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Bradley and Jake had dated for two years after meeting in flight academy. They had shared brief glances, (not-so) subtle looks at each other’s lips. After days of tension, they snapped and made love in the barracks. Their relationship was established the next morning. Jake was into loud love — letting everyone know they belonged to each other. However, Bradley didn’t like airing out their business to the world. He wanted their sultry gestures to stay at home, let them love gently. Jake couldn’t settle for that.
The Seresin household seemed welcoming on the outside. On the inside, it was awful. Bruises had littered thirteen-year-old Jake’s torso for looking at a boy too long, for crying when he was hurt — anything effeminate. Bradley had it lucky. Yes, his biological parents weren’t in his life — both passed — but his godfather had raised. Said godfather had a husband, showing Bradley that being queer wasn’t disgusting. Showing him the beauty of love, that he was allowed to cherish who he wanted. Jake wanted what Bradley had so bad, wanted to not be disgusted with himself. His lover’s discontent to scream his love from the rooftops came off as shame. Guilt for being with Jake.
It didn’t make sense to Jake. He should’ve been the ashamed one. Bradley had supportive parents, so why did he care so much about being seen with his man? Every time Bradley shied away, his heart ached. Eventually, Jake had enough. He snapped at his lover, screaming through tears about how he didn’t love him and how he was using him for his body. Bradley tried desperately to defend himself, but Jake was having none of it. He packed up his stuff and left that night. The last thing he saw out of the corner of his eye was Bradley holding himself as his body trembled.
Two years later, Jake was called out to a TOP GUN mission. He deserved it, his flying was magnificent. Hell, he had a confirmed air kill. Only one other man in the world had won that achievement. Jake, being the cocky son of a bitch he is, didn’t think twice about the selection process. Obviously, they were picking the best pilots. He met with Coyote at the Hard Deck later that evening. Jake walked up to the bar, sliding Penny a five in trade for a whiskey. He took his drink and headed back to his seat, sipping slowly. Phoenix walked with Fanboy, Bob, and Payback, making jeering remarks about Jake.
Natasha kept up her teasing, eyes darting around the room. Then her face dropped, as if knowing there was going to be tension. Jake followed her eyes and his stomach twisted violently. In walked Bradley Bradshaw — Rooster — wearing a Hawaiian shirt with his jeans and aviators. He had grown a mustache in their years apart. Jake hated how good he looked.
“Bradshaw, as I live and breathe,” He smirked arrogantly.
“Hangman… You look.. Good,” Bradley responded.
“I am good, Rooster.”
Jake moved over, nudging a billiard ball with the cue stick. He knew damn well Rooster loved seeing him bent over the pool table and was just too stubborn to admit it. His eyes shifted up, locking with Bradley’s. Jake could practically see the lust. Horny bastard, even after they had been broken apart for years.
“I thought they hired the best for this mission? Apparently not, seeing they got you in,” Jake snorted. He wanted Bradley riled up.
“Hangman, anyone that follows you will just be led to an early grave,” Bradley deadpanned. That really struck Jake’s ego and he hated himself for letting it.
The following day, during their first bout of training, Jake was about to get in his jet when words met his ears. Maverick was talking with Bradley a couple feet in front of him. He couldn’t hear the words over the roar of the engines. They had this.. weird tension. Jake was gonna find out why.
And he did. Turns out Bradley cut communication after Maverick pulled his papers at the academy. Oh, he was gonna use that to his advantage. The next day, during a briefing, Jake couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He needed revenge.
“What, are you petty, Rooster? Mad because he pulled your papers? Because he didn’t want you dying in the sky like your old man—“
Before he knew, Bradley’s mean right hook was connecting with his nose. His hand flew up his (one pound of pressure away from being broken) nose bone with a groan. Before be could retaliate, they were being pulled apart, Bradley cussing him. That punch felt like a kiss. Like the love he was used to at home. Maverick barked an order for him to go to the locker room to clean up. He didn’t disobey for once, just listened.
Jake cleaned his nose with sharp inhales. It stung in a delicious amount of pain. This is what love was — taking pain for your partner. Then suddenly, Bradley walked in — seemingly not knowing that Jake was in there. He didn’t look at the sinks, walled straight to the lockers, and kicked his hard enough that a dent was left. A punch was thrown at Jake’s, almost breaking the door of it. He slumped against the metal, finally breaking. His head slammed back against the surface.
“Fuck, FUCK!” Bradley cursed, scrunching his eyes as not the cry. Jake tensed at the loud clanging, his heart dropping to his stomach.
Jake sighed, not knowing what to do anymore. He turned, giving Bradley one last look before walking out of the locker room. He made a bee line for his barracks, flopping down right onto his bed. He fucked up once again. The sweet man he’d held close at night hated him now.
Everyone else had cleared out of the locker room after changing out of their sweat-drenched flight suits. Bradley and Jake were the only ones left. Rooster had a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, water still dropping down his torso. The other man was doing everything in his power to not look at him. Jake hated how beautiful Bradley was, hated how badly he wanted him back. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look down and not make a remark. Then he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up — someone was behind him. And he knew exactly who. Jake didn’t need to guess when he felt calloused fingers gently run up his spine, sending chills through his body.
“Seresin,” He heard Bradley’s gruff voice mutter.
“…Rooster.”
“I went too far yesterday, over the edge. I never wanted to hurt you.”
Jake didn’t believe it, no matter how hard he tried. He scoffed, turning to face Bradley. He knew his pupils were dilating just at the sight of the other man.
“You know you meant that hit. It had nothing but malicious intent in it. Bradley, don’t play stupid.” Jake spat, trying to mask the longing in his gaze. He knew Rooster could see right through him.
Bradley placed one hand on his waist, maintaining a gentle tone. “Baby, it was heat of the moment. I sat on the floor afterwards, wondering why I would ever hurt something as precious to me as you.” Jake felt his heart drop. He was still precious to Bradley. His eyes dropped to the dog-tags around the other’s neck, shining like gunmetal. A rough, free hand gripped his chin, tilting his head up. “Eyes up here.”
“…I hate you,” Jake whispered, narrowing his eyes at Bradley.
“I love you too,” He smiled back at the shorter man. Hangman hated how his heart fluttered at those puppy-eyes every time. He wasn’t supposed to be falling in love with him again. Was not.
Jake turned his head again, ignoring the blood rushing to his face and ears (and south). His body betrayed him and pushed into Bradley’s hands.
“..Fuck you, Bradshaw.”
“We’re getting there, sweetheart.”
He couldn’t hold himself back anymore and he was crashing his lips against Bradley’s; passionate, yet soft. Jake gently wrestled the other’s tongue, trying to reclaim dominance. Who was he kidding? He was easy for Bradley. Rooster’s tongue swirled around his, making him whine into his mouth. They shouldn’t be doing this, the door was unlocked. Anybody could come in. But they didn’t care. They just wanted each other.
Bradley pulled back, gently pecking the corner of Jake’s mouth. “Wait for me in my room.” Jake sure as hell listened, slipping his shirt on, leaving Bradley to finish drying up and dressed. He located Bradley’s room, opening the door to neat quarters. Yeah, it wasn’t staying neat for long. He made himself comfortable on the edge of the bed, waiting (im)patiently
Bradley followed in a couple minutes after, closing and locking the door after he stepped in. He found his space right in between Jake’s legs, cradling his face in both hands. Then, he crashed them onto the bed, pressing their lips together once again. A hand snaked down south, teasing at the waistband of Jake’s sweatpants. The blonde man’s breath hitched, his hips bucking up instinctively.
“Easy,” Rooster purred. He buried his face in Hangman’s neck, kissing softly, kisses turning into bites and sucking. The kisses trailed up to his jaw, then back down to his collarbone. The hand on his waistband now slipped under, gently palming him. Jake let out a loud groan, trying to silence himself by biting his bottom lip.
“No, please. Let me hear you, Jake,” He whispered, his touch gentling. Seresin nodded, his hand gripping Bradley’s wrist, gently guiding his hand under the last layer of fabric. Calloused fingertips met (unusually) soft hair, his hand meeting the other’s member almost instantly. He looked in Jake’s eyes for permission, wrapping around him after an explicit ‘yes’. His hand pumped softly at a slow pace. Jake’s head tipped back, a soft whimper escaping his lips. Bradley’s voice was soft as he spoke to him.
“I’ve missed you so much, my love. Missed your mouth, the noises you make… How soft you become,” His lips met Jake’s lips again, kisses soft this time. The man underneath him leaned in to it, hands finding purchase on his back with soft scratches. After a couple more strokes, he reached his climax, body tensing as he finished. Bradley grabbed a tissue from the nightstand, cleaning him up. He wadded it up and threw it in the trash, collapsing beside Jake. They both turned to each other, the brunette man running a hand through Seresin’s soft, blonde locks.
Jake leaned forward, kissing Bradley’s forehead. They kissed again and it quickly became passionate. He could see the tent in Rooster’s shorts when they pulled back. The thought came to his head — he had to return the favor. His erection came back almost instantly. Jake leaned forward, kissing his neck. He sat up, searching through the familiar side-drawer for a condom and lube. Bradley looked up before dropping his head with a sigh, starting to strip his clothes off. The blonde smirked, slipping his off too, the garments piling on the floor. He slipped the condom over his length, dispensing a quarter-sized amount of lube onto his hand before slicking up the rubber. Ever-so-gently, he slid it in, relishing Bradley’s soft moan. He gave a few thrusts before the other gripped his bicep.
“You okay, baby?” Jake questioned.
“Nghh..— hurts..” Bradley groaned out.
Hangman slowed his pace, feeling the other accept it a little easier. “Does this feel better?”
Rooster nodded, wrapping his arms around Jake’s neck. Every few thrust, he would tell the brunette how good he was doing, how beautiful he looked and sounded. With one final drag of his hips, Bradley finished in between them, coating their abdomens in cum. He reciprocated the cleaning process before wrapping his arms around Rooster.
Jake looked into his eyes before Bradley opened his mouth to speak.
“I was never ashamed of you,” He whispered.
“I know. I was foolish for not realizing. I miss what I lost.”
“Maybe you didn’t lose me — we just had to think.”
Hangman sighed, nuzzling his head into his lover’s neck. Rooster slung an arm around his shoulders, his free hand twirling a lock of blonde hair around his fingers. He listened to Jake mutter a soft “I love you” before drifting to sleep. Bradley laughed softly, kissing his temple before lulling into sleep himself.