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The pilots had been dismissed for the day. As you gathered your things, you noticed that Pete had taken a sudden leave after dismissing the aviators. He hadn’t said anything to you all day. Not during the training, and not even in between.
Something had happened and he wouldn’t talk to you. That upset you.
As you make your way through the base, you pass Rooster on his way out. He catches your eye for a second and then turns away quickly. He looked… guilty. As much as you wanted to call out and ask him, you get the feeling he would rather you didn’t. You let him go.
You pass one of the offices. You stop yourself when you glance into it. The door is open about halfway and you see someone sitting in a chair looking at the wall.
It’s Pete.
You won’t go home without an answer, you tell yourself.
Pushing the door open further, you step into the room. You know Maverick knows you’re there, but he doesn’t turn to look at you. He briefly glances at the floor, which was the indication he saw you, and then his eyes settled on the wall.
The wall was littered with photos. Some from the past few years, some from decades ago. Generations of fighter pilots decorated this office.
As you stepped closer to Pete, you began to understand.
Right there at perfect eyes level to Mitchell was an old photo of when he was in Top Gun. Right beside him, his best friend. You silently grab a chair and set it up next to Mav. You sit down and admire the old photo.
Pete subtly glances to his side. He sees you sitting beside him and something in him stirs.
He had been unfair to you. Giving you the silent treatment and avoiding you. It wasn’t your fault. You had nothing to do with what happened yesterday. He was taking it out on you because he couldn’t completely control how he was feeling.
“I had an argument with Bradley,” he says.
You turn to look at the captain beside you. He doesn’t meet your gaze, but you don’t mind.
“What about?” You ask.
“About his father.”
Oh. You look back at the photo. Goose was a sore subject depending on how you went about him. To Maverick, he would happily share the stories of his old best friend. The mischief they got into and the tales of every drunken night spent in a bar together. He would go into great detail about their flying days, all the crazy stunts they pulled off together.
With Rooster, it hurt to talk about. He has very few memories of his dad. There was never any doubt to Bradley that his father loved him more than anything. He could vaguely remembers those hugs. The kisses. The smiles. He just resented Pete for what happened. More so when Mitchell pulled his papers for years.
You reach out and you take one of Maverick’s hands. He lets you have it, finding it comforting as you bring into your lap.
“Talk to me,” you say.
Pete finally looks at you. You offer him a small friendly smile.
“He hates me.”
“Maybe now.”
“No, he’ll always hate me,” Pete sighs.
“I don’t believe that, Pete. You don’t either, deep down.”
He gives your hand a squeeze. He needs something to hold onto. Something to ground him.
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m not fit for teaching. Everything is just making him hate me more and I feel like I’ve let Goose down. Nick and Carole trusted me to look after their boy and I can’t even do that properly. I’ve been unfair to you because of it and I hate that I’m doing this to you too.”
“You haven’t done anything.”
“I haven’t spoken to you all day. I’ve been avoiding you and everything else that wasn’t related to the training today. I should just let Bradley be upset with me and move on,” he says.
You shake your head.
“That’s not the Maverick I know. Do not give up on that boy.”
Pete looks at you with lost eyes. He’s unsure of himself. You give his hand another squeeze.
“Rooster is all we have left of Goose. His parents loved you, Pete. Even now you’re still looking out for him. Do not let his anger get to you. Bradley needs guidance and you’ll be the one to give to him. Push him and show him he is capable of so much more. Show him how proud Goose would be to see his son up in that plane. You got this, Pete. If you still don’t believe that, then I’m afraid I’m going to have to take this problem higher.”
“What are you talking about?” He asks, confused. That sounded threatening.
“I’m afraid if you’re going to sit here riddled with doubt and sorrow, I’m going to have to contact Admiral Kazansky. I don’t think he’ll be too pleased to here the captain he does so much for is behaving this way.”
“You’ll…. you’ll tell on me? To Ice?”
You nod your head sternly.
“Snitch…”
You chuckle. “You would leave me no choice. Maybe a chat with another old friend would do you some good.”
“Are you and Ice in cahoots?” Pete asks, lips twitching into a smile.
“Of course we are. We meet up every weekend and talk shit about you. He finds me very insightful toward anything Maverick related. He likes to know I’m keeping you in check,” you tease.
Pete lets go of your hand and wraps his arm around your shoulders. You lean into his side.
“What would I do without you?” He asks.
“Crash and burn, Maverick. Crash and burn.”
Pete kisses the top of your head and returns his gaze to the old photo. You smile as you also admire it.
“You look so cute in that photo,” you comment.
“Yeah, well, a lot changes in thirty odd years.”
You look up at him.
“Hey, I never said you weren’t cute now. You just look so… sweet in that photo. Both you and Goose. You’re hot, for the record. Like, unfairly so.”
Pete laughs and looks at you.
“Unfairly?”
“What can I say? I’m jealous of all the looks you get.”
Pete has never swooped in to kiss you so fast before. You laugh as you wraps your arms around him. You rest your forehead against his.
“Want to get out of here and have a drink in Goose’s honour?” You ask.
Maverick smiles.
“Yeah, let’s go.”
You smile as you stand up. Before you even make a move toward the door, you step a little closer to the photo.
“Don’t worry Goose, I’m looking after both of your boys. They’re safe with me,” you kiss two of your fingers before pressing them gently against the frame of the photo. A sign of love to someone you had never been fortunate enough to meet.
Maverick reaches for your hand and looks at you with so much admiration. That small act he witnessed melted his heart.
“Come on,” you say, pulling him toward the door.
Maverick glances back at the photo really quick and says, “see you around, Goose.”
You close the door behind you both.