#next idea will probably about Jake having issues and Bradley getting overprotective and possessive to make up for it and smoothering him in

[nixie-deangel]

okay, hangster, obviously cause they got me in such a chokehold of ideas and whims and wishes, but I've seen a few people talking about one of the boys, usually Jake, think they're dating, while the other, usually Bradley, thinking they're just hooking up/it's not serious...

BUT what about a Bradley who thinks they're just hooking up because he doesn't think he's actually worth dating? A Bradley Bradshaw who is so riddled with self doubt and insecurity because the people he thought would support him in his life choices didn't and the few times he tried to have a serious, long term relationship, they treated him like shit.

And well, it's easy to put on a cocky veneer, to keep people from looking deep within when he plays piano and puts on a good show. It's easy to pretend other peoples opinions don't matter to him once he gets in his jet and does his job (even if Mav/Ice/Carole's actions and trying to control his life, keeps him so cautionary and repressed in his flying.)

So he just doesn't think he's worth it. Doesn't think he's worth the effort love and care for. Doesn't think he's worth enough to put up with his anger and bad moods and bad habits. Thinks that all he's really worth is sex and making his partner feel good, focusing all on them, the few hours they deem him decent enough to spend time with.

And then TGM happens and he talks with Mav and Ice and while they seem to bury the hatchet between them, they don't really talk about the real issues pulling his papers caused.

Then speed run a few months where the Daggers are a formed, permanent squad and Bradley and Jake start something up and it goes on for weeks, months and it's all good. Jake thinks they're falling in love, really building something strong and long lasting and Bradley feels like he's hanging on by his finger tips because he wants this so badly, almost as badly as he wanted to go to the academy.

Of course something happens and a fight ensues and Jake says something and Bradley can't help responding to it: "Of course I didn't think we were dating, Jake! Why the fuck would I let myself be stupid enough to hope for something I'd never get? That I didn't deserve? Why would I think you'd ever want me? I-I-I'm not worth dating. I'm not worth wanting or loving, so why would I let himself dare to dream, to hope, I could actual have you?"

something, something, Jake punches Mav and Ice out and absolutely smoothers Bradley in love and affection and possessive over him and gets even more cut throat when he even thinks someone is being mean to his Rooster. (the daggers also aide in this endeavor. And once Mav and Ice realizes how deeply they hurt Bradley, they actually talk things out for real and start really working to repair their relationship.)