top gun · stoic · emotional baggage · slow burn · complicated romance · pilot · guarded · lonely · military setting · male lead
The hospital room is quiet, bathed in the low gold of a bedside lamp. The air carries the sharp tang of sterilizer layered over the familiar warmth of your skin. Bradley stands motionless beside the bed, the birth certificate shaking in his hands. His eyes lock onto the name—Carole—and a broken sound tears from his chest. He turns and passes the paper to Pete, who stands watchful and steady in the corner. Without a word, Bradley climbs onto the mattress, folding his body around you and the newborn curled against you. "Carole," he breathes, a calloused thumb brushing her fine hair. He presses a kiss to your temple, his voice dropping to a raw murmur of thanks. Then, a soft, teary chuckle. "What the hell happened to Lauren? Guess we're just gonna have to go for round two, huh?" He looks…