The Rooster and The Wolf | Bradley 'ROOSTER' Bradshaw

SIX

The next several days repeated the same routine. 

Wake up, get dressed, drive to base, ignore Rooster, dogfighting, lunch, more dogfighting, ignore Rooster some more, home. 

The drills were gruelling, and by the time the days were over, everyone was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to crawl home to bed. 

Everyone was beginning to feel the pressure, and cracks had started to show. You could see it as you sat in the cafeteria, analysing the morning's flight patterns and latest slip ups in the air. Your brows furrowed in frustration as you typed furiously, filling in the latest report for Admiral Simpson.

Rooster sat three tables away, watching you and completely ignoring the mac 'n' cheese stuffed pizza pockets he'd brought for his lunch, opting out of the cafeteria food.

"Nothing will get solved from just sitting and staring at her, you know." Phoenix spoke as she dropped her own lunch on the table, plopping down on the seat next to him.

"She won't talk to me unless she has to, how much longer is she gonna freeze me out?"

"You abandoned her, Roos, and you broke her heart, then didn't even reach out for six years. And you're constantly fighting with Mav! You know how she feels about that. What exactly did you expect?"

"Okay Phoenix, please, continue to tell me how much I suck. It's making me feel so much better." Rooster scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair, his gaze never leaving you.

"You need to get over yourself, Bradshaw. She turned down Hangman because she still had feelings for you."

"What?" his eyes snapped to his friend, mouth open in shock. 

"Yup." she says nonchalantly, putting a spoonful of her yogurt in her mouth.

"Phoenix I swear if you're fucking with me right now-"

"Rooster I'm not fucking with you," she leant forward, "They went on a couple of dates after we graduated, but he was deployed pretty soon after, and then when he came back they tried again but she turned him down."

"She had feelings for me?" He says and Phoenix nods, "I had no idea...oh well that's just fucking fantastic." he adds, groaning and nodding towards the table in front of them.

Phoenix followed his eyes, and saw that he was gesturing to you, greeting Hangman as he sat down in the seat next to you, scooting it a little closer.

"Hello, Lieutenant." you greeted him. "Hey Wolfy."

"You okay?"

"You looked lonely, figured I'd do my duties and bring you some lunch." he said, gesturing to his tray. 

You looked at the tray and saw a spicy chicken pasta salad, and smiled widely. 

Upon seeing the food, your stomach growled loudly, and you cursed herself in your head for not paying attention to the time.

"Ever the gentleman, Seresin." you smirked, and he mirrored the expression back to you, "Thank you, guess I lost track of time."

"Of course you did. You looked pretty deep in that report and you're way too stubborn to stop once you get started," he laughed, and you rolled her eyes as you peeled back the film and began eating, "So here I am, saving the day."

"You gotta reign in that ego, Hangman," you joked, and it was his turn to roll his eyes, "How much do I owe you?" you asked, reaching for your purse, but Hangman put a hand over yours to stop you.

"No, no. It's on me, princess. You're welcome."

Before you could insist, he plucked the purse from your hands, tossing it back into your bag, and you ate together, laughing and talking, with the occasional flirt here and there. 

Rooster watched, feeling sicker every time you would throw your head back in laughter, or place a hand on Hangman's arm.

"He really isn't that funny, I've heard him make jokes. He ain't that funny." Rooster grumbled, and it made Phoenix scoff.

"They're close, Rooster. He's her best friend, other than me of course. They care about each other a lot."

"But why? He's an asshole. I've not seen him care about anyone but himself."

"If you wanna know, ask her yourself. Something happened to the two of them and it's not my place to tell you." Rooster looked at his friend as she spoke those words, confusion flashing over his face.

"Have I really lost her to Hangman?" he asked sadly, and Phoenix couldn't help but feel a little sympathetic for him. 

"That's up to you. She still wants you. Question is, are you ready to admit that you want her? Because you're driving me fucking crazy."

"I...I want her." 

As the words left his mouth, Rooster somehow felt a little more relaxed, as if finally facing his feelings lifted a burden he didn't know he had. 

"Oh fuck, I still want her." 

Finally, he understood the feeling he'd been having.

"Then do something about it, before she decides to give Hangman another chance." She says, nodding towards your table as you laughed once more, Hangman holding your arm to steady you.

"She won't fall for that, he's a total dick." he said, huffing and crossing his arms once more.

"She already did, remember? Come on Rooster, don't kid yourself. As much as it disgusts me to admit it, he's good to her. He's a dick to us, but to her, he's nothing but a gentleman." Phoenix spoke, trying not to gag on her own words. "He just bought her lunch, and you sat here and watched him do it."

"You really think she'd actually give that asshole a chance?"

"Yeah, I really do. Unless you do something about it, Rooster. Trust me."

"Help me then."

"Roost-"

"Please. I don't want her to hate me anymore, help me get her back, Phoenix." 

She sat looking at Rooster for a minute, then looked to you, and then back at Rooster.

"Ugh, fine! But only because I know how much she likes you. Leave it with me, I'll set something up." Phoenix says as she stands.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love and cherish our friendship?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm doing this for her, not you." Phoenix smiled, and walked away, leaving Rooster to go back to staring.

His thoughts were interrupted by the speakers sounding, ordering the Dagger Squadron back into training. 

Rooster was in no rush to get back, knowing Maverick was waiting for him, so he watched as Hangman helped you pack up and offer his arm. 

You giggled as you took it, and the sound made Rooster's heart swell. 

Yeah, there was no doubt in his mind anymore. 

He had to have you, and he'd happily go through Hangman to make that happen.