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harringtonswriting · 1 year

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the one with the mutual pining | j.h.s.

summary: it's always been fun to flirt with jake, though you'd never cross the line to take you from friends to something more because while he flirts back, does he really mean it? well, bradley bradshaw decides this is something they're gonna rectify, and it definitely ends in your favour pairing: jake 'hangman' seresin x fem!reader warning(s): language; references to alcohol word count: 4.2k notes: here is my very first attempt at writing tgm, and at writing hangman. this is all completely thanks to @katsu28 who has entertained all my tgm thoughts. this one's for you kait!! <3 also, there are a couple alternate endings for this one too 👀 if anyone wants to read them when they're finished or maybe have them turned into other fics, let me know!

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Friday nights always seem to be the busiest nights at the Hard Deck. Or, well, they have been since you started working there.

It always seems to start getting packed not long after dinner time, usually by a good mix of civilians and members of the Navy who were stationed in Fightertown. A lot of them seemed to know Penny, especially the aviators. Penny had warned you about them when she gave you the bartending job; about their flashy smiles, their nicely styled yet somehow perpetually windswept looking hair, and all the trouble that comes with them. There’d been a fond smile on her face when she said that, so you were sure there was a story (or maybe many) behind her warnings.

It was on your very first Friday that you’d met Lieutenant Jake Seresin. Well, you’d actually met most of the Dagger Squad (which you’d been told was what they were called by Mickey after a few Fridays together), but it was Jake who stuck out to you the most. You’d be a liar if you said his sparkling green eyes and dimples weren’t attractive, and he absolutely had the confidence you’d expect from someone who flew million dollar planes for a living. The way he leant on the bartop, grinning at you as he ordered a beer and introduced himself was full of charm, and the slight southern drawl that curled his words drew you in immediately. But you didn’t let him know that; no, you pointed him to the back of the line of people waiting to order, and handed Bradley Bradshaw his drink instead.

That was the start of your friendship with Jake, and your infatuation with him. That part you keep to yourself, though. At first it was because you didn’t think it was anything other than a tiny crush, but then when that didn’t go away no matter what you did (or what Jake did). And then it was because he’d become a friend by that point, a familiar face and someone you enjoyed seeing and talking to, just like the rest of his squad of aviators, and you didn’t want to risk losing him like that. That’s what you told yourself, at least. Plus, the two of you had built up quite a fun back and forth with each other, all witty jokes and subtle flirting (on your end; Jake tends to flirt heavily with just about anyone) and you looked forward to it whenever you see the squad of aviators walk in the door.

This Friday night is no exception; they’ve been here for about an hour already, drinking and laughing and unwinding from the stress of the week. Bradley had told you earlier that one of the Admirals had a particularly large stick up his ass lately, and their squad in particular had been feeling the heat. Which meant they were keeping you busy, because Pete and some of the older aviators had commandeered Penny’s attention. Not that you were complaining, because you enjoyed talking to all of them and getting paid to do so.

Jake approaches the bar top on his own for the first time since arriving; he’s got a grin on his face as he leans his arm on the polished wooden surface closest to you. It’s early enough in the evening, not long after the bar had opened for the day, that it’s not very busy yet so you can give him your full attention while Penny chats with Pete and the patrons at the other end.

He’s wearing a soft-looking green button down shirt, with the top few buttons undone. The colour brings out his eyes, His sleeves are rolled up just above his elbows, and you can see the silver chain that holds his dog tags disappear further down past where his shirt buttons are undone. And while you can’t see it from where you’re standing, you’re sure he’s also wearing those jeans you know work absolute wonders for his ass—not that you’d ever tell him that, of course, because his ego is inflated enough already. But you might sneak a look later on.

“Hey darlin’, another beer for me on the sore loser,” he says by way of greeting, grin curling his lips up and showing off his dimples. He jerks his thumb over his shoulder, and you peer over it to see Bradley standing back at the pool table the aviators had claimed. He’s wearing a bright blue Hawaiian shirt you’ve never seen before, and he’s got a defeated smile on his face. His shoulders are slumped and he’s leaning against the pool table as he catches you looking and waves. You wave back, smiling and winking at him before your attention turns back to the blond in front of you.

“You got it. The usual?” you ask, and he nods. You reach under the bar top to grab a bottle of Jake’s preferred beer, popping the cap off for him before you place it on the counter in front of him. “You won a game already? You haven’t been here that long.”

“I’m just that good at pool, darlin’.” Which is true; you know he’s beaten just about all of his fellow aviators, and you’d bet he’s hustled others at the Hard Deck too. Maybe even at other bars. Jake’s cocky, but unfortunately he’s got the skills to back up all his talk.

“Or maybe Bradley’s just that bad and you’re taking advantage of him.”

Jake doesn’t answer but he laughs as he reaches for his beer. His hand brushes yours as you hand him the bottle of beer, the pads of his fingers gliding over your knuckles and the back of your hand. His touch tingles, and you find your cheeks growing warm as those fingers trail electricity that fades all too quickly when he takes his beer. He holds eye contact with you for a beat too long before he’s winking and turning back towards Bradley and the others.

It was basically routine at this point. On Friday nights, the aviators would show up after they’ve finished for the day. Pete would find Penny, the two of them taking over one end of the bartop to flirt like they’re not in a bar full of people. The rest of them would come over to greet you, order their first round, and then either commandeer an open pool table, or grab a few tables to themselves to wait for one to open up. As soon as it did, they’d all take turns playing, with the losers buying the winners drinks. Jake tended to win more than he lost; and lately, he seemed to be winning against Bradley much more than he had before. Not that you kept track of that (except, of course, that you did).

The night goes on as the Hard Deck fills up, and you’re kept busy with the steady flow of customers that come your way. The aviators definitely keep you on your toes, and Bradley’s tab just keeps getting bigger as he continues to lose against Jake (and Natasha and Javy, you notice), and others keep buying rounds. You’re definitely happy with the tips you’re getting, though, and between you and Penny you manage to keep up with all the orders that just keep coming. Thankfully, though, it starts to get more steady than busy, and you’re thankful to start getting lulls between customers ordering drinks so you can do some cleaning. You begin wiping down the bar with a clean, wet rag from the bucket by your feet.

Bradley approaches the bartop, and up close you notice that his bright blue Hawaiian shirt is covered in magenta flowers, the colours almost too loud to look at. His cheeks are a little ruddy, and the top half of his shirt is unbuttoned and showing off the dogtags he’s wearing against his bare chest. His sunglasses are poking out of his shirt pocket, and he’s got a wide smile on his face as he places his hands in front of him on the slightly wet polished wooden surface. You stop wiping down the bar in case he’s here to get something from you, or maybe to close out his tab–though it’s a little early in the night for that.

He looks back over his shoulder towards where the others are, and you also look in that direction to see Jake staring at the two of you, a pool cue held in his hands and his brow furrowed. Mickey hoots, and sends you a thumbs up. You’re not sure what for, but his enthusiasm is sweet and you shoot him a thumbs up in return. Bradley looks back to you.

“You here for another round?” you ask, and his smile drops momentarily.

“No, I don’t think I want to add to my tab.” You pull it up, and then shake your head because no, he really doesn’t. Bradley grimaces and sighs, leaning forward towards you. “Actually, I had something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“I’m not ringing the bell on Jake just because he’s beating you at pool,” you warn him. “He’s got to earn it. Trick him into dropping his phone on the bar like a normal person.” Which Reuben had done with Bob last week, and you’d felt a bit bad for the bespectacled aviator but the rules are the rules. Bradley chuckles, and leans closer to you over the bartop.

“No, actually, Mav’s birthday is coming up and we wanted to do something for him and Penny. A surprise for the two of them” He looks behind you, seeing Penny and Pete where you know they’re decently close, and he gestures for you to lean forward. He moves his head next to yours, and starts whispering to you, wanting to keep this a secret. “We’re thinking about all chipping in and getting the two of them some kinda weekend away, maybe something fun in the city. D’you think you’d wanna get in on that?”

That’s definitely not what you were expecting, but your heart melts at the idea of being able to give your boss and her boyfriend a nice little vacation together. Penny’s been an amazing boss since you’ve started working for her, and you know how hard she works. She deserves this, for sure. “That is actually really sweet. Yeah, I’d be happy to do that for them.”

That’s when you hear Penny’s voice from behind you, startling you a bit. “Bradley Bradshaw, are you bothering my bartender?”

With a smile he probably thinks makes him look completely innocent, he moves away from your ear and answers her with a “No, ma’am!” and then wiggles his eyebrows at you before he turns and heads back towards the pool table. You watch him as you go, and you see when he gets back that Reuben slaps him on the shoulder while Natasha hands him her pool cue. Your eyes drift towards Jake, and you see him with a deep frown on his face, his pool cue leaning against the table as his arms are crossed over his chest. You can’t tell what he’s saying from this far away, but he’s moving up to get in Bradley’s face. Maybe the older aviator was actually supposed to get a round? You don’t know, but they’ll eventually work it out. They know if they start a fight in the bar that Penny will squash that real quick. Not that it wouldn’t be entertaining.

You resume your cleaning, gathering up some glasses that have been left on one side of the bar to put in the dirty dish bin to be washed later. An older man approaches the bar and asks for a whiskey neat, which you pour him, and he pays for it and thanks you before leaving. You put the bottle back in its place, and then all of a sudden Jake is standing in front of you.

“Hey, sailor. What can I get you?” you ask. You notice he’s not smiling like he normally would; his forehead is wrinkled and his eyebrows are furrowed as his green eyes look at you. His normally neatly coiffed blond hair is looking just a bit dishevelled, like he’s been running his hands through it and moving it out of its usual style. You start to worry when he doesn’t answer you; Jake is usually completely unbothered by anything, never being fazed and always taking things in stride. He’s always in control of every situation and every interaction he’s in. But that’s not how he’s looking now. Something’s got him looking almost frazzled, and it has you worried for him. You bite that worry down, though, as you watch him run a hand through his hair now.

“I need–” He sighs, shaking his head slightly. He takes in a deep breath before he starts again with, “Look, I need to talk to you. It’s important. Can we go somewhere private?” This is one of those nights you really wish that Jimmy was working, or that Penny had another bartender besides you because you really couldn’t just leave her alone before your shift was over. You pull your phone out of your pocket, checking the time.

“Uh, not right now, but I’m done in about an hour. Is that okay?” you ask, sliding your phone back in your pocket and looking at the aviator in front of you. He sighs, but not in an unkind way, and he nods. But there’s no wink, no smile, and no sign of his adorable dimples. You didn’t think you’d miss them as much as you did, but seeing him like this, with something bothering him, makes you realize that you’re kind of in over your head with him. “Are you okay, Jake?”

Jake nods again, letting his lips turn up slightly at the corners in a closed mouth smile. “I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” You’re stopped from answering when Mr Whiskey Neat comes back up for another drink and you reach down to grab the bottle. Jake nods at you, moving away from the bar top and heading in the direction of the bathrooms. “I’ll talk to you in an hour. Meet me outside, my truck’s farthest from the door.”

And then he’s gone and you’re pouring a drink, and you’re feeling confused, worried, and a little annoyed that your conversation had been cut short. What could Jake Seresin possibly need to talk to you about privately? And what exactly is bothering him? You only have the next hour to worry about it in your head, and you already know that’s not going to be fun.

The last hour of your shift goes by much too slowly for your liking, but as the minutes creep closer, you wish you had just a bit more time. You’re more than a little nervous to talk to Jake when it’s over; he’d closed out his tab with Penny while you’d been busy getting another round for some other customers, including Natasha and Bob, who were sharing secretive smiles as they chatted with you. Maybe there was something in the water at the naval base, or maybe all the stress of the week had really gotten in their heads. You weren’t sure which was worse.

But then you’re done, and it’s time to go talk to Jake, and you find yourself stalling on your way out. Penny must notice the change in your demeanor, because she stops you to ask if everything is okay before she lets you go.

“Was someone giving you a hard time?” she asks, keeping her voice low as you clock out. Your bag and coat are in the back room, which she gives you the key to, and you shake your head. “Pete can walk you out of here, if you need. Or I’m sure one of his squad would be more than happy to do that too.”

“I’m okay, Penny, I promise,” you assure her. You leave quickly to grab your things, and return to give her the key back.

“Text me when you get home!” You wave your hand to her, and then you’re leaving the Hard Deck and walking out into the cool night air. You pull your coat a little tighter around your body, walking towards the end of the parking lot. It takes a minute to see him in the dark, but Jake is leaning against the front of his truck when you spot him. He’s all the way at the far end of the parking lot just like he’d told you.

There aren’t too many cars left, and no one else is out and walking around so it’s just the two of you that you can see. He must see you coming because he pushes himself off of his truck and waits for you to get close enough before he greets you. The set of his shoulders is tense, and they’re up close to his ears. The smile on his face looks a little forced and you shift your weight between your feet as you look at him.

“What did you want to talk about? Seemed pretty important.”

He sighs, one hand coming up to tug at his hair. It shines even in the dingy, yellowed lights coming from the street lights set up in the parking lot, and you briefly wonder if it would feel as soft as it looks now, or if maybe it was crunchy with gel. You hoped it was soft. But that was not the point, and you push that thought away for now. “Look, whatever Rooster told you… just ignore him, okay? He’s drunk. I didn’t even drink half the beers I won off him, he did. He didn’t mean anything he said.”

Okay, now you’re confused. What did Bradley being drunk have to do with Pete’s birthday present? The mustachioed aviator hadn’t seemed that drunk when he spoke to you; you’d seen him absolutely shitfaced before, just once, and tonight was definitely anywhere close to that. You still mourned the t-shirt you’d been wearing that night, it had been one of your favourites. “Really? But I thought it was pretty sweet.”

That seems to irritate Jake, and he rolls his eyes. “But it’s not his business telling you that, he was just being an idiot. He’s a lightweight, and he’s probably puking on Bob’s shoes right now.” Now that was a funny image, and you hoped for Bob’s sake that Bradley throws up somewhere else and not on Bob’s shoes. You’d ask Natasha about that the next time you see her. “Rooster just thought he was being funny, is all. I wanted to make sure you knew that and make sure it didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“It seems like it made you uncomfortable. Don’t even deny that you’re not! I can tell. I’m good like that.” He doesn’t take the opportunity to make a joke, or grin and wink at you like he normally would, which just served to bring your point home. You know he and Bradley can get under each other’s skin like no one else can, but this was a whole new level of grump.

But that’s when Jake comes out with it. “Of course it made me uncomfortable, him telling you that I like you like that! It wasn’t his business to do that.”

You’re not sure you heard him right. You blink, taking a moment to process his words. There’s no way you heard him correctly. He thinks Bradley Bradshaw told you, completely seriously, that Jake likes you. And that’s why he’s been acting so weird. Oh yeah, it’s all coming together now.

“Like me? What?” you ask, but you don’t give him time to answer. “Bradley didn’t say anything about you, he was telling me about Mav’s birthday present, asking if I wanted to pitch in for a trip for him and Penny.” Even in the dim light in the parking lot, you can see the colour drain from Jake’s face. His jaw even drops, just a little, as he stares at you. If you were thinking properly, you’d want to take your phone out and snap a photo of Jake Seresin, lost for words. You’d never seen it before. It was kind of cute. “You like me? As more than a friend?”

“No!” It comes out quickly, much too quickly, and you can hear the crack in Jake’s voice. It kicks your brain back into gear, and you feel a tingly warmth spread through your chest not unlike what you’d felt earlier when Jake’s fingers had brushed the back of your hand. It makes you almost giddy, the thought of Jake liking you like you like him. That you haven’t been pining over him and agonizing over whether it was worth ruining your friendship for nothing, and that his flirting had actually meant something. But you can’t resist teasing him about it, just a bit.

“Wait… so you don’t like me?” you ask, feigning disappointment–it’s hard, though, keeping the grin off your face as you do so. Jake shakes his head, taking a step closer and his hands coming out to hover in front of you, close but not actually touching you yet.

“No! No, I do like you!” Jake is so quick to backtrack, and you have to bring a hand up to cover your mouth to hide the smile and the laughter that’s threatening to come out. You think maybe that part of it is some sort of hysterical relief and joy at hearing Jake Seresin, Hangman, the most confident man you’d ever met, blurt out that he likes you like a child on a playground. God, you’ll never get over this, and this will absolutely be the story you’ll love to tell people when they ask how the two of you start dating. Which you know he’ll hate. But that’s something you’ll worry about later. Right now, you think Jake looks like he’s about to have an aneurysm and that would probably be counter productive. So you decide to throw him a bone.

“Well that’s good, seeing as I like you too,” you tell him, moving your hand away from your mouth to smile at him. That’s when you see his shoulders sag and the colour starts to come back to his face as he processes your words. And if you take that opportunity to confirm that yes, he is wearing those jeans that do wonders for his ass, well, that’s something you’ll keep to yourself.

“You do?” he asks when he finds his voice, and you nod. That’s when you see a smile break out across his face, and his dimples are back in full force.

“What, you think I flirt with just any aviator who comes into the Hard Deck?” That gets a laugh out of him, and you love the sound. It’s a real laugh, a rumble from deep in his chest, and you definitely want to hear that again. You hope you will.

“Well, I’m not just any aviator,” he confirms, walking just a bit closer. His hands are still out, and you reach out with one of yours to take his. They’re big, and warm, and the callouses rub against your skin in the best way. More tingles shoot up your arm, and you squeeze his hand with yours. “Then I guess it’s about time I ask you out, darlin’.”

“It’s not nice to leave someone hanging, you know.” He rolls his eyes. “Here, gimme your phone. We’ll trade numbers.” He digs his out of his pocket while you grab yours, and you unlock it and bring up your contacts for him. He does the same, and you enter your name and number before you hand it back. You see his name and number in yours. “I should get going so I can get home and text Penny before she sends out a search team. Call me!”

You get about five steps away before you feel your phone vibrating in your pocket. You pull it out, and see Jake’s name across your screen. You answer the call.

“So I was thinking I could take you out sometime. Does tomorrow night work for you?” he asks, his voice coming over the speaker and also from behind you. You laugh, nodding as you hold the phone to your ear.

“Tomorrow works just fine. What do you have planned?” you ask. You don’t turn around, but you can imagine him leaning back against his truck as he talks, watching you walk away. You hope he enjoys the view.

“Gotta leave some things a surprise. Just make it home safe, and we’ll talk more tomorrow.” You assure him that you will, because you really do want to get home because you know Penny really will send someone out to check on you if she’s worried. “Goodnight, darlin’.”

You hang up the phone, waving back over your shoulder as you leave the parking lot. You hear Jake’s laugh behind you, and it puts a spring in your step all the way home.

Yeah, you’re absolutely sure he’s gonna kick Bradley’s ass for forcing his hand, but you got a date with Jake Seresin out of this. You can’t wait for Saturday night.

#hangman x reader #hangman x y/n #jake seresin x you #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin x y/n #hangman x you #jake hangman seresin fic #hangman fic #top gun maverick #top gun maverick fic #jake seresin fic #jake hangman seresin x reader #jake hangman x reader

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sweetlittlegingy · 2 years

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You Can Call Me Babe For The Weekend

✦ Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |Better Man Universe

✦Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Single!Mother

✦Word Count: 15.4K

✦Warnings: Fluff, slight smut angst, mentions of abuse (previous relationship), self-hate, protective brother Bradley (let me know if I missed anything.)

✦A/n: This is out two days later than I planned, but you asked for a long part. So, here it is! I'm pretty proud of this one, it was definitely writing from the heart. Much Love - G

✦Library (Follow for updates! I no longer have a taglist.)

You were ecstatic that the work week was over, you were even more pleased that you had gotten off work early. You had finalized all the flight planes for next week and had already started prep for recruitments. You’d only been back on the North Island for 4 months, but time had flown. You had gotten into a comfortable rhyme, working under Cyclone and Warlock, even forming a “friendship.”

You and Warlock got along great, and you considered him a good friend, though you and Cyclone still had your moments in which you completely disagreed with each other. Most the time it was a contest between the two of you, to see which of you would break first.

For the most part, your work life at Top Gun couldn’t have been better. You had also heard from your father that Commander Kazansky was pleased with your work, and how quickly you had the office back up to naval standards.

Your life outside of Top Gun, well just outside of the office, was great as well. Bradley had introduced you to some of the other pilots, who welcomed you into the small group with open arms. You had even created a pretty strong bond with one of Bradley least favorite people, Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin.

Bradley had a talk with each of you when he learned that you had been hanging out in the beginning. Bradley had made the point that he didn’t fully trust Jake, and thought that it would be better if you avoided him. He was convinced that Jake was going to hurt you, even more than you already were.

You had told Bradley that you were in fact a big girl, who could take care of herself and that you didn’t think Jake was like that. You also promised Bradley, that as of right now, you had no intention of getting in a relationship, and that Jake was just a good friend.

That was 3 months ago and though Bradley had let up a little bit, he was still holding strong on his big brother position. Ready to defend and protect you at all costs. It was honestly hilarious how serious he took it. Though you were extremely thankful in knowing that he would always be there if you needed him.

You knew that the group usually got together at the Hard Deck for drinks every Friday and you, luckily, were going to be able to go as well. Your parents had offered to watch Mathew over the weekend, claiming that they hadn’t seen him in forever.

They had just seen him on the prior weekend, when you all got together for Amelia’s birthday, but who were you to deny them of the little munchkin. Mathew was already 2 and a half, quickly changing from your baby into a little boy, and they wanted to get as much love in before he got too active for them to handle.

You hadn’t told Bradley or Jake that you would be coming out, just in case plans changed, and you didn’t want to disappoint anyone.

Pulling up to your parents’ house you went to get a sleeping Mathew from his car seat, the drive wasn’t long from base only 30 minutes, but he was due for a nap, and he’d been teething morals. Meaning he hadn’t been sleeping well and was grumpy all the time, the extra sleep time was greatly welcomed.

Situating Mathew on your hip, you grab his bag from the passenger seat, and he wakes slightly. He wraps his arms around you, nuzzling into your neck and falls back to sleep, just as your mother comes out to meet you.

“Hello sweetheart, let me take that for you.” She takes Mathew’s bag and goes to give him a kiss on the head. “Has he been asleep long? Your father is just in the kitchen, he’s so excited to have him all weekend. Got’s all sorts of plans.” She gives you a teasing smile, poking fun at your father.

“He fell asleep on the drive and daddy just loves his grandbabies. Don’t make fun of the poor man, he doesn’t know what to do with himself now that he’s retired.”

When your father found you were moving back, he decided that needed to retire. Claiming that he needed to be able to help you with Mathew. He most defiantly didn’t expect all the open time he had, which led to him doing all sorts of home improvement projects. The newest being, the sandpit and playset in the back yard.

He claimed that the kids needed it. Though Amelia was ten now, and claimed it was for babies. While Mathew was still too small to play on anything, fully by himself.

You were thankful that your parents were so involved in Mathew’s life and wouldn’t complain at their antics.

“Honey, Y/n is here, and you need to turn down the TV. Maty is sleeping and I don’t want that football game waking him, it’s a rerun anyway.”

Rounding the corner, you see your dad; he had been making lunch, though when he sees you, he quickly comes over to take Maty out of your hands. He gives you a quick kiss on the head and goes to lay Mathew down in the play pen that they kept.

“Thank you so much for watching him, Mom. It really means the world and if you need anything just call.”

She gives you a nod, while putting the bag away and unpacking the frozen snacks you had brought.

“Sweetie, you seem to forget we raised you and Penny, both troublemakers.” Your dad lets out a chuckle and starts on lunch again.

“Me and your mom have everything that Maty could need, I even got teething gel today. Now you get out of here, you’re making me miss the game.”

You go around the counter and give each of them a hug and tell them thank you once again. Muttering that they could call you if they need anything and you would be right over. They roll their eyes, telling you that they know, but they had everything under control.

Heading out the front door, leaving them be, you yell out an ‘I love you’ and you officially had a whole weekend off.

No job and no kids.

You were more than ready for a drink.

You went back to your house to do a bit of cleaning and get changed before you headed to the Hard Deck for the night. You decided on wearing your favorite red sun dress and sandals, you couldn’t remember the last time that you had dressed up and gone out. The light makeup that you added to your everyday work makeup, complimented your eyes, and enhanced the color. You had finished off your hair, happy to take it out of the low bun that were required to wear at work.

You got to the Hard Deck around 7, and the bar was already packed. The crowd of patrons all happy that it was the weekend, and ready to start it off with a bang. Eighties rock music could be heard playing over the jut box, causing a since of nostalgia to spread through you. Your father had played eighties rock throughout yours and Penny’s lives, so it was no surprise that Penny had some cataloged in the player.

You see Penny standing at the bar, chatting to Mav, and when she sees you a massive smile spreads across her face. She waves you over, already starting on your drink.

“What have you made for me this time, Pen?”

When Penny had bought the hard deck, it was just after your 21st birthday and you’d made a game out of her surprising you with a new drink every time you came in. She’d known that you weren’t fond of beer and had taken to learning different drinks made from hard alcohol.

You say your hellos to Mav, giving him a hug and ask him about his day. He reply’s by lifting his beer, and that’s more than enough to tell you that it had been a long day.

“I know how much you love your tea, so I went with a Lemon Bourbon Sweet Tea.” She slides the drink to you, patiently waiting for your approval.

“Why don’t you every make me any special drinks?” Mav questions Penny, earning him a smack on the arm.

“Because you only drink beer or whiskey, so don’t you even start whining.”

Looking at the duo, you’d never understood why they weren’t officially together. The both of them had plenty of reasons that they would give you, but each of them was insignificant, when anyone could clearly see that they were in love with each other.

After taking a sip of your drink, you sing your sister praise, claiming that she was the best big sister. The warmth of the bourbon fills you and you can already feel the tension of the week leave your body.

“Is everyone here yet?” you ask, while leaning up against the bar. It was so packed that you hadn’t even tried to find your group of friends in the mass. The thought of trying to find them, without any help, in the wave of khaki uniforms sounded less than appeasing and you weren’t about to try.

“Yeah, they got here a bit ago. They’re all over at the pool tables, though I’m surprised Rooster or Hangman haven’t seen you and dragged you over yet.” Mav tells you as he takes a sip of his beer.

You look around the room once again, still not seeing them. Catchting your gaze, Penny motions to the far back corner. Rising up on your chair to see over the crowd, you see the back of Jakes perfectly styled hair. He’s lent over the pool table lining up a shot, and you can’t help but let your eyes wander. You loved when he wore his uniform, it fit him perfectly and stirred all kinds of emotions deep in your core.

On the side of him you see Bradley holding a pool que, and his mouth moving. You had no doubt that he was talking shit to Jake, trying to rile him up, though Jake seemed unfazed. You see the que slide back in his hand, then forward sending the black eight ball into the top left corner.

“I didn’t tell them that I was coming in, I had to make sure Mom and Dad could watch Maty.” You climb down from your chair, spinning back around to Penny and Mav. Taking a large sip of your drink, the bourbon burns as it goes down. The heat warming your chest and making you lighter. You’d need a few drinks if you were going to see Jake bent over the pool table all night.

Your relationship together had grown fast and strong, and the small crush you’d started to develop only continued to grow.

At first you didn’t know what to do with the blooming feeling in your chest, by now you had just learned to ignore it. Jake was a great friend, and you would never want to risk it.

He’d also never showed any interest in you, at least none that you had noticed.

You had yet to realize it, but Lt. Jake Seresin was completely enamored by you.

As the eight-ball landed in the pocked with a clack, against the other ball, he rose up hand out for his winnings.

“Pay up Rooster.” The cocky smirk, that seemed permanently etched on his face, lifted just a bit more with the win.

Rooster smacks a fifty into the palm of Jakes hand, muttering that he needed to use the bathroom and left the group. As Jake turns back around going to reach for his beer, out of the corner of his eye he sees you. Turning to take in your full frame as you walk through the crowd to him, his smirk turns into a full-blown smile. He’d never seen you all dolled up, and though he thought you looked beautiful in whatever you wore, you in sun dresses were now his favorite.

The red fabric fit you perfectly, tight around the chest, then flowing down to the middle of your thighs. His chest clenched as he sees your red lips, break into a smile and how you quicken your pace through the crowd.

Setting his beer down, he didn’t pay any attention to Payback saying that he had next game, and moved to meet you. He held out his arms reaching out for you and grabbed your left hand. Having you do a twirl for him, he’d never seen an angel on Earth, but by God you looked like one.

“My God. Darlin’ look at you.” You blush at the tone of his voice and give him a hug, while hiding your face in his chest.

Whispering down into your ear, you feel his warm breath upon you, and you can’t stop the shudder that goes through your body. “I’m mean it sweets, you look beautiful.”

Leaning up you give him a kiss on the cheek and mutter a soft thank you. It’s crazy to think that Jake had only been in your life for 4 months, it felt like you had known each other forever.

The way that your body easily relaxed around him, unsettled you at first, you had tried to put up walls, but it was no use. It was like Jake was the missing puzzle peace in your life, the friend that you had always wanted. Even if it could never be more, what you had with Jake was something precious. It slightly confused you, and yet it made you whole again.

“You sure know how to make a girl blush.” You go to walk to the rest of the group, in hopes of cooling down your burning core. Though before you can go far, Jake is pulling you back into his arms. He pulls you so that your back is resting against your chest, while he hugs you from behind.

“Need you to myself for a bit sweets, missed you.”

The both of you enjoying the comfort of each other, and you fall deeper into his chest.

As he starts to sway you both to the slow country song that had switched over on the player, he brushes a kiss to the top of your head. His soft voice drifts to your ears, as he quietly sings the old George Strait song.

He whispered it to you like a secret, only meant for you and you alone.

You’d loved how he was always soft with you, unlike how he was with his other friends. You felt blessed to know you were one of the few people that got the pleasure of not only seeing Hangman, but also Jake Seresin. The friendship that you’d developed was one of a kind, Jake made a point of proving that to you any chance he could. Which in no way helped your growing feelings.

The both of you don’t notice Rooster come back from the bathrooms, happily in your own world, in each other’s arms. Though Rooster is quick to notice Hangman disappearance, and when he asks everyone, Phoenix points one finger over in your direction. The smile that once graced Roosters face, drops as he sees the both of you and he can’t stop the way he rolls his eyes.

The group was used to seeing you and Jake hug, even during work hours, if you saw each other a hug would occur. It was like the two of you didn’t know how to not be touching one another. The whole group had known from the first time that they saw Jake with you, that he was in love with you. Though no one ever mentioned it, worried about how, not only you and Jake would react, but also how Rooster would react. He already had a hard time with your friendship and no one in the Dagger Squadron wanted to raise tensions between Hangman and Rooster.

They were also used to Rooster doing anything to pull you off each other, when asked why it bothered him so much. He had simply said that he didn’t feel like seeing his favorite person, hug his least favorite person.

The group snickered at Rooster, though it was Bob that made the jab at him.

“You better go do your job and get them off each other. Wouldn’t want Y/n to start liking Jake more than she likes you.”

The whole group breaks out in laugher, as Rooster gives Bob a horrified face, then hurries over to your side. You missed the whole interaction, and only noticed Bradley when he grabs your arm.

“Okay, that’s enough you two. Hangman get off her.” You go to protest Bradley, but he shushes you.

Jake lets you slip from his arms, giving your hand a tight squeeze and wink before looking at Rooster. “She might be your best friend Bradshaw, but she’s my girl.”

Rooster lets out a huff as Jake gives you another kiss on the cheek, letting you know that he needed another beer. He asked if you wanted another, to which you gratefully nodded, leaving you with Rooster.

“B, please be nice. He’s just a friend, and he means a lot to me.” You give Bradley your best puppy dog eyes, knowing that he could never resist them.

“You two sure act like more than just friends.” The statement makes you laugh, because of course Bradley would notice that you liked one of his friends.

“He doesn’t like me like that B, and it’s okay.” Your smile slightly falters, but you’re quick to fix it. “I’ll take him in any form I can get, I just don’t want to lose him.”

Bradley goes to protest you, to tell you that Jake most defiantly does have feelings for you.

“Please B, leave it alone.” You don’t notice the look of confusion that Bradley gives you, when you look back to the bar and find Jake already looking at you. “I can’t lose him; I don’t think that I could take it.”

You look back to Bradley and he sees the way that your eyes have tears lining them, pulling you into a hug. He couldn’t understand how you didn’t see how special you were and how much Hangman loved you.

He knew that your ex played a major part in your self-esteem. Bradley also knew that if he ever saw Adam again, he would kill him, without a second though. Bradley had flown out to Florida to help you pack, he’d seen the bruises and how you’d jumped at every little noise. You didn’t have to tell him, for him to know that you’d been through hell.

To see you opening up to Hangman scared him, because he knew that you’d been hurt in unspeakable ways. But Bradley knew one thing for sure, he knew that Jake loved you and would never hurt you like that.

So, he held you, hugging you tightly and muttered an okay. His voice cracked as he said it, though you couldn’t hear it over the noise of the bar, he brushed a kiss on the top of your head. Before leaving you, making sure that you didn’t see the tears now gathering in his eyes, you were his little sister and he just wanted to protect you.

Jake makes his way back to you in record time, handing you another bourbon tea, while he now was sipping a whiskey neat. His free hand comes to rest on the small of your back, as you both head over to the group.

Everyone is happy to see that you could come out, and tell you how much you deserve the night of relaxation. Jake goes to sit on a stool, his hand never leaving you as he pulls you to rest between his legs. He’s content to hear to laugh and talk with his fellow pilots, hanging on to every word that you have to say and your ability to talk just as much shit as he can.

A smile grows on his face as he hears you tell Coyote, exactly why he had been messing up on the drill today. You crafted each of their flight drills, so you knew how to perfect them to a T.

“I watched the tape before leaving today. You’re popping up too soon, which is causing you to undershoot it.”

Everyone gives you shocked looks, completely stunned because that is what Maverick had been telling them since they finished for the day.

“If you’re so knowledgeable about F-18’s, why the hell aren’t you flying. We could use another woman, to cancel out all the testosterone.” Phoenix questions you.

You fall back a little farther into Jake, contemplating how to answer. Few people knew about Mathew, out of this group it was Jake, Robert, and Bradley, not because you were ashamed. You were just a private person, Jake and Bradley of course knew because of how close you were. While Robert only found out accidentally, when he was dropping back a Tupperware dish of yours that Bradley had forgot on base, after bringing everyone brownies you had made.

Jake feels you tense up, gently rubbing your arms and kissing you directly in the middle of your shoulder blades.

“I was supposed to, I grew up around jets and have always loved them. Umm— when I got pregnant though, those dream had to change.” You feel Jake give you a squeeze, relaxing in his arms now that everyone knew, their silence deafening.

It’s Robert that breaks the silence, “I was meaning to ask where little man was to night, just didn’t want to bring it up before.” He adds the end on rather shyly and you give him a look of understanding.

“My mom and dad are actually watching him for me.” The excitement in your voice doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone. Turning to Jake, wrapping your arms around his neck and his around your waist. “For the whole weekend.”

His eyebrows raise and a smirk graces his face, “So does that mean….” He’s giving you a look, that in combination with his open-ended statement, has the whole groups minds in the gutter.

“That we get to have a Saturday movie night… Yes, yes it does.”

Jakes fist pump, makes you laugh, loving the way that he gets excited to spend time with you.

“That means no Disney sweets, not even the live action ones.”

You put on your best whiny voice, “But I wanted to watch the live action Beauty and the Beast. Please, Jakey?”

You watch in real time as he instantly caves in, though before he can mutter a fine. You’re giggling, “I was just kidding, but happy to know I still got you wrapped around my finger.”

The comment stirs something in Jake’s core, though before he does something stupid, like kiss you, he resigns to tickling you.

Finally breaking out of his hold, you tell the group that you need to use the restroom and will be back in a bit. You make your way through the crowd with the biggest smile on your face, you had needed this night and were so thankful for the group of friends that were spending it with you.

You quickly finish using the bathroom, wash your hands and make your way back to the pool tables. As you get closer you see Jake, though he’s not alone. A beautiful blonde stands close to him, twirling her hair. Her intentions for Jake are clear to see, and you can’t help it when your heart breaks a little. They looked great together, both tens, and you were just the friend. You don’t want your reaction to ruin anyone’s night, so you put a smile on your face and keep walking. As you get closer, you see Jake say something to the girl and her face instantly falls. You make your way back into the group as she is leaving. Catching the daggers she shoots at you as she leaves.

Confused by her reaction you walk back over to Jake, resting once again between his open legs.

“What was that, looked like she wanted to kill me?”

“Nah, she’s just mad at me darlin’. Told her I wasn’t looking for a fuck.” You heart sinks a little, wondering why he would ever turn her down.

“I don’t mind Jake.” You look down toward your feet, wishing that you could be smaller. “I don’t want to ruin your night, plus she was beautiful. The perfect girl for you.”

Jake feels you start to shrink into yourself, and quickly lifts your chin with his thumb and forefinger.

“You’re my girl sweets. Could never want anyone else.” His tone deadly serious, and the look in his eyes feel like it might set you a flame.

For a minute you think that you might kiss, his breath mixes with your own. Your lips only inch’s a part, if you were to lift your head just a little, your lips would be slotted against each other’s. Burning red heat pools in your core, his eyes holding just as much heat, burning you in every way. Your surroundings fade away, the two of you consume one another wholly. That line in the sand between you and him, is nonexistent and in its place,

White Fire; pushing you closer and closer to the breaking point.

But if the heat pulsing between the two of you, and the yearning, meant you would get burnt…

Then you’d burn at the stake for him.

Before anything happens, Jake sucks in a sharp breath and pulls away from you. You take a step back, shaking yourself out of the haze. Your mind already criticizing you. How stupid could you be, to think Jake would want to kiss you.

Jake is shaking, he was so fucking close to kissing you. He’d only just snapped out of it, Roosters voice ringing out in his head. After that first time he’d met you, Rooster had cornered him and threatened to kick Jakes ass if he made a move.

He didn’t stop trying to talk to you and after he’d formed an actual friendship with you, Rooster cornered him yet again. Though this time, he’d seen how serious Jake was about you. So instead of threating him only, Rooster threatened him, as well as made sure Jake knew that you’d just gotten out of a bad relationship. He didn’t go into a lot of detail, but Jake knew Rooster had to fly down to Jacksonville, get you and Mathew, and that your ex was lucky he wasn’t round that weekend.

Jake knew that if he ever wanted a relationship with you, he had to go at your pace. Which meant that no matter how bad he wished he could tell you that he loved you, that he wanted to kiss you and someday marry you. He had to wait.

He would do anything to keep you in his life, even if that meant only ever being your friend.

It would break his heart, but he’d do it willingly.

If it was at your hands.

“Come on Sweets, I think it’s time we head to bed.”

The soft smile he gives you is reassuring, and a smile slowly creeps back into your eyes. Jake clasps your hand in his, given yours a gentle squeeze, leading you out of the Hard Deck. The both of you forgetting everyone else, just happy to be back on solid ground with each other.

As you leave, you both can’t help but to think,

If this, holding each other’s hand in a silent love for each other, was all you got to have.

It would be enough,

having one another would always be enough.

…

You wake up dazed and slightly confused, you hadn’t fallen asleep in your bed. Yet here you are, wrapped up in your blanket and feeling completely rested.

After Jake had walked you to your car last night, neither of you wanted to leave the others presence. Being that it was only ten at night, you and Jake decided that he would follow you home and that you could start on your movie night. It wasn’t unusual for Jake to fall asleep on your couch, you would tuck him in, then head to bed yourself.

Though the last thing you remember from last night is, laying in-between Jake legs, snuggled against his chest, trying to stay awake.

Getting out of bed, you grab a hair tie, fixing you hair in a messy bun, and slip out the door in search for Jake. The smell of bacon hits you as you walk down the hallway, your stomach grumbling in reaction to the mouth watering sent.

Rounding the corner, you see Jake standing over your stove, his back turned to you as he hums to the music coming from your speakers.

This was your favorite Jake, all soft and warm, dressed in the sweatpants that he always left at your house and an old t-shirt. The fabric stretched across his back, worn down from the years that he’d owned it. Quietly walking up behind him, you wrap your arms around his waist, resting up against his back. Enjoying the warmth from his body and the calming rhyme of his breath.

“Good morning to you to sweets. Made you pancakes.”

You hum a good morning into his back, unwilling to let go of him yet. He reaches out to turn off the stove, before patting your arms in a signal to loosen up. Jake turns around and you can’t stop the smile that covers your face, as you take in his sleep filled eyes. Not thinking of anything other than the here and now.

“Hi” the word falls from your lips, as the only thing you can think to say this early in the morning. Jake’s smile back is the best response you could have asked for, though it’s followed up by him giving you a forehead kiss and for a moment you think that those may be your favorite thing.

He releases you from the hold and pushes you to the countertop, a plate already made for you. You say a small thank you, as he passes you a cup of coffee just how you like it. The routine of it all, feeling so domestic that it should scare you. It had always been easy between you and Jake though, fitting into each other routines perfectly.

Mornings like this were a rare occasion, Jake had yet to meet Mathew, and only stayed over when he wasn’t home. It wasn’t that you didn’t want the two of them to meet, you were just scared, worried that Mathew wouldn’t like Jake. With everything that the both of you had been through, bringing a new man into his life worried you.

Though between Penny and your parents, you and Jake had been able to have two sleepovers every month since you’d became friends, and a routine formed.

“What time do you want to head to the beach today? I was thinking that we could find a nice spot that isn’t too crowded, and you could continue reading me Gatsby. We should be able to finish it.”

Shaking your head at him, you finish off the bite of pancakes that you had been chewing. Jake didn’t cook for many people, and they were clearly missing out. Behind that cocky front, he was an amazing cook and made the best pancakes. A skill, that he had told you, came directly from his momma.

“That sounds nice, though I don’t know why you like me reading to you so much.”

Jake picks up the finished plate from in front of you, placing it in the dishwasher as you take another sip of coffee patiently waiting for his reply.

“It’s my favorite thing ma’ dear. Especially when you let me lay in your lap, and you run your fingers through my hair. It’s relaxing.” You roll your eyes at the smirk he gives you, pushing off the stool and going to help him with the dishes.

Though he is quick to stop you, batting your hands away.

“Nope, you go get ready. I want to get there before all the good spots are gone.”

You give him a glare, annoyed that he wouldn’t let you help clean up after he cooked breakfast, but he just pushes you to your bedroom. Snaping you with a dish towel, the crack of it rings through the kitchen, and the sting on your left ass cheek makes you jump.

“You fucker.”

As you close your door, you hear his booming laugher echo through the house, please with himself.

You hurry to get ready and the both of you are on the road on the way to Jakes house, riding in his pickup. Music drifts through the speakers, the windows rolled down, the feeling of the salt air on your face is refreshing. Your sunglasses rest upon your face and you can’t stop the sneaking glances that you keep giving Jake. The sun cast over his face, highlighting his tan skin, one arm resting on the stirring wheel. While the other is resting on your knee, tapping to the beat of the music.

Peace, that’s what this moment is.

Utter peace.

And the smile Jake gives you when he notices you staring, giving your knee a squeeze, cements that thought.

Pulling up to Jake’s house, he tells you that he will be right back and that you are to stay put. You watch him as he runs up the steps, enjoying the sight of him. It’s your phone ringing that pulls you out of your thoughts, seeing that its Bradley calling.

You answer immediately, your tone light and happy. “Moring B, how are you doing?”

“You sound chipper. Bit early for you, isn’t it Y/n? Shouldn’t you be in bed still.”

“Haha, very fun.” You wish that he was here, to see the way you want to poke your tongue out at him. He was always one to give you crap for how much you enjoyed sleep. “I’ll have you know that we’re going to the beach. Sand and sun, well and Mathew, are the only reasons that I will happily get up early.”

“You and who are going to the beach?” You can hear the edge in his tone, cursing yourself for saying we instead of I’m.

“Um… well me and Jake are going to have a beach day.” You rattle off the words quickly, hoping that it’s still too early for Bradley to have heard Jakes name.

“Seresin, is taking you to the beach? Hmmm, okay have fun.”

The way he says it unsettles you. Knowing Bradley, well enough, to realize that he is scheming now. You say your goodbyes to each other, just as Jake is getting back in the truck. Clad in board shorts and a white t-shirt. He throws a bag in the back, filled with beach towels and an extra set of clothes, next to your own bag.

“All ready Sweets?”

“Most defiantly Jakey!” He grimaces at the nickname, causing you to giggle. His hand settles back on your knee, as he pulls from the driveway. Happy to get to spend the day alone with his girl. To have a whole day with you, all to himself.

You make it to the beach, the drive over slow, the both of you enjoying the car ride. Going on drives was one of your favorite things to do, especially with Jake. The atmosphere between the both of you was calm and relaxed, a comfortable silence as you hummed along to one of Jake playlists.

Pulling up to the beach, the sound of waves crashing against the sand is soothing to your ears. The cascade of blue and white washing over the sand, was always one of your favorite sights. The ocean had always been your home, always living nearby it, except for those two years when you were a teenager. Your father had gotten transferred, and though you knew it was only for a short time, you all agreed to spend the transfer together in the mid-west. When you’d finally gotten to come back to the North Island, you had decided that you always wanted to live by the sea.

The ocean and you shared a connection, healing your soul with each rise and recession of the tide. A reminder that like the tide you may fall, but you always rose again. After coming back home from Jacksonville, you found yourself constantly at the beach, it was the one place that your soul felt at peace. That your brain would actually be quiet, and all you could hear were the waves.

You didn’t catch the smile that Jake gives you as you watch the sea, the first time that you’d come to the ocean together, you had smiled the biggest that he’d ever seen you. He loved to see the calming affect that it had on you, like the ocean was calling out to you. It quickly became Jake’s favorite setting to see you in.

“Come on darlin’, let’s go find a spot.” The hand still settled on your knee gives you a squeeze, pulling you back to reality, causing you to look over at Jake. His green eyes staring back at you, with such wonder, that for a moment you think there could be so much more behind them for you. Brushing the thought off, as just that, and nothing more than your imagination. You unbuckle and getting out of the truck.

“I’ll get the bags; you get the cooler?”

“Yes ma’am.”

You follow behind Jake, letting him pick where you’d be settled for the day, the beach calm and quiet. Only a few other groups can be seen, still early in the day, and spaced far apart that you don’t have to worry about bothering anyone. You stop in the middle of the sand, far enough back that as the tide rises, you’d still be out of the way, but close enough that you could go swimming without fear of someone taking your things.

Jake settles the large blue ice chest down, flipping up his sunglasses, before giving you a bright smile, white teeth standing out against his tan skin.

“This good darlin’?”

“Perfect.” You move to start unpacking the bags, but Jake grabs them before you have chance. Settling for the smaller bag, you began pulling out the speaker and a few towels. Jake works on laying out a blanket and a beach umbrella. You had left your shoes in the truck, knowing that you wouldn’t wear them, but you grab Jakes, that he had taken off, and put them in your bag. Not wanting to lose them or forget them when you leave.

You pull off your denim shorts, not wanting them to get sandy, leaving you in an over sized t-shirt that you had stolen from Bradley years ago.

“I was thinking about reading for a bit, just enjoying the sun. Then maybe going for a swim later, if it warms up a bit. What do you think?”

“Sounds good to me sweets.” He goes to pull of his top, and your eyes fall directly to his torso. It’s not like you hadn’t seen him shirtless, but every time it made your mind go fuzzy. All the tan skin, harsh lines that no doubt take hours to maintain, and light scatter of hair that just below his board shorts. The new grey shorts don’t hide anything, you’re sure Jake noticed and happily picked them out. His cocky attitude, clearly stemming from the anatomy directly eye level with your face.

Quickly averting your gaze, you look back up Jake, hoping that your cheeks weren’t too inflamed. Doing everything in the world to clear your mind and not think about how he would absolutely split you apart. No matter how much you want the internal thoughts to be true, you know that thinking them will only break your heart.

Luckily Jake gaze wasn’t watching you but the water, rising and falling.

“Texas is beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but this is something else.” He gazes back at you, to which you smile.

“I know exactly what you mean. Now come on, I want to finish the book today.”

You settle yourself in the middle of the blanket, under the umbrella and reach for your tattered couple of The Great Gatsby. Jake slides down next to you nudging your thighs apart and settles between them. Resting under the umbrella he takes off his glasses and gives you a warm smile. One of your hands comes to rest in his hair, ranking through it, while the other opens the novel. He hums in content, closing his eyes, and then leaning over to kiss the inside of your thigh. Butterflies flutter in your chest and the show of affection, loving how comfortable he is with you.

Settling back for a relaxing afternoon, your dive back into the story that is Jay and Daisy.

“When I came home to West Egg that night I was afraid for a moment…..”

The story consuming the both of you, your surroundings fading away and transporting you back into the 1920s. Jake rarely moves, and when he does it so nuzzle closer into your hand. The soft strokes of your fingers in his hair comfort the both of you.

Jake wasn’t one to let people touch his hair, preferring it when it was neatly styled, not a hair out of place. Though on days when it was just the two of you, he left it without gel, knowing that you would both inevitably end up snuggling, and your hands would land in his hair.

Time seems to slip away from the both of you and it’s not till a football flies towards the both of you, hitting Jake in the stomach, that you realize how long its been.

As the ball hits him, Jake lets out a grunt and sits up, both of your eyes flying to the direction it came from. Just a few yards away you see the whole crew, led by Bradley, heading directly towards the both of you.

Jake lets out a load groan, falling back into you. Arms wrapped around your waist, hiding his face. His voice muffled, though you can still understand him. “It was supposed to be my day.”

He reminds you of a child, mad that they have to share their toys. You can’t help the laugh the erupts from your chest, running your fingers through his hair once again.

“I may have let it slip that we were going to the beach, when Bradley called earlier.”

“Sweeeettttssss” His whiny tone, only makes you laugh more.

“Jakey, it will be fun. Having all of us together, yeah?” He looks back up to you, then over to the group that is just out of hearing range still.

“Yeah, fun.” Jake grabs the football, moving to get out of your lap and pulls you with him. Throwing the ball back to Bradley, you both go to meet your friends. Though before you reach them, Jake turns back to you with a pointed finger.

“Don’t you even think about inviting them to movie night. I’m not above popping their tires, so they can’t drive.”

Stunned slightly at his reaction, you just nod your head. To which he kisses your cheek before heading over to the guys. Bradley meets you first, carrying another cooler, not doubt filled to the rim with beer.

You give him a questioning glare, “‘Okay have fun’, my ass Bradshaw.”

“I have no idea what you mean Y/n. We were planning to go to the beach today and it just so happened that we both choose this beach.” He gives you an award-winning smile. “Great minds think alike.”

Happy to burst his bubble, “Yeah they do, I can’t believe that you and Jake thought of the same beach.” His smile drops and you leave him with a wink, heading over to see Robert and Phoenix.

After a few trips to the cars, you finally get all of their stuff unpacked and set up next where Jake had picked out.

The guys cracking open a few beers, deciding how the teams would spilt up for dogfight football. The sun sits high in the sky, the day heating up nicely, giving you a clear view of the group of, now shirtless, pilots. You, Phoenix, and Halo decide against playing, noting that the weather is perfect for tanning.

You pull off your t-shirt, and move to get comfortable next to Phoenix and Halo, the both of them already relaxing on the sand.

Grabbing your sunscreen, you apply it to your front and face, wanting a tan, but also needing the protection. You turn around hoping to ask one of the girls to do you back, but they are both already out of it. Sunglasses on, earbuds in, and closed off to the world.

A sigh leaves you lips, you look back to the guys not wanting to be a bother. But also, not wanting to chance your skin health in the future. Everyone in your family had sensitive skin and after your mother had a skin cancer scare, you religiously started wearing sunscreen.

Deciding that its best to ask them before they start the game, you hop up sheepishly making your way over. You’d decided that you would just ask Bradley, he’d done your sunscreen millions of times over the years, and you also didn’t give a shit if you annoyed him. That was the role he got as “big brother.”

Though before you can even call out to him, Jake is jogging over to you.

“What’s up sweets? Change your mind, and wanna play?” The smirk his gives you, does nothing for the raging wave of emotions that is you.

“I was just coming to ask Bradley if he could help me with my sunscreen.” You motion to your back, with the bottle in your palm. Given a sheepish smile, slightly embarrassed that you need the help.

His open, face up palm, clearly means that he wants the bottle.

“Jake, don’t worry about it. I can just wait, it’s only my back.” You’re quickly trying to back track, even though you were extremely close and always touching, this was different. You didn’t have a shirt one, his hands would be all over you and if you though your cheeks were inflamed earlier. You knew that if he touched you, you would quiet possibility implode.

“Sweets give me the bottle; I’m not risking you getting burnt.” The no shit tone, clearly met he wasn’t taking any of your shit and that if he had to hold you down, he would. A silent battle was coursing between the two of you, eyes staring, waiting to see who would break first. Jake lifts one eyebrow, a silent “don’t test me” spoken loud and clear. Begrudgingly, he had over the bottle.

A whistle and twirl of the finger from Jake, makes you turn around. Reaching up to hold your hair out of the way, you can feel the way your heartbeat speeds up. It rings loud in your ears, and you only hope that Jake doesn’t notice.

The slow anticipation kills you, and it’s the way his fingertips ghost over your shoulder blade, moving a stray piece of hair out of the way, causing a shutter to track down your spin and go goosebumps to cover your arms.

“You cold, sweets?” though the question seems sweet, the teasing tone in his voice is clearly anything but. All that you can manage is a nod, while he releases a chuckle. The ghost of his hands tracing shapes into your skin has your ears ringing. Hands falling down around your hips, tracing the top of your bottoms, then back up. Up the sides of your waist, skimming just under the curve of your breasts. You’re positive that your breath is coming out in soft pants.

Jake couldn’t help it, having your soft skin finally under his hands, the way that his mind had been begging him to. Finally able to, the way that his hand wandered was an out of body experience. One that he couldn’t stop even if he wanted to, which he didn’t. No, he wanted to memorize every inch of your skin, not caring that you both were out in public, with everyone’s eyes possibly watching. So, he traced just under the cusp of your heaving breasts, his own breath uneven, coming around to massage your shoulder blades.

With each push of his thumbs, loosening the tight muscles, you fall farther from reality. Jake was all consuming, pushing and pulling every breath from your chest. You can’t stop the way your shoulders sag, head dropping to the side as he pushes on a sensitive spot. A whimpering moan drops from your lips, and you can’t stop it. You didn’t want to stop it, only thinking in the heat filled haze that surrounded you.

Jake just about dies, there in the sand, and he would go happily. Taken by the sweetest fucking sound that he’d ever heard, he wants to draw a continuous string of those moans from your lips. He’d do just about anything to hear that noise again, but he knows that once you come out of the haze you’ll be embarrassed. He also doesn’t want to attract the attention of the guys anymore, then they already possibly are.

His hands move up to grab your hair from your hands, taking it and releasing it, just after placing a delicate kiss to the center of your shoulder blades. His mouth coming to rest by your ear, and his breath warms you, down to your bones.

“All done.” You imagine that his voice sounds just a breathless as yours and can only nod. Muttering a quick thank you and grab the sunscreen back before Jake can tell how needy he’s made you.

Your retreating figure leaves Jake alone, giving him time to process his thoughts, and notice the prominent bulge, that his grey fucking shorts do nothing to hide. Cursing himself, he shifts doing his best to hide it, trying to think of anything other than your soft skin and how you sound.

The thought of Rooster’s godforsaken mustache settles him enough that he’s sure the guys won’t notice. Now he just has to figure out how to forget the ordeal completely, how to let you take your time, and how not to make a move the second he sees you again.

…

Darkness settles across the beach as the sunsets, the cold seeping into your bones. As the guys work to start a bomb fire, wanting to make smores, you search through your bag looking for a sweater. Unsuccessfully, you move over to Jakes bag hoping that he was smart enough to bring one. He ran hot blooded and wouldn’t need one, so you weren’t too hopeful in your pursuit. Though when you feel the thick material, you pull it out and do a small happy dance. Slipping it over your head, the warmth of it incases your body. Smelling of jet fuel and his cologne, you want to sink farther into it and the warm feeling it gives you. Instead, you stand and make your way to the group, the bottom of the sweater reaching down, just below your butt and the sleeves covering your hands.

They had started to fire away from the previous placement of your things, not waiting to risk everyone’s stuff getting smokey. He had noticed you go off while they were setting everything up, knowing that you wouldn’t wander far, especially not at night.

He sees you, clad in his sweater, looking so warm and comfy. The light of the fire bounced off you, lighting up your gentle face and sea sprayed hair. He’d always been a bit territorial with you, though seeing you in his clothes, triggered a whole new level.

You were standing there, in his clothes.

You were his, whether you knew it or not.

You would always be his.

Walking through the group, thankful for the addition of a fire, you can feel yourself warming up even more. You gentle smack Bradley upside the head as you pass him, catching the tail end of a story about your childhood.

“Ouch.” He gives you teasing glare, while you stick your tongue out at him. Causing the group to laugh at your siblingish antics. “Anyway, she had convinced me to try and sneak into the hanger with her. But at the last minute backed out, even though I was already in the HANGER.” You can’t stop the giggle that bubbles up your chest remembering the day.

“I saw Mav coming, and I wasn’t about to get in trouble.” You say as you settle between Jake legs, him intently listening to the story unfold.

“You could have signaled me, but no you left me for dead.” The accusation causes everyone to laugh at Bradley’s exasperated sigh. “Mav made me clean the hanger floor with a toothbrush, A TOOTHBRUSH.”

“I offered to help—”

“Yeah, but he said that you couldn’t. That I needed to learn my lesson. I missed my date with Alison Reynolds because of you.”

You’d forgotten that bit, though hearing it makes your throw your head back in laugher.

“She was a bitch anyway B, I saved you.” You hadn’t stopped laughing and the middle finger Bradley flips you only makes you laugh harder.

He starts up another story, one that you aren’t apart of, while you relax into Jake chest. His arms rest around your waist, gently tugging at the sweater.

“This mine sweets?”

“It was, but it’s mine now.” You turn to give him a sly smile. “I’ll give it back, once it stops smelling like you, and pick out a new one.”

An amused smile graces Jake face, not the slightest bit stunned by your cheeky nature.

“You really are something else, you know that.” A shake of his head, and he’s pulling you in. Crashing you against his chest, where you end up settling for the night. Drinking beers and chatting with your friends. Enjoying each other warmth and the carefree nature of the group of friends.

…

Jake holds your form, as another fit of giggles pass through your lips. You, Phoenix, and Halo, had decided to break open the vodka, which had been a sight in itself. The three of you taking shots, to one up one another, Jake and Rooster had stepped in once you’d reached the giggling phase. The two claiming that it was time for bed and began breaking up the party. Jake only had one beer, once he realized that you would be drinking, he wanted to make sure you got home safe.

Forgoing the thought of you walking up the drive, he lifts you bridal style and carries you to your front door.

Arms wrapped around his neck; he only pauses to get your keys from his back pocket. Catching the sight of your glazed eyes staring back up at him, taking in every move he makes.

“Jakeyyyyyy, I love you.” The wording pauses him from opening the door, immediately looking back at your face. Though you’re no longer looking at him but resting your head against his chest.

“I love you too, darlin’” You miss the sad tone in his voice, only snuggling farther into him.

Getting into the house, Jake kicks the door shut and toes off his shoes, not wanting to get sand in the house. You shift in his hold just slightly, causing Jake to think that you’ve doused off. Making his way to your bedroom, he gently sets you on the bed, as your eyes peek open, and a soft smile graces your face.

“Need you to get changed darlin’. I’m gonna get you some water to drink.” The nod that you give him, reassures him enough, that he leaves you sitting on the bed and goes to get a glass of water.

Wanting to get out of your sandy swimsuit you tug it off, happy to feel free of its constraints. Throwing the tangle of clothing into a pile on the floor, you could deal with it tomorrow, you grab a pair of panties. Crawling back up the bed to grab Jake’s discarded sweater, you pull it over your naked form. You can’t stop the shiver and the heat that pools in your core as it scraps across your taut nipples.

A soft knock echoes through the room, and Jake is standing there in just a pair of sweats with a glass of water. Your eyes zero in on his v-line and how the sweats dip almost letting you see him. Your mouth goes dry at the thought, and you don’t hear Jake talking. Only realizing he’s said something, as he holds out the glass of water for you.

Crawling to the edge of the bed, you rest back on your knees, talking the glasses from him. It takes everything within Jake, to stop the groan that wants to leave his body. As you sit there so pretty for him, in nothing but panties and his sweater.

You’re trying to kill him; tipsy you is trying to kill him.

You finish the glass, then bend back to put the glass on the bed side table. Jake’s sweater ridding up your form, giving him the perfect view of your bent over ass, begging to be smacked. This time the groan falls from his lips. When you sit back up looking into his eyes, you find his pupils blown wide, begging to devour you.

“You need to go to bed sweets.” His words are firm, but is tone isn’t and you no longer feel like holding back. The rush of alcohol flowing through your veins, clouds your sober brain. The only thing you want right now is standing right in front of you.

Rising up on your knees, chest pressed against him, one hand resting on his chest, the other sliding down his arm. Your eyes never breaking apart as you take his hand, moving the sweater, placing it on the open expanse of your hip.

Jake’s touch is still light and unsure, he was positive that you were tipsy, tittering on drunk. Though, he swears your eye’s had never been clearer than they are right now.

“I want this, Jake. I want you.”

Before he can say anything else, before you could lose your nerve, the hand that laced around his neck pulls him down. Pulling his lips to yours, and as they meet, time stops.

You feel his other hand come and cradle your face. While the other is no longer palming your hip, but clasped around the side strap of your panties. Grasping them so tightly that you swear he might rip them of you.

The kiss is harsh, teeth and tongue clashing, both of you tired of holding back. Finally in each other’s arms, the only oxygen either of you needed would come from the others mouth. The flames that you had felt earlier, were nothing compared to this. Having Jakes lips slotted against your own, fitting together as if you were meant for one another. The both of you begging for the other to understand the silent commandment of love, of the feels never said.

Jake pulls away first, his heart stutter-stepping, working to control his breathing. He looks at you for any sign of regret and sees none. No, not regret, but a gorgeous smile graces your face. You break out into a giggle again, head falling to rest on his chest.

Worry clouds his mind for a moment, were you just tipsy and could act on your feelings, or would morning come, and you wouldn’t remember a thing. He feels his heart crack slightly, the thought of finally getting you, and then losing you once again kills him.

He brushes a kiss to the crown of your head, “Come on sweets, bed.”

This time you don’t fight him, crawling up to your pillow, Jake moves the covers out of the way, waiting for you to get settled.

You give him a soft, content smile as he tucks you in. He brushes a stray hair out of your eyes, cupping your cheek gently and laying one last kiss to your brow.

“Stay with me.” Your hand reaching up to clasp around his wrist.

Though the sad smile he gives you, causes you to loosen your hold.

“We need to talk about us first sweets. I won’t take advantage of you; you mean too much to me.”

With that he rises, flicking off your bedside lamp, ready to make is way to the couch and try and sleep. Though he doubts that sleep will come easy, leaving him ample time to over think.

Your soft voice calls out before he can shut your door, “We’ll talk in the morning though, right? I want this, Jake. I want us.”

Jake swears that he could hear a crack in your voice, as if you were fighting back tears.

“Course sweets, we’ll talk first thing.” As he closes the door, quiet words fall from his lips. Ones that aren’t meant for your ears.

“If you remember.”

….

Jake wakes up before you, honestly, he had never gone to sleep. His mind running on high, every possible outcome resulting from last night, on a never-ending loop. Each time he closed his eyes, he felt you, saw you blissed out on his kiss, could feel the way you fit perfectly against him. It was driving him crazy the waiting game, so at 4:30 he had decided to go for a run.

He got back to the house around 6, the beat of the pavement against his feet had helped. Grounding him to the right now, music blasting in his ears to fight back any intruding thoughts. He’d pushed himself this morning, the fifteen-mile run, exhausting him. Exhaustion and pain filled his body, the tightness in his chest was no longer because of you, but the harsh cold air working against his lungs.

He'd relished in the pain, sweat coating him after pushing just a little more. Jake had always used running as an escape from his problems, pushing himself to the point of breaking, hoping to feel something other his actual problem.

You were still in bed when he got back to the house, he’d checked in on you and found you face down, grasping your pillow as soft snores drifted past your lips.

You’d woke with a pounding headache, and a dull ringing in your ears. Harshly throwing the covers from your body, you stand up, dizzy for a moment, before your vision clears up. The darkness of your room a welcomed visual, knowing that light would only make you feel worse. Leaving the safety of your room, you head to the bathroom hoping to find some pain reliever. Your eyes squint, as the morning light beckons through the hallway window. You silently curse Mother nature for making the sun so bright, especially on day that you were hungover.

Making it to the bathroom you find your bottle of Aleve, taking the last two pill and mentally noting that you needed to pick up more. Shrugging off Jake sweater from last night, turn on the water, hoping side to side in hopes to keep warm as the shower heats up. Stepping in, you welcome the burning heat of the water, letting it wash away the sand and grim from yesterday.

You eventually make your way to the kitchen, the throbbing in your head subduing, and the welcomed smell of breakfast greets you. Not seeing Jake in the kitchen, you call out to him, while making your way the coffee pot. Fixing yourself the much-needed dose of caffeine for the day, knowing that you would be picking up Mathew soon.

You’d constantly been texting with your mother all weekend, receiving picture and text updates about he was doing. You’d enjoyed the weekend off, though you were extremely excited to have your baby back in your arms. While leaving him with your parents had become easier in the past four months, the amount to missed him never lessened.

Having not heard Jake answer, you casually walk around the house looking for him. Not finding him, you look outside, seeing his truck you know that he had to be around.

You hear a quite thudding sound, at first not noticing it, though as you got closer to the backyard the louder it got. Taking a sip of your coffee, relishing in the taste, before opening the back door and finding Jake.

His figure hunched over your raised flower beds, well the beginning of your raised flower beds. You’d been working them, not having much luck with Mathew always around. He constantly wanted to help you, which was great, except when it came to sharp tools. The only time that Mathew wasn’t with you was during nap time, and you’d learned that the pounding of nails woke him up. Leaving your beds unfinished, and constantly taunting you.

The click of the shutting door pulls Jakes attention to you.

“Your quiet the helper to have around the house, might have to keep you.” You give him a teasing smile, in hopes to pull a matching one from him.

You didn’t know what was going on, but the air between the two of you felt tense, like you were both on edge.

A smirk creeps on to his face, good enough for you, “I had to do something, while you slept the morning away.”

A quiet scoff leaves you lips, not making an argument against his stated fact, when both you and him know it’s the truth.

“How’d you sleep anyway darlin’? That vodka not hitting you to hard this morning, is it?” He sees you roll your eyes and lets out a laugh, which has you flipping him off.

“Phoenix and Halo, both better have hangovers this morning. It was their idea, and I’m going to be pissed if I’m the only one suffering.”

Making your way over to him, you settle in the grass next to him and offer him a sip of your coffee, which he gladly accepts. Glancing past the white fence, you can see the sun rising in the distance. Painting the sky pink and purple, Jake settles next to you, the both of you quietly watching the sunrise. Your body gravities to his, your head finding a home on his left shoulder, enjoying the peacefulness as you pass your coffee back and forth.

Jake had spent all morning trying to stay active, to keep his mind busy. Though now cuddled up against one another, sharing coffee and acting so domestic, his mind races out of his grasp.

“I’m surprised that your awake this early, getting you into bed was no easy feat.” He casts the line out, silently hoping that you remembered the kiss. Though not mentioning it, just in case you didn’t. Jake wasn’t going to thrust something onto you like that; not the kiss, not your confessions, and certainly not that he felt the exact same way.

Rooster had asked him to go slow, and he would. Hell, after Jake found out about your ex, he firmly stated that you would always have the deciding vote in whether a relationship ever occurred.

The groan the escapes your lips, has Jakes breathing stilled.

“I hope I wasn’t too much trouble, and I promise next time I will take care of you.”

Jake feels his heart drop, hearing the conformation that you had no recollection of last night, feels like a heavy weight settling onto his chest.

For a moment you think that you see the frown form on Jakes lips, though when you actually look at him a smile is in its place. The smile seems forced, not reaching his eyes, like you know his genuine smile does.

“No don’t worry darlin’ you were fine.”

His voice sounds distant and as he turns from you, the final look of his eyes seems dull and withdrawn. For some reason your heart aches, deep within you a knowing, that you were missing something. Though you have no clue as to what it might be, leaving you both in a vast ocean drifting farther apart.

….

You both work the morning away, subconsciously avoiding one another. Though when noon rolls around, you know that you have to head to pick up Mathew soon and you couldn’t leave Jake on unsteady ground. No matter what, you needed him; you just hoped he felt the same.

You hear him come back inside from the back, you call out to him, before you can give yourself time to second guess the decision. Rounding the corner toward the kitchen, Jake is covered in sweat, the morning sun grilling him. He had finished your flower beds, and was just coming to tell you when you called out.

“I need to pick up Maty soon, but I don’t….” the breath you take in is unsteady and as you look at him the gaze he gives you, steadies your racing heart. “I can’t leave you with tension in-between us.”

You watch as his shoulders drop and before you know it, Jake is taking you in his arms. The both of you holding on to the other, taking in the sound of the others heart beating.

“I know darlin’. Don’t you worry sweets, we are just fine.” His voice steady, unbreaking, comforting you, and even though you hadn’t talked about the unknown, for right now it didn’t matter. A problem saved for a later day.

You pull back from the hug and rest against the counter, slowly tracing patterns into his open palms.

“So, I was thinking that, maybe, if you wanted, you could come and pick up Mathew with me?” You can hear you voice shake as you ask the question, too afraid to look Jake in the eyes and see his answer.

A hand grasps your chin, tilting your face up, his eyes staring into your soul, looking for any indecisiveness.

“You sure?”

You can’t stop the smile that forms now, “Positive.” A nod of the head gives a second confirmation.

“I would love to meet Mathew darlin’. Thank you for trusting me to.”

You wrap your arms around him, before he can see the tears that line your eyes. As his hand comes up to stroke the back of your head, your positive that even with you hiding it, Jake knows that you are crying.

“It just really means a lot that you care.”

“He’s another extension of you sweets, I already love him.” His thumb slides up to wipe the stray tear that you didn’t notice fall. A nod of your head is all you have to offer. Amazed at how lucky you are to have such a loving, and caring man in your life.

Thirty minutes later the both of you are in your car, Jake insisted on driving, and you happily complied, your head still aching a bit. You curled up in the passenger seat, head resting back with your sunglasses secure on your face, avoiding the bright light that is the California sun.

“You want to put some music on Sweets?” Turning to look at Jake, his eyes still focused on the road, but his hand holds out his phone for you to grasp.

You type in his password, having learned it a while ago, when you ordered pizza for a movie night.

“Just find a playlist, whatever you want listen too is fine.�� You hum in acknowledgment already in his music app and scrolling. There’s a number of playlists; flight music, beach toons, oldies, country favorites, but the playlist that catches your eye is one named Sweets. You pause, looking back over at Jake, then back to the playlist, and again back over to Jake.

He notices your glance fleeting between him and the phone, breaking his gaze on the road to look at you.

“You have a playlist named after me.” You had wanted it to be a question, though it clearly comes out as a statement. The flush covering his cheeks is answer enough that your statement was correct.

Jake averts his eyes back to the road, clears his throat, and hopes that his flaming cheeks are calmed down.

“It’s music that makes me think of you.” His hand resting on your knee, gives you a gentle squeeze, making your face now flush red.

Knowing that he had taken time and made you a playlist, fills you with warmth. You can’t stop the smile from forming on your lips, making you feel like a giddy schoolgirl. You press your playlist and begin to scroll, seeing songs that you knew and others you didn’t. Scrolling through the list you can’t believe how many songs; he’d saved for you.

“Jake there are over a hundred songs on here.” The disbelief is clear on your face and in your tone.

“I know.”

He’s not giving you anything, no show of one specific emotion. Your scrolling comes to an abrupt halt when you see the familiar song, I’m already there by Lonestar, the song that your mother played on repeat whenever your father was deployed. You press on the song, letting the music feel your car and you can’t stop the tears that lining your eyes.

Having no words, you look over to Jake and find his eyes already watching you. The tightness in your throat makes it so you can’t talk, afraid that if you do the tears would fall.

Jake notices the tears, removing his hand from your knee and clasps the hand resting in your lap.

The lyrics drifting through the speakers, ‘Said I really miss you darling. Don't worry about the kids they'll be alright. Wish I was in your arms–’

Both of you, taken with the words of the song. No words need to be spoken between the two of you. Fingers intertwined, and when Jake brings your hand up to his mouth, placing a gentle kiss on your knucks, your tears fall.

Your quick to wipe them away, hating that you are showing so much emotion. Emotions that you’re positive Jake doesn’t reciprocate, though in moments like this you’re not so sure.

Worry coats Jake features, fearing that making the playlist was too much. Scared that he might have just pushed you away. He starts you release your hand, though your quick to tighten your hold.

“No. Umm–.” You clear your throat before continuing, pushing past the tremble of your voice. “My mom, she… she used to play this whenever dad was deployed.”

Understanding crosses Jakes features, and his slacken hand grips on to yours once again. You give him a smile, sinking back into your seat, and bring your joined hands to rest in your lap. The both of you content to sit and listen to the music. To be in each other’s presence and know that while the two of you might not be officially together, you were far from apart.

Arriving to your parents’ house, Jake parks your car idlily sitting in his seat while you get out. He didn’t want to intrude and thought it best that he wait in the car. Jake had met admiral Benjamin before he had retired, even meeting your mother at Naval Ball one year and admired the couple.

Turning back around when you don’t hear the driver’s door open, you see an idle Jake sitting and taping his fingers on the steering wheel.

“You’re coming, aren’t you?”

His gaze snaps to you, a questioning look on his face. He looks so unlike himself, like he really didn’t think you wanted him to come with you.

“I didn’t wanna intrude Sweets.”

Smiling you walk around to his side of the car and open the door, grasping his hands, tugging him out with you.

“You could never intrude. Now come on, you have someone special to meet.” The comment makes Jake smile, more than excited to finally get to meet Mathew.

“It seems your right darlin’.”

You take hurried steps up the sidewalk, pulling open the front door without knocking. Your hands still clasped in Jake’s as you pull him along with you.

“Mom, we’re –”

Though before you can finish, little feet come padding down the hallway.

“Momma!” the screech of Mathews voice warms your heart, and you drop to your knees just in time to catch him. His little arms wrapping around your neck, while you rub his back, pulling him back to shower his face with kisses.

“Momma, stop. Tickles!”

His giggle make Jakes heart constrict, he had seen pictures of the little boy, but now seeing him with you, it felt like he was home. The little boy is a spitting image of you, from his hair, to skin tone, and even the way that his giggle matched yours.

“I missed you so much baby.” You place one more kiss on his cheek, before rising with Mathew settled on your hip.

“Maty, I have someone I want you to meet.” Your gaze flicks to Jake, giving him a soft smile, before turning back to Mathew. “This is my friend Jake, baby.”

Jake holds his breath, he’d never been so anxious in his entire life, Mathew’s opinion of him holding more weight than any general he’d ever met.

When the small boy makes eye contact, Jake gives him a soft smile and wave.

“Hey, buddy.”

“You like toys?”

The question makes Jake laugh, he was used to his nieces constantly talking about their toys, and he wasn’t surprised it was the first thing Mathew asked him. He had seen the multiple toys scattered around the house, and knew that Mathew had a love for Disney, specifically Buzz Lightyear.

“I do buddy, my favorites Toy Story.”

The awe that spread across Mathew face, caused you both to laugh, happy to see him taken with Jake already.

“You know Buzz?”

You go to set Mathew down, his wiggling form clearly on a mission. Already moving for Jake, before you can stop him. Mathews tiny fingers clasp around Jake pointer, pulling Jake to follow him.

“Grandma and Papa got me new Buzz toys. Come see!”

“That’s awesome bud, let’s see ‘em.”

The sight of Jake, a fearless fighter pilot, that intimidated most people he knew, being pulled by your over exuberant two-year-old is a sight to see. Mathew pulls him into your parent’s family room, unfazed that he had only just met Jake. You follow behind the duo, and hear Jake acknowledge your parents with a kind nod, and a sir, ma’am.

Your mother gives you a questioning glance, though you father speaks first.

“Lt. Seresin, good to see you again.” His hand clasping on you Jake’s back. Removing himself from Mathew, who all but pouts at the loss of his new friend, clasp your fathers hand giving him a firm shake.

“Admiral Benjamin, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Your father and Jake get carried away in conversation, though staying next to Mathew to make sure he’s included. Jake bounces between answering your fathers’ questions and excitedly commenting on every toy Mathew holds up for him to view.

Your mother comes to stand next to you, leaning against the kitchen counter, knocking hips with you.

“You never said you were seeing anyone?” Her teasing tone makes you blush, knocking your hip back against her.

“I’m not, Jake is a friend.” You look over to the trio, finding the three most important men in your life. “A good friend.”

Though your mother doesn’t mention it, she notices the look in your eyes as you stare at Jake. It’s the same look that he had given your father when they first got together, and now here they were 40 years later.

Your mother brushes a kiss on your cheek, combing her hand through your hair and gives you a slight hug, before he heads to grab Mathew’s things from this weekend. You don’t notice her leave, your stare never leaving Jake and Mathew interacting, until she sets Maty bag on the counter in front of you.

“Sweetheart, what do you think about staying for dinner tonight.”

You look back to your mother, wanting nothing more than to have everyone together for dinner, though you aren’t sure if Jake made other plans for the night. You don’t want to be a bother to him and keep him from more important things.

“We would mom, but I don’t know what Jake has planned tonight and – ”

He hears you say his name, catching the tail end of the conversation with your mother. Jake tells your father that he would be right back and makes his way over to you. Your mother had left you again to go do something, so he quickly grabs your hand, pulling you in the hall away from others.

“Hey Sweets.” He gives you that award-winning smile that always make you stomach flip.

“Hey yourself! Maty seems to have taken right to you.” Your hand brushes down his arm, landing at his fingers, gently intertwining them together.

“Yeah, he’s amazing. You’re doing an amazing job darlin’.” His praise makes you preen, getting feedback from anyone about how you raise Mathew means the world to you, but hearing it from Jake makes it so much sweeter. “I heard your momma and you talking, and I heard her mention dinner. Now darlin’ if you don’t want to stay for dinner we can go. But if you’re saying no because you think I don’t want to have dinner with your family, well Sweets you are terribly mistaken. I want nothing more than to spend time with you and your family, to see this side of you.”

You scrunch you nose in delight, utterly amazing and yet confused by the hold this man has on you. “Jacob Grant Seresin, what in the world are you doing to me?” You gently click your tongue against your teeth at him, and he rewards you with a dazzling smile. “I guess we’re staying for dinner.”

Before you can move to tell your mother that plans changed, Jake swoops down and plants a firm kiss on your cheek.

“I guess we are.” His words are muffled against your cheek, yet you can still understand them. His hand sliding up to cup your cheek, thumb rubbing soft circles, far more loving than your relationship permitted. “Whatever it is that gets you smiling like that, darlin’ I’m going to be doing it for the rest of my life.”

“You’re such a sweet talker,” you shake your head at him, making to push him back to the living room. “You go play with Maty and dad. I’ll help mom start dinner.”

He reluctantly lets you push him away from you, turning back one last time with a teasing smile. Falling back against the hallway wall you sit in silence, what the hell was going on between the two of you. You knew that you weren’t together, but you sure as hell acted like you were. You’d been so positive that Jake didn’t see you like that, and know he’s gone and confused you.

Smiling to yourself you could never be mad at him; you’d figure it out eventually. For now, though you were going to enjoy the time with your family, which now felt complete in Jake’s presence.

Dinner had gone swimmingly, Jake and your father talking about his time in service. Your dad singing high praise for Jake and all he had heard from Admiral Kazansky. Jake had wooed your mother, being the ever-southern gentleman, that his momma no doubt made him into. Jake had completely surprised you, when Mathew asked to sit by him, wanting Jake to help him with dinner, and Jake not only complied, but did it happily.

He was a man after your heart it seemed.

As the evening came to a close, you noticed Mathew getting restless while lying in your lap. The five of you had decided to retire to the family room and talk after dinner ended. That was an hour and a half ago, and Mathew was officially done for the day. Knowing that the drive would take at least thirty minutes, landing you home at 8:30, and a half hour late for Maty’s bedtime.

Your mother had told you that he had taken a bath the night before, so you knew that he would be fine for the night. He would just need a diaper change and to get into his jammies, though the drive was likely to put him to sleep and you didn’t want to risk waking him.

“Mom, did you use that extra set of jammies I packed for Maty?”

Pulling for her conversation with Jake, you hadn’t meant to interrupt. You hadn’t even realized they had been talking; too busy making a mental check list.

“No, I didn’t sweetheart, let me go grab them for you.”

As she leaves you, Jake moves over to you, standing behind you and the half-asleep Mathew, his hands resting on your shoulders.

“We going to head out, get little man to bed?”

You give a soft hum as confirmation, moving Mathew as his elbow digs into your stomach. You mom comes back with his jammies and hands them, as well as a nighttime diaper, to you. A quiet thank you falls from your lips, not wanting wake Mathew.

You set up from the couch, Jake moving to grab Mathew from your arms, waiting for you to lead him somewhere that you could change the munchkin in private.

You lead him to your old bedroom, which had been turned into a second room for Mathew when he stayed here. The toddler still fast asleep, head resting on Jake shoulder sucking on his thumb, while his other hand cling’s to Jake’s shirt.

“Alright bud, just lay down here for momma.”

Mathew barley shifts once Jake has him on the changing table, you make quick work of getting him changed. Only waking him once, though he falls right back to sleep as Jake runs his fingers through his hair.

“He likes you.”

A soft smile forms on Jakes lips, his hand moving to cradle his head as he picks him back up, ready to get him in the car seat.

“Well, he has good taste.”

You scoff at the statement, Jake already heading out of the room, your mind drifting and think about how good Jake was with Mathew.

You push the thought away, going out to meet your parents, who are already saying their goodbyes to Mathew and Jake. Each of them kissing Mathew head, causing him to snuggle deeper into Jake’s neck.

“I’m gonna get him strapped in.” You give him a nod, going to say goodbye to your parents. “It was a pleasure to see you again Admiral. Thank you for dinner, it was delicious Mrs. Benjamin.”

Both your parents tell him to come back anytime, as well as telling him that he can call them by their first names. Though he just nods, telling them thank you again, then goes out to strap Mathew in. The little boy, more than content with the idea of sleeping in Jakes arms all night.

You thank your parents for dinner as well as the weekend, tell them both how much you love them. They each kiss you on the cheek, walking you to the door. Though before your out the door you father speaks up.

“He’s good for you sweetheart, for the both of you.”

“It’s not like that daddy.” You can’t help the way your smile slightly drops.

“I’ve got my own eyes sweetheart.” He brushes a kiss to the crown of your head, giving you a hug. “I know exactly what I see. Now you get home, get Mathew in bed.”

Leaving them, with a soft smile, you can’t help but to wonder what exactly it is that your parents can see between you and Jake. Were you being completely obvious with your feelings for him?

Jake has the car started, Mathew buckled and sleep, with soft music playing in the car, by the time you make it out. A sight that you could get more than used to. Climbing in, Jake grabs your idle hand, holding it in his lap, and heads out the driveway.

The drive home was quiet, a comfortable silence. Mathew not waking, not even when Jake grabs him from the car seat. You grab his diaper bag, already in front of Jake to unlock the front door.

“His bed, right?”

“Yeah, thank you.” Jake gives you a nod, and heads down the hallway. You place Mathew’s diaper bag down, ready for bed yourself. The weekend catching up to you. Conversations from earlier, making you replay every moment between you and Jake. Before you can throw yourself of the cliff, that is your mind, Jake reappears.

“Maty’s is out like a light.” He comes you rest across from you, leaning against the opposite counter.

“Thank you for everything today.” You look up into Jakes eyes, the deep green watching you carefully, assessing your every movement. Not giving yourself time to over think, you go and hug him. His arms wrapping around you just as tight, you can’t help but worry about the bubble you’ve created popping. If your about to lose, whatever you had created with Jake.

If it was only a phase, meant for the week, like a changing season.

It wasn’t something that you necessarily wanted to mention, and Jake have never said he liked you like that. Not even in the beginning of your friendship when it would have been so much easier to decipher feelings.

Now things were messy, he was one of your best friends and meant the world to you. You would never do anything to compromise that relationship.

On the other hand, you were positive that you were falling in love with him. You had noticed your feeling before, but seeing him with Maty…. It was like your whole world finally made sense.

You pull away from Jake, as a yawn falls from your lips. He chuckles at you, giving your hands a squeeze, then moving to the front door.

“I think that’s my que to leave Sweets.” He grabs his things off the couch, setting them on the floor and gives you one more hug. “Thank you for today, it means the world, that you let me meet Mathew. He’s amazing, just like his momma.” The kiss he brushes against your brow, causes your chest to ache.

The nod you give him, doesn’t, nearly, convey everything that you want Jake to know. But it’s all you can manage, when your already on the precipice of confessing information that could catastrophically ruin your friendship. If Jake notices how quiet you’ve become, he doesn’t mention it.

“I’ll see you later?” his question is open ended. Leaving room for you to say when, but you can’t bring yourself to answer.

“Yeah. Text me know you get home, so I know you made it.” It might sound controlling, but you would never stop caring about his safety.

“Course.” His hand slips from yours as he leaves. “Goodnight darlin’.”

“Night Jake.”

And just like that he’s gone, leaving you alone in an endless cycle of thoughts, a mess that you can’t process. One you’re not sure you even want to process. The ever-looming thought of heartbreak, and how maybe you weren’t meant for relationships seeps in.

Your back pushes off the door, double checking that it’s locked, and then heading to bed.

The weekend “off”, wearing on your mind more than any piece of work had ever. The thought of days filled with paperwork and flight plans, without cocky pilots that make your heart stutter step, sounds, even more, inviting with each passing second.

2K notes · View notes

milesdickpic · 7 months

Text

His Little Girl | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader P.81

Click here to see the master list

ONE YEAR WITH HLG ANNIVERSARY!! ❤️

Hi, besties! Here is 2/2 days in a row post to celebrate our ONE YEAR with HLG. Thank you all for everything and your unconditional love and support, you all mean everything to me. I love you all so much! 💕 Happy reading and enjoy! ❤️

A/n: The boys are both finally home and the gang is all together again! How will everyone react to Baby Boy's name?

Word Count: 3.2k

Warnings: cursing, crying, panicking, making fun of Rooster, slight bullying, but so so much LOVEEE and MUSHHH 🥰

Please don't take my work, I will find you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You and Bradley finally pulled into the driveway of your house. Jake’s truck was already in the driveway, so that meant he and Nat were already home from work. Bradley turned off the truck and looked at you. He raised his brows and smiled.

“You ready, sweetheart?”

You bit your lower lip and nodded. “Definitely.”

Bradley unbuckled himself and came around to help you. You got out of the car and stood there waiting for him. He went to open both of the back doors to start getting the boys out. He popped Luke’s car seat out and you popped baby boy B’s car seat out. Bradley took him from you and nodded towards the door. “Let’s get them inside, baby.” You walked over to the door and opened it.

You were welcomed into the house with a bunch of blue balloons and a whole dinner table full of food and desserts. Jake and Nat came running over to Welcome all four of you home.

“Holy shit, you guys!” Bradley chuckled as he set the boys down and hugged them.

“Welcome home!” They came over and hugged you. Shortly after Leia and Austin came through the door and were greeted by Jake and Nat as well.

Bradley picked up the boys and brought them over to the couch area. He sat their car seats down on the coffee table and started to remove them from their car seats. He handed Luke to Jake, who eagerly awaited holding at least one of the babies. He started to undo baby boy B’s belts. When he finally got him out he held him to his face.

“Meet our other little boy, everyone.” He grabbed his little hand and made him wave to everyone.

Everyone started to “Awwwh” at your baby boy. Bradley handed him to Nat.

“Oh my gosh. Look at them both in their little flight suits.” She sat on the couch next to Jake as they looked at the boys eagerly. Austin sat next to Nat and wrapped his arm over her shoulders. Leia sat next to her uncle Jake and looked at her little brother.

You sat on the single sofa and finally felt relaxed to be home. Bradley came over and sat on the arm of the chair. He leaned back and put his arm behind you. He kissed the top of your head as you both watched them all get to know your boys.

“Rooster, how can you tell them apart? They look exactly alike.” Jake laughed and looked at Bradley.

He looked down at you and you nodded. He looked back up to all of them as they looked at Bradley for his answer. “Well, we dressed them accordingly.” He chuckled.

“Bradshaw. They are wearing the same exact thing. What are you talking about?” Nat laughed.

Bradley shook his head, “Their initials are on each of their onesies. All of their clothes are like that so they don’t ever get mixed up.” He started to laugh as he leaned into you.

“Oh, you’re right!” Jake held Luke in one hand on his lap as he ran his free hand’s index finger over the little initials embroidered onto Luke’s little onesie. “L.N.B.” He smiled. “Luke Nicolas Bradshaw.” He chuckled cleverly.

Austin leaned into Nat’s back. “Baby Boy B still only has B.B.B on his though?” They all looked up at you and Bradley.

“Does he not have a name yet?” Nat raised her brow at the both of you.

Bradley rolled his eyes and sighed, “He does, I told you all that. His initials just happen to be the same as baby boy B. It was not planned. Well, kind of.” Bradley furrowed his brows and smiled at you. “You wanna tell them his name, sweetheart?”

You giggled and shook your head, “No, honey. You can tell them.”

He nodded and kissed the top of your head. “Okay.”

Jake scoffed, “Can someone just tell us his name already. I’m dying to know.” He laughed and Nat looked over at him with narrowed eyes.

“Rush much, Bagman.” She chuckled and shook her head.

Austin looked at you and Bradley. “What’s the handsome fellow’s name?” He placed his index finger into baby boy b’s hand.

Bradley looked at you one more time before looking at them and smiling. He licked his lips and bit his bottom one and let out a little chuckle.

“His name is Bradley.”

Jake palmed his forehead, “Oh you have got to be shitting me.” Leia slapped her uncle Jake’s arm.

“Uncle Jakey that’s not nice.” Jake placed a kiss on Leia’s head.

“I’m sorry, honey. You’re right. I apologize.”

Austin chuckled. “Bradley.”

Nat smiled at Bradley. “After you, huh?”

Bradley nodded and smiled. “Yup.”

Hangman looked over baby Bradley’s little flight suit, “There are three Bs, Rooster. Don’t leave us on a cliff hanger now.” He chuckled and looked up at Bradley with a mischievous grin.

Bradley leaned back and started to laugh. “Yup. Our triple B.”

“Well?” Jake raised his brows at Bradley. “His name?”

Bradley smiled really big, “Bradley Bradford Bradshaw.”

Jake put his eyes into his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, “Holy shit, Bradshaw.” He shook his head in his hand.

Nat had her mouth wide open in a grin and blinked her eyes slowly. She was trying to hold back her laughter.

Austin had his hand over his mouth, but you and Bradley could both see he was hiding a huge smile behind it. He looked down and over at Natasha. She still had her mouth wide and her eyes even wider.

“Come on, Bradshaw.” Jake started to chuckle.

Leia jumped up from her place by her uncle Jakey. She placed her hands on her head and jumped around. “DADDY HE’LL BE BULLIED!”

You looked up at Bradley and started to laugh loudly. He pushed his lips in a line and looked down.

Jake finally looked up at Bradley, “Did you pick his name, Bradshaw? You know names are permanent?” He made his eyes wide.

Bradley licked his lips and looked up at his friends. He had a small smirk on his face.

“Rooster… Is this a joke? Are you messing with us? Or are you for real?” Nat narrowed her eyes at Bradley.

Bradley raised his eyebrows in shock. “I’m not kidding. That is baby boy’s name.”

Nat’s look turned into a soft smile. “I personally love it.”

Austin lightly scratched at baby Bradley’s stomach, “Hey, baby Brad.”

Jake shook his head and looked at Bradley with a raised brow. “You and your old man have the same sick sense of humor.” Jake started to laugh and Bradley joined. “That’s one hell of a name, Bradshaw.” Jake smiled and looked over at baby Bradley.

“We have a Brad Brad and now we have a Brad cubed,” Nat said in a baby voice to baby Bradley as she caressed his cheeks.

Leia went over to her little brother and looked at him with concern. “Bradley Bradford Bradshaw…” She pushed her lips together and looked at you and Bradley. “It kinda has a ring to it.” She giggled and placed a kiss on her baby brothers head. “I love you either way triple Brad.”

You laid against Bradley and started to laugh, “You sure picked a hell of a name, babe.”

He leaned down and kissed your head, “I had to continue the tradition my dad started. Wouldn’t be fair if it ended with me.”

“I love you, Bradley. You are crazy.” You sighed and relaxed into his hip.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

———-

Bradley’s POV

I was sitting with you on the couch. You were pumping to see if you could get any milk out. I was holding both of the boys while Leia laid her head on my lap. The boys were fast asleep, their mouths slightly open, laying on my chest and holding hands. I chuckled and called for you, “Baby, look. They’re holding hands.” You looked over and saw their little hands intertwined with each other.

You gasped, “Oh my gosh, They are so precious.” Leia got up from my lap and looked.

“That is so cute! Braddy and Lukey are holding hands!” She leaned in and kissed their heads. “Daddy, when were they born?”

I looked at the boys and then back at Leia. “They were born on July 12th.” I smiled at Leia.

Her eyes lit up and she gasped, “That’s near my birthday!”

I nodded and reached my hand out for her face. I caressed her cheek, “It is, my love. What do you want to do for your birthday?”

She tapped her finger to her chin as she thought about it. “I really want to go home and see my uncles, Papa Mav, Penny, and my friends… but I know we can’t…” She started to think again. “Hmm.” She looked down and kept thinking.

I looked over at you and you were looking at Leia sadly. You and I both knew how much she missed everyone back in San Diego.

“Oh I know! Can we all just watch movies in the backyard?” Leia looked up at me with her puppy eyes.

I smiled, “That’s all you want to do, baby?” I raised my brows at her.

She nodded with a big smile on her face. “I know you and momma will be busy with baby Brad and Luke, so I just wanna watch movies with everyone and cuddle, Daddy.” She interlocked her fingers together and placed her hands on her cheek.

I chuckled, “Are you positive, Leia Rey?”

You tickled her side slightly, “You don’t wanna have a party, baby? You’re going to be turning 7!”

She shook her head with a smile, “I just want to be home with my family, momma.”

You furrowed your brows and looked at me. I pushed my lips together and we both looked at Leia.

“Okay, Leia girl. Movies on your birthday with the family it is.” I caressed her cheek and then placed my hand back on Luke’s back.

———-

Later on that night, we started to get the kids ready for bed. Phoenix gave Leia a bath and changed her into pajamas for bed. You and I gave the boys their first bath at home. I was fucking nervous. I had never given such a small human; nonetheless, TWO a bath before. Thank god you were there to help.

First up was little Brad. I placed him on the bed and started to remove his onesie. “All right little man. Left arm… and right arm…” I smiled as I removed his little arms from each sleeve. I picked him up and placed a couple of kisses on his cheek. “I love you, little Brad.” A little grin peered across his face and I used everything in me to hold back my tears. I placed him back down on the bed and wrapped him in his towel. I picked him up and held him in the palms of my hands as I walked over to you. You were filling up his little tub with water.

“Special delivery, mama.” I rubbed the tip of my nose with his and clicked my tongue quietly at him. You watched him and me in the reflection of the mirror. I kept rubbing my nose against his little face as I cooed over him. “I love you, my baby. You and your brother are so perfect.” I kissed his cheek over and over again causing another smile to appear on his face. “Ahhhh, there’s a sight to see. I love you, Bradley.” I smiled at him, still holding my tears back.

You laid your head on my arm and smiled as you poked our son’s nose. “Water is ready, Daddy.”

I started to unravel the towel from around our son. I undid his diaper and slowly started to submerge him into the water. I held his head and cupped water into my palm and washed it over his body.

You wrapped your arms around my waist and laid your head on me as you watched. “You look like a natural, babe. Look at him. So relaxed, not a care in the world.” I could hear a smile crack across your face. “My perfect boys.” You looked over to the bassinet next to us where Luke was lying fast asleep.

“Am I doing the right, sweetheart?” I looked slightly over at you as I kept cupping water over our son’s body. You nodded slowly. You pointed to the soap and little washcloth.

“Go ahead, honey.” You smiled and encouraged me. “You got this.”

I nodded and grabbed the washcloth. I placed it into the water and placed it on Little Brad’s chest. I grabbed the soap and put little dollops of it onto the washcloth. I rubbed it softly as the suds started to form. I started to wash his little body slowly. He relaxed into the palm of my hand. This was the icing on the cake. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I cried. Hard.

I chuckled as tears fell from my eyes. “Oh my gosh. I’m doing it, sweetheart.” I sniffled before my snot could drip. “This is so cool.” You and I started to laugh.

“You are doing it perfectly, Bradley. You are the best dad in the world.” You kissed my arm and rubbed it. “I love you so much.” You looked at me through the mirror and I looked up back at you. We shared a smile.

“I love you, y/n, Forever.”

After I finished little Brad’s bath, you took him back to the bed to prepare him for bed. I started to get Luke ready for his bath. “All right little man, you’re up next!” I smiled. I swaddled him in his towel as I replaced the water in the tub with new clean water.

I picked up Luke and he pushed around a little bit. I bounced him in my arms and rocked him as I shushed him. I rubbed the bridge of his nose gently with the tip of my index finger. “You’re okay, Luke. Daddy’s got you.” I placed a kiss on his forehead and rocked him for a little bit. I checked the water temperature and it was perfect. I started to unravel Luke from his towel. I took off his diaper and placed him into the water.

He started to fuss. My eyes went wide. “Holy shit.” I started to cover him with water and tried to console him. “You’re okay buddy. Daddy’s here. We are just gonna take a quick bath and then you’ll be back in some warm clothes in your warm bed.” He started to whine quietly. It broke my fucking heart.

“Heyyyy. Shhhhh. It’s okay baby boy. I’ve got you. Shhhhhh.” I started to wash his body trying to be quick.

You came over and wrapped your arms around my waist. “Do we have our first little temper tantrum, Mr. Bradshaw?” You giggled as you watched me panicking as I washed Luke.

I sighed, “It seems so, Mrs. Bradshaw.” I looked at you with sad puppy eyes. “Please help me, mama.”

You giggled and patted my hip and replaced my hands with yours. “I’ll take it from here, Daddy.” You placed a kiss on Luke's little head and washed him slowly. “It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here.”

I placed one hand on your waist and the other against the counter. I watched as you gave Luke a bath. You were literally an expert. He was still fussy, but not as fussy as he was with me. Then it happened. He opened his little eyes. The first time he or little Brad had done it.

You gasped. “Oh my gosh…. Bradley…Look…” His little eyes were beaming up at you. When he saw you, his fussing stopped completely.

I chucked. “A mama’s boy this one is going to be.” I looked at you with so much love welling in my chest. “But who wouldn’t? Their mama is perfect.”

You looked up at me through the mirror and blushed. I smiled at you and kissed your cheek.

“Oh. No. Freaking. Way.” You started to laugh.

I smiled, “What, babe?”

You looked back at me and shook your head. “It seems to me that the Bradshaw boys have inherited those pretty green eyes you have.”

My eyes went wide as well as my mouth. I looked at you shocked. “YES!” I pumped my fists into the air. “Sorry, sweetheart. You’re screwed now. 4 pairs of puppy dog eyes begging you for more brownies?” I chuckled. “You stand NO CHANCE in this household.” I squinted my eyes at you. “How’s it feel to be the only brownie in this family?” I raised a brow at you.

You smiled sweetly and kissed my lips softly. “Makes me feel unique. For once.”

I raised my brows and chuckled. “I love that, baby.”

You finished up with Luke’s bath and brought him over to the bed to get him ready for bed. I laid on the bed and watched as you got him ready. You picked him up and gave him a couple of kisses before placing him in his bassinet.

You kissed both little Brad and Luke’s cheeks. “Good night, boys. Mommy loves you so much.”

I got up and went over to them. I gave each of their bellies little rubs. “Good night, lady killers. Daddy will see you in a couple of hours for feeding.” I placed a kiss on each of them.

I wrapped my arm around your shoulder as we stood there watching them sleep. I kissed your cheek. “Shall we go and say good night to our Princess Leia?”

You looked up at me and nodded. “Let's.”

We left the bedroom door open and walked down to Leia’s room. Hangman, Austin, and Phoenix were in there reading a bedtime story to her. I knocked on the door and they all looked over.

“We came to say good night to our little girl.” Leia sat up in her bed smiling at you and me.

Hangman, Austin, and Phoenix stood up and moved over. Hangman patted my back. “We are gonna go say good night to the boys.” He winked at us while he, Phoenix, and Austin made their way to our room down the hall.

We sat at the side of Leia’s bed and gave her kisses. “Good night, my princess Leia. I love you so much.” You pinched her cheek and kissed her over and over again.

“Mama!” She giggled. “I love you.”

You started to tuck her in as I sat next to her. I pushed her curls from her face and smiled at her. She relaxed against my hand and rubbed her cheek into my palm.

I smiled and leaned in to kiss her nose. “I love you, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.” I rubbed the tip of my nose with hers. We both scrunched our noses and shared a giggle. “You are perfect, Leia Rey.”

She smiled up at me and blushed. “I love you, Daddy. Always.”

I kissed her cheek over and over again. “You have my heart, Leia Rey. Forever.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WELCOME HOME BABY BOYS! Stay tuned for how your and Bradley's first official night home with the boys will be. Do you think it will be smooth or chaotic? 🫣 Thanks for being here, babes! I'll see you in the next chapter, besties! 🫶🏼

Bradshaw Boys' future babysitters are in the comments 😈

149 notes · View notes

mothdruid · 1 month

Note

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY, you’re amazing ❤️

For the blurb requests, can I please have jake seresin + “I didn’t know how much I wanted this until now.” from the “after they kiss you prompts?

ahhhh, thank you so much!! i hope you enjoy it <3

Music was slowly drifting out of the sliding glass door that you had left cracked open. It was a house warming party, or at least that's what Bradley said it was. When he brought it up you chuckled because he had already been living in the house for eight months. You knew the real reason, he just wanted to have everyone here. As much as you loved Bradley, he was terrible at voicing his true intentions.

Even though there was only eight of you, the house had started to feel stuffy. It warmth from all the drinks you'd had probably didn't help. You could feel the warmth of the alcohol in your cheeks, just like you always did while you drank. Plus, you had to get away from him.

Jake.

He hadn't done anything to annoy you yet tonight, but that was the weird thing. Over the past few weeks, hell, maybe even a month or two, he had become significantly less annoying. It made you start to over analyze every interaction, trying to figure out what the hell he was suddenly doing different. Or what you had done differently.

Things had started to change between the two of you. The two of you had started texting more frequently. It had become a daily thing, checking in with each other before and after work. Texting all day. The only thing the two of you didn't text each other was good morning. You saved that for when you saw each other in the morning at work. But the good night barrier had been breached, and when it did you got a weird flip feeling in your stomach.

The thing you hadn't expected when you showed up tonight was Jake dressed like slut. He was wearing a fitting button up with the top few buttons undone, a tighter than normal pair of black jeans, and his hair a little messy. You couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed when you felt your cunt clench and heart flutter. And the fact that he wouldn't stay out of your bubble? Maddening. He was always behind you or next to you, the occasional touch from his hand. It had definitely contributed to the heat the was engulfing your body.

You stood in the slightly cooler air, taking in deep yet shallow breaths. You just wanted the heat to escape your body, and Jake to get out of your mind. Slowly, you walked out into the picture-esque backyard taking your time before staring up at the sky. It wasn't completely dark out yet, little bits of orange and pink being chased by a black blue color.

You hadn't heard the sliding door open, but you had heard footsteps headed towards you. It wasn't completely shocking when you turned to see Jake, but you weren't sure if you were thrilled about it.

"What are you doin' out here?" Jake asked in a playful tone.

A flutter appeared in your chest at his drawl. It always came out more when he drank, something you had picked up on through your time spent together.

"It was getting to warm in there," you replied and kicked the grass a little, "fresh air and all that."

Jake nodded as he finally approached you. He tilted his head and looked at you. There was a goofy smile on his face, a charming yet goofy smile. The both of you stared at the sky, watching as the darkness engulfed the remaining sunlight. After a few minutes you heard Jake let out a sigh.

"Hmm?"

"Ah, nothin," Jake said.

You looked over at him, giving him a playfully confused look.

"Suuuure," you exaggerated.

"What?" Jake turned a little to look at you.

"You always have something to say," you smiled as you turned towards him.

"That's not always true."

"Hah, sure it isn't," you smiled as he raised an eyebrow at you.

"Fine," Jake started, " you wanna know?"

"Obviously, I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

"Well, you didn't really ask," Jake said with a shrug.

You swatted at him, laughing at him as he tried to shield himself.

"Oh my god, just tell me."

"Fine, fine, okay," Jake through an arm around you and pulled you close to him. "You see the sunset, right?"

"Yeah." Your voice got a little quieter. You weren't expecting him to pull you into him. His scent was starting to fill your nostrils, making your pulse quicken. The heat from his body was reigniting the one that had started to subside within you.

"It's beautiful," Jake looked at you, "just like you."

The two of you sat there for a moment, staring into one another's eyes. Your faces mere mere inches away from one another's. His hand moved to cup your jaw, thumb rubbing softly against your skin. His flicked down to your lips briefly. When his gaze moved back to yours, it was full of affection.

You were the one who leaned forward, pressing your lips together. The hand that was cupping your jaw moved a little farther back to cradle the base of your head. The movement of his lips against your felt heavenly. Your hands crept up the front of him, one resting flat on his chest while the other moved to barely touch his neck. When the kiss was broken, there was still the same amount of affection in Jake's eyes as before.

"I didn't know how much I want that until now," you said with a shy smile.

"I've been waiting awhile to do that."

#moths 26th #jake seresin #jake seresin fluff #jake seresin blurb #jake seresin imagine #jake seresin fic #jake seresin x reader

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bloodynereid · 3 months

Note

PLEASE do something with rooster and gn neutral reader where it’s set after the big mission and everyone has stayed together at top gun and rooster and reader got together and now they’re like the most insufferable duo ever?? like not only do they hardcore flirt EVERYWHERE but also they play pranks on everyone they can possibly find?? like they will find a way to do the MOST elaborate pranks on everyone INCLUDING their superiors?? i just think it would be HILARIOUS!! - 🧚🏻

House of Cards

pairing: bradley 'rooster' bradshaw x gn! reader

tw: kissing, swearing, anxiety, jokes, mentions of buzzing the tower, drinking alcohol, mentions of marriage

description: you and bradley were a match made in heaven but a nightmare to everyone else.

a/n: hiii🧚🏻anon <3 i hope this is what you envisioned! it was super fun to write and im definitely in my bradley era. there's also a few little easter eggs thrown in there. i hope you enjoy and excuse some of the shitty writing in a few parts, i only read through this twice.

ahfhsufgeg he's so fine

The aftermath of the suicide mission was spent in multiple bars (mainly the Hard Deck) and getting drunk beyond belief. That led to a variety of messy pool games, slurred singing and some potentially regretful decisions.

One of those decisions was you kissing Rooster right after you beat his ass at pool. The rush of adrenaline and tequila gave you the confidence you had been lacking since you met him during his first round at Top Gun.

Surprisingly that decision was not one you regretted the morning after. Or the week after… or the month after. Rooster had kissed you back with a fire that had you stumbling around near drunk on his lips alone for the days afterward.

The Navy had decided to make a special detachment after the success of the mission so you were all stationed at Top Gun for the foreseeable future. They also managed to promote Maverick (not without a whole lot of persuading) so he was now overseeing the detachment.

“This is nice.” You muttered as your eyes blearily opened. The sun was shining through the curtains and a heavy arm was settled over your arm.

“Hmm too early.” Rooster mumbled from his spot next to you.

“Rooster, we have the barbeque today… you said we were telling Mav today.”

“Oh shit, right.” He groaned out before cuddling back into you. You hated having to leave this little cocoon of warmth but you really had to get going.

“Baby…”

“Yes, yup, getting up now.”

It took another twenty minutes before you finally got out of bed and started to make coffee and toast. The sound of running water greeted your ears as you got ready for the day and drank your coffee while scrolling through your phone.

“Thanks for breakfast.” Bradley said as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders and gave you a quick peck.

“No problem, love. Ready to go?”

“Yup.”

The blue bronco sped through the streets of San Diego. The sun warmed up your skin and a smile was painted on your face as you chatted with Rooster. Today was going to be good.

“We’re here.” Bradley announced as he parked in front of Penny’s house. A few familiar cars were also parked outside, it seemed like you were the last to arrive.

“I told you we were going to be late.” You chidded as you lightly slapped his shoulder.

“Yeah yeah.” Bradley said with a smile on his face before pulling you into him and kissing you in an effort to distract you.

“Oh god, why did you two ever get together?” The familiar voice of Hangman cut the moment short, making the both of you roll your eyes.

“Hello there Bagman, I was hoping you fell off a cliff on the way here.”

“Well hello there Royal aren’t you as cheery as ever.”

“Fuck off, Bagman.” Rooster said from next to you.

“Gladly, I do not need to watch your excessive PDA.”

“I’m surprised you even know what the word excessive means.” You called as he walked towards the house, Jake only sent you the bird without looking back.

“Where was I?” Bradley muttered as he cradled your face and was about to kiss you again when you laughed.

“Bradley, darling, even if I would love to keep doing this, we really have to go in.”

“Alright, but we’re finishing this later.”

You carried the six pack of beer that Bradley insisted on bringing and made your way over to where the smoke from the barbeque was emanating from. Bradley finished locking up the car and threw his arm over your shoulders.

“You ready?” You nodded in answer to his question and suddenly the smell of hamburgers permeated your senses.

“Royal, Rooster! I’m so glad you could make it. Make yourselves at home.” Penny said with a bright smile as she welcomed the two of you.

“Thanks for inviting us, Penny. We brought beer!” You said as you passed her the six pack.

“With the rate they’re drinking it, it would be a miracle if I have any alcohol left in this house.” You laughed and Penny gave you both a smile before disappearing into the house to drop off the beer.

“You want to go find Mav?”

“Yeah, do you want to come?”

“No, you go. I’ll go talk to Bob, I started that show he recommended.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, go talk to Mav, Bradley. Call me over when you’re ready.” Bradley smiled and gave you a grateful look before walking over to the grill. You let out a deep breath and felt a surge of nervousness course through your body. Meeting the parents was never something you particularly enjoyed, even if you had already met Mav a billion times, you never met him in the capacity of being a partner.

“Hey Bob.”

“Royal. How are you?” Bob asked as he passed you a beer from one of the tables.

“Good, nervous.”

“Finally telling Mav?”

“Yeah, is it that noticeable?”

“Not really.”

“You really are a stealth pilot, Bob.” Bob rolled his eyes as he took a swig of beer and knocked his shoulder against yours. That was when you noticed Bradley waving at you from next to Mav. You nodded and said bye to Bob before weaving your way through your squad to greet him.

“Hey Mav, Rooster.” You said, greeting them.

“So what are your intentions with Bradley, Royal?” Mav said with raised eyebrows and an intense look in his eyes that had your brain screeching to a halt.

“Uhh.” A few seconds later, Mav’s face contorted and he started laughing hysterically.

“God your face! Don’t worry about it, kid. I’m pretty sure I should be interrogating Bradley here about his intentions with you.”

“Hey!” Bradley yelled, making you and Mav chuckle.

You were sitting in the sweltering briefing room next to Bradley. Cyclone was standing at the front of the room talking about the new assignment and giving the training parameters but your mind was elsewhere.

Bradley kept rubbing circles on your exposed forearm and it was driving you insane. You kept nudging his knee with yours but that only seemed to urge him to keep going.

“Royal, is there a problem?” Your eyes flew up to meet Cyclone’s and a feeling of dread seemed to seep out of your pores.

“No, sir.”

“Well then if you wouldn’t mind keeping your flirting to a minimum, it would be greatly appreciated.”

Snickers filled the room and you turned to look at Bradley with a menacing look in your eyes. You lightly punched his arm and settled back into your chair.

“Sorry.” Bradley whispered, not sounding sorry at all.

“Oh shut up.”

It was a routine practice flight, Mav had randomly pulled names and paired people up so they could make their way through the planned course.

You and Rooster had made it through in record time and were now loudly celebrating over the coms.

“Fuck yeah!”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Rooster asked as you circled back around.

“Oh definitely.” You shared a laugh before you flew over to the control tower. You caught a glimpse of Mav and Cyclone in the window before flying behind Rooster as the two of you buzzed the tower.

“Royal! Rooster!” The admonishing voice of Cyclone bled through the coms.

“God I really was a little shit when I was younger.” Maverick said through the coms as he let out an exasperated sigh.

You and Rooster just laughed and circled around a few times before landing, ready to be thoroughly lectured by Cyclone.

The squad had planned a trip after the newest mission… to Vegas. The entire trip there was incredibly chaotic because (*cough* Hangman *cough*) was scared of flying, even if he was literally a pilot.

When you all finally landed in Vegas it took another hour before everyone had found their bags and got into respective ubers. The hotel that Phoenix had booked was perfect, it had a huge bar as well as an extensive casino.

Sometime after drinking at least five martinis and a few shots you and Rooster disappeared from the group. Something no one noticed until the next morning. You spent the night cuddled up in your hotel room watching tv and coming up with the perfect plan.

The next morning the squad disgruntledly made their way to the breakfast bar, very hungover and missing several of its members.

“Uh guys, where are Royal and Rooster?” Bob murmured once everyone (minus the couple) had sat at one of the tables.

“I haven’t seen them since last night.”

“You don’t think…” Phoenix looked up from her plate that was stacked with pancakes and looked at Bob with a panicked look on her face.

“Someone call them.”

Before anyone could do that a simultaneous ping came from everyone’s phones. 2 new messages were displayed on the group chat.

Royal: When in Vegas…

*image attached*

The couple had ventured out into town around dawn and got a picture of one of the many Elvis churches that littered the streets. You weren’t actually getting married but the reactions of each of the Daggers and Mav was fucking priceless.

And who knows getting married was definitely in the cards for both of you.

<333

#bradley bradshaw #maria's random stuff #bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster top gun #rooster x reader #rooster bradshaw #rooster x you #top gun maverick #bradley rooster bradshaw #tgm #top gun #top gun fanfic #top gun fanfiction #top gun imagine #top gun x reader #bradley x reader #top gun maverick fanfiction #top gun maverick x reader

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bidisasterevankinard · 5 months

Text

Inspiration Saturday (crossover edition)

tagged by @loserdiaz @daffi-990 thank you loves<33333

ok all week I was super lazy after publishing royal fic+ too deep into top gun obsession so 0 writing process but i daydreamed a lot. I was inspired for 2 hangster fic ideas and one is crossover and as my lovely wife @hippolotamus only supported this idea so meet new wip:

Buck and Jake exes who stayed friends and finally meet again for Buck and Eddie's vacation in San Diego after 6s (Jake made Buck come to see him because YOU LITERALLY DIED, BUCKLEY. I'M NOT EVEN ANYMORE ASKING TO SEE YOUR ASS. GET YOURSELF AND YOUR MAN IN SAN-DIEGO). And as Buck and Jake flirt (completely platonically now) and quite open about their past relationship Eddie and Bradley are really jealous because their blonde friends dared to look at other man and not them. Lots of beach and bar time, jealousy and ofc getting together

mood board

little bit of draft from notes

Jake: you definitely have a thing for men in uniform. Especially army men

Buck: i never saw Eddie in his army uniform

J: it explains why you still in normal state of mind

Buck: said the man who has the thing for taller men

tagging @hippolotamus @eddiebabygirldiaz @wikiangela @wildlife4life @watchyourbuck @rainbow-nerdss @rogerzsteven @the-likesofus @thewolvesof1998 @theotherbuckley @transboybuckley @pirrusstuff @arthursdent @anakinfallen @devirnis @fortheloveofbuddie @ghostscowboys @giddyupbuck @heartshapedvows @honestlydarkprincess @hoodie-buck @housewifebuck @jeeyuns @jesuisici33 @lover-of-mine @ladydorian05 @callmenewbie @bekkachaos @mandzuking17 @monsterrae1 @malewifediaz @spaceprincessem @spotsandsocks @spagheddiediaz

#I MISS SUMMER GIMME FUCKING SUMMER AND GET ME TO NORMAL BEACH #Eddie and Bradley scared Buck is going to move to San-Diego #hangster and buddie crossover wip #buddie #hangster #evan buckley #eddie diaz #evan buck buckley #bradley rooster bradshaw #jake hangman seresin #top gun maverick #my wips

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sorchathered · 1 month

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Heard it through the grapevine

A/N- SNB Chapter 8 is coming on Wednesday, but to tie you all over here is a one shot of what’s been going on with Bradley in the aftermath of Mirage’s pregnancy announcement. Thank you guys for sticking with me on this journey!

Pairing- Bradley Bradshaw x OC (Mirage/Erin Riley)

Warnings- language, drinking, Bradshit being an idiot

Summary- Bradley is hungover as hell the morning after Mav’s wedding, what the did he get himself into overnight?

————————————————————————-

Bradley had fucked his social life up to the highest degree in the past 6 months but even he had to admit this shit took the cake.

He’d gotten completely trashed last night, after months of trying to get sober, because his biggest insecurity played out right before his eyes. He’d be an idiot to deny he’d never been worried about Jake getting in the middle of his relationship over the past few years, the man had an ego the size of his home state and he wasn’t bad to look at either. But you had always insisted it was platonic, never given him a single reason to doubt you, yet it somehow never stopped the jealousy that bloomed in him when he saw the two of you together. It was stupid really, he’d been the one to cheat on you in the end and burn everything he’d thought he wanted to the ground, but watching your former fiancée make out with the guy he’d always worried about and then get whisked away to no doubt fuck each others brains out stung a little. So he did what he knew best, drown himself in bourbon and promptly pass out at home, or at least that’s what he thought had happened.

He woke up the next morning feeling worse than he had after that rager in his frat house right before graduation, every step had him convinced he was going to throw up everywhere but his tiny french bulldog was a force of nature and she was insistent that they go outside. He was half dressed in his suit from the night before, no idea where his phone could be but that was a worry for future Bradley, right now he needed aspirin and coffee. Still trying to piece together what had happened in the aftermath, it looked as though he’d made quick work of destroying the leftover pizza and most of the lasagna he’d made earlier in the week, clearly couldn’t be bothered to close the fridge as the damn thing was wide open when he entered the room. The last of his expensive bourbon was gone, and it looked like he was out of beer as well. What a mess. As he set about to clean things up he heard his doorbell go off, then someone beating on his front door, what the hell could possibly be this important on a Sunday morning? He grumbled all the way to the entryway, flinging it open to find his best friend Natasha Trace looking even more pissed off than normal, clearly he’d fucked something up judging by the rage on her features.

“I’ve been calling you for HOURS! What did you do just fall off the face of the damn planet?!” She said as she elbowed her way into his living room, he didn’t have the energy for this he was sure but there was no point in stopping her now.

“I was asleep, and honestly I don’t know where the hell my phone went, I’m hungover as fuck right now Nat so can we just skip to the part where you tell me what I did wrong and yell at me?”

She rounded on him and he staggered back, a little nervous until he saw the look of pity across her face. “Bradley we need to find your phone, but first I need to show you something.”

He was going to pass out, he was sure of it. As she scrolled through her instagram to the profile of the girl he definitely shouldn’t still be sleeping with he was almost hopeful that she’d decided to move on from him and posted a new boyfriend, but he knew he couldn’t be that lucky and after all she had just been at his house earlier in the week, if she was seeing someone else she would’ve told him. Right?

What he most certainly didn’t expect was to come across a set of photos, pictures the two of them had taken and never posted because it didn’t seem right, and at the end a picture of a onesie and a positive pregnancy test. Oh he was definitely going to be sick.

Nat had shoved him into the bathroom to shower while she made a pot of coffee and Bradley was frozen in place as he watched the bathroom steam up. How the hell had he let this happen? Why wouldn’t she have said something to him before posting about it? He picked up his phone and looked at the photos again, he did like Mirage despite the circumstances that had started their entanglement, she was funny and very pretty, impulsive yes but he wouldn’t have thought she’d do this to him. He opened his texts to message her, they needed to sit down and discuss this in person, but as he opened them he realized just how drunk he’d been last night. There in the messages were all the answers he wanted, she had in fact told him first and he had told her to go for it about posting the announcement. He was such an idiot, how did he let himself get this way? He needed to piece together the rest of his night and fast, so he shot her a quick message to come over and jumped in the shower. He didn’t know how to fix this, but he knew he couldn’t avoid it this time.

Nat was furious with him, she’d found out through Stormy about everything leading up to their breakup and now finding out that he’d somehow green lit this pregnancy announcement while black out drunk had her fuming. “Do I need to pack you up and send you to a rehab facility Rooster?! What the hell has been going through your head lately?” She was shaking her head between death glares, in his entire navy career he’d always had Nat, since they met in training as young kids, and she’d never been angrier than she was right now. “I know Nat, I know I fucked it all up, but I can’t change it now. All I can do is sit down with Mirage and see how to go forward with this, I-I’m going to be a dad…Holy shit how the hell am I supposed to do this? What if I fuck this kid up? What if I-“ she puts her hand up to silence him, he’s spiraling now and that’s not going to help anyone.

“We are going to work this out ok? Just take a breath, we also need to find you a better therapist because this guy is obviously not teaching you anything beneficial.” She wasn’t wrong, the guy clearly just phoned it in and received his paycheck, Bradley had been going through the motions but not making any real progress. It was times like these he longed to have his parents around, maybe then everything wouldn’t have gotten so out of control.

Within the hour Mirage was at his door, Bradley let her in with a small smile and gestured for her to sit down, but when she saw Natasha she wavered; looking back at Bradley like a deer in headlights. “Relax Erin, I’m not here to whack you, I’m just moral support.” She says with an eye roll, and the girl, albeit irritated, finds a seat on the couch. “So I take it from your texts you drank a little too much last night, I had a feeling you’d be upset after the wedding but I didn’t think you’d forget our conversation entirely” she was frustrated, he knew she would be, especially considering how important that conversation was. “Look, Erin I know I keep fucking it up. I’m a mess, I never should have dragged you into it in the first place but here we are. I’m going to try at this, and you give me all the hell you need to because I really do want to make this work. If you want us to be a real family we can work at it, or if you just want me to co-parent I’ll respect your choices, but no matter what got us here I’m not going to keep letting you down.” He knew he didn’t have a right to promise anything, and he couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t make a mistake again, but he knew what life was like without a dad, and he couldn’t let that happen to his child. His child. He was going to be a father.

——————————————————————

Before he knew it 6 months had passed, He and Erin had been going to couples therapy on top of seeing a new therapist for himself and Bradley could say with confidence he’d been sober for all of it. He wasn’t going to the bar like he used to, instead choosing to come home in the evenings to binge tv and cook dinner with his girlfriend. They had found out just last week that they were having a little boy, Nicholas Bradshaw jr. and truly Bradley couldn’t believe how well things had been going.

He’d been transferred to the Golden Warriors, still working out of North Island but no longer actively working with the Daggers, and while initially it had hurt he knew it had been for the best. His relationship with Jake had boiled over into his work life and he agreed that it was best that they work apart. Life was going well, which usually meant the other shoe was about to drop but he was feeling pretty confident. Until one fateful evening when he received a call after work from a distraught Maverick, Stormy’s plane had gone down over the Atlantic and she was in critical condition. Jake and Admiral Simpson were heading to Walter Reed in Maryland to meet her and they didn’t know when or if she’d wake up. He didn’t know what he could possibly do to help, and without realizing he had already dialed the number of his old wingman. No answer, which he expected but he left a voicemail of support nonetheless. Whatever happened now all he could do was pray that the kindest girl he’d ever met would be ok.

————————————————————————

Tagging- @mamamaystbr @mamachasesmayhem @bobgasm @attapullman @roosterforme @floydsglasses @shanimallina87 @jessicab1991 @the-aspiring-fanfic-writer @djs8891 @mrsevans90 @pinkdaisies9285 @nouis-bum @86laura11 @angelbabyyy99 @dizzybee03 @mygyn @jostan456 @dempy @its-the-pilot @kmc1989

#sacred new beginnings #bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun rooster #top gun maverick fanfiction #top gun maverick #jake seresin

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discount-shades · 1 year

Text

Sleepy Baby Part 16

a/n: Only 2 parts left!! I love you all for hanging around to read this story!

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin / Reader

Warnings: None

Word Count: 1400 ish

Summary: Jake struggles to hang a painting.

Previous Masterlist Next

“Down on the left.” You were standing back helping Jake hang a picture his grandfather had painted in your living room. “Down more… too much.” Jake shifts the painting back a little with a huff. “Perfect.” You grin at him as the two of you sit back on the couch. “I like that painting.” You snuggle into Jake's side and gaze at the Texas landscape.

“Thanks for letting me put it up.” Jake laces your fingers together and kisses the back of your hand. You hum in acknowledgement and loop his arm around you, returning the kiss to the back of his hand.

“We’re getting married.” You can’t keep the grin off your face as you throw your legs over his. You had returned to San Diego yesterday and were still saying it every chance you got, the excitement lingering. “Who do you want in your wedding party?”

“I’d like Javy, Rooster, and Bob.”

Javy made sense, he and Jake were nearly inseparable, and despite all the bickering you could tell he was close to Bradley. “I didn’t know you were so close to Bob.”

Jake shrugs noncommittally. “We’re all pretty close, plus I’d feel bad picking Fanboy or Payback and not the other.”

“Ahh,” you say in understanding, “the schoolyard drama of Naval Aviators.”

“You have no idea.” Jake chuckles and rolls his eyes. “You get along best with Bob.” His nudge at the real reason makes you smile and you lean forward to kiss him gently. “What about you?”

“I really only have Grace.” You shrug casually. “I was planning on asking your sisters.”

“We can just have Javy and Grace if you would like.” You smile at Jake’s willingness to change his plans for you.

“No, I kinda like the idea of your family being on my side.” You had spent a fair bit of time getting to know Jake's sisters during your trip to Texas and had gotten along well with them. “You think they will agree?”

“Definitely.” Jake smiles, “boom, first wedding plan done.”

“Evie as our flower girl?”

“She would not let us get married unless she was the flower girl.”

“Engagement party here,” you continue, “wedding in Texas?”

“Done. Why do people make such a big deal about planning a wedding?” Jake jokes. “This is easy.”

“I feel like the difficulty is in the execution.” You reply, returning Jake's grin. His hand is on your hip and his thumb slips under your shirt and begins to stroke your side.

“We should have dinner with Grace and the rest of the guys.”

Jake’s suggestion makes you tense. You can feel the unease deep in your gut. A need to move, to walk away and avoid this conversation. Avoid the inevitable. Jake doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t push. His only movement is to continue the gentle caress of his thumb on your hip. Constant, grounding, and reassuring.

You give a jerky nod in agreement. You had told Grace about your past when she had questioned why you did not go home for the holidays during your first year working together. At the time your relationship with Jake had been too new to join him in Texas so you had joined Grace at her family’s dinner.

Beyond a casual invitation, that you always avoided following through on, neither had pushed to officially meet the other; they were both aware that you were keeping them apart. They had waved and met each other in passing but to your knowledge, they had never had a conversation.

“She’s a part of your life.” Jake's voice is soft. “I can’t meet your family, but I want to know the people who are special to you.” You close your eyes and rest your head on Jake's shoulder, hands clenched together. His hand ghosts over your cheek, pushing your hair out of the way.

“Yeah,” you take a deep breath and try to force your shoulders to relax.

“Hey Kisses,” at Jakes prodding you look up. He has a little half smile showing off one of the dimples that you love, and his eyes are full of a tenderness that draws you in. “There’s not going to be any repeats. Ever.” He leans forward and kisses you, gently moving his lips over yours until you are kissing him back.

“Ok,” you pull back and you finally relax your white knuckled grip on your own hands and cuddle into his arms. “It’ll be good, we’ll all meet and talk about wedding stuff. And everything will be fine.” You reassure yourself aloud in a voice that is strained, but when you say it, Jake gives you a little squeeze and drops a kiss on your head.

After a few moments Jake breaks the silence. “That painting is still crooked.” You glance up at the lopsided painting and begin to giggle and Jake gets up to fix it.

– – –

Grace had agreed to be your maid of honour when you asked. She had given you a big hug and pulled you into her arms and whispered, “I’m so happy for you.” into your hair.

When you had told her about Jake’s suggestion for dinner she didn’t react beyond squeezing your hand. “Who are his groomsmen?” You tell her their names and call signs while you are at it. “Are they cute? Are they assholes? Are they single?”

“Not as cute as Jake.” Grace rolls her eyes at your response. “Bob’s ego is smaller than Jake’s and he’s easier to be around than the others, and Javy’s married.”

“You like Jake’s ego and confidence.” Grace knocks you with her shoulder and you grin guiltily. Jake’s casual confidence in himself and your relationship is what drew you to him.

– – –

On the day of the dinner you can’t sit still. You had gotten ready early and now were pacing around the living room until you had to leave. Jake eventually grabs you and pulls you into his arms. “You good?” You rock your head back and forth in a non-committal motion.

You trusted Jake and had no doubts about him but it was hard to overcome the anxiety you felt with Jake and Grace meeting each other. You had discussed it in therapy and knew it was a good idea and something you wanted to happen. Actually doing it was harder than talking about it. You were grateful there would be a group for the first meeting.

Jake held your hand the whole drive to the restaurant and through most of the evening. Everytime he would trace a heart on the back of your hand or XOXO you couldn’t stop the smile from breaking out over your face. It was a fun evening and beyond a rather intense argument between Bradley and Grace over the best ice cream place in San Diego, everyone got along. As the evening progressed you felt the tension slip away.

At Javy’s insistence everyone exchanged numbers and a group chat was set up that included Julia and Jessie, who had both agreed to be bridesmaids. Bradley had been disappointed to learn that Jake's sisters were both in a relationship.

Jake still had a slightly murderous expression as he stalked to the truck. “Jake, your one sister is married with a kid and the other is a lesbian. Bradley has literally no chance.” You try to calm him. “Let it go.”

Jake huffs like a toddler and you smile ruefully, wishing you had a brother like Jake. The drive home is quiet, with neither of you talking for most of it. “I’m proud of you.” Jake says eventually before taking your hand in his and kissing the back of it.

“What? For introducing the two people in my life?” He frowns at your sarcastic response and pulls into the driveway.

“You know it's not just that.” His voice is soft as you walk inside and you turn to him. “I know how far you have come, and how you are this amazing, strong, resilient woman and how much you have done all on your own.”

You blink back the surprising tears you feel at Jake's comment. “Well I'm not alone anymore.” You say with a smile.

“And you will never be alone again.” Jake's lips caress your as his hands move over your sides and smooth your jacket off your shoulders as he guides you through the living room.

“That painting is crooked again!” You stumble slightly as Jake abruptly leaves your side, lips frozen in a kiss. You watch as he stalks over to the painting and straightens it again.

“There,” he says in satisfaction. “Now where were we?” He returns to you, his lips travelling down your neck as his hands cup your ass, urging you to jump and wrap your legs around him before he carries you into the bedroom.

#jake seresin #jake hangman seresin #jake hangman x reader #jake seresin/reader #jake seresin x reader #hangman #hangman/reader #hangman top gun #topgun maverick #topgun #topgun hangman #hangman topgun

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planetpiastri · 1 year

Note

14- kissing under the stars with rooster please🥹❤️

hi birch!! idk what it is, but writing rooster brings the sap outta me. so here's a super sappy, super romantic, super sugary blurb about camping w roo<3 | [wc - 0.9k]

When Bradley first invited you to a weekend getaway at his family cabin with all of his Navy buddies, you weren’t entirely sure you should come. You’d only met Natasha—and Jake, once, but you tried to block out that particular memory, since it involved too many tequila shots and a karaoke machine that only had Mariah Carey—and you and Bradley had only been dating for a few months. It was too soon, right?

But as Reuben and Mickey helped you push your kayak into the lake, and Bob tossed you a half-used can of sunscreen, and Bradley watched proudly from the treeline as he put on a pair of sunglasses, you found yourself immensely glad that he’d convinced you after all.

Bradley joined you in the backseat of the kayak, teasing as he did, “Are you sure you’re supposed to be in the front? Do you even have your pilot’s license?”

“Stand back, nonbeliever,” you shot back, pushing away from the shore before Bradley even had a chance to get comfy. He cried out and laughed, nearly toppling out of the kayak, but managed to right himself.

“Easy, killer,” he chuckled. “You didn’t tell me you were a kayaking machine.”

“Maybe I’m just trying to impress you,” you shot back. “Is it working?”

“Definitely.”

The afternoon passed in a comfortable haze as everybody paddled around the lake, sharing whiteclaws and waters. Jake had blown up an inflatable kiddie pool and stocked it with snacks, booze, and a bluetooth speaker. Classic rock oozed from his round little paradise, and periodically the other pilots would paddle over in their canoes or their inner tubes and nab a soda or a beer from his cooler.

You and Bradley traded your kayak for Bob’s inflatable raft and spent most of the day sprawled out, half-napping, your limbs tangled together and sticky from the sunscreen. When he wrapped his arms around you and tumbled the two of you into the cold water of the lake—subsequently losing his sunglasses—you decided maybe it was time to head back and get dinner.

Conversation flowed easily with everyone as you all paddled back to the cabin and dragged your various flotation devices up onto high ground. Reuben volunteered to start the campfire, and Javy got nominated to light up the grill and get the hot dogs cooking. You joined Natasha in the kitchen as she showed you how to make her famous ‘miscellaneous fruit tart,’ and the two of you banded together to banish Bradley from the kitchen when he kept trying to steal fresh strawberries. Mickey and Bob were put on music detail, filling the wood cabin with old John Denver and Fleetwood Mac tunes. Jake was a surprisingly adept sous chef, helping where Javy told him to and plating out piping-hot dogs built to everyone’s particular specifications.

As the sun set and the stars came out, everyone gathered around the fire pit. You and Bradley shared a two-seater plastic bench, one blanket thrown over both your laps, your head on his shoulder.

“Thanks for inviting me,” you whispered into the skin of his neck.

“Thanks for coming,” he replied just as quietly, pressing his lips to your hairline.

Under the blanket, his calluses traced the knuckles of your hand, sending shivers up your arm. You shut your eyes and pressed deeper into him.

Mickey, who—along with Jake and Javy—had started drinking around noon and hadn’t ever stopped, was the one to finally tip the night away from ‘sleepy and romantic’ and towards ‘rowdy getaway weekend’ when he stood up and began to conduct everyone in singing along to Dancing in the Dark, which still playing from the open living room windows.

“Do you want to step away for a breather?” Bradley asked you, his hand warm in yours.

You nodded, and the two of you eased out of the two-seater. No one else seemed to notice you leave as you snuck down to the shoreline, hand in hand. The blanket was thrown over Bradley’s shoulder. When you rounded the path and saw the stars glittering on the surface of water, your breath caught in your throat.

“Way better than movie night on your couch, right?” Bradley asked, shaking out the blanket and laying it down on the pine needles.

He sat down, and you curled up against him. You could hear your friends singing and laughing around the bend, and the smell of burnt marshmallows filled the air, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to want to go back. In this moment, in the arms of this wonderful, charming man, you felt perfectly content.

“I love you,” you said before you could think better of it.

When you looked up at Bradley, he was grinning down at you so hard it looked like it hurt. His hand came up to cup your cheek, and when he kissed you, it felt like—oh, of course. It felt right. It felt like your whole life had been leading up to this moment, at this lake, with this man.

He pulled away sooner than you expected, taking your breath with him, and blurted, “Oh—I love you, too. Obviously.”

Your smiles smashed together as you grabbed him by the collar and dragged his mouth back to yours, hardly able to keep the delighted giggle trapped in your chest from spilling out of you. His hand settled on your waist, and you wasted the night away on the shore of the lake, the stars sparkling overhead and your best friends drunkenly singing a short walk away.

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redfurrycat · 1 year

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🗡️🪶🤠⚔️👸🏻🐓Xenadley & Gabrijake🐓👸🏻⚔️🤠🪶🗡️

The Battling Bard of Potidaea and the Warrior Princess of Amphipolis are known reincarnated soulmates.

Here are their latest reincarnations…. 😉

A.K.A. Bob and Callie’s plan to matchmake Jake and Bradley together. Wear the -visually pleasing- outfits of the purest soulmates, then TRY not to romantically jump one another.

(Bob and Callie are X:WP hardcore fans. They go to conventions and bingewatch the TV-show together! That’s how they got the idea…They needed a better plan than Nat and Javy’s. First pair to succeed wins the jackpot – paid trip to New Zealand and getting all the kudos for dealing with THEM.)

Nat & Javy each teases their BFF, ignoring they’d lose. Right now, they have too much fun making them blush!

Meanwhile Icemav & Warlone/Cylock are on a double date although Cyclone has to be bribed to come at the Hard Deck. Too many shenanigans going on there, according to him. Warlock is a cool dad, he gets the reference right away! (Who is he kidding. Bob & Callie definitely met Solomon at previous conventions!) meanwhile Mav is motherhenning hard and Ice still is the smartest guy with the best plans...😏

All artistic credits go to @enthyrea who made this wonderful piece of art I commissioned from her.

You should DEFINITELY go check her art! ❤️❤️❤️

Storm, thank you for bringing together my beloved comfort TV-show and Movie! 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

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chemistryread · 1 year

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she is both hellfire and holy water

- part IV

I choose to love you in silence, for in silence I find no rejection, I choose to love you in loneliness, for in loneliness no one owns you but me, I choose to adore you from a distance, for distance will shield me from pain.

jake seresin

callsign: scorcher

part III

part V

disclaimers/tags: female!aviator!reader. jake is a tired loverboy. slowburn and angst.

a/n: this chapter was hard to put together tbh, alternating between jake and scorch, but i hope it's good enough. the pace picks up from here, i promise. i'm also teasing a few things that will get explained later. another gentle reminder i don't know how navy rankings and inner-workings go. thank you so much for all the attention, the first part hit 1k notes and that's a first for me, so i'm really happy <3 anyways, enjoy :)

tagging: @thedroneranger @shanimallina87 @peakascum @cherrycola27 @iwantmyredvelvetcupcake @untoldshortsofthefandoms @thecraziestcrayon @lovingperfectionsblog

Bradshaw found another way to make his life harder.

What the hell did he tell you last night?

You were late for training. Sat in the back, next to Fritz. Stayed mostly quiet in the comms. When Maverick asked why you didn't take the killshot, you replied that you got distracted. Curt, annoyance drenching your words. Definitely uncharacteristic for the two of you.

At lunch, he asks everyone if they've seen you. Turns out you went off-base, supposed to go with Bob and Trace but they were ahead of everyone else in the programme so Cyclone wanted a word with the duo.

There's no reason for him to worry about you going alone. You must have done it many times before. But he's agonizing over not having heard a single thing from you all day, not directed to him.

He doesn't want to overstep, either. For all he knows, this sudden silence has nothing to do with him. So he spends as much of his free time at the gym, pushing to the point of failure to have something else to think about.

When he gets to The Hard Deck, you're already there. In your moss green dickies and a tight top, looking unbothered. He wonders if you put effort into looking so effortlessly pretty.

Javy is back too, holding the darts as he shoots.

Bradley is playing the piano, and you're sitting next to him. Watching with a pleased smile on your face, shoulders dancing to the song. To be fair, most of the squad are doing the same, but he doesn't look at them.

"Dude, if you don't want me to ask you should hide it better."

He calls out, handing another dart for him to prick right into the red circle.

"Nothing to hide, Coyote, absolutely nothing."

Voice leveled, cool-headed.

"If you say so." Another dart flies too close to his friend's nose. "Oh, and, uhm, you should definitely not look now."

With that, Jake turns mid throw and finds a now standing Bradley turning a shot glass, with his arm around your shoulders. Hands intertwined as you drink with him.

Throws. Dead center again.

"C'mon, let's go over there."

Javy laughs. At him, he knows.

Phoenix bugs her eyes out, licking her lips, ready to lunge. "Look who decided to join us. Tired of playing with yourself?"

"Not as much as you must be. Drought's still pretty bad, huh?"

She's unclenching her jaw to respond, but you surprise everyone first. "Would that make him a mirage?"

They follow your gaze to a young man, a civillian, shamelessly checking Trace out.

The dark-haired woman leans to whisper in your ear, and Rooster fails in his attempt to discreetly overhear, annoyed face being shoved back by your hand.

He backs up to give you privacy, but you keep him close with fingers still laced together. Hangman takes a long sip, noticing the angry unsteadiness of his hold on the bottle. You catch the way his hand trembles, sending a questioning look his way, but he ignores it.

Nodding along, eventually, you push Natasha in the direction of the guy, saying only "Please. Have fun."

You finally let go of Rooster's hand - Jake perks up, hoping you might finally acknowledge him, and ends up letting beer trickle down the corner of his lips - standing up and announcing you're going to get another round. Leaving him looking silly, eyes still tracking your body as you walk away from him again, back of his hand clumsily wiping at his chin.

From afar, he watches you slump on the stool. You look upset, running your hands through your hair and smiling weakly at Penny. Maverick is on your side, a mischievous energy about him.

The trouble you're in is truly indescribable.

Seeing Maverick finally join the squad at the Hard Deck, you run to him and Penny, probably ruining their night if you're honest.

If you could have a superpower, you would chose being able to keep your feelings to yourself. It kills you to overshare, regretting it every time.

But these two love a gossip, completely enthralled by your current problem and encouraging you to open up with booze.

"You guys are enablers, that's what you are."

Pete laughs, his smile jovial and cheeky. Not too different from his girlfriend's. Made to be, truly. It makes you thoroughly envious.

The woman was the first one to put everything together, on your first round back at Fightertown. She was nice enough not to tell Mav until he got to the same conclusion on his own. When he did, however, they had cornered you separately a handful of times in the span of a week, testing and comparing the answers you gave them until you finally confessed.

Lieutenant Seresin makes you feel a certain special way. And you hate it, so much.

Mav is a friend your academy days, when he was called to supervise the testing of a new aircraft. You were handpicked to be one of the reserve pilots, which had meant you might get a chance to take it for a test drive too. (You did.) It was only for a week, but you grew particularly close, bonding over losing a backseater.

When you were called back to Top Gun for the uranium mission, you quickly put together that the Hard Deck's owner and your old friend had history. Possibly lending a helping hand to their happy ending.

This is karma, then. You meddled with their situation, and now they feel comfortable enough to do the same with you.

The difference is, there's no history. Jake doesn't even know.

All those months ago, getting comfortable with the squad, you liked everyone. Apparently he didn't realize, but you liked him too. Despite everyone's fairly placed mistrust of Hangman, something nagged at your heartstrings.

It doesn't happen often. You're not one to feel strongly about someone you don't even know either way. So this continuous faith in him, it had to mean something, even if you don't truly understand it.

His imposing attitude, his ego, those are not palatable, to be exact. But are they surprising, for a Navy pilot?

Looking past that, you saw an ambitious, gutsy man. Accomplished and confident. Benevolent, tenderhearted. (Some would not agree with the last, but you know. Or you think you do, anyway.)

None of those traits are frowned upon. Even the ones that get people to roll their eyes at first glance, they make sense once you see the rest of him. It's just one side, that settles in perfectly with the others. Completes him in a fascinating fashion.

He's interesting.

But you understand meeting Hangman and writing him off as one more self-absorbed dickhead who won't improve your life. Can do without. And you wish that's how you saw him as well.

However, your conscience furiously screamed at you to be smarter than the others. Don't pass on this great person just yet, because you were too busy following everyone else. Some of the best are not usually what they seem.

Once your brain captures the potential of a special someone, your heart doesn't hesitate to follow. Again, rarely happens. But when it does, it's all-encompassing. (And scary.)

That persistence to dig deeper, obssess over believing in him, for no apparent good reason, it'll take you to an early grave.

Your eyes would track him around the bar and you'd go quiet, wondering if you're imagining or hoping for things that aren't really there. Spiraling into an isolating back and forth with yourself.

That's when Penny took notice of your unique treatment of Seresin.

Smart woman, she read you for filth. You act indifferent because you're terrified he might see you care for him. More than you do the others. If he finds out, you might have to explain to him something you can't even explain to yourself. If he has no idea, you never have to deal with it.

You're not good with this. Emotional connection, hope, asking, rejection.

As much as you are curious, and you wish you could see it through, you're too afraid it will only drag you down.

There's also the stomach-turning consideration that he likely doesn't even think of you. Paying attention for nearly a year, you concluded he enjoys the company of bubbly and happy-go-lucky personalities. So do you, to be honest. Who doesn't?

You're a little more rough around the edges, too busy licking your wounds and guarding up from others to remember to let your hair down. You can joke as much as the next aviator, but you'd never be truly lightfooted.

It's like something haunts you everywhere you go. A fear of intimacy, to be completely forthcoming. You do your best to hide it, offering a friendly face to most, but it wouldn't surprise you if people called you distant.

"What I don't understand is why you're running away from this. You said it's been a great time! Are you this scared of loving someone?"

"Whoah, hold your horses, woman! 'Love'? Who said anything about that?"

The two look at each other with knowing smiles. Hot anger brews inside, bothered when people try to tell you how you feel. Even if you are being stubborn and purposefully deceiving yourself.

"You know what I mean. Maybe you don't love him yet, but you're so scared you might one day get there and not know what to do with it, so you deny, deny, deny. It's ridiculous."

"Yeah, it is ridiculous."

You joke, clearly trying to shoot down her assessment of you, but you don't sound too sure.

"Didn't you come over to us, asking for help with your troubles?"

It's Maverick's turn at the end of your glare.

"Correct. To help murder whatever it is that's growing inside of me." They shake their heads. "Hey, you guys are speaking as if you're so sure he feels the same, when you have absolutely no reason to believe as much. For all we know, he tolerates me at best. Maybe not even that. If this becomes something real, what happens when I screw up or he realizes I'm not that great? What then? Going through all of that for nothing, you're encouraging me to get heartbroken. It's sadistic!"

These last few weeks, letting him in, they were a mistake. You should have know better.

Jake's sweet. He listens, he looks at you, and when he does you memorize every speck of green in his eyes so you can dream about them later. It's maddening.

A mind of his own, you enjoy when he rambles. As you had considered before, the ego and the self-confidence are not fronts. He is like that, a little full of himself. And you like it so much. Every time he talks, he stands tall and puts his foot down. Velvety voice booming, confident cadence, claiming his right to be heard. Beautiful.

And you knew all of that, surprised only by the part where he hears back. Props you up to put your two cents in as well, and although you're much calmer in your approach, he drives you crazy with some points.

Rarely, in your entire life, have you enjoyed just talking to someone so much, for a person who prefers to only speak when you have a point to make.

It's not all serious, and you're thankful for that. He has always been clever with his remarks, and when you don't know how to reach out to people, you make them feel good by laughing with them. Whether he's being charitable or not, he laughs with you too.

It's a mutual shedding of walls. You wonder if he takes it as seriously as you do.

When you're together, all the other things surrounding you struggle severely to draw you away. All that matters is being in his presence, and wishing he enjoys being in yours.

That's why you're in trouble. This hasn't happened before. You've never…well, you've never been in love before. Or even close to it. And here's this pretty boy, with a lot of personality, giving you his full attention even after you were less than friendly with him. Insisting on breaking into your heart. No one has ever fought this hard for you before, with the exception of Maverick. It does feed hope into your heart, no matter how hard you push against it.

Penny pulls you away from your thoughts by squeezing your hand.

"And if it doesn't happen that way? What if he likes you more everyday he spends with you?" She looks to Pete, clear blue eyes softening, tight lips turning up. Another squeeze. "We know this doesn't happen to you, so it would be nice to see it develop."

"C'mon, Pen, you've seen thousands of Navy men pick up women here, including him. It would take someone special to pull him out of that comfortable life, and I'm not it."

"Stop talking about yourself that way! And I don't think Seresin is like that. You're right, I have seen thousands of men who don't give up that life even after they get married. He's not one of them. I know, like you knew he was worth believing in."

She holds your gaze, a lot less patient than Pete, and you can't stop the rolling of your eyes.

"It'll go away." You say it with stern determination, as if you had a magic spell prepared and all. Behind the bar, Penny huffs. "I don't want it. Throw it away. How do I do that, now?"

It's the older man's turn to laugh at your drunken words.

"Sweetheart, that's not how it works. I know you're not well-versed in feelings, but c'mon, you're smarter than this."

"Mav, I really, seriously, honestly don't want to fall for him."

Tears pool at your eyes, and you can see him jump a little at the sight. A lot of new things around here. Because of Jake. You kind of want to go punch him right now.

Your fingers run through your hair nervously, you're a mess.

"And what's your plan, then?" Penny asks, drying clean glasses to have an excuse to avoid the waiting patrons. "Because, this- Being friends without confronting your feelings first, I don't think that's going to work. You can't do that, honey, it's not healthy."

"I can't just stop talking to him now, can I?" Both shake their heads. You sigh. "I thought, maybe, knowing him better would force me to see that I was either wrong or overshooting, but all it did was fuel this hopeful feeling for more. In my heart, not my brain, that one is yelling at me to take three big steps back."

The three of you laugh together.

"You don't have to figure it out tonight, maybe you're right and it'll go away. In the meantime, don't overthink it."

Penny and you groan in synch.

"Don't worry so much, is that your advice?"

"Works for me."

You hum, considering. Pete Mitchell, one thing about him is that he does take control of his own life, for better or worse.

"Rooster disagrees."

Two pairs of eyes widen at you, but the man is the one who asks. "Bradley knows?"

"Not exactly. Last night, he pulled me away with a bullshit excuse to warn me that he thinks Hangman has ulterior motives, with me." You snort, taking a sip of your forgotten drink. "I yelled at him for thinking he has any right to be protective, and for making assumptions. Anyway, long story short, I lied and said there was nothing to worry about. I'm on top of it, and I can handle him if I have to."

"Huh, and he doesn't even know that what you want to be on top of and handle-"

"Penny!"

You shush her and Maverick shudders next to you.

"Please don't say that out loud, ever again."

"Sorry. Is that why he's all over you tonight? Like, more than usual."

"Uhm," You scan the bar to look for your friend but find Jake first, and he winks at you. You can't help but smile, bitterly amused by the absurdity of being brought to tears over a man who has absolutely no clue, while the same man inconsequentially flirts with you across the room. You look away, before you can start blushing.

"Did you mean that 'honey', the other day?"

Enraptured by your presence (after not hearing much from you all day), it seems Jake didn't notice everyone run to the pool table as soon as the group who was hogging it left, and he was alone with Rooster.

"First of all, it's none of your business what I call Scorcher-"

"I mean, can't even call her Scorch, that sort of speaks for itself, no?"

"Secondly. Why do you ask? Feeling threatened?"

He can't see the big hazel eyes behind the thick sunglasses he's wearing, but Bradley stands up straighter, taking his time to answer.

"Just don't do anything stupid. I'm watching you."

Instinctively, Jake puffs his chest and stands up nose-to-nose with his fellow aviator.

At the perfect moment, your gazes cross, finding each other across the bar. A bashful, flirty smirk grows over his lips and he winks. Cheesy and transparent, the same unbeatable confidence that irks Rooster whenever he pulls the girl they were both looking at first.

Much to his surprise, you grant him a genuine smile, the first one that is a positive unmediated response to his antics.

He imagines himself glowing in front of Bradshaw, energy renewed by your approval when the dirty-blonde was just talking his ear off. He comes out on top, again. Did you watch that, asshole?

A deep growl rises from the bottom of the man's throat, accepting defeat. Too intimately for his own taste, ungraceful hands drag him along to the rest of the group.

"Think so, yeah. Again, he thinks he needs to shelter me or something."

"Sounds like him."

Penny hums in agreement, with a sly smile on her lips. You don't even want to know.

"Makes you want to shake him by his stupidly broad shoulders and yell at him to relax."

"The day Rooster relaxes, I'll be able to fucking sleep at night."

Snorting at the uncommon instance of Mav swearing, you excuse yourself to the bathroom.

In a moment of quiet, you miss Phoenix. Maybe you should get her opinion on everything, she usually has her head on her shoulders about things. Then again, she's dealing with a lot on her own.

The Jake thing wasn't the only problem Rooster had last night. You would've broken the juicy news to your favorite couple, but it was not your secret to share.

You're gone for a while, but every time he looks, you're still with the couple, and it's clear that you're the one doing most of the talking. He hopes to get a chance to pull you aside later and ask what's going on. Cautiously, of course.

When you finally return, your speech is a little slurred and your cheeks are flushed. Hair loosened from all the times you ran your fingers through it.

It distracts him from Bob handing him the pool stick.

"Where's Tasha?"

"With mirage man."

"Still? He wasn't that good." Heads snap up to you, and Jake's eyes look away from the table, taking in your heedless state. "What? Friends share."

Rooster chokes on his beer and Fanboy inches closer, both men drowning you in questions.

Did you say something weird? You're a little too tipsy to care.

Just because you're not romantic doesn't mean you can't have fun. The Hard Deck was a special spot, constantly blessed by many handsome faces, and you weren't denying yourself everything, despite what Miss Pretty Penny might think. Then again, like you said, they were hardly ever that good and they certainly denied you actual pleasure, sometimes.

You warned Trace of that when she leaned into your ear to ask if you wouldn't mind her sneaking off with a guy you had been with before. That was your only qualm with it. But she could use the distraction, so you ultimately ushered her away with him.

A bit of regret spreads through your chest as you wish she was here now, helping ward off the curious naughty boys trying to interrogate you. Those who dine in silence, enjoy it the best, you tell them.

The next best contender comes to the rescue.

After a purposeful horrendous miss, he returns the stick to Floyd.

"Personal space, creeps. Don't be invasive." You take his hand before he can even ask. "Air?"

Your fingers don't lace with his, letting go as soon as you're outside, and he pretends not to notice or care. Drowning the knot in his throat with a sip of his warm beer, which he started neglecting when he noticed you were going a little over your limit, planning on keeping a watchful eye, take care of you if needed.

Instead, they pull at the hairband, finally letting all the strands fall down your shoulders, threading them impatiently. It's messy and unkempt. He enjoys getting a glimpse of the curls fully.

Your movements are automatic as your mind wanders off, eyes on the ocean but not really focusing.

Jake is not touchy. It's unexpected, boys like him - confident, good-looking, used to female attention - tend to be. But he's very respectful, keeps to himself. In the gym, the closest he gets to you is the tip of his fingers poking your side if you're doing something wrong, only doing more if you explicitly tell him you need help. It's brief, though, and sturdy. Helpful. You chuckle to yourself, thinking you like it when he helps you. You hate feeling incompetent, but if it meant Seresin would pick you up, well you might just trip over your own feet.

"How did you get drunk? It's so early."

His grin is tight and sincere, gorgeous.

The image of the couple flashes through your brain and you almost cuss them out.

"Penny and Mav! Who knew old friends could be so scheming."

"Why were they scheming?"

"To get me to talk."

"About?"

Jesus. When did you get so careless?

You turn with a glint in your eyes. Shaking a finger, hilariously, at him. "Nope. Not telling you, of all people."

"Had to try." No, you really didn't. His eyes sharpen. "What do you mean, 'of all people'?"

Damn him. Sober and clever. Would he let you punch him, if you asked? Maybe he'll give up if you distract him.

"Shut up, Seresin, look at the waves!"

Yeah, you're pretty gone.

"C'mon, talk to me, for once."

The light tone you had is replaced by a husky, exasperated one.

"What do you mean, 'for once'? I talk to you more than the entire squad! Maybe Phoenix, but it's pretty equal. Not like proportionate to the time we've been friends, but meaning. Does that make sense? I tell you more than I tell them."

At the same time, you want to bury your head in the sand to stop talking, and also shake him from his shoulders, ask him if he really doesn't see it.

So you cross your arms over the railing, bumping your forehead lightly as if it's going to bring you back to your senses and erase all the feelings you have for the man leaning so close. He's so close.

Something wicked twists inside him, feeling his lips dare to twist up.

Desperation oozes from him, yes, but he wants to know. Banking on your absent-mindedness and the fabricated tilt of teasing in his voice covering for him.

"C'mon, you don't need to lie to make me feel better. I would say if there's a top three, it would be Trace, Bradshaw and maybe, then, me. Right?"

Honestly, your ranking is more like Tasha, Floyd and Rooster. The order can alternate depending on the day.

His gaze is searing hot, sweat trickling down the back of your neck, nearly enchanting enough to convince you to give everything away.

How would he react to knowing you're just another girl captivated by him? The hooks of desire and curiosity and interest ripping you open tear by tear, with every smirk you catch on his face.

Looking into pretty little green orbs, you want to gently cradle his face (maybe butthead him first) and connect your lips as delicately as possible, dreaming about how it would feel when it picks up, moaning your admiration straight down his throat.

Fucking bastard, doesn't even know.

"Seresin, you're on a whole different ball park." Stretching your arms in front of you, holding onto the railing and leaning your head back, your heart is a lot more still than you expected in a moment like this. Maybe it finds relief in being put first, chosen over your brain, just this time. "Don't bother comparing."

It burns him deep. He can feel the wrinkle in between his brows.

Are you saying you don't even consider him as much as the other two? He wouldn't put it past you, to say something so gut wrenching as if it's nothing. Or, just maybe, you mean you've made a category just for him, a special spot, exclusive. A slot not even Rooster can break into. Jesus, he can feel his muscles contract with how strongly he wishes for the second.

He's silent. For a minute.

There's your answer. His reaction was uncomfortable silence. Well, what else did you expect?

Chancing a look, you notice the tension in his shoulders. Maybe he thinks he has to reject you now. A pitying Jake Seresin speech sounds like the worst thing that you could go through at the moment, so you gather all your strength to come across unbothered. Only joking.

"You look really serious right now. It's kind of funny."

He turns his full body to you, hands massive against the thin wooden board, chest pushing against the thight shirt. Your smile falters a little, swallowing roughly. So much trouble.

Remembering how well you took his flirty wink earlier, he puts effort into making sure you feel the drag of his eyes, half-lidded, from your head to your toe.

"It's your fault. I keep trying to figure you out, but you make it real hard, darlin'."

Like a flashback, Rooster's words come back to you. Was he right? Did you need to worry about this?

Figure you out.

"Is that what this is?"

The change is so quick, he has trouble keeping up. Your voice is small, but your eyes glimmer in the moonlight, something entirely different taking over. He's seen it before in fucking wolves.

He thinks he imagines your tongue licking your teeth. It's his turn to shiver.

"This?"

"Yeah, this." You step closer to him, perfect posture and folded arms. "Let's be honest, Hangman, you're not the kind of guy to unpretentiously start a friendship. There's gotta be something you want, ultimately. So, what is it?"

Jake can see the fire slowly growing behind your eyes and he feels like he can't trust the floor not to give way under him and swallow him whole.

For the entire time you've know each other, this is the first chance you've given him to learn things about you. Slowly. You were the last of the squad to open up to him. Maybe he sees you as a challenge, while you see him as- God, you feel stupid. And too drunk to hold back your tongue.

So you attack him, of course. It's in your nature. Too easy to slip back into your shell, standoffish and suspicious.

"What? I'm trying to get to know you, that's just how people become friends, Scorcher."

"Figure me out?"

It won't help, he knows, but he can't stop himself from laughing. Loud and honest, rolling his eyes.

"Manner of speech, beautiful. Tell me, is every time we have a conversation just a waiting opportunity for you to fucking pick my words apart and get on my nerves? Is this revenge, for all the times I pissed you off?"

"Oh, if it's so bothersome, why do you stick around?"

I really like you.

The wind is blowing your hair, and you look kind of like a deity. Taller, darker, fearless.

Eyes are boring into him as if you know something he doesn't, like you've discovered an entire plan he had against you. Except, there's nothing.

Well, there is one thing. The craving he's resisting of grabbing you by your hips and pushing you against the wall, shut you up for a long hour or two with his tongue deep down your throat and his thigh perfectly placed in between your legs. Punishing and devoted in the same breath.

But he's pretty sure you have no idea that's what's on his mind. Would you even like that? No, you'd probably knee him in the crotch and go back inside, laughing at him with Maverick and…Oh.

"Wait a minute." His expression of utter loss twists into anger, an accusation. Biting into the cold air. "Rooster. That little show in the TV room last night. What did he say to you?"

You take a step back, looking away when he steps forward.

Dead little birdy, he swears.

"Whatever do you mean…"

You shrug, faking innocence, but he's not in the mood for joking right now.

"Scorch."

A shaky breath, gasp cut short by teeth trapping your lips shut. Yes, he is playing dirty, but it's not like he hadn't been patiently waiting for the right moment to use it. It feels holier than your name.

It is endearing from everyone else, and earth-shattering from him.

That's what those who know you call you by. Honestly, you never expected to be on his radar, not really. Not in a way that was important. More like someone who passed by, who's remembered vaguely, not lingering too long on your memory before changing the subject.

It is also just a name. So you quickly compose yourself before he can notice the catastrophic impact he has on you.

Nose high in the sky, you recollect yourself. Stubborn and predictable.

"Hangman."

Your stubbornness has the desired effect, wearing him down until he gives up.

A juvenile bitterness (also called jealousy) takes over. He sighs and starts to walk away.

"You know what, forget it."

But then he's leaving you, threatening to dismiss everything, and a pathetic urgency to keep him possesses your body. Throwing all of earlier's caution and hesitance out the window.

He's halfway to the door when you unfold your arms and lean back to grab him, pulling on his sleeve.

Cursing and worshipping him with one balled fist, the warm woodsy smell giving you a headache.

"Fine." You snicker at his smirking face. So he can get what he wants, even with you. Save that for later. "He did say something."

You adorably tug on his shirt again, asking for him to move back to his previous spot.

Purposefully sliding very close in front of you - noses would be grazing if you hadn't moved your head away in embarrassment - he leans back against the railing one last time. Eyebrows raised, satisfied grin.

"Well?"

"You're fucking aggravating, you know that? It's important to me that you know how much of an annoying little prick you are."

"Not little. But the rest I can agree with." You groan, totally not joking, and he gets the feeling of Deja Vu. "You're just mad you're about to throw your friend under the bus for me, angel face. To be fair, I would be confused too. After all this time, what changed?"

He almost forgets what you were meant to talk about while he has a bit of fun at your expense. He's teasing like he used to before, but it's more rewarding now. You're looking at each other, words at the tip of your tongues, instead of abandoned in your throats. He finally gets to hear what you have to say to him.

"Yes, Seresin, you have bewitched me within seven days and now I must betray all of my good friends for you in hopes that you'll feel the same." He smiles at your theatrics. You're happy to see the idea amuses him, because you're terribly afraid it might come true. "No, I'm not trying to burn Rooster, he's just a fucking idiot."

Big grin, crossed arms. "I'm all ears, darling."

You sigh and take the space next to him, elbows brushing lightly, mimicking his pose.

In your defense, you told Bradley the same.

His ways are complicated. You understand, wholeheartedly, that he was raised on the honorable principle of watching over your own. And you're more than grateful to be one of his people. Hopefully, he knows you'd do the same for him, in a heartbeat.

But the way he spoke to you like you didn't know any better, it was condescending. He was overbearing and selfish. And that's not true to your friendship, you never went over each other like that.

You were always very supportive of his relationships, romantic or otherwise. You mediated for him and Maverick whenever they butted heads, which is (not at all surprising) often.

This thing with Tasha.

You were there for him, through and through. So you felt blindsided by this petty possessiveness, and the utter lack of belief in your judgement.

During training, you were so fed up, still irritated by his behavior, that you couldn't even focus. For the sake of being fair, you also wanted to consider Rooster's theories.

The young man didn't know, obvioulsy, but you looked at Jake with rose-colored glasses, for sure. As attentive as you are to who you can or cannot count on, it is possible you'd let something slide for him. You were so appalled at the idea that you couldn't look anyone in the eye, not even Mav.

(He noticed. And he sent you off-base after lunch to clear your head.)

Bradley asked for truce, offering you a ride to The Hard Deck after bumping into you in the base's hallways.

On the way, he lets you scold him a little more before apoligizing. And you know, God, you know he meant well. You want to tell him that, actually, you're not so much Hangman's new victim. Or that you'd be mostly alright with that. Mostly. But that would start a whole new discussion, instead letting him blissfully bask in ignorance.

So, yeah, it feels icky to criticise him to the cause of his worries.

"I don't know, he has this complex, that he needs to look out for everyone or he's a bad friend." Your brows are furrowed, chewing on the inside of your cheek as you think. When the words came out, it sounded like you were already regretting being so harsh. "I- That's not a bad thing. I'm not saying it is. But- It's just-"

"It's too much. You don't like being fussed over, I know."

He knows. Rooster doesn't, but he does. Now, that's a statement.

You meet his gaze poignantly, leaning on the tip of your toes absentmindedly and causing you to look as tall as him. He wants to squeeze your jaw and force you to let go of the meaty inside of your mouth. You've probably drawn blood by now.

"Hm. I thought you said you couldn't figure me out." He watches the spark in your eyes when he shrugs, looking impressed, only half kidding. A combination of sorrow and amusement. They definitely flick to his lips before returning to your shoes. "Yeah, that's terrifying, I regret everyhting. Is it too late to pretend we never met?"

His shoulders shake with laughter, and he bumps you gently.

"What did he say, Scorch?"

You look at him again, pained expression reigning over your features. It's cute, that you have this much of a hard time selling someone out. Loyal, he remembers. To Bradshaw, he remembers and cringes.

"Keep this between us?"

"I had a dream where you said that, once." Twice, three, four, countless times. You take advantage of your new height to push the back of his head, smiling. It's a pretty sight. "I might tell Javy, can't promise not to, but I'll make sure he doesn't tell anyone."

"Whatever. He was, or is worried. That you have a game plan, or something. And whatever it is, is the reason why you got close to me recently. Basically, he wants to know what your intentions are."

You speak slowly and laugh at the end, uncomfortable and awkward. You're right, it does feel wrong to talk about this.

Bradshaw has no fucking idea what his intentions are. But he can imagine what he thinks they might be. A hypocrite, since he has done it to so many girls before.

The minute you tell him, you recognize it as a possible mistake. It'll change things. Question is, which way?

It's definitely a bad thing for Bradley to say. He's accusing his fellow aviator of being slimy, treacherous, untrustworthy. Things that have been said about Seresin before by others, a lot of times to his face, but as far as you know this is the first time it comes from someone this close, someone who is part of a tight-knit team with him, bickering and gossiping to someone who was also close.

"Okay, I can see the cogs turning in your head. Look, you are diametrically opposed personalities. Of course he has a hard time trusting you."

"Please, Scorcher, it's not about trust. It's about you, he thinks I want to take advantage of you. He's insulting both of us in the same breath, or do you not think that it's a bit infantilizing, to you?"

You surprise him with a smile. You can appreciate Jake's concern for you during his rant.

"I do. And I already gave him a piece of my mind for it, he apologized profusely. You would've loved it, I'm sure."

"Probably. Still, if he thinks he can just-" He relaxes when you whisper his name. It's not a warning, it's a plea. Let go. Just one thing, he can't help. "Okay, so you believed him, then? Otherwise, why did you grill me a few minutes ago, basically with his words, I'm assuming?"

The soles of your feet are fully planted back on the floor. You take a second before looking at him again.

"No, not initially. If I did, I wouldn't have gotten mad at him. But, you said something specific there, and it weirded me out. I'm sorry."

"It wouldn't have weirded you out if you just trusted me."

Instantly, you step away from him and he regrets the acidity in his voice.

"Jake, we never even talked before this week. It's only fair-"

"That you take Bradley's word on it? Remind me to congratulate him on how well he brainwashed you, just like every other girl who waltzes around here." He knows he's being unreasonable, but it's too late. You don't give him anything yet, waiting for him to apologize. "I'm just saying, you didn't look too mad at him tonight."

Heat comes to his cheeks as he remembers your fingers laced with the other pilot's.

"No, what are you actually saying?"

He shouldn't. But of course it bothers him, and he needs to scratch that itch.

"C'mon, you don't think he's a little too territorial of you? He didn't even flinch when Trace went off with that guy earlier. But he needs to have a whole conversation with you. To warn you. Of the big bad guy. If he was so concerned, he would've talked to me! Not try to push you away from me, that's manipulative as fuck, please tell me you see that?"

"I don't think he meant it like that."

You're smaller, hugging your sides, but still defiant.

"Scorcher, he likes you."

All the wind is knocked out of you. How can one brilliant man be so daft?

(In all honesty, last summer, during one of your many barbecues with Mav, Penny and Bradley, the latter had said something. If you never find someone, I can be the guy. You had laughed, and then apologized when you noticed he was serious. A long conversation that could've been summarized by simply saying it isn't like that between us. He had agreed. Ever since, you're certain his admiration of you had grown into feelings of companionship, more than anything else. But neither of you had discussed it again. Regardless, he had confessed it to you, and so you feel the need to stick up for him, pay him back for being so trusting and honest.)

A scoff, and you walk right up to him, arms still crossed over your chest.

"Are you sure you're not projecting, Hangman?" He is furiously biting his tongue so you can enlighten him. "Scheming, stabbing in the back, manipulating. That's sort of your thing. Maybe you just don't like the sour taste of your own medicine."

Your lips are parted, a sliver of drool connecting from them, just barely.

Both of his hands come up to your face, thumb ghosting over the bottom lip, jolting when he feels your shudder.

He looks upset. Discouraged.

"You didn't deny it."

Eyelids screw shut for a second, before you laugh again and abruptly cut all physical contact with him.

"What does it matter? Truly."

It matters that he can't do this, compete with Bradshaw. He's lost a few times. He's the step-in, he knows.

It's stupid, but...he wants you to look at him with the same eyes people look at the enviable Bradley. Defend me.

He doesn't care if he takes this too far for a friend.

"Hey, I get it. He's the one you take home to the family. Enjoy."

You don't think he hears the constrained way you laugh. What family?

He's halfway up the deck when you stop him again. Your nails dig into his tanned skin. A weird sensation to hear his name strained in your voice. Bad, he hates it.

"You don't get anything, Seresin. And you didn't ask me. Doesn't it matter?" You punch him in the chest, not your full force but it's meaningful. "That I'm not in love with him."

I'm not in love with Rooster. It's not Rooster. Please.

There's no air coming in or out of you. Your eyes sting, and your hands are sweaty. Please.

If he was only listening, he would've guessed you were on the verge of tears. Now that he's looking down at you, he sees that you're angry, undoubted and unmistakenly.

The answer is no. As long as you put Bradshaw first, it doesn't really matter who you are or aren't in love with.

Didn't he say like, instead of love?

His head hurts.

"I need a beer."

Your body demands you put some distance between you, disappointed in his response, watching as he pulls the door open.

God, you're an idiot.

"Asshole!"

"You already knew that, my dear."

And he walks back inside, not minding the way he bumps both Phoenix and Rooster.

Not until he notices the latter walking outside to make you company. Natasha gets a weird look on her face. Whatever, not his business. He'll find something, or someone else to take up his attention too.

The smell of the beach suddenly makes you terribly nauseous, and you have to ground yourself quietly, struggling not to follow Jake and apologize. For what? What is happening to you?

A shadow catches your eye and Rooster leans next to you.

"What did you do to him? He did a whole power walk just now, nearly took me and Phoenix with him."

"Why should I know? You think I have that much power over him?"

"I don't know, maybe you do."

Your eyes meet, face contorted in complete disbelief and both of you break into laughter. You let your head fall back on his shoulder, taking advantage of his bent posture.

It's a peaceful moment.

"It smells especially horrible out here tonight."

"I know, right? I think I need another drink."

"C'mon, I got you."

Bradley is a touchy guy, and his warmth is always welcome. Most of the squad sent you suggestive looks when you kept close at the bar, in one way or another. But you only had to tell them once that if you wanted Rooster, you would've had him already, and they never joked about it again. Of course, he didn't hear you say it.

Jake had. That was important.

You wonder if he remembers it, because when you walk in with your fellow pilot glued to your back, hands on your hips guiding you towards Penny, his eyes snap away from a pretty blonde and flicker between the two of you.

He chuckles, and returns to the girl.

It seems like you won't need to cut this friendship off, he's doing it for you.

Instead of Rooster's suggestion of more shots, you ask for water.

#jake seresin x reader #hangman x reader #tgm fanfic #tgm x reader #top gun maverick fanfiction

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