crowdedimagines

[crowdedimagines]

ok aviatiors I’m looking for feedback on this.

I had this idea for a series that is semi apocalyptic with the dagger squad and I tend to write for Bradley but I kind of want the reader to have bits and pieces and connections with multiple people. How would we feel about this??? Like if she flirts with Bradley, Bob and Jake?? Or is this doing too much? 🤣 

[crowdedimagines]

Tailspin IV - Bradley Bradshaw

summary: Bradley is a single dad and his new neighbor catches his eye. The only thing is, she might have more baggage than what's in the moving truck... 3 K 🫶🏼 series list warnings: domestic violence and stalking

It took a couple weeks for the injuries both physical and mental to heal. Jake was around the house when Bradley eventually had to go back into the station. He held up his word, but as the weeks passed and injuries turned to scars Matt returned to the back of everyone’s mind for the time being. Until the police find him or something else happens there’s not much left to do. Y/n reached out to his parents who are concerned for his wellbeing. They didn't have much else to say about it. She has redirected her focus on the kids and the house. Summer is fading and there’s still work to be done.

“Alright, do we all have shoes on?” Y/n asks as she packs her bag with everything she needs. Both of the kids call out ‘yes’ and she meets them by her front door. She has spent her morning like most now with the kids working on the house while Bradley is at work. Then they would have lunch and head out to the beach to swim and fish. Today however is different because they spent the late morning baking sweets to drop off at the station.

“Let's go!”

They climb into the bronco that Y/n had to plead to get the keys to. Jake picked Bradley up this morning with the promise that she would bring him home later tonight. So, she decided she might as well bring a treat to pick him up and for the guys during the shift change.

The windows are down and both of the kids in the backseat sing along to the radio just like their dad. Once she parks in the lot their doors fly open and they take off for the station. Y/n makes her way around to the passenger side to grab the cookies and follow behind them.

Bradley was already downstairs with the guys checking everything for the night shift to make sure they were set when he saw movement and a flash of yellow in his peripheral vision. He turns to see his two kids racing towards him, and his girl wearing the most beautiful yellow sundress he’s ever seen.

“Hey, you guys!” He cheers, picking up Sadie immediately when she meets him. Nick gives him a side hug and ditches him for the truck behind him.

“There’s my other girl.” Bradley grins now that she’s standing directly in front of him, looking very kissable. He lets Sadie down so she can join Nicky who’s climbing throughout the truck now.

“Hi baby, I thought on this hot July day, something sweet might be nice for the guys.”

“And we always appreciate it.” Jake interrupts, he leans in between them to press a kiss to her cheek and steal a cookie off the platter she’s holding. Bradley rolls his eyes and reaches out to pull her in close.

“Baby, you know it’s dangerous to wear a dress like that here.”

“How so?” She matches his grin knowingly.

“I’m gonna have to beat these guys off of you to get out of here.” He pulls her in close, pressing his nose to her neck. She smells like sunscreen, the same kind he gets for the kids. She risks a peek over her shoulder where the rest of the guys linger by the garage doors, their gaze blatant.

“Trust me, this dress is only for you.” She turns back to him and angles her head up to press a kiss to his lips.

“Alright Miss Sadie, you wanna hand these out?” Y/n calls to the open door of the truck and the young girl comes flying out to help. She helps her down the stairs and takes her hand to walk over to the group of guys. Bradley shakes his head when she throws a little extra swing to her hips and a wink over her shoulder.

He turns back to the truck to spot Nicky sitting in the driver’s seat. Bradley climbs up into the truck and settles on the bench seat behind him.

“Dad, I need to do another ride along this summer.” Nicky grins, looking over all of the different buttons in front of him. He’s itching to start the sirens and horns.

“That would be fun, we didn’t do it last year.” Bradley comments. Last year he thought that was the end of it. Nick had refused to come, claiming he would much rather spend his time with his friends fishing.

“I know.” Nick turns in his chair now so he can face Bradley. “Maybe Y/n can come too. She’s never done one before.”

“Maybe.” Bradley nods, he’ll never stop being surprised with how much his son has opened up, “So you think it would be fun to have Y/n come with?”

“Duh!” Nick laughs, “I know what I said before about her, but I changed my mind.”

“It’s okay to change your mind, buddy.” He reassures.

“I know, she’s actually pretty cool. She makes you happier too.”

“She does.”

They climb out of the truck and Bradley gives him a fistbump when he jumps the last step.

“You watching out for the girls?” Bradley asks, nodding in the direction of where Y/n is still helping Sadie pass out cookies and talking with the guys.

Nick nods and widens his stance to match Bradley’s making him hide his smirk at his little mini me. Bradley has no doubt that he is watching out for them, in his own way.

“Good job, little man.”

They walk over to join the girls and Bradley’s arm automatically wraps around her waist. He starts to lightly pull her in the direction of the parking lot.

“Bye you guys, it was nice to meet everyone!” She calls as Bradley continues to pull her away. The guys chirp some comments to Bradley about him hiding her away. He traps her in his arms and fishes the Bronco’s keys out of her purse in a quick motion.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive home?” She asks.

He stops in his tracks to cut her a look over his shoulder. He unlocks the door and opens the rear to help Sadie in. Nicky opens Y/n’s door before climbing in the back himself.

“Baby, I may trust you with my first girl, but I’m not sitting in that passenger seat.” He sighs, putting the keys in so the engine can roar to life.

“You hear that, Sadie? He’s saying this car was his first girl.” Y/n turns in her seat to make a face at the young girl.

“Daddy?” Her sweet voice calls.

“Oh you’re pure evil.” He mutters only loud enough for the front seat to hear.

The drive back to the house feels normal. Neither Bradley nor Y/n could’ve known just how comfortable they would be a couple months after she moved in next door. He parks in the driveway and the kids dart inside, ready to start dinner and put on a movie. The pair of them are slower walking up the steps to the front door.

“Thank you for today. I could use a few more days like today.” Bradley presses one, two, three kisses to her lips before pulling open the front door to head inside.

“Lucky for you, I think we have a lot more of those days in store.”

“Hey-”

She bends down suddenly to pick up a postcard that was simply laying out on the welcome mat, just by the edge of Bradley’s boot. He nearly stepped on it walking in, somehow both of the kids missed it too when they ran in.

She rises back up slowly, not eager to flip it over. It’s a Southport postcard, the beach and lighthouse on full display. Sun shinning. Bradley is sure he's seen that at Hanks on a spinning rack over the years with a dozen other postcards.

“It’s from Matt.” She says this with confidence before even having to check.

“Flip it over.”

She gets goosebumps all over, and she hopes Bradley doesn’t notice. She holds the card in her hand but hesitates to flip it over to the back. Once she does, she knows it’s going to ruin their day. What a perfect day it was.

Wish you were here. I still know you better than he ever will. -M

No name. No address, Just that sentence and the simple ‘M’ to sign as if they couldn’t figure it out on their own.

“He was here.” Bradley sighs.

“He knows where you live, I should go. I need to get away from the kids and-”

“Hey, hey hey.” He reaches out a hand to hers to slow her down from tearing off of his porch. She’s shaking, even in the humid eighty degree weather.

“Bradley-”

“Hey, just listen to me.” He places a hand on each side of her face, “This is crossing a line. This means he’s not just threatening you anymore. He’s threatening my family.”

“I know, that’s why I should leave. If I go, he’ll leave you guys alone.”

“And do what to you?” Bradley scoffs, “Please, you’re not alone in this. You never were, but he’s crossed a line coming to our home and leaving this. I’m not playing defense anymore.”

They head inside, and Bradley does a casual sweep of the house while Y/n distracts the kids by starting dinner. Bradley also takes a minute while upstairs to call the sheriff. He knows him well from work over the years, but he needs him to be more involved. See what he can do about having a detail put on the house. He has the post card in an evidence bag waiting for them to come by in the morning.

✿

After dinner, a movie, and a couple bedtime stories the kids go to bed. Bradley wastes no time getting a bottle of wine and two glasses on his back porch.

“Tomorrow the security company will be by to install cameras on both of the houses.”

“Please let me pay for the cameras.”

“No-”

“Technically that’s his money, I’m happy to use it against him.” She reminds.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Tomorrow we should have a conversation with the kids about what's going on. They should be aware and I’m sure they’ll have questions about everything that’s going on.”

“This feels…. Real. You, me, the kids. I didn’t think I would ever want this again, but now I don’t know how I was living without it.”

“Bradley.” She sighs, her eyes watering. She crumbles into his chest and he wraps a large arm around her holding her tight against him.

✿

They make breakfast all together, but it’s a little quieter than usual. The kids sit at the counter waiting patiently while Y/n slices some fruit and Bradley mans the stove.

“Alright team, can we talk for a minute?” Bradley asks, he turns to face them. Y/n looks tense, and he knows she didn’t sleep well last night. Tossing and turning, even when wrapped her up close in his arms.

Nick reads the tone and he darts between who to look at. Anytime he’s heard this serious tone on his dad it’s always come with terrible news.

“Is Y/n staying for another sleepover?” Sadie asks, taking note of the fact she truly has spent more nights with them than her own that’s twenty feet away. Y/n flashes red for a second while Bradley just chuckles.

“Yeah, she is but it’s not just a sleepover. We need to talk about something, but I want to start off with saying everyone is safe.”

Bradley plates the eggs and bacon and walks over to the island and places one in front of everyone. Y/n adds fruit to each plate, silently watching the conversation unfold.

“Someone from Y/n’s past, someone who made her feel scared, showed up yesterday.”

“The postcard?”

“Yeah, buddy.” He nods, “It wasn’t okay that he was here, but we know now and we’re handling it together.”

“He’s a bad guy?” Sadie finally asks.

“Yeah, but thankfully Daddy is very good at dealing with bad guys. And we have other people helping too, the police, Uncle Jake, and Aunty Nat.”

“Y/n, you can have my nightlight.”

“That is very sweet Sadie Bug.” Bradley presses a kiss to the top of her head.

“So he came to the house?” Nick questions.

“He did, so that is why we are going to have to be more cautious.”

“Is that why you were in the hospital?” Nick’s eyes dart to Y/n, unwavering.

“No, no of course not Nick.” She leaves her spot to wrap her arms around Nick in a quick hug, “That was me genuinely being accident prone.”

“We’re gonna be safe. I’m always going to protect you guys, no matter what.” Bradley presses another kiss to the top of Sadie’s head and pulls Nicky in close to do the same.

✿

Later that day the security installation team shows up and Bradley gives them the rundown on everything they need. Y/n manages to sneak them a check for both houses before Bradley can catch her. It takes a couple days of peace for the family to settle a little more again. Still, it’s not as relaxed as before. Looking over every shoulder, checking every closet. It’s becoming exhausting.

Golden light filters through the light green curtains of Bradley’s bedroom. They’re both awake, but still silently waking to each other and the world. Y/n is curled against Bradley’s chest, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his breath.

“Why don’t we drive down to San Diego for the weekend?”

Bradley is still half asleep, but knows he needs to get up and shower so he can be to work on time.

“Run away with me?” He teases.

“Exactly.” She grins, tracing a soft pattern along the lines on his chest, following the muscles, “A mini family vacation. After you get off work we can pick them up from dance class and the pier and then we just drive down there.”

“Trying to seduce me with a little sunshine and a hotel room?” He teases, his arm that was wrapped around her back pulls her up to straddle him. Now he can see her fully.

“Trying to seduce you with a weekend of not looking over our shoulders and the kids having something fun to remember for this summer.”

She lifts her head to look at him more seriously now, she stops tracing him and lets her hands fall to her sides.

“I just want to feel normal, all of us again. Remember that brief snippet of bliss? For one weekend we can handle it. For them and for us.”

Bradley watches her closely while he thinks. Trying to find the risk and concern with travel and what the reward of going. It can be any more dangerous than staying in a house where he already knows they are.

"Plus we can see Nat when we're down there too! We can always check on the house through the new app from the security."

“Okay, let’s go.” He grins, she cheers and leans down to press a dozen kisses all over his face, “I get off around five so I can pick you up and then we’ll get the kids.”

She smiles wildly, and Bradley’s sure this is the lightest she’s looked in weeks.

✿

Bradley manages to get off work a little early, Jake insisting that Y/n’s idea was great and he was happy to take over a little early. Bradley wants to help pack so she doesn’t have to take care of everything. He grabs the yellow daisies off the dash and climbs his stairs two at a time to the front door.

He’s ready to call out ‘honey I’m home’ when he reaches for the doorknob and it’s cracked. His instincts take over and his heart plummets. Quiet. Alert. Every movement and sound is precise. He steps inside, the living room looks untouched. He can see Y/n’s phone sitting plainly on the kitchen counter. He doesn’t dare call out her name, not when he doesn’t know who’s here.

The kitchen looks normal, he clears the first floor before softly climbing the stairs. Sadie’s room is cleaner than he’s sure she left it and her small suitcase is zipped on top of her bed. Nick’s room is the same. Carefully, he pushes open the door to his room. Their room.

His familiar duffle is on his side of the bed and her bag is open on her side. There’s still a neat stack of clothes next to it.

“Y/n?” He calls softly, carefully stepping into the bathroom, hoping and praying she’s on the other side of the door. Nothing.

He moves quickly now, rushing down the steps and double checking every area he can. Her house. He leaps over the short fence between their properties. Her front door is locked and he reaches through his keys to pull open the door. Nothing. Not a single thing in her house is out of place. He comes back to their room, it’s obvious that’s what she was doing last before she went missing. He comes back to her unzipped duffle. A lone postcard sitting plainly inside.

This postcard is a darker picture of Southport. Taken at night. Bradley roughly grabs it and doesn’t wait to flip it over.

Too late.

YOU GUYS ... part five (aka last part) coming soon

[crowdedimagines]

hello hello friends!

i just wanted to update everyone that part four of Tailspin is in the works! i literally have just had so much going on and then i had two other series concepts 🫣 with my ADHD brain i had to lock in for a second! i have just baseline ideas for them but plz be on the lookout this summer for another bradley bradshaw series and then ALSO a bradley x bob x reader love triangle series 🤩 i can’t wait!

but seriously you guys i appreciate the patience! i’m sitting down this afternoon to try and crank out the rest of part four!!!

[crowdedimagines]

I love Tailspin so much, I’ve re-read the chapters you’ve posted several times.

I was wondering, do you have a schedule or do you post new chapters whenever?

No pressure, of course, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter. 🙂💖

AHHHHH! i’m so embarrassed, i do not have a schedule 🫣

i really should, and i know that but i honestly write when i’m inspired which always changes. music and movies are always where i get inspiration and it spirals into a story so when i do i series sometimes i struggle with pacing and telling the story how i want it to be read. i’m trying to pace myself and not rush the story just to put out the parts, but i so so appreciate this! thank you so so much 💓

getting feedback like this makes me wanna sit down right now and get cracking 🫶🏼🤣

series list

[crowdedimagines]

Tailspin Series List

summary: Bradley Bradshaw was happy to retire to the small town of Southport with his two children after their mother had passed. He traded in training pilots at Top Gun in San Diego to being a fire chief for a small town of 3,000.  What he doesn't expect in his small town is a new neighbor who captures his attention. She's making the cross country move from New York promising never to fall for a man ever again and then she meets the hot single dad next door. Yeah right. She also has a lot more baggage she’s bringing with her than fits in the moving truck. Between the two of them and everything they have going on in their lives on they going to fall out in a Tailspin?

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

to be completed.

[crowdedimagines]

Tailspin III - Bradley Bradshaw

summary: Bradley is a single dad and his new neighbor catches his eye. The only thing is, she might have more baggage than what's in the moving truck... 4.3 K 🫶🏼

series list warnings: domestic violence, stalking, blood

“Matt. What are you doing here?” She asks, her pulse racing for both of them to hear. Matt looks up from her face to the machine, almost proud of the effect he has. Goosebumps raise all over her arms, she doesn't think it’s just from the chill of the air conditioning. 

“You were hurt.” He answers, scooting closer in his chair making Y/n flinch. 

“No Matt, what are you doing here?” 

“I actually was already in California, believe it or not.” His proud smirk returning. Y/n can spot the evil in it now. He stands, his grip on her hand unwavering as he leans against the edge of her bed. “I wasn’t in Southport yet, I hadn't connected that dot yet. But when I got the call I came rushing.” 

He reaches out a hand to touch her hair. She flinches again and he brushes his hand over her hair, ignoring her recoil. He was already in California?

“What call?” Her voice a whisper. Where is the doctor? Where is a nurse?

“I’m still your emergency contact on your insurance.” His smile full of malice, his grip dropped from her hair to her face. He doesn’t caress her cheek like Bradley does. He holds it there, trapped and forced in place. He’s almost broken this jaw before. “They called me when you were brought in, and I was so concerned. How could this have happened?”

The call button. 

“You’re in the ER.” 

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” Her quick tongue getting the better of her. 

Y/n’s hand races to grab the bed remote at her side, but Matt’s reflexes are better than hers. Especially in her state. 

“How stupid of you.” He leans in closer to her face, she recoils even further into the bed, “Trying to use a nail gun yourself? How foolish could you be?”

He leans impossibly closer, his breath hot against her neck. She tries to turn even farther from him, attempting any distance possible. 

“What? You don’t have anyone to help you anymore?” 

“I don’t need anyone. You aren’t supposed to contact me, you’re voiding your parents' contract.” She reminds. She wants to add that he’s violating his restraining order right now too, but she’s too aware of the fact that she’s alone in this room. No matter how close the nearest person is.

“My parents are idiots.” He sighs, reaching a hand over her hair again. 

“You need to leave.”

A nurse walks by the open door and Matt straightens himself up. She doubts he’s taking her word for it, more likely the reminder that they aren’t alone in his penthouse. Not in a soundproof room with distant neighbors. No, she will never be there again. He sets the bedside remote on the floor out of her grasp and grabs his jacket off the chair next to her bed. 

“I’ll be seeing you, Y/n.” He slides his arms through the sleeves of the jacket, “Missed you, darling.” 

He makes his way out the door and the second he’s out of view Y/n swings her legs over the side of the bed. She reaches down with pain in her thigh, but manages to grab it and press the call button. She hits it over and over and over- 

“Miss L/n-” 

“I need the police immediately.” 

✿

Bradley races through the emergency doors with a kid at each side, Nat parking the Bronco. He looks around the near empty emergency room. There’s one lone family in the far corner waiting. Bradley makes his way to the main desk, he knows he’s seen the woman at reception before. He’s been at the hospital numerous times for work. 

“I’m looking for Y/n L/n. She was taken in by EMTs earlier this evening.” 

Bradley has to wait to sign them in as visitors and she reminds them that visiting hours will be closing shortly. He manages to pull some chief strings and she drops it completely. She walks them to the hall Y/n’s in and lets him know she’ll send Nat in their direction when she gets in.

He can’t tell if he’s pulling the kids, or they’re pulling him forward to her room number. They all act as a magnet for her door. Bradley pushes open the door to her room slowly, with almost no point as the kids tear off in front of him. The lamp next to the bed is on, casting a warm hue over the room rather than the bright overhead lighting. Y/n is awake and sitting up in bed when they open the door. Nick is the first one at her bedside, surprising them all. Bradley places a hand on top of Sadie’s shoulder to slow her down a little, taking their time in approaching the bed. 

“Are you okay?” Nick asks, his breathing ragged. Bradley had been the one panicking the most, so the reaction from Nicky had to have been buried under the shock of it all. Bradley lets out a deep sigh of his own. He knew falling for someone came with the risk of someday losing them, but selfishly he didn’t consider the fact that it was a possibility for his children too. Y/n has been apart of their movie nights for weeks now, Bradley was afraid Nick may never warm up to her. 

“Yeah, I’m okay buddy.” She smiles. Her eyes dart to Bradley’s for a second before her full focus comes back to Nick in front of her. Nick sees this and turns to look back at Bradley, tears in his eyes. Bradley simply nods to him, encouraging him. Nicky turns around and pulls himself up onto Y/n’s bed to give her a hug. 

“Awe, Nicky.” She sighs, wrapping her arms around him tightly. One hand holds him close while the other rubs back and forth on his back, his grip tight around her neck. Her shock is apparent while looking over his shoulder to where Bradley and Sadie stand patiently at the foot of her bed. 

“I’ll take you fishing.” He mutters, his words choppy while his breathing is still evening out. If it weren’t as quiet as it is in the room, he’s not sure she could've heard the words. 

“I would love that.” 

Her hand continues to rub his back, trying to get him to calm down. Giving him the time to pull away first. Sadie’s patience wears thin and she moves closer to try and climb up in the bed too.

“I don’t like hospitals.” Nick admits. Tears gather in Bradley’s eyes at his son’s admission. It doesn’t surprise him one bit, he’s never been a fan. 

“I don’t either.” She whispers back.

“Be careful, please.” Bradley helps Sadie get up on the bed, careful to avoid the thigh that has white bandages wrapped around it. She joins the two of them, Nick and Sadie each taking a side. Bradley stands on guard, ready to yank his kids off of climbing all over her. 

“Babe, are you okay?” Bradley asks, he can fully take her in now. Her thigh is bandaged and from what he heard she had to get stitches on her upper thigh because of how close it was to an artery. That’s why there was so much blood. In the process of passing out after calling 911, she fell and got a concussion. Her head wrapped in a similar bandage. 

“I think so.” She smiles, Bradley finally lets out the breath he’s been holding since he found her door left wide open. 

“You managed to call 911 before passing out. They think you hit your head pretty hard too, likely a concussion.” 

She simply nods, “That would explain some things.” 

Nat eventually finds them, bringing snacks with her. She claims hospital food is worse than a nail recoiling. Bradley manages to pull strings to stay the night with her. The kids also refusing to leave, sharing the couch. Nat takes the Bronco back to the house so she can stay there. She wants to take care of the mess at both houses before they all come back. Between the melted ice cream and the blood puddle, she’s got a busy night ahead of her, but she’s happy to help. The kids have long since passed out on the couch by the time Y/n convinces Bradley to ditch the chair and climb into bed behind her. 

They talk quietly for a little while until Bradley looks up seeing someone walk in the open door. Two police officers, one reaching out to lightly knock on the door. Bradley stills, and Y/n next to him tries her best to sit up. Bradley knows them, frequently seeing them on the scene of crimes the rare times things actually happen in the small town.

“Matt was here.” She finally admits, Bradley’s face drops. How was this not the lead? He doesn’t like not knowing. 

“I didn’t want to dive into that topic with them.” She nods to his kids sleeping on the couch behind him.

She feels guilty for buying the lead and letting it go on for so long without telling him.  She never planned to hide it, but it wasn't exactly a conversation she wanted to have right away. 

“Hello Miss. L/n.” The officer states, “The nurse called us and informed us of the situation. We just need to get your statement.”

“Frank, is there any way we could do that tomorrow morning?” Bradley asks, he stands from the hospital bed and makes his way over to them by the door. He tries to speak quietly due to the sensitive subject and the sleeping children. The officers nod right away, they see Sadie and Nick and Y/n nods from the bed. 

“Yeah, Bradshaw.” They both nod, “We pulled her file. She already has a good case against him and he violated the restraining order. We’re just waiting for the hospital’s security footage to add to the report, we can wait on her statement for tomorrow.”

Bradley thanks them and gives them both a handshake. He climbs back in bed next to her, his heart racing at the revelation. 

“He was already in California.” She admits, “He was contacted through my insurance emergency contact.”

“What did he say?” 

“He said that he’d be back.” She shudders, “He’s delusional. He was acting like we were still together. He called me foolish and stupid for the accident.” 

Bradley pulls her closer to his chest. Partially for the comfort of holding her closer, but also to hide his face. He doesn’t want her to see how angry he actually is.

“He’s never gonna get close again.” Bradley promises.  

Shortly after that, Bradley reaches to turn off the lamp so they can sleep. The rest of the night is rough. Bradley is a warm and comforting presence, but with the ache in her head and the throbbing in her leg, it’s hard to sleep. The wires attached to her monitoring her status are not helping the situation. 

“You need rest.” Bradley’s voice is soft. He hasn’t moved a muscle in a long time. Has he really been awake this entire time too? The doctor told them she needs rest while she’s being monitored. Her body went through a lot today.

“I know.” She pulls his arm around her, but she can tell he’s being cautious. She might as well be wrapped in bubble wrap. He spoons the backside of her, but she just wants to feel him. “This just isn’t how I pictured our first sleepover.”

“What? You didn’t want my kids to be sleeping five feet away from us?” He exhales a soft laugh from his nose and it makes Y/n join in. 

“Yeah, it’s safe to say not what I had planned.”

“Planned?” His voice holding intrigue. 

“Yeah, you should’ve seen what I had picked out to wear. Might’ve stopped your heart on the spot. Maybe it’s a good idea we’re in a hospital, I wonder if Nat would drop off-”

“You’re evil.” He lightly pinches her ribs to cut her off before she can continue. She snickers, but leans into his touch a little more.

“Hold me.”

“Y/n-”

“Please.”

He could never say no to that. With caution, he lets the full weight of his arm drop around her waist. He stretches his legs forward to weave between hers. He does it slowly and with care, waiting for any wince from her. 

She finally gets her sleep. 

The next morning Nat brings coffee for all of them, the doctor briefing them on everything they need to know for treatment. She is being discharged, they really only kept her for the night to be on the safe side. The cops circle back now that she’s feeling better and get her full statement. Bradley talks with them about keeping an eye out for her and they give him the advice to keep a close eye on her because it’s obvious Matt won’t be moving on so easily. 

“She has a concussion so she should be under supervision for the next 24 hours. She’ll need to come back next week so we can check the stitches and run a couple tests.” 

“Trust me Doc, I’m not letting her out of sight.” Bradley chuckles, his hand squeezing hers. 

Bradley pushes her out in a wheelchair, which was required for her release. She can walk perfectly fine, even if Bradley wants to fawn over her every need. Nat has already pulled up the Bronco to the front. Nick pulls open the passenger door for her and Bradley helps her get up to her feet. It’s uncomfortable to put full weight on that leg so soon, but doable. He helps her up into the truck and returns the wheelchair before climbing in behind the steering wheel. 

They drive back to their houses and he parks in his driveway. They’ve already determined she’ll be staying with them until she’s doing better. Bradley is serious about the supervision. 

Bradley does help her make the trip back over to her own house to help her get everything she needs for the next few days. The first thing she notices when she walks in is how clean the floor is. The house smells like fabuloso which tells her someone cleaned for her. The blood. 

Bradley doesn’t say a word about it, she has a feeling Nat is responsible since Bradley hasn’t left her sight since last night. He helps her pack everything she points out that she wants to bring. He lets her make the brave decision to walk back without any support, Bradley just carrying everything for her. The doctor said she would be feeling better today already but he wasn't convinced. By the time they reenter the Bradshaw home Sadie has drawn her a ‘get well soon’ card and is eager to present it when they return to the Bradshaw home. Nat is working on breakfast for everyone in the kitchen and there's a new guest sat at the barstools. 

“Well you must be Miss Y/n L/n.” The blonde man nods, sizing up the women following Bradley into the house. 

“and you must be Hangman.” She smirks, quick to catch on to who this must be. 

“Oh no, what have you heard?” He asks, “All bad I hope.” 

She rolls her eyes. Well, he lives up to the stories. 

“Hangman, you better give her space. She’s got a concussion and your face is gonna trigger the nausea.” 

Bradley breaks out to a loud laugh at Nat’s dig. 

“Jake here is gonna keep an eye out on the house.” 

“What?”

“Just for peace of mind. It can’t hurt to have another person around right now. At least until they find Matt.” 

She gulps back her surprise and watches the gazes shift between each other in the room. 

“Can I talk to you?” Y/n asks, Bradley’s head snapping back up in her direction. 

He nods and follows her up the stairs to his bedroom, softly shutting the door behind him. She paces slowly, twisting the loose ring on her finger while she goes. 

“I want to give you an out.” She blurts. 

“An out?”

“An out. I know this has been a lot really early on in this relationship, and I want to give you an out. It’s your first relationship since Anna, and I don’t know if I’m the best way for you to ease back into dating.” 

“I don’t want to ease back into dating.” He scoffs, “I want to date you.” 

He takes her hands in his, mostly to get her to stop spinning that ring and walks them over to the edge of the bed to sit. 

“I wasn’t suddenly ready after five years and you just happened to be there. You moved in, that’s what was significant. Are there people with less baggage out there? Yeah I’m sure. You’re someone I choose everyday to be in my life. I’ve lost a lot in my life, and I don’t give the people I love up so easily.” 

“The people you what?” Her head snapping up. 

“I’m being serious, I love you.” He pulls her head in close to press a kiss to her hairline, “The last twelve hours have made things clear if I didn’t know it already.”

“I love you, too.” 

“Your past doesn’t scare me. Matt doesn’t scare me. You don’t scare me. Losing you does.”

✿

The rest of the day they take it easy. The two kids fight to help a couple times, racing to get water for Y/n. Fighting to grab a blanket or a pillow. Hangman tells a few stories from over the years, some from their pilot days and some recent. Nat ends up taking the kids down to walk on the beach and Jake has to head back to the firehouse. Y/n ends up taking a long nap on the couch, she’s feeling much better than before by the time she wakes up.

“Nat is gonna put the kids to bed for me, you feeling up for a walk?” He asks, pulling her up from the couch when she nods enthusiastically. 

They leave out the backdoor and Bradley leads her down a trail that leads past all of the houses and heads down in the direction of the marshes. 

“Let me know if you need a break.” He says over his shoulder, they continue to follow the trail by the waterline. 

“Where exactly are we headed?”

“You’ll see.” Bradley smiles and reaches a hand back for hers to pull her along. They round another corner and in the short distance a lighthouse comes into view. Y/n knows she’s seen it way off in the distance, she can see it from her bedroom window but had no idea she could access it from their backyards. Bradley walks right up to the door and pulls a key out of his pocket for the lock. 

“How do you have a key for this?” She asks, genuinely curious how he’s opening this door that looks older than the town itself. 

“I’m the fire chief.” He answers with a smirk and a shrug of his broad shoulders. 

“You say that like it should be the answer for everything.” She rolls her eyes simply. 

“It kind of is.” He pulls the door open widely to reveal a spiral of stairs curving round and round as it goes higher. “Alright, get on.”

“What?” She asks.

“You think I’m letting you climb up those stairs?” He rolls his eyes, squatting down lower in front of her again. 

“Bradley, I’ll be okay-”

“Baby, I literally train for this.” He turns back around to face her and insists yet again, “I could do this in my sleep.”

“Whatever you say.” She shrugs, knowing she won’t be the one to win this argument. He’s careful with his grip on her legs while carrying her. They circle round and round until they finally make it to the top. There's a small glass door that leads outside to the outer gallery. He sets her down and they step out to where he’s set up blankets, pillows, LED candles. 

“Sorry you couldn’t have the real thing. That would’ve been too dangerous for me to live with.”

“You are in fact the fire chief.” She teases. 

He pops a bottle of champagne and pours them each a glass and they sit down, legs hanging over the edge, forearms resting on the rails. The sun is slowly making its descent below the horizon causing the sky to burn orange. 

“This is where I had wanted to tell you I love you, instead of blurting it on you this morning.” 

“I love how you told me anyway.” She nods her head against his shoulder. 

“And I love you for that, but that twice now we’ve made a big step while worrying about something else. I want to be able to sit here, just the two of us, and tell you I love you.”

He takes a big gulp and Y/n reaches out a hand for his. 

“I love you, Y/n. I didn’t know if I would ever get the opportunity to say that to someone again. Didn’t think I would get to.” She watches him closely, her fingers brushing along the edge of his jaw. 

“After everything that happened with the kids’ mom I started to lose hope. I thought that love just wasn’t in the cards for me anymore. My life has only been about them. Just surviving and being solid for them.” He clears his throat, “Then you moved in. You didn’t just show up for me, you showed up for them. You and Sadie were thick as thieves in an instant and somehow you’ve broken down Nick’s walls.”

“Bradley.”

“You make them feel safe. Seen. And you make me feel like I can dream again. Like I’m allowed to want more than just holding it together.” He reaches out to tuck a stray hair behind her ear that the wind had taken. 

“You mean all of that?”

“Every damn word.”

“I never thought I would be someone's future.” She shakes her head, “I didn’t know I could feel this loved. This wanted and cared for.” 

“Well get used to it.” 

They stay wrapped up in each other, watching the sun completely disappear. The sky is still light, but with pink splashed throughout. 

“So, just to be clear if I suddenly insist on matching tee shirts, you’re still in.” She teases. 

“I survived a jet engine flameout midair, I can survive matching tee shirts.”

“Don’t tempt me.” “I’m not saying they wouldn't somehow go missing in the laundry after a couple weeks.” He chuckles. 

“You wouldn’t dare.” 

“You wouldn’t stay mad.” He leans in to press his lips to her ear, “You loveeeee me.”

“Yeah, for whatever reason.” She rolls her eyes and turns to press a kiss to his neck. He shivers when she makes her way up to where his jaw meets his neck.” 

“This is dangerous territory for two people who have to go back to a house full of people.” He sighs. She continues her work on him, catching his lips every few kisses leaving him breathless. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just showing a little affection for the man I love.” Her voice convincingly innocent. He draws in a breath when she trails a finger down his chest. 

“You’re kissing me like you’re trying to charm me out of my pants.” 

“Trust me, I’m trying.” 

He turns into her now, their lips finally meeting longer than a few seconds. This is hungrier, more breathless. He pulls her into his chest, leaning his back against the pillows that sit on the floor behind them. He pulls her along with him and his lips have a hold on hers. They only break when Y/n starts to laugh. 

“God, you kiss like a man who’s been on a dry spell.” She chuckles, “It’s only been a couple days.”

“Before you “dry spell" was my middle name.” 

“Mmm, Bradley Dry Spell Bradshaw. Has a nice ring to it.” She carefully and slowly swings her leg over his lap in order to straddle him. 

“Yeah? You want me to make it wetter?” He grins as he places confident hands on her hips. 

“That was terrible.” She shakes her head, leaning down to connect their lips again nonetheless. 

“You love it.” 

“I love you. The terrible jokes are something I tolerate for the abs.” She won’t deny her grin, he leans back taking her with him. A cocky grin is plastered to his face. 

“So the mustache, the abs, and the kids. Good to know what I really bring to the table.” 

“Don’t forget the pilot uniform. That’s gotta be lying around the house somewhere.” 

“It definitely is.” He nods, already trying to remember which closet he has them tucked away in. 

“Well, I do have a birthday this year.” He bursts out in a laugh.  “Noted.” 

“So, am I going to have to beg.” She asks, her hands reaching for the button of his jeans. 

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” 

“Yes, Bradley.” “Are you sure, because-”

“I see this lighthouse everyday. I would think about you and I, right here right now every time I look out and see this lighthouse. Every time I look out my window.” 

“Tempting.” He whines. 

“My bedroom window.”

“Tempted.” He closes his eyes, her voice and his imagination, having the better of him. He can’t deny how much he would love that. Every time she looks out that window she would think of the two of them together? Too good to pass up on.

“Won’t you just love on me?” 

He reaches to brush hair back behind her ear again, his hand lingering on her jaw to pull her close again. 

“You won’t have to ask me that twice.”

more. to. come. this will not me the last of Matt.

AHHHHHHHH!! another part is already in the works you guys! i so so appreciaite the love this has been getting, this family is something else i stg. THANK YOU!

[crowdedimagines]

Tailspin II - Bradley Bradshaw

PART ONE MASTERLIST

summary: Bradley is a single dad and his new neighbor catches his eye. The only thing is, she might have more baggage than what's in the moving truck... warnings: blood, stalking, death, domestic violence 4.8K ☀️

series list

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

She leans back, still sitting in his lap but putting her weight on her ass instead of her knees straddling him. Bradley can’t quite get a read on her and what she’s thinking. 

“After a story like that you want to be my boyfriend?” 

His response is slow and calculated. Bradley’s eyes never leave hers, she’s certain. His hands keep her dress bunched up, but his thumb traces the tops of her thighs back and forth. 

“Of course I do.” Bradley sighs, “If you’re ready. You are the first person I’ve wanted to know since Anna passed. The connection we have is undeniable, and I have no doubt that we’re headed in the right direction. Why wait? Plus I think Sadie would never forgive me if I blew this” 

She finally cracks a smile at the mention of Sadie. 

“You’re crazy.” She admits with a laugh, “You don’t think we’re rushing?” 

“I don’t, but I’ll also be okay if you want to slow down. I know that it’s only been a couple weeks, but I never even thought I could feel like this again. You’ve brightened up my whole life.” 

She can’t help herself but lean in and press her lips to his again at that. How could she not kiss him after saying that?

“Yes.” She mumbles, lips still pressed against his, but she knows he heard when his lips shift into a grin. He pulls his head back, his eyes wild. He definitely heard her. 

“Seriously?” 

“Only because I would hate to disappoint Sadie.” She teases. 

“Oh really?” He rolls his eyes, but his smile hasn’t dimmed for a second. 

“Okay, you’re alright too.” 

✿

It took some serious self control to walk the short distance back to her own house, but she managed after several more kisses. She never imagined she would find someone she could trust again, let alone so rapidly after moving here. Southport has only been her home for a month, but she’s known the Bradshaws nearly every second since. He makes her feel safe. She didn’t know if it was the small town that brought her comfort, but the more time she spends with him she knows he’s the real reason.

Bradley has to work a couple of long days which gives Y/n the time to finish some of the small projects. Bradley even loans her some of his more serious tools. She got an educated lesson in all of them before he was willing to leave them to her digression.

She ends up watching the kids for an hour for him when one of his shifts goes long covering for someone else. Y/n was nervous to have Nick under her supervision, but he was surprisingly tame. She can’t tell if he’s warming to her, or if he's just exhausted from being annoyed by everyone. They simply made dinner together with all of them, but she caught him smiling to himself a few times. She gave them each a job and Bradley was able to come home to his house to a warm meal and all of his favorite people under one roof. What did they do before she came into their lives?

Bradley gets his sitter Hannah to wrangle the kids for a night when he finally gets done early so he can have redemption for the time he had to bring the kids with him. He knows that she still loved that date, but he knows that they really do need time just the two of them. 

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing with that?” Y/n asks, together they stand in her dated bathroom. She watches while he takes a wrench to the showerhead. They’ve already managed to tear down the old tile off the walls. 

“I was a naval aviator, I’ve flown multimillion dollar jets. I can handle your plumbing from the 60s.” He lets out a huff while pulling hard to loosen the old pipes. He gives it a few hard pulls before a loud shriek of metal gives, leaving water spraying in every direction without the sealed pipe in place. 

“Bradley!” She yells, water spraying out in every direction. 

“Didn’t you turn the water off?” He calls back, taking the brunt of the water while trying to seal it off again and stop the downpour. 

“No, you didn’t say anything about that!” 

“I thought it was a given!” 

He can’t help but laugh and Y/n joins in after a second. She races out of the room to turn off the water, seeing as whatever Bradley did to the pipes can’t be undone as easily. By the time she makes her way back to the bathroom the water has stopped spraying and Bradley is totally drenched. 

“I’m so sorry.” She can’t help but giggle, she’s definitely wet too, but he looks like he walked through a car wash. 

“What was that again about handling my 60s plumbing?” She teases. Bradley looks up from wiping the water from his face to cut her a look. 

“Am I at least pulling off the drenched hero look?” He asks, pulling at the bottom of his tee shirt to wipe his face off with it. In the process, revealing his golden tan and the stack of abs while he’s at it. 

“Do that again and I’ll start drooling.” She admits, his cheeks dust pink and he throws his head back in a laugh. He’ll happily be ogled by her any day of the week. 

A drop of water falls from her hair down her neck before disappearing into her chest, Bradley watching it with trained eyes. 

“I can grab us some towels.” Her voice quiet. The atmosphere in the bathroom has changed and it’s a lot more intense than giggling over home renovations. 

“Why bother?” He asks, reaching a hand out to cup her cheek. His thumb brushes away a droplet that had been resting on her cheekbone. 

She pulls him in closer by the neckline of his wet tee shirt and connects their lips. She’s just as wet as he was now that she’s pressing herself against him. It doesn’t take long for the kiss to turn urgent and breathless. 

Soaked to the bone, he wraps an arm around the back of her waist holding her there. He lifts her slightly while walking her back into the counter. One of the only things left in the room that they hadn’t demolished. They stumble a bit on the wet floor but their chemistry keeps them in sync. 

Now that she’s sitting, she wraps her legs around him, her turn to hold him hostage although she’s sure he has no complaints. He doesn’t have any complaints when she reaches to pull his wet tee off while she’s at it. It peels off like a second skin and she drops it to the ground barely breaking their kiss. 

“Sounds like we’re taking a little break from the reno.” Bradley teases, she makes her way down his neck leaving a trail of kisses.

“We are absolutely taking a break.” She continues her assault on his chest now and he pulls up on her chin to reconnect their lips. The sound of water dripping is replaced with soft moans and gasps from both parties while they explore each other's bodies. 

“Do we wanna take this somewhere that isn’t soaking wet?” 

“Good luck with that.” She grins mischievously. 

“Yeah, I’ve gotta get you to a bedroom.” He chuckles, picking her up right from the counter. She tightens her grip with her legs around his bare torso. 

“Are you sure you don’t wanna finish the bathroom?” She cards her fingers through his hair while he carries her towards her bedroom. 

“Nope. The shower can wait. You and I can’t.” 

✿

They barely made it to her bed, the pillows launched all over the room with the blankets as well. Her hair is still wet, but Bradley’s has dried with the most volume she’s ever seen. Probably due to her hands filtering through it on end. It’s still early afternoon so the room is bright with light from the windows, her bed facing the ocean.

“One of my old Navy buddies is coming to town tomorrow. She’s Nick’s godmother so she’s gonna take the kids out for the day.” She’s leaning against his chest while he lays on his back. His hand absentmindedly tracing along her bare back while they talk. 

“What are you gonna do with yourself? A whole day off with no kids?” 

“I’m looking at it.” He looks down at her and she rolls her eyes before looking up at him. 

“You’re slowing me down.” She teases, “I’m never gonna finish the house at this rate.” 

“I thought you liked it slow.” He flips them over so her back is pressed against the mattress, again, and leans his weight down against her. His knee resting between her legs.

“I do. Trust me.” She laughs, patting his chest, “At this rate I’m going to be working on this place for a whole year. The goal is to finish by the end of the summer, remember.” 

He presses kisses all over her face while she talks, causing her to laugh and interrupt herself. She can tell he’s listening, but the focus is not on the reno and her timeline for it. 

“Bradley.” She laughs, shoving him off so she can sit up. 

“You know, as far as home renovations go, that one was my favorite.” He tucks his arms behind his head leaning back into her bed. It smells like her and he’s the comfiest he’s ever been. She might have to drag him out of it. 

“Not bad for our first plumbing disaster.” She teases. 

“Disaster?” His brows raise.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, I was talking about actual plumbing.” She reminds and simply shakes her head. 

“Yeah whatever, coming from Miss “Good luck with that”, uh huh.” He teases right back. Okay, fair point. He pulls her right back against his chest again, his arms wrapped around her holding her there. She traces along his chest again without thought. 

“You okay? Not too much too fast?” He asks, waiting for any reaction from her. He knows that they jumped the gun a little, but it felt so right. He knows there’s no set rules of what order you have to do things in, but everything they’ve done has felt right. He’s waited years for someone like this and he didn’t think it was possible. He’s also aware of the fact that she isn’t coming from the same place he is. He likes their pace, but could do slower if she wanted it.

“No, I’m good. More than that actually.” She looks up into his eyes so he would know she means it, “I’m just surprised. I didn’t think I would find something so good so quickly.” 

“Yeah?”

“No, I didn’t think when I moved here I would end up in bed with my neighbor boyfriend.” She laughs.

“I really like hearing that.” He grins. 

“Neighbor boyfriend?” 

“Just boyfriend.” He corrects, “Neighbor boyfriend makes it sound like you have a dozen.” 

“Maybe I do.” She pokes his side.

“You say the sweetest things, babe.” He squeezes her tighter. “But seriously this feels good. Being here with you. You’re the best to be around. Even when I’m soaked and bruised.” 

“Bruised?” 

“You climbed me like a tree earlier, there’s gotta be bruises.” His laugh booms, “Scratches too.” 

“Okay, I’m putting you back to work.” She gets up, slowly slipping out of his grasp. 

“You’re right, we have other rooms to defile.” 

✿

They manage to get it together enough to finish the tear down of that bathroom. Even with the water turned off. Bradley tells Y/n more about Natasha aka Phoenix who is the friend who will be arriving. She’s one of his closest friends from the Navy and the Godmother to Nick. Bradley has the whole day off and already promised to take Y/n to Hanks to pick up the new tile and work on that today while Nat gets time with the kids. 

Bradley has to leave once they’ve finished the tile to pick up Sadie from dance and be home in time for Nick. He invited Y/n over for breakfast the next day with Nat right when she arrives so they can meet before she steals the kids for the day. 

“Good morning!” Y/n voice calls as she lets herself in the front door. 

“Y/n!” Sadie calls back from the kitchen running to greet her with a big hug. Y/n scoops her up onto her hip and continues walking to the kitchen. She follows her nose, the smell of bacon in the air. 

“Hey, Nick.” She greets as she walks past the counter he’s sitting at. 

“Hey.” He mumbles back. He doesn’t look like he wants to set the house on fire because she’s there, so she’ll take it. Progress?

“Hi, you.” She turns to Bradley who is standing in front of the stove cooking. He turns to look at his girl only to find both his girls together. That is a sight he’s dreamed of.  

“Hey. How’s it going?” 

“You’re cooking.” She skips past his question, instead she’s trying not to drool at the sight of him in a “kiss the cook” apron in front of his kids. 

“Don’t sound so shocked.” 

“It’s just… bold of you to trust yourself with open flames after the plumbing fiasco.” She reminds, he can see the knowing smirk she’s trying to hide over his shoulder. 

“Fiasco, huh?” 

“Something like that.” 

There are kids in the room. There are kids in the room. She continues to tell herself that over and over. 

“Company will be here any minute, I gotta have food ready for when she gets here. She left Coronado about an hour ago, so it could be any time now.” 

Y/n nods to Bradley and turns her attention to the other side of the kitchen where Nick is still glued to a stool, Sadie still on her hip.

“So Nick, when are we going fishing?” Y/n turns her attention to the younger man of the pair. She knows Bradley told him she used to go with her dad, but she’ll try anything to get him to warm up. Things have been getting better, but she wants to keep things headed in the right direction. In all honesty, it would just be nice to fish again. She hasn’t done it since she was a kid, probably younger than Nick and it feels nostalgic. 

“I don’t know.” He shrugs, his eyes darting between hers and Bradley in the background.

“Well-“ 

A sharp knock at the front door interrupts her before she can finish her sentence. 

“Saved by the bell.” 

“Auntie Nat!” Sadie cheers, excited for her arrival. Y/n puts her down on the ground again so she can take off for the front door. Nick gets off his stool and makes his way to the front door. 

“That’ll be her.” Bradley throws a kitchen towel over his shoulder and makes his way over to press a kiss to Y/n’s lips. 

“Thank you.” He mutters, pressing another kiss to her lips, she raises her brows in confusion.

“Fishing?” He reminds, clarifying what he was thankful for. 

She simply shakes her head, to her there’s no need for a thank you. Instead it's her turn to press a kiss to his lips before pulling him towards his front door. 

Nat is giving big hugs to both kids when they make their way into view. 

“Well aren’t we looking all domestic.” Nat grins. 

“Phoenix.” Bradley rolls his eyes, nonetheless takes a few steps forward to give her a hug, “Don’t scare her off in the first thirty seconds.”

“Rooster, you’re wearing an apron.” She continues and now it’s Y/n’s turn to laugh. 

Bradley’s cheeks turn redder than she’s ever seen at this. It takes Y/n a half second to remember his call sign and then actually process what was said. 

“Nat, this is my girlfriend Y/n.” Bradley introduces. 

“You’ve even put a title on it?” She says with faux shock. “All it’s been the past few weeks “Nat, she’s hilarious,” “Nat, she makes fun of my playlist but still kisses me,” “Nat, she lives right next door.”

“Wow, I am loving this intel.” Y/n laughs proudly. 

“Oh I am a wealth of knowledge on this man.” Nat slaps a hand on his shoulder. 

“You two are gonna be dangerous together.” Bradley comments. 

“That’s the hope.” Nat agrees. A timer beeps from the kitchen causing them to break up the conversation. Y/n and the kids go to the kitchen to investigate what was done. 

“You’re in deep my friend.” Phoenix pats a hand to his back while they both watch her and the kids make their way back to the kitchen. They can both hear Sadie tell Y/n quite loudly about how she likes blueberries in her pancakes, which all three seem to agree on. Y/n tells her she can see what she can do about it.

“I know.” He nods, looking fondly towards the kitchen but still glued to his spot next to the door. 

“I like her, you did good.” 

“I know.” 

They manage to finish everything up and get the table set up with all of the food that was prepared. Phoenix fills them in on her most recent mission and everything new down in San Diego. Her and her girlfriend are packing up their longtime apartment as they close on a house.

“So, how long have you guys been officially dating?” Phoenix asks, taking a bite of strawberry off her fork after asking. 

The two of them look at each other without an answer. The kids know, but they only just found out. They’ve only had the official title for a week. Nick took it better than either of them thought he would, but it hasn’t exactly been something to celebrate about. Unless you’re Sadie, she was a cheerleader in the living room at the news. 

“Long enough to know he has a thing about sharing the radio with someone in the car.” Y/n jabs, taking a sip of orange juice. 

“Hey!” He laughs, 

“Trust me, I know.” Nat shakes her head, “The amount of times I’ve heard him sing Hall and Oates.” 

“Phoenix, stop-”

“And the dance routines? He used to-”

“Nat!”

“Dance routine?” Y/n brows raise, she turns to face Bradley and he shakes his head in denial. 

“No comment.” He rests his arm around the back of Y/n’s chair and Nat snorts over her coffee. 

“Why haven’t I seen this dance routine?”

“Because I like you.” Bradley admits, “I don’t want to scare you off.” 

“Daddy, you can dance!” Sadie defends, “The Spice Girls are his-”

“Wow, all the women in my life are not to be trusted with anything!” Bradley interrupts and then reaches out to fistbump his son, “Nicky it’s you and be against the rest of them.” 

Nat delves into a few more stories about the ’glory days’ and some of their badass missions.

“Wait, you haven’t met Hangman yet?” Natasha gasps, setting down her fork on her plate. They’ve all long finished eating, but they remain seated being too investing in catching up. 

“You think I’ve let her meet Hangman?” Bradley scoff, dramatically shaking his head. 

“I’ve heard a few stories.” Y/n chuckles, “He’s your assistant chief, right?”

“A sentence I never thought could be uttered.” Phoenix interrupts. 

“Yeah, that’s him. We’re good now, but we definitely had to overcome a lot of differences.” Bradley admits.”

“They were enemies in flight school.” Nat shakes her head, “They could barely be in the same room.”

“Uncle Jake?” Nick questions, looking between the two aviators. 

“Yeah, Mom was actually the one that got us to get along.” Bradley admits with a swallow, “Anna was from Texas and it made the two of them thick as thieves.” 

Nat nods along with a reminiscent look in her eye. Anna was a big part of softening Hangman up. She has no doubt in her mind that without her he never would’ve moved to Southport after he retired last year without Anna in mind. 

“Alright!” Nat turns in her chair to the two kids, “Time to get swimsuits on, we’re having a beach day!”

The kids race away from the table and up the stairs. Nat grabs her duffle from the ground and makes her way upstairs to change and Y/n starts picking up plates. 

“Hey, you don’t need to clean up.” Bradley jumps to his feet. 

“Yeah, it’ll make me feel better about putting you to work later.” She throws an evil grin over her shoulder. 

“Is that so?” He asks, stepping behind her. He reaches an arm around each side of her to put the plates in the sink in front of her. He leans in a little closer and she backs up slightly into his touch. 

“Tile, remember?” She leans to arch her ass back a little further, rubbing against his front. She’s tempted to turn in his grasp. His head brushes against the side of hers, his breath hot against her ear. 

“I think I could come just from your mouth over my ear” Y/n whispers, the desperation in her voice and the tightness at the front of his jeans exposing them both. 

“We’re testing that theory at some point.” Bradley moans back, pressing her harder into the sink. This is far too dirty for a house full of three potential witnesses. 

“Dad!”

Bubble broken. Bradley takes a step back and lets out a deep exhale. The yell came from upstairs and he turns around in the kitchen. Still just them.

“Yeah, bud?” Bradley calls back. 

“I can’t find my trunks!”

“I’m coming buddy.” He gives himself another second to regain control. He mutters a simple ‘Jesus’ turning to see Y/n’s state. Her face is flushed red and it would seem he’s pushed down the strap of her shirt down her shoulder. He shakes his head simply causing Y/n to chuckle and he makes his way to help his son find swim trunks. 

After helping Nat pack a beach bag and snacks for the day, Bradley and Y/n make their way to Hank’s to pick up the tile and start that project. After getting everything they need and setting it all up, they get started. 80s rock plays softly in the back, it’s Bradley’s old radio from his garage sitting in the corner of the bathroom. 

She wears simple overalls that already have paint, grout, and stain stuck to them and he knows he’s seen her wear them frequently for messy projects. Yellow paint splattered in certain spots. The same yellow from her kitchen.

“Have you ever done this before, or are you trying to impress me?” She watches him mix the grout, checking the instructions on the back of the bag a few times. 

Bradley doesn’t even pick up his eyes from the bag, a smirk appearing. 

“Is it working?”

“If this isn’t crooked at the end of the day, yes.” 

He finally looks up and she has a kind knowing smile resting on her face. Her love for teasing him never fading, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

They manage to tile two whole walls while working together while using the same batch of grout. It took a few adjustments to get it thick enough not to be runny, but the two of them work well to quickly finish things up. They get distracted a few times with each other but still manage to finish the room before the others make their way up from the beach. 

The kids seem exhausted from their day, and Y/n takes Nat through the house showing her the place. She tells her the plans she has and the projects they’ve already completed. Nat is listening eagerly, loving her vision for the space. By the end of the tour Phoenix wrangles the two kids and get them back to the Bradshaw house for showers before dinner.

“No, you should head over there. You don’t get to see Phoenix often either.” Y/n insists. 

“You want to join?” 

“Maybe later.” She slides her hands around his back to pull him in for a hug. “I have a few more things I want to work on. I feel like I’m in a groove right now! And it would probably be good for you and the kids to spend time with her.” 

He presses his lips to hers in a quick peck, followed by two more before he makes his way to her front door. He knows that she’s probably right, it would be good for him to spend some time with just Nat and the kids.

He makes his way over to the house and they decide to have a seafood boil down on the beach. They manage to stay out down by the water until it’s dark out before they make their way up the trail to the house. It’s movie night, Sadie insists Phoenix chooses the movie since she’s the guest for the weekend. She did whine a few times about the lack of Y/n, but Bradley tells her that she might come later. Bradley plans to run next door to see if she wants to come over for some ice cream with them after the movie. She did say maybe later. Over an hour after they settled in on the couches, the credits roll on the movie and Sadie and Nick both leap up from the couch. 

“Ice cream time!” They make their way to the kitchen counter. 

“Alright, I’m gonna see if I can tempt Y/n to join.” Bradley puts on his shoes and makes his way to the front door. Nat makes her way into the kitchen to get out all of the ice cream fixins for everyone. Bradley hops the short fence between their property, saving himself the few seconds of walking down all the way to the sidewalk. He’s feeling impatient to see her. He takes her front steps in one stride and his heart drops at the sight of her front door open wide. 

“Y/n?” His voice calls loudly as he cautiously walks through the open door. The light in the kitchen is on, casting a faint glow in the living room. He reaches to turn on a light and when it comes on, that’s when his pulse really jumps. 

A pool of red blood stretching across the floor, splattered on the wall. No sign of Y/n. He shouts her name again, and one more time as he makes a lap through the first floor looking for any sign of her. He checks the whole house, nothing. He makes his way downstairs when he hears a noise. Nick is waiting at the front door, shaking in place. His gaze focused on the red that takes over the floor. 

Bradley flies down the stairs and picks up Nick on his way out, not slowing for a second. He doesn’t know what happened, but Nick can’t be seeing this. 

“Bradley! Bradley!” A frantic voice calls. Bradley turns, Nick still in his arms. Iris is standing on her porch, her face stuck in a frown obviously upset. 

“What happened? What’s going on?” 

“It’s Y/n. Something happened with a nail gun, it recoiled and went into her leg. They were worried about it hitting an artery. EMTs picked her up a couple hours ago.” 

“Hours ago!” He shouts, how did he not know about this? How has there been no call? No sirens?

Iris simply nods while Bradley takes off in a sprint for his house. He tries to leave the kids at the house with Nat so he can go to the hospital himself, but it seems it would take longer to convince everyone to stay. They all climb into the bronco and Bradley puts the pedal to the metal. 

✿

The hospital has a chill in the air that doesn’t pair well with the summer heat. The air conditioning is working overtime to keep everyone cool. A little too cool for Y/n’s liking. The only source of warmth is a hand wrapped around her own. Her eyes open before rapidly shutting at the bright light overhead.

“Shh, take it easy.” A familiar voice calls out. Y/n struggles to get her eyes to focus while rapidly blinking. It smells sterile in the air and she can hear the sound of the EKG machine reflecting her pulse in steady beeps. 

“Hi darling.” The voice calls out again.

She stills at the pet name, suddenly making it her mission to focus her vision. Her head is pounding.

“Matt?”

y'all i'm sorry for that cliffhanger... but i'm really not LMAOOOO!! let me know what you guys think below plz! 💛

[crowdedimagines]

I just read your Tailspin fic and I thought it was so cute🥺

Please tell me there is another part coming out??💕

it’s official… more parts are in the works!! 🤩 y’all i love them so much i can’t not continue it! I’m looking to do a three part series (and extras bc i have too many ideas)

summary: Bradley Bradshaw was happy to retire to the small town of Southport with his two children after their mother had passed. He traded in training pilots at Top Gun in San Diego to being a fire chief for a small town of 3,000.  What he doesn't expect in his small town is a new neighbor who captures his attention. She's making the cross country move from New York promising never to fall for a man quickly ever again and then she meets the hot single dad next door. Yeah right. Between the two of them and everything they have going on in their lives on they going to fall out in a Tailspin?

in case you missed it:

Tailspin Pt. 1

part two coming soon!!

[crowdedimagines]

Tailspin - Bradley Bradshaw

summary: summary: Bradley is a single dad and his new neighbor catches his eye. The only thing is, she might have more baggage than what's in the moving truck...

🤭8.7K omg my baby single dad Bradley and neighbor!yn what else could a girl want?Warnings: domestic violence, stalking, use of Y/n

series list

✿

The loud and clunky engine of the moving truck breaks up the usually peaceful houses that sit all in a row this Saturday afternoon in Southport, California. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone once a shiny red sold sign got slapped on the sale sign for the old McCallum property. They knew it would be inevitable that someone new would be joining their neighborhood. 

Y/n is trying to find the driveway to the house that she’s only seen in person once. Yesterday as a matter of fact when she made the deposit and signed all the paperwork. She manages to park and make her way around to the back of the truck when she sees a young girl standing at the end of her driveway, still on the sidewalk. 

“Hi.” The little girl calls out. She has a piece of chalk in one hand and a bucket with twenty different colors in the other. 

“Hi there.” Y/n smiles, she reaches back to swing the lock on the truck and push the large door open to reveal all of her belongings. Thankfully most things look like they made it intact and she didn’t send anything flying around back there. 

“Did you just move here?” The young girl asks. She doesn’t move her feet from where they are planted on the sidewalk, but leans in to look at all of the stuff in the truck.

“I did-”

“Did you know I live next door?” The little girl interrupts, taking a few steps closer onto her driveway. She points to the house sitting to the right of where they stand. 

“No.” The woman pauses to chuckle, “I did not know that.”

“Did you come all by yourself?” The young girl asks another question and smiles brightly at the woman in front of her. 

“Yeah.” The woman continues to smile down at the curious young girl. She sees her golden curls that sit wildly in a ponytail on the top of her head. Most of it is escaping the small pink tie, Y/n can tell she’s spent a fair amount of time today pushing the stray curls back out of her face. 

“That’s pretty cool.” The little girl smiles finally, “My daddy would never let me do that.” 

“No, probably not.” Y/n squats down next to the girl to be at eye level, “Once you’re an adult though, you can do whatever you want. That’s the fun part.” 

“That’s pretty cool.” Her grin grows wider. 

“You must be an artist.” Y/n nods to the chalk still in hand. 

“Yeah, I am.” The girl attempts to push the loose curls back away from her face, streaking a pale line of pink chalk across her face making Y/n bite back a laugh. “I’m starting the sidewalk because I filled up the driveway.” 

“Do your parents know you’re over here?” Y/n asks, looking around to see who the girl could belong to. How far has she strayed to come say hello. 

“My dad is in the backyard with my brother, they’re working on a new swing set. ” 

“Maybe we should get you back over there-”

“Where did you come from?” The young girl asks yet another question before Y/n can finish her question. 

“Sadie!” A voice calls loudly making them both look up. A tall man with a matching set of curls is making his way around the neighboring house up to the front yard. “Bug, what did I say about leaving the yard?”

He holds his hands up outstretched with concern as he makes his way down the driveway to the sidewalk to make his way over to join them.

Truth be told, Bradley had heard the loud vehicle enter the neighborhood and a few minutes later when he looked around and his youngest was out of sight he knew where she was likely exploring. 

“I wanted to come over to meet her.” Sadie explains while she looks back up to the woman standing next to them with an amused smile, “What’s your name?”

“Y/n.” She looks up to Bradley and reaches out a hand out to introduce herself to the man in front of her,  “Y/n Y/LN, I just moved in. Or at least I'm about to start the move in.” 

She nods to the house behind her and Bradley reaches out to shake her hand.

“Bradley Bradshaw.” His hand is significantly bigger than hers, rough with life from work but still warm. 

“Nice to meet you.” She covers her face from the sun for a second so she can look at the tall man in front of her.

“So someone finally decides to tackle the McCallum house.” Bradley smiles, “It’s a beautiful property.” 

“Thank you.” She pushes her hands in her back pockets and forces herself to look away and admire the view instead. The beachfront property is close enough to the water that they can hear the waves. “It’s going to be quite the project.” 

“You tackling it alone?” He asks, raising a brow.

“Trying to. We’ll see how long until I throw in the towel and hire out. This is my summer project so I’ll be pretty focused on it.”

“Where’d you move from?” He asks, Sadie grows bored with the conversation and plops down on the ground between the two and begins drawing a flower with the same pink chalk in hand. Now that the adults are talking she forgets that she had been the one to ask that question initially. 

“Sadie, this isn’t our driveway. You need to ask first.” Bradley gently reminds. 

“Sorry-”

“It’s okay, Sadie.” Y/n crouches down next to her again. “Maybe I could get some of your beautiful artwork right here.”

She points to the area they stand in and Sadie quickly goes back to work. 

“I’m from New York City actually.” She stands back up to look at him while answering his previous question. 

“Wow, that’s a complete change of pace. You do realize Southport is about as quiet as it gets, right? I think we only have five stop lights.” Bradley chuckles. 

“We’re less than an hour away from San Diego, so if I never need to get my city fix I can head down there.” 

“I know that drive well, I actually moved here to Southport from San Diego. I was a pilot in the Navy and taught at Top Gun down there.”

“Oh wow.” Her face shows how impressed she is, “Are you still in the Navy then?” 

“No, actually I got out right after she was born.” He gestures down to the girl seated below, she’s working on a bee now. “I actually run the fire department here in Southport.”

“How often do you see anything crazy in this town?” She asks, trying not to focus too much on how tight his tee shirt is stretching across his biceps. 

“I will say there are more cats stuck in trees than fires most days, but I’m okay with that.” 

“Good. I’m sure you got your fill of crazy being a pilot.” 

Is there a Mrs. Bradshaw? She finds it hard to believe that a man that looks like this could possibly be single, but the way he’s looking at her makes her think otherwise. Is it really possible he’s sleazy enough to flirt with the new neighbor in front of his daughter if he’s married?

“I could tell some stories, that's for sure. In fact-”

“Dad!” 

They all pick up their heads to see another member of the family standing in the driveway. The boy must be Sadie’s brother, she had mentioned him earlier. Y/n would guess that he’s around ten and Sadie seems around five years old. He is a total copy and paste of his dad standing in front of her. 

“Bud, we’ll be right back over. Why don’t you go ahead and head in and get washed up.” He doesn’t respond to Bradley, but just turns around and takes off for the front door. 

“Well I’m Bradley and you’ve already met my daughter who is going to give me grey hair before I can turn forty.” He grins making Y/n laugh. He’s even more delicious up close, and Y/n gives herself a second to picture him as a silver fox. It still works. 

“Yeah, she was the welcoming party for the neighborhood. It was very much appreciated.” She reaches down to fistbump the girl making her giggle. 

“Yeah, she’s a stray who wanders the neighborhood even though she knows she’s not supposed to.” He scolds, reminding her while she guiltily looks away. “If she ever comes bugging you, feel free to send her in the direction of home!”

“I don’t know, I’ll never turn down free labor.” Y/n jokes, turning back towards the truck to start unloading things. 

“Well, if you ever need any help with anything I’m just next door.” His eyes rake down her figure and she can tell he does it without thinking when his eyes widen. Sadie continues her own grin obliviously standing between the two of them.

“Let’s get you washed up Bug.” Bradley hoists her up onto his shoulder and walks in the direction of his own driveway. “It was great to meet you, Y/n. Welcome to Southport.”

“Nice to meet you Y/n.” Sadie echos with giggles from the top of her dads shoulder. 

“Bye guys!” She waves and makes her way back to the truck ready to get started on hauling everything inside. 

✿

 It was early afternoon when she pulled up to the house and it’s dark out by the time she emptied the entire truck. Doing a close walkthrough of everything it’s alarming how much work the house really needs. Most of it is cosmetic, but some things she knows she’ll need more than a Youtube video to accomplish. She doesn’t have a car yet, but Southport is a small enough town she can walk the short distance into town when she needs things. She meets her neighbor on the other side of her house that morning before leaving. Iris is in her seventies and has lived there for the past forty years. She welcomes her onto the porch for some lemonade. 

“So what brings you to Southport?” The lady asks, taking in the younger woman.

“I needed a change of scenery and Southport was the perfect little beach town to settle into. I was looking for something a little quieter than New York.” Y/n admits.

“Well, something tells me there’s more to that story, but we can table it for a rainy day. Here in Southport you definitely found quiet.” Iris rocks her chair looking out to the neighborhood, “Although it’s more exciting now that you’re here!”

“I don’t know about that.” She shakes her head, still reeling over the fact she wants more information. Information Y/n doesn’t need to be handing out to her new neighbors, this is her fresh start. “Trust me, you’ll be the talk of the town! I see that you’ve already met Bradley.” 

“Yes, his daughter was actually first on the scene for the small town gossip.” Y/n teases. 

“Isn’t Bradley something?” Iris wags her eyebrows causing Y/n to roll her eyes, “He’s available.” 

“He is?”

Iris nods and explains the story of the boy next door. Five years ago his wife Anna passed away from cancer. She was pregnant with Sadie and barely made it long enough to deliver. After that happened, Bradley moved their family to the quieter town where he felt he could be a single dad. He’s spent the past five years here in Southport and is now the fire chief for SFD. Y/n never would’ve guessed that Sadie had lost her mom with how bubbly she was. 

Iris continues to tell her more about the town, the things she should know while they finish their lemonade. Y/n decides to return the empty moving truck and pick up some things at the hardware store so she can get started on some of the projects. She makes laps and laps through the hardware store and becomes well acquainted with Hank who runs it. Hank has had the store for several years and she’s asked nearly a dozen questions and he’s walked her through every single one thoroughly. 

The bell chimes as the door swings open to the small shop. She picks up her head only to meet the familiar brown eyes of her neighbor Bradley. Small town indeed. 

“Hey neighbor.” He pulls his sunglasses off and puts them on top of his head while walking up to her. 

“Hey, how do you feel about a yellow kitchen?” She holds up a paint sample of a bright yellow. The sample shows six shades, but her finger points to a soft butter yellow.

“Your kitchen faces out to the beach, right?” He leans against her shopping cart, looking over her cart and the various things in it. “That’ll be bright with the sun reflecting out on the water.”

“That's kinda the point.” She squints down at the sample still in hand, “I was going for blinding.” 

He snorts and looks up to the color again. The one she’s picked is by far the least horrendous of the options, but he’s still not convinced. 

“I’m afraid I’ll have to see it to believe it.” He snorts. 

“Well, I’m afraid I’ll just have to prove you wrong then.” She pushes her cart away, effectively nudging him with the cart. She makes her way up to the counter to order a gallon of that color and grab a gallon of primer as well. Bradley follows her to the counter and waits while she checks out for everything and Hank starts mixing her order. 

“Hey, Hank.” Bradley greets as he steps up to the register. 

“Bradley, I got your order in back! Just a second.” Hank leaves to go grab the order and he’s gone for a minute before he comes back with a large package of sidewalk chalk. Y/n grins while still waiting on her paint, but she knows exactly who the chalk is for. 

“Here ya go!” Hank hands him the box, “Let me know when we need to order some more and I’ll bring it in.” 

“Thanks Hank.” Bradley pays for the chalk before saying goodbye to them, waving to Y/n as he makes his way back out into the blazing California heat. Y/n is waiting for a few minutes for the paint, but Hank gives her extra stir sticks and throws in an edging tool for free to help her out. 

“Where’s your car?” Bradley asks, looking around the parking lot that is vacant save for the Bronco he’s sitting in. She looks up from the sidewalk to see her neighbor has waited for her. The Bronco she’s seen in the driveway next door is running, and he’s sitting inside with the window down. His sunglasses are back on his face. She adjusts her grip with a can in each hand and a bag or two of supplies hooked on various fingers. “You need a ride?” 

“I’m a big girl. I didn’t have a car in New York, but getting one is part of the summer project.” Her voice light and carrying a hint of humor. 

“You’re going to need a car in this town if you’re gonna make it.” Bradley can barely stand it watching the sun beating down on her while she adjusts her grip again. His mother would smack him if she could see him sitting comfortably in the car while she’s beginning to sweat. She just needs to let him give her a ride home. It’s a hot day in Southport and home is at least a mile away. “Even if you city folk are too good for them.” 

“Here I was thinking now that I’m out of the city I can have the luxury of a vehicle.” She teases, “But maybe not, you car people sound kinda judgy.” 

Bradley laughs out an exhale through his nose. He has to give it to her, she’s got a little bite back which makes her even more intriguing. He would struggle to admit it, but the girl next door is the first person to pique his interest in years. He knew it the second he saw her crouched down next to his daughter with a gorgeous smile. This is something new to him, not something he’s felt at all in the past five years. It’s something Bradley didn’t have the time for. Two kids and a busy job kept him more than entertained, even if it meant going home to a cold bed. He watches her wave her hand as best she can with everything she’s holding before throwing a smile over her shoulder and continuing her walk through the parking lot. 

“Let me give you a ride back.” He insists, swinging the door of the Bronco open to get out, he doesn’t want to let her get far. He waited long enough, but his mom seriously would roll over in her grave if he let her walk away. “You’re right on the way and it’s the least I can do for being so judgy. Especially for a neighbor.” 

She pauses her steps and turns to see him already walking around the back to open his trunk. He leans against the back while she debates, her grip on the thin metal handle slips a little. The sun beating straight down on them isn’t helping her case. Her hands are sweating and it’s starting to dig in. He shrugs his shoulders, his mustache can’t block the slight smirk he’s maintained this entire interaction. 

“Alright, I give. My hand is cramping.” She pivots to make her way back in his direction. Bradley meets her halfway to take the gallon of primer from her and load it with everything else into his trunk. He shuts it and quickly makes his way around to the passenger door to pull it open for her. She smiles and thanks him while climbing into the truck. She takes in her surroundings a bit once he shuts the door, the car smells like him. It’s almost overwhelming. There’s a tear in the leather that she runs a finger along on the bench seat, the vehicle is old but very well loved and maintained. She can see a booster seat in the back before Bradley climbs into the car and backs out of their spot. 

Bradley knew the house she had moved into fairly well with it being right next door, he had checked it out when it listed and he was curious. It needed a lot of work. More work needed than the one he settled on next door, but he could argue she had a slightly better view. A larger stretch of beach for the larger house. Both houses back up to the water and sit on a popular stretch of beach for the small town. Houses on the beach needed extra love to stay nice, and with how long it sat on the market it’ll need a lot of it. 

“So lots of plans for the house then?” Bradley asks, the windows are down letting in a breeze. The wind is the only other noise other than the radio that is still playing softly. 

“This is the start really, I’m taking things as they come. I know renovations can be pretty unpredictable so I’m trying to take it one step at a time.” She admits, “I’m starting with the kitchen and first floor since it needs the most work.” 

“You’re experienced in renovating then?” He asks, his eyes peek off the road in front of them to dart to her. He takes in her legs that are on full display in her shorts, her hand rests on the windows ledge wiggling with the breeze. 

“Not at all.” She laughs as his eyes go wide, “I’ve barely picked up a screwdriver unless you count putting together Ikea furniture.” 

“and you’re tackling that entire house by yourself?” 

“You don’t know this about me yet, but I’m quite stubborn when it comes to getting my way-“

“Never would’ve guessed.” He mutters.

“What I mean is-“ she rolls her eyes, “When I set my mind to something I’ll achieve it. I can do this. I’m determined.” 

“I actually have no doubt.” His voice is laced with sincerity and it makes her flush warm inside. She doesn’t know why it suddenly matters what her neighbor thinks of her project, but she’s happy someone else thinks she can do it. 

“Thank you.”

The rest of the short drive is quiet, but it’s comfortable. Bradley wants the drive to last a little longer, but they approach their street faster than he would like. He backs into her driveway to help her unload everything. 

“Thank you, I’m sure I would be sweating my ass off only halfway home by now.” She takes the can of primer from his hand and sets it down on the porch by her front door. 

“Happy to.” He grins, taking a step backwards off her steps back onto the sidewalk while still looking up at her, “You’ll find that I can be very helpful.” 

“You better watch out, I’ll take you up on it.” Her cheeks dust pink from his blatant flirting, but she’s enjoying the butterflies he’s giving her. It’s been a long time since a man has given her butterflies feeling so high school. 

“I’m counting on it.” He nods and continues his walk back to the bronco to move it to his side of the white picket fence. She shakes her head but is unable to wipe the smile from her face even while she carries everything inside. Before she can pull the door shut she hears a voice call her name, she peeks her head out to see Iris is still sitting on her own front porch. 

“Well that was awfully nice for him to give you a ride back.” Iris smiles into her lemonade taking a long sip. 

“Iris, I’m starting to think you’re the cause for all the small town gossip.” She shakes her head with a smile, “I ran into him at the hardware store and I don’t have a car here yet.” 

“Mhm, sure baby.” Iris nods and continues to rock slowly on the porch. 

✿

For days Y/n sets off to work on the house and hit the ground running. She realizes in her research she really shouldn’t paint yet since she wants to resurface the cabinets. She learns how to do that, and after several trips to Hank she manages to sand them down, stain them, change her mind, sand them, restain them and fall in love. It took days but she's happy with the results.

She also spent an afternoon in the front yard cleaning it up. She was joined by Sadie who kept her company while covering her driveway in doodles. 

“What else can I add?” Sadie asks. Today's theme was ocean so she’s managed to fill a lot of the space already with fish, coral, sharks, and everything else they can both think of. 

“How about a sea turtle?” Y/n continues pulling at weeds trying to clean up some from the flower beds. 

“Sea turtle!” Sadie shouts, loving the idea. 

“Hey, ladies.” 

Y/n picks up her head to see Bradley walking out towards them. Over the past week they have interacted a couple times. He had a busy stretch at the station where Y/n really didn’t see him or the Bronco at all for a few days. It was nice however for a couple days not really having to worry about the hot guy next door while being a sweaty mess. So much for that now.

“Hey.” They both call back. 

“I’m embarrassed to say she escaped me long enough to have accomplished this much.” He looks over the expanse of driveway covered in pastel scribbles in vague fish shapes. 

“Daddy, I think Miss Y/n knows more sharks than you.” Sadie doesn’t pick up her focus from the sea turtle she’s working on. 

“No way!” 

“Mhm, she knows what a tiger shark is too.” 

“Wow-”

“Dad, I’m meeting Tanner at the fishing pier.” His son makes another appearance. In all of her interactions with Sadie and Bradley, he’s still a stranger to her. He doesn’t ever leave the beach or his bedroom according to Sadie. 

“Nick, what time do you need to be back?” Bradley asks, turning to watch his son walk down the trail to the beach. 

“Seven, Dad.”

“No later-”

“No later than 7:00pm for dinner. I know, Dad.” He continues his walk and Bradley simply shakes his head. 

“Ten going on twenty.” Bradley jokes, breaking the tension. Sadie hadn’t even picked her head up so it would seem this isn’t out of the ordinary. 

“I don’t even want to picture me talking back to my parents. I’m lucky we made it through my teenage years.” She smiles with a gentle laugh, “What about you? Is this some karmic debt for being a terrible teen?” 

Bradley chuckles before diving into a few stories of his high school years and admits he probably gave his mom a few wrinkles before she passed. He also explains he didn’t know his dad long enough for that. 

“How’d you haul the mulch here?” Bradley questions, changing the subject. He noticed the yard had been cleaned up, but only just noticed the mulch in the flower beds she had been working on before he came over. 

“Iris let me take her car. Apparently she doesn't like driving much anymore.” 

“I could’ve taken you.”

“Wanted to be my knight in shining armor again?” She asks with a confident laugh. 

“Maybe.” He admits, “So, when do I get to see that yellow kitchen of yours?”

“Wanna see?” She takes off the gardening gloves. Sadie jumps to follow, finally setting down the chalk. Bradley wordlessly follows them both up the steps. 

She pulls open the screen door that sits in front of her front door, it squeaks loudly as she pulls it back. Bradley reaches out to push it back and forth a few times. 

“Sorry, I know it’s obnoxious.” She nods her head to invite them in anyway. 

“Hold on, I can fix that.” He leaves the two girls on the porch briefly and walks over to his garage only coming back with a red toolbox. He opens and closes the door a few times again, looking at the hinges. Y/n shrugs to Sadie while they watch him work some magic with WD-40 and a screwdriver. 

“That should do it.” Bradley takes a step back and pulls it back again, this time it’s silent as he moves it open and closed. 

“Okay, you’re definitely getting recruited to help now.” Y/n beams and it makes Bradley smile too. He can’t remember the last time he was this happy to see someone else happy. Sure, he was a good person and liked when people were happy, but something was different about being the cause of her grin. 

He follows her in and immediately Sadie takes off to explore. Bradley has to admit, it does already look nice in here. He’s sure just having furniture in the space helps from when he first saw it. It’s brighter in each room he walks through though, it would seem she’s primed all the walls, but there's a lack of yellow as he walks through the first floor. 

“I haven’t gotten to the yellow quite yet, but it’s not because I’m scared to commit!”

“Yeah right-” Bradley smiles mischievously. 

“No no, it just turns out you shouldn’t start with that if you have a lot else to do. I sanded and stained the cabinets though!”

She proudly poses in front of one and Bradley has to admit it looks nice. She hasn’t changed any of the house's character, but she’s refreshing the space. 

“Okay, I’m impressed.” 

“I would say that now I can start the yellow. In fact-” She grabs the gallon can off the floor and shakes it before cracking it open. Bradley picks Sadie up to rest on his hip and take a peek of the color. 

“What do you think of it, Sadie?” Y/n asks, leaning against the counter eyeing the younger girl. 

“I like it!” She cheers. 

“I do too!” She nods her head to Bradley to prove her point. 

“Congrats on having the same preferences as a five year old.” His voice dripping with sarcasm. 

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” She rolls her eyes and focuses her attention on Sadie, “Would you like to do me the honor of the first bit of paint on the wall?” 

It takes a minute to get them set up with paint brushes and rollers. Bradley takes on the higher parts of the walls, working along the entire upper trim. Y/n helps Sadie get set up on a blank wall with a small brush and grabs a roller for herself. It goes fast with the two of them, Sadie also contributing on her wall. 

“Can I hire your guys full time?” Y/n asks, taking a full step back to admire their work. 

“Can’t afford me, babe.” Bradley teases. 

“Yeah, me neither babe.” Sadie mimics her Dad causing everyone to break out in a laugh. 

“Okay.” Y/n dramatically backs up into the archway between the kitchen and the living room. “It’s still drying, but what do we think?” 

Sadie runs over to stand by her and take in the view as well, she waves over Bradley to do the same. He looks at the two girls standing there and how serious they’re both being. With his arms crossed over his chest he walks over to take in the kitchen and the brand new walls. 

The kitchen has a large window that looks out on the deck and beyond to the ocean. The sun is shining bright today, but it wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t because the room is bright enough on its own. The stain on the cabinets compliment it well and warm up the place. 

“I have to admit, it looks good.” 

“Right?” Y/n cheers, she breaks out a few goofy dance moves before pulling Sadie around to spin with her. 

“You have a lemon kitchen now!” Sadie keeps dancing, letting out a goofy laugh. 

“A lemon kitchen?” Y/n’s jaw drops. 

“What’s next?” Bradley asks, he paces around looking at everything.

“Pretty soon I’m tackling updating that bathroom,” She points to one down the hall, “I had a wonderful idea to open this up and round it off, but I have no idea how to do that. I don’t know if this is load bearing.” 

She reaches up to the large square archway that goes between the kitchen and living room. Bradley reaches up to examine it a little. A rounded arch would look nice, and you would have a better view from the living room. 

“I have to go to the bathroom.” Sadie announces, Y/n points to the same door down the hall and tells her she’s more than welcomed to use it. She comes back to find Bradley inspecting the arch himself. 

“I could help with that. I can’t today because I have to take that one to a dance class in a little bit.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.” She shakes her head, “That's a big project, helping me paint was already more than enough.” 

“What if we make it a date?” 

“A date?” She asks, laughing with a bit of shock. There have been flirty conversations when they interact, but she’s surprised he’s so forward. 

“Unless you aren’t interested.” Bradley quickly deflects with a nervous laugh, “We haven’t really talked about if we’re both single and-”

“I’m single.” She smirks, it’s fun and so far it’s been rare to see Bradley unsure of anything, “and I’m interested.” 

Bradley sighs in relief at her admission. It would make for an awkward couple of weeks living next door to the first woman he’s hit on since his wife passed. 

“How about this-” He regains confidence now, “You provide beer and pizza, and I’ll bring over everything we need to do this.” 

He points up to the arch and she nods to agree. Sadie comes back out and reminds him her dance class is soon and she still needs to go home to change. Bradley says he can get a babysitter for the next night and it’s a date. 

✿

“Slight change of plans.” Y/n opens the door wider for Bradley and the two children standing in front of him. “My normal sitter got the flu so she couldn’t, so my friend Jake promised to help out, but the open problem is he’s also a firefighter and when I’m not there, he needs to be.”

Jake is one of his Navy buddies, Y/n remembers the name. He retired two years ago and made the move up here to the small town where his god daughter lives.

“That's okay.” Her voice light, “Happy you guys could still make it.” 

“Nick, have you met Y/n?” Bradley asks. 

“Hi.” He barely looks up from the switch in his hands. He couldn’t be less interested. 

“Hey, Nick. Nice to meet you.”

Bradley has to nudge him to reciprocate the sentiment. He mutters a ‘yeah whatever’ before they both launch off to the couch while the couple lingers by the door. 

“These are for you.” Bradley pulls a bouquet of yellow daisies from behind his back. 

“Thank you.” She can’t help but smile widely. The yellow is perfect, and she’s pretty sure she’s unpacked a vase she can use for them. Bradley looks her over, scanning for any hint of irritation at his plus two for the night. 

It wasn’t his plan at all, and he’s interested enough he was genuinely scared of scaring her off by doing this. She’s already been so good with Sadie. Deep down he knows that if she had a big reaction to this, she wouldn’t be the one for him. His children are a priority to him, it can’t hurt to know that from day one. She doesn’t seem upset at all. 

Bradley heads back outside to get some of his tools needed and Y/n gets Sadie set up with Moana on the TV and Nick focuses on his switch still glued to his hands. She called for a pizza delivery one for them and adding a cheese too for the kids, Bradley didn’t even have to ask. 

“So, Navy pilot turned fire chief?” She asks, reaching out for her bottle of beer. They’ve got everything set up and he told her the game plan for how they’ll do everything. She knows things about him, but they don’t know a lot about each other. Y/n has gotten more from Iris about him than himself other than cheeky comments. 

“Yeah, I wanted to stay active. It would’ve been a big shift to go from that to a desk job.” He pulls down the piece of drywall he just cut off. 

“Trust me, the muscles are appreciated.” She blatantly ogles him, causing him a rare blush. 

“Thank you, thank you.” He nods in his spot, “Yeah, I started off volunteering, which turned into working full time, which turned into the old chief retiring last year.” 

“Was the stache a requirement for the position?” She teases, he snorts out a laugh. 

“No, I had it before, believe it or not.” He grins. 

Building out the rounded arch is a little more extensive as a project and she’s glad she’s got Bradley’s help as he walks her through everything they're doing. It takes a few hours, a few different movies for the kids, but eventually they get almost done. The kids are both completely asleep on the couch by now, it’s gotten dark out. 

“Okay, I think we need to cut this.” Y/n holds up the last piece of trim “You wanna cut this, please?”

She bats her eyelashes looking up at him, leaning in holding out the board. He’s already taught her how to make the cuts on the saw in his garage. She's on her fourth beer, and he’s on his third. He has to admit, renovating was never a good date idea but he’s pleasantly surprised at how well they work together. 

“I can take care of it, but only if you promise to be impressed with my skills.”

“When can I see your other skills?” She teases, pulling him closer by the front of his shirt. 

“God, you sure know how to make a project hard.” He sighs, taking a deep breath. 

“Hard? I haven’t even gotten started w-” Bradley cuts her off with a single finger pressed to her lip. 

“My children are in the next room.” He reminds. 

“Oh my god.” She cowers into his chest, hiding from embarrassment causing him to shake around her in a laugh. “That’s not funny.” 

“I’m gonna go cut this.” He presses an affectionate kiss to her forehead before heading outside to his garage for the saw. By the time he comes back with everything cut to size her cheeks aren’t on fire anymore. He can see that she cleaned up the area for him to frame it out. He hits it with the nail gun quickly and the job is done. 

He sits on her large island with her looking at the work they’ve completed. 

“Hell of a job.” She reaches out to cheers her beer with his. 

“This has to be one of the most unconventional dates I’ve ever been on.” Bradley admits, “That’s gotta be up there.” 

“What? You mean you don't typically bring your whole family on first dates while you’re helping them remodel?”

She leans in to bump her shoulder into his teasing him. 

“If my mom could see me now, she’d be kicking my ass.” He laughs with a shake of his head. He breaks his stare on the two kids sleeping on the couch to look over to her, “A lady deserves your full attention on a date.” 

“I happened to very much like this date.” She bravely reaches out to connect their hands. His warm and enveloping hers as he runs his thumb back and forth over the back of her hand. 

“I wanna go home dad.” 

Both their heads snap up to see Nick is very much awake now. His glare focused on their intertwined hands, which Y/n slowly drops. 

“Yeah, bud. Why don’t you head home and I’ll be right behind you with the princess there.” 

Y/n smiles looking at the tiara on Sadie’s head while Nick makes his way out the front door. 

“Ahh, I���m sorry about him.” Bradley sighs, scratching the back of his neck as he gets up from the counter, “He’s just-”

“Ten going on twenty.” Y/n smiles repeating his phrase from last week. Patting his shoulder, “Don’t worry about it. I don’t wanna push any boundaries.” 

“You aren’t. I can’t even explain how happy you’re making Sadie.” He rests his arms on the counter around where she’s still sitting. It's an intimate position but it’s comfortable, “I think she’s almost as obsessed with you as I am.”

Y/n fights the urge and fails to stop herself from running her fingers through his hair. He sighs in relief and leans in closer. 

“I’m kind of obsessed with you too.” She whispers, leaning to brush her lips against his ear.

“You’re something else.” He mutters. 

Bradley scoops Sadie up from her spot on the couch while Y/n cleans up the bottles they’ve littered all over her kitchen. 

“Have a good night.” He smiles, pausing by the front door. 

“You too.” She takes a few steps closer to them to say goodbye and open her front door. 

“We do a movie night every Friday night. Do you want to come over tomorrow?” Bradley asks, hoping to continue his trend of seeing her everyday. 

“I’ll be there.” 

She didn’t let it be known that she was shocked he invited them over for a movie night. Y/n would say she’s gotten to know Bradley pretty well over the last couple of weeks, Sadie almost more so. Nick however has been a different story. Y/n hasn’t crossed the fence over to their house at all so far. Each of their interactions getting stronger than the last.

Bradley gets up early to work a twelve hour shift before coming home at 6 to get the house ready for her to come over and join them. Sadie was thrilled to find out about the special guest for the night.

“Why is she coming?” Nick asks from where he’s glued to the stairs. 

“Because I invited her, Nicky.” Bradley makes another lap through the living room picking up miscellaneous toys off the ground. A soft knock on the door has him whipping around to face it. 

“Y/n!” Sadie yells and leaps off the couch to open the front door. Bradley walks up to stand behind his daughter and greet Y/n. 

“Hi, you guys.” She smiles warmly at the kids. Bradley drinks in the yellow sundress she has on. Her hair is laying down air dried like she recently showered and he’s dreaming of her shampoo already. He opens the door wider so she can come in and he can see that she’s brought something over. “I made cookies too, it feels fitting for a movie night.”

“What kind are they?” Sadie already reaching up to take the container right out of her hands. 

“Chocolate chip.”

“Sadie, after dinner.” Bradley warns and she gives him her best pout to give in. She simply shakes her head and she releases her grip. Nick stands up abruptly from the stairs and turns to go up them. 

“Nicky, where ya going? We’re about to start something.”

“I’m not watching tonight.” Nick shouts back as he continues going upstairs. Y/n’s face goes pale and she looks at Bradley. She knows that the likely reason is her presence.

“Maybe I should go.” She takes a half step back toward the door. 

“No, please don’t go.” Bradley places a hand on her arm holding her there, “Let me just talk with him for a second.”

Bradley takes off up the stairs and Sadie simply pulls Y/n further into the house. They talk about dinner and what movie to watch and by the time they’ve decided something Bradley has convinced him to come back down. 

They eat together at the table, Nick is still quiet but Y/n catches him smile a couple times. She doesn’t wanna push it and address him directly, but he does answer a few of her questions about fishing. 

Nick ends up picking Transformers for his movie, Y/n learns that that take turns in a rotation each week for who picks the movie. Sadie whines for a minute, but settles into a spot right next to Y/n for the movie. Bradley and Y/n share a grin while they both watch her inch closer and closer before Y/n just extends an arm to let her lean in. By the time the movie is finished its bedtime.

The kids make their way to bed, Bradley reminding them to brush their teeth. Sadie insists that Y/n help her pick out her pajamas. Bradley picks up stray laundry from Nick’s floor, listening to the girls giggle in the other room. Nick is already under the covers, his switch on and pulled up close to his face.

“Is it so bad having her around?” Bradley asks quietly, giving Nick a chance to talk about the woman in the next room. Tonight was the longest stretch she's been with both of the kids, and it wasn't perfect but it was better than any previous interaction.

“I don’t want a new mom.” 

Nick doesn’t dare pick up his head to look at his dad.

“No one said anything about her being a new mom. Mom was mom, and that’ll never change. Y/n is kind and she might not be a bad friend to have, buddy.” 

Bradley is met with silence. 

“Did you know she used to go fishing with her dad?” Nick picks up his head to look at his dad now. 

“Really? Why was she asking me how to do stuff then?” 

“Hmm, maybe she wanted to connect with you on something. She knows you love fishing. Maybe you can help her get back into it this summer. You’re good at teaching, Nicky.” Bradley reaches out to ruffle his hair up causing them both to laugh. 

“Ok Daddy, I’m ready for my bedtime story.” 

Y/n is standing in the doorway with his mini me standing next to her. It would seem they settled on the pink striped pajamas. Bradley gives Nick a loud smooch kissing him on the forehead before leaving his room to move to his daughters.

“I’m gonna wait downstairs.”

“Goodnight Y/n!” Sadie reaches out arms to hug her, “Goodnight Sadie.” 

She leans her head back towards Nick’s door.

“Goodnight, Nick.” She calls, he responds with a simple ‘night’ but she’ll take anything at this point. Bradley watches her make her way back downstairs and she smiles back at him over her shoulder feeling his eyes on her. 

Bradley reads her a story and manages to drag out one long enough for her eyes to be heavy by the end of it. He softly shuts her door and peeks in on Nick before shutting his too. He makes his way downstairs and notices the absence of the person he’s looking for. 

He scans the kitchen and living room before he sees the back of her head out on the back patio. He slides open the sliding glass door and she turns to see him, a grin blooming on her face. He joins her on the outdoor couch, kicking up his feet next to hers. 

“These past few weeks have been amazing.” Bradley admits, they both lookout towards the water, his arm wrapping around her shoulders to pull her in closer. 

“They have been.” She admits, “I have to say, you have been quite the surprise. This is one of the last things I could’ve expected with moving here.”

“You weren’t looking for a relationship?” He asks. 

“Not at all.” 

His heart stills for a second. They’ve never really had a conversation about what they’re both looking for, but she’s in his life already. In Sadie’s life already too. It's only been a couple weeks, but he's already felt such a strong connection.

“Pleasantly surprised though.” She clarifies. 

She pauses to clear her throat and lean back a little to really look at him. 

“I need to tell you something.” She admits, her heart is racing with anticipation knowing she can’t go back now. She doesn’t want to have this conversation either, but knows that she needs to with the relationship heading where it is. It’s serious and she can’t let him let her all the way in without knowing why she’s actually here. 

“Don’t tell me you just wanna be friends” He jokes. 

“No, trust me I could not be just your friend.” She presses a hand to his chest, “I just wanted to talk about how I ended up here.” 

“Fresh start, right?” He reaches out to tuck her hair back behind her ear. He’s radiating warmth and it makes her want to lean back in closer and drop the conversation all together.

“Exactly. I needed a fresh start, but I didn’t tell you what it was from.” Y/n takes a breath and Bradley gives her all the time in the world, “I had a relationship with a man named Matt for four years. We were pretty serious, but I ended things when I had to get seventeen stitches and this arm was in a cast for two months.”

Bradley completely stills and his eyes dart between hers while he takes in all the new information. 

“Oh, Y/n.” He sighs. She’s got tears in her eyes, but she knows she needs to get through this. Bradley gives her the time to gather her thoughts completely. 

“I ended things and got my own apartment in a different burrow. I had to get a temporary restraining order, but he kept waiting outside of my office. He broke into my apartment a month before I moved in next door.” 

“I’m so sorry.” Bradley admits. “I was in a total tailspin.” She admits, “So, I took his ass to court and went back and forth for weeks before we reached a settlement. His parents were the ones who arranged a deal and convinced him to leave me alone. In return for dropping the charges I was paid off. It was enough to get away and start a new life.” 

He leans over to pull her in close to his chest, her head resting against it. He presses a kiss to the top of her head and lets his hand run down the back of her head a few times before he can really gather his words. 

“I’m so proud of you.” His lips murmur into her hair. She can’t help but pick her head up to pull back and look at him. 

“Proud?”

“Of course. That’s an impossible situation to be put in and you were able to get yourself away and start a new life. It’s brave to pick up and move away. Change your life.”

“You of all people think I’m brave?” She questions with a grin. “Mr. I literally run into buildings that are on fire and I used to fly planes on impossible missions?”

“I do, which is saying something.” He chuckles, “But seriously. I don’t think you understand how strong you actually are.”

She reaches out so her fingers brush the curls on the back of his neck. She can feel the goosebumps she’s raising as her fingers dust over the back of his neck. 

“Y/n.’ He says her name softly, but something tells her it would come out horse if he tried to say it any louder. 

Just with that little whisper she tilts her chin up with her eyes locked on his to kiss him. Slow at first, still smiling but tasting the warmth of his lips and the faint salt from the sea clinging to him. She’s sure she tastes like it too, not very sweet. 

He loves the salt, it tastes like home. He responds with his hands gripping her waist to pull her onto his lap while deepening the kiss. It’s raw and honest, pulling them into each other and forgetting the whole ocean behind them. The waves and the world fade out for a few minutes while they just focus on each other and what feels good. 

They break apart, both needing a full breath of air. His fingers are still holding her dress bunched up at her hips, revealing the white lacy thong she had on underneath. 

They don’t speak for a minute still catching their breaths, the sound of waves curling against the beach come back into focus. Her lips are swollen and Bradley is sure he couldn’t be any better off. He reaches out to let his thumb brush against her cheek, she leans into the touch. 

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

PART TWO!

YOU GUYS! this has been my baby that i have been sitting on for so long, and i have so many ideas where i want to take it i had to split it up.

please let me know if you want more to this series!!! this is heavily inspired by the Safe Haven by Nicolas sparks

[crowdedimagines]

Cobra - Bradley Bradshaw

summary: The Dagger Squad gets a new addition for their upcoming mission and she seems to be someone Bradley Bradshaw used to know. Cobra is a hell of a pilot and she’s ready to teach a lesson or two ✈️ 7.7K MASTERLIST

Bradley Bradshaw sure is glad he’s not playing pool right now, because if he were he might have missed the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen step into the Hard Deck. She weaves her way through the Friday night crowd expertly and his heart rate picks up as it’s obvious she’s headed in this direction. The setting sun makes her look ethereal, painting the inside of the bar in a golden hue. 

“If it isn’t the only man in the Navy to ever break my heart!” 

The whole group turns on a swivel to the new voice and even Rooster can see everyone sharing his thoughts. Her grin is radiant and Bradley is crushed to know that it can’t be him that she was shouting to. They’ve never met before, and what a shame that is. She cuts into the group and his heart plummets waiting for her to go up to Hangman or Coyote. Maybe even Nat?

She walks straight up to the last person on Bradley’s list of concerns. She pulls Bob down in a hug. His face is flushed red, looking at everyone over her shoulder but hugs her back with ease. 

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen him touch a girl other than Nat.” Coyote whispers. “Shut up.” Natasha elbows him, equally shocked however. 

“Bob?” Hangman questions with brows raised. The whole squad is standing there silently and slack jawed. A mix of shock, disappointment, and mostly confusion. 

The mystery woman releases her grip and turns back to face the group, her arm still wrapped around his side. When Bob is fully turning his attention back on the group, impossibly so his face gets a shade brighter. All eyes on him, and he knows there are a million questions from the group waiting to come flying out. 

“I didn’t break her heart!” He quickly defends, swallowing audibly which makes the mystery woman grin. 

“Debatable.” She mumbles, still smirking and tugs on the front of his shirt. “Buy me a drink then, Bobby.”

Bob nods and slings an arm back over her shoulder for them to leave the group for the bar momentarily. 

“Bobby?” Bradley says out loud with a questioning tone, watching the two of them make their way to the bar. Bob looks totally at ease with her, better now that all eyes aren’t on him but little does he know the whole group is still staring. 

“Did we enter some alternate reality? What’s actually going on?” Payback laughs. 

The squad all continues to watch the pair, tossing their heads back in laughter while waiting for their drinks. The squad quickly scrambles back to the pool table when they turn to make their way back to the group with new drinks in hand. 

“Okay, I gotta know what’s going on.” Hangman places a hand on top of Bob’s shoulder pulling him a few steps away from the mystery girl. Bradley is sure it’s intentional to put some literal distance between the two. “What’s the backstory? Because back home in Texas someone that looks like you,” He gestures to her, “Doesn’t get with a guy like him.”

“Well, I’m sure glad this isn’t Texas.” She bites back.

She looks up to the rest of the group she’s facing and isn’t phased in the slightest at the attention. Her eyes skim over the group until they land on Bradley, who had already been looking at her. She smiles a little wider before turning her attention back to Bob.

“When I first got to Top Gun the hazing was getting a little out of hand. The second she heard what some of the guys were doing, she hatched this plan and told me to go with it. All of the sudden there was a rumor spread that we were dating.” 

“What do you mean by rumor?” She grins, still sticking with her story. 

“Suddenly, everyone wanted advice and they fought over having me as their back seater.” He shakes his head with a laugh, “It completely changed my Top Gun experience.” 

“So you went to Top Gun?” Bradley asks, hung up on the fact that she’s a pilot and was in Bob’s class. 

“Top of our class.” Bob says, this time being his turn to be proud.

“Must’ve been a bad batch.” Hangman steps directly in front of her, sizing her up. Likely still hurt over her earlier comment, “If she were any good, she would’ve been called back at the same time as the rest of us for our last mission impossible.”

Hangman’s smirk is proud thinking he’s won, but Y/n’s smile turns wicked as he continues. It doesn’t seem that she’s intimidated by his little show. From what they’ve seen it doesn’t seem likely that she’ll start biting her tongue now.

“Yeah, it would seem that you aren’t up for the task on this next one. I was pulled from my confidential assignment to assist and train.”

“I’ll have you know that-” 

“You have the only active air to air combat kills, right I was briefed on everyone.” She shakes her head, “God I wish your clearance was higher so I could brag right now. Maybe someday.” 

Despite the height difference between them, she reaches up to place a patronizing pat to his shoulder. She pushes right past him to stand near Bob on the other side of the table, while the entire squad laughs in shock. Jake shakes off several patronizing pats on the back from everyone and turns back to the pool table. Bob leans in to whisper something in her ear which has her howling with laughter. It’s obvious it’s not the first time she’s had to knock a pilot down a peg or two.

“Hangman, you don’t know when to cut your losses.” Coyote lets out a low whistle, but picks up his cue stick to continue their game that had been widely forgotten since her grand entrance. 

“She might actually be worse than Bagman.” Nat mutters to Bradley with a smile, “This is gonna be interesting.” 

“I think I’m in love.” 

Nat whips her head to roll her eyes at him. Of course he is. 

“Get a grip. She’s the only other girl in the squad now, give me a break.”

“I’m serious.” He pleads, “Help me with this.” 

Phoenix rolls her eyes yet again, but as a true wingwoman she does help him out. Rooster makes a break for the bar to grab another beer, and by the time he comes back Phoenix and the mystery woman are at the jukebox laughing. Bradley makes a beeline for Bob. 

“Bob, you gotta-”

“I am not giving out any tips, advice, or talking you up to her. You gotta figure her out for yourself.” Bob answers before Rooster can even finish his sentence. 

“How did you even know I was gonna ask you?” 

“Because you’re not even the first guy to ask in the two minutes she’s been gone. You guys are gonna be worse than my top gun class was when it comes to her if tonight is any indication.” Bob shakes his head, looking down to shell another peanut. 

The music makes a sudden change from the usual eighties to something new enough to be unfamiliar to Rooster. The girls make their way back to the group now, smiling as if they’ve known each other for years. Rooster can’t tear his eyes away, something about her is vaguely familiar. 

“Bradley Bradshaw, if you keep staring at me, I’m gonna start charging.” She calls him out but her smile tells him she’s not really mad about it, but happy to catch him. 

“I’m sorry.” His cheeks dusting pink, “You seem to know my name, but I still don’t know yours.”

“Girl of your dreams.” Fanboy answers, earning him a swift elbow to the ribs.  

“You might wanna start with my last name, Bradley.” She smirks proudly, liking the advantage of knowledge she has right now. Bradley starts a smirk of his own liking the fact that she’s still not using his callsign. 

“And why would I wanna do that?” He takes a step closer and he can see Bob rolling his eyes in his peripheral. 

“You might learn a little more from it.” Her eyes dance across his broad chest before jumping back up to his eyes. She would never admit it this early on in the night, but he looks damn good. He’s one of the few not in uniform and she can appreciate a Hawaiian shirt as much as everyone else. 

“Kazansky!” Maverick yells loudly from the other side of the bar, interrupting Bradley before he can even take a guess. 

“Saved by the bell.” She pats his chest lightly, and he eyes her hand as she does it. She turns back towards the bar to see the older man that is making his way over to join them by the pool table. Bradley has never been so puzzled by one woman and all of her connections to his world. Bradley’s stomach turns in uncertain flips seeing her pull Mav down in a hug. 

“You’re Ice’s daughter?” Rooster asks out loud, putting the pieces that had been floating in his head together. 

“The one and only.” 

Tom Kazansky. Iceman. If memory serves from Bradley’s childhood he had played with the kids a handful of times. His mom brought him over several times before they moved back to Virginia. Five boys and one daughter, with the youngest being their daughter. He had to have been ten or twelve the last time he played with them, meaning she was five? Six? 

“Okay, I feel like I’m losing it here. What’s going on?” Bradley leans on Mav’s shoulder acting as though he actually was losing it. 

“You remember, Y/n? You guys would play together as kids!” Pete smiles widely looking at the two of them. Bradley has to fight not to say he still wants to play with her in front of his godfather. 

“Y/n.” Rooster says, repeating back the name a few times to jog his memory. 

“Don’t sweat it.” Y/n defends, “I’m pretty sure the last time you got lumped in with my family girls still had cooties and I hated my brothers and anyone associated with them.” 

Bradley thinks back and he can faintly remember a girl that would on and off try to tag along their group. She was all sass and just as quick as them, seemingly like not much has changed over the past twenty or so years. 

“You had a broken arm.” Bradley recalls, “Yellow cast.”

“Yeah, I did.” She nods, smiling softly for the first time tonight. Defences falling to the wayside with Mav around now going down memory lane. 

“She fell out of a tree. Believe it or not she’s always been a fan of heights.” Mav pulls her down to press a kiss to the top of her head and she pushes him away with a laugh.

“Mav’s the one who trained me. All of my worst habits come from him, I promise.” She shoves his shoulder lightly and Mav just shakes his head.  

“Yeah, Cobra, you needed a lot of guidance.” Mav rolls his eyes, but still maintains a proud look. 

“Cobra?” Nat questions. Rooster had forgotten the group was all hanging out together until that moment, too focused on trying to recall more details about Y/n and if they would make her smile like that again.

“As in your move?” Rooster asks, turning to the oldest man in the group currently.

“Yeah, why else.” He rolls his eyes, turning back to look at the woman next to him, “She did it on her first day flying. At nineteen years old. That’s why she gets the name.” 

“Holy shit.” Nat beams, and Bradley swears there's a twinkle in her eye. Unsure if she is envious of her or just wants her. Right now he feels both. “You were able to pull off cobra your first time flying?”

“First time flying with the Navy.” She corrects with an eye roll directed at Mav, “I’d flown with my dad before that so it’s not as impressive as it sounds.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you had him wrapped around your finger doing barrel rolls and cobra maneuvers day one.” Mav chuckles. 

“That’s how I like all of the men in my life.” She gives a side hug and throws a wink to Mav before heading back to Bob’s side, stealing a peanut from him. 

“Seriously.” Bradley turns to Mav privately and shakes his head, “Who is she?’

“You look just about as blown away as your dad did when he met your mom.” Mav comments.

“What?” That finally pulls Bradley out of his head enough to focus his attention elsewhere. Finally leaving the woman that has him spinning, solely onto Mav who has a dreamy and nostalgic look in his eyes. 

“When your parents met, they just clicked. Your mom had him hooked the first second he saw her. I see that same look now.” 

Bradley takes a minute to step outside and get some fresh air, the noise of the bar drowning out the farther out on the deck he walks. The sun has sunk behind the horizon now, but it still leaves bright pink and blue streaks in the sky in its wake. 

“You good?” Phoenix asks, joining her friend who is leaning on the back rail looking out towards the water. 

“Yeah, just needed a minute.” He clears his throat, “It’s pretty loud in there.” 

“Not any louder than any other Friday.” Nat smiles. 

“Mav just said something about my parents. Got me thinking.” 

She places a comforting hand on his shoulder for a second, and wordlessly leaves to give him a few minutes to himself. 

The rest of the night was less eventful than the start had been. Rooster eventually rejoins the group just to see Cobra falling in perfectly with the group already. He apparently missed a round of darts where she beat Hangman and he left early and he would pay money to have witnessed that. 

“Heading out?” Bradley asks, finally gaining the courage to talk to Cobra again. 

“Yeah, Bob is taking me home.” She pauses, “I'm staying in the guest house at my parents place. I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the area.”

“Our next mission might not be here?” Bradley questions, knowing she’s been briefed if she knew that much about the team. 

“No, all of the training is here. I just don’t know if I’ll be here after. I don’t typically touchdown for long before they send me somewhere else.”

“Well I guess I’ll see you Monday for the new mission.” Rooster nods, trying his best not to completely rake his eyes over her. “Hopefully, this time you get to stay.”

“Maybe.” She throws a wink over her shoulder before letting Bob finally pull her away. The bar is a lot quieter now and the rest of the group shortly follow. 

-

The rest of the weekend remains fairly uneventful for everyone. Y/n is trapped at home with her mother, hiding away in the guest house when she can. Bradley focuses on getting organized and cleans his bungalow that he just recently was able to remove the SOLD sign from the front yard. If there’s a mission coming up quick, he wants to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. 

Bright and early at 0700 the dagger squad find themselves all taking seats in the large hangar.

“It’s high stakes which is why you guys will be in extremely capable hands.” Admiral Simpson reaches for Cobra to step up, “Kazansky is following in her father’s footsteps with skill and leadership so I expect her to receive the respect she deserves. I can’t go into the details of her qualifications, but trust me when I say you’ll benefit from her expertise.”

Cobra shoots Hangman a wink when Admiral Simpson details her skill, but somehow manages to keep her face neutral enough to be professional in front of all of them. 

“The mission is going to be a strike against an enemy naval fleet which means there will be a significant amount of head to head combat. Dogfighting is a skill we all need to improve upon for what is expected of this mission.”

“Cobra, what is your current air to air combat kill count?” Maveric asks, turning to the woman flanking his left. 

“Nineteen.”

“Nineteen?” Hangman bursts, and Bradley can see the tops of his ears turn pink. 

“I cannot divulge the specifics, but I specialize in leading teams into combat scenarios. With that there is a lot of air-to-air conflict.” 

If the rest of them hadn’t met Y/n the Friday before, they wouldn’t think twice about her professional and impressive response. It doesn’t take Bradley’s observation to note how proud of herself she is, and it’s successful in getting Jake to slide a little lower in his seat. 

Admiral Simpson takes over again after that, explaining the timeline and location of the mission. Attacking an enemy Navy fleet won’t be easy, they need fighter jets executing combat, as well as one pilot skilled enough to take out their radar systems to give us the advantage we need in order to establish air dominance. 

Admiral Simpson dismisses everyone and instructs them to meet in one of the classrooms in half an hour. Bradley wastes no time in approaching Cobra once they are relieved.

“Now, how the hell have you gotten that many combat kills at your young age?” 

“Not that young.” She reminds, cracking her first smirk of the morning. Bradley is sure that she is flirting hard with that reminder and it’s nice confirmation that he’s not doing all this for nothing. She crossed his mind a lot over the weekend, but couldn’t remember their true age gap. As kids it seemed like a lifetime, but now that they’re grown up it can’t be more than five or six years. He also knows she’s got the balls to turn away any pilot she’s not interested in. 

“And exactly how young is that again?”

“Oooh, you’re concerned. That means you’re interested.” She grins. 

“Was it not already obvious?” He laughs.

“I can’t give away all of my secrets.” She smiles wickedly, “Where’s the fun in that?”

-

“You guys are already skilled in aerodynamics, energy management, and some defensive maneuvers.” Her pass across the front of the classroom stops, “We need to work on your instincts and flying offensively. The best way to do that is in a plane, let’s get out of here.” 

“Lieutenant Kazansky.” Admiral Simpson notes from the back of the class, “Would you not find it more beneficial to go over the specific routes and expectations for this mission?”

“No, I would not.” She continues her walk out the door, “Let’s hit the air.” 

She shouts the last part over her shoulder from the hallway, and everyone scrambles to get moving while still mildly confused. Did she actually just say that to an admiral?

“I take back what I said over the weekend.” Nat laughs, walking up to Rooster, “She’s not worse than Hangman. She’s worse than Maverick.”

Everyone makes their way down to the tarmac to begin inspections on their planes. It’s hard to miss the conversation between Cobra and Cyclone. It looks heated and ends with Cyclone turning to head back inside to the offices. 

Once up in the air it’s clear to see how she’s developed such a reputation and lived up to her callsign because once she’s up she’s doing moves no one has seen before. Her F18 cutting through the clouds expertly, causing a dark shadow to dart through the bright blue sky. In the distance ahead of her 

“Coyote, I’m on your six. Let’s see how you handle this.” Cobra calls through the intercom getting a lock on him while trying to evade. Half of the pilots on the squad went up with her to start while the rest remain with Mav observing. 

“Oh, I can’t wait to handle you.” Coyote calls back. 

Cobra doesn’t respond to the easy bait, instead focusing on her skill even more. 

“Too predictable, Lieutenant. If you keep flying like that, you’ll be picked off in a second against enemy fighter jets.”

“Predict this.” 

Hangman cuts in now that everyone else has been eliminated, 

“You’re good, I’ll give you that.” She grins and Bradley swears he can hear it over the comms, “But not good enough to fix your bruised ego.” 

The lock is audible and the room cheers. Hangman being humbled is always a win for everyone else, as friendly as the group is now.

“You did a good job being a step ahead, but try being three.”

Cobra rounds everyone up to head back to base and take a break for lunch. The beauty of Y/n is on the backburner now, because now all anyone cares about is how she flies. Rooster might be the only one with his head in the clouds, and his mind in her pants, but it’s only amplified now that he’s witnessed her airborne. 

Rooster is included in the second round of pilots going up. The squad is quick to be picked off until it’s just him and Phoenix left to dance with Cobra. 

The two of them put pressure on Cobra, but it isn’t enough to actually pin her. In a sudden and fluid motion she pulls up into a vertical climb. Rooster bails out from the glare of the sun, leaving Phoenix to keep going. 

“You’ve got fire, that’s for sure.” Cobra admits, “But as Bob knows I don’t go easy on anyone.”

Nat hesitates for a second and it’s what costs her, she wasn’t ready for the climb and is fighting to catch up. Cobra flips into a tight roll in order to reorient herself behind Phoenix and Bob. Nat presses on the throttle, but it’s too late. The tone rings proud, and Cobra doesn’t give herself a second to catch her breath because she knows Rooster is waiting. 

“You’re getting closer, Rooster. I can feel you breathing down my neck.” 

Bradley’s face flushes hot and he has to adjust his flight suit to stay comfortable while hardening slightly. Can she actually do this in a plane? Get him this hot and bothered over objectively innocent words. But it’s her. Nothing is innocent with her, especially not her voice. What he would give to actually be breathing down her neck. 

“I’m not gonna let you go easy, Cobra. You’ll find that I’m quite clingy.”

She snorts a laugh, not expecting him to keep it up mid air with everyone listening to their comms. 

“I like ‘em needy.” 

“Time to see if I can outfly you, brat.” 

The two of them take off and Cobra let’s Rooster follow, testing his every move and seeing how well he can keep up. He does a good job of matching her maneuvers, hesitating briefly, but that’s what catches him in the end. He’s close to mirroring her movements, but still can’t predict them. 

“Game over.” 

She says the word while she’s still in front of him bouncing between locked and not. With a hard break right, she cuts the engine to let Rooster sail by. She has to pull a lot of Gs to catch up, but it’s worth it when the tone rings out for everyone to hear. 

“You’re reacting and you need to learn to predict.” She admits, “What am I thinking right now?”

“Can’t say on here, Mav is listening.” He laughs back, watching her shake her head from the cockpit, looking back at him over her shoulder. 

“And people say I’m trouble.” She laughs, “Time to head back.” 

Admiral Simpson is waiting for them when they land and it should cause a pit to form in Y/n’s stomach. It doesn’t. The squad watches Cobra get out of her plane and head straight for him rather than the group.

“What the hell was that up there? You’re not instructing them-” 

“Bullshit I’m not! I’m putting them into situations where they actually have to learn and show improvement. The situations I put them in get them to adapt and think quickly on their feet which may I remind you is the only way to come home from air to air combat.” 

“Doesn’t give you the right to fly like that. There’s a line between pushing them, and endangering everyone. Today was reckless behavior that could send someone to the grave” 

“And you think you know what that line is from your desk?” She scoffs.

“Lieutenant Kazansky.”

“This morning you were singing my praises, and now I’m reckless.” She rolls her eyes, “I think you forget you owe me one. I’m not cashing it in over this bullshit, but trust me I haven’t forgotten.” 

She marches way back to the group and no one says a word. Maverick included as he instructs everyone to hit the showers and call it a day. 

-

The rest of the week continues on, Cobra behaving a little more professional but still flying with her tail on fire. The group works on their reaction time and thinking ahead. Admiral Simpson has yet to check back in on them and after that argument no one can blame him for avoiding it after she ripped him a new one. Everyone is still confused on how she was able to get away with that. Cobra and Mav teamed up moving forward to go over the specifics of the mission and what maneuvers would be the most beneficial to work on. The days have been long and grueling, working as a team to strike.

“It’s your lucky day, Rooster.” Nat grins, walking out of the women's locker room. 

“How so?” 

“Your girl is gonna be at the Hard Deck tonight.” She shoves his shoulder, “She wasn't planning on it, but I’m pretty convincing.”

“Nat, you’re a saint!” He smiles, “Your drinks are on my tab tonight!”

“I was already planning on it!” 

The rest of the week has been flirty between the two of them and they’re beginning to occupy each others thoughts more and more frequently.

Everyone takes off with the typical Friday night plans to meet back at the Hard Deck in a few hours. The salty air meets Y/n’s nostrils as she steps out of her car, the hum of music already playing inside. She’s the last to arrive and there’s a chorus of cheers when she walks in. Her legs are on display with the shorts she decided to wear, but Rooster’s eyes are stuck on the familiar jacket she wears over a plain white tank top. She smiles and says hello to everyone before settling at a table with Nat, Bradley, and Bob. 

“Class of 86?” Rooster questions, taking in all of the patches well worn on the jacket. 

“Yeah, it’s from my dad’s class. Well, our dad’s class I guess.” She smiles, running her fingers over the patches her father earned that are proudly on display. 

“I knew it looked familiar.” He grins, “I think I have that one back home in storage.

She looks up to hold eye contact with him, both thinking about their respective dads that have passed on. 

The group is able to catch up on everything else that happened this week, even though most of their time had been busy training for the mission. Y/n gets to know Nat a little better seeing as she knows both of the boys at the table. It takes a couple rounds of drinks before they join the rest of the group by the pool table.

“Well, you guys survived a week with me. That’s almost as impressive as making it to Top Gun.” She throws back the shot of tequila. 

“Now, I gotta ask-” Hangman starts.

“Do you have to?” Bob interrupts causing the rest of the group to chuckle. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that having Cobra around boosts Bob’s confidence. 

“How are you able to get away with chewing out our admiral?” He asks, leaning in close to wrap an arm around the tops of her shoulder making her shake her head. “Because it’s gotta be more than just being Fleet admiral’s daughter.”

She suddenly stands from her stool, causing a loud scraping noise and his arm to drop off. Everyone’s eyes are on them.

“Former fleet admiral. I believe you’re aware of the fact he’s been replaced now that he’s dead. If you wanna ask that question again, I suggest you direct it to Cyclone.” 

She takes off for the back of the bar without another word, leaving them to deal with the silence that follows. Other than the door slamming, causing Penny to watch her leave off the back deck. 

“Such an ass, Hangman.” Bradley pushes past his shoulder as he follows her out. He makes his way to the back door and lets it shut softly, but she still shifts against the back rail. 

“I’m fine, Bob.”

“You can’t lie to Bob, he’s too sweet.”

She whips around to the voice that is definitely not Bob.

“Sorry. Honestly, I thought he was the only one brave enough to come out here right now.” 

Bradley continues his slow approach. Ready for her to spook any second. The same way he thinks he would approach a horse. 

“My dad was the only person who knew exactly who I was. He believed in me more than anyone, and always helped me make my goals a reality. He knew exactly why I needed to make Top Gun. I don’t know what I’m doing here now that he’s gone.” 

“You’re teaching us a hell of a lesson.” He leans against the same rail, his arm just brushing the edge of her jacket. “You might be the only reason we have a fighting chance up in the sky in a few weeks.” 

“More funerals.” She shivers. 

“Why weren’t you at your fathers?” He turns to actually look at her now to study her face. “I know I would’ve noticed you if you had been.” 

He nudges her shoulder with his and she finally breaks her stare on the water to look at him with glassy eyes. 

“I was on a mission overseas. Admiral Simpson thought it was more important for the mission I was on that I remain focused and unwavering, which meant I didn’t know he had died until three weeks after it happened.” She sighs, gulping back tears, “I missed it. I didn’t get to say goodbye.”

Bradley doesn’t have words right away, instead he opts for pulling her in against his chest. She curls right in and Bradley rests his head on top of hers, letting her cry the tears out against his tee shirt. 

“I didn’t think it would be this hard being back here. I grew up here, but it’s quieter now.”

“I didn’t know my dad like you knew yours.” Bradley admits, “But I do know how it feels to have to carry on without a father. It’ll get easier over time.

“So what, we just move on and pretend to be fine? Like everything is totally normal?” She asks, finally looking up at him. His arms are still holding her tight against him and he sighs at her puppy dog eyes. 

“I wouldn’t say fine,” he replies, “But normal? I think over time we will get there. We’ve got this.” 

Inside the majority of the squad has focused their attention on darts or new drinks. Bob makes his way to the back window just to check on Cobra. He smiles softly seeing Rooster holding Y/n in his arms. It’s obvious they connect well and he’s happy to see both of his friends lean on each other. Literally and figuratively. 

Eventually the two of them make their way back inside to rejoin the group. No one says anything about how the two of them went off together, but if they’ve learned anything in the past week it’s do not mess with Cobra unless you wanna get stung. 

“You in for tomorrow, Cobra?” Fanboy asks, pulling her back into the conversation. 

“Tomorrow?”

“We’re all gonna go to the beach!” Nat smiles, “Drinks, tanning, dogfight football.”

“Dogfight football?” She asks with a laugh. 

Fanboy explains the basis of dogfight football.

“Are you going tomorrow?” She asks, turning to Rooster rather than the whole group. 

“I think I might be tempted.” His voice soft. 

“Oh trust me, I’ll be tempting.” She bites her lip, “Wanna ride over together?”

Bradley knows that her parents house where she’s staying is close to the beach. He also knows that they have a car she could easily take for the day. He also knows that there is no way in hell anyone else is getting that opportunity. 

-

Y/n can’t help but think that asking Bradley for a ride to the beach is her best idea yet. She’s been waiting for the opportunity to get him alone to see if their chemistry is as good, or something he puts on in a group setting. There’s no way she could deny the school girl crush that has come back since being around him again. Every time they brush hands she feels electric. 

Y/n bounds down the driveway towards the Bronco. Bradley had been leaning against the side of it, he texted her that he was here when he pulled up. He picks up his head hearing her coming, but his jaw falls slack as he drinks her in. She has a beach bag on her shoulder, but it’s almost offering more coverage than the little black string bikini covering her body. 

“Y/n.” He sighs and says her name with enough grit to sound like he’s in pain. 

“You asked for tempting.” She grins with mischief. She knew the second they had talked about it last night the black string bikini was the only thing she could wear. She steps right up in front of him where he’s still leaning. 

“You gonna play football in that?” He questions, his gaze still dipping to the black material that barely covers her. 

“I have an old tee in my bag for later.” She does a spin that makes him groan, “This was just for a reaction.” 

She takes a step forward and he swings open the passenger door. 

“You’re putting on that tee before I let you out of this car.” Bradley orders and it sends shivers down her spine at the command. Few people get to tell her what to do and get away with it, but Bradley might be making that list soon. 

“Yes, Lieutenant Bradshaw.” 

Everyone is unloading at the Hard Deck parking lot and making their way to the beach to set up for the day. Everyone puts down their towels and chairs, Cobra making sure Bob has put on an adequate amount of sunscreen on. Maverick splits the group up into two teams. Hangman leading one, and Bob leading the other. Y/n isn’t surprised to find out she isn’t on a team with Bradley or Bob. 

“I don’t know if there’s enough room for ego if Hangman and I are on the same team.” Y/n mumbles to herself causing Nat to snort and Bradley to take a peek down at her. 

“You ready to lose, Bradshaw?” She asks, taking position in line facing him directly. 

“Just keep that Cobra-bite in check and I’ll manage.”

The other pilots on the squad playfully banter back and forth as well. 

“You ready to play some football, Cobra, or are you too busy daydreaming about your next aerial dogfight?” 

“Trust me, Hangman, you’ll see the real dogfighting when I have the ball.” 

“Watch your six , Rooster.” She points to her eyes and then to him to prove her point. 

“Don’t worry, eyes are on you.” He smirks, squatting down into position. 

The ball is snapped and chaos immediately breaks out. Cobra barrels forward with quick feet weaving between the bulkier guys on the beach. It doesn’t take long for the first touchdown to be scored and the whole game turns into a blur. Everyone is using every tactic they can to win. Juking each other out and Y/n pauses when she sees the agility it takes that mirrors their aerial maneuvers. Maverick is doing an iffy job on keeping score once he settled in his beach chair to just watch. 

“Alright, the next one to score wins! We got food coming out.” Maverick announces. 

Cobra’s eyes scan down the opposing line with predatory focus, looking for a weak spot to make her break. She makes eye contact with Bradley and smiles, a little spark of challenge in her gaze. She tilts her head, a confident grin pulling at the corners of her mouth. 

“Ready to lose?” She asks. 

“We’ll see about that.” He shakes his head. 

The play begins and Cobra is off like a rocket, darting between the other pilots. Rooster is hot on her tail following her and she knows his legs are significantly longer than hers. 

“You’re not getting away this time, Y/n.” 

“We’ll see about that, Bradshaw.”

She darts around him, juking him out a few times she manages to reach the end zone. Her team breaks out in a cheer before Bradley’s arms reach out to grab her middle and just opting to pick her up. She yelps when he tosses her easily onto his shoulder and marches towards the water.

“Just gotta be so competitive on the ground and in the air.” Rooster sighs, pretending to complain about her behavior. 

“Wait, Bradley, that looks cold.” 

“I guess you’ll find out!” He chuckles, wading deeper and deeper. 

“Don’t you dare, Bra-”

She doesn’t even get to finish his name before she’s tossed into the water. 

“You’re gonna pay for that.” She resurfaces and pushes her wet hair back over her shoulder, wiping the water from her face. 

“I’ll be waiting for it.” His eyes run down her body in a way that should be criminal in front of the whole squad. He dives in the water on his own, a nice break from the sun and sweat. 

“Looks like you guys were having some fun out there!” Penny comments, watching the group of pilots make their plates of food. 

“Some of us know how to win.” Cobra mutters to Rooster and lightly shoves his shoulder. 

“Some of us were distracted on the field.” He whispers back. 

She looks up to hold eye contact, melting a little bit at the close contact and the warm look in his eyes. She can see every scar on his face, one of them looking familiar. Her attention is pulled to his lips as they start to curl up. 

“That’s all part of the game.” She says proudly, the playful rivalry is still there but the tension between them is getting stronger. 

-

The sun is setting low on the horizon as the pilots pack up all of their things, still laughing and drying off after another dogfight football game. No one gave her any shit this morning when she and Bradley had rode in together, but everyone definitely has something to say watching them leave together. 

“Don’t play any love songs.” Hangman calls out, the group watching the pair walk to the bronco. 

“After watching her play today, I should make sure she didn’t sabotage the Bronco.” Bradley jokes. 

“Cobra.” Phoenix calls, causing the other girl to turn back, “Don’t let him give you shit for that. You won fair and square and he can’t take it.” 

The girls share a laugh and Rooster pulls a mock hurt expression, holding his hands up in defeat. He makes his way over to the passenger side to open her door for her, causing the group to let out ‘whoops’ and ‘ooos’ that Cobra raises a middle finger for. 

The drive back to the Kazansky residence isn’t as long as either of them would’ve hoped. With the windows down, Cobra’s hand dances with the wind.

“Today was fun.” She breaks the comfortable silence. 

“It was. A beach day with those idiots is the best way to spend a day on the ground.”

“You’ve got yourself a good team here.” She smiles, “It’s nice having a team you can rely on in the air and not.” 

“You can too, you know.” His eyes leave the road to glance at her, “It’s your team too.”  

“For now it is.” She admits, “After this mission Cyclone is just going to send me off somewhere else again. Always on the move.”

Bradley looks back to the road and thinks about her words. He can’t deny the fact that she’s been a constant on his mind for the last week. Their connection is undeniable and he’s buzzing every time they touch. He slows down as he approaches her house and parks on the side of the road close to the driveway. 

“Would you stay if you could?” He questions. 

She turns to look at him and neither of them move to get out of the car. 

“I don’t know.” She admits honestly, “I never expected to make this home for me again after my dad died. It’s hard being in all of his favorite places without him there. I also know he would be thrilled to have me permanently stationed with the Pacific fleet. Top Gun is here, Bob, you, the whole team honestly. So I would say I’m tempted.” 

“Tempted?” He grins, enjoying her answer and taking on a lighter conversation. “You’re still looking very tempting.” 

She’s still wearing her boxy Navy tee, but her legs are on full display. She unbuckles her seatbelt and slides across the bench seat to throw a leg over Bradley’s lap. It’s noticeable how both of their breathing picks up in the quiet car. Her hands glide up his chest, feeling every individual muscle. Her hands continue their path up until they land in his hair. Running her hands through the curls on the side, tugging them lightly. Bradley looks completely dazed as he’s under her spell. 

“You gonna give into temptation yet?” Her words slow, drawing his focus on her lips. 

“Thinking about it.” He admits, but still not giving into her game quite yet. 

“I can tell.” She smirks and settles all of her weight on his lap to feel the semi he’s been rocking since she unbuckled. 

Bradley takes the leap and leans forward to finally connect their lips for the first time. Lips buzzing at the contact, she melts a little more shifting impossibly closer to him. He sighs in bliss at their continued kiss when she carries on with carding her fingers through his hair. His hands reach her hips, one sliding back to her ass to give it a playful squeeze. She snorts and pulls away only to be met with a devastating sight. Bradley with red lips swollen with the attention she was giving them. 

“Bradley, would you like to come in?” She asks. Bradley has yet to see her seem so uncertain with herself. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Do you want to? Because I have the whole guest house.” She reminds. It feels a little less high school to have a separate area. 

They both get out of the bronco and she grabs her bag from the back. Their lips are hard to separate as he backs her up the driveway to the backyard.

“I can’t bring you inside the main house, we need to sneak to the back through the driveway. My mom is home and she’d want to ask you a million questions. Nothing kills a buzz like parents.” 

“You don’t-” He’s cut off with another kiss, “Think she’d think I’m being rude?”

“She’ll never know.” She bites down on his bottom lip, keeping him there and shutting him up. 

“Y/n is that you?” Her mom’s voice is like ice water being thrown on them. She whispers a quiet ‘godammit’ before stepping out of Bradley’s embrace towards the back deck where her mother waits. 

“Yeah, mom it’s me.” 

“And who is this?” Her mom grins. Bradley’s cheeks turn pink with the attention, but mostly the fact that he just got caught while trying to get her daughter out of her clothes in the driveway. 

“Mom, you remember Nick Bradshaw?”

Bradley gets goosebumps hearing his fathers name. It’s not one that he hears often, more evidently after his mom passed. It’s become harder to find people that knew him to even bring him up. He loves the feeling though, it feels good to be with people who knew his parents. 

“Why, of course I- oh my goodness!” Mrs. Kazanksy takes off her glasses to take in the man in front of her. “Bradley Bradshaw!”

“Good evening, Ma’am.” She pulls him down in a hug and he sees Y/n laugh over her shoulder. 

“I haven’t seen you since you were this tall!” She reaches her hand to chest height, “Oh my goodness you’ve grown up. How have you been?” 

“Good, staying busy with the Navy.”

“Oh, tell me about it.” She laughs sarcastically. 

“Mom-”

“You’ve grown up so handsome.” 

“Mom!” Y/n cuts a look that on base would have people running, but her mother has seen it all. Bradley can only imagine the attitude that teenage Cobra would throw around. Mrs. Kazansky rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to Bradley. 

“Oh yeah, next time feel free to use the front door.” She pinches Bradley’s cheeks before turning back to head inside. 

“That didn’t just happen.” Y/n hides her face in her hands. 

“Wow, so that’s what it takes to see you embarrassed.”

“Shut up.” 

They continue their walk to the guest house. Bradley takes a look around her space. She leads him straight to her bedroom and pushes him to lay down on her bed. She claims he can get the full tour after a round or two. She grins as she pulls her Navy tee over her head leaving her back in the little black bikini. She climbs onto his lap to straddle him and he sits up to connect their swollen lips once again.

“Leave the phone.” His lips not leaving hers as he mumbles the words while she blindly reaches down for her phone vibrating in her bag.

“It’s blocked. Could be base.” She sighs while pushing her hair back over her shoulder, “Hello?”

Bradley continues pressing kisses to her chest, pulling her bikini string to the side until he feels her stiffen.

“Admiral Simpson?” She answers the phone, eyes darting to Bradley’s the second she utters the name. Bradley pulls back to look at her face. The room is quiet enough they can both hear Cylone’s response.

“The mission is being moved up. The carrier is leaving in 48 hours.”

y’all this has been my baby for the past two weeks! i need more of them! i love Cobra so much and don’t we need to see how this mission goes? 🫣

[crowdedimagines]

Last Christmas - Bradley Bradshaw

4k of fluff and a little horniness ❤️‍🔥 masterlist

summary: Bradley gets a 12-month assignment before he can secure a title with the hot bartender he’s been spending the past few weeks going home with… will she still be there waiting next Christmas?

Last year.

“I don’t know you guys, it’s just too early to expect anything of her.” Rooster shakes his head with a sigh. It’s heavy on his mind how soon the holidays are and how few days he actually has left here in San Diego.

Phoenix nods her head sympathetically, while Hangman is more focused rolling his eyes and his aim towards the dart board.

“It is early, but also in all the years I’ve known you I’ve never seen you obsess over a girl this much.” Phoenix admits.

“Just say he’s whipped, Nix.” Hangman interjects while launching another dart at the board.

“It’s a twelve-month deployment. I’ll be gone for a year.” Rooster has to fight the urge to put his head down on the table to show how utterly defeated he feels, “That’s a lot for any relationship let alone one that’s less than two months old and technically doesn’t even have a title.”

“Yeah, whose fault is that on the title.” Phoenix kicks his shin.

“I could get a girl to wait a year for me.” Hangman smirks, his eyes still never leaving the dart board.

“Hangman, you couldn’t get a girl to wait a week for you.” Rooster jabs.

“No, don’t get it twisted.” He smirks while tucking the toothpick back between his lips, “I won’t wait a week for anyone, but I could get a girl to wait for me.”

On that disgusting note, Hangman leaves the two of them at the hightop close to the darts in favor of the pool table that has the rest of their group surrounding it.

“Speak of the devil.” Phoenix teases catching sight of Y/n as she finally leaves the bar with a tray in hand. She stops briefly when a guy asks for a refill and she nods before continuing over to their table.

“Why do you look like someone kicked a puppy?” She asks with a pout in her lips, she sets down a new beer for each of them and takes their old bottles.

“Hangman is an ass.” Rooster defends, glancing to Phoenix for a brief second to remind her to go along with it.

“Awe, do you need me to take away his toys?” She says with a smirk and a squeeze of his bicep before she makes her way back behind the bar still wearing a grin. It’s a Friday so the bar is busy and they’re doing their normal routine.

Y/n has been bartending at the hard deck for two months and she's been hooking up with Rooster for nearly two months. Bradley had to chase her for a few weeks before she finally let him take her home and they’ve kept it up ever since.

She’s quick witted and isn’t afraid to tell anyone off which he likes a lot. He’s witnessed her ring the bell more times than he can count, but he always notes how smug she is to put a man in his place. Hangman has been on the receiving end of the verbal lashings a couple of times, which had Rooster dragging her home early with a proud grin.

“Let me just say this, the longer you wait to tell her the harder it’ll be. Get it over with so you can enjoy the next few days.” Phoenix advises.

“What if once I tell her and then it’s done right then and there?”

He panics thinking about the possibility. It’s why he’s procrastinated telling her since he found out. He knows it’s more than just sex when they hang out, but there haven't been any real serious dates. He knows how she likes her coffee in the morning, and which movies she’s never seen that he tries to push that night. His weekends off they’ll spend the whole day leading up to her shift together, mostly in bed. Then he takes her to work and the whole group comes out to drink, and he spends the night pretending not to count down the minutes until she’s off again.

She’s very quickly become the entire center of his focus.

“Y/n is not like that.” She shakes her head, “You two are feral for each other, and as much as she loves to tease you, it’s obvious she likes you too.”

Rooster nods, drinking down a few more big gulps of his beer. He catches Y/n’s eyes from behind the bar and she throws him a wink not even faltering while pouring a mixed drink. Eventually he pulls himself out of his mopey mood when they join the rest of the group. It’s a good distraction from the upcoming deployment. Some of the group will be going with him too, so they’re trying to enjoy their night too. Last Friday of freedom. He joins for a couple rounds of pool, still nursing the same beer so he can drive later.

“Your girl is making googly eyes at you.” Javy nods his head in the direction of the bar behind him.

Rooster turns to look and catches her eyes and this time it’s his turn to smirk, but Y/n doesn’t look away. Her stare calling him over to the vacant stool in front of where she pours.

“Hey Sailor.” She greets with a name she calls him frequently, “Long time no see.”

“I saw you half an hour ago.” He smiles, “You getting lonely over here?”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say lonely.” Her cheeks dust pink as she drags out the last word. She walks around to the other side of the bar to bring the drink she had just made.

“Do you have to close tonight?”

“Bradley, are you trying to take me home?” She whips around with a grin. She’s bantering with him per usual, as if they don’t always go home together at this point. And by home, they mean her tiny apartment. Rooster is living on base in the barracks for the time being as it wasn’t known how long he would be stationed at Top Gun. Ironically Bradley had been looking at apartments on his phone the last few weeks before he found out about the long-term deployment he would be stuck on.

“I’m always trying to take you home.” He admits.

“Well it must be your lucky day, Sailor. I don’t close, I’m off at eleven.”

Rooster looks down at his watch to see it’s a quarter past ten. He was hoping you didn’t close since he knew you were here well before him and the rest of the squad.

“I’ll be waiting.”

He gives her a knowing smile, backing away from the bar and she gives him a rare soft look. He returns to the group, knowing that since he’s leaving shortly he needs to hangout with them until it’s actually time to go. He waits until she starts to untie her apron and talking with Penny before he stands and starts his goodbyes.

Y/n makes her way out the back door after bringing some more stock up just in case. Rooster is leaning in the same spot as always, insisting on walking her to her car. She reaches out a hand for him to take but she’s surprised when they go down the stairs and he tugs her harder in the direction of the bronco.

“We can get your car tomorrow.” Bradley insists.

“Oh, is that so?” She lets him lead her anyway.

“Yes ma’am. I’m requiring a car ride because I don’t think I can spend another twenty minutes apart.” He leads her right over to the passenger side of the Bronco, swinging the door open for her. Instead of getting in she turns around, trapping herself between him and the car.

“Well, when you put it like that.” She pulls down on the back of his neck so their lips would meet for the first time of the night. She hums in satisfaction and he lets out a groan as she pulls on the curls on the back of his head. They give it a few minutes to get more intense before Bradley is pulling back. He’s got her pushed against the side of the car, both of them out of breath.

“This is gonna be a long twenty minutes.”

“Drive fast.”

They both get in the car after that, his hand glued to the top of her bare thigh. Even with Christmas only being a few days away, the air is warm in the sixties. The windows are cracked bringing a welcomed breeze for the two that are too hot to handle in the moment. Rooster keeps glancing to see how swollen her lips are and Y/n can’t tear her eyes from his messed up curls.

The first parking spot in sight has Rooster throwing the car in park and they both quickly throw their doors open. He chases her up the stairs when she takes off with a laugh, it only takes a few strides for him to catch her and throw her over his shoulder.

“You’re telling me all of this muscle has a use, not just for looks?” She asks from behind him, his arm securing her on top of his shoulder. She traces the center line of his back, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

“The Navy doesn’t do ‘just for looks’.” He reminds.

“That’s right, you are Navy property.” She reaches down to smack his ass, not noticing the pang Bradley felt at the reminder. He is Navy property and that’s why he has no say over leaving her for a year.

“Yeah, we actually need to talk about that.” He bends down to put her feet back on the ground. She didn’t even realize they were at her apartment door, but she just stands there with key in hand with her face pale at the serious tone of his voice.

“Bradley?”

“Let’s go in to talk about it.”

She doesn’t say anything in response, just unlocking her door and leaving it open for him to follow. She makes her way over to the couch and sets her keys and bag down on the coffee table. He sits down next to her, fully aware of the fact that he’s killed whatever high they were both on the whole way home.

“I got official orders for a new deployment.” He blurts.

“Oh, okay.” She sighs, “For how long?”

He gulps audibly which brings back her nerves. He turns fully to face her on the couch before answering her question and you could hear a pin drop with the silence that is met after.

“A year?” Her brows shoot to the top of her forehead in shock. The reality sinking in and he watches a dozen emotions cross her face before she looks up to him again.

“I don’t even know the details yet, but from what I know it’s far away and it’s pretty complex. Likely now that I’ve been training pilots at Top Gun, I’ll probably be involved with training too.”

“God, can you try sucking at your job so they don’t take you very long?” She jokes, trying to lighten the mood. She pulls her legs up on the couch to sit cross legged facing him, he reaches out a hand to her knee without a second thought.

“No, ma’am.” He sighs, pushing a strand that’s escaped her ponytail back behind her ear.

“How soon do you have to go?”

“Monday.”

“This Monday?” She shrieks, “That’s before Christmas!”

“I know.” He pushes his lips together in a straight line to show his own dissatisfaction with it. His fluffy mustache on prominent display.

“You’re gonna miss Christmas.” She says sadly.

“I’m gonna miss a lot more than that.”

He leans down to peck her lips, but it doesn’t wipe the slight pout from her face.

“I like where this was headed.” She interrupts him with a ‘me too’ that makes him grin, “But I can’t ask you to wait that long. I won’t be back until next December. I really like you, and I know I’m gonna spend all that time thinking about you, but-”

“But what?” She interrupts once again. She pushes the curls back off his forehead and lets her fingers weave through and Bradley has to fight the urge to close his eyes. “What if I want to wait?”

This has his eyes opening wider in shock of his own.

“What?”

She smirks at his reaction and climbs into his lap, no longer fighting the need to be close to him. Her fingers still running along the sides of his head mindlessly and his hands find her hips.

“What. If. I. Wait?” She presses a kiss along his jaw between each word, his fingers digging in a little harder.

“Are you serious?” He leans his head back to get a clear view of her face. She sits back a little so they both can actually focus on the topic at hand.

“Bradley, I like you and I guarantee in a year I still will. Does this mean you’re finally gonna make me a girlfriend?”

“God, please can I?” She nods excitedly and this time he leads the kiss, desperate to hold her as close as physically possible. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

“Yes.” She grins widely.

“Will you wait a year for me to come back?”

“Yes, baby.” He kisses her like his life depends on it. He likes the new nickname and she can feel just how much he likes it as he hardens under her. “Take me to bed, boyfriend.”

-

The two of them spend all day Saturday in Y/n’s apartment. Not even leaving for food, opting to order delivery and stay in the comfort of the warm bed. Penny gave her Saturday off when she found out about Bradley’s deployment and how soon it was. Sadly she had no one to cover her Sunday shift so their bubble had to come to an end when Bradley needed new clothes and she had to get ready for work.

They decide to meet at the Hard Deck a couple hours after her shift starts. The entire Dagger Squad makes a Sunday night appearance knowing it’s going to be a long time before they’re all back together again.

“God, I didn’t think you guys could get worse.” Hangman huffs rolling his eyes. Y/n pulls away from her boyfriend, who she had been leaning across the counter to kiss. There’s only one other group tucked away by the window otherwise the squad takes up all of the stools at the bar.

“Just wait and see how insufferable he’s gonna be without me.” Y/n teases, grabbing Jake’s glass to refill it.

“Yeah, leave me and my girlfriend alone.” Rooster joins in, putting an extra emphasis on girlfriend.

“That sounds so hot.” She grins wider.

“Okay, yeah now I’m with him.” Phoenix shakes her head agreeing with Hangman.

It’s safe to say the two of them have been soaking in every last second they can. The bar has been quiet enough with it being a Sunday that the whole group just stayed at the bar so Y/n could still be close by. They didn’t know however that it would mean witnessing kisses over the bar and a lot of googly eyes. Penny gave her the all clear to close early if it were slow, so she is all too happy to kick out the squad when they are the only ones left.

Bradley waits for her to finish cleaning up, leaving together hand in hand out the back door to the parking lot.

“Where’s the Bronco?” She asks, noting the empty parking lot aside from her car.

“I left it on base so we could ride together tomorrow morning.” He clears his throat, “Unless you don’t want to take me, I can get Phoenix to-”

“I’ll take every minute I can get.” She smiles, pulling him down for a quick kiss as they make their way over to her car. “As if I would pass up on dropping you off. I was just hoping I was finally gonna drive the Bronco.”

“Yeah, maybe next year.” He rolls his eyes, knowing that she knows he doesn’t pass off his keys too easily.

-

Knowing she had been working until close at the Hard Deck and he sure as hell didn’t let her sleep much, she looks surprisingly awake at 6:00 a.m. She looks more than awake, she looks perfect. Her hair is a mess that he knows a brush hasn’t met yet today, but it reminds him of himself pulling on it. The fact that they opted for one more round in bed rather than taking the time to actually get ready.

“What’re you looking at?” She teases, catching onto his stare while she looks ahead at the road. They are already on base, he gives her directions when needed for where to drop him off.

“You.” He admits, “Soaking up every last second I can.”

“You won’t have to rely too much on your memory, reach in the backseat.” Her all too familiar wicked grin makes an appearance.

He reaches in the back to find a Christmas bag with bright tissue paper sticking out. He cuts her a serious look, they hadn’t had time to do presents and figure that out before it was time for him to ship out. He tosses the tissue paper behind him and finds a small four by six tin and opens it to find a picture of Y/n, his dog tags on and nothing else.

“I didn’t have enough time to pose for a calendar, so these will have to do.” She laughs, struggling to picture him hanging one up where anyone can see. Y/n is pleased to see how pink his cheeks are turning.

“This is the best Christmas gift I’ve ever gotten.” He closes the tin without going through all of the pictures inside, opting to pull her in for a quick kiss now that they’re parked.

“Baby, I didn’t get you anything. I wasn’t sure what we-”

“Come back to me. In a year, I’ll be right here and you’ll be my gift.” She reaches out a hand just to hold his face. Her thumb brushes the edge of his mustache, he turns his head slightly to press a kiss to her thumb.

They get out of the car and Y/n sees a few other couples seemingly doing the same dance of dropping their partners off. Bradley sets down his overstuffed duffle on the ground and backs her into a hug against the car. He pulls her as tight as possible while she runs her nails back and forth on his back. He pulls back to look at her once everyone has gone inside and he knows he’ll be the last arrival.

“I’m gonna look so good for you when you get back.” She teases, her arms wrapped around the back of his neck while his hands grip her hips. She’s leaning against the hood of her car with him placed between her legs. It’s not the right height like the bronco, but it’s working plenty fine.

“Oh jesus.” Bradley sighs, already creating a picture in his head.

“You might wanna have the medical team close by, you might go into heart failure.” She presses a hand flat against his firm chest.

“I think that’s a good idea.”

One more kiss he tells himself, then he can go. Y/n opens her mouth wider to deepen the kiss and Bradley goes one step further by sliding his hands down from her hips to the back of her thighs and pulls her up into his arms. The kiss never breaks, the past few weeks have paid off as practice. She moans into the kiss more and he feels himself harden, he breaks off knowing they can’t go any farther if he’s supposed to walk onto a carrier in ten minutes.

“Bye, baby.” He plants her feet firmly on the ground again before letting go.

“See you in a year, Sailor.”

Hours later when he’s on the carrier and he’s already had three different briefings, he finally shuffles through the pictures back in the safety of his room. He’s still trying to wrap his mind around how she had the time to put this together in time for him to bring them, but damn is he glad.

Next year. Xx

The second picture in the stack has her wrapped up in a stunning red set that he’s dying to unravel. If he had to guess that the real in person sight would’ve been his gift this year if he wasn’t deployed. Next year it is.

-

Waiting a year to see each other in person is easily the hardest thing either of them has had to face. Communication was sketchy at best for Bradley, but he called as often as they would let him. It’s hard for him to believe they’ve been apart longer than they’ve known each other.

His eyes scan all of the significant others waiting for everyone offloading from the ship. He takes a few steps closer, his duffle heavy in hand. The bright blue of the Bronco is familiar and like a beacon for him towards the back of the group of people, especially when he can see a familiar figure leaning against the front in a red floral dress. He fights the urge to sprint, but there’s an obvious pep in his quick steps.

“Hey, Sailor.” Y/n greets once he’s within earshot.

“Is that my girlfriend?” He asks with a bright grin. This is the first time he’s smiled that wide in nearly a year. He drops his bag at her feet and scoops her up, their lips meet and his hand is protective holding down the bottom of her dress while he spins. Finally, for the first time in nearly a year and it’s somehow better than all the build up that they had been waiting for. Worth the wait.

“That’s a hell of a welcome.” He huffs, slightly out of breath.

“I haven’t even started.” She smirks.

“Both my girls are here to pick me up?” He asks, looking behind her to the bronco he hasn’t seen in just as long. Last time he saw it, it was on base and he left Bob with the keys. He was the only one to be trusted.

“I pulled some strings.” She smiles wildly, “I did debate bringing a boombox to hold up over my head and play Last Christmas.”

He can’t help but throw his head back in a laugh.

“And why didn’t you?” He grins, taking another step closer to box her in against the hood. He needs to remember there are families around because the way she runs her hands up his chest has him ready to mount her then and there.

“They’re real heavy, baby.” She gives his arms a good squeeze for emphasis, “I’ll leave that for you and all those muscles for our next big gesture.”

“Noted.”

“You wanna open your gift early?” She asks, taking on her infamously wicked grin. He looks down her chest and can see a hint of red ribbon. It has to be the same set she took pictures in, pictures he became very familiar over the last twelve months. The pictures now well worn, but it doesn’t matter now that the real thing is back in his arms.

“God, I love you.” He sighs into her neck and she chuckles. It’s the first time she’s heard the words directly from his lips. Not in an email or the phone, directly from him.

“I love you, too.” She smiles, the soft look in her eyes that he only gets is fully on display, “Am I a bad girlfriend if I say I don’t want our first time back together to be special, and I’d rather you rail me in the car the second we’re out of view?”

“How fast can you get in the car?”

[crowdedimagines]

All My Friends Say - Bradley Rooster Bradshaw

hi y’all, it’s been a minute!! i was listening to the song all my friends say by luke bryan and got a lil inspired

2.8k of ANGST❤️‍🔥 masterlist

Rooster should’ve left the second she walked through the door. He knew that. His friends knew that. She was the last person he could’ve ever expected to walk into the Hard Deck. Y/n, the one that got away. She walked in with a smile on her face, a tan radiating off of her like she had spent the day at the beach. Her smile is what pulled Rooster in in the first place all those years ago. The thing that was truly pulling his attention this time was the man she walked in with. He didn’t think she would ever date another Navy man after him. In fact, he was pretty sure she swore it.

“Is that?” Coyote doesn’t finish his thought, he knows that Rooster knows who he’s referring to. The whole group all turns away from the pool table they surround to see the familiar face he’s already spotted. Rooster simply nods, lacking any words to form a response. Instead he just gulps down the rest of the beer in his hand.

Y/n looks around the place she once was familiar with. It was a just under a year ago that she was a regular at this bar, mainly due to her boyfriend. Her now ex-boyfriend who’s eyes have remained on her since the second she stepped in the bar. He loved it here, always did. His whole group would frequent the Hard Deck, which meant that Y/n did too. When she said yes to a second date, this is not where she pictured them ending up after dinner.

She should’ve known better than to date a Navy man. Apparently the lesson needed to be learned again.

Rooster turns back to the game of pool he should’ve been focusing on. Trying to focus on anything other than her or all the attention the group is giving them. Phoenix squeals loudly passing off her cue to Bob walking over to meet Y/n at the bar. They were always close while he had been dating Y/n, and Phoenix hasn’t mentioned if they’ve kept in contact.

“Y/n?” She asks, causing her to turn at the name. Rooster watched her eyes light up leaning down to hug Phoenix before he forces himself to look away. The last thing he needs is for her to catch him staring. Hangman happens to love giving Y/n attention, so it doesn’t surprise him when he moves to join them at the bar.

The man who came in on Y/n’s arm orders drinks for the two of them while Rooster tries to ignore the huge hug Hangman is giving her in the corner of his vision. He could hear her laugh over the music which finally gets him to glance over again. Y/n looks over Phoenix’s shoulder taking in the rest of the bar when her smile falters. She finally sees who else is at the Hard Deck tonight. They both take a few too many seconds before looking away. She breaks first, finally pulled back to the people she’s standing with when a drink is placed in her hand.

“It’s been way too long! Where have you been?” Phoenix excitedly asks, while subtly trying to figure out who the man she’s on a date with is.

“Still in the area!” Y/n smiles, focusing back on her friend. Rooster decides to follow her action and ignore her by continuing the pool game that is still ongoing, “What brings the crew back to town?”

Phoenix begins to explain that some top gun graduates were called back to Fightertown for a specific mission. Hangman explains that they’re all stationed here permanently now that it's been completed. It drives Y/n crazy not knowing how long they’ve been in town. How many near misses have there been that she would have run into Bradley? Would he have inevitably reached out?

Rooster can’t keep his eyes off of her for long. He’s straining to hear whatever the four of them are all talking about. There’s too many people here for him to be able to hear much of anything. She looks good, everyone in the bar can see that. Her hair is longer now, and her smile seems brighter than the last time they saw each other. He can’t even focus on the pool game in front of him as hard as he tries. He sets down his cue causing Coyote to complain before he steps closer to join the group gathered by the bar.

“I gotta hear this.” Bob gets up from his stool and the rest of the group follows suit wanting to hear this too. Rooster has to weave between a few people but walks right up to them, setting his empty beer down at the bar.

“How ya been, Y/n?”

Rooster interrupts their conversation, not really caring about the look Phoenix is giving him. She’s cutting him obvious daggers, worrying that he would scare away the girl that she hasn’t been able to catch up with in a while. Now that Y/n’s looked up at him, he can’t break eye contact. He can smell her shampoo from here, still the same. Her eyes still look as enchanting as ever. His heart started pounding a little harder than it was before he had her full attention.

Y/n’s breath falters, not expecting Bradley to be so forward, she expected awkwardness and maybe a nod in each other's directions. Now that he’s standing in front of her she can finally give in and take in how he looks. He looks better than she wants him to. Taller. Broader. Maybe he’s just standing straighter? Does he have something to prove?

“I’ve been good, Rooster.” Calling him by his callsign hurts, Hangman lets out a low whistle when he hears it. Everyone knows why that has a little kick to it. To Y/n it felt almost too personal to call him by his first name, but when they were dating she had a rule that the callsign wasn’t for her because everyone called him that. His actual first name was much more rare to hear and that made it more special. The group had always teased her by calling him a name they so rarely heard. They all knew this and how intentional it was now.

“Yeah, you look good.” Rooster admits, his heart racing. Bold. Bold to say something like that to an ex girlfriend and even more bold considering he’s saying this to her date’s face. Being this close to her again makes it feel like old times. He has to fight the urge to pull her right into his chest. He doesn't get to do that anymore. It looks like that privilege belongs to someone else now.

Y/n’s face flushes red for a second and she turns to look at her date who isn’t looking pleased. Looking to break the tension Phoenix clears her throat, still looking shocked at Rooster for being so forward.

“So, who’s this?” Phoenix questions, looking at the man who is also in service uniform like the rest of them. The slight difference is the amount of badges that sit on his chest.

“This is Will.” Y/n introduces to the group, she finds it hard to meet Rooster’s eye now as he takes in the man who has her all wrapped up. His fingers wrap around the side of her waist, keeping her close.

“Captain Bennett?” Bob speaks up, recognizing his former Captain now that they’re in a large group. Bob wasn’t around when Rooster and Y/n were dating, but he’s heard a lot about it since. Bennett was his captain for a few months when he was overseas.

“Bob!” He shakes his hand, they step off to the side to catch up. Y/n doesn’t know who Bob is but it seems he’s a part of the group Rooster is with. Y/n takes a long sip of the beer that Will had bought for her. If she’s going to stay in this bar she’s going to need something a lot stronger to get through the night.

“Did he say Captain?” Hangman echoes, a smirk growing on his face and he turns to look at Rooster and let out a laugh.

“That sucks, man.” He pats a clap on his chest and that Rooster brushes off.

“I need a drink.” He mutters before turning away from the group, the group shifts back to the area around the pool table so there’s more room to talk.

Y/n makes her rounds of hugs to everyone who she hadn’t seen in a long time, introducing Will to them as she does. They catch up for a bit while also keeping a watchful eye on Rooster who is slamming back drinks at the bar. He seems to be drinking this away. Y/n watches him throw back another shot before slowly walking back to join them.

“-so I actually graduated early with honors.” Will answers with a smirk, Y/n can’t even remember the question he was asked that led to him rattling off his accomplishments, she was hardly paying attention to him at this point. Her mind racing over seeing Rooster again. They didn’t end on the best terms, and it seems like it might stay that way

“Oh fuck off” Rooster laughs, sitting back down to join the group. He brings a wave of whiskey with him, the hard liquor definitely taking an effect in the last ten minutes.

“Excuse me?” Will questions, raising his brows to the man he’s hardly met.

“Tell us one more time about your marksman scores, I don’t think I heard you the first two times.” Rooster jabs, getting a couple of laughs out of the men around them. Maybe Will was talking louder than she thought, she hardly noticed. Her face plainly goes red at the sudden outburst.

“Rooster, don’t.” Y/n cuts, her eyes serious and tone threatening.

“What?” Rooster shrugs, his inebriated shoulders slouch with drama. “Did you feel a need to come show off your shiny new Navy boyfriend, Y/n?”

Everyone is quiet taking in Rooster’s out of character bitter tone.

“Do you have a problem?” Will asks, unsure of why some guy he’s never met has such a problem with him.

“No problem here! Seems like Y/n is a fan of navy men, so good luck with that.”

“Rooster-” Phoenix tries to stop him.

“What, Nix? She brought a date here? Don’t try and tell me I’m in the wrong on this.” He finishes off the rest of his drink, setting it down on the pool table before leaning against it to face the couple. He knows if Penny looks over she would chew him out, but he’s too drunk and pissed to care right now.

“It’s only our second date Rooster, we haven’t had the ex-boyfriend talk yet. And for your information, not that you deserve it, I didn’t pick the place. I don’t know if you noticed but this is the first time I’ve been back here in a year.” She bites back defending herself. Managing to stay composed and it pisses him off even more. How is she this calm?

“Right? And I should believe that?”

“Wow, you’re really on one tonight, aren’t you?” Y/n laughs but her anger is showing on her face more now. “Is this making you feel better?”

“Maybe we should go sit somewhere else.” Will clears his throat standing up, placing a hand at the back of her waist.

“I think that's a good idea.” Y/n agrees, they get up to move to a different spot in the bar.

“I’m never gonna love again, that shit isn’t worth it.” Rooster says while shaking his head softly. His words felt quiet enough to think only the guys closest to him will hear, but the drinks he’s consumed are convincing him he’s quieter than he actually is.

She stops in her tracks the second she hears the words he mutters to himself.

“You can’t rewrite history, Rooster. Why don’t you leave? You’ve always done it better than me.”

Rooster’s heart pangs with guilt. She’s right, and that’s part of why he’s let alcohol take over since she came in.

It’s true, he can’t rewrite their history. He can’t change the fact that he was always leaving and finally she had enough of that. Couldn’t blame her for dumping him after two and a half years together when he left on a boys trip less than a week after his return from a nine month deployment. He didn’t even know why he did it, he knew it was gonna crush her for him to leave without her by choice for another week just to spend time with guys he had just been deployed with. Granted, all of his friends didn’t have anyone to come home to, something that he had taken advantage of. He was still in shock to come home to a half empty apartment when he came back from the boys getaway.

Captain Bennett leads her away and Rooster turns back to the pool table to make himself stop watching. The guys rerack to start a new game and he can feel Phoenix glaring at him.

“What?” He turns to look at her, he might as well have a tail tucked between his leg with how he’s avoiding eye contact.

“That was ugly, Rooster.” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“What, and going on a date with someone else here isn’t?” He defends himself.

“Yeah, and it’s not like you’ve spent the last year hung up on her, right?” Phoenix huffs sarcastically checking his shoulder before breaking away to walk up to the bar.

“The one that got away.” Handman laughs, shaking his head at his somewhat friend.

“Can it, Hangman.”

“No, actually I think I’m finally not the one leaving someone hanging out to dry tonight.” He pats Rooster’s chest mockingly as he steps around to the other side of the table.

Rooster sees Phoenix approach you and your date at your new table standing there talking. He takes a seat and watches the team continue on playing their game but his mind is elsewhere. He manages to get ahold of another shot, and another beer which is the last thing he needs right now. Phoenix eventually returns from speaking with Y/n but her icy attitude towards Rooster hasn’t faded.

Rooster stands to join in the next game, his knees buckle a little when he sees your previous table now vacant. He can’t tell if he stumbles because you left or from all of the drinks.

“I think you need some fresh air.” Y/n states, taking in his sloppy state. She didn’t leave? He looks to his side to see her standing next to him, arms crossed over her chest. Anger is still rolling off her in waves. He was too focused on scanning where she went to see her pop up right next to him.

“I think that you don’t get to tell me what to do anymore.” He fires back, “Where’s Mr. Perfect?”

“Alright, let’s go.” Y/n rolls her eyes before roughly grabbing the arm of his shirt and dragging him out of the bar to the back deck. She knows that he’s going to get an earful tomorrow from the rest of the squad for letting you drag him out on his ass.

The breeze is nice and cool. She doesn’t let go until she can plant him down at one of the tables outside. The noise from the bar is still loud, but quiet enough to hear the waves too. He sits, leaning his back against the table behind him but she doesnt move to sit.

“You’ve been a real prick tonight, Bradley.”

He can’t ignore the fact that this is the first time all night she’s actually used his name. He missed hearing it.

“I didn’t expect to be best friends or anything after our breakup, but I didn’t think you would completely lose it and turn into someone unrecognizable. What’s wrong with you?”

“I don’t think that most ex-boyfriends are too thrilled to see their girl on a date with someone else in their favorite bar.”

“Your girl?”

“Fuck, you know that you’re my girl. Everyone knows that! At least until you broke up with me!” Bradley shouts loud enough to turn his face red. “You’re the one that got us here.”

“I broke up with you because you were never fucking here, not because I stopped being yours! You left! You always fucking leave! That is never going to change.”

“What and another navy man is going to be around?”

“You and I both know you were gone more than when the Navy needed you.”

A knife to Bradley’s chest.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s great, you’re sorry and I’m done. I’m going home.”

“Y/n wait-“ He stands, a little dizzy but holding himself up.

“I don’t wait around anymore, Bradley.” She gives him one last look before opening the door to go back in the Hard Deck, “You taught me that.”

Bradley lowers himself back down to sit when you disappear back into the bar. How did he end up here?

do we need a part two?! lmk 🫶🏼

[crowdedimagines]

Top Gun Masterlist

Bradley Bradshaw

One shots:

Risk it All

This is an Ambush

All My Friends Say

Last Christmas

Cobra

Series List:

Tailspin

Bradley is a single dad and his new neighbor catches his eye. The only thing is, she might have more baggage than what’s in the moving truck…

Part I

Part II

Part III

COMING SOON!

Bob Floyd

[crowdedimagines]

Risk it All - Bradley Bradshaw

bradley bradshaw x reader 2.4k :)

“Each one of you is the best of the best. This is a very specific mission.” My dad’s voice loudly bellows through the hauntingly quiet room before announcing the foxtrot teams and his wingman.

“This seems like a conflict of interest or something.” Hangman mumbles loud enough for the group to hear. It’s just been announced who would be flying the mission that we’ve spent weeks training for. My father loudly announced that Fanboy and I would be flying with him and Rooster would be leading Phoenix and Bob. I don’t miss the connection he has to the selected team.

I shove off Jake’s shoulder before leaving the room to clear my head. This mission doesn’t have room for ego and that’s lost on him. I’ve flown lots of missions, that's why I was called back to Top Gun in the first place. But never have I flown one this dangerous with my father and boyfriend in the mix.

“You ok?” I turn to see which one was feeling brave enough to follow me out.

Rooster.

“I think so.” I answer honestly, I lean against his chest when he pulls me close against it. “I’m proud of us, but god do I wish we weren’t the ones taking this risk.”

“I know.” His hand runs reassuringly up and down my back.

“I think you should speak with Mav before we leave. Clear the air before we’re in the air.” Things between my dad and boyfriend have been strained in the years that followed Mav pulling Brad’s papers. He stiffens for a second in my arms, I look up with a grin so he knows he’s caught.

“Fine.” He presses a kiss down on the top of my head, we enjoy the peace of looking out at the water for a few minutes before we get called to the top of the carrier.

I look over my aircraft going over a checklist I’ve reviewed thousands of times before hundreds of missions, somehow it’s the first time the pen shakes in my hand. I catch Bradley walk up to my dad out of the corner of my eye. His eyes look pleading but the conversation is cut short with all the commotion going on to prepare.

They disband and Maverick turns in my direction before I climb up the ladder.

“You listen to me and stay with me, okay?” He pulls me in for a tight hug. He’s both my Captain and my dad up in the sky.

“You’re the boss up there.” I grin.

“Yeah, and you’re the boss just about everywhere else.” He teases pinching my side lightly before letting go.

I climb the ladder and Fanboy gives me a thumbs up that he’s good to go. I put my helmet on and blow a kiss to Bradley who is directly to my right. All daggers call off ready before getting the clearance to take off.

We eventually dip below radar levels and get into formation for the flight. My dad leads us as the Tomahawks fly overhead. Rooster falls in behind me, and Phoenix and Bob behind him.

“First SAM sight up ahead.” Maverick announces as we curve through another bend in the mountains.

“We’ve got two minutes to target.” Fanboy informs, keeping track of the time.

“We're a few seconds behind, Rooster.” Phoenix’s voice is confident, “We need to pick up speed.”

“We’ve got two long range bandits” Comanche advises.

“Fucking hell, where did they come from?” I mutter, they also inform us the tomahawks just made contact with the airstrip meaning they know we’re coming.

“We need to increase speed.” Mav decides.

I pick up speed to follow him closely but Rooster who was already falling behind in pace lets the gap widen.

“Daggers two and four are falling behind.” They announce over the radio.

“C’mon Rooster, we have bandits inbound now that we made contact.” Phoenix pleads.

“Roo!” I call out loudly on the comms getting an idea, “Keep me in sight baby, speed up and eyes on me.”

It clicked in his brain suddenly. His fear was holding him back from what he was the most afraid of. Losing her.

“Don’t think, just do.” The mantra is said by Mav, but Rooster swears he can hear his dad.

“I’m coming, baby” He calls, picking up his speed drastically re-engaging with the mission.

“Jesus, Rooster who knew you had it in you.” Phoenix teases and I crack my first smile since we left the carrier.

“I did.”

We manage to pop up over the mountain with success and get eyes on the target in time to drop the first set of bombs with a direct hit. The strongest pull of the Gs hit as we fight to climb back out of the mountain. My arms shake as I fight for control. I can hear that Rooster has to drop blind from wherever they are behind me but all I can focus on is staying steady enough to make it to coffin corner. That’s when all hell breaks loose.

“Smoke in the air!” “Dagger one defending.” “Rooster, status?” “Break right!” “Deploy countermeasures!” “Two more on your six.” “Dagger three defending.”

“Shit, I’m out of flares.” Rooster’s voice calls out of the chaos making my heart fall flat.

“What?” I cry.

“Rooster, evade! Evade!” Maverick yells.

“I can’t shake them!”

Before my eyes Mavericks pulls up over Brad’s jet using his flares to defend from the SAMS, getting shot down in the process of saving him. An explosion of smoke bursts and we’re soaring past it in an instant at our speed.

“Dagger one is hit, I repeat dagger one is hit!” Phoenix calls out for everyone standing by. I gasp as if I was the one taking the physical hit.

“Status? What’s everyone’s status?” Cyclone asks, demanding answers and information.

“Does anyone see him?” I question only to be met with silence, “Oh my god.”

I shudder and disregard the fact that everyone can hear me struggle to catch my breath.

“We have to circle back.” Rooster commands.

Comanche recommends they leave. There’s nothing they can do with bandits in the air. Cyclone agrees and commands us not to agree.

“He’s gone?”

I can’t even process what’s being said or asked as I think of what I just witnessed. “I can’t leave him.” Rooster cries and I turn to look at him flying to my left, “I love you, baby.”

Rooster veers off and down to the left where Maverick’s plane has gone down in smoke. The tears don’t stop streaming off my face as I process the fact that he’s going back for him, against orders.

It crushes me to hear them call out ‘dagger two is hit’ not long after he left my sight. Wordlessly Phoenix leads back towards the carrier as the second plane of ours goes down in smoke today.

“This can’t be happening.” I argue, “They need assistance! Send Hangman-”

“Y/callsign-” Cyclone cuts off. “We already have seen two planes fail and bandits are closing in. Return to the carrier immediately.”

“But sir-” My voice tight.

“That’s an order Mitchell, return to the carrier.” Cyclone commands.

My vision zones out on the back of Phoenix's jet heading in the direction of the carrier. Somewhere vaguely behind us are a pair of fifth generation fighter jets that pose little option for us. We’re back over water now, likely only a few miles from the carrier at this point. The shock takes over as autopilot carries us home.

“Rooster’s signal just came back on!” Bob announces and my heart skips a beat.

“What?” I smile.

“He’s airborne, in a F-14!” Fanboy comments further.

“F-14 has Mav written all over it!” I smile even wider, they’re still alive!

“They still have bandits on them.” Comanche notifies.

“I can go back!” I yell.

“Mitchell, you have already been ordered several times to return to the carrier, until confirmed this has changed nothing.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I argue.

“You’d be outnumbered anyway. You’re ordered to return.”

My hand drums on the control wheel while I debate in my head.

“Do it.” Fanboy says, answering my thoughts I didn’t even have to voice for him to understand. I need to go back for them. I can’t just leave them behind unsure.

“We don’t have clearance.” My voice hypnotic.

“That’s not gonna stop you. We both know that.” He reaches a comforting hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze, “Plus you’re a Mitchell, they should know they can’t order you to do shit.”

I pull hard to turn around, suddenly blocking out the yelling in my ear and focusing on the blinking dot on my radar, clueing me in on their location. I lock in and take off getting low as they weave the terrain. Surprising the pilot from behind while he was closing in on Mav. My missile locks in and I take the shot watching it combust in front of me.

“Would you look at that!” I tease, our radio’s now connected to theirs.

“If it ain’t our angel from above.” Bradley grins looking at me in the back seat of the F-14.

“Truly, we were out of missiles and guns.” Maverick nods down at the plane they’re flying.

Their F-14 blares out a loud alarm signaling someone closing in on radar.

“Where are they?” I call out, looking for anything on the horizon while Fanboy looks behind us.

“He’s on our nose.”

Suddenly our aircraft signals warnings as well.

“Y/n, what do you have left?” My dad asks eye’s never straying from the approaching plane.

“One missile, no guns.” I clear my throat, “One round of flares.”

This doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for failure with this. I’m still only flying a F-18 which is lightyears behind anything fifth generation in the air. He cuts between the two of us, sending us apart.

“Y/cs, cobra! Make us an easy target!” Mav instructs and I know what he wants immediately. Nothing we’ve ever practiced of course, but a risky move he invented and I mastered.

We fall into formation, Mav flying behind me as a barrier while the enemy plane circles back. I watch and wait for him to lock in on them, closing in on his target before pulling up and back as hard as I can. It sent us propelling backward and behind the enemy plane giving me a brief window to get a lock on him.

The familiar chime rings out letting me know I’ve won. I fire and take down the threat to both of the men in my life. I cheer a sigh of relief pulling up next to them again as we continue towards the carrier. The flight tower cheers as we’ve all made it home.

“That’s my girl.” Both men say in unison. Mav turning around in his seat as best he could to glare at Bradley.

I roll my eyes and pull ahead so I can land first. They lost their landing gear at some point in their escape so they need a little assistance with their landing. I stand at the front of my plane while I wait for them to climb out. The cheers of the crew is deafening as they pull us in for hugs and handshakes. I weave my way through people as I make my way up to them.

“Man, what would you boys do without me?” I tease.

“We’d be somewhere in the Pacific right now.” Dad grins, pulling me in for a tight hug before Rooster can. Rooster just smiles looking at me over his shoulder.

“Thank you, baby.” Rooster cuts in for his own hug and kissing the top of my head. He squeezes me a little tighter before letting go.

“Yeah, you better thank me now. I’m a dead girl walking, but it was so worth it.”

Bradley pulls back a little so he can see my face and so I’ll clue him in on what I’m talking about.

“They didn’t give me clearance to turn back.” I admit, “I had to disobey orders in order to save you guys.”

“What?” Bradley asks shocked.

“So worth it!” I reach up so I can pull Bradley down for a real kiss.

“Lieutenant Mitchell.” Cyclone’s voice bellows. I quickly pull away and straighten my posture.

“Listen she-” my dad attempts to defend me but Cyclone holds up a hand to cut him off.

“What you did was disrespectful, disobedient, and unreliable. You put another pilot at risk by what you did. It was selfish to Fanboy to go back. With that said, I’m grateful your skill proved me wrong and brought these two men back home.”

I clear my throat to swallow, unable to find the words to respond. How should I take that? He reaches out a hand to shake mine and I meet it with a tight grip. He nods and walks off, the second he does the celebration begins again.

“Hey, I’ve been told worse!” Maverick teases, pulling me in for another hug.

“Yeah, like father like daughter apparently.” I laugh.

It takes a couple days for us to return to land, but it feels like a breeze now that we don’t have the mission hanging over our heads anymore. It’s also been amazing to brag to Hangman that I officially have more air combat kills than him.

“Whatever, you were a legacy anyway.” He rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, a legacy with double the air combat kills you have!” The competitive nature definitely runs in the family.

Rooster grins at his girl loving how she defends herself and how badass she is. She did save his life which is not lost on him.

“What’re you thinking about?” I ask, pulling Roo from whatever thoughts had him staring out on the horizon with such focus. I curl my hands through his hair and he closes his eyes in bliss for a few seconds before responding.

“How scary this week was. How grateful I am for you. You risked it all for me. And your dad. Even though you know both of us would’ve been crushed if anything had happened to you.”

“I know.” I press a kiss to his cheek, “I think you owe me a drink at the Hard Deck.”

He rolls his eyes, knowing he buys nearly all of them anyway.

“Yeah, I think I can manage that.”

“I like this!” I continue to tease, “How long can I hang this over your head?”

“Forever sounds alright to me”

y'all it's literally been so long so be forgiving lol i just needed to write something because i miss it dearly! love you guys

[crowdedimagines]

Criminal Minds Masterlist

Aaron Hotchner

Roadkill

Worse Days

Spencer Reid

Coming soon!!

[crowdedimagines]

Roadkill - Aaron Hotchner Imagine

Based around the season 4 episode 23 titled Roadkill! I am going through a rewatch right now and just watched this one!! Also I am trying to stick to the storyline of the episode, but obviously things will be a little different in how they play out 🤩 3.6K

"How do you feel about Oregon?" JJ asks immediately after I pick up on the third ring.

"I have a feeling I would like Oregon a lot more when it isn't 3:00a.m." I tease, sitting up in bed, already knowing whatever she's calling for is going to be bad enough to to call us in this early.

"Can you be in to the office to brief in an hour? Wheels are up around 4:30."

"I'll be there!"

We both get off the phone so we can pack our go bags and get the day started, although earlier for both of us then intended. I manage to take a fast shower by the time I get out my phone is ringing again, this time it's unit leader Aaron Hotchner.

"I assume you've been informed that we have a case and we're meeting shortly." Hotch has his stern, yet tired voice on.

"Yep, showered squeaky clean. I just need some coffee and I will be on my way!" I smile, wringing out the moisture that's still in my hair and put the phone on speaker to set it down on the bathroom counter.

"I actually just made too much, I'm on my way in now. I could bring you coffee." He offers.

I pause in my actions, surprised by the offer. Although I would've been a lot more shocked a couple weeks ago. When I started with the team Hotch was going through a divorce, but in recent weeks there's been a shift in our dynamic and I'm not sure I'm dreaming it up. It all started a couple weeks back when I dropped off some baked goods after a rare long weekend away from work for him and Jack since it was his weekend to have him. They invited me to stay and I spent the rest of the afternoon with the boys. By the end of the night I was calling him by his first name instead of 'Hotch' which was a new development. Ever since it's been small gestures and looks that tell me something is different.

I've been a part of the BAU for a couple years, growing in confidence and skill the more cases I get under my belt. I spent four years in the military as a designated marksman before continuing my training with the FBI, which lead me to the Counterterrorism Division, and then to the BAU.

"That sounds great actually." I grin. Bringing me coffee to work is another new thing. Aaron has been chattier, smiling more, but coffee is a new ball park.

"Alright, I will be in around twenty. Drive safe."

I mutter back a "you too" before we both hang up. As I make my way into the office I'm the first to reach the bullpen, I came a little early once I knew Aaron was going to be in. A traveling mug is sitting on my desk and I take a long sip. It's still hot, and it's exactly how I always make it. It's also the traveling mug he almost always can be seen with. I set my bag down by my desk before climbing up the stairs to Aaron's office.

"Good morning." I knock lightly on his open door, "Thank you for this. It's perfect."

He looks up from the folder in front of him and the frown leaves his face.

"I'm glad."

I take a seat in one of the chairs across from his desk. It'll be fifteen minutes before the rest of the team joins us. Hotch begins to fill me in on some of the details without going too much into it. We still have to brief as a team.

"I don't think I've ever heard of a vehicle being used as the weapon." I surmise.

"It's highly rare. I've never seen a case likely this first hand." Aaron admits and we discuss a few more aspects of the case.

Eventually the rest of the team trickles in and after some light conversation I go back to my desk. Garcia comes in stomping directly to my desk.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Kevin is looking into a working a secret job and I wont even know where he'll be!" She gushes.

"Slow down, he what?" I spin around in my chair. Garcia fills me in on the details of the job and exactly what he had said to her. The worry on her face is permanent.

"Don't worry yet. He hasn't gotten the job, and if he's offered, you don't even know if he'll take it! Lets just wait to worry once we have something to worry about."

Penelope nods agreeing with my words before moving onto Morgan's desk to do the same and I smile and shake my head. JJ pulls us all into the conference room.

"An unsub that kills with his car." Emily states, "I haven't seen that before."

"Neither have the police in Bend, Oregon." JJ replies, displaying pictures on the screen in front of us.

"Two victims in the last twelve days." Hotch adds, "First was hit on a morning jog and the second was a woman stranded after her car broke down."

"Both female victims, but completely different age groups." I speak up, "The first victim was 23 and the second was 43."

"Maybe they aren't connected." Morgan thinks out loud.

JJ pulls up more pictures and explains that both victims were backed over after they were hit. No chance of accident and the same tread marks at both scenes.

"With where these wounds are, the worst of the blow is high on the bodies." I comment looking through the file, "It has to be a truck or SUV to match these wound patterns."

"See if Garcia can follow that. Try tracking makes and models." Aaron directs.

"There should be significant front end damage to the vehicle." Spencer chimes in.

"Unless our unsub is smart enough and skilled enough to cover his tracks." I begin, "Somehow I don't think it'll be as easy as finding a damaged truck."

It's a five hour flight from DC all the way to Bend but thankfully it gives us all the opportunity to rest up again. By the time we land we can go straight to the police station.

"I think it's safe to say our unsub is male." I read over the case file, thinking out loud with Aaron. This is something new too, we often brainstorm together and work well to get the other thinking outside the box.

"I agree." Hotch nods, "Given what we know about aggressive driving and road rage."

"And the fact that men have an unnatural bond with their cars." Emily laughs. JJ chimes in to agree, which turns into Morgan disagreeing before Rossi is also adding to it.

"I think he has to be overcompensating. Why else have a need for a truck that big." I guess.

"Possibly." Spencer comments, "If the unsub is physically defective the car not only gives the power and control he otherwise lacks, but it also serves as a shield."

"A way for him to avoid physical contact?" Hotch asks.

"He wants power and control of his victims." Prentiss shutters, "Female victims. It almost reads like an assault profile."

"I wanna know why he isn't getting personal with it then. If this is how he assaults women, what if there's something that prevents him from going a more traditional route. It's possible he's disabled." I suggest.

Hotch tells Garcia to look into it to see if anything recent could be a trigger and to look at the people surrounding the victims. Morgan and Rossi head to the highway to get a feel for it and see what they can get from it from the second victim's scene. Hotch and I head to where the jogger was hit.

"Not a lot of people jog here. It's a physically demanding hike." The sheriff informs gesturing to the trail.

"Well, she was a triathlete." I remind.

"The assailant drove behind her and ran her down right here." The sheriff walks us in to where the red stained gravel remains.

"She was jogging alone? Any woman would know if a car was following her up the trail. Her intuition would've been driving her crazy. She would get off the trail or call for help."

"What if he was already here waiting." Hotch agrees, taking in the scene, "What if she was the reason he was here and it wasn't random. He was waiting for her specifically."

"That would mean we underestimated him. It wasn't a random attack, it was planned and vindictive.

The team meets back at the station to go over what we've discovered. The second victim's husband comes in and recalls seeing a large black truck parked by their house giving us something. This confirms that he's targeting and stalking specific individuals.

"Ready be done for the night?" Aaron asks, he peeks his head into the conference room that only I occupy at this point. The rest of the team has already gone to the hotel to call it a night, but Aaron was still talking with the husband and I was just pouring over people in the area that raised some of Garcia's flags based on what we know so far.

"I suppose." I close the file I had been reading and rub at my eyes.

"It'll still be there tomorrow." He reminds.

"I know, the sooner the better though." That's something I don't need to remind him on. We both know it all too well. With an unsub this aggressive we know he isn't stopping anytime soon.

The drive to the hotel is short and comfortably quiet. Neither Aaron or myself have the energy to discuss anything as we're going on a fifteen hour day.

"Goodnight, Y/n." Aaron carried my bag in from the car to the foot of my bed in my room, even with multiple reassurances that I could carry it just fine. I give him a soft knowing smile before he leaves for his own room.

The next morning it's discovered that the unsub sabotaged the second victims car in order to strand them. He's very focused and well planned.

"We need to figure out why he's picking these women." Hotch states, "What makes them a target and links them together."

"Road rage, maybe they cut him off at some point?" I question, "Also how does he have the time to stalking these women to know their routines, sabotage a car, park and wait."

"Roughly eight percent of the United States is unemployed." Reid rattles off.

"Including someone who could be disabled and lives off of a pension." I remind from my earlier guess."

"Have Garcia look into it." Hotch states before walking away and I smile.

"Pretty girl is on top of it this case." Morgan teases with a smirk.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I roll my eyes.

"Maybe it's something to do with her getting the case early and going over it with Hotch before our team briefing." Reid says with his nose already in a new file. I can feel my face turn a shade of red.

"Pretty girl is getting extra credit!" Prentiss joins in happy to tease, even adopting Morgan's typical nickname for me and Penelope.

"I don't know what you guys are talking about. I simply got in early and we were both at the office." I take a sip of my coffee, looking for any distraction, reaching out to grab a file for myself to ready through. I'm really glad that I didn't bring Hotch's travel mug in from the hotel, I still have it and I almost used it today. That definitely wouldn't go unnoticed with the people surrounding me.

Thankfully the team lets us move on and were able to brainstorm some more. Unfortunately it doesn't take long for JJ to interrupt to tell us there's been a third victim.

"Impact nearly cut him in two." The sheriff explains.

"Male victim?" I question as we arrive on the scene. The unsub hit him in a parking garage, pinning him between the truck and elevator doors. "He's getting more aggressive."

Cigarettes butts are discovered where the truck was parked in waiting. All of them stripped of the filter showing signs that he's military.

"Guys I think I know what ties the victims together." Reid interrupts, "All of the victims drove two door red coupes."

Garcia was able to look into car accidents that left someone injured enough to the point that he can't kill traditionally. He holds the person responsible for his accident for killing his loved one and his own disability. There's nearly twenty five people to still filter out off of the specifications we gave her.

"Wait you guys I think I found it." I sit up from the most recent file that had red flags, "Ian and Sheila Coakley crashed while driving home from Napa Valley on route 7 around midnight. It appeared their car was run off the road. His wife died at the scene."

"And Ian?" Rossi asks.

"He survived although he suffered a spinal cord injury."

Morgan and Prentiss go to his doctor to verify some information while we try to track down Ian. His house foreclosed after the accident.

"Track the parts for his specific truck. He's been doing his own repairs so they have to be sent somewhere." Rossi suggests to Garcia.

"Rossi gets a gold star!" Garcia sings, "He's having the parts drop shipped, I'm sending you guys the address."

"Hey, what do I get for knowing he would be disabled?" I jest, I called that from the plane.

"Nothing but my love, sugar." Garcia says before hanging up.

"I don't have a gold star, but well done Y/Ln." Aaron nods.

Arriving at the home Ian had been renting we find it empty but lots of surveillance photos of the victims and one other person who hasn't been harmed.

"Send this to Garcia now, we need to know who this is." Rossi hands me the picture. I send it to her and she's able to run his plate from the image.

It doesn't take her long to find him and contact his home, where she finds out that he's out biking with a group doing a thirty mile loop.

"Y/n, you're with me. We'll take the north side, Morgan and Rossi you start south and we'll meet in the middle." I quickly get in the passenger side of the SUV and Aaron takes off.

The biking club that target is in covers a lot of milage as Aaron speeds through the dirt road trying so hard to meet the group before the unsub does. Eventually we're closing in, but unfortunately the black truck is ahead of us and gaining on the bikers faster than we're gaining on him.

"Hold on." Aaron takes a risk by cutting Ian off before he can clip the mass of bicyclists. He does this by driving the front left corner of our car into the back right of his truck.

The airbags go off and were spun around from the impact.

"Y/n." Aaron calls. He says it a second time with more panic when I don't answer.

"I'm okay." I groan. The unsub is attempting to back his truck out of the ditch we're both stuck in to finish his mission. He took a much less impactful hit from our collision. I unclip my seatbelt and swing open my door, shattered glass falling from my lap as I stand up.

"Y/n, wait." Aaron instructs, he pulls hard on his seatbelt. It seems like he's stuck from the accident, but the worry on his face is only for me. I give him a look to say I've got this, while he continues to pull at his jammed seatbelt.

"Ian Coakley." I call out, and the man looks over to me briefly. It registers on his face that I am holding my gun and it's aimed for him, he has tears in his eyes.

"This is for Sheila." he floors it heading straight for the group that's waiting after witnessing the accident.

I plant my feet and aim for the back window of the truck, hoping to hit Ian's shoulder. Enough to stop him in his tracks before can harm anyone else without killing him. I've done enough killing myself over the years, and even with all he's done he's a man suffering with the grief of accidentally killing his wife.

The bullet leaves my gun with a loud crack, shattering the back window of the truck. He swerves but not enough to take him off the road. I let out a breath and fire again, this time sending a bullet into the back of his chair and sending his car off the road again to be stopped by a tree. I let out a huff of exhaustion from the impact leaning against the SUV.

Morgan and Rossi pull up and stop to get out and help Aaron and I after seeing our totaled SUV.

"Go" I wave them to keep driving to the unsub to see if he's ok and they do. Aaron manages to get out of the car finally, I hear Morgan call out to radio in an ambulance.

"He's still alive." Rossi shouts to us referring to Ian, they have him laying down now while applying pressure to his wound. The top of his shoulder which shouldn't be fatal, I sigh in relief.

"Are you okay?" Aaron asks finally rounding the back of the car to join me where I stand, he steadies himself. I nod, finally putting my gun away, feeling how stiff my body is.

Aaron fully ignores my nod, taking my head in his hands and pulling my eyelid open to check for signs of a brain bleed. He wipes at my forehead, pulling back his hand with blood on it. Maybe we were hit harder than I thought. Damn airbags.

"I think you have a concussion-" He states, "and you might need stitches."

The worry on his face is deep. I can feel the guilt radiating off of him, he was the one driving. He's the one that chose to hit the unsub's truck.

"I'm okay!" I reassure him, placing my hands on top of his that still rest on my head. This is crossing a new line. He's never touched my face, and I've never touched his hands like this.

"I shouldn't have done that. It was reckless."

"I'm glad you did." I disagree, "If we had waited any longer he would've been able to get his last victim. There's an entire biking club alive right now because of you."

This reminder seems to help slightly, he looks over my shoulder where the crowd remains. I pull him in for a hug, both of us shaking slightly from the adrenaline. After a while we pull apart, the rest of the team arrives as well as a couple ambulances. One takes Ian away immediately, escorted with two police officers as well.

"It took two shots? You're losing your touch." Morgan teases, thowing an arm around my shoulder that makes me wince a little. My phenomenal aim has always been a touchy subject with him, not liking being second.

"I'm concussed and he was driving fast." I defend, fully knowing how whiny I sound.

"Statically of our entire team Y/n would be the only one likely to have made that shot with the variable speed that Ian Croakley was traveling at." Spencer chimes in.

"I knew you were my favorite for a reason." I grin pulling Spence in for a hug effectively shaking off Morgan's arm.

"Yeah, whatever." Morgan shrugs, ruffling the hair in top of Spencer's head.

"Ma'am, you really need to get looked at." The emt reminds, interrupting our conversation. I leave the group and look over to see Aaron sitting on the back of one of the ambulances. We both finish getting evaluated, thankfully nothing too serious that we have to delay our flight home.

"You were right about the concussion." I grin walking up to Aaron as the sheriff walks off.

"And it would seem the stitches too." He reaches out again, thumb hovering over the threading sticking out of my forehead.

"Yeah, should make fore a pretty badass scar." I tease.

"I'm sure it will." He smiles, a real smile. The Aaron smile that I have seen so rarely, but more frequent lately. The plane ride back home is quiet, everyone drained, Aaron and I just flat out sore. By the time we get back to the BAU, Aaron sends everyone home saying the paperwork can wait for the following day. Everyone clears out and he goes back up to his office.

"Not following your own advice?"I question, walking into his office. I make my way round to his side of the desk and lean back on it. The edge of my thigh just barely meeting the outside of his arm from where he sits.

"Just wrapping up a few things before." He sets down his papers, his eyes raking all the way up me from toe to head, we both pretend I don't notice.

"You know, since I have a concussion they said I need to be under observation. No sleeping, crazy delusions, slipping into comas that sort of thing. You know anyone who wants to stay awake with me?"

"I can think of someone" He smirks, "I can put on a pot of coffee."

I pull out the to go mug he had brought my coffee in a few days ago out of my tote and hold it out to him.

"Take me home Aaron."

AHHHHHHHH i hope yall like this! i haven't written in forever to it was honestly just fun to do! :)

[crowdedimagines]

This is an Ambush - Bradley Rooster Bradshaw

“Well well well, what could possibly bring my niece all the way back here?” Penny’s voice rings out loud enough for a few heads to turn and look. I grin back at my aunt and step behind the bar to give her a hug.

“You’re exaggerating. It hasn’t been that long.” I laugh with a roll of my eyes.

“Last time you were here Amelia was like three feet tall.” Penny continues to tease.

Penny is my aunt on my mothers side. She practically raised me after my mom died, and growing up here is a major part of what made me want to join the Navy. It’s also why I haven’t come back much since then.

“Y/n?” A voice from the bar questions. I glance over and happen to see Maverick sitting at the bar with a beer in front of me. I’ve only met the guy a handful of times, but he’s a hard man to forget.

“If you’re wondering what I’m doing back here, I have a sneaking suspicion he has something to do with it.” I nod over to Mav. Penny looks between the two of us before simply shrugging.

“Well, either way I’m happy to see you.” She hands me a beer and moves on to serving the rest of the patrons.

“Is that Ambush?” Phoenix yells loudly.

“Phoenix!” I grin.

Phoenix and I were in the navy for three years together before I got called up for top gun training. She was called up the next year. We haven’t been stationed anywhere together since, but still manage to keep in touch.

“And here I was thinking I was only going to have to fight Hangman for team leader.” A voice calls from behind me. I turn around to see someone I did go to top gun training with. Rooster.

“So they really did call all of us in, didn’t they?” I chuckle.

“Only the best.” He smirks.

“I don’t know, I think I say Payback running around here earlier.” I continue to tease.

“I didn’t think I would ever miss your attitude.” Bradley laughs and picks me up in a big hug.

“You only miss it when it isn’t directed at you.” I chide, I give him a pat on the shoulder to put me down.

“I’m pretty sure I always miss you, Y/n.”

I look up to meet his eyes at this. It’s pretty rare for him to call me by my first name, rather than my call sign. The bell rings and interrupts us as Penny announces that someone is paying for a round. We all let out a cheer and make our way back up to the bar.

“Ambush?” Hangman shouts, finally I run into him. I really shouldn’t be surprised he’s here too, but a small part of me still had hope.”

“Just when I was starting to enjoy my night.” I roll my eyes looking at Bradley.

“I’m sure I could really make you enjoy it.” Hangman’s eyes rake over my body in a way that is obvious enough to make my skin crawl.

“You need to find someone else to harass.” Bradley steps in front of me. He simultaneously blocks me from any physical contact with him, and blocks his direct line of vision of me.

“Here we go again!” Hangman laughs, “It’s just like the good old days.” He throws back his beer and finally walks away. I can’t lie, this does remind me of times similar a few years ago.

“Whatever this mission is, it better be a quick one. I don’t think I can last long with him around.”

Bradley and I make it back to the rest of the group we were talking with before. Everyone is guessing what we're here for, how the best of the best could all possibly be needed for this. As a distraction and Rooster’s favorite bar trick he slides onto the piano bench. I grin knowing exactly what he is about to do, I reach to the back of the jukebox and pull the cord.

Great Balls of Fire.

A song that reminds him of his dad, and one that he always is willing to play no matter what mood he’s in.

“Kiss me baby.” He sings, sending me a wink. I just sing back with an “ooo” along with the song.

“I wanna love you like a lover should,” He continues. It’s amazing to see he’s pulled everyone at the bar in with him, “I’m gonna tell the world that you’re mine mine mine.”

Bradley keeps sending me winks and singing to me directly, so I pull Bob by the collar and dance with him. Bob is plainly shocked and barely moves but everyone is laughing, including Bradley.

The rest of the night is more drinks, really not doing ourselves any favors for how early we’ll need to be up tomorrow morning.

Bradley gives me a ride home. I’m staying in Penny’s guest bedroom and it isn’t far from the Hard Deck.

“Alright, wanna ride in together tomorrow too?” I ask, unclipping my seatbelt.

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“Alright, I will see you in,” I look down at the watch on my wrist and let out a groan, “In five hours.”

“See you then sweetheart.”

I chuckle to myself and slam his door, quickly bounding up the steps and slipping inside the house.

Getting up the next day was just as awful as I thought it would be. Bradley honks twice to make sure I’m actually on my way out, and I flip him off the second I get the front door open. I know he didn’t have nearly the amount of drinks that I did, but he doesn’t need to be this peppy this early.

“What were you thinking, getting drunk the night before your first day of a new mission.” He teases.

“You know, it’s the funniest thing! It started off with two beers, and then this friend of mine kept supplying me with more drinks!” I elbow his shoulder as he tears off driving towards base. When we get into the hangar Bradley and I take seats next to each other and listen to the Admiral briefly explain why we’re back before Maverick makes his grand entrance.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He mutters softly.

I simply reach out to connect my hand with him under the table. I know he has mixed feelings with Maverick over the years, and right now they are definitely in a bad place with each other. Bradley lets out a couple deep breaths, squeezing my hand tightly. He still can’t even force himself to look over at Maverick as he throws the F-18 fighter planes manual in the trash.

The mission itself seems impossible. The things that have to be executed with such expertise and in a short time frame.

“Alright, we will being doing a track and kill. I need to see how you guys fly before anything else. The first round of the day is going to be Hangman, Payback, Fanboy, and Ambush.”

Going in the first round has its pros and cons. On one hand I get to get it out of the way and prove myself, but I don’t get to see any glimpse of how Maverick flies before I’ll be up in the air with him.

We get in formation and unsurprisingly as soon as Maverick shows up on us, Hangman dips.

“You’ll never stop living up to that name, will you?” I yell across the coms.

We break formation and I start barking orders in any attempt to keep us alive. We manage to narrowly avoid Maverick a few times before Payback and Fanboy take a hit and they are out of the exercise.

Hangman makes a sudden reappearance which gets him killed and that leaves me going head to head with Maverick. I use some of my best moves, but they still don’t get me enough of an advantage. He eventually gets a lock on me, but it’s after I have gotten to know his flying maneuvers a little better.

Rooster is in the next group to go up into the sky and go head to head against Maverick. Listening to them talk is brutal, nearly gets them both killed, but they make it back and Rooster gets started on his pushups. I sit on the tarmac with him, my push ups long since done, but I wait anyway.

The drive back home that night is quiet. I can tell that today has rattled him.

“Try to get some rest tonight.” I finally break the silence as he pulls to a slow stop in front of my house. “Today was bad, for all of us, but I know you and Mav have a history.”

Bradley’s grip on his steering wheel tightens at the mention of his name.

“If it makes you feel better, I plan on kicking his ass tomorrow when we do this again.” I grin.

“If anyone can, it’s you.” He finally smiles for the first time in hours.

I reach to open my door after I’ve slid off my seatbelt.

“Night, Rooster.” I lean over the center console quickly to press a kiss to his cheek and run up the steps to my house before I can look back.

All things considered, maybe not the worst ending to a bad day.

Right off the bat today we go back to the same training exercise from yesterday. We go up in the same groups, and there is no change in Hangman's behavior from yesterday. The only difference is I learned from how I flew yesterday. More importantly, I learned how Maverick flies yesterday. I lie in wait until the rest of the team has fizzled out before I make my move.

“Well old man, there’s something you should know about my name.” I turn on my comms and call out to Maverick. I get to be cocky after how well I’ve done so far.

“What’s that?” He calls back. I can picture the look on his face, the one he always seems to have.

“This is an ambush.” I get the lock kill on him and he’s out before he can say anything else. After all of the push ups everyone endured yesterday, I have to say that this is pretty satisfying. I let out a cheer and spin a few times for good measure before Maverick signals us all to head back to base.

The second we land, the rest of the pilots come running out in congratulations. Bradley picks me up and gives me a spin for good measure making me laugh. After all the commotion Maverick makes his way over and shakes my hand. I try to insist that he doesn’t actually have to do the push ups, but he holds onto his word. Alongside the other three guys, Maverick gets in line and they start counting.

Phoenix is close later, but no one else the rest of the day manages to get a lock on Maverick. Regardless, we decide to go out for celebratory drinks.

“Drinks are not on me tonight.” I grin looking around at all of the pilots.

“Well, I’ve got your first one.” Phoenix smiles and walks up to the bar.

“I still can’t believe you got him. You’re going to need to show me how you did that.” Bradley laughs.

“I can try, but it comes with watching how he flies. You can barely look at him.” I say honestly.

“You know why I can’t.” He clears his throat, he looks away from me for the first time tonight and that’s how I know he’s uncomfortable.

“I know. What he did was wrong and it wasn’t fair in the slightest, but he’s skilled. He can’t change what he did anymore, but he can teach you how to be an even better pilot.”

Bradley nods and I know that he’s thinking it over. I pat him on the shoulder and get up from my chair and walk to the bar. I find Phoenix and we talk for a while. I find that I like Bob, he’s a good guy and funny when you give him the chance.

Hangman brings me my next drink which is surprising. He manages to make a somewhat condescending comment while still appreciating how well I flew today.

I make my way out to the deck as the sun is setting, Bradley is still out here nursing his beer.

“How’re you doing?” I question, I lean against the rail facing him and effectively blocking his view of the water.

“Good.” He leans his head back to down the rest of his bottle.

“Real answer?” I raise my brows.

“Actually. Just thinking about what you said earlier. You were right, unsurprisingly.” He rolls his eyes but with a soft smile.

“After all these years, you know I always am and always will be.” I smile and join him by sitting on the arm of his chair. I throw my legs across his lap and he drops a hand to rest on my knee.

“I can’t lie, hearing the way you talked to Maverick today and then proceeded to beat him at his own game, was pretty hot.” He stares at me through his glasses, but I can still read his expression.

“Was it now?” I lean in a little closer. I push his sunglasses back to rest on the top of his head. It rests on his curls, they feel soft as I brush them back.

“Very.” He clears his throat. It has gotten more intimate than how this innocently started. Bradley starts to lean in, and I search his eyes for any doubt. I don’t find any and I close the gap finally letting our lips meet. His lips are soft and warm, and I can feel his smile against my lips. I open my mouth wider for him and he immediately takes advantage of it. Now it’s my turn to smile.

“Bradley.” I sigh as he makes his way down my neck.

“Brad.” I continue, he’s found a spot right under my jaw that he seems to be focusing on. I grab the curls on the back of his head and pull, finally looking him in the eyes. They’re dark, and cloudy with lust.

“Not here. Not right now.” I smile.

“C’mon now, I’ve been dreaming about this for years.”

“Well your dream can last long enough so we don’t have ten pilots staring us down.” I nod to the window behind us where the group has gathered, there’s big grins and cheering. Phoenix is smiling so wide her lips could crack. This is something she’s wanted for years.

“Okay, fair point.” Bradley gives my leg a squeeze and I hop up from his lap. We make our way back inside and the looks we’re getting are making me blush.

“It’s definitely your turn to buy me a drink.” I grin looking up at Bradley.

“I can do you one better.” He smirks, I can see he wants to lean in and steal another kiss.

“Hmm, and what would that be?”

“Come home with me, now.”

PART TWO????

thanks you guys! i haven’t written for Top Gun yet, but i have been obsessing over it! hope you guys liked it and maybe want another part!