Chapter Text
A warm June night was always welcomed in North Island. The sun was brushing the edges of the horizon as Ira neared the doors of the local bar – ‘The Hard Deck’
She knew the connotation around the name, as well as the reputation it held for being the local navy spot, drawing in sailors and soldiers from near and far.
The doors pushed open, and she was immediately met with a hive of activity – the pool and foosball tables crammed with people, music blasted from the corners of the room and voices that swelled and filled the space.
She made her way to the bar, perching on a nearby stool and awaiting someone that could send a drink her way, she was going to need it before the week kicked off.
It had been years since she’d been back, well back to the bar to be exact. Sure she’d taken the odd trip back to the town seeing as her parents live here but she never seemed to make her way into the bar itself.
“What can I get - ” the waitress started and abruptly finished “my goodness, it can’t be”
“Hi Penny” Ira replied with a smile plastered on her face.
“It’s been years, look at you” Penny had bent over the bar and placed her hands on Ira’s shoulders “what are you doing back here?”
“Long story” Ira remarked, quickly wanting to change the subject “Do you own this place yet?”
“Sure do sweetheart” Penny replied with a smile. Ira’s gaze shifted to just behind where the older lady was standing and she noticed a hoard of uniformed officers making their way to the pool table on the other side of the bar, exactly who she’d come here to see. Penny raised an eyebrow back at Ira and she simply laughed in reply.
“Let me get you a drink, first one’s on the house” Penny spoke as she turned to the beer handles.
Not even a second later Ira felt a body perch awfully close to where she was sitting, eyes boring into the side of her head. A glance in the direction of this mysterious stranger revealed most of what she needed to know.
Blonde hair, slicked back and perfectly in place. Prim and proper navy uniform with a barrage of medallions on his chest, which he may have been puffing out more than usual. His name tag read ‘Seresin’ and she returned to look at his face, which wore the biggest shit-eating grin than she’d seen in a long time.
This would be fun.
“Penny my dear” his husky tone was already too much to handle “I’ll have another round, and one for the lovely lady over here”
Ira’s stomach turned at the wink he shot towards her.
“Lucky for you, darl, I’ve already got this lovely lady a drink” Penny returned, sliding the glass towards her “but I’ll get one on the way for you”
Ira knew that Penny was distinguished at dealing with these sorts, owning a navy bar and all.
“I don’t believe I got your name” the man spoke again.
“I don’t believe I gave it to you” Ira replied, breaking his searing eye contact by taking a swig of her beer.
“Keep your secrets then” he sighed “The name’s Hangman” he offered with a hand outstretched to her, a strange kind of peace offering.
“Your parents must hate you” she raised her eyebrows at him.
“It’s a callsign” he inched closer to her, enough that she could smell the mixture of sweat, shoe polish and what she assumed was very expensive cologne.
“Now I’m catching on” she shot back “I’m Ira” she took his hand in a very weak handshake. If her father could see her, he’d be absolutely shaking in his boots.
“Beautiful name” he noted “for an equally beautiful woman”
His gaze travelled lower, taking in every inch of her. The blue floral sundress she wore suddenly felt like it didn’t exist as his eyes pored over her.
“You in town on business?” she turned the subject on him.
“Yeah honey, but I’m beginning to think it’s fate that I’ve met you here tonight”
She had to hold herself back from rolling her eyes.
“You navy boys are all the same aren’t you” she looked him dead in the eyes.
“I bet you’ve never met anyone like me before, sweetheart”
He leant in even closer this time, an arm reaching over hers that was resting on the bar.
“Leave her alone Bagman” a chirpy voice came from behind him.
The dark-haired woman drifted past him, tugging lightly at his shoulder before she continued walking.
“Give me a call if you want a good time, gorgeous” he slipped a piece of paper across the bar towards her and with another sly wink he was following the woman that had spoken.
Ira ran a hand through her hair and shook her head lightly, meeting Penny’s gaze as the older woman laughed. It was always the same here, hotshot pilots with far too much ego for their own good and thinking that everything that breathes will throw themselves at their feet.
She watched a while longer as the pilots interacted, dancing around each other and sizing up the competition. They did know what they were all here for after all.
A familiar face lingered in the group and eventually they locked eyes across the bar and the man made his way towards Ira.
She spun around on her stool and greeted the man as he approached.
“Bob” she embraced him with a hug which he returned, just about lifting her off her seat. While he seemed the skinny and scrawny type, he still had the strength of a fighter pilot.
“Mouse” he replied with his signature goofy smile, and she returned a sharp glance in his direction.
“I’m trying to be discreet” she noted, taking another sip of her beer “Let’s go for a walk”
The pair lingered out the doors towards the beach, exchanging pleasantries and catching up on the time passed from when they had last seen each other. Ira enjoyed being around him, and it sure had been a long time since they’d seen each other last.
Eventually they wandered back in and a commotion was afoot, apparently someone was unaware of the rules surrounding Penny’s bar and she only just saw the blur of a man being thrown out onto the shore of the beach as they made their way back inside.
“I’ll see you tomorrow” she spoke in Bob’s direction.
“Good to see you” he replied, squeezing her shoulder as he made his way back to the group. The pair had snuck away, and no one had seemed to notice. It was times like these that Ira was glad to know Bob as a fly on the wall type.
The bar was once again humming with excitement as Ira made her way to the front doors.
She neared the exit and just as she reached it the doors flung open towards her, knocking her back a step. Strong hands took hold of her waist and balanced her before she fell over entirely.
“I am so sorry” the voice that spoke was raspy and steady “are you okay?”
She gazed up to meet his glance. Aviator glasses mostly covered his eyes, but a small sliver of honey brown looked at her with concern. Suddenly, her cool and calm demeanor disappeared and she felt herself turning into a giddy schoolgirl, his hands burning at her waist.
“I’m fine” she spoke, clearing her throat “sorry for getting in the way”
She stood straight again, his hands moving away from where they’d settled on her hips. He was dressed casually, a white tank top and an unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, he looked like he’d rolled straight in off the beach.
His mouth curled up at the edge “I’m glad”
He opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off, knowing that she was heading for the door before she could run into any more tall handsome men.
“Enjoy your night” she smiled politely and slipped past him, not missing his eyes following her the whole way out.
The air was significantly cooler outside now but was welcome as she made her way home and settled in for the night, knowing the commotion that the next few weeks held.
She woke the next morning and took a deep breath. The day was here, she was back in a new and exciting mission and the excited nerves were taking hold.
She dressed in her flight suit as the mission documentation had outlined, took a banana from the bowl on the counter and made a coffee on her way out. Right next to the coffee was a note.
‘Go well, sweets. Give ‘em hell for me’
Her father, ever the man of few but meaningful words.
She tucked the noted inside her jacket, picked up the coffee from the bench and made her way into base.
It wasn’t a long drive, thank goodness but it was enough to settle some of the nerves coiled up in her stomach. She passed through security and was soon outside the hangar, hearing voices coming from inside. Her watch told her that she was still 15 minutes early but it seemed she’d been beaten by quite a few of her fellow teammates.
She pushed open the door and eyes darted towards her as she strode into the room.
Notably, a single blonde-haired pilot in the front row quickly went from his signature shit-eating grin to jaw hanging wide open, locking eyes on her.
“Nice to properly meet you Lieutenant Seresin” she smiled at him and extended a hand in his direction.
He stood and returned the gesture, receiving a much firmer handshake than he had the night before. His eyes scanned down to her nametag and his expression shifted again, even more shock coming over his face.
“Kazansky?” he whispered under his breath “You’re fucking kidding”
She simply smiled and took her hand out of his grasp, turning to find her own seat.
The next few rows were filled up but she eventually found a free seat and opened her mouth to ask the owner of the adjacent seat if she could take it.
She suddenly found herself lost for words for the second time in less than 24 hours and it seemed to be because of the very same man.
He seemed just as surprised as she took the seat next to him and offered a hand towards her.
“Nice to finally meet you” he started.
“Ira Kazansky” She returned the gesture with a smile “Mouse”
The corner of his mouth curled up with a cheeky grin.
“Bradley Bradshaw” he smiled “Rooster”
“Bradshaw” she repeated in afterthought, cocking her head slightly.
“One and only” he winked.
Damn he was gorgeous, this was going to be a long training.
The introductions began not long afterwards, with very intimidating tactics employed to keep the team on their toes. It was common naval practice, but it still gets under your skin every once in a while. With the present company, Ira was on her toes as far as she could get.
The final instructor was being introduced and footsteps sounded from the back of the room.
Naturally, the room turned to face the sound, and more than a few curses were heard no louder than a whisper.
Ira felt Rooster tense next to her as she too took in the sight before her. The man she hadn’t seen in years, much like a father to her and her legal Godfather was pacing down the aisle.
There was only one word she could think of to describe the way she felt and it came out unknowingly under her breath as she sunk back into her seat.
“Shit”