When Bob introduced himself to everyone who he was going to be working with at The Hard Deck he had never given them his full name. Which was fine with him, Phoenix knew and teased him about it for having such a name, but he just rolled his eyes behind his wide framed glasses.
Now to present day after another unsuccessful day up in the air trying to lock on Maverick. Him, Phoenix and Hangman were all on the tarmac in front of their planes doing push ups. He grunted softly as he pushed down, his dog tags finally slipping out of shirt after sliding around for awhile. Leaving him frustrated but he couldn’t stop anytime to just pull them out.
“One hundred and sixty one, down” Hondo spoke, looking at his stopwatch. F-18’s of the next team launching into the air behind them. Bob sighed out in frustration. Hangman while they were up there left them out to dry like he always did, making their time in the air minuscule. Fucking Hangman.
Looking over to his right he saw Seresin doing his pushups wordlessly, his lips pulled into a stern solid line. Breathing heavily through his nose. Now had their instructor actually shut up and dropped the man down a peg? Bob would have to see.
He knew his arms would be a bit sore tomorrow from the sudden work out that they all stupidly agreed too, all because most everyone on the team were so full of themselves, or it was because they had never flown with Maverick and seen how he would react in the air.
“One hundred and Seventy four, down” Hondo said before taking a swig from his water bottle, the ice clanging around inside the metal of it. He needed a drink goddamn.
They were back in the radio room, sitting on the couch farther away from everyone who was huddled around said radio listening in on how the team currently up in the air was fairing. He was just sitting there, a towel around his neck to soak up all of the sweat from the San Diego sun. A bag of salty peanuts on the arm of the couch and a crinkly plastic water bottle he had already torn the label off of. Which he was currently folding into as many triangles as he could.
Jake suddenly sat on the coffee table, his knees close enough to touch Bob’s own. It was uncomfortably close, especially since he had not fully cooled off from his push ups on the tarmac.
“Hiya Bobby~” The blonde gave him one of his smug smirks. What in the hell did he have to be smug about anyways? He was shot out of the sky by Mav easily because he decided to leave his wingman, and got told off about it in the air as well.
“Hello Hangman” Bob spoke coolly, squinting at the man in front of him. Why was he here anyways, Bob thought he would have loved to be in front of the radio making snide remarks about the other pilots flying skills like he hadn’t been shot down in less than five minutes.
“Awww, why so cold?~ You still look very warm from doing all of those pushups” Jake eyes raked over his form, biting his lip softly as he looked over Bob’s arms. Bob didn’t know what game he was playing but he really didn’t want any part of it. Jake’s eyes honed in on the middle of his chest. Soon his hand was holding Bob’s dog tags, the metal beaded chain pressing against the back of his neck at them suddenly being pulled up.
“Robert “Bob” Floyd, God did you parents hate you? Why did they name you Robert?” Hangman snickered at his name. Bob just rolled his eyes and huffed in annoyance, looking towards Phoenix for help but she was so involved in radio.
“Don’t know Hangman, they just named me that.” Jake continued to look at the dog tags before letting them drop and standing up. He looked over Bob once more, smirked and walked away.
He bet the blonde was going to make his life a stupid hell with the new information he has gotten. Leaning back against the couch, he shoved his dog tags back under his clothing. Picking up his peanuts and continuing to snack.
After Maverick had chewed them all out about how they were flying and how easy they were in the sky. He had taken some time to just yell at him. Saying how he needed to pay better attention in the skies and how he was going to explain to Phoenix’s family that she was dead because of him. Phoenix had told Maverick to calm down after she had seen Bob’s hands shaking in his lap. His eyes were glued to his lap, he couldn’t think clearly after being yelled at. His ears blocking out all sound.
He looked around the classroom seeing everyone getting up, all of the looks on their faces showing a variety of emotions. From sadness to anger. Bob just grabbed his things and promptly left the room, he couldn’t breathe correctly and felt suffocated in his uniform.
Halfway down the hallway before his hearing came back. The sound of machines and the lights buzzing hitting his senses. The air was a little colder outside of the classroom but he was still sweating under everything.
“Bobby! Come back here man” yelled someone behind him. “Jesus you’re fast when you wanna be” he picked up as a hand clapped his shoulder. The familiar hand of Hangman.
“Bobby? Really?” He said, still looking at the pristine tiled floor.
“Are you okay? I know Mav kinda dug into you and such.” His gaze shot up to look at Jake. Did he really just ask him if he was okay? What the fuck.
“Are you okay?” Jake replied, squinting softly. A look on his face Bob could only put to as worried and slightly confused.
“Um, Yeah. I Just need some time alone I think” He fidgeted under Jake's gaze. The other man's hand was still on his shoulder, warming up his already overwhelmed body. He squirmed out of the grip and saw a flash of emotion go over Jake’s face before he wrangled it back in.
“Alright, take some time. We are all heading to The Hard Deck around 1900 if you are feeling up to it” The blonde shifted, standing up a bit more. A quietness to his face. No smirk or cockiness written all over it. He seemed normal, comfortable and handsome even.
“Maybe, I’ll see.” Bob gave a weak smile to Jake before walking down the hallway once again. Leaving the man standing there wordlessly.
When Bob had come into The Hard Deck no one noticed how his eyes were slightly red and how he had been sniffling. Phoenix of course noticed when she walked up to him. Giving him a small look, grabbing his hand and squeezing it lightly, giving him a bit of comfort.
“Need anything from the bar?” The hand that Phoenix had grabbed moved out from under her hand. Pushing it through his hair, promptly messing it more than it already was.
“Yeah, if you could grab three beers and add it to Hangman’s tab that would be wonderful.” The woman in front of him moved back a little seeing his discomfort at them being in such close proximity to each other.
“Why Hangman’s?” He squinted down at her.
“Hangman is buying, lost a bet to Rooster. Don’t know what he did but all I know is he was pissed when he got here.” Phoenix said before walking over to the pool table.
Bob nodded, not that Phoenix saw. He turned on his heel forty five degrees and walked over the bar. Leaning against it, waiting patiently for Penny to see him. She slides over once she catches him waiting for a little while.
“Watcha need Hun?” He blushed at the affectionate name.
“Three beers on Hangman Ma’am” Giving her a smile as she grabs the beer. Also bringing out a cup of trail mix that had nuts, seeds and dried fruit in it.
“Also want that on Hangman?” She smirked as she set down the beers. Bob shook his head as he smiled back at her. Grabbing the beers in between his fingers, his other hand grabbing his cup of snacks he weaved his way back to where the other pilots were.
Once he made his way back over to the pool table he tensed as two hands grabbed his hips softly and squeezed.
“Hi Robbie! Thanks for the drinks” Bob blinked a bit as the hands left his hips and plucked a bottle from his hand.
The person moved in front of him and he saw the face of a very smug Hangman. The blue eyes of the man raked all over Bob’s stunned flushed face. Phoenix also walked up soon after plucking the other beer bottle out of his hand. Snapping him out of his small trance. Setting down his trail mix cup before taking a sip from the bitter liquid, needing to wash away what just happened.
Quickly moving him and his stuff to a corner where he could regain his senses again. He felt two pairs of eyes on him as he did but didn’t pay much mind to them.
Hours later and after he had pulled his book that Penny had stashed under the bar for him. He had been sitting there quietly, tuning out the people around him as the bar became fuller and fuller.
He felt as if someone practically collapsed into the chair next to him. The smell of alcohol coming off them in waves. The same made him move away a bit. Not really wanting to interact with anyone who was drunk.
“Rob dog, Robbie, baby, Hi~~~” A very drunk Hangman laid his super half across the table staring at him while he read.
Bob looked over and just gave him a bewildered look. Okay, he knew that Jake was making fun of him for his name for the past week. But Baby? That was definitely a new one. Also who the fuck calls someone ‘Rob Dog’.
“Jake, how drunk are you?” he sighed moving his eyes back to his book. He heard a whimper from the other as he did. That’s odd.
“Four beers, two fireball shots, something special Penny made and stole some sips from Payback.” Jake rambled on about what he had drunk, out of the corner of his eye he saw the blonde counting on his finger of what he had consumed.
“Why the fuck weren’t you cut off?” Bob gasped out. Jake was definitely going to be hung over tomorrow.
“Funny thing is, I can handle my liquor until I cannot” The blonde slurred out, still keeping his eyes on Bob. Which just made Bob shift in his seat from the staring.
Sighing Bob slammed his book close and stood up. A confused ‘what?’ coming from Jake. Weaving his way through the crowd to the bar. Bob smiled as he set the book down, pushing it towards Penny.
“Have a good night Bob, drive safely” she spoke nodding as she put the book back under the bar for him.
“Will do Ma’am” Turning back, Bob made his way to Jake once again. The blonde still slumped against the table looking dejected. Looking around the pool table he saw the rest of the crew either flirting with people, chatting with each other or continuing to sip on their drinks. He pulled out his phone, sending a message to their group chat that he was taking Hangman home since he was shit faced.
He moved closer into Jake’s space, grabbing under his bicep, pulling him upwards. A confused noise coming from the incredibly drunk man.
“Jake, I’m gonna take you home okay?” Bob watched closely as the man stumbled to get up, face flushed, whimpering slightly. “If you need to hold onto me you can, don’t worry”
They made their way out of the bar, Bob having a slight scowl on his face making people part for them easily. Bob hated drunk people, because since he didn’t drink much he was always the designated driver for people. Even worse he felt like he had to take care of them. Today just, simply wasn’t a good day for him.
Bob was finally able to make it to the front doors, pushing them open leading him and Jake out into the cooler night air. He felt himself being pulled down, looking over to the blonde seeing him promptly collapse to the ground.
“Legs… don’t. Work” Jake breathed out, trying to collect his thoughts best so he could speak. Wonderful. Bob rolled his eyes, letting go of Jake before leaning down and picking him up bridal style. Giving a huff of annoyance on having to do this. Now quicker he made his way over to his 1990 Nissan Skyline.
“Oh Jesus, Dick. I didn’t know you were so ripped” Jake stared at him wide eyed. Bob once again rolled his eyes.
“Stand for me.” He eased the blonde onto his feet before finding his eyes and unlocking the car. Opening up the passenger side for Jake. “Rules for the car, not touching while driving, no messing with anything inside unless I hand it to you. If you feel sick, tell me and I'll pull over for you. Any questions?”
“No Sir” Jake blinked and shook his head. Before stopping the motion and groaning. Bob guided the other into the seat before buckling him in and shutting the door. The drive was gonna be fucking fun.
Thankfully Bob knew Jake better than Jake actually knew. He had handed him a fidget toy he keeps in the middle compartment, leaving the blonde who obviously had ADHD to be mesmerized by it in his drunken haze. He didn’t exactly know where Hangman lived but the thing was he did know that all of the Top Gun graduates had all been placed in the same apartment complex while they were staying there.
As they rolled finally into Bob’s usual parking spot, shutting off the engine he asked, “Jake, what apartment are you in buddy?” A softer tone took over his voice as he saw Jake looking like a small child playing with the fidget. The blue eyed man turned to him, blinked before looking at the surroundings.
“Ohs, uh apartments 17” The man said before setting down the toy and unbuckling himself. It took him a minute but he did it. Soon Bob was at the passenger side door helping Hangman out of the car.
“Need me to pick you up again?” Jake nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked so embarrassed that he had to be carried. “Hey, Jakey, it’s okay buddy. Gimmie your keys and soon you’ll be in your apartment all ready for bed” Jake nodded again, leaning back and pulling his apartment keys out of his tight jeans. Handing them over to Bob.
Soon they were moving again, Hangman clinging to Bob as they walked up the stairs and to Jake’s apartment. The blonde was quiet, watching Bob’s every move.
Even sooner he had wrangled them both into Jake’s apartment. It looked how Bob would expect it. Barren, uninviting and sad. He knew they were only here for a short period of time but Bob had at least put up some posters in his room and pictures on the mantel.
Through Jake’s drunken mumbling when he asked him where his bedroom was. Finally getting some decent directions he had found Jake’s bedroom and helped him sit down on his bed.
Bob stood there for a second, knowing that yes that would be the nice thing to do, but consent was important. Tilting Hangman’s chin up he asked “Jake, I wanna get you all ready for bed, and don’t want you to sleep in jeans. Can I help you get them off or is that too much?”
The drunk man in front of him blinked, his eyes watery. “Helps me please” He gave the man a comforting smile, kneeling down. He untied his combat boots, placing them to the side of his bed where he wouldn’t trip over them. Peeling off his socks and throwing them in the empty hamper.
“Stand up for me. Hold onto my shoulders for balance, i'm just gonna get your jeans down to your knees then you can sit again” Jake nodded, doing as he said. Standing up in front of Bob, Putting his large hands on each of Bob’s shoulders as he wrestled with Jake’s jeans. They were tight but soon gave up.
Slipping them down to Seresin’s knees before he tapped the other's muscular thigh to sit down. Which he did obediently before laying completely down. Jean’s were soon off and joined the socks in the hamper.
Jake angled himself, before pulling over the covers up to his waist and sighing.
Before Bob could leave, he did his usual routine for everyone. Glass of ice that would melt during the night. So when the hungover person woke up they would have a glass of cold water. He also went into the bathroom finding Tylenol.
Making his way back into the bedroom, hearing soft snores from the blonde, he set down the glass and the pills next to it before making an exit.
-Bob: Just texting you so you know. I took you home last night and made sure you were okay. Water and meds are on the nightstand and I plugged in your phone. Funny thing as well, all apartments have the same key so I was able to lock yours with mine. Sleep well.-
Bob had also gone to sleep after he was all done. Around nine am the next morning (Bob had already been awake for a couple hours, doing a morning run, having breakfast and taking some notes on a book he was reading for the mission he received a text from Jake.
-Douche: Hey Bob, thank you. For putting up with my drunk ass last night and taking me home. I really appreciate you doing that for me. You really didn’t have too.-
-Blonde Boy: Wanna get lunch at 12? As a proper thank you-
