It was their 3rd year at the academy when they met Mickey Garcia and Reuben Fitch, they were the year below them but they hit it off with them right away. Actually it was Phoenix who bumped into them at the bar almost everyone from the academy went to. She overheard them talking about a professor no one likes so she introduced herself and invited the two over to the table she shared with Victoria and Bradley.
Both Mickey and Reuben were chill, down to earth guys and very respectful, especially Mickey. He addressed the three with sir and ma'am even though he was told that there were no need for formalities.
"Honestly Mickey please stop using formalities, we're not that much older. Well, except grandpa over here." Victoria pointed towards Bradley as Natasha laughed, "Gee thanks Vic, you really know how to flatter a man. It's such a shocker that you're single." sarcasm dripped from the brown haired man's lips.
The blonde girl joined in on the laughter with the rest before ruffling Bradley's hair.
"Yes, yes, I know such a shocker but what can you do. I'm too good for anyone. They get frightened by my beauty, brains and talents."
Both Bradley and Natasha patted Victoria on the back and told her if that helps her sleep at night, they support her. The young woman glared at them.
"I'm gonna replace you two with Mickey and Reuben." Bradley put his arm over her shoulder as he took a sip of his drink.
"Nah, you love us too much to do that."
When the 3 boys went to play darts Natasha turned towards her best friend.
"So when you gonna tell him that you like him?"
Victoria almost choked on her drink as she looked at the brunette across from her.
"Excuse me?? I have no idea what you're talking about." Natasha instantly rolled her eyes at that, "Please Victoria, I've known you both for 3 years now, I see the way you look at him, the way you interact with him. Hell, when I first started hanging out with you two I was certain you two were already married." the blonde looked towards where the boys were, only to see that Bradley was already looking at her.
She smiled at the boy as her heart fluttered at the wink he sent her before resuming his game of darts. When she looked at the brunette across from her, the girl only looked at her as to say this is what I'm talking about which made her sigh but in the end decided to tell the truth.
"Okay, yeah, maybe I do have some feelings for him but he's my best friend Tash, I can't lose him. I'd be lost without him, he's my rock."
Natasha got up and sat down next to Victoria before giving her a side hug.
"How long?" the blonde let out a small chuckle as she looked at her drink on the table, not daring to look anywhere else.
"From what I can remember since I was 17, so 4 years now but I pushed them down over the years, dated other people....but somehow it never worked out with anyone else, no matter how hard I tried. Kinda pathetic, isn't it...?"
This time Natasha pulled her into a tight hug, sensing the girl needed it.
"It isn't pathetic, don't say that ever again. I think you both are too blind to see what everyone else sees but I won't pressure you into anything, I know how important he is to you."
That night Victoria payed more attention to Bradley and everything he did or said. She started to think Natasha might of been right but didn't dare to say anything instead she decided to enjoy her time with her friends.
The next day Natasha decided to also confront Bradley since she knew that Victoria wouldn't make a move and she wanted to see her two best friends happy. She caught up with him after their last class.
"Yo Bradshaw, we need to talk."
The brunette man stopped walking as he looked back at Natasha confused.
"What did I do this time? I swear it wasn't my fault whatever it is, Victoria probably framed me!"
She lead him to an area where there weren't too many people as she laughed at his instant guard and framing of their best friend.
"It's not that but it is about Victoria."
With the mention of the blonde's name Bradley perked up, it was like someone woke him up about something urgent and he was fully alert.
"What happened? Is she okay? Did someone hurt her? Who do I need to beat up??" Natasha told him to calm down and that everything was fine. She knew he was protective over the girl but she had no idea he was this protective. It was cute.
"When are you gonna tell Vic how you really feel?"
Bradley was utterly and completely shocked. He was caught off guard by that question and didn't know what to say. As he stumbled over his words, trying to think of something, Natasha told him that there was no use in lying since she wasn't blind.
"I don't know what you want me to tell you Nat...She's my best friend, has been since forever. She's the only person I can tell and talk about everything and anything. I can't lose that. I can't lose her."
The brunette girl pinched her nose as she sighed. God, she loved them both to death but they were both stupid and blind when it came to the other. If those two don't get married one day and if she isn't the maid of honour, she'll kill them both in their sleep.
"Bradshaw no offence but you are so dense. That girl has feelings for you as you do for her but for some unknown reasons you both can't notice it and decided it's best to lie to yourselves about it. Why do you think you both had your fair share of flings or unsuccessful relationships? Because somewhere deep down you knew that that person wasn't the one. So please, for the love of God, put on your big boy pants and ask the poor girl out already! I am done with watching you two pin over eachother but not doing anything about it."
With that, Natasha walked off, leaving a stunned and speechless Bradley.
After a few days of thinking Bradley realized Natasha was right so he did exactly as told.
On Friday night Victoria's solo movie night was interrupted by a knock on her door. Opening the door she was met with Bradley Bradshaw standing there with a bouquet of flowers in his hands.
"Victoria Kazansky I have had the biggest, most stupidest crush on you for years now. You're the most amazing girl I've ever met and I want to treat you accordingly. So would you do me the great honors and go on a date with me tommorow?"
Victoria was melting on the stop at the boy in front of her and his words. She didn't know what to say except-
"I would love to Bradley Bradshaw."
And so their romantic relationship was born. Looks like they'll have to thank Natasha after all.
To say that no one was shocked when the two made it offical was an understatement. Even when they were little kids all the people around them were damn sure those two would end up married one day, they were always attached to the hip no matter what.
Bradley often said that his mom would be over the moon if she were alive that the two were finally dating but joked that she would probably nag him why it took him so long. The woman did adore Victoria from day one, just like his father when he first found her in front of TOPGUN alongside his best friend and the man Victoria came to call uncle Pete.
When they visited her parents for Christmas that year and told them about finally being offical, Victoria's father was the first one to stand up and say-
"Well it was about damn time!"
To which everyone present either chuckled or laughed. Tom hugged both of them and told them he was happy for them and felt at peace because he knew he was gonna leave his eldest daughter in good hands. Victoria protested immediately at her father's words, not wanting him to even think about dying, let alone talk about it. She couldn't lose him, not yet at least, it was too soon.
"Y'know Bradley if it had to be a pilot, I'm glad it's you." "Thank you sir, that means a lot."
That night at her family's house was filled with jokes, laughter and board games.
Victoria loved her family and loved spending time with them and so did Bradley, they always made him feel like he was home and made sure he never felt excluded. The two young adults looked at eachother as smiles spread across their faces. They were home and wouldn't have it any other way.