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In the Blink of an Eye
They had been playing pool at The Hard Deck for the better part of three hours. Bradley had stopped keeping score a long time ago but judging by the way Fanboy and Payback celebrated every time they managed to get a ball in against the superior team of Phoenix and Coyote, he was the only one who was content with just watching. He had settled with the role of spectator a while ago, a beer in hand as he watched his friends. Hangman had also decided to take a break and – in his words – give the others a chance to win for once.
The two men had grown closer since the seemingly impossible mission a few weeks ago, but they were hardly ever really alone, there was always at least one of their friends keeping them company. So, for what was probably the first time, Bradley allowed himself to take a deep breath and just relax in the presence of the blond Omega. For so long he had let himself be fooled by Jake’s mask of arrogance and obnoxious smirks but after what they had all been through, there was a deep closeness – a sense of familiarity – between them that had made it impossible for Bradley not to see. To see that once you got behind all those walls, Jake was actually a pretty decent guy. With a good sense of humor, now that his jokes weren’t at the expense of Bradley.
Bradley was not sure how it had happened but somehow, they had become almost friends. Of course he didn’t think Jake would ever let him get as close as Coyote – both of them seem to be attached at the hip all the time. And that thought didn’t sit well with Bradley for some reason, to know that he would never have that kind of trust. Maybe it was because Coyote was a Beta and not as on-the-nose dominant as most Alphas tended to be but Jake always seemed to be most relaxed around Javy. Bradley’s closest friend here was Natasha but they were both Alphas and their relationship was based on mutual respect that had turned into fondness over the years. The friendship between Jake and Javy seemed to be very different though. Bradley hadn’t missed the Beta’s disapproving glances sent his way whenever he had gone toe to toe with Jake, even though these occasions had lessened considerably since the mission. Javy seemed to be very protective of Jake and Bradley would be irked if he didn’t know for certain that it was merely platonic.
And that realization was maddening in itself because when exactly had Bradley started feeling possessive of Hangman of all people? He had no right to feel much of anything, they had only become friends recently but he couldn’t help it, especially not now when he was leaning against the wall with Jake right beside him, both of them content to watch their friends having fun.
Bradley had always been aware that Jake Seresin was a very attractive man. Contrary to what Natasha liked to tell him, he wasn’t completely blind. Jake’s smile was brighter than the sun, his blond hair looked so soft that Bradley always had to keep himself from reaching out to feel it between his fingers. And all that golden skin was just begging be touched. Bradley had always been careful not let his eyes linger but that day on the beach, he had been helpless to do anything but stare at the glory that was Hangman half naked, glistening with sweat and radiant with joy, and goddamn Maverick for making him live through this hell!
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Jake’s amused voice brought him back from his musings and he looked over to find the younger man studying him carefully. The small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth was genuine and Bradley found it hard to give an inconspicuous reply. “Just taking a moment to appreciate all this.” He waved his hand to indicate the room and their friends.
Jake finally looked away with a content hum. “Yeah, I get that what you mean. To think that all of us made it through and came back home despite what Cyclone said.”
Bradley’s thoughts drifted back to his seemingly last moments with Maverick in the F-14. Hearing the missile lock on them as they ascended higher and higher into the skies. “I almost didn’t. Maverick as well.” His voice was quiet, just meant for the man next to him. The man that had gone against orders to save them. “We would both be dead if it wasn’t for you. I don’t think I ever really thanked you for that.”
Jake looked back towards him, the smile slowly fading away. “I didn’t do it for the glory, you know. It’s the reason I wanted to be chosen for this mission, sure, but when you got shot down, all I could think about was that I couldn’t lose you.”
Bradley’s eyes widened in astonishment. “But we weren’t friends, you didn’t even like me.”
Jake took a sip from his beer. “But I respected you. As a pilot and as my rival.” For a moment he was quiet and Bradley wanted to ask further, wanted him to explain because he couldn’t really make sense of it. Then Jake continued quieter and almost resigned. “I don’t do friends, family or any kind of relationship, not really. My father kicked me out of our home when I was nineteen and in all these years Javy is the only real friend I have ever had. No long-term relationship either because I don’t want to give people the power to hurt me.” He swallowed. “Letting Javy in was a risk. Letting you in might be my downfall.”
Bradley went still at those words. “I didn’t realize that you ever let me in, Hangman. Not as a friend and certainly not as anything else.”
He was afraid that his words would cause Jake to retreat behind his mask of arrogance once more. He was not sure how to handle a Hangman that wasn’t teasing him every time he opened his mouth.
But Jake only smiled at him. “Do you seriously think I consider every reasonably skilled pilot my rival? You and Coyote are the only people I know that have earned the pronoun ‘my’ in Jake Seresin’s head.”
The sincerity of his words knocked the protest right out of Bradley’s mouth. He had gotten a vague idea of how vigorously Hangman cut himself off from any attachments and to hear that he of all people had somehow slipped past those defenses was something he didn’t know how to deal with. He couldn’t stop himself from inquiring further. “But do you still consider me a rival, Jake?” I don’t, he didn’t say.
Jake pushed himself off the wall, giving no warning as he invaded Bradley’s personal space. The Alpha sucked in a breath at the sudden closeness and it proved to be a mistake as he was immediately hit with a waft of that sweet, tempting Omega scent. Something must have shown on his face because Jake smiled knowingly. “You tell me, Rooster.”
Then he stepped back, releasing Bradley from the spell. He turned away to step back towards their group of friends but suddenly he went very still.
Bradley frowned and followed his line of sight to where Bob and Fanboy were standing by the pool table, both of them tense and clearly uncomfortable. There was a huge man hovering far too close to them – an Alpha, Bradley’s brain supplied without even having to scent the air – and leering unashamed at Bob, the only other Omega of their group. Usually Phoenix’s presence deterred other Alphas but she must have stepped away to get new drinks because she was nowhere in sight.
Fanboy seemed to try standing up for Bob but as a Beta, he didn’t stand much of a chance. “Hey man, just leave us be. No one here is interested.”
The Alpha ignored him. “Ah, come on Omega, don’t be shy. I’m sure I can show you a good time.” He got even closer, barely an inch between his chest and Bob’s shoulder now and the pilot actually ducked his head, submissive Omega instincts taking over in a vain attempt to shake the other man’s attention. Bradley was about to move even though he was nowhere near close enough but suddenly another figure had inserted themselves between Bob and the Alpha, pushing the latter back with a slight shove to his chest.
“I really don’t think you’re getting the memo, pal.” Jake’s voice contained a trace of mocking amusement but Bradley could hear the cold warning underneath.
The Alpha stared at the blond incredulously, his anger at being interrupted clear to see on his face and Bradley tensed in anticipation of a fight. Instead, the Alpha’s expression morphed from anger to intrigue and then clear want a moment later. Judging by the way his nostrils flared, he must have picked up on Jake’s scent. “I’ve got to admit, Omega, you have balls addressing me like that. Did no one ever teach you how to behave with Alphas?”
Jake snorted, pulling Bob further behind himself. “Or rather no one taught you how to behave with Omegas.”
Jake turned away, clearly done with the conversation as he ushered Bob further towards Fanboy’s direction, Payback just coming up behind his WSO with a scowl.
With his back turned, Jake didn’t see the Alpha coming at him from behind and Bradley’s shout came too late as the Alpha pushed Jake forward, wrenching the blond’s arm harshly behind his back before he bent him over the table. “You don’t talk like that to me, whore!”
Bradley’s loud growl made the people surrounding him flinch and he surged forward. There were still too many people blocking his way and the few seconds it took for him to get over there, he was forced to watch as Jake tried to buck the Alpha off yet the other man was simply too big and bulky to be moved easily. He seemed to enjoy Jake’s struggle, judging by the way he ground his hips into the Omega’s backside.
Bradley’s growl was so deep, he could feel it vibrating through his entire body. “Get. Off. Him.” He couldn’t recognize his own voice but right now he couldn’t care less.
The Alpha finally looked up with a nasty grin. “What’s your deal? Is he yours?”
He didn’t wait for a reply but leaned forward to nose along Jake’s throat. Bradley’s blood was drumming so hard in his ears that he could barely understand the guy’s next words. “Ah, but neither does he have a mating bite nor does he smell like you. Just that mouth-watering, unmarked scent of whore. Don’t worry, I am willing to share.”
The last thread of Bradley’s restraint snapped like a twig and he surged forward with a vicious snarl. The Alpha was so shocked by the sudden attack that he didn’t bring up his arm in time and was knocked back flat on his ass. Bradley’s left hand wound around the man’s throat like a vice and he landed a hard punch with his right fist. “I’m gonna kill you, you asshole!”
There were hands tearing at him, trying to get him off but Bradley was too far gone, every instinct in him screaming to end the other Alpha. He landed another punch, feeling a bone cracking in the guy’s jaw, followed by a howl of pain. “You don’t get to talk to him like that!” More arms pulling at him, almost succeeding to pull him away from the other Alpha. With no chance of getting another hit in, Bradley let out growl that was actually close to a rumbling hiss. “You don’t get to touch what’s mine.”
“Bradley, calm down!” A female voice came from the side and he recognized Phoenix trying to restrain him from one side, Payback at the other. It was no use against a feral Alpha. But then another scent entered his nose, so familiar and sweet and suddenly there he was, his Omega. Coming in from the side, far closer than anyone else dared to go right now, his hands cupping Bradley’s face. “Roo, you need to calm down.” His fingers moved far too gently to Bradley’s neck, steadying him as he started to come back to his senses. Green eyes that were far too attentive, speaking to Bradley’s Alpha rather than the logical part of his brain. “I’m fine, Roo, I’m alright.”
Bradley tried to speak but then he noticed the creases in Jake’s uniform from where the guy had pressed himself against the Omega and Bradley’s words turned into a possessive growl instead.
Jake’s grip on his face tightened and he pressed even close, until their bodies were aligned, the feel of them pressed up against each other soothing some primal part of Bradley’s brain. “It’s alright, Alpha, I’m here with you.” Bradley ducked his head into the column of the Omega’s throat and instantly the hands on his arms and shoulders were back to pulling at him , trying to get him away. He let out an annoyed snarl but Jake was already speaking to the group. “It’s fine, let him go.”
Coyote gave him a dubious look. “If he forces himself on you…”
“He won’t,” Jake interrupted him quietly. “I know he won’t. He just needs comfort.”
Coyote hesitated but then he pressed his lips together and reached out to squeeze Jake’s shoulder in silent support. Bradley couldn’t help a disapproving growl at someone else touching his Omega.
As the others finally backed off and Bradley let Jake pull him out the back door, his outrageous behavior finally began to sink in. Getting angry on behalf of an Omega was one thing because that douchebag of an Alpha had clearly tried to assault Jake, so he could never in a million years regret standing up for him. But losing his marbles and then getting possessive about Jake in front of their friends was something entirely else.
A moment later Jake finally came to a halt at the beach, the sound of the ocean filling the background. “So.” His voice hovered a fine line between amused and incredulous. “Want to explain to me what just happened, Bradshaw?”
Bradley winced and his gaze dropped to Jake’s chest, unable to meet the blond’s inquiring eyes. “I’m sorry, Jake, I know it was out of line and…”
He broke off when Jake held up his hand. “Scratch that, I think it’s better if I do the talking right now.” He waited until Bradley dared to meet his eyes. “Thank you for coming to my rescue, so to speak. I appreciate it even if it was kind of unnecessary, seeing as I deliberately picked that fight right where half the bar could see.”
Bradley felt stupid. Of course the other people – Penny, one of their friends or even just any other decent person – would have alerted the authorities. Someone would have stopped that asshole without Bradley having to resort to caveman behavior. “I’m sorry.”
Jake’s lips twitched into a fond smile. “It’s fine. You just gave all of us a heart attack when you went berserk.” He sat down in the sand, leaning back on his elbows in a way that drew Bradley’s eyes to the bulging muscles of his upper arms. “I have to admit, Roo, I had no idea you felt that way.”
The nickname brought a blush to Bradley’s face. With his Alpha being feral, it had completely slipped his mind earlier. He had no idea what to say to his defense but fortunately Jake didn’t seem to require a reply. Instead he sat back up again and began to take off his shirt.
Bradley’s mind screeched to a halt. “What are you doing?”
Jake proceeded to take off his undershirt and then began to take off his pants. “As I told the others when we were inside, your Alpha needs comfort. It’s easier with skin-to-skin contact.”
Bradley stared at the expanse of skin, the lighting from the bar too distant to paint any details but with all layers of fabric gone Jake’s scent was so intense now that Bradley shivered. He swallowed around the lump in his throat. “You don’t have to do that.” The I’m fine didn’t make it past his lips because they both knew it was blatant lie.
“No, I don’t,” Jake agreed, his smile turning a fraction gentler. “But I want to. You did stand up for my honor after all and even though you went a bit overboard there, I won’t deny that I enjoyed that.”
And this admission made it easier for Bradley to give in. To know that he wasn’t completely alone with his raging feelings. Carefully he began to strip, aware of those watchful eyes on him even though Jake probably couldn’t see much of him in the dark either.
When he was naked as well, their clothes lying discarded in the sand, he hesitated, all his bravery gone. After a moment Jake made the decision for him, reaching up to grip Bradley by the wrists and pulling him forward until Bradley almost fell on top of him, his larger frame blanketing the Omega.
The touch of their skin sliding together, sent sparks of desire up and down Bradley’s spine and he let out an embarrassing whimper.
Jake just wrapped his arms around him. “Shhh, Roo, it’s fine. I’m not going anywhere.”
Without conscious thought Bradley turned his face into the exposed side of the Omega’s throat, his nose ghosting over the unmarked scent there, inhaling Jake’s scent like a drug. It seemed to comfort his Alpha but at the same time it sent heat down to his groin and he could feel himself getting hard against Jake’s thigh. With Herculean effort he managed to pull back and look at the man underneath him. “I’m not like him.” The image of that Alpha grinding into Jake from behind clawed itself up from the corners of his mind, the helplessness in Jake’s eyes as he failed to free himself. The thought of being anything like that made Bradley sick with disgust.
Jake shook his head. “You’re nothing like that asshole, Roo. I wouldn’t be here with anyone but you.”
Bradley stared at him, too stunned to speak. Even in the silver moonlight Jake was so beautiful beneath him. Broad shoulders, tanned skin, soft hair and worst of it all, those piercing green eyes that had so often looked at him with taunting amusement, now open with trust and affection. Jake’s entire posture was vulnerable, the way he was lying pliantly under the Alpha with his legs spread to accommodate him.
“Jake, please. If you’re just trying to give me what I want… I can’t.”
The Omega chuckled. “You’re thinking too highly of me. I would never do anything I don’t want, I’m too selfish for that.”
He had clearly aimed for humor but Bradley had no problem stripping away those layers and seeing the genuine want underneath. Still, he hesitated, unable to believe that Jake Seresin, who didn’t believe in attachments, was willing to let him in. “I don’t want you for just one night, Jake. You know that, right?”
The blond raised an eyebrow. “You think I spread my legs for any Alpha that comes my way?”
Bradley growled, the mere thought of anybody else touching Jake this way, tearing at his fragile self-control. His hand was on the Omega’s throat, a gentle but firm pressure, his thumb rubbing over the space where a mating bite would be. “You have to be sure, baby.”
Jake shivered the endearment, then he grinned, a familiar challenge in his eyes. “Come on, Roo, just take the shot.”
Bradley’s growl was possessive this time as he surged down, his jaws closing around the slender neck, feeling the Omega’s pulse beating rapidly against his lips. When he bit down, Jake’s groan was numbed by the blinding pleasure taking over Bradley’s senses. He was barely aware of the way he moved, rutting against Jake with uncontrolled thrusts while their bond snapped into place. Far too soon Jake pushed him back and Bradley whined instinctively before he realized the reason.
Jake’s pupils were blown wide with lust and the scent of his arousal – of Omega slick – was thick in the air. “I need you inside of me, Roo, please.”
Under different circumstances Bradley would have liked to take his time, but his Alpha was frantic with the need to claim their Omega and so he complied without protest, his hands gripping Jake’s strong thighs and pushing them down into the ground, exposing Jake’s body in its entire glory. Jake’s skin was glistening with sweat, his cock hard and aching while his hole clenched around nothing but air, leaking slick.
“You’re mine!” Bradley whispered reverently before he leaned down to kiss the Omega. It struck him that he had done this whole mating thing the wrong way – he was pretty sure you kissed first, then had sex and after months of seeing whether you worked as a couple, you mated for life. But when had Jake and Bradley ever behaved normal with each other?
He surrendered control of the kiss, letting Jake lick into him and set the pace while he aligned himself and with one powerful thrust, he pushed inside. Jake’s whine was swallowed by Bradley’s mouth, both of them needing a moment to adjust. Jake was impossibly tight for an Omega and Bradley couldn’t help wondering how many Alphas Jake had had. “God, how can you be so tight?”
He didn’t expect an answer but Jake surprised him even more with blatant honesty. “I don’t really let Alphas fuck me, just during my heats. Other times I prefer to do the fucking.”
Bradley shouldn’t find this hot. He was an Alpha, he wasn’t really built for taking a cock like an Omega was, but the thought of having Jake inside of him, made him preen with possessiveness. “We should try that some time.”
Jake actually moaned at his words and suddenly Bradley found himself pushed onto his back, helpless to do anything but grab the younger man’s hips as Jake rode him without mercy, pushing himself up and slamming back down on his hard cock, his own length bouncing from the force. When Bradley could feel the telltale tingle of his orgasm approaching, he wrapped one hand around Jake’s cock and stroked him in time with his thrusts, sending Jake over the edge only moments before he spilled inside the Omega as well, his knot locking them together.
When Bradley came back to himself, Jake was still sitting on top of him, his chest and abdomen covered in his own seed. His eyes were dropping with fatigue and Bradley allowed himself a moment to savior the image before he reached up with both hands, cradling the Omega closer as he shifted their bodies until they lay side by side.
Jake whimpered when the movement jostled Bradley’s knot slightly but there was no pain on his face, just relief and happiness. Suddenly Jake chuckled. “Javy will flip his shit when he sees that bite.”
Bothered by the mention of Jake’s closest friend, Bradley couldn’t keep the jealousy out of his tone. “Why?”
Jake gave him an amused grin. “Don’t get jealous, Roo, it’s not like that. He’s just very protective of me and doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
Bradley stilled. “I would never hurt you. You know that, right? I’m serious about this mating bond.”
Jake’s grin softened back into that soft smile Bradley was quickly getting addicted to. “I am serious about this too. I want us to work.”
At those words, warmth settled in Bradley’s chest and he leaned forward to kiss Jake more softly this time. “You’re mine, Jake. And I’m yours.”
As they explored each other’s mouth more softly and with far more patience than during their heated coupling a few minutes earlier, neither of them noticed the sound of footsteps coming up towards them.
“You gotta be shitting me,” Phoenix’s voice cut through their peaceful silence. “You mated him, Bradshaw? Seriously?!”
They booth looked up to find their entire group of friends standing a few feet back, most of them looking pleased and shocked at the same time. Phoenix seemed mostly annoyed but it was Coyote’s expression that stood out. Like Jake had predicted, Coyote was seething, his eyes promising bloody murder.
Jake gave Bradley’s shoulder a quick kiss before he got off the Alpha’s softening cock. His voice was an amused whisper. “Good luck, Bradshaw.”