Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It’s been a long week for the Dagger Squad and everyone’s ready to head home and change out of their sweaty uniforms before getting back together to hang out – no work talk allowed. In a somewhat uncharacteristic move, Hangman invited everyone to come over to finally see the house he shares with one of his best friends. With an offer of food, beer, and a chance to see how Hangman lives, how could anyone refuse?

“We’re still good to come over to yours?” Payback asks as they get to the parking lot before they can start to separate in the direction of their vehicles. 

“Yep, come by around 7. That should give us enough time to get things ready and have food on the grill.” Hangman yells back as he climbs into his truck.

“We’re looking forward to meeting your roommate.” Phoenix says. For all of his loudmouthed bravado, Hangman can be pretty private, so everyone is looking forward to finally getting to see what type of person lives with, and is willingly best friends with, Hangman.

“See you and Rosie later.” Coyote gives a quick wave as he heads over to his own truck. 

A little while later, after a trip home to shower and change, Rooster pulls up to Hangman’s driveway and sees Bob and Phoenix getting out of Bob’s car.

“Hey, did you see Bagman’s text?” Phoenix calls out. 

“Nah, what did it say?” He asks as he climbs down from his seat, walking up towards the duo.

“He said he had to run to the store for one last thing but we can just go inside.” Phoenix summarizes, holding her phone up for Rooster to read. 

“I feel a little weird just walking in since we haven’t met his roommate or been here before, but his truck is here so he’s probably back by now.” Bob says, having been raised too kindly to just walk into someone’s house.

Either way, Rooster decides that’s good enough for him, it’s not his fault that Hangman texted that they could just walk in, so he heads past Phoenix and Bob up onto the porch and into Hangman’s house.

“Hey Bagman, we’re here.” He calls out as he opens the door.

“Maybe later I can go for a walk with Rosie.” Bob tells Phoenix while they wait for their teammate to appear.

“Oh, hi there.” A feminine voice calls out. Rooster, Bob, and Phoenix all stop as they hear you coming down the hall and into the kitchen. They expected to see Hangman, or a similar Ken doll frat bro type. But instead, you walk out – a very normal looking woman. They’re pretty sure Hangman doesn’t have a girlfriend, and they know he’s mentioned a roommate, so there’s a brief moment of panic on their faces.

“Oh my God, Rooster, did you walk us into the wrong fucking house?” Phoenix whispers, turning around in horror to check whether that really was Hangman’s car in the driveway.

“Y’all are Jake’s friends, right?” The confusion on their faces is clear as day, but you’re not exactly sure what’s got them so confused. Bob nods his head yes but before anyone can say anything else, Coyote comes through the door behind them carrying a pack of cider, Fanboy and Payback right behind him. 

“Hey guys. Oh hi, good to see you.” Coyote smiles at you when he moves past his three teammates and notices you standing in the kitchen.

“Why are you surprised to see me in my own house?” You laugh as Coyote sets the drinks down and comes to give you a hug. 

“I didn’t see your car, I assumed you were out, or that he finally scared you away.” Coyote laughs with you.

“Oh, Jake must’ve taken it to the store.” You briefly glance at the key basket by the door, trying to see which set of keys is there. “Is his out there?” You nod towards your driveway.

“Yes, ma’am.” Coyote replies, while Phoenix, Bob, and Rooster realize why Hangman’s truck was the only car in the driveway.

“Besides, you know I’ve been around too long to leave. I’ve got too many of Jake’s secrets for him to let me walk away.” You wink.

“Alright, I can do introductions. Guys, this is Hangman’s best friend and roommate.” Coyote tells them, as you give your name and a wave. 

"This is Fanboy and Payback.” Coyote says with a nod back at the two men that he came in with, who both offer you a smile and a nod. 

“This here is Rooster.” The tall, mustached man in the Hawaiian shirt nods at you, and if you didn’t know any better you’d think he still looks mildly confused.

“Phoenix.” A smile and nod from the beautiful woman standing between the two men. 

“I’m Bob!” The third occupant of your front entryway, handsome with glasses, tells you.

“Nice to meet you all, finally. Sorry Jake’s not back yet. He decided we didn’t have enough beer and went out for more. But I see you brought my favorite cider. Thanks, Javy, I knew you were my favorite for a reason.” You jokingly pat him on the side of the face, in a very grandmotherly fashion, before turning around to put the cider in the fridge.

“Please, make yourselves at home. I think we’ll end up outside later but feel free to come grab a drink or a snack.” You gesture towards the bowls of fruit, chips, and veggie tray spread out in front of you on the counter and open the fridge once more to grab a cider.

The team follows Coyote’s lead and comes further into your house to take a look – both at the room itself and at all of the snacks laid out.

Your phone buzzes on the opposite end of the counter near Bob, who picks it up to hand to you. 

“Oh one sec, it’s Jake.” You tell the aviators in your kitchen as you swipe open your phone to answer. “Hi, you.” You say into the phone, oblivious to the looks that everyone in your kitchen, except Coyote, are giving one another. Looks that say ‘ a woman? ’, ‘ living with Hangman? ’, ‘ this place is nice, and normal? ’, and ‘ did we miss something? ’.

“Yeah, I think everyone is here. Yeah, Coyote, Payback, Fanboy, Bob, Phoenix, and Rooster.” Your eyes dart from aviator to aviator, trying to make sure that everyone is accounted for. You pause, listening to whatever Hangman is saying on the other end. “I will tell him no such thing.” You jokingly chide Jake as Rooster rolls his eyes, (correctly) assuming that whatever Jake said was about him. 

“Really, Jake, I think we have everything we could ever need. Okay, if you’re sure. We’ll see you soon. Why don’t you park on the street so we don’t box everyone in? Alright, bye.” You hang up and slide your phone into your back pocket. 

“Jake got more beer but is now convinced that we also need more paper towels. Sometimes it’s just easier to let him do his thing. He should be home pretty soon though.” You shrug.

Phoenix still can’t believe that instead of a douchebag clone of Hangman, you’re his best friend and roommate. From what she can tell, you’re a perfectly normal, kind woman. She wants to know more about you and your relationship with Hangman but that’ll come later. She wasn’t raised in a barn (jury’s still out on if Rooster was, no offense to Carole) so she grabs a plate and starts grabbing some snacks while watching you chat with Coyote. 

After the initial shock of your existence wears off and drinks and snacks find their way into everyone's hands, you all make your way into the living room. You offer to give them a tour of the house but are waved off as they say they’ll wait for Hangman for that. 

Coyote excuses himself to go to the bathroom, joking that you don’t need to get up since he already knows his way around. In the meantime, you’ve started talking with Phoenix and Payback while Bob and Rooster are looking at everything in your living room, with different degrees of subtlety.

Sitting on the couch, Fanboy looks around the room once more before finally asking the question that’s been on his mind since he arrived. 

“So, where’s your dog?” He assumes maybe you’ve put her upstairs in one of the rooms, but so far he hasn’t even seen any toys or a bowl for her or heard her.

“What?” You ask with a confused tilt of your head. 

“Rosie?” He’s sure he’s heard Hangman mention her dozens of times. Hangman is always talking about his best friend/roommate (who everyone is starting to realize he never explicitly clarified the gender of) and Rosie. 

“Yes?” You ask, not sure what he’s getting at. 

“Rosie, the dog?” He tries again, and notices Phoenix and Rooster holding back a laugh out of the corner of his eye.

“What dog?”

“Don’t you and Hangman have a dog?”

“Um, unless he’s getting more than just beer and paper towels from the store, I’m going to go with no.”

“No, I mean, where’s Rosie?” Okay , Fanboy thinks, so maybe Rosie isn’t your dog, maybe she’s a neighbor's dog that comes over a lot. That would make sense.

“I’m right here?”

“But, your name isn’t Rosie?” 

You open your mouth to answer but are cut off by a loud laugh from Coyote who walks back into the room. “Oh that’s too funny. Did y’all think Rosie was a dog this whole time? Hang is gonna kick your asses.” 

“Oh, she’s Rosie.” Bob whispers to Phoenix.

“It’s one of Jake’s many nicknames for me.” You roll your eyes. “My mom used to call me Petunia, Jake overheard it and thought it was the funniest thing ever. He started calling me Petunia, which turned into any variation on a flower he could come up with, before he landed on Rose. Rosie just kind of stuck around from there.” You shrug. 

“So… you guys don’t have a dog?” Fanboy asks, looking around once more as if a dog would magically appear in the living room. You shake your head no, but everyone is glad to see you smiling. The last thing they’d want is to offend you, especially the first time meeting you.

“Okay but what about all of the walks? He tells us all the time that the first thing he does when he gets home is take a walk with Rosie.” At this point, Fanboy clearly knows that you’re not a dog, and that there is no dog, but he’s trying to defend his honor and explain how he came to that conclusion. 

“I mean, that’s pretty self explanatory, I love taking a nice walk, we’ve gotten into the habit of taking one before dinner.” You’re still not quite sure how all of this confusion began but you don’t think you’re offended by the assumption.

“I think one time he told us that sometimes he lets Rosie sleep and goes for a run alone but will still walk with her later.” Bob joins the conversation, and Fanboy is glad to know he wasn’t alone in his assumption.

“I hate running, like I really hate running. He knows I’m perfectly happy going for a walk by myself, but despite his grumbling I know he loves it too. Especially when the old ladies in the neighborhood stop us to talk.”

“Is he still pretending he doesn’t gossip as much as they do?” Coyote asks, with a knowing grin.

“Ugh,” you groan, “you know it. Which is ridiculous when he’s the one starting the conversations with them most of the time. Half of Barb’s information comes from him, but whatever.” It’s clear that you and Coyote have had this conversation before.

“Okay wait. How about this one?” Fanboy tries again. “Literally just this week I asked him what he did over the weekend and he said he spent some time outside, tossed the ball with Rosie, and that she loves the backyard.” To this one, you burst out laughing.

“Well, first of all, I use my human hands to throw the ball back to him,” you say while wiggling your fingers in exaggerated jazz hands, “and second of all it’s a great backyard. I love reading in the hammock.”

“What about the time he had to stay late and asked Coyote to stop by and check on Rosie, he said she ‘should have enough food but just in case’.” 

“She had the flu.” Coyote adds, noting your confusion.

“Okay, I’ll give you that one, I get how that could be confusing. He’s such a mother hen when I’m sick.” You roll your eyes, good naturedly, not noticing everyone’s shock and confusion at the words “mother hen” being applied to Hangman.

“Oh my God wait, Bob said he wanted to take a walk with Rosie earlier.” Phoenix adds while laughing.

“Yeah I heard that one and thought it was just sweet, awkward, pre-emptive flirting. I don’t know!” You shrug, trying not to sound like a bitch.

“You can understand the confusion right?” Bob adds, nearly desperate. He’s not sure which sounds worse: Hangman finding out that he thought Rosie was a dog, or Hangman thinking that he was trying to hit on Rosie, the human.

“No I mean if that’s all he’s said, I kind of get it. That’s actually so funny. I can’t believe you all thought I was a dog.” 

“Not all of us.” Phoenix teases while smirking at Rooster.

“Nat, shut up.” Rooster groans.

“Rooster thought you were Bagman’s grandma.” She says, smugly.

“Hangman’s always bragging about your old recipes, and there was that time he said he wanted to call you before it got too late and you’d be in bed.” Rooster decides that like Fanboy, he’ll jump right to sharing his ‘evidence’. 

“He means the recipes I’ve been making forever, but many of them were my grandma’s so again I’ll give you that one, and I think I normally go to bed at a reasonable time. I was probably on a business trip out on the east coast when he said that one.” Your voice hitches up at the end with uncertainty.

“Fine. But I swear he mentioned taking you to the Farmer’s Market and that you’re really into embroidery. Those are grandma activities.” Rooster says, almost sternly. You’re almost impressed with the straight face he’s managed to keep.

“Yeah, okay, I don’t have an answer to that one. You’ve got a point. It’s just me and my opposable thumbs doing embroidery.” Up until now you’ve tried not to mock the team for their assumptions, but you can’t stop yourself from this coming out of your mouth.

“Oh I am definitely telling Hang this.” Coyote has barely stopped laughing since the initial reveal and cannot wait to see the look on his best friend’s face when he tells him this. 

“So if half of you thought I was a dog, Rooster thought I was a grandmother, who exactly did you think I am, Phoenix?”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly sure.” She admits. “He talks about you all the time, but clearly none of us put two and two together that Rosie and the roommate were the same person. Frankly, I don’t even think I was fully convinced Rosie was real. I knew he really did have a roommate but we all thought you were a man. Rosie? I thought he was just fucking with us.” You’re still surprised by all of this, but you appreciate her honesty. It’s such a ridiculous situation that you’re all laughing hard enough that none of you hear the car door shut outside the house. 

“Actually now that you mention it, I don’t think he’s ever called you by name. Your real, non-Rosie name, that is.” Coyote adds .

Before you really have a chance to respond to that, your front door opens and you hear Jake walk in. 

“Are they giving you trouble already, Rosie?” Jake calls out in lieu of a greeting. 

“No more than you normally do.” You call back, setting down your cider and getting up from the couch to meet him in the kitchen and help him put things away. 

“Jake, you said you were getting paper towels and beer, what the hell is all of this?” You laugh as you see your best friend standing in your kitchen carrying a case of beer, a bottle of rum, a jug of pineapple juice, a package of paper towels, and a big bag of m&ms. 

“In my defense, I did get the beer and the paper towels. I just grabbed a few other things, too. I think we’re low on the rum you like and then figured I might as well get your juice, and then at that point I couldn’t remember the last time I stocked up on your m&ms.” 

You don’t even have a response to this one. You shouldn’t be surprised. Jake’s a planner, which means that he’s often showing his love through pre-planned acts of service. You often find that your favorite groceries are stocked in the kitchen before you can think about it, your coffee is usually ready for you when you come downstairs in the morning, and you can’t remember the last time you had to change your own oil in your car. 

The two of you work as a team, putting away Jake’s purchases, and neither of you notice that the conversation in the living room has stopped to listen to the two of you. If they didn’t already have questions about your dynamic together, hearing something as domestic as Jake picking up your favorite things would definitely prompt them. Only Coyote seems unphased, the dynamic between the two of you is nothing new to him so it doesn’t even occur to him that it might be unexpected for the rest of the team. Especially given that they only recently learned of your existence as you , and not just a nameless, faceless, probably male roommate/grandmother/dog all combined into one mysterious package.

“Alright, I’m going to go start the grill.” Jake says once everything’s put away.

“Sounds good, I’ll grab you a beer.” 

“You’re the best.” Jake calls over his shoulder.

“And don’t you forget it.” You call back as you make your way back into the living room, beer in hand. Phoenix, Rooster, and Bob exchange looks that agree that they want to know more about you, and more about you and Jake as a duo. Something tells them that by the time the night is over, they’ll know more about their teammate than they had expected to learn.

Chapter Text

“So, I see you’ve all met Rosie.” Hangman says as he enters the living room. You both head over to the couch, and Hangman takes your original seat as you perch on the arm of the couch next to him. In one smooth motion he wraps one arm loosely behind you on the couch as you hand him the beer you brought in for him. It doesn’t escape anyone’s notice how comfortable the two of you are together, how practiced this looks.

“Javy was kind enough to do introductions.” You say, with a smile towards the aviator you’ve known for years. 

“Speaking of introductions.” Coyote starts with a mischievous smile on his face.

“Wait!” You interrupt. “In their defense, they had some pretty decent reasons.” 

You’re not sure why you feel so compelled to jump to their defense. Sure, Jake’s protective of you and he might put up a big front about it in front of his team, but you know there was no harm done. In fact, you think, the only person to blame is Jake for being so weird about his personal life at work. But considering that rabbit hole will take you to a place of wondering why none of his teammates know anything as basic as your name, you decide that’s not a hole worth falling into at the moment. 

“Reasons for what?” Jake narrows his eyes.

“Well, it seems as though you’ve been a little vague when you’ve mentioned me. So the team tried to… fill in the blanks?” 

“At least I knew she was a person.” Rooster adds, intending for this to be helpful. When Jake whips his head in Bradley’s direction, you can’t help but cringe. 

“And why wouldn’t she have been a person?” 

“Well, she could have been a dog.” Fanboy adds. “Obviously she’s not. But she could have been.”

“She could have been a what? ” Jake yelps. 

Thus begins what is quite possibly the dumbest, weirdest, and most strangely offensive conversation that the Dagger Squad has ever had. Everyone’s so busy talking and laughing over one another that you’re watching Jake’s face ping pong back and forth to try and keep up. His brow is furrowed, jaw slightly open in a way that makes it clear to you that he has no idea what’s going on but that he’s relying on his protective instincts to get him through the conversation with a default mood of ‘watch what you say about her’. He doesn’t know what they’re talking about, but he knows that you deserve better.

Suddenly, a timer goes off and Jake hands you his beer to fish his phone out of his pocket.

“We’re not done with this.” He says sternly, rising to make his way into the kitchen. “Y’all are lucky I have to get food on the grill.” Jake glares at Fanboy and Rooster before going to the kitchen. You hear the sound of the fridge opening and know that Jake is grabbing the plate of burgers and hot dogs for the grill that he got ready before going to the store. 

“Fucking assholes. In my house.” You’ve known Jake long enough to be able to discern what he’s muttering under his breath as he makes his way out the back door. You turn and lock eyes with Phoenix and before you know it, another round of laughter starts. You’re laughing so hard that you slide off of the arm of the couch back onto the cushion, and have to set both drinks – yours and Jake’s – down on the coffee table as you lean over in laughter. 

“Rosie – can we call you Rosie?” You nod at Fanboy’s question. “I am literally begging you not to tell Hangman I thought you were a dog.” 

“No I’m definitely going to tell him, but I agree it’s significantly funnier if I make him work for it.” You say, wiping your face as you try to calm down from laughing so hard. 

“He’s going to poison your burger.” Coyote jokes to Fanboy.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Javy, he’s too proud of himself as a chef to ruin what he’s making with poison.” You joke. “Alright, I’m going to go bring him his beer. Y’all just keep making yourselves at home.” You nod at Rooster who has thrown a leg up onto the ottoman. 

Similar to Jake before you, you rise and make your way through the back door. You tuck both drinks in the crook of your arm to have a free hand to be able to open the door and cross your little patio to the grill. 

“Hey, stranger.” You greet Jake, who is setting the last of the burgers on the grill. Luckily he already seems so focused on his task that he’s forgotten the entire ordeal inside. At least for now. “Smells good. Did you add –?”

“–your grandma’s garlic mix? Sure did, darlin’.” Jake finishes your sentence and waves off your attempt to hand him the bottle. “Nah, my hands are dirty.”

“Oh, here.” You say, stepping even closer to hold the bottle up to his lips. He rolls his eyes at your insistence but complies, squatting down a little bit to make it easier for you to tilt the bottle into his mouth. 

“Thanks.” He says after swallowing, turning his attention back to the grill.

“Anytime.” You take a seat on the closest lawn chair. “So, they seem nice. Rooster’s not as bad as you led me to believe.” 

Truth be told, you had already been pretty sure that you were getting an unbelievably biased description of the man from your best friend, something that Coyote had subtly confirmed for you. If he was truly half as bad as Jake was making out, he’d never have been invited to the house, Jake would never have put you two in the same room. Jake’s worked with a lot of different types of people, and he knows that you’re a grownup, but if he can keep you from the worst types of military assholes, he will. 

“Oh no, don’t you dare.” He wags his finger, in the most stereotypical sitcom dad stance.

“Jake, I’m just saying he’s not the world’s biggest asshole, I’m not declaring my undying love for him.” 

“Hmm.” He grumbles. “Good.”

“Good. Besides, if I was going to go for anyone on your team, it’d be Bob.”

“What?” Jake sets his grilling tools down and, dirty hands forgotten, lunges to grab you. You’re not sure if he’s trying to trap you in a hug or reach for your incredibly ticklish waist. 

“I’m joking, I’m joking.” You shriek, running back into the house before Jake can catch you because you do remember that his hands are covered in raw hamburger.

As soon as the screen door shuts and you’re safely inside, you turn around and stick your tongue out at Jake. You hear a snort coming from behind you, and turn around to see Phoenix.

“Sorry, not my most elegant moment.” You say, looking slightly ashamed to have been caught being so childish.

“Trust me, I’ve spent enough time around Bagman to know how infuriating he can be.” Phoenix winces just a little, as she remembers that she’s talking to his best friend, worried that she’s laid it on a little too thick. 

“Yeah, tell me about it.” You smile, clearly not offended by her comment. “But he’s a good one. Wouldn’t put up with him if he wasn’t, even if he is a massive pain in my ass .” You raise your voice just enough to carry through the screen door and are rewarded by Jake’s loud laugh carrying through the yard. 

“So how long have you two known each other?” She asks, desperately curious to get as much information as she can out of you. She’s worked with Hangman for months and never even got a confirmation of your name and gender before walking into your house tonight, so clearly you’re her only option for information.

“Oh, god, it’s been what – like 15 years? I don’t even know anymore. We met in school and he’s been stuck with me ever since.” Phoenix wants to interrupt that she’s pretty sure that if anyone’s stuck, it’s you, but you’re looking out the back door so lovingly that she can’t bring herself to hate on Hangman like she normally would. “I’ve got a photo in the living room I can show you, we look like such babies.” You continue, oblivious to her struggle.

You lead her back to the living room where you pick up one of the photos that Fanboy had been looking at earlier. The two of you are young, young enough that Phoenix barely recognizes either of you. Hangman’s hair is longer but the most striking thing is how much smaller he looks – this was clearly taken before years of regular training and adulthood not only added muscle to his physique, but changed the way he carries himself. Your hair is much shorter than it is now and Phoenix bites back a laugh at the way that the fashion is so peak mid-2000s. 

“I think I had that exact same outfit.” She says, nudging you conspiratorially. 

“A classic, really. What self-respecting girl in the 2000s didn’t?” You nudge her back. 

“Rosie.” Jake’s voice carries through the house before either of you can say anything else. “Can you get the door?”

“Just a sec.” You turn your head away from Phoenix to avoid yelling your response directly into her face.
“I’ve got meat hands.” He calls back, to Rooster and Payback’s delight. You haven't even known them for a few hours yet, and you already know that Jake won’t be living down “meat hands” for a while. 

“He’s so impatient.” You roll your eyes, but Phoenix can see the love underneath the annoyance. You set the photo back down, with a soft smile before finally tearing your eyes away from it to go let him in. 

While Jake washes his hands in the kitchen before heading back outside, you start getting things ready for dinner. You’re pulling the pickles out of the fridge when another voice comes from behind the fridge door.

“Can I help you with that?” You look up to see Bob gesturing towards the condiments you’ve been gathering on the counter.

“Actually, that would be really great, thank you. Do you mind taking those out back? We’ve got a table back there that we can eat at.” You say, handing him the ketchup, mustard, mayo, bbq sauce, and pickles.

Bob takes them all with a bright smile, and goes to bring them outside. You turn your attention towards the veggies. You didn’t want to cut them too early and have them get slimy so you grab some lettuce, onions, and tomatoes to wash and start cutting. Bob returns with Payback, Phoenix, and Rooster in tow. 

“Hangman said to bring reinforcements.” He says, ready for his next assignment.

“Okay, well, Phoenix, I’ve got some cloth napkins sitting on the kitchen table. Do you mind bringing those out? They’re less likely to blow away.” You gesture over with your head, both hands still being used to rinse the lettuce.

“And Rooster, if you wanted to start bringing out the chips and veggies, that would be perfect.” You’re expecting him to grab one or the other but it somehow makes sense to you with what you know of him when he grabs one of each, and manages to balance another tray of chips in between them, overachieving with the goal of proving a point – to you, or Jake, you aren’t quite sure. 

“Now, Bob,” you say, turning back to your original helper, “I think we’ll just use paper plates and plastic silverware tonight. Do you mind grabbing them from the pantry?” Once again, you use your head to gesture in the right direction. All three aviators quickly take to their tasks, and while you feel a little bad practically giving them orders, it really is making things easier for you.

“Our turn.” Coyote says, bringing Payback and Fanboy into the kitchen with him.

“Ah, can’t risk them being too helpful and becoming my favorites, huh?” You joke.

“Exactly.” He says, giving you goofy finger guns before grabbing the next plate that needs to go outside. 

It’s a lot easier setting up for dinner with everyone helping but watching the six aviators go in and out of your kitchen is almost maddening. They’re moving at such a speed you can barely think of the next thing you need to do before they can come in and ask. Finally, everything else is done and you shoo everyone off to the backyard while you take a second to make sure you have everything that everyone could need for a backyard meal. 

Just in case, you take one last second to dash to the front door to grab a bottle of bug spray when the back door opens once again.

“I told y’all, you’re good to go sit down. Go bother Jake, he should be nearly done.” You don’t bother turning around to see who it is.
“I am done.” Jake says, from right behind you. 

“Oh!” You hadn’t realized how close he was to you, and your hand flies to your chest in fright. “Your mama was right, Jake Seresin. I should put a bell on you.” Shaking your head, you can’t help but to laugh at the look on his face – it’s somehow equal parts shameless and sheepish. It’s a look that only your Jake could manage. 

“Did you need something from in here?” You ask, looking around to see what might have been missed.

“Yep, I need my best girl.” Jake wastes no time in grabbing you by the shoulders to steer you outside while you laugh. 

While the two of you are making your way outside, Phoenix is using the time she has with the rest of the team to see what everyone is thinking.

“Well?” She asks.

“I like her, she’s sweet.” Bob says, needing no further clarification what Phoenix is asking.

“Makes you wonder how she puts up with him.” Rooster adds.

“Are they always like this?” Everyone turns to look at the only person who had met you prior to tonight. 

“Don’t worry, she gives as good as she gets. But yeah, they are.” Coyote confirms with a smile. 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if one day we’ll come over and they’ll reveal that they’ve been married all along and just forgot to tell us.” Payback says, picking up his beer and taking a sip.

At this, everyone laughs, hard. Suddenly the conversation turns into weird things that Hangman has said – or neglected to say – about his personal life.

“And then,” Payback laughs, “he says “no, that’s mine”, as if we were just supposed to know that all along.” You and Jake walk outside just in time to hear the end of his sentence.

“Why do I get the feeling they’re talking about me?” Jake leans down to stage whisper to you.

“Oh please, honey, not everything’s about you.” You fake whisper back.

“I truly hate to do this, Rosie, but Meat Hands is right. Payback was telling us about the deployment where he learned about Hangman’s family.” Rooster’s shit eating grin is so wide that you’re impressed that it manages to widen when Jake groans, hearing “meat hands” come back to haunt him.

“Oh, how long had you known each other?” You ask sweetly, sliding down into the chair that Jake is pulling out for you.

“We’d been sharing a small-ass room in the middle of the ocean for three months before I even knew that he had a sister, much less that he had three.”

Jake doesn’t get a chance to get a word in edgewise as the conversation picks up once again. With everyone at the table, the volume rises between mocking one another (mostly Jake) and conversations asking about and for the various foods on the table. It doesn’t take long before everyone’s plates are full, and you notice more than a few faces glancing up at you.

“Well go on, we invited y’all over for dinner. I’m not sure why you’re being shy now.” You tease, picking up your burger to take a bite. 

“Shit dude, this is great.” Coyote barely swallows his first bite before complimenting Jake.

“Her grandma’s got this great spice blend she puts on burgers.” Jake deflects the compliment, redirecting it to you by way of your grandma’s traditions.

“It’s literally just garlic, salt, and pepper, but Jake swears it’s better than anything you can get pre-mixed.” You throw your hand over Jake’s mouth to cut him off before he can interrupt, and the team shares a smile at how well you know each other. You’re not even phased when Jake darts his tongue out, ever so slightly, you just pull your hand away and wipe it on his arm, before picking your burger back up. 

“Her grandma is the best cook you’ll ever meet.” Jake’s eyes betray his deep admiration for the woman, and it’s the most human he’s ever looked in front of the team.

“Yeah, he’s right. She’s the best.” You grin at him. It’s such a soft moment. Phoenix wishes she had her phone out to be able to take a new photo of the two of you for your bookshelf. With the way you’re staring at one another, sharing a smile at the thought of your grandma’s cooking, it looks like there’s nothing else in the world for you two other than each other. 

The rest of the meal goes well, and you and Jake are both glad for your need to over-buy, with six additional hungry mouths to feed tonight, especially six mouths connected to incredibly muscular aviators, with impressive appetites to match. Nobody lets you lift a finger once dinner is done, and Jake is more than happy to reap the rewards as well, one arm sprawled behind you on your chair again, as the rest of the team cleans up the table under Phoenix’s direction. 

“Well, what do you think? Do you like them?” He asks, quieter than he probably needs to, in a moment that’s only meant for the two of you.

“Yeah, I do. They’re sweet. I can see how the lot of you could be a lot together,” you tease, “but we should have them over more often.” 

“Good.” Jake relaxes hearing this. He knows that they can be a loud bunch, and he knows that even on their best day, the whole team in one house is cause for chaos. It’s part of why he’s hesitated to bring them over before, because he wants to be sure that they’re good enough for you. Not that he’d ever tell you that, you’d just smile and roll your eyes and tell him that he doesn’t need to protect you from everyone. But he does. He doesn’t want to put the stress on you of dealing with assholes that he’s stuck with for work. But these guys are different. He really likes this team, he thinks they’re more family than they are work friends, and he’s glad that tonight has gone as well as it did. 

He knows he’s going to get shit on Monday for hiding you away from them for so long, but he still stands by his decision. You’re the best part of his life, and sometimes when the days are long and his body and mind are worn down from the job, he wants to come home to you, to a space that’s entirely separate. But last week, you had looked up from your embroidery on the couch and asked if he wanted everyone over for dinner, and he surprised himself by realizing that he did. He won’t admit it to them, won’t get that sentimental, but he’s really glad he did.

The two of you stay outside another moment before you grab your drinks and go inside to meet everyone. 

“Wow. I was planning on putting everything away and giving y’all time to hang out as a team, but it looks like you beat me to it.” You say, looking around at your incredibly clean kitchen. 

“We do what we can, ma’am.” Javy mock salutes you. 

“Oh thank you so kindly, Lieutenant. What a gift you all are.” You lean into the joke, putting a hand over your heart and pretending to swoon. You grab follow Javy back into the living room, where everyone has resumed their places from earlier. 

“By the way, I know we literally just ate but so we don’t forget to say it.” You say, resuming your place on the arm of the couch next to Jake. “You’re all welcome to stay the night. Clearly we’ve got both couches and the armchair here, we’ve got a pullout couch upstairs in our spare room/my office, and I’m pretty sure we’ve got an air mattress in one of the closets. Plus if we need it, Nat can stay with me or one of you can stay with Jake.” You shrug, not really caring who sleeps where.

“Or Rosie and I can share hers and someone can take my room.” Jake pipes up.

Rooster snorts into his beer at this. It’s so like Hangman to be suddenly generous if there’s something in it for him – namely sleeping next to you and keeping the rest of the team away. You nudge Jake to avert his attention, noticing the second he locks eyes with Rooster, seeing the hint of underlying rivalry for the first time.

“The point is, we’ve got more than enough room.” You say, ignoring Jake entirely. 

“Thanks, Rosie.” Coyote says, cutting through the Rooster/Hangman tension.

“Yeah thanks for dinner and having us over.” Fanboy adds. Suddenly you’re met with a chorus of thanks that you sweetly wave off.

“Nah, it’s a pleasure. Besides, you’re all stuck with me now too.” You smile at Phoenix as you refer back to your earlier conversation.  

Over the next few hours, the team gets to learn more about Jake through watching him interact with you, and somehow you and Jake seem oblivious to their shared glances. You don’t notice the way that their eyes seem to track every time Jake leans in to touch you, the way that the two of you seem to gravitate towards each other, despite already leaning half against one another. 

By the time you’re ready for bed, it’s been a long night full of laughter. You’re exhausted thanks to the incredible combination of a long week of work, the alcohol and food in your system, everything you did to get tonight ready, and how hard you’ve been laughing all night. You don’t even realize you’re half asleep as you shift, falling a little bit from your perch on the arm of the couch more onto Jake. 

For his part, Jake’s not even bothered. He just silently shifts to let you nuzzle your head onto his shoulder, moving his arm from being loosely behind you to holding onto you. Javy catches his eye and the men have a silent conversation about whether it’s time for bed. Jake shakes his head, knowing that you’d rather let everyone hang out a little bit longer. 

The group starts to quiet down, still continuing to talk and laugh, just quieter while Jake softly runs his hand up and down your back. Eventually a loud snore interrupts and they realize that Fanboy has fallen asleep on the armchair. 

“Alright, I think that’s our cue to call it a night.” Jake says as everyone laughs. “Cmon, Rosie.” He gently pushes a piece of hair out of your face as you stir.

“Hmm? Oh damn, I’m sorry, y’all. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” You say, already yawning again.

It strikes them that you don’t apologize to Jake for sleeping on him. They never would have expected you before tonight but seeing the two of you together makes sense, even after just one night of knowing you. 

“Why don’t I take everyone’s drinks to the kitchen while you sort out who is going to sleep where.” You finish detangling yourself from Jake and move around the living room, grabbing everyone’s empty bottles and cups to bring to the kitchen. By the time you come back to the living room, everyone seems to have decided where they’re sleeping and Jake seems to have explained where blankets, pillows, and other supplies can be found.

“Goodnight, Rosie.” Payback and Coyote softly call from their respective couches, with Fanboy still fast asleep.

“Goodnight, y’all.” You say with a sleepy wave.

 Rooster, Bob, and Phoenix follow you and Jake upstairs and into your spare room. 

“Feel free to move anything you’d like. I work from home part of the time.” You explain, sliding your desk chair over to be a little less in the way. Jake sets off to find the air mattress while Rooster and Bob open up the pullout couch. 

“Are all three of you staying in here?” You grab a spare set of sheets and a few blankets from the closet.

“That’s the plan.” Bob says.

“You can all have your own space, seriously. Phoenix, why don’t you take my room. I really don’t mind.” 

Phoenix wants to say no. She doesn’t mind sharing with the guys and doesn’t want to kick you out of your own space, but she also really wants you to take Hangman up on his offer. So she gives in to her mischievous side as she says, “are you sure? If you really don’t mind.”

“Not in the slightest, seriously.” You smile at her, and Phoenix knows that Hangman aside, she wants to get to know you better. She loves the team but having another woman around, one that seems to make Hangman better? She’d have to be crazy to say no to that. 

Phoenix says goodnight to Bob and Rooster and follows you to the room next door. 

“Is it ridiculous of me that I want to show you where the washcloths, face wash, and extra toothbrushes are but figure the guys can figure it out on their own?” You giggle.

“Or, is it a win for feminism?” She quips back. 

“Fuck, I knew I liked you.” You laugh, finishing your quick tour of everything she could possibly need before grabbing your pajamas and wishing her goodnight. Phoenix heads into the bathroom to get ready for bed and you head down the hall to Jake’s room.

You pause to knock on the door lightly.

“Yeah?” He calls out.

“Hi, you.” You push open the door. “I hope this was a real offer because I just told Phoenix she can take my bed.” You’re suddenly sheepish, realizing you should have confirmed with Jake before doing it. 

“As if I’d ever say no to you about anything.” Jake rolls his eyes and waves you further into his room. 

The two of you mill about his room and take turns in the bathroom, doing everything you need to do to get ready for bed. 

“Jake, do you have a side of the bed?” You’re leaning against his dresser, trying to pretend that the sight of Jake in his boxers and an old t-shirt isn’t doing incredible things to you, not knowing that he feels the same way about the site of you in a pair of shorts with a ridiculous neon pattern and a shirt that he’s pretty sure used to be his.

Jake thinks that as long as he’s next to you, he doesn’t care. But he doesn’t say that. Instead he just shrugs. “I’m easy.” He’s almost offended when you bark out a laugh, hands flying up to cover your mouth knowing that you have a house full of people trying to sleep.

“You are the most particular man I know.” You say through giggles.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.” He says, pretending to be offended. 

You climb into bed, noticing the way that Jake takes the right side, putting himself between you and the door. You wonder if it’s on purpose, and know him well enough to know that it probably is. Either way, you peel back the covers and slide into bed. Once you indicate that you’re comfy, Jake leans up to turn off his bedside lamp and joins you. 

Tentatively, you slide your feet across the mattress over towards his legs.

“Holy fuck Rose, how are your feet so cold when it’s so warm in here?” He hasn’t called you Rose in a while, clearly you’ve flustered him.

“It’s a gift.” You laugh as you start to pull away. 

“No, get back over here.” He grumbles as he maneuvers himself to trap your cold feet between his warm ones. 

It’s really a testament to how tired you are that you’re so close to sleep given the pounding of your heart in your chest. 

“Thanks for letting me stay in here.” You whisper.

“Thanks for letting me have these nutcases over.” 

“I don’t know if you know this, but that’s the type of thing you do for your best friend.” You tease.
“I wouldn’t know. I’d do just about anything for you, regardless.”

He means it to come out lighthearted, but instantly it feels like he’s ripped his chest open to lay his heart at your feet. Luckily for you, he’s too busy in his own world to notice the way that your breath hitches, or the way you’re suddenly wide awake. In a move that you’ll both think about until you manage to fall asleep, you suddenly launch yourself forward to press a kiss to his cheek before rolling over away from him. Before Jake has a chance to wonder what you’re doing, you grab his arm and pull it – and him –  towards you.

Physical affection is nothing new for the two of you, but this certainly is. As Jake curls his body around yours, he makes a mental note to buy Phoenix coffee for a week for stealing your bed and leading you here to his, to your place in his arms.