Been Here Along (Preview)
Summary: Why are you so good at helping your best friend with his relationship problems? Probably because you've been doing it your entire life. Unrequited love is a bitch, especially if it has spanned several decades. Maybe he'll come to his senses, or maybe its time to give someone else a chance.
Warnings: Angst (but do you really expect anything else from me?), cursing
Length: 1.4k
Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x F!Reader, Jake "Hangman" Seresin x F!reader
A/N: The summer is here and for the first time in 4 years I am not studying or working so you better bet my days will be empty and just for writing. This is one of two things I currently have in the works. This one specifically is looking like a one-shot (or two-three shot). The other one is looking like a series, and hopefully I can post the first part in the near future. But here is the preview of been here all along, let me know if you're intrigued and want more <3
âI donât understand women.â Rooster says with a sigh, plopping himself down on the bar stool next to you.Â
You and Phoenix, who was sitting on the stool to the other side of you share a look of light amusement before turning back to the mustached aviator.Â
âItâs like they say one thing, and then mean another? Why canât women be normal?â He groaned into the counter.Â
âWhat do you mean by that Bradshaw?â Phoenix narrowed her eyes at her friend.
You inwardly chuckled before joining Nat in her joking disapproval.Â
âYeah, are you saying women arenât normal? In our day in age of 2023,you, Bradley Bradshaw have the audacity to say something so misogynistic in the presence of women!â
âYou know I always saw you as a friend, but this interaction has me questioning the entire foundation of our friendship.âÂ
You and Nat were struggling to keep your laughter down as Rooster continued to groan into the counter.Â
âIntroducing you two to one another has been one of the worst ideas Iâve ever had.â Rooster grumbled as he finally picked his head up from the bar counter.Â
âPhoenix is my fucking soulmate, we wouldâve been best friends with or without you.â You stuck your tongue out at him.
âI thought I was your best friend.â He pouted.Â
âYouâre my oldest friend, there's a difference.â You told him teasingly.Â
âSucks to suck Bradshaw, Iâm just way cooler than you.â Phoenix poked fun at her fellow pilot.Â
âI canât believe youâre laughing at my misery, you used to love to fix my problems.â He muttered.Â
âOkay okay, Iâm done. Whatâs up Roost?â You chuckled, flashing him a concerned smile.Â
âIt's Abi.âÂ
âAnd that's my cue.â Phoenix hopped off her bar stool.Â
âItâs time for me to kick Hangmanâs ass at pool again.â She announced as she walked towards the other pilots.
âWhy does she do that?â Rooster asked as she walked off.
You shrugged in response.
This was a common occurrence, Phoenix often leaves whenever Rooster starts talking about his girlfriend. She seems to do this whenever any of the guys talk about their relationships. Phoenix was very much a free bird and had no interest in the little details of peopleâs love lives. Even though everyone can definitely see the little flirtation she has going on with Coyote.Â
âSo what's wrong with Abi?â You asked, turning your body to face Rooster.Â
âSheâs pissed at me.â
âAgain?â
Abigail was a bartender that Rooster met at a bar in the city on a night that the group decided to venture away from the Hard Deck for a change. She was on the younger side, well younger compared to the dagger squad and of course Rooster.
But she was sweet and kind and beautiful and caught Roosterâs eye that fateful night. From there they had a bit of whirlwind romance. They were together every single night and there was a good stretch of time where your group of pilots didnât see Rooster outside of work.
Can you really blame him though? Abi was the ghost of Grace Kelly, all delicate features with light green eyes that draw you in.Â
She had the sweetest voice and the personality to match. Youâve never met anyone who is as beautiful on the inside as they were on the outside.Â
Her and Rooster seemed perfectâŠif you were an outsider.
âWhat did you do?âÂ
âI have no clue! She knows that tomorrow is my only day off for a while and I needed to blow off some steam and get a drink tonight.âÂ
âOkay..?â
âThen a few minutes ago, she called me asking where I was and I told her that Iâm here doing exactly what I told her I was gonna do.â
âshe asked why not grab a drink at her bar. And I told her that itâs too far and the guys hate it there.â
âThen she got pissed.â
It made sense now, Abi and Rooster hadnât been together for a long time and their issues only really started as little tiffs, a few arguments here and there, but the past few weeks have been pretty rough, especially for a newer relationship.Â
You suppose it has something to do with the longer hours at work. This new TOPGUN class was definitely harrowing to the crew and there was also having to be prepped for any incoming mission.Â
âBrad, youâre an idiot.âÂ
âHey! I thought you were gonna help me!â
âI am!â
âthink about itâŠ. what was the last thing she got mad about?â
âWhen I slept through our planned date because of the long hoursâŠ.ohâ
Realization finally replaced the confused look on his face.Â
âShe thought because I have a day off..â
âKeep going Roost, youâre almost there.â
âThat I would spend the night with her.â He finished.
âDing, ding, Ding! We have a winner folks!â You stood up dramatically announcing with a game show host voice.Â
You held an invisible microphone up to your lips.Â
âAttention folks! It was a toss-up there for a second. But I am proud to announce the winner of âWhy is your girlfriend mad?â... BRADLEY âROOSTERâ BRADSHAW!!â
Your gaggle of pilots cheered from the other side of the bar, whooping and hollering at your bit, receiving raised eyebrows from the other patrons but mostly indifference as they have grown accustomed to your regular hijinks.Â
âCongratulations sir, any words from the winner?â
You held an invisible mic to to his face, Rooster leaning into the imaginary mic.Â
âHello yes I would like to thank my parents, my uncle, the bartenders, my fellow pilots, and this beer from the tap, all of which have contributed to my cluelessness towards women. WIthout you all I would not be here.âÂ
âNo thank you for me?â You raised an eyebrow.Â
Rooster chuckled at your antics as you sat back down on your bar stool.Â
âSo what am I supposed to do?âÂ
âBradley please donât make me spell it out for you. Its right there.âÂ
You pointed your eyes at the phone sitting in his pocket.Â
âOh, okay. I should call!â
âYesssss and do what???.âÂ
âApologize?âÂ
âYou got it! Finally I was getting tired over here. Hosting this game show is hard work.â You whistled wiping a fake sweat off your forehead.Â
âThanks, woods!â He exclaimed as he quickly stood up and made his way out to the back deck to call Abi.Â
You watched his retreating figure enter the darkness of the night as you sighed into the back of your hand propped up by your elbow on the bar.Â
âSo are you some kind of masochist?âÂ
You quickly jumped, surprised at the sudden presence coming from the bar stool that was occupied by Phoenix several minutes ago.Â
âGod Bagman, please refrain from giving the host a heart attack.âÂ
He chuckled at your reaction.Â
âGame show host huh? Bit of the week?â
âMore like the night, Iâm gonna workshop a few things before I make my final decision.â
âIs that so?â
âGotta keep yâall dorks entertained somehow.â You shrugged.Â
âThat you do Woods.âÂ
âSo what do you mean about me being a masochist?â You raised an eyebrow.Â
âThatâ He pointed at Bradley on the back porch passionately talking into the phone, you couldnât tell if it was a negative or positive emotion but it looked intense.Â
But despite that he looked radiant against the light that emanated from the full moon tonight. He never failed to take your breath away.Â
âWhat about Rooster?â You turned back to Hangman.Â
âCome on dollface, Iâm not blind.â
âYou know Bagman, Iâm surprised youâre capable of seeing things outside of your personal radius.âÂ
âSee? If even I can see it then that tells you how obvious this little crush is.âÂ
His statement left your mouth hanging open.Â
âI.. I canât believe you-- how dare.âÂ
He kept an amused smirk as you stumble over your words.Â
âYou know you only make it harder on yourself when you fix his relationship problems for him.â
âI donât-âÂ
He cut you off with a chuckle as he turned away back to the direction of the pool tables.
âIts okay Woods, i get it, just make sure you know what youâre doing.âÂ
He left with you that last piece of advice as he walked away.Â
As much as you denied it. Hangman was right. You probably have loved Bradley your whole life.
Will be creating a new taglist for this work :)
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Let Me Go (Epilogue)
Pairing: Hangman x f!reader, Rooster x f!reader
Warnings:Â none, teenagers being teenagers, ANGST (but you knew that), bittersweet ending
Word Count: 5.8k
Summary: Reader is married and shares a child with Hangman, Life and circumstance drives reader into Roosterâs arms, but Hangman isnât giving up that easily
A/N: Here it is the epilogue of Let Me Go. I can't believe this story that I thought of during my commute to work last summer, a story that I didn't anyone but me would care about is now at its official end. Even if it did take almost a year, and several hiatuses to get here. I will admit this past year has been some of the hardest of my life, with so many changes and obstacles I've gone through. But this story, this community has always been a safe space for me to run to. I'm sure that not everyone will be happy with how I chose to end this story, but this past year has taught me to trust my instincts as a writer and I will not please everyone, but I hope you understand why I went with what I did. I don't know if you all know this but Let Me Go is actually the first full-length multi-part series I've ever created, and I just wanted to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for taking this journey with me. Whether you've been here from the beginning, if you're a casual reader, someone who has waited months for me to update, to the people who have left me kind and supportive comments, and even to those who weren't necessarily the kindest. Thank you. Enough with all of that, without further ado, Let Me Go the final FINAL part.
Declan Belmont had Astrid pressed against the brick wall at the back of their high school. They definitely should not have been skipping 4th period, but the feeling of how soft her lips against his and the sounds of her whimpers as he grabbed the skin of her hips, definitely made him forget about the important test review they were currently missing.Â
âDec, slow down.â She pulled herself away from him, trying to even her breath.Â
âWe are not hooking up next to the soccer field.â She told him with a raised eyebrow.Â
He let out an exaggerated groan before turning them both around until Declanâs back was the one against the wall.Â
âFine, fair enoughâ He chuckled as he gave his girlfriend a small peck on the lips.Â
âI canât help it, you look so good today.â He sighed pressing his face into her collarbone breathing in her scent.Â
âI canât keep my hands off of you.â He mumbled into her chest.Â
Astrid let out a giggle, pulling his face away from her.
âYou say that everyday.âÂ
âAnd itâs true!â He exclaimed
âEvery. Single. Dayâ He pecked her lips in between every word.Â
âYouâre such a dork.âÂ
âYOUR dork.âÂ
âEw you sound just like my dad.â She said, feigning a disgusted face.Â
âSpeaking of your dad, when are you going to introduce me to your family?â Declan asks her, his once joking demeanor fading to nervousness.Â
Astrid backed away from his touch, putting distance between them.Â
âDec..âÂ
âCome on Atty! Weâve been official for almost 6 months! Youâve met my mom, my brother, even my stupid cousin.â
âYour cousin doesnât count, we have trig together.â You pointed out.
âOkay fine, but besides the point, youâve met them!âÂ
âAre you ashamed of me?â He asked solemnly
âNo! Thatâs not it Dec! My family is justâŠâ Astrid stops to piece together her thoughts.
âTheyâre absolutely insane!âÂ
âMy aunts and uncles are so loud ALL THE TIME. Itâs basically impossible to get ANY work done whenever theyâre around.âÂ
âDonât get me started on how nosey my Uncle Mickey gets. Like I think that man forgets that heâs nearing 50 and does not need to know why Beca from fourth grade and I arenât friends anymore.âÂ
âOr how my Aunt Nat and Uncle Bob, LOVE to torture my dad and the sweet little imbecile he is always takes the bait.â
Astrid didnât notice how intense her tirade was until she felt her face heating up and Declan staring at her in amusement.
âSorry..â she told him embarrassed at her outburst.Â
âYou should really breathe in between monologues, you were turning blue babe.âÂ
âSee what I mean? They make me CRAZY, and I didnât want you to see that side of me quite yet.â Astrid admitted.
Declan chuckled before approaching Astrid, wrapping his arms around her waist, and using a finger to have her look up at him.Â
âIn case you havenât noticed, I happen to like your crazy.â Declan kisses the pout off of Astridâs face.Â
âAnd I really like you, and I donât see anything short of you committing murder, changing that.âÂ
âCan I get that in writing?âÂ
âIâll even get it notarized.âÂ
âLucky for you, my familyâs monthly barbeque is happening tomorrow, and I can maybeee get you an invitation.â
âAw youâd do that for me babe?âÂ
âI guess, and I do happen to know the host of the party.âÂ
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Declan felt a knot form in his stomach as he stood outside Astrid's house, trying to muster the courage to knock on the door. He knew he shouldn't be nervous, but he couldn't help the feeling of apprehension that was creeping up on him. What if her family didn't like him? What if he did something embarrassing? What if he accidentally insulted someone?
He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. Technically this was his idea, and Astrid had continually warned him about her familyâs many quirks but assured him that they did have good hearts. But she didnât elaborate further. Declan now mentally kicked himself for not asking more questions about them, now he was going into this meeting blind with no preparation or any talking points.Â
âFucking Amateur Hour Declan!â He muttered to himself, thereâs no going back and changing the past now. He couldnât stand on the front porch forever.Â
Finally, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. He could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation coming from inside the house, and his nerves intensified. After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open and he was greeted by an older man, a silver fox with a broad chest wearing a leather military flight jacket. He wasnât very tall but it didnât make him any less terrifying.Â
âSo youâre the boy our little Astrid has been seeing.â He greeted Declan with a grinÂ
The man had a warm smile and Declan felt himself release the breath he didnât realize he was holding.Â
Declan held out a hand towards the older man to shake.Â
âNo need for all of that son, welcome to the party!âÂ
The older man pulled Declan into a hug, clapping him on the back and dragging him into the house.Â
âDonât scare him off Pete, he just got here!â A beautiful older woman with brown shoulder length hair and kind eyes laughed at the man.Â
âSorry about him Declan, heâs just excited.â
âIâm Penny, and this is Pete.â
âCall me Mav, son.â He smiled at Declan.Â
They led him to the back of the house towards the glass doors with a deck where he had a a clear view into the backyard.Â
He saw a handful of men and women standing around the large yard. They held themselves in a way that made it obvious that they were military despite being out of uniform.Â
Declan felt his previous nervousness return, feeling his throat get dry. He placed his hand on the door to open it, when he realized that he never properly greeted Astridâs parents.Â
âI am so sorry, I was so nervous that I forgot my manners. Itâs so nice to finally meet you Mr. and Mrs Seresin.â Declan beamed at the older couple.Â
âAstrid is an amazing girl and its an honor to meet the people that raised her.â
Penny and Mav stared at Declan in confusion before bursting into laughter.Â
Declan stood confused at the sudden outburst.Â
After they settled down, Mav clapped a hand on Declanâs shoulder.Â
âYou flatter us son. But weâre not Astridâs parents.â
âI am Attyâs godmother, and Mav here is her grandpa.âÂ
âHey! You say that like Iâm old!â Mav pouted.
âIf Iâm her grandpa that makes you her grandma.â He pointed out.
âNo way old man, I am perfectly happy being Auntie Penny.âÂ
âYeah Yeah.â Mav wrapped an arm around Pennyâs waist giving her a kiss on the temple.Â
Declan felt slightly awkward watching this interaction, he wasnât exactly used to PDA from adult couples, mostly due to his own family history of divorce. But most of it stemmed from the embarassment of wrongly assuming his girfriendâs parentage.Â
âYou can relax son, we definitely helped her parents with babysitting and carpool, but we canât take credit for the woman sheâs become.â Mav explained.Â
âAnd donât worry about us, if Atty likes you, then we like you.âÂ
âAnd that goes for all those other meatheads out in the backyard.â Penny reassured him.Â
Declan nodded as the couple led him to the outside.Â
âLook whos here!â Mav announced to the other attendants of the barbeque.Â
The group waved and roared with excitement, greeting Declan from his vantage point on the deck.Â
âHey Dec!â His girlfriend greeted him.Â
Declan momentarily forgot his troubles as he took in his girlfriendâs appearance. She looked like sunshine in her frilly yellow sundress, her head adorned with a puffy white headband, her smile beaming as she walked towards Declanâs position on the deck.Â
âYouâll be okay son, we all got your back. The only person here you need to impress is that guy.â Mav pointed at a younger man, taller and somehow more menacing looking, manning the grill.Â
Declan took a hard gulp as Astrid finally approached him, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the stairs of the deck towards a gathering of 3.Â
âDec, This is my Auntie Nat, Uncle Bob, and Uncle Mickey.âÂ
âGuys, this is Declan Belmont, my boyfriend.âÂ
âNice to meet you Declan.â The woman greeted him.Â
The shorter man with wire framed glasses simply smiled and nodded at Declan in greeting.Â
The final man, seemed to be of hispanic descent with short buzzed hair.Â
He surprised Declan by pulling him into a hug.Â
âIts nice to finally put a face to a name!â Uncle Mickey beamed at Declan.Â
âWe all know how picky our Atty can get, so you must be something special.âÂ
Uncle Mickey pulled back on hug before throwing an arm around Declanâs shoulders and pulled him aside from the group and whispering.Â
â I want to know everything, do you know what you want to do after graduation? Anything youâre thinking of studying? How did you and Astrid meet? Do you love her?â
âUncle Mickey!â
âFanboy!âÂ
The other members of the group obviously heard everything from the forced huddle despite Mickeyâs attempt at whispering.Â
âWeâll reconvene later.â He gave a final whisper before turning back around to the rest of the group.Â
Declan found purchase by Astridâs side one again wrapping an arm around her wasit.Â
âOh no you wonât Uncle Mickey.â Astrid glared at Fanboy.Â
âYeah leave the damn boy alone.â Phoenix added.Â
Bob stood silently in the middle amusement clear on his face, holding in his laughter.Â
âBut mija, How am I supposed to find out?â
âFanboy, the boy has been here less than 5 minutes and youâre already giving him the third degree.â Phoenix rolled her eyes at her frend.Â
âI just wanna get to know him better, see why Atty likes him so much.âÂ
âAnd donât act like Iâm the only one whoâs curiousâ Fanboy pointed at his friends.Â
âYou know what, youâre right!â Bob finally spoke out.Â
âI do wanna know.âÂ
Natasha stared at her friends in disbelief, before her face released its scowl in a look of agreement with the two men. Crossing the middle and standing by the two male daggers.Â
âTraitor!â Astrid frowned at her aunt.Â
âSorry kiddo, Fanboyâs got a pointâ
Astridâs face turned red in embarrassment.Â
âYâall promised to be cool.â Astrid pouted.Â
The three aviators shot her an apologetic look with a shrug.Â
Declan felt so much warmth and joy from watching his girlfriend interact with her family, despite their antics they all clearly deeply for one another. Almost made him forget about the menacing man across the yard watching his every move. Especially at his hand placement.
He quickly took his hand off of Astridâs waist. Which took her by surprise, and made her think that he was horrified at her crazy family.Â
âI am so sorry about them Dec. I asked them to be normal â Astrid turned to him with pleading eyes.
Declan was confused at her uneasiness
âDonât be! I think theyâre sweet.â He replied joyfully.Â
âAnd I will be happy to answer any and all questions you all ask me.â Declan announced to the three before distractedly looking off to the distance back to the man by the grill.Â
âThen why did you..?â Astrid began to ask but trailed off as she followed her boyfriendâs line of sight, her aunt and uncles doing the same.Â
âAhh, the big man.â Mickey deduced.Â
âHim? A Big Man?âÂ
âAre we looking at the same person right now?â Phoenix raised an eyebrow at her friend.
âI mean yeah heâs not a big man to us, but imagine how Declan feels right now.â
âGuys, youâre not making it any better.â Astrid sighed.Â
âDonât worry about him, he only looks like a grizzly bear, in actuality he is a big soft teddy bear.â Phoenix reassured the boy.Â
Declan was still frozen in his place, feeling smaller heâs ever felt in his life.Â
âHeâs gotta meet him at some point kid, go rip the bandaid off.â Phoenix reminded her niece.Â
âYouâre probably right Aunt Nat.â Astrid sighed.Â
âCome on Dec, lets go.â Astrid grabbed Declanâs hand and dragged him towards the grill.Â
âDad!â Astrid exclaimed as walked towards the aviator, with Declan in tow.Â
âThis is my boyfriend Declan.â
Declan felt frozen in place, never feeling quite as intimidated as he had in this exact moment. He outstretched a hand, a gulp trapped in his throat. The older man gave his hand a firm shake, his grip tightening and holding Declanâs in a steel grip, staring him down.Â
âDad, stop it.â Astrid chastised the man after several agonizing seconds that felt like hours to Declan. Â
âBut its so funny.âÂ
The man released his grip and his entire demeanor changed in that exact moment, like a light switch being flipped. The stoic look on his face changed to a dopey grin.Â
âYou shouldâve seen your face! You look like youâre gonna pee your pants!â The older man chuckled.Â
Declan laughed awkwardly alongside the aviator.Â
âIâm sorry Dec, my dad thinks heâs funny.âÂ
âYou used to think I was funny.â Astridâs dad pouted.
âYeah when I was 4â
âWhen I also used to think mac and cheese and mashed potatoes mixed together was the greatest food to exist.âÂ
âBut AttyâŠyou still think that.â Declan muttered.Â
The two men maintained eye contact with one another, their grins slowly getting larger before bursting into laughter.Â
Astrid stood still in her spot, a frown planted on her face.Â
âCome on babe, just joking around with your dad.âÂ
âI think I liked you better when you were afraid of everyone.â She glared at her boyfriend.Â
âSir, has she always been this intense?âÂ
âYup, even when she was a little girl, terrifying minimum wage teenage face painters who merely suggested to paint her as a butterfly, insisting yoshi was cooler.âÂ
âPlease tell me you have a picture sir.âÂ
âCome on.. You know I do.â Both men laughing with one another once again.Â
âI canât believe you two are ganging up on me!â Astrid exclaimed.
âAnd I still stand with that previous claim, Yoshi is cooler than a butterfly.â
âYouâre just further proving our point babe.â Declan smiled, reaching for Astridâs hand once again, now feeling more comfortable.Â
She dropped his hand in a huff, folding her arms across her chest.Â
âIâm not a big fan of whatever.âÂ
âThis.â waving a finger between the two menÂ
 âIsâ
âCome on Little Chick! I thought you wanted me to get along with your boyfriend.â The mustached man pointed out.Â
âWell the two of you can get along all you want in this corner, Iâm going to talk to Uncle Javy and Uncle Reuben. At least theyâre nice to me.â Astrid pouted as she walked away from Rooster and Declan.
Declan had the biggest smile plastered on his face watching his girlfriend walk away.Â
âSheâs something isnât she?â Rooster referred to Astridâs retreating figure.Â
âThat she is.â
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Declan was honestly having a really nice time. He couldnât remember the last time that he was at an event with extended family. It was just him, his mom, and his brother (sometimes his aunt and cousin) for as long as he could remember. Large in part due to the divorce and his dad constantly traveling for work. So it meant a lot to him that Astridâs family welcomed him with open arms.
He had spent the better part of the hour asking Astridâs family members funny embarrassing stories from her childhood, and he also got to meet Astridâ Uncle Javy and Uncle Reuben, with a few more attendees joining.Â
Declan was currently helping Astridâs dad with the grill, with Mav often coming around to nitpick the younger menâs work. And Rooster telling him to âfuck off, old manâ, with Astrid and Penny laughing at their antics.Â
What confused Declan was the lack of appearance from Astridâs mom. Astrid had never mentioned having a single father so Declan knew that she probably had a mom.Â
He was about to open his mouth to ask when he was interrupted by the sound of the backyard fence opening and his girlfriendâs booming voice.Â
âDaddy!âÂ
Daddy? Wasnât Declan already standing next to her dad?
An older blonde man dressed in service khakis had arms wide open for Astrid as she ran towards him nearly knocking him over.Â
âBagman!â Astridâs (other?) dad exclaimed.Â
The other attendees of the party approached the man.Â
âLook what the cat dragged in.â Phoenix smirked
âWe thought youâd be out in the Pacific for a few more weeks.â Payback commented.Â
âWell yâall know me, I get shit done.â
âPlus, I missed little Pixie over here.â He answered hugging his daughter once more.Â
How did Declan not know that his girlfriend had two dads? How heteronormative for him to assume that his girlfriend had a typical nuclear family? Then again sheâs never mentioned too much of her family.Â
The aviators threw greetings and questions at Hangman, with the man in question trying his best to answer them all.Â
Declan stood at the edge of the crowd, bewildered at the new addition. Jake noticed the unfamiliar boy amongst the group.
He parted the group stopping all conversation and made eye contact with Declan.Â
âNow, whos this?â Jake asked walking towards the boy.Â
âOh, daddy this is Declan. My boyfriend.â Astrid smiled introducing him.Â
âBoyfriend already?â Jake turned to Bradley.Â
âI thought we had more time.â
âThats exactly what I was thinking, I was not ready.â Bradley clapped jake on the shoulder.Â
âI am 16. I am more than ready. You should be tooâ Astrid rolled her eyes at the two men.Â
âAs long as youâre not ready for other things.â Bradley raised an eyebrow at the girl while Jake gave Declan a death glare.Â
Astridâs cheeks turned bright red.Â
âDad, Daddy, youâre embarassing me!â She was mortified at their behavior.Â
âWe just wanna make sure this boy is not gonna pressure you into something youâre not comfortable with.â Jake explained.Â
âI would never sirs!â Declan interjected.Â
âI can vouch for him Hangman, hes a good kid.â Bradley responded.Â
âIâm going inside, this is mortifying.â Astrid ran into the house.Â
âDo you need me to-?â Decaln started to follow behind her before being stopped by Jake.Â
âSheâll be fine son, you stay right here.â
â Rooster mightâve vouched for you but Iâm still gonna take a peek under your hood. Make my own conclusion.â Jake led Declan to the outdoor seating beside the deck stairs.Â
âSo Declan right? You got a last name?â Jake asked as they both sat down.
âBelmont sir.âÂ
âBelmont? As in Vice Admiral Richard Belmont?â He inquired.Â
âYes sir, heâs my father.âÂ
âI know your dad, he works right under me, good man, dedicated to the work, dedicated to his country.â
âHe works under you?âÂ
The pieces finally connected in Declanâs brain. Astrid Seresin. Seresin. Commander of the Pacific Fleet, Admiral Jacob Seresin.Â
How did not put that together before?Â
Declan stood up abruptly, assuming a salute stance.Â
âIâm sorry to be disrespectful sir, I did not know you were THE Admiral Seresin.âÂ
âMy father taught me better than that.â
âAt ease son, no need for all of that.â Admiral Seresin chuckled
Declan dropped the salute but still remained standing in stance.Â
âDid Astrid not tell you?â
âNo sir, we did not speak too much about our families.âÂ
âWell if youâre really afraid of being disrespectful, kid, you gotta know that all of these people are decorated officers.âÂ
âThem right there are Captains Avalone, Lennox, Lee, and Bassett.â He said pointing to the men and woman that Astrid introduced as Uncles Billy, Brig, Logan, and Auntie Callie.
âMaverick was also captain before he retired.â
âOver there are Rear Admirals Floyd, Garcia, Finch, and Machado.âÂ
Uncle Bob, Uncle Mickey, Uncle Reuben and Uncle Javy.Â
âFinally, Old Rooster and Phoenix over there. Vice Admiral Trace, and Admiral Bradshaw.â
âHoly Shit.â Declan gulped.Â
âSo you better treat our Astrid right, if youâre smart you can forsee how people with our experience can ruin your life, in more ways than one.â Admiral Seresin warned.Â
âUnderstood sir.â
Declan shifted in his spot, desperate to change the subject from the possible harm that would befall him if he ever made the mistake of hurting his girlfriend.Â
âSo my father works under you, sir? Last I spoke to him he was stationed to the Pacific.â
âYes, thatâs where I just returned from. Your dad is still out there though.âÂ
âYeah I figured, I reckon he wouldâve called by now.â Declan tried to hide his disappointment.Â
Jake read him easily however. He quickly remembered his absence from his daughterâs life earlier in her childhood. Immediately feeling sorry for the boy, he motioned for him to sit once again
âI get it, it's hard, I wasnât around much for Astridâs childhood, I was too focused on getting to.. Well here.âÂ
âWas it worth it sir?âÂ
âNot sure I can answer that, I missed a lot, but I was lucky enough to have someone who understood my ambitions.âÂ
âI donât know how yâall did it sir, especially since you being the Commander of the Pacific fleet and Attyâs other dad also being an Admiral.âÂ
âAnd especially with the stigma you two had to face with the Navy.âÂ
âIt was a little weird and difficult at first. But Astrid made it worth it. And Bradshaw has been a big help.â
âWell you two raised an amazing daughter. How long have you been together?â Declan inquired, knowing about the rampant homophobia that still unfortunately plagued the military branch.Â
But seeing how well respected and high in rank the two men were he knew that couldnât have been easy, but now theyâre both in positions where no one would dare to criticize them.
âHow long have we..? Wait. Do you think me and Bradshaw are..â Admiral Seresin broke out into boisterous laughter.
âHey Rooster! Get over here!â Declan looked at the older man in confusion as the second Admiral made his way to the duo.Â
âWhatâs up Bagman?â Rooster responded as he halted his jog.Â
âCome and give me some sugar.â Jake chuckled as he brought Bradley into a tight embrace planting a wet kiss on his cheek.
Declan felt his face heat up at the PDA presented in front of him by his girlfriendâs fathers.
Bradley stumbled back after Jake released his hold, a look of amusement on his face.Â
Hangman threw an arm around the other aviator.Â
âNot that Iâm complaining, but not sure how my wife is gonna feel about you planting one on me Bagman,âÂ
Rooster laughed.
Wife? Now Declan was even more confused than before. Astridâs dad has a wife and is also with her other dad? Is the wife okay with this? Is the wife also with Commander Seresin?
Declan felt a migraine coming on from the heavy wheels spinning in his mind trying to piece together his girlfriendâs interesting family dynamic.Â
âNicholas Bradshaw! If you donât stop running right now, youâre not getting any Ice cream!âÂ
Declanâs thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a woman that looked like a more mature, not necessarily older version of his girlfriend making her way down the deck, running after a little boy that looked like a miniature version of Admiral Bradshaw.
Is this the wife? She was very beautiful. Admiral Bradshaw is a lucky man.Â
Declan had so many questions. The boy he gathered was Astridâs little brother. And then the woman , possibly her mom??? Declan just became more confused with every passing minute.
Both Admirals stared at the woman in adoration as she chased after the boy.
âBut Momma, Uncle Jakey is here!â The boy ran into Admiral Seresinâs arms who picked him up with a chuckle.Â
âNo love for your dad buddy?â Rooster feigned hurt.Â
âUncle Jakey. Toy please.âÂ
âOuch! Little man, and here I thought you were just happy to see me.â Jake answered also feigning hurt.
âSweets! Come and meet Pixieâs boyfriend.â
âSorry for messing with you Dec, you just made it too easy.âÂ
âNow whoâs this?â The woman approached their chattering.
She had kind eyes and a beautiful smile. She was dressed in a sundress that almost mimicked the one his girlfriend was wearing except in an emerald color.Â
âDeclan, Maâam nice to meet you.â Declan nervously held out hand to the woman who shook it gently.
âIâm Astridâs mom, y/n. And you must be the boyfriend weâve hardly heard anything about.â
That one annoying song that his sister used to sing non-stop, Stacyâs Mom he thinks itâs called, never made more sense to him than at that moment.
Donât get him wrong, Declan loved Astrid, more than anything. But in some kind of alternate universe where they werenât together and he didnât know her and her entire family. He would proudly declare her a MILF, but at risk of pissing off his girlfriend, her grandpa, godmother, her large array of uncles and aunts, and her dads who also happened to be top ranking navy officers, he would never admit it to another soul.
âSo where have you been hiding?â Astridâs mom asked jokingly.
âMom! Dad! Daddy!â Astrid shouted as she exited the house and jogged down to the outdoor furniture.
Astrid slid into the gap between Declanâs arm and torso, laying a hand on his chest.
âStop giving him the third degree.â She glared at her parents.Â
âHey! I was just introducing myself to Declan here since you refused to give your poor mother anything.â Her mom pouted while poking Astrid on the tip of her nose.Â
Astrid stuck a tongue out at the older woman.
âYeah okay mom, stop acting like you didnât grill me about Dec last night.â Pointing a finger at y/n.
âItâs not cute, mother.âÂ
âYour mother happens to be very cute.â Bradley wrapped an arm around the older woman planting a kiss on her forehead.Â
Jake nodded in quiet agreement, but Declan noticed a glimpse of sadness behind his eyes. He wonders whatâs that about.
âEwww Mom and Dad, can you please not do that in front me and Dec.â Astrid exclaimed, further burying her face into the crook of Declanâs neck.Â
âHow come you two can have PDA and me and your dad canât?â Her mom responded.Â
âBecause youâre old.âÂ
âDonât listen to her Sweets, youâre as beautiful as the day I met you.â Jake chuckled.Â
âAtty!â A small voice originating from lower ground whined.Â
âOh her buddy!â Astrid kneeled down to her little brotherâs height.Â
âDid you have a good practice?â She asked grabbing Nickâs little body into her lap tickling his neck and making him laugh hysterically.Â
âI want kiss!.â He shouted through his giggles.
âAnything for you Goosey!â Astrid covered her little brotherâs face in kisses.Â
âMomma too!âÂ
âOh of course my little goose.â Y/n laughed as she kneeled down to the same level as her children.Â
âWhat a lucky little dude.â Bradley smiled.Â
The two other men chuckled watching the love fest before them.Â
âNot to interrupt your little family time but since you were distracted Bradley, I took it upon myself to cook the steaks PROPERLY.â Maverick shouted across the backyard.Â
âCome and get your steaks!âÂ
âOh sweet, steak grandpa mav style is my favorite.â Astrid exclaimed picking up her little brother and making her way to the grill, Declan close in tow.Â
âYay steak!â Nick cheered
âIs it âHurt Dadâs feelings dayâ, Little Chick?â Bradley groaned as he followed the rest of the group to the food.Â
Jake hung back watching the sight before him. His daughter, so grown up, so beautiful, smart, and headstrong. Just like her mother.Â
Jake thought back to Declanâs earlier question. Was it all worth it? Those 4 years where y/n and Astrid away was some of the loneliest of his life. He honestly took that time to take every deployment, work every detachment, and because Y/n needed time to think, he for that time being never felt guilty for his ambition.
.Y/n could never be malicious enough to keep him away from his daughter. She gave him every opportunity to be involved. Of course, he visited his daughter as often as he could. But it definitely was not often enough. His work was all he had, he thought, so he threw himself into it completely. Up to the point where he finally surpassed Rooster.Â
When those four years were up it was clear where his priorities lied, and in a way he understood what Y/N said before. He was selfish for making her take a back seat to it for so long, when she and their daughter deserved so much more than that.Â
It honestly didnât surprise him when Y/N chose Bradshaw in the end, he was there for Y/N and for Astrid when he couldnât. It didnât make it hurt any less though. He definitely had some dark years after that. Years where he would go months into his work, not bothering to keep in touch with his ex-wife and daughter.Â
No one heard from his for an entire year after he caught wind of their wedding and Bradshaw legally adopting his daughter.Â
All he had was his career, his ambitions, it was the only thing keeping him going. He thought thatâs all he needed. It should have been enough. His lifelong longing should it been quenched when he was promoted to Admiral, a full 4 years before Bradshaw. He finally won.Â
But did he really?Â
He threw himself into a drunken stupor at the Hard Deck, âhappilyâ celebrating his promotion. Alone. Completely Alone.Â
But Y/N, sweet and strong Y/N, walked into the bar. And dragged him to his feet pulling him to his senses.Â
âI gave you space all these years Jake because I thought it was what you needed. I know the news about me and Bradley was not going to bve easy for you so I stayed away, I didnât want you to think we were rubbing it in your face. I didnât say anything when you went years making Astrid feel like she didnât have a father, Bradley stepped in because that is the type of man he is and he loves her. But that deosnât change the fact that youâre her father, she still looks for you every birthday, checks the news to make sure nothing bad has happened to you, still tears up whenever she sees or hears Pixie Sticks. We may have not worked out Jake, but that doesnât mean you abandon her.â Jake hadnât seen so much pain in your eyes since that final night before you left.Â
âShe doesnât want to see me. You left me.â
âExactly. I left you Jake. Your daughter didnât.âÂ
â And all she wants now is you to show up and apologize for the years you missed and eat the cake she baked for you for your promotion, instead of sitting here wasting away aloneâ
âShe baked me a cake?â Jake asked his eyes filled with tears and hope for the first time in over 7 years.Â
âYeah she did. Even wrote âCongrats Daddyâ on it with light green frosting to match your eyes.â
You nodded.Â
âOkay, take me to see Pixie.â He smiled.Â
That was 5 odd or so years ago. It took a lot of work but through endless groveling, apologies, and carefully curated gifts. Rooster finally forgave him.Â
Just kidding, Astrid forgave him. Of course she says that there was no forgiving needed to be done in the first place, the young girl knew that her dad had things to work out on his own before he was ready to come home to her. But Hangman knew better and he made sure to make up for the 7 years of missed birthdays, holidays, and just regular Daddy-Daughter time, and as an admiral he had more leeway to pick his schedule and deployments.Â
Things with Rooster also got better, despite his years of resentment towards the man, he definitely appreciated the care that he gave you and your daughter in his absence (even if he didnât appreciate the way it begun). After a couple years of awkwardness where the two men couldnât be left alone in a room together, they found a mutual respect and admiration for both of their work and dedication to the Navy.Â
The two were definitely more alike than they realized, it just took an intense rivalry, a couple of punches thrown, a few black eyes, a pair of bruised jaws, a divorce, a wedding and adoption, and a couple of years of close proximity to unlock.
From there bloomed a friendship that canât be described by anything other than a total âbromanceâ.
As he stood in the yard contemplating his journey to that moment, he was pulled out of his thoughts by your hand caressing his cheek.Â
âHow you doing Zuko?â You smiled at him with bright eyes.Â
âIâm doing good Sweets.âÂ
âJust thinking about how fast time has passed.â He explained.
âIt has been a wild ride hasnât it?â You responded, dropping your hand, placing it back to your side.Â
Jake felt cold from the removal of your hand, his body still searching for your warth even after all these years. He tried to hide his disappointment from his face but you knew him better than that.Â
âYou know I will always love you, right Jake?â You smiled at him sympathetically.Â
âWeâve been through so much together, and even though it wasnât all rainbows and sunshine, I will be eternally grateful to you.âÂ
âYou gave me her.â Your eyes twinkled looking at Astrid.Â
âAnd you know I will never get over you right?â Jake responded, his voice thick with melancholy.Â
âMaybeâŠâ You began.
âBut I hope someday you will. Our love, our connection was so filled with fight and fire, and I loved it⊠I loved you. But after all of that, we were just left with ashes.â You looked at him, your smile bittersweet.Â
âYou taught me how to love Jake, and loving you, prepared me to love him.â You gestured to Bradshaw.Â
âTo love them.âÂ
You looked lovingly at your family, your friends, your husband, your children.Â
âPromise me Jake, that when the time comes. You will take that love, the love you had for me, the love we shared, and you will use it to love someone who deserves it.â
âBecause you deserve someone amazing, someone who will love better than I ever did.âÂ
You walked backwards towards the others, flashing him that same smile that started all of this, before turning around and walking away.Â
âOkay.â He smiled to himself, joining the rest of the party.Â
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Let Me Go || Part 10
Pairing: Hangman x f!reader, Rooster x f!reader
Warnings: ANGST (but you knew that), minor character death, Some Fluff
Word Count: 3.8k
Summary: Reader is married to and shares a child with Hangman. Life and circumstances drives reader into Roosterâs arms, but Hangman isnât giving up that easily.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6Â | Part 7Â |Â Part 8Â | Part 9 | Part 10
Author's Note: The long awaited Part 10. So this is the final part of the story, but there is still an epilogue coming (actually already started writing it as we speak or rather type). Sorry for the long wait once again, school and law school apps really got the best of me. But I did end up getting into law school with a great scholarship so yay! This chapter was so hard to write, I really kept going back and forth on how I was gonna end it and I know I'm not gonna make everyone happy with how I ended it but I think I went the best possible and realistic way that's healthy for all the characters involved. And I am really happy with what I came up with. I also had such a bad case of writer's block but thanks to some brainstorming with one of my best friends (who I forced to listen to the plot of the story). He helped me come up with an ending I was happy with. So thank you again for your patience and I also I wanna apologize to everyone who asked to be in the tag list that I didn't add, its impossible to keep track of who asked. But without further ado, here is Part 10 of Let Me Go!
You needed a moment to gather your thoughts before responding to Jake's plea. You took a deep breath and wiped the tears from your eyes.
"Jake, of course I still love you," you said, your voice quivering slightly. "But that's not the point. Love alone is not enough to fix what's broken between us."
"I know," Jake replied, his eyes downcast.
"You also have to understand that what I had with Bradley was not the same as what we have," you continued.Â
"Yes I fell in love with him. How was I not supposed to? He loved me when it felt like you could not, he loved me selflessly and loved our daughter like his own. I canât just ignore that.âÂ
"You fell in love with RoosterâŠ." Jake repeated, voice low and full of despair.
âI thought it was you and me forever Sweets. I canât believe youâd go back on our vows and leave me for Rooster!â
âAnd its not just you and me (y/n), we have a daughter! Imagine how confusing all of this is for her!â Jake was fuming once again, clearly jumping from the bargaining stage of grief back to anger.Â
âYou didnât think about our daughter when you fucked that corpsman!âÂ
âThatâs different (y/n)! She was a stranger, you fell in love with MY friend. Someone I thought was JUST your friend.â
âThis is different," you said, feeling a mix of anger and frustration rise in your chest. "Rooster is not just a friend, he's someone I have a deep connection with. And I know it's hard for you to understand, but I can't just turn off my feelings for him."
Jake looked up at you, his expression a mixture of hurt and anger. "So what are you saying, that you want to be with him instead of me?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying," you replied firmly.
Jake's eyes widened as he processed your words. "So what is it? You're just going to leave me here, alone and broken?"
The anger began to rise in you as you spoke. "No, Jake, I'm not leaving you alone and broken. You did that to yourself when you cheated on me. You broke our trust and shattered the foundation of our relationship. And now you have to deal with the consequences."
Jake's face fell as your words hit him like a ton of bricks. "I know what I did was wrong," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I'm willing to do anything to make it up to you. I love you, (y/n), and I don't want to lose you."
Your anger began to boil over as you listened to Jake's pleas. "Love is not enough, Jake," you spat out. "It takes more than love to build a strong and healthy relationship. It takes trust, honesty, and respect. And you betrayed all of that when you cheated on me."
Jake hung his head in shame as you continued to speak. "I need time to heal and figure out if I can ever trust you again. And right now, that means being on my own. I can't just forgive you and forget what you did. It's not that simple."
âAnd I know you said that youâre willing to forgive my relationship with Bradley, but we both know that the hurt lives in you, you cannot just instantly forget what Bradley and I shared.â
Jake looked up at you, his eyes pleading. "Please, (y/n), don't do this. I know I messed up, I know we both did, but I'm willing to do anything to make it right. Please do this with me"
"We had your chance, Jake," you replied, your voice stern. "And we blew it. I shut you out rather than figure it out with you. I fell in love with someone else.We both need time to think and figure out what's best for ourselves and our daughter. And right now, for me, that means being away from you."
Jake's eyes filled with tears as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Please don't do this," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "I need you, (y/n)."
But you stood firm in your decision. "I'm sorry, Jake. But we can't keep putting ourselves and our daughter through this pain. We need time apart to figure things out."
Jake looked at you, sadness etched on his face. "But what if we can't make things work? What if we can't get back together?"
You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words. "Then we have to accept that and do what's best for our daughter. We both love her, and we'll always be there for her."
âI love you (y/n), I always will, no matter what.â
âI know Jake.â
_________________________________________________________________________
"We need to talk"
âCan I come over?â
His heart rate picked up as he replied, "Of courseâ
âI'll be there in 10 minutes."
Bradley quickly got up from bed, threw on a hoodie and pants, and sat on his couch as he waited for your arrival. The minutes felt like years as he tried to control the thoughts racing through his head. Was something wrong? Was everything okay with Jake and Astrid? He had to find out.
When he heard a knock on the door, he noticed that he forgot to turn the lights on, probably a result of his distracted thoughts. He opened the front door and waved for you to enter.
"Hey," you said, walking into the living room. "Thanks for letting me come over again, for the second time tonight. I know its late"
"Of course, what's going on?" Bradley asked, concern etched on his face.
You took a deep breath before speaking. "Jake and I are separating."
Bradley's heart dropped as he heard the news. He knew how much you loved Jake and how much you wanted to make things work with him, despite everything that had happened. But he also couldnât forget your year together.
He knew he shouldn't feel happy that your marriage was falling apart, but a small part of him couldn't help feeling hopeful for what it might mean for him and you. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that this was not the time or place for them.
 "I'm so sorry, (y/n). Are you okay?"
You shook your head, tears streaming down your face. "No, I'm not okay. But I need to be strong for Astrid.â
Bradley wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into a tight embrace. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you, (y/n). Whatever you need."
You shrugged off his embrace, which you have never done before. This action took Bradley by surprise, and he couldnât lie hurt a little bit. But he knew that there was a large weight you holding on your shoulders, one that you were mustering up the courage to tell him.
âI need to leave, Iâm moving back to San Diego. Iâm going to take Astrid with me.âÂ
âYouâre leaving?â Bradley couldnât believe it
âBut..how about us?âÂ
Bradley knew it was selfish asking about his standing with you after you told him that you and your husband were separated. But the thought of losing you and Astrid left his body feeling like its been hit by a truck.Â
âRoo.. I love you.â
Surprise painted Bradleyâs face upon hearing your words, you finally told him those 3 little words that heâs been desperately waiting for.Â
âBut I canât be with you. Jake cheated on me with another woman. But I am not innocent in this situation. I fell in love with you knowing that there was another man that I promised my life to. He hurt me, but Iâve hurt him just as much. And its not okay.â
âI am so in love with you but I need to get away from here. I don't know what I want right now, and I need to figure things out on my own.âÂ
As the words left your mouth, Bradley felt like the ground beneath him had given way. He had hoped that this would be the moment when you would finally see him as more than just a friend, and he got his wish. But now, it felt like the walls were closing in on him.
He tried to keep his voice steady as he responded, "I understand, (y/n). Take all the time you need." His eyes were burning, and he struggled to keep his composure. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you now, after all this time.
You looked at him with a sad smile, and his heart broke a little more. "Thank you, Bradley. You're a good friend."
Friend. The word echoed in his mind like a taunt. He had been fooling himself all along, thinking that he had a chance with you. He couldn't help but wonder if he had missed his shot.
Before you could leave, you turned to him and said,Â
"I hope that there will be a time for us but not right now."
âI promise,maybe one day when my head is less fucked up, and I can give my entire self to you and I can give you all the love you deserve. When Iâm ready, I will come back for you. If youâll have me..â
Those words left him feeling even more uncertain. He didn't know when you would be ready, or what you would say when you finally did reach out. All he knew was that his heart was breaking, and he didn't know how to fix it.
As he watched you walk out of his apartment, he couldn't help but feel like everything was slipping through his fingers. He didn't know if he would ever get another chance with you, and that thought left him feeling empty and alone.
Bradley closed the door and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. He knew that he needed to give you the space you were asking for, but it felt like the hardest thing he had ever done. All he could do now was wait, and hope that one day you would come back to him.
____________________________________________________________________________
After you returned home, you saw that Jake had some of his belongings packed in a bag. You made eye contact with him as he walked down the stairs, hating yourself for hurting not just him but Bradley as well. But you knew this is what you all needed.Â
âThank you for staying with her, while I went to talk to Bradley.â
Jake felt his throat get dry at the sound of his rivalâs name, biting down the bitter remark that would leave his mouth, knowing that it would do nothing to help the situation. Choosing to plop himself down on the couch.
âI went to tell Pixie goodbye but sheâs still asleep. Can you tell her for me?â
You gave him a small nod in response.
âIâm going to stay at a place on base, give you your space.âÂ
âThanks Jake, I promise weâll only be here for a few more days. Until I make arrangements for me and Astrid to get back to San DiegoâŠ. Penny said we could stay with her until we find our own place.âÂ
âAre you sure leaving is the best thing to do right now?â
âI think its the only thing that makes sense for me to do right now.â You replied, sternly.Â
Silence hung in the air as Jake stared at you, processing your words. You could see the hurt and confusion etched on his face, and you wished that things could be different. You wished that you could turn back time and make different choices, but you knew that was impossible.
After a few moments, Jake nodded slowly. "I understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't like it, but I understand."
You let out a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. "Thank you," you said, your own voice barely above a whisper. "I just need some time to think things through."
Jake stood up from the couch, his eyes still fixed on you. "I'll give you all the time you need," he said. "But just know that I love you, and I'll always be here for you and our daughter."
You managed a small smile, grateful for Jake's words. "I know," you said. "And I love you too. But right now, I need to be on my own."
With that, Jake nodded and headed towards the door. Before he left, he turned back to look at you one last time. "Take care of yourself," he said softly.
You didnât understand why but that exact moment you remembered the day of your wedding.Â
The wedding took place on a the beach next to the Hard Deck, where you first met, with soft white sand and the sound of the waves crashing in the background. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the entire scene.
You wore a simple backless satin white gown with a slit and court train that flowed behind you as you walked down the aisle. Jake had never seen anymore radiant or breathtakingly beautiful.
Penny held your arm tight, as you both made your way down the white aisle in the sand. She was the closest thing you had to family since your mom died and it meant so much to you that she not only planned the whole event but also wanted to be the one to walk you down the aisle.
As you reached the altar, you looked up and locked eyes with Jake, a dashing naval aviator in his dress uniform. He wore his medals and insignia with pride, and the way he looked at you made yout heart skip a beat.
You and Jake agreed to not write vows, you knew how you felt about each other and you didnât feel the need to have to express it with words. Which is why it surprised you when he pulled a piece of folded paper from his pocket and started reading.Â
âMy sweets,
I stand before you today, in my dress whites, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. As a naval aviator, I have flown through the skies and seen countless wonders, but nothing compares to the beauty of you. You are my everything, my anchor, my inspiration, my love.
From the moment I met you, I knew there was something special about you. Your spunky attitude, your unwavering ambition, and your stunning beauty captivated me from the start. I have never met anyone like you before, and I never want to let you go.
As we stand here today, I want to promise to always support you in your dreams, just as you have supported me in mine. I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin, in good times and in bad. I promise to cherish every moment we spend together, and to never take our love for granted.
I promise to be your rock, your confidant, and your partner for life. I vow to always make you feel loved, respected, and cherished. I will be there for you in every moment, whether it's sharing the highs of your accomplishments or the lows of your struggles.
Together, we will create a life full of adventure, joy, and love. I am so grateful to have you as my partner, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. I love you more than words can express, and I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me.
Yours forever,
Zuko
You felt tears swell in your eyes at his admission, you had never felt this much love from anyone, and here is this man promising you love and devotion forever. None of it felt real.Â
âJake⊠I-i I didnât have anything preparedâŠâ You whispered cheeks red in embarrassment.Â
âYou donât need to Sweets, I wanted you and everyone here to know I felt about you.â
âYou show me how you love me every single day and thatâs all I could ever want.â
You nodded, tears pooling in your eyes.Â
You exchanged rings, Jake took your hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on your skin. Before he gently took your face in his hands placing a soft delicate kiss on your lips.
You smiled and blushed, feeling overwhelmed with love for your husband.
After the ceremony, both of you as husband and wife took a walk along the beach, hand in hand. Jake swept you bride off your feet and carried her across a shallow part of the water, causing you to laugh and giggle like a child.
At the reception, You held each other tightly as you swayed to soft acoustic playing out of the speakers. You were surrounded by their family and friends, who toasted to your happiness and future together.
As the night drew to a close, Jake took your hand and led you away to a secluded spot on the beach. You sat down on a blanket and watched the stars twinkle in the sky, cuddling close to each other.
Jake whispered sweet nothings into you ear, telling you how much he loved you and how grateful he was to have you as his partner for life. You shared a tender kiss as the waves lapped at your feet, promising to love each other forever.Â
That memory flashbacked in your mind, cracking your already broken heart even more that it already was. But you were set in your decision, you two were different people then. With different dreams, love untainted by time and circumstances. You donât know if you could ever go back to the way you were.
You nodded, watching as he closed the door behind him. Alone in the quiet house, you let out a deep sigh and let the tears fall freely once again. You didn't know what the future held, but you knew that you needed to take things one day at a time. For now, all you could do was focus on yourself and your daughter, and try to heal from the pain and heartbreak that had consumed your life.
You are going to be okay. You and Astrid are going to be okay.Â
______________________________________________________________
âMom! Hurry up! Iâm supposed to be at practice in 10 minutes!â
Your 8 year daughter was such a stickler for punctuality, you honestly sometimes questioned if she really was your daughter. You had the tendency to be fashionably late (if fashionably was 30 minutes), taking your time to make your way to events.Â
âThe field is 5 minutes away Atty, youâll be fine.âÂ
âThatâs what you said last week, but I ended up being 10 minutes late to warm-ups!âÂ
She pouted as you walked out into the foyer pulling your shoes onto your feet.
âCoach wouldnât let me play the first half!â She continued.Â
âWell donât worry Sweetie, you make such a pretty benchwarmer.â You joked pinching her cheeks.Â
You were greeted by your daughters scowl, she looked absolutely terrifying for a little (*ahem* big) girl dressed in a bright yellow soccer uniform, pastel pink cleats, and pigtails.Â
Her punctuality and her terrifying glare, two things sheâs inherited from her father.Â
You dropped her off at a mostly empty soccer field, with only the two coaches and 2 other players occupying the area.Â
âWhere is everyone?âÂ
âCoach moved practice to 30 minutes later.â Your devious daughter smiled coyly.Â
âAstrid Eleanor SeresinâŠdid you just lie to your mother?â You raised an eyebrow at her.Â
She quickly opened the car door and rushed out.Â
âOmission is not a lie!â She yelled as she ran away.Â
âCaseyâs mom is dropping me off at home!âÂ
âOkay! Iâm gonna see Auntie Penny!âÂ
âTell her her I said Hi!â
You chuckled as you watched her retreating figure get further into the field. What kind of 8 year old knew the word âomissionâ? She no doubtly learned that from her father. Classic Jake.Â
You put your car back in drive and made your way to the Hard Deck.Â
âHey Sweet Pea! Whereâs my sweet little goddaughter?â Penny asked from behind the counter as you walked into the bar.Â
It was still early afternoon so the bar was occupied by the bar staff getting ready for a night of servicing navy men.Â
âSoccer practice.â You replied.Â
âYou said putting her in sports will tire her out but its somehow made her more energetic.â You groaned taking a seat at the bar.Â
âShe is her fatherâs daughter.â You heard a voice quip originating from the supply closet.Â
âHey Mav.â You smiled at the captain,Â
âHey (y/n), you and Atty still coming for the barbeque on Thursday?â
âWouldnât miss it for the world, Atty says no one can grill em like you.â you responded.Â
âThatâs why shes my favorite.â Mav smiled with a toothy grin as he returned to the storage closet.Â
âSweet Pea, do you mind manning the bar for a second? Iâm sure no one will come in, but just in case. Last time I left Pete unsupervised he dropped a whole pallet of beer.â Penny sighed.Â
âItâs been a little while, but sure Penny.âÂ
âAnything for you.â
âThanks Sweet Peaâ
It was strange to be behind the bar, you and Astrid had been back at Fightertown for the past four years.Â
It was really hard to explain to her the situation, but she was a smart child. She knew there was more going on between you, Bradley, and Jake than you let her in on. She knew that space from her Uncle Roo Roo and her Daddy was absolutely necessary for her motherâs well-being, and she was more than willing to be amenable to change if it meant you were happier.Â
You eventually found a little one story house near Penny (and now Mavâs house), it was small but it was cozy and it was more than enough space for the two of you. You found a job in a nearby law firm, where you rose up the ranks and got your own corner office.Â
You finally got the time to relax and breathe, to really focus on yourself, your dreams, and your daughter. And finally after 4 years, you finally felt at peace.Â
The pain and the trauma will always live within but you have gotten to a place where you are content with your life and your past because it led you full circle. In Miramar, right where you belonged.Â
As you stared down on the bar and wiped down the glasses reminiscing on your life, you didnât notice the figure that walked into the empty bar.Â
He plopped himself down in a stool in front of you and cleared his throat.Â
You looked up and made eye contact with the figure and smiled.Â
âHeyâ
âHiâ
It honestly felt like coming home
Tag list below, I apologize if your tag did not work :(
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