. Just leave everything to me."

"It's a lot of work…"

"Hey." Bradley gently sets you down on the sofa, tucking a blanket around you as he talks. "I don't think this is gonna be as hard as the work I'm used to. And - I know this'll sound weird to you, but I really do want to take care of you."

You mumble something in reply, your eyes fixed on a point just over his shoulder.

"What's that, sweetie?"

The whole of your face and neck burns. "It's nothing."

"Y/N." Bradley's voice is still soft, but there's an undercurrent of steel.

There's a long silence. You really, really don't want to repeat what you just said, but judging from the look on his face, he's not going to let this slide.

"I'm-" you take a deep breath. "I'm - autistic."

Bradley's eyebrows pinch together in confusion. "Why would that be an issue, sweetheart?"

You take another deep breath, feeling really stupid. "It's going to be harder than taking care of a neurotypical."

"Well, I know it's going to be different, but - can you give me some examples?"

You pause, trying to gather the courage you need. "Well, there's certain foods I can't eat, because of the texture, or the taste, or even the smell. There's certain clothes I can't wear - although that doesn't really apply to - this."

Bradley listens carefully as you tell him the specifics, never once interrupting, just allowing you to talk until you stop, feeling rather miserable.

"I suppose I've ruined it now," you mumble, staring at the floor once again.

"Ruined what?"

"We were finally getting a rapport, and now I've ruined it."

"Oh, sweetie…" Bradley rests a hand on your shoulder. "You haven't ruined anything. If anything, I'm glad you told me, because now I know how to help you better."

You're silent for a while, trying to hold back tears. He's being so kind and understanding that all you want to do is collapse against him and cry.

"I've never had that reaction from someone before," you mumble.

"How do you mean?"

"The last time I told someone I was autistic, it was when I was applying to join the Navy. They almost didn't let me in because of it."

"Oh, sweetheart…"

His tone makes you look up suddenly. Your heart jumps when you see that he looks like he's about to cry.

You give his arm a small squeeze. "It's - it's really not that big of a deal. It was years ago."

Bradley shakes his head. "It is a big deal."

You frown. "How?"

Finding your hand, Bradley gently rests his on top. "Because - you've never felt able to tell anyone else, because-" He sighs, shaking his head. "I really wish you had felt able to tell us sooner, sweetie."

"What difference would it make?" you mumble.

"Well-" Bradley gently takes your hand, stroking along the back with his thumb. "I don't know about the others, but I wish I would've known sooner, because then I would've been able to help you better. I mean, I've noticed you don't like crowds, or loud places, that you leave early whenever we're all at the bar…"

For some reason, you suddenly feel a stab of guilt in your stomach. "Sorry," you mumble, staring at the floor. "I guess I am kind of rude…"

"No." Bradley's voice is suddenly stern. "Don't ever talk about yourself that way. Leaving early because you're overwhelmed, tired, or you just don't like crowds is not a bad thing. You were not being rude."

He pauses, taking a breath. When he speaks again, his voice is softer. "Y'know, sometimes I want to leave the bar early, and I kind of feel jealous that you can just - slip out."

"Why don't you just slip out?" you ask. It seems simple enough to you.

Bradley sighs. "I've kind of gained a reputation for being the life of the party. Most people think I'm an extrovert, 'cause I'm pretty outgoing. There's not many people who know that I'm actually an introvert."

He chuckles at your surprised look. "Yeah. Don't get me wrong, I like socialising, but - it's pretty tiring. I'm usually ready to go home about halfway through a night out. That's why I usually sit at the piano. It's kind of like a way that I can find my place in a social situation, without actually having to talk all the time. And I also just enjoy singing."

You smile shyly. "I get that. Except for me, it's a bit earlier. I just hang on a bit so I don't seem too rude."

"How much earlier, honey?"

You think for a moment. "About ten, fifteen minutes in. Sometimes twenty, if I'm feeling a bit more energetic."

Feeling like you have to explain a bit better, you add, "It's because the bar's super crowded and things. I can socialise longer in quieter environments."

Bradley smiles. "Good to know."

A silence settles over the room, but it's not awkward. In fact, you quite like it. Normally, when you're socialising, you feel like you have to constantly be chatting, or something's wrong with you, but - this feels much nicer.

It's just unfortunate that your stomach growling is what breaks the silence.

Bradley just smiles. "You hungry, sweetie?"

You nod, wishing your face wouldn't burn so much.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Uh, there should be something in the freezer. I prepped a load of my safe foods, and froze them. There should be one portion per bag, and I think I wrote the cook times on, too. Or they might be on the fridge, I'm not really sure."

"I'm on it." Bradley pats your shoulder before standing up. "I'll get you another ice pack for that ankle, too. Do you want a drink or anything? Maybe some Tylenol?"

"Can I have some water, please?"

He smiles. "Sure."

After he's left the room, you switch on the TV, and turn it back to the show you were watching last night.

Stepping back into the room, Bradley hands you a glass. "Here's your water, sweetie. You need anything else?"

"Do you - um, would you mind getting me my phone, please?"

It seems like the words are barely out of your mouth before he's back with your phone.

"Thanks." You open it to see a message from Bob.

To Y/N: Do you want to meet up today? Bob.

"Oh, um - Bradley?" It's weird how using his name makes your heart jump.

"Yeah?"

"I, um - Bob wants to meet up with me - 'cause, you know - um, anyway, would you mind if I invited him around here?"

Bradley chuckles. "Why would I mind? It's your place."

"Yeah, but - you're taking care of me, so…"

"Hey, I'm fine having him around, if you feel up to it. Like I said, this is your place. Just because I'm taking care of you doesn't suddenly make it my place. What time were you thinking of inviting him?"

"Maybe early afternoon?"

He smiles. "That works for me."

After he's left the room, you reply to Bob's text, and then turn up the volume on the TV. As you watch, you can hear Bradley moving about in the kitchen. It feels weirdly familiar. Like something you could get used to.

It feels like home.

**************************************************

Part 3

As always, I do not give permission for anyone to copy my work, repost it, etc.

I’d rather stay in and read fanfics on AO3 than do this thing called go outside and talk to people

"I didn't comment on a fic I liked because I don't think the author would care or remember my comment anyway". fanfic writer here, I still remember comments I got on my fics from seven years ago. I still think about them and they still make me smile. your kind comments are what motivates us and what helps us keep writing.

I personally know writers who take screenshot and print out comments they got from their readers.

TL;DR comments matter to us writers more than you think. if you like a fanfic, never be shy to let the author know ♡

What the Top Gun guys would be like in the kitchen

My first headcanons! I decided to keep the x reader bit out for now, but I might put some Top Gun guys x reader headcanons up later. These were really fun to write, so I hope you enjoy!

(Let me know if you want me to write a fic with these in!)

Warnings: Mention of fires, possibly a bit OOC for Goose and young Mav

Maverick

If it's young Mav, he'll be pretty bad at cooking

I mean, he can probably heat up a tin of soup or some baked beans (do they have those in America?), but don't trust him with anything else

I can imagine him and Goose trying to bake something (think basic cake mix), and next thing you know, the fire brigade's at the door

If it's older Mav, he'll able to cook some basic things, stuff like pasta, scrambled eggs, and so on

If he does attempt baking, though, it won't be very good

Maybe it's not quite bad enough to cause a fire, but he'll probably have mixed the ingredients wrong or something, or he'll forget to grease the baking tin

Tbh it doesn't taste bad, but it probably has a weird texture or something, and will most definitely not be aesthetically pleasing

But he's so pleased with himself that he's managed to bake something without setting the kitchen on fire that nobody really wants to burst his bubble

Goose

Is a TERRIBLE cook

He would find a way to literally burn a salad

Carole had to ban him and Mav from the kitchen

Like, she loves him, but she doesn't love having to call the fire brigade every single time Goose and Mav decide to try cooking (again)

Goose thinks it's hilarious whenever he and Mav mess up - until Carole makes him and Mav scrub all the charred food out of the pans (and buy her some new ones)

She arranges to go to McDonald's with Bradley if she knows Mav and Goose are cooking that night

They'd try to teach Bradley, but Carole's not having any of it

"Hey, Bradley, want to find out how you can-" "NICK!"

Bob

I feel like Bob would probably be the best cook out of them all

But it's like a hidden talent

It's probably Phoenix who finds out

Bob is not happy at first

For one thing, he's now got to bring all the food to every. single. party

But once Phoenix manages to persuade him and makes the other guys pay for the ingredients, he'll do it

And he loves it when people compliment his food, although it makes him blush a lot

But he won't let Mav, Hangman, or any of the other bad cooks near his kitchen

He probably uses a different pan for everything (think omelette pan, milk pan, etc.)

He's probably really, really cautious about getting burned

Like if he's frying something, he will probably wear full-on oven gloves

And if he does get burned, even just a little bit, he will hold it under cold water for at least half an hour before wrapping his hand firmly in ice, and continuing to cook

That's probably why he hates being distracted while cooking

He also hates when people mess with his cooking, even if it's just giving something a little stir

Or adding some spices into a sauce he spent ages getting just right

That's one of the few times when he gets really angry

People messing up his system will turn him into a rage monster

This guy has a system for everything in the kitchen, and if you mess with it, even once, out you go

Once Hangman made the plate stack top-heavy while drying the dishes, and now he's not allowed near the cupboards

Then he messed up Bob's pans, and Bob kicked him out of the kitchen

But it's just because he loves cooking so much, and he wants everything to be perfect

And it's all worth it in the end, because his food is really delicious

Hangman

I feel like he's a barbecue guy

Like, this guy loves barbecues

In any type of weather

He would probably get the barbecue out in the middle of winter if Rooster hadn't locked it in the shed (and thrown away hidden the key)

He's also good at frying stuff (even though he drives Bob crazy by using the omelette pan to fry everything (Bob was about ready to throw a rolling pin at his head the last time that happened))

When he's not got the barbecue out, he'll fry literally anything in sight

Literally anything

He also likes deep-fried stuff (but will just get the fast food anyway because he's too lazy to set everything up)

But anything else?

NO.

Do not even let him near the tinned stuff, or you will come back to find the smoke alarm blaring, and a charred, blackened mess (probably in Bob's favourite non-stick pan)

He's also pretty bad at baking (about young Mav level)

Bob despairs of ever getting him to stop messing up the pans, so he simply won't allow Jake into the kitchens anymore

So Jake has to sneak in, make his food, and sneak out again

But Bob always catches him, mostly because Jake's cooking always smells very strongly of barbecue sauce

Rooster's already chased him out several times

Rooster

I think he'd be a pretty decent cook, better than Mav, but maybe not on Bob's level

He probably learned it from his mum

And fortunately, by the time he was old enough to learn, Mav was already banned from the kitchen

He can do most things - fry, heat up tinned stuff, etc.

He's a pretty decent baker, too

Obviously he's not on Bob's level, like I said, but he's good enough that Bob will allow him into the kitchen

He respects Bob's ordered kitchen (and secretly wishes he was that organised)

He'll stand guard outside the kitchen (with a rolling pin) whenever Bob is cooking, and doesn't want to be disturbed

He's chased Hangman out a couple of times (and probably Mav some of the other bad cooks, too)

As always, I do not give permission for anyone to copy my work, post it elsewhere, etc.