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crazyk-imagine · 1 year

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Call Sign Crack

Dagger Squad members x GN!Reader

A/N: Some parts will have members of the Dagger Squad as Boyfriends, Girlfriends, Fiancees, and/ or best friends but you can read it however you want to. I just wanted to spice things up. Also, some parts the reader knows the squad while some parts they don’t.

This is absolute crack; I have been working on this for months and I have no regrets for what you are about to read but do please enjoy!

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His call sign Hangman…

“You know how he’ll joke about his name being hungman instead of his actual call sign?” You ask.

“Yeah?” The one you learned to be Phoenix, with Bob and Fanboy beside her, all look at you with a weary expression.

“Well,” you lean in.

They have a feeling on where this conversation is going, and they’re still not prepared for it.

“He’s not wrong,” you bite your lip to keep your giggles to yourself.

“Gross,” she groans.

Fanboy tosses his head back finishing his drink, wanting the alcohol to remove this conversation from his memory.

Bob drops his head down onto the table.

Jake notices this going down as he walks back with more drinks (which are most definitely going to be needed). “What’d you do?”

“What?” You turn to him, sticking your bottom lip out ever so slightly.

He narrows his eyes at you, “don’t give me that look. I know that look and it screams trouble.”

“You exaggerate.”

“No, no,” Javy interjects. “He’s right. I’ve seen that look; it just screams trouble.”

“Well, why don’t I just tell the other where you got that nickname of yours, huh?”

He blinks once before patting his friend’s shoulder, “have fun you too.”

“That’s what I thought, Javy!” You shout, leaning up in your chair.

“Shut up!”

“They told us about your made-up call sign,” Natasha groans.

“Oh, is that all?”

The three groan and leave you two alone, they can’t handle this topic anymore.

His call sign Bob…

“Why do you call him Bobby pin?” Asks the one with the mustache, you think his name started with a B. Oh, you got it, Bradley. He always texts you from Bob’s phone but he uses his call sign… and you can’t remember that right now either.

‘Maybe it’s time to start drinking water,’ you think. You get out of your head and realize they’re waiting for an answer.

“Because,” you give your boyfriend a sweet smile before turning back towards the others, “Bobby can pin me anywhere, any time he wants.”

You want to say the cocky one’s name is Wesley… that can’t be right, but he spits out his drink, slapping his chest to keep him from choking, any more than he already is.

The man (who always stands beside him, clearly the blond’s friend) pats his back.

Natasha shakes her head, sipping her drink. She knows how you can be; she’s heard some calls and read the letters; and she thinks (but has yet to tell you) you’re even better in person.

“Couldn’t have given me a little warning, Baby on Board?” Jake whispers.

“He can’t deny it. He knows it’s true.”

Bob shakes his head, chuckling before taking a sip.

His call sign Rooster…

“Cock fighter!” You shout less than a foot away from your boyfriend.

Bradley sighs, “yeah?”

“Here you are,” you smile at him, kissing his cheek.

“Did they just call you cock fighter?” A tall man in his khaki navy outfit asks.

You glance over at him, wondering why he seems familiar. Oh, now you know, it’s Jake.

Bradley sighs, “I wish I could deny it but no.”

“I’m afraid to ask why,” Natasha, the only female sitting with a few of the others at the moment says.

You remember her more than the others, she’s always so nice when you call (and the only person you like talking to who’s in the same squad as Bradley, you have yet to actually get to know any of the others).

“You should be,” he jokes.

You smack his chest. “Shut up.”

He gives you his dazzling smile. “I love it though,” he assures you, pecking your jaw.

“You’re such a bad liar Bradley.”

“Chicken’s being sweet and it’s making me nauseous.” Jake walks away.

“Do you have any more embarrassing nicknames for Brad?” asks Natasha.

You smirk, “tons.”

His call sign Fanboy…

“Boy he sure is a fan, of me.” Reuben shakes his head.

Mickeys warned him about the bad jokes and puns you can make but he was not expecting them to be this bad.

“Please, tell me I didn’t hear that,” Jason (that doesn’t sound right as you try to think of his name after only meeting him once) says.

“You did and I only have a minor regret about it. But he got his call sign because of his love for Star Trek.”

“That I could I see,” the one with the flaming bird name… PHOENIX, yeah that’s her call sign, adds.

“Of course, they named him after his nerdiness.”

You pout, pulling your fiancé (of seven months) in for a hug, “don’t be mean, birdy.”

She raises her hands in a defensive manner even though she knows your joking.

“Besides it’s only the font that would show you his nerdiness, as you like to say.” You can feel the vibrations of his chuckle against you.

He pecks your cheek, “thanks for the defense, babe.”

You give him one of your dazzling million-dollar smiles, “always.”

“Is there anything else we should know about his call sign?” Natasha asks, having fun talking to you.

You nod, “so much. And I mean it, like you don’t even know.”

His call sign Fritz

“Hi Ritzy,” you greet him with a smile.

“Hey, you made it.” He hands the pool cue to one of his navy buddy’s so he can hug you.

“Of course, I did.”

He invited you to come and hangout with his buddies, there was no way you’d miss that. It’s always good to get out of the house once in a while.

“Ritzy?” Neil asks.

You turn towards him. “That’s just his cute nickname.”

“So, he has a dirty one?” Some blond pilot asks.

You’re still working on learning their names. You shrug, “not really.”

“That sounds like a definitely,” the same cocky blond says.

“Okay, this is stupid, but you know ritz crackers.”

“Yeah?”

“Oh God,” Billy mumbles to himself, covering his face.

You shush him. “His all-time favorite snacks are the crackers, right.”

“Okay. What about the F?” One of the others asks.

Your silence speaks volumes.

“Oh, gross,” says the blond.

Callie groans, shivering in disgust.

You scoff, “I’m sure you’ve already gotten like five girls’ numbers and one pair of panties to go with it.”

“What about the Z?” the girl, beside the adorable guy with glasses, asks.

You shrug, “it makes it fun.”

His call sign Coyote

“Hey, Wile e coyote,” you hold your fist up.

He fists bumps you before handing you, his drink.

“Like the cartoon?” Jake questions with his brows knit together.

“Yep,” you nod. “It’s fun.”

“And childish.” Well look who’s mister judgey.

“We all need to have a little fun and something to remind us of our childhood sometimes. It’s a good thing.”

Jake raises his hands, “I’m- I’m not judging-”

The one with the mustache and the other with the glasses, fake cough into their hands and say, “liar.”

“Hey! No one asked you two. You’re not even a part of this conversation.”

“We’re helping you face your fears,” the one named after a chicken says.

You blame Jake for the false call sign you think of.

“And my fear is?”

“Being proven wrong,” Bob murmurs, munching on his snacks.

“Oh, shut up. No one asked you.”

“You did,” you and Javy say.

His friend walks away and you two chuckle.

His call sign Payback

“This is why your nickname- sorry, call sign,” you correct yourself.

“You remembered,” Reuben’s lips tug to the side into a smirk.

You smile, “I did. Anyway, back to what I was saying. This is why your call sign is Payback.”

He hums, “and why is that?”

Mickey takes a seat beside his friend, “what are we talking about?”

You rip the wrapper off your straw and take a sip of your drink before talking.

“About how bad he,” you point to your fiancé, “is at paying someone back.”

“Oh, God. Are they doing their speech about his call sign again?” Natasha asks Jake, who hands Bob and Bradley their drinks.

He nods, taking a seat beside her with his arm resting across the back of her chair. “Yep.”

“Does everyone know?”

“You don’t ever not say it,” Bradley points out.

“Bite me, Bradshaw.”

“I don’t think your fiancé would approve.”

Reuben interrupts the almost fight with a dry, fake laugh. “Ha ha. Thank you for that Rooster.” He turns to you, “ignore him. And he paid for drinks today.”

“Yeah,” Bradley chuckles, leaning back in the chair until the words process in his mind. “Wait- what?” He frantically searches his pockets for his wallet.

“This reminds me of the time Maverick couldn’t pay for bill the night before your mission,” you comment.

“You weren’t there,” Billy points out.

“You don’t know that.”

No one says anything.

“Okay, fine. But I was there in spirit, and it feels like I was there whenever I hear the story.”

Her call sign Phoenix…

You enter the bar and walk over towards the back, where Natasha told you she’d most likely be. You smile and stand behind her, resting your hand on her back so she knows it’s you.

You thought it would be smart if you two had some kind of signal so she wouldn’t do anything she’d feel bad about later.

“Hey, hottie,” you tease her, knowing it would piss one of the guys off. You just couldn’t remember who it was she was complaining about.

Just as you predicted, one of the pilots (the cocky one) scoffs. “She can call you that but one time I make a joke and you get defensive. How is that fair?”

“Maybe because I’m her partner and you’re not.”

Mickey, Reuben, and Bob chuckle.

“Burn.”

“Coyote! You’re my friend.”

He shrugs, “it was a good burn.”

“Mine was good,” he mumbles.

“Your’s sucked, Bagman,” Natasha teases him.

“I’m going to get more beer,” he grumbles as he walks away.

“Your friends are fun.”

“Wait, till they’ve had a few drinks,” she tells you.

You hum, “can’t wait.”

His call sign Omaha

“Do you know how he got his name?” Brigham asks, occupying the empty seat across from you.

You tilt your head, “maybe. Why do you ask?”

He shrugs, “I was curious if you knew, I’ve overheard a couple of the other stories. Guess, I wanted to know if his landed more on the embarrassing side or not.”

“Ah, gotcha.”

“If he doesn’t have a story, that’s cool too but I’m bored. No one’s here yet.”

You sigh, “fine, fine. I’ll tell you. It isn’t much of a story anyway it’s just about something he likes.”

He shrugs, “okay then what does he like?”

Neil grabs your drinks and starts heading back to your “special” table.

“He likes football.”

“Oh, no,” Neil mumbles to himself once he hears what the two of you are talking about.

“What? He told me he didn’t like football when I asked him if he wanted to come to the game with me.”

“Blame them,” your caring boyfriend points to you.

“I was going to say that you punk.” You smack his shoulder. “We were taking a mini vacation trip away and the whole weekend plan was non-refundable.”

Brigham takes a sip of his drink. “Fine, I’ll accept that answer but only because I have someone to give me all the dirt on you.”

You three laugh until a few of the others from their squad come over and drag the boys away, leaving you alone but not for long because the girls drag you over to play pool with them.

Her call sign Halo

“I’ve always wanted to hear the story about how you two met,” Logan says, picking through the nachos.

Jake raises a brow. “Seriously?”

“What?” The man asks with a full mouth.

“Don’t judge him. Ignore him,” you tell Logan as you shove Jake’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you because I can remember it as clear as day. I was riding my- God- what was it?”

“You said you remembered it as clear as day,” Billy points out taking a sip of his drink.

“And I rode my scooter and bike around a lot. Anyway, I decide that I’m gonna move off the sidewalk because too many neighbors are out walking their dogs and expect me to move so I go into the street, not too far away from the curb though. And then all of a sudden, I’m on the ground-”

“Did you get hit by a car?”

“Did you trip over a rock?”

“Were there any annoying little brats laughing their asses off?”

You furrow your brows at Bob’s question. “No, you clearly need some therapy, but we’ll talk more about that later. All of a sudden, there’s a person in front of me and the first thing I think is-”

“She’s an angel,” Callie finishes.

“Exactly but the only reason I said thought that was because I saw a halo.”

“That was an oddly touching story,” Neil tells you, stealing the nachos away from Logan.

“You sound so impressed.”

“Believe me, I am.”

“That’d be a great way to get some numbers,” Jake theorizes.

“Oh God. What did I start?”

His call sign Harvard

“You know I’ve always been curious about something,” Javy says, setting his napkin down.

“How did you get your call sign Harvard?”

“Has no one ever heard this story?” You ask before turning to your boyfriend. “Is it even a story? I feel like it might be more of a fact than anything.”

He thinks about it for a minute, “yeah, I guess you’re right but this- this isn’t the time to talk about it. I mean, we’re having dinner right now. Maybe some other time.”

“We’ve never asked before.”

“Come one, we want to know.”

“We won’t make fun of you.” The others comment and reassure him.

He’s still a little hesitant to say anything.

“It can’t be that bad.”

“Maybe he thinks you’re gonna be a jerk and make fun of him, Bagman,” Natasha says, with a snarky tone as she snatches the bowl of biscuits from him.

The man lets out a dry laugh. “Kind as always Princess Phoenix.”

“It was his dream school if he wasn’t able to become a pilot,” you explain, not wanting to listen to the two arguing.

“That’s nice,” Bob tells him.

Brigham nervously chuckles.

“Better than mine,” Bagman, nope. Ah, Hangman says.

Everyone chuckles before digging into their meals.

His call sign Yale

“How’s my goat?”

Everyone except for Callie and Billy turn towards you.

“I’m sorry-” Neil starts.

“Did you say goat?” Bradley finishes.

“Is that a new sex thing?” asks Jake.

Bob scoffs, “you would know.”

Jake points to the WSO with glasses. “Can it, Baby on Board.”

The man raises his hands, “I’m just being honest.”

“Oh, that’s it.” Who knew Bob was so fast?

“Okay, first off. It’s not a sex thing, I swear. Second, it’s because Logan was really into mythology as a kid and had like a thousand books about it and we were looking up random things one night. I happened to look up yale because that’s the school everyone in his family had gone to and actually managed to get successful careers out of what they studied, not that that’s important. What was I saying?”

Mickey shrugs, “you lost me at the sex part.”

“It wasn’t a sex thing,” you groan.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Oh, right. Yale plus mythology equals goat.”

“Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”

Jake has his hands on his knees as he pants. “Hide me.”

“You’re the chaser,” Callie points out.

“Get back here Baby on Board!”

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mooncherrv · 1 year

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Building Legos w/ Dagger Squad

Character(s): Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw", Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, Robert "Bob" Floyd, Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia, Reuban "Payback" Fitch, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Callie "Halo" Bassett, Billy "Fritz" Avalone, Neil "Omaha" Vikander, Logan "Yale" Lee, Brigham "Harvard" Lennox x Reader

Summary: Just being all fluffy and building legos with your fav pilots

Author's Note: Including all the pilots because i think they all deserve love and not just the main ones also i need more halo content and if nobody is gonna give it to me imma do it myself

Masterlist

Hangman

Hangman gets you two a few of the botanicals sets. He originally was gonna make them all in his free time to gift to you but you walked in on him making the succulent set and just sat down and started to help him. Eventually it just became a weekend activity for the two of you to do while a movie played in the background. Eventually when you accumulate too many built sets you end up giving them to his nieces and nephews.

Rooster

Rooster loves legos. It's not something he talks about a lot but he really enjoys building the NASA sets with you and talking about all the facts he knows about space. One day while building a spaceship set with him you asked about it and he explained how when he was little him and his dad would build spaceships out of the stray legos he had and for a bit he wanted to be an astronaut.

Phoenix

Pheonix also gets you some of the botanical sets. She loves to give you little lego flowers from time to time. When you build them she mostly just watches you while you build each set. Between the two of you there is quite the collection of stray lego roses scattered across the apartment.

Bob

Bob had a decent lego collection as a kid already so into adult hood he just kept building them. His favorite to build with you are the architecture ones. He's a man that has a lot of knowledge about random things so as you build them he explains historical events or facts about whatever it is you are building. When you two built the New York said he kept mentioning places in the city he had visited and how he couldn't wait till the two of you traveled there together so he could show you all the things he liked in the city.

Fanboy

Y'all are building the Star Wars sets. No question about it. He definitely gets the expensive Millennium Falcon set and tries to hide if from you but one night at around 3am you woke up to go to the bathroom and saw him missing. He was sitting in the living room with a lamp on building the set. He tried to hide it but instead of saying anything you just sat down and began helping him. When you two finished building the set all you did was look at him and say "Can't believe you hid this from me." before walking back to bed.

Payback

Payback doesn't actually build legos. He'd much rather sit back with a cup of coffee or tea and just silently observe you. He'll gladly help you when you are confused or lost from the instructions of the larger sets but other than that he simply enjoys sitting in silence with you and observing you build each set. He likes to see the smile on your face once you finish each set.

Coyote

Coyote doesn't buy his own legos but sometimes Fanboy gives him a few sets so he likes to build them with you when he's got the free time. He honestly doesn't even really look at the sets when Fanboy gives them to him he just shows up and is like "Hey let's build this." and tosses it onto the table. He just likes to spend quality time with you and enjoys that there is a physical product to put on display to show the time you spent together.

Halo

Halo enjoys the art sets. She never really built any legos as a kid so you are the main reason she started building sets. She'll make you each a cup of tea and sit down at the table with you to build each set while singing along to whatever has been on your playlists recently. If it's a set that allows her to she will gladly hang them on the walls around your houese.

Fritz

Much like Payback, Fritz doesn't really build the sets and simply observes you building them. He does occasionally help you build some like the Batman set you got he helped build since he really enjoys Batman. Most of the time he'll have a movie on in the background while he is watching you build each set.

Omaha

Omaha is another big fan of Star Wars and him and Fanboy definitely send each other photos of all their lego sets. He only got into legos when he met Fanboy so he has always built them with someone and never alone. He actually doesn't like building alone because he is so used to having someone with him. Even if he is super excited about a set, if you are busy, he will wait specifically till you have free time to even open the box and look inside. He loves to be wrapped up in a blanket with you and sitting on the living room floor together building the different sets.

Yale

Yale likes the Harry Potter sets. He has a lot of memories associated with the movies from when he was a bit younger so those sets always stood out to him. He doesn't have many sets but one time you got him the Hogwarts castle set and he insisted you two build it together while watching the movies. Since then, he always builds the sets he gets with you while watching Harry Potter.

Harvard

Harvard LOVES to help you build the superhero sets. Similar to Fanboy, he probably bought one of the super expensive sets to build but rather than hiding it he proudly walked up to you with the biggest smile on his face asking if you wanted to build it with him over the weekend. He has an entire shelf to display all the sets he has and he puts all the ones the two of you built together in the middle to proudly show them off.

#top gun #top gun fic #jake hangman seresin #bradley rooster bradshaw #natasha phoenix trace #robert bob floyd #mickey fanboy garcia #reuben payback fitch #callie halo bassett #billy fritz avalone #neil omaha vikander #logan yale lee #brigham harvard lennox #top gun x reader

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imawkwardlysoc · 1 year

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The reason I didn't add Rooster and Hangman is because I feel they already have enough fanfics and love

#top gun x reader #top gun maverick x reader #mickey fanboy garcia #reuben payback fitch #robert bob floyd #javy coyote machado #natasha phoenix trace #callie halo bassett #billy fritz avalone #logan yale lee #brigham harvard lennox #neil omaha vikander

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kirliao · 2 years

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evermore: short series

fandom: top gun maverick

character(s): various members of the dagger squad

a/n: wrote the initial draft after watching an episode of quantum leap. yall raymond is so good in it?? and if i could get myself back to giffing again, i could make logan aus. anyway happy top gun fall! let’s get our hearts broken :)

track two: champagne problems ( aka “i broke my own heart writing this” )

his callsign harkens back to a blissful, serene afternoon back at your shared alma mater. well, it was a blissful, serene afternoon before you had foolishly tripped over something and in a swift second, worksheets and notes flew around you like giant confetti for an incoming pity party. you felt that it disturbed the peaceful scenery you had been enjoying. that, and the glass face of your watch had cracked upon impacting the ground after you’d tripped. great.

you felt that you had disturbed it and you felt a heavy weight in your heart for being such an embarrassment and why were you so clumsy and -- well, your thoughts never did finish when a young man came out of nowhere and offered to help you with your notes. so.. coordinated and orderly and he'd returned most of the papers to you before you could even think about asking for his name.

"i'm logan. logan lee. we have sociology together." he introduced himself anyway. he had a great smile, you thought.

you ended up seeing more of his smile as the two of you became friends, later study buddies, then eventually, lovers.

logan had told you of his dreams to fly. how he thinks that mankind was meant to touch the heavens. you thought it was the most romantic thing in the world. you thought he was the most romantic man in the world.

he’d shown it consistently, not just with his words but his actions. lavish dinners both in his apartment and when you both go out to restaurants. nights spent at his place cuddled together on a plush sofa. he looked after you and made you feel special. in turn, you helped him wherever possible. loved him with what you had.

truth is, there was a part of you that felt like it had to end at some point. logan was nearly perfect in so many ways. the problem was that you didn't think you were.

always feeling like you were two steps behind, lagging in what should be a path that you could be walking in side-by-side with him.

you'd found yourselves perusing through the school archives one day. one of you had some project due for a humanities class when you came across some history about the dorm you had stayed in during your first year at yale.

"huh. turns out it was a mental institution back in the day." logan noted, causing you to give a wry smile and to utter out a reply before you could stop yourself. "well, looks like it's made for me then."

you could feel his eyes boring into you, a suspended smile before he cleared his throat and carried onto other information about other things. the silence from that moment never did leave your mind.

failing a class or two led to you graduating later than him. then the dinners with his family when you finally let him introduce you made you feel out of place. not awful, per se, just....inadequate.

the lee family were nice enough, but they all had that air to them; or maybe it was just amplified insecurity stemming from years of hearing (and listening) to the voices in your head.

that they were better than you, this whole family of overachievers. legacy graduates from well-repute universities and their accomplishments displayed alongside the goofy childhood pictures of logan that both his mom and sister were all too eager to share after dinner. the exchanges were warm, but it stopped there. it was as if you couldn’t quite reach out or connect.

you never did tell logan after that maybe spending more time with his family was in the cards for you. you couldn’t. not after they had been so welcoming and nice. how could you even explain that it might not have been enough?

however, about a month or two before the holidays, logan had planned for the two of you to spend some time somewhere in the mountains. he had rented this gorgeous cabin; something out of a magazine that you'd read at the doctor's office before your sessions.

upon seeing the rest of his family's cars parked outside when you both arrived, you could already tell something was off.

logan's family was fancy. however, they were not throw-a-party-whenever-they-like kind of fancy. strike one.

the bottle of dom perignon on the foyer table meant business and you weren't sure it was the kind of business you liked. you and logan would never splurge for something like that, for whatever reason. strike two.

and while the two of you liked to dance, you usually did it in the privacy of your apartments. this slow tune guiding the two of you into a familiar, yet nervous, dance could almost bring tears to your eyes. and not the happy kind. strike three.

"you had made me the happiest man for all these years we've been together..." was how it started. the rest of it seemed to blur together. his warm smile, his romantic words..

it didn't hit you that the look in his eyes turned from strikingly loving to concerningly desparate until he was on both knees, your hand in one of his and his other one holding a box containing the most beautiful ring you've ever seen laid neatly inside.

"please..i want you to marry me."

you let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding and you pulled your hand back.

your lips quivered, "i'm sorry. i'm..i'm so sorry, logan. i .."

it didn’t register that the heels that clicked against the floor was yours until you realized that you were slowly stepping away from him, his pained expression slowly blurring as tears took over before you turned and all but ran away. "i.. i'm sorry. i’m so, so sorry..."

cinderella was one of your favorite fairy tales as a child. the part where she ran when the clock struck midnight gave you a thrill when you first read it. inwardly cheering her on to get home before the world could find out that she really wasn’t the princess they thought she was. hoping for her to be safe, away from the glaring judgment of the world she lived in. this felt like your cinderella moment, but you were grown enough to know that it wouldn’t have a happy ending.

upon returning to your shared room, you had packed your things and left almost immediately. out the backdoor through the kitchen and you walked. through the winds and the dropping temperatures, you walked until you had reached a convenience store in order to gain your bearings and call a cab to the nearest airport. buy the last ticket for a flight back to your apartment.

no more words needed to be said.

you just weren't ready.

years later, you'd hear about logan again from mutual friends. they said he'd found someone new. admittedly, some of them think that the new one looked like you.

they said he also managed to get into this prestigious program called ‘top gun’. high chance that he had finally flown like he’s always wanted, like he’s always told you he would.

there was a time he promised to fly you; promised he’d make you see the world differently. that the world was so much more beautiful once you’ve seen it from up high. there was a time you would’ve agreed.

sitting on your desk was the watch that had a crack on it, back from the day you two first met. he had offered to get it fixed, but you couldn’t bring yourself to have it done. call it practicality or some weird sense of sentimentality, but the damn thing still functioned. and now, after all these years, it did the double duty of reminding you of him.

you made circles on the fogged up windows of your apartment; light snow in the northern states reminded you of that night. and while it was painful to remember just how much you've hurt and how much he's hurt, you preferred all of this over the what if.

because the what if wasn’t a happy ending. you knew that yourself. it would just be a bandaid to a much bigger problem.

and you knew that you'd rather have him be happy, even if wasn't with you.

#logan yale lee #top gun maverick #logan yale lee x reader #top gun x reader #top gun fanfiction #top gun x y/n #top gun x you #logan yale lee x you #top gun yale #writes.

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crazyk-imagine · 2 years

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The Good, The Bad, and The Working on It

Pairing: (Stepdad) Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Mom!Reader

Characters: (Stepdad) Jake “Hangman” Seresin, Mom!Reader, Edwin and Maryanne (the kiddos), Penny Benjamin, Amelia Benjamin, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, Robert "Bob" Floyd, Reuben "Payback" Fitch, Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Billy "Fritz" Avalone, Callie "Halo" Bassett, Neil "Omaha" Vikander, Bringham "Harvard" Lennox, Logan "Yale" Lee, Marty and Cody (the other bartenders)

Warnings: Fluff, minor angst, not enough communication (always communicate with your partner), minor cursing (very brief), drama, nicknames (gorgeous, darlin’, etc.), Fanboy is the man when it comes to photography, Bob is the best guy for the job of being a DJ, Javy "Coyote" Machado is a good friend, Jake being a softie, Penny acts as a protective mother figure over reader, Bradley judges our favorite cocky pilot, everyone teases Jake, Cute quick Penny and Pete moment.

Word Count: 11,575

A/N: This can easily become a series, still thinking about it though (even though I have notes and drafts all revolving around this imagine and I made a header for it not even 10 min ago)

Answers to TGTBATWOI

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Three and a half years ago…

After the father of your kids decided that he had enough of being tied down and left with little to no goodbye, it was safe to say you didn’t think or care about dating after that shitty experience.

So, you can fully admit (as well as Jake and his pilot buddies) that it was no surprise when you met said pilot at the Hard Deck.

You work there a little more than part time, being a bartender there is your “out of the house” job (as you like to say) and you do a type of telemarketing at home when the company you’ve been emailing with asks you too.

Luckily it doesn’t happen all the time but sometimes it can be pretty inconvenient on days when your babies have a part in a play and they’re the lead star or when they have their first soccer game (it was a bit of a hassle to accomplish but you did it).

And then again, it was no surprise when Jake was a jackass when you two first met.

You (and anyone else, yes, including Bradley and Pete) can admit that it was nice when he actually started to act like a human being with emotions and not some douche with a huge ego.

Today however, will be the test to see how everything will be if you and Jake decide to take your relationship (or pining) a step further… even though he hasn’t officially asked you out.

“Are you sure you can’t watch them for another three-ish hours?” You ask your babysitter and get a lame excuse saying she can’t because she has to study when she actually has plans to go out with her friends and her boyfriend (the kids told you yesterday about all this).

You sigh, hanging up your phone before shoving it into your pocket. You rest your hands on the edge of the bar top, closing your eyes with your head down to the floor.

“You, okay?” Penny asks.

You quickly straighten your posture, “yep, all good.”

“Your babysitter cancel on you?”

You avert your gaze, “maybe.”

“You get off early tonight, why not bring them here? Pete and the others will be here. They could go swimming.”

“I don’t have any of their swim things and no sunscreen. Plus, I need them to focus on their homework right now. I don’t want to have another meeting with their teachers over something as minor as homework.”

She nods, “alright. We can have them sit over at one of the tables until the lunch rush shows. And, before you say anything, breath. We’ll be fine. I’ve got Marty and Cody coming in for their shifts in an hour which will give you more than enough time to go pick them up and come back here… even though we won’t need you.”

“I’m gonna ignore that last part because we both know it’s not true. Thank you.”

You check the clock on the wall, “crap. I gotta go. I’ll be back soon.”

“Looks like your girlfriends not here,” Javy comments.

“She’s not- shut up, man.” Jake shoves his buddy away from him as he enters the bar, immediately aiming for the center station. He can’t take these conversations seriously without a drink.

“Where’s the only sensible woman Bagman hasn’t managed to sink his claws into?” Natasha asks, standing behind him.

“He’s in one of his moods,” Javy says before leaning down to “whisper”, “she’s not here. Her car wasn’t in the parking lot.”

“Guess she came to her senses,” she pats him on the shoulder.

Logan, Billy, and Callie wave her over, pointing to the pool table.

She walks away from the two, wanting to place some bets (knowing she’ll make a quick buck or two).

“She’s gonna be here soon, you know. Don’t pout, man.” Javy pats Jake’s shoulder, not wanting to have to console the dude for something so minor but willing to do so anyway.

“Would you stop saying that? I don’t care, alright?”

His friend makes an attempt to respond but doesn’t because he starts coughing, choking on his saliva.

“You good?”

His buddy shakes his head, covering his mouth with a clenched fist, using his free hand to point over at you.

The blonde turns, his eyes widen ever so slightly. “She has kids?” He mutters to himself, wondering who else may have known and if this is why you continue to turn him down.

He thinks back to the times when he’s asked you out and if you wear a wedding ring or have mentioned having a boyfriend, but the answer is no.

“Alright, today we can focus on your homework a little more because Pen has a couple extra hands. We ready?”

“Do we have to?” Edwin, Ed (or Eddie) asks with a whining tone.

“Don’t give me that pouty lip, Mister. If we can get this done before we go home, I know for a fact you would feel better.”

“What if I don’t want to feel better?”

“You should.”

You turn to your daughter, Maryanne, who’s older by three years looks back down at her own work. “Thank you, sweetheart, but I don’t need you to chime in with your insightful thoughts.”

“But he needs to focus. He’s already gotten a warning from his teacher.”

“He’s what?” You turn to look at your son, “Edwin, is this true?”

He looks down, not saying anything.

“Why did you get a warning?”

“She wouldn’t let me ask my friend for help.”

“Were you talking to your friend during class time when you know you’re not supposed to?”

He purses his lips, “that’s ervelant.”

“Irrelevant, sweetheart. How long ago did you get your warning?”

“He got it on his first day and we’re on our third day of school now.”

You turn to your daughter, “do you know if it was a verbal warning or is there something I need to sign?”

She shakes your head, “the first one. It’s okay though. His teacher tells me what I need to tell you when I’m waiting for him in his class after school.”

Your son is upset that you two are talking about and “acting” like he’s not even there. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here!”

“Eddie, I need you to calm down-”

“No!”

You open your mouth to say his name again when he hops off the chair and runs off. Your eyes widen. “Sweetheart, you’re coming with me. Hold my hand.”

“Mom,” she groans.

“There is a small crowd already. I will not lose both of my children in it.”

She lets out a dramatic, long sigh, “fine.”

You grab her hand, “thank you.”

Javy opens the bathroom door, stopping when something bounces off his legs. He freezes when he sees a little boy sitting on his butt, looking up at him, ready to cry. “Oh no.”

“Hey, what’re you doing? Get out of the doorway, man,” Jake says.

“There’s a tearful kid in the way.”

“What?” He looks over his buddy’s shoulder to find Edwin sitting there with a wobbly lip.

“What do I do?”

“Pick the kid- move out of my way.” Jake scoffs, “Coyote.” The blond bends down, holding his hand out for the little boy to take.

Edwin hesitantly reaches up for the man’s hand.

Jake helps him off the ground, giving him a gentle smile. “Atta boy, you’re looking better already. Is your mom or dad here?”

He nods.

“You want to point me in their direction-”

“Eddie! Edw-” Maryanne stops you, pointing to Jake.

You rush over to the two, kneeling beside Jake. “Edwin, I’ve told you too many times, not to run off like that.”

He sniffs, nodding his head.

You sigh, wiping his cheeks before turning to find- “Jake.”

“My favorite,” he glances between the two, “b-a-r-t-e-n-d-e-r.”

“I can spell,” Maryanne says with slight attitude.

“Maryanne.”

“Sorry mama.”

“These two are yours?”

“Obviously.”

“I’m really sorry,” Javy starts to apologize. “I didn’t see him and then he-”

You smile, “Javy, it’s okay. I know you didn’t do anything on purpose. He just got upset and ran off.”

“I’m still really sorry.”

“We accept your apology.” You stand up, “why don’t you two go join the rest of your crew. We’ve got some work to do.”

Your daughter pouts, leaning against you.

He stands up. “You go,” Jake whispers to Javy.

“Dude.”

“Just go.”

“Alright, alright.”

“So, what kind of homework do we have to do?”

You shake your head, holding both of your kids’ hands, “no, Jake. You go join your friends. You don’t want to stay and help out with homework, that’s not what you came here to do.”

“I came here to talk to some people, and I’d certainly enjoy talking to you three.”

You scoff through your nose, shaking your head to hide the fact that your cheeks are on fire.

“Let me carry little man and don’t tell me I don’t need to. I want to, gorgeous.” He lifts Edwin into his arms, holding the boy against his hip.

Maryanne starts walking ahead, pulling you with her.

You all settle into your seats, Jake across from you with the kids on each side of you.

“I finished my writing assignment before we went looking for Ed.”

You give her a small smile, “that’s good, what else do you have to do?”

She pouts, “math.”

You nod, “okay.”

“I can help,” Jake offers.

“You can?” You ask.

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that attitude and say yes.”

“Since when were you a math whiz?”

“Since I actually put in the effort to pass.”

“That’s always nice to hear...” You smirk, resting your head on your palm, “were you being threatened with detention?”

“Worse.”

“No car?”

“Bingo.”

“I bet it would have been hilarious to see teen, skinny armed, pasty Jake riding his bike through the neighborhood.”

“Oh, yeah. So, funny.” He turns to Maryanne, glancing down at her work, “you need help with math?”

“Yeah… can you help me?”

“Sure, I can. What are we doing today?”

“Is he actually being nice to kids?” Bradley mutters.

“He’s obviously doing it to impress her,” Reuben adds.

“I don’t think so. He’s actually good with kids. You should see him with his nieces and nephews,” says Javy.

“There’s more of him? There are little bagman’s running around out in the world?” Natasha asks, catching the last little bit of the conversation.

Javy dry laughs, “ha ha. Yeah, kind of. He just doesn’t want you all to see him as a softie.”

“I feel like I’m watching a rom com,” Mickey says.

“But it’s actually decent and well worth watching,” adds Bob.

“How long have you been there?” Reuben asks.

“A few minutes. I’m waiting on my soda.”

“Anyone want to play pool?” Javy asks.

“Or darts? Maybe next to them?” Natasha offers.

Javy smirks, “let’s go.” He wraps his arm around her shoulders, pulling her with him.

Mickey and Bob trail behind them, shaking their heads, not liking what the two may be planning.

Reuben runs over to the bar to grab their drinks.

“And how are we today?” Javy asks, wrapping his arm around is buddy’s shoulders. He turns to Edwin, “sorry about running into you little dude.”

“It’s okay and we’re good. Jake’s helping Maryanne with her math,” you tell him.

“You’ve got the best guy to help her.”

“How come we never met your mini me’s?” Mickey asks, pulling Javy away so he and Natasha can start their game of darts.

“My babysitter canceled.”

“That sucks. Why? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“She’s in high school, has a boyfriend. Need I say more.”

“Ah,” he nods, “got it. Well, if you ever need a babysitter, I’d happily offer my services.”

“Well, aren’t you sweet.”

Jake furrows his brows; he knows the kid isn’t hitting on you, but he can’t help but feel a little jealous very jealous. “Alright, that’s enough. Your partner in crime is calling you over to play darts.”

Mickey snickers as he walks away.

“You good, Seresin?” You ask with a raised brow.

“Always,” he smirks before helping Maryanne with her homework.

You smile, letting yourself daydream about a future with him and how nice it would be to be able to share a life with him, having family outings, potentially expanding your family, and growing old together… You shake your head, ridding your mind of these thoughts. You don’t want to get your hopes up (anymore, then you already have).

He glances over at you and smiles.

You fight the urge to smile for a second before you give up and give in, smiling with just as much, if not a skosh more happiness.

After about an hour or so, Maryanne was able to successfully finish her homework.

“You know if she gets a good grade on her homework, I’m gonna ask you to help her again. I can barely help her when she asks me. If it was me, I would have still been on problem two.”

Jake chuckles, “I’d be happy to help her out as long as I get to take you out.”

A nervous chuckle escapes you, “you mean like a- like a date?”

“If you wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

You bite the inside of your cheek, “I’ll see if I can find the time.”

He shakes his head.

You check your phone, seeing that it’s dinner time and you’ve been off your shift since- wow three hours ago. “Looks like it’s time to go home. I’ve still got to make dinner and figure out when I need to go grocery shopping. Do I need gas?” You push your chair in, helping the kids get ready.

Jake getting out of his seat makes you realize you, kind of, forgot about him for a second. “Oh, sorry, I got too into my head.”

“It’s alright, my sister is the same way.”

“Oh, how is everyone? I’ve been meaning to ask but every time I want to someone else needs a drink.”

“It’s okay. Maybe on our date we can talk more about things you’ve been wanting to ask me and… I can do the same.”

“Yeah?”

He nods, giving you a genuine smile, enjoying how he gets to see you all excited and jittery (and hopefully because of him, in a good way, of course), “yeah.”

“Can we go now?” Edwin asks, rubbing his eyes.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“I’ll walk you all out.”

“I’ll call you.”

“You don’t have my number,” you point out.

“Did you forget, I’m good with numbers.”

You’re not impressed right now. “Just give me your phone.”

“So bossy,” he teases, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“You love it, don’t lie.”

“Maybe I do but, I think that’s more of a later date thing.”

You return his phone back to him, “you think we’ll be going on more than one date?”

He nods. “I know we will.”

You shake your head, “goodnight, Jake.”

He leans in, giving you time to push him away; you don’t. He pecks your cheek.

You close your eyes, inhaling his cologne (something else you’ve grown to like about him).

He pulls back, opening the car door for you.

You shake your head, remembering what you have to do.

“Text me when you get home,” he says, leaning against the car and door.

“Only if you do them same.”

“’Course I will. Goodnight, gorgeous.”

“Night, Jake.”

After that night, he officially asked you out for a proper date and the two of you hit it off.

He didn’t take you to a fancy restaurant (since he asked the others and Penny for a few different ideas on where you’d like to go). Jake did NOT want to screw up (what felt like) his one chance to take you out.

The two of you found yourselves in his truck, laying in the back watching the stars, talking about whatever came to mind while you ate fast food.

“This has to be the best date I’ve been on in- well, ever honestly,” you admit, staring up at the night sky.

He turns his head, studying your side profile, “really?”

“Without a shadow of a doubt.”

He gulps, unsure if he should ask this now or ever. “I know this is too soon to ask and I might be overstepping some boundaries but, what happened with Maryanne and Edwin’s dad? Is he going to come back into their lives at any point in the future?”

You scoff, leaning up to rest on your elbow with your head angled down towards him. “I can assure you that he will never come back into their lives until they turn eighteen then they can make the decision, but I will take the role of a bad guy if it means I keep that asshole away from them and out of their lives.”

You sigh, resting on your back once more, “he decided that when Edwin was three months old, and Maryanne was close two and a half that he wasn’t cut out for the life of being a dad or being tied down, so he left, and I haven’t looked back since. He hasn’t called or texted since then so why should I go looking for him. He made his choice.”

“And you made yours.”

“What’s that?”

Jake shuffles closer to you, cupping your cheek with his thumb brushing across your cheekbone every so often as he stares into your eyes. “You are raising two amazing kids all by yourself and you look damn good doing it.”

You let out a quiet playful laugh.

“I’m not gonna lie, a part of me wishes that they were mine.”

“Yeah? What about the other part of you?”

“Which one? I’ve got two more.”

You raise your hand, placing it against the base of his neck, brushing your thumb back and forth against the edge of his hair, “what’s the second part of you say?”

“How much I want to ask you to marry me even though it might be too soon.”

“And the other?”

��If it’d be stupid of me to ask if you’d be my gorgeous girl and let me in, help you raise those two troublemakers.”

You sink your teeth into your bottom lip, preventing yourself from getting too emotional. “Seems to me like you just want to get in my house to see my bedroom.”

“That would certainly be a plus, wouldn’t it?”

“For you maybe.”

“Damn straight.” He leans down, whispering in your ear, “I’d get to see what you wear underneath your pretty little clothes without asking you to strip for me.”

You scoff, slapping your hands against his chest.

He chuckles, pulling back to see you relaxed and happy, something he doesn’t think he’s ever seen before. “There’s another part of me that wants to do something.”

“Like what?”

“Kiss you.”

You don’t realize it until a second later, but your lips tugged upwards, and you know you’re smiling. “Do it,” you whisper.

He hums, blinking owlishly at you clearly coming out of his thoughts.

You lean up and lightly brush your lips against his before pulling back. You switch from staring one eye to the next, waiting to see panic or disgust, only to find the stars twinkling in his eyes. “Kiss me.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t think I’ll be able to stop once I start.”

You both lean into one another sharing a passionate first kiss (with many more to come).

Two years later...

“Do you think she’s gonna say yes?” asks Jake, to his friend who has a bored look on his face.

“I hope so. I’m tired of hearing you complain and whine about “if she says no” and how you’ll “die” with whatever answer she does give you,” Javy slaps his hands on the blond man’s shoulders, “shut up. She’s gonna say yes.”

Jake says nothing as he purses his lips, “I hear you but what if-”

“Shut up,” Javy hands him a handful of darts, “and play. Have a drink, just do something- anything to calm your nerves… please. And you hear that? I’m asking you nicely.”

He stares at Javy with a deadpan expression. “I’m talking to you in confidence. You’re supposed to boost me up and help me feel better.”

“I am.”

“You’re not being honest with me,” Jake complains.

“I am.” He sees the look his fellow pilot is giving him out of the corner of his eye while he throws the dart at the dartboard, it lands, and he turns around. “Look, you’re an asshole-”

“Thank you, keep telling me things I need to hear,” the blond says with sass.

“But you’re an asshole in love and you’re,” Javy pokes his chest, “just too scared to admit it.”

“Yeah,” he nods, until he repeats what his friend said in his head and glares at Javy. “I hate you sometimes,” he throws a dart at the dart board, it lands way off base from the center.

“Yeah, yeah.”

Bob walks over to the two, glancing over Jake with a concerned expression. “Is he okay?”

“Him? Oh, yeah. He’s fine.”

“He’s nervous she’s gonna say no, huh?”

Jake spins around, using a dart to point at Bob. “No, I’m not.”

Javy leans closer to the WSO, “he’s in the denial stage.”

“I can see that.”

“You two are messing up my concentration. Go gossip about me somewhere else.”

“You know,” Javy pats his shoulder, “it’s okay to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” he denies.

“Lying is only gonna make this worse.”

“Can it, Baby on Board.”

Bob raises his hands, staring at the ground with a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

“Your girl’s here,” Billy says, handing Javy a drink and Bob his beer nuts.

Jake spins around just as the dart hits the center of the dart board. A boyish grin tugs at the corner of his mouth, “yes, she is.” He hands Bob the third dart, “have fun boys. Oh, and use protection, especially you,” he points to the WSO before talking off.

“What?”

“Ignore him. He’s in love, you know, it makes people do and say crazy things,” Javy assures Bob.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he greets you, placing a hand on your lower back.

“Hey.” You turn around, leaning into him. You see the guys standing there, watching the two of you. “Are we gonna go say hi?”

He shakes his head, “nope. Come on.” He leads you towards the walls, wanting to get away from the crowd, not lose you in it.

“Where are we going?”

“I want to go outside and see how much more beautiful you can look tonight.”

You scoff, smacking his shoulder, “you can be such an adorable suck up.”

“Only for you,” he pecks your lips, “did it work?”

You roll your eyes, “shut up.” You grab his hand, pulling him along behind you. You happily wave over at the three, who return “cool” waves, except for Bob (he always waves back with just as much enthusiasm as you do to him).

Jake shoves you out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

He pulls you back, spinning you around once, and wraps his arms around your waist. “Hi.”

You can’t resist his charm and smile back at him, “hi.”

“Let’s walk along the beach, yeah?”

You nod, “if that’s what you want to do.”

“Come on,” he tucks you into his side and starts walking.

You begin to wonder what he has planned. Jake usually doesn’t like to walk along the beach at night (he can’t see your gorgeous face as he likes to say whenever you ask… which is always).

You turn to look at him, he’s nervous but you can’t tell why. You know there’s nothing important coming up such as birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries. The kids haven’t been giving him too much of a hard time (it’s a tough process but they do seem to act like they like him when he comes over or when you all go out).

You’re left even more confused than when you first exited the bar.

He stops, staring out into the ocean.

You watch him, curious as to what’s floating around in his head, “are you okay?”

He turns his head looking at you, wondering how he got so lucky to have meet you and hoping you’ll say yes because he wants the married life with you and to be another parent figure that Maryanne and Edwin can look up too. He knows he wants to live out the rest of his life with you and the kids. Jake gulps, “you should ring me?”

You jerk your head back, blinking owlishly at him, “what?”

“We should rings.” He closes his eyes with a clenched jaw, shaking his head.

You tilt your head, “are you feeling okay?” You place your hand on the back of his forehead.

He nods, reaching into his pocket, pulling the box out of his pocket, practically shoving it in his face.

You grab his wrist pulling it down, out of your face and look down, realizing what he’s planning to do. “Jake?”

“I don’t know how to say it.”

“What- uh- what do you want to do?”

“I think it’s pretty obvious what I want to do.”

“Okay, smart ass. Get down on one knee and ask me.”

“That’s the thing. I can’t figure out how to ask you.” He bends down on one knee, “I’ve got too much running through my head. and I don’t know what to say. Then before I know words just start spewing out of my mouth.”

You take a deep breath, placing your hands on his shoulders, “what’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about wanting to marry me?”

“I don’t want to marry you. I am gonna marry you. So,” he reaches for your left hand, placing a gentle kiss on top, “you can’t get rid of me easily.”

An emotional chuckle escapes you, “what a sap you are.”

“The first thing that pops into my head when I think about us being married is how there isn’t going to much of a difference because we’re already a family. But there is one thing I do know and that’s wanting to grow old with you. You know, I want us to be the older fun couple who still act like they did their first year of dating and I want to listen to your old lady problems.”

You smack his shoulder.

He chuckles, “while you listen to my old man issues.”

“Something tells me there’s gonna be a lot.”

“Let me finish then we can add the commentary later… I also want to be able to help with the kids more.”

“You already do so much.”

“I know but, I think it’s best if we don’t have a lunch issue 2.0.”

You nod, wiping your cheeks, “that’s very true. You almost got kicked out. They called me to make sure you were who you said you were.”

“I told them not to.”

“Oh, yeah because that always goes well when a strange man they hadn’t actually seen before says “don’t call their mom”. Really, Jake? I mean honestly.”

“Ask her already!” Javy, Bob, Natasha, Bradley, Pete, and Penny shout.

You two turn to see some of the gang standing there, waiting for Jake to pop the question.

“If you don’t do it tonight, you’re doing all my paperwork,” Pete shouts.

“I already do.”

“Yeah, well… then you’ll have more.”

“Can you guys turn towards me a little?” Mickey asks, holding up his phone. “You’re gonna regret it, if you don’t.”

You two do as he asked.

“Perfect, thank you! And… propose.”

“What are we in a movie or something? Geez,” you roll your eyes.

“I’m gonna ask you now.”

“Okay, shutting up now.”

“Will you marry me?”

“Can I think about it?”

“What?” He asks with his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

“I’m joking, you idiot. Of course, I will!” You throw your arms around his neck causing the two of you to fall back.

The two of you start laughing.

You push yourself off him, opting to lay on your side.

“Oh shit.”

“What?”

“Where’s the ring?”

“Right here,” answers Bradley, holding the ring box up for him.

“Give it to me.”

“No.”

“Give it to me, chicken.”

“See that, that right there is exactly why I won’t.”

“I swear to-”

“Shut up,” Natasha snatches the box from him and hands it to Jake. “Don’t be an idiot.”

“I wasn’t,” Bradley pouts.

“Sure, you weren’t.”

Jake lifts your hand up and slides the ring on, kissing your knuckles.

You give him an excited smile, wondering how you got so lucky and he’s doing the same.

Your scooped up before you know it, squealing until you find yourself taller than everyone else. “Guys,” you giggle, “put me down.”

“Nope,” a certain mustached man responds.

“Nat? Help?”

“Mickey’s getting a good shot of you up there,” she says, looking over said pilot’s shoulder.

“We can do a better photoshoot tomorrow. Put me down.”

“Can I have my fiancée back?”

“After the old timer,” Penny pats Pete’s shoulder, “buys a round for everybody.”

You all holler, shouting excitedly.

“Not the whole bar, right?” Pete asks his girl.

She smirks, “no, only a lucky few. I promise… as long as your phone doesn’t wind up on the bar top.”

“You’re a cruel, cruel woman.”

“I’ve gotta be stern when running a bar.”

“I was hoping that wouldn’t apply to me.”

“Alright, one round on the old man then we’re outta here,” Jake announces.

Numerous “aw’s” and “boo’s” come his way.

“We gotta go home and get the kids ready for school.”

“Who knew Bagman could be such a softie?” Natasha adds.

“You couldn’t have done this on a Saturday?”

“Shut up, chicken.”

“I’m just saying, you should have planned better.”

“And we’re out of here.”

You let out a soft chuckle, squeezing his hand as you two exit the bar. “Jake, I wanted to say by to everyone.”

“I did too, but they pissed me off.”

“You’re such an old man.”

He lightly pushes you against the car door, “hey, I’m your old man, gorgeous.”

You smirk, “that makes me your old lady?”

“Or if you prefer, my gorgeous.” He kisses your cheek.

“That’s a bit of an open ending, don’t you think?”

“No because you can add anything you want to it.”

“You’re such a sappy suck up,” you tell him before reaching up to peck his cheek.

“Only for you.”

“I don’t know how they’re gonna react.” You glance over at the front door of your shared home.

"We don’t have to get married right away.”

You look over at him, “Jake…”

“No,” he shakes his head. “It’s not just because of Maryanne and Edwin, alright. I want us to take our time and plan it. Invite the people we actually want to be there because I can tell you no one from my family would actually come. I mean, my sister might but… I want to make this a special day for us.”

“I don’t want to argue about this, even though all I have to say is that I know whenever or wherever we have this wedding it will be special.”

“Now who’s a sappy suck up,” he reaches over the middle console to cup your cheek.

“What are we gonna do if the kids don’t accept this?”

“We’ll figure it out. We always do.”

“I don’t want you to be the one who’s hurt.”

He shakes his head, “I won’t be. If I can be a part of their life in any other way, I’ll do it. And I get their hesitancy towards me. I do.”

“I know you do and that’s so, so nice of you but you don’t deserve to be treated like this.” He rests his forehead against yours, “like I told you, I would do anything to be in their lives.” He pecks the corner of your mouth, “and yours.”

Jake pulls back, staring into your eyes. His thumb brushes back and forth against your cheekbone. “Let’s go inside, yeah?” He knows he can only distract you from your worries for so long.

You nod, not wanting to worry about this anymore. “Okay.”

A month and a half ago…

The credits play across the screen. The sound is off because he muted the TV, wanting to talk to you.

"It happened again," Jake sighs.

You quietly groan to yourself, rubbing your face with both hands before slapping your thighs. You scoot yourself into an upright position, legs still resting in his lap, "I'm sorry, honey. I can talk to them again or-"

"No, it's okay. I- uh-” He gulps, “I was thinking maybe I should go stay somewhere else for a few days."

You shake your head, "no. No, absolutely not."

He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes. "Our kids don’t care about me."

You scoff through your nose, "they do. How could you ever think otherwise?" Your chest puffs out with every breath you take, your vision blurs as tears pool in your water line.

He cups your cheeks, "they're not going to warm up to me because they think I'm trying to replace their deadbeat dumbass of a father, or they think I’m gonna be exactly like him and leave. They’re not ready to trust me."

"They know you’re not trying to replace him," you weakly argue.

"You could be right, but they won't listen to you because you’re mom."

You sniff, "please, don’t leave."

"I'm doing this to save yours and the kids relationship."

"You staying here and being a part of the kids’ lives hasn't changed that."

"But it will."

This is it. It feels like it’s the end of your relationship, but you know it’s not. You refuse to believe that you two won’t find your way back to one another and have a better improved relationship with yourself and the kids. His bag falls to the ground.

You take a step forward and rest your head on his shoulder, silently crying into his shirt, bunching it in your clenched fists, "Jake…"

He shushes you, wrapping his arms around you, pulling you closer. His hand finds its way up to its rightful resting place, cupping your cheek, "hey, look at me. Look at me please.”

You lift your head up, with wet cheeks.

His thumb sweeps across your cheek, wiping away your tears, “you know I love you, right?"

You don’t think you’ve ever heard him sound so emotional (except for when he told you about his past and his family, the day he asked to marry you, when he repeated what you said about moving in, and the first time he said I love you). "Course I do.” You lean in closer, whispering, “I love you so much."

It feels like you’re sharing a secret (which you are about Jake’s departure… from the kids for the time being).

"I'll text you when I make it to my place."

You nod, "okay."

Jake leans down, kissing you, reminding you of how much he loves you. He takes a step back, one hand on your back as he leans over to grab his bag.

You two stare at one another with tears in your eyes (yes, even Jake’s on the verge of crying- or maybe he already is but your own tear-filled eyes blur your vision, preventing you from seeing so).

His hand slides off your back after he opens the door. He steps outside, feeling like a stranger on the porch of his own home. Jake tries to walk away before things could get even more depressing.

You reach out, hand squeezing his bicep, silently pleading for him to stay. “Be careful?”

The corner of his lips tug upward into a farewell cocky smirk, “always am, gorgeous. Always am.”

You watch as he gets in his car and wave him off (breaking your hearts into a million pieces).

Jake disappears from you view and you stand there for a few seconds, unwilling to move because if you do, you’ll be home alone… you’ll be alone.

You close the door, resting your forehead on the wooden frame. Your shoulders shake as you struggle to keep your cries quiet. You raise your hand, covering your mouth; whimpers escape you before you can even try and stop them.

As much as you don’t want to, you make your way to your bedroom. You swear you hear your heart break when you walk in. It doesn’t look like much has changed but you know if you open your dresser drawers and check the closet, his clothes won’t be there. You won’t be able to admire his uniform or shake your head at the way he organizes his sock and underwear drawer.

You try to not to think about the little things you’ll miss while taking of your shoes. You lay down on your side, bending your legs, curling into yourself.

After about an hour of laying down, you text Penny.

SoonToBeMrs.S

Hey Pen Sent Read 1:58pm

PickaPenny

Are you alright? You only say my name when something’s happened Sent Read 2:00pm

SoonToBeMrs.S

All good here. Can you pick up Maryanne and Edwin? Sent Read 2:00pm

PickaPenny

You got it. Sent Read 2:01pm

PickaPenny typing…

“What are you doing here?”

Jake turns around, his shoulders sag, “needed a drink.”

“Why am I getting a text from your fiancé about picking up the kids?” asks Penny.

He gulps, “I- uh- I’m gonna be out of the house for a while.”

“Oh, I didn’t hear you were deployed.”

“I’m not.”

The bar owner looks back at him after giving another customer her drink. “What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Did you break it off with her?”

“No, God no. Penny I-”

“You what?”

“I’m doing this to save the family relationship.”

“What do you mean?”

“The kids don’t like me.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“They don’t listen to a thing I say and when I pick them up from school, they don’t talk to me.”

“Have you tried talking to them?”

“Of course, I have.”

“No, no. Not ask them questions, talk to them about the whole situation?”

“I’ve tried but they won’t put in the effort to listen. And, yeah, I know they’re kids and that’s how they are, but I want them to know that I’m not trying to replace their bio dad and I want them to stop thinking I’ll leave ‘em just like he did. I just- I can’t get through to them. And I’m not going to be the reason they hate their mom for marrying someone they don’t like. I grew up that way. My mom married someone we weren’t all huge fans of, and he didn’t care. He never tried to talk to us, not even after mom died.”

“Jake-”

He takes out his wallet, setting a few bills down. “Don’t tell her you saw me.”

“Fine,” she sighs. “Can you at least tell me where you’re staying?”

“I’ll be crashing on Coyote’s couch for a few days.”

“And then?” He shrugs, “see you around Penny.”

You open your eyes, glancing over your shoulder to see Penny standing there, and jolt. “Jeez!”

“Sorry, hon. I tried to be gentle, but you wouldn’t budge.”

You push yourself up, “sorry. I take it since you’re here, you picked the kids up?”

“No, I left them to run the bar.”

“You’ve been hanging out with Pete for too long. His- whatever is rubbing off on you.”

She scoffs, “oh, please. If anything, it’s me making him less of an old man.” She sits down beside your legs, rubbing your knee in a comforting manner. “I saw him earlier.”

You don’t say anything, your eyes shift downwards.

“He looked really upset.”

“Did he?”

“He already misses you and the kids.”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t give me that fake “I don’t care attitude”. I know you’re upset he’s gone but it’s not like you won’t see him. He just doesn’t want to come between you, Maryanne, or Edwin but he still cares about all of you and wants to help out.”

You wrap your arms around your abdomen, “I know that.”

“Why can’t you two talk it out?”

“I’ve tried to have us talk but no one wants to listen.”

“Okay, okay. Breathe.”

“I am but- it’s all gotten so complicated.”

Penny leaves before dinner time.

You finish preparing their plates, setting them on the dining table. “You two start eating, I’ve got to make sure my makeshift office space is ready after dinner.”

“Where’s Jake? We always have dinner together,” says Edwin.

You freeze, handing the two their utensils. “Oh- um- he’s got- he got caught up with work and won’t be here for a little while.”

“Is he gonna be, okay?” Maryanne asks.

You slowly stand up, giving them a sad smile, “yeah, yeah, he is.” You exit the kitchen.

“Is mama not gonna eat with us since Jake’s gone?” Edwin asks his sister.

“I don’t know, Eddie. I don’t like this.”

“Same.”

“After dinner we can watch a movie. Maybe mama won’t be so busy.”

He nods, “okay.”

“Go pick a movie.” Maryanne pushes her brother towards the living room and realizes what she said. “No Ice Age!”

“Ice Age is a good movie!”

A knock on your door gets you moving faster, you pat your face dry, hoping the bloodshot look will go away soon. “Come in, Maryanne.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“You and your brother have very different knocks.”

“Obviously if you can tell who’s who when we knock. Do you want- were you crying?”

“No, what makes you say that?”

“Your eyes are puffy. Is it because of Jake? Did he make you cry?”

You chuckle, “no, sweetheart.”

“Well, then where is he?”

“I told you; he has a few work things he needs to do.”

“If he’s leaving like dad just tell me, I can handle it.”

You swoop her into a hug after seeing the way her bottom lip quivers. You take a step back, sitting on the edge of your bed. “No, no, no. He’s not leaving. He’s just- he doesn’t want to- he says he wants us to have a better relationship with one another.”

“We already do.”

“You think so?”

She nods.

You sweep the hair covering her eyes out of her way, “what do you think of him?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you like him?”

“I… yeah.”

“Do you not like, Jake?”

“He’s nice and tries...”

“Can I ask you why you two are hesitant on letting him into our life?”

She doesn’t say anything.

“Do you think he’s gonna be like your dad?”

“I don’t want him to leave,” says Edwin from your bedroom door.

You open your other arm, giving him room to squeeze in. “Did you like him?”

“We both do.”

“Eddie!”

“I’m tired of you not telling mama what you mean. We both like him.”

“You do?”

He nods, “uh-huh. But we don’t want him to be like dad.”

“Oh, he wouldn’t-”

“Where is he now?”

“...He’s giving us space because he thinks you don’t like him.”

“We do!” He bounces around, “we do! Call him. Make him come home.”

“We can’t make him come home, if he doesn’t want to,” Maryanne points out. “Can we call him tomorrow?”

“We’ll see.”

“Can we watch Ice Age now?” You chuckle, “I’m not leaving you alone with Jake again. He’s corrupted your movie likes and dislikes.”

The kids run out of your room.

You change into something a little comfier before exiting the room.

Maybe there is light at the end of this tunnel.

Edwin was the first to fall asleep, you went out next, leaving your little girl to be the sole survivor.

She grabs her phone off the side table, going to her camera app. She angles herself closer and takes a selfie with the three of you.

LittleDarlin

*image* Miss you Sent Read 8:39pm.

Jake puts his shirt on, checking his phone before winding down for bed. His heart starts to race a little when he sees it’s from his little girl. He opens the message and his heart melts.

SouthernSavior

Miss you too, darlin Sent Read 8:41pm.

Shouldn’t you be asleep? Sent Read 8:42pm.

LittleDarlin

Eddie put Ice Age on Sent Read 8:42pm.

SouthernSavior

Not a good excuse. Go to bed Sent Read 8:43pm.

LittleDarlin typing… Can you come home? Deleted

LittleDarlin

Night Jake Sent Read 8:45pm.

SouthernSavior

Night darlin Sent Read 8:45pm.

Before Jake turns his phone off and puts it on the charger, he sets the photo as his lockscreen.

Three days later…

A knock on the front door alerts you.

You’re confused until you realize it’s a school day and pop out of bed, running out of your room. You check their rooms, finding neither of them there. “Not in the living room or kitchen,” you gasp. “The kitchen.”

You run in, seeing your kids putting their dishes in the sink. “Was no one going to wake me up?”

“You know Jake takes us to school,” Maryanne argues.

“He does but with everything that’s going on, I didn’t know what we were gonna do.”

“I’m still on school duty.”

You scream, jumping just about ten feet in the air. You bring your hand up, placing it on your chest, “don’t. Do. That.”

“I have to get your heart pumping somehow,” he answers you with that damn cocky smirk you’ve grown to love.

“Yeah, and I can send you to work with a foot up your a-s-s.”

“We can spell,” your daughters chimes in.

“Pretend you can’t.”

“Come on, d- Jake. Let’s go before we’re late.”

The two try to walk past you, until you clear your throat.

“What?”

“Hug your mother, kids,” he says, standing beside you.

Edwin rolls his eyes and sighs in a joking way before launching himself into your arms.

Maryanne walks over to give you a quick hug before dragging her brother outside behind her.

Jake hesitates to place his hand on your lower back.

You turn, almost automatically curling into him. “Hey there, sailor.”

“Still not a sailor but, hello to you too, gorgeous.”

“Can we talk later?”

“Is it a good talk or a bad talk?”

“Depends, are you gonna listen to me or not?”

“When don’t I listen to you?”

You arch your brow.

“Fine, I’ll listen.” He walks to the door when you remember something.

“Oh, wait! Edwin has early day today.”

“What time?”

“Like Thursday.”

He quietly groans to himself, “I won’t be able to pick him up.”

“It’s okay. I planned on picking him up anyway. I just wanted you to know so you’re not sitting and waiting at the school for too long.”

“Are you always this thoughtful?”

There it is again. You give him a sarcastic smile, “are you always a pain in my ass?”

“I’d like to think otherwise.”

“In other words, yes.”

“If that’s what you want to call me then fine.”

A car honk alerts the two of you.

“I gotta go. I’ll see you later, yeah?”

“You can count on it. Bye, Jake.” You lean up and peck him on the lips. You aim to head back into the kitchen when you’re pulled back.

He cups your cheek, pulling you closer, “is this, okay?”

“I’d say it’s more than okay.”

The corner of his mouth tugs upwards, “knew you could never resist me.”

“Shut up and kiss me.”

“Yes ma’am.” His other hand wraps around your waist, bringing you closer to him.

You place your hands on his arms, one hand slides along his shoulders, stopping at the base of his neck. You scratch the back of his neck near the edge of his hairline.

He slightly shivers pulling back; he pecks your pink, wet, and swollen lips. “I gotta go drop them off,” his voice comes out hoarse and quiet.

You nod, “mmhmm.”

“You can kiss later! We’ve gotta go or we’ll be late!”

You cover your mouth, hiding your laughter. “You heard the girl.”

“Hey, I didn’t start this whole thing.”

“Neither did I.”

“Let’s call it a truce and you go take the kids to school.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“Bye, hon.”

“Bye, gorgeous.”

You and Edwin do his homework before you put on a movie (yes, Ice Age) for him. You turn your head to see the mess in the backyard.

You sigh, getting up off the couch to clean it up. You were doing good, making a lot of progress until you didn’t.

You fall, landing on your shoulder. You know you’re screwed, the pain radiating in your arm is too much, but you can’t freak out because your baby boy will freak out which won’t solve anything.

You push yourself off the ground (with great difficulty) and enter the house.

“Eds,” you whisper, sitting beside him with your arm close to you.

“Yeah?” he asks, slightly distracted by the movie.

“Can you call Aunt Penny for me and hold the phone to my ear?”

“Why?”

“I fell.”

“Are you okay?!”

You shush him, “breathe, sweetheart. Breathe.”

“Where’s your phone? Where’s your phone?”

“Look at the table beside you.”

“Okay, Penny… Penny… Aunt Penny? Mom wants to talk to you.” He holds the phone against your ear.

“Pen? Hey… can you come over and drive me to the emergency room? I fell and broke something.”

Jake rushes into the emergency center, frantically searching for you with Maryanne holding his left hand. He stops when he sees Penny waving, letting him know where you and Edwin are.

He rushes over to the two of you while the poor little girl is being yanked over to your bed. He makes sure Maryanne can hold your hand and get close to you before he sets his hand on top of your head. “Are you okay?”

“I will be if I can get out of here.”

He checks over you, stopping when he sees your arm resting across your stomach, “what happened?”

“I was in the backyard cleaning up-”

“I told you I would do it.”

“Yeah, and that was before you…” you trail off unsure of how to say it without making it sound mean, ‘before you left,’ yeah, not the nicest thing to say ever.

“You could have called me. No, you should have called me.”

You open your mouth to respond when Penny moves the kids away from the bed, having them sit in the seats (she grabbed earlier) giving you two more room to talk.

He reaches down for your hand without looking, letting you squeeze his hand, knowing you aren’t taking any of the morphine or other pain medication (because you don’t like how you feel afterwards). He leans down, letting you turn your head into his chest, “why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t know.”

“Didn’t know what?”

You look up at him through your wet lashes, blinking repeatedly so you can see him. “I didn’t know how we were. After this morning-”

“Hey, hey.” He brushes the few loose strands that cover your face back, “we are never gonna change.” He pecks your forehead before turning around.

He takes a step closer to Penny, whispering, “can you take them somewhere else? Ice cream? Hospital cafeteria? Wherever. I don’t want them to see their mom in anymore pain. I know, Eddie is gonna have a hard time when we get home but I’m not letting them see any more of this.” He pulls out his wallet.

She places her hands on his stopping him, “you don’t need to do that. I’ve got it besides I’ve been wanting to show them a few shells I found the other day.”

He lets out a breath of relief, “thank you.”

“You can thank me by taking care of your wife.” She turns around, facing the two. “Come on, kids. We’re gonna go back to Aunt Penny’s place and look at the few seashells I found, and we can prank Pete. How’s that sound?”

“We don’t want to leave our mom, Aunt Penny,” Maryanne whispers to the older woman.

“I know but Jake thinks it would be smart if you two aren’t stuck in the emergency center for hours.”

The young girl glances over at the two of you, watching how Jake is consoling you and trying to distract you from the pain. She looks back at Penny and nods, “okay. Can we text Jake and ask him when we can go home?”

“Of course, we can,” she holds her hands out for the two to hold.

Maryanne looks back to see nothing but love between the two of you. Maybe she was wrong, maybe Jake won’t be like her dad.

He came just seconds after Penny called him and made sure that both of them could see and touch you.

She feels bad for how she’s been treating him and knows what she needs to do.

“You should have called me,” he whispers into your hair.

“I wanted to.”

“Why didn’t you? You know I would have been there in a second. Well, maybe not a second but,” he smirks but you can see the worry on his face.

You scoff, rolling your eyes, “don’t make me hit you.”

He hums, “it seems to me like you can’t.”

“I can do other things.”

“Oh, yeah. Like what?”

“Well, if I tell you then it won’t be a surprise.”

He sticks his bottom lip out, “come on, you know you want to tell me.”

“No, I really don’t.”

Jake hasn’t removed his arm from around your waist since you were released (after texting Penny).

“You can let go now.”

“I gotta make sure my girl is taken care of.”

“You are by making sure I can get to my car.”

“That was never the plan because that’s a, dangerous and b, penny took your car remember. Seems like you’re stuck with me, gorgeous.”

“Jake,” you start, ready to complain.

“No, no. Don’t give me that attitude. I’m making sure you get home back to the kids safely. End of story.”

You say nothing as he opens the door for you, letting you take your time getting the car.

Once your seated, he helps you with your seatbelt before running to the back, grabbing a pillow to place under your arm (that’s in a secure sling) but that doesn’t stop him.

The drive back to the house was quiet, at least, between the two of you, there was music softly playing filling some of the silence.

He jogs around to the other side of car, opening the door. He reaches in to unbuckle the seatbelt.

You scoot to the edge of the seat, swinging your legs out of the car. Jake holds his hand out for you to take. You slap your hand on his, “I’m gonna need a little help getting out. Take the pillow, first.”

He carefully removes the pillow, tossing it to the driver’s seat. He lets you push yourself out before he wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you closer.

You take a deep breath, staring at his collarbone (since your eye level with it), your eyes slowly trail up his neck, past his jawline and cheekbone.

It feels like you’ve lost your breath as you stare into his eyes, reminding you of when you two first started dating.

He moves your hand onto his shoulder before sliding his other arm to your waist, pulling you closer to hug you. He rests his head on your shoulder before tucking his head into the crook of your neck.

You slide your hand across his shoulder, stopping at his neck, brushing your thumb vertically against the base of his hair, feeling the top of his spinal cord.

The two of you wet the others shoulder with your salty, relief ridden tears.

He pulls back, staring at you without wiping his cheeks.

You reach up and wipe away his tears.

He does the same for you. “Let’s get you inside, yeah?” He removes one arm to close the car door, locking it right after.

He unlocks the front door, gently shoving you inside, following after you.

You let out a quiet breath of relief, you were scared he was going to leave after hugging you.

The kids run out of the living room, stopping in front of you.

You bend down, letting them hug your good side with Jake telling them to be careful and not tug your neck.

Maryanne steps away from you, telling Jake to bend down. She wraps her arms around his neck, giving him a hug.

Edwin does the same.

You wipe your cheeks, not wanting to cry even though this is what you’ve been waiting for.

Three months later...

Maryanne stands in front of you, “mama?”

“Yeah, baby?” You turn to look at her, seeing how she looks down at the ground. You furrow your brows, “what’s wrong? Are you feeling, okay?” You place the back of your hand on her forehead. She pulls your hand away from her forehead and shakes her head. “Did you break something?”

“No... I want to do something for Jake.”

You nod, smiling (happy to know no one’s hurt or sick). “Okay, like what?”

“I- we want to do something for him for… Father’s Day.”

The smile slowly falls from your face, “oh,” you gulp. “Did you two have something in mind? And know that just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean that you have to do anything. I know we’ve had a hard time adjusting with one another,” you move the few strands of hair that fell off her face. “He would be happy with anything whether we do something or not.”

She pouts, “I know but we want him to know that we like him and- and that we want him to be our dad.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?”

“Can he adopt us?”

You lift your hand up, covering your mouth, shocked at her surprising request.

“Mama?”

You shake your head, blinking your eyes rapidly to prevent the tears from falling. You wrap your arms around her shoulders pulling her in for a tight hug. “Oh, my sweet girl.” You detach yourself from her, holding her by her shoulders, “that is more than okay, sweetheart. And you’re sure this is something you and Edwin want?”

She nods as a smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

“We should start now if we want it ready by then huh?”

The wedding was a small one with only Jake’s fellow pilots, WSO’s, and other navy members invited. You both invited his sister, but she was pregnant with baby number four and was unable to fly over.

She was kind enough to call and say that she and her husband would drive over, but it’d take too long for them to arrive. You assured her that it was okay, and she would be missed (you were so close to getting to hear embarrassing stories about pre-pilot Jake).

You didn’t let Jake see you before the wedding (much to his displeasure).

You walk down the aisle with Penny and Amelia walking you down the aisle. When you asked the girls, it easily became one of the most emotional moments when it came to planning the wedding, but you have no regrets (even if the few photos of you three walking down the aisle were of the Benjamin girls crying the entire time).

It was something else when you two were married by Pete.

And, of course, Maryanne was the most adorable flower girl ever making sure used all the petals in her basket and Edwin was a handsome ring bearer.

Thank God you didn’t assign anyone with this task because when Mickey and Logan were asking you a while ago, they showed you the website where you could rent a bear. Of course, this was a joke… you hoped anyway but they did redeem themselves by helping out with all the guy’s suits (after giving them the “mom” look).

Almost everyone- that’s a lie, everyone was crying, no matter how hard you tried not to, you did.

The water works got worse when Jake gave his vows. The man may be cocky as hell, but the man knows when to put his heart and soul into something.

Jake could barely keep his hands to himself when Pete said, “you may now kiss the bride.”

“More like devour the bride,” Bradley mutters. Jake pulls back, needing air, knowing you need the same.

“Can it chicken, you’re just jealous.”

The mustache man scoffs, prepared to say something else when Javy pulls him off to the side, handing him a drink. “To the happy couple!”

Javy and Bradley are the first to raise a glass. “To the happy couple!”

“To my stunning and gorgeous wife,” he whispers in your ear.

“And to my charmingly cocky husband.”

“I see how it is. I compliment you and you insult me.”

“It’s all part of my charm.”

“You weren’t this mean when we first started going out.”

“I didn’t want to show you my dark side.”

“Sure, you didn’t.”

“Okay, enough you two,” Penny takes your drinks from you two, “it’s time for the first dance.”

You let out a dramatic sigh, “if we must.”

“Prepare to have your heels knocked off your feet.”

You place your hand on his shoulder, “play on the usual phrase, I see you’ve been studying with Edwin.”

He smirks, “’course I have. I wanted to impress you.”

“Oh,” you chuckle, “impress me? I see.”

“No more talking, more dancing.”

The song ends and you feel light tugging and look down to find your babies standing there.

“Looks like it’s time for family’s first dance,” DJ Bob announces, adding airhorns.

“I’m never letting baby on board DJ for us again.”

“Oh, c’mon, he’s doing good. Leave him be,” you tell your husband.

“This is a special request coming from the shortest guy here this evening and no, I’m not talking about Fanboy.”

Reuben, Natasha, and Billy cover their mouths to prevent them from spitting out their drinks.

Pete, Penny, Amelia, and Callie shake their heads.

Logan and Bradley shake their heads.

Javy and Bringham hold Mickey back from going after a power-hungry DJ Bob and Neil grabs the camera before the photographer of the evening, can drop it.

An Ice Age remix comes through the speakers and you three look down at Edwin, who innocently shrugs, “what?”

You and Jake glance back at one another and shake your heads, dancing until your feet begin to hurt.

Javy and Bob help back the car with wedding presents while Jake puts the kids in the back, letting them get comfortable and fall asleep.

“Thank you, boys.”

Javy gives you a rare, sweet smile, “anything for the newly Mrs. Seresin.”

Your lips quickly tug into an upward smile, “I haven’t heard that yet.”

“It feel weird?” “You know what? It doesn’t.”

“What doesn’t?” The man of the hour asks.

“Nothing.”

“And… we’re done. You two ready to go?” Bob interrupts.

“We are. Are one of you driving the car back to our place?”

“No, we’re gonna leave it here for the racoons to rip open and bring to you later tomorrow.”

“Just because you’re Jake’s friend, doesn’t mean that I won’t hesitate to kick your ass, Machado.”

Your husband wraps an arm around your waist pulling you back, “okay and that’s enough excitement for one day.”

“We’ll see you two there.”

Bob waves to you with his usual, adorable smile dancing across his lips.

You wave back before Jake holds you against the passenger door. “How do you feel?”

“Like I’m walking on air, husband of mine.”

“Glad to know I’m not the only one. Let’s go home.”

The day after the wedding…

You and Jake sit beside one another on the couch, looking through your wedding album, taking a break from opening presets.

“Aw,” you point to the photo Maryanne sent him a while ago. “When did we take this?”

“Our little darlin’ sent me this when we were- uh-” Jake scratches the back of his head, “away from each other.”

“Oh… why didn’t you ever show me this? Send it to me.”

“Can I never have a cute family photo for myself?”

You sigh, “I suppose you can.”

He shakes his head, “don’t you be trying to guilt trip me now, gorgeous.”

“Me? Guilt trip you, never.” You flip to another page, “wow!”

“Guess the kid is as good with a camera on the ground like he is in the air.”

“Yeah, I’ll say. We are so using him for the kid’s birthdays.”

You can feel the vibrations of him chuckling behind you.

“Guess that means we save a few bucks.”

“Don’t tell me now that we’re married, you’re going cheap on me.”

He scoffs, “never… I just didn’t expect Fanboy to be so good.”

“Wow, no wonder he was hesitant to ask me.” You shake your head, setting the album on the table and see the last gift on the table is the big one. “This one is from the kids, but we have to wait until they wake up.”

“What?” Jake whines.

“Please,” you plead.

“Fine, fine. Stop giving me those “sex” eyes.”

You scoff, “I am not giving you “sex” eyes. If anyone is giving those eyes, it’s you.”

“Wow!”

“I know, it sucks when your words come back to bite you in the ass, right?”

“I know something else that can bite you in the ass.”

“God! We just got married and it’s like you’ve become ten times hornier within twenty-four hours.”

“You just have that effect on me, gorgeous.”

“Did he open it yet?” Maryanne asks, scaring the shit out of you two.

You and Jake scream, the latter lets out an oof. “What happened? Are you okay?”

He shakes his head, holding his stomach, “no.”

You cringe, realizing what you did. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry, are you okay?”

“My poor, beautiful abs.”

You scoff, smacking his arm, “you’re fine.” You turn to look at the kids, “and no he did not. I wanted you two to be here with us.”

They run over to the couch, sitting on each side of him.

You grab the rectangular, thin box, handing it to him.

“You not gonna help me with this one?”

You shake your head, trying to hide your smile, “no, this one’s all you, honey.”

He narrows his eyes at you before looking back at the gift, ripping the gift open. He tosses the box to the side, holding a large manilla envelope. He stares at it with furrowed brows, “what-”

“Just open it,” you tell him.

He carefully opens it, pulling out the document. He starts to read it, “what-” his voice cracks. Jake scoots forward, setting everything on the coffee table so he can cover his eyes.

“Aw, honey,” you start.

The kids stare at you with wide eyes, unsure if this is a good reaction or not. They scoot off the couch, standing in front of him, wrapping their arms around his shoulders.

He returns the gesture. “I know we had a hard time gettin to know each other in the beginning,” he lifts his head, staring back and forth between the two, “but did you two really have to make a grown man cry?”

“We made you cry?” Your daughter asks.

“You should have been worried if I didn’t cry.”

“Fair point.”

You rub the back of his shoulder.

He looks back at you, “how long have you known about this?”

“Too long. I’m just happy your late/ early Father’s Day gift finally made its way to you."

“This is a- okay, new rule, give the old man a little warning so I have time to prepare myself.”

“Nah,” you shake your head, “this is better. We get the raw emotions.”

“Shut up,” he shoves your thigh.

You smile, leaning back against the couch.

“Let’s a movie… not Ice Age,” he pulls Edwin closer, “whispering”, “we’ll watch it when the girls aren’t here.”

The young boy nods, giggling, “okay.”

Maryanne settles in on your side with Jake on your left, an arm wrapped around your shoulders and Edwin on his left.

“Oh, wait. We need popcorn,” says your daughter.

“Let’s go.” Edwin pulls her into the kitchen, preparing the movie snacks.

He pulls you closer.

“I told you they like you.”

He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, “okay, maybe you were right.”

“I was so right, darlin.”

“Look at you trying to copy my accent.”

“Honey, I pull that accent off better than you.”

“Oh, is that how we’re playing it?”

“You bet.”

“How about we cut this competition short?”

“Oh, yeah. How’s that-”

He cups your cheek, pulling you in for a kiss.

“We’re done- ew!”

You can’t help but smile as you two part from one another.

“Alright, kids. Settle in,” he tells them.

They return to their previous seats.

You rest your head against his shoulder.

This is exactly how you pictured it, the family life with Jake.

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Taglist: @abaker74 @ebonyhogan24 @shanimallina87 @starkleila @kurtkunkle17

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crazyk-imagine · 1 year

Text

The Good, The Bad, and The Big Birthday Bash (Edwin’s Birthday)

Pairing: (Stepdad) Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Mom!Reader

Warnings: SMUT (Minors DNI 18+), light somnophilia goes with -->, pussy eating, p n v, unprotected sex (consensual, wrap it before you tap it people), sex in different locations (bedroom and bathroom), Jake calls reader his bratty baby, reader and Jake go back and forth with the brat nickname, cursing, sweet Jake (basically the opposite of him in tgm), minor sub!Jake vibes, real talk (about adulty things like bills), alcohol consumption, Bradley the bartender (only for friends though), Bob the DJ makes a return, Mickey the photographer has more models, everyone looks cute in their cowboy/ cowgirl outfits, the kids being adorable, pilot crew doing dumb things

Word Count: 7,954

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You stare at the day, wondering why it looks so familiar. You finish typing in, “pay cable bill” and then it hits you. “It’s almost his birthday,” you sigh, rubbing your forehead.

“Is this not a good thing?” Jake asks, setting your plate in front of you as he sits down.

“No, it is- -its- its good. I just- I don’t know how I’m going to plan this because it seems like the bar is just getting busier and busier than my other job-”

He says nothing as he reaches down, hand wrapped around the leg of your chair as he pulls you closer to him. “I thought I told you to quit that job.”

“And I told you that I have to make ends meet. We have to be able to eat somehow.”

He removes his hand from the leg of the chair and cups your cheek, getting you to focus on him. “You don’t have to do that. There are two people here now. It’s not all on you to take care of everything, okay? It's okay to lean on me.”

You sniffle, lowering your head.

“Hey, hey,” he lowers his voice, bringing you closer to him, resting your head on his shoulder letting you cry until you can’t anymore and all you can do is sniffle. “Come on now. No more tears.” He uses his thumb to wipe your cheeks and under eyes. “We are in this together,” he pecks your head.

Jake grabs your hand and pulls your hand up to his lips, placing a kiss that lasts a few seconds on your wedding ring. “This ring here united us in more ways than one so, if you have credit card debt, it’s now our debt.”

That earns a chuckle from you.

“There’s that smile I love.”

“Shut up,” you mumble into his shoulder.

He chuckles, “I don’t think I want to, not when I got a pretty girl on my shoulder.”

“Why do you have to be so flirty?”

He shrugs, “don’t know but I can’t say I hate it.”

“And, why’s that?” You move your head, looking up at his jaw line and side profile.

“It got me you.”

“I don’t think it was the flirting.”

“Oh, no. It was definitely the flirting.”

“Okay,” you pat his chest with your left hand.

He tilts his head down, staring at the ring on your finger and smiles.

You push yourself off him, taking a bite of your food.

He takes this as an opportunity to talk. “Okay, this is what I got from this conversation. You’re quitting your crappy second job and letting me officially help with bills while you start coming up with some ideas on what to do for our little man’s birthday party.”

You hate to admit it but the way he said, “our little man” makes you happy and relaxed, it never seems to stop surprising you when he talks about the kids like they’re his own.

He said he wished they were his on the first date and still manages to surprise you after saying that. He gets out of the chair and exits the kitchen.

You huff, shaking your head while eating your pasta. How dare he be such a little shit… even if he did reheat your dinner for you.

You turn your brain off for a second, focusing on the tasty food and not the fact that Jake is talking about the kids is hot. Nope, definitely not focusing on that. You stop chewing, a dirty thought comes to mind. ‘Could he have a breeding kink?’

“Hey, babe?”

Your eyes slowly trail over towards him.

“Nothing, just wanted to see if you wanted to watch a movie with us but I can see that the pasta is better than us. So, we’ll leave you two alone.”

You roll your eyes. Did it just get hotter?

“I heard that.”

You roll your eyes again, knowing that he cannot hear you do such a normal thing.

“Jake, I wanna show you something,” Maryanne says, tugging on Jake’s arm.

“Now? It’s time for bed kiddo.” He glances over at you.

“It’s about the book I want.”

You shake your head, she doesn’t learn. “Honey, ask him, don’t pull on his arm. You know that.”

“But-”

She sticks her bottom lip out, pouting. “Now, I see it,” he comments. “This is how he got it.”

“Who got what?” Your daughter asks.

“Your brother got this,” Jake points to her pouty lip, “from you.”

She shakes her head, “no, he didn’t.”

“I’m pretty sure he did.”

“Nu-uh.”

“Yuh-huh.”

“Hey.”

“No.”

“Jake-”

“Yes.”

“No.”

You stick your curled index finger and thumb in your mouth, whistling to get their attention. “Hey, hey. No. No more of this. Okay?”

He lifts Maryanne over his shoulder, she lets out giggly screams. “Yes, ma’am.” He salutes you before marching to her room.

You shake your head, glancing back at a sleepy Edwin rubbing his one eye. “Okay, time for bed little man.”

You pull the sheets over his belly, setting them on his chest. You brush the few stands of fallen hair out of his eyes. “Have thought about what you want to do this year?”

He nods.

“And what’s that?”

“Cowboys.”

“Cowboys? Really?”

He nods, rubbing his eyes.

“Okay,” you lean forward, kissing the top of his head. “Go to sleep.”

You exit his room, finding your husband leaning against the wall.

“You have fun?”

“Oh, tons. Did you not hear the ragger we started in there? I thought the walls were shaking all over the house.”

He hums, wrapping his arms around you. “You find out the theme?”

“I did.”

“You want to share with the rest of the class.”

“Maybe.”

“Are you seriously gonna leave me in the dark about what he wants to do?”

You turn around, leaning against the bathroom doorway. “Yes.”

He closes the door, groaning loudly for you to hear as he lays on the bed. “Why? Is it space? Does he want aliens at the party because I think Chicken is alien like as it is. I will veto more than one alien.”

The shower starts running.

Jake pushes himself off the bed, practically tripping over everything as he hurries to the bathroom.

You shake your head, taking a step back letting the water run over your hair and backside. “Did you trip over everything?"

He scoffs, “no.”

“And who’s pants are on fire?”

The shower door slides open, “not mine since they’re on the floor but, I am afraid another part of me is on fire for you, sweetheart.” His arms slide around your waist, pulling you closer.

You lift your head, wiping the water off your forehead before opening your eyes. “When aren’t you trying to have your way with me?”

“I think it’s the other way around because if my memory serves me right, and it does, it was you who was begging me.”

“You definitely did the begging.”

“I don’t think so,” he denies.

“I know for a fact it was you.”

“How can I change your mind?” He leans in, eye lids drooping.

You tilt your head to the side, pretending to think about it as he places gentle kisses along the side of your neck. “We should finish our shower soon, the water’s gonna get cold,” you mumble.

“Then I’ll just,” his murmurs against your skin, “warm you up.”

You bite your lip to suppress your smile, “you’d like that wouldn’t you.”

He smirks, biting your neck.

You shriek and quickly cover your mouth, slapping his arm.

“Did something happen, sweetheart?”

You narrow your eyes at him, pursing your lips as you reach for your shower gel and sponge net so you can get out and get ready for bed, letting Jake know you’re not going to give into his carnal desires (for the time being).

You finish, your hand is on the shower door when Jake stops you.

“Hey, hey. Where do you think you’re going?” He stares at you with his soapy hair tangled in a mess; the shampoo trailing down his temples after he wiped his forehead.

“I’m gonna get out so you have room to dry off when you’re finished. What are you doing?” You slowly ask.

“I just have to wash my hair and I’m done.”

“Which is why I’m trying to get out now.”

Maybe it’s the way his shoulder’s tense up or that you’re reminded of your brief three-day separation period and how terrible it was (on the four of you).

You stop, moving towards him. “Turn around.”

“Why? You gonna check me out?” He certainly knows how to lighten the mood.

“Always but not this time, I’m gonna wash your hair.”

He nearly melted on the spot.

There has only been one other time when you spoiled him and washed his hair (which was because the kids decided to have a food fight and he couldn’t get all of it out on his own) and he loved it, a little too much he can fully admit to that.

He doesn’t say anything and nods.

“How are you gonna do this?” You ask, not wanting him to strain his neck as you reach for the shower head. Turning back around with the shower head in your hand, you find him on his knees. “What are you doing?”

His eyes trail up your body until he locks eyes with you, “Making it easy on you.”

You lift the shower head, spraying him.

He chuckles, grabbing your wrist, stopping you, “that’s not very nice, gorgeous.” There’s the “you’re in trouble” nickname.

“You’re the one getting handsy.”

He scoffs, “you love it.”

“Shut up and let me wash your hair.”

He wraps his arms around your waist, resting his head on your stomach. The tired and quiet, “yes ma’am,” escapes him.

You do your best to be thorough and quick so you two can crawl into bed. You set the shower head back in its place, tapping his shoulder. “Come on.”

“No.”

“It’s time for us to get out. We gotta dry off and I gotta finish my hair before we lay down.”

He huffs, “fine.” His knee cracks as he pushes himself up causing you to smile.

“Sounds like you’re becoming an old man.”

“I’m not old enough to the point where I can’t carry you.” You place a hand on his chest, shoving him back, “Don’t even try it, Mister. I will not have us fall and break something.”

He doesn’t say anything and nods.

You feel bad. The joking attitude he has is no longer there. “I know you didn’t mean it like that, please don’t be sad.”

“I’m not.”

“Jake,” you cup his cheeks forcing him to look at you. “We are together, and nothing is going to change that. You’re stuck with me like I’m stuck with you.”

He rolls his eyes.

You can feel the muscles in his cheeks twitch as he fights the urge to crack a smile. “You know how you told me to lean on you, lean on me. I will be by your side till the very end, okay? I love you.”

He nods, pulling you in for a hug. He sniffs, neither of you comment on it.

“Come on,” you whisper in his ear. “Let’s get out of here. I can feel the goosebumps on your back.”

His breath fans against your skin as a breathless chuckle escapes him. “I thought you liked to have any reason to warm me up.”

“Just get out, you dork. It’s cold.”

“So, mean.” He slides the shower door open, stepping out wrapping a towel around his waist. He turns around, holding his hand out for you, helping you out of the shower.

You reach the towel when he swats your hand.

“Ah, bup bup.”

“I can get my own towel, thank you.”

“Yeah, but this way I can help and if my hand slips, well then,” the corner of his lips tug upwards as he pulls you closer with the towel before wrapping it around you, “that’s just a win for me.”

You roll your eyes smacking his chest. “What? I’m not supposed to be completely and utterly blown away every time I see my gorgeous wife. Because I’d be crazy not to.”

“You’re too sweet for your own good.”

“It’s called love, sweetheart.”

You shake your head, smile never faltering as you step beside him.

“Can you blow dry my hair?”

“You always complain when I do it.”

“You’ve never done it before,” he points out.

“… that’s because I know you’ll complain after.” You remove your towel and grab your cute, designed panties before sighing. “Get dressed then we can make you look pretty.”

“I’m gonna take that as a compliment so thank you, sweetheart.” He walks up behind you, placing his hands on your hips as he pecks your cheek.

You can’t help but smile, he’s always too sweet (even when he doesn’t want to admit it). You finish getting dressed and do your own hair before you plug in the blow dryer, making sure that the cord won’t knock anything off the counter. “Are you done yet?”

“I’ve been waiting on you.”

“Don’t give me that attitude,” you tell him while reaching for the necessary item.

“I have no attitude to give.”

You run your fingers through his hair getting rid of any knots that may be there. “Is your hair okay at this length?”

“Yeah, why? Do you not like it?”

You bend down, wrapping your free hand around his jaw, tilting his head back. “I didn’t say that, and I love all and anything that has to do with you, you know that.”

“It doesn't hurt to hear it again.”

You let go of him and detangle the cord, needing more room to walk around behind him. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t want to inflate your ego more than I already do.”

“Now that I know you think so highly of me, it definitely makes me feel more confident in myself.”

You playfully roll your eyes, “oh, no. Whatever will the others do about it tomorrow?”

“Complain, maybe call you.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me if they did.”

Jake climbs into bed first, the sheets folded across his waist. He watches as you go through your mental checklist. “We did everything we were supposed to, so get over here so we can cuddle and stop stressing over it.”

You purse your lips, not wanting to admit that he’s a little bit right. “Fine.” You crawl onto your side, turning to turn the lamp off only to find yourself smashed against his warm chest. You tilt your head up, staring at his side profile before he moves looking back at you as he brushes his thumb against your cheek. “What do you think the others would do if the found out the Hangman was a big time cuddler?”

He lets out a soft, sarcastic chuckle, “they wouldn’t.” He leans in, putting most, if not all his weight onto his elbow.

“You wanna know why?”

You don’t tear your gaze away from him as his hand trails down your side, his fingertips grazing every inch of you. “Why?” You whisper, already knowing where this is going.

“Because,” he kisses your chin, jaw line, and side of your neck, “I’m gonna make sure you forget what you find to be so funny.” He sucks on the skin of your chest, near the edge of your tank top. “And they wouldn’t believe you.”

You tilt your head back, giving him more room to do as he pleases (as long as they aren’t too visible for everyone to see… even if that is his second favorite reason to give you hickey’s). “Seems like you’ll be working… all night.”

“We have time.”

“You’re such a horn dog.”

“Only for you.” His lips trail along your collarbone, moving closer towards your head, nipping at your chin.

“You have to sleep, you volunteered to take Maryanne to the store and we both know she’s gonna wake up at the crack of dawn the day after Edwin’s party even though we have to wake up early for that.”

He sighs knowing you’re right. “Fine, let’s go to sleep.” He sounds so sad. He sounds so sad as he rests his head on your chest.

“Don’t be sad, I don’t want you to be too tired when you and Ann are out-”

His head snaps up. “How can I be tired when I have such a gorgeous wife to come home to.”

You close your eyes, nails lightly scratching along the base of his neck, “don’t suck up to me.”

“Okay.”

A mischievous smile dances across his lips as he lifts the sheets, slithering down your body being careful not to touch you (he doesn’t want you to ruin his plans).

The shower and your brief crying session made your body a little more tired than it normally would be so your mind is elsewhere, not entirely focused on Jake moving around.

You feel yourself close to falling asleep, the darkness creeping up on you; your mind may be listening, but your body is exhausted, and you continue to fight the urge to stay awake.

He pecks along the insides of your bare calves, he stops for a minute; he can’t work too fast or else it’ll get hot, meaning he’ll have to throw the sheets off you which could result in waking you up, ruining his surprise. He trails up your leg, taking his time caressing and taking care of your thighs. If you happen to find a hickey or two tomorrow morning, well that’s just a bonus (for him) he thinks as he gently nips at your hip.

You let out a tired groan, your leg jerks.

Jake slides his hand across your thigh until he cups the back of it, placing it on his shoulder. He hesitates for a moment after you mumble his name, “Jake.”

The two of you have talked about trying a few new things in the bedroom (you can blame Natasha and Javy for putting these ideas in your husband’s head). Basically, he heard the three of you talking about what they want to try or something similar they’ve done, and this got Jake thinking that maybe you find sex with him to be boring because it consists of the same thing.

You two take care of one another (at some point during the night and not always back-to-back) followed by the full romp in the hay (a phrase which he regrets telling you about to this day). You don’t do all these crazy things people do nowadays and, shockingly, Jake got a little insecure and wants to spice things up every now and then which it seems your darling hubby wants to try out now.

Your mind and your body are speaking two different languages at this point; your mind is almost whispering to your body, telling you he’s there to ravage you and make you lose your breath; your body becomes accustomed to where he rests. But then you’re close to falling asleep, the minimal amount of moonlight seeping into your shared room becomes darker and darker with every passing second.

The devil on his shoulder wins, he can’t not touch you when he’s right there, staring at your seemingly dripping core as he inches closer.

His cheeks flush from the heat but he doesn’t care if he passes out from heat exhaustion, he’ll be happy to know it was for a good cause. His thumbs settle on either side of your slit, spreading you further. He can’t be slow and gentle right now; he needs you and he needs you now.

Your eyes flash open, you squirm, pushing yourself onto your elbows; not used to this kind of wakeup call but eventually calm down when you hear him humming. You fall back, head plopping onto the pillows; a desperate cry escapes you before you can stop it.

His hand slithers up your torso, landing in the middle of your chest under the loose tank top you wear to bed on hot nights since the AC is still broken (he’s working on it). His hand slides over to your right breast and kneads it.

You start thinking of the way cats do the same thing, but your favorite is when cats do it on a soft blanket. Until your hormones take over and your hips thrust into him, your hands clenching and unclenching the sheets but it’s not enough.

You place your hand on top of the one kneading your soft skin and throw the sheets off his head, needing to see him; the wanting to interlock his hair between your fingers overpowering any sensible thought you may have had. You open your eyes and look down at the man who continues to make you unravel in the best way possible.

You’re so close to closing your eyes whether it be from tiredness or to avoid losing yourself faster the longer you look at him, you don’t know anymore. You whine at the loss of his hand on your breast only to replace it with a stutter of his name, “Ja- Jake!”

His other hand clenches around the thigh he has covering his right ear. It feels as though he’s pulling you closer if that’s possible. The skin-to-skin contact doing more than you could ever imagine.

You cover your mouth, the longer he’s on you, the faster you’ll come meaning the louder you’ll be because whenever he becomes impatient it’s amazing, but the kids are home, asleep in their beds and neither of you want to explain what’s going on in full depth yet (they’re still your babies).

The thought quickly exits your mind, eyes closing at the feeling of him switching things up on you, his thumb swipes your buzzing bundle side to side as his tongue enters your weeping hole. If your eyes weren’t already closed, they would have rolled into the back or your head.

A string of moans and whispers of his name is all he can hear (through on ear seeing as the other one is still covered). “Let go for me, sweetheart. Just let go.”

You nod, hand tightening on the long strands of his hair.

He groans into you, loving the tingling sensation you create.

“J- Jake. I’m gonna-” You can’t finish warning him what’s about to happen, he knows and keeps pushing you.

His name is the only thing spilling from your lips. He removes his mouth from your warm slit and pecks along your torso, nipping at your warn skin like he did before, he reaches your chin and swallow your moans when he swipes your clit from side to side at a faster pace.

Your thighs are shaking, pathetic moans come from the bottom of your throat.

“I need you to come for me, sweetheart.” His hot breath hits your ear. “Can you do that for me?” He asks. You don’t respond, he rips your hand away from your mouth.

Your eyes snap open to find the windows to his soul swirling with lust and yet the softness of his expression makes you clench around his fingers. “Can you do that for me?”

“I need you,” the first sentence you mutter in bed this evening.

“What’s that?”

You frown at him stupidly hot and cocky smirk. “Need you.”

“Yeah? Need what?”

You squeeze his fist with your interlocked fingers.

“I’m gonna need you to be specific for me, sweetheart.”

“Need you.”

“You keep sayin’ that but, I don’t know what you want.”

“If you- if you don’t fuck me wi-ith your fucking cock. I’m- I’m gonna search through the drawers.”

He grunts, slowing his pace.

“What are you doing?”

“Giving my bratty baby what she wants.” He untangles himself from your grasp and starts to lean over for the nightstand.

You grasp his forearm. Is that a vein? “Come inside me.”

He slowly turns his head. “Yeah?”

You wrap your shaky legs around his waist the best you could. “Do it.”

He smiles, leaning down to peck your lips, “just know, you asked for it.”

You pout before biting your lip when you feel him rubbing his hard cock against your wetness.

“You still gonna be a brat after I give you what you want?”

“’M not a brat,” you mumble, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. “If anyone’s a brat,” you suck in a deep breath as he eases himself into you.

“Please, keep going. I gotta know the end of that sentence.” His hips tap your as he moves at a slow pace wanting to make sure it’s enjoyable for the two of you. He notices the change in your expression and fastens the pace. There she is. “Is my bratty baby happy now?”

One hand slides up into his hair, you tug on the strands, slightly pulling his head back. “You’re the brattiest one out of the two of us.”

The corner of his lips tugs upwards, “or is that what I want you to think.”

You want to say more, figure out what the hell he’s talking about until one of his hands drops town to your sensitive bundle. You close your eyes.

He lowers his head, nipping and marking wherever he can reach.

You don’t know how he does it but you’re close and he's right there with you.

“Open your eyes.” His breath hits your face, your eyes snap open. His gorgeous eye color replaced with his dilated pupils.

You cup his cheek and pull him closer, feeling his chest flushed against yours. Nothing about this kiss is sweet, it’s teeth clashing, hot breaths mingling until you throw your head back calling out his name.

One hand leaves your hip, placed over your mouth. “I know it feels good, sweetheart but you gotta keep quiet.”

You open your eyes, brows furrowed, lips pouting.

“Don’t give me that look, you know we’re not alone.”

You nod, knowing he’s right but he doesn’t have to say it. Oh. Oh. You purse your lips, virtually kissing his hand.

He moves his opposite hand from your hip to your clit, pushing you to finish.

Neither of you say anything as you clench around him.

He quietly moans against your shoulder, his sweaty forehead resting there.

You both call out the others name, quiet enough to not wake the kids. Your back arches, eyes closed, vision going white the tighter you squeeze your eyelids shut.

The warmth of your body pressing against Jake’s ends him. Your chests heave with every breath you two take.

He chuckles, pecking the skin above your heart. He pushes himself up in a half push up position. “Is my bratty baby satisfied?”

You scoff, smacking his arm. “Are you?”

“I’m more than good and you,” he pecks the side of your neck, “know that.”

“It’s nice to hear once in a while.”

He lifts his head. “Using my own words against me now?”

“Always.”

His arms slither against your sides until he cups your head, completely caging you with him.

You lightly scratch his head.

He only gives you that full teeth, cheeky smile of his as he removes your hand from his hair, placing a long kiss on your wedding ring. He places a kiss on your chin before he detaches himself from you.

You bite your lip when he pulls out and of course, he looks up at you.

“Someone missing me?”

You roll your eyes, “help me out of bed, idiot.”

He walks around to your side of the bed, helping you balance yourself. “Just remember, you married this idiot.”

“Ah, yes. My mistake.”

“You’re so mean.”

“You married this,” you gesture to yourself.

He slides up behind you, hands resting your hips. “I had to take you off of the market before anyone else fell for your attitude.”

“I have no attitude.”

He chuckles against your neck, “of course, not gorgeous.”

You roll your eyes and push himself away from you, pointing at him with your stern “mother pointing finger” (as Maryanne, Edwin, Mickey, Bradley... basically anyone who’s been on the receiving end of it, says that) at him. “You stay outside.”

He scoffs, “you make me sound like a dog.”

“You’re a horn dog.”

“So mean,” he mutters and starts to clean himself up a bit.

You two finish and Jake wraps his arm around your waist as he helps you back into bed. You yawn, covering your mouth. “We should change the sheets,” you mutter, knowing how much of a hassle it’ll be if you don’t do it now.

He shushes you. “I’ll take care of it before the party, okay?”

You nod, eyes closed unaware of the world around you.

He pulls you closer, resting your head against his chest.

You have everyone on the assigned task you gave them right as they walked through the door while you do the finishing touches on your baby boy’s cake.

“I’ll be right back,” he pecks your cheek.

You make sure the piece stays up before looking over at your husband. “Where are you going? We have an hour until the kids start coming. I cannot deal with the others by myself, Jake. I am one person.”

He only smiles, “outfit change.”

You purse your lips. “I’ll be back, it won’t take me long.”

“Why couldn’t you have gotten dressed in your outfit earlier?”

“I didn’t want to rip anything. I love you!”

You clench your jaw and turn back towards the cake. “Okay, it’s done. Now we can put it back in the fridge before it melts.” You turn away from the fridge to find Mickey and Bob messing around. You stomp towards the window above the kitchen sink and slam it open. “What the hell are you two doing?”

Their eyes widen and they try to run only to wind up bumping into one another until Bob forces Mickey to turn around and the two disappear around the corner.

“You two better have finished what I told you to do!”

“You need a drink,” Natasha says, leaning against the wall.

“I could use five right now.”

She places her hands on your tense, knotted shoulders and forces you to sit down on the bar stool. “Breath, honey. You’ve got this. Everything is going according to plan.” She walks over towards the window and slides it open, “cock fighter!”

Bradley walks towards the window, “yeah?”

“We need your alter ego; Sir drinks a lot.”

“Who?”

“Mama of the hour.”

“You got all I need?”

“Bags are on the table.”

The mustached man of the hour enters, a smile stretching across his lips his arms spread, “Let’s make some drinks.”

You take slow sips with Natasha sitting beside you and Bradley making drinks for the others.

“What’s got you spinning?”

You shrug.

“Come on,” she starts, “spill it girl.”

You and Bradley turn towards her.

“I can’t pull that off, can I?”

“No.”

You both shake your heads.

“Sorry, hon.”

“Moving on, tell papa bear and Hawaii what’s going on.”

You fight the urge to smile until you hear the others laughing.

“How many drinks have you had Nat?”

“This is my first.”

“What did you buy, Brad?”

“What me? Nothing.”

You stare at him with a raised brow.

“Nothing!”

“She only gets in her weird nickname moods when she’s had her,” you lean forward to whisper, “girly drinks.”

“What do you think I made her?”

“We’re getting nowhere. Is the party almost ready?”

“We’ve been done for the last,” he turns towards the window. “We still have fifteen minutes and I need… grass for a… garnish. We’ll see you later!”

“Why do they think I’m an idiot?”

“Because they don’t use their brain.”

“That’s a plausible theory.” Your back faces the entry way to the kitchen, you didn’t notice Jake standing there in his replicated outfit he wore as a teenager.

Natasha looks over at the kitchen entrance and smirks; she knows for a fact that you’re going to be extremely horny.

When you two first saw a picture of your husband when he was younger, she was cracking jokes while you got extremely quiet. She happened to glance over in that moment and knew (just like she does now) that you were horny and were bound to jump him at one point or another.

She lifts her drink and gets off the bar stool; walking by him she says, “cowboy.”

“Princess Phoenix.”

She shakes her head and disappears around the corner, doing God know what (or so you think).

You turn at the sound of his voice. You almost let your jaw drop, almost and yet you don’t. It’s better to pretend like your core is getting warmer and warmer the more you look at him. You know your husband is hot, like super fucking hot and half the time you don’t know what to do with yourself but you never expected to find him to be this fucking hot, you’re damn near hot under the collar of your cute shirt that says “it’s my baby’s birthday” on the front and say “happy birthday” on the back with a picture of Edwin at age 2, covered by a flannel.

You love it, oh crap! You gotta make a note to thank Javy and Natasha (the most) but also everyone else for all that they surprisingly managed to do without needing to call some type of authority or an ambulance (you’ve heard their stories). At least, you hope that’s the case because Bradley ran out of the kitchen awfully fast. But none of that is important because all you want to do is jump your husband’s bones (again).

You check the clock on the microwave, you have time to run to the bathroom in your bedroom and splash some freezing water on your face. You don’t notice the smirk resting at the corner of your husband’s lips.

He knows exactly what he’s done, he knows how his pictures from his youth make you feel, and he loves it. He searches for a drink, see if you make a move and if not, he’s dragging you to your shared bedroom.

Natasha re-enters the kitchen, searching for a snack, wanting something to soak up the few drinks she’s had.

You point to the cooler near the kitchen entrance, “I know you’ve already had a drink, but this is for you to share with the others. We have drinks in there for the kids, and we have another cooler in the garage for the adults. No hard drinks, only things you and the others consider “light.” Snacks are in the bags on the dining table and I’m gonna run upstairs and get myself ready. I don’t think leggings are a good idea for the party. Can you maintain everything for a few seconds?”

She smirks, glancing over at Jake, “you mean “can you watch over everyone and everything while I go to my room and take care of myself.” Sure, I can but do I want to?”

“Phoenix,” you say with the stern mom tone you use when one of the kids are hiding candy and they know they aren’t allowed to have any at that designated time.

She raises her hands, “okay, okay.” She snickers as you run.

“You’re mean.”

“Oh, like you aren’t gonna do the same thing when you’ve got her alone.”

He places a hand over his heart, “I would never. Now,” he checks his watch. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to have some carnal relations with my gorgeous wife.”

“You can’t even spell relations.”

He pokes his out from the side of the entrance. “Baby on board got me a word of the day calendar… sexy edition.”

She groans, walking over towards the window. “Bob!”

“Yeah?”

“You’re not in charge of gifts anymore.”

He whines, “why?”

“Your gift buying ability has been revoked.”

“But-”

“I said revoked!”

You reach for the towels to pat your face dry, when it’s closer than it normally is. “Jake.”

“Sweetheart.”

“What are you doing here?”

“You left the kitchen awfully fast; I had to come and check on you.”

The towel rests on your cheeks, leaving enough room for your eyes to catch his in the mirror. “Did you now?”

He nods, arms crossed, the bicep area of the shirt is incredibly tight.

You can only imagine the veins bulging in his arms and hands.

“Sweetheart?”

Your eyes snap up, you feel hot. “Sorry.” You place the towel down on the counter, wiping the edge of the sink.

His hand on top of yours stops you. He leans in, is my bratty baby suddenly shy?”

You scoff, “please.”

“It’s okay. You can tell me. Cowboy won’t judge you.”

The door clicks shut.

He fully intends to seduce you, you realize.

“Did you wear this to have an excuse for me to jump your bones?”

“I knew you would one way or another. You can’t just have me once.”

Your butt hits the counter.

“An eye roll, classic move sweetheart.”

“Shouldn’t you be-” He cuts you off, fighting you for dominance in the kiss; his hands tangle their way into your hair, holding onto you for dear life.

You smack his chest, he jerks back. “You- you can’t just kiss me whenever your horny.”

“I could do something else but-”

“No! I’m talking about today. We have a birthday party to attend and- and-”

He places his hat beside you.

“Oh, screw it.” You pull him into you, kissing him harder, teeth clashing and all.

He is more than ready, you chuckle.

He pulls back, staring at you with a confused expression, “what?”

You shake your head, the smile never going away. “Nothing, nothing. Come here.”

Jake grabs your wrists, holding then against the outer part of your thighs. “No, no. Come on, tell me what you find so sunny and I might help you, sweetheart.”

“You’re the one who needs the helping, sweetheart.”

He doesn’t have to look down, he knows. He plants gentle kisses along the side of your neck, throwing you off. “I know, that’s why you’re in here and not out there.”

You throw your head back and let him leave behind a clear trail. “No hickeys.”

“I know. I know,” he grumbles. His lips move along to your chest, his hands lift the bottom of your sundress only to find- “No panties?” His gaze snaps up to yours, that stupidly hot smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You plan on me fucking you, sweetheart?”

You pout, “no.”

“Really? So, you wore this pretty little thing with the shirt Coyote and Phoenix made and your flannel with no panties, for no reason?”

You don’t respond. “Just shut up and fuck me.” Your hands land on the back of his neck as you yank him closer. You swear the clinking of his belt has the hair on the back of your neck standing up.

He rubs his hard cock against your wet slit causing a whine to escape you. “Is my bratty baby getting impatient?”

“I’m not a brat,” you mumble against his neck, waiting for him to enter you.

He bumps against your clit a couple times, each bump drawing a hip thrust from you. He decides to stop torturing you and give what you both desperately need (not that he'd ever admit it). He slowly eases his way in. “It’s like last night never happened?”

“What?”

His hips hit yours as he lets you adjust to him for a minute. “You’re still so tight.”

“Is this something we really need to talk about right now?”

“… No.” He starts moving, getting an easy flow of things.

You cover your move, muffling your whines.

He smirks, watching as you pathetically attempt to quiet yourself. His grip tightens on the thigh of the leg you have wrapped around his waist. Jake leans in, yanking your hand away from your mouth, staring at your open mouth wondering if he could get away with you sucking his aching cock after taking care of you.

“We can’t stay… in here… for long,” you whisper, whining in between your words.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” He leans in, moving his hands off your waist and onto the bottom of your thighs.

“Jake,” you whine and arch your back off the mirror.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

You can feel the fake pout and sympathy he throws your way.

He lifts your thighs, forcing your knees against your chest as he quickens his pace.

You can’t think of full sentences because of how good you feel, moans, whines, and pleads escape you.

Jake loves this, loves when you lose yourself in him, letting him pleasure anyway he can. He drops one leg to reach down for your buzzing bundle, circling it at the same pace his hips snap into you.

You can feel yourself about to-

“Let go, sweetheart,” he mumbles, leaning over you. He rests his forehead on top of your head, the hand on your bundle disappears until he drags your hand (that was clenching the countertop) and directs you into rubbing your clit.

The warmth of his hand on yours disappears, only to now be felt on the back of your neck. He keeps a hold of your neck, preventing you from moving too much as his grip on your thigh tightens when you start to clench around his aching cock.

It’s like you’re having an out of body experience, you don’t realize that your hand is moving at a rapid pace.

He feels like he can’t keep up with you, but this is what makes it worth it (makes him harder and cum faster than he’d like too [although he’ll never admit it out loud]).

High pitched whines start escaping you. They’re too loud. Too loud. Jake pulls your head up, covering your mouth with his.

The noises still come out of you but aren’t as bad as before. His tongue enters your mouth in search of yours, intertwining with one another once found. “Come on, sweetheart. I need you to finish for me.”

You nod.

“Tell me what I said.”

“You… you need me-” You stop talking when you feel his hot hands on your waist, grip tight as he plows into you.

“Come on, come on.”

You throw your head back against the mirror, mouth agape but sounds escape.

He doesn’t slow down, not wanting to miss you come down from your high as his is catching up.

“Jake, it's too much.”

“You can take it. I know my bratty baby loves it when I push her,” he says with a taunting tone.

You couldn’t even begin to defend yourself if you wanted to, your vision goes white.

He stays still, spilling into you (again), panting against your shoulder. He removes his hand from your mouth. “How’s that for-”

You cover his mouth, shaking your head. “Don’t say anything.”

He nods, removing your hand, placing a kiss on your palm.

“We should... we should start cleaning ourselves for the party. Penny and Amelia will be here soon.”

“And the old man?”

“He’s Maverick, he shows when he wants to.”

He chuckles, “you got that right... maybe we could-”

“You are helping me off this counter so I can clean myself up so that we can throw our little boy a damn good birthday party.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

You two enter the hallway just in time because Penny and Amelia ring the doorbell, Maryanne and Edwin try to call one of the others over to open the door.

Jake grabs the boy before he could run back. “Here’s the birthday boy.”

He giggles when you poke his sides.

“How old are you now buddy?”

He shrugs, “I don’t know.”

“You know exactly how old you’re turning,” you tell him.

He jumps in Jake’s arms, smiling wide. “I’m seven!”

You nod, “yes you are.”

Javy runs in and pulls your husband and child outside with him.

“What- Javy!”

“Guys time!”

You roll your before turning to hug your other baby. “How was it?”

Amelia hands you the giant stuffed goose.

“Where are we putting this, baby?”

“I want him in the corner beside my bookcase.”

“Let’s go get him comfy before Natasha and Callie see it. You know they’ll try to steal him.” You hand her the goose and turn towards your favorite mother daughter duo. “Hello, Benjamins... or should I say future Mrs. Maverick.”

Penny shakes her head.

“There are drinks in the cooler somewhere in the kitchen and snacks on the dining table or if you’re feeling risky, the others are outside.”

“Mom!”

“Duty calls.”

“Hey,” Penny calls out your name. “Yeah, tell Jake to ease up on the pace, you’re walking a little funny.”

You gasp, “Penny Benjamin. How dare you-”

“Mom!” You walk away, hearing the sound of her laughter.

The kids from Edwin’s class arrived and it wasn’t nearly as bad as you thought it would be.

The pilots were rowdier than the kids, the kids.

Bob’s playlist was perfect, the kids were dancing and just having so much fun.

Jake approves of “DJ Bob” for the kids' birthdays but not for anything else (he’ll still use Bob because it’s cheaper and he can just pay him with soda, NOT candy... unless it’s before three then Bob’s fine).

You shook your head when you realized why Bradley ran out of the kitchen so fast.

Rueben, Mickey, Logan, and Neal decided it would be a good idea to try and play fireball (the exact same concept as it was on the show friends) thankfully they only used tennis balls.

Oh, and Brigham was the one who lit the tennis balls. It’s safe to say, they were not allowed to touch the candles.

Callie brought her sister and nieces (she didn’t want to leave her sister at her place and asked a few days before the party). The poor girl was so worried when she asked you about it the other day but how could you say no when her sister comes down with the kids every so often.

Mickey took great pictures, he’d walk over and show you after he took a few with the kids playing, Edwin opening his presents, the others being absolute idiots.

After the party he emailed the ones of you and Jake, he could have seriously been a photographer had he not become a pilot.

While Jake puts the kids to bed, you set Edwin gifts off the side so he can play with them tomorrow.

He comes to the living room and helps you. “Everyone’s gone.”

“No, you’ve gotten enough today, mister.”

“But-”

“Jake, no.”

“Jake, yes.”

He sees the expression on your face, his head drops. “Jake, no.”

You lay in bed, close to falling asleep when you realize he didn’t wear a condom.

Sure, he’s said that he wishes the kids were his but having a baby is completely different than older kids. Does Jake want kids? Would he leave if you told him? Or would he be like your crappy ex and just say he can’t do this and leave when they’re old enough to remember him. Is he the kind of guy to do that?

You look down at him when his grip tightens on your waist, head further snuggling into your chest. You lightly scratch his head. You don’t think, no, you know he wouldn’t do that, but your mind doesn’t stop these thoughts from coming.

That night you don’t get much sleep even more so when your baby Maryanne taps the two of you awake.

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TGTBATWOI Master List

Taglist: @abaker74 @ebonyhogan24 @shanimallina87 @starkleila @kurtkunkle17

129 notes · View notes

crazyk-imagine · 2 years

Text

Tug at the Heart Strings

Pairing: Natasha “Phoenix” Trace x Pilot!fem!reader x Robert “Bob” Floyd, Pilot!fem!reader x Jake “Hangman” Seresin (they go out once but are friends)

Characters: Pilot!fem!reader, Natasha “Phoenix” Trace, Robert “Bob” Floyd, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Callie "Halo" Bassett, Bringham "Harvard" Lennox, Logan "Yale" Lee, Reuben "Payback" Fitch, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia, Neil "Omaha" Vikander, Billy "Fritz" Avalone, Beau "Cyclone" Simpson, Doris (the sweet old lady next door), Henry (Doris’ “friend”), Diane (the nurse)

Warnings: Angst, fluff, happy ending, cursing, flirting, Jake and Javy don’t realize they made innuendos about the gym (no regrets), Javy shouts something he shouldn’t have (still talking about the gym), drinking, drinking and driving (big no no), heartbreak, tears, drama, friends fighting, close call with death, Rooster and Coyote activate their big brother modes

Word Count: 10,553

*Reader’s callsign is Blue

Requested on Ao3: Can you please do another Phoenix/reader/Bob, where Phoenix and Bob like the reader, but the reader is oblivious. Then Hangman is trying to steal the reader from them, hence a lot of tension. But in the end Phoenix and Bob win. Thank you so much :D And they’re scared of being rejected, forgot to add that

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You turn around to pick up your noisy phone off the edge of your bed. You regret putting the sound on.

Princess Phoenix calling… Answer □ Decline □

You smile, shaking your head at your previous (absurd) thought. “Hey, Natasha. What’s up?” You put her on speaker, setting your phone back on the bed as you look for a shirt in your closet.

She sighs, “I’ve told you, call me Nat.”

“I know,” you pout, “but you have such a pretty name.” You imagine a smile tugs at the corner of her lips.

“I guess I should say thank you then.”

“I think that would be appreciated,” you joke.

A faint whisper comes through, you know it’s Bob talking to her.

“Uh- hang on.” She puts herself on mute.

“Okay,” you whisper, figuring that neither one of the two are listening, too engrossed in their conversation.

“What is it?” She asks, watching Bob struggle with the buttons of his shirt.

“Are you-”

She shakes her head, “no, I’m not going to ask her over the phone.” She steps in front of him, buttoning his shirt for him. “Besides we don’t even know if she likes us and I’m not going to put us through that mess and potential heartbreak. If she likes us then- she- we can-”

He watches her become flustered and wipes her hands on his pecks, straightening his shirt. He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, “I- uh- I was going to ask if you were going to get dressed soon,” his voice lowers down an octave, he whispers, “you’re still in your towel. It’s been an hour since you took a shower.”

She removes her hands off him, “oh.” She looks down to see he was right, she’s still in her towel. She nods, gulping, “I’ll start getting ready now.”

Bob adjusts his pants, zipping up his fly.

Natasha tries to go to the bathroom when Bob stops her. “You’re still on the phone with her.”

“Crap!” She runs back to her phone, pressing the unmute button, “are you still there?”

You let out a quick scream, throwing your arm out to catch yourself before you fall over.

Natasha raises a brow, glancing over at Bob who’s picking out a pair of socks for the two of them.

He turns around at the sound of your scream.

The two raise a brow, concerned about you. “Are you… okay?”

You huff, pulling up your jeans, adjusting your pant legs, “yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I was- oh crap- I’m trying to pull on,” you grunt, “my jeans and I forgot we were on the phone.”

“Oh.” They zone out for a second, imaging you in a more… romantic and sultry scenario.

You pull up your zipper, sighing in relief. “Yeah, sorry. Uh- why you call?”

She clears her throat, shaking her head, ridding her mind of any inappropriate thoughts she just had. She stands in front of hers and Bob’s shared closet. “I wanted to see if you wanted Bob and I to pick you up?” She grabs the outfit left hanging the closet, courtesy of Bob.

“I think Jake’s picking me up.” Natasha bites her tongue with a clenched jaw. She turns around, tossing her clothes on the bed.

He gestures for her to keep talking.

“Bagman’s picking you up?”

You nod, grabbing your purse, “yeah. He doesn’t live too far from here and thought it would save me from gas if we carpooled.”

“He said he wanted you to save gas? He actually said that?”

“Yeah… Should I have said no?” You ask, confused by her weird behavior.

Bob takes the phone out of her grasp, “no, no that’s- that’s nice of him.”

“Hi, Billy Bob,” you greet him with a smile.

He chuckles, “hey, pretty girl.”

“What happened to Natasha?” He turns, glancing over at the half-closed bathroom door, knowing she’s annoyed.

“She’s- uh- she still has to get ready.”

“Oh, right.” Your phone dings, “hang on.” You pull your phone away from your ear, checking to see who’s texting you, it’s Jake.

Toothpick Punk

“Five-minute warning” 5:24pm Sent. Read.

“Ah, crap.” You bring your phone back to your ear, “hey, I gotta go. Jake’s almost here.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Bye, I’ll see you two soon, right?”

“Yeah, we’ll see you soon pretty girl.”

He sets her phone on the dresser before heading towards the bathroom. He pushes open the door, leaning against the doorway, watching her.

“Is she on her way to the bar?” Natasha asks, spraying on her perfume (gifted to her by you on her birthday a few months ago).

Bob shrugs, “I assume so, she said he’s on his way to her place.”

She grinds her teeth, preventing herself from saying anything bad about Jake.

The WSO sighs, walking behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “At least we know she’ll get there safely.”

She scoffs, “she’s gonna be in a car with Bagman. All he’s gonna do is flirt with her on the way there.”

“Yes, but she won’t know he is.”

“You can’t think she’s that oblivious to his flirting.”

He rests his chin on her shoulder, staring at her in the mirror, “she doesn’t seem to notice when we do it.”

“You mean when I do it.”

He averts his gaze, finding the sink to be more interesting. “I- I flirt.”

She raises a brow.

“I try, at least,” he mumbles.

She doesn’t say anything.

“Okay, I want to flirt but I end up saying the opposite of what I think.”

She reaches up, patting his warm cheek, “it’s okay. It’s cute.” She pecks his cheek, removing his hands from her waist.

He walks out of the room, searching for his shoes.

Natasha finishes what she needs to do in the bathroom and walks out as he slips his shoes on.

“Were you half-dressed the whole time?”

She chuckles, shaking her head, “you just now noticed? Now you’re wondering how much time we have left, huh?”

“N- no,” he denies.

“You’re such a liar.”

“I’m not.”

“Really? Tell that to the bulge in your pants.”

He mutters something under his breath as he makes his way to the bathroom.

You lock your front door and jog towards the car, knowing Jake would pull away if you didn’t make it to the car on time.

You’ll never forget when he did that when he picked you up for everyone’s birthday (except for Bradley, Jake, Natasha, Bob, and Javy because you drove them).

The door opens. You slip in, closing the door as Jake greets you.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

You buckle your seatbelt, “hi!” You glance back over your shoulder, “Hey Javy.”

He leans forward, resting his chin on the part of the seat near your shoulder, “hey, sweetheart.”

Jake shakes his head, “no, no. That’s my nickname for her. Find your own.”

“Find your own,” Javy mimics as he leans back into the seat.

You cover your mouth to hide your laughter.

And now you’re on your way to the Hard Deck.

Jakes fills the silence, “You find that funny, don’t you sweetheart.”

You snort through your nose, “shut up.”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

“I think everyone would.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

Javy shakes his head and opens the message app on his phone to text Jake.

Big Bad Coyote

“You sound like an idiot” 5:32pm Sent. Read.

Big Bad Coyote typing…

“She doesn’t” Deleted. “You don’t” Deleted.

Javy shakes his head knowing none of this will end well when Jake talks to you later. All he can do right now, is hope no one gets hurt… too bad. He knows there’s a high possibility that something’s gonna happen, he prays it won’t affect the relationships that have been made, platonic and not. He smiles, listening to your banter, it took the two a while, but they finally got you to open up and it’s been great.

You don’t wait for either of the men to open the car door for you, much to the blond toothpick lover’s annoyance.

“How many times have I told you to wait for someone to open the door for you?”

“And how many times have I replied with a “I’m a big girl who can open a door that clearly gets too impatient to wait on your ass”? Huh?”

He takes large strides, wanting to get closer to you as fast as he could. His eyebrows rise closer to his hairline in confusion, “that’s the first time you’ve said that.”

You nod, realizing that this is the case. “Yeah, well, now you know.”

Another car door slams shut.

“Don’t you walk away from me.”

“I can’t hear you,” you say before swinging the front door of the bar open.

“Hurry up.”

“I can only move so fast,” Javy complains to Jake.

“Well, then move faster.”

“I would if you didn’t make me do more than I could handle yesterday. My thighs and ass are sore man.” “You weren’t complaining yesterday.”

“That’s because I didn’t realize how bad it was gonna be later.”

Jake rolls his eyes, locking his car.

“Don’t you walk away from me. My ass is on fire because of you!” Javy shouts the last part as the blond opened the door.

Half of the customers in the bar turn to see what’s going on.

Jake turns to Javy with a clenched jaw.

The latter snickers when he realized what he did, he pushes past his friend.

“Hey, you guys,” you greet Callie, Logan, and Brigham, setting down the drinks you got onto your usual table.

The three wave back, saying their “hello’s” and return to their game of darts.

The two finally make it over to you (after passing through a crowd of whistler’s),

Jake immediately snatches a beer off the table.

“So, are you two,” you cover your mouth as you snicker, “lovers on the down low?”

The blond had barely swallowed his first sip as he glares at you.

You bump your elbow with Javy’s.

“Yeah, and my name is Theodore K. Mullins and Jake is my lover on the down low.”

“I didn’t come here early just to hear you two fangirl and quote “New Girl”.”

You roll your eyes, “whatever.” You interlock your arm with Javy’s, “c’mon.”

“Now where are you two going?” Jake asks.

“We’re going to play pool before you get too cocky and steal the cue stick from people.”

“I don’t do that.”

“Liar. You do it to Billy Bob all the time.”

He scoffs, shaking his head trying to deny the truth.

Javy’s lips tug upwards, he turns, looking over his shoulder to give Jake a confident smirk before turning back to you. “I think I’m the one who should be worried. You forget, I’ve seen you trick people.”

You shake your head with a quiet scoff, “I don’t trick people. I win bets, those who play against me never ask if I’m good or not, they just assume. So, I win and that seems to shut them right up.”

He shakes his head, racking up the pool balls.

You take the cue stick from Jake, who smiles. “Thanks.”

“Where’s mine?” Javy asks.

The man closest to you turns with a frown and furrowed brows, “get your own.”

“Oh, c’mon.”

You don’t notice when another one of your friends (and fellow pilot) enters the bar, watching the three of you (specifically the way Bagman is being all sweet on you).

He pulls out his phone, dialing his best friend’s number.

Natasha and Bob are barely getting into their car when her phone starts buzzing. She holds her phone up to see it’s Rooster calling.

Bob answers, holding the phone to put him on speaker.

“Are you guys on your way?”

“Yeah, I’m pulling out now,” Natasha answers him.

“You better hurry.”

“Why?”

“Bagman is trying to flirt with your girl.”

Bob lowers his gaze, checking his own phone to distract him from what he hears.

She clenches her jaw. “Who?”

“We’re playing that game tonight. Seriously? I already know how you two feel about her, stop denying it.”

“I’m,” she sighs, “is she flirting back?”

“Does she flirt back when you do it to her?”

“No, but-”

“But nothing! She likes you, she just- she sucks at understanding when someone flirts with her.” She smirks (already knowing the story because you’ve told her), “why do you sound like you know from experience?”

“… it was different. I did it for you guys.”

“Sure, you did.”

“I was trying to figure out what made you two like her so much.”

“And did you?”

“Kind of. She’s kicking Javy’s ass at pool right now. Oh,” he groans.

“What?”

“I don’t want to say.”

“Is Bagman staring her ass?”

“… no?”

“We’re almost there.” She tells Bob to hang up.

You pull your phone out of your back pocket, curious to see if anyone texted you and to keep you from getting bored.

Whenever you get closer towards the end of a game with Javy, he takes (what feels like hours) to take his shot.

You turn on your phone and smile.

Billy Bob

We’re on our way there. Save us a game? 6:05pm Sent. Read.

Pretty Girl

Always. I expect to see YOU play tonight 6:05pm Sent. Read.

Billy Bob

As long as no one takes the cue from me 6:06pm Sent. Read.

Pretty Girl

Don’t worry about that *insert winky face here* 6:07pm Sent. Read.

He chuckles, shaking his head, turning off his phone.

“What was that?” Natasha asks with a playful tone.

“Nothing.”

“What’d she say?”

“She wants me to play a game of pool tonight.”

“That sounds like it could be fun.”

“If I don’t get the cue stick taken away.”

“That won’t happen.”

He glances over at her with a raised brow, “what did you do?”

“Wha- me!? I didn’t do anything. I’m just saying, if she wants you to play, she will. She can be very persuasive when she wants to be.”

“I see the new “it” couple has arrived.”

You perk up at Javy’s words, tilting your head to see past his bicep as Bob and Natasha barely entering the bar. You look up seeing him watching them walk towards you guys and smirk, using this distraction to your advantage, sinking the eight ball into the corner pocket, “ha ha! Suck it, Javy.”

He turns around and raises his arms up, “woah, woah. I have been nothing but nice.”

Too into your head about your victory you don’t notice when Natasha shoves her shoulder into Jake’s as she and Bob pass him.

“You’re such a liar,” Natasha says, resting her hand on your lower back.

Javy nods, “you’re right.”

You two share a smile that holds no tension.

Now this is why you like hanging out with Javy, you two can be as competitive as you want but it’s all in good fun, there’s no real competition.

You lean into her side ever so slightly.

She leans down, whispering, “I see you’ve been winning all on your own.”

“Am I? I didn’t notice.”

“You’ve got one too many tricks up your sleeve, huh?”

You shake your head, “I wouldn’t call them tricks.”

She tilts her head, a hint of amusement twinkles in her expression, “then what would you call them?”

You turn to Bob, “what would you say I’m doing? Am I tricking people?”

“I don’t want to pick sides.”

“You wouldn’t be picking sides.”

“I’m gonna go get a few more drinks. I’ll be back.”

You pout.

“Don’t pout, you’ll get wrinkles.”

“Of course, you’d worry about that, Bagman,” Natasha sneers.

He raises his arms in a defensive manner, “I’m just saying. Don’t you to lose your pretty looks, sweetheart,” he winks at you.

“Really, Jake?” You give him a deadpan expression.

You don’t notice but when you said his name, the gorgeous woman behind you slides her hand along your lower back to rest her hand on your hip as she pushes herself against you, not too much for you to look back though.

Bob returns, setting the drinks and his peanuts down on the table. He turns to find the tension between Natasha and Jake increased in the short time he was gone.

“Let’s play,” Jake says with a smirk.

“You’re on.”

You hand Natasha the cue stick you were using before you step out of their way.

Bob comes to your rescue and guides you over to where he’s sitting.

“Thanks.”

He smiles, “it was nothing.”

“Have you watched anymore?”

He shakes his head, “I’m trying.”

“Where’d you stop at?”

He scratches the back of his head, “I’m still on season one but- uh- I think it was episode twelve?”

“Okay, perfect.” You take your phone out of your back pocket and take the stool out of Bob’s grasp, setting it closer to him. “Come closer. We’re watching it now.”

“How?”

“I downloaded the first season. When I told you and Natasha about it, I found myself wanting to watch “New Girl” again.” You wrap a napkin around his soda before setting your phone against it. You turn to ask, “you ready?”

He looks into your eyes, finding himself getting lost in them, the same way he does when he looks at his girlfriend.

“Bob?”

He blinks, once, twice, “yeah, yeah. I’m- I’m ready.”

You smile while pressing play, “good. This one is a funny one.”

Natasha is quick to end the game with Jake, obviously winning. She smirks, walking behind him to hand Javy the cue stick. “How’s it feel to lose to a woman?”

“I don’t know,” he places a toothpick in mouth, “tell me when you find one.”

She squints her eyes at him. “Whatever.” She turns around, looking for her boyfriend only to find the two of you cuddled beside one another.

The sight warms her heart and makes her forget about the insecurities she and Bob share when they think about asking you out, just the thought of you rejecting them is- it tears them down and puts them in a slump.

She sets the cue stick on the pool table, stepping towards the two of you when the blond, toothpick punk beats her to you.

Jake leans in, resting his hand on your back. “Can I talk to you?”

You pause the show, exiting the app so you can turn off your phone. You turn in your seat, your knee nudges his hip, “yeah, sure.”

“Come with me,” he holds your hand, pulling you away from WSO.

You quickly turn your head to Bob, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He nods, his small smile turns into a pout as you get dragged outside.

Natasha takes the seat you previously occupied, “what was that about?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do either of you know what that was about?” Bradley asks, sitting in front of the two of them, taking a sip of his beer.

She turns to look at him with a raised brow, “why do you sound like you know something?”

He stops, slowly lowering his drink from his mouth. He nervously licks his lips once, “uh- why- uh- why would you say that?”

“You do know something. What is it?”

“I don’t want to say.”

“What are you gossiping hens talking about?” Reuben asks.

“Funny,” Bradley mumbles, looking down at the suddenly interesting table.

“Rooster, here, was just about to tell us why Bagman dragged Blue out of here?”

“You don’t think it has anything to do with their date, do you?”

The couple don’t move for a few seconds.

“Their what?” she asks.

“I feel like I shouldn’t have said anything,” Reuben says, noticing the looks on their faces.

“You think?” Bradley adds.

“They went on a date?” Bob asks with a sad tone and a frown.

“What did you want to talk about?” You ask him, staring at the ocean before glancing over at him.

He sighs, you can see the way his shoulders sag.

“Are you okay?” You place your hand on his bicep.

Jake stares at you and leans in.

Your heartbeat speeds up, you start panicking internally. You shove his shoulders.

He jumps, taking a step back, not at all expecting this to be your reaction. “What just happened?”

You open your mouth to respond but find yourself tongue tied.

“I thought last night went well. Did you not-”

“I’m sorry!” Your eyes widen, you cover your mouth to prevent yourself from shouting out another response.

“I feel like I should be the one apologizing.”

“No, no you were- it was- God, why is this so hard? I mean I had fun. I did have a nice time, it was… different.”

“But?”

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“What doesn’t feel right?”

You cover your face, let out a quiet whine, “I don’t know.”

He won’t admit it (out loud) but, he doesn’t like the sight of you crying or losing your mind- whatever is going on with you, he doesn’t like it, end of story. Jakes takes a step forward, carefully reaching for you, bringing your hands down away from your face. He offers you a small anxious smile, “hey there.” He cups your cheek, rubbing his thumb against your cheekbone.

You look into his eyes; this really doesn’t feel right. You take a deep breath.

He leans down, closing his eyes, moving his head closer to you.

You softly call out his name- his real name, not his call sign or the nickname’s you have for him; you’ve done this before but your tone this time isn’t something he ever wants to hear again.

He opens eyes, he knows what you’re going to tell him. He shakes his head, “don’t say it- just- don’t say it, sweetheart. I,” he sighs.

You blink faster than you normally due, trying to prevent the tears pooling in your waterline from falling. You take a deep breath.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

“That’s it, pretty girl. Keep breathing like that, okay?”

You shake your head when you think of them, you don’t like that he called you by this nickname.

He rests his forehead on yours, closing his eyes. “Please,” he begs.

“I can’t- I can’t do this to you. It’s not fair. I shouldn’t string you along and give you hope that I like you and want to keep going out with you. It’s not right. I would rather I hurt you with the truth than kiss you with a lie.”

You feel horrible. You close your eyes, tears trickle down your cheeks, landing on his thumbs.

Even though you’re hurting him, he’s still willing to help you and wipes away your tears.

You reluctantly open your eyes and sniff your nose twice.

He’s crying too.

You reach up to remove his hands from your cheeks. “I can’t be with someone I don’t have feelings for, and I am not going to try and force myself into liking you. You shouldn’t have to be miserable in a loveless relationship.” You wipe his cheeks.

His eyes open wide, “it wouldn’t be loveless.”

You nod, resting your hand on his cheek, “it would be because I don’t love you and I don’t have feelings for you in a romantic way.”

There’s a fire in his eyes, he shoves your arm away from him as if your touch burned him; he angrily takes a step back. “Then why did you go out with me last night? Huh!” He runs a hand through his hair, “I mean, why did you- why would you go out with me when you know you feel nothing for me?”

Your lips quiver, you see more than one Jake. “I don’t know,” you cry out. “I don’t know, and I hate myself for it! I know I said I didn’t want to hurt you, but it looks like I did anyway!” You take a deep breath, sucking in as much air as you could with a snot filled nose, “I didn’t think.”

“That’s all you can say?! You didn’t think?”

“Stop yelling at me.”

“NO! You used me!”

“What? I didn’t-”

“Did you just go out with me so you wouldn’t be alone?”

“Why are you putting words in my mouth?”

“Why aren’t you being honest with me?!”

“Because I don’t know what’s wrong with me! I don’t know why I say the wrong things and I don’t know why I agreed to go out with you. I don’t even know why you like me.” You stand still, realizing why you went out with him.

He huffs, turning away from you so he can walk in the direction of his car. He stops when you continue.

You snap your eyes shut, “I went out with you because I care about you, as a friend. I wanted to see you happy because you deserve to be happy, Jake. I know lying underneath that hard exterior you have, you’re a good guy and anyone would be lucky to see that. I just- I- I never realized that you were flirting with me every chance you got, and I never put two and two together on the fact that you like me. I never never wanted to hurt you.”

He nods, staring back at you with a clenched jaw, “yeah, well? Consider this an end to a friendship. I hope you’re happy and find someone just as selfish as you.”

Your mouth drops open. There’s nothing you can do except blink, staring mindlessly at the ground.

The back door opens, your quick to wipe your cheeks and step around to the other side, opposite of where Jake went.

You cover your mouth when your backs hit the wall. You pull your phone out of your pocket and slide down, taking deep breathes to hide the fact that you’re crying. Your body bounces when you sit, crossing your legs, feeling the need to curl up.

‘Someone just as selfish as you. Selfish as you. Selfish as you.’

‘Am I really?’

Bradley steps away from the, now, depressed couple. He sighs, this isn’t how he wanted anyone to spend their night. He catches something moving in the corner of his eyes, he turns his head finding Jake speed into the bar, the door slamming behind him.

He moves to the bar, a few women that had been ogling him earlier immediately flock to him. He doesn’t push them off and wraps his arms around the two but, there’s something missing.

Where the hell-

“I gotta go,” Bradley says, setting down his drink. He briskly walks outside, searching for you. He looks to the side, holding onto the wall as he searches for you in the dark.

The hard sniffles tell him he might be in the right area.

He steps past the corner, squatting beside you. His lips thin, he sighs, reaching for you.

You let out a quiet scream, smacking his shoulder.

He falls and your quick to spit out your apologies.

“Oh, man. I’m sorry, Bradley.”

He pushes himself up with a chuckle, wiping his shoulders, he sits beside you.

You scoot closer, resting your head on his shoulder.

“You wanna go home?”

You nod, “but, I don’t have my keys.”

“Never fear, Bradley is here.”

You let out a quiet snort.

He pushes himself off the ground and reaches for you.

You stare up at him with your bloodshot eyes and tilt your head, as if to say, “I can’t go back in there”.

He nods, holding his hand closer to you, “I’ll get your purse,” he rummages through his pocket, “you can sit in my car.”

“How many have you had?”

“I didn’t finish my first drink if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, we’ll be fine.”

You grip his hand tight as he hauls you up. You two walk to his car, he opens the door, closing it once you settle in the front seat.

He puts his keys in the ignition, rolling the windows down before he jogs back to the bar in search of your purse.

He’s quick to pass Jake, who’s still entertaining a couple of women plus their friends.

Natasha and Bob are playing darts beside Callie, Logan, and Brigham looking like they’re all having fun. He walks by the table and grabs your purse when

Javy steps in front of him. “You taking her home?”

Bradley nods, “yeah.”

“Keep her safe, yeah?”

“Of course.”

“I’m putting a lot of trust into you right now-”

“Wha-”

“She thinks of you like a brother, and I know you’re a good guy. I do. But I also know you and Jake haven’t had a good friendship ever. I’m sure you know, this is gonna be when people choose who they want to stay with, I need you to stay with her. I can’t because he’ll feel like everyone is against him and we need his head in the game.”

“What about Blue?”

“If she has her brother by her side, I know she’ll be able to get through this.” Bradley nods.

Javy steps to the side, giving him room to pass by.

He closes the car door and hands you your purse.

You take it, setting it on the ground as you sniffle.

He turns on the radio, putting it on a low volume knowing you need something to help distract you.

He parks the car in your designated parking spot.

The radios off and your quiet sniffles are the only thing he can hear other than the crickets chirping in the night. “Are you gonna be okay?”

“No.”

“… I meant if you were left alone.”

“Still no but, I’ll manage.”

“You don’t need to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Shut people out.”

“It’d be safer if I did.” You open the door and hop out, leaning in, “thank you for driving me home.” The door slams shut. You turn, walking towards your building.

“Hey, wait- oh god- I’m fine. I’m fine.”

The car beeps, letting the two of you know it’s locked.

“You need some place to crash, right?”

He matches your pace, bumping his arm against yours, “yeah. You know anybody I could ask?” He jokes.

“I know this nice group of older ladies, who meet up for book club every Thursday, and I know for a fact that Doris would take you for a ride.”

You open your purse, pulling out your keys. “Speaking of,” you mutter, hearing the familiar creek of her door opening. “Hi, Doris.”

“Hello, dear. Who’s your scrumptious friend?”

“He’d break too easily for you.”

“At least, he would have fun. Are you alright?”

You turn to her, offering the weakest smile you can make, “I’m fine. Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“It’s never too late to have fun.”

An older man exits her room, bidding her a goodnight with a peck on the cheek.

“Goodnight, Henry.”

“Goodnight indeed.”

“You two get some sleep. And you,” Doris points to Bradley, who freezes, “you take care of her. She’s well liked here. If anyone of us hear that you or someone else hurt her-”

“Goodnight, Doris!” You quickly walk into your dark apartment. You reach for the light switch on the wall, squinting when the lights turn on.

Doris pulls Bradley down, holding onto his forearm, “you’ve got nice arms, young man.”

“Uh- thank you?”

“Never mind that. You watch out for her, alright? She’s a sweet girl who needs someone to take care of her.”

“We’re not-”

“I know. I know. You are the one she calls her brother. I need you to take care of her.”

He nods, “I will ma’am, I promise.”

She scoffs, “ma’am, so polite but makes me sound old. Anyway,” she pats his arms. “You go in there and lock the door, alright.”

“Yes…”

“Say it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Doris releases her grip on Bradley and walks into her own apartment, not before she gives him a hard look, so he knows she means business.

He closes the door and locks it, stepping into the living room. “She’s uh- she’s something.”

“Yeah, I know.” You walk down the short hallway, grabbing a shirt and sweatpants. You hold the items for him to take, “here.”

He glances back and forth at you and the clothes. “Take the clothes and go to sleep.”

“I’m not leaving you alone. No more tears are gonna be shed tonight, alright?”

You purse your lips at him and sniff, “fine.”

“Good… I know I just said I don’t want you to be alone, but I’ve got to wash off whatever I sat in when I found you.”

You roll your eyes and smile, “you know where everything is. I’ll grab your clothes and do laundry after.”

“You’re the best,” he pecks the top of your head and runs to the bathroom.

‘Selfish.’

You gulp, turning to look at the TV. “Maybe I can find something stupid to watch.” You grab the remote and search through your numerous streaming devices. You stop browsing, “this could work.”

“I don’t know where to put these.”

You nearly jump out of your skin, “Jesus- fucking- Rooster! You asshole.” You snatch the clothes from him, “your ass is grass.”

“My ass is what?”

“I’m gonna shower, I’ll be back.”

“If I’m asleep by the time you come back, don’t be surprised.”

“I am not gonna take that long.”

“Okay, our stuff is in the washing machine so, now we can watch a movie.”

“What you find?” He asks, stuffing his face with popcorn.

You raise a brow, “glad to see you helped yourself.”

“Me too. What’d you pick?”

“Footloose.”

“The new one or the old one?”

“The old one obviously. Why would I choose the new one? It sucks.”

“I beg to differ.”

“We can agree to disagree. Plus, you got good ol’ Kevin Bacon and his magical gymnastics scene.”

“Yeah, he looks good there.”

You stare at him from the corner of your eye before turning your head in his direction, “I didn’t comment on his looks.”

He briefly pauses mid-bite, “it was implied.”

“Okay… I can’t believe you find him hot.” You giggle as he tosses a handful of popcorn at you.

Once he stops, you start eating whatever landed on your shirt.

“You better clean this up.”

“I am. I am.”

His phone lights up, a text notification, you can’t see who it is and honestly, you don’t want to think about it right now.

You didn’t even bring your phone out with you.

Javy drags Jake out of his friend’s car. “You couldn’t have eased up on the drinks?”

The blond shakes his head.

Javy’s lucky he was able to get Jake in bed before he fell asleep. The man sighs, shaking his head as walks into his room, settling in his bed. He pulls his phone off the nightstand, opening your chat. He knows you won’t want to hear this but it’s all he can do right now.

Big Bad Coyote

“I’m sorry for what he did tonight.” 10:49pm Sent. Read.

“I’m here for you, if you want to complain about Jake.” Deleted.

He sets his phone on the nightstand and rubs his hand over his face. “I hate this.”

Jake isn’t as tired as Javy thought and struggles to pull his phone out of his pocket.

He dials your number. “Hey, it’s- it’s Jake. I didn’t mean it… any of it. I am sorry. I am an idiot and I- oh god.”

He drops his phone and runs into the bathroom.

The remainder of the message contains him groaning and asking if he’s dying.

The next few days were okay.

You were lucky (not really) that you were able to ignore those you’re close to, at Top Gun and on your phone.

You thanked God every day that Rooster stuck by your side (even though you’re sure he’s been telling the others what’s going on).

Today was a rare day when Maverick wanted to do a little one on one even though you’ll be up in the sky with a few of the others.

It seems as though he’s in a great mode and that means you’re his first victim.

It wasn’t bad, everything was actually going pretty well.

You were flying around, practicing a couple of moves you could never quite right. You felt good, better than before. You felt like you were doing pretty good, you’re actually smiling and joking around with Fanboy, Omaha, and Fritz.

Once you successfully completed those moves, Maverick moved onto Fanboy.

You were feeling cocky and thought you could do it again, both engines blow out. You’re doing everything you can to prevent yourself from crashing but, it’s kind of hard when you have people screaming.

“Eject! Eject Blue!” Maverick shouts. “You can’t save it.”

Dammit! You know he’s right.

“Pull it!” The others scream.

You reach up, “I’m…trying!” Your radio starts cutting in an out.

“Pull the ejection handle!”

“I’m… try- stop… me… won’t… scared.” You’re praying for a miracle.

You yank one last time with all that you’ve got: the fear of dying, the adrenaline that’s keeping you going, the anger of you ignoring everyone, the sadness of never seeing anyone again. You don’t open your eyes… you hope you’re still breathing when you touch the ground.

Pete has to stop Bradley from doing something stupid.

“I can’t leave her out there alone.” He shoves his shoulders, “you’ve got to let me go.”

The older man shakes his head, “I can’t do that.”

“You need to move before I do something we’ll both regret.” Pete can see the tears welling up in the young man’s waterline. He sighs, “we’ve already got someone going out there to find her. She needs you here, not running off into danger.”

Bradley grips Pete’s flight suit tightly between his shaking, clenched fists.

The man pulls him into a hug. The older man glances over his shoulder, finding Cyclone standing there.

The two nod at one another.

Pete pats Bradley’s back, “let’s go see her.”

The pilot with the nostalgic mustache enters first, wanting to see you before anyone- other than Cyclone- wait Cyclone?!

“Sir?” Bradley whispers.

The Admiral doesn’t move and continues to sit by your side.

“I’ll talk to you later,” he pats your forearm and pushes himself out of his seat. He leans forward to kiss the top of your head.

“Bye, dad.”

Cyclone stops in front of Bradley, “I expect you to take care of her and watch her back, you hear?”

“Please go,” you whine.

“I need to know my daughter is safe up in the air. I can’t get to you but we both know the risks that come with the job.”

“The risks that come with the job,” you say at the same time.

He nods, “exactly.”

And he’s gone.

“That’s your dad? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

You give him a deadpan expression.

He glances over at the table beside your bed.

“I didn’t want anyone to judge me based on who my dad is,” you mutter, picking at the blanket.

Javy and Natasha run towards the nurse’s station.

The head nurse, Diane, glances up from her clipboard with a raised brow.

“Where’s Blue?”

“You two know I can’t do that. It’s against regulation.”

Natasha slams her hand on the desk, “screw regulation! Tell us where she is… please?”

Diane sighs, “I know you two want to know where she is and how she’s doing but, I can’t do that.”

Javy gulps, “can you- can you at least tell us if she-”

“She didn’t sustain any life-threatening injuries.”

The two let sighs of relief.

“Can she have any visitors?”

“What did I just tell you?”

“Hey, hey,” Bradley interrupts. “It’s okay. I’ll take it from here.”

Diane narrows her eyes at him, “I told you five minutes.”

“Yeah, but you can’t resist me, admit it.”

“You three have until four, that’s when I switch shifts.”

The three say their thanks and briskly walk to your room.

The door opens, you expect to find Bradley with your water but, it’s Jake.

He awkwardly stands in front of the door after closing it. He reminds you of a little kid getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“I think you’re in the wrong room.”

He shakes his head, “no.”

“Well- you can see I’m clearly fine now you can turn around and pretend you never saw me, okay?”

“I can’t do that.”

“It’s worked well for everyone else.”

“That’s because you pulled away and stopped talking to all of us.”

“So, I wouldn’t hurt you or anyone else.”

“And you thought pulling away was better?”

You lift your up, covering your eyes like you would if you were protecting your eyes from the sun. “I can’t do this right now.”

“No, you don’t get to do that now-”

“I know!” Your hand flies off your face. The tears stream down your cheeks. “I know! I fucked up but it was better that I be honest with you now than break your heart more later.”

He nods, “you’re right.”

You sniff, “I am?”

“Yeah.”

He moves to sit in the chair closest to the bed, “I’ll admit I didn’t react in the most… respectful way.”

You open your mouth to respond, he holds his hand up to stop you.

“Just- let me say what I need to say, okay?”

You nod.

“I was hurt, it really hit me deep with what you said. I didn’t think it was going to end that way but, I’m glad it did.”

“What?”

He shushes you. “You were right. I just- I don’t know how but I got confused.”

“Confused about what?”

“I- honestly, I don’t know but, I had some time to think about it and you were right. It was better for you to be honest with me and not lead me on and make me think we have something special when we really don’t.”

“Oh.”

“I also said some… things that weren’t entirely directed at you but more so myself.”

“How- what?”

“I said you were selfish but that isn’t true. You told me the cold honest truth and I got pissed… I was- I was scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Losing you.”

“How would you lose me?”

“To those two lovesick idiots.”

“Who?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know that Baby on Board and Princess Phoenix are in love with you.”

You shake your head with furrowed brows, “n- no they’re not.”

He nods, smirking, “oh, believe me, they are.” He takes note of you expression, “you don’t know.”

“I never- I didn’t. Oh my god. Oh my god.”

“If it would make you feel better, I could say I wasn’t being serious.”

You smack him, “no that wouldn’t help.”

He deflects your hand. “Don’t hit the face.”

You slump back, “I can’t believe it.”

The door opens.

You two look to find Bradley, Javy, and Natasha entering the room.

They rush towards you; the latter grabs your hands. She stares at you with wide eyes as she pets your head, pulling you closer to hug you.

One of the guys lets out an ‘oof’.

You peek over her bicep to see Bob adjusting his glasses. He turns to you and looks relieved.

Jake grabs Bradley and Javy’s necks, forcing them out the door. “We’ll leave you three alone.”

Natasha pulls back, not letting go of your hands.

“Are you- are you okay?” Bob asks, sitting in the chair Jake sat in before.

“I’m… fine.”

“Fine isn’t good. Are you in pain? Do I need to get the nurse?”

You glance over at Bob, pleading him for help with your eyes.

He nods, pushing himself out of the chair, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He gets her to sit down, moving the bring his chair closer to her. “Breathe.”

“I am breathing,” she says with a clenched jaw.

“If you two want to leave I’d understand.”

Natasha turns to you, an upset expression now present on her face, “and why would we want to leave?”

“So, you two wouldn’t have to sit here feeling uncomfortable.”

“Why would we be uncomfortable?”

“I don’t know,” you whisper, closing your eyes to prevent the tears from falling.

“No, tell me what you mean?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t know isn’t good enough. Why did you stop talking to us? To everyone?”

“Nat,” Bob pleads quietly, latching onto her wrist.

She shrugs him off, “no, I need to know. We deserve an answer.”

You clench the blanket between your shaking fists, sucking in as much air as your body would let you. You exhale a cry before fully sobbing, you struggle to breath which leads to you hyperventilating.

Bob is quick to push himself out of the chair, moving beside her so he can pull you into him, resting your head on his chest. He wraps an arm around your shoulders, petting your hair. He looks back at his girlfriend who looks at you with a sense of worry and guilt, when he catches her gaze, he gestures for her to move around your other side.

She crawls in behind you, pulling one hand into hers, squeezing your hand every so often.

Your cries seem to have dwindled, now you realize your smushed between the two. You don’t know what to do.

“Scoot over,” Bob lightly orders, unwrapping his from you.

You pull back with your head down, you don’t want to look either of them in the eye. Natasha moves, resting her head on your shoulder. You bring your knees up, giving the two room to stretch out a little better. Bob settles on the other side of you, he hesitantly places his hand on your thigh. You rest your head on his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” you whisper.

“You shouldn’t be sorry. I am I-”

You cut her off, “I don’t mean about now. I’m,” you sigh. “I’m sorry for what’s been going on between me and everyone.”

“It’s okay," Bob adds.

“You shouldn’t try to diffuse the situation just because.”

“It’s not just because,” he argues. “Yeah, it sucked with you not talking to a lot of us but what was worse was the fact that we didn’t know you had gotten into an accident. Maverick’s been working us in all these different directions and we- we were really scared about you, okay?”

“Okay,” you nod.

“What made you stop talking to us?” Natasha whispers.

“Jake said somethings and I thought they might be true.”

“You listened to Bagman?”

“Nat,” he starts to say.

“I’m sorry but, if we’re gonna be listening to stupid people then we shouldn’t be up in the air.”

You chuckle through your nose, “that’s a thought.”

“Whatever he said isn’t important and not true at all, right?” Bob directs his gaze to Natasha.

“Yeah, you shouldn’t listen to him anyway.”

“He did bring something else up that made me realize something.”

“If it’s something bad about you-”

“Nothing like that,” you shake your head, squeezing her hand. “Promise.”

She nods.

“He said there were a couple of people here who are… in love with me?”

They pause their movements, suddenly scared of how this conversation will end. “And… then… I- uh- I realized I- I feel the same way.”

“You do?” Bob questions, wanting to make sure he and Natasha are understanding you correctly.

“I really do, I just- I never realized it before… even though it was pretty obvious.”

“I take it back; you can listen to Bagman on a rare occasion.”

You hide your face in his arm to hide your laughter.

“Does this mean after you get discharged, we can take you out on a date?” asks Bob.

“If that’s what you two want to do.”

She pushes herself off you, cupping your chin between her thumb and first two fingers, “when you’re given the okay, we’re going on the best date you’ve ever been on. One that tops whatever you think your best date was and then we’re going to ask if you’ll be our pretty girl, okay?” She nods with a certain dominant way.

You immediately nod, staring at her with a slight dazed expression, “yes, ma’am.”

She leans into closer, studying you before she pecks your lips twice, settling beside you once again.

You pout, “that wasn’t fair.”

“Don’t be greedy.”

You turn to Bob and offer him your most pathetic pitiful expressions. “She’s mean.”

“You stayed away from us and didn’t let us see your pretty face.”

Your jaw drops.

“Let’s watch something before nurse buzzkill comes back and tells us to leave,” says Natasha.

You reach over him and grab your phone, opening Netflix so you can continue watch New Girl.

“Did we already watch this?”

You and he shush her. “Can’t we watch a different episode?” You two shush her again.

The nurse opens the door, prepared to tell the two it’s time to pack it up and stop whatever it is your doing but, she can’t.

She rolls her eyes, “kids.”

The door clicks shut, and a tired, groggy Bob sets your phone on the table.

You’re being discharged today, and everyone was practically fighting on who would take you home. You don’t need a babysitter or someone watching over you but that doesn’t stop them from trying.

Pete called for the others and of course, they were reluctant to go, the only one that wasn’t called in was Jake.

Beau enters the room, watching as Jake worries over you and you pushing him away. “Let me,” he steps in, helping you out of bed.

“I can help her from her, sir,” Jake assures your father.

“I hear you but, I’d rather help my daughter as much as I can right now.”

The blond’s brows furrow, “daughter? Where?” He turns to you.

You give him a sheepish grin and a small shrug.

He shakes his head, “no.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“… yes.”

“Seriously?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Afraid so?” Beau chimes in.

“You’re no prize. Everyone here is afraid of you, not counting Maverick.”

“That’s because he’s stupid.”

“Or he has a lot of balls.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Do I though?”

You push his hands away from you, “I can walk on my own.”

“You’re related?”

“Is he still on that?” Beau asks you.

You nod, “he probably won’t shut up about it.”

“I don’t know if I should be concerned with my decision on bringing him here.”

“You definitely should be,” you joke.

“Let me take you home.”

“You have to work.”

“I can take the afternoon off.”

“We both know that won’t happen. I love you dad but, you can’t leave. We can have dinner or something.”

He sighs, “fine but if he,” he points to a flabbergasted Jake, “tries anything you let me know.”

“He won’t but thank you.”

He pulls you in for a hug, squeezing you tight. He leans down, whispering in your ear, “I expect to meet the other two when we have dinner.”

You pull back, “who?”

He raises a brow, “the two that were asleep in your bed.”

You feel hot all of a sudden. “Who- who- there was- uh- no one there- with- with me.”

“I just want to meet them, that’s it.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s your dad?”

You whirl around, poking him with your index finger, “would you shut up.”

“When have you ever known me to shut up?”

You groan.

“We’re gonna be having a party at your place tonight.”

“My place? A party- woah- what?” “Don’t say anything just be there, okay?”

You pout, “do I have to?”

“Yeah, you have to.”

“But do I really?”

“Your lovers will be there.”

Your cheeks feel hot, “don’t say lovers.”

He smirks and whispers, “lovers.”

You squint at him.

He can tell there’s something off with you and takes off running.

“Get back here!” You chase after him.

“No!” He shouts over his shoulder, “you’ll try and hit me. I can’t have you ruining the money maker.”

“But that’s exactly why I need you to stop.”

“Hey there, Mrs. D.”

You sigh, “please don’t make chit chat with my neighbors.”

“What can I say? The ladies love me,” Jake throws a wink in Doris’ direction.

“He’s right, dear. He’s got the moves, let him use them, even if it’s on an old lady.”

“You are anything but old, Doris Day.”

She chuckles, “you two have fun with your small party.”

“Thank you, Doris. You have a good rest of you day.”

“You know I will, good looking.”

You close your door and spin around, surprised to see everyone casually sitting or cooking in your kitchen.

“She’s here,” Javy announces. “Hey, how are you?”

You shake your head, “don’t give me that sympathetic tone. I’m fine. I’m good. We’re here to hangout not have a pity party.”

Javy raises his hands, “fine, fine. No more sympathy.” He glances over at a cocky looking Jake. “Why’s he so smug?”

“Doris-”

“I love her.”

“Everyone does. Anyway, Doris fed into his ego and now he’s lost his mind.”

He nods, “ah.”

“Yep.”

Natasha and Bob move towards Javy, offering small smiles.

Your lips stretch into a wide smile, “hey you two.”

Bradley groans.

“What?” You ask.

“You three are gonna be all sweet and lovey dovey and ugh.”

Natasha smirks, shoving Jake to the side, wrapping an arm around your waist. “You jealous?”

He grumbles with his head down as he walks away.

Jake snickers as he follows after him.

Javy shakes his head, “I’m happy you’re okay.”

You wave him off, “yeah, yeah. Me too, Javy.”

He smiles, turning his head when he hears groaning. Javy sighs, watching as Jake holds his stomach and Bradley stands there smiling like a little kid eating a piece of candy.

“Should we help him?” Bob asks you two.

Natasha shakes her head, “no.” She applies to slightest amount of pressure to your waist, guiding you towards the couch, “let’s sit.”

“I’m not a dog,” you complain.

“I didn’t give you a command,” she leans in closer, whispering, “unless you want me to.”

You hum, “looks like someone’s caught Jake’s cocky bug.”

“I take offense to that.”

Natasha sits on your right, Bob on your left.

“What exactly are we doing here?” You ask.

Mickey and Reuben make themselves comfortable on the floor beside your legs. “Movie night,” the former answers with a mouth full of pasta.

The latter smacks his shoulder, “dude, don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“She asked.”

“Chew your food before you talk.”

“Maybe I don’t want to chew my food before I-” Mickey takes a deep breath, choking on the small amount of food left in his mouth.

His floor buddy slaps his back trying to help him.

You reach forward and raise his arms.

Once he catches his breath and takes a sip of water. “I’m just gonna sit here and not talk,” Mickey says with a raspy voice.

“Here you go,” Bradley holds out a bowl of pasta in front of you, slightly leaning on the couch.

You throw your head back, giving him a wide smile before you start inhaling eating your pasta.

Javy hands Bob and Natasha their bowls before settling down on one of the chairs near the TV.

Bradley and Jake fight over the other open chair.

You snort, watching the two act like children.

“Are you two ever going to stop,” Natasha waves her hand at the two, “whatever that is?”

“I will when Chicken gives me the seat.”

“Like hell I will.”

“Leave them be. They’ll tire themselves out sooner or later,” you tell her. “Oh hey, where are the others?” You ask out loud.

“Halo went to go visit her family,” Reuben answers.

“Fritz and Omaha went out on a double date.”

“Double date? Good for them. What about the other two?”

“Harvard has a bad headache and stayed home, and Yale wanted to go grocery shopping, said this was the best and only time he could go.”

Javy shushes you two, “the movies starting.”

You and Natasha groan. “Why are we watching this crap?” You ask.

“The new footloose is amazing. Do not tarnish its good name,” Bradley says, sitting beside Jake’s legs. “Oh, and Bob picked it.”

“Are you for real?” He nods, taking a bite of his pasta.

You turn to Bob, peck his cheek, and say, “you made an excellent choice, Billy Bob.”

“What if I said I chose it?” Jake chimes in.

“I’d beat you with your bowl.”

“That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”

“Nope,” you rest your head against Bob’s shoulder.

“It’s starting.”

Numerous complaints echo around the room, all telling Mickey to shut up.

Everyone’s fallen asleep or fighting the urge to close their eyes.

You manage to escape Bob and Natasha’s hold so you can get blankets for everyone.

Javy and Reuben immediately cuddle into their blankets.

Mickey smacks his floor buddy when to steal his blanket.

You set a pillow between the two, hoping that it will stop them from fighting.

You move onto Bradley and Jake, setting their blankets on top of them but you have to angle the former another way or else he’s gonna be kicked in the face.

You set a blanket on Natasha first, watching as she snuggles into it before setting your last blanket on Bob. You grab the pile of bowls and set it in the sink, letting them soak for the night. You try to sneak between the two once again when you see Bob crack one eye open. “Hey,” you whisper, settling in the empty space.

“Where’s your blanket?”

You curl your arms around yourself, “I’m fine.”

He pulls you closer to him, tossing some of his blanket onto you.

Natasha curls into your side, throwing a little bit of her blanket onto you.

“I feel like we should move.”

“What makes you say that?” His breath tickles against your ear.

“Besides the fact that we’re scrunched up on the couch, nothing.”

“Should we?”

“We can. If you want to?”

“Do you?”

A hand grasps yours and Bob’s wrists, pulling you into your room.

You turn around, staring at Natasha. “Get in bed. It’ll be better for us to get some sleep in here.”

You two nod.

“Who’s gonna be in the middle?” You ask, pulling the sheets back.

“You,” she answers.

You three settle into the bed with Bob and Natasha snuggling into you.

Once everyone was awake and their brains were functioning enough, they decided to head home to get ready for a night out.

“Well, well, well,” Jake says, checking you out up and down. “Someone’s dressed to impress.”

You look down, checking out your outfit, finding yourself wearing your usual jeans and shirt combo.

With the heat during summer, it’s best to wear no layers.

You shake your head, preparing to take your shot (after snatching the cue stick from him).

“I’m not dressed to impress anyone. I’m comfortable. And you just lost.”

“Is he hitting on her?” Natasha asks out loud, not aiming her question to anyone specifically.

“He’s just trying to get under your skin,” Bradley says. “Don’t focus on that now.”

She scoffs, “how can I not?”

Bob returns, setting another round down before he starts munching on his snack of the night.

“Do you see this?” She asks him.

“This is their friendship… and he can’t turn it off.”

Bradley snickers into his hand.

Jake loses his smile, his eyes going back and forth between the corner pocket and where you stand. “How- wait- did you take my shot?”

“No, I didn’t.” You walk away, standing before the two with a wide smile. “Hi, you two.”

Throat clearing sounds come from your left, you turn to them with annoyed expression, “and hi, dumbass one and dumbass two.”

“We prefer hunky Hawaiian shirt with a porn stache’ and the sexy Coyote,” Javy replies.

Bradley turns to him with an offended expression. “Why are you hating on my mustache?”

“I’m not but, you honestly can’t blame me for saying that,” Javy tries to defend himself.

“Yeah, I can. I’ve gotten more numbers than you so far, I’d say it’s working like a charm.”

“What do you think would happen to that confidence if I shaved it?” Jake interrupts.

Bradley pushes himself out of the chair, “woah! Woah! Nobody and I mean nobody is shaving it.”

Jake and Javy glance at each other while Bradley runs away.

“Ignore them. How are you two?” You ask.

Natasha grins, pulling you and Bob closer.

You try to pull back, so you don’t smush yourself into him, but she is relentless. You grab both of their wrists and pull them outside, unlocking Bob’s car with his keys (which you stole to put in your purse or else he would have lost them, again).

You open the trunk, making them sit on the blanket you set in the back.

Natasha hums when you settle in between the two, “so this is why you wanted the car?”

“Partly, but I also thought we could leave early and watch a movie back here or maybe we could just stay here until everyone’s done and then we go home, or we could-” You expected her to cut you off from your rambling when you realize your head is turned in Bob’s direction and his (very) kissable lips are moving against yours. You copy his actions, feeling yourself losing your breath. You swear you melt inside.

“Don’t hog her,” Natasha teases as she drags her fingertips against your arm.

He pulls back, “I’m not,” he says against your lips.

You take a moment before you open your eyes, staring up at the two, who are watching you look at them dazed expression. “What was I saying?” You whisper.

Natasha shakes her head, “it’s not important.”

A loud smacking makes the two of you break eye contact with her.

She tilts her head, “did you steal her gum?”

He pauses, staring at her through his lashes (his attempt at an innocent/ puppy dog look), “no?”

“You’re such a liar.”

“I didn’t go searching for it.”

She shakes her head, “whatever.” She turns to look at you, “what’s got you so smiley?”

You shake your head, “nothing just,” you exhale, “I’m really happy.”

She smiles, bending down, pecking your lips, “good.”

“Can we watch more “New Girl”?” he asks.

“You’ve got him obsessed with that show.”

“It’s a good show,” you argue.

“Turn it on.”

Her and Bob settle on either side of you, “ready?”

Bob reaches forward and presses play.

When Bradley and Javy exit the bar in search of you three, they look through the window and find the three of you snuggled together.

Javy nods to his new sidekick.

The door opens, scaring you and Bob.

“What the hell?!” You sit up, smacking the two.

“What?” asks Javy, who’s laughing his ass off.

“We wanted to pop in. Say hi,” Bradley answers, pulling away from you, not wanting to be smacked.

“So much for a quiet night,” you mumble.

“You knew this was going to happen,” Natasha says, still laying down.

“I hoped it wouldn’t have.”

“At least we got to watch a couple more episodes,” Bob adds with a small smile.

You shake your head, hiding your smile.

218 notes · View notes

crazyk-imagine · 2 years

Text

Play a Tune

Pairing: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Assistant!Wolfe!Reader, Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Natasha “Phoenix” Trace (implied)

Characters: Assistant!Wolfe! Reader, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, Robert "Bob" Floyd, Reuben "Payback" Fitch, Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Neil "Omaha" Vikander, Billy "Fritz" Avalone, Callie "Halo" Bassett, Brigham "Harvard" Lennox, Logan "Yale" Lee, Penny Benjamin

Briefly mentioned: Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, Carole Bradshaw, Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe

Warnings: SMUT, P n V, oral (fem!receiving), fingering, teasing, Bradley calling the reader a brat (more than once), he also really REALLY likes his name (some might say it’s a name kink), fluff, singing, Bob is reader’s bestie, Pete gets deja vu, shameless Hangman and Phoenix longing for each other tease, only Coyote knows about their feelings, mentions of papa Goose and papa Wolfman, there’s a lot to unpack here

Word Count: 9,843

Playlist for PAT: We Are the Champions by Queen

Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis

Footloose by Kenny Rogers

A/N: I didn’t plan on making this a smutty one but then before I knew it, it was. I have no regrets

*Reader is Wolfman’s daughter and technically has “two” call signs, (Mave and Wolfman were close after TG and all the competing and Goose’s death. Reader easily became Mave’s fav out of the four of you [your two brothers and sister, who are also in or have been to TG]. Mave always took you with him whenever he was out working on whatever and you two were always singing hence Harmony). Howler is reader’s official call sign, courtesy of her pop’s and because if it was a good mission she’ll howl in victory

*We all know Maverick is Rooster’s surrogate dad, but he doesn’t want to replace Goose, so he chose to be the “Uncle” figure

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You fall back onto the piano bench, messing up his classic go to song. You push yourself up, cringing at the sound of the wrong piano keys being played. You turn to Bradley, “sorry.”

He smiles and shakes his head.

You spin around, “you mind if I try something?”

He says nothing, gesturing for you to go for it. You nod, fingers gliding along the keys, a familiar tune enters the bar.

Bob takes notice of how more than half the bar moves closer to your side, close to crowding the piano. A smile stretches across his lips, he’s the only one who knows.

I’ve paid my dues

Your voice drifts through Bradley’s ears.

Time after time

It’s you.

You’re the one who gets the entire bar involved… better than he ever could.

Everyone’s heard you play before but, he was one of the few who were never lucky enough to put a face to the voice.

I’ve done my sentence

But committed no crime

He’s brought out of his thoughts by the whole bar singing. He notices the nodding of your head; he turns and starts playing beside you.

And bad mistakes

I’ve made a few

He joins in.

A gentle smile dances cross your lips

I've had my share of sand

Kicked in my face

But I've come through

The two of you sing.

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

You glance over your shoulder, “come on everybody. I see some familiar faces and I know you know this song.”

Bradley shakes his head; a smile manages to stretch across his lips. He sometimes forgets how fun it can be at the Hard Deck.

We are the champions, my friends

The customers at the bar sing in sync.

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

We are the champions

Bob glances over at Natasha and Mickey (who aren’t paying attention to him, focusing on the way you make the crowd move in sync in a way none of the others have ever seen done as smooth as this before).

The snacker shrugs heading over towards his friend. He stands beside the piano, too nervous to chime in.

No time for losers

'Cause we are the champions of the World

You glance up to find the nervous man standing there, you offer him a smile, hoping to ease his nerves.

Bob would rarely join in when it was the two of you or just you doing something just like this. He's always been more of a “I’ll watch a few people do it before I join in”. It’s gotten better over the years but there are times where he’s still that shy young man you met a few years ago… like now. He hesitantly smiles back, fiddling with his glasses.

Bradley takes over, letting you move away from the bench.

You grab Bob’s hand, pulling him closer so he can stand in front of the seat, you stand on now. You place your hands on his shoulders, forcing him to sway side to side until he starts doing it on his own.

The customers in the bar follow along and sway with the two of you.

The man with a mustache (whose name you still don’t know) lowers his voice, letting yours (and Bob’s) overpower his.

I've taken my bows

And my curtain calls

You glance over at the other pilots and point

You brought me fame and fortune

And everything that goes with it

I thank you all

You wave them over with a smile.

Mickey and Billy are the first to run over, standing on either side of Bob, the former doing his best not to stand in front of their fellow pilot.

But it's been no bed of roses

Neil and Callie stand beside Billy (who’s on Bob’s right).

No pleasure cruise

I consider it a challenge before

The human race

And I ain't gonna lose

You gesture for the other customers to quiet down, giving the pilots and WSO’s time to shine.

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

Logan shoves Reuben and Bringham in your direction.

We are the champions, my friends

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

We are the champions

Javy drags Jake closer to the piano, pointing to the blond when you all sing

No time for losers

Jake shoves Javy away from him with a small smile.

'Cause we are the champions of the World

A wide smile stretches across your lips as you raise your arms, wanting to hear everyone again.

We are the champions, my friends

The beautiful sound of her bar’s loyal customers singing your usual tune brings a smile to her face and Penny can’t help but join in.

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

We are the champions

You move Bob over to the one side of the piano, beside the kid with the buzzcut. You glance around, noticing how the other pilots you’ve seen here on numerous occasions now surround the piano.

No time for losers

'Cause we are the champions of the world

You turn around, spreading your arms and fall back.

Those in front of piano seat catch you, carefully setting you down. They kind of expected this because this is the way you usually end whenever you’re on the piano.

You smile to those who caught you, “I thank you all.”

You practically hop back over to the man with a mustache, plopping down beside him. “Hi.”

He turns, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, “hi.”

“You ever gonna take those things off?”

“’Fraid not. Gotta have some mystery, right?”

You pretend to think about it, “I think not.” You lean over, gingerly snatching them off him, placing them on your head. “Ah ah,” you swat his hand. “You’ll get these beauties back after we get to know each other.” You stick your hand out for a handshake, “deal?”

Now it’s his turn to pretend to think about it. He shrugs, “I guess.”

You blink once, twice; a shiver runs down your spine as he lifts your hand closer to him. “Oh, you’re gonna be trouble for me, aren’t you?”

He stares up at you through his lashes, his mustache tickling the back of your hand when he removes his lips to talk to you. “Do you want me to be?”

“You answer my question with a question. Oh, yeah, you’re trouble.”

“You wanna play another song?”

“Maybe later,” you pat his shoulder, standing up. You lean against him, whispering, “how about a dance instead?”

He says nothing.

“You’ll get your aviators back,” you say in a sing song tone.

He can’t lie, he’s intrigued and has been since he first heard you and the fact that you didn’t just call them sunglass like every other girl who’s chatted him up… interesting. “One dance?”

“One dance,” you confirm with a nod.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for, sweetheart.” He turns, his dashing chestnut eyes searching yours only to find mischief.

“Oh, honey, you don’t know what you’re in for.”

Bradley narrows his eyes ever so slightly, “I’ll give you something to remember later.”

You lean in closer, your nose bumping against his letting him think you were going to kiss him before you lean down closer to his ear, “I’m counting on it.” You step back, walking away knowing that he’ll follow (and if not, you’re catching up with Bob for the rest of the evening). You’re not even halfway across the room when you’re pulled back. You place your free hand on his chest as you set your other on his shoulder. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.”

He raises a brow, “sounds like someone’s a little full of themselves.”

You shrug, “what can I say? I got my dad’s genes.”

“I see.”

“No, you really don’t.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. That’s why I gotta talk to you, get to know you, right? So, I can know if that’s true or not.”

You click your tongue, “you’re learning.”

He smirks, pulling back spinning you around once before pulling you back into his arms, your back against his chest. “Think you can handle this?”

“Oh, I know I can, the question, can you, pilot?”

A breathless chuckle escapes him. “You know what I do.”

“Affirmative.”

“And yet, I still don’t know a thing about you.”

“In due time. In due time.” He hums.

Before you know it, you’re being spun around again, this time you laugh, finding yourself letting loose.

You spin around, bumping into someone, aiming to quickly apologize until you look up. “Maverick!”

“Harmony, you’re here?”

“Sure, looks like it.”

“Still giving me lip I see.”

“Don’t give me that look. You know you’re happy to see me.”

He sighs, “can’t say that I am.”

You scoff, shoving his shoulder.

Pete glances over your shoulder, finding Bradley getting closer. He uses his eyes to gesture to you.

Bradley clenches his jaw, shaking his head.

“You forgot this at Penny’s yesterday.” Pete holds your father hat in his hands.

You take it with a smile, removing the aviators and switching it for something a little homier.

“I see you two finally met,” says Pete, glancing between the two of you.

“We who?” You ask.

“You and Bradley.”

“Bradley?”

“Bradshaw.”

“Oh. Oh.” You stare at the young man with wide eyes, until you change the subject. You lift the aviators up for him to see, “now you’re definitely not getting these back, Bradshaw.”

His jaw drops, “now hang on a minute-”

“You still owe me a dance,” you place your hand on his chest, trying to push him back towards the jukebox.

He doesn’t budge. “I did dance with you.”

“Oh, no you didn’t.” You walk around him, holding his wrist guiding him towards the jukebox while you hook the aviators onto the collar of your shirt. “I want a full dance with the one who sings, “you shake my nerves, and you rattle my brain-”

“too much love drives a man insane.”

A smile dances across your lips, you look over your shoulder, “atta boy. You’re gettin’ it now.”

You push the number to get the song you want to play. He half expected you to play his song but raises a brow at the song of choice instead. You see the look he’s giving you, “don’t judge me, Bradley.”

It takes him a second to respond. “I’m not- I’m not just- uh- find your song of choice interesting. That’s all.”

“Liar.” You let go of his wrist, standing in the middle of the bar.

Been working so hard I’m punching my card

Bradley’s fellow pilots look at you in confusion until three other customers stand beside you dancing with you. The pilot interested in you sucks in his bottom lip to keep from smiling more.

Eight hours, for what?

Oh, tell me what I got

Bob joins you.

I gotten this feeling

That time's just holding me down

Now that he thinks about it, you and Bob are pretty close. Have you two met before? Bradley knows Bob has a friend that should be coming to town… soon?

I'll hit the ceiling

Or else I'll tear up this town

He musters all the courage that he could to stand in front of you, following your steps.

You smile at him, “glad to see you could join us.”

“You’re about to be more even more surprised.”

Tonight, I gotta cut loose, footloose

Kick off your Sunday shoes

The mustached man sneaks his way beside you, holding his hand out for you.

Please, Louise

Pull me up off my knees

Jack, get back

C'mon, before we crack

You slap your hand onto his open palm, letting him pull you close.

Lose your blues

Everybody cut footloose

Jake leans closer to Javy whispering, “how is it that he can get the one interesting girl in this place?”

“I don’t think that’s who you’re thinking of.” The cocky pilot jerks his head back, “what?”

His friend raises a brow and tilts his head.

He knows who Javy is talking about, but he doesn’t want to admit it. He gulps seeing Natasha smiling, watching as the bar becomes even more livelier than before… maybe this could be his chance to ask her out talk to her?

Dig way down in your heart

You're burning, yearning for some

Somebody to tell you

That life ain't passing you by

The music seems to disappear as you feel your hat being stolen off your head only to find that he’s wearing it.

You don’t comment on it.

He places your hands on his shoulders, letting you wrap your hands around his neck, thumb brushing against the edge of the hair on the back of his neck.

Pete settles in a seat in front of his dearest Penny; his eyes wander around the bar, curious to see who’s here tonight and finds the two of you enjoying yourselves.

A sad smile tugs at the corners of his lips, nostalgia hits him hard in his heart and clouds his mind with those precious and irreplaceable memories. He always hoped knew, he knew Bradley would find himself a good woman but seeing you two reminds him so much of Nick and Carole.

The boy, now a man, certainly gained his confidence and flirting from his dad (Pete never quite knew how Carole accepted the dork he called a best friend, but anyone could see the love they shared so it didn’t matter). And tonight, he can see that flame being reignited with the two of you.

Pete shakes his head, taking a sip of his drink wondering how his nephew is gonna be able to handle you.

Wolfman was… a lot to some but still a damn good RIO (obviously since he was in Top Gun) overall your dad was an interesting man. He always found it funny when you didn’t quite go for the same route your dad did, but Pete and Leonard are proud of you non the less.

“I can see the wheels turning in your head. What are you thinking about?” asks Bradley.

“How you seem to pull of that hat better than me.”

He huffs out a chuckle, “I don’t think that’s possible, but I’ll take the compliment. Now, stand right here.” He reaches for the aviators, slowly pulling off and out of your shirt, setting them on your head like you did earlier. “Now, we both look good.”

“Is this the type of claim that a dog has when it pees on a tree?”

He stares at you with a confused expression as he laughs at your comment before calming down. “I’m not gonna lie and say I’d be happy to see you dancing with another person.”

You stare at him through your lashes, “then we’re in agreement?”

He nods, “seems we are.”

“We’re dance partners.” “We’re together.”

You tilt your head, “if we’re together, I don’t know because someone didn’t ask.”

He squints his eyes, thinking back to everything that’s happened tonight. “Seems like you’re right… how about this, we continue our dance and I take you out on a date, a proper one. We can talk and get away from all this.”

You know he’s mainly referring to the crowd. “As long as we can trade back.”

He sucks in air through his teeth, “I don’t know, I think I look good right now.”

You scoff, rolling your eyes, “cocky pilots.”

He smirks, leaning down to whisper, “you have yet to find out how cocky I can be.”

You scoff, turning your head to the side, unable to take his “flirting” at this current moment. “You’re so gonna be trouble for me.”

He shakes his head, unwrapping your arms from him.

You open your mouth to ask him what’s going on, you’re walking towards the register settling your tabs. “Brad-”

He shushes you, “this is a pre-date to our actual date.”

“Pre-date?”

“Just keep quiet while I take care of you.”

You narrow your eyes at the bar top, mimicking him under your breath.

Pete chuckles, finding the situation amusing reminding him of when Nick was just beginning to woo Carole.

You hear him and make your way over to him. “Why didn’t you tell me he was such a- a-”

“Such a?” Pete asks with a smirk, finding this whole thing hilarious.

“A punk.”

The laugh that was waiting to escape gets caught in his throat. “That’s one way to describe him.”

“I mean, I know I’m no saint but jeez, am I that bad?”

“You? No. No,” he shakes his head. “…Maybe a little but it’s okay.”

You shove his shoulder, “you’re supposed to be nice to me.”

“You wanted an honest answer.”

“I never asked for an honest answer.”

“I thought it was implied.”

“You thought-” You narrow your eyes at him, “you’re an evil, evil man, Maverick.”

He lets out a hearty chuckle, “oh, my call sign. I’m in trouble now, aren’t I?”

Bradley wraps an arm around your waist, pulling you back. He leans down to whisper, “I gotta talk to Mav for sec, you mind talkin’ to Penny in the meantime?”

You turn your head, tilting it up to look at him, “you just don’t want me to ease drop on your boy talk, huh?”

There’s that smirk he’s come to know and have a very strong liking to. “Humor me, won’t you?”

“Fine, fine. Have your boy talk.” You wave him off, detaching yourself from him.

“It’s not boy talk, that sounds weird.”

“You’re the one that said it first,” you argue.

He doesn’t say anything for a few seconds.

“See now with the way you’re silent. I win.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “No, no, you really don’t.”

“Oh, but I do, Bradshaw.”

He slaps his hand over his heart, “oh, last name. You wound me.”

“You’ll get over it.”

He shakes his head, watching you lean over the counter, talking to Penny before turning to Pete. Bradley leans over, giving Pete a side hug, whispering, “I’m takin’ her out on a proper date.” His uncle gives him a smile, nodding, “you treat her right, okay?”

“Of course, I am. What kind of man do you take me for, huh?” Pete shakes his head, “I’m just trying to warn you. You mess with her; you’ll be in for a world of hurt. Her words, not mine.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just doing what you said.”

“Oh, yeah and what’s that?”

“Don’t think.”

The smile falls from his face.

“Bradley-”

“How can I think about anything when it feels so right.”

It feels like he’s been sent back to youth, that nostalgic feeling has returned. Pete shakes his head that smile from before slowly creeps back onto his lips. “You two have fun, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah. Later old man,” you say, stealing Bradley away from him.

He watches as the two of you leave.

Penny steps closer, leaning down so he can hear her. “You, okay?”

Pete whirls his head around to look at her, “yeah. Never been better, Penny.”

“What’s that smile for?”

“Nothing, nothing just uh- thinking about the past.”

“Is that a good thing?”

One corner of his lips tugs upwards, “yeah, definitely a good thing.”

“Come on,” he groans.

“I am not as fast as you Bradley, give me a-” your cut off by your own screech when you’re thrown over his shoulder. You use one hand to push yourself up and the other to hold the aviators.

You look up and find Bob dancing with one of the nicer, less rowdy girls you’ve noticed come into the bar once or twice. Your eyes wander around the room, trying to catch anyone’s attention to “help” you, only to find Natasha dancing with Jake. You’ve got a wide smile stretching across your face not only because those two idiots finally did something about the tension between them but also because you’re about to earn half, if not all the bet money.

The last few verses of the sang play as the door closes.

Everybody cut, everybody cut

(Everybody) everybody cut footloose

Your feet are finally on the ground again. You huff, smacking his arm.

“What was that for?” He whines, rubbing his arm.

“Don’t you have any manners.”

“Manners?”

“If you’re gonna toss someone over your shoulders like a sack of potatoes, you should at least have the decency to ask first.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I wanted to get out of the one place that wouldn’t let me hear your beautiful voice.”

You throw a fake glare in his direction as you cross your arms, careful not to break the aviators you hooked onto the collar of your shirt again. “Don’t try to sweet talk me now, Bradshaw. You’ve already got my attention.”

“I do, don’t I?”

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know, it doesn’t look good on you.”

“That’s rude, sweetheart.”

“Tell me where your takin’ me.”

“I don’t know if I want to take you anywhere now.”

“Oh, now you-” you groan, “must you be such a pain in my ass.”

“I don’t about that. I mean unless you’re into that kind of thing,” he winks at you.

You throw your head back, laughing. “You just don’t stop, do you?”

“Nope. Guess you were right. You do have your hands full with me.”

You bite your lip to prevent you from smiling more but fail. “Take me away or lose your one chance to talk to me.”

“Get in the car.”

“Bossy.”

A smack fills the air.

You glance over your shoulder, mouth agape.

“Don’t talk back to me,” he says as if that excuses him from smacking your ass.

“You are not the boss of me, mister.”

He hums, “that’s what you think.”

You roll your eyes, ready to open the door when he beats you to it. You stare at him for a second. “So, you can be a gentleman?”

“Who says I’m not?”

“No one. No one.”

He hops into the driver’s seat, shutting the door. “If I let you choose the music, will I regret it?”

You shake your head, “no… but something tells me with the way you dress, we’ll be fine.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He asks with a curious tone.

“Your style is a little outdated compared to everyone else but, I think it suits you.” You snatch your hat off his head, placing it onto its rightful place.

“That hardly seems fair.”

“What does?”

“The fact that you got your hat back and I don’t have my aviators.”

You let out a quiet huh. “Guess you’re right. Turn towards me.”

He turns, you carefully set the glasses on him, staring at him once they’re on him. “What is it?” asks Bradley.

“You look very…” you peck his lips, “handsome.” You pull back, leaning into the seat, waiting for him to drive.

He turns his head towards you, “again, that hardly seems fair.”

“What does?”

“You got the first kiss and here I was being all cute, waiting for the right time. Shame,” he shakes his head, further adding to the joke.

The corners of your lips tilt up ever so slightly, one side off to the side; you scoot closer to the middle console, placing your hand on his thigh. “Oh, darlin’ we’ll be doing a lot more than what we’ve been doing tonight.”

Bradley shakes his head, “will we now?”

You tilt your head to the side, resting it on the seat, “that all depends on you,” you pat his thigh.

He starts the car, pulling out of the parking lot, “promises, promises.”

You lift your hand off his thigh.

He stops you from taking your hand off him and sets it back on his thigh, letting his hand weigh down on yours.

“That will be fulfilled.”

He hums, “don’t temp me.”

“Oh,” you shake your head, “I would never.”

The drive is nice; it’s quiet, the wind blowing through your hair as you keep one hand on your head to prevent you from losing your hat. “Where we going?” you ask.

He doesn’t say anything for a second.

You cut him off before he can even answer. “Do you feel that?”

“Feel what?”

“Is it- is it raining?”

“What? No.”

Not even five minutes later, it’s pouring.

You ask him if he knows where the closest supermarket in your neighborhood is, which he does, you direct him to your house after he passes the store’s parking lot.

You two run out of the car, you hurry to open the door.

“Come on. Open it, open it.”

“I am trying,” you hiss at him.

“Okay… could you try to open it faster?”

“I am this close,” you pinch your fingers, “to leaving you out here.”

“Your fingers are touching,” he points out.

“Exactly, so don’t temp me.”

“Don’t be like that.” You open the door, shoving your hand onto his chest, “ah ah.”

“What?”

“You were nothing but mean to me when I was rushing to open the door. That’s very rude of you, you know.”

“I’ll make it up to you when my clothes aren’t sticking to me.”

“Promises, promises.”

“That I intend to fulfill.”

You stare at him with a blank expression, turning around, walking further into the house. “Take off your shoes, you’re not tracking anything into my place.”

He’s quick to enter, doing as you asked.

You walk back into the hallway, holding out a towel for him which he happily takes.

“So, you- uh- you live here alone?”

“Usually, yeah.” You flip your hair over, placing the towel on the back of your head, wrapping it. You flip your head up, holding the towel to make sure it doesn’t fall off your head. You blow out a breath of air, finding him staring at you. “What?”

He shrugs, “nothing. So, you’re usually here alone?”

“Yeah, just depends on if my brothers or sister gets deployed in town.”

“Okay.”

“I guess you could call it a family frat house.”

He chuckles. “Is it still a frat house if your sister stays here.”

“Probably not but we don’t need to go into the specifics… Do you want to shower or eat first?”

“I’m fi-”

“Don’t tell me that. C’mon, we’ve been at the bar for hours with little to no food and if you tell me that you’re not starving I’m gonna tell you that you’re full of shit and force you to eat something.”

“Alright, alright. I- uh- can I shower first?” He asks with a low tone, sounding almost like he was nervous.

“Follow me. I’m sure I can find something my brothers left behind that you can borrow.”

You bend down checking the bottom dresser drawers for sweatpants (your brothers never wear anything but comfy, pajama like things around the house). You move up grabbing a shirt and a pair of boxers. “All of this is clean, I promise. I buy new stuff a few days before any of them come over, so all of this is new.”

“I’d just be happy with a towel if you had nothing.”

“I’m sure you would.”

Neither of you say anything but the way your pupils dilate tells the other all they need to know.

“Alright, bathrooms in the room just open that one there,” you point to it. “And you’ll be all set. I’ve got to do a couple things since the rain’s getting heavier. Will you be fine on your own?”

He gives you a small smile, “I’ll be fine. The question is, will you?”

“Ten minutes away from you?” You place the back of your hand on your forehead, “whatever will I do without seeing your pornstache’?”

“Hey, hey, don’t hate on the stache’.”

Your hand falls off your forehead; you state at him with a serious expression. “Oh, believe me. I’m not.”

“Have fun. Just know if you’re in there for too long I’ll know what you’re doing,” you shout from the hallway.

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

“Thinking about me a little too hard.”

Bradley looks down, realizing that you did see the bulge in his shorts. His top lips curls in annoyance, this is not how he wanted you to see him… at least, right now.

You make sure all the windows and doors are locked and closed properly before looking around your kitchen hoping to find something good to make that’ll fill your belly’s.

You sigh, removing the towel from your head opting to clip up your hair. You turn your phone on, searching for the music app, playing your most recently played playlist leaving it on the counter away from the area you’ll be using.

You aren’t paying too much attention to the sounds of the water from the shower, aiming to not think about a wet… naked… Bradley.

And, your mind is straying, you return your focus to the food in the pan.

Your soul leaves your body, and you lose your breath when Bradley wraps his arms around your waist, pulling you further into his embrace. “Smells good.”

“I sure as hell hope so since you just scared the living daylights out of me.”

“You look fine to me.”

You open your mouth to respond when he adds on. “No, you don’t fine- I mean you do, don’t get me wrong you do but, fine isn’t the right word I’d use. There are too many that could be used to describe you right now, but I can’t pick one.”

“Suck up. Okay, here’s the plan. I'm gonna put the lid back on, let this cook on low while you stay here or watch something in the living room so I can go take a shower.”

“Okay,” he pecks your lips, letting you go.

You run out of the kitchen, stopping in the doorway of your room, realizing how relationshipy that was and how it brings butterflies to your stomach as you think about how much you liked it… and him.

A knock on your door brings you out of your thoughts. “Hey.”

“Yeah?”

“You, okay in there?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You’ve been in here for a while, I was wondering if you were okay.”

There he goes being a sweetheart.

“I was just enjoying the hot water a little too much, I guess. I’ll be out in a few alright?”

“Okay.”

“Oh, you’re still here.” You clench the top of your towel tighter, unsure of what to do with your hands.

“Yeah.” He pushes himself off your bed, standing in front of you.

Your eyes follow his every move.

Bradley bends his head, leaning into you; his eyes switching back and forth between yours, “is this, okay?”

“Depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“How far are you willing to go?”

“How far are you?”

You take a step forward, placing a hand on his forearm will your unoccupied hand plays with the hairs on the back of his neck.

“Because I know what I want to do.”

“What’s that?”

“I want to take my time with you, watch you unravel as I make you feels thing no other guy has ever made you feel.”

“That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself," you tease.

"It might be," he leans in, resting his forehead on yours, staring into your eyes as if he’s trying to get a glimpse of your soul. “But it’d be worth it if I got to spend the night with you.”

“I must be pretty special then, huh? Out of all the ladies at the bar, the Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw wants to have his way with little ol’ me.”

“You seemed like the only one who’d put up with my ass.”

“More like I’d be the only one daring enough to do all that I could with it.”

“Careful there, sounds like you might be insinuating something you might not mean.”

“But we both know I mean it.”

“We do.”

“Stop talking and kiss me,” you breathe out.

He cups your cheeks, pulling you closer as he invades more of your space.

You open your mouth, letting his tongue pass your lips, mingling with yours. You feel the cold wall against your back. A low whine comes from the back of your throat.

He pulls back, smiling as he brushes his thumb against your cheekbone.

“Guess you like to be a little rough when you’re with a girl, huh?”

“What do you mean?” He asks between the kisses he makes (of course, leaving a hickey or three for all to see) as he trails down your neck.

“You could have easily spun me around towards the bed.”

His breath fans across the place where your neck and shoulder meet as he chuckles. “You complaining?”

“Oh, no. Definitely not.”

“Good.” He moves away from your collarbone, moving up so he can kiss you again.

Suddenly you slap his shoulders.

He jerks back, staring at you with wide eyes and terrified expression. “What? What? Are you okay? Should we stop?”

“Oh, we are not stopping.”

“Then why did you hit me?”

“The food.”

“I turned it off before I came up here.”

You scoff through your nose, “so, you did plan on seducing me?”

“No, no. No, I didn’t. I actually wanted to talk but then you came out wearing this surprisingly,” his hands travel down, landing on your hips, “soft towel and- and-”

“You couldn’t keep your hands to yourself.”

“Yes!” spills out of his mouth before he can think. He pauses his movements, realizing what he said. “No, I mean no. Now you’re just twisting my words.”

“You’re spouting the truth without my help, darlin’.” Your hands slid across his shoulders, moving down onto his chest. “Why are you wearing your shirt? I put this in the dryer, so it was dry and for you to have something of your own to wear.”

His mustache twitches as he fights the urge to smirk. “I wanted it to be fair.” He hands travels down further, fingertips brushing against your thigh near the edge of the towel. “I mean I have something to rip off you, I thought you’d like to do the same thing to me but,” he extends the word. “Since I seem to be wrong,” he pulls away to take off his shirt, “I’ll just get rid of it myse-”

You rip the shirt open, buttons ripping off flying across the room, bouncing off walls, falling to the floor. You glide your hands along the top of his shoulders, getting your hands underneath the shirt so you can shove it off him.

The shirt falls into the crease of his elbows. His hands are on your waist again.

“Take it off.”

“So bossy,” he says with a teasing tone.

“Says the one doing the teasing.”

“Me? If anything, I’m doing the persuading.”

“Is that how you see it?”

He nods.

“Well then it seems like you’ll be working hard all night long.”

“Someone is very confident in themselves.”

You scoff, “like you haven’t thought about it.”

“Why would I go and do a thing like that?”

“Because you’re a horndog and don’t know how to handle me,” you finish with an “innocent” smile stretching across your lips.

Bradley’s eyes darken, he leans in.

You find yourself leaning in without realizing it.

“You’re gonna regret saying that baby.” His hand grips the back of your neck, holding you in place.

You gulp whatever saliva was in your mouth, at the thought of what’s about to happen. “Am I?”

He steps to the side, guiding you towards the bed. “Just can’t be quiet for one second, can you?”

You try not to focus on the heat building up in your core, instead, you enjoy the feeling of his bare chest against your towel covered body. You hiss as the cold air hits your body; you know your nipples are harder than they were just a second ago. “Could’ve given a girl a little warning,” you grumble.

He moves closer to you, one hand on your stomach, holding you tight against him. He leans his head down to whisper, “I thought you didn’t want me to be nice. I thought you said, you expected me to be rough with the way I moved you to the wall instead of the bed.”

You don’t say anything.

“Did I finally stump you? You have no comeback now? Aw,” he mocks you.

“Shut up.”

“There she is.”

“You keep talking like that I’m leaving.”

He picks you up, tossing you onto the bed, crawling over you. He gives you a cheeky smile as he hovers above you. “I don’t think you want to.”

“Maybe not,” you reach down for his belt without removing your gaze from his.

His stomach clenches as your fingernails scrap against his skin.

“Or maybe I’m trying to annoy to the point you’ll fuck the brat out of me.”

A shaky breath slips through his lips, he glances down, observing your moving hands. His head snaps back up to you, he cracks a smile. “Well, now that I know you’re plan. I’m not gonna do that.”

“Or maybe I’m pulling some reverse psychology shit.”

He crawls off you, removing the last piece of clothing he has on.

You scoot up, resting on the pillows as you watch his every move.

“Either way you’ll be left with a smile on your face.”

His hand wraps around your ankle, he jerks your body closer to him as he climbs onto the bed. He’s on his knees, heels digging into his calves.

You can feel his hard on pressed against your warm core. You roll your hips, tired of the waiting and the talking. “Come on,” you whine.

He shakes his head, grip tightening on your hips as he holds his breath.

You can see the veins forming along the sides of his neck; you can’t help but wonder- “do you have a veiny dick?”

He chokes out a laugh. “What?”

“You’re holding your breath and I can see them on the side of your neck,” you reach up, brushing your finger over it.

He shivers, “okay, you can stop now.”

“Maybe I don’t want to.”

“You will if you know what’s good for you.” You stick your tongue out at him.

He tuts, shaking his head. “You have no shame, do you?”

“Seems like it but, that’s what drew you to me,” you throw a wink in his direction.

He doesn’t look back at you as he trails kisses along the base of your neck, being sure to focus on the area where your neck and shoulder meet then moving along your collarbone.

You scratch the back of his head as he does so, needing to keep your hands occupied.

“Someone’s greedy.”

He says nothing as he fondles your chest, kneading one breast while he leaves hickies and sucks on the other one; he takes his time giving each breast the same amount of attention.

You don’t want to move, in any way that would let him know how much he’s affecting you right now, but your body and your brain aren’t in sync. You roll your hips; quiet cries escape you.

He almost doesn’t hear them, but you can tell by the air huffing out of his nose onto your skin that he finds it amusing.

You could care less as he moves back down you, kissing the sides of your body.

His mustache tickles as he leaves hungry kisses against your ribs, sucking on your skin, leaving a hickey or two (that’ll definitely stays on you for a couple of weeks).

This results in your body jerking, curling into itself.

He stops, resting on his knees as he caresses your leg. “Hey, now. If you want to feel good, you’ll stop.”

“But I already feel so good.”

“Don’t give me those fake doh eyes, sweetheart,” his face is less than an inch from yours, “because we both know I can make you feel really good.”

You lift your leg up onto his hip, heel barely digging into the flesh of his curvy bottom. “And that’s exactly why I’m riling you up.”

He shakes his head, letting your leg fall of him. The hair on his lip continues to tickle you as he nips at the inside of your thighs.

You huff, curling your fingers in his hair, tugging on it.

He groans, the vibration of the noise makes you smirk.

You know exactly how to rile ‘em up.

“You sure you’re alright with all of this?” He asks as he stares at your glistening bare slit.

You’re too into your thoughts, feeling cocky to notice Bradley’s movements.

Your jaw drops open. You look down, his head pops up. “Why?” You whine.

“You weren’t paying attention,” he says with a serious tone even though your wetness shines on his lips and in the hairs of his mustache.

“So, that means you play with me to get my attention?”

“Yeah.”

You narrow your eyes at him, “I’m so close to leaving you high and dry.”

“I think it’s the other way around, sweetheart.”

“You are such a-”

He cuts you off with a kiss, the taste of you mingling with your shared saliva as his tongue enters your mouth.

You move one hand towards his side, poking him hard.

“Ow.”

“Don’t cut me off like that then.”

“I thought you wanted me to treat you like the brat you are.”

You gasp, partly because of what he said but also because of his fingertip slowly entering you.

“I can try and tame the brat in you, but I want to make sure you can enjoy it, yeah?”

You give him a mumbled response, nodding your head.

“I’m gonna need you to open your eyes for me.”

Your eyes snap open, you didn’t realize you’d shut them in the first place.

He leans down to whisper in your ear, “you ready to start enjoying the night?”

You clench around his fingers in response.

“Just remember you asked for it.” He doesn’t stop moving his fingers in and out of your core, oh no, he would never do such a thing.

You fight the urge to close your eyes, wanting to see how he looks going down on you.

Bradley swipes at your buzzing bundle.

You jerk, head bobbing forward.

He does it a few more times before he starts sucking on your clit and doing a “come hither” motion with his fingers.

You can’t say anything, can’t tell him how good it feels with him doing- whatever it is he’s doing, your mind is fuzzy as he continues.

He switches from sucking on your bundle to licking it.

He is the least bit relentless as he speeds up the pace of which his fingers are moving at.

You cry out, hips rolling and thrusting against him; it’s hard to stop when you feel so good, so good and you let him know. “So good. So good.”

He lifts his head, thumb rubbing your clit so he can talk, “knew I’d get the brat out of you so you can be good for me.”

You open your eyes, staring at the ceiling, a shaky chuckle comes out before you can say anything. “Believe-” you moan, “believe me you didn’t, hon- honey.”

“Guess that means I gotta try harder.”

You smile, closing your eyes, “yeah.” Your head snaps up, staring at the devilish, hunk of a man, “wait- what?”

He speeds up the pace, his fingers hammering in and out of you so fast you don’t know what to do.

Your thighs are shaking almost closing in on him but with his one hand on your thigh, keeping you spread for him prevents his erotic death from happening. “Oh. Oh. Oh my god. Oh my god.”

“My name’s not God, sweetheart.”

A throaty moan comes out as your answer. “Shut- shut up.”

“Say my name and you’ll be a happy girl.”

You can feel yourself getting closer.

“Say it.”

“Brad-” you moan as he speeds up his pace even more, sucking on your buzzing bundle again. How is it possible for him to go this fast and not get a wrist or finger cramp? Why are you thinking about that right now? “Oh. Oh. Brad- ohhh- Brad-” is all that slips off your tongue.

He moves away from your heat with a pop, you groan in annoyance.

Your hands clench the sheets between your hands, not wanting to rip his hair out (because boy, oh boy, does he make you feel like a winner).

“Come on, sweetheart. Just a few more letters.”

You throw your head back, mouth agape wanting to say more but with the way your body tingles, it doesn’t happen.

Bradley’s hand sneaks its way up your torso, playing with your gorgeous tits for a few minutes; tugging and pulling at your nipples, wanting to make you feel good (and his touch everywhere) right now until he can properly have his way with you.

You can feel his hand on your neck, and you know he can feel the way your pulse increases at this motion.

He doesn’t stop there though, he grips your jaw with one hand, forcing your head down clearly wanting you to look at him.

Your eyes snap open, dilated pupils hiding your natural eye color.

His ego skyrockets at the sight of your fucked out expression even though he’s barely done anything to you.

“You say my name one time right now and I’ll reward you for being such a patient brat. How’s that sound?”

You nod; you would give him anything he asked for at this moment if it meant you could cum. He slips his fingers into your mouth.

“Say it.”

You stare at him with pleading eyes and what seems to be a (pathetic) confused expression as you suck on his fingers.

“Say. It.”

You moan, your vibrations sending a wave of confidence and horny through him.

“Say it and you’ll get what you want.”

You shake your head.

He sighs, removing himself from you.

“Wh-” you try to say only to find yourself face first into your sheets, “woah!”

The movements of him behind you tells you that you’re about to enjoy yourself.

His hands are on your waist, pulling you up closer. He lines himself up against you; you arch your back, hips rolling against him. He bends down, “all you had to do was say one simple word, but you couldn’t even do that.”

You scoff, dropping back down onto the mattress, “whatever.” You nibble on your bottom lip, waiting to see what he’s going to do next.

Bradley smacks your ass, chuckling at your surprised yelp. He grips your hips, forcing the lower half of your body off the bed and onto his lap. He releases one your hips, rubbing his stiff, covered cock against your core. “You still good? You with me?”

“How can I not be when you’ve barely done anything?”

“Just remembered you asked for it.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He slowly slides in, not wanting to hurt you (or blow his load too soon). His hips snap against yours, you lurch forward, unsure of how to balance yourself having never been this full before.

You pray this never has to end until he pulls out, leaving his dripping, latex covered cock in you before he hammers into you once more. You rest your forehead against your arm, hands clenching the sheets and he continues to take you higher and higher on a euphoric level.

The only noises in the room are skin slapping against, his quiet groans and the quiet gasps that escape you.

You do, God, you want to call out his name so bad, so, so bad but don’t just to drive him crazy.

“Say it.”

“Say what?” You ask with a smirk.

He growls, hauling your torso upwards against him; his hand rests on your neck, not squeezing the area but still letting you know who’s in control (right now). “Say it,” he hisses into your ear.

“No.”

His free hand slides down your side, moving towards the front of your belly. He moves lower and lower until he finds what he’s looking for. He doesn’t start you off at a slow pace to ease you in, he’s quick to circle your clit, moving at the same speed his hips thrust into you.

Your moans are louder than before, you whine. “Roost- Rooster.”

“Uh-uh. Say my name. Not my call sign, baby.”

Your breathing becomes more ragged as he speeds up which you didn’t think was possible. “N- no.”

A loud sigh enters your ear but you’re unfazed until the euphoria and tingling leaves you.

You fall forward, bracing yourself before you could face plant into the crumpled sheets. Your head snaps in his direction. “Why?” You whine.

He sticks his bottom lip out, throwing an unsympathetic pout your way. “Poor baby.” He leans down, pulling you back into his lap.

You sit back onto his lap, his hard cock resting against the curve of your bottom. Your hands holding onto his thighs, hoping to inch closer to the one thing your needy for right now.

His hand finds its way back to your neck, guiding your head back onto his shoulder. “Are you gonna be a brat the whole night?”

A light chuckle escapes you, “no… not the whole night.”

“Is that more bratty behavior I’m sensing?”

“Bratty, never. Slight defiance, maybe.” You tilt your head, looking up at him, “are you not enjoying it?”

One side of his mouth tugs upward, “good to know.” He pushes you off him, turning you around.

Your arms lock around the back of his neck, your chest against his.

He sets his hands under your thighs as he moves off the bed.

“Where were going?”

“Somewhere I’m sure you’ll be able to scream my name.”

Your back hits the nearest wall, not hard enough to knock the wind out of you. Your chest heaves with every breath you take, anticipation floods through your veins. “Oh, yeah?”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Someone’s c-”

His hips snap, this position much better more filling than before as he fills you to the brim. “Was the word you’re looking for,” he pulls his hips back and snaps into you once more. “Cocky?”

“Don’t,” a shaky breath comes out of you, “don’t get too- confident there. It’s not- a- ah- ah- good look on you.”

“Okay.”

You tilt your head up, closing your eyes once they roll into the back of your head. Your nails dig into the side of his neck and shoulder. “Br-”

“Come on now. Say it.”

“Brad-” A high pitched moan cuts you off. “Brad-”

“Just a little more, sweetheart.” He observes the way your mouth opens, the ideas running through his head make him slow down.

Your head snaps up, “no. No. Not again. Please?” You ask with a whiney tone, hips rolling against his to make a point.

He moves closer, his chest against yours as he focuses solely on making you cum right here and right now. One hand sneaks between your body’s, his thumb circling your buzzing bundle.

You start clenching around him.

“That’s it, just a little more.”

Your breathing stutters, it’s too much. “Brad- Brad-”

“Don’t give up now. You’re so close to getting what you want, sweetheart.”

You cup his cheeks and yank his head closer, wanting to feel him everywhere. You push his head away from you, keeping him close enough for him to feel your breath on his lips. You stare into his pretty chesnut eyes and whisper, “Bradley.” You think you hear his breath hitch before you close your eyes, vision going white. You stutter his name in slow, unsteady breathes as he helps you ride out your high.

He hardly slows his pace, giving you enough time to catch your breath.

You open your eyes, blinking a few times to focus on him. Your chest heaves as you take deep breathes, your fingers curl in his hair gaining his attention. “If we- God, man what did you do to me?”

He smirks, “I made you feel good.”

You scoff, tugging on his hair; he grunts, his grip tightens on your hip and thigh. “You keep doing that and I’m gonna lose it.” You lick your lip, wetting it on purpose to distract him.

His gaze does indeed travel down giving you the opportunity to clench around his length.

He stills inside you, head in the crook of your neck with his mouth latched onto the skin of your shoulder, you can feel his groans vibrating against your skin followed by the faintest whisper of your name.

You hum, petting the back of his head, “did lose your composure, big boy?”

He lifts his head, narrowing his eyes at you. “You know exactly what you did.”

An evil smile stretches across your lips, “I do, and I don’t regret it one bit.” You tap his shoulder, “now let me go.”

“You sure you want me to do that?”

You purse your lips, “okay, you cocky man. Here’s what’s going to happen,” you point to him. “You’re going to help me walk to the bathroom so we can both shower because I’m not gonna lay in a bed with a sweaty guy, unless you’re not staying then-”

“I’m staying,” he interrupts. “If- if… that’s okay.”

“Your cock is literally still inside me and you wonder if you spending the night is okay. Oh, I’m definitely keeping you.”

He scoffs through his nose, “I didn’t realize I was a pet, sweetheart.”

“You are, now take me to the shower or lose your place in my bed.”

He pulls his semi hard cock out of your, now, pulsating core.

You unwrap your legs from his waist, giving the hint that you want to walk (with his assistance of course).

You two make it to the bathroom with little to no issues (all thanks to the hunky man).

After standing in the shower, letting the warm water roll down your body’s, relaxing you.

It takes less than an hour for the two of you to fall asleep, you in a t-shirt and him in his (now washed and dry) boxers.

Bradley’s still sleeping.

You purse your lips, jealous that he can sleep some more than you. Your eyes wander around the dark, barely lit room; you stop at the sight of his shirt.

You get out of bed, slipping your feet into your slippers not wanting to feel the cold floor, pausing to look back at him, sighing out a relief that he’s still asleep. Next time you’ll be careful when getting out of bed.

You grab the shirt, gripping it tightly when you think about that last part again. “Next time?” Your head snaps over at the snoring, adorable, mustached man in your bed, tangled in the sheets. The corner of your lips tugs upwards, a gentle smile dancing across your lips, “next time, indeed.”

You walk over to the window, opening the blinds a bit so little natural light can escape and brighten your room up in an hour but, in the meantime, you’ll settle for your headlamp.

You reach into the drawer of your nightstand, grabbing the headlamp before opening your closet, searching for your sewing kit.

You sit back on the bed carefully setting your kit in front of you, not wanting to lose your needles (you did that once and let’s just say it was not a fun night).

Bradley rolls over and opens one eye; he smiles, staring at you, resting his head on his hand. "What're you doing?"

You finish working on this button, you were lucky to get three done before he woke up.

"Fixing your shirt."

"You didn't have to do that."

You take the headlamp off your head, rubbing your forehead. "I felt bad."

"Why?"

You sigh, "hang on." You open the blinds and run out into the living room, taking a picture frame off the table nearest to the wall, and run back into your room.

You hold it out for him.

He takes it, staring at it for a second. "Oh." "Sorry."

"No. No. It’s okay… why- uh- why do you have this picture?"

"My dad obviously."

"Which one is he?"

"You know the hat I was wearing tonight."

"Yeah?"

"Look for it." You settle back onto the bed, starting to work on another button.

"Wait!” He pushes himself up, “you're Howler?!"

You nod "yeah, you know who I am?"

“How could I not? You’re all anyone talks about and your Bob’s best friend.”

“The first thing I can imagine happening. Pilots like to gossip but I didn’t realize anyone knew I know Bob.”

“I put it together last night. Bob’s never one to warm up to a person that fast.”

You nod, sitting back on the bed, “fair enough.”

He doesn’t look away from the picture.

“Do you want me to put it back?”

He shakes his head, “no, no. This is- this is actually nice.”

“Is it?” You set his, now, finished shirt on your nightstand along with your sewing kit. You scoot closer to him, resting your elbow on the pillow, your hand rests on his shoulder. “How so?”

“I’ve seen almost every picture of my dad, but I’ve never seen this one before.”

“Yeah… I think my dad stole his camera because there’s a few others with Goose chasing after him and then the two wrestling with your dad looking pretty victorious as he dances around with his hat on.”

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah,” you chuckle.

Bradley turns his head, watching you with a small smile.

You turn to see his star dazed expression. “You want to see more?”

“In the living room?”

“And the few boxes I got around here somewhere. If that’s alright with you, of course.”

He cups your cheek, leaning in, “let’s do it.”

Neither of you had talked about it, what would happen between the two of you the next day; you risk it and kiss him.

“I’ll make the food this time.”

Your eyes widen. “Oh my god! The food.”

His arm wraps around your waist pulling you back into his.

“Let go,” you whine.

“No, no. Calm down, I took care of it last night.”

You stop fighting his hold, “you did?”

“I did, now can you stop freaking out?”

“Maybe. Let me go so I can go find the boxes.”

“If we must.”

“Oh, shut up.”

You push yourself out of bed, barely out the door when you hear, “are you wearing anything under your shirt?”

“My answer depends on your response.”

You don’t think you’ve ever heard anyone in this house ever get out of bed as fast as Bradley did in that moment.

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