Hmmm, I have an idea for you. How’s about an au where Jake and Bradley aren’t in the navy but instead are you “oh so friendly” neighbors. Who are secretly competing for who can be more helpful this holiday season. (They are probably actually competing for who gets to kiss you at the block Christmas party but, that can be our secret 🤫)
Like one day Jake is out scrapping your windshield do you cause he know you both leave to work around the same time. The. The next day Bradley is out shoveling your sidewalk. “Just cause”… you’re definitely not complaining.
The Valentines Day Winner
Author note - Sorry I turned this request into something that would work on Valentine’s Day rather than writing something Christmas style simply because I couldn’t think of something during the holidays anyway I hope you all enjoy it 😊
People always wish to have friendly neighbors in their neighborhood. It just makes things easier for everyone.
In my experience I actually got way more than I expected to have when I moved into the house across the street from Jake Seresin and Bradley Bradshaw. I’d moved in right before the holidays and before a big snowstorm hit that made unpacking and getting to work a challenge some days. Which led to the first time I met one of my helpful neighbors, Jake.
December 21st -
I’d slept past my alarm by fifteen minutes when I needed to be leaving the house at 6:30am. Stumbling out of the bedroom I hopped around sliding my boots on, snatching up my car and gun from on my bedside table. Rushing out the front door I cursed under my breath pulling the door closed thinking that I would be late for work because I’d have to clean off my windshield since it had snowed the night before. Turning around and away from the door once I had locked it I nearly dropped my keys in the snow by how quickly I jumped in the air not expecting anyone to be around my car at 7 in the morning. “Jesus, who’s there!”
“Sorry - sorry.” I heard a male voice cut through the darkness but I still out of instinct drew my handgun from my back pocket, aiming it out in the direction of the voice.
“Show yourself and come out with your hands in the air!”
The unknown figure in the darkness dropped something onto the hood of my car, carefully walking into the light of my porch light. His boots crunching on snow like he was walking on ice that was cracking underneath him. “You wouldn’t shoot your new partner for trying to be a good neighbor would you?”
“Jacob Seresin, what the hell are you doing to my car at 7am?” Lowering my weapon I slumped my shoulders eyeing the blonde hair and green eyed police officer.
“Cleaning off your windshield since I knew we had to leave for work at the same time and I saw you were running late this morning. Figured I’d take one less thing off your plate when you’ll get an earful from Captain Mitchell.”
Staring balefully at him it took me a minute to respond. “Wow…uh thanks. You didn’t have to do that for me.”
“I know I just wanted to.”
“I thought you were a robber or more likely a raccoon trying to break into my car.”
Jake smiled brightly. “A very handsome robber or raccoon I’d say.”
“Maybe.” Dropping my gaze his ego definitely grew when he saw my face turn a light red and I was thankful it was dark where he couldn’t see how dark red it was. Sliding my gun back into my back pocket of my jeans I slumped my shoulders, reading the time on my phone. “We - uh - we should get going.”
“Well I’ll win your forgiveness back in peanut butter cookies that my mom makes.”
Lightly laughing at him we silently stared at each other for a few minutes. “You’ve got yourself a deal, Jake.”
Jake replied, dropping his hands down at his sides, gesturing with his head in the direction to his house across the street. “I’ll be back in a second. Gonna grab my stuff and then we can drive to work in your car.”
“Sounds good.” Nodding my head in agreement watching him cross the street thinking that he was just being a friendly neighbor and co-worker.
December 31st -
Bradley Bradshaw was my second friendly neighbor that I met a few weeks ago. I wasn’t planning on going out on New Year's Eve. I had this perfect plan of chilling on my couch with some good comfort food and passing out under a snuggly blanket watching Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Bash on the tv. Except I am glad that I didn’t stay at home for the night because if I had I wouldn’t have met him at this bar near base.
Michelle, my childhood best friend, grabbed my attention when she noticed the next performer going up onto the stage in the lively bar. “Y/n, look at the guy with the guitar. He’s hot.” She aimed her index finger at a guy wearing a Hawaiian shirt and carrying an old school guitar in his hand.
Looking back over my shoulder I gave him a good look over before focusing back on her. “Yeah I can see that. So what?” Shrugging my shoulders in response I wasn’t following her.
“Y/n, are you serious right now! He’s a hot musician. Do I need to say more?”
Sending her a raised brow I remarked. “Yes, please do.”
“Good lord woman.” She dragged hand down her face dramatically with a frustrated sigh. “Go up there and ask him out.”
“Just because you have a boyfriend doesn’t mean I have to have one.”
She shot me a glare. “Yes, it does. Especially when he’s been staring at you since you looked at him a few minutes ago.”
“He hasn’t - has he really?” Quickly looking out the corner of my eye my cheeks turned a light pink when I caught his brown gaze focused on me and not really anyone else in the room. Sure enough she wasn’t wrong, the man in the Hawaiian shirt was actively staring.
Michelle waved her hand with a serious tone. “Go ask him out.”
“What no!”
She snapped back. “Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes!”:
“I’m not doing that.”
“I dare you!”
That was the last straw and she knew it. She smirked directly at me with her arms crossed over her chest. From the age of ten we made a pact that if one of us dared the other person to do something we had to do it no matter what the scenario was. And this was something I couldn’t get out of.
“You - fine, I’ll go.” My mouth fell opened where I almost fought back except I decided not to. Getting down from my barstool making my way over to the bar stage. The guy with the guitar noticed me where a huge grin crossed his face when I got closer to him,
He set his guitar down on the stage stand beside the microphone stand, getting down from the chair walking over to me. He sat down on the edge of the stage with me standing on the ground being almost eye level with him. “What can I do for you?”
“I have something to ask you.”
He nodded his head with a dorky smile. “It just so happens, so do I.”
“Would you go on a date with me?”
Slapping my hands over my mouth we looked at each other with bug eyes over the fact that we said the same thing in unison without even thinking. Shortly after he extended his freehand downward to me with a smirk playing on his lips. “Bradley Bradshaw.”
“Y/n L/n.”
Getting up from the ground he went back over to his seat and began getting ready to play, shooting me a wink. “I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow.”
Turning back to my bestie she held up two thumbs up with an evil smirk on her face. Shaking my head in amusement I thought that you would think this at the end of the story but you’d be wrong. Something much more interesting came from meeting these two different men.
January 5th -
The morning air bit at my cheeks as I stepped onto the porch, tugging my coat tighter. I was halfway down the steps when I froze. Jake Seresin was standing at the bottom of my walkway, two steaming coffees in hand, breath fogging in the cold.
“Morning, partner,” he said, offering one cup out like a peace treaty. “You looked half-dead yesterday. Thought I’d intervene.”
I blinked at him. “Jake… it’s six in the morning.”
“Exactly why you need this.”
I took the cup, warmth seeping into my fingers. “You’re too nice.”
“I know.”
Before I could respond, footsteps crunched on the sidewalk. Bradley jogged past, sweat‑damp curls bouncing, wearing a hoodie and that stupidly charming smile.
“Morning, sweetheart.” He slowed when he saw us. His eyes flicked to the coffee in my hand. “If you ever want good coffee, I know a place.”
Jake scoffed. “This is good coffee.”
“Sure, Seresin.” Bradley smirked.
“It’s actually really good.”
Jake’s grin widened. Bradley’s faltered. And just like that, the rivalry officially began.
January 12th -
The storm hit overnight, burying the neighborhood in a thick blanket of white. I opened my front door and groaned at the sight of my walkway. Except… half of it was already shoveled. Stepping outside my front door I widened my eyes in shock seeing who it was.
Jake stood at the end of the path, bundled in a jacket, cheeks pink from the cold. “Morning! Figured I’d get a head start.”
Before I could thank him, another figure appeared being none other than Bradley, shovel slung over his shoulder like he was posing for a calendar. “Hope you didn’t think you were doing this alone.”
“I’ve got it handled.” Jake straightened.
Bradley planted his shovel in the snow. “She deserves the best. That’s me.”
“You sure about that, Bradshaw?” Jake scoffs.
I threw my hands up. “I can shovel my own sidewalk!”
“No.”
I stared at them after they said it in perfect unison. “You two are ridiculous.”
Bradley grinned. “We know.”
“But you love it.” Jake added.
I didn’t answer mostly because they weren’t wrong and just shook my head in amusement getting a good kick out of this.
January 20th -
My shift had been long. Too long. The kind of day that left my bones aching and my brain foggy. Pulling my car into my driveway I sighed, getting out just wanting to pass out in my bed. My stomach grumbled the second I saw someone sitting on my porch swing. I was truly ready to collapse, when I saw a familiar figure leaning against my doorframe.
Jake held a paper bag in one hand, his expression softening when he saw me. “Rough day?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, throat tight.
“Good thing I brought dinner,” he said, lifting the bag. “Didn’t want you eating alone.”
I unlocked the door and let him in without thinking. We sat on the couch, eating takeout straight from the containers, the quiet comfortable. Once we finished eating we laid down on the couch watching some funny comedy on the tv. At some point, my head drifted onto his shoulder….and at some point after that, I fell asleep.
Blinking my eyes open I noticed the tv was playing something completely different but that wasn’t what took me by surprise. Turning my head my heart skipped a beat to find that when I woke up, a blanket was draped over me. Jake was still there, still holding me, still warm and steady.
“You didn’t have to stay,” I whispered up to him.
He brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I wanted to.”
And it was that night that I soon began to realize that maybe these boys were competing for my attention. And that Jake might not just be a friendly coworker forever.
January 30th -
Snow fell in soft flakes as Jake and I had gotten home from a late shift on a night I was supposed to have a date with Bradley but obviously had to cancel. He understood but I still felt bad because no matter how much I didn’t want to feel a romantic connection to both men I couldn’t help myself.
Jake parked the car in the driveway and got out walking me to my door like a gentleman. Once we reached the porch, he stopped turning to face me when I went to put my key in the lock.
“You know…” he said quietly, “you don’t have to walk home alone. Ever.”
I looked up at him. His eyes were warm, earnest and searching when my voice caught in my throat. “Jake…”
“I know you were supposed to be on a date with Bradshaw but I liked spending time with you tonight.”
Staring at him I felt some tears welling in my eyes. “We literally almost got shot tonight. I’m not sure we can qualify that as spending time together.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” He declares in a soft tone. “Especially when I am competing for your heart against a musician."
“I don’t want to hurt anyone.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.
He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel his warmth. “I’m not asking you to choose. I’m just telling you I’m here.”
We stood there, inches apart, breath mingling in the cold. He leaned in slowly, giving me every chance to pull away. I almost didn’t to my shock but fear flickered, and I stepped back. “I… I can’t. Not yet.”
“Then I’ll wait.” Jake nodded, gentle as ever and somehow, that made my heart race even more.
February 10th -
I was restocking files at work when Bradley appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame like he owned it. I didn’t notice him at first until he whistled in my direction causing me to lift my head up and a huge grin was plastered across my face. “Bradley! What are you doing here?”
“Figured I’d come see my favorite girl at work.” He crossed the room opening his arms as I got up from my chair and embraced him in a gentle hug. Wrapping my arms around his neck as he had his hands on my waist.
Drawing away from him I rested my hands on his chest smiling up into his brown eyes. “Awe, that's sweet.”
“Plus I actually wanted to ask you something.” He said with a soft smile. “Are you going to the Valentine’s party at the Hard Deck?”
“I wasn’t sure.”
“Well…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’d like to take you. If you want.”
Staring at him for about ten minutes I knew I needed to tell him sooner rather than later. It’s not that he isn’t a great boyfriend. He absolutely is, yet I can’t push away the deeper connection I have with Jake. He’s seen me at my best and my worst whereas Bradley has seen me when I am hiding who I am at the police department.
Bradley clearly could read the expression on my face making him ask a question. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just - I need to tell you something.”
He hesitated shortly. “Okay, about what?”
“I like you, I really do. But - but I can’t be selfish with you.” Stepping away from him I nervously played with my fingers. Bradley looked at me seeing how I would avoid his gaze completely. “I think we should just be friends I - I don’t want to stress you out with my life. Plus I’m not too good with relationships because of what I do.”
Bradley ran a hand through his hair, a sad expression forming on his face. “Dang, Natasha was right.”
“I’m sorry, Bradley,” my breath caught in my throat at seeing him slightly heartbroken over this. I certainly wished my heart wasn’t so complicated. “I just- I didn’t want to lead you on when I know that Jake and I have something going on that I can’t ignore.”
He nodded his head slowly, raising his pinky finger with a dorky smile on his face. “I get it, Y/n. And honestly I met someone the other day but didn’t know how to tell you that I wanted to be just friends…so we’re still karaoke buddies right?”
“Definitely still karaoke buddies.” Looping my pinky with his we shook on it and grabbed lunch before I had to get back to work.
February 14th -
The Valentine’s Day party was officially on. Everyone was showing up to the Hard Deck for drinks, pool and dancing. Penny said she was going to go all out and she certainly wasn’t lying when she made that statement a few weeks ago. There were glowing pink lights and heart‑shaped decorations. Bradley was on stage, guitar in hand, singing a slow, warm song. His eyes found mine in the crowd, and he smiled.
It was sweet. It was flattering. But it wasn’t what made my heart race.
Because when the door opened and Jake walked in with his cheeks flushed from the cold, holding a single sunflower and everything inside me settled. He maneuvered through the busy crowd, stopping in front of me near the front of the stage. “You look beautiful.”
I took the flower, fingers brushing his. “You’re late.”
“Worth it,” he murmured. “I’ve been waiting all night to ask you for a dance.”
He held out his hand carefully with me placing my hand in his once I had slipped the flower up into my hair. He pulled me close as a slow song started, his hand warm on my back, his breath brushing my temple. My hands wrapped lazily around his neck, mirroring the same genuine smile he had.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, voice low. “And I will.”
I looked up at him, heart pounding. “Don’t you ever dare.”
His hand cupped my cheek, thumb brushing my skin. And then he kissed me, soft and certain enough to make us forget the crowd around us. From here on out it would always be me and Jake Seresin.
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