Hangmans First Rodeo Part 4

Hangman’s First Rodeo part 4

Masterlist Pinned

Warnings: Fluff; Implied Smut; Angst; Loss of parents; Trauma; Past injuries

WC: 2.2k

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Jake drops me back home after the Hard Deck and walks me to the front porch. I turn the key and open the door, “Do you wanna come in?” He smiles and checks his watch, “It’s already pretty late, darling. Are you sure?” I nod my head, “Just stay the night.” He follows me inside and makes us tea. We chat about the night. I keep telling him I am okay, but he doesn’t seem to believe me. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, “Playboy had no right to say any of that to you. Sounds like he had a thing for you and is upset that you don’t feel the same.” I nod, “Yeah. He was like that the whole time. I never brought it up to the other guys because I just wanted to focus on work. It felt so horrible to get so far in my career and then be treated like that. Like all I am is someone men find hot.” Jake pulls me in to his arms, “You are much more than that, darling. So much more.” I nuzzle into his chest, “Tell me more about you.” He smiles, “Well, we covered Texas. I got 2 sisters, who gave me 2 nieces. My parents are very involved. When I was younger that bothered me, but I like it now. They all still live in Austin. I try to go back as much as possible. They keep hounding me because it has been about 6 months since I’ve been home. Hmmm, let me think. I love college football. I am lactose intolerant. And I have no control around coffee. I could drink like 10 cups a day if no one is watching me.” I look up at him giggling, “You are actually adorable.” He grins, “Now you.” I shrug, “You already know mine.” He shakes his head, “No.. I only know about your career. Tell me about you, darling.” I look up at him, “Not much to tell. Only child. Older parents. They owned a huge cattle ranch outside of Marble Falls, distributing meat all throughout Texas. Now I “own” it, but I don’t really do anything. Just let the business people do everything and I sign off. I think they wanted me to go to college, but they passed before it was time to make all of those decisions. I felt, lost? I had always felt drawn to the military so I went down to the recruitment office. I was looking at Navy careers and saw the SEAL brochure. The recruiter laughed when I said I was gonna do it. I made up my mind then and never looked back.” Jake looks at me and carefully asks, “What happened to your parents?” I sigh, “My Dad bought a small plane and got his license. They were always flying somewhere for a vacation or business trip or just to fly. They hit weather. Plane went down. It was fast, you know? I had just turned 17.” Jake’s eyes water, “I am sorry, Y/n.” I shrug, “It is okay. I think they are proud of me.” He nods his head, “They are.”

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I look over at the clock by my couch and see it is 03:00. “Jake, we should probably go to bed. I think we could stay up all night talking.” He chuckles, “Yeah, I think so too.” We get up and he starts walking towards the guest room, “Where are you going?” He turns around with his eyebrow raised, “To bed, darling.” I laugh, “Jake, I know you are a gentleman. Get over here and cuddle me.” He smiles, “Yes ma’am.”

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We lay side by side in my bed. Jake’s arm is around me and my head is nuzzled into his chest. I haven’t felt at peace like this in.. I couldn’t even tell you how long. He plays with my hair and I can hear his heart beating. He clears his throat, “Y’know, I have never had anything like this before.” I look up at him, “What do you mean?” He chuckles, “Most of my relationships start off on the wrong foot. Meet them at a bar, take them home, maybe have a couple dates, then never see them again. This is new to me.” I smile, “Me too. And to think I thought you were bad news when I first met you.” He smirks, “Oh yeah?” I nod my head, “I have never seen Roo act like that. And he is very dramatic, so that is saying something.” “Bradshaw only sees work me.” “I am happy that I know Jake, not just Hangman. Or Bagman.” He kisses the top of my head, “Me too, darling.” I drift off to sleep, still in his arms.

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When I wake up, Jake is still holding me. I run my hand through his hair, “G’morning handsome.” He opens his eyes and grins, “Morning beautiful. I could get used to this.” I giggle, “I’m gonna go make us some coffee.” Jake meets me in the kitchen and I hand him a cup of coffee. “Thank you darling.” I sit next to him, “How much leave do you have?” He raises an eyebrow, “Too much. Why?” “Come to my ranch.” “When?” I shrug, “Next week?” He nods, “Deal.” I take a sip of my coffee and he smiles, “Any particular reason?” “I just.. I don’t know. I just want to.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head, “I’d be honored, darling.”

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The week passes by quickly. Both of our leave requests were approved and I booked the tickets, even though Jake complained about that. Next thing I know we are at the airport, holding hands and walking towards the gate. I look over at Jake, “You packed boots, right?” He laughs, “Darling, I packed everything I usually pack when I go back to Texas.” I giggle nervously, “Sorry. I always overthink on travel days. Going back makes me a little nervous every time.” “I am here, okay? And I hope you know how much it means to me that you want me to come with you.” I squeeze his hand tight, “It means a lot to me that you are willing to come.”

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The flight lands and I can feel the Texas heat. We grab our bags and Jake asks, “Need me to order ride?” I shake my head, “Follow me.” He raises an eyebrow but grabs my hand and follows. I take him to the pickup area and right up to the bright red, lifted, diesel truck. He shakes his head and laughs, “You have got to be joking me.” I smile and slap the hood, “Not joking. Meet Truck Norris.” “Truck Norris?!” The driver side door slams shut, “Y/n!!” I run over and jump into the drivers arms, “Scotty!” Scotty sets me down and I turn to Jake, “Jake, this is Scotty. Scotty, this is Jake.” They shake hands and we throw our luggage into the truck bed. Jake jumps in the passenger seat and I hop in the back. Scotty looks at Jake and then looks at me, “So you never bring anyone home, ever, and then you bring back someone who looks like he stepped outta GQ?” Jake blushes and I chuckle, “Scotty, settle down. I told you about Jake.” Jake turns to me, “You told him about me? That’s cute.” I roll my eyes, “Scotty and I grew up together. His Dad was my parent’s first ranch hand, so they lived on the land. He kinda had to be my best friend. Scotty took over for his Dad when he retired.” Scotty points back at me, “Until someone had to go save the world and shit. Left me all alone on the land. You know I talk to the horses?” I look at Jake, “He’s always done that. He can’t blame that on me.” We pull onto the property and Jake’s eyes bug out, “Holy crap. Do y’all have your own zip code?” I shrug, “Kind of?” Scotty drops us off at the main house so we can unpack. We walk up to the huge front door and Jake turns to me, “When were you gonna let me know you were like.. Redneck royalty?” I laugh, “I guess now? We can drive around later. You need a shower?” “Yes please.” I point to the left, “There’s a hallway of guest rooms with attached baths there. Or to the right is the master bed and bath. Take your pick.” He rolls his eyes, “You have got to be kidding me. How many rooms are in this place?” “8 beds 10 baths. Then there’s a couple of guest houses on the property. I think it was supposed to be for when family would visit but we didn’t really have any extended family.” He grabs my hand, “I am sorry.” “Jake, it really is okay. Go grab a shower. I’m gonna do the same and then I’ll throw together some lunch.” Jake smiles and heads towards a bathroom, “Okay, darling. Thank you.”

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Jake comes into the kitchen wearing Wrangler jeans and a fitted white t-shirt. I whistle as I slide him his plate, “Looking good, Cowboy.” He winks, “Had to look good for my lady.” I raise my eyebrow, “Your lady?” “Yep. Don’t fight it. You’re my lady and there’s nothing you can do about it.” I walk over and kiss his cheek, “I like the sound of that.” He pulls me into his lap, “You do?” I hum as I kiss him. He deepens the kiss and his hand move along my back. I shiver as his fingers graze my scar. He pulls back, “What are you thinking?” I bite at the inside of my cheek, “Sorry. I just.. I haven’t been.. intimate since the mission. You are the only person besides the doctor that has seen the scars. And I just feel..” He touches my cheek, “Darling, you don’t need to worry about that with me. I promise.” I furrow my brow, “But they’re so-“ He cuts me off, “Don’t. You are perfect. You are perfect and you are mine. I love you.” He looks shocked at his last sentence and my jaw drops. He starts talking fast, “That wasn’t how I wanted to say that. I am sorry. It just came out. You don’t have to-“ I touch his cheek, “Shhh, I love you too.” He smiles and pulls me into a kiss that takes the air out of my lungs. “Y/n, I have been wanting to say that since that night in your kitchen.” I smile, “Me too.” He kisses me as he picks me up, carrying me towards the bedroom. I giggle, “Where are you taking me?” He smirks, “I am going to show you just how beautiful you are.” Jake carefully lays me down on the bed and looks at me with his bright green eyes. I take a deep breath as he lifts my shirt, revealing the thick scars. He caresses them gently and plants a kiss on each. As he begins to explore my body he looks up at me, “You are everything I have ever wanted, Y/n.”

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I wake up from our nap with a fluttering in my stomach. There’s a warm feeling in my chest and my head feels like it is in the clouds. Jake opens his eyes and smiles, “Hey darling, how are you feeling?” I kiss his cheek, “Amazing. How about you?” He chuckles, “Pretty damn good.” I playfully slap his arm and he pulls me into his chest. I listen to the familiar sound of his heartbeat. The past few months have been a whirlwind, but I want to freeze this moment. My eyes meet his, “I wish it could be like this forever.” He brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, “It can.” I giggle, “C’mon Jake, you know it can’t.” “Why not?” “You have to fly. I have to.. do whatever the hell it is I am going to do. Hopefully get back with the teams? I don’t know. But people like us don’t get lives like this.” Jake turns his head to the side and sighs, “You are going to go back? What about these last few months?” I sit up in the bed, “This assignment was always temporary, Jake. Eventually I will have to go back. I have to finish out this contract. It’s only a few more months, but still.” He turns around and looks at me, “Are you going to re-up?” My mind starts racing, “Jake, I don’t-“ He repeats himself, “Are you going to re-up?” Tears are threatening to spill over, “I don’t know. It’s such a big decision. This career is the only thing I have had for a decade. I don’t know if I can just give it up.” Jake shakes his head and starts to stand up, “You know there is always going to be a position at Top Gun. Comms are a top priority. We have both heard Maverick say it a hundred times. But if you need to go back, just go back.” He starts pulling on his shirt and my voice shakes, “What are you saying right now?” His green eyes scan mine quickly and then look away, “I am saying go back to Coronado. Apparently this was all temporary anyway.” He turns and walks out the door as I cry, “Jake! That’s not what I meant!”

Hangmans First Rodeo Part 4

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