Hangman is comin’ down from the gallows, and I don’t have very long.
In which Tyler is smitten with a certain girl and Jake does what he does best: annoy people.
Warnings: foul language
Note: Tyler refers to Bradley only as Rooster while Jake calls him by his name or Roo, this was a detail i didn’t notice until I was half way through writing this. The things I do to myself.
Tags: @devil-angel-winchester
Song: renegade by Styx
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Jake licked his teeth and clicked his tongue as he oh-so-casually slid up next to his brother, boxing Tyler into the booth at the old country diner they’d crowded into somewhere in central Oklahoma.
“So… Kate, huh?” Jake’s grin stretched from ear to ear, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Tyler shot him a sidelong glance, trying to ignore the growing heat in his cheeks. “What about Kate?”
Jake leaned in closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Come on, Ty. I see the way you look at her. It’s not just friendly banter about tornado chasing.”
Tyler shifted uncomfortably, trying to deflect. “It’s not like that. We just work together—we’re partners, you know, with the polymer project. And she’s been through a lot with storm chasing. I’m just trying to keep things light-hearted and professional.”
Jake raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Light-hearted and professional? That’s why you practically trip over your words whenever she’s around? And don’t think I didn’t catch how you went all sweet southern boy when Bradshaw and I first got here.”
Tyler stiffened and gave his twin a glare, irritated by how well Jake read him. It was a talent Jake had always had, and it never failed to get under Tyler’s skin.
“You were buttering yourself up to make yourself look good in front of her,” Jake continued, his smirk growing. “It was almost sickening how thick you laid it on. Bradley had to take a walk when you two went to look at the radar. I thought he was going to throw up!”
Tyler’s face reddened. “That’s exaggerating, Jake. I was just trying to be supportive. It’s not like I planned to impress anyone.”
Jake’s grin widened, clearly relishing his brother’s discomfort. “Oh, come on. We both know you were laying it on super thick. I’ve seen you try to play it cool before, but this? This was next-level. And I’m not saying it was a bad thing—but holy shit, Ty.”
Tyler’s face was practically streaming with embarrassment. He silently thanked whatever higher power had distracted Kate and the others. The only one left in their booth was Rooster, who was looking equally uncomfortable.
“Right, Roo?” Jake decided to rope the other man into the conversation, clearly enjoying Tyler’s discomfort. “You saw it, right?”
Rooster shifted uncomfortably, glancing between the two brothers. He clearly tried to avoid getting involved but failed as Jake’s sharp eyes fixed on him.
“No comment,” Rooster said, and Tyler silently thanked him for trying to steer the conversation away.
“Whatever,” Jake clicked his tongue and narrowed his eyes, then turned his full attention back to Tyler. “I’ve never seen you so smitten! Never! She really must be something.”
Tyler bit his tongue, struggling to keep from spilling all the reasons he thought Kate was amazing. He knew that would only dig him deeper into Jake’s teasing.
“But I like her! I think Ma and Dad will, too,” Jake said and finally relented, for now. He slid back from his brother and returned to his seat next to Rooster.
The timing was impeccable because, just then, Kate walked into the booth area with a radiant smile and a lively energy that made Tyler’s heart skip.
Jake’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he noticed the effect Kate had on Tyler. His Cheshire smile broadened, clearly enjoying this.
Tyler knew Jake wouldn’t let him live this down.
Bonus Rooster and Kate:
“Is he always like this?” Kate said from atop the red rig, her sunglasses shielding her eyes from the harsh Oklahoma sun. Bradley was handing her the new sensors, both of them squinting against the glaring light.
Bradley didn’t need to look to know what she meant. He let out a sigh. “Annoying? Always.”
It was a dry joke, and Kate snorted, giving the side of the sensor a quick, unceremonious smack to adjust it.
“Jake’s got this knack for finding everyone’s soft spots and poking at them. It’s his way of keeping things interesting,” Bradley continued. He was used to it by now, but he could understand how aggressive it might seem to others.
Kate raised an eyebrow, clearly processing this. “So, it’s not just me he’s targeting?”
Bradley shook his head. “Nope. He picks on everyone, but Tyler’s the one he’s focused on—sibling things, I guess? I don’t know, I was an only child.”
Bradley got sidetracked, waving his hand dismissively as he handed her another sensor.
“Anyways, you just got caught in the crossfire. Trust me, it’s not malicious. Jake just found something he could tease Tyler about and went with it.”
Kate took the sensor with a nod, her expression easing. “Got it. I’ll just stay still and hope he won’t see me.”
She and Bradley shared a laugh at the lame pop culture joke.
Bradley grinned. “No problem. And if Jake gets to be too much, just let me know.”
Kate smiled and nodded as they returned to their work. With Bradley’s reassurance, she felt more prepared to handle Jake’s playful jabs.
But that didn’t stop her own teasing side from rearing its head. “So, is like ‘wingman’ the Navy term for boyfriend?”
Bradley choked on his spit.
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Average Rooster reaction while being dragged across Oklahoma, poor Roo (he did this to himself)
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thinkin about jake seresin and tyler owens
he and tyler are twins (jake is older by seven whole minutes, which he always reminds tyler of)
they used to be distant, with tyler being with the wranglers and jake being in top gun, but when he saw rooster almost die he realized he couldn’t leave his relationship with tyler as it was
so they call once every week or two now, maybe visit each other once a year. it’s not perfect, but he knows that his baby brother’s alive and that’s what matters (even though he would laugh in your face if you suggested that)
after el reno, jake sees tyler’s truck in the news- rolled over in a field of destruction- and immediately goes on leave. he only had to show maverick the photo before his request was approved.
he gets off the plane and walks into the baggage claim right as the announcement that flights will be delayed goes off, and when he sees his brother in one piece with a shit-eating grin on his face he almost cries (he doesn’t, he just moseys over and hits on kate)
(kate did not know tyler had a twin, and is Very confused)
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