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sorchathered · 1 year ago

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Sacred New Beginnings (part 1)

This is a story over the weekend of Mav and Penny’s wedding, you and Bradley had been engaged and it had all gone to shit, with you back in town for the impending nuptials will you find your way back to each other? Or will you realize you were meant to be with someone else all along?

Pairing(s)- Bradley Bradshaw x reader, Jake Seresin x reader

Warnings- drinking, language, mentions of cheating, eventual smut. 18+

Song inspo- I bet you think about me- ts, the story of us- ts, Cornelia street- ts (yes I’m very taylor coded with this series lmao)

You’d begged Jake to keep it to himself, at least until you could get your bearings in North Island and talk to Bradley yourself. It had been 6 months since the two of you split, he’d put his mother’s ring on your finger and promised you a lifetime but it certainly didn’t turn out like either of you planned. Everything crashing and burning before you ever got a chance to say I do. Now you were back in San Diego at the request of Maverick and Penny for their long awaited nuptials and no matter where you looked all you saw was Bradley Bradshaw.

Jake Seresin was your former front seater, the two of you flew a handful of missions together when you’d been stationed here before. You trusted each other in a way most people didn’t, going through countless near death situations will do that to someone. As you stepped out of the airport into the cool night air you could see him leaning against his ridiculous fully kitted Ford F-150, you could take the man out of Texas but he’d be a cowboy no matter where he went.

“There she is! Stormy girl you are a sight for sore eyes!” He scoops you up in a big bear hug and you finally feel yourself relax, tension melting away just being able to be with your best friend like this.

“Hey douchebag, missed you so much” you say punching his shoulder and letting him lead you into the truck, peeling out of the lot and onto the dark highway.

There’s just something about him that calms you down. Everyone gets the big bad “Hangman” persona and while you’ve witnessed it more times than you can count he’s never once treated you that way. Being around him now feels like home and you need that more than ever knowing the heartache that’s bound to seep into what should be a fairytale weekend. You wring your hands nervously, you know you need to ask but you don’t want to pop the happy bubble you both are in. Time to rip off the bandaid.

“So please tell me you kept your damn mouth shut Jakey, last thing I want to do this weekend is cause a scene. Just want to watch Mav and Penny say I do and head back to Florida with no casualties.”

He frowns at you from across the console, mussing your hair with his hand, he loves having you back here, nothing has felt quite the same without you in his daily life. He knew you’d want to know about he who must not be named (yes Jake considers Bradley to be the Voldemort in your story, no he won’t apologize for it) but he had hoped you’d give yourself some time to adapt first.

“I promise darling, haven’t said a word, hand to God. We will make this weekend a blast and send you on back without a hitch, so long as ol’ Rooster keeps his nose clean we shouldn’t have an issue.”

Just hearing his name causes your heart to lurch, you’ve done so good about avoiding him; blocking his socials and refusing to stalk any of the daggers insta’s for pictures of your former lover.

“How is he?” You say quietly, inspecting your hands in your lap now, refusing to look up for fear that Jake will see your tells; he always does though.

He looks at you with furrowed brows, he wasn’t ready to break your heart again, so he rattled off a bare bones list of info you were looking for, not willing to succumb to the rumors floating around that would only rile you up. The last thing you needed was to spend the weekend drowning in what went wrong and what could have been.

“Recently got promoted to lieutenant commander, got a dog a few weeks ago, no I don’t know if he’s dating anyone and no I wouldn’t tell you if I did. We aren’t doing this to ourselves you hear me? You didn’t do anything wrong and self preservation isn’t a bad thing. Now you must be starving so let’s go get you some In and Out to celebrate my favorite girl being back home.”

Across town in a little craftsman style house by the beach, Bradley Bradshaw is pacing his halls. Mav asked him to be best man and he’s determined to make this speech perfect, but every time he tries to sit down and write out the words describing true love and destiny all he can think of is you. The two of you had been so happy, but then he had to go and fuck everything up. He knew you were the one from the minute he met you; all sharp tongue and attitude, truly the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. It wasn’t easy to get you to come around, you’d made it a rule not to date in your squad but somehow he had broken down your walls. When a particularly dangerous mission left him with substantial injuries you’d been paralyzed with fear. If he was just a friend like you claimed then why did it feel like your heart would explode if you never saw him again? The two of you danced around each others feelings for weeks after until one night of partying at Phoenix and Coyote’s you’d kissed him. Everything felt like it fit in that moment.

A year later he was standing on the beach with roses and Carole Bradshaw’s wedding ring asking you to be his forever, you’d said yes before he could even finish talking; fully confident in the choice you were making. Standing in his house now, no wife and no family he couldn’t help the tears that spilled down his face, regret flooding his senses at how he’d let it all fall apart.

He let his hubris get the best of him. He was the best at what he did, always making sure he went the extra mile to prove himself; constantly fighting living in Goose and Maverick’s shadow. So when a mission came up and you and Jake had been chosen, he’d felt deflated; why hadn’t he been picked? What made Jake the better pilot? What made you more qualified? He went to higher ups to plead his case, never once thinking about the aftermath and how his choices in this would affect you. Needless to say it ended badly, you and Jake being grounded and Bradley flying the mission. Someone unfortunately had let it slip at the bar one night that he’d intervened, costing you an important promotion opportunity and choosing his career over you.

You’d felt betrayed, how could you trust him to be your life partner if he couldn’t even support you in your career? You’d requested an immediate transfer, packed your things and left the ring in your shared home, leaving a note briefly explaining your reasoning and that you’d never wanted it to end this way. He had ruined everything, he tried to convince Jake to give him your new number but Hangman could be ruthless when he wanted to be. Refused to help in any way and made sure Bradley knew that he’d been the getaway car; he would always choose you and your happiness unlike Bradley who’d chosen career over love.

Bradley hated him, but he knew he couldn’t fault him for his decision. If he’d just given that level of care when it counted he’d probably still have you, instead of an empty house and a head full of what ifs. He’d been a terrible fiancé, sure he’d doted on you and always told everyone you were his everything, but he also loved attention. So he’d let girls at the bar flirt sometimes, make excuses that it was just his personality and that he didn’t mean anything by it because of course you were the only one for him. He’d dulled your shine to lift himself up far too many times and he knew deep down he didn’t deserve a second chance. Giving up on his speech for the night he poured another scotch and made his way to bed, there was no mental preparation on earth that would make any of this easier.

Friday morning came bright and early, you stumbled your way through Jake’s apartment letting the smell of coffee carry you to the kitchen. He’d left a post it on the carafe, telling you to be ready by 6 for drinks at the hard deck and you laughed at the familiarity of it all; some things truly did stay the same. Six pm rolled around all too soon and you were dressed in your favorite sundress, your hair and makeup set to perfection as Jake pulled the two of you into the lot of the beloved navy bar. Pulling you from your thoughts he gave your hand a reassuring squeeze.

“If you start feeling uncomfortable you just say the word and we’re out, no muss no fuss. You just relax and enjoy tonight with our friends.”

You smiled up at him, grateful that he always seemed to know what you needed to hear.

“Come on Tex let’s get in there and celebrate our friends.”

The bar was closed to only friends and family tonight, everyone near and dear to the happy couple congregating for their rehearsal dinner. Stepping inside it was like being transported back to the past; sounds, smells, everything was the same as it had been when you left. Jake goes in ahead of you, keeping an eye out for a certain mustached aviator but as you both made it to the bar the general consensus was that he hadn’t made it yet. You greeted Penny and Mav with hugs and congratulations, both so glad that you could make it. Mav caught your eye as you ordered a drink from Jimmy, and you knew what he had to say before he even started.

“He-“

“I’m sure he does Pete. I wish it changed anything, but it doesn’t. This is your day, you don’t need to waste it worrying about the past, I’m ok I promise.”

He just wanted his godson to be happy, you knew that. But it wasn’t that easy, too much time had passed and you were uneasy enough thinking about having to see him tonight. So with a squeeze to his arm and a smile you made your way across the bar to the pool tables and your former squad.

Rowdy and full of mischief, that’s the best way you could describe them, whooping and cat calling you as you crossed the threshold as they enveloping you in hugs and remarks at how you’d been missed. Phoenix sidles up to you now, bumps her hip against yours with a Cheshire Cat grin, the two of you had never lost contact during the past 6 months and you were grateful for another person looking out for you tonight.

“I’ve missed you cutie! It’s just not the same around here, still can’t believe you left me to take care of the kids by myself.” You both laugh at that, looking towards your boys now as they play fight and place bets at who can kick the others ass at pool, knowing without a doubt that Jake will take the winnings.

“It feels good to be home ‘Nix, I didn’t realize just how much I missed everyone until I got here. Florida is nice, I love the group I have there but the daggers are my family.” You trail off, trying to suppress the tears threatening to leak from your eyes.

She pulls you in for another hug, kisses the side of your head. “It’s going to be a good weekend buddy, I can feel it.”

Bradley’s late. He knows he should have left earlier but he’d been dragging his feet. Mav had texted to tell him you were here and he had to pull over on the highway to empty his stomach. His nerves are shot, pulling the bronco into the lot with shaking hands he attempts to pull himself together, knowing you are just inside has him feeling faint.

“Get your shit together Bradshaw, don’t lose your cool.”

He sucks in a deep breath and opens the door.

After grabbing a beer and getting two pitifully sympathetic looks from Penny and Mav, he turns towards his group and lays his eyes on you. It’s like a punch to the gut, you have always been breathtaking but after having only the memories on his phone to look at he knows for sure they pale in comparison to the real thing. His feet begin moving of their own accord, brain hasn’t quite caught up to what he’s doing. It feels like a magnet is dragging him towards the one place he has longed to be. You are arm and arm with Coyote, animatedly telling him a story with sparkling eyes and Bradley is falling in love all over again. He skirts the outside of the group, settles in to a seat next to Bob and Fanboy hoping he can keep from startling you. You feel his presence because of course you do, and he can tell the moment your energy shifts. You keep looking at him from the corner of your eye; your arms wrapped tightly around yourself and it breaks his heart. His view is obscured by Hangman all too soon, leaning in to the table to catch his eye.

“Rooster”

“Hangman”

“We aren’t gonna have any issues tonight are we?” Jake asks with his signature smirk and lazy southern drawl, it’s charming to some but to Bradley it’s like nails on a chalkboard.

“I’m not here to make things uncomfortable Bagman, just here to fulfill my duty to Mav as best man. She’s a a big girl and doesn’t need a babysitter, if she wants to talk to me I’m happy to listen to anything she says, I’d be an idiot not to”

“You’re an idiot either way Bradshaw but if you make Stormy girl cry tonight you’ll be showing up to the ceremony tomorrow with a black eye, just keep that in mind.”

“Understood.”

Jake blinks back the shock, didn’t expect Bradley to be amenable towards him at all. They have avoided each other at all costs in social gatherings ever since the split, Jake knew nothing good would come from stirring it back up and Bradley looked like a kicked puppy most of the time. Shrugging it off, Jake nods to the group at the table and heads back to where you are, encouraging hand on your shoulder. He’d be damned if someone ruined your night, so instead of letting you wallow he scooped you up to pick a song on the jukebox and took you to the dance floor. Spinning you and reveling in your giggles and bright eyes, it almost made him forget that he wasn’t supposed to look at you the way he was now. He’s been so good about keeping it together all these years, making sure to have a date to keep him occupied when you were cuddled up to Rooster and firmly planting himself in the friend zone. He knew that’s what you needed and he’d always go above and beyond to make you happy. Even if it meant he couldn’t have you.

You have no idea how long you’ve been here, speeches have been given and far too many shots have been had; the room is too hot and slightly spinning so you make your way outside for some fresh air. He’s there of course, smoking a cigarette and watching the waves. Looking him over now you can see the little changes, he’s not as bulky anymore, face and torso are definitely thinner than they used to be. He looks tired, to the bone judging by the dark circles under his eyes and the way he seems to slouch in on himself, no longer the larger than life persona he used to project. You think for a moment you should go back in, but as he flicks the used up cigarette into the wind you are both face to face, pain clearly etched in his features as he takes you in.

“Hi.” It’s all you can make out, you think of how ludicrous it is that after 6 months of heartbreak the best you can scrounge up is a measly hi.

“Hi Storm, it’s good to see you.”

“Y-yeah it’s good to see you too, it’s been a while.”

He runs his hand over his scarred chin, looking you over and it almost looks like he might reach out for you but he thinks better of it.

“I’m sorry Bradley- I can’t do this, I know what you’re gonna say and I feel it too but it doesn’t change anything. We’re the same people we were 6 months ago, and love isn’t going to fix it.”

You were trembling, tears pouring down your face and Bradley couldn’t stand it. He’d broken your heart and let you go, but he’d never once stopped thinking of you. Just two steps forward and you could be back in his arms, and he thought of Mav’s saying “don’t think, just do.” So he closed the distance and pulled you into his arms, your beautiful face cradled in his hands as he wiped away your tears.

“Baby, my sweet sweet girl I know I fucked it up, and I’ve spent every day of the last 6 months thinking of what went wrong. I don’t deserve it; I know that but please even if it’s just for tonight let me love you.”

You didn’t know if it was the alcohol spurring you on or the fact that you’d missed his touch so much it physically hurt, but pressing his lips to yours felt like the easiest decision you’d ever made.

You heard the door swing open behind you and someone cleared their throat, causing you to jump backwards out of his grasp, moment over as quickly as it had begun. You spun around to find Jake, eyes full of anger directed right at Bradley and then he looked towards you; disappointment clearly etched in his features.

“I couldn’t find you, Payback said you’d gone outside so I came to make sure you’re alright.”

You feel your cheeks redden with embarrassment, you had promised yourself you wouldn’t be alone with Bradley and yet here you are less than 24 hours later letting him kiss you.

Jake is still staring you down, you shift a little feeling extremely small between the two people you love most.

“Everything’s ok Jake, let’s uh- let’s go home ok? It’s late and I’ve had more than I should have.” You grab at his elbow to steer him towards the lot to the truck, steely gaze still focused on Bradley but he lets you move him, starting a fight isn’t going to fix a thing and he knows more than he’s let on. Maybe it was time to play his hand and let you know just how much of a piece of shit your so called “Prince Charming” really was.

The ride back was eerily quiet, tension flooding the cab of the truck while you spent every second overthinking. Why had you let it get that far? You’d done so good, it’d been half a year without any contact and you’d folded fast, it was so embarrassing. Ugh and for Jake to be the one that found you?! You knew he’d be pissed and expected a thorough lashing but he didn’t say a word. Just stoically stared at the road, no smart ass remark to be found as he white knuckled the steering wheel. He pulled into the drive and bolted for the door, didn’t even stop to let you out like he normally does. Taking a deep breath and mentally preparing for a long ass night trying to drag his feelings out, you made your way into his townhouse.

He’s nowhere to be found when you step inside, probably holed up in his room so he won’t pick a fight; you know the routine fairly well. He hates hurting your feelings so he shuts down and lets himself cool off before he talks to you, normally just acts like nothing ever happened because he’d rather not bring it all back up again. But when you go to check his bedroom he’s not there either; door ajar and completely devoid of Jake. Finally you head to the back porch, he’s there slumped in one of the lounge chairs, already cracked open another beer and staring down at his phone, determined to look anywhere but at you.

You plop down into the chair next to him, knocking one of your knees with his, hoping if you needle him enough he’ll tell you what’s wrong.

“Jakey”

“Don’t. Don’t do this right now Stormy, just let me be before I say something we will both regret.”

You know you should just let it go, but the harshness in his tone is so out of character but frankly you’ve had enough of everyone tiptoeing around you.

“No.”

“No?”

“No I want to do this now, what is it that you aren’t telling me? You seem to have forgotten that I know you better than your own mother, I can tell when you’ve been holding back. You looked like you wanted to beat Bradley into the ground earlier and I know I screwed up and let him get to me tonight but I’m a big girl Jake I can make my own mis-“

“You didn’t make any mistakes though!” He boomed, causing you to jump in your seat. “You’ve spent this whole time blaming yourself for leaving, for not communicating but you have NO idea. This was never something to blame yourself for and the fact that you let him back in tonight knowing what I know makes me SICK.” He’s never had an outburst like this with you, chest heaving and shaking hands he can’t seem to stop, he knows it’s all about to bubble up but he can’t stuff the secrets back down.

“What do you mean, what you know? Jake what am I missing?” You whisper softly, you have a sudden glaring realization and it feels like everything is crashing down, it can’t be can it? You need him to say it to confirm but you wish the earth would swallow you both up; everything changes if he says what you think he will.

“He cheated on you. A month before the mission, and he thought he’d gotten away with it but apparently Fanboy caught him and Mirage fucking in the hard deck bathroom. He agreed not to say anything, but when you left she suddenly started showing up more, he wasn’t even trying to hide her! Everyone knew he was taking her home after nights at the bar, and Fanboy couldn’t keep it in anymore so he told me. Bradshaw was jealous of your success, he took the mission away from you and to really stick it to you he fucked a fellow squad mate behind your back. As far as I’m concerned he’s dead to you, he has no right to come crawling back and you deserve to know it all so he doesn’t take advantage of you again.”

It all made perfect sense now, Bradley had had one too many late nights at work claiming he was shooting the shit with Mav, never interested in taking you to bed like he had been before the mission talk started up, but you’d chalked it up to stress. Always making excuses for him, assuring yourself that he wouldn’t dare cheat because why would he have given you his mother’s ring? He’d told you he wanted a love like Goose and Carole had, promised he’d love you forever. Of course he’d lied, he’d always been more concerned about his career path and his accomplishments, any time you did something of merit his congratulations always seemed tinged with something sour, but he was happy for you right? He loved you right? Now you didn’t know for sure.

You reeled back at the realization, all the puzzle pieces fitting together to make a heartbreaking story, and you felt a surge of nausea come up quickly rushing to the side of the yard to throw up. You could feel Jake’s cool hand holding your hair back, the other rubbing circles into your back telling you to breathe. He’d always been a safe haven in your life, steadfast no matter who he was seeing at the time. You came first to him, your friendship and partnership in the air like an unspoken vow between the two of you. You were being hit with one revelation after another tonight, and you jerked away from him suddenly; throat dry as the desert as you quickly made your way inside to the sink to rinse out your mouth.

“Hey hey, talk to me honey. I’m sorry, shit I’m so sorry you had to find out like this; I should have never let it get this far but you seemed happy in Florida and I didn’t want to open old wounds. Please Stormy, look at me baby I need to know we are ok.”

Now he’s the one wringing his hands, Hangman is never nervous, he’s always larger than life and the most confident person in the room. He looks so boyish now, standing in the dim light of the kitchen, the fear on his face so unnatural on his handsome face.

You couldn’t deny that he was beautiful, you’d always seen the way he attracted the attention of everyone in a room, like the definition of the word gorgeous come to life or the hero on the cover of a romance novel. Just classically handsome, and yes he was smug and he knew just how good he looked but he’d never put on any kind of mask when it came to you. Let himself be vulnerable, trusted you would keep his secrets and never make fun of him for his faults. Now looking at him in the quiet of his home, you realized that Bradley may have physically cheated; but maybe he wasn’t the only one that blew up your relationship. Some part of you from the day Jake Seresin had walked into your life had always belonged to him. Admitting it to yourself now was jarring; how long had you let yourself think he wasn’t everything to you? You found yourself terrified and excited at the thought, suddenly hyper aware of how close he was to you, knowing that if you crossed that line with him tonight you’d never be the same. You tilted your head up to look at him, reaching a hand out so he could close the distance, and watched him relax into your touch knowing you weren’t angry with him.

“Stormy-l-“

“Jake…Do you love me?”

He goes cold at the realization, oh God you had figured it out. He’d tried to suppress it for so long, but obviously with the clarity that had been gained tonight you seemed to be able to see the truth. He’d always been in love with you, but decided that having you in his life was more important than getting his feelings out so he’d gallantly put them aside. When he’d found out the truth about Rooster he’d been unmoored by the whole thing. How the hell could anyone ever hurt you like that? What kind of moron has the perfect girl and destroys her happiness? But he’d let you go, knowing you needed to run and find yourself in the aftermath; Jake was just grateful he could continue to be a part of your life in whatever way you needed. But oh God you knew now, he could see it on your face and since it had been a night for truth and honesty he told the consequences to fuck themselves, pulling you into his arms and pressing his forehead to yours.

“I could deny it, and we could just go back to the way things are if that’s what you need. We can continue this weekend like we have been and I’ll let you go back to Florida. Because you matter too much to me to be selfish with you, but oh angel I want *so* badly to be selfish. So you tell me what you need and I’ll do it.”

He’s so open, pouring his heart out to you and you can’t look away, his bright green eyes searching for any kind of reservation on your part, and when he doesn’t see any he grins that perfect lopsided grin of his, the one that makes your heart grow ten sizes. It’s not a rushed or sudden clashing of teeth and tongue, it’s a slow movement of lips molding together, hands mapping each other in a way that’s never been allowed before. It takes your breath away and as you gasp he slides his tongue against yours, reveling in the little noises you make as you grasp at the collar of his shirt, the need to have him closer overwhelming. After a while with the willpower of a god he pulls himself back from you a little, stroking your cheek and chuckling as you stagger forward trying to chase his kisses. He tilts your face to look at him and he’s warm all over, it’s everything he’s ever wanted and he has to tell you before he lets it get too far.

“I do Y/N, I love you. I always have baby. I want it all with you kid, and I know it probably feels sudden, but I can’t lie to you; I want everything with you. I’ll wait as long as you need because I’m in this no matter what, I don’t think I could stop if I tried.” He says with a watery laugh, and you realize he’s got tears in his eyes.

You are pretty sure you turned into a puddle on the floor, arms and legs feel like jello as he holds you up between himself and the counter. You could agree that yes it was sudden, hell you’d just let Bradley kiss you less than two hours ago, but you couldn’t deny that in all the times you’d kissed Rooster it had never felt like this. How were you ever supposed to go back to the way things were? Did you even want to? The thoughts were swirling around in your head now and he could tell you were lost. So he kissed you once more, just a featherlight peck and then stepped back from you.

“We’ve had a lot of big reveals tonight baby girl, how about we take a beat and sleep, let tomorrow figure it all out for us.”

He was right of course, it has been an overwhelming evening and you two should probably look it over with fresh eyes, so you let him lead you down the hall. He thinks you’re going to head to the guest bedroom but you surprise him, stepping into his bedroom and closing the door.

“Stormy, we can’t- not tonight honey you and i are wrung out-“

“Shhh, we aren’t doing anything tonight Jake, just hold me ok? I need to be close to you.”

He peels off his clothes and lets you change into one of his T shirts, tangling his arms and legs with yours as you snuggle up into bed. Drifting off to sleep, not knowing if he hears you, you whisper to him

“Jake I think I love you too.”

Jake Seresin Masterlist

Tagging- @attapullman

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goldenseresinretriever · 6 months ago

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You Catch More Bees With Honey: Chapter 3

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Reader

Part of the San Diego Dogfighters universe

Summary: Bradley Bradshaw, blindsided by a team he trusted like family has been traded to the San Diego Dogfighters. Across the country from the place he calls home, Bradley feels lost and betrayed. Not to mention the familiar faces and ghosts from his past that he now has to face every day at work. Bradley’s caught between wanting to show his former team the mistake they made in double-crossing him and wondering if it’s time to hang up his skates after one final season. You’re living your dream as the PR representative for the Dogfighters. When Coach Maverick made a bid to bring his godson to the team, you hadn’t batted an eye. Bradley was a good teammate, and a good player. Unfortunately, the Bradley that shows up in San Diego is nothing like your research suggested. He’s moody, irritable, aggressive, and angry, throwing a wrench in all your careful planning. What’s caused such a drastic change in him? And can you figure out how to help him before he makes a mistake you can’t fix?

Series CW: 18+ ONLY, swearing, dead parents, drunkenness, alcohol consumption, violence, sports violence, blood probably, angst, fluff, eventual smut, age gap (28 and 38), enemies to lovers, suggestive language, hockey inaccuracies etc. There will be individual chapter warnings. No use of Y/N.

Word Count: 3.7k

A/N: This is a repost of my completed series, You Catch More Bees With Honey. It was originally posted in November-March 2023, and was lost when my blog was deleted.

Previous Chapter // Series Masterlist // Next Chapter

Bradley Bradshaw’s going to pay for this. You glare at your reflection in the mirror, tentatively poking at the discolored and swollen skin on your jaw where Bradley’s fist connected last night. You wince slightly at the pain. You’ll probably have Bugs look at it once you get to work. You glance down at the tube of concealer in your hand, torn between covering up the mark for the sake of your dignity and leaving it exposed to send a message to Bradley. You err on the side of leaving it be as you get ready for your day. You can’t help but wonder if the lavender suit you’re wearing today mixes well with the color on your jaw.

By the time you make it to work, your injury is far from your mind, that is until you pass through the training room on your way to the office and Mickey stops you instantly, his usually carefree smile falling away into barely-concealed fury. “Zam, what happened to your face?” He reaches a gentle hand to skim the bruised skin and you wince slightly at the pain that radiates from the contact. “It wasn’t that guy was it?” The guy in question is a stranger on a dating app that Mickey insisted you give a shot to in an effort to diversify your life beyond work. You shake your head.

“No no, that’s later this week.” He nods, his concern not fading as he scrutinizes your jaw and you’re touched by the fierce protectiveness from your best friend. You wouldn’t expect any less.

“Zam, what the fuck?” Jake comes over now, taking your face gently in his hands and inspecting the bruise. “Who did this to you?”

You hesitate, not wanting to cause a scene. You hadn’t meant to cause a scene like this, not considering how it would look to everyone else not involved. You consider lying but as you look into Jake’s green eyes, you see them dancing with concern and fury, the sheer protectiveness in them, directed at you of all people and it makes your heart squeeze. A few months ago Jake was reserved, hiding in a shell of himself until Bugs pulled him out of it and you’ve watched him grow back into his normal self, full of love and protectiveness that extends to everyone around him, you included.

He and Mickey are still waiting for your answer so you draw your eyes away from Jake’s, avoiding either of their gazes as you murmur, “Bradley…” and you feel Jake’s fingers tighten involuntarily on your cheeks. When you gaze back at him, there’s fury in his eyes.

“Bradley did this?” His voice is ice cold and you suppress a shudder as your eyes flick to Mickey’s matching expression.

“Bradley did what? Fuck, Zam, what happened to you?” Javy joins the three of you and you watch his eyes widen in surprise when he sees the bruise on your jaw. You jerk your chin from Jake’s grasp, suddenly self-conscious about the amount of attention you’re drawing.

“It’s not what you think!” You blurt. “He wasn’t aiming at me, I just stepped in front of him on instinct and I didn’t really think it through and yeah, I got hit.”

“When did this even happen?” Mickey asks brows tight in confusion.

“Last night, Cyclone asked me to pick him up from a bar after the paparazzi found him. He was drunk off his ass and fighting with these three other guys.”

“You should have called one of us to go with you,” Jake says firmly, crossing his arms across his chest in full captain mode. You roll your eyes giving him a tired shrug.

“I didn’t want to bother you. Plus this is my job, remember?”

“The press stuff, yes, but I thought we established that the babysitting was mine.” You return his worried smile with a tired one of your own, nodding in acquiescence.

“I’m gonna have Bugs look at it but I’m sure it’s fine.” Jake nods, satisfied to leave you in her care. You excuse yourself from the boys and head to Bugs’s office to get checked out.

~~~~~

Bugs gives you the all-clear and confirms that it’s just a nasty bruise and nothing to worry about so you go about your regular work for about an hour or two until the door to your office bursts open, hitting the walls and rattling your shelves of tchotchkes. You look up from your work to see Bradley Bradshaw in your doorway, seething. You don’t get paid enough for this.

“You just left my Bronco in that parking lot?! It got fucking towed!” He snaps, stamping across the room to leer over where you’re sitting. You scowl up at him.

“Boo fucking hoo, Bradshaw. If you’re going to go out and get plastered, maybe you shouldn’t drive or at least arrange someone to drive you home.” Normally you’d be poised, and calm, and you definitely wouldn’t be swearing but Bradley sends every bit of your self-control out the nearest window. “Instead I have to come and drag your sorry ass home.”

“No one asked you to do that!”

“They did, actually. Cyclone texted me because you were causing a scene! TMZ published an article, Bradshaw! TM-FUCKING-Z!”

“That’s not my problem.” He scoffs, his face still red as he growls at you.

“Well, your beloved Bronco getting towed isn’t mine.” You growl back, crossing your arms across your chest defensively. “And by the way, if you want to avoid the press, maybe get a less conspicuous ride.” His eyes flash and his open palms meet the surface of your desk in a noise so loud and startling that you flinch back, instinctively, fear running through you before you see the flicker in Bradley’s eyes cutting through the blind rage and he removes his hands instantly, backing up a couple of steps. His shoulders are still rising and falling in anger but he’s forcibly reeling himself in.

Then you watch the confusion spread across his face as he actually takes a good look at you and you feel the urge to squirm under the intensity of his whisky gaze. His brow furrows as he asks, voice softer. “What happened to your face?” You blink up at him, dumbstruck.

“So you don’t remember hitting it?” You ask, the venom in your voice falling short of what you’d intended at the confused concern in his eyes.

“I hit you?!” His voice is full of shock and something else, maybe a hint of regret.

“Well more accurately you were trying to hit another guy and I got in the way because we don’t really need to add battery to the laundry list of problems you’ve been causing.”

“Fuck.” He rasps and you shrug, trying to appear nonchalant even as you’re feeling all kinds of confused by this new Bradley that you’ve never seen. “I’m sorry.”

Now you really have seen it all. Bradley Bradshaw just APOLOGIZED TO YOU.

“It’s fine, it’s not exactly your fault. I wasn’t thinking.” You’re actively uncomfortable now, scrambling for your mask or your anger, anything to cover up this vulnerable feeling, the way he’s looking at you. Like you’re a wounded animal, a wrong he’s trying to right, like you’re HUMAN. You hate it. “Maybe we stop with the bar fights, whaddya say, big guy?” You hate how awkward you sound but you don’t have time to dwell on it as the storm clouds roll back through Bradley’s eyes.

“I told you to stay out of it, Honey.” His voice is hard, the Bradley you’ve just seen disappearing so quickly that you’re not even sure it was there in the first place.

“I told you, no can do, Bradshaw. You keep this up and it’s going to get ugly.”

He tilts his head slightly at the bite in your tone before he smirks. “I think it already has, Honey.” You watch his eyes flick down to your jaw and you clench it, ignoring the pain that flares through the taut skin. The twinkle in his eyes is new and it makes anger lick at your stomach. Before, he was just lashing out taking his anger on you because you were conveniently there, caught in the crossfire, but this? This is casually cruel and aimed right for the kill and you have a zero-tolerance policy for that.

“If you want to quit, Bradshaw then just fucking quit.” Your voice is ice cold as you glare daggers back into rolling brown seas that warn “there be dragons.” If he wants to be cruel, you’re more than capable of meeting him halfway. “There’s a thousand other players waiting for someone to give them their shot if you’re so intent on wasting yours.”

He leans in then, his voice low and rumbling, calm and collected despite the flush of his cheeks. The wildness in his eyes tames for a second, the eye of the storm, as he delivers the kill shot. “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” When he says your name you feel a chill run down your spine. It’s been years since someone other than your father called you by it. Ever since you joined the world of hockey, it’s always been Zamboni or Zam, even amongst your colleagues and professional relations. That’s how everyone knows you. “Quitting? Wasting your shot? You’re speaking from experience, right?” Each question punches the air from your lungs as you cower against the back of your chair, nowhere to run as Bradley pries you open like he’s manually pulling the nails out of the coffin in your mind, one by one. “Nothing to say, Honey? That’s what I thought.” He leans back and goes to leave, only pausing in the doorway to look back at where you’re frozen. “Like I said, stay out of it if you know what’s good for you, Honey.”

When the door closes behind him, you try your best to take a shaking breath but it’s like he’s pinned the air in your lungs and it can’t move. Your fingers scramble for your phone, shaking so hard that you can barely unlock the screen and click the contact you need most as your body shuts down. The panic attack pulls you fully into its grasp as you listen to the sound of the line ringing, praying that they pick up. When you finally hear the voice it’s like a light at the end of the tunnel that you’ve lost yourself in. You can’t form the words, but you know they’ll know. They’ll come. They know what you need.

~~~~~

You weren’t always Zamboni. In the grand scheme of things, you’ve spent more of your life NOT being her. However, you’ve locked as much of that time as you could up in a dark corner of your mind. It had been eight years since you’d become Zamboni not necessarily to escape that part of yourself but rather as a direct effect of the alienation that had come with losing that part of yourself. Only one person other than your father truly knew what had happened that turned your world upside down and sent you running from your past. Mickey Garcia had saved you, giving you something to live for that ended up creating the person that you are now.

Hockey was something that you and your mother whispered about in the middle of the night while she told you fantastic stories about her youth at the height of her career. She’d been an Olympic figure skater. She had medals and trophies filling glass cases in your home to prove it but above all the fortune and glory, she loved the sport. She loved being on the ice and had passed down that love to you. You remember her bringing you with her to the local rinks, and watching her move with such grace and poise while you teetered around at the edge of the rink, still finding your footing at such a young age.

You’d grown up, though, and you were every bit your mother’s daughter from the way you looked to the way you skated. When you were on the ice there was nothing you couldn’t do, no move you couldn’t master, just a matter of how many hours you spent on it. Your mother’s Olympic fame opened doors to rinks much later than they should have been, and even when those closed for the night, you’d spend even more hours on the frozen lake behind your house, perfecting every turn and jump.

By the time you were off to college at the University of Wisconsin, you were pretty much a shoo-in for the Olympics. The only reason you hadn’t already competed in one yet was that your mother was indignant that you fully enjoyed your life as a child before being thrust into the international spotlight. It didn’t stop you from topping various other competitions, however, and when you went to college on a figure skating scholarship, you were chomping at the bit to kickstart your Olympic career, however, the next Olympics wouldn’t be for another two years.

You spent every spare moment at the university’s rink, staying late after official practices. The biggest source of your irritation was the University of Wisconsin’s ice hockey team. They shared the rink with the figure skaters and conveniently seemed to have practice whenever you wanted to use the ice. You had complained loudly to your mom over the phone when she gave you a suggestion that would change your life for the better. Even if they weren’t figure skaters, you could learn a thing or two from watching the hockey players move on the ice, so that’s what you did. If they had practice when you wanted to use the ice, you’d plant yourself in the stands and watch them skate. As soon as the ice was cleaned after practice you’d lace up your skates and start applying what you’d observed and you had to hand it to your mom, you were learning new things by watching them. That’s how you met Mickey Garcia. Well, not exactly. One night you were stuck on a particular turn and had been practicing it for so long that you’d lost track of time, the lack of windows in the rink creating a liminal space. The main lights had since been turned on with only the rink lights remaining. You were so focused on what you were doing that it didn’t occur to you to worry about getting locked into the rink that is until your work was interrupted.

“Hey, are you supposed to be in here?” The voice broke through your concentration and you turned to see a familiar face looking back at you from the edge of the rink. You recognized the guy as one of the hockey players even though he was just wearing a hoodie and sweats.

“Are YOU?” You shot back, placing your hands on your hips.

“No, that’s the point.” He said with a rueful grin and a shrug. “I left a binder in the locker room on accident so I got the captain’s keys to let me in. How were you planning to get out?”

“The doors aren’t locked.”

“They are at 1 am.” When you gaped at him as you realized the time he laughed. “Listen, I need to study but I don’t really care where so I can do it here until you’re ready to leave and then I can lock up behind us.” And that’s how you met Mickey Garcia.

You started going to his games and he started coming to your competitions. Some nights he’d give you pointers about your skating and some nights you’d do your best to tend the goal or scrimmage with him if he needed the extra practice. Slowly you became a regular amongst his teammates as well, as Mickey invited you to watch practices up class and even skate with them during warmups. He had you point out certain techniques they could apply to their movement.

Two years flew by and suddenly Olympic qualifiers were almost upon you. You were busier than ever and you spent night after night late at the rink to practice your routine with Mickey to keep you company. Even you knew it was only a matter of showing up on the day for you to qualify, it didn’t keep you from spending every waking moment skating.

By that logic, it wasn’t a surprise that you were skating when you got the call. It was Thanksgiving break. You’d turned down your parents’ incessant invitations to come home for the break, afraid to surrender any time you could spend practicing. You don’t remember much about the day looking back but you don’t want to. You only remember answering the call, expecting to hear your father asking you to reconsider coming home once again. Instead, you only heard his sobs. Your mother had an unexpected heart attack. She died instantly. There was nothing they could do to save her. And you could have been there. You should have been there. You couldn’t remember the last thing she had said to you. You’d talked to her just last night and yet you couldn’t remember.

It wasn’t that you blamed yourself per se, but after that day you could never bring yourself to step on the ice. The Olympic qualifiers came and went as you were frozen in that moment when you’d gotten the phone call. It hadn’t been easy to thaw and return to your life, and in many ways you never truly did, but Mickey had held your hand every step of the way as he brought you to his practices, his games, and slowly you’d come back. You took a leave of absence from school for a semester as you decided what to do next as your skates hung in the back of your closet for good. Figure skating had been your whole life so finding something new seemed daunting and boundless.

~~~~~

You’re shaking and curled in your chair, teetering close to falling to the floor but too frozen to right yourself when Mickey finds you. His arms go around you instantly, grounding you with his touch as you try your best to grasp onto the beat of his heart. He’s saying words into your ear, doing his best to break you out of this state but you don’t hear them. All you can hear is your father’s screams from that day eight years ago. They bounce around your head and get louder and louder until you realize that they aren’t. That’s the sound of you screaming. Your wordless pain has found a voice and it’s heartbreaking as you fall apart in Mickey’s arms. Absently you hear the sound of footsteps drawn by the sound of your screams. Your voice breaks from strain. You’re all screamed out and your breath still feels trapped in your lungs as you heave against Mickey and his words are slowly audible. You hear the gentle reassurances and feel his hands stroking your hair and back, the repetitive motion soothing your shakes until you’re simply still, lying in his arms.

“What was she screaming about?” You hear Bradley’s voice and feel Mickey’s body stiffen against yours protectively.

“What the FUCK did you say to her?” His voice is pure fury, leaving him in a growl you’ve never heard from him. You’ve seen a lot of Mickey Garcia’s various sides, but you’ve never seen him really, truly angry until now.

“Me? Nothing.”

“You fucking liar, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU SAY TO HER?!” Mickey’s shouting and you shudder at the vitriol in his voice as he screams at Bradley. You barely register more footsteps approaching over the commotion.

“She accused me of giving up and I told her she’d know a lot about that given that she just up and quit skating-” Then Mickey’s moving and you think you call out after him as he grabs Bradley by the collar and slams him into the wall. It only really works because the taller man is so startled by Mickey’s sudden attack.

“She didn’t up and quit skating!” Mickey growls into Bradley’s face as you watch his fist swing, connecting with Bradley’s nose, hard as he shouts. “HER MOM DIED, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!” You could hear a pin drop or maybe that’s just the sound of Bradley’s blood hitting the tile floor as it drips from his nose until Jake’s pulling Mickey off of Bradley, his face a mask of quiet fury. Javy’s behind him, his eyes on where you’re still curled up in your chair, your cheeks soaked with tears. They’re not the ones you’re watching though. Your eyes are locked onto Bradley’s whisky ones. There’s something unreadable in them but amidst all that you see as much as you feel the regret. Regret and something else. It almost feels like he’s reaching for you with his eyes. You don’t get a chance to read him, however as Dare’s voice, full of fury cuts through the room.

“Bradshaw, go home, you’re done for the day.” Her jaw is set and her eyes are flashing with something unreadable as she jerks her chin to indicate that he should leave now. He nods silently, giving you one last lingering look before he leaves. Mickey is breathing heavily in Jake’s grasp, Bradley’s blood on his knuckles. Dare turns to him, giving him a sympathetic look. “Mickey, let’s chat in my office. Jake, Javy, walk him over.” Jake nods and he and Javy lead Mickey out. Mickey shoots you a look and you mouth THANK YOU to him and he just gives you a grim look as he nods.

“Zam, are you alright?” You don’t notice her come up to you and while she stays respectfully on the other side of your desk, giving you space, you can see the concern in her eyes.

“I don’t know.” You answer honestly. You’re still shaken up. It’s been a long time since you’ve had a panic attack and you’re almost unfamiliar with what to do afterwards. “I’m going to call Bugs over and she can take you home for the day, how does that sound?” Mickey once told you that the greatest strength you can get is from leaning on your friends and right now you know that’s what you need so you leave your pride on the floor and nod. You can’t battle without an army and Bradley Bradshaw just declared war.

#san diego dogfighters au #San Diego dogfighters #San Diego dogfighters hockey au #you catch more bees with honey // goldenseresinretriever #ycmbwh // goldenseresinretriever #bradley rooster bradshaw x you #bradley bradshaw x you #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw #rooster x you #rooster x reader #top gun maverick hockey au #top gun maverick #top gun #TGM #no use of y/n

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startrekfangirl2233-writes · 2 years ago

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2019, North Island Naval Base - Rooster

Chapter 2 Part 2 of You Are My Soulmate

Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x Reader

Description:

Bradley loves being able to fly and still come home every night. That's the magic, he's sure, of working at Top Gun as a part of a squadron the Navy trusts with only the most sensitive of missions. Being home, having a home to rest his head, is great. But he can't help feeling like something is missing. Then there is Tinkerbell. He can't get her out of his head. It's like they're magnets, constantly orbiting one another, inexplicably attracted to each other despite it all. It being Hangman, of course.

It all comes to a head during a routine AMDO inspection. Bradley can't figure out why he so desperately wanted to jump to Tinkerbell's rescue when even Hangman didn't look worried. She's not a damsel-in-distress and he's no knight-in-shining-armor, of course.

Disclaimers: Misogynistic speech. Mentioned Homosexual Relationships. Sex Dream. P-in-v sex. Smut.

This content presented in this story is for audiences age 18 and over only. MINORS DNI. I will not be accepting tag-list requests from Blank or Ageless Blogs for this story.

Warnings: Female!Reader

Word Count: 4136

A/N: Hey All! This is officially Rooster's perspective on the events in Chapter 2! He's a very confused man, but hopefully we can see a little bit more of his thought process here. Happy Rooster Day, Everybody!

AO3: Cross-posted Here!

My Masterlist

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It’s officially summer in San Diego. Even at 5 in the morning, Bradley can already feel the heat rising. It’s going to be hellish trapped in a cockpit for hours a day. But San Diego has nothing on the desert. Once you’ve run flight patrols in 110°F heat, San Diego feels like a breezy cool spring day. The new class at Top Gun won’t think so, of course. They’ll be complaining the entire time. The sun will also make them sloppy, easier to take down. An upward climb, put the sun in their eyes, tone lock and that’s it. That’s a Mav trick, but damn is it effective.

Other than the pounding beat of his feet and the sweat prickling on his temples and dripping down his bare back, Bradley feels good, great, in fact, today. When he'd just started flying, he'd never wanted to teach. All he wanted to do was fly, fly until he became the best of the best. A decade of hard work and a considerable amount of skill later and he can say he's officially reached that goal. Taking the position at Top Gun, disseminating the knowledge he’s earned with blood, sweat, and tears? It feels like the perfect next step.

That euphoric feeling is a glowing ember in his chest as he parks the Bronco in his customary spot in the base parking lot and gets out. A few spots down he can see a gorgeous cherry red convertible. The sight of that classic car, obviously lovingly cared for and painstakingly restored is another indicator that today is going to be a great day. At least, that is, until he sees who gets out of it.

It's Tinkerbell. He can see the sun shining off of her thick glossy hair, tied back today into a braided bun. She's in uniform and has on sunglasses and is carrying the biggest cup of coffee he's ever seen. She's normal so cheery and chatty. Not today. A frown mars her pretty face and he can practically see the storm clouds over her head. Maybe she fought with Bagman? Where is he? He's always around her, which makes sense, in a way to Bradley. If Tinkerbell was his soulmate, he'd never let her out of his sight. Come to think of it, for the past few months, Bradley's never seen Hangman and Tinkerbell leave together. Not at all. They come on base separately, they go home separately and even when hanging out at the Hard Deck, there's no displays of affection. No kisses or hugs, nothing to show that they love each other.

It's a conundrum. But really, Bradley can't pretend to know what their relationship is like. Just because his mom and dad were obsessed with each other 24/7, and showed it too, doesn't mean that every soul-pairing has to be. Though he hopes that his soul knows that he's going to adore them every day, unendingly and unceasingly. The first stop he makes is into the male officer’s locker room to change into his flight suit. The rest of the guys are already in the room, and he’s sure Nat and Callie are in the ladies changing room doing the same thing.

When the Daggers walk into the hangar, they find Admirals Simpson, Bates and Mitchell all arrayed at the front of the room. Bradley lines up next to Phoenix and exchanges a questioning glance with Mav. The wink he gets back is no help. Not at all. He notes the new class lining up across the aisle in his peripheral vision. It's all quiet as the assembled twenty-four aviators await their morning briefing. The Admirals don't start, however, until one final person walks in.

It's Tinkerbell, in a mechanics jumpsuit, with a clipboard under her arm and still carrying that colossal to-go cup. The first time he sees her smile today has his mouth going dry. She's smiling and chatting with Hondo, too low to be heard, but still obviously jovial. She even winks at Mav. Bradley's so tuned to her that he barely pays attention to the briefing, snapping to attention only when Cyclone says her name. After a brief introduction, all eyes are on her.

Bradley's captivated immediately, chewing on his lips as he takes in her form. The jumpsuit she's wearing is generally baggy and not the most flattering. But on her? It takes his breath away. Tinkerbell lights up the room without even trying to. Bradley lets her sweet voice fall into the background as he watches her lips move as she introduces herself and what the inspection today involves. He’s immediately thinking of the burgundy shade her lips had been the night he met her. He has no idea how long he’s been staring when she stops talking and takes a sip of coffee. A drop of the liquid stays stuck on her bottom lip and Bradley’s fixated on the way her tongue darts out to sweep the liquid away. He can feel his pulse jump unsteadily beneath his skin and an tightening of his boxers. He’s never been so glad that the flight suits are on the baggy side. She’s listing out aviators and that’s when Bradley tunes back in fully, listening for his name. Tinkerbell doesn’t say it though, and when she dismisses the aviators, he makes a beeline for Maverick and the other admirals.

It’s a few minutes before Maverick can talk to him.

“Hey, kid. Are you worried about an AMDO inspection?” Bradley has missed this. For years, he kept himself from having this, talking to his godfather due to his own stubbornness.

“Nah, Mav. Just wanted to know if you wanted to head to the officer’s lounge and get a cup of coffee?” This is probably skirting the lines of propriety a bit, but after so long, Bradley’s not going to give up any opportunity to reclaim what he lost.

“Can’t, kid. Cyclone and Warlock want me rotating between the two hangars. It’s our AMDO Commander’s first inspection round since her promotion. It’s her first test. They want to see how she does. Frankly, so do I.” Mav’s looking out over the milling aviators.

“Maybe you and the Daggers can do the rounds as well, at least when you’re not taking part in inspections yourselves?”

“You got it, Mav.” Bradley’s quick to salute and leave, briefing the others as they walk into Hangars Three and Four and splitting up into pairs. For some reason, Bradley has ended up partnered with Bagman. As they make rounds of the hangar, Bradley can’t keep from tracking Tinkerbell. He’s unconsciously been following her all day, and when the changeover happens and he ends up in Hangar Three for his own inspection, he spends the entire time intensely aware of her presence. At least, that is, until Hawk begins pitching a fit at the AMDO in charge of the inspection on his plane.

He's not a bad kid, Hawk, that is. He's just got a traditional case of the regular aviator ailment. He's cocky, arrogant and full of himself. Bradley's seen the files. He's like Bagman used to be when they were at Top Gun, always pushing the envelope. The only difference is, while Bagman knows not to talk back to superiors, Hawk clearly hasn’t learned that lesson yet. He’s already moving before he realizes that Tinkerbell is walking right towards the yelling and will reach Hawk before he will. Hawk doesn’t even seem to care that she’s right there. Hawk’s so loud that Bradley can’t even hear what Tinkerbell says to him. Bradley moves in closer, as he keeps laying into the Lieutenant, her surname is Green, if Bradley remembers correctly.

This is some test, if it’s what the admirals were intending. Hawk’s making a scene that’s got nearly everyone in the hangar milling around. But Tinkerbell stays cool under pressure. She pulls out an air horn from her utility belt and gives it one blast. Bradley’s ears are ringing and he’s at least 3 feet away from her. Hawk was next to her when she let the horn blow.

"That is enough." Her voice is louder than he’s ever heard it. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Taylor. If you have a problem with a member of my team, you are to come find me. You DO NOT yell, scream, curse, or berate my AMDOs. Frankly, you do not have the authority to do so."

A handful of words and she’s already commanding the room.

"You have two minutes. Tell me what happened. Plain and to the point. No flowery language, no blame games, just the facts." There’s a growl in her voice now. It sends shivers down Rooster’s back, and arousal simmering through his veins. But before he can lose himself into the new grit and sex inhibiting Tinkerbell’s voice, Hawk picks up a litany again. He spits out some glossily dressed up bullshit about how Lieutenant Green has been miscrewing panels back into place. Tinkerbell stands tall, moving under the jet to examine the offending screws. Of course, just as she wheels around to let him have it, he starts up again.

"I mean, I don't even know why the Navy trusts such important tasks to women." Those words have Bradley’s hands clenching in anger. How dare he? It’s obvious he has no idea what it takes to be an AMDO. But before he can interject and dress the little idiot down himself, there’s an arm around his shoulder. It’s Hangman, jaw clenched but nodding 'No' at him regardless of his own feelings. His eyes say ‘Let Tinkerbell handle this.’

"It's not like any of you know how to even use a screwdriver properly." Hawk’s voice is oily as he gives Tinkerbell a once-over and clearly finds her lacking if the disgust in his eyes says anything. That look doesn’t affect her at all. If anything she stands up even straighter and gets a few steps closer. With a deliberate cool, she pulls out the air horn and blows a burst so loud that everything, even the ambient sounds of the wind seem to fall silent.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Taylor, enough!" Her voice is like pure sex as she gets into Hawk’s personal space, one finger pointed at his sternum.

"Lieutenant Green's work is immaculate. While you've been ranting and raving like a lunatic over there, I've been reviewing her work. I dare say that your jet is far more aerodynamic than it was before you brought it here for the inspection."

Her chest heaves as she pauses. There’s a fire in her eyes as she glares at Hawk.

"As far as your other comments, I just have one question for you. I've seen your file. You graduated from Flight School. So that means you know everything there is to know in the NATOPS for the F/A-18. Correct?"

"Damn straight!" Bradley already knows that the kid has no idea what an AMDO does.

"Lieutenant Green knows the F-18 NATOPS, too."

He’s confused? At what? Does he not know Lieutenant Green by name?

"You know, the officer you were just calling stupid because she's a woman? She knows the NATOPS for the F-18, F-22, and F-35 forwards and backward in addition to the E-2 Hawkeye and C-130 Hercules. That's four planes in addition to what you know, correct? You clearly have no idea what an AMDO does. We don't just inspect your planes. We inspect the maintenance protocols for them. There's nobody I'd trust more to inspect a plane I'm responsible for than her."

Rather than focus on Tinkerbell, because that is a boner waiting to happen, Bradley focuses on Hawk. He’d feel bad for the kid, but there were so many warnings that it's ludicrous that Hawk hasn’t picked up on anything. His intelligence has to be exaggerated.

"Lieutenant Junior Grade, your conduct is unbecoming when speaking to a superior officer." Hawk's gawking with his mouth open like a fish while she lays into him. "Be assured, I will be speaking at length about your conduct to Admirals Simpson, Bates, and Mitchell. As for your treatment of Lieutenant Green, I'll expect a full written apology across my desk by 10 AM tomorrow. You're to report to Chief Warrant Officer Coleman for 300 push-ups while Lieutenant Green finishes up her work."

Hawk’s staring open jawed at Tinkerbell as she stands at her highest and stares him down.

"ARE WE CLEAR, LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE?!" The hangar is completely silent as Tinkerbell’s voice rings through it.

"Y-yes, ma'am." Just when Bradley thinks he can breathe again, she turns her fiery gaze on everyone else standing around in the hangar.

"Alright, folks, nothing to see here! The US Navy doesn't pay us to engage in scuttlebutt! Back to work unless you want to spend all night here. I'm not all too sure our complement of Admirals would like the thoughts of us in pajamas, braiding each other's hair as we gossip about which plane is the best!”

Bradley’s chuckling despite himself. She’s such a study in contrasts, Tinkerbell. So serious and commanding in one instance but so cheery and joyful in the next. Each facet of her personality makes her more interesting. It’s going to be a delight to have her on North Island. When she’s alone or surrounded by other pilots, she’s not so bad. But of course, as soon as Hangman walks up to her, Bradley’s reminded of exactly why he can’t get close to her. She’s taken. She’s somebody else’s girl. To make matters worse, she’s Hangman’s girl. Hangman’s not the type to let another man get close to his girl.

He's careful for the rest of the time she flits about the hangar, taking time to speak to each pilot, each member of her team, and each member of the flight crew. It's not long at all before the cacophony of power tools and drills resounds through the hangar. About an hour after the scene with Hawk, Bradley looks up and sees her walk out of the hangar. He makes an excuse about running out for a cup of coffee before grabbing a water bottle and following her out as stealthily as he can.

If he's been tracking her correctly, and he has, he knows that Tinkerbell will be making her way over to Hangar Four. He nearly walks by her, in truth. She's scrunched up in the alley between the two hangar buildings. She's leaning against the dusty wall with her head in her hands. He doesn't want to startle her, so he clears his throat as obnoxiously as he can.

“Bradshaw.” Her voice is curt, so cold that if he didn't know any better he'd think an ice storm had enveloped San Diego.

He can't help how gentle his own voice is as he says her callsign. “Tinkerbell.”

Bradley's got every bit of those beautiful doe eyes looking right up at him, and it makes him lose his composure in a way that nothing else ever has.“Was that - um - Was that the first time you’ve had to give a subordinate a dressing down?”

“No.” Her half-smile nearly blinds him, even as Tinkerbell stares up at the sky. Her chuckle is a barely heard puff of breath that turns into words, “I’ve given a lot of those. This is just the first one since my promotion. Each one leaves me feeling terrible after, though. I don’t know what it’s like for men when they have to do something like what I just did, but I know one thing. Taylor’s going to be all over base calling me a bitch, or any other thing which comes to mind. If it were a man telling him the same thing, he’d probably have bitched and moaned for a little bit before ultimately accepting it.”

It's true. That's exactly what Taylor's going to do. He's going to either drag Tinkerbell in front of everyone who asks him what happened or let the rumors about her tank her reputation. Her voice is thin and breathless as she continues, “H-he’s going to be swanning around for the rest of his time at Top Gun glaring at me, and he and I are going to be the center of all of the gossip and rumors floating around because of it. I’ve heard it all before, you know? She’s fucking him, she’s trying to seduce him, etcetera, etcetera.”

As Bradley stands there, just listening as Tinkerbell confides in him, he can't help making a resolution. He resolves then and there that he'll put a stop to it. That he'll keep Taylor from destroying Tinkerbell. Maybe he'll go to Mav, Cyclone and Warlock himself? There is no way Hawk's blatant disregard for authority can stand as it is. It feels so good to just be the force of her attention.

She's a vision illuminated in gold as the late afternoon sunshine halos around her gleaming hair and drips into golden pools on her skin. When her words run out, he proffers the water bottle in his hand to her. Tinkerbell's smile at that one small gesture is enough to have every thought wiped clean from his mind. It takes an embarrassingly long time for Bradley to lead her back towards Hangar Four, trying, and probably failing to make conversation about AMDO inspections with her.

By the time he walks back to Hangar Three, a paper cup full of the Navy's finest brew in hand, Bradley's smiling from ear to ear. He’s almost too light-hearted for the rest of the day. Everytime he sees Tinkerbell out of the corner of his eye, a ridiculously giddy grin curls across his mouth. When he stops at the base gym afterwards, he plugs in his headphones and loses himself to the music. He’s jamming out so hard that he barely notices the time passing.

It’s late when he finally staggers into the locker room showers. His muscles twinge with every move he makes and the base’s trickling stream of hot water barely does the job. He throws on a pair of board shorts and a tank top and heads out the door. All he wants right now is a beer and something to eat. As luck would have it, though, just as he walks towards the Bronco, he sees Tinkerbell, scrunched down in the driver’s seat of her convertible. It looks like she’s waiting for someone? Probably Hangman, the nasty voice in his head decides to pipe in. What if he comes out and kisses her? Bradley’s not sure he can take it.

What would it be like to have her as his soul? To see that beautiful smile waiting for him in the passenger’s seat of the Bronco? To be able to kiss her until she’s breathless for him? Breathless because of him? Before he can dwell on it, he drives away, giving her a half wave. The entire time he can see the base parking lot out of the rearview mirror, he’s keeping his eyes peeled for the sight of that red car. He manages to put her out of his mind for the rest of the night, but then he dreams.

Most of his dreams are about his mom and dad and Mav. He asks them what it’s like to have a soulmate, what it means to love them, and how to be a good soulmate. Most of the time, he wakes up from those dreams feeling like he’s just been wrapped in one of his mom’s bear hugs.

Tonight, when he dreams, it starts like no other dream he’s ever had. For one, he doesn't see anybody he recognizes in the room, if it even is one. Everything is foggy and he can feel the wet slap of it against his face, arms and calves as he trudges through it. The only other place where he has felt fog like this was in San Francisco, on the one trip he remembers taking to visit his Aunt Sarah, Pop's sister, right after his mom had died.

Out of the fog an island festooned in string lights comes up. There's a car there, his Bronco, he realizes as he walks closer to it. The doors are all closed, but there are clearly people inside. The windows are fogged and as he walks closer he can hear a bitten off gasp as a hand presses up against the window, leaving a mark on the misty surface. The closer he gets, the more he hears. He can hear himself, calling someone his beautiful, gorgeous, and lovely girl. He can also hear a voice that's immediately familiar to him.

"Bradley!" Her voice is high pitched and strung out. He is instantly captivated by those breathy moans. Bradley can feel himself grow hard as he tries to see who this pretty girl is. On the other side of the car there's an open window, and Bradley can't believe who he sees. Between one breath and the other, he finds himself in the car.

It's Tinkerbell, of course it is. She's bare, every supple inch of skin on full display as she writhes in his dream-self's lap. He's got his mouth on the soft swell of her tits and his hand buried in the wet warmth at the apex of her thighs. When he blinks, he's hit with all of the sensations, of her release soaking his hand as he fucks three fingers into her, the pinching tug of her hands in his hair, the feeling of her hard nipple against his tongue.

When she cums again, her hips stuttering in their steady pace, he pulls away from her. She's smiling down at him, tenderly and sweet. When she laughs, it sounds like bells chiming in the distance, maybe wedding bells? He can't resist tugging her smiling mouth down to his own, kissing the sensual curve over and over again until her laughter has once again transformed into moans.

This time, when he trails his fingers through her wet folds, he's met with soft hands over his aching length. She's so gentle as she frees him from his boxers and trails his length through her soaked folds. She feels like sin as she carefully sinks down lower and lower. Her eyes go glassy and wet as her chest heaves and she struggles to take him to the hilt.

"B, baby I can't. You're so big and thick." Her voice is a barely audible coo. Bradley can't resist reeling her in for a kiss, feeling her soft skin pressed up against his own. She's so tight wrapped around his length, like she was made for him. He can't resist scratching at her scalp, freeing the glossy strands of her hair from her braid. She smells like citrus blossoms in bloom and tastes like berries.

Bradley's so gone for this beautiful, gorgeous thing in his arms. He can't resist telling her that as well, as she adjusts, the cool breeze peaking her nipples as they graze his pecs. There's a tattoo against her ribs, something delicate and beautiful that suits her to perfection. He can't tell what it is, a flower, maybe? Whatever it is, he wants to trail his tongue over the stark black ink, to taste every inch of her skin.

Just as he's about to coax her onto her back in the backseat so he can do just that, she's moving her hips. Each undulating swell has her rising and sinking faster and deeper until she's taking Bradley's length from tip to root every time. Her tits bounce with each movement, and he can't resist tracing a bead of sweat as it trails between the pretty globes. Her mewls as he suckles on her nipples has him ready to explode. But he doesn’t, not yet. Each thrust has Tinkerbell falling apart in his lap a bit more. Already her hips are stuttering in their steady pace and she's babbling at him.

When he thumbs at her clit, Tinkerbell cums on his length with a scream. The combination of her heat and how she looks bouncing on his dick have Bradley spilling into her within just a few thrusts after her. Bradley wakes up seconds later.

It's the dead of night. His clock blinks the time in neon green, 2:40. His skin is coated in sweat and there's a damp patch in his boxers from where he'd cum in his pants like a teenager after a wet dream. But even after he's cleaned up, he can't bring himself to go back to sleep again. Tinkerbell's face as she cums is tattooed in his brain. How is he ever going to face her again? Seeing her command a room is enough to give him blue balls. Now? It'll take superhuman control to keep his composure on base.

I DO NOT CONSENT TO HAVE MY WORK POSTED, TRANSLATED, OR PUBLISHED ON ANY SITES OTHER THAN HERE OR ON AO3 BY ME. IF YOU SEE MY WORKS ANYWHERE OTHER THAN HERE OR AO3, THEN THEY HAVE BEEN POSTED WITHOUT MY PERMISSION AND I WILL BE WORKING TO TAKE THEM DOWN.

Taglist:

🛩️ @roosters-girl 🛩️ @infamous-reindeer 🛩️ @caitsymichelle13 🛩️ @mattyskies 🛩️ @cosmic-psychickitty 🛩️ @mygyn 🛩️ @julesclues 🛩️ @greenbaby12 🛩️ @bubblegumbeautyqueen 🛩️ @briseisgone 🛩️ @soulmates8 🛩️ @adoringsebstan 🛩️ @meganlpie 🛩️ @daphne-turner 🛩️ @captain-fandomwriter58 🛩️ @caidi-paris 🛩️@mazzbarnes 🛩️@devylindisguise 🛩️@super-btstrash-posts 🛩️@eli2447 🛩️@chaoticassidy 🛩️ @kmc1989 🛩️

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thelensofyashunews · 2 months ago

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Cochise announces headlining WHY ALWAYS ME? World Tour kicking off in February

Fresh off the release of his fourth studio album WHY ALWAYS ME?, Florida rap star Cochise has just announced his forthcoming headlining World Tour – kicking off in February, 2025. Presale tickets will be on sale starting at 12:00pm EST on 11/20 (PW: WHYALWAYSME), while general on sale tickets go live starting at 10:00am Local Time on 11/22 (ticket link here). Taking Houston rapper TisaKorean on the road with him as an opener, Cochise will be embarking throughout North America during the tour's first leg, ending in his home-state of Florida on 3/30, before linking up with buzzing UK rapper Len for the majority of the European leg – concluding in Poland on 5/6. The recently-released WHY ALWAYS ME? arrived in October backed by a string of singles that included "GOOGLE ME", “YOSHIMITSU” (40M+ Streams), and the Aminé-assisted "NASTY". Boasting other features from Veeze and Anycia, WHY ALWAYS ME? served as a championship album celebrating a new era for Cochise — marking his first LP since 2022's THE INSPECTION and his appearance on the 2022 XXL Freshman cover. With production from BYNX (Drake, Travis Scott), Supah Mario (Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert), CHASETHEMONEY (J. Cole, Juice WRLD), and Lex Luger (Kanye West, Chief Keef), WHY ALWAYS ME? is a nebula of intergalactic opulence, melting into Cochise's hypnotizing vocals and sky-diving delivery.

Hailing from Palm Bay, Florida, Cochise is known for a kaleidoscopic sound that blends elements of Jamaican dancehall, hip-hop, and trap with animated lyricism punctuated by deep-cut references to anime, sports, and pop culture. Hailed for his high-flying vocal acrobatics and hazy, ethereal production, he exploded onto the scene with his 2021 major label debut Benbow Crescent, which featured the RIAA Certified Gold hit track “Hatchback” (400M Streams). Cochise has since sold out a solo headlining world tour and collaborated with the likes of Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Denzel Curry, Juicy J, Teezo Touchdown, Lil B, and more.

HEADLINING WHY ALWAYS ME? WORLD TOUR KICKING OFF IN FEBRUARY – TICKETS ON SALE 11/22 TICKETS

ARTIST PRE-SALE ON SALE 11/20 @ 12:00PM EST (PASSWORD: WHYALWAYSME) PRE-SALE

WHY ALWAYS ME? Tour – North America Dates: 02/13 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts 02/14 – New York City, NY – Irving Plaza 02/15 – Washington, DC – Union Stage 02/17 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair 02/19 – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD 02/20 – Toronto, ON – The Axis Club 02/22 – Detroit, MI – El Club 02/23 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 02/25 – Columbus, OH – Skully's 02/28 – Chicago, IL – Avondale Music Hall 03/01 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line 03/03 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater 03/06 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile 03/07 – Portland, OR – Star Theater 03/09 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow's 03/11 – San Fransisco, CA – The Independent 03/13 – Las Vegas, NV – The Beverly Theater 03/14 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater 03/15 – San Diego, CA – SOMA 03/16 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory 03/18 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom 03/22 – Austin, TX – Mohawk 03/23 – Dallas, TX – Studio at the Factory 03/25 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Midtown 03/28 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage 03/29 – Orlando, FL – Beacham 03/30 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live

WHY ALWAYS ME? Tour – Europe Dates: 04/19 – Dublin, IE – Green Room 04/20 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy 04/21 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Warehouse 04/23 – London, UK – Scala 04/25 – Brussels, BE – Botanique – Grand Salon 04/26 – Paris, FR – Trabendo 04/27 – Cologne, DE – Luxor 04/29 – Zurich, CH – Dynamo 05/02 – Amsterdam, NL – Paradiso Tolhuistuin 05/04 – Prague, CZ – Futurum 05/05 – Berlin, DE – Hole44 05/06 – Warsaw, PL – Hydrozagadka

#cochise #tour #tisakorean #youtube #spotify #music #artist #musician #soundcloud #culture #art #rapper #rap #florida #houston #houston rapper #houston artist

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discodeviant · 2 years ago

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Not Duke, Not Prince - Part 1

Billy | Teen | <1k words Alternate Canon/Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence

Second card!!!! I mulled over this one for a while and finally came up with something fun that I've never done before, so I hope you enjoy it!! All BHB posts can be found in the master post here. This is fully written, so I'll be posting updates every other day :) Enjoy <3 <3

Made for @billyhargrovebingo!

November, 1985

“Hey, Karen.”

It was a dark night. One of the few that would have spooked Billy if he wasn’t in the car, driving towards a night of false affection and something that mocked love. He’d turned his bright headlights on to navigate Hawkins back roads, knowing by then that curves and crosses approached too quickly otherwise. Without them, it felt like the dense tree line was closing in on him anyway.

Music filled the silence, a song of deceit and disguises making his body vibrate along with the car, easing his nerves as he checked himself out in the rear view mirror. He’d gotten dressed up, done his hair all spiffy and high, exchanged his dangling earring for something more conservative because that’s the kind of woman Karen was. He didn’t mind. He kept the leather jacket.

“You don’t mind if I call you Karen, do you?”

In his head, she said no. In his head, she flushed and looked down and flapped a hand at him like stop it, like I’m not young and pretty anymore. And maybe Billy saw through her guise a little too well, enough to keep ignoring it and shoving down the only reason he’d asked her out in the first place. The thought sent a flash of doubt and self-loathing over his eyes, which he also ignored in favor of the pearly-whites that, mostly, got him what he wanted. So, no, she didn’t mind if he called her Karen.

“Good.”

He smiled. Chuckled to himself, mirrored her shy gaze downward, though his was something of reluctance. It ended with a sigh and tense jaw, one hand on the wheel as the other scratched at the distressing on his jeans. A hole he’d been fiddling with for the last ten minutes. The road ahead of him was one he’d driven a few times to pick his sister up from Karen’s house—Max was friends with her son—but everything felt sour that night. Everything about this so-called date that, suddenly, he wasn��t looking forward to. Everything about the sky and twisting star patterns that he swore never looked like that before; maybe it was a sign, or he was just paranoid.

As his doubt really started to set in, it faded just as quickly when, all at once, there was a hiss and a screech, a force that sent him flying off the road and into the very tree line he knew—he felt—was going to swallow him up. He thought he hit a deer, the way the car spun so far out of his control, because he knew how unpredictably dense those things were. He’d seen mangled cars and drivers back home on more than one occasion, but maybe Hawkins deer weren’t so strong. Even so, the Camaro still smoked from the engine, and the windshield was still shattered and waiting to cave in.

“Oh, no,” he groaned once he came to, only a few seconds after the crash. “No, piece of shit.” Slamming the dashboard as if that would do anything good for him, he already saw the end of the night more clearly than an empty sky. That was when he felt the pressure in his head, sharp and dull at the same time, and he hissed at the gash on his forehead through gritted teeth. “Shit. Dammit!”

He was lucky the door still opened easily enough for him to stumble out and inspect the damage more closely. “Shit,” he said again, whispered, unbelieving, fucking praying that it was a dream and his car wasn’t totaled. He walked around to the other door, which was dented and unusable. “Dammit!” He banged and kicked. “Piece of shit!” And really, it was. Cheap and temporary, second- or third-hand from an old car lot in San Diego. His dad bought it when he was old enough to drive, both to get Billy out of his hair, and as something else to hold over his head.

Billy walked back around to slam the driver’s side door shut and inspect the windshield, the damage to his engine and see if he could fix it enough to get to Karen’s house. She was still there waiting for him; if he were fashionably late, maybe she’d be all the more excited to see him. But there was blood on the windshield too, tufts of fur caught between the segments of broken glass. Long, golden strands that he would have thought were his own if he didn’t know better.

Then, from the woods, a rustle and a growl, nothing to be seen but green shrubbery. “Who’s there!” Nothing. “Hey! I said, who’s there!”

And from behind him came thudding footsteps, and he was on the ground, pinned to dirt and gravel by something heavy with big paws and claws that dug into his back. Screaming didn’t help. He couldn’t thrash or get on his back to take control of its limbs, whatever kind they were. But the thing managed to do so on its own, flipping him like a rag doll so he could look into a pair of eyes like two moons in a feline face. Its mane shimmered like honey, and it was all too much.

Perhaps he was resigned to his destiny, somehow. Billy Hargrove wasn’t meant to last as long as he did, and it was finally over in the saddest way it could have been. Not next to people who cared about him when he was in his old age, having lived a long, prosperous, healing life, but alone in the woods at the hands—paws—of the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

He laughed as the forest swallowed him after all; it was just too good.

Part 2

#.discowrites #stranger things #stranger things fic #billy hargrove #billy hargrove fic #billy hargrove bingo #st3 #fanfic

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dilsroofings · 3 days ago

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Roofing San Diego By Dils Roofing

San Diego's picturesque landscapes and temperate climate make it a dream destination for many, but these same conditions create unique challenges for Roofing San Diego. With long periods of sun exposure and occasional rainstorms, roofing materials must be durable, energy-efficient, and weather-resistant. Asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and metal roofing are among the most popular choices in the area due to their resilience and compatibility with the region's architectural styles. Many homeowners also choose cool roofing systems that reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption, aligning with California's environmental goals. These advanced roofing solutions not only lower energy bills but also enhance comfort, making them a wise investment for Roofing San Diego.

Partnering with a professional Roofing San Diego contractor is essential for ensuring quality installation, maintenance, and repairs. Experienced Roofing San Diego is well-versed in local building codes and climate considerations, offering personalized solutions tailored to each property. Whether it's a residential home, commercial building, or multi-family complex, trusted contractors provide comprehensive services, including inspections, leak repairs, and full roof replacements. By addressing issues early, such as cracked tiles or damaged shingles, homeowners can avoid costly repairs and extend the lifespan of their roofing system. For new constructions, reliable roofers ensure that materials are properly installed to withstand the test of time.

Beyond protection, a well-maintained roof adds significant aesthetic value and curb appeal to a property. San Diego's diverse neighborhoods, from coastal bungalows to modern urban developments, require Roofing San Diego styles that complement their unique character. Professional Roofing San Diego helps homeowners choose materials and designs that align with their vision while enhancing property value. Moreover, regular roof maintenance and timely upgrades demonstrate proactive care, which is especially important for those looking to sell their homes in a competitive market. In Roofing San Diego is more than a structural necessity; it is a blend of function, style, and sustainability that reflects the region’s commitment to quality living.

#Roofing San Diego #roofing company #roofing #san diego

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saylor-workspace · 5 days ago

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Expert Heater Installation in San Diego: Quality Service for Every Home

Heater Installation San Diego: Your Trusted Experts for Home Comfort

Keeping your house comfortable during the colder months is key to any energy-efficient heating system. Well, heater installation in San Diego is about ensuring this during the cooler months. With [Your Company Name], you will get professional, reliable, and efficient heater installation services tailored to your needs. Our team of experts has many years of experience in this field and is committed to delivering the highest quality of installation that ensures your heating system works perfectly throughout the year. Be it installing a new unit or replacing an old one; everything will work out smoothly with lasting results.

Why Heater Installation in San Diego is Important for Your Home

Ensuring Comfort with Heater Installation San Diego

Proper heater installation in San Diego isn't simply about putting a heater in and waiting for it to work. It's not just an installation; it's a whole process that lets you reap the benefits of cozy warm indoors on frost-bitten days without the pinch of an exorbitantly costly energy bill. San Diego's different weather makes an efficient heating system more important, especially during winter season. When you select our services, we make certain that the heater will adequately size and tone to your property so that all operations will run without wasting energy which could lessen utility bills for savings over a long duration.

Professional installation can avoid phenomena like uneven temperatures, inflated utility charges, or continuous repair, which are caused by incorrect installation. The proper system will not only make you more comfortable but also increase the safety and efficiency of your home. Our professional team makes sure every detail regarding heater installations in San Diego is taken care of so that you can sit back and enjoy uninterrupted warmth throughout the season.

The Heater Installation Process: Step-by-Step

Comprehensive Heater Installation for San Diego Homes

At [ EZ heater installation], we spend the valuable time in making sure that your heater installation in San Diego is performed accurately and promptly. Here's how a straightforward step-by-step breakdown looks like when you engage us for your installation:

The first step is the very important consultation and assessment

The procedure starts first with consultation and assessment concerning different heating requirements of the customer. Our experts come to check size, insulation, and layout of your house or space and recommend the heater best for it. We will help to choose a model that balances efficiency, performance, and price as needed.

Preparation of Installation Area

Once a heater is chosen, the designated area is prepared taking into account ventilation and safety in the connections. Whether it is a gas or electric or tankless, the local building codes and safety regulations are complied with.

Professional Heater Installation

The subsequent stage is the installation of the heater by the technicians. This is carried out by carefully installing the system in accordance with the manufacturer instructions and abiding by industry standards, to ensure proper functionality and performance from day one.

Testing and Calibration

Once installation is finished, we take the time to evaluate the unit and see if it is functioning well. Our team will calibrate the unit and make adjustments necessary for optimal performance to keep your warm home in check and using less energy.

Post-Installation Inspection

We check everything at the end to ensure that it is all in order: cleans and operates as it is supposed to do at the installation site by your new heater, and provides maintenance tips to keep the heater running for long.

Benefits of Professional Heater Installation San Diego

Long-Term Comfort and Efficiency

Among the reasons why professional heater installations in San Diego are the best are:

Energy-saving: Well-installed heaters help your heating system to function at maximum performance even though you're using less energy, therefore saving you energy expenditure.

More Comfort: Proper installation assures even heating in all sections of your house, ridding your home of cold spots; this offers comfortable living atmosphere for each family member.

Safety: Heater installs usually involve electrical and gas hookups, and a licensed professional would thus safeguard himself and his client from possible fire hazards or carbon monoxide leaks.

Longevity of Your Heater: Professional installation extends the life of your unit due to the fact that it's properly installed and maintained.

Warranties: Professional installations are required in most cases by manufacturers to validate warranties so that you would get the best of life out of your heater.

Choosing the Right Heater for Your Home

Expert Recommendations for Heater Installation in San Diego

Selecting the right heater is essential for comfort and cost efficiency. Here at [Your Company Name], our specialists will help you select the best system for your home. The type of heater that would suit best for you will depend on the dimensions of your home, its level of insulation, and how much you are willing to spend on energy consumption.

Whether it is a hot air furnace, a furnace heat pump, or tankless water heater, our professionals will assure you just the installation of a fresh system that meets your specific requirements.All energy-efficient and environmentally friendly cost models are available that maximize comfort while minimizing your influence on the environment.

How to Choose a Professional Heater Installation Service in San Diego

What to Look for in a Heater Installation Expert

From my finding, a different heater installation company will typically have a little variation between installation costs with a heater installation itself in San Diego. Choosing the right company, however, is as good as finding the highest quality service. Ensure that it is licensed, insured, and reputed to perform as an installation company. At we bring to our clients the lucrative facility that comes with an experienced team of licensed professionals who can take care of every heater installation, new or replacement.

It is thus essential to ask for quotes from a number of different companies to ensure that inclusive pricing and transparent service are obtained. Good heater installation services will provide detailed consultation, addressing everything that concerns you as well as the warranties they offer on their work.

Get Started with Your Heater Installation Today

For those looking for professional heater installation services in San Diego, we are here to help you out. Our team of experts will guide you from the step of selecting the right system down to ensuring proper installation. Don't wait for the cooler months - contact us today to schedule your consultation and get started on heater installation.

Conclusion:

Choose the best heater installation experts for homes in San Diego because everyone wants their house kept warm, safe, and energy-efficient all winter long. Our trained expert team will ensure that your installation is done with precision awareness and professionalism; we would love to hear from you contact us heater installation needs-you're comfort is our priority!

#HeaterInstallationSanDiego #SanDiegoHeatingExperts #HeaterReplacementSanDiego #HomeHeatingSanDiego #SanDiegoHVACServices #EfficientHeatingSanDiego #ProfessionalHeaterInstallation #SanDiegoHeatingSolutions

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ezheatandair · 5 days ago

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Top Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters and Installation Tips in San Diego

Introduction

Are you tired of running out of hot water or dealing with high electricity bills? Tankless water heater installation in San Diego might be the perfect solution for you. From upgrading your home water heater system to receiving a professional assessment for installation and maintenance, this guide provides detailed insights into the features and benefits of tankless water heaters. It also includes essential tips for a seamless installation process in San Diego.

1. Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Domestic water heaters having a "tankless" type now have changed the availability of water on demand that households get from hot water in their home. They’re efficient, convenient, and better suited to modern living. Let’s explore these benefits in detail.

2. How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

In comparison to "traditional" water heaters, the other water heater [5] is an on demand water generator. The device hot-water shut-off valve subsequently shuts off the hot water from the appliance water-outlet and in a millisecond the liquid-or-gas-fired heating element heats it.

3. Energy Efficiency Advantages

Did you know that tankless water heaters use up to 30% less energy than traditional systems? They only heat water as needed, eliminating standby energy loss.

4. Cost Savings Over Time

While tankless water heaters have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the long run. Lower energy bills and fewer repairs make them a worthwhile investment.

5. Space-Saving Design

Tankless water heaters are compact and can be mounted on walls, freeing up valuable space. They’re perfect for smaller homes or apartments in San Diego.

6. Unlimited Hot Water Supply

Have you ever run out of hot water during a shower? With a tankless system, that’s a thing of the past. These heaters provide a continuous supply of hot water, no matter how many people are using it.

7. Environmental Benefits

By using less energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, tankless water heaters are a greener option. Plus, their longer lifespan means fewer units end up in landfills.

8. Key Factors to Consider Before Installation

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When selecting a unit, consider:

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inspectrite · 5 months ago

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undertherugfloorcarecarpetclean · 16 days ago

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What to Expect from a Professional Upholstery Cleaning Service in San Diego

Upholstery cleaning is an essential service for maintaining the comfort, cleanliness, and longevity of your furniture. In sunny, coastal cities like San Diego, where dust, allergens, and salty air can take a toll on your furniture, professional upholstery cleaning is more important than ever. If you’ve never hired an upholstery cleaning service before, you may be wondering what to expect from the process. At Under The Rug Floorcare Carpet Cleaning, we specialize in providing high-quality upholstery cleaning tailored to the unique needs of San Diego residents. Here’s a detailed look at what you can expect when you schedule a professional upholstery cleaning service with us.

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After pre-treating the furniture, we begin the deep cleaning process. At Under The Rug Floorcare Carpet Cleaning, we use state-of-the-art equipment, including hot water extraction machines (also known as steam cleaning), to deeply clean your upholstery. This method is incredibly effective at removing dirt, dust, allergens, and bacteria that have settled deep within the fibers of your furniture.

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Another common issue we address during upholstery cleaning is odors. Whether it’s pet odors, food smells, or the musty scent caused by San Diego’s humidity, odors can become trapped in your furniture over time. Our cleaning process includes odor removal treatments that neutralize unpleasant smells, leaving your upholstery smelling fresh.

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Once the cleaning process is complete, the drying phase begins. While professional upholstery cleaning machines are designed to extract most of the moisture, it’s essential to allow adequate time for the furniture to fully dry. Drying time can vary depending on the type of fabric and the extent of cleaning required.

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To further extend the life of your furniture and keep it looking great, we offer protective treatments. These treatments form a protective barrier around the fabric fibers, making it more resistant to dirt, stains, and wear. If you live in a busy home or have pets or children, this can be an excellent option to help keep your furniture looking fresh between cleanings.

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paynepestcontrol · 24 days ago

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EffeEffective Pest Control Solutions by Payne Pest Management

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goldenseresinretriever · 6 months ago

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You Catch More Bees With Honey: Chapter 7

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Reader

Part of the San Diego Dogfighters universe

Word Count: 5.4k

A/N: This is a repost of my completed series, You Catch More Bees With Honey. It was originally posted in November-March 2023, and was lost when my blog was deleted.

Previous Chapter // Series Masterlist // Next Chapter

Bradley’s kept his promise to you so far. He’s stayed out of the box and been playing excellently. After your tears had stopped in the hallway earlier, Bradley had taken you to Bugs and she’d confirmed that your ankle was sprained. As a former figure skater, this isn’t your first rodeo so you’d spent the majority of the game seated when you could, even after swapping out your signature heels for the backup sneakers that you keep in your office for emergencies. Your eyes are on the rink as you do your best to ignore the fact that Cyclone’s sitting a few rows back from you.

Your jaw tightens as a Jets defenseman gets a hit on Mickey, slamming him into the boards. A frustrated growl escapes your lips and you feel eyes on you as you glance slightly over to catch Bradley’s gaze as he watches your face silently from where he’s currently sitting on the bench in front of you. Mickey and Reuben hop the boards as they swap out their line and Bugs moves to inspect Mickey’s face where his cheek had met the boards. You usually keep to yourself during games to keep the boys’ concentration on the game but you call to Mickey and he turns, reading the worried expression on your face and flashing a thumbs up, your mutually agreed-on signal that says he’s okay. He reaches a closed fist to you and you bump it with your own, letting out a breath at the realization that he’s okay. Bugs finishes her inspection and steps away to sit next to you.

“That cheek is going to bruise something fierce but other than that, he's fine.” You murmur your thanks and she squeezes your hand, reassuringly.

You look back at the game in time to see Bradley smash the same defensemen into the boards and your mouth goes dry. The poor guy didn’t see the attack coming at all especially given that he hadn’t even touched the puck. You wince at the thought of Bradley’s huge form slamming full-force into the smaller player. You sigh as the ref stops play and calls the boarding penalty on Bradley but you can’t find it in your heart to feel angry as you watch Bradley get led to the box. Sure he’d gone against your specific instructions, but you know this is different. Where Bradley’s usual penalties have been earned by his uncontrolled rage at the world in general, this time it’s clear that he’s retaliating against a player for a hit on his teammate. It’s an improvement if a subtle one, and it brings a faint smile to your lips.

***

You’re waiting in your office for Bradley to come to get you so you can head to game night together. Post-game interviews had run smoothly and now you tabbed through various sites waiting for articles to start popping up for your perusal. A knock sounds at your door and you call for Bradley to come in. You’ve got your feet propped up on your desk since Bugs had recommended keeping your ankle elevated if possible. That leaves them directly in Bradley’s eye line when he comes in, scowling at them.

“You have got to be kidding me.” He mutters and you look up from what you’re doing.

“What?” You follow his gaze to your sparkly silver sneakers with ribbons for laces.

“You can’t seriously be wearing those shoes.” He crosses his arms across his chest and you roll your eyes.

“They’re my backup sneakers if you must know, and I think they're cute.”

“They’re cute all right.” His mocking tone makes you scowl back at him.

“They’re neutral, go with everything, and have some spunky flair, not that I need to explain myself to you.”

“How is that your idea of neutral?” He looks disgusted and you roll your eyes.

“I’m not taking fashion advice from the guy whose wardrobe consists exclusively of t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts, and flannels. You push yourself up in your chair, swinging your feet back down to the ground, making to stand when Bradley moves to help. You hold up a hand to stop him, chin raised defiantly. “You made fun of my shoes, you’re not helping. I can walk by myself, thank you very much.”

He glares at you and you glare right back until he finally moves out of the way as you pull yourself up and limp past him. You catch his hands flexing at his side like he’s actively fighting the urge to carry you again. You collect your belongings and Bradley takes each item from your hands as you pick them up. You glare at him but he simply continues until he’s carrying not only his duffle bag but your purse and laptop bag, holding your coat out in a silent request for you to slip your arms into the sleeves. You do so, grumpily knowing that the night is likely chilly now that the sun is long gone.

The parking garage is deserted except for the Bronco and you climb in as Bradley places your combined belongings into the back seat. A comfortable silence fills the car once again soundtracked by the 80s station as Bradley drives the two of you to his apartment complex. You were a lot more pissed off last time so this time you have to keep from gaping as you pull into the parking garage of the luxury apartment. He grabs his bag and you follow him into a tiny atrium that houses the elevators. You resist the urge to roll your eyes as he presses one of the two special golden buttons indicating the penthouse floors. The two of you watch the numbers climb to 21 until they open onto a small common area surrounded by a few doors. You follow Bradley to the one marked 2114.

“Mom, I’m home,” Bradley calls out and you freeze the entryway. But his mother’s dead? Bradley offers no explanation as he slides open a door on your right and drops off his gym bag before continuing down the hallway that’s lined with various shut doors. No one calls back to him so you timidly limp after him. The hallway opens onto an expansive combined kitchen, dining, and living space. You turn around to examine the space as you enter. Your eyes catch on a table just to the left of where you came in. A large vase of fresh daisies occupies most of it with a framed photograph standing in front of it. It’s of a young couple and as you examine it closely you recognize Nick Bradshaw’s smiling face next to a blonde woman holding a little boy in his arms that you can only assume is Bradley. Next to it is a collage frame of photos of Bradley and the blonde woman you now know to be his mother through the years of his youth. “You done ogling?” You jump at Bradley’s voice.

“Yeah, yeah… sorry.” You murmur awkwardly, embarrassed at being caught staring. “Nice to know you get your curls from your mom, though.” Bradley’s hard expression softens almost imperceptibly as he rolls his eyes and gives you a stern look that’s only half serious. “I’m going to change, try not to set anything on fire.” You roll your eyes back at him, sticking your tongue out. Bradley sighs deeply before heading back down the hallway. You’re left alone in the living room, and you take another moment to stare at the photographs before you hear the click of a door shutting and you let the words slip.

“Thank you, you did a good job with him even if he doesn’t like to show it.” Your lips curl into a soft smile as you finally turn from the photos to snoop around the rest of the room. Both of the outward-facing walls are floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a wrap-around balcony. Curious, you approach the door, letting yourself out into the night air. Straight ahead of you is a view of the dark smudge of San Diego Bay that you’re sure is breathtaking in the daylight. You let your feet carry you around the corner to where you can see a clear view of Petco Park. Baseball season is long over but you’re sure this is a great spot to watch the games from with the right pair of binoculars.

You keep walking down the balcony, admiring the enviable view and you lose track of the windows behind you until you reach the end of the balcony, turning to make your way back to the door when you come face to face with Bradley Bradshaw’s mostly-naked body. You’re looking through a glass door that opens onto what must be his bedroom. He’s facing away from you, sorting through several shirts he’s laid on the bed, having shed his suit already. He’s left in nothing but a pair of fitted briefs that hug his muscular thighs. Your eyes catch on his backside and you suppress a groan. Now THAT is a hockey butt. The butt turns and you’re face to face with the sizable bulge in front. Your mouth dries. You knew Bradley was a big guy but now you know it extends to other parts of him. You’re so distracted with staring at the bulge that you don’t realize what being able to see it so clearly implies, especially as it gets closer.

“Can I help you?” Bradley deadpans and you jump in surprise, your eyes snapping away from his lower half to his face that’s no longer separated from you by the door that’s now propped open as he leans against the frame. Your face is an inferno of heat as embarrassment and mortification wash over you at being caught.

“I-I-I… I was just checking out the balcony and I didn’t realize it went this far and I-“

“Looks like you were checking out more than the balcony, Honey.” His voice is low as he practically purrs the pet name and it sends a shiver down your spine.

“I didn’t mean to…”

His lip curls into a smirk you’ve never been privy to as he leans in to growl into your ear. “I don’t mind if you watch, Honey, but I’d take a picture if I were you. I wonder how much TMZ would pay for those?” The crude accusation snaps you back to your right mind and you push at his chest firmly, stumbling back until your back hits the balcony railing, face flaming.

“You’re a pig, Bradshaw.”

“And you’re a pervert, I guess that makes us even.” He leans back against the doorframe still smirking. “I’m going to finish changing so you can either come join me in here or you can get back to the living room.” You flip him off, scowling as you limp back towards the living room, his deep laughter chasing after you.

When you’re finally back inside you let your eyes fall closed, the memory of the rolling sound of Bradley’s laugh replaying in your mind. First, you saw him smile yesterday and now today he’s smirked and laughed at you. Your mind is reeling as you unwrap more and more of the “real” Bradley and you find yourself increasingly concerned that you’re in over your head with him. You think back to your conversation with Javy this morning. His accusations about Bradley and yourself. You can’t hide the way your body reacted to the sight of his. Could Javy have been right after all? Were you catching feelings for Bradley? Or were you just horny? You turn Javy’s proposed solution to your problems over and over in your mind, the idea becoming more and more tempting the less you think about it.

“You ready to go, Honey?” Bradley enters the living room clad in a blue Hawaiian shirt that you recognize from the family photo as his father’s over a faded pair of jeans.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” You climb off the couch, making your way over to where he’s waiting for you.

***

The driveway to the Casa de Floycia, as the boys refer to it, is a lot more packed this time around. You recognize Jake’s truck on the far left, parked next to Javy’s Landrover that’s once again man-spreading across a space that could easily house both the SUV AND Bradley’s Bronco. The two of you scowl at the bang-up parking job until you turn to him. “Wait here.” You unbuckle yourself and storm up the driveway as fast as you can while limping. You pluck your spare key out of the pocket of your coat and let yourself in before you holler down the entryway. “JAVY MACHADO COME AND MOVE YOUR FUCKING CAR OR SO HELP ME GOD, I WILL HAVE IT TOWED!” You don’t wait for a response heading back out, making sure to slam the door behind you. You swing back into the passenger seat of the Bronco and Bradley raises a single eyebrow in question but you don’t respond, crossing your arms across your chest and scowling at the door. A few seconds later, Javy strolls out, twirling his keys as he takes his time to walk to his car, slowly unlocking it, and pausing to waggle his fingers at the two of you in a playful wave. You flip him off and he blows you a kiss. You lean over Bradley to lean on the car horn until Bradley physically pulls you off of it.

He glares down at you. “Behave.” The command has a tingle running down your spine even as you stick your tongue out at him. You crawl back over to your side of the car as Javy reparks his car to make room for the two of you. Bradley pulls into the vacant spot and you launch out as soon as he puts the car into park. Javy’s waiting for the two of you on the porch, a smirk on his face. You stick a finger in his face as you scowl at him.

“How did you pass your driving test?” You spit. He gives a casual shrug.

“With flying colors. Good to see you too, sweetheart.” He slides an arm around your shoulders as Bradley joins the two of you, his eyes falling on Javy’s arm around you. Javy clocks his gaze and pulls you closer to him, tucking you under his arm. “Bradshaw, glad you could make it, man.” He sticks his free hand out to Bradley and he hesitates before taking it and shaking.

“Well as much as I’m enjoying this testosterone fest, I want to change so I’m going in.” You duck out from under Javy’s arm, shooting him a flare before you push your way into the house, beelining up the stairs for the guest room as you hear the cheerful ruckus coming from the living room.

You grab a pair of pajama bottoms before ducking into Mickey’s room to steal a t-shirt. Disappearing into the bathroom you come face to face with your reflection. Your mother’s face stares back at you and you turn away, grabbing recklessly at your hair to try and dislodge the pins. The crown falls from your head and you thrust your fingers into the braids, untangling them until your hair is completely down and this time when you look in the mirror you see yourself even if she still lingers in your periphery. You change into Mickey’s Star Trek t-shirt over your pajama pants before heading downstairs, smoothing your hair down as you assess the scene in the living room.

Everyone’s sitting on the floor, crowded around the coffee table. Bugs is in Jake’s lap, and Dragon is half in Bob’s. “Hey, isn’t that my shirt?!” Mickey exclaims and you shrug, unbothered.

“Isn’t that mine?” You arch a skeptical eyebrow as Mickey looks down to examine the faded University of Wisconsin figure skating shirt.

“Fuck, yeah I guess it is.” He gives you a guilty grin. “Charges dropped.” He holds his hands up in surrender and you roll your eyes playfully.

You’re about to make your way to your usual spot between Mickey and Bob when Javy catches the edge of your pajama pants, tugging just enough to upset your balance with your sprained ankle and you tumble into his lap, guided by his arms. “Hey sweetheart, why don’t you be my partner this week?” He waggles his eyebrows at you but Natasha interjects as she walks in from the kitchen with a can of sparkling water before you can roll your eyes in return, squirming to get free of his grasp. You broke eye contact with him to see that Bradley’s hard gaze was fixed on you, his jaw clenched tightly.

“Fuck you, Machado, little backstabber.”

“Don’t take it personally, Nat, I’m an equal opportunity stabber.” He winks at you and now you roll your eyes.

“Absolutely not, Javy. Unlike you, I came here to win.” You clamber out of his grip and go to squeeze into your spot when Dragon pipes up from the other side of Bob.

“Nuh-uh, there’s no way we’re letting you and Mickey team up again, it’s so unfair!” She pouts at the two of you annoyingly as the others chime in with similar complaints. Mickey gives you a placating shrug.

“Zam get over here, I hereby declare this a girl’s team!” You grin and clamber back over to sit between Nat and Bradley.

“Mutiny! Betrayal!” Javy calls out in response from the other side of Nat. Nat sticks her tongue out at Javy.

“You started it, Machado. You’ve made your bed, so lay in it.”

Some might argue that the teams are a mess but that’s normal for game night. Since there’s always too many people for individual teams for Catan, everyone split into pairs, usually the two couples, Nat and Javy because he didn’t take the game seriously enough, and you and Mickey because, while platonic, you’re basically a couple. While you’ll miss the familiar comfort that comes from being paired with Mickey, half of you is glad that the typical duos have been mixed up so Bradley doesn’t feel like the odd man out. Everyone settles into place as Mickey takes it upon himself to teach Bradley the rules and you’re off.

***

You glance worriedly at the hard set of Bradley’s jaw. While he picked up the rules fairly quickly, Bradley was having a rough go of it. Javy had suddenly decided to take the game seriously tonight and for some reason, he and hell-bent on messing with Bradley and it was pissing you off. From blatantly denying Bradley’s trades to cutting him off with roads, you’ve watched Bradley clench his jaw more times in the last hour and a half than throughout the entire hockey game earlier. As Jake and Dragon get into an argument about calculating who had the longest road, you take the opportunity to sneakily bump your fingers against Bradley’s where his hand was resting on the floor next to yours. He turns to look at you, surprised, and you’re not sure where you get the courage but you run your thumb gently along the side of his, doing your best to distract him from the anger that’s plaguing his tense frame. Tonight is about fostering bonds with his teammates, not driving a deeper wedge between them.

It’s the least you can do after he held you earlier today. You’d been a wreck when you’d finally escaped Cyclone’s office to find Bradley leaning against the wall outside, seemingly waiting for you. You hadn’t even hesitated to fall into his arms, seeking solace in his embrace despite never having been there before. Nonetheless, your body had been drawn to him like a moth to a flame and he hadn’t hesitated for a second, simply pulling you close and holding you together as you fell apart. It was like your body knew you could trust him even if your mind was still torn on the matter. He didn’t even say a word as you sobbed, he simply held you, a silent shoulder to cry on. Maybe he didn’t know what to say to you, but more likely he knew that words wouldn’t help, that they weren’t what you needed.

If this is the least you can do to repay that debt, you’re more than willing to oblige. You’re surprised when his thumb curls around yours and you feel your breath catch in your throat at the confidence in his touch. It sweeps across your skin in broad strokes and suddenly you can’t focus on the game anymore and you’re glad that Natasha doesn’t seem to mind taking the reigns.

***

When the evening wraps up, Bob and Dragon have secured the win, and you stand with a stretch. You’re ready to retire upstairs but you know you need to actually go home tonight since everyone has to be on the tarmac first thing in the morning for an early flight to Denver. The boys play the Avalanche on Monday night so you’ve got a busy couple of days ahead of you. Bradley’s gotten up too, and you glance at him, awkwardly, unsure how to ask him for a ride home when he just walks over, fingers brushing the small of your back, “Ready to go, Honey?” And you’re saved from asking as you nod and follow him to the door. Mickey calls out behind you and he catches you at the door.

“You two heading out?” He asks the two of you and Bradley gives him a curt nod as you give him a big hug.

“Yup, wish I could stay but I need to get home and pack for tomorrow.” Mickey gives you a nod as he turns to Bradley and gives him a rueful smile.

“Thanks for today, I mean it. That was really cool of you.” Bradley squirms under Mickey’s gratitude and you have to fight the urge to giggle at his apparent discomfort.

“Not a problem.” His response is terse and gruff but it’s a start. Mickey turns to return to his other guests and Bradley leads you out to the Bronco. You climb back into the passenger seat, entering your address into Bradley’s navigation.

“Thanks for taking me home.” You murmur as the sound of the 80s station fills up the silence between the two of you.

“Feels fair given that you drove me home the other night.” Bradley points out matter-of-factly. You shrug.

“You drove me home last night.”

“I drove you to Mickey’s, that’s not home.”

“It’s as good as home.” You sigh and look out the window, watching the streetlights pass by. The two of you fall into a comfortable silence as Billy Joel croons.

“If you said goodbye to me tonight, there would still be music left to write. What else could I do? I'm so inspired by you. That hasn't happened for the longest time.” A soft smile touches your lips at the familiar lyrics. “Once I thought my innocence was gone, now I know that happiness goes on. That's where you found me, when you put your arms around me. I haven't been there for the longest time.” You hum along as you think back yet again to the feel of Bradley’s arms around you earlier. You hear Javy’s voice in your head again, claiming that Bradley had feelings for you. Could he possibly?

“I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall. And the greatest miracle of all is how I need you and how you needed me too. That hasn't happened for the longest time. Maybe this won't last very long, but you feel so right. And I could be wrong, maybe I've been hoping too hard, but I've gone this far and it's more than I hoped for.”

You shake your head to clear it just as a new voice joins Billy Joel’s and you sneak a glance to your left to see Bradley’s lips moving. His voice is low with a gravelly undertone that sends shivers down your spine. “Who knows how much further we'll go on? Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone. I'll take my chances, I forgot how nice romance is. I haven't been there for the longest time.”

You’re unabashedly staring now as Bradley keeps singing, louder now, like he’s forgotten that you’re in the car. It’s the most relaxed you’ve ever seen him and you feel yourself relax at the soothing tone in his voice.

“I had second thoughts at the start. I said to myself, hold on to your heart. Now I know the woman that you are, you're wonderful so far and it's more than I hoped for. I don't care what consequence it brings. I have been a fool for lesser things. I want you so bad, I think you ought to know that I intend to hold you for the longest time.” You know he’s just singing along with the words of the song but you can’t help the way your heart aches at the sweet words passing through his lips. You may not be sure if Javy was right about Bradley but you’re quickly realizing that he may have been right about you. You find yourself longing for Bradley to pull you into his arms again because as much as you hate to admit it, it’s the first place you’ve felt truly safe in years. Like he’s big enough and strong enough to fight off every one of your demons and the monsters that lurk in the dark. It’s different from the way Mickey holds you. When he holds you it feels like he’s standing beside you in battle, two souls becoming one unstoppable force. When Bradley holds you it feels like he’s an impenetrable wall standing between you and the world, keeping you safe and secure.

You take a shaking breath as the full force of your feelings hits you as Bradley pulls up to the driveway of your apartment building. You’re doing your best to hide the trembling threatening to take over you as you unbuckle your seatbelt. You’re about to hop out of the Bronco when Bradley’s hand on your arm stops you. His fingers close over your upper arm, half his fingers splayed over the soft fabric of Mickey’s shirt and half burning into your soft skin. You turn, your hair swishing as you look at him, a timid question in your eyes.

“Honey? You okay?” His voice is concerned as his eyes rake over you and you’re terrified that he’ll see right through your crumbling facade and see the turbulence in your head and heart. You nod, hurriedly, not trusting your words but knowing he’s going to need to hear them.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Goodnight, Bradley, drive safe.” You pull your arm from his grip and all but flee into the building, not daring to look back.

***

The next morning you’re exhausted. Your dreams were plagued with your mother and Cyclone. You’ve decided to change up your wardrobe this morning, trading your pantsuits for a suit dress that looks like a baby blue trench coat with delicate sheer sleeves. You’re wearing flesh-colored tights underneath in preparation for the fall weather in Denver and you arrive at the airport dragging your signature pink suitcase and sporting sunglasses and a purse that matches your dress along with a thick garment bag. The boys look exhausted and half-awake as they crowd the tarmac in their pajamas, hockey gear, and suitcases in tow, garment bags slung over their shoulders. Your phone buzzes in your purse and you groan, your brain not quite awake yet as you struggle to readjust the various things in your arms as you try to reach your phone. Just as you’re about to give up and drop some things, a large hand closes over the handle of your garment bag right above yours, lifting it from your shoulder and you straighten at the loss of weight. You fish your phone out of your purse to see the hotel confirmation for the next two days showing up. You put your phone away, turning to thank the person who helped you only to come face to face with Bradley. He’s wearing one of those hideous Hawaiian shirts and jeans, a far cry from the rest of the guys except maybe Reuben, who’s also wearing jeans but paired with a dad sweater. At least he’s dressed for the weather.

“You know we’re going to Denver, not Dallas, right?” You ask in a way of greeting. He grunts, rolling his eyes.

“Good morning to you too, Honey.” He replies and you go to take the garment bag back but he steps away from your reach, shaking his head. “How many outfits did you pack, Honey? You know we’re only on the road for a week, don’t you?” You scowl up at him, crossing your arms even as you ignore the way your heart jumps at the nickname.

“Not all of us can get away with dressing like we’re on vacation. By the way? Jimmy Buffett called, he wants his wardrobe back.” Bradley scowls back at you as his gaze scans your face before his eyebrows draw together.

“Did you sleep last night?” You curse your concealer for clearly not doing its job this morning as you shake your head. No use in denying it.

“Not really, kept having dreams.” You don’t specify that they were bad but you know he can tell. Bradley just nods and you’re surprised to see Cyclone approach the group. You’re even more surprised when he comes straight over to you and you tense, raising your guard. Bradley shifts almost imperceptibly to place you slightly behind him.

“Zam, Bradley, glad you’re already here. I wanted to talk to the two of you. Given everything that’s been going on, I want the two of you to stay together.” You feel your stomach drop in anticipation of what Cyclone’s about to say. “I’ve asked Dare and Mav to rearrange the hotel rooms so you’ll be staying together. Bradley, if you go out anywhere that isn’t practice, Zam’s going with you. We cannot afford any more negative media coverage. This is the best solution that I can come up with right now, so that’s what it’s going to be.”

“You have GOT to be kidding me.” Maybe you should have added an extra shot of espresso to your coffee this morning because you’re livid. You're a PR rep, not a babysitter. “You realize I have a job aside from babysitting your players? Maybe you should come and do it yourself. I have press conferences and interviews to set up.” Your hands are on your hips and you’re glaring daggers at Cyclone.

“Katarina, I don’t have time for this.” The use of your mom’s name knocks the wind from your lungs, and Cyclone’s eyes widen as he realizes his mistake even as Bradley growls, low in his throat, a warning. You scoff, letting out an exhausted and exasperated laugh.

“LISTEN to me, because I’m only going to say this once. I may look like my mother, but I am not her. And that means you don’t get to walk all over me because I’m not going to let you.” Cyclone pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Zam, I’m not asking for your opinion, my decision is final. I asked you to fix Bradshaw’s behavior and I’ve yet to see any change so I’ve been forced to take more drastic measures. Have a safe trip.” Before you can fire back, he turns on his heel and stalks back to wherever he came from.

“Is he always that rude to you?” Bradley’s voice is hard as he stares after Cyclone and you snort.

“That’s probably the nicest he’s been to me, actually, at least recently.” Bradley turns back to you in barely concealed shock as the doors to the plane open and the players start lining up to board. The two of you board the plane in silence and he takes a seat next to you which you don’t have the energy to protest.

Once you’re seated comfortably he speaks again. “I’m sorry, Honey. I know I’m probably not the only reason he’s been rude to you, but I’m sorry for whatever trouble I’ve caused.” You sigh deeply, fighting a yawn as you slump into your seat.

“It’s not your fault he’s an asshole, Bradley.” You say after a moment. “Just try to stay out of trouble, okay?” You add the last part quietly and Bradley nods silently before reaching over to gently guide your head against his shoulder. You open your mouth to protest but he cuts you off.

“Just sleep, Honey. I’ll wake you up when we get there.” You let your lids fall shut, lashes brushing your cheek as the sleep that eluded you all night comes to pull you under.

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