Archive of Our Own

The Hard Deck is already packed when Bradley arrives. It's loud, the air is sticky and laden with the smell of beer and all kinds of stronger booze. Nothing special, just a usual weekend night. Bradley squeezes his way through to that one pool table which is usually occupied by the dagger squad. 

The table is barely in eyesight when there's already an arm looping around Bradley's neck and a voice growling into his ear. 

“Bradshaw, heeeey!” It's Seresin and he's obviously not on his first beer anymore. “We're friends now, aren't we?” 

Bradley sighs. This definitely doesn't mean anything good. “What do you want, Seresin?”  

“I need a date,” Seresin blurts out, his left index finger poking into his own chest to drunkenly indicate that he's talking about himself - as if that wasn't obvious. Seriously, how much did he have already? 

“Well then, good luck with that,” Bradley replies, clueless as to why that would be any of his business and annoyed that he has to deal with a drunk Seresin. 

“Noooo, no, no, no,” Seresin disagrees vehemently, poking into Bradley's chest now. “I need you as my date.” 

There had been a time, back when they had been at Top Gun for the first time, when Bradley would've been more than happy to be his date but now? They are friends for the first time, he doesn’t want to risk that already again and Hangman surely isn't serious about it anyway. 

“How many drinks did you have, man?” Bradley replies, asking the obvious question, while maneuvering them through the crowd to their friends. 

Hangman does something with his left hand that is faintly reminiscent of counting. He opens and closes it several times, making a fist and rolling out his fingers one by one again. Bradley sighs - Hangman is definitely to no use today. 

“Coyote, how many?” Bradley calls out, addressing Hangman's best friend. 

“No idea, dude, I'm not his babysitter!” Coyote answers with a disinterested shrug and turns back around to a woman Bradley has never seen in his entire life. He won't be any help then, Bradley thinks and sighs. 

“Will you be my date?” Hangman almost whines, clinging onto Bradley with his right arm still wrapped around Bradley's neck and his left hand now flat against Bradley's chest. Hell, he didn't know Hangman is that touchy when he's drunk. 

“I don't know what you're talking about, Hangman,” Bradley sighs and leads him to a nearby chair, pushing him down and snaking out of Hangman's arm around his neck. 

“I need a date,” Hangman repeats and Bradley seriously considers turning on his heels and leaving again - but for some kind of reason unknown to him, he doesn't. 

“Yeah, you said so much already,” Bradley replies and pulls over another chain to sit down next to Hangman. 

“Will you be my date?” he asks again and turns around to face Bradley. Hangman's right hand flops down on Bradley's left knee. Honestly, why is this guy so touchy? 

Bradley sighs and removes his hand from his knee. He almost slams it on Hangman's thigh instead, hoping that he - even in his drunken state - gets that he doesn't want to be groped by him. 

“Why should I be your date?” Bradley asks him nevertheless and immediately regrets that he's actually trying to have a conversation with him.

“Because I need one,” Hangman replies, making a face like Bradley is the stupid one here, not him. 

“He wants a plus one for his sister's wedding and said you were the only one stupid enough to agree,” Phoenix chimes in, taking pity on Bradley. 

“Stupid enough?” Bradley shoots back at her, incredulous at the direct insult coming from his best friend. 

“His words not mine,” Phoenix chuckles and holds up her hands in defense. 

–

It's five beers and a couple of stronger drinks later when Bradley is actually stupid enough to agree to this madness. He has found out that Hangman for whatever reason wants to piss off his conservative parents and that somehow sounds like fun, at least to Bradley’s boozy brain. Hell, why did Hangman know him so well that he knew that he would agree to this crack idea? 

–

It's five days and a couple of hours later when Bradley sits on the passenger seat of a rental car.  Hangman - Jake - is driving them from Austin, where their flight landed two hours ago, to some kind of village which apparently is Jake's home town and location of his sister's wedding. Bradley has never heard the name before and has forgotten it again just mere seconds after Jake has told him. 

“So, my sister who's gonna get married is…?” Jake asks, interrogating Bradley. They've been practicing the names of Jake's most important family members for hours now and Bradley is sick of it. 

“Sarah. Her husband-to-be is Oliver,” Bradley answers him nevertheless. 

“My older sister?” Jake continues. 

“Hannah, married to John. They have a 15-year-old daughter, Emily,” Bradley reels off mechanically. 

“My parents?” Jake goes on. 

“Michael and Claire,” Bradley answers. 

“But don't ever…,” Jake begins but Bradley cuts him off. 

“... call them by their first names,” Bradley completes his sentence. “Honestly, we've gone through that a thousand times in the last few hours. I know all that!”

“Good job, Bradshaw!” Jake praises him with a clap on his shoulder. 

“Bradley and I'm not a dog,” Bradley replies dully. 

“What?” Jake shoots him a surprised look although he's driving. 

“You can't call me by my last name in front of your family,” Bradley points out. 

“Oh right, what do you prefer then?” Jake asks, a smirk that doesn't mean anything good on his face. “Babe, sweetheart, honey?” 

Bradley groans. “Just, just go for Bradley, ok? No need for cheesy pet names.” 

“Okay, Bradley ,” Jake replies slowly. 

The emphasis he puts on Bradley's name sounds weird. Also, Bradley can't remember that Jake had ever called him by his first name and it really shouldn't be a big deal but somehow he feels like it is even if it's just to give his family a convincing show. 

–

About an hour later, Jake pulls the car into a driveway which Bradley supposes belongs to his parent's house. 

“Ready?” Jake asks, his voice surprisingly thoughtful - and caring? - as he unbuckles his seat belt. 

“Sure,” Bradley shrugs and unbuckles his seat belt, too. “You’re not really my boyfriend. No big deal to meet your parents.” 

“But make it believable, please,” Jake adds, concerned. 

“If you think I can't handle it, you maybe shouldn't have asked me,” Bradley snaps at him, unnecessarily sharp. 

“Oh, come on, don't be such a dick,” Jake replies, obviously annoyed but if Bradley is not too mistaken there's a hint of a smile on his face. 

“You're being the dick here. Playing pretend just to piss off your parents,” Bradley challenged him. 

“To which you agreed,” Jake points out. 

“Drunkenly,” Bradley emphasizes. 

“Stop complaining and get out!” Jake scoffs. 

“You’re the one delaying us. I've been ready from the moment you asked,” Bradley replies but does as he is told, opens the door and steps out. 

They take the few steps towards the front door, Bradley staying behind just a tiny bit, letting Jake lead the way. 

Jake knocks and it doesn't even take half a minute for someone to open the door. It’s a woman, supposedly in her sixties. She has a stern look on her face and eyes both of them up immediately. That must be Jake's mother, Claire, Mrs. Seresin. 

“Hello Mom,” Jake says. His voice is cold and sharp and speaks volumes about their relationship. 

“Hello Jacob,” Mrs. Seresin replies, equally detached and Bradley's gut feeling tells him that this won't be a fun weekend at all. 

Jake turns slightly around and motions Bradley to step a bit closer. “This is Bradley.”

Bradley reaches out his hand instantly and tries to put on his friendly boyfriend smile - not that he has much experience with meeting parents - but he still tries his best. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Seresin.” 

Despite his efforts, his greeting seems to bounce off her like a ball from a baseball bat. Actually, it feels like she herself is the one swinging that bat, hard, catapulting this imaginary ball all the way back to San Diego. She doesn't reply and neither does she shake his hand. 

Bradley tries to hide his discouragement and lowers his hand again as if nothing has happened. 

Mrs. Seresin doesn't deign to look at Bradley but addresses her son now instead. “So this is your…” 

“... boyfriend,” Jake finishes her sentence, deadpanned. “Yes, Mom. Just like John was Hannah's boyfriend and Oliver Sarah's.” 

“That's different, Jacob,” Mrs. Seresin replies sharply, sounding like she's reprimanding a five-year-old, not talking to her adult son who has literally done nothing but introducing his boyfriend to her mother. 

Bradley has known already that Jake's parents are conservative, probably homophobic, but witnessing his mother denying the existence of gay couples altogether like this is something he hasn't expected. Strictly speaking, it shouldn't affect him much, Jake is not his real boyfriend, but it does nevertheless because it always feels absolutely devastating to be so openly confronted with homophobia. 

Still standing there listening to Jake and his mother arguing, Bradley also suddenly realizes how very differently he has grown up. He can't imagine what it's like to grow up as a queer kid in the middle of nowhere in Texas with a family who doesn't accept him for who he is. He suddenly feels incredibly thankful for having his two dads. Of course, it hasn't always been easy. They had to hide their relationship most of their lives which had put Bradley in the difficult situation of constantly lying about their relationship, too, but in the end, now, Bradley is thankful that he didn't have to worry a single second about their reaction to him being bi.  

“How is that different, Mom?” Jake asks, challenging her. 

“They… you…,” she stutters, wildly gesturing with her hands between them. Bradley hasn't expected her to be a person who could be dumbfounded so easily. Then again, it's been only a couple of minutes since he’s seen her for the first time. 

Jake, however, isn't dumbfounded at all. “I love Bradley, just as much Sarah and Hannah love their spouses. What's so difficult to understand?” 

Jake is obviously angry and hurt at his mother's reaction, but nevertheless Bradley is slightly impressed that he can lie to her like that without any hesitation. At the same time, somewhere deep in his heart Bradley feels a stab. There had been a time when he had wanted nothing more than to hear those three words from Jake's mouth but that was years ago and didn't matter anymore. 

“Jacob, please,” Mrs. Seresin tries to scold him. 

“What? I'm just telling the fucking truth?!” Jake spats. 

“Jacob, language!” Mrs. Seresin shrieks. 

“I'm a grown man and I don't see any kids around, I can talk however the fuck I want!” Jake rages on and Bradley feels terribly out of place standing here being the reason for this fight while not even being his real boyfriend. 

“Jacob!” Mrs. Seresin scolds him again. 

Jake huffs, his whole chest heaving in agitation. “I've told you a thousand times that I’ll never bring home a woman! How can you still be surprised?” 

Mrs. Seresin might be surprised that her son brings home another man instead of a woman but Bradley is surprised, too. Surprised that Jake is gay. That women aren't in his picture at all. Suddenly, it becomes shockingly aware to Bradley that this whole fake boyfriend thing is for shock value, yes, but it's also to prove a point to his family. 

“There’s always hope,” Mrs. Seresin replies, deadly serious and feels like a slap into Bradley's face although he's not even Jake's real boyfriend. He can only imagine what it must feel like for Jake to hear something like that from his own mother. 

“Hope?! What the-” Jake yells with a shake of his head and too agitated to even finish the slur. 

It hurts. This whole situation hurts. Being confronted with homophobia always hurts but the sad certainty that Jake has to deal with this homophobic woman who calls herself his mother hurts even more. 

Bradley takes Jake's hands faster than he can think about what he's doing here. Jake instantly links their fingers as if it's the most natural thing in the world and squeezes Bradley's hand almost forcefully. Only then, Bradley realizes that two men holding hands probably isn't at all what Jake's mother likes to see but he doesn't care in the slightest. 

“Hey, Jake, why don't you show me around town for a bit? I'm curious to know where you grew up,” Bradley whispers softly, trying his best to hide how much this whole scene has affected him, too, while subconsciously brushing his thumb over Jake's. 

“Yeah, okay,” Jake agrees with a nod. He turns on his heels and drags Bradley along back to the car. They are still holding hands and neither of them lets go until they have to because Jake sits down on the driver's seat and Bradley joins him on the passenger seat again. 

The second they close their doors, Jake crosses his arms on the steering wheel and slumps his head on them. 

“I hate her!” Jake yells and bashes the top of the dashboard with his fist. 

Bradley doesn't know how to appropriately react. They aren't close enough that it would feel right to put his hand on Jake's shoulder to comfort him, although that's exactly what Bradley would have liked to do now. Instead, he goes for humor. 

“Try and leave the car in one piece. I don't even want to know how much they’d charge you for sheer vandalism,” Bradley babbles. 

Jake doesn't reply but he doesn't continue hitting the car either so Bradley logs that as a success. 

“You know, I meant that. Why don't you show me around for a bit?” Bradley asks after a moment of silence. 

“There's not much to see here unless you're interested in cows and horses,” Jake chuckles sadly, devastated. 

“Hm, not really,” Bradley admits. 

“I thought so,” Jake mumbles, nodding slightly. 

After another couple of minutes, Jake sits back up, pulls his phone out and starts typing. 

Noticing the questioning look on Bradley's face, he explains. “Trying to get Emily to clear the coast. To get us into the guest room without my parents stepping in on us. John's car is parked over there so she must be here somewhere.” 

With that explanation, Bradley feels free to lean over and read Jake's chat with his niece. 

J: Have a minute? 

E: Only because you're my fave uncle 😛

J: Can you find out what your grandmother is doing right now?

E: Wait a sec 

E: Backyard, talking to Mom. Dunno what about 

J: And your grandpa? 

E: At the wedding location 

J: Can you keep an eye on your grandmother for a moment? 

E: Why? 

J: Want to get me and my boyfriend into my old room in peace and unscathed 

E: Not interested in sparking off another fight with your lovely mother? 👹

J: Don't talk about your grandmother like this

E: Don't pretend you think any differently 

J: Emily…   

E: What?! I heard you and she was just awful!  

J: Sorry 

E: Not your fault she's so terrible

E: And don't worry, it’s always good to know what to expect in the future 

J: ? 

E: I'm as much interested in boys as you are interested in women 

J: Hope it's okay that Bradley is reading this chat, too 

E: Hi Bradley!! 🤗

E: Hope you don't already regret coming here with my uncle! We aren't all that bad I promise! 

J: Okay, why don't we postpone this conversation until you’ve sneaked us in? 

E: Okay, okay, just give me a minute  

J: Thanks! 

J: I owe you one. 

E: I nail you down on that! 

E: And now hurry up! 

“Did she just come out to you?” Bradley asks, perplexed. 

“I guess so,” Jake replies, similarly surprised. “But you read what she wrote! Let's get out of here and in there!” 

– 

Five minutes later, they are standing in the middle of the guest room. According to Jake, this once had been his room but there's not the slightest hint of that left. The room does look kind of nice but sterile, no personality whatsoever, like his parents wanted to erase his existence from their house. 

Jake takes a couple of deep breaths and lets his bag slump down on the floor. “They still get under my skin with this shit,” he admits. “And I'm so sick of it.” 

“And you thought it a good idea to prove your point at your sister's wedding with a fake boyfriend? That's a bit… I don't know… selfish maybe?” Bradley replies. He doesn't know where his snappy tone is coming from. Maybe he's too agitated himself to think reasonably.

“I can't stand them asking me again and again why I’m not married yet, why I don't even have a girlfriend. And I just know that these questions would have come up a dozen times at this wedding,” Jake wails on. 

“I’ve thought you were above such things,” Bradley blurts out. 

“Guess what I'm not?!” Jake snaps at him. 

“Not much guessing necessary actually!” 

“You didn't have to agree to play along!” 

“Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have done that!” 

The air is tense, they are both huffing and it actually doesn't surprise Bradley much. It's always like that with Hangman. They kind of get along for some time but then something, anything, happens and they yell at each other. The only thing that has changed over the course of time is that the fights have definitely become less since the suicide mission which is probably also why they consider themselves friends now.

There's a sudden knock on the door and both of them recoil. Not a second later, a brunette girl peaks her head in. Judging from the profile picture on Jake's phone this must be Emily - not that Jake has mentioned any other teenage girls belonging to his family. 

Bradley shoots a quick glance over to Jake who's features seem to have softened at the sight of his niece and Bradley relaxes, too. 

“Your knight in shining armor is here to welcome you personally,” Emily greets them with a mischievous smirk before closing the door behind her and Bradley can't help smiling back at her, his fight with Jake already forgotten. 

“Hi Emily,” Jake walks up to her, leans down to her and pulls her into a tight embrace. 

Bradley is standing indecisively in the middle of the room but he's close enough to hear their conversation. 

“Thanks for trusting me,” Jake adds, still hugging her. “That you don't like boys I mean.” 

“If there's anyone in this family I'm trusting with this info it's you,” Emily replies and Bradley can see that she's wrapping her arms around Jake more tightly, squeezing him once, before letting go of him. It's a sweet moment between Jake and his niece and Bradley's stomach drops in a weird way, seeing them obviously having such a close relationship. It's a bit strange to see Jake actually care about other people. 

“Does anybody else know?” Jake asks. 

“None of our family members, no. Just my best friends, you …,” she lists, walking around Jake, who's turning around to watch her, and towards Bradley. “... and your boyfriend .” 

She puts air-quotes around the “boyfriend” and well, shit. Bradley can see Jake's face drop and he probably doesn't look much better himself.

“Hi, I'm Emily!” She sticks out his hand for Bradley to shake as if nothing has happened whatsoever. 

Bradley eyes her in perplexion for a second before shaking her hand. “Bradley,” he says stumpily.

She takes a look at both Jake and Bradley, now that she's standing in the middle of them. “Could you two please stop staring at me like deer caught in headlights?” She chuckles. 

“How do you know?” Jake blurts out the obvious question. 

“Your argument was - once again - hard to miss,” she explains with a shrug. 

“Fuck,” Jake sighs, rubbing his face with his hands. 

“Jacob, language!” Emily laughs, obviously parroting her grandmother. “C’mon, boys, your secret is safe with me and I'm pretty sure nobody else heard you,” she adds more seriously. 

“You're not gonna tell anybody?” Jake asks, still obviously devastated. 

“Honestly, who do you think I am? I’d never leave my favorite uncle out to dry,” she answers, almost disappointed that Jake would think such a thing about her and Bradley suddenly wonders if she knows about Jake's call sign and the reputation for which he earned it. “Anyway what's a wedding without a bit of drama?” 

“What do you know about weddings?” Bradley can't help but chime into this conversation. 

“Not much, but I’ve seen enough movies,” Emily admits with a shrug.

“This is not a movie, Emily,” Jake reminds her, all serious and adult-like. 

“Feels like it though,” Emily shrugs again. 

“EMILY, COME HELP YOUR GRANDMA WITH THE FLOWERS!” A voice booms through the house and Bradley guesses that it's Hannah, Emily's mother. 

“COMING!” Emily shouts back and walks towards the door. “See you later, boys,” she smirks at them and then she's gone again, closing the door behind her. 

“She's cool,” Bradley says as soon as he's sure that she's out of earshot. 

“Yeah, she is. Only one to keep me sane during family celebrations of any kind,” Jake admits with a smile. 

Bradley just nods, trying to process what has happened during the last few minutes. 

“We need to be more careful,” Jake goes on, his voice not much more than a whisper. 

“Yes,” Bradley replied. The easiest way to not get caught is to play pretend all the time, isn't it? “I don't want my boyfriend to get into trouble,” he adds with a smirk. 

There's a look on Jake's face Bradley can't quite pin down. “That's good,” he replies after a moment, nodding. 

“So what's the plan now? Hiding here until tomorrow?” Bradley asks ironically but also because he's genuinely interested. 

“Give me a sec,” Jake replies, getting his phone out of the back pocket of his jeans. “Sarah sent me the schedule a couple of days ago,” he explained while looking through his phone. “She has everything planned out down to the last detail. Ah, here it is…” Jake turns his phone around so Bradley can read, too, and Bradley takes a step closer to Jake, their shoulders almost touching. 

Wedding Schedule (Jacob) - UPDATE!  

Jake, couldn't you have told me a bit earlier that he's coming with you? You've been dating for months! I had to rearrange seating plans just for you! 

GUEST: 

Name: Jacob Seresin

Role: bride's brother

Plus one: Bradley Bradshaw (UPDATE!) 

Role: Jacob’s boyfriend (UPDATE!) 

SCHEDULE: 

FRIDAY: 

07:45 AM - Departure SAN (05:45 AM PST)

10:45 AM - Arrival AUS (no pick up needed, rental car. Thanks again for organizing that yourself!) 

01:00 PM - Arrival at Seresin family home (DON'T PROVOKE MOM!) 

03:00 PM - Help with final preparations at reception location (Dad said he needs your help, ask him for details!) 

06:00 PM - Family dinner (AGAIN: DON'T PROVOKE MOM!) 

SATURDAY: 

09:00 AM - Breakfast (FYI: I scheduled Mom earlier, just in case you can't behave on Friday.) 

10:30 AM - Get dressed and ready! 

12:30 PM - Departure for church (Take Emily with you! FYI: Hannah and John take Mom and Dad!) 

01:00 PM - Arrival at church (your seats: 2nd row, left of the aisle) 

01:30 PM - Wedding ceremony  

02:45 PM - Congratulate us! 

03:30 PM - Family photoshoot (Please help Amy  with gathering the right people together, she obviously doesn't know all of our family members!) 

04:30 PM - Departure for reception location (Take Emily with you!) 

05:00 PM - Arrival at reception location (get a drink, find your seat, eat some snacks, do some small talk, enjoy yourself etc etc.) 

06:00 PM - Dinner (Enjoy yourselves and DON'T PROVOKE MOM!) 

08:00 PM - Party (From here on, I don't have a detailed schedule anymore. Amy insisted on planning the party without me.) 

SUNDAY:  

05:30 PM - Departure AUS

Bradley tries to scan over the schedule but all he can focus on is the first paragraph. You've been dating for months… What has Jake told her? And why hadn't they talked about their backstory yet? 

“I guess we should get to the reception location then,” Jake says, still focused on the e-mail. 

“Um, Jake?” Bradley hems and haws, nudging his shoulder with his own to get his attention. “Please excuse my forgetfulness but when's our anniversary again?” 

Jake looks up from his phone, right into Bradley's eyes. There's a slight blush to his cheeks and Bradley can't keep his eyes away from him. He looks good. He always does and it's no secret but like this, Bradley has to admit, he looks even better, this little crack in his cool facade suiting him well. 

“You forgot?” Jake plays along. “I really thought I picked a boyfriend with a better memory,” he chuckles. 

“Well, this is what you have to deal with now,” Bradley smirks. 

“Five months ago,” Jake replies briefly. 

“Five months?” Bradley raises his eyebrows at Jake, counting in his head. Five months ago was the suicide mission. “Right after you saved my life, huh?” Bradley winks at him. 

“Yeah,” Jake smirks and almost whispers. “Don't you remember? We were so pumped… the adrenaline… couldn't keep our hands to ourselves on the way back to North Island…” Jake trails off and Bradley has to avert his eyes, his mind suddenly being too eager at visually imagining Jake's words. 

“I… I remember,” Bradley stammers, nodding. He takes a step away from Jake. 

“Good,” Jake smirks. “But unless you want a beheaded boyfriend, we really should be going now!” 

–

It's half an hour later, when they arrive at the location where the wedding reception will take place. It's a barn that has been renovated to be a party location. It's roomy but not too big. There are about fifteen round tables spread through the room with a lot of free space in the middle which is obviously supposed to be the dance floor. There are only a couple of people around, all busy in party preparations. 

Before Bradley can take in more of the room, a brunette woman already jogs over to them. This must be Sarah. 

“Jake! Finally!” she shouts on her way over and suddenly all the attention is on Jake and Bradley. 

The few other people stop what they're doing and turn their heads to look over to them as Sarah reaches them. 

“Didn't I tell you not to provoke Mom?” Sarah scolds Jake immediately and Bradley feels him stiffen next to him.  

“It’s not my fault she can't handle me having a boyfriend!” Jake snaps back at her. 

“Jake, you know how she is!” Sarah sighs reproachfully, hands on her hips. 

“Are you defending her?” Jake grumbles. 

“I'm just saying that you shouldn't rub it in her face,” Sarah sighs again. 

“I did nothing but introduce Bradley to her. She didn't even bother to greet him back. How am I supposed to react to that?!” Jake goes on. “And you're not much better actually, bawling me out before even saying hello!”

He takes Bradley’s hand and looks at him with sad eyes before facing his sister again. Bradley links their fingers instantly and brushes his thumb over Jake's knuckles. This family isn't easy at all. He feels sorry for him and if it helps him to be holding hands then that's what Bradley is going to do. 

“Hello Jake, hello Bradley. Nice to meet you. I'm Sarah,” she replies mechanically and it doesn't sound like she means it at all. 

“Hello,” Bradley answers coldly and he feels Jake squeezing his hand. 

“You know what? I think Dad needs our help,” Jake announces towards his sister and drags Bradley towards a corner of the room where an elderly man is standing with a ladder and surrounded by a giant bunch of cardboard boxes. The man, Jake's father, is smiling at them and Bradley immediately feels at least somewhat relieved. 

“Hi Dad,” Jake greets him and lets go of Bradley’s hand to hug him quickly. 

“The girls getting on your nerves already?” Jake's father chuckles, patting him on the back once before letting go of his son again. 

“I'm afraid so,” Jake replies. 

“They don't mean it, son,” Mr. Seresin says light-heartedly. He seems nice but doesn't get the gravity of how Jake’s mother and sister treat him - treat both of them. That's not ideal, either, but better, and right now Bradley would even clutch at straws and Jake is probably, too. 

“Wouldn't be so sure of that,” Jake sighs and takes Bradley's hand again. It's already the third time they're holding hands today and by now it even feels quite natural. 

“Anyway,” Mr. Seresin turns towards Bradley. “So you must be the reason for all this commotion then. Nice to meet you, Bradley!” 

He holds out his hand and Bradley shakes it, still holding Jake's hand with the other. “It seems so. Nice to meet you, too, Sir.” 

Mr. Seresin chuckles again. “Oh, Michael is fine.” 

Bradley just nods. He's truly surprised how friendly Mr. Seresin, Michael, is towards him but it's a good surprise. 

Jake softly brushes his thumb over Bradley’s. He moves his finger calmly and without any rush. It feels better than Bradley wants to admit. He quickly glances over to Jake who is smiling at him and Bradley smiles back and his belly swoops and it means absolutely nothing because this is just play pretend. 

“So, how can we help?” Jake asks and with that the awkwardness of the first meeting seems to be eased out, at least a bit. 

“We have a ton of light chains here that need to be put up there,” Michael explains, first gesturing to the boxes around him, then up to the ceiling. “I continue unboxing them and you two set them up?” 

“Sounds like a plan,” Jake agrees and Bradley nods. Jake lets go of Bradley's hand to climb up the ladder. Then he looks down to Bradley and there's this smile again which definitely doesn't do anything to him. 

“Hand me the first piece, will you?” Jake says and holds out his hand. 

Bradley takes the beginning of the first chain from the floor and holds it up for Jake to take. In doing so, their hands slightly brush against each other. Yes, they've been holding hands before but this light touch seems to send sparks through Bradley's whole body. He gulps and takes a deep breath, trying hard to ignore how his body reacts to Jake. 

“Thanks, darlin’ ,” Jake replies and his grin tells Bradley that he's ignoring Bradley's ‘no pet names’ on purpose - although he can't tell what this purpose is supposed to be. Or maybe he's just relieved that his dad isn't as awful as his mother and sister.

They put up the light chains in silence for a couple of minutes, Jake's and Bradley's hands touching each time. Maybe it would be better to prevent that from happening but Bradley doesn't do anything about it. 

“Jacob hasn't talked much about you yet,” Michael begins and Bradley can't quite decide if it's good that Michael diverts Bradley’s attention from Jake’s touch or if it's bad because this pretty much feels like the start of an interrogation. “You’re in the Navy, too?” 

Bradley nods. “Yes, naval aviator just like Jake.” 

“And Top Gun graduate, too!” Jake adds, chiming in from above and obviously bragging about his boyfriend.

“Both top notch. Not bad,” Michael acknowledges with a nod, handing Bradley another part of light chains. He seems like he wants to ask another question but at that moment his phone starts ringing. He pulls it out of his pocket and frowns at it. “Sorry, have to take that one. Your Mom, Jacob,” he announces and takes a couple of steps to the side before answering the call. 

Jake immediately climbs down the ladder. He sits down on one of the lower steps so that he's eye to eye with Bradley and motions him to come closer. 

“He takes it surprisingly well,” Jake assesses in an excited whisper. “I knew he isn't as bad as my mother but still it's surprising. I mean, he even offered you to address him by his first name!” 

“Yeah, I know!” Bradley replies, equally quiet. 

“Maybe he can manage to keep my mother at bay at least for this weekend,” Jake muses. 

Bradley just nods and before he can answer anything, Jake's father already comes back. 

“Jacob, would you please drive Emily and your mother to the church to set up the flower arrangements?” Michael asks as he reaches them and Jake rolls his eyes at Bradley. 

“Why me?” Jake groans. “Can't anybody else drive them?” 

“Your Mom specifically asked for you,” Michael insists with a shrug. 

Jake sighs and climbs down the remaining steps of the ladder, coming to a stand next to Bradley and placing his hand on the small of Bradley's back. Jake's hand feels soft and warm and Bradley should really concentrate on something, anything, else. 

“Wanna come with me or…?” Jake trails off, his eyes wandering towards his dad. 

“Oh, I’m sure Jacob gets this done by himself. Why don't we continue putting these chains of lights up?” Michael replies before Bradley can answer. 

Bradley’s stomach churns and he gulps. He doesn't know what's worse. Sitting in a car with Jake's mother or being left alone with Jake's dad who most probably will go on interrogating him. On the other hand, Jake's dad seems to be a lot nicer than his mother. 

“Yeah, sure,” Bradley mumbles, hoping not to sound as anxious as he feels. 

“You'll survive,” Jake whispers under his breath as he turns to give Bradley a quick hug goodbye. He's never hugged him before. Bradley has never felt so much Jake before and his heart seizes in his chest - and Bradley doesn't want to decide if that's good or bad or why he's having these thoughts at all. 

“You, too,” he quickly whispers back and then Jake is on his way out. For a second, Bradley watches him leave and the skin on his back where Jake has just caressed him through the fabric of his shirt still feels warm and tingly. 

“Well then…,” Bradley says and climbs up the ladder to continue where Jake has left off. 

Bradley is surprised that Michael doesn't immediately start to ask questions, taking his chance to have a one on one conversation with his son's boyfriend. Instead they hang up the chains silently. 

When Bradley has to move the ladder a bit and climbs down to do so, Michael starts talking however, “I’m sorry for the rough start you had with my wife.” 

Bradley’s jaw tenses, thinking about the situation earlier. ‘Rough start’ was an understatement. 

“She's a bit difficult with these kinds of things,” Michael goes on. “She doesn't understand why Jacob chooses a man over a woman …” 

“It's not a choice!” Bradley interrupts him fiercely. He knows that it might not be the best idea to object like this but he simply can't let that stand. 

Michael seems to ignore his insertion and just continues, “... and I don't understand it either but I can arrange myself with that as long as Jake's happy and treated well.” 

He looks at Bradley, challenging him, and Bradley feels the need to say something to confirm his conditions.

“I love Jake and I promise to always treat him well,” Bradley answers. It's striking how easy it actually is to lie right into Michael's face. 

“Then I guess I have to get accustomed to that,” Michael says and he seems a bit disappointed that he can't say anything against it because it's exactly what he wanted to hear. 

Without another word, Michael turns his attention back to the task at hand. Bradley readjusts the ladder, climbs back up and continues, too. They don't talk and that's more than fine with Bradley. The silence is weird and uncomfortable but it's bearable since there's something to do. 

Bradley doesn't know how much time passes but he lets go of a breath he didn't know he was holding when he sees his boyfriend, his fake boyfriend, Jake re-enter the location. He's talking to Emily, laughing about something, joking around and there's warmth curling in Bradley's lower belly which really only means that he's relieved not to be alone with Jake's dad anymore. 

Jake instantly comes over to Bradley with a smile and pats Bradley's calf because he's still standing on the ladder and that's the only part of him he can reasonably reach. Once again, his skin feels warm under Jake's touch despite the thick layer of jeans in-between. 

“Hi,” Jake smiles up at him. 

Bradley climbs down a few steps, turns around and sits down on one of the steps so that he's at eye level with Jake, just like he had done earlier. 

Jake places his hand on Bradley's waist, leans forward and then Bradley feels Jake's lips on his for a split second. Bradley can't process what's happening. His heart skips a beat and he almost chokes on air and then Jake's lips are already gone again. 

“Missed you,” Jake whispers with a shy smile. Bradley didn't even know that Jake could be that shy but he smiles back at his boyfriend - fake boyfriend, for God's sake! 

“Jacob, is that really necessary?” Michael comments agitatedly. He's standing just a couple of feet away and has obviously watched them kiss. 

“What? Kissing my boyfriend? Yes, that's definitely necessary, Dad,” Jake snaps at Michael. 

He's smirking smugly and pats Bradley's knee with his hand, standing next to Bradley who's still sitting on the ladder. 

Jake lets his hand rest there and Bradley doesn't even think twice but places his hand on top of Jake's, lacing their fingers. 

“You shouldn't do that in public,” Michael replies brusquely. 

Bradley feels Jake's hand clenching on his knee and Bradley squeezes his hand reassuringly. So, Jake's father is somewhat okay with him being gay but showing that in public is not okay. Well, once again that's a thousand times better than what Jake's mother thinks but it's still far away from tolerance, acceptance. 

“So tomorrow, when Sarah and Oliver kiss in front of everyone, you'll be the one looking away, and scolding them afterwards that they shouldn't kiss in public?” Jake counters, metaphorically putting his finger right into the wound of what's obviously bothering his father. 

“Just put up the rest, okay?” Michael sighs without answering Jake's question and leaves them alone. 

“At least we survived,” Bradley whispers as soon as Jake's father is out of earshot. 

“Yeah, we did,” Jake replies and turns more towards Bradley, their hands still linked on Bradley's thigh and Jake's thumb brushing over Bradley's knee. 

This is just a game, a performance Bradley has agreed on but that doesn't stop his heart from pounding heavily in his chest while a puddle of warmth drools in his lower belly.

“How bad was it?” Jake asks with a look on his face that tells Bradley that he's seriously concerned - or he's just a good actor. 

“He said he can get accustomed to you having a boyfriend as long as said boyfriend makes you happy and treats you well,” Bradley quickly sums up their conversation. 

“And as long as we don't show affection for each other in public,” Jake adds with a sigh.

“Yeah,” Bradley replies. “How was your ride?” 

“Emily kind of served like a buffer and my mother didn't say anything at all,” Jake answers with a shrug. “I have no idea why she wanted me to drive if she didn't want to talk anyway.” 

“Maybe it was your father's idea?” Bradley muses. “Take his chance at talking to your boyfriend alone?” 

“Could be,” Jake nods. “But I guess we'll never know.” He shrugs again. “Let's get done with these lights!” 

“Yeah, right,” Bradley agrees and stands up again, only reluctantly letting go of Jake's hand. He's already halfway up the ladder again when he turns around to Jake, asking, “Or do you wanna go up there again?” 

“No, no, I enjoy the view from down here,” he smirks and while Bradley is still watching him lets his eyes wander slowly over Bradley’s backside, his shoulders, his butt, his legs and back up to his butt. Jake’s gaze leaves a hot trail on his body and when Jake gives him a lopsided smile and winks, Bradley definitely doesn't feel arousal pooling deep down in his stomach. 

“Jake,” he scolds him but he can't help but smile down at him. 

“What? I’m just eyeing my stunning boyfriend who does seem to like that judging by the look on his face,” Jake flirts and Bradley blushes while he knows that Jake just wants to keep up his performance. 

Bradley raises his eyebrows, trying to cover that he actually does kind of like to be sized up by him. Without another word, he turns back around and continues to put up the remaining lights. 

They don't talk about nothing in particular, just small talk, while they’re working but Bradley can still feel Jake's eyes on him the whole time. 

– 

“What do I have to expect of this family dinner?” Bradley asks, checking his watch. 5:30 PM. 

“As long as we get as much space as possible between my mother and us, we'll get through it I guess,” Jake replies sarcastically. 

They’ve just finished preparing the party location and are on their way back to the house of Jake's parents, Jake driving, Bradley on the passenger seat and Emily on the back seat. 

“I hope I'm included in that plan, too,” Emily chimes in. 

“Sure, we need you as a buffer,” Jake chuckles. 

“Drawing on our earlier success that she didn't say any shit about you and your boyfriend in front of me earlier, huh?” Emily laughs. 

“Exactly,” Jake replies. 

“Okay, but that doesn't answer my question. Formal, casual?” Bradley asks again. 

“Casual,” Emily answers decidedly. “Oliver said it's just gonna be a barbeque.” 

– 

Three hours later, they are still seated around a large table in the huge garden behind Jake's parents’ house. Bradley is sitting next to Jake, opposite of them is Emily with her parents. Next to Jake are Sarah and Oliver and opposite those two are Jake's parents. The largest possible distance between them and Jake, Bradley and Emily. 

Bradley has been feeling tense the whole evening but it's manageable. The food was good and the conversations between him, Jake, Emily and her parents are actually quite nice and divert his attention from the personified homophobia looming at the other end of the table. 

“Yeah, my father was in the Navy, too,” Bradley replies to a question coming from Hannah. 

“He must be proud of you then, being a Top Gun graduate, flying those important missions,” she answers and Bradley immediately feels a pang in his heart. It was obvious that this conversation was leading that way and he doesn't even really remember his father but it still hurts nevertheless. 

Bradley gulps. “Well, he would be I guess,” he mumbles. “He died in a training accident when I was two,” Bradley adds quickly. That's something he has learned over the years talking about his dead parents. It's less awkward for everyone to just pull off the bandaid in one go instead of peeling it off bit by bit. 

While still talking, he feels Jake's hand drop down to his thigh, gently caressing him. Bradley wonders if this is actually Jake trying to comfort him or if it's just for their performance. 

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know,” Hannah is quick to reply. 

“Don't worry. You couldn't know,” Bradley appeases and he means it. She really couldn't have known. 

“But I bet your dads are proud of you,” Jake chimes in. 

Bradley had talked about his dads on the flight here. It had actually been quite funny because Jake didn't want to believe him that he's the adoptive son of the once most reckless Captain and the objectively best, freshly retired, COMPACTFLT the Navy has ever seen and that they are married, too. Jake's disbelief had resulted in an hour-long stroll through the picture gallery on Bradley's phone, showing Jake as many photos as possible of his dads together with him. In the end, Jake was convinced and seemed impressed when Bradley told him that his dads have been a couple for more than thirty years. Seeing now in what kind of family Jake had grown up, Jake's awe becomes somewhat more understandable to Bradley. 

“Dads?” Emily asks curiously. 

Bradley isn't ashamed of who his dads are, not at all, but he's just not sure that this is the right place to drop that piece of information. Now that Emily has asked, however, he feels obliged to answer. 

“My Mom died a couple of years after my father and then my father's best friend who was my godfather anyway adopted me together with his now husband,” Bradley quickly sums it up for Emily, omitting the fact that it had literally taken decades until Ice had been actually allowed to legally adopt him, too. It didn't change the fact, though, that both of them have always treated him like their son. 

“That's so cool!” Emily boasts. “I mean not that you've lost both your parents but that you have gay dads,” she adds and shoots a glance over to her grandmother who, by the look on her face, has definitely listened to their conversation, too. 

Mrs. Seresin doesn't say anything to them but starts talking to Sarah in a hushed voice. 

“And they're in the Navy, too, so I guessed that they're proud of their son,” Jake goes back to his actual point, filling the last remaining gap to make his earlier statement comprehensible. 

“Were,” Bradley corrects Jake, turning towards him. “Ice just retired last month and miraculously, he was able to convince Mav, too.” 

“Oh, right, yes,” Jake replies, covering that he should have known that as his boyfriend. 

At the other end of the table, voices raise up and they hear the sharp voice of Jake's mother, “No, they should have been imprisoned for child endangerment!” 

Bradley abruptly turns his head towards her to check if she's actually talking about what he thinks she's talking about. 

Jake's mother catches his eye and goes on, addressing Bradley directly, “Maybe you would've turned out right if you'd grown up in a real family.” 

Yes, she's talking exactly about what he thought she's talking about! And it hurts and he doesn't want to let it stand but Jake is quicker to react. 

He stands up abruptly, screeching his chair angrily on the stone tiles of the terrace. 

“We don't have to take this bullshit,” Jake spats and holds out his hand for Bradley who takes it instantly. “I hope y’all have a pleasant rest of the evening but we're leaving,” he announces and Bradley stands up, too. “And Sarah, I hope you've seated us somewhere where we don't have to endure this garbage tomorrow!” 

Jake storms off, almost dragging Bradley behind him by his hand. Jake quickly leads him around the house and on the pavement in front. 

“Where’re we going?” Bradley asks, following Jake's quick steps. 

“Dunno, but I needed to get out of there,” Jake replies down-heartedly and the next thing Bradley realizes is Jake's arms tightly wrapped around his back and his head against Bradley's shoulder. Bradley loops his arms around Jake's waist, hugging him back and for a moment they just stand there like that in the middle of pavement.

“I'm sorry I brought you here,” Jake apologizes, talking against Bradley's shoulder. “It was a stupid idea.” Bradley just rubs his back and Jake goes on, “I really didn't think she would be so bad.” He squeezes Bradley again. “I'm so sorry she insulted you and your dads.” 

“It’s okay. It's not the first time I'm confronted with that kind of bullshit,” Bradley replies, trying to play it down although it still hurts each time. 

Jake abruptly lets go of Bradley and pulls out his phone. “Not your first time and neither mine but maybe Emily’s,” he says while quickly typing something into his phone. “Telling her where we are and that she can join us if she wants. That's okay, isn't it?” 

“Of course,” Bradley replies. The whole situation is far from good but it nevertheless warms Bradley's heart seeing how concerned Jake is for his niece. 

Not even two minutes later, Emily joins them on the pavement. “Thanks for the rescue,” she winks with a smirk. 

“Are you okay?” Jake asks, worried, placing his hand on her shoulder. 

“Yeah, I think so,” Emily replies but Jake nevertheless pulls her into a hug. “It's fine, Jakey, really,” she adds after a moment and they part again. 

“Okay, but you know you can talk to me if something is up, right?” Jake wants to make sure. 

“Yes, I know that,” Emily answers, then more silently she adds, “Thanks” and Bradley is almost certain that this whole situation has affected her more than she wants to let show. 

“Go for a walk?” Bradley suggests, changing the topic. 

“Good idea,” Emily agrees. “We can show you the absolutely disproportionate amount of cattle in comparison to people in this town,” she adds with a chuckle. 

“Very interesting, Emily,” Jake replies ironically and chuckling, too. 

None of them seems particularly interested in deepening the situation they’ve all just escaped from and so they start walking next to each other and talking about all kinds of other things. 

Even though Bradley is more than twice Emily’s age, it doesn’t feel like it. She’s silly, no question, but at the same time she seems more adult than her age would suggest. Talking to her now, Bradley gets why Jake and her get along so well even more. 

Their conversation is flowing smoothly and Bradley almost forgets what brought them into this situation in the first place. Then, however, he feels Jake’s hand brushing against his. The first time it happens, he puts it off as a coincidence because they are walking quite closely next to each other. But then it happens again - and again. And each time Bradley’s heart seems to skip a beat. It doesn't make any sense why Jake is doing this. They don't have to pretend right now.  Nevertheless, it happens again and Bradley just like this takes Jake’s hand in his. He feels Jake stiffen next to him for a split second but then he relaxes again. Jake laces their fingers together and Bradley brushes his thumb over Jake's knuckles. 

“What's your callsign?” Emily asks all of a sudden. She runs a couple of steps forward and then walks backwards, facing both Jake and Bradley now instead of walking next to them. 

“It’s Rooster,” Bradley replies, wondering where this question is coming from. Then again, he wasn’t actually paying much attention during the last couple of minutes.  

“Why that?” Emily asks curiously. 

“Oh, I definitely won't tell you,” Bradley laughs.  

“I thought it was because of your father’s callsign being ‘Goose’?” Jake asks in confusion, turning his head towards him. 

“That's what most people think,” Bradley answers with a chuckle. 

“Now I'm curious, too!” Jake exclaims. 

“I won't tell you, either,” Bradley objects, smirking. 

“Does Phoenix know?” Jake tries again. 

“Phoenix?” Emily chimes in. 

“My best friend,” Bradley answers her, then addresses Jake, “And I won't tell you if she knows.” 

Bradley’s belly drops. He feels warm and cold at once and this is definitely just because of the fresh breeze out here and not because of Jake. 

“C’mon, you can trust me, I'm your boyfriend,” Jake chuckles. He lets go of Bradley's hand and instead, wraps his arm sideways around Bradley's back, resting his hand on Bradley's hip. His hand feels warm and Bradley really doesn't want to think about why Jake's actions are distracting him so much. 

“That doesn't change anything,” Bradley insists, hopefully covering just how much Jake makes him feel flustered. “And anyway, I'd never tell you in front of Emily.” 

“Am I sensing a NC-17 story here?” Jake winks with a smug smile and Bradley is way too aware of how close their faces are since Jake's still embracing him sideways. 

“Maybe,” Bradley replies, turning his head away from him. 

“Wouldn't be the first adult story I'm hearing,” Emily chuckles. 

“Honestly, guys, I won't tell you,” Bradley insists once again and wiggles out of Jake's embrace, bringing a bit of distance between him and this handsome, charming, funny man next to him who's definitely not his boyfriend. 

“Come back here, please,” Jake pleads, now smiling softly. “I want my boyfriend next to me.” 

Bradley's heart flutters and there's no way he can convince his body to stop these damn reactions. He knows that Jake is just playing with him but damn, his body apparently didn't get that memo. To play along, just to play along, Bradley comes closer and takes Jake's hand again.

“You know, guys, you don't have to pretend in front of me,” Emily comments with a smirk. 

“We need to practice,” Bradley is quick to reply, too quick to reply because well, he really doesn't want to let go of Jake's hand.  

“I see,” Emily laughs but doesn't press on it any further. She turns back around and walks next to Jake now. 

Still walking, their conversation shifts to different topics, none of them mentioning their fake relationship any further. Their hands stay linked, however, and Jake occasionally even brushes his thumb over Bradley’s knuckles, absentmindedly, incidentally, like a real boyfriend would do, only that he isn't. 

– 

When they come back to Jake’s parents’ home about an hour later, they find Jake’s sisters sitting in the living room, talking quietly. 

“Jake, can we talk to you for a minute?” Hannah asks as she notices all three of them walking through the front door. “And Emily, don’t stay up too late, okay? Tomorrow will be exhausting!” 

“Yeah, sure,” Jake replies reluctantly. 

“See you in a bit,” Bradley says to him and leaves for the stairs.

“Sure, Mom. Good night!”, she replies before following Bradley up the stairs. 

Catching up with him, she taps him on the shoulder before he can enter the Jake’s old, now guest room.  

“You two are cute together, you know,” she whispers, grinning. 

Bradley frowns at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Have a good night, Bradley,” Emily says, shrugging, instead of answering his question and bouncily leaves without another comment for the room she’s staying in.

“Yeah, good night,” Bradley replies, baffled. 

Bradley enters their room, closes the door behind him and then he slumps down on the bed, checking his phone for the first time in hours. 

N: How's it going? 

B: Pissing off Jake's parents works perfectly. 

N: You're falling for him again! 

B: What from that sentence makes you possibly think so?! 

N: Last time you called him Jake you were crushing on him. 

B: I'm playing his boyfriend. Would be strange to call him anything else. Simply got accustomed to it. 

N: You didn't answer my question. 

B: You didn't ask anything. 

N: Are you falling for him again? 

He can't deny that his body is reacting in certain ways to Jake, his words, his looks, his touch. There is attraction, yes, but is he falling for him? 

N: Are you? 

B: Maybe a bit … 

N: Please be careful, ok? I don't want to be responsible for stitching you back together like last time. 

B: Yes. 

N: Where is he now? 

B: His sisters wanted to talk to him. We’re kind of constantly causing some kind of drama here.

N: What kind of drama? 

B: To put it short, Jake’s parents can’t handle him having a boyfriend. 

N: Oof. Homophobes?

B: Yes, his mother in particular. Didn’t talk to me at all at first and then she insulted me, saying that I might have turned out right, if I hadn’t grown up with two dads. 

B: His dad is kind of okay, I guess, although he’s not particularly happy to see us exchanging affections in public. 

N: I feel like Bagman owes you big time when he’s done with this stupid charade! 

N: Exchanging affections?! 

B: Yes. Our performance needs to be convincing.

N: Care to elaborate?

B: Holding hands, hugs, a kiss. 

N: A kiss?! 

At that moment, Jake already comes back in. Bradley quickly closes his chat with Nat and lets his phone drop on the bed next to him. 

“Sarah is more supportive than I thought,” Jake starts, actually sounding quite relaxed and sitting down on the edge of the bed. Bradley shuffles a bit and sits down next to him. 

“What do you mean?” he asks. He’s seriously lacking context here. 

“After we were gone, my sisters had a talk with my mother. Apparently, Sarah told her that she isn’t welcome tomorrow if she can’t pull herself together and just let us be,” Jake explains. 

There’s a small smile forming on Jake’s face but Bradley’s stomach revolts. He doesn’t want to be responsible for a mother missing her daughter’s wedding. Even if she's homophobic. He’s not Jake’s boyfriend after all. 

“What’s wrong?” Jake asks with a frown. “This is good news, isn’t it?” He turns towards Bradley, now sitting sideways on the bed. 

“Sarah didn’t have to say that. Not for me. I don’t matter here,” Bradley mumbles, looking anywhere but at Jake. 

“You matter,” Jake replies decidedly, placing his hand on Bradley’s knee, gently caressing it. “You know, my boyfriend matters to me,” he adds, deadly serious. 

“Jake, I’m not your…” Bradley wants to disagree but he is interrupted.

“Don’t say it, Bradley,” Jake whispers, his voice slightly trembling. “Please just don’t say it, okay?” 

Bradley nods slowly. He doesn't understand why Jake doesn't want him to say it but he doesn't dare ask, either. 

There's a moment of awkward silence before Jake stands up, walks over to his bag and starts rummaging. 

“We should go to sleep, I guess,” Jake suggests, looking up from the bag, sounding normal again. “You can have the bed.” 

“And you're sleeping where?” Bradley asks, watching him, roaming through his luggage. 

“On the floor,” Jake shrugs, looking up from his bag and meeting Bradley’s eyes. “I don't mind.” 

“I don't know about you but I've shared tighter places with other guys on deployment,” Bradley replies, shrugging, too. He hesitates for a second but then he decides to join in the game Jake is still playing, “And I definitely don't mind sharing a bed with my boyfriend.” 

Bradley tries a small smile and Jake smiles back at him causing a hell lot of butterflies bursting to life in his belly. Deep down in his heart, he knows exactly what this means and he has already admitted to Nat that he might be falling a bit for Jake but can’t admit it to himself just yet. The implications of that would be too much to handle at the moment. He has to share a bed with Jake and he has to survive Jake’s sister’s wedding tomorrow. He doesn’t want to deal with real feelings in between all of this. He can’t stop his body from reacting in a certain way but he can shut out all the additional feelings attached to it - or at least he can try.

“Your phone is buzzing!” Jake points out, pulling Bradley out of his thoughts. 

He takes a quick glance at his phone. It's Nat. Of course. “Not important,” Bradley replies. He really doesn't want to talk to her right now. Well, he does want to talk to her but not with Jake around. 

“You can take it if you want, I'll go get ready for bed,” Jake offers, waving with his toiletry bag which he had obviously been looking for in his luggage. Without waiting for a reply, Jake leaves for the en-suite bathroom and Bradley decides to take the call. 

“YOU'VE KISSED HIM?!” Nat yells into his ear the second he accepts the call. 

“Stop screaming!” Bradley demands. It feels silly but he pulls up the blanket over his head to muffle his voice as much as possible. 

“Only if you tell me what happened,” Nat tries to blackmail him but she's already back to a normal volume anyway. 

“It was just a peck,” he whispers quickly. “He kissed me, not the other way round and it was just to piss off his dad.” 

“Cheek or…?” Nat asks, trailing off. 

“Lips,” Bradley answers truthfully. 

“Oh, Bradley…,” Nat sighs. 

“What?” 

“Don’t interpret too much into it, okay?” She demands but her voice is all soft and caring.

“Of course. I know it’s just a game,” Bradley assures her. 

“Does your heart know that, too?” Nat digs deeper. 

Bradley knows that she has a point there. He can tell himself as much as he wants that Jake is just playing games with him - games he has agreed on playing. But that doesn’t stop his body and his heart reacting in a certain way. What might be even worse is that he doesn't even want to change that. 

“Bradley?” Nat asks again since he didn’t reply. 

“I hope so,” he finally replies. 

Nat sighs. “Just… just be careful, okay?” 

“Yes,” Bradley answers.

Suddenly, the blanket over his head is pulled away forcefully and Jake is standing in front of him, smirking. 

“What are you doing there?” He asks, laughing. 

“Making a phone call?!” Bradley snaps at Jake, then he focuses his attention back on the phone, “Wait a sec.” 

He holds his phone away from Jake and asks him bluntly and not particularly friendly, “What do you want?” 

“Just curious why my boyfriend is hiding under our blanket,” Jake replies with a smirk. Bradley shakes his head in disbelief and holds his phone back at his ear. 

“Boyfriend?! What the hell are you hiding from me, Bradley?” Nat shrieks. 

“I'll explain later, Nat,” Bradley sighs. 

“You're talking to Phoenix? Give me your phone. I want to talk to her!” Jake suddenly demands, holding out his hand. 

Bradley frowns at him incredulously. “No?” 

“Bradley, that's actually a good idea. I want to talk to him, too!” Nat tells him and Bradley sighs. 

He pushes his phone into Jake’s chest. “Here, she says she wants to talk to you, too.” 

“Perfect!” Jake takes the phone from Bradley and walks around the room. “Hey Phoenix! We were talking about Bradley's callsign earlier and he didn't want to tell me its origin. I was wondering if you know the story behind it.” 

Honestly, that is why he wants to talk to her? Bradley rolls his eyes at him and Jake sticks out his tongue. He wants to hate Jake for his silliness but he can’t. 

“Oh, you do know? Why don't you tell me?” Jake asks with put-on sweetness. 

“Pretty, pretty please?” Jake asks, voice all whiny and pitiful. And why does he have to pout again?  

“You're evil!” Jake exclaims and now Bradley grins at him. He knew right from the start that Nat wouldn’t tell him and to see Jake’s disappointment is actually quite funny. 

“You can have her back!” Jake holds out the phone towards Bradley and he takes it. 

“No, I wasn't finished!” Nat immediately yells into Bradley’s ear and he sighs at the absurdity of this situation. 

“She wasn't finished,” Bradley announces and hands the phone back to Jake who actually takes it without any second guessing. 

Again, Bradley watches Jake talking to Nat. Actually, Jake doesn’t say anything but after a moment his face drops. 

“Yes, understood!” Jake says in the end and it sounds like he was talking to superior, not to Nat. “Now you can really have her back!” he adds, addressing Bradley, giving him his phone back. 

Bradley takes the phone, stands up and walks towards the bathroom to have some privacy. 

“What the hell did you tell him? He looked pretty… I don't know… taken aback?” he asks, locks the door behind him and sits down on the edge of the bathtub. 

“Oh, I just told him that I'll rip him apart if he hurts you,” Nat says almost nonchalantly. 

“Nat, you didn't!” Bradley rubs his face with his free hand. 

“Oh, I did! Someone has to look out for you,” Nat replies, seriously. Maybe she has a point there but Bradley doesn't want to admit that. 

“Why did he call you boyfriend?” Nat goes on. 

“He was joking, obviously?” Bradley grouches. 

“Then why are you so snappy?” Nat wants to know. 

“Because you basically told him that I'm in love with him!” Bradley hisses quietly since he doesn’t know if Jake can hear him talking. 

“I didn't. I just threatened him not to hurt you. Maybe I was talking about a fist fight?” Nat chuckles.

“Nat…” he sighs and can’t stay serious, either.

“See, you can't be angry at me,” Nat replies and Bradley can practically hear her smirking. “Anyway, have a good night. Don’t cuddle too much with your Jake and don’t let him tear out your heart again.” 

“He’s not my Jake,” Bradley points out but Nat has already hung up.  

Bradley walks back into the bedroom to grab his bathroom stuff from his bag and goes right back into the bathroom, ignoring as best as he can that Jake, his not boyfriend, is lounging on the bed only wearing an old t-shirt and boxer briefs and looking even hotter than usual. 

When Bradley comes back into the bedroom, equally dressed, Jake smirks at him. 

“You look good,” Jake says in his flirty voice which he also uses when he's mocking or wanting something. Bradley is used to that voice. It’s nothing new. He can handle that.

“Do I?” He frowns at him. “You have pretty low standards if you think my old USNA tee looks any good.” He looks down at himself. 

Jake obviously hasn't expected such a deadpan reply because he seems dumbfounded for a moment. Bradley takes his chance, drops down on the bed next to Jake and pulls up the blanket before Jake can spill out another comment. 

“Doesn't really matter what you're wearing,” Jake finally answers, turning on his side to face Bradley and propping up his head on his elbow. His voice sounds different now, less put on, more honest and now that does something to Bradley. 

“Is that so?” Bradley smirks and turns his head towards Jake, lying on his back and hands crossed behind his head. Their eyes meet and neither of them looks away. Bradley's heart kicks up and his belly feels all fluttery. And everything - Jake in bed with him, flirting - feels much more real than it should be, than it probably is. 

“Yeah, my boyfriend always looks good,” Jake goes on, smirking. Bradley feels flattered and wants to believe that Jake means it but it’s still just a game, isn’t it? 

“But your boyfriend is tired now and needs to sleep,” Bradley replies. He really is tired. But he's also painfully aware of how close he's lying next to Jake, smiling at him, flirting with him. This could lead to something really stupid pretty easily. But he still has to deal with Jake for the next two days and so he for once decides against stupid. 

Jake nods. For a second, he seems to be hesitating but then he reaches behind himself and turns off the lights. It takes another second to get used to the darkness but then Bradley can Jake again. They are just looking at each other for a moment and now Bradley fights against the very stupid idea to just lean over and kiss Jake. 

“Good night, Roo,” Jake whispers and Bradley’s belly drops at the sound of his abbreviated callsign from Jake’s mouth. The way he says it it’s almost a purr and it makes Bradley feel all tingly and warm. 

“Good night, Hangy,” Bradley quickly replies. 

He knows that Jake hates this version of his callsign and so he expects some kind of reaction but to his surprise Jake simply turns around without a comment. 

Bradley turns around, too, and drifts off to sleep surprisingly quickly while the butterflies in his belly still flutter around wildly and he can’t stop thinking about how it would feel to fall asleep in Jake’s strong arms, kissing him goodnight, snuggling against his broad chest. 

– 

Bradley wakes up before Jake and before the alarms on their phones go off. He feels well rested but he doesn't want to fully wake up just yet. In his drowsiness, he cuddles back into the snug warmth that's surrounding him. It is only then that he realizes that this warmth is Jake, making his heart skip a beat and his belly swoop almost painfully. Jake is cuddling with him. The Jake he’s falling for maybe a bit. The Jake he wants to kiss. The Jake he wants to cuddle with is actually cuddling him. 

Their bodies are all tangled up and they are lying back to chest, Jake behind him. Bradley's head rests on Jake's outstretched left arm and Jake's right arm is loosely wrapped around Bradley’s chest, his hand placed on the inside of Bradley’s left upper arm. Bradley's right arm is lying on top of Jake's right arm and their hands are linked together. Jake's legs are bent and Bradley’s legs are hooked in the back of Jake's knees. They are a knot of limbs and Bradley doesn't have any ambition to change that because this feels perfect, makes his stomach flutter and when he feels Jake's calm and steady breath in his neck a warm shiver goes down his back. He doesn't want this moment to end so he doesn't move and pretends to be sleeping, imagining that Jake is his boyfriend for real. 

He’s tried his best to ignore his feelings, put them off as pure physical attraction but now it seems impossible to do so any longer. In this calmness of this snug moment, his long buried feelings for Jake are flooding through his body like a tsunami and leaving nothing behind but a racing heart and a kaleidoscope of butterflies in his belly. Who is he kidding here? He is falling for Jake again and possibly harder than ever before. 

Last time it was solely based on physical attraction. Jake had known that and had shamelessly taken advantage of it, flirting with him, hoaxing him, jerking him around. He had been an asshole. It hadn't been nice and Nat was completely right in saying that she had to stitch Bradley back together afterwards. 

Now, however, it feels different. Bradley feels affection for him. True affection, not just physical attraction. 

For the first time in his life he actually likes to be around Jake because Jake seems different, too. He's funny and kind and flirty and all of that in a good way. And yes, Bradley knows that it's part of the performance he has put up for his parents but nevertheless it does things to his heart he can't control. 

Then there's Jake’s reaction to his parents. Bradley is sure that the intensity with which he tries to annoy them serves to cover how hurt and devastated he is. At least, that is how Bradley would feel in his situation. At the same time, Jake is also incredibly sweet and caring towards his niece. 

Bradley feels like he sees Jake for the first time in all his dimensions, like a real human being with actual feelings - not just the obnoxious, cocky pilot. And it makes Bradley fall for Jake even more. 

Bradley has no idea how late it is and how much time he has left cuddling and being cuddled by Jake but he hopes they still have some minutes and apparently they have because Bradley actually drifts back to sleep with a smile. 

–

When their alarm clocks finally go off, they aren’t as tangled up as before. They are facing each other now. Jake’s arm rests on Bradley’s waist and their knees are touching. 

As soon as Jake realizes that he’s cuddling with Bradley, he pulls his arm away, mumbles a quiet “Sorry.” and turns off his alarm. 

“No worries,” Bradley replies softly, also turning off the beep coming from his phone and then it’s probably his drowsiness that makes him bold when he adds, “Your boyfriend likes to be cuddled.” 

“Does he?” Jake whispers back, his knee softly nudging against Bradley’s. There’s a shiver going through Bradley’s entire body. Yes, he does. 

Bradley just nods and just like yesterday night, Jake seems to be hesitating again but then he puts his hand back on Bradley’s waist. Bradley’s heart is pounding desperately. He can see Jake’s chest heaving stoutly and he wonders if Jake is as nervous as himself. 

Bradley smiles at Jake sheepishly and that seems to ease Jake a bit because now he smiles back at him. Once again, they are just looking at each other and now that the morning sun is illuminating the room, Bradley uses his chance to take in the sight of Jake. His beautiful green eyes, his dimples, the morning stubble, these perfectly kissable lips. Bradley has to keep himself from sighing at how handsome he is and right now he doesn’t even care that Jake definitely knows how he's looking at him.

“Like what you see?” Jake chuckles softly and Bradley’s breath hitches when he feels Jake’s hand caressing his waist. 

All Bradley can do is nod again. 

“Yeah, me, too,” Jake breathes, giving him this beautiful, broad smile Bradley could look at forever. 

Bradley desperately wants him to mean it. That this is all real. And his heart tells him that it's real. But he doesn't trust his heart. It’s probably just playing tricks on him to make him feel miserable when this is all over. 

Bradley clears his throat and before he can do something stupid, he mumbles, “We should get up. Your sister’s big day.” 

“You’re right,” Jake agrees, stroking Bradley's waist once more before jumping out of bed. 

– 

A couple of hours later, still in time with Sarah's schedule, they get ready for the wedding. 

Bradley is already wearing his shirt and suit pants when he realizes he has a problem. 

“Shit, the knot didn't survive the flight,” he swears under his breath which earns him an instant chuckle from the other side of the room where Jake is getting himself ready. 

Bradley turns around to the source of the chuckle and almost chokes on air. Jake is already wearing his dress pants, too, but his shirt is still loosely hanging from his shoulders, not yet buttoned, giving Bradley’s eyes access to Jake's chest, tanned, toned and a good amount of chest hair showing. He's gorgeous. 

“Do you need any help?” Jake chuckles incredulously and Bradley's attention snaps from Jake's chest back to his face. That, however, doesn't really make it any better because that's just another part of Jake's body that Bradley finds extremely appealing. 

Bradley shakes his head. “I'll figure it out myself.” He leans over to the bed where his phone is lying, grabbing it. 

“What? You're gonna look up a YouTube tutorial?” Jake laughs. 

“Yeah,” Bradley shrugs and starts typing on his phone, not looking up at Jake. 

“Honestly, Roo, just come here. I'll help you,” Jake offers, still chuckling a bit. 

Bradley reluctantly looks up at Jake who is softly smiling at him and Bradley nods slowly. Then he walks over to him, tie in hands. 

“Turn around,” Jake instructs and Bradley frowns at him because he's expected him to put on the tie himself, loosely tie the knot and give it back to Bradley but that doesn't seem to be what Jake has in mind. 

“Why?” Bradley asks, still frowning. 

“So I can help you put on your tie, dumbhead,” Jake chuckles, shaking his head. His eyes lock with Bradley's for a moment and all Bradley wants to do is drown in these beautiful emeralds. 

Jake doesn't wait for Bradley to reply and simply puts his hands on Bradley's shoulders, nudging them to turn him around, and Bradley complies without any reluctance. It's like he's literally melting under Jake's touch. 

They are standing back to chest now and Bradley can feel Jake's body heat radiating behind him. Glad that Jake can't see his face like this he closes his eyes and tries to get his breathing under control. 

One hand on each shoulder, Jake slowly strokes along them with his broad hands until he reaches Bradley's upper arms like he's straightening out the fabric. Then he reaches out his hand. 

“Tie?” He asks quietly and so close to Bradley that he can feel his hot breath on his neck. Bradley tries not to shiver at the intense sensation and hands Jake the tie, his fingers slightly brushing against the palm of Jake's hand. 

“Thank you,” Jake whispers, his breath once again hot against Bradley’s skin. He can't stop himself from breathing heavily. Jake is driving him crazy like this but at the same time he wouldn't want to miss it for anything in the world. 

Slowly, Jake pulls up Bradley's shirt collar and in doing so, his fingers touch Bradley's neck lightly causing the short hair there to stand up instantly. Bradley is sure that Jake notices his reaction but he doesn't say anything. Instead, Jake pets the side of Bradley's neck with his fingers for a second and Bradley can't help but gasp at the soft touch. 

Jake drapes the tie around Bradley’s neck and he feels him coming even closer, pressing his chest against Bradley’s back. Probably on his tiptoes now, Jake loops his arms around him and grabs the tie again. 

“Can't believe my boyfriend can't tie a tie,” he chuckles under his breath and Bradley can feel his body vibrating behind him. 

“Lucky me, I have a boyfriend who can lend me a hand,” Bradley replies, his voice a whisper and trembling. 

“Yeah, Roo, lucky you,” Jake purrs and Bradley has to bite his bottom lip to keep him from sighing out loudly. This man is torturing him but Bradley couldn't care less. The feelings Jake is arousing inside him are just too good to object and if this is all he can get from him then he takes it without thinking twice. 

Then Jake actually starts working on Bradley's tie. Bradley is pretty sure that Jake could do it quicker but he takes his time. His chin resting on Bradley's shoulder, he moves his hands slowly but nevertheless it's over way too soon for Bradley's liking. 

Jake lifts his head from Bradley's shoulder. “Okay, turn back around,” Jake instructs, his lips brushing against Bradley's neck. It's almost a kiss and it baffles Bradley so much that a small sigh escapes his mouth. 

He thinks he feels Jake's breath hitching just a tiny bit but neither of them comments on that. Instead he turns back around, opening his eyes again. 

“Hi,” Jake whispers, beaming at him and Bradley smiles back at him silently. 

Jake's hands go back to Bradley's tie, pulling it up so it sits perfectly. He strokes across the tie, across Bradley's chest with the palm of his hand once he's finished. 

“There you go,” Jake smiles, his hand still on Bradley's chest. 

“Thank you,” Bradley breathes and places his hand on top of Jake's hand on his chest, lacing their fingers together. His heart is beating heavily and with his hand there, Bradley is sure that Jake can feel it, too, but somehow it's okay. It's okay that Jake knows how he makes Bradley feel. 

“Better than a YouTube tutorial?” Jake smirks.

“Way better,” Bradley agrees. For a split second he actually considers closing the distance between them with a kiss but he doesn't. Instead he says, “Unfortunately, I can't return the favor and help you dress up.” 

Jake lets go of their joined hand and his smile changes from soft to lewd while he works on buttoning up his shirt. “Oh, but you could help me undress tonight instead.” 

Bradley gulps and he feels his ears turn pink. If Jake knew how much he would like to do that… or maybe he knows it. Bradley's reactions to Jake during the last minutes were probably quite telling and Jake isn't stupid. 

“Jake,” he shakes his head, chuckling, and hopes to cover his true feelings sufficiently. 

“I take that as a yes, Roo,” Jake smirks and for lack of a witty reply, Bradley lets that stand as is and resumes putting on the rest of his attire. Jake doesn't comment on it any further, either. 

– 

The wedding ceremony is beautiful as far as Bradley can assess that considering the fact that Jake is sitting next to him, excruciatingly gorgeous, their hands intertwined and resting on Bradley's thigh. Now and then either Bradley or Jake move their thumbs, caressing the other, and then it's pretty much all Bradley can focus on. At this moment, it doesn't even matter if Jake means it or not. All that counts right now is that he's getting this kind of affection from Jake and he takes what he can get. 

– 

Hours later, they are seated at a round table together with Hannah and her family while Jake's parents are luckily seated with Sarah, Oliver and his parents. Jake's mother has been ignoring them all day long and that's actually the best that could have happened. Like this it's actually quite good company. Just like yesterday (before their rushed exit thanks to Jake's mother) they're having nice conversations with the other couple during dinner and it's endearing to see Jake kidding around with Emily. 

Shortly after, the newlyweds have their first dance, then they are joined by the parents. They all do their designated dances as the dance floor slowly fills up. Bradley and Jake are sitting next to each other, watching, while Jake's arm is draped on the back of Bradley's chair. 

“Do you mind if I have a dance with the bride, Roo?” Jake asks, getting Bradley's attention by caressing his back softly. That way it takes Bradley a moment to realize that Jake has actually asked a question that demands an answer. 

“Of course not, go ahead,” Bradley replies then, turning around to smile at him. 

Jake stands up and in doing so he lets his hand brush over Bradley's back softly until he reaches his neck where his hand stays for a moment, once again caressing the short strands of hair there. And if that wasn't already enough for Bradley's lovestruck heart, Jake leans down again and joins their lips together for a soft kiss. It's slightly longer than the kiss they shared yesterday, Bradley's belly swoops and there are no words to describe how much he wants this to be real, to share real, meaningful kisses with him, to be his real boyfriend. The kiss is over way too soon and with a smile Jake leaves him behind. Bradley swoons and watches him go and dance with Sarah. 

For the entirety of the approximately three minutes that the next song plays, Bradley's eyes are fixed on Jake. How he moves, how he laughs, talking to his sister. He doesn't care if anybody sees him watching because they all think that they're boyfriends anyway so he's allowed to watch. 

It's not even the first time he sees Jake dancing because one, being in the Navy comes with a couple of duties that involve formal dancing and two, they are regulars at the Hard Deck where there's dancing going on frequently as well. It's the first time, however, Bradley sees Jake dancing in a suit. Usually it's dress whites or casual wear, civilian formal attire is new. The way this suit engulfs Jake's body perfectly really does something to Bradley and he just can't keep his eyes off him. And he doesn't have to, he tells himself. 

After this song, the music switches to something more upbeat and Jake comes back, pulling him up by his hand. “C’mon let's dance!” Jake grins and drags him to the dance floor and how is Bradley supposed to say no to that? They both get rid of their suit jackets and then Bradley lets Jake lead him to the dance floor. 

Just like it wasn't the first time that Bradley saw Jake dancing, it isn't the first time either that they are dancing together. They've been friends now for a couple of months and they both like to have some fun at the Hard Deck and so it's really not surprising. 

They are dancing through the next couple of songs and Bradley feels good. They dance with each other like friends. He knows what to expect. This is easy.

But then a slow song comes up and they're facing each other awkwardly. They could totally pull off a slow dance together. They are here as a couple and Bradley would truly love to have a dance with Jake but that feels like too much of a stretch for their performance. Jake seems to think the same. 

They both leave the dance floor for their seats in silent agreement. When they reach their table,  Jake announces that he gets them something to drink and Bradley sits down. 

It goes like this for some time. Dancing to easy upbeat songs, getting something to drink when a slow song comes up. It's an obvious pattern and they both adhere to it, not questioning it once. 

“Next time a slow song comes up you should just stay there and ask him to dance with you,” Emily leans over the table towards Bradley while Jake is getting them new drinks once again. 

Bradley raises his eyebrows at her and Emily goes on, “C’mon. I can see that you want to dance with him.” 

“That's what I've been doing for the last hour or so,” Bradley replies evasively although he knows that she wasn't talking about that kind of dancing. 

“Yeah, but your pattern is pretty obvious and I just know you both aren't pretending nearly as much as you like to make yourselves believe,” Emily drops in a whisper. 

“You've been watching us,” Bradley states. 

“It's the only entertainment a teenager can get here,” Emily shrugs, obviously not feeling guilty at all. 

“Fair enough,” Bradley replies, even chuckling slightly. 

“There's literally nothing to lose,” Emily continues, ignoring Bradley's interjection. “If it doesn't work you can still pretend it's just to keep this charade up - although I don't think my intuition is betraying me like this.” 

Bradley just shakes his head but Emily has a point there. They've been playing this game for two days now. Why shouldn't he try to push boundaries a bit? 

Jake comes back and hands Bradley his new drink. Their hands are touching for a second and Bradley catches Emily's knowing smile in the corner of his eye. 

“Thanks, Jake,” Bradley says and immediately takes a gulp, trying to swallow down his sudden nervousness. 

“You okay, Roo?” Jake asks, probably commenting on his drinking behavior. 

“Sure,” Bradley lies and Jake sits down - so very close - next to him. Jake puts his arm back on the chair behind him and Bradley is almost painfully aware of it. 

They sit there for a couple of minutes chatting and Bradley is glad that Emily comes up with one random topic after another because he finds it increasingly difficult to concentrate with Jake next to him and a plan on his mind that could very possibly lead to Nat telling him reproachfully ‘I told you so!’

They actually talk through the next round of songs and then there's something slow coming up. Emily catches his eye and she nudges Bradley's foot with her own and Bradley knows exactly what he wants to tell him. And she's right. 

His heart is pounding heavily and his belly churns but he stands up, rather abruptly, looks down at Jake and holds out his hand. 

“Our dance break was long enough, don't you think?” Bradley asks, focusing his eyes on a spot behind Jake rather than looking him in the eyes. 

“Bradley, this… I don't know…,” Jake stumbles over his words. 

The fact that Jake seems flustered somehow makes Bradley more confident, however. He actually manages to look at Jake and goes on, “C’mon, do you really want to deny your boyfriend a slow dance with him?” He smirks. 

“No…,” Jake replies slowly and he takes Bradley's hand while standing up. 

They walk towards the dance floor hand in hand. Bradley takes a quick look over his shoulder and sees Emily smirking at him, giving him a thumbs up and then his full focus is on Jake. 

Bradley puts his right hand on the small of Jake's back and links his left hand with Jake's right, smiling at him while his beating heart seems to break his ribs. 

Jake places his hand on Bradley's back, too, and then they start dancing, slowly, more like swaying but it's perfect. He's nervous, so damn nervous, but being so close to Jake, hands on each other's backs or linked together… This is exactly what he wants. 

“What are we doing here?” Jake asks quietly without looking at Bradley's face. 

“I’d say it's called dancing,” Bradley replies, chuckling, trying to ease his nervousness away. 

“Roo, you know what I mean,” Jake scolds him, his voice is soft but serious. 

“Do I?” Bradley smirks. 

Jake looks at him now. He's rolling his eyes at him, but at least he's looking at him now.

“I wanted to have a proper dance with my boyfriend,” Bradley continues, locking his eyes with Jake’s. 

“But we aren't…” Jake starts to object but Bradley interrupts him. 

“Yesterday, you didn't want me to say it. Why do you want to say it now?” Bradley asks softly, now serious. 

“Because… Bradley, I don't know what's real anymore,” Jake admits slowly, his voice almost desperate, then he puts on a lighter tone and adds, “And I can barely stop myself from kissing my boyfriend right now.” 

“Would you like to do that, too, if we were alone and nobody was watching us?” Bradley asks slowly, choosing his words deliberately, while his heart is hammering in his chest. 

“Yes,” Jake replies with a shy smile, his voice strong and steady and without any hint of hesitation in it. 

Bradley is breathing deeply, trying to control himself. His chest is heaving and his belly swoops. A smile creeps into his face and grows broader and broader, the realization of what Jake has just confirmed sinking in on him slowly. 

They don't kiss but rest their foreheads against each other and Bradley closes his eyes. They're swaying to the music for a moment. Bradley feels Jake caressing his back and does the same. When he opens his eyes again, he looks right into Jake's, all soft and smiling. 

“What do you think about catching some fresh air outside after this song?” Jake mumbles. 

“Yes,” Bradley nods enthusiastically. “Yes, that's a good idea. A very good idea.” 

Jake beams at him and chuckles. His dimples are showing and his smile goes up all the way to his beautiful, beautiful eyes. Yes, Bradley very much wants to catch some fresh air outside. 

For the rest of the song, they are dancing silently while the air feels full of promises and excitement. When the music switches to something faster again, Jake leads them outside, not letting go of Bradley's hand for a single second. 

He drags them around the barn, to the backside of it. They can hear the bass booming from inside the barn and crickets chirping around them. There's a light breeze making the nearby trees rustle softly and a bit of light coming from a lamp on the street in front of the barn. 

“So…,” Jake begins, coming to a stand and swaying back and forth on his feet. 

“There… there's something we wanted to do, isn't it?” Bradley smirks sheepishly, his heart pumping wildly. Then he unmistakably lets his eyes flicker down to Jake's lips. 

“You really want that, too? No play pretend anymore?” Jake asks in a trembling whisper and Bradley isn't sure if he’s ever seen Jake so insecure and nervous. 

Bradley untangles their linked hands and places both of his own hands on either side of Jake's waist instead. “Yes, Jake, I really, really want that,” he says softly, locking eyes with him. It feels like he's drowning in them. 

Then he sees Jake's eyes flicker down to his lips. Heart beating heavily and belly fluttering more than ever, Bradley leans in closer and then it's Jake who surmounts the last remaining inches between them, bringing their lips together. Not for the first time but for real.

Bradley's eyes flutter shut as he kisses him back. He feels Jake's hands on his waist and on the back of his head, raking through his hair. He sighs into the kiss and nudges his tongue softly against Jake's lips. 

He grants him access without any hesitation and when their tongues meet for the first time, it's like someone has set free a firework inside Bradley’s entire body. It's perfect, Jake is perfect, the kiss is perfect and Bradley wouldn't object not doing anything else in his life ever again but kissing Jake. 

But the human body needs air to breathe and so they part again, panting heavily and beaming. They rest their foreheads against each other, catching their breaths and rubbing their noses softly against each other. 

Then their lips find each other again for another kiss and another and another. Bradley doesn't want to stop. This is what he has wanted to do for literal years. It might have been hidden somewhere deep inside him but it has always been there and now he can finally kiss Jake. He can't believe his luck. 

After what feels like an eternity and a split second all at once, they break away from each other again. 

“As much as I enjoy kissing you, I think we should maybe go back inside, Roo,” Jake whispers against his lips and pecks them once again. 

“Hm, really?” Bradley asks, kissing Jake lazily again. 

“Yes,” Jake chuckles but joins their lips together for a second. “There’ll be cake soon.” 

“You prefer cake over this?” Bradley replies, kissing him again to make his point.

“Hm, no,” Jake admits, his lips already back against Bradley’s. “But I'd like to have a dance with my boyfriend.” 

“I don't object to that but haven’t we just done that?” Bradley asks. 

“With my real boyfriend,” Jake clarifies, smiling at Jake. 

“Oh, am I that now?” Bradley asks jokingly. 

Jake hesitates, his cheeks are blushing. “Well, I thought… you… me… kissing… we…,” he stumbles over his words. 

“Jake, yes,“ Bradley interrupts him, now serious again, and Jake looks at him with big eyes. “I very much would like to be your boyfriend - your real boyfriend.” 

Jake doesn't reply with words but joins their lips together, kissing him deeply. Bradley still can't believe that this is real now and feels like he's drowning in Jake. His touch, his feel, his scent, the sounds he makes kissing him - he’s pretty sure he'll never get enough of that. 

But Jake breaks away. “Dance?” He asks with a sheepish grin, his lips pink and slightly swollen from kissing. Bradley can't help but admire his beauty for a moment. 

“Yeah,” he breathes then but not before kissing him quickly once again. 

– 

For the rest of the night, Jake and Bradley don't part again for a single second. They are clinging onto each other. Holding hands, arms wrapped around each other's waists, slow cuddly dancing with Jake's head against Bradley's shoulder or touching foreheads, kissing. They just can't let their hands off each other and neither of them sees a reason for that, either. 

Emily catches Bradley's view more than once with a knowing smile but apart from that he doesn't care about the other people around at all. All that matters is Jake. Jake being close to him, dancing with him, kissing him. It's like he found a missing piece to a puzzle, only that he didn't even know it had been missing.  

They continue like this until the party is over and even then they can't leave their hands off each other on the thirty minute walk back to Jake's parents' house. Well, it would be a thirty minute walk but it takes them almost an hour because they stop again and again just to kiss each other. 

When they finally make it back to Jake's parents' house and the guest room they are staying in, Bradley does live up to his earlier promise to help Jake undress. But it's really just that. Undressing and literally falling into bed in each other's arms. Because it's almost 5 AM. Because it's been a long and eventful day. And because there's absolutely no need to rush anything. 

It takes them a minute to find out how they want to lie down to sleep but then Jake simply pulls Bradley into his arms and Bradley snuggles up to his bare chest. 

“Good night, Roo,” Jake whispers, softly raking his hand through Bradley's hair. 

Bradley looks up at him. “Good night, Jake,” he replies before kissing Jake, soft and sweet. 

Then he nuzzles his head back into Jake's chest and Jake rests his hand on the small of Bradley's back. 

Bradley places a gentle kiss on Jake's chest and wraps his arm around his waist. Then with a smile on his face, soothed by the calm beating of Jake's heart and with a kaleidoscope of butterflies in his belly, Bradley falls asleep within seconds. 

–

The night is short and it would be a blatant lie to say that Bradley is well-rested when he wakes up but he's happy, so very happy. 

They have moved while sleeping and now, just like the morning before, Jake is spooning him from behind with his arms wrapped around him. 

Bradley places his arm on top of Jake's and cuddles back into Jake's chest, hoping they still have some time left before they have to get up. 

Unlike the day before, however, Jake is already awake, too, and breathes a soft kiss to Bradley's neck. A warm shiver goes down Bradley's spine and he sighs happily. 

Jake kisses him again and then, voice still sleepy, he mumbles, “Good morning, love.” 

Bradley turns around to face him, Jake's words ringing in his ears. It's just a pet name but it's a very specific, very meaningful pet name. At the same time, it makes Bradley’s heart flutter in the best way. 

“Good morning, love,” he whispers back, beaming at his boyfriend. 

Jake cups Bradley's cheek, stroking along his old scars on his jawline and kisses him softly. Then he rests his forehead against Bradley's and closes his eyes before mumbling, “You know, everything I did and everything I said during the last days… I meant all of that.” 

“All of it? From the very beginning?” Bradley asks, making sure he understands Jake correctly. 

“Yes, it meant something to me. From the very beginning,” Jake confirms, eyes still closed. 

Bradley takes a moment to think that through, trying to remember everything Jake has done and said this weekend. Jake had dropped those very meaningful three words right in front of his mother two days ago… and he says he meant everything… so he means that, too. Well. That weighs kind of heavy but Bradley isn't scared or afraid or anything. It's actually weird how calm he is. 

“You aren't mad at me, are you?” Jake asks in a quiet whisper, his voice trembling. 

“What? No. Why would I?” Bradley frowns at him, wondering if he’s missed something while his thoughts were elsewhere. 

“Well, because you could say I tricked you into all of this,” Jake explains, not looking at Bradley. 

“And did you?” Bradley asks. Not even for a single second he has thought about Jake's behavior in that way but he's curious. 

“No, I guess my heart knew more than my brain asking you out at the Hard Deck,” Jake admits and Bradley's heart melts at these sincere words coming from Jake. 

“Hm, no, then I'm not mad at you,” Bradley replies. He smiles at Jake and pulls him in for a kiss, deep and long and loving. How could he possibly be mad at Jake? He's so in love that there isn't room for any other feelings right now. 

– 

“Mom, Dad, we're leaving for the airport now,” Jake announced a couple of hours later. 

He and Bradley are standing in the middle of his parents' living room, holding hands. Jake's parents, sitting on the sofa and facing away from them, turn around to look at them. 

Jake's dad is the first to stand up and walk over to them. Then he looks back at his wife, “Claire?” 

She stands up, too, reluctantly, but she stands up and comes over. 

Jake squeezes Bradley's hand and Bradley strokes his knuckles. It feels different to be confronted with her now that she's not only Jake’s mother anymore but his boyfriend's mother. 

“Have a good flight,” she says, a grave look on her face. She doesn't seem to address any of them in particular but then she holds out her hand to Bradley. 

It takes him a second to understand that she is actually talking to him personally but then he takes her hand and, shaking it quickly, he replies, “Thanks.”  

Meanwhile Michael has been talking to his son, apparently saying his goodbyes, too, so that he's now turning towards Bradley. 

“We’ll get used to it,” he says, shaking Bradley's hand, too. He doesn't know if ‘it’ means Jake being gay, him having a boyfriend or Bradley in particular. But if they keep their word, it's okay and so Bradley gives him a small smile, saying goodbye to him. 

When they turn around to leave, Bradley feels Jake's hand on the small of his back, caressing him softly. 

“It's a start,” Jake whispers as soon as the front door closes behind them, commenting on his parents… or their relationship? Bradley isn't sure but it doesn't matter because it's true either way. 

Bradley pulls Jake into his arms and kisses him deeply, just because he can do that now. 

“Yes, it is,” he agrees with a smile on his face and then they head off to the airport.