#i suppose maverick is the only one to know of it...
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voidmetal-alloy · 5 hours ago
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This is gonna be pretty long but I realised a while ago that Bass and Zero both kinda have the traits that Wily wanted the other to have and I need to ramble about it for a while
Zero was designed to be an unstoppable war machine, meant to awaken when Wily would no longer be around to deal with the consequences of whatever kind of monster he turned out to be : Bass is aggressive, ruthless and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, willing to harm anyone who gets in his way be it through backstabbing or brute force. But we also know that Bass canonically does have a good heart and deep down he does enjoy being appreciated for who he is, and his cruel and selfish personality is more than likely a result of Wily’s influence on him in his early development, passing down his inflated ego and stubbornness, meaning that he still has the potential for good if he can finally accept that he’s still worth something even if he’s not the best, the lesson that Wily never learned and never taught.
Bass was designed to be Wily’s right hand man and follow his every word, built strong enough to make it through any failed world domination attempt : Zero is loyal, strategic and very capable, he’s more than willing to lay down his life for the people he cares for and to make hard decisions that will work out better for them in the long run, even if it means that he has to suffer, and Wily’s shortsightedness is exactly what made him this way. He foolishly assumed that giving Zero instructions and encouraging his violent tendencies through his subconscious would be enough, failing once again to recognise the pattern of rebellion that shows up time and time again in his robots. When Zero awakens from what has no doubt been a hundred years of being told he’s made for nothing but death, he’s shown kindness and compassion and, most importantly, understanding, allowing him to find a place where his battle skills are not only needed but appreciated. It’s because of this that he develops a hesitation to listen to what his original instructions were, and then he’s forced to endure the pain and consequences of the monster he was supposed to be when Sigma succumbs to the Maverick virus, and Wily’s plans for him become just another nightmare that his loved ones can comfort him through.
If Wily had been kinder to Bass and more encouraging of who he is outside his strength, he could’ve been that loyal soldier, and if he had been more observant with his faults he could’ve foreseen that pushing Zero with flashbacks and nightmares and forcing a purpose on him would drive him away and make him question himself. But the Wily that loves Bass for who he is isn’t the Wily that builds Zero for destruction.
A final note; I think that one of the main things stopping Bass from following the same path of redemption as Zero is that everyone trying to redeem him makes him feel that his love for battle is something he should be ashamed of, even if they aren’t trying to: Rock tells him he “doesn’t have to fight” never considering that he might want to regardless of his morals, Proto is too vague about his advice (which is typically just that he should reconsider his reasons for fighting, not that he should stop outright.) and usually ends up frustrating him, etc. the only character who hasn’t accidentally shamed Bass for enjoying fighting is Duo, who just tells him he’s a little weird but still a cool guy which Bass seems to like hearing.
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koifsssh · 2 years ago
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a radio in your chest.
[ a conversation between maverick & rainy! ]
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"Rainy, do you have a radio in your chest? It's makin' noise."
"Haha, I think so! It's probably broken though, it plays the same thing over and over again."
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"Well... I think it's a pretty tune."
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"Haha, really?" "Of course,"
-
endearing mysteries and simple answers, I suppose they are one in the same in that regard!
( maverick belongs to @thatthirstyweirdo! ) (good morning! bwah!)
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geminiwritten · 3 months ago
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emergency contact ; bradley 'rooster' bradshaw
fandom: top gun
pairing: bradley x reader
summary: rooster exploits having you as his emergency contact to get you away from hangman
notes: okay, i am so sorry if this is rushed but i had to get it out before i start my new job (and maybe won't have so much time to write)... i really hope y'all enjoy it!!! please let me know, i really love all kinds of feedback! (p.s. this is also super lame and cheesy but that’s just my genre now)
warnings: swearing, very poor us navy knowledge (i literally just do some very brief googling), very minor and probably inaccurate medical descriptions, text chat screenshots, use of y/n (which is a warning now?), and a kind of rushed ending
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word count: 9129
“Damn.” You stop just before stepping into the sun, tipping your head forward so you can see over the frame of your sunglasses. “I should come here more often.”
Fighter jets line the tarmac in two neat rows, and in the middle under the shade of one of the jets are your friends, the dagger squad. They’re all on the ground, half of them in a sit up position and the other half doing push ups. All looking absolutely fine.
Maverick is talking to someone a little off to your right, but you’re more than happy to wait for him while you ogle the pilots performing their punishments. Hondo is standing over the seven of them, counting repetitions loudly and correcting their forms.
“Hey,” Maverick calls, his voice echoing into the hangar.
You turn to see him tuck his helmet under one arm as he walks quickly toward you. “Hey Mav.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I had a day off, so I thought I’d finally get my pre-enrolment sorted out for my DBIDS card.” You hold up the ID badge hanging on a lanyard around your neck. “You’re my sponsor, by the way.”
He frowns. “Aren’t I supposed to be escorting you, then?”
You hike your thumb over your shoulder toward where you’d entered the hangar. “Warlock vouched for me and said he’d get you to take me back to the VCC and sign everything then.”
Maverick glances passed you, giving a short wave to the rear admiral who had stopped to talk to a couple of other officers. “Well then, I better wrap this lot up,” he says. “Are you alright to wait a bit?”
You nod, letting your lips curl into a smirk as your eyes slide back over to the squad. “I am more than happy to wait.”
His gaze follows yours and he chuckles. “They’ll start showing off if they know you’re here. Why don’t you come over and say hello?”
You push the bridge of your sunglasses further up your nose. “I would love to.”
Mav leads the way to the squad, into the sun and across the hot tarmac. It’s unusually warm today, and you can feel your skin start to perspire after only a few steps out from under the hangar’s shade. Or maybe you’re just starting to sweat because of the scene you’re approaching.
You’ve never seen the squad in their flight suits before. You’ve seen pictures and videos, but you’ve never seen them in person. On a hot day. Half unzipped and tied around their waists. As they drip with sweat.
Your eyes find Bradley’s head of tousled golden-brown locks immediately, and your heartrate ratchets up a few notches, your breath catching in your throat. He’s doing push ups, his dog tags touching the concrete on every dip and his back muscles rippling under the black material of his shirt clinging to his sweat-soaked skin.
Your knees almost wobble when you stop beside Maverick, and Jake is the first to notice you as he comes up for his next sit up. “Hey gorgeous,” he calls out, that signature smirk plastered across his flushed face.
“Hey.” You let your eyes wander over the rest of the group before settling back on Bradley. Your sunglasses slide a little further down your nose and you suck your bottom lip between your teeth, biting down hard to try and distract yourself from the way Bradley’s biceps are bulging and straining.
When he glances up at you, your head spins. His face is flushed and his brows furrowed, but there’s still a small smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. “Hey sweetheart.”
“Eyes down, Rooster,” Hondo barks.
Bradley’s head snaps back down, but the next push up he does seems a little firmer and a little lower. Your mouth waters as you trace the outline of his broad shoulders, letting your gaze slide down his back to his butt, lingering there as his muscular body moves up and down.
“Phoenix, you’re done,” Hondo announces, startling you out of your trance.
Natasha lets out a whoosh of air as she finishes her sit ups and falls back against the concrete. She shields her eyes with one hand, squinting toward you and waving her other hand in the air.
You wave back just as Hondo announces, “Hangman, Coyote, you’re done.”
Javy falls back the same way Natasha had, his hands holding his abdomen as he works on catching his breath, but Jake doesn’t stop. He maintains perfect form as he sinks back and sits up, winking at you before lowering himself back again.
Natasha scoffs. “Show off.”
Maverick catches your eye and smirks before taking half a step forward. “What’s your goal here, Hangman? Are you trying to hurt yourself?”
“No sir,” Jake replies, his expression full of steely focus. “Just trying to impress the lady and outlast these chumps.”
Mickey chuckles as he lowers himself into another push up. “Since when is Y/N a lady?”
“Hey!” you exclaim.
Laughter rolls through the squad, and even Hondo cracks a smile as he says, “Bob, you’re done.”
Bob finishes his sit ups with a sigh and wraps his arms around his knees, chuckling softly through his ragged breaths.
You look at Maverick, tipping your chin in Mickey’s direction. “Can I sit on him?”
Mav chuckles. “As much as I'd love to see that, not with Warlock standing twenty feet away.”
You roll your eyes and sigh, turning back to face the group.
“You can sit on me,” Jake says as he rises into another sit up. He lowers himself back with a shit-eating grin before sitting up again. “Later tonight.”
Javy, Mickey, and Reuben snicker as Natasha rolls her eyes, but Bradley stays silent. You can see little droplets of sweat soaking into the concrete below him, and your first thought is ‘what a waste’. Great, you’re officially creepy enough to want to drink his sweat.
“Alright,” Hondo says. “That’s enough, the lot of you.”
Mickey and Reuben groan as they sit back on their haunches and turn their heads up to the sky, breathing in the warm afternoon air, but Bradley keeps going.
“Rooster, Hangman, that’s enough,” Mav says, his voice stern despite the smirk on his lips.
“I can last as long as you can, Bradshaw,” Jake taunts.
Bradley lets out a harsh breath as he pushes himself up again. “That’s not what I’ve heard, Seresin.”
A chorus of ooh’s fills the air as the rest of the squad watch the two stubborn boys, eyes bouncing between them. You have to keep reminding yourself to look over at Jake, to not make it so obvious that half the reason you’re here is to drool over Bradley.
“Come on, boys,” Maverick sighs. “That’s enough.”
Neither of them let up, and Hondo chuckles to himself as he strolls into the hangar.
Maverick clears his throat. “Lieutenant Bradshaw, Lieutenant Seresin, that is enough.”
They both stop and quickly get to their feet, their faces red and glistening with sweat. You can’t help but wonder if that’s what Bradley would look like after a good few hours of sex. You definitely plan on finding out one day, if you can ever find the courage to make a move.
“No debrief this afternoon,” Maverick announces. “So, unless anyone has anyone questions, you’re all dismissed.”
Bob quickly pipes up with a question about one of the exercises they performed earlier in the day, but you can barely hear the discussion between him and Maverick. Your eyes are all over Bradley, because seeing him in his flight suit is doing something to you, something more than usual. He’s standing wide, those big black boots planted further than shoulder-width apart, making his legs look even longer and more powerful than usual. His arms are crossed, his biceps straining against the black fabric of his sweat-soaked shirt. It’s clinging to every inch of his muscled torso, tucked into the flight suit that is tied around his waist. The gold in his hair is shining beneath the hot sun, his tan skin is glowing with sweat, and his slutty sunglasses are perched a little too low on his nose. This man is walking sex, and it’s becoming a health hazard because you’re pretty sure you’ve forgotten how to breathe.
A voice suddenly breaks through your Bradley-induced trance. “Is that okay?”
You blink a couple of times, refocusing on Maverick who is now standing between you and the squad with his eyebrows raised in question. “Is what okay?”
He rolls his eyes, lips quirked into a small but knowing smirk. “I’m just going to have a quick shower before taking you back to the VCC. Is that okay?”
You nod. “Yeah, of course.”
“Good.” He claps a hand on your shoulder. “You go ahead and get back to that daydream. By the look on your face, it was getting good.”
You scowl at him as he chuckles and walks away, heading in the same direction that Reuben and Mickey are walking. The rest of the squad are still standing in front of you, chatting about something that you assume came up from Bob’s earlier query.
Jake breaks away from the group, stepping toward you with a wide grin. “What brings you out here, gorgeous?”
“Getting my pre-enrolment sorted out,” you reply.
“For a DBIDS card?”
You nod.
“Why do you need to be able to visit unchaperoned?” he asks, that usual cocky glint making his green eyes sparkle. “I’ll gladly be your chaperone whenever you want to visit.”
You roll your eyes playfully. “As much as I would love to be personally escorted by you, Hangman, I thought it would be smart in case I ever need to enact my emergency contact duties.”
He frowns. “Who’s emergency contact are you?”
“That would be me,” Bradley says, slinging an arm around your shoulders.
You bite your bottom lip to keep from smiling so wide as you look up at him, but you know your bright red cheeks are already giving you away.
“I thought your emergency contact was Mav?” Jake asks.
“He was,” Bradley replies. “But then I thought that if I’m ever in an emergency situation, there’s probably a good chance that Mav is in that situation with me.”
Jake nods. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” A beat of silence passes before he turns his attention back to you, that flirty smirk reappearing as he claps his hands together. “Anyway, are we all set for tomorrow?”
“Yep,” you respond. “Are you still sure you want to spend your day off helping me?”
“Of course. Any day with you is a day well spent, whether it involves manual labour or not.”
You asked Jake a few weeks ago to help with the delivery and assembly of your new bedframe and mattress and getting rid of your old stuff, since the last time you did it on your own you nearly ended up in the hospital with a slipped disc. Normally, you would ask Bradley for help with this kind of thing, but your crush has been so stifling the last couple of months that you know it would be counterproductive to have Bradley sweating and moving heavy things in your bedroom. Besides, Jake happens to have the day off because he’s owed an RDO, and he insists that he doesn’t mind helping you out. It’s a win-win situation; you get a new bed, and no one ends up in the hospital with a broken back. Not that you would mind if Bradley broke your back.
“What’s tomorrow?” Bradley asks, his brows pinched into a frown.
“I’m helping her in bed,” Jake replies quickly, his grin downright evil. “I mean, with her bed.”
You roll your eyes at Jake again, before looking up at Bradley. “I’m getting a new bedframe and mattress, remember?”
“Right,” he says, brows still furrowed. “I thought I told you I’d help you with that?”
The way he’s looking down at you is making the butterflies in your stomach riot. He looks like a scolded puppy, wondering what he did wrong to deserve this punishment.
“You did, but Jake has the day off and you’ve already done enough slave labour for me.”
“But I like being your slave,” he says, the corner of his lips tipping up slightly.
It takes all your strength not to groan out loud. He is not making this easy.
“And you will always be my favourite slave, Bradley.” You pat a hand on his chest. “Which is why I need to give you a break every now and then.”
You pull your hand away quickly, immediately regretting the fact that you just felt up his firm chest and damp shirt, because now you’re getting that familiar ache behind your hipbones. The ache that only your vibrator and fantasies of Bradley can satiate, but even that hasn’t been enough lately. You need the real thing.
The sound of your name echoing through the hangar draws your attention, and you look over your shoulder to see Maverick with spikey, wet hair waving you toward him.
“That’s my cue.” You turn back to Jake. “I’ll see you tomorrow, and you”- you look up at Bradley -“on the weekend.”
When you slide out from under Bradley’s arm, it suddenly feels like this very hot day has turned cold. It takes all your strength to keep your feet moving one after the other away from him. You’ve had a crush on Bradley Bradshaw from the moment you first met him, but it’s called a ‘crush’ for a reason, because now it is crushing you. He’s the first thing on your mind when you wake up, and the last name on your lips before you fall asleep.
“Are you alright?” Maverick asks once you reach him, and you know it’s because your cheeks are bright red.
“Yeah, just a bit hot out here.”
He nods as you both start walking toward the door. “It’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow.”
Back at the Visitor Control Centre, Maverick signs everything he needs to in order to grant you unchaperoned access to the base. After that, he walks you to your car and bids you farewell. You’re more than grateful for your car’s aircon as you take a moment to collect your thoughts, the ones that are running wild with fantasies about Bradley in that damn flight suit.
Eventually, you make your way home and immediately hole yourself up in your room. You spend over an hour in there to trying to satisfy that ache below your belly, but the incessant messages from the group chat popping up on your phone screen make it difficult. Only when your stomach starts to grumble do you give up and head into the kitchen, reading through the messages you’d been trying to ignore.
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You hit send on your last message and smack your phone face down on the kitchen counter. Your cheeks are red and your heart is racing, and you’re not hungry anymore because your stomach has twisted itself into one big nervous knot.
You know that whatever it is between you and Bradley is no secret. You assume it’s because you drunkenly confessed to Bob, Mickey, and Natasha one night that you had a huge crush on him, and since then the rest have seemingly caught on. You don’t mind the teasing – at least, you didn’t at first, but it’s becoming more frequent and making you more nervous. Bradley rarely interacts with it, and all you do is tell them to shut up or butt out. You can’t figure out if they’re simply teasing because they can, or if they actually see something between the two of you that is real.
There have been a couple of times when you’ve wondered if Bradley might feel the same way. You even almost made a move once, before chickening out and refusing to look him in the eye for two weeks straight. You know you’re being a little bitch about it, and you hate yourself every day for being like one of those characters in your romance books that pines and pines, despite their broody love interest being obviously smitten. But you still can’t stop yourself from being a chicken. You justify it by telling yourself that it's to protect your friendship and the group’s comfortable dynamic, but you know that deep down, you’re scared. You’re scared that Bradley only wants that one thing, while you’re nothing short of hopelessly in love with the man.
-
You wake up to the sound of your phone vibrating on your bedside table. You know it’s too early for your alarm and way too early for the delivery driver to be calling you, so you’re not surprised when you see Jake’s goofy contact photo lighting up your phone screen.
“Good morning, Hangman,” you say groggily.
“Good morning, gorgeous,” he replies cheerfully. “Did I wake you up?”
You sigh and roll onto your back. “Yes.”
He chuckles. “Oops. How’s about I make it up to you with breakfast?”
You sit up quickly. “You’re already on your way here?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” you mutter, throwing your bed covers back.
“Just the usual?” he asks.
“Make it a double shot.”
You toss your phone onto your bed before hurrying into your ensuite, quickly stripping down as the shower heats up. You brush your teeth in the shower and scrub everything as quickly as you can before wrapping yourself in a towel and starting to pull all the bedding off your mattress. Just as you’ve finished shoving it all into your already overflowing hamper, your apartment intercom buzzes.
You hitch your towel higher as you step out of your room and press the button on the intercom to unlock the lobby door. There’s an affirmative beep and a click, and then you walk toward the front door and double check that your towel is covering you.
As soon as you hear footsteps, you pull the door open with a scowl. “Since when did I tell you to get here at the ass crack of dawn?”
His green eyes widen as he takes you in, that signature smirk painting his features. “I thought it would be good to get an early start, but this”- he nods at you -“is an unexpected bonus.”
You roll your eyes and step aside, allowing him in. He stops at your kitchen bench and places the cup tray of two coffees down alongside a paper bag filled with deliciously greasy smelling breakfast.
“Give me five minutes,” you say, before walking back into your bedroom.
You quickly change into a pair of exercise tights and an oversized shirt – one that you’re not sure even belongs to you – before fixing your hair and doing a very quick version of your morning skincare routine. When you reemerge into the main area of your open-plan apartment, Jake is seated on the lounge with your breakfast laid out across the coffee table.
You flop beside him and take a hashbrown. “So, what’s the plan?”
He turns to you with a frown. “Why do I have to come up with a plan?”
“I wouldn’t need your help if I had a plan, would I?”
He chuckles softly. “I guess not.”
You spend the next five minutes inhaling your breakfast while Jake asks a few logistical questions. Once you're both finished eating and quietly sipping on your coffees, he pushes himself off the lounge and walks toward your bedroom.
He pauses at the door. “Can I go in?”
You nod, and the door squeaks as he nudges it open. He takes one step in and stops, cocking his head thoughtfully before continuing in. He assesses the area and walks further in, at which point you decide to join him. He’s standing on the opposite side of your bed when you get there, and he’s wearing the type of shit-eating grin that you know comes with some sort of teasing or offensive remark.
“So,” he says, “this is where you touch yourself and fantasise about Rooster every night.”
Your stomach drops and you splutter against the lid of your coffee cup, spraying half a mouthful of it across the room. You can feel your face turning red as you cough, but you know it isn’t just the lack of oxygen to blame.
Jake gasps, laughter bubbling from his lips as he rushes around the bed to you. “I’m so sorry,” he says between giggles. “Are you okay?”
You continue to cough, holding a hand against your chest as you try to blink back the tears in your eyes. It takes almost a minute for you to compose yourself, but Jake takes even longer to quell his laughter.
He sighs loudly and wipes the corner of his eye while you turn to him with a scowl. “Who told you?”
He bats his eyes innocently. “Told me what?”
You hesitate, your eyes narrowed as your mind races to send the right words to your lips. “That I might have a small crush on Rooster.”
He snorts a laugh. “No one had to tell me anything. Any idiot who spends enough time with the two of you can clearly see that you’re obsessed with each other.”
“What? No.” Your frown indignantly. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Please.” He rolls his eyes, still chuckling. “I can practically see you cataloguing your spank bank every time you stare at him.”
Your eyes grow wide and your skin burns. You have to look away from him to stop yourself from smacking that smug smile right off his face.
“You know what,” you say, sparing him only a glance. “I don’t think I want to have this conversation with you, so can we please get back to the bed.”
He sighs wistfully. “If only Rooster heard you say that to me. He’d be ropable.”
You roll your eyes and take another sip from your coffee, ready to turn away from him when realisation hits you. “Wait. Is that why you’re always flirting with me, just to piss off Bradley?”
He shrugs, but his smile is sheepish. “I flirt with you because you’re gorgeous, but annoying Rooster is a small plus.”
“You are unbelievable.” You turn on your heel and walk back out of your room, finding your phone on the couch to check if there are any updates on the delivery of your new furniture.
“Hang on a minute.” He follows you into the living space. “I could help you, you know?”
You scoff. “With what? Moving my new bed in? Because that is why you’re here. Not to make me feel shitty about some stupid, unrequited crush that is apparently pretty fucking obvious.”
He rolls his lips to hold back another laugh. “I could help you make a move,” he clarifies. “Because I’ll tell you this, it is not unrequited. Rooster is as crazy about you, as you are him.”
Your heart stutters, but your walls stay up. “How do you know?”
“Just believe me,” he says. “That man’s right forearm is thicker than his left because of you.”
You frown and cock your head, processing his words until the meaning hits you and your mouth pops open.
“Anyway.” He claps his hands and rubs his palms together. “Let’s get this old mattress out of here and start pulling apart the bedframe. I’ll give you some advice while we work.”
For the next few hours, you let Jake tell you what to do. You hold things, you move furniture, you unscrew things, and you listen to his surprisingly sound advice on what to do about Bradley. The more he speaks, the more confident you feel, because something about Jake’s charisma is infectious. You know you might not feel the same when face to face with Bradley’s big brown eyes and pretty smile, but it at least feels good to talk to someone about it. Even if that someone gags every time you start swooning.
- Bradley -
Today is hot, almost too hot. Bradley has pushed his body to the limit before, it’s basically in his job description, but today feels different. He feels sick. His flight suit is too heavy and his muscles are shaking. His stomach is twisting and gurgling with every sharp move, and his head is spinning.
Bradley is only in the sky – flying like a rookie – for an hour before Maverick grounds him, giving him a brutal workout to do while the rest of the squad finish their drills. Even Hondo has taken shelter in the hangar, watching Bradley complete his exercises from afar with a damp towel wrapped around the back of his neck.
The concrete is hot, and Bradley is pretty sure he’s getting second-degree burns on his palms as he pushes himself up into his twenty-fourth burpee. His flight suit is tied around his waist, and he can feel an excess of sweat gathering in the bunched-up material there. His dog tags are jingling as he jumps up and down, occasionally smacking him in the face when his moves are too jerky.
“That’s enough,” Hondo calls out. “Have a break. Drink some water.”
Bradley stops and swipes the back of his hand across his forehead. He can see the squad getting ready to land now, so it must be time for lunch. He waits for them inside the hangar, his heart beating loudly in his chest even after twenty minutes of standing still. Eventually, the group stroll in and head toward the lockers, grabbing their personal items before going to the mess hall.
Bradley finds a seat while everyone else continues to get food. He’s not sure his stomach can handle anything right now, even his water bottle remains untouched. He pulls his phone out and brings up the group chat that has five new messages.
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His insides twist at the sight of Jake in your apartment. It’s not like he hasn’t been there before, but he’s never been there alone with you. Bradley clamps his teeth together and wills that sick feeling in his gut to fuck off. This isn’t the time nor the place to vomit about the fact that the girl he likes is spending the day with one of the most charming men he knows.
“You look pale,” Bob says as he puts his tray down on the table.
“But also kind of red,” Natasha adds, a frown pinching her brows. “You look like you’re trying not to hurl.”
Bradley swallows hard and sits up straighter. “I’m fine, just a little wrung out from the heat.”
The rest of the squad join the table and conversation flows easily. A couple of them reply to you in the group chat, but Bradley doesn’t want to know anything else about what’s going on, so he lets his phone buzz face down on the table. He stares straight ahead at the space between Bob and Natasha’s heads, zoning out and imagining a much worse scenario than what is actually happening at your apartment.
He pictures you both sweating and giggling together, bumping into each other as you move and assemble furniture. Then he sees you both on the new mattress, flopping down exhaustedly after finally sliding it onto the new bedframe. You’d stop giggling with a sigh before turning to face one another, locking eyes, expressions turning serious as Jake’s hand comes up to caress your cheek. You would roll onto your side to get closer to him, and he’d only have to move an inch toward you to press his lips against yours. That kiss would unlock something in you, igniting your attraction to this man and making you climb on top of him. Clothes would be torn off, teeth and tongues clashing, and the bed would quickly be broken in.
“Rooster.” Natasha snaps her fingers in front of Bradley’s face.
He blinks a couple of times before refocusing on the woman in front of him. “Huh?”
“Jesus Christ, dude,” she says. “What is wrong with you today?”
Bradley looks to his left and right before spotting the rest of the squad making their way out of the mess hall. He jumps up from his chair. “Shit, that went quick.”
“Well, you were off with the fairies the whole time.”
He tries not to look her in the eye despite her intense stare. The journey back to the hangar is silent, but he can tell Natasha is studying him, scrutinising his expression until they both approach the rest of the group waiting with Maverick.
Mav takes the floor and announces that today is the perfect day to test limits. He starts explaining the workout that he has planned for the squad, because they may have to face extreme heat on their next assignment, and it’s important to be prepared. Everyone groans in protest, even Hondo, but Mav ignores it. He’s almost excited to torture his lieutenants.
An hour later, everyone is absolutely dripping with sweat. All flight suits are at least half off, some discarded entirely as the squad run, jump, and swerve through the makeshift fitness course Mav set up. It feels more like torture than conditioning, but no one has the energy to even speak up.
“Alright,” Mav calls out. “That’s enough. Take a break, have some water, then come inside and take a seat.”
They all slowly drag themselves toward Hondo, who is handing out towels and cold bottles of water. None of them can muster a single word, they all just huff and puff and groan when they wipe their skin with the wet towels. Bradley is the last to approach Hondo, his gaze fixed on the outstretched water bottle as he wonders when the last time it was that he had a drink.
“Rooster.” Hondo takes a step toward the lieutenant. “Are you alright?”
Bradley blinks slowly, looking up as one Hondo turns into two. His surroundings blur and his limbs start to tingle. His head feels heavy and his stomach sinks, his eyes fluttering shut as his body goes limp.
- You -
“Harder,” Jake grunts. “Push harder.”
You let out a puff of air before tensing your muscles and shoving as hard as you can. The mattress slides along the carpet slowly, making your blood boil with frustration. “Why is this thing so fucking heavy?”
Jake chuckles. “I just assumed you bought an extra sturdy one so you and Rooster can fuck as hard as- woah!”
You push with all your strength, sliding the mattress into an unsuspecting Jake. He laughs as he rights himself and guides the mattress further into your room.
“If I knew that annoying you would give you super strength, I would have started earlier,” he says, leaning around the mattress to show you his cheeky grin.
You roll your eyes. “You’ve been annoying me all day.”
“It’s called bonding.”
“Whatever, just get this thing on the frame.”
After a short argument on how you should manoeuvre the mattress, and a string of cuss words as you heave the thing into place, you finally manage to get the mattress sitting snuggly on the new bedframe. You both fall onto it immediately, facing the ceiling as you work to catch your breath.
“Fuck me,” you sigh.
Jake snorts. “I would, but I think Rooster might flay me alive.”
You roll your eyes for the umpteenth time today. “I wasn’t offering, and I’m still on the fence about believing you, so stop it with the constant remarks.”
He rolls onto his stomach, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. “Then let’s have sex and see what happens?”
You huff out a half-assed laugh as you sit up. “Like I said, Hangman; I wasn’t offering.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. We shouldn’t play with Rooster’s feelings like that.” He rolls onto his back again and blinks slowly at the ceiling.
It makes you feel better to see a small sign of exhaustion from him, because for most of the day, you’ve been wrecked while Jake has been running off some sort of endless energy reserve. He’s like the human personification of a border collie, a little too keen and full of bounce, and you can definitely see him tearing the lounge apart if he’s bored and locked inside.
You open your mouth to tell him how he reminds you of a herding dog when the sound of your phone’s ringtone cuts you off. You frown, wondering who it could be as you rush out of your room to get it off the kitchen bench.
“Hello?”
“Hi, is this Y/N?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Mariam. I’m calling from the Primary Health Clinic on North Island Naval Air Station. I need to speak with about Lieutenant Bradley Bradshaw.”
Your stomach sinks so fast and so hard, you feel like it might have fallen right out of your arse. “Is he okay?”
“He’s in our care this afternoon due to a minor incident, and while he’s doing just fine, we cannot permit him to drive himself home. Would you be able to come pick him up?”
You rush over to the coffee table and pick up your car keys. “Of course.”
“That’s great,” the woman replies, her tone calm and even. “I’ll text our address to this number. Do you require any further assistance locating the clinic?”
“No, that should be fine.” You prop your sunglasses on top of your head. “Thank you.”
“Not a problem. We’ll see you soon.”
You pull the phone away from your ear as you hurry back into your room. Jake is sitting up now, his brows furrowed and eyes wide with curiosity. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. Something happened to Bradley and now he’s at some health clinic or something.” You’re not surprised by the panic in your voice, if only a little embarrassed. The woman said he’s fine. The last thing you need to do right now is panic.
Jake stands up and rounds the bed quickly, putting a hand on each of your shoulders. “Don’t freak out, I’m sure he’s okay. He’s at the clinic, not the hospital, so he’s probably just tripped on his own shoelaces or something.”
You let out a breathy laugh as you search Jake’s face for any hint of worry. He doesn’t seem concerned, so you let yourself relax and picture Bradley sitting sheepishly in a hospital bed with nothing more than a papercut.
“They said he can’t drive, so I have to go pick him up.”
Jake nods. “You go. I’ll stay here and clean up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Go get your damsel in distress.”
You hesitate for a second before throwing your arms around his neck and hugging him. “Thank you.”
He hugs you back with a chuckle before you pull away and practically run out of your apartment. You don’t slow down for anything; you even take the stairs instead of the elevator because you can’t stand still for even a second. You try not to drive like a maniac, but it’s hard not to as your mind swirls with the possibilities of Bradley’s accident.
In less than fifteen minutes, you’re flashing your identification at the front gate and waiting impatiently for them to raise the boom gate. You swerve into the visitor’s parking lot and jump out of your car, legging it toward the health clinic where your phone’s map tells you to go. It only takes a few minutes for you to get there, and you stop a few feet from the door, taking a moment to control your breathing.
The air is thick and the sun blistering. You’re sweating more than you have all day, since you've spent most of the day inside your airconditioned apartment. If Bradley isn’t really hurt, you’re going to actually hurt him for making you worry this much and run in this heat.
Once your breathing feels more regular, you grab the stainless-steel handle and push the door open. The small reception space is painted blue and white, with a couple of plastic chairs on one side and a magazine rack beside a water bubbler on the other. The blonde woman behind the desk peeks up at you through the Perspex shield surrounding her space.
“Good afternoon.”
“Hi.” You step forward. “I got a call about Lieutenant Bradley Bradshaw.”
To the right of her desk is a hallway leading further into the building. Voices and footsteps echo off the blue walls, and despite the desolate reception area, it seems like the rest of the clinic is rather busy.
“Yes, that was me.” She smiles. “I’ll just get you to fill this out so we can start his discharge, then I’ll take you through.”
You take the clipboard from her and sit in one of the plastic chairs. You barely read the form, skimming quickly over it before answering the few questions and signing your name at the bottom. After you hand it back it to her, you walk over to the water bubbler and fill up a small plastic cup. You drain it three times before she waves you over and starts walking down the hall.
The noises get louder the further you delve into the building, and you quickly realise that this place is something of a mini hospital for minor emergencies to help keep the actual ER from being overrun. The hallway eventually opens up into a larger waiting area with lemon-coloured walls and bigger chairs occupied by sickly officers. One of them is holding a bloody gauze pressed to the palm of his hand, and two others are paper white and dripping with sweat.
“Heatstroke,” the blonde woman says over her shoulder. “We’ve had so many of them today, but your husband was by far the worst.”
You choke on your breath and trip on nothing as you follow her. “M-My what?”
“Oh, sorry.” She turns to her left at the end of the hall. “I just saw you were listed as Lieutenant Bradshaw’s ‘partner’ and assumed. It’s force of habit. I forget that a lot of couples don’t bother with marriage these days.”
Your mind struggles to catch up, half of it rejoicing about the fact that someone thinks Bradley is your husband, and the other half wondering why the fuck he would list you as his partner. Before you can come up with the words to correct the woman, she stops.
“Just in here.” She pushes the door open a small way. “I’ll get his papers sorted and let you know as soon as he can leave.”
You nod, still speechless, and she walks away. You stand still for a moment, your hand on the door and heart racing as you take one deep breath and push.
The room is small, with powder blue walls and the same white linoleum as the rest of the clinic. There’s a stool and tall portable desk in one corner, and one of those plastic waiting room chairs in the other. In the middle of the room is a hospital bed, but there’s no guard rails or bedding, and it's folded up so the sheepish lieutenant occupying it is sitting up straight.
“Hey,” you say, your lips twitching as you hold back a smirk.
He’s hooked up to an intravenous device that has a long tube connected to a bag of clear liquid. His face is flushed and the hair at his neck damp, but otherwise, he looks just as delicious as usual.
“Hi,” he murmurs.
You close the door behind you before approaching the bed. “How are you?”
He shuffles on the crinkly mattress, making room for you to sit. “Never been better.”
"Want to tell me what happened?” you ask as you sit at the foot of the bed.
He rubs the back of his neck, the pink in his cheeks deepening. “Well, it’s hot day, and I forgot to drink water, so I passed out.”
You lose the battle with your maturity and let out a soft laugh. Something about Bradley looking so defeated in a hospital bed amuses you more than it should. That combined with the relief that he isn’t seriously hurt means that you can’t control the elated laughter forcing its way through your lips.
You cover your mouth to try and stop the noise. “I’m sorry,” you murmur. “I was just really worried and now I’m really relieved.”
He rolls his eyes despite the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m glad my stupidity amuses you.”
“Do the others have a video of you fainting?”
He nudges your thigh with his socked foot. “Even if they do, you’re not seeing it.”
You laugh quietly for another minute, letting your eyes roam is perfectly healthy and incredibly firm body until it sinks in that he is okay. “I’m glad you’re not seriously hurt.”
“Me too. That would have been embarrassing.”
Your mouth pops open to ask him another question, but the thought is quickly usurped by another. The front reception area had been completely empty despite the fact that there are other patients here. You’re the only civilian here, the only emergency contact for an injured officer, and the injured officer in front of you is looking a hell of a lot better than some of the others you’d walked past.
Your brows furrow in confusion. “Did you ask them to call your emergency contact?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, where are the others?” you ask. “Why don’t the guys out there have their parents or partners here to pick them up?”
He shrugs. “They’re probably going to get patched up and sent back to their squads.”
“Exactly.” You narrow your eyes at him. “So, why am I here?”
He shifts nervously, the mattress crinkling beneath his weight. “They said I can’t drive myself home.”
“And you didn’t think to ask one of the other six friends you have that are already on base to drive you home?”
His lips part but no words come out. You can see him struggling, wracking his brain for any sort of excuse, but the longer it takes, the surer you are of the answer to your next question.
“Bradley.”
He looks at you and rolls his lips, his skin turning pink from the base of his neck to the tips of his ears.
“Did you tell them to call me so I wouldn’t be alone with Hangman anymore?”
His eyes widen and his mouth pops open, but so does the door to the room. The same blonde woman as before walks in with a nurse close behind.
“Alright, Lieutenant Bradshaw,” she says, clipboard in hand. “You’re just about free to go.”
You quickly hop off the bed as the nurse approaches, pressing yourself against the wall while she removes Bradley’s IV and check his temperature one last time. She gives him what you assume is not the first lecture about staying safe in the heat before declaring him well enough for discharge. The blonde woman then steps forward and asks him to sign a few forms on her clipboard.
“Is that everything?” he asks.
“Almost.” She takes the clipboard from him and flips to the last form before turning to you. “I just need one more signature from you.”
You nod and take the outstretched pen. “Just here?”
“Yep. Just under your name,” she says, before giggling.
You pause mid-signature, turning to her curiously. Her smile vanishes instantly, and she takes half a step back, holding a hand over her mouth, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. That was so unprofessional,” she says. “It’s been a long day, and I just remembered that when he was brought in, he kept mumbling your name. I wasn’t laughing at you, I promise. I honestly thought it was really sweet.”
Bradley – who is now sitting on the edge of the bed – groans and drops his head into his hands. You have to press your lips together to suppress your laughter, but you can already feel it rattling in your chest. You sign your name quickly and hand the forms back to the woman, who apologises again before exiting the room.
Silence hangs thick and heavy between the two of you as Bradley laces his boots. You don’t speak, you’re not sure you can, so you simply watch him gather his things from across the room. When he’s finished, he finally looks at you with raised brows and flushed cheeks.
“Ready?”
You nod once, pressing your lips together to keep the giggles at bay. He turns toward the door, and you can swear you see his lips tip up into a smirk, but he walks too quickly into the corridor for you to be sure.
You follow him through the building, not the same way you had come in, but out through a different entrance that you assume is for bringing in the injured officers. The heat hits you the second you step out of the building, and you almost choke on the hot air, but you don’t have time to hesitate because Bradley is already forging across the small parking lot.
He glances over his shoulder, but his eyes don’t quite meet yours. “Where did you park?”
“The visitor’s parking near the front gate,” you reply.
He slows his steps and falls into pace beside you. His mouth pops open as a thought flashes across his face, but he closes it just as quickly, rolling his lips and getting lost in his thoughts again.
You decide to help him out. “Do you want to talk about it?”
He clears his throat, keeping his gaze fixed ahead. “Talk about what?”
“Oh, Bradley,” you sigh, a smirk on your lips. “There are so many things to talk about, but I thought I’d be polite and let you choose.”
His resolve cracks and a smile splits across his face. His cheeks are still bright red, and thanks to the blistering sun, every inch of his exposed skin is covered in a thin sheen of sweat. You can’t help but watch the column of his throat as he chuckles, his Adam’s apple moving in the most delicious way. It’s probably not healthy how attracted you are to this man.
“I’d barely been awake for five minutes when they asked me who they should call,” he says. “I was still a little out of it.”
“Right.” You nod slowly. “And because you’d just been dreaming about me, I was the first thing that popped into your head.”
He sighs and tips his head back, squinting up at the clear blue sky. “This has to be the most embarrassing day of my life.”
You bite your lip to hold back more laughter, almost stumbling as you come to a halt at the curb. Instinctively, Bradley grabs your hand and laces his fingers with yours, keeping you steady as he checks the street each way for traffic. Little sparks of lightning rocket up your forearm and across your chest, zapping your heart and kicking it into overdrive.
You let him guide you across the street, expecting him to let go once you’re safely on the other side, but he doesn’t. The butterflies in your stomach flap to life, but you refuse to let your nerves get the better of you. You have too many questions you need answered right now.
You clear your throat, peaking up at him from the corner of your eye. “So, just so we’re clear, calling me had nothing to do with getting me away from Hangman?”
He keeps his gaze fixed ahead. “Of course not.”
“Okay, that’s good.”
You resist the urge to smile as you wait for him to take the bait. It takes a few minutes, and you’ve reached your car by the time you notice his brows scrunch into a frown.
“Wait, what do you mean that’s good?”
You walk around the front of the car toward the driver’s side. “I don’t know, I just felt different today. You know? Like, being alone with Jake was nice.”
His frown turns into a scowl. “It’s Jake now?”
You roll your eyes, being careful not to appear too amused as you play with fire. “Yes, and Jake is really sweet. He’s funny too, and really smart and… well, he’s hot.”
Bradley takes half a step back from the passenger door. “So, you like Hangman now?”
You shrug. “I guess.”
His eyes flick down to his boots, his mouth popping open as if he’s going to argue, but no words come out. His lips clamp shut and the muscles in his jaw jump as he clenches his teeth.
“Do you have a problem with that?” you ask, batting your eyelashes innocently.
When he looks back up, his glare is lethal. The warm honey-brown eyes you often love to stare into are almost completely black beneath his furrowed brows. “Do I have a problem with that?”
You roll your lips and nod, keeping your eyes as wide and innocent as you can while watching him take long strides around the front of the car. Your heart thunders in your chest, making your pulse thump loudly in your ears as he walks right up to you.
He towers over you, his body barely inches from yours. “You know damn well I have a problem with that.”
You look up at him through your lashes, finally letting your lips curl up into a smirk. “Why?”
His hands grab your hips and turn your body so your backside is pressed against the driver’s side door. “You know damn well why.” He presses his body against yours and moves his hands to lean on the car either side of your shoulders, trapping you.
Your head spins and you struggle to breath, overwhelmed by every inch of him that is pressed against you. “Why?” you ask again, your voice barely above a whisper.
He groans and pushes his hips harder into yours before leaning down and catching your lips with his. Your hands grip the sides of his shirt and pull, as if he isn’t already crushing himself against you. When you feel him slide a leg between yours, you gasp, and he takes the chance to push his tongue past your parted lips. You grind down on his thigh and a let out a soft whimper. You can feel him grin against your mouth before lifting his knee a little higher between your legs.
The rest of the world melts away as you grind and moan against each other, completely lost in the feelings you’ve stamped down for so long. Only when you feel your car door begin to bend behind you do you reluctantly put a hand on his chest and push him back.
He frowns as he steps back, looking adorable with lust-blown eyes and puffy red lips. “What’s wrong?”
“We’re about to put a me-sized dent in my car door,” you reply with a soft laugh.
“Oh.” His shoulders relax and he steps back toward you, his hands landing on your hips. “So, you were joking about Hangman, right?”
You roll your eyes, resting your hands on his chest. “Obviously.”
“Good.”
You give him a small smile before letting your eyes drop, panic seeping into your bones as your usual doubts begin to infect your thoughts. Did he only kiss you because he was jealous? Does he want more than friendship, or just a few extra benefits?
“Hey.” He crooks a finger beneath your chin to tilt your head up. “Do you want to know why I’d have a problem if you really did like Hangman?”
You nod as you suck your bottom lip between your teeth, biting down nervously.
“Because then it would’ve been too late for me to tell you that I’m in love you.”
Your heart almost leaps out of your chest. “In love with me?”
His cheeks go from pink to red and he quickly averts his eyes away from yours. “Unless you don’t feel the same, then I’m just in love with you like a friend.”
You roll your eyes again and softly smack his chest. “Don’t be stupid, of course I’m in love with you. I thought it was pretty fucking obvious.”
His lips split into a grin before he dips back down and kisses you again. “Thank God for that,” he mumbles against your mouth.
You giggle as he trails his lips across your cheek, along your jaw, and down your neck. “As much as I love this,” you say, “I would also really love to get out of the heat.”
“Good idea.” He steps back and pulls your body with his, turning a little to the side as leans toward the car and pulls the driver’s door open. “Let’s get back to your apartment and test out that new bed.”
Your knees almost wobble as you step toward the car and drop into the driver’s seat. Bradley is around the car in less than a few seconds, climbing into the passenger’s side and reaching one hand across the centre console to grab your leg.
“Let’s just hope Hangman hasn’t decided to take a nap,” you say as you begin pulling out of the parking spot.
Bradley turns to you with raised brows. “He’s still at your apartment?”
You nod. “He offered to clean up when I left.”
“What if he refuses to leave?”
You shrug one shoulder, your lips tipping up into a smirk. “Then he can join in.”
Bradley’s fingers squeeze hard around your thigh. “Not a fucking chance.”
You giggle when you glance at his stormy expression, but you’d be lying if you said his jealousy wasn’t a bit of a turn on. “You’re not into wife-swapping?” you ask.
He tilts his head, clearly confused. “Wife?”
“Well, yeah. I’m your partner, right? Your emergency contact partner.”
It takes him a few seconds to realise what you mean, but once he does, he drops his head into both hands and sighs loudly. “They told you that?”
You almost feel bad for laughing at him again, but you can’t help it. “The woman called you my husband when I first got there.”
When he looks back up, you’re positive you’ve never seen a more gorgeous boy in the world. His cheeks are bright pink, his honey-brown eyes are sparkling, and he’s grinning so wide you can’t help but grin back at him. “Well, they didn’t really have an option for ‘best friend who I really want to bang and eventually marry one day’.”
Your breath catches in your throat and you’re pretty sure your heart stops. “Marry?”
He turns his attention out the windscreen, still smiling, and his hand returns to its place on your thigh as he says more to himself than you, “One day soon hopefully.”
END.
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mimiiiiiiiiisstuff · 5 months ago
Text
"I bet on losing dogs"
ok this is like my first time actually writing anything EVER, and I don't know how to work tumblr or make this aesthetic so bare with me pls!! I keep seeing yandere batfam x neglected reader and I have had so many ideas so I'm giving this a shot! The reader is referred to with female pronouns but you can imagine it different if you want :) Reader is 2 years older than Damian and is 15 at the start of the story. Damian is 13. Dick is around 10 years older than reader, making him 25 right now. Jason is 8 years older than reader, making him 23. Tim is 2 years older than reader making him 17. Cass is 4 years older than reader and is 19. Stephanie is 3 years older than reader and is 18. Barbra is around 8 years older, making her 23! Bruce is around 35-40ish??? All just kinda guesses to make the plot and dynamics more clear, lmk if you have any questions!!
This is the prolouge and it kinda sucks so pls be nice. Hearts and comments are appreciated. If it's bad ignore it, english isn't my first language. Chapter one:, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4:
You couldn't understand it. You aren't a bad kid, so why were you treated like one? Why did your father treat you like the bane of his existence? Why did your older brothers see you as nothing more than dirt at the bottom of their shoes, a ghost in the manor, a blemish on their picture perfect family of misfits. You tried so so hard to fit in, to be part of the family. You wasted 11 YEARS of your life trying to get noticed, doing activities and hobbies you hated in the hopes of striking conversation with your "siblings". Batman, Bruce Wayne, your "father", ignored you no matter what. He ignored you like it was his job, from the day you came to the manor on your fourth birthday, your mother's death day, to today, your 15th birthday. You saved his life, his and all those other ungrateful losers who you used to call family. Yesterday, you put you life on the line for them, got bitten by that damn snake for them, and they ignored you and told you to walk it off while coddling the girl who suddenly appeared. Never again would you help them, nor would you brush off their mistreatment, not after this betrayal. Not after they took in another girl, a girl your age, the girl who took credit for your heroic act, the girl who bullied you for years at Gotham Prep, the girl who made your life living hell, and called HER family. They choose Tiffany Maverick to be their supposed savior, they would never believe you had the bravery to help them. They chose her to be Tiffany Wayne and scorned you.
You did nothing wrong, from the day you came to the manor you were perfect. Straight A's, no attitude, no complaints and no demands. All you did was try, try, try, and they never noticed.
Richard "The Dick" Grayson, as you and your friends call him, was the world's best big brother to everyone, except you of course! He was your first brother, he was the kid that Bruce Wayne actually wanted to take under his wing. You were 5 and he was 15, he was busy being Robin and then Nightwing. Alfred assured you that Dick adored you, you were his baby sister after all, he was just busy! In later years you realized he was only busy when it came to you. He made time for Damian no matter what, always attended Cassandra's ballet recitals, chatted with Tim and ruffled his hair, and he even dealt with Jason's snarky attitude and biting remarks. Yet, somehow when it came to you, he never had time. Always brushing you off with a shoulder pat and a "Maybe next time sweetheart!" and rolling his eyes when he thought you weren't looking. He's been making time for Tiffany or Tiffybear, as he loves to call her while pinching her cheeks and calling her his favorite little sister, "Don't tell Cass though!" he'll whisper to her. You don't even think he can remember your name. Or that once upon a time you were his "baby bird."
It makes you sick watching her take credit for everything, she's only been in the manor for 6 months and they've all given her more love than they have to you in the past 11 years. She took credit for all your awards, she told everyone she was top of your class, made them "homemade" cakes and muffins. It was all you. She stole everything.
Jason Todd, the red hood, was so mean to you. You used to admire him, looked up to him, and he took all your kind words and gestures for granted and spit them back in your face. Once upon a time, he was your favorite brother, you wanted to be as confident and unshakeable as him, it didn't matter how mean he was now because he was you brother and you loved him. The bond you had before his death was something you couldn't let go of, he was the only one who loved you. When he first came to the manor he was 12 and you came a couple months later. An adorable 4 year old who followed her favorite brother like a duckling. You were 7 when he died. You were 12 when he came back to haunt Bruce and Dick and Tim. You chased after him and tried to resurrect the bond you had for 3 long years. You gave up when you saw them. You couldn't believe your eyes when you saw him and Tiffany sneaking out the manor on a school night, you almost threw up when you saw him strap her on his motorcycle and leave for hours. They came back with shit-eating grins and cupcakes for everyone from a 24hr bakery, everyone except you. The bakery you asked him to take you to months ago. Tiffany saw the tears in your eyes and your clenched fists and she laughed.
Timothy Drake-Wayne, you first saw him after Jason died. Tim, in your 10 year old mind, was trying to steal your dad. Bruce ignored you even more after Jason's death and shut everyone out. Your bond with Tim was non-existent no matter how hard you tried. After you realized he wasn't trying to replace Jason, and saw how he was helping your father heal in ways you couldn't, you tried to bond with him. You attempted to play his video games and ignored his complete disintrest in you and anything that had to do with you in hopes he might come to appreciate you. You brought him coffee after long patrols, asked him about his day, asked to meet his friends, you picked up all his hobbies like hacking, cooking, reading even martial arts and yet he ignored you. You tried to find him in hallways at school, only to be treated like a stranger when you found him. He was embarrassed that you were his sister. You were chubby and awkward and didn't have many friends, he didn't want his cool kid friends to know you were his sister. For 5 long years you chased after him, for 5 years you chased a ghost, and somehow Tiffany captured his attention using one of the gadget-thingys you made in hopes to impress him. She walks the hallways of Gotham Prep with him, a perfect sibling duo, he even had her lunch moved so she could sit with him and his friends. He wasn't embarrassed of her. You watched them get closer in 6 months than you have in 5 years. And it hurt.
But perhaps what hurt most is her newfound bond with Damian. Your baby brother. You tried the hardest with Damian, almost as hard as you tried with Bruce, and yet he chose her while all you got was a sword to your neck and sneers of disgust thrown your way. Damian moved in when you were 12. You were elated, if you couldn't have good older siblings, at least you could be one! That plan went to hell when you realized Damian saw you as less than him. No matter how hard you tried, returned your love with disgust. You tried to show him around school like you wished Tim did for you and he called you " A waste of space and Wayne DNA" and said that there was no way you were of "Wayne" blood and that your "whore of a mother" had to have deceived his father, in front of your two friends and half the school. You could've handled his cruel words if he didn't begin attempting to duel you to become your father's heir. About a year ago, when you tried to hug him he threw you down the stairs and you broke your ankle, you stopped trying with him after that. He was so possessive over Bruce and now that somehow transferred to Tiffany too. You'd feel bad for her if she wasn't eating his obsession with her up.
Barbra, Cassandra, and Stephanie were the "It girls." All practically sisters, they hung out almost everyday and had sleepovers every Friday. They giggled about boys, hook-ups, missions and bonded over everything. You wanted be one of them, you tried so hard to be cool, to be pretty, and they could only see your flaws. You curled your hair and did your nails in hope you would blend with them, you even attempted to be Batgirl at one point. You were quickly denied after Stephanie pointed out that you didn't have the right 'physique' for it. Barbra quickly agreed and said you weren't cut out for it, Cassandra simply looked you up and down. Thats why it hurt extra when they welcomed Tiffany with open arms. Suddenly, she could be Batgirl. She talked to them about boys and bonded with them over girl things. She stole your sisters.
You figured out Tiffany was a spy almost as soon as she came into the manor. Her apperance and ability to act like it was her who saved the Bats from the Joker and his new radioactive snake was not a coincidence, neither was her becoming a vigilante only two weeks after coming into the manor, and neither was you catching her walking out the Batcave with arms full of Batman's weapons and plans. You couldn't believe your luck and pulled out your phone to take a picture, too bad you left the flash on. Tiffany quickly noticed you and tried to explain that it was a misunderstanding when Bruce came into the hallway. You beamed at the sight of him and began to explain what you saw Tiffany doing, only Tiffany was faster. She was quick to blame you for everything, and Batman, the world's greatest detective believed her. She said that you bullied her at school and you were so jealous of her joining the family that you went to steal plans and took pictures to frame her. It was a shitty lie and somehow everyone believed it. You still remember the cold indifference on Bruce's face, the sadness on Alfred's, the look of pure delight on Damian's, the shock on Dick's, the interest on Tim's and the disappointment and disgust on Jason's. Something shifted in you that night. You didn't feel an overwhelming amount of love and longing when you looked at your family, you felt anger. Pure unadultered rage, rage at Bruce for never loving you, rage at Dick for being a liar, rage at Jason for throwing away your bond and cool indifference and disgust at the rest of them.
Maybe that's why your abilities finally formed. Maybe thats why the place the snake bit you that fateful night began to glow as you cried in your bathtub, after being scolded all night and getting body slammed by Damian for trying to "taint his dear sister's image". You had powers now, the agility of a snake, you could eject venom out of your fingertips, you could walk on walls, now you could prove them all wrong.
okayyyy yall this was the prolouge. Again this is my 1st attempt at writing so be nice. If enough people like this I'll put out part one. Hope yall enjoyed and lmk what you want to happen next in the comments!!!!!!!!!
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callsigns-haze · 9 months ago
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Silly little life
Summary: Hangman skips a mission to be by Y/N's side during a tough labor, and together they welcome their baby girl into the world, showing just how strong their bond is.
Warning: Contains intense depictions of labor pain and emotional distress during childbirth.
Word count: 3476 words
Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x reader
English is not my first language so I apologies for mistakes
Could be read alone or as part two of Little Life
Part 3
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The Dagger squad gathered in the briefing room, the usual air of anticipation hanging thick in the space. Maverick stood at the front, arms crossed over his chest as he looked out at the group. Phoenix leaned back in her chair, her legs casually crossed, while Rooster sat forward, elbows on the table, a curious look on his face. Fanboy and Payback were murmuring something under their breath, probably joking about who’d outfly who on the next mission. Coyote sat closest to the front, sharp-eyed and waiting for instructions. Bob, as usual, was quietly observing from the corner, his ever-attentive gaze locked on Maverick.
But one thing was missing—Jake “Hangman” Seresin.
It wasn’t unusual for Jake to cut it close, swaggering in just as the briefing started, flashing his cocky grin as if the world bent to his timing. But today, he was nowhere to be seen.
Maverick cleared his throat, and the chatter in the room died down, all eyes turning toward him. He gave them a measured look, the kind of expression that immediately told the group something was off.
“I’m going to keep this short,” Maverick began, his voice calm but firm. “As you’ve all noticed, Hangman’s not here.”
Phoenix raised an eyebrow, leaning forward in her chair. “Where is he? It’s not like Jake to miss a briefing.”
Rooster shot her a look, his expression sceptical. “Maybe he’s just late. Hangman never misses a chance to show off.”
Maverick shook his head. “He’s not late. He’s not coming.”
A murmur ran through the squad, surprise rippling across their faces. Payback’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Fanboy exchanged a quick glance with Coyote, who looked genuinely confused.
Bob, ever the quiet one, spoke up from the back, his voice soft but clear. “Why not? What happened?”
Maverick let out a slow breath, his gaze steady. “Jake’s not going to be joining us on this mission. He’s dealing with... important family business.” The way he said it left little room for questions. It was vague, deliberate. He wasn’t going to share more than that, and the squad knew it.
Phoenix frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced around the room. “Family business?” she echoed. “Jake never mentioned—”
“He didn’t have to,” Maverick interrupted, his tone kind but firm. “Whatever it is, it’s personal, and it’s not your place to pry. The information only belongs to him and his commanders.”
There was a pause, the weight of the unspoken questions hanging in the air. The Dagger squad wasn’t used to Jake missing missions, especially without an explanation. He was Hangman—their most confident, always-present wingman: bit of a douche too. The idea of him having something outside of flying, something that pulled him away, was almost unimaginable.
Rooster scratched at his chin, his brow furrowed. “Is he okay?”
Maverick’s gaze flickered to Rooster, then to the rest of the squad. “He’s fine,” he reassured them, though his voice held a tone that indicated there was more to the story than he was letting on. “He’ll be back when he’s ready. Until then, you focus on the mission at hand.”
Coyote, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke, his deep voice filled with concern. “So we’re just supposed to carry on without him?”
“That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do,” Maverick replied, his voice sharp. “Hangman knows what he’s doing, and he knows when to step back. Right now, his focus is where it needs to be.”
There was a silence in the room, heavy with unanswered questions. The squad exchanged glances, each one processing the news in their own way. Phoenix looked thoughtful, her mind clearly working through what “family business” could mean for someone like Jake, someone who seemed to live for the thrill of flying and the camaraderie of the squad. Rooster’s expression remained puzzled, though a part of him seemed to respect the privacy Maverick was asking for.
Bob, still calm and collected, nodded quietly to himself. “Understood.”
Maverick gave them all a final, serious look. “Jake will be back when he’s ready. Until then, we move forward. Focus on the mission. That’s all.”
With that, Maverick turned and walked out, leaving the room in a quiet, subdued atmosphere. The Dagger squad sat for a moment longer, absorbing the reality that Hangman wouldn’t be flying with them this time.
But none of them could shake the question lingering in their minds: What kind of family business was important enough to pull Jake Seresin away from the skies?
---
Hours. It felt like you’d been in labor for days instead of hours. Every contraction tore through you, leaving you drenched in sweat, your muscles aching from the strain. The hospital room was dimly lit, the rhythmic beeping of the monitor the only constant in the chaos of your body. You tossed and turned on the bed, trying to find some relief, but nothing seemed to help.
Your hair stuck to your forehead, damp and tangled, and every breath felt labored, like your lungs could barely keep up with the demands of your body. Groaning in discomfort, you shifted again, the cold sheets doing nothing to cool your overheated skin. Your hand gripped the side of the bed as another wave of pain hit, your knuckles white from the pressure.
Jake was beside you, his hand on your arm, trying his best to soothe you. His voice was soft, calm, like he was trying to talk you through a flight manoeuvre. “You’re doing amazing, darlin’,” he whispered, his other hand gently brushing the hair from your face. “Breathe through it, okay? We’re almost there.”
But his words didn’t bring you the comfort they usually did. You were too far gone in the discomfort, the contractions relentless, your body feeling like it was fighting against itself. You groaned again, louder this time, unable to hold back the frustration as the pressure built in your lower abdomen.
“Jake, I can’t—” you panted, squeezing your eyes shut as another contraction took hold. The pain was unlike anything you’d ever felt, a deep, all-consuming force that made you want to scream, cry, or both. You could feel Jake’s hand rubbing soothing circles on your shoulder, but it wasn’t enough.
“I know, baby, I know,” he said softly, his voice tight with worry. “You’re so strong. Just keep going, alright?”
You cracked one eye open, looking at him through the haze of exhaustion. His face was lined with concern, his brow furrowed as he held the small plastic cup of ice chips in his hand. You could tell he was trying to be strong for you, but you could also see the fear in his eyes—the helplessness. He hated seeing you like this, and even though he was doing everything he could, there was nothing that could truly ease your pain.
He brought a spoonful of ice chips to your lips, his touch gentle, careful. “Here, darlin’, try to take a little more,” he urged, but you turned your head slightly, too tired, too uncomfortable to want anything in that moment.
“I don’t want the damn ice,” you snapped, immediately feeling bad as soon as the words left your mouth. But you were so frustrated, so overwhelmed with the never-ending discomfort.
Jake didn’t take it personally. He just nodded, setting the cup down on the table beside him before leaning in, his hand still resting on your arm. “I know, sweetheart,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to your temple. “You’re doing great. I’m right here.”
You groaned again, a deep, guttural sound that came from the pit of your stomach as your body prepared for another contraction. The pressure in your hips and lower back was unbearable, and no amount of repositioning or soothing touches could make it stop.
You tossed your head back against the pillow, panting, desperate for this to end. You could feel the sweat trickling down your neck, your whole body shaking with the effort of holding on. Every time you thought the pain had peaked, it got worse, and your heart pounded in your chest as you tried to ride through it.
Jake’s hand tightened around yours, his thumb brushing softly over your knuckles. He was trying to help, you knew that, but nothing he did seemed to touch the raw intensity of what you were feeling. You could hear him murmuring something under his breath—soft encouragements, maybe—or a prayer that this would be over soon.
Your grip on his hand tightened as another wave hit, and you groaned again, your whole body arching off the bed with the sheer force of it. It felt like you were being pulled apart, every muscle in your body straining as you fought to stay in control. But it was slipping. You were slipping.
“Jake,” you panted, your voice breaking. “I—I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
He leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours for a moment. “You’re almost there, baby. I promise. Just a little longer, okay? You’ve got this.”
You wanted to believe him. You wanted to hold onto his words and let them carry you through. But right now, it felt like there was no end in sight. Just more pain, more pressure, more of this endless battle between your body and the life you were about to bring into the world.
But through the haze of discomfort and exhaustion, you could feel his presence, solid and unwavering, anchoring you to the moment. And somehow, in the middle of all this chaos, that was enough to keep you going.
Even if the ice chips weren’t.
The hours dragged on, and it felt like you were stuck in a whirlwind of pain and exhaustion. Every contraction was a tidal wave, crashing over you, pulling you under. You’d lost track of time, your body trembling with the effort it took just to breathe through each one. Jake hadn’t left your side, his hand gripping yours firmly, as if he could somehow share in the pain.
The nurse's calm voice broke through the fog, "It’s almost time to push, Y/N."
Your breath hitched as another contraction seized you, so powerful that you couldn’t stop the low groan that escaped your lips. Your muscles were tight, your back arching against the bed. Every fibre of your being was screaming for this to end, for the overwhelming pressure to stop.
"Almost time?" you muttered between pants, your voice ragged from hours of groaning and yelling. "Feels like I’ve been at this forever."
Jake leaned closer, his face full of concern, his hand never leaving yours. “You’re almost there, sweetheart. Just a little longer,” he whispered, though you could hear the tension in his voice. You could see the worry etched on his face, the furrow in his brow. He was scared, even if he was doing his best to hide it from you.
The doctor’s voice cut through the haze. "Okay, Y/N, the baby’s almost here. I need you to push when you feel the next contraction, alright?"
You nodded, your chest heaving as you tried to gather every last ounce of strength left in your body. When the next wave hit, you bore down, groaning through clenched teeth as you pushed with everything you had.
"Good! That’s it," the doctor encouraged, her voice steady. "Keep going."
But the pressure—it felt like you were being torn in two. "Oh my God," you groaned, panting. "This baby… this baby has your fat head!"
You heard Jake choke back a laugh, his voice tight with emotion. "Hey now, darlin’, let’s not go blaming me for that," he teased, trying to lighten the mood, but you weren’t in the mood for jokes.
You growled through another push, your face contorting in pain. "I swear, Jake, if this kid has your big-ass head, I’m never letting you forget it!"
He kissed your forehead, his voice soft but laced with a chuckle. “You can blame me all you want, but you’re doing amazing, baby. You’re so strong.”
Another contraction ripped through you, and you squeezed his hand so hard you were sure you’d break it. You could barely focus, barely think beyond the burning pressure and the overwhelming need to push. But even through the haze of agony, the words tumbled out before you could stop them.
"I swear to God, Jake, I’m never doing this again!” you groaned. “Never!"
He nodded, his eyes filled with warmth and concern as he whispered soothingly. "Whatever you say, sweetheart. Whatever you say."
But the next contraction hit, and despite the pain, you pushed harder, feeling the unbearable pressure of the baby moving down. The pain was white-hot, and you let out a strangled cry, your body trembling from the effort.
"Oh my God!" you gasped, tossing your head back against the pillow. "I hate you, Jake! This is your fault!"
Jake squeezed your hand, his voice gentle but steady. "You can hate me all you want, darlin’. You’re doing incredible. Almost there."
You groaned again, guilt mixing with the frustration. You didn’t mean any of it—not really—but the pain had twisted everything inside you, and you couldn’t help but lash out. The guilt made it worse, made your heart ache even through the physical agony.
"I’m sorry," you gasped between ragged breaths. "I don’t… I don’t mean it, I just—" another contraction cut you off, and you screamed, pushing as hard as you could. The burn was intense, and you could feel the baby’s head beginning to crown.
"You’re okay, you’re okay," Jake murmured, his forehead resting against yours now, his voice a grounding force in the chaos. "You’ve got this. You’re almost there, sweetheart."
You bore down again, your whole body trembling as you pushed with everything you had left. The pain was searing, and you could feel the baby’s head stretching you, the sensation overwhelming.
"I swear this kid has your huge head!" you groaned again, your voice a mix of pain and humour as you struggled to keep going.
The doctor’s voice cut through, sharp and encouraging. "One more big push, Y/N. The head’s almost out."
You clenched your jaw, took a deep breath, and pushed again, harder than before. The pressure built to an unbearable peak, and then—
Suddenly, the pain shifted. There was a release, and the tension in your body eased. You gasped for air, your heart pounding in your chest, and then, you heard it—a sharp, clear cry that echoed through the room.
The baby’s first cry.
Tears welled up in your eyes as the doctor held up the tiny, wriggling form for you to see. "It’s a girl!" she announced, and for a moment, all the pain, all the exhaustion, melted away. Your heart swelled as you looked at her—your baby girl.
Jake let out a shaky breath beside you, his voice breaking as he whispered, "We have a daughter."
You watched through tear-filled eyes as the nurse cleaned her up, bringing her over and placing her carefully in your arms. She was so small, her little face scrunched up, her tiny fists waving in the air. You felt Jake’s arm around your shoulders, his hand resting gently on your baby girl’s head as the two of you gazed down at her.
All the pain, all the frustration and discomfort—it didn’t matter anymore. You smiled softly, still breathless, tears rolling down your cheeks as you cradled your daughter to your chest.
"She’s perfect," you whispered, your voice filled with awe.
Jake leaned in, pressing a kiss to your temple. "You’re perfect," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You did it, darlin’. You brought our little girl into the world."
As the room quieted, the nurses moved about with practiced ease, cleaning and tidying up, but all your attention was on Jake and your baby girl. After a moment of letting you hold her, Jake gently reached down, his large hands cradling her tiny form as he took her from your arms, holding her with such tenderness that it made your heart ache. The way he looked at her—with awe, love, and the purest joy—made your breath catch.
But as soon as she left your arms, a wave of emotion hit you like a tidal wave. You were still shaky, still exhausted from labor, but now a new weight settled over your chest. The words you’d shouted, the anger, the frustration—all of it came flooding back. You hadn’t meant any of it, but you couldn’t shake the guilt that twisted in your stomach.
You looked over at Jake, watching him coo softly to your baby girl, his thumb brushing over her cheek as she wriggled slightly in his arms. The sight should have filled you with nothing but joy, but instead, tears welled up in your eyes, spilling down your cheeks before you could even try to hold them back.
You wiped at your face, embarrassed by the sudden flood of emotions, but it only made the tears come harder. The sobs were quiet at first, but soon, your shoulders shook with the force of them, each breath hitching in your chest.
Jake’s head whipped toward you immediately. “Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice soft but urgent. He moved closer, still holding your daughter, his brow furrowed in concern. “Are you in pain? What’s going on?”
You shook your head, unable to speak through the lump in your throat. You tried to take a deep breath, but it only made the sobs come harder. The guilt weighed on you, heavy and crushing, and you couldn’t stop the words that tumbled out.
“I’m sorry, Jake,” you choked, your voice barely a whisper through the tears. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Jake’s eyes softened, and he knelt beside you, carefully balancing your daughter in his arms while reaching out to take your hand. “Sorry? Darlin’, you don’t have anything to be sorry for.”
But you couldn’t stop. The guilt gnawed at you, every word you’d said during labor echoing in your mind. “I yelled at you. I—I said such awful things. I blamed you, and it wasn’t your fault. I didn’t mean any of it, Jake, I swear, I didn’t.” Your voice broke again, tears streaming down your face as you looked at him through blurry eyes.
Jake’s face softened even more, his expression full of understanding and love. “Sweetheart,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand. “You just went through hell bringing our little girl into the world. You were in pain. I know you didn’t mean any of that.”
You sniffled, wiping at your cheeks, but the tears wouldn’t stop. “But I—” you started, but Jake leaned in closer, cutting you off gently.
“No buts,” he whispered, his voice firm but filled with warmth. “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. I love you, and I’m so damn proud of you. You were incredible, Y/N. And our little girl is here because of you.” His gaze flickered down to the tiny bundle in his arms, her little eyes closed as she slept soundly.
You let out a shaky breath, your sobs quieting but still present as you watched Jake cradle your daughter so carefully. “I just… I feel so bad,” you whispered, your chest still tight with guilt. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
Jake leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before he pulled back. “Darlin’, you could’ve called me every name in the book, and I still wouldn’t hold it against you. You brought our baby into the world. That’s all that matters.”
You looked up at him, your vision still blurred with tears, but his words cut through the guilt, soothing the ache in your heart. You could see the sincerity in his eyes, the way he looked at you with so much love and admiration.
“I love you,” you whispered, your voice shaky but filled with emotion.
“I love you too,” Jake replied softly, his eyes never leaving yours as he gently shifted your daughter back into your arms. The warmth of her tiny body against yours made your heart swell, the tears still slipping down your cheeks, but this time, they were different. The guilt was still there, but it was fading, replaced by the overwhelming love you felt for your little family.
Jake sat beside you on the bed, wrapping an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close as you held your daughter between you. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, his lips brushing against your temple. “And now we’ve got this perfect little girl. We did it, darlin’.”
You nodded, sniffling as you looked down at your baby, the small miracle you and Jake had brought into the world. And despite the exhaustion, despite the tears, you couldn’t help but smile through it all. You had your family, and that was everything.
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Part 3
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rootedinrevisions · 4 months ago
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Terrified to Lose You
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Summary: It was supposed to be nothing—just one reckless night to get each other out of their systems before he shipped out. But when cocky, insufferable Jake Seresin lets his guard down, and she lets herself lean in, the lines between want and something deeper start to blur. With the weight of tomorrow pressing in and unspoken feelings lingering between them, neither is ready to admit just how much this night really means. Because once the sun rises, he’s gone and there are no guarantees he’s coming back.
Warnings: 18+ Explicit Sexual Content/Smut. Strong Language, Military Themes (Looming Deployments, Uncertainty of Returning from Deployments, etc.)
Word Count: 9,514
Author’s Note: This is a combination of a request I received for enemies to lovers with Jake Seresin. As well as the @elixirfromthestars writing challenge using the song Death Wish Love by Benson Boone from the Twisters soundtrack…but using it for the Top Gun: Maverick Fandom instead. Hope you guys like it! xx
The Hard Deck is buzzing with the usual chatter, but there’s an edge to it tonight. The music is a little too loud, and the pool tables are too noisy, but no one is really having fun. Not tonight.
The squad has gathered, everyone gathered around the bar, half-heartedly pretending to be relaxed. The pitchers of beer on every table are the only thing that seems to lighten the mood, but it’s forced. 
Tomorrow, everything changes. Tomorrow evening Coyote, Hangman, Rooster, Payback, Fanboy, Phoenix, and Bob head out for a mission they’ve been preparing for for weeks. There’s a lingering sense that no one knows exactly what’s waiting for them on that aircraft carrier.
Coyote and Rooster are at the pool table, the clack of cues against balls filling the space. Payback, Fanboy, Phoenix, and Bob are crowded around one of the tables laughing at some half-hearted joke. But even they can’t ignore the quiet weight of what’s coming. The deployment is looming, the jet engines roaring in their minds even as they try to unwind, and everyone knows that tonight could be the last time they are all together.
But you? You’re on the outside looking in. You had been on the shortlist. Had been the key phrase. Your name was in the mix for this mission, and for a moment it felt like you would finally get your shot. Then the final call came, and you weren’t picked. The rejection stings more than it should, but you push it down. You try to drown it in a gulp of your drink.
You shouldn’t be bitter. They chose who they thought was right for the mission, but that doesn’t stop the resentment from bubbling up in your chest.
Then of course there’s Jake. He's sitting at the bar, that cocky smirk never leaving his face. Even as the weight of tomorrow presses on him too. His eyes flicker toward you once in a while, the usual game between you two never stopping. There’s always a silent challenge in the air when the two of you are in the same room.
Even now, with everything so tense, you can feel his gaze like a weight on your back.
“Stop staring, Hangman,” you mutter to yourself, but you know he’s already aware.
You shift on your stool, and a sudden urge to leave this place sweeps over you. This wasn’t supposed to feel like this. You should be out there with them preparing for the mission. Not stuck watching them go off and do it while you sit on the sidelines.
And yet, every time you turn your head, you catch his eye again. That infuriating, self-assured smirk.
He tipped his beer toward you. "Gonna miss me when I’m gone, sweetheart?"
You scoffed, reaching for your own drink. "I don’t even like you when you’re here, Hangman."
A chorus of groans erupted from the group.
"For the love of God," Phoenix muttered, rubbing her temples like she was developing a headache. "Just fuck already and put us out of our misery."
Bob sipped his drink and shook his head. "I’d rather not have to witness that, actually."
You rolled your eyes. "As if."
Hangman, the smug bastard, winked at you like he knew something you didn’t.
You gasped, feigning outrage, which only made his grin widen. "You are unbelievable."
"And you," he countered, voice dipping just enough to make your pulse skip, "love it."
Your lips parted, ready to fire back, but the weight of everyone’s eyes on you made you hesitate. It wasn’t the first time the team had accused you two of having some kind of unresolved tension, but the last thing you wanted to do was give them more fuel for the fire.
So, instead of acknowledging the warmth creeping up your neck, you simply took another sip of your drink and turned away. Hangman let out a quiet chuckle, low and knowing, and you knew this wasn’t over.
A few hours passed, The Hard Deck was nearly empty now, and the warm hum of conversation long faded. Penny wiped down the bar, occasionally glancing your way, but she knew better than to interfere. Everyone else had trickled out, heading back to base or wherever else they were spending their last night before deployment. 
But you were still here. And so was Hangman.
He leaned against the wall near the back pool tables, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching you like he had all the time in the world. That infuriating smirk of his hadn’t wavered, even as exhaustion tugged at the edges of the night.
"You worried about me, darlin’?" he drawled, voice low, lazy like he already knew the answer.
You scoffed, rolling your eyes even as something inside you twisted tight. "I don’t have the energy to waste worrying about you."
That should have been the end of it. But of course, it never was.
Hangman pushed off the wall and took a slow step toward you. His eyes glinted, sharp and knowing. 
"That’s a lie."
Your jaw clenched. His confidence was insufferable, unbearable even. Because it wasn’t just arrogance. It was accuracy. It was him knowing you better than he should, seeing things you weren’t ready to admit.
The pressure building in your chest needed somewhere to go, so you shoved at him. Hard. Your palms met the solid plane of his chest, and even though he barely budged, it made you feel like you had some kind of control over the situation.
You turned on your heel, needing distance, needing air. Footsteps followed, steady and unhurried. 
"You know what your problem is?"
You didn’t stop walking, didn’t answer. But when you heard him getting closer, and felt the heat of his presence just behind you, you couldn’t stop yourself from turning back around, your heart hammering against your ribs.
"Oh, please, enlighten me," you snapped.
He was right there. Close enough that the scent of his cologne curled around you. Close enough that his breath, slow and even, ghosted against your skin. The space between you had evaporated, leaving nothing but heat and the heavy weight of everything unspoken.
"You talk a big game," he murmured, voice low and edged with something that made your stomach tighten. "But you don’t know what to do when someone calls your bluff."
The words hit like a challenge. And for the first time all night, you didn’t have a comeback.
Your breath hitched, chest rising and falling faster than you wanted to admit. He always did this. Pushed you right to the edge, just to see if you’d jump. And God help you, but you always did.
"Fuck you, Seresin."
He grinned, but this time, there was something sharper behind it, something more dangerous. "Yeah? Say that again."
Your teeth clenched as you shoved him, both hands flat against his chest. He barely moved, but the warmth of his body beneath your palms sent a jolt through you, one you refused to acknowledge.
"I swear to God if you don’t back off—"
"Or what?" His voice was low, teasing, but there was an edge to it, something dark and crackling in the air between you.
You were breathing hard now, but so was he.
"You drive me fucking crazy," you gritted out.
Jake huffed a short laugh, tilting his head. "Likewise, sweetheart."
Silence. Charged. His eyes flickered down to your parted lips, and without thinking, you wet them. It was the smallest movement, but he caught it. Of course, he did.
And then he moved.
His hands were on your face, fingers pressing into your jaw as his lips crashed into yours, hard and desperate, like he’d been holding back for way too long. There was nothing soft about it, nothing careful. It was fire and fury, an explosion of everything you’d been choking down for months.
You didn’t hesitate. Your hands found his hair, twisting and pulling, nails scratching just to get a reaction. And God, did you get one.
Jake groaned into your mouth, deep and raw, before spinning you, pushing you back against the wooden wall of the bar. The impact sent a shockwave through your body, but you barely noticed. Not when his knee slipped between your thighs, pressing just enough to make you gasp.
"I hate you," you breathed, head tipping back as his mouth dragged along your jaw, down the column of your throat.
He grinned against your skin, teeth grazing just enough to make you shiver. "You love this, though."
You didn’t answer. You didn’t have to. Because the way you pulled him closer, nails digging into his shoulders, said everything.
His teeth scraped against your throat, and your grip on his shirt tightened like you were trying to ground yourself, trying to remember why this was a terrible idea. But then his hands slid down your sides, rough and unrelenting, and suddenly, thinking wasn’t an option anymore.
Jake pulled back just enough to catch your gaze, green eyes dark and wicked under the dim light of the bar’s exterior. His lips were swollen, his breath coming just as fast as yours. 
"We should get out of here," he murmured, voice rough with something you refused to name.
You scoffed, even as your body betrayed you, already aching to follow him wherever he was about to lead. "Oh, and I suppose you just happen to have a place in mind?"
His smirk was immediate, cocky as ever. "Darlin’, I always have a plan."
The arrogance sent a fresh spark of irritation through you, tamping down the heat pooling low in your stomach. You pushed against his chest, though it wasn’t nearly as forceful as it should have been. 
"Jesus, Hangman, do you ever turn it off?"
"Not when I’m winning," he shot back, and that stupidly cocky grin widening.
Your eyes narrowed. "This isn’t a game."
Jake tilted his head, taking his sweet time looking you up and down, his hands still resting on your hips like he had every right to touch you. 
"Then why," he murmured, voice low and smooth as honey, "does it feel like you’re losing?"
Your pulse slammed against your ribs. He was insufferable. Absolutely unbearable.
And you were going home with him.
God help you.
The drive to Jake’s place was tense, thick with something neither of you was willing to name. You sat in the passenger seat of his truck, arms crossed tight over your chest, gaze fixed on the road ahead as if you weren’t acutely aware of him beside you. As if every nerve in your body wasn’t tuned to him. The way his fingers tapped against the steering wheel, the way he shifted gears with that effortless, cocky ease, the way his tongue flicked over his bottom lip like he was savoring the anticipation.
The silence between you wasn’t awkward. It was loaded.
You exhaled sharply, shifting in your seat. "Are you gonna say something, or are you just gonna keep glancing at me like a damn creep?"
Jake huffed a laugh, glancing at you sideways. "Oh, sweetheart, I was gonna let you sit there and stew, but since you’re practically begging me to talk…"
Your head whipped toward him, eyes narrowing. "I am not—"
"Admit it," he cut in smoothly, lips curving into a smirk. "You like this. You like me."
You let out a bark of laughter, turning back toward the windshield. "You’re delusional."
Jake clicked his tongue, shifting gears again. "That so?"
"Yes," you snapped, but it lacked bite. 
Maybe because his hand had just settled on your thigh, warm and heavy, his thumb brushing idly against your jeans.
It was infuriating how casual he was about it, like he did this all the time like he knew you wouldn’t push him away. And the worst part? He was right.
You glared down at his hand but didn’t move it. 
"I hate you," you muttered, more to yourself than him.
Jake chuckled, squeezing your thigh just slightly, sending a slow wave of heat curling up your spine. 
"Sure, sweetheart," he drawled. "Keep tellin’ yourself that."
You clenched your jaw, staring straight ahead, determined not to react. You could not let him win this round.
But then he leaned in, voice dropping to a murmur, right against your ear. 
"I bet," he said, his breath fanning warm over your skin, "that by the time we get to my place, you’re gonna be begging me to ruin you."
Your stomach clenched. Your breath caught.
You turned sharply toward him, ready to rip into him, to tell him exactly where he could shove his ego. But one look at his smug, knowing expression, and suddenly, the only thing you wanted more than to slap him was to kiss him.
Jake barely had the truck in park before you were unbuckling your seatbelt, ready to throw the door open and escape the suffocating tension between you. But before you could make your move, his hand shot out, catching your wrist.
"Uh-uh," he murmured, voice like silk and sin. "Not so fast, sweetheart."
You turned, mouth already open to argue, but whatever insult you had locked and loaded died in your throat when you saw his face.
Jake looked at you like he was savoring every second of your frustration, drinking in the flush creeping up your neck, the way your lips parted just slightly as you struggled for a retort. His grip on your wrist was firm but not tight, thumb ghosting over your pulse, which, much to your horror, was racing.
You swallowed hard, yanking your arm free. "Are we going inside, or are you just gonna sit here looking smug all night?"
Jake grinned, slow and cocky, before pushing open his door. 
"Oh, we’re goin’ inside," he said, stepping out like he had all the time in the world.
You inhaled sharply, willing yourself to get a grip, then followed suit, slamming the truck door a little harder than necessary. You stomped up the walkway behind him, practically vibrating with the need to do something. You didn’t even care what. Punch him, kiss him, you just needed something.
Jake reached the door first, unlocking it with ease, but instead of stepping aside to let you in, he turned, leaning against the doorframe.
"Last chance to back out, darlin’," he murmured, voice low, teasing.
You scoffed, rolling your eyes even as your body screamed at you to get closer. "Like you would let me live that down."
Jake chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I’d never let you live it down," he agreed, then tilted his head, eyes dark and burning with something that made your stomach twist. "But we both know you don’t want to back out."
And just like that, you snapped.
Grabbing the front of his shirt, you yanked him down, crashing your mouth against his.
Jake groaned, deep and satisfied, as if he’d known this was coming. He let you take control for a split second before flipping the script, crowding you into the door, hands gripping your hips like he was staking a claim.
The kiss was fire and fury, all teeth and tongue. His hands roamed, rough and sure, like he’d been waiting for this just as long as you had.
You pulled back just enough to gasp, "God, I hate you."
Jake grinned against your lips, fingers curling into your waistband. "Yeah?" His voice was pure arrogance. "Show me, then."
The door had barely clicked shut before Jake had you backed against it, his body flush against yours, heat radiating off him in waves. His lips found yours again, just as greedy, just as needy as before, like he’d been starving for this and now that he had a taste, he wasn’t letting go.
Your hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him impossibly closer, and he groaned against your mouth, low and rough, before yanking the fabric over his head and tossing it aside like it was offending him.
"Jesus, Hangman," you muttered, taking in the broad planes of his chest, the way his muscles flexed as he ran a hand through his already tousled hair.
He smirked, stepping back into your space, hands finding your waist again. "Was wonderin’ when you’d finally admit you liked lookin’ at me, sweetheart."
You scoffed, shoving at his chest. "I don’t."
Jake caught your wrist mid-shove, his grip firm, the heat of his palm branding against your skin. "Liar," he murmured, and then he spun you, pressing you against the door, his chest flush against your back.
Your breath hitched.
His lips brushed the shell of your ear. "You know what I think?"
You clenched your jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response.
Jake chuckled, feeling your stubborn silence. "I think you like it when I get under your skin," he continued, voice thick as honey, hand sliding along your arm before settling at your hip. "I think you like fightin’ me ‘cause it makes this—" he pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss to the side of your neck, biting down just enough to make your fingers twitch—"so much better."
You shivered.
"Tell me I’m wrong," he murmured, lips trailing lower.
You hated him. You hated how right he was. How much you wanted this, wanted him.
So instead of answering, you turned, grabbing his face and pulling him into another kiss, swallowing his smug little chuckle as you pushed him backward.
Jake let you lead—at least for a few steps—until the backs of his knees hit the couch, and he took advantage of your forward momentum, twisting you both so you tumbled down with him.
You gasped as you landed in his lap, his hands immediately finding your thighs, fingers digging in just enough to make you ache.
"Well, would you look at that," he drawled, looking up at you with pure, unfiltered arrogance. "Right where you wanna be."
Your glare was instant, but whatever insult you were about to hurl at him got lost in the way his hands slid up, his thumbs pressing into the sensitive skin at your hips, his gaze dark and knowing.
"Say it," he murmured, voice softer this time. "Say you want this."
You exhaled sharply, fingers threading into his hair, pulling just enough to make him grunt.
"Jake—"
"Yeah, sweetheart?"
You clenched your jaw, breath coming short and fast.
"I hate you," you whispered, leaning down, lips brushing against his.
Jake grinned. "That so?"
You nodded, eyes locked on his.
"Good," he murmured, tilting his head up to kiss you again, all teeth and heat. "Hate me all you want." His fingers dug into your hips, his voice dropping to a growl. "Just don’t stop."
His hands, hot and steady against your hips, didn’t push—didn’t take the way you half-expected him to. Instead, he just looked at you, gaze flickering over your face like he was memorizing the way you looked right then—cheeks flushed, lips kiss bruised, breathing heavy.
You swallowed, suddenly too aware of the weight of his hands, the heat of his body beneath you. "What?" you muttered, shifting slightly in his lap.
Jake’s fingers flexed at your waist, his jaw tightening like he was holding something back. Then his eyes lifted to meet yours.
"Want me to take this off, sweetheart?" he murmured, toying with the hem of your shirt, voice softer than before. More careful.
Your breath caught.
You weren’t sure what surprised you more. The fact that he asked or the fact that it sent a different kind of heat through you. Something deeper. Something that settled low in your stomach, curling tight.
"You don’t have to ask," you muttered, trying to ignore the way your pulse was suddenly hammering against your ribs.
Jake huffed a quiet laugh, one hand leaving your waist to push a strand of hair from your face, thumb grazing your cheek for just a second longer than necessary. "Yeah, I do."
And that? That threw you. Because it wasn’t cocky. It wasn’t teasing. It was real. For a split second, it wasn’t about the fight, the tension, or the way you constantly tried to push each other’s buttons.
It was just him.
Your throat felt tight, and you hated it. Hated that something so simple made your stomach flip.
But you still lifted your arms.
Jake didn’t hesitate after that, peeling your shirt off in one smooth motion and tossing it somewhere over his shoulder. But then he stopped again, and Jesus Christ, the way his eyes raked over you, the way his tongue darted out to wet his lips, the way his breath shuddered just slightly. It made your skin prickle and made heat lick up your spine.
For the first time that night, you didn’t have some sharp remark ready.
And Jake noticed.
A slow, satisfied smirk tugged at his lips as his hands skimmed up your sides, settling just beneath the band of your bra. 
"Well, would you look at that," he murmured, eyes dragging back up to yours. "Speechless."
Your glare was instant, but before you could snap at him, his grip tightened, pulling you closer, lips brushing against your jaw as he murmured, "And beautiful."
And just like that, he shattered every thought in your head.
Jake's fingers trailed up your spine, slow and deliberate, making you shiver before they settled on the clasp of your bra. He didn’t rush. There was no quick practiced flick like you might have expected. Instead, he lingered, thumbs tracing idle circles against your skin, his breath warm against the hollow of your throat.
"You good?" He murmured, lips brushing against your collarbone, his voice lower now, less teasing, almost gentle.
You swallowed hard. You weren’t used to this side of him, the part that asked, the part that wasn’t all sharp-edged arrogance and cocky smirks.
"Yeah," you muttered, but your voice was quieter now, and that was enough for him to notice.
Jake hummed like he wasn’t quite convinced, but he popped the clasp anyway, dragging the straps down your arms with an almost painful slowness before finally tossing it aside.
Heat bloomed across your chest, your arms twitching with the instinct to cover yourself, but before you could even think about being shy, Jake’s hands were there, skimming up your ribs, curling around your wrists to stop you.
"Nuh uh," he murmured, his grip firm but warm, his thumbs brushing slow circles against your skin. His eyes, dark and heavy-lidded, dragged over every inch of you, taking his damn time like he was committing every detail to memory.
"Jake," you started, but your voice wavered, and you hated how small it sounded.
His gaze flicked back to yours immediately, something sharp flashing behind all that heat. "Don’t," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Don’t get shy on me now."
You huffed, shifting slightly in his lap trying to grasp at something. Control, defiance…anything. But then his hands were back tracing up your sides, his thumbs skimming just beneath your breasts. His eyes were locked on yours.
Your stomach flipped, and God you wanted to look away. You wanted to fight the way your heart was hammering against your ribs. But then his hands slid higher, fingers splaying wide across your ribcage holding you there.
“You’re fucking perfect,” he murmured, and it was so genuine and unguarded that it nearly knocked the wind out of you.
Jake Seresin. Cocky, arrogant, never shuts the hell up Jake was looking at you like you like you were the best damn thing he’d ever seen.  Like he’d imagined this a hundred times over but now that you were here, in his lap, chest rising and falling under his hands, he was afraid to blink in case he woke up and it was all gone.
His tongue darted out to wet his lips, his gaze dragging over every inch of you with a hunger that wasn’t just lust, it was something more, something you didn’t quite know what to do with.
“Fuck,” he muttered almost to himself, his head tipping back against the couch for just a second before he looked at you again. 
His pupils were blown wide, his breath uneven and God you’d never seen him like this. It was like you had him completely undone without even trying.
His hands moved then, fingertips tracing the delicate curve of your waist before sliding up, fingers brushing the undersides of your breasts.
“You have no idea,” he murmured, his voice rough. “How long I’ve wanted you like this.”
A slow, satisfied smirk curled at the corner of your lips as you took him in. You slid your hands into his hair, feeling the soft strands between your fingers as you gave a firm tug. His breath hitched, his grip tightening instinctively, but he let you guide him, tilting his head back until his chin rested against your sternum.
His lips parted slightly, his chest rising and falling beneath you, the sharp angles of his jaw and throat bathed in the warm glow of the lamp beside the couch. He was completely at your mercy, and fuck, you liked the way that felt.
You leaned down, slow and deliberate, until your breath ghosted over his parted lips, your nose barely brushing his. His hands twitched on your waist, but he didn’t move. He was waiting. Watching. Wanting.
A smug little hum left your lips, and you let your fingers tighten just slightly in his hair as you murmured, “Well, Hangman… you finally got what you wanted.” You dragged your lips down, grazing along the sharp edge of his jaw, feeling the way his pulse jumped beneath your mouth. Then you pulled back just enough to meet his eyes again, voice turning to a whisper. “What are you gonna do about it?”
His hands flexed against you, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he exhaled slowly through his nose, eyes locked onto yours as if you’d just lit a match and dropped it into a trail of gasoline.
Then he grinned, lazy and sharp, green eyes dark with intent.
“Oh, sweetheart,” he murmured, voice thick with promise as his fingers skimmed higher, teasing along your spine. “You have no idea.”
One second you were in control, straddling his lap with hands in his hair. The next his hands slid down gripping the backs of your thighs as he stood, lifting you like you weighed nothing.
A startled gasp left your lips, hands flying to his shoulders as he adjusted his grip, his fingers pressing firmly into the curve of your ass to keep you steady. His smirk was downright insufferable as he took a few steps toward the hallway, completely unfazed by your sudden shift in position.
“Jesus, Hangman—” you started, but he only chuckled, the sound vibrating against your chest as he carried you with ease.
“What?” he drawled, like this wasn’t affecting him in the slightest. “You wanted to know what I was going to do.”
Your stomach fluttered at the effortless strength in his hold, but you rolled your eyes, determined not to give him the satisfaction of knowing it. Instead, you crossed your arms loosely around his neck, leaning in just enough to murmur, “You know, you don’t have to carry me.”
Jake slowed just slightly, glancing down at you with something unreadable flickering in his gaze. “You sayin’ you don’t like it?”
You hesitated, your fingers tightening against the nape of his neck.
It wasn’t that you didn’t like it. If anything, you liked it too much. But there was something about being held like this—about the way he handled you so effortlessly, so casually—that poked at an old insecurity buried deep in the back of your mind.
Guys like Jake Seresin always went for the kind of girls who looked effortless in their arms, who didn’t overthink the way they were being held, who didn’t worry about whether or not they were too heavy or too much.
Your silence must have said more than you intended, because Jake’s hold on you tightened just slightly, his smirk fading into something softer.
His voice dropped, quieter than before. “Darlin’.”
You swallowed, avoiding his gaze. “I just—” You huffed a short breath, shaking your head like you could physically dismiss the thought. “I’m not some dainty little thing, okay? You don’t have to—”
“Stop.” His tone left no room for argument, and before you could protest, he adjusted his grip, bouncing you slightly in his arms as if to prove a point. “You really think I’d be doin’ this if I couldn’t handle it?”
Your lips parted, but no words came out.
Jake exhaled sharply, shaking his head before dipping down just enough to catch your gaze. His eyes were serious now, all teasing gone. “I like carrying you,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “And not just ‘cause I can, but because I want to.”
Your breath caught, a different kind of warmth blooming in your chest, one that had nothing to do with arousal and everything to do with the way he was looking at you.
He tightened his hold, tilting his head with a smirk that was softer than before, but still undeniably him. “Now, you gonna let me take you to my bed, or you wanna keep pretendin’ you don’t like this?”
Your heart stuttered, fingers gripping the back of his neck as you huffed, finally letting your head drop against his shoulder.
“Fine,” you muttered, and you could feel his smirk against your temple.
“That’s my girl.”
And with that, he carried you the rest of the way, leaving no room for argument.
Jake nudged the door open with his foot, the hinges creaking slightly as he carried you inside. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a lamp on the nightstand, casting long shadows across the space. His bed which was big, unmade, and ridiculously inviting was only a few steps away, but he didn’t rush. If anything, he seemed to savor the moment, taking his time as he moved toward it.
You felt the muscles in his arms flex as he shifted his grip, lowering you onto the mattress with deliberate care. His hands lingered for just a second longer than necessary, fingertips trailing lightly along your sides before he straightened to stand over you.
The air between you was thick, charged with something that was no longer just heated banter and reckless tension. This was something else. Something weightier.
Jake’s green eyes raked over you, dark and unreadable, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. “You look good like that, sweetheart,” he murmured, voice rough around the edges.
Your stomach clenched, your breath coming a little quicker as you propped yourself up on your elbows. “You just gonna stand there and stare, Seresin?” you teased, but the slight hitch in your voice gave you away.
His lips curled, but there was something softer behind the smirk this time. “You in a hurry?”
You swallowed, pulse hammering. “I—”
Before you could finish, Jake was moving. He crawled onto the bed, hands bracing on either side of your hips as he leaned in, his nose brushing against yours.
“You got nowhere to be,” he murmured, the words a slow drawl against your lips. “So why don’t you let me take my time?”
A shiver rolled through you, but you forced yourself to keep your expression even. “You always this much of a tease?”
Jake chuckled, the sound low and indulgent. “Only when I got something worth taking my time with.”
Your breath caught, but you refused to let him see how easily he unraveled you. Instead, you reached up, threading your fingers into his hair, tugging just enough to earn a soft grunt from him. “Stop talking and do something about it, Hangman.”
Jake’s weight pressed you into the mattress, his hands roaming slowly and deliberately as his lips ghosted over your collarbone. Every touch sent heat curling through your stomach, every kiss stoking the fire that had been burning between you since the second he’d crowded into your space outside The Hard Deck.
His hands drifted lower, skimming the line of your jeans, fingers toying with the button as he watched your face.
He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “You gonna let me take these off, or you wanna fight me on it?”
You huffed a breath, fingers still buried in his hair. “What do you think?”
Jake grinned like he already knew the answer, but he still waited. Waited for the tiny nod you gave him, the permission you offered without hesitation. Only then did he move.
The sound of your zipper being undone was deafening in the quiet of the room, your breath catching as he dragged the denim down, slow enough to make you squirm.
He chuckled, low and knowing. “You always this impatient?”
You lifted your hips, helping him rid you of the last piece of clothing between you, and shot him a look. “You always this slow?”
Jake’s eyes darkened. “Sweetheart, I don’t think you want me rushing this.”
His hands traced up the length of your legs, teasing, exploring, his touch sending little sparks dancing along your skin. And then his fingers dug into your thighs, parting them just enough for him to settle between them.
That cocky smirk never wavered as he leaned in, his breath hot against your jaw. “Told you,” he murmured. “I’m gonna take my time with you.”
Jake’s lips found the inside of your knee first. His lips were soft and teasing as they brushed your skin. His hands ran up your thighs, squeezing, but his mouth followed at an excruciatingly slow pace.
Your breath hitched as he kissed higher, his lips trailing a warm path along your skin. Every inch of you was tense with anticipation, waiting, bracing, needing.
He was right there. Right. There.
And then he exhaled a laugh against your skin, his breath warm and taunting, before shifting away to press his mouth to your other thigh instead.
Your hands fisted in the sheets. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
Jake looked up at you through his lashes, a smug grin tugging at his lips. “Somethin’ wrong, sweetheart?”
Your head fell back against the pillows with an exasperated groan. “You’re insufferable.”
He hummed in agreement, his mouth continuing its slow, torturous exploration. His hands slid under your thighs, gripping tight, keeping you exactly where he wanted you.
“You love it,” he murmured against your skin, voice dripping with amusement.
You wanted to argue, but then his teeth grazed the soft skin of your inner thigh, just enough to make you gasp, and suddenly, words weren’t coming so easily anymore.
Jake's teasing had you teetering on the edge of frustration and something far more desperate. He knew exactly what he was doing. Drawing it out, making you squirm, feeding off every sharp breath and roll of your hips. But just when you were about to snap at him again, his lips finally ghosted over where you needed him most.
A strangled sound caught in your throat as he pressed a slow, open-mouthed kiss against you, his tongue flicking out just enough to send a shiver down your spine. Your fingers tangled in his hair, pulling harder than necessary, but if anything, it only spurred him on.
For once, you were grateful Jake Seresin never shut the hell up because he really knew how to use that mouth.
His tongue worked in slow, devastating strokes, a perfect rhythm that had your back arching off the bed in seconds. He groaned against you, the vibrations sinking deep into your bones, and it sent a fresh wave of heat pooling in your stomach.
“Jake—” His name slipped from your lips before you could stop it, breathless and wrecked.
“That’s it,” he murmured against you, his voice smug and husky. His grip on your thighs tightened. “Say my name, sweetheart.”
Jake was relentless.
Every time you thought he was going to give you what you needed—really give it to you—he’d slow down, change rhythm, pull back just enough to keep you on the edge but never quite over it.
It was maddening.
Your legs trembled beneath his hands, every nerve in your body burning with frustration. He was drawing it out on purpose, keeping you right where he wanted, his mouth and tongue working you into a fever pitch only to ease up the second your muscles tensed, the moment you got too close.
You let out a frustrated groan, fingers tugging at his hair in a warning. “Jake.”
A hum vibrated against you—satisfied, entertained—but he didn’t relent. He kept up his slow torture, his tongue pressing in firm, deliberate strokes, his lips ghosting over you with just enough pressure to make you crazy.
“Fuck, I swear to—”
But just when you were ready to snap, just when the tension in your stomach coiled tight enough to break, he pulled away.
You gasped, blinking down at him in disbelief, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. “Are you—”
He grinned, wiping the back of his hand over his mouth as he settled between your legs, looking so damn smug it made you want to throttle him. “Somethin’ wrong, sweetheart?”
Your glare could’ve burned a hole straight through him. “I hate you.”
His hands smoothed up your thighs, fingers kneading into your skin as he leaned up, his lips hovering just over yours. His breath was warm when he spoke. “No, you don’t.”
And then, just to drive the point home, he slid two fingers between your legs, pressing into you with the same slow, torturous precision.
Your breath hitched, your head falling back against the pillows. He chuckled against your jaw, lips brushing your pulse. “See? You love me.”
Your body betrayed you before you even had time to think of a comeback. Your hips rolled instinctively, seeking out more friction, chasing what he’d been cruelly holding just out of reach.
Jake groaned, low and rough, his fingers still deep inside you as he watched, transfixed. His free hand splayed across your hip, feeling the way you moved against him, the way your body took what it wanted.
“Fuck, look at you,” he muttered, voice thick with something dangerously close to awe. “So goddamn greedy for it.”
Heat flooded your face, but embarrassment never stood a chance against the need coursing through you. You didn’t stop—couldn’t stop—even as his eyes dragged over every inch of you, taking in the way you worked yourself against his hand, the soft whimpers slipping past your lips.
Jake fucking loved it.
“That’s it, sweetheart,” he encouraged, his fingers curling just right, pressing exactly where you needed. His mouth found your throat, teeth scraping against sensitive skin before soothing it with his tongue. “Use me. Get yourself there.”
Your stomach clenched, muscles tightening as that coil in your core wound impossibly tighter. Every stroke of his fingers sent sparks of pleasure shooting up your spine, and the way he watched you like he’d never seen anything more stunning only drove you higher.
You were close. Too close.
And Jake knew it.
His lips brushed your ear, his voice a rasped promise.
"That’s it, baby. Come for me."
There was no question in his tone just certainty, confidence, command. Like he already knew you would, like you had no choice but to obey.
His fingers never faltered, his pace steady, relentless, pushing you closer and closer until there was no stopping it. Your body tensed, every nerve lighting up as pleasure coiled tight in your stomach, ready to snap.
"Jake—" His name tore from your lips, a desperate, breathless cry as the release hit you, hard and all-consuming.
He groaned, low and satisfied like your pleasure was his own personal victory. 
"That's it, sweetheart," he murmured, working you through it, dragging out every last wave, every aftershock, until you were trembling beneath him.
His hands never stopped moving, slow and teasing now, like he was savoring the way you came undone for him. His lips ghosted over your hip, smug but reverent. "Damn, baby," he drawled, watching you with something almost like admiration. "That was real pretty."
Jake made quick work of his jeans and boxers, shedding the last of his clothing without a second thought. His confidence was effortless like he had no doubt in his mind that you'd want him just as much as he wanted you.
Crawling back onto the bed, he took you in, his hands smoothing over your skin, possessive and reverent all at once. Then, in one fluid motion, he flipped you over. You barely had time to react before he was guiding you forward. Instinctively, you pushed up onto your forearms, shifting to all fours, but Jake had other plans.
He let out a low chuckle, running his hands down your spine before gripping your hips and pulling you back against him. 
"Not like that, sweetheart." His voice was rough, heavy with want.
Before you could question him, he slid a firm hand between your shoulder blades and pressed down, guiding you back down to the mattress. Your cheek met the sheets, your back arching instinctively under the pressure of his touch.
"There you go," he murmured, his voice all smug satisfaction. "Much better."
Jake’s grip on your hips tightened as he aligned himself with you, his body hovering just above yours. His breath was shallow, and you could feel the heat of him so close, yet not enough to satisfy the aching tension between you both.
With a slight shift of his weight, he brought his hand down on your ass with a sharp, satisfying slap. The sound of it echoed in the quiet room, making your body jump forward at the contact. You let out a small yelp, the sting sending a rush of heat through your veins, mixing with the desire that had been building all night.
You glanced over your shoulder, your chest rising and falling quickly. "What was that for?" you asked, trying to sound nonchalant, though your voice gave away the sudden, surprised pleasure.
He chuckled darkly, his breath hot against your skin as he whispered in your ear, "Because I can."
You opened your mouth to snap back, to say something, anything to regain some control in this situation, but before you could get a word out, Jake shifted his weight and pushed forward, the feeling of him filling you completely. The words you’d been about to say caught in your throat, replaced by a breathless moan as he stretched you in ways that sent your body reeling.
Your back arched, and your grip on the sheets tightened as you fought to stay composed, but the pleasure of him inside you was too overwhelming. The cocky grin on Jake’s face was evident, even as he moved slowly, savoring the moment just as much as you were.
Jake’s grip on your hips tightened, his fingers digging into your skin as he began to increase his pace. The sounds of his breath, sharp and steady, mixed with the rhythmic slapping of skin against skin, filling the air between you. Each thrust had you gasping, your body rocked forward with every press, his rhythm pushing you further toward the edge.
With every stroke, you felt him deeper, filling you completely. The intensity of it had you gasping for air, your heart racing in time with the beat of your pulse. And for a split second, amidst the rush of sensation, a thought flashed through your mind—Why the hell hadn’t you done this before?
The idea lingered for a heartbeat, but Jake’s hand moved to your back, pressing you down into the sheets, and that fleeting thought was gone as quickly as it had come. All that was left was the heat, the pressure building inside you, and the undeniable pull of him—his rhythm, his touch, the way he moved inside you, the way his breath caught when he pulled you closer, driving deeper.
Jake could feel the way your body clenched around him, the tightening of your muscles making him groan, his rhythm faltering for just a second. He had been watching you, noticing the way your moans had shifted from his name into breathless nonsense, and he could tell you were on the verge of losing it.
With a smirk curling at the corner of his lips, he leaned down, his breath hot against the back of your neck. “You’re about to come, aren’t you?” His voice was rough, low, and cocky, but there was a softness to it that sent a shiver down your spine. “Damn, baby. You sound so fucking good. I’m gonna make sure you remember this.”
His hand slid down your body, fingers pressing into your lower stomach, feeling the way your muscles tensed and quivered, and that only made him press harder, driving deeper with each thrust.
Jake could feel the way you were unraveling beneath him, and he couldn’t help but let out a low laugh, knowing he was the one pulling these sounds from you. He was the one making you lose control. There was nothing like this—the power, the rush of it—and hell, he fucking loved it.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice rougher now, “I’m not letting you go until I’ve got every last sound out of you.”
Your breath hitched at his words, a soft whimper escaping your lips without meaning to. It was just enough to fuel Jake further, his grip on your hips tightening, his thrusts becoming harder, more determined. He heard the sound you made, felt the way it vibrated in your chest, and that drove him wild.
“God, you like that, don’t you?” Jake murmured the cocky edge to his voice sharper now. He moved faster, his rhythm relentless, as if he was determined to make you fall apart in front of him.
The sound of his name left your lips again, a whimpering gasp this time, and Jake couldn’t help but smile against your back.
“I knew you’d be this responsive,” he said with a breathless chuckle, “Just let go for me, baby. Let me hear it.”
The way your body responded to him, so soft and needy, only made him push harder. Each sound you made, every tremor that ran through you, sent a wave of satisfaction crashing over him. He couldn’t get enough, his need for you only growing as he felt you getting closer, his hands tightening on your hips as he set the pace.
You were almost there, and he knew it. And that, more than anything, was what had him pushing to give you exactly what you needed.
Jake’s movements were growing more erratic, his control slipping as the pressure inside him built. He could feel himself teetering on the edge, every muscle in his body tense and straining with the need to finish. But he wasn’t going to let go just yet. Not without one more from you.
You were a mess beneath him, breath coming in sharp, ragged gasps, your body trembling as you met each of his thrusts. The way you felt, the sounds you were making…everything about you was driving him wild. 
He tightened his grip on your hips, pulling you back against him as he pushed harder, faster. “One more, baby,” he growled. “Give it to me.”
He didn’t ask; he commanded, his voice rough and demanding, as if there was no room for hesitation. His breath was coming in hot, heavy bursts against your skin as he drove you both closer to the edge. 
He needed to hear you. Needed to see you fall apart again.
“Don’t hold back. Let go for me,” he growled, his voice almost a low, possessive growl as he felt the last thread of his restraint snap.
Your body finally gave way, the tension that had been building between you two snapping as you let go. A sharp cry tore from your throat, your body shuddering under him as your release hit. The pressure and pleasure of it all flooded your senses, and you collapsed onto the bed, breathless and spent. Your legs shook, your mind hazy with the aftermath of what he had just pulled from you.
Jake’s movements faltered for a moment, his rhythm becoming more desperate and sloppy as he chased his own release. His grip on your hips tightened, but his breath was heavier, ragged now, his body trembling against you.
“Where do you want it?” He muttered.
It was then that the weight of it all clicked for you.
Your chest heaved with exertion as you finally managed to get your thoughts together, eyes widening slightly. You gasped, the realization dawning. You hadn’t even thought about the condom. You hadn’t talked about it.
“Jake,” you murmured, still breathless, trying to collect yourself enough to speak clearly. “I’m on birth control.”
The words had barely left your mouth before he groaned low and deep, and in the next moment, he surged forward, driving himself all the way into you, his pace finally faltering as he pushed to the brink. His fingers dug into your skin as he stilled, and then he let go with a final, possessive grunt. He filled you, the intensity of his release flooding you both, leaving you both trembling in the aftermath.
His breath was uneven, his chest rising and falling as he slowly came back to himself. He stayed there, resting against you for a moment, his forehead resting against your back as the two of you tried to catch your breath. It felt almost like a release for him too. Not just physically but in the tension between you both that had been building for so long.
“Damn,” he muttered against your skin, his voice hoarse. “That was...”
He trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence. You both knew exactly what it was.
Still, the weight of the moment hung in the air between you two. Neither of you moved immediately, just feeling each other’s presence, the exhaustion slowly taking over.
You sighed as you sat up, feeling the cool air against your skin as the heat of Jake’s body left you. Your limbs felt heavy, your body spent, but you forced yourself to move, slipping off the bed and padding toward the bathroom.
Jake didn’t say anything as you went, just watched you go, his expression unreadable in the dim light of the room.
Inside the bathroom, you turned on the sink, splashing cool water on your face. You caught a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Your cheeks were flushed, lips were swollen, the lingering evidence of Jake’s touch still visible on your skin. You exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of the counter for a moment before straightening up.
This was…something. Whatever it was. And now, in the quiet of Jake’s bedroom, the weight of what came next started to settle over you.
By the time you emerged, Jake was pulling on a pair of sweats, his movements slower, more languid now. You grabbed your underwear and the oversized shirt he had tossed your way earlier, slipping them on before crawling back into bed beside him.
It was quiet now. The charged energy from before had settled into something softer, something heavier. You lay on your back, staring up at the ceiling, your mind drifting as the reality of tomorrow pressed in.
Beside you, Jake shifted. He propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze settling on you. You felt it before you saw it. The weight of his stare, studying you, tracing over your features like he was trying to memorize them.
“What?” you asked, your voice softer than before.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he kept looking at you, his expression unreadable but intent. Finally, after a beat, he murmured, “You’re worried about tomorrow. About me..”
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. Your breath caught slightly, but you didn’t respond. You just swallowed, keeping your gaze fixed on the ceiling.
Jake exhaled through his nose, a quiet sound in the stillness of the room. “You’re gonna tell me to be safe, aren’t you?”
Your throat tightened.
“Just…” you swallowed again, voice barely above a whisper. “Just come back alive, Jake.”
The teasing smirk he had worn all night. Hell, the one he wore all the damn time faded. Something more real passed over his face, something softer, something unspoken.
For a moment, neither of you moved. You finally turned your head to look at him, and for the first time, neither of you had anything smart to say.
You just held each other’s gaze, both thinking the same thing.
Jake’s fingers lingered against yours, his touch warm but tentative. You weren’t sure how long the two of you just lay there like that staring at each other in the dim light of his bedroom, words unspoken but understood.
Then, slowly, he shifted.
He leaned in, his nose brushing yours, his lips barely ghosting over yours in a way that wasn’t cocky or teasing or demanding. It was softer. Almost hesitant.
You could feel the way he exhaled against your lips like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how. Like maybe this, whatever this was, was throwing him off just as much as it was throwing you off.
His lips pressed to yours, just for a second. Just enough to make your breath hitch. And then he pulled back, hovering so close you could still feel him.
The quiet stretched between you, not uncomfortable, but heavy with the weight of everything left unsaid. You stared at the ceiling, your mind drifting, already trying to brace for the morning.
You turned your head, glancing at him in the dim light. He looked so at ease, so different from the cocky, sharp-tongued pilot you had spent so much time arguing with. His expression was softer now, the teasing smirk gone, replaced by something quieter.
You exhaled slowly, the tension in your body unraveling as you shifted closer, tucking yourself into his side. His arm draped over you, and you let your head rest against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath your cheek.
His free hand rested on his stomach, and without thinking, yours followed, finding it easily in the dark. Your fingers brushed his, tentative at first like you weren’t sure if you were allowed to reach for him. Like you weren’t sure if this was something you were even supposed to want.
But Jake didn’t hesitate. His fingers curled around yours, lacing them together like it was second nature. Like holding your hand was as easy as breathing.
Neither of you spoke. Neither of you had to.
The weight of the morning still lingered in the air, but for now, just for this moment, you let yourself have this.
Let yourself have him for just a little longer.
Jake’s breathing evened out long before yours did. His arm was still draped over you, the steady rise and fall of his chest lulling you into something that almost felt like peace. Almost. But no matter how hard you tried to ground yourself in the warmth of his skin, in the weight of his hand still tangled with yours, your mind kept drifting.
You stared up at the ceiling, the quiet pressing in.
And I'll ask the stars at night, how I can slow the time…
The words echoed in your head, unspoken but heavy in your chest. The night felt too short, slipping through your fingers no matter how tightly you tried to hold onto it.
Your grip on Jake’s hand tightened just slightly like that alone could keep him here. Keep him safe.
But you knew it wouldn’t.
God, I’m so terrified that I’m gonna lose you.
You turned your head, your gaze tracing the sharp lines of his face softened in sleep. His brows weren’t furrowed for once. His mouth, the same mouth that had spent the night pressing cocky remarks against your skin, was relaxed.
He looked peaceful. Like he didn’t have to wake up in just a few hours and walk into the unknown. Like he wasn’t about to get into a jet and disappear into the sky, leaving you behind to wonder if you’d ever see him again.
And I’ll die if I do.
Your throat tightened, your chest aching under the weight of everything you weren’t saying. Everything you wouldn’t say.
You weren’t supposed to feel like this. Weren’t supposed to want him to stay. Weren’t supposed to feel like the world was tilting beneath you at the thought of him not coming back.
But you did.
And that scared you more than anything else.
So you did the only thing you could. You curled further into him, pressed your face against his shoulder, and let your fingers stay laced with his. Holding onto him for just a little longer.
Just in case.
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xhazzz · 6 months ago
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Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Reader
Bouquets & Barbecues
warnings: none, more of Jake being a sweetheart
summary: just Maverick being a little over protecting with his daughter and Jake being cute as always
a/n: ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LENGUAGE so feel free to correct me if there’s anything wrong :)
masterlist || requests are open
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For the end of summer and to take a break from work worries, Dad had organized a barbecue in our backyard, inviting everyone: the Dagger Squad, Penny and Amelia, and even Hondo and Cyclone. Everyone was supposed to bring snacks and drinks, while Dad took charge of the meat. But he seemed to have gotten a little carried away, buying enough to feed every football team on the coast.
“Dad, are you feeding the Daggers or the entire Arctic Circle?” I asked as I arrived in the backyard with the cooler.
“Have you seen how those guys eat?” Dad replied, firing up the grill. “Just Rooster and Hangman alone will eat half of this. Speaking of Hangman…”
“Dad,” I sighed, placing my hands on my hips, “I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m too old for this.”
“No matter how old you are, you’ll always be my little girl,” Dad said, walking over and kissing my forehead. “Seresin better never hurt you, or I’ll have six confirmed kills in the air.”
“I think he got the message after all the extra drills you’ve made him do on base.”
“After seeing him make out with my daughter on my front porch, can you blame me?” he added, shaking his head. “I still need to have a serious talk with him.”
“Stop, Dad,” I replied, covering my face with my hand in embarrassment.
He just laughed as I walked back into the house. Moments later, I heard the doorbell. The gang was starting to arrive.
“I’m here!” Rooster shouted, barging in like he owned the place, with Phoenix and Payback right behind him.
“Come on in, guys. Dad’s out back,” I said, giving Nat a quick hug and putting the drinks in the fridge. “He bought enough meat to last us all fall.”
“Your old man promised to host the best barbecue of the summer,” Payback said, accepting a beer Rooster handed him.
We all headed to the backyard, and it quickly started filling up. Everyone had arrived—except Jake. I was starting to feel nervous, knowing it was only a matter of time before Rooster and Dad started teasing me.
“Punctuality doesn’t seem to be his strong suit,” Dad commented, handing me a plate of sausages.
“Come on, Dad, it’s just a regular Saturday, not a base training session,” I replied, pretending not to care. Hangman better show up soon.
“You’re wrong, sweetheart. It’s not just any Saturday,” Dad said, pulling up a chair and sitting beside me. “It’s the first time I’ve invited everyone to eat at my house. And if I’m not mistaken, Hangman is dating his trainer’s daughter.”
“I told you he’s just another idiot,” Rooster chimed in, sitting on my other side and trapping me between the two pilots.
“You too?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
“I’m just making sure no one breaks Baby Mav’s heart,” he replied in a baby voice, pinching my cheeks.
“Get off me,” I laughed, playfully pushing him away. Just then, the doorbell rang. Saved by the bell.
I rushed to the door and found Jake on the other side, flashing his charming smile. He was wearing khaki shorts, a casual navy blue shirt, his signature aviator sunglasses, and his hair was slightly messier than usual—no gel today.
“Hey, you, Seresin,” I greeted him with a quick kiss. “You had me worried. I thought you weren’t coming, and I’d have to endure Dad and Rooster lecturing me all afternoon.”
“I’d never stand you up, darling,” he said, placing one hand on my waist and pulling me closer. I noticed his other hand was behind his back, and next to him was a small cooler, likely filled with beer. “I was just running late picking these up for you.”
From behind his back, he revealed a beautiful bouquet of gardenias and lilies in various shades.
“They’re gorgeous,” I said, taking them in my hands. “Thank you, honey. You didn’t have to.”
This time, he placed both hands on my hips, rubbing them affectionately, and pulled me into a tender yet passionate kiss. We were interrupted by a fake cough behind me.
“Watch those hands, Seresin,” Dad said, standing there with Rooster, both wearing their overprotective hawk stares.
“You’re late, Bagman,” Rooster added, stepping forward to grab the cooler from the ground.
“Damn, Chicken, you’re annoying even off duty,” Jake sighed, shaking his head and guiding me inside the house, his hand never leaving my waist while he used the other to close the door. As we walked through the kitchen, I quickly placed the flowers in a vase with fresh water.
“Thanks for the invite, Mav,” Jake said, smiling politely.
“All pilots are welcome here,” Dad replied with a nod toward the backyard, “but how you treat my daughter will determine how welcome you really are. Don’t forget who’s in charge.”
“You have my word, Mav. I only have the best intentions…” Jake started, but I quickly cut him off.
“Enough, both of you. This is so embarrassing,” I muttered, shaking my head at them. “Let’s just eat before the food gets cold.”
“Lead the way, my lady,” Jake said with a tight-lipped smile, walking behind me while Dad chuckled, crossing his arms.
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the-balloon-shed · 12 days ago
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imma be honest I want to make a fic of this one day but for right now you just get me running wild with this headcanon
you know how there's those videos of surgeons being "inspirational" to their interns and then saying the meanest shit in the world? yeah, I think that's Iceman as an instructor at TOPGUN. 
Just the dry, rough sense of humor? The perfectly attenuated phrase in order to knock the arrogance out of some of these scrappy pilots? That's Iceman. The evidence is there in TG86! it's ICE who is saying the most bratty shit to Maverick. His criticisms are almost always valid or born of a real curiosity that's worth looking into, which I think is key, but he expresses it in the rudest and most inciting way possible. 
"Who was covering Cougar while you were showboating --"; (in response to Slider's calling Goose and Mav "famous") "I think you mean notorious"; "I don't like you 'cause you're dangerous" -- I mean Ice is right but he's also a bitch. (we don't have time to unpack ALL of what went into Ice goading Maverick seconds after meeting him with "need help figuring it out? who's the best pilot?" like my god man). 
So, some contenders for some of the commentary Ice might have for his students -- 
"Keep flying like that, I'm going to assume you're getting kickbacks from the military hospital." 
"I can only hope one day you fly for the enemy." 
"I was thrilled to hear the Navy's policy initiative for accommodating more disabilities went into action this year, however, I do think they should reconsider sending me blind pilots." 
"Are you on your wingman's life insurance or something?" 
"What did I say about making the same mistake twice?" "At least tell you I've learned something?" "No. What I said is don't." 
"Resist the urge to help me."
"I'm not looking for the best you can do. I'm looking for the best, period. So if you can't do any better, I suggest trying to emulate somebody else who can." 
"Well, you're no Artful Dodger, but artless dodging kept you alive well enough this time, I suppose." (I think it would be funny if he incidentally gave this poor pilot the callsign Dodger because of this, or A.D. for Artless Dodger)
"Did the Academy change its curriculum? Emphasize the element of surprise?" "Um... why do you ask, sir?" "Because you fly like you've never been inside a plane before." 
And I think he might say this to a colleague trying to pull rank over him that he neither respects nor cares about:
"I've neither the time, nor the crayons, to explain this to you." 
I think Mav would be so annoyed, too. "why do I have the reputation for being hard to work with when you're going around saying the meanest crap to these kids?" 
All Ice would do is laugh. "Sounds like a personal problem." 
Not to say that Ice is an asshole without restraint. Hell, the Iceman is all about restraint. He doesn't kick people when they're down. He doesn't say cutting stuff like this to people who are genuinely trying and not being a showoff. This is to knock overly arrogant kids down a few pegs, not send people into a shame self-doubting spiral, and Ice is usually pretty damn good at walking that line. 
Like, I imagine one of the students not understanding something to do with the physics portions of their classes and so he goes to Ice super nervous about getting reamed, and Ice is very patient with him. When Mav comes in and starts talking to Ice about instructor stuff, the student goes "oh, I can come back later, you know I think I'm getting it!" out of fear of wasting Ice's time and Ice would chuckle and be like "no, you clearly don't get it, and that's fine. Easier to teach you on dry land as opposed to up in the air, so let's keep working through it. Long as Mav's not about to talk to me about anything confidential --" which Mav shakes his head no "--alright, then how about you sit right there and keep working at it until you get it, and you will get it. If you've got the time, I've got the time, so let's get it done," and the kid stays in the office and keeps working at it for hours, occasionally checking his work with Mav and Ice until, voila, he does actually get it and also has a whole new understanding of Ice. 
Or if, god forbid, anyone had an accident, Ice would be all over trying to help with that (and help Mav work through it too) and protecting the students from any fallout from the brass because fuck them, they don't know what it's like to be in the air anymore. 
I also think that before the TOPGUN class starts, Ice would find Mav checking on all the canopies of all the jets and, once Ice realized that was what Mav was doing, would spend the next several hours with him helping out and making sure everything was operating properly, even though engineering had already looked at them. Can never be too sure, and if it provides Mav peace of mind, then Ice will do it, no questions asked. 
And so, despite saying some of the rudest crap most of these students have ever heard, they all love him. They all respect the ever-living-crap out of him, and learn to find him actually just kind of funny. It'd be a lot harder to like him if he were wrong, but he's so rarely wrong that in the end even the ones who do get pissed off at him manage to calm down. Students, as they graduate and leave TOPGUN, would probably talk to other graduating classes when they meet them on deployments like "oh my god, what did he say to your class?" "he once said --" "I didn't find it funny then but now I laugh every time I think about it -- " "he helped me figure out how to do..." so on so forth. 
There are a couple of the brass that aren't amused, but I think that's where Mav would come into play in his own way. Because Ice is good at what he does, and Mav sure as hell wants him around, and so should everyone else. Ice is just also not afraid to be an asshole about being good -- which the last person this is news to is Maverick. 
Maverick's just the only one Ice has encountered who can give as good as he gets, which is why as instructors, they do a pretty damn good job working together to whip their classes into shape. It's just funny that never in a million years did Mav think he'd be the "good cop" in their good cop/bad cop instructor situation, but he's resigned himself to his fate all the same. 
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wintermav · 21 days ago
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I like to think that over the years Icemav gets invited to weddings which are rare sightings where Maverick actually wears a suit and Ice always ends up fixing his tie.
Mav knows how to fix it himself—he's a grown ass man, but it’s never quite Kazansky-approved (also he secretly messes it up bc he likes having Ice up and close whenever possible.)
So... when it’s finally their wedding day, Ice literally stops the officiant mid-ceremony to adjust Mav’s tie.
Mav grins, cheeky as ever, and goes, “Thanks, baby,” before kissing him. It's quick, chaste, automatic. It’s how he always says thank you to his partner. Only… he wasn’t supposed to kiss Ice yet. That part’s at the end. Ice sees him panic, so he just kisses him back to even the score.
Hollywood, officiating, splutters and fumbles his notes bc that's not suppose to happen yet!
Everyone in the reception laughs but Slider, Ice's best man and the one that put the whole shit together is two seconds from strangling Mav and Wood.
“Are you serious right now—?” he hisses. "I spent months on this, Mitchell! "
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itwillbethescarletwitch · 16 days ago
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Top Gun Maverick: Horny addition
characters: Hangman, Rooster, Bob & Maverick 
smut warning
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HANGMAN:
You shouldn’t be here.
That’s what you keep telling yourself as you sit on the edge of Jake Seresin’s Island chair, his fingers brushing up your spine with the kind of familiarity that should scare you. It doesn’t. You’re not scared.
Not when he looks at you like that.
Like the night could fall apart and he’d still have your name on his lips.
“I missed you,” he says softly, like he hasn’t seen you in weeks instead of hours. “You busy tomorrow?”
You roll your eyes. “Jake—”
“Don’t Jake me.” He grins, the kind of grin that used to get him out of speeding tickets in high school and now just gets him in trouble with his CO. “Just say you missed me too and let me have my moment.”
You try to fight the smile tugging at your mouth, but it’s no use. “I missed you too.”
Jake’s lips twitch with satisfaction. “Atta girl.”
This was never supposed to happen. You were just the civilian who worked logistics in North Island—clean hours, good salary, too smart to get wrapped up in cocky pilots with too much adrenaline and not enough impulse control. You weren’t supposed to fall for one.
But then again, Jake Seresin wasn’t supposed to fall for you either.
He drags a knuckle across your jaw, watching you like you’re a dream he hasn’t figured out how to wake up from. The tension in the room is thick, low and warm like the bassline of that damn song that’s been stuck in your head all week.
“Don’t say a word, no—girl, don’t you talk…”
“You know I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he murmurs. “Couldn’t even focus on pre-flight. Rooster had to smack me upside the helmet.”
You laugh. “You deserved it.”
“Probably. But I had a reason. You wore that little black sundress yesterday and expected me to act normal?”
You give him a look. “Jake—”
“No, don’t do that. Don’t play dumb, baby. You knew what you were doing.”
He leans in. His mouth is just barely brushing yours. It’s not a kiss yet. Just a promise. One you can feel down to your toes.
“I wanted to touch you so bad it made me stupid,” he whispers.
Your breath catches. You hate how much you love when he gets like this—unfiltered, needy, like you’re the only thing on his radar.
“And now?” you ask.
Jake smirks. “Now I’m trying real hard to be respectful.”
You let your fingers drift up his chest, feel the way his heart hammers beneath your touch. He’s hot under your hands. Hotter when he groans your name like it’s something sacred.
“Jake.”
“I know, darlin’. I know.” He presses his forehead to yours. “Tell me to stop.”
You don’t.
You reach for the hem of his shirt instead.
“You’re killing me, you know that?” he groaned, his voice thick with frustration and longing.
You smiled, a small, secretive smile that you knew drove him wild. “Am I?”
Jake’s hands found your hips, pulling you closer until there was no space between you. You could feel the hard planes of his body against yours, his warmth seeping into your skin. He dipped his head, his lips brushing your ear as he whispered, “You’re playing with fire, darlin’.”
“And you’re the one who lit the match,” you retorted, your voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside you.
He chuckled, a deep, satisfied sound that vibrated against your neck. “Fair enough.”
His lips trailed down your jawline, sending shivers cascading down your spine. You tilted your head back, giving him better access, your hands tangling in his hair as he kissed his way down your neck. His touch was both gentle and demanding, a perfect balance that left you breathless and wanting more.
“Jake,” you whispered, your voice laced with desperation. “Please.”
He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching yours, as if seeking permission. You nodded, unable to form words, your body screaming for his touch.
With a growl, he spun you around, pressing you against the counter. His hands roamed over your body, his touch firm and possessive. He unbuttoned your shirt slowly, each movement deliberate, as if savoring the anticipation. The fabric slid off your shoulders, pooling at your feet, leaving you bare before him.
You felt vulnerable yet empowered, his gaze devouring you like you were the most precious thing in the world. His fingers traced the curve of your waist, the swell of your breasts, his touch sending sparks of pleasure through your body.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with desire.
You bit your lip, trying to hold back a moan as his hands cupped your breasts, his thumbs brushing over your nipples. He teased and tormented, his touch light and fleeting, driving you to the edge of sanity.
“Jake, please,” you begged, your voice shaking. “I need you.”
He smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Need me, huh? And what exactly do you need, darlin’?”
You reached behind you, grasping his wrist and pulling his hand down to your core. You were wet, so wet, and the contact sent a jolt of pleasure through you. “This,” you gasped, pressing his hand against you. “I need this.”
Jake’s eyes darkened, his control slipping as he groaned your name. He dipped his head, his lips capturing yours in a fierce kiss. His tongue invaded your mouth, tasting and teasing, mirroring the rhythm of his fingers as they slipped beneath your pants.
You moaned into his mouth, your hands clutching at his shoulders as he explored your body with a hunger that matched your own. His fingers slid inside you, his touch sure and confident, finding your most sensitive spots with ease.
“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he growled against your lips, his voice a mix of awe and satisfaction. “So ready for me.”
You nodded, unable to speak, your body arching into his touch as he added a second finger, stretching you, filling you. He thrust into you with a steady rhythm, his thumb pressing against your clit, driving you closer and closer to the edge.
“Jake, I—”
“Not yet, darlin’,” he whispered, his voice a command. “Not until I’m inside you.”
You whimpered, your body trembling on the brink of release, but he pulled his fingers away, leaving you gasping and needy. He stepped back, his eyes raking over your body with a hunger that made you feel both exposed and desired.
“Turn around,” he ordered, his voice low and commanding.
You did as he asked, your heart pounding in anticipation. You felt his hands on your hips, guiding you, as he unzipped your pants and slid them down your legs. You stepped out of them, standing before him in nothing but your underwear, your breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
Jake’s eyes never left yours as he unbuckled his belt, his movements slow and deliberate. He pushed his pants down, revealing the hard length of his erection, straining against his boxers. Your mouth went dry at the sight, your body aching for him.
He stepped closer, his hands sliding around your waist as he pulled you back against him. You could feel the heat of his body, the hardness of his cock pressing against your ass, and you shivered with anticipation.
“Ready for me, darlin’?” he whispered, his breath hot against your ear.
You nodded, your voice failing you as he reached around, his fingers tracing the elastic of your underwear before slipping inside. He teased you, his touch light and torturous, driving you wild with need.
“Please, Jake,” you whispered, your voice breaking. “I need you now.”
He smirked, his lips brushing your ear as he whispered, “As you wish.”
With a swift motion, he slid your underwear down your legs, leaving you completely bare. You felt exposed, vulnerable, yet the look in his eyes, the raw desire and hunger, made you feel powerful, wanted.
He positioned himself behind you, his hands gripping your hips as he lined himself up. You held your breath, your body tense with anticipation, as he pressed the tip of his cock against your entrance.
“Relax for me, darlin’,” he murmured, his voice a soothing contrast to the raw need in his eyes.
You took a deep breath, letting your body relax as he pushed inside you, slowly, steadily, filling you completely. You gasped at the sensation, your body stretching to accommodate him, the pleasure overwhelming.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he groaned, his voice thick with satisfaction.
He held still for a moment, giving you time to adjust, his forehead resting against your shoulder. You could feel his heart racing, his breath coming in short gasps, mirroring your own.
“Move,” you whispered, your voice a plea.
Jake pulled out slowly before thrusting back in, setting a steady rhythm that had you moaning with each stroke. He moved with purpose, his hands gripping your hips tightly as he filled you again and again, his cock sliding deep inside you.
You met his thrusts, your body moving in sync with his, the pleasure building with each stroke. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of your labored breaths, the soft slap of skin against skin, and the occasional groan of pleasure.
“Harder, Jake,” you gasped, your voice desperate. “I need it harder.”
He growled in response, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more demanding. He lifted you onto the counter, your legs wrapping around his waist as he drove into you with a ferocity that left you breathless.
You cried out, your head falling back as the pleasure spiraled out of control. Your nails dug into his shoulders, your body arching into his as he pounded into you relentlessly.
“Fuck, you’re so tight,” he groaned, his voice hoarse. “So perfect.”
You were close, so close, your body teetering on the edge of release. “Jake, I’m—”
“Come for me, darlin’,” he commanded, his voice a rough whisper. “Let go.”
His words were all it took. Your body shattered, waves of pleasure crashing over you as you cried out his name. Your walls clenched around him, milking him, driving him over the edge.
“Fuck, yes,” he growled, his thrusts becoming erratic as he followed you over the edge. He buried himself deep inside you, his release hot and intense, his name a ragged whisper on your lips.
You both collapsed in a heap, your bodies still trembling from the force of your orgasms. Jake pulled out slowly, his arms wrapping around you as he held you close, his breath hot against your neck.
“That was—” you started, but he cut you off with a soft kiss.
“I know,” he murmured, his voice tender. “I know.”
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ROOSTER:
He’s already waiting outside your apartment when you get home. Parked half on the curb, legs stretched out of the Bronco like he owns the whole damn world.
That’s the thing about Bradley Bradshaw. He doesn’t try. He just is.
And he always looks at you like you’re the only reason his blood stays warm.
“You’re late,” he says, chin tilted toward you, sunglasses pushed up into his hair. He doesn’t smile yet, but there’s a softness in his voice that tells you he’s not mad.
You shrug out of your jacket as you reach him. “Traffic.”
“Mm-hm.” Rooster glances at his watch. “Or were you stalling?”
You raise a brow. “Why would I stall?”
He stands, slow and tall and a little dangerous in that easy Southern way of his, like he might kiss you or make a promise he’ll break on accident. Then he leans close, just enough to speak by your ear.
“Because you know exactly what happens when we’re alone.”
You swallow. Your pulse skips.
He’s right. You do know.
It happens every time you see him after days apart. The gravity between you gets too heavy, too heated, until one of you gives in—and it’s always both of you.
Bradley follows you upstairs like he’s done it a hundred times, like he knows the weight of every floorboard, the rhythm of your breath when you’re nervous. You let him in, kick the door shut behind you.
“You look tired,” he says, dropping his keys on your counter. “Long day?”
“Yeah. You?”
He shrugs off his jacket. “Not too bad. Just missed you.”
It’s not the words. It’s how he says them—low, serious, like they matter.
You move without thinking. Just one step, two, until your fingers hook in the collar of his shirt and your lips brush his like a question.
He answers with a kiss that’s anything but gentle.
Hands on your waist, mouth moving like he’s waited too long for this. He presses you back until your spine meets the wall and everything else melts—your stress, the day, the line between good idea and bad.
“I kept dreaming about you,” he mutters against your lips. “Last night… the night before.”
You blink up at him, dazed. “What kind of dreams?”
Rooster smiles, slow and devastating. “The kind that had me waking up with your name in my mouth.”
You tug him closer. “Bradley—”
He groans. “Don’t say it unless you mean it.”
“I do.”
His hand slips under your shirt. You gasp.
“And you know,” he murmurs, “you could’ve told me to go home anytime. You opened the door.”
You don’t have a single defense left.
“I wanted you to walk through it.”
His response was a growl, low and primal, as he lifted you, pressing you against the wall with a force that stole your breath. 
The cool surface of the plaster met your back, a stark contrast to the heat that radiated from Bradley's body. You wrapped your legs around his waist, your fingers tangling in his hair, holding him close as his mouth ravaged yours.
The kiss was fierce, desperate, as if he were trying to claim you, to brand you as his own. You moaned, your head tilting back, exposing the sensitive skin of your neck to his exploration. 
Bradley's lips trailed down, his teeth grazing your skin, sending shivers of pleasure cascading through your body.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he rasped, his breath hot against your ear. "The way you move, the way you look at me... it's like you're under my skin, in my blood."
You gasped as his hand slid down, cupping your ass, lifting you higher against him. The evidence of his desire pressed against your core, a thick, insistent presence that made your eyes roll back in pleasure. "Bradley,"you panted, your nails digging into his shoulders, "I need you."
He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through your body. "You always know just what to say," he murmured, his lips brushing yours once more. "But actions speak louder than words, darlin'."
With a swift motion, he swept you into his arms, carrying you toward the bedroom, his lips never leaving yours. You clung to him, your heart racing, your body alive with anticipation. The familiar surroundings of your bedroom blurred as Bradley laid you down on the bed, his eyes burning with an intensity that made your breath catch.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, his gaze raking over you, taking in every inch of exposed skin. "I could spend hours just looking at you."
You smiled, a flush creeping up your cheeks as you reached for him, pulling his shirt over his head. His body was a work of art, lean muscles honed by years of physical training, and you couldn't resist the urge to explore every inch. Your fingers traced the contours of his chest, the ridges of his abs, and the defined lines of his arms.
Bradley groaned, his head falling back as your touch sent sparks of pleasure through his body. "Tease," he muttered, his eyes hooded with desire.
You grinned, a mischievous glint in your eye as you leaned in, your lips brushing his ear. "You love it," you whispered, your tongue darting out to trace the shell of his ear.
He shuddered, his hands gripping your hips, pulling you against him. "Fuck, I do," he admitted, his voice rough with need.
The air crackled with tension as you both shed the remaining layers of clothing, baring your bodies to each other. Bradley's eyes darkened as he took in your form, his gaze hungry, possessive. You felt exposed, vulnerable, yet the desire burning in his eyes made you feel powerful, desired.
Bradley's lips crashed down onto yours, his tongue dueling with yours in a passionate dance. His hands roamed, exploring, claiming, as he kissed you with a fierceness that left you breathless. You clung to him, your nails digging into his back, your legs tangling with his as the heat between you built to a fever pitch.
He broke the kiss, his breath coming in short gasps as he trailed kisses along your jaw, your neck, his teeth grazing your skin, sending shivers of pleasure through your body. "I want to make you feel good," he murmured, his lips brushing your ear. "Want to hear you scream my name."
You shivered, your body tightening with anticipation. "Then show me," you whispered, your fingers threading into his hair, holding him close.
Bradley's response was a growl, low and primal, as he shifted, positioning himself between your legs. His eyes locked onto yours, a silent promise passing between you as he entered you with one slow, deliberate thrust.
You gasped, your head tilting back as he filled you, stretching you, the sensation overwhelming in its intensity. Bradley's lips curved into a satisfied smile as he began to move, his hips snapping, his body driving into yours with a force that made the bed creak.
"Fuck, you feel so good," he groaned, his eyes fluttering closed as he lost himself in the sensation. "So tight, so wet..."
You moaned, your hands gripping the sheets as he set a relentless pace, his body pounding into yours with a ferocity that left you breathless. The pleasure built, a coil tightening in your core, as Bradley's name fell from your lips, a mantra of desire.
"Bradley... oh God, Bradley..."
He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through your body. "That's it, darlin',"he rasped, his lips brushing yours. "Say it again."
You cried out, your body arching off the bed as the pleasure became almost too much to bear. "Bradley... I'm close..."
His response was a fierce kiss, his tongue dueling with yours as he drove into you with renewed urgency. The world narrowed to this moment, this connection, as the pleasure spiraled out of control, threatening to consume you.
"Together," he gasped, his eyes locking onto yours. "Come with me, baby."
You nodded, your eyes fluttering closed as you surrendered to the sensation, your body tightening around him as you shattered, your release washing over you in waves of ecstasy. Bradley followed, his body stiffening as he cried out, his release spilling into you, binding you together in a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.
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BOB: 
You’re on top of him.
Not in the way you thought you’d be. Just straddling his lap, his hands barely resting on your waist, and his face flushed pink like he’s been holding his breath since you walked through the door.
“You sure you’re okay?” you murmur, brushing a finger under his jaw.
Bob nods. His glasses are off. His eyes are wide. “Y-Yeah. I’m just… nervous.”
“Why?” you whisper, leaning in close.
“Because you’re you,” he says, voice barely audible. “And I’ve wanted this for so long.”
You smile. Soft. Reassuring. “I’ve wanted you too.”
He swallows hard when your hands start to slip beneath his shirt. You take your time, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, ready to lead this like you always do—
But then he catches your wrist. Gently. Carefully. Like he’s scared he’ll break the moment if he’s too firm.
“Wait,” he breathes out. “Can—um… can I take control?”
You pause.
Not because you’re surprised. But because of the way he asks it—so polite, so earnest, like he’s been rehearsing the question and almost didn’t say it.
Your breath hitches. “You want to?”
His cheeks are on fire, but he nods. “Yeah. I just… I think about it. Taking care of you. All the time. If that’s okay.”
You lean down, brush your nose against his. “It’s more than okay.”
Bob exhales like he’s been holding it in for years. And when he kisses you this time, it’s deeper. More confident. A little unsteady still, but hungry and sure and full of every quiet thing he never let himself say out loud.
He flips you with a whispered, “Tell me if it’s too much.”
He hesitated for just a moment, his eyes flicking down to your chest, before he leaned down, his lips brushing yours again. This time, the kiss was slower, more deliberate, his hands moving down your sides, his touch firm but gentle. 
You moaned softly into his mouth, your hands sliding down his back, your fingers digging into the muscles there.
Bob pulled back slightly, his lips trailing down your jawline, his breath hot against your skin. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with desire.
You shivered at his words, your hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. “You’re not so bad yourself,” you teased, your voice breathless.
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound, before his lips found your neck, his kisses trailing down, slow and deliberate. His hands moved to the hem of your shirt, his fingers tracing the edge before he pulled it up and over your head, tossing it aside. You were left in just your bra, the cool air of the room sending goosebumps over your skin.
“God, you’re perfect,” he whispered, his eyes raking over your body, his gaze intense, hungry. 
You blushed, but the heat in his eyes sent a flush of desire through you. You reached for the waistband of his pants, your fingers trembling slightly as you undid the button and pulled down the zipper. He lifted his hips, allowing you to slide his pants down his legs, leaving him in just his boxers.
Bob’s hands moved to the clasp of your bra, his fingers fumbling slightly before he managed to unhook it. He pulled it away, his eyes never leaving yours, his breath coming in short gasps. You were bare before him, and the way he looked at you—like you were the most precious thing in the world—sent a jolt of desire straight to your core.
He leaned down, his lips brushing your collarbone, his hands moving to your waist, pulling you closer. His kisses trailed down, his tongue flicking over your skin, his touch sending shivers down your spine. You moaned softly, your hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer, urging him on.
“Bob,” you whispered, your voice trembling with need.
He looked up at you, his eyes dark with desire, his lips swollen from kissing. “Yeah?” he asked, his voice rough.
“Don’t stop,” you pleaded, your hands moving to the waistband of his boxers.
He nodded, his hands moving to your thighs, spreading them slightly as he settled between them. 
You could feel the heat of his body against yours, the hardness of his erection pressing against your thigh. You reached down, your fingers brushing the elastic of his boxers, pulling them down his legs.
He was hard, his cock thick and heavy, the head already glistening with pre-cum. You reached out, your fingers wrapping around him, stroking slowly, your touch sending a shudder through him.
 “Fuck,” he groaned, his head falling back as he closed his eyes, his breath coming in short gasps.
You smiled, your thumb brushing the head of his cock, spreading the pre-cum over the tip. “Like that?” you teased, your voice low and sultry.
He opened his eyes, his gaze locking on yours, his expression intense. “Yeah,” he rasped, his hands moving to your hips, pulling you closer. “But I want to make you feel good first.”
You nodded, your hands moving to his shoulders, pulling him down to you. His lips found yours again, the kiss deep and hungry, his hands moving down your body, his touch sending sparks of desire through you. 
He broke the kiss, his lips trailing down your neck, his hands moving to your breasts, his thumbs brushing your nipples.
You arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping your lips. “Bob,” you whispered, your hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.
He smiled against your skin, his lips moving down, his kisses trailing over your chest, his tongue flicking over your nipples. 
You gasped, your hands gripping his shoulders, your body arching into his touch. He took one nipple into his mouth, his tongue swirling around it, his hands moving to your other breast, his fingers squeezing and teasing.
“Fuck, that feels good,” you moaned, your head falling back as you closed your eyes, the sensations overwhelming.
Bob hummed against your skin, his hands moving down your body, his fingers tracing the curve of your waist before moving lower. He kissed his way down your stomach, his breath hot against your skin, his hands spreading your thighs wider. 
You could feel the anticipation building, your core throbbing with need, your breath coming in short gasps.
He looked up at you, his eyes dark with desire, his lips swollen and red. “Ready?” he asked, his voice low and rough.
You nodded, your hands reaching down to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. “Yeah,”you whispered, your voice trembling with anticipation.
Bob leaned down, his lips brushing your core, his breath ghosting over your clit. You gasped, your hands tightening in his hair, your body arching off the couch. He kissed his way down, his tongue flicking over your folds, his hands spreading you wider, his touch sending shivers of pleasure through you.
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MAVERICK:
You didn’t do anything wrong.
Your dress fell to your knees. You wore flats. Your badge was clipped in place. No makeup, hair up, polite, focused. Not a single reason anyone should’ve looked at you twice.
But Maverick saw you the moment he walked through the door that morning.
Saw the way your cardigan slipped off your shoulder. Saw the way you tucked your pen behind your ear when you were typing. Saw the way you bit your lip while double-checking Rooster’s paperwork. He saw everything.
And now he can’t stop.
It’s late now. You’re the last one in the admin wing. He’s standing in your doorway with his jaw tight and his hands shoved in his pockets like that’ll keep them from shaking.
“Hey, Captain.” You look up from your screen, sweet and calm. “Did you need something?”
He steps inside. Quiet. Closes the door behind him.
You arch a brow. “Mav?”
“I’m losing it.”
“…What?”
“You didn’t even do anything,” he says, almost helpless. “And I’ve been going out of my mind all day.”
You blink, surprised. “Because of me?”
“Because of everything about you,” he says, taking a step closer. “You were just sitting there—working—and I wanted to drag you into my office and—”
He breaks off, runs a hand through his hair. His voice is hoarse now. “I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t breathe. I—I need to touch you.”
You slowly stand. Eyes locked on his.
“You could’ve said something earlier,” you whisper, crossing the distance. “You know I’d come with you.”
His hands finally find your waist. Gripping. Needy.
“You drive me insane,” he murmurs.
You smile, brushing your nose against his. “Then lose your mind, Mav.”
He kisses you like he’s starved. Like he can’t help it anymore. Like he’s been thinking about this since the moment you walked in that morning, and now that he has you? He’s not letting go.
His mouth trailed kisses along your jawline, your neck, his breath warm against your skin, his hands moving to your hips, pulling you closer, his body pressing against yours with a hunger that left no doubt about his intentions. 
You could feel the hardness of his desire pressing against your thigh, and a thrill shot through you at the realization of how much you affected him.
“Mav,” you breathed, your voice shaky, your body trembling with anticipation.
“Shh,” he whispered, his lips brushing against yours, softer this time, almost reverent. “Let me take care of you.”
And he did.
His fingers moved with a purpose now, his touch confident yet tender, as he slid them inside you, filling you, stretching you, his thumb brushing against your clit, sending sparks of electricity through your body. You moaned softly, your head falling back as pleasure washed over you, his name a mantra on your lips.
“Mav,” you gasped, your hands clutching at his shoulders, your nails digging into his skin as pleasure built, coiling tight in your core.
“That’s it,” he whispered, his voice a rough encouragement, his fingers moving faster now, his touch sending shivers down your spine. “Let go for me.”
And you did.
Your body arched against his hand, your breath coming in short, shallow gasps as pleasure exploded, rippling through you, wave after wave of ecstasy washing over you. 
Your cries filled the quiet office, your name a ragged whisper on his lips as he held you, his touch gentle, his body pressing against yours with a tenderness that left no doubt about his feelings.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, his voice thick with wonder, his fingers slowing, his touch gentle as you came down from your high.
You smiled, a soft, satisfied curve of your lips, your breath evening out as you leaned into him, your forehead resting against his. “You’re not so bad yourself, Captain.”
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated against your skin, before capturing your lips in a soft, tender kiss. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
You pulled back slightly, your eyes locking with his, a playful smile on your lips. “You should.”
His gaze was warm, his expression soft as he brushed a stray hair from your face, his touch gentle, his thumb brushing against your cheek. “You okay?”
You nodded, your smile widening. “More than okay.”
He smirked, a hint of his usual confidence returning, before pulling you into his arms, his hold tight, his body pressing against yours with a protectiveness that left no doubt about his intentions. “Good.”
You leaned into him, your arms wrapping around his waist, your head resting against his chest as you listened to the steady beat of his heart, the sound a comforting rhythm that soothed your soul. 
The world around you faded away—the office, the paperwork, the ticking clock—leaving only the two of you, suspended in a moment that felt both eternal and fleeting.
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allthingsfangirl101 · 1 month ago
Text
Over-Protective Wingman – Jake Seresin
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I wasn't nervous as the plane landed on the new ship. I wasn't nervous as someone showed me my barracks. I wasn't nervous as I met Captain Mitchell. I wasn't nervous when I followed Captain Mitchell. I wasn't nervous when Captain Phillips introduced me to the other recruits. I wasn't nervous until my eyes landed on my old wingman, Lieutenant Jake Seresin. Also known as Hangman.
His reaction wasn't what I expected it to be. The second he saw me, he let out what seemed like a disappointed sigh and turned back around. I followed Maverick to the front of the group and stood there while he introduced me. It was clear that Jake was trying really hard not to look at me.
Part of me wished he would.
Two years ago, Lieutenant Jake Seresin and I were training together. One day, we ran through a make-believe mission. We were working on quick maneuvers. At one point, I rounded the corner and suddenly alarms were ringing. I tried to figure out what was wrong, but couldn't tell. I soon lost complete control of my plane. I had no choice but to eject.
Search and rescue found me in under an hour. I was taken back to the ship. My injuries were small, and I only had to be in the infirmary overnight. I was, however, forced to go on medical leave for three weeks.
Ever since that flight, Seresin wasn't the same. He was in the infirmary when I woke up and even escorted me to my sleeping quarters. I'm convinced he would've stayed with me if there hadn't been a rule about trainees being in each other's quarters past curfew. When I returned to training, I noticed him watching me a lot more than he used to.
I didn't have time to overanalyze his shift. A few days later, we were sent to different bases. I'm not sure where he went, but I guess I know now.
I walked over to my plane and checked a few things. After my crash, I always manually check every little thing. Right as I was finished checking the ejection lever and parachute, I felt someone's eyes on me. I turned around to see Jake standing by his plane. I expected him to look away, but he didn't. So, instead, I walked over to him.
"Were you ever going to come say hi?" I teased.
He looked away and slightly cleared his throat. When he looked back at me, there was something unreadable in his eyes.
"It's good to see you, Y/N."
"It's good to see you, too, Seresin," I said, studying him.
"What have you been up to?" He asked, nervously shoving his hands into his jumpsuit pockets.
"Nothing much," I shrugged, hating this weird tension between us. "I trained at a base that people aren't supposed to know about, got really good at maneuver statistics."
We looked at each other, and it felt like everything froze. I didn't move as he took a step closer to me. When he finally spoke up, his voice was soft.
"It still drives me crazy that we never knew what happened with your ship."
"Actually," I hesitated. His eyebrows furrowed as he took another step closer to me.
"You know?"
"Part of the reason I didn't return to training right away is because we had reports of one of the people we were training with not being who we thought they were."
"Wait," he interrupted. "Y/N, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"We were training with a traitor," I sighed. "Their plan was to take us out, one by one. They started with me."
"Who was it?" He asked the second I took a breath. I didn't want to tell him. I couldn't. I opened and closed my mouth, struggling to tell him the truth.
"Y/N," he said slowly, "who was the traitor?"
"Hanson."
My heart sank when Jake started shaking his head. I watched as he ran his fingers through his hair, probably going back through our training. Seresin and Hanson flew together. They were each other's wingman.
"He was. . ."
"I'm really sorry, Jake," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper. I could practically see the wheels turning.
"I guess that explains it," he mumbled.
"Explains what?"
"Why Hanson was "transferred" out of our unit after your accident."
He looked back at me, and things felt weird. "You okay?" I asked because I couldn't think of what else to say.
"Yeah," he said, smiling shyly at me. "I'm fine."
I started to walk away, but he gently grabbed my arm. "It really is good to see you, Y/N. I look forward to flying with you again."
Maybe things will go back to the way they were before my accident.
* * * * *
I was wrong.
A week into training, Jake and I were flying the course. The entire time, it felt like Jake was right behind me. I turned the corner, and he turned less than 15 seconds later.
"Seresin, what the hell are you doing?"
"You're too tight on your turns," he said.
"She's fine, Hangman," Maverick's voice came over the speaker. "Back up a little. If you get too close, you'll both crash."
We continued to fly the route, but Jake stayed where he was. I gasped when he suddenly flew around me and cut me off. His movements made me over-correct, causing me to almost slam into the mountain.
"What the hell?!"
"Both of you, get back here. Now!" Maverick instructed.
I angrily grunted as I turned my plane around. The entire flight back, I kept an eye on Jake's plane. When I caught of glimpse of Jake in the cockpit, I could tell he was tense.
My anger was fuming as I landed on the ship. I didn't get out of my plane right away. Instead, I waiting for him to land. I tightened my hands into fists when he finally landed.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" I yelled as I jumped out of my plane and started walking toward his plane. He climbed down and tore off his helmet. "That was sloppy, Seresin. Your moves were sporadic. You acted before thinking it through. In other words, you could've gotten one of us killed!"
"You were cutting your corners," he accused.
"Excuse me? My corners were fine. You were the one riding my ass!"
"I was making sure you kept to the path."
"Kept to the path," I scoffed. "Last I checked, I'm not the one of us who is known for being reckless in the sky, Hangman."
"That's not fair," he said through a clenched jaw.
"And hovering over me like I've never flown before is?" I shot right back. I took my hair out of the bun and ran my fingers through the tangles. "Jake, we can't keep doing this. Ever since I was transferred, you've been jumpy and on edge. Is it because of me? Do you not feel safe flying with me or something?"
"No," he answered quickly. "It's just. . ."
"Then what is it?" I asked when he hesitated. "What's going on with you, Jake? You've been acting strange ever since I got here. Almost like you're avoiding me."
"I'm not avoiding you, Y/N."
When he looked up at me, it felt like someone had stolen my oxygen. A thick tension fell between us the longer we stared at each other. A distant crash broke our weirdly intense eye contact.
"Then why are you only near me when we're flying?" I asked, my voice soft.
"Because I'm worried about you," he sighed.
"You don't need to worry about me," I said gently. "I'm fine, Jake."
"I will always be worried about you, Y/N," he said, his voice dropping as he took a step closer to me. "Ever since I almost lost you on that mission back in training. . ."
"Jake," I whispered when he didn't continue. I closed the gap between us and gently grabbed his hands. "We have gone through this; I wasn't hurt. I ejected from my plane, and the search party found me. All I had were some bruises from the harness, scratches from falling through the trees, and a concussion from landing."
"It took the search team 43 minutes to get to your location," he said, sounding odd.
"Jake. . ."
"I raced back to the ship," he continued, "and I stayed on the tarmac until the rescue team landed. I followed the gurney all the way to the infirmary until one of the nurses stopped me. I waited outside the entire time they checked on you."
"You were right there when I woke up," I remembered.
"I was terrified," he whispered. "I thought I lost you, Y/N."
"But you didn't," I tried to soothe him.
"Will you stop?" He sighed, walking away from me. I watched as he started pacing back and forth. "Why do you keep acting like nothing happened? You almost died, Y/N! After that day, I haven't been able to stop imagining the search and rescue team not finding you. Or finding you, but finding you too late. I can't stop imagining losing you."
"Jake," I said, grabbing his arm and making him stop pacing. "All the things you've been imagining didn't happen. It wasn't even that big of a crash."
"How are you so okay with what happened?" He asked. "I'm not."
"You want to know the truth?" I sighed. "Jake, the Navy forced me to go on medical leave, remember?"
"Yeah," he shrugged. "I called you every day."
"You did," I smiled. "Healing from my wounds was not the only thing I did over those three weeks."
"What are you talking about?"
My heart sank when Jake's voice broke. It was then that I realized just how much my crash messed with him.
"I talked to a therapist," I explained.
"You did?"
"I did," I nodded. "We talked about the accident, what I felt, my anxieties about coming back. It really helped me through it, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, but maybe you should try it."
"I don't need therapy," he said, his voice slightly changing.
"I know how it sounds," I said quickly. "But talking to someone really can help. All they do is listen and give you advice and tools to help you through it. It works, Jake. Talking to them once really helps you feel better. It worked for me. It can work for you, too."
I stopped talking when he suddenly grabbed my face. He didn't say anything as he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine. My eyes fluttered closed as I kissed him back. He took that as an invitation to deepen the kiss.
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to his chest. I threw my arms around his neck as we gave in to the kiss. We broke apart when neither one of us could breathe. Jake leaned his forehead against mine as we caught our breaths.
"See?" Jake whispered, his forehead still pressed to mine. "I already feel so much better."
"Jake," I whispered. "What are we doing?"
He reached up and moved some hair out of my face. "As much as I like being your wingman, I can't only be your wingman."
"I don't understand," I stuttered. To answer me, Jake pulled me into his chest and kissed me again. We let out matching moans when he gently pushed me up against the side of his plane.
"Seresin! Y/L/N! Where are you guys?" Rooster yelled, making us break apart. "Maverick wants to review your flight with you."
"We'll be right there!" Jake yelled back. I laughed and slightly shook my head. I started to walk away, but he grabbed my hand.
"We're not done talking about this, Y/L/N," he said, his voice low.
"I know," I said, matching his tone. "My place. After training. I'll order dinner. You bring the beer."
"I'll be there."
144 notes · View notes
sunlightmurdock · 9 months ago
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Ashes, Ashes | One | Bradley Bradshaw
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masterlist | prologue | next chapter
Synopsis: In which Maverick didn’t make it home after the Uranium mission. He’s missing, presumed dead. There are things that have to be done — someone has to take care of the house, the bills.
So, Maverick’s daughter is back in Fightertown for the first time since she was in elementary school. There’s a gaping hole in both of their lives now, and somehow, the world’s supposed to just keep on turning without him.
Warnings: bradley bradshaw x minimally descriptive oc avery mitchell, age gap (23/33), smut, angst, hurt / comfort, mentions of character death, mourning, military inaccuracies. This entire fic and my blog is an 18+ space, minors do not interact. Do not repost.
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Crossing the threshold into Maverick’s home doesn’t come naturally to either one of them. This place is something that they had both left behind. Outgrown. It’s solely his. It’s not their home and it has never been, until now. Now, Avery, at least, is stuck here until things are figured out.
On that fourteen hour drive down to San Diego, she’d had a lot of time to think. How long is a person supposed to wait for a body to turn up before they go ahead and throw the funeral without it?
Three paces into the hallway, brown wood floors and white walls, she is met with a smiling family picture. Only, she’s not in it. 
Because, it’s not a picture of Pete’s family. Pete doesn’t have a family. Pete Mitchell has a daughter from a one night stand with a married woman.
This picture is of a real family. Hung on the wall opposite the front door is a picture of Nick and Carole Bradshaw holding their infant son. He’s bald and gummy. They’re grinning and showing him off like a prize trophy — so proud of him even though all he did in those days was drool and pee himself. 
These days, their infant son is up to more important things. Their infant son grew to an upsettingly grand height and is carrying two of her bags in one hand behind her today.
“C’mon, Mitchell — these are heavy.” Bradley huffs softly from behind her, reminding her that she’s standing stationary and blocking his path. 
The nickname stings. Avery’s last name isn’t Mitchell because her biological father had wanted it to be. It’s Mitchell solely because her mother’s husband knew she wasn’t his and would rather die before letting her take his name.
She shrugs her duffel bag closer to her body and turns left. Bradley huffs under the weight of her luggage, watching her walk her cute butt in completely the wrong direction. “Wait, where are you going?”
Not struggling at all under the weight of her single duffel bag, she turns slowly to face him and frowns slightly. “My room.” 
Avery doesn’t remember Bradley. Not in her own memories, anyway. She knows he was around, she’s seen him in pictures but the image in her head doesn’t match. Not quite right. Like puzzle pieces bent and forced together.
He’s taller than he looked at his high school graduation, which sits pictured and framed above Mav’s mantle. Older, but that’s to be expected. Up close, he looks more like his mother than his father. A slight bump in his nose and scars, nicely healed, but jagged and raised nonetheless dusted his cheek and his throat. 
Even with all those differences, there’s a very slight familiarity to him that makes this all feel a little bit less suffocating.
Bradley’s brows draw together. He gives a small nod in the direction of the spare room. “That’s… I usually stayed in that room.”
“Oh.” Avery realises with a hum. With Bradley being ten years your senior, the room was his long before it was hers. With him growing up so close by, it was probably his much more frequently than it was hers, too. It’s not like she had ever kept anything here anyway. It’s just a guest room that she would occupy every now and again.
There’s a brief quiet between the two of them. 
“I just figured you could take the big room. ‘Til you get settled. I’ll go home once your car is fixed, if that’s what you want.” Bradley adds on. That sad little look on her face, right in front of him, is killing him. 
The big room. The loft room upstairs. Avery thinks about it and finds herself pretty sure that she’s never even been upstairs in this house.
“You’re staying too?” 
Oh. Yeah. He hadn’t addressed that point yet. Truthfully, he hadn’t even been planning to stay. He hasn’t even packed an overnight bag. But, from the second that she had stepped out of the car and looked up at the house with that look on her face, he hadn’t even considered leaving her here alone.
“Just ‘til we get your car fixed,” He offers with a small shrug. “I’ll be here to run you around until then.”
Like he’s doing this for her sake. Natasha has her own life to get back to and Bradley can’t stand the thought of going back to his apartment alone. 
“Okay,” Avery agrees, turning to peer down the hall towards the spare room. It’s nothing special — it really never felt like hers, anyway. “Alright, I’ll take Pete’s room.”
Pete. She calls Maverick ‘Pete’ now. 
Bradley just nods, shifting the weight of her bags and nodding for her to head for the stairs. All the floors in this house are tan oak. The entryway is now herringbone. With the help of a friend, Pete had done the entire thing himself. 
Of course, as they walk silently across it, neither one of them would know that. Neither one of them was speaking to him last May, which was why he had needed a project in the first place.
Natasha’s outside on the phone. Bradley’s footsteps thud on the wood of the stairs behind her, following her up. She stops at the top, leaving just enough room for Bradley to stand there behind her.
The door to Maverick’s room is open. His bed is made. There’s a book thrown on top of it, the spine cracked and used, the pages yellow from years out in the sun.
“No way is he still trying to fucking finish War and Peace.” Bradley steps around her and heads straight for the book. Pete started this book before Bradley finished elementary school. Bradley twists and looks back at her. “He always gets bored and stops reading, then forgets his page and starts again.”
Another slow nod. One foot in front of the other, her shoes along the tan oak floors. Her fingers trail the white walls. Maverick wouldn’t have minded. This place was always messy before. It’s not now. 
This house is vacant and quiet, but it’s far from empty. It’s filled to the brim, practically pulling apart at the seams with everything that Maverick was and planned to be. He was finishing War and Peace — he made it to chapter 253 this time; further than he had ever made it before. 
Suddenly, Avery’s throat is thick with the knowledge that all she knew Maverick to be, is now all that he’ll ever be. An absent father, a fantastic pilot, a lousy cook. A thousand more things that she’ll never know.
Four days of knowing, a fourteen hour drive down here, and it’s a book that stings like a cold slap to the face, reminding her of why exactly it is that she’s here.
Fire burns behind her eyes, blistering and stinging as Bradley sets her bags on the floor with a soft thud.
He turns with his attention completely on the book, his fingers extending towards the peeling cover of the paperback. His fingers curl around its weathered pages and he lifts it tenderly, examining the front at first.
It’s too early to start this process bawling her eyes out, and Avery refuses to let Russian Literature be your downfall, again.
That thick feeling sits in her throat like a stack of weights as she sits down on the end of Maverick’s bed. The mattress is soft, taking her weight without a squeak of complaint. Maybe he finally listened to her and got a bed that wasn’t so harsh on his back.
It’s been almost two years since she had even set foot in this house last. If she had known that Maverick was going to be gone this soon… she sits and thinks to herself about if she would have maybe visited more. Probably not.
“I’ll change the sheets and stuff, then I’ll get out of your hair for a bit.”
Lifting her head, she blinks at him. He has already started to pull back the comforter and strip the bottom sheet from the bed, awkwardly forcing her onto her feet again. 
Mobile once more, Avery turns slowly to take in her surroundings. This is Maverick’s room. It’s his house, she was prepared for that much — but this is his room. The last thing she wants is to be alone in it all night.
“Oh. Sure,” She nods, setting into motion to help take the sheets off.
He’s so methodical about it, like none of this phases him at all. But then, she hasn’t seen how he has been for the past few days.
“I was thinking of just ordering food tonight, since I’m kinda tired — and Pete never had groceries. Would you want… to maybe join?”
“Sure.” Bradley nods, tugging the pillows out of the cases. He glances up to her with a strictly polite, neutral smile. Quiet settles between the two of them until the bed is just a bare mattress and uncovered pillows. 
Then, there’s a moment of total stillness between the two of them. Her gaze flickers up, meeting his, and the realization settles between the two of them.
Maverick’s favourite cologne was a French thing that some woman in the eighties had liked. Citrus in the shade of cypress wood. The scent fills the room like he’s standing between the two of them.
Bradley glances down at the white sheets in his hands. The snowy white peaks of those mountains, Maverick’s aircraft spiralling into them, engulfed in flames. In a sick way, Bradley hopes that he didn’t manage to eject. At least then, it would have been instant. Maverick wouldn’t have felt anything.
Avery watches his adam’s apple bob in his throat from the other side of the bed. The last you had heard, Mav and Bradley weren’t on speaking terms. She wonders if this is as weird for him as it is for you.
“I’ll put these in the washer. You can… unpack, or whatever.” He decides finally, already taking one step backwards, headed for the door. She stands there, blinking at him. Even with those steeped, broad shoulders, he makes it through the doorframe unscathed before he turns to check where he’s going.
He probably knows this house inside and out, just like he knew her dad. Once. 
When it comes to wracking her brain and trying to remember Bradley Bradshaw, Avery can’t ever come up with anything. Maybe a glimpse, here and there. A blue t-shirt with green stripes. His school backpack accidentally left in the backseat of Maverick’s convertible beside her shoddily installed car seat. 
Truthfully, her experience with Bradley Bradshaw is limited. He’s just as real to her as any of the other guys in the stories she grew up hearing about. Her very own Peter Pan is downstairs right now, trying to figure out Maverick’s ancient washing machine, just so that he doesn’t have to stand up here and stare across at her.
He can’t hide from her forever, though. Evening comes, and so does hunger. 
He stares down at the pizza between the two of them as he chews through a bite, brows drawn together slightly. He hates thin crust pizza — it’s the worst kind of pizza. But, when she had suggested it, he had agreed with a tight-lipped smile.
Natasha has gone home. It’s just the two of them, now. Sitting in this unchanged, all too familiar kitchen. Avery has barely unpacked. She set up a couple of things in Maverick’s bathroom, but it doesn’t feel right to be in the big room upstairs. That wasn’t ever her space to claim.
She chews absentmindedly at the bite she had taken. The TV in the living room is off. The record player is coated in a layer of thin dust already. It’s dead quiet. The kitchen light is dim above their heads.
There’s a chip in the corner of the table on Bradley’s side. It’s there because Bradley was running through this kitchen when he was four years old and had tripped and knocked his front tooth out right here. His thumb trails the tiny mark, wondering how his teeth had ever been that small.
Wondering why she isn’t angry with him, too.
Maverick had picked him up that day, turned him around and held Bradley while he cried, stemming the blood and quickly introducing the concept of the tooth fairy. He had done all that he could, and Bradley still found a way to resent him for what had happened to his own father.
Bradley hasn’t ever done a thing for Avery. Except maybe pay for this pizza. And here she is, calm as can be. 
The sauce base feels tangy and coppery, and the cheese makes him want to puke. He sets the slice down on his plate and wipes his hands on the paper towel beside him.
Finally, he lifts his head and looks at her. Her hair is up differently now, tucked out of your way after an afternoon of manual labour upstairs, tidier than it had been earlier. She’s wearing a stretched out old t-shirt. Bradley assumes she got it from a boyfriend.
Really, he doesn’t think she looks that much like her old man. He would really have to search for the resemblance. But, briefly, when she offers him a polite smile across the table, he knows that you’re Mav’s kid.
“I’m sorry.” Bradley blurts out. They both look across at each other, equally surprised that he has spoken.
“…For what?” Avery asks quietly, lips tugging into a small frown.
“I’m sorry that I’m here and he’s not.” He’s just got to say it. He knows she probably wouldn’t bring it up on your own, but there’s a big elephant in this room. Bradley knows what it’s like to sit in her spot, and not know how to talk about it.
It’s his fault that Maverick didn’t make it home.
She stops chewing. That last bite sits in her mouth, doughy and dry all of a sudden. She stares across at him, awkwardly making herself swallow down the last of her bite of pizza and picking up the paper towel to wipe at her mouth.
“We weren’t that close.” She tells him, like that’s supposed to make him feel better. It doesn’t. It’s like a blow to the chest. She’ll never get the opportunity to fix things, because of him.
But, he knows what it’s like to be told how to grieve. He just dips his head and nods awkwardly. “Right.” 
“I got a call from an admiral the other day,” She picks up the slice of pizza and pick at its toppings. There’s no one here now to tell her not to play with your food. Mav never really cared anyway. Bradley watches her, unhungry. “Invited me down to Miramar. He said he was a friend of Mav’s and that he could talk me through… this whole thing. How it works.”
Bradley rubs a hand over the neatly trimmed hair above his lip. It feels like he has swallowed a golf ball, sitting here like it’s normal to be discussing the measures.
He knows how it works. It won’t be as simple as it was with his own father. At least Maverick had afforded him something to bury. For her, there’s nothing.
“I’ll have to be there around eleven.” 
“Sure,” Bradley nods, scratching at the back of his neck. His legs tingle with stiffness. Clearing his throat, he shifts in the little wooden chair and stretches, knocking his foot into hers under the table. “Oh. Sorry. I’m sorry.”
Her teeth press into the inside of your cheek. Maverick hadn’t ever described Bradley as this nervous.
“It’s fine.” She hums, pushing back in her chair and standing up from the table. “Well, I’ve been up since like… four, so I might just hit the hay.”
“Sure.” Bradley breathes out, hands braced on his thighs, eyes focussed on that tiny chip in the corner of the table. “Yeah. Goodnight.”
The downstairs bedroom seemed bigger when he was a kid. The twin-sized bunks on the carrier feel bigger than the wooden-framed bed that Maverick put in here. Bradley’s shoulder is practically hanging off the side, and the old frame creaks with each movement he makes.
It’s not like he would be sleeping much anyway. When he closes his eyes, the only thing he can see is the fireball Maverick’s plane had turned into as it fell.
Bradley’s hunched over the coffee pot by the time that Avery wakes up. He hears her coming down the stairs and straightens up like he wasn’t three seconds from throwing the stupid thing at the wall, clearing his throat and turning around.
It occurs to him that he should have put a shirt on. This isn’t his place. It’s hers, now, he guesses — either way, he hadn’t considered making her uncomfortable. He folds his arms over his naked torso as she strolls into the kitchen, hair mussed and rubbing at her eyes.
She’s wearing big socks and the same big t-shirt she had worn to eat the pizza last night. He can’t tell if she’s wearing shorts or not.
“Morning,” He offers up, making her lift her gaze from busily tapping at her phone. Her gaze lands squarely on his navel — more so, how low his shorts sit on his hips and the way a soft trail of brown hair ventures from there to his bellybutton. 
Blinking, she finds his face.
“Coffee machine’s broken, we can stop somewhere on the way to base if you like.” He leans down a little bit, like an awkward teenager shrinking away from a family picture. She locks her gaze on his, trying not to glance back down at his muscles. 
“Oh. That’s not broken — if you hit it hard enough, it’ll work.” She heads right for him, fuzzy socks padding across the floor so softly that it really does startle him when she grabs the copy of War and Peace that now sits on the kitchen counter, and slam the book right into the side of the coffee machine.
He whips around as the machine whirs to life. Avery the book back down gently, and look up at him. He sets his jaw, brows knitted together, searching her face.
Maverick never taught Bradley anything like that. In fact — Bradley always, always was taught the opposite. You never take the easy way out; if something’s worth fixing, then you fix it right.
Then you, you on the other hand, beat the thing with the heaviest book you can find? He just doesn’t get it.
“Well. Thanks.” He guesses, turning his bemused expression back to the brewing coffee. 
He hadn’t been expecting you to do that. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out, given the way he’s still glaring at the machine. That coffee pot is older than you are, and Mav never taught him that trick?
“So this guy, the one who called me,” Avery skims her fingers along the cool granite countertop, just to have something to do, “He was the guy calling the shots up there?”
Bradley blinks. He doesn’t know how much she knows about the way all of this works. He knew everything there is to know long before he ever enlisted, but that was because he wanted to know.
“Um,” Bradley grabs his mug and takes a step back for her to get herself one.  “He was our mission command so, kind of. He gives orders — but, y’know, everything happens fast, it’s… it’s hard to call the shots from back on the boat.” 
“Did he like Mav much?” She asks, head tucked inside the fridge door as you scan for anything to make her coffee a little less black. Nothing. A couple of beers and a block of good German cheese. She swings it shut with a resigned sigh, wondering if she’ll be here long enough to need groceries.
The thought flashes across her mind — what’ll happen to this place when she leaves it behind?
“Uh... No, not really.” After a routine training presentation at the very beginning of their attachment, Admiral Simpson had once become so agitated by Maverick that he snapped his own reading glasses in half. Mav got a good laugh out of it, at least.
“Great.” Agitation creeps into her tone as she curls her fingers around a plain white coffee mug. All of his kitchenware is plain white. 
“What?” Bradley tilts his head, trying to catch a glimpse at the look on her face, stuck between whether she’s sad or pissed off.
It’s an easy answer, rolling off of her tongue with a shrug of her shoulders and a deflated sigh. “People usually put us in the same boat — if they don’t like him, they don’t like me.”
That’s something that he thinks he can understand. There’s not an instant dislike, but there’s a pity that he finds in the eyes of people who once knew his father. 
He screws his mouth up, shaking his head and reaching for her without thought. His palm claps against her shoulder, platonic and soothing, but the first time he has touched you nonetheless. “I’ll be there. He won’t say a thing.”
Glancing upward, while his palm lingers on her shoulder, her eyes flit across his features. He doesn’t know quite what she’s searching for, or whether she finds it. His fingers squeeze softly against her skin before the touch is gone all together.
They drink their coffees in parallel, both subtly miserable in their silence but comfortable in it anyway. It’s difficult to prepare for a meeting like this — she doesn’t have a clue of what to expect. 
Bradley wears black jeans and boots with a plain white t-shirt, which convinces her not to wear the more formal dress she had thought she’d have to wear. She slips into his passenger seat in a skirt and Mary Janes.
He drives a loud, blue vintage Bronco. It sparkles inside and out, and makes her dusty old car look even worse. 
Bradley settles behind the wheel to the sound of chilled seventies music, the radio turned low. He drives with three fingers curled around the bottom of the wheel and the other hand resting absently on the stick shift.
Even though he seems calm enough behind the wheel, she watches him chew at the inside of his cheek for the duration of the drive. Gears tick away inside his head. His knee only stops bouncing nervously when it’s time to press his foot against the pedal.
He’s not as good at pretending as he thinks he is; she silently appreciates that he tries, either way.
Bradley, truthfully, spends the entire drive thinking about the last time he was face to face with Admiral Simpson. ‘Son, I’m doing this for you.’ He had sworn, face sullen, uttering the exact same words Pete Mitchell once had when delivering the words that had torn Bradley from him the first time.
Only, Admiral Simpson wasn’t pulling Bradley’s papers — he was just putting him on a month long bereavement leave. His protests had fallen on deaf ears once again, as they had fifteen years ago. He’s now a week into that leave, but it feels like longer.
It turns out that when sleep is cut from the equation, everything feels a lot longer. In his own apartment, his routine has been getting up at 2am after hours of tossing and turning, going for a run all the way down to the docks, coming back and showering, then waiting for the sun to rise.
Last night, he’d been awake in that creaky old twin bed, struck by the realisation that if he spent all night tossing and turning — one, he might actually break the old bed frame, and two, the squeaking of it would definitely keep Avery up. 
All it had taken was the focus of trying to sit still for so long to finally knock him out. It was the best that he’d slept since the mission.
He kind of hopes that it’ll take him a while to figure out something to do with her car; at least that way he’ll be able to sleep at night. 
“You ready?” His voice startles Avery from her daydream, the engine cutting out with a jingle of the keys as he stretches forwards in his seat to shove them into his pocket. “We’re headed just over there.”
“Yeah, let’s get this over with.” She’s stepping down and swinging the heavy door shut before she’s taking her next breath, leaving him to catch up to her. 
His long strides have him at her side before long, reaching ahead of her to pull open the glass door to the post headquarters. 
This process has already been easier with him at her side. He’d coolly handed over his service ID and greeted the guard at the gate by name, and he stops her from turning sharply down the wrong hallway with a soft bump of his shoulder against hers.
He catches her forearm as she tries to blow right past the front desk, his grip loose but firm. 
“Rooster.” The woman behind the desk stands up sharply, looking sharp in her service khakis, her entire face creased with a deep worry. She’s older, maybe around Mav’s age. “I heard, I’m so sorry.”
Rooster loosens his hold on her forearm, his lips flattening into a line. He stands up straight, his interaction with the woman nothing if not totally polite. His thumb trails across the bend of her wrist as he nods his head towards her.
“Thank you,” He says softly, seemingly unaware of the way Avery has stiffened in the presence of this woman. “We’re, uh… we’re just here to see Cyclone, Lynn.”
Her warm, brown eyes whip towards Avery, widening. Recognition floods her features as she pieces together who the girl at Bradley's side must be. 
Her boots hit the ground, Avery's lips parting slightly as she realises that this stranger is headed right for her. Bradley feels Avery's arm tug in his grip and turns his head, taking note of the way she's trying to shrink behind him.
Lynn is a hugger by nature, and she was a good friend of Mav’s for a long time. She means well, but Bradley isn’t going to let her touch Avery when he can see how unnerved it makes her.
“We’re a little late. I’ll catch you at the O-Bar this weekend?” His fingers uncurl from her forearm and his palm falls flat between her shoulder blades, giving her a gentle nudge and silent permission to avoid Lynn's hug.
The woman stops and there’s another polite, departing exchange between the two of them while Avery continues down the hall.
Bradley catches up to her as she raps her knuckles against the doorframe, fingers trembling when they come to settle back against her thighs.
“Miss Mitchell.” A chair scrapes along the tiled floor, Cyclone’s signature rumbling voice carrying out into the hallway. His boots tap across the ground, his face creased with sincerity and his hand outstretched when he notices Bradley standing behind the young woman he had arranged this meeting with. “Bradley Bradshaw.”
Avery checks back over her shoulder, glancing briefly at the man behind her, who has assumed his best bodyguard impression. 
Standing tall, his uniform crisp and his greying black hair combed neatly, Admiral Beau Simpson slips his palm into hers and shakes her hand curtly. The sunlight catches on his shining name badge, his face heavy with lines and sharp angles.
Letting her hand go, he then reaches to her right to shake Bradley’s. Bradley’s chest bumps her back as he leans into the handshake.
Avery steps away from him, angling yourself closer to the doorframe. “He just gave me a ride here. Is it okay if he comes in?”
“Of course,” Cyclone is far more polite to her than he has ever been to Bradley. “Anything you need. Please, take a seat.”
It feels a little bit wrong standing before his boss in jeans, and sitting before him. Everything about this feels a little bit wrong. Bradley rests his chin against his fist.
Avery sits in the chair beside him, shoving your trembling hands under your thighs, straightening up and trying to look as brave as you can. 
It shouldn’t be this stranger sitting beside you in this meeting — your mother should have come with you.
“Miss Mitchell,” The admiral takes his seat on the other side of his desk once again. “I want to first express my deepest condolences. Your father was a good man, and a… extremely skilled pilot.”
Bradley almost scoffs. Even now, Cyclone can’t manage to compliment him, not really.
“We are forever grateful for his service, and the sacrifices he made on behalf of our country. I understand that this is an extremely difficult time, and I’d just like to say that I’m going to personally make sure that this process is as easy as it can possibly be.”
Avery blinks at him. Jet engines rumble on outside of the window. People bustle on outside of the closed office door.
Cyclone glances towards Bradley. 
“When a man is lost in action, our resolve is to initiate a search and rescue effort as soon as possible,” The admiral explains, leaving out the part where that search and rescue effort had been delayed by seventy-two hours after Mav disappeared. “We’ve been working tirelessly, and our efforts to locate your father are ongoing.”
Her brows knit together, lips pursed, unimpressed.
“But— he’s dead.” She frowns abruptly, rendering Cyclone suddenly quiet. “He’s got to be. It’s been a week. No food, no water, sub-zero temperature. What’s the point in looking?”
Bradley grits his teeth. He looks across at her, her words like a jolt of ice-cold water, the muscle in his jaw ticking. There’s nothing in her expression, no fear or sadness. Pete deserved more than that.
“The point is to bring him home.” He bites from her side, staring straight ahead at Cyclone.
She shoots him a look. When it’s clear that she isn’t going to say anything else, Cyclone clears his throat to continue. 
“Miss Mitchell, we do have to prepare ourselves for the other outcome. If recovery efforts are unsuccessful, in two weeks time, he will be listed as formally ‘Missing in Action’. If that’s the case, we will honor him with a memorial service and all of his service records and personal effects are delivered to you.”
She drags her teeth across her plush bottom lip, swallowing hard and giving a small nod of her head. Closing her eyes for a moment, she pictures the moment that this is all over. She can get out of here and pretend it never happened.
“Okay. Two weeks?”
“This is going to be a longer process,” Cyclone warns her. He’d heard that she had come down specially for this, and he doesn’t want to mislead her about the time frame. “The recovery mission, if unsuccessful, will be suspended in two weeks’ time. After that, we’d like you to be local for the investigation.”
“Investigation?”
“Of ourselves. To ensure that the Navy had performed its due diligence, that kind of thing… I’d expect us to be here for a good few months.” He explains.
After that, it’s like Bradley can see a switch flip for her. 
She’s biting at the inside of her cheek so hard that she must be tasting copper, picking at the seam of her skirt and breathing like she’s trying not to cry.
He’s still confused when he’s all but chasing her across the parking lot, listening to her try to control her breathing.
“Hey, hey, hey,” He tries, approaching her cautiously as she crowds herself against the passenger side of his car. “It’s alright. We’ll get through it, it’s just a couple of months.”
“I— fuck. I don’t want to be here. I-I— I’m going to have to find a job, and I’ll have to call my mom, and— and my friends, and—“
“Hey,” Bradley mumbles, resisting the instinct to throw his arms around her. His brows draw together as he reaches out and squeezes her bicep, bending his knees so he can catch her eye. “It’s alright. I’ll take care of it.”
Avery knows that he’s just trying to be nice, but really, she’s sick of nice. It’s all that Maverick ever was and it left her with no idea of who he really is. “Of what? There’s so much that I have to—“
He nods, closing his mouth, swallowing dryly. Thinking of what he can, feasibly, take off of her plate for her. The idea sparks in him.
“You need a job. I can get you a job. Um, your friends, we can call them and bring them down for a weekend?” He squeezes again at her bicep, nodding his way through his plans, trying to will the tears in her eyes not to spill over.
She sniffs, turning her gaze towards the ground. The lump in Avery’s throat burns and bobs as she tries to swallow it away. 
Mav really is never coming back.
“I don’t want to go back to his house.” It comes out as a whimper, and really just reminds Bradley that she is in the same position that he was when he was just a little younger than her. It’s a scared kid type of feeling, being all alone in the world. Being in an empty house had made it even worse.
He licks his lips and glances towards the skies, watching the sun pass behind a cloud. 
“You could stay at my place, for a night or two.” 
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kcsplace · 5 months ago
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Aboard the carrier, a perfectly fine let me be delusional Ice heard first Mav and then Bradley be shot down. In the space of two minutes his husband and son were gone.
Despite the crowd in the room, he'd never felt more alone.
He stared blindly at a screen showing the remaining Daggers returning to safety, the activity around him a low level drone as he focused on breathing, on remembering how to draw in air in a world without Pete.
Tried to remember how to want to.
He'd long since forgotten how to exist without the other man. He'd spent more time on earth with Mav at his side, with the ferocity of his love beating in his chest than he ever had without him.
How was he supposed to go back to that rigid pre-Mav black and white world when he'd spent decades drenched in colour? Why had he survived round after round of chemo and radiation and endured the sickness, fought his way back to health only for everything to be ripped from him like this?
It was only when he collapsed onto the chair behind him that he noticed the reports coming in about about flurries of activity on the ground, saw the bandits on radar wheeling away from the destroyed base where they'd been circling since the attack and begun to fly towards the water.
But not heading South to follow the path the Daggers had taken before they'd landed back on the carrier safely. The bandits were hunting something else.
Someone else.
"Maverick "
It was more exhale than name, but it was enough to catch Hondo's attention.
"Sir?"
"Maverick." Stronger this time, as strong as the surgeries ever allowed anymore.
"I know, Sir, I'm so sor-"
"no! Look!" He jabbed his finger at the radar screen, at the two dots closing on a third, moving into what Ice's experienced eye immediately recognized to be threatening, even as only blips on a radar screen.
"They're tracking the Daggers-"
"No. Not on that path they're not. And look." He thrust the printouts at Hondo, pointing to the reports of increased manpower headed into the woods, away from the facility.
"they're searching. My guess? They saw parachutes, and only one man is capable of pissing people off like this."
"...He's...he's alive?"
"he's alive" Ice confirmed, and sweet air rushed into his lungs again.
Casey's IceMav Ficlets Casey's Top Gun Ficlets
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roosterforme · 1 year ago
Text
It Won't Be Long | Rooster x Reader
Summary: How are you supposed to tell your family that you have to leave? Especially when everything still feels new and flawless and beautiful? Bradley knows it will be rough to break the news to you, but telling Everett will be so much worse.
Warnings: Swearing, fluff, angst, adult language
Length: 3600 words
Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female single!mom Reader
This is a Batting Practice one-shot but can be read alone! Check out my masterlist for more!
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"Oh, shit."
Bradley's heart sank as he read the paperwork that Maverick just handed to him. "Fuck," he groaned, fighting the urge to crumple up the pages. The sounds of conversation buzzing around him in the rec room faded to a dull noise that set his teeth on edge as he thought about how he was going to explain this to you. And even worse....how he would tell Everett. 
"Sorry, Rooster," Maverick replied, cuffing him on the shoulder, but Bradley didn't move except to shake his head a fraction of an inch. He should have known this was coming. He should have been prepared for this, but it felt like a slap in the face. You and he had only been married for less than six months, and he still felt like this was very much the honeymoon phase. How the hell was he supposed to spend a single day without you and Everett, let alone one hundred of them?
He'd been planning to take the three of you up to Disneyland for a little overnight trip during spring break. Kind of a precursor to a longer vacation to Disney World in Orlando in the summer. Well, now he'd be missing all of spring break. And he was going to miss opening day at Petco Park, too.
He vaguely registered that Maverick dismissed him early, and he heard Bob calling his name as he headed for the door. He stopped but didn't turn around as he told his future brother-in-law, "I'll call you later." He'd have to tell Bob and Molly soon, because you and Everett would need them if anything happened while Bradley was deployed, but he didn't want to talk about it with anyone until he told you himself. 
When he got home before you, it gave him plenty of time to mope while he got dinner in the oven. He decided to take a long shower, suddenly wanting nothing more than to change out of his fucking uniform. The Valentine's Day card he gave you a few days ago was still propped up on your dresser, and he sighed when he looked at the pretty flowers still blooming beautifully in the vase next to it. When he opened the card and read what he'd written, he wasn't surprised to find that he had it practically memorized after spending hours agonizing about what to say to his wife on a day dedicated to being in love.
Kitten, 
You changed my life and everything in it for the better last spring, and not a minute goes by that I'm not thinking about you. I hope you'll let me love you every Valentine's Day for the rest of my life. I hope you'll love me back for all of them. I'm so happy you're my wife.
Love,
Bradley
P.S.- How do you feel about wearing your collar, leash and your bodysuit tonight?
He set the card down again with a soft groan and stripped out of his uniform. The shower felt amazing, and he treated himself to your expensive body wash before he rinsed himself off. When he put on his sweatpants and started looking for a tee shirt, everything in his drawer seemed to have Top Gun or Navy Waves printed on it. He just wasn't in the mood for any of it since he knew he was about to have two conversations he'd really rather skip, so he pulled on the Phillies shirt that he got for Christmas from you and Everett.
The kitchen timer started going off at the same time he heard your car in the driveway, and Bradley ran back downstairs to get dinner out of the oven. "You're home early!" you said, bursting through the front door with Everett by your side, and for the first time since this morning, everything seemed more colorful and loud in a good way.
"Dad! I aced my math test!" Everett said as he came running into the kitchen, waving a sheet of paper in the air. "A hundred percent!"
Bradley's heart clenched as he picked Everett up in a hug and buried his face against him. "I'm proud of you, kiddo. That's what happens when you stop rushing through your homework."
He held onto his son a little longer than he normally would before kissing his cheek and setting him down. You eyed him closely as you dumped your work stuff on one of the chairs. He must have done something to give himself away, because a second later, you said, "Ev, you promised you'd take ten minutes to clean your room before dinner."
"Fine," he replied, his voice right on the edge of whining. Normally Bradley would remind him not to talk to you that way, but he let it slide right now. Everett headed for the stairs, and once he was out of sight, you were in Bradley's arms. 
"What's wrong, Coach?" you asked, running your fingers along his cheek before pushing them through his damp hair. "What's bothering you?"
When you gently kissed him, he didn't stop you. And when it took him a minute to reply, you didn't rush him. "Baby... I'm being deployed."
Your grip on him grew incrementally tighter as you whispered, "Oh. When?" 
His forehead met yours as he forced out the sentence, "I have to leave mid March, and I'm due back on Ev's birthday."
When you nodded, he could tell you were still letting his words settle in your mind. You took a deep breath and huffed out a little laugh as you whispered, "That's a long time."
Bradley swallowed down his guilt. "It's too damn long. I don't want to go fourteen weeks without you and Ev. I don't even like going a whole day when I can help it. I'm supposed to be here with you."
You nodded, and when you spoke, he could hear the tears in your voice. "We managed without you before, we can do it again. At least you'll get home on his birthday."
He collected you tighter against his body as he groaned. He would rather do almost anything other than miss his son's eighth birthday. "Kitten. Sometimes the dates aren't accurate. Sometimes the carriers run behind schedule. One time I returned a week later than I anticipated." 
You made a soft sound that left him reeling. "Well, if that happens, then I'll explain it to him. And we'll deal with it."
"Fuck," he grunted, slipping out of your grasp and gripping the edge of the countertop with both hands as his anger flared. "I don't want the two of you to have to deal with me missing out on celebrations. I already bought tickets for Ev and I to go to see the Padres on opening day! I was going to let him skip school! If I miss his birthday, I swear I'll be fucking sick, Kitten! And if Molly doesn't have the baby before March fifteenth, then I won't get to meet him until he's three months old!"
"Bradley," you whispered, ducking under his arm so you were right there between him and the counter. "Listen to me," you said, taking his face in your hands and kissing him. "This is why we love you so much. Because you love us so much."
You had tears in your eyes that matched his as he muttered, "I still feel like we just got married. Like every day with you is so exciting. And Ev didn't grow up with a military dad. He's not used to my lifestyle. I..." Bradley paused and dipped his head down, staring at your work shoes as he said, "I feel important every day because both of you rely on me for things around here. More than just my income. Ev and I do his homework together, and I like helping you cook meals. And I live for taking him to the park to play baseball. I live for it, Kitten."
With two firm hands under his chin, you shifted him so he was looking at you. "I said we would be able to manage without you because we did it before. We know how to do it. Not that we would enjoy ourselves, Bradley. My heart will hurt with worry every day that you're gone, and Everett will miss you because you're essential to his happiness. But this is part of your career, and you're very good at it."
Bradley knew he was crying now as he said, "I'll miss the beginning of his baseball season. He's the only one from his old team who is going to play real ball again this spring instead of tee ball."
You smiled and kissed his cheek. "All thanks to you. And I'll take a million videos for you to watch. I'll email them so you can scrutinize his technique, and then I'll help him improve. I mean, look how much more I know about baseball since I first met you."
Of course your words made him feel a little better. They always did. You always validated his place in this family when he started to doubt himself. "You've come a long way, Kitten. And it's a good thing, too, because I don't think Ev is going to lose interest in baseball any time soon."
You smiled as your lips skimmed his. "I really hope not since the two of you turned the extra bedroom into a Phillies shrine."
"Why are you both crying?"
Bradley's gaze snapped toward Everett who was halfway between the bottom of the stairs and the kitchen with a concerned look on his face. "Ev," he started, unsure how to handle this conversation. Part of him wanted to wait until after the three of you had eaten dinner, but right now, he looked very upset.
"Is Aunt Molly okay?" he asked softly. "She was crying the other day when she said the baby was hurting her back."
When Bradley still hesitated, you said, "Aunt Molly is fine. She texted me a picture of her swollen feet at lunchtime." Then you leaned in closer and whispered, "Do you want me to talk to him?"
"No," Bradley replied immediately. "No, I'll do it." But it was harder than he thought it would be to get the words out in a way that would make sense to a seven year old. Why had he convinced himself that he'd be good at this parenting thing? He didn't even know what the hell to say right now. "Grab our gloves," he told his son. "Let's go out back and toss a ball around before we eat dinner."
Everett perked up immediately and ran off, only to return with two well worn baseball gloves and a baseball. "Okay."
Bradley slipped on a pair of shoes. "Okay."
Wordlessly, they threw the ball around for a bit, the quiet space soothing the part of Bradley that was terrified of fucking this up. "Hey, Kiddo?"
"Yeah, Dad?" Everett asked as he threw a scorcher to Bradley.
"You remember how we talked about deployments before?"
"Yeah." His voice was softer this time, and his face fell a little bit. "I remember. It's when you have to go way out into the ocean and fly off of an aircraft carrier."
"Yeah," Bradley croaked, squeezing the ball as hard as he could in his right hand. "I'm going to have to leave to do that in a few weeks."
He watched as his son tried to be strong and keep it together, but then Everett's face crumpled as he started crying. "But you said that lasts for months," he said as he looked at the ground, and Bradley rushed toward him. "And I heard Jayden in my class say deployments are really dangerous."
"Ev," he replied, dropping the ball and his glove and kneeling right in front of him. He swiped at the tears with his fingers as he said, "I can't stand it when you cry. It breaks my heart." 
But Everett just cried more. "I don't want you to leave now. You just got here!"
"Kiddo," he whispered, wrapping him up in a hug. "I'll be back soon. It won't be long. Nothing we can't handle."
"But what if something happens to you?" 
Bradley's heart shattered and was immediately put back together. He hated making you and Everett worry about him, but the fact that you both loved him enough to care made him feel whole. He kissed his son's tear streaked cheeks and said, "The only thing that's going to happen is me flying around in my jet for a few weeks before I come right back home. Sounds pretty boring, right?"
He nodded against Bradley's shoulder. "Yeah, I guess so."
Bradley kissed his forehead and whispered, "I'll be so bored without you. I'm going to need you and Mom to take a bunch of photos and videos and email them to me all day long. And I'll need you to ace all your school assignments and be well behaved for everyone except your Aunt Molly. You think you can do that?"
Everett shrugged, but when his glove slipped off of his hand, he hugged Bradley around the neck. "I'll try, Dad. But I'll miss you."
A tear slipped down Bradley's cheek as he managed to say, "I'll miss you, too."
-------------------------
"It's not time yet," you told Everett as he sat on the couch with the iPad on his lap, staring at it longingly. "Ten more minutes. Why don't you finish your math homework while you wait?"
"Because I like doing my math homework with Dad," Everett explained as he looked at you like you were absolutely ridiculous for even suggesting such a thing. "I want to solve the problem with him."
Even though it meant you would have less time to talk to your husband about other things, you'd let Everett do math homework with him over FaceTime. It wasn't like Bradley was going to complain. They were two peas in a pod. Everett even had the Phillies current pitching stats printed out and ready to share. 
"You'll have to show him your countdown, too. We're getting closer."
Before Bradley left, he and Everett cut up countless strips of paper and wrote numbers on them so Everett could conduct a countdown until his eighth birthday. Until the day Bradley was supposed to return home. There had been a gigantic paper chain snaking through the house, but now you were down to your final ten loops. Just ten more days without Bradley.
When the iPad rang, Everett nearly dropped it in his excitement, and you ran in from the kitchen. "Dad!" he said as Bradley's handsome face filled the screen.
"Hey, Ev," he said, sounding exhausted and relieved. "I miss you, Kiddo. Where's Mom?" 
"She's right here." 
Your son tilted the screen, and Bradley sighed. "Kitten."
"Bradley! We miss you. Ten more days!"
A crooked smile broke out on his face, and he kept his eyes on you for a beat longer while Everett started telling him all about baseball practice with his new coach and how his baby cousin Charlie threw up yesterday and about how the Phillies won three games in a row. You lost him to your son just like you knew you would as soon as Everett asked him for help with his homework. 
You sat quietly on the couch while Bradley looked at the math sheet and helped him work through the problem. Then Everett showed him the remaining length of the paper chain countdown, and as soon as that was finished, Bradley said, "Great job, Kiddo. Now why don't you go clean your room up before bed while I talk to Mom?"
"Okay. Love you, Dad!"
"I love you, too," he promised. "And I'll see you on your birthday."
Everett handed you the iPad and ran upstairs to his bedroom. "After all that, I only get three minutes alone with my husband this week," you said with a little smirk.
Bradley groaned and shook his head. "I can guarantee when I get home, I'll be on you nonstop. Don't worry about that, Baby. We won't sleep for days."
You bit your lip and laughed as he groaned. "What do you want for your birthday, Coach?"
He glanced around the small room where he was sitting before he said, "You can find that information written in your Valentine's Day card. Maybe throw in some vanilla frosting, and I'll be all set."
"Sounds good," you replied, and his smile grew. "We'll count down to Ev's birthday, and then we'll count down to yours."
"Speaking of which, did you get his present ready? All wrapped up in a box?"
You nodded as your heart fluttered. "Exactly to your specifications," you promised, picturing the package you had stashed in the linen closet.
"Perfect. I need to make it up to him for missing opening day for the Padres. I hated disappointing him."
As you glanced around your living room at the remaining countdown numbers and Everett's completed math homework, you said, "Something tells me you could never truly disappoint him. See you in ten days, my love."
-------------------------
"Dad!"
Bradley rushed through the crowd on the dock and headed for his family. You looked beautiful, and somehow Everett looked like he grew six inches in three months, but everything was perfect again once he had an arm wrapped around each of you. He kissed your lips and squeezed you to his side. "I missed you, Kitten," he murmured, knowing you wouldn't be too mad if you weren't his main focus until later tonight. "Happy birthday, Kiddo," he said with a smile as he released you to hug his son. "I missed you, too."
Everett clung to him when Bradley knelt down, and he stood up again with him in his arms. "Last week, my new coach said I have a heck of an arm. And school's already over. Mom took a video of my last day on Friday. You have to watch seventeen new videos from last week. We can watch them together tomorrow before we go out for pizza with baby Charlie and Aunt Molly and Uncle Bob."
Bradley buried his face against Everett's shoulder, excited to hear him talking a mile a minute in person. "Absolutely. But first, let's get home and open your birthday present."
The ride in your car was filled with your voice and Everett's, and Bradley sat back with a smile on his face and his fingers laced with yours. "How was the aircraft carrier?" Everett asked.
"Boring, loud and uncomfortable. And they never showed the Phillies games on TV."
"We can watch the game recaps!"
Bradley was already daydreaming about taking a few days off work, lounging on the couch with Everett until lunchtime, going to the park to play baseball, and then making love to you all night.
"We can definitely watch the game recaps," he promised as you pulled into the driveway next to Bradley's prized Bronco. "But first, I really want you to open your birthday present."
He didn't change out of his uniform. He didn't even remove his boots. He just gave Everett the box wrapped in red and white paper after you handed it to him, and he watched his son tear into the paper while your hands came to rest on his chest. "You are the only birthday present that kid wanted," you whispered.
Bradley felt the flush rising in his cheeks as you kissed his neck, but Everett had the lid off the box now. "I don't know about that, Kitten. I think he'll like this one," Bradley replied as Everett put the Phillie Phanatic hat on his head and read the paper he found in the box out loud.
"Three tickets for the Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park! On the Fourth of July! Behind the dugout! That's where the Phanatic dances! We can see the Phanatic for real! In Philadelphia!"
"Told you," Bradley whispered against your lips as Everett ran around the living room, already thrilled for his first trip to Philly.
But you were shaking your head and looking up at him with the most sincere expression as you said, "Just wait for it."
And you were right. A few minutes later, after Everett's excitement for his Phillies tickets tapered off a bit, he asked, "Dad, can we build a blanket tent and watch Toy Story and eat popcorn?"
Bradley paused where he was unlacing his boots and smiled. "Under one condition."
Everett smiled back and shrugged. "Okay. What is it?"
Bradley tossed his boots aside and said, "We change into our matching baseball pajamas and grab the stuffed Phanatic from your bedroom. And Mom gets to join us, too."
"Deal."
An hour and a half later, Bradley was watching one of his favorite movies with two of his favorite people. You were feeding him popcorn and teasing his hair as you lay with your head on his shoulder in the blanket fort. Everett was sound asleep, draped across Bradley's chest, and it felt so good to be home, he almost started crying. 
"I missed this so much," he whispered, kissing Everett's forehead. "Missed my family."
You hummed softly as you raked your fingers through his hair. "Like I said, going to the Phillies game will be great and all, but having you home today was the only thing he really needed for his birthday."
Bradley grinned and asked, "And does my Kitten need me, too?"
You popped up from his shoulder and whispered, "Why don't you carry Ev up to his bed, and then I'll let you find out."
-------------------------
I love emo Coach Bradley, and it was definitely time to check in with the three of them. He never wants to be the reason Everett cries, but that kid loves him so much, it's unavoidable. Let's check back in with them again soon. Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls
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fkinkindagauche · 8 months ago
Text
How You Turn My World, You Precious Thing
Written for @steddie-spooktober day 30 prompt - "Where in the hell did you find that costume??"
Rating: Explicit | WC: 2,271 | CW: None | Tags: Getting Together, Blow Jobs, Coming in Pants, Steve Harrington's Bisexual Crisis (brought to you by David Bowie)
Title is of course from "Within You" by David Bowie from the Labyrinth soundtrack.
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"I don't understand why you're doing a couples costume with Eddie," Steve said, a look of disgust on his face. "Am I not your platonic soulmate? Have I been replaced?"
Robin sighed and scrubbed a hand over her face. "For the last time, Steve, I just wasn't interested in any of your costume ideas, and I was interested in Eddie's."
"So, to be clear, you discarded the idea of going as Goose to my Maverick to go as the moody teen to Eddie's David Bowie from a children's movie?" Steve asked, hands on his hips.
"You haven't even seen Labyrinth, dingus, don't sound so unimpressed," Robin replied. "Eddie put together a pretty great costume. And my costume was a lot cheaper to put together than a believable Goose costume would be."
"Yeah, because it just looks like something you would wear, only you have a hideous black wig on," Steve said, giving her a once-over. "Sometimes I doubt your commitment to our soulmateship."
He wasn't going to let this go. They'd all gotten close in the months since the worst spring break on record. He even hung out with Eddie on his own sometimes. But that didn't make the knee-jerk friendvy reaction any less jarring. (Robin had told him "friendvy" just sounded stupid, but he preferred to consider it an adorable and genius portmanteau of "friend" and "envy").
Robin sighed as they pulled up to Vickie's house. She was hosting a Halloween party, mostly for theater and band geeks, but Steve hadn't exactly gotten any other invites so he agreed to come. Any chance he could take to bust out his highly flattering Maverick costume in an attempt to get laid.
"I think you're actually really gonna like Eddie's costume," Robin said, giving Steve a significant look as they walked toward the house.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked sharply.
She shrugged. "I saw the looks you were giving him when we went to the Hideout last weekend."
Steve spluttered, blushing. He'd been avidly avoiding acknowledging his nascent attraction to Eddie to himself in his own mind, and he certainly wasn't ready to talk about it with Robin. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm here for one purpose only - boobies."
Robin groaned and smacked him on the arm. "You're disgusting," she said.
"Would you prefer breasts? Knockers? Bosoms? Jugs? Tits?" He rattled them off so quickly she couldn't get a word in between them.
"Jesus, Steven, stop it," she said, shoving him harder. "I can't take you anywhere."
Steve graciously left off his litany of boob euphemisms once they got inside, Robin scanning the crowd.
"Eddie!" she yelled, walking over to a corner where a man with long, spiky blonde hair was standing, wearing incredibly tight pants with knee-high boots, and a ruffled shirt under a black vest.
Steve looked around for a few moments, searching for Eddie, until Robin approached the corner and pulled the blonde man into a side hug. He turned, and Steve let out a shocked gasp, realizing it was Eddie.
"Where in the hell did you find that costume?" Steve asked, mouth hanging open as he took in Eddie's elaborate make-up to go along with the clothes. "And where's your real hair?"
Eddie threw back his head and laughed, baring the long line of his neck, now draped with multiple necklaces. Steve swallowed hard, eyes drawn to the light dusting of chest hair he could see in the ample amount of chest exposed by the open neck of the shirt.
"Is that vest supposed to look like a corset?" Steve asked, enthralled as he reached out a hand to touch it, feeling the warmth of Eddie's skin through the fabric. His eyes tracked further down, to the obvious bulge he could see in Eddie's tight pants. "I thought this was a children's movie!" He knew he was blushing, could feel the heat in his face.
Eddie locked eyes with him when he finally looked back up, smirking. "Eyes up here, big boy," Eddie said. Steve's face grew even redder, and he wanted to melt into a puddle of goo on the floor and never look at Eddie again.
Steve felt his dick stir in his pants at the thought of Eddie's cock, right there in front of him, practically on display. He couldn't manage to get any words out, just kept staring at Eddie with his mouth open.
"Everything okay there, Harrington?" Eddie asked, smirk changing to a look of confusion. Robin was looking at Steve with something like glee on her face.
"I need to… use the bathroom," Steve managed to get out, turning away from them and pushing through the crush of people to a hallway. He managed to find an open bathroom and slipped inside, shutting and locking the door behind him as he slid to the floor against it.
He put his head in his shaking hands, trying to slow his racing heart. He couldn't really deny it anymore. He was attracted to Eddie. He'd never been attracted to a man before, bar that one fleeting moment in the shower with Billy Hargrove, when he'd been simultaneously aroused and infuriated.
But Eddie - he was something else entirely. Steve was finally admitting to himself , here on this bathroom floor, that he was physically attracted to Eddie. He'd known for a long time that he loved his smile, and his laugh, and his self-deprecating humor, and his willingness to help any of his friends, whatever they needed. Now he was finally acknowledging a physical attraction, and he was fucking terrified.
A knock on the door interrupted his spiral.
"Steve? You in there?" Eddie's voice asked.
"Can you send Robin in?" Steve asked pathetically.
There was an awkward pause. "Um. She said she had something she needed to do and that I should go check on you. I don't know where she is."
Fucking typical. Robin was trying to play cupid in the midst of his bisexual crisis.
"Are you okay?" Eddie asked when he got no response from Steve. "You sick or something? Can I come in and help?"
Of course he wanted to help. Saint fucking Eddie.
"I'm fine," Steve said, sighing. "Go away."
"You don't sound fine, man," Eddie replied. "Fucking wait a minute okay?" Eddie yelled, probably to someone in the hall. "Steve, let me in," Eddie said in a lower voice.
Steve stood and opened the door. Eddie came in and shut the door behind him, locking it again.
"You gonna puke?" Eddie asked. "You and Robin must've been going hard before you got here."
Steve looked at Eddie again, with his delectable wispy chest hair and his stupidly beautiful smile and the sizable bulge in his pants. Steve made an impulsive decision, the only kind he seemed capable of making these days. He put both hands on Eddie's chest and pushed him so his back was against the door, then leaned in and kissed him.
It wasn't that different from kissing a girl. He could feel the beginning of Eddie's stubble coming in, scratching lightly against his chin, but his lips were just as soft and warm as a girl's. Eddie gasped into his mouth, tensing up for a moment before relaxing against Steve, kissing him back.
Steve tentatively licked over Eddie's lower lip, and Eddie opened his mouth, allowing Steve's tongue inside. Steve slowly licked into his mouth, tangling his own tongue with Eddie's, moving to explore the roof of his mouth, the sides of his teeth. He pushed a hand into Eddie's ridiculous wig, pulling it askew, as Eddie wrapped his hands around Steve's hips and pulled him more firmly against himself.
Steve could feel Eddie's cock now, hard against his thigh. He slotted a leg between Eddie's thighs and pushed up. Eddie groaned into his mouth and pressed down onto Steve's leg as Steve moved his thigh back and forth, rubbing. Steve was sure Eddie could feel his own cock now, straining against the confines of his jumpsuit.
Steve's hips involuntarily bucked up into Eddie's hip, seeking friction. Eddie's tongue was meeting his in a ferocious clash, both of them vying for control of the kiss. Steve broke off first, trailing his lips down Eddie's neck, to the vee in his shirt. He bit the skin there as one of Eddie's hands came up to grab a fistful of his hair, tugging.
Steve sucked a bruise into Eddie's skin next to his tattoo, one that would be visible when they returned to the party. Eddie was panting above him, still grinding his cock down onto Steve's thigh, when Steve dropped to his knees.
His absolute favorite thing to do with women was give head. He felt a sudden urge to see if that was the same with men. He looked up at Eddie, who was staring down at him with a shocked look on his face, one hand still fisted in Steve's hair. His wig was askew, tendrils of his curly brown hair escaping around the sides, and his makeup was smudged from their frantic kissing. Steve had never seen anyone more beautiful.
Steve tugged lightly at Eddie's pants, giving him ample opportunity to push Steve away. He didn't push Steve away, so Steve pulled harder, bringing the skin-tight leggings down. As Steve had suspected, he wasn't wearing underwear beneath them, and his cock sprang free, hard and huge.
Steve had always thought himself well-endowed, compared himself to the other guys in the locker room and found himself above average. But Eddie was in a whole other league.
Steve's mouth dropped open as he considered that he may have made a huge mistake. How was it even going to fit? He took a deep breath, psyching himself up, then bent to lick a bead of precum off the head.
Eddie thrust his hips up minutely, clearly struggling hard to keep himself under control, and let out a breathy gasp. The hand in Steve's hair tightened as Steve licked around the head, taking just the tip into his mouth. He held the base of Eddie's cock in one hand, like he remembered girls doing with his, as he slowly sank further.
Steve pressed his tongue against the underside of Eddie's cock as he began to move his mouth up and down. He was only getting about a quarter of his cock into his mouth, but Eddie seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it, if the increasing amounts of precum he could taste were any indication.
"Fuck, Steve," Eddie said as Steve hollowed his cheeks out to provide more suction. Eddie was making little breathy noises, like aborted moans, and Steve could feel the strain in his hips as he tried not to fuck into Steve's mouth.
The weight of Eddie's cock on his tongue combined with his musky scent and the noises he was making were enough to have Steve's cock aching. He started to cup himself with his free hand, pressing his palm into his cock and rubbing as he sucked Eddie off.
Just as his jaw was beginning to ache, Eddie seemed to lose control of his hips, starting to thrust into Steve's mouth a little. "'M gonna come soon, Stevie," Eddie said between breaths. "Might want to vacate the area."
Steve snorted back a laugh, pulling off to say, "Come in my mouth."
Eddie thumped his head back into the door and groaned. "Fucking shit," he said under his breath as Steve took his cock back in his mouth.
Steve started to press his palm harder into his own cock as he bobbed his head on Eddie's, spit slicking his hand now and making it easier to stroke the length of Eddie's shaft that wasn't in his mouth. Steve could feel his own orgasm building, spurred on by the moans falling from Eddie's mouth.
As he felt the first hot spurts of Eddie's cum in his mouth, he rubbed frantically over his own cock, bringing himself to orgasm as he swallowed every drop of Eddie's cum. Steve continued to suck long after their orgasms were finished, enjoying the feel of Eddie's cock softening in his mouth.
Eventually, Eddie tugged at his hair, and Steve finally let his cock slide out of his mouth. He wiped a bit of cum or spit off the side of his mouth and looked up at Eddie.
"If I'd known dressing up as David Bowie would get Steve Harrington on his knees I would have done it a long time ago," Eddie said, pulling Steve up to stand. He reached for the zipper on Steve's jumpsuit, but Steve stilled his hand before he could start to undo it.
"Not going to let me reciprocate?" Eddie asked, looking a little hurt. "Was it just a little experiment for you?"
Steve shook his head vigorously. He grabbed Eddie's hand and moved it down to the wet spot spreading near his cock. "Not at all. Got a little carried away."
Eddie's eyebrows shot up. "You came in your adorable little jumpsuit while you blew me?"
Steve nodded, blushing.
"Fuck, you're unreal. I'm dressing up as Bowie every day," Eddie said.
Someone banged on the door, startling them, and yelled, "What the fuck are you doing in there? Some of us have to piss!"
"Shit. I didn't even get to see you naked," Eddie said, pouting.
"Next time," Steve said, reaching for the door as Eddie pulled up his pants.
"There's gonna be a next time?" Eddie said, eyes twinkling like a kid on Christmas morning.
"There's gonna be a whole lot of next times," Steve said, opening the door.
divider by @steddiecameraroll-graphics
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rootedinrevisions · 9 months ago
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Cop Car
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SUMMARY: You and Jake enter a restricted area to watch the planes take off. It's all fun and games until the two of you end up cuffed in the backseat of a car. Things only get worse when your dad, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell arrives on the scene. Loosely based on/inspired by Cop Car by Keith Urban because apparently my thing lately has been making fics out of songs.
WARNINGS: None
WORD COUNT: 3.5K
TAG LIST: @omgbrianab I @shanimallina87
The faint roar of jet engines reverberated in the distance, a low hum that vibrated through the night air. You were wrapped up in Jake’s arms, your back pressed against his chest as you both lounged in the truck bed, staring at the vast sky above. There was a thrill, a kind of reckless energy, in sitting just beyond the "No Trespassing" signs, so close to the runways where the Navy's finest pilots took off.
Your heart raced, though it wasn’t from fear of getting caught. It was from being here, next to him. You felt the soft thud of his heartbeat as you lay back against his chest, your body cocooned in his warmth.
“You sure this was a good idea?” Jake’s voice was low, tinged with amusement as he wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer.
You grinned up at him, the glow of the airstrip lights casting soft shadows across his features. “Since when have you ever cared about breaking the rules?”
He chuckled, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. “Fair point. But if your old man catches us—”
You cut him off with a playful laugh, turning in his arms so you could look up into his eyes. “We’ll be fine. I’ve got a plan.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a plan?”
“Mmhmm,” you nodded confidently, leaning in closer until your noses almost touched. “If we get caught, I’ll just tell them how much I love planes. They’ll understand.”
Jake shook his head, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Yeah, I’m sure that’ll get us out of any trouble.”
You leaned back against him, your eyes flicking up to watch as another jet took off, its engines roaring to life and tearing down the runway before disappearing into the night sky. There was something magical about it, watching those planes cut through the darkness. You’d loved planes ever since you were a kid—since the first time your dad had taken you up for a ride.
Sighing contently, you snuggled deeper into Jake’s embrace, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest against your back. The moment was perfect, just the two of you, wrapped up in each other. All the worries of tomorrow didn’t matter. It was just you, Jake, and the thrill of being somewhere you weren’t supposed to be.
“Hey, look,” Jake said, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Another one.”
You followed his gaze, watching as a fighter jet lifted off into the air, its sleek frame disappearing into the starry sky. For a second, you imagined what it must be like for Jake—to be up there, soaring through the clouds, with nothing but the horizon ahead of him. You admired his ambition, his drive.
“What’s it like up there…you know when you’re flying?” you asked, watching another jet take off, its lights blinking against the darkness.
Jake’s laugh was low, vibrating through your body as his arms tightened around you. “It’s the best feeling in the world…besides being here with you.”
You smiled, tilting your head back to catch a glimpse of his face, the shadows from the runway lights dancing across his jawline. There was something about being here, just the two of you, that felt untouchable—like nothing could ruin this moment. It felt like the world belonged to just you and him.
But then, out of the corner of your eye, you spotted it—the glow of headlights approaching from the other side of the fence. Your heart skipped a beat.
“Uh, Jake,” you murmured, sitting up a little. “We’ve got company.”
Jake followed your gaze, his jaw tightening as the headlights got closer. A black SUV with the words “Military Police” emblazoned on the side rolled to a stop just a few feet away from Jake’s truck.
“Shit,” he muttered, sliding out of the truck bed and extending a hand to help you down. His expression was still calm, but you could feel the tension rolling off him as the door to the SUV swung open.
Two officers stepped out, their faces stern and their postures rigid as they approached. The taller one, a gruff-looking man in his mid-40s with a salt-and-pepper beard, was the first to speak.
“You two realize this is a restricted area, right?” His voice was sharp, no-nonsense.
You exchanged a glance with Jake, your heart thudding in your chest. “Uh, yeah,” Jake said, holding up his hands in surrender. “We were just watching the planes. Didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
The officer’s eyes narrowed as his gaze shifted to you. “And you? You got identification on you?”
Your breath caught in your throat. You weren’t on base legally, and you knew it. While Jake was a Navy pilot with all the right credentials, you were just the daughter of one of the Navy’s most legendary pilots. That wasn’t going to help much right now.
You swallowed hard, trying to keep your voice steady. “I… I don’t have any ID on me.”
The second officer, a younger man with a buzz cut, stepped forward. “Name?”
You hesitated, glancing at Jake before answering. His green eyes were serious, silently telling you to be honest. There was no talking your way out of this.
“Y/N Mitchell,” you said finally, your voice barely above a whisper.
The officers exchanged a glance, clearly recognizing the name. “As in Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell?” the first officer asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
You nodded, your heart sinking. “Yeah… that’s my dad.”
The older officer exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple as if already anticipating the headache this was going to cause. “Well, Miss Mitchell, you’re not supposed to be here. You’re aware of that, right?”
You opened your mouth to respond, but Jake cut in. “Look, this is on me. I brought her here. She just wanted to see the planes. I’ll take full responsibility.”
The officer gave Jake a once-over, clearly unimpressed. “And you are?”
“Lieutenant Jake Seresin,” Jake said, pulling his Military ID card out of his wallet and handing it over. The officer examined it under the flashlight before handing it back, his expression still stony.
“You know better, Lieutenant,” the officer said, his voice low and stern. “You’re military personnel. You should know what ‘No Trespassing’ means.”
Jake clenched his jaw but nodded. “Yes sir, I know. I screwed up.”
The officer gave a nod to his partner, who immediately stepped forward and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. “I’m afraid you’re both coming with us,” the younger officer said, reaching for Jake’s wrists first.
“Wait, is that really necessary?” you asked, panic rising in your chest as you watched them cuff Jake.
“Afraid so,” the officer replied, his tone almost bored. “Regulations.”
Your breath quickened as the officer turned to you next, holding out the cuffs. “Turn around, ma’am.”
You swallowed hard and did as you were told, the cold metal of the cuffs clicking around your wrists. The reality of the situation began to set in, and for the first time, a sliver of fear crept in.
Jake met your eyes, and despite the cuffs, he managed to give you a reassuring smile.
“Hey,” he said softly, his voice steady, “it’s gonna be fine.”
You nodded, trying to calm the rapid beating of your heart. You wanted to believe him, but the weight of what could happen hung heavy in the air.
The officers escorted you and Jake to the back of their patrol car, opening the doors and motioning for you to get inside. You slid in first, Jake following closely behind, the door slamming shut behind him. The inside of the car smelled like leather and disinfectant, the overhead light casting a dim glow across your faces.
You slouched against the seat, biting your lip to keep from laughing at the absurdity of it all. Jake caught your eye and raised an eyebrow.
“You okay?” he asked, his voice soft as the officers stood outside making phone calls.
You nodded, resting your head against the seat. “Yeah, I’m okay. Are you?”
Jake exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the flashing blue lights reflecting in the window. “Your dad’s gonna kill me.”
You let out a soft laugh, the tension easing slightly. “He might. But hey, at least we’ve got a good story now.”
Jake chuckled, leaning his head back against the seat, his eyes closing briefly. “Yeah, some story. 'Remember that time we got cuffed for watching jets take off?'”
You grinned, leaning your head against his shoulder. “You know, we could try to make a run for it.”
His eyes snapped open, and he turned to you, disbelief written all over his face. “You’re crazy.”
You shrugged, a mischievous glint in your eye. “Maybe. But you love it.”
He shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Yeah,” he said quietly, his eyes softening as he looked at you. “I do.”
The two of you fell into a comfortable silence, the weight of the situation fading as the minutes ticked by. Outside, the officers were still making calls, seemingly in no rush to let you go. But you didn’t care. In this moment, sitting in the back of a patrol car, cuffed and facing who knew what kind of trouble, all that mattered was being here with Jake.
He glanced over at you again, his expression softening as he took in the way the blue lights danced in your eyes. He couldn’t help but think how beautiful you looked, even in a situation like this. And for a second, all his worries about tomorrow and whatever consequences awaited him melted away.
“Your dad’s never gonna let me see you again, is he?” Jake asked, half-joking, though there was a hint of concern in his voice.
You smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek. “We’ll figure it out.”
Just then, the familiar sound of car tires on the gravel made you both look up. The unmistakable silhouette of your father, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, appeared in the distance, his boots crunching rhythmically against the gravel as he approached the patrol car. The blue and red lights cast long shadows over his form, and even from inside the car, you could see the tightness in his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. He was pissed, no doubt about it.
Jake shifted beside you, his relaxed demeanor faltering for the first time since the police had shown up. His face fell, the reality of the situation finally hitting him. “This is gonna be bad,” he muttered under his breath, glancing sideways at you.
You could only nod, your stomach twisting with a mix of dread and embarrassment. If there was one thing that had always been constant in your life, it was your dad’s protective nature. And now, seeing him storming toward the car—where you sat in the back, hands cuffed, with Jake beside you—it felt like you were about to face the full force of it.
Just as Maverick reached the car, the officer nearest the door gave you and Jake a nod, his face stern as he reached for the door handle. 
“Alright, out you two,” he said, his voice gruff but controlled. 
He opened the door, and the cool night air rushed in, cutting through the warmth of the enclosed space. Jake was the first to move. He slid out of the seat with a quiet grunt, his wrists still bound by the cuffs as he straightened to his full height. The officer standing nearby gave him a once-over, clearly unimpressed, before placing a hand on Jake’s arm to guide him to the side of the car.
Then it was your turn. You followed Jake’s lead, scooting across the seat and stepping out into the gravel. The moment your feet hit the ground, you felt the weight of everything hit you all at once—the flashing lights, the tension in the air, and your dad’s unwavering gaze locked on the two of you. The officers didn’t waste time; you were both led a few paces away from the car, standing side by side as Maverick looked between you and Jake with that intense, assessing stare.
Jake, to his credit, stood still and silent, his jaw clenched tightly. You could sense the regret rolling off him in waves. His shoulders were stiff, and for once, he seemed unsure of what to say. Not that there was much he could say to fix the situation.
Maverick’s eyes moved between the two of you, taking in the sight of his daughter cuffed and standing beside Lieutenant Jake "Hangman" Seresin. His frustration was palpable, but the way he lingered on you for a second longer made your stomach twist. This wasn’t just anger—this was disappointment.
The older officer cleared his throat, drawing Maverick’s attention for a moment. “Captain Mitchell, sir,” he said, more formally now, clearly aware of the gravity of the situation.
Maverick’s gaze didn’t leave you and Jake, his arms crossing over his chest. “What’s going on here?”
The officer quickly explained, outlining how they’d found you both in a restricted area and how neither of you had proper authorization. The moment he finished, there was a beat of silence. Maverick’s eyes narrowed as they settled on Jake.
“Lieutenant Seresin,” he said slowly, his voice deceptively calm, “care to explain why I’m getting a call in the middle of the night saying my daughter’s in the back of a patrol car with you?”
Jake straightened up, squaring his shoulders. “Sir, it’s on me. I brought her out here. I didn’t think—”
“No, you didn’t,” Maverick cut him off, his voice sharp. “You didn’t think at all, clearly.”
You winced at the harshness of his tone, knowing this wasn’t going to go over well. The officer standing beside Jake glanced between the two men, but remained silent. Maverick’s gaze shifted to you, and the weight of his stare made your heart sink.
“Y/N, you know better than this,” Maverick said, his voice firm but with an edge of concern. “You know what happens when you break the rules, especially on a military base. What were you thinking?”
You looked down, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.
Maverick sighed, running a hand through his hair before turning to the officers. “Can you take the cuffs off?”
The younger officer hesitated for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Sure, Captain.” He stepped forward and unlocked Jake’s cuffs first. Jake gave a slight nod of thanks but didn’t move otherwise, still standing rigid beside you.
Then it was your turn. The officer released the cuffs from your wrists, and you immediately rubbed at the sore spots where the metal had bitten into your skin. The weight of the cuffs was gone, but the tension hanging between the three of you was suffocating.
Maverick gave the officers a short nod, signaling for them to step back. Then he crossed his arms again, his eyes flickering between you and Jake. “You two are lucky it was just the military police who found you,” he said, his voice low but filled with authority. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened if this got reported up the chain? You’re both smart enough to know better.”
Jake shifted beside you, finally finding his voice again. “Sir, I take full responsibility. Y/N shouldn’t get in trouble for this. She was just with me. If there’s any punishment, it should be mine.”
Maverick’s gaze hardened as he stared down Jake, a long silence stretching between them. Finally, Maverick spoke, his voice cold. “This isn’t about punishment, Seresin. This is about trust. You’ve got my daughter out here, breaking rules, putting herself in a dangerous position, and you didn’t think for one second about what that means?”
Jake flinched, guilt flashing across his face. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to put her in danger.”
Maverick exhaled sharply, shaking his head as he turned to you, his expression softening just slightly. “You okay?”
You nodded, feeling the weight of the situation settle even heavier on your shoulders. “Yeah… I’m okay. I’m sorry, Dad.”
“We’ll talk about this later,” Maverick said, his voice gentler now, though the tension still lingered. “But you’re coming home with me.”
He turned back to Jake, his face hardening again. “And you, Lieutenant… this doesn’t go on your record, but if you’re serious about my daughter, you’d better start using your head.”
The night air hung heavy as Maverick walked back toward his car, his command still lingering in the space between you and Jake. Though the cuffs were off and the immediate crisis seemed to be over, you couldn’t shake the knot tightening in your chest. Maverick wasn’t letting this slide easily, and both you and Jake knew it.
“Lieutenant Seresin,” Maverick called out, his voice stern and carrying authority, making it clear this wasn’t a request.
Jake, who had been silently rubbing his wrists, snapped to attention. He straightened up, his posture rigid, falling back into his role as a Navy officer. “Yes, sir.”
Maverick’s gaze hardened as he took a step closer, his voice unwavering. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to say goodnight to my daughter, and then you’re going straight back to your quarters. No stops, no detours. Understood?”
Jake nodded, his usual confidence visibly absent. “Yes, sir.”
Maverick’s eyes narrowed slightly, the warning in his expression unmistakable. “And Lieutenant… Don’t think this is over because you apologized. You put her in danger tonight, and that doesn’t sit well with me. I expect better from you.”
Jake flinched at the words, his jaw tightening as the guilt in his eyes deepened. “I understand, sir,” he said quietly. “It won’t happen again.”
Maverick held his gaze for a moment longer, then nodded toward you. “Go on. Say goodnight.”
Jake exhaled and turned toward you, his eyes meeting yours with a mix of regret and something softer, more vulnerable. As he stepped closer, he hesitated for a second, glancing briefly toward Maverick, then back to you.
Without saying a word, he pulled you into a hug, wrapping his arms around you with a tenderness that melted the tension in your body. You let out a shaky breath, resting your head against his chest as the warmth of the embrace momentarily blocked out everything else—your dad’s watchful eyes, the police cars, the chaos of the night.
Jake leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead instead of your lips, a gesture that felt protective, as if he were trying to shield you from the weight of everything that had happened. “I love you,” he whispered against your skin, his voice rough with emotion. “This won’t change anything. I’ll see you soon, okay?”
You nodded against his chest, your throat tight with unspoken words. “I love you too,” you whispered back.
Jake squeezed you gently one last time before letting go. You could see the strain in his expression, the regret hanging heavy in his posture as he pulled away. He gave you a small, reassuring smile as if trying to make everything feel less complicated, even though you both knew it wasn’t.
You reached out, pulling him in for one final hug, a silent goodbye filled with the promise that things weren’t over between you. Jake closed his eyes briefly as he held you, then slowly stepped back, his hands lingering on your arms for a moment longer before he let you go completely.
Turning away from you, he walked toward Maverick, who stood by the car with his arms crossed, his expression still stern but no longer as harsh. Jake gave him a sharp nod, acknowledging the silent tension that still lingered between them.
“Get going, Lieutenant,” Maverick said, his voice firm. “And don’t let me hear about you being anywhere other than your quarters tonight.”
Jake nodded, his voice steady but low. “Yes, sir.”
Without another word, Jake turned and headed toward his truck. You watched as he got in, glancing in your direction once more before he started the engine. The sound of his truck pulling away filled the quiet night, and soon enough, the taillights disappeared into the darkness.
Maverick let out a slow breath once Jake was gone, his rigid stance loosening ever so slightly. He turned toward you, his expression softening as he stepped closer, his eyes searching your face. “You okay?” he asked, his voice quieter now, filled with the concern of a father who had been shaken but was trying to hide it.
You nodded, though your heart was still racing. “Yeah, I’m okay,” you said, though your voice wavered slightly. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Maverick sighed, his arm wrapping around your shoulders as he pulled you into a hug. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” he murmured, patting your back gently. “Let’s get you home now.”
You leaned into him, finding comfort in the familiar embrace, but even as you walked with him toward his car, your thoughts remained on Jake, his whispered promise still echoing in your mind.
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