#and phoenix would be like “wow. hes so pretty”

[strawberrycowtime]

doodles!

closeups under the cut

[harrysfolklore]

Tom Blyth and YN Take a Couples Quiz | GQ - actress!yn

gif by @obriy <333

MASTERLIST | MY PATREON

read my actress!yn x tom insta blurb here <3

//

"Hi I'm YN" 

"And I'm Tom"

"And today we're doing..." you looked at Tom so you could say the following part of your introduction together, "The GQ Couple Quiz!"

"Are you nervous?" you said as you looked at him, noticing his hands fidgeting on his lap.

"I'm alright, I'm pretty confident I'm a great boyfriend and I'll know all the answers." he gave the camera his million dollar smile and you couldn't help but show a smile of your own.

"Okay, first question," you looked at the card in your hands, "What is the name of my first movie?

"That one's pretty easy," he shrugged before continuing, "Spider-man Homecoming."

"That's correct," you flipped the card to read the next question, "What city did I grow up in?

Tom stayed quiet for few seconds, looking nervously at the camera and making you laugh. 

"Already? Really?" you looked at him in disbelief, "I thought you were a great boyfriend!"

"I am! This is a tricky one!" Tom moved his hands around and you covered your mouth with the card to hide your laugh "Okay, you were born in California, but you actually grew up in Phoenix."

"Correct! See! You knew it," you grabbed the card with the next question, "What would my job be if I weren't an actress?"

"Detective," Tom quickly said, "100% detective."

"Oh! That was fast," Tom shrugged before you continued, "Okay bonus, what kind of detective?" you looked at him with a raise eyebrow.

"Homicide," he replied quickly again, "All of those true crime podcasts prove it."

"Well yeah, that's true," you smiled as you read out the following question,  "Where was our first date?"

"It was at your house," Tom smiled as he remembered the moment, "And it was playing Clue, and I had to pretend to enjoy that game for you, and it was totally worth it."

"How sweet of you," you smiled at him before continuing, "Oh boy, you have to be specific for this one," Tom raised his eyebrows and waited for you to give him the question, "What is my night routine?"

"So, she puts on this little pink robe," he explained directly to the camera, "And then she puts her hair on one of these stretchy bandanna things so her hair is out of her face," you smiled at him, indicating that he was answering correctly, "Then she washes her face with this like foamy cleanse thing, then she puts on all her creams, and then when she's walking to the bed she turns on the heat, which is probably the only thing that we fight about," you both let out a laugh as he continued, "And then she gets in, she goes by her cupboard and she puts on these really fluffy and ridiculously warm socks and also my really baggy tracksuit bottoms but she rolls 'em and she puts one of my t-shirts 'cause she likes the smell of my aftershave," he smirked and you blushed for a second, "Then she gets in bed and she asks me to put one of these big fluffy, white blankets in the dryer so It's warm, then I tuck her in and put the other blanket on her  and that's it."

"Okay wow, you killed that one," you smiled at him, "You did really well."

The next questions were pretty easy for Tom's liking, getting right your astrological sing, celebrity crush, favorite ice cream flavor and the year you won your first Emmy. He ended up getting 23 points.

Now, it was your turn to answer questions about him.

"You feel ready, love?" he said giving you a smirk and you only nodded motioning him to read the first question, "Okay good luck, how old was I when I got my first role?"

"You were fifteen and already getting cast by Ridley Scott ." you answered confidently and sent a wink his way.

"Neat. What was the name of the high school I graduated from?"

"Was it North Hilld?" at this, Tom raised his eyebrows and shook his head, "Shit! It was Hills something, right?"

"You really don't know the name, love? This is making you look bad!" you covered your face in embarrassment, even tho you knew he was joking, "The correct answer is Arnold Hills."

"Ohhh that's right, give me the next one I'll do better."

"Okay, okay," he looked down at the card with the next question,  "Who's my celebrity crush?"

"Also easy, Jennifer Aniston," you smiled looking at the camera, “You had a poster of her hidden in your closet and all.”

"Nope, you're wrong," you raised your eyebrow at him, pretty sure you were right about your answer, "You're my celebrity crush, love."

"Tom! That was so bad!" you both laughed and he winked to the camera, "This is a serious game."

"Okay, okay, you got that one right," you rolled your eyes with affection as he read your next question, "The next questions are going to be a single sentence answer so I need you to do it as fast as you can, okay?"

"I'm ready, let's do it" 

"My go-to Karaoke song?

"Senorita by Justin Timberlake."

"What is my coffee order?"

"Oat milk latte."

"What is my biggest pet peeve?"

"Loud chewers."

"What's my hidden talent?"

"Whistling, like, melodically whistling if that makes sense."

"Okayy, those are all correct," he put the cards on the small coffee table between you, "We make a pretty good team, don´t you think?"

"We do, but I'm pretty sure I won." you shrugged and Tom laughed as you both turned to the camera to say your goodbyes.

"Thank you so much for watching. I personally think I won but we'll see."

"Thank you GQ!" you waved you hand and the camera stopped rolling shortly after.

The video ended up being one of the most watched on GQ's YouTube channel.

[gabessquishytum]

Dream is a bird watcher on a trip with other birders to see exotic birds. The trip is cool, Dream has seen tons of rare birds for the first time live and not just in books, but there is. something. weird going on - Dream thinks that he has a bird following him, that none of the other people on the tour can see, and of which he can't get a clear picture.

The bird is golden - reds and yellows and oranges in so many different shades color its feathers; if Dream wasn't living in the 21st century he would think it was a phoenix - which don't exist and even if they did exist it wouldn't be following Dream around on a birding tour of tropical forests!

At the very least, Dream is going to go out alone and try to get a picture! Then while he's out in the afternoon light all alone, the bird lands on his head. Soon after it jumps down to perch on his forearm; Dream slow reaches out with his other hand to touch this beautiful (stalker) of a bird.

Dream with awed pets: Hello 🤩

Phoenix: Hello. You're lovely 😍 I'm Hob.

Well, it's not every day that what is obviously a mythical creature talks to you and thinks you're pretty, and Dream's just going to roll with it, but ...... WOW!

Hob likes the pretty man - he's all blacks and grays and bone white against the forest greens. Hob wants to keep him, but knows enough of the human world to know that his pretty boy probably can't live in Hob's forest. Hob hasn't played at being human in a long time.

Omg this is fantastic.

One moment Dream is trying to get over the fact that there's a talking bird perched and preening on his arm - and the next moment he's tumbling backwards with his arms full of a whole entire man. Golden skin covered in soft hair, deep brown eyes gazing at him, so much warm flesh under his hands instead of feathers! The man grins mischievously. He practically shimmers with magic, but he really does look like a perfectly normal person. Before Dream can blink, the man isn't even naked anymore - he's appropriately dressed as a tourist in a colourful shirt (the same colours as his wings were, of course) and some indecently tiny shorts.

Dream is stunned. And incredibly curious. So when Hob loops their arms together and happily leads the way out of the forest and back to the resort where the other birders are staying, Dream doesn't complain. Nor does he complain when Hob confidently refers to himself as "Dream's boyfriend, just arrived to join him on this lovely trip".

If Dream didn't know better he'd say he was going mad. But the large golden bird happily nesting in the duvet of his hotel bed, shedding feathers everywhere... he couldn't possibly be imagining that.

Or the kisses that Hob gave him before smugly transforming back into bird form for a nap. Definitely not Dream’s imagination...

[roosterforme]

A Love You Don't Find Everyday Part 16 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: You unfortunately let Phoenix talk you into going to the Hard Deck on a night when it was swarming with sailors. And there's only so much that can be done to keep both Bradley and Jake safe during their special mission. 

Warnings: Angst, fluff, and swearing

Length: 3500 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

Check out my masterlist for more!

You knew from Bradley's emails that he was flying his mission today, you just weren't sure what time. You only seemed to be able to think about him and Jake, wondering what they were doing and if they were staying safe. 

Your wedding was less than two weeks away now, and you were leaving work early to drop off your permits with the county office. That was the last thing you had to do. Your plan was to finish writing your vows and making the photo collage this weekend. Then you'd truly be all set for the wedding, and one of Bradley's gifts would be complete. 

Now he just needed to make it back in time so you could pull off the most spectacular surprise of all time, with a little help from Mav.

When you got home, you played with Tramp and argued with Phoenix over text about whether or not you should go to the Hard Deck tonight. It just wasn't the same without Bradley there, but it was even worse now. You knew you were a little antsy, but you wouldn't even be able to tell anyone that it was because your wedding was coming up!

But she got you to agree to go if she picked you up on her way there. So now you were scrambling to get changed into some cutoff shorts, a cute top and your boat shoes before she arrived. You were still eating the sandwich you made and feeding Tramp his dinner when she let herself in the front door.

"You look cute," she said, giving you a look. "That looks like something you'd wear out with Bradley."

"I know," you said between bites of food. "I need to do laundry tomorrow."

Phoenix just sighed. "You sure you don't want to throw on a sweatshirt or one of his massive tees? There's a carrier docking like right now. The bar is going to be swarming with guys."

You just rolled your eyes at her. "This is hardly inappropriate, and it's like a million degrees outside." But now you understood why she was wearing jeans and a baggy shirt. The guys could be a bit relentless when there was a ship in port. "Hey, maybe I can get a free drink," you said with a shrug. 

But five minutes into your night, you realized you had made a mistake. 

"Why did you bring me here?" you growled at Phoenix as you waited in a massive crowd of people to get a beer. "I could be sitting in my backyard with a drink that I didn't have to physically fight someone for!"

But she just shrugged. "It's not as crowded by the pool table."

After a few more minutes, you groaned and told her, "I just want one fucking beer!"

The guy in front of you turned around and smiled at you, and then you heard him add another beer to his order with Penny. 

Your cheeks felt a little warm as he turned around and held a bottle out in your direction. "Here you go, gorgeous. One fucking beer."

You were flustered, not quite sure what to do. So you reached for it, and he pulled it back with a grin. "Just tell me your name first."

"I'm engaged," you responded with an eye roll.

"Wow, that's such a pretty name," he said with a laugh, and you had to keep yourself from laughing at how ridiculous this was becoming. 

"I can buy my own beer, but thanks anyway," you told him, trying to push past him to the bar while Nat shoved you from behind.

"You can have it. I don't even mind if you're engaged. I'm only off the carrier for the night," he told you with a smirk. Now that Nat was ordering her drink, you decided to take the free beer from this guy because he was being such an asshole. 

"Oh? You don't mind?" you asked with your best attempt at a charming smile. 

"Not at all. And my name's Will. You don't need to tell me yours, but I just wanted you to have something to scream later."

You just grimaced at him before putting the bottle to your lips and chugging the entire thing in front of him. He watched with interest as you wiped your lips with the back of your hand and leaned past him to slam the empty down on the bartop. 

"Well, thanks a lot, Will. The beer was delish. I'll just be going now," you told him, grabbing his hand and holding it up so you could give him an awkward high five. 

"I'll be at the pool table," you told Phoenix before turning on your heel and squeezing your way back through the crowd. But you realized Will was following you.

"Hey, wait up! Let's go outside!"

"Seriously?" you mumbled, not sure what else you needed to do to turn this man off to the idea of you. But that's when you spotted the guys playing pool. 

"Hey, come on," Fanboy called to you across the table to you. "I need a partner."

But you reached Coyote first and wrapped your arms around his waist right as he was saying hi to you. "Oh, hey," he said with a laugh, patting you on the back. "It's nice to see you, too."

"There's a guy," you mumbled, glancing over your shoulder. "He bought me a beer and I accepted it when I really shouldn't have. Oh shit, he's still coming! I thought he'd leave when he saw me with you."

"What guy?" Payback asked, tossing his pool cue down on the table and turning to look. 

Will stopped short when he saw you with Coyote, Payback, Fanboy and Bob. 

"I thought you were joking about being engaged," he said, holding his hands up. "Since you took the drink."

"She's not joking, man," Coyote said, keeping his arm around your shoulders. 

Will just shrugged and said, "Your girl's a tease," before he started to turn away.

But now Payback was starting to look like he wanted to punch the guy, and you felt terrible for letting this happen. 

"You want me to pay you for the beer? Fine," you said, digging in your pocket for some cash.

But Payback set down his glass and said in a very calm voice, "We'll consider the drink you bought her a peace offering. Now apologize for calling her a tease, and you can be on your way."

Will looked at him for a minute before turning to you and Coyote. "Sorry." And then he walked back into the crowd. 

Just then, Nat strolled up with four beer bottles in her hands. "You guys missed the funniest thing! She got a free drink from some guy who told her he wanted to fuck her even though she said she's engaged!"

You just cradled your head in your hands. "That's what he said to you?" Bob asked, going pink in the face. 

"Where the fuck did he go?" Payback snarled, cracking his knuckles. 

"Everyone calm down!" you said, pushing away the bottle Phoenix tried to give you and grabbing Payback's hand. "I'm never coming here when there's a carrier making a port of call ever again! And next time we go out, I'm wearing a trash bag."

But soon everyone went about their business again. And you were happy you didn't feel alone when Bradley and Jake were both gone. Fanboy handed you a pool cue, and you joined the game. 

-----------------------

Bradley and Jake woke up and did the exact same thing as each other all day long. They showered, ate breakfast, got some fresh air, went over their final flight briefings, ate lunch, and then dressed in their flight suits.

If you had told Bradley then that the day would change so dramatically for just one of them, he would have found it hard to believe. But that's that way things always seemed to go. 

"You ready?" he asked Jake who was still getting his helmet bag packed up. "What do you have in there anyway?"

"Mosty snacks," Jake said. "Maybe someday I'll have something a little bit more special inside. What's in yours?"

"Mostly snacks,' Bradley said with a laugh. "And a picture or two." He pulled out a printout of a selfie he had taken of you and him holding Tramp between the two of you in your backyard. Jake looked at it and shook his head with a grin. 

"You two thinking about having kids?" he asked, putting his helmet on. 

Bradley laughed. "If I had it my way, she would already be pregnant."

"Yeah," Jake replied, shaking his head. "I don't know why I even asked you that. Angel already told me you want kids right away."

Bradley put his helmet on as well, and they both started walking out to the airstrip. "I find it really disturbing that the two of you have 'girl talk' sessions."

Jake scoffed. "You don't seem to mind it when you put your foot in your mouth and I'm there to bail you out, Bradshaw."

Bradley really couldn't argue with that. He loaded into his F/A-18 and started on his safety checks, missing the days from last year when you were on the other end of his radio communications. But he checked in with some faceless voice in the tower, and he listened to Jake do the same. And soon they were airborne, launching off of catapults one and two with Bradley taking the lead position. 

Bradley checked in with the Comanche for a radar update, and then soon he and Jake were entering enemy airspace for a mission that should have been a quick in and out again. They would need to conserve all four of their missiles for the mission to be a success, so just knowing a dogfight scenario would come down to guns and flares had Bradley a little wary. 

"You all good?" he asked Jake, turning to see him over his right wing.

"All good."

And then it was time to attack, and Bradley fell back into the comfortable way that his mind seemed to take over and keep him calm without the rest of his emotions fighting for dominance. Was he thinking about you? Of course he was, but you were always at the back of his mind. Was he still focusing on what needed to be done with almost exact precision? Yes, because he wanted to stay alive. 

"Attack," he informed Jake at just the right moment, and then Jake split off to the right, behind a mountain range and out of sight. 

They were in constant radio communication as they each eliminated two perimeter targets, and then Bradley flew along a river while Jake flew parallel to the mountain range. This would put Bradley at the coastline first, but Jake should have been close enough for Bradley to see him. 

"Hey Hangman, how far?" 

"About twenty miles."

He had no idea how Jake had managed to fall so far behind, but he would make up twenty miles in less than two minutes. However, now Bradley couldn't see him, and he had to make a decision about lingering for his wingman or conserving his fuel. 

Bradley punched back on the throttle, easing his speed back. He kept checking his mirrors and turning around to look for the telltale glimmer of the dying sunlight on the canopy of Jake's aircraft. It wasn't easy to catch unless you were looking for it. 

But he waited, checking in with the carrier a few times, when finally, he saw what he hoped was Hangman.

"Out over the water," Jake told him. "Coming in hot."

"Copy," Bradley replied, throttling back up to his previous speed. He made sure both he and Jake were cleared for landing and then went down first, hooking the tow line, and waiting for the deck crew team to pull his aircraft safely to the side, making room for Jake to land. 

Bradley was just opening his canopy when he saw Jake buzz the tower, which was very unlike him. Then he heard Jake say, "Complete engine failure," through the radio in his helmet before it cut out. 

"What the fuck is going on?" Bradley asked the ground crew as he scrambled down the ladder. But everyone was frozen in place, awaiting instructions. The intercom started blaring over the deck, and Bradley ripped his helmet off just as Jake brought his jet around again.

It was too late to get the barricades ready if he was truly in full engine failure, and it was also impossible for Jake to get enough altitude to eject. 

"Fuck," Bradley whispered as Jake came down at a strange angle that made him cringe and cover his mouth. It sounded like he had lost both engines, and trying to get onto the deck was the only option. 

Bradley stood back with the deck crew as they raised an additional cable to try to catch the tail hook. But he knew the angle was too extreme, and Bradley watched in horror as Jake hit the deck a little too hard before skidding over both of the cable lines. Since he had no means to lift off and try for a second landing without his engines, everyone had to watch Jake's aircraft skid the length of the runway and then go careening into the Pacific Ocean. 

It felt like someone had sucker punched him, and Bradley sputtered for a few seconds before he started to make a run for the end of the carrier deck. There were crew members everywhere, and even more flooding out of the tower. The closer Bradley got to the end, he was finally able to see Jake's Super Hornet, half sunk in the water sideways. But it was too far away for Bradley to make out where exactly Jake was.

He turned around, trying to find someone who could make sense of what was happening, but it felt like everyone was moving in slow motion. Nobody was moving fast enough to get Jake out of the water before he drowned as the cockpit started taking on water. 

Bradley could hear himself screaming out questions that didn't quite make sense even to himself. But nobody was answering him. Before giving it too much thought, he started yanking at the laces of his boots and pulling them off one at a time. Then he was ripping off his gear and unzipping his flight suit, stripping down to just his compression shorts. 

The deck was about sixty feet above the water, which should only be marginally painful for Bradley, as long as he jumped straight. Otherwise he would just be creating more problems. But now Jake's aircraft was starting to sink, and he hadn't opened the canopy yet. 

So Bradley took a running jump into the freezing cold water to try to save his teammate, only partly because he knew you'd probably never forgive him if there was something he could have done but decided not to.

The water was ice cold, and all of Bradley's skin was burning from the impact as he was sloshed around by the waves as he tried to kick to resurface. He was gasping for air as soon as he broke the surface, and then he was off and swimming as fast as he could toward the F/A-18 that was mostly underwater. 

When he reached the cockpit, he could tell it was still sealed. But then he saw that Jake was fighting against the water pressure to get the canopy open. The further underwater the plane sank, the harder it would be to open it. Bradley took a deep breath and went under, pounding on the canopy until he had Jake's attention. He needed Jake to open all the latches, and then he could try to help him pull it open. 

Jake was scrambling with the last latch, and Bradley went back up for another breath of air. This time, when he went under, he planted his feet against the metal panel and pulled as Jake pushed. The cockpit immediately took on water as soon as they opened it just a few inches. He watched Jake get soaked and hit in the face with a wave of salt water, but then it became a little easier to pry the canopy open a few feet. 

As Jake started to squeeze through the opening, the Super Hornet started sinking in earnest. Bradley knew getting Jake to the surface in his gear would be the hardest part of this entire disaster, so he pushed himself up to the surface for one more good breath of air.

This time his lungs were burning as he dove down deeper, his hands connecting with some part of Jake's flight suit before he pushed off of the metal with both feet. He was kicking for everything he was worth, trying to keep a good hold on Jake's arm or leg. But Bradley's lungs were on fire. He could barely stand the pain. He was starting to lose his vision as he kicked harder and harder. He hoisted Jake over his head and pushed him to the surface, letting himself float up as his limbs gave out.

When Bradley felt the cold air hit his face, he opened his eyes, suddenly alert again. Jake's body was refusing to float from the weight of the soaking wet flight suit, and his eyes were closed. Bradley got his fingers on Jake's neck to find his pulse and made sure he still had a strong heartbeat, then he grabbed him under both armpits and kicked relentlessly to keep him above water. 

And thank god there was finally a diving crew jumping in now. Bradley kicked until he heard a woman telling him to stop, and that she had him while another diver had a hold on Jake. Bradley sank back into her grip, letting himself go boneless. And eventually they were all being raised back up to the deck where Bradley finally realized exactly how fucking freezing cold he was. 

Someone bundled him in blankets while he watched Jake's flight suit being cut off of him. "Oh, fuck," Bradley whispered, dropping to his knees on the airstrip and staring at the surreal scene in front of him. Jake's forehead was bleeding profusely and his lips were blue from the temperature of the water. But at least his eyes were open, and then he rolled onto his side and started coughing up water. 

Bradley sat quietly on the deck for a moment, but when a smile broke out on Jake's face, he couldn't help but smile too.

"Well, that fucking sucked," Jake sputtered as he rolled onto his back again. 

Bradley laughed. "You scared the shit out of me, man."

"You're insane," Jake said quietly. "Angel is going to be so mad."

-------------------------

You were exhausted and irritable by the time Phoenix dropped you back off at home. Your night had been terrible right off the bat. You shouldn't have accepted the beer from that guy just to try to get under his skin. You really hated guys like that, the ones who couldn't take the hint when a girl wasn't interested in them. 

You brushed your teeth and got changed for bed, leaving your glasses on your nightstand before lifting Tramp up into bed with you. Should you start a new pill pack? You had been looking at it sitting next to the bed for the past few days. If you didn't take it now, your cycle would be a mess if you changed your mind in a few days. But if you didn't take a pill and also didn't change your mind... well, you were ready now. 

You tossed your unopened birth control pills into your nightstand drawer, next to your new necklace charm and a stack of paper airplanes. Bradley had been telling you for months, ever since you thought you might have gotten pregnant in La Jolla, that he was ready when you were. That it was up to you. 

You took a few deep breaths to calm your nerves. Sometimes the pain you felt from missing Bradley was as much physical as mental, and right now, your body was aching. It almost felt like you'd been out in the sun too long after getting bashed by ocean waves. You felt stiff and achy and uncomfortable. You were trying not to think about the fact that you had no idea what was going on with Bradley and Jake's mission. But you supposed no news was good news, at least as far as a deployment special mission was concerned. 

So you turned off your lamp and snuggled up with Tramp, spinning your engagement ring on your finger and reminding yourself that Bradley would be back soon with Jake in tow. Hopefully just in time for your perfect, surprise wedding. 

----------------------

Too much excitement! Holy shit. And how's Bradley going to feel about Baby Girl discreetly going off birth control?

PART 17

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[cherrycola27]

To Hec and Back

Pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Reader (Call Sign Hecate)

Warnings: Language, drinking. Sub!Jake, praise kink, degradation kink, spit kink, thigh riding, slapping, choking. Strip Club. Smut, 18+ Minors DNI. Jake likes girls who are mean to him.

Next Part

Out of all the girls in the world that he could have had his pick of, you aren't quite sure why Jake Seresin set his sights on you.

You never flirted with him, you never went out of your way to talk to him, and if you did talk to him, it was strictly work related or a civil hello if he spoke to you first.

Yet, no matter how many times you gave him the cold shoulder or blew him off, Jake still tried to flirt with you or get a rise out of you.

You aren't sure what part of it he wasn't understanding. You weren't leading him on, there was nothing that you were doing that would even hint that you were remotely interested in him.

Quite frankly, you were straight up mean to him.

And maybe that's why he couldn't seem to get enough of you. Sure Phoenix and Halo would be "mean" to him, but when they did it, it was in fun, it was joking around, however when you told Jake to 'fuck off,' you meant it.

But no matter how many times you pushed him away, Hangman would come back with his thousand watt smile, a swagger in his step, and a hopeful gleam in his eyes— just like he was doing right now.

"Another drink for the lady." He smiled as he set a whiskey sour down in front of you before perching on the bar stool next to yours. You rolled your eyes and huffed before pushing it back towards him.

"Bagman, do you know what the definition of insanity is?" You asked him.

"Can't say I do Hecate... why don't you educate me?" He smirked at you, his signature toothpick shifting in his mouth.

"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." You informed him.

"Wow, pretty and smart." Hangman grinned at you before sliding the drink back to you.

"Bagman! You are certifiably insane! You just don't get it do you? No matter how many times you buy me a drink, or talk to me, or try to flirt with me, I'm not going out with you. Dost thou comprehend?" You tell him pushing the drink back to him and standing up to get your things.

You turned your back, missing the dejected look on Jake's face before he plastered a smirk back on it.

"Don't flatter yourself sweets, no one said I was being nice to you, to try and take you on a date." He drawled out.

You whipped back around and looked at him, fire burning in your eyes.

"Oh, so it's all just a ploy to sleep with me then isn't it? Another notch in your bed post then?" You growled at him.

Jake didn't miss the flash of hurt in your eyes as you spoke. His face dropped immediately as he tried to regroup. He reached out for your arm as his features softened.

"Hec, that's not—" He tried to explain, but you weren't having it.

"Save it, Seresin! I'm done with this conversation, and I'm done with you. If you could just get it through your thick skull that I don't like you, I've never liked you, and I'm never going to like you!" You yell at him as the other aviators watch.

Jake should have took a breath and walked away. He had already put one foot in his mouth. He didn't need to add the other. He should have let it go. But, he didn't.

"I never asked you to like me. I was just trying to be nice to you because you walk around with a stick up your ass and act like a bitch 99.9% of the time, but don't worry I'll stop!" He yelled at you. Jake immediately regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth.

He could hear the collective gasp of the other patrons of the bar. He saw Penny move to get ready to ring the bell, but everyone seemed frozen waiting for your next move.

You stalked closer to him, your footfalls were soft, like a big cat sneaking up on its prey.

You looked at him, trying to read his expression. His face was hard, his jaw clenched tight.

You searched for any saving grace, a sliver of hope that he might have regretted what he said, but found none.

You eyes flicked to the drink, the whiskey sour long for gotten until now.

His eyes followed yours as he seemed to figure out what you were going to do, just seconds before it happened.

You lunged forward and curled you fingers around the glass and jerked it from the bar top.

Before your nerve could waver you gripped it tightly and flung the liquid in his face before slamming it down on the wooden bar.

Jake recoiled at the action and then opened his mouth to speak.

"Can it, Bagman." You sneered at him. You want to call me bitch? Fine. I hope you're ready to see just how big of a bitch I can be! You always wanted to know why they called me Hecate... well, you're about to find out, " you stated darkly before turning on your heels and stomping out of the Hard Deck.

Once you were at your car you heard the clatter of a bell and the chants of "Overboard". Good, you thought he deserved it.

As Jake wiped the sand from his pants he thought about two things.

One, that was a real dick move he just pulled in there. And two, he had never been more attracted to you in his life. Call him a glutton for punishment, call it years of being told that if they were mean to you, it was because they had a crush on you. Call him insane, but he couldn't help it. No matter how you framed it or how crazy it seemed, Jake loved the mean ones.

You didn't have time to wait around after you left the Hard Deck, you had places to be. Fifteen minutes later, you were pulling into your second place of employment, somewhere that your coworkers didn't know about, some where, where the men paid you too be mean to them.

You got out of your car and grabbed your bag from the trunk. You double-checked to make sure your Pleaser heels and your black leather body suit were in there before heading in. You also double-checked to make sure no one you knew from work was around. You didn't feel like explaining that you are a Naval aviator who moonlighted as a stripper.

You weren't ashamed of it, you loved your second job, it made you feel powerful. But, there were some who didn't understand.

You made your way into the club and got ready. You spoke to your friends before D-Dawg the DJ announced your set was up.

Jake made his way into the club. He needed a place he could drink and clear his head, and where better to do it, the a strip club surrounded by beautiful women.

Jake got a whiskey neat and took a seat near, but not right at the stage.

He looked up at the dancer, and he couldn't belive his eyes. "Hecate?" He whispered out.

"She great isn't she?" A man said leaning close to him.

"She only works on Friday and Saturday night. If you're looking for someone to rock your world man, Hec is it." He says before going up to the stage and tossing a wad of money at you.

Jake immediately finds one of the bouncers and buys and hour with you in a VIP room after your set is finished.

When you finished your stage set Grillz, your favorite bouncer told you that someone bought an hour in the VIP room with you.

You made your way to the room, plastering a smile on before walking in.

Your smile immediately dropped when you saw that Jake fucking Seresin was your VIP.

"You've got to be kidding me. Jake, what the FUCK! How did you know I worked here? Nevermind, don't answer that, you need to leave." You yell at him.

"No way, sweets. I paid for an hour of your time, and I intend to get my money's worth." He challenges you leaning back on the leather love seat.

You take a deep breath, you could have Grillz kick him out, or, you could use this time to your advantage and break him. You chose the latter.

Your heels clacked against the floor as you walked up to him.

He looks up at you, waiting for your next move.

"Well, if you're so determined to stay... I'll make sure you get your money's worth Lieutenant." You whisper in his year. You lean your hands on the wall behind him. He looks up at you from the leather love seat. With him sitting and you in your Pleasers, you're towering above him. You breast are straining against your leather body suit as they dangle in his face.

"I just have one rule, you can look, but you can't touch. Think you can follow that?" You ask him.

"Yes." He states

"Yes, what?" You ask, grabbing his face with your perfectly manicured red nails and forcing him to look at you.

"Yes Ma'am" He replies.

"Good Boy." You state before walking over to the bar cart in the room. Jake lets out a strangled groan as he adjusts himself through his pants. Even in the dim light, you can see how hard he is.

"Oh, do you like being called a Good Boy Jacob? Should have known you had a praise kink. We don't get where we are without one, do we?" You smirk at him.

Something about you using his full first name and you being so dominant is doing things to him.

"Whiskey?" You ask, holding up the bottle.

"P—please" He stammers out.

You grab one glass and pour a generous amount in it.

You waltz back over to the love seat and straddle his waist before making yourself comfortable on his lap. His cock presses into you.

He moves to grab the glass from your hand.

"No, no," you tut, lifting it out of his reach.

The thumb of your free hand traces across his bottom lip. "Open," you command, and he does as he's told.

"Good Boy" you praise him before tipping your head back and taking a long sip from the glass, but you don't swallow it.

Instead, you lean closer to him and spit the warm amber liquid into his waiting mouth.

Once it's full, he closes his mouth. "Swallow," you tell him, and never one to not follow orders, Jake obediently swallows every drop."

"Such a good listener for me, Jacob." You praise him as your hands begin to run through his short blonde locks, and you grind down on him.

"Fuck, Hecate" He curses out as you roll your hips to the beat of the song that is playing.

His hands fly to your hips in a desperate attempt to gain more friction. He needs to touch you.

The minute he does though, you stop. Your hand yanks him back by the roots of his hair.

"Now, now Jacob, what did I say the rule was?" You ask him with a condensing tone.

"I—" he stammers out not paying attention to you.

You slap him, not hard enough to do leave a mark, but hard enough to gain his attention.

"What is the rule?" You ask again, this time more firmly.

"I— I can look but I can't touch." He finally tells you.

"That's right. See, I knew you were a good boy who listened. Now, hands by your side or next time I won't be so nice." You tell him as you resume your movements.

"Do you like me because I'm mean to you Jakey? Did you grow up having Mommy and Daddy tell you that if a girl is mean to you it's because she likes you?" You ask him.

"Yes." He tells you, his eyes raking over your body, mesmerized at how your curves move.

"Aww, Jakey likes the mean ones. A praise kink and a degradation kink. So predictable." You tut before sliding your hands down his chest.

One of them wraps around his throat. You lean in close to him. He groans as heat rises in his body, he shouldn't be this close to cumming, but damn if he isn't.

You apply some light pressure. "Oh, Jacob. Poor, sweet, stupid Jacob. I'm not mean to you because I like you. I'm mean to you because you're a cocky asshole who thinks he's God's gift to women." You breathe into his ear.

"I'm mean to you because there is just something so fucking great about putting men like you in their place." You finish as he squirms under you.

"Are you close Jacob?" You ask him, moving faster against him, grinding down harder.

"Fuc— yes" He groans out throwing his head back.

You laugh at him. The vibrations from it cause him to jerk up and close his eyes.

"Ah, ah, ah" you scold him. "Open you're eyes, you're going to look at me when you cum. Understood?"

He nods his head furiously.

"Words Jacob, words." You tell him.

"Yes Ma'am." He grunts out.

"We only have five minutes left. I'm going to count down from ten and when I get to zero you're going to cum for me."

"10, 9, 8, 7..." he breathes out harshly "6, 5, 4, 3...2...1.. cum for me Jacob." You tell him and he does as your ask, cumming hard in his pant like a God damn teenager.

"Good Boy, such a fucking Good Boy for me" you praise him.

You go over go the table and grab some tissues. You throw them at him.

"Get yourself cleaned up, and when you come back tomorrow, don't be such a cheapskate and get the Champagne Room." You tell him before walking out.

He sits there for a moment, breathless, trying to process what just happened.

Yep, Jake Seresin definitely like the mean ones.

Tag List: @dreamingathighaltitude @shanimallina87 @luckyladycreator2 @mak-32 @katieshook02 @samhapner6 @rosiahills22 @thedroneranger @roosterforme @youlightmeupfinn @withahappyrefrain

[tgmsunmontue]

Bird on a Wire (Part 2)

TGM AU. Hangster Meet-cute. This is an explicit chapter (and the next bit is even more explicit, so just stop with part one if you don't want that). There will be a third and final chapter in 24-48 hours.

PART ONE

PART TWO

            They step outside of the restaurant and Rooster’s eyes spark with amusement and promise and holy fuck this is good. Jake's entire body is thrumming.

            "You want to take me on a date huh?” Jake asks, because he definitely likes the sentiment, but he also wants to make his intentions very clear. "You cooked me dinner... surely that counts as a date? Also you've met my sisters, and we're talking months of dating before I make the person I'm dating meet my family."

            “Yeah I cooked, but I didn’t get to talk to you and I… Look. I really don’t do this. Mav would be proud.”

            The complete non-sequitur has Jake blinking, glancing around and wondering who or what Mav is.

            “Mav?”

            “My godfather. He’s all about don’t think, just do.”

            “Oh, okay.”

            “Sorry. Just, a little nervous. As I said, I don’t do this and I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.”

            “About what? A date? Or… sex?”

            “Both,” Rooster admits, looking away with a shrug and Jake glances a look back inside and they’ve got a fucking audience so he shuffles down the street after giving his sisters the finger.

            “Look…”

            “What?”

            “Cards on the table. I’m attracted to you, pretty sure you’re attracted to me. I’m not turning down sex with you, but it’s also not a deal breaker if it isn’t. You want to date, we can do that, but I’m good with… just seeing where tonight takes us. And following tonight up with other nights,” he states, reiterating his interest in something more than sex.

            “Okay. Yeah. Come on. There’s a little boutique ice cream place a couple of blocks that way. Do you mind walking?”

            “Lead the way…”

            Then Rooster is taking his hand again and they’re walking down the street hand-in-hand and Jake will never hear the end of it if he ends up having an anniversary that’s his sister’s fucking birthday. They arrive at a dinky little shop and when Rooster pushes the door open there’s a literal bell hanging above, which rings. There are plenty of people around, forming a wonky-queue leading to a glass-fronted counter. He looks at the flavors and pulls a face, some of them sound disgusting.

            “You want a cone or cup?”

            “Uh, cup thanks. The peanut butter cookie dough…” He goes to take out his wallet but Rooster is shaking his head.

            “Hey kid, what can I do you for?”

            “Hey Ron, two cups thanks. Roasted white chocolate and miso for me, and peanut butter cookie dough… Thanks.”

            “No worries kid, I’ll put it on your tab…” he says with a wink and Jake looks between them and notes the flush to Rooster’s cheeks as they take the cups and head back to the darkening street.

            “Another family member?”

            “Yeah, he’s my Uncle Ice’s best friend. My family is… kind of big. And weird.”

            “I have three sisters, and my parents are both from families with at least three kids…”

            “Wow. Okay, my family isn’t big like that, but it’s… kind of more a chosen family I guess.”

            “That’s cool. Do you have siblings?”

            “No. Closest I have is Phoenix.”

            “Huh. Explains her attitude towards me.”

            Instead of being apologetic Rooster just laughs, shaking his head.

            “Yeah, she does that. Come on, there’s a little park up here…”

            They settle opposite each other at a little picnic table, their feet brush a couple of times accidentally, but then Rooster’s foot hooks around his ankle and settles there permanently, occasionally rubbing up the back of his calf. It’s distracting, not as distracting as watching Rooster eat ice-cream though, seemingly oblivious to just how pornographic he looks. Jake manages to finish his ice-cream and not stab himself in the face with the little wooden spoon.

            He's not an idiot, this is everything and nothing all at once and while he really wants it to develop into something, right now he doesn't care over much either way. Rooster reaches out across the table and Jake lays his hand and they sit there, hands and fingers touching. They talk, Jake mentions his job in cyber security in the vaguest of terms, because it’s not something he can go into detail given the confidentiality around it. He learns about Rooster’s mom, and his upbringing in the hospitality industry which sounds absolutely wild, especially compared with his own one having parents in academia. The lamps in the park flicker on and they both look at each other a little ruefully.

            "Come home with me? We don’t… “

            “I thought we already agreed to just take everything as it comes?”

            “Yeah, okay. Come home with me?”

            “Can we get into your place without your entire workplace seeing us?”

            “I don’t care if they do.”

            “Oh. Okay then.”

            No secrets in his family then and something inside his gut unclenches at that information and that’s something he can unpack later. They walk back toward the restaurant, and when Rooster waves at his father before giving him the finger Jake just throws his head back and laughs. There are undeniable fluttering butterflies in his stomach as Rooster puts a key in the lock of a hidden door just down from the restaurant entrance and Jake wonders if he’s imagining the tremor in his hands. Up a few flights of stairs and then there’s another door being unlocked and Rooster is stepping back to let him go in first.

            Jake doesn't get why he's nervous now, when he's made it obvious what he wants. That Rooster has made it equally obvious that he wants the same thing. There's no fear of rejection, no expectations, no possible miscommunication just… this. Except he really wants sex right now. He’ll live without, has lived without for months, but this whole evening has been so wonderfully flirty and amusing and arousing… He feels hands settle on his waist and he sways back ever so slightly, feels the warm solid wall of Rooster’s chest behind him and relaxes against it.

            There's a pause, he can feel warm breath against the skin on his neck and he presses back into him, just in case he thinks that he might not want this. The lips he feels pressing into the nape of his neck have him tilting his head, allowing better access and he lets out a low hmm of encouragement. The hands move to his hips, pressing a bit firmer and he turns with them, turns until he's facing Rooster, looking into warm brown eyes and he can't help but return the soft smile.

            "We don't have to do anything…"

            Jake stares, knows the look he's giving him very clearly spells out that something will definitely be happening. He's been half hard since they had the ice-cream, watching Rooster lick his little wooden spoon with intent. He's over thinking it so just leans forward, hand reaching to curl around Rooster’s neck, bringing their mouths together in a kiss. He feels the fingers move a bit lower, firmer and then he's being pulled against Rooster’s body, crotches pressed against each other, and he notes gratifyingly that he's also half-hard.

            “Or we could do everything… Come on Rooster…”

            He doesn’t expect the reaction he gets, which is pulling away, a look of almost disgust, but he realizes it isn’t it, not quite.

            “Shit. My name’s Bradley. Sorry. I just… Fuck. I never told you my name. Well. It’s not Rooster. It’s Bradley. Please. Call me Bradley.”

            “Oh thank god…”

            “Did you seriously think my name was Rooster?” Bradley laughs, and Jake can’t help but laugh as well, some of the nervous tension leaving him and he rests his forehead on Bradley’s shoulder.

            “Yes. And I still went and got ice cream with you, and came up here, and kissed you… So your dad’s name isn’t Goose then? What about Phoenix?”

            “My dad is Nick, but I don’t think I’ve heard anyone call him that in years. My mom when she’s angry with him. And Phoenix is Natasha. And for the record, I know your name is Jake…”

            “Yeah, but that’s because Phoenix asked.”

            “Yeah, she probably did a background check on you.”

            Jake raises an eyebrow, well aware his record is absolutely squeaky clean. He didn’t get where he is today by making mistakes.

            “Okay, well, regardless of your stupid name I’m not going to go anywhere.”

            “That’s reassuring,” Bradley says, his lips twitching and then he’s kissing Jake again, back in his personal space and Jake presses back, removing and white-space between them. They're not gentle with each other, but there is a certainty to each of their movements, firm pressure met with equally firm resistance and Jake’s breath catches in his throat. It had started off slow but soon enough they’re thrusting against each other, Bradley’s thigh between his own as he grinds his erection against the jut of Jake’s hip.

            Mouths open, tongues sliding wetly. His entire body tingles suddenly and he lets out a little sound of contentment, pushing himself closer to the hands, body, lips that are trying to touch every part of him. He's more than okay with that, and he pulls at his shirt, wanting it off off off. Now. He ends up pulling away from him, simply so he can get naked, and the speed at which the hands return to his now bare skin is wonderful. Bradley has taken the opportunity to remove his own shirt, which he's torn about. He'd have liked to remove it himself, or at least watched him remove it… but now there's just an expanse of honey-hued skin and he licks his lips, swallows, mouth suddenly dry.

            "Did you want to do this in my entrance way, or do you want to see my bedroom?"

            For a brief second he feels embarrassed, that he's that desperate they didn't even get more than a few feet, then he remembers it was Bradley who couldn't seem to get his hands on him fast enough and he smiles slowly, hooking a finger into one of Bradley’s belt loops and nods. He tries not to break eye contact but fails miserably, eyes flicking to lips, bare chest, and the slightly paler skin that is revealed where the jeans are pulled away from Bradley’s body.

            "Hey, careful." Then he's being turned, he's almost walked backward into a coffee table.

            "Mmm. Can’t blame me if I'm a little distracted. Come on… show me where I’m going darlin’."

            He almost expects Bradley to pick him up, and huffs a laugh at his own fancifulness, instead muttering about being eager, although he's not sure if it's aimed at Bradley or himself. All of Bradley’s attention is focused on him and he lets out a long breath at that realization; it's been a while since he's had the undivided attention of someone he finds equally compelling. He finds it reassuring that it seems mutual, this lust and attraction between them. Bradley doesn’t stop touching him, hand around his waist as he gently directs them toward the bedroom.

            "Let's see if the rest of you is just as gorgeous out of clothes hmm?"

            Then there are fingers easing down his fly and his fingers scramble to Bradley’s in return. He might have missed the opportunity to remove his shirt, but he can definitely help with this. Of course he’d seen him shirtless in the restaurant, it’s what had caught his eye after all and fuck, nothing could have prepared him for how his evening would pan out and he has no regrets. Murmurs sweet endearments about how hot Bradley is under his breath which make him chuckle lowly in response, the sound of which sends a shiver of anticipation down his spine.

            He means every word he says, even if it sounds cheesy. Bradley is one of the most attractive men he's seen in a long time, and while he has no idea if he's flaky, he suspects not. He knows Bradley has a good sense of humor, and Jake’s had relationships based on less. Not that he's had many relationships, he's slept with plenty of people, and some hung around for a while. Others were trash fires he’d rather forget, and he worries briefly about what details Laura shared with Phoenix.

            He pushes Bradley’s jeans down, palms a hand over his ass cheeks and presses his erection to the firm line of Bradley’s hip. The movement traps Bradley’s hand between their bodies, where it had been skirting the band of his boxer briefs, jeans already around his ankles and while he remembers he toes off his shoes. Lowering his mouth he sucks and licks at the now naked skin between Bradley’s shoulder and neck, and he can taste salty-sweat and warm heat.

            He makes a trail of sucking nipping kisses down his torso, enjoys the gasped 'oh fuck' Bradley lets out, head tilting back and hips snapping forward. He kicks his shoes and pants to the side and then lowers himself to his knees, his hand still massaging an ass cheek through the stretchy fabric of Bradley’s underwear, the tang of musk and heat has him running his nose up the length of his erection, breathing in deeply through his nose. He pauses and looks up, finding Bradley watching him intently, chest rising and falling rapidly.

            He wants to ask if this is okay, but he hopes that he'd say something. Fingers slide the waist band down and he pushes them down, along with Bradley’s jeans. He licks up the length of his cock slowly, savoring the silky smooth softness of skin, the warmth and heat, the salty-bitter drop of pre-come that explodes on his tongue and sets his taste buds racing and his mouth fills with saliva. Fingers curl into his hair as Bradley balances on one leg, allowing Jake to help him pull off his sneakers and jeans and toss them to join his own clothes somewhere on the floor.

            He doesn’t want to rush this, not when it's been so long. He's not being rushed though, Bradley’s fingers in his hair aren't directing him any which way, just there. He licks his lips, using the pooled saliva to moisten his entire mouth. Using a light touch he holds Bradley’s cock and then pushes his pursed lips over the head, creating as much suction as he can.

            Then the fingers in his hair tighten, and he hears Bradley swear creatively. He'd grin, or say something, but instead focusses on the slide, the contrast in texture, the smell. He moves his hand back to cup an ass cheek, his other hand resting on Bradley’s hip, thumb brushing over the taut skin on his lower stomach as he starts the instinctive up-down motion. He's not going for fancy licks or twists, there will be time later to find out exactly how to make Bradley fall apart. Judging from the sounds he can hear above him, muffled by the blood rushing in his own ears, he's doing just fine anyway, Bradley’s body thrusting toward him as much as he allows.

            The twinge in his jaw reminds him he's out of practice but he ignores it, instead pays attention to the drag of soft skin against the roof of his mouth, the taste of leaking pre-cum on his tongue, the sounds Bradley is making, the smell of their combined arousal and the sight of Bradley, watching him do this, cock sliding in-and-out of his mouth.

            He looks up and Bradley’s head is thrown back, Adam’s apple bobbing and Jake wants to bite it. Then Bradley shifts, eyes open and he’s looking down the length of his body, gaze intense and Jake pulls off. Watches him lick his lips, body shuddering slightly and Jake’s hands tighten on his hip as Bradley makes a soft whine and Jake wraps a firm hand around his erection and stands up again.

            “Sorry, out of practice…” His voice is rough, and he scrapes his teeth over Bradley’s earlobe, sucking gently at the pulse point just below. He shifts his hand on his cock a little firmer, little faster. "Can you come like this? Not too rough?"

            "Yeah. Yeah. Definitely," Bradley hisses and Jake can feel his nails digging into his shoulder. “Fuck. You know, you can practice on me you know. Every day. I’m generous like that…”

            “Oh, I just bet you are darlin’, come on now…”

            He wouldn’t be able to stand the treatment he’s giving Bradley’s cock, would be too rough, but Bradley’s fingernails rasp through Jake’s chest hair roughly, his body has started trembling and he manages a breathy-shaky 'fuck close, please' which just spurs Jake on, hand firmer and faster. Then Bradley’s coming, white hot, all the muscles in his body seeming to flex and release at once and he can hear his breath, coming in sharp pants.

            He doesn't have a chance to catch his breath before he's being kissed, his open mouth a clear invitation and he kisses back, tongue sliding against hard teeth and warm hot flesh. Then he's being jostled, guided backwards, and god, they didn't even make it to Bradley’s bed, although at least he can say they made it to his bedroom. Just. Bradley pulls the sheets and duvet back and Jake watches, heart rate slowing down slightly but his skin prickles with the knowledge that the night has only just started.

PART THREE

[whinlatter]

author's note: chapter 10: reared & chapter 11: hatched 🐣🎇

thank you for reading chapters 10 and 11 of beasts (and especially for being patient with the bumper doubled up author's note). this time, ginny has a bad new year's eve (attends the world's most triggering party, slops booze down her old love rival, loses to her boyfriend at butterbeer pong) and then an even worse new year's day, featuring boggarts, the hangover from hell, the inevitable consequences of her own actions, and cormac mclaggen. nightmare. if you slog through all this you'll get a sneak peek of chapter 12 so that's my ploy to try and get you to endure my takes on liberal subjecthood and girlhood again. shameless! alright - let's do this.

✨ spoilers for this chapter below the cut  ✨

writing notes and headcanons:

parties: i almost called chapter ten party animals. you can be glad that i didn’t. but wow writing parties is hard! you have to keep track on like 30 different attendees! it ends up like choreographing a musical number. and then i had to come up with costumes for all of them AND fun drinks names. nightmare. never again. i only did it to make all the memes

haunted house: ‘they have a house party then ginny gets trapped in the house with both her ex boyfriends, her boyfriend’s ex and also cormac mclaggen’ was a chapter concept i mentally wrote back in february lol. it’s too delicious. i wanted the teenageness of it - the sloppy lazy hangover vibe the day after a house party, but added all these layers of fear and the waiting game with all the left-behind characters. the garden as relief was important, but also the wild overgrownness of it, unmanageable untamed. i have lived in flats in the kinds of london townhouses grimmauld is based on and they very often have these big scooped out brick walled gardens below street level that are just so atmospheric and oasis like but also usually kind of a mess and overgrown. so count this as a love letter to a london garden

ginny and sirius: in these two chapters, the flashbacks are entirely ginny’s memories of sirius black - specifically, of teenage ginny’s attempts to connect with this veteran, someone she canonically cares for and admires, who i think would be something of a god in her eyes, partly because he’s hot/cool/can turn into a dog (slay) but mostly for his enormous self-sacrifice and martyrdom for his friends and for the cause, even before his actual death. i’ve talked about the canon parallels between these two characters in the first of a two part meta here, which lays out my thinking behind sirius and ginny’s relationship as rendered here (ie. sirius would quite like ginny, perhaps see shades of james in her - hence the snitch - but she would always care more about him, and about impressing him, than he ever would about her). one of the most important lines of sirius’ in canon for me is the one he yells at the weasley children the night their father is attacked: they (understandably) just want to go and see their dad, but sirius, as kindly but as firmly as he can, tells them that this is both naive and also counter to what the order of the phoenix exists to do: a resistance organisation that is all about self-sacrifice for the greater good (“This is how it is — this is why you’re not in the Order — you don’t understand — there are things worth dying for!”) through sirius, we learn, ginny began to form a set of ideas about some very important things for her: about how to survive, how to preserve a mind, and about what it means to fight, especially when being held back and deliberately kept out of the fight. all pretty formative in ginny weasley’s book, i’d say. i wanted ginny’s memories of sirius to be very triggered by place, trapped back in this very claustrophobic, very sensorily dense and evocative house. i knew i wanted moments where we have ginny actively drift off into reminiscences in the present timeline (getting caught drifting off fleabag style by ron before the party) or seek out spaces to remember (going into walburga’s bedroom). where previously the flashbacks have been less active and less visible acts of ginny remembering, more standalone cutaways than examples of a character actively going into a memory, it was important to me to start to show memories becoming much more like intrusive thoughts ginny can’t push away as her defensive coping mechanisms come under increasing assault.

animagi: one of the big things ginny first badgers sirius about is how to become an animagus. ginny’s interest in becoming an animagus does, at first, come from a place of childlike awe (especially from an animal lover). but, as ginny eventually hints to sirius, it’s also a reflection of young ginny becoming very interested in possible survival strategies to get out of facing awful memories she’d rather not think about every time a dementor comes to town. she sees sirius becoming the dog as an escape both from literal prison and from the prison of the mind. sirius suggests it’s not quite as simple as that. we’ll be returning to these ruminations in due course…. 

traitors: as @ashesandhackles’ gift of a question suggests, one of the big themes at work in these chapters, particularly chapter 11, is betrayal and - particularly - the figure of the traitor. as ashes points out, we see a whole lot of traitors mentioned to varying extents (from canon: pettigrew, percy, regulus, sirius himself, marietta, mundungus, kreacher, xenophilius, snape, andromeda…). in c.10 these themes are more dormant, little passing asides (the banality of evil, lol, and geri halliwell betraying the spice girls aka the worst act of treachery in 90s britain). but in c.11, we see the memory of past traitors and the prospect of future ones come to bear: the DA’s interrogation and fear that dean might not be all that he seems, and then rabastan lestrange getting killed by his own brother for, as harry suggests in his analysis of rabastan’s murder, betraying a set of ideas and a worldview that pre-existed voldemort and now survives him. so far in the fic, we’ve seen ginny reflect on questions of the soul as an inherently moral entity, its existence imbuing all who have a soul with the capacity for good, if not compelling them to always do it. here, i wanted to start introducing questions of where the choice to do bad comes from, the big nature vs. nurture, question, because i think this question would not just interest ginny given her own set of experiences (and you can speculate what those might be, because we will be returning to them!), but also because it speaks to a broader set of themes and questions that beasts is trying to expand upon that thread through canon. i don’t want to spoil too much for a future plot point, but needless to say this is a fic that tries to ask questions about selfhood, people’s nature, about motivation, intent, and choices, about childhoods and why people grow up to be who they are and make the choices they make – and also about wizards’ claim of superiority over all other magical beings because they have a monopoly on morality, on conscience, on justice, and therefore, as the most rational, civilised, self-governing political subjects, have the right to make and enforce law over other magical species. the existence of the traitor, for these characters who made moral choices to resist during a war fought over right and wrong, is a fascinating litmus test for any society grappling with the enforcement of justice, what it means to try to do good, and the circumstances under which people choose not to do good - as kingsley’s speech at the end of c.11 suggests, what it is in a person’s development that might lead them in one moral direction or another. “is this who we are?” kingsley asks, and the answer really might be: yes, actually.

the girls’ getting dressed: a) it’s literally always the best bit of any party and b) yes it’s important that hermione granger not just looked hot but wanted to, and that her and ginny had the first meaningful conversation they’ve had with each other while they’re pulling on hoe fits and doing sleakeazy treatments. female friendship arc engaged. also nymphadora tonks just definitely had hot cool 90s clubbing fits don’t know what to tell you (recs below)

the DA: what was fun about writing the party, though, was getting to try and show ginny among her fellow soldiers, and, especially, harry getting to see it. we know that canon ginny is popular and well liked by her classmates pre the war, but the experience of the DA under the carrows (as future flashbacks will show…) would be an intense bonding experience for many, and, i think, of the three leaders (neville, luna, ginny), it would be ginny that would become perhaps the most important emotionally to her fellow soldiers on the basis of her personality, compassion and empathy. in these chapters, you see those who *were* at hogwarts during the war have their guard up, exercise stiff safety procedures, and those that *weren’t* - especially harry - start to clock how much the war changed the DA from duelling fight club to a resistance organisation with military capabilities and procedures. what this means for hinny, of course, is harry, knowing that ginny is keeping things from him, starting to put together that that persecution and torture neville spoke breezily about in the hog’s head tunnel that time might actually have been, er, real, and that ginny might have had her own direct experiences of it that she hasn’t shared with him…

the slytherins: @titaniasthings sent me this ask ages ago about slytherins and i very rudely banked the ask to talk about another day. and i'm not even going to answer it now! i am hugely sorry about that, but i will answer it in due course, so this is me publicly apologising and basically promising to get back to this question, because i think it’s both very interesting and also one of the weakest points of canon that fanfiction can help right in really interesting and productive ways. for now, let me just say theo nott and daphne greengrass’ presence at the party is me flagging that i DO think there are ways that slytherins would have engaged with the DA and with resistance during the war, for lots of different motivations, and look forward to developing this further as this lovely little inquiry gets underway…

deamus: is this deamus or is it dean/rio ferdinand (unrequited)? who’s to say

cormac mclaggen: yes everyone is under attack from a renegade bunch of vigilante wannabe death eaters but you should never let that stop you from going to pound town

cho and ginny: me, posting a sneak peek that looked like it was ginny dialogue but it was actually from cho… 😈

i’ve talked a bit about my thoughts on cho and ginny’s relationship elsewhere, and had this scene written for ages, because i a) think it’s funny when surprising characters call the protagonist out on their shit and impart the most useful wisdom (michael and cho have both played this part so far lol) and b) i wanted ginny’s insecurities about cho, which are understandable but come from a place of teenage rivalry and are quite juvenile, to have to give way to something more mature between them, as part of a coming of age growing up arc. in c 10 we get their petty interactions, judging each other for their outfits, clearly frosty, but in c 11, we see ginny and cho accidentally have probably the most important conversation ginny's had with anyone in ages. ginny has to face up to the fact that since 1995, cho chang has grieved and lived with a reality that ginny fears enormously - the death of the boy she loves - and also all the repercussions that came with it, including the impact of it on her own quidditch ambitions. the cho we see has done a lot of work on her own grief and now has a remarkably healthy reflection on what it is to grow up and to both forgive yourself and release yourself from dreams you had as a child, while also recognising it’s ok to mourn the future you hoped you’d have when life gets in the way. for hinny purposes, i also wanted the memory of cho’s distress and harry’s inability to handle it to resurface before the hinny fight, because i think cho’s weepiness and attempt to ask harry for emotional support would be pretty influential on ginny’s decision to try to avoid doing that at all costs. (ashes also pulled out my agenda behind the cho changing in front of ginny moment: “the difference of Cho's comfort with changing in front of people i.e women vs Ginny - it shows how differently each have built friendships and at what stage in their lives”. cho chang had close female friends before ginny or hermione really ever did and it shows!

rodolphus lestrange: ‘a huge day for rodolphus nation’ - aka just @saintsenara. i have never bought the idea that rodolphus is pure flop and bellatrix is the instigator in their marriage for them joining the death eaters - my personal take is that the lestranges are the gateway for the black sisters being drawn into the orbit of death eaterdom, and am especially a fan of a big age gap between bellatrix and rodolphus, meaning that rodolphus was in the first wave of death eaters/voldemort’s school gang or at the very least an early follower, and that that’s how bellatrix gets drawn from low key pureblood supremacist politics of the black family into the paramilitary activities of the death eaters. i *like* the idea of death eaters who aren’t just thugs for hire but have a real political worldview and a programme that they will continue to pursue after voldemort’s death, and am excited to explore that in the fic (and what it means for plans for postwar reform and societal rebuilding). slay from roddy, basically

ginny’s boggart: thank you to this lovely anon both for the regulus-ginny parallels note and also for asking about ginny's boggart! i am however going to be an arsehole and stay zipped lip on this one for now (we will find out i swear), but just for now to say: i wanted the boggart to both add atmosphere and a lovely sense of oppressive dread (hiding in a broken clock, a forever waiting game), but also ginny’s inability to bring herself to draw it out and face it to be a sign of her struggling to force herself to process dark memories that are proving stubbornly haunting…

the hinny fight: you all have had the patience of saints waiting for this scene fr. pls know this fight took me absolutely bloody ages to write lmao. fights are hard when you want people to be flawed but neither person really be in the wrong! here we have ginny, finally letting out seven years of resentment at being left out, patronised, and over-protected: harry, calling her on the fact that she’s clearly trying to protect him from things that really bothering her, letting her know how hurt he is that she’s excluded him from her ongoing ordeal - but also, in getting her to finally tell the truth, having to face up to the thing he hasn’t wanted to face up to, the possibility of ginny’s enormous sufferings during the war that he literally broke up with her, naively, to try to avoid. it’s a long scene – 4k words lol - but i really wanted the fight to have distinct stages, a crescendo, a cooling off period, building ultimately to a quiet moment of confession from both characters. harry finally says out loud what ginny has become to him, his fears about what happened to sirius happening to her, how lost he feels in a world where he is no longer the chosen one, and the hopes he has for him and ginny as a little family around which he wants to build a future amid uncertainty about literally everything else. ginny finally admits what it is in her past that has shaped how much she is prepared to trust and confess to another person about her fears. and so we leave them having finally aired out things that needed to be said, but lacking direction about how to resolve them. they’ve got work to do, baby (and i’m super excited to share how they’re going to do it). will be posting part 2 of the sirius and ginny meta v soon, which discusses in more depth how the memory of sirius, and especially of his death, influences harry’s ideas about familial love and especially his overprotectiveness when it comes to ginny. stay tuned for that. it’ll be real sad, sorry!

harry left holding all of his eggcups once ginny’s gone back to school: 

songs from the playlist for these chapters:

i would personally like to take this opportunity to call out ginny weasley for having such a sad adolescence that i had to write about it and listen to phoebe bridgers the entire time and therefore fuck up my spotify wrapped. that is all

the songs for chapter ten (party party party) are wall to wall bangers. two tribes, with siren, right before the auror alarms go off! yesssss. also slow show is the most romantic song ever written about a party and a person’s dick (‘standing at the punch table swallowing punch’, ‘you know i dreamed about you/i missed you for 29 years/before i saw you): 

playing around before the party starts by childish gambino | i predict a riot by the kaiser chiefs | paint it black by the rolling stones | two tribes - we don’t want to die version by frankie goes to hollywood | slow show by the national

the songs for chapter eleven are much more subdued, quiet (hangover-proof), songs for a waiting game. the mitski song is this chapter's manifesto and also is the harry-sirius-ginny arc anthem, i will not be persuaded otherwise (you're an angel, i'm a dog/or you're a dog and i'm your man/you believe me like a god/i'll destroy you like I am). i wanted duets, too, especially men and women duetting together, to echo the conversations that happen across both of these chapters (between sirius and ginny, dean and ginny, and then harry and ginny). and had to have auld lang syne cos it’s bloody new year for GOD’s sake: 

i’m your man by mitski | no doom for doubt by lianne la havas and willy mason | house of the rising sun by alt-j | birch by big red machine and taylor swift | waiting room by phoebe bridgers | new auburn by big red machine and anaïs mitchell | auld lang syne by mairi campbell and david francis

ps. the new beyonce song could easily be harry to the DA at the end of chapter 11. get the fuck out of my house!!!

reading list: 

on tonks being a hot girl with party streak and a wardrobe that is major:

Leather by @saintsenara/asenora  (self-rec! embarrassing!) dead ends by whinlatter

on dean and his mum: 

Lifelike by @evesaintyves

on sirius and grimmauld place:

Toys in the Attic by @ashesandhackles and thecat_iswriting Lux Aurumque by @saintsenara/asenora

on peter pettigrew: 

All I ever wanted was a life in your shape by saptashati 

on cho chang: 

overemotional: in defense of cho chang by dirgewithoutmusic

plus the smallest of sneak peeks of chapter 12, coming in january...

They're different, his letters. She knew they would be, though it doesn't make it hurt any less.

[ofstoriesandstardust]

chapter 5 - same boat (b.r.b)

a/n: this chapter has been months in the making and i owe it to both @struggling-with-delia​ and @gretagerwigsmuse​ for sitting through all of my thoughts. this aligns itself pretty closely with graduation blues. i hope you enjoy! 

summary: A Navy gala and a run-in with people from their past forces Rooster and Sunshine to confront their feelings. 

partially inspired by lizzy mcalpine’s “same boat”

main masterlist | top gun: maverick masterlist | flight risk masterlist | chapter 4 - past mistakes | chapter 6 - hate to be lame but i might love you

folks who wanted to be tagged: @justanothermagicalsara​ @fangirl-316​ @herladyshipxx​ @parker-natasha​ @myhomeworksnotdone​ @pulisvertz​ @lass-that-is-gone​ @frenchtoastix​ @coco-loco-nut​ @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy​ @torresbarnes​ @supernaturaldawning​ @you-had-me-at-dead-welsh-kings​ @katiemcrae​ @gretagerwigsmuse​ @the-winter-marvel33​ @some-lovely-day​ @unordinare​ @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​ @annedub​ @hope-love-equality2​ @coyotesamachado​ @hopefulinlove​ @mak-32​ @daisyhollyxox​ @loveforaugust​ @earth-to-lottie​ @sometimesanalice​ @cheezit-bradshawseresin​ @blairfox04 @none-of-your-bullshit​

warnings: swearing, angst, jealous Bradley, i picked a dress because i wanted to make one singular joke about Beauty and the Beast, i have a personal vendetta against men named Noah i’m sorry, i have so many head canons about the UVA years and this chapter is just teeming with bits and pieces of them,

word count: 4,939

"Sunshine?” He calls, buttoning the second pair of cufflinks on his dress blues as he walks out of his bedroom. “You almost ready to go?”

"Yeah, just give me a minute.” She calls back from behind the closed guest bedroom door. 

“No worries, we’ve got time.” 

He lets out a deep breath as he sticks his hands in his pockets, trying to shake the nerves from his shoulders as he leans up against the wall next to the door of the guest bedroom.

Galas and banquets gave him nerves even at the best of times, even after years of Navy service. He was sure he could think of a million better ways to spend the night than with his superior officers and men with higher ranks he wasn’t even sure he’d reach. 

But tonight Sunshine was joining him, and for however nervous he was, he was sure her nerves would be triple. The scrutiny and pressure on them to sell the lie tonight had been growing tenfold in the days since Ice and Maverick had found out and he knew his friend shouldered a lot of it. 

“Shit.” He hears from the other side of the door, pulling him out of his thoughts. Pushing himself off the wall, he knocks on the door. 

“Everything good?” 

There's the sound of something fumbling and then the door unlocking. “Yeah, just...” The door opens, catching him off guard as he takes in the flowy yellow material. “Can you do the clasp on the back of my dress? I can’t seem to get it.” You’re turning around before he can even respond, which is fine by him, because he’s not so sure he has words at that moment. 

You pull your hair to one side, revealing the partially open back. He fumbles with the clasp, fingers itching to run themselves over your spine and shoulder blades as he straightens out the straps at the top of the dress. He takes a deep breath at the thought, stepping back. You let your hair fall to the side as you step back, doing a little spin. “So? What do you think?” 

His eyes look over you, brain going fuzzy at the sight of you in the dress. “You look...” 

Wow is the only word his brain is supplying him with at the moment. 

You must mistake his silence for dislike of the dress, because you’re talking again before he can try to clear the fuzziness from his brain to give you a proper answer. “Is it too much? God, I told Phoenix that yellow wasn’t a good color but white felt too much like a wedding and black felt like a funeral and Navy blue just felt like overkill even though Phoenix reminded me that technically to everyone else we’re married and Hangman told me the other one looked like a nightgown-”

“Hangman saw the dress?” He asks abruptly at the thought that Jake saw you in the dress before he did. Helped you pick it out even. 

There was a little prickle of jealousy at the back of his throat at the thought, causing him to cough and clear his throat. You shrug. “Kind of. Phoen- Nat-” You amend, taking a little pause as you take a breath clearly meant to steady your nerves, “-Nat was helping me try on a bunch of dresses and she sent that one to him for a second opinion. It was vetoed obviously. You’re the first person to see this one.” You say, finally looking back up to him. 

“Yellow’s definitely your color, huh?” He jokes, still feeling a little fuzzy looking at you in the dress that hugs your hips just right. 

You let out a small laugh, letting your hair fall to your back. “Definitely one of my favorites. And it has pockets.” 

It’s his turn to give a little laugh as he watches you stick your hands into the pockets of the dress just to show him. “You and your pockets.” He says, shaking his head, thinking back to the dress you wore the night you met Uncle Ice for the first time. 

“Hey, I won't buy a dress without them.” You look up at him, clasping your hands together behind your back. “You sure it’s okay?” You ask, biting your lip. 

He nods, taking a step closer to you. “You look...” He swallows, his throat suddenly feeling dry. “Perfect.” He whispers. “You look perfect.” 

-

Bradley’s hand slips into yours as the two of you enter the large ballroom. You take in the bar in the far corner of the room, the countless tables along with the long banquet table filled with refreshments. You spot Coyote, Payback, Fanboy, and Bob near the bar, one of the few people already there. 

Bradley squeezes your hand as the two of you walk towards them. Payback spots you first, waving a hand in greeting as the other men turn to face you. “Hey man.” He calls, nudging Bradley as the both of you reach the group. “You clean up nice.” 

Bradley lets out a little chuckle. “You too, man.” 

“Your hair looks nice Sunshine.” Coyote comments. You reach up, brushing your hands through it as you feel your cheeks warm. 

“Thanks, Bob did it.” 

The four other men swivel to the lanky man, who shrugs awkwardly. “I have four sisters. It comes with the territory.” 

Fanboy turns back to you, taking in your dress one more time before letting his eyes flicker to Bradley as he lets out a little chuckle, shaking his head. “You know, the two of you kind of look like Beauty and the Beast, with the yellow and the blue.”

You tilt your head in consideration of his words. “You know what... I’ll take that. Belle always was one of my favorite princesses growing up.” 

“Really?” Bradley asks in surprise, crossing his arms. 

“Yeah.” You shrug. “Always saw a lot of myself in her.” 

He raises an eyebrow. “I don’t follow.” 

You take a step closer to him, a teasing smile on your face as you resist the urge to reach out and place your hands on his waist. “You know, loner, always has her head in a book-”

“Sounds like someone I knew in college.” A voice says from behind you, causing you both to turn. 

“Eli?” Bradley questions, arms falling to his sides, at the same time your eyebrows furrow, letting out a quizzical “Bailey?” 

The two smile at you from where they’re standing a few feet away. Your eyes travel down to their clasped hands, the glinting diamond on Bailey’s hand, as Bradley clears his throat. “What- what are the two of you doing here?” 

Eli smiles. “I work for the Navy now.” 

“Since when?” Bradley asks, confusion clear in his voice. 

Eli shrugs. “For a while now. Went back to school for a Masters in Computer Science after I decided my Business degree was useless. Now I do all the Navy’s high-tech, classified coding shit.” 

“And we’re married now.” Bailey says, letting Eli’s hand go as she easily slides into his side. 

“What?” The two of you almost shout, earning you a sidelong look from the bartender, who’s a few feet away. 

Bailey snorts. “Now you know how the two of us felt when you told us you got married.” 

“But you hated the military.” You say, still struggling to catch up the news. “Like... it was one of your core values to never date within the military.” 

She shrugs, leaning her head on Eli’s chest. “Well, what can I say? You make sacrifices for the one you love. And hey, the health benefits aren’t too bad either.” 

Bradley takes a half-step towards you, reaching out for your hand, before you both realize that she’s not making a subtle dig at the two of you, but rather that she really just enjoys the benefits. 

“Anyways, you gonna introduce us, Bradshaw?” Eli asks, waving a hand to the four men behind you. He glances at them, clearing his throat. 

“Oh yeah. Guys, this is Bailey and Eli, friends of ours from UVA. Eli, Bailey, this is Coyote and Payback, and his WSO Fanboy, and then my good friend Bob.” The men give variations of nods and raised hands in greeting. “Met them on a special detachment a little while ago. We’re stationed out here permanently.” 

Eli raises his eyebrows. “Oh, so you’re one of the sons-of-bitches I had to get dressed up to celebrate?”

“That’d be me.” 

“You know, I didn’t actually think the two of you’d stay married.” Bailey says. You swallow as Bradley squeezes your hand. “Thought you’d crash and burn like every other too-fast military marriage. Guess I was wrong.” 

“Never thought I’d hear you say those words.” Bradley remarks, eliciting an eye-roll from Bailey. Coyote claps Bradley on the shoulder. 

“Hey, I think Maverick’s here.” 

Bradley sighs. “We should go say hi.” He nods to Bailey and Eli. “C’mon, I’ll introduce you.” 

The group of you walk over to the table that Maverick is occupying with Hangman and Phoenix. You’re quick to slip down into a chair next to them, Bradley following as he sits on the other side of you, arm coming to rest on the back of your chair. “Uncle Mav, this is Eli and Bailey, friends of Sunshine and mine from UVA. Eli, Bailey, this is my godfather and instructor Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.” 

Maverick offers them a small smile, reaching out to shake their hands as they sit at the table, along with the rest of the crew. “Pleasure to meet you both.” 

Eli returns Maverick’s handshake enthusiastically. “Pleasure to meet you, sir. I’ve only ever heard good things about you. You’re kind of a legend around these parts.” Maverick chuckles, waving a hand. 

Hangman leads forward, smirking. “So you guys go all the way back? You must have some embarrassing stories for us about Bradshaw?” 

Eli chuckles, shaking his head. “Bro code, man. I ain’t telling you shit.” 

“I’m not a bro. One time, Bradley threw a snowball at her head.” Bailey states. 

Maverick turns to stare at him, eyebrows raised. “Brad.”

“She threw one at me!” Bradley defends. 

“Only after you threw one at me.” You say, nudging him. 

Bradley rolls his eyes as Bailey chuckles. “I’m not the one who has all the embarrassing stories about Bradshaw, but I could tell you plenty of embarrassing stories about Sunshine, if you wanted.” Her tone is light, only meant to tease. 

Nat raises an eyebrow. “Spill.” You nudge Natasha’s knee with yours as she offers you an amused smile. 

Bailey chuckles again, shoulders shaking. “Okay, let me think. One time, she dated this really awful guy who was mediocre at best. The really embarrassing part was that he truly believed to his core he was John Lennon reborn - and she still put up with him until he dumped her 4 months later.” 

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. “That’s your embarrassing story? My shitty ex-boyfriend?” 

“What was his name, I can never remember. Nate? Nathan?” Eli asks, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. 

“Noah.” Bradley supplies, causing you to swing your head towards him. 

“Why do you remember that?” 

He shrugs. “He was a dick.” 

Eli snaps his fingers, nodding. “That was it. He was an ass. I lost track of the amount of times we’d be at Tommy’s apartment and you started crying.” 

“He broke my heart!” You say defensively, cheeks warming. 

“He was gross.” Bailey comments. “At least you finally ended up with someone half-way decent, like Bradshaw.” 

“I still can’t believe you guys stayed married.” Eli says, shaking his head. “I could’ve sworn Brad had a girlfriend when he went to Top Gun. I feel like I saw a Facebook post about it.” 

Ah, the infamous Top Gun girlfriend. 

Bradley narrows his eyes. “No, I didn’t Eli. And shut up.” 

Eli ignores him. “Why can I never remember anyone’s name? It started with an L, I swear.” 

“Lily.” Nat coughs.

“Yeah, Lily! What happened to her?”

Bailey nudges Eli. “Be quiet.” She hisses. 

You roll your eyes, ignoring Eli’s comments about Bradley’s ex-girlfriend, although it does make you squirm that you now have a name for someone who had previously just been a mystery figure. “If we’re talking about surprises, I feel like we should talk about the fact that the two of you got married.” You say, eyeing the pair across the table from you. 

“Less surprising than when you and Bradshaw got married.” Eli mutters, fixing his jacket. “Get a phone call from Brad one day going, ‘Hey Sunshine and I got married! Can we throw a party?’” 

Bradley stands up abruptly, chair skidding across the floor as all eyes turn to him. “I’m going to get something to drink. Sunshine, do you want anything?” You nod, as he moves away from the table, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. 

“Did you have to bring up Noah?” Eli says quietly. “You remember how much he hates that guy.” 

“You were the one who brought up Lily-”

“Bradley hates Noah? Why?” You interrupt their whispered bickering, suddenly confused. 

Eli raises an eyebrow. “C’mon, Sunshine, you’re a smart girl. That guy was an ass and Bradshaw was always so clearly enamored with you. He was jealous.” 

You want to protest, ask them what are you talking about he wasn’t jealous, but quickly remember that they don’t know you lied about the reason you got married in the first place. Of course to Eli and Bailey, Bradley’s dislike (because you wouldn’t classify his distaste for your ex as hatred) appeared as jealousy. 

You clear your throat. “Right. Well, why don’t you fill me in on everyone else? What has everyone been up to since graduation?”

Bailey tilts her head, thinking. “Well, let’s see. Kade’s up in your neck of the woods; he’s in D.C. Doing some work on Capitol Hill, I think, although I can’t say he enjoys it all that much. And Madison disappears into the wilderness a lot, I hear from her like... every seven months or so when she re-appears from wherever she’s been? Blake is in Montana, I think? Oh, and Tommy and his kids are out in New York. Ever since the divorce-”

You waved a hand, shaking your head. “Wait, divorce? He and Ella got divorced?” 

Eli nods, confirming your question. “Yeah, Ella and Tommy got divorced about seven or eight years back. They’re great as co-parents, though. El has the kids for the school year out here since she works some fancy corporate lawyer job in LA. And Tommy gets them during the summer since he works out in Manhattan.” 

Your chest aches, hearing about all of your old friends who’s lives had moved on without you. “It’s good that he’s done so well for himself.” 

Eli nods. “Yeah, we all visit them during the summer, to give Tommy some time off. The kids love their aunts and uncles. It’s actually how me and Bailey came together.” 

You want to return the fond smile Eli has on his face, thinking of their little family, but your chest still feels tight, making it difficult to breath. “I think I’m, um- I think I’m gonna see if Bradley needs any help with the drinks.” 

“We’ll try not to say anything too embarrassing about you or Bradshaw.” Eli calls as you turn, striding towards Bradley. 

He’s leaned up against the side of the bar, chatting with one of the bartenders as more and more people trickle in to the event. He catches sight of you walking towards him and something must show on your face because he frowns, standing a little straighter. 

“Hey, everything okay?” He asks once you reach him. 

You give a half-shrug, talking the drink he slides across the bar to you. “Eh, I just... I made the mistake of asking Bailey and Eli about what everyone’s been up to since graduating. Did you know Tommy got a divorce?” 

“Tommy was married?” 

“Apparently.” 

“To Ella or...” 

You nod. “Yeah. According to Eli, they got divorced seven or eight years ago. I knew Tommy had a couple of kids, just from social media and stuff, and I just... you know it sucks to hear how their lives all moved on just fine without me in it. I’ve always known it but to hear them say it out loud....” You pause, taking in a deep breath. “It just kinda hurt, which maybe is silly but-”

He shakes his head, reaching up to place his hands on your shoulders. “It’s not silly. I know how close you were to them.” 

“I don’t know about close, I think the only reason I started getting invited ‘round was because Bailey felt sorry for me after Noah dumped me.”

He frowns. “Well, even if that was the case, which I don’t think it was, I’m glad she did because it brought you to me.” 

The words make your heart flutter in your chest as you look up into his eyes. You struggle to come up with the words to respond, a certain vulnerability appearing in the air as the two of you stand there. 

“Sunshine-”

“Lieutenant Bradshaw.” 

Bradley’s eyes tear away from yours as he looks up to who’s addressing him. You turn to see two men in uniform standing there as Bradley hands move back up to rest on your shoulders. 

“Admiral Simpson, Admiral Bates, it’s good to see you, sirs.” Bradley says as he adjusts his posture. “This is my wife.” He says, introducing you to the two men you recognize by name as his commanding officers. 

A flash of surprise crosses Admiral Simpson’s face at Bradley’s introduction of you as his wife, but it disappears as quickly as it comes, the man schooling his features into a more stoic expression, reaching out to shake your hand. 

The conversation that progresses over the next few minutes becomes distant and fuzzy—something about Bradley’s accomplishments despite using unorthodox methods—as Bradley thumbs begin to slowly rub along your shoulder blades. Your back is pressed to his chest as he talks, making it hard for you to breathe as you focus on what is probably a subconscious movement of his. 

At least, you think it’s subconscious. 

-

“Hey.” 

You look up to see Nat standing in front of you, offering you a small smile. “Hi.” 

“Needed an escape?” 

You shrug, eyes flickering back to the big wooden doors of the ballroom. “Yeah, I just needed a breather. It’s been just... overwhelming and the nights not over yet.” 

The night had been full of talking to official after official, being in close proximity to Bradley, as you both talked about your lives, trying so hard to sell a lie to these people. The night was far from over, with at least another hour and the drive back to the house awaiting for you. 

It had been a lot, to say the least.

She nods, sitting down next to you. “Yeah, I get that. Sometimes I tell people I have to go use the bathroom just to get away for a few minutes.” 

You chuckle. “Yeah, I could see that.”

“Actually, I’m glad I found you out here though because I wanted to talk to you.” 

You raise an eyebrow, adjusting your dress as you pull your legs up to sit criss-cross on the bench. “Yeah?” 

She nods. “Yeah, I just... I just wanted to say I’m sorry for naming Lily earlier. I- I didn’t know if you knew about her and I- it was wrong of me to do that, especially since I don’t think you guys ever told the truth to Bailey and Eli.” 

You shrug. “It’s okay. I- Admiral Kazansky mentioned something a few weeks ago about her and it’s not fair for me to get jealous or insecure considering Bradley’s not even interested in me, you know?” 

She takes a deep breath, looking at you for a moment as she clearly evaluates her next words. “You know, in the years I’ve known him, Bradshaw has had a handful of long-term partners. Lily is just one of them, and I remember her well because she was at our Top Gun graduation. He and I shipped out on deployment together not long after, and she dumped him two months in. They dated for almost a year and a half, year and seven months. And he... he was never really torn up about the loss of his partners, especially not Lily, despite that fact she loved that boy so much. They all truly loved Rooster but he was never able to fully commit to them.” 

“If he wanted to get a divorce he could’ve just told me, I never wanted to stand in the way of his happy ending.” You mutter, shifting uncomfortably at the thought that you had been the reason he’d never settled down. 

She shakes her head. “No, that wasn’t it. I mean yes, he couldn’t legally get married to them, but marriage was never the issue. I don’t even think he ever talked about marriage as possibility with most of them. It was... How do I put this?” She says, pausing as she thinks for a moment. “No matter how much they loved him, he was never able to bring himself to reciprocate. No matter how much he enjoyed being with them, he’s never really loved them.” She swallows, reaching out to take your hand. “And I’m not saying these things to hurt you or bring up his past partners. I’m telling you this because despite his past relationships in the years I’ve known him, I have never seen him look at anybody the way he does you. He looks at you like you hung the moon and stars just for him, like he’d give you the whole world on a silver platter if you asked him to.” 

The words make your throat tighten as tears prick at your eyes. “Nat, I really don’t- He and I- Looks mean very little when actions don’t line up.”

She tilts her head. “I agree, however, here’s the thing about my best friend.” She squeezes your hand, offering you an amused smile. “For however much I love him, he’s actually a very stupid boy.” 

Her words punch a laugh out of you, causing you to bow your head. “Maybe so. But sometimes I just think that if we were meant to be, we would’ve been by now, you know?” 

She hums, face skeptical. “Maybe. But in the years I’ve known him, he’s always lived life with an extreme amount of caution. I don’t think this is any different. I just don’t think he wants to hurt you. I just... I know that half-happy isn’t enough for you anymore and I know that friendship isn’t enough anymore either.” 

You carefully remove your hand from hers, shrugging as you fix an already straightened strap on your dress. “It’s not that I’m half-happy or that friendship isn’t enough but I just... when this is all said and done, he has no reason to be my friend anymore, you know? He might say we’ll still be friends but I know that’s more to not hurt my feelings than anything else. I won’t talk to him this time next year and his life will have moved on.”  

She sucks in a deep breath. “You really think that?” 

“It’s just a fact, Phoenix. Everyone’s lives move on without me in them; his is no different.”

She opens her mouth, a determined look in her eye making it clear she intends to argue with your words, but whatever she wants to say is interrupted by the ballroom doors opening, revealing a frustrated Bradley followed by Eli trailing after him. 

“Eli, for the last time, you’re mad about something that didn’t happen.” Bradley says firmly, turning on his heel. Eli pauses, eyes flitting between you and Bradley. 

You know an instant exactly what they’re fighting about. 

“I should go intervene.” You mutter to Phoenix, standing from the bench and striding towards Bradley and Eli. 

You’ve just barely taken Bradley’s hand again when he takes a deep breath. “Eli, we were brothers, man. And you tossed that all out for something that never even happened. So yeah, sorry that my feelings are still hurt all these years later.”

Eli shakes his head, eyes gazing over you for a moment before they return to Bradley’s. “You could’ve just told me man.” 

“He did, Eli.” You protest, feeling the need to defend Bradley’s actions rising in you. 

“No, he didn't. Because we tried for years to get the two of you together, waited for years for the two of you to figure your shit out and I find out you went and got married over a phone call. As your best friend, I thought I would’ve been there. But the two of you kept us in the dark until after it was all said and done, because fuck your friends right?” 

Eli’s chest heaves as he and Bradley stare at each other for a moment before Eli shakes his head, walking towards the exit. The two of you stand there for a minute more as you look up at Bradley cautiously, the tic in his jaw straining against his skin. You’re struck with the thought to reach up and smooth it out, causing you to shake your head. 

“Bradley-” You whisper softly, breaking the silence. You aren’t sure what you’re going to say, anything that will make him feel better, make up for being the reason him and Eli aren’t friends anymore. 

“Do you want to go dance?” He asks, cutting you off before you get the chance to say whatever is was that was meant to comfort him. 

You swallow at the thought of being so close to him, so intimately. “Why don’t we just go back home?” 

You realize your Freudian slip after it’s already out over you mouth and mean to take it back, to say the house instead of home, because it’s not your home, when Bradley nods, exhaling through his nose. 

“Yeah, let’s go home.”

-

The car is quiet, Bradley having turned the ignition off as the two of you sit there. You’ve been sitting there long enough that you’ve already reached down to slip off your heels, not wanting to wear the death traps any longer. 

“You okay?” You ask quietly, looking at the way the moonlight reflects of his face, somehow making him even more handsome then he already is. 

He shifts, shrugging, as he finally looks over to you. “I think I’m still just processing the fact that Bailey and Eli got married.” 

You let out a laugh at the words. “No, me too.” 

“No, because what the fuck was that? They were at each other’s throat for all of college, how in the world were they the ones to end up together?” 

You laugh harder, nodding your ehad in agreement. “Don’t forget about the fact that Bailey’s probably going to rip Eli a new one for bringing up Lily because as far as they know he just revealed that you cheated on me.” 

“I know! What was that?!” He shakes his head, a grin spreading across his face. “I mean, they got married when all they could ever do was tolerate each other for...” He pauses, something clicking in his brain. 

“For what?” You prompt, curious about what conclusion he’s come to. 

“For us.” He mutters. 

Something heavy settles in your chest at the thought. 

He shakes his head, clearing the thought from his head. “We should go inside, it’s late.” You nod, slipping out of the car and following him inside the house. It’s only after the front door is shut and locked that he speaks again. “Thanks for coming tonight.” He says, standing by the door to the living room. 

You turn from your spot on the bottom step, meeting his eye. “Of course.” You say, offering him a soft smile. 

A comfortable silence settles in between the two of you and with that, a change in the air. You look at him, really seeing the way he’s looking at you, like there’s something more he wants to say, and for a brief moment, you wonder what it might be like to tell him. To say it, to put it out there, lay everything on the table. 

I love you. 

The words feel heavy on your tongue. 

He watches you carefully, wanting to invite you into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, to not let the night end just yet, to say all the things he’s never said, to finally voice all the feelings he’s kept so hidden for so many years.

To talk about all of the things you need to talk about. 

He understands now, maybe more than ever before, that the two of you have never really been just friends. 

But as he looks at you, he hesitates. Is this what you really want? He didn’t want to trap you in the house if you didn’t return the feelings, the divorce not yet finalized. 

The words feel heavy on your tongue as you watch him suddenly hesitate. The visible look on his face is enough to make you pull back from your fantasies, from your hopes. It’s enough to make you want to dash off into your room, no, the guest room, because this isn’t your house. You are only a guest. 

“Well, I think I’m going to go to bed.” You whisper. 

He sighs, nodding. “Good night, Sunshine. Sleep tight.” 

[wowowwild]

Heard you were looking for an excuse to post hot takes...

(rules)

Apollo doesn't like Phoenix and might straight up hate his ass send tweet.

At the start of aa4 Apollo tolerates this man at best. I don't necessarily defer to aa5 and aa6 canon bc the new writers came in and decided to wreck the place (yes there are things I like about them, no I do not think they are so horrible that I will never play them or that no one should ever play them, yes I am very upset they took everything aa4 set up and threw it out the window), however I do believe that Apollo could grow to understand what happened and become work friendly. This is ONLY if Phoenix apologizes well and actually walks him through it, but they both have 'I don't talk about myself or my feelings' disease so... Good luck. Oh, and if Phoenix actually did wait that long to tell him and Trucy they were siblings idk if their relationship could ever be repaired. Also I said work friendly bc let's be honest, the only reason he likes Trucy (and Athena if you're forcing me) is bc they are so outgoing they make up for his chronically introverted persona. (Of course after a certain point he's been through it with both of them and that creates a bond, but they wouldn't have gone through it together if Apollo was the one in charge of that.)

That being said I don't think he wants anything bad to happen to Phoenix. We see pretty quickly that Apollo is actually very sensitive to what is happening to other people. For example: when Trucy fake kidnaps herself he is whole ass bawling even though he pretty much doesn't know her. Not just an, oh man, this is awful, he is feeling and living and expressing those emotions with his whole self. Other example: He feels soooo bad that these people in Klavier's life suck. He devotes himself to 'pulling the darkness' out of a guy that by all accounts he doesn't really know or personally like (I think we have evidence that Apollo respects Klavier's ethics, even if his personality is a little glimmerous.) So I think if anything happened to Phoenix or it seemed like something was going to happen to him, Apollo would do everything he could about it. That doesn't mean he likes the guy.

And like, I work retail. I work with a ton of people that in any other situation I would never speak to, and yet I can still get excited for them and strike up in depth conversations with them while still going home and thinking 'Wow, that lady sucks'. Apollo is not going to be openly hostile or anything, he's just not going to give a whole lot in terms of a personal relationship.

Also I think Phoenix genuinely likes Apollo and I think he knows he likes Apollo a lot more than Apollo likes him. I think this would make him sad but he wouldn't try to force anything. And I think Phoenix genuinely feels bad and if there had been any other way forward he would have taken it but there wasn't and he didn't and he has accepted that this is part of the consequences of that.

[green-socks]

(Do You) Share My Affection

Pairing: Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw (aka hangster)

Summary: Bradley and Jake end up on a date with each other through an anonymous dating app (because they are just a little bit idiots about each other). The date is the wakeup call they needed.

Words: 2.7k

Warnings: suggestive/mature language, making out, oblivious idiots to lovers, very vague IceMav in the background.

Notes: So, I saw a screenshot from somewhere of two people having a pretty random convo, but one of them said "Wow, there's way more sexual tension now that I hate you" and I went oh that's Bradley flirting with Jake. Thanks to those unknown people for inspiring the text exchange in this! This was supposed to be a quick silly/horny thing and it got a little more serious than originally intended but it is what it is. And yes, they use the app from Ted Lasso, because I thought it worked perfectly for what I wanted. Once again many thanks to @a-reader-and-a-writer for betaing (most of this), listening to my rambles, and for coming up with Jake's username <3 Same goes for @writeforfandoms with the rambles. Everything I write is for you two basically <3

MASTERLIST

CloudWrangler: Well, you know, I like long walks on the beach, getting flowers.. and blowjobs😉

CloudWrangler: That's the first date already planned right there. You’re welcome😘

Bradley hadn’t looked up from his phone all day, spending nearly every moment chatting with this nameless (unless you counted his username, which Bradley did not) guy. He was never like this. Normally Phoenix gave him shit for taking forever to answer her texts. Called him a grandpa for often calling her rather than texting.

Originally when Payback had suggested Bradley try out this new dating app, Bantr, he had been more than a little skeptical. He had never used a dating app before, having been content with finding his hookups the old-fashioned way – bars. Hadn't had any trouble with it either, so what did he need an app for? But this new app wasn't picture-based like many others, instead just having faceless people chat and try to connect that way. Bradley supposed that seemed less superficial than even his usual method, which is why when Maverick of all people had badgered him to get out there and make a profile, he'd complied. Mav and Ice had even helped set it up (came up with the username too), which Bradley would never admit to anyone, thank you.

Despite his initial wariness, the app seemed to have a point after all. CloudWrangler had messaged him the day before, and they hadn't stopped talking since. Bradley thought the total anonymity was actually kind of freeing, and found it really easy to talk to the other person, even without knowing what he looked like. Bradley didn't even know how old the man was, but based on some things they'd talked about, he assumed they were roughly the same age. They had talked about mostly superficial, casual stuff like movies, but sometimes the conversation derailed to downright weird nonsense with them arguing over something inconsequential, making Bradley laugh out loud even. He was honestly having fun flirting and, well, bantering with this random man.

Which was why Bradley had asked if they should actually go out and see if they'd have fun in real life too. Sure they could have continued getting to know each other better by texting, but Bradley was still holding on to his ways of preferring a face-to-face conversation. Since Bantr was more of an honest to god dating app and not just for hooking up, Bradley hoped his wanting to meet so soon didn't scare the other man away. Even if their messages had gotten progressively more suggestive too.

Chuckling to himself, Bradley wrote a reply.

Gosling84: 🙄

Gosling84: Yeah well I don’t know, I like nice tits. That’s about all I need

Gosling84: Let me know if you’re up for it

CloudWrangler: I’ll have you know I’ve been told I have very nice tits indeed. But you’re gonna have to give me a bit more if you wanna get to know them, so you let me know if you’re up for it

So yeah, CloudWrangler seriously had no filter, but neither did Bradley. They both shared equal blame in escalating the flirting, which also had turned into a one-upping contest. Bradley was particularly proud of asking the other man if he was a fitted sheet since he was complicated and infuriating but Bradley needed him on his bed.

Gosling84: Fair. But I’m honestly having a hard time coming up with more requests for our date right now

CloudWrangler: And they call me easy…

Gosling84: Wait

Gosling84: How do you feel about baseball?

CloudWrangler: Eh. I can watch a game every now and then. More enjoyable if I go to the game instead of watching at home. Much more of a football kind of guy🤘🏻😎

Gosling84: Ugh

Gosling84: There’s somehow more sexual tension now that I hate you

CloudWrangler: Hate sex is fun sex babe, let’s go

CloudWrangler: I do have one last question though

CloudWrangler: Pineapple on pizza, yes or no?

Gosling84: Hell yes.

CloudWrangler: jfc. Hate sex it is

CloudWrangler: You free tonight?

Bradley snorted to himself slightly. It was nearing eight on a Saturday evening and he'd been talking to the guy all day. Yeah, he was free.

They ended up agreeing on a dive bar far enough from base that Bradley felt comfortable he wouldn’t be running into people he knew all night. He was glad the other man – whose name he still didn’t know – had suggested it. Not that Bradley had a problem with people knowing if he went on a date, it was just easier to avoid a) someone giving him shit for going out with a man, or b) one of his squad mates just giving him shit for going out in general. Like Hangman, who seemed to live for being a pain in his ass, and had essentially cockblocked Bradley the couple of times a girl had approached him at The Hard Deck. Not that Bradley had truthfully minded very much, since he had still been in no condition to do anything anyway. But now it had been months since he'd last gotten laid, what with deployment, the mission, and the healing after the mission, so he was ready to be getting back in the game. Maybe going on this date wasn't such a bad idea.

He decided on his usual attire of nice jeans, a white tank top, and one of his father’s old Hawaiian shirts. It was casual but still nice, and most importantly it made Bradley feel confident. He knew he looked good, but it was still kind of nerve-wracking to go on what was essentially a blind date, since the other guy didn’t know what Bradley looked like any more than Bradley knew what CloudWrangler looked like. Besides that he apparently had nice tits.

Shaking his head, wondering if he was insane for doing this, Bradley grabbed the keys to his Bronco and set off.

-

Jake was nervous. And when he was nervous he was early. Only Bob was as bad as he was about being early everywhere, and somehow Jake managed it even when spending a good amount of time on his hair. He'd been sitting at the booth for 15 minutes now, watching the door like a hawk for every person who walked in, wondering if they were his mystery man.

Would they have the same chemistry in person too? Would there be a physical attraction? Usually he could count on there being that (often only that). This was his first ever Bantr date. He was much more used to Grindr hookups, but this was different. He never talked to guys on Grindr for this long before meeting up, and usually it was just straight to fucking anyway. Not much talking was required there. This was the first time he didn't have just his good looks to rely on. It was new for him in many ways.

He decided to leave one more message to the guy.

CloudWrangler: I'm at the second booth from the back, left side of the counter. Wearing an orange shirt. Come find me😉

Now he just had to wait for the guy to arrive. At least there was no one important to witness it if he got stood up or something. Trying to get his nerves under control, he stuck a new toothpick in his mouth, just as the door opened once again.

And then the toothpick fell out.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" he croaked to himself as none other than Bradley fucking Bradshaw walked in, strutting like the rooster he was.

What were the chances that Rooster would arrive at the same bar as he was?? What the fuck?

Rooster had frozen a few steps from the door, looking down at his phone and then looking up straight at Jake. And then repeating it three times, shock and recognition warring on his face.

No. No way. No fucking way. This was not real.

Jake buried his face in his hands, groaning at the mess that was his personal life, as the mustached menace sat himself down at the booth opposite him.

"Bradshaw. Whatare you doing here?" It was more of a rhetorical question, since the answer was becoming quite apparent.

Bradshaw answered anyway, "Well, as I understood it, I think I was supposed to give you a blowjob in exchange for getting to see your tits, or something like that."

Jake's mouth dropped open as his hands finally fell back into his lap.

"First of all, I should have asked why did this happen to me, and second of all, who said you were blowing me? I just said I like blowjobs."

Jake didn't know what possessed him to say that, but he thought it may have served its purpose when Rooster's mouth dropped open as well. At least they were now even.

He felt like he was slowly gaining back his footing in this bizarre situation, so he continued teasing, "Besides, you didn't even bring me flowers."

Rooster's eyes shot open (when had he closed them?) and inexplicably, his face flushed red.

"Now, don't laugh," the brunet started, "but I actually did."

"What?"

"You said you liked getting flowers, so I stopped to get some. That's what took me so long," Rooster mumbled.

There was a faint buzzing in Jake's head. Was this real life? Had he hit his head? Had Rooster?

"Wh- Well, where are they?" Jake asked, bewildered.

Rooster blushed even harder, positively scarlet now.

"They're still in the Bronco. I chickened out on actually bringing them inside."

Jake was going to die, here at this booth. Yes he was.

"Same old Rooster," he chortled. "That's… goddamn adorable. What did you get me?" he couldn't help asking.

"Uhh.. It was just a bouquet that I thought looked nice. I don't really know much about flowers, and I didn't know what he – you, that is – liked. There were some daisies I think. Reminded me of mom a little bit," Rooster admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh."

Jake was sure he would have loved the flowers. Who doesn't love getting flowers? They make you feel special.

An awkward silence settled at their table. Jake had no idea how to continue from here. Would they still have the date? Would it be weird? If he was honest with himself, now that the initial shock had worn off, he was kind of relieved. He already knew Rooster, was already attracted to him (obviously), he already..... liked Rooster.

Shit. This was his opportunity to have it all, only Rooster probably wouldn't want to…

"Do you–"

"Do you–"

They both started at the same time and then cut off, motioning for the other to go on, chuckling awkwardly. Jake groaned internally. Why were they like this?

For all Jake's jokes about Rooster's perch, he was the one to actually take the leap this time.

"Do you want to maybe go for a walk? I feel like we should talk, and it's getting louder in here," the brunet asked.

It wasn't really that loud at the bar, but Jake admitted that it might be easier to have whatever conversation they were about to have in a more private setting, so he agreed.

"It's not really a walk on the beach but," Rooster shrugged, "we can walk as long as you'd like at least."

Jake arched an eyebrow at him. "You're really angling for that blowjob, huh, Roo?"

"No, it's not that! I mean, I just–" he broke off with an exasperated sigh. "If I'd known it was you, I would've planned a proper date."

"What? Why?"

"Well, you know. You deserve a proper date."

He did not know. In fact, Jake was very much not in the know right now.

"Besides," Rooster continued, unaware or uncaring of Jake's confusion, "I'm probably not what you were looking for tonight."

Alright. Here went nothing.

"Are you kidding me? I mean yeah, I didn't expect you, but I was on that dumb app trying to forget about you in the first place," Jake said, trying to sound a lot cooler about it than he felt. "Javy said I was being stupid, that I should at least try shooting my shot with you first before assumi–"

Jake suddenly noticed that Rooster had stopped a few paces ago.

"Well, why didn't you?" Rooster demanded, as if he was personally offended by this revelation.

"Well, I thought you were straight for one thing!"

"Oh." Rooster blinked. "Well, I'm not."

"I kind of got that now, yeah," Jake rolled his eyes.

"What's stopping you now then?"

Jake froze. Rooster was calling his bluff, but Jake could do that right back. Trying to look unaffected still, even with his heart hammering wildly, he threw back as cockily as he could muster, "The fact that you're standing over there and I'm over here?"

What he hadn't anticipated – even though he probably should have – was Rooster taking those few steps to come stand right in front of Jake, so close that he had to slightly tilt his head up to meet Rooster's dark eyes. And damn if that didn't thrill him.

"What about now, Jake?" the other man asked in a low voice.

At the sound of his first name coming out of those lips, Jake let out a sound that was purely plosives.

Bradley – because yeah, this was getting way too intimate for callsigns – reached out and cradled Jake's jaw in one big hand. 

"In case there's still something stopping you, let me tell you what was stopping me. I was just the dumbest man alive. I didn't even realize it before the moment I saw you tonight, that the reason I was having so much fun talking to the guy on the app was that it reminded me of you. I was having fun because I was talking to you, and not some stranger."

Jake blinked. Oh. Okay then.

"I guess we're both a bit dumb," he said, huffing out a laugh. "I should've known it was you. Who else loves pineapple on pizza?"

Bradley rolled his eyes, smiled as if that was the best joke he'd ever heard, and leaned in to kiss him.

-

Bradley really didn't know how he'd been so dumb. Kissing Jake felt so right he wondered how he had ever kissed anyone else. And Bradley liked kissing. This was just.. different somehow. Better.

He moved his hand to cup the back of Jake's neck just as the blond let out the tiniest, breathy little moan. Bradley wanted more of that. All of it. He felt Jake step even closer so that they were pressed together from head to toe, Jake's arms coming around Bradley's waist, running across his back.

His tongue had wandered off to explore Jake's mouth a good while ago, and Bradley vaguely thought that he might never pull it back to his own. He'd just have to live like this, his face plastered to Jake's. Didn't sound like a bad idea.

Jake evidently disagreed. He pulled away just a little bit to catch his breath, but Bradley didn't mind. He could continue his project of inhaling every piece of the other man he possibly could, instead bending down a little to kiss and nip at his jaw, down toward his neck.

"Br– Bradley?" Jake panted. "D'you wanna.. maybe go somewhere? You know, somewhere more private?"

Bradley blinked a few times to clear his head. "Yeah, yeah that sounds good."

Then he remembered they were more than a half an hour's drive away from their homes. Shit. That was a long time in a situation like this. In separate cars.

"Is the back of my Bronco private enough?" Bradley asked, hoping Jake knew this was just to take the edge off and that he would treat the blonde like he deserved when they got home. And talk. They'd talk more, later.

"Shit, yeah, that's good enough for now," Jake grunted and grabbed Bradley's hand to drag him back toward the bar's parking lot.

"As long as we don't destroy my flowers. I still want them."

"Of course, sweetheart," Bradley murmured, pressing a kiss to Jake's knuckles, and enjoyed the way his cheeks went a little pinker.

[end]

----------------------------------------------

Bonus: telling you how it went when IceMav helped BradBrad set up the profile, courtesy of Vee. Cause Mav and Bradley were in the kitchen while Ice was in the living room, occasionally intervening because he had to. As his voice wouldn't carry that far, he texted Mav his opinions instead.

*ding* "Geez, Ice! I said we won't say it!" *ding* "I said fine!" *ding* "Then you come do it!" *ding* "Oh. That is better."

thank god for Ice

-----------------------------------------------

tagsies: @wildbornsiren @mayhem24-7forever @callsign-phoenix @hederasgarden @lt-natrace @marvelousmermaid @luckyladycreator2 @alexxavicry @blue-aconite @writercole

[nitrateglow]

Thoughts on Napoleon (2023)

Saw the Napoleon movie last night and was pretty disappointed. It was my most anticipated film this year and wow... maybe the 4-hour cut is better? Because this movie just felt psychologically shallow and overly compressed. 2 1/2 hours just isn't enough time to cover three decades of history.

Not that this film is good history. I cringed at Ridley Scott's pathetic defense of his historical inaccuracies: "You weren't there, I wasn't there, stfu, I can do whatever I want." Did anyone tell Ridley about this thing called primary sources? Or historical records? Or biographies and history books? Like, THAT'S HOW WE KNOW ABOUT HISTORICAL EVENTS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Like, I was prepared for basic inaccuracies when I saw how they depicted Marie Antoinette's execution in the trailer (no shorn hair, not in white). But man... they really oversimplify the French Revolution and never go into why Napoleon is such a fascinating historical figure, both revered and despised, with an incredibly complicated legacy.

Agnes Poirer's review has a great passage which sums up my frustration with the film as a Napoleon biopic:

"[Ridley Scott] even seems ignorant of the fact that there are two men in Napoleon: there is Bonaparte, a hero of the French Revolution who gave France and Europe institutions of the Enlightenment era that still exist today, and who liberated Jewish communities from their European ghettos; and there is Napoleon, the hero turned weary authoritarian ruler, whose military campaigns drained a whole nation of its youth and wealth. Beyond facts, Scott’s great historical deficiency is to ignore the politics; instead giving us Napoleon’s tactics on the battlefield as a mirror to his sex life. It’s inept, crass and boring."

There's often the sentiment that historically inaccurate movies can be forgiven somewhat if they make for compelling drama. The problem with Napoleon is that the real history IS compelling drama and Scott's film is just shallow spectacle with the occasional goofy gag masquerading as satire. The filmmakers seem to be going for dark comedy, but the approach only sporadically works because much of the humor falls flat (I saw this in an almost full theater and the comedy scenes mostly played to dead silence-- I felt secondhand embarrassment for the actors at times). The humor just consists of Napoleon being awkward or shouting meme-able things ("DESTINY HAS BROUGHT ME THIS LAMB CHOP!" *tries to start food fight*). Yeah, The Death of Stalin it is not.

Joaquin Phoenix's performance is also one-note and static-- his Napoleon never seems to age, visually or inwardly, and he never captures the man's famous charisma, so I never bought that any army would possess an ounce of loyalty to him. Vanessa Kirby fares better as the alluring and tragic Josephine, but even her performance felt compromised and choppy-- probably due to this being whittled down from the 4-hour cut.

Aside from Phoenix's Grumpy Cat face Napoleon and Kirby's Josephine, none of the other characters leave much of an impression, good or bad. Historical figures flit in and out of the story, barely making more than uninteresting cameos. I felt like I was watching a clipshow for a miniseries, not a self-contained movie. If you don't know the basic outline of the history being depicted, I can only imagine how confusing this movie must be.

Ugh, this was just so disappointing! I was never bored while watching it, but I just left the theater empty. The more I think about it, the less I like it.

[7seas-of-ryy]

Sunshine Part 2

Author’s Note: I wasn’t planning on doing a part 2 for this but someone had commented about it and it gave me this idea! So here it is!! Also I worship this picture ;)

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader

Summary: You meet Rooster’s friends! Basically a lot of fluff

Warning: Hints of social anxiety

Part 1 

...

You and Rooster had hung out every time you were both free since that day. He takes you out on dates and you both love laying at home watching movies and doing pretty much anything together. He eventually asked you to be his girl officially and you, of course said yes. It was perfect. Perfect with just the two of you. 

“So how about tonight? Everyone’s getting together for drinks at the bar, it would be perfect. What do ya say, Sunshine?” Rooster said as you two were cuddling on the couch.

He’s been trying to get you to come out and hang out with his group of friends. You already knew them all from serving them at the bar but you had never been properly introduced. Rooster knew you were shy so every time you came up with an excuse to not go, he didn’t push it.

You knew it wasn’t fair to him. But the idea of going out with a group of people you didn’t really know and having nothing to distract you (like serving drinks at the bar) was terrifying. What if you said something stupid and embarrassed Rooster? You were never good at small talk. But you couldn’t put it off forever.

“I guess that would be ok” you mumbled to him.

“For real?? Like you’ll actually go tonight?! Sunshine you have no idea how happy you make me” Rooster basically sang while he got up and started dancing around.

You laughed and watched him celebrate. He pulled you up from the couch and made you dance with him. You don’t know how long you danced for but it felt like forever. Everything was so easy with Rooster. He treated you better than anyone’s ever treated you before.

“Ok... I guess I gotta go get ready” You spoke softly with a small smile

“Damn right you do, gotta show everyone tonight how hot my girl is” Bradley flirted with you. He still made you blush uncontrollably. You started to walk to your room and he squeezed your butt and shamelessly watched as you walked away. This man was going to be the death of you.

You got to your room and started to panic a bit. You had no idea what to wear. You didn’t want to dress too casual but you didn’t wanna look too dressed up either. You hated that you were like this.

You decided to start with makeup. You just did simple stuff as a confidence boost. Then you did your hair the way you like. You started to feel a bit better but you still had to find an outfit. You decided on a nice sundress and some slip on shoes. You had never worn this dress before but it felt right for this event.

You looked yourself over in the mirror one last time before heading out to Rooster. He looked over at you and his jaw dropped. 

“Wow- you look- I mean- you’re just- wow” Rooster stuttered. You have never made this man stutter before. You realized why he liked to make you so flustered now, it made you confident to make him trip over his words.

You guys headed to the bar, Rooster never taking his eyes off of you. He immediately wrapped his arm around your waste. He was being extra touchy tonight. You see the group suddenly get very nervous. You stop walking and Rooster looks at you.

“What’s wrong Sunshine, they’re over here” He spoke in your ear so only you could hear. He must’ve realized why you stopped walking because he stood in front of you to block you out of anyone’s view.

“Hey, it’s ok, we don’t have to stay the whole night, we can even turn around and walk out right now if you want to” He whispered with his arms around me.

“No, I’ll be ok, I just got nervous for a second. I can do this” You got as much courage as you could and started walking with Rooster over to the group.

“Hello gorgeous” Hangman immediately spoke.

“Back off man” Rooster held you protectively.

Phoenix came over to introduce herself and save you from that awkward moment.

“Rooster has told us all about you, he’s definitely in love with you. I was beginning to think you were a literal angel with how he talks about you.” She said “I also thought your name was actually Sunshine. He only ever calls you that” She laughed

“Your name’s y/n right?” A shy man in the corner asked. You were guessing that was Bob from the stories you’ve heard.

“Yes it is, you can call me that or Sunshine because at this point I respond to both” You joked with them, already feeling at ease.

“Well, let’s get some drinks” Hangman said and everyone cheered in reply. 

You looked over noticing Bradley already staring back at you. He kissed your hairline and pulled you in by your waste. They started playing pool and eventually Rooster joined them so you sat off to the side next to Bob.

“Are they always this competitive?” you asked the quiet man next to you.

“Yeah, sometimes it’s funny like tonight but other times it causes us to suffer. One time there was a bet with Mav that basically ended with all of us doing 200 push ups” He said with a small smile.

“That sounds horrible!” You started laughing and he joined you

You looked up and see Rooster watching the two of you. He goes back to playing pool so you take advantage and admire his body while he does.

Eventually everyone gets tired and heads out. Rooster was driving the both of you home and was being very quiet.

“Is everything ok?” You ask and he just shakes his head yes so you both sit in silence for the rest of the way home. Once you’re both back at the apartment, you guys start getting ready for bed.

“So Bob seemed to be pretty talkative with you tonight” Rooster stated casually. 

“Yeah he was nice, I wouldn’t say he was talkative but he did tell me a funny story about you guys and push ups” You started laughing thinking about it again.

“Oh so he’s funny huh?” Rooster said, looking at you.

Then it clicked. He was jealous...of Bob. You started to laugh and he looked like his eyes were gonna bulge out of his head so you laughed even harder.

“Honey, are you jealous of Bob?” You said through your giggles

“I don’t know...maybe... ok yes I am” He admitted. You walked over to him wrapping your arms around him

“There’s nothing to be jealous of, he didn’t make a move on me or something, he just told me a story about all of you!” You found it adorable that this man was jealous.

“But you were laughing so hard” Rooster pouted 

“Because it was funny! Why is that bad?!” You laughed a bit

“Because you’re my sunshine! I wanna make you laugh that hard” He looked like a kicked puppy and you thought you were gonna combust with how cute he was.

“You do make me laugh that hard! And you make me feel so happy! You make me feel so many amazing things!” You said trying to make him feel better

“I do make you feel pretty good in bed, huh” Bradley pulled you in even closer as he spoke. You hid your face in his chest at that comment, getting embarrassed. 

“Shut up” You mumbled and laughed at the same time. 

“I’m sorry I got jealous, I’ve just had you all to myself this whole time and now I’m sharing you. I think tonight was harder for me than it was for you!” He looked right in your eyes as you spoke and leaned in.

“And you looked really really good in that dress tonight” He whispered against your lips.

You let out a breath of anticipation right before he kissed you. He kissed you long and slow, only pulling away when you both needed air.

“I love you so much Rooster” You spoke softly

“I love you too Sunshine” He replied.

...

Let me know if you want to be added to the taglist :)

Taglist: @hotch-meeeeeuppppp​ @datingbtr​

[i-eat-worlds]

Wow Birthday Whump Day 6: Nonhuman whumpee / Reluctant Whumper / "Run!"

miserable Phoenix!

Content: severe burns, gore, begging for death, implied past abuse, needles, medical whump of questionable accuracy

Phoenix tried not to pay attention to the chaos behind them as they ran, heading to the rondez-vous point like Kai had instructed them too. Their team had been reassigned, and if they didn’t get there on time, they would leave without them. They didn’t even want to think about what the punishment for that would be.

Suddenly, there was the sound of sizzling behind them, and the full force of an acid blast slammed into their upper back. Fire erupted on their skin as they tossed themselves out of the way, hoping to avoid another hit.

A harsh scream forced its way out of their throat at the onslaught of pain, and they saw the pavement rush up to meet their face. The acid was eating away at their uniform and then their back, faster than their healing speed could keep up with, and it was impossible to move, even to use their hands to catch themselves.

Stars clouded their vision after their forehead slammed into the pavement, the hit reverberating into their skull. They could hear the acid sizzling as it eroded their back, slowly stripping off their skin layer by layer. The air smelled like blood and destroyed flesh and it was sickening.

There was nothing Phoenix could do to stop the big, ugly tears from rolling down their face as they let out another strangled cry for help.

It was stupid. No one would come and they knew that. They were going to lay there, in agony, while they waited for death to take them so their body could heal.

The thought made them cry harder. Why couldn’t they die faster? It was torture. They wanted it to be over. Why couldn’t they die faster?

The sound of footsteps pounding up the alley drew their attention, but they couldn’t lift their head high enough to see who it was.

“Do you need help?” A voice called, and Phoenix thought it sounded vaguely familiar, though they couldn’t place it.

“There’s a…” they tried to say, but the words wouldn’t come to them and their voice wasn’t loud enough anyway. Talking hurt too much, and laying silent was so, so much easier.

The person comes closer, kneeling down by their head. Between the darkness and the odd position of their head, it was hard for them to make out more than a pair of tightly-knotted black boots and an orange and blue stripe on the outside of whoever it was pants.

Maybe they’re a villian. Maybe they’ll kill them. Phoenix hoped so.

“Hey, Firebird,” the voice started. “I’m Exhale, I’m a medic, I’m gonna help you out, okay?” Another hero? Who knew them by name? He would kill them for sure. Thank goodness.

His fingers pressed into their neck, and Phoenix tried not to pull away. “Please, please make it quick, sir,” they begged, voice barely audible. “It hurts.”

“I know, I’ve got help coming.” There was the sound of a zipper being quickly pulled open. “I’m not going to kill you, Firebird.” He sounded like he was disgusted with the idea.

They whimpered. He wanted them to be in pain. Of course. It was stupid to think that they deserved that sort of mercy. “ ’m sorry, sir.” they sobbed. “I shouldn’t have assumed, please.”

The awful, sizzling noise stopped as the acid vanished. Whoever’s powers had caused it must’ve only been effective for so long. “I’m going to start an IV so you can have something for the pain, alright?”

Weakly, Phoenix tried to shake their head. The movement pulled at the burn, sending a jet of white-hot fire down their back. “I’ll be okay without, sir, I promise.” They tried to keep their voice steady, but it was impossible.

“That’s a pretty large burn, and I know it hurts, Firebird.” The way Exhale said their name reminded them of Aaron, for some reason. “You won’t get in trouble for this, yeah? I won’t tell anyone but the other medics.”

He was going to give them drugs anyway. It would be easier if they didn’t put up a fight. They could feel the burn starting to heal anyway, their body slowly building back the tissues that had been burned away. “Okay.”

The rubber tourniquet snapped around their arm. “Can you make a fist for me?” They listened, and he took their hand in his, pulled their wrist towards him several times, and then bent it forward. “Sharp scratch,” he warned, pinched the vein and then slid the needle in. It barely hurt compared to everything else.

Something sticky was pressed down over the cannula, and then there were several consecutive rushes of cold. He leaned over them again, looking at their back with assessing eyes. “It’s starting to heal, that's good.”

The medication slowly started to work, and while the pain was fading, they also felt the drowsiness kick in. Exhaustion washed over them, both from the drugs and from the energy it took to repair the wound.

Even though the burn was healing, they’d likely be too tired to continue. Fear took hold in their gut.

What was Kai going to do when he learned how badly they’d failed?

Taglist: @pigeonwhumps@rainydaywhump@painful-pooch@rainbowsandwhumperflies@snaillamp @whumperflies

[roosterforme]

Is It Working For You? Part 11 | Rooster x Reader

Just in case you need to start at the beginning or visit an earlier chapter, check out my Masterlist!

Summary: The weekend is over, back to reality. But you want to keep sneaking around to be with Bradley.

Warnings: 18+ only, smut, angst, fluff, some swears, adult banter

Length: 3600 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

After having literally the perfect weekend, Monday was a bit of a reality check for Bradley. Several times throughout the day, he imagined being cuddled up with you or buried deep inside you, and it was the only thing helping him not kill Maverick. Mav wanted everyone to be perfect, he seemed to think the best way was his way. But Bradley wasn't like him. 

And while he hated thinking about his dad in context with Maverick, he didn't think Nick Bradshaw would have wanted his son to compromise who he was. He knew his dad and Maverick had been best friends, but Mav was the one who decided to break his relationship with Bradley. Trying to work together now was not the easiest thing. 

It was all a fine balancing act, one that Bradley still hadn't completely figured out yet. He knew he was a great pilot, that was never the question. But he also didn't always need to fly like Hangman or Maverick to be doing the right thing. This was going to be a very dangerous mission. This assignment called for something different, a little more finesse, and he desperately wanted to fly it. He desperately wanted to prove himself. Maybe even to Maverick.

Once Bradley was up in his fighter jet, things felt a little easier. His mind was a little clearer. When it came to you, he just needed to be honest. With himself and with you. Because he still wanted you as badly as ever, in every conceivable way. He wanted to have sex with you in your shower, and he wanted you to lovingly wash his hair. He wanted to take you for a long, romantic drive in his Bronco, and he wanted to finger you while he did so. He wanted to hear your voice and get your opinions. Make you smile and be there when you cried. And he didn't think this feeling was going to fade, like it always had with everyone else before you.

Oh, he was in way over his head. This was all terribly new to him. But you'd dated more than he had. What if your response to him was just how you were with other guys too? What if he wasn't special? Was it worth the heartbreak to indulge himself in being around you now for you to just write him off later?

Absolutely. His heart had never been happier. As soon as you were apart, he couldn't wait to see you again. 

Was he still afraid? Hell yes. For the first time ever, he was afraid to lose this feeling. 

"Wow Rooster, you look positively radiant today. Did you get laid?" Phoenix casually asked him while they were ordering lunch in the cafeteria. 

"Could you lower the volume, Nat? God, you're obnoxious," Bradley replied.

"I'm just saying, you have a look about you. And, you flew great this morning. Really on your A-game."

Bradley sighed in exasperation, but a smile still made its way to his lips. "Nat, I'm not even joking, she's everything."

And then you were there, across the room, sitting down next to Cam at one of the tables. You caught his eye and quirked your brow, nodding to the empty seat across the table. 

"She's sitting over there, so that's where I'm going," Bradley told Phoenix as he stalked toward you. 

"I'm coming too, this should be entertaining!" she replied. 

Your eyes followed Bradley's every movement until he was sitting across from you, and Phoenix slid into the seat across from Cam.

"Hi Phoenix. Oh hey, Rooster, how was your weekend?" you innocently asked him. 

God, he had been in your bed with his mouth on your pussy just a few hours ago. This conversation was going to be fun. He could feel your boot rubbing against the side of his calf and you bit your lip. 

"Oh, it was pretty good."

"Yeah? Do anything fun?" you asked with a tilt of your head.

"Yes, I did. Several times, actually," Bradley told you with a nod. 

Cam choked on his rice, and Phoenix looked like Christmas had come early. 

"Oh, really? Sounds just like my weekend."

"Yeah? That's funny. Hey, I remember seeing you in the Hard Deck on Saturday night," he replied casually.

"Yes, and outside the bar as well," you added. Bradley reached his long arm down and caught your ankle under the table. Your eyes went wide. "You were the guy with the really helpful hands, right?" you asked, eyes narrowing as he squeezed your ankle through the thick leather. 

"I better have been the only guy with those," he warned, his tone low.

Your face absolutely lit up, and Cam stood, excusing himself with an amused backward glance. 

"Yes, well I really appreciate the help you gave me," you managed while trying to finish your lunch. Bradley set your foot back down on the floor, and Phoenix cleared her throat loudly.

"Well, that was...enlightening. You know, Lieutenant Y/L/N, I was just telling Rooster here that he looks like a million bucks today. Almost like he's in lo-"

Bradley kicked Phoenix's chair a few inches and she smirked at him. "He looks great all the time," you said from across the table, drawing all eyes back to you. "Very handsome."

Bradley could feel himself blushing. He wanted to bask in your words and your presence for the rest of the day, but his lunch break was almost over. And he figured he needed to make another move, the sooner the better. 

"Don't you need to go somewhere else?" he asked Phoenix, nudging her chair even further away from the table with his foot. "I'm pretty sure you told me you needed to go somewhere else."

"Oh yes, I do," she replied in a saccharine sweet voice. She roughly planted her hand in Bradley's hair and messed it all up before she walked away.

You giggled behind the last bite of your sandwich as Bradley tried to tame his wavy hair back into submission. "She's the fucking worst."

"I mean, she stole my backpack for you, so how mad can you actually be?" you asked him with a smirk.

Bradley licked his lips and smiled. "I really need to get back out there, but is there any chance you'd want to come to the barracks later? It's not as nice as your place, but I can make you a really delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And, I have an extra long twin bed," he waggled his eyebrows making you laugh. Then he dropped his voice lower before adding, "You slept on me most of last night anyway, so we could probably both fit... you know, if you wanted to stay over?"

"Yes."

--------------------------------------

You tore through your work all afternoon, delegating a good portion of it to Cam to help you finish up. You were feeling so greedy. You wanted more time with Bradley. Whatever time you were allowed would not be enough for you. You tried to focus on anything other than the fact that the mission deadline was looming in front of you both. 

As soon as you locked up your computer and checked in with Commander Bickel, you were rushing out to your car.

Bradley had texted you directions on where to park in the barracks lot, and you were supposed to let him know when you got there. He was going to have to sneak you in, so nobody else saw you together. 

Bradley Rooster Bradshaw <3 <3 <3: get here as soon as you can, i miss you

That was enough to have you speeding home and taking the world's fastest shower. You threw on an old sundress, skipped the underwear completely, and packed your backpack for the night. You called Bradley as you were turning into the parking lot and pulling into a visitor's spot. 

Within a minute, he was walking purposefully toward your car with his visitor parking pass in hand. He looked so good, your jaw slowly dropped open. His hair was perfect, and he had his aviators on. His black tee was hugging his chest and biceps in an indecent way. And those fucking jeans, they were always just the tiniest bit too tight and left nothing to the imagination. 

But that smile on his face was just for you. 

"Hi," you said breathlessly as you climbed out of your car. He didn't respond with words, just wrapped his hand around your waist and kissed you hard. He tossed his parking pass onto your dashboard then brought his other hand up to your face. You pulled him close by his belt loops. He smelled heavenly. 

"I can't stop thinking about you teasing me at lunch. Made flying this afternoon a little uncomfortable."

You laughed as his mouth found your bare shoulder. "I'm not sorry."

"I know you aren't. God, I can't get enough of you. Let's get you inside," Bradley said, taking your backpack and your hand, and swiping his pass to get into a side door.

He removed his sunglasses and looked around before pulling you inside with him, and then he briskly walked you down a corridor to his room, his hand at the small of your back. As you approached his room, you could hear someone coming from the other direction. Bradley unlocked his door and shoved you inside along with your bag, just as he greeted someone else. You pressed your ear to the door; it sounded like he was talking to Fanboy. 

"Yeah man, see you later," Bradley said as he pulled the door open. "That was close," he whispered as he locked the door behind him. 

You were instantly on him. "Sneaking around is kind of fun though, right?" you whispered in his ear before kissing his earlobe.

Bradley took your chin in his hand and made you look at his face. "It's fine for now, Sweetheart. For now."

You shuddered at his tone. You wanted to dispute whether or not he was allowed to have an opinion about that just yet, but he was already kissing you, guiding you further into his tiny room. Just a few steps in and you were bumping into a desk. Bradley's hands were on your dress, guiding it up your legs, caressing every inch of newly exposed skin. You moaned as his hands connected with your hips drawing teasing circles.

Then Bradley broke the kiss and looked down at you with a raised eyebrow. "You're not wearing anything under this dress?" He felt around your ass and hips a bit frantically, his breathing picking up pace.

"No, I thought it would save us some time," you whimpered as he reached around and cupped the front of you in his large, warm palm.

He stared at you, licked his lips and then finally blinked. "You came here with a bare pussy to see me? Walked through the barracks like this?" His voice was so low and so raspy, you had to stop breathing to listen. 

"You invited me," you replied, sucking in a breath and pressing yourself harder against his hand. 

"You are the fucking hottest thing," he growled in your ear. "And I'm gonna fuck you so good."

Your legs were already shaking as he gently, sweetly turned you around to face his desk and placed your hands on the edge of it. He leaned his chest against your back and bent you all the way at the waist, kissing your cheek. "Don't move." Then he let go of you completely before pulling your dress up, exposing you to him. He let his rough fingers drift across your skin, stroking you softly everywhere.

"Bradley, are you gonna fuck me?" you asked impatiently, trying to grind back into his body.

"Eventually," he replied as he knelt down behind you, and started lapping at your wetness with his tongue.

"Oh my God, that is not your penis!" you screeched, and Bradley let out a huff of laughter.

"No, it's not," he said, rubbing your clit with his calloused fingers. "Is this okay with you?"

"Yes, as long as you want to," you whispered, gripping the edge of the desk for dear life, your breathing already ragged.

"Oh yeah, I'm good." He ate your pussy from behind, eliciting some wild noises from you. Briefly you wondered how thick these cinder block walls were; there was a good chance everyone was going to know Rooster was getting lucky in here at 6:08 pm on a Monday. 

"Roooo," you whined as his tongue slid down to circle your clit, his nose bumping against your entrance. "Don't stop. I'm about to come." And then Bradley went just a little harder for you, and that's all you needed. 

As you gasped for air, your fingers loosened on the desk, but Bradley stood and caged you in with his imposing body. You heard him unzip his jeans and groan behind you as he leaned next to your ear. "I already can't stop thinking about you. And then you show up here, like this? Fuck, I'll never get you out of my system." 

Maybe you didn't want him to.

Then he slid inside you, filling you up in one beautiful motion. Bradley was true to his word. He fucked you so good. He set a blistering pace, pounding hard and bottoming out with each thrust. But his hands, his gorgeous hands were demanding yet soft on your back, ass and hips. 

Suddenly he pushed himself in and stayed there while you whined and whimpered. He pressed incrementally further into you as he reached around and toyed lazily with your clit. You were so full, and the pressure he was putting on you was unrelenting. 

"Good girl," he whispered, his voice ragged. You could feel yourself building to another orgasm. "I'll take care of you." He pulled himself out slowly, and you could feel everything. Back in and out again, slow and steady now. You rocked back against him already coming when you heard him cry out in that raspy fucking voice. 

-------------------------------------

Bradley pulled you to him and held you tightly, your arms wrapping around his waist. You were completely wrecked after two orgasms; you could barely string a sentence together. Knowing that he was the one who could do this to you made it impossible to keep a grin off his face. 

"You okay, Sweetheart?"

"Mmhmm, very good," you mumbled into his shirt. He'd needed you so badly, there hadn't even been time to get undressed. "But you made a mess," you managed to say as you took a small step away from him. Bradley watched you walk carefully into his tiny bathroom as his cum dripped down your legs, and you shut the door behind you. His grin grew bigger before he groaned in frustration. 

He needed to sit down and collect his thoughts. He zipped himself back into his jeans and sat in his desk chair. Maybe he shouldn't have done that? If he wanted something with you besides casual hookups behind everyone's back, that was not the best card he could have played just now.

He had told you days ago he wanted you to take him seriously, but he just couldn't keep his dick out of you. You came here without underwear on, for God's sake, what was he supposed to do?

You re-emerged from the bathroom, all cleaned up, and walked over to him, taking a seat on his lap. "You promised me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich," you whispered next to his ear, and Bradley shuddered. 

Okay, so you didn't seem to think he was a complete pig for jumping on you as soon as you got here. And making a sandwich for you would be nice too, because the other thing you brought out in Bradley was his sweet side. Being around you always made him feel good.

"You're right, I did," he replied, peppering kisses across your cheeks and nose. "Grape or strawberry jelly? Rectangles or triangles?" 

He set you on the edge of his bed. You looked perfect there, your face still a little flushed, your eyes still a little dreamy. Then Bradley made you a sandwich to your exact specifications and handed it to you. "You want a drink too? I have water and beer in the mini fridge."

You accepted one bottle of each from him and laughed. "Why are you living in the barracks anyway?" you asked. "I know approximately how much money you make, Roo. You could afford to rent a pretty nice place, even in Coronado."

He loved that you just called him Roo again. "Too unpredictable," he said between bites of his own sandwich. "I have no idea where I'll end up next month, let alone next year. I would hate to settle somewhere then get a long deployment and have to pay rent for no reason. Plus, if I had a roommate, that could potentially screw them over as well. It's something I tend to overthink about, so I've just been playing it safe."

---------------------------------------

Your heart dropped out of your chest. You hadn't thought too much about the future, at least not past the current mission. You had gotten so used to seeing Bradley almost every day, that the thought of him being anywhere else seemed unfathomable. 

"Plus it's literally dirt cheap," he added. "I want to buy a house at some point, and hopefully after another promotion, I can get a more permanent station. I am so used to being sent all over the place, it would be really nice to eventually unload my storage unit somewhere and stay there for a bit. San Diego would be nice... I'd actually be fucking thrilled to drive all my shit here from Virginia Beach." His eyes were searching your face, seemingly trying to gauge your thoughts on the matter.

"So you don't really have a home? Just a storage unit? Is this why you've only had two girlfriends?"

Bradley shrugged as he finished the last bite of his sandwich. "Maybe that's part of it, but I never really saw the point in spending time with someone and stringing them along when I knew it wasn't going to go anywhere. I... I haven't really had lasting feelings for anyone before. I never really thought I would." He wiped his mouth with his napkin, fidgeting a bit in his seat before adding, "Until now." He met your eyes, and your stomach had butterflies. 

"Now?" Your voice was barely a whisper, but you had to know what he meant by that.

He nodded and stood, sitting down next to you on the bed. "I already told you, Sweetheart. I like everything about you."

You didn't know what to say, because you didn't know what you even wanted. All you were sure about was spending as much time with Bradley now as you could both manage. "Do you want to cuddle?" you asked him, and he wrapped you up in his arms and tipped you both back against the pillows.

If your response disappointed him, he wasn't showing it. You snuggled in against his body and let yourself relax. He felt so good, and you wanted him to talk more. "Were you born in Virginia?"

"Mmhmm," he hummed, his fingers finding your hair and tangling in. 

"Were you still living there when your mom died?"

Bradley was quiet for a moment, and you felt like maybe you should have asked about something else. "Yeah. Both of my parents were from Virginia as well," he finally told you. He readjusted himself a bit, and you turned your head to look up at his face as he talked. "Some of my mom's family is still there. And my dad's cousins live in Vegas. That's all I got left. I try to keep in touch with all of them. They're all pretty great about making sure I get included in emails and texts, sending me birthday cards, and invitations to parties and holidays. That sort of thing." He closed his eyes and pulled you tighter against him.

Your heart broke all over again for him. It was getting dark outside now, and the only light coming in through the blinds was from the street lamps. You took a deep breath. You didn't want to pry, but you asked anyway. "And who do you call when you have something exciting to share? Who did you call when you got your last promotion?" His fingers were working gently against your scalp, calming you, making you feel like it would be okay to ask him anything.

Bradley laughed, his chest bouncing beneath you. "Nat got promoted the same time I did. She was there, so I didn't have to call anyone."

You swallowed hard. Bradley somehow came out on the other side of all of this loneliness and grief as a genuinely kind person. "And who will you call after you get your next promotion? After you buy a house?"

Bradley's other hand came up to rub his chin as his gaze wandered away from your face. "I guess that depends, Sweetheart. Are you gonna be there?" His eyes nervously settled on your face again. 

You wanted to say yes, but you just couldn't let yourself. You were too scared. Instead you scooted up a little further until your lips gently touched his. You kissed him for a long time, each press of your lips, each nibble and gasp saying what you didn't know how to. Hours had passed, or maybe just minutes, when Bradley mumbled, "You don't need to answer me right now, Y/N. But please keep the question in your mind."

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Guys, YOU ROCK! 400 followers! Thank you! This chapter was a cocktail of smut, angst and fluff, and I hope you enjoyed it.

Part 12

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[veiwryn]

Egypt Episode after Teams are formed pt 2. — Team Phoenix

They still do the same thing they do in canon when it comes to the goat. Eva and Noah would sit on the goat, Bridgette on Eva’s shoulder (there's some tension hinted there), and Izzy on Noah's.

Eva would make a joke about how she's surprised Noah could hold up Izzy, and be met with a snarky (but lighthearted) comment on response. Izzy ends up laughing along and pokes Noah on his cheek, which he merely rolls his eyes at.

This'll be the moment Alejandro realizes he can't just befriend Bridgette, and that maintaining a positive relationship with the rest of his team is a need. He'd notice the tension between Eva and Bridgette and make a mental note of it as he continues portraying this leadership facade. (He was so gonna confront Bridgette about this later).

When Alejandro is on top, Noah would make his "Wow, I'm impressed" followed by a confessional from Eva (after Alejandro's confessional) saying "Noah isn't impressed by Alejandro using basic weight distribution. He's surprised pretty boy is smart." (What could Team Escope say? He looked like a Justin 2.0). Someone charming and smart? That raises some flags for this trio.

Anyway, Alejandro would wish the other teams some luck before the group leaves. And they'd be the first to arrive.

(I forgot to add, but Bridgette would make a confessional saying she felt out of place, but knows she's not alone cause Alejandro was there with her. So, at least she wasn't a total outcast!)

The tricky part is when they get to the river and have to weave. With no Sierra, they'd struggle, but then again, Eva is a wildcard. We don't have much on her, but we know she's been working on her anger and she has been a stunt double. So it would be reasonable for her to know (at least) the basics or weaving, right? She may not know how to explain it, but she could show her teammates how to do it, in hopes they'd understand. She's not Sierra-level weaving, but it's better than the average person!

This is when Alejandro would take Bridgette aside to inquire about her relationship with Eva, and the surfer girl would explain what happened in season 1. He'd offer to talk things out with Eva, but Bridgette refuses, saying this is something she needs to do on her own. Alejandro backs off, he knows he shouldn't be pushy with his only ally. Especially so early in the game. However, he can use her empathy against her.

Alejandro apologized to Bridgette and explained how he wanted to help her because he was new and wanted his teams approval. Bridgette then agrees for him to help her, which Alejandro smiled "sincerely" at before Noah called them over. Alejandro immediately makes his way to Eva while Bridgette hangs by Noah.

There'd be a mini scene between Eva and Alejandro, where he's learning how to weave and would try and bring up Bridgette, only for Eva to glance at him. Effectively shutting him up. (Eva's confessional: Am I doing something wrong?) Then it goes to Noah and Bridgette, who are watching the two; the former with an amused gaze, while Bridgette looks defeated. Noah takes note and asks her about it, Bridgette confesses but stops midway remembering Eva is Noah's friend. Noah reassures her before saying Eva’s been trying to make herself seem more approachable cause she wanted Bridgette to make a move. So it didn't feel forced.

And then cut to another team! (They're on a budget, not everything can be explained on screen!!)

[lynzishell]

Greta: So, how’s the new job going? Phoenix: Oh, it's great, they have me cleaning toilets and washing dishes… so pretty much my dream job. Greta: Love that for you!

Phoenix: Right? What about you? How’s the painting going? Greta: Umm... not great, to be honest. I’m having a bit of a creative block right now. I’m actually looking forward to this trip to Mt. Komorebi. Hoping it gives me some inspiration, y’know. Phoenix: Yeah, a change of scenery might help. Greta: Exactly. I heard Aurelio was going to invite you. Did he talk to you?

Phoenix: He did. Greta: Soooo… are you gonna go? Phoenix: Depends. Do you want me to? Greta:  You really make it hard for a girl to be a coy, you know that? Yes, I would love for you to come with us. Phoenix: Then I’ll be there. Greta: Good. Phoenix: Y’know, it’s still early. D'you wanna walk to the pier? Greta: Sure.

Phoenix takes Greta’s hand as they walk down to the pier. This time he’s more than happy to see the place empty. He looks over to see her smiling up at him.

Phoenix: Wow. Your eyes are beautiful. Are they really purple? Greta: They are. I get them from my grandmother. Phoenix: That’s amazing. You’re amazing. I’m having a really great time with you tonight.

Greta: Yeah, me too. I don’t want the night to end. Phoenix: Me either.

They walk to the edge of the pier and glance out onto the water before taking a seat on the ground. Rather than sitting next to him, Greta sits down in front of him and leans back. The feel of her so close sends a thrill through his core. He wraps himself around her. He knows that now’s the time to talk before they go any further.

Phoenix: I should probably tell you… I don’t plan on being in Copperdale too much longer. Greta: What do you mean? You’re leaving? Phoenix: Well, I’m trying to graduate early. And when I do, I’m going to get an apartment in the city. Greta: In the city? You mean, San Myshuno? Phoenix: Yeah. Greta: Okay. So, does that mean… um, can I still see you after you move? Phoenix: I’d like that, but it’s like a 3-hour drive, and I don’t have a car.

Greta: I do… or I will… by then, I mean. I’ve been saving, and I’ll be able to get one in a couple months. Phoenix: Really? That’s great, but are you- Greta: Look, we’re young, and neither of us knows where life is going to take us. I’m probably going away to college next fall… assuming I get accepted. So… what if we just make the best of now, and deal with the future as it comes. Phoenix: Yeah, ok, I can do that. Greta: Good… And I think we should start by hopping on that ferris wheel and enjoying the view. What do you say? Phoenix: Let’s do it.

Phoenix could've stayed on that ride all night, looking out at the view over the water, making each other laugh and tracing circles on her wrist as they held hands.

Phoenix: So, how do you feel about making this official? D’you wanna be my girlfriend? Greta: Girlfriend, huh? Yeah, I like the sound of that. Phoenix: Me too.

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Poses by StarrySimsie