He huffed, the sound a little more tired than anything. "Only if you can grab me two dozen chocolate chip cookies while out there." Setting the burger back down on the tray, and he'd probably get to it in a moment. Just didn't really feel that hungry anymore now that things were sinking in.
At the very least? Gabriel did look back up at Jack, even if he sounded as tired as he suddenly looked. Maybe today should be a day to rest while reviewing.
"We bonded." They did, fingers brushing over the spot on his inner thigh that he knew the mark would be on, some little breathless noise escaping him. "I- " He'd still have his heats, but they'd supposedly be more controllable so long as, "-You'd have to be there the moment it started for me to still be able to do what I need to do," rather than be taken out of commission completely.
He couldn't entirely imagine the weight that was settling in across Gabe's shoulders, the pressures of being an omega in high command having to deal with the meat heads some of the others could be. "Uh... yeah, sure, I can do that." He assumed Gabe wasn't joking about that. However, when the burger was set down, he reached out to stroke a hand between the older man's shoulder blades. "Hey... come on, you need to eat. Big day tomorrow."
He had no issue of leaving the room to Gabe to sort himself out. Jack could do that on the exercise floor, punching bags and lifting weights to blow off steam. That was how he normally forced his way through difficult subject matter.
His own fingers found the mark on his inner thigh. It was mostly bruising and scabbing right now. His ruts would be the same as Gabe's heats, more controllable but would require his mate to be near for it to be anything but unproductive. "I guess you'll have to put me on your team when you form them then."
He was used to it, dealing with his fellow soldier had always been a breeze in a way. Had no problem stepping in and showing just who was the one in charge and exactly why it was him. Hard but well earned because he was incredibly capable; strong soldier, could think on the spot, and had a mind for tactics. "I'll eat in a minute," he just needed his stomach to settle, first.
What he was dreading was dealing with those who held power, that could have any reason to strip him of everything he earned if they saw this blip on the radar as something unwanted. Something he had no control over- Reyes hated having to kiss ass, but if he had to....
"I was planning on it anyway, wouldn't trust anyone else to fill up your position in how we've already been working together," before this week. "Will you be able to handle this, Jack? Some may think it'll be for other reasons, and you'll be having to deal with me far more." The last bit was meant to be a little bit of a light ribbing, but there was something missing from his tone.
There wasn't anything he could do by remain at Gabe's elbow as they emerged from their little sequestration. The older man had been fighting idiots about his hormones for longer than Jack had been born, but he could be there as a support this time around. He could stand with Gabe and make it clear that alpha, beta, omega didn't matter, least of all in wartimes when human fear, bigotry and dislike had landed them in this mess in the first place.
"Alright," he murmured and set down his own burger so he could wait for Gabe. He could already think of how the powers that be might be looking for excuses, but the fact of the matter was that they were soldiers and in combat, it was leaders and their fellows that had their respect. It wasn't the politicians laying down their lives on the line. There would be some ribbing, a little push back from other soldiers, but in the end, they would easily accept Gabe because he had proven himself over and over in the field.
He nodded his head, trying and failing to hide how pleased he was. They would remain together. "We make a good team." He was almost Gabe's second. "It won't be a problem. I won't let it be a problem for me or for you. We have a track record that will speak for us." And both of them were soldiers of excellent reputation. This would be like fighting the battle of when he had come out to his family and friends.
He'd have a plan, how to best maneuver his way through this minefield and come out on top. Arguments that couldn't be slapped down by some politician worried of what would happen with him in charge; every single one of his records, so much proof that Reyes had that he was more effective as a leader than anyone else here in this time of crisis. Already even had names for the various teams, including those that would need to go back to old units.
How they could best spread themselves out and where once they could go out in to the rest of the world, and even a team out there not just made out of all the men and women in this program. That nothing has changed at all about who or what he was; a damn good soldier that would fight as hard as he could.
Nodding, and at the very least he was still slowly sipping at that apple juice. Better than not eating at all for the moment? "What do you want to do about us?" A gesture between them then, "Because we do make a great team, I know you've got my back as much as I've got yours."
If there was a plan, Gabe was probably the one behind it. Jack had his ways of getting on with most people, bringing out the best in those around him, but it was Gabe who master-minded the operations successfully. That's why he was looking forward for the SEP soldiers get out there to do what they had been modified to do. With his optimism and friendly nature and Gabe's no-nonsense tactical mind, they would be a power house.
They just had to navigate the rocky waters of political pitfalls, but he knew Gabe would just tell them off. The omega had no time for such nonsense.
He was still waiting and watching, his scent a touch concerned but also warm and affectionate as well. "What do you mean? We're a team, of course," he replied as if that explained everything and not his swing-and-miss on a potential relationship talk.
Figure something out, and he had this day to do it.
That? That was when Gabriel made a noise n his throat caught between a laugh and something else, letting himself fall backwards on the bed, hands over is face- "What do I mean." What was he going to do with this man? Really? Maybe that was all there was to it, just some week of it and just... little more, use what was made in the heat of the moment to their advantages and keep moving.
"Yeah," or maybe he was just clueless, "we're a team."
He turned a little on the bed to peer down at Gabe who had decided to lay about and laugh. Okay, he had to rewind that conversation a little to think about what he had said. He meant they were a team for sure but... oh.
Oh shit.
"Ah, that came out wrong," he said suddenly, waving a hand in the air and then rubbing the back of his head. Of course, now he was on the spot and that meant he had to think and fast. This wasn't like combat where he could make split decisions to push the mission forward. This was life stuff.
"I mean... what are you thinking? I want you, have since we met... but that just sounds cheesy given everything."
Clueless and blond, there were several different types of jokes in that one.
"Don't worry about it." Rubbing a hand over his face, letting his eyes keep closed just because it was far better than trying to decide what he wanted to be looking at right then. No diverting eyes away from Jack or anything like that. They were a team. "Take your time, not like I'm going anywhere for the moment, right." Breathe and think and gather those thoughts together.
No right right now- "Was asking if you wanted to keep it strictly friends-with-benefits or got for something more." Cracking an eye open after a moment, "Sounds just a little cheesy, but cheesy isn't always bad."
He was still running on little sleep, so sometimes his blond moments were more than usual. At least Gabe was willing to put up with him, not just because they happened to be roommates.
He shifted their tray a bit more between them so it wouldn't tip as he lay down to one elbow, settling on the bed closer to Gabe where he could continue to watch the omega. "You said you're staying in today, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it." He reached out to touch Gabe, stroking his fingers the older man's arm.
He leaned closer so their noses were only a few inches apart. "I don't... really do friends with benefits, personally. I would prefer if you were agreeable that we try something more permanent."
Maybe he could be convinced to eat after this little talk, if he had the stomach for it back.
Shoulders shrugged, letting out a huff of hair before arms sort of fell on to the bed as well, easier for that reached out touch to find. "It doesn't, no, but it sounded like this conversation blindsided you a bit," blond moment or not. Wasn't going to push if he wasn't ready to deal with this on top of everything else going on outside of this room of theirs.
Eyes opened then, fingers twitching a bit where they rested against the bed. "I am, just couldn't know if you were or not. Shit said during heats or ruts when it's a first hit like that don't..." Always mean anything, or was just babble while baser instincts took hold. "Going to ask me to officially date you?"
Jack would wait, no pressure from him. It was more important to him that they spent time together and found their ground before leaving this room for something normal tomorrow.
He smiled and leaned his head on an arm. It shouldn't have blindsided him, really he had been prepared, but it had been a leap he hadn't thought would come in the middle of discussing Gabe planning how he would stand up to anyone and everyone. "It didn't seem like where the conversation was going, but that's perfectly fine. We can talk about it now."
And the shit they had said... yeah, that was pretty intense and a lot of hormones. It didn't mean some of the basis hadn't been there for him at least. His hand stroking Gabe's arm moved to find his hand to pull it to his lips for a kiss. "We said a lot of things, stuff we know can't or won't come to pass, but mating with you, being with you comes without question from me." Another kiss to those knuckles. You asked for it, and he was pulling out romantic stops. "Gabriel Reyes, my mate, my omega, my commander, and my friend, will you date me?"
"To me it's something just as important that needs to be discussed, rather than waiting for some other time." He needed to know, fell in to place right alongside just how he needed to plan for tomorrow and whatever many days followed after. Just how much he could fall back on to Jack if he... needed to. Sure, he could just bury it all like he had been for years whenever anything of the like came up, but knowing if he had the option or not was important.
All the more reason it seemed like the natural sort of progression to him.
Gabriel let Jack take his hand, fingers curled a bit to hold it in turn, letting out a slow breath and just- well, there was a lightly huffed soft sort of chuckle just under his breath. "You are the sappiest Alpha I've ever met," and there was a warmth there in his voice, thumb rubbing the side of Jack's hand- "But I like that in you, along with all sorts of other things that make you, you. Yeah, I'll date you."
He nodded his head, understanding and certainly willing to have that conversation. He would do what was necessary to take some of the pressure off of Gabe's plate, aware of the difficulties up ahead. There was no point delaying if it was going to be a concern for the older man. They should come to terms with what labels they wanted to apply to themselves and their relationship given that it had been turned on its head within a few sniffs a week ago.
And the quiet bonding bites were heat of the moment things, so they needed to be affirmed with words.
He was allowed to be sappy during such a serious question. "You clearly haven't met enough alphas, since we can be quite a sappy bunch. My pa gives my ma a single rose the first of every month, just because he wants her to know how much he loves her." He grinned. Yeah, that might be where he had gotten his sappiness.
He leaned in properly to kiss Gabe on the lips, soft and sweet. "My handsome boyfriend. We're a real couple now, and I've got your back. You can call me in at any time to help out."
Sturdy ground for the both of them to stand up on in the following days, months, and even years. Better to know than not know on both sides of it.
"The ones I've met either weren't interested in me," he had some great friends out of that back home either way, "Or those that were and were also hellbent on making me submit." The whole showing him his place bullshit that some were unfortunately still raised on. That was dying out very quickly at least, but it still held strong in some. "But it sounds like this brand of sap runs in the family," a light nudge, the tease clear.
Gabriel did make a soft sound against the kiss, finally relaxing completely under it as his eyes closed. "Might need to."
He could imagine that kind of attitude would be frustrating, but it was an old way of thinking in his mind. Omegas didn't have to submit and Alphas didn't have to dominate. It was how they built their relationship to make it work that mattered and anyone that felt like those old roles had to be in place were missing out.
Gabe had clearly had trouble with Alphas being bone-headed, and Jack had had so many opportunities slip through his fingers because he was Alpha looking for another man. Both of them were oddities in their own rights, and maybe that's why they worked so well. Neither of them cared for their roles and both of them was looking for something beyond hormone-deep.
"Well, all of those Alphas, Betas and Omegas are going to miss out. It was similar for me in that I never found a right fit before you. Omegas tend to be female, and girls do love the way I look, but... er, that's not for me," he remarked with a shrug of his shoulders. He couldn't change how he felt or what he wanted when it came to a partner. He was more than happy to be friends with females, but the attraction wasn't there.
"Sap does run in my family, yeah," he agreed with a smile. He leaned their foreheads together. "I'm here for you, anything you need."
Tired and old and wasn't how his family worked either, roles meant little and it was more the person that always mattered. Been raised on that all his life, an he knew how his parents and grandparents were in hos they loved each other. There was a lot of love that he grew up around and didn't expect much of it his way, so he didn't actively look for it. Fooling around here and there was one thing.
This? Well, it was a welcome sort of surprise even if it started in a way that he wouldn't have wanted. Still turned out for the better-
"My twin's the Alpha between she and I," and it was sometimes funny, whenever they were out playing together once older, being mistaken for the other. Unexpected but still loved as they grew. "Guess you'll be meeting her sooner or later, even if it's over some holovid call," because this was going to be... something.
Gabriel lifted a hand, all so he could comb fingers through Jack's hair, holding him close that way without worry of the food tray on the bed with them. "Look forward to see that sap in action."
Jack's family was small and close-knit for the most part. They all valued each other, even the oddities of their families. He being the only child of his parents was cherished and his decisions about his preferences were difficult but accepted with love. In the end, his happiness mattered more than the family name. So when they found out he had a boyfriend, they would be pleased.
He snorted softly at the fact that Gabe's sibling and him had managed to switch the usual roles on their heads. That sounded just like what he knew about Reyes. "I bet she's a bad ass and will drag me over the coals for having at her baby brother. Is she as good of an interrogator as you are?" He hoped that him being a white guy wouldn't be a problem for a big Latino family.
"Do you... want me to meet her? If it would be easier, you can hide me from your family for awhile." He would accept that need until life settled down.
He hummed and leaned their foreheads together, smile on his lips. "Just you wait. Pa taught me all sorts of sappy things."
"She's better at it than me, and it's likely fortunate she didn't go military like I did." She was a swim coach on the side, and was currently taking a woman wrestler who could actually keep up with her. It was nice, actually. Mellowed her out just a little bit. "She helps run one of the youth centers back home in LA," but traveled a bit when her girlfriend did.
There was a lot of 'oddness' in his family perhaps, but from within none of it mattered as far as he was concerned. It was a family so full of love that accepted it all—
He cupped Jack's cheek gently. "Yeah, I want you to meet her. The rest of them, too." His family that was- "We may have to keep it a secret here, but I want them to know." Hell, they might be getting a little time before all of them were going to be shipped out, maybe he could get Jack to come with him- visit his parents too if he wanted. Talk about it all later, though.
Head tipped, all the better to steal a little bit of a kiss wit a brush of his lips. "I'll be waiting."
Oh good, so he was probably going to be pulled apart one hair at a time. Or maybe just break every bone in his body, but one at a time. "Is she? Sounds like we should probably keep our first meeting - or seven meetings - to holovid only. I think I'd like to keep my arms and legs attached to my body." What if she gave the stern disappointed voice?
He figured he would run into active combat rather than be alone in the room with Gabe's twin sister until the shock of them mating was long over. A twin sister had to be protective, especially with her brother being in active war.
He tilted his head a little before nodding his head, accepting that it was best that they keep things on the down-low. Except it was the military and gossip was basically how some people survived. "I'm not sure... we can keep the secret, but we can mitigate it as much as possible, yeah?" He didn't want what they had to be pulled apart and aired out. "When... are you going to tell them, do you think?"
He smiled with that kiss, lifting a hand so he could stroked his fingers through Gabe's hair, giving it a playful ruffle. "I will be impressed."
Ariela took her role as the older of the two of them just seriously enough that she would use it to her advantage if she saw fit. Would likely want to have a private talk with Jack just to be sure he checked out. "I think you'll be fine, but holovid introduction may very well be for the best," and only option for a bit.
At worst? She'd pull in the other sisters right along with her and Jack would have to not only have his twin watching him, but every younger sibling that Gabriel had. It was cute, to him, in a way that they would possibly do such a thing. Knowing full well he could take care of himself, but they'd still want to see because they did worry.
His hand moved, thumb brushing along Jack's jawline slowly. "We can keep it on the down low at best, and if nothing else I can 'officially' go back on my suppressants, jut not actually take them. All that paperwork that they'll feel safer with." Seemed like a plan that could work to him, okay. "I... might tell them once we're stationed out of here. Less secure for personal business, you know?"
Pressed his head up against Jack's hand with a soft chuckle, eyes closed. "Good."
Jack could think of worse things, and the entirety of Gabe's siblings and possibly female cousins was definitely up there. He normally could win over most people with his boyish smile, fruitful optimism and infectious laugh, but in this instance, he knew he would face the firing squad of Reyes family members. He was going to have to mentally and physically prepare himself for the event before it was set to occur.
"I think she's going to be disapproving of me, especially if she finds out how we came together and started dating," he pointed out. It wasn't widely accepted that a dating relationship came out of a heat/rut combo, since there were hormones involved and a lack of choice. It wasn't the best showing of his wanting to date Gabe, but that's how it went down.
"I just... don't want you to be embarrassed or ashamed of me. I don't want our relationship built on having to hide everything we have or are trying to have," he murmured as he leaned into that touch to his jaw. He wanted them on equal footing, and if they had to hide it from the brass, that's fine. He was looking forward to being proud of Gabriel as his boyfriend and hoped it would go both ways. "You can tell anyone when you're comfortable to. I'm not going to stop you."
"Jack," soft and easy, call for his attention as that thumb still stroked along his jaw. "Were there feelings and even a want before whatever the hell the last injections were fucked up suppressants and sent me in to heat?" Because it had definitely not been time for it to occur, so he was fully going to lay the blame there. "You are also my best friend for so much longer than that, from day one almost when you became my roommate. She knows as well as anyone how hard it is to be even a slight friend to me."
What he was saying is that neither of them had to lead with the fact that they'd hooked up because of hormones. Sure it forced them together, but- "You also did try to leave." So there was points to him not taking advantage. Little details.
"If I were, I wouldn't be having this talk with you right now, we've just got to handle this carefully due to our positions here. Once we're out of the program and out in it all?" They'd have a little more freedom to do and say as they pleased, and the brass couldn't do shit about it because they'd be putting in work. "I want my family to know, I'd just rather it not be while we're in here."
"There were," he admitted with a soft sigh. He hadn't been willing to risk their friendship as well as the fact that there was no guarantee that he would survive the SEP process. After all, it had been refined, but that didn't mean that there still weren't candidates that died or were unable to serve further because of the changes. "No matter what happens, I still want to be your best friend. No one has a right to take that away from us. I'll do what I can to win your family over."
He blinked at the argument that he had tried to leave, remembering that, but it felt so long ago as well. Weird how time flowed when it came to heats and ruts. "That's the gentlemanly thing to do. You could have wanted someone else."
He nodded his head, and knew that ranks would make it messy as well. Gabe could be seen as using his position to cause a conflict of interest. It might turn messy with the brass, and he still was working out how to tell his family, if he even would right now. "Well, we should all be transferred together to smaller groups, so we will be outside of the usual ranking system." He shrugged his shoulders a little, fingers stroking Gabe's side affectionately. "That's fine. I don't want you to think I'm putting pressure on you to tell anyone."
It was rather sweet in a way, how determined Jack was with this, and maybe he'd be in for a grand surprise when he was finally introduced to the Reyes family. He knew his twin only wanted him to be happy, but she had a right to at least make sure that this sudden Alpha in his life only wanted the best. Knew that Gabriel's own choices were his to make and that he wouldn't roll over for just anyone- or at all if he didn't want to. "I think you'll do better than you expect." A lot better.
"See? Right there is a good solid point in your favor over the whole taking advantage that some others here probably would." And hell, Gabriel had wanted him, even if now he was worried that it had just been all hormones talking and friendship would just go awkward until it was nonexistant.
Glad that it hadn't.
He tugged Jack's head closer for a moment, pulling him in to a deep and lingering kiss and leaving no doubt for the feelings there. "We'll get there." Him telling his family and everything, and whatever would come after- "Good talk?"
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2020-06-01 05:17 am (UTC)At the very least? Gabriel did look back up at Jack, even if he sounded as tired as he suddenly looked. Maybe today should be a day to rest while reviewing.
"We bonded." They did, fingers brushing over the spot on his inner thigh that he knew the mark would be on, some little breathless noise escaping him. "I- " He'd still have his heats, but they'd supposedly be more controllable so long as, "-You'd have to be there the moment it started for me to still be able to do what I need to do," rather than be taken out of commission completely.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-01 01:51 pm (UTC)He had no issue of leaving the room to Gabe to sort himself out. Jack could do that on the exercise floor, punching bags and lifting weights to blow off steam. That was how he normally forced his way through difficult subject matter.
His own fingers found the mark on his inner thigh. It was mostly bruising and scabbing right now. His ruts would be the same as Gabe's heats, more controllable but would require his mate to be near for it to be anything but unproductive. "I guess you'll have to put me on your team when you form them then."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-01 07:15 pm (UTC)What he was dreading was dealing with those who held power, that could have any reason to strip him of everything he earned if they saw this blip on the radar as something unwanted. Something he had no control over- Reyes hated having to kiss ass, but if he had to....
"I was planning on it anyway, wouldn't trust anyone else to fill up your position in how we've already been working together," before this week. "Will you be able to handle this, Jack? Some may think it'll be for other reasons, and you'll be having to deal with me far more." The last bit was meant to be a little bit of a light ribbing, but there was something missing from his tone.
Gabriel was worried.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-02 01:54 pm (UTC)"Alright," he murmured and set down his own burger so he could wait for Gabe. He could already think of how the powers that be might be looking for excuses, but the fact of the matter was that they were soldiers and in combat, it was leaders and their fellows that had their respect. It wasn't the politicians laying down their lives on the line. There would be some ribbing, a little push back from other soldiers, but in the end, they would easily accept Gabe because he had proven himself over and over in the field.
He nodded his head, trying and failing to hide how pleased he was. They would remain together. "We make a good team." He was almost Gabe's second. "It won't be a problem. I won't let it be a problem for me or for you. We have a track record that will speak for us." And both of them were soldiers of excellent reputation. This would be like fighting the battle of when he had come out to his family and friends.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-02 05:00 pm (UTC)How they could best spread themselves out and where once they could go out in to the rest of the world, and even a team out there not just made out of all the men and women in this program. That nothing has changed at all about who or what he was; a damn good soldier that would fight as hard as he could.
Nodding, and at the very least he was still slowly sipping at that apple juice. Better than not eating at all for the moment? "What do you want to do about us?" A gesture between them then, "Because we do make a great team, I know you've got my back as much as I've got yours."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 02:35 am (UTC)They just had to navigate the rocky waters of political pitfalls, but he knew Gabe would just tell them off. The omega had no time for such nonsense.
He was still waiting and watching, his scent a touch concerned but also warm and affectionate as well. "What do you mean? We're a team, of course," he replied as if that explained everything and not his swing-and-miss on a potential relationship talk.
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 02:43 am (UTC)That? That was when Gabriel made a noise n his throat caught between a laugh and something else, letting himself fall backwards on the bed, hands over is face- "What do I mean." What was he going to do with this man? Really? Maybe that was all there was to it, just some week of it and just... little more, use what was made in the heat of the moment to their advantages and keep moving.
"Yeah," or maybe he was just clueless, "we're a team."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 02:47 am (UTC)Oh shit.
"Ah, that came out wrong," he said suddenly, waving a hand in the air and then rubbing the back of his head. Of course, now he was on the spot and that meant he had to think and fast. This wasn't like combat where he could make split decisions to push the mission forward. This was life stuff.
"I mean... what are you thinking? I want you, have since we met... but that just sounds cheesy given everything."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 03:03 am (UTC)"Don't worry about it." Rubbing a hand over his face, letting his eyes keep closed just because it was far better than trying to decide what he wanted to be looking at right then. No diverting eyes away from Jack or anything like that. They were a team. "Take your time, not like I'm going anywhere for the moment, right." Breathe and think and gather those thoughts together.
No right right now- "Was asking if you wanted to keep it strictly friends-with-benefits or got for something more." Cracking an eye open after a moment, "Sounds just a little cheesy, but cheesy isn't always bad."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 04:22 am (UTC)He shifted their tray a bit more between them so it wouldn't tip as he lay down to one elbow, settling on the bed closer to Gabe where he could continue to watch the omega. "You said you're staying in today, but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it." He reached out to touch Gabe, stroking his fingers the older man's arm.
He leaned closer so their noses were only a few inches apart. "I don't... really do friends with benefits, personally. I would prefer if you were agreeable that we try something more permanent."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 04:33 am (UTC)Shoulders shrugged, letting out a huff of hair before arms sort of fell on to the bed as well, easier for that reached out touch to find. "It doesn't, no, but it sounded like this conversation blindsided you a bit," blond moment or not. Wasn't going to push if he wasn't ready to deal with this on top of everything else going on outside of this room of theirs.
Eyes opened then, fingers twitching a bit where they rested against the bed. "I am, just couldn't know if you were or not. Shit said during heats or ruts when it's a first hit like that don't..." Always mean anything, or was just babble while baser instincts took hold. "Going to ask me to officially date you?"
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 01:38 pm (UTC)He smiled and leaned his head on an arm. It shouldn't have blindsided him, really he had been prepared, but it had been a leap he hadn't thought would come in the middle of discussing Gabe planning how he would stand up to anyone and everyone. "It didn't seem like where the conversation was going, but that's perfectly fine. We can talk about it now."
And the shit they had said... yeah, that was pretty intense and a lot of hormones. It didn't mean some of the basis hadn't been there for him at least. His hand stroking Gabe's arm moved to find his hand to pull it to his lips for a kiss. "We said a lot of things, stuff we know can't or won't come to pass, but mating with you, being with you comes without question from me." Another kiss to those knuckles. You asked for it, and he was pulling out romantic stops. "Gabriel Reyes, my mate, my omega, my commander, and my friend, will you date me?"
no subject
Date: 2020-06-03 05:41 pm (UTC)All the more reason it seemed like the natural sort of progression to him.
Gabriel let Jack take his hand, fingers curled a bit to hold it in turn, letting out a slow breath and just- well, there was a lightly huffed soft sort of chuckle just under his breath. "You are the sappiest Alpha I've ever met," and there was a warmth there in his voice, thumb rubbing the side of Jack's hand- "But I like that in you, along with all sorts of other things that make you, you. Yeah, I'll date you."
no subject
Date: 2020-06-04 01:44 am (UTC)And the quiet bonding bites were heat of the moment things, so they needed to be affirmed with words.
He was allowed to be sappy during such a serious question. "You clearly haven't met enough alphas, since we can be quite a sappy bunch. My pa gives my ma a single rose the first of every month, just because he wants her to know how much he loves her." He grinned. Yeah, that might be where he had gotten his sappiness.
He leaned in properly to kiss Gabe on the lips, soft and sweet. "My handsome boyfriend. We're a real couple now, and I've got your back. You can call me in at any time to help out."
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Date: 2020-06-04 01:53 am (UTC)"The ones I've met either weren't interested in me," he had some great friends out of that back home either way, "Or those that were and were also hellbent on making me submit." The whole showing him his place bullshit that some were unfortunately still raised on. That was dying out very quickly at least, but it still held strong in some. "But it sounds like this brand of sap runs in the family," a light nudge, the tease clear.
Gabriel did make a soft sound against the kiss, finally relaxing completely under it as his eyes closed. "Might need to."
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Date: 2020-06-04 02:12 am (UTC)Gabe had clearly had trouble with Alphas being bone-headed, and Jack had had so many opportunities slip through his fingers because he was Alpha looking for another man. Both of them were oddities in their own rights, and maybe that's why they worked so well. Neither of them cared for their roles and both of them was looking for something beyond hormone-deep.
"Well, all of those Alphas, Betas and Omegas are going to miss out. It was similar for me in that I never found a right fit before you. Omegas tend to be female, and girls do love the way I look, but... er, that's not for me," he remarked with a shrug of his shoulders. He couldn't change how he felt or what he wanted when it came to a partner. He was more than happy to be friends with females, but the attraction wasn't there.
"Sap does run in my family, yeah," he agreed with a smile. He leaned their foreheads together. "I'm here for you, anything you need."
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Date: 2020-06-04 02:23 am (UTC)This? Well, it was a welcome sort of surprise even if it started in a way that he wouldn't have wanted. Still turned out for the better-
"My twin's the Alpha between she and I," and it was sometimes funny, whenever they were out playing together once older, being mistaken for the other. Unexpected but still loved as they grew. "Guess you'll be meeting her sooner or later, even if it's over some holovid call," because this was going to be... something.
Gabriel lifted a hand, all so he could comb fingers through Jack's hair, holding him close that way without worry of the food tray on the bed with them. "Look forward to see that sap in action."
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Date: 2020-06-04 02:50 am (UTC)He snorted softly at the fact that Gabe's sibling and him had managed to switch the usual roles on their heads. That sounded just like what he knew about Reyes. "I bet she's a bad ass and will drag me over the coals for having at her baby brother. Is she as good of an interrogator as you are?" He hoped that him being a white guy wouldn't be a problem for a big Latino family.
"Do you... want me to meet her? If it would be easier, you can hide me from your family for awhile." He would accept that need until life settled down.
He hummed and leaned their foreheads together, smile on his lips. "Just you wait. Pa taught me all sorts of sappy things."
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Date: 2020-06-04 03:11 am (UTC)There was a lot of 'oddness' in his family perhaps, but from within none of it mattered as far as he was concerned. It was a family so full of love that accepted it all—
He cupped Jack's cheek gently. "Yeah, I want you to meet her. The rest of them, too." His family that was- "We may have to keep it a secret here, but I want them to know." Hell, they might be getting a little time before all of them were going to be shipped out, maybe he could get Jack to come with him- visit his parents too if he wanted. Talk about it all later, though.
Head tipped, all the better to steal a little bit of a kiss wit a brush of his lips. "I'll be waiting."
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Date: 2020-06-04 04:46 am (UTC)He figured he would run into active combat rather than be alone in the room with Gabe's twin sister until the shock of them mating was long over. A twin sister had to be protective, especially with her brother being in active war.
He tilted his head a little before nodding his head, accepting that it was best that they keep things on the down-low. Except it was the military and gossip was basically how some people survived. "I'm not sure... we can keep the secret, but we can mitigate it as much as possible, yeah?" He didn't want what they had to be pulled apart and aired out. "When... are you going to tell them, do you think?"
He smiled with that kiss, lifting a hand so he could stroked his fingers through Gabe's hair, giving it a playful ruffle. "I will be impressed."
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Date: 2020-06-04 04:58 am (UTC)At worst? She'd pull in the other sisters right along with her and Jack would have to not only have his twin watching him, but every younger sibling that Gabriel had. It was cute, to him, in a way that they would possibly do such a thing. Knowing full well he could take care of himself, but they'd still want to see because they did worry.
His hand moved, thumb brushing along Jack's jawline slowly. "We can keep it on the down low at best, and if nothing else I can 'officially' go back on my suppressants, jut not actually take them. All that paperwork that they'll feel safer with." Seemed like a plan that could work to him, okay. "I... might tell them once we're stationed out of here. Less secure for personal business, you know?"
Pressed his head up against Jack's hand with a soft chuckle, eyes closed. "Good."
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Date: 2020-06-04 01:34 pm (UTC)"I think she's going to be disapproving of me, especially if she finds out how we came together and started dating," he pointed out. It wasn't widely accepted that a dating relationship came out of a heat/rut combo, since there were hormones involved and a lack of choice. It wasn't the best showing of his wanting to date Gabe, but that's how it went down.
"I just... don't want you to be embarrassed or ashamed of me. I don't want our relationship built on having to hide everything we have or are trying to have," he murmured as he leaned into that touch to his jaw. He wanted them on equal footing, and if they had to hide it from the brass, that's fine. He was looking forward to being proud of Gabriel as his boyfriend and hoped it would go both ways. "You can tell anyone when you're comfortable to. I'm not going to stop you."
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Date: 2020-06-04 09:45 pm (UTC)What he was saying is that neither of them had to lead with the fact that they'd hooked up because of hormones. Sure it forced them together, but- "You also did try to leave." So there was points to him not taking advantage. Little details.
"If I were, I wouldn't be having this talk with you right now, we've just got to handle this carefully due to our positions here. Once we're out of the program and out in it all?" They'd have a little more freedom to do and say as they pleased, and the brass couldn't do shit about it because they'd be putting in work. "I want my family to know, I'd just rather it not be while we're in here."
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Date: 2020-06-05 01:30 am (UTC)He blinked at the argument that he had tried to leave, remembering that, but it felt so long ago as well. Weird how time flowed when it came to heats and ruts. "That's the gentlemanly thing to do. You could have wanted someone else."
He nodded his head, and knew that ranks would make it messy as well. Gabe could be seen as using his position to cause a conflict of interest. It might turn messy with the brass, and he still was working out how to tell his family, if he even would right now. "Well, we should all be transferred together to smaller groups, so we will be outside of the usual ranking system." He shrugged his shoulders a little, fingers stroking Gabe's side affectionately. "That's fine. I don't want you to think I'm putting pressure on you to tell anyone."
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Date: 2020-06-05 01:53 am (UTC)"See? Right there is a good solid point in your favor over the whole taking advantage that some others here probably would." And hell, Gabriel had wanted him, even if now he was worried that it had just been all hormones talking and friendship would just go awkward until it was nonexistant.
Glad that it hadn't.
He tugged Jack's head closer for a moment, pulling him in to a deep and lingering kiss and leaving no doubt for the feelings there. "We'll get there." Him telling his family and everything, and whatever would come after- "Good talk?"
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