Until Next Time / Jake Seresin x Reader

part three

Jake exhaled a sigh as he tossed the tennis ball in his palm against the bunk above him, mind swirling and trying to find something worth focusing on as he tried to pass the time. This was what he hated most about deployments - there was nothing to do. He'd already worked out, his drills were done, he'd been released for the day but he wished he hadn't. Your letter back was sitting beside him, he was feeling a little too nervous to even open it... what if it was the biggest fuck you he ever read? You were a writer after all, he imagined you'd probably be able to tell him off in the most elegant, crippling way if you wanted.

Bradley had not even noticed the identical envelopes when mail came around, instead taking his as he disappeared, he assumed to the cafeteria, which is exactly where he was. Bradley's brow was furrowed as he took in your words, shaking his head softly at the way you were seeming to deflect. He knew you wouldn't want to worry him while he was on deployment, but he knew you too well. You couldn't get anything past him even on paper... but there wasn't exactly anything he could do about it from where he was.

Raven,

If you're not using the paper then neither am I - god forbid I try to spice things up. I don't believe things are boring - they never are when it comes to you, but I'm glad you're feeling better about everything. You don't have to sugarcoat things just because I'm on deployment, I'll reserve a phone slot and call you in a few days (which probably will mean that's already happened by the time you get this so this whole letter may end up redundant).

Thank you again for seeing mom and dad, and I'm glad sitting with mom helped. I also like believing the wind was her, it always has an eerie way of feeling just like her, doesn't it? Think about San Diego harder, you deserve a break and I don't like your friends in New York. If you're going through something you should be with Nat and the rest of the squad. They'll take care of you. I know you don't need taking care of, but you do.

Jake didn't tell me, which I'm not surprised by. I know I can't tell you what to do and you wouldn't listen even if I did but just be careful. That big heart of yours can be a weakness and I don't want you doing him a kindness by writing him to bite you in the ass. That's all I'm going to say because I can already feel your annoyance.

I haven't finished the book yet but it's pretty good. Good luck getting a book club started, you could probably get Bob on board but I don't see anyone else joining. No cute girls, at least none that aren't already married - but I appreciate your somewhat selfish interest in my love life, sorry I can't provide better inspiration for your writing.

I miss you too, hopefully I'll be out of here somewhat soon. I'm keeping this short because I'm going to talk to you in a few days and I'll just tell you everything else then.

Love you,

Bradley 

He sat still for a moment as he contemplated what to do, but soon his feet were moving before his mind could catch up down the narrow hallways towards his bunk, unable to resist questioning just what the hell Jake was thinking... and right about now, Jake was thinking you probably told your best friend what a colossal jerk he was, and when the door to their room opened he sat up with a sigh, bracing for the worst.

"You wrote Raven a letter?" Bradley asked, eyes narrowed with a piece of paper clutched in his hand and while Jake's first instinct based on the look in his eyes was to lie, he knew that would never work.

"I did," he decided to answer truthfully, leaving it short and simple.

"Why did you write Raven a letter?"

Jake sighed again, "I accidentally opened hers and felt bad. I just wanted to apologize."

"So, you accidentally opened my smoking hot best friend's letter and happened to read the entire thing instead of putting it down as soon as you realized, and what? You expect me to think this isn't you doing your typical Hangman bullshit?"