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thewulf · 2 years ago

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What a Look on You || Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw

Summary: Y/N and Rooster are best friends. Two of the closest best friends you'll ever see. The squad tries to get them to admit their feelings, with no luck. Y/N's friend comes into town stirring the pot up a bit.

A/N: Well I'm kind of blown away by all the sweet comments you left on my first Top Gun FF. So I decided to crank another one out for you guys! This time featuring our lovely Bradley Bradshaw. I'll def write a part two to Who are You? Just give me some time :)

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Y/N

Word Count: 6400+

“Come on Gigs, he clearly likes you.” She paused looking you up and down, “Hell, he might be in love with you.” Natasha smirked after sinking yet another pool ball.

“Shut up, Phe. He doesn’t like me, and he certainly doesn’t love me.” You sighed grabbing the pool stick from her. You eyed the stripes, took a deep breath, and miserably missed.

You heard her laugh from behind you, “Too busy thinking about Rooster?”

You lightly shoved the pool stick into her side shaking your head, “No, I was thinking of ways to murder you.”

“You wish, I’d beat your ass. Don’t even try.” She threw a wink in your direction.

You nod silently, “Not disagreeing with that.” Natasha was just stronger than you. Not that you were tiny and weak but there was something so frightening about Natasha Trace that you wouldn’t even think of crossing her.

“So, you agree then?” She asked waiting on your answer patiently.

You groaned shaking your head, “No Phoenix, I do not agree with you. The man doesn’t have feelings for me. That’s it.”

“What man?” The annoying voice of Hangman spoke up from behind you.

“Rooster.” Natasha grinned making kissy faces in your direction.

“Oh no shit, that man is in love with you.” He nodded one hand with a beer the other in his pocket.

“Not you too.” You threw your head back in defeat, “He’s just my best friend. That’s all.” Truth be told you wish it was more. You’ve wished it would be more for years. He was everything to you. He was the man of your dreams really.

He was thoughtful. Oh, was he so thoughtful. He remembered the smallest details about you, making you feel like the most special person in the world. One of your favorite memories with him was when he invited the whole class to his place to watch some football. He had made pulled pork but remembered you didn’t really like pork. So, he pulled you aside and handed you a bowl of shredded chicken. Your heart nearly burst into pieces then, you had only known him a few months and just knew he was it.

He was also so incredibly sweet. One summer when the two of you were walking Virginia Beach, not too far off base, he noticed a little girl drop her ice cream near the vendor. He didn’t hesitate to try and calm the poor girl. He bought her a new cone and quickly gave it to her calming her meltdown. You couldn’t wipe the stupid cheesy grin that laced your face.

He was soft when you needed him to be but hard when he saw you hurt. He was protective of you, so protective of you. He couldn’t bear to see you hurt. He really did think the world of you. He never wanted to lose you. But you never thought to much of it, he just acted like a big brother would.

The two of you met in school. Rooster to be a pilot. You attempted to be one, but you were rather quite miserable at it. So, you tried your hand as a WSO and found your groove with that. Rooster always claimed he didn’t need a WSO but was always so happy to have you along when he was ‘commanded’ it. The pair of you clicked instantly. He always made you laugh. In fact, that’s how you got your callsign ‘Giggles’. He made you laugh when you were in drill, getting you in trouble way to often. You really didn’t mind though; you were so infatuated with the man.

Days turned into months turned into years. The two of you dated different people at different times never really finding the right time to get together. You settled on best friends who literally knew everything about one another. You really did want him but just like him, you couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.

“Besides,” You looked at the two of them, “Carly is coming into town, and I need to worry about that. Not him.”

Jake smirked, “Is she that pretty one you post sometimes.”

Rolling your eyes you nodded, “Yes pig. She’s my pretty friend. She’s off limits for you Hangman.”

Laughing he eyed Phoenix suspiciously, “That’s not your decision sweetheart. It’s hers.”

“Why are you so annoying?” You wanted to punch him, but you restrained yourself knowing better than to crack open that can of worms.

“Relax. Has Carly ever met Rooster?” He questioned.

“No. She’s met nobody here. I went to college with her and really haven’t seen her since. But she lives close so we recently reconnected. Thus, why she’s on my Insta Hangman.” You admitted, way too much. You weren’t sure why you divulged all that information.

He nodded, “Speak of the devil.” His eyes flicked towards the door which your eyes followed looking to the man entering the bar. Your face broke out into a wide grin seeing Roos in his usual Hawaiian shirt, looking relaxed on this fine evening.

“I’d say she’s in love too.” Phoenix laughed.

“Shut up!”

“I can’t believe you get to look at these guys every day.” Carly whispered ogling nearly every aviator that walked by.

“Every damn day. They’re more like brothers than anything. God, they’re all so annoying.”

She nodded, “Could be worse. You could be looking at Phyllis all day every day.” She laughed which you joined in on. Carly was traditionally beautiful. She was tall, thin, blond, and athletic. Everything came natural for her. Things were just easier for her. You were always slightly jealous of the girl but tried your hardest to let it go, you did a good job at hiding it.

“That’s true. No Phyllis’s here.”

She grinned turning back to the front, a small commotion coming from the entryway. Of course, it was Rooster and Hangman arguing. The two of them were always bickering about something.

“Who are they?”

“Two idiots.” You laughed.

“Wow,” She finally tore her eyes from who you thought was Hangman, “He’s beautiful.”

“Which one?” You asked peaking your eyebrow up in curiosity.

“The brown-haired guy.” She grinned turning back around to eye him. The pair were still caught up in whatever argument they were in as they walked to the bar for some beer.

Your heart sped up a bit, surprised she wasn’t talking about Jake. They always went crazy for Jake, not her Rooster, “That’s Bradley. Rooster.”

“Oh wow, Y/N. That’s your best friend, right?” She looked at you wide eyed.

“Yep, that’s Roos.”

She nodded, “You didn’t tell me he was drop dead gorgeous Y/N. Is he single?”

“Yeah, he is a cutie and he’s single.” You nodded trying your best to sound less than enthused about the whole situation.

“You wouldn’t be mad if I went and talked to him then, would you?” Her eyes brightened as she looked back and forth between the two of you.

Why would she want to do that? You knew Rooster was a catch, it confused you as to why he wasn’t snatched up just yet. It didn’t seem to bother you that a stranger at any time could go up to him and win him over but Carly? That was too much for you. Way too much for you. “No, no I wouldn’t mind.” You lied again refusing to turn and face her. You were being incredibly weird, and you knew it.

“I’m surprised you’re not going for the blonde though, seems more your type?” You spoke up just before she started to walk away. Making any attempt to stop the girl from wooing over your Rooster.

“He’s cute. But there’s something about Rooster. I can’t place my finger on it.” She smiled brightly waiting anxiously for you to let her go talk to him.

Your stomach clenched but you ignored it nodding her on, why were you your own worst enemy? Why were you letting her do this? You knew the second you said it wasn’t okay that she would drop it. You didn’t know why you were being such a chicken shit about the whole thing. But ten years of friendship was hard to give up knowing just how good that friendship could be.

You sat on the high-top chair anxiously tapping your glass attempting to look anywhere other than the bar where Rooster, Hangman and Carly were chatting. Your leg bounced up and down slightly shaking the whole table in your attempts to look the other way.

“You okay Gigs?” A soft voice spoke breaking you out of your trance.

“Hmm, yeah totally fine.” You smiled seeing Bob appear at your side. Bob was always so sweet to you, always looked out for you. You had also known Bob from early on in your career. The two of you being the quietest WSO’s in your respective classes and always getting shit on for it. You tried your best to protect him, and he did the same for you.

He sat down opposite you following your line of sight right to the bar, “What’s the matter?” He asked again waiting for you to open to him. Truth be told you and Bob were close as well. Not as close as you and Rooster but you weren’t afraid to be honest with him. He really felt like a brother to you, a protective one at that.

“Nothing Bobby.” You looked back at him continuing to play with your glass.

“Bullshit Y/N.” He challenged you leaning forward.

“Uh oh, Bob breaking out the real name. I must be in trouble.”

He playfully rolled his eyes, ��Somethings up, you looked like a maniac there for a second.”

“I just got distracted.”

“By what?”

You eyed him knowing what he was doing, “My thoughts.”

“Is that why you were staring at Rooster and the girl?”

You sighed, your shoulders slumping just a hair, enough so that Bob noticed, “I wasn’t staring Bobby.”

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes finding the right words to tell his friend, “You are a being a fucking idiot Y/N.”

“Bobby!”

He looked you dead in the eye, “Y/N, I’m being serious. You’re hurting yourself now. You’ve loved that man since I’ve known you. And I’ve known you for almost eight years Y/N.”

“I can’t Bobby. I can’t lose him. I can’t risk it.” You looked down at the empty glass coming to that full realization, you didn’t have it in you. The worst outcome is that Rooster would walk away and that was way worse to you than the slight chance he might like you back.

“Come on Y/N. He likes you too. You just don’t see it because you’re so used to it. Rooster would do anything for you.”

“There’s nothing there Bob. It’s been ten years, there would have been something. I’m his best friend. He’s mine. That’s it.”

He groaned, “Fucking idiots. Both of you.” He threw his head into his hands trying to get you to realize what was right in front of you.

“Jesus whose dog died?” The southern draw from the annoying blonde pilot spoke from behind you.

“What are you talking about Hangman.” You looked at him like an annoyed sister would. If looks could kill yours would.

“Bob here looks miserable. Guess that’s just you bringing out the best in people.” He winked setting his glass down between the sitting pair. You turned around seeing Rooster making his way over slowly with Carly. You held in your disappointment and channeled it to the second most annoying thing in the room.

“Charming as ever Jake.”

He decided to stop after seeing the sadness in your eyes. You thought you were great at hiding your emotions, turns out your damn facial expressions gave you away like a book. “You love my southern charm darling.” He gave you a side hug attempting to bring the snarky Y/N back out, not the mopey one.

“Yeah, yeah.” You nodded looking at Bob who was simply observing what was going on around him. You were sad. Hangman caught onto it and tried his best to cheer you up, Hangman style. Rooster seemed enamored with Carly and Carly seemed just as enamored as him as they walked up to the small high-top table. You looked like you were about to combust when you saw where his arm had landed, right on her hip drawing her closer to him. You flicked your eyes to Carly who was smiling at him. You then looked at Rooster who of course was staring right back at her, even when they got to the table.

“Roos, nice to see you.” You said all too bitterly before hoping off the chair refusing to look at him. “I’m getting another, anybody need anything?” You just looked at Bob, ignoring the rest of the group.

“Yeah, I’ll come with you.” He followed grabbing his empty glass. What you didn’t see was the hurt look that crossed Rooster’s face after the unfriendly greeting. He couldn’t recall a time when you had spoken to him that way, your voice was always so sweet and kind. Even when the two of you argued you never had sounded so upset before.

“You didn’t have to come, I just panicked.” You admitted once you got to the semi-crowded bar.

“Because you don’t like him.”

“Uhh, shush. You know I do. Just shut up about it.”

He grinned, “It’s nice to hear you finally admit it.”

“Shhh, Bobby, lower your voice. You know, you’ve known. You’re the only person I’d admit it too though.” You waved the bartender down for another round, not seeing Penny tonight.

“Y/N has a crush, Y/N has a crush!” He whisper shouted in your ear.

You wide eyed him, “Shut up Bobby, I will beat you up.”

He started full on laughing now, “Why do you always threaten violence, Y/N?”

Your mouth fell open in disbelief. Who was this Bob and where did hers go? “Bobby, you’re being a little shit right now.”

“I’m just excited you finally fucking admitted it Gigs.” He clapped your back.

Shaking your head, you picked up your beer and slowly made your way back to the trio that had taken over your high top. Rooster had backed off Carly a bit.

Rooster grinned when he saw you walking back over with Bob, “Giggles.” Still grinning with that big, beautiful smile he had.

“Roos.” You nodded your head sitting back in your seat next to him, returning the smile as best as you could.

That worried him, your half smile did. It was different. If there was anything he noticed in this world it was when you acted different. It was always so easy and normal between the two of you. He could pick up when something was off, he just knew something was off.

“Have a good day?” He asked you, just you. Looking right at you, the staring was almost too intense for you. You in turn also noticed things with Rooster. Like right now, him boring his eyes into the side of your head was certainly new.

You hummed, “Fine, except Cyclone was up our asses all day today.”

Bob nodded in agreement, “Some new wizzo training he’s getting us all on.”

“Seems like a bunch of bullshit to me.” You continued, “But can’t talk back to Cyclone. No siree, no.” You took a long drink from your beer. It was really hitting the spot today. You glanced up and Rooster was smiling at you. You nearly forgot about your poor friend Carly, standing there clueless.

“Sorry Carly,” You smiled at her, “Wizzo is WSO which is what Bob, and I are.”

“Right!” She laughed, “Weapons people, right?”

Hangman chuckled, “The best damn weapons people we got right here.”

“Aww, is Hangman being sweet?” You cooed at the tall blond.

“That’s what I have tell myself, since you are the only two left here.”

“You asshole.” Bob laughed smacking his arm.

“Not that you guys aren’t the most fun but there’s a pretty little thing over there that just walked in, so if you’ll excuse me.” Hangman winked over at Bob before sauntering off, surely turning up the charm, to the girl.

“Oh Hangman.” You laughed turning your attention back to the group, “And your day Roos?”

“Same old, same old.” He laughed running a hand through his hair. You attempted to hide your ogling eyes, why did he have to do this to you? It’s not like he hasn’t run his hand through his hair a thousand times before you. You willed your brain to just stop thinking of him as more than just a friend, but it might finally be rebelling against your wishes. You didn’t want to blame Carly for the green-eyed monster that was threatening to spill out, but she was the only difference in the group.

“Mav kick your ass yet again?” You smirked watching for his reaction.

“Hey now, Giggles. I’ll get him one of these days.”

Shaking your head, you eyed Bob who was having all too much fun watching the two of you go back and forth, “Statistics say you’ll have to beat him one of these days.”

He pointed his finger at you playfully smirking, “You just know exactly what to say.”

You shrugged looking back to Carly, “Roos can’t beat his instructor, Maverick. Bit of a running joke at this point.”

“Don’t poison her mind Y/N!” He gasped pulling her tight. Ouch, that hurt, you noticed. You noticed how easily they seemed to mesh, how Carly’s face lit up when she was pulled into his side, how he seemed more than pleased with himself holding onto her.

“You’re already doing that Rooster.” You force a laugh knowing just how unnatural it sounded.

“So, Y/N, Bradley was telling me about all the different places I should check out when I’m here.” She grinned looking up at him with her big brown doe eyes. You bit your lip forcing yourself to stay civil.

“Oh yeah? Like where?” You asked genuinely curious of what he had said to her.

“A few beaches, the museum, the base and didn’t you say something about a cliff?” She asked pulling on his arm getting him to look back to her. He obliged nodding his head like a little kid.

The cliff? Your cliff that only you and Rooster seemed to know about and made sure not to share with anybody? He mentioned your spot to her. It seemed as if the air had gotten knocked out of your lungs. You hadn’t defined that the cliff was your spot but neither of you brought it up to anybody else. It stung, it hurt, and you quite frankly didn’t know how to react. You fought the stupid hot tears that wanted to flood out of your eyes.

You set your halfway empty glass back down onto the table, harder than needed. Which of course caused both Carly and Rooster to look at you. You faked another smile and muttered, “Why doesn’t Rooster just show you?”

Bob sat back in his seat curiously watching the situation unfold before him. He noticed Carly light up at the suggestion again pulling on his arm, “That’s a great idea Y/N!”

You curled your lip fighting every damn emotion that wanted to spill out, “Chock full of them.”

Rooster laughed trying to ease the tension he could clearly see coming from you, “Are you sure Gigs? I don’t want to take time away from you and Carly.” He asked placing his hand on yours.

“Oh, I’m positive Bradley, go have so much fun.” The words came out just as bitterly as before. You were testing him, and he was failing you miserably. You knew it wasn’t exactly the fairest test. You weren’t communicating with him, you desperately wanted him to see what you were doing, but he didn’t see it.

“If you’re sure.” He tried to grab your hand again which you slid away just in time. You looked back up at Bob with the saddest eyes he’s sure seen. Again, you refused to look over at Rooster, you knew the waterworks would be out in full effect if you did.

“Mhmm.” You hummed chugging the rest of your beer, “I’m going to go.” You spoke more to Bob than to Carly and Rooster.

You quickly gathered your things and started walking to the door head full of every scenario imaginable. What if Rooster liked her? What if he decided to start dating her? You shuddered at the thought. Of course, it would be Carly to come swoop in and take him away from you. Carly was playing life on easy mode; she could get whoever she wanted whenever she wanted.

You made it about halfway to the door before realizing you drove Carly here. You sighed and turned around seeing Bob silently sitting there with his thoughts watching you while Rooster and Carly seemed very into whatever they were chatting about.

“Rooster.” You shouted not wanted to walk back over there and deal with it, “Bring Carly home. Or don’t, whatever.” You mumbled the last sentence, hoping he really didn’t hear what you had to say.

He gave you a thumbs up sending another kick to your stomach. Spinning around on your heel you beelined it for the door now. Once out of the bar the fresh air hit you like a ton of bricks, a few tears escaped. This really wasn’t how you thought this night would go. You thought Carly would be all over Hangman or one of the other pilots, not Rooster.

You hopped in your car mentally thanking yourself for parking on the opposite side of the bar, away from any windows. You sat there and let yourself cry it out. They were silent tears. You didn’t want to breakdown in the parking lot of the Hard Deck, but your emotions were simply getting the best of you now. You had to wonder why you were feeling this bad now, you’ve seen Roos flirt with hundreds of girls and take them back to his place, why did Carly freak you out so much?

You don’t know how long you sat there but it was long enough for you to hear a knock on your window. You almost jumped out of your seat looking over to see Bob standing there with his hands in his pockets.

“Bobby?” You asked while sniffling.

“Let me drive you home.”

You shook your head, “No, I…”

“Y/N.” He just looked at you. You let your shoulders fall before unbuckling yourself. You got out and moved yourself to the passenger’s side, letting Bob take the driver’s seat.

“Bob, I can really do this myself. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

He rolled his eyes while starting your car up, “I called your name three times Gigs, you’re not fine.”

“I am fine, I was just…”

“Thinking?” He interrupted seemingly agitated with your responses.

“Yeah Bobby, just thinking.” You hummed looking out the window.

The ride back to your place was mostly silent, just the radio chatter buzzing away. You weren’t sure what to say. Bob sure as hell didn’t know what to say. He simply observed two adults who clearly have feelings for each other continually put both of themselves in pain watching the other. It didn’t make sense to him. He was sure Rooster had feelings for you, deep feelings, although he’s never directly confirmed it. He also knew that you liked him, having finally admitting it to him.

He pulled up to your place off base, he didn’t live to far from you. He was planning on walking home and finding a ride back to the bar tomorrow. He couldn’t let you drive seeing how zoned out you were, how distraught you really looked. He had to wonder if this was a regular occurrence for you. He didn’t really see the longing in your eyes before tonight.

You started to get up, he realized he needed to say something quick, “Y/N, I’m not the best at giving advice. But I think you need to tell him. You’re tearing yourself apart over this.”

You turned away from him thinking for a moment, “What if he leaves me Bobby? I don’t think I could go on. I really don’t.” A fresh set of tears started making their way down your red cheeks. You turned back to him shaking your head.

“Hey Y/N.” He frowned seeing you look so small and broken. He was never good at this, women crying, it always overwhelmed him, “He would never leave you. He loves you.” Bobby squeezed your hand softly trying you to get you to understand what he saw day in and day out.

“I’ll think about it.” You mumbled finally opening your eyes to him.

He nodded with a smile on his face, “Good, that’s a start Gigs.”

You used your cardigan to wipe the tears off your face, “Thank you Bobby, for everything. Really, thank you.”

He gave you his genuine Bob smile, “Anytime Giggles.”

You smiled back at him remembering when you were ‘officially’ assigned your callsign. Rooster stood diagonally in front of you in drill. Every time the Captain would turn away, he would make a remarkably stupid face which made you laugh, a little too loudly. Your poor ass caught the end of Captain Warmack’s really bad day. You started giggling trying to hide your face, but Warmack caught you. He stood right in front of you, squatted down and started berating you. You had to take it, in front of the whole class. You were sure your face was as red as a cherry tomato. At the end of his yelling he said, “And all you do is giggle, giggle, giggle.” Sparking the callsign in Rooster’s head. He profusely apologized when you were dismissed and you shrugged him off telling him, “It took everything in me not to laugh Roos.” And the pair of you were cracking up. Officially earning your callsign Giggles. You didn’t hate it, but you certainly didn’t love it, you were growing to love it. Over time it got shortened down to Gigs, which you embraced whole heartedly. You were worried that the name made you seem weak, but it did the opposite, people saw you as approachable which gave you many opportunities over the years to show how good of a WSO you really were.

“Night Bobby.” You said as the two of you exited the car, “You can drive my car home if you want.”

He shook his head, “It’s a ten-minute walk, I might need you to drop me off at the Hard Deck tomorrow though.” He sheepishly grinned.

“Anything for you Bob.” You waved while entering your home. It wasn’t really your home; you were renting it out from a couple while you were here. You weren’t sure how much longer you would really be here anyway. The mission was over, half the squad was already reassigned. You knew your time was ending and it terrified you that you would be shipped away from Rooster yet again. The two of you had managed to get deployed together often but not every time. Your stomach was always in knots whenever you were due for reassignment, just hoping you’d be close to him.

You looked at the clock frowning seeing it was only 8, you really did plan on being out for a while longer. You decided on pampering yourself tonight seeing as that was the only thing that could get your mind off Carly and Rooster. You turned your phone to silent and set it by your bedside not wanting any distractions. You picked up your favorite book deciding a nice long soak in the tub was exactly what you needed. After spending far too much time soaking you decided to just read and go to sleep. Your eyes closed around 10 that night, failing to turn your phone over since you had gotten home.

What you didn’t see were the frantic texts from Rooster making sure you were okay. He has probably texted you 15 times between the time you left the bar and when he was dropping Carly off. You were clearly upset trying to play the whole thing off as nothing. So, he decided to text you to make sure you were alright. An hour passed and the conversation with Carly was fine. She was a beautiful woman, but she didn’t hold a straw to you. After the first hour he sent a few more texts, just hoping for a response but to no avail. He distracted himself by taking Carly down to the beach showing her a few things. He wasn’t really going to take her to the cliff, it kind of just spilled out when he was talking to her earlier.

After another few hours of faking it with Carly he decided that he needed to check on you. It was nearing 10 and you still hadn’t texted him back which sent a little terror through him. Once he pulled in, he let Carly know he was just going to talk to you. He walked in enjoying the smell of your home. It always smelled like lavender, just like you did. Rooster was sure Carly picked up in his disinterest, he wasn’t trying to blow the girl off he just needed to make sure you were okay.

You were sound asleep when you heard a soft knocking on your door. Annoyed you rolled back over willing yourself back to sleep, but the knocking wouldn’t stop, “I’m sleeping Carly.” You spoke softly hoping she would just go away.

“Not Carly.” Rooster’s voice spoke through the door.

You internally groaned not ready for whatever this was, “Yeah Roos?”

“Can I come in?” He asked leaning his entire body on your door.

“Sure.” You spoke while still laying down, not feeling like moving.

He quickly opened the door taking a second for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He smiled seeing you laying there, looking so peaceful. You were still clearly trying to wake yourself up.

Yawning your stretched out while Rooster took a seat on the other side of the bed, “What’s up Roos?” You rolled over turning your body to him fluttering your eyes, trying to keep them open.

He looked sad, “You didn’t answer my texts.”

“I haven’t looked at my phone since I left the bar.” You admitted, almost whispering. Is that why he was here?

“Really?” He asked looking anywhere but you, “I texted you a lot.” He sighed looking down at his hands.

You bit your cheek to stop the stupid grin that was going to give you away, “I’m sorry Bradley, I was just tired and… yeah just tired.” You stopped yourself from spilling everything, just tired, that was all.

“Are you okay?” He asked leaning back into your bed turning himself to face you now, far too close for your poor little heart to handle.

You nodded, “I’m fine.”

“You just seemed so upset at me when you left the bar.” He stated in an almost whisper matching your nervousness.

“Did I?” You asked softly deciding to break the eye contact you two were making.

“Mhmm. Really upset and if was something I did…”

“No, it wasn’t you Roos. It’s me. I just…” You stopped this time feeling the emotions coming back stronger than ever. Your throat tightened up and you could feel your stupid eyes beginning to water. You quickly flipped around so you were facing him anymore to take a deep breath. Again, this was perhaps the last thing you expected to happen to you tonight.

“Hey, hey, hey, come back to me Y/N. You can tell me anything, you know that.” He placed his warm hand on your shoulder squeezing it tightly drawing you back into the room.

“If I tell you what I want to tell you it could ruin everything Rooster.” You whispered letting a few tears fall.

He could tell you were crying. It nearly broke his heart in two. He hated when you cried, he hated the boys that would fuck with you and break you down. He couldn’t stand it. It freaked him knowing that he was likely the source of your tears, “You could never ruin anything Y/N. I promise.” He cooed still holding your shoulder tightly in his hand, afraid you would vanish if he let go.

Here goes nothing, “Bradley I…” You took a deep breath before continuing, “I was jealous tonight.” You closed your eyes waiting for him to respond, so afraid of what his reaction might be.

He didn’t respond right away which sent your mind into a million directions all at once. You felt him get up from his spot on the bed, finally letting your shoulder go. This was it, he was walking out on you. How could you be so stupid? How could you ruin the one good thing you had, the best thing in the world?

“Y/N,” You felt him pushing the hair away from your face catching you by surprise, “Please open your eyes.” He stated.

You obliged, sucking in a breath when you saw just how dangerously close he was to you now. He was squatting down to the floor. His head was level with yours.

He grinned seeing your eyes snap open, “There you are.” He spoke so softly. Continuing to brush the hair out of your face putting you into overdrive. You weren’t sure how to deal with the utter intimacy. Sure, you and Rooster were close, but this was so different. He was looking at you like you really were the only thing that mattered. His palm felt so warm against your face you were sure you were about to combust.

“Here I am.” You looked away from him again. This was something. Any sort of courage you had was gone. This was your Rooster, yet you couldn’t even look him in the eyes for more than a second.

He cocked his head ever so slightly waiting for you to continue. You took another deep breath making sure to avoid his face when you exhaled, he was so close to you just waiting. Waiting on you to make the next move.

“I wanted to be her Roos.” You took a gulp ready to let it all spill now, “I was so jealous when you wouldn’t take your eyes off her. When you pulled her close. I was a stupid jealous girl who didn’t and still doesn’t know how to say this.” You groaned in frustration eyeing him to see his reaction. He looked happy, content, almost thrilled at the admission, so you continued, “I… I like you, Rooster. I like you way more than best friend should and uhm I…” You faltered.

He placed a finger over your mouth smiling as big as you’ve ever seen him smile, “My turn. I love you, Y/N. Not just as a friend, I’m in love with you. I’ve been in love with you for as long as I’ve known you.” He looked right at you. You were struggling to process his admission to you. He loved you. He was in love with you. Your heart couldn’t keep up with your mind that was spinning in a thousand different directions.

“You do?” You managed to squeak out in the mess your mind currently was.

He nodded with his big goofy grin taking your head in both of his hands, “I’m so fucking in love with you Y/N it hurts and jealousy is quite the look on you.”

“Oh, wow.” Is all you said before you started cracking up. The relief that flooded through your system was twenty times stronger than any adrenaline rush the Navy gave you. The laughter was one of sheer bliss. Like you were floating through clouds, and you never had to land. You were sure your smile reached all the way up past your eyes. You placed your hands over top of his, which were still cocooning your face.

He joined in as well. The relief of knowing how the other felt about each other was nothing like anything the pair had experienced before. After a few minutes of Rooster making you laugh harder you finally came down from the high you were experiencing. He had yet to release your head from his hands. This time not afraid you would disappear but in euphoria that you admitted your feelings, he wanted to touch you for forever.

The laughter died down and two idiots were left looking at one another just smiling, finally admitting what had been building up for literally a decade.

You hummed rubbing your thumb along the back of his hand noticing the chills the rose when you did so, “I think I love you to.” You nodded your head, “No, I do love you. I don’t think I do. I love you, Bradley.”

That was all it took for him to let go of your head, gently of course. He scooped you like you didn’t weigh a pound from your laying position and brought you close to him, bridal style, “I thought I’d never hear those words coming from those beautiful lips.”

You turned your head into his chest to hide the insane blush that was inevitably covering your entire face, “No, no, no, don’t hide that face from me beautiful.” You could feel him laughing as he held you in his arms.

“That’s not fair.” You turned your head to take another good look at him. Your Rooster. Your beautiful Rooster. Who was holding you so gently in his arms. You hugged him tightly not wanting to let him go this time feeling like this was all too good to be true.

He pulled you closer to him in response, “Penny for your thoughts?” He asked in response to your actions.

You shook your head, “I just don’t want to let you go Bradley.” You smiled looking up to him. So happy. You were sure this is the happiest you’ve ever been in your life. Your Bradley. You were going to get to tell him you loved him for forever and you really couldn’t wait. You were going to get to wake up next to him, when you weren’t off on missions, every day and you really didn’t want to wait, “Stay with me tonight?”

He nodded rocking you back in forth gently in his arms, “I’ll stay whenever you ask, whenever you need me to.”

Your smile got even bigger if that were even possible, “Can you kiss me now Bradley?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

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itsbenedict · 2 years ago

Text

Two-Faced Jewel: Thunderbrush 6

How Do I Exclude My Scorpions?

A conwoman disguised as a noble and the delegation of university students studying her have arrived in the jungle city of Thunderbrush, ruled by ancient dryads and organized crime. Will they manage to stay uninvolved in shady conspiracies? (No.)

Story so far | Session log index | Previous session

Last time, Looseleaf very successfully mimicked her sister's appearance, which failed to fool her co-conspirator in the secret society- but it's fine, they had a nice talk anyway. Oh and the co-conspirator got robbed, but not by Looseleaf, and it's a big mystery!

After that, Looseleaf went back and met up with Saelhen and Oyobi and got some skewers, while Oyobi told them all about the rules and regulations and meta of the venerable sport of Warball. (I'm gonna make a post for that but it's gotta wait because I'm doing a thing that won't be done until later.) In the meantime, we soldier on, to... get some literal lab rats from the Zoology department, which surely couldn't turn into a disaster.

...I'm sorry, they what?

Uh, we'll get to that. First, they have to get there- and there's something in the way. It's not the huge, expensive, and anachronistic metal walls in the way, or the exterior stone wall, or the leather-armor-clad guards manning the gate. Those things they could just walk right past, because they're visiting students and the security isn't to keep people out.

No, the thing in the way is a goblin and two halflings, clad in ostentatious black-and-yellow robes, all glaring menacingly. The party, undaunted, walks right up.

Long-Arms, Student Council President of Thunderbrush Metropolitan University, has no patience for these interlopers.

Saelhen's approach here is to pretend like the Headmaster told them that the Student Council would be generously showing them around town, and acting oblivious to any hostility. Long-Arms insists he will NOT be showing them to tea.

Looseleaf has as little patience for this guy as he does for her, and attempts to just walk right past them. She asks the actual guards where to go to get lab rats, and they helpfully give her directions, likewise ignoring the Student Council. She heads straight inside, much to the consternation of Long-Arms, still being thoroughly fucked-with by Saelhen's false politesse.

Saelhen attempts to flick a ball bearing at one of the bombs to knock it away, but accidentally sets it off instead. Still, this disorients the Student Council just long enough for Saelhen to turn invisible and slip inside, losing the Council in the process.

They pass through a magic security checkpoint of some sort, which... goes off, when Saelhen invisibly goes through. The guard is flummoxed, though- he writes it off as a false positive, since none of his detection magic seems to be picking up on Saelhen's form of invisibility.

(While invisible, Saelhen hears... sounds, in the distance somewhere. Almost like whalesong. Deep, reverberating moans. Heard by no one else.)

The party meets back up and heads to the office of Ondere Groove, head of the Zoology department.

Their job is to be a bureaucratic obstacle, but they're not interested in being a bureaucratic obstacle- they do some creative accounting to deal with the party's unusual situation as guests, and get some requisition forms for them to sign before sending them on their way. It's pretty painless- Blacksky University is apparently on the hook for the "losses" of the rats, but it's not the party's problem.

They head down to the basement, where the feed room is. Getting down there is a little more of an ordeal- Saelhen has to shake a Student Council tail by tripping them up with ball bearings, and there's a guard posted at a heavy locked trapdoor who has to run them by the rules of the ZOOLOGY STORAGE area. Long and short of it: don't let anything escape with you when you leave.

They head down a super deep stairwell, into a long corridor lined with huge glass windows opening into... holding cells? Terrariums?

There's a bunch of containment units for various monsters. Packs of wolf-sized feathered reptiles, a fifteen-foot-tall wooden marionette covered in wriggling runes, living distortions that look like jellyfish, a t-rex bobbledragon, a subtly-swaying silken cocoon, a collection of rocks stacking themselves on each other, and- to Looseleaf's considerable consternation, considering her species and an associated phobia- a giant spider.

The most notable specimen, though, is a few windows down, as they head down the hallway. And... this has gotta be a thing that's been in a video game, I bet I can google images it...

Okay, yep, cool, Monster Hunter done already did it so I don't gotta draw anything. Huge crystal scorpion!

Up on a catwalk inside the cell, holding a bundle of rags, is a terrified halfling girl, who seems deeply alarmed by the scorpion that she was surely already aware was in the room.

The scorpion seems to be targeting Saelhen in particular, for some reason. Looseleaf, assuming she'll be safe, attempts to use spirit magic to reinforce the glass... but fails. And Saelhen attempts to dance mesmerizingly to direct its strikes at less weakened parts of the glass... and also fails. Uh-oh.

The glass shatters, and combat begins!

Looseleaf starts by jumping up on its tail, the one place it can't sting. From there, she tries to improvise and restrain it with spirit magic- and, uh, fails again. She does, however, pick up on how most of the scorpion's body isn't part of the organism- there's some sort of shriveled internal musculature that's arranged some actual rocks into the shape of a scorpion.

Meanwhile, Saelhen attempts to keep the thing occupied. It's laser-focused on her, so she focuses on dodging, and expertly avoids its crystal hammerblows while occasionally tossing knives into cracks in its stone armor created by Oyobi's wild blows.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: "Are you even trying, gigantic scorpion?" Benedict (GM): It screeches a horrible grinding chalkboard noise. Saelhen du Fishercrown: "I will thank you not to speak of my mother that way."

Then... Looseleaf tries something. She has a thing called "Painread", a trick she learned by studying the torture wizard's notes, which allows her to simultaneously attack and learn the target's HP.

So, how does she advance Deep? Well... that connection she established...

Then it's Saelhen's turn to have a truly fantastic idea.

Normally, it's very difficult to send things to the other side. The other side wants to spit things back out. Things from this world don't belong there, and it takes the bracer's magic to keep them even partially submerged. There's resistance.

Benedict (GM): This thing? There is no resistance at all. It's smooth as silk, sinking into the other place with you. You've taken it back to where it's supposed to be. And it is screaming in terror. Do you want to stick around to see what happens to it, or head back?

The things on the other side swarm and devour the scorpion alive as it screams in panic and agony.

And meanwhile, in the material plane, the monsters in the nearby cages seem agitated, drawn to the same call, trying to push through the walls. Everyone is panicking about this, and the scorpion's disappearance.

Saelhen stays to watch for a bit- but it seems like the things that are eating the scorpion have started to notice her, and something takes a bite out of her leg. She pulls the plug and returns to the material plane- and the scorpion doesn't come with her. Looseleaf immediately treats the bite wound- which was full of nasty neurotoxin, and could've been fatal. Saelhen opts to store the extracted neurotoxin in a jar of honey.

The aftermath is pretty messy, but doesn't take too much remarking on. The Student Council shows up, demanding that they account for the disappearance of university property, and they stonewall 'em pretty hard. They get the box of one dozen rats they came for, no problem. As they leave, they go through security- and Evelyn shows up and verifies that Saelhen hasn't stolen the scorpion or anything. Long-Arms, cowed by his boss, is totally miserable.

The only real issue is- the girl in the enclosure earlier accosts them. Goldie Lightharvest, zoology student, was in charge of handling that specimen- it was her big term project, and now it's just gone? Where'd it go?

Saelhen stays pretty vague about this. She mentions she "sent it back where it came from" and provides no further useful details, much to Goldie's frustration.

This doesn't satisfy her, though, and it seems like she might be back later to make some trouble for the party for robbing her of her important zoology project.

Next time, though: it's time to do some science with lab rats to explore the limits of the bracer's abilities, spirit magic, and... uh, necromancy? Maybe???

-------

...That night: Looseleaf has a nightmare.

██████ hiding. ██████ seen ████ ███████ ██ ████████ ████ ████████. It's █ ███████ out there. ███ saw █ ████████ ████ ██ ████ ███████ █ ███ ████ ███ ████ █████, only ██ ██ ███ ████ ██ █ █████████ ████ ██ ██████, █████ ██████ ███ torn ██ ██████ ██ █ █████ ██ ████ ██████ ████-█████████- ███ █████ ██████ feeding █████████████████ ██ ██ ████ █ ████████ ████████ ████ ████ ████ ██████ █████ ███ ████ █████████ ████. ███████ ███ ██ ███ ██ safe ████. ███, hiding ██ ███ █████ █████ ███ █████ ███ ████████, ████ ██ ███ ████ ███ devoured ██ ████████ ███ █████ ████ █████. ████ ████ ████ ███ ███ longer ████ ███ ███ ████████. Time ██ █ ███████ ███ ██████ ███ ████ ████████ ██ ever █████████. ██████ █████ refuge ██ ███ █████ ██ ██ ████████ █████████, █████████ ██ ████ ███ ████████ ████ ██ slowly █████ ███ ██████ █████████ ████ ████ ███ ███ ██ feed. ███ ███ move ████ quickly ██████ ██ ███████ ███ █████ ████ ███ █████████, ███████ ████ ████████ ██ ███ █████ ███ ███████ ███████. ████ ██ ███ safest █████ ███ ████ ████ █████. ███ ███ █████ ██ █████████ ██ ███████ faster, ███ ████ ████ hiding █████ ████ ██ ██████ ██ safe. ██████ ████ ██ ██████ ███ ████ █████████ ████ ██ hide. ███ █████ ██ nowhere ██ hide, nowhere ██████ ███ ██████ ██ █████ █████. ██████ ████ ████████ █████████. You █████ ███ ████ ██ ████. ██████ █████ █ crack ██ ███ ███████ ██ ███ █████ █████ ███ ███- █████████ ███ tiny ████-█████████ █████████ enter, ███ █████ ██████ ████. █████████ █████ ███ ████ ███ ███████ ██████ eat ████. █████████ █████ ███ ████ ██████ ████ █████ ████ ██ safe. █████ ████████ nothing ██████ ████ ██ ██ devour ███ █████████, you feel █████████. ████ ████ ██ ████ ████ hiding █████. ███████ ███ █████ ██ ███ ██████ ██████████ ███, ███ █████ ██ run ██████ ███ open █████ ███████ ███ crack ██ ███ ███████, ████████ ███ ███ ██ ███ █████. ███████████, ███ ███ set upon ██ ████████ ███████. ████ ████████ ███ ███ ████ █████ █████, ███ fail ██ █████████ ██. ████ ██ ███ ████ eyes, ███ exposed █████ ██ ███, ███ ████ ████ ███████. ███ lose ███████ ██ ████ ██ ████ ███ ████ ███ safety. ██████ saved ██ █ ██████████ ████ ████ ██████ ████ ████- ███ grabs ███ ██████ ███ █████ ███ ████ ███ air, ██████████ █████ ██████ ████████ ████ █████ ███ ███████ █████ ██ agony ███████ ████ tiny █████. You ████ ██ choice ███ ██ █████, ███████ ████ ████ weapon ████ ███ ████ ████ ██ ████ █████ ██ ███ ███ ██████. ██ ███████ ███ █████ ███, ███ ██████ ███ ███ hit ██████ ████ █ █████ ████ ██████ █ █████ ███ weaknesses ██ ████ █████, ██████ ███ close ██ ███ █████ ██ ███ ███████. ███ █████ ██ ███ ████ ██ quickly ██ ███ ███, ████████ ███ ██████ █████████ ██ █████ exposed █████ █████ ████ ███ ██████-like ██████ ██ ████ ███████ █████. ███ reach ███ █████, ███ ███ █████ inside, ████████ ███ ███ ████████████ pain ██ ███ ████ ██████ ████████ ████ injuries. ███ █████ ███████ ███ █████, ██ and ██ and ██ and ██ and ██ and ███ ████ ████████ crushed. ███ ███ █████ ███████ ██ ███ █████ ██ █████████ ████████████ ████████. ██ ████████ ██ ███████ ███ ██████ ██ ████ █████ ███ █████████ ██ ███ ███ ████ ██ ██████████████ ████████ ███████. ███ ███ ██████ ██, ███████. ██ ███ ██ ███ ██ ███████ ████ ██████, ██ ███ ████████ ███████ ███ ████ ████ ███ ███████ ███ ██ ███ ███████. ██████ ██ ████ ███ ██ █████, ███ ████, ███████ ███ ███████████ ████████ ████ ██ ███ ██ ███- █████ █████████ ████ ██████ ██ ██████ ███. █████ ██ █████████ ██████ █████ ████ ██████. ███ █████ ████ ████ ██ ████ ██ ██. ████ ████ ███ ██████████████ ███████ █████ ██ ███ █████████ ██████████, ███ ████████. ██ ████ █████ ████████. ██████████ ████████.

███ ██ ███████ hurt. ███████, ██ ███████ hurt. ██ ██ ███ █████ █████ ██████ ████ ████ ██ ████ ████ ████ ██████ hurt. ███ ████ ███████ ██, ███████ ██████████ ████ ██ ███ █████ ██ █████ ████ ████ █████- ████ █████. ██ ██████ ███ ████ ███████ ██. ███████ ███████ ██ ████ ███████ ████ █████ ██ ████████ ███ hurt ███. ███ ████, ███ ████ ███ ████████ ██████ ███ █████, ███ ██████ ████ ████ ███. ██████ ████ █████████ ██ █ ██████, ███ ██████ ███████ ██ ███ ███- ███ ███ ███ ████ ████████ ██ █ █████ █████. ███████ ██ ███ █████ █████ ██ ██████ ██ ███ ███. ███ █████ ██ ██ ███ ███, ████████ ████ ███ ████████ ███████ ████████, ███ ██ ███████ hurt ███. ███ ████ ██ ████ ███ ████ ███ ████████ ██ █████ █████████. ███ █████ ████. ███ █████ ███ ████? ███████ hurts. ███████, ██████████, ███████ ██████ ███ ██ ███ ██ ███ ███ ███ ██ ████ ████████ ██████ ██ hurt ███. Panic █████ ████████ ████... ████? ███████. ███████ ███████ ██ ████ █████ ████. ██████ █████ ██████ ███ █████ ███████ ███ panic. ██ ███ ███. ███ █████ ████ ███ ████. ███ █████ █████ ██████ ████ ██ █████, █████ █████████ ██████ ██████ ███ ███ █████ hurt ███, ███ ███ ███ █████ ███ ████████ ███ █████ hurt. ███ █████ ████ ████ "heaven" ██, ███ ███ ██ ████ ████ ██████ ██ ███ ████ ████████ █████ ███ █████ ██. ██ █████████████- █ █████ █████ ███████ hurts.

███ █████ █████████ ████████ ███ ███ ████ ██ ██ ██ █████ ███ ██████ ███- ███ ████ █████. ████ ████ ███ ████ ███ █████ █████ ██ ███████ █████ ████ ███████ ████. ███ ███ █████ ███ ██ ███████. ███ █████ ██ ███ ██████- ███ ██████████, █████████ ████ █████ ███ ███ ████ ████ █████ ███████ ████ ██████ ██ ████ ██. ██ █████ ██ █████. ███ █████ panic, ██████ ████ ████ ████ ███ hurt. ███ █████ █ ████ ████ ████ ██ ████ █████. ███ █████ ██ ██████ ███ ████ ██ ████ ██████- ███ █████ ██ ███████ ███ panic ███ pain. ████ ███ ████ ███. ██ █████ hurt ███ ███████- ███ ███████ ███████ ████ ████████ ████████. ███ ████ █ █████ ████████ ██████████ ███. ██ ███ █ ████ ██ ███ ███. ███ ███ ███ ███ █████ ████ ████ █████. ██ █████ ██ ████ ███ ████ █████. ████ found you. ███ █████ ███ ██ ██ ████. ███ ██████ ████ ███ ███ ████ ███████, ███ █████ ████ ███ ███ ████ weapon. ███ ██████ and ██████ and ██████ and ██████ and ████ and ████ and ████ and ████. ████ too ████. ██████ █████ too ████. ███ ██████ panicking ██████. █████████, ███ ███ █████ ████ ██ ███████, hurts. ███ ██████. ███ ████ ███ █████ ████████ ██████ ███ █████████ ███ ███ ███ ███ ██████ ███ ██ ██ ███ ████.

███ ████ █████.

██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ███ █████ ████████ ██████ and ██████ and ██████.

██████████! ████, ███████ ███ █████ ████ ████ ██ ████ ███████ ████████████? ███████ ███ █████ ██ ████████ ███ ██████? ████ ██ ██ █████! ██ █████! ██ ██████! ███ ████ ███ ███ ██ ██████ ██!

███ ██████ ██████ ██ ██ ███ ███ ████ ████████ ████████. ███ ████-█████████, ███ ██████, ███ █████████ ████. ███ ███████ ██ █████ ██████ surround ███ drown ███. ███ ████ ███████ ██ hide.

███ ████ ████, ████? ████ ███ ████████. ████ ████ █ ████, █████ ███?

███ █████ ████████ █████ ███████ ███ ████ ███ ██████████, ███ e █ e █y █ █ █ n █ HURTS

She wakes up shaking, unable to remember the source of the panic wracking her body.

#twofaced jewel #tfj log

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