Chapter Text
Tony stepped into the bustling departure lounge of the airport, casting his gaze upward to the electronic board displaying an array of destinations. Contemplating the list, he found himself unable to make a decision. The previous night's stay in a nearby hotel hadn't brought the anticipated sense of relief; instead, he felt a lingering numbness. He weighed his options, dismissing several, ruling out England and Europe entirely. The only conclusion he had reached was a desire to travel for a while but remain stateside as emotions settled.
Lost in thought about NCIS and Gibbs urging him to stay, he stared at the departure board without really seeing it. Gibbs's unexpected request puzzled him, conflicting with the treatment he'd endured for some time. The conflicting emotions left him in a state of confusion.
A movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention, and someone brushed against his side, momentarily triggering panic. Turning to his right, he saw a man of similar height—tanned skin, gray hair, and a slender build. Quickly assessing him, Tony noted the man's athletic appearance, suggesting an active lifestyle rather than a gym enthusiast. Dressed in light-colored cargo pants and a casual green shirt, he carried a bag over his shoulder, exuding a military bearing. Meeting the man's chocolate brown eyes, Tony realized he had been addressed but hadn't heard a word.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
“I asked if you needed help. You've been staring at the board for the last 20 minutes,” the man pointed to the departure board for emphasis.
“Oh, uh, no. I just haven't decided where I'm going,” Tony admitted, his tone carrying a hint of vulnerability. None of the day's departures seemed particularly appealing, but he knew he had to leave today. Shaking his head, he stepped away, intending to find some coffee and contemplate his next move. As he started to move, a warm hand reached out and gently touched his arm, a non-threatening gesture delivered slowly enough not to startle him.
"I'm Jack. Let me buy you a coffee. You look like you need something stronger, but I've recently been informed by a friend that there is such a thing as too early when it comes to drinking," Jack smiled, gently increasing the pressure on Tony's arm and guiding him toward the coffee shop. Tony found himself following along, and they entered, eventually finding an empty seat.
After placing an order for coffee, Jack noticed Tony lost in thought once again and decided to order for him. When Tony felt a hand touch his, he looked up to find the coffees had arrived. Confused, he glanced at the server and then back at the coffee. It was becoming clear to him that he was off his game.
“I ordered for you; it's just black. Do you want creamer and sugar?” Jack asked, pushing the cup across the table.
“Thank you, I'm Tony,” he introduced himself, extending his hand, which Jack took automatically.
“I hope you don't mind my observations, but you seem a little distracted, Tony. Is there someone I can call to come pick you up?” Tony shifted in his chair, realizing he had been unable to concentrate since arriving at the airport.
“No, I'm fine. I just need to get out of town for a bit,” Tony admitted, looking up into Jack's concerned brown eyes. He marveled at the fact that this stranger showed more concern than those he considered closest to him, people he had known for many years. Tony took a sharp intake of breath, finding it helped clear his mind.
“Okay, so where are you going?” Jack asked, glancing at his watch and realizing missing his flight wouldn't be an issue. It was clear the man in front of him needed support more than Jack needed to get back. With plenty of time before his duty on Monday, Jack was willing to lend an ear.
Tony considered his options. The man in front of him seemed harmless, capable of handling himself, and Tony didn't sense any cause for concern. However, he couldn't come up with a straightforward answer. The truth was he had no idea where he was going or what he was doing beyond leaving.
Jack studied the man in front of him, recognizing reflections of his own past in Tony. He wondered if Tony had a military background, given his appearance and the signs of something akin to PTSD. Quickly deciding not to leave until he understood Tony's plan, Jack made an unusual offer.
“This may seem a little unconventional, Tony, but I'm headed home to Colorado. I get the impression you could use a friend, so my spare room is yours if you want it,” Jack explained. “I'm a Colonel in the Air Force, and I can assure you it'll be perfectly safe. I get the feeling that isn't the case for you here. Do you have family who should know where you're going?” To reassure Tony, Jack showed him his Air Force ID.
The room seemed to spin for Tony, his thoughts unable to align. Why would this man want to help him, showing genuine care? He looked back down at his nearly empty coffee cup.
“There's no one… I don't have any family, Jack,” Tony admitted, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. “Can I really come with you?”
Jack took Tony's hand, unconcerned about appearances, and pulled him up out of his seat, heading toward the ticket booth. Flights were arranged easily, and Jack was somewhat surprised to see Tony's UK passport, but Tony explained it away effortlessly.
As they waited to board, maintaining a level of physical contact that would typically be uncomfortable for strangers, a strange longing surfaced at the thought of moving away from each other.
The stewardess, sensing Tony’s emotional distress, seated them together. Though it wasn't a long flight, Jack found himself with a sleeping Tony in his arms. His thoughts wandered to what he was doing; recognizing familiar aspects in Tony that he had long put behind himself.
Thinking of his team and what they might think of him returning home from DC with Tony, Jack found comfort in the closeness. Yet, as an Air Force officer, he was painfully aware that any hint of impropriety needed to be controlled. Helping a fellow traveler shouldn't invite unnecessary accusations.
Shaking his head, Jack looked out the plane window, finding solace in the white fluffy clouds and blue sky. His fingers brushed through Tony's light brown hair, a stray strand falling onto his forehead. Eyes fluttered open, revealing wide green orbs that met Jack with confusion at the gentle touch. Jack took a deep breath, uncertain about his actions, but offered a small, private smile.
"We're nearly there," Jack pronounced, his hand falling back to his own lap, yet still captivated by the eyes before him.
Reluctantly, Tony looked away and nuzzled into Jack's shoulder. Jack carried the comforting scent of clean laundry, musk, and hints of lemon. A strange sense of calm enveloped Tony, stemming from the unconditional trust this man had placed in him, pulling him under his wing. It was a trust given and taken, a stabilizing force tethering him to this stranger.
They smoothly navigated through the bustling crowd as they disembarked the plane, made their way through arrivals, and collected their bags. Suddenly, Tony looked around, realizing he had no clear idea of where he was. He had drifted and been guided, placing complete trust in Jack to have his back. A slight panic set in as he wondered whether it was a lack of caring or genuine trust on his part. Did he truly care about his own well-being?
Jack sensed the change in Tony's demeanor, having been following closely beside him, covering his six. Adding to the military theory, Tony suddenly stiffened and scanned the parking lotF. Jack felt it even before he looked and noticed Tony had stopped. Jack turned, closing the distance and entering Tony's space. He reached out, sliding his hand onto the nape of Tony's neck, redirecting his focus until their eyes met.
“I've gotcha, Tony. It's going to be okay. You don't need to think right now; let me make the decisions. We'll go home, get some food,” Jack reassured. He took Tony's hand, and they walked to the car. The journey was short, with Jack ensuring Tony remained aware of their location and direction. Jack aimed to make sure that if Tony suddenly needed to leave, he would know how without panicking. In facilitating his escape, Jack also wanted to ensure Tony's freedom, avoiding any sense of feeling trapped by Jack. He understood that a time would come when the younger man would reclaim the need for complete control.
~XX~
Jack awoke to the enticing aroma of coffee, rolling over and relishing the warmth of the sleep-cozy sheets around him. He inhaled the comforting blend of cotton and lavender, rubbing his face against the pillow. With an inward groan, he acknowledged the looming reality that he needed to rise and tackle the mundane post-trip chores. The creak on the stairs caught his attention, prompting him to instinctively reach for the handgun beneath his pillow. The door cracked open, and Tony peeked his head in.
“Hey, I made you coffee.”
“Wow, coffee in bed. I can't remember the last time that happened,” Jack remarked with a touch of sarcasm. Although he spoke in jest, Jack genuinely couldn't recall a time when anyone had made him coffee in bed. Sara had always slept in later, and even when Daniel stayed after Abydos, he respectfully avoided Jack's bedroom. Tony, however, plopped down on the other side of the bed with his own coffee.
“I wanted to say thanks, Jack. I was a little…” Tony waved his hand around, struggling to find the right words. “You know, out of it yesterday.” Jack reached out, placing his hand on Tony's arm. “Feeling a bit better?” Tony nodded.
Jack stretched out in bed, sipping his coffee. He realized his hand was still on Tony's arm, so he squeezed it gently and moved away, slipping out of bed with a call from the bathroom.
As Tony watched the half-naked Jack walk away, a stirring of excitement filled him. There was no denying Jack's attractiveness, very much Tony's type—perhaps too much. Given his current emotional state, he forced himself to look away, recognizing the recklessness, not to mention Jack's military status. When Jack returned, he slipped back under the covers, snuggling close to Tony.
“So, tell me about you?” Tony placed his coffee cup on the nightstand and shifted down on the bed, lying face to face with Jack.
“I don't want to lie to you, Jack, but I also don't want to tell you everything,” he paused, realizing how it might sound. “I'm not in trouble or anything like that. I'm not a danger to you. I'm just at a pivotal point where I needed to make a change, get some breathing space to decide what I want.”
“I'm not gonna ask. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I know you're not trouble. I just don't get that from you.” They stared into each other's eyes, silently converging until Jack felt the itch to get up and start his day. Throughout the chores of laundry, cleaning, and food shopping, Tony seamlessly slotted in, assisting with ease and autonomy. They spoke little, communicating through looks, touches, and body language—appearing to anyone watching as two people who knew each other so well that words were simply unnecessary. In some ways, that's exactly how they both felt, navigating through their day.
After dinner and cleanup, Jack handed Tony a beer and settled down next to him on the couch, their proximity so close that they were almost touching. Tony smiled his thanks and took a sip from the bottle, contemplating the risk he was about to take. Trusting his damaged feelings and instincts, he placed his hand on Jack's knee, sliding it up his leg and pausing at mid-thigh, anticipating any negative reaction. However, Jack responded differently, placing his hand on top of Tony's and squeezing.
Breaking the silence, Jack whispered, “We may have to actually talk about this” as they stared at each other.
“Talking's overrated,” Tony leaned forward, planting a soft kiss on Jack's lips. The kiss quickly intensified as Jack pushed back, and their tongues engaged in a duel for dominance, with Tony ultimately winning or Jack willingly surrendering. Tony pressed forward, their bodies connecting as he ended up on top of Jack, their shared arousal making both of them gasp. Jack tangled his hand in Tony's hair, pulling him deeper into the kiss. Tony gasped Jack's name as Jack trailed wet kisses down his neck. They tore at each other's clothing, their naked torsos colliding, heat radiating between them.
Tony's hand slid down Jack's side, onto his hip, then around to grasp his firm buttocks, pulling him closer. They moved against each other with abandon, all coherent thoughts replaced by the overwhelming sensations of the moment. Jack's hand snaked down to undo Tony's trousers, a rush of cool air between them as Tony unbuckled Jack's belt. He slid Jack's trousers down his hips, revealing a very disheveled, aroused, and naked Jack beneath him. In that moment, Tony knew what he wanted but wasn't sure if he could have it. He looked at Jack's face, hoping to convey his need, the dominance of the moment silently granting permission.
Tony ran his palm down Jack's firm length, cupping his balls and rolling them with his fingers. The sensation caused Jack's hips to lift in excitement as Tony's wandering fingers trailed down the path to his entrance.
When silent permission seemed to be granted, Tony pushed lightly at the unprepared entrance, bent over, and took Jack's cock into his mouth. He licked at the head, drawing it into his warm, wet heat. Jack groaned in pleasure, guiding Tony forward with a light grip on his hair. Tony elevated Jack's legs, paying attention to one of his balls before moving down to his opening, pushing his tongue in.
"Not going to last if you keep doing that," Jack finally moaned. Tony trailed sloppy kisses back up to Jack's chest, nuzzling his neck. His own erection pushed at Jack's balls, leaving a trail of pre-cum to slide across.
“I want to fuck you,” he asked into Jack's neck, knowing that silent permission wouldn't be enough.
Jack pulled at the younger man's neck to bring him up to his level. “Then fuck me,” he breathlessly said. In a frenzied whirlwind, Tony positioned himself and thrust forward, the lack of proper preparation making both of them catch their breath. Jack experienced the sharp pang of pain from the rough intrusion, and Tony felt the too-tight heat around him as they adjusted.
As muscles relaxed, Tony started a steady rhythm, both men flush and sweaty, racing towards release.
“Oh god, Jack, you feel so good,” Tony further pushed Jack's thighs up, opening him up and driving deeper forward. Jack's hands clamped onto Tony's ass, pulling him in with every thrust.
Tony slowed his rhythm, knowing that he couldn't keep up the pace without falling over the edge, wanting to savor the moment. It had been such a long time since he last slept with someone; it could easily be over too soon. A few more thrusts, and Tony felt Jack tighten around him. His own release impending, he leaned down, and as they kissed, Jack's hard cock rubbing between their stomachs was both their undoing. They reached the peak of their pleasure, and it came crashing forward, Tony's seed pumping into Jack's warm body and Jack's splashing between them, adding yet more stimulation to his sensitive cock.
“Fuck,” muttered Jack as he threw his head back, and Tony collapsed on top of him, both spent, sweaty, and salty, breathing heavily. They lay there until they calmed down enough to take control of their jelly-like legs, then padded to the bathroom to clean up. Wide smiles between them, no need for words, they fell into bed and wrapped around each other, both clearly in need of the connection.
Jack cracked an eye open early in the morning, looking over his bedmate appreciatively. He could feel the ache in his muscles and a slight but pleasant soreness in his behind. He smiled at the memory; it had been a long time since doing anything like that, back before Sara, back before the Stargate. He momentarily thought about the risk he was taking but immediately dismissed it as something for later, much later thought. He slipped from under the covers, having looked at the bedside clock and realizing he didn't have much time before he was due at the mountain. He would normally go in civvies and change there, but he was due to be at a medal ceremony first thing for members of SG4. As time was getting tight, he would skip breakfast and go in his uniform, ensuring he wasn't late.
He dressed with practiced efficiency in his finest dress blues, straightened his tie, and glanced over at the sleepy man in his bed as he stirred.
Tony's eyes fluttered open. “Hey, flyboy, looking good,” he remarked, scanning Jack up and down and feeling a stir in his groin. “God, I didn't know I had a uniform kink,” he added, clasping his hand over his hardening cock.
Jack leaned over the bed, placing a chaste kiss on Tony's lips. “I have a medal ceremony to get to, and you're not making it easy for me to leave.”
Tony stretched, the covers falling down to his waist, revealing more naked skin. “Sorry about that. Get going; I'll save it for when you get back.”
Jack chuckled, straightened up, and left the bedroom, shouting, “I won't be late!” as he raced down the stairs and out of the house.