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Take Care Of Business
40s!Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x Mechanic!Reader
gif belongs to babyrooster
Summary: The last time you met Lieutenant Jake Seresin, the war was still ongoing and youâd been in a floundering engagement. Back then youâd seen the possibility for more in his eyes, and now? Well, now you could explore it.
Warnings: mentions of period accurate sexism, mentions of a cheating fiancee. copious amounts of fluff, seriously you may overdose
Notes: OMG ITS HERE ITS ACTUALLY FINISHED!!! thank you so sosososososos much to @hangmanssunnies for your endless endless ENDLESS love and encouragement during the last year writing this, and also to @ussgallifrey, who was super supportive during the earliest versions of this fic <3 i can't believe its heeerrreeee
1946
You canât help but let out a laugh as youâre guided through the busy dance hall, barely missing a waiter with a large tray of drinks as you go. You try to call back an apology, but the hand wrapped around your wrist is already dragging you away, weaving in and out of the crowds of dancers and party-goers.
Youâd almost forgotten what the atmosphere in a place like this could be like, exuberant and daring, and now that the war was officially over, lacking in any sort of melancholy.
Bea, your well meaning, but a little over-excited friend, finally seems to be slowing down, though she has one last surprise in stall for you, using your momentum to swing you around to her side with a strength such a small woman certainly shouldnât possess.
âThere she is!â a male voice, deep and pleasant, greets from somewhere in front of you, and you give your head a quick shake, attempting to get your bearings now.
âSorry weâre late, sugar! Had a lipstick emergency!â Bea says only half truthfully, stepping away from your side momentarily to allow a handsome moustachioed man to lean down and kiss her cheek.
You canât help but smile at the sweet display. Bea had been telling you all about Bradley Bradshaw for weeks now, and if even half of what sheâd told you was true, you already liked him immensely for treating your friend so well.
âAnd this must be the famous Ducky Iâve heard all about,â honey coloured eyes swivel away from Bea and land on you, making you remember yourself.
âItâs so good to meet you at last, Lieutenant Bradshaw!â you shake his offered hand warmly.
âPlease just call me Bradleyâ or Rooster!â he gently corrects you, before he hums, and shoots Bea a suspicious look.
âDo you think sheâs adding us birds to some sort of collection?â he asks conspiratorially, the question making you laugh genuinely at the absurdity.
Bea huffs, shakes her head, and smacks his arm, trying her best to fight off the grin on her lips.
âAll Iâll say Rooster, is that youâd best treat her right, or she will hunt you for sport,â you lean in and reply, receiving your own smack for your trouble. Roosterâs face turns bright and he laughs, pulling Bea near with his arm around her.
âI can believe that, yes maâam,â they look at each other with barely concealed adoration, and it makes your heart clench a little in your chest. Youâre quickly distracted though, with the sudden and rowdy approach of six other people, all dressed to the nines like everyone else around you. Rooster seems unfazed by their appearance, though he tears his eyes away from Bea to glance around at the now much larger group you were in.
âFellas, you all know Bea already, and this is Beaâs friend, Ducky,â he easily introduces you to the six newcomers, all men except for a tall, beautiful brunette woman who looked like she could eat every single one of them for breakfast. A flurry of handshakes and names are exchanged, and youâre surprised by just how quickly you feel totally absorbed by the group of Naval Aviators, like youâd known them all for years and were just catching up again.
âIâm spotting a free table, north west!â the man who held the youngest looking features of the group, Fanboy you believe heâd introduced himself as, pipes up, pointing over everyone's heads to the large round table that was currently being cleaned up. Before you can even process it, the entire group is migrating casually toward the table, Rooster catching the arm of the waiter before he leaves, putting a round in, you assume.
You find yourself next to Bob, who sends you an adorably awkward little grin as he pulls out your chair for you, and you thank him sincerely. Despite the gentlemanly gesture, the moment youâre comfortable, heâs taking his own seat, and once more totally absorbed by the woman youâd learn was named Phoenix, or Nat. You hadnât noticed it earlier, too distracted by all the new faces, and their excitable personalities, but Bob was clearly, utterly enamoured by Phoenix, and it looked like the feeling was returned, if perhaps a little less obviously
âHey, Javy, whereâs your other half?â Bea is sat a few places down from you, her hand wrapped through Roosterâs arm. A man on the opposite side of the table waves his hand over his shoulder.
âHeâs coming, probably caught his reflection in a glass,â Javy snorts.
âI wanted to introduce him to Ducky!â Bea pouts, and her words make you frown.
âPardon?â you say pointedly, leaning around Bob and Phoenix to look at Bea with a frown. Rooster seems to be matching your expression, and he cocks his head at his partner.
âDucky is far too nice for him,â Rooster says, but you get the feeling he doesnât really mean it.
âOh come off it, Ducks, you could do with meeting someone new!â Bea rolls her eyes, but her voice is imploring.
Your frown deepens just a little bit, but you arenât too angry. It wasnât as if sheâd tricked you into a double date or anything. There were plenty of other seemingly solo people around that youâre sure any awkwardness could easily be avoided if you managed to stick by Bob and Phoenix.
âIâm afraid that I wonât be able to help you there, Honey Bea,â A smooth male voice purrs from behind you, and you almost jump at the hand that comes to rest warmly on your shoulder. You turn quickly in no small amount of surprise at the person apparently so close, but any further thought is cut off when your eyes properly take in the handsome face smirking coquettishly down at you.
Youâre so surprised, you gasp daintily, fumbling to your feet so that you can greet him properly.
âHangman!â you welcome him excitedly, happily accepting the hand he offers to help you up.
âJake,â he corrects gently, and you feel foolish for laughing.
âJake!â you repeat fondly, caught up in staring at him.
âYou two already know each other?â Bea sounds put out, but intrigued, and you manage to tear your gaze away from Jake for a few moments to focus on her.
âOh, Ducky and I go way back,â Jake tells her, at first offering no more explanation.
âWe met during the war,â you explain to her, opening your mouth to continue on that he had been a friend of your fianceâs, but you stop yourself. Jake had been your friend long before youâd found out he knew your ex-fiance.
âBest damn aircraft mechanic Iâve ever had,â Jake adds, sounding proud as he brings your hand that he still holds up to his lips. Phoenix jerks then, blinking quickly around the otherâs and then up at Jake with a growing smile.
âWait, youâre the Ducky?! Jakeâs Ducky?!â She questions in no small amount of disbelief. Thereâs a quiet chitter of understanding and awe that briefly overcomes the table, and youâre about to ask what it is she means by that, when Jake squeezes your hand and draws your attention, all the while shooting Phoenix a dirty look.
âStop interrupting,â he scolds needlessly, and draws you closer.
Your chest flutters, but youâre distracted from the butterflies caused by being described as âJakeâs Duckyâ, and instead distracted by an odd look on the blondâs face. It quickly turns a little darker, and you canât help but notice the brief flicker of his eyes down to the hand he still holds.
âWhere is the old man, then?â Jake tilts his head at you, and then quickly around at the crowded club, seemingly a little stiff now. You suck in a breath, realising now what heâd been confused by.
Clearing your throat, you take your left hand back from him with only a small amount of effort, before smoothing down your frock primly. Suddenly his closeness was nerve wracking as you feel him studying your features.
âProbably with his new wife. I havenât exactly been keeping up,â you canât help but scold yourself for the sass and bitterness in your tone. It just wasnât classy. Jake seems to jolt as he processes your words, and for several more moments he stares down at you with an unreadable expression, before at last a tiny crease pulls between his brows, and his lips purse.
âI never liked him, anyway,â Jake says the words flippantly, and you know itâs supposed to be a joke, but his still taut expression and lack of humour in his voice tell you otherwise.
âNever good enough for you. To you,â he goes on quieter, so no one else can hear but you. You look down at your skirt, heart thumping away rapidly in your chest even as you shrug.
âWell, itâs probably for the best,â you do your best to shake off any residual foul mood and nerves, straightening up. Your lips curl back into a smile as you look back up at him once more. It felt nearly impossible to be melancholy when you knew Jake was around.
âItâs so good to see you again,â you tell him earnestly, and watch as Jakeâs face softens. He takes your hand again, keeping eye contact as he lifts it to his lips and kisses it once more, this time, right where your old engagement ring would have been.
âI imagine,â he smirks, bouncing an eyebrow at you. You scoff, but grin even as you roll your eyes.
âYouâre supposed to say âyou tooâ!â you scold with no conviction as Jake rounds your seat, not even releasing your hand when, helping you back into your chair before he quickly folds himself into the empty space beside you. He simply shrugs at you, making a point of pulling his chair closer to yours, before his eyes flicker past you to land on Rooster and Bea.
âSorry to ruin your little setup,â he doesnât sound very sorry at all, though you doubt Bea was feeling too upset, not with the way she was looking between you and Jake with glee in her eyes.
âHey, wasnât my plan. I think sheâs too good for you,â Rooster chortles, catching the fist Bea attempts to sock him with, and kissing it instead.
Jake ignores Rooster, and instead cuts his gaze down at you, leaning in so only youâll hear him.
âHow long have you been in San Diego? Are you staying?â he asks, sounding excited by the idea. When you turn to face him fully, his nearness is so much that if only for proprietyâs sake, youâre forced to pull back from him as you talk.
âSix months now. I met Bea on the boat coming home from London, she convinced me not to go back to New York after⌠everything.â you tell him, realising suddenly what incredible luck you must have that you just so happened to run into one another when youâd resigned yourself to never seeing him again.
âIâm glad.â he says, pinning you in place when you feel his hand reach out and take yours from where it rests on your lap. Your heart thumps heavily at his brazenness, but it also sets you alight with a hopeful flame that in recent months you had come to realise you always had, but never allowed yourself to take notice of or indulge before.
The thoughts make your face boil, and you avert your gaze, your free hand shaking just a little as you reach for the glass of water that had been poured for you earlier.
âOh, Ducky,â Jake sighs affectionately, leaning away from you at last, but tightening his grip around your fingers. You finally get the courage to glance up at him sheepishly, only to find him grinning down at you cheshire-like.
âMy little sitting Ducky,â he continues, his smile only continuing to grow.
You know you should probably feel more trepidation about his sudden forwardness, but the only thing that you feel pumping through your veins is the exhilarating thrill at the thought of Jake calling you âhisâ anything after so long of secretly wishing it to be true.
The way he looks at you feels positively predatory, and under his blistering hunterâs stare, you really are his sitting duck.
1942
The rain batters down against the airfield in what you knew would only prove to be ugly flying weather tonight, and you quickly send out a prayer of luck on behalf of the pilot you know by handwriting alone. Your time as an aircraft mechanic had officially come to an end, not for any good or decent reason, mind you, but for the sole fact that someone had suddenly decided that an active airfield was no place for a woman.
Nevermind that you were the best mechanic in the hangar, your colleagues had stroppily resented your presence from day one, and your true purpose as an additional engineer was forcibly concealed. Instead, youâd had to pretend you were a secretary around any actual personnel, especially the pilots, and once the hangar was clear for the day, you would be at last allowed to perform your actual job.
Youâd gotten the impression fairly quickly that your coworkers shunted off the hardest to please, fussiest pilot, onto you, hoping you might fail at the first hurdle under the sheer amount of work this âHangmanâ seemed to demand. Unfortunately for them, youâd had no problem meeting the brief, and day after day that the planes were towed into the hangar for repairs, the stack of memos detailing Hangmanâs complaints that always accompanied his aircraft grew smaller and smaller.
And then one day, instead of a plane to fix and a list of notes, you had a letter shoved into your hands, the contents of which was a written apology from one Lieutenant Jake âHangmanâ Seresin, informing you that heâd heâd been shot down, and all your hard work over the past weeks was now engulfed in flame somewhere in Italy. Youâd immediately penned a reply, not caring at all about the state of his aircraft, and expressing your relief that he had made it out safely. Youâd had to sign it off using a pseudonym, your own name would have gone against your bossâs wishes, and a fake name would be easily found out on an active military base.
Youâd gone with âDuckyâ, the callsign your father had used during the Great War, and from then on out, it had stuck.
Lieutenant Seresin had been sent back to the airfield eventually, and youâd both gone back to business as usual for several months. His battered bomber would be towed into the hangar for repairs, but gone were his blunt instructions, in their place he left short personal letters usually detailing his most recent flights, and only sometimes with requests about fixtures to be made. You would then leave your own reply for him to find when the plane was returned back to the runway, and so on, so forth.Â
At least, that's how things had been carrying on until this morning, when youâd been abruptly dismissed by the airfieldâs second in command, a snivelling man who had informed you they had ended your auxiliary work here, as it was apparently no place for a woman to be.
Youâd wanted to shout and demand explanations, to demand your colleagues defend your worth, but they'd all remained silent, and youâd quickly been escorted off to pack your things with tears stinging your eyes.
You canât help but wonder if your secret somehow got out, by the doing of jealous coworkers, and if perhaps Hangman hadnât been so pleased with you upon finding out that youâre a woman.
The heavy rainfall makes it difficult for you and your bags to get across to the waiting transport plane, but the war stopped for nobody, so youâd wound up in the back of the empty aircraft, your clothes and things all but totally soaked. Youâd been told the plane wouldnât leave until the storm died down, so youâd huddled onto one of the benches miserably and tried to get warm, but you felt yourself filled with a deeper coldness than simply the biting european air.
You sit and stare out the back of the planeâs fuselage, simply taking in the distant ebb and flow of the airfield, a flurry of activity that wouldn't stop just because of some rain. It comforted you in a way, to know this place would carry on, but there was a deeper part of you that worried for them. You werenât a braggart, but you knew you were the best mechanic here, taking not just pride in your work, but joy and passion too. It concerns you what may happen to the pilots in the future.
But, it was much too late for you to do anything else now. Perhaps if youâd been brave enough from the start to demand your recognition all along, this wouldn't be the case, but you think that perhaps theyâd have just gotten rid of you sooner.
And then you notice something very odd.
All of a sudden out of the pouring sheets of rain, a covered military jeep comes tearing into sight, its driver in some kind of rush despite the slow lazy movement of everything else in this weather. You blink in surprise as the car skids right up to the plane youâre in, and jump up when it at last comes to a full stop only a few feet from the ramp. You canât help but take a step back when the door flings open, and you watch as a tall, handsome man bounds out, clearly with urgent business to attend.
The man quickly moves up the plane ramp toward you, ducking out of the rain and taking a moment to fix his hair briefly before he straightens fully again. You stare at him with widened eyes, taking in the aviation uniform he wears, complete with gold wings that seem to glint blindingly despite the lack of sunlight on them. He pauses at the top of the ramp, and you almost jump back again at the intensity of his gaze when his bright green eyes narrow at you.
âNow, now, Ducky, donât you know itâs rude to leave without saying goodbye?â the lazy southern drawl to the manâs voice surprises you so much that you almost donât notice the familiarity with which he speaks to you.
âIâm sorry?!â you blurt dumbly. The blonde nods acceptingly, and steps forward, placing his hands on his hips.
âI should hope so! You think Kirk is gonna send me letters the next time I get shot down?â he asks scoldingly, but his casual mention of what would have been certain death for any other pilot is what finally snaps you from your shock.
âYou'll get more than just a letter from me the next time youâre shot down!â you say crossly, finding yourself none-too-pleased by his nonchalant attitude toward the subject. Your threat makes a smirk form on the blondeâs lips, and at last he seems to stop his baseless tirade in favour of giving you a very blatant once over. Youâre more subtle in your own assessment. A quick glance at the name pinned just below his gold wings confirms your suspicions about who it is you talk to, and when you snap your eyes back to his face, you find heâs already watching you closely.
âFor what itâs worth, Iâve known youâre a woman for quite some time,â Hangman says, somehow both seriously and flippantly at the same time, waving his hand dismissively. Your brows furrow and you open your mouth to defend yourself, but shut it again quickly when you realise youâre unsure of what youâd say. âI first suspected when the repair hangar suddenly had a secretary who made terrible coffee. They arenât sending anyone who makes shitty coffee this close to Italy. No offence.â
You feel like you should be insulted by his words, but truthfully, youâd made the joe that bad on purpose out of pure spite, until they stopped asking you to fetch it. The two of you continue to stare at one another for a few seconds, before you shift your eyes away from him, swallowing thickly as you begin to fidget with your still damp sleeve.
âThe otherâs thought it best that the pilotâs didnât know a woman was working on their planesâŚâ you try to explain. Hangman immediately scoffs at your words, and you eye him cautiously as he flings a hand out behind him, toward the entrance of the transport plane and in the vague direction of where the bombers are lined up on the tarmac, their bright colours obscured by the heavy rain.
âDucky,â he begins dryly, âWe paint our planes with women, we name our planes after our women,â he tells you, his smirk tipping up into pure amusement now, an eyebrow following. âBesides, I ainât ever known a pilot whoâs intimidated by a little skirt, especially around our machines,â he purrs, lowering his voice flirtatiously. Your face immediately heats up at his insinuation, and you canât help but tut disapprovingly at him, even if you did appreciate his other sentiments. You fold your arms over your chest in disapproval while Hangman chortles at your clear bashfulness.
âI mean it, Ducky, please donât go,â the pilot all but begs you then, his tone suddenly serious. He steps closer again, forcing you to look up at him in the gloomy dark of the plane.
âIâ Iâm not leaving because I want to, Lieutenant,â you tell him somberly, dropping your gaze again when you find his stare too intense. âI was told to leave.âÂ
Hangman scoffs again, and adjusts his stance.
âRight, and Iâve just come from dangling my ass in front of a court martial, or seven, to make sure that order is belayed.â he informs you much too casually. You sputter at his mention of possible charges on your behalf, your arms falling unfolded again as you take a half-step forward in panic.
âWâwhat?! What did you do?!â you demand, half worried, half furious.Â
Hangman grins widely at your clear exasperation, and tips his chin up cockily. You get the sudden feeling he enjoys ticking you off and making you nervous.
âWell, they canât expect me to remain their best pilot if I donât have my best girl working on my other best girl,â he tells you slowly, as if it should have been completely obvious already. Your face gets even hotter at his clear flirting, guilt strumming in your stomach at the way your chest flutters despite your relationship status. However, before youâre able to rebuke him by pointing out the ring you wear, the handsome blond makes a show of digging into his breast pocket, and pulling out a crumpled, coffee stained letter, holding it out towards you.
You hesitantly step closer to take it from him, feeling his bright, intense gaze return to yours, as you unfold and quickly look over the typed missive. Itâs only a few lines long, and signed at the bottom, so you find yourself hurriedly meeting his eye again.
âYou did this for me?â you ask, voice now watery. Hangman stares down at you, looking suddenly less cocky and sure of himself, taken aback by your clear emotional response.
â... Technically, I did this for me.â he corrects unconvincingly, voice lilting to sound dismissive, but you barely hear him, and certainly donât care for his posturing.
âThank you!â you gush, feeling a massive weight lift form your chest for the first time all morning. The pilot blinks down at you, stiffly taking in the tears that you try to wipe away with the back of your hand.
âHowâre you supposed to drag me back by the ear the next time I get shot down, if youâre not here?â He changes the subject slightly, but only earns a small laugh in reply, not a further telling off, which heâd hoped might distract you from your tears.
âI think that will be the least I owe you after this.â you sniffle. The pilot shuffles uncomfortably, and raises a hand to scratch nervously at the back of his head, unable to sidestep the emotional centre of this interaction like heâd wanted to, but he chooses to wade through it, for you.
âYou donât owe me a damn thing, Ducky, really,â Hangman sighs, speaking tiredly, but firmly. âYouâre the best aircraft mechanic Iâve ever had, probably that any of us have had. Shouldnât matter if youâre a woman.â he hopes he sounds sincere. You hold the belayed order to your chest, and with a wobbling lip stare up at him like he was the sun itself.
You donât realise this is the exact moment Lieutenant Jake âHangmanâ Seresin falls completely in love with you, but as he eyes the shiny engagement ring you wear, he does.
1946
You try to ignore the way Bea stares at you and Jake for the next half hour as you catch up, and eventually, you are able to brush off her pointed looks and coquettish smiles. The other Daggers, Rooster and Phoenix particularly, show no such subtly in the way they seem to watch Jake interact with you. Phoenix had even grown a smug little smile in the last few minutes and had begun teasingly questioning Jake about the tender way in which he had taken up your hand and absolutely refused to let it go.
You get the feeling they know something you donât, but you donât feel that poorly over it, not when Hangman, Jake, has his hand in yours, his thumb caressing back and forth in little circles everytime you seem to go quiet.
Eventually, tiring of the clear teasing at his expense, Jake rolls his eyes and clears his throat. Fixing you in his gaze fully, he squeezes your hand and gets to his feet.
âI think weâve both answered more than enough of your questions, Ducky, dance with me?�� he doesnât wait for your answer, but you would have said yes anyway, and, with a final glance back at the table as if to apologise for the sudden exit, youâre tugged gently away and almost immediately find yourself wrapped up on the dancefloor.
âIâm sorry if Iâm rusty, itâs been a while since I danced properly,â you say nervously, feeling slightly lightheaded as Jakeâs free hand moves to take hold of your waist firmly. His lips flick up, but he fakes a frown anyway, lowering his chin at you. Youâre so close now you can feel yourself pressed right against the front of his pristine dress whites, feel the gold buttons through the tulle of your dress.
âI would have thought youâd be out dancing all the time now, fiancee or not,â Jake replies smoothly, making you shift your gaze away from him for a moment.
âItâs hardly wise to spend all my time dancing when I can barely find a jobâŚâ you say quietly, chewing on your lower lip, before you finally look back up at him. âIf Iâm honest, I hadnât thought Iâd still be working, once the war was over.â
Jakeâs features lose any of their humour and he purses his lips.
âNo, Iâd have thought not⌠you should be being looked after by a good man, living a good life, taken dancing whenever youâd like and youâd never be rusty.â he tells you seriously. You canât help but smile warmly at him and shrug a little in his hold.
âI think what I should do is adjust my expectations,â you say, inhaling sharply when his hold on your tightens, and he seems to pull you even nearer, if possible.
âIâm afraid that is absolutely unacceptable,â he tells you with a vehement shake of his head. âI think weâre going to have to do something about it, arenât we?â
Butterflies errupt in your stomach, and unable to bear looking at him any more, you gently pull your hands from his, and wrap them around his neck. Your head rests softly on his chest, Jake quickly adjusting to meet your new stance in a way that suggested to you heâd imagined holding you like this for some time. You squeeze your eyes shut and let out a soft sigh.
âThank you, Jake.â You say quietly, only knowing for sure that heâs heard you by the way he gently squeezes your waist in response.
âFor what, darlinâ?â
âFor everything. For always coming back like I asked, despite your terrible habit of only ever returning with about half as much plane as I sent you out with, for believing in me, and fighting for me, and always being there for me, even when Grey wasnât.â
Jake stays quiet for a beat, his grip on you never wavering, and for a few moments the two of you just sway.
âIt never felt right, knowing what I did about him, how he behaved, and keeping it from you⌠I⌠I felt so guilty all this time thinkinâ youâd been married to a man I knew didnât deserve you, knowing I should have said something.â
Itâs your turn to stay quiet, though eventually you shift your face up so that you can look at him. For the first time ever, Jake struggles to make eye contact with you, but when you begin gently smoothing over the hair at the back of his neck he meets your gaze. You smile sadly and shake your head.
âI knew,â you tell him, watching how his expression shifts from guilt-ridden to pained, and he opens his mouth, but you cut him off. âI didnât want to believe it, and if youâd tried to tell me, I wouldnât have believed you.â You continue stroking the back of his hair as if to comfort him. âAnd now I can still look fondly back on that time. In my mind, I will always think more of you looking out for me on his behalf, more than I think of him.â you admit.
Jake purses his lips and frowns.
âHe never once asked me to do that for you, I couldnât believe it, even when he knew we were stationed together. I woulda made sure you had someone you could trust, rely on, especially given how the other mechanics treated you.â He sounds so angry, and you canât help but blink up at him in surprise.
âGrey never asked you to look out for me?â you ask, a fresh sting cutting your heart. You were long over your cheating, good for nothing ex-fiancee, but occasionally on nights like tonight, you felt the hurt once again. Jake takes in your surprise and hesitates for a moment before shaking his head.
âNo. I wonât give him credit for that, Iâm sorry sweetheart.â
You stop swaying, pausing for a moment to stare up at him, and then you canât help yourself, you lean up and press a soft kiss to his cheek.
âThank you, Jake.â you say once more. When you pull away, Jake studies you for a while, before he slides his hands up to take yours, suddenly spinning you out, and then back in, where he catches you seemingly with his entire body, hands quickly wrapping you up securely again as you gasp.
âWhy so surprised, honey? Iâve never made a secret of how much I adore you?â He teases you, making you stutter.
âY-yes well, you were usuaully far more subtle about it!â you attempt to defend. Jakeâs face breaks out in a grin, but he eyes you sardonically anyway.
âIâm glad my restraint didnât go unnoticed. I could easily have seduced you away back then,â he tells you wryly. You frown.
âI donât think thatâs trueâŚâ you argue, but Jake only smiles.
âLet me believe, honey,â he implores, making you laugh.
You fall into a comfortable quiet then, and happily let Jake twirl you around the dancefloor, shaking off any rust you may have obtained in the months since youâd last been out like this. After once more spinning you away and catching you again, you meet together with your faces much too close to be proper, but you hardly care with the way he looks down at you.
âThe moment I saw you sitting in the back of that transport plane, I knew for sure you were my dream girl, you know that?â he tells you breathlessly. âI spent my entire recovery when I was shot down daydreaming about you, rereading every letter you wrote me.â
âYouâre just trying to charm me now!â you accuse playfully. Jake chortles, and shakes his head.
âI told all my nurses about you, how I was going to marry you when the war was over,â he says, making your heart skip several beats.
âAnd all because I fixed your plane up real good?â you ask, unsure how else to respond. Jake raises an eyebrow and fixes you with an amused expression.
âClearly you donât grasp how attractive that is.â
âClearly I donât.â
âI hope my being unavailable didnât hurt you, back then,â you say softly, surprised when Jake only shrugs minimally.
âOther than curbing my ability to seduce you, I knew one way or the other things would work out,â he tells you, sounding oddly serious. You blink at him, but cock your head slightly.
âI suppose they have, havenât they?â
âI knew you liked me,â Jake says teasingly, leaning his face even closer to yours so that your noses almost touch. You roll your eyes, but donât move back.
âHow could I not? Iâve spent the last year feeling like a fool because I thought Iâd never see you again!â you reply, lamenting the wasted time.
Jake hums, making you suck in a breath when he presses a kiss to your forehead.
âIâve been looking for you, but I didnât even know your full name, or if youâd had it changed⌠But Iâd never have left you, not when you never left me, no matter how many planes of yours I got shot out of.â
âPlease donât ruin this moment by reminding me,â you scold him, making the blond laugh. After a few beats of swaying together, you wrap your hands back around his neck and lean into him. You feel Jakeâs head come to rest on yours, the both of you looking out at the dancefloor, where you spot Rooster and Bea dancing alongside Pheonix and Bob.
âWho do you think will have the wedding bells ringing first?â you ask wistuflly. Jake takes a moment to answer, humming briefly before he replies.
âUs.â He tells you matter of factly.
You can't help but giggle, and blindly smack his shoulder lightly.
âYouâre hopeless!â you say, shaking your head where it lays against his chest. Jake only tightens his hold on you.
âCanât let those nurses down, can I? They told me I had to marry you if you still hadnât left me after the amount of times I was shot down.â
Against him you grumble, and poke his neck a little more forcefully.
âI wouldnât recommend tyring that again,â you say darkly. You feel the man straighten ever so slightly, his head bobbing as he nods.
âYes maâam.â He affirms. You stay dancing closely, wrapped up in one another until he speaks again. âWill you come down to base tomorrow, look over my plane?â He asks quietly, and you canât help but grin. Pulling back from him, you gaze into his green eyes, finding pure hope and adoration there.
âOnly if you kiss me first.â
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âSomething Moreâ
Jake âHangmanâ Seresin x Reader
Content: angst, some swearing, suicidal ideation, sadness, HEA though!!!
Iâd like to apologize for being MIA, itâs been a rough few weeks/month. Iâm trying to make my comeback so bear with me as I try to get through the asks and drafts I have. Thank you for your patience and enjoy some angst with Jakey boy đ
You were looking out the window, sighing up at the moonlight when Jake found you. You were wrapped in a fluffy blanket and a cup of tea was placed in your hands when heâd walked upstairs to your reading nook.
He watched as you seemingly ignored (or not noticed) his presence and he couldnât help but smile. Itâs been a while since heâd seen you look relaxed. Not since the last mission you were both sent on.
The mission was supposed to be an âin and outâ situation. Get the goods, bomb the shelter, and fly out. Thatâs what Maverick told you both anyway. Though youâd both been dating, you were allowed to fly together. Since no one but Bradley and Natasha knew you were together, you were both able to get away with it.
This mission changed that.
When your jet was shot down, Bradley spilled all the secrets. He told maverick that youâd both been dating, in an attempt to have you both saved at the same time. Jake knew his friend did it to save you both from heartbreak, but also because they would have chosen to save you firstâbeing a woman and all.
Jake didnât want to think about it.
No, instead he shakes the thoughts out of his head before approaching you with a sly smile. At the creaking of the wood flooring, he watched as your head swung to face himâyour hands gripping the mug so tightly your knuckles were turning white.
âI didnât realize you were standing there,â you said. âIs there something wrong?â
âNope, just checking on my favorite person.â Jakeâs eyes raked down your body, stopping at the boot on your foot. âHowâs the foot feeling?â
How are you feeling? He wanted to ask.
âItâs fine. Iâm fine,â you tell him. You flash him a tight smile before turning back to the window. âWhatâs the real reason youâre creeping around the house for?â
Jake sighs, taking a moment to kneel next to you before he says his next words.
âAre you okay?â He asks.
You snort, rolling your eyes. âNot really but Iâm dealing with it.â
âWe can alwaysââ
âDonât say it.â He knew you knew what he was going to suggest.
Heâd suggested therapy, even coupleâs therapy if it made you comfortable. But like the first time heâd suggested it, you closed off. He was the same way when Bradley had told him to start going three months ago. Jake didnât want to go, he wanted to deal with his feelings himselfâjust like you were now. But once heâd gone, he couldnât get enough of it. The feeling of relief he felt after the first visit was enough to get him to change his mind about therapy all together.
âBaby,â he started, trying not to sound too eager or nagging. âI think itâll really help.â
âJake,â you started. âDo you know why I donât want to go? I donât want to go because I know what theyâll say. I know what happened wasnât my fault but it feels like it is.â
He watches as your face falls a bit before you compose yourself and sniffle. His heart broke to see you so down and wanting to give up. In the two years youâd been together and the five since heâd known you, you were always so strong. You never cried, never complained. You didnât even cry when you fell off the ladder going into the back of the jet two years ago and twisted the shit out of your ankle.
No, you were headstrong and unmoving. So to see you uncaring and wanting to give up, hurt him more than anything in the world.
Bullets hurt less than this.
âI shouldnât have let you fly with me,â Jake whispers, looking down at his hands by your thigh. âI shouldâve asked Mav to move you with Bradshaw, forced you to stay behind. I shouldâveââ
âYou couldnât have known what was coming,â you tell him. âNo one couldâve known.â
âSo then why do you take the blame yourself?â He asks you, head shooting up to look at you. âWhy canât you let me take some of the blame?â
âBecause I want you to have that peace of mind that you werenât at fault!â You exclaim, scaring yourself. âI couldâve done better. I shouldâve done better.â
Jake takes your hand, putting the mug on the floor away from him. His green eyes search yours for any hint of the person you once were before that awful mission.
But you were gone.
You were there, but you were gone.
The person he fell in love with was broken, maybe just resting behind that broken shell you put out. Your eyes seemed vacant and your face paler than normal, almost a ghost of who had been. He wouldnât allow it to over take you, he couldnât.
âYou are so much more than what you think you are.â He watches as your eyes water, brows furrowing in thought and sadness. âOur jet getting shot down was not your fault. If anything, itâs our fault.â
âJakeââ
âNo,â he starts. âYouâre everything I need and where you need to be. Donât ever think youâre less than that because of a mistake we both made.â
He watches you intently, almost begging with his eyes for you to take in his words. He wanted a reaction, something to show youâd understood his words and took them into your heart.
âYouâre so much more than you think you are,â he continued. His eyes water as he says, âI need you to know youâre something more than what you think you are. I need you to know that what happened falls in both of us and if you think youâre a shitty person, then so am I.â
Jake couldnât contain the tears now. He cried, wiping his eyes quickly before looking and searching yours for any sort of emotion. He was surprised to find that youâd finally shown an ounce of compassion for himâfor yourself. Your hands cradle his face before you press your lips against his, kissing him firmly and deeply with tears falling from your eyes.
âOkay,â you tell him. âIâll try to do better. For you.â
Jake hugs you, burying his face into your neck and inhaling deeply.
âJust so you donât call yourself a shitty person,â you add with a small chuckle.
He pulls away with a soft smile before pecking you in the lips. âI love you.â
âI love you more.â
Jake thought you were talking out of your ass to get him to stop crying. But when you asked to join him the next day at his therapy session, he knew youâd meant it. Though he knew itâd take a bit to get you back to how you were before the mission, he was glad you wanted to take the next steps to recoverâto heal.
Because he knew you wanted to be more than your failure.
He knew you wanted to get better.
And god, did he pray that you could be. Because he knew you were in there. And he couldnât wait to see you become something more.
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indifferent
pairing: jake 'hangman' seresin x f!reader
word count: 2.4k
summary: a year ago, the sight of jake seresin would've sent her into a flurry of tears. now, as she stares at him chatting up the bleach-blonde at the bar, all she feels is a deep hatred for the man who charmed the room with his stupid texan accent and encapsulating green eyes.
warnings: 18+ MDNI!!! seriously, this is actually a lot more smutty than usual for me; this is my first attempt at more serious smut so it's not good but we're trying new things!; angsty yet fluffy; exes to enemies to lovers (these two hate each other); no use of Y/N; sort of mean!jake, but not really; reader is described as wearing a skirt
based on megan moroney's 'indifferent'
-
As she walks into the Hard Deck, she's convinced the universe is doing everything it can to royally fuck her over.
She'd hoped for a nice night with some random but handsome Naval personnel, make him pay for drinks, give him a rather steamy and heavy make out session, and leave before it can go any further. When she enters from the beach side doors, her eyes scan the room for...Brayden? Brandon? Brian? She couldn't really remember the name attached to his Tinder profile, only remembering the beauty of a Bronco in his pictures, but he wasn't important. What was really important was the spine-chilling hate crawling up her chest as she spots the khaki-uniform-clad blonde at the bar.
Jake fucking Seresin.
Her eyes narrow, knowing her night had already soured, and it hadn't even started. She and Jake had a....history, of sorts. By history she meant deep-seeded rage and hatred for one another after a failed relationship. A year ago, she had been in a mutually exclusive relationship with the aforementioned Lieutenant Seresin, well, one she had thought had been mutually exclusive. Until she found herself worrying and fretting every time he went out with his friends. And her gut had been right, because only six months into the relationship she'd had the dreaded 'hey girl, is this your man?' message sitting in her Instagram DM. When he came home that night and had denied it all, vehemently, she might add, it had escalated to a screaming match and her storming out of the house. From that moment on, she hadn't even bothered to check-in on what he was doing in his life. She hated Jake Seresin, and as much as she told herself she was indifferent to what he was doing with the bleach-blonde giggling next to him at the bar, she knew her skin itched to ruin his night.
Instead, she decided to be the bigger person. In her direct line of vision, she found an empty table in the corner and made her way towards it. She had passed the bar successfully, and she was merely inches away from taking her claim on the seat when his southern accent tumbles into her ears.
"Didn't expect to see you here, darlin'."
Fuck me now.
She takes a deep breath before turning around meeting his tall figure. He hadn't changed, still muscular and broad, big green eyes and well-kept blonde hair. She rolls her eyes, tapping her nails against the table nonchalantly. She didn't care about him, and she would not fall victim to his charms-never again.
"What do you want, Seresin?"
His eyes widen, a shit-eating grin creeping on his face as he raises his hands in mock surrender.
"Damn, sweetheart, I'm just sayin' hello."
"Yeah I bet. Hey, Jake. Now, you better scurry back to your girl at the bar before she gets scooped up by one of your little Navy buddies."
He looks back at Coyote's girlfriend he had been casually catching up with, certainly not flirting, but if it riled up the girl in front of him, well, then he'd play into it. Jake shrugs, sliding his hands into his pockets.
"Not too worried about it, not really interested."
Yeah, I bet.
"So what do you want with me? Because you're not here to play catch up, Seresin."
Jake takes a good look at her, she's obviously here for a date. Her outfit is casual enough for the bar, but accents her curves enough to attract some appeal. Even enough to make his own pants feel tight. Whoever she was here with was one damn lucky man, no matter how jealousy burned at Jake's chest.
"You look good tonight."
She audibly scoffs, rolling her eyes at the compliment.
"If you're here to grovel about what happened, save it. You should've done that a year ago."
Jake bristles, annoyed. Their blow-up fight had been a simple case of misunderstanding. He hadn't been flirting with the girl at the bar that night, he'd been helping her escape a creep who had been following her around the bar. He had to admit, the photo had been a little...compromising, when taken out of context. She'd never even given him a chance to explain himself before blowing it out of the water. They'd both yelled at one another, not bothering to hear either side of the other's statements. She left full of shaking anger, and he hadn't seen her since, until now.
"Maybe I could've groveled if you would've listened to me for two damn minutes."
She swings her head around, her own feelings bristling as she raises her voice.
"Listen to you?! The evidence was pretty damn convincing, Jake!"
He breathes deeply, cutting his green eyes to Phoenix standing at the pool table. The brunette lifts a brow in his direction. Jake knows this is going to escalate quickly, both of their tempers flaring, and for the sake of not ruining his reputation in front of his coworkers, he grips her arm and takes her outside to the parking lot.
"What the fuck are you doing?! Get your hands off of me!"
As they approach the spot where his truck is parked, he lets go of her and she crosses her arms.
"You're yellin' at me like some kind of crazy in there. My teammates are in there-"
"Oh! God forbid the great Hangman is embarrassed in front of his friends."
She's angry, flaring with an annoyance so great she's blind to what she's saying. Jake, a man known for his ego, seems to flare in the same manner. His voice is biting when he speaks.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it!"
"I swear to God, you must get off on the idea of pissing me off!"
They're loud, yelling over one another about trivial things-her being here on a date, him flirting at the bar with another girl, stupid things that didn't amount to much, but nearly anything could fuel the fire between them. Both were still ridiculously attracted to one another, despite everything, and their feelings ran deep. Jake's face is red-between the heat of California and his searing annoyance, he had begun to work up a sweat. Not to mention how incredibly hot she looked when she was pissed. Their voices could not get any louder at one another, spouting off any detail they could think of. Finally, it draws to a head when she spits out her next sentence, her tone biting.
"You know, I fucking hate you, Jake Seresin."
Jake chuckles dryly, no humor lacing his tone.
"That's a harsh claim comin' from the girl givin' me fuck me eyes."
She recoils, crossing her arms over her chest. She knows he's right, despite her annoyance with him, she knows there's still a fire between them, one she tries to swallow despite her blood burning and her heart racing.
"You wish, asshole."
"Yeah, I do."
His response shocks her, his tone softer than before, but his eyes nearly predatory. He can feel his usual roomy uniform grow tight, his jaw clenched tightly. Her eyes dart between his own as they glimmer in the moonlight, and she finds herself unable to find a retort. No worries, Jake's voice oozes with charm and seduction.
"What? Cat got your tongue all of a sudden, darlin'? You sure were all talk only a few seconds ago."
"Y-You don't mean that."
Her voice comes out small and unsure, her throat feeling dry and her entire being throbbing with the tingle of desire.
"Don't mean what?"
He comes closer, eyes never falling from her own, his calloused hands coming around her hips. He almost expects her to flinch out of his touch, but she lets him hold her against his own hips. She can see and feel the evidence of his own arousal, the usual light color of his eyes dark with lust.
"You think I'd lie about wantin' you? You're a damn fool if you think that, I've thought about you since the night you ran out my door."
She stills, her heart racing as she manages to form a thought.
"Y-You cheated on me, I'm not falling for this."
She goes to turn from his hold, but his grip on her hips is tight.
"No."
His voice is firm, demanding.
"That ain't what happened. You just never gave me a second to explain it. So I'm gonna talk, and you're gonna listen, got it?"
His voice was serious, but he was never intimidating or scary. Jake might be an asshole, but he'd never lay a hand on her, not like that.
"I wasn't flirtin' with that girl, never did, not once. That girl asked me to help her, and whoever sent you pictures of us got it all out of context. I might be a dick but I wouldn't do that to you, and I thought you knew that."
She looks at him, conflicted between wanting to jump his bones or punch him square in the jaw. She settles on simply asking a question.
"So why did you never try to call me? O-Or text me to explain?"
"Would you have listened?"
She already knew the answer to that.
"No."
He raises an eyebrow, nodding his head in a knowing look. Both halves of the couple are quiet for a minute, not knowing where to go from here. She's the first to break the silence.
"So, what does this mean?"
Jake shrugs.
"Nothin' if you don't want it to. But if you want me like I want you right now, I'd be okay with that, too."
The heat-filled tension is almost palpable, both of their chests heaving with barely contained want. Jake wants nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and take her in the backseat of his truck, but this isn't his decision. It's hers-she has to decide if he's what she wants.
She cocks her head to the side before looking back up at him.
"And if I do want you like you want me?"
He feels himself twitch in his godforsaken uniform.
"Then you say the word and I'll make you forget whatever little shit you came here to meet."
In all honesty, she already had forgotten about...Bryson? Fuck, she really couldn't remember the poor guy's name.
"I swear to God, Seresin, if you don't touch me I'll lose my fucking mind."
Jake grins, pulling her flush against him.
"Well we can't have that can we, darlin'?"
His lips meet her own with little warning, a frenzy of clashing teeth and fumbling hands. Jake's hands meet on her back dangerously low, before he's placing his palms flat on her ass, pulling her up and her legs wrap around his waist. Her body flames at even the smallest stimulation, and when his hard-on meets her core, she lets out a provocative moan. Jake is going blind with an unbridled, insatiable want, and he wants-no-needs her, now.
"Baby," he grunts as her hips roll into his own. "You gotta stop that or I'm gonna take you right here in this goddamn parkin' lot."
She pulls back from his gaze, giving him a look as she breathes heavily, her lips plump from his fervor.
"When have we ever been above fucking in your back seat?"
Jake shakes his head and slams open the back door of his truck, wasting zero time tossing her lightly against the leather seats. Once, not so long ago, she would've given him shit for his ridiculous truck, but in this moment, with nothing but pure lust in her eyes, she was thankful for his spacious back seats and tinted windows. He slams the door behind him, and effectively clicks the lock attached to his keys before tossing them into the passenger side seat, his hands now free to grasp the supple flesh of her bottom. His lips return to the open plain of her neck, and she sighs, knowing he was headed towards the sweet spot in the junction of her neck and jaw. He finds it within seconds, and she chokes on a gasp. Her hands find purchase in his blonde locks, a lot less soft from the gel, but still comfortable. Jake groans against her collarbone from the sensation alone, his hips subconsciously thrusting to meet against her own. His lips travel down to the exposed top of her chest before he pulls back, tossing his uniform top and undershirt, dog tags dangling down to brush against her skin. He looks down at her with his hands grasping her hips.
"You sure about this?"
She nods, she'd never been more sure.
"I need your words, baby."
God, this man was going to kill her.
"Yeah, I'm sure, Jake."
In one swift move, he's yanking down the skirt on her hips, her undergarments with it. His knee separates her legs, leaving her completely exposed to his eyes alone. He shakes his head and tuts, smiling the infamous Hangman grin.
"As beautiful as the day I lost 'er."
He darts back down between her legs before beginning to ravish her completely. The next long stretch of time is spent with both of them completely lost in one another. The sound of skin meeting skin fills the air, mingling with cries of pleasure, mangled gasps, and the whispers of each other's names. By the time they both fall against one another after their heights, they're panting and sweating, completely sated and exhausted. The air is quiet, only their heavy breaths between them. Jake is the first to speak after a bout of nothingness.
"Who were you here to meet with anyhow? Hard Deck doesn't seem like somewhere you'd come for shits and giggles."
She takes a breath, rolling over to lie on his chest, tucking her head under his chin as his large hand grips her hip, pulling her closer.
"Met some guy on Tinder. Brayden? Bryson? I don't remember, just saw a really nice Bronco in his pictures. Seemed cute enough for a casual Friday night."
Jake's eyes widen, he moves his head to his hand, propping himself up to look down at her.
"Bradley, maybe?"
She shrugs.
"Yeah, maybe, why?"
"He got a mustache, lots of funky patterned shirts?"
She furrows her brow, wondering how he knew.
"Yeah, why?"
Jake groans as he lays back down, running a hand over his face. She giggles, leaning up to prop her head on his chest.
"What?"
Jake grins.
"I can't believe I was about to lose you to Bradshaw of all people."
She listens to him chuckle, but she doesn't return the action. She shakes her head, pushing blonde hair out of his face.
"You won't lose me, not again."
-
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âOh, Sunshineâ
Jake âHangmanâ Seresin x Reader
Summary: Jake has been acting a dick while trying to flirt with you and it's up to you to knock him down a peg...or two.
Content: Fluff, kinda asshole Jake, teasing, FLUFF
Note: your call-sign is Sunshine. Gif is from Pinterest credits to the OG creator
âSo Sunshine,â Jake drawls as he lines up to take a shot at the pool table. âWhen are you gonna show me that sunny demeanor everyone says got you that nickname?â
Youâd been at Top Gun for about a month and Jake has yet to realize your call-sign is actually a joke because you donât act like a ray of sunshine.
Or maybe he does and he likes being a dickhead.
You fake smile at him, lips pulled into tight lines before you lean forward and whisper into his ear as he moves to make the shot. âHow about when you start acting like you deserve it.â
Jake nearly chokes, striking the ball and watching it hit nowhere near where he wanted.
Jake turns to face you, a smug smile on your face as you pull away and high five Natasha to your left.
He stands up, towering over you, hearing Rooster chuckle behind him.
"So, you want me to earn your affection," he drawls. "That must mean you're thinking about it."
You roll your eyes, smiling a tight lipped smile.
"Bradshaw," you say, still making eye contact with Jake. "Buy me another drink?"
Bradley smiles, taking a last swig of his drink. "I've got you, Sunshine."
He places his large hands on your waist to pass by you and you smile up at him, feeling Jake's eyes on you.
You had to admit, seeing Jake Seresin with that jealous look in his eye made your heart do a little flip. You'd had a secret thing for him from the first time he flashed you that shit-eating smile and boy did you fall hard.
Behind you, Natasha chuckles. "Bagman, you look like you've seen the worse thing in your life."
Your eyes flick to Jake's and you almost choke on your spit. His eyes were ravenous on you, practically burning into you.
You only smile, turning your head before calling after Bradley. "Bradley! I'll just go with you."
You make your way toward him, allowing him to wrap an arm around your shoulders and leaning into him.
You glance over your shoulder to see Jake fuming.
âââ
Jake watched as you walked off with Bradshaw, his arm around your shoulders and your head leaning into him. To his left, he knows Javy is saying something but his eyes are glued to you.
You're not in your khaki uniform, instead you changed into some jean shorts and a tank top that accentuates your curves, hair loose and down your shoulders. Bradshaw's wearing his signature Hawaiian shirt and Jake couldn't help but think that you two were matching.
"Bagman!" Jake hears Natasha say. "It's your turn."
He looks down at the pool table before giving his cue stick to Bob.
"Merry Christmas, Baby On Board," he smiles. "You get to take my spot."
Before Bob can stutter a response, Jake's making his way to you and Bradshaw at the bar.
Your hand is on Bradley's chest and you have a sweet smile plastered on your lips.
Jake wished you'd smile up at him like that.
Finally by your side, Jake smiles down at you before lazily placing his arm around your waist.
"Wow, Sunshine," he starts, trying his hardest not to snatch your hand from Bradshaw's chest. "I knew you could smile."
He watches as you turn toward him, sweet smile dropping before crossing the short distance into Bradley's arms. You wrap Bradley's arms around you and Jake has to fight to keep from combusting in jealousy.
"Yeah," you start, a fake smile forming on your sweet lips. "I only smile for guys I like."
"And that would be Bradshaw here?" Jake asks, pointedly looking at Bradley who just shrugs and smiles into your hair.
Jake's blood was boiling.
That should be him smiling into your hair. Those should be his arms around you.
"Maybe it is," you tell him.
Jake had his heart broken only one other time in his life, this would make it a second time and he honestly didn't know if he might cry or not.
He didn't know why these tears threatened to appear nowâ
No. that was a lie. He knew why.
Jake was an idiot in love, and he loved every second of it. Maybe not this second with Bradshaw's arms around you, but for the most part, he loved it.
"Hey, are you okay?" you ask, eyes growing concerned.
Oh fuck.
Jake's eyes were watering. Not watering, tearing up.
âââ
You were enjoying Bradley's arms around you, mainly because you knew it would drive Jake crazy but also because it felt nice to have a manâs arms around you.
You just wished it was Jakeâs.
Bradley had come up with the plan. "We'll get him so jealous, he'll have to tell you up front that he has feelings for you." He had said.
Only, now that the plan was started, you were beginning to feel bad. Especially when you saw, Jake's eyes were...tearing up?
"Hey, are you okay?" you asked, shaking Bradley's arms off of you and stepping toward Jake.
"I'm great," Jake chokes, clearing his throat and wiping his eyes. "My eyes wereâŚdry. Um, I think I just need to take a walk."
You flash Bradley a look, watching him nod and smile before walking back toward the rest of the Daggers.
âJake?â You softly say, placing a hand on Hangmanâs arm.
You never call him Jake and if you do, itâs to yell at him. He knows that and you know that. So when his head snaps up to face you, you knew you had to make it count.
âLetâs go for a walk then,â you coax, taking his hand in yours. âYou know, for your eyes?â
Jakeâs eyes soften and he nods, swallowing before following you out to the beach.
A warm breeze welcomes you, sending your loose hair flying behind you. You could feel Jakeâs eyes on you so you turn to face him.
Only, his eyes are trained on where both of your hands connect. As you move to pull away, his grip tightens.
âJust let me enjoy this, please?â He says quietly.
âOkay,â you tell him just as quietly, looking out at the beach.
The sun has already set, nothing but the sounds of crashing waves and an occasional rumble from inside the bar.
Itâs the longest youâve been next to Jake without him breaking the silence. It was kind ofâŚrelaxing. Comforting even.
âAre you sure youâre alright?â You ask, breaking the silence.
Jake smiles but it doesnât reach his eyes. âNot really, but Iâm starting to feel better.â
âSo, what happened in there,â you start, ��wasnât allergies?â
Jake turns to face you, sage green eyes soft and sweet on yours. He moves to face you with his whole body, his other hand tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. âNo, not one bit.â
âWhat was it then?â
Your heart was pounding, heâd never touched you like this. Hell, Jake has never touched you more than when your hands accidentally touched when he hands you a beer. The look on his face is sending you all sorts of mixed signals and you canât help but wonder what heâs thinking.
âCan I be real with you for a second?â He asks instead, thumb lingering by your jawline.
âGo ahead.â
âââ
Jake searches your face, trying to figure out what he can say that wonât scare you away.
How do I tell her?
His hand was still holding your jaw, gently caressing the smooth skin. His eyes fall on yours, confusion and wonder fill them as his gaze falls to your lips.
How many times had he imagined what theyâd feel like against his own? What theyâd taste like? Would they be soft? Of course they would, look at them.
âJake?â You say, voice sweet and bringing him out of his spiral.
âY/N,â he starts, watching as your face fills with confusion.
He never calls you by your first nameâonly if itâs important.
âI have to tell you something.â
He watches you nod, concern now masking your features.
Jake takes a deep breath before finally spilling. âI have feelings for you.â
When your eyes widen, he continues, âI just didnât want to tell you and then embarrass myself and seeing you with BradshawâŚabsolutely sent me over the edge. Itâs okay if you donât feel the same, Iâve come to terms with you hating me or thinking I was an dickââ
You stop him by pressing your soft fingers to his lips, a small blush creeping up your face.
WaitâŚyouâre blushing.
âJake,â you say, voice sweet and even. âI have feelings for you too. And not the kind that make me think youâre a dickhead.â
âReally?â He asks, eyes lighting up in surprise.
âI was beginning to wonder if you were acting like an asshole because you hated me,â you start, âor if you were true to the âboys tease you when they like youâ bit people tell little girls.â
âI most definitely did it because I wanted your attention and I wanted you to like me,â he admits. âForgive me?â
You only smile up at him, wrapping your arms around his neck before pressing your lips to his cheek. When you pull away to see Jakeâs eyes wide in surprise and relief, you laugh.
âWhat?â You ask.
âOh, Sunshine,â he sighs. âYou really can be a ray of sunshine.â
âDonât ruin this nice moment, Bagman.â
If you liked this, check out my Masterlist!!!
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honey, itâs alright
Pairing: Bob Floyd x Reader
Warnings: Not proof read. Other than that, none! Fluff Fluff Fluff!
Word Count: 619
The wood floor creaks under your husbandâs feet. Not shortly after, you hear the squeak of the door hinge. You know who it is already, but you canât seem to make yourself come out from under the covers.
âBaby?â Bob shuffles over to you, pulling the cover below your chin. âWhatâs the matter?â The bed dips under his weight as he sits on the edge.
âJustâŚâ You sniffle, voice cracking, âJust not feeling well, love.â
âDo you want to talk about it?â He caresses your arm, looking at you anxiously, afraid he had something to do with it.
âNo.â You squeak out. You werenât one to be very talkative when something upset you.
Bob nods silently. He places a kiss on your forehead and covers you back up. He makes his way to the cold tile of the bathroom and turns on the shower.
âOkay,â Bob is back at your side again. âI need you to stand up, my love.â
He takes your hands, helping you up. Tears welled in your eyes. He could tell you were getting upset again.
âHey, hey, hey, shhh.â Bob brushes his thumb over your tear stricken cheeks.
âYou donât have to do anything except stand for a few minutes. Okay? Youâll feel better, baby, I promise.â
You nod and start making your way to the steaming shower.
He presses a few kisses to your face. âCome on.â
He helps you into the shower, ditching his own uniform to join you.
âAlright, Iâm gonna wash your hair, get those tangles out. Okay?â He makes sure to tell you everything he was doing, so as to not startle you.
You nod, hanging on to him for support. Your head rests against his chest, listening to the thump thump of his heart. Bob massages the soap throughout your scalp. Heâs right, you were starting to feel better already. Soon, you're pulled out of your trance when he shuts the water off.
Bob wraps you in a towel, stepping out of the shower. He dresses himself in record time. He didnât want to keep you waiting. He knew you needed rest and wanted to give it to you as fast as possible.
âOkay, careful.â He helps you out of the shower and sits you on the closed lid of the toilet.
He retrieves your hairbrush from your makeup drawer and begins detangling your hair.
âDo you want one braid, or two? I feel like you might be more comfortable with one.â He asked.
âJust one, Bobby.â You felt a smile creep onto your face. âThank you, Bobby. I donât know what I would do without you.â
âYou donât have to thank me. In sickness and in health, remember?â He smiles.
âIn sickness and in health.â You repeated, your own smile growing bigger with every word.
âAlright, thatâs a damn good braid.â He says proudly. âIâm a hairstylist in another life, I think.â Bob joked.
You feel another smile make its way to your lips. Damn, if he wasnât good at always making you feel better.
Bob helps you back to bed, turning the heated blanket on. he grabs your water bottle from the side table and makes his way downstairs.
A few minutes later you hear his pattering feet outside of the door. He ran back upstairs while the leftovers from last night warm in the oven. The bed dips next to you again.
âAlright, leftovers are in the oven. what are we watching?â He asks, trading your water bottle for the remote. âNo no wait, let me guess. Captain America?â Bob smirks. Pink covers your cheeks after you hear him say it.
âYou said it, not me.â You counter, grinning.
âDamn straight.â He pulls you into him.
A/N: Just a little drabble i thought of. Wanted to write it out for anyone having a hard time atm. Nothing too fancy! My DMs are always open. Take care of yourselves <3
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a long long time
jake âhangmanâ seresin x reader
pictures from pinterest!!
word count: 2.8k
summary: childhood best friends, who always felt a bit more about each other, finally see each other after 12 years. will all their wish come true at the Seresin holiday party?
warnings: childhood best friends to lovers! fluff!! cheesy goodness!! no use of y/n but reader does uses she/her pronouns! pet names: sweets, sweetheart, darlin, tiny dancer. no looks are given besides an outfit!
an: this is heavily inspired by âIts been a long long timeâ by harry james! definitely recommend listening to it while reading! can you guys tell i love when people dance together as a form of intimacy? thank you guys for all the love on my other two fics! this is incredibly new to me so to see that people like the stories is really amazing. thank you. likes, comments, and reblogs are deeply appreciated!!
âââââ ââ
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Growing up, Jake Seresin was always by your side. Jakeâs mom and your mom were best friends, meaning the two of you were destined to be in each otherâs lives. Of course, you two went through the phases of disgust when one of you thought the other had cooties, but they never deterred your friendship. When you would fall off your bike and cry because you scraped your knee, Jake would immediately be by your side. Jakeâs PeeWee football games never had a silent crowd, of course not. Little you would be right there next to his parents, screaming the loudest for him. A dance recital, nervous about your performances? Donât worry, Jake would be right there in the front row next to both of your families, with a bouquet of your favorite flowers.
âââââ ââ
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High school hit, and Jake became the star football player who girls and guys alike pined after. You on the other hand were a quiet theater kid, dancing still, and leading the school newspaper. Despite running in different social circles, you two were still attached at the hip. The sharp stares you received from girls who wanted Jake would burn into your head, but you never let that affect your friendship. The free time you two had was spent with each other, taking long drives when you needed to clear your head, watching new episodes of TV shows you both enjoyed, and studying together. There has always been a hint of something more between you two, but out of fear of ruining things, you never made a move. Although, there was a time during your senior year when the possibility of being something more didnât seem as distant. You two had just taken a long drive to a field in the middle of Texas to watch the sunset. It was then that you two shared your first kiss, and then it was over, and neither of you brought it back up. You knew you had feelings for him. That wasnât even a question. But those feelings would not outweigh your friendship, youâd rather have him in this way, than in no way at all.
When Jake got into the Naval Academy, you were ecstatic for him. He had been dreaming about getting out of here since you were little tots, and now he had his out. You got into a school an hour away for Broadcast Journalism, and he was just as excited for you. When you told him, he picked you up and spun you around, both of you reminiscing on the days when he would play with his model planes and you would pretend to report every little thing that was happening around you two. Graduation day came and went, and soon you were getting ready to send Jake on his way to Maryland.
âDonât forget me when you become a hot shot pilot mister.â You said to him with tears in your eyes. He looked back at you with something that could only be described as melancholy and kissed your forehead, âI could never forget you tiny dancer. Plus we can still keep up with each other, and Iâll see you over the holidays!â
You two kept up with each other for the first two years of your college time, but communication became scarce. He didnât come home for the holidays, you couldnât blame him though. He finally got out of there, he was doing what he always wanted to do. Communication between the two of you completely went away during your junior year. Youâve kept up with him through your parents and his, and to say you were proud was an understatement.
âââââ ââ
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Itâs been 12 years since you last saw Jake Seresin. You would be lying if you said you didnât think about him a lot of the time. After you graduated from UT at Austin, you moved back home and started to work at the local news station as an Anchor. Your free time is spent with friends, going out to bars, or just brunch together. They always hound you about finding a guy, âCome on!! Youâre single, hot, and an amazing person!â âYou canât just sit here all night, come meet Tyler, I promise youâll like him! Please?â You knew they had good intentions, with their bright smiles and kind words. So you tried. You would go out with who they wanted you to, but every time, it felt as though something was missing. You knew what was missing, you just didnât want to admit it. Seasons change but you donât think your feelings for those
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The holiday season is always your favorite time of year. From October to January, you feel lighter. Walking around to see decorations everywhere, families laughing together, and hot apple cider to warm the now-cold Texas air. Work is busy, but you canât complain, you love your job. Recently you covered a story about a baker and her husband who had just celebrated the 30th anniversary of their bakery by having the cutest reindeer cookies and a huge cake for everyone who may want a slice.
Tonight is the annual Seresin family Christmas party, and just like every other year, you hold on to hope that Jake will be there. You know itâs a stretch, but you canât help but be hopeful.
You bought a new outfit just for tonight, a red cable knit sweater, a black mini-skirt with black transparent tights, and black leather boots that went up to your calves. After adding some touch-ups to your makeup, you decided you were ready to go, grabbed your purse, and headed towards the Seresinâs house. It was about a 5-minute walk from your new place, which is quite convenient, and you spent the entire walk with your head in the clouds, daydreaming about the pilot who stole your heart all those years ago.
Walking into the house you spent so much time at as a child, a sense of warmth feels you. The entire house smells like freshly baked cookies, Christmas lights twinkle along the hallway, and the sounds of laughter and soft Christmas music fills your ears. Mama Seresin sees you and you are immediately engulfed in a hug that could probably fix anybody who is on the receiving side of it. âOh my goodness look at you!!! You get more beautiful each time I see you.â You felt your face heat up instantly, shying away a bit from her kind words. âThank you mama Seresin. Iâm happy to be here again, happy holidays.â She pulled back and had an incredulous look on her face.
âThank me?? Sweetheart, you are welcome at this house any day, any time. Make yourself at home, tonight should be a wonderful night.â She winked at you and left you standing there in the entryway.
After making your rounds, you grabbed yourself a drink and sat on the couch watching âNational Lampoonâs Christmas Vacationâ with one of Jakeâs sisters. She kept looking over at you with a sly smirk on her face so you snapped, âWhat is going on with yâall tonight? First your mama winks at me, Elizabeth said she was âSo excitedâ for me tonight, and now you canât stop looking at me like the cat who caught the canary! So what is going on?â With an exasperated look on your face, you fully turn to look at her. Charlotte just slides off the couch and smiles, âWeâre just happy to see you and we are hoping you have a great time tonight.â With the cryptic answer said, she walks away leaving you to sit there in your skepticism.
After an hour or so, everyone has made it and dinner is about to be served. At least you thought everyone had made it, that is until you hear a knock on the door. Mama Seresin rushes to open it, and you lean over the arm of the couch to see who it is. You canât tell if it's the winter air or who you see standing there, but a chill runs down your spine. In all his glory, Jake Seresin is standing there with several suitcases and a bright smile on his face. Taking him in, you notice heâs grown into himself in the last 12 years, His sandy blonde hair isnât as long, heâs filling in the brown button-up shirt very nicely, and heâs grown at least 3 inches since you last saw him. Heâs still got his cowboy boots on and a smile that could light up a room, so not everything has changed. Finally, you look back up to his face, and you lock eyes with the man who has never left your mind.
You stand, mouth agape, and the two of you finally make your way to each other. You meet in the middle of the entryway, and as soon as his arms are around you itâs like everybody and everything fades away. You stay there in the comfort of each otherâs arms for a few more seconds and when you finally pull away, the sounds from the rest of the house fade back in. Looking at each other, you feel a warmth creeping up your neck, the chill from earlier has fully disappeared. âHi,â you said with a shy smile as you fiddle with the cuff of his sleeve. âHi sweetheart,â he replies with the kindest smile youâve ever seen. The moment is broken when someone clears their throat behind you, âDinner is ready.â You turn and see the Seresin women standing there with smirks across all of their faces. Looking back at Jake you realize heâs got a scowl on his face, and you just giggle a bit. At the sound of your giggle, he looks back at you, the scowl being replaced with a shy smile, âWe can talk after dinner?â You nod your head and make your way toward the dining room.
Dinner is the most delicious thing, but you would never expect anything less from Mama Seresin. She always cooks things with love, which makes things 10,000 times better. Once you get turned away from helping with dishes, you make your way outside to get some air. Itâs a bit chilly, the backyard is decorated with lights strung across the way, the music from inside the house carries softly across the yard although itâs muffled, and stars are shining so bright in the night sky. You see a plane fly across the sky and you huff out a laugh, realizing youâre dreams of seeing Jake again, came true tonight. At least you know why the family acted so odd tonight. You take a seat in one of the cushy chairs sat up in the backyard, and stare up at the sky.
Surely Jake didnât know you were gonna be here tonight, Has he changed a lot? Did he miss you as much as you missed him? Was your pining so obvious to everyone that they sat this up? Your mind starts spiraling with thoughts, and a bit of nervous tension sets in as you sit out there. The music gets less muffled for a second, meaning someone has just opened the back door, but itâs quickly snuffed back out. You donât bother to turn your head, your mind is busy with so many questions. In your peripheral, you see the man on your mind take a seat next to you. He looks up at the sky and you can feel the nervousness roll off of you both as you sit there.
You turn to look at him, right as he turns to look at you, and you both sit there taking each other in for a second. âSo-â âIt was-â You both start trying to talk simultaneously and once you realize, you both start giggling. You nod your head to tell him he can go first, and with a shy smile he rubs the back of his neck and says, âIt was nice to see you again sweetheart, I was really hoping youâd be here.â That warmth from earlier creeps back up your neck, and you smile softly at him. âI was hoping youâd be here too cowboy.â You both just sit there with smiles, and after a few beats of silence you add quietly, âI missed you.â What you could only call longing, flashes in his eyes, before he smiles at you, âI missed you too tiny dancer.â
The two of you fall into easy conversation. He tells you all about the Naval Academy, and how he is the âbest of the best,â which you donât doubt. Once he sets his mind on something, he doesnât give up. You learn heâs living out in San Diego, but he constantly misses the Texas skyline. You tell him all about your experience at UT at Austin, and how your job at the local news station is going. You both continue just telling each other what youâve both missed out on.
At some point, the conversation shifts to relationships. You take a deep breath and ask, âSo do you have anyone special waiting for you back in California?â He takes a minute to just look at you before responding, âNo sweetheart, I donât. Do you have anyone missing you tonight?â You let out your breath at the word âno,â and chuckle. âThe only person missing me tonight is my fish, Mr. Speckle.â He throws back his head and barks out a laugh at that, before looking back at you with a wide smile. It shifts to a bit of an apprehensive smile before he asks, âIs there any reason? Youâre a gorgeous girl who is amazing sweetheart, Iâm sure guys are lining up for a date with you.â
You knew you could try and lie to him, but he knows you too well. He would immediately figure you out, so you shake your head and respond truthfully. âIâve tried over the years. But every single time, it didnât feel right. Something was always missing. It took me a while to realize what that was.â
âAnd what was that?â His face is a bit more hopeful now, or maybe youâre just going crazy. After a moment of just looking into his eyes, you turn to fidget with your sweater and finally speak. âThey werenât you Jake.â It came out softer than you thought it would. The silence surrounds you like a suffocating room, and panic starts to claw its way up your throat.
Youâre about to apologize profusely when Jake finally speaks. âThatâs why I donât have anyone waiting for me sweets. They werenât you. The gorgeous girl Iâve known since diapers, who has always been so caring. Who put others before herself. The girl who knows me and my family, and still chooses to be around us.â You stare at him with wide eyes, trying to absorb everything that was just said. Softly, you reply, âI will always choose you, Jake. The boy who didnât let me go to bed upset. The boy who constantly cheered me on in everything I did. The boy who set his sights on something and chased it. â Your chest feels lighter, while your heart beats at a lightspeed rate.
Looking at Jake, he has a boyish grin on his face, rubbing the back of his neck again. In the blink of an eye, he is in front of you with his hand held out. You look at him like youâre considering your options for a second, just to make him sweat a bit, but ultimately you take his hand with an affectionate smile. He pulls you close and wraps his arms around your waist, your arms going around his neck, playing with the collar of his shirt. The two of you dance to the muffled music coming from inside, under the twinkling lights of the backyard youâve spent so much time in over the years. You look up at him to find him already staring at you. Heâs got a look of love in his eyes, and youâre sure he sees the same look in yours.
âSo can I take you out tomorrow sweetheart? I shouldâve asked you that years ago.â He asks with a smirk across his lips. You mirror his smirk as you respond, âYou sure can cowboy. We have a lot of time to make up for.â You both slowly lean in, and your lips meet in a short kiss that makes fireworks go off in your stomach. You both pull away, but that one kiss isnât enough. The two of you share another short kiss, before breaking out into a long deep kiss. He dips you a bit with this one. Everything youâve ever dreamed of has come true under the twinkling lights. Youâll have to make sure to send the Seresin women some cookies and flowers for planning this.
From inside the house, the Seresin family is silently cheering. Theyâve watched both of you pine after each other for so long, they knew yâall just needed a bit of a push in the right direction.
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Tell Them
pairing: jake âhangmanâ seresin x wife!reader
characters: jake seresin, y/n seresin, grayson seresin, kennedy seresin, javy âcoyoteâ machado, the dagger squad, doctor, ty (mentioned - graysonâs friend)
warnings: third person pov, she/her pronouns used, language, car crash, drunk driving, mentions of dying, fear of losing a child, hospitals, mentions of surgey, description of injuries, i believe that is it
word count: ~3.4k
a/n: 1/3 (this is a three part story â however i might expand on it if you guys want)Â
secret family trope! who doesnât love that?
loose summary: after nearly losing someone very important to him, jake decides itâs final time to reveal his secret to the dagger squad
pt 2Â pt 3Â Â
tell them universe
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âJust hold meâ
Jake âHangmanâ Seresin x Reader
Summary: Your husband has been away a little too long for his liking. So when he comes home, heâs a lot more emotional than he thought heâd be.
Content: FLUFF, sad Jakey, anxiety
Everyone thank @hunterthecharmer đđŤśđź pic is there bc he looks so cute
Jake knew what he wanted when he finally got off the damn plane.
You. Specifically, to hold you.
Heâd been deployed for a mission for the past four months and while it wasnât as long as his other deployments, these past four months felt longer.
Heâd spent the last four months missing you. Missing your scent, the feel of your soft skin on his fingertips, your lips.
So when he finally landed and reached your guyâs house to find that you werenât home, his whole body felt the disappointment.
He falls to the floor, pain coursing throughout his chest and down his stomach. He couldâve sworn you said youâd be home when he got back.
His plane was on time. While he did tell you he didnât need you to come get him since his truck was parked in the airfield parking lot, he was still hurt you werenât there.
It wasnât even the fact that you werenât homeâactually it was. He expected you to be home and now that you werenât, he felt like heâd have to wait however long it took you to get back home.
I just need her. I need her in my arms. I needâ
He started to breathe, at least he thought he was. It wasnât until he felt his chest moving too fast that he realized he was having a panic attack.
She should be here. Why isnât she here?
The tears come at that point. Heâs a shaking, crying mess at the foot of the stairs he barely had time to crawl to before the attack started. He squeezes his eyes shut, drowning out everything around him.
Just breathe. Justâoh god.
He tries to count to ten slowly, trying to get his breathing back to normal but it doesnât work. Tapping his chest at an even pace wasnât helping either.
The sound of the front door opening didnât even register in his brain until he felt your arms wrap around his shoulders and thumbs caress his cheeks.
âBaby? Jake?â Your voice was faint, too far away.
âBaby I need you to breathe,â you continue. âJake, focus on my voice. Iâm right here. Come back to me.â
Jakeâs eyes flutter open, barely opening enough to see your sweet face before him. Worry and panic fill your eyes and he canât help but reach up for your cheek.
âHi darlinâ,â he hiccups. âI canâtâI canâtâŚâ
âItâs okay,â you coo. âIâm here. Just breathe. Just hold me.â
Jakeâs arms wrap around your waist, pulling you onto his lap before hurrying his face into her neck and breathing your scent in.
Heâd missed you. God, when was the last time heâd had a panic attack? And all because you werenât home? No, it was more than that. Heâd been away from you too long. You were his safe space.
His home.
âWhat happened?â You asked.
âYou werenât home and I justââ He takes a shuddering breath before continuing, âI panicked. I donât know why. I expected you to be home but when you werenâtâŚwell, you know.â
âIâm sorry baby,â you tell him. âI thought I had more time. I was getting some groceries to make you your favorite dinner and I lost track of time.â
Jake only squeezes you closer to him. âItâs okay, youâre here now.â
âIâll be here as long as you need me.â
âBut the groceries,â he starts.
âThey can wait, just hold me.â
You feel him smile into your neck before you feel his lips. âThank you.â
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Just Like Old Times
Jake 'Hangman' Seresin & F!Reader
Written for @narcosfandomdiscord Book of Inception: fanwork that provides an origin story for a character that doesn't have one & "He made me who I am" & improvement
Warnings: 18+, language
Word Count: 2.4k
A/N: the way that the last week or so has gone really just zapped all the motivation and creativity out of me, so getting this written really fought me every step of the way lmao. but i will say, that thinking about Jake Seresin in high school was fun. giving him a brother was also fun. going three for three on these prompts was challenging and rewarding and fun. and now i want to revisit these two at some point because idk i have issues lmao
You knew from the second that youâd walked into The Hard Deck that night that he didnât remember you. Part of you didnât really blame him, high school being such a distant memory for all of you now. Not just in years, but in all the experiences youâd packed into those years as well. From one standpoint you understood itâŚsort of.
From another standpoint you couldnât believe that he could look you in the face and not say a word, not have even the tiniest flicker of recognition. He had looked right at you, and moved right on along to the next person. No matter how much things changed, they always stayed the fucking same.
It wasnât until everyone was sitting out on the beach after the football game that the two of you even had a real conversation. Up until that point everyone had been running circles around each other, and you had much bigger things to worry about than Jake Seresinâs recollections of you, or lack thereof.
You were mid-conversation with Bob and Natasha when you noticed that neither of them were really looking at you anymore. You searched their faces, trying to figure out what it was that they were looking at.
Natasha leaned back, palms sinking into the sand as she said, âBagman, six oâclock and incoming.â
You rolled your eyes, still not turning around to look at him. âMan knows how to ruin a good day.â
You didnât have to look back to know how close he was, the tilts of Bobâs and Natashaâs head spelling out that information for you. His footfalls were nearly silent on the sand. Without realizing it, the closer he got, the deeper you pushed your fingertips into the sand like you were searching for something to grip onto.
Suddenly you were cast in Hangmanâs shadow as he stood directly behind you. You shut your eyes for a moment, the longest blink ever as you tried hard to bite your tongue.
âLadies,â he said, and you didnât have to be looking at him to know exactly what his face looked like. âBobby.â
Natasha was squinting against the sun but she still pulled a bit of a face. âItâs a good day, Hangman,â she said with just enough warning in her tone. âLetâs keep it that way.â
He chuckled, and you could see from the movement of his shadow that he was holding his hands out. âEvery day at Top Gun is a good day, Phoenix. Thought you wouldâve known that already.â
You were hoping that it was just going to be a quick thing, an in-passing comment that he made because he simply couldnât bring himself to walk by your little trio without saying anything. But of course it wasnât. Somehow the shift went from Natasha making extremely thinly veiled comments to the effect that Jake should hit the goddamn bricks, to him plopping down on the ground right there with you. He wedged himself right there between you and Bob like he had been there the whole time.
It didnât take very long after that for Natasha to find a reason to leave. And wherever Natasha went, Bob was only ever a few steps behind. That left it with just you and Jake and the ocean that was slowly beginning to calm in front of you. It was a scene that couldâve been a peaceful one if the man sitting next to you had any interest in that.
Legs bent and pulled up towards you, you draped your arms across your knees. You were staring out at the receding waves as you asked, âTo what do I owe the pleasure, Seresin?â
You could feel him staring at you and you made a point to not return the gesture. âWhereâd you say you were from?â
You shook your head. âI didnât. Also donât think youâve actually asked me a question directly the entire time weâve been here.â You cast him a glance. âToo busy giving Rooster a hard time.â
He narrowed his eyes slightly at you like he was studying you, but there was still a smirk on his face. The more time you spent around him, the more you wondered if that was just what his face defaulted to these days. He leaned back on his palms, legs stretched out in front of him.
âWasnât until I heard Phoenix call you by your last name earlier that I realizedââ
âWow,â you barked out with a laugh, unable to stop yourself. âYouâve been running drills and sitting in class with me for how long and it took until today for you to recognize me? No sense of dĂŠjĂ vu sitting two rows over from me and picking on other kids in class? Nothinâ jogged your memory even a little?â
He leaned back, brows meeting for a moment. âWhen did youââ
âThe first night we all got here!â you said, gesturing emphatically at nothing.
The smirk instantly returned to his face. âIâm that memorable, huh?â
You rolled your eyes and shook your head. âFuck off.â
âWhat? Câmon, you canât be mad.â
âIâm not mad.â
âNo?â he asked, chuckling like he knew better than to believe you. A lot of confidence in your character for someone who only remembered who you were within the last two hours.
âNo. Being mad would suggest that Iâm somehow surprised that youâre still the way that you are. And Iâm definitelyâŚnot.â You sighed. âYouâre still Jake Seresin. Only difference now isââ
âMy rank? The number of confirmed kills I have?â he tried to fill in the blanks, cocky as heâd ever been.
You looked at him. âOnly difference is now youâre old enough to know better.â You saw the way he rolled his eyes at you and couldnât help but to say, âI don't get you, Jake.â
The look on his face let you know that it had been a long time since someone referred to him by just his first name, not his last or his callsign. There was something intimate about it in a way. You wouldn't have given it any thought if he hadn't flinched at it.
He recovered as quickly as he could, that air of nonchalance reappearing around him. âI'm no Mystery Man.â He held his hands out in a brief gesture, like an invitation to scan him over. âWhat you see is what you get.â
It wasn't untrue. Jake Seresin had never been the type of person who lived a double life. Who he was around you was exactly who he was around everyone else. Maybe when it was just him, when there was no one else in the room looking to him or expecting anything from him, he was a different person. Not that it matteredâthe world was never going to know. Reaching as far back as you could in your brain for memories of him, he'd always been some version of the man sitting in the sand next to you. He was just looking a little more refined these days.
You had just been hoping, when you'd seen him again, that maybe he would've changed by now. Nothing would be different if he wasn't different, but it would've been nice if it could be. The longer you looked at him, the more you tried to un-blur all of the memories that you hadn't bothered to tap into in a long time.
âHow's your brother these days?â you asked, diverting course just slightly.
The question was immediately met with an eye-roll. âFine.â
You had to let out a quiet laugh at that. âYeah? That good, huh?â
He shrugged. âYou want the play-by-play or something?â He shook his head, looking out at the ocean instead of at you. âHe's fine.â
âYou two not get along anymore or something? I thought you were bothââ
âI see him on holidays. We text on birthdays. He is off doingâŚwhatever he does.â
You hadn't expected the tension. From what you remembered, the two of them had gotten along well enough. His brother was a few years ahead of both of you, in his senior year of high school when the two of you were freshman. But he'd always been nice, nicer than Jake had been anyway. But they ran in a lot of the same circles, played a lot of the same sports, and they seemed to have a relatively good time doing it. Judging by the way that Jake was avoiding looking in your direction, you were now wondering if you were misremembering it all.
âWe're grown-ups now, you know,â you offered up finally. âIf you don't want to talk about him you can just say that.â
He flipped it right back on you. âWe're grown-ups now, I can answer questions about Tommy if you have them.â
You laughed quietly and shook your head. âI can see that. The answers you've given so far have been so thorough and paint such a clear picture.â It got him to laugh even though you could tell that he didnât want to give you the satisfaction. After a moment you cleared your throat. âYou guys just seemed to get along back then, is all.â
Now he was looking at you again. âYeah, Tommy got along with everyone back thenâstill does.â
You hummed in amusement. âGuess that trait isn't a genetic one, then.â
He cracked a small grin as he swatted sand at you. âFunny.â There was a pause, and you were waiting for him to pick something else to talk about, or for him to just get up and leave. Instead, he gave himself a moment and then said, âTommy graduated with a full ride, but even when he was gone somehow I was stillâŚâ he trailed off. âNavy was the first place I wasn't a legacy kid. No footsteps to follow. Just me.â
âHmm,â you nodded, not sure what you really wanted to say in response to that.
He caught your uncertainty. âWhat?â
âNothing, I justâŚyou wanna say that your brother, your family, your whoever was why you were like that back then. Fine, I get that, kind of. But then why,â you curled your fingers into the sand, âare you still up to all the same shit?â
âI'm notââ
âYou are.â The laugh you let out was dry. âI'm one of the only people here that you can't lie to about that. I knew you back then, and I know you now, and from what I've seen? Not much has changed.â
The pinch of his brows let you know that what you were saying was getting to him, whether he admitted to it or not. He tried to hide it, and was semi-successful at itâit probably would've fooled someone else. âIf it ain't brokeââ
You didn't let him get to the end of the sentence. âThere's always room for improvement.â
You were used to laughing at your own little one-liners, but Jake laughing at them too was new, especially when they were at his expense. Whatever the two of you were doing in that moment, it was the closest to being friends that you'd ever been. It was still a stretch but it was something.
âI don't know, you stack my resumĂŠ up against anyone else's here and I'd say I'm about as improved as it gets.â
âI think the one thing that could definitely still do with some improving is your humility,â you rebutted with a laugh. You geared up to hear some comment about how there was no need to be humble if he could back up everything that he was saying. When he didnât, you said, âAnd, if you feel like taking suggestionsââ
âYou got another one for me?â he joked.
You laughed. âYeah, of course.â You cleared your throat. âYou said it yourself that this is the one place where none of that other stuff matters, like it never happened. So maybe, when you get a chance, you should get around to dropping all the bitterness that goes along with the brotherhood rivalry.â You shrugged, offering a small smile. âCocky doesn't pair well with the sad, âHe made me who I am,â shtick.â
He raised his eyebrows in surprise as he laughed. âYou're meaner than I remember.â
âYeah, that's because you don't remember me,â you said, the lift at the ends of your lips taking the sting out of your words.
The look of surprise didnât fade from his face, neither did the amusement. âDamn.â
You still had a smile on your face as you stood back up. Brushing the sand off the backs of your legs, you looked at him. It was a strange feeling, caught between remembering how things were back then and knowing how they were now. A lot of things hadn't changed, clearly, but the circumstances certainly had. You wanted more of it to be different, but there was no saying it so plainly.
âYou heading back?â you asked, standing completely upright.
He looked up at you from where he was sitting. Shaking his head, he replied, âNot yet.â
You cocked your head to the side, folding your arms over your chest. âGoing to sit out here with your thoughts?â
He chuckled and shrugged. âWell, you did give me a lot to think about.â
âDon't think too hard,â you joked as you started to walk away, âotherwise smokeâll start coming out of your ears.â
âYour concern is touching!â he called after you, laughing as he spoke.
Turning around to face him, you continued walking away. âGuess I'm just too sentimental for my own good!â you replied, throwing your hands up in apparent exasperation with yourself.
You could still see the grin on his face as you turned back around. Even with your back to him, you still found yourself smiling too. You knew better than to get your hopes up for much, but there was still part of you that was thinking that maybe there was still a chance for things to start changing before all was said and done.
There was still the very large possibility that things would continue to be the same as they ever were. You knew that. But, the same way you'd been wanting things to be different the first night you turned up at The Hard Deck, you still wanted things to be different now. It felt a little more attainable now than it had then. And, if nothing else, at least you knew that this time everything was going to be a bit more memorable.
(divider by @inklore đŠś)
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Brother's Best Friend - Part 14
Jake Seresin x F!Reader
Summary: The trials and tribulations of falling for your brother's best friend.
CW: swearing, a smidge of angst, and some good ol' fluff because that's what BBF is all about!
WC: 2900+
Part 1 | Masterlist
You look up as the door creaks open, your hand sweating against Jakeâs palm. Your chest tightens and your head swims. Suddenly, your vision blurs.
âŚ
You hear your name, but itâs muted, like someone is saying it underwater. You open your eyes and see two anxious faces hovering over you. You try to sit up, but your head is heavy and your limbs are weak and youâre disoriented because Jake and Bradleyâs voices are getting louder and more overwhelming with every second. You want to tell them to be quiet but the words canât seem to form in your mouth, or, rather, youâre far too exhausted to make the effort to speak.
Slowly, you sit up, blinking into your lap as Jake says something about an ambulance. You pass a hand over your brow, noting the sweat thatâs gathered there, as Bradley starts listing off the various nutrient deficiencies that you may or may not possess. You glance up at the two of them feebly.
Both enormous, grown-ass men are crouched before you, staring at you in terror.
âWhat happened?â Jake asks and you blink at him slowly, wondering the same thing.
âAre you okay?â Bradley says, tilting his head to the side so he could catch your gaze.
You nod uncertainly, because youâre not a hundred percent sure that you are. You look around unhurriedly, taking in your surroundings. Youâre on the porch of your house in a cute little dress, and the porchlight is on because itâs dark out. And then it hits you like a ton of bricks. Youâre still on the porch. Has Bradley been informed of the relationship? Or did he already know? Was he angry? Did you get caught in the crossfire and get knocked out?
You blink anxiously â and more alertly â between Jake and Bradley, trying to assess the situation. Neither of them seems to be paying any attention to one another; only to you. âWhatâŚâ you start, but your voice croaks and you bring a hand up to your throat self-consciously. You clear your throat and start again. âWhatâs going on?â you ask casually, as though youâre not sitting unsteadily on the ground with no recollection of the last god knows how many minutes.
Bradleyâs eyes widen in outrage. âWhatâs going on is you fucking fainted!â
You look at him with soaring eyebrows. âI did?â
âRight before Bradley came out to take out the trash,â Jake says, giving you a meaningful look.
âOhhh,â you reply, dragging out the word. âThe trash.â You nod again, trying to organize all of the information in your presently scrambled brain. âThe trash,â you repeat.
âItâs garbage day tomorrow,â Bradley clarifies.
âRight.â You rub your sweaty palms on your thighs. âGarbage day.â
âAnd then you justâ â Bradley makes a motion with his arm to indicate that you toppled over like a tree might fall when itâs chopped down, and you eye him thoughtfully, doubting your collapse was that dramatic. âYou're lucky Seresin was here to catch you. You could have cracked your head open on the concrete.â
You glance over at Jake whoâs keeping an unusually straight face. âSo lucky,â you mutter without a hint of sarcasm because you donât think youâre quite capable of that just yet. Nonetheless, Jake throws you a pointed look.
âYouâre home late,â Bradley says casually, but you could tell that heâs concerned. âDid you party a little too hard?â
You furrow your eyebrows at him. âMe?â you ask, amused that heâs the one asking you this question and not the other way around.
âDid you take something?â he asks. âNot judging,â he adds. âJust need to tell the ambulance what youâre on.â
Jake briefly drops his head into his hand, but recovers just as quickly. âI donât think sheâs on anything,â he says quietly.
You give Jake a sour look because the only thing youâre on is four vintage cocktails and an espresso, and he knows it.
Bradley sighs. âWhere were you, anyway?â he asks. âThat Jake had to go pick you up?â
You narrow your eyes at your brother and then at your boyfriend, who is expertly avoiding your gaze. Clearly, heâs decided that Bradley is not equipped to handle two calamities in the same evening. âI was on a date,â you state contemptuously.
Jake stares at you rigidly while Bradley cringes. âI'm guessing it didnât end well?â
You press your lips together irritably. âYou could say that.â
Jake rolls his eyes and stands up. âAmbulance is here,â he says just as the ambulance pulls up and two paramedics rush up your driveway.
âFuck,â you mutter. âYou guys actually called an ambulance?â
âWe thought you died,â Jake replies curtly.
You look up at the back of his head as he waves over the medics. âMaybe check for a pulse next time,â you say, your ability to utilize sarcasm apparently restored.
âŚ
After you are thoroughly checked out and given the okay to stay home for the night, you trudge tiredly to the living room couch, Jake and Bradley hot on your heels.
âYou should go to bed,â Jake says as you plop down into the cushions. âYou need to rest.â
You close your eyes, sinking further into the cushions with a groan. âI wonât make it,â you respond, feeling the exhaustion as if it were a physical thing weighing you down.
Bradley places his hands on his hips. âJakeâs right, you need to get some sleep.â
âI am,â you whisper, your eyelids heavier than they've ever been.
âIâve got an early day,â Bradley says apprehensively, as though he doesnât want to leave.
âGo on, Iâll stay with her,â Jake says.
Bradley waits a beat, considering the offer, and then turns to look at his friend. âThanks, man.â Bradley replies, giving Jake a pat on the shoulder. âI appreciate it.â
Jake nods without looking him in the eye and, once Bradley is upstairs, he approaches you slowly. He takes a seat on the opposite end of the couch.
You open your eyes about halfway, watching him warily. âI donât think itâs contagious,â you murmur.
Jake doesnât laugh. Instead, he eyes you grimly from his corner of the couch.
âWhy arenât you talking?â you ask, getting a little nervous because Jake isnât normally the quiet type.
âIâm sorry,â he breathes and then squeezes his eyes shut and brings his hands up to his face. He pulls in a lungful of air, and then another. And then he lets out a sob.
You open your eyes all the way and even lift your head up off the cushion slightly. âAre you crying?â
Jake inhales sharply again and then releases an unsteady breath. He rubs the moisture from his eyes away roughly and lets out another sigh. âYou scared the shit out of me,â he mutters, his voice just barely above a whisper. His glistening eyes finally meet yours.
You stare at him. âDid you actually think I died?â
âIâve never seen anybody faint before,â he admits.
âYouâve seen planes being shot out of the sky,â you remind him. Surely this canât have been more traumatic than his job.
Jake gapes at you. âYour eyes rolled to the back of your head.â
You grimace. âEww. You donât have to be so graphic.â
Jake chuckles and sniffles. âIâve never been more terrified in my life.â
You drop your gaze into your lap. âIs that why you didnât tell him?â
Jake sighs and brings a fist to his mouth. âWhat would I say, Baby B? âHey, by the way, Iâm dating your sister and sheâs so stressed out about it that sheâs fallen unconscious on the doorstep?â Sorry, bro?â
You pout sullenly. âThatâs not why I passed out.â
âAre you sure?â he asks. âBecause if Iâm the reason ââ
âYouâre not the reason,â you assure him, although youâre fairly certain he hit the nail right on the head.
Jake releases another heavy sigh. âIâll tell him tomorrow.â
You close your eyes and rest the back of your head on the cushion once more. âOkay, Seresin,â you respond calmly. âBut, if you donât, I will.â
Jake slides closer to you on the couch and puts his arm above your head. You lift it slightly so that he could tuck his arm underneath, and then you let him pull you in. Falling asleep in this kind of embrace is all youâve ever wanted since you met him but, alas, this moment feels less than magical.
âŚ
The following morning, youâre startled awake by an obnoxious grinding sound that gradually turns to a sort of whirring. Bradley is in the kitchen making his morning shake. You glance around the room because youâre alone on the couch.
âIs Jake gone?â you call out to your brother.
âGood morning to you too,â Bradley calls back and then walks into the living room holding two shakes. âMade you breakfast.â
You cringe at the green liquid in the glass. âI prefer to chew my food.â
âWell, youâre in luck then,â he says. âBecause the blenderâs busted so this might be a little chunky.â
You hold back a gag. âThanks,â you croak, taking the glass from Bradleyâs hand as he sits on the couch at your feet.
âSleep well?â he asks, taking a large gulp of his shake.
âI think so,â you respond, propping yourself up on a throw pillow and taking a sip. âThis isnât so bad, actually.â
Bradley shoots you a self-satisfied look. âI put Nutella in yours.â
You smile at him. âSorry for the scare.â
Bradley watches you silently for a moment before taking another swig of his breakfast. âIâm concerned, Y/N.â
You sit up straighter. âIâm fine now.â
Bradley shakes his head. âIâm talking about Jake.â
You blink at him innocently while your guts twist in on themselves with dread. âWhat about Jake?â
âHave you noticed anything off about him lately?â he asks.
âUh.â You gulp, stalling. âNot really. Have you?â
Bradley sighs. âHeâs just been sort ofâŚI dunno. Weird.â
âHow so?â you ask, even though you know exactly how so. No doubt Bradley has taken note of Jakeâs sudden disinterest in women and it strikes him as odd, considering his history.
âThat chick he was dating, remember the one we teased him about? Iâm pretty sure heâs still with her,â he says.
You take a long sip of your drink before responding. âIs that a bad thing?â
âIâm not sure,â he says. âI just have a bad feeling about it.â
You glance up at him nervously. âWhy?â
Bradley meets your gaze with a defeated expression. âSheâs changing him.â
You are far too guilt-ridden to keep looking your brother in the eye, so you drop your gaze to instead study the puke-green color of your shake. âFor the worse?â you ask quietly.
Bradley sighs. âI canât tell.â
You bite your lip, trying not to frown too hard. âHe shouldnât have to change,â you say.
Bradley nods slowly. âThatâs what I was thinking.â You swallow another chunky mouthful of your breakfast shake as Bradley rises from the couch. âYou should get some more sleep,â he says. âIâll see you after work.â
As Bradley shuffles about the kitchen, you contemplate your relationship with Jake, wondering if Bradley might be right. You fell for Jake long before he became boyfriend material and there are qualities about him you wouldnât change for the world. But have there been things that youâve tried to correct? Have you been unwittingly changing him? Shaping him into something he was never meant to be?
As you sit there in thought, Jake walks through the front door with a paper bag and a tray of coffees. âI brought breakfast!â he calls when Bradley peeks his head out of the kitchen.
âThank god,â you mutter, setting down your half-drunk shake.
Bradley gives you a look. âI heard that.â
You purse your lips to hide a grin. âIâm hungry!â
âI fed you!â Bradley exclaims.
âIâm hungry for real food, not plants,â you whine.
Jake enters the living room proudly. âReal food, coming right up,â he declares.
âOh my god, I love you!â you exclaim.
Jakeâs hand freezes in midair as heâs about to set down his offering on the coffee table. You meet his gaze in alarm, realizing what youâd just said. What youâd just admitted. Meanwhile, Bradley strolls into the living room, humming a tune, as oblivious as ever.
Your heart pounds in your chest as Jake slowly lowers the bag onto the table, his eyes still locked on yours. âI made you breakfast,â Bradley says, sticking his hand into the bag to retrieve a wrapped bagel. âBut him, you love.â Bradley proceeds to unwrap his bagel. âI see how it is,â he says after taking a bite.
You swallow around a giant lump in your throat, suddenly not remotely hungry. âIâŚâ you start, your voice wavering uncontrollably. âI⌠love food,â you conclude.
Bradley raises his eyebrows. âYou were talking to the bagels?â
You notice Jake suck in his cheeks as he tries not to laugh.
You nod vehemently, feeling like you might just faint again. âCan you pass me one?â You reach your hand out, ignoring Jakeâs face completely as he hands you a bagel.
âAlright, kids,â Bradley says. âIâm out.â He starts for the door but, just before leaving, he calls out, âBehave.â
The sound of the door closing behind him makes you severely nauseated, because it directly precedes the moment you have to face Jake. You glance up at him slowly as he digs his own bagel out of the bag. Finally, his eyes meet yours. ââSup, Baby B?â he says nonchalantly, and you can tell that heâs prepared to overlook the slip if you are. For all he knows, it was a completely innocent statement and meant nothing at all.
But you know otherwise. And perhaps itâs the residual stress or the lack of sleep, or perhaps itâs the fear that your brother might be right about your influence over Jake, but you suddenly feel compelled to tell him. You suddenly feel like he has a right know. âI wasnât talking to the bagels,â you blurt out.
Jake glances up at you in surprise. He gives you a small smile. âYou donât say,â he responds wryly.
You let out an impatient sigh, annoyed that heâs being so flippant. âIâm being serious.â
Jake nods. âOh, I know. You were talking to the coffee, obviously.â He tries to hand you a cup.
âJake!â you exclaim. âStop being an idiot! Iâm telling you I love you!â
Jake sets the cup down and blinks at you with a small, wonderstruck smile, like he canât quite believe that youâve said it again. âYou mean it?â he asks.
You stare at him wide-eyed, alarmed that thatâs all heâs got to say. But itâs not as if you can take it back now. You nod hesitantly.
Jake straightens his back and grimaces, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. âFuck,â he mutters under his breath.
You watch him in outrage. His reluctance to engage on account of your brother is no longer cute. You attempt to compose yourself, to hide the pain your face might otherwise betray. You rise from the couch in silence and begin to walk away.
âNoâ â Jake starts, catching you by the arm before youâve even cleared the coffee table â âthatâs not what I meant. Iâm sorry.â
You yank your arm out of his grasp, but he just takes your waist instead. âLet go!â you shout, twisting away, and Jake immediately releases you, throwing his hands up in the air.
âWait,â he pleads desperately.
âWait for what?â you yell. âFor you to finish freaking out?â
Jake looks like he might be on the verge of tears. âIâm sorry,â he repeats.
âI wasnât looking for you to say it back,â you declare. âBut I admit that I was hoping for a more considerate acknowledgement.â
Jake takes a step toward you. âCan I touch you again?â he asks, holding his hands about six inches away from either of your arms.
âNo,â you respond stubbornly, not looking him in the eye.
Jake sighs, bringing his hands up to his eyes and sliding them bleakly down his face. âDo you really think I would have ever done this if I wasnât already in love with you?â
You glance up at him, still frowning. âDone what?â you ask quietly.
Jake furrows his eyebrows. âCan I please touch you?â
You press your lips together to keep them from quivering and nod your head.
Jake put his palms on either side of your face and takes another step toward you so that he could rest his forehead over yours. âIâm sorry Iâm an idiot,â he says.
You let out a shallow sigh, wondering if perhaps youâve overreacted. âYou donât have to apologize for being yourself,â you respond glumly.
Jake snorts. âGee, thanks.â
âYouâre welcome,â you say, feeling your mouth stretch into a tiny smile despite your irritation.
Jake brushes his thumbs across your cheeks. âI loved you before I even realized I liked you.â
You meet his gaze skeptically. âThat seems improbable.â
Jake grins. âEver the romantic.â
You roll your eyes as his hands fall to your shoulders.
âI never wouldâve gone there with you â kissed you, lied to Bradleyâ â Jake frowns slightly. âNever in a million years, Baby B. If I didnât know without a shadow of a doubt that I was in love with you.â
You gaze up at him, justifiably speechless. The fact that he didnât make a move until he was absolutely certain sets your heart aflutter. You squeeze yourself into him and mutter sheepishly, âSo, you love me back, then?â
Jake chuckles and wraps his arms around you tightly. âYouâre unbelievable,â he says. âOf course I fucking love you back.â
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cowboy take me away
j.seresin x reader
pictures not mine, credits to pinterest
1k words
summary: sort of inspired by âCowboy Take Me Awayâ by The Chicks. (great song you should check it out!) what was supposed to be a celebratory night, turns into reader sitting alone at a bar in texas. that is until a blonde aviator, visiting home, notices her.
Warnings: fluff! reader has not great friends. talks about an ex boyfriend. Alcohol consumption. Jake Seresin being a charming man? She/her pronouns are used and reader is said to be shorter than jake! no use of y/n!
authors note: first fic!! lmk what you think!
Sitting alone in a bar in the middle of Austin, Texas was not how you thought your Saturday was going to go. You had recently graduated from University of Texas in Austin so you thought you would be out with your boyfriend and friends, celebrating the fact that you were finally going to go to the University of California San Diego to get your masters in Educational Studies. But you just broke up with your boyfriend due to his extreme lack of interest in your relationship. He literally shrugged when you told him it was over. On top of that your friends seemingly forgot that you had plans, go figure.
So now you were sitting in some bar, under the soft disco lighting, with cowboy hats everywhere, fiddling with the straw in your drink, wondering how it could all go sour so fast.
âIs this seat taken?â a strong voice with a southern drawl asked. You whipped your head so fast you thought you could see the looney tunes birds flying, but no, what you saw was a man with sandy blonde hair and eyes that could rival the trees in the Ozarks. âOh! Um N-no. No, itâs not.â He took his seat with a devilish smirk and waved down the bartender to order another drink for himself. While doing so you missed the part where he ordered you another drink. You were too busy roaming your eyes from the black Stetson that sat on top of his head, to the shirt that said âUS Navyâ & âH_ngm_nâ on the pocket, and finally to the steel-toed cowboy boots that sat on his feet.
You heard a cough, and thatâs when you realized he had been talking to you and was a bit closer now. Get it together he just asked a simple question and you just got out of a relationship, you scolded yourself. âSorry, sorry what did you say?â
The smirk on his face just grows a bit bigger while replying, âI was just asking why a pretty girl like you looks so defeated in the most lively bar in all of Austin?â
Great. Heâs charming and astute apparently. Now you can either lie to this very handsome man, or you can become the stereotypical person who dumps everything at the bar. Saved by the bell, or bartender in this case, because he delivers the drinks to you both, making the smirk on this manâs face slide to a polite smile, and also giving you a sense of reprieve at this moment.
âIâm Jake by the way, sorry if the question was too intense for an introduction. Canât help but be curious.â You give him your name and the smirk is back way too quickly. âPretty name for a pretty girl,â he replied, his smirk turning to a kind smile. âDoes that work on all of the girls?â you snap back quickly. He looks a bit taken aback by the question, but that doesnât deter him one bit, âWouldnât know, did it work on you?â
Sighing you finally turn to face him fully, taking in his form once again. After the day youâve had, you decide youâll entertain him for a bit, âYa know what cowboy, it mightâve but donât let that get to your head. We donât need that cowboy hat to fall off.â Jake takes you in for a minute and gives you a smile that might be the sweetest thing youâve seen in a bit. âSo you gonna tell me why youâre lookinâ all sad in the middle of this bar?â he asks you once again, and you finally decide you need to at least tell someone or you might cry. So with your head down and while fidgeting with your hands, you tell him, âI just got accepted into the masterâs program I applied for and to celebrate I was gonna meet my boyfriend and friends here. As you can see neither are here. I broke up with him and my friends all forgot or something, who knows.â You finally take a breath and look back up to see him looking at you with the slightest hint of concern.
He shakes his head and laughs gently. âWell, I guess congratulations are in order for the graduate, and for getting rid of the boyfriend who didnât appreciate the beauty in his life.â With a soft smile, he tips his beer towards you and you do the same.
He abruptly stands up and holds out his hand, a silent question for a dance. You take it with a quizzical look on your face, and he drags you to the middle of the dance floor; now that youâre there, you look around and see that this place has cleared out a bit since you first got here. He looks down at you with a bit of adoration and says âA congratulatory dance is a necessity.â
He grabs your hips, while you wrap your arms around his neck, and itâs at this moment you realize that you would much rather be here, wrapped in this strangerâs arms, dancing to âCowboy Take Me Awayâ than in the silence that your ex wouldâve given. Looking at Jake with a smirk on your face, âThe song is real fitting if you ask me, cowboy.â Your fingers are playing with the soft hair at the bottom of his head, and for a second itâs like a cat reacting to someone scratching their head. Youâd be shocked if he didnât start purring.
âIs it? I hadnât noticed,â he replies with a soft chuckle. Looking into each otherâs eyes, you stand on your toes, and you both lean in⌠but of course, nothing would go as planned. His cowboy hat hits you right in the forehead.
You pull back from each other and both break out into a fit of giggles. Jake looks at you with a soft smile, tips his cowboy hat back, and leans in again. This time your lips meet in a delicate kiss, his lips are soft and you can smell a hint of cologne on him. Warmth fills your cheeks, the kiss lasting only a matter of seconds, but it's just enough time for everything around you to disappear. When the kiss is over, your foreheads meet and you both continue swaying under the reflected disco lighting. Maybe tonight is way better than you originally planned.
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The quiet ones
Summary: You surprise the Dagger Squad by revealing your secret to Bob, who shyly but lovingly melts into your kiss as the others watch in shock, as shy guys are your type.
Chapter Warning: Secret relationship reveal, unexpected PDA, and flustered teammates, drinking.
Pairing: Robert "Bob" Floyd x reader
The sun is barely up, casting a soft glow over the empty beach outside The Hard Deck as you pull open the doors and step into the familiar dimness of the bar.
You've been doing this for yearsâunlocking before the heat of the day sets in, setting up stools, and sliding glasses onto the shelves with the smooth rhythm you've perfected. Today feels the same, but something in the air hints it won't be an ordinary shift. There's a buzz, the sort that comes with Navy missions brewing, whispered over drinks in tones low enough that only bartenders know how to hear.
You're wiping down the bar when the door creaks open. You look up and spot a guy with dark-rimmed glasses, a touch of shyness evident in the way he stands at the door, scanning the place like heâs about to get reprimanded just for being here early. He's tall but sort of unassuming, a guy who'd rather fade into the background. He's a contrast to the pilots who usually come in loud, all bravado and swagger. You recognize him instantly: Bob, the quiet one who stands at the edges of the Dagger Squad.
As he approaches, you give him a slow, easy smile and cross your arms, leaning back. "Hey there. Early start for you guys?"
He swallows hard, adjusting his glasses. âUhâŚyeah. JustâŚgetting a round for the squad.â His voice is barely audible, like heâs half-hoping youâll mishear and let him walk away without much fuss.
Your eyes flick over him, taking in his nervous fidgeting. Itâs endearing, really, the way he seems like he'd rather be anywhere but standing across from you. And maybe itâs because he's the polar opposite of the loud types, but you canât help teasing him a little.
âSoâŚwhoâs in charge of this little mission?â you ask, setting down a few glasses with a subtle clink.
He hesitates, caught off guard by the question. âUhâŚAdmiral Simpson.â
You chuckle. âBeau? That's my uncle."
Bob's eyes widen, his mouth hanging open for a moment before he stammers out a response. "Oh. Uh, wow. I⌠I didnât know." The faintest blush creeps up his cheeks, and he looks down, almost embarrassed to be caught off guard like that.
You canât resist needling him just a bit more, leaning in just close enough to watch him fluster. You know the effect you haveâthe low neckline of your top, the tattoos trailing down your arm, the glint of your piercings just visible through the thin fabric. Heâs doing his best not to stare, but his eyes flick down for a split second before he yanks his gaze back up, his face turning redder by the second.
âDonât worry,â you say with a smirk, letting your fingers trace the rim of a glass, âyour secretâs safe with me.â
âUhâŚthanks. I justâum, Iâll takeâŚuh, the round,â he manages, his voice catching as you pour the drinks.
You can see his struggleâthe way he wants to say something, but every time he opens his mouth, he clams up. He's never met anyone like you before, thatâs obvious. The confidence, the tattoos, the piercings peeking through the fabricâit all ties together into something that leaves him completely off balance. And heâs⌠well, adorable.
As you slide the last glass across the bar to him, you give him a wink. âSee you around, Bob. Bring your friends by sometime.â
He mutters a quiet âthank youâ and shuffles out, beers in hand and cheeks flushed. And as he heads out the door, you can't help but grin to yourself, wondering if heâll find the nerve to say more next time.
---
Itâs a typical night at The Hard Deck, the bar buzzing with energy, filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and rock music blaring from the jukebox. The place is packed with Navy types, just as it always is when thereâs no active mission holding them back. Youâre behind the bar, quick on your feet, sliding drinks to customers and catching up with the regulars. Then, through the crowd, you spot him.
Hangman strides up to the bar with that cocky swagger heâs famous for. Tall, blond, and all confidence, heâs got a grin that could charm the devil himself. And he knows it. Tonight, heâs dressed in his usual off-duty lookâjust tight enough T-shirt and a leather jacket slung over his shoulder, looking every bit the guy who doesnât take ânoâ for an answer. But thatâs the game he plays, and tonight youâre ready for him.
âEvening, sweetheart,â he drawls, leaning across the bar just a little too close. âThought youâd be closed by now.â
You raise an eyebrow, resting your hands on the bar and meeting his gaze without flinching. âWell, I thought youâd be up in the air by now,â you shoot back, your tone teasing. âGuess weâre both full of surprises.â
He chuckles, clearly delighted by the challenge. âAll right, you got me there,â he says, glancing around. âBut Iâve got a list for you. The squadâs thirsty tonight.â
âLetâs hear it, then,â you say, pulling out a row of glasses, ready to work but giving him your full attention.
He leans in even closer, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. âWell, letâs start with two beers for Phoenix and Bob. Canât have âem dehydrating, right?â Thereâs a slight pause, and he gives you a smirk, his gaze lingering a bit longer than necessary. âMake sure Bobâs is extra coldâheâs, uh, still cooling off after the last time you talked to him.â
You laugh, shaking your head as you start on the beers. âDonât tell me heâs still flustered from that., it's been years.â
âPoor guy doesnât stand a chance with you around, no matter the time,â Hangman says with a wink. âBut hey, heâll survive. Next up, Coyote wants a whiskeyâneat. You know how he is. And RoosterâŚâ He pauses, rolling his eyes in that way he does whenever he brings up Rooster. âRoosterâs a beer guy, as usual. But letâs give him the lighter stuff. Donât want him trying to prove anything tonight.â
You slide the beers across to him, already pouring the whiskey as he keeps going. âAnd what about you, Hangman?â you ask, tossing him a smirk. âAnything special, or do you just want a mirror to stare into?â
He laughs, clearly enjoying this back-and-forth. âOuch, darlinâ. That one stings.â He places a hand over his heart, feigning offense before letting his gaze flick down to the line of tattoos trailing up your arm, then back to meet your eyes with a mischievous glint. âBut as long as youâre the one serving, Iâll take whatever you recommend.â
You pour him a whiskey, sliding it over the bar with a raised brow. âThink you can handle it?â
He picks up the glass, holding it up to you with that easy, confident grin. âOh, I can handle a lot more than that. But I like a bartender who can keep me on my toes.â He takes a sip, never breaking eye contact, letting the moment hang in the air.
The bar is still loud around you, but thereâs a beat where itâs just you and him, his gaze heavy and flirtatious, yours daring him to keep going. He leans in a little closer, his voice a quiet murmur. âYou know, we should get a drink somewhere else sometime. Just you and me.â
You lean back, letting a slow smile spread across your face, but truly this guy is not for you. âOh, is that an invitation?â
âConsider it an open one,â he replies, giving you a wink before stepping back to gather up the drinks. âBut hey, donât take too long thinking it over. I donât like waiting.â
Itâs been a busy night, the bar still packed as the crowd buzzes with the kind of energy that only comes when thereâs no telling when the next mission will roll around. Youâre behind the bar, catching your breath after that last round, when you catch sight of Rooster winding his way through the crowd, headed straight for you.
Heâs wearing his usual laid-back styleâwell-worn jeans, a vintage band T-shirt, and that aviator jacket slung over his shoulders. He looks like something out of a different time, especially with those sunglasses perched up in his curls, even though itâs night. Rooster always has this quiet, steady confidence, like he knows he doesnât need to announce himself. And thereâs something a little different in his step as he approaches you, maybe a touch of playfulness in the way heâs looking at you, a half-smile already curving on his lips.
âHey, bartender,â he says, leaning onto the bar with an easy grin. âIâm back for the squadâs refills, but this time I think weâre changing things up.â
âOh yeah?â You give him an amused look, resting your hands on the bar and leaning in just enough to close the space between you. âGuessing Hangman finally realized he can order something other than whiskey?â
He chuckles, shaking his head. âWell, Hangmanâs hard to change. But the rest of us? Weâre open to suggestions. Figured you might know what we need better than we do.â
You raise a brow, sensing the tease in his tone. âOh, so now Iâm in charge of drinks? Guess I must be moving up in the world.â
âBetter believe it.â He flashes you a quick grin. âBut you still gotta keep me entertained while youâre at it.â
You laugh, reaching for a row of glasses. âLet me see⌠Something tells me you could handle a little extra kick tonight.â You pour a round of tequila for Phoenix and Coyote, grabbing lime wedges and a sprinkle of salt for the rims.
âTequila for Phoenix and Coyote,â you announce, lining them up. âAnd⌠letâs do something different for Bob. A Moscow Mule might be more his speedâsomething smooth but not too strong, I know he likes it.â
âPerfect,â Rooster nods, his eyes catching on the way your hands move as you pour, clearly fascinated. âAnd what do you recommend for me?â
âHmm,â you say, pretending to consider as you tilt your head, catching his gaze. âSomething with a bit of bite, I think. Something⌠classic.â
You reach for the whiskey, but instead of neat, you add a twist of orange, pouring a well-balanced Old Fashioned. You slide it over to him, catching his eye with a smirk. âThink youâre ready for that?â
He picks up the glass, turning it slowly in his hand, that same lazy smile lingering on his face. âOnly if youâre ready to join me for one sometime,â he says, his voice low enough to make sure you catch the hint. He takes a sip, and his gaze stays fixed on you, watching your reaction, clearly testing the waters.
You raise an eyebrow, not about to let him off easy. âAnd what makes you think Iâd go for a guy who takes drink recommendations from the bartender?â
He chuckles, not missing a beat. âBecause I donât think youâd waste your time with just any guy.â He holds your gaze, letting the words hang in the air, something challenging in his smile. âYou seem a little⌠particular.â
âAnd you think youâre up to the standards?â You tilt your head, leaning on the bar just close enough that he has to take in every word.
His eyes flick down to your arm, where your tattoos catch the light, and then back up to meet yours, a flicker of mischief in his gaze. âI think Iâd be willing to try,â he says, his voice smooth, steady. âBut Iâll leave it up to you if I get the chance.â
You shake your head, suppressing a grin, and reach for another glass, pouring yourself a splash of soda as you lean back. âHow about you focus on delivering those drinks first, hotshot?â
Rooster raises his glass in a mock salute, his eyes never leaving yours. âAlright, boss,â he says, clearly amused. âBut donât think Iâm letting this go that easily.â
He picks up the tray, balancing it with practiced ease as he throws one last look over his shoulder before heading back to the squad. Youâre left behind the bar, catching your breath with a smile as you watch him go, knowing full well heâll be back for another roundâand maybe another shot at breaking through.
-
The Dagger Squad is clustered around a corner table, the drinks you just served scattered across the tabletop. Conversation and laughter flow easily, but the energy shifts the second Hangman and Rooster start eyeing each other, sizing each other up with cocky grins and sidelong glances. Bob, meanwhile, is trying his best to blend into the background, clutching his Moscow Mule and looking more than a little flustered as he watches his teammates' latest standoff unfold.
âYou know, Rooster,â Jake drawls, leaning back in his chair and raising his whiskey with an infuriatingly smug smile, âyouâre wasting your time here. Sheâs clearly more into a guy with⌠confidence.â He emphasizes the last word, smirking as he takes a slow sip, his eyes flicking over to the bar where youâre serving another customer.
Rooster snorts, crossing his arms as he leans forward. âConfidence? Is that what you call whatever it is you do?â He shakes his head, trying to keep his voice casual, but the competitive gleam in his eyes betrays him. âTrust me, Bagman, sheâs not going for the guy who struts around like a damn peacock.â
Phoenix snickers, sipping her tequila and watching the scene unfold like itâs her favourite soap opera. âThis is priceless,â she mutters to Coyote, who nods, clearly entertained.
âOh, please,â Jake fires back, unfazed. âYou think that âslow burnâ routine of yours is going to win her over? Women donât want to wait around forever. They like a guy who knows what he wants.â He casts another confident glance toward the bar, and Rooster follows his gaze, jaw tightening just slightly.
Bob, meanwhile, is turning a shade of red that nearly matches his squadmateâs call sign. He keeps his eyes firmly on his drink, but Phoenix catches the flush creeping up his neck and nudges him with her elbow.
âHey, Bob,â she says with a mischievous grin, âyouâre awfully quiet over there. What do you think? Whoâs got the better shot?â
Bobâs eyes widen as every head at the table turns to look at him. He stammers, his grip tightening on his glass. âIâI donât know,â he mumbles, his voice barely audible. âI, uh⌠I think sheâd go for someone⌠respectful. Kind of⌠uhâŚâ
Rooster grins, reaching over to pat Bobâs shoulder, his tone almost affectionate. âSee, Bob gets it. A guy whoâs not all in her face about it.â
Jake rolls his eyes, scoffing as he leans back. âRight. Because nothing says âcharmingâ like shyly staring into your drink.â
Bob just blushes harder, sinking a little lower in his seat as Phoenix pats his back in a show of support. âIgnore them, Bob. Theyâre just scared youâre the dark horse here,â she teases, sending Jake and Bradley a challenging look.
âOh, is that it?â Hangman laughs, tipping his glass toward Bob in mock salute. âTell you what, Bobâif she turns me down, Iâll let you take a shot.â
Rooster shakes his head, chuckling. âSure, Bob. If Jake somehow failsâand trust me, he willâyouâve got my blessing.â
Bobâs face is now a deep shade of crimson, and he lets out a nervous laugh, clearly mortified. But he canât resist glancing over toward the bar, where youâre moving easily between customers, completely unaware of the mini-drama playing out across the room.
âYou know what?â Rooster says, straightening up and giving Jake a look thatâs half-challenge, half-smirk. âWhy donât we let her decide whoâs worth her time?â
Jakeâs eyes narrow, a slow smile spreading across his face. âFine by me, Rooster. May the best man win.â
Bob practically melts into his seat, but despite his obvious embarrassment, thereâs the smallest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he glances at you.
-
Youâve been keeping an eye on the Dagger Squad from behind the bar, and youâve caught enough of the banter to know theyâre up to something. You can feel the weight of their stares now, so you decide to put them out of their misery. With a knowing smile, you grab a couple of fresh napkins and make your way over to the table, letting your gaze linger on one person in particular.
Bobâs leaning on the railing, doing his best to stay out of the spotlight as Jake and Bradley bicker, each too wrapped up in their little rivalry to notice you coming. Only Phoenix catches your approach, her eyes widening in excitement as she realizes whatâs about to happen. Sheâs the only one who knows, after all.
âHey, Bobby,â you say with a playful lilt, giving him a warm smile. His head snaps up, his cheeks turning an immediate shade of pink.
You can tell heâs trying to play it cool, but thereâs a flicker of pure adoration in his eyes as he takes you in. Without a word, he leans in, brushing his lips softly against yours, his hand finding your waist as he pulls you in. His usual shyness fades as he melts into the kiss, his touch growing just a little bolder, like heâs letting himself savour every second.
Around you, the entire squad has gone silent. Rooster, Hangman, and Coyote are all staring, mouths slightly open in complete disbelief. But itâs not the kiss that has them in shock. Itâs the glint of your engagement ringâhanging on a delicate chain around your neck, tucked just under the collar of your shirt. The light catches it as you pull back from Bob, and you see the realization dawn on each of their faces.
âOh, my god,â Phoenix gasps, covering her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter as she watches Jake and Bradley try to process what theyâre seeing. âNo way. All this time, and sheâs been with⌠Bobby?â Her eyes sparkle with pure delight as she glances back at you, unable to contain her excitement.
Bob, still flushed from the kiss, shifts awkwardly as he catches sight of his teammatesâ stunned expressions. He ducks his head, clearly overwhelmed by all the attention, but thereâs a shy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he wraps an arm around your waist, holding you close.
âWaitâŚyouâre with Bob?â Hangman says, still sounding completely baffled. He shakes his head, his usual confidence gone. âAnd youâre engaged?â
âGuess we kept it under wraps a little too well,â you say with a smirk, running a hand affectionately through Bobâs hair, watching as he blushes even deeper but relaxes into your touch. He looks at you with such genuine, quiet adoration that itâs impossible not to smile.
Rooster, still processing, lets out a low whistle, shaking his head. âWow. And here I was thinking shy guys didnât stand a chance.â
Phoenix is practically beside herself with joy, and she canât help but gloat just a little. âWell, guess what, boys?â You grin, crossing your arms. âTurns out all I wanted was the quiet one.â
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A pilot? Again?
Pairing: Jake Seresin X detective, single mom reader
After investigating a crash at Top Gun for four hours, Detective Y/N, who lost her husband Daniel four years ago, finds no evidence of foul play and deems the case closed. During her time there, she reconnects with Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, Daniel's younger brother, and meets his charming wingman, Jake "Hangman" Seresin. Hangman flirts with Y/N as he walks her to her car, and for the first time in years, she feels comfortable with the attention. Before leaving, Y/N gives him her card with her number, leaving the door open for future contact. Hangman promises to text, sparking the potential for a new chapter in her life.
This chapter contains references to past personal loss and emotional themes. It features characters dealing with grief and the aftermath of a tragic event.
Two Weeks of Silence
It had been two weeks since the funeral, but the house was still suffocating. The silence was unbearable, the only sounds coming from the occasional babble of 14-month-old Keith or the quiet shuffle of Logan, who had been eerily quiet since his fatherâs death. It was as if the life had been drained from the walls along with Daniel "Griffin" Bradshaw, Bradleyâs older brother by two years.
Y/N stood in the kitchen, gripping the counter with trembling hands, her back turned to the door. The numbness hadnât left. It clung to her like a second skin, tightening with every passing day. She had held it together at the funeralâeveryone had said she was so strong. Strong for the kids. But now, without the distraction of people offering meaningless words, she felt nothing but an empty ache.
Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw had been coming over almost every day since the funeral. Not that sheâd asked him to. He just showed up, like he was trying to step into Danielâs shoes. But he wasnât Daniel. He never would be.
She heard the familiar creak of the door behind her. She didnât bother turning around. She already knew who it was.
âY/N,â Bradley said, his voice quiet but rough, the usual edge missing.
âWhat is it, Bradley?â she asked, her tone sharper than she intended.
âI came to check on you,â he said, stepping into the kitchen with a heavy sigh.
Y/N gritted her teeth and turned to face him, her arms crossed. She looked exhaustedâdark circles under her eyes, her face pale and drawn. âYou donât have to keep coming here, you know. Iâm not your responsibility.â
Bradleyâs jaw tightened. He didnât like the way she was pushing him away, but he wasnât about to argue with her. Not now. Not after everything. âI know. But Iâm here anyway.â
She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. âRight. Youâre always here.â
Bradley stared at her, his eyes flicking to the half-empty bottle of whiskey sitting on the counter. âHave you slept at all?â
âWhy does it matter?â she snapped. âSleep doesnât change anything. Danielâs still dead. Iâm still stuck here raising these boys on my own. You think a napâs going to fix that?â
Bradley didnât flinch. He just nodded, the muscles in his jaw working as he tried to keep his emotions in check. âNo. It wonât.â
Y/N turned away from him again, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. Keithâs babbling came from the living room, a small reminder that her youngest son needed her, even though she felt like she had nothing left to give. Logan, too, had been withdrawn, watching everything in silent confusion. He was too young to understand why his father wasnât coming home, but old enough to sense the weight of what had happened.
âWhat am I supposed to tell them, Bradley?â she asked, her voice breaking slightly. âWhat do I say to Logan when he asks about his dad? That he died on some mission that went sideways? That heâs never coming back? When I do he asks why. How am I meant to know!?â
Bradley exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. âI donât know, Y/N. I wish I had the answers. But Loganâs going to need you to be honest with him. You canât shield him from it forever.â
She let out a shaky breath, blinking rapidly to fight back the tears. âHeâs only seven, Bradley. He shouldnât have to grow up like this.â
Bradley stepped closer, his voice softening. âYouâre right. He shouldnât. But heâs toughâjust like his dad. And youâre tougher than you think.â
Y/N shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. âIt'll ruin the kid. Iâm just so damn tired.â
Bradley stood there, not sure what to say. He wasnât good at thisâthe comforting, the emotional stuff. That had always been Danielâs role. But Daniel wasnât here anymore, and Bradley was all Y/N had left. He stepped forward, cautiously, until he was right next to her.
âYou donât have to do it alone,â he said quietly. âIâm here for you. For Logan. For Keith.â
Y/N didnât respond at first, just kept staring at the floor, the weight of everything crushing down on her. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice tight with suppressed emotion.
âYouâre not Daniel, Bradley. You were barely ever here before that either.â
The words cut deep, but Bradley nodded, accepting them for what they were. He wasnât Daniel. He couldnât replace his brother, no matter how hard he tried. But he could be there for the family Daniel had left behind.
âI know,â Bradley said quietly. âBut Iâm still here.â
Y/N finally looked up at him, her eyes red and tired. There was no fight left in her, no anger, just a raw, aching grief that mirrored his own.
âLogan asked me yesterday if his dad was a hero,â she said, her voice barely audible.
Bradleyâs throat tightened. âWhat did you say?â
She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the floor. âI didnât know what to say. Fourteen times in my life I accused pilots of doing something wrong but never Daniel. I just told him⌠I told him his dad loved him. That was all I could get out.â
Bradley nodded slowly, his chest aching with a familiar sense of loss. âItâs enough. Logan doesnât need the details. He just needs to know that his dad loved him. Thatâs what matters.â
Y/Nâs eyes met his again, and for the first time since Danielâs death, there was something other than anger or numbness there. Maybe it was acceptance. Maybe it was just exhaustion. But she didnât push him away this time.
âI donât know how to do this,â she admitted quietly.
âYou donât have to figure it all out today,â Bradley replied. âJust take it one day at a time. Iâll be here. For whatever you need.â
Y/N nodded, her shoulders slumping as the weight of it all threatened to overwhelm her again. But this time, Bradley was there, standing beside her, ready to catch her if she fell.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.
-----
Four years had passed since Danielâs death, and life had moved on, even if it still carried the scars of that day. Y/N had thrown herself into her work, rising through the ranks until she became a detective, often working with specialized units like CSI. Her job demanded precision, focus, and a cool head under pressureâtraits sheâd developed while learning to balance being a widow and a mother to two boys.
It was 6:00 AM, and the alarm blared from her phone. Y/N groaned, stretching in her bed before she turned it off and rubbed her eyes. Another day, another case to solve. She threw the covers off and padded to the bathroom.
Standing in front of the mirror, she stared at herself. She turned on the faucet and grabbed her toothbrush, squeezing a small amount of minty toothpaste onto the bristles. The rhythmic motion of brushing her teeth was oddly soothing, a routine that anchored her at the start of each day. She brushed methodically, starting from the back molars, working her way to the front, the fresh taste of mint chasing away the dregs of sleep. After rinsing, she ran her tongue over her teeth, appreciating the smooth, clean feeling.
Next, she grabbed her brush and began working through her hair. Her hair had grown longer than she usually kept it, but she liked the way it looked nowâprofessional but still a little wild. She worked through a few tangles, brushing from the roots to the ends until her hair was soft and smooth. She tied it back into a sleek ponytail, the style that was both functional and neat for her long days on the job.
Returning to the bedroom, Y/N opened her closet. She ran her fingers over the hangers, choosing a black tailored blazer and matching pants. A crisp white blouse underneath kept the look sharp but professional. Sliding the pants on first, she tucked in her blouse and fastened the blazer, making sure everything sat perfectly. She moved over to the full-length mirror by the closet door, adjusting her collar and sleeves. Her badge was clipped to the belt, a constant reminder of the responsibility she carried.
Finally, she walked over to the small safe tucked discreetly in her nightstand drawer. She spun the dial, opening the metal door with a quiet click. Inside sat her standard-issue Glock. The cold metal felt familiar in her hand as she checked it over, ensuring it was loaded and ready. She slipped the gun into its holster at her side, concealed beneath her blazer. One last glance in the mirrorâshe looked like a detective ready to take on whatever the day threw at her.
But before she could leave the house, there was one more challenge: waking up her boys.
Y/N headed down the hall to Loganâs room. At eleven, Logan was already turning into a miniature version of his father. He had Danielâs stubbornness, for sure, and waking him up in the morning had become something of a battle over the years.
She knocked gently on the door. âLogan, itâs time to get up.â
There was no response. She sighed, opening the door and stepping into the room. Logan was buried under his blankets, only the top of his messy brown hair visible. His room was a mess, toys and clothes scattered across the floor, his desk cluttered with books and school papers.
âLogan,â Y/N said again, this time with more authority. âGet up. Youâve got school.â
A muffled groan came from beneath the blankets. âFive more minutes,â he mumbled.
Y/N smirked, walking over to the bed and gently pulling the covers down. Logan blinked up at her, his face creased from the pillow, eyes squinting in the early morning light.
âYou said that yesterday,â she said, tapping his shoulder. âCome on. You donât want to miss the bus.â
Logan groaned again, rolling over onto his back. âIâm not a morning person, Mom. You know that.â
âI do know that,â Y/N replied, crossing her arms. âBut it doesnât change the fact that you have to get up. Now.â
With a dramatic sigh, Logan finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. He stretched, his arms reaching above his head, and yawned loudly. âFine, fine. Iâm up.â
âGood,â Y/N said, walking back to the door. âGet dressed. Breakfast is in ten minutes.â
Logan gave a half-hearted nod, already shuffling towards his closet as Y/N left the room, leaving him to his slow morning routine.
Next was Keith. At five years old, he was still small and full of energy, but mornings werenât his strong suit either. Y/N stepped into his room, where Keith was curled up in his bed, clutching his favourite stuffed animalâa well-worn bear named Buddy.
âKeith, time to wake up,â she said softly, kneeling beside his bed.
Keith stirred, his big brown eyes fluttering open as he looked up at her. He yawned, stretching his tiny arms out as he rubbed at his eyes. âMorning, Mama.â
âGood morning, sweetheart,â Y/N said with a smile. âLetâs get you ready for school, okay?â
Keith nodded sleepily, still half-asleep as Y/N helped him sit up. She pulled out a pair of pants and a T-shirt from his dresser, guiding him through getting dressed. His little fingers fumbled with the shirt buttons, so she crouched down and helped him fasten them.
Once he was dressed, she scooped him up and carried him to the bathroom, setting him down gently on the step stool by the sink. Keith blinked blearily as Y/N handed him his toothbrush, squeezing a bit of kid-friendly toothpaste onto the bristles.
âHere you go, buddy. Letâs brush those teeth.â
Keith obediently brushed, though his movements were slow and clumsy. Y/N kept a watchful eye, making sure he didnât miss any spots. Once they were done, she wiped his mouth with a washcloth and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead.
âAll set, champ. Youâre ready for the day.â
Keith smiled, still a little groggy but looking more awake now. He reached for her hand as they left the bathroom, heading downstairs to join Logan for breakfast.
Y/N leaned against the kitchen counter, sipping her coffee and watching as her boys sat at the table. It was a non-uniform day at their school, which always meant a little more chaos in the morning, especially with Keith's boundless energy. The five-year-old was practically vibrating in his seat, bouncing up and down as he eagerly shovelled toast into his mouth.
"Keith, slow down," Logan said in a calm but firm voice, his tone carrying the weight of someone much older. At eleven, Logan had always been the quieter, more serious oneâa reflection of his father in so many ways. While his younger brother practically buzzed with energy, Logan was a calm presence, though he often seemed like he was carrying the weight of the world on his small shoulders. she told Bradley everything would ruin him.
Keith barely paid attention, his legs swinging wildly under the table. âBut itâs a non-uniform day! We donât have to wear the stupid ties and stuff! And weâre bringing money to school! Can we buy sweets, Mama?â
Y/N smiled at the contrast between her two boys. Keith was practically bursting with excitement, his eyes wide and full of life. Meanwhile, Logan sat quietly in front of his cereal, poking at the milk with his spoon, his face expressionless.
âI gave Logan a tenner,â Y/N said, looking at her older son. âHeâll pay for both of you.â
Logan sighed and pushed his hair back, not too thrilled about his role as the responsible older brother but accepting it with his usual calm. âIâll take care of it,â he said in his usual, even tone. âBut Keith, youâve gotta calm down. Youâre gonna knock something over.â
Keith, of course, ignored the warning. âCan we buy, like, five packs of candy, Logan? And maybe some chocolate too!â
Logan raised an eyebrow. âNo. Thatâs not what itâs for. Weâre paying for the non-uniform day, not having a candy shopping spree.â
Keith pouted dramatically, crossing his arms over his chest, but he didnât argue back. He knew better. âFine,â he muttered, but within seconds, he was back to fidgeting in his seat, still brimming with excitement.
Y/N shook her head in amusement. âLoganâs right. The money is for school, not to load up on sweets. But maybe Iâll get you something after school if you both behave, okay?â
Keith perked up immediately. âOkay, Mama!â
Logan merely nodded, his expression unchanging. He took a slow bite of his cereal, clearly not as enthusiastic about the day as his younger brother. Y/N knew it wasnât just about todayâLogan had always been more introspective, more serious. He carried a quiet sadness sometimes, though he didnât like to talk about it much. She knew he missed his father, even if he didnât say it aloud. The weight of responsibility that had fallen on his young shoulders wasnât something a boy his age should have to deal with.
Y/N glanced at the clock on the wall, mentally going through her schedule for the day. âIâve got to work until four today,â she said, placing her mug down on the counter. âSo Pennyâs going to pick you both up from school, and youâll hang out with Amelia until Iâm off. That okay with you guys?â
Keith immediately bounced in his seat again. âYay! I love hanging out with Amelia! Sheâs gonna let me play her video games, right? She said she would last time!â
Logan just nodded, taking another slow bite of his cereal. âThatâs fine,â he said, his tone still calm and measured. âWeâll be okay.â
Y/N walked over and ruffled Loganâs hair, earning a slight frown from him as he smoothed it back down. âI know you will. Youâre always a big help with Keith.â
Keith grinned at his brother, clearly not picking up on the subtle tension in Loganâs face. âLoganâs the best!â he shouted, practically bouncing out of his chair now. âHeâs gonna let me sit with him at lunch too!â
Logan sighed softly, glancing at his younger brother. âYeah, sure. Just⌠calm down, okay?â
Y/N chuckled, finishing the last of her coffee before setting the cup down. She leaned against the counter, watching her boysâso different from each other, but in some ways, inseparable. Keith was a bright light, always full of energy and joy, while Logan had become her steady, serious boy, even though she wished heâd let himself be a kid more often.
âAlright, you two. Finish up your breakfast and get your shoes on. We need to leave in ten minutes,â Y/N said, gently nudging them along.
Keith practically jumped out of his chair, already halfway to the hallway to grab his sneakers, while Logan moved with his usual calm, taking his time to finish his cereal before he stood up.
Y/N glanced at Logan, her heart aching just a little as she watched him. âLogan,â she said softly, causing him to pause and look up at her. âYou donât always have to be the grown-up, you know. Itâs okay to just⌠be a kid.â
Logan shrugged, his eyes dropping to the floor. âI know,â he said, but there was a distance in his voice, like he wasnât quite convinced.
Y/N sighed softly, resisting the urge to push further. Logan was like thatâquiet, introspective. Heâd open up when he was ready, and sheâd be there when he did.
âAlright, letâs go,â she said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. âNon-uniform day and no rushing. Itâs a good start to the day, donât you think?â
Logan gave a small, barely noticeable nod, and together they all headed out the door, Keith still chattering excitedly about his plans for the day while Logan walked quietly beside him, always the calm to his little brotherâs storm.
---
Y/N had barely finished her second cup of coffee when her phone buzzed with a new case. She was standing in the precinctâs break room, chatting with her rookie partner, Officer Miles Daniels, when her phone went off. Glancing at the screen, her stomach sank as she read the details. A crash at Top Gunâthe United States Navy Fighter Weapons School.
âMiles, grab your gear,â Y/N called over her shoulder as she quickly gathered her things. âWeâve got a case. Weâre heading to Top Gun.â
Miles raised an eyebrow, still fresh-faced and eager after joining the detective unit, but he moved quickly, following her lead. âTop Gun? Isnât that, like, military?â
âYeah, it is,â Y/N responded, slipping her badge and gun into place as they made their way out of the precinct. âBut if thereâs civilian criminal activity involved, or something suspicious, we get pulled in. Plus, this isnât just a crashâitâs a potential aircraft destruction case.â
As they made the short drive to the base, Y/N filled Miles in on what they were walking into. The pilot was in stable condition, but there was suspicion that the crash wasnât just an accident. With a $15 million aircraft destroyed, the stakes were high.
When they arrived at the Naval base, the military security waved them through after checking their credentials. Y/N parked the car outside the main lobby of the base, and the two of them stepped out into the bright morning sun. The sprawling complex of hangars, runways, and state-of-the-art fighter jets stretched out in front of them.
Inside the lobby, they were met by Sergeant Tim Bradford, a stoic and no-nonsense detective who had recently transferred from LAPD to work more closely with specialized cases involving military personnel. Y/N had worked with him on a couple of cases before. He was tough, by the book, and not someone to mess with.
âBradford,â Y/N greeted him with a nod as she and Miles approached.
âDetective Y/L/N,â Bradford replied, giving her a quick, respectful nod. His sharp blue eyes shifted briefly to Miles, sizing him up. âThis your rookie?â
âYeah, Officer Daniels,â Y/N introduced her partner. Miles nodded politely, though he seemed slightly nervous under Bradfordâs scrutinizing gaze.
âAlright,â Bradford said, moving straight to business. âHereâs what we know: A pilot, callsign âRaptor,â nosedived his F/A-18 Super Hornet straight into the runway early this morning. Heâs in stable condition at the hospital, but that jet? Itâs totalledâ$15 million down the drain. The Navyâs doing their own investigation, but weâve been brought in to determine if this was an intentional act or negligence.â
Y/Nâs brow furrowed as she listened. âAny indication so far that it was deliberate?â
Bradford shook his head. âNot yet. The pilot claims he lost control, but thereâs speculation he might have been pushed into itâpressure from his CO, maybe. And if we find anything that points to foul play, the Navyâs going to press charges for destruction of government property. Thatâs where we come in.â
Y/N nodded, exchanging a glance with Miles, who was taking everything in, trying to piece it all together. âAlright,â she said. âLetâs get to the crash site.â
As they made their way across the base toward the crash site, Y/N kept her eyes sharp. The walk was long, but it gave her a chance to mentally prepare. Aircraft crashes werenât her usual territory, but the stakes were high, and she was used to pressure.
âI read up on the case file on the way here,â Miles said as they walked. âThe pilotâs got a clean recordânothing disciplinary, no indication heâd do something like this on purpose.â
âKeep that in mind, but donât jump to conclusions,â Y/N replied, her tone firm but patient. âWeâre here to look at the evidence, not get caught up in speculation.â
As they neared the crash site, the wreckage of the once sleek fighter jet came into view. The front of the aircraft was crumpled, its nose smashed into the runway with debris scattered all around. Military personnel were already on the scene, cordoning off the area, but the sheer destruction was undeniable.
Y/N knelt down near the wreckage, scanning the area. The nose of the plane was completely destroyed, and the force of the impact had created deep cracks in the runway. It was clear that this hadnât been a controlled landing.
âJesus,â Miles muttered under his breath, his eyes wide as he looked over the wreckage.
âYeah,â Y/N agreed grimly, standing up. âThis wasnât a small mistake.â
She turned to Bradford. âHave they ruled out mechanical failure?â
âTheyâre working on it,â Bradford said, crossing his arms as he surveyed the scene. âBut so far, nothing obvious. Itâs more likely a pilot error, but the pilot swears he was fully in control before the nosedive.â
Y/N nodded thoughtfully, walking around the wreckage. Her mind worked quickly, analysing the scene, looking for anything that didnât quite fit. âWeâll need to talk to the ground crew who prepped the plane and the other pilots who were flying with him,â she said, glancing at Miles. âSomething doesnât add up here.â
Bradford nodded. âAlready got the names. Ground crewâs being interviewed, and the flight teamâs in the ready room waiting for you.â
Y/N exchanged a look with Miles. âLetâs get to it. The faster we figure out what happened here, the better.â
As Y/N and Miles made their way toward the hangar, they passed a group of aviators, all wearing their flight suits and looking equally serious and exhausted. Among them, a familiar face caught Y/Nâs eye. The short moustache, the tousled sandy hair, and that unmistakable stanceâit was Bradley âRoosterâ Bradshaw.
Y/Nâs breath caught in her throat for a moment. She hadnât seen Bradley in years, not since Danielâs funeral. He looked older now, more worn by the weight of life, but still very much the kid brother of her late husband. Her heart squeezed at the sight of him, a wave of memories flooding back.
âBradley?â she called out, her voice hesitant but filled with recognition.
Bradley turned at the sound of his name, his eyes widening as he saw her. âY/N?â he said, a mix of surprise and relief crossing his face. âI canât believe it. What are you doing here?â
They approached each other, and Y/N gave him a warm smile. âDetective now,â she explained, gesturing to her badge. âWorking a case on base.â
Rooster gave a small smile, his eyes softening with a mix of nostalgia and respect. âItâs been a while.â
âToo long,â Y/N replied, though the weight of that statement hung between them. The unspoken grief over Daniel was still there, lingering in the air. But this wasnât the time or place for a deep conversation about the past.
Bradley shook his head, a half-smirk playing on his lips. âI shouldâve known youâd end up kicking ass as a detective.â
Y/N chuckled softly. âI try. And youâyouâre an instructor now, huh? Flying with the best of the best?â
Bradley nodded. âYeah, something like that. Let me introduce you to my wingman.â He turned, motioning toward a tall, confident-looking man standing a few feet away. âThis is Lieutenant Jake âHangmanâ Seresin.â
Jake stepped forward, offering a charming grin that seemed to light up his entire face. âPleasure to meet you, Detective Y/L/N. Heard a lot about you,â he said smoothly, extending his hand.
Y/N raised an eyebrow, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake. Jakeâs grip was strong, but not overbearing. There was something about his demeanourâequal parts charm and arroganceâthat made her feel like she needed to stay on her toes around him. He had that aura, the kind of guy who was used to turning heads and getting what he wanted.
âI hope it was all good things,â Y/N replied, her tone lightly teasing.
âAll good,â Jake said with a wink, his southern drawl coming through in a way that made his words linger just a little too long. âRoosterâs mentioned how tough you are. Seems like you two go way back.â
âWe do,â Y/N confirmed, glancing at Rooster with a fond smile. âFamily.â
There was a pause as the moment settled between them, and then Jake spoke up again. âSo, what brings you to our little corner of the sky? I assume itâs not just a social visit.â
Y/N shifted back into professional mode, nodding. âWeâre investigating the crash. The pilotââRaptor,â I believeâis in stable condition, but thereâs a possibility this wasnât just pilot error. We need to determine if this was deliberate or negligence. My job is to figure out what went wrong and, if necessary, whoâs responsible.â
Rooster exchanged a look with Jake, both of them clearly intrigued but also guarded. âWeâre the instructors for this group,â Bradley said. âBut we donât know much beyond that. Raptorâs a good pilotâthis isnât something youâd expect from him.â
Jake nodded in agreement. âYeah, kidâs sharp. Cocky, sure, but weâve all been there. Heâs not the kind to pull a stunt like this unless something went wrong.â
Y/N folded her arms, considering their words. âSo no inside information? Nothing unusual in his behaviour or flight patterns before the crash?â
Both men shook their heads. âNo,â Rooster replied. âEverything seemed normal during the briefing and take-off. Whatever happened, it mustâve been in the air.â
âOr in his head,â Jake added, his expression thoughtful. âSometimes itâs hard to tell whatâs going on up there, even with the best pilots.â
Y/N nodded, appreciating their input. âAlright, well, hereâs what weâve got so far,â she said, launching into a detailed explanation.
âThe crash happened early this morning. Raptor nosedived into the runway, and while heâs alive, the aircraft is totalled. The Navyâs investigating the mechanical side, but they want us to assess whether there was any human interferenceâeither pressure from above, negligence, or if this was intentional. The stakes are high. A $15 million jet destroyed canât just be written off as an accident without a full inquiry. Weâre looking into everything: the ground crew, flight logs, maintenance records, and Raptorâs personal state of mind.â
Bradley listened intently, his arms crossed over his chest, while Jakeâs eyes narrowed, taking it all in. âThatâs serious,â Rooster finally said, his voice low. âIf thereâs any suspicion of intentional sabotage or negligence, heâs looking at major charges.â
âExactly,â Y/N agreed. âWeâre trying to avoid that if itâs not warranted, but we need to be thorough.â
Jake leaned against the side of a nearby truck, his expression a mix of intrigue and something close to admiration. âWell, Detective, youâve got your work cut out for you. Anything we can do to help?â
Y/N smiled at him, though her mind was already racing with the possibilities. âJust stay close in case we need anything. I might need to talk to the other pilots too.â
Rooster nodded. âWeâll be around. And hey, itâs good to see you again, Y/N.â
âYou too, Bradley,â she replied softly before glancing back at Jake, who gave her one last charming grin as they walked away.
âDonât be a stranger, Detective,â Jake called after her with a wink.
---
The four-hour mark at the crash site. The long day was wearing on both of them, but Y/N was no stranger to gruelling hours. She had spent countless days on crime scenes, sifting through endless evidence, and poring over tiny details that could make or break a case. Yet, this one seemed differentâsomething about it felt dead in the water.
They had examined the wreckage from every angle, spoken to the ground crew, double-checked the maintenance logs, and even consulted with the flight team. But nothing substantial had emerged to indicate foul play. It seemed more and more like a tragic case of pilot error, despite the nagging feeling in Y/Nâs gut that something wasnât right.
She straightened up from where she had been crouching near the debris, wiping her hands on her jeans and squinting in the fading light. Miles walked over, notebook in hand, looking exhausted but still eager.
âWhat do you think, Detective?â Miles asked, his voice quieter than usual, likely from the hours of tension.
Y/N sighed, her eyes scanning the crumpled remains of the jet one last time. âI think this is a dead case for us,â she admitted reluctantly. âThereâs no solid evidence of foul play, no suspicious activity leading up to the crash. Itâs looking more like a tragic mistake than anything else.â
Miles nodded slowly, clearly taking her lead, though he looked a little deflated. âSo, weâre calling it?â
âWeâll let the Navy finish their mechanical investigation, but as far as our end goes, yeah, Iâm calling it,â Y/N said, her tone final but not unkind. âYou did good today, Miles. I know itâs not the ending we were hoping for, but sometimes cases just donât pan out the way you think they will.â
âYeah,â he agreed, scratching the back of his neck. âI get it. But itâs frustrating.â
âIt is,â she said, giving him a small smile. âBut thatâs part of the job. Letâs head back. Iâll debrief with Rooster and Hangman, and weâll wrap this up.â
Together, they made their way back toward where Rooster and Hangman had been waiting by the hangar. Y/N could see them leaning against the side of a truck, deep in conversation. When they saw her and Miles approaching, Rooster straightened up, his expression expectant.
âHowâs it looking?â Rooster asked, his tone hopeful but cautious.
Y/N shook her head. âNot much to go on. Iâm calling it a dead case for us. The Navy can finish their investigation, but we havenât found anything that suggests sabotage or intentional destruction.â
Rooster sighed softly, nodding in understanding. âAlright, thanks for looking into it anyway. I know Raptorâs not going to be thrilled, but itâs better than a criminal charge hanging over his head.â
At that moment, Miles stepped forward, looking a little nervous but determined. âActually, Lieutenant Bradshaw, I still have a few more questions for youâjust to tie up some loose ends.â
Rooster raised an eyebrow but gave a nod, turning his attention fully to Miles. âSure thing, Officer. What do you need?â
As Rooster and Miles moved off to the side, Y/N turned to see Jake âHangmanâ Seresin watching her with that signature grin plastered across his face. His charm seemed almost effortless, like it was second nature to him.
âWell, Detective,â Hangman said, pushing off from the truck and sauntering over to her with a slight swagger. âSince Roosterâs busy, how about I walk you to your car? Itâs the least I can do after youâve been out here all day in the sun.â
Y/N chuckled, feeling the tension in her shoulders begin to ease for the first time in hours. There was something disarming about Hangmanâs confidence. Normally, she wouldâve felt guarded, maybe even slightly intimidated by a guy like him. But right now? For the first time in a long time, she didnât feel that way.
âSure,â she said with a smirk. âI wouldnât mind the company.â
They began walking across the tarmac together, the gentle evening breeze cooling the hot air from the long day. Hangman kept pace beside her, his hands tucked casually into his flight suit pockets, his easy smile never faltering.
âSo,â he began, his tone light, âyouâre telling me that after spending four hours out here investigating a crash and coming up empty, you still manage to look this good? Iâve got to say, Iâm impressed.â
Y/N rolled her eyes playfully, though she couldnât help but smile. âIs that your best line, Lieutenant? Youâre going to have to try harder than that.â
âMaybe,â Hangman drawled, his Texas accent coming through thick. âBut I figure, why mess with what works?â
Y/N shook her head, but she was still smiling. âIs this how you charm all the women you meet?â
He gave her a faux-hurt expression. âNot all the women, Detective. Just the ones who look like they could outsmart me and outshoot me in the same day.â
Y/N laughed, a real laugh, and she realized how rare that had become. Jake was flirty, sure, but in a way that wasnât overbearing or disrespectful. He wasnât pushing boundariesâjust toeing the line, making her feel lighter after such a long, draining day.
As they reached her car, she stopped, turning to face him. Hangman looked down at her with a playful spark in his eyes, clearly not ready to let the moment end.
âWell, thanks for the escort, Lieutenant Seresin,â Y/N said, her voice softer now. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her work card, handing it to him. âHere. This has my number on itâin case you ever feel like texting. Iâm⌠open to it.â
For a moment, Jake looked surprised, but that charming smile returned quickly as he took the card from her hand. His fingers brushed hers lightly, sending a small spark up her arm. âNow, thatâs an offer I wonât pass up,â he said smoothly, tucking the card into his pocket. âYou can expect a text soon, Detective. Count on it.â
Y/N felt a strange flutter in her chest as she smiled at him one last time, sliding into her car. As she closed the door and started the engine, Jake stepped back, giving her a two-finger salute before watching her drive away.
For the first time in years, the idea of someone flirting with her didnât make her feel guarded or anxious. Instead, it felt⌠nice. Maybe it was Hangmanâs easy-going confidence, or maybe it was just time for her to feel something other than the weight of responsibility. Either way, she wasnât opposed to seeing where things might lead.
As she drove away from the base, Y/N glanced at her phone in the cup holder. And for the first time in a long while, she found herself hoping that a certain charming fighter pilot would follow through on his promise.
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...And Then I Met Him | Chapter 1 - A New Reality
Jake Seresin x OC
Summary: It's the night before your first unofficial deployment and there are a few familiar faces in the crowd
Chapter Warnings: Mentions of death, mentions of heart attacks, inaccurate military things, idk
Word Count: 6.1k - I can promise that this probably won't happen again. I just couldn't stop writing
A/N: A long one, but like I said, I couldn't stop writing. We get to meet a few new characters in this one, including our leading man himself. There's also a little bit more backstory. I tried to proof it as much as I could but I probably missed a few things. Anyways... HAPPY READING!
Series Masterlist
âGood morning, kiddo,â your uncle announced, not even bothering to look up, as you walked down the stairs, still in your pajamas.Â
He was sitting at the counter, breakfast with an additional thousands of papers sitting in front of him, including personnel folders and more. As you got closer, you realized his food was untouched and his hand was placed over his forehead as he disregarded all of the open documents but one. You looked over his shoulder, glancing at the photo and the name, presumably one of the pilots that your uncle told you that youâd be working with in the next few weeks.Â
âWhich pilot is that?â you asked, wanting to know their name. Between the twelve recruits and other personnel that were going to be on base, you didnât know if you were going to keep up with everyoneâs names. Maverick didnât move.Â
âUncle Mav,â you said, a little bit louder, trying to catch his attention that seemed to be focused on this singular pilot.Â
âHmm?â he hummed, looking up at you finally.Â
âI asked who that was,â you offered again.Â
âBradley Bradshaw. Callsign: Rooster. I used to fly with his father.â
âYou make it sound like thatâs a bad thing,â you scoffed as you grabbed a cup of yogurt you had purchased the day before from the fridge..Â
He smirked, desperately trying to put a face on, but you could tell it was bothering him. Deciding against pushing it, you poured a small bit of oats into the yogurt before settling into the stool next to him by the counter.Â
âSo, tell me again. What exactly is my job?â
Maverick closed the file, setting it down on the counter and finally acknowledging his soggy oatmeal sitting in front of him. He took a small bite before answering you.Â
âYou are what weâre going to call a Naval Liaison. Because youâve never gone through military training, let alone flight school, youâll basically be a consultant. You read that file I gave you a couple nights, right?â You nodded your head, recalling the few files similar to the ones on the counter that you read over entailing all of the details of the mission, the jets, minus a few things blacked out that were way above your paygrade, but hell, all of this really was. âThese pilots need constant monitoring. I need to know who they are, pilots and otherwise, if Iâm going to trust them to fly on this mission. Hondo will take most of the military aspect of things, but I want you to get inside their minds, find out what makes them tick, if theyâre loyal to their team. And youâll report back to me, back to the Admirals on base about their progress.â
âSo, Iâm like your inside man?â you questioned, letting out a small laugh.Â
âYeah, yeah. Like my inside man.â He looked back down at his food. âLook, I know it isnât much. Hell, I donât even know how I got Ice to agree to this.â Tom âIcemanâ Kazansky. Youâd learned that he was a lifelong friend of your uncle, one he had flown with when he went to Top Gun some thirty years ago. Mav said that he and Tom owed a lot to one another, hence the reason that he was still in the Navy.Â
âItâs okay, Uncle Mav, really. Iâm thankful to even be here. It was sudden, Iâll give you that, but Iâm really glad Iâm here. At whatever job I manage to have. And Iâm not going to complain. It pays well,â you joked, taking a bite of your yogurt.Â
âIâm glad youâre here too, kiddo,â he said, ruffling his hands through your hair as he stood up to bring his bowl to the sink. He hadnât bothered to finish the food, but at this rate, he didnât seem hungry. âHowâs your mom been doing?â You heard the water begin to run in the sink, rinsing out the dish.Â
âSheâs beenâŚgood. Honestly, no different from home, so thatâs a good thing. Listen,â you started, âIâm not exactly sure how this whole caregiver thing is gonna go. Wouldnât it just be easier for me to go back and forth from the base everyday?â
The water shut off as he turned back to you. âI know youâre worried about her. I am too, but I need you there. Hondoâs a good sidekick, but he doesnât exactly fit in with the group. Youâre about their age, youâll get along with the pilots just fine.â He took a deep breath, giving you the chance to disagree with him if you decided to come home every night. It would make his job a little bit harder, but he wanted to make sure you were happy. But you didn't. You just sat straight, eating your breakfast. âWhat time does the nurse get here?â
â6 oâclock. Will you be home by then?â you asked, not wanting to be alone during the whole thing. You didnât know how to explain to a total stranger that your mother wasn't really sick, at least you didn't think she was. She just couldn't make meals, bathe, live without someone's assistance. Okay, maybe she was sicker than you'd admit to yourself, but you were nervous about the thought of someone else taking care of her. They didn't know her. They didn't know what music she likes to listen to and what she didn't while you washed her hair. They didn't know how she likes to have her tomatoes sliced when you made her a sandwich. Weariness rolled through you at the thought of your mother not being properly cared for.Â
âI should be home no later than 5. I just have to go over some mission details with Hondo this morning and prep our rooms on base.â
âOkay,â you sighed deeply.
âHow about we go out tonight, do something?â he asked. âIf things go well with the caretaker, we can give her a little trial run.â
âMav-â
He cut you off. âYou need to loosen up a little, kiddo. You've been taking care of your mom for a long time. Now it's time to take care of you.â
You thought to yourself for a few moments. He was right. When was the last time you had a night out, unless it was working at the diner back in Georgia? For you, it wasn't hard to leave home. You didn't have other family or friends to miss. Other than to your mom and your uncle, you weren't of any importance.Â
âI'll think about it,â you replied firmly.Â
âThat's all I can ask for, Vayda.â Grabbing his aviators and the keys to his bike, he rounded the counter back towards you. You felt his hand drop on your shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. âHave a good day and you can look over these files if you want to.â He gestured to the manila folders on the counter. âI'll see you in the evening.â
Before you knew it, he was out of the house, leaving dead silence other than your spoon clicking against the glass bowl.Â
You stared at yourself in the mirror, wondering if you were presentable enough in your baby pink tank and jean shorts, paired with a light gray sweater. you wanted to make a good impression on this person. After all, they were going to be taking care of your mother. You had prepped her an hour prior, allowing her to rest in her bed until it was time to meet the nurse.Â
The sound of the front door opening startled you, bringing you out of your thoughts. Before you could question who was, a familiar voice rang out from down the stairs.Â
âI'm late, I'm late I know. Are they here yet?â he asked.Â
âNo!â you shouted back down, grabbing your phone out of your pocket to check the time. âThey will be soon though.â
You stood up from the chair in front of the vanity, choosing to leave your hair in its braid. You weren't entirely sure what Uncle Mav had chosen for your little outing tonight, but you figured you didn't need to be super put together. Besides, if you were outside for it, you could just forfeit the sweater. As you made your way out of your room and down the stairs, you heard a small knock on the door.Â
âI'll be right out!â Maverick shouted from the bathroom down the hall as you made your way to the front door.Â
Opening it slowly, behind the door revealed a middle-aged woman, looking similarly in age to your mother. She had her dark hair tied back in a low bun, blue scrubs covering her form.Â
âHi,â you began, tone sweet. âCome on in.â You stepped aside, allowing her to move past you into the house. âMy uncle will be out in a sec,â you stated, closing the door behind her.
âI'm assuming it's your mother I'm taking care of?â the nurse voiced.Â
âYes,â you responded, gesturing her down the hall and towards the small couch in the open living area. âI'm Vayda. I'm the Captain's niece.â You held out of hand for her to shake.
Gently taking it, she introduced herself. âI'm Lorelei Stevens. I'm part of the FFSP, Fleet and Family Support Program in the San Diego and North Island area. I've taken care of Admiral Kazansky's health concerns in the past. I was told by him someone else was looking in the area. A family friend.â
âIceman sent you?â Your uncle made his presence known, walking up behind the two of you talking in the living room. At the sound of his voice, she turned around, standing up.
âPete?â she asked. âWhat has it been? A year?â
âLori?â He let out a light laugh, opening his arms for a hug. âHow are you?â
âI'm doing well. I didn't know you had a niece,â she poked fun.Â
âI didn't either,â he joked, âuntil about a year ago. My sister, she got sick and this one needed a little bit of help.â He pointed to you.Â
You watch the interaction with a little bit of awe. You knew your uncle was a renowned pilot, well known in the Navy, yet it always surprised you how many people he knew and how many of them knew him.Â
Lori turned back toward you. âWould you want to take me to meet her?â
You looked to your uncle, trying to see in his eyes if he trusted her. All you saw was complete admiration and respect for Nurse Stevens. She mentioned taking care of Iceman, that was probably part of it. You didn't know if the Admiral was sick, but if she had taken care of one of your uncle's oldest friends, then you could trust her to take care of your mother. The tension in your shoulders relaxed as you stood.Â
âSure.âÂ
You gestured towards the staircase, encouraging Maverick and Stevens to follow you. âIs there anything you'd like me to know about her? Before I meet her?â
There was a slight pause before you answered her, unsure of exactly how to put it. âShe got sick after my father and brother died. Not sick, just closed off. She still hasn't said more than a few words since then. It was hard for her to even let me in. She just hasn't been the same.â
âI saw in her personnel file that she had a heart attack?â
âYeah,â you began. âIt's been a couple years, but I was told to continue watching out for symptoms in case it happened again.âÂ
When you got to the closed door that was your mother's room, your hand hesitated on the handle. This was it. Once Nurse Stevens met your mom, there was no going back. Turning the cold metal and pushing in, the three of you were met with the sight of your sleeping mother. She was curled up into herself, the comforter tucked under her chin. you approached her sleeping form, gently ripping your hand up and down the side of her arm below the blanket.
âMama, I've got someone here to meet you.â As you sat next to her on her side of the bed, you watched her eyes slowly flutter open and her form turn to smile at you hollowly as consciousness reached her. You helped her sit up, lean her head against the headboard of her bed. âYou remember how I told you I have to start working away from home?â She didn't nod but the look in her eye told you she understood. âThere's a nurse whoâs going to stay home and take care of you while me and Uncle Mav are gone.âÂ
The usual dim look in her eye grew even darker. They flitted around the room, trying to find the source of your words. At the same time, you could feel Nurse Stevens walking up behind you.Â
âMaria? My name is Lori. I'm a friend of your brother.â Your mother didn't respond. âI hear you just moved to San Diego. Have you been able to see the beach yet?â More silence.Â
Lori turned to look at you, who was already meeting her halfway, a look of âI told you soâ on your face. You turned back around to face your mother, grabbing her hand. You felt her squeeze it gently in return. âMama, I don't want to leave you either, but I have to and she's going to take really good care of you. IâŚI just want you to be okay.â You tried to gauge what she was feeling by the look on her face, but it was near unreadable.Â
âVay, Lori. How âbout we give her some space? She looks a little tired,â your uncle, who had been watching the whole thing from the doorway, reasoned. He could see you were struggling to get your mom to react, anything. He didn't want you to feel any more concerned than you already were.Â
Nurse Stevens moved away almost immediately, making her way out the door. You stayed for a moment, lifting your mother's hand to your face, pressing a small kiss on her knuckles before assisting her back under the covers. The small smile that was on her face when you greeted her had long disappeared, being replaced with furrowed brows and straight face. The smile being gone was the only thing you needed to know to understand that she was upset. You knew you were out of time, your first day on base at Top Gun tomorrow, so you wanted her to understand. Needed her to understand, to know that you still loved her even though you couldn't take care of her anymore. At least for the month that you were going to be away for, a weekend every once and a while to visit.Â
Once you stood off the edge of the bed, finally turning away from your mother again, you were met with Maverick, a look of sympathy written on his features. As soon as the door was closed behind the both of you, he spoke up.Â
âCome on, kid. You need to get out of the house. Your mom will be okay with Lori for a few hours. I trust her, I hope you trust her. It'll be just like a testrun for this week.â
You supposed he was right, but hesitation lived in your veins, making it near impossible to leave her. Your uncle knew how dedicated to her you were, but he also knew that youâd have to get used to being away from her starting tomorrow. Going out for a drink tonight wouldnât hurt.Â
âAny popular bars around here?â
âYou really wanna go grab a drink with your uncle? Iâm honored,â he joked, trying to lighten the mood. Your lips quirked up for a moment.
âI might need one last drink if Iâm going to be with cocky naval aviators like yourself starting tomorrow.â
âThen you might not like where weâre going. And hey, youâre supposed to be on my side, kiddo.â He mockingly punched the side of your arm, making your smile grow wider. It was then you noticed the absence of Lori.Â
âWhereâs-â
âDownstairs, waiting for you. She figured youâd need a moment.â He paused. âDo you need a moment?â
You shook your head, eagerly trying to convince yourself that you were okay for your own sake. The two of you walked side by side down the staircase. Lori was walking around, looking at the pictures that you had spent yesterday afternoon setting up. It made this military-grade box feel a little more like home.Â
âThis your father?â she asked, holding up a picture of you and him at your third grade dance recital. It was one of the only pictures of the both of you that he liked. He complained that he was never photo genetic enough to share the spotlight with you, but there was something about that one.Â
âYeah,â you muttered softly.Â
âYou look a lot like him,â she said softly, hoping not to hurt you at the mention of him. After seeing your mother and how sheâs been since their death, you supposed maybe she thought you could shut down at any moment too.Â
âThanks.â Was that the proper thing to say to that? You were about to speak up to ask if she was willing to stay a little longer before Mav beat you to it.Â
âLori, I wanted to take the kid out for one last hurrah before tomorrow. Would you mind staying here? I know that you probably have-â
âSay no more. Let her enjoy her last night of freedom,â Lori responded. âBesides, this is my job now. I mean,â she moved her gaze to you, âI hope thatâs the case,â she said, flicking the last phrase up at the end like a question.
You gave her a soft smile. âIf he trusts you, then I do too.â
âIâll give you two a moment,â Maverick said, cutting in front of you and heading towards the front door.Â
âSheâll probably stay asleep for the most part. If she does come down, she likes watching reruns of FRIENDS with a bowl of strawberries. She and my dad used to spend date nights like that when they couldnât find a sitter,â you rambled, recalling those late Thursday nights that you and Alex would sneak downstairs and hide behind the couch, looking over your parentsâ shoulders at the TV.Â
âVay, this is my job,â she reminded you, smiling. âIâve got this, I promise. And here,â she started, reaching into the front pocket of her scrubs and pulling out a card. âThis is my number. Text me so I have yours and Iâll let you know how sheâs doing.â You grabbed the small piece of paper from her hands, sticking it in your back pocket along with your phone. âNow, go have fun.â She gestured toward the direction Maverick had disappeared a few moments ago.Â
âThank you,â you whispered, hurrying off down the hall to slip your shoes on. You found him waiting for you at the front door, the keys to your Jeep in hand. You could feel your heart beat hard in your chest the closer you were getting to leave, but you remembered what he said. How would you ever know if your mom could handle it if you never gave her the chance? If you never gave yourself the chance? Plus, youâd already gotten yourself done to go out tonight.
He could see you were struggling before he decided to set your keys back down in the bowl next to the door and pick up another set. âIâll take my bike. You come when youâre ready and that way you can leave when you want. Itâs just a few miles down the road. Left. The Hard Deck.â You didnât move, but he did, swinging an arm around your shoulder and giving you a side hug. âI love you, kiddo. Itâll be okay.â
He let go of you, allowing you to lean on the wall, before moving to open the front door and walk out. You continued to stay in your spot, even after you heard his bike engine rev and ride off. You sighed, cursing yourself for giving into him before you were even out the door. Taking a deep breath, you pushed yourself off of the wall, going to open the front door. You turned the handle, stepping out into the cool, California night air. You could get used to this. Your Jeep was parked just out front on the curb of the street. Your uncle didnât have much time to scrounge up a place to stay, for you and your mom at least, so the three of you were in a military appointed rental just on the beach. For a rental, it was really nice, plenty of space for each of you for when youâd all be there. The only downside was that there was no driveway or garage.Â
Maverick had already taken the liberty of taking your sunroof and doors off, allowing the car to be fit for the hot, summer days. You used to drive it that way in Georgia, only during the summer, but now, you figured you could do it almost year round. The only kicker would be the tropical storms. But right now, feeling the wind in your hair, you felt free. It felt like old times. When you used to hangout with your brother when heâd come home from college. When you used to grab late night breakfasts with your dad in high school.Â
The Hard Deck, what your uncle said it was called, was just a ten minute ride away from the rental. You honestly could have walked, but you were new. Walking down a California beach was different than walking in a cozy, everybody-knows-everybody suburban area. The music inside could be heard from the small parking lot, already packed with cars. It was barely seven and this place seemed full. You managed to find a place to park near the front before shutting the car off and letting your head fall back on the headrest.Â
Take a few deep breaths. You got this. Youâve already left home. Whatâs the worst that could happen?
You pulled your phone out of your pocket along with the small card. You wanted Nurse Stevensâ number in your phone before you got into the bar, distracted by whatever the night would bring. You typed the number on the card into your contacts before texting the number a quick âitâs Vaydaâ before closing it out. Hurriedly, you grabbed the keys out of the ignition and slipped them into your back pocket along with your phone. You debated taking your sweater off, assuming that the crowded building would be hot, but the cool night air you hoped to escape back to soon enough had you deciding against it.Â
Taking the steps up to the front door, you were welcomed with swinging doors, almost identical to ones at old saloons. The moment you walked in, you were hit with the strong scent of beer and sweat. It wasnât as full as you had anticipated, but there were still plenty of people in there for you to get lost in the crowd. It took you a moment to find your uncle, but when you did, he was sitting at the bar, talking to a lady, the bartender you assumed. You approached him from behind the moment the lady stepped back, ringing the bell. A loud cheer rang through the crowd as you approached the bar.Â
âWhat am I missing?â he asked. The bartender stepped out of the way, revealing a sign hanging between to makeshift posts, a smirk on her face. ââDisrespect a lady, the Navy, or put your cell phone on my barâŚââ he stopped, lifting his cellphone in the air.Â
âAnd you buy a round,â she finished, grabbing it from him and setting it down in front of her, by no means out of reach to Maverick, but close enough to her that if he tried to grab it she could snatch it away.
âFor everyone?â he asked.Â
âIâm afraid rules are rules. Youâre lucky itâs early,â she said before turning to you as you sat down on the seat right of your uncle. âCan I get you anything? Itâs on him.â She tilted her head towards Maverick.Â
âItâd be on him anyway,â you admitted. âBut yeah, Iâll take aâŚrum and cokeâŚif youâve got anything but beer.â
She tilted her head the opposite way, trying to get a good look at you. When something registered in her head, she turned to your uncle. âDonât tell me you got a kid, Pete. And you never told me?â
ââI-I-â he stuttered.Â
âIâm actually his niece, Vayda.â
She was still looking at him, tongue poking the side of her cheek inâŚannoyance? Humor? âI didnât know he even had aâŚwhat? Sister? Brother?â
âSister. She and I just moved here with him this week.â
The bartender, whom apparently your uncle knew, turned around, making your drink quickly and with ease. It was seconds before it was placed in front of you. Before you could thank her, someone came up to the other side of the bar.Â
âPenny, my dear,â he beckoned.
âYeah,â she responded, looking away from you.
âIâll have four more on the old timer,â he joked, leaning his arm on the bar. He looked at your uncle, then shifted his gaze over to you. Your uncle had warned you, well sort of, prior to coming that this was a naval hotspot, full of cocky young Top Gun students and those stationed at the base of the coast of San Diego. The man was good looking, youâd give him that. The tan uniform he dawned suited him well, but you knew better than to give into any antics or desperation on your side. Penny, as the stranger had called her, walked away to retrieve his beers as well as helping a few other people along the way. You could feel his gaze on you, but chose to ignore it, turning to your uncle.
âThanks for making me come,â you told him.Â
He moved his head to look at you instead of the spot on the counter he had been focusing on since you showed up and interrupted his conversation with the barhand. âYou're welcome, kiddo.â His hand rested on your shoulder, squeezing it tightly.Â
âBradshaw! Is that you?â you heard someone shout from across the room.Â
Something seemed to change in your uncle in that split second. One moment, he was smiling with you and the bartender, and the next, he was cold, face down, almost buried in his drink. You turned to see what he was looking away from. It clicked the moment you saw the man, tropical shirt and mustache, the picture of the guy in your uncleâs files this morning, the one he couldnât seem to put down. Rooster, his callsign. He was walking towards a group of aviators in similar uniform to the guy hanging at the bar. They sat around the pool table, talking to each other as if they were family.Â
âHere you go,â Penny said, interrupting your thoughts. She set four bottles down in front of him and he scooped three of them up in one hand, the remaining one in the other.
âThank you,â he said to Penny before looking over her shoulder toward Mav. âMuch appreciated, Pops.â Backing away from the bar, he took one last look at you, sending a wink your way, smiling. Then he turned around and was gone in the crowd of people.Â
You rolled your eyes at the notion. âAre they all that way?â you asked Penny.Â
âJust about. After a while, you learn your lesson,â she said, eyes flitting over to your uncle.Â
You laughed, taking a small sip of your drink before setting it back down on the napkin. âDo you happen to have a bathroom?â you asked her, getting up from your spot, leaving your almost full rum and coke on the counter.Â
âYeah, just down that short hall,â she pointed behind you. âDoor on the left.â
âThanks,â you said, tapping the bar.Â
There wasnât a line, thankfully, so you didnât have to wait. You didnât have to go, but you just needed a moment to step away. Youâd been here for barely ten minutes and you were already panicking about your mother about what your life was going to be like tomorrow. Mav was right in the notion that you needed tonight. If you didnât need to be at least somewhat sober for tomorrow, you would get shitfaced, but you couldnât. Youâd have to endure every minute worrying and panicking near sober. When you stood by the sink, washing your hands, you glanced at yourself in the mirror. The reality was you were going to be surrounded by pilots in these next few weeks without your mother in a strange environment. Cupping your hands under the running water, you splashed the cold liquid on your face a few times in an attempt to cool yourself down. A few strands of your hair were sangling down, getting soaked by the water, so you opted to take your hair out. You dried your hands, throwing the paper towels in the garbage, before grabbing the rubberband at the end of the braid. It had been like that since late morning, so now the blonde strands were coming out with a nice wave. You ran your hands through it a few times, making sure it was somewhat presentable before opening the door, face downcast. If you hadnât been looking at your feet, you might not have run into someone as you walked out.Â
âOh my God! Iâm so sorry, Iâm not watching where Iâm going, I-â
âItâs alright,â she laughed.Â
Stepping out of her way, clearing your head, you realized she was wearing one of those tan jumpsuits.Â
âYou new around here? I donât think Iâve seen you at the Deck before.â
âY-yeah,â you stuttered. âI just moved here with my mom and uncle. Heâs in the Navy and had to come down here for a few weeks. Iâm Vayda,â you said bashfully, holding a hand out for her.
âNat,â she flustered for a moment. âUh, Natasha.â She grabbed your hand, shaking it firmly. âHope to see you around,â she said finally, making her way into the bathroom.
You smiled as you walked up to the bar. Your uncle was standing at his spot, combing through his wallet. âAre we leaving already?â
âWe donât have to,â he said. âJust paying my bill.â
âItâs been declined,â Penny said, setting his card down next to him.Â
âYouâre kidding,â he exasperated.Â
âIâm gonna go sit outside, maybe on the beach or something,â you told him. âJust text me when you leave.â
You patted his arm, bidding him good luck as he continued to search through his wallet. Rounding the bar, you moved past the group of naval aviators by the pool table and out the back door. The rear of the Hard Deck was laid out nicely, a patio with tables and umbrellas for when the sun was out. There was a fence on the edge of it, rope in between the posts, mimicking a ship. This place was nice. However popular, you wanted to come back. It may be busy, but it was small, cozy, felt homely. Walking towards the rope fence posts, you heard a bell ring inside, just like the one you heard when you walked in. The crowd inside began chanting again and when you turned to try and peer through the window, much to your enjoyment, you watched as your uncle was halled out in three aviator's arms towards the side door that you had walked in through. It wasnât the front which opened to the parking lot, but not out back where you were, completely uninterrupted, only the waves of the beach. An anticipated buzz in your pocket told you to take out your phone, seeing two texts, one from your uncle and the other from Lori. Opening the one from Mav first, you smiled.
Guess Iâm leaving now :) Donât come home too late.Â
You sent him back a quick okay before opening the other.
She woke up almost immediately after you left. I did what you said and sheâs content. I can tell she misses you, though.
Thank you, you text back. My uncleâs on his way back home. Sorry the practice run was short lived.
Putting your phone back in your pocket, you redirected your attention to the waves. Someone had begun to play a piano showtune inside, the crowd singing along to the hit Great Balls of Fire. You were glad you werenât inside as you went back to staring out at the beach. Out here, you were at peace. You had only been on a beach a couple of times. Once for a relativeâs wedding where you didnât even get to swim, just watch the ceremony, and once on a vacation, though the beach was more like a shoreline along a local lake. No, nothing could compare to this view, the open ocean, boats out sailing in the night, their lights illuminating the water around them.Â
âEnjoyinâ the view, darlinâ?â
You turned to see the man from the bar walking out towards you. When you walked out the back door, you caught him at the pool table with the other pilots. You didnât notice he noticed you walking out back, but you werenât looking forward to this.Â
âYou know, itâs not nice to stalk young ladies. It makes âem think your a creep.â
âObserving and stalking are two very different things,â he replied, walking up next to you, but not leaning on the post like you were. âIâm Hangman,â he noted, trying to worm his way into your eyesight.Â
You gave him the attention, looking at him, hoping he was joking at the crude nickname. âYouâre kidding, right?â
âOh, I wouldnât joke about something like that, darlinâ.â You rolled your eyes yet again at him tonight. âIndulge me in something. Tell me that man you were sitting at the bar with tonight wasnât your date. You can do much better than that. I just had to kick him out of the bar.â
âRelax, blondie. That was my uncle. Donât think the bartender was too happy to see him again,â you laughed, moving your body so you were face to face with Hangman.
âThatâs a relief. Does that mean I can buy you a drink? Maybe take you out?â
No, it didnât. But that didnât mean you couldnât have a little fun with it. âYouâd like that, wouldnât you?â you replied, walking closer to him, laying your hand on his chest. You had no idea where this surge in confidence was coming from.Â
He seemed surprised, pleasantly surprised at your contact, but relaxed into your touch, laying one of his own hands on your hip. âOh, Iâd like that very much,â he spoke lowly, his southern drawl dripping with lust.Â
âWell,â you started, dipping your hand lower towards his waistline, getting up on your tiptoes to whisper in his ear. âGoodâŚthingâŚyouâreâŚso,â your hand walking lower with each word, voice getting quieter, â...gullible.â You slapped his crotch, walking away from him, heading towards the door you came out to head back to the parking lot. You could hear his groans and a few âoohsâ from his friends that were watching the scene unfold from the window. You opened the swinging door, one foot inside before looking out again towards him. âSee you aroundâŚHangman.âYou walked through the bar, past the eyes of his friends, smiling slightly as you passed Penny waving you goodbye. Once you were out in your car, you started it, leaning your head back against your seat. You didnât know what came over you at that moment. You werenât a flirty person, werenât a tease. Hell, youâd barely even had a relationship and yet it was so easy to make Hangman fall into your hand. Whatever it was, it made your stomach turn, made your cheeks heat up at the thought. You liked it. And you knew, given the chance, youâd do it again.
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Someone Like You - J.Seresin
Summary: Being best friends with a naval aviator was hard, being best friends and in love with the Jake "Hangman" Seresin was even harder.
Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Medic!Reader
Warnings: 18+, fluff, there is a small bit of angst, jake kind of bein douche, best friends to lovers troupe because top tier, oblivous by both parties.(if i missed any lemme know)
The request: If you're open to requests, I have one for you! It could be about Tyler, Jake, or Glenâwhichever you prefer. The story would revolve around them being very close friends, but heâs always surrounded by girls. The reader begins to pull away, feeling inadequate or thinking she's not pretty enough, believing he could never see her as more than just a friend. Iâd love for it to have a sweet, fluffy ending!
authors note: to the anon who requested this, thank you! I hope i have done justice to what you envisioned! - I really love getting requests because ya'll got some great ideas! If you have requested something, I promise i will get to it!! love, em. <333
The sun was sat snugly high in the blue sky. Sitting under the rays, you watched the group of aviators run through the sand covered in sweat. Sitting perched on the towel and sunglasses on your nose.
You never expected this to be your life after moving from your hometown to be a field medic with a group of aviators.
âYou done sunbathing?â you look up behind the aviators to the man above you, blocking the sun from your eyes.
Jake Seresin in all his glory, hands on his hips.
âCan I help you?â pulling the sunglasses down your nose, you look at him over the rims with a raised brow. He chuckles, pushing the hair that was sticking to his forehead back.
He has been on leave for the last two weeks, letting his hair grow out of regs. "Are you done crisping like a chicken and gonna come play a game?â He holds his hand to you, which you take happily and he pulls you from the sand with a grunt.
âI donât know if I shouldâ you push the bridge of the sunglasses back up your nose. âWhat?! You are playing câmonâ he encourages you over, jogging ahead of you in the sand.
You watch as the rest of the the dagger squad who has been nothing but kind to you, encourage you. Then there's the group of aviators who were glued to the squad, more so Jake than others.
They giggle between themselves. You never knew joining the Navy was gonna have the same effects of highschool.
â(y/n)!â Jakeâs voice pulls you from your thoughts, a grin on his face. âCâmon! One game!?â he pouts, hands on his hips. You sigh and make your way down the sand, pulling the shorts on your body to cover your bikini bottoms.
The dagger squad was your adopted family. You met them all in your time on the ships as a field medic but as well as at base when Jake made his way into your office quite often to get âlooked atâ.
âDude! I had no idea you were this good at thisâ Phoenix wraps her arm around your shoulders as you walk back to your things with a giggle. âI blame Hangman for hiding you from usâ you smile, grabbing your towel and bag of items and standing back to your full height.
Turning to say something, your thoughts run short as the girls again circle around Jake, hands on his arms as they all giggle.
He did have the million dollar smile.
âYou coming to the hard deck with us?â Bradley asks, standing beside phoenix. You turn to the taller man, smiling up at him as you shake your head. âI return back to work tomorrow unlike some peopleâ you chuckle, nudging him gently.
He nods, hands held up in defense as you smile. âSee you soon though?â he asks as you are walking up the sand, you grin. âOf course! Someones bound to get hurtâ you wink, making your way back to your own vehicle.
âSweetheart!â you sigh, the southern drawl was almost like a vice around your brain. Setting your items in the back of your Jeep, you turn to face him. âYou arenât coming?â he asks, stopping in front of you,panting to catch his breath. You shake your head, âI have to work tomorrow captainâ. He smirks, pushing a hair out of your face gently.
âNot even for one drink?â he asks as you shake your head. âNo but I will be up to pick you up if you need meâ he chuckles, leaning down to kiss your cheek as he jogs over to his truck.
Ally, another pilot in Top gun standing at the passenger side was waiting for him. âSee you later sweetheart!â he waves.
Sighing heavily you climb into your jeep, immediately turning the radio up loudly and driving away.
You knew you were not the only woman in Jakeâs life. He was charming with his green eyes and winning smile but everytime you would do anything with him, the woman gravitated to him like he was the opposite end of their magnets.
Driving through the city, your heart hurt a bit. You knew how childish it seemed.
How childish it was to be upset that he had the female gaze, he was tall, tan and kind under his hundred layers of ego. As you made your way into your home, the phone in your hand vibrated.
Jake: Letâs get together this week for dinner? Drinks?
you smile sadly at the text. You knew he enjoyed your company. You replied.
you: Sure Jake, sounds good
The text bubble appeared but you chose for your own mental state it was best to mute the conversation for the time being.
3am on the dot your phone rang.
You knew who was on the other line. Reaching over, you grab the phone off the nightstand. âHello?â you mumble, rubbing your eyes. â(y/n)â you sigh at the sound of Bradleys voice.
âHey rooâ you mumble, eyes closed as you pinch the bridge of your nose. âI think you should come get Jake⌠maybe me too?â he questions as you chuckle softly. âBe there shortlyâ you hang up and climb out of bed.
Grabbing the closest sweatshirt to you and make your way outside and down to the hard deck. Dressed in your pajamas, you make your way inside the bar, still roaring with life even on a Sunday night.
Jake and Bradley sat at the bar with Penny who grins at your arrival. âCuteâ she mumbles as you shake your head, making your way to them.
âLetâs go boysâ you pat both of their shoulders, encouraging them out the door. âIs that my sweatshirt?â Jake questions as you look down at the hoodie on your body.
âYes it is, let's goâ you motion to the door. âJakey!â Ally gasps, running to Jake at the door. You canât help the way you cringe, pulling some cash out of your pocket. âHow much do the two of them owe?â you ask Penny who shakes her head.
âTheyâll both come and pay tomorrow, I trust itâ you sigh, smiling at her. âI gotta goâ you can hear the faint slur in Jakeâs voice. âBut i thought we were gonna have some funâ she bites her lip, looking up at him through her lashes, in her drunken state attempting to look as sexy and sultry as possible.
Jake shakes his head and makes his way out the door. You follow both men out to your parked Jeep as Lindsey stares daggers into your back.
The car ride is silent except for the wind. You pulled into Bradleys apartment first, parking right by the steps, he climbs out.
âThanks love, youâre the bestâ he reaches in to kiss your cheek as he makes his way up the steps. âHey!â Jake scolds him as Bradley smirks and makes his way to his apartment. âCan I move to the front now?â Jake asks childishly. âYes Jakobâ you sigh with a smile.
He climbs out and makes his way into the front seat beside you as you pull out of the parking lot and make your way down the road to Jakeâs apartment. âThanks for coming to get me honeyâ he whispers, his slur is almost gone at this point. âYouâre welcomeâ you mumble, rubbing your eyes with a yawn.
âIâm sorry I did this to youâ he mumbles as you shake your head. âIâd rather you be safeâ you mumble.
âWhy donât you like to come get drinks with me anymore?â his drunk words flow out of him like vomit.
âI just donât enjoy it much anymore, Jâ he nods slowly.
He knew you were lying but chose not to pry anymore while you were tired. âCan I come home with you?â he asks. Jake was quite needy in his semi-drunken state.
He did live down the road from you and did frequent your guest room often, hence his hoodie laying around your home. âI guessâ you smirk, making the turn to your own home over Jakes.
He stumbles inside once the vehicle is parked. He was mostly sobered up as he made his way to the guest room. âSee you in a few hoursâ he mumbles as you shake your head and make your way to your own bedroom.
The guest bedroom door opens, Jake makes his way out in a pair of black sweatpants he had left in the dresser drawer. "Sweetheart?" he questions as he yawns, making his way down the steps. He stops at the end of the stairs, looking around.
He notices the fresh smell of coffee and the few dishes in the sink. He jogs back up the stairs to see your bedroom door open, looking around its then he notices the pink note stuck to his door. Pulling it off the door, he sighs.
off to work, lock up on your way out.
+
The hard deck jukebox could be heard from streets away, it left you grinning. You pull into the parking lot, The Eagles âLife in the fastlaneâ playing through the speakers.
You donât know how Rooster and Phoenix talked you into this but you climbed out and made your way inside. Dressed in a tank top and pair of denim shorts you look through the crowd for your favorite aviators.
âSweetheart!â Jakeâs voice yells for you, you look up at the sound of his voice. He pushes through the crowd of people to get to you.
He's singing to you as he approaches, "and she was terminally pretty" he grins, looking you up and down, âI didnât know you were coming,â he smiles.
You looked so beautiful.
âUh-yeah rooster and nat invited meâ you smile up at him and move past him to your friends. Phoenix was aware of your feelings for Jake.
How hard it was to be out with him as he was always surround by woman, not once looking your way with them around. âRooâ you smile, patting his shoulder as he pulls you into his side for a hug.
âThere's my favorite medic!â he grins as you chuckle. Jake makes his way back over to the group, sitting down as Ally makes her way to him, climbing in his lap.
He doesnât hesitate to let her, adjusting in the seat to accommodate her. You sigh, turning to face Phoenix and Rooster.
âI donât get itâ you raise a brow, looking up from the table at the sound of Phoenix's voice. âWhatâs that?â you ask, crossing your leg over the other and arms over your chest.
âHe acts like he wants to be around you so badly and then acts like thatâ she motions over to Jake, sitting back in his chair arm around Ally's waist, her group of friends around the two of them. You shrug, ânot my problem anymoreâ you mumble, fishing out a few bills from your back pocket.
âI'm sorry to be a buzzkill but, thanks for inviting me guys but I think Iâm gonna head homeâ you hand them the money to cover your drink and stand from the booth. Rooster stands, hands on your shoulders. âYou donât deserve himâ he mumbles, giving your shoulder a squeeze and pulling you into a hug.
You hug him back and sigh heavily. âI guess I just have to get under a guy, they say that's the best way to get over oneâ you mumble against his chest as he laughs.
âSee, that's the spiritâ he grins, smiling at you. âLet us know if you need anythingâ he encourages as you smile.
It had been a week since your night at the hard deck with rooster and phoenix
a week before you decided it was best to put your distance between you and Jake.
The phone beside you began ringing. You knew exactly who it was. Reaching over you ignore the call for the second time and
Within seconds the phone rings again. You reach over and turn the phone off completely.
You did not have the energy to go and pick him up once again.
Maybe you would get over the man that is Jake Seresin.
rolling over and burying yourself deeper in the sheets of your bed, tears in your lash line as you sniffle to avoid them from falling.
You felt silly being this upset about a man who was not yours to be upset about.
You knew that he was a charming man when the two of you became friends, you also knew he looked at you as just that, a friend.
You shake your head and close your eyes.
The next morning as you turned your phone back on, the text messages piled in.
24 missed calls and 45 text messages.
You sigh and choose to delete the text messages and mute the conversation you have with him once again.
The drive to base was peaceful as you pulled into your designated parking lot. You were not gonna let this affect your work. â(y/n)!â you look over at Coyote waving to you,smiling, you wave back and mock salute to him.
He smiles, saluting back to you as he makes his way inside. Making your way to your office, you ignore the urge to turn and go down the hall to where you knew the dagger squad was meeting.
Jake sits down beside Rooster and Phoenix.
If looks could kill the two of them would be long gone.
âCan I help you?â Phoenix speaks first, arms crossed. âSpillâ he adjusts in the seat, elbows resting on his knees as he looks between the two of them. âSpill what Hangman?â Rooster asks,looking over at him from his phone.
âWhy wonât (y/n) talk to meâ he mumbles, looking between them again. âIsnât that a question for her?â Phoenix asks with a raised brow.
âI tried, I called her over a hundred times last night with no responseâ he defends as Phoenix shrugs. âI donât know what to tell you Hangmanâ Rooster nods in agreement with his girlfriend and Jake sighs heavily and stands from the chair.Â
â(y/l/n)â turning at the sound of your name,clipboard in hand you raise your brow. âYes maâamâ you set the clipboard down and approach your commanding officer. âWe are going to need you to go out and assist in the atlanticâ you nod quickly, âof course maâamâ she grins, reaching out to give your shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
âI know you donât love being tied down to one place too longâ she smirks, heading to the door, âyou will be heading out in the morningâ you nod eagerly, âand a car will be picking you upâ she smiles with a nod and walks out the door.
You take a deep breath and wipe your once sweaty palms on your pants. You knew you needed to tell the dagger squad.
With a deep breath you head down the hall to the common room.
âHangman, where are you?!â you can hear Fanboys voice over the comms. You knock gently on the door, Coyote,Phoenix,Rooster and Bob all turn to you.
âHiâ you wave as you make your way into them, sitting down beside Phoenix. Her face is full of concern, âwhat is it?â she asks as you turn to your closest friends.
âIâm being sent out tomorrow morning, they need additional medics out in the atlantic, of course I donât know the full extentâ you look at them, not seeing Jake standing in the doorway, panting.
âYouâre leaving?â your eyes snap to Jake.
Heâs still in his flight suit, the top half around his waist with his black tank top sticking to his skin. You turn from his eye back to Phoenix and Bob.
The two of them smile, nodding slowly. âWe should go to the hard deck and have a send off party!â Coyote tries to lighten the mood, immediately noticing the tension in the room.
âI agreeâ Rooster chimes in, looking over at you. You smile sadly, âif you guys want I supposeâ they cheer as you stand.
Jake hasnât moved from the doorway, watching you. He watched the way you avoided his eye.
Walking out of the room, you brush Jakeâs shoulder as you begin to walk down the hall to your office. You bit your lip as you heard his boots follow, you knew you couldnât escape him anymore.
â(y/n)!â he reaches out, grabbing your shoulder to stop your movements. âWhat Jake?â you ask, turning to face him tilting your head. âWhat do you mean what?!â he defends, looking at you.
âYou havenât talked to me in days!â He throws his hands up, ânot even days, weeks! You wonât answer my calls, you won't answer my text messages, you ignore me when you see me at work or even out in public!â he defends as his hands fall at his sides.
âExplain it to me!â he adds, hands on his hips as he looks over your face. âIâve not been ignoring youâ you whisper, looking up at him through your lashes, âbullshitâ he sits.
You sigh, hands on your own hips as you see conference room doors open and close. You knew his voice was traveling through the base.
âNot here Jakeâ you sigh softly, walking down the hall towards your office. âExplain it to me here (y/n)!â he yells.
You close your eyes, feeling the tears begin to fall down your cheeks.Â
You knew you shouldnât have this conversation in the hallway of your place of employment. You can hear his boots approaching, you snap.
âBecause I love you!â you yell back to face him, face red with tears. âI love you and I know you wouldnât love someone like me!â you point to your chest looking at him as the tears begin to roll down your cheeks.
âI am not them!â you point out the window to Ally and the rest of the new top gun recruits on the tarmac. âI am not tall and sexy and-â Jake stands there, shocked at your reaction.
âYou wouldnât love someone like me! You-You- I am not Jake Seresin material and I canât take you staying in my house anymore and I canât take you being around me anymore because I knewâ you sob, looking away from him.
âDistancing myself was going to help my heart get over youâ you whisper turning around from him.
âThis time away may be best for meâ Jake's boots squeak along the concrete floors. â(y/n)â he whispers, heâs directly behind you now. Your shoulders shake, months of tension falling off your shoulders.
He reaches out, grabbing your shoulder to gently turn you back to face him, cupping your cheek to gently bring your eyes back to him. Heâs also got tears rolling down his cheeks.
âSomeone like you?â he whispers, looking over your face. âSomeone who I have seen devote her life to others? Someone who I absolutely adore, who would spring to help anyone even at 3am after a drunk night at the bar. Someone like youâ he chuckles, shaking his head. âIâm not them Jakeâ you whisper as he shakes head, âand thatâs what makes you so specialâ he reaches over and wipes your cheeks with his thumb.
âI love you (y/n)â he chuckles, shaking his head. âI canât believe you couldnât see itâ he chuckles as you look at him.
âMe!?â you defend as he grins. âI adore you, I fell in love with you years ago sweetheartâ he watches the look in your eye, watching as you look at him, looking into the green eyes that brought you so much comfort.
âY-You love me?â you look over his face for any signs of a joke, he chuckles. âI love you, not them other girls, not anyone but youâ he smiles, leaning down to connect your lips.Â
It takes you a moment to register what is happening by the time you are reaching up to wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him in closer to you.
He pulls away slowly after a few minutes, nose nudging yours as his eyes close. âI canât believe youâ he whispers, âthinking I couldnât love someone like youâ your eyes close, a small smile on your lips.
âI am not someone youâd go for Jâ you whisper with a smile as he shakes his head, pulling you into his chest. Wrapping your arms around his waist you sniffle against his black tank top.
âThis is horrible timingâ you mumble.
âIâll be here when you get back sweetheartâ he whispers against your hairline.Â
+
The helicopter ride was quiet. The voices in your mind were louder.
You smile as the base comes into view, âweâre almost homeâ the pilot, Maria grins at you through her aviators.
You were off base for three months, sharing letters and as many zoom phone calls as possible with Jake and the rest of the dagger squad.
The tarmac is laid out as the helicopter begins its descent. You pull the headset off and stand, leaning out the side of the helicopter, hands holding the handles. The smell of the ocean brought you a sense of comfort.
You knew the minute you laid eyes on Jake and your family, you would be home. You can hear cheering from the ground as the chopper finally lands. Climbing down, you stand on the pavement and take a deep breath.
You were home.
The doors opened and the dagger squad all rushed out. âSheâs home!â Rooster yells with a smile on his face. You grin, standing on the big x. This was your family.
Ally and her group of friends follow Jake out of the doors.
Your eyes fall to each other as she continues to attempt to grab onto his arm. âScuse meâ he moves from her and begins his jog to you.
You meet him halfway and he grabs you by the waist and spins your around, holding you close to his body. You laugh, wrapping your arms around his neck, hiding your face in his shoulder. âMy girl is home!â he grins, setting you to your feet.
âWelcome home sweet girl he grins, leaning down to connect your lips.
Maybe someone like you deserves someone like him.
--
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on the brink.
jake seresin x reader (wc: 2.6k)
summary: having children was never on the table. you never had the maternal instinct that most girls seemed to have growing up and you had no interest in the mundane tasks that came with acting as a mother in a plastic playground house. but when you're forced to choose between your husband's and your own dreams, the decision gets a little bit more complicated. aka the unplanned pregnancy fic that no one asked for
warnings: angst, unplanned pregnancy, mentions of abortion
author's note: okay i know this is not the fic that i've been promising yall, but i swear i'm working on it. this is pretty different than a lot of things that i've written before. a bit of self expression and indulgence if you will so just bear with me (if you hate it don't tell me)
ââââââââââââââââââââââââ
"I'm never having kids," you had admitted suddenly into the darkness of the cabin, staring up at the ceiling. The waves lapped at the sides of the ship, swaying the carrier just slightly. There was nothing, not even the faint footsteps of a sailor patrolling on night duty overhead, just the sounds of the vast open sea all around.
You could practically hear Bradley's eyebrows furrow, his voice of surprise coming out a bit loud considering the sailors that slept all around you. "Why?"
"Isn't that what you said to Maverick?" you retorted. "'No wife, no kids to mourn you when you burn in'?"
Even in the dimly lit bunk room, you could see Bradley sit up, his broad figure washed in blue moonlight. "That's notâ Maverick's aâ"
"A man?"
Bradley doesn't answer.
"Fuck you, Bradshaw."
As the years progressed, that was the typical response you received when you expressed your reluctance to have children. After a while, you grew used to it, being made out to be a monster, being told you would change your mind. You knew you wouldn't of course, but your act of considering the suggestion eased the consciences of those who thought they had carried out their duty of convincing you otherwise.
You never had the maternal instinct that most girls seemed to have growing up. You had no interest in the mundane tasks that came with acting as a mother in a plastic playground house or pushing a doll in a stroller. Because you never leave that plastic playground house. Not even when you grow up do you escape those four suffocating walls.
Because once you become a mother, that is all you are. Because that's who a mother is. Someone who devotes every single waking moment of the rest of their lives sacrificing for their children. Who you were before, your past, your achievements, that's not who you are anymore. You are 'Mom', 'Mommy', 'Mamma'.
You give it all up to be a mom. Because there is nothing worse than an absent mother. You had experienced it first hand, and you wouldn't do that to your children.
Your mother sacrificed to be a mom. But there wasn't a day that she let you forget it.
One thing you feared was the havoc it would wreck on your career. You were selfish in that way. Setting aside your career was not an option, not when you had worked so hard for so long. On top of being in the military, not wanting children was another blaring red flag. The combination didn't exactly lend itself to many dating opportunities.
Therefore, when you first met Jake, you weren't looking for anything serious. You knew how these kinds of things went. It would be fine at first. He'd be smitten with you, enamored even. You'd see each other for a while, maybe even start dating if things got that far. And then more serious conversations would happen, and he'd realize that no man wants to marry a woman who puts herself first.
Except Jake didn't seem to mind.
"Okay," he had replied without much hesitation. Dare you say without any hesitation.
"Okay?"Â You echoed in response, the confusion in your voice evident.
He'd shrugged, tipping back the last of his beer before standing up. "Yeah. Okay." You craned your neck to follow him. Jake stopped in front of you, leaning over to peck your lips. "We'll figure it out, okay?" And then he'd turned to take his righteous place at the dart board, as if it was as easy as that.
And for a while it almost was.
The Uranium mission came and went, deployments passed, and it all was just that easy. With the Commander of the Pacific Fleet on your side, it was never too hard to get assignments relatively near to each other, and even then, Jake was only ever a flight away. Even in the years before the two of you got around to getting married, when your chances of getting deployed halfway across the country from each other were high, it was all just so easy.
It was laughable how well things worked out between you and Jake. And maybe that sort of ease came with being in the same line of work and understanding the stress of the job, but even outside of that, life with Jake was ridiculously simple. As strange as it was to admit, your life didn't change drastically when Jake came into it. Jake liked to sleep by the door so the left side of the bed was still yours, Jake got off of work at the same time as you so you weren't stuck waiting around for someone to come home, he didn't speak to his family much so there were never any obligatory family gatherings to attend, and like you, he was in no rush to buy a home or get married. The only reason the two of you did finally get around to getting married was because Nat was convinced the two of you would just stay engaged forever and so she planned the whole ceremony herself. And there was no saying no to Nat.
Even after you married Jake, nothing changed. You moved in together sure, and with that came the assurance that you'd be the first person the Navy notified if anything ever happened to him and the same for you, but that was about it. All of the terrible things people warn you that will happen once you move in with your partner never happen. It's so fucking easy.
Until it isn't.
Jake is away on a mission when you start having symptoms. Not really even symptoms, just a bit of nausea here and there, an odd feeling in the pit of your stomach. Call it intuition if you will, but you know something is wrong. You dismiss it at first, put it off because you can. It's only once you start puking after every early morning hop that you come to terms with the fact that you've been avoiding the truth. And as much as you'd like to pretend like it isn't happening, you have to do something. You make an appointment at a clinic for the following week.
You wait until Jake's stateside to tell him. Not because there's any decision for you to make, or that you want to give him the opportunity to change your mind because you know he won't, but because you're established enough in your relationship that you know that this isn't going to change anything. As Jake had reassured you years ago, it was okay. You'd figure it out.
Jake had gotten back home early in the morning, but because you'd been assigned an early hop and then agreed to take on some of the newer pilots in some dogfighting, most of the day has passed by the time you're leaving base and you've still yet to see him. Just as you're grabbing your things and leaving the locker room, planning on calling him on the way to the clinic, he catches you in the hall.
You're mid stride when he saunters around the corner, moving with just enough comfortable confidence in his walk that it comes off as cocky, like he owns the place and hasn't been gone for a month. Jake breaks out into a grin. "Ah just who I was hoping to see."
"Jake!" you state in surprise, barley registering who he is before he wraps an arm around you, pulling you into a long overdue hug. One of his large hands comes up to pet your hair, the other squeezes your waist. Relaxing, you breathe him in, musky and familiar. You've been slightly on edge all day and a hug from him was just what you needed.
Phoenix huffs from behind you, breaking the silence. "That's funny because I was hoping not to see you, Bagman." The gleam in her eyes is affectionate. The Dagger Squad has remained close in the following years but that's not to say that old rivalries fade.
Jake releases you from the embrace for the most part but keeps his heavy arm draped across your shoulders, holding you close. "You been takin' care of my wife, Trace?" he asks, his voice warm and heavy.
Natasha glares at him playfully over her shoulder as she pushes past the two of you. "She was my wife before she was yours, Seresin. You stay gone too long again and I might steal her back."
You smile privately to yourself as they banter back and forth, watching as Phoenix finally disappears down the hallway. For a moment you forget about what you're about to do. Jake looks down at you, his grin stretching widely across his face, once again as he squeezes you in close. "Ready to head home?" he asks, his arm dropping from around you so that he can grab your bag.
Suddenly you hesitate, the words caught in your throat.
Immediately, Jake's smile falters just slightly, his brow creasing in worry as he steps back towards you. "It's everything okay? Did something happen?"
A sudden on rush of tears are stinging at your eyes and you struggle to get the words out of your closing throat.
"I think I'm pregnant, Jake."
At first you can't tell what he's thinking because the look on his face becomes immediately serious. His smile vanishes and his brow lifts in surprise. "Oh."
"Oh?" You echo, panic that you hadn't thought existed rising in your throat. Was he angry?
"No, I mean, fuck, that's great, baby," he quickly clarifies, reaching out to take your hand. "I just wasn't expecting that."
You stare at him, your panic rising even more now. Because that was not what you were expecting. "Great? No, it's not great. What do you mean, great?! I thought you said you didn't want kids?!"
Jake shrugs, throwing his hands up slightly in exasperation. "I mean maybe I didn't at one point, but things change, (Y/n). This isn't a bad thing."
Your eyebrows shoot up. Because this is quite possibly the worst thing that could have happened. "Are you kidding, Jake?! I can't be a mom! I'm a fucking fighter pilot!"
Now it's Jake's turn to look confused, like he's not quite sure where you're heading with this. Again, he shrugs, tossing up his hands. "So? I mean you would have to take some time off, but it's not unrealistic. People do it."
You look at him as if he's suddenly grown two heads. "Jake, you don't just "take time off" to raise a kid. That's not a temporary thing. That's the rest of my life."
Jake crosses his arms, going quiet for a moment before he sighs. "Okay, so quit. It's not like we need the money."
And suddenly everything you thought you'd ever known comes crashing down. There goes your career, your relationship, and the rest of your life. Your heart sinks to rock bottom in your chest because this is not how this was supposed to go. A broken, "What?" is all that escapes your cracked open chest.
Sensing your panic, Jake reaches out, his large, gentle fingers brushing your wrist. His voice is soft. "Look, I know this wasn't in the plans, but that doesn't mean it can't be. We could make it work."
You step back, pulling away from his outstretched hand as if he's burned you. "I can't believe that you would even suggest that," you say, the words 'so quit' ringing in your head. "Do you know how hard I worked to get to where I am right now?!"
Just being in the Navy as a female was hard. Even with going to the academy, the military was a man's world. You had to fight tooth and nail for every ounce of the respect that you deserved. And now to be here, where you are today at Top Gun, you've more than earned it.
Jake sighs heavily, his fingers coming up to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I'm not telling you to quit. It was just a suggestion since you seem to think that you can't do both."
It's then that you come to the realization that he doesn't get it. No one gets it.Â
"I don't think you understand, Jake. I don't fucking want to do it. I don't want to be a mom."
And to that, Jake doesn't say anything. He just stares at you, his usually warm green eyes void of the typical playful gleam that they hold. The two of you stand there in silence for a long time, allowing the the thick blanket of realization to finally settle over you.
"So that's it?" Jake finally asks, his voice sounding closed off and hurt. "I don't even get a say?"
"Don't try to guilt me here, Jake. You knew how I felt about this, and you still married me. So no, you don't get a say."
Jake looks down at his boots, hands braced on his hips as your words process. He swallows, and you know he's fighting the tears in his eyes. "Okay."
"Jakeâ"
He picks your bag back up from the floor and turns his back towards you, heading for the exit door. "Go do what you have to do, (Y/n). I'll see you at home."
ââ
When you get back home, Jake is sitting alone at the kitchen table. From the looks of the empty bottle of beer beside him, he's been there for a while. Head in his hands, as if to ward off a headache, he only looks up once you approach the table. His fingers twist at the ring on his left hand.
Quietly, you place the ultrasound prints on the tableâface down so that you don't have to look at them. You open your mouth, the words 'six weeks' about to escape, when Jake holds up his hand.
"Don'tâ (Y/n). Just don't."
You know he's hurt and you understand why. But when it comes down it it, this is your life. No matter how much you love Jake, you aren't going to suffer with a child you don't want to have out of the obligation of your relationship. You cross your arms defensively in front of your chest. "Then what do you want, Jake? Because I don't know what to do," you admit.
Jake stares across the table at you, his gaze unflinching, before his eyes fall to the black and white prints.
"I'm all in, (Y/n). I meant that much when I married you." His fingers tug at the ring on his finger and this time it slips past the knuckle and into his palm. "Either you're in or you're out."
You stare at the golden band and his suddenly bare finger and realize that you hardly remember a time that it wasn't there. With your throat constricting, you look back up to the face of the man that you love.
"Jake," you begin, and your voice breaks as you say his name. "You're asking me to choose between you and my job. That's not fair."
Jake sighs. He sets the ring down on the table and stands up. You watch him with a sinking heart.
"It seems like a pretty easy choice to me," he says finally. "Because I would choose you every time."
The thought hits you that maybe this is you being selfish. You have always been a selfish person, even your mother had always told you so. Was it so selfish to choose yourselfâyour careerâover a hypothetical future? The military was not a kind profession to females who wanted families. You had seen too many women settle for less in their careers because they decided that the timeline of rising in the ranks was too long to wait and they chose to have children instead. A coworker had confessed to you that despite how much she loved her husband and her children, her life ended when she had them.
Realistically, you couldn't have both. Jake knew that. You knew that.
You can't even look Admiral Simpson in the eye when you had him your letter of resignation.
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TURBULENCE
summary: jake would never get over how ironic it was. You, the wife of a naval pilot, scared of a little turbulence
paring: Jake Seresin x reader
word count: 329
âDonât laugh,â you wine at your husband as he chuckles get louder causing the people around to look at him weirdly.
âIâm sorry Darlinâ. Itâs just a little funny,â Jake is loving how ironic this all is.
âItâs not funny.â He kisses your pouty lips when your grip on his hand gets tighter, âI know honey.â
Currently the two of you were sitting in a commercial plane on your way back to Texas for the holiday. Mid flight a storm picked up causing the plane to catch some turbulence.
It was safe to say you are absolutely terrified of flying, the plane rocking back and forth wasnât helping and somehow your husband found the situation absolutely hilarious.
How ironic was it that the wife of a commander with two confirmed air combat kills was scared of flying.
Opposites really do attract.
Another wave of turbulence passes and Jake swears by the time they land his hand will be broken with how hard you're squeezing it. Not that heâs complaining.
He may be giggling at current circumstances but he still made sure to hold and comfort you.
âHow come you never get this skittish when Iâm flying?â Jake asks. He knows the answer, heâs asked the same question before but right now heâs just hoping to distract you.
Whenever you were in the backseat of his plane you were still scared out of your mind but never afraid when you were with him.
âI trust you with my life and I know youâll never let anything happen to me.â
âThatâs right,â Jake agrees. âIâll never let any danger come to you as long as we both live. So believe me when I tell you thereâs nothing to worry about, weâre okay.â
âI believe you.â
âOkay.â He pulls you closer when you let out another whimper at the sudden motion of the plane. Jake plants a peck on your forehead before resting your head under his chin, âshh, I got you.â
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