#zidan

written by @anotheronechicagobog​

A/N: OA has boarded USS Upstead with the rest of us

Warnings: swearing, mention of Jay being shot, jealousy

The army was a turbulent part of Jay’s life. He didn’t have fond memories, but he had fond relationships. Such as Mouse. He had more who just didn’t live in or near Chicago so he didn’t get to see them often. The only time he really saw them was at reunions, both official and unofficial. This time it was an unofficial reunion. One of the other snipers was getting married and invited everyone (who was still alive, Jay thought bitterly).

Jay strolled into Molly’s with Will and Nat the evening before the wedding, eyes scanning for Hailey. When he found her his stomach dropped. He spotted her at a table near the back with a man. Jay moved of his own account, a terrified buzz consuming his form, when he got to the table he recognized him instantly. OA from his unit in the Rangers, and Hailey’s temporary partner in the FBI. Hailey going off and working in New York for three months was the most traumatic thing Jay had gone through in a long time. The only thing that got him through the insomnia, nightmares, food aversion, anxiety, encompassing fear, and panic attacks was the knowledge that the most important person in his life was working with someone who he had personally trained with and knew that said important person was safe. Now though, seeing Hailey laugh at something someone else, some other man, summoned the green-eyed monster. He made it to the table with his jealousy choking him. “Hi-hi guys, what’s up?”

Hailey beamed at him, skin radiant, eyes glowing. “Jay! We were just talking about Chicago pizza, help me prove to this New Yorker that deep dish is best.”

He chuckled softly, taking the seat beside her. “You don’t need my help with that Hails, you have the knowledge and ability to win this argument.” OA scoffed and rolled his eyes, when he froze while looking at Jay briefly and then a smug smirk rolled out on his face. OA turned back to Hailey, leaning across the table thus bringing him closer to the blonde. “Has good ol’ Halstead told you about McGarrett’s wedding tomorrow?”

“Yes he has.”

“Has he asked you to be his date? And if he hasn’t, are you free tomorrow?” Jay’s body went cold as if a vat of liquid nitrogen had been dumped on him. His heart hammered in his chest so hard he could hear it in his ears. He hadn’t asked her to go with him, he hadn’t realized that he was irrevocably, inescapably, inexorably in love with her. He had RSVP’d as attending with a guest, intending for it to be Will who had informed him that he couldn’t come, but Jay just couldn’t bring himself to let the lucky couple know. He was waiting, and while he didn’t know why for a long time, he did now. He’d spent the last two hours with Will and Nat telling him to swallow his fear and ask her to be his date. All of the pep talks flew out of his head. The confidence left his body. OA’s eyed darted over to Jay’s devastated form and guilt briefly flashed in his eyes. “Uh, Jay hasn’t asked me, and I’m not busy tomorrow, but I don’t think we have that kind of relationship-”

“Don’t worry about it Chicago, I was just messing with our favourite Irishman.”

“Right, Jay close your mouth or you’ll catch flies, I am going to get more drinks and order some spicy fries. Jay, you want anything?”

“... Uh, how about a beer and can you place an order of those spicy chicken bites for me?”

“Sure thing, I’ll be right back.”

Hailey skipped over to Stella at the bar and left the men to themselves. “You’re in love with her.” It was a statement, not a question. OA and Jay knew each other well. They had served together. Bonded in the field and in the barracks. Learned each other’s ticks. OA spent seven reunions with Jay and Mouse listening to Jay ramble on and on about Erin. Had been sitting beside him when he decided to propose. So he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Jay felt more for Hailey than he ever had for Erin. He also knew that Hailey was in love with Jay, but wouldn’t be the first one to act on it. It would have to be Jay, but he was scarred too. Yes, OA was attracted Hailey and would love to explore the possibility of a romantic relationship with her if given the opportunity, but this wasn’t it. She was too in love with Jay and he was too in love with her, this was their time. “I- uh- look- shouldn’t... I think she’s interested in... No. Not- not me. I-”

“Ask her out or I will.” Jay sat there for a few moments, seriously contemplating OA’s words. He couldn’t ask out Hailey just because someone else might, no one, least of all Hailey, deserved that. But he thought about it. He trusted her with his entire being, they took care of each other when they were sick, fell asleep together often, had movie nights, game nights, had meals together, confided in each other, and laughed with one another. His life would be empty without her, something that had been proved when she was sent to New York. He couldn’t live without her, he knew that, but he wanted more. He wanted to kiss her, hold her hand, live with her, marry her, have kids with her. But he knew that all he dreamed about with her needed to start with a date. Or a marriage pact, but that seemed an unlikely and strange senario. Jay nodded, OA raised his brow. “I will.”

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OA had driven Hailey over in his rental car, so Jay offered to drive her home when they all needed to leave for the night. Jay was grateful that neither of them had more than two drinks, he couldn’t imagine doing this when Hailey wasn’t sober. Jay climbed out of his truck when he pulled up in front of her house. Hailey smiled, excited that Jay was staying the night again, she always slept better when he was with her. She was confused, however, when he suddenly stopped on her small porch. “Jay?”

“I have been oblivious. And afraid, for so long.”

“About?”

“You.” Hailey sucked in a breath, heart pulsing, her hopes rising. “I am in love with you, there’s no other way to explain or describe the way I feel about you. And I’m happy about it. That the person that I’m in love with is you. And the relationship that I have with you is the one I cherish the most. At the same time, though, I want more. I want to be your boyfriend, then your fiance, then your husband, and then the father of your children. I want it all, with you. And- and I know that I am taking a huge risk, that you probably don’t feel the same way, and that’s okay. But I can’t keep burying this anymore, I am irretrievably in love with you and I have never been more thankful for anything in my entire life.”

Jay had poured his heart out, and it was met with Hailey’s heavy breathing. Jay’s eyes searched hers. He reached out and held her shoulders. The sensation, even through her light blue t-shirt, made her shiver. Jay’s achingly small voice triggered Hailey to finally respond the way she had desperately wanted to the second Rojas confronted her in the hospital waiting room. With her two hands she grabbed the neck of his navy t-shirt and the collar of the plaid shirt overtop. The kiss was all-encompassing. Warm, sparkling, and like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly in both of their souls. “I love you too. Unconditionally.” This lead to more, eager, delighted kissing. When the parted Jay raised his hands from her waist to her face, taking in every detail. “Sooooo... Do you have a guest for the wedding tomorrow?”

“I do if you say yes.”

“Of course yes.”

In honour of one of German football’s greatest love stories ❤️😁