#payboy

Jake shut his eyes tight as he remembered the haunting radio transmissions. Bobby laid back on the hospital bed, drifting in and out of sleep. He reached out, grabbed his hand, and brushed some hair out of his eyes. Bob gave a faint smile, “We’re going to have to tell them.”

Jake just sighed, “I know. I just wish…” Bob shook his hand to pull him out of his thoughts. “I just wish it was on our terms.”

“I think a bird strike is as good a time as any, maybe even shut them up for a bit.”

“Robert Seresin!” Jake faux-exclaimed. “It almost sounds like smack talk.”

Bobby just grins up at his husband. “Phoenix texted that they should be here soon, why don’t you go get them?”

“Trying to get rid of me? After all this time?” Jake grinned and began to walk out of the room. “Remember, I still have all your baby pictures!”

“Don’t sass me Jake Seresin! Your mom loves me more!” Bobby called out. Jake just gave a scandalized look and turned into the hallway.

He met his husband freshman year of high school when little Robby Floyd moved in two houses down from him. He never really noticed him until he joined his ROTC unit. They soon found themselves orbiting each other until they crashed spectacularly their sophomore year and they never left each other's side. His parent’s opened their arms to Bobby in a way that got them side-eyed in their little southern town. Junior year was the worst when Jake would see Bobby show up to school black and blue, lips zipped on who did it to him. It didn’t take a genius and he soon stayed at Jake’s more than he was at his own house. They soon applied and got into the naval academy, where one went the other was sure to follow. When they heard the news, they got married as soon as their leaves matched; they had a little courthouse get-together with Jake’s mama crying with joy. That didn’t mean they shouted it from the rooftops, but after almost 15 years together, he could understand letting some people know. Jake broke out of his memories when he heard an argument in the waiting room.

“Lieutenant Robert Floyd! He came in with a Lieutenant Natasha Trace! What do you mean you can’t find him?” Payback was near yelling while their squad crowded the nurse’s station.

Jake cleared his throat, “It’s Seresin. Lieutenant Robert Seresin.” The crowd turned at once towards him. “He’s in room 143. Nat is in 142. Come on, I’ll show you,” and turned back into the hallway before anyone could object.

Omaha was the first to speak, “So like, cousin? Brother? What’s the deal, man?”

“Husband,” he replied. Jake ignored the group's outcry until he reached Bob’s door. “Hun, you decent in there? You’ve got guests.” As he opened the door, he could see Bob sitting back down on the bed, his back to the door, bruises visible through the opening of the hospital gown. Jake rushed to his side and eased him back onto the bed as Bob grit his teeth. “Easy, baby, easy. I gotcha.”

Their bubble was burst by Coyote, “When the fuck did this happen? I thought you two didn’t know each other?”

Jake turned back to the crowd that formed in their room as Bob caught his breath. “You each get one question, only one.”

Coyote spoke up, “My first question still stands.”

“Freshman year of high school, next question.”

“Sophomore,” Bob chirped.

Halo snorted, “Some team”.

Jake turned to her, “I didn’t quite catch that, what’d you say?”

Halo stepped to the front of the crowd, “Do you really think any of us would be following you after this, bagman? Keeping secrets? Screwing team members? Like hell, I’m following you.” She shook her head as Harvard spoke up, “She has a point dude. This is something we needed to know before the mission, not now.”

Bob opened his mouth but surprisingly Rooster beat him to it. “Do you even know what you sound like right now? Are you really saying you’re entitled to their private life?”

Harvard turned to him, “No but-”

“But nothing!” Jake yelled, “We just told you something so insanely personal and all you can think of are yourselves!”

“That’s not-” Halo began to argue.

Bob finally spoke, his voice cutting through the noise, “Leave, check on Phoenix, but please leave.” Halo huffed and left the room, Omaha and Harvard trailing behind.

Coyote came up and patted his ankle, “Feel better, man. Your back looked rough.” Bob gave a weak grin in response.

“15 years?” Fanboy asked, eyes flicking between Jake and Bob. He reached out his hand and Payback grabbed it, coming forward to the foot of the bed. “4 years this fall.”

Jake couldn’t help but grin. He knew something was going between them. “Glad to see you.” Payback gave them both a nod and pulled Fanboy through the door.

All that was left was Rooster. Jake braced himself for whatever asinine question the blond would spout.

“Does Phoenix know?” All in all, not a bad question from the little hen.

“Yeah, I told her after we met at the bar. She didn’t believe me, thought I was pranking her at first. But Jake came by and warned her to watch my back.” Bobby reached out and threaded their fingers together. “Then the caveman here showed her our wedding photo and she accepted it, accepted us.”

Rooster looked between the two of them and came closer. Jake tensed and moved to intercept but Bob’s hand kept him in place. “Thank you for trusting me with this. To be honest, seeing you like this makes you look human and not just a colossal douche.”

The laugh escapes him by surprise and Bob smacks his stomach. “Your wingman just said something nice to you, Jay. Don’t be a dick.”

Jake just grinned and held out his hand, “Truce?”

Rooster clasped his hand, “Truce.”