Oh, Jake just loved the attention, loved it. Flying over the fields with the crowds applauding and screaming, watching the fireworks from his fighter jet go off behind him, and all his friends by his side as they zoomed by, flying back to the base before they went back their day.

Everyone, well, sometimes, had different reasons for serving. He knew that Rooster served for his late father and Maverick. Phoenix because.. well, he assumed something with female empowerment, but she didn’t trust him with most information so it was just a guess.

Javy flew because he had always adored planes and jets, and once getting into high school realized there was more opportunities for him to actually fly a fighter jet rather than a commercial aircraft. And Bob, sweet Bob.. who knows, honestly?

Jake served for.. a multitude of reasons. He served for the thrill of flying, the pride he had in his country. He flew because he knew he was good, and he could protect the people of the land he loved. He served to make his old man proud, something he was never able to do when he was baking with his mother at age nine.

But he served for one big reason, too. And that reason was running right at him like a bullet going a million miles a minute. He let out an ‘umph!’ as you landed in his arms, sending him stumbling backwards a little as he held both himself and you up. Yes, he got in yesterday, but he wasn’t able to see you until now.

“You smell like alcohol.” He sneered, hugging you tight to his chest as your legs wrapped around his and you two tangled your limbs together. “Party started without me already?” He mused, a happy grin on his face that everyone would make fun of later.