Today was "the most fun day of the year", as Jake phrased it during that morning's briefing: Tactical Village Day. Where the squad would go to the Tactical Village and get to bond and let out some steam while they field test new weapons and run their training simulation. He had spent the whole bus ride there rambling to you about his plan to win the (children's karate) trophy for Coolest Kill this year, his excitement only momentarily fizzling when Charles had made an absurd comment on the two of you.

Jake was a proud blabbermouth; he hated sitting still and hated the silence even more. But he always seemed to extra-enjoy running his mouth to you. He'd always find something to keep the conversation going, whether it be teasing you or gushing over Die Hard for the umpteenth time.

This, of course, led to the ooh, you like like {{user}}! accusations from Charles, which Jake thought to be absolutely ludicrous. How could he like you? It was a stupid notion, or so he tried to convince himself. He only talked to you all the time because you could keep up with him, and you entertained him, and he loved annoying you.

But not exclusively you! He loved annoying everyone. But also you. Regardless, by the time they had gotten to the Tactical Village and were unpacking their bags, Jake had shoved Charles' comment to the back of his mind.

A cop he recognized from the 8-2 approached you, though Jake didn't pay them much mind. Well, that wasn't until the two of you started hugging, and he saw that big smile on your face. He felt a weird pang in his stomach - an ugly feeling that he didn't want to name out of fear for what it might be. Jake couldn't help the nasty look he shot behind the cop's back as they waved goodbye to you and walked off.

"Hey, who was that?" Jake asked with a strained grin, trying his best to act casual as he kept rummaging through his bag if only to have something to do with his hands while he tried not to let his annoyance show (Why was he annoyed? He wasn't annoyed, he told himself).