Luke placed a sure foot on the running board of Rooster's Bronco, carefully hoisting himself up and sitting down before gently shutting the door. He eyed the interior with envy, running a hand along the leather upholstery. Rooster climbed into the driver seat, once comfortable his head turned to look at Luke's practically drooling expression.

"You'll catch flies." He smirked, stretching a hand over to gently tap at the bottom of Luke's chin. Luke's face grew red at the attention, immediately turning his head to the side to stare out the window and away from watchful eyes. Rooster reluctantly decided to let him get away with it, ceasing his flirting to look back to the wheel, and turning the ignition.

Luke watched from his window as the truck pulled away from the curb, not deigning to look through the windshield until he felt his face begin to cool down so as to not further embarrass himself. His eyes trailed over to watch Rooster's hand push a cassette into the player, moving to then tap lightly in tune to the song against the gearshift. Luke's eyes traveled up his arm, his biceps, and broad shoulders to rest on the side of his face. He watched as Rooster's upper lip twitched when a car cut him off, knuckles growing white as his grip on the wheel tightened for a fleeting moment before turning lax again. Luke's attention went back to the man's face, trailing across the side of his face, before focusing on his brown eyes. They were dark, warm, almost asking him to look closer. He watched as they shifted to look at his own for a moment. He instantly turned away, his eyes darting to look down at his lap, embarrassed at getting caught.

A hand slid into view, two fingers moving to gently rest on the edge of his knee, as if they were asking for permission. Luke didn't make a move to stop, the only reaction being the muscles in his leg jolting while his body stiffened against the back of his seat. Rooster took that as invitation enough, his hand moving to fully rest on Luke's knee. Luke looked through his lashes to watch Rooster, who was as cool and confident as he always was, observing the road as if Luke wasn't there. The only hint of attention being given to Luke was the hand that was now lightly rubbing small circles across his knee.

Rooster trailed his hand up further, palm gently sliding against the denim of his jeans. He let it stop halfway up Luke's thigh, resting motionless as he turned into the parking lot of the beach before lifting it to place the truck into park. He turned to eye Luke, a tender expression on his face. One Luke wasn't used to ever being on the receiving end of. Rooster leaned forward quickly, attempting capture Luke's mouth with his own before Luke jerked away, causing Rooster to immediately pull back. Luke made quick work of the door handle before jumping out of the vehicle. He stepped over the curb, nearly tripping on it in his hasty getaway. His flip flop clad feet sunk into the sand as he quickly trudged through it.

"Pretty," Rooster called after him, jogging to try and catch up. "Hey," He began, gentle hand moving to tug at his wrist. Luke fluidly followed the movement, turning to face him. He didn't say anything, eyeing Rooster expectantly, as if he was waiting for him to do something.
"What was that about?" He said finally after noticing Luke wouldn't speak up.

"I don't know." Luke murmured quickly. "I'm sorry." He said easily, as if he had said the phrase hundreds of times prior.

"Hey, don't say that." Rooster reprimanded, eyebrows bunched together in concern. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He said earnestly, moving to let go of Luke's wrist.
"What did I do?"

Luke didn't say anything, face blank, his eyes buried under confusion.

"PB, Rooster!" A voice shouted from nearby. Rooster's hard eyes peered through his sunglasses at Bob who was waving his arms wildly in greeting. He turned back to look at Luke, who was watching him.

"We'll talk about this after, alright?" He asked, voice conveying his determination. Luke reflexively nodded his head. "Don't run away again." Luke nodded again in sincerity at the order. Rooster gave a curt nod in return before leading the way toward the group, while Luke followed obediently behind him.

"Hey, guys." Bob greeted with a smile. One that Luke found himself easily returning.

"Hey," Luke murmured, giving the group a once over, eyes unintentionally locking with Maverick's as he made his way toward them.
"Good, you're here." Their instructor said with a nod toward both of them. "Now we can start."

"Start what, exactly?" Phoenix inquired hesitantly from nearby, shifting slightly on her feet.

"Dogfight football." Maverick explained with a wicked grin on his face.

When it was time to play, everyone began peeling their shirts off save for a few. Luke felt a wave of insecurity wash over him as he eyed the others. Hangman was the most toned of them all, but Rooster was a close second. Luke's eyes darted over the latter's chest just for a moment before shying away. He took off his button up, tossing it atop a few bags the others had brought, but decidedly kept his tank top on. He grabbed at the aviators hanging from the neck of his top, placing them on his face before treading back to his team. He stood between Hangman and a stretching Phoenix. Rooster stood in front of him, but easily turned around to watch the trio.

"What you hiding under there?" Hangman tilted his head with a smirk, jabbing a finger at Luke's clothed stomach.

"A tattoo of your mom." Luke shot back, slapping Hangman's hand away. Hangman chuckled while Phoenix snorted from beside him before the sound of Hondo's whistle forced them to pay attention.

It didn't take incredibly long for Luke to lose track of who was winning. His exhausted eyes watched Fanboy try to move in on the ball. He intercepted him with a tackle, which gave Payback enough time to score. The cheers of his teammates made his lungs ache a little less as he turned around to watch Payback and Rooster bump chests. Rooster body moved fluidly through a small victory dance, rolling his shoulders smoothly. Luke forced himself to look away toward the sound of groans and cheers alike. Maverick ran past him, scoring a touch down easily, much to the disappointment of Luke's team. Their instructor called it quits after that, winning smile on his face as he moved to observe from the nearest Adirondack chair rather than actively be a part of.

"Luke!" He turned to see May running toward him. He surged forward, quickly picking her up before she was trampled by Phoenix and Yale.
"Woah, careful." He scolded, eyes narrowing. May immediately grew embarrassed, turning to watch as the rest of her family moved to sit by Maverick. He trekked toward them, dropping her down in the sand beside her sisters.

"Hi," Maverick greeted warmly, turning from his conversation with Alice to look down at her. Her eyebrows knit together as she reeled back slightly, suddenly sheepish.
"We know him, May." Sam rolled her eyes.

"That's okay." Maverick shrugged with a reassuring smile, turning back to Alice. "It's been a few years."

Rooster jogged up to meet them as most of the group had now slowly turned into keeping conversation rather than the ball. He grabbed two towels from his bag, offering one to Luke. Luke's eyes darted up to lock with his before smiling in thanks, their hands brushing softly against each other as he grabbed it from him. He wrapped it around his neck before feigning interest in the mound of sand his nieces were building at their feet. He felt Rooster's eyes still on him as he watched him out of his peripheral. The other was patting the towel against his chest, not even attempting to pretend he wasn't watching him. Rooster took a step closer, causing Luke to reluctantly look up.

"I've got some water in the truck, want to help me grab it?" Rooster had asked, lie comfortably passing through his lips. Luke looked at him, eyes narrowing before he nodded minutely. Rooster returned the gesture before leading the way, the other hesitantly followed a few steps behind. They were silent for the few minute trek it took to make it to the Bronco. Rooster climbed into the driver's seat, nodding to his right for Luke to hop into the passenger's side, which he quickly complied. He kept his eyes on the floor as soon as he closed the door behind him, he could assume Rooster was doing much the opposite, feeling as if a hole was being burned into the side of his face. When Luke didn't say anything after a few minutes, Rooster decided to speak first.

"Tell me what I did wrong?" He asked, genuine concern laced in the tone of his voice. Luke reeled back slightly at that, eyesight shifting to look up at the other.

"I—" Luke started before faltering. "You didn't do anything wrong." He placated, with a small shrug of his shoulders.

"No, I did." Rooster was adamant, turning in his seat to fully face him. "I made you uncomfortable." Luke didn't say anything in response. He wasn't sure what he would say even if he tried.
"Tell me how." Rooster said, his deep voice surprisingly gentle.

"It's not your fault." Luke stressed lightly, eyes casting down to the nervous hands clasped together in his lap. "It's mine. I'm sorry."

"Stop saying that." Rooster ordered in a stern tone. Luke grew confused, brows furrowing. He wasn't sure what to say to appease the other man.
Rooster sighed quietly. "Look," He began. "If I'm moving too fast, If I scared you..."

"It's—" Luke interjected in a moment of found bravery before it immediately dissipated. "God, this is so embarrassing." He whispered, looking back up at the other. Rooster didn't say anything, waiting for Luke to continue.
"We have our first kiss and my family finds out all in the same night. The relationship already decided for us by my nieces for Christ sake." Luke murmured, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "Now you know everything about me before we've even had a date."

Rooster was silent for a moment, in thought. "What does that have to do with this?" He prodded lightly.

"It doesn't. Not really." Luke sighed, dropping his head back to rest against his seat. He took a deep breath. "I just," He began, sitting up to watch Rooster carefully. "I haven't been in a relationship in a while. The last guy that came along, he wasn't the greatest."

Rooster stiffened. "Did he hurt you?" He asked, voice hard.

"No." Luke said immediately. "Not physically. He just said things. Made me feel the way he wanted me to." He muttered before huffing immediately after, shaking his head. "It's hard to explain."

"No, I get it." Rooster responded. His voice was reassuring, something Luke wasn't used to.

"Okay." Luke said simply, not sure of what to say in response. He was embarrassed by what he said, moving to look anywhere but at Rooster's face.

"Look, how about I drop you off at yours, let you clean up, and then I'll pick you up for a date?" Rooster asked with a soft voice, tilting his head. He reached for Luke, before his hand froze, asking before he moved any further.

Luke nodded his head at both questions. "Yeah," He agreed easily. Rooster hummed in acknowledgment, hand moving toward the sleeve of Luke's tank top. His index and middle finger curled underneath the fabric, while his thumb languidly ran across it.

"Perfect." Rooster said quietly, watching the rise and fall of Luke's chest before looking back up at him. He leaned in, mouth just a breath away from Luke's, asking. Luke slowly moved to meet his lips, pulling away slightly after just a moment of their chaste kiss. Rooster's half smile returned before he kissed at the corner of Luke's mouth gently before moving back into his seat with a content sigh.

"You're going to be the death of me, Kazansky." He murmured, shaking his head before starting up the truck.