#Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw
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It's not who you know 1/4
YEAR 1 - Non-angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley and his first year at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead...
YEAR ONE – 2001
“You don’t want us to drop you off?”
“No! I don’t need a… a Captain and an Admiral coming to my first day. It’s not school!”
“Lots of parents will be dropping their kids off. It’s the beginning of Plebe Summer…”
“Yeah well, it’s not like I haven’t been there before. I know my way around already, you know your way around! Please don’t…”
“Are you… embarrassed to be our kid?”
“Uh…” Bradley refuses to meet their eyes.
“Oh my god, you are!”
“No! No. I’m not embarrassed okay? It’s more… I don’t want people knowing I’m a legacy kid.”
“Oh,” says Ice then, expression going understanding and Mav looks confused.
“What? What am I missing?”
“Bradley wants to prove himself. Doesn’t want others to think he got in because of his… connections.”
“But… he did.”
“He also tested crazy high, he would have got in regardless.”
Bradley feels a flush of achievement at the sheer surety in Ice’s voice, proud and no-nonsense.
“But… you’re more than just a legacy kid. You know that right?” Mav asks, and he suddenly seems so unsure, like Bradley isn’t aware of how good he is.
“Yeah Mav, I know that.”
“Anyway, you’re a triple legacy kid and plenty of the brass at Annapolis already know you’re on your way. You going to pretend you don’t know half of them?”
“If I have to…”
Mav cackles then and Bradley lets out a laugh as well when Ice just lets out a resigned sigh. He needs to make a couple of phone calls. Another job for tomorrow.
… … …
“When did we become uncool? He doesn’t want anything to do with us! Maybe it’s just you that’s uncool, do you think he’d let me take him? I want to take him.”
Tom rolls his eyes, because Mav is nothing if not dramatic.
“We have to let him go. I’m sure we’ll figure out some way of keeping in touch. My parents wrote me letters.”
“Too slow. We could get BeepBeep one of those transportable phone things.”
“Calling him BeepBeep is another reason why he doesn’t want to be seen in public with us. Also, it’s a mobile, or cellphone, you’re not old so stop sounding like you are.”
“Yeah yeah, just because you have one.”
“We can get you one at the same time we get Bradley one…”
“Hmm, I feel like it would just be another way you could tell me no.”
“It would be another way in which you ignore me telling you no.”
“You like it when I don’t say no,” Mav says, turning toward him and grinning.
… … …
“Mav, where are you?”
“Uh… I took a couple of personal days?”
“To do what? Also I find it highly suspicious that these personal days coincide with the start of Plebe Summer. Tell me you aren’t stalking Bradley.”
“I’m not not stalking him?”
“Jesus Pete…”
“He doesn’t know I’m here! I’m just… making sure he arrives okay!”
“He’s an adult. He flew there, we put him up in a motel and he then caught a taxi. Shit. I still haven’t rung Sli and let him know Bradley’s going to pretend not to know anyone…”
“Oh! Don’t do it. Let Bradley cause havoc! Can you imagine some of them talking to Bradley like they know him and Bradley just… pretending they’ve got the wrong person?”
“Do you really think Bradley would be that rude?”
“Depends how committed he is to this whole ruse. And he was pretty stubborn.”
“I wonder where he gets that from…” Tom remarks dryly.
“One of life’s mysteries,” Pete replies, clearly distracted and Tom lets out a long breath and reminds himself that he loves Mav. Mantra or curse, he loves the man.
“So what are you actually doing?”
“Watching everyone arrive. I’m just parked in a car up the road and watching everyone walk in. Bradley will be easy to spot because he’ll be all alone…”
“So you’re in a car outside a naval training center staring at cadets as they arrive. Tell me you don’t also have a pair of binoculars.”
“They’re small ones.”
Tom groans and hangs up on him, glad that he did go through with getting Mav that cellphone after all. As much as the idea of letting Bradley cause chaos may be appealing to Mav, he knows better and he really needs to make that phone call.
… … …
“Welcome back to Annapolis Bradley!”
“I’m sorry sir, you must have me confused with another cadet…”
“Bradley Bradshaw?”
“That is my name sir, but I think you have me confused with someone else…”
Admiral Mackenzie blinks and frowns and then steps back.
“Sorry Cadet Bradshaw. On your way then.”
“Thank you sir. Nice to meet you.”
… … …
Tom sighs and wonders what the easiest way of dealing with this is going to be. He’d fully intended to make this phone call months ago, not leaving it until the first evening of Plebe Summer when Slider is no doubt at his busiest.
“Hey Ron…”
“Oof. First name. What did I do?”
“Not you…”
“What did Mav do?”
Tom snorts and rubs at his eyes.
“Not him either…” He won’t mention the creepy sitting in a car aspect of Mav’s latest craziness.
“Bradley? Baby Goose? He’s never any trouble…”
“Well, I think he’s going to make up for it.”
“At Annapolis?” Ron scoffs disbelievingly.
“He’s going to pretend he doesn’t know anyone…”
“Uh. But he knows everyone.”
“I’m well aware. Just… can you prepare everyone for Bradley being an idiot and pretending he knows no one?”
“Oh… I think this conversation is coming too late. Mack came into my office earlier and said that Bradley completely blanked on him.”
“Oh shit…”
“Well, at least we have an explanation. He was worried that he might have memory issues.”
“Who? Him or Bradley?”
“Either. Both? Anyway, I’ll let Mack know. As well as the others, because that could have backfired horribly.”
“I know. They’d think he was getting smart. He just… I think part of it is wanting to be judged on his own merits, but also not have anyone use him to advance themselves.”
“He’s a smart young man. I look forward to watching his career.”
… … …
“You seem to know how everything works around here…”
“Uh. I did a lot of reading in preparation for coming. I didn’t want to be taken by surprise by anything you know?”
“Smart move. You definitely seem to have caught the attention of all the instructors at least. They all know your name.” Bradley grimaces, because that’s not necessarily a good thing. At least no-one has called him MiniMav, BeepBeep or Baby Goose. There are others, but he doesn’t need his childhood nicknames coming common knowledge. “Although, I guess Bradley Bradshaw is an easy name to remember. Kind of rolls off the tongue. Brad Brad.”
Bradley lets out a sigh, resigned to yet another nickname.
… … …
Mav follows through with the other visitors. He hasn’t really told Ice or Bradley that he was planning on coming today. Unlike Ice who went through USNA Mav never really allowed himself to show too much interest, directing it all toward the flight school after doing his Bachelor degree. Now that Bradley is here though he can ask all the questions. Even the ones he’s pretty sure he knows the answers to. He spies one of the cadets with the last name Trace and wonders if this is the same one in Bradley’s platoon. Maybe.
“Hi! I’m Peter, Bradley Bradshaw’s dad. Nice to meet you.”
“Good morning Mr. Bradshaw. Natasha Trace. Bradley didn’t mention that his parents were coming…”
“Well no, I hadn’t been planning on coming. I can’t often get away from work, but I thought I’d try and make an extra effort with it being the parents day and all…”
“Oh, did your wife come with you?”
“Uh, no, I’m not married…” The young cadet looks awkward then and Mav takes pity on her. “I’m just going to join one of the tours. If you see Bradley tell him his dad Pete is here. I’ll catch up with him later. It’ll be a surprise!”
“Uh, but if I tell him then won’t it spoil the surprise?”
“He’ll still be plenty surprised when he actually sees me.”
… … …
Bradley still hasn’t seen Mav, and he knows it must be Mav, because Ice surely wouldn’t fuck him over like this. He’s heard through three others that his dad is here, and also a few comments that he looks good. Bradley hopes like hell he’s not in his fucking uniform, although everyone is fairly desensitized about uniforms looking in any way sexy when everyone is wearing them. He’s more worried about people finding out exactly who Mav is… But he can’t seem to find him in the swarm of people, everyone showing their family around. Plus Mav is short and likely knows Bradley is looking for him.
“Bradshaw! I just met you dad, holy fuck he’s all sorts of hot isn’t he?”
“Short guy? Dark hair?”
“Why? You have more than one dad?”
Bradley freezes, suddenly unsure of what to say because in his head he’s got space for three dads and they’re all very distinct people. None of whom he would ever describe as hot. Gross. God, it’s even worse than thinking of them having sex.
“I, uh, yeah… fuck.”
“Like… a dad and a step-dad, or are we talking a couple of dad’s who adopted you?”
“Closer to the second one I guess,” Bradley says, resigned, because fuck it, it’s close enough. He’s not going to get into the specifics but he guesses he can share some rough details. “My dad died when I was a little, his best friend is my god-father and he was pretty much my dad growing up. And once him and his partner figured their shit out I got another dad…”
“What about your mom?”
“She died a few years ago. Cancer.”
“Oh wow… so you really have two dads.”
“Yep. And one of them is here?”
“Yeah, he said his name was Peter Bradshaw?”
“Oh. Huh. Of course he did…”
Trust Mav to fucking come up with a cover story but not tell anyone else what is.
He doesn’t end up finding or seeing Mav for the entire day, although he does receive a couple of overly exaggerated winks from some of the teachers, as well as Uncle Slider and Admiral Mackenzie. He takes it with good grace because they’re humoring his need to try and stay as anonymous as possible, even if Mav seems to be intent on fucking it up.
… … …
“You couldn’t have stopped him?” Bradley asks, and Tom would almost call the tone whining, but there’s too much desperation there.
“I’m sorry, are we talking about the same person? Have you ever tried to stop him doing something once he’s set his mind to it?”
“Ugh, I didn’t even get to see him! What was the point?
“So he could see you. See that you’re happy and alright.” Just like that the wind seems to leave Bradley’s sails, like he has to let Mav have this. Has to be grateful for small mercies that Mav didn’t learn how to do sky writing, which he’ll keep to himself because it’s totally something Mav would want to try out. “And you should know he’s actually being fairly restrained, especially if he didn’t approach you. He did follow you out there for your first day and just watched from a car like the giant dork that he is.”
“What? Ugh. Dork, yes. Giant, no. Ugh. Why is he like this?”
“I really have no idea. Do you like the taste of whiskey yet? I find that helps.”
SECOND YEAR
#Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw#IceMav#Top Gun Maverick#Top Gun Maverick Fanfiction#AU where Bradley goes to USNA#it's not who you know
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[In a world where Bradley's papers were never pulled, so he never stopped talking to his parents]
Bradley, on the phone: Hey pops, I forgot my homework. Can you drop it off at the seminar hall? It's empty, don't worry.
Ice: OK.
Ice, walking into the full Top Gun classroom:
Bradley: EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM OWES ME FIVE DOLLARS, I TOLD YOU MY DAD WAS AN ADMIRAL
#bradley would have been the worst nepo baby of all time#no wonder jake was always arguing with him#poor ice#he just wanted to do a good deed for his kid#bradley definitely shared the money with ice to try to get back on his good side#mav can never know that ice fell for bradleys scheme#incorrect quotes#top gun#icemav#pete maverick mitchell#tom iceman kazansky#bradley rooster bradshaw#dadmiral#mavdad and icepops
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I don't know if you've seen the article about nepo babies but I like to imagine Bradley doesn't think he's a nepo baby because you know goose d worded but jake is like no baby you're the biggest nepo baby in the navy and Bradley spends the day asking everyone if they think he's a nepo baby and they all say yes and name a different person but the funny thing is none of them name you know goose or mav
I've seen the photo used for the nepo baby article, yes! I'd argue Bradley isn't a nepo baby. hear me out: in order to be a nepo baby, a parent has to help you get from point a to point b... which Goose certainly wasn't in a position to do, due to his. Condition. We can't even call Bradley a nepo baby because of Mav because Mav was like oh HELL no! Get out of the navy! Get out!!!
If we're going the IceMav route, Bradley could maybe claim Ice. but still, I'd hesitate to call him a nepo baby.
Bull, for example? That motherfucker is the biggest nepo baby in the Navy and he wears that shit with pride.
#am I making wet blanket noises again if so I am sorry#but I feel like we've strayed from what a nepo baby actually is friends and family#Bradley Bradshaw
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I just want fics about secret nepo baby Bradley Bradshaw bein suspiciously tight with MavDad and IcePop and confusing the fuck outta everyone is that too much to ask?
#top gun maverick#top gun 1986#top gun movie#pete maverick mitchell#bradley rooster bradshaw#tom iceman kazansky#mavdad#rooster top gun#please#icemav
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The implication that Bradley is a secret nepo baby for so many years because he a) has a different last name so no one thinks he and mav and ice are related and b) he deliberately refers to ice by sir in public (cause he’s a little shit) and like mav is always away blowing up shit so no one sees them interacting publicly and c) he’s incredibly nonspecific about his childhood/adolescence (like he’ll mention having learned to fly as a teenager but not much more than that or he’ll just do the shrugging emoji when someone’s like you KNOW HOW TO FLY A PLANE ALREADY?) on purpose is so so funny
I'm going to have so much fun with this because it's SO FUCKING FUNNY he's going to be the biggest nepo baby ever to nepo baby in the history of the us navy and he's going to be both aware of it and completely dumb about it at the same time because bradley bradshaw is a bit of a himbo but we love him anyway
the flyboys are absolutely making it a drinking game and/or bingo card. or bingo card drinking game. haven't decided yet tbh
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Bradley 'ultimate nepo baby' Bradshaw
#top gun#top gun maverick#bradley rooster bradshaw#the nepotism gets even greater when its a goose lives au
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↬ elle mitchell, callsign: scorpion
23 years old
scorpio
born and raised in san diego, california
naval aviator for the us navy, graduated top of her class at top gun, the best fighter pilot her age
introverted, likes and tends to be alone
stubborn, witty, sarcastic, cocky
might come off as cold and mean
doesn't like to show her vulnerable side, always tries to look confident, but deep down she has self worth issues and social anxiety
doesn't let people in easily
but kind, passionate, loyal and caring if you really get to know her
only really lets her guard down with the people she loves and trusts
not a touchy, physical affectionate person
quality time is her love language
she got her callsign "scorpion" during her time at top gun -> she's a scorpio + both when flying and in her daily life she is quiet and observant but venemous and lethal, just like a scorpion
↬ she's her father's daughter: elle & pete
only child, daughter of pete "maverick" mitchell
he took her flying since she was a kid
she always looked up to her dad, growing up wanting nothing but to be just like him
they have the most beautiful father-daughter relationship
two sides of the same coin
she's her father's daughter both in looks and personality and everyone's always been telling her that since she was a child; "oh you look just like your dad" , "she's a mini maverick", "you have your father's eyes"
the female version of her father; she's as skilled, cocky, reckless and impredictable as him, but at the same time more cautious and less impulsive
she is his pride and joy
he's very protective of her
he always warned her about not getting involved with navy men and yet she secretly starts dating his godson behind his back
↬ the rooster and the scorpion: bradley & elle
love interest of bradley "rooster" bradshaw
age gap relationship (23 - 35)
coworkers to lovers
black cat girlfriend - golden retriever boyfriend
sunshine boyfriend - grumpy girlfriend
height and size difference: bradley making fun of her because she's much smaller than him but secretly loving it
immediate spark and chemistry between them when they first meet when called back at top gun for the uranium mission
too focused on her career she's inexperienced when it comes to relationships and intimacy, kinda innocent which makes bradley go crazy
at the beginning she thinks he doesn't see her as more than a little sister - he likes her a lot but tries to get over his crush for her because she is mav's daughter
unconsciously flirting with each other
starting to secretly date and sneaking out behind mav's and the squad's back
bradley serenading her by playing the piano at the hard deck making her blush like crazy
makeout sessions in his bronco
↬ let's turn and burn: elle & the dagger squad
the dream team: the best fighter pilots squadron the us navy could ask for
work friends turned real friends
they really are like a family
she's the youngest and everyone treats her as their little sister
special bond and friendship with phoenix; big sis - lil sis dynamic and the baddest female naval aviators duo
when the squad found out she was maverick's daughter they started calling her "nepo baby" and she hates it (but lowkey enjoys it because she is proud to be her father's daughter)
late nights hanging out, drinking and playing pool at the hard deck
football matches on the beach
masterlist pinterest aesthetic board reblogs are appreciated !! do not copy and if you repost please give credits <3
#top gun maverick#bradley rooster bradshaw#bradley bradshaw#bradley bradshaw x reader#top gun aesthetic#top gun maverick aesthetic#original character#pete mitchell#pete maverick mitchell#maverick#bradley bradshaw x mitchell!reader
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Could we have an AU where’s Bradley’s papers didn’t get pulled and he goes to the Naval Academy where he meets Jake and Jake takes him home for Christmas to meet his dad and his dads partners? I’m gonna roll with the idea that Goose is alive (cause I love goose too much to kill him) and he and Mav and Carole are gone on some cruise or something so Bradley doesn’t have any family to go home to for Christmas so ofc Jake being the sweet bf he is invites Bradley home to spend it with him and his family. The only problem tho is that Jake hasn’t exactly told Bradley that two of his dads are a couple of the most influential men in the navy. Bradley just knows them as Ron the man who is terrified of cats and Tom who taught Jake how to speak polish as a kid. Jake also hasn’t told his dads that he’s dating Bradley as in Bradley Bradshaw, the son of goose from their top gun class (let’s pretend that Jake also doesn’t realize that his bf is the son of Admiral Bradshaw who was in the same top gun class with his dads). Jake also definitely hasn’t said anything about his dads cause he doesn’t want to be labeled a nepo baby and he wants to prove himself in the academy. Same as Bradley. And we can we have best friend Javy who knows exactly who Bradley is but won’t tell Jake cause he’s just absolutely living for the free entertainment that this is gonna provide on his winter break (Javy is going home with Jake and Bradley cause his parents are also not around for Christmas).
Don’t mind me just dropping things in your ask box with the intention of leaving them here for me to remember in a couple months when I have the free time to write
MWAH I LOVE YOU GIVING ME FABULOUS IDEAS!
Omg please join Phanie (Aki) and I in writing them. I’d scream. I’m begging you
-
Bradley can admit he’s excited to meet Jake’s dads. He knows very little all things considered but knows Jake was always supported in anything he wanted to do.
He sends off a final text to his mom before joining Jake and Javy in the truck. “So? Do I get to see some cows or some shit since we’re in Texas?”
Jake laughs from where he’s driving. “Not a chance cowboy. Pa and Tata said no cows.” Bradley nods he shuffles his feet a little. “But horses right? Always wanted to actually try riding one.”
Jake looks over with a smile. “Yeah baby, horses.”
Javy grins from where he’s sitting in the back texting Bob. Oh he can’t wait for this Christmas.
-
When they get to the ranch Bradley can only stand there for a second. It’s a big house. Bigger then he expected. Five dogs pour out of the door, Jake and Javy both toss their bags aside to grab them. Jake ends up picking up a little mutt. “Jake is that a coyote?” Jake blinks at Bradley and gives him the ‘I’m adorable and did nothing wrong’ smile. “No..?”
There’s a whistle from the porch. “Baby don’t lie to the poor man. Y’all come on. It’s cold out.” Jake laughs. “Good thing they live in California most of the year. Dad gets cold as hell.”
Bradley nods and grabs Jake’s bag. They make their way to the house, when they step inside Javy takes off deeper into the house like he owns the place. There’s voices in the other room that greet him with joy.
Jake nods for Bradley to follow him. When they enter the kitchen Javy is up on the counter next to the man who came out to get them. “Baby!” Jake is swept into a hug, “oh honey welcome home. And this must be the boyfriend huh?”
Bradley gives the man a little wave. “Hello. I’m Bradley.” The blond clone of Jake smiles and brings him into a hug. “My name is Chris hon.”
Bradley blinks for a second, he knows Jake’s dads names are Tommy and Ron. Doesn’t remember a Chris. “You’re Jake’s father?” The man nods and presses a kiss to Jake’s head on the way by. “Yep! I’m dad. Ron is pa, Tommy is tata which is polish for father.”
Bradley nods. Suddenly there’s two new men in the kitchen. Jake takes off for them both. “Pa! Tata!” They catch Jake in a hug, “hey chickie.” “Hey kiddo.”
Bradley blinks. He’s seen these men in photos with his dad and Mav.
Holy shit that’s Tom Iceman Kazansky.
“Holy shit Tommy is that Nick Bradshaw?”
Bradley freezes. Jake looks up at his dad in confusion. “Pa?” Tom blinks for s few seconds and then snaps his fingers, “Bradley right? Bradley Bradshaw? Never did get how Nicky got Carole to agree to that.”
Jake smacks Tom’s chest with a laugh. “Tata! You can’t be mean to him already!”
Javy snickers from where he’s sitting. Chris elbows him gently in the side. “You put it all together didn’t you kid?” Javy can only shrug, “needed some kind of drama this year.” Chris snorts and makes Javy try some of the soup he was making.
Bradly points at Ron, “you’re his wingman right? Uh? Slider?” Tom snorts, “nailed it kid. He’s more of a husband then a wingman now though.”
Bradley laughs and stares at Jake who isn’t really looking at him. “You’re a nepo baby aren’t you!?” Jake shakes head but before he can say anything Ron interrupts as he walks by Bradley and goes to the kitchen. “Say’s you Bradley. Your dad is an admiral as well.” Jake pulls himself out of Tom’s arms, “he’s what!” Bradley and Jake stare at each other for a good minute.
Oh Javy can’t believe his sister is missing this year’s entertainment just for a fucking cruise. She’d love this. It’s better then The bachelor.
“You are both nepo babies and I’m going to guess you didn’t share who your fathers were for the same reasons. Now someone besides Javy set the table.”
Jake snaps out of it faster and kisses Bradley on the way by, “not done with this conversation.” Bradley nods. He desperately hopes his phone has enough service to text his dad. He needs to know what to be prepared for.
———
Brad what do you mean Ice married his RIO?
Dad I swear. And there’s another blond.
Is it Hollywood?
No? Someone named Chris Seresin?? Jake has his last name??
Tell them I say hello and that we’re all catching up next time we’re all in California.
Dad love you but really not helping the freak out I’m having. JAKES DAD IS THE GODDAMN COMPACFLT
That’s a lot of yelling kiddo, but don’t fuck up with Jake Ice could end your career :) I dunno if I could stop him! :) :)
DAD WHAT THE FUCK????
Love you baby! Have fun! Send photos! Your mom says kisses!

#ron slider kerner#chris seresin#tom iceman kazansky#top gun#tom x ron x chris#ron x chris x tom#jake hangman seresin#jake hangman seresin x bradley rooster bradshaw#bradley rooster bradshaw#javy coyote machado#mac writes top gun#goose lives !
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Charlie's Top Gun & Top Gun: Maverick Master List
Tags:
#Top Gun: Maverick, #Top Gun (1986), #Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw, #Jake 'Hangman' Seresin, #Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, #Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace, #Javy 'Coyote' Machado, #Robert 'Bob' Floyd, #Mickey 'Fanboy' Garcia, #Reuben 'Payback' Fitch, #Nick 'Goose' Bradshaw, #Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, #slooserole, #Ron 'Slider' Kerner, #Carole Bradshaw, #hangster, #icemav, #bobnix, #fanback, #MavDad, #Polish Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky, #Italian Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, #Dagger Squad, #Trans Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw, #Ace Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw
Fics:
AO3:
ignition [hangster, firefighter!Bradley AU, 5+1, humour]
#ignition tag
(sometimes I feel) like a monkey pilot [trans Bradley, transition-related, icemav as dads, hangster, getting back together]
#(sometimes I feel) like a monkey pilot tag
slow down (you're doing fine) [Bradley-centric, icemav as dads, hangster, getting back together]
#slow down (you're doing fine) tag
This hellsite only:
mini fics:
Family of Seven (Bradley and Jake accidentally adopt five kids) #Family of Seven tag
Angsty Baby Bradley series (Bradley POV, WIP snippets, Slider POV, IceMav POV, Adult Bradley POV) [hangster, icemav raised Bradley, Uncle Slider]
fic ideas/drabbles/prompts :
Mav is declared KIA and Ice finds out he's in his will as Bradley's guardian
Mav stays with Charlie until he becomes Bradley's guardian, Ice starts helping with raising him before they even get together
Carole and Mav get married after Goose dies and Ice and Slider pine
Ice is in denial about his feelings for Mav and Slider takes things into his own hands [fwb Slimav, pre-Icemav] Part 1 (Slider POV), Part 2 (Mav POV)
Polish!Ice and Italian!Mav headcanons
Ice and Mav wear matching clothes - Jake and Bradley mimic it years later
Carole and Ice are Catholics and attend Polish Church together
4+1 'Ice checking on Bradley during the night' ficlet [icemav raising Bradley, hangster allusions]
Ice passes away in his sleep and what is left [Jake POV; ice and mav getting older, icemav as bradley's parents, icemav, hangster]
hangster starts here >>
Mav finds out Bradley who he hasn't talked to in over 10 years (and Jake) have a whole load of kids [mavdad angst, hangster, mpreg?? idea]
Bradley learns to pick locks (and people's hearts) [hangster, icemav raised Bradley]
Humour fic AU idea where Bradley's papers haven't been pulled and he does land in USNA but he's doing everything and anything not to be labeled as the nepo baby [icemav as bradley's parents, hangster]
Bradley can't cut onions [hangster, mavdad]
High school AU with Bradley and Jake in secret relationship because Mav disapproves
High school AU hangster being nominated for 'most likely to get married' despite not being a couple (Part 1, Part 2)
Bradley gets Jake small thoughtful gifts (and continues to buy them after they break up)
Jake and Bradley still find their most attractive features to be the ones they had from the beginning [soft hangster headcanon about physical attraction]
Ace!Rooster is avoiding Hangman's advances
Hangster A/B/O with O! Bradley and A! Jake [mpreg & angst, set during TGM and after]
Jake didn't go to USNA AU and met struggling Bradley at college
Hospital AU with nurse!Bradley and doctor!Jake [hangster enemies to lovers, ER coworkers, surgeons icemav] #hangster hospital AU
Actor!Bradley AU where he's filming an ala TOPGUN movie with Jake as his assigned by the Navy aviator, Mav is Jake's CO [hangster, enemies to lovers, mavdad drama]
Jake's dad adores Bradley - or Bradley keeps collecting dads [icemav raised Bradley, hangster]
Hangman and Rooster as a pilot-WSO pair AU
Before Bradley takes the hit on the mission, he says goodbye ala Steve Rogers
10 Things I Hate About You hangster AU idea
Happiest Season AU, Jake takes Bradley for Christmas home
Jake being jealous of Nat (pre-canon)
#Pacific Rim AU - dossier files, idea
Actor tags:
#Glen Powell, #Miles Teller, #Monica Barbaro, #Lewis Pullman, #Tom Cruise, #Val Kilmer, #Jay Ellis, #Greg Tarzan Davis, #Danny Ramirez, #Top Gun: Maverick cast (posts containing more than one of the crew)
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AU ask game, top gun, corporate coworkers
[five facts about an au!]
I know you said corporate, but my head went immediately to pro sports leagues. Blame it on the basketball that was on in the background when I received this ask! Hangman’s family owns a down-on-its-luck NFL team that hasn’t been to the playoffs in 25 years. When it’s reported that Jake Seresin and his wife, Natasha, are planning to move to the city where the team is based, everyone thinks it’s the tale as old as time: the nepo baby faffs around for a few years, does some quantifiable damage, and then leaves a mess for someone else to clean up. But wait! It’s actually Natasha who’s here to save the day.
I also know you said coworkers, but we mix business and pleasure in this house (but actually, please don’t do that). Nat and Jake meet as MBA students at Stanford GSB, and Natasha clocks him as a thorn in her side the moment she stepped foot into that classroom. But who would’ve thought that a class where you learn about yourself and how to forge relationships would be the perfect venue to…forge a relationship? Turns out the hot asshole also has a heart of gold! Turns out she wants to marry him for his NFL team!
There’s a b-plot where Callie and Bob are trying to get the team’s TikTok account up and running, and keep racking up not insignificant bills to expense in the name of virality that they occasionally have to justify to Natasha. They’re giving the people what they want! And what the people want is star RB Javy Machado’s grinning face answering silly questions and doing silly dances.
Half the fan base is ready to toss ancient (read: 36-year-old) QB Bradley Bradshaw out with the bath water, and rumors start circulating that Natasha is having an affair with him because she saved him from the proverbial pre-season chopping block. She hires retired Super Bowl MVP-turned sports psychologist Pete Mitchell to help Bradley work through his yips, so that Bradshaw can have one final glorious season.
In true corporate office shenanigans, someone keeps stealing Fanboy’s lunch from the shared office fridge, and he sets up a Kevin McAllister-worthy boobytrap system to catch the thief. Turns out it’s everyone, because no one should be eating the snack food lasagna experiments he calls edible.
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It's not who you know 3/4
YEAR 3 - Non-angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley and his years at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead...
YEAR THREE - 2003 - PART 3
Bradley’s time in San Diego is now numbered in days rather than weeks and Tom helps him pack for his first extended stay on a cruiser. Tom wonders if his name was even put into a hat for a place on a submarine; unlike his relationship with Man and him, it’s no secret that Bradley wants to fly. If a carrier had been an option he’s pretty sure Bradley would have gotten that. He’s seen Bradley’s report though, knows he’s excelling in all areas, clearly determined to succeed and he’s so proud. Of course, Bradley still needs to take part in the standard summer activities, despite having grown up and having them happening around him constantly, getting dragged across the country to attend various things in his shadow.
“You know I’ll be visiting the USS Princeton while you’re onboard.”
“Yeah yeah, I promise not to have to be thrown overboard for insubordination.”
“No, that wasn’t… I was more thinking that you might find yourself hearing things about me which are going to make you want to pop someone in the nose.”
“Like what?”
“Oh god, all sorts of shit. People think I don’t know what they say behind my back but trust me, I know.”
“I haven’t heard anything!”
“You’ve not done any active service yet. Fresh greenie not even a proper upperclassman yet. You’ll hear stuff.”
The expression on Bradley’s face is equally angry and annoyed and Tom holds back a groan.
“Bradley, I’m serious. You’re really going to have to hold back if you get angry. Don’t worry about my honor okay. You’ve spent the last couple of years pretending you don’t know me and Mav at all, don’t blow your cover over something stupid that doesn’t matter. You understand?”
“Yeah. Thanks Ice. And thanks for going along with this whole thing, I know it probably feels a bit stupid some days, but it’s really nice knowing that the friends I’ve made are my friends because of me you know, not because of what connections I might have.”
“Yeah kid, I get it. Fair warning they might feel pretty pissed when they do find out though.”
“Nah, I’ve picked good friends. I reckon they’ll understand.”
“Okay. Now did you need anything else? I know Mav has been riding you hard about your flight hours…”
Mav of course has made the most of whatever spare time they’ve had and ensured Bradley built up his flight hours again so his license doesn’t lapse. Tom doesn’t think there are going to be very many other upperclassman with as much flight experience as Bradley. Talk about being overqualified. However he also knows it makes for a damn strong application so he’s supported Mav in his undertaking.
They say goodbye to Bradley on the porch, tell him they’ll see him onboard when he’s mixing with the enlisted personnel and Tom wishes they could watch him board, feels like it’s another milestone he’s going to miss. Reminds himself firmly that he’ll see him again onboard the same damn ship and he’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to wave Bradley off on deployment.
… … …
He doesn’t punch anyone, didn’t even need the warning, wonders what Ice thinks people say about him. He’d heard them talk, but nothing more than him being brass and being very cool-headed in times of crisis. It’s all been pretty benign stuff really, and no-one had stopped talking when he entered a room or anything.
For the first time ever he puts up a photo of Ice and Mav beside his bed. It’s weird, but he can see why people don’t see Admiral Kazansky. He’s got a few copies of the photo, Slider having printed him off a bunch in thanks for forwarding him the electronic file and that is probably going to come back and bite him in the ass at some stage. Now he’s back in Bancroft, preparing to help with Plebe Summer, this time older and not being expected to have to deal with people yelling in his face while not reacting. It’s going to be a cake-walk in comparison to two years ago and he’s looking forward to it.
“You’re not meant to be in here,” Bradley says, seeing Natasha at the end of his dorm bed.
“I was sent to collect you, I have permission,” she says, hand waving away his concerns. “Let me look at that photo. Holy shit… I thought your first dad was hot, but your other dad? I mean… wow. I know I told you I like girls more than boys, but these are the type of boys that I prefer…” she says, tapping the photo. “Huh. Maybe it’s just men and women, because to be honest I don’t find anyone here very attractive.”
“Gross,” Bradley states, because he’s very firmly kept the company of his own hand when he’s been on base. His summers are probably a lot wilder than Mav or Ice think they are, but he tries to make use of every night he has home once they’re
“To you maybe… pretty sure you’d find my brother hot.”
“If I did, I wouldn’t tell you!”
“That’s because you’re repressed.”
“Rather be repressed than find either of my dads hot thanks!”
“Okay. That’s fair. And you probably won’t be too ugly once you grow into your face…”
“Wow, you really know how to flatter a guy…”
… … …
Plebe Summer starts and Bradley throws himself into being the best role model he can. He knows that in the future some of these people will be his peers, maybe even be his superior, but right now they have to get through what he still considers the hardest summer of their life. Of course hardly anyone drops out, the selection criteria is far too difficult and physically rigorous to make it something someone would easily just drop-out from without serious consideration first. There’s friendly competition and even friendlier encouragement, the brigades working together.
There’s one guy that keeps catching his eye and he’s not sure if it’s deliberate on the guy’s part, somehow magically putting himself nearly always in Bradley’s line of sight. Or whether he’s only got himself to blame, eyes just drifting to watch. Either way he’s really fucking horny and the guy is hot. Not that he will do anything, but it doesn’t stop him thinking about it.
“Now there is a guy who doesn’t need to grow into his looks…”
He silently agrees.
God what he wouldn’t do to get his hands on him.
Ah well. His own hands on his own body and his mind on another it is.
… … …
“Do I have a sign on me that says to tell me if you’re gay? Or a lesbian? Or bisexual?”
“Um… not literally. But there is the common knowledge that you have smoking hot dads and therefor okay with the gay.”
Bradley groans.
“I had another guy come out to me today. No reason. Just to tell me. Also he said he thinks we’re cute together.”
“Ew.”
“I just nodded and smiled.”
… … …
Michael Williams sighs. It’s the second… complaint? Notification? Information? Tips? Regardless, they’re both about Bradley Bradshaw’s relationship with Natasha Trace. They’ve been spied coming out of rooms together, otherwise small, dark, empty rooms like the store rooms. Fraternization. Actions unbecoming. Fuck. The kid wants to be treated like all the other kids, he’d be getting pulled into Mack’s office for a dressing down, short and sharp. Both of them would be.
Part of him wants to, still a little ticked off at the whole stunt Bradshaw is pulling. He’s not familiar with him outside of watching him last year, seeing a whole raft of his superior officers watch as Admiral Kazansky toured the campus dressed as a civilian. But also Bradshaw is good. He does everything well, more than well. And he’s cheerful and helpful and encourages the underclassmen and there had been no fault in any of his behavior.
Until now.
He walks down the corridor to Admiral Kerner’s office, nervous as he knocks on the open door.
“Sir. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course, come in.”
He does, closes the door behind him and notes the eyebrow raise and the lean back in the chair. He has his full attention.
“Sir. I need you to do a favor and make a call to your friend Kazansky.”
“Why, what’s happened?”
“I’ve got two instances of fraternization for Bradley Bradshaw and Natasha Trace.”
“And you want to do what? Tattle on him to his uncle?”
“No, I was actually after guidance on how I should proceed. I would pull them both into my office and give them a stern talking to, and a warning. Is that appropriate?”
“Bradshaw and Trace are the same rank Captain, it’s not exactly forbidden, just heavily frowned upon. The fact you have had two complaints tells me that this is more likely a case of sour grapes on whoever is complaining, so I’d be having a talk with them as well. But let me see if I can get Ice on the blower…”
Michael will never understand naval aviators and their call signs, but he stands and waits as Admiral Kerner dials, then asks to be put through. Obviously whoever it is on the other end knows not to mess with one Admiral ringing another. He listens to the one-sided conversation and watches Admiral Kerner’s face with interest.
“Hey Ice, it’s Sli. Yes, well, I didn’t think I’d be speaking to you today either. Look. Yeah. This is about Bradley. Did you talk to him about behavior?” Face curious, openly contemplative.
“Okay, so you covered that with him. Then why are we looking at two instances of fraternization?” Eyes narrowed and considering.
“No, it’s with a fellow midshipman. Also an upperclassman.” Serious.
“Yes, I’m aware it’s not actual fraternization.” An eyeroll.
“Yes, it is.” Face back to curious, speculative.
“Oh. Huh.” Surprise.
“I did think it was maybe a case of sour grapes, jealousy at his general capabilities and the fact that he’s generally well liked amongst his peers. Except by a couple apparently.”
“Yes well, he’ll be fine. We’ll pull them in and give them a heads up. Both of them. Midshipman Trace is equally talented and capable.”
“Yeah, was nice talking to you too. Will have to have a proper catchup when it’s not about work.”
… … …
Jake isn’t sure what he has to do to get the guys sole undivided attention, but he’s not going to give up trying. He’s so good at everything, competent in this easy way that turns him on in ways he’s never thought were possible, and he’s a teenager and being horny is pretty much a permanent state for him. Except when he’s too tired to even think, which unfortunately for his first year at USNA is a whole lot of the time. Either it gets easier or people just learn how to cope with everything better because Midshipman Bradshaw makes it look easy.
… … …
“Oh god, it was horrible. I can’t do it again. How do they do it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Submarines! Going under the water…”
“Uh…” Tom exchanges a look with Pete and opens his mouth. Closes it again. Bradley is back home for part of summer, having just experienced his first dive and he’s at a bit of a loss.
“Bradley. Buddy. Uh. You realize you’re in the Navy right? And that has, uh, a lot to do with the water?” Mav says.
“But I’m going to fly planes!”
“Maybe he should have joined the airforce,” Tom muses.
“You wash your mouth out right now!”
… … …
“Seriously, if I was going to fuck around I’d do it somewhere far less obvious than the fucking storeroom!”
Tom winces, because clearly Pete has heard the rumors about Bradley and Natasha Trace. God he loves the rumor mill of the US Navy, bunch of gossipers the lot of them. He hadn’t bothered mentioning anything, because he knew nothing was happening. Mav is of course mentioning it. In the worst possible way. Clearly having forgotten that Bradley came out as gay several years ago and that Natasha Trace is a woman. He’s going to need a coffee.
“Bradley! What do you mean Bradley? Don’t walk away from me young man!”
“You said we leave our ranks at the door with our shoes, so this conversation is over! And I said if!”
“I know what if means in this house, and it definitely means something definitely happened!”
… … …
“Do I even want to know?” Tom asks, taking a quiet sip of coffee.
“Mav’s scared I might be having sex.”
Tom raises an eyebrow, he’s fully aware Bradley’s been sneaking out for the last couple of years. He guesses Bradley’s now feeling mature enough to talk about it. Good.
“Are you being safe?”
“Yes.”
“Good enough for me. Don’t get caught.”
Bradley scoffs.
“I learnt from the best remember!”
“He got caught plenty of times,” Tom says dryly.
“I meant you Ice.”
“Oh.”
It’s been a long time since he’s blushed.
PART FOUR
#Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw#IceMav#Top Gun Maverick#Top Gun Maverick Fanfiction#AU where Bradley goes to USNA#Hangster#creeping in there a tiny bit#it's not who you know
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It's not who you know 4/4
YEAR 4 - Non-angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley and his years at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead... (TW: mention of cancer)
(Part 4 is 6.5k long - same length as the first 3 parts combined.)
YEAR FOUR - 2004 and 2005 - PART 4
YEAR FOUR – 2004 – Part 4
Surprising absolutely no-one Bradley chooses aviation as his warfare cruise option for his first class summer. Part of Tom wants to force him to try something different, to make Slider force Bradley to try something different, but he feels like it would be on par with telling a fish to stop swimming. Bradley belongs in the sky, even if Tom secretly thinks he should maybe have joined the Air Force with his considerable aversion to submarines. Natasha Trace has remained one of Bradley’s closest friends, making the same choice as him and going with aviation. They’re getting in and he’s there in an official capacity to greet the midshipmen.
Bradley has decided to share with her exactly who he and Pete are, which is going to be just as well considering Bradley invited her to stay for a couple of nights before flying out to her own family. Unfortunately he’s pretty sure he won’t have told her yet and they’re about to walk past him. Ah well, there’s nothing for it.
“Welcome back Midshipman Bradshaw. Midshipman Trace.”
“Thank you Admiral,” midshipman Trace replies instantly, she doesn’t show any sign of recognizing him, so he guesses Mav was right about the whole uniform and disguise thing. Although she could simply be more concerned about Bradley’s lack of response which forces him to hold back a smile as she elbows Bradley subtly in the side.
“Uh. Yeah. Thank you Admiral.”
Tom nods and moves on to welcoming back some of the other midshipmen, can’t wait to actually see Bradley at home and talk to him.
… … …
“Bradley… why does the new Vice Admiral know my name? Oh my god, what have I done?”
“Do I need to remind you that our names are on our uniforms?”
“How do you score so highly in observational skills? He approached us from the side, the angle was all wrong. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad thing. Although, did he look familiar to you? I feel like I’ve seen him before, or maybe I’m just remembering it from the Navy News. Okay, I’m freaking out a little…”
“Yeah. You’re rambling. It’s okay. Uh. Okay, so I have something to tell you. And it’s totally going to make you annoyed, but I’m hoping you’ll understand why I haven’t shared it with anyone. And I mean anyone.”
“What?”
“My dads… have you heard of Peter Mitchell, callsign Maverick?”
Bradley can’t help flinch at the look she gives him.
“Yes Bradley, we just had to learn about him, or had you forgotten already? I mean, you didn’t seem to be paying much attention in class,” Natasha says, her tone just as scathing as her expression and he rolls his shoulders; preparing himself mentally for her . He’s grown up just knowing so much already by dint of who raised him that there are definitely times in class when he zones out.
“I didn’t need to pay attention. Maverick is my dad. Well. This is where it kind of gets complicated. My dad was Lieutenant Nicholas Bradshaw, and he flew with Maverick. But he died in 1986 in a training accident. Maverick helped my mom raise me, until she died. Then it was Maverick and his partner…”
“I’ve met you dad. Peter Bradshaw. You trying to tell me that guy is actually Peter Mitchell?”
“Yeah. He thinks he’s hilarious. Just think, they haven’t shown us any photos of what Peter Mitchell looks like.”
“What, all the tutors are in on this conspiracy theory? I mean… are you okay?” Her tone is suddenly serious, like she’s actually worried about him and he feels a welling up of hysterical laughter. Of course the first time he tries to tell someone the truth they doubt him. Of course.
“Peter Mitchell is my dad –”
“But he came with your other dad… Tom… Mitchell. Wait…” her eyes are flickering around the port and he knows she’s piecing everything together now. “Oh shit. That was Vice Admiral Tom Kazansky, who looks familiar because he’s your other dad. Fucking hell.”
He breaths a sigh of relief, glad she’s suddenly gone from thinking him slightly unhinged to acceptance. Now he just has to wait for the anger.
“Yeah. And I don’t particularly want to have everyone thinking I have it easy because of them.”
“Bradley, you work harder and longer than anyone else in our year.”
“Exactly. And I want them to remember that because when they do find out who it is I’m associated with I want them to know I am a hard worker and worthy of respect because I’m me, because I earnt it, not because of Mav and Ice.”
“Wow. You don’t have a chip on your shoulder or anything do you?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
“Army brat, I get you plenty. Huh. Yeah okay. I get it. Damn. A Captain and an Admiral. I really want to be angry but I think I’d have done the same thing. I mean, I didn’t go into the army because I didn’t want to be linked to my family…”
“Thanks. I didn’t like keeping it from you, once we became friends.”
“Wait… so how many people know?”
“Well, I grew up with Mav and Ice. And a lot of their buddies I call uncle.”
“Like who?”
“Uh… Uncle Slider.”
“Admiral Kerner? You call him Uncle Slider?”
“Obviously not when I’m at Annapolis! But yeah, I grew up calling him Uncle Sli. And there’s pretty much any aviator that’s flown with Mav or Ice know all about me. I’m their kid. I spent a few weeks at Annapolis every summer before Plebe Summer helping things get organized. Most of the people there know me pretty well. Have seen me grow up.”
“Holy shit. It is like a massive conspiracy theory! So what, they’re all pretending that they don’t know who you are?”
“No, I just asked them to treat me like any other midshipman. And they’re pretending they don’t know who my parents are, and that means no one else finds out. Unless I tell them.”
“Well, it explains some of your weirder habits I guess. You know, I can’t decide if he looks better in leather or in uniform. Uniform never did anything for me, but I’m maybe seeing the appeal.”
“Oh my god, please do not tell either of my dad’s you think they’re hot okay?”
“They probably know already. Anyway, you owe me one.”
Bradley groans. He guesses he does.
… … …
“It’s so good to see you, welcome home.”
Bradley accepts the crushing hug with a smile, grins at Natasha over Ice’s shoulder, because these are just his dads. The ones that have been doing stupid shit to visit him incognito while he’s at USNA.
… … …
“Oh no, I had no idea who you were until this afternoon. Bradley’s known to all the others as the guy with the hot dads.”
�� “The what?” Tom asks, glad he didn’t have a mouthful of beer, because Pete is having to clean himself up.
“None of the midshipmen have any idea that Bradley is anything other than one of them. I wouldn’t have believed it except for the fact that I’m sitting here with you.”
“She’s failing to mention she started calling you my hot dads,” Bradley mutters.
Mav cackles and Tom hides his smile by taking a sip of his drink.
… … …
Bradley is studying in the rec room when he hears his name called out. Looks up to find an underclassman looking nervous. He doesn’t blame him, it’s only a couple of weeks in and he’s in his first year, he recognizes him from Plebe Summer.
“Sorry to interrupt you Bradshaw. Just, uh, Admiral Kerner would like to talk to you. As a matter of urgency. He’s on the phone with someone and yelled for someone to come and get you straight away…”
He drops everything, doesn’t bother packing up, just starts running. He doesn’t know what has happened, but his mind has immediately jumped to bad news bad news bad news. Nothing else would have Slider yelling for someone to get him. He doesn’t know if it’s Mav or Ice and he has no idea which would be worse. He takes the stairs up two at a time, runs through the open office door and the look on Slider’s face confirms it for him that it is indeed bad news.
“Take a seat son,” Slider instructs, and he’s so used to following orders he just drops into the chair, eyes not leaving the older man’s face. His stomach is somewhere near his knees and is somehow churning away, he thinks he might be sick. Everything he’s done, and this is what is going to make him throw up.
“It’s Ice. He’s collapsed. Mav is somewhere in the Middle East. You need to get to San Diego. I’ve organized a lift.”
“Oh fuck. Do we know what happened?”
“They’re probably doing tests. But I think he’d appreciate having you there when he wakes up. I can get you there.”
Bradley accepts that, this is special treatment for Ice. They can’t pull Mav out from whatever active duty deployment he’s currently on, but Bradley is… available. He feels a flash of anxiety over his studies and place in the USNA but it’s immediately overwhelmed by guilt, because none of that is more important than Ice right now. He’ll figure something out.
… … …
Cancer.
… … …
Fuck.
… … …
His entire body goes cold as he thinks about his mom and he sucks in a deep breath.
… … …
“We think we’ve got it all. We’re going to do a few more biopsies to be sure. He’s going to need some chemo so we installed a port while he was under.”
… … …
He recognizes the language, doesn’t understand everything that they’re saying but he remembers the feeling. Wishes that Mav was here.
… … …
“We’re not sure yet of the extent of spread, but we’re hopeful.”
… … …
Then Mav is there, arms wrapped around him and he feels like a kid again, but also somehow stronger knowing he’s not going through this alone anymore.
… … …
“Bradley. You’re being offered a deferral. A leave of the remaining year and the opportunity to return next year and finish. It’s a family emergency. This isn’t special treatment.”
“Sure feels like it.”
“You deserve good things too kid. But if it would make you feel better I can give you a list of midshipmen we’ve made similar arrangements for in the last decade or so.”
“No, it’s fine. Thank you sir. Just a lot to get a handle of right now.”
“Which is why you’re deferring. You take care of that grumpy bastard for us. And the crazy one too, he’s not going to handle this well. Think we’ve already discussed how you’re probably the most reasonable out of the three of you.”
“That’s not saying much sir.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly mean it as a compliment. You take care okay, I’ll see you back here soon enough.”
“Thank you sir.”
… … …
Jake notices his disappearance. Of course he does. He was his favorite upperclassman and he seemed to be friends with absolutely everyone, including the tutors. Even the brass seemed to be a little extra indulgent of him and he doesn’t know if he’s imagining the campus being quieter, but it feels that way. He tries asking and it’s not quite like getting stone-walled, but all he finds out is that it’s a family thing. At least he knows he hasn’t dropped out. Because that would be a shame.
… … …
His time becomes somewhat disjointed, in between driving Ice back and forth to chemo appointments, he’s permitted to sit in on particular classes at North Island. He trains with men and women much older than him, experienced commissioned officers, those who know he’s had his final year at USNA disrupted and exactly who has raised him. There is nothing but respect from them, that he has put helping Ice above his naval career.
He hadn’t intended on getting a regular hookup, but he doesn’t turn it down. The guy, Matthew, is about five years older than him, patient and funny and Bradley takes it for the opportunity it is, to learn what he likes in regard to sex without the time pressure or fear of being found out. Matthew’s not Navy, so he doesn’t care about who Mav and Ice are, is easy going and isn’t intimidated by anything that Bradley can tell. Their hooking up has an end-date, Bradley knowing he’s going to be returning to USNA and Matthew already having post-doctoral plans in Australia at the end of his degree. Neither of them are interested in long distance so Bradley let’s himself have this.
He gets to go and watch Natasha graduate. Not only her but his entire original intake. He allows himself to feel disappointed for a few minutes that he’s not taking part, but he doesn’t regret his decision to be there for Ice. Everyone he speaks to he finds the same support, everyone agreeing that his decision to put his studies on hold was the right one. It makes him feel a little guilty that he doesn’t mention that he’s still been able to do some of his study in San Diego, that his physical training hasn’t been impacted in the slightest given that he’s been training at North Island. How in some areas he’s definitely now light years ahead of what they’ll cover at the USNA.
… … …
“Bradshaw!”
“Oh. Hey, Seresin right?” Bradley asks, because he can be smooth, pretend he doesn’t know exactly who Jake Seresin is.
“Yeah. You’re here…”
“Yeah. Just wanted to see everyone graduate. Had to take a break this year. Family thing. They let me defer my final year. I’ll be back next year though. I still managed some classes as I was pretty close to North Island and SDU were pretty accommodating as well,” Bradley says, and he realizes he’s rambling but can’t help it. Apparently being smooth was a pipe dream abruptly evaporated into mist. The guy was good looking before, but now another year of growing has filled him out, broadened his shoulders.
“Well, you’re like one of the best they have right? Want to make it easy for you to come back.”
“Uh… I guess,” Bradley mumbles, and he’s pretty sure he’s now blushing. What the hell?
“So where is home for you Bradshaw?”
“San Diego. Why?”
“Was just thinking of maybe taking a little vacation before returning next year.”
“What, you want a tour guide?”
“Something like that…”
Seresin quirks an eyebrow and Bradley knows his shock is showing on his face. He realizes with him deferring Seresin is now only a year below him, that next year they’ll both be upperclassmen, still different years but not the two it was… He’s going to have to ask Ice for clarification because he sure as hell doesn’t need to be called in, not after already getting a warning for baseless accusations about non-existent fraternization.
“Uh… sure. Here, let me give you my number.”
… … …
YEAR FOUR take 2 – 2005 – Part 4
He doesn’t know what deity has decided to smile down on him, but Mav is taking Ice away for a romantic weekend to celebrate the cancer going into remission and it just so happens to be the weekend that Jake is coming to San Diego. He knows they won’t have any issue with him having a guy over, they were fine with Matthew. However Bradley doesn’t want Jake seeing photos of Ice and Mav and himself scattered around the place so he moves around, slides photos into drawers, or places them face down on their bed and closes the door to their bedroom. Leaves a few of his younger self around, doesn’t want to make it look like it isn’t his place. He does pull out the photo that Slider took when Ice and Mav had visited him and puts it on the bookshelf. If Jake somehow recognizes Ice then he’ll deal with it. Hopefully he’ll be otherwise occupied to pay attention to the photos anyway.
… … …
Jake tries to convince himself he’s not nervous, but he definitely isn’t quite as calm and collected as he hopes he looks as he knocks on the door to a nice-looking house in some suburb.
Bradley Bradshaw’s house.
Or at least the address he gave him.
To come and stay for two nights.
Bradley opens the door and he’s just as perfect as Jake remembers him. He’s never wanted someone as much and for as long as he’s wanted Bradley Bradshaw. Been drawn to him since he first saw him and now, now, he might get what he’s been waiting for.
“Hey.”
“Hey. Come in.”
He glances around, no one else seems to be here and he wonders. He drops his bag and takes off his shoes.
“Parents away?” There’s no way Bradley owns this place.
“Yeah. Celebrating cancer remission.”
“Ah…” Family thing his brain supplies. “Would they be okay with me being here?”
“Yeah, I had a, uh, boyfriend and he was here all the time. They were fine with it. Come on…”
Bradley makes a gesture with his head, encouraging Jake to follow him and he does, moving through to the kitchen. Jake’s brain is catching on the boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend and wondering if that’s maybe a position that’s taking applications. He hadn’t considered that and now feels like an idiot for not thinking about it. It’s a traditional time to eat, but he really hopes that there are other things on offer. He doesn’t know how to broach it though, isn’t exactly used to this part.
“You want a drink?”
“No thanks, maybe later…”
The smile is slow, Bradley’s eyes darkening and he steps into Jake’s space and he resists arching into his body. Boyfriend applications of not, he’ll definitely take sex.
“Am I reading this right?”
“Yeah.”
Then it’s a mess of fingers pulling at clothes, lips sliding against his, stubble scraping across his ear and neck, his body being directed to what is clearly a bedroom. Then it’s naked skin, heat, lips again but around his cock, warm hard body pressing against him, firm flesh yielding. All his systems are in overdrive, so many sensations and he never wants it to end and also wants to come so desperately both in equal measure.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, so okay…”
“Fuck you’re pretty…”
“Please…”
He doesn’t have to resort to begging, lets himself be fucked open at the slowest fucking pace and he pushes back, needing it just that little bit faster. Deeper. Harder. A firm hand on his hip stops him and he lets out a little dismayed gasp.
“Nice and slow okay?”
No, not okay Jake thinks, his body almost shaking from the intensity, but then he’s being pulled a little and Bradley is finally fully pressed inside, grinding little circles and he slumps, lets out a whine he’s not sure is from desperation, pleasure or frustration. The pace doesn’t increase and Jake realizes he’s just along for the ride, Bradley fucking him long, hard and slow, so achingly slow it’s almost a tease except for the way it just seems to be ratchetting him tighter and tighter. It morphs into a repeated cadence of their bodies moving together and Jake wasn’t expecting it to be like this.
He thought hard and fast, rushed and desperate feeling, how he’s felt nearly every time he’s seen Bradley Bradshaw cross his line of sight. The only thing that remains is the desperate building need to come, the fact that he feels like he should have already come over fifteen, twenty maybe even thirty minutes ago. He has no idea. Just feels like it’s fucking typical that Bradley is good at sex as well as everything else he tries his hand at. Hands that are touching everywhere, his body covering Jake’s, hand encircling his cock to encourage it along but never enough to get him off.
“God you feel good… look so good,” Bradley says, sounding gratifyingly breathless.
“Am good…” Jake mutters, not wanting him to have any reason to stop, is starting to wonder if he’ll be allowed to come, if maybe this is some type of sadistic pleasure on Bradley’s part.
“Yeah you are… fuck.”
The fingers digging into his hip are bruising and Bradley’s body is shaking and Jake is pretty sure he’s coming, and he makes a little sound of displeasure. At least he hopes that’s what it sounds like to Bradley, because he wants to fucking come. Then Bradley is pulling out and Jake definitely grunts his annoyance now, but there is a soothing hand on his back, lips at his ear, rustling sound of something he doesn’t care about.
“Shh shh shh… roll over.”
He moves, body feeling heavy and leaden, Bradley kisses him, mouth hot. His cock is encircled in warm slippery fingers and he pushes up into it, chasing the pressure which is finally finally closer to what he wants. Needs. He spreads his legs further and then there are fingers sliding back into him, then a mouth around his cock and the sudden combination has him coming immediately, no time for a warning, no breath to give one anyway. He didn’t know orgasms came in this size, shape or form. He's been on the edge for too long and now he’s
falling
falling
falling
from the height that he was raised to. He knew, hoped, it would be good. The level of good has been exceeded, blown apart and he needs to look up some new adjectives.
“Fucking hell…”
All he hears in response is some humming and more rustling, then the sound of someone drinking water and he reaches out with weak grabby hands, none os his muscles seeming to want to cooperate. Water would be great right now, but he can barely move. Fortunately the bottle is placed in his hands and he forces himself up to a semi-sitting position so he can take a deep drink.
“I need to brush my teeth, lube is gross. Didn’t think that through at all.”
Jake pulls a face, because he hadn’t even thought about it, had been far too busy enjoying it.
“I appreciate your dedication to the job…”
“Thought you would,” Bradley smirks. “I’ll grab your bag as well.”
“Thanks.”
… … …
He pulls on clean underwear and he’s glad there’s already the expectation that Jake is staying. Doesn’t want to have the awkward post-hook up conversation, because while he hasn’t had to have one of those in a while it doesn’t erase the remembered awkwardness at all. Definitely an unexpected perk of a regular hookup. He brushes his teeth as he walks around, re-enters his bedroom and drops Jake’s bag on his bed, goes back to the bathroom; glad he has a task to do because yeah, still feels a little awkward.
He goes back to his bedroom and Jake hasn’t moved much, looks pretty fucked-out and Bradley likes the look on him. He is really fucking pretty, and fucking makes him prettier. He stalks over, shoves the untouched bag onto the floor and crawls up his body.
“Did I tire you out?”
“Fuck off. No. Just. More intense than I thought it would be.”
“Good intense? Wait, that wasn’t, like, your first time or anything was it?” Bradley asks, running his fingers absently over Jake’s body.
“No. Would have been pretty shitty if I hadn’t told you that. Just… I’m not the one here who has had a boyfriend…”
“Uh, I mean I haven’t really either… I mean, I guess he was. But we didn’t go on dates or anything. And he’s in Australia now, we started hooking up and then realized we were both intending to be leaving San Diego about a month apart and it was just… convenient.”
“Still plenty more, uh, experience than me.”
“Oh yeah, that’s fair. God. Too fucking exhausted to worry about getting laid my first year and too busy the second and third…”
“You’ve never hooked up with anyone at Annapolis?” Jake sounds surprised and Bradley shakes his head, because he meant every word about being exhausted and too busy. Plus he hadn’t needed anything getting back to Mav and Ice, because it would have. Case in point, Natasha.
“Nope. Not worth the risk. Already been pulled into the Admiral’s office just on the whisper of rumor I was sleeping with Natasha.”
“You weren’t?”
“No. She’s like… a sister. And I’m gay.”
“And what about now?”
“Uh… I’m still gay.”
“No,” Jake rolls his eyes, shoves at his shoulder. “Worth the risk?”
Oh.
Oh.
Jake’s looking at him, expression split between nervous and hopeful and fuck, he’s maybe made an error of judgement.
“I’m, uh, not looking for a boyfriend or anything…”
“And how about a regular thing?”
“With you? At boat school?”
Jake shrugs, looking more unsure and Bradley suddenly wants. Previously he’d ruled it out, wanting to focus on being the best. Getting through and not having time to figure out who might be interested, but to already have someone makes things simpler… There’s still the risk of getting caught, but they’ll both be upperclassmen with more liberty leave and he’s not an idiot, he knows there are places and that some of the others definitely have sex on the regular.
“I wouldn’t be averse…”
“And what about the end of the year? When you graduate?”
“I guess we have this discussion again…”
… … …
Jake resists the idea of actual sightseeing, wants to spend every second in bed, but Bradley insists on dragging him out to the zoo and a quick afternoon tour. For all his talk about them just hooking up the whole thing has a very date-like quality to it and Jake leans into it, lets Bradley lick ice-cream from his lips, pull him by the hand to his favorite exhibits in the zoo and not pointing out that he never lets go. He’s pretty sure it’s the best weekend he’s ever had.
… … …
He’s had a weird hypothetical conversation with Ice, probably one of the most awkward ones they’ve ever had. How and where to have sex at Annapolis, and not get caught. He’s reassured that as he’s currently non-commissioned there isn’t a matter of inappropriate misuse of rank, no fraternization he can actually get in trouble for. But his reputation is a different form of currency and he needs to be careful. He really does have to weigh up the risk and benefit but he’s also just spent the last year watching Ice battle cancer and he’s maybe thinking that a little risk in order to live his life to the full is okay.
… … …
It’s different being back, bunking in with a different crowd of guys, a sharp contrast to the sheer amount of freedom he’s had in the last year but also comforting in its familiarity.
“Holy shit Bradshaw, you look nothing like your dads…”
“Uh. They’re not related to me.”
“They adopted him.”
“Aw, like a puppy from the pound…”
“Sure…” Bradley agrees, knows he’s fighting a losing battle, glad that no one has recognized Ice from the photo, but also the knowledge that he has two dads is simply common knowledge and he’s grateful that it’s likely weeded the worst of the assholes from wanting to interact with him. He isn’t close with any of them like he was with Natasha in his year, but he does know many of them, the sheer amount of time they have to spend together resulting in enforced comradery.
… … …
“We’ve got liberty leave.”
“We do.”
“Want to catch a movie together?”
“Sure.”
… … …
“You couldn’t wait until this weekend?”
“No. God. Do you have any idea how fucking hot you look?”
“No, I could do with hearing it again…”
… … …
“Gentlemen.”
Fuck.
“Admiral Kerner sir.”
“Would you like to explain to me what’s going on here?”
“Uh…”
“Wrestling sir. Playfighting.”
Admiral Kerner closes his eyes, scrunches up his face and he looks like he’s almost in pain and Jake hopes he’s not going to have a heart attack. He glances at Bradley quickly, but holy shit he looks calm as anything, completely unperturbed by the fact that they’ve just been interrupted by a fucking Admiral. He thinks he might be sick.
“Right. Okay. Well then can I suggest you use the gym where there are appropriate mats for wrestling. Or other such venues in the city when you’re on liberty leave.”
“Thank you for that advice sir.”
“You’re welcome Midshipman Brad - shaw. And your name?”
“Uh, Seresin sir.”
�� “Noted. You’re excused gentlemen.”
Jake has never walked away so relieved in his life.
… … …
“Hey Ice, what’s Uncle Slider’s favorite drink?”
“Why?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“Am I going to hear about it anyway?”
“Can you just tell me what he likes to drink? I can buy it myself now.”
“Tell me what happened and I’ll buy him the best… And if he deserves the best then you can’t afford it.”
Bradley groans.
“He, uh, maybe walked in on me in a compromising position.”
“With… who?”
“Uh, just a guy.”
“This the hypothetical guy you may or may not think is scorching hot? The same one you had over the weekend we went away? The totally hypothetical one?”
“Maybe?”
“You sound exactly like Mav when you say that word. What’s his name?”
“Can I take a pass on that?”
“Nope. I can just ask Slider. Make it even worse for you.”
“Ugh. Fine. Jake Seresin. He’s a year below me.”
“Okay. I’ll send Sli a case of port and sign it with my name. You’d get in trouble for trying to bribe a superior officer. He’ll know why though.”
“Thanks Ice.”
“Trust me, I’ve gotten Mav out of far worse.”
… … …
“Your dads aren’t coming to graduation? What the fuck?”
“It’s fine, it’s okay. I knew this was always a possibility…”
“Oh, I guess with him being sick.”
“Yeah, of course. Difficult to travel and stuff like that.”
He wants to meet Bradley’s parents, feels like it’s the step to somehow shoving what they have into something more, at least in Bradley’s eyes.
“They might surprise me. They’ve done it before.”
For some reason Bradley doesn’t look thrilled at the idea.
… … …
His graduation day is coming and even a year delayed he can’t help but feel immensely proud. His final year has been easier academically with having the classes split over two years. It’s enabled him to help his peers and help run a couple of the social clubs. And of course, he’s been sneaking around and secretly having sex with Jake. Noone seems to have realized that they’re hooking up, and he guesses it because he hangs out with lots of different groups and people in equal measure, and Jake is in some of those groups as well. He’s even had a couple of guys make a pass at him, which he’s simply deflected and declined. Politely.
He’s been thinking about maybe telling Jake, but it’s only been a year and he didn’t tell Natasha for three. However he knows Ice and Mav are going to be at his graduation somehow, but he isn’t sure in what capacity and they refuse to tell him. Even Uncle Slider won’t give him a hint, other than confirm that they are both going to be there. He has no idea whether they’re going to pull off the ridiculous disguises again, or attend the formal ceremony in full dress uniform. Rather than be annoyed or worried he wants them there. Desperately wants them there now, knowing that one day they might not be and if there is any silver lining to Ice’s cancer it has to be that.
… … …
“We’re going to miss you. It’s been a pleasure to have you at the USNA Midshipman Bradshaw. I look forward to watching your career with the US Navy.”
“Thank you Admiral Kerner. For everything.”
“You still have your heart set on flight school?”
“Yes sir.”
“Well, you’ve got a recommendation from me. You’ve been an exemplary young man, and I’m saying that not because of your history, but despite it. You could have come in here and coasted. Expected favors from your peers and greased wheels. Instead you’ve kept a very low profile, for the most part. I think some of the others have even forgotten who you’re actually related to…”
“Not you though sir.”
“No, not me. Of course receiving a case of port helps me both remember and forget certain things.”
“Please do sir, sorry about that.”
“I was young once too.”
Fuck. He’s never going to be allowed to forget that.
… … …
“Bradley!”
“Holy shit! Natasha!”
They hug for a few seconds before remembering exactly where they are and stand back, grinning wildly at each other, straightening their uniforms.
“How the hell did you get the leave?”
“I have friends in high places and am not afraid to use them…”
“Bullshit.”
“Nope. I asked whether it was maybe possible and got the response that I’d make a pretty easy graduation gift all things considered.”
“Have you seen them? Do you know what they’re wearing?”
“Have they not told you?”
“No!”
“Oh this is going to be great! Stay here.”
He doesn’t even have to wait, simply turns to where she’s stalked off to and he can see Ice walking toward him, greeting and congratulating others as he walk. It’s not direct, but close enough. The crowds parting in front of him and he realizes then that Mav’s coming up behind him, following in his wake and also dressed in his full dress whites. He wants to hug them. Desperately wants to hug them both. However it’s not permitted in uniform, although he knows many of the brass look the other way on days like today, there is still no reason for him to be hugging an Admiral or a Captain.
“Captain Mitchell, Vice Admiral Kazansky, my best friend Bradley Bradshaw.”
“Nice to meet you,” Bradley says, and it feels ridiculous. Mav is grinning, clearly amused and it isn’t helping him keep a straight face.
“Nice to meet you too Midshipman Bradshaw, your parents must be very proud of you.”
“I’d like to think so sir.”
“Know so. They’re definitely proud. All of them.”
“Thank you sir,” Bradley says, swallowing against the tightness in his throat.
“How about I take a photo? Bradley’s a massive fan of yours Admiral,” Natasha says, clearly amused but he can tell she wants to somehow capture this day for them.
“It’s true, big fan of both of you. I’d really love a photo with you. Please.”
“Of course. Anything for a fan,” Mav says, grinning and Bradley catches Ice’s roll of the eyes.
“I’m just going to take a dozen or so, new digital camera so we can delete the bad ones.”
Bradley poses , smiles slightly and lets Natasha take photos until she seems satisfied.
“Uh, Captain Mitchell, I was wondering if I could also get a photo with you sir?”
“Of course,” Mav agrees, and another Midshipman in his year is getting his photo taken with Mav, and then with Ice.
“Oh, would you mind if I got a photo as well?” Another asks, and Bradley starts backing away, can see people starting to take notice of exactly who they might be and why people might want photos with them.
“Uh, sure…”
There’s a fucking queue forming and Bradley exchanges a look with both Mav and Ice, because this is what they’ve avoided all those other times they’ve visited but he wouldn’t change things.
… … …
Jake freezes, because he’d know that profile anywhere. As he turns he knows for certain that it’s Vice Admiral Kazansky. And okay, he may have done a report on him when he was in high school, made up a whole bunch of shit about admiring him, when he really thought he was hot as fuck. He could multitask and think he was a great pilot and jerk off to photos of him while also wanting to be like him. He watches as he turns again, head lowering slightly to hear whatever the shorter man, a Captain, at his side is saying and the pair of them together look familiar from somewhere, but he can’t place it. People seem to be lining up to take photos with him, and he wishes he had a camera. The man is still damned attractive.
“Uh, hi Jake.”
“Bradshaw.”
“Oh, are we doing last names?”
“Well, you’ve been kind of avoiding me the last couple of weeks so I thought maybe it was your way of not having that conversation we were due to be having…”
Bradley winces and Jake feels a flash of justified annoyance. He’s well aware he’s fallen in love, is aware that Bradley maybe hasn’t and he’d worked at trying to be okay with it. Hoped that at least Bradley would talk to him rather than effectively disappear on him for nearly two weeks.
“So, I’ve been trying to figure something out and you’re kind of distracting.”
“Don’t flatter me to make me stop being annoyed. Just tell me what you’ve decided…”
“Well, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to meet my dads?”
“Did they make it after all?” Jake asks, and yeah, he’s annoyed with Bradley but he’s also excited for him. He clearly has a good relationship with his dads and was disappointed or worried about them making his graduation. “Wait. You want to introduce me to them?”
“Yeah. I’ve been wanting to tell you, but until I saw them just now I didn’t know how and well… I want you to meet them.”
He frowns at the slightly weird turn of phrase but he guesses Bradley is nervous, which is actually fucking adorable considering how confident and sure he is nearly all of the time. Make a nice change.
“I’d love to meet them.”
“Come on…”
He follows Bradley, a little confused that they reach the edge of a small gathering and then simply wait; people are still taking photos with the Admiral and he wonders if Bradley is wanting a photo first. Then the Captain is excusing himself and heading toward them, the smile on his face wide and Jake swallows, suddenly nervous.
“Jake, this is Pete Mitchell. Captain Peter Mitchell. My dad.”
“Nice to meet you sir.”
“And you Jake,” Captain Mitchell says, shaking Jake’s proffered hand.
Then the Admiral is there, clearly having followed the Captain and Jake looks at the two of them, standing either side of Bradley and his mind flashes to a similar image, a bedside photo in a frame, where the clothes are very very different. Oh fuck.
“And this is my other dad, Admiral Tom Kazansky.”
“Oh fuck…”
Captain Mitchell lets out a loud bark of laughter and Bradley looks resigned while Admiral Kazansky has a tiny smile on his face, obviously quietly amused.
“And this is Jake Seresin. My boyfriend…”
Yeah.
He’ll take that title.
THE END
#Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw#Top Gun Maverick#AU where Bradley goes to USNA#Hangster#it's not who you know
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It's not who you know 2/4
Non-angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley and his years at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead...
PART ONE
SECOND YEAR
“Come on, let’s go for a run. No slacking off just because it’s the summer break. Don’t want to be the slacker come summer training.”
“You wanna race old man?” Bradley taunts, laughs. He loves being at the USNA, but it feels so good to be home.
“You think you can beat me?”
“I could do it blindfolded!”
“Don’t run blindfolded!” Ice calls out, coming up the footpath and pulling his suitcase behind him. Bradley turns to him with a bright smile, wraps his arms around him.
“Hey Ice…It’s good to see you. Missed you.”
“Missed you too. Sorry I’ve been away so much.”
“It’s all good, I get it.”
“Yeah, I know you do. And I know you’ve told Mav all about it, but can you humor an old man and tell me about it? Let me reminisce a little?”
“Did you hear that Bee-radley? He called himself old.”
“He still calling you BeepBeep?”
“He’s trying not to… Mixed results,” Bradley replies, pulling a face.
“Twenty pushups each time you slip up,” Ice states and Mav immediately scowls. Ice leans closer to Bradley, voice low; “He won’t slip up again.” Bradley laughs again.
… … …
“Good first year huh?” Tom asks, can feel the soft smile on his face as he takes in the physical changes in Bradley. The little bit extra height, much broader shoulders, the more confident bearing. It’s a stark difference to the young man he’d last seen at Christmas. Between the distance, work commitments and the limited liberty leave Plebes get it’s been months since he’s seen him.
“The best. I love it.”
“Then I’m glad. Lot of people bitching at me that you’ve made their lives harder.”
Bradley shrugs, he clearly doesn’t care about how the brass feels and Ice knows that that attitude is one-hundred-percent Pete’s fault. Lord help him.
“Have you made friends?” He asks, wants to hear about them.
“Yeah, lots. My platoon is the best though.”
“Always is,” Ice agrees.
… … …
Ron looks around the room, waits for the new staff to arrive and smiles. This year they’re more prepared, Mackenzie isn’t going to be made to feel like an idiot. Maverick and Ice will keep their distance and they can just treat Bradley like any other midshipman.
“Welcome back everyone, you’ve all got the agenda for today. All should be pretty familiar to you. One item we didn’t get in time for last year due to somewhat delayed communications, is Bradley Bradshaw. For those of you that are new, Bradley Bradshaw is going to be entering his second year. His behavior is exemplary, however there is one quirk we have been asked to accommodate.”
“What? We don’t accommodate midshipmen’s quirks…”
The interruption has come from the new guy, William O’Neil, not someone he’s ever had much to do with, but definitely qualified on paper. Ron sighs, because he gets it. He does. They have the Honor Concept, and this seems to fly in the face of it, however it’s a small subterfuge and he’s pretty sure he’d have wanted the same thing if he were in Bradley’s shoes.
“When Admiral Kazansky asks me to accommodate something, I follow his orders. However you’re welcome to give him a call and let him know that you won’t be going along with it…”
“Ah… what is it exactly?”
Glancing around the room Ron smiles, if looks could bury bodies Williams would be six foot under. Several times. Lots of the people in the room have a soft spot for Bradley, for a variety of reasons.
“Bradley Bradshaw is the surviving son of Lieutenant Nicholas Bradshaw, who died in a training incident while at Top Gun in 1986. Captain Peter Mitchell raised Bradley Bradshaw as his own and has been his main caregiver since his mother died of cancer in 1996. When Mitchell has been deployed, Bradshaw has lived with Admiral Kazansky, whom he calls Uncle Ice.”
“Now, in the interest of full disclosure, Bradshaw also grew up calling me Uncle Slider. The particular class of Top Gun I was part of remains very close knit. Now. Bradshaw wishes for us to treat him as if we do not know him. He expects to be treated the same as all the other midshipmen. This is not difficult, because he has been raised by naval aviators and he is already quite focused on that career trajectory. But it can make… teaching him… challenging. He already knows a lot of the material we have to teach them all. Now, obviously not his studies, but the naval orders, he already had them memorized before he got here. So…”
“Is he disrespectful?” O’Neil asks, frowning.
“Never. Which is impressive considering how many times he must bite his tongue when he has the upperclassmen telling him what to do. I’ve had no complaints from anyone. This is just a reminder and a heads up that yes, while he wants to be treated as any other midshipman, he isn’t any other midshipman. Just follow due process and we’ll be fine. I do not want Kazansky ringing me asking questions about unfair treatment, so make sure you keep it fair. Understood?”
… … …
It’s easier now, with the tutors and officers knowing he doesn’t want to be recognized. They slip up sometimes, which he always deflects as he catches their eye rolls, but he also knows that some of them respect him for not expecting special treatment. Although he guesses asking all his commanding officers to ignore his familial ties is special treatment in itself. He sighs. It’s a no-win situation.
… … …
�� Bradley doesn’t expect the first person to approach him.
“Hey! Bradshaw!”
“Uh, hi Murphy… you doing okay?”
“Yeah. Look. I just… I heard that you have two dads.”
“Yep. You got a problem with that?”
“No! No. Definitely not. Not at all. I was just… uh. I was going to say. Uh. Me too.”
“You have two dads?”
“Uh. No. Well, I have a step dad, does that count? No. I mean. I’m… gay.”
“Oh. Okay. Uh. Why are you telling me?”
“I just thought you’d be… okay with it.”
“Oh! Yeah. Of course I am. I really don’t care man.”
“Thanks. Catch you later Bradshaw.”
Bradley watches him jog off from the quad and he shakes his head.
“That was fucking weird…”
… … …
Tom’s tired, eyes gritty and his chest feels tight, like no matter how deep he breaths in he can’t quite get his lungs full. The light is on in the living room and he walks through, finds Mav sitting on the sofa and flicking through a clothing catalogue.
“What are you looking for?”
“T-shirts.”
Tom frowns, because to his knowledge Mav just goes and buys three or five packs of the cheapest white or black t-shirts from whichever store is open when he remembers he needs them.
“For… Bradley?”
“Nope. I’m making myself a secret identity.”
“What?” It’s not even a question, more of a statement. Of course he is. He didn’t curb his behavior last year so he now figures he has free reign.
“Well, you know Bradley won’t let us visit him because he doesn’t want everyone to know who his family is. So… I’m going for hip-looking professor. Blazer over a t-shirt, but it has to be a t-shirt with a band or something to show I’m hip. It’s similar enough to what I wore last year, maintain the illusion.”
“Do kids actually use the word hip?
“Huh. I don’t know. I made you one by the way.”
“Made what?”
“A secret identity. Want to know what it is?” Pete wiggles his eyebrows suggestively and part of Tom is afraid to ask.
“I’m not wearing a blazer.”
“No. But you know how you had that leather jacket back in the 80s? Thought I’d bring it back…”
“I… do I even have that anymore?”
“Sure do. Bet it still fits too.”
… … …
“Is your dad coming this year?”
Natasha is asking about the upcoming parent visit weekend and he sure as fuck hopes not but they’ve been unnaturally quiet and oh fuck… that’s never a good sign.
“Ugh. Maybe. Probably. Why?”
“Well, I get a bit sick of looking at all the boys around me, sometimes someone needs a proper man to appreciate…change of scenery.”
“I really don’t know whether to be insulted or grossed out.”
“Both, I was aiming for both.”
“Well, mission fucking accomplished. Can we stop talking about my dad?”
“I really want to meet your other dad now, hotness usually goes together you know?”
Bradley groans.
… … …
“Trust me, they won’t recognize you. The uniform does a lot for making you recognizable.”
Tom isn’t quite so sure, but he’s already made a couple of calls to make sure they don’t recognize him. He’s definitely not letting Pete dye his hair, although he has agreed to time their visit after some rare days off so that he has a bit of stubble. Not that his blonde stubble really shows like Mav’s does. He’d only agreed to this madness because this year he won’t be able to see Bradley for Thanksgiving or Christmas. And Hannukah is out of the question. He can’t go nine months without seeing him. So a special trip when Bradley has a liberty weekend. Well. Afternoon. He’d rung Slider and asked. Slider has assured him everything will go smoothly.
“So, what’s our plan here?”
Unlike previous times they’re planning on taking Bradley out for dinner, want to actually talk with him rather than whatever subterfuge Mav did last time where he just watched from afar. Of course come summer Bradley will be on a carrier and Tom can show a purely professional interest and visit under the guise of work and won’t have to go to the ridiculous lengths that Mav is currently insisting on.
“So, I’m Peter Bradshaw okay?”
“Yes. And what are we calling me? Kazansky is pretty damned specific.”
“I was thinking Tom Mitchell would uh, be…”
His throat catches, wonders what it would be like to actually take Mav’s name, or have Mav take his.
“Yeah, that’s uh, yeah. Tom Mitchell. Sounds good.”
… … …
“Oh my god…”
He’s never seen Ice dressed like this and he’s pretty sure his eyebrows have taken flight off his face in disbelief. Black jeans. Since when has Ice owned black jeans? Or any jeans? The jacket he vaguely remembers from his childhood, but seeing Ice in all black is weird. And he hasn’t shaved. And he’s… he’s smoking a cigarette. What the fuck. Ice turns slightly and now Bradley can also see Mav, wearing a fucking suit. He needs a photo of this whole thing immediately. He’s going to hold this over them forever.
“Uh… hi pops? Dad…” He’s not ever called Ice anything other than Ice before, and that’s clearly not an option right now. The pleased smile he gets though makes him think he should maybe start.
“Bradley!” Mav hugs him and he realizes he must have grown again, because Mav is definitely shorter. He laughs and pats Mav on the head, laughing harder as Ice laughs with him, both of them amused at the scowl on Mav’s face.
“Hi, yeah, you guys made a special trip huh?”
“Liberty time… we thought we could take you out to dinner.”
“Sure,” Bradley says, and he rolls his eyes to let him know how unimpressed he is, but part of him is happy to see them. He hopes Uncle Slider is getting as much amusement from this whole thing as he is at least. Actually…
“You want me to show you around a bit?” Bradley asks, and the look on Mav’s face is positively gleeful. There’s his answer he guesses.
… … …
They walk around and Bradley nips into Bancroft to grab his camera, it’s not really a tour as such, given how familiar he is with the grounds. He’s glad he no longer has to deal with the grueling lifestyle, but equally glad that Bradley is thriving in it. He doesn’t pay attention to the other people wandering around, but then Bradley is calling out.
“Admiral Kerner sir! Sorry. I just thought I’d introduce you to my, uh, parents.”
Fucking hell. Slider. The gleeful grin on Slider’s face, eyes lit with delight and Tom purses his lips, tries to convey his displeasure while also trying to look pleased to apparently meet this person for the first time.
“Of course Midshipman Bradshaw.”
“This is Peter Bradshaw and Tom Mitchell.”
“Pleasure to meet you both,” Slider says, and his grin is almost manic.
“Sir, would you mind taking a photo of me with my parents?”
“Of course.”
They pose and Slider takes a careful photo, passing back the camera.
“Bradley, I want a copy of that you hear me?” Slider asks, voice pitched low and Bradley gives him a cheeky grin.
“Of course sir.”
Bradley and Mav move off a little and he hangs back.
“That photo better not see the light of day.”
“I’ll just bring it out when I need a good laugh. Though, Tom Mitchell huh? You have something you want to tell me?”
“Fuck off Slider…”
“You know, if you do get married and I’m not the best man, I’m going to be fucking pissed.”
“Yeah yeah…”
YEAR THREE
#Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw#IceMav#Top Gun Maverick#Top Gun Maverick Fanfiction#AU where Bradley goes to USNA#it's not who you know
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Mav (and Ice to a lesser extent) would be far harder on Bradley than they would be on any other kid/adult.
They see Bradley and compare him to themselves, forgetting that they're fully grown adults (debatable in Mav's case) and have YEARS of experience and training on Bradley.
They know what Bradley is capable of, and when he's half-assing it, so they're always pushing him to be better.
Also some of their personal drive for Bradley to BE BETTER is because they know being better will keep him safer. Not safe, but safer. (Being a parent is terrifying when your kid isn't doing a risky job, let alone when they are).
They don't really get it until some of their friends are complimenting them on Bradley's knowledge and skills and they're like 'great! we didn't fuck up!' but then one or the other makes a passing comment and someone (Slider?) just makes a 'what the fuck?' face and asks them outright that if they were looking at any other new recruit, would they be impressed. And they answer that yes, of course they would be.
And then they realise that actually maybe they have fucked up. Bradley knows he's loved, but he doesn't know that they're so immensely proud of him.
#Shower thoughts#and parent thoughts as I am 110% this parent and I have to remind myself to reign myself in constantly#Bradley Rooster Bradshaw#Top Gun Maverick#this is also part of the angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley fic...#edited to clarify about the whole risky job thing
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WIP FIC List - pinned post
All completed fics can be found at: ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN, however if you prefer an up-to-date list you can visit this Tumblr post, as it lists all my TG/TG:M fics and links to both AO3 and the first Tumblr post for that fic.
*ACTIVE WIPS - (updating at least once a week)
Online and Anonymous - 7/16 - WIP - Hangster who are anonymous Grindr buddies for YEARS, but then 'decide' to meet. (Tumblr post)
Sagas of Solitude 5/? - IceMav with side Hangster AU - angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley Bradshaw who has to keep his relationship with Mav and Ice a secret when he starts at the USNA. Featuring married Ice and Mav (but not to each other). Prologue He Remembers and Lonely Nights are both set in this verse.
*Active WIPs, versus WIPs listed below - more writing time and energy is spent working on the above, while the below are fics I work on sporadically (or in the weekends).
WIP STATUS (+ FIC IDEAS CURRENTLY GERMINATING)
A) Where do I know you from? 9/? - Hangster - There are too many Jakes and Bradleys for Jake and Bradley to be dealing with. (Tumblr idea unspooling here...)
B) Bradshaw Twins - chaptered fic following a Hangster one night stand. (Tumblr post)
C) To wake, perchance to dream - 2/? - Jake wakes up in the future, gets a glimpse of what their life could be and then wakes up back right before being called back to Top Gun for the special detachment (e.g. TGM). (Tumblr post and the beginning of the fic)
D) Together or not at all... (SEQUEL) - Hangster - years after Javy/Nat get together they think their best friends (Hangman and Rooster) could maybe try dating each other. It'll either end in disaster or not.
E) Cyclone/Maverick - Cyclone is struggling to deal with being attracted to the most annoying person he's ever met. Why does he like him so much?
F) Bradshaw twins - quick fic/MeetCute. (Tumblr post)
G) Celebrity Chef Bradley. Heading into this little world.
H) Getting to know you from the beginning - an Ice/Mav epistolary fic where Jake and Bradley matchmake them, not realising exactly who it is they've matched together. AU divergent ish.
I) Life is too short to waste time matching socks... 3/? The peach and eggplant socks as an anonymous gift as an incredibly unsubtle hint that someone would like to fuck them. (tumblr idea unspooling here...)
J) Barista Jake? Fleshing this out into a proper length fic? (HERE)
K) Caring, Keeping and Collecting Transformers - A Guide - 3/?Transformers cross-over for help me @yeagrave is 110% to blame for me adding this... (related to this post)
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