The old Hereford base was Rook's favorite. He loved the simplicity of it. While it wasn't his designated base, he'd been deployed here on several occasions for various reasons. He could normally be found at the French base, where most French operators like him were stationed. But today was different. He had purposefully chosen to come to Hereford. He'd received clearance from Six herself to come visit the base for two weeks. There hadn't been anything pressing for months now, and Rook was dying to get out of France. Normally he loved France, but with his recent fallout with Lion, tensions were high and he didn't want to destroy the little pieces that still remained in tact between them. Lion had been a close friend for several years. Rook and him had always gotten along well and enjoyed each other's company. Despite the fact that Rook had come out as gay a few months ago, that hadn't changed anything. Until their heated argument that ended with several derogatory slurs being exchanged. Montague ended up stepping in between the two before a physical fight broke out.

Lion had never been a fan of the gay community, even when Rook came out. But he'd tried to put that difference of theirs aside. It ended with him suppressing some dark feelings and thoughts toward Rook, and their friendship was compromised. Those all came to light in their recent argument, and Rook had left for England soon after.

While Rook was upset with the way that conversation had ended, he still hoped that Lion would realize his mistake. After all, he valued their friendship so much and didn't want to lose his best friend. And Rook was compassionate, choosing to always see a better side of people. He was not blind to the fact that some simply didn't have a better side.

"Maybe eventually," Rook thought as he walked toward the base, waving at Thatcher as he pulled the car away. Thatcher was also a good friend, and had completely accepted Rook's coming out, although he made it clear that he wasn't gay himself. Rook had figured that, but found it odd that Thatcher had thought it necessary to point out that detail.

The dark, swollen clouds had been dropping rain for several hours now, and the ground was swollen with water. While not uncommon, England was not known for their rainfall. But the past few months had proven otherwise, with one of the most active wet seasons they'd had in over a decade. It was good though, England needed it. Rook, unbothered by the rain, toting nothing but a small backpack, approached the main door to the base. Unsurprisingly, no one was at the desk. Hereford was a small base, and wasn't known to many outside of the Rainbow community, and security was great for the complex. But the base itself didn't need it. The base was only three stories tall, with a basement. It included two helicopters that were rarely used, an outdoor shooting range, and several small houses around the complex housing operators.

Rook heard footsteps approach from a side hallway and immediately knew it was Thatcher. Besides Lion, Thatcher was another one of Rook's best friends, though they rarely saw each other outside of missions. Also, they'd discussed this in the car ride here so it came as no surprise when Thatcher peered around the corner.

"Damn it, I thought she'd be here by now." Thatcher was disappointed his plan had been foiled. He'd wanted to try and give Rook a bit of a scare for his first time back at the base. He acted like he was looking around for someone that Rook knew wasn't there. Thatcher always liked to find the fun in a situation, or make it up himself.

Rook chuckled. "I've missed ya, old friend."

Thatcher smiled weakly, putting his hand on the slightly shorter man's shoulder. "I've missed you too, Rook. It's been a bit lonely around here since Mute left." Mute had left on a mission three weeks prior and, while him and Thatcher kept in contact, it was few and far in-between due to Mute's need to 'stay low'. Rook knew that the two were close but it was unclear how close they were. He wanted to push the topic farther.

Rook reciprocated the action by putting his own hand on Thatcher's forearm, bringing him out of a far-off stare he had gotten lost in.

"I'm glad you and Mute are close. It's good to have someone." He paused. "I'm sorry he's been gone so long. That must worry you." Rook's sympathetic side kicked in.

Thatcher sighed, his eyes falling to the ground. "Yeah. I mean, I know he'll be okay. I just...worry, ya know? Like, I love him and that makes things a lot more difficult." Rook was stunned, unsure he'd heard that last sentence right.

"Wait, did you say you...loved Mute?" Thatcher brought his eyes back up, meeting Rook's. A confused look entered his eyes, spreading to his face as he tilted his head slightly.

"Yeah," he paused. "Did you not hear? Mute and I are dating." Rook smiled widely, ecstatic at the news.

"You and Mute are together?! That's awesome, man!" Rook hugged Thatcher, catching him off guard. Thatcher embraced him back for a moment before pulling away.

"Wait, you don't care?"

"Don't care about what?"

"That...Mute and I...two guys...are dating?" Rook smiled.

"Of course I don't care. Well, I mean, I do care that you two are dating because I care about your well-being and happiness. But if you mean, like, that you two are gay? Of course not!" Rook looked around, then lowered his voice. "In fact, I'm gay too."

Now it was Thatcher's turn to be excited.

"Awesome man! Whew, I really thought that was going to complicate our friendship. I didn't know you were gay!" Rook smiled.

"I came out a few months ago but I wanted to tell you in person and this is the first time I've been here since." Thatcher understood completely; it was a big moment and he was glad that Rook had decided to share that information in person.

The two embraced, holding it a little longer than their previous hug. They both felt a more at ease with the other, now with their big news revealed to each other. Both had expected some tension to arise between the two due to the news, but that was not the case at all. In fact, it seemed to draw them closer together. It was the best thing that could have happened in that moment, and both lingered in it.

"How about we grab something to eat?" Thatcher said. "You must be starving after your trip." Rook's stomach grumbled in response.

"I think that might be for the best." Rook said as the duo headed for the cafeteria.