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one.
The first time Jake kisses his best friend, they’re both drunk.
The thrill of finally finishing aviation training is one that Jake’s sure he’ll never match as long as he lives. He knows there is so much more to his future career, so much left for him to accomplish, but squished into a sticky booth in the back of some dingy bar off base, pressed against Javy’s side, he feels on top of the world.
Someone to Jake’s left (he doesn’t care to look to see who) passes them another round of beers and Jake smiles around the neck of the bottle, a pleasant buzz under his skin. Javy’s holding court next to him, talking to Matt about their shared home of New Orleans. Jake’s only half listening, his brain fading in and out as he drinks.
Eventually, the person to his left moves and Jake’s finally able to get up, stumbling through the crowd towards the bathroom. He hasn’t stood up once in the past two hours and he’s suddenly very aware of how drunk he is as he holds onto the doorway of the bathroom to get his bearings.
After peeing and washing his hands, he opens the door to find Javy standing there, looking a little worried.
“Dude, don’t wander off like that,” Javy says, gripping Jake’s elbow and steering him away from the doorway, off to the side. It’s darker in this part of the bar, the music from the speakers muffled against the walls. “You need some water.”
“Booo,” Jake jeers, frowning at Javy as he pushes himself off the wall and back towards the bar. Javy follows.
“No, no booing me. You’re getting water,” Javy says, grabbing Jake again and pulling him over to the bar. He squeezes them into the crowd, pushing Jake up against the wood and pinning him there with his own body weight. Jake shoves at him, glowering when Javy doesn’t move. “You forget I’m taller.”
“I hate you,” Jake snaps at him but he smiles anyway. His equilibrium is still a bit off and he knows that the water will help. It’s just fun to see Javy roll his eyes and sigh dramatically.
“Can I get two glasses of water?” Javy asks the bartender, pointing to Jake. He doesn’t turn around to see, but Jake knows the bartender gives them an amused look. He can feel it. “You gonna be okay there, sailor?”
“We don’t sail anything,” Jake replies, smiling when Javy laughs. “We fly.”
“Hopefully,” Javy says, handing Jake a glass of water. As Jake gets the straw into his mouth, Javy gently leads him away from where their friends are sitting and towards the front door. “Come on, some fresh air will perk you right up.”
“I hate you,” Jake says again. This time, Javy laughs.
“I’m sure you’ll tell me all about it in the morning,” Javy replies, opening the door and getting Jake outside.
The fresh air does help, or maybe it’s the water, because Jake inhales it and then takes a few deep breaths before his balance seems to come back and he can remember who the president is. He turns when his glass is empty to see Javy holding a full glass still.
“Is that one also for me?” Jake groans. Javy shakes his head, taking a sip.
“No, I just wanted to make sure you were standing before I started to drink.”
“Well,” Jake sweeps his arm down his body, “I’m standing, mother hen. Please, drink away.”
Javy chuckles before he drinks some more, turning to face the parking lot. Jake leans against the side of the building, letting the cool breeze bring some clarity to his head. He’s still drunk, very much so, and knows that he’s probably going to forget parts of tonight, but he’s happy with that.
“I’m sorry your parents didn’t come,” Javy says quietly, pulling Jake out of his own head. He huffs, scuffing his foot on the ground. “My mama loved you, though.”
“Most mama’s do,” Jake says with a grin that he knows doesn’t quite meet his eyes. Javy frowns at him.
“I’m sure yours does.”
“Javy,” Jake sighs, shaking his head, but Javy keeps talking.
“No, I’m sure she does. She sent you cards and stuff, she loves you somewhere in there,” Javy says, voice a bit rougher as he speaks. “Fuck your dad, you know?”
Jake smiles, shuffling across the dirt to stand next to Javy, leaning on him slightly. Javy wraps his arm around Jake and gives him a squeeze. “Fuck my dad.”
“Exactly,” Javy says, cheersing his water glass towards the sky. Jake shakes his head and does the same, tipping the glass back and taking a few ice cubes into his mouth. “Now, I’m cutting you off-”
“Booo!” Jake says loudly, breaking away from Javy slightly to glare at him. Javy just laughs, tugging Jake closer to him again as the bar door opens and people walk out. Jake trips a little but keeps his balance, frowning deep. “You’re such a downer, dude.”
“We have to be up super early tomorrow,” Javy says, reminding Jake of their responsibilities. Jake groans. “Yeah, so unless you’d like to be hungover through all of that…”
“Fine,” Jake says, but he leans forward a bit and lets Javy’s arms come up around him, holding him as Jake leans in so their faces are close. “But you have to get us back to the barracks.”
His lips are so close to Javy’s that he can feel when they part slightly, Javy’s breath warm on his face. They both smell of beer and pizza but Javy also smells like his aftershave and Jake likes the smell. Is familiar with the smell after being attached to Javy’s side for over a year now, all through basic and on into aviation training.
“You think I’m sober enough to drive?” Javy asks, laughing a little. He pulls Jake with him as he steps backwards, around the corner slightly. Jake can see his truck off in the distance.
“Are you?”
Javy frowns and something about the moment makes Jake’s brain cut out for a moment, because he leans in and presses his lips to Javy’s softly.
“Did that weird you out?” Jake asks. Javy’s bottom lip drops and he chuckles softly.
“No?”
“Then you’re too drunk to drive, let’s call a cab.” Javy laughs, letting Jake go as he digs his phone out of his pocket. “Did we pay our tabs?”
“I closed it hours ago, we’ve been drinking on the guys’ dime.”
“Bitchin’,” Jake says as he hands off his glass to Javy, who’s still looking a little shocked, and jerks his thumb towards his truck. “I’ll call a cab, meet you at my truck.”
Javy nods as Jake turns on his heel to head across the parking lot, missing the bemused look that crosses Javy’s face before he heads inside.
two.
The bet is simple. Whoever loses has to kiss the winner. They shake on it and everything. They make it during the celebratory drinks they have with the rest of the new TOPGUN class, and Jake almost thinks he's hallucinated it until he finds it in a note on his phone.
So they compete - pushing each other to be better and egging each other on. They're tied in points for a while and it seems everyone else has pretty much given up catching up to them. Javy has the lead for a week and then Jake swoops in and wins it all. Javy doesn't even look that upset, taking second place gracefully as he cheers Jake on.
The celebration at The Hard Deck starts the second they all walk in and doesn’t stop until the bartender rings the bell for last call. Jake hasn’t paid for a single drink all evening, nor has he refused a drink all evening. Someone had started feeding him water around midnight, though, so he’s not nearly as drunk as he thinks he should be.
The lights of the building are still on as Jake heads out the backdoor towards the ocean. He knows that Javy is right behind him, where he has been all night. They’d made a pact to always have each other’s backs and though they definitely were talking about in the air, Jake likes that it extends onto the ground too.
Jake comes to a stop as the beach starts to decline, waiting for Javy to catch up to him. When Javy walks up next to him, Jake loops his arm around Javy’s and pulls him in closer.
“We fucking did it, man. We’re the best of the best.”
“You’re the best of the best,” Javy says, smiling as Jake rolls his eyes and pretends to be modest. A well played out game they’ve perfected over the course of their friendship.
“Aww, stop it, I’m blushing,” Jake says with a laugh, leaning heavily against Javy’s side as they both giggle. They’re exhausted and should probably have left for bed hours ago but they’re both running on adrenaline and the thrill of winning.
“No you aren’t,” Javy argues, touching Jake’s cheeks. “That’s the alcohol.”
“Rude!” Jake yells, trying and failing to break away from Javy. He stumbles a bit and Javy wraps his arm around Jake’s waist, holding him steady. Jake tries to wiggle away but Javy’s hold is stronger than any of Jake’s attempts to break free. “Let me go, dude!”
“I’m not done with you yet,” Javy says, causing Jake to turn around and stop trying to get away. There’s a sheepish look on Javy’s face, though Jake doesn’t know if it’s from the alcohol or something else. Javy’s mouth opens once, fingers scratching as his jaw, before he speaks again. “I lost the bet.”
Jake’s brow furrows before he remembers, his cheeks flushing slightly.
“It’s fine,” Jake says, cupping his hand around his own mouth and smelling his breath. “My breath is horrible.”
“The bet was a kiss, not making out,” Javy says, pulling Jake’s hand away from his face. He catches Jake’s eye before saying, “but if don’t want me to-”
Jake tugs Javy closer and he gets the memo, leaning down to press his lips to Jake’s gently. It’s a simple press, their lips staying closed and only slightly puckered. Javy smiles and their lips part, both of them laughing softly.
“Who kissed who?”
“I definitely won that one,” Javy argues, laughing as Jake shakes his head.
three.
Javy’s mama smiles at him as soon as the door opens.
“You must be Jake!” she says, pulling him in for a hug. Javy winks at him as he walks past, heading for where his siblings are down the hall waiting for him. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you.”
“You as well, Mrs. Machado,” Jake says, eyes widening as Mrs. Machado shakes her head.
“Please, child, call me Mama,” she says as she kisses his cheeks and pats his shoulders. “Everyone else does.”
“Mama, don’t I get a hug?” Javy calls, having finished giving his siblings hugs. Mama turns around and opens her arms for her, Javy bending down to wrap her up tight.
“Of course you do, my baby,” she says, patting his back. “After the guests are welcomed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Javy mock salutes, earning a playful pinch to his side.
“You and Jake take your stuff upstairs and get settled before dinner’s ready,” Mama says, pushing past Javy towards where Jake believes the kitchen to be. He doesn’t get a chance to investigate too much though because Javy’s grabbing their bags and pulling Jake up the stairs.
Javy leads Jake to a door at the end of the hall, pulled mostly closed. He pauses before he pushes the door open, smiling at Jake.
“Are you going to bitch if I have Saints gear on my walls?”
“Only a little,” Jake promises, pushing Javy through the door.
Jake looks around as Javy places their bags on the bed up against the one wall, right under a window. The walls aren’t as covered in stuff as Jake would’ve thought and he walks over to the desk to look at the pictures pinned above it. There’s photos of Javy in high school, at what looks like Prom and a football game. There’s movie ticket stubs that Jake can’t read anymore, so faded from exposure. Jake smiles when he sees himself among the photos, a picture of him and Javy from graduating basic.
“I don’t see any Saints stuff here,” Jake says, turning around to see Javy sitting on his bed, pulling off his socks.
“Dom must have taken it all down when he was using my room,” Javy says, shrugging. “I have a jersey in my closet though.”
“Gross,” Jake deadpans, grinning as Javy throws a dirty sock at him. “Grosser!”
“You’re in Louisiana now, Texas boy.” Javy stands, stretching his arms above his head. “No one here roots for the Cowboys.”
“They’re America’s team,” Jake replies, crossing his arms. “The Saints and Cowboys don’t even play on Christmas this year.”
“Thank God for that,” Javy mumbles, opening his closet and rifling through the clothes there. “If you want to get changed - Mama has a ‘no sweats at the dinnertable’ rule.”
“I can respect that,” Jake says, grabbing his pack and digging through it. Javy points to the door and to the right and Jake knows he means the bathroom before Jake’s even out the door.
There’s more photos on the wall and Jake looks at them on his way back, stopping at one of the bigger ones outside Javy’s bedroom. It’s of Javy and all of his siblings, plus what Jake assumes are some cousins. Javy can’t be older than fourteen but Jake spots him right away - he has braces and tight locs held up by a ribbon. Jake smiles at the photo, having never seen Javy with anything other than regulation hair.
He knocks on the door-jam before walking around the corner, gesturing to himself. Javy gives him a thumbs up. “Mama will approve.”
“Good,” Jake says, waiting in the doorway as Javy reapplies deodorant. “I don’t want to upset Mama.”
“Oh, you’re going to be her favorite,” Javy mumbles, grinning as he puts his deodorant away and stands up straight. Patting his sides, he finds his phone and shoots Jake a thumbs up, walking over to him. “Come on, I can smell the ham.”
“Is that what that is?” Jake asks, following Javy out into the hall. “I can only smell something sweet.”
“Her carrots,” Javy says with a smile, eyes softening a bit. “God, it feels so good to be home.”
Jake smiles at him as they come to the bottom of the stairs, Javy frowning as Jake grabs his wrist to stop him. He steps back into Jake’s space, head tilted as he gives Jake a curious look.
“What’s up?” Javy asks, keeping his voice low. Jake takes a deep breath before answering.
“Thank you, for inviting me,” Jake says, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I… yeah.”
Javy smiles at Jake, hand reaching to pull on Jake’s arm. Reluctantly, Jake pulls his hand out of his pocket and lets Javy squeeze it reassuringly.
“Of course, man,” Javy practically whispers. Down the hall, they can hear everyone talking loudly, organizing plates and silverware by the sounds of it. “No one deserves to be alone on Christmas.”
Jake just nods, a lump in his throat. He knows that Javy can see straight through him, knows exactly what Jake’s thinking, so he doesn’t push. He squeezes Jake’s hand again before dropping it.
“Thank you,” Jake says, a flash of anger filling him for only a moment before he just feels sad again.
“You’re welcome,” Javy says softly. He smiles as Jake takes a deep breath, tilting his head back as he sighs. Jake’s eyes land on something hanging up above his head, something he hadn’t seen when walking up or down the stairs.
“Javy,” Jake says, looking at him again. Javy raises an eyebrow. “Look up.”
Javy’s brow furrows and then he looks up, laughing softly as he sees what Jake sees.
“Roni definitely did that,” Javy says, referring to one of his sisters. “I bet Manny helped her.”
“That’s mistletoe.”
“It sure is,” Javy replies, looking at Jake. There’s a look on his face Jake can’t decipher but he’s smiling enough that Jake knows he’s as amused as Jake is.
“You know what that means, right Machado?”
“I’ve heard a rumor or two,” Javy replies, leaning in to kiss Jake’s cheek. At the last second, Jake turns his head and cups Javy’s cheeks with his hands, pulling him into a proper kiss.
“There,” Jake says, smirking as he pulls back. Javy’s cheeks are a little warm under his hands and there’s a heaviness in his eyes that goes away as soon as he blinks. “Merry Christmas.”
“That better not be my present,” Javy laughs, reaching for Jake as he steps around Javy and heads towards the kitchen. “Jake!”
“No but it can be a gift!” Jake looks over his shoulder as Javy catches up to him, winking. Javy rolls his eyes but he’s smiling as he pushes Jake into the kitchen.
four.
“You’re all good to go, Lieutenant.”
Javy nods at the doctor, the pit in his stomach still a bit heavy as he stands and settles on his feet again. The doctor is already out of the room, probably heading to check up on Bob and Phoenix somewhere down the hall, if all of the commotion tells him anything.
He heads the opposite way of the noise, back down the hallways towards the exit. His head is still spinning and he feels like everything’s crumbling apart in front of him. He knows, deep in his heart, that Maverick won’t send him on the mission now. Even if he is a great pilot, he’s a risk now. Handling 10G’s is something required for this mission.
Javy knows it’s just the adrenaline crash that’s making him want to cry a little and knows that he’ll start to feel once he lays down and drinks some water. His bed has never called to him harder and he inexplicably wants nothing more than to curl up on his Mama’s couch.
He’s shocked out of his musing as he walks around the corner and right into someone. He barely has time to figure out who it is before he’s being pulled into a bone crushing hug.
“Holy shit, man, what the fuck,” Jake mumbles as he clings to Javy tight, a pleasant weight against Javy’s body. He feels his feet under him as he wraps an arm around Jake, feels the solidness of the floor and his legs. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Javy manages to whisper, head spinning again as he suddenly feels himself back in his own body, feeling his heartbeat where his chest is pressed against Jake’s. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Jake pulls back and holds him at arm's length, his eye moving about Javy’s face quickly. There’s a pinch to his brow, his mouth turned down in a frown, and Javy’s not sure if he’s ever seen Jake this upset before. He slides his hand from Jake’s back to his side, squeezing him gently.
“I’m okay,” Javy says again, watching as Jake’s eyes water for a moment, his eyes shifting up to meet Javy’s. His mouth opens and he takes a ragged breath, eyes clearing as he breathes out.
“You’re okay,” Jake whispers, bringing his hands up to touch Javy’s chest, shoulders, arms. Javy nods, grabbing Jake’s hands and pulling them to his chest. He knows Jake can feel it, the steady beat of Javy’s heart, because his shoulders relax slightly and his lips turn up in a soft smile. “Holy shit, you scared me.”
Jake whispers the words between them but it’s loud enough in Javy’s mind that he might as well have yelled. He’s known Jake for a long time and he knows Jake’s not one for displays of vulnerability, always hiding behind humor and a carefully created mask of detachment. Something tugs, deep in Javy’s chest, as he takes in the tension in Jake’s shoulders, the paleness of his face.
“I’m sorry, darlin’,” Javy whispers, leaning in and tilting Jake’s face up slightly so their foreheads touch. He leans in and kisses Jake gently, reassuringly, and he feels Jake’s hands unclehch against his chest. He wraps his arms around Javy’s torso, pulling him in closer, and Javy cups his face. “A little g-LOC isn’t taking me out.”
Jake laughs but it’s a little hollow. He seems to realize that they’re standing in a hallway of a Naval base hospital and steps back, cheeks flushing slightly. Javy reaches out and takes his hand anyway, needing to feel tethered to something as the adrenaline continues to leave his mind.
“Come on,” Jake says, pulling on Javy’s hand. “You need to eat.”
“Are you going to mother hen me now?” Javy asks, almost needing the easy back and forth to keep him sane. Jake smiles at him like he knows.
“You bet your ass,” Jake says, squeezing Javy’s hand. It’s not nearly as teasing as it could be but there’s a slight glint in Jake’s eyes that lets Javy know he’s going to be alright.
five.
They haven’t talked about it, the kissing, and Javy maybe thinks that they should as they all leave the briefing and head towards the flight deck. Jake’s not going on the mission but he’s Dagger Spare, on standby should they need any assistance. That almost feels worse, to Javy. Knowing that Jake’s only going up in the air if they’re in deep shit.
Javy watches as Jake breaks away from the main crowd of people, heading for a door that Javy knows doesn’t lead outside. In fact, he’s very certain it leads back into the ship, the opposite way they’re to go.
He follows, looking over his shoulder as he opens the door to make sure no one’s paying attention.
As soon as the doors closed, two hands are on his face and he’s being pulled into a bruising kiss, his mouth opening on instinct. He grips the front of Jake’s flight suit, pulling him as close as possible. Jake’s mouth moves over his, tongue wet along Javy’s bottom lip, and Javy shudders as he feels his back hit the wall. There isn’t an inch of space between them as Jake pulls back, his forehead resting against Javy’s as they both pant. Javy unclenches his hands from Jake’s suit and grabs his wrists, pulling them down between them. Jake’s hands grip the front of his suit and they take a deep breath together.
“Jake,” Javy whispers, nudging their noses together. Jake shudders but doesn’t say anything, his eyes closed. “Jake, everything’s going to be fine.”
“You don’t know that,” Jake argues, voice sharp. Javy barely reacts, pulling Jake’s fingers apart so their hands can slide together.
“I don’t,” Javy concedes, squeezing Jake’s hands. “But it’s going to be.”
Jake takes a deep breath, his body beginning to relax. Javy hums quietly, a melody he can’t name but knows by heart, and he feels Jake smile against his lips.
“Okay,” Jake says, leaning in to kiss Javy again. This kiss is softer, almost tender, and feels like a promise when Jake squeezes Javy’s hands.
“We’re talking about this,” Javy nudges his nose against Jake’s, “when this is all over.”
Jake looks at him, eyes opening slowly, and for a moment they just stare at each other in the dim light of the hallway. Jake’s eyes look miles away but they focus when Javy smiles.
plus one.
Javy’s been at his place for all of an hour when there’s a knock on the door. He knows who it is without looking and isn’t surprised when the door opens and someone’s launching themselves into his arms.
Jake’s legs go around Javy’s waist as he cups Javy’s face and kisses him, not as desperately as on the carrier but almost. Javy grunts, resting Jake against the closed door and getting his arms around Jake’s waist to hold him up.
“This isn’t talking,” Javy says, smiling as Jake groans.
“Talking is boring after saving the world.”
“I see your ego is still in check.”
Jake laughs, dropping his feet to the ground and standing on his own. Javy keeps his arms around Jake’s waist, hands spread on Jake’s back to feel the warmth of his skin through his thin white shirt. Jake looks at Javy and smiles, his hands resting on Javy’s chest, fingers drumming gently.
“We can talk,” Jake says, though he sighs dramatically. “If you want.”
“Jake,” Javy says, thumbing the line of Jake’s jaw. “I… I don’t want this to get fucked up.”
Jake’s brow furrows and he purses his lips. “What do you mean?”
Javy sighs, taking a step back from Jake but pulling on his hand until Jake follows him to the couch. They sit side by side, Javy shoved up into the corner. Jake stretches his legs out in front of him before turning his head along the back of the couch to look at Javy.
“Jake, I…” Javy trails off, his eyes following the line of Jake’s hair down his face, across the slight stubble that’s growing in from a few days of not shaving. Jake’s eyes stay on him, a heavy weight on Javy’s face as he takes Jake’s hand in his own, entwining their fingers together. “I don’t just bring anyone home to meet my Mama.”
Jake’s silent, mouth slightly open as Javy takes a deep breath and meets his eyes. Javy looks away after a moment, the back of his neck prickling as feelings well up in his chest.
“I don’t kiss any of my other friends.”
Jake nods, swallowing thickly. He lifts his head but looks down at their hands, cheeks pink. “I know.”
“I want… I don’t want this to get fucked up because I want it to be real,” Javy whispers, jostling Jake’s hand until he looks up again. His eyes look a little misty but it disappears when he blinks. Javy’s breath catches in his throat at the action, something about the moment washing over him pleasantly.
“Want what?” Jake asks. He tilts his head to the side, hair shifting on his head.
“Us,” Javy replies, holding up their entwined hands. “I want us to be real. I want to be able to kiss you all the time, not just because one of us lost a dare or we’re in a life or death situation.”
“Javy,” Jake whispers, cheeks pinkening. For a split second, Javy thinks Jake’s going to reject him, let him down easy. Javy’s chest aches for all of a breath before Jake’s looking at him with the most vulnerable expression Javy’s ever seen on his face. “I always want to kiss you.” He laughs, tilting his head back slightly. “Especially right now.”
“Then do it, Seresin,” Javy whispers challengingly, raising an eyebrow at Jake. He feels the mood shift, playfulness easing its way into the moment. It’s familiar, their little song and dance. The easy back and forth.
“One thing, Machado,” Jake says, shifting on the couch so he’s facing Javy a bit more, throwing one of his legs over Javy’s lap. Javy reaches for the other leg and Jake turns completely, both of his legs coming to rest across Javy’s knees. “When people ask, I asked you out.”
Javy laughs as Jake pulls him in for a kiss, lips lined up weird as Jake moves to climb into Javy’s lap, legs bracketing his hips. Javy wraps his arms around Jake and pulls him in close, sliding a hand into Jake’s hair.
“Always have to win, huh?” Javy teases when they pull back, noses brushing as Jake nods. “I think I can live with that.”
Jake’s eyes light up and he leans in to kiss Javy again, any tension still in their bodies melting as they relax into each other, pulses pounding where their chests press together.
“You’re going to have to,” Jake kisses Javy’s cheek to his jaw, “if you’re my boyfriend.”
“Partner?”
“Boyfriend,” Jake says firmly, squeezing Javy’s cheeks as he laughs.
“As long as you keep kissing me,” Javy says, tilting Jake’s head down so their lips can meet again. “I’ll tell people anything you want.”