They kept busy at Top Gun, teaching, running hops and being called out to top secret missions. Occasionally you ended up on the same mission, though if you saw each other during work it wasnât the best of circumstances. Search and Rescue never paid for drinks, and no one ever wanted to see you and your crew, but no one made you feel uncomfortable.
Weekends were the best. At least the ones where the three of you could spend time together. You had woken up first, starting a coffee pot, glancing around the common living space. Clothes were scattered over most surfaces, flight suits, uniforms, towels. Somehow, there was a pair of boxers hanging from the curtain rod. Life sustaining caffeine poured into a mug you set to sorting out the clothes into piles.
âMorning Birdie,â Jake says emerging from his bedroom. His hair stands at odd angles, shirtless and barefoot, gray sweats riding low on his hips. He watches you for a few moments, before blinking sleepily returning to his room, dragging his dirty clothes hamper into the main living space. You canât help but smile at the nickname, and Jakeâs appearance.
âHow did it get this bad?â You ask, handing a mug over to him as he sorts his clothes into the piles.
âWork.â Jake says. âGo grab yours.â He looks at the coffee mug like it hung the stars in the sky. Out of the three of you, you were the only one who could function in the morning. âAnd Iâll brave the wrath of Bradshaw.â
âYouâre a peach.â You grin at him, walking past, squeaking when he grabs your wrist, pulling you close.
âI can be.â He says softly, kissing your cheek. âMissed you, between the hops and teaching it seems like youâve been out of the house a lot.â
âWorkâs been tough for all of us.â You smile, pressing a gentle kiss to his mouth. He sets his mug down, plucking yours from your hand, setting it aside. He pulls you closer, those warm, strong arms wrapping around you as he kisses you again. Properly this time, Jakeâs tongue sliding past your lips, his hands spanning your back.
âGo get Bradleyâs stuff.â You murmur against his lips when he comes up for air.
âI need another kiss for luck.â Jakeâs lips brush against yours as he speaks, sending shivers down your back.
âYou can have another one when youâve completed your mission.â
âYes maâam.â Jake salutes you, heading back to Bradleyâs room. You go to your own room, retrieving your piles of dirty laundry.
When you pass by Bradleyâs room, you can hear the two men talking, voice rough with sleep. You lean in the doorway, watching as Bradley cups Jakeâs jaw, pulling him down for a soft kiss. More murmuring, before Bradley is calling out good morning. âMorning Bradley,â you canât help but smile. It had taken some time and more than a few growing pains, but the three of you had settled into this. A trio, that gave as much as it took, a love protected and fostered.
âDo I smell coffee?â
âYes, you need to get up to get some.â You call over your shoulder. Once in the main room you start sorting your clothes adding to the already large piles.
âI mean thatâs basic biology.â Bradley rumbles softly, draping himself across your back. Heâs warm and heavy, sleepy. âHave to get it up to get some.â His mustache tickles as he kisses along the curve of your neck. âEveryone knows that Birdie.â
âYouâre such a brat.â You squirm away and he chuckles softly. Jakeâs rummaging through Bradleyâs dirty clothes before heâs gathering up the flight suits and heading toward the garage.
Food is a simple affair, breakfast burritos while barefoot in the kitchen. Bradley and Jake bicker playfully while you eat. Itâs comfortable, familiar and the realization that the three of you hadnât shared a space together for nearly three weeks. Sure, there were hellos and goodbyes, kisses in passing; but this comfort creature hadnât happened for a while. Bradley disappears to change the laundry over, Jakeâs at the sink washing up.
Bradley comes back, slotting himself between your thighs. You had sat on the kitchen island to eat and hadnât moved when your boys started to do things. Bradley rests his head on your chest, his arms around your waist. He makes a sound akin to a purr when your fingers tangle gently in his curls.
âComfortable?â You ask, kissing the top of his head. He rumbles his approval, burrowing closer to your body. His body heat seeps through the thin t-shirt and sleep shorts you wore as pajamas, his fingers brushing under the hem of your shirt. His touch is soft and slow, drawing circles on the small of your back.
âWe should probably go grocery shopping too.â Jake says. Heâs started a list, standing next to the two of you.
âInstacart,â Bradley says not even bothering to lift his head. âLaundry and snuggles today. Maybe movies and naps.â
âI could get behind that.â Jake says. He pulls himself up on to the island with you, hand curling gently around the back of your neck, pulling you in for another kiss. âMy reward for facing the slumbering dragon and getting his clothes.â You canât help but smile, sneaking another kiss, feeling him smile against your mouth.
âCan we go somewhere more comfortable?â Bradley lifts his head, lips pursed for a kiss. You kiss him soundly, Jake following suit.
âCouch, that way we can hear the washer and dryer, and the clothes will be in sight.â You murmur, pressing another soft kiss to Bradleyâs mouth. Bradley offers his hand when you get down from the counter, Jake hot on your heels.
Bradley sits on one end of the couch, his back against the arm, legs sprawled out. You crawl onto the couch with him, your back against his chest. Almost immediately, his head drops to your shoulder, pressing soft kisses to your neck. Your fingers find their way into his curls, untangling them gently as he hums in pleasure.
âYou alright there, sleepy boy?â
âMmhm,â he hums softly, nose pressed to the curve of your neck. Jake joins the pair of you, settling between your legs, his head on your chest. Itâs warm and comfortable, one of Jakeâs hands sliding up and down your side. Safe, sheltered, protected, nothing could reach the three of you here. Bradleyâs breathing so slow and even against your neck, Jakeâs weight comfortable and heavy, grounding you between the two halves of your heart.
Maybe, just maybe the laundry can wait. Home was more important.
/end