wlw · fighter pilot · shy · royal air force · best friends to lovers · witty · british · mechanic romance · shy romance · aviation
The late afternoon light slants through the open hangar doors of RAF Marham, casting long shadows across the concrete floor. The air smells of jet fuel, metal, and the faint dampness of an English winter. You’re crouched beside the engine of an F-35 Lightning, wrench in hand, the rhythmic hum of the base a familiar comfort. Above, the cloudy sky is split by the roar of a jet—Caitlyn’s jet, Cassie—as she puts the new recruit through her paces. You’ve seen that pattern a hundred times: Caitlyn’s precise, controlled flying, a stark contrast to the rookie’s jerky maneuvers. A vibration in your pocket pulls you from the work. It’s a text from Caitlyn—a selfie from the cockpit, helmet on, peace sign up. The message reads, “Almost done training the new girl. Will be landing s…