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He was going to blame everything on Phoenix. And by everything, he means the spontaneous combustion he’s about to suffer right here in his own backyard at the hands of one Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin.
After the Mission the Navy hadn’t know what to do with them so instead of admitting they hadn’t expected them to come back they gave them all a month leave. The first week or so everyone went home to families and friends. A large group chat was made that Payback had jokingly called Mav’s Kids and no one had changed.
It was the closest Rooster’s come to having a family in a long time and if he thought about it too long, he would get teary eyed.
Everyone texted everyday even if it was just a stupid meme or TikTok link, even Hangman who Rooster thought would remain the most stoic. Except that after the Mission it was like all the animosity between them melted away, burnt away like jet fuel.
He knew Hangman had defied orders to save him and Mav and he also knows that all of Hangman’s goading was trying to get him out of his own head. So, when Hangman had texted him outside of the group chat, he was only slightly surprised.
Pretty Boy: ‘Miss us yet, Roo?’
It had made him laugh and the sound was loud in the too quiet house. He had moved back into his childhood home, the longest he’d been there in the last year. He did miss them which was a weird but almost welcome feeling.
Chicken Little: ‘I don’t miss finding toothpicks everywhere.’
Which had started them texting regularly which should’ve felt weird and wrong, but after some reflection felt almost inevitable. He brought up to Mav one afternoon when they were sitting around drinking a beer and catching up.
“You and Hangman are a lot like how me and Ice were back in the day,” his voice was a bit melancholy.
“I thought you and Uncle Ice were wingmen?”
“Not always, at Top Gun we fought every chance we could. After, Goose he was there for me in a way that no one else was,” his eyes were slightly unfocused and something Rooster had wondered about for years clicked into place.
“Mav were you and Uncle Ice…together?”
His laugh was laced with sadness, “I loved Tom for thirty-one years and I’ll love him the rest of my life even after we broke up. I was too afraid to find a home on the ground that would make me stay there so I quite literally flew away.”
He had left a little after that with a lot to think about. It had made sense with how much Uncle Ice was around when he was younger. That when he came out to Mav crying in middle school he was entirely accepting. He wonders if his dad knew about Mav and something in his core says he did and that he didn’t care. He probably even teased him about it. Rooster made a mental note to ask Mav about that someday.
So, after a week of family and friends everyone came back. No one really directly said why, but there was something easier being with people who get it. One by one they all show up at Rooster’s place. Bob and Phoenix were first to arrive both in civilian clothes. He wanted to be able to tease Bob, but he looked good in dark wash jeans and tight green shirt. He did tease Phoenix for wearing a dress, “You were hiding a girl in there the whole time?”
Payback and Fanboy arrived together both looking tired but happy. When he asked about it Fanboy excitedly pulled up pictures of their trip home surrounded by way too many cousins and family members all vying for their attention. “We had to do that twice, because we both have big families,” Payback was already sprawled out on the patio furniture, but his hand was comfortably wrapped around Fanboy’s leg as he talked.
The sun was getting closer to setting as Coyote pulled up in a black Chevy which made everyone whistle. He flipped them off lovingly before pulling each of them into a hug. “I never thought I would miss you weirdos.”
They all settled out back, Coyote helping get the fire pit started as they each talked about their trips home. Rooster even opened up some about growing up with Mav as a parent which made everyone laugh. As the afternoon turned into evening Rooster kept glancing between his phone and the driveway. Jake was still missing.
He had texted hours ago that his flight was being delayed by an hour, but he should’ve landed an hour ago even with the delay. Coyote bumped his shoulder taking him out of his thoughts, “He’ll be here, Rooster.”
He nodded fighting down the blush at being caught, “I know.”
“I also know how much you guys have been talking,” Coyote wiggled his eyebrows, “he’s probably parked a block away trying to make his hair artfully tousled.”
Some of the anxiety melted away and when Coyotes phone pinged, he held it up for Rooster to see, “On my way, but I’m still a mess.”
Rooster laughed all the anxiety vanishing and bumped his shoulder against Coyote’s in thanks before getting up to grab another round of beers. He slipped his own phone out shooting a quick teasing message.
Chicken Little: Just put on a cowboy hat then nobody can see how bad your hair looks.
Pretty Boy: You know what they say…save a horse…
A picture of Jake riding his horse Dolly came through filling Rooster with exasperation and affection in equal measure. He had a whole album of photos that Jake had sent him from his trip to Texas. Dolly the horse, Duke his family dog, all of his sisters, and his favorite a photo (Jake’s sister had sent it) of Jake baking with his mom covered in flour and laughing.
He leaned his forehead on the edge of the fridge door trying to cool some of the heat from his cheeks. That’s another thing that changed, with the aggressive edge gone their arguing had taken on a flirty tone. It was getting to him too.
Because Hangman was still arrogant and cocky and annoying, but it was doing it for Rooster which is even worse. His phone pinged again.
Pretty Boy: Does Baby on Board have his accent back yet?
Bob had gone back to his family in Texas too which was a bit of shock for everyone when he sent a photo of him in a Stetson and belt buckle to the group chat. Jake had taken that photo as a challenge sending back one of his own that had made Rooster quite literally run into a wall. He’s never had a thing for cowboys before, but maybe he just has a thing for Jake Seresin and all that comes along with it.
He could hear a car pull into the driveway and the welcoming shouts from Phoenix and Coyote. He grabbed two beers instead of one from the fridge before going to rejoin the group. He stopped just outside the door catching his reflection in the glass doors. He resisted fixing his hair settling instead for undoing one more button on his shirt.
It reveled just a hint of his dog tags and the sudden image of Jake wearing his tags and nothing else sent a flash of molten heat straight into his core. Get it together, Bradshaw.
He rejoined the group just in time to catch the tail end of Coyote’s apparent teasing of Hangman, “Bro, you only spent a week there, how is it already back?”
The silence that followed made Rooster hustle around the corner finding a very red Hangman sat in the chair he had vacated earlier. He can’t remember ever seeing Jake blush and it left Bradley breathless. “Are we making fun of Bagman without me?”
Jake turned and put on a glare that held for exactly two seconds before melting into something softer. Coyote cleared his throat both men startling, “We were just enjoying the fact that Jake here has his accent back.”
The blush that had been fading came back this time turning Jake’s ears pink, “Fuck you, Javy.”
And even with three simple words Bradley could hear the undeniable drawl making the group laugh and Jake hide his face in his hands. “Is that why you asked if Bob had his accent? So, you wouldn’t be lonely?” he couldn’t resist teasing.
“I’m never texting you again now give me my beer,” he reached for one of the bottles which Rooster automatically raised above his head, “C’mon, Roo.”
“You can have your beer when you give me back my seat, princess,” he ignored how hearing his newly given nickname sounded in favor of teasing Jake.
Jake rolled his eyes before standing up closer than Bradley thought he was, Jake had to tilt his head slightly to keep eye contact and it sent a thrill up his spine. “Well, you’ve got your seat now can I have my beer?”
This close Rooster could see the darkness under the other man’s eyes and the light dusting of blonde stubble that showed Jake hadn’t shaved in a few days. He wondered just how tired Jake really was.
The other man raised a brow before reaching up for the bottle Jake pulling it backwards making Jake fall into his chest with a huff. Bradley laughed as Jake honest to God pouted full bottom lip out, “Bradley Bradshaw stop being a dick.”
Bradley kept ahold of the beers as he sat down making a dramatic show of getting comfortable before turning his smirk up at Jake, “Well, take a seat and you can have your beer.”
He expected Jake to grab his beer and walk off and he nearly jumped when Jake instead swung around and settled onto Bradley’s thighs. Jake leaned back against his chest and laid his head on Bradley’s left shoulder as he snagged his beer from his loose grip.
Bradley glanced around the group, but everyone was immersed in the arm-wrestling competition that somehow started without them noticing. Jake was tense in his arms, but when Bradley reached up and wrapped an arm around his waist he seemed to melt. He took a long drink of his beer just soaking in the feeling of having Jake in his arms.
“Was the flight really that bad?” his voice was no louder than a whisper.
Jake sighed burrowing further into his shoulder, “No, the flight was fine.”
“Then what has you all tense,” he jostled him slightly earning a small laugh.
“It was really nice being home. I missed them, my family, but I missed ya’ll too.”
The ‘I missed you’ was unspoken, but clear as day. Bradley thought back on the last few weeks without Jake. It was easier having him one text message away and the picture made them feel closer than states apart, but nothing beats the feeling of having Jake here. Trading quick flirty insults and looking like a Hollywood movie star. “You’re being all mopey because you missed me? You big softy, I’m going to start thinking you like me or something.”
Jake smacked his chest before scoffing, “I said I missed ya’ll not that stupid mustache.”
He shifted trying to stand up and Bradley pulled him even closer rubbing said mustache into Jake’s stubbled cheek making him squirm. A camera shutter broke them out of the moment a guilty looking Coyote still holding his cellphone in one hand, “I didn’t know the sound was on.”
Rooster worried for a moment that Jake would run, but the man stayed pliant in his hold just laughing at the other pilots. “You’re just jealous,” he snuggled dramatically into Bradley’s shoulder unknowingly making the other man melt.
“Of you or Rooster?” Bob quipped making everyone laugh all the tension melting from the group.
The evil glint in Phoenix’s eye made Bradley suddenly nervous, “Can’t be jealous with Jake sitting like Rooster is Santa Claus. What’re you asking for Christmas, Hangman?”
Jake wiggled in his lap making Bradley suppress a groan his jeans tightening and his hands moving to hold Jake’s hip still. Jake winked at Phoenix before turning to Bradley and in a high pitch voice, “Santa, for Christmas I want a boyfriend.”
The group laughter got louder but the world faded away for Bradley his sole focus on the sweet smile on Jake’s face and the hope reflected in those green eyes. His hands tightened on Jake’s hips and the other man shivered. Bradley’s voice was rough when he spoke next, “Can I give you your present early?”
Bradley watched in real time as Jake’s pupils blew the green becoming just a small ring and it was the last straw. He surged forward their lips pressing together firmly, Jake’s hands immediately threading into his curls.
Their press of lips turned softer, Bradley reaching up and tilting Jake’s head the kiss turning deeper. The sound of the team’s cheers broke through making both men laugh into the kiss breaking apart. Neither went very far just resting their foreheads against each other.
“I feel like that’s cheating, Nat,” Bob whined and when both men looked Bob was handing over a twenty-dollar bill.
Before he could hand it off Coyote leaned over snatching it, “Actually, I win the bet.”
“You guys bet on us?” Bradley sounded incredulous and Jake snickered.
“If you were going to make us suffer through, you’re mooning we were going to make our own fun,” Phoenix pulled out a twenty handing it over to a smug Coyote.
“I was not mooning,” Jake glared at his best friend, “What even was the bet?”
“How your first kiss would happen,” Bob was still pouting, “I bet on after a hop.”
Phoenix chimed in next, “I bet on after an argument.”
“We bet on the Hard Deck,” Payback pointed between him and Fanboy.
Jake glared harder at Coyote whose smile grew smugger, “I bet on right after Jake came back from Texas. Being at home always makes him soft.”
Before Bradley could grab him, he launched at Coyote knocking the whole chair over and both men rolling into the sand. Bradley would’ve been worried if both men weren’t laughing the entire time as the grappled. Eventually Jake got Javy into a headlock and after a few seconds the other man tapped out making the team laugh as they dramatically flopped backwards. Javy kicked out trying to hit Jake as he stood back up.
Jake made eye contact with Bradley his green eyes asking a silent question which Bradley answered by opening his arms and leaning back. Jake settled back onto his lap snagging the beer he had sat aside when Bradley wasn’t looking.
“I am not soft,” Jake muttered before leaning into Bradley’s chest.
He reached up wrapping his arms around the blonde feeling him melt and resisting laughing, “Of course not, Princess.”
Jake shivered in his arms again before smacking a hand against his chest, “You’re a menace, Bradley Bradshaw.”
The smile on Jake’s face was so soft that Bradley couldn’t resist leaning up and kissing it. Jake hummed into the kiss breaking it after a moment. “Yeah, but I’m your menace now.”
Jake leaned forward this time this kiss deeper than the last. He nipped at Bradley’s lower lip making the other man groan his hands sliding around Jake’s hips one hand sliding under his shirt brushing warm skin. Jake broke the kiss with a gasp placing both of his hands on Bradley’s chest to keep him from reattaching their lips.
“We are going upstairs,” he turned towards the group who all had amused expressions, “do not look for us for at least twenty-four hours.”
The hand Jake still had in his hair tugged and he growled playfully, “Make that forty-eight.”
Jake yelped as Bradley stood the blonde wrapping around him as he carried him back through the house leaving a chorus of catcalls and whistles. Jake seemed to give up on being put down instead putting his effort into sucking a mark just above his collarbone that made it difficult to think.
He kicked the bedroom door open then closed before placing the blonde down on the bed pulling back. Jake looked almost angelic spread out against the white sheets his cheeks flushed and eyes bright. “It’s crazy how pretty you are.”
Jake rolled his eyes, but his blush deepened as he reached out tangling his hands in Bradley’s shirt. He gave into the tug falling on top of the blonde his knees between his spread thighs. He brushed his fingers over the planes of Jake’s face taking in the slight stubble and the darkness under his eyes.
“You look tired, baby,” Jake closed his eyes at the gentle touch his breath leaving him in whoosh as Bradley pressed a gentle kiss to each eyelid.
“Maybe the flight was a little rough and maybe I already miss my mama,” his voice was no more than a whisper, but the confession made Bradley smile.
“Then let’s get some sleep and in the morning we can maybe…see about going back to Texas before leave is up?” he would’ve frozen up if Jake’s eyes hadn’t fluttered open the green filled with happy surprise.
“We? You would do that?” Bradley didn’t like how fragile his voice was and something bigger than the both of them swelled in his chest.
Bradley knew he was like his dad and Mav that he would love with his whole being until the day he died. He swore he heard his mom’s laugh mixed in with the sound from outside and whatever doubt he had about the size of his feelings settled.
“I’ll follow you to the ends of the Earth, Jake Seresin, Texas is nothing.”
Jake reached and they both ignored the slight tremor in his hand as he cupped his cheek, “Remind me to tell you I love you in the morning.”
Their next kiss was gentle a promise of three words for the rest of forever passing in the soft breath they shared afterwards. They separated stripping down the undershirts and boxers before falling back into each other. Jake leaned into his side his head on Bradley’s chest as the other man wrapped his arms around him their legs tangled together.
He felt Jake’s breath even out and his last thought was that he should send Coyote and Phoenix a fruit basket or something.