Top Gun Imagines

57. Heroic Antagonist (Hangman - Jake Seresin)

(Published November 18, 2024) 

   "Hey, you've reached Seresin's voicemail.  You know the drill." 
   I quickly pressed the red button to end the call, silently chiding myself.  I didn't need his help!  The stove was probably just unplugged or something stupid.  Stuffing my cellphone into my back jean pocket, I closed the three steps towards the dormant appliance.  I'd have to pull the old monster away from the wall, I realized.  I began moving the pots and trays off of the top of it, my uncooked supper now settled on the table behind me.  
   A gracefully sweeping tail caught my eye.  Turning, I found Whiskers eyeing the table while his little pink nose took in the smells of the chicken breast sitting all alone on the tray on the table.  His dark eyes turned to look at me, and he let out a small meow.  
   "Don't even think about it, pal.  You know what happens if you climb on the table," I warned him fondly.  
   A quick glance at the sink not ten feet away assured me that my 'cat off of the table' spray bottle was there and full of water.  Whiskers lifted his snow white head as if to say he was smarter than that before quietly padding under the wooden table, his pristine tail brushing against the  bottoms of the chairs.  
   Turning my attention back to the stove, I stretched my arms out before me as if that might help me strengthen up for the task I was about to preform.  I grabbed the front corners of the old stove and began pulling as carefully as I could while still using enough muscle to move it some.  It creaked in protest, but slid forward a few inches across the already scratched tile floor.  I paused to take a deep breath and pulled again, moving it another few inches. 
   Straightening to see if I could find a better place to grab it now, a blur of white caught my eye at a height it shouldn't be at.  I darted over to the sink and spun around to find Whiskers strutting across the table and sniffing my supper.  
   "What did I tell you?" I demanded, halfheartedly spraying a stream of water in his direction.  I missed him completely, but he took the hint and leapt from the table top.  He was back under the table in an instant, sitting calmly and licking his paws like he had done no wrong.  I shook my head at his antics, setting the water bottle on the counter and returning my attention to the project at hand.  
   The doorbell also decided that this was the perfect moment to interrupt.  With a large sigh, I shuffled out of the kitchen and towards the door.  It was probably just Jake.  Who else came to my house?  On the other hand, why would he be here?  It wasn't like I left a voicemail.  Normal people would call back to see what the deal was.  
   After brushing my hands over my head to try and smooth down my casual ponytail hairdo, I reached for the knob.  A twist of the lock and then of the knob opened the door to reveal exactly who I had expected.  
   "You came?" Was all I could think to say.  
   He grinned at me.  "You called." 
   "Yeah, but I call the pizza place all the time and they never show up." 
   "They would, if you were in their delivery zone.  Just means I'm nicer than them, right?" 
   "You?  Nice?  Never thought I'd hear those two words in the same sentence." 
   He rolled his eyes at me.  "Do you need my help with something?" 
   Biting the inside of my cheek, I stepped aside and let him into the hall.  He marched in as if he owned the place, toeing off his sneakers by the door.  While he shrugged out of his jacket, I wandered back into the kitchen.  Since he was here, he might as well help me out.  And it was kind of nice that he showed up, even though he was going to drive me nuts.  He always did.  I didn't know why, but that pilot always knew how to irk me.  
   Whiskers stood on all fours on a chair, eyeing the table top with a wistful eye.  I lifted an eyebrow at him, watching as he sat prettily.  I shook my head yet again, wondering why I put up with him.  Both of the males in my house right now were professional antagonists.  It seemed like I attracted them for some reason unbeknownst to me.  
   "Let's see what you've got here." 
   Jake brushed right past me, beelining for the stove.  He easily moved it out far enough to get in behind it without even showing any strain.  I crossed my arms, trying not to think about those stupidly large muscles that granted him this power.  As he tucked behind the stove, his shirt pulled up a little in the back, revealing that his jeans really did fit him well.  Spinning around, I scooped up Whiskers and busied myself with petting his soft head.  He grumbled a little at the attention, his claws digging into my already clawed up t-shirt.  
   "Well, it's plugged in and everything.  I can check the breaker, but I almost think your stove croaked." 
   I turned to face him.  He straightened, brushing his hands off on his jeans and turning to me with that little smirk he often sported.  I managed a small smile back, trying to keep my dumb cat from climbing up my shoulder.  
   "Wouldn't the breaker knock out all of the kitchen electricity?" I asked, trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about.  
   "Not necessarily.  It depends on how things are wired.  Here," He reached out and helped detach Whiskers from my clothing.  "I'll be right back." 
   He set the white cat on the tiled floor before heading out to the hallway.  I crossed my arms again, staring at the little critter who was watching him go.  After a moment, he turned his big dark eyes up to me and meowed again.  
   "What?  He's just like you.  You two should be friends," I suggested.  
   Whiskers softly padded to the doorway and peered off down the hall.  I took that moment to sit at the now partially full table and stare at the chicken breast.  A new stove would set back my car repair a few months.  At least it was drivable, even if it was ridiculously loud.  I got a lot of unimpressed looks when driving down town roads.  But that was better than having to eat microwaved dinners for several months, right? 
   Jake sauntered back in, moving to lean against the kitchen counter across from me.  His pale eyes bore into mine while his arms mimicked mine by crossing over his t-shirt covered chest.  He looked as if he felt like he belonged here, and it was a little surreal.  Sure, he came over all the time, but he rarely stood in my kitchen with the air of belonging.  Maybe it was just me.  Maybe I was going insane.  
   "You need a new stove." 
   "Shit." 
   His mouth quirked up on one side at that word.  "So I guess it's a pizza night, then?" 
   I looked down at my hole filled shirt and grey sweatpants.  "Not unless you're going.  I have pretzels and sandwiches.  Those don't need heating." 
   "Those aren't exactly filling." 
   "S'what I got, bruh." 
   "Peanut butter and jelly, or ham and cheese?" 
   "Peanut butter and honey, or turkey and shredded cheese." 
   "Seriously, who taught you to shop?" 
   "I haven't gone to the store in a while, okay?" 
   "I noticed." 
   Rolling my eyes, I got to my feet.  "You don't have to eat here, you know." 
   "I can't let you starve." 
   He pushed off of the counter, moving to stand not even a foot from me.  I looked up into his twinkling eyes, wishing he was a typical hero.  Maybe then he'd sweep me off of my feet and I could justify liking his presence.  Instead, he just grinned down at me with that arrogance that set me on edge.  And yet I was somehow frozen, staring right back at him even though I ought to be stepping away or something, anything.  
   The doorbell saved the day by going off again.  
   "I'll get that," He quickly volunteered.  
   I followed him into the hallway, wondering who in the world could be here now.  I didn't know anyone else in town.  When he swung the door open to reveal a pizza delivery guy, though, it all fell into place.  I leaned against the kitchen doorway, a small smile on my lips.  He had bribed the delivery guys to make a special trip two miles outside of their delivery zone.  Wasn't I spoiled?  
   Jake took the two large boxes from the guy after giving him a nice cash tip.  Turning to see me standing there, he grinned back.  
   "What?" 
   "You bribed the pizza guy?" 
   His grin widened.  "Maybe.  I called them a few minutes before you called me, so don't you say that I did it for myself." 
   "What?  I wasn't going to." 
   I plucked the boxes from his grasp and hurried back to the table.  Depositing them on the clear side, I headed to the cupboard to grab plates for us.  I turned around to find Jake directly behind me, so close that my hands and the plates in them smacked his ribcage.  He slowly took the plates from my grasp and set them on the counter behind me.  I gave him a questioning look, but he didn't seem to care.  Instead, his hands settled on my hips and his face became a picture of seriousness.  
   "I'd like to buy you a new stove," He stated.  
   "Nope, not happening." 
   It was his turn to roll his eyes.  "Will you let me finish?  I'd like to buy you a new stove as my first rent payment." 
   "Rent?  What are you talking about?" 
   "I want to live here.  With you.  I don't have a ring yet, but I'm asking anyway because I can't wait anymore.  I'm in love with you, and I want to buy you a stove so you don't have to bribe pizza delivery drivers who will definitely end up hitting on you after a time or two of driving out here." He pulled me a little closer to him.  "I want you to be mine.  All mine and no one else's." 
   As if to argue, Whiskers took that moment to rub against my legs and start purring loudly.  We glanced down at the cat, both of us chuckling at his timing.  He looked up at us with a glare, as if he thought Jake was taking something precious from him.  Not that I was precious to that cat, but it was the thought that counts, right?  
   "That includes you, Whiskers," Jake stated jokingly.  "I don't share well." 
   Whiskers rubbed his side against Jake's legs, too.  Turning my attention away from the needy critter, I glanced back up at Jake.  
   "So...  You'll get me a new stove if I agree to marry you?" I clarified.  
   He chuckled.  "Yes.  However, if that's not convincing enough, I'll find a more romantic way to ask you." 
   "More romantic than buying me new appliances?  I don't know how you'll manage," I teased.  
   He snorted before pressing a kiss to my temple.  "So that's a yes?" 
   "I guess.  I mean, it could be worse." 
   "You're just trying to get my goat, aren't you?" 
   "Is it working?" 
   "Yes!" 
   "Good.  I love you, too." 
   "Say it again." 
   "Not until you let me at the pizza." 
   "You're not touching one slice until you give me a kiss." 
   I pretended to be offended at that.  "Now that's just cruel." 
   "My pizza, my rules," He shrugged with a grin.  
   "Fine." 
   I pressed a firm but brief kiss to his lips.  Then, sneaking out of his arms, I snatched the plates off the counter and hurried over to the pizza boxes.  He laughed heartily behind me, following my excited steps to the table.  As I dug into the gooey goodness inside of the boxes, his arms wrapped around my waist.  
   "It's a good thing you're cute," He murmured.  
   "I have a feeling you're going to say that a lot." 
   "Probably.  It's a good thing you are cute, then." 
   "Agreed."