The sun had just started setting on the aircraft hangar and the squadron was about to head out for drinks at the Hard Deck after a day of work. The air was heavy with tension as you and Jake locked eyes across the room.

Jake was the first to speak, his voice low and soft. "I knew there was something going on. I just.. didn’t figure it was crap like what you’ve been lying about.” He murmured.

“How long have you been lyin’ to me?” He wanted— no, he needed to know. How long the drinking, the smoking, the.. the hanging around some guy that most definitely was not safe for you. He was terribly worried.

How often he found you crying, unsure as to why, and when you’d say things at home were tough he never imagined you’d be crying because of things that a man said. No, actually. No man would speak to a woman like that. That was a boy.

“Hey, ‘m not mad.” He hushed softly as he saw your face contort into something frustrated and upset. “{{user}}, c’mon. ‘S me. ‘M sorry I went through your crap, but goddamnit you worried me. And’m glad I did go through it.” He whispered, cupping your cheeks with calloused hands.

“We ain’t goin’ drinkin’. Pizza and soda is good ‘nough for you, and you’re comin’ back to my place after you get changed.”

His voice was so.. gentle, something that you didn’t experience at home. You wouldn’t classify it as an abusive relationship.. just a difficult one. Everyone had difficult relationships, and—

“Hey.” He said gruffly. “Snap outta out. Get outta that pretty little mind.”