Chapter Text
It was early in the morning as the sun began to creep above the horizon. It flickered in and out of view behind the hydro poles as Jane drove through New Mexico. Laid out on the passenger's seat was a map of the area, with one small spot circled in red.
Tavish's house.
Jane's house.
Their house.
About a month before the end of the gravel war, they'd had a frank discussion about the future of their relationship. It was obvious that they didn't want things to end, why would they? They had been together for years, and living far apart wasn't an obstacle they wanted to deal with. It was Tavish's idea to circumvent the problem altogether, by inviting Jane to move in with him.
And that's why he was here, only a week after leaving BLU, driving down the highway in a rental car packed with all his worldly possessions. Jane was a good mixture of excitement and nerves. The excitement was a given, he was going to live in a mansion with Tavish, and they would never have to try to kill each other again. But even though the mansion was Tavish's, his mother still lived there, and Jane was terrified she wouldn't like him. Jane was good with old ladies, but this was going to be different. This was Tavish's mother, a woman who would be confronted with the fact that her son was dating the new addition to their household, something Tavish hadn't bothered to tell her until this week. Jane doubted things would go smoothly, no matter how much Tavish tried to reassure him.
He didn't have much longer to worry though, as the turn onto Tavish's street was just ahead. Less than a mile down the road he saw it: the mansion was huge, big enough to get lost in, something he didn't have to worry about back in his own bachelor’s apartment.
The clock on the dashboard read 06:37 when he pulled up into the driveway. Tavish was never awake this early in the morning, but Jane hoped he had made an exception for today. He slammed his fist on the horn, announcing his presence.
Inside the house Tavish jerked awake so hard he rolled off the couch
He landed on the floor with a wumphand a series of curses, his brain clouded by his sudden return to reality. Bloody cars waking him up in the middle of the night and this shitty couch with its uncomfortable springs-
Wait. Couch? Why was he down here in the living room instead of up in-
Jane.
The thought made him jump up even faster than the car horn, practically sprinting to the front door. As he opened the way to the front driveway, he tried to calm himself so he didn’t look like an over-excited buffoon in front of his boyfriend.
He tried and failed in that endeavour, only make it a couple of steps before breaking into a sprint again. Jane’s rental car was all the way up the house, still running but parked. Its driver looked nervous, dressed in an approximation of civilian clothes but still sporting a helmet halfway over his eyes. That thing was probably a road-hazard, but Tavish couldn’t care less.
Upon seeing Tavish's big, goofy grin, all of Jane's nervousness evaporated. He turned off the ignition, leaving the keys in the car and scrambled out the door. Tavish was a few feet away, far enough for Jane to get a running start before tackling him in a hug. Tavish wrapped his arms around Jane and used the momentum to lift him into a spin. It lasted only about two seconds before the weight became too much, and they both collapsed onto the grass in a laughing heap.
“God I missed you,” Jane sighed. They'd only been apart for a week, but the anticipation had made it feel like an eternity.
“I missed you more,” Tavish said, and Jane swatted him for being corny.
If they were at work, they had to be mortal enemies. If they were in public, they just had to be friends. Now it had all changed for them- things finally seemed to be looking up, and they couldn’t help but feel horrendously optimistic.
They both struggled to their feet, Tavish’s joints still full of early-morning creaks. Once up, he put both of his hands on the side of Jane’s face, to get a good look at him. His breath was terrible, and his eyes had bags under them despite being wide in excitement.
“You look like shite, mate. C’mon, let’s go get some breakfast in you.”
“This is what it look like when you are awake for 24 hours and drink nothing but coffee,” Jane explained, “not that I'm against breakfast.”
Jane grabbed Tavish's hand, a motion so normal but unnatural for them, having had to hide their relationship for so long. They laced their fingers together, and Jane tugged Tavish back to the door.
“Do I get the grand tour? Do you ever get lost?”
Tavish chuckled. “No, not anymore,” he said, and Jane brought the two of them into the house. “I’ll show you around the first floor, but nae a grand tour, Mum’s still asleep at this hour.”
“OH! Right, I shouldn't have honked the horn,” Jane said sheepishly, following Tavish into a kitchen that matched the largeness of the rest of the house. Everything looked expensive and clean, much unlike Jane's apartment. It was intimidating in a way, and he couldn't help but wonder if he could really fit in here. “So about your mum,” Jane shuffled his feet. “Did you talk to her? About... you know.”
“Hm?” Tavish asked as he examined the eggs. “Talk about what?”
“Tavish...” Jane groaned, his voice straining in fear. “You said you would talk to her about me! About... us. Does she even know I'm going to be here when she wakes up?”
Tavish turned to look at him. “Of course she knew you were coming,” he blinked. “I’ve been making preparations and all that for a week, nothing escapes her notice.”
Jane let out a long breath and buried his face into his hands. “Why did you make me think... never mind.” He watched Tavish crack the eggs. “So, how did she take it?”
“Oh, she’s pissed,” Tavish said. “Talked my ear off for three days about why I didn’t tell her sooner and how she’s known me for four decades and she should know everything about me life blah bluh bla bla blah.”
All the color drained from Jane's face in an instant.
Tavish tossed the egg up into the air, flipping it perfectly back into the pan. He looked over at Jane, a grin on his face.
“First try!”
“She hates me already. We haven't even met, and she hates me.” Jane grabbed his helmet with both hands. “How can you just be flipping eggs at a time like this?” He violently pointed a finger at Tavish, eyes wide. “How dare you let me ruin your mother's life!”
Tavish blinked in confusion.
“Ruin her life? Lad, you moving in here isn’t going to ruin her life. Woman could actually use some more people moving in, have people besides me to argue with.” But Tavish could see the edges of panic still creeping in on Jane. He carefully stepped away from the stove and held Jane by the shoulders. “Hey, it’s alright, aye?” He reassured. “She doesn’t hate you. Like you said, she hasn’t even met you yet.”
Jane just groaned again. “I knew this was going to go badly.”
“…Let me put in the toast.”
It was a good thing Jane was easily distracted by food. Two glasses of orange juice and some rye bread later, they were munching more calmly, talking about moving Jane’s stuff in. Sunlight peeked in through the window, but the good food distracted them both from their crappy nights sleep. When they had cleaned up, Tavish slipped and arm around Jane’s waist for a half hug.
“Ready for that tour, Jane?”
Jane threw his own arm over Tavish's shoulders, giving him a squeeze. The food had done a lot to both wake him up and improve his mood.
“I'd like that. I still can't believe how fancy this place is,” Jane admitted. “You'd think you were some stuck-up prick like the Spies.”
“Hey, living in a nice house doesn’t mean you’re a roaster,” Tavish argued. “And you could be living someplace nice if you chose to, you know.”
Tavish let him contemplate that for a bit, showing him around the living room and some of the trophy rooms on the first floor, which contained most of the DeGroot heritage items. There was a gym, a recreation room, a library, and a dining room no one used unless Mum had her Ladies Bridge Night over. The conservatory led out to the grounds and Mum’s herb garden, where they toured until Tavish needed a sit down. They sat by the edge of a pond, Jane resting his head on Tavish’s shoulder while the two of them watched the fountain.
“…and upstairs is the study, and some of the places I work on me bombs. There are a bunch of spare rooms that have more ancient swords ‘n stuff, but we never use ‘em.” Tavish paused. “You know, the more we go over this, the more it seems like I live in the house from Cluedo.”
“What in Washington's name is a Cluedo?” Jane asked, lifting his head to stare at Tavish.
“Y’know, Cluedo. Board game? Got to find who the murder is by moving your piece to all the rooms?” When Soldier continued to look at him like was nuts, he continued. “Like, ‘I think it was Miss Scarlet in the Study with the lead pipe’?” Tavish knew Soldier didn’t have much of a childhood, so the fact he had never played such a classic board game shouldn’t come as a shock.
“Hey wait, I remember that game!” Jane said. “Scout was always trying to make us play board games, but it was just called Clue, not Cluedo.” He made a bit of a face. “I didn't play it, though. Too many rules.”
Tavish rolled his eye. “You think everything has too many rules. Lord knows how you can get through a game of poker without bursting a blood vessel.”
Tavish spent the next several minutes listening to Jane insist he knew how to play lots of games, convincing no one except maybe the ducks floating by. How the ducks had come to be here Tavish had no idea, but they seemed to be a permanent fixture in the yard now.
“Alright, alright,” Tavish interrupted. “Let’s say we go back inside? Mum should be up now, and we should get these introductions out of the way.”
“Ok,” Jane sucked in a deep breath. “And then we can move my stuff in, I have to drive that rental to the drop-off by five.”
Tavish nodded, and they went back to the house. They made it to the porch, and Tavish went inside to make sure Mum was there. She was having her morning tea, breakfast dishes already in the sink.
“And where have you been?” She said without looking up.
“I’ve been with Jane, giving him a tour of the house,” Tavish replied patiently. “C’mon, you knew he was coming today.”
Mum grunted.
“And you’re going to come out and meet him, show him you not being a grouch about the whole thing. Aye?”
She grunted again, and gulped down the rest of her tea. “Alright, fine, show me the boyfriend. I dunnae have all day.”
Tavish guided her to the veranda, where Jane was sitting on the porch swing and kicking his feet. Tavish felt an essence of ceremony, placing a hand on his mother’s back like they were standing before the queen.
“Jane, this is me Mum. Mum, this Jane, me best friend and the love of my life.”
Jane looked up from his seat on the porch, helmet still knocking around over his eyes. He has to admit she wasn't quite what he had expected; he’d been thinking a large, tall woman with an intimidating presence to match her personality. But what Jane saw was a petite, wiry old lady with a stern look on her face.
“Good morning, Mrs. DeGroot,” he barked awkwardly, lifting his hand in a little wave, though he dropped it upon remembering the fact she couldn't see. He looked at Tavish with a silent plea for him to tell him what to do, but Tavish didn't seem to notice, preferring to just let the two of them figure each other out by themselves.
Mrs. DeGroot frowned, and tilted her head.
“C’mere, lad. Let me get a good look at you.” She crooked one of her hands in a come-hither motion.
“Ok.” Jane stood up from where he was seated and took a few shuffling steps until he was standing in front of her. He completely dwarfed her small frame, which was aggravated by the fact that she was hunched over quite heavily.
Once she was certain Jane was directly in front of her, Mrs. DeGroot reached up and touched his face. He tensed under her fingers, but eventually relaxed as her hands began to explore his contours. She ran both of them along his nose, along his cheekbones and temples, searching higher until they bumped against the edge of his helmet. There was his prominent brow, his smaller eyes, the slight underbite.
It was an interesting experience, to say the least. Jane had never had someone pat his face so thoroughly, but after a few seconds she was finished, and stepped back with her hands on her hips. Jane waited expectantly, worried that out of all the things he could get kicked out for, it might be simply for being too ugly.
“So, you’re Jane then?” She demanded, her voice disapproving to anyone who didn’t know her well enough.
“Yes,” Jane nodded hesitantly.
“And you make me boy happy?”
“Yes ma'am,” Jane said, summoning as much confidence as he could. “Tavish means everything to me, his happiness is the most important thing in the world!”
“Good,” she said with the faintest trace of a smile. “If you told me anything else I’d throw you out of here faster than you can say ‘cross company relations’.”
“Mum!” Tavish protested, finally breaking his stony silence.
Mrs. DeGroot barked out a laugh. “Ach, hold it together, Tav. I’m just playing with the lad. He’s jumpier than two hares tied together, and I haven't even put me mean face on.” She directed her next words to Jane. “Dunnae worry, lad. Keep up that ‘ma’am’ business ‘n remember who’s in charge and you’ll do just fine.”
She shuffled back into the kitchen unassisted. Tavish grinned and patted Jane on the back. “See? I knew she’d like you.”
“It went better than I was expecting. You made it sound like she was going to come out here and start beating me with that cane.” Jane offered a wry smile. “Anyway, I figure I'll grab my clothes from the car, and then you can show me upstairs.”
Jane was eager to begin unpacking, but wasn't sure how this was going to work. He had assumed they would share a room—they had always shared a bed and it seemed like the natural thing for two people in a relationship—but he suddenly wondered if Tavish's mom living here would change that. Some families believed in no sharing a bed before marriage, but since they couldn't get married anyway, Jane wasn't sure if thatapplied.
“Am I in your room then?” he asked nervously.
Tavish smiled. “If it’s something you’re okay with, I’d love if you’d share a room with me. I’ve gotten rid of a lot of crap and made some empties drawers for you; it’s all set and ready to go.”
“Ok!” Jane grinned. That was all he had needed to hear.
He left Tavish by the door and ran over to the car, opening the trunk and lifting out the one large suitcase that contained all of his clothes. He slammed the lid back down on the few boxes that remained inside, and followed Tavish back into the house and up the stairs.
Tavish led Jane to his—no, their room—and opened the door for him. A lamp sat on top of a nightstand with a few fantasy books, all items necessary for late night reading. The wardrobe was neater than usual, and the floor was empty of dirty clothes. A walk-in closet hung open, emptied in expectation. The walls were covered with small DeGroot heraldries and insignias, the vanity rimmed with photos of Tavish and Jane. The photos were all new, as ones from before the War had been destroyed in a fit of pride, but there were plenty from after that, displaying their happiest memories together. There were also a few of Tavish and his team, as well as some of him and his Mum. None of his Da, though. Those were too old and precious to be let outside the photo album.
The bed was a soft yellow that matched the creamy floral wallpaper. It was a bit tacky, but the sun rising out the window in the morning made the whole room glow with warmth. The left side of the room had been cleared the most thoroughly, a few bits of furniture shuffled downstairs to make room for the new occupant. Jane always liked to sleep on the left.
“Welcome to your new home,” Tavish said, a little softer than intended.
Jane immediately gravitated towards the photos on the vanity, placing his suitcase on the floor before inspecting the small pictures wedged into the mirror frame. Images of him and Tavish far outnumbered the others, and Jane couldn't help but smile at the idea of Tavish looking at them every morning.
“It already feels like home,” Jane admitted. The cozy atmosphere and little signs of Tavish made it feel like somewhere he wanted to be.
They put away Jane’s clothes. Tavish had cleared far too much space for Jane, whose wardrobe consisted of two old BLU uniforms, a few pairs of jeans, some plain colored t-shirts, socks, and an abundance of American flag boxers. Tavish said something about getting him more clothes, but Jane just shrugged it off.
They toured the rest of the second floor, Tavish pointing out Mrs. DeGroot’s room as they passed it. The study was plain, mostly used for when Mum wanted to sharpen up her old bomb making skills. Most of the other rooms were used for storage, and the top two floors were empty, but there were a few other rooms on the second floor Tavish wanted to show Jane.
“These aren’t even used for storage,” Tavish explained. “So, if you want to make these your own, you could take up a hobby or something. Think of them just like a study you can use for whatever you like.”
“I really don't want to impose. I wouldn't even know what to do with this much space,” Jane admitted.“maybe I'll think of something later.”
They returned to the first floor to get the rest of Jane's belongings. He opened up the trunk and dumped the two boxes into Tavish's arms, he then grabbed one large one out the back.
“Where should I put this? These are all my “Guns and Haircuts” magazines.”
When they were going back to grab the rest of Jane’s stuff, Tavish had been expecting more… well, stuff. “You, er, still have a lot of room in the closet? You could put them in there?”
Jane nodded, and hauled his own box off towards the house.
“So, Jane,” Tavish said as they tucked the boxes away in the closet. “You don't live in that little apartment anymore, we’ve got plenty of space. Do you want some more… I don't know, personal effects? The whole side of the room is yours to personalize.”
“Personal effects, huh?” Jane pondered, looking around the room. His trusty entrenching tool was leaned up against the wall on what was now his side of the room, but the rest of his weapons had been reclaimed by BLU. Everything else in his apartment he figured Tavish already had, like furniture and can openers, or he just didn't need anymore. “Uh, that's really about it,” he said, suddenly feeling awkward surrounded by hundreds of trinkets related to Tavish's own family history. He shrugged. “I've never really had much of a need for things. I wouldn't know what to get.”
“Well, don't worry about it then,” Tavish covered hastily. “If that’s the last of it, do you want to go drop the rental off?”
After settling the car, their conversation morphed into plans for the next couple weeks. Tavish was most concerned with Jane getting a permanent vehicle, since the ability to get around was important out in the middle of nowhere where everything was so far apart.
“…and no offense lad, but you’re shite with money,” Tavish noted. “We can go check out cars sometime tomorrow, and make big purchases together. We’ll just share funds until the both of us can get a new job.”
“Thanks Tavish,” Jane said, perking up at the thought. “I've never owned a car, only rented one when I needed it. This can be the start of my 'personal effects'.”
Tavish kept his mouth shut instead of saying that wasn't quite what he meant, preferring to just let Jane be happy with the idea.
The ride home was shorter, as Tavish didn't constantly take the wrong turns like Jane had on the way to the rental place. When they got back, Jane collapsed on the couch. He was exhausted. Driving all night and excitement all morning had him completely drained.
“Tired already?” Tavish asked as he came back into the living room. He sat in the small corner not taken up by Jane’s flopped over body.
Jane just groaned in reply. Tavish chuckled. He didn’t blame Jane for crashing, the day had been pretty eventful. He leaned over and began to rub the small of Jane’s back, getting an appreciative hum.
“Mum’s out in the garden, says she won’t be in until tonight. If you want to turn in early, I wouldn’t mind. I could use a few winks myself.”
Jane yawned, wiggling his body to scoot a bit closer to Tavish until he could take off his helmet and put his head on Tavish's lap. He lay on his side, cheek squashed against Tavish's thigh.
“I am not a toddler, and I do not need naps.” This was punctuated by another yawn.
Tavish moved his hand from Jane’s back to his head, stroking his hair. “Of course you don't need a nap. Silly me. What was I thinking?”
Tavish felt his head falling to side after a few minutes, and he had to keep snapping back upright. Jane was breathing slowly, either asleep or just very relaxed. Tavish wanted to lie down too, but there wasn’t enough space on the couch for both of them.
“And here we have ‘em! Two lazy louts spending their whole day on the couch!”
Tavish jerked up, not even realizing he had fallen asleep. The living room had gone dark, and his mother stood over the two of them displeased.
“We didn’t spend the whole day here,” Tavish protested, but Mum merely scoffed.
“If you’re going to fall asleep, at least go back to your bed. Sleep on the couch, catch a cold in the head.”
Jane had woken up by that point, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “I am not sleeping,” he croaked, then coughed to clear his throat. “Although I could use a rest.” Jane wasn't one to admit weakness, but he was getting older, and couldn't bounce back after a sleepless night like he used to. “Sorry ma'am, I promise I'll be back in fighting shape by tomorrow.”
“Good lad,” she told Jane, then pointed her chin at Tavish until he relented.
“Alright, alright, we’re going off to bed.”
Jane and Tavish got up, stretching the cricks out of their old bones, all the while re-affirming they would go out tomorrow. Tavish promised his Mum they’d look for new jobs as soon as they got Jane a car. She reluctantly agreed, and Tavish kissed goodnight before she bustled up to her room.
Tavish grinned at Jane. “Ready to head up?”
Jane nodded, grabbing his helmet from the floor and following Tavish up the stairs. In their bedroom Tavish closed the curtains while Jane got partially undressed, shucking off his jacket, shoes, and pants before collapsing on the bed. It was soft, softer than any bed Jane had ever slept on, and he sighed, pulling the blankets out from under him and up to his chin.
By the time Tavish came back Jane had already cocooned himself in the blankets, curled over on his side and hugging one of his pillows. Tavish wormed his way into Jane’s wrap of blankets, the warmth necessary as the desert cooled for the night. They didn’t say anything to each other, but Tavish pressed a kiss to Jane’s neck as he pulled the Soldier to his chest. Jane sighed, perfectly peaceful.
How wonderful this moment was. Together, they fought off the night’s chill with their combined body heat. They were relaxed, contented, and would never have to worry about the discovery of their relationship again. (Well, they probably would, but not the ‘being assassinated’ sort of worry.) But they had each other, a bed that they shared, a home to come back to.
“I love you Janey,” Tavish sighed, unprompted.
“I love you too,” Jane said, smiling into Tavish's chest. Despite his tiredness the significance of the moment was not lost on him.
He really did feel truly home, in this cozy bed with Tavish's arms wrapped around him. It was all he could possibly ask for. The mansion was nice, the money was helpful, but finally being with the man he loved, not worrying that they'd be found out, lying together and knowing neither of them had to leave in the morning, that was the best thing in the world. Tavish traced his bare foot on the inside of Jane’s calf, provoking a rather un-manly giggle. But Tavish didn’t really want to start a tickle fight right now, he just wanted to fall asleep with Jane’s breath on his ear. Sleep without worry of the next day is the best kind, and they fell slowly into it.