Auther: honey-dew-woo

Working at the hard deck came with its perks. Penny giving me free beer, seeing my fiancé and his friends, and the beach side. Unfortunately the downsides of working at the hard deck would be the occasional hot shot Top Gun cadets when they first come to town. The males all thought that they could disrespect women, either by hitting on them or just straight being assholes. Luckily most moved on from this phase, after buying a few hundreds worth of beer from a bell ring, but not all. 

Unfortunately, today was one of those days. “C'mon sweetheart, don’t be that way. I’m sure you’d love me even more out of this uniform.” The hot shot lieutenant spoke before me. I tensed, closing my eyes and taking a breath as I could hear Penny behind me moving about the bar. I slammed the beer glass in my hand down before the cocky male.

I stared the man-child straight in the eyes, placing my arms on the bar to steady myself for support. “Look, Lieutenant. I’m going to be perfectly clear here. You have two options, you can either close out your tab and promptly leave, or you can give me your card and I can go ring that bell and you buy everyone here a drink to make up for your shitty attitude.” I spoke, not breaking eye contact.

A small flash of blond and green flickered out of the corner of my eyes as I noticed none other than Captain Jake Seresin slide onto the barstool next to him, facing the lieutenant with a grin on his face. “Lieutenant Morwood.” He greeted, a cocky but warning smile on his face as he glanced at me, meeting my eyes and giving a curt nod before turning his eyes back to hot shot before him. “Don’t tell me you’re giving lovely Y/N here a hard time.” He mused, eyebrows raised as he turned to look at me.

I smiled at Hangman, as my old friend gave me a wink in return. I had known Jake since he and Bradley had their first Top Gun class. The two were now the newest instructors at Top Gun after completing their practical death mission, nearly giving me a heart attack. But that was months ago. “Captain Bradshaw!” Jake called out, before the newest Lieutenant had the chance to respond. 

Rooster had just walked into the bar, before smiling and waving at Hangman. His aviators still on his face, his dorky Hawaiian button up laying nicely upon the white shirt that perfectly complemented his tan skin. “Captain Seresin.” He nodded towards the blond, before taking in the situation before him.

The brunet had quickly rounded the bar, crossing his arms as he stood on the opposite side of the poor lieutenant. I would have felt bad for the kid, but given his relentless actions despite being told a very positive ‘no.’ multiple times- I don’t. I moved my eyes from the aforementioned 'hot-shot’, who could only stare at the floor. Offering a soft smile to my future husband, who couldn’t help but smile back warmly before returning to his student, who hadn’t noticed the interaction. “Is there a problem here, Morwood?” he spoke, his voice a tone of seriousness, as if warning the cadet to not overstep.

“No. Sir.” He spoke, eyes still facing the ground as he pulled his credit card out of his wallet.

“Good.” Hangman rang out, his smile remaining strong as he offered me a firm nod before patting the lieutenant on the back before walking away. Bradley hesitated, his angry gaze lingering on the back of the young lieutenant’s head. It was at this time that I took to grab an all too familiar beer bottle and hand it to Bradley.

He had at least two packs of these at home, yet somehow always ordered it whenever he graced the Hard Deck. “Thank you, Y/N.” He smiled at me, his harsh attitude from seconds before forgotten, as he took the cold beer from my hands. I could only wink at him, staring at the man lovingly as he walked to where Hangman resided near the darts.

I moved my barkeep’s towel from my hand, slinging it over my shoulder as I slid Lieutenant Morwood’s credit card back towards him. He looked up at me, confused. “It’s your first offense kid. I’ll show your bank account mercy. But don’t let me catch you talking to any women including myself that way, ever again. Got it?” I spoke as the boy could only nod, before making his way out of the bar.

“God the nerve of that kid.” I gasped to Penny, as she could only offer a smirk at me.

“In my opinion you went a little too nice on him.” She mused, watching as the bar’s doors closed behind him. 

I smiled at the older bartender before responding, “You just say that because his entire bank account would most likely pour into the cash register.” I teased, as I placed another round of beers before an older gentleman.

“Hey!” She scolded lightly, hitting me with her own bar towel as I laughed and jumped away from her before going to make a rum and coke. “Would you mind closing tonight?” She asked, casually although I could tell she was practically begging me.

“Why, so you and Maverick can go sailing?” I asked, winking at the bartender before turning back to pour rum into the glass before me. “Yes, Pen. I’ll close up the bar. You mind if Rooster stays with me? Don’t wanna kick out the drunks alone.” I suggested, before finishing the drink and handing it to another Top Gun cadet, who nodded his thanks as I turned back to Penny.

“Yeah. Of course. I’m probably gonna head out in ten, hell Rooster can even bartend with you if you get too busy.” She spoke, looking at her watch. I smiled at the woman before me. I was happy that her and Maverick were able to rekindle.

“You can go now if you want. The crowds not too bad. I’ll be alright.” I suggested, as I rang out a tab. Smiling as I put the piece of paper and pen, alongside their credit card,  before them. I then turned back to find Penny rushing out of the door. I laughed to myself as I wiped my hands on my jeans, wiping any beer or condensation that was left on my hands.

After a few hours I sighed, taking a moment as I leaned myself over the bar. The night was slowing down, and I was thankful for the ease with it. The bar had about an hour before close, with only a handful or two of Top Gun Cadets, the occasional older regulars and a few younger couples having fun. I smiled as I scanned the crowd, noticing that Jake had gone home. 

My eyes flickered around the bar, only to find my fiancé attempting to one up his students in a game of pool. Unfortunately, however, the man was an absolute menace at pool. He was terrible. I observed as the man picked up the cue stick, and one of his female students approached him. I raised a brow, watching the scene before me, as the woman placed her hand on Bradley’s arm, batting her eyelashes up at him.

“Uh- miss?” I heard another pilot ask, as I snapped out of it when I felt cold beer pour over the glass, soaking my hand. I was jolted back to reality, cutting the tap off before smiling at the pilot before me.

“Sorry about that!” I apologized, smiling as I handed him his beer. He thanked me, no doubt happy for the very full beer glass I handed him.

I glanced back over to Bradley, finding him distancing himself from the female pilot, flashing his hand on which a simple silver band was placed. He proposed to me, sure but I wasn’t going to be the only one wearing an engagement ring. I smiled to myself, before hearing my watch alarm go off.

Wasting no time, I grabbed the microphone that was hooked up to our speaker system. I tapped the mic once and twice after turning it on, gaining the attention of our patrons. A few looked over at me, but all took notice of the music being interrupted. “Ladies and Gentleman, the Hard Deck closes in fifteen minutes. Please let this be a peaceful closing and get ready to head home. The bar will close in five minutes, so any last drinks- come get 'em.” I smiled, as a few people groaned and others gave a semi-drunk 'wooh!’. 

I leaned against the polished wooden bartop as I cleaned out a glass. “I’ll take another beer.” A familiar voice rang out, a smile easily growing on my face as I looked up from the glass I was cleaning. 

I noticed the few students that were near him, they watched me intently, as if hiding behind him. I furrowed me brows, as I looked at the man in the hawaiian shirt. I walked the short distance to the opposite side of the bar, noticing that his shadows had moved to the side to view our conversation. I folded my arms on the bartop, leaning forward as I looked at him. “Is that so, Captain Bradshaw?” I purred, a smirk growing on my face as I noticed Bradley’s face grow a slight pinkish shade.

His smirk remained evident, as my own grin could only grow more. “Then what can I get for you?” I mused, glancing down at his lips before up at his eyes.

“I’ll take a Budweiser, and perhaps your number?” He spoke, a confident smile on his face, as he winked at me.

“My number?” I mused, pushing back off of the bar top as I went to grab his beer. 

My back turned to the man, I glanced over to his students who looked at him in shock. “Yes, Ma'am.” He spoke as I leaned over to grab the beer. 

I turned around, beer in hand and I noticed I stood next to the bell. Luckily for both Bradley and I’s bank account, it was only him and his handful of students. This was going to be one expensive prank. “Sorry Captain.” I smirked as the color drained from his face. “You know the rules." 

"Wait Y/N- no-” I cut him off, my grin growing as he reached forward only for me to ring the bell. He fell back into his seat from where he leaned, groaning as his students cheered.

“Alright Lieutenants I’ll get your beers to go if  you guys promise me you’re not driving!” I spoke, pointing to the students who all nodded, smiling. I gave them their rounds and soon it was just Bradley and I left in the usually warm and vibrant bar.  

“Hey Roos, can you lock up the bar for me, I just need to carry these boxes out to the dumpster, and then I’ll meet you at the car?” I offered, picking up some cardboard beer boxes after placing my keys on the bartop.

“Yes ma'am.” He winked, before coming up to me and wrapping an arm around my waist, pressing a kiss to my temple. I smiled, managing to peck a kiss to his nose as I walked out the bar.

The warm air night hit me as I walked out of the bar, the only noise coming from a faint hum of lights and the crashing ocean waves not too far away. My brows furrowed as I noticed a car that was parked in the parking lot that wasn’t Bradley’s blue Ford Bronco. 

I smiled to myself, shrugging it off as someone who got too drunk and decided not to drive. The night was almost eerie, if it wasn’t something I had done every day for closing I would have deemed it scary. I threw the cardboard boxes into the large recycling bin of the bar, before almost jumping at the sound of someone’s voice.

“Y/N-” I turned to find Lieutenant Morwood, staggering with a beer bottle in hand. He interrupted my name with a drunken hiccup as he staggered closer to me. “L/N. You know- you-” He motioned towards me with my hand as I stepped backwards, my back hitting the recycling bin with a large 'thud’.

I was scared of the man before me, don’t get me wrong I was in a fit shape but this man was a pilot. He could overpower me. I tensed against the recycling can as he came closer, grabbing my arm as my nose reeked with whatever beer he had found tonight. “You’re a bitch.” he spat, moving his hand up to hit me. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact and cowering into myself.

But it never came.

I opened my eyes to find Bradley, towering over the young and drunk Lieutenant, holding the younger man’s hand with a death grip. This side of my husband relieved me, yet in any other circumstance I’d be scared out of my mind.

Lieutenant Morwood spun on his heels, going to curse at Bradley, causing the older man to let go of his wrist. Bradley wasted no time in delivering a swift punch to the lieutenant’s jaw. Morwood stumbled over, barely catching himself as one hand clung to his jaw. He looked up at Bradley, who was panting and dared at him with an anger in his eyes that I had never seen.

Morwood scrambled off into the unfamiliar car in the lot- the driver peeling out as the Lieutenant managed to scurry into the passenger’s seat. I heard myself sigh out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding as I slid down the side of the recycling bin, my hands running through my hair. Bradley turned to me, kneeling before me as he held my crying figure in his arms.

“Shhh, you’re okay.” were the only words I could hear as I felt one of his arms around me, the other hand rubbing circles into my back. After what felt like ages, and was most likely two minutes, I felt myself began to stand up, only to be rushed into a hug by Bradley. His arms wrapped around my waist, resting above my hipline as he dug his head into my collarbone. “I’m sorry if I scared you-”

I forced a wry laugh through the remaining tears that were sliding off my face, cutting him off. “You didn’t scare me Bradley. You protected me. Thank you.” I spoke softly, digging my own face into the crook of his neck. 

He moved his head upward, and I felt a kiss being pressed to the top of my head. I smiled as I breathed his hawaiian shirt in, before hearing his voice. “I will always protect you, Y/N. I love you.” he spoke, and I swear I could hear the small grin form on his face.

Pulling back from the hug, I grinned up at the man before me, giving him a very light punch on his bicep as we walked to his blue Ford Bronco. He sat in the drivers seat, turning the key into the ignition as I sat in the passenger seat, closing my door.

“So. Pizza?” I asked, looking to my fiance in the seat beside me.

His warm eyes looked at me, a genuine smile forming on his face as he closed his eyes and raised his brows, taking in my request. “Pizza it is.”