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ofstoriesandstardust · 7 months

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grease is the word (b.r.b)

note: this is for @gretagerwigsmuse and @cottagecori who heard me say "bradley bradshaw as danny zuko" and then let me run wild with it. technically part of like father, like daughter but does not have to be read in the context of same mistakes at all

summary: Bradley gets the role of Danny Zuko in the school play. That's it, that's the thought.

warnings: swearing, a dash of angst, kissing

word count: 4.3k

“So I’m going to be in the school musical.” Bradley says, lifting himself up to sit on the kitchen counter. “We’re doing Grease, and they needed someone to play Danny Zuko-“

You choke on your fried rice.

Slider pats you on the back as you croak out a “What?”

“You’ve never shown interest in theater before now.” Carole says with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, well I’m friends with one of the assistant directors-“

“He means he has a crush on her.” Your Dad clarifies with a wink. A goofy grin appears on his face, his cheeks turning a dusty pink as he shrugs.

“Maybe a little. Anyways, Janie is in my AP Euro class and asked if I could come play the piano for rehearsals. They didn’t have anyone audition for Danny and asked if I could read some of the lines and- well, I guess now I’m gonna be playing Danny.”

The thought of Bradley in a leather jacket, his curls greased back, singing Greased Lightning- you could swoon.

“Well, that’s exciting.” Carole says. “I’m excited to come see you. The show is early November, right?”

He nods as his Mom walks over to the calendar on the wall. “The 4th through the 6th.”

“We’ll be there.”

“So I heard your boyfriend is gonna be in the school musical.”

You sigh as you cringe, not even turning around to face the person you know is behind you.

Arguably, Sienna was the person closest to you. You’d say she was your best friend, someone you spent the most time with.

“Whose boyfriend?”

And then there’s that. Sienna had a whole separate friend group from you, people she’d probably say were her best friends.

Sienna slides into the desk next to you, turning to face the twins, Madison and Matt.

“Heard Bradshaw’s in the play.” Lexi says, sitting down at the desk opposite to you.

“Her boyfriend.” Sienna says, throwing you a smirk.

“He’s not- Shut up Sienna, you’re gonna get me in trouble.” You mumble, watching Bradley and Janie enter the classroom of your home room.

“Ohhh, I see.” Sienna says, flipping her long hair over her shoulder as she turns back in her seat.

“Do you want to come to the mall with us after school?” Madison asks, leaning behind you as Ben waves, sitting down behind Lexi.

“She can’t. She’s not supposed to be driving with people who don’t have their license.” Bradley says, sliding into the seat in front of you as he tugs off his backpack.

“I have my permit.” Madison argues as her brother shoots a “No one asked you, Bradshaw.”

“Hey, your Dad’s deploying soon, right?” Ben whispers, scooting his desk closer to you. “How long?”

“Six weeks, supposedly.”

“You always gotta multiply it by two.” Sienna jokes.

“Or divide by half, if he gets himself injured again.” Bradley says, though he doesn’t turn to face the group.

“I’m disregarding the fact that you even said anything.”

“So… the mall?”

“She has to run lines with me, I need the extra practice.” Bradley says with a wink, finally facing the group.

“Bradley-“

“Alright, alright, that’s enough of the chatter. I know it’s Monday and you all want to gossip about your weekends but let’s save that for after morning announcements.” Mr. Parker, your home room teacher interrupts, dropping his bag on the desk.

A note appears in your peripheral vision, and you take it discreetly from Sienna before Bradley can notice.

Mall with Madison and me?

You sigh, scrawling back Better not, Bradley’ll tattle.

“Fucking Bradshaw.” Matt whispers.

“Here comes your boyfriend.”

Sienna flinches as you slam your locker shut. “Cut that shit out, would you Sienna? He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Yet.”

“Hey ladies.” Bradley says, coming up behind you, leaning on the lockers. “You ready to go?”

“Hey Bradley.” A senior girl you’ve only ever seen in the hallway, appears in your vision as Bradley straightens.

“Hey Clara.” He says, nodding to the two girls behind her who are giggling. “Ava, Tracy.”

“So, I hear you’re gonna be playing Danny Zuko in the school musical.”

He nods, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I am.”

“Well, you must be so nervous.” Clara says, shouldering her way in between you and Bradley. Your jaw drops as Sienna steadies you, April appearing over her shoulder.

“What the fuck dude.” Sienna mutters as you roll your shoulders, turning to face the pair.

“Well, kinda. I’ve never been in a play before so..” Bradley trails off, eyebrows threading together as the three of you give him unimpressed looks.

“Well, if you ever want anyone to read lines with, I can play Sandy…” Clara says, hand landing on his bicep.

“Well, I appreciate the sentiment but I, uh, already have someone to run lines with.” Bradley says, pointing to you. Clara turns as if this is the first time she’s seen you.

“Oh.” She wrinkles her nose. “Well, if you change your mind, just let me know.”

Clara isn’t even out of earshot before Sienna starts fake gagging.

“Vomit, Bradshaw.” April says, shaking her head. “That was gross.”

“Whatever, April.” Bradley says, setting his hands on your shoulder. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

“So why do you even need help running lines in the first place? You’ve been in the play for like, five minutes.” You ask as you sit down at the Bradshaw kitchen table.

“I’m already two rehearsals behind, I’ve got to catch up.” Bradley says, opening the fridge door.

“Who’s playing Sandy?”

“Do you know Lacy Thomas?”

“The freshman?” You ask, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah, cause that’s not gonna start any drama.”

Bradley shuts the door of the fridge, revealing two Cokes. “See, you’re already preparing me. I don’t even know any of the drama gossip.”

You roll your eyes. “I think you’ll do just fine.”

He sighs, sitting down across from you. “Yeah, Janie said the same thing, but I don’t know, I’m kinda nervous about some of the scenes. What if I slip on the bleachers during Summer Nights?”

Bradley slides the scene he wants to rehearse across the table to you as he talks. “Bradley, this one of the most memorable scenes from the movie, are you sure you need my help?” You ask.

The look he gives you is pleading. “Please humor me here, Danny is a bit of a sleaze and that is so not how I was raised and I’m just-”

“Fine, Bradshaw. God.” You exclaim, rolling your eyes, even though deep down you’re flattered Bradley is entrusting you with this. “I’ll help you alright?”

“Okay, here goes nothing.” He says, clearing his throat.

“W-what are you doing here? I- I thought you were going back to Australia!”

“We had a change of plans.” You mimic, doing your best to channel Olivia Newton-John.

“I can’t- I mean, that’s cool baby, you know how it is. Rocking and rolling and whatnot- I can not do this.” He says with a groan. “Why is he so gross?”

“I think that’s the point, B.”

He groans again, collapsing into the table. “I give up.”

You feel giddy almost, walking up the steps of the school. You should be just right on time, if rehearsal got out when it was supposed to.

You were so excited to show Bradley that you had driven here, excitement almost making you skip towards the double doors of the auditorium where they’d been holding a majority of the rehearsals.

Bradley didn’t even know you were coming, which only made your excitement grow even more.

“Ron, can you pick Bradley up after rehearsal today?” Carole asked as she grabbed her purse from the counter. You both look up at her from where you’re discussing your English homework with your Uncle. “The Bronco is still in the shop and I’m going in for a last minute cover from Sally.”

“Can I pick him up?” You ask, fiddling with your pencil. “I can take Slider’s truck, if that’s okay with you?”

Slider shrugs. “I don’t have a problem with it, now that you’ve got your learner’s permit.” Slider says with a nudge to your shoulder.

Carole sighs, digging around in her bag for her keys. “Sounds good. There’s leftover lasagna in the fridge for dinner.” Carole presses a kiss to your head and then calls out, “Be on good behavior.” as she leaves the house.

You’re hoping you and Bradley can go out to dinner instead of eating the leftover lasagna, or maybe go get milkshakes to celebrate his progress in the play.

You turn the corner into the courtyard when you spot them.

You freeze.

Bradley’s got one of his arms leaned up on the metal poles that outline the corridors of the campus, other hand in his pocket as he talks to Janie. She’s looking up at him, beaming as she straightens out the collar of his shirt.

You swallow, breath hitching as you do.

Oh.

You turn, reaching for the car keys in your pocket but the shakiness of your hands causes you to drop them, the clang echoing through the empty court yard. You cringe as you kneel down to pick them up, avoiding the looks you know Janie and Bradley are probably giving you.

You pray that they’ll just let you leave as you turn back towards the entrance of the school but the sound of someone jogging after you ruins that dream.

Someone tugs on your arm, turning you to face them and you catch Bradley’s hazel eyes swimming with concern before you look away from him again.

“Hey, is everything okay? What are you doing here? Did you hear something from your Dad?”

You shrug. “I drove here. Everything’s fine, I- I just- just- thought maybe you could use a ride and we could go get food or something.”

Bradley’s shoulders fall. “Oh shit, I - I wish I could but Janie and I are gonna go to her house and study for that AP Euro test tomorrow. She’s gonna give me a ride back.”

You swallow. “Oh, okay. No, that’s okay. I just thought-” You wave a hand, trying to swallow down the tears. “Doesn’t matter what I thought. Um, have fun, okay?”

He nods uncertainly, eyes searching yours.

Don’t fuck this up for him.

You suck in a breath, taking a step back, causing Bradley’s arm to fall from your shoulder.

“See you in home room tomorrow.”

You turn, walking back to Slider’s truck, sliding in the front seat as you take a deep breath, trying not to cry as you drive out of the parking lot.

Why did you expect Bradley to be impressed? Why did you expect him to think it was cool you’d driven your Uncle’s truck here? After all, he’d had his license for months, so had all his friends.

You’d always been the younger girl, the one who had always been around, the little sister figure who was always going to be there. He’d never see you as anything more than his favorite uncle’s daughter.

Hell, he probably didn't even see you as his friend, just someone who was there.

Your eyes itch with the familiar sting of tears as you open the front door, dropping the keys on the entryway table.

“Hey, I thought you and Bradley were going to go out after rehearsal?” Slider asks, wiping his hands on a dish towel.

“He’s studying with Janie.”

Slider says something you don’t hear as you turn, trudging up the stairs.

You slip inside your bedroom, laying on the top of the duvet, feeling silly as the tears begin to slide down your cheeks.

Why would Bradley ever like someone like you?

Janie was the perfect girl.

Her parents were still married, she had an older brother who was a doctor and an older sister who worked as engineer. She was smart and intelligent, kind and pure, full of happiness and light.

She’d be so good for someone like Bradley, who was all those things and more.

You could see it now, the children they’d have, the family they’d build together. Their kids would probably have Janie’s freckles, Bradley’s curls.

They’d be happy together.

You wipe your hand at your cheek, fruitlessly trying to rid yourself of your tears, as you wished you were anybody else.

There was a soft knock on your door, the door creaking open. Sienna peaks her head in, before sighing and shutting the door quietly behind her.

“What’re you doing here?” You croak.

“I needed help with my math homework, but Ron mentioned you were pretty upset, so-”

You sigh, rolling over to face her as she sits on the bed next to you.

“I dunno, it’s stupid.” You mutter, hands fiddling with the small bear plushie your Dad had won you at the fair this summer.

“I cry over stupid things all the time.” She says, nudging your shoulder. “C’mon, you can tell me about it.”

“I went to go pick Bradley up from rehearsal since his car is in the shop, and I don’t know- it was the first time I’ve actually driven somewhere without my parents since getting my learner’s permit. And I was gonna go ask him to get ice cream or something like we always do- and I- I walked in on him sort of having a moment with Janie and I don’t know Sienna- I guess I’m just realizing that I’ll always be second best.”

The girl who was always younger, hitting milestones later than everyone else, the girl who was always around, the one everyone took for granted.

Sienna sighs. “I wish- I wish you didn’t feel like that. You deserve so much more than that.”

You shrug, setting the bear on the bed next to you as you roll back away from her. She stays next to you on the bed, the slowly setting sun reflecting in the glass.

“I mean for what it’s worth, I know Ben has a crush on you.”

“What?” You ask, voice raw and watery from crying.

“Not that you have to do anything with that information, he just- he does. If Bradley isn’t willing to get his shit together enough to see what’s right in front of him, well, there are other guys who will.”

“Sienna…” You mumble. “I can’t even process this information right now.” You say, a headache beginning to form.

“Okay.” She says softly. “Want to go get ice cream with me instead?”

“Not really.”

“Okay.” She says. “I’ll just sit with you then.” She lays down on the bed next to you.

There she stays, for the rest of the evening.

“Hey, uh-” Janie says, sliding into the seat next to you in your homeroom.

“Yeah?”

“Well, our other assistant director quit recently, and while I’m pretty confident I can handle the show on my own, we really need someone to take notes during rehearsals, and Bradley suggested you since you’re already familiar with the show since you’ve been running lines with him and stuff.”

Bradley thought of you? And suggested you to Janie?

“Well, I- yeah, okay.” You say, blinking at the girl. A smile lights up her face as she stands up from the desk.

“Perfect! See you this afternoon!”

Sienna frowns, appearing to your left as she sits down next to Bradley at the front of the classroom.

“What’d she want?”

“I guess I’m helping out with the play now?” you ask, watching as Bradley looks back at you.

“What?” Sienna hisses. “Literally two nights ago, you were crying your eyes out over him-”

“Hey Sienna.” You say, turning to her. “Don’t question it, okay? Let me have this.”

She narrows her eyes, slowly sinking into the desk next to you.

“If you say so.”

“What are you doing?”

Bradley turns from where he’s dancing through the kitchen, the spoon being used as a microphone.

Frankie Avalon’s voice floats through the speaker in the corner, the tune of Beauty School Dropout accompanying him.

You raise an eyebrow at him, trying not to let your grin take over as the boy begins to sing again, swaying his hips as he follows through the steps they’ve been learning in rehearsal. There’s pancake batter dripping off the spoon and to his arm and pajama pants, even as he holds out his other arm for you.

You bite your lip, barely hiding your amusement at this moment.

Beauty school dropout, hanging around the corner store

You can’t resist, taking the brunette's arm as he gracefully turns, setting the spoon on the kitchen counter, taking your other hand to move in time with you.

Now your bangs are curled, your lashes whirled, but still the world is cruel, wipe off that angel face and go back to high school

Bradley croons through the rest of the song and as Frankie Avalon’s voice tapers off, you hear someone sigh.

You both turn, Bradley not letting go of your hands. Carole stands there with her hands on her hips, a soft smile on her face.

“This damn musical is taking over our lives.”

The song starts over and Bradley reaches out for her hands, inviting her to come dance with you as he begins singing again.

“Andrew, where’s Bradley?” You ask with a sigh, pulling yourself from the car.

The boy, playing Kenickie, looks over at you from where he’s walking to his car.

“Still inside, I think. Ms. Scott wanted to run a few of the Sandy and Danny scenes one more time after rehearsal today.”

“Thanks Andrew.” You call, heading towards the theater.

“Good to see you mini Mitchell.” He calls as you slide through the doors.

True to his word, Bradley is just exiting the stage door and he grins when he sees you.

Unfortunately, you’re at a loss for words, blinking dumbly at the sight of your best friend.

Today had been the first day of full dress rehearsal, the show quickly approaching. Which meant Bradley was fully Danny Zuko, down to the slicked back hair and fake cigarette hanging from his mouth.

“Hey kid! Pretty cool costume, right?” He flicks out the switchblade hair comb the props team had gotten for him, striking a pose and slicking back his slightly mussed hair.

You’re pretty sure you go weak in the knees.

“Uh-” Your voice comes out all scratchy and you have to clear your throat a few times, trying to formulate words. “It looks great, B.”

He sends a cheeky grin. “I know.”

Frankie Vialli’s Grease floats through the auditorium as the lights go down, your Dad nudging you as you settle in your seats for the show to start.

The song tapers off as the curtain rises, lights illuminating the stage as Lacy and Nicole, the girl playing Frenchy, walk out on stage.

You wait with bated breath for Summer Nights, knowing how worried Bradley had been about slipping on those damn bleachers.

And of course, his performance is impeccable.

Watching Bradley on stage is mesmerizing, magical almost.

You don’t even realize intermission is upon you until the curtain rises and you blink, finally letting in a breath as you relax your shoulders.

“Are you gonna have to come again tomorrow night when Ice and Sarah come to see Bradley?” Slider says with a nudge as he shares a knowing look with Carole.

“Hi Mr. Mitchell.” Sienna says from behind you, your Dad turning and offering her a smile

“Nice flowers.” Madison snickers, nodding to the flowers at your feet.

“We went to three stores to get those.” Your Dad responds.

“Three? You’re really trying hard here-”

The glare you send Matt is enough to silence him as he shrinks back in his seat.

“Mav!” Bradley shouts across the patio, racing for your Dad, barreling into him before your Dad has barely turned. Your Dad returns the tight hug as your hands become sweaty, turning the crinkling paper in your hand. “Didn’t think you’d make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Baby Goose.” Mav says, giving him a bright smile. “You looked so good up there.”

“Thanks Mav.” Bradley is practically beaming as he turns to face the rest of you. “Thanks for coming.” His eyes catch on the flowers in your hand, growing wider. “Did you get me flowers?”

You glance down at them.

“You know tulips means pure and deep love, right?” Sienna whispers in your ear over the back of the seats. Your cheeks grow hot as you gingerly set them down on the floor.

“Sienna-“

“And red means lust-“

“Sienna, I’ll hit you.”

“Yeah, I- uh, I know it’s tradition to get flowers for opening night and I uh-“ If Bradley was beaming before, he’s glowing now, taking the flowers from your hands.

“Thank you so much.” He says warmly.

Before you can process what happens next, he ducks down and presses a kiss to your cheek. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without you.”

You can feel the burning warmth take over as you shrug. “Oh, it was- no- no big deal.”

“Bradley!” April calls, pulling him away with a. smile as you turn back to your Dad. He grins at you.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing. Is Carole still in the bathroom? I should go find her.”

“Hey.” Someone’s hand lands on your shoulder as you look up. “Do you want to get out of here and go get ice cream?” Ben asks. “I can drive you home. Got my Dad’s truck for the night.”

“Um-“ Your eyes slide over his shoulder to see your Dad talking to Slider and Carole, Bradley having disappeared back into the crowd. Part of you wants to stay, to see if Bradley will join the four of you for dinner. The other part of you remembers what Sienna said, about him having a crush on you.

“Let me go ask my Dad, okay?”

“I’ll come with. I know he won’t let you climb into a car with just anyone. He just got back, right?”

You nod as you squeeze through the crowd. “This morning. Dad.” You call, catching his attention. He turns his head. “This is Ben.”

Ben holds out his hand. “Benjamin Waters sir. It’s really good to meet you.” Your Dad shakes his hand with a raised eyebrow.

“Can we- well, can I go get ice cream? With Ben?”

“I’ll drive her home.” Ben offers, with a smile.

Slider does a terrible job of hiding his surprise, coughing into his fist and he shoots your Dad a look.

“Um, as long as you go find Bradley and let him know you’re leaving, yeah, I guess I don’t really have a problem with it.”

If you thought Bradley was happy, Ben is elated.

You heave a sigh, eyes scanning the crowd for April. She catches your eye, squeezing her way through the people, her brother Alex in tow.

“Where’d Bradley go?”

“Around the building. I think he went to go get changed.”

You nod, following where she pointed you as Ben follows you like a lost puppy dog.

Finally, you spot him, still in costume sans leather jacket, leaned up against the building next to the stage door.

And then-

and then there’s Janie, who is pressing her hands into his shirt as she kisses Bradley. Bradley cups Janie’s cheek, deepening the kiss.

You turn away, swallowing around the lump in your throat.

If Bradley isn’t willing to get his shit together enough to see what’s right in front of him, well, there are other guys who will.

You look over at Ben, who’s already watching you.

Is this- is this what it would always be with Bradley? Always one step behind, always too slow?

Never enough, never enough, never enough-

“Do you just wanna go?” Ben whispers as you glance back at Bradley.

Maybe Ben really was the best you’d ever get. You certainly were never gonna get anything from Bradley.

Bradley breaks away, smiling at Janie as he moves some of her hair back.

And then his eyes latch on to you, growing wide. Janie turns her head, catching sight of you and Ben. Janie turns as well, stepping back from him and giving you a little finger wave. You’re just far enough away that you can’t hear what she says to him before grabbing the front of his shirt, pulling him down to place a kiss on his cheek. You can see the imprint of her red lipstick on his cheek as she gives you and Ben one last look before slipping back inside the side door.

Ben clears his throat, taking a few steps back as Bradley walks over to you.

“Hey, I- uh, didn’t mean to interrupt- that.” You say, glancing back over at where Janie and Bradley had been standing.

“No-, you- no, it’s okay. Hey, we’re all gonna go out to eat, the whole cast and crew, all of us. You should come with, ‘specially cause you helped out so much-”

“Bradley-”

“-Or does Mav want to go out to eat? I can-”

“Bradley, Ben and I are gonna go get ice cream. I just- uh, though you should know.”

Bradley deflates a little. “Oh. Well, uh-” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “I- uh, tell Ben that if he tries anything, he’s got me to worry about it. You hear that Ben?” he calls. “You take good care of her.” Ben salutes, as Bradley sets his hand on your shoulder, nudging you towards him. “Go. Have fun.”

You swallow, nodding as you walk back to Ben. Ben takes your hand as you give Bradley one last look. He gives a soft smile, holding his hand up before you turn back around, listening to Ben chatter.

#bradley bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw fic #top gun: maverick fic #top gun: maverick #same mistakes #like father like daughter

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ofstoriesandstardust · 4 months

Text

miss americana & the heartbreak prince (b.r.b.)

note: if this fic looks familiar to you... well, that's because it's been here before. and the response was less than kind but i've cleaned a house a bit since then so it's coming back. remember that this fic is told with intertwining timelines and if you have something mean to say you'll get blocked. enjoy the read (or re-read!) :)

summary: The year Bradley left and the year he returned.

same mistakes

warnings: swearing, alcohol mentions, my general same mistakes warnings

word count: 4.9k

“It’s been a long time coming/it’s me and you”

You slip out into the warm September air from Sarah’s car.

“Bye! Have a good-”

The door shuts as you tug your bag higher on to your shoulder. You take a deep breath, beginning the walk down the stairs to the courtyard.

Almost immediately, the whispers begin.

“Did you hear-”

“Bradshaw won’t speak to her anymore-”

“Feel kind of bad-”

“How could she-”

“I hear her Dad put her into therapy-”

“Heard she kinda lost it-”

“Bradshaw is better off-”

You squeeze your eyes shut, willing to block the words out.

They didn’t know a single thing about you nor your family. They just knew what Bradley had reveled in telling them, with no care to the fact that you had to come back to this place.

You feel someone watching you, causing your eyes to fly open. Across the hall is Sienna and Ben, Matt and Madison, Andrew joining them from around the corner. And there, at the head of the group, is Paige.

Just a year younger than her older brother Lucas, Paige was someone who had spent so much time in your house. Where Bradley went, Lucas followed, and where Lucas went, so did Paige.

While Lucas graduated the year before with Bradley, you and Paige were in the same class together, had been since their family, also Navy, relocated to the Miramar base in the 4th grade.

Paige, who’d sworn she'd be caught dead before hanging out with the likes of Sienna and Ben, after you’d caught Ben cheating on you with the girl who was supposed to be your best friend just less than six months prior.

The bell ringing, signaling the need to head for your homeroom, does nothing to alleviate the weight of the year that you know is in front of you.

Bradley squeezes your hand as you walk up the steps of the house (read: mansion) April had rented for her birthday.

“You excited?”

You shrug, stepping closer to Bradley as an ocean breeze blows through.

“Are you?”

He nods. “It’ll be fucking amazing to see everyone. It’s been a few years since the whole group has been together. I mean I’ve seen Lucas and Paige any time we’re all in town, and Morgan has finally re-located back here, but I haven’t seen Andrew in like six or seven years.”

You swallow, feeling your nerves grow as you walk up the stone steps.

It felt like you were walking towards the death sentence of your relationship, uncertain about what (or rather, who) you would face on the other side of that heavy oak door.

Bradley rings the doorbell as he says, “Actually, Andrew texted me to ask if I was bringing you.”

Your stomach drops as you hear movement on the other side of the door. “Why?”

He shrugs. “The dude’s always been nosy. I think-”

You never know what Bradley is going to say as the front door opens, revealing a grinning April.

“Bradshaw!” She shouts, pulling him into a hug. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

“Happy to be here.” He says, words muffled into the girl’s shoulder. She lets him go, her smile equally as blinding when she sees you.

“You actually brought your girlfriend. Was starting to think you were hiding mini Mitchell away from us.”

She pulls you into a hug of her own, but it’s not fast enough, you catching Jameson Hall over her shoulder as he pokes his head around the wall to see who’s arrived.

You don’t miss the way his eyes widen and the way he chokes on his drink.

“Maybe you should join the cross-country team, I know tryouts are this Tuesday.” Ice says nonchalantly over dinner.

You raise an eyebrow. “Why?”

He shrugs. “It’ll be good for you to get out of the house, focusing on other… things.”

He says things in such a way that you know really means Bradley but no one was really willing to discuss his absence, not since that last night at Ice and Sarah’s.

“Plus, didn’t you get into running after seeing that grief counselor?”

Your Dad had put you and Bradley both into grief counseling when Carole passed in the spring, but you’d only gone for three sessions before seeing the old dude with an office that smelled like fish and a receding hairline had gotten to be too irritating as he tried to tell you how you were supposed to feel.

The only thing that had come out of the sessions was the suggestion of picking up an activity that allowed you to decompress and focus on other things. And you leaned into running, something that Slider teased you for doing willingly.

They didn’t need to know that every time you went a run, you went running to see if this would be the time you’d run so far you never came back.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Thanks for inviting us, April.” Bradley says, the girl shutting the door behind you as the two of you step into the foyer.

“Of course, I’m happy you guys came. You guys are earlier than the rest, you know how it is. Angelina and Jameson are in the living room-” She pauses as you both see the ill-hidden twitch of Bradley's lips. She holds up a hand, cutting off whatever he’s going to say. “Save it, Bradshaw. I already know.”

He shrugs. “Good.”

“Anyways, they’re in the living room and Alex is in the kitchen. Morgan and Paige are out by the pool, and Lucas and Andrew are on their way. I invited Ben and Sienna as well-”

Now, it’s your turn to raise any eyebrow. “April, that’s not funny.”

She gives you a weird look. “I wasn’t kidding, I-”

You sigh, letting Bradley’s hand fall. “I need alcohol if I’m gonna deal with the two of them.”

“Oh, c’mon, it was like two decades ago-”

“April.” Bradley says sternly as you turn, walking through the door next to you, avoiding the living room.

It takes you a few minutes to find the kitchen in the house, Alex perking up when you do.

“Hey mini Mitchell-”

“Why the hell did April invite Ben and Sienna?”

The question is rhetorical as you wrench the fridge door open, but Alex sighs. “Because my little sister has always cared more about being liked than being a decent friend. Hey, I hear you and Bradshaw are finally together. Congrats, that’s a long time coming.”

“Shut up Alex.” You mumble, popping the can open.

Your skin is sticky with sweat, but even that can’t stop the little skip in your step as you fish through your bag for your car keys.

You weren’t sure why you’d ended up trying out for the cross-country team like Ice had suggested, but it had felt so good to hear that you’d made the team.

Sure, they kind of accepted everyone who could run a decent mile pace but you aren’t sure that really mattered to you.

You finally had something that was yours.

Someone calls your name and you turn, catching sight of Morgan, the captain of the cross-country team for the last three years.

She offers you a beaming smile, tossing her bag into the back of the truck. “Congrats on making the team.”

You run her smile, feeling your cheeks go a little warm. “Thanks.”

She nods. “I’m glad you tried out. We don’t get a lot of upper-classmen trying out and I bet it can be kind of intimidating trying out for the team as a senior.”

You shrug. “Well, my godfather kind of suggested it. He thinks I need an activity, so…”

Her eyes are filled with mirth as she lets out a little laugh. “Makes sense. Say, uh, the other seniors and I are going to get ice cream. Would you want to join us?”

You begin to rock back and forth on your heels. “I don’t know…” You trail off, unsure if the invitation was genuine or a nicety.

Morgan was a leader as much as she was kind, why she had earned the role of Captain as a sophomore. She’d never let anyone feel unwelcome or excluded.

She shrugs. “It’s up to you, but we’d love to have you. If not, you should at least join us at the team barbeque at my house this weekend.”

You swallow. Dad was all about you making new friends and Sarah was always encouraging you to give people a shot so- what did you have to lose?

“Yeah, why not? My homework can wait a few more hours.”

You can hear people filling up the house as you stand in the kitchen, avoiding leaving and seeing people you’d rather not.

“Hey.” Alex whispers, glancing back out towards the source of the sound. “Now, you didn’t hear this from me, but Jameson filed for divorce last weekend. They haven’t told anyone yet.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Wait, why?”

Alex drops his voice even lower. “Apparently, Angelina slept with one of the Chippendales dancers on a trip to Vegas a few months ago. Jameson just found out.” Your eyes widen at the information and Alex nods. “Yeah, sometimes how we get them is how we lose them. C’mon, let’s go join the group.”

You follow Alex, despite the fact that you’re still reeling. “How am I supposed to pretend to be normal?”

He shrugs. “Just play along.”

The two of you don’t get very far before you’re intercepted by someone who looks oddly familiar to you, Bradley at her shoulder.

You blink.

“Senior night is tonight?” Your Dad asks as you step off the last step. You wince, turning to face him, the letterman jacket you’d be instructed to wear suddenly feeling too heavy.

“Yeah.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? This is so exciting-”

“I didn’t think you’d have time to go.”

He deflates at the flat tone in your voice, the paper crinkling in his fingers. “Well, I’d- I’d like to go if you want me there.”

“If you want.”

“Are- are you leaving right now?”

You nod, feeling the keys grow sweaty in your hand as you stare at your Dad, who seems to be growing smaller.

“Yeah. The meet is at 4, senior celebration at 6.”

“Well, I- uh, why don’t I meet you down at the school?”

“Sure Dad.”

“Hey!” The girl says brightly.

“Hi?”

A soft smile plays on her face. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

Bradley sighs, taking your hand. He intertwines your fingers, the rough calluses of his palm comforting you as he does. “You remember Janie, yeah?”

Alex lets out a laugh and an “Oh shit.” from his place next to you, lifting his hand to try and hide it.

“Have you ever thought about minding your own business Alex?” Janie asks, a smile still on her face.

“Have you ever known me to?” He shoots back. “But, alas,” he sighs, “I have enough respect for these two to start now.”

Alex disappears into the crowd, as Bradley’s grip on your hand tightens.

“I was just telling Bradley how happy it made me to hear that the two of you were finally together.”

Janie and Bradley had started dating just weeks before Carole had shared her diagnosis with the two of you. She’d tried to see him through it, coming to the hospital and cooking and getting his missing homework assignments, but after months of things getting worse with no end in sight, she’d broken up with him.

In hindsight, Bradley hadn’t even been all that sad, saying it was a mutual decision, that he needed to focus on his Mom before he could focus on a girlfriend.

“I always kind of hoped, you know, that after Brad and I broke up, that the two of you would figure things out. I always knew you liked him.”

You swallow. “Janie-”

“No, no, it’s okay!” She exclaims, waving a hand. “Really. Even then, I knew, and honestly, I was okay with it. The two of you were meant for each other. It wouldn’t have been right if it had been me and Bradley who’d ended up together. It was always meant to be the two of you. ‘Bout broke my heart when I heard the two of you weren’t speaking to each other.”

“Thank you, Janie.” You tell her honestly. “That’s- that’s incredibly kind of you to say.”

“Well, I mean every word of it.”

“Yo, Bradshaw!” Someone shouts and all three of you turn to the sound of voices entering the crowded living room.

Bradley’s face lights up, his hand leaving yours as he goes to hug the man. “Andrew!”

“God, you’d think they were dating.” You mutter into your drink, earning a chuckle from Janie.

You and your Dad walk in silence out to your separate vehicles. Any conversation he’d tried to start after the meet had been ignored, you desperate just to get home after seeing who’d be in the crowd tonight.

Why couldn’t they all just fucking leave you alone? You hadn’t done anything, not to them, not to Bradley. They didn’t even like cross-country-

“Hey.” Morgan calls, followed by the sound of a car door opening. “Mitchell.”

You swallow as you turn, gripping your track bag.

“Hi Morgan.”

She watches you with guarded eyes, leaning up against the side of her truck. “You know, when you tried out for the team, I wasn’t sure what to expect. You know, Bradshaw didn’t have a whole lot of nice things to say about you, so I’m pleasantly surprised by how you’ve done this season.”

Your eyebrows furrow as you take a step closer. “You know Bradley? I didn’t know that.”

She nods. “Friends since freshman year.”

Horror dawns on you as your stomach drops. “And you ran to him the minute I joined the team. Everything that I’ve told you this season, everything I’ve confided in you this season as my friend, you turned around and told him?”

As Morgan more or less confirms your words, it feels like the bottom is falling out on your life. You swallow down the nausea rising in your throat, the burning feeling making it all worse.

“Why would you do that? Why would you do that to me?”

“Oh, mini Mitchell.” Andrew sighs, from behind you. “Always with that victim complex of yours.”

“So is it true?” Andrew says with a grin as he pulls away, leaving his hands on Bradley’s shoulders.

“Is what true?”

“You and mini Mitchell, man! Did the two of you finally make it happen?”

Bradley chuckles as he nods. “Yeah, yeah, she came with me tonight.” He takes a few steps back, nodding to you as he does. Andrew’s face lights up, hand outstretched as he does.

“Mini Mitchell! How’ve you been?” Your eyes flicker down to his hand and back up to his face.

“You really expect me to shake your hand, Andrew? Really, after everything?”

His face falls, confusion taking over. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, I remember the last thing you had to say to me not being very kind.”

“Damn, it’s been like twenty years, can you not let that shit go? You hold a grudge as bad as Bradshaw. Then again, he’s fucking you, so I can kinda see why he let that go.”

Your eyes narrow as they shoot over to Jameson.

Why in the world was he choosing to get involved?

“Jameson, isn’t your wife cheating on you?” You ask, tilting your head. He falls silent, shrinking back into the couch. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.”

You turn, spotting Andrew leaned up against his car. His trunk is open, where Ben and Sienna are sat, Paige next to them. Lucas is leaned up against the opposite side of the car.

You shake your head, tears pricking at your eyes. “I’m being ambushed in the parking lot of my own senior night.” You say miserably, throwing your hands up in the air.

“Bradley has had one hell of a lot to say about you.” Lucas comments, folding his arms.

“You guys used to be my friends.”

“Kind of hard to be friends with someone as awful as you.” Paige responds. You can do nothing but look at them, tears already trickling down your face.

This felt like betrayal in the worst way.

And it was all Bradley’s fault.

“Look, the bottom line here, mini Mitchell, is that you’re just a bitch. You’ve done the worst things you could do to someone and you’ve never once taken accountability or responsibility for what you’ve done to him. You’ve never once apologized and you just expect us to let that all go?” Andrew heaves a dramatic sigh, pushing himself off his car. “Then again, everyone has always liked him more than we liked you. You’re like a leech we can’t get rid of. Life-sucking.”

Your feet move before you give them permission, turning as your Dad calls out. Your tears are burning, same as your chest, as you slam your car door shut, throwing your bag into the back with little care as a sob bubbles out.

“Whoa, the tension is high in here.” Ben jokes.

Your throat grows tight at the sandy-haired boy, the shiny ring on Sienna’s finger. Bradley steps back, pressing a hand to your shoulder.

April huffs. “This is what I get for having friends who can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.”

Sienna laughs lightly, moving to give the girl a hug. The tightness in your throat blossoms into your chest as Sienna’s vision pivots to you.

She says your name softly, offering you a smile. “Would it be wrong to give you a hug?”

“Twenty years no apology from you and you want a hug.”

Your voice crackles somewhere along the way as you cross your arms, hoping to protect yourself from her.

“Don’t tell me you're still mad about that.” Ben says.

“How could I not be? My best friend fucked my boyfriend while one of the people who raised me was lying in a hospital bed dying of cancer.”

“Well, if you aren’t gonna put out sweetheart, you shouldn’t be surprised I found it somewhere else.”

Your body fully recoils at Ben’s words, disgust ripping through you.

“Fuck you. You have no idea what I’ve been through, how badly what you did fucked me up. I did not deserve that.” You say emphatically, tears tracking down your face. You wipe at them to little avail, before straightening up. “Fuck this, I’m a fucking one percent Navy pilot, I don’t deserve this-”

“I mean, don’t you?”

It all goes silent in the room as everyone looks at Paige.

“I mean, it’s not exactly like the Navy’s fond of you. There’s a reason why your old team hated you so.” She says, a coy smile playing on her lips. “There’s a reason why that all played out the way it did. You’re no victim in all this, sweetheart.”

“Paige, shut up.” Bradley’s words are sharp. “Don’t you dare talk about her like that. You know nothing.”

She smirks. “I’d bargain I know a hell of a lot more than you do. And I’m sure that we’ll be able to talk about all of that, when you realize what the rest of us do that this won’t last-”

“Okay, wait, that’s enough-” April intervenes, but it’s too late, you already shouldering past the people in the house.

You’re trying to gulp for air when you finally make it outside, fighting off the sobs.

Bradley’s only a few steps behind you, offering hurried apologies. You shake your head, desperately swallowing around the lump in your throat.

“Please just take me home Bradley.”

You’re unable to stop the flow of tears as you dial the number scrawled out in Ice’s handwriting on the scrap piece of paper.

Ice had tracked down a number for “emergency purposes” though you aren't sure how. Still, now though, it didn’t matter as you sink to the floor of Ice’s study, unable to take it anymore.

You hear the line come alive and a muffled, groggy “Hello?”, a voice you never thought you’d hear again.

“Bradley.” You whimper. “I want you to come home. Please come home. I don’t want to fight any more. No one is gonna win here. Please, please, please God, please just come home.”

You hiccup as your sobs catch up to you and you think you can hear him let out a breath from the other side.

“Please B, I’m so sorry for whatever it is I did, please you have to believe me. Plea-”

The line goes dead.

“Why are you people always in my house?”

Fanboy turns, grinning at you as he clutches the spatula. Bob is next to him, stirring something on the stove. Your eyes flash over to Javy, who’s sitting at the kitchen table.

“You know when I gave you a key, this is not what I intended.”

“We’re making you breakfast, at least try to be grateful.”

You roll your eyes, giving him a look before joining him at the kitchen table.

“So how was the party last night?” Bob asks, wiping his hands on a dish towel.

You make a displeased sound in your throat, shaking your head. “Awful.”

“What happened?”

“Just… stupid shit. A bunch of kids from my high school were there, including these two Navy brats I grew up with and one of them said something kind of fucked.”

“What’d they say?” Bob asks curiously.

“Just something to the extent that I deserved what I got from my old team.”

Bob shakes his head while Fanboy pulls a face.

“Where do you keep finding these people?” Javy asks incredulously.

“They’re Bradley’s friends.” You say with a shrug, watching Bob and Fanboy turning back to the stove.

You realize belatedly they’re making eggs benedict, a favorite of yours.

“What did they say?” Javy asks, his voice a little lower.

You shake your head, signaling to him that you don’t want to talk about it. You chew your lip for a few minutes before you lower your voice, watching Bob and Fanboy carefully.

“I did some digging last night on the girl who said that, where she’d been stationed where she might have heard about that.” Out of the corner of your eye, you can see Javy nod, showing you that he’s listening. “Her brother has always worked as an engineer, followed in their Dad’s footsteps, but she went a different route and worked in communications.” You swallow, looking at Javy. “She was there, on that aircraft carrier when we went down. She knew what they did.” You all but whisper as the pieces fall into place on his face. “It’s all still following me.”

The dinky little cell he’d gotten when moved out to UVA buzzed against his cheek. He blinks a few times, barely lifting his head up from the pillow to glance at the screen.

He didn’t recognize the number, but he knew the 619 area code meant it was a San Diego number.

He felt a tug in his gut against his better judgment and answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Bradley.” She whimpers. “I want you to come home. Please come home. I don’t want to fight any more. No one is gonna win here. Please, please, please God, please just come home.”

Please don’t cry, he thinks. Please don’t cry, because if you cry, I’ll cry-

She hiccups from the other line and his chest begins to ache.

He lets out a breath, mind whirring as he searches for something to say to her to make it all better.

“Please B, I’m so sorry for whatever it is I did, please you have to believe me. Plea-”

And then he remembers.

His fingers move before his heart realizes it, ending the call.

The screen goes dark as he slumps back against his pillows.

You hear the Bronco before you see it and you hear Bradley before you see him.

You’re standing in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes from breakfast, the boys long gone.

You pause in your movements, as you wait for Bradley to say something, but he doesn’t.

“B?” You toss out cautiously, setting the soapy sponge down. “Is that you?”

He appears in the kitchen a moment later, looking haggard, though you can’t say that you probably fare much better at the moment.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispers hoarsely. “So sorry.”

Your eyebrows furrow as you wipe your hands off on a dishtowel, walking over to him.

“What? What are you sorry for?”

“I’m sorry that I hung up on you that night. You were in so much pain and I- I had no idea how awful they were to you. I had no idea what they had been saying and- and- and- here you were asking for help and I just ignored you. I was being selfish and I-”

“Bradley.” You whisper, reaching out for him. “What- Where is any of this even coming from? I’m not angry at you for that any more, you know that.”

“But I’m angry at me. And you should be too. What I did was fucked up and you just forgave me-”

“I did not forgive you overnight, you know that.” Your eyes search his, finally deciding to take his hand and intertwine your fingers. “B, I’m- I’m kind of lost. Where is any of this coming from?”

He heaves, his chest shuddering. “April called me this morning. Apologized profusely for how last night went, that she knew better than to stick you in that room with those people, that she should’ve known how badly they hurt you. But I didn’t- I didn’t know about them-” His breath keeps catching on his words and your concern grows. “I didn’t know about them showing up at your senior night.” He finally lets out in a hushed whisper. “I didn’t know.”

Your face falls as you squeeze his hand. “Let’s- let’s go sit on the couch.”

Bradley nods and you follow him out to the living room. He wipes at his eyes before sitting on the couch, you following behind him.

“I didn’t know what Andrew said. I had no idea they’d shown up there to taunt you. I- I- I- never would have let them get away with saying it.”

“They weren’t the only ones saying it.” You whisper. “Bradley, they just repeated what the whole school was.”

“And it was all my fault-”

“Bradley.” You say sternly. “I’m not going to sit here and say you don’t carry some responsibility in how it all played out. But I forgave you for all that. Neither of us were kind to each other in those years, you have to know that. I carry just as much responsibility as you do. And you’ve apologized, recognized that you hurt me. I’m not mad anymore.”

“So you can forgive me, but not them?”

“For the record, none of them except Morgan has ever offered me an apology. So I don’t know why I'd forgive them for things they aren't sorry for. Second of all, they have done and said things to me that you would never dream of doing and that’s what sets you apart. And yeah, maybe they’re right that I do know how to hold a grudge. I know that I hold what Ben and Sienna did to me a little too close to my heart, that them turning their backs on me cut deep. But I don’t hold that against you.”

Your fingers rest in Bradley’s curls as he sniffs. “I should’ve been there-”

“You’re here now. That’s what matters to me.” You take his hand again with your free one, gently kissing his knuckles as you do so. “I love you.”

His eyes water before he swallows, his adam's apple bobbing. “I love you too.”

You smile softly at him, pressing another kiss to his hand. “I know.”

The two of you sit there for a few minutes before you sigh. “Fanboy and Bob broke into my house to make eggs benedict this morning and there’s some leftovers I just put in the fridge. I can warm you up some if you haven’t eaten yet-”

“I don’t want you to think that we aren’t going to last.”

You pause, halfway up from the couch. “What?”

“What Paige said last night. That they think we aren’t going to last. I don’t think that and I don’t want you to think that either.”

You falter, sitting back down on the couch. “I-”

“It was bullshit and it’s not what I believe. I want us to last, more than anything else in this whole world. I know it’s only been just over a year but-” Bradley takes a shuddering breath. You’re my best friend in the whole world. I want you as long as you want me here and I know we’ve had our shit over the last year, we’ve had our fights and our people from the past but I don’t care about any of that as long as it’s you and me.”

“It’s always gonna be you and me.” You pause before sighing dramatically. “Well, maybe you, me, and a dog. If that’s okay.”

The corners of his lips twitch upwards, giving you a ghost of a smile. “Perhaps.”

#bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #bradley rooster bradshaw fic #top gun: maverick #top gun: maverick fic #same mistakes

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