Naomi1Go: So glad you are loving the direction of this story! I feel like all the characters in Top Gun Maverick has so much potential!

Taylor Noelle Hood: Soft Jake is my favorite Jake!

Drakena: I have many more chapters planned for this story! Thank you for reading!

Andy1919: These two have a lot more in store for you! A rollercoaster of events about to happen in the next few chapters!

A/N: Always love to hear your thoughts and comments as the story goes on! So much more in store for you all! Thanks for reading!

-C

The two of you had sat on the beach for as long as you needed. Jake didn't pressure you to head back to the bar, which had you thinking back to what Bradley said earlier. You pulled your head back some from his chest and asked, "Why do you make it seem like you're an asshole when you really aren't?"

You felt his chest rumble with a laugh, "Thank you for sugar coating that question, Darlin." You offered him a small smile, still feeling beat up from the day. "Figured you would want it straight up."

His hand gently pushed your head back to his chest and absently played with your hair. It was a small gesture that you would be smiling about for days to come.

"This is going to sound dumb when I say it out loud, but I read once that if you got tough, nothing can hurt you. That if you looked out for yourself, no one could touch you. And I don't know why, but it seemed to stick with me. I come from a military family, and it felt like nothing I did could live up to their expectations. After years of busting my ass to show them I was good enough for the family name, I finally gave up. I saw that quote and knew I needed to do that. Since then, I've made sure I was one of the best and that everyone around me knew it. Less disappointment that way."

While you didn't come from a military family, you understood where he was coming from. The constant disappointment could eat away at you, and it was easier to pretend like it wasn't there. Holding everyone at an arm's length had become second nature to you for that exact reason. Can't lose anyone close or have to meet expectations when no one truly cares about you.

"It makes sense. I think you have met the one person who actually gets where you are coming from. Ever wonder why I don't have many friends?"

His response back made you playfully slap his arm, "Just thought you were a bit awkward in social situations."

While it might have been true, you weren't always like this. "I was a different person before I lost my WSO. I went out constantly, always looking for a good time. It felt like I was surrounded by friends and had more of a carefree attitude. Losing him had my view of the world change and I shut down. This detachment is the first time I've hung out with other pilots, and I think I miss it. I miss the social connection with others."

He didn't respond for a few moments but pulled you closer. Letting you know that he was here for you. And in that moment, you felt something you hadn't felt in years.

Safe.

Jake had offered to drive you home, but you didn't want to leave your car here over night. Which is why you found yourself alone behind the wheel, blasting music to stay awake. The second you had pulled out of the parking lot, exhaustion hit you like a bus making you wish you had taken him up on his offer. But as stubborn as you were, you were determined to make it home by yourself.

Ten of the longest minutes later, you pulled into the apartment complex thanking the lord above for getting you there in one piece. You checked your phone as you got out of the car and saw one unread text from Jake.

Text me when you get home, please. I know how tired you must be.

You fired off a quick text back letting him know you were home safe, and nearly collapsed on the couch. Five minutes, you told yourself before you would get up and get ready for bed. But it took less than that to fall asleep.

A loud banging had you jolt awake. Confusion quickly set over you as you tried to figure out what the hell was going on. The banging started again, and you realized it was the door. Who would be knocking this late at night?

You opened the door to find a cleanly dressed Hangman and your mind was reeling with questions.

"Morning, sweetheart. Thought I would bring you some coffee to start your day." You watched as he held up the cup and it finally clicked what he said.

"Morning?" You turned around and looked at the clock on the wall. 05:35.

"Oh fuck!" You left the door open for him as you started running around your apartment, trying to get ready in the next five minutes. How you managed to sleep through your alarm, you had no idea. But then it clicked. You were stupid enough to fall asleep before setting it and if it wasn't for the gorgeous man at the door, you would still be sleeping.

While you were moving around like a crazy person, you missed the amused look on Jakes face as he watched you. The normally put together pilot he had come to adore was long gone in this moment. And he couldn't get enough of it.

You cursed under your breath as you stubbed your toe on the coffee table, trying to grab a hair tie you left out. "Slow down, killer. You have plenty of time." You jumped at the laughing voice, forgetting Jake was here and shook your head.

"Not if I want to get a few runs in before roll call." You continued getting ready until his voice stopped you. "Admiral Simpson called a meeting for this morning. Which means no flying beforehand."

You gave him a head tilt, silently asking him to explain. "You now know as much as I do. He sent an email this morning to the group. Have no idea what it's about."

At those words, you gave up on getting ready and sat at the table where Jake was. He handed you the coffee and a small bag. "Grabbed a bagel on the way out. Didn't know if you were a breakfast person or not." This man was so much more than you initially gave him credit for.

"You didn't have to do this." You grabbed the bagel and took a few bites out of it.

"A normal person would say thank you." He gave you his signature smirk and you shook your head.

"Thank you for the wakeup call. Lord knows how long I would've slept before I woke up." His eyes softened at the statement knowing you needed sleep after yesterday. "Eat up, Darlin. I'll drive us to base."

Things between the two of you had changed and it seemed like time was moving too fast for you to fully figure it out. But you did as he said and the two of you were headed to base in the next 5 minutes.

The drive would only take about fifteen minutes, but you had to ask what was going on between the two of you.

"Jake, what is this?" You watched him take a few breaths and wished his aviators were off. It was easier to read him when you could see his eyes.

"What do you want this to be?" Answering your question with a question was his way of avoiding, but one of you needed to be forward.

"Look, I haven't let someone into my life in a very long time. The job we have makes things like this tough because we know the risks. But last night on the beach, you made me feel safe. And that feeling hasn't happened in God knows how long. There is a big part of me that hopes what is happening between us is real, but another part of me is scared to let you in because I don't know what I would do if I lost you too."

Jake pulled his truck over to the side of the road and put it in park. You couldn't help but look at the time and he waved a hand at it. "We have time for this talk. I promise." You glanced up at him and saw his body facing you. Nerves fluttered in your stomach, and you had no idea where they just came from.

"I wanted you from the moment you snapped at me the first day of this detachment. Now it took me a while to understand that, but yesterday put everything into perspective for me. Almost losing you made me realize just how bad I have it for you and I'll be damned if I let you walk away without a fight, sweetheart. Yeah, this job is dangerous. But you have to trust the fact that we are two of the best pilots out there and it is going to take a whole damn lot to bring us down. Let me show you love the way you deserve. Because darlin, I'm crazy about you and you don't even realize it."

Your breath caught in your throat at his words. How is it that the man everyone has talked down about for being selfish has proven to be one of the most selfless people you know? At the beginning of training, you wouldn't trust this man as your wingman. But now, you were willing to trust him with your heart.

"You have to promise me you'll come back. After every deployment, mission, and training session. You have to come back to me."

He leaned forward with his hand cupping your cheek, "Darlin, I promise I will do everything in my power to come right back to you. But you sure as hell better do the same for me." All you could do was nod your head at him as you took a few deep breaths.

"I'm scared, Jake." And it was the truth. You both knew what was about to happen in a few weeks and giving yourself to him made it seem like you were testing fate.

"Let me show you that you shouldn't be." He leaned forward and softly kissed your lips. In this moment everything felt perfect.

But perfect moments don't always last forever.