#before bradley even learns jake has money

[nixie-deangel]

💐🍼

For what to write this weekend

💐 serial killer Jake - hangster

“So how does a gorgeous creature like you, end up in a place like this?” Bradley snorts, eyes cutting to see Jake leaning forward, forearms braced against the bar, as he stares pensively up at Bradley. “You ask all your bartenders overly personal questions?” “Course not, honey. I save all my overly personal questions for the prettiest of them all,” Jake grins, big and bright. Bradley ducks his head, feeling his face get hot as he flushes at Jake’s words, at the confidence and teasing lit he can hear in the other man’s voice.

🍼 non navy bradley/fighter pilot jake as parents - hangster

“What do you even know about this man, momma?” Jake asks, more like demands but is there really any other way to phrase it when you find out your mother has invited a strange man to come and live in her house? “Do you even know if he’s got a record or been arrested or anything about him?” “Jacob.” Cringing, Jake can’t help deflate at the flat way his mother says his name.

Make Nixie Write!

[roosterforme]

Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw Part 17 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Bradley was certain Maverick didn't intend to stress him out when he said you and he were the spitting image of Goose and Carole. But suddenly, for better or for worse, it was all he could think about. There is so much to look forward to with you in his life, but now he has to break the worst kind of news to you.

Warnings: Fluff, oral sex, smut, angst, adult banter, Bradley in love, 18+

Length: 4800 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female teacher!Reader

Check out my masterlist for more! Yours Truly, Bradley Bradshaw masterlist

Bradley couldn't seem to stop grinning. Playing the part of tour guide for your class was a pleasure. The kids made fun of Jake, which was honestly lovely, and everyone got to experience different aspects of aviation, not just flying. You even made Cyclone smile, so you'd done the impossible there. Bradley had a grin on his face for the rest of the afternoon, and Nat kept ribbing him about it.

"Are the two of you going to get married and have eighteen kids?" she asked, feigning innocence like nobody else could.

"I know you're joking," he replied as he cleaned up and organized all of the noise canceling headphones. "You know how I know? Because you know how much money I make. I could never afford eighteen kids. It's gotta be like fifteen, tops."

"You never ever even joked about having a child before!" she said, tone accusatory.

Talking about you and thinking about you made him feel calm where no relationship he'd had in the past ever really did. "Come on, Nat. You know I'm serious about this one." 

She laughed in response. "Being in love for once instead of just settling for someone to keep you company looks good on you. It's about time you stopped fucking up." He planted his hand on top of her head, scrunched his fingers, and messed up her hair. "Stop it!" she screeched as he ran away across the tarmac as fast as he could and into the hangar where he found Marty.

Bradley peeked around to make sure she hadn't followed him as he made a beeline toward the mechanic. "Hey, I can't thank you enough for today," he told Marty, shaking his calloused hand.

"It was fun," he replied. "Some of those kids are future aviators, I'm telling you."

"Violet," they both said at the same time and started laughing.

"And Oliver is a bit of a daredevil," Bradley added as he helped Marty pack up his work station. "They've been learning about aviation for months, and I know today meant a lot to them."

Marty looked a little pensive before he nodded at Bradley. "You know what," he said in response as he locked his toolbox, "go ahead and tell your girlfriend that I'll be there for her career day as long as I'm not deployed."

Bradley cocked his head. "Career day. Right. I'll let her know." 

He had no idea what Marty was talking about, but it was just about time for him to head out for the day. By the time he got home from work, you'd probably be on your way back down from Mira Mesa. His thoughts were circling around Maverick's words from earlier. If he was reminded of Goose and Carole when he looked at Bradley with you, then no wonder this felt like the real deal. It must be just that.

But he was in his head now. He was desperate to keep you, because he knew all too well what loneliness felt like, but he couldn't stand the thought of you worrying about him. And the idea of anything happening to him while he was away from you was too much to handle. He rubbed his eyes as he walked to his Bronco. Being compared to his parents felt like a blessing and a curse.

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

The evenings were getting chilly this time of year, but you changed into the dress you wore on your first date with Bradley as soon as you got home. Then you quickly packed an overnight bag. Driving to work from his house tomorrow would be a true test. Nothing was going to be a complete deal breaker for you at this point, but you hoped it didn't leave you in tears of frustration. Or have Bradley trying to scramble to find a way to try to make you happy when you already were.

Your plan for the evening was to pick up some Thai food from the place he loved on your way to his house. When you texted Bradley to let him know you were leaving your place soon and that you hoped he was hungry, he wrote back one sentence.

All I want is you.

Every time you thought it would be impossible for him to continue to set off the butterflies in your tummy, he did it again. Your face felt warm, and you ran your palm along your cheek as you thought about every little detail of the field trip while you drove. He didn't just love you, he appreciated your job and your students. Your ex didn't even let you talk about them. Bradley let them rank the cafeteria foods at the Naval base. He got Marty to give a demonstration. He got permission for them to sit in his jet and assist with air traffic control!

You moaned as you wove through traffic to get there. All I want is you. Well fuck, all you wanted was him. Your feelings outweighed the amount of time you'd known him, but you couldn't seem to make yourself pump the brakes now. When you stopped to pick up dinner, you thought back to your first date with Bradley. It wasn't very long ago, but it felt like so much had happened since then. It felt like even more had happened since he responded to your first letter. In such a short amount of time, you had fallen in love.

Your skin was tingling with anticipation as you parked in front of his house. Hadn't you been with him just a few hours ago? Why did you feel the need to run for the front door with the Thai food? Why did your heart skip a beat when Bradley opened the door in his sweatshirt and gray sweatpants and met you on the front porch before you even had a chance to knock?

"Gorgeous," he breathed against your cheek, holding you close as you tried not to squish the bag containing dinner. Then he pulled his shirt off, leaving him in a tee, and tugged it over your head. His mustache tickled your skin as he leaned in and whispered, "You look too good in my sweatshirt. You look like you're mine."

Your belly swooped as you promised, "I absolutely am."

"Fuck."

You laughed as you handed the bag to him and wrapped your arms around his neck. "Give me a minute to kiss you the way I wanted to earlier, and then we're having a picnic dinner."

Bradley started to respond with one eyebrow raised, but you didn't let him get a word out as your lips met his. He deepened the kiss immediately, and you sighed; this was how you always wanted him. You appreciated that he held back earlier, but right now, you wanted him all to yourself.

"Thank you for today," you murmured between kisses as his hand slid lower along your back. "You're the hero of Mira Mesa Elementary, and I wanted to treat you to dinner on behalf of my class."

His cheeks were a little rosy as he pulled away a bit more. "You don't have to thank me for anything. You know that. I'm happy to do anything you want."

"Stop," you whispered, burying your face against his neck. "A girl can only handle so much. Let's go eat dinner down on the beach, and maybe there will be an additional little something special for you."

You were tugging on his arm, fingers gripping his thick bicep, but he didn't budge an inch. "I'm in sweats and a tee shirt. Should I change?"

"Why?" you asked, still tugging. "You look hot."

His blush deepened. "But you're wearing your dress and my sweatshirt. And I was kind of interested in snuggling on the couch."

"Let's go," you repeated, and he took a few steps toward your car with the bag of food in his hand. "We can come back and snuggle on the couch later."

While he agreed, he didn't seem to want to let you go. His hand was on yours while you drove the few blocks to the beach, and he wrapped his arm around you as you pulled an oversized beach towel out of your trunk along with a blanket. 

"Baby, it'll get chilly as soon as the sun sets."

"I'll keep you warm," you promised, running your fingers along his bare arm before taking his hand. He was quiet as the two of you walked down from the parking lot to the sand, and when you looked up at him as the warm, orange light illuminated his face as the sun sank low in the sky, he seemed contemplative. "What's wrong?" you asked, heart skipping a beat as you stopped in front of him so he was looking at you.

Bradley's gaze was soft as he met your eyes. "Nothing's wrong. I'm with you." 

But even as the two of you ate dinner together, he pulled you snug next to his side like he was afraid you were going to go somewhere. You took a bite of the Pad Thai and then said, "I wish I thought to bring some Prosecco," but you only got a little grunt in response. "Bradley," you snapped, reaching for his chin and turning his head gently so he was facing you. "You weren't like this earlier during the field trip. You're acting strange. Do you want me to go home?"

"No," he replied with wide eyes, wrapping one big hand around your thigh and kissing your forehead. "I don't want you to go anywhere without me." With a sigh, he added, "I'm sorry. I just... got in my own head about us."

"Us?" you asked immediately, scrambling to try to figure out what you could have possibly done wrong. The whole day was perfect, and now you felt yourself trying to pull away from his grasp.

"No," he insisted once more as the air grew cooler. The sky was more dark blue than orange now, and Bradley was silent for a beat before he said, "Maverick... Captain Mitchell... you met him earlier..." When you nodded, he kissed your forehead and said, "He was my dad's friend. They flew together. Maverick knew him well."

Your boyfriend's parents had been gone for a long time. "Oh," you gasped. If you'd known that earlier, you'd have taken more time to get to know Captain Mitchell.

Before you could dwell on it too much, Bradley whispered, "I think about you all the time, Gorgeous. I think about fucking you on my couch and feeding you breakfast. I think about taking you back to Salvatore's for every special occasion. I think about your letters and your pretty face and diamond rings. And the future."

His words were warm and intentional, and you shivered even as he pulled you closer. "Bradley," you said so softly, you could barely hear yourself. "I think about all of that, too."

Some of the tension seemed to melt away from his body as you ran your fingers through his hair. His lips skimmed along yours as he said, "Maverick told me I reminded him of my dad today. And that you reminded him of my mom. This is all because he can tell how head over heels I am for you. Just like my parents were for each other."

Everything he said was too dreamy. When you tried to take a deep breath, it hitched in your throat. "I don't understand what the problem is, Bradley. I feel the same way about you."

His gaze was fixed on the water as he held you and said, "My dad left my mom and I alone. The last thing I ever want to do is leave you."

A smile found your lips as you wrapped your arms around his neck. "Is this why you're being weird and clingy at the same time?"

When he looked at you he laughed. "I guess. I'm sorry."

"Bradley," you whispered, kissing his mustache and reaching for the blanket to cover both of you. "I've spent months falling in love with you in spite of your job. Or maybe because of it. Or maybe just because there was no holding back. I've thought about the risks, and you are worth it. I'm sure your mom felt the same way about your dad."

He pulled you down on top of him, dinner forgotten, and kissed you with one heavy hand still on the back of your thigh. "As long as you've accepted the risks, Gorgeous." His fingers slid up a few inches as he added, "Today was incredibly fun for me, and I'm happy your kids had a good time. I'm already looking forward to visiting your school again if you want me there."

"Oh," you whispered, placing a soft kiss to his scars. "That reminds me. Career day is coming up in a few months. You'll definitely need to be there for that."

Bradley grunted and gave you a little smack on your rear end that made you gasp in delight. "See, you're telling me about this now, but I already heard about career day from Marty."

Your fingers on his bicep tightened as you tried not to moan. "I just got excited earlier," you whispered. "I promise I was going to tell you."

"Hmm... so Marty and the other aviators are more interesting than I am. I understand, Gorgeous."

His voice was teasing, and he seemed a lot more at ease now as that big hand gripped and grabbed at you under the blanket. When you shifted slightly, you could feel him through his gray sweatpants. He was a little eager, but so were you now. His occasional need to hear you reaffirm your feelings for him was something you'd always be happy to indulge.

"Will you let me prove to you that you're the most interesting? My very favorite Naval officer?"

"What do you have in mind?"

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

The first few stars were glittering to life in the sky as the horizon continued to darken from orange to purple to blue. Bradley lounged back on the oversized beach towel with one arm tucked behind his head and enjoyed the sight. It was beautiful. So was the sound of you softly gagging on his cock.

"God damn," he muttered, fingers stroking the back of your neck as he squeezed his eyes closed and focused on the feel of your mouth slowly gliding along his shaft until he was deep once again. The air was cool on his overheated skin, and the breeze was probably enough to keep anyone else from visiting this secluded stretch of beach while you treated him to your lips and tongue.

When you gagged again, he saw stars prettier than the ones in the sky, and he could feel your saliva drip down to his balls before you lapped at them as well. He half expected to see the front of his sweatpants all damp by the time you were done. He was really looking forward to it. And it wouldn't be much longer now as you sucked on his balls and pumped your fist around him nice and slow.

Your voice was light as air when you released him and playfully asked, "Do you believe you're my favorite?"

Bradley glanced down where he could see the outline of your body and his hard cock hanging out of his pants. "Baby, I would believe anything you told me right now," he muttered, delighting in your laughter.

"You're my favorite," you said before kissing his tip and sinking those pretty lips around him once again. Your grip was firm as you sucked, and it wasn't long before Bradley was grunting and trying not to grab you too tight with his fingers. 

You were giving him head on the beach, and it was so damn hot, but you were still his sweet girlfriend. He just wanted to make you happy, and when he came, you moaned in delight until he couldn't tell if his eyes were open or closed. Then your lips were on his, and he could taste both of you there. "You're my favorite," you repeated, reaching down to carefully pull his sweatpants up while he head spun.

He groaned and wrapped his arm around your waist. "If this was your ploy to get me to agree to career day, it definitely worked. But you know I would have said yes no matter what."

Your lips were on his ear as you laughed. "Can we go home and get warmed up in the shower?"

Home. You belonged there with him. He knew it. You knew it too, even if only subconsciously. "Yeah, let's go home."

On Friday, he woke up earlier than usual to make sure you were awake in time to get to work. He packed you a lunch, grimaced when he checked the traffic on his phone and said, "I'll pay for your gas."

"I don't need you to pay for my gas, Bradley!" you insisted.

One look at your pretty face had him shaking his head. "Traffic is a nightmare. What's it going to take to get you to come back here again tonight?" he asked, handing you a mug of coffee. "Because I honestly don't mind paying a little extra in gas money to make up for the fact that I bought a house in Coronado."

You bit your lip and then asked, "How do you not understand that being with you is going to be worth the drive?"

"Save your verdict for after you've actually driven through rush hour."

He was delighted when you returned right after work for the weekend. And Saturday morning, you slept in while Bradley went for a run with Nat. He kissed you goodbye and watched you roll over onto his pillow with a soft smile on your lips. Six miles in and he was getting antsy to get back to make you breakfast.

"Are you two coming to the bar tonight?" Nat asked, huffing as she tried to speak and run at the same time.

He grunted in response. You hadn't been to the Hard Deck yet, and he wasn't sure he felt like sharing you with everyone else this evening. "Maybe."

Nat rolled her eyes. "Just bring her. You've been MIA for weeks and weeks since you got back. You can stare longingly at her while other people are around for a few hours."

"I'll ask how she feels about it."

But he should have known you'd want to go as soon as he mentioned it to you in the shower after breakfast. "I didn't bring anything cute to wear," you complained with a little pout.

"Baby, you could wear one of my ratty old shirts with your jeans, and you'd be the cutest thing in the place."

A smile curved along your lips, and that's exactly what you ended up wearing. Your snug jeans only looked sexier on you when paired with one of his soft tee shirts from his college days, which you tied in a little knot at the hem. He could see a peek of your skin here and there as you finished getting ready that evening, and he couldn't keep his hands off you. When the two of you arrived at the Hard Deck, he knew he was going to have to keep you close by.

"What do you want to drink?" he asked, tucking his fingers around your waist as Jake Seresin himself eyed you up. "The only thing I can promise is that the wine here sucks compared to Salvatore's."

But you were oblivious as you looked around the interior of the bar as you caught a few more gazes. He didn't love these horny guys all checking you out like the piece of fresh meat you really were. "How about a beer then?" you asked, scanning everything that Penny had on tap and pointing to your favorite.

"Solid choice," he replied, ordering two from Jimmy. And then all too soon, you were the one pulling him toward the pool table and Natasha.

"Well, well, well," Jake drawled, setting down his empty bottle and tossing a dart repeatedly up into the air with his gaze glued on you. "What do we have here, Bradshaw?"

"This is my girlfriend," he replied immediately. "Don't get any ideas."

You cleared your throat, stuck out your hand, and told Jake your name. He reached for you with a smile and didn't let go. "You must be the teacher from the field trip the other day. I'm Jake. But if you'd prefer to use my call sign, it's Hungman. I mean Hangman. Looks like Baby on Board was right."

"Right about what?" Bradley asked, eyes darting to where Bob was blushing profusely with a pool cue in his hand.

Jake chuckled. "Nothing I can say in front of mixed company."

"Oh!" you said, pulling your hand free and pointing at Jake while you took a sip of your beer. Bradley felt the need to protect you, but you didn't really need him to at all as you smirked and said, "Hangman. Right. You're the guy with the dumb call sign. My students were still talking about it yesterday."

Bradley started laughing at the sour look on Jake's face. After that, you had some very pleasant conversations with Javy, Mickey and Reuben, even though he could see their eyes dip down to your chest on occasion. It wasn't really their fault that you were beautiful, so he let it slide while he played pool with Nat. Eventually you joined in with him, and you insisted on buying the next two beers plus another drink for his best friend.

"I'll be right back," you told him, playfully backing away toward the bar with a smile, and Bradley watched you the entire time you were gone.

"You are a mess," Nat informed him as if he didn't already know that.

He shook his head. "I just know the day is going to come when I'm not around to physically be with her. And you'll be the one inviting her out to the bar while I'm eating soggy cabbage rolls on an aircraft carrier. So I need to set the precedent now. She's with me, and all of these assholes we work with can keep their hands to themselves where she is concerned."

"You were never this up tight when you brought Vanessa here."

His ex's name always sounded startling now when it rattled around in his head. "She was mean," he said easily. "Nobody wanted to talk to her even though she was pretty." But Bradley honestly never did feel this way about her or anyone else before you. Watching you pay Jimmy with a smile on your face before turning and meeting his eyes was enough to send him walking halfway to meet you.

Bradley took one of the drinks from your hands and leaned down to give you a nice, long kiss with tongue. Was he marking his territory? Sure. Was he also letting you know he was ready to get you alone again whenever you wanted to leave? Absolutely. Was he also just such a mess he couldn't help but touch you? A hundred percent.

It wasn't long before you suggested calling it a night.

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

Bradley was deep inside you, one big hand pinning your wrists above your head on his pillow. His fingers were trailing down your skin as he fucked you a little harder, and you let him talk and ramble to his heart's content while he brought you closer to where you wanted to be.

"You're perfect," he crooned, hazy gaze focused on your face. "Tell me, Baby, please. I need to know." He kissed along your neck, tongue darting out to taste the sheen of sweat. "Please."

"What?" you gasped, barely able to talk at all as his fingers settled on your clit.

You thought maybe he gave up trying to communicate right now, but then he licked his lips and said, "Give me a date. Please. Give me a date when you're going to move in." But he was stroking you just right, and your only response was a gasp before you were chanting his name.

His lips settled on yours as you came for him, clenching around his cock until he spilled himself inside you. His kisses were rough before turning sweet, and soon he was softly teasing your lips as he muttered, "You gonna tell me?"

It took you a second to push through the fog as your orgasm tapered off, and you smiled. "I thought you weren't in a hurry. Just in love." His cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink as he ducked his head, but you'd already been giving it a lot of thought. When he started to shift, you whispered, "January twentieth."

He froze again and met your eyes. "Yeah? Seriously?"

"Seriously."

His hands were cupping your face while he stayed buried inside you. "Gorgeous, you just made my whole fucking day."

Within the hour, he had the date saved in his phone calendar, and you were on his lap on the couch eating popcorn. "We've got time, but I'll help you pack beforehand and move everything. Javy has a truck, so I'll make sure we can use that. You could always start moving some things before that if you wanted to."

You popped a kernel between his lips and asked, "You just really wanted a date to look forward to?"

"So bad," he replied with a grin. "I can't wait to have my professional spider hunter around all the time."

"You're ridiculous," you told him with a grin of your own. You yawned, exhausted in the early hours of Sunday morning. "I need some sleep or else I'll be dead on my feet at work this week. You need to show me that you can be well behaved and let me rest even after I've moved in with you."

"On it," he replied, dumping the remainder of the popcorn into his mouth before scooping you up and heading for the bathroom to get ready for bed.

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

Bradley smiled as he ate some macaroni and cheese in the cafeteria later that week. He had two new dates saved in his phone calendar. The day you would be moving in with him and the date for career day at your school. He couldn't wait. He was admiring the calendar entries when his phone alerted him to a new email. It was oddly enough from your school account.

Dear Lieutenant Bradshaw,

We just wanted to reach out and thank you again for taking us on a tour of North Island. Our lessons about aviation were brought to life. It was the educational opportunity of a lifetime, and we also had so much fun on the field trip. Our classroom door is always open anytime you want to visit.

Sincerely,

Your nineteen pen pals

Immediately after he finished reading, he noticed he had another email. From your personal account this time.

Did you know there are just thirty-five days until I move to Coronado?

Attached was a photo of you holding up three fingers and five fingers in front of your naked tits, and Bradley almost dropped his phone. He could see everything, just like you probably intended, but he had to close out of the image as Maverick approached him with a frown.

"We need to talk."

Bradley's brow furrowed. "What's going on?"

The older man sighed and rubbed his forehead. "A call came in from Norfolk. Atlantic Fleet needs one more F/A-18 pilot for an assignment. Your name was mentioned."

"No," Bradley replied immediately as his stomach lurched. "Atlantic Fleet? Mav, please tell me you're joking."

"I'm not."

Bradley's head was swimming with concern. He'd only been in the Pacific Fleet for a few years, and he wasn't looking to go back to Virginia. Not even temporarily, but certainly not permanently. You were only with him because he was based out of San Diego. You told him yourself how scared you had been when you thought you were falling for a man who lived on the other side of the country.

"My name was mentioned?" he muttered. "Who else was mentioned?"

Maverick shook his head. "Nobody. They want you. I'd start thinking about getting your duffle out of the closet this weekend. I'll get your more information as soon as I can."

Bradley had more questions than answers, but he let the other man walk away without another word. When he unlocked his phone and saw the perfect photo of you, his heart clenched. Having answers to his questions would only make it harder to tell you what was about to happen.

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

But they love each other! Reverting back to full-time pen pals mode? Will that even work? Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 18

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[the-ace-with-spades]

When Ice and Mav actually moved in together for the first time (after dodging it for about five years) when Mav had to take in Bradley, Ice found pretty soon that Bradley and Mav had no sense of safety --- would always forget to lock the door, either while leaving the house for the day or retiring for the night.

So he installed locks that would lock automatically as soon as the door shut.

Of course, Mav and Bradley didn't remember to lock the doors because they didn't remember to take the keys with them. One can imagine this becomes a problem.

After the twentieth time Bradley biked from school only to wait three hours for Mav, and then another two to wait for Ice because Mav also forgot his keys, Bradley decides to do something about it.

He's very much Mav's kid so instead of doing the normal thing and making key copies and putting them in some secret spots/his locker room, he decides he's just going to learn to pick locks.

It's the nineties so he basically just goes to a locksmith and asks if he can buy some tools off him and the guy is so fascinated by this scrawny thirteen-year-old who wants to learn to pick locks to break into his own house, he not only teachs him basics but also gives him lock picking mags and a book.

So Bradley learns on old locks and bike chains and then one day, he forgets the keys and breaks into their own house. It happens again and again.

Mav finds out when he picks Bradley up from the principal's office one day and arrives at the house to promptly realize he didn't take his keys in the morning. He asks Bradley if he has the keys, he doesn't, and Mav just gets fed up because there's no way they're waiting six hours until Ice comes back so he has to go back to base.

Bradley makes a deal with him. "If I get us inside, you won't ground me."

Obviously, Mav agrees. And Bradley picks the lock.

And like, Mav probably shouldn't indulge this, but it also means he doesn't have to worry about carrying keys again so, yeah, he buys Bradley a new lockpicking mini tool belt. And Bradley gets even better at it.

One day, Ice is supposed to be at home the whole day, brought a suitcase full of confidential documents with himself, the type that has both a lock and a code, and tells Bradley to tell Mav he's only going to be at the office fifteen minutes tops, he'll be home the whole day, please don't blow a gasket Mav. Bradley asks why, Ice explains he forgot the goddamn key for the suitcase and Bradley is like, "If I can open it, can you buy me that keyboard before my birthday?" and for funnsies, Ice agrees.

Before he finishes saying, "This is government property, kid, no way you'll be able to open it with some funny screwdriver," Bradley is reading the top secret mission plans out loud.

He gets that keyboard. Ice is the man of his word.

One time, Slider arrives on base in his new fancy BMW, showing it off and boasting so much he locks the key in by accident.

Ice is like, "Don't call the locksmith, I got it," and calls home and asks Bradley to check if he can open it and Bradley's answer is, "Only if Uncle Slider agrees to teach me to drive in it." Slider, obviously, agrees because there's no way --- he doesn't know what Ice is playing at but Baby Goose is not going to open his car.

Bradley opens the brand new BMW with about twenty Navy guys cheering him on in the parking lot.

Now, when Bradley is all alone at college, it's very tempting to use it for bad stuff --- to steal cars or rob shops, especially when money gets tough --- but the worst he does is breaking into the cafeteria and stealing sandwiches and bags of chips. He knows having a record would kick him out of NROTC, fast, so the lockpicking becomes a bit useless --- he does charge people from his dorms (which all have the same automatic lock on the doors) ten bucks to open them and avoid calling the RA.

Next time it has any significant impact on his life, Jake Seresin just forgot his key to his locker. He's got his flight suit but his boots and a space to leave his bag is behind the closed door.

Bradley only says, "You're not going to ask questions and you're going to owe me one."

He takes out a pin he always has attached to his car keys and within minutes, Seresin's locker is open.

He doesn't know it but Jake stares at him, not because he's wondering how much shit he's stolen (that too, a little bit) but also because apparently he finds lock picking really hot.

Now, Bradley goes about his life and soon enough finds out that Seresin's definition of 'owe you one' meant taking Bradley out on a date. Which, honestly, Bradley isn't that opposed to even if he puts on a face, Seresin is nice to look at and it's hard to find a guy to fuck when you're training six days a week in flight school.

They have a little routine of Jake calling with, "Hey, I locked myself out, can you get your ass here?" and Bradley lockpicking his door and then pinning him to said door as soon as they're inside. He's pretty sure he's seen Jake's keys in his back pocket a few times it happened.

This continues but Bradley keeps on staying longer and longer at Jake's place, more of his already small collection of things makes its way there, to the point that it's more like he's living there too and just breaking in every time, like back at the house in San Diego.

Obviously, he gets spooked, badly, when Jake finally says that when they move to Lemoore after they finish training, he's giving Bradley an actual key. The last time he shared a key with someone, he's been told he isn't enough and isn't ready and had all his dreams shattered --- like hell he's letting Jake chew out his heart, again.

So he requests change of target stations and doesn't say shit until the winging ceremony.

Next time he picks a lock, it's Nat's car in the NAS Oceans parking lot. He doesn't say she owes him one but she offers him a drink at the nearby bar as a thank you. He says no, just not to risk it again.

Nat sticks but nothing like with Jake happens.

Years go on and the second time around Bradley is at Top Gun, with Mav hovering over him like a goddamn shadow, with Nat's judgemental eyes and with Jake's big pretty mouth not knowing what he's saying, he gets a text.

I locked myself out. Can you get your ass here? with a base house location pinned in the next message.

Maybe he's naive but he goes.

"I really did lock myself out," Jake tells him straight away. "Don't think this means anything."

They haven't talked since he took out Bradley's dirty laundry in front of everyone in the debriefing room. Bradley opens his front door and is about to leave when Jake asks, "You wanna step inside?"

It doesn't solve anything. He doesn't know if Jake actually locked himself out or not.

When he and Mav are discharged, waiting to leave the base again, and Mav swears and mutters, "I forgot my goddamn keys," and Bradley knows Ice is currently in Hawaii, Bradley asks, "You got some paper clips on you?"

It doesn't solve anything but he breaks into Mav and Ice's house.

It doesn't solve anything but it's a start.

[callsign-jinx]

Hold my hand | One

Pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x OFC / Jake Seresin x Red

Wordcount: 2.3k

Warnings: mentions of cancer, death, more death, someone's mom is a whore, the seresins had a shitty childhood... and then all fluffy and lovey dovey stuff!

Masterlist

If you want to get tagged, comment down below!

Eighteen. Jake was eighteen. Jenn was sixteen. It wasn’t the best idea. Heck, it wasn’t even an idea. It was just a choice. A choice made in a moment of need: Jake protecting Jenn while she ran upstairs to pack her things. 

Jake had been waiting for that moment since he was 10. Since the day their father died. Cancer was a bitch, and the Seresins had a taste of it. Tom, the human shield that kept the siblings safe from their mother, was gone. And for the next 8 years, Jake counted the days left until they could run away from that house. 

The day had come. 

“Where do you think you’re going, Jacob? You are not enough. You don’t know how to do anything!” Janine spat, tumbling around the living room and spilling the contents of her black mug—the one that was supposed to be used for coffee but that she filled with any alcoholic liquid she could find. “Nobody will love you. Nor you or your sister. That fucking whore. She’s a needy bitch, going around begging for some attention, and will end up pregnant like a cow before she turns twenty!”

Jake could hear Jenn running downstairs with tears in her eyes. How could her own mother talk about her like that? “If you hated the idea of becoming a mother so much, you shouldn’t have gotten pregnant in the first place!” 

“We are not the same, mother. Just because you don’t know how to do anything, it doesn’t mean I can’t learn.” Jake replied, taking a few steps back. She was the only person he was afraid of. 

“You don’t have money. You don’t know how to do anything! What are two little pieces of shit like you gonna do out of this house? You might as well give up. Kill yourselves and end my suffering.” The woman threw the mug over Jake’s head, missing Jenn by a hair. 

“I will wait until Jenn turns 17, and then we’ll join the Naval Academy. Like dad did.” Jake clenched his jaw, stopping the feelings flooding his mind at the thought of his late father. 

“You don’t have the guts!” 

“You’re just afraid of ending up alone. But we’re gonna walk out that door, and we won’t have to see your face again.” Jenn cried, choking up on her tears, feeling a mixture of anxiousness and impatience. 

And they did. They walked out. They never looked back. 

They took the reins. 

Jake parks his truck outside the Hard Deck, a bar that used to be the center of his world when he was a student at Top Gun. It’s been a while since those days. 

“Hey, isn’t that Javy’s car?” 

Jenn raises her head and looks at the black Chevrolet Impala parked next to them. “Holy shit, it is his car. Look, the little duck I bought him for Christmas.” 

Jake turns off the engine and gets off the truck, slamming the door behind him. “He came here and didn’t tell us?” 

Jake raises an eyebrow, pointing a finger at him. “Jay, you came here and didn’t tell him either.” 

“Because it’s a secret detachment” 

“And there you have your answer.” Jenn rolls her eyes, getting inside the bar and marveling at the ambience, the smell, and the homely, inviting atmosphere that reigns over the place. She never had called a place ‘home’, but she knows that this could be the closest thing to it. 

“Well, well, look at that! Javy Machado in the flesh.” 

“Valkyrie! Oh my goodness, we’re working together again?” Javy says, leaving his beer at the bartop and hugging the female. “Where’s the ugly Seresin?” 

“Right behind you.” Jake reveals, patting Coyote’s back and chuckling. “Please don’t flirt with my sister, it would be awkward.” 

“I’m not flirting!” Javy fusses, sitting down and gesturing to Penny, the owner, to bring two more beers. “This has to be a hell of a mission if we are here.” 

“Only the best of the best, Coyote.” Jenn raises her beer, the two men do the same, toasting for them and the future mission. 

“Do you think someone else might be joining us?” Jake asks, occupying the seat next to Javy’s. 

“We’re only three, and we don’t have a wizzo… We need another pilot with a back-seater.” Jenn adds, turning to the pool table and preparing the table so they can play. “Maybe Phoenix?” 

Jake thinks about it for a second. “Yeah… You can’t have a special secret mission only for the elite and not call her.” He looks at the flabbergasted expressions of the other two pilots and points at them with his index finger. “Don’t tell her I said that.” 

“She wouldn’t believe us even if we tried.” Javy jokes, grabs a pool cue, and gets ready to play. 

A few minutes pass, the three pilots absorbed by their game, until four more pilots join them, Phoenix at the head of the group. “What do we have here! If it ain’t Phoenix!” 

Jenn smiles when she sees Nat and looks with curiosity at the other three of them. She reads their names on the badges. Fitch, Garcia, and Jenkins. Jenkins kind of rings a bell, but she doesn’t remember why. 

“And here I thought we were special, guys. Turns out the invite went to anyone.” Jake teases, sitting in the pool, watching the newcomers' faces. He goes from Phoenix to the two men, but his eyes stop when they notice Jenkins’ eyes. They have to be the most beautiful eyes he has ever seen. Dark blue irises look at him, but he gets lost in the hazel ring around her pupils. Her eyes look like galaxies, and he fears that he might get lost in them if he stares too long. 

“Fellas,” Phoenix says, making Jake stop staring at the female pilot. “this here’s Bagman.” 

Jenn snorts, and Jake glares at him. “Hangman.” 

“Whatever.” Phoenix turns a bit, looking at the other three aviators. “You’re looking at the only other Naval Aviator on active duty with a confirmed air-to-air kill.” 

Jake smirks, faking modesty. “Stop. You’re gonna make me blush.” 

“Mind you, the other guy was in a museum piece from the Korean War.” Phoenix adds, looking at Hangman with her head tilted. How much she loves to tease him. 

“Cold war.” Jenn and Javy correct her at the same time. It might be an old plane, but it’s still a kill. 

“Same century,” Fitch says, crossing his arms over his chest. He is not impressed by the man’s achievements. 

“Not this one.” Garcia remarks, and Jenn looks at Javy, wondering what to do. “Red Queen has a confirmed air-to-air kill with a fifth gen aircraft. That’s impressive.”

“You know, I’ve heard a lot about this Red Queen, and yet, I have never seen her. I’m starting to believe she’s not even real, just a product of someone’s imagination to make my work look less impressive. I think someone’s jealous and goes around inventing rumors, guys.” Jake says, turning to grab his beer. 

“I’m Red Queen.” Jenkins announces, moving a step closer to him and smirking. “Want me to show you the report?” 

Jake clears his throat and gets up from his sitting position, as if he were really worried about looking like an idiot. More than he was already. “I am… I’m sorry. I really thought you were a myth. Everyone says you were the perfect student at the Naval Academy and, well, I am… I didn’t picture you like that.” 

“I know I’m short, but that has its benefits, Lieutenant Bagman.” She says, looking at the other two pilots. “My name is Rowan Jenkins. Red Queen. Everyone calls me Red.” 

Jenn, who had been looking at the exchange in front of her, blinks a few times and snaps out of her thoughts. “Oh shit. I’m Jenn Seresin. Valkyrie. This is Javy Machado. Call sign Coyote. And the… Bagman here is Jake Seresin.” 

“Wait, you’re siblings?” Rowan says, looking between the two Seresins, trying to spot some similarities. Yeah, she can see some of them. 

“Unfortunately.” Jenn mutters, earning a smack in the back of her head from Javy. “Who’re your friends, Phoenix?” 

“I’m Mickey Garcia. Fanboy.” 

“Reuben Fitch. Payback.” He says, smiling. “Revenge was already taken.” 

Jenn smiles, and smiles at Phoenix. “Glad to see you here.” 

“This mission can’t work without me, what can I say.” She gestures in the direction of the bar, and speaks again. “Who’s he?”

The friend trio frowns, not understanding her words. “Who’s who?” 

Phoenix motions in the direction of a guy, seated down, eating, and cleaning his lap. He doesn’t seem to realize that he’s the center of attention. Suddenly, he raises his head, and he’s a bit startled by the number of eyes staring at him. 

“When did you come in?” Jenn asks, moving so she can see the aviator. 

“Oh, I’ve been here the whole time.” 

There’s a moment of silence, Jenn and Jake share a look. Jenn knows that look. He’s about to make a joke that can be either the most unfunny thing ever, or really offensive. “The man’s a stealth pilot. Literally.” 

Well, it wasn’t that bad. 

“Weapons Systems Officer, actually.” The wizzo replies, looking at all the faces that are staring at him. 

“With no sense of humor.” Jake’s sister is about to smack him, but he gets up and walks toward the bar. 

“What do they call you?” Natasha asks, interested in knowing the wizzo better. 

“Bob.” 

“No, your call sign.” Payback chuckles, knowing that it’s something that happens regularly. Aviators are more often called by their call sign than by their name, so sometimes you don’t know where the call sign ends and your name starts. 

“...Bob.” He insists, and they all look at each other. 

“Wait, you’re Bob Floyd? From Lemoore? You’re my new back-seater.” Phoenix says, walking closer to her wizzo. Other than herself, the person on whom she will rely the most.

“Looks like it.” Bob answers, smiling a bit. 

Jenn turns to look at Javy. “Dude, have you seen Jake?” 

“Val, you have to be a bit more specific here. I see him a lot. He’s not as good looking as he thinks.” Javy remarks, earning a slap from Jenn. “Auch!” 

“Idiot. How he was looking at Red before he knew who she was? Did you see that?” Jenn reiterates, looking over to the bar to make sure that her brother doesn’t come back. “I’ve never seen him look at a girl like that.” 

Javy thinks about it for a minute, noticing how his best friend keeps looking over his shoulder to look at her. “He’s smitten.” 

Jake’s sister almost has a fangirl moment because, for the first time in years, Jake Seresin might be interested in someone for more than just sex. “I never thought I’d see this day.” 

“Can we emphasize the fact that he has fallen for the only girl that is better than him at his job?” Javy says biting his bottom lip to not laugh. 

“...Holy shit, you’re right!” 

Jake comes back from the bar, having changed the song on the jukebox. “Bradshaw! As I live and breathe.” Jake says, walking over to Jenn and Javy to give them some beers. He gives one to Red and the other to Phoenix. 

Javy’s eyes widen when he realizes that Bradshaw is, in fact, standing right next to Phoenix. “Oh my god.” 

“What the fuck is he doing here? He’s not fast enough for a special mission,” Jenn says, as if that were the only reason she doesn’t want him there. 

“You look good, Hangman.” Rooster says, watching Hangman’s every movement. It’s only then, when he stops right next to his sister, that he realizes that Jenn Seresin is also in the building. Brilliant. 

“I am good, Rooster. I’m very good. In fact, I am too good to be true.” Hangman says, making Phoenix and Rooster share a glance. 

Jenn looks at Rooster, the man who once was everything she ever wanted, and turns to keep talking with Javy. Family comes first, she reminds herself. Hangman might be a pain in the ass, but Rooster is not a saint, either. He talked as much shit as Hangman did back in the academy days. 

“What I wanna know is who’s team leader? And which of y’all have what it takes to follow me?” Jake states, looking at the others. 

“Of course, I’ll be team leader.” Valkyrie says, winking at Javy, who shakes his head. 

“Nah, Jenn. You’re wrong. It’s gonna be me.” Hangman insists, giving the pool cue to Javy. 

“Hangman, the only place you’ll ever lead anyone is an early grave.” Bradley raises his voice, wanting to be heard by all of the present aviators, even those who are having private conversations. Jenn glares at him, body already moving in his direction, but she’s stopped by Javy and Jake before she can say anything that she might regret later. 

Instead, the other Seresin walks to Rooster, slowly but with a smirk on his face. “And anyone who follows you is just gonna run outta fuel. But then that’s you all over, ain’t it Rooster? Snug on your perch, waitin’ for juuuuust the right moment. That never comes.” Jake smirks, tilting his head. “And I’m not talking about your performance as a pilot, only.” 

“Jake.” Valkyrie warns him, not wanting this to become too personal. 

Slow rider sounds in the back, and Jake laughs. “I love this song!” 

He leaves, and Phoenix and Rooster exchange a few words, but Jenn can’t hear him. She’s more focused on Bradshaw and that stupid Hawaiian shirt he’s wearing. One that she knows too well. 

She bought it for him when they were dating. 

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

Taglist:

@shrimping-for-all

@purplevortexx

@emorychase

@xoxabs88xox

[junker-town]

2021 NBA player rankings, Nos. 80-71: The big Chris Paul debate, plus young breakout candidates

Can the Point God hold up over the next four years? That, plus a bunch of us bet on young guys who haven’t established themselves yet.

Spoiler alert: a couple perennial All-Stars landed in this range in our countdown of the 101 best NBA players in four years. Which ones? The headline gave one away, but read on to find out the other.

Also, a number of us gamble on young players who have shown flashes in their nascent pro careers, but have yet to consistently produce. This is the range to make those kind of projections.

80. Willy Hernangomez

CHRIS GREENBERG: Kristaps Porzingis has been the rising star in New York. But don’t forget about not-so-wee Willy Hernangomez.

The 23-year-old 6’11 big from Madrid was a double-double machine in his debut season with the Knicks last year. Unlike Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown, he earned himself a spot on the All-Rookie first team.

Everyone else’s reactions

JOE FLYNN, POSTING AND TOASTING: He'll never be a shot-blocker, but he has the lateral quicks to stay on court on D. He just really, really needs to learn to defend the pick-and-roll.

His bucket-getting skills are already delightful.

MIKE PRADA: Unless the league changes the rules dramatically, there will always be a ceiling for traditional centers who cannot defend.

TOM ZILLER: Spoiler alert: Willy was not joined by little brother Juancho on this list. This might be the first set of brothers in the NBA where I have no idea who is going to be better in the long run. (I was convinced Marcus Morris would be better than Markieff; that was wrong. Marc Gasol is giving Pau a run for his money, too. NBA Brothers, a fascinating topic!)

CHRIS GREENBERG: I’m still waiting for Gerald Wilkins to take his rightful place ahead of Dominique.

More reading material

79. Buddy Hield

KRISTIAN WINFIELD: I was surprised Buddy Buckets fell this low. The Kings hope he can be the next Steph Curry. If that prophecy comes true, Hield will be much better than No. 79.

Everyone else’s reactions

TOM ZILLER: If that prophecy comes true, we’ll have much bigger issues to deal with, like a frozen underworld and weekly locust storms.

ZITO MADU: I can see this happening, though I’m sure we will be more worried about other things in that post-apocalyptic world.

TIM CATO: Who you got winning the 2021 Finals, the Warriors or the Apocalypse?

CHRIS GREENBERG: In this apocalyptic timeline, I think Lonzo Ball signs with the Four Horsemen as a RFA en route to the ‘ship.

AKIS YEROCOSTAS, SACTOWN ROYALTY: Buddy might not be a better player than most people on this list, but dammit if he isn't going to be a better scorer than most. Hield projects to be an excellent scorer and shooter in the NBA for a long time.

More reading material

78. Kyle Lowry

WHITNEY MEDWORTH: Lowry is already a little old and slow, and I think he’ll still be doing fine when he’s 35 in the NBA. Players are playing longer than ever now! He’ll be aging nicely with DeMar DeRozan in Toronto as best friends with a team that could never quite get it all together.

Everyone else’s reactions

MATT ELLENTUCK: That was such a sad conclusion. I hope you can figure it out, 35-year-old Kyle.

DANIEL REYNOLDS, RAPTORS HQ: I think the drop-off in Lowry's effectiveness is being overinflated and that his actual ranking in four years will be better than we imagine.

TIM CATO: He’ll be Jameer Nelson in four years, a fine backup somewhere on a losing team but far, far away from the top 100.

ZITO MADU:

Told my little brother that Kyle Lowry signed back with the Raptors http://pic.twitter.com/DOx62EMw3U

— Zito (@_Zeets) July 4, 2017

More reading material

77. Chris Paul

TIM CATO: Wow. You guys really think Chris Paul still ain’t going to be the most annoying MF-er on the court in four years? Everyone declines with age, and Paul won’t be any exception, especially defensively. But I don’t see his floor vision, absurdly good mid-range game, and general exasperating nature dropping off severely, even at 36.

Everyone else’s reactions

TOM ZILLER: I feel like Chris Paul won’t degrade gradually. One day, he just won’t have it, kind of like Steve Nash.

Of course, CP3 will be 36 in 2021 and Nash kept it going a few years longer, so we’ll see if this pick pays off. But as someone who picked Kobe in the latest edition of this project, I wish you luck.

TIM CATO: Should’ve drafted Kobe again. We all know that 2020 comeback with the Wizards is inevitable.

KOFIE YEBOAH: I love Chris Paul, I really do. It was just hard picking him with his history of getting injured combined with the gradual aging in a position that isn’t kind to older players. I couldn’t pull the trigger even though I want to see him throw lobs until 2050.

TIM CATO: You’re not wrong, but if anyone’s an exception, it’s CP3.

MATT ELLENTUCK: Ziller’s got me, noted Steve Nash fan, in the feels with that first line. Nash always had a history of back problems that led to his decline, though, and I’d like to think Paul won’t suffer the same one-day-you-have-it one-day-you-don’t fate.

MIKE PRADA: Reminder: CP3 has no meniscus in his right knee.

ZITO MADU: He will be retired at that age.

More reading material

76. Steven Adams

KOFIE YEBOAH: Steven Adams isn’t going to be a superstar, but he’ll be an important role player to teams in the years to come. He’ll defend, he’ll rebound, and he’ll get you some points for now. He’s already shown how tough he is in a grown man’s league and he’s still in the early stages of his career.

The most important thing is that he’s going to scare the living daylights out of those who drive into the paint. His impact on the court will expand over time and the way he helps out his team will not go unnoticed. Some of it will go beyond the stat sheet, but that’s the Steven Adams way.

Everyone else’s reactions

JOSHUA BROOM, WELCOME TO LOUD CITY: A mature 24-year-old veteran, Adams' physical prime is already intact. While the New Zealand native probably won't add eye-popping quickness or vertical bounce, he may become a savvier version of his current self in four years' time.

Adams could trend a bit higher on this list, but for now, No. 76 is a solid placement.

TOM ZILLER: I’m a little concerned about Adams’ statistical regression under the yoke of MVP Russell Westbrook, especially with Paul George arriving.

TIM CATO: I’m the author of the Steven Adams Encyclopedia, so of course I’ll ride with this pick.

MATT ELLENTUCK: Are we talking about the Steven Adams with the mustache or the one without?

WHITNEY MEDWORTH: He better grow back the mustache if he wants to be on this list at all in 2021.

More reading material

75. Rodney Hood

MIKE PRADA: I know Hood’s taken a few detours in his development, but I’m optimistic he puts it all together with Gordon Hayward gone. Would it surprise anyone if Hood is a 20-point scorer at least once in the next four years? It shouldn’t.

Hood’s career arc to date reminds me of Bradley Beal’s, though Beal was younger before his 2016-17 breakout. Both are/were young, sweet-shooting, crafty two guards that looked better with the eye test than on the stat sheet. Both took too many tough long two-pointers and both struggled with nagging injuries.

Then, Beal got a real coach that gave him confidence (and the ball) to ditch the long twos and launch threes and layups. Now he’s one of the NBA’s rising young stars.

I’m confident that Hood can make the same sort of transition now that he doesn’t need to adjust his game to play with Gordon Hayward. If he doesn’t, I’ll die on Rodney Hood Island. There are worse fates.

Everyone else’s reactions

MATT ELLENTUCK: I’m a member of so many islands, but go ahead and save a cabana over on Rodney Hood Island for me. I’ll be there in my off-time from Jake Layman Island.

RICKY O’DONNELL: I’m saying this a major steal. He’s going to have a big year without Hayward around.

MYCHAL LOWMAN, SLC DUNK: We’re less optimistic. While he never turns into the scorer that Gordon Hayward was, we think he’ll still be a capable floor spacer off the bench who can get buckets in a hurry.

TOM ZILLER: I once thought a young Ronnie Brewer would score 20 per game. Alas.

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74. Dejounte Murray

MATT ELLENTUCK: I really love this pick and I’m not sure why.

Murray looks the part of a successful point guard in this league with a tall, lanky frame, and that’s reason enough for me to get excited over what he may become. Subconsciously realizing Gregg Popovich will mold him into something special is what let me take him as a top-75 player four years from now. I’m ready for a Dejounte-Kawhi two-headed beast.

Everyone else’s reactions

J.R. WILCO, POUNDING THE ROCK: This is either too high for Murray, or far too low. If he's on the list in four years, it'll be because he's established himself in the Spurs' rotation. He'll only have done that if he's made good on his extraordinary physical tools.

TOM ZILLER: I stopped liking point guards who look the part when Javaris Crittenton happened.

MIKE PRADA: Gonna go out on a limb and say Murray won’t plead guilty to manslaughter in the next four years.

KRISTIAN WINFIELD: I second that optimism, but I think the Spurs will eventually transition to an All-Star point guard, and I don’t think Dejounte fits the bill.

More reading material

73. Marcus Smart

RICKY O’DONNELL: You can count on Marcus Smart’s defense. He also made major strides as a playmaker last season. I’m willing to bet he can break 40 percent shooting from the field one of these years.

Everyone else’s reactions

MATT ELLENTUCK: I still am unsure why so many people are sold on Marcus Smart. I don’t think he does anything great, and his offense is such a liability it’s almost like his team is playing 4-on-5. Metrics don’t love what he does defensively either. Maybe he finds some solutions in improving his shot selection and jumper, but right now this seems too high to me.

TOM ZILLER: Paul Flannery is sold on Marcus Smart, so that’s enough for me. The Celtics picked him over Avery Bradley this summer, so that bodes well too.

KRISTIAN WINFIELD: The Nets want to model Isaiah Whitehead after Marcus Smart. Any time an organization is molding one player after another, you’re doing something right.

More reading material

72. Ricky Rubio

JOHN KETCHUM: This one’s pretty obvious. Rubio has skills that fit with a lot of teams. He can pass and handle the ball pretty well, too. If he actually develops a jump shot over the next few years? Man, listen.

Everyone else’s reactions

ZITO MADU: I love Ricky Rubio as much as old people love blaming young people for the world’s problems, but that jump shot isn’t coming.

WHITNEY MEDWORTH: Long-haired Ricky Rubio will lead us all to glory.

A post shared by Ricky Rubio (@ruuufio) on Aug 3, 2017 at 12:04pm PDT

CHRIS GREENBERG: I bought a Rubio jersey back when he was balling for Barcelona. So I’d love for this pick to pan out. I also strongly support the summer Teen Wolf look.

But he’s been playing pro ball basically since he was out of diapers, and I worry about his longevity.

MYCHAL LOWMAN, SLC DUNK: By the time 2021 rolls around, I think Ricky will still be a very capable traditional point guard, but he struggles to find a team that wants to offer him a starting job with the way the position has changed.

TIM CATO: Andre Miller’s best season came when he was 31 years old, the age Rubio will be in 2021. I’m fairly certain Rubio’s best season is in front of us.

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71. Malcolm Brogdon

TOM ZILLER: Brogdon is a very nice shooter and great passer with a strong work ethic and a nice fit alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’ll be 28 in 2021. Unless he gets injured or his rookie season was a total fluke — nothing about it screamed fluke — he’ll be a really solid starter for years to come.

Everyone else’s reactions

KYLE CARR, BREW HOOP: ​There’s a fear he’ll never improve on his rookie year, but Brogdon will still make the plays teams need when it matters. At this point, I see him becoming the steady veteran that every team needs.

KRISTIAN WINFIELD: I like Brogdon and what he stands for. Not sure he shines alongside Giannis and Thon Maker, and not sure he shines from the pack elsewhere, either.

TIM CATO: The worst Rookie of the Year winner since Woody Sauldsberry in 1958? Here’s a quote from Sauldsberry’s Wikipedia page. (Yes, I definitely Googled “worst NBA rookie of the year” to find this.)

Statistically, Woody Sauldsberry was an extremely poor shooter, having a field goal percentage of just 34.8% for his career. As a result, he has the lowest number of win shares of any player in NBA history, -7.9.

But that’s not a knock on Brogdon, who was solid in an extremely weak field. He should easily end up being a top-15 point guard.

TOM ZILLER: Woody Sauldsberry was a saint!

MATT ELLENTUCK: How the hell was Joel Embiid not Rookie of the Year?

MIKE PRADA: Weird thing about season awards: You kinda need to play a fair chunk of said season to win them.

I like Brogdon and this seems about right.

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INTRO | FULL LIST | TOP 100 OF 2017 | HOW WE DID IN 2013 | SNUBS | 101-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 | THE CASES FOR NO. 1

[universeinform-blog]

England 2-0 Lithuania: five talking points from the World Cup 2018 qualifier

New Post has been published on https://universeinform.com/2017/03/28/england-2-0-lithuania-five-talking-points-from-the-world-cup-2018-qualifier/

England 2-0 Lithuania: five talking points from the World Cup 2018 qualifier

1) Guidelines of progress below Southgate

Given how low the bar become whilst Gareth Southgate got herein, the first thing he had to acquire so one can factor to progress become keep away from turning into embroiled in a countrywide scandal or humiliation. It is thumbs up on that front for now and there’s circumstantial proof of development, past that. After an honorable defeat by using an improvised Germany group,

England showed towards Lithuania simply enough pace and clever motion to unhinge combatants who aspired to do nothing extra than erect human barricades around their field from the primary minute. Each desire were beauties but there were additionally bouts of familiar stodginess. At the least Southgate has made some bold picks, fetishised the captaincy and cautioned he’s a man with a plan and the power and clarity of thought to put in force it. The proper exams lie ahead, however, Southgate has made a truthful begin. Jermain Defoe and Jamie Vardy provide England victory over Lithuania Examine extra

2) Large crowd contributes to harmless amusing

The bar for measuring the performance of England’s lovers additionally starts of evolved low. At Wembley there had been, At the least, no struggle chants or loutish nonsense and silence prevailed all through the Lithuanian national anthem, which changed into followed by means of respectful applause from the hosts. The minute’s silence in memory of the sufferers of the Westminster assaults became also located with decorum, as was the tribute to the overdue Graham Taylor.

As soon as the game got going the temper within the floor was fun. The visit of the crew ranked 107 inside the world for an apparently foregone conclusion of an in shape did not quite draw a complete residence, however, an attendance of seventy-seven,690 seemingly properly-humoured people became still a pleasant turnout. The sight of Jermain Defoe main out the crew with five-year-vintage Bradley Lowery become also lovable. Hope springs everlasting.

3) Arsenal representative makes little affect

With Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere all failing to increase as hoped and Danny Welbeck nonetheless working his way returned from damage, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain become the best Arsenal participant with a hazard to decorate his international credentials at Wembley. however, he did now not capture the initiative. His passing turned into now not as wayward as it has been in his final look for his membership – that miserable defeat at West Bromwich Albion – but nor become it specifically sharp or imaginative.

If he became covered because he became expected to provide extra thrust than Jake Livermore, he generally did no longer fulfill his project, although he did pressure a shop from Ernestas Setkus with a great shot inside the 53rd minute. Nor did Oxlade-Chamberlain make a contribution as plenty dynamism as Jordan Henderson or Ross Barkley likely could have. He turned into now not bad but, all in all, this became a possibility missed for him.

Best Travel Destinations in England

Royalty! That is the first issue that might pop into your mind while you consider England. Sure, it does house the arena’s richest and maximum famous royal own family, however, that’s not all there’s to England. From small thatched villages to museums and royal castles,

England can offer you nearly something that you would possibly want. Don’t believe me? Well, why Do not you take an experience to England and discover for yourself? (And here is a pro travel tip: Save your money and simply Buy British Airlines Miles while you tour). So if you plan to return to England, here’s a list of places you have to honestly go to:

1. The London Eye, London:

Big fan of panoramic perspectives? Then This is the area that allows you to go to. This exaggeration of a Ferris wheel literally takes you for the ride of your existence. Taking you to a top of 440 ft, the London Eye offers you a study the entire of London metropolis alongside its regular hustle and bustle. The passenger capsules which convey you up are made of glass accordingly offering you with the opportunity to have a first-rate 360-degree view of the whole thing. What more do you want?

2. The city Of Bath:

You understand how they are saying that suitable things are available in small packages? Nicely, the metropolis of Bathtub is the right example of this example. Although small, this city nonetheless has a lot of things to offer to its tourists. The Romanian baths, and then this town is named, are the precise location to loosen up if you’re looking into getting far away from everything. That blended with the Georgian Townhouses all round metropolis will come up with the lightheaded revel in that you’re searching out.

3 .The Buckingham Palace, London:

One of the few places that are in working circumstance till nowadays, The Buckingham Palace will come up with the risk to take a look at the Queen’s guard all dickered out in their best red and black livery. Do they surely now not move irrespective of what occurs? Nicely why Do not you cross yourself and find out?

4.The Tower Of London:

The Tower of London is essentially a historical castle that is located on the north financial institution of the river Thames. This tower of London houses the largest diamond within the international, so even in the case, you’re no longer a Huge fan of heights or castles I would nonetheless advocate you cross there to get a very good observe that beauty.

The Traditions of Cultivation of Flax and Linen Weaving in Lithuania

Linen is a material used for all kinds of functions, commonly clothing and decoration, this is favored for its sturdiness, naturalness, and freshness. Linen is made of the fibers of the flax plant which is grown during the whole world – from Canada to Ethiopia. Flax has been cultivated for the reason that instances of historic Egypt and historical Ethiopia, at the same time as the cutting-edge findings of dyed flax fibers dated to 30000 BC.

In Lithuania, a small country in Northern Europe with completely wealthy records, linen has a special area inside the country’s traditions, arts, and crafts. Flax has been grown right here for the reason that instances of the Baltic tribes that have been living in the cutting-edge united states of America’s territory from around 2000 BC. inside the Medieval times, while the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was considered one of the most important countries in Europe, linen changed into in all likelihood the simplest fabric used for clothing via the peasants and the soldiers (except for the armor, of course)

Even in the early twentieth century, when the supply of other fabric was a lot extra, flax and linen had a major component in Lithuania’s exports. The importance of linen in Lithuania has dwindled ever on the grounds that, yet there are nonetheless a few folk artists inside the united states of American who weave linen and preserve the traditions alive.

Travel the World of Freelancing

Are you a mother looking for methods to earn at the consolation of your own home? Or a father who would really like to apply his abilities, pastimes, and hobbies to make money on the same time? Or an educator who would really like to percentage his expertise and understanding? Or a mere student who would like to be impartial to aid his studies? Or a crew of experts with the intention to benefit from fee and income?

Or someone who wanted to installation a domestic enterprise, a micro-entrepreneur and who would like to be his own boss? Or are you the only who would love to exchange his profession course or would like to have a few form of profession spoil? Or without a doubt a person who would really like to have additional work and bonus income?

In this eon of excessive technology and social media proliferation, earning thru freelancing is one of the ways to increase family or character profits.

learning with the aid of freelancing can be your threat to acquire your vision, your dream and a first-rate way to gain greater income. This could even end up a supply of your complete time earnings.

Why not study on and let us traverse the sector of freelancing…

What are freelancing and freelancer?

Before, freelancing paintings isn’t always so popular and not given any well worth in any respect. Others understand freelancer as man or woman and not using a solid job and who do activity hopping and looking from one vicinity to every other. In quick, no fee.

These days, in electronic media and eCommerce improvement, freelancing is already a “word of mouth”. There may be a higher connotation nowadays when a freelancer says he belongs to this class. Freelancing is in stratum to compete with company giants incomes competitively in a blink of a watch.

Others term it as outsourcing professional and gifted people in the undertaking wished by means of client or purchaser. The people In this type of paintings are classified as the freelancer, freelance, freelance employee, impartial contractor and so on.

The freelancer, the individual that is doing freelancing activity, is a self-employed repute and has no employee-agency dating. That is primarily based on mutually agreed arrangement and may be finished either verbal or written shape declaring the requirement of the customer including:

[nixie-deangel]

@redfurrycat 👀👀 Okay, yes!

First:

So Jake goes to Phoenix and Coyote, who he sort of but really doesn't work with on occasion and laments to her about his struggles to Bradley (only doing so because he figures if she just laughs in his face, he can make himself feeling better by killing her) and Javy's been his best friend since they were literally in diapers, so he knows Javy will give him helpful suggestions, but Nat snorts once and then tells him she knows someone who can help him out and introduces him to her wife Callie, who finds Jake fascinating but is willing to help -after getting over the shock of her wife being sort of friends with a serial killer, which is a struggle but they work through.

(no one in this universe is normal or healthy, except maybe Mav and Ice to a degree)

But Callie agrees to take Bradley on as a client and help him work through a lot of his trauma and issues. And it's definitely an uphill battle but eventually Bradley does get mentally healthier, which makes him happier, which makes Jake happier!

(the shock comes with Bradley asking Callie how does he tell Jake that he knows the man makes his money in killing people, without spooking him?? Callie lets out the worlds biggest sigh, downs two fingers of whisky and then suggests maybe just being blunt about it or you can jokingly make him a cake that says you know and have a knife driven through the center of it.

Jake absolutely nearly pisses himself laughing when Bradley gives him the cake and the note explaining he's known since nearly the beginning of their relationship when he sort of followed Jake on a job he had in SD (the last one he took in their city) and had his freak out and acceptance of who Jake is already.)

Secondly:

It's been years, more than a decade since Ice and Mav have seen Bradley - they tried keeping tabs on him but because Bradley had to bounce between rented rooms, sleeping in the bronco and constantly had to move apartments because of rent issues, and he couldn't keep a cellphone plan and had to resort to prepaids, it was hard to do so.

But it's been such a long time and they aren't even sure it's their Bradley at first, because the young man seated across from them in the five star restaurant, sort of looks like their godson but he's draped in silks and gold and with the biggest smile on his face as he sits opposite a man they can't actually see.

They debate between themselves if they should go over and say something but before they can, Bradley and his mystery man are getting up and giggling, so they softly shoving at one another as they amble out of the restaurant and they lose their chance again because before Mav can even make it out of the building, Bradley's being helped into a really expensive car and as soon as he's at the door the stranger is passing the valet something and climbing in and speeding off.

They regret missing their moment but seem to take some comfort with Bradley looking happy and healthy....even if they do seem to get under the impression that maybe Bradley is an escort..

Third:

Brisket!

Bradley has learned over the weeks, months, of them being together that Jake far more favors Bradley's touch, love, smiles and laughter, over physical gifts because Jake once told him that Bradley just being near him, loving him, touching him, letting Jake do the same to him, is enough for him. Which Bradley loves but also hates because he wants to give Jake what Jake gives to him!

But they're coming up on their 1 year anniversary and Bradley desperately wants to give Jake something meaningful to him, to give back to Jake, what he's been given over the past year.

It's a struggle to come up with something, to find something! And it's on midnight walk -Jake's out of town on a job and Bradley struggles to sleep not wrapped up in his arms or wrapped around him- when he stumbles across, quite literally, a box with a puppy in it. He sort of panic picks them up and brings them home and cleans them up and panic looks up what to feed them and then just keeps panicking until the morning and he can get the little puppy to the vet.

(thankfully nothing is really wrong with the puppy, so they only have to stay at the vets for 2 or 3 days, before Bradley can officially come back and adopt them and bring them home)

and it's on the way home, that Bradley panics again because oh shit! he's adopted a dog without telling Jake and then panics again because the puppy still has no name and shit shit shit Jake doesn't know they have a dog now!!!

Which is when he gets the brilliant idea to gift the puppy to Jake as his gift and he just crosses his fingers this doesn't blow up in his face! And to his great surprise Jake absolutely falls in love with the little guy, naming him Brisket because that's what Bradley made for dinner that night!

(Jake absolutely surprises Bradley with his own puppy a few weeks later for his birthday because Bradley is so good with Brisket, so he decides they should totally have another puppy underfoot!

Jake is not so secretly using the dogs as a way to gauge if Bradley would maybe be up for kids one day because Jake literally blue screened when they went back to Texas to visit his family after one of his sister's had a baby and Bradley held it for the first time.

Jake has unbelievable baby fever when it comes to Bradley.)

just got a unhinged Hangster idea where Jake comes from a RICH family and who moonlights as a contract killer and is a serial killer, who meets completely ordinary Bradley, who is just absolutely drowning in debt, most from his mom's medical care and his university school and is working three jobs and just barely managing to scrape by and doesn't question this rich goes sudden interest in him.

nor does Bradly care when Jake starts insisting on buying him things, or paying for things because he's just so tried and lonely and just desperately wants someone to take care of him.

and who better to do that then a hot unhinged man, who seems to have money he wants to spend and just wants to make him happy?

just. Pillow princess pampered Bradley (it's what he deserves!!!) and service top Jake, who's covered in blood and blushing so pretty as Bradley breathily tells him how good he is, while he rails Bradley within an inch of his life.

I just have a mighty need y'all.