#rooster imagines

[jupitercomet]

There Are 15 People in This House, You’re the Only One Who Has to Make Trouble

summary - Your job was simple: write a heartwarming article about the selfless firefighters who are working around the clock instead of celebrating the holidays. You thought it would be easy, firefighters are supposed to be friendly, right? Well the fire captain who's had it out for you since the day that you started certainly isn't. When he's not undermining you at every turn, he's making your life a living hell and downright ruining your Christmas. All because he caught you from falling out of a tree one time!

warnings - firefighter au, language, enemies to lovers (I tried), firefighting inaccuracies, mentions of guns, mentions of arson, there's a fire, mentions of toxic family, age gap though it's not really specified, a little suggestive, Bradley is 6'6" because I said so

word count - 14.2k

this fic is part of @sailor-aviator christmas challenge, be sure to check out what everyone else has written and I hope you enjoy!

the christmas fics

“Honey, I don’t think—” 

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Layford,” you wave off the older woman as you move to unbutton your coat. “Here, hold this please.” She takes your purse from you apprehensively, still wary as you set your coat on the ground and start sizing up the tree in front of you.

Mrs. Layford wets her lips against the chill of the morning air, trying again to deter you when you wrap your hand around one of the low branches. “I’ve already called the fire department, honey. They said they’re on their way.”

With a soft grunt, you hoist yourself up onto the lowest branch of the tree, peering through the snow covered foliage to catch sight of your target. Mittens, the slightly pudgy (though you’d never say it to his face—or Mrs. Layford’s) orange tabby, clings to one of the branches, letting out distressed meows every few seconds. He has a habit of getting stuck in trees—hence why Mrs. Layford knows most of the firefighters by name—and as the neighbor she often came to for help with things like the wifi and the apartment upstairs that plays their music too loud, you felt it was your civic duty to rescue Mittens on this snowy morning.

“Hey, buddy,” you call out to him softly before turning back to call down to Mrs. Layford. “I’ll have him out before they even get here, don’t worry.”

Letting go of the tree with one hand, you move to unwrap your scarf from around your neck, balancing around the rough bark of the trunk. You certainly have a hole in your tights and this was not the best activity to do in a skirt, but you shuffle along the trunk anyway and now, if you outstretch your hand all the way, you can reach the tips of Mittens’ puffed out fur.

“Oh, thank goodness!” You hear the relieved voice of Mrs. Layford, but you’re too busy trying to maneuver your scarf around Mittens’ plump middle that you don’t look down. “My neighbor’s trying to get him now but…”

Whatever she’s saying dies off and suddenly you hear heavy footsteps approaching the tree. A gruff voice clears its throat. “Ma’am, I’m going to need you to get down from there.”

You wrinkle your nose. Ma’am? You’re 27. That’s hardly an age that people start calling you “ma’am”. In fact, you don’t think you’ve ever been called ma’am in your life. “Miss” maybe, but never “ma’am”—“mademoiselle” that one time you went to Montreal on a work trip.

“Ma’am—”

“Hold on, hold on! I almost got him.” You interrupt the man who is terrible at estimating ages, finally wrapping your scarf around Mittens.

Carrying a cat in a scarf is a two handed job, and a cat as heavy as Mittens had no trouble throwing off your balance. You suppose you should have thought more of this through—if you were holding Mittens, it meant that you weren’t holding the tree and your thighs are not quite secure nor strong enough to keep you attached to the bark. A shriek leaves your lips and you hold Mittens to your chest as you suddenly lose your footing on the branch and feel yourself falling backwards off the tree.

Closing your eyes tight, you prepare for the impact of hitting either icy dirt or concrete sidewalk, but feel neither when you land in secure arms and a solid chest, the scent of cedar and smoke almost overpowering your senses. 

Blinking your eyes open, you collect your bearings and find yourself face to face with a well groomed mustache that’s twitching in agitation. Before he can say anything, Mrs. Layford is rushing over to you with a worried expression pinching her features.

You unwrap your scarf quickly, holding out an unharmed Mittens to hand over. “He’s okay,” you assure her. “Not a scratch on him.”

Mrs. Layford lets out a breath of relief, holding the cat close to her chest before turning her attention to the man still holding you. “Thank you, Bradley.”

“What? I saved him! Don’t I deserve a thank you?” You squawk in offense.

“Well, he saved you both,” Mrs. Layford glares at you with a look that tells you that you don’t want to keep arguing with her. Her face softens when she turns back to your—alleged—savior. “I’m sorry for any trouble we’ve caused, I’ll bring some cookies over to the station for you and the boys.”

“No need.” You feel his words vibrate in his chest, sending tingles along your arm. “Happy to be of service.” He lifts you suddenly, as if to gesture to you, and you let out a squeak of surprise, clinging to his compact, black t-shirt. “I’m just gonna check her for any injuries and be on my way. Why don’t you and Mittens go inside where it’s warm.”

Mrs. Layford does just that, with one last goodbye, and you watch her make her way back into your apartment building with one last glance back at you. Finally, the firefighter sets you back down on your own two feet, crossing his very large arms as he scans you up and down. You can’t help but fidget under his stare even though you know he’s only making sure you’re okay.

“Do you usually have this much disregard for your own life, ma’am?” He asks finally.

You scoff. “I wouldn’t have died from a fall from that height. And don’t call me ma’am.”

“Yes, you could have. You were falling backwards—head first at that—if you had landed on your neck wrong, this could have been a whole different story,” the firefighter narrows his eyes cockily, like he’s beaten you somehow by being more right than you. “And what should I call you then? Kitty? ‘Cause those are the only things I save from trees.” He smirks when your jaw drops at his audacity.

“Excuse me? I was saving a kitty. You were just standing there—”

“Just standing there?” He drops his cool guy persona to look at you incredulously. “I saved you from serious injury!”

“Ha! So you admit I wouldn’t have died!”

The firefighter’s mouth snaps shut when you point a finger at him. You watch his jaw clench and then he rolls his eyes.

“Well as delightful as this has been, I’m going to be late,” you smile at him sweetly as you bend down to grab your coat, much more smug now that you’ve finally silenced the man in front of you. “Gosh, I hope the firefighters I have to interview are as heroic and charming as you.” You shove your arms through your jacket before shooting him another look. “Am I free to go?”

“You know what—” The firefighter looks like he’s going to start another lecture, before his features falter and he pauses. “Did you say you’re interviewing firefighters?”

“Yeah, I’m writing an article for the paper. For the holidays and all that,” you pause from buttoning your coat, fingers stilling on one of the large, black buttons.

“You walking?” He questions.

You give him a weird look. “...Yeah?”

He looks at you for a moment and then lets out a deep sigh. “Come with me.”

“Excuse me? I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“Well, you might as well.” With that, he starts walking away from you, not even giving you the decency of facing you as he continues his sentence. “We’re going the same place, kitty.”

“So…” You tap your fingers along the wooden stool below you, drawing out the word as you watch the man in front of you clean up things around the station. “Bradley Bradshaw, huh?”

“Fire Captain Bradley Bradshaw.” He corrects.

You hold back an eye roll, lifting your pen to jot something down on your notepad. “Right.”

“What are you writing?” Bradley stops suddenly, marching over to you and ripping your notepad from you before you can protest. He reads over the few words you have scribbled and narrows his eyes. “I do not have an authority kink. And I highly doubt your article is supposed to be about my sex life.”

You shrug, plucking the notepad back from him. “I’m just writing what I see.” Hoping down from the stool, you give him another sickeningly sweet smile. “Maybe if you actually gave me an interview, I wouldn’t have to rely on my people reading skills.”

“I already told you, I already have a guy that’ll give you an interview. He eats this press shit up.” Again Bradley seems to have no regard for face-to-face conversations as he’s already walking away from you.

You’re borderline running to keep up with him. “And I already told you that my assignment is to follow you guys around for a week, I’m going to need more than one interview.”

“Alright, fine.” Bradley stops suddenly and you nearly trip over your own feet to stop from bumping into him. “You want an interview? Here’s an interview. I’m a firefighter, I fight fires. Sometimes I catch careless girls from falling out of trees—it’s not really my job, but I like to give back to the community.” He shrugs sarcastically. “When I’m not putting out fires, I wait here until someone calls me to put out a fire, and then I do. That good enough for you?”

You ignore his not so subtle dig at you in favor of jotting down notes. This is probably the most you’re gonna get with him, so you might as well take advantage of it. “Are you sad you won’t be getting time off for the holidays?”

“No, I’m not. I don’t really celebrate, so I don’t care that much.” Bradley crosses his arms.

“Uh-huh,” you nod, still looking at your notepad. “And when will you be accepting your award from People Magazine for Grumpiest Man of the Year?”

“When will I—” When Bradley processes your words, his jaw clenches and you’re suddenly aware of your height difference as he towers over you menacingly. “Oh, you’re real funny, kitty. Look, in case I haven’t made it clear, I don’t like you. And if I had it my way, you wouldn’t be here at all, so let me make this easy for you. Stay out of my way.”

The two of you stare at each other and you note how tense Bradley’s shoulders are. He looks like one of those bulls in the bullfighting rings that chase after the red capes. You read once that it isn’t the color red that sets off the bull, but actually the movement of the cape and if you’re the red cape in this scenario then you probably shouldn’t move. Honestly you wonder if bulls can even see the color red. But that caricature of a bull with smoke coming out of his nose is exactly what Bradley looks like right now. You wonder if you should tell him that.

“Seresin.” He barks suddenly, still keeping his eyes on you and it takes everything in you not to jump.

You hadn’t even noticed the other firefighter making his way down the stairs and you’re mildly impressed by Bradley’s peripheral vision. Finally Bradley breaks eye contact with you and it’s only then that you turn to take in the other man in front of you.

Much like Bradley, he’s unfairly tall. His uniform certainly hugs him in all the right places and he fills it out with what you know is concentrated muscle. Blond hair is gelled up slightly on his head and piercing green eyes meet your own with a polite smile that his captain hadn’t given you.

Bradley nods his head in your direction. “Give our journalist here an interview.”

“Sorry, Captain,” The man’s eyes dart to the exit and he almost seems to shift his weight nervously. “I actually have to be somewhere—”

“That was an order, Lieutenant.” Bradley interrupts him and then he’s stalking off before you or the other man can get another word in.

With that lovely, uncomfortable aura in the air, you shoot the man in front of you an apologetic smile. “Hi,” you introduce yourself, holding out a hand. “I’m with the Union-Tribune. I’m writing an article about the firefighters working over the holidays and would love to get an interview from you if you have the time.”

“Well, apparently I do,” the blond chuckles awkwardly, scratching at his neck as he shakes your hand with his other one. “Jake Seresin.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Jake.” You smile again.

He nods—infinitely friendlier than a certain Bradley Bradshaw. “So what questions were you wanting to ask me?”

You move to find somewhere for the two of you to sit and Jake follows with what looks to be a strained smile. His name feels familiar, though you certainly couldn’t have put it to the face, and you recall a recent article one of your colleagues had written about a nasty apartment fire that had practically brought the complex down. As of now, there weren’t any casualties, but you’d heard there had been a high number injured, including one in critical condition. Jake Seresin had been one of the firefighters to arrive on the scene—that’s how you recognized his name—and had been the last one to go in and look for any other people.

You know better than to ask him about the event, not when it has nothing to do with your article. You clear your throat with another smile. “Um, did you always know you wanted to be a firefighter?”

“I guess so,” Jake chuckles before pulling a bit of a face. “I thought it looked cool in the movies. My ma always said I was a bit of a wild child.”

“Oh, so you find firefighting to be a bit of an adrenaline rush?” You push.

“Well, I—” Jake falters. “I don’t know if I’d say that. I mean it can be, but it’s also…” He trails off, clearly looking for words that don’t seem to be coming to him.

“It’s okay,” you assure, knowing when to move on. “Complicated question. What about the holidays? Are you sad to be working?”

Jake looks infinitely relieved that you’ve changed the subject. “Originally, I was planning on heading home but… things changed and I figured if I was staying here, I might as well be working.” He glances at his watch suddenly and winces. “Is there another time we could do this? I’m sorry, but I really have to get somewhere.”

You nod hastily. “Of course! I’m sorry to keep you. I’ll be here all week so anytime you’re free, you know where to find me.”

Jake lets out a breath of relief. “Thanks. I’ll— I’ll be sure to do that.” He gives you an awkward wave before hastily heading towards the exit. Right as his hand meets the door, Jake pauses, turning back to you with a more sincere smile. “Oh, and don’t worry about Bradley. He’s like that with everyone.”

You watch him leave before sagging in your seat with a soft sigh. If the rest of the firefighters were like Jake then maybe this week wouldn’t be so bad—at the very least, you’d be able to write your article. Your thoughts drift to honeyed brown eyes and that permanent sneer that seems to cement every time it’s shot in your direction. You look down at your notes.

Bradley Bradshaw:

Authority kink

Biting back a smile, you scribble something quickly.

Authority kink (maybe)

The next day, you’re back at the fire station with a bright smile on your face. After a good night’s rest, you’ve decided that you’re not about to let the whole Bradley thing deter you. You are a trained professional and you’re certainly not about to let a man with a stick up his ass make the world think any differently. Securing your fingers around the bright pink box in your hands, you take one finally deep breath before walking inside the station.

“Hello?” You peer around, hoping to catch a lingering firefighter (ideally doing something praisable, like fostering a litter of abandoned kittens—it would look good for the article.) When you find no response, you call out again, louder this time. “I brought doughnuts.”

There’s a slight commotion from upstairs and then a group of six are filing down the stairs. At the front of the pack is a man with the prettiest curls you’ve ever seen, his eyes lit up excitedly as he takes in the treats in your hands.

He shoots his hand up suddenly. “I call jelly-filled!”

The man behind him shoves him and you hold back a gasp when he almost trips over the last step because of it. “You can’t call the jelly-filled one, dude.” You watch as they both make it down the stairs, still arguing with each other as they get closer to you.

“Boys!” There’s a sudden whistle and you also look up to see a stunning woman with dark brown hair pulling her fingers from her mouth. “You wanna say hi first? You’re being rude.”

The two men turn to you, much more sheepishly, embarrassment covering their features. “I’m Mickey,” the first one says, holding out his hand before realizing you’re not quite in the position to shake it.

“Reuben,” provides the other one.

You give them your name—along with your whole spiel about why you’re here—and open the box of doughnuts for them. “Don’t worry,” you wink. “I got two jelly doughnuts.”

Reuben and Mickey light up, taking the two powdered treats from you hastily as the rest of their colleagues finally make their way over to you. Jake you recognize and he’s flanked by a man slightly taller than him with a cropped buzz cut and jovial eyes. The woman is accompanied by another man whose thick glasses are balancing on his nose. Out of everyone, he seems the kindest—he just gives off that vibe—and he smiles at you politely when he realizes you’re staring at him.

“Bringing in the big guns, I see,” Jake teases, gesturing to the doughnuts Reuben and Mickey are already snacking on. He seems in better spirits than yesterday—or, at the very least, more sure of himself.

You play along, picking up a maple frosted doughnut and offering it to him. “I figured a little bribery never hurt.” You wait for him to take the doughnut before turning to the other three people standing next to him. “Would you guys like any?”

The man behind Jake, raises his hand, stepping forward to grab a sprinkled doughnut from the box. “You clearly did not think this through, because there’s no way I can give an interview with my mouth full,” he jokes before taking a large bite.

“Oh, good point,” Jake points at him and you feel you’re already getting a sense of their dynamic when they fist bump.

“Okay, since clearly all of you were raised in a barn, I’ll be the polite one,” the woman in front of you rolls her eyes, before shooting you a kind smile. “I’m Natasha,” she introduces. “That’s Bob.” She points at the man with glasses. “As you’ve heard, that’s Mickey and Reuben. The smartass over there is Javy.” The smartass in question waves, still eating his doughnut. “And I’m assuming you’ve already met Jake?”

You nod as both she and Bob finally reach over to grab a doughnut. Bob lets out a quiet “thank you” as his fingers wrap around a blueberry one.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” you say honestly.

“Well, it’s nice to meet the woman who’s gonna tell all of San Diego how sexy and heroic I am,” Javy winks at you. “Right?”

Jake scoffs good-naturedly. “Javy please, she’ll be far too distracted watching me.” He shoots you a look that you assume usually leaves women reeling (you’d be lying if you said you weren’t a little flustered yourself.) “Just let me know when you want to continue that private interview, sweetheart.”

“Private interview?” Javy whines. “C’mon man, you can’t give me one of these things?”

You snort. “Well, actually, I was hoping to get private interviews from all of you.”

Before anyone else can respond, someone clears their throat from the top of the staircase. “If you’re just gonna be distracting my firefighters, this isn’t going to work.”

You recognize the voice—of course, you recognize the voice—and you force a smile onto your face as Bradley Bradshaw, in all his black t-shirt and firefighter pants glory, descends

 the stairs. Though you’re trying to keep it professional, Natasha does not share that sentiment and rolls her eyes.

“Oh lay off it, Bradshaw. We’re not even doing anything right now.”

“Yeah,” Jake chimes in. “Just grab a doughnut man, we saved you the chocolate frosted one.”

Bradley growls. “I don’t like chocolate frosted doughnuts.” From over his shoulder, Jake mouths “He does!” and you bite back a smile. “And you may not be doing anything right now, but you’re all on call. You shouldn’t be standing around eating snacks.”

“Bradley—” Bob starts, but you wave him quiet, forcing your smile even wider.

“No, he’s right,” you nod politely in Bradley’s direction, closing the box of doughnuts. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have distracted you guys.”

“Your job is to follow us around, not get in the way,” Bradley reminds you—because you’re learning it might actually kill him to be nice to you. “And put those in the fridge or something. I don’t want Goose getting to them.”

You pause, brows furrowing in question. “Goose?”

As if on cue, a large dalmatian suddenly comes bounding down the steps, nearly tripping on his big paws in his haste. Behind you, you hear Mickey whisper something about how “he must have jumped the baby-gate again”. You can hardly react before the dog sets his sights on you, racing over to you with wide, brown eyes and a tongue practically flopping around the side of his mouth.

On instinct you bend down, shifting the doughnut box in one hand and leaving your other free to pet the very excited dog. You miscalculate his force though and when he runs into you, you stumble, the doughnut box wobbling in your hand as you try to steady yourself and pet Goose at the same time.

The box is snatched from your hand right before it can fall to the floor and you look up—fingers still locked in Goose’s fur—to find Bradley glaring at you, the doughnut box now in his possession. “What did I just say?”

“Leave her alone, Bradley. You’ve let him eat way worse than a couple doughnuts.” Reuben comes to your defense, but there seems to be a silent agreement in the air that the firefighters are going to get back to work as they all start making their way up the stairs where you assume the offices and bunks are.

Luckily, Bradley does decide to let it go, moving to shove the doughnuts in the mini-fridge they had set up nearby. He brings his fingers to his mouth and lets out a sharp whistle. “C’mon, Goose.”

The dog doesn’t move from where he’s panting in front of you and—not wanting to start another argument with Bradley—you remove your hands from the dog in hopes he’d be more incentivized to return to his owner.

“Goose.” Bradley calls again, a somewhat confused expression on his face as he pats his leg.

This time the dog plops his butt down on your shoes, looking up at you with Bambi eyes as if urging you to keep petting him.

From behind Bradley there’s a snort and you’re unsure what to do except stand there until Bradley finally rolls his eyes.

“Fine.” He turns around. “Stay there then.”

You wait for Bradley to ascend the stairs and disappear from sight before crouching down and scratching behind both of Goose’s ears. “Thanks for keeping me company,” you whisper. 

You spend most of your time with Mickey and Reuben after that. The two are more than happy to answer your questions, sharing little fun facts with you as they check the firetrucks and do all the other things Mickey likes to call “busy work”. They have plenty of anecdotes - like the time Jake organized a sexy fireman photo shoot or the time a drunk Javy went down the fireman’s pole upside down. Through every story, both men are smiling brightly and you can tell that they genuinely care for the other people working around them.

“I mean, yeah it sucks I’m not seeing my family for the holidays,” Mickey tells you, eyes trained on checking the hose attachments on the truck. “But these guys are kinda like my second family, you know?”

Reuben elbows him good-naturedly. “That was fucking cheesy, dude.” He turns to look at you. “But what about you?”

“Sorry?”

“Well… You’re spending the holidays with us too, right? How do you feel about that?” He questions and, once he points it out, it seems to register to Mickey too and he looks equally invested in your answer.

You shrug, fidgeting with the end of your notebook. “Um, I was kinda expecting it honestly. It’s sorta my thing to work over the holidays, so I was ready for it.”

“You don’t go home?” Mickey furrows his brows.

“Nope,” you force a laugh, desperately hoping to move the conversation on to something else. You’re saved thankfully, when Natasha comes bounding down the steps.

“Guys, we’ve got a car accident on Waters and 1st,” she informs you all and you step out of the way quickly, not wanting to slow them down in the slightest.

Mickey and Reuben just nod, giving you a brief wave goodbye before following after Natasha. You watch them all load up into the truck quickly, wincing slightly when the loud siren starts sounding. They leave impressively fast—a note you make sure to jot down—and once they do, you look for something else to do until they return.

Remembering the doughnuts you brought—and the fact you’ve had yet to have one—you make your way over to the mini-fridge to grab the box. A small smile stretches across your face when you realize that the chocolate frosting one is missing. You discard the thought of grabbing a doughnut, instead reaching for your pen.

Bradley Bradshaw:

Authority kink (maybe)

Likes chocolate frosted doughnuts

Day four and you’re walking in with a smile on your face and a paper bag clenched between your fingers. The day before had proved to be similar to your second day at the station, you followed Jake and Javy around as they did much of the same of what Mickey and Reuben had done the day before. It meant that you also got to watch in on the tour of the fire station that they gave to a small class of children and their teacher. Unsurprisingly, the kids were most excited to meet Goose, but it was clear how much fun they were having with Javy and Jake. 

When you asked why a classroom would be visiting the station over their school break, Javy informed you that they’d scheduled another day for all the kids who were sick on the days that their classes got to visit the station. It was heartwarming to see both Jake and Javy take extra time out of their schedules for these kids and it was definitely going into your article.

You’d caught sight of Bradley a few times that day, but, unsurprisingly, he was doing his best to avoid you. Not that you exactly minded, but you knew you couldn’t write this article without at least one interview with the fire captain and you were determined to do just that.

Bradley doesn’t even look up when you finally find him in his office and drop your somewhat crumpled paper bag on his desk.

“What’s this?” He asks, flipping through more paperwork, like your sudden appearance hardly warrants pausing his work.

You shrug it off, telling yourself it’s highly unlikely that he’ll want to talk to you if you catch an attitude after his first question (granted he already has one, but still!) “A chocolate frosted doughnut.

This catches him and he lets his eyes snap to the bag. “I don’t want it.”

Asshole.

“That’s okay,” you force a wide smile. “I just thought you might, but you don’t have to eat it.”

“Why’d you bring it?” Bradley asks suspiciously and, with the way he’s looking at the bag, you’d think there was a bomb in it.

You let out a breath. Now or never. “Well… I was hoping to get an interview with you.”

For the first time, maybe ever, you see Bradley’s lips twitch upward slightly. “The first one not enough for you?”

A joke! He made a joke!

“Well, it was, but then I realized it made you sound like a tool,” you tease. And the smile drops. Damn it! You open your mouth to amend quickly. “I mean, I figured you might want to say more… about being the fire captain and everything.” You’re gonna have to pull out all the stops for this—including the authority kink.

Bradley studies your face and, again, you want to fidget under his gaze, but you do your best not to. He glances at the clock and then gestures for you to sit. “5 minutes. I have work to do.”

You physically hold back the eye roll and the retort that he must be quite good at knowing what 5 minutes feels like. (Actually, you know for a fact that he probably doesn’t, not with those arms… and those thighs. He could probably go for 12 hours, the bastard.) Shaking off all your thoughts, you sit down in the chair at Bradley’s desk. Goose lifts his head from where it’s resting in his dog bed and trots over to you for head scratches.

Bradley watches the interaction but keeps his mouth shut.

After giving Goose one more scratch for good measure, you shift into work mode, reaching for your pencil and notepad. Deciding to ease your way into everything first, you start off with a fairly simple question. “Is there anything you would want people to know about you?”

Bradley shifts and then shrugs. “Not really. I don’t believe in getting praised for just doing my job. I still don’t even know what the point of all this is,” he gestures to your notepad as if to refer to your whole article.

“Well, I think a lot of people would disagree with you, your job’s pretty heroic,” you tell him honestly, even in the few days you’d been here, you’re able to see that. And you’re able to see how much Bradley has to do with it. “What about your childhood? Did you always want to be a firefighter?”

Bradley visibly stiffens at your words, the papers in his hands crumpling a bit as his fingers tense. “No.”

“No?”

When it’s clear you want at least a little more from him, Bradley shifts in his seat. “I wanted to be a cop.”

That catches you by surprise, your pencil stilling on your notepad. 

“My godfather was one— Well, still is, he’s chief now,” Bradley continues, almost as if you aren’t there. “I spent my whole childhood trying to be just like him and then he pulled my application from the police academy.”

It’s clear that this affected Bradley far more than he’s showing with his nonchalant retelling—if the haunted look in his eyes is anything to go by. And he’s telling you far more than you ever thought he would, far more personal things. The air is uncomfortable after he finishes and you really don’t know what to say, so you just say the first thing to come out.

“Oh, thank god.”

Bradley seems to snap back to the room, his brows furrowing. “Excuse me?”

“I mean, I don’t even want to think about a world where you were given a gun.” The words keep coming out and you know you shouldn’t be saying them, but you genuinely can’t stop yourself. “Probably woulda shot me out of that tree or something.”

Bradley looks genuinely speechless, lips slightly parted as he stares at you in disbelief. “You—” Words fail him until he finally narrows his eyes. “Was that a joke?”

“Yes!” You blurt quickly in a last ditch attempt to save face.

“You are—” Bradley chuckles darkly and it’s very off putting. “You are something else, kitty. And I really don’t think you’re in a position to be judging.” He says it like he knows something you don’t.

You cross your arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He leans forward against his desk, a condescending smile on his face. “You really think people care about shit like this?” He gestures to the station around you. “No, it’s the holidays, and I know a lot of very important things worth writing about over the holidays.” Your face falters and you know that Bradley knows he has you. “Things that, if you were respected in your field, you’d be writing about. But instead you’re here for something no one’s gonna read. You know what that tells me, kitty?”

You swallow. “What does that tell you?”

“That I’m not the only person who finds you incredibly annoying.”

Okay.

Massive asshole.

Godzilla sized asshole.

However two could play at that game. You sit up in your seat, meeting his cocky gaze with a sickeningly sweet smile.  “Are you an arsonist?” 

“Excuse me?” Bradley blinks back in surprise.

“There’ve been studies that show that firefighters with god-complexes could be more likely to become arsonists because they love the thrill and attention. They light the fire, wait for someone to report it, and then they put it out and play hero,” you lean back in your chair with a smug look on your face. “Some actually get sexual gratification from it.” You sniff. “So I think it’s in both of our best interests that you answer me honestly, Mr. Bradshaw, because I can promise you that people would read about a fire captain outed as an arsonist. So could you state that you do not get sexual gratification from putting out fires?” You smile and blink up at him. “For the record.”

How’s that for annoying, asswipe?

Bradley clenches his jaw.

“Oh, would you look at that?” You pretend to gasp, getting up from your chair so you’re finally the one towering over Bradley, and move to step out of his office. “I guess my article will be about your sex life after all!” 

With that, you close the door a little harder than you need to, smoothing down your skirt and tipping your chin up before walking away from Bradley’s office. So your interview hadn’t gone as well as you’d hoped. But, as you spare a quick glance behind you and see him through the window angrily pulling out your doughnut, you get the feeling that anything good you learn about Bradley Bradshaw wouldn’t be anything he’d tell you to your face.

“Thank you, Bob!” You smile kindly as the bespeckled man starts heading back to continue working around the station. 

Now with a notepad full of anecdotes and personalities, you feel a lot better about the state of your article. As you suspected, all of the firefighters were far more forthcoming than Bradley had ever been—and significantly nicer too. Speaking of the disgruntled man, you’d taken his advice and stayed out of his way as much as you could these past couple days. It proved to be a bit difficult because his dog Goose seemed to take special liking to you, which clearly annoyed Bradley to no end. But he has yet to give you some old man lecture or threaten to kick you out again so you’re doing your best to keep it that way.

If this were anything but your job, you’d probably be far less likely to put up with his bullshit. (And even though it’s your job, you know you still make fun of him constantly if given the chance, which is why you’re doing your best to avoid him so that you don’t have to suddenly explain to your publisher why you’ve somehow been banned from the fire station.) You’re sure you’ve gotten off on the wrong foot with him, but you’ve actually never seen him be nice to anyone here. He’s respectful—to a point—and he cares about them, but he’s never nice. The only person you’ve seen him be nice to is Goose. And Goose is a dalmatian.

Looking over your notes with another breath, you decide to see if you can find Natasha for another interview. Out of all the firefighters you’ve met, you’ve found her to be one of the most inspiring. One of the few women in her field, she shared with you briefly just what she’s overcome to get here. Everyone around the station calls her “Phoenix” after an accident in the beginning of her career that only caused her to come back stronger.

That’s how you know that Bradley cares about his firefighters. Reuben told you that he seemed to take Natasha’s accident the hardest—that he takes all of their accidents the hardest. You can see it in the little things Bradley does too, you’re sure if you were allowed to follow them onto scenes you’d see how he always has her in his sights, always accounted for. But it’s also in the waters he wordlessly hands her when they get back to the station and the fact that they always ride in the same truck. How he never stops her from doing her job or acts like she can’t handle it, but just simply cares about her.

It’s Bradley’s job to look after his firefighters—and you know if you pointed that out to him, he’d say it in some almighty, obnoxious way—but he takes it more seriously than you ever expected him to. Natasha isn’t the only firefighter he treats like that. You have a feeling if you called him out on it, he’d deny it, possibly stop altogether. So you don’t. You just silently watch the parts of Bradley Bradshaw that come out when he doesn’t think you’re looking.

Finally making it to the common quarters and small kitchenette, you spot Natasha leaning against one of the counters, taking a bite of a cream cheese bagel.

“Nat!” You call with a wave (she asked you to call her that), heading over to her when she looks up with a smile. “Are you busy?”

She sucks some cream cheese off her thumb. “Not especially. Why?”

“Well, I had a couple more questions, if you were up for it.”

“Oh,” Natasha seems a tad surprised before a grin overtakes her face. “Oh, Jake and Javy are going to hate this.” She laughs.

“Hate what?” Javy catches the end of her sentence, strolling into the kitchen and opening the fridge.

Natasha smirks. “That you and Jake haven’t wooed her enough to be her favorite.”

“I’m hurt.” Javy directs at you with a pout, pulling out a lunch container that definitely has the word “Bob” written on it on a piece of masking tape. “Didn’t you see how upstanding I was, giving those little kids a tour of the station?”

You raise a teasing, unimpressed eyebrow. “You mean when you almost popped a blood vessel trying to stay flexed for their teacher?”

“Ouch! Kitty’s got claws,” Javy wiggles his brows as you and Natasha laugh at him.

You pause, your giggles pattering off as you take in his words. “Wait, what did you call me?”

“Kitty?” Javy seems unbothered, peeling off the lid of Bob’s tupperware and pulling out a white bread sandwich with the crust cut off. “Bradley’s been calling you that since you got here. Since he rescued you from a tree and all that— To be honest, I didn’t know he could make jokes like that.” The explanation is told to you through a mouthful of turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato and you try to keep your expression in check.

He rescued you? Is that how he told it? 

You purse your lips before smiling. “And where is Bradley?”

“Unloading one of the trucks, I think.”

You nod, meeting Natasha’s knowing gaze before turning on your heel with a quiet “Excuse me” before you start marching back to the staircase, your anger growing with each step. It wasn’t that you hated the little name Bradley had given to you. Embarrassingly, you almost liked when he called you that. What you didn’t like was why he felt it was appropriate to share this nickname when you weren’t around like it was a joke between him and everyone else and not like it was something between the two of you.

When you reach the last step, you’re practically seething, marching over to Bradley without a care of who might be around him at the current moment.

“Fire Captain Bradley Bradshaw.” You call out loud enough to get his attention.

Bradley turns around—almost surprised—before his expression falls to the one of muted annoyance you’re used to him directing at you. “Can I help you?”

“You see how nice it is when someone calls you by your name?” You continue like he hasn’t spoken. “And not some nickname they use to make fun of you when you aren’t there?”

Bradley’s eyes widen slightly in understanding and, for once, he has the decency to turn around and face you fully. “Look—”

“No, you look, Bradshaw, I am honestly so done with you thinking that you’re better than me because of a narrative that you made up!”

“I made it up?” Bradley narrows his eyes incredulously. “I would understand if your memory was a little shaky if you’d hit your head after a fall or something, but you didn’t because— Oh, wait! I caught you.” He crosses his arms.

“Yeah, and every day since then, I’ve been wishing you didn’t because then you wouldn’t be holding it over my head!” You argue back, before you realize where you are and take a deep, grounding breath.

If you weren’t so angry at him, you might be angry at yourself that you’d let a man get under your skin this quickly, but you weren’t about to stick around to be some kind of low blow comedy routine for a man who had yet to treat you with an ounce of respect since the moment you met him. But honestly, it hurt. You know you aren’t Bradley’s favorite person, but you’ve seen him with everybody else. You know how he thinks of every little thing that could affect them or hurt them in some way and does what he can to avoid it. You don’t know why it hurts so bad to realize that he’s so careless when it comes to you.

You’re just a little over halfway through the week, but you’ve gotten a fair amount of what you need. If you added a few embellishments and wrote like a high schooler trying to meet an essay word count then maybe you could hand something passable to your publisher. It wouldn’t be your best work, but that didn’t matter, because you didn’t want to spend another minute in the company of Bradley Bradshaw.

“Well, congratulations.” You laugh bitterly. “Think of this as my Christmas gift to you because I’m leaving.”

You have every intent to just walk right out of the station and never take a step back in. You wouldn’t even let yourself be dragged here. No, Bradley Bradshaw could rot in hell and you’ll live happily knowing you never have to be around his stupidly groomed mustache and giant muscles ever again.

From behind you, he calls out. “Why would I want a Christmas gift from you? I don’t like Christmas.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” You whirl around, throwing your hands up in the air because you have genuinely never met a man more infuriating. “That’s all you have to say? After all of that, the only thing you’d like to correct is that you’re a giant fucking Scrooge?”

Bradley scoffs. “Scrooge? What is this? The 1840s?”

“I hate that you actually know when A Christmas Carol was published!” 

“And I hate that you’re throwing a tantrum because I called you a name that wasn’t even an insult!” Bradley argues back.

Rage is simmering on your tongue, but you swallow it down in favor of making sure your words come out exactly how you mean them. “You will never understand what it’s like to have to somehow earn the respect of everyone you talk to, okay? You will never understand what it’s like to not even get the chance to prove yourself because a bunch of men have already decided what you are for you. You may think it’s funny to turn me into some sort of joke around your station, but it’s not and I’m done putting up with it.”

You turn around again, finally ready to be done with this man who, for the life of you, you cannot stop arguing with.

“Wait.”

His voice causes you to freeze and, when you turn around this time, Bradley looks as though the fight has finally left him too. “Don’t go,” he tells you. “You… You don’t have to go.”

“Bradley—” You start, but he shakes his head.

“You’re right, I’ve been… unfair. Just finish out the week. Tomorrow’s training day, that would be good for your article right? You can follow me around.” It’s hardly an incentive and he has yet to even say he’s sorry, but you know someone dropping a proverbial sword when you see it.

You let Bradley sit in his awkward silence for a few seconds before you finally let out a soft breath. “Fine.”

The next day, you can tell that Bradley’s doing his best to be on his best behavior. He gives you a polite nod as a greeting and lets you follow after him as he starts setting up for drills and the CPR recertifications. You’re also trying to play nice, you don’t ask any smart ass questions and you spare him all your quips. You simply watch him, taking the occasional note and petting Goose, who’s also been following the two of you around. 

When Bradley calls down all the firefighters to start running through drills, even they seem surprised that the two of you are standing next to each other so peacefully. Bob raises his eyebrows and Mickey literally does a double-take. You just wave at them all politely and then try to stay out of their way.

Oddly, it’s a little boring watching them all climb up and down the fire station stairs, Bradley shouting orders at them as they run through drills. You find yourself doodling on your notepad until they all start moving towards the rescue dolls. (Is that what you call them? You’d have to google that when you get home.)

You’d gotten CPR certified once when you were 15, you were working as a lifeguard over the summer and it was obviously a requirement. It’s been a while since you brushed up on it though, so you do pay attention as the firefighters go through the motions of compressions and breaths. 30 compressions, 2 rescue breaths, with a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Hopefully it wouldn’t have to be vital knowledge to you, but good to know all the same. 

There weren’t enough practice dolls for every firefighter, so after the first round finishes, Bradley calls for them all to take a quick break.

“Fitz, open one of the doors, will you?”

The newer recruit looks happy that his name was even remembered (even if it was just a nickname) and hastily heads over to the side wall to press a button that would open one of the large garage doors of the station. You watch Bradley watch him, his face neutral until something seems to trigger what almost looks like panic.

“Wait, Fitz, not that one—”

Fitz presses a button on the wall and, instead of the doors opening up like you expect them too, suddenly the sprinklers from the ceiling turn on. You let out a shriek as water starts pouring down onto you, nearly tripping over Goose—who’s bouncing around like this is the best day of his life—looking for cover before you’re soaked through. 

You realize quickly that that’s a useless endeavor as you take in everybody else accepting their fate of getting doused in water and try to decide that it’s okay. You didn’t love this outfit anyway. Instead, you wipe your hair away from your face and try not to shiver too much from the chill of the air. Natasha gestures you over to her and the two of you can’t help but laugh at how soggy the other looks.

“Aright, got it.” 

Finally the water shuts off and you look up to see that Bradley had made it to the other side of the room to fix everything. Fitz is next to him looking drenched and sheepish and you hope Bradley doesn’t give him too hard of a time.

Instead Bradley surveys the room, placing his hands on his hips as he sighs. “Everybody go change.”

The squadron cheers and you can’t help but join in, until you realize that you don’t technically work here and that means you don’t have a spare set of clothes with you. Bradley seems to have accounted for that too though, as he comes over to you with a nudge of his head.

“Follow me.”

And that’s how you end up in a pair of Bradley’s old sweats and a baggy t-shirt with the fire station’s emblem on it.

Thankfully your underwear stayed relatively dry, so you weren’t going entirely commando. But your bra had been beyond saving and it wasn’t lost on you that you were wearing something of Bradley’s against your bare skin. 

The whole sprinkler fiasco seemed to cut the day short, but no one seemed to mind not having to continue drills, if anything, Fitz was a hero in their eyes. With nothing left to do, Bradley gifted everyone the day off and you watched as they all started trickling out of the fire station, hair dripping and smiles wide on their faces. You stay though, for some reason. 

You honestly don’t feel quite ready to leave yet and, with basically everyone gone, you reason that maybe it’s okay to make yourself a bit comfortable. Mickey and Reuben had shown you once where they’d gotten a TV set up for the long nights with not much to do and they’d even brought in a small, comfortable looking couch to add to the whole thing. 

Settling down in the cushions, you try to relax as you browse through the movies and TV shows the station has downloaded. Your lips perk up when you land on Home Alone and you start the movie quickly, setting the volume low even though you’re practically alone.

You think the whole thing would be better with some popcorn, but there’s not too much to complain about and you’re perfectly content watching the antics of Kevin McCallister anyway.

Over the movie, you hear the sound of muted footsteps and then, “What are you still doing here?”

It’s Bradley—of course it’s Bradley—but he doesn’t sound as clipped as he usually does. You roll your head over to look at him with a small smile.

“Watching a movie,” you say as if it isn’t obvious.

“Why haven’t you gone home?” Bradley asks, though it’s not quite as accusing as you’re used to.

You don’t really have an answer so you shrug. “I wanted to watch a movie.”

Bradley doesn’t respond, but he does step inside, wordlessly making his way to the couch and sitting down next to you. It’s quiet and a little awkward, but it’s the nicest Bradley’s ever been to you and you know you’d ruin it if you whipped out your phone now to time him. Instead you do the next best thing and sigh, too tired to inevitably start fighting with Bradley again.

“But I can go,” you tell him, moving to get up.

Bradley stops you. “You don’t have to. I just didn’t know anybody else was here.”

It’s quiet and you start to think that maybe Bradley had really taken to heart how he’d been treating you because he seems almost thoughtful as he sits next to you. Still the silence makes you shift as you try to think of ways to fill it.

“Thanks for the clothes,” you land on.

Bradley shrugs. “Figured they’d be more comfortable than your wet clothes.”

“They are,” you look down. “Actually, what detergent do you use?”

Bradley looks at you strangely. “You ask a lot of weird questions, you know that?” He leans back against the couch.

You laugh. “Comes with the job, I guess.”

The conversation patters off and you look down at your fingers to hide your nerves. You’re not used to having actual, polite conversations with Bradley, at least you knew how to act when you were making fun of him. Now you don’t know where to look or when you should laugh or what you should even say.

“Persil.”

“Huh?” You look up when Bradley speaks.

He turns to look at you. “That’s the detergent I use. Persil.”

“Oh.” You blink. “Um, thanks. I’ll be sure to put that in my article,” you try to joke with a small smile.

Bradley wrinkles his nose. “Why would anyone want to read about that?”

“Well, it’s not like anyone is gonna read it anyway,” you slouch down against the couch cushions and laugh a little. “You were right about that, I guess.”

“I didn’t—” Bradley’s mouth remains open as he's reminded of the harsh things he'd said to you, but no words come out. When a few seconds go by and he still hasn’t spoken, you wonder if your conversation has died for the second time. You and Bradley aren’t very good at this whole being nice to each other thing.

“I’ll read your article” is what finally comes out of Bradley’s mouth and when you look surprised, he nods more resolutely. “Yeah, I didn’t mean— I’ll read your article. When it comes out.”

In this light, he looks almost nervous and you smile softly. “Thanks, Bradley.”

“Sure,” he coughs awkwardly, looking at his watch to avert his gaze. “Are you sure you want to stay here? I mean, wouldn’t you rather be spending time with your family while you can?”

Your smile dims slightly and you give Bradley a knowing look. “Why do you think I’m watching Home Alone?”

Bradley doesn’t seem to follow, but his eyes drift to the screen to watch Kevin in the middle of grocery shopping all by himself and you watch his features still slightly.

“I actually can’t remember the last time I spent the holidays with someone. Isn’t that sad?” You don’t really know why you’re telling him this. Maybe Bradley’s been nice to you long enough that you’ve tricked yourself into thinking he’ll care. Maybe you’re just tired of being by yourself. “I went no contact with my parents a few years ago—and I know it was the best thing for me to do—but, I don’t know, it’s made the holidays a little… rough.” You confide quietly.

You watch Bradley roll his lips between his teeth in thought. His eyes finally leave the TV. “Oh, thank god.” He says finally.

You blink, letting out a surprised laugh. “Sorry?”

“I thought you were watching Home Alone because you liked it,” Bradley explains. “But now I get it, it’s like a ‘woe is me’ thing.”

You realize now that he’s basically flipping your whole cop/gun conversation back onto you, but you can’t even begin to process that because “You don’t like Home Alone?”

“No,” Bradley wrinkles his nose. “It’s all physical comedy. Like, yeah, the bad guys get hurt, is that all there is?”

You turn to face Bradley, jaw dropping. “You can’t be serious,” you tell him. “Are you serious? Home Alone is a classic!”

Bradley just shrugs.

“No.” You grab the remote to restart the movie. “No, I am not sitting by and letting this happen. You are watching this movie and you will like it!”

Bradley snorts in disbelief. “Yeah, and how are you gonna make that happen?”

You don’t really know. You’ve never actually met anyone who didn’t like Home Alone because that would make them an actual crazy person. Maybe Bradley just hasn’t seen it in a while and has forgotten how good it is. Maybe—

“Wait a second, you’re not pretending to not like Home Alone just because I like it, right?” You look at him accusingly.

Bradley rolls his eyes. “Right, because a guy can’t just not like a movie.”

“You totally are! I can’t believe you, you have to be mean just because I like something—”

“Not everything is about you!” Bradley protests.

“This is!”

“No, it isn’t!”

Before you realize it, you and Bradley have moved so close to each other that you can practically feel his angry huffs on your face. You seem to both register this fact at the same time as your cheeks begin to heat and Bradley’s gaze drops to your lips for the briefest of seconds. You should pull away. This is Bradley for crying out loud! You’d rather burn your lips off with acid than kiss him.

It’s unclear who moves first—you probably move at the same time honestly—but you both surge forward before you can think better of it, your lips smashing into Bradley’s. He holds your face in his large hands, frantic but still gentle, and you can’t stop yours from weaving into his still damp hair. 

The feeling of his lips against yours is addictive as is the way that his tongue coaxes into your mouth, swallowing any muffled sounds you let out. Every action reads clearly - he’s thought about this before, maybe a lot. 

Bradley’s hands move from your cheeks, down your sides to your hips. He plays with the hem of your shirt, and you wonder how he feels about the fact that it’s his, before his large hands make their way under it, planting onto bare skin. They’re warm and calloused as he strokes your stomach and tips you back so that you’re laying flat on the small couch.

It’s a bit of a fit for the two of you, but that’s hardly going to stop you now. Bradley’s lips leave yours—and pull a whimper of protest from you—but only so they can latch onto your neck, his teeth sinking into your pulse point. As his tongue soothes the sting, you let your hands crawl under his shirt, running over the curves and divots of his defined muscles. Your nails rake against them gently and Bradley grunts into your skin. It’s such a masculine sound, it would make your thighs clench if he wasn’t between them.

A crash sounds from the television—no doubt Harry or Marv falling for one of Kevin’s traps—and it pulls the two of you apart, the reality of what just happened crashing down on you. You can’t quite meet Bradley’s eye as you take your hands out from under his shirt and he can’t quite meet yours when he pulls his hand out from where it was dangerously close to holding your bare breast.

It’s silent as the two of you catch your breath and, finally, Bradley clears his throat.

“We should—” His voice is husky and his lips look thoroughly kissed. “We should probably get home. We have an early day tomorrow.”

He’s not saying anything about how the two of you were just making out on a couch like horny teenagers, but you decide that you don’t really want to talk about it either, so you nod.

“Okay… I’ll see you tomorrow,” you smile weakly. 

Bradley only mirrors your nod.

You’re in an unusually chipper mood when you enter the station. You greet Natasha gleefully and Jake and Javy even joke that you’re glowing. You decide that you are when you think about it. After a night of good sleep, you’re able to come to terms with the fact that you actually like Bradley Bradshaw. He’s still an asshole and makes it too easy to argue with him, but he can be thoughtful and, weirdly, talking with him—even if you started arguing over Home Alone—had made you feel better despite your holiday situation. 

He wasn’t perfect, but you knew deep down Bradley Bradshaw was good and he was certainly someone you wanted to talk to more—preferably during civil conversations. 

Which is why you’re smiling at everyone as you walk into the station with a bag holding a chocolate frosted doughnut and one goal in mind - asking Bradley on a date. A proper one, where the two of you talk about your favorite things to do over dinner and try to guess which of the people at the tables around you aren’t going to be going on a second date. And maybe a date that involved more of Bradley kissing you senseless… but only if it felt right.

When Bradley finally appears in your vision, you light up, scampering over to him. “Bradley!”

He turns around and almost looks surprised to see you, but schools his expression quickly. “Hey,” his eyes dart down to the bag in your hand.

You swallow your nerves. “Hey.”

There’s an uncomfortable silence and weirdly—in all your time knowing him—things with Bradley have never felt this awkward. You open your mouth to desperately fill it, but it seems he had the same idea.

“I was actually hoping to ask—”

“I was thinking—”

You both stop and you laugh nervously. “You first.”

“Right.” Bradley scratches the back of his neck. “Well, I was thinking and I know today’s your last day at the station.” You’d honestly forgotten about that fact during the whirlwind of everything and your hope rises. Maybe you didn’t have to ask Bradley out on a date because he was already doing it! “Honestly we’re not going to be doing anything interesting today and I wouldn’t want to waste your time with stuff you already have notes for, so if you’d rather just head out and, I don’t know, do other stuff… I don’t know, I just don’t think it really makes sense for you to stay.”

Oh.

Suddenly you’re not so sure you’re glowing anymore. In fact maybe you’re the opposite. Maybe you’re dull. Because Bradley is now pretending that your kiss never happened and he’s even going as far as letting you know that he actually never wants to see you again after. Like kissing you was nothing more than a lapse in his judgment.

You could be mean to him, make fun of him or say something just to spite him, but you know that’s childish. Bradley has every right not to be interested in you romantically. And you certainly know how to take a hint.

“That’s—” You give him a stiff nod. “That’s a good idea. Thanks.” You suddenly remember the bag in your hand and you jerk it out to him. “Here.”

“What’s this?”

You force a smile. “A goodbye gift, I guess.”

That’s all you can say as Bradley takes the bag from you and then you’re walking away. You keep your eyes on your fingers, lost in thought as your feet lead you back to the exit. You know that you should say goodbye to everyone—it’s rude to just leave like this—but you can’t. Even though it’s only been a week, you’ve really come to love everyone at the station and the thought of saying bye to them now feels unbearable. Besides, you’re sure they’ll enjoy the peace and quiet now that you’re no longer aggravating their captain.

Bradley’s right, anyway, you have more than you need for your article and maybe now you could start on it and get it done earlier. It makes more sense than you just hanging around. And that’s exactly how you explained it to your publisher when you walked through the doors of the Union-Tribune a day earlier than you’re supposed to.

“Alright,” he looks at you skeptically. “It better be a damn good article then.”

He walks away once you promise him—scouts honor and all—and Lucy whistles from where she’d been watching the whole thing in the hallway. She strolls over to you with a grin, bumping your hip with hers.

“Back from your field trip?”

“It appears so,” you shrug.

Lucy knows you better than that though. Having become your best friend the minute you first walked through the doors, you and Lucy have always been inseparable, spending a little too much time gossiping when you weren’t working. You genuinely don’t think you could survive without her. 

She raises a brow. “Meet any sexy firefighters?”

“A couple,” you tease. “I’ll give you their numbers.”

“I meant for you, but you know I’ll never say no to that.”

No longer wishing to talk about sexy firefighters and whether they’re interested in you, you quickly change the subject. “How have things been here?”

Lucy rolls her eyes and you know you’ve hit the jackpot conversation topic that will keep anything firefighter related far from your mind. “Mindy’s annoying as always, even worse now that I didn’t have you to glance at when she said something outrageous,” she complains and you laugh. “Oh! And Scott started acting super weird too. He’d just stand in the kitchen area and watch me— He microwaved the same thing, like, 12 times to not look suspicious, but he kept trying to talk to me every time I left my office.”

“And the microwave still worked after?” You joke, it was a fact known all through the office that your kitchen microwave was on its last legs and it certainly didn’t help that everyone loaded the outlet either. 

The two of you reach your office as Lucy replies. “Remarkably. As for Scott, he left me alone after an offhand comment about how much pepper spray I carry. Anyway, I’m going to use the bathroom, but then you are telling me everything about your little fire station visit. Don’t think that I’m just letting that go!”

She doesn’t give you a chance to argue before skipping off to the bathroom and you huff a laugh. You knew she’d know something was up. If only to delay the inevitable, you step into your office, pulling out your notepad to start compiling notes for your article—you wouldn’t need everything you’d written down, so you still have to pick out the best ones.

It’s slightly ironic that after a minute of you flipping through your firefighter notes, the fire alarm goes off. You’re not too hectic with getting up and getting out of the building, you’re pretty sure it’s just a drill even though you’d already had one earlier this month.

It’s not until you hear someone shouting about the microwave and where the fire extinguisher is that you realize that this is real. You scramble up quickly and make your way out of your office. Your coworkers are already forming a line to file out of the building and you can hear your publisher shouting to just leave the fire and call the fire department, but something in your gut feels amiss.

Lucy.

Without even thinking, you rush back towards the bathroom. You wonder if she knows what’s going on. She can definitely hear the alarm, but maybe she was like you in thinking that the whole thing was a drill.

“Lucy?!” You call out as you try to open the bathroom door, but you're met with resistance and it doesn’t budge.

From behind the wood you hear a faint, “It’s stuck!”

Does nothing in this office work?!

“Okay, um, okay,” you try to think, taking a deep breath. “The fire department should be here soon and they can probably break the door down,” you reason. “So I’ll stay here, okay? They’ll be able to hear me better.”

“What! Are you crazy? You can’t stay here!”

“Well, I’m not leaving you!” You argue. “Look, it’s fine. The fire’s contained to the kitchen and it’s still pretty small.” You’re actually not sure of that, but that’s what you’d assume—you also aren’t going to tell Lucy that last part.

“Alright, fine!” You hear Lucy suck in a breath and you try to open the door again. “But promise me you’ll leave the second it looks dangerous.”

You know how fast of a response time the fire department has, but now you’re witnessing it first hand as, a little more than 5 minutes later, you’re hearing sirens. You let out a breath of relief and try to listen for people entering the building.

“Help!” You call out. “We need help over here!”

Nothing.

You call out again, cupping your hands to your mouth to project louder. There’s a rustle of movement and then a bit of a commotion. Someone shouts your name—almost as a question—and then Jake and Javy are rushing over to you.

“What are you doing? You should have evacuated the building already.” Javy looks at you incredulously.

“My friend’s in there,” you explain. “The door won’t open.”

The two share a look and then Jake nods, moving to break down the door as Javy escorts you out of the building. All your coworkers are lined up in the parking lot along with fire trucks and ambulances and you smile at Javy gratefully when he pats your shoulder in comfort, but he appears to be looking behind you, a pinched expression on his face.

You turn around to see what he’s looking at and then someone’s hugging you.

You recognize the scent of smoke and cedar instantly and the large arms that are practically cutting off your air passages. He only hugs you for a couple seconds—and you hug him back—and then pulls away to look at you, checking you quickly for any obvious injuries. You’re not sure what you’re expecting him to say, but you don’t expect him to be so angry.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Bradley yells. You blink. “Are you insane?! Because I’m trying to understand why the hell you would stay in a building when there’s a fire!”

“My friend was still in there—” You try to explain.

“Yeah? Then we would have gotten her out!” Bradley counters. “Do you know how reckless you were being?”

“I—”

“No, I really don’t want to hear it! I mean what were you thinking?!”

“Bradley,” you try to calm him down. “I’m fine. I’m okay.”

He doesn’t seem to be listening, words spewing out of his mouth in rapid succession. “What if the fire had spread, huh? Did you even have an exit plan that wasn’t the front door? You could have trapped yourself in there all because you were too fucking reckless to just tell one of us where your friend was when we arrived on the scene!”

Truthfully, you hadn’t thought of that and you feel a little stupid. Maybe you hadn’t had the best plan and it was never your intention to make anybody worry about you. You open your mouth to apologize. “Bradley, I’m—”

“Just because you have nobody to come home to doesn’t mean you can just go on fucking suicide missions, because some of us have to fill out the paperwork!”

His words ring in the air and Javy ducks his head quickly to pretend like he isn’t listening. You're speechless, trying to stop the tears stinging at your eyes as you take in what Bradley said. You know you hadn’t exactly told him about your family in confidence, but you didn’t expect him to just use it against you so quickly. And paperwork? You know Bradley didn’t like you but is that all he saw you as?

Bradley lets out an angry sniff, turning his head like he can’t even look at you before directing his attention to Javy. “Just take her to the EMTs to get checked out.”

Bradley doesn’t talk to you again after that. The firefighters pack up and leave, and everyone goes home, and Bradley doesn’t reach out once. As you suspected, the fire wasn’t that damaging—only being the catalyst for the kitchen’s much needed remodel—and it was safe to go back to work a couple days after. Bradley never attempted to contact you—even when the rest of his squadron came to visit you with a little goody basket—and you spent the time you weren't at work eating ice cream, watching break up movies, and crying.

It was pathetic. But maybe so were you. 

“The hell is this?”

You hardly look up when a newspaper is thrown carelessly on your desk. Turning away from your computer boredly, you cross your arms, raising your gaze to meet Bradley’s cold eyes.

“Well, if I’d have to guess, I’d say a newspaper.”

Bradley scoffs, grabbing the newspaper again and holding it closer to him as he reads aloud the article it contains. “Then there’s Fire Captain Bradley Bradshaw, always followed by his co-captain, a black and white dalmatian affectionately named Goose. Bradley Bradshaw does more for his community in a day than most people do in a lifetime. In fact, I had to stop keeping count of every chivalrous act he completed by day two because I knew that would make this article far too long—” His eyes snap up to you again, though you both know that there are paragraphs more singing the same praises. “Why did you write this?”

You sniff, crossing your legs to slightly settle your nerves, with a light clear of your throat. “Contrary to what you think of me, I am competent in my job, Bradley.”

“You have done nothing but make fun of me and get in my way since the day we met, and I know I haven’t been friendly to you either,” Bradley corrects, taking a step farther into your office. “So why did you write this? Did you want me to feel bad or something? Like this makes up for the past week because—”

Not liking the way he’s towering over you, you spring up from your chair, matching his body language. “I wrote it because you’re a good firefighter, Bradley! And that was my job - to write about how good of a firefighter you are. Not about how you can’t fucking smile to save your life, or how you need to control everything otherwise you’ll throw a fit like a child, or how you somehow don’t like the movie Home Alone— Who doesn’t like Home Alone, Bradley?! You are the person who decided that I’m some incompetent airhead. And I’m sorry that me actually being able to do my job surprised you so much that you marched all the way down here, but if that’s all you came here for, then why don’t you just leave?”

The air is tense once you finish, so silent you could hear the slight whirring sound of your diffuser puffing the light scent of cinnamon into your office. You catch your breath slightly, wrapping your arms around yourself defensively. Suddenly, you feel vulnerable in your work skirt and blouse, swallowing thickly as tears prick your vision. You don’t want to cry right now.

Bradley only stares at you, something unreadable in his eyes. “I don’t think you’re an incompetent airhead.” He says finally.

You let out a watery scoff, letting your eyes dart to the ceiling as you feel more tears well up. “Yes, you do.”

“No I don’t,” he repeats.

“Really? You’ve done practically everything but call me that to my face—”

“Do you have to argue with me every time? Why can’t you—” Bradley stops himself, shoulders relaxing as his features soften. “Look, I’m sorry.”

“What?”

Bradley swallows. “I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” You shake your head in disbelief, if only to hide the way your tears are starting to fall. “Sorry for what, Bradley? That you’ve treated me like a chore since the moment you met me? Sorry that you kissed me? Or sorry that I confided in you—that I trusted you—and you threw it in my face?” Bradley opens his mouth, but you continue. “Look, I know you didn’t like me, okay? You made that abundantly clear. And I know that I wasn’t trying to be very likable either—why would I? I didn’t even like you. But then we got to know each other and I thought maybe you weren’t so bad. I thought…” You could almost laugh at how stupid you feel. “God, I thought you could actually be nice sometimes, and caring, and sweet. And— And then you kissed me and I realized that I really like you. And I thought that maybe you liked me too, despite everything, but then you just went on like nothing ever happened. You— You made me feel so stupid. And now you’re in my office, causing a scene, because you still think that it’s impossible that I could ever be nice to you.” You wipe your cheeks hastily, trying to compose yourself as more tears roll down your cheeks. “I know you don’t like me. But… But, god Bradley, was I really that—” Your lip wobbles and your voice cracks and you hate yourself for it. “Was I really that awful?”

The room falls to silence and Bradley just looks at you with an unreadable expression on his face. Honestly it makes you want to scream, that he thinks—after everything—he has any right to barge in here and accuse you of playing games. If you were closer, you might try to punch his stupid, sculpted chest, but you don’t—you doubt he’d even feel it anyway.

You sniffle and it seems to jump start the room, or at least Bradley, as he jerks up suddenly and, before you know it, he’s grabbing your arm and pulling you into his chest. You fight back, not wanting to admit that you find comfort in the familiar scent of cedar and smoke, trying to push him away, but you’re no match for his strength and he only pulls you closer with more determination.

“Let go of me!”

“I’m sorry,” Bradley says again and he sounds so guilty that it causes you to freeze. “I’m sorry that I treated you like a chore. I’m sorry that I didn’t do more after we kissed. I’m sorry that I said those things to you… I’m sorry that I made you feel like you were awful.” His arms are wrapped around your neck, his cheek nestled against the top of your head. 

You’re not quite hugging him back, your arms trapped between your chest and his, but you’ve stopped trying to fight his hold.

Bradley continues. “I know I went about this all wrong, I know that. And, if I could, I promise you that I would have done a lot of things differently. You just don’t understand—” He sucks in a breath, his biceps tensing around you. “You don’t understand what it was like to show up on the scene and realize you weren’t there. I’m supposed to be in charge, I’m supposed to keep a cool head and tell everyone what to do, it’s my responsibility to stay calm in any situation. But when I realized you were still inside? I couldn’t even think. Jake had to physically stop me from just running into that building by myself.”

Your eyes—which had been closed in a weak attempt to stop the tears—open in surprise at his words. No one had told you that. Had Bradley really been that shaken up? 

“I shouldn’t have said what I said to you, I didn’t mean it and it wasn’t okay.I was just— I was just scared. I was scared because I thought for a minute that I hadn’t been able to protect you. And I was scared because I haven’t felt that fear of not protecting someone in a long time. I wasn’t mad at you—I was never mad at you—but I just didn’t know what to do. I should never have said that though. I’m sorry.”

Bradley lets out a breath as he finishes and, for a moment, neither of you move. You swallow thickly, taking in all of his words before tentatively wrapping your arms around Bradley’s middle. He relaxes at your touch, burying deeper into your hair. 

“Why didn’t you just come here and say that?” You finally ask him weakly.

Bradley lets out a quiet chuckle. “Honestly, I thought that I’d already fucked everything up. But then I read your article, fully expecting you to drag me to filth, and you didn’t. Instead you talked about me like I was some kind of superhero and… and I guess it just made me feel worse about everything.”

You nod your head in understanding slowly. “You’re an idiot.”

You feel Bradley laugh against you. “I know,” he agrees. “And I’m sorry,” he repeats. “For everything.”

“Everything?” You look up at him.

“Well…” Bradley trails off, head dipping so that his nose is brushing yours. “Maybe not everything. There is one thing I’d like to do again.”

And then he’s kissing you sweetly and letting his arms untangle so that his hands can land on your hips. You lean into him, without a doubt in your mind that he’d ever not be able to support you, humming appreciatively when he deepens the kiss. 

It’s only when he murmurs your name that you pull away with a wrinkled nose. “Why are you calling me that?”

“You said you didn’t like being called ‘kitty’.” Bradley looks equally confused.

“Well… I don’t mind when you call me it,” you mumble bashfully before looking up. “As long as it’s not to make fun of me!”

Bradley chuckles, his hand moving to your ass to give it a squeeze. “Oh, it was never to make fun of you, kitty, believe me. You know, Cat Woman was my celebrity crush growing up. You don’t wanna know the things I imagined—”

“Okay, I get it,” you laugh. “You can have your kitty privileges back, Fire Captain Bradley Bradshaw.”

Bradley growls, his hands moving to your thighs, prompting you to jump as he steps forward to pin you against the wall. “You don’t know what it does to me when you call me that.”

“I told you you have an authority kink,” you tease.

“Yeah?” Bradley smirks, and then the hairs of his mustache are brushing your ear. “Why don’t we test that?”

You know you should worry about having sex in your place of work first and foremost, but you actually can’t help but worry about the fact that Bradley is still supporting all your weight as he holds you up against the wall.

“Like this? You’ll get tired, Bradley.”

He shoots you a look. “Did you forget what my job is? I could probably do 5 rounds of this, kitty, and still be able to go for a run after.”

At the mental image you can’t help but let out an exaggerated moan. “That is so hot.” Bradley grins, but before he can respond, you hold your finger to his lips. “But, I also like my job and would rather not get caught having sex— No matter how good it is.”

“Fair enough,” Bradley concedes. “But I did almost get to second base at my job, so if we want to keep it even…”

You glance over Bradley’s broad shoulder to make sure the door is firmly shut—you know you should go lock it but that would mean parting from Bradley and you don’t want to do that. “I guess that’s fair. You ready to hold the best boobs of your life, Bradshaw?”

Bradley laughs. “Oh, I’m ready, kitty.”

When you finally leave your office, Lucy’s shooting you a look like she expects a thorough debriefing as soon as you get home and also like she could maybe hear the two of you through the walls, but you can’t find it in yourself to care. Not when you're holding hands with Bradley and talking about your holiday plans. Your shared holiday plans.

“I’m gonna get you A Christmas Carol and a bundle of all the Home Alone movies,” you tell him.

Bradley glares at you playfully. “You’re not supposed to tell someone what you’re getting them for Christmas.”

“How would you know, Scrooge?”

Bradley huffs a laugh, giving you an “are you serious” look.

“I’d throw in a matchbox too,” you continue. “But I think my service to the community will be sexually gratifying you enough so that you don’t have to keep committing arson—”

Your words cut off when Bradley swoops down to kiss you firmly. He doesn’t pull away until you're dazed and he nods smugly.

“That’s better.”

You could argue with him, but instead you grab his collar and yank him down to kiss you again. Because that’s a much better alternative to get Bradley to shut his massive pie hole and you’re sure he feels the same way.

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@ernie0195

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[fanficgirl429]

Returning Home

Prompt: Y/N returns home for Iceman’s funeral and runs into her ex, Bradley Bradshaw. 

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: sex

------

It had been nearly five years since Y/N had stepped foot in Fightertown. It held a lot of good memories but there were also memories that she had tried to erase.

The moment she had learned that Iceman had passed, she dropped what she was doing and booked a flight to her hometown. Ice had helped her father out in more than one way and she couldn’t imagine missing the funeral.

Her return flight was merely hours after the funeral ended- she had decided that she didn’t want to stay any longer than she needed.

Her boyfriend had offered to accompany her but she told him to stay home- she would only be gone for two days. Although he had looked slightly offended, he eventually agreed to stay.

Y/N and her father had just left the wake and after much protesting from her dad, she had agreed to one drink at the Hard Deck.

“Maverick!” Penny called, walking towards the father and daughter duo. “How are you doing?”

She pulled him in for a quick hug before looking over at Y/N. “Y/N! It’s so nice to see you again. Your dad has been sure to keep me up to date on how you have been doing.”

“It’s nice to see you too!” Y/N replied. The last time she had seen Penny was five years ago. At the time she had no idea in just a few years Penny would be dating her dad.

“I wish it was under other circumstances but I’m glad you’re here nonetheless.”

Penny walked behind the bar and handed Maverick his favorite beer. “What can I get you?” she asked Y/N.

“Oh water is fine,” Y/N said. “I want to be conscious for my flight.”

Penny laughed and filled up a clear plastic cup with water. She glanced around the bar, surprised to find that not much had changed. The piano was still in the exact same spot as well as the classic jukebox.

Memories flooded her head as she remembered standing around the piano singing with her friends and trying to find the perfect song to play on the jukebox.

“How’s Jack doing?” Penny asked, referring to Y/N’s boyfriend of just over a year.

“He’s doing good. He just got a huge job promotion yesterday,” Y/N told her, smiling.

“That’s wonderful. Hopefully I can meet him soon.”

Y/N agreed and looked over at her father. “How is Top Gun going?”

“It’s going ok. Some people aren’t too keen on my teaching strategies,” he told her, picking at the label on his bottle.

Y/N nodded all to familiar with her father’s flying antics. “Did I tell you that Bradley is there as well?”

Bradley was Y/N’s ex boyfriend. They had been together for nearly 4 years before she had decided to end things.

Y/N looked over at Maverick, eyes wide. “N-no you didn’t. How is he doing?”

Maverick shrugged. “Well he doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“Well you did really hurt him,” Y/N said, taking a sip of her water.

Right after they had broken up, Y/N had learned that her father had pulled Bradley’s papers to stop him from flying. Of course, Bradley had been pissed and stopped talking to Maverick. Her dad had reached out numerous times to him to apologize but Bradley had never responded.

Y/N looked around at the numerous people at the bar. There were a few couples sitting at tables and nursing their drinks. She had learned from her dad that pilots from Top Gun often came to the Hard Deck to blow off some steam. After learning the news about Bradley being back in town, she hoped that he wouldn’t show up.

Y/N looked over at her dad, who had a scowl etched across his face. He was watching a group of young pilots who had just walked in.  

“That’s about half of my class right there,” he said, nodding in the pilot's directions. “If they bother you, let me know.”

Y/N’s eyes wandered over to a tall blonde who was rather good looking. Next to him, stood another pilot- this one all too familiar. Tall, brown hair, brown eyes, and a mustache (that was new). Bradley Bradshaw. Y/N’s ex boyfriend.

Things between the two of them had not ended well. Their relationship had been rocky for a while and after a big argument which resulted in the two of them not speaking for days, Y/N had decided to end it. It was one of the hardest decisions that she had ever had to make. Their lives were going in two different directions and they had both been young.

Bradley’s eyes locked with hers and he gave her a small smile. She smiled back, thoughts racing through her head. Should I go say hi? Should I wait and see if he’ll come over? Maybe he’ll come say hi to my dad as an excuse to come see me?

Minutes ticked by and neither of them made any attempt to talk to each other. Growing restless, Y/N excused herself and walked towards the restroom. She quickly glanced over at Bradley, who was currently talking to a female pilot. A small bit of jealously hit Y/N. Shaking it off, she walked into the bathroom to have a moment to herself.

Y/N took a deep breath before stepping out of the bathroom. Her plan was to pay her tab and then leave and get ready to go home.

Bradley was leaning against the wall, arms folded against his chest, as if waiting for Y/N to come out of the bathroom.

“Y/N, can we talk?” he said.

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Y/N told him and began to walk away.

His hand gently wrapped around her arm, pulling her back towards him. Her heart skipped a beat from his touch as she looked at him.

“What do you want Bradley?” Y/N asked.

Bradley sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I-I’m not sure. I just wanted to talk to you.”

Y/N let out a laugh. “It’s been five years, Bradley. You could have just picked up the phone if you wanted to talk that badly.”

“Would you have answered?”

Y/N shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know. I was really angry with you.”

“Clearly. You left town.”

“I had to. I think if I would have seen you again, I would have come running back to you but we were so bad for each other at the time. I think that maybe if we were older and had our lives figured out a bit more we could have made it work.”

Bradley’s eyes went wide at Y/N’s honesty but he knew that she was right. Timing was everything.

“There hasn’t been a day gone by that I haven’t thought about you. I know that it has been years but when I said that you were the one meant for me, I truly meant it. I still think that you’re meant for me,” he told her.

Deep down Y/N knew that he was right. She thought about him at least once a day. The question of did she make the right decision was also constantly on her mind. Sure, she loved Jake but it was different than when she was with Bradley. She thought that maybe it was because Bradley was her first true love but after seeing him now, she knew it was because she was still in love with him.

Slowly reaching out, he laced his fingers with hers and pulled her closer to him. She quickly glanced around to make sure there were no prying eyes. Luckily the bathrooms were in the back and they would be able to hear if anyone was coming down the short hallway.

Y/N wrapped her arms around Bradley’s waist as he hugged her tightly. He was more toned than she remembered but she wasn’t complaining. He still smelled exactly the way that he used to and when he held her, it felt like it was just the two of them.

Slowly, Bradley leaned down and placed his lips against Y/N’s. Together their lips moved in sync, almost as if no time had passed between them. His tongue slipped into her mouth, tangling with hers.

Bradley’s hands moved down to Y/N hips and gently pushed back her so that her back was pressed against the wall. His thumb slipped underneath the hem of her shirt and made slow circles against her hip. Goosebumps rose in their wake as she remembered exactly what Bradley’s touch did to her.

A dull ache began to form between her legs and she squeezed her thighs together, hoping to make it go away but knew that it wouldn’t.

Bradley’s body was pressed up against hers and she could his erection pressing against her stomach. Reaching down, she gently squeezed him through his jeans and he let out a low moan, pulling away from her.

“Fuck Y/N,” Bradley breathed. “I want you so fucking much.”

Without pausing to think about the consequences, Y/N grabbed Bradley’s hand and pulled him towards the womans one person bathroom.

“Are you sure?” Bradley asked, hesitantly.

“Yea.”

When the door was closed and locked behind them, Bradley reached down and pulled Y/N’s t shirt over head, revealing her black lacy bra. She gave herself a silent applause as she was thankful she had chosen her good bra as opposed to her old beat up one.

Bradley eye’s went wide as he started at her in awe of her body. It was better than he had remembered. He pulled her back against him and locked his lips back to hers. This time the kiss was full of need and lust.

HIs fingers toyed with the waistband of her jeans before unbuttoning and unzipping them. He slipped his hand down to her core and ran his fingers along the outside of her underwear before pushing the material aside.

Y/N let out a moan as his fingers found her sensitive spot and began to rub against it. Closing her eyes, Y/N let the sensation take over her body. Her breathing picked up speed as she felt herself reach her climax.

Bradley placed a hand over her mouth as she cried out, reaching her high.

After a moment, Y/N opened her eyes to find Bradley smirking. She playfully hit him in the arm and he let out a laugh.

He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss before unbuttoning his jeans and pulling them down along with his black boxer briefs.

Precum had already formed on his length and Y/  reached out and ran her thumb along the tip. Bradley sucked in a deep breath as she wrapped her hand along his length and slowly moved it up and down.

“I’m gonna come now if you don’t stop,” Bradley warned as he placed a large hand on top of hers. “And I want to come inside of you.”

Y/N removed her hand and reached down and unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down along with her underwear down to her knees.

Bradley placed his hands on her waist and turned her around, facing away from him. She reached out and placed her hands against the wall to steady herself. Bradley ran his length along her core, teasing her.

“Bradley,” Y/N whined as he pressed a finger against her sensitive spot.

Bradley lined himself up with Y/N’s core and slowly pushed into her. She let out a small gasp from the feeling before he pulled out and pushed back into her. He began to move his body slowly against hers.

One his hands gripped her shoulder, well the other one held onto her waist, keeping her steady. Y/N’s hands were still placed against the wall as she kept herself steady.

The small bathroom was filled with the sound of heavy breathing and occasional sounds from the other side of the door, reminding the two of them where they were. Somehow no one had knocked on the door yet.

A knot began to form in Y/N’s stomach as she climbed closer and closer to the edge. Shew knew that Bradley was close because he began to move quicker against her.

WIthin moments, her walls clenched around him as he released into her. The two of them stood still for a moment, catching their breath.

When Y/N was ready, she stood up and Bradley pulled out of her, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her against him. Her legs were wobbly as she held onto him, not wanting him to let go. It felt right when his arms were wrapped around her but then reality hit.  

Y/N pulled away from Bradley, feeling her face turn a deep shade of red.

“Oh my god,” she said quietly, reaching down and pulling up her underwear and pants.

“Y/N, whats wrong?” Bradley asked.

“I-um-I have a boyfriend,” she told him, scrambling to pull her shirt on.

Bradley stood in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders. “I meant everything that I said earlier. I want to be with you but if you don’t want to be or if you need time, I respect that.”

At this point, Y/N wanted nothing more than to be with Bradley but she hated the thought of letting Jake go, however she knew that she had to. What she had with Bradley was too strong to resist.

“I’ll call you in a few days,” she told him, kissing him quickly before leaving the tiny bathroom.

She was terrified about what was going to happen but also could not wait to see what the future held with Bradley.

[disturbedbeautywrites]

Let’s give him hell - Bradley Rooster Bradshaw x Seresin! Reader

Warnings: Mentions of domestic abuse, cursing, fighting. Protective older brother Jake and bestie Bradley

Part 2 is posted here

“Please don’t be awake.” You repeated the words to yourself as you walked up the steps to your house, praying to a higher power that Jake wasn’t still awake. He had been home for leave and was staying in your guest room along with a couple of his navy buddies. You knew he didn’t want to stay with your parents because he wasn’t your dads biggest fan, so you said he could stay with you. But now, as you realized the situation you were in, you were regretting it. You really didn’t want your older brother to see the poorly covered bruises because you knew he would lose his shit. You were the youngest of the Seresin siblings and the one who was the closest to the only boy of the bunch, him being a couple years your senior.

The bruises that were slowly starting to turn purple now were the doing of the man who was supposed to always protect you. Jason, your boyfriend had gotten a little over zealous tonight and had put his hands on you. You tried to cover it with makeup and a baseball cap, but you knew you weren’t fooling anyone.

You kept your head down as you slid in the front door, trying to shut the door quietly. You heard your brothers voice and the voice of others; telling you that there was more than one naval aviator you had to avoid. You listened to the voices; recognizing Rooster and Jake laughing about who knows what. You slowly pushed the door shut and swore under your breath as the door squeaked loud enough for the conversation to stop.

“You’re home late.” You heard Jake call out, his head peaking out from behind the door frame in the kitchen. You nodded and lowered your head even more, clicking your tongue as you sat your keys down and sighed. You felt like you were a teenager again, getting caught by him when you were out past curfew. “Yeah, I fell asleep at Jason’s.” The words were a bold faced lie as you scouted out your escape up the stairs and to your room “I hope you haven’t tried to burn my house down yet.” You tried to keep a conversation flowing as you put away your shoes and your coat, hearing Rooster laugh at your comment.

Your heart swelled in your chest at the sound of your best friends laughter, wishing you could go say hi. But knowing better than that. “What do you think?” Jake’s voice made you roll your eyes as you affirmed his smart ass words, hearing a chair scrape along the kitchen floor. “Wow, she hasn’t even come to say hi to me. We both come into town for the first time in a year and she’s avoiding us..” You heard Rooster’s teasing voice and you feel your heart start to race.

“I’m going to bed! I’ll see you guys tomorrow! Night!” And with that you took off sprinting up the stairs, slamming your door behind you. You turned the lock on the door, or so you thought as you walk into your room and sink down into your bed. You slid the hat off your head and let yourself take in the sight of yourself, a few tears slipping down your cheeks as you shake your head; recalling the argument in your head.

You had called him out on not being faithful to you, having found evidence of him cheating in the form of a girl texting him while you were over. It had made you extremely upset, telling him you were done. At the words, he lost his temper. He took his anger out on you and you were now wearing the consequences.

“Hey, Jake asked me to come check-“ You heard a knock on your door as Bradley pushed it open, showing a perfect example of the literal open policy the two of you had in your friendship. He stopped dead in his tracks as he caught sight of you in the mirror, his eyes widening. “He didn’t.” His tone turned harsh as he walked in and sat in front of you, carefully taking your face in his hand. “Are you okay?” His voice softened as he carefully ran his fingers down your skin, his hazel eyes meeting yours.

You gave him the best fake smile you could muster, nodding as you put your hand over his. “I’m okay, Roo. I promise.” You wiped away a couple of tears as you looked up at him and swallowed thickly. “Please don’t tell Jake..” You knew exactly what your brother was capable of and you were terrified for it to be unleashed. Growing up, he was the kind to square up against your dad and he did it with a cocky smile on his lips.

Your dad laid his hands on your mom one time and never made the mistake again after Jake punched him for it. Sure, the blonde aviator got a nasty shiner and a bloody lip, but he looked your dad dead in the eye as he threatened with the cops. “Call them. I’ll tell them to read me my rights. You don’t fucking touch my mother like that.” His words were dripping with venom as he spit his blood into the grass, clenching his fists. “As far as I’m concerned, the law was mine to break tonight and I would gladly fucking do it again.” The fight was over then and there and never happened again.

“You know I have to tell him. He fucking hurt you.” Bradley was trying to keep his cool for your sake but you just looked up at him, shaking your head. “Then I guess I should just give you more ammo if we’re going to rile my brother up.” You pushed yourself up off the bed and out of Roosters grip, walking over to your dresser. You slid out of the shirt you were wearing, slipping on one of Roosters old shirts that he gave you. “He cheated on me too.” You met his eyes through your mirror, feeling a small sense of fear creep into your spine as you saw anger flash through his eyes.

Rooster shook his head as he watched you crawl into bed, biting the inside of his lip. He walked over and sat on the edge of your bed, feeling like you could use the sense of safety. He stayed there until he heard your soft snores, quietly letting himself out of your room.

He walked downstairs to meet the curious eyes of the other aviators, Jake opening his mouth to spout off a smart aleck remark. However, Bradley raised his hand to stop him, a dead serious look on his face. “We have an ass to go kick. He laid his hands on her.” The words were enough for Jake to stand straight up, immediately going to grab his truck keys. “Do you know where he lives?” One of the other boys spoke up, setting his beer down on the table as they all stood up from their chairs. “Unfortunately for him, I do. He’s going to pay.” Jake’s words were cold enough to chill someone to the bone as he motioned for everyone to follow him, ready to go take matters into his own hands.

Taglist: @atarmychick007 @ginger-gabsq @fandomxpreferences

[sappy-seresin]

Fawn (B. Bradshaw)

Pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x female!reader

Warning: hints at domestic abuse, hints at toxic relations, mentions of injury, angst, light cursing.

Summary: Bradley Bradshaw is enamored by the Hard Deck's newest waitress. Taking notice of a shift in your demeanor, he finds himself wanting to get to the bottom of your newfound skittishness.

Series Theme Song: I’ll Be Around by Garrett Kato

Word Count: 5.8k

A/n: MY WORK IS NOT TO BE POSTED ELSEWHERE, especially without consent. Do not steal the work of other writers, thank you.

Gif creds: @mads-weasley

You've always carried yourself with elegant poise, your shoulders high with delicate confidence as you strut your way through life. That’s the first thing Bradley noticed about you, and he’s continued appreciating further the more your presence sealed itself into his life. You’ve been working at the Hard Deck for nearly six months now, and subsequently have earned yourself a space in the Dagger Squad friend group, without being a naval officer. Your space in their lives is a lot like Penny’s, other than the fact that you’re a few years younger than all of them. That fact has had all of them feeling protective over you in their own merit. Each of them have done their fair share of looking out for you, always stepping in when someone was heckling you at the bar or pulling you into the groups antics when you seemed overwhelmed on a busy night. Penny always watches from afar, glad to see you smiling among her favorite squadron.

Admittedly, Bradley loves how easily you melted into the group, and appreciates that everyone seems to care about you nearly as much as he does. He’d never admit it out loud, but you’re the first person he looks for when he enters the Hard Deck. His eyes automatically manage to plant themselves wherever you are when he walks in, an elegant smile taking over his face at the simplest sight of you. You always return the gesture, making a point to pour his drink before he even has the chance to order.

Recently though, your poise has dimmed. Your smiles never quite reaching your eyes when you cater to the aviators beck and call. Bradley attributed the change as stress, at first. The summer months are some of the busiest at the bar and it's your first time experiencing this level of rush. The moment he started picking up on your newfound skittishness, he couldn't shake the feeling that there's more going on than being overworked.

Your confidence is now sporadic, fleeting as you jump at loud noises and sudden movements, always playing it off with a lighthearted joke when any of them question it. He notices the way your smiles falter as soon as the groups focus shifts elsewhere, the facade slipping away when you're sure no one's watching. Yet, Bradley always is, unbeknownst to you, watching your every move. He catches every time you gulp to gain composure and the way your knuckles flash white with how hard you grip your tray after being jostled by a passing customer.

Tonight's no different as Bradley's kept his eyes trained on you from the moment he walked in. He watches you slip through the room in a fawn-like state, doe-eyes jumping around the room as you fade in and out of the shadows. Unlike your old, confident self that always managed to light up the typically muggy space.

“What’s got you lost in thought, Rooster?” Natasha’s voice cuts through his staring, pulling his attention from where you’re delivering drinks across the bar. He glances at her and Bob, who’re both staring back at him curiously.

“Does she seem off to you?” He asks simply, letting his eyes trickle back to you. Natasha’s eyebrows knit together before she follows his gaze, realization filling her immediately.

“Y/n?” She thinks out loud, accepting Bradley’s curt nod as a yes. “I mean, sure. I've noticed she’s been a little more skittish and accident prone than usual lately. What about it?"

Bradley shrugs, sipping his drink, not wanting to overshare a story that isn't his. Though, his mind flashes to the last time you'd spoken, affirming that he'd been right about foul play behind the scenes. Even after you forced another lie to keep yourself from admitting the truth to him in the bar just days ago. "I just feel like something isn't right." They fall into silence, Bob and Natasha accompanying Bradley in watching you. Each searching for any signs of foul play, or make any observation that could give insight on what's going on. The truth is, Bradley knows something isn't right. You confirmed his suspicions three days ago, though you refused to vocalize that he's right.

With his eyes trained on you, Bradley recounts the times you've proven to be 'accident prone' the past several weeks. Wonder fills his brain at memories of you brushing off seemingly small injuries as if they were normal, though you'd barely gotten a scratch in the previous months he'd known you. Bradley's mind flashes to the first time he questioned an injury, his eyes fixated on the soft wrap adorning your wrist as you wiped the counter nearly a month and a half ago. His hand clenches around his drink as he's now able to pinpoint your cover stories, though he has yet to figure out the culprit behind you fabricating those stories.

“What happened there?” Bradley asked, gesturing towards your bandaged hand. His eyes raking over you while you blinked at him for a second, letting a sheepish grin meet your lips.

“Oh this?” You joked, raising your hand absentmindedly. “It’s nothing really. I slipped during a game of one on one and caught myself weird. It looks worse than it is, doc says I need to be in the brace for a few weeks so it’ll heal.” Your voice was light and bubbly, but something in your eyes had Bradley unconvinced that your story was factual.

He took a swig of his beer, clearing his throat as he met your eyes again. Opting not to question you, he smiled. “I guess you need to work on your game.” The gentle laugh you released sent shivers down his spine as he watched you.

“I guess I do,” you agreed, topping him off with another beer before leaving to serve another customer without looking back.

He recounts the second time now. He caught you wincing when you bent down to grab a fresh case of beer you were moving to the back. your tight intake of breath had Bradley feeling uneasy.

“You alright, Darlin’,” his voice showcased the concern he’d been feeling. You grimaced at him, gladly accepting the hand he offered to help you up.

“Yeah,” you breathed, discomfort evident when the case slid against your rib cage. “I tweaked a muscle at the gym last night. Just a bit sore is all.” Your cheeks tinted pink at the twinkle in his eye with all his attention solely focused on you. He pushed himself from his position at the bar, inserting himself behind the counter before lifting the case from your grasp with ease. Your sheepishness grew when he leaned to brush past you, grab the last case before glancing over his shoulder at you.

“Where do you need this?” You gaped at him for a moment, not expecting him to do the work for you, but collected yourself quickly. Leading him to the back instead of responding.

“Here’s perfect,” you told him, gesturing where the other cases were already stacked. He obliged, putting the cases in their designated spot, shooting you a content smile. “Thanks for doing that.”

“Not a problem, darlin’,” he waved off, knowing fully well he’d move a thousand more cases if you needed him to. You blushed again, the gesture melting his heart in the same way it does every time it graces your cheeks.

“Well, I appreciate it,” you reached out to squeeze his arm, the movement making the sleeve of your t-shirt slide up in the slightest. Bradley swears he saw a finger-shaped bruise peeking out just below the worn fabric. He eyes flickering back to your face quickly to keep you from noticing he’d seen anything. “My tweaked muscles do too.”

His mouth felt dry as he studied you, mind reeling about what's hiding behind the inconspicuous lie. Your hand dropped when his grin faltered, suddenly worried that you'd made him uncomfortable.

“I guess you need to work on your form,” he knew he was wearing his emotions on his face, though his tone remained intentionally light. Though he wanted to inspect the blemishes hiding under your sleeve, he knew it wasn’t his place. Mentally though, he pulled you against his chest and gently assured you that he’ll protect you from whoever gave you those bruises.

Your face dropped at his words, hands fidgeting against the fabric of your jeans. “I guess I do,” you agreed, deja’vu hitting you after repeating the words you'd spoken to him weeks prior. You hesitated, realizing that his subtle repetition means that, to a certain degree, he knows your explanations don’t match the truth. The thought of him not believing you made the room shrink around you, blurring Bradley’s figure with the anxiety of him finding out. “I should get back to the bar.” Though you were talking to him, the statement seemed to be whispered to no one before you brushed past him with a forced smile.

The last time he questioned you was just three days ago, and the memory of the sight of you has his hand strangling his glass, his blood boiling when he catches sight of your split lip from across the bar.

He'd been dismayed by the fact that you were, not so subtly, ignoring everyone in the squad that night. He noticed how you always kept your back towards them, sending another server to their table whenever they tried flagging you down. He lost sight of you for awhile, though his eyes never stopped scanning the room, hoping to pinpoint your figure assisting customers somewhere in the crowded room. He thought you left after ten minutes of gruel searching. The belief had his shoulders feeling heavy, his mind reeling with questions as to why you'd been silently swerving everyone all night.

His attempts to find you were forgotten as he came to terms with the fact that you didn't want to be found. Until he excused himself to go to the bathroom, needing a moment to collect himself to escape the thoughts of you.

The plan averted the second he gripped the bathroom door handle, the thick wood flung open before he'd even had a chance to pull. A string of apologies left your lips before you froze, realizing that Bradley was the one you'd nearly taken out with the door.

"Y/n, what-" His words caught in his throat after getting a good look at your face. You gaped at him like a deer caught in headlights, showcasing a bruised cheek and split lip that had him prepared to blow a gasket. His expression tightened as he scanned over the rest of you for anymore blemishes, though there wasn't anything else out of the ordinary. You let the door close with a soft 'smack' unable to cover your stunned demeanor. "What happened to your face?" He cut straight to the point, itching to find the "someone" that hurt you.

You opened your mouth to speak but he waved his hand to stop you.

"Another basketball game or a mishap in the gym?" A gentle sarcasm graced his voice, his eyes indicating that you can't get out of this one without telling the truth. His reference back to your past excuses made your hands shake anxiously.

You blinked at him, pointing a pleading look in his direction. Knowing he wasn't going to drop it, your shoulders deflated, though you weren't ready to accept defeat just yet. Lifting your head high, you wiped the shock from your face and replaced it with tenacity.

"Nasty spill while surfing yesterday," you quipped, no evidence of hesitation in your tone as you blatantly lied through your teeth. You hoped he would respond in the same way he had the last two times you found yourself in these subtle moments of confrontation. Wanting him to crack a lighthearted joke about working on your drop-in's, but you knew he wouldn't so you continued. "My board smacked me right in the face before I could stop it."

He sighed in frustration, ripping at his neat curls before dropping his hand again. You flinched in surprise, unknowingly giving him more belief that his suspicions were right. "Now you're just blatantly lying to me," he sighed, relaxing his face so you could see the sadness in his eyes. "Y/n, if someone's hurting you, I need you to tell me. You don't have to manage this on your own, and honestly, I hate that you don't feel like you can trust me. Let me help you."

"There's nothing for you to help with," you immediately insisted, though your teary eyes told him a different narrative. "I'm just clumsy is all." There was deep conviction weaved in your weak explanation, paired with an unwillingness to shed light on the truth. Which was that your boyfriend, Tanner has a short temper. His latest outburst being the cause of your battered surface and spirit.

"Y/n," Bradley pleaded, stepping closer to you, but you shuffled a step back.

"I have to get back," you rejected his advancement, brushing past him without another glance. He'd been frozen in defeat for the minutes following the chance encounter, staring in the direction you'd retreated with a heavy heart. Shaking himself off, he entered the bathroom to splash cold water on his face, hoping it was enough to rid his face of the worry lines wrinkling his forehead after speaking to you. Though he wanted to find you when he made his way back to the table, he forced himself to sit down, knowing you wouldn't speak to him about the topic and further.

The rest of the squad is seated at the table by the time Bradley's able to pull himself out of his head. Mickey tips his head at Bradley upon noticing he'd tuned back into the conversation for the first time since Mickey had sat down. Bradley musters a wink in Mickey's direction, bringing his cup to his lips to soothe the dryness of his throat, though his eyes subconsciously trickle over to you, mind reeling on how to get you to tell him the truth.

A loud crash sounds from across the bar awhile later, interrupting everyone’s attention away from the story Coyote was telling. Bradley had managed to distract himself from his thoughts enough to actually enjoy the night with the squad, periodically laughing as everyone spouts off ridiculous stories.

Bradley’s eyes flit over the room, expecting to find an old drunk struggling to pull themself off the ground, or maybe even the beginning stages of a brawl. What he doesn’t expect to find is you, standing frozen in place with your face resembling a ghosts. The second you squat down to begin picking glass up off the floor, Bradley’s moving to break the space to help you, eyes caught on the man towering over you with an infuriated expression.

“Where the hell have you been?” The man’s voice rings in Bradley’s ears once he’s close enough to hear. “I’ve been calling for four days, why haven’t you answered?”

“You broke my phone,” you snip. Your annoyed tone contradicts the trembling of your hands as they clumsily gather jagged shards into your hands. “I haven’t had the time to get a new one.”

“Everything okay, Y/n,” Bradley cuts in, sizing up the guy in front of him as you look at him for the first time in days. The man's got a few inches on Bradley, but he’s far from intimidating. The stranger clenches his jaw at the sight of him, his lips curving into an arrogant sneer as he puffs out his chest in Bradley's direction.

“Y/n’s fine,” he answers for you, balling his hands into tight fists. “Right, baby?” The nickname makes Bradley’s skin feel like it’s on fire due to the way it drips off the man’s tongue in a sickly sweet manner. Bradley's known you have a boyfriend for awhile. He was disappointed to find out after Hangman had jokingly tried his chances with you. Your admission of being taken was the sole hold up on him outing his feelings for you, but the sight of the guy shooting daggers at you makes his skin crawl. No man should look at his girl in the way this guy's looking at you.

Bradley watches your hesitant nod, your eyes barely ghosting over him as Penny slides a broom into your hand, helping you off the floor. You quietly thank her, gently assuring her that you’re okay, before returning your attention to cleaning the mess. Clearly wanting nothing more than for your boyfriend to be anywhere but here causing a scene. Penny observes the three of you, mentally weighing whether or not to respect your assurances that you have the situation under control. One nod from Bradley is enough for her to return to her spot behind the bar, assisting the few customers that aren't watching the altercation unfold.

Growing more irate with your lack of attention, the man takes a step toward you. "You want to look at me while I'm talking to you?" Bradley's blood boils at the malice directed at you, his instincts forcing him to step closer to you as well, ready to jump in if he tries to lay as much as a finger on you.

"Tanner, you need to leave. You can't just come in here, guns a-blazing, while I'm working and expect the conversation to go well while you're causing a scene," there's a waver to your voice when you say his name, your attempt to remain composed is only half effective when your eyes jump back to the floor after catching Tanner's icy appearance.

"Where the hell else am I supposed to find you when you're obviously doing everything in your power to avoid me," Tanner snaps, his face glowing red with anger. "I tried your apartment four times and you were never home. So, where the hell have you been?" You instinctively flinch when he raises his hand, shocking Bradley into registering that Tanner's the culprit to blame for your split lip and bruised cheek. Your reaction to him walking into the bar, and now flinching at his sudden movements, is enough affirmation of what Bradley previously suspected.

"Alright man, she told you to leave, so it's time for you to go," Bradley's speaking on autopilot now, stepping forward enough to place his hand on Tanner's chest to keep him from advancing any closer to you.

Tanner sneers at Bradley, his gaze falling to the hand planted on his chest. "I suggest you get your hands off me, before I make you," he snarls, shooting Bradley his best intimidating glare before contorting his face in understanding. "So that's what you've been doing the last few days." He backs out of Bradley's grasp, looking at you with a fake humored expression.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Bradley's eyes follow your voice, noticing the way your eyebrows furrow together in confusion.

"You've been screwing him, haven't you," Tanner accuses pointing a finger at Bradley. "I've been looking all over town for you and you've been fooling around with this prick. Dude, you're wasting your time. She's not even worth it."

Bradley interrupts before you can discount Tanner's words, refusing to let this piece of garbage tarnish your character. "She's worth more than you can comprehend, clearly. I can assure you that she's not fooling around with me, or anyone else for that matter. I know her well enough to know that she wouldn't cheat, even if it's warranted for a guy like you."

"A guy like me," Tanner replays those words, emphasizing them while he gestures toward himself, feigning surprise. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean," Bradley quips, narrowing his brows. He's surprised when Tanner raises his eyebrows, urging him to voice his thoughts. "A guy that's dumb enough to lay a hand on a woman." You suck in a breath at the declaration, your eyes flying to watch Tanner's ego take a hit at the fact that he's been caught. You shudder, knowing full well that Tanner being caught means that your lies are out in the open now.

"My girl, my business," Tanner shrugs, "You're way out of line buddy, and I suggest you-"

“Do we have a problem here,” Bradley’s glad to hear Jake’s voice for once, some of the tension in his own chest alleviating at his colleagues authoritative tone. Jake stands tall as he positions himself in front of your shaken figure, his pointed gaze fixed solely on Tanner. He makes a point to flash his toned biceps by crossing his arms over his chest to add to his hard exterior, letting his eyes do plenty more talking while he sizes Tanner up.

“That’s up to him,” Bradley responds, nodding his head towards Tanner, who looks seconds away from throwing a punch.

“This is so like you, Y/n,” Tanner laughs bitterly, shaking his head. “Letting your friends save you from your own battles instead of handling them yourself like an adult. You get off on being the damsel in distress, don't you?” He's glaring at you over Jake's shoulder, seemingly unfazed by the aviator acting as a human shield.

"Y/n's more than capable of handling herself," Jake assures Tanner, tightening his expression. "But here at the Hard Deck, we have a strict "no harassing women" policy, and you're disrupting the peace." Jake's eyes fall on Reuben and Javy who are now on standby behind Tanner, prepared to restrain him if necessary. Reuben gives him a curt nod, winking at you for a little extra encouragement. They've got you covered. "Now, you have two options. You can either walk yourself out of the bar, and leave my friend Y/n here alone. Or, I'll drag you out and let Rooster have his way with you." Jake pauses again to give Tanner a second to process what he said. "I can assure you that only the former is going to end well for you."

"Now you're threatening me? You seriously think I'm afraid of a few boys in pansy ass navy uniforms?" Tanner's expression grows more manic with his incredulous words, unable to keep himself from chuckling in disbelief.

The response is enough to make Jake snap, his arms falling to his sides as he swiftly nods at Javy and Reuben as a cue for them to move. "Alright, parties over buddy." Tanner thrashes the second the men intercept him, easily dragging him towards the door.

"You bitch," Tanner shouts, eyes locked on you while he lamely tries freeing himself from their grasp. He has a clear shot of you now that Jake's not planted in front of you. Instead, he's trailing behind the three of them as a form of damage control if a last line of defense if necessary. "You'll pay for this."

Bradley shifts to dart in Tanner's direction, his slow burning anger transforming into full-blown rage at the mans threat toward you. Though, his movements freeze when a hand grasps his forearm, his fiery eyes meeting your tearful ones as the ruckus in the room fades from his ears. The room around him spirals out of focus with you being all that he sees as he struggles to refrain from ripping away from you to beat Tanner until he forgets your name.

Your touch is feathery while you blear at him. He swears he's going to light on fire until you utter the only request that could possibly cool him down. "Please, stay with me." Bradley immediately returns to a grounded state, the thoughts of giving Tanner a piece of his mind dimming while you wordlessly beg him not to leave you alone. "Please, Bradley." Those words are all it takes for him to break the space, shamelessly pulling you against his chest to shield you from anymore hurt. You fall against him in exhaustion, your hands fisting the soft Hawaiian button up he's wearing to give yourself more assurance that he's there.

"I'm not going anywhere," he murmurs into your hair after a few moments of holding you. You're sniffling into his chest while the atmosphere of the bar returns to normal, the onlookers suddenly feeling wrong about watching you break in Bradley's embrace.

Bradley easily flags Penny down with an urgent look, grateful that she stops what she's doing to assist him. "I need to get her out of here," he informs her in a hushed voice once she's close enough to hear. She wordlessly nods in understanding, sadness crossing her features at the sight of you practically rattling in his arms. "The glass is all in one place and just needs to be thrown away."

"I've got it covered, go," she encourages him, noticing that the three who'd taken Tanner outside have yet to return. "I'll have Pete pull your truck around back so you don't have to worry about any confrontations."

"Thanks Penny," Bradley hums, making sure not to jostle you too much while passing his keys to her. You lift your head to thank her as well, mustering a delicate smile as she carefully squeezes your arm in reassurance.

"Take care of my girl, Rooster," she commands lightheartedly, but he picks up on the weight behind her statement.

"Of course," he breathes, running his hand up your back to get your attention. "Ready to go, darlin'?" You bob your head in response, itching to get out of the sticky bar after having far too much attention on you. The interaction with Tanner replays in the back of your mind while Bradley guides you toward the back door with his hand rested on the small of your back.

Pete already has the Bronco parked by the back door when you guys reach the exit. He pulls the door open just before Bradley's able to reach it, stepping aside to let you two pass before bowing his head at Bradley.

"Appreciate the help, Mav," Bradley affirms, which Pete just shrugs off as a silent way of telling Bradley it's the least he could do. Pete makes sure you're both in the car before walking back inside, sympathy overtaking him at the image of you deflating in your seat.

The car ride is comfortably silent outside of natural road noise. The fact that Bradley has no idea where you live dawned on you about ten minutes into the drive, but you don't bring yourself to ask where he's taking you. Preferring not to be anywhere that Tanner can find you.

Your friendship hasn't gone much farther than hanging out when he visits the bar, other than the few times Natasha invited you to meet everyone at her place when you got off. Oh, and the movie night everyone had at Bob's when you offered to be their DD when they'd still been around by last call. Yet, you trust Bradley enough to feel at ease as he navigates the nearly vacant streets of San Diego.

"We're here," Bradley announces, putting the Bronco in park after pulling into his driveway. He glances at you with a comforting smile, rushing to hop out so he can open your door for you. You gracefully accept the hand he offers you, climbing out of the truck timidly. His hand finds a home on the small of your back again, acting as a guide while he leads you to the front door and lets you both in.

"Your place?" You think out loud, as he unlocks the door, gesturing for you to enter before him. He grins, suddenly feeling sheepish as he drops his keys on the small table next to the door.

"Yeah," he nods, scratching his neck. "I figured you shouldn't go home. Is this okay? I can take you somewhere else if you want."

"This is perfect," he blows the air out of his cheeks at your assurance, making a point to lock the door before guiding you to the living room. He gestures to the couch, which you gladly plop down on, relishing in the plush comfort of the cushions while Bradley watches you.

"Can I get you anything? There's water, tea, and probably even a few beers left from the last time the guys came over," Bradley curses himself for sounding so soft, though you don't seem to mind.

"Water would be great," your supportive smile is the first Bradley's seen all night, sending his stomach twisting in knots as he retreats to the kitchen. While he's gone, you take time to study the living room, your smile widening at the old family photos with his parents along with various pictures of the squad scattered across the shelves. The room is tidy and smells subtly of cologne, it's coziness urging you to melt further into the couch.

Bradley freezes in the doorway, secretly admiring how cozy you look in the safety of his house. I'm screwed, he thinks to himself, shaking his head to rid himself of being awestruck by you. You glance in his direction at the sound of his feet shuffling across the floor, graciously accepting the glass he slides in your hand.

"Thank you," you whisper, clearing your throat after taking a sip of the cool water before placing the glass on the coffee table in front of you. Your body stretches back into the couch as Bradley fills the space next to you, making a point to leave enough room so that you don't feel claustrophobic.

A thick silence falls over the room, neither of you knowing what to say now that you're alone. The impending conversation weighs on both of your shoulders while the two of you look everywhere other than at each other. Bradley speaks after several moments of grueling silence, unable to bare the elephant in the room.

"I'm so sorry for not vocalizing my suspicions sooner," the apology surprises you, not having anticipated the softness of his response. Part of you assumed he was going to be angry with you for not fessing up and asking for help when you had the chance. "I mean, I know you don't play basketball, and then I saw those bruises on your arm, but I didn't feel like it was my place to pry. I should've just said something before he had more chances to hurt you." He frowns at the newest blemish on your lip, scabbed but still fresh with only being a few days old. The bruise on your cheek has faded into a dull yellowish green, time giving it enough time to kickstart the healing process.

"It's my own fault. I was dumb to ever get involved with him," you croak, downcast eyes trained on the floor. "My friends told me he was a walking red flag and I didn't listen. I willingly fell into his trap on my own accord. So please, don't apologize for not saying anything sooner because it's been my fault all along. Your questions were all I allowed you to do."

"Hey," Bradley whispers, wordlessly asking for consent to cup your jaw in his hand, his thumb gently swiping the tear gliding down your blemished cheek after you nod in approval. "None of what he did to you is your fault. You hear me? I don't want to hear you blaming yourself for a man that didn't know the first thing about treating you right." Bradley's voice is gentle as he addresses you, not leaving any room for you to feel insecure in being with him. He never wants you to feel small again, and you won't as long as he has anything to do with it. "He had no business laying his hands on you in a way that misconstrued love as violence. The blame is solely for him to carry, not you. Okay?" His eyes plea that you absorb everything he's telling you. He needs you to understand that Tanner is the perpetrator at fault, not you. The tears flooding your cheeks are indication that you're grasping what he's telling you, but he has to be sure.

"I need to know that you're hearing me Darlin'," the statement is more of a request as he wipes at more of your tears, his heart quenching at the subdued sob that forces its way out of you. All you can do is nod, not trusting your voice. "I need to hear you say it."

"I'm hearing you, Bradley," you sniffle, stammering over the knot in your throat. "The blame isn't mine." With that, more choked sobs erupt from your body, encouraging Bradley to pull you into his lap without caring whether it's the appropriate move or not. Your lack of opposition assures him that you're okay with him holding you while you come unglued in his embrace for the second time.

Countless encouragements that he's got you and that you're going to be okay quietly float from his lips while you melt into him. The innocent closeness brings you a small sense of the relief you're craving. His softness allows you to feel safe enough to simply let yourself accept the truth and feel all of the emotions you've been numbing as a form of self preservation for the last few months. For the first time in months, the breaths filing your lungs aren't clouded by heaviness because an inescapable weight has lifted from your chest. You bask in the weightlessness of your breathing, the sensation bringing a fresh round of relieved tears. Your sobs transition into meek sniffles as Bradley patiently comforts you, his own tension releasing when he senses that you're going to be okay.

"Thanks for rescuing me," you murmur after a few moments of quiet, thankfully allowing him to rid your cheeks of the final evidence of tears. Bradley loses his own breath when his eyes fixate on you again. Though your eyes are bloodshot and glazed from crying, cheeks flushed with a delicate pink tint, Bradley swears you've never looked more beautiful.

His hand tenderly cups your cheek again, his eyes the softest they've been all night as he drinks the sight of you in. The rational side of him wants to curse himself for being so enthralled by you at such an unfortunate time. You just experienced one of the most humiliating nights of your life, and spent the last twenty minutes broken in his arms for God's sake. But all rationality escapes him as he soaks you in, completely defenseless against the relentless adoration beating against his ribcage.

"I'll rescue you any time it's needed Darlin'," he promises, and you know he means it. You bask in the comfort of his arms for the rest of the night, enjoying the lighthearted conversation and the way he seems comforted by your presence. In the dim light of the room, with a TV show softly playing quietly in the background, you eventually lull to sleep, Bradley's steady heart beat being the last thing you remember before succumbing to the delicate darkness.

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

A/N: That's it!! My first TGM fic is on the books!! I've got various works in the making, but this one flowed so naturally as I was writing and I'm ecstatic to share it.

There's a part two dancing in the back of my mind, but I'll let feedback and continued inspiration decide whether or not the story continues or ends here.

PART TWO IS IN PROGRESS

Tagging some moots/pages that I enjoy. Feel free to request whether or not you'd like to continue being tagged in future fics <3

Tags: @glen-powells @bradleybeachbabe @writingshae @happilycameron @rosiahills22 @roosterforme @avaleineandafryingpan @fandomxpreferences @fanboygarcia

[heliads]

I’d like to request an imagine where the female reader is a baker and Rooster’s girlfriend. She owns a bakery called The Slice is Right (it’s a pun. The Slice is Right = The Price is Right). She has a YouTube channel where she gets her Twitter followers to vote on what should be added to the menu and she bakes the winning vote and gets Rooster to try it and give his opinion.

Dating Rooster and Owning a Bakery Would Include...

masterlist

Of all of the people that he’s met over the course of his tumultuous, chaotic life, Rooster never expected to fall in love with a baker

He’d always assumed he’d charm some actress or supermodel (so he bragged to Hangman, at least)

However, when he accidentally stumbled by your bakery one evening and saw your pretty face through the glass, Rooster was smitten at first sight

Even if he fell quickly, Rooster took his time in getting you to fall in love with him, too

He used to stop by every chance he got just to see you smile

No one could resist that charm forever, certainly not you, so when he asked you out on a date at last, you said no without a shred of hesitation

One date turned into another, and now you can’t imagine your life without him

Neither can your YouTube followers– you’ve developed a brand for having your followers vote on recipes you should try, then offering up the final products to Rooster as a definitely unbiased test subject

He’s just happy to try more of your baking and get to spend time with you too

You’re good friends with all of the Dagger Squad, as Rooster couldn’t resist showing you off to the rest of his friends the first chance you got

Your baked goods are now a staple at Top Gun– Rooster swears Cyclone only ever warmed up to him because you gave him cookies

And, when Dagger Squadron had an end-of-year holiday dinner, everyone insisted that you make a holiday dessert

How could they celebrate without your fine creations?

This quick approval makes perfect sense to anyone who knows you, Rooster says the only thing sweeter than your pastries is you

So he might be a charmer, so what? You love your boyfriend, and he loves you

That, certainly, is something worth savoring :))

requested by @thornyrose463, i hope you enjoy!

top gun tag list: @luckyladycreator2, @atarmychick007, @ramenyul, @mayfieldss, @nonsensical-nonce

all tag list: @wordsarelife

[callsign-fox]

Welcome Home - Rooster

Pairing: Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x Fem!Reader

Prompt: Your brother Jake throws a party at your place, but all you wanted to do was take hot shower before getting into bed. 

18+ ONLY // smut warning! 

Co-written with @fanficgirl429 ! Thank you @imjess-themess and @blue-aconite​ for reading it over! <3 you both! 

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

It was already dark when Y/N got out of work. Things at the office had been crazy, and she just wanted to go home and take a nice, hot bath. With Christmas just around the corner, Y/N’s work had picked up considerably. Since she was in a managerial position, she had been on her feet for most of the day, and barely had any time to rest. 

When Y/N drove up to her house she was shocked to see numerous cars scattered about the street and her driveway. Most of the lights were already on, a stark contrast to when she normally arrived home. It took her a moment to remember that her twin brother was living with her for a brief while and that she told him it was alright to have some people over for a barbecue. She silently regretted allowing it, being that all she wanted to do was have a quiet night to herself in bed. 

Before stepping into the house, she took a deep breath so that she wouldn’t go off on her brother, Jake. She slowly opened the front door, surprised to find that it was relatively quiet inside. As she walked further into the house, she noticed three men sitting on the couch in the living room, beers in their hands. When they saw her, each of them nodded hello as she continued past them toward the patio. Two of the men she didn’t know, but one of them was familiar to her. She’d recognize that mustache anywhere. He smiled at her, and she smiled back at him before heading outside where music was currently blasting. 

Her brother was currently grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, and he smiled at her as she sauntered toward him.

“Welcome home sis!” Jake greeted her. 

“And what a welcome it is! What’s going on?” Y/N asked, motioning to everyone around her. 

“Just having a get-together with some of the guys.”

Y/N glanced around the backyard, “Some of the guys?”

Jake frowned at his sister, “You said it was okay, it’s okay right?”

“I just thought you meant a small get-together. There are a lot of people here, Jake. I hope you know you are cleaning everything up tomorrow!” 

Jake placed his free hand over his heart. “I promise you will never know that anything happened here.” 

Y/N laughed. “Thank you.” 

Just as she was about to turn around, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist and picked her up, spinning her around in a circle.

“I’ve missed you!” a familiar voice said from behind her. 

“Coyote!” Y/N smiled, “I’ve missed you too, it's been so long!” Coyote wrapped her up in his arms and squeezed. 

It was then that Y/N noticed someone was leaning against the door frame watching her interaction with Coyote. His brown eyes locked with hers before she quickly looked away. She waited a few moments before looking back at the door but by then the figure was gone. 

She turned her attention back to Coyote and quickly caught up with him. Although Y/N enjoyed catching up with Coyote, she had a hard time staying focused. A certain someone was lingering on her mind and she really wanted to see him again, preferably alone and away from everyone else. 

The conversation with Coyote came to a good stopping point and Y/N stood up, excusing herself. “It was nice to see you again,” Y/N told him and started to head into the house. 

Phoenix, one of her brother's squad mates, was standing in the kitchen and talking to Bradley. He was dressed in one of his infamous Hawaiian shirts, blue jeans, with his aviator sunglasses resting on the top of his head. Once again their eyes locked for a brief second. Phoenix pulled Y/N into a hug and asked if she was going to be sticking around for the party. Y/N shrugged and said, “I don’t know. It’s been a long day. I really just want to take a long bath and go to bed.” 

Phoenix shook her head at Y/N’s response. “You are not going to bed! Go shower, wake yourself up, and then come back down here! We have so much to catch up on!” 

Y/N conceded and headed toward the staircase. 

“And if you take too long I'm coming up there to get you!” Phoenix shouted behind her. 

Y/N spun around and winked at her, knowing Phoenix well enough, that she would come up and drag her ass down the stairs. 

Y/N walked into her room and closed the door behind her, blocking out most of the noise from downstairs. She walked straight into the bathroom and turned the shower on. As she waited for the water to warm up, her mind drifted to Bradley. She couldn’t help but notice how every time she saw him, he looked better and better. She felt like a middle schooler crushing on her brother's hot friend. It made her even more excited at the thought. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was excited to go back downstairs. 

The bathroom was beginning to fill with steam and Y/N felt the water to make sure it was warm enough. When she was satisfied with the temperature, she reached down and pulled her dress shirt over her head, revealing her lacy black bra. Just as she had removed her jeans, she noticed the door to her bathroom opening out of the corner of her eye. 

“Bradley!” Y/N gasped. 

“Can I come in?” he asked. 

Y/N took a deep breath as Bradley opened the door, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes widened at the sight of her standing in her bra and underwear. 

“You look amazing,” he said, his arms wrapping slowly around her waist. 

Her cheeks turned slightly red from the compliment. She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his before pulling away quickly. Her body tingled from his touch and she instantly wanted more. He must have been reading her mind, because a moment later he gently pulled her closer and continued kissing her.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to be as close to him as she possibly could be. Bradley gently bit down on her lower lip and tugged before slipping his tongue into her mouth. Their hips were pressed against one another and Y/N could feel his erection already beginning to form. His hands moved hungrily up her body and reached behind her, expertly unhooking her bra. He gently slid it off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. 

Their mouths moved together, having done this a few times before, but due to time constraints, a protective brother, and nosy friends, they had never been able to be this intimate. Now, in her own house, far from prying eyes, she was ready to give him everything. 

It was at that moment Y/N came to the realization of what was happening downstairs. Her brother, as well as all of his friends, were drinking and partying as her and Bradley continued to tear off one another’s clothes. 

“Please tell me you locked my door?” she asked. 

“Of course I did,” Bradley replied, his lips grazing her ear. 

Bradley’s fingers grazed Y/N’s hips as he slowly walked her backwards and into the shower. Bending down, he placed soft kisses along her jawline, down her neck, and across her breast. His tongue tenderly ran circles over her nipple, making it stand erect.

Y/N could not believe that this was really happening. She had imagined many times what this would be like, but it was already exceeding all of her expectations. Y/N tangled her fingers in his shaggy brown hair as he continued to leave a trail of kisses down her body, towards her throbbing core.  

“Bradley,” Y/N whined. 

Without hesitation, Bradley tugged her soaked underwear down her legs and she quickly kicked them off, exposing all of herself to him. When Y/N hooked up with a guy for the first time she was normally nervous and a little self conscious, however with Bradley it was completely different. He always made her feel like she was safe and could be herself with him. 

“You're so beautiful,” he whispered in her ear. 

Bradley placed his hand on the back side of Y/N’s thigh and placed it over his shoulder. His tongue slowly moved up and down her core, driving her mad. His lips continued between her folds, occasionally stopping to brush his mustache against her sensitive spot. 

Her whole body ached with pleasure from the feeling of his tongue on her sex. She threw her head back and closed her eyes, reveling in his touch. Within moments, her walls were clenching together and she let out a moan as Bradley worked her through her climax. 

“Fuck, I need you,” Bradley groaned as he pushed his wet hair back away from his face.

She reached down and wrapped her hand around his length. He let out a soft moan as she began to move her hand up and down. His lips pressed against hers, as he kissed her quickly. 

“Are you…” Bradley began. 

“Yes, I'm on the pill,” Y/N muttered between breaths.

Bradley lined himself up with Y/N’s core and slowly pushed in. Y/N’s body quickly adjusted to his size and when she nodded, he began to move his hips against hers. Water dripped down Y/N’s chest as Bradley’s teeth nibbled her ear.

Bradley held tightly on Y/N’s waist as he pressed his body against hers. Reaching up, Y/N grabbed onto his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. There would definitely be marks there when they were done. 

“Oh fuck,” Y/N breathed as Bradley reached down and rubbed his finger against her sensitive spot, bringing her closer to her high. 

A knock on the door made Y/N freeze but it only made Bradley go faster. 

“W-Who’s there?” Y/N squeaked.

“It's me,” Phoenix said from the other side of the door. “Are you almost done?”

Y/N threw her head back, her body melting against Bradley’s touch. “Y-yeah, umm, a few more minutes,” YN mumbled.

Y/N listened as Phoenix left the room and closed the door behind her. A loud moan escaped Y/N’s lips as she reached her high. Her walls clenched around Bradley’s length as she roughly bit down on his shoulder to hold in a whine. Bradley wasn’t far behind as he let out a moan and released inside her. 

After catching their breath, Y/N smiled and placed a kiss on Bradley’s lips. “I thought you said the door was locked.” 

Bradley shrugged before shoving his face into the crook of her neck. “I thought it was. I guess Phoenix got a party and a show.” 

[mads-weasley]

Stay

Bradley Bradshaw x Wife!Reader

Masterlist

Request: would you write a rooster imagine where he convinces his wife to nap with him after coming home from work cause he missed her?

Opening the door to their house, Rooster sighed at the feeling of being home. It had been a very long day at work for him as they were training some new pilots. One pilot in particular was giving him a hard time, and Bradley was the one who had to deal with her problematic behavior.

Earlier that day...

When Bradley was introduced as one of their instructors, Kyrsten, callsign "Cowgirl," straightened up in her seat, fixing her hair quickly. He was used to the younger girls trying to flirt with him, but normally, all it took was a flash of the gold band around his finger and they'd leave him alone. Kyrsten, however, was challenged by the fact that he was married.

After he explained their training for the day, she raised her hand. "Now, are you going to be in the sky with us, Bradley?" She asked, biting her lip.

It was then that he realized this was not a normal girl. Holding back an eye roll, he plainly stated, "Yes, and call me Captain." before walking out towards his fighter. Seconds later, he heard the pounding of boots, and then a shadow appeared next to him.

"So, Captain, we should all get some drinks later, don't ya think?" she asked, inching closer to his walking figure.

Noticing this, he moved further away from her. "I can't. I promised my wife we'd have a movie night."

She was unrelenting as the day went on. Bradley became so fed up with it that he just totally ignored her when she talked to him. By the end of the day, he'd had enough.

She was trying to talk to him as he was leaving the base, following him like a lost puppy. "Cap, I thi-"

He whipped around to face her. "Lieutenant. I am happily married, so I'd appreciate it if you would stop throwing yourself at me like a desperate teenager."

Seeming to shrink under his gaze, her face reddened and she nodded slowly. "Yes, sir."

Bradley hated being rude, but this time it was necessary. He knew she wouldn't give up unless he shut her down.

Present Day

"Honey, I'm home," he called, throwing his keys on the kitchen counter and walking to their bedroom. Changing into some comfortable clothes, he smiled when he heard (y/n) singing one of his favorite tunes in the shower.

"So bye-bye, Miss American Pie, drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry..."

He flopped on the bed and started humming the words with her. After a few minutes, the water turned off and she exited the bathroom in just a towel. Bradley sat up at the sight, eyebrows lifting. She continued to sing the song, not seeing Bradley on the bed.

"Looking good, babe."

She jumped violently, almost dropping her towel. "Brad! Don't scare me like that! When did you get home?"

“A few minutes ago. Today was a tough one, so I’m absolutely wiped.” He said, laying back down, putting his arms behind his head. 

Looking over at him, she could tell how tired he was by the way his voice changed and the way eyes almost shut every few seconds. After getting changed, (y/n) crossed the room and sat next to him, running her hands through his light brown hair. 

“Take a nap then, sweetheart.” She cooed.

“But I miss you, and I promised you we’d have a movie night.”

(Y/n) sighed. “We can have movie night another day. I can tell you’re exhausted, Brad.”

She got her answer as his eyes were closed and a small snore escaped his lips. With a smile, she pulled the covers up to his chin, kissing his forehead. As she got up to leave, he sleepily reached out, grabbing her hand gently.

“Stay.” He whispered, voice heavy with sleep.

“I’ve got to make supper, Bradley.”

Eyes opening slightly, he gave her puppy dog eyes that she could never resist. “Please, (y/n/n). I’ve missed you.”

One look at those soft browns and (y/n) Bradshaw was putty in her husband’s hands.

“Alright.” She cooed as he lifted up the covers for her. Sliding in, his arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. Sighing in content, he placed a gentle kiss to her hair.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too, Roost. Now go to sleep.” She whispered, smiling at the life they’d built for themselves.

Tag List:

Working: @calicoevening72 @ellieparker @misconceptionmistress @93joons @levylovegood @azari-anna @samthasworld @padf00ts-l0ver @thefuturewillbeprosperous @hockeyboysarehot @fangirlinc @littlewhiterose @annluca @pcotato @lundqvistisgod @theemeraldbutterfly @winteryoungie @curlyolly @ynbutbetter @n3ssm0nique @princessnnylzays @marchingicenotes7 @sarcastic-sourwolf @caitlyn221b @fogle97 @krmy2386 @storyteller-le @imagines-army @thatwh-0-re @calicoevening72 @americaarse @alexwinchester23 @juniebugg @luckyladycreator2 @shaunaelliott08 @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @cassbntp @multifandom-loser @itsmebellaas @johnnycobra84 @pepelachanel @sbrewer21 @dilfsandtherapy @pumpkin-sage @craziblondi @lovemesomevesey @peaches-1999 @im-your-possession @chaoticassidy

Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!!

[magnolia-among-the-stars]

dear august (bradley bradshaw pt. 1)

Summary: You and Bradley have been best friends since college and when he was stationed in North Island, you were thrilled that he would be back in your life. When things start to sour with Bradley's girlfriend and she breaks things off, Bradley comes to you for drunken comfort. What happens when an accidental hookup brings along an unexpected positive pregnancy test threatens the state of your friendship?

part one / part two / part three / part four / part five

Tropes: friends to lovers, unexpected pregnancy, unrequited feelings

Word Count: 1600+

The days were getting longer, and you didn’t know how much more glitter glue you could handle. The blazing heat on North Island burned hotter each day as Summer starts to approach and school days tick down. Throwing the remaining markers into the bin on the craft table in your classroom, you smooth a hand over your hair.

Your forehead was glistening with sweat on that Friday afternoon and the school had done nothing to fix the damn AC in the window, promising school would be out before the need to run them all day. This left you with a barely breathing fan, pumping room temperature air around as you finished cleaning up the classroom from your bratty and darling first graders.

A ding alerts you, the sound of your phone pinging on your desk causing you to rise from your knees and drop the copy of Goodnight Moon onto the bookshelf. Glancing at the incoming text message on the screen, a feeling bubbles up in your lower tummy at his words. It’s Bradley, messaging you too quickly after his day at base wrapped up, asking for you to come meet him at the Hard Deck.

You love your best friend, sometimes more than you are willing to admit even after three tequila shots at the military bar, but you’re also exhausted from a week of relentless rangling of children. You had spelling tests to grade, a lesson plan to get a head start on and a well-deserved nap on your cozy couch directly in front of the AC fan in your living room. The phone begins to ring loudly before you have a chance to craft a rain check text.

“You must’ve had a rough day, not even waiting for my text back,” you breath out as you answer, tucking to phone between shoulder and ear as you move to erase the whiteboard for the day. It’s a bitch when the marker settles into the glossy board.

“Come have a drink with me,” Bradley’s voice is raspy, a mix between a grumble and a plea. You can almost see him now, hand clutching the wheel of the Bronco as he heads down the scenic beach street to his cute two-story house stacked right on the sands. “I’m too tired to beg.”

“That makes two of us B,” I tell him as I finally collect the papers I need for the weekend and grab my tote. Locking the door to the classroom, I don’t bother stopping by the faculty lounge on my way out of the building. The lunch untouched from the busy day would be perfectly fine to eat Monday…I hope. “I don’t think I can muster it up tonight for you, what about Hangman?”

“You’re trying to pawn me of on Bagman?”

“Pawn feels like a strong word,” you mutter as you push the door of the building open, waving goodbye to Jeanine, the very nice secretary at the front desk. “I just…” your voice trails off as you come face to face with Bradley. He’s leaned up against the blue bronco’s hood, large frame slouched slightly as he crosses his arms over his chest. Bradley’s a glowing tanned god with his perfectly kept curls and matching mustache.

“Hi,” he smiles sheepishly, hanging up his phone and pocketing it.

“What’s happened?” you ignore his greeting, stepping toward him slowly with a look of concern etching into the worry lines on your forehead. “You never come to school.”

“I can’t just come pick up my favorite lady?” You stare at him heavily and he bends like a freshly cooked noodle out of the pot. “I think she’s going to break up with me.” His voice is gentle, his eyes avoiding yours as he glances down at his boat shoes, scuffing them against the black top. Your shoulders sink a bit, trying your best to contain the small point of glee rippling through your toes.

Her. The woman who has had your best friend in a bind for seven months. Her who played hard to get for two more months prior and wrote him only one letter on his three-month stint out at sea. Jenny, who had Bradley wrapped around her finger like she made the moon. Jenny, who wasn’t you. But you shake that thought away, play the part of dotting best friend.

“That can’t be right,” you shake your head and adjust your bag on your shoulder. “She loves you.”

“She’s pulling back Dais,” He uses your nickname, pulling on your heart strings. No, no, no, don’t do it. “Please come have a drink with me, you always make me feel better.” Don’t do it, tell him to call Javy and Jake. Tell him they’re better suited for girl troubles tonight.

“Bradley,” you start but he looks up at you and you see it. The glossy look in his bright green eyes, the tremble of his lower lip trying to maintain composure in the emptiness of the teacher’s lot. “One drink. Just one,” he knows he has you before you even get the full sentence out, knowing that you wouldn’t let him down. You never had and that’s why he came to you. He’s tugging your bag off your shoulder and ushering you into the passenger side of the Bronco.

It’s early enough at the Hard Deck when he pulls up to the front porch, his sunglasses hanging off the loose neck of his white tee shirt. You should’ve known how bad it was by the look of him. His usual Hawaiian shirt collection missing from his broad chest and he’s not wearing his dad’s watch. Bradley rushes to your side to help you slide out of your seat onto the rough pebbles. You wobble as you land on your feet, Bradley’s large hands wrapping around your shoulders for stability. He leaves them there as you walk together in step inside of the bar, his touch burning through the straps of your dress until it’s all that you can think about.

You greet Penny who is leaning over the counter restocking the napkins, waving with a small smile as she takes in the sight of the man’s arms around you tightly. The older woman cracks a smile with raised brows, and you shake your head slightly. Luck for you, she questions nothing when you take a seat on a spinning bar stool. Bradley nestles himself beside you and huffs out, “Can I get a glass of whiskey Pen?”

Shaking your head, you clear your throat and roll your eyes. “No, no,” you start, turning to look at the woman. “We’re not doing that. Can we get two coronas please?”

“No.”

“Bradley, you want me to have a drink with you?” you give the man a pointed look, so sharp that he pouts. Penny is deeply amused, watching the two of you silently. “We’re not having whiskey.” You stare up at Bradley, scanning his face and his worn scars across the skin of his neck.

“Fine, two coronas it is,” he digs dramatically in his pocket, tugging his wallet out and slinging it onto the table. “But I’m buying.”

It takes an hour before the rest of the friend group comes rolling through the swinging doors into the dimming light of the bar. Bob and Nat roll in with Mickey in tow, early goers dressed in civilian clothing and sunkissed to the gods. Bob tugs you into his side as the others place their first orders of the night with Jimmy. The patrons being to arrive to the increasingly loud bar, and someone has cranked on the jukebox as he asks about work.

“I would love to come in for another reading day before the end of the year if you would have me,” Bob tells you lightly, taking a sip of his bottled water.

“Bob, you know we don’t have to go in anymore for the year,” Bradley calls, his hand returning to your shoulder as he takes in the close distance of your face and Bob’s. It’s more for comfort of volume, the two of you being such soft-spoken individuals but Bradley doesn’t need to know that. It’s not his business.

“I know that.” Bob’s elbow comes down on the sticky surface of the bar top. “I like hanging out with the kids Rooster. Don’t you love seeing Daisy in action? She’s so good with kids.” The comment causes you to flush, cheeks warming as you thank the Weapon Systems Officer.

“That’s so sweet Bob, I’m flattered.”

“You should be, Dukes,” a thick Texan accent rings from behind you and you crane your neck to notice the bright pearly whites approaching. “Seeing you with kids actually makes me consider settling down and having a family.”

“Now that’s the biggest compliment,” a wicked grin crosses your features as you lean back to rest your head against the blond’s hard chest. Jake wraps his arms around your front to hug you tightly. “Bagman considering a family for me…what an honor.”

“Only for you Dukes,” Jake’s deep tone rumbles through his chest and reverberates in your ear. Bradley groans and you suddenly remember his presence and before you know it, he’s prying Jake’s hold away from your body.

“No touching my best friend,” he’s whining, “No family making.” With your hand in his squeezing grip, you realize who he is and why you both came here. You remember her, that has his heart twisted in her hands. That has him on the edge of his seat, begging for love and affection. The thought kills you, but you tug your fingertips from him.

“It’s time for some pool people,” Nat calls from the pool tables behind you all, waving frantically as she has finally claimed your usual space for the night.

“Bradley, you should call Jenny,” you tell him truthfully, waving Jimmy done for you and Jake. “I’m sure she’ll want to join us, and things will clear up.” Your encouragement of his relationship has him frowning, a confused expression showing itself as you tug your fingertips away. “It’ll be fine,” you promise as Jake orders your drink from behind you.

Right?

Taglist: 

@luckyladycreator2

@ceilingfann

@rosiahills22

@child-of-sunshine

@callsign-scully

@hopefulinlove

@cevans-winchester

@double-j

@blue-aconite

@callsign-hummingbird

@romanoff13-blog-BLOG

@rosiahills22

@kajjaka

@sylviaes99

@chaoticassidy

@child-of-of-the-sunshine

@memoriesat30

@seresinsweetie

@genius2050

[hanluex]

♡ HAPPY ENDINGS — BRADLEY 'ROOSTER' BRADSHAW

bradley bradshaw x reader | wc : 0.4k words | content : possible grammar and spelling mistakes, lowercase intended, just cute and fluffy

"do every prince and princess have a happy ending?"

bradley's cousin, maya, asked, laying on her bed, keeping herself awake as your boyfriend hummed in thought.

"yes, they all do," bradley answered after a while, not wanting to hit his cousin with the reality of tragic love stories. "everyone gets their happy ending."

maya's brother, danny, sat on the bunk above his sister's, looking between his cousin and you. "do you and y/n also have a happy ending?" he inquired as his eight-year-old brain tried to conduct a mini experiment by himself.

bradley nodded without hesitation, and you smiled to yourself, waiting for his answer. "we do, i guess — i mean, we will. y/n and i are still writing our story, so we have some time left until our ending," he explained, causing the kids to nod. "but i'm sure we'll have a happy ending. i'll do my best to have one."

you watched as your boyfriend tucked his cousins into bed, quietly leading you out of their room and into the guest room. bradley still had the little ponytail maya had done for him on his head, but you didn't bother telling him about it.

"thanks for helping me babysit the kids today. my aunt and uncle are nice people, but these kids can be a handful," bradley thanked, sitting on the bed as he closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. "everything went smoothly, thanks to you."

you shook your head, giggling as your boyfriend wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into his embrace. "you did an amazing job too, you know? i can see why your aunt insists you babysit them." you laid your back against his chest, playing with his hands. "maya and danny adore you."

"you think so, babe?"

"i know so, my love."

the two of you rested in silence while you relaxed for a bit. bradley, however, could feel you were tense in his arms, and waited for a while before talking about it, wanting to make sure you were alright.

"hey, you good?" he tilted your head up, causing you to see his somewhat upside-down face. "are you thinking about something?"

you hummed as you nodded, not breaking eye-contact. "did you mean what you said, roo?" you asked, your voice quiet, feeling shy. "about our happy ending?"

"that must've been so sudden on you, huh?" bradley muttered, running his fingers through your hair. "i meant it, though. every single word."

"really?"

"of course, angel. i hope to have a happy ending and a happily ever after. all with you."

taglist: send an ASK or DM to be added!

[jupitercomet]

The Aftermath

summary - Living in a new apartment, you run into your neighbor all the time. You run into him in the hallway, on the elevator, at your best friend's bachelorette party where he's dressed as a sexy firefighter. After seeing him in nothing but a pair spandex briefs and suspenders, you know have to move. Or sleep with him. One of the two.

warnings - stripper au, tangled dynamic, language, reader has a bit of a shameful relationship with her sexuality, smut (masterbation, fingering, oral fem receiving, slight corruption kink, light choking) no use of y/n, Bradley is 6'7" because I said so

I recommend listening to the playlist for this!

this blog is 18+, minors please do not interact

word count - 3.4k

so seductive masterlist

Okay, so Bradley’s a stripper.

Weirdly this fact only hits you later… After you bolted out of the private room in the club, shoved your way past other patrons, and locked yourself in a stall in the women's restroom. Yeah, not your proudest moment.

From where you’re sitting on the closed toilet, you balance your elbows on your thighs and drop your head into your hands. A shaky sigh leaves your lips. How could this be happening? How, in the span of minutes, could you have ruined everything? Because Bradley had been almost naked in front of you, and he asked you if you wanted to touch him—if you liked touching him—and you said yes, and now he knows that. 

You can’t even begin to think about what he must think of you now. Surely you’ve tainted his opinion of you, now that he knows you have inappropriate thoughts about him, now that you’ve acted on them.

You suck in a breath. Bradley was the best thing that’s happened to you since you’ve moved. And somehow you’ve managed to mess it all up in one night. You can’t face him tonight. You just can’t. You don’t even know what to say.

It could have been minutes, it could have been half an hour, but suddenly the bathroom door opens and you hear Callie calling out your name. Wordlessly, you unlock the stall door, pushing it open to alert Callie where you are. 

She squats down in front of you with a sad smile. “Hey.”

“Hey,” you reply pitifully.

“How you feelin’?”

“Don’t know,” you shrug, wiping your face. Your eyes dart to the bathroom door and anxiety rises in your stomach. “Is Bradley gone?”

“Very reluctantly.” Callie gives you a knowing look. “He wanted to go after you when you left, but I convinced him to give you some space for a bit. You can spend the night at my place tonight.”

You nod numbly, hardly taking in what Callie’s telling you and instead trying to fight that panicked feeling in your stomach at the thought of seeing Bradley again. You can’t, not after this.

“I’m sorry I ruined your bachelorette party.”

Callie meets your eyes sternly. “You didn’t ruin anything.” She grabs your hand before shooting you another smile. “Besides, ending a night of getting twerked on by having a sleepover with my best friend? Best bachelorette party ever!”

You can’t help but giggle. “I knew you’d like him,” you admit. When Callie makes a face, you clarify, “The stripper. I saw him going to Bradley’s once and I knew you’d think he was cute.”

“Honey please, did you see that man? Everyone thinks he’s cute. But I’m an engaged woman now,” she pretends to look disappointed by that, but you both know she’s anything but.

“Now come on,” she pats your thigh. “I’m tired and wanna watch a movie before we crash.”

The two of you do just that when you get back to Callie’s house, landing on Clueless and only getting halfway through before Callie can’t keep her eyes open any longer and you both go to bed. You’re grateful for her keeping your mind off everything and for giving you a place to stay, since it’s hard to avoid Bradley when he’s your neighbor. 

You’ve been avoiding your phone since you got to Callie’s, unable to actually open the various texts that Bradley has sent you.

Bradley: Can we please talk?

Bradley: Please princess

You can still see the look of shock on his face when he realized it was you. You can still feel him under your fingertips. You toss and turn in Callie’s guest bedroom, practically begging yourself to fall asleep, but all you can think about is Bradley. It’s like when you heard him through the wall all over again, except this time you have visual fuel to add to your imagination.

He was so sturdy underneath you. And when you held his… You’ve never held one before. And his felt so big and thick. You bite your lip in thought. You’re already a terrible person for taking advantage of Bradley the way you did, would feeding into your desires right now be that much worse?

Slowly you slide your hand under your waistband, closing your eyes as memories of Bradley’s defined body flash through your mind. You can still hear his voice in your ear, guiding your hands all over his body. You wonder how his hands would feel on your body. They’re so big and rough, they’d probably feel so good, and his fingers are so thick, you can only imagine how they’d feel—

You let out a gasp when one of your fingers slides inside you. It’s nice, but it feels nothing close to what you think Bradley would feel like. The thought makes you almost groan in frustration. This isn’t enough.

You try to think harder, adding another finger and pumping them in and out slowly. You try to imagine Bradley guiding you through it, with his rough voice and that teasing lilt that always makes your thighs clench. You try to imagine him all over you, manhandling you anyway he wanted—he could do it, you know he could. You imagine his hands and mouth all over you, his weight on top of you as he grinds into you.

You keep picturing it all until your fingers physically get tired and then the frustration comes back. Because your fingers aren’t Bradley’s. You pull your hand from your shorts unsatisfied, flopping onto your stomach with a groan.

You’re so screwed.

You’re not proud of how the next couple of days go. You avoid Bradley like the plague, ignoring all his texts and only leaving your apartment once you’re sure he’s gone for the day. He’s tried knocking on your door a couple times, but you leave them unanswered and eventually he gives up and goes away. You feel terrible ignoring him, but every time you try to build up the courage to talk to him, you remember all the mortifying things he now knows about you.

By using your peephole religiously and booking it from the elevator to your apartment every time you go out, you manage to avoid Bradley for a week, but, finally, you’re forced to confront him.

He must have come home for his lunch break, something you were not accounting for when you finally left your apartment in the early afternoon. It was almost comical the way the elevator doors opened at the exact moment you locked your front door, revealing Bradley’s broad frame, a pinched look on his face.

He jerks up in surprise when he sees you—you’re sure your own face drops—and takes a quick step out of the elevator. “Princess—”

Before he can get the next word out, you’re jamming your key into your door, unlocking it, bolting inside, and slamming the wood in his face.

No, no, no, no, no. This isn’t happening.

As you pace in panic, you hear Bradley start knocking on your door harshly. “Princess, open the door.”

You try to ignore him, but the knocking doesn’t stop and you know that Bradley won’t go away. Pascal seems to know it too as he hops off the couch and leaves to go anywhere that isn’t the powder keg that is your living room. You wish you could do the same, but you’re an adult, not a cat, and that means you have to face your adult problems like your friend-neighbor-crush mistakenly grinding his body over you.

The knocking finally stops when you open your front door sheepishly and Bradley’s standing there, body taking up the entire frame. He’s fuming, his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. You suddenly feel like maybe you shouldn’t have opened the door.

“Is this how you handle all your problems, princess?” He takes a commanding step into your apartment that has you taking a step back to keep up. “You just run away from them?”

He’s still walking into the apartment, kicking the door closed behind him, and you know that soon enough you’ll run out of space and end up backed against a wall—literally. Bradley doesn’t stop though, not until you’re finally pressed against the wall and he’s so close you can almost feel him breathing.

You try to defuse the situation. “I wasn’t running away—”

“Yes, you were,” Bradley interrupts you. “You ran away from me just now, you ran away from me a week ago, you ran away from me that day after we first met.” He lists them off on his fingers. “And I didn’t say anything because, hey, if that’s how you wanna handle it, fine. But then you completely stop talking to me? Was that your plan? To just never talk to me again?”

“I—”

Suddenly Bradley’s face morphs and you can see the hurt under his anger. “We’re friends, princess. You can’t just— I’m sorry if what happened made you uncomfortable or… or if what I do somehow changes things. But I’d rather you just tell me that than—”

“Bradley, no!” You shake your head frantically. “No, that’s not— It has nothing to do with that. I just—” Your mouth falls open dumbly as words fail you. Because what can you say? That he made you touch yourself and you're embarrassed?

“Did that night make you uncomfortable?” Bradley questions you bluntly.

You shake your head, looking up at him earnestly.

There’s a beat. “Did you like it?”

You don’t say anything, your mouth suddenly dry. Visibly, Bradley’s eyes darken and something shifts in the air. His head drops to your ear, his lips ghosting the shell of it as his hand props himself against the wall just by your head.

“Did you like it, princess?” He asks again. “Is that what it is? Did you touch yourself thinking about it?” His breath sends shivers down your spine. “Did you wish it was me touching you?”

You realize you’re holding your breath and it’s only when you let out a shaky exhale that you’re able to relax your clenched thighs. Your stomach feels hot, your face feels hotter, but you can’t stop the way your eyes flutter closed.

Bradley continues, his voice still a raspy whisper. “What do you imagine? My fingers?” A hand falls to your ass and he squeezes the skin. “My mouth?” He dips his lips down from your ear to press the ghost of a kiss on your neck. “Or did you want them both? Selfish girl.” Bradley chuckles lowly. “My spoiled princess.”

You whimper, the sound strained and desperate and hardly recognizable as your voice.

“C’mere.”

Before you can fully register the growl leaving Bradley’s lips, his large finger is nudging your chin upward and he’s catching your lips with his. He’s swallowing your gasp of surprise hungrily, his hand on the wall falling to hold you loosely by the side of your neck. Kissing Bradley is like everything you thought it would be—soft and protective—and your stomach feels like a swarm of butterflies as he strokes your cheek. 

His other hand travels down under your thigh, hiking it up against his hip, and you lean up against the wall for support. He doesn’t seem to like that though, yanking you closer to him with a soft nip at your bottom lip. The sting feels foreign, but not unpleasant, and you hesitantly lift your hands up to tangle into his hair.

“Where’s your bedroom, princess?” Bradley whispers against your lips.

You point at the door, letting out a squeak of surprise when he lifts you suddenly, attaching his lips to your neck as he blindly fumbles with opening the door and setting you down on your bed. Your hands reach for him almost as soon as he lets go of you, a whine caught in the back of your throat.

Bradley chuckles. “Yeah, we’ve established how much you like touchin’ me, but now it’s my turn.” His eyes trail over you hungrily as his fingers quickly pull his shirt off and, as the fabric hits the floor, it hits you how real this is.

“I’ve—” You look down shyly and try not to squirm uncomfortably. “I’ve never done this before, Bradley.”

“Hey,” Bradley tips your chin up with his finger, his eyes softening and his voice smoothing into that comforting tone you’re used to. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If you want to stop here—”

You grab his hand frantically to cut him off. “No!” You shake your head. “No, please Bradley, I don’t want to stop, I— I tried to do it by myself, but I couldn’t— I—” You know you sound desperate, but maybe a part of you is. You’ve basically been teasing yourself because your fingers can’t do what you want them to—what Bradley’s fingers could do. 

“You haven’t gotten yourself off?” Bradley’s jaw clenches as he watches you plead with him, something almost restrained in his voice. When you only nod pitifully, he chuckles darkly. “You saying I already ruined you and I haven’t even touched you yet?”

The thought seems to invigorate him as he drops forward to start kissing you again, fiddling with the button of your jeans and sliding down the zipper. Just like you imagined, his hands are all over you, his mouth traveling down to your neck as he undresses you quickly. 

This time you actually do whine when he pulls away from you, but it’s short lived when he starts to situate himself between your thighs, tracing the seams of your panties with his index finger.

“What’d you think about when you were touching yourself?”

You swallow thickly. “W-What?”

Bradley finger travels dangerously close to your clit before he lets it fall back down against the fabric of your panties. “What’d you think about when you were touching yourself?” He repeats. 

“...You,” you admit.

Bradley smirks. “Oh, yeah? What was I doing?”

“I don’t—” You squirm uncomfortably, trying to get more friction from Bradley’s teasing. “I don’t know. Bradley, please—”

“Yes, you do.”

His fingers stop touching you completely and you throw your head back, squeezing your eyes shut as you try to fight through the embarrassment of voicing your dirty thoughts. “Your, um, your fingers were inside me— Ah!” Your back arches when Bradley suddenly pulls your panties to the side, pushing a thick finger inside you and stroking it slowly against your walls.

“Like this?” He teases, pausing for a moment to pull your panties off completely.

You nod frantically as he keeps pumping his finger inside you, stretching his thumb to rub tight circles against your clit. You twist your face into the pillows to muffle yourself as a loud moan leaves your mouth. Suddenly, Bradley’s hovering over you—his finger now thrusting into you faster—his other hand around your neck, rolling you onto your back again.

“Did I say you could hide those pretty sounds from me?” He questions lowly, his fingers giving a quick squeeze to the sides of your throat. When you shake your head, he shakes his own condescendingly. “No, I didn’t.” Bradley adds his ring finger, stretching you out against him as he keeps your eyes locked on his. Another strangled moan leaves you, no longer muffled by the cotton of your pillowcase, and Bradley smirks. “That’s better, princess.”

His fingers keep up their steady pace, making you feel fuller than your own fingers ever could, and his hand keeps its place on your throat, his eyes watching every moan and gasp of pleasure you let out.

“Bradley!—” You grab onto his wrist for support. “I’m gonna—”

It feels like something snapping when you finally orgasm, your hips lifting off the bed as Bradley smashes his lips against yours, swallowing the noises you make as he works you through your high. The sweet feeling of release finally washes over you as Bradley slowly pulls his fingers out of you. You watch with hazy eyes as he sticks them into his mouth, letting out a noise as he sucks them clean.

“Fuck, I gotta taste you, princess.”

He throws both your legs over his shoulders, large hands holding them open as he presses a soft kiss to your mound before flattening his tongue out against your hole. Your cheeks feel like they’re on fire when he groans into your pussy, his head nestled between your thighs as if he’s trying to suffocate himself with your arousal.

“Bradley!” You whine, still not fully recovered from your last orgasm as he builds you up to another one. Your fingers tangle into his curls, tugging on them harshly, and his grunt of pleasure vibrates through you.

“You know how long I’ve been thinking about you?” Bradley almost seems to be talking to himself in between laps at your pussy, the words coming out rough and sultry. “About how fucking good you taste?” The tip of his tongue sinks inside you and you buck your hips at the feeling, smashing your clit into his nose. “Had to get myself off that first night. I knew you could hear me.” He lifts his head suddenly, a cocky look in his eyes. “You touch yourself to that too?”

“Yes, Bradley, yes!” You might have not admitted that so brazenly if it wasn’t for the fact that you wanted Bradley to shut up and get his mouth on you again. You try to shove his head back where you wanted, but he doesn’t budge.

“Bet you couldn’t cum though,” he muses. “Only I can make you feel this good.”

As if it’s a fact that can’t be disputed—and, honestly, it probably is—Bradley goes back to eating you out, somehow even more confident, which you didn’t think was possible. Even as you orgasm for the second time, he doesn’t let up, only pulling you closer by your hips as the lewd sounds his mouth is making fill the room alongside your whines. Your hips jerk at the overstimulation, your body moving higher on the mattress with all your jolting.

Bradley’s grip tightens on your hips as he drags you back to him, lifting his head slightly to look at you. “I thought we said no more running away, princess.”

“But—” You whine.

“Take it.” He orders and then, with a soft kiss to the inside of your knee, “I know you can, honey. You’re being such a good girl for me.”

The praise goes straight to your head and you melt into the mattress as Bradley dives back in. It’s almost embarrassing how quickly he makes you fall over the edge again, with his tongue inside you and his nose pressed against your clit, but you arch your back with a loud cry, your eyes rolling back. It’s only when you're heaving and twitching that Bradley pulls away from your core with a satisfied look on his face. The expression softens when he takes in your blissful smile.

“Feel good, princess?”

“Yes,” you breathe. “Thank you.”

Bradley responds with a slow kiss, finger stroking your cheek even when he pulls away slightly. It takes you a couple seconds to register the hard length that’s pressing against your thigh and you frown slightly, shifting to get up as you’re hit with the thought that Bradley has yet to be alleviated. 

“What about you?”

Bradley shakes his head, hands ushering you back to your soft pillows. “Tonight’s about you, princess.”

“Are you sure?” You look at him hesitantly.

“I’m sure,” Bradley seems to find humor in your question. “Next time.”

You like the sound of that.

After another breath, you tentatively let your hand come up to cup Bradley’s cheek as your eyes fill with earnesty. “I’m… I’m really sorry that I avoided you, I just didn’t know what to do—”

“Shh, shh,” Bradley hushes you with a kiss. “Tomorrow, princess. We can talk about everything tomorrow. Right now, let me just clean you up.” 

After another kiss and a squeeze to the hand you have cupping his cheek, Bradley gets up to go to the bathroom. You wait for the door to close behind him before exhaustion hits you and you sink back into the sheets. So much is running through your head and you’re too tired to figure any of it out, but one thought rings louder than the rest. 

Whatever this is with Bradley, you want to keep doing it.

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[ilyasorokinn]

just like dad , rooster

note, this is my application to join top gun tumblr. so.... slay! anyways, i love rooster as a dad and might make this a little au family series. haven't thought that far into the future. if people enjoy this, lmk if you want to see a little family series. another note, i promise all my fics aren't dad content. i have three other fics in my drafts (all top gun related) that aren't dad content. pair, bradley "rooster" bradshaw x reader summary, bradley left for a mission two days ago, and his daughter, jamie, misses him. so y/n helps take her mind off it. warnings, children word count, 849 words (shorty but a goodie)

(gif not mine)

Bradley had only been gone on his mission for 2 days but you could tell that Jamie was taking it hard. She always did whenever he went away. It wasn't even a long mission, but it always felt like an eternity to Jamie in her 4-year-old brain.

"When's daddy coming home?" Jamie had been asking that question all morning.

"In two days." You answered as you set a plate of fruit in front of her.

"That's so far away." She whined, picking at the strawberries on her plate.

You watched her eat her breakfast before a thought popped into your head, "I have an idea." Once she was done eating breakfast, you both got ready and headed for the mall.

"Do you know what that says?" You asked Jamie as you approached the store. She shook her head, but her eyes were drawn to all the colorful bears lining the walls of the store.

"Bears." She pointed.

"Yeah." You set her down and let her run around, looking at all the bears. When she finally picked out a bear, you moved over to the sound station.

You played her a couple voicemails that Rooster had left and she finally made up her mind after listening to all of them, "Hi, Jamie-Jam! Daddy misses you, and I'll be home real soon. I love you, and don't forget to give mommy a big kiss for me."

She stuffed it, gave the heart a big kiss, then placed it inside the back of the bear. After getting him all sewed up, she wandered around the clothing area. Lots of accessories for her new bear caught her attention, but when she saw the pair of sunglasses, her eyes went wide, and she made an immediate beeline over to them.

You couldn't help but laugh as she passed up the pair of pink sunglasses, that you knew would match the pair she had at home, in favor of the aviators.

After finding the accessories, you made your way over to the name station, "What do you want to name your bear?" She pursed her lips and thought about it for a second.

"Goose." She answered and your heart melted.

"All right, Goose it is." You nodded, typing it into the computer.

-

Two days after getting Goose, Rooster was walking up the pathway towards your house, a smile gracing his lips as he spotted the sign you always put up for him when he got back from missions.

He used his key and before he could even push open the door, Jamie was throwing the door open and greeting him with a big squeal, "Daddy!"

"Hi, baby!" He picked her up and spun her around, "Come on, let's go inside." He carried both Jamie and his bag inside. Jamie talked his ear off the entire time as he carried her inside and towards the dining table.

You popped out of the kitchen, where you were making a mid-day snack for you and Jamie before your husband came through the doors, and locked eyes with Rooster, smiling as he listened to everything Jamie told him, not taking his eyes off her for a minute.

"Hey, Jam?" You grabbed her attention, "Want to go show daddy your new friend?" Jamie nodded eagerly, hopped off her dad's lap, and ran to her room.

He pushed his chair out, letting you take residence on one of his legs. You wrapped your arms around his neck and he wrapped his around your waist.

"How was it?" You asked, playing with the hairs on the nape of his neck.

He hummed, "Not too bad. Went quicker than we thought it would."

"Hmm, explains why you're home earlier."

"It's only a couple hours."

"Still." You shrugged. Right before you could say anything else, Jamie came running back in, holding Goose in her arms. You pushed yourself off his lap and let Jamie take your place. She showed her dad the bear, who also let out a laugh when he saw the sunglasses.

"Look at this." He looked at the bear, taking it all in.

"We went to Build-A-Bear and got a bear. Squeeze him." You instructed, and Rooster followed your instructions.

He smiled when he heard the recording, "That's me."

"So now, we'll always have a part of you while you're not here, saving the world." You smiled.

"He has sunglasses, just like you do." Jamie showed him.

"I can see that."

"Tell daddy what his name is." Rooster looked from you to Jamie.

"Goose." You saw Rooster's eyes soften and he smiled, almost tearfully, pulling Jamie into a hug.

"And what did you tell your class you want to be when you grew up?"

"I want to be like you, daddy."

"You want to be like me?"

"I want to fly in the sky." She told him. You thought, judging by the look on his face, he would burst straight into tears.

He gathered himself, "3 generations of Bradshaw pilots? The Navy won't know what hit 'em." He held out his fist, and Jamie gave him one of those exploding fistbumps.

-

tagging some friends: @2manytabsopen @jostystyles @typical-simplelove @kolsmikaelson @jostyriggslover96 @comphyjost @boqvistsbabe @rosesvioletshardy

add yourself to my taglist!

[sappy-seresin]

Top Gun Fics & WIPS

Started:2/17/23 Last Updated:2/20/23

Masterlist

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

Fawn

Bradley Bradshaw is enamored by the Hard Deck's newest waitress. Taking notice of a shift in your demeanor, he finds himself wanting to get to the bottom of your newfound skittishness.

Jake "Hangman" Seresin

I was Born to Love You

You're the one Jake was born to love, and he creates gentle moments to remind you.

Based on Ray LaMontagne's "I Was Born to Love You."

Little Insomniac Volume Two

You're dealing with an ongoing struggle to sleep and Jake wants to help.

Karaoke Night

You get invited to go drinking with the Dagger Squad, kudos to your boyfriend Jake. The one detail he left out about the excursion is that it's Karaoke night at the Hard Deck, and your participation is mandatory.

WIP List

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw

Fawn, Volume Two Summary: The aftermath of your secretly toxic relationship being revealed. Bradley and the Dagger Squad help you find your confidence again.

Teacher's Pet Summary: Lieutenant Bradshaw falls in love with a local Kindergarten teacher.

Mrs. Bradshaw Summary: After meeting Captain Mitchel's daughter, the men of the Dagger Squad are fighting over who's going to win her over. Unbeknownst to them, she's already taken.

Jake "Hangman" Seresin

Holdin' On Jake is mourning the loss of his wife. Based on "Holdin' On" by Harry Hudson.

Words of Affirmation You're a pilot at Top Gun with apparent low self worth and esteem. Lieutenant Seresin isn't having any of your self deprecating talk.

[heliads]

So happy that you added top gun maverick to your fandom list. If you’re up for it could you do a Rooster x reader enemies to lovers where he’s in love with her but doesn’t want to get attached to anyone cause what happened to his dad and his repressed feelings manifest as him teasing and picking on her. She takes it like a champ and throws it right back at him (which only makes him fall for her more). One day she gets hurt (she can be another pilot or something else if you’d prefer) and she’s expecting him to make fun of her for fucking up but instead he’s very serious about taking care of her. Then they both confess their feelings for each other.

i am always up for top gun

masterlist

y/c means your callsign btw

In a world as crazy as that of the US Navy pilots, you’ve learned to treasure the brief moments of peace. They come few and far between, usually overshadowed by missions of great calamity. Those you can find, though, are certainly wonderful indeed. 

You’re in the midst of one of such instances of tranquility now, staring over the railing of a balcony high up in one of the administrative buildings. It offers you a beautiful view of the ocean, which is not too far off in the distance. It’s just you and your best friend Phoenix. Also the pilot you hate most of all briskly walking your way. 

Rooster. 

No. 

Thus another blissful moment is ruined. You turn to Natasha with a look of utter horror, and she has to clap a hand over her mouth to stop from breaking out in laughter. You glance around for a chance to flee, but Bradshaw’s too close, there’s nothing you can do but face him.

His footsteps stop behind you, and your knuckles tighten on the balcony railing. “Rooster. How wonderful of you to ruin my morning.”

You don’t have to look behind you to know that Rooster’s fixing you with the same smug grin he always seems to wear whenever you’re around. “Y/C. Still searching for ways to be faster than me? I admit, the ocean is pretty big and beautiful and all that, but it still might not be deep enough to hold all the secrets you’d need to beat my records.”

You snort. “A puddle would hold all the secrets I’d need to beat you. I already do that.”

You turn around at last, and Bradley folds his arms across his chest, the perfect picture of military indignation. “Is that so?” He asks slowly, “because I seem to remember Maverick struggling way more to take me out yesterday morning than he did for you.”

“I recall it being the opposite that afternoon,” you reply. “I wouldn’t blame you for having a bad memory, though. You’re bad at everything.”

By your side, Phoenix makes a choking sound that’s most likely her trying to disguise another laugh. “Keep it down, you guys. We only get one morning off from practice, and I’m trying to enjoy it without the constant sound of you two sniping at each other.”

“You don’t have to worry about Rooster sniping at me,” you say pleasantly, “he’d never hit. Just like in a plane.”

You think you see Rooster’s jaw drop, just a little. “So not true. I’d kick your ass in a dogfight any day if Maverick would let us fight each other instead of him.”

You arch a brow. “Then how about you ask him to let us fight? You’re close to him, aren’t you? Go use your advantage for an actual result instead of just trying to get a better showing than me. At least that’s a reasonable goal.”

Bradley scoffs. “That so? I think you’d go down in about half a second.”

“Not a chance,” you declare, “I’d have you in my sights in less time than it takes you to do a roll.”

“Prove it,” Rooster says, “I’d hate to think you’re just talk.”

During the course of the conversation/expressions of deep hatred, you and Bradley have slowly gravitated towards each other, unconsciously taking a step forward in an attempt to get the upper hand. Right now, the two of you are practically breathing down each other’s shirts, neither willing to back down first.

It takes Natasha sighing exasperatedly and shoving the two of you apart for the situation to ease. “Back off, you two. Is it possible for you to stop fighting for two seconds? You’re worse than Hangman.”

You chuckle. “That’s a pretty terrible comparison. Alright, Nat, let’s go somewhere with a better view. I’m getting tired of this one at the moment.”

You widen your eyes in mock horror as you say it, and Rooster rolls his eyes. Ignoring him, you link your arm around Phoenix’s and lead her away. 

Natasha starts grinning once Bradley is out of earshot. “You guys are insane, you know that? At some point, you’re going to have to stop flirting with each other and actually go get drinks or something.”

You nearly choke on your own indignation. “Flirting? Natasha Trace, you must be out of your mind. I’m not flirting in the slightest.”

“You must be serious, you’re using my full name,” Phoenix muses, “but you’re wrong. You guys have more tension than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

“Yeah,” you agree, “tension because we hate each other. Bad tension.”

“Good tension,” she argues, “because you love each other dearly.”

You shove her on the shoulder, but the action only serves to make Natasha’s smile broaden. “You can’t say anything to convince me otherwise,” she reminds you, “I know what I see.”

You roll your eyes. “You might have to get your vision checked if you’re that blind.”

Despite your comebacks, you can’t be annoyed with Phoenix forever, even if she’s way off in her predictions of what is to come between you and Rooster. She’s your best friend, both among the pilots and outside of work.

That’s why she must know better than to think that you and Bradley would ever be interested in each other that way. First of all, Rooster would never allow that to happen, your own feelings be damned. He’s been a lone wolf since day one. Sure, he’ll talk to his friends, and get drinks with a big crowd just like anyone else, but he’s not looking for anyone closer than a buddy from work. That much is certain.

There are rumors, of course, about why that would be. Some whisper that Bradley lost his father in an airplane crash and so he refuses to let himself get attached to any one pilot out of fear of history repeating itself. Others say that he’s so competitive about getting the top result that he wouldn’t want to weaken himself by tying himself to another pilot.

Regardless, you know one thing for sure:  Rooster is not the kind of person to fall for you. Ever. From the moment he met you, Bradley’s been teasing you nonstop. The two of you engage in verbal warfare every time you’re stuck in a room together for longer than a minute. During aerial practice, the two of you risk your necks to outdo each other, and back on solid ground, you’re firing comebacks at each other like missiles.

Thus, the force of Bradley’s obstinance alone could thwart any idea of yours. There are no ideas of yours, though, none in the slightest. Rooster is a thorn in your side, a too-clever piece trying to stop you from crossing the chess board and beating him once and for all. If you have ever looked at him with different eyes, ones that shine instead of glare, that must be blamed on too many drinks or too many late nights. Anything else would be traitorous.

So, you turn your focus towards doing better, always doing better. Maverick’s demands for his selected group of pilots are a hair short of perfection; seeing as you’re one of them, you have to cross that line, be flawless as no other fighter pilot can be. You are the best of the best, but you must prove it every single time you crawl into your cockpit.

Maybe that’s why you end up pushing harder than you should during daily practice. Maybe that’s why you ignore every warning thrown your way that you’re going to get in trouble. In the end, you do, but not over a disciplinary violation. Instead, the danger headed your way is physical.

You didn’t crash. You feel like that should be stated another dozen times. Your plane was never impacted, nor was anyone harmed. The whole thing happened so quickly that you’d swear it was just a figment of your imagination were it not for the radio logs played over and over again, showing just what you did.

More specifically, the comms show what you didn’t do, and that was stay conscious during the flight. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends just trying to keep your place ahead of the other pilots, and it’s finally slowing you down instead of speeding you up. You were coming out of a sharp dive when the exhaustion took its toll.

You passed out then and there. Maverick’s shouting over your comms didn’t do anything to wake you up. Your eyes opened when you were far below the hard deck, plummeting towards the ground. It took every bit of skill in you to pull the nose of your plane up and save yourself from fiery impact.

Even after you landed, your trouble wasn’t over. You barely managed to climb out of the cockpit before you were passing out again, tumbling over the edge of the plane and falling towards the hard ground below. Your head would have struck the concrete if it weren’t for someone managing to catch you, and of all the people to be your savior, it was Rooster.

That still bewilders you. You ended up staying in the medical wing for a couple of hours with an IV to get your stats back to normal, but you’ve been cleared since then, let go with a warning to take it easy. From the moment you regained consciousness and learned what happened, you haven’t been able to stop wondering why Bradley would have been the one to catch your falling body and not any one of the other pilots.

For one thing, he would have had to act quickly to notice and grab you before your head hit the ground. For another, he would have had to be by your plane in the first place. That means Bradley was waiting for you, something he has obviously never done before. The whole situation makes no sense, and your mood isn’t exactly lifted to see Rooster waiting for you by the door of the med wing when you finally get out.

He’s been leaning up against the wall, but straightens up when he sees you. “Y/C. Good to see you upright.”

Your head is still a little fuzzy, and you really, really don’t want to hear him sniping at you, especially not after the results of the day. You don’t lose control, not when you’re in a plane. You can already picture him calling you out for that little lapse, so you decide to cut to the chase and cut him off before Bradley gets the chance.

You hold up a hand before he can say anything else. “I don’t want to hear it,” you warn him.

Rooster blinks in surprise. “Hear what?”

You laugh bitterly. “You’re here to make fun of me for passing out, obviously. If I hear a single joke about me falling for you, I’ll kick your knees in, how about that?”

“Well, I’d prefer if my knees stay intact,” Rooster says slowly, “besides, that’s not why I’m here.”

You stare at him, confused. “Why the hell else would you be here?”

Bradley spreads his hands. “To check in on you. You’ve got us all worried, Y/C. I just happen to prefer you alive rather than dead, and I wanted to make sure you were going to stay that way.”

This takes you by surprise. “Really?”

He laughs. “Is it really that much of a shocker that I might care about if you’re alright? I saw you fall when you were in that plane. I thought you wouldn’t be able to save yourself. I haven’t been shaken like that since–”

Bradley cuts himself off abruptly, but you sense what he was trying to say. No one has clear memories when they’re that young, but losing your father would do something to remind you of what it’s like to hurt.

You reach over and gently place a hand on Rooster’s back. “I’m okay,” you assure him, “due in part to someone making sure I stayed that way. Thanks for catching me.”

“Thanks for catching yourself when you were in the air,” he replies back, “that would have been harder for me to stop. Just don’t make it a habit. I’m not used to doubting you.”

You laugh. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you be this nice to me. Keep doing it, will you?”

Rooster’s smile is soft when you look back at him. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”

It occurs to you that Phoenix might have been right. You’ll have to check in with her later and ask what other revelations she’d been keeping from you. In the meantime, you’re perfectly content to walk back with Bradley, to talk and be happy with him. You don’t think you need anything else. Not even a top finish.

top gun tag list: empty for now!

[callsign-fox]

Rooster : My life is a mess.

Y/N: Rooster relax, go get a beer.

Rooster : I don’t want a beer.

Y/N: Who said it was for you?

[undiscovered-horizon]

Imagine being Maverick's daughter and quickly catching the eye of both Rooster and Hangman, unknowingly starting a cutthroat competition. - ROOSTER'S ENDING

▷TOPGUN PLAYLIST

[Part 1] [Hangman's Ending] [Secret Ending?]

Note: didn't even think about writing follow-ups until @rosiahills22 made a comment.

Ever since that memorable handshake he shared with Jake, Bradley really did bring out his A-game each time he saw you. Perhaps North Island simply got warmer and that's why he walked around shirtless or wearing white tank tops. Considering how much he made you laugh, maybe he could become a stand-up comedian when flying aeroplanes becomes a tad too boring. It's hard to say whether he had learned that your father kept close, squinted in suspicion, eye on him Maverick himself was quite torn: you looked really happy, radiant, whenever Bradley was around but at the same time, he remembered Rooster's mother when she learned that her husband wasn't coming back home. Pete didn't even want to think about the very real possibility of you being in her shoes.

It didn't escape anyone's attention, especially Maverick's, that those two men seemed even more competitive towards each other than usually. Whenever someone brought up the escalation of the conflict intrinsic to their relationship, Rooster and Hangman suddenly were in agreement that there was nothing particular going on and the other guy was just being a shithead. No one believed them but also no one wanted to dig through this can of worms.

The climax of the bizarre butting of heads between Rooster and Hangman seemed to take place during the dogfight. Although there were two teams fighting neck in neck, it looked more as if Bradley and Jake were the only players, constantly trying to one-up the other. Phoenix, the more observant of the group, quickly caught on to the fact that the two pilots would glance in your direction every now and then. You were sitting next to Maverick, acting as a referee and recalling fond memories of playing dogfighting with your neighbourhood friends when you were younger. Back then, every kid thought you had 'the coolest dad ever'. And, truthfully, you couldn't disagree.

Hoping that your dad wouldn't notice, you bit the inside of your cheek as you watched Rooster play the game. He was this big, bulky and terribly handsome sun-kissed god you thought existed only in ladies' literature. Bradley always knew how to make you laugh, even if it meant embarrassingly butchering top hits in the most ridiculous of ways. You were pretty convinced he was the only man alive to be able to pull off a moustache and not look absolutely creepy.

"You're not listening to me, (Y/N)." Your father's voice brought you out of your daydreams.

"Sorry, dad, it's just..." There was no way in this world and the next one that you would ever admit to admiring one of his trainees. You had to think of something plausible, fast. "It's nice to see them all so happy and carefree you know? Not arguing for a few minutes. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said we're all going for a beer to The Hard Deck tonight. Come along."

"You sure it's a good idea? One day without exercises might put you behind. It's not like you have much time in the first place."

"I know what I'm doing. I raised one kid and it went pretty good, you know?"

"Yeah, she's kinda cool," you said while nodding. A self-assured grin crept onto your face - exactly the same smile that made it virtually impossible for you to ever renounce your connection with Maverick.

"She's the best."

Laughing, you and Maverick clicked bottles of beer in a light-hearted toast. Shortly after, laughter erupted among the pilots playing dogfighting: Bradley, terribly distracted by your radiant happiness, got hit with the rugby ball straight in his chest. Maybe you can kiss it better later.

You bit your lip, unsure which song in the jukebox to choose. All the titles that you were familiar with made you remember something about Maverick or rather listening to his CDs when he was gone. Music from his youth, that you grew up listening to, seemed to be tainted in a weird way. Your hand was wet from holding a cold bottle of beer.

"Oh, what the hell," you whispered to yourself, partially annoyed with your own indecisiveness. Having quickly pushed the buttons for record A58, The Hard Deck was momentarily filled with the electric guitar and drums of Mountain's Mississippi Queen.

"Thought of you as a more modern music type of girl."

Turning around, you saw exactly the man you expected: Bradley. He was leaning against the wall next to the jukebox and had been, most probably, silently watching your musical dilemma for some time. A curious gloss covered his eyes whenever he looked at you - Rooster was wearing his adoration for you on his sleeve, or rather, his face. Even though he was leaning, he remained physically bigger than you, making your heart excitedly jump in your chest. His broad frame was the source for quite a few of your unsavoury fantasies.

"The most modern song Penny has in here is dinosaurs' mating call."

Rooster laughed at your words and you could feel your chest clenching. He was a beautiful man - in any and every meaning of that word. A few years ago, you would have considered him way out of your league.

"So, Mississippi Queen, can I get you out of here for a bit?"

Catching a glimpse of you and Rooster leaving the bar, Jake hit the cue ball a little too hard and went for a foul instead.

The sand was refreshingly cool under your feet. Soon, the sound of waves lazily washing the shore had drowned out most of the noise coming from the bar. It truly felt like aside from you and Bradley, there was nobody else in the world, only memories of friends and strangers dancing in distant realms.

Your head was on his shoulder, silently watching the rhythm of the tide. Bradley had his arm wrapped around you, pulling you even closer to his chest. He had this very particular smell of salty ocean water and motor oil. At that moment, you swore you could happily drown in the peaceful contentment.

"If my dad finds out, you're getting shot dead." Although your statement was meant to be humorous, there was a kernel of truth hiding somewhere between those words.

"I thought I had the old man's sympathy."

Of course, Maverick did have warm feelings towards Bradley. It was just the very father-like combination of being overprotective and not quite communicative that spun their relationship into the odd situation that it now was. Still, Rooster wasn't exactly innocent in this less-than-favourable turn of events.

Rooster leaned away for a moment to look at you. Softly silver moonlight danced across your face and he couldn't recall if he had ever seen someone so beautiful.

"Well, you surely have mine," you said quietly before kissing him. Feeling your lips on his, Bradley thought that, maybe, Maverick shooting him wasn't that bad.

You felt his hot breath against your cheek. Whenever his lips left yours, even for a fraction of a second, you were quick to chase after them, never satiated with the affection he was offering. To your displeasure, Rooster pulled ever so minimally from you, your mouths nearly brushing against one another. His voice was quiet enough that the ocean waves nearly drowned out his whisper:

"That's more than enough."

The endless kisses the two of you shared that night were filled with giggles and carefree jokes, pretending as if the troubles of tomorrow were nothing but fairytales and fever dreams.

[magnolia-among-the-stars]

dear august (bradley bradshaw pt. 4)

part one / part two / part three / part four / part five

Summary: You and Bradley have been best friends since college and when he was stationed in North Island, you were thrilled that he would be back in your life. When things start to sour with Bradley’s girlfriend and she breaks things off, Bradley comes to you for drunken comfort. What happens when an accidental hookup brings along an unexpected positive pregnancy test threatens the state of your friendship?

Tropes: friends to lovers, unexpected pregnancy, unrequited feelings

Word Count: 1500

Over the next days, you were able to stay distracted as you finished up the school year. Filling your days with snotty little shits and final projects, it was an easy way to keep your mind from the lack of texts from your best friend. Your best friend of which, you’d slept with in a drunken stupor after his girlfriend had broken up with him.

You hadn’t heard much from Bradley in the days after you slept together other than invitations to join the group at the Hard Deck after the school day ended. You were too concerned by what that meant, to return to the place when you two had fallen into each other’s arms and so you stayed away. He didn’t come looking for you, didn’t show up in the parking lot to drag you to join him so you’d figured it was a simmering effect.

He was, however, scheduled to come in on the last day of the school year to deliver some ice cream on behalf of the Navy and read a few stories but when you glanced up at the knock on the classroom door only to find Bob smiling sheepishly, you figured that something was wrong. Bob read and scooped out ice cream with you while he shared what had occurred for Bradley’s disappearance.

“He wanted to come,” Bob tries to share between scoops of ice cream and spurts of whipped cream for each kid. “Got stuck doing some extra maintenance on his plane ahead of our mission next week.”

“Mission next week?” you asked, eyes flittering up from your position of sprinkles duty. A frown fixated on your lips as you took in the information. You hadn’t heard about any mission, not from Jake or Bradley for that matter. And Jake had been keeping you company after everything that had happened.

“It’s a short two month stint,” Bob drops the scooper into the water and wipes his hands on his khakis. “Rooster didn’t tell you?”

“No…”

“I’m sure he was planning to,” Bob offers, glancing over at the giggling kids lost in their own world. What it must feel like to be them again, careless and without understanding of the world yet. “Why don’t you come with me to the Hard Deck after for our bonfire. I’m sure Bradley would love to see you.”

You weren’t sure you felt entirely welcomed or that Bradley would want you there after the radio silence on his part, but you went regardless. Wrapped up in a denim jacket and floral dress, you looked beautiful as you final roll up to the lot. Tugging your jacket closer to yourself, you grab the beach blanket from the back of your car and making your way over to where your friends were setting up the large pile of wood along the skirts of sand.

            “Dukes,” Jake shouts, looking up with a wide grin when he sees you crossing the spans of the beach. You smile back, moving more quickly as he pulls you into his arms tightly. “How was last day?” he asks as he places you back onto the pale sands and tugging you the rest of the way to the bonfire.

            “It was great Jakey,” you share, eyes locking with Bradley’s as he looks up from dropping another bundle down onto the pit. “Bob came for the ice cream social. Heard about this big mission coming up…” you trailed off, glancing back at Jake as Bradley adjusted his sunglasses atop his head and starting to move toward you.

            “Oh Dukes, I’m not…”

            “Dais, what are you doing here?” Bradley’s voice rasps as he finally makes it to where you are standing. Your shoulders sink slightly, a twisted look crossing your features.

            “Bob invited me,” you share, arm staying snug around Jake’s waist as you clear your throat, “After the Ice Cream Social today.” Bradley’s face falls at your words and you feel vindicated somehow. How was he going to ask what you were doing here after all this time? After the time that you spent getting to know each other’s bodies in a drunken haze? Like you were long lost strangers.

            “I’m,” he wipes a hand over his face and sighs, “I’m so sorry for that. I got caught up with my jet ahead of this thing and-,”

            “Yeah, Bob told me about that,” you nod, feeling suddenly exposed out on the beach in front of someone you’d known your whole life. “You two must’ve let it slip your minds.” Jake’s fingertips brush along your hipbone in comfort.

            “I won’t be on that mission actually Dukes,” Jake murmurs, “Just Rooster here.” You turn back to Rooster at Jake’s words and nod slightly. He stares back at you, an unreadable look on his face as his mouth lines tightly. You don’t end up spending most of the evening with Rooster, sticking to Jake’s side while laughing and taking sips of beer with Phoenix.

            “He’s been totally a mess since the two of them broke up, you know,” Nat shares as you both stare across the fire at Bradley playing football along the lapping waves of water with Fanboy.

            “I wouldn’t know,” you reply, taking another sip again of your beer as you settle down further into the sand, sliding your foot through the grains and then scooping it up with your toes. “It’s not like he’s even messaged me since we-,” you stop yourself, scoffing before placing your bottle down onto the ground. “Whatever.”

            “It’s not whatever,” Nat shakes her head, her hand coming up to wrap around your shoulder. “He’s just being an idiot right now.” You nod slowly, watching your best friend laughing and joking around as the sun starts to set in the distance. At some point, you grow tired both from the long day of keeping the kids at bay until Summer arrived and of Bradley ignoring your existence.

            Jake, at some point during the evening, had settled down beside you and had been humming along to the country music blaring from the radio. “I think I’m going to get going,” you told Jake lightly, placing your tempt along his shoulder as a yawn rolled through you.

            “Oh, come on,” Jake grumbles as you stretch and stand. “Stay a little longer.” Across the way, you catch eyes with Bradley and stand slowly.

            “Have a good night, everyone,” you call, hugging Nat, Bob and then Jake before catching eyes with Bradley one last time. He does nothing to rise up and say goodbye, so you nod and turn to head back to your car. You’re just at the steps to the parking lot when you hear a deep voice behind you.

            “Need a ride?” you turn around, staring down at your best friend for the top step. It’s the first time in a long time that you feel like you can look at him. His hair is tousled, perfect blond under the bright parking lot lights. Fuck him for looking so good. He’s pouting, his full lips flush under his mustache. “Please? I feel like I barely got a chance to catch up.”

            “And whose fault is that?” you sass, eyebrow raised as you roll your eyes. Your hip rests against the railing of the stairs as he climbs them to meet you. Bradley holds his hands up in defeat.

            “It’s fully mine,” he stifles a laugh and glances down at his feet. “But lemme make it up to you, please?”

            You take a slow breath, wrapping your arms around your elbows and pursing your lips. “Fine.” The ride home is quiet, peaceful. It’s something you haven’t felt in quite a few weeks, finally happy to feel a bit normal with Bradley again. You make small talk together, talking about each other’s days while he pulls up to the front of your house.

            “Well, thank you for the ride,” you say in the quiet of the bronco as he pulls to a stop. You unbuckle your seatbelt slowly before grabbing your purse and pulling the door open. “Stay safe on your trip alright?” you lean over and press a gentle kiss to his cheek.

            “Goodnight, Dais,” he murmurs and watches as you leave.

            It’s only three weeks later he leaves for his secret mission that you start to get sick. Your stomach turns at the slightest thing…a waft of salty sea through the windows of the Hard Deck while you’re having lunch with Penny or fried Haddock while going to dinner with Jake one night on the pier. At the drop of a dime, you lose your lunch and empty the contents of your stomach into the closest bin.

            “I’m worried about you,” Jake mumbles, rubbing your back on one early morning as you lose your breakfast from the smell of cooked eggs. “Should we go to the ER?” An eery thought washes through you, the sudden realization of a horror.

            “Jake…I think we might need to run to the closest CVS,” you mumble, whipping your mouth and leaning back against the wall. “I think I need to buy a pregnancy test.”

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