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sweetwhispersofchaos · 3 months ago

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Eject Chapter 9

Story Summary: Ejecting from your plane in the face of danger? Expected. Forbidden love amongst pilots? Not so much. Will they bond or will this break them for good?

Chapter Summary: Road trip, a walk in the woods, and nap time

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Natasha "Phoenix" Trace All the Daggers, Mav x Penny, Amelia, OC's

Warnings: Language. Assault (not by a major character). Injury. Eventual smut. Alcohol consumption. Smoking. Discussions of mental health. (It's a rollercoaster. You've been warned!) Chapter

Word Count: 6124

Eject Masterlist

I do not own anything except the original characters.

See the Tahoe House HERE!

The return to base the next day was uneventful, smooth flights, no time delays. Rooster was a little annoyed that Phoenix seemed to be, to some extent, ignoring him. He chalked it up to keeping things professional and hoped deep down that’s all it was. They spent the next couple of days packing up their rooms and going through Pentagon-lead debriefings before it was time to head out on their Tahoe adventure.

Before the sun came up Thursday morning, the travelers met in the parking lot in front of their housing unit, coffees in hand and eyes not quite open all the way. Except Hangman. He was too eager for his own good and Rooster just knew Phoenix was going to kill him before they ever got on the road.

“Ok friends, it’s time to mount up and head off on the vacation of a lifetime!” Hangman said in the most annoyingly chipper voice.

“It’s Tahoe, not the Vatican. What happened to no pussy-footin around? Let’s just go please?” Phoenix spit with bleary eyes while leaning on the side of Bobs 1997 black Mustang GT Convertible. Several tired chuckles rang out around the circle.

“I’m workin on it ma’m, calm down.”

Phoenix raised her coffee to her lips, letting her middle finger lift slightly off the cup.

“Let’s drive until say, nine? Then we can stop, stretch legs, and change drivers if yall want?”

Everyone nodded and started loading gear in the back of Fritz’s truck and Roosters Bronco. As Phoenix dropped her duffle and a backpack in Roosters back seat, he moved next to her and quietly asked “Got a thing against my car?”

She snorted then looked up at him with a tired expression “As a matter of fact I do. I don’t trust it. And Bobs is cooler. And has good, working heat. Oh, and your taste in music is sometimes questionable. Don’t take it personal, Bob and I need the drive time to plan the Thanksgiving meal for Saturday.”

He nodded his head in agreement and she squeezed his forearm before walking away to Bob’s car. Damn Bob. It was a cool car.

Fanboy gave Rooster a small smile as he climbed into the Bronco, Rooster turning one more time to look towards the Mustang, but Phoenix was busy adjusting her blanket and neck pillow in the front seat.

“Bird Brain! Get your ass in that disaster and let’s go!” Hangman called from the passenger window of the truck.

“Man fuck you; I’m going.” And with that he slid in, and the Bronco engine roared and thumped to life. They were off on what Rooster had a feeling would actually be the trip of a lifetime. His anyways.

*****

Almost four hours later the group came to a stop at a corner gas station and deli. The drivers all gassed up as needed while others made bathroom and snack runs.

“My turn Fritz.”

“The hell it is Hangman. There is no way you are driving my truck.”

“I’ll drive if you want Fritz?” Omaha tossed out.

“Sure man, here.” And with that Fritz tossed his keys over the bed of his truck to Omaha who took off at a sprint around to the driver’s side.

Fritz merely smiled at the offended look on Hangman’s face. “What the fuck man? You don’t trust me?”

“With my truck? Not at all.” And Fritz walked off toward the gas station entrance.

Phoenix and Bob laughed as they loaded their snack purchases into the Mustang and Rooster just shook his head while adding gas to the Bronco.

“Bob, mind if I drive?” Phoenix asked as she came to rest against the hood of his car.

“Not at all Phee. Keys are in the car.”

“Oh would you two get a room?” Hangman spit obviously still pissed.

Rooster decided to see if Fanboy wanted a turn, but Fanboy didn’t know how to drive a stick. Coyote offered to drive for Rooster so he switched with Fanboy and off they went again.

Rooster attempted sleep for a couple hours, using his headphones to tune out Coyotes obnoxious music and bitching about the Broncos bad alignment, but he never could quite give it up. A certain fiery woman was weighing on his mind. He knew the talk was coming. The one where they hashed out exactly what they were or weren’t as far as their relationship. All he could hope for was to use this trip to win her over. Show her that she was too important to him. But he had to be careful. She seemed fine, but he knew that beautiful brain of hers never slowed down or completely relaxed.

He decided to send her a text. She was driving so she wouldn’t see it until their next stop, but maybe just a little note to let her know he was thinking about her.

Bradley thought for a moment then typed out his message.

Careful Dale, this isn’t the Indy 500. You drive that thing like it’s your plane. But it’s entertaining to watch from back here. *wink emoji*

He smirked at the message and hit send. She would probably get a kick out of that. He skipped to the next song and decided to try sleep again. This time, it stuck.

*****

The group only planned to stop two more times, but Hangman couldn’t wait the last hour to pee. Again. So after three stops and several driver changes, they arrived at the Serasin family house, and the description Jake gave them barely scratched the surface of how stylish the place was.

It was after dark, and the temps were dropping quickly below freezing, so the group wasted no time emptying their belongings into the large living room. Hangman took them on a tour of the place, chattering about memories he had for every room. Some memories were funny, some completely inappropriate and unnecessary. Apparently, he had christened every room in the place, at least in his mind.

Hangman’s room was upstairs off of the game room. Not that anyone needed to be told. The posters of scantily clad women, fighter jets, and fast cars completely gave it away.

“My mom keeps this one locked” he explained, using a key to open it, “she doesn’t want anyone messing up her baby boys’ room.” Which was met with a chorus of groans and curses.

“Coyote, you take the room next door. Phoenix, the master is just down the hall. There’s one room with two beds in it next to the master then two rooms downstairs near the pool. Yall figure out who’s going where.” Hangman pointed like an air traffic controller while giving directions then disappeared downstairs.

Omaha cleared his throat and spoke up first. “I think Fritz and I already agreed we wanted to be by the pool. Right?” he asked looking in Fritz direction.

“Yup that works for me. I love to swim.”

Several questioning looks passed around the room then Bob spoke up.

“Fanboy, want to take the other room downstairs? Closer to the hot tub I figure?” Bob said, feigning innocence with the suggestive comment.

Fanboy seemed to consider this for a moment then grinned. “That works for me. I plan to test that “no sex” rule this week. There has to be a few slope bunnies running around here.” And he winked. Bob just swallowed then looked over at Rooster. “I guess that means the room up here is yours.”

Rooster’s eyes cut over to Phoenix as if asking her permission to sleep one room away, even though they had been doing that in barracks and on ships for years. When she didn’t protest, he said, “Yeah that works for me” and they all dispersed to check out their accommodations and bring their bags to their rooms.

Phoenix disappeared down the hall as the guys all filed down the stairs. Rooster watched her go then heard a quiet “You’re welcome” next to him as Bob walked past to the stairs without looking Roosters direction at all.

He was gob smacked. That quiet, dorky guy was playing matchmaker without anyone knowing. Bob was definitely a good guy and he owed him so big.

Once downstairs Rooster grabbed his duffle as well as the two bags Phoenix brought along and headed back upstairs. He dropped his ruck at the door to his room then moved over to the master bedroom, tapping the slightly ajar door.

“Anyone home?” he asked into the room.

“Come in” she called.

Bradley entered the dark, freezing room and dropped her backpack and duffle near the bed. Looking around for her he realized there was a faint light coming from the bathroom.

“Uhm sorry” He called out “I didn’t mean to intrude; I brought your bags.”

She emerged from the bathroom with a laugh and flipped the switch on the closest lamp to her, warm light filling the dark. “Calm down bubba, I was just hanging my coat up and taking my boots off. Thanks for bringing my bags up, you didn’t have to do that?”

“They say chivalry is dead but I’m out to prove them wrong.”

She shook her head with that lovable smirk. “By the way, I was definitely feeling a little bit like a NASCAR driver today, so thanks for noticing. That is a fun car to drive!” She moved to her bags and started to remove things and place them in drawers.

He just let out a laughing breath and decided to give her some space to unpack. “Need anything else?”

“Nope, I think I’m good. I’m going to go find Bob so we can place a grocery pickup for in the morning. I think Omaha and Fritz brought enough water and snacks to hold us until then.”

“Sounds good. I’m just right next door if you need me.” He said, pointing in the direction of his room with his thumb as he started to make his way to the door but before he could leave, a hand reached out and grabbed his forearm.

“I’m glad you’re next door.” She said, looking somewhat shy. A look he had never really seen on her before. The slight blush of her cheeks warmed him. He just grinned and nodded his head. “Me too” and with that he walked out of her room and across to his. Once his bag was inside, he realized that his heart was pounding, and he still had the stupid grin on his face.

Oh yes, this was going to be a wonderful week indeed.

*****

The drive had been a long one so most turned in early after they arrived. The next morning Rooster woke to the sound of loud music and laughter coming from downstairs. He rolled over to check his phone on the bedside table. 8:47am

Really? He thought as he rolled back over and slammed his face into his pillow. It’s too early for that shit. He grumbled then decided he was wasting precious time and moved to sit up. As he rolled his neck and rubbed sleep from his eyes, a light tap came at his door. Frowning he croaked out “come in”.

The door opened slowly, and the woman of his dreams slipped in, closing the door behind her. Nat’s back came to rest on the wall next to the door and he was able to get an eyeful of her attire. Nat was dressed in a small pair of black shorts that barely covered the necessities and a matching black top with very thin straps. Roosters heart stopped and he prayed in that moment that his breath didn’t reek, and the covers hid his lap.

She smiled a small tight-lipped grin, speaking through her visible grogginess. “I’d tell you good morning, but I’m not sure all the ruckus downstairs makes it good.”

He snorted and nodded in agreement. “Yeah. Did it wake you too?”

“Unfortunately” she said as she moved over to the empty bed by the door. She crawled on all fours until she was in the middle then laid on her stomach facing him, her chin coming to rest on her folded arms in front of her. Watching her crawl across that bed scantily clad made his breath hitch and beads of sweat begin to pool in his hair line.

“I’m hiding out. Hangman said last night that the “lady of the house” should cook breakfast. Asshole. The smell of bacon tells me the grocery order arrived, so I figured I’d hide in here for a while until the idiots downstairs got things ready. Just in case one of ‘em comes looking for me.”

“I swear, the thought of physical violence from you really fuels that man. He has a serious death wish.” Rooster said with a chuckle.

“He may get his wish before this week is up. The kicker is, I really don’t know if he’s just playing sometime or if he really is the sexist pig he comes across as.” She says dryly.

“Probably both. I know he trusts you as a pilot, I’ve heard him say as much, though he would never admit it to your face.” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Bradley continued “I also think he didn’t grow up around women who were pioneers in a male dominated field either.” With this she giggled and rolled over to her back and folded her arms over her face.

“It’s always weird to hear things like that said about me, ya know? “Pioneer of her field” I mean. I know I’m good at what I do but it still seems pretty unreal sometimes.”

“I’m sure it does. But it’s the truth.”

“Hmm” was her only response.

He contemplated what to say next. He really wanted to bug her about her decision, but it might be too early in the morning. This might also be the only time they would have alone the rest of the week. He really hoped it wouldn’t be, but he decided to strike while the opportunity was there.

“So, uh. I don’t want to hit you with this first thing in the morning, but um, I think we need to talk. About us. Uh, about your decision.”

He let out a huffed breath at the end of his statement, trying not to feel or come across nervous but he knew he was failing miserably at that. He was more nervous than ever before because she wasn’t moving. He wasn’t sure she was breathing either. He was sitting cross legged under his covers and just looked down at his lap, picking at lint on the top of the comforter, hoping she didn’t run out of the room.

Instead, she did something he wasn’t expecting. She rolled over and crawled out of the spare bed and came to a rest on Roosters bed, sitting cross legged in front of him. She placed a hand on top of the covers of his knee. He looked up to see her dark eyes, an obvious war happening within them. She looked nervous too, a look he rarely saw on her face.

“I know you want an answer” she began quietly “and you deserve one. I’m not being entirely fair to you, and I’m sorry for that.” He just stared in disbelief. He did not expect that to roll out of her mouth. “I think we should just see how this week goes and maybe we can talk at the end of it. Make some decisions then, yeah? I don’t want us to say or do anything the first morning that would impact the others mood for the rest of the week. Let’s just have a good time?”

Rooster stared into her eyes as she spoke, listening intently to her words. It wasn’t a no, but it wasn’t a yes either. But she wanted to have a good time with him this week. That seemed promising enough under the circumstances. He cleared his throat and placed his hand on top of her hand that was resting on his knee.

“I can live with that.” He said with a slight grin, her face relaxing into his favorite smirk.

Her warring eyes seemed to melt into something a little more dangerous and before he knew it, she had launched herself forward, her hands pushing on his chest, knocking him backwards into the pillow, her tiny frame coming to rest on top of his. Her hands stopped her fall, one on each side of his head, and his hands came to rest naturally on her hips.

Bradley looked up at her in complete shock, at a total loss for words, his heart racing. Natasha bent down as if doing a pushup and kissed him lightly on the lips then rose again to look at him with her trademark smirk. Roosters’ eyes fluttered open, and he realized he was gripping her small but firm hips harder than he probably should have been. He was fighting against every urge in his body, telling him in that moment to pull her hips down to meet his and kiss her senseless. They stayed that way, staring at each other, both panting lightly. Then she smiled a full smile.

“Do you smell bacon? I smell bacon.” She said with a raised eyebrow. And with that she rolled off of him and flitted quickly out of the room without a look backwards.

All Rooster could do was watch her leave then reach under the covers, his mind racing with all sorts of inappropriate yet delicious thoughts.

*****

After a long, almost frigid shower, Rooster threw on a pair of gym shorts and a black t-shirt and decided to face the music. Literally. The breakfast party was still hopping downstairs when he made his way down the staircase. The happy sight that greeted him made him grin. It was easy in this relaxed setting to forget just how precious life is and how any one of them could have been lost just a week ago.

Bob and Fanboy were moving around the kitchen, working on food and dishes. Hangman, Coyote, and Omaha sat in the tall chairs at the kitchen counter, empty plates in front of them as they talked amongst themselves enthusiastically. Fritz was curled up in the lounge chair, his back to Rooster. Then his eyes fell on her. Nat was wearing her favorite pair of gray sweatpants with NAVY written down the side of them in blue and a blue tank top. Her hair was piled up on top of her head and she was nested in the crook of the large sectional, a warm mug of coffee in her hands. She looked up at him and smiled innocently. As if nothing had happened. He stood there smirking at her when a loud, obnoxious voice rang out.

“It’s about damn time you drag your lazy ass out of bed Slow Ride.” Hangman was smiling wide, and Coyote gave him a quick high five. Everyone turned to look at him.

“Fuck you man, some of us actually drove yesterday, so who’s the lazy one.” And he popped Hangman on the back of the head as he walked past him around into the kitchen, grabbing a plate off the counter as he did.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t be mad if we didn’t leave you any food though.”

Bob spoke dryly from the other end of the kitchen where he was putting away clean dishes, his back to everyone. “There’s plenty. Look on the stove top Rooster, help yourself.”

“Thanks friend.” He said, looking at Hangman as he accentuated the word friend.

He loaded up a plate full of bacon, potatoes, and eggs then moved around to the tall chairs, taking the one on the end, purposely keeping two chairs between him and Hangman.

“Well birdie, did you find your accommodations suitable?”

Rooster snorted as he shoveled food into his mouth. He didn’t realize just how hungry he was, for actual food that is. Without looking up from his plate he let out a grunt but kept eating.

“A true man of many words.” The smartass replied then turned to look at Phoenix. “So friends, what do yall want to do today?”

Phoenix spoke first “At some point today we have to do some prep work on the food for our feast tomorrow.”

Hangman shook his head “Ok buzzkill. What fun things do yall want to do today?” Phoenix just rolled her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.

Fanboy spoke up next “I want to go to the ski lodge you mentioned. Maybe I can snag a date for our dinner tomorrow.”

“Now we’re talking.” Hangman replied. Omaha and Coyote agreed they wanted to go as well. Bob decided he wanted to stay and swim some before helping Phoenix prep the meal. Fritz and Rooster agreed to stay and help.

“I think I’m going to bundle up here in a little bit and take a walk down the trail to the lake. I want to see it.” Phoenix spoke up.

“That sounds like a great idea.” Bob agreed.

Plans were made, dishes were washed, and everyone dispersed to get ready for their day’s events. Once the ski lodge group left, the other half convened downstairs, donned in winter clothing, ready to take their walk. Fritz decided he wanted to stay behind and watch a movie in the theater room, so Bob, Phoenix, and Rooster set off to the lake.

The sun was out but the temperature was barely above freezing as the three friends made their way down a wooded trail, covered with the light dusting of snow from the day before. Natasha and Bob walked ahead of Rooster, chatting about their surroundings and the things that needed to be prepped today for tomorrow’s meal. Rooster wandered behind them, half listening, half watching his step, and occasionally catching glimpses of Nat’s smile when she was turned to face him or Bob. She seemed so happy and free, the intensity she normally carried with her melting away like snow in the sun.

After a half hour, they reached a clearing in the trees and a ledge overlooking the lake. The view was breathtaking. Clear water ringed by white and trees as far as they could see.

Rooster came to stand at the ledge with Phoenix between Bob and him. They all stood staring at the sight before them.

“Wow.” Bob said barely above a whisper.

“Agreed” Rooster said and Nat just nodded her head.

“You know, we see this stuff from the sky but it’s so different down here, completely immersed in this level of beauty. Its otherworldly.” Bob said, looking over at the two pilots. Both of them turned their heads and stared at him. Obviously uncomfortable with the sudden microscope he was under Bob spoke again. “What? I’m a hopeless romantic.”

“Huh. Learn something new every day.” Rooster said and Phoenix giggled.

“Yeah, well. I’m going to walk down to that clearing over there” Bob pointed to his right where the trail continued to another clearing a little further down the rock ledge. “Hangman said there are some natural tree benches there. I want to Facetime my sister, show my nieces the view.” And with a nod of his head, the bespeckled man turned and headed down the trail until he moved out of sight.

Rooster looked down at Natasha as she turned to look up at him.

“You know he did the whole room thing on purpose, right?” Rooster asked her suspiciously, wondering if she in fact knew this to be true.

“I figured. He really is a stealthy one. You know he caught on to us immediately that first night in the Hard Deck? He knew we had some sort of history and in his own, quiet way worked out enough to know that one way or the other, you and I work well together.” She said.

Rooster grinned, reaching out with his right hand to take her left. “We do work well together huh?” He asked, somewhat rhetorically.

“We do. No matter what, at least from a professional perspective, we will always make a badass team.”

“Hell yeah” he responded and brought the back of her gloved hand up to his lips as she smirked.

“So much for professionalism” she chastised in a playful manner. He laughed then leaned in to kiss her lightly on her lips.

“Now that was unprofessional” he said with a smirk as she just shook her head.

They decided to rejoin Bob. They found him walking around the clearing showing two giggling little girls the snow and trees and answering their rapid-fire questions about his most recent trip to sea. He of course was giving as little information as possible, but his face lit up when he looked up to see the two pilots.

“Ashley, Avery, there’s someone I want yall to meet.” He said, waving Phoenix over to where he was standing in the middle of the clearing. She walked over and came to stand next to him, smiling into the screen as he turned it to face her.

“Girls, this is Phoenix. She is my pilot!” he said animatedly, and Rooster could see both girls look of shock and awe as he moved up behind Bob and Phoenix.

“No way” the older child said “she’s a girl” she said questioningly, seeming a little confused but excited.

Bob and Phoenix both chuckled. “That I am. I’m so glad to meet both of you. Your Uncle Bobby talks about you both all the time. Maybe sometime the two of you can come with your mom and dad down to Lemoore and I can give you a look at my plane.” Phoenix said with matching enthusiasm to the sweet, shining eyes in front of her.

Both girls started squealing excitedly with chants of “Really?” and “Can we? Can we?”

Bob replied “Of course! I would love that for yall.”

The girls giggled as an adult woman came into view. “Ok you two, quit hogging your uncle, I want to talk to him too. Go play.” She said as she took the phone from the girls.

The older child spoke one more time. “I can’t wait to see you Uncle Bobby. I miss you. Phoenix, you are so cool!” and then she passed off the phone to her smiling mom.

Bob went on to introduce Phoenix to his sister Rachel and the two spoke with her for about 10 minutes. Rooster made his way to one of the fallen tree trunks and took a seat. He watched his Fire Bird with awe. Bobs sister asked her questions about being a female pilot, what it was like working with her brother, working with all the testosterone, her accomplishments. Towards the end of the conversation she called her daughters back to the phone and allowed them to ask Phoenix a few questions as well. The children were completely in love with the strong woman, just as he was.

Bob held the phone looking all the proud uncle as he watched his pilot chat happily with his family. Rooster suddenly knew why Nat was so hesitant with him. All of her words on the carrier slammed into him like a jet going Mach 10. She had this responsibility that rested on her shoulder. Young girls like Bobs nieces look at her and see a future that Natasha and other women had to fight to make a possibility. Something that seemed farfetched when Natasha was growing up was now an easily obtainable career option for little girls and his heart ached. She obviously loved not only flying but sharing her love of flying and encouraging those little girls to reach for something like that, if they wanted. He could never be the one to put her in the position to have to choose that love for his love. He wouldn’t do to her what Maverick had done to him. Bradley wouldn’t try to take her lifelong dream from her over his own selfishness. Or at the very least, he wouldn’t make it more difficult than it already had been for her.

He decided then and there that whatever fun they had this week could only really be platonic unless Nat said otherwise, and he practically shattered on the inside. Her happiness was all that mattered to him, and he was watching her at her absolute happiest in a beautiful setting and he wanted that to be the best memory she took from this trip.

*****

Rooster was quiet on the walk back, deep in contemplation while Nat and Bob discussed his nieces and their excitement over “meeting” Phoenix. Back at the house they found Fritz asleep in the movie room while a World War II flick played out on the screen. Bob and Phoenix changed back into comfortable clothing and decided to start working on the food for Thanksgiving. Rooster needed some quiet time to think so he decided to head up to his room and take a nap. He quickly changed out of his warm clothing and back into his athletic shorts before crawling into the bed.

He was almost asleep when a tap came at the door. This time she didn’t wait for him to respond, and Natasha slid into the door and locked it behind her. She walked across the room and slid her sweatpants down her toned legs, revealing small blue shorts underneath. Then wordlessly she crawled under the covers next to Bradley and came to rest with her head on his chest as he wrapped his arm around her.

“I think now is a great time to get our missed nap in.” She stated matter-of-factly.

He squeezed her into him and placed a light kiss on the top of her head in response. Her warm body felt incredible, her tiny frame fit perfectly at his side. But instead of feeling excited and elated, he felt torn. For years this is what he wanted, to have her cuddling in his arms. But now strong feelings of guilt were washing over him as he thought of her conversation with two giggling little girls earlier. Bradley drifted off to the sound of her light breaths and his wandering thoughts of a future he wasn’t sure he really wanted anymore.

*****

An hour later Rooster came back to life to the realization he was alone in the bed. And they say Bob is the stealthy one. He never heard her leave. She sure liked to do that.

With a sigh he crawled out of the bed and headed downstairs to see what was going on. He found Nat and Bob standing in the kitchen chopping vegetables and prepping a turkey for the oven.

“Hey sleepy head. Care to join us?” she asked with a smile.

Bob looked up at Rooster over the top of his glasses, a knowing grin on his face.

“Uh yeah, let me wash my hands.”

With that he spent the next couple of hours working around the kitchen with Bob and Natasha while they sang, told jokes, and swapped war stories.

As the bird went in the oven the ski lodge group returned, crashing through the front door loudly laughing and chatting as they removed their boots and coats.

“Bobby boy, you missed out. Fanboy found a pair of nerd girls and had them all to himself. Oh wait, probably not your type huh?”

“Bagman, eat shit.” Bob spat as he adjusted the temperature on the oven.

“Daaaang. He told you.” Fanboy voiced mockingly as he entered the kitchen.

“What? I didn’t mean it as a bad thing.” Hangman said defensively and Bob just shot him an unamused look.

“I have a proposition for yall. We should go to the Opal at Bally’s tonight. Its just over the border in Nevada. Dancing, drinking, ladies. Lets make a bet, see if we can get Bobby Boy’s cherry popped tonight.”

Coyote laughed, Phoenix looked ready to throw the knife in her hand, and Fanboy just shook his head.

“Serasin, believe it or not I haven’t been a virgin for a very long time and really don’t need your help in that department.” And with that Bob sat down the towel he was wiping his hands with and made for the stairs down to the movie room.

“I swear to God, you open your mouth and literal shit just pours out of it. What is it about that man that threatens you so much? Is It because he is a better person than you could ever hope to be or what?” Rooster had reached up to remove the knife from Phoenix hand as she spit her words at Hangman, practically shouting at him.

“What? I was just having some fun with the guy?”

“Your idea of fun involves being a dick. Pretty sure dick isn’t what Bob is into.” she said, completely unamused with Hangman.

“Wait. He’s straight?” Coyote asked looking completely stunned.

“You thought he was gay? And you thought he was a virgin?” Fanboy asked, looking disbelieving at the two pilots.

Rooster snorted and Omaha moved past them, mumbling something about going to the bathroom as he disappeared towards his room behind the kitchen.

“None of this is your business, Jake. You need to go apologize.”

Hangman started to protest but then Coyote popped his arm with the back of his hand to stop him. He huffed and said “fine” before disappearing down the stairs with Coyote.

“He was a dick the whole time we were gone. I think this whole “Savior” complex is going to his head. You should have heard the shit he was saying to any woman who was breathing at the lodge.” Fanboy said as he moved to the sink to wash his hands.

“Sounds like you found some snow bunnies though?” Phoenix asked, obviously wanting to change the subject.

Fanboy began helping Phoenix with the vegetables so Rooster decided to go downstairs and make sure Bob hadn’t killed hangman and gotten blood on the carpet.

As he reached the bottom of the stairs though, Rooster found a much different scene than he expected. The three men were sitting in recliners, talking. Bob in the middle with a pilot on either side of him. Rooster stopped in the doorway since they couldn’t see him and decided to listen in.

“You know I was just fuckin around with you right?”

“You do know I’ve been listening to that crap my entire career, right?”

“Aw man come on, its what we do. We screw with each other.”

“Hangman, when have I ever come across to you as the “screw with each other” type? My glasses and quiet demeanor do not automatically mean I am here as your personal punching bag. You have been an asshole to me since the moment we met, and you haven’t been much better.” Bob accused, looking over at Coyote. Rooster silently agreed. Both pilots had been unnecessarily pushy towards Bob.

There was silence for a few moments then Hangman spoke again.

“You’re right man. I’m sorry. I’m a dick by nature and I’ve never really given you chance. I just made assumptions and haven’t really gotten to know who you really are.”

Rooster was shocked and impressed at the sounds of an apology from Jake Serasin’s mouth. Coyote spoke up.

“I’m sorry too.”

“I appreciate that. Remember, we’re all on the same team. I graduated from the same Academy you did, from Top Gun the same as you. And unlike yall, I was actually chosen for the mission last week. I’d say I’ve earned some respect.”

Both pilots seemed impressed with the shade Bob had thrown them. Rooster was too. Go Bob he thought to himself.

“You are exactly right. So, let us make it up to you. Come out with us tonight. Just as buddies, no pressure on anything else. Do you dance? Drinks on me.” Hangman said as he clapped Bob on the back.

“I dance. I don’t drink thought.” Bob replied.

“Hey, I didn’t say alcohol.”

“Ok then, sure. Why the hell not.”

“Alright then.”

Rooster backed out of the door frame and returned up the stairs. He walked into the kitchen to see Phoenix and Fanboy hard at work. Phoenix looked up and asked, “Bob ok?”

“He’s got a sharper tongue than most realize. He put them both in their place. And apparently, we are, in fact, going clubbing tonight.”

Phoenix seemed appeased and Fanboy smiled and nodded his head as he started to dance while chopping.

“Oh yeah! This is going to be lit.”

Phoenix and Rooster looked at each other and laughed at their friend and his funny dance moves. Tonight, the Daggers were hitting the town.

Chapter 10 ->

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