#🍺cowboy kissing | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

thegigilwriter · 8 months ago

Text

10 | “Danger & Star, Rooster & Angel” — Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Female Mitchell OC

Summary: 26-year-old Lucy Asa Mitchell did not know what was in store for her when she first bumped into Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw. After an instant mutual connection followed by a sweet whirlwind romance that swept both their feet, Lucy found herself being immersed deeper into Bradley’s world of the Navy, F-14s, and deployments. What she didn’t expect was finding was the answer to an elusive part of her past — the identity of her long-lost father.

Masterlist

Keywords/Warnings: Romance, Drama, serious burns

10 | The Hard Deck 🍺

August 13, 2023

Penny

It was a bustling Friday night and Penny was wiping down the counter, when from the corner of her eye, Rooster had entered the vicinity clad in his usual Hawaiian shirt and swoon-evoking grin. She had anticipated the usual hollers that indicated his entrance, but what she didnʼt expect was the small woman whom his large hand was on the curve of her waist. She was beautiful: with smiling eyes, transcending wavy locks of mahogany hair, a glowing olive complexion, and a pleasant laugh. She had donned on a cute lacy eggshell-colored top, dark wash denim shorts, and knee high cowboy boots. Penny was amused as Rooster kissed her cheek in front of all his friends and held her hand.

She watched as this exuberant stranger light up the faces in front of her as they conversed. When Phoenix entered a few minutes later, she embraced this new girl so warmly, one would have thought they were friends for years. Penny slipped out her phone from her pocket and began texting her beau.

To: Pete ♥

Come down here, thereʼs something you might wanna see.

“So Lucy, what do you do?ˮ Javy ‘Coyoteʼ Machado asked her, learning on his billard pole. Bradley had gone to get their drinks from Penny, and Lucy was left in their company.

“Iʼm a marine biologist,ˮ she replied. “I work at Umi.ˮ

“That pretty building up the coast?ˮ Mickey ‘Fanboyʼ Garcia followed up, after a strike.

“The very one,ˮ Lucy smiled.

“Heard itʼs exclusive,ˮ Reuben ‘Paybackʼ Fitch remarked. “One of my friends applied there — real smart guy — he got denied though.ˮ

“It is competitive,ˮ Lucy hummed.

“Sheʼs being humble. Itʼs like the Top Gun of marine research centers,ˮ Nat chimed in, as she cupped Lucyʼs shoulder. “That makes Angel here one of us.ˮ

Lucy blushed.

“Thatʼs a pretty callsign,ˮ Javy smirked. “Did Rooster give you that?ˮ

“Rooster did what now?ˮ Jake had entered the conversation smoothly, meeting eyes with Lucy and throwing a wink in her direction.

“Itʼs you,ˮ Lucy narrowed her eyes.

“Well if it isnʼt my sendoff proxy,ˮ Jake smirked, popping a toothpick in his mouth. “Now what brings you here?ˮ

“You two know each other?ˮ Phoenix looked between them quizzically.

“Iʼd like to know that too actually,ˮ Bradley stepped in handing Lucy a beer and surrounding her shoulders with his arm.

“Hangman,ˮ he acknowledged. “You look... good.ˮ

“I am good Rooster, Iʼm very good, ˮ Jake chuckled, his gaze alternating between him and Lucy. “And it seems that so are you.ˮ

“Lucy here was kind enough to send me off the last time we met, Rooster thatʼs all…ˮ Jake chuckled. “Isnʼt that right darlinʼ?ˮ

“I take it you two know each other quite well?ˮ Lucy looked to Bradley.

“Hangman?ˮ Bradley took a swig of his beer. “He and I go way back.ˮ

“Lucy Mitchell, if youʼll allow me this one request, I am absolutely dying to know how you got into such good graces with his rascal that he lets you drive his Bronco,ˮ Jake drawled. “I swear, I have never seen a man so desperate for the end of a deployment like he was.ˮ

“Got lucky I guess,ˮ Lucy shrugged. “One day I was bumping into him by the docks, and here we are now.ˮ

“Such a sweet gal you have Bradshaw,ˮ Jake remarked. “Didnʼt think they were your type.ˮ

Phoenix suddenly looked alarmed, eyes darting quickly between Bradley and Jake as they stared each other down. To her surprise, Lucy was the one who spoke first.

“I like to think that Bradley doesnʼt have a ‘typeʼ per se, but with me? I think heʼs finally set some standards,ˮ Lucy said coolly. “Maybe you can use some so you wouldnʼt need a proxy sendoff next time?ˮ

Reuben spit out his beer in mid-chug, Javy guffawed, and Mickey was just rubbing it into Jake like salt into a wound. Nat was straight up laughing like a lunatic and Bradley was astounded — proud, but astounded.

“Best of luck to you Bradshaw,ˮ Jake sighed. “Sheʼs sweet and spicy.ˮ

“Have I ever told you, that youʼre amazing?ˮ Bradley whispered to the shell of her ear.

“Youʼve implied that several times, but Iʼd like to be rewarded.ˮ Lucy grinned cheekily.

“Whatever you want, baby.ˮ He replied to her quietly.

The night treaded on and Bradley and Nat eventually joined in the game of billiards. Bob, arriving a little later than expected, was later in deep conversation with Lucy about her the nature of her work and her research. Later, Jake challenged Lucy to a game of darts and he found that he had finally met his match — their competitive bout ending in a stalemate. Bradley watched Lucy among his friends as they laughed about something that Reuben had said. He smiled, just observing how well she adjusted into his kind of people. She looked right being with them. Being with her felt right.

“Your friends are really fun,ˮ she told him as he wrapped an arm around her waist. “Thank you for bringing me here.ˮ

“Iʼm just glad you enjoyed yourself Angel,ˮ Bradley replied as he kissed her forehead sweetly. “Iʼm so happy you feel comfortable around my friends. Theyʼre good people...ˮ

“I mean… Jakeʼa kind of an asshole sometimes,ˮ he quickly added as Lucy giggled. “But youʼll get used to him.ˮ

“I donʼt know... I think heʼs just lonely,ˮ Lucy smiled. “I think he just needs someone, like I am to you.ˮ

“Only God can help him with that now,ˮ Bradley chuckled.

“Hey, do you want some water?ˮ She asked him. “Youʼre hitting it pretty hard... unless you want me to drive?ˮ

“Letʼs get one thing right Angel,ˮ Bradley grunted. “Youʼre my passenger princess as long as Iʼm here, okay?ˮ

“Okay,ˮ Lucy giggled.

“And yes,ˮ he said. “I would really like some water, thank you baby.ˮ

Lucy made a beeline for the bar and behind it, she asked the pretty woman with crow lines and a magnetic stare for Bradleyʼs glass of water and another bottle of beer for her. As the bartender set off to complete her request, Lucy felt someone occupy the empty seat she stood next to.

“Never seen you around here before,ˮ the stranger uttered, taking a sip from her glass. “Got a name?ˮ

As Lucy turned to reply, she beheld this beautiful woman with long jet-black hair curled like a princess with strikingly green eyes. Her makeup was flawless, her perfume confidently exuding, and her nails well-maintained. Even in khakis, one could guess that she must have a perfect body — one that even models envy.

“Lucy,ˮ she told her, still gaping at her ethereal appearance.

“Aisling Akerman,ˮ the woman nodded, eyes grazing Lucy from head-to-toe. “But my callsignʼs Nova.ˮ

“Itʼs nice to meet you Nova,ˮ Lucy smiled and thanked the bartender wordlessly as she set down her beer and water. Aisling eyed them before her gaze settled on Lucy.

“You came here with a boyfriend, Lucy?ˮ Aisling asked her.

“Yes,ˮ she replied. “Heʼs a pilot too. Uh... callsign... Rooster?ˮ

“Good olʼ Rooster,ˮ Aisling chuckled as she swirled the contents her glass around. “You know, if you hadnʼt mentioned him by name, I would have never known...ˮ

Lucy looked at her perplexedly. It didnʼt take too long until the gears clicked and a light bulb took its shine. From afar, Nat nudged Bradley as he was about to take his turn, forcing him to avert towards the direction Nat had pointed to him. Jake followed suit, and his eyes widened slightly. Bradley was just about to approach the bar counter until Jake stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

“What the hell, Hangman?ˮ Bradley hissed.

“Thatʼs Nova, ainʼt it?ˮ Jake clarified. “Give them a minute... I have a really good feeling about this.ˮ

“Hangman,ˮ Bradley enunciated as patiently as he could. “I am not putting Lucy in harmʼs way for your entertainment. If you donʼt step aside right now I will not hesitate to beat the living shi—“

“Oh would you just calm down?!ˮ Jake hissed back. “Have some faith in your girl, Rooster. Sheʼs got some fight in her... I can tell...ˮ

“Girl to girl Lucy, youʼre not exactly Bradleyʼs type,ˮ Aisling drank again. “Take it from me, heʼll just fuck around with you for a while until he dumps you for the next hot piece of ass. Itʼll be good for a while — I mean they call him Rooster for a reason, if you catch my drift? But youʼre a nice little girl, youʼre cute, and Iʼm sure youʼd make a nice little wife someday. But not with this one babe — this oneʼs for the bad girls... besides donʼt you think heʼs a little out of your league?ˮ

“Nova, is it?ˮ Lucy chuckled, staring out into the crowd with a smile. “You know I find it quite ingenious that aviatorsʼ callsigns are a subtle reference to their own temperaments. So I can only wonder to what yours alludes to — is it the unprecedented brightness of a newborn star or its inevitable death into the dark abscesses of cold space?ˮ

Lucy looked straight into her eyes.

“I know women like you,ˮ Lucy told her softly. “You draw men in and lavish in their attention. But when it becomes too much, you cast them out and disappear — and when you decide that you need them you simply do it all over again just because you can. So donʼt be mistaken Nova, I donʼt fear women like you, I pity you — because behind that bold red lip, that smoky eye, and all your extensions is a little girl whoʼs too afraid to know what real love could look like for herself. And between you and me, I donʼt think Iʼm that little girl.ˮ

Aisling stared right back at her, dumbstruck. She blinked her eyes rapidly and swallowed deeply before setting her drink down slowly. Their eyes met briefly before Aisling casted her gaze down in defeat and sliding off her seat and heading towards the exit.

“No fucking way...ˮ Mickey gaped at the slumped shell of Aisling ‘Novaʼ Akerman leaving the Hard deck.

“For the first time in history ladies and gentlemen,ˮ Javy announced comically. “The Nova has been contained.ˮ

“Would you look at that,ˮ Nat sighed with crossed arms. “Roosterʼs scot-free.ˮ

“The lucky son-of-a-bitch,ˮ Jake laughed.

Bradley was simply without words as he watched Penny come up to Lucy from behind the bar.

“That,ˮ Penny chuckled. “Is the most well-articulated comeback I have ever heard in this vicinity. Whatʼs your name, kid?ˮ

“Lucy,ˮ she told the bartender.

“Iʼm Penny,ˮ she replied. Just then, Lucy got a glance of the sign that hung over the bar that had said: ‘Disrespect a lady, the navy, or put your cellphone on my bar you buy a round.ʼ

“Looks like a roundʼs on me, huh?ˮ Lucy said to her. “I seem to have violated two out of three of your terms.ˮ

“Donʼt worry about it,ˮ Penny dismissed. “That one had a long time coming, trust me. And donʼt you dare start feeling bad about it now...ˮ

“Itʼs the default setting I guess,ˮ she shrugged.

“Well un-default it,ˮ Penny said to her. “You can be nice and a badass at the same time. Just own it.ˮ

Lucy smiled.

“And about the things she said back there,ˮ Penny began to say. “Roosterʼs a good guy, and believe it or not... Iʼve never seen him introduce a girl to his friends.ˮ

“I know,ˮ she nodded. “Thank you. I just... I harbor a very... intense disdain towards people who use other people for their own gain, you know?ˮ

“You have just done me the biggest favor,ˮ Penny shook her head, chuckling.

“Whatʼs that? Surely there are worser guests than Nova?ˮ

“No,ˮ Penny sighed. “But as his godmother of sorts youʼve put my mind at ease.ˮ

Lucy looked to Bradley from across the bar and he smiled upon meeting her gaze.

“Go to him,ˮ she gestured with her chin. “Your tabʼs on me tonight, Lucy. Welcome to the Hard Deck.ˮ

Lucy thanked Penny before heading over towards Bradley and the others with his water and her bottle of beer. Bradley secured an arm around her once more, kissing the top of her head.

“Hey Lucy,ˮ Mickey called out. “My ex Aubrey lives just a couple of blocks down the street. You mind talking to her for me?ˮ

A round of laughs resounded.

“Jesus Luce,ˮ Nat remarked. “What the hell did you say to her? Iʼve never seen that girl walking the walk of shame, much less runninʼ out of here with her tail between her legs!ˮ

“I told you Rooster,ˮ Jake mused. “You could learn a thing or two from your girl.ˮ

“Youʼre just full of surprises tonight, arenʼt you.ˮ Bradley teased her.

“Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandusˮ Lucy whispered.

“What does that mean?” He asked her.

“Never tickle a sleeping dragon,” she giggled.

Bradley chuckled, marveling at this new side of his girlfriend— the smart-mouthed, impulsive, and fiery persona veiled beneath her angelic appearances.

“Yeah?ˮ He replied. “Well right now Iʼve got an itching to do something Iʼve been thinking of for a long time...ˮ

“So do it, Rooster.ˮ Lucy whispered impishly. Striking a chord with her seductively irresistible gaze and the mention of his callsign, Bradley led Lucy towards the piano on the other side of the Hard Deck, pulling the plug on the jukebox secretly along the way. He sat down, fiddling with the piano keys before pulling her towards a seat on his lap. Nat, Javy, Reuben, Mickey, Bob, and even Jake followed a few moments later as a crowd began to gather around them— knowing exactly what was about to go down.

“You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain Too much love drives a man insane

You broke my will

But what a thrill

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!“

“I laughed at love 'coz I thought it was funny

You came along and you moved me, honey I've changed my mind

This love is fine

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!ˮ

“Kiss me, babbbyy!ˮ

Lucy placed a quick kiss on Bradleyʼs cheek and he shivered animatedly as she half-laughed and half-sang along.

“Mmmmh, it feels good!

Hold me, baby —

Well, I'm off to love you like a lover should.ˮ

Bradley, not missing a beat nor key, met his loverʼs eyes as they passionately sung together, with their heads banging and their eyes smiling to the heavens.

“Oh! You're fine, so kind

Got to tell this world that you're mine, mine, mine, mine!

I chew my nails and then I twiddle my thumbs

I'm real nervous, but it sure is fun

Come on, baby

You drive me crazy

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!ˮ

As Bradley played the solo with practiced perfection and with Lucy as his muse, a new straggler stumbled into the bar still donned in his flight suit with unruly hair and basked in sweat. Even so, Penny had come right around the bar and gave him a kiss on the cheek and treaded her fingers through his locks.

“Hey lover,ˮ he smiled at her.

“Mav,ˮ Penny sighed. “You operate what is arguably the fastest thing on the planet, when do you think youʼll ever be on time?ˮ

“But weʼve got all this time babe,ˮ Pete grinned boyishly, setting his hands on her waist. “Whatʼs a few minutes here on the ground?ˮ

“Alright, alright.ˮ Penny conceded as they walked behind the counter and offered him a bottle after unsealing the cap.

“If my memory serves me right, there was something you wanted to show me?ˮ Pete whispered. Penny gestured towards Bradley and the roaring crowd. It took a while, but what Pete eventually saw made his eyes widen slightly and a smile tighten his lips.

“Is that... a girl on Roosterʼs lap?ˮ

Penny nodded enthusiastically.

“Has he... ever done that before?ˮ Pete asked her once more.

“No,ˮ Penny shook her head. “I think heʼs quite serious about this one. Sheʼs a nice kid. And oh! You know Nova, right?ˮ

“Come on babe,ˮ Pete looked at her. “I donʼt forget everything...ˮ

“I literally found your toothbrush in your coffee mug this morning, but thatʼs besides the point,ˮ Penny wrinkled her nose. “Lucy here sent her out the door crying. Crying, babe.ˮ

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?ˮ

“Iʼm telling you Pete, this girl — sheʼs a keeper...ˮ

Pete and Penny watched as Bradley concluded ‘Great Balls of Fireʼ with an astounding round of applause and hearty cheers just like he did every time. Except at the end of, he had a girl on his lap to kiss. As the crowd dissipated from its high and returned to its simmering presence, Pete and Penny surged forward towards the couple and met them by the piano bench. Lucy was still snug on Bradleyʼs thigh when he looked over his shoulder to meet someone.

“Hey, Mav!ˮ She heard Bradley say.

“Rooster!ˮ A man had replied. Bradley led Lucy unto her feet as they stood to face another stranger of the night. Lucy straightened her blouse and when she had finally turned to introduce herself... she stopped— a blank expression eclipsing her visage.

His hazel eyes.

The shape of his smile.

The broadness of his shoulders. Even the way he stood.

It can’t be… Ford?

On the other side of the conversation, Penny was dumbfounded as she tugged at Peteʼs flight suit — shaking him awake from some sort of temporary possession. In Pete Mitchellʼs eyes there was something so utterly fond and familiar about the girl in front of him. He suddenly felt the humidity on his back, whiffed a sea breeze, and heard the vocalizations of a song far into his memory. It had been a long time since he had uttered that name, and still, it came naturally from his tongue as it did all those years ago...

“Tala?ˮ He croaked, staring at Lucy.

Bradley and Penny were visibly confused by their wordless interaction, eyes darting between Pete and Lucy as they seemed to exchange an odd conversation of sorts.

“N-No,ˮ Lucy finally replied after feeling as if she was just hit by a train. “Iʼm Lucy —“

“Iʼm sorry,ˮ Pete sighed. “You just really looked like someone I used to kn—“

“Tala? Tala Adlawan?ˮ

Pete stopped and slowly nodded at her words. Lucy paused staring at him in disbelief.

“Thatʼs my mom,ˮ she said quietly. “Do you know... her?ˮ

“From a really long time ago,ˮ Pete breathed out.

“Angel,ˮ Bradley said to her. “This is Maverick — my godfather. He was my dadʼs best friend. Mav, this is Lucy, my girlfriend — but it seems that youʼre already.... acquainted?ˮ

“Pete youʼre staring,ˮ Penny chuckled.

“Iʼm sorry,ˮ Pete laughed lightly, looking back at Lucy. “Itʼs just so uncanny. You look exactly like her...ˮ

“Who is Tala, babe?ˮ Penny asked him.

“An...old friend,ˮ Pete said. “I met her back at Atsugi back in ‘96.ˮ

Lucyʼs eyes widened slightly, a sudden itch occupying her hands.

“Well you guys should come over for dinner!ˮ Penny suggested. “Weʼd love to get to know you a little more, Lucy. Bradleyʼs never officially introduced a girl to us, you just have to come!ˮ

“I would love to,ˮ Lucy smiled. The night at the Hard Deck concluded on that note as Lucy and Penny exchanged numbers and Rooster bid farewell to a still awestruck Maverick.

Just as Lucy was headed towards the parking lot, Bradley pulled her with him to the beach. They left footprints on the sand as they walked beneath the light of the moon and the distant outdoor lamps of the Hard Deck. They settled in a peaceful spot on the sand, not too near or far from the water and overlooking the horizon. Lucy was caged between his thighs and embraced in his arms. He kissed her cheek.

“Youʼre a little quiet,ˮ Bradley remarked. “Are you okay?ˮ

“Y-Yeah,ˮ Lucy smiled at him reassuringly as she grazed his cheek. “Iʼm more than okay Bradley, thank you.ˮ

“Mav seemed to have caught you by surprise back there,ˮ Bradley chuckled.

“You have no idea,ˮ Lucy sighed.

It was all too uncanny.

Could it really just be a coincidence?

A beat.

“Tala,ˮ Bradley repeated. “Your mom has a pretty name. Does it mean something?ˮ

“Tala is the name of a goddess in Filipino mythology,ˮ Lucy recalled. “She governs the stars.ˮ

“Huh,ˮ he mused. “Your mom is named after a star goddess and yours happens to mean ‘light.ʼ So, the star goddess and her light. One canʼt exist without the other — very poetic.ˮ

“Iʼve never seen it that way,ˮ she replied. “Iʼve always seen it from a perspective that... I can never... possibly measure up to a goddess — the one who creates the light.ˮ

“Hey, look at me.ˮ She met his kind, honeyed eyes and beheld his seriously handsome face with soft curls.

“On our first date, you told me that you were a poet,ˮ Bradley said. “But Angel, you have no idea how much of a star you are.ˮ

Lucy swallowed, tears beginning to balance on the line of her eyes.

“Donʼt you see how much gravity over people you have? How bright and beautiful you are? Iʼm the poet now Angel, and you are the sun.ˮ

“Bradley,ˮ Lucy whispered as he pressed his lips against hers. She loved how solid he was beneath her fingers — she could feel the strength reserved in his muscles and the warmth beneath his skin. She loved his coarse locks, the indents of his scars, and even the smell of his sweat. If she could be physically absorbed into this man, she would. They broke apart for air, lips numb and eyes glistening.

“This whole night...ˮ Lucy laughed. “Is just so... crazy...ˮ

“Crazy good?ˮ Bradley chuckled as he held her face in his big hands.

“Crazy good,ˮ she repeated.

“Itʼs a bit crazy too you know,ˮ he says. “That Mav happens to know your mom.ˮ

“Maverick is his call sign, right? Whatʼs his real name?ˮ

“Pete Mitchell.ˮ

Lucy was in her pajamas and her hair was wrapped in a towel as she dug a weathered, old box from her closet and set it by the floor of her bed. She swept the dust on the lid with a damp towel and opened the container. From it, she retrieved an old leather jacket, a couple of band shirts, some polaroids, a walkman, and some keys. Lucy jingled them fondly, before tucking it away expertly in her palm. She also fished some old journals and a bunch of old music compositions. At the very bottom of the box she, found a red biscuit tin with Chinese labeling. After popping it open with a bread knife because of all the rust that had accumulated in its rim, Lucy flipped through some old letters that she had read some years ago and finally saw what she had been looking for. It was a pair of aviators and on its side, a subtle inscription of the initials P.M.

She skimmed through the letters once more.

Dear Danger,

Love, Star

I miss you.

I love you.

Iʼm pregnant.

RETURN SENDER

Dear Star,

Love, Danger

...meet again.

new mission...

In love with you.

Miss you like crazy.

And just when Lucyʼs head was spinning from all these revelations, a patch fell on her lap — slipping after she had untucked a fold from another old letter. She had not seen it the last time she opened the tin box. It was as if it chose to reveal itself only in this moment. It was navy blue-colored rectangle, embroidered with bright red thread. It depicted wings with an anchor, and beneath it, something had been inscribed:

PETE MITCHELL

“MAVERICKˮ

Well— cat’s out of the bag 👀 Looks like we have a series of interesting events ahead of us, dear readers. The story is just beginning! See you at 11 | Dinner at Penny’s!

#rooster top gun #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw #top gun 1986 #top gun maverick #top gun #top gun fanfiction #top gun imagine #top gun fandom #top gun fic #top gun movie #bradley bradshaw imagine

19 notes · View notes