Page 107 of The Bait

“I’ll take boring and mundane too,” Harry said. “For the rest of my life.”

Jake collected Mala’s things in a bag and handed it to Asher. “There’s some food in there too until you get settled.”

“Thank you,” Asher said quietly. “I cannot thank you enough for looking after her.”

“Oh,” August said, remembering. Shit, shit. He pulled out his keys and unthreaded one in particular. “You’ll need this. I padlocked the gate after ASIO came and cleared out your gun collection.”

Both Harry and Asher went stock still and stared at him.

August regretted saying anything but figured honesty was always best. They were about to find out anyway. Best they had some warning. “Sorry,” he added. “They didn’t touch anything in your house, from what we could tell. Just the guns. And for full disclosure, I may have been the one to put the call in because automatic weapons are illegal and?—”

Harry cleared his throat. “You found the door to the tank?”

“Uhhhh.” August stared at him, wondering if there was any point in trying to backpedal out of this.

Until Asher snorted and Jake laughed. “Sorry, babe. Your face.”

August tried not to blush.

“We know.” Harry smirked. “We know what ASIO took. We spent a few days in Canberra when we got back. Getting everything squared away with our names and all the paperwork and bullshit. We know everything. I appreciate your honesty though.” He clapped August on the shoulder. “Maybe one day you could come out for lunch. BBQ and a few beers. We can watch the footy and trade stories.”

“Uh, sure,” August said. Was it odd that he would actually like that?

Jake brightened. “Ooh, I mean it’s too late for the football season but we’re looking for some players for this year’s cricket team. If you’re staying in town,” he said. “Harry, I bet you’d absolutely kill it with a cricket bat.”

August tried not to look horrified. Not as much as Harry tried though.

Jake seemed to realise how his choice of words sounded.

Asher laughed. “He’d love to play!”

Harry narrowed his eyes at Asher, then smiled at Jake. “My shoulder’s no good. But I’m sure Asher would love to sign up.”

Asher’s smile died, and Harry’s got wider.

August didn’t want to put a cricket bat in either of their hands, especially Harry’s. Jesus Christ.

“Well, we better get this little baby home,” Asher said, patting Mala who was now tucked into the crook of Harry’s padded sling and chest, purring loudly. “Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome,” Jake said.

“And I’m glad you’re both back,” August said, walking them to the door. “When you get settled in, pick a weekend for that BBQ. I’ll bring the beer.”

Harry gave him a smile. “Sounds good.”

August and Jake watched as Harry and Asher drove away, and August sighed as he closed the door. “Cricket, babe? Seriously? You want to give that man a weapon and send him out to a cricket pitch where some poor guy has to bowl at him?”

Jake sighed. “It’s not a weapon. It’s a...” He frowned, because it absolutely was a weapon in Harry’s hands. “Look, ex-mercenaries and snipers need love too. Maybe some recreational community sport will be good for them.”

August sighed.

For the love of god.

“Could you imagine how good our rugby team would be if we had Harry?” Jake asked. “Next year, his shoulder’ll be better. We’d be unstoppable.”

August sighed, kissing Jake’s lips softly. “No.” He was probably going to regret mentioning this... “Harry would be better suited with your outreach program in the summer.” Jake still ran the program for Indigenous kids, getting them involved in hiking, climbing, rafting. “Harry would be great with those kids.”

Jake’s whole face lit up. “Holy shit, yes. I’ll ask him. I won’t tell him it was your idea.”

---