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#leave the light on
halfway-happyyy · 2 years
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leave the light on (rooster bradshaw)
AN: in which rooster marries his girl and mav makes sure goose and carole are a part of the big day ♡
warnings: none. just pure, unadulterated fluff and cotton candy clouds of soft feelings.
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“The next time we see each other, you’ll be a Bradshaw.”
The crackle of the phone connection makes her feel like he's on the moon, though they're really only separated by a few city blocks.
“How do you feel about that?” She asks.
There is silence on the other end before Rooster tells her he’s never wanted anything more in his life. And she doesn’t just believe him because they’re pretty words; she believes him because he works every single day to show her it’s how he truly feels.
“I should go.” She murmurs even though it’s the last thing she wants to do.
Rooster yawns. “Meet you at the altar, honey.”
She smiles. “Meet you there, Bradshaw.”
She wakens early the next morning to the sound of frenzied footsteps outside her bedroom door. She watches, mesmerized, as the sequins from her wedding dress on the back of the door cast colorful prisms on her arm as the sun rises to greet the gauzy material. Her phone vibrates and a text from Rooster appears on her screen which reads: good morning my love. only eight more hours before I get to call you my wife. love you. miss you. xx – B.
Her mother's voice rouses her from a reverie as she lets herself into the room. A happy smile blooms on her face as she carries in a tray of coffee, toast, and a mimosa, which she sets atop the dresser next to the door.
"Happy wedding day, my love."
Any semblance of peace that breakfast may have afforded her is entirely short-lived and the entire morning after that is an unending hive of activity. Every square inch of spare space in the house is occupied by a woman getting ready for the day. Around eleven-thirty, she and her mother retire to her bedroom where she helps her into her gown. They’re quiet for a moment as they regard each other in the gilded stand-up mirror. She grasps around for the right words to say to her- to thank her for helping her get to this stage in her life, but she can’t manage any of it without ruining her makeup so she tilts her head to the side and plants a kiss to the apple of her wrinkled cheek.
“I love you mom.” It’s not enough... will never be enough. But it’ll do for now.
Her mother swallows back the tears that pool in her kind eyes and forces a smile. Rubs the palms of her warm hands reassuringly over the rounded curve of her daughter's shoulders.
A soft knock sounds on the door. “It’s open.” She murmurs.
Maverick enters a second later, dressed head-to-toe in navy whites that fit like a glove, and which take the breath away from her at first glance. He closes the door behind him and steeples his hands against his lips, his viridescent eyes flood with tears as he drinks in the sight of her before him.
“My God, kid…” He trails off, emotion thick in the hollow of his throat, and shakes his head. “You look beautiful.”
Her mother pecks her cheek gently, squeezes her a final time, and exits the room to leave her and Maverick be.
He watches her a second longer before walking over and meeting her gaze in the mirror. “I have something for you.” Her eyes widen and her breath hitches as Maverick pulls out a rectangular, navy-blue jewelry box, and opens it to reveal a string of magnificent fresh-water pearls. He clears his throat and tells her that they were Carole’s.
The weight of his words hang heavy in the air between them. “Mav, I couldn’t-
He shakes his head. “Among many other things she had me promise her, this was one of them. And I cannot imagine them on anyone else. So please,” He takes the pearls from their velvet clutch and holds them in front of her neck. “May I?”
“Of course.” She whispers; unsure of how much longer she’ll be able to keep her tears from falling.
Fastening them around her, he swipes the pad of his thumb under his left eye to catch the stray tear before it falls, and stands back to admire her. “Breathtaking.”
“They’re beautiful.”
He smiles. “You cannot imagine how much she would have loved to be a part of this day. They both would…”
Tears prickle threateningly in the depths of her eyes as her gaze travels to his. “Mav?”
“Yeah, kid?”
She hooks a thumb over her shoulder. “Would you mind doing me the rest of the way up? My mom got sidetracked.”
His lips turn up into a toothy grin and he nods his head. They’re quiet as he focuses on the back of her dress until he suddenly whispers, “I almost forgot!” He pulls something out of his pocket that she doesn't see, and tucks it into the back of her dress. “Something blue.” Her murmurs, by way of explanation.
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
There is more that they could say to each other but for once, the silence is enough. Maverick leans over and presses a kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll see you soon, hm? You look so beautiful, he’s not going to know what to do with himself.”
Her heart swells under the shared weight of the love both her and Rooster have for him, as she watches the elder aviator leave.
The rest of the morning passes by in a blur; it's almost like she blinks and then Maverick is helping her out of Penny’s Porsche at the beach.
“You ready?” He grins.
And though nerves prickle at her, she doesn’t think she’s ever felt more ready to embark on an adventure in her life. She nods. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” They walk the short distance to the sandy aisle where she watches her bridesmaids pave the way for her, smiles at the familiar faces in the crowd, and finally catches Rooster's gaze. She doesn’t get to see him in his Navy whites often but the sight of him beneath the flower-entwined wooden arch sends a pleasant shiver of anticipation down her spine.
Maverick laces his arm around hers, leans in and presses his lips to her ear so that she can hear him over the din of the chatter and her aisle music. “It goes without saying, but his parents would be incredibly proud of the man he's become with your love and support.”
She swipes at a stray tear and smiles at him. “Thank you for everything, Pete.”
Patting her hand, he guides her down the aisle to where Rooster’s stood. When he’s satisfied that he’s done his job, he presses a quick kiss to her cheek and hurries off to his seat in the front row beside Penny.
Taking her place in front of Rooster, she can’t help but be awestruck at the realization that this is all finally happening. An entire year’s worth of preparation and planning and the day is nearly half over. She gazes at him and it feels like seeing him for the first time all over again. Her eyes rake hungrily over his face; like if she doesn’t drink it all in immediately, everything might disappear like sand through her fingers and she’ll turn back into a pumpkin at the strike of the clock. His cheeks bear a rosy hue, the mustache above his full upper lip is trimmed to perfection and his burnt-umber orbs glitter merrily in the bright light from the sun above them.
“You look amazing.” He mouths, and reaches for her hands.
Her vows are short and sweet- “I vow to love you even when I don’t always like you, and I vow to always leave the light on for you.”
“Just promise me one thing, kid.” He had murmured to her on the eve of his first mission as her boyfriend.
“Anything.”
He brushed back the hair from her face and kissed her temple. “Leave the light on for me. I’ll always find my way home.”
He clears his throat and wipes away a tear with the arm of his coat. “You ready for mine, kid?”
She nods, her vision distorted by tears.
He clears his throat. Gives his head a shake as if to say, here goes nothing... “Growing up, I had always kind of viewed love as a hard, cold thing. People really don’t talk enough about how difficult it is to love someone. Because in loving them- you risk losing everything.” He falters, swallows hard, doesn’t staunch the flow of tears that cascade freely down his face now. “But then I met you. And while I was terrified- still am if I’m honest,” This earns a couple of laughs from the mostly-sniffling crowd. “Loving you has been one of the easiest and most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made and certainly worth every risk. And as long as you leave the light on, I'll find my way home honey.”
He squeezes her hand thrice.
loveyouloveyouloveyou.
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Rooster steps toward her, taking her face into the warmth of his hands and kisses her like his life depends on it. They pull apart a moment later to the cacophonous roar of applause and happy hollers around them; she glances toward the group of their closest friends and family and beams at them as Rooster peppers a series of kisses to her temple and cheek.
“We did it, kid.”
Evening descends upon them like a dream; they take a moment to themselves to watch the burnt-orange sun sink low over the pacific ocean, as their friends continue the party from the confines of the Hard Deck.
Rooster sways a little on the spot like a balloon hellbent for the sky, but her hand entwined in his is the string that keeps him grounded to their world.
“I’m happy I married you, Mr. Bradshaw.” The champagne in her bloodstream and his warmth as it flows into her, basks her in the most wondrous glow.
Rooster turns to her; gathers her in his arms and sways with her to the lulling sound of the waves crashing against the shore. “I’m happy you married me too, Mrs. Bradshaw.”
They stay pressed together like that for an unknowable amount of time until Bob wanders over and ushers them back to the warm familiarity of the bar to close out the evening with the best of the best by their side.
It's just gone two am by the time the two of them make it back home for the evening.
“Let me help you with your dress.” He insists, sleepily. His calloused fingertips as they brush down her back causes her to tremble violently and he smiles against the soft skin of her neck. “Relax, kid.”
“I’m exhausted.” She yawns.
He makes a non-committal noise in agreement and continues on with the buttons on her dress until his fingers falter and he murmurs, “what’s this?” He pulls a small piece of blue fabric from a Hawaiian shirt out of the back of her dress.
Her gaze travels to the weathered picture of Carole and baby Bradley on the Naval base next to a grinning Goose who is sporting the exact same shirt.
“Maverick must have slipped it in there for me…” She whispers.
Rooster’s beautiful hazel eyes widen in sudden realization before he drops his head to her shoulder and starts to cry. She turns in his arms, holds her to him while he falls apart, and gazes skyward.
Wherever you two are… thank you. For everything.
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bananakarenina · 7 months
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Y'ALL. @jmrothwell made this moodboard inspired by leave the light on and I'm. I'm just! Look at it 😭😭😭😭
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folklauerate · 5 months
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Inquiring minds want to know, was leave the light on Antony into the shoulders licking thing? While I am here, let me thank you for that great banter. And the great time in general.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHA ALASKDJFA;LKSDJF;LASDJF IM WEAKKKK
Yes, Anthony was confused but absolutely did not mind when his shoulders were licked. It was sexy because he thinks Kate is very sexy and she's sort of tracing his muscles, if that makes sense.
The bigger question is whether or not he's actually into feet like Maggie says he is
(He is)
I'm glad you enjoyed the banter :) I think that might be the best part of this chapter frankly speaking. Idk sometimes I just really enjoy writing dialogue.
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hmslusitania · 2 years
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I was tagged by @littlespoonevan to self-promote my five favourite fics I've written! I think I've seen everyone else tagged already, but if you want to share and want to say I tagged you, please go ahead!
Like Any Unloved Thing | Buddie | M | 18k
The urban fantasy noir detective au no one ever asked for that is, genuinely, one of my favourite things I've ever written, fic or original. Idk, I just like stories about ghosts falling in love with people they're haunting.
2. Don't Take the Money | Buddie | M | 21.8k
The post-lawsuit timeloop clusterfic that, uh, no one asked for either. But I love it, and that's the point of this exercise. But, I do enjoy any excuse to shoehorn Dancing in the Dark into things and by god I will do it again.
3. Which Witch? | Buddie | M | 11.4k
Okay technically this is two fics, but they're a duology, because apparently the theme of this list is "things I wrote because I wanted to even though no one asked". Disaster!Witch Eddie, vampire!Buck, questionable misuse of historical details and Keanu Reeves cameos. I had fun.
4. accidentally killing an octopus is just fishing | Buddie | T | 8.5k
Alternate first meeting between seasons one and two! Weird octopus discussions! Chris being tiny and adorable! Also the title is dear to me.
5. Cowboy Take Me Away | Buddie | E | 9k
Love to see Eddie in a sexuality crisis caused by Buck's former career as a cowboy. Plus, there's some truly delightful art that @like-the-rest-of-la did for this one that always makes me smile.
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unholyshow · 5 months
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No matter how long
No matter how long we suffer
Still can’t keep it off my mind
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enbyziraphale · 4 months
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hi! i have only just come across you and that aforementioned good omens fic. i have to say that i really don’t expect an update/ending (though i cant say i don’t want one) but i do want to say you’re an incredible writer and i don’t think i’ve been more invested in a fic before. (also had no clue it was unfinished until i got to that last chapter. hence why i followed you here) i am honestly enamoured with how you manage to display emotions and details and everything through your writing. and also how you came up with the plot.
i really hope you’re doing well, and life has been going okay for you. i saw that last post, i do hope you're alright, unrelated to the fic. you’re truly a wonderful writer.
Hi - I'm not super active on this tumblr account anymore (hence why it took a month for me to see your message, even the one i'm "currently" using is really off and on), but I just wanted to reply and say thank you so much, this is really so sweet and very appreciated.
My goal is still to one day finish LtLO but I have no idea when that will happen. I love my co-writer very much, but we have drifted apart and S2 didn't bring us back together like I had hoped it might. They may still be down to pick it back up, but I haven't wanted to pressure them. I have considered trying to pick it back up on my own and if it comes down to that, I hope that I do - I am currently in a hardcore perfection paralysis when it comes to writing and I'm having a hard time writing just about ANYTHING right now, whether LtLO or for the fandoms I'm more active in currently.
I do know that if/when I do manage to pick it back up, I will not be publishing anything until I at least have a draft of all the remaining chapters. I would hate to pick it back up for a few chapters and then drop off the face of the earth again without finishing it, so if/when I/we do start updating again, you can at least rest assured that it won't be dropped a second time.
As for me, I'm having a rough go of it at the moment when it comes to work/health (both mine and my cat's), and just existing in general, which is also a factor, but I so genuinely appreciate you asking after me. Hopefully things will start looking up soon <3
tl;dr: no idea when LtLO will be finished, but I hope one day it will be.
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rock-and-a-hard-place · 8 months
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bellsinmyribcage · 10 months
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Leave me some room in
The spaces of your bones
Light the hollow places with the love you’re craving and
On the way down do not forget to leave them on.
I am afraid I will get lost in you,
Love.
You are worth the fall but I am afraid I won’t come back without a light to guide me home.
— empty places I’m scared to go
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leaving-fragments · 2 years
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geonu // leave the light on
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lambertcottage · 1 year
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innovacancy · 2 years
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Pillow Queens Brighton Music Hall, Allston, MA 15 April 2022
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spectrumpulse · 1 year
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bananakarenina · 1 year
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first lines game
the lovely @breakaway71​ tagged me awhile ago and i am finally doing it!
rules: post the first lines of your last 10 fics posted to ao3. if you have less than 10 fics posted, post the first lines of all your fics.
these can all be found at my ao3 - bananakarenina
going from most recent to least:
1) Julie Molina leaves LA in the middle of the night. (heaven above & closer, aka the roadtrip au, complete, co-written with @where-you-go​)
2) “Luke. Luke, is that really you?” (to love’s self alone, the sequel to for love’s sake only, WIP)
3)  [Image ID: a photo from the Instagram account @officialjuliemolina.] (where the lovelight gleams, aka the rulie christmas romcom popstar au, WIP)
4) “I’m going soon, I think.” (keep reaching out, the companion piece to leave the light on, aka 10 conversations reggie has during the events of LTLO, WIP)
5) Her daughter knows all the stories, of course. (reprise: be so happy now, the beatriz timestamp to leave the light on, complete)
6) Drowning, it turns out, is a quiet thing. (praying for dryland, the drowning/lifeguard au, WIP)
7) “Jane! Time to wake up!” (a star sweetly gleaming: christmas at silver lake, the jane/missy christmas novella in the FLSO series. if i were a romance novelist it’d probably be called the Silver Lake Series and this would be book 1.5 lol. one day i will reveal the other titles i’d love to explore in this series if i had all the time in the world, lol. yes there is a victoria book i’d love to write. you all will be getting updates on this series until i am old and gray)
8) Luke crosses over first. (leave the light on, aka the canon-compliant crossover tragedy rulie epic. complete.)
9) Rose Molina is staring at her eyebrows in the bathroom mirror when the doorbell rings. (these last perfect days, the rulie promposal story, rose’s POV. complete)
10) “Reginald, Earl Peters!” (for love’s sake only, of course, historical romance fake marriage of my heart. complete)
40% unadorned lines of dialogue as first lines lol. that....sounds about right for me.
#1, 6, 8 were “wrote this line first in a bit of a trance and things unspooled from there” lines.
tagging @invisibleraven @innytoes @jmrothwell if you want to play!
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mrbrojangles · 1 year
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If you look into the distance, there's a house upon the hill: Guiding like a lighthouse, it's a place where you'll be safe to feel our grace 'cause we've all made mistakes.
If you've lost your way?
I will leave the light on.
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jojoblessed365 · 2 years
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HELP WANTED!!!
Hit a road block trying to write a date for Literati in Leave the Light On! Requesting a few ideas and thoughts from anyone!!! Open to anyone of course, I would love to know random ideas!
@windowsandfeelings @stellaluna33 and @rhiawriter please message me your thoughts! You are the best writers I know!
Thanks so much! 😀
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amplifyme · 2 years
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