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Jake was definitely not overthinking. Jake doesn’t overthink.
He doesn’t!
He just really wanted to look good for Bradley.
He has three shirts tossed onto his bed. All of them decidedly not good enough.
It was their six month anniversary. Jake wanted to make Bradley’s jaw drop. Not that Jake doesn’t think he looks good all the time. He knows how attractive he is. But he wants to look worthy of Brad’s beauty, wants to look good standing next to him.
So yeah, maybe Jake is overthinking this just a little bit. He just needs this night to go well. He wants to make it special. Bradley is the first guy that Jake has ever really liked. The first guy Jake has wanted to dress up for.
Jake pulls on another shirt and looks at himself in the mirror as he buttons it up. It’s a dark purple, almost eggplant color. It’s nice, it looks good on him. But he isn’t sure if it’s the perfect shirt.
Jake groans. He never has to think about clothes this much. This should not be difficult. He snaps a picture of himself in the mirror before opening up his text messages. He sends Natasha the picture he just took as well as the ones of him in the three other shirts he tried on. He quickly types out a message complaining about not knowing what to wear.
He and Tasha have gotten closer too over the last couple months. They aren’t the best of friends, definitely not as close as she and Bradley are. But that’s exactly why he’s texting her. She’ll know what Bradley will like best. Or maybe she’ll completely screw him over.
Jake rolls his eyes, it’s just a shirt.
Natasha responds rather quickly. ‘You and Brad are the same I swear’
Jake looks down at the message confused, responding and asking what she meant. The next message Tasha sent was her explaining that Bradley had also texted her asking for advice. Jake smiled. It was cute that Bradley was also overthinking it. That made him feel a little better. But he knows that his partner is going to look stunning in whatever he wears.
‘Wear the green one, trust me’ Tasha sent.
Jake looked at his bed at the shirts laid out. He quickly tossed off the purple one and replaced it with the green one. He looked at himself in the mirror again. The shirt was nice, it fit him well. It brought out the green in his eyes. He sent Tasha back a thumbs up and put his phone in his back pocket.
Looking back in the mirror Jake started to work out the finer details. He left the top two buttons open, the silver glint of his dog tags peaking out.
They weren’t going somewhere super fancy, but it was a nicer place. Jake had to make reservations a couple weeks in advance. He was never one for fancy things, much preferring a night out at a club or bar, or even staying in. Some of his favorite date nights were just him and Bradley having a beer and cuddling while watching shitty movies.
But this was an anniversary, a big moment. Jake didn’t have a great track record with relationships, especially making them last. But he wanted to give Bradley the world. He wanted to make what they have last for forever and beyond that.
He was getting ahead of himself.
He tucked his shirt into his black slacks. If he was honest he felt a little bit out of his comfort zone. But he looked good. He brought the outfit back to his roots a little when he stepped into his brown cowboy boots.
…
Jake pulled up to Bradley’s house exactly two minutes early. He parked next to the Bronco in his usual spot. His own ford is bigger, broader, and newer. They looked a little silly next to each other, but also perfect.
Jake hopped out of the truck. He felt like he was shaking in his boots. The date hasn’t even started and Jake’s mind is racing.
He knocks on the door and presses his nails into his palms.
The door swings open and Jake feels all of the air pulled out of his lungs.
Bradley stood there, in all his six foot two glory. A gentle smile on his lips, his eyes shining with his lids painted in a faint gold tint. And then Jake was overtaken by an immediate feeling of warmth. He suddenly can’t remember why he was nervous.
Bradley leaned forward and pressed a sweet kiss to Jake’s lips.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Bradley mumbled against his lips.
“Honey,” Jake breathed, not letting his eyes open just yet.
He leaned forward once again catching Bradley’s lips in a kiss, this one more persistent. He reached out and lightly grabbed Bradley’s hips pulling him closer. His fingers brushed against… lace? Jake pulled away and looked down. Bradley was wearing a sage green skirt with a floral lace overlay. Jake’s grip tightened.
Bradley chuckled and Jake looked back up at him.
“Do you like it?” The brunette asked, a knowing smirk under his perfectly trimmed mustache.
Jake looked him over again, taking in all of his partner. Allowing himself to look.
Bradley’s white button-up was tight, leaving nothing to the imagination when it came to his perfect tits and Jake couldn’t help but let his gaze sit there for a moment. Just above his collar he wore a gold necklace with a small rose charm nestled between his collarbones. Glancing up at his ears he noticed that he had a pair of matching rose studs. They matched the ones in the lace. Jake let his gaze wander back to Bradley’s eyes.
“You are the most beautiful man I have ever seen,” He said. And he meant it. There was no one that could compete with the person standing right in front of him. And there never would be.
Jake watched as Bradley’s cheeks dusted a light red. God, how did he get so lucky? What did he do to deserve this?
“Alright, stud,” Bradley started as he walked out the door and shut it behind him. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’re not gonna make it to the restaurant,” he winked as he continued out to the driveway.
Jake quickened his pace to keep up with the man. If he were a weaker man, he would have pulled Bradley back inside. Nevertheless, he had a plan for tonight.
“Don’t tempt me, honey,” He teased.
Either way, they’ll end up back here together in the end. That was what mattered.
. . .
There was a pretty blonde waitress that just couldn’t help but stare at Bradley all night. It’s not like she couldn’t tell Jake and Bradley were on a date. It was made obvious by the possessive hand that held Jakes throughout most of the night. And yet she couldn’t help but keep batting her eyelashes at him as if he’ll suddenly change his mind about who he’s here with.
“You’re glaring, Jake,” Bradley said as he stroked his thumb across Jake's hand.
Jake sighed and looked away from the waitress who was walking away to get them their check.
“She deserves it,” He whispers, still slightly annoyed.
“She doesn’t stand a chance, you’re the only pretty blonde I want to go home with,” Bradley assured.
Jake felt himself blush. Home. He really liked the sound of that. Bradley was becoming Jake’s home extremely quickly. Jake didn’t find himself minding.
“Cause I’m too good to be true?” Jake asked, trying to pull away from his jealousy.
Bradley just rolled his eyes, “Somethin’ like that,” but he says it with a smile.
It doesn’t take long for the waitress to come back with the check. She hesitates for a moment as she looks over them both, as if she doesn’t know who to hand the check to. Jake hides his grin behind his hand that isn’t occupied by Bradley. The girl settles on placing it in the middle of the table before flashing a smile and once again stepping away.
Jake snatches the folder up before Brad can even attempt to. He waves the other man off as he slides his card into the folder and sets it back down. Jake wanted to take him here, he wanted to pay.
Bradley looked slightly peeved but didn’t say anything. Jake would let him get it next time.
. . .
“I really thought she was gonna give you her number at the end there,” Jake joked as they walked down the street hand in hand.
“Woulda thrown it away as soon as I got the chance,” Bradley said, squeezing Jake’s hand.
Jake looked down at the sidewalk. He was so content. He’s never felt like this before. No one has ever made him feel so… safe. So secure.
“Come with me,” Jake said, suddenly getting an idea.
Bradley raised an eyebrow at him but followed without question as Jake quickened his pace.
Jake took a sharp turn down an alleyway.
“Woah,” Bradley stuttered out as he was dragged along behind Jake.
The alleyway leads out to a small path that leads directly to the beach. Jake slowed down as they made their way to the sand. Jake glanced over at Bradley who had a wide grin on his face. Bradley stopped and pulled his shoes and socks off and motioned for Jake to do the same. Jake quickly followed suit.
They walked out onto the beach, near the water. Their shoes in one hand, and in the other their fingers were laced together. It was such a peaceful night. The beach was bare, the only light coming from the nearby buildings.
“I have something for you,” Jake said.
“Oh?” Bradley asked. “I have something for you too,” He added with a smirk.
They stopped their trek and dropped their shoes into the sand. The sand squished under Jake's feet, familiar, calming. Bradley stepped in front of Jake so they could face each other. God, he looked even more beautiful in the moonlight. Bradley’s eyelids shimmered, his skirt flowed gently against the ocean breeze.
Jake pulled a small black velvet bag out of his pocket and opened it slowly. He poured the contents out into his hand, a mess of gold. He tucked the bag back into his pocket before untangling the mess in his palm. He heard Bradley suck in a breath as he handed it to him. He just hoped that was positive.
It’s a small gold bracelet with three matching gold charms dangling from it. A small f-18, a polaroid camera, and a small circle with H&R engraved in the gold plate. He waited intently as Bradley examined it.
“Sweetheart,” Bradley’s voice was watery. Jake looked up from the bracelet and saw that Bradley’s eyes were lined with tears.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Jake reached up and caressed Bradley’s cheek.
Brad shook his head, “this is beautiful,” a tear fell from his right eye and Jake wiped it away with his thumb.
“Beautiful people deserve beautiful things,” Jake said softly as he took the bracelet out of Brad’s palm and clasped it around his wrist.
Bradley looked down at him as if everything in the universe just clicked. He grabbed Jake’s face between his hands and kissed him. Jake moaned at the sudden intensity, but happily let his partner lick into his mouth.
After a few moments, they pulled apart. Bradley leaned his forehead against Jakes. Everything felt like it was leading up to this perfect moment. Just the two of them, taking each other in. Feeling each other's breaths fan across their faces. The moment was completely and utterly serine. Jake couldn’t place how everything was so perfect.
“I love you, honey,” Bradley told him softly.
And that’s what it was. Everything was leading to this. That was why it was perfect. Why Bradley was perfect. Why Jake has never felt more secure. It was love.
“I love you, sweetheart,”