willow; jake seresin

chapter 4

A YEAR AGO

The sound of contagious giggles filled the room as Willow splashed Jake with the soapy bath water, relaxing against his bare body, chin resting on his chest.

Baby hairs clung to her skin as her loving eyes stared up at him through dark lashes. Jake looked down at her, not minding the pain of the ceramic tub digging into his back if it meant they stayed like this.

He would give anything to stay like this. He would walk through hell, navigate dangerous seas, ward off dangerous creatures, anything to ensure she stays wrapped in his arms. To ensure her soft smile stayed in his vision.

He didn't know when it had happened. He doesn't remember falling in love with her.

It was a casual relationship, strictly sex. It had been for two years. Yet somewhere along the way, his touches became softer and his eyes grew soft when they met hers.

She had no signs of returning that, truly believing it to be a friends with benefits situation.

And they were friends- the best of friends.

Had been since they had been paired together. When Jake was a fresh-faced cadet and Willow had been a jittery girl with faux confidence. He remembered when she had introduced him to Bradley Bradshaw, the man who had been like her brother. From that point on, it had gone from Jake and Willow to Jake, Willow, and Bradley. The three had been practically attached at the hip the moment they had argued about which sports team was better.

Bradley had been four years older than both of them, on account of his papers being pulled, so some things got lost in translation. And he sometimes grew tired of the cocky duo.

So, it was a given that Jake and Willow were closer.
But Bradley would never agree with their current situation. He would probably murder Jake if he were to find out.

But the good thing is, he was states away since the pair had been recalled to Top Gun for a mission.

"This mission tomorrow," Jake began, pushing the hair clinging to her forehead away with his calloused hand. "It's really dangerous." There was a certain fear in his eyes, one he hid from everyone. "If anything happens..."

When he trailed off, she shushed him gently, moving so she was straddling him, water sloshing against the walls of the tub. "Nothing's gonna happen." She reassures, a wide grin on her face. "You know why?"
He looks up at her with a smile reserved for her, eyes scanning the specks of green in her eyes.  He hummed, hand massaging the skin of her hip.

"Because you have me." She said, overconfident. They both had changed so much over the years but she had changed the most.

When she had joined the Navy, she was worried about not living up to the standards of being the great Maverick's daughter. But soon enough, she had made a name for herself.

Now she had been chosen for an elite mission. A chance to prove herself.

Jake chuckled and shook his head. "Hey, don't forget who's in the front seat," he teased.

Willow giggled and pressed her lips to his in a sweet kiss.

She was right.

He did have her.

Until he didn't.