Declan joined us midway through, offering tips in that lilting Cork accent. The two of them moved around each other like dancers, anticipating needs, handing off equipment withoutasking. A partnership built on years of trust. "How long have you been together?" I asked during a reload break.
"Seven years." Irish's smile went soft in a way I'd never seen from him. "Met in Belfast during some unpleasantness. He saved my life. I saved his. Seemed stupid to pretend we weren't in love after that."
"And the club accepted it?"
"Some did. Some didn't, at first." He shrugged. "The ones who had a problem either got over it or got gone. Hawk doesn't tolerate that shit. Neither does Axel."
"Axel was supportive?"
"Axel was the first one to tell me he didn't care who I fucked, as long as I showed up when it mattered." Irish met my eyes, something serious underneath the usual humor. "He's been carrying weight a long time, Kai. Pretending to be something he wasn't. Watching him with you—" He shook his head. "It's like watching someone finally breathe."
I didn't know what to say to that. Fortunately, Declan chose that moment to critique my grip, and the conversation moved on.
But I filed the words away. Added them to the growing collection of reasons I'd fallen for a man I'd known less than two weeks.
Evening brought exhaustion and something else—a strange, buzzing anticipation. The clubhouse felt different. Charged. Like the air before a lightning strike. Everyone moved a little faster, spoke a little quieter. Checking weapons, reinforcing positions, making calls to loved ones they might not see again.
I found Jake on the roof, staring at the city lights.
"Hey." I settled beside him. "Shouldn't you be resting?"
"Can't sleep." He pulled his knees to his chest, looking younger than his years. "Keep thinking about what's coming. Whether I'm ready."
"Are any of us?"
"You are." He glanced at me. "You've been training all day. Tank says you're a natural."
"Tank's being generous."
"Tank's never generous." A ghost of a smile. "He means it."
We sat in comfortable silence, watching the lights flicker below.
"Can I ask you something?" Jake's voice was hesitant.
"Anything."
"When did you know? That you were..." He trailed off, gestured vaguely.
"Gay?" He flinched slightly at the word, then nodded.
"I think I always knew." I considered the question, the memory. "There wasn't a single moment. Just a gradual understanding that the things everyone else felt about girls, I felt about boys. And then a lot of years pretending I didn't."
"Why pretend?"
"Because I was scared. Because I was in the system, and being different was dangerous. Because I didn't have anyone telling me it was okay." I turned to face him. "You have that now, Jake. People who'll accept you, whoever you turn out to be."
His throat worked. "I don't know what I am yet."
"That's okay. You don't have to know." I squeezed his shoulder. "But whatever you discover, you won't be alone. I promise."
He nodded, blinking rapidly. Didn't speak. But when he leaned into my shoulder, just slightly, I understood.
Another kid realizing he had options. Another kid who might not have to suffer the way I did.
It felt like the most important thing I'd done all day.
Axel found me in his room an hour later. I was sitting on the bed, too tired to shower, too wired to sleep. He closed the door behind him, crossed to me, knelt between my legs.
