#just. just need to get thru the next hour and a half | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

yeonjuns-beanie · 8 months

Text

Halo Pt.1

warnings: a lot of plot, 18+, eventual smut (unprotected sex, biting, marking, light blood(play), hair pulling, body worship, dub-con, light fear play, more may be added upon update)), yandere themes(stalking, manipulation, etc)

summary: in your free time you do freelance writing, doing interviews with people most would consider strange and unusual. when you recognize that one of the regulars in your coffee shop only visits in the evening, you pose the question of whether you can interview him. upon his agreement, you realize this is unlike any other interview.

a/n: i have no idea where this came from but its been rotting my brain. hope whoever finds this enjoys it! I'll be uploading the second half in a few days, school has been taking up a lot of my time lately.

word count: 6.7k

Vampire!seonghwa x female reader

pt.2

The hustle from the afternoon-evening rush finally settled down, leaving you a moment to catch your breath and rest your nerves. You favored working night shifts because of how routinely easy it was compared to mornings, but the one thing you loathed was the mini rushes. They lasted far too long and happened in increments that were too close together. It was like everyone forgot that the coffee shop existed and they needed to get their final fix in before the building closed.

Appreciating the minute silence of no customers coming in through your drive-thru, you focused on the somewhat comforting static of the conversations happening in your cafe. You were able to take a simple delight in the smells behind the bar. Varying roasts, some pastries that had been left out, and the all but familiar smell that was the store.

With the dying down of customers now that it was just an hour before closing, you waited for your arcane regular to make his nightly appearance. He was painfully beautiful, clad in all black, and a man of few words. You never really got a gauge on who he was. Now that you thought about it, he was probably the only regular that you didn’t have an extensive background on.

As you restocked cups and lids, the bell on the door jingled signaling you to look up at who walked in. Stunning per usual, the heels of his dress shoes echoed through the lobby. Taking in his outfit, his chest was adorned in a black, hollow collar long sleeve, black slacks to match, and a designer tote to pull it all together. His hair was carefully styled, a few gelled strands falling to the front of his face.

You threw the empty plastic holding the cups in the trash and walked over to the register a wide smile pulling at your face. He was probably the only regular you enjoyed and you were thankful at how peaceful the shop had become so you could focus on your interaction.

“Hi Seonghwa! We doing your usual today?”

A small smile pulled at his lips as he exhaled a contented breath through his nose.

“Yeah, just the usual, but let’s do a large today.”

“Got some extra work tonight?”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

Punching in his order, you realized you weren’t logged in on the till so you took the liberty of giving him one of your markouts. Finishing typing in your numbers, he handed over his card. You waved your hand and frowned, declining his payment, and when his brow furrowed in confusion you spoke up.

“It’s on me today.”

You walked over to the cup caddy and began making his drink as he followed you over to the opposite side of the bar.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. But you’re in here basically every day. While I’m at it, you want a pastry?”

An airy laugh left him as you lidded his drink securing the cup with a sleeve.

“I’d love to, but not tonight.” “Alright, well, you let me know if you need anything. Besides that couple in the corner, you’ve pretty much got the night crew to yourself.”

Thanking you, he walked over to the table that might as well have his name engraved on it. It was tucked in the corner of the building right next to the front windows. You assumed he claimed the spot as his own because he had a view of who was coming in and out of the cafe at all times. Pulling out his laptop from his bag, you walked to the back to finish up with most of your closing tasks so you and your coworker wouldn’t have much to do when the clock stroked 9 p.m.

As you finished the last of the dishes, you peek your head out to the front checking to see if any last customers had straggled in. Realizing that Seonghwa was the only one left in the cafe, you decided that this would be your best shot to ask him what you’d been thinking about for weeks. Smoothing out your apron, you walked over to him suddenly feeling your nerves fire up. Seonghwa noticed you first and immediately figured you were coming over to tell him you had closed. Closing his laptop, he apologized as you approached.

“I’m sorry, I must’ve lost track of time. I’ll be out of your hair.”

You threw your hands out in front of you, silently trying to halt his actions.

“Oh, no no, w-we’re not closed yet. We still have about 15 minutes. I was actually coming over to ask you something.”

“Oh?”

Seonghwa raised his eyebrows and relaxed into his chair, he motioned for you to sit in the chair across the table. Taking a deep breath, you tried your best to swallow your anxiety realizing the gravity of what you were asking him. You were no longer abiding by the standard customer-employee interaction and were hoping desperately that you wouldn’t be overstepping a boundary.

His presence was just unexplainably intimidating. He held himself with such a poise you couldn’t even imagine what he would look or act like unhinged. There was never a thread out of place when it came to his appearance and only now were you aware of the fact that you were sitting across him in your dirtied apron, bleached stained pants, and the mural of coffee and whipped cream that painted your shoes.

Violently shushing the voices of panic in your head, you looked him in the eye and found the confidence that struck just moments prior.

“I hope this doesn’t come off as offensive or anything, but I run a blog about people who most might find strange and unusual and I interview them. Why they chose to subscribe to a certain type of style, what their influences are, if they have projects they’re working on, and everything in between.”

You watched him nod following along and waiting for you to continue. He was giving you his undivided attention and it excited you, to say the least.

“With that being said, I find you alluring in a way that I can’t seem to apply a reason to. Combined with the intimidating aura that you ooze naturally, I would love to have you featured on my blog next–if you would be comfortable with that.”

There was a faint smirk pulling at his lips and you couldn’t tell if it was coming from amusement or if he was planning on a way to humiliate you in a manner so sophisticated it would be hard to decipher if he was denying your request.

“So…you find me, intriguing?”

“Very. You’re like what I would imagine a modern vampire to be and it’s fascinating to me.”

You watched his body freeze for a moment, an austere gloss swiping across his eyes. If you blinked at the wrong time you would’ve missed it, but you caught it and it made the gears in your head begin to turn. Seonghwa’s eyes honed in on you, searching for an answer that he wasn’t quite sure of yet. There was a particular intensity that you hadn’t felt from him before and as he leaned forward, resting his head on his folded hands, you began to feel small in front of him for the very first time.

It was a feeling you’d never felt before. You almost felt similar to prey until his velvet voice cut through the static silence of lingering words.

“When are you free next?”

“I’m off tomorrow actually.”

“Does the evening work for you?”

“Perfect.”

“Alright.”

He agreed.

It took a moment to realize he so passively agreed to your interview. You honestly did not expect him to agree or let alone give you the time of day to explain yourself.

“I-I, uh, great! Um, can I borrow your phone so I can save my contact in there?”

Reaching into his pocket, he handed you his phone with such grace you wondered if he was human at all. Adding your contact quickly, you sent a text message to yourself so that you could save his number after the fact. His voice pulled you from your thoughts, you almost forgot he was sitting right across from you.

“I’ll send you my address tomorrow evening. I figure you’ll have more content to interview if I let you see my place of residence and you can really gauge my character.”

Standing up from the chair, you nodded and thanked him again, still aghast that he agreed so easily.

“I’ll be looking forward to your message.” You began to walk back towards the bar but stopped in your tracks.

“Would you like a refill before you head out?”

“No, I still have plenty in here, thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Seonghwa stood up, pushing his chair in and grabbing his bag. As he made his way to the front door you waved to him, a full grin plastered on your face. Once he turned the corner of the building, you locked the doors, 9 pm finally flashing across the clock.

Your coworker emerged from the back, drawers of money in her hands.

“Stevie gue-”

“-Did you lock the door?”

“Yup!”

Walking back over behind the counter you stood over your coworker.

“And you’ll never guess what happened.”

She hummed, looking up at you and giving you the go ahead to continue.

“So you know Seonghwa right?”

“The vampire regular?”

“Yeah yeah. So I was thinking to myself while I was cleaning how he’d be the perfect person to interview for my blog. I don’t know where, but I found the courage and asked him if he’d be willing to and he agreed.”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“I’m being so serious.”

The gravity of the situation hit you again as Stevie screamed into her hand and a slew of explicatives left her mouth. Your mind started to wander as to why he agreed so quickly. Was he lonely? Did he find you attractive? Or was he simply just not as intimidating as you pegged him to be? Stevie pulled you from your thoughts as she finally calmed down.

“So when and where are you meeting?”

“Tomorrow night at his place. Speaking of which let me text him real quick.”

“You’re going to his house?!”

“He said that it would quote give me a better gauge of his character if I saw his place of residence.”

Stevie paused looking up at you with a growing smirk.

“That man is Dracula for sure. “Place of residence”, he has to be ancient.”

“Oh shut up. He could be 532 years old on top of it and I still wouldn’t think twice about it. He’s so hot it’s easy to let the quirks slide by.”

Walking over to tear down the espresso bar you were using, Stevie was in a fit of giggles.

“An old ass man breaking your dry spell is so you coded I hate it.”

You rolled your eyes and smiled as you dumped the espresso beans in their corresponding cubes before stacking them on the counter.

“Who says I’m gonna have sex with him?”

“Bitch if you don’t have sex with him I will slap you personally for being so stupid.”

Both of you erupted into a fit of laughs, and both of you reverted to your normally loud selves now that you were in the comfort of a closed store. Taking the few dishes left to the sink in the back, you peeked your head out yelling to Stevie.

“You cool if I finish the dishes and then I’ll help wipe down whatever you don’t have finished out here when I’m done?”

“Yeah, I kinda wanted to mop anyway.”

Smiling you walked back over to the sink and pulled out your phone to save Seonghwa’s contact to your phone. As you clicked done in the upper right hand corner, a message from him popped up in a banner on the top of your screen. When you clicked on it, it was his address, and at the end of the text, it was signed ~*Seonghwa.

As you were beginning to write back a grey bubble popped up, his text following soon after.

Seonghwa: Wasn’t sure if you had the chance to save my number to your contact list and didn’t want to leave any doubt that it wasn’t me texting you.

Y/N: no worries! i appreciate the clarity

Y/N: i also wanted to thank you again for agreeing to do this with me. i have so many questions

Seonghwa: Well, I hope you have plenty of paper or a recorder of some sort because I have quite the story to tell.

You felt butterflies flutter in your stomach, feeling utterly giddy that this astute man was texting back and forth with you. He seemed so untouchable and yet in this moment he seemed so much more lax than his typical personality. You hearted his last message and typed one last text before you began running the dishes.

Y/N: so excited to hear all of it :)

Shoving your phone back into your pocket, you threw the pieces of the espresso bar into the dishwasher and quickly hand washed all the pieces that couldn’t be tetrised into the washer. Grabbing a rag, you wiped down the dishes you hand washed and placed them in their respective places out on the bar. When the dishwasher beeped, you went back to open it so all the steam could be let out allowing the dishes to cool off while you wiped down the counter with Stevie in the front.

Satisfied with how the counter looked, you grabbed the last remaining pieces of the espresso bar and locked them in place in the bar. Putting the cleaning pills into the machine, you and Stevie did a once over of the store with your eyes. Nodding to each other, you took off your aprons and went to grab your stuff in the back of the store. Gathering all of your items, you and Stevie clocked out and walked to the front of the store.

As Stevie set the alarm for the building, she yelled over at you while you were waiting at the front door.

“Has he texted you yet?”

“Lol yeah, he has.”

The alarm beeped, signaling that it was clear for you to open the door, you held it open waiting for Stevie to come around the corner. As she locked the door, she turned around and looked at you motioning you to hand over your phone.

“It’s nothing serious, yet.”

“Oh, so you’re hopeful.”

Stevie wiggled her eyebrows at you making you giggle as she read over the quick interaction you had with him.

“He wants you so bad y/n/n.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Oh, so being delusional is only okay when we're miles away from the hot person now?”

“No, but-”

“-No buts.”

You smiled looking down at your feet trying to hide your excitement from your friend.

“Alright, well while you dream about Twilight for the rest of the night, I gotta get home to feed Ghost. I’m pretty sure she’s meowing her head off right now. Text me when you get home, okay?”

Stevie held up a finger gun as she began to walk to her car and you did the same thing as you walked to yours.

“I will.”

Getting in your car, you took a decompressing breath releasing all the burdens from the day at work. As you turned your car on, you knew your mind would be clouded with thoughts of Seonghwa and what you were gonna prepare for him.

The drive home felt more like a teleportation home but nonetheless, you were glad to be facing your building. As you got out of your car, you felt that instant dread that you’d been feeling for weeks now. It was always a sudden feeling but you couldn’t ignore it. With the defensive instinct of hunted prey cascading your nerves, you looked around the parking lot near your apartment and noticed nothing out of the ordinary. You just couldn’t shake this feeling.

Silently grateful that one of the closer parking spaces was open, you locked your car and briskly walked towards your building. Running up the stairs when the feeling of panic that something maniacal was behind you washed over you again. When you reached the top of your stairs, you placed your back against the wall looking out across the different buildings, and still nothing seemed wrong.

Taking a deep breath, you shook your head and opened the door to your apartment. Walking in, you quickly shut the door behind you, finally feeling safe within the walls of your home. When you clicked your lock shut, your dog, Jasper, ran to you from your bedroom. Seeing him eased your shaken nerves, but only momentarily before he was distracted by something.

His happy tail lowered and tucked between his back legs as low growls echoed through him. Slowly, he stalked over to your window and looked out toward the other buildings in the complex. Your blinds open just enough so that a small amount of the streetlight could peek through.

Not wanting to think about whatever was on your tail anymore this evening, you walked over and shut the blinds completely so that neither Jasper nor you could see out the window. Grabbing the remote to your TV, you put on something random just to have background noise so you wouldn’t have to wrestle with the silence. Putting down some food for Jasper, you made yourself a quick dinner so you could begin drafting your questions for tomorrow.

A half an hour soon turned into a full hour, then that one hour quickly became two and when you finally looked at your phone again it was 1 am. Satisfied with what you came up with, you closed your notebook and got yourself ready for bed. Finishing your routine, you checked your front door to make sure it was locked. A pit of worried confusion settled in your stomach as you noticed your top lock was left unchained. As you tried to reason with yourself you settled confidently on the fact that you probably just forgot when you rushed inside. Besides, the main lock was still set in place.

You called for Jasper and opened the door to your balcony so he could use the bathroom one last time. While you were outside, you didn’t feel that oppressive feeling but you still felt like you had eyes on you and Jasper confirmed your suspicions as his tail tucked again and he stared into the distance. Fear began to freeze your body again and you wanted to get back inside as soon as possible.

“C’mon bud, let’s go to bed.”

Jasper shook his head, his collar jingling in the night air. Walking inside, you locked the balcony door and shut off all the lights in the main area of your apartment. Calling for Jasper to follow you to bed, you laid out all your blankets before patting the mattress to signal him to come up. You turned on your LED lights, needing some sort of light to quell your nerves about how you’d been feeling since you got home. The deep purple, shining a tone similar to a black light only lit up a corner of your room. It was just enough to provide you with comfort and the promise of sleep started weighing on your eyes.

The weight of Jasper on your sheets calmed you down and slowly sleep overcame your body. Your last thought before drifting off was not about the anxiety you felt but rather the excitement for the solo time you were going to have with Seonghwa. If only you could’ve discerned that the anxiety you felt was also courtesy of the man you were bewitched by.

~`*`~

Your body felt like it was made of stone. You’d never felt pressure like this before let alone right out of sleep. Your eyes slowly pried open and the comfort that normally showered your room was nowhere to be felt. You tried to move your limbs, but as you made the conscious effort to move them, they stayed restrained in place. Stuck, as if they were chained to the mattress.

As you tried to roll your body over off of its back, you realized that dead weight feeling was possessing your entire body. You were paralyzed, trammeled to what was once the solace of your bed. There was a damning pressure on your chest and it was beginning to feel like you couldn't breathe. Any breath that you could’ve caught was now lost to terror as you realized you could only move your eyes. As you scanned your room, you noticed Jasper standing on the bed, low growls escaping him as he pointed to a corner in your bedroom.

As you followed his stance your eyes met a tall, statuesque figure standing in the corner of your room, its presence was boring into you. If you could see its eyes, you’d imagine they’d be all black, a harrowing intent lying behind them. The figure's energy felt familiar but the terror of the unknown overshadowed your reason. Fear tingled your body and you wondered if anybody would be able to help you.

Your mind raced, wondering if this was a twisted realistic dream or if you were about to meet an early demise. The figure barely seemed to move, let alone breathe, but the energy radiating from it was horrifying. You felt like you could faintly see a smile forming where its face was. You tried to scream, but it felt like your mouth was sewn shut. Not sound or even a fraction of the movement of the scream escaped your body and it left you feeling hopeless.

Closing your eyes, you hoped that maybe you’d be able to force your body back to sleep and whatever that thing was would dissipate into thin air the same way it appeared. A tingling feeling slowly raced through your body and you felt your limbs become your own again. Opening your eyes back up, nothing was standing in the corner anymore and that hot, oppressive feeling that was clawing at the room had faded.

Jasper curled himself back onto your bed seemingly calmed down enough to go back to sleep. You couldn’t ignore the steady racing of your heart while you kept your dark lights illuminating the room. You were subconsciously just waiting for something else to appear. Grabbing the remote to your lights, you switched the color to a soft white, needing to have some sort of brightness to allow you to feel safe in your room again.

~`*`~

As you tossed and turned, the hours quickly ticked by and the once navy sky peeking through your window was now turning into a canvas of pale blues and greys. An unmistakable gloom casting over the early morning sky. You couldn’t even force yourself back to sleep, the anxiety you felt being too great to even think about sleep. Every time you closed your eyes it felt like heat was bearing down in your room, an unseen presence feeling disrespected that you would dare to ignore it.

Sighing, you sat up in your bed and reached over to your blinds to open them a little bit more, allowing more natural light to brighten your room. For some reason, you felt that if you had nature’s light spill into your room, whatever anxiety you felt would dissipate enough for you to get some type of sleep. Checking your phone, the time flashed 7:32 and you were satisfied enough with the amount of light that was coming through. With Jasper tucked into your legs, you found a comfortable enough position and felt your mind relax enough so that you could will yourself to sleep.

When you woke up again, it was still overcast and everything was just a bright grey color. It was oddly eerie. Some wind picked up out of nowhere and coupled with the melancholic tone of the weather already, you felt like you were in your own personal thriller. You just hoped that nothing else out of the ordinary was going to happen today. When you checked your phone and it flashed 12:52, you were pleased that you at least got some sleep. Scrolling through your notifications, you saw you had a few texts from Stevie.

steviee: share your location with me before you forget

steviee: cuz i know you'll end up at his house and then i won't know where you are

steviee: i know i have the address but what if you go somewhere else

steviee: r u asleep still what's goin on

You chuckled at your phone, your friend never failing to make you laugh when you needed it. It almost made you forget about the panic you had felt all night.

y/n: yeah i just woke up sorry

y/n: i had fuckin sleep paralysis and couldn't go to sleep until it was light outside smh

y/n: location should be shared now btw

steviee: damn, did you see the hat man?

Stevie hearted your message saying you shared your location and her text about seeing “the hat man” brought you some needed joy. Having someone to be able to joke about the whole ordeal of last night made it seem not so terrifying.

y/n: i literally couldn’t tell you who it was all i know is that it scared tf outta me

steviee: right..right

steviee: well, lemme know when u leave tn and good luck

y/n:tyy :3

Shutting your phone off, you decided you should probably start getting ready so you’d have enough time to get yourself together as well as grab anything extra you’d need for the interview. Getting up, you stared at your closet trying to come up with something that would be enticing but professional enough to not raise any flags. You couldn’t deny that you had a bit of a crush on Seonghwa, but it seemed like such a distant reality that you tried to not pay much attention to it.

You wanted to impress him though. He always looked so polished and you wanted him to feel as allured by you as you did him. The thought crossed your mind that anything you wore would be better than the work clothes he always saw you in, so you settled on something middle of the road. You threw a form fitting, black longsleeve, a black skirt, and your leather jacket on your bed and then sauntered into your bathroom to run through your routine.

Between your shower, and dancing in between songs while you did your makeup, it quickly became 4 pm. Getting dressed, you gazed over your appearance looking for any immediate imperfections you had to fix. When you found none, you sprayed your perfume, grabbed your shoes, and walked out into the main room of your apartment. Opening the door to your balcony, you let Jasper out while you set out some food for him, figuring that you’d be out fairly late with Seonghwa’s interview. Setting his bowls down, Jasper came prancing inside, rubbing up against your leg. As you locked the door, you showered him with affection and then grabbed your purse to make your way out.

You were leaving a little earlier than you expected, but you needed to get a new notebook for Seonghwa and you wanted to grab something to eat beforehand. Every new interview you did with someone, you wanted to grant them their own notebook, making the experience feel more personal to each individual. You had a growing collection piled in your room and you were plenty excited to add another. Looking back over your apartment to make sure you didn’t forget anything, you looked at Jasper.

“Be a good boy and watch the house, baby.”

You flicked on the light so he wouldn’t be left in the dark and you made your way out of your apartment. When you stepped out the door though, your foot landed on something else other than the concrete. When you looked down, there was a leather bound journal with gold embellishments on the spine. You picked it up, inspecting it, and to your surprise, it seemed brand new. You wondered if it was maybe a misplaced delivery, but there was no package sticker on it.

Seeing it as a blessing in disguise, you stuffed the journal into your bag and walked down the steps to the parking lot. One less stop meant you’d be able to debrief with Stevie before you made your way to Seonghwa’s. Driving the memorized route you had for work, you got there fairly quickly with traffic having died down. When you got out of your car, the sun was slowly tucking itself behind the mountains, casting an angelic golden glow across the sky. Walking into your job, you were happy to see Stevie at the front so that you could get the free food you wanted without the hassle.

“What are you doing here?”

“Coming to get breakfast so I don’t pass out in front of that man.”

“It’s literally five, babe.”

“And it’s still my breakfast.”

Grabbing a sandwich from the display case, you slid it across the counter gingerly and looked at Stevie your lips downturned and your eyebrow slightly raised.

“You want a drink?”

“No, just a water, if I have coffee I might actually shit myself.”

You waited on the wall closest to behind the counter and continued talking with your friend trying to calm your nerves. Every time you had a flicker of a thought about Seonghwa you felt your heart race. Stevie’s voice pulled you from your thoughts which you were thankful for because they were about to spiral again.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d think you’re going on a date.”

Panicked you looked down at your outfit and then back to Stevie.

“Why? Is this too much? Should I go change?”

Stevie laughed and it confused you, furthering the thoughts of you looking like a fool. The timer on the oven beeped and she put your sandwich in a bag and turned around to hand it to you.

“No, it’s not too much. Just wanted to see you squirm. You look hot.”

Your eyes lacked amusement, a deadpanned glare shot her way.

“Not funny.”

“You needed to loosen up, I could smell the tension on you the moment you walked in. Hopefully he fucks it out of you.”

“Stevie!”

She looked over her shoulder smiling at you as she walked back over to the register to help a customer. As you began to eat your sandwich, your phone vibrated in your front pocket. Pulling it out, your heart rate sped up reading that the notification was from Seonghwa.

Seonghwa: Good evening. I hope this message finds you well. I’m ready whenever you are.

Why does he talk like that?

You didn’t realize you had zoned out until your screen started to fade to black, your dazed reflection staring back at you. In your staggered panic, you gnawed away at your sandwich not even recognizing that you finished it until you went for a coherent bite and chomped on nothing but paper. Crumbling the bag and throwing it into the trash, you grabbed the water that Stevie left on the counter and almost got away with an Irish goodbye.

“Text me everything!”

“I will!”

You pushed out of the glass door and got back into your car. Digging through your bag, you searched for your lip products before you started the vehicle. Feeling that you had fretted over your appearance enough today, you threw everything back into your bag and loaded Seonghwa’s address into your phone.

You turned up your music, needing something to drown out the endless panic you were having now that you were actively making your way to his house. Your GPS said it was only about a ten minute drive from where you were so at the very least you were thankful to be close to an area you were familiar with. The further you drove the route to his house, the more you realized it was taking you in a similar direction to where you lived.

Passing your apartment complex, you began driving in an area that was visibly more prestigious and affluent. The few apartment complexes turned into luxury mansions and you could only imagine from the outside, the grandeur of what the homes looked like inside. Turning on one last residential street, you turned into a development that had a guarded gate.

“Hi, Y/n L/n for Seonghwa Park on 7772 Seraph Lane.”

“Alright. I need to scan your ID.”

The guard waited at your window as you rummaged in your bag for your wallet. Pulling out your ID, the man scanned the barcode and walked back into the small building. As he typed your info into the computer, he quickly printed out your guest pass.

“Seems like you were already in the system. Have a nice day.”

Thanking the man you tossed the pass up on the dashboard of your car. As you drove through the neighborhood, you took in how beautifully everything was maintained. The road you drove down was shrouded in willow oak trees, almost hiding the darkening sky. As you made one last right, you pulled up in front of his house. Or, mansion you suppose.

His front yard was well kept, a willow tree hanging on the lawn. The front of his home was imposing and you felt out of touch being in such an environment. His street was quiet, almost unnervingly quiet. There was no excess noise from any main road, and with nothing but a few cars adorning the driveways of the surrounding houses, you felt unusually small. Out of place. Stepping out of your car, you grabbed your bag and fixed yourself one last time in the reflection of your car door. Locking your car, you took a deep breath and walked up Seonghwa’s elaborate driveway finally clicking into a semi-professional mentality.

Ringing his doorbell, you waited patiently to see him on the other side. When you heard the lock of the door click out of place, one of the large, red oak double doors opened to reveal Seonghwa in one of the more relaxed outfits you’d ever seen him in. He was clad in black jeans, a mesh long sleeve draped across his upper half, and a pair of leather mules on his feet.

A wide smile spread across his face as his eyes met your own. A glint of sheer mirth expressed across his features.

“Y/n! So glad you made it, I hope it wasn’t too much of a hassle to find. Please, come in.”

Timidly bowing your head, a light chuckle left you as you stepped through the front door.

“Oh, it was no trouble! Me being in the system already made the guard situation a breeze.”

Closing the door behind you, you watched him as he began to speak again.

“I pray you didn’t find that alarming in any way, just wanted to lessen the amount of effort it would take to get beyond the gates.”

“Oh, I figured that was the reason. I appreciate you looking out for me.”

A gentle and pleased smile spread lightly across his lips, his eyes closing only for a moment before he continued being so hospitable.

“Can I get you anything to drink before we start?”

“Um, a water would be great.”

“Come.”

Seonghwa motioned his hand to follow you and as you trailed behind him you gazed at everything you could inside of his home. The ceilings were intimidatingly tall and his house was spotless, somehow more well put together than the man himself. He had macabre and abstract artwork and busts decorated his walls and some end tables. The hallway to the kitchen seemed so far away from the front door, but when you entered the room you were left in even more awe.

“You have a beautiful home, Hwa–Seonghwa! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“-It’s quite alright, y/n. You can call me Hwa if you’d like.”

Nodding silently, you swallowed your embarrassment. Sliding you a glass full of water, you thanked him and he motioned for you to follow him again. Walking through his home, you felt like when Belle trailed behind Beast when being led to her quarters for the first time. Everything your eyes landed on either looked ancient or worth a million dollars. The hallways were long and imposing and you wondered how he lived here all alone.

Maybe that’s something I’ll add to ask.

Approaching a white door at the end of the hallway with golden fixtures, he opened it and guided you into what you assumed to be his study. He had a table set up with chairs facing each other and he pulled your chair out as you entered the room with him. Seonghwa sat across from you, smoothing out his top as if he was being filmed on camera. Setting your bag on the table, you pulled out your phone opening up the voice memos to serve as your recorder and you pulled out the journal that you found at your front door.

Just like last night, there was a glint in Seonghwa’s eyes that you would’ve missed if you didn’t look at the right time. You barely furrowed your eyebrows, not trying to draw attention to something so small. He had a microscopic smirk pulling at the side of his mouth, almost like he was trying to hide a smile from forming. Taking a deep breath, you looked up at Seonghwa, that glint now gone and substituted with his usual stoic gaze.

“Ready?”

“Indeed.”

Pressing record on your phone, you opened up to the first page of the journal massaging the page so that the spine would bend to your liking. Going to fish in your bag for a pen, you realize it was the one thing that you forgot. Sighing you looked to Seonghwa.

“You wouldn't happen to have a pen would you?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

Getting up, Seonghwa walked to another desk in the room that was accompanied by a computer. Walking back over to where you were, he handed you a black and gold fountain pen that had the same exact markings that were detailed on the spine of the journal you picked up. Hesitant, you took the pen from him, your brows still furrowed as you looked at him to thank him. There was a cold, obsessive tone to his gaze as he watched you inspect the markings on the pen.

“The same markings are on this journal that I found left outside my apartment today! That’s so weird. Kinda cool, but still weird.”

A little extra air escaped his nose as he looked at you with amusement.

“How peculiar.”

You felt your gut stir in anxiety for a moment but swallowed the feeling as quickly as it came. Blaming it on the fact that you had finally started the interview, and you didn’t want to make a fool of yourself. Surely, he hadn’t left the journal, he didn’t even have a fraction of an idea of where you lived. A fiendish levity was cast upon his face when you looked up at him again, settling in to ask him the first question.

His gaze was heavy. Unwavering as it seemed he was creating a mental image of this moment to save forever and needed to capture every minor detail.

“So, what drew you to a town like this?”

~`*`~

taglist: @bellamuerte1987 @seonghwasstar

#ateez smut #kpop smut #kpop fanfic #ateez x reader #ateez fanfic #seonghwa imagines #seonghwa smut #seonghwa x reader #seonghwa fanfic #kpop imagines #seonghwa fics

246 notes · View notes

russett-pots · 1 year

Note

how about teaching sex with minju as your caring and nurturing senior, where you are shy and awkward but minju sweetly encourages you. minju guides you to cum all over her tummy and abs, and then she teaches you to pleasure her and make her cum, and then she gives you the ultimate lesson: for you to cum inside her. then minju teaches you to admire all the cum you released on her body, and your juices leaking out of her

Careful Noona

Kim Minju

Tags: Raw, breeding. caring Minju Sunbae

Words: 2.9k+ (2,992 so close to being 3k)

Sorry for the long wait. I have some existential crisis going when it comes to this blog)

You look down at your test paper and sigh.

Another low one

You studied hard for the test, trying to memorize every equation on the board. Been practicing all the problem sets. Yet on test day, you forgot everything. Everything the anger boils in you. Why can’t you get a higher grade? During the pandemic when everything is online, things are easier. Well since you can look at your notes during the test. Things were much simpler back then but now you have face-to-face class and you failed the test, failed it hard.

You shuffle your feet out the door. Your other classmates are busy talking inside about their passing scores. You are very jealous of them. But you put up your chin and say to yourself.

You’re going to do better…

Or at least that’s what you hope.

“How did you do?” Someone appears in front of you.

“Fine.. well actually I don’t want to talk about it?” You mumble.

It is your friend Minju. Well, kind of…You really met her since she was delayed. It isn’t because she failed a class. It is because she went on a leave of absence. From what she told you she did, she was very productive. She was in an internship for a sought-after company and maybe they are looking to hire her after when she graduates. But then you are just out there trying to survive college, hoping you’ll graduate one day.

“Jaesung-ah. Put that smile upside down. You can do better next time.”

“Well…” You show your score to Minju. Your heart is beating as you show her your test results.

“Oh…you really need to study. Wanna do some study sesh?”

“Well at this point. I’m willing to do anything.” You stand up and head out of the room. You turn back at Minju. “Noona, want some lunch?”

“Sure!” Minju replies excitedly.

You walk out of the college building. “What do you want?” Minju curiously asks.

“Chicken?”

“You thinking of what I’m thinking?”

“Well, you know where my favorite place is.”

“Come here. Let me buy you lunch.” Minju clings onto your arm and drags you with her.

She brings you to your favorite chicken place to cheer you up. Your favorite is spicy bbq and hers is snowy chicken.

“Which one are you going to get?” You ask Minju.

“Let me treat you. Let’s get the half-pack and share. You want kimchi rice or regular rice.”

“Regular is fine.” You mumble.

“Well suits you. I’m going to have the kimchi rice.” Minju almost shouts and turns around to the counter.

“Fine. If it’s okay with you. I’ll get the kimchi rice.”

“Anything to drink?”

“I’ll just stick with my water.” You pull out your jug.

“Okay. Just reserve a seat for us.”

You go up the stairs to the dining area. There are a lot of people. It is already rush hour what do you expect? You start to think you are going to get taken out. But then in the corner, there is a group of people about to leave. You quickly swoop over and steal the table before anyone else can.

You sit down and wait patiently for Minju and the food. Then you take out your phone to scroll thru Instagram. The first thing you notice is Minju’s photos. She is the first one on your feed. One thing you have noticed is that she is in her bikini. She may have been a bit conservative when it comes to what she wears to school but when she gets out and about she is wild. Her swimsuit leaves little to the imagination. She is such a cute and jolly girl when you meet her but when she is out parting she is a totally different person.

Down there agrees with what you see. The very skimpy clothes already make your cock harden. Even for a bit. It already makes you a bit horny. But that thought is interrupted as she is your friend even if you had a small crush on her. It isn’t much but you wouldn’t mind dating such a beauty like Minju.

“Ya!”

Your mind gets interrupted.

“Food’s here,” Minju announces to you. “I got our favorites half and half. Half spicy bbq and half snow chicken.”

“Thanks, Minju.”

“No problem. Just relax a bit. Forget about things. Okay?”

“Okay…it’s just my score—“

“Shush!”Minju places her finger on your lips. She grabs her chopsticks, pick-up one of the pieces of chicken, and stuffs it in your face.

“Food? Is good?”

You nod your head as you cannot say anything. Minju smiles as you affirm her. You make a thumbs up and smile as you can taste the deliciousness of the food.

Minju chuckles with your cheeks stuffed with food. She takes a bite of a piece with a scoop of rice.

You enjoy the food. It helps you forget about what happened a while ago. Finally what you like is blocking what was your old score.

You eat a bite of chicken with some rice. A perfect combination of simple food.

“Feeling better?” Minju asks.

“Yeah, I guess.” Then you blush.

“Wanna talk about it? Wait are you blushing?” She notices you.

“No. No. No! It’s just hot in here.”

Minju smirks. “Well if you want some help with studying then you can just hit me up.”

Your cheeks blush again, even harder this time. You put your hand on your hot cheek and smile. “Sure. Sure.”

Weeks later.

“Jaesung-ah. The test is next week. Wanna study together?” Minju taps your shoulder after class.

“Sure. I’m kind of more confident now. But anything would help.”

“Later at my place?”

“Oh? Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nah— my roommate isn’t going to be at home tonight. So it will just be the two of us.”

“No problems then.”

“Yippie. Anyway got to go. See ya tonight?” Minju starts to run away.

“Okay.” You wave at her.

Uhhhh dammit. She is so hot.

This is so wrong. I shouldn’t do this.

Is this my chance?

You quickly head home to change, wearing something nice, and put on some cologne. This is your chance to impress her. Well time to impress her with more than a friend.

But you are conflicted. All of a sudden you got this urge. You had a crush for a while but now you have this chance out of the blue. You never thought to yourself that you were going to Minju’s dorm alone.

You try to go up to her dorm with your school material, some books and your notes, and a couple of energy drinks to keep you awake. There is a keypad at the entrance. You press the button on Minju’s apartment.

“Who is it?” Minju’s voice comes out of the speaker.

“It’s me.”

As soon as you say that, the door opens. You step into the building and then ride the elevator to the tenth floor. Down the hall to the twenty-ninth room, you see Minju’s door. You knock on it. Outcomes Minju, she is wearing an oversized shirt all the way down to her upper thighs and you assume she is wearing very short shorts underneath.

“Jaesung-ah. Come in.” She leads you inside her one-bedroom apartment. “Leave your stuff on the table. We can get back to that later. Want something to eat first? I have some ramyeon.”

“Sure that sounds good.”

She quickly goes to her small kitchen and prepares the pots and water and boils the water first.

“How’s the trip was it tricky to find my place?”

“No. Not really.”

“Good.” She dunks the noodles in the water and is shortly followed by the seasoning packet. “Please feel free to sit wherever you want.”

You walk first around her apartment, checking it out then the view. Being up in a big building comes with a nice view then you go back to the dining room and sit at the table. Minju comes over with the pot and a couple of pieces of silverware. She sets it down and sits with you.

“So…” She looks at you for a second then prepares a bowl for you.

“Thanks.” You smile as you take your bowl from her.

She prepares a bowl for herself.

“Argh!” The ramyeon is hot. You burnt your tongue while at it. It is even spicier than what you are normally accustomed to.

Minju just sits there and laughs. After seeing you struggle for a bit, she gets up and prepares a glass of water. She hands it over to you.

You take a sip of the water to extinguish the heat that is in your mouth. It is both because it is hot in terms of temperature and taste. You haven’t gotten the heat tolerance that others have, But you still try to eat spicy food with others some have been more successful than others like Minju’s favorite fried chicken place. She always gets the spiciest flavor. She would always try to feed you some but you have to refuse since you do not want to burn your tongue for the millionth time when she asks you to eat some.

“You done with the noodles?” You ask Minju. “Don’t we have to you know?”

“Oh yeah. What subject do you want to study first?”

“Statics.”

“Okay, then where’s your book?” Minju asks you.

You take out the book and lay it next to the table.

“What topic are you struggling with right now?”

“Trusses really, both with method of joints and sections.”

Minju then dives into how to solve using both methods of joints and sections. She was able to give you the desperate help that you need. You may have been busy looking at Minju’s luscious thighs but when you do pay attention you still can get the topic, surprisingly.

You get dazing off by how Minju is your crush and you wisht that she is your girlfriend.

“Jaesung. Jaesung-ah.” Minju tries to snap you out of your trance.

You can get back to reality and look at Minju.

But she stands up and goes to the kitchen.

“Jaesung-ah, do you like me?”

“Noona, what do you mean?”

“I could tell you have a crush on me.”

“Me? Have a crush on you?!” You deny things.

She looks at you in doubt. The face that says she knows even that you are lying.

“Noona….I just….I—”

“Jaesung-ah.” Minju steps closer. One foot goes after the other. Her long legs touch yours. You stay still as Minju sits on your lap and wraps her arms around your neck. “Just tell me you like me.”

“Noona…I…I li—li—like yo…you.”

“Oh, my Jaesung. I like you too.” Minju leans in for a kiss. It touches your lips. The sweet taste of her plump and soft lips is exciting. Minju pulls back.

“Is this your first kiss?”

“Yes…”

“Then I’m happy I’m your first.”

You lean foreheads. “It would have been you.”

“So I’m assuming you haven’t done…it?”

“It? Oh, sex? Ummmm.”

Minju chuckles. “It isn’t something to be ashamed of. We all had our first time.” She touches your cheek with her hand. “You have a condom?”

“Condom? I don’t have a condom. Why would I have a condom?” You question her and yourself.

“Raw?” Minju thinks to herself then shrugs her shoulders. “Sure.” She goes back returning and kisses you. Her hand gets all over you. Your eyes roll back and your mind wanders off.

Minju’s touch is already getting you aroused. Her hand gets up your shirt. It also goes inside your pants. You are already half hard, now with her hand in your pants, pumping your length. You can feel some pre-cum already leaking.

“Come on Jaesung-ah. Let me make you feel good.” Minju whispers into your ear. The sound tickles your ear canals. She licks your ear lobes and gives a quick nibble. She then undresses you, freeing your cock from its cage.

Minju looks down and chuckles for a bit.

“Don’t laugh! Is it small?”

“No. No. It isn’t.” Minju observes it. She inspects it by stroking it gently, then gives a quick lick. Her hand fondles your balls. Her tongue swirls around your tip. Her eyes are fixated on it. She is memorized at your length.

Minju stands up from squatting on the floor near your crotch.

“Are we done?”

Minju nods a no and removes her oversized shirt. Out comes the perkiest pair of tits you have ever seen. They seem to be perfect. Each one is a handful and one that is suckable.

She gets back down on your crotch and starts sucking on your cock. Slowly and gently at first. Her tongue plays around, going around your shaft. Each taste bud is dragging around your cock. While this, her left hand is playing with your balls. A breath of air can be felt as she is down there at your nether regions.

Your eyes roll back as you can feel your cock being pleasured. You let out moans as you could feel your cock being played with. Your hand strokes her head as she strokes your cock with her right hand.

Then things intensify. Minju goes faster. Things went from slow to fast gently. Things become more and more pleasurable. You can hear the sound of gwak gwak on your cock. Minju takes as much cock as she wants. Your length is getting swallowed whole as she plays with you.

You look down at her. Her eyes look up to check if you are enjoying this and you are. When she sees you looking down she gets up again and grabs the hem of her short shorts.

She starts to remove them as she says. “You know as much as I like you I didn’t expect us to have sex on the first date.” Once her shorts and panties are gone, there you can see a bush on her crotch. “I didn’t shave as you can see.” She tosses her shorts aside and grabs your hand. “I hope that doesn’t change anything.

You nod no as she brings you to her bed. She jumps on the bed and reveals her pussy. “You know what to do?”

“I haven’t done this but I’ll try.”

You align your tip to her entrance. Your cock plays a bit by rubbing its bottom part with the lips. Then you go in. Minju shouts as you enter while you moan as you penetrate her. You have always masturbated on her picture but never have you expected you’ll actually be fucking her. You thrust in and out like a monster. You never experience such pleasure if your life.

You get in and out faster and faster. While this Minju pulls you closer to her and initials a kiss between the both of you. You thrust while her tongue enters your mouth.

You go back thrusting in and out. Thins go intense. The bed starts to shake. You can see that Minju’s breasts are jiggling.

Then suddenly, Minju turns you around. She is on top of you while you are at the bottom. She gives you a deep kiss before sitting up. She is on top of your cock. Then she goes forward, backward, and side to side. A gentle rolling motion. Her hands rest on your chest then her fingers start playing with your nipples.

This switch of pace catches you off guard. But at this rate, she is going to make you cum faster than you would think.

“Come on, Jaesong-ah. You wanna cum for me?”

“Yes, noona.”

“Then cum for me. Cum for me hard.” She goes down and whispers in your ear. “Where do you wanna cum?”

You ponder for a moment. “Where can I?”

“Anywhere you want.”

Your heartbeat rises. Your mind races around, pondering where is an acceptable place to cum. You would expect Minju to make you cum anywhere you want.

“I don’t know where.” You reply.

“You want me to choose.” Minju looks at you while she continues to ride you.

“Yes…” You worry.

She leans forward on your face. “Cum in my, Jaesung-ah. Okay? I’ll ride you until your cum, okay?”

You nod your head. Minju is now in control of the situation. She takes over. All of the motion is set by Minju.

She starts to move faster. Her body jumps up and down. She runs her pussy all over your length. Your cock starts to get lubricated by Minju’s juices. This allows her to move faster and faster. MInju starts to orgasm louder after each minute.

Her bedroom is starting to get filled with her loud moans. You start to groan as well. You breathe faster and faster as your wanted orgasm is getting closer.

Minju is pushing you closer and closer to the edge. Then you can feel it. Your stomach starts to tighten, your leg starts to feel weak.

“Noona! I’m going to cum.”

Minju’s eyes brighten. She runs faster and faster.

Then you shoot your cum. Ropes and ropes of cum run out of your cock. A surge of sticky white liquid exits your body. Minju slows down as you finish. But once she stops she gets off.

There you can see your semen leak out of her pussy.

“Don’t worry. I’m on the pill.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I won’t get pregnant.” Minju lays beside you.

“So you have been planning this?”

“Sure. Well if I would do anything like this it would be you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I like you Jaesung-ah. I told you that and it’s obvious that you like me. So, it’s perfect. Ain’t it?”

“I guess it is…”

Minju lays beside you and cuddles up against you. “But did you get my lesson with Statics?”

“Uhhhh…..”

“Aigoo, We’ll have to go thru that lesson again? I want you to pass.”

“Okay, I will. I will.”

“Nice. Goodnight Jaesung-ah.”

“Goodnight noona.”

#Kim Minju #minju smut #izone smut #kpop smut

592 notes · View notes

leahsixx · 1 month

Text

a bien regarder.

a short story of a quiet morning with the Nikki Sixx and Y/N.

warnings: fluff.

lmk if any typos or mistakes.

****, OK let's do this one more time, if this goes wrong again then we'll just have to go with what we've got

Alright let's go.

I think you should bring the boom in just a bit closer. Yeah no that's too close, it's in frame - oh. Yeah that's it. OK, sound

Check

Lights.

Check

Camera, rolling.

Uh, scene 74, take 21

Action.

———

April 17th 1984. It was a sunny, graceful morning, the sun was shining thru the beige curtains making the room have an orange undertone. Birds chirping could be heard. And cars, also motorcycles could be heard driving down the streets. Only a few people were walking down the streets, it was just 9:23 on a Sunday after all. It’s such a gorgeous sight, it felt blessed. I’ve always loved mornings like these, it brung out a peaceful feeling. It felt composed, it was a peerless start to the day. It’d hadn’t been this weather in a while, it was warm, sunlit, and cloudless. My favorite. It was really my kind of morning.

I was sitting on the edge of the bed, on the white/beige sheets. A hot cup of coffee in my hands, looking out on the streets, watching a young mother with her son, a cute small boy with brown hair and he was around the age of… 5. It was adorable. They were on their way to the playground on the corner next to our apartment building. I had opened the curtains slightly, not letting too much light in yet. I was wearing a white, soft robe with pink roses on it. It felt warm and comforting around my smooth skin, it was my favorite robe. I was totally lost in my thoughts, taking small sips of the coffee i had prepared..

I snapped out of my day dreaming when i heard Nikki next to me, stirring and making small, cute little sounds. He was waking up, unhurried. I looked at him. His black hair was ruffled and messy. A ray of sun was shining on his pretty face, he looked sleepy as his dark green eyes were fluttering open. The white/beige sheets only covered the lower half of his body as he was nude from the night before. I watched his eyes open and adjust to the orange light that lit the bedroom, i had a soft smile on my face as he looked at me and he rubbed his eyes and let out a small, sleepy whimper. He looked at me as a sleepy smile came onto his rosey lips.

“Good morning..” I say in a soft, quiet tone. Scooting closer and wiping the hair out of his face, he has a lot of it.

“Morning..” He replies, he sounds very sleepy and his voice was raspy. It was quite adorable if you ask me. He was always such a sleepyhead and had trouble waking up early, i had to drag him out of bed if we had plans early in the morning. But today, he woke up on his own.. and we had nothing to do all day. It felt so good.

Nikki sits up against the headboard, he rubs his eyes once again and does a little yawn. His eyes are droopy and he looked disoriented. He had the white/beige sheets covering his lap, his skin was warm so he didn’t need them anyways. It was a warm morning, it felt like summer when it was just April.

I take another sip from my coffee before i reach my hand out and hand him it. I already had drunken half and i didn’t care to give the rest to Nikki. He smiled.

“Thank you, baby..” He mumbled and took the coffee from my hands as he started to sip it.

We sat in bed for about 1,5 hours. Nikki immediately wanted to cuddle, so of course we did. We just stared outside the window, enjoying the nature as Nikki whispered sweet nothings into my ear, it was so comforting and peaceful. After time went on it was time to get ready. Nikki was resisting but when i mentioned showering together he got up like there was no tomorrow.

We got out of bed and went into our shared bathroom. I had turned on the lights and opened the blinds of the one window that was in the bathroom, i looked outside the window to see the tall, dark trees. It was an indescribable sight. We stood beside each other in front of the sink and started to brush our teeth, Nikki’s arms were around my waist as he rested his chin on my shoulder. He was still sleepy and wanted warmth.

“I love you so much, baby..” He mumbled as he brushed his teeth. It sounded funny but it was incredibly sweet, he is such a puppy.

“I love you too.” I mumbled and spit out my toothpaste, rinsing my mouth and immediately wrapping my arms around his neck, giving him a warm and loving hug.

As we both finished brushing our teeth i turned on the shower. As we waited for the water to turn warm i took off my robe, Nikki got excited and immediately started to press soft kisses on my lips. After a moment we both stepped in the shower, Nikki was practically glued to me. I grabbed the shampoo bottle and squeezed some into the palm of my hand and started to wash his hair, massaging the shampoo into his scalp as he pouted. “I feel like a little kid..” He mumbled grumpy, but he couldn’t hide the fact he had a small blush on his cheeks. He loved showering together. All he wanted is love and affection. And i didn’t think twice to give him all of it.

I just chuckled. Pressing a few kisses to his soft little lips to make it up, he smiled every time i kissed him. His arms were around me and he kept moving and getting distracted. But that didn’t stop me from washing him. I finished washing his gorgeous long black hair, and we ended the morning by making love in the shower..

——————————————————————————

-leahsixx.

#fanfiction #mick mars #motley crue #motley crue fanfiction #nikki sixx #nikki sixx fanfiction #nikki sixx x reader #nikki sixx x you #tommy lee #vince neil #Spotify

82 notes · View notes

gretagerwigsmuse · 2 years

Text

'cause you care, and i swear that i'm here, but i'm there it's gettin' harder to hunt me down (Part 2/2)

Pairing: Rooster x Fem!Reader

Summary: In hindsight, your crush on Bradley started innocently enough - he came into the bar one evening and you thought he was cute. Well, more than cute, but it all had to start somewhere...

OR Y/N and Bradley over the course of many, many weekends at the Hard Deck

Author’s Note: enjoy part 2! thanks to everyone for all the support on this, it’s been so fun to write for a super active fandom. i also posted this on ao3 if you’d like to read it all at once. let me know if you like it!

[Part 1]

-------

one and a half weeks ago

You spent the next week thinking about texting him, wanting to text him, wanting to talk to him. But it never seemed like the right time.

Plus, Bradley was probably - and justifiably - busy. He didn’t need you bugging him. He was assigned to that mission you kept hearing whispers about and Penny told you that two of his friends, Natasha and Bob, were in an accident earlier that week. And then Admiral Kazansky passed away on Thursday.

So, it had definitely been a busy week for Bradley, to say nothing of how busy you had been at work. You were sitting in on so many depositions you thought your head was going to explode, in addition to all the briefs you were helping the ADAs write. Your head had been swimming in legalese for days and you actually relished what was sure to be a busy Saturday shift after an already chaotic Friday one.

Penny had mentioned to you on Friday that there was going to be an informal reception at the Hard Deck after Admiral Kazansky’s funeral on Saturday, so she would need everyone at work a little earlier to help out.

You, Jimmy, and Maddie were all at work getting the bar ready when Penny showed up around three o’clock to say that the reception was winding down at the Kazanskys’ and that everyone would be at the Hard Deck within the next hour or so.

Despite everything going on, you did hope to see Bradley there and at least talk to him a little bit, ask how he was doing, see if he really meant to give you his number last week. Maybe see if he wanted to hang out, just the two of you, once his mission was over? A girl could dream after all -

“- Well aren’t you just a pretty little picture?”

You rolled your eyes upon hearing Jake’s voice, but still turned around to face him. He looked sharp in his dress blues - and he knew it. “What can I get you?”

“I’d say you, but we are all supposed to be in mourning, so I’ll just take a beer for now.”

You leaned over to get a Budweiser out of the cooler and slid it over to him. “I’ll put it on your tab -”

“- But first you gotta tell me what’s up with the sundress?” He jutted his chin out towards you. “And not that I don’t love the normal jeans and t-shirt look on you, but this is something else, darlin.’”

The unexpected compliment, even coming from Jake of all people, coupled with his southern drawl, caused you to blush. The sundress wasn’t anything that would be considered garish or in poor taste in light of the circumstances that day, but you did feel pretty in it.

“I wanted to wear something a little nicer because of the funeral, is that so wrong?”

“Ain’t nothing wrong about you, honey.”

Jake took a long sip of his beer, staring you down the entire time. You knew he never would actually do anything about it, but you always got so embarrassed whenever he flirted with you. You didn’t like the attention it brought - you liked when guys were more intentional, more reserved in regards to their actions towards you.

“What is it with men and sundresses?” you said under your breath, not expecting a response.

“Ehhh,” he shrugged, “probably the fact that most of them are see thru…”

You glanced down at your dress and then back up at Jake, who was smirking. “You’re disgusting.”

“You’re fine,” he waved his hand, “and not for lack of trying - or should I say looking - on my part…”

Your expression remained unimpressed and you were contemplating asking if he wanted to close his tab to get him out of your hair; meanwhile, Jake’s eyes roved around the bar and lit up when they seemingly landed on whoever he was looking for.

“You don’t believe me, fine, let’s get a second opinion on the appeal of sundresses, not limited, of course, to if they’re see thru or not - oh, this’ll be good - Bradshaw!”

Shit. Shit. He wasn’t asking Bradley to come over? God, it would be less mortifying if he asked Captain Mitchell. Because Jake couldn’t know? Could he?

Granted, Jake was a pain in the ass, but he was way more perceptive than anyone ever gave him credit. And he was also the textbook definition of a gossip.

“Bet you’d just love to hear ol’ Rooster croon about -”

“- Don’t you dare -”

You crossed your arms across your chest and glared at Jake, not taking your eyes off him as you slowly moved over towards The Bell. The opportunity had never arisen for you to ring The Bell before, but you’d always wanted to do it. And to have it be because of something Jake said? Well, that was just a bonus.

Before you could put your hands around the rope, Bradley sauntered over and stood beside Jake. “What do you want, Bagman - hey, Y/N.”

“Hey, Bradley,” you said with a smile, ignoring the fake gagging expression Jake was making behind Bradley’s back. “Can I get you a refill?”

He ducked his head and smiled. “Nah, I’m good for now. Maybe in a little while though - so, what do you want, Hangman?” his tone changed immediately and you held back a laugh at the abrupt one-eighty.

“Well, Y/N and I were -”

You kept sneaking glances at Bradley while Jake was talking. God, he was even more handsome up close and seemed so confident and self assured in his uniform. He looked way too distinguished in his dress blues and you were slightly thankful he had left his hat back at his table. Maybe he’d let you try it on later if - woah there. No. There would be no later.

Lieutenant Bradshaw was not going to take you for a ride while wearing that stupidly attractive hat and uniform of his. He was not going to pull you close to him in some darkened hallway and whisper absolutely filthy things in your ear about how he wanted to fuck you in the cockpit of his plane -

“- Y/N?” You startled, turning to face Jake and Bradley, the former of whom had interrupted your daydream. “Was just asking Rooster here why he thinks you’re looking so dolled up for us tonight?”

Bradley shoved Jake. “And I was just telling Bagman it was probably because of the funeral.”

“Exactly - see, he gets it!”

Jake smirked. “Oh, I’m sure he gets it. He gets it plenty - say, thoughts on sundresses, Bradshaw?”

“Fuck off,” Bradley grumbled and then tossed you a quick smile. “She’d be well within her rights to ring The Bell on you.”

You nodded and took a step over towards The Bell again. “Bell hasn’t been rung all night…bet this crowd would love a free round after the long day they’ve had…”

Bradley put his hands in his pockets and rocked on the backs of his feet, eagerly watching the scene unfold. Meanwhile, Jake just scowled.

“Minx. Well, on that note, I’ve got to beat Fanboy and Bob in a game of pool. So, I will see you around, my dear.”

As he disappeared over Bradley’s shoulder he mouthed the words you’re welcome and you fought the urge to flip him off.

“Sorry about him, we really shouldn’t let him off base.”

You laughed. “Ehh I've dealt with worse at Stanford. He’s mostly harmless, all bark no bite - at least where I’m concerned.”

That caught his interest and he leaned forward on the bar. You briefly glanced down at all the different medals and ribbons on his jacket and saw him doing the same thing with your sundress.

“What uhh - what do you mean?”

“I don’t know - I guess he just kind of haggles me or flirts with me, but it’s not like he means anything by it? So, I don’t really mind.”

Bradley frowned. “How do you know he doesn’t mean anything by it?”

“It’s Jake,” you said like that was enough. But it apparently hadn’t been because Bradley was still looking at you intently. You blushed. “I don’t know, he teases me about being a lawyer and all the pantsuits I’ll have to wear - which is ironic coming from a guy who wears a uniform everyday.” At this Bradley conceded a nod. “But like he doesn’t actually want to date me or sleep with me? I think it’s just second nature for him? Like that’s just how he talks?”

“Maybe…”

Someone a couple seats down from Bradley requested a couple waters and you quickly got them settled before turning back to him. “And then the whole sundress thing…”

“What about it?”

You were suddenly nervous, anxious even. “He called you over to get your opinion -”

“- Yeah, on why you were so dressed up -”

You groaned. “- Oh my god, you’re literally wearing a suit and have medals on your chest! I’m not the one who’s dressed up here, it’s a sundress for fuck’s sake. If you think this is dressed up, you should see what I wear to work!”

Bradley held up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. You aren’t dressed up, you’re in very normal attire for working behind a bar.”

“Thank you,” you settled down, but then remembered you hadn’t finished what you were saying earlier and cursed yourself for bringing up the topic in the first place. “He called you over to get your opinion on if my dress was see thru or not -”

“- He what?”

Ironically, the first rumble of thunder filled the Hard Deck at Bradley’s words and you almost smiled.

“He said that was the appeal for sundresses for guys and wanted to know if you agreed,” you mumbled.

“Why would it matter what I - not that I’d look for that in the first place - because I wouldn’t, I mean -”

You cut him off, saving you both the embarrassment.

“- He knows we’re friends - friendly, I mean. He knows we’re friendly and he was just trying to mess with me.”

The more you explained it, the dumber it sounded. God, you’d kill for a distraction. Why was no one else up at the bar getting drinks? But Bradley just nodded - once - and leaned back.

“Right.”

Another rumble of thunder sounded, this time followed by some lightning. You could hear the rain pounding on the roof of the Hard Deck and dreaded going out into the storm. There was no way you were going to bike home to your bungalow in the monsoon outside and contemplated calling an Uber, surge pricing be damned. You quickly pulled your phone out from under the bar to check the weather. The storm wasn’t going to stop until three and it was only just after ten thirty.

“You okay?” Bradley asked.

You nodded and put your phone back. “Yeah, just looking at the weather. Storm’s not gonna stop for awhile, kind of snuck up on me. I biked here.”

“You biked here?” For added measure, a particularly strong gust of wind howled outside.

“Well, there wasn’t any rain in the forecast when I looked this morning,” you quipped, “I don’t live too far away, so yes I normally bike here.”

“I can give you a ride home - I mean, if you want?” he said after a moment.

You glanced around the relatively deserted bar. It was slow for a Saturday night after the majority of the funeral guests had left and you had no doubt Bradley would be bored out of his mind waiting around until your shift ended. It looked like his friends were getting ready to leave soon anyway.

“It’s okay, I wouldn’t want to make you wait around for me. You’re sweet for offering, though.”

“Offering what?” Penny came up behind you with a crate of clean glasses.

While Bradley said hello to her, you took the crate from her hands and set it on the bar top to empty. “Uhh Bradley offered to give me a ride home, but I said he didn’t have to wait around for me.”

Penny shrugged. “You can head out early if you want? As long as you get those glasses put away, you’re all set.” She winked at Bradley and you pretended not to notice.

“Great, thanks - guess I’m all yours then.”

“Guess so…”

With Penny’s blessing, the two of you dashed across the parking lot towards Bradley’s Bronco some ten minutes later. Once he saw to it that you were all settled in the car, he ran back over to get your bike and then put it in the trunk. By the time he got in the car, he was completely soaked - from his fancy white hat all the way down to his shiny black shoes. The car roared to life beneath you both and the radio played softly in the background.

“All set?” he asked and you nodded. “So, where am I headed?”

“Uhh just take a right out of here and head down the street for about a mile or so.”

“Sounds good.” He pulled out of the parking lot and set off down Orange Ave and past the Hotel del Coronado. The streets were deserted, everyone seemingly put off by the rain and the late hour. Bradley drove with more care than you had originally figured, but that could have been due to the rain. Silence stretched between the two of you, but it wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable, easy.

“Thanks again for the ride, Bradley.”

He shrugged. “S’no big - hey, you know you can call me Rooster, right? You don’t have to call me Bradley all the time.”

It felt weird to use any of the teams’ call signs, like you didn’t have the right to do so.

“I only know you as Bradley, would be kind of odd to call you anything else, I guess.” You frowned suddenly. “Do you not want me to call you Bradley -”

“- No, no. I mean, I like it. Ever since I joined the Navy, it’s pretty much been Rooster or Bradshaw. No one consistently calls me Bradley anymore.”

“Hmmm, Lieutenant Bradley Rooster Bradshaw definitely is a mouthful.”

He laughed. “Might be a bit hard to fit on my drivers license.”

“What if I call you Brad?” It sounded weird coming out of your mouth and you laughed at the expression on his face. “Yeah, I didn’t like that either - oh, take a right here and it’s the second house on the left.”

Bradley turned onto G Avenue and, though it was dark and raining heavily, the Mentors had left the porch and driveway lights on, which still illuminated the entire house.

“Holy shit, Y/N.” Bradley let out a low whistle as the Bronco rolled to a stop in front of the Cape Cod inspired, cedar shingle bungalow.

Well, maybe bungalow wasn’t the right word for the main house, but it did sum up the guest house you were staying in on the property. You couldn’t see the ocean from your bedroom in the little bungalow out back, but the beach was still only a couple hundred feet away. It was lovely, really - completely renovated, had a full kitchen and dining room, was totally private, was a quick drive to your office and bike ride to the Hard Deck, and Mrs. Mentor - your mom’s closest friend from childhood - even let you pick out the linens in the bedroom. It was perfect. And you were going to be sad to say goodbye to it when you went back up to Stanford in the fall.

Bradley was still looking at it in awe and you chuckled. “Okay, to be frank, it’s not my house. It’s my parents’ friend’s house and I’m just staying here for the summer - plus, I’m in the guest house out back.”

He leaned over the steering wheel to peek at the house in front of you both and shifted the car into park. “Oh, the guest house, excuse me. I was gonna say, here I am telling everyone to tip you 25%, meanwhile you’re practically living on millionaire row in Coronado…”

You had noticed your tips had increased over the past couple weeks and were faintly mortified that Bradley had told people to do that. But at least it would explain some of their knowing looks lately.

“Oh, shut up.” You elbowed him in the stomach and he exaggerated a groan. “Tell them to stop doing that, too, it’s not necessary. If they feel the need to do it for anyone, let it be Maddie and Jimmy - I’m serious,” you added when Bradley just smiled.

“Then why do you do it - bartend?” He cut the engine and it was just the two of you and the pitter patter of rain on the roof.

“Well, I used to be a waitress and thought it might be fun to change things up.”

Bradley shook you a look. “You know what I mean…”

You shrugged. “I was fine getting my own place for the summer - contrary to my father’s beliefs, the DA’s office does pay me - but my parents swung this for me instead and I felt kind of…spoiled, I guess? Like I’ve lived a really privileged life and I guess I just want to contribute in some way? I’m not saying I’ll be able to pay my parents back for some seventeen odd years of private school on top of college and law school amongst other things, but I’d like to start somewhere? And until I really make good money, the Hard Deck it is.

“Plus, it gets me out of the house and stuff - out with people and everything. I don’t know too many people around here and there’s always someone new coming into the bar and it’s never boring, so…”

Bradley nodded, considering this, and you. “I think we’ve got a leg up on the lawyers there.”

“Possibly…”

He just shook his head fondly. “Alright, counselor, I think there’s an umbrella in the back seat if you want to use it? I’ll get your bike.” The door creaked open and he jogged to the truck bed, while you fished around for a massive golf umbrella in the back seat.

You mentally prepared yourself to brave the rains and got out of the car. But instead of heading to your front door, you went around to the back of the car, where Bradley had just gotten your bike out. You held the umbrella over his head.

“You can go in,” he said over the rain, “I’ll be right behind you.”

You shook your head and shifted the umbrella again so it was completely covering him. “I’m already soaked - and that uniform looks important.”

He chuckled under his breath and shook his head. “Fine, but I’m pretty sure we can both fit under here. As long as you’re okay with your ten-speed being the casualty?”

You looked up at him and smiled. “I think I can live with that.”

The two of you dodged some puddles on the driveway and made your way up a short set of stairs to your front porch. There was barely enough room for the two of you on the landing, to say nothing of the bike Bradley was half carrying, half leaning against the porch railing, so you were practically on top of each other under the umbrella. Despite being soaked through, you could still feel the heat pouring off his body. You’d never been this close to each other before - you could faintly smell his cologne and felt the hard planes of his chest against your back as you shakily unlocked the door. You could blame that on being cold from the rain. At least that’s what you told yourself.

Once you got through the threshold, you flicked on the lights and your little bungalow lit up before you both. Practically everything was white - the walls, the linen couches, the curtains, the marble countertop, the kitchen cabinets, but oddly that made it easier to clean - at least that was what Mrs. Mentor had said. There were subtle pops of color in the throw pillows and rugs, in addition to the artwork lining the walls. Plus, everything looked great against the herringbone hardwood floors. It was definitely to your taste, but you wished the assorted knick knacks and decor doting the space had been yours and not something Mrs. Mentor picked out at Serena and Lily.

“Okay, now this is exactly how I imagined your place would look.”

You scrunched your nose. “Is that supposed to be a compliment or -”

“- Oh without question, Miss Hospital Corners. I’ve seen you clean the bar, you’re freakishly neat. Jimmy and Maddie don’t put nearly as much effort into it. I like it though.”

“Har har,” you rolled your eyes, “make sure you take your shoes off, but you can put the bike in the storage closet over there?”

“The bike goes in the storage closet? Jesus, this place is fucking nice,” he muttered and then set off towards the storage closet near the back of the bungalow.

While he was gone, you gave the living room and kitchen a quick once over, looking for anything out of place - read embarrassing - but found nothing. You turned on some additional lights and headed over towards the kitchen.

“You want some water or anything?”

“Sure,” he shouted back. You could hear his footsteps getting closer to the kitchen as you fished around in the refrigerator.

You didn’t turn around as you asked: “Still or sparkling?”

He let out an exaggerated groan and you finally turned around to see him taking off his suit jacket so he was just in his white dress shirt. “No mineral water? Come on, Y/N, you’re slacking here.”

“Oh, please forgive me for my egregious error, Lieutenant Bradshaw. I won’t let it happen again,” you said, laying it on thick.

You were both standing there, smiling at each other like idiots and the kitchen suddenly felt too small. Bradley took one step towards you, then another, causing your arm to brush against the cool stainless steel refrigerator as you leaned back. You peered up at him and he opened his mouth to speak, but something out of the corner of your eye in the fridge caught your attention.

“- Oh, there’s a - it looks like there’s an extra Topo Chico back here - so, mineral and sparkling water.” You held the bottle between the two of you and practically thrust it into Bradley’s chest.

His eyes flitted between your face and the bottle, before settling back on you. A slow smile crept across his face. “I’m gonna be honest with you, I don’t really know what mineral water tastes like.”

“And here I thought you were a man of refined taste?” He shrugged and then took a sip. “Initial thoughts?”

“It’s fizzy,” he stated the obvious, “and also a little salty? But it’s good, thanks.”

You smiled, pleased and then fished around in the fridge for another bottle for yourself. When you closed the refrigerator door, your hand brushed against your dress, reminding you of how wet you still were. You hazarded a quick glance over at Bradley, noting the way his wet shirt was practically plastered to his body. He wasn’t wearing an undershirt. You swallowed.

“I can put your clothes in the dryer if you’d like?” He raised his eyebrows. “I mean, maybe not your jacket, but the rest of it? Like your shirt and pants and stuff because I feel like that jacket’s something that needs to be dry cleaned and like I wouldn’t even know where to start with putting the medals and pins back on -”

“- That would be nice, thanks.”

“Okay,” you squeaked. “I’ll probably do the same. In fact, I’ll just wash everything too, the machine’s really quick.

“The laundry’s just over here.” You thumbed over your shoulder and he followed you. “Wait! You don’t have any clothes to change into uhh - I have a couple sweatshirts that might fit you, if that works? You’re out of luck with the pants, though. You’re like almost a foot taller than me, but I can try -”

Before you could ramble any further, you dashed off to your bedroom, hunting through your closet for your baggiest sweatshirt. The worn, grey Pebble Beach crewneck was slightly big on you, so you hoped it would fit Bradley. For good measure, you also grabbed a pair of sweatpants you’d had for years. They probably wouldn’t fit him, but it was worth a try. Finally, you changed out of your own sundress and into a pair of cashmere pajama shorts and an oversized oxford before you headed back down the hallway.

“I found one, hope it fits…” you trailed off, any further words you had been about to say were lost to the ether at the sight of Lieutenant Bradshaw standing in his uniform pants and his uniform pants only in your hallway.

“Oh, uhh thanks,” he ducked his head, “figured I’d save you some time, but should’ve warned you -”

“- It’s fine - you’re fine.” He was more than fine, really. Very fine. And tan. So tan.

He took the sweatshirt from your hands and slipped it on. Shockingly, it did fit him, but probably wouldn’t be the size he would’ve bought had the sweatshirt been new. “I uhh got you some sweatpants, too. So, I’ll just let you change. The bathroom’s down the hall if that works better than doing it in the hallway - changing in the hallway, I mean.”

Bradley blinked slowly, shaking himself out of his thoughts. He seemed just as embarrassed as you were. “Right, thanks. I’ll just - yeah.”

While he was gone, you threw in a quick load of laundry, figuring he could throw his pants in himself. Normally, you wouldn’t mix the whites and the darks, but time was of the essence here and you wanted to get everything cleaned. Bradley probably didn’t want to hang out in your living room all night.

By the time he came back, you had started the laundry and were sitting in front of the TV, watching the SNL cold open.

“How do I look?” He did a little spin, showing off the too short sweatpants and too tight sweatshirt.

You laughed. “You’ve never looked better. Here, have a seat.”

He sat down on the couch close, but not too close to you and you both relaxed as you watched the opening monologue and the first couple sketches. Like in the car, the silence wasn’t awkward between the two of you - it was easy. You both sipped your drinks, occasionally glanced at your phones, laughed at the sketches, and eventually you got up to put both your clothes in the dryer. Neither of you were terribly fond of the musical guest, so you started chatting again, gradually getting into deeper conversation topics.

“So, what do you do next - in the Navy?” you clarified, “After this assignment is over and everything?”

Bradley considered this. “Probably just go back to China Lake.”

“That’s near Death Valley, right?”

“Hmmm, it’s about halfway between Death Valley and Sequoia.”

“And do you like it out there?”

He thought for a moment before replying. “No one’s ever really asked me that.”

“But do you?” From what you knew about that part of the state, it was very remote. Though you’d only known Bradley for a couple weeks, you didn’t really see him in a place like that.

“I don’t know? It’s fine, I guess? I have my own house, which is nice, but - I don’t know. It’s quiet and sometimes that’s nice. But sometimes...”

“It’s not. No, I get it.”

“Plus, it’s not really a - never mind.”

You shot him a look. “What? Trust me, I have no allegiance to China Lake, my feelings won’t be bruised if you were about to say something shitty about it.”

He made a face and then flopped back on the couch. “It’s gonna sound stupid, considering I don’t even - well, it’s not exactly where I’d want to have a family or make a life with someone, really. And I know that’s dumb to say since I don’t even have a girlfriend, let alone a family, but yeah. I don’t see myself making a life there.”

“Is there any place you’d like to go instead? I know you guys don’t exactly get to pick, but like, best case scenario, where would you go?”

“Who knows, maybe I’ll get a promotion if I get picked for this assignment and it goes well?”

“But where, Bradley? Humor me.”

You didn’t know why it was so important for you to find this information out. It wasn’t like you’d see him again after he was done with his assignment at North Island. He would go back to China Lake and you would go back to Stanford until graduation and then hopefully to San Diego. So, why? Why did you want to know everything about this man?

“You planning out my life for me, Y/N?”

“I’m a big planner.”

“Oh, really? I never would’ve guessed. You seem like the type to index your tupperware containers.” You rolled your eyes at his teasing. “What do you see down the line for me then?”

You twisted your mouth in thought. “Well, first things first, you have to come back from this mission safe and sound, think you can handle that?”

Bradley sat up on the couch suddenly and mirrored your position, sitting criss-cross applesauce, and looked at you solemnly. “I’ll try my hardest.”

“Good, that’s good,” you stammered, caught off guard by his earnestness. “So, uhh you get back here safely and then get a promotion to become - shit, I don’t know what comes after Lieutenant?”

“Lieutenant Commander.”

You scrunched your nose. “Really?”

“Followed by Commander -”

“- How original -” yon quipped.

“- Then Captain -”

“- Oooo Captain Bradshaw has a nice ring to it. I like that better.” He laughed. “Alright, so now you’re a Captain and get to pick wherever you want to be located and you’re thinking you want somewhere with a beach because your dear friend Y/N said the salt air is good for your health, so you pick Hawaii -”

“- There isn’t a naval air base in Hawaii -”

“- You’re kidding?” That goddamn Ben Affleck Pearl Harbor movie had you all turned around.

Bradley shook his head. “Nope, just a regular old naval base and I don’t really know how to sail, so that’s out.”

“Aren’t you in the Navy?”

“I land on the boats, sweetheart, I don’t sail them.”

Your cheeks grew hot once the pet name slipped out, seemingly by accident. “Well, why don’t we skip that part for now and focus on the girl.”

“What girl?”

“The girl you’re going to find and want to make a life with,” you teased, leaning into the bit.

But Bradley wasn’t laughing. “I don’t know…”

“Come on, Lieutenant,” you teased, “I’ve seen you at the Hard Deck. You keep playing that piano, I know you could definitely have your pick. How old are you?”

“Thirty five.” You hadn’t thought he was that much older than you. The other pilots were in their late twenties. “And what about you?”

“I’ll be twenty seven in a couple weeks.”

Bradley cocked his head. “Awwww, Y/N, you’re almost a real grown up.”

“Shut up,” you grumbled. You wanted to pivot the conversation to something else - something more neutral - when your eyes landed on Bradley’s fancy white hat that was still on the kitchen island. “Can I wear your hat?”

“So much for being a real grown up…”

“Please? It looked very jaunty.”

“Jaunty?” You nodded, a huge smile on your face.

“It’s the perfect word! Or maybe dapper?”

He considered this for a moment. “I like dapper better, actually. Why do you want to wear my hat so badly?”

“Is that not kosher?” You scrunched your nose. “Like since I’m not in the Navy, I can’t wear it?”

Bradley sighed and tried to look serious as he thought over your request. “You’re lucky I brought it in here with me…”

He got up from his spot on the couch and crossed over to the kitchen where he had left his hat and other personal belongings. With much pomp and ceremony, he dusted off the hat and held it out for you to take. It was slightly too large for your head and the brim slipped down your forehead to the bridge of your nose. Bradley chuckled softly and leaned down to fix it and suddenly it felt about ten degrees hotter in the living room.

“You happy now?” he whispered.

You matched his tone. “Very.”

He sat back on the couch again, but this time closer so that your thighs were almost touching. His hair had dried and it was fluffier than you had ever seen it and you were dying to run your hands through it. He’d probably let out a little moan before pulling you into his lap.

You’d slide your hands up his chest before eventually clasping them behind his neck and would slowly bridge the gap between the two of you. You’d kiss him passionately, eagerly, while he’d be hesitant at first and then respond with a fervor. His hands would grip your hips, grinding you down against him, and he’d let out a moan as you divert your attention from his lips to his neck. You’d mark him so everyone would know he was yours when he showed up for inspection -

“- Why’d you never text me?” he asked suddenly.

You shifted on the couch, rubbing your thighs together slightly, and then took the hat off. You couldn’t believe you’d let yourself get lost in your daydream, especially with him sitting right next to you.

“Oh uhh, I guess I didn’t want to bother you? I know you have that mission coming up and didn’t want to distract you or anything. It sounds important.”

Bradley conceded a nod. “Yeah, but you can still text me. I might not reply right away, but -” You leaned over to grab your phone off the coffee table. “- What’re you doing?”

You tapped out a couple words and a moment later felt Bradley’s phone vibrate on the sofa. “Texting you.”

“I see you had my number saved already…”

“I may have…” You’d done so before you even left the Hard Deck that night - as Lieutenant Bradley Bradshaw. “And now you can text me and bother me at work.”

Bradley sighed. “Probably won’t be able to, too much next week. Might be out of town for a bit.”

“Oh - oh.” You read between the lines. “You’ll text me when you get back though, right? Like just to check in?”

He reached across the couch to grab your hand. “Yeah, of course, Y/N.”

You squeezed his hand back and both smiled, though it didn’t quite reach either of your eyes. The mission was coming up, meaning that not only was Bradley off to some unknown region of the world to do some unknown, though probably heroic and terribly dangerous act, but that he would also probably be leaving town shortly after. Your window of opportunity was narrowing and you didn’t know what was worse:

Not being able to tell him how you felt.

Or telling him only to hear your feelings were unrequited.

---------

half a week ago

A week later saw the Top Gun Twelve celebrating a successful mission at the Hard Deck. It served a dual purpose - obviously toasting to the mission, while also giving everyone who was heading back to their home base a proper send off.

Jake was giving a surprisingly emotional and rousing speech to all the aviators and mission support staff in attendance that night. It was filled with plenty of

teasing remarks, but also had a sweetness to it that you knew some of the others wouldn’t have expected. But that was Jake - all bark, no bite. Underneath it all, he was just a big softie.

You were half listening as you emptied the dishwasher behind the bar, trying to get all the champagne glasses ready for the toast. You also kept sneaking peeks at Bradley, who was standing towards the back of the group, a smile on his face. He looked lighter, clearly happy the stress of the mission had abated and he even came over to talk with you earlier.

“So, I kept my word, you know?”

“Oh?” You leaned your elbows on the bar, a coy smile on your face.

“Uh huh, not only did I come back safe and sound, as promised, but I also texted you…”

“So, you did, Lieutenant.”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “It’s actually Lieutenant Commander now.”

“Oh, my apologies Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw,” you laid it on thick.

“Apology accepted. But see, I think all this entitles me to a reward of some sort.”

“I’m sure the Navy has you well taken care of.”

He leaned across the bar to whisper in your ear. “What if I don’t want it to be from the Navy, sweetheart?”

Your body prickled with desire and your breath hitched. This was new territory for the two of you. Even last weekend, the closest you had gotten was briefly holding hands. Granted, you talked about just about everything under the sun, but this - the unspoken sexual tension between the two of you - was still relatively new. And you desperately wanted to explore it - now. You just hoped Bradley did, too.

Bringing yourself back to the present, you had just grabbed the last champagne glass out of the dishwasher and took a couple steps over to the counter where you’d placed the other ones, when you lost your footing. Your high tops slid over a stray ice cube and you tripped, quickly losing your balance and dropping the glass on the floor with a resounding crash.

You landed with a thud and a groan. “Shitttt, owww.”

You lifted your hand up to rub your elbow when you noticed a huge piece of glass sticking out of it. Blood quickly started oozing out of the wound and you found yourself getting light headed at the sight.

“Oh, fuck...”

There was a slight commotion on the other side of the bar and before you could even blink Bradley was leaning over the counter. “Shit, Y/N are you okay?”

Your eyes clouded with tears, totally overwhelmed by the situation and Bradley quickly hopped over the bar top and crouched down next to you.

“Shh, shh, it’s alright, sweetheart.” He gently grabbed your hand and started looking over your injury. “I got you.”

The blood continued pouring out of the wound and you moved to take out the glass, but Bradley stopped you. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed a couple people swarming around the bar top, but only Bradley sat beside you.

“No, don’t take it out yet. We don’t know how deep it is.” He grabbed a stray rag from underneath the bar and started dabbing at your cut.

You took a deep breath, trying not to freak out. You really hated blood and the sooner you got the glass out, the sooner you could wrap up the cut. “I don’t care, just take it out.”

Penny dashed over with the first aid kit. “Here, honey,” she said to Bradley, handing him a plethora of gauze and band aids. It was clear none of them really knew what to do beyond how to wrap up the wound or tie a tourniquet. “You’re gonna be fine, Y/N.”

“Do you think I need stitches?” The thought made you queasy and you knew before Bradley even spoke that a trip to urgent care was in your future.

“Might be a good idea, this looks pretty deep - can I get some water, Penny?”

She quickly poured some water from the tap and brought it over to Bradley. He dabbed a clean cloth with it before wrapping it around your hand again.

“Alright, sweetheart. I’m gonna wrap this and then we’re gonna see my friend, sound good?”

Penny looked at Bradley questioningly once the term of endearment slipped past his lips, but other than that, made no comment.

“Is friend code for something? I’ve seen Goodfellas, I know how this usually works.”

Both Bradley and Penny laughed. “At least we know she’s not in shock,” Penny said.

The two of them got you on your feet and you realized you’d amassed quite the crowd. You looked down at your feet, not wanting to meet anyone’s eye. This was the last time you were going to see some of them, too. Great final impression.

“Alright, show’s over,” Bradley said good naturedly and for the most part, everyone left you alone.

A couple of the Top Gun pilots you’d gotten to know over the last couple weeks hung around, including Jake, Mickey, Bob, and Natasha.

Jake’s eyes were filled with concern as he approached you. “You alright?”

You grimaced and held up your hand. “Could be worse.”

“Try not to move it too much, you don’t want the glass to come out before you get to the doctor,” Natasha said, “but I’m sure Bradley will take care of you.” His name was said with a slightly teasing lilt, leading you to believe this wasn’t the first time the team had ragged on him about it.

“We can call ahead, let them know you’re coming?” Bob offered and Bradley nodded at him.

“Thanks, man. We should get going, though.”

They all offered various platitudes and well wishes and then the two of you were off to where you presumed was the base. Bradley drove extra carefully, even drawing up a line of cars behind him on 4th Street, and you raised your hand above your heart as instructed by Mickey. Once you got through the security gate, he drove a little faster. It was your first time actually on base and you only wished you could enjoy it more - all those hangars and buildings holding god knows what kind of planes and state secrets.

“My friend Ryan’s working tonight, best medic I’ve ever had. He’ll be able to stitch you up, no problem.”

You sniffled and wiped at your tears with your other fist. “I’ve never needed stitches before.”

He smiled at you and patted your leg. It reminded you of your thoughts from earlier in the evening and how you wanted to get even closer to him - you just hadn’t envisioned it this way.

“First time for everything,” you mumbled, “you ever have stitches?”

“Occupational hazard.” His hand still hadn’t moved from your thigh. “I was worse when I was younger - eyes closed, head first mentality. But then I got spooked on a mission and started overthinking everything. Haven’t had a close call since - well, since recently, I guess.”

“I want to ask, but don’t at the same time.” The Bronco hit a bump in the road and you hissed. “Shit.”

Bradley rubbed slow circles on your thigh with his thumb. “Sorry, we’re almost there. Keep holding your hand up.”

True to his word, you arrived at the clinic on base a few moments later, where an older looking gentleman in fatigues was standing out front waiting for you. Bradley parked - terribly, you might add - and quickly got out of the car.

“Rooster!” the guy, who you assumed was Bradley’s friend, Ryan, called out.

“Hey, man. Thanks for helping us out, this is Y/N.” Bradley nodded towards you as he helped you out of the car.

Ryan held his hand out for you to shake then thought better of it. “Nice to meet you, Robbie said you had a nasty fall and might need some stitches?” Robbie? He must have meant Bob.

“Yeah,” you winced after you stepped off the curb funny and the pain shot all the way up to your hand. Ryan and Bradley held the clinic door open for you and then Ryan directed you down the hallway past the triage area.

The clinic was quiet at this time of night. You imagined it was only really busy during the day during training missions or flights - more serious injuries were probably taken care of elsewhere. After walking past a few closed doors, Ryan led you into one that was open and had all the lights on - you assumed it was his personal exam room.

“Alright, have a seat over here and let’s take a peek at this sucker.”

Bradley helped you up on the exam bench - needlessly, though that didn’t mean it was unappreciated having his hands on you for even a brief moment - and Ryan started unwrapping the dressings Bradley and Penny had hastily applied at the Hard Deck.

Despite the pain you were in, the wound traveled well and Ryan mentioned how pleased he was that you hadn’t taken the glass out yet since it could’ve hit a nerve. As he prepared you for taking the glass out, you subconsciously grabbed Bradley’s hand with your other hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze and didn’t once complain at the vice grip you had it in as Ryan stitched you up.

“She’s a trooper, Rooster,” Ryan teased Bradley once he finally finished. “Now Miss Y/N, you’re gonna be in town for a while, I presume?” You nodded. “Good, good. We’ll set something up in about a week or so to take these stitches out. It’ll scar for a while, but shouldn’t be too permanent.”

You glanced down at your now heavily bandaged hand and turned it cautiously. “Thanks, Doctor Ryan - really, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it, letting us come in like this.”

The older man chuckled. “It’s no big, Bradshaw here knows I like the late shift, so this gave me something to pass the time. And hey, I like that - Doctor Ryan.” You smiled and made a mental note to send him a thank you card addressed exactly as such. “Now, what plans do you kids have for the rest of the night?”

Bradley shrugged. “Not sure, it’s this young lady’s first time on base, though…”

“Then I think a full tour is in order, don’t you?”

You tilted your head. “A full tour - at night? Is that even allowed?”

Ryan laughed. “I’m sure they’d let your Bradley do just about anything he wanted on base right about now…” You glanced at Bradley - your Bradley, apparently - but found he had ducked his head and his cheeks were red. “A tour certainly wouldn’t be out of the question.”

Bradley let out a sigh, but didn’t seem too put out. “What do you say, sweetheart? You want the full tour?”

This time it was your turn to blush. The term of endearment rolled off his tongue so nicely and you were reminded of all the times he had uttered it earlier in the evening as he was taking care of you.

“I’d love to, actually.” The two of you stared at each other, smiles doting both of your faces when you remembered there was someone else in the room.

Ryan chuckled. “Well, don’t let me keep you…”

“I’ll be sure to tell anyone that it was your idea, lest we get caught…” Bradley recovered quickly. Ryan just waved him off. “You ready?”

After thanking Doctor Ryan again for all the help, you and Bradley left the clinic and climbed back into the Bronco. He took as much care getting you situated this time as he did earlier in the evening - even going as far to buckle you into your seat. And if his hands lightly grazed underneath your t-shirt as he pulled back, then you just hoped your blush wasn’t as obvious as his.

Like Doctor Ryan mentioned, the base was relatively deserted this time of night and Bradley cruised down the streets with ease, calling out different buildings and whatnot. The base wasn’t just military buildings - there were also stores and restaurants and other facilities for the naval officers and their families - it was like its own little town.

As the Bronco rolled up to stop sign, you recognized the street you had come in on going one way, but with a muttered fuck it Bradley turned in the other direction and started driving deeper into the base.

You didn’t ask any questions, you just leaned your head against the window, lulled by the low murmur of the radio and Bradley’s smooth driving as you flew past a new set of buildings, each one larger than the next. Eventually, you stopped in front of what you figured was a hangar and Bradley parked the car - this time better than when he did at the clinic - and cut the engine.

He turned towards you. “Alright, remember if anyone asks, Rear Admiral Peters said we could be here…”

Your mouth gaped open slightly as his words sunk in. “Wait, wait Doctor Ryan is a Rear Admiral?”

“And a shit-stirrer, too, but -”

“- You had a Rear Admiral take a piece of glass out of my hand? What the fuck, Bradley? Like he doesn’t have anything else better to do?”

He just laughed. “It’s literally his job, he’s a doctor, Y/N - do you even know what a Rear Admiral is?”

“No,” you sassed right back, leaning closer towards him, “but I do know it’s higher than a Lieutenant Commander -”

“- A highly decorated Lieutenant Commander, I’ll have you know…”

He glanced at your lips and then back up to your eyes. And he had the absolute dopiest smile on his face and you wanted to kiss it off - just climb over the center console and straddle his waist and kiss him, injury be damned. Because Bradley looked so goddamn happy and irresistible and at ease with himself and you.

“How could I possibly forget,” you whispered, drawing closer towards him. The air in the car was electric, like there was some invisible string pulling you together.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he rasped, “Let’s go see some planes.”

You two got out of the car and made your way into the hangar. Bradley seemed to have way too much fun sneaking down the corridors, Mission Impossible style, and he kept shushing you when you laughed at his increasingly dramatic evasive maneuvers. Eventually, you got to a locked steel door and Bradley took a keycard out of his pocket and the lock hissed. He grabbed your hand and you two walked through the door before your mouth gaped open at the sight before you.

“Hoooooly shit,” you said in awe, looking up at the rows upon rows of planes spread out before you. “There’s no way we’re actually allowed to be here - even with Doctor Ryan’s blessing.”

“I mean, I think I can be granted a little leeway - after practically saving the world and all.” You shoved his shoulder and he let out a grunt. “Come over here, you can see my new plane.”

You let him drag you across the hangar to an F/A-18 in the corner. “New plane? What happened to the old one?”

A wicked smile crept across his face. “That’s classified, sweetheart.”

He said the words teasingly enough, but you understood that for Bradley to have a new plane, that meant something had to happen to the old one - like it getting blown up or shot at on that fucking crazy mission. But you reminded yourself that he was standing here beside you, looking as giddy as a kid in a candy shop and you temporarily pushed the thought out of your mind. You approached an F/A-18 on the far side of the hangar with the words “LCR BRADLEY ‘ROOSTER’ BRADSHAW” printed just underneath the canopy.

“This is - wow. I feel so small standing next to these - not literally, just like it’s so much bigger than me.”

Bradley’s lips quirked up slightly. “That’s how I used to feel, that’s how I knew I wanted to fly.”

“Did you want to fly because of your dad?” You’d heard Penny and Captain Mitchell mention Bradley’s father plenty in passing, but Bradley, himself, had never brought him up.

“Yeah, kind of hard not to. I don’t remember him too much, but what I did was all about flying and planes and the Navy. Almost didn’t happen either.”

You turned to face him. “Oh?”

“Maverick - Captain Mitchell, pulled my papers at the Naval Academy. It sent me back four years.” That was why he was so much older than everyone else. “It’s hard to be a naval aviator if you don’t start at Annapolis.”

“Did you do NROTC in college? They had it at USC, a couple people in my major were in it. I remember they’d already been up for hours when I was rolling out of bed for my 9:35 class.”

Bradley nodded. “Yeah, I did it at UVA and was probably exactly like those kids before your 9:35. I had the biggest fucking chip on my shoulder, too. I was just so - angry at Mav and hadn’t been thinking as straight as I should’ve and my mom had just died. I was a mess.”

You were dumbfounded. “I had no idea.”

“Some parts of it are kind of surreal, too - about the whole Navy thing, I mean. Like when I was first made a Lieutenant, I realized I had surpassed him - my dad - in rank and that every subsequent promotion would only further the gap between us.”

“I can’t imagine he wouldn’t be proud of you. I’ve heard the way Captain Mitchell talks about him, he seemed like a great guy.”

“Yeah, I think he would be.” Bradley sighed and gave the plane a quick pat. “Well, uhh what about you and your parents, huh? How do they feel about you being a hot shot lawyer?”

You laughed. “Oh, they’ve told all their friends at the club about how their daughter’s going to be District Attorney some day.” That got you a laugh. “But I could totally sell out and go into corporate or entertainment law and they’d still be proud of me.”

“What do they do?”

You both had started walking amongst the planes again, slowly making your way back to the door. “My mom doesn’t work, never has. She and my dad got married right after they graduated from USC, but my dad’s an exec at a golf company up in Carlsbad.”

Bradley seemed impressed. “I assume they both play, too?”

“My mom plays at least five times a week, but my dad might get three rounds in if he’s lucky.”

“Hmmm, now that’s a problem I’d love to have.”

You scoffed and glanced down at your bandaged hand. “You’re telling me.”

It was quiet between you two for a moment, but it wasn’t strained. As always, it was easy. Bradley’s right hand kept brushing against your left as the two of you meandered between the planes. You took a chance and linked his pinky with yours. Emboldened when he didn’t pull away, you laced the rest of your fingers with his.

“You ever think about what you’d do if you weren’t in the Navy?”

Beside you, Bradley sighed. “Sometimes - especially when I’ve had a tough day or am on a deployment.”

“And?”

“I loved history when I was in school - still do, really. Military history, historical fiction, old school spy novels - that sort of thing. So, I think I’d be a professor - or a history teacher at the very least.”

You smiled. “No, that sounds perfect, actually. You seem like a big reader, too, though I can’t really say why.”

Bradley laughed and it echoed throughout the hangar. “Fills the time on base. But I think I’d focus on post World War II history, like the Cold War, all leading up to the early nineties.”

“You’ve thought about this,” you said earnestly. He nodded, looking almost bashful. “You could still do it?”

“What? Go back to school and get my PhD?” he joked. “I’d be surrounded by all those young kids -”

“- You’re thirty five, Bradley, not eighty five - plus, I thought you were younger when I first met you?”

He jumped on the topic change. “Oh really now?”

You rolled your eyes and swung your still clasped hands. “You have a young disposition, okay? But uhh back to the original topic…you can still do whatever you want, Bradley. We all can and you deserve the chance to try, too - if you want, that is.”

He absorbed this, thinking it over seriously and you two stopped walking. “I’m gonna miss having my little planner around - also my future lawyer.”

You smiled, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes. You didn’t like being reminded that this had an expiration date. It kept bringing up your thoughts from last weekend; did you tell him how you felt and risk rejection or just resign yourself to leaving things as they were and wait until you went your separate ways?

Because you liked him - you really liked him and you thought there could be something special between you two. But did he see it the same way?

A noise snapped you both out of your thoughts and Bradley glanced around, looking for the source. “Come on, we should head out.”

You two made your way back to the Bronco, this time with less spy moves from Bradley and giggling from you. The drive back to your bungalow was more subdued and the silence heavier than normal between you. Something had shifted between you two in that hangar.

After minimal instructions from you on how to get back to your place - Bradley said he had an idea where to go, but didn’t want to get lost - you two got out of the car and he walked you to your front door. You had just turned the key in the lock, opening the door slightly, when you stopped to look up at him.

“So, uhh thanks for everything tonight - again. I really appreciate it - and hey, it’s a good thing I’m not right handed. Might make work a bit of a pain next week,” you were rambling at this point, but you didn’t want him to leave.

He ducked his head. “It’s no big, I’m just glad I was around to help.”

Oh, god. Why did he have to look so cute and adorable when he said that? Damn him and that stupid smile of his. Why’d it make you feel like the only girl in the world?

Suddenly, unable to waste another second, you surged forward on your tip toes and grabbed a hold of his shirt with your hand before putting your lips over his. When he didn’t respond right away, except to put his hands on your waist, you immediately pulled back and let out a deep breath.

You couldn’t believe you’d actually done that and gave into your impulses and just kissed him. And for him not to react or do anything about it? You couldn’t even muster up the courage to look him in the eye and see the expression on his face.

Fuck. Oh god, oh shit.

“Right, sorry. Uhh thanks again, but I have to go - early day tomorrow and all that.” It was Sunday, but that didn’t matter. “So, I’ll see you around? Or maybe not because - yeah, thanks again, Bradley -”

“- Wait, Y/N -”

But you’d already snuck past him and crept through the door, closing it behind you. God, you were such an idiot. You were friends - that was all. All those little endearments and looks were just how Bradley acted around everyone.

Maybe.

So, why didn’t he kiss you back? Why didn’t he want you? You’d done everything right; taken your time, gotten to be friends, and - fuck. Your eyes started to fill with tears. God, this was so embarrassing. You leaned your head back against the door and took a couple deep breaths, centering yourself. You stood there for god knows how long, going over everything from tonight, from last week, from each interaction you’d had with Bradley. How were you going to face him at the Hard Deck the next time you saw him?

Eventually, minutes later, you shook yourself out of your pity party and went into the kitchen. You put your kit of medical supplies from Doctor Ryan on the counter and started going about your nightly routine, content with wallowing in bed all morning until your shift tomorrow afternoon.

But it was funny. Looking back as you laid in bed, you realized you didn’t hear the Bronco pull out of the driveway until after you turned the kitchen light on.

---------

today

The unfortunate thing was the woman, Abby, seemed rather perfect. She worked on the base in Comms or Targeting - you weren’t quite sure, but Bradley seemed to know exactly what she did - and had her Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT.

Mickey had set the two of them up. Apparently, he and Abby went to undergrad together at Vanderbilt and had reconnected when she had transferred to North Island a couple months back.

She had two Dirty Shirleys - you tried not to scowl at the irony - and Bradley had two pints of Sam Adams.

And she was pretty - really pretty. She wore a sundress that you desperately wanted to ask where she bought it from and her brown hair looked really soft and shiny in the way that you could never get yours to be and - god, she was perfect. And seemed really fucking nice, too. It would have been so much easier to hate her if she had been a bitch, but she actually seemed pretty cool to hang out with. You cursed Mickey for having such a lovely friend.

Plus, she sounded perfect for Bradley. She was smart, accomplished, and seemed to be rising fast in the Navy. They both rattled off Naval jargon and acronyms like nobody’s business, but you couldn’t tell if Bradley seemed a little more subdued than normal because that was how he acted on a date - a real date - or if he wanted to spare you from any further embarrassment?

Which brought you back to your original thought that this might’ve been easier if Abby wasn’t so fucking perfect and pretty. Because Bradley was pretty, too. Well, maybe not pretty, but he was handsome. And they looked good together. And they’d probably go on a bunch of dates and get married and trot around the world with their equally beautiful kids, probably named after his parents in some variety and - fuck. You took a deep breath and went back to drying some glasses further down the bar from the couple.

You absently glanced at your right hand and the wound still stretched across your skin. Doctor Ryan had called you yesterday about scheduling an appointment to get your stitches taken out and you had originally planned on asking Bradley if he wanted to come with you - if only to be given a chance to see Doctor Ryan again, obviously - but now you weren’t so sure.

Maybe this date of his was a blessing in disguise? It could be a clean break after Saturday night. It wasn’t like you would both be in San Diego for much longer. Bradley was probably heading back to China Lake within the next few days - he hadn’t heard if a base change was part of his promotion yet - and then you would be back up to Stanford in late August. This thing - this stupid, silly, unspoken thing between the two of you wasn’t meant to last. Better to lose him now then later on when you had really fallen for him.

(But you already had. You totally had.)

With a glance at the clock above the bar, you figured you would ask the couple if they wanted another drink after you had heard the sound of a straw sucking on air a couple minutes ago. You made your way over to the two of them - only to see Abby with her hand on Bradley’s bicep - and took a deep breath, steeling yourself.

“Your dress is really cute,” you said honestly, the comment slipping out before you could think better of it.

Abby thanked you and mentioned the store where she had bought it. “And I must say,” she added teasingly, “you have to be the best dressed bartender I’ve ever seen here.”

“Oh, I actually just got off work at -” you started to reply, but Bradley cut you off.

“- Y/N’s been working in the DA’s office this summer, she’s in law school at Stanford.” Damn him.

Abby turned her attention back to you and you nodded shyly. “Err yeah, I normally just work here on the weekends, but Penny needed some last minute help tonight, so here we are. Me and my business casual - I even have a blazer in the back room if needed - but uhh, do you guys want another round of drinks?”

They both glanced at each other, feeling the situation out. You could tell Abby wanted another drink with the way she was twirling her paper straw around in her empty glass, but Bradley just shook his head and pushed his empty pint towards you.

“Nah, we can close out.”

“Cool, sounds good. I’ll be back with your check then.” You nodded and turned on your heel towards the register.

The back of your neck prickled with awareness as you swiped Bradley’s credit card through the reader. Though you couldn’t be sure, it felt like his eyes were on you. You tried to block out their chatter behind you, but you caught a couple words from Abby:

we should --- again --- back on base --- maybe

You grabbed the check-pad and slipped the receipt and Bradley’s credit card into it with a little more force than necessary. As you approached the couple, you found Abby looking at you curiously and you subconsciously shrunk back into yourself.

“Uhh here you guys go, have a - have a good night.”

Abby called out a thanks, but you had already headed towards the other side of the bar, not wanting to wait around to hear whatever empty platitude Bradley would surely offer. Though you didn’t turn around to see for yourself, you could hear the scrape of their barstools on the wood floor and the tinkling of the bell above the door, signaling the couple had left.

You let out a great sigh and rested your elbows on the bar before resting your head in your good hand. Fuck. Stupid fucking Bradley Bradshaw - what kind of a name was that, anyway - going off and making you think - what? What did he really make you think? That he liked you? Did he really lead you on? No. He had been nothing but friendly and kind to you over the past month or so.

Granted, sometimes you had caught him looking at you like you had hung the moon. And then there was how sweet and protective he was last weekend when he brought you on base and how insistent he always was with making sure you got home safely. But that was just - that was just friendship, wasn’t it? He was just being thoughtful. It probably had something to do with being in the military and having a strong moral code.

Maybe.

The bell above the door chimed again and you righted yourself to see who it was - and promptly wished you hadn’t.

Bradley.

“Y/N…” He strode across the bar towards you.

You swallowed thickly. “Can I get you something else?” Your words were all business and professional, but you knew he had seen you slumped over the bar.

“I uhh yeah, actually. I was just curious if you needed a ride home or anything?”

“Well, it’s not raining, so no, Bradley I don’t need a ride home,” you snapped, not at all feeling bad about the hurt expression flitting across his face.

“Right.” He rapped his knuckles against the bar top. “But maybe I can wait around until you’re done with your shift? Talk?”

You just looked at him blankly. You really didn’t want to talk, but it was inevitable and at least if you did it now, you were going home anyway and could wallow all you wanted. “I guess…”

He sat a couple seats down from you, seeming to know you needed some space, and started watching the Padres game. You could tell he was glancing at you as you went about getting ready behind the bar and you eventually took pity on him and got him a glass of ice water.

Penny only needed you till nine that night, so Bradley didn’t have to wait around long. At one point, Captain Mitchell came in and the two chatted for a bit. If nothing else, you were glad to see that things between the two had been resolved. Both Penny and Bradley had alluded to something happening on the mission that brought Uncle Mav back into Bradley’s life and you were pleased the men’s time at Top Gun had resulted in something positive. He kept sneaking looks at you, even while talking to Captain Mitchell, but you avoided making eye contact or acknowledging him.

And then it was time for you to clock out and talk with Bradley. You briefly considered sneaking out the back to avoid him, but figured you couldn’t drag this out any longer. You stopped by the mirror in the backroom to fix your hair and check your makeup, but then chastised yourself for caring and went to meet Bradley outside.

There were a couple of picnic tables off the back of the Hard Deck towards the beach and that was where you found him. The soft light of the moon, coupled with the porch lights off the back deck made him look so handsome and you couldn’t help but be disappointed he hadn’t been dressed up for you.

Bradley turned around at the sound of your approach. “Hey…”

“Hey…” You crossed your arms over your chest, protecting yourself. Your navy blue blazer normally felt like a suit of armor against snooty colleagues and pretentious law school classmates, but now it just made you feel stuffy and bookish after seeing Abby in that pretty sundress.

“So you uhh wanted to talk, so - talk?” you stuttered.

Bradley took a couple tentative steps towards you. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I had no idea you’d be here and I know that -”

“- Why’d you do it? Why’d you make me think you liked me and then - and then throw it back in my face - by going out with the most perfect girl in the world, mind you - when you know -”

“- You weren’t supposed to be here -”

“- And that makes it better, Bradley? That I wasn’t supposed to be working tonight so I wouldn't have to wait on you and your date? I don’t do this - I don’t go after guys too often. You could’ve just told me you didn’t like me, I’m a big girl, I can handle it. Kinda already got the hint on Saturday night.”

You would’ve accepted it with grace had he actually told you he didn’t like you. Granted, you probably would’ve had a good cry when you got home and texted your friends from school all about your failed summer romance with a naval aviator. But you would’ve accepted it.

He heaved a great sigh. “But I do like you, Y/N.”

Despite his confession, you couldn’t help but feel small. “Then why’d you go on a date with Abby tonight? She seems lovely, by the way…” you couldn’t help but mutter.

“She’s Fanboy’s friend. He had set her up with Hangman initially, but he had to leave town sooner than he thought and couldn’t go, so he asked if I would.

“And I didn’t see the harm in it; I’d see her once, just hang out and talk, and she’d never be the wiser that Seresin couldn’t make it. It’s why Fanboy picked the Hard Deck, actually - it’s not exactly a first date spot - and he knew I wasn’t looking for anything with her.

“But then I walked in and saw you standing there and my heart dropped to my stomach and I froze. And you seemed so normal about everything and I kept wanting to text you and explain, but didn’t want to be rude, so I figured I’d just tell you after and then I saw you when I came back in the bar later and you just - you looked so sad that I just had to make sure you knew - because I don’t think she’s the most perfect girl in the world - not at all. But I think you might be - for me.”

You felt your heart softening and took a step closer to him, though he didn’t seem to realize it, too caught up in his own feelings.

“I had this whole plan, actually.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was gonna ask if you wanted me to come with you to get your stitches out and then we could get dinner after? Like a proper date - away from the base and the Hard Deck and everything? And I know that isn’t exactly what anyone would want to do on a first date - no one ever really wants to go to the hospital, but -”

It was funny how close Bradley’s idea mirrored your own. “- I would’ve liked that,” you said softly.

He sighed. “I like you, Y/N - so much. And I really like to be given a chance with you. You just caught me off guard the other night and I shouldn’t have let you go without telling you that, but you bolted before I even got the chance to say anything. So, now I want to say that I’m sorry - for tonight and Saturday and making you think I didn’t - that I don’t like you.”

“I like you, too,” you practically whispered, “It’s just - Bradley, what are we doing here, though? How does this end well? I mean, maybe I shouldn’t have pushed - you’re going back to China Lake and I have to go back to Stanford in the fall and we could’ve parted as friends.”

You didn’t want to fall for him anymore than you already had. He just made it so goddamn hard to resist him.

He stepped forward and took your hand. “I don’t want to part as friends or whatever - I want to be with you, Y/N. For as long or as little time as we’re allowed. My transfer request went through, I’m going to be stationed here - on North Island. So, we have the rest of the summer to spend time together and get to know each other even more.”

You ducked your head and smiled. God, you knew you were going to cave into him and his stupid smile and sweet words. “The rest of the summer, huh?”

A smile crept across Bradley’s face and he bit his lip. “Maybe longer, too. Depends on if you want to keep me around when you go back to being a hotshot lawyer and all..”

“Hmm, it’s too bad Stanford’s a seven hour drive from North Island...” You’d looked it up once, okay? Fucking shoot you.

Bradley rolled his eyes. “You’re forgetting one thing, sweetheart.” You scrunched your nose. “I have a plane.”

“That sounds like misappropriation of government funds, Lieutenant…”

He took a step towards you and slipped his hands over your hips. He had an impish smile on his face. “That’s Lieutenant Commander to you, counselor.” You ducked your head. “But I do have my own plane.”

The image of Bradley standing in front of an old fashioned Cessna briefly flashed through your mind. Maybe he’d take you flying in it? “And you’d fly up to see me? You’d do that?”

“Yea -” you surged forward to kiss him, cutting him off. This time he kissed you back and you wrapped your arms around his neck, the both of you losing yourselves in the kiss. All too soon, Bradley pulled back and laughed. “Why are you always cutting me off to kiss me?”

You clicked your tongue. “Maybe I think that mouth of yours could be put to better use elsewhere?”

“Oh yeah? Want to know what I think?”

This time he leaned forward to kiss you, coaxing your lips open with his tongue. He tasted like beer and smelled him home and you didn’t want him to let go of you. You threaded your hands through his sandy colored hair, finding it just as soft as you’d always imagined. After a moment, you pulled slightly on his lip before dragging your lips along his neck up to his jawline, making sure to slightly graze your teeth against his skin. Bradley pulled you closer towards him in response and pressed his hips against yours.

You wished you hadn’t been wearing a blazer and a work dress and that Bradley didn’t have that light blue oxford on - even though he had looked so handsome in it. Because you wanted to be closer to him and feel his skin against yours and have him tell you how beautiful you were.

He pulled back to smile at you and you found yourself doing the same. You both probably looked a little dopey standing there staring at each other with the most adoring smiles on your faces, but for right now it was perfect.

“You’re worth going the distance, Y/N.”

Because now you had all the time in the world.

-----

taglist:

@nikkmarie @delicateflorencia @idkwiabiawia @domerpalmer @myname144244 @unknown1010000202 @rosiahills22 @millama19 @itzzgillianj @roosterschanelslut @arianna-bradshaw @n3ssm0nique @katiemcrae @the-winter-marvel33 @the-untamed-soul @shanimallina87 @ nikkmarie @jadedcircus @wishingwell-2 @athenxt @anotheronechicagobog @alana4610

#bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #rooster x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #rooster imagine #top gun maverick #top gun #top gun imagine #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #sorry if i forgot to add you to the taglist i'm new at this #writing #bradley fic

804 notes · View notes

gumnut-logic · 3 months

Text

Five pickup and One drop off (Pick up 2)

Pick up 1 | Pick up 2

Total crack, non-canon and nonsensical :D

But a little fun at least, maybe :D

I hope you enjoy

-o-o-o-

Julia was not a fan of her job.

It did have its perks. Quiet moments to do that last minute assignment in an emergency was definitely one of them. Though having half a brain at three am was also a challenge.

This morning was one of those times.

She had spent the last half hour staring out the drive-thru window counting lights on the far side of the bay. It was a great view, when it wasn’t pitch black.

The owner of the fast food franchise was a nice guy. She did wonder at his business acumen in choosing to place his store high up on a hill outside of town. But then he had made much more of it with the space and she had to admit that the locals used what would have been purely a drive-thru centre as more of a destination during the day, both for the view and the surrounding gardens.

But once the teenagers, parking at the look out, left around midnight, there was very little traffic and she and the two other night staff really didn’t get that much custom in the hours before dawn.

It was quiet.

She idly stared at one of the lights dancing across the bay.

Frowned.

One moment it was just a light, the next, it was hovering with a roar above the building.

Her jaw dropped as she peered out the window up at a set of four flaming rockets high above. Warm air tickled her hair.

Were they about to be invaded by aliens?

Maybe this was her opportunity…take me with you!

As if in answer, a figure suddenly dropped down from above, swinging from a rope. “Hi, could I place an order please?”

The alien appeared to be dressed in an scuba suit? Though he was blond and good looking.

Oh, and he was definitely a ‘he’.

Hmm.

“Sorry about all the noise.”

“What?”

He rolled his eyes and poked something on his wrist. A hologram appeared listing approximately half their menu. “Sorry, we didn’t order ahead. Virg can’t work your app and I dropped my phone in the drink. You’d think he would let me use his, but noooo, he doesn’t trust me, and John still won’t order take out from space. Says we eat too much junk food. Virg agrees, but I can persuade him. John’s the rock, the hard place and the immovable object all in one.”

Julia just stared at him. He was definitely a talkative alien. “Did you want fries with that?”

His smile was electric. “I always want fries. Give me all the fries.”

Bob and Sophie, her two colleagues on late shift were standing behind her as stunned as she.

Hmm.

She cleared her throat. “Will that be cash or credit?”

He pulled a platinum something or other out of his suit and offered to wave it where it needed to go.

Julia nudged Sophia in the ribs. She startled, appeared to engage autopilot, and began prepping the order.

And it was a considerable order.

Card waved and transaction done, Julia started on the drinks. Bob tackled the fries.

All the fries.

Alien man just hung around on his rope while the UFO above hovered.

They were very lucky that the neighbours were several kilometres away.

Cooked, collected, bagged.

Blink.

Double bagged with strong handles. She handed the order to the alien and made sure it was secure in the one hand he had available.

Dare she ask him?

“Take me with you?”

“Sorry? I can’t hear you.”

“Gordon, quit yapping and get that food up here.”

“Okay, keep your pants on, Commander.” He turned back to Julia and smiled. “Thanks.”

With that he was pulled back up into his spaceship. The UFO roared and took off over the hills behind them.

And everything was quiet again.

Julia stared up at the stars as Bob and Sophie cracked up all over the kitchen.

Please…please come back and take me with you.

-o-o-o-

#thunderbirds are go #thunderbirds #thunderbirds fanfiction #gordon tracy #nuttyfic

41 notes · View notes

intothecometverse · 3 months

Text

in honor of february ending, here's what i manifested this month!

🐬 this one time i was practicing a bit later than usual and i was like FUCK ION WANNA EAT DINNER AND THEN GO TO ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL WITHIN HALF AN HOUR THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME and then i got an email for the rehearsal schedule and i got at least half an hour more than usual until i had to come. funny enough i was thinking to myself like plz don't make me come until later plz plz plz plz plz plz and then i got the email for the rehearsal schedule so yippe

🐬 going on to that i had to fucking take a shit and ended up arriving to the rehearsal room ON THE DOT (which is late for orchestra standards 💔) but luckily there were still ppl waiting outside while the conductor was dealing with the basses and cellos only (which was the reason why ppl who weren't basses and cellows didn't have to come until half an hour later) so i wasn't late woo! and on my walk there (i was speed walking lol) i was affirming to myself i'm not gonna be late im not gonna be late there are still gon' be ppl waiting outside then boom that happened??? like im god hello??

🐬 having dinner + getting to go on a mini walk with my goth sp (i asked them and they said yes)

🐬 also manifesting conversations with my goth sp just by thinking about experiencing it seconds beforehand

🐬 oh ja and i also manifested being released early from orchestra rehearsals thru just thinking abt it seconds before too 😭😭

🐬 manifested seeing another sp during my regular day activities (their dorm room is around the corner from mine so we see each other a lot xD) like whenever i think abt them boom they pop up 😭. manifesting interactions next 𓆩♡𓆪

🐬 (me personally i think this was my most putting-my-foot-down manifesting moment) i overate one time and felt like throwing up, like i was feeling ALL the symptoms i usually do before i throw up so i was like "I'm not gonna throw up im not gonna throw up, remember who's in control. I AM in control, nothing else! the 3d will conform, because i said so, IT'S GOING TO CONFORM, NOW" and then i felt fine, just like that :D

🐬 not needing to get out of bed and take a piss one night when i was rly tired (affirmed "i don't need to piss" until i fell asleep 😭)

🐬 my room being opened one night when i got locked out at like 1/2 am

🐬 my grade in jazz history being raised from a D to a B- (and hopefully an A by the end of the quarter)

🐬 also i have all As in all my other classes

🐬 getting to have a fun hangout before February ended lol

🐬 having friends my age who live in dorms near me xD

🐬 my eczema getting healed without special ointment or anything

🐬 birf control (technically manifested it way back in December bc that was when i got a confirmed appointment but wtv. i got the implant this month so xD)

🐬 clearer skin

🐬 i have super long hair and the ends didn't dry out (technically this is like a continuous manifestation but i just wanted to mention it. basically I've been affirming "the ends of my hair is immune to split ends and drying out as it gets longer" and it worked!)

🐬 being better at trumpet :D (i told my trumpet teacher how much i practiced during one lesson, and continued to play during our lesson even when i surpassed my usual amount of time playing during an average day and he said I've gotten stronger due to playing for so long yet still sounding relatively fresh. and recently I've kept playing for longer amounts of time during the day and I've still been fine so yippe

what i'm looking for manifesting-wise in march:

🦞 shifting lmao

🦞 being successful in my job

🦞 being successful in all areas of life actually

🦞 getting to hang out with both sps + them getting along as friends so we could be a whole trio :3

🦞 my sps texting me first along with me texting them first (like yk how they say it should be like a 50/50 thing with who starts the convos and shit)

🦞 supernatural shit like powers, wings, horns, and like those king sombra kinda smoky eyes

🦞 WORLD. PEACE.

hope this inspired you, and remember, anything is possible, and u are loved!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

#law of assumption #neville goddard sp #neville goddard #loa #manifesting #loassumption #affirm and persist #loablr #loa success

50 notes · View notes

xxmaddyxx · 2 years

Text

MHA Boys coming back to their dorm to find you there

contents: crack, sfw, fluff, a lot of swearing bois included: bakugou, denki, sero A/N: I was bored and i needed some mha crack in my life and it's rlly short masterlist

Bakugou

"BITCH??!!" Bakugou let out a high pitched screech. "BISH WHAT??!!" You screeched back.

You were literally just laying on his bed while he was sparring.

"How tf did you get in here??!!" "Through the window, DUMBASS I came thru the mf door!" "WITH WHAT KEY?" "THE ONE YOU GAVE ME??" "Oh yeah I did give you one."

A moment of silence passed.

"So, why tf you here?" "I missed you fucker." You opened your arms. "Well, I didn't." Yet he still crawled into your arms.

Denki

You walked into his dorm knowing he went to get snacks and hid in his half-full hamper. (You took out the clothes, got in it, and covered yourself again.)

5 minutes later the door opened, and Denki was carrying a mountain of junk food and singing Hello by Adele. He plopped them on his bed and put his filthy socks in the hamper.

You full on gagged. "AHH WHAT THE FUCK?!!" He screamed. You wiggled around and knocked the hamper over, crawling out. "Wash yo damn feet, ewww!" You were still holding your nose. "ARIANNA WHAT'RE YOU DOING HERE??" He started cackling and threw a bag of chips at ur face.

"Haha, fr tho take care of your toxic waste." You said pointing at his hamper.

Sero (i could not for the love of God find a stupid pic of him)

You slithered into his closet when he went to the bathroom. He came back and was making stupid noises. Ex: "hwah" "eeee-OW" "WHATCHAA!" You held in your laugh bcs you knew he was either posing in the mirror or rlly getting into a video game.

You then heard his footsteps coming closer to the closet door, and you turned on your phone flashlight and held it under your face (like how ppl tell campfire stories yk)

He opened it,

"Boo bitch."

He screeched, like loud. "YOU GOOD BRO??" Shoto's voice boomed through the wall. "YEAH!!" His voice cracked and you fell to the ground cackling.

"YOU FUCKING BABY i got you gooood." You poked his calf.

For the next hour, you were taped to the ceiling watching Sero play a video game.

"So, when u gonna let me down?"

"When I get tired of hearing that question."

"Aight."

2 minutes later...

"U gonna let me-" You fell on the bed (bcs he wasn't that mean) "Bish, warn me next time."

610 notes · View notes

simplyacerola · 2 years

Text

whipped

pairing: steve harrington x gn!reader

pronouns: you/your

requested! takes place after s3, no s4 spoilers!

word count: 1.5k

masterlist! | request! | taglist form! | ko-fi!

(had to take out links to appear in tags :T all links in my pinned)

the only light that illuminates the wet sidewalk comes from the streetlamps that have yet to turn off. the sun has already set, but the moon is covered by rainclouds. you hug yourself, clinging to the small shirt you decided would be a great outfit for a date. even though it near the end of summer and it’s supposed to be warm, the rain cools your surroundings significantly.

you weren’t planning on walking home either, your date was meant to drive you home, as robin dropped you off. you shiver again as headlights brighten your surroundings. the drastic change in lighting momentarily blinds you, and you lift your hand to try to shield your eyes from the headlights. the car slows to a stop next to you, the driver rolling down the passenger side window. “(y/n)?”

the voice is immediately recognizable (despite your recovering sight). a smile spreads on your face and you approach the car, hand still on your forehead and the other hugged around your body. “hey steve.”

steve unbuckles, opening the passenger door for you by leaning over the center console. “do you need a ride?”

you airly laugh before nodding, wringing your clothes slightly before getting into steve’s car. “thank you.” you close the door, rolling up the window as steve turns the heat on in the car.

steve buckles and starts to drive again (after making sure you buckled). “so, what are you doing walking in the rain?”

you sigh, leaning back in the comfortable seat of steve’s car. “i was on a date.” you look at steve as his grip on the wheel tightens. he makes a turn on the street. “robin dropped me off on time, but he was a half hour late.” a sarcastic laugh slips from your mouth as you hug yourself. “when he did arrive, he only talked about himself and his mom.”

“oh, so he’s a catch?” steve remarks.

“it gets better,” you lighten up, entertained by steve’s smug smile. “he even took it upon himself to order a side salad for me! like, what the fuck!” steve laughs with you, grip loosening. “it was so ridiculous. i told him to screw off, and he did. didn’t really think it through because he was my ride home.”

“it’s a good thing that i have nothing else to do.”

you lean your cheek on your shoulder. “you’re my knight in shining armor.” steve waves you off.

the only sounds breaking the comfortable silence are the tapping of the rain and your teeth chattering. “(y/n), you’re shivering really loudly.”

“oh really?” you tease steve.

“i have a sweater in the backseat. i was wearing it earlier so it’s not old or anything. you can go ahead and grab it.” you immediately take his offer, reaching into the backseat and feeling the soft texture of his sweater.

“i’m taking this shirt off, don’t look.” you notice steve’s unwavering smirk. he shakes his head and waves his hand at you. you shrug off your soaking top, throwing it into the back before quickly replacing it with steve’s sweater. the sweater holds a sense of security, warmth, and smells just like steve. you pull at the sleeves with your hands, cuddling into the warmth. “i’m good, thank you.” you look out the window, not recognizing the surroundings past the droplets of rain. “where are we?”

steve shrugs. “i thought you needed to cheer up, so i’m bringing you to the ice cream drive-thru since it’s still open.” you smile widely, placing one of your sleeve-covered hands on his shoulder (after clapping in excitement).

“you’re being so nice! you’re so nice to me.”

steve’s face turns from the road momentarily, giving you a view at his flushed face and goofy smile. “you deserve it.” once you see the building, you recognize it. they have some of the best homemade ice creams, though you used to frequent scoops for unbiased reasons. he pulls into the drive-thru, rolling down his window. “you can get anything, it’s on me.”

you put your finger on your bottom lip, dramatically thinking. “a mint chocolate chip cone!” steve nods, turning to the window to tell the tired worker. the worker soon returns with a cone and a cup in exchange for steve’s cash. he momentarily hands the ice cream to you as he parks. “how responsible.” you tease him, handing him his cup once unbuckles.

“shut up, i don’t want to get into an accident because i was too busy eating ice cream. too close to death when i was working at scoops.”

you unbuckle, turning to face him as you lick your cone. “i’m surprised you can still eat ice cream.”

steve shrugs, bringing his spoon to his mouth. “after all that time spent at scoops, i don’t think i can eat a cone for a while.”

“is that why you got a…” you lean forward (though, steve remains facing forward, eyes widening). “cup of whipped cream? it’s not even ice cream!”

“i told you, i’m pretty tired of ice cream.”

you laugh, pushing his shoulder. “i can’t believe you went all the way here to just get whipped cream!”

steve joins your laughter, lifting his finger to rebuttal. “hey, i paid for that cone! we came here for you, anyway.” you look down, listening to the rain as you continue to eat your ice cream.

“(y/n),” steve interrupts. you look up at him, his face contorted into an unfamiliar expression. you hum, biting into the come. “you got some ice cream on your face.” you lift your hand, wiping at your mouth. “no, here.” steve leans forward, wiping his thumb on the other side of your mouth. his face is so close to yours, the ice cream being the only thing between you. steve finishes, “got it.”

“thank you,” you sputter. steve wears a small smile, eating a small spoonful of his whipped cream. he leans back in his seat, facing forward before muttering something. you tilt your head slightly. “what was that?” you ask, finishing the rest of your cone. steve’s face is illuminated by the subtle parking lot lights and the moon, as the clouds parted.

steve sighs through his nose before sitting up, looking at you as he places his whipped cream in the cupholder. you hold your hands together on your lap. “this is why you should date me instead.” your entire body freezes, eyes widening and heart pounding. steve takes in a shaky inhale at your reaction. “sorry, i’m kind of bad at this.” he anxiously runs a hand through his hair, leaning in slightly closer. “seeing you walking in the rain, cold and alone, i couldn’t imagine ever leaving you like that. i hate seeing you being treated like shit, because you deserve to be treated right. i would treat you right.”

“what are you saying?” you ask, afraid that you’re thinking something that he isn’t. the thought of steve reciprocating your feelings is everything you’ve wished for since you went to school together. you would visit him at scoops so often that you had to swear off of ice cream for a while, and your family video account is now unusually active.

“(y/n),” steve whispers. “isn’t it obvious?”

you feel like your heart is about to burst, a wide grin spreading on your face. “you’re serious?!” you can’t help but release a lilted giggle. “i thought you’d never see me like that! i visit you so often and you’re always so casual.”

steve mirrors your expression, “i didn’t want to ruin our friendship! but you’re oblivious.”

“that’s why i go on dates, to try to move on from you. i thought it was impossible.”

he shakes his head, placing his hand on your cheek. “why do you think i took you to this ice cream place when all i got was whipped cream?”

you blink slowly, though your eyes flit all over his face as he leans in. though the center console remains between you, you lean into steve as much as possible with both your hands on each of his cheeks. you bring him towards you, finally kissing the person you’ve wanted for years. you notice an undertone of whipped cream on his tongue, but you’re overwhelmed by his comforting warmth. after being in the cold rain and eating ice cream, you welcome it. you pull away for air, giddy as you see his smitten expression. “you taste like mint.”

“oh, i wonder why?” you laugh, giving him a quick kiss before turning your head to his whipped cream. “steve, it seems like you’re a bit,” you pause, scooping a little whipped cream from his cup and dabbing it on his nose. “whipped.” a shit-eating grin forms when steve groans.

“i regret this already.” you poke his arm before kissing his whipped cream nose.

#steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #steve harrington imagine #steve harrington fluff #stranger things x reader #stranger things x you #stranger things x y/n #stranger things imagine #stranger things fluff

545 notes · View notes

balkanradfem · 1 year

Text

So I keep thinking about this incident I had one time in a pharmacy, back when the pandemic first started, and I guess it’s because, I haven’t complained about it yet. So. Picture this.

We’ve only entered the lockdown, and it was a strict and scary time. Italy just had a thousand people die in one day and everyone was freaked out, willing to follow measures, people were thinking they were going to die. The streets were empty, you had to show your id to even enter pharmacy.

My neighbour I had at the time, was an elderly lady, who needed a lot of medicine, she had heart issues, blood issues, pain issues, hip issues, sleep issues, she just needed the pharmacy a lot, and she couldn’t easily walk, so I would usually go in her place, and get her meds for her. And so I went, even though I was at the time, scared to be outside, scared to be close to another human, scared to touch anything, I figured the lady still needed her medicine and nobody else was going to do it! I got down to the pharmacy, masked, with my ID, nervous. I stay a meter and a half away from the counter. The lady at the counter checks my ID, and we share a polite chat as we stay as far apart as possible, and she gives me meds. I thank her, turn around, and head out.

As I was heading out, an older m*n was standing in the pharmacy. I passed right next to him, trying to inch away as much as possible while squeezing thru the doorway. And then it happened. Something tightly gripped my shoulder, and rapidly pulled me back.

I shrieked. I turned around in utter and complete horror, in disbelief and panic, and my brain thought, it must be some kind of emergency, someone had to be falling, needing help, and the m*n muttered something about the... weather. He was making a joke. He ignored my shriek, my look of absolute horror, because I was grabbed, and pulled back, from behind, by a stranger, while I was already beside myself scared because we were in a pandemic! I was standing 2 meters away from everyone and he physically grabbed and pulled me for NOTHING!

I glanced at the lady at the counter, hoping that she was SEEING this, that she understood how insane, inappropriate, scary, and horrifying this was, and she laughed and continued joking, signaling me that I should just play along. I refused. I turned around and ran.

I kept wracking my brain just how did that m*n dare to grab me unprovoked, because usually they didn’t do that in public, I usually managed to look somewhat menacing and gruff and unapproachable, I didn’t make eye contact, I didn’t smile. And then I figured, he heard my voice while he was standing there. He heard my polite ‘oh thank you so much, I hope you have a nice day’, (you know the voice you use when you talk to other women adoringly?) when I was talking to the pharmacist, and figured I was a toy to yank to get attention from.

I wasn’t okay afterwards, for several hours. I couldn’t calm down or stop shaking. It activated lots of memories of past assaults. I was scared to go to that particular pharmacy for weeks, knowing the pharmacist was not on my side. If she had been, we could have kicked the m*n out of there together. We could have yelled and threatened him with police for basically assaulting a stranger from behind.

Also how silly of me to first assume my attention was really needed! My poor female-socialized brain first thought ‘surely nobody would grab me from behind and yank me unless it was absolutely necessary’ awh honey. Did you forget what creatures live here. At least I refused to engage and ran away.

#radical feminism #story #pandemic related #radfem #male violence #male entitlement #male disregard for safety and health

146 notes · View notes

grippingbeskar · 1 year

Text

salt, ice and fire

chapter twenty two - teamwork makes the dreamwork

warnings: canon typical violence, graphic depiction of injuries, punisher type shit again boys. swearing, some creepy shit tbh borderline stalker shit like someone call svu. this bitch is kinda creeping me out tbh. NOT loving the vibes.

a/n: okay i hate the beginning of this chapter but just GET THRU OKAY. BARE W/ ME!!!! cute stuff sprinkled in with the pain. you guys should SEE the draft for the next chapter omfg. it’s becoming a lot. OKAY GO.

— also, i’m really hoping i got everyone in the taglist, some of the tags aren’t working maybe due to your tumblr settings?? i’ll keep adding ur names if it fixes itself :) and let me know if ur not on it and would like to be!

[series masterlist] [previous chapter]

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“Ten.”

“Fourteen. Easily.”

“Ten.” Frank says a little harsher in your ear. “There’s ten of ‘em.”

“I just counted twelve. The stairway has at least three people.” The other end of the line goes quiet now, and you adjust the volume of the speaker in your ear to make sure you aren’t missing anything. “Frank?”

“Yeah. Fourteen.” He says quietly, and you can almost see the face he’s making. So stubborn.

“You didn’t see the stairwell, did you?”

“Alright, smart ass. Move down, I’ll meet you at the end.”

“What would you do without me?” You sigh and hear the line click off. Even here, tucked away behind the glass window outside the building, it was hard not to smile.

You’d arrived at the base about an hour ago, but there’d been too many people to pull up right away. Frank had spent the rest of the time going through the points of entry and exits in every room from when he was here the first time. There was one area of the holding he didn’t know, though, and a blacked out spot on the map. You’d have to figure it out while you were down there. Down there, even thinking about it made you squirm.

“Be careful.” His voice quickly adds as you shuffle inside the gap of the window, and it clicks off again before you can reply. Your heart still skips a little every time he says shit like that, but when your feet land on the hard concrete ground, any fluffy feelings drop out and splat next to them.

Even the smell of this place makes you want to vomit. It had been a while since you’d seen the top side of this base, but it’s in a hell of a lot worse shape than you remember. Riddled with bullet holes and held up with half-finished scaffolding, it was one gust of wind away from falling in on itself. Besides the condemned state, the building was alive only because of the men crawling around inside of it. Frank was on the opposite side to you, getting the high ground above a group of fourteen milling around the outside. You were tasked with getting inside the locker that held the master keys, and the enhanced strength in your veins nearly hums at the chance of release.

You used to dream about those keys. That box in this room, how teasingly close it was.

Keeping yourself tucked tight to the wall, you try to leave as little trace as possible bare the footprints trailing behind you in the settled dust. As you shift further into the building, you hear something fall and clatter off to your left. You disappear into the shadows as two men walk past, lost in conversation. A familiar buzz rushed in your veins— a feeling you normally hated, but now it was you calling for it, it made you feel strong. Powerful.

You stepped out just as the men stopped in front of the door you needed to enter, and neither of them had the time to scream before you tore them apart— the only sound the clatter of keys falling against the concrete, and the muffled tearing of flesh.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Frank felt good. It’s a thought he only had admitted a few times, but firing rounds into an open target range, hearing every single one pound into muscle and bone— it felt good.

Even here, surrounded and boxed in on all sides, he still looked down to where you were, watching you try about eight different keys before you figured out the one to the lockbox. His job was to take out as many as he could while you got the keys to go downstairs, and by the time you were done, you’d take it together. He knew the real prize was downstairs, but he’d have to kill every man in this room before he’d let you go down there, and he’d be right in front of you.

The empty click of his gun shot him back into the moment, dropping the larger one for the pistol in his jeans. He moved closer to the remaining five men, making the first shot count right through the eye of the man closest to him. He heard you before he saw you, even the pained groans of the men he was laying into wouldn’t be enough to block out his sensors that honed into you.

A man came from the left, and he took a quick step back, using the momentum to grab the opposite side of his head and slam it over the railing. His skull gave way, cracking in a splatter of dark red, practically pouring over the right side of Franks body. He swung first on the next guy, feeling bones break under the strength of his punch. It was some sick kind of therapy, but it was here he used to feel the most comfortable— throwing his weight behind every hit, there used to be no where else he’d find his brain quiet.

Not now. All he could think of was this morning. Having you laid on his chest, his hands in your hair, and how he didn’t have to think of anything else. Couldn’t dream of it, not when you were that close; close enough he could feel the soft flutter of your eyelashes on his skin, or the trace of your fingers along the scars on his chest. As he watched the consciousness fade out of the eyes of the man in front of him, for the first time in years he found himself wishing he could be somewhere else.

The man drops to his knees in front of him, then face plants onto the concrete floor. You followed, jumping from the upper floor railing down in front of him, your face screwed up as you looked him up and down.

“Way to be discreet.” He can feel the blood pooling in his shoes with each step he takes, ignoring the comment and following you towards the two locked doors that lead to the basement.

“You get the keys?” You were already putting them in the door, but as you turned the key, they didn’t budge.

“These are the ones. It’s just old.” You look up at him, and turn the handle again, shoving your shoulder into the door. It moves slightly, but as you wind up again, Frank kicks it down, stopping you from whacking it again. Rubbing your now bruised shoulder, you look up at him. “I had it.”

“I know.” He steps through first. It’s dark in the corridor, the two of you stopping at the top of the first set of stairs. No lights, and a layer of dust resting mid air gives the whole place an eerie feel. If Frank was even getting a bad feeling from this place, he didn’t need to say anything to know what was going through your head.

He reaches out, threading his fingers through yours and watching as you grab tightly as soon as he fits his hand to you. You were holding him like a vice, and even though your face was calm, your hand was shaking no matter how tightly he held you back.

“Thought you said you wouldn’t hold my hand to do this.” Frank sighs, shaking his head doing nothing to hide the small smile that only you could give him.

“I’m full of shit. You know that.”

“Yeah.” You breathe out, stepping closer to him. You take the stairs two at a time, but he doesn’t mistake the pace for eagerness, if only to get this shit over with as fast as possible. And it would be, fast and quick. In and out. Frank promised he wouldn’t let anything happen to you— and this time, he was planning on keeping it.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

You hadn’t realised how far down you were. All those years down here, and you thought it was only a few levels. You used to be able to hear the gun shots going off above you, and you thought it must only be about 10 flights of stairs at the most. You feel like you’ve been going down sets of stairs for hours now.

You haven’t heard anything yet, but you know Bobby will be hiding out somewhere down here. Very few people knew this place existed, and fewer would know the ins and outs of the cells. His father even used this place as a hideout a few times— and it was this that ticked in the back of your mind when you saw that blacked out part on the map. Knowing how twisted Bobby is, you could only imagine what his father used this giant space for. It was a fucking maze even in the light, but it only got darker and darker the further you went.

Neither of you have spoken, not wanting to give your position away, and about twenty minutes ago your initial fear had worn off and you’d dropped Franks hand, the contact only making you wish you weren’t here. It was like you were magnetised to him— not able to stop yourself from wanting to be closer, no matter where you were. Even here, and maybe it was the perfect distraction, because before you knew it, you caught a glimpse of flat ground, and you know you’d made it to the bottom.

“Stay behind me.” Frank whispers in your ear, his hand lightly squeezing your hip as he gets in position. Still no lights, and not a sound.

“The cell. It’s close. We can start there.” You say, and Frank nods, seemingly remembering. His jaw twitches, a tell tale sign he was hyping himself up for a fight.

You walk behind Frank, not that you’re given much of a choice. The walkway was narrow, and the cell doors next to you were all swung wide open except for the one that the end. Yours. You notice a door between cells, closed, with a chain and lock wrapped around it. Frank stops when you point it out silently, trying the handle. When it doesn’t budge, he pushes you to keep walking, but looks over the top of you at the door again.

“You remember it?” As far as you can remember, there was only meant to be the door they took you out of down here, which was behind you on the opposite side of your old cell. Frank shakes his head.

“Wasn’t on the layout..”

“We’ll come back.” Frank urges you further, sticking to your original plan. Madani had sent him a blueprint of the building from when her and the CIA had raided it all those months ago.

Frank stops suddenly, you nearly running into the back of him. Stepping around, you nearly choke on your exhale.

You didn’t want to feel anything. It was just a room, one that you weren’t attached to anymore. It felt so long ago when you weren’t here, but now you were surrounded by the smell of stale air, and seeing the old stains on the concrete— it knocked the wind out of you. You went to step closer, but Franks arm stopped you.

“Not here. Let’s go back.” Frank says, pulling you back.

Right. Bobby. You look around for any signs of life— and he really wasn’t here. That was impossible, you knew him. You remember what he said last time. He…

“He’s not here.” You spin around, confused. “Why would he not be here?”

“Too open. We can wait him out—“

“He should be here. Or at least, around here.” Your voice gets a little louder, and Frank looks over his shoulder before walking closer to you.

“He’s got men here. We’ll find him. We gotta wait it out.” The room felt smaller all of a sudden, the walls feeling way to close. You felt like if you breathed each shoulder would press into the hard, cold concrete. “He’s hiding. Probably back there.”

You could hardly hear him anymore.

You forgot how cold it was in here. Like standing on a frozen lake with none of the open space. You hadn’t realised your eyes were squeezed shut until Franks hands grabbed your face and you felt the light flood back to them.

“Hey.” His voice is calming, even though it’s low and gravelly.

“I don’t want to be in here anymore.” You whisper.

“Let me get you out of here.” He tries to guide you but your legs move so slow. You were shaking like a leaf. It was too soon to be here— you couldn’t do this. It was too soon. The chains that were wrapped around your ankles were still resting in the corner, wrapped to the leg of the bed.

Your chest started to burn, and a feeling you hardly remembered started to bubble in your stomach, but Frank made you focus.

“Tell me about it. The door up here. You ever seen anyone goin’ in or out?”

“I don’t even know if I’ve seen it before.” Your voice wavered, and Frank stayed close to you as you stepped further away from the cell. “I don’t… I don’t think it was ever open. I would of seen it— an open door only a few meters away. Maybe when I was asleep, or his— no. Wait, I remember his dad said something about it, or something about a hanger or something. He used to have vintage planes restored under the building. Maybe it’s below us?”

“Okay. Good. Doin’ good. You think you can break the chain?” Looking over his shoulder, the rusted locks look flimsy enough for someone like you. Nodding, you reach for them, and the feeling of chains under your hands, and this whole corridor of darkness sends a shiver up your spine.

Frank steadies you with a simple brush of his arm against yours. Accidental, but he doesn’t have to try. He always steadies you now. You give the chains one yank and they break off completely.

“Atta girl.” Frank says, and shoves the doors wide open. You just want to get away from that room, so when the stairs lead down even further, you don’t hesitate to walk down. Frank is behind you, then next to you, then in front of you. “You okay?”

“I am. Now.” You nod, and the way he looks at you has you forgetting that tight chest feeling.

For the first time in a while, you didn’t have to count your breaths.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

It was getting too dark to see, and Frank could hear the splash of water under his boots. Whoever was down here will be counting on the element of surprise. Frank wouldn’t give it to them.

He kept you tucked behind him against the wall, moving through the dark passageways below the base. He has no idea how far down he is now, but the wall still feels like brick under his palm, so not far enough that they couldn’t build structure. That was good— it meant there was a chance they weren’t so far below sea level, which was more chance for a quick exit.

A loud bang from behind him rings down one of the pipes overhead. You both freeze, heads snapping in the direction.

Frank drags you behind him again, moving towards the sound. It was still pitch black, but another bang made him turn left at the first gap. He was trying to remember how many times they’d turned in the darkness— he was at two lefts and a right, now another left—

Another loud bang, followed by three gun shots, the shells clanging on the floor. It had to be close now, whoever it was. He turned again, keeping one hand on you, the other on his gun. When he rounds the next corner, there’s a sliver of light, and another doorway.

“You think that—“ You whisper, but Frank covers your mouth with his hand.

“Shh.” He knows once Bobby realises your here, all hell will break loose. He can’t see shit in here, but he’s gotta think of another way. Walking straight through their front door would be a dumb-ass plan, but it’s about the only one he’s got right now.

There’s another bang in the opposite direction. Not from the door. Almost in response, there’s three gun shots again, this time under the door. The bang from behind gets closer, and if he waits any longer both of you will lose any advantage you had. They must be communicating through the pipes— no reception down here, and as soon as they heard you coming they’d need a way that couldn’t be intercepted.

“You…in there. I… go around.” You whisper through his hand, mumbled words that he knows mean splitting up. It’s smart, and right now you’re both in more danger together than you would be split up. But he still can’t leave you. Not again.

“Hang on—“

“Bobby… would have the gun. You take him, I’ll get… other one.” You shove his arm off you, and he can only see you about to run off because of how close he is.

It’s smart. He’s almost pissed that you put it together so fast. He feels you push against him, but you stop when you feel him breathe out. He doesn’t have time to hold you here, but it doesn’t stop him from wanting to. You lean up on your toes, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulling him down, his head falling naturally into the crook of your neck.

“An hour. If I’m not back, come for me.” You say, and then you shove him off and disappear into the dark.

He steps back with a stumble, forgetting how strong you were. Another gun shot bursts in his right ear, and the light under the door is interrupted by shadows. A body.

An hour. He’s got an hour. Now you weren’t with him, his mind falls into a colder, harder place. One that has him shuffling back along the wall, loading his gun and slamming the door down.

The light hits him— blinds him for a second, but he hears the three men on the right and takes them out first. Two shots in the first body, blood splattering on the dark green paint behind. The next guy gets too close and Frank grabs him by his neck, using the momentum to crush his head against the wall. He can feel the bone split under his hand, but he’s too busy aiming over his shoulder, watching the next body hit the ground from his well placed shot.

He moves with his body low to the ground, using the cover of the wall in front of him to stay hidden as his eyes adjust. He looks around the room now he can see it, and he can tell no one’s been down here for a while. There’s plenty of canned food lining the shelves in front of him. Whoever brought them down was planning to stay a while. Then there’s black cases, he recognises those. Weapons— outlines of guns, grenades, all empty and unlocked, just leaving behind an outline.

He hears more footsteps and doesn’t hesitate, reaching around the corner and grabbing the neck of the next man. Sending his skull back into the brick, he fires his gun again, feeling the dead weight fall back onto him before shrugging it off and reloading.

He loses count. He always does. Must be nine, ten bodies behind him as he makes his way through the apocalyptic looking basement. The men he catches flashes of don’t look familiar— clearly no one Bobby would of had up top. Frank hasn’t seen any of their faces, not never even in Madani’s database. It makes sense, to keep these guys hidden. Because they were getting harder and harder to kill.

Frank shoots the guy underneath him once, then twice in the chest. Still he fights, clawing at Franks face and punching him in the gut. His fists nearly meet bone, they’re so strong. Too strong. Only one person has ever punched him out like this. Eventually, Frank holds his head down long enough to shoot him in the head, but he’s panting.

Wiped, he drags himself up, shoulders tense as he listens out for more footsteps. He’s made his way into an open area now, with a platform on a second level. For being underground, the place opens up in front of him, the stairs leading up giving space for at least two levels before they reach the room at the top. There’s windows in the room up top, perfectly placed to look over where he is. Another gunshot rings out, and he looks up.

“Not the pretty sight I was expecting. Although, you do know how to put on a good show.” The voice echos throughout the giant room, and Franks already moving towards the stairs. “Ah. I wouldn’t.”

Bobby Gnucci has a gun pointed down at him, but it doesn’t unnerve Frank in the slightest. He moves slower, hoping to draw him down further, feigning a little hesitation. This guys ego is as big as this fucking base, and he doesn’t want to blow it just yet. Not when he doesn’t know where you are.

“You’ve been busy.” He says, not moving when Frank takes a step up. “Do you have any idea how long I spent training those units?”

Frank continues to the top of the platform, now level with the barrel of Bobby’s shotgun.

“Not as long as I spent with her, of course. She is quite special isn’t she? I suppose you already know how special—“

“Say another fucking word about her and I’ll kill you.” He has the balls the fucking smile, and Frank feels his hands get tighter on the barrel.

“That isn’t what I heard.” Frank doesn’t show a damn thing on his face. “You are here to take me into… federal custody. That’s how it was put, yes? Never did I think I would live to see the day. The Punisher returns only to be a glorified pig.”

“You willing to take that chance?” Bobby steps back when Frank pushes up.

“I’m willing to offer to you a deal.” Now Frank smiles, a dry scoff breaking the silence in the room.

“You really got your head up your ass, don’t you?” Bobby backs up against the door of the room overlooking the large building, but he doesn’t seem out of options. Frank considers taking the shot.

He could still do this.

Forget the whole deal, take you out of here and leave all this shit behind. He’d never make you come back to a place like this, never have to watch you walk into a room he couldn’t get you out of. He’d take you away from everything. Maybe upstate, do a few jobs here and there to keep the money coming in— he thought about it too much, probably for too long.

He’d keep you safe.

He knows he could. This shit might not end for him, but he could end it for you here and now. Do the one thing he’s good at.

“Let me show you something that might change your mind.” He opens the door, and the first thing Frank sees is the monitor over his head, and your limp body strapped to a chair.

Your eyes weren’t open, and you were bleeding from your head. That little scar on your face… completely covered with dark blood, your shoulders sagging over. Your hands and feet were cuffed together, and there was a strange haze over the room you were in.

His blood was boiling. He lunged at Bobby, but he’d been too busy staring at the screen. Too busy to notice the three guys in the room. Without the element of surprise Frank gets the wind knocked out of him, and then he feels his face hit the concrete.

They were too fucking strong. Hands the size of his own gripping his arms and legs, holding him to the floor like he weighed nothing. He ripped and strained at anything he could but there was no point in fighting. It didn’t stop him thrashing, only looking at the way your head was flopped down on the monitor, damp with your own blood. He got a few decent hits in before they wrangled him in again, his blood colouring the concrete.

“I admire it. Your… energy. Truely, it would be a shame to waste it here. Which is why I’m prepared to offer you a…solution to your problem.” Frank grunts and spits as the men haul him up, punching him in the stomach over and over so many times his vision starts to blur. Those stitches you did on him are ripped open and popped, blood soaking his shirt. “Clearly you’ve grown fond of my little girl—“

“Fuck you.” His mouth pools with blood, spraying over Bobby’s face as he gets closer.

“But I need her alive. Clearly, she doesn’t want to stay, so I’ll give you a fair deal.” Frank can’t feel the hits any longer, but he knows they keep coming. His legs give out as the men shove him on a chair, one of them focusing a strong hit to the open wound on his side that has him nearly screaming. He wouldn’t give him the fucking satisfaction. “I let you go. Both of you. Today. Enough blood has been spilt, and I’ve already made the mistake of taking one of her little conquests. So, I let you both walk out of here today. You go back to your little law firm, and your loyal friends at the CIA and you tell them it’s over. I’m dead.”

“Y-you must be lovin’ this. You feel like the big man yet?” Frank stutters out, falling into a wave of near unconsciousness. He’s laughing with no breath, loving the look on Bobby’s face, even with his eyes nearly swollen shut. He keeps punching him in the face, and even though Frank is the one getting beat to shit, it’s a win to him. He feels Bobby’s hand on his jaw, pressing hard. It’s nothing compared to the strength under the other sets of arms, but he still has to grind his teeth not to wince.

“You go back and tell them you were too late, and this? This all goes away. She can go home with you.” Frank isn’t focused, but he looks up with what little light he’s still holding in his vision. He sees you stir on the monitor, your head flipping to the other side. He thinks he recognises the room you’re in. He tries to move, but he’s weak now. “She goes with you, and you live your little fantasy for however long it takes for her to get bored, and realise I’m the only one that can give her what she really wants. What she can’t admit she craves.”

You were tugging at the cuffs. Thrashing now. Frank needs to fight— you were fighting, and he needed… fuck. He needs a full breath in, but they aren’t stopping. Fists flying at his ribs, ones that were already half cracked. Fists that could punch through stone, bruising their way through his body.

“The only condition I have, is that when I call, you bring her to me. You let me do whatever it is I need to do— whatever I want to do, and then she goes home free.”

“Free.” Frank spits again, shaking his head. What this guy really wants is for you to be at his beck and call for the rest of your life. Tethered to him, and he’s only offering because he knows you’ll never stop fighting him now you know what’s out there. Never stop fighting for him. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t let you be someone’s prisoner again. He—

“Free. That’s right.” Bobby says, and Frank can’t tell where he is anymore. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? I know what happened to your family. You need this as bad as I do. You get her a nice house, warm bed to come home to. And when I call? You bring her in. It’ll be easy. Look at how docile she is now! I’ll get you some of that stuff and she’s out like a light.”

Frank bares his teeth and lurched forward. Someone’s hands wrap around his throat and restrict his air flow. He sees stars, but he’s still fighting. Bobby says something in a language Frank doesn’t recognise, then talks right in his ear.

“You’ll come around. When you see what I do to her when she doesn’t comply, you’ll be begging me to offer this again.”

Frank can’t make a sound anymore. Too much pressure around his neck. Then he feels something else, something he recognises. It’s the barrel of Bobby’s shotgun pressing into his stomach, and he blacks out before he can hear if it goes off.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“Stop moving.” Frank grumbles from beside you. It was impossible not to shift around in this tiny bed, which you were almost positive had been the scene of a crime at some point.

“It’s a water bed. It moves on its own.” Whoever decided putting a water bed in a hotel room was a good idea was dumb. Especially when every time one of you shifted it sent you both closer together. It wasn’t the first time on this trip you’d slept next to each other, but you weren’t sure how you felt about being shoved together in a bed that was stained a faint yellow.

“It moves when you move.” He says and rolls over, and you can feel his eyes burning into your back. “You’re shivering.”

“Do you have any other complaints? You want to point out my grey hairs next?” You feel the heat of his breath of the back of your neck, and then the bed turns tidal as he sits up completely, shifting behind you. “Oh my god. What the fuck are you—“

You’re cut off by heavy fabric suffocating your open mouth, and it takes you a second to realise why everything’s gone dark. The first inhale and you can tell what it is. It smells like him. You haven’t admitted it to yourself yet, but you like that smell.

“Put it on. We’ll get you better clothes next time we stop.” He doesn’t roll over, still watching you as you wordlessly slip into the soft fabric of his jumper. You’ve worn it before, and Frank must of noticed how comfortable you seemed in it.

“Thought you’d want me to freeze.” It’s easier to play it off, the gesture one of many you haven’t decided how to read yet.

“Not when you shake like a chihuahua. Fuckin’ water bed…” He groans again and drops his body back down, nearly sending you flying off the other side. “Better?”

“I think I’m getting sea sick.”

“Go to sleep.”

You wait until you think he’s asleep to speak again.

“Thank you.” You whisper into the dark.

“Don’t worry about it.” He whispers back. When he shuffles behind you, and the waves of the mattress send you back against him, you squeeze your eyes shut and fall asleep before you can figure out why you don’t want to move from his side.

Gunshots woke you from sleep.

Your eyes didn’t open as fast as you wanted them to, and as you sucked in your first conscious breathe, you could taste something was wrong.

It tasted like stale bread— the air had a taste. You didn’t have a lot of experience with poison or gas, but you couldn’t think of anything natural that cause that kind of taste. Paired with how fuzzy your head felt right now, you knew you’d been fucked with in some way.

When your eyes finally opened, all the air you’d reluctantly taken in was shoved out of you. This room. You knew it just from staring at the floor. The stain on the ground. You tried to move your arm, but all it did was rattle the chains tied to the metal frame of your—the bed.

You tried to move your legs, hearing the same clanking sound with no payoff. You still thrashed against them, the fight sense kicking in and you not having enough clarity to save your energy. Everything was dialled to ten, being strapped back in here, held here.

Frank.

Frank would come. An hour, and he would come for you. You knew he would. You just had to outlast the hour.

Footsteps started coming down the hall, and you swallowed dryly, trying to ignore the sickness bubbling in your stomach. Even the smell of this room was the same. Same mattress. Like he was hoping… expecting you to come back. You know it’s him. Before you look up, you know.

“There you are, sunshine. How I missed you.” Bile burns in your throat.

You can’t talk, the gas in the room filling your chest and throat with dry, green smoke. You feel his grimy hands in your soaked hair, and when you’re forced to look up, he’s wearing a gas mask. It doesn’t hide the blood covering his face.

“I think it’s time we got caught up. Shall we?” Your eyes burn. Any of that strength you were feeling before seeps out of you, and the first slap of his hand sends you straight back into the darkness.

─── ･｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

tag list:

@stress--relief

@hellskitchens-whore

@blkwayne

@itwasthereaminuteago

@margoo0

@daisykins

@paryl

@urlocalgeek

@hello-lisa1026

@castlesnchurches

@superbreadsoul

@lemon-world1

@officalpetergriffin

@batcreep

@quackson03

@violetsandroses8

@turningtoclown

@yourfriendhenrywinter

@peaky-shelby

@hollandorks

@23victoria

@fluffysteampunkd

@andiforgetaboutyoulongenough

@avaluna

@alexa4040

@dripoftheseus

@lanagirly

@woowwwee

#me finally figuring out how to queue posts #frank castle x reader #frank castle #the punisher #frank castle x y/n #frank castle x you #marvel tv #the punisher x reader #the punisher x you #marvel #the punisher x y/n #grippingbeskar

119 notes · View notes