combined with: dbf!jake overhearing one of the guys at the bar coming on a little strong and he obviously wants to step in but doesn’t until the guys try to grab you and your terrified eyes immediately search for him and suddenly he’s ready fight a man
Texan bars especially, are like no other. There's an atmosphere that you can't get anywhere else, and they leave you feeling like the state you're in is suddenly your entire identity. But apparently, not when you're young. Going clubbing in college is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to be messy kisses by the bar that might turn into a fling, it's supposed to be hammered uber rides at 3:30 AM, and it's not supposed to be three older men standing around you like vultures.
Older men, you decide, are only attractive when they aren't approaching you because of the age gap.
"You're a pretty little thing," One croons, breath sour, and you're starting to realize that there's no man your age in this bar, "Are you even old enough to drink?"
"Yes," You huff, hand tightening around your glass in case you need to smash it over someone's head, "And I'm waiting for someone. So please leave me alone."
"Just someone?" One of them, stationed to your left, parrots, "So not a date?"
"I mean, I'm not sure why we should, then." You glance to your right, cringing at the man who steps forward with what you're sure is supposed to be a charming smile, "It's not like you're tied down yet."
"We could tie 'er down," One cracks, elbowing the one in front of you with a grizzly grin.
Just before you can raise your glass to drive a shard into his eyes, a hand slips over your shoulder, squeezing tight. You glance up and your entire body relaxes when you see Jake, all broad-chested and intimidating as he stares the men down.
"You even think about tying her down and I'll use the rope to choke you out," He promises, "She's off the market."
You stand strong only until they're gone, and then you're spinning to throw your arms around Jake's shoulders so fast that even he gets startled. His eyes go wide and he lets out a gasp as you jam your face into his shoulder, but it dissolves into a fond chuckle as he melts into the embrace you've trapped him in.
"Hi, darlin'." He croons, rubbing his hands down your back, "You alright? Those guys were creeps."
"I'm fine," You promise, relishing in the comforting feel of his chest pressed to yours, "Now that you're here I don't think anyone else will bother me."
"Damn right," He grumbles, only letting you break away from the hug so that he can curl his arm around your waist, keeping you pressed into his side, "You tell me if anyone so much as looks at y'wrong, I'll take care of it."
