#slider has HEARD things

[tsuchinokoroyale]

More like rad-b-gone lol

[lilisette]

ngl i hc that thar is tall af and my arcana is chest high for him 🥴 trying to fake that height difference in the screenshot 

how i wish there are height sliders in this game tho....😭 let her be short and tiny dammit

[slushycoookie]

Roleplay Date ~ Miguel O'Hara x AFAB! Reader

Content: You and Miguel do some roleplay, mostly fluff, starts to get suggestive occasionally and near the end, MINORS DNI!!

A/N: Wanted to do a quick idea of you doing a role-play date with Miguel! Enjoy!

He should be here any minute now.

The time on your phone was your favorite thing to look at when you stepped into the bar. You tried to relax with a sip of your margarita, the slightly sour taste of apple dancing across your palate, but your mind kept wandering. How was this going to go? Would it be awkward? Or would it fail if someone tried to steal your man? You had a few other people try to talk to you while you sat but to your relief, disappeared when they saw you weren't that interested.

You had no reason to be nervous. Couples go on role-play dates all the time. You read their ideas and their experiences. It should be fun.

Thirty minutes passed and you saw your husband.

You caught your breath at his change of appearance. A green cardigan, with the top button undone. His white pants contrasted in color but somehow worked well with his black suede loafers. Miguel looked good. You always knew he could be, but this was a little different. You tried not to gawk as you sipped your drink again, pretending the menu was more interesting than anyone else. He wasn't too far from your seat but you caught a whiff of his cologne, earthy with sharp hints of mint. It's one you've never smelled before.

Miguel ordered a rum and coke as you tried to decide what to eat. Maybe some sliders? Or there was a sampling platter you could try. But you also saw sushi on the menu.

“Hi.”

You perked up, heart banging in your chest as you turned to him. He was even better up close. And…did he change his hair? It was parted to the side, not slicked back like his usual style. Miguel usually changes his hair on special occasions. You tried to hold back admiring his brown curls shining in the dim light as you remembered he spoke to you.

“Hi.” A light smile appeared on your face.

“Do you come here often?”

You bit your lip, wondering if you two should have developed a script. But you wanted the interaction to be natural since it's the first time roleplaying like this. “No, I don’t. This is my first time.”

“Alone?” Miguel raised an eyebrow as you nodded, “Someone like you shouldn’t be alone on a night like this.”

Curious, you played with your straw by swirling it in your drink, “What's someone like me?”

“Gorgeous.”

He was eyeing your outfit. A simple black dress that gave much attention to your cleavage. Paired with small matching black heels. You weren't the type to wear this sort of thing but you wanted to try something new. And give your husband something to stare at.

Your poker face was impenetrable, despite wanting to forget everything and immediately go into the hotel room. “You're gonna have to do better than that.”

Miguel smirked before signaling to the bartender that he would pay for anything you wanted for the rest of the night. She gave you a look to make sure you agreed and you nodded. He motioned to the seat beside you and you invited him to stay.

“I’m Miguel.” You gave him yours and he said it as if he’s never said it before. A tingle shot through your spine. “May I ask why you decided to go to the bar tonight?”

“I wanted a drink.” You shrugged, “And I heard this hotel was nice.”

“It is.” He took a sip of his drink, eyes never far from yours.

“Oh? You’ve been here before?”

“Many times. I’ve always been satisfied with the service when I go here on business.”

You hum in delight, “So you’re a businessman?”

“Not quite.” He gives a soft chuckle, “I’m a scientist, that unfortunately has to go on business trips.”

You knew that part about him. He always hated going on trips because that meant he’d be away from you. “What do you specialize in?”

“Genetics.” You had to hold back in smiling hard, seeing his eyes light up at any mention of his work. The conversation was interrupted momentarily when the bartender asked what you wanted to eat. You and Miguel decided to share a sushi platter with an assortment of flavors each of you could try.

And your margarita was also gone, so you decided to get a daiquiri, wanting something a little bit sweeter to combat the sourness you had.

“So you’re a geneticist?” You asked, picking the conversation back up, “That’s fascinating. I’ve never met any geneticists. Especially ones as good-looking as you. Must be in your genes.”

A flash of your husband came out as Miguel’s eyes lowered at your terrible joke. Even you snorted at your words. “Funny. So I’m guessing your profession is a comedian.”

“No way.” You shook your head, “Not by a long shot.”

“Thank god.”

You gasped, pretending to be insulted while watching him hold back a laugh behind his straw. “Rude.”

“I’m just saying. I wouldn’t have high hopes in your career after that joke.”

The air was light and comfortable. Any semblance of nervousness you had previously faded away. That could've just been the alcohol though.

“So since you specialize in genetics, you know all the good stuff. Punnett squares, why people with blue eyes are rare, that sort of thing.”

Miguel nodded, “Usually we're able to find all of your genetic markings through your blood.”

“I'm not scared of getting my blood drawn.” You confidently say, “You think you'd find anything good in my genes?”

He hums in thought, moving closer to slide his hand up your bare forearm, placing his thumb between your arm and bicep. His touch was warm, almost burning your skin up. “Maybe. As long as you hold still.”

“Only if you're gentle.” You let out a low sigh. Your husband staring directly into your eyes, rubbing his thumb against your skin. You're so close to fast-forwarding this date and getting in his pants.

It was to your luck that the food came, causing you and him to part so you could dine in. Husband mode came back as he handed you the wasabi. Your lips curled, knowing he wasn't the biggest fan of it when he accidentally put a huge smear on his roll, eating it whole. You pictured his eyes tearing up and his face scrunching up was hilarious.

“You don't like wasabi?”

Miguel’s head shook with disdain, “Not a fan. It's too hot for my tastes.”

“That's because you put too much on there when you shouldn’t have-” You immediately shut your lips, trying to fix your words. “I mean, plenty of people put a lot on there. It’s a common mistake.”

He ignored your slip up, “Then can you show me how much is adequate for me?”

“Of course.” You took a little piece using your chopsticks, placing it on his sushi roll as if it were delicate. You watched as he ate the piece, shoulders lowered in satisfaction. “See, not that hot right?”

“Not at all.” He then asked about your job which you proceeded to describe as boring. Not as exciting as his geneticist one. While you did so, Miguel kept showing his husband side, making sure you had your fill. As he listened intently. The stranger façade started to fade as you two were starting to act like a married couple again. You’re sure anyone from a mile away could see it.

But you didn’t care. You were full, mind a little clouded from the alcohol and the night was winding down. The time on your phone was almost eleven at night.

Miguel slipped his black card to the bartender, paying for the meal and drinks. You gazed at his form, not believing that you were married to this man.

“Do you have a ride home?” He asked. You knew he made arrangements to book a room at the hotel, but knowing him he’d wanted to make sure the date ended on a satisfying note.

“I’m looking at it.”

His eyes went wide at the flirtatious line for a moment. “Bold, are we?”

“Maybe.” Your playful smirk drew him closer as he leaned into your ear.

“You can ride me in our room.”

You two sped walk towards the elevator. Miguel’s finger repeatedly pressed the down button to make it go faster. Your body was hot, breathing speeding up as you couldn’t hold on much longer. You never knew how slow elevators were when its doors creaked open. The two of you rushed inside and once it was closed, were immediately on each other.

Hot breaths, messy kisses, and hands groping every single part of your bodies filled the space. The cold steel wall was felt on your back as Miguel trapped you, his hard body pressed against your own. He hiked up your leg to wrap around his waist while sucking on your neck. Creating a few marks on your skin.

The dings from the elevator going up were the only thing keeping you together. Otherwise, you were sure he was going to fuck you inside.

“Wait.” Miguel parted, his face stained from your lipstick, hair messy from the exchange. “Do you have your ring?”

You nodded, getting it from your purse. Before you could put it on, he did it for you, slipping it through your ring finger where it belonged. He grabbed his own from his pocket, before slipping it on.

“That’s better.”

Just in time, the elevator stopped on your floor. Miguel picked you up with ease and dashed to the room to continue where you left off.

[tervaneula]

Leonardo sighs into the white fur his snout is blissfully buried in. 

“You’re so soft,” he mumbles and burrows even further into the warmth in his lap, pulling Yuichi’s back flush against his plastron. 

“We’ve established that about thirty times in the last thirty minutes,” the rabbit chuckles and keeps letting himself be treated like the world’s largest teddy bear. “I should get going though. Your brother is giving me the stink eye.” 

Huh. Leonardo hadn’t even noticed anyone coming into the room from the midst of his trip to Fuzzy Land. 

“...which one?”

“Little Mikey.” 

Leonardo snorts, inadvertently giving Yuichi a light raspberry and he snickers at the tickle of it. 

“Don’t call him that where he can hear you, lest you evoke the fury of Dr. Delicate Touch.” 

“I think he heard me…” 

That gets Leonardo to lift his face up from the fluffy heaven he would’ve been content to spend the rest of eternity in and sure enough, Mikey is downright glaring at them at this point from his seat across the room, arms crossed, a refurbished and heavily modified N-Gage (provided by Genius Built™, of course) he’d apparently been playing games on now laying forgotten in his lap. 

It’s baffling until Leonardo remembers with a jolt that he had promised to go with him to Run of the Mill today. A cursory glance at the clock on the wall tells him that they’re well past the agreed time to leave. 

He audibly swallows. 

“Heyyyy, big man–” he starts but Mikey levels him with an icy glare that doesn’t let him continue and he shrinks, squeezing Yuichi’s middle as if the rabbit could hide him from the quiet fury of his little brother. Yuichi stays silent, no doubt amused by the much bigger man cowering behind him. He’s only heard about both Michelangelos’ different personas and he’s curious to see if any of the infamous doctors will make an appearance this time. Obviously, he’s partly to blame for whatever’s about to occur but while curiosity might kill the cat, satisfaction always brings it back. 

“You know what. It’s okay. It’s perfectly fine to forgo your promise and let your baby brother starve in favour of some cuddles you can get like, iunno, every dang day,” the box turtle says, ice dripping from his voice as he gets up from the armchair and saunters right up to the personal space of the two swordsmen. 

“And the stink eye was for Leo,” he adds and forcefully jabs Leonardo in the forehead with his finger. 

“I’m sorry!” Leonardo squeaks, his head retracting into his shell on instinct. Despite his foul mood, Mikey grins. 

Yuichi looks behind his shoulder… and freezes. 

The smugness radiating from Mikey changes into confusion as the rabbit just keeps staring at the space where Leonardo’s head used to be. 

“Wait, have you never seen him do that before?” he asks, and Yuichi slowly turns his head to look at him. Finally finding his tongue, he almost screeches, 

“That’s normal?!” 

Mikey bursts into laughter. 

“We’re turtles! Obviously! Look!” 

Yuichi’s eyes sting with how they’re nearly bulging out of their sockets as Mikey demonstrates his ability to retract all of his limbs with ease and his shell falls to the floor with a clang. 

“Ta-dah!” he exclaims from within and pushes his arms out enough to make jazz hands at Yuichi. 

“Oh my stars,” the rabbit mumbles and suddenly lightheaded, he leans against Leonardo’s body. The slider finally gets his nerves in check and pops his head back out with a grunt – it’s a tight fit, has been for years, and he’s inherently glad that only a few things are scary enough (Mikey being one of them doesn’t exactly make his life easier but that’s not here nor there) to make him retract any of his body parts. 

He nestles his chin in the crook of Yuichi’s neck and can’t keep the amusement out of his voice. 

“Did I actually spook you?” 

Yuichi draws a deep breath and slumps bonelessly into the slider’s hold. 

“You bet,” he mutters, “that’s so weird. You’re so weird.” 

Leonardo barks out a laugh. “Excuse me! You’re not exactly a model example of normal either, mister universe-hopping, not-a-yokai-nor-a-mutant bunny rabbit.” 

Mikey decides to pop out of his shell at that moment, groaning. 

“Uuuugh nooo, don’t start with the banter! You’re lucky your boyfriend is un excellent comic relief. I’m so hungry, Leo! Let’s go already!” 

Feeling bad for forgetting his promise, Leonardo relinquishes his hold on his heaven-on-earth with a quick peck on his cheek. 

“I’ll portal you home. See you tomorrow?” 

Yuichi sighs but can’t help the smile that tugs the corners of his mouth upwards. “See you tomorrow,” he replies and gets up from Leonardo’s lap. Mikey moves out of his way, having fished his phone out of a pocket on his belt. 

“I’m gonna text our order to Hueso,” he grumbles but the earlier fit of laughter seems to have drained all the venom out of his voice and he only sounds a little vexed. Yuichi almost reaches out to pat his head but thinks better of it and hides his hands in the sleeves of his yukata. 

“I’m sorry for keeping your brother,” he apologises with a small bow, “had I known he had a promise to keep, I would’ve excused myself earlier.” 

Mikey huffs, his thumbs still flying across the screen of his phone. No doubt Leonardo is going to pay for his transgressions in the form of a massive dinner order. “It’s not your responsibility, but I appreciate that!” 

Leonardo shakes his head fondly. He’s infinitely glad that his family has accepted Yuichi so quickly and therefore the rabbit could afford to lose some of that politeness, but he has to admit that it’s also pretty adorable. He gets up to retrieve a katana (formerly a butter knife – one of the more banged-up ones the Mikeys wouldn’t miss) from the conveniently placed wall mount and rotates his wrist to open a portal right to the middle of Yuichi’s living room. 

“I’m still not used to you doing that,” the rabbit says, staring at the swirling mystic energy with more than a little awe. “It’s so convenient! I don’t think there’s a single person in Neo Edo who can do magic like this.” 

“Well duh, only a Hamato can have ninpo like ours!” Mikey puts his phone away and demonstrates his abilities by manifesting a golden chain which he uses to yank the sword out of Leonardo’s grasp. 

“Hey!” 

“My turn!” Mikey giggles and swings the katana through the air, leaving it spinning near the ceiling. Leonardo sighs and hurries to walk Yuichi to the portal before his concentration fades and he has to make it again. The rabbit steps into it obediently but before Leonardo can bid him farewell, he turns around to lean back over the threshold and pulls Leonardo down to squish their snouts together. It’s not really a kiss, per se, but it has the desired effect anyway as the slider’s eyes widen comically and his cheeks flush crimson. Yuichi lets go and steps back with a huge grin, his eyes glinting with mirth. 

“Have fun at dinner! Give my regards to Señor Hueso!” 

Leonardo can only stare after him, the heat on his face practically rivalling the sun, and Mikey has to elbow him in the ribs to get him back in the present. 

“Y-yeah! Bye!” he says, a goofy smile plastered on his embarrassingly red face and Yuichi waves him goodbye as the portal closes. 

Now that there’s no more lovey-dovey nonsense in the way of their dinner, Mikey doesn’t waste a moment to manoeuvre the katana into his hand to grab the hilt in order to slice through the air to make a portal to the pizzeria. The crackling blue ring of magic that appears is small and it wavers before fizzling out and, lucky for the slider, Leonardo manages to suppress his snort in time. 

“Aw man, I thought I had it this time!” 

“No can do, big guy,” Leonardo salutes him and motions for the box turtle to give the sword back to him. Mikey sighs and acquiesces. The portal into the graffitied alleyway appears effortlessly and Mikey immediately jumps in, yelling at the slider to follow. 

Leonardo does, but not before brushing his fingers over his beak, still feeling the tingle Yuichi’s much softer nose left behind. 

He realises he’s irrevocably smitten, and frankly, despite the trouble it landed him in today, he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

LMAOOO OKAY i've never written anything this long this fast so there's probably a bunch of stuff that needs to be fixed but I needed these cuddles and I needed them now. Thank you @spacemimz for requesting them I love you SO MUCH

As you can see though, this turned into something more than just cuddles and I'm kinda. Really happy about it hahjhjhashsdg

[pollyna]

Wip, I think?

au in which Goose sends out photos of only-hours-old Bradley to everybody he knows because he's a proud papa and Ice (and Slider) receive them too. It gets to be a way of staying in contact with Goose, him sending them pic of Bradley and them sending back toys and things they pick up while ashore during their endless deployment.

He gets so many pictures of Bradley to them that their squad starts to ask Ice if that is his kid or something. It's the first time this people hear him laugh for real like he just heard the joke of the year. Slider doesn't find himself in a better shape.

It takes years, exactly three and half of them, before they are in the same place again and they can finally meet Bradley, who they call Baby Goose these days, and the kid is hiding behind Goose's legs because “dad who are they?”

It's not until Ice crouches down, and offers the little guy his hand, that he comes out.

“Hello Baby Goose, I'm Ice and the giant behind me is Slider.”

The kid seems to light up when he hears his name.

“Mr. Iceman!” he smiles at him, almost knocking him down because he jumps between his arms. “Daddy told me everything about you and uncle Sli!”

Both the pilot and the rio are so intent in watching Bradley talking they don't notice Goose has already taken two picture of their first meeting.

-

The photo stays with Bradley with all the other ones his parents save for him and he takes away when he runs of his “dads” house. Fucking traitors both of them.

He doesn't realise he has it with him for years.

-

He remembers about the photo only when he sees it on the wall of Mav's hanger.

The photo is a little yellow and the calligraphy on the white board says “Mr. Iceman & Baby Goose first meeting (Sli was there too)”. Under it there's another pic, more than twenty years apart, and on the white board it says “Golden wings’ day” and Bradley can remember as if it was yesterday the weight of Admiral Kazansky's hand in his after he pinned his golden wings to his uniform and how his fingers had esistate just a second longer on the shape of it, a small smile and a “we're so proud of you'' whispered while Bradley was trying to not look in the eyes.

He remembers hating him so much because what asshole would crash again and again his so- someone's dreams like that?!

But it has been ten years already and even if with Mav it is still a step forward and three back he knows if he doesn't at least try to fix it, them, now he won't have the time or the chance later. The mission is merely weeks away and home seems even more far from where he stands, in the middle of the desert, in front of two photos and a father missing at the table he's going to eat dinner, breakfast and lunch for the next few days.

[tgmsunmontue]

It's not who you know 4/4

YEAR 4 - Non-angsty Nepo!Baby Bradley and his years at the USNA and his head-in-the-sand approach to the nepotism and the fact that he ends up being known as the guy with the two hot dads instead... (TW: mention of cancer)

(Part 4 is 6.5k long - same length as the first 3 parts combined.)

YEAR FOUR - 2004 and 2005 - PART 4

YEAR FOUR – 2004 – Part 4

                Surprising absolutely no-one Bradley chooses aviation as his warfare cruise option for his first class summer. Part of Tom wants to force him to try something different, to make Slider force Bradley to try something different, but he feels like it would be on par with telling a fish to stop swimming. Bradley belongs in the sky, even if Tom secretly thinks he should maybe have joined the Air Force with his considerable aversion to submarines. Natasha Trace has remained one of Bradley’s closest friends, making the same choice as him and going with aviation. They’re getting in and he’s there in an official capacity to greet the midshipmen.

                Bradley has decided to share with her exactly who he and Pete are, which is going to be just as well considering Bradley invited her to stay for a couple of nights before flying out to her own family. Unfortunately he’s pretty sure he won’t have told her yet and they’re about to walk past him. Ah well, there’s nothing for it.

                “Welcome back Midshipman Bradshaw. Midshipman Trace.”

                “Thank you Admiral,” midshipman Trace replies instantly, she doesn’t show any sign of recognizing him, so he guesses Mav was right about the whole uniform and disguise thing. Although she could simply be more concerned about Bradley’s lack of response which forces him to hold back a smile as she elbows Bradley subtly in the side.

                “Uh. Yeah. Thank you Admiral.”

                Tom nods and moves on to welcoming back some of the other midshipmen, can’t wait to actually see Bradley at home and talk to him.

…             …             …

                “Bradley… why does the new Vice Admiral know my name? Oh my god, what have I done?”

                “Do I need to remind you that our names are on our uniforms?”

                “How do you score so highly in observational skills? He approached us from the side, the angle was all wrong. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or bad thing. Although, did he look familiar to you? I feel like I’ve seen him before, or maybe I’m just remembering it from the Navy News. Okay, I’m freaking out a little…”

                “Yeah. You’re rambling. It’s okay. Uh. Okay, so I have something to tell you. And it’s totally going to make you annoyed, but I’m hoping you’ll understand why I haven’t shared it with anyone. And I mean anyone.”

                “What?”

                “My dads… have you heard of Peter Mitchell, callsign Maverick?”

                Bradley can’t help flinch at the look she gives him.

                “Yes Bradley, we just had to learn about him, or had you forgotten already? I mean, you didn’t seem to be paying much attention in class,” Natasha says, her tone just as scathing as her expression and he rolls his shoulders; preparing himself mentally for her . He’s grown up just knowing so much already by dint of who raised him that there are definitely times in class when he zones out.

                “I didn’t need to pay attention. Maverick is my dad. Well. This is where it kind of gets complicated. My dad was Lieutenant Nicholas Bradshaw, and he flew with Maverick. But he died in 1986 in a training accident. Maverick helped my mom raise me, until she died. Then it was Maverick and his partner…”

                “I’ve met you dad. Peter Bradshaw. You trying to tell me that guy is actually Peter Mitchell?”

                “Yeah. He thinks he’s hilarious. Just think, they haven’t shown us any photos of what Peter Mitchell looks like.”

                “What, all the tutors are in on this conspiracy theory? I mean… are you okay?” Her tone is suddenly serious, like she’s actually worried about him and he feels a welling up of hysterical laughter. Of course the first time he tries to tell someone the truth they doubt him. Of course.

                “Peter Mitchell is my dad –”

                “But he came with your other dad… Tom… Mitchell. Wait…” her eyes are flickering around the port and he knows she’s piecing everything together now. “Oh shit. That was Vice Admiral Tom Kazansky, who looks familiar because he’s your other dad. Fucking hell.”

                He breaths a sigh of relief, glad she’s suddenly gone from thinking him slightly unhinged to acceptance. Now he just has to wait for the anger.

                “Yeah. And I don’t particularly want to have everyone thinking I have it easy because of them.”

                “Bradley, you work harder and longer than anyone else in our year.”

                “Exactly. And I want them to remember that because when they do find out who it is I’m associated with I want them to know I am a hard worker and worthy of respect because I’m me, because I earnt it, not because of Mav and Ice.”

                “Wow. You don’t have a chip on your shoulder or anything do you?”

                “Wouldn’t you?”

                “Army brat, I get you plenty. Huh. Yeah okay. I get it. Damn. A Captain and an Admiral. I really want to be angry but I think I’d have done the same thing. I mean, I didn’t go into the army because I didn’t want to be linked to my family…”

                “Thanks. I didn’t like keeping it from you, once we became friends.”

                “Wait… so how many people know?”

                “Well, I grew up with Mav and Ice. And a lot of their buddies I call uncle.”

                “Like who?”

                “Uh… Uncle Slider.”

                “Admiral Kerner? You call him Uncle Slider?”

                “Obviously not when I’m at Annapolis! But yeah, I grew up calling him Uncle Sli. And there’s pretty much any aviator that’s flown with Mav or Ice know all about me. I’m their kid. I spent a few weeks at Annapolis every summer before Plebe Summer helping things get organized. Most of the people there know me pretty well. Have seen me grow up.”

                “Holy shit. It is like a massive conspiracy theory! So what, they’re all pretending that they don’t know who you are?”

                “No, I just asked them to treat me like any other midshipman. And they’re pretending they don’t know who my parents are, and that means no one else finds out. Unless I tell them.”

                “Well, it explains some of your weirder habits I guess. You know, I can’t decide if he looks better in leather or in uniform. Uniform never did anything for me, but I’m maybe seeing the appeal.”

                “Oh my god, please do not tell either of my dad’s you think they’re hot okay?”

                “They probably know already. Anyway, you owe me one.”

                Bradley groans. He guesses he does.

                …             …             …

                “It’s so good to see you, welcome home.”

                Bradley accepts the crushing hug with a smile, grins at Natasha over Ice’s shoulder, because these are just his dads. The ones that have been doing stupid shit to visit him incognito while he’s at USNA.

                …             …             …

                “Oh no, I had no idea who you were until this afternoon. Bradley’s known to all the others as the guy with the hot dads.”

                “The what?” Tom asks, glad he didn’t have a mouthful of beer, because Pete is having to clean himself up.

                “None of the midshipmen have any idea that Bradley is anything other than one of them. I wouldn’t have believed it except for the fact that I’m sitting here with you.”

                “She’s failing to mention she started calling you my hot dads,” Bradley mutters.

                Mav cackles and Tom hides his smile by taking a sip of his drink.

                …             …             …

                Bradley is studying in the rec room when he hears his name called out. Looks up to find an underclassman looking nervous. He doesn’t blame him, it’s only a couple of weeks in and he’s in his first year, he recognizes him from Plebe Summer.

                “Sorry to interrupt you Bradshaw. Just, uh, Admiral Kerner would like to talk to you. As a matter of urgency. He’s on the phone with someone and yelled for someone to come and get you straight away…”

                He drops everything, doesn’t bother packing up, just starts running. He doesn’t know what has happened, but his mind has immediately jumped to bad news bad news bad news. Nothing else would have Slider yelling for someone to get him. He doesn’t know if it’s Mav or Ice and he has no idea which would be worse. He takes the stairs up two at a time, runs through the open office door and the look on Slider’s face confirms it for him that it is indeed bad news.

                “Take a seat son,” Slider instructs, and he’s so used to following orders he just drops into the chair, eyes not leaving the older man’s face. His stomach is somewhere near his knees and is somehow churning away, he thinks he might be sick. Everything he’s done, and this is what is going to make him throw up.

                “It’s Ice. He’s collapsed. Mav is somewhere in the Middle East. You need to get to San Diego. I’ve organized a lift.”

                “Oh fuck. Do we know what happened?”

                “They’re probably doing tests. But I think he’d appreciate having you there when he wakes up. I can get you there.”

                Bradley accepts that, this is special treatment for Ice. They can’t pull Mav out from whatever active duty deployment he’s currently on, but Bradley is… available. He feels a flash of anxiety over his studies and place in the USNA but it’s immediately overwhelmed by guilt, because none of that is more important than Ice right now. He’ll figure something out.

                …             …             …

                Cancer.

                …             …             …

                Fuck.

                …             …             …

                His entire body goes cold as he thinks about his mom and he sucks in a deep breath.

                …             …             …

                “We think we’ve got it all. We’re going to do a few more biopsies to be sure. He’s going to need some chemo so we installed a port while he was under.”

                …             …             …

                He recognizes the language, doesn’t understand everything that they’re saying but he remembers the feeling. Wishes that Mav was here.

                …             …             …

                “We’re not sure yet of the extent of spread, but we’re hopeful.”

                …             …             …

                Then Mav is there, arms wrapped around him and he feels like a kid again, but also somehow stronger knowing he’s not going through this alone anymore.

                …             …             …

                “Bradley. You’re being offered a deferral. A leave of the remaining year and the opportunity to return next year and finish. It’s a family emergency. This isn’t special treatment.”

                “Sure feels like it.”

                “You deserve good things too kid. But if it would make you feel better I can give you a list of midshipmen we’ve made similar arrangements for in the last decade or so.”

                “No, it’s fine. Thank you sir. Just a lot to get a handle of right now.”

                “Which is why you’re deferring. You take care of that grumpy bastard for us. And the crazy one too, he’s not going to handle this well. Think we’ve already discussed how you’re probably the most reasonable out of the three of you.”

                “That’s not saying much sir.”

                “Well, I didn’t exactly mean it as a compliment. You take care okay, I’ll see you back here soon enough.”

                “Thank you sir.”

                …             …             …

                Jake notices his disappearance. Of course he does. He was his favorite upperclassman and he seemed to be friends with absolutely everyone, including the tutors. Even the brass seemed to be a little extra indulgent of him and he doesn’t know if he’s imagining the campus being quieter, but it feels that way. He tries asking and it’s not quite like getting stone-walled, but all he finds out is that it’s a family thing. At least he knows he hasn’t dropped out. Because that would be a shame.

                …             …             …

                His time becomes somewhat disjointed, in between driving Ice back and forth to chemo appointments, he’s permitted to sit in on particular classes at North Island. He trains with men and women much older than him, experienced commissioned officers, those who know he’s had his final year at USNA disrupted and exactly who has raised him. There is nothing but respect from them, that he has put helping Ice above his naval career.

                He hadn’t intended on getting a regular hookup, but he doesn’t turn it down. The guy, Matthew, is about five years older than him, patient and funny and Bradley takes it for the opportunity it is, to learn what he likes in regard to sex without the time pressure or fear of being found out. Matthew’s not Navy, so he doesn’t care about who Mav and Ice are, is easy going and isn’t intimidated by anything that Bradley can tell. Their hooking up has an end-date, Bradley knowing he’s going to be returning to USNA and Matthew already having post-doctoral plans in Australia at the end of his degree. Neither of them are interested in long distance so Bradley let’s himself have this.         

                He gets to go and watch Natasha graduate. Not only her but his entire original intake. He allows himself to feel disappointed for a few minutes that he’s not taking part, but he doesn’t regret his decision to be there for Ice. Everyone he speaks to he finds the same support, everyone agreeing that his decision to put his studies on hold was the right one. It makes him feel a little guilty that he doesn’t mention that he’s still been able to do some of his study in San Diego, that his physical training hasn’t been impacted in the slightest given that he’s been training at North Island. How in some areas he’s definitely now light years ahead of what they’ll cover at the USNA.

                …             …             …

                “Bradshaw!”

                “Oh. Hey, Seresin right?” Bradley asks, because he can be smooth, pretend he doesn’t know exactly who Jake Seresin is.

                “Yeah. You’re here…”

                “Yeah. Just wanted to see everyone graduate. Had to take a break this year. Family thing. They let me defer my final year. I’ll be back next year though. I still managed some classes as I was pretty close to North Island and SDU were pretty accommodating as well,” Bradley says, and he realizes he’s rambling but can’t help it. Apparently being smooth was a pipe dream abruptly evaporated into mist. The guy was good looking before, but now another year of growing has filled him out, broadened his shoulders.

                “Well, you’re like one of the best they have right? Want to make it easy for you to come back.”

                “Uh… I guess,” Bradley mumbles, and he’s pretty sure he’s now blushing. What the hell?

                “So where is home for you Bradshaw?”

                “San Diego. Why?”

                “Was just thinking of maybe taking a little vacation before returning next year.”

                “What, you want a tour guide?”

                “Something like that…”

                Seresin quirks an eyebrow and Bradley knows his shock is showing on his face. He realizes with him deferring Seresin is now only a year below him, that next year they’ll both be upperclassmen, still different years but not the two it was… He’s going to have to ask Ice for clarification because he sure as hell doesn’t need to be called in, not after already getting a warning for baseless accusations about non-existent fraternization.

                “Uh… sure. Here, let me give you my number.”

                …             …             …

YEAR FOUR take 2 – 2005 – Part 4

                He doesn’t know what deity has decided to smile down on him, but Mav is taking Ice away for a romantic weekend to celebrate the cancer going into remission and it just so happens to be the weekend that Jake is coming to San Diego. He knows they won’t have any issue with him having a guy over, they were fine with Matthew. However Bradley doesn’t want Jake seeing photos of Ice and Mav and himself scattered around the place so he moves around, slides photos into drawers, or places them face down on their bed and closes the door to their bedroom. Leaves a few of his younger self around, doesn’t want to make it look like it isn’t his place. He does pull out the photo that Slider took when Ice and Mav had visited him and puts it on the bookshelf. If Jake somehow recognizes Ice then he’ll deal with it. Hopefully he’ll be otherwise occupied to pay attention to the photos anyway.

                …             …             …

                Jake tries to convince himself he’s not nervous, but he definitely isn’t quite as calm and collected as he hopes he looks as he knocks on the door to a nice-looking house in some suburb.

                Bradley Bradshaw’s house.

                Or at least the address he gave him.

                To come and stay for two nights.

                Bradley opens the door and he’s just as perfect as Jake remembers him. He’s never wanted someone as much and for as long as he’s wanted Bradley Bradshaw. Been drawn to him since he first saw him and now, now, he might get what he’s been waiting for.

                “Hey.”

                “Hey. Come in.”

                He glances around, no one else seems to be here and he wonders. He drops his bag and takes off his shoes.

                “Parents away?” There’s no way Bradley owns this place.

                “Yeah. Celebrating cancer remission.”

                “Ah…” Family thing his brain supplies. “Would they be okay with me being here?”

                “Yeah, I had a, uh, boyfriend and he was here all the time. They were fine with it. Come on…”

                Bradley makes a gesture with his head, encouraging Jake to follow him and he does, moving through to the kitchen. Jake’s brain is catching on the boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend and wondering if that’s maybe a position that’s taking applications. He hadn’t considered that and now feels like an idiot for not thinking about it. It’s a traditional time to eat, but he really hopes that there are other things on offer. He doesn’t know how to broach it though, isn’t exactly used to this part.

                “You want a drink?”

                “No thanks, maybe later…”

                The smile is slow, Bradley’s eyes darkening and he steps into Jake’s space and he resists arching into his body. Boyfriend applications of not, he’ll definitely take sex.

                “Am I reading this right?”

                “Yeah.”

                Then it’s a mess of fingers pulling at clothes, lips sliding against his, stubble scraping across his ear and neck, his body being directed to what is clearly a bedroom. Then it’s naked skin, heat, lips again but around his cock, warm hard body pressing against him, firm flesh yielding. All his systems are in overdrive, so many sensations and he never wants it to end and also wants to come so desperately both in equal measure.

                “You okay?”

                “Yeah, yeah, so okay…”

                “Fuck you’re pretty…”

                “Please…”

                He doesn’t have to resort to begging, lets himself be fucked open at the slowest fucking pace and he pushes back, needing it just that little bit faster. Deeper. Harder. A firm hand on his hip stops him and he lets out a little dismayed gasp.

                “Nice and slow okay?”

                No, not okay Jake thinks, his body almost shaking from the intensity, but then he’s being pulled a little and Bradley is finally fully pressed inside, grinding little circles and he slumps, lets out a whine he’s not sure is from desperation, pleasure or frustration. The pace doesn’t increase and Jake realizes he’s just along for the ride, Bradley fucking him long, hard and slow, so achingly slow it’s almost a tease except for the way it just seems to be ratchetting him tighter and tighter. It morphs into a repeated cadence of their bodies moving together and Jake wasn’t expecting it to be like this.

                He thought hard and fast, rushed and desperate feeling, how he’s felt nearly every time he’s seen Bradley Bradshaw cross his line of sight. The only thing that remains is the desperate building need to come, the fact that he feels like he should have already come over fifteen, twenty maybe even thirty minutes ago. He has no idea. Just feels like it’s fucking typical that Bradley is good at sex as well as everything else he tries his hand at. Hands that are touching everywhere, his body covering Jake’s, hand encircling his cock to encourage it along but never enough to get him off.

                “God you feel good… look so good,” Bradley says, sounding gratifyingly breathless.

                “Am good…” Jake mutters, not wanting him to have any reason to stop, is starting to wonder if he’ll be allowed to come, if maybe this is some type of sadistic pleasure on Bradley’s part.

                “Yeah you are… fuck.”

                The fingers digging into his hip are bruising and Bradley’s body is shaking and Jake is pretty sure he’s coming, and he makes a little sound of displeasure. At least he hopes that’s what it sounds like to Bradley, because he wants to fucking come. Then Bradley is pulling out and Jake definitely grunts his annoyance now, but there is a soothing hand on his back, lips at his ear, rustling sound of something he doesn’t care about.

                “Shh shh shh… roll over.”

                He moves, body feeling heavy and leaden, Bradley kisses him, mouth hot. His cock is encircled in warm slippery fingers and he pushes up into it, chasing the pressure which is finally finally closer to what he wants. Needs. He spreads his legs further and then there are fingers sliding back into him, then a mouth around his cock and the sudden combination has him coming immediately, no time for a warning, no breath to give one anyway. He didn’t know orgasms came in this size, shape or form. He's been on the edge for too long and now he’s

                falling

                falling

                falling

                from the height that he was raised to. He knew, hoped, it would be good. The level of good has been exceeded, blown apart and he needs to look up some new adjectives.

                “Fucking hell…”

                All he hears in response is some humming and more rustling, then the sound of someone drinking water and he reaches out with weak grabby hands, none os his muscles seeming to want to cooperate. Water would be great right now, but he can barely move. Fortunately the bottle is placed in his hands and he forces himself up to a semi-sitting position so he can take a deep drink.

                “I need to brush my teeth, lube is gross. Didn’t think that through at all.”

                Jake pulls a face, because he hadn’t even thought about it, had been far too busy enjoying it.

                “I appreciate your dedication to the job…”

                “Thought you would,” Bradley smirks. “I’ll grab your bag as well.”

                “Thanks.”

                …             …             …

                He pulls on clean underwear and he’s glad there’s already the expectation that Jake is staying. Doesn’t want to have the awkward post-hook up conversation, because while he hasn’t had to have one of those in a while it doesn’t erase the remembered awkwardness at all. Definitely an unexpected perk of a regular hookup. He brushes his teeth as he walks around, re-enters his bedroom and drops Jake’s bag on his bed, goes back to the bathroom; glad he has a task to do because yeah, still feels a little awkward.

                He goes back to his bedroom and Jake hasn’t moved much, looks pretty fucked-out and Bradley likes the look on him. He is really fucking pretty, and fucking makes him prettier. He stalks over, shoves the untouched bag onto the floor and crawls up his body.

                “Did I tire you out?”

                “Fuck off. No. Just. More intense than I thought it would be.”

                “Good intense? Wait, that wasn’t, like, your first time or anything was it?” Bradley asks, running his fingers absently over Jake’s body.

                “No. Would have been pretty shitty if I hadn’t told you that. Just… I’m not the one here who has had a boyfriend…”

                “Uh, I mean I haven’t really either… I mean, I guess he was. But we didn’t go on dates or anything. And he’s in Australia now, we started hooking up and then realized we were both intending to be leaving San Diego about a month apart and it was just… convenient.”

                “Still plenty more, uh, experience than me.”

                “Oh yeah, that’s fair. God. Too fucking exhausted to worry about getting laid my first year and too busy the second and third…”

                “You’ve never hooked up with anyone at Annapolis?” Jake sounds surprised and Bradley shakes his head, because he meant every word about being exhausted and too busy. Plus he hadn’t needed anything getting back to Mav and Ice, because it would have. Case in point, Natasha.

                “Nope. Not worth the risk. Already been pulled into the Admiral’s office just on the whisper of rumor I was sleeping with Natasha.”

                “You weren’t?”

                “No. She’s like… a sister. And I’m gay.”

                “And what about now?”

                “Uh… I’m still gay.”

                “No,” Jake rolls his eyes, shoves at his shoulder. “Worth the risk?”

                Oh.

                Oh.

                Jake’s looking at him, expression split between nervous and hopeful and fuck, he’s maybe made an error of judgement.

                “I’m, uh, not looking for a boyfriend or anything…”

                “And how about a regular thing?”

                “With you? At boat school?”

                Jake shrugs, looking more unsure and Bradley suddenly wants. Previously he’d ruled it out, wanting to focus on being the best. Getting through and not having time to figure out who might be interested, but to already have someone makes things simpler… There’s still the risk of getting caught, but they’ll both be upperclassmen with more liberty leave and he’s not an idiot, he knows there are places and that some of the others definitely have sex on the regular.

                “I wouldn’t be averse…”

                “And what about the end of the year? When you graduate?”

                “I guess we have this discussion again…”

                …             …             …

                Jake resists the idea of actual sightseeing, wants to spend every second in bed, but Bradley insists on dragging him out to the zoo and a quick afternoon tour. For all his talk about them just hooking up the whole thing has a very date-like quality to it and Jake leans into it, lets Bradley lick ice-cream from his lips, pull him by the hand to his favorite exhibits in the zoo and not pointing out that he never lets go. He’s pretty sure it’s the best weekend he’s ever had.

                …             …             …

                He’s had a weird hypothetical conversation with Ice, probably one of the most awkward ones they’ve ever had. How and where to have sex at Annapolis, and not get caught. He’s reassured that as he’s currently non-commissioned there isn’t a matter of inappropriate misuse of rank, no fraternization he can actually get in trouble for. But his reputation is a different form of currency and he needs to be careful. He really does have to weigh up the risk and benefit but he’s also just spent the last year watching Ice battle cancer and he’s maybe thinking that a little risk in order to live his life to the full is okay.

                …             …             …

                It’s different being back, bunking in with a different crowd of guys, a sharp contrast to the sheer amount of freedom he’s had in the last year but also comforting in its familiarity.

                “Holy shit Bradshaw, you look nothing like your dads…”

                “Uh. They’re not related to me.”

                “They adopted him.”

                “Aw, like a puppy from the pound…”

                “Sure…” Bradley agrees, knows he’s fighting a losing battle, glad that no one has recognized Ice from the photo, but also the knowledge that he has two dads is simply common knowledge and he’s grateful that it’s likely weeded the worst of the assholes from wanting to interact with him. He isn’t close with any of them like he was with Natasha in his year, but he does know many of them, the sheer amount of time they have to spend together resulting in enforced comradery.

                …             …             …

                “We’ve got liberty leave.”

                “We do.”

                “Want to catch a movie together?”

                “Sure.”

                …             …             …

                “You couldn’t wait until this weekend?”

                “No. God. Do you have any idea how fucking hot you look?”

                “No, I could do with hearing it again…”

                …             …             …

                “Gentlemen.”

                Fuck.

                “Admiral Kerner sir.”

                “Would you like to explain to me what’s going on here?”

                “Uh…”

                “Wrestling sir. Playfighting.”

                Admiral Kerner closes his eyes, scrunches up his face and he looks like he’s almost in pain and Jake hopes he’s not going to have a heart attack. He glances at Bradley quickly, but holy shit he looks calm as anything, completely unperturbed by the fact that they’ve just been interrupted by a fucking Admiral. He thinks he might be sick.

                “Right. Okay. Well then can I suggest you use the gym where there are appropriate mats for wrestling. Or other such venues in the city when you’re on liberty leave.”

                “Thank you for that advice sir.”

                “You’re welcome Midshipman Brad - shaw. And your name?”

                “Uh, Seresin sir.”

                “Noted. You’re excused gentlemen.”

                Jake has never walked away so relieved in his life.

                …             …             …

                “Hey Ice, what’s Uncle Slider’s favorite drink?”

                “Why?”

                “You don’t want to know.”

                “Am I going to hear about it anyway?”

                “Can you just tell me what he likes to drink? I can buy it myself now.”

                “Tell me what happened and I’ll buy him the best… And if he deserves the best then you can’t afford it.”

                Bradley groans.

                “He, uh, maybe walked in on me in a compromising position.”

                “With… who?”

                “Uh, just a guy.”

                “This the hypothetical guy you may or may not think is scorching hot? The same one you had over the weekend we went away? The totally hypothetical one?”

                “Maybe?”

                “You sound exactly like Mav when you say that word. What’s his name?”

                “Can I take a pass on that?”

                “Nope. I can just ask Slider. Make it even worse for you.”

                “Ugh. Fine. Jake Seresin. He’s a year below me.”

                “Okay. I’ll send Sli a case of port and sign it with my name. You’d get in trouble for trying to bribe a superior officer. He’ll know why though.”

                “Thanks Ice.”

                “Trust me, I’ve gotten Mav out of far worse.”

                …             …             …

                “Your dads aren’t coming to graduation? What the fuck?”

                “It’s fine, it’s okay. I knew this was always a possibility…”

                “Oh, I guess with him being sick.”

                “Yeah, of course. Difficult to travel and stuff like that.”

                He wants to meet Bradley’s parents, feels like it’s the step to somehow shoving what they have into something more, at least in Bradley’s eyes.

                “They might surprise me. They’ve done it before.”

                For some reason Bradley doesn’t look thrilled at the idea.

                …             …             …

                His graduation day is coming and even a year delayed he can’t help but feel immensely proud. His final year has been easier academically with having the classes split over two years. It’s enabled him to help his peers and help run a couple of the social clubs. And of course, he’s been sneaking around and secretly having sex with Jake. Noone seems to have realized that they’re hooking up, and he guesses it because he hangs out with lots of different groups and people in equal measure, and Jake is in some of those groups as well. He’s even had a couple of guys make a pass at him, which he’s simply deflected and declined. Politely.

                He’s been thinking about maybe telling Jake, but it’s only been a year and he didn’t tell Natasha for three. However he knows Ice and Mav are going to be at his graduation somehow, but he isn’t sure in what capacity and they refuse to tell him. Even Uncle Slider won’t give him a hint, other than confirm that they are both going to be there. He has no idea whether they’re going to pull off the ridiculous disguises again, or attend the formal ceremony in full dress uniform. Rather than be annoyed or worried he wants them there. Desperately wants them there now, knowing that one day they might not be and if there is any silver lining to Ice’s cancer it has to be that.

                …             …             …

                “We’re going to miss you. It’s been a pleasure to have you at the USNA Midshipman Bradshaw. I look forward to watching your career with the US Navy.”

                “Thank you Admiral Kerner. For everything.”

                “You still have your heart set on flight school?”

                “Yes sir.”

                “Well, you’ve got a recommendation from me. You’ve been an exemplary young man, and I’m saying that not because of your history, but despite it. You could have come in here and coasted. Expected favors from your peers and greased wheels. Instead you’ve kept a very low profile, for the most part. I think some of the others have even forgotten who you’re actually related to…”

                “Not you though sir.”

                “No, not me. Of course receiving a case of port helps me both remember and forget certain things.”

                “Please do sir, sorry about that.”

                “I was young once too.”

                Fuck. He’s never going to be allowed to forget that.

                …             …             …

                “Bradley!”

                “Holy shit! Natasha!”

                They hug for a few seconds before remembering exactly where they are and stand back, grinning wildly at each other, straightening their uniforms.

                “How the hell did you get the leave?”

                “I have friends in high places and am not afraid to use them…”

                “Bullshit.”

                “Nope. I asked whether it was maybe possible and got the response that I’d make a pretty easy graduation gift all things considered.”

                “Have you seen them? Do you know what they’re wearing?”

                “Have they not told you?”

                “No!”

                “Oh this is going to be great! Stay here.”

                He doesn’t even have to wait, simply turns to where she’s stalked off to and he can see Ice walking toward him, greeting and congratulating others as he walk. It’s not direct, but close enough. The crowds parting in front of him and he realizes then that Mav’s coming up behind him, following in his wake and also dressed in his full dress whites. He wants to hug them. Desperately wants to hug them both. However it’s not permitted in uniform, although he knows many of the brass look the other way on days like today, there is still no reason for him to be hugging an Admiral or a Captain.

                “Captain Mitchell, Vice Admiral Kazansky, my best friend Bradley Bradshaw.”

                “Nice to meet you,” Bradley says, and it feels ridiculous. Mav is grinning, clearly amused and it isn’t helping him keep a straight face.

                “Nice to meet you too Midshipman Bradshaw, your parents must be very proud of you.”

                “I’d like to think so sir.”

                “Know so. They’re definitely proud. All of them.”

                “Thank you sir,” Bradley says, swallowing against the tightness in his throat.

                “How about I take a photo? Bradley’s a massive fan of yours Admiral,” Natasha says, clearly amused but he can tell she wants to somehow capture this day for them.

                “It’s true, big fan of both of you. I’d really love a photo with you. Please.”

                “Of course. Anything for a fan,” Mav says, grinning and Bradley catches Ice’s roll of the eyes.

                “I’m just going to take a dozen or so, new digital camera so we can delete the bad ones.”

                Bradley poses , smiles slightly and lets Natasha take photos until she seems satisfied.

                “Uh, Captain Mitchell, I was wondering if I could also get a photo with you sir?”

                “Of course,” Mav agrees, and another Midshipman in his year is getting his photo taken with Mav, and then with Ice.

                “Oh, would you mind if I got a photo as well?” Another asks, and Bradley starts backing away, can see people starting to take notice of exactly who they might be and why people might want photos with them.

                “Uh, sure…”

                There’s a fucking queue forming and Bradley exchanges a look with both Mav and Ice, because this is what they’ve avoided all those other times they’ve visited but he wouldn’t change things.

                …             …             …

                Jake freezes, because he’d know that profile anywhere. As he turns he knows for certain that it’s Vice Admiral Kazansky. And okay, he may have done a report on him when he was in high school, made up a whole bunch of shit about admiring him, when he really thought he was hot as fuck. He could multitask and think he was a great pilot and jerk off to photos of him while also wanting to be like him. He watches as he turns again, head lowering slightly to hear whatever the shorter man, a Captain, at his side is saying and the pair of them together look familiar from somewhere, but he can’t place it. People seem to be lining up to take photos with him, and he wishes he had a camera. The man is still damned attractive.

                “Uh, hi Jake.”

                “Bradshaw.”

                “Oh, are we doing last names?”

                “Well, you’ve been kind of avoiding me the last couple of weeks so I thought maybe it was your way of not having that conversation we were due to be having…”

                Bradley winces and Jake feels a flash of justified annoyance. He’s well aware he’s fallen in love, is aware that Bradley maybe hasn’t and he’d worked at trying to be okay with it. Hoped that at least Bradley would talk to him rather than effectively disappear on him for nearly two weeks.

                “So, I’ve been trying to figure something out and you’re kind of distracting.”

                “Don’t flatter me to make me stop being annoyed. Just tell me what you’ve decided…”

                “Well, uh, I was wondering if you wanted to meet my dads?”

                “Did they make it after all?” Jake asks, and yeah, he’s annoyed with Bradley but he’s also excited for him. He clearly has a good relationship with his dads and was disappointed or worried about them making his graduation. “Wait. You want to introduce me to them?”

                “Yeah. I’ve been wanting to tell you, but until I saw them just now I didn’t know how and well… I want you to meet them.”

                He frowns at the slightly weird turn of phrase but he guesses Bradley is nervous, which is actually fucking adorable considering how confident and sure he is nearly all of the time. Make a nice change.

                “I’d love to meet them.”

                “Come on…”

                He follows Bradley, a little confused that they reach the edge of a small gathering and then simply wait; people are still taking photos with the Admiral and he wonders if Bradley is wanting a photo first. Then the Captain is excusing himself and heading toward them, the smile on his face wide and Jake swallows, suddenly nervous.

                “Jake, this is Pete Mitchell. Captain Peter Mitchell. My dad.”

                “Nice to meet you sir.”

                “And you Jake,” Captain Mitchell says, shaking Jake’s proffered hand.

                Then the Admiral is there, clearly having followed the Captain and Jake looks at the two of them, standing either side of Bradley and his mind flashes to a similar image, a bedside photo in a frame, where the clothes are very very different. Oh fuck.

                “And this is my other dad, Admiral Tom Kazansky.”

                “Oh fuck…”

                Captain Mitchell lets out a loud bark of laughter and Bradley looks resigned while Admiral Kazansky has a tiny smile on his face, obviously quietly amused.

                “And this is Jake Seresin. My boyfriend…”

                Yeah.

                He’ll take that title.

THE END

[reminiscentreader]

𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐃𝐎𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐎𝐎𝐋 - grayson x lyra

“when you kissed me, after midnight, in a outdoor pool.“

- Lyras room was located on the seventh floor of the hawthorne island mansion, one story above the pool. She liked to spend nights on the balcony, the warm dusk air was always an experience. Not that she’d ever admit it to anyone ever, but , when grayson came out for his night-time swim she’d occasionaly scoot closer to the edge to get a better veiw of..... well, grayson.

The arrogant, professional bitch-boy Hawthorne who had invited her to the grandest game. They had barely spoken since the masquerade ball a couple days ago, celebrating the beginning of the game. At the ball, grayson had found her on the balcony. And he had sat with her. The whole night. He’d walked her back to her room and ever since then, things had been awkward between them.

Lyra was on the balcony again tonight, resting her head on the cool stone railing, gazing down into the lit blue pool, silently wishing Grayson would step out at any minute. As if he had read her mind he did. he had on a pair of sliders, a Harvard sweater, and his swim shorts. Lyra watched as he pulled his sweater off. He rolled his shoulders, flexing his back muscles. he stepped towards the pool, but as he was about to slip his sliders off. He turned around, staring up at Lyra watching him off the balcony. Making direct eye contact. Shit

After, hiding behind the railing for a minute, about to cry of embarrassment. Her phone buzzed.

Grayson - Gamemaster new message

she clicked it.

join me, tonight?

Holy shit.

—

Twenty minutes later, she walked onto the patio where the pool was. She had on a black two-piece, and had tied her hair up, to be honest, she was pissed that she’s have to wash her her again after swimming, but hey, it was worth it. Lyra sat on the edge, not daring to go in yet. Grayson finished his lap and swam up to the edge where she was sat. “You came?” he smiled up at her, flashing two dimples. “I don’t know why you’re acting surprised Hawthorne boy. May I remind you that, you are the one that texted me.” Grayson gave her a shrug, “get in.” He ordered her, she rolled her eyes, and slipped into the pool.

“solved my riddle yet Hawthorne?” She asked, swimming towards him. She stopped when she was close enough to rest her hands on his chest. “If I’m being honest Kane, no, I haven’t. And neither have any of my brothers.” “but,” she gave him an innocent look, “aren’t you supposed to know everything?” Grayson was not impressed. So much so, that he decided to splash her with water and swim away. How immature, she though before chasing after him.

Lyra only caught up to him when he stopped at the corner of the pool, he lent his head back and laughed softly, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. God that laugh. He looked back down at her, and when he did his nose brushed against hers. Then, he didn’t say anything, until he did. “Has anyone ever told you how utterly beautiful you are?” He lowered his gaze. “What?!?” Lyra wasn’t sure she had heard him right. Grayson moved his head closer to hers, so his mouth was just an inch from hers. “May I?” Lyra couldn’t speak, she only offered a nod in response. His kiss was soft and rough at the same time, Graysons long fingers caught in her hair, gently she brought hers up to cup his face.

Grayson only pulled away when someone cleared their throat behind them. Xander.

—

@sophiesonlinediary

[emilybahu]

Just a culmination of thoughts I had and moments I liked during 7x06:

This ended up being MUCH longer than an expected, I just kept adding things to it! So you totally don’t need read the whole thing just skim through if you want…

1. Maddie about a minute away from a panic attack, but still looking stunning✨

2. Hen looks like she’s gonna go all angry mom mode on Buck and Eddie, who are looking ROUGH… she gives them a look that should put the fear of god into anyone!

3. You know, I just wanted them to have one major milestone that didn’t involve one or both of them being in danger, but NOOOO! We don’t even know where Chimney is and Buck and Eddie are a complete hit mess! Evan “✨it’s complicated✨” Buckley.

4. Oh my god I love Buck and Eddie and their shared brain cell so much! Their bickering is hilarious! Buck slapping Eddie’s hand away from the sliders and later Eddie saying, “reach for them and you’ll be pulling back a bloody stump!” 🤣🤣🤣

5. RAVI WHAT ARE YOU DOING, DO YOU WANT TO DIE!? 🤣

6. “Wholesome 80s themed karaoke” and Eddie proposing that he and Buck go as Crockett and Tubbs.

7. I kinda figured Chimney wouldn’t show seeing as HE DIDN’T WANT A PARTY. Then everyone leaves and it’s JUST Buck and Eddie, because of course!

8. And back to Buck and Tommy again… Tommy has to go and put out a LITERAL fire and we get a second Buck/Tommy hug in the span of like 3 minutes! I’m getting FED they are so cute and soft, and Tommy really doesn’t want to leave but has no choice… the soft hug and “be safe” I’m sorry my heart is melting! 🫠❤️

9. Buck and Eddie are just having A TIME with all these random people, and of course being the touch starved boys they are, you get a little (a lot) of alcohol in em they obviously need to have physical contact at all times! 🤣

10. Drunk Buck being like “we don’t have a key🥺” and Drunk Eddie “you don’t need a key,” (hand on shoulder, thumb on pulse point) “we’re fire fighters👨‍🚒😈” continues to kick in the door!

11. CHAOS ENTERS THE BUILDING, I couldn’t stop laughing! Honestly I didn’t realize Buck and Eddie could party this hard! Buck wakes up on the floor, Eddie’s in the bath tub (a shirt? What’s that? Never heard of it) and Chimney is FUCKING NO WHERE TO BE FOUND! 😬

12. Cut to Maddie desperately trying to get ahold of Chimney and track him down, but he’s somewhere in his car dazed, confused and clearly UNWELL! And his car gets freaking stolen!

13. The dinner celebrating Kevin’s life 🥲

14. Gosh dang it, everyone in the room together worried about Chimney, god my heart! I hope they find him soon!

15. Maddie showing up at the dispatch center in her wedding dress! The woman means business! SHE GONNA FIND HER MAN!

16. Doug, DOUG!? What are you doing torturing Chimney in his subconscious!? No one wants you here!

17. Seeing Maddie’s reaction to Chimney in this state is heartbreaking! She just wants to make sure he’s ok, but he’s clearly not!😢

18. Bruh, we keep getting jump scared by Doug, I’m so DONE with that guy!

19. Time jump to two weeks earlier… “telling Buck ‘no’ is like telling a dog not to jump your leg” just more proof that Buck is a man with the soul of a golden retriever puppy…🤣

20. Bobby saying “well evidently our two love birds over there were enjoying some sexy time, when they heard some weeping” had me wheezing! 😂

21. When they figured out what was wrong with Chimney I got so scared, even though I knew he’d likely be fine. Never know what might happen though…

22. When Chimney’s paramedic skills kicked back in it gave me hope, then he saw Doug again… and still didn’t remember that he’s actually a paramedic.

23. He knows he needs to be somewhere and he hears Buck calling for him, Chimney knows they’re looking for him, then freaking Doug makes him almost give up fighting! 🥲

24. NO DOUG🙄 MADDIE DIDN’T FUCKING LIKE BEING ABUSED!

25. KEVIN🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 Kevin telling Chimney he NEEDS to get up and get help!

26. Maddie in the hospital with Chimney, thinking he doesn’t remember her then him saying “I’m sorry I missed our wedding” GOD MY HEART!

27. Jee running in yelling “daddy!” 🥹

28. “We always get back to each other somehow” please! My heart can’t handle this! They’re meant to be!!🥹😭

29. “I know Kevin is smiling right now” “yeah he is” I can’t breathe! I’m shocked I didn’t cry!

30. Just the whole ceremony, Bobby officiating! Everyone so happy for them together after this day they’ve had! I’m just gonna melt into a puddle of pure emotion! 🥹🥺

31. I love them. I love them! I LOVE THEM!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

32. Buck looking down at his phone to see that Tommy told him he’s there 🤭🤭

33. I made a whole post about this kiss, ahhhhhh!! (My reaction remains the same every time I watch it, I lose control of my limbs, my voice gets all high and squeaky, and I lose the ability to form actual words) The damn 10 second scene still has me SHOOK! 😆🫨

34. Buck pulling Tommy into the room, Tommy apologizing for missing the ceremony and Chimney looking up at him and over to Buck and saying “Thanks tommy, looks like you were… busy” (I didn’t even think about how long Buck was gone before, but since they had time to cut and serve cake to everyone Buck had to be just in another world with Tommy for at least 20 minutes…)

35. Hen’s face when she realizes that Buck and Tommy totally were just making out! And Eddie being the supportive king of a bff that the is!

36. The Buckley parents faces… I’ll be ready to throw hands in a second if they say something homophobic later on!

37. Hen saying “well it’s about damn time” to Karen!! Ahhhhhh! Girlllll!!! Are telling me you could see Buck’s raging bisexuality THE WHOLE TIME!? 😆😆😆😆 She so CLOCKED HIM!

38. Chimney feels right at home anywhere if he and Maddie are together!! ❤️🫠🥹

39. Not them mentioning the cruise ship!! Too soon, too soon! 🫠 But I also laughed!😂

40. “So, were Buck and Tommy a thing before my amnesia?” “Um yeah, actually they were.” (Still trying to figure out how much time there was between the coffee date and the wedding… I have no clue. [Please can someone tell me!?])

41. “Why do they call me Chimney?” And cut to black…. Really, REALLY!? That was cruel, so rude. They’re never gonna tell us why they call him Chimney are they?

And that’s the end!

[gryffindormarveltwilight]

All We Need - Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Reader - Part 3

A/N: Here is Part 3 to the Jake x reader series, sorry for the delay! Also thank you everyone who has commented and reblogged the last few parts! as always any feedback or requests are always welcomed! x

Masterlist

Pairings: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x fem!pilot!benjamin Reader

Warnings: Mentions of Death, Angst, Fluff, Naval Inaccuracies

‘Uncle Ice, what are you doing here shouldnt you be with Sarah and Daisy.’

‘We are heading to the zoo later but i thought I would check in on you first after all it is your first time back in the air.’

‘You didn’t have to Ice, Jake and I are coming over after work to pick Daisy up.’

‘Doesnt mean i cannot come check on you plus i needed to make sure Mav hasn’t been fired yet.’ I let out a loud laugh which makes Ice smile, I always thought growing up dad’s were the most protective person when it comes to there daughters but however thought that has never been the only girl born into an aviator family. Ice, Slider, all of the ‘86 team all had sons except my parents so naturally I was the daughter of the group none more protective over me than Ice though, all my training graduations, the first time i ejected due to a birdstrike every achievement in my career Ice was the first one there, it was a running joke that I was secretly his daughter.

‘Thank you Uncle Ice, but i did well up in the air and managed to shoot them both down.’ That made him smile mumbling ‘thats my girl’ under his breathe.

‘And how about the other thing.’

‘I know in my head that Loki’s death wasn’t my fault but i can’t help blame myself.’

‘Have you spoken to Jake about it.’ I shake my head to which Ice gives me a seriously look.

‘He has enough on his plate with this mission and Daisy, I cannot be another distraction. I need to focus on making sure everyone in that room comes back alive.’

‘And that you come back alive Y/N.’

‘Ice….’

‘And that you come back as well.’ He said in a stern father like tone.

‘I will try Ice but if it comes down to me or a member of that squad as team leader i know the choice I have to make.’

‘Y/N….’ I hear behind me turning to see Phoenix and Bob holding their helmets.

‘Phe, Bob how much did you hear?’ 

‘Only the stiff about the mission and you making the choices to protect the team.’ Bob replies quickly. I nod and they walk past mumble a quick Sir as they pass Ice.

‘I think you should go check in on Mav, he just went up against Rooster .’ He nods and turns away

‘This conversation is far from over but some advice about Loki, talk to Jake you may think you would distract him but if he senses something is wrong with you that will distract him more.’ And with that Iceman walked off to find Mav, i took of running down the hall to where Phoenix and Bob were standing.

‘Hey, can you guys not mention what you heard to anyone especially Hangman.’

‘Athena, is what you said true that you not expecting someone to walk away from this.’

‘Yeah, its true, but it is also true what i said, I am doing everything in my power to train you guys to come home and on the mission I will do everything in my power to make sure everyone comes home.’

‘Including you, we can’t lose you Athena,’ Bob mumbles and i pull him into a hug which Phoenix soon joins

‘I will try for you guys okay. Now whose up in the air?’ And we headed off towards the rec room both of them throwing the occasional glance at me.

After going up in the sky a few more times against various pilots and remaining undefeated it was Mavs turn to go again this time against Hangman and Rooster, listening in on the radio I could hear snide comments from Jake’s Hangman persona as i like to call it before listening to Mav and Rooster fighting in a cobra formation, I look at Phoenix who looks mad and concerned when we hear Rooster get caught by mav and sent back to base.

‘Phe can i talk to him first.’ She nodded knowing I may be the only one Rooster will actually talk to. I run down toward the tarmac where he is getting out of his plane.

‘What the hell Bradley!’ I yell and shove his chest

‘It is none of your business Y/N.’

‘The hell it is not this is my team remember and on top of that I just had to listen to my brother and uncle get in a near deathly formation both to damn stubborn to pull up!’ I continue to yell at him and before i could stop what I was saying I yelled toward him

‘Mav didnt pull your papers because he thought you werent ready!’ Bradly stops in his tracks and turns to face me anger across his face.

‘What do you know Athena.’

‘Bradley listen…’

‘TELL ME!’

‘Your Mum asked Mav to pull your papers before she passed, she was scared for you to be an aviator after what happened to Goose.’

‘She what..’

‘I was there when she asked Mav, and she begged me not to tell you so I didn’t’

‘Yeah well you should’ve told me!’ I look down,

‘I know but I was 12 years old Bradley and terrified, what did you want me to do?’

‘Tell me Y/N you were my sister! I can’t talk to you right now.’ I stood frozen as he walked away from my Phoenix looking at me confused before taking off toward rooster. Mav came running over to me followed by Jake I hadn’t even noticed tears welling in my eyes for the second time that day.

‘Athena,,,,,Y/N?’

‘I told him Uncle Mav.’ I said in a small voice before Mav pulled me into a tight hug he was speaking to Jake behind him but I couldn’t make out what was being said before I knew it I was out of Mavs arms and into Jakes who gave me a tight squeeze before leading me toward the locker rooms to grab our kit. 

‘Jake, I am sorry i kept that i was an Ace and got a promotion from you.’

‘I know and its okay but Y/N what is going on with you, up in the air you are cool calm and collected like always but the moment you are on the ground something just changes I haven’t seen you like this since we learnt Ice was sick.’

‘The mission I got recalled from, it was a tough one, and rattled me a bit, i just need to get my focus right then i will be fine.’ 

‘Y/N, lets say i believe you, you know you can tell me anything. Want to start by what happened between you and rooster.’

‘I told him why Mav really pulled his papers and that it only happened because his Mum asked.’ 

‘How did you know?’

‘I overheard the conversation when I was 12 years old.’

‘And you never?’

‘I have never told anyone until today.’ Jake nods.

‘He won’t be mad forever, he just needs to process it.’

‘Can we got get Daisy, Mav has dismissed everyone, I need to see her after today and make up for leaving this morning.’ Jake smiles and nods. As we start walking to our cars I head towards mine before Jake picks me up over his shoulder taking me towards his, causing me to genuinely laugh which in turn made Jake smile.

After a short drive where Jake was updating me on what had been happening while i was gone we finally pulled into the driveway next to Ices car, before Jake can even put it in park I jump out of the car and run toward where i see Ice, Sarah and Daisy, Daisy sees me and starts running as she jumped into my arms. Ice and Sarah smile at the sight before Jake walks up and wraps his arms around both of us.

‘Don’t the look so happy Tom.’

‘If only they would open their eyes and see it.’

After an hour we left Ice an Sarah’s we headed home. As we walked through the door I had Daisy in my arms and Jake was holding pizza and ice-cream, we headed into the lounge room where Jake put on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ knowing it was mine and Daisy favourite disney movie, as the movie went on we finished the pizza and ice cream we moved onto the couch Jakes arm wrapped around me, me curling into his side and Daisy in the middle of us. My thoughts drifted between the movie and the mission before thoughts of how at peace i was in this very moment started to drift in making me smile. What I hadn’t realised was my shirt had slowly crept up the red scar that was slowly fading on my side catching Jakes attention making him crease his brows before he pressed a kiss to my forehead. As the movie ended i moved to grab the rubbish from dinner as Jake scooped up daisy moving her to her room.

I checked my phone seeing some messages from the squad saying they all decided to skip the Hard Deck tonight which i was grateful for. I grabbed a beer from the fridge before heading to the back deck on the swing chair Jake had installed. Too lost in my own thoughts i barely heard Jake come back out before i felt him sit on the chair and hesitantly wrap his arm around me. I felt a few tears escape my eyes.

‘I lost my wingman.’ Jake straightened up tightening his grip around me. ‘Loki and I were on a routine mission when we were intercepted by three hostiles, it was a dog fight the whole way back to the carrier, I managed to take out two but before i could take out the third which Loki was going up against he was shot down, he never even had time to pull the ejection handles. I disobeyed orders to get out of there to go back and get the third jet and i did it made me an Ace and somehow disobeying the orders earned me a promotion.’ I took a breath holding in tears. ‘I shot down the enemy but not before they got off a few good shots my plane was so damaged I am honestly not sure how it was still flying enough to take down the last one. As i hit the other plane they hit me, i was forced to eject and caught shrapnel of the plane in my side. The rescue team was quick to find me but i spent just over a month in a base hospital recovering, it was touch and go for a while.’

‘Why wasn’t i told you were in the hospital.’ Jake asked with tears in his eyes.

‘I asked everyone not to tell you, the only people who know are Cyclone, Dad, Ice and Mav. And Mav and Cyclone only know cause today was my first day back in the air.’ 

‘I wish you had told me I could have helped.’

‘I wasn’t going to tell you Jake, we need to be focused on this mission, i didnt want you to be worried and distracted by me.’

He didnt respond straight away instead moving to kneel infront of me. ‘I worry about you everytime you go up in the sky as for a distraction I was more distracted when I knew something was wrong but didn’t know how to help.’

I let out a small laugh which caused jake to look at me confused. ‘Ice said the same thing.’ He also laughed before moving back to his spot beside me. After a while i drifted off to sleep felling Jake pick me up and walk me towards the bed rooms. As he put me down on my bed he went to leave, before he could get far i grabbed his hand and asked him to stay, he slid into the bed beside me. Before either of us could fully get to sleep we felt a little body snuggle between us and mumble a few words which made me a Jake open our eyes wide and look at each other.

‘Love you Daddy, Love you Momma.’ Neither of us said anything just gave Daisy a quick kiss on the head before going to sleep.

The next morning, neither of us mentioned anything and Daisy had gone back to calling me Aunt Thena, there was a slight pang in my heart but I also reminded myself I wasn’t her mother despite being the closest thing she had to one, i missed the sadness on Jakes face every time she called me Aunt again, Jake secretly wishing she was my daughter. As the morning went on Sarah picked up Daisy and Jake and I headed to work. We had been there a few hours Jake in the air with Coyote and Mav myself and the other squad member listening in the rec room when I heard my name being shouted out i turned towards the door seeing a concerned Ice holding a crying Daisy in his arms. I shoot out of my chair and run over to them. 

‘Ice whats…’

‘MOMMA!’ Daisy screams and tries to launch out of Ices arms and into mine, I could feel the stares of the squad members as I took daisy into my arms looking at Ice for an explanation. I turn Rooster had followed me to Ice, he had apologised for his outburst yesterday as had I for keeping the secret, Roosters face had confusion and  concern written all over it.

‘Rooster, I need you to get Hangman back on the ground.’

‘HANGMAN! What Athena, what the hell.’

‘NOW ROOSTER!’ Without any argument he ran to the control tower as myself and Ice headed to the tarmac Jakes plane landing minutes later.

‘Athena what the hell why did you….’ His sentence cut off seeing me holding Daisy in my arms flanked by Ice. He dropped his helmet and sprinted over to me and tried to take Daisy out of my arms. ‘No I want Momma.’ Jake and i looked confused this was the 3rd time in 24 hours that she had called me that, sure shes called me it before but never this frequently. Ice gave myself and Daisy a quick kiss on the forehead and Jake a pat on the shoulder before saying he would meet us in the rec room. Coyote jumped out of his plane seeing myself, jake and daisy before running over to us concern written on his face.

Back in the hanger all the daggers had come to see what was going on looking very confused about the scene in front of them. Before Fanboy broke the silence.

‘HANGMAN HAS A KID!’

Taglist:

@dory-98 @djs8891 @brooke-stinson

[rose-pearls]

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Here is part two, hopefully you will like it!!

I thought it would maybe be easier to say which character is which so here you have a list:

Belly: reader, Conrad: Jake, Jeremiah: Bradley, Steven: Javy, Cameron: Bob, Susannah: Iceman, Laurel: Slider

Series Taglist: @djs8891, @devrill (open)

Previous part

The night had been short, with your father telling you just how disappointed he was for leaving behind his back and Ice telling him to calm down but eventually you did made it into your bed. 

You woke up in a hurry, rushing to get downstairs and find your things, by some miracle everyone was out, and you managed to leave the house quickly. Bob had talked about going on a sailboat with him to go see the whales, the blond boy had proposed it last night and you hadn’t stopped dreaming about it. 

But just as you arrived the boat left the shore, and the only thing you could do was watch it leave towards the ocean, silently cursing yourself for forgetting an alarm.

Today was going to be a horrible day, you could feel it.

--

The house is more active as you arrive, Jake sitting at the table with a bruise around his eyes. His green eyes look tired, and you want to ask him how he is, but Ice comes in before you are able to.

“Guess what is happening later today?”, he seems cheerful, which brings a smile to your lips, he had always been a sweetheart, filled with love.

“What?”, you can’t help but ask, wondering whatever could have gotten your uncle’s attention.

“The debutant ball.”, you hear Maverick and your father groan behind him but Ice simply rolls his eyes and ignores them.

“Would you like to participate?”, the question is unexpected, of course you had heard of it, but you never thought of participating in it yourself.

“Common Ice she is not going to participate in something like that.”, your father says, and you can’t help but look at him slightly offended.

“Why not?”, Ice seems to be thinking the same thing as he looks at his best friend with raised eyebrows, expecting an answer.

“It doesn’t seem like the type of thing you would like to do.”, he says simply, and you take a moment to think it through. The deb ball seemed like something nice, large white dresses spinning around on the dance floor, but it would take a lot of your time. 

“Why don’t you go to the afternoon tea this afternoon to meet the others and think it through after that? We could go shopping and buy you an outfit or two.”, Ice says, excitement appearing at his words, and you can’t help but smile.

“I’ll do it.”, you say, feeling confident for the first time in a long time. You try to ignore the green eyes looking at you in surprise and only focusing on an eager Ice taking you in his arms.

“You will love this! Sarah loved it when she did it!”, there is a sad smile on his lips as he talks about his sister, but he quickly shakes his head before telling you to get ready. 

“I don’t understand why you want her to do that Ice.”, you hear your father say as you leave the room.

“I just want to see our girl in a white dress, at least once.”, there is something behind the words, some underlying meaning that you can’t seem to grasp, a sadness that coats the words. 

The only person you can see is Maverick and he has a hard look on his face, his eyes seem saddened before a small cheerful smile appears and he stirs the conversation to another one. 

--

The shop is big, tons of colours everywhere and you can’t help but snort at some of the options your godfather shows you. Your father is more on the side, looking unsure, until Ice manages to make him laugh with a large hat on his head. 

They quickly shoo you into the changing room and time flies by as you try out the different outfits, some of them making the three of you laugh until you can’t breathe and others getting the approval of even your father. 

You haven’t seen him so relaxed as right now, a constant smile on his face as Ice teases him about something during their college years. He always seemed lighter when he came here and was around his best friend. 

“Alright, this is the last one.”, you tell them as you put on a white dress. 

The both of them are quiet as you come out, their mouth slightly open at the sight of you and you suddenly feel nervous.

“You look so beautiful.”, Ice whispers before getting up and bringing you into his arms.

“Thank you.”, you whisper, holding him tightly.

“It looks stunning on you.”, your father says, suddenly looking emotional and you take him into your arms, holding him tight. 

“Thanks dad.”, you don’t know what you would do without the two of them, and Maverick, and you hoped that you would never have to know.

--

“Do not worry, everyone is nice in there, just be yourself.”, Ice says as he drops you off and you try to look confident as you leave the car.

“If there is any issue you call me and I’ll come and get you.”, your father says, looking as nervous as you but you shake your head.

“Don’t worry I will be back later.”, you promise them before entering the country club.

“Didn’t know you would be here!”, you suddenly hear behind you, and you turn around to find Bradley.

“Brad, hey! It was last minute, but I am supposed to meet the other girls for the deb ball.”, you tell him, starting to feel nervous at the thought of what was awaiting you there.

“You look stunning.”, he seems to be slightly in shock, as he looks at you and you can’t stop the blush from appearing on your cheeks.

“Thank you.”, the words seem to make Bradley function again and he throws you a dazzling smile.

“Why don’t I escort you to the room?”, you giggle as you take his arm and follow him through the many hallways of the club.

“And here we are. This is where I leave you.”, there is a silence around the room as Bradley wishes you good luck and you try not to stumble as you walk into the room.

Everyone seems to know each other as you enter the room, luckily there is a space left at a table and you sit down, looking at all the girls around the table.

“I’m Shayla, welcome.”, the girl has a sweet smile, and seems kind enough as you introduce yourself.

“I’m Nicole.”, you recognize the girl from somewhere, but you aren’t able to pinpoint just where.

The girls talk for a moment before you let out a sigh as you look around, it was a bit more boring than you thought it would be.

“Finding it a bit boring?”, Halo asks you and you can’t help the blush of embarrassment that appears.

“Sorry, this isn’t usually what I do.”, you tell them, and they all smile at you reassuringly.

“Not to worry, these things do get quite boring, but we have a remedy for that.”, Shayla tells you as Halo brings a little bottle out of her handbag. 

“How do you think that we survive these kinds of things?”, she asks you teasingly and you can’t help but laugh in answer as they pass the bottle.

“So, how are things with Jake?”, the name throws you off as you hear Nicole start to talk about what happened last night at the bonfire. So, this was the girl that Jake had been with, the only thing you could do to forget the hurt that was swelling up was drink a bit of the tea, forgetting for a moment that there was some strong alcohol in it.

The etiquette lesson is boring, even more boring than math class and for a moment you think that nothing exciting will happen until you see a flash of blond hair. Bob.  You quickly excuse yourself, rushing to get to Bob in time to talk to him.

“Bob!”, the blond boy turns around to find you there, a wide smile appears on his lips.

“Hey, didn’t expect you to be here.”, he says, and you can’t help but smile awkwardly.

“I am really sorry about this morning, I woke up late and by the time I was there the boat had already left.”, you try to explain and Bob smiles kindly.

“Don’t worry I completely understand. It was a bit short notice, but if you want, we could always go see a movie?”, the proposition brings a wide smile on your lips as you nod quickly.

“I would love that!”, you tell him, and Bob seems to relax at your words.

“I’ll text you the details then.”, he tells you and you quickly nod in agreement.

“By the way, you look absolutely beautiful.”, the words make you feel warm on the inside as you quickly thank him, feeling giddy at the thought of your first date.

--

The drive through is quite full as you arrive there with Bob, but you can only think of how nervous you are currently feeling. He had been an absolute gentleman, getting you something to drink and to eat before asking about how your day went. 

The movie started and as it went on you felt Bob’s hand next to yours, you slowly tried to move your hand towards his and after a moment feel his hand taking yours in his. The moment feels surreal, like it’s part of a movie but as you look at the blond boy and feel his soft skin against yours you know that it is real. 

The moment was perfect. 

Until the car next to yours ruins it. Bradley, Jake and Javy suddenly appear in your vision, the boys looking at you with smirks on their faces.

“Isn’t that your brother?”, Bob asks after a moment, and you can’t help but huff in response.

“Just ignore them, they’re idiots.”

You do try to ignore them, not listen to their overly loud commentary and little remarks but you can see that Bob doesn’t seem as relaxed either before they came. 

“I’ll be back.”, you quickly tell the blond boy before getting out of the car ignoring the three other boys starting to act like they are scared.

“Leave.”, you tell them quickly as they open the window.

“Can’t do, we are watching a movie, and we want to know how it ends.”, Javy says with that stupid smirk that he always has when he is with his friends, like he thinks that he somewhat better than you.

“You aren’t watching it, you are just ruining my date.”, Jake seems to look sour as the word ‘date’ leaves your mouth, but you ignore it. 

“Common we are just teasing you.”, Bradley says, trying to be the peacekeeper but you just feel pissed off.

“I don’t care, go away.”, Javy tries to say something, but you quickly cut him off.

“Either you leave, or I tell everyone about your secret Harry Potter fanfiction collection.”, this seems to put your brother back into the right mindset as he tells the others to leave. 

Jake is looking at you with his stormy green eyes and for a moment you wonder what is going inside of his head before the car leaves.

“I’m so sorry about that.”, you tell Bob as you enter the car, and he simply smiles softly.

“Don’t worry it’s not your fault.”, he tells you and somehow the both of you got closer to each other than before, you can see his baby blue eyes from up-close and you feel like you are somehow being pulled towards him.

There are only a few inches between the both of you when Bob asks you softly if it’s okay to kiss you and you simply close the distance between the both of you. His lips are soft, and his hand has taken yours into his again and you can’t stop yourself from feeling warm on the inside.

This was perfect. 

--

The house is quiet when you enter it, feeling giddy from the perfect romantic kiss, and the promise of another date. Your stomach rumbles and you start to wonder if there could be something left to eat in the kitchen but as you enter it there is only Jake.

“So, how was the date?”, he asks, a sarcastic undertone that makes your skin crawl.

“It went well, not thanks to you guys though.”, you can’t help but say, still feeling frustrated at the three boys.

“Oh, common we were just joking, you can’t take a joke.”, he spats, and you can’t help but stumble back a bit.

“Oh, come off of it Jake, why were you there? I think that they are far more fun things to do on a Friday night then go and ruin someone’s date.”, the boy shakes his head before starting to leave.

“Were you jealous, is that it? That someone finally pays attention to me?”, Jake seems to get even more tense at your words before his green eyes turn stormy once again.

“Why don’t you go look at yourself in the mirror some more, it seems like it’s the only thing you can do these days.”, the words feel like a slap in the face as he leaves the kitchen, leaving you behind feeling like you are losing everything without knowing why.

The only thing you knew is that this wasn’t the boy you had fell for all these years ago.

-

Top Gun Taglist: @bisexual-watermelons (open)

Main Taglist: @avada-kedavra-bitch-187, @nyx2021, @thestarspangledcaptain, @kmc1989 (open for every fandom)

[tervaneula]

u said leoichi drabble prompt request. consider. one injured and the other protecting them and then the injured one has to calm them down bc 'they're okay, really, promise, rest now'

OKAY SO this fused with a ghost of an idea I've had for a while and it ended up being a bit more serious than the prompt called for and a lot longer than just a drabble. (It's ~1120 words.) CW: blood and injury

Also I made a silly header thing I don't know what to do with, so I'm putting it here since this fic doesn't come with art of its own :'3

“Yui, I’m okay–” 

The rabbit turns his head to look at him, furious. 

“I heard your shell crack, Leonardo, and I'm not an idiot! Now stay down and let me handle this!” 

He falls quiet for a moment before redirecting his glare towards their adversary and then adds a muted, “Please.” 

There's no compromising with Yuichi in this state, apparently, and Leonardo stays right where he got crushed between metal claws and the concrete, splayed on the ground next to those very same claws which had gotten swiftly cut from the wrist for their transgressions.

He does roll onto his side to get his body weight off his shell, and yeah, alright, one or more of the old cracks that never healed properly must have split open again. It's tough to breathe and his back feels… His kimono is sticking to his shell and his back feels wet now that he's paying attention, and that. That is not good. 

Just his luck to run into a massive mecha wreaking havoc on an otherwise lovely day, huh. He wasn't even supposed to be on patrol and thus is embarrassingly swordless. 

Good thing that his date and their resident samurai always carries his. 

The slider watches as Yuichi does quick work of the metal hunk's wiring behind its knees, his frighteningly sharp katana slicing through the cables like butter. The mech falls with a ground-shaking rumble, unable to rise again, arm flailing as it tries to catch the rabbit. It's no use, Yuichi is much smaller and faster – and as soon as he reaches the mech's head, it's already rolling. The construct immediately loses power and Yuichi wrenches the windowed hatch in its chest open. Turns out there's no pilot, just a program-operated dashboard, and he makes sure that none of the controls are functional after he's done with them. 

Leonardo thinks he could watch Yuichi trash villains all day long, he's practically mesmerised by the strength hidden in that soft frame despite his shell throbbing unpleasantly in tandem with his heartbeat. He sighs, lovestruck. 

As his final move, Yuichi thrusts his katana into the heart of the mecha and Leonardo sees a spray of ink-black oil splash all over Yuichi's face and the front of his kimono. It makes him laugh and he realises his mistake too late, his lungs struggling to draw breath again as he finally gets hit with the pain, his body trying to stop him from moving; from causing any more damage. Shit, shit, shit. 

He had hoped he wouldn’t need to bother any of his brothers today since he was supposed to spend the whole day with Yuichi but he knows to pick his battles, now. He opens the comm link embedded in his prosthetic, contacting someone who he knows will pick up. 

“Che~ello!” comes the cheerful answer in just a few seconds, and Leonardo can't help but smile. 

“Mikeyyy, hermano, I'm in a bit of a pickle,” he wheezes, feeling the shift in his little brother's energy as soon as he hears the strain in his voice. 

“Leo? Are you okay?” 

“Not really, no,” Leonardo grunts. “Got into a scuffle with some big haywire robot– don’t worry, that’s taken care of. I suspect Donnie will want to scrap it for parts. Um. My shell’s– my shell’s cracked though.” 

Leonardo can vividly imagine the colour draining from Michelangelo's face and it would be funny if he wasn't acutely aware of a broken shell coming with the very real possibility of his innards turning into outnards. 

“I'm calling Draxy. Stay put, I'll get Lee to pick you up.” 

“Right,” Leonardo sighs, the line going out just when Yuichi is finally done with the mech and rushing to his side, face haphazardly wiped from oil. His gaze is sharp as he kneels next to him, sweaty and out of breath, and Leonardo thinks he looks like a knight. Or maybe like a samurai of the old, in this case. 

“There’s my hero,” he coos before Yuichi can get a word out and the rabbit’s brow furrows. 

“Don’t start,” he snaps but his tone softens almost immediately, “I saw you calling someone. It’s bad, isn’t it? It… it looks really bad.” 

“Yeeeah, this kimono is definitely ruined,” Leonardo laments, “unless you know how to, gh, get blood out of corduroy? No? Or the obi?” 

Yuichi stares. 

“A– a shame, really, I did like this one a lot–” 

“Leonardo!” Yuichi interrupts him and grabs his bicep, looking two seconds away from crying. Leonardo frowns. He knows he’s getting a little delirious but he was sincerely trying his best to lift his mate’s mood. 

“Leon, please, you’re rambling. Is someone coming? Can I do anything?” 

“‘m not rambling,” Leonardo grumbles, hissing when he fills his lungs again. “Leo’s coming to get us, Draxy– Draxum will treat the shell. And no, better keep the obi in place until we get to the medbay.” 

Yuichi’s shoulders slump and he sighs, most likely relieved that he’s not going to have to figure out how to deal with a cracked shell. Leonardo does not like the lingering worry in Yuichi’s gaze one bit, though, and he offers him a grin. It’s a little shaky but whatever. 

“Heeey, bunbun. Listen. This is nothing I haven’t been through before. I’ll be fine.” 

Yuichi gives him an honest-to-God kicked-puppy look and Leonardo thinks it’s the most adorable thing he’s ever seen in his life. He almost tells him so but Yuichi cups his cheek and his forced grin melts away into surprised silence. 

“I hate seeing you hurt,” Yuichi murmurs, leaning down to press his forehead against Leonardo’s. The slider’s eyes flutter shut and he lifts his hand to hold onto Yuichi’s wrist. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I mean it. I should’ve been more careful.” 

Yuichi huffs and leans away to gently bump their foreheads together. 

“It wasn’t your fault.” 

“Maybe, but ’m still sorry. Didn’t want to worry you.” 

“You’re an idiot,” Yuichi says, exasperated. “You should know that at this point, I’ll always worry.” 

Leonardo grins and this time it’s genuine. Breathing in his partner’s scent is like a balm to him, even if it’s tinged with the bitterness of motor oil, even if his body currently thinks that breathing is overrated. Even if he just got called an idiot by none other than said partner. 

“Raincheck on the date?” he mumbles, and finally he gets a chuckle out of the rabbit. Yuichi straightens his back and flicks him on the nose. 

“Like you even needed to ask. Idiot.” 

Before Leonardo can express his displeasure of being called an idiot for a second time there’s the familiar electric hum of a portal opening behind him, and someone whistles. 

“Sheesh, old man. That kimono is definitely ruined.” 

[ashaleeleedagurl]

Cheering up a genius

Fandom: ROTTMNT (Rise Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Lee: Donnie

Ler: Leo

Other characters: Raph, Mikey (mentioned), Splinter (mentioned)

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

Raphael was walking in the lair, walking to his room when he heard some sobs coming from his younger brother, Donatello, and decided to tell Leonardo.

"Let me handle it, He's been my twin for a while now, and I'm the one who's going to cheer him up bc, Mikey isn't really gentle with Doctor Delicate Touch on D, and I know when he gets into one of his "moods"" Leo said to the snapping turtle.

He walked to Donnie's room and knocked on the door, "D? You in he-" he cut off short when he found his purple twin under the blanket, sobbing.

He walked over to him and softly spoke to him, "Are you ok, hermano?"

"No! Leave me alone!" Donnie choked up as his sobs got louder, his face completely red as tears ran down his face.

Leo grabbed his side and lightly grabbed his shell to pull his twin in for a hug until he saw Donnie giggle softly. He smirked, cause, of course he did! It's Leo!! "D, why you gigglin'?" He mischievously asked as he skittered his hand up and down Donnie's shell.

Donnie started laughing, and, oh mi gosh! It was the purest thing Leo has ever heard from his grumpy twin!

"Nahahardohoho! Stohohop ihihit!" Donnie weakly said as he tried to cover his mouth.

"Don't hide that smile of yours, dear twin-o-mine!" Leo smirkingly said, uncovering Donnie's mouth and continued tickling his shell.

"LEHEHEO, IHIHIHI'M SEHEHEHERIOHOHOUS!!!"

"Ohohokay, ok, I'm stopping."

Leo knew how to respect boundaries more than any other turtle there, including Splinter, so he stopped.

The soft shell pulled the red-eared slider into a hug and smiled widely.

Grumpy turtle + tickles = Happy turtle

[olliethescribe]

oh boy it’s @tmntaucompetition propoganda! Warren doesn’t know how he got roped into doing another one of these but hey, at least he has Ron with him this time

***

“Oh, god, there’s a lot of ya…”

Warren looked around at the vast sea of turtles that surrounded him. There were hundreds of them and only one him, with his turtles walking ahead of him and freaking out over their many alternate selves. They chatted excitedly, Donnie taking DNA samples of his duplicates when no one was looking. 

Warren’s pirate costume that Leo convinced him was a fashion must for the competition itched. The slider had joked about Warren having two peg legs, much to Warren’s chagrin. Yep, having a normal one. He sighed quietly to himself. At least there weren’t anymore horses to kick him out during round one like that first time. 

Beside the cloaked anchorman stood his husband, Ron, the magician not bothering to cloak among so many mutants. Didn’t help that plenty of the turtles they didn’t know were glaring at him. Like they knew something he didn’t. So Ron kept his gaze to his own kids and fiddled with his bandana for his own pirate costume, his talking parrot sadly unable to make it and left at home with the other birds for the weekend. 

“You think there’s any more like us here?” Ron said, looking around and scanning the crowd in short bursts. It was always lonely at these competitions. He had managed to bond with Donnie last time, even managed to make it past a round, but to be in a room without any other versions of himself felt odd. So many universes and yet there were barely anymore of him. 

And then he saw them. Off in a corner, away from everyone else, sat another version of himself with a Warren to boot. Above them hung a banner that said ‘Mutini’s AU’. Maybe things were turning around after all.

“Warren, look!” 

Ron pointed but Warren wasn’t paying attention. In fact, his husband was looking up at a massive board filled with brackets as far as the eye could see. The newscaster was grimacing as his eyes wandered to where ‘No Crime* Only Brooches’ was placed. 

“Casey’s gonna revoke our ally card.”  

The newscaster swallowed his nerves as he shook off the feeling of impending doom. They’ll be fine! They were always fine! Totally… totally fine… 

He looked around while taking a breath, the familiar reassuring squeeze of Ron’s hand over his calming his nerves. In front of him were his kids, all three of them. Wait, three? Oh god, oh god, oh god!

“Wait, where’s Donnie?!”

“He saw some version of himself with wings and a tutu and went running off. Don’t worry about it, pops, he’ll be back.” Leo fished an Tracking Tag out of his side bag and smiled. “Plus if he can track us everywhere then I can track him.”

He went to track the other tag and heard a beep right beside him. Only to look down and immediately find it. On the floor. With no Donnie attached. 

“Uh oh…” 

Ron and Warren exchanged a weary look. 

“Splinter’s gonna kill us.”

[tgmsunmontue]

Saga of Solitude 4/?

Nepo!Baby Bradley and his life at USNA and afterwards. DADT fully in force. Hangster AU. (Begun prior to 'It's not who you know' - the non-angsty version).

PROLOGUE (He remembers)

HANGSTER FIRST MEETING (Lonely Nights - set 2009)

Updating ~weekly (longer chapters).

PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

ONE (2000) TWO (2001) THREE (2002)

CHAPTER FOUR – 2003

                His summer at home is very different. He insists on looking after the girls every day that he’s home, making the most of his time with them. He works on their swimming with daily trips to the swimming pool, then the library or playground. Gets them out of the house so Ice can rest and Sarah and Melissa don’t have to worry about a day-camp for at least three weeks of the summer. He enjoys family dinners, watching movies with Ice, playing cards and just being at rest. Pete is off somewhere and Ice is tightlipped about it, and he wonders if they fought about it. Wonders if Maverick even knows about the operation. Mav hasn’t asked about Ice in any of their Saturday phone calls, which is unusual when he’s deployed and Bradley is home. He doesn’t know what to say or do though to make it better.

                Tamsin and Petra are seven and five now, still think he’s the best thing ever and it’s nice to have people in his life who are so easy to please. He takes photos and sends them to Natasha, tells her he’ll see her soon on the carrier for their summer placement. He can’t wait, but also he doesn’t want to leave where he is right now. How actual parents do this he has no idea.

                He doesn’t expect anything for his twentieth birthday, not with Ice’s health and Maverick being deployed but Ice tells him to get dressed and that he’s going out. Tamsin and Petra were already picked up by Melissa, her coming in and checking on Ice before decrying that he still needed to rest.

                “Uncle Slider?”

                “Hey kid. Come on. I’m taking you out.”

                “Uh. Okay?”

                “It’s fine. Ice and Maverick both know. This is a sanctioned mission.”

                Bradley laughs then, follows him out to his car. They end up in a military bar, not definitively army or navy or air force but something of a mix, a neutral territory.

                “Everyone, this here is Bradley Bradshaw. Goose’s boy.”

                Oh. Holy shit.

                These are all people who knew his dad. That definitely know Iceman and Maverick. Maybe not about them being a couple, and he’s not going to say anything. Names and callsigns, he doesn’t know what names belongs to who, but Wolfman, Merlin, Jester, Sundown, Chipper, Warlock. Nearly all of the 1986 Top Gun class his dad was part of and he feels Slider’s hand pat his shoulder as he goes up to get a round of drinks. The stories start then. and he understands the need for the alcohol now. And the neutral territory. They’ll all be able to walk out and leave this behind them.

                He doesn’t say much, just listens intently and wishes he could take notes. His dad, his parents, have never felt so alive than they do right now, everyone talking about them. The jokes and pranks his dad played, his fierce loyalty, his patience. His mom’s ability to put them in their place with a look, but her sense of humor and love of life. Also her view that RIOs were better than pilots. He hasn’t ever heard Maverick or Ice say that, but then again this isn’t something they ever talk about. Apparently many of these men used to visit when he was little, and he hates having to admit that he doesn’t remember many of them, lost to childhood.

                “Do you play?” the one Bradley thinks is Merlin asks, head jerking toward the piano.

                “What?”

                “Do you play the piano? Your old man was pretty talented. Pretty sure half the women Maverick picked up were only because he had Goose as his wingman.”

                Slider coughs a sip of his beer and Bradley catches his eye. Slider knows and Maverick and Ice, he knows he does. The idea of Maverick picking up anyone that isn’t Ice sits in his gut oddly, even if they seem to ignore each other a lot of the time.

                “Yeah… I can play. I’m part of the D’n’B, as well as the choir at USNA.”

                “Oh great, come on then. Great Balls of Fire for us old timers aye?”

                “Yeah. Okay.”

…             …             …

                Later, when he lets them back into the house, Slider apparently staying in the guest room, he sets the coffee machine going when Slider accepts the offer of coffee.

                “You seem pretty at home here.”

                “It is home. Even more than Mav’s place really. Mav comes here more often than Ice goes there. There’s room for the girls and for me.”

                “Ah yes. The girls,” Slider says, letting out a huff of breath which Bradley isn’t sure how to take. Disbelief, annoyance? He’s not sure. “The lengths Ice has gone to keep himself safe. Well. Him and Maverick I suppose.”

                “Oh. Yeah. Widower and divorcee. Just friends…” Bradley mutters, because he knows now, now that he’s a bit older, that Maverick and his mom marrying tidied several things up legally, but also offered something for Pete to fall back on. Grieving widow not prepared to marry again, no woman will ever measure up to his late wife, Etc. etc. Slider hums, takes a sip of his coffee and studies Bradley over the rim of the mug.

                “I know you’re at USNA and you’re keeping it quiet just how… entrenched your upbringing has been in the Navy, but I just thought I’d let you know you aren’t alone, no matter how it might feel. Tonight, thought I’d try and show you that level of brotherhood. Any one of those men would help you out.”

                “Uh, thanks Uncle Slider.”

                “Don’t mention it. Now. Have Ice and Mav pulled their heads out of their respective asses yet, or are they still not talking?”

                “Oh. I thought that might be the case…” Bradley says, letting out a long sigh at having his suspicions confirmed,

                “Neither of them have told you?”

                “No.”

                “Huh. Well. They’re both stubborn jackasses and can’t tell each other that they love each other with normal words.”

                “What happened?”

                “Maverick got new deployment orders, said he was going to put in a special request. Ice said he’d breakup with him if he did that. Which went as well as you can imagine. I didn’t hear the yelling, but Sarah tells me it was impressive.”

                Bradley groans.

                “Ice also said he wants to break up with him because he shouldn’t be burdening Mav with a dying man, which I thought was a bit melodramatic myself. Clearly he’s spending too much time with Maverick. Anyway, they said they’d talk when Mav got back.”

                “God they’re idiots. And Ice isn’t dying. Melissa told me he’s going to be fine.”

                “That they are. I wish I could say they’ve mellowed with age, but they haven’t. Gotten more stubborn. Your father and I used to despair of them getting their shit together.”

                “Do you really think they have their shit together? Even now?”

                Slider makes a you’ve got me there expression and shrugs his shoulders.

                “At least they’re… more together than they were. Even if they have to deny they’re anything more than friends. Having to hear them make comments about being like brothers when someone questions how close they are… it’s all a bit messed up.”

                “Yeah. it is.”

                “How are you handling it all?”

                “Handling what?”

                Slider just gives him a look like he thinks Bradley is an idiot.

                “Your step-father is deployed, your other father figure is sick. You’re about to start your third year at boat school all while… keeping a big part of your identity under wraps. Ice had me. Mav had your dad. Tell me you have someone.”

                “Oh.”

                “Oh is right kid. Hell. Neither of them did it alone. They had people who had their backs.”

                “I don’t have anyone. But. I could. She’s…”

                “She?”

                “Yeah, wild concept I know, but they let women serve in the Navy now.”

                Slider rolls his eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh.

                “Lord you’re an ass. You’re both the best and worst of them all.”

                “What do you mean?” Bradley asks.

                “Your dad, your mom, Mav and Ice. You remind me of them all at different times. Just then you were all Ice, but earlier, all I could see was your Dad. And Carole. Then I see you with Tamsin and Petra and all I see is Maverick with you when you were little.”

                “Oh.”

                “Makes me feel old.”

                “Surely getting old beats the alternative,” Bradley says, and he means it as a joke, before realizing that the alternative is death, and given his parents, and Ice’s cancer and Maverick currently being deployed it’s far too close to home.

                “Shit kid, you’ve gone pale. Take a pew. It does beat the alternative. You’re right. It’s a privilege getting to watch you grow up. And my own kids. Maverick and Ice are proud of you. I hope they tell you that.”

                “Uh, no. Not really. I want to make them proud though.”

                “Well, they tell me every time I talk to them. They’re not the best with words.”

                “Yeah. I do know that.”

                “Try and be better than them. Trust someone.”

                “I’ll try.”

…             …             …

                His palms are clammy when he places the call, waiting for Natasha to pick up. She meant to be arriving Sunday afternoon, but if she can change her bus ticket then… he can try this whole trust thing.

                “Hey Natasha.”

                “Bradley. What’s with the phone call?”

                “I was wondering if you wanted to come and stay for a couple of nights before we start our stint on the carrier.”

                “Seriously? You offering up accommodation?”

                “Yeah. You want to meet my kid sisters?”

                “They are the superior Bradshaws.”

                “Ha. Yeah. Um.”

                “Are you asking me out? Is this a weird date thing?”

                “No! No. Just. Definitely not. Not a romantic thing. Not at all. I am definitely not interested in you like that at all. Ever. Never will be.”

                “Wow. Okay. Thanks for that ego boost.”

                “Shit. No. Look. You’re my best friend. Can we just… talk when you arrive?”

                “There has to be a talk? For friends? Why… oh. Okay. Right. Holy shit. Of course. I’ll see you Friday. Can you pick me up from the bus station?”

                “Yeah. Course.”

…             …             …

                Later afternoon on the Friday he sees her step off the bus and grins, raises a hand in greeting and then she’s shoving her bag into his chest while she hitches her garment bag over her shoulder.

                “Come on. Take me home sailor…”

                “Ugh. Don’t say it like that.”

                Natasha snickers at his expression and they talk about her visit to her cousin, which he understands is one of her few family members that talks to her. He’s not sure what she’s done exactly that has made them angry at her, but he’s hoping that they might be able to exchange stories, he just has to take that leap of faith and open up first.

                He stops in driveway of Ice’s house, rests his hands on the steering wheel and wonders if he should say something. Prepare her. It’s not even been a month since they left boat school for their short three weeks of leave. Nothing has changed and yet he’s about to do something risky.

                “I’ve sort of got a complicated family.”

                “You and everyone else. You’re not special.”

                “No. I know I’m not. I don’t want to be. Just… this is my uncle’s house. He’s the father of my sisters.”

                “So, they’re actually your cousins?”

                “Well. Tom isn’t related to me by blood at all. But he was my second legal guardian. I lived with him and his wife when my step-father was deployed.”

                Her eye snap to him then and he licks his lips.

                “Should we go inside? I can introduce you to my uncle. Uh. He’s got cancer, recovering from an operation from a few weeks ago.”

                He doesn’t give her much choice, slides out of the car and grabs her bag, not going around to open her door because he wouldn’t for any of his friends and she is just that. Maybe the closest thing he’ll ever have to a grown adult sister if this whole weekend pans out like he’s hoping it will. She follows him and when he pushes the door open and kicks off his shoes Ice is in the kitchen making some tea, a herbal one that makes the kitchen smell earthy and sweet. Apparently one of the few things that helps the soreness in his throat.

                “Hey Ice. This is my friend Natasha Trace. Natasha, this is my uncle Tom, also known as Rear Admiral Kazansky.”

           ��    “Nice to meet you sir,” Natasha says, smiling tightly and she shoots Bradley a small glare.

                “And you Natasha. No titles inside the house necessary. Or out of uniform. Welcome. I’m sure Bradley will make you feel welcome and show you around. I’m just going to go and do some reading.”

                “You’re meant to be resting,” Bradley states.

                “Turning pages in a book isn’t exactly taxing Bradley,” Ice says, rolling his eyes. “Also why you’re on hosting duties. I’ll be in my study.”

                He watches Ice walk away, glances to where Natasha is also watching him and then she’s turning to him, eyes flashing and stepping in close.

                “Rear Admiral! Your uncle is a Rear Admiral!”

                “I did say it was sort of complicated. Uh, and that isn’t all of it. You want a drink?”

                “Do you have beer?”

                “Sure,” Bradley states, because while he doesn’t drink very often, he knows Ice isn’t going to be angry if he offers a guest a bottle. First he shows her the guest bedroom so they can leave her gear, before leading her out to the back garden, both holding bottles of beer.

                “So… if having a Rear Admiral as an uncle isn’t all of it, what is all of it?”

                “Well. My stepfather is currently deployed. His full name is Captain Peter Mitchell, callsign Maverick.”

                “The guy with the air-to-air kills. Oh my god. Ice is Iceman.”

                “Yeah. There’s more. My dad was a RIO. He flew with Maverick. Um,” he swallows against the tightness in his throat. “He died in a training exercise. Nick Bradshaw, callsign Goose. I was three.”

                “Holy shit. I just thought you were going to tell me you were gay.”

                “Well. That too. But I figured I’d get the more shocking stuff out of the way first.”

                She lets out a huff of amusement and Bradley knocks his shoulder against hers, his stomach churning with nerves.

                “It’s fine. I’m not telling anyone. So… your sisters are Kazansky’s kids?”

                “Yeah. His ex-wife Sarah has them tonight, but she’s dropping them off tomorrow.”

                “Okay, so it is a little complicated. I’ll give you that.”

                They sit in silence for a bit but then he hears the roar of a bike and he stiffens, immediately alert. Then the front door is opening and he’s heading towards it, heart racing.

                “Ice! I’m home. Bradley?”

                Ice has beaten him, his study is closest to the front door and Bradley wonders if he knew Mav might be home early. He wasn’t meant to get back for months. Wasn’t meant to see Bradley, not that he’s paying any attention to him right now, his hands are on Ice’s face, pulling him down into a kiss, words being exchanged between them too quiet for him to hear. He glances back to see that Natasha has followed him, her eyes wide as she looks at Ice and Mav kissing in the hall. Bradley can’t help but look back. He’s never seen them like this, and he guesses it’s after a fight and a deployment, however short, and there’s definitely passion and depth of emotion there. Pretty sure there isn’t going to be any further talk of breaking up.

                He turns to Natasha.

                “We should go out for dinner. Come on. My shout.”

                He can get Ice or Mav to pay him back later, pretty sure they’ll appreciate the alone time right now. He hugs Mav hello and goodbye, does the briefest of introductions and lets them know they’ll be back later.

…             …             …

                “God I hate you for making you go,” Pete says, his lips placing soft kisses along his jaw. “I love you more than I hate you though.”

                Tom lets his hands run down Pete’s chest, trembling slightly because as much as he’d pushed him to go, he’s so glad to have him back. He’s also glad that Bradley has just upped and left them alone, because he doesn’t think he has it in him to hold back and remain stoic in the face of Maverick safely returned to him once again.

                “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for making you go. I just…”

                “Don’t ever make me leave you again. Not when you need me.”

                “I’m fine.”

                “Bullshit. But I’ll let you believe it if you need to.”

                “Pete…” his voice sounds rough and broken to his own ears and he wraps his arm around him. “I’m sorry.”

                “No more talking of setting me free, or being a burden okay? You are mine you hear me?”

                Tom nods, throat tight.

                He’s not going to ask how or why he’s back two months earlier than planned.

                Doesn’t care.

…             …             …

                He knows he made the right call when he and Natasha return a few hours later, having decided to also see a movie. He walks in and he does a double take, Ice and Mav were clearly lying with each other on the sofa, although they’re in the process of separating when they see them. He wants to tell them they don’t have to, that it doesn’t bother him, then he realizes that it maybe bothers them, having other people see them like that. They excuse themselves to bed and he guesses it’s too late for them to try and slip back into the closet with regards to Natasha knowing. He knows that wasn’t in the plan. Mav isn’t meant to be here, but he’s pretty sure Ice isn’t going to be sending him back to his own house anytime soon. He should let Slider know they pulled their heads out of their asses.

                The next morning they’re sitting around the table, quietly drinking coffee and eating, discussing plans for the day when he hears the knock at the front door. Then it’s opening, he grins across at Ice and Mav, glances at Natasha with a smile on his face.

                “Tamsin and Petra.”

                That’s all the warning they get, there’s the sound of running feet, then excited gasps and…

                “Papa! Papa! You’re home!”

                Oh shit, he’d forgotten about Petra and Tamsin both calling Mav Papa. And of course they’re going to be excited to see him. Tamsin hops onto Ice’s lap and gives him a kiss on his cheek and he’s automatically pushing the hot drinks to the center of the table where they’re less likely to get knocked. Then Sarah and Melissa are walking in, looking tired and Melissa is still in scrubs. Bradley does the introductions, watches Natasha’s face as he deliberately drops and her wife Melissa. He’s pretty sure he’s just earnt the complicated family descriptor, because she’s looking at Maverick and Petra, then Ice and Tamsin, immediately seeing the resemblance he didn’t see until last year.

                He knows everything is going to be fine though, Natasha compliments Tamsin’s t-shirt and Petra’s hair clips, and immediately the novelty of someone new to talk to is there, increasing the level of chatter. Natasha looks thrilled, immediately moving to sit on the ground so they can play with her hair. He looks up to find Ice and Mav both watching him and he mouths what at them, trying to figure out what they’re thinking.

                They sure as hell know Natasha isn’t there as a potential girlfriend, although given that Tamsin has just asked that very question and Natasha has explained that no, she is definitely not Bradley’s girlfriend, just a friend of his from school. That’s when they make the connection of her being the one who drew the pictures and she’s dragged away to do coloring. He turns on them.

                “What?”

                “Just thinking that you’ve got the same luck we had in picking good friends is all,” Ice states, and Bradley glances to where Natasha has been taken by his kid sisters.

                “Yeah. I guess I do.”

[statementends]

I'm interested to see how fandom develops Sam. I'm hoping he gets a very different look than what we imagine the Archivist looks like.

Right now I myself am picturing a tall guy, chubby, wide friendly smile, nice well fitting at least somewhat fashionable clothes, no eye bags. Imagine a scale with the Archivist on one side and him on the other. (The sliders of course will probably get closer as the season goes on then again he's ready experienced the supernatural maybe he's the type that keeps up appearances when things are crumbling)

This is a guy who has studied social scripts and was forced to work in customer service for at least three years and knows how to fake being neurotypical. He was the guy on group projects in university that was always forced to be the organizer even though he'd actually rather not. Big ADHD vibes but that's probably me projecting.

YMMV this is just initial thoughts from the short time we've heard him.

Can't wait until we meet Alice.

[transienturl]

You know what, I'll bother making this post. It's long overdue.

PSA: Please don't install uBlock Origin rules for Tumblr that use :nth-of-type(), and please remove or fix any you have installed. They can and will hide the wrong things. I'll show you a few alternatives below.

First, an example of how we get here. I've used the uBlock Origin element picker to try to hide the "Get a Domain" sidebar item:

With some different adjustments of the sliders, it gave me these two snippets, one of which targeted a whole bunch of sidebar items, and the other of which selected the right one. Great, right? Read on.

www.tumblr.com##li.g8SYn.IYrO9:nth-of-type(7) www.tumblr.com##.gM9qK > li.g8SYn.IYrO9

As you can see, these both target a particular kind of sidebar item via "li.g8SYn.IYrO9"—fine—and as you can probably guess, the second one counts them all up and hides the seventh it finds.

This is bad, because what it actually hides depends on exactly how many sidebar items there are! Users can "snooze" Tumblr Live, which will make an item appear or disappear, and users with/without Ad-Free subscriptions will have or not have another. I have seen many, many people accidentally hide their activity, messages, inbox, etc using someone else's rule that's supposed to hide Live. Worse, some rules intended for e.g. recommended post carousels that use nth-of-type translate to something like "hide item number three on the dashboard no matter what it is," which will lead to a seemingly random post on your dashboard disappearing!

This isn't a problem specific to Tumblr, of course—I personally think uBlock Origin should never autogenerate these rules—but Tumblr has a ton of elements that aren't in fixed positions, so I feel comfortable wording that PSA the way I did. On a very static site, those rules might be fine. Here they almost always aren't.

So how do we fix this? First of all, as a developer of XKit Rewritten (check out @addons!), I must suggest you check if it has a feature to do what you want. Plenty of times it won't, though, and if not, we want to make a rule that hides an element based on what it is, not where it is. Here are three ways to make a robust rule:

First, I'll right-click the element I want and use the inspect element tool in my browser's developer tools to look at the element I really want (Firefox and Chrome/Edge/Opera have different but overall similar interfaces for this):

The HTML looks, for reference, like this (Tumblr sucks at code blocks but I'll try):

<li class="IYrO9 g8SYn" title="Get a domain"> <a class="tDT48" href="/domains"> <div class="kn4U3"> <svg> <use href="#managed-icon__earth"></use> </svg> </div> <div class="a132D"> <span class="ZC1wz">Get a domain</span> <!-- other unimportant stuff removed--> </div> </a> </li>

What's something unique about this element, preferably about the outermost element, and preferably contained within the <angle brackets> (HTML tags)? In this case, we have it easy: title="Get a domain" is definitely unambiguous and fulfills all of those three. If you're very familiar with web design using CSS, you'll know how to target that; if you've vaguely heard of CSS, you may be able to look at a reference sheet of CSS selectors, see [attribute=value], and figure it out, and if neither is true, I'll spoil it for you and say that we just put it in square brackets in this case.

So—taking the rule uBlock Origin made, removing the :nth-of-type() and replacing it with our better selector—here's our first working, bug-free uBlock Origin rule:

##li.g8SYn.IYrO9[title="Get a domain"]

Okay, great. But what if we didn't have that attribute to target? What if our top-level element looks the same as the other ones? What if we want this rule to work if we change our Tumblr language to Spanish? Let's move on to :has().

:has() is a CSS selector (supported in uBlock Origin even in browsers where you can't use it for web development yet, i.e. Firefox), that lets you check the contents of an element for whatever is in the parentheses. Let's assume that Tumblr would never make two sidebar items with the same icon, and target that href="#managed-icon__earth" property:

##li.g8SYn.IYrO9:has([href="#managed-icon__earth"])

Yep, that works too!

Finally, what if we couldn't use either of those because we need to target the content of the page that's not contained within the <angle brackets>? We can take a look at the uBlock Origin documentation and find that it has something for that too: :has-text(). You can do very powerful things with this (e.g. you can sort of implement Blacklist entirely using uBlock Origin using something like article:has-text), but it doesn't perform well and can pretty easily be used incorrectly, so I'd suggest you avoid it when possible.

However, let's try using it here to target the "Get a domain" label text:

##li.g8SYn.IYrO9:has-text(Get a domain)

And that also works!

With these techniques, you should be able to target any specific thing you'd want to hide without using any fragile positional selectors. If you're going to share your uBlock Origin rules with others, please make use of this! If you're just using your rules for yourself, then hopefully I've given you enough information so that you can understand what a rule does and decide for yourself if it's worth bothering to fix (menu item order might not change that often, so maybe you're fine with certain rules being a bit prone to breakage; if your rule hides the first post in your timeline you really do need to fix that one!)

-

And, of course, a note for you web developers out there: :has() isn't natively supported in Firefox quite yet, so you can't really use it (I would not recommend using JQuery's simulated version—it's not quite the same). And :has-text() is just not a thing for CSS at all. Just use javascript at that point! Edit: No longer true in 2024; style away!

Final note: any rule with a random 5-character string like g8SYn will eventually break when Tumblr rebuilds its CSS map, though they haven't done that in ages. But when they do: no, it's not "Tumblr devs breaking our rules because they hate us." (Yes, I hear that sentiment a lot in contexts when it almost always makes zero sense.) If you're fairly experienced with CSS you can sometimes make Stylus/uBlock Origin rules that don't reference any, but it's usually convoluted and more trouble than it's worth.