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serenastark-writes · 26 days ago

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Chapter 4: Donuts, Revelation and Invinitation

Malibu, California. 2010.

The roar of engines filled the air as the Monaco Grand Prix reached its peak. Serena Stark sat in the backseat of a car, excitement bubbling within her as she watched the live feed of her father, Tony Stark, racing his sleek blue car. The blur of colors on the screen, the screech of tires on asphalt—this was her father in his element, pushing the limits of speed and technology.

Suddenly, the scene on the screen shifted, the camera capturing a figure stepping onto the track. The man wore a jumpsuit, his face obscured by a helmet, but what stood out were the electrified whips he wielded, crackling with deadly energy. Serena’s heart stopped as the figure swung the whips, slicing through the air before bringing them down on the bonnet of Tony’s car.

The front of the car split away, and Serena’s breath caught in her throat as she watched in horror. The car twisted in the air, flipping upside down before crashing onto the track, trapping Tony inside.

“Dad!” Serena’s voice trembled as she shouted.

Pepper Potts, who was in the front seat, gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Tony!”

Happy Hogan, ever the stalwart protector, slammed his foot on the gas, the car lurching forward as they raced to the scene. The chaos that unfolded in front of them was a nightmare, with debris scattered across the track and panicked spectators fleeing in all directions.

When they arrived, Serena’s heart raced as she took in the scene. Her father’s car lay in ruins, smoke curling from the wreckage, and the menacing figure of Whiplash stood over it, his whips sparking as he prepared to strike again.

Just as Whiplash was about to bring the whips down on Tony, Happy steered the car directly into him, slamming into the villain with a loud crash. The impact sent Whiplash stumbling backward, giving them the precious seconds they needed.

“Dad!” Serena cried out as she saw Tony crawling out of the wreckage, his suit tattered, but his spirit unbroken. Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived as she heard her mother’s voice, sharp with fear and anger.

“Are you out of your mind?” Pepper screamed, her voice echoing Serena’s own thoughts as she took in the sight of Tony’s battered form.

“I was being attacked!” Tony argued back, his voice defensive, yet tinged with the same frustration Serena felt.

Before Serena could chime in, their attention was drawn back to Whiplash, who had recovered from the impact and was advancing toward them again, his whips slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Without a second thought, Serena reached for the suitcase that housed her father’s portable Iron Man suit. Her hands shook with urgency as she fumbled with the locks before finally tossing it to him. Tony caught it with ease, a brief moment of understanding passing between father and daughter before he activated the suit.

With a series of mechanical clicks and whirrs, the suit enveloped Tony’s body, the familiar red and gold armor gleaming under the scorching sun. Serena watched, her heart pounding, as her father stood tall, facing Whiplash head-on.

Flames from the wreckage danced dangerously close to them, but Serena knew, deep in her heart, that as long as her father wore that suit, he would protect them. He was Iron Man, and nothing would stop him from keeping them safe.

Whiplash lashed out, his electrified whips cracking through the air, but Tony was ready. A burst of energy erupted from his suit, sending Whiplash staggering backward. Seizing the opportunity, Tony pressed his advantage, launching a counterattack with the precision and power only Iron Man could muster.

The air was thick with tension as the two adversaries clashed, each refusing to give an inch. Serena held her breath, her hands clenched into fists at her sides as she watched the battle unfold, every strike, every blow, feeling like a direct hit to her own heart.

And then, in a flash of light and heat, it was over.

Whiplash lay defeated, his whips sizzling and smoking as Tony stood victorious amidst the wreckage. The relief that washed over Serena was overwhelming, the tension draining from her body as she let out a shaky breath. Tony was safe, and for now, that was all that mattered.

As they emerged from their car, Serena couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for her father’s bravery and resilience. He was more than just a hero; he was her father, and in that moment, she knew that there was nothing he couldn’t overcome.

Pepper rushed to Tony’s side, wrapping her arms around him, her earlier anger giving way to pure relief. “Don’t ever scare me like that again,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Tony hugged her back, his expression softening. “I’m sorry, Pep. But you know me—I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

Serena joined them, wrapping her arms around her parents, feeling the warmth and safety of their embrace. Together, they stood amidst the chaos, a family united by love and the knowledge that no matter what dangers they faced, they would face them together.

Tony Stark and his daughter, Serena, sat comfortably inside the massive donut atop Randy’s Donuts, the iconic landmark in Los Angeles. It was a perfect day to escape the craziness of the world below, especially after the chaos they had just gone through in Monaco. Tony, clad in his Iron Man suit minus the helmet, casually munched on a glazed donut, while Serena sat beside him, enjoying her own.

“Seriously, Dad?” Serena smirked, watching as Tony took another bite. “A giant donut in a giant donut? You’re going for full-on irony now?” Tony chuckled, brushing off a few crumbs. “What can I say? When you’re feeling existential, nothing beats a good donut.” Just as Serena was about to respond, a voice boomed from below, cutting through their moment of peace. “Starks, I’m gonna have to ask you to exit the donut”

Tony and Serena exchanged glances before leaning over the edge of the donut to see who was shouting. Standing below, in his long black leather coat and eyepatch, was none other than Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. “Great,” Tony muttered, rolling his eyes. “Can’t a guy enjoy a donut in peace?”

“Not when you’ve got a giant target on your back,” Serena quipped, grabbing another donut for the road as she followed her dad down from the oversized pastry. They descended from the donut and landed in front of Fury, who looked at them with his usual stern expression. “I hope you two aren’t thinking of spending the whole day up there,” he said, crossing his arms.

“What can I say, Nick?” Tony said with a nonchalant shrug. “It’s the perfect spot for some father-daughter bonding. You should try it sometime. Fury’s eye narrowed. “We have more pressing matters to discuss. And the world isn’t going to save itself while you’re sitting in a donut.”

Before Tony could make another witty remark, Natasha Romanoff entered, Tony’s assistant—who up until now, Serena had thought was just another one of Tony’s hired hands. But the presence of Daniella Romanoff, Serena's adopted sister, was what truly surprised her. Serena had always known Daniella was a little more intense than your average assistant, but she had never expected this.

“Nat?” Tony asked, surprise evident in his voice as Natasha approached them. “And Dani? What’s going on?” Natasha didn’t break stride as she approached, her expression all business. “We need to talk, Tony. Serena.” Daniella, standing beside her, crossed her arms, her expression a mix of seriousness and concern. “You might want to listen to her, Tony.”

Fury watched the scene unfold with an almost amused glint in his eye. “Allow me to introduce Agent Natasha Romanoff, also known as the Black Widow,” he said, gesturing to Natasha. “And Agent Daniella Romanoff, who has been keeping an eye on you as well.” Tony blinked, glancing between the two women he thought he knew. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You two are S.H.I.E.L.D. agents?” Serena was equally stunned, looking at Daniella with wide eyes. “Daniel, how could you keep this from me?”

Daniella sighed, stepping closer to her sister. “I didn’t want to keep it from you, Ena. But it was for your protection. And for Dad’s. We had to make sure you were safe before we could tell you.”

Tony ran a hand through his hair, the realization slowly sinking in. “So all this time… you two have been spying on me?”

“Not spying,” Natasha corrected. “Protecting. Monitoring. Making sure you don’t get yourself killed while you’re out there playing superhero.” Fury, tired of the chit-chat, stepped forward. “Stark, we need you to focus. The world is changing, and we need to be prepared. That’s where you come in. We’re putting together a team—a team of people with special abilities, and we want you to be a part of it.”

Tony arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued despite himself. “A team? What kind of team?”

“A team to defend the world from threats it can’t handle on its own,” Fury replied. “We’re calling it the Avengers Initiative.”

Serena’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Avengers. She had heard rumors about S.H.I.E.L.D. working on something big, but she never imagined her dad would be at the center of it. “You want Dad to join the Avengers?” she asked, looking between Fury and Natasha.

“We want both of you,” Fury said, his gaze locking onto Serena’s. “You’ve inherited more from your father than just his wit and stubbornness. Your skills and intelligence make you a valuable asset. You’re both needed for what’s coming.” Tony let out a low whistle, leaning back slightly as he considered the offer. “You really think I’m Avenger material?”

Natasha smirked, her serious demeanor softening just a fraction. “With some guidance, yes. But it’s not just about you, Tony. This is about something bigger than all of us.”

Tony glanced at Serena, who looked back at him with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This was a lot to take in. His daughter had already been through so much, and now they were being asked to join a team that would put them both in even greater danger. But he knew they didn’t really have a choice. The world was changing, and they needed to be ready. Tony finally nodded, his usual bravado returning as he looked at Fury. “Alright, Nick. We’re in. But I’m going to need a new suit—and maybe a bigger donut.”

Fury’s lips twitched into a small smile. “I think that can be arranged. Welcome to the Avengers, Stark. Both of you.”

As they walked back to the car, Serena couldn’t help but glance at Daniella, who gave her a reassuring smile. This wasn’t going to be easy, but at least they would face it together—as a family. And as for Tony, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride as he looked at Serena, knowing that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would tackle them side by side. After all, they were Starks—and Starks always found a way.

PS: Daniella Romanoff is an OC of @mutantwitchgirl

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tngrace · 9 months ago

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Chapter 3

Hope 31..... nough said 🤭 😭 This one hurts... but man did I have fun writing this chapter and the next. I also figured out how I'm going to write the last chapter this week so hopefully in the next two weeks I'll get it written. and then it'll be on to part two. Hope yall enjoy and Happy Easter weekend.

A03 ; Tumblr Masterlists: Main, Mav Chronicles

The weekend is fun and relaxing and just what they needed. Watching Pete with Bradley is a true treat and makes Tom wish for things he knows will probably never be. They head into Monday morning refreshed and ready to go, none of them realizing what’s to come.

The second hop of the day is intense, Mav and Ice going up against each other, essentially sealing the winner of the trophy. Though neither of them really care at this point, would be happy for the other, they’re both still very competitive and determined to win. They go back and forth for the kill, their voices getting more intense and annoyed the longer it goes, more argumentative and impatient. But neither expected the jet wash or the flat spin.

“Mayday! Mayday! Mav’s in trouble. He’s in a flat spin. He’s heading out to sea!” His voice is calm and controlled but there’s a slight tremor there as he watches.

He and Slider see the two parachutes, but they know something’s wrong. He circles over head, refusing to leave, even when Jester orders them back.

“Ice,” Slider says after ten minutes of circling, watching Mav and Goose in the water.

“I’m not leaving. We don’t know how long search and rescue will take to get here. They’ll need the coordinates as Mav floats.”

Slider doesn’t push. They both had seen how Goose had hit the canopy, how his body floated listlessly down, how Mav had pulled him into his arms and Goose still didn’t move. Ice keeps circling, and ever so often it looks like Mav looks up at them, but they can’t be sure.

“Ice, Slider, back to base. SAR is two minutes out.” Viper’s voice is firm over their radio, and finally Ice acknowledges and turns them towards base. He doesn’t say a word on the return flight, leaving Slider worried.

Mike's heart is in his throat when he hears the mayday call come in. He dispatches search and rescue immediately and grips his hands in tight fists as he waits. He hears Jester order Ice and Slider back to base, but he still doesn't move. He wants to be a dad in this moment but he can't. He has to be a Commander and it's killing him.

He sees Jester’s plane land, and he takes a deep breath, and then another one. He dials Carrie; "Metcalf's," she answers.

"I'm going to be late." He doesn't know what else to say without breaking down, but he has to tell her.

"Mike? What's wrong?"

"There…." He cuts off, choking back a sob. He breathes deep before he continues. "There was an accident during training. I'll be at the base hospital most of the night."

"Is everyone ok?"

"I don't know yet. I just…. Waiting on SAR right now. I…"

"Mike?"

"It was Pete," he breathes. He hears her breath catch and he'd love nothing more than to hug her. "I…. I can't go there as…. And you can't…"

"Mike. You call me the minute you lay eyes on him! You hear me? I have to know…" He can hear the hysteria in her voice and he’d love to let her come check on Pete for herself, but he knows they can’t.

"I will… I will… I just… I have to be detached and I just…"

"I know. Just breathe. You can do this. But you let me know our boy's ok."

He takes another ten deep breaths after hanging up. When he sees that Ice and Slider still haven’t landed, he orders them back to base as well. He’s not sure what is going on with Tom and Pete, but he knows it’s something. Once he sees their plane heading for the landing strip, he pulls himself together and heads to the hangar where he knows the class will have gathered. “You’re dismissed for the day. SAR will take them straight to the base hospital and we’ll let you know when there’s an update.”

“Can we wait there?” Wolf asks.

“Of course. But you might be waiting a while.” He takes in all their faces and knows he’ll be seeing them all at the hospital. “Dismissed.”

They scatter, and Mike rakes his hand through his hair. He’d kill for one of Rick’s cigarettes at that moment, but he knows the hospital won’t allow him to have it inside anyways. He makes the trek over, bracing for the worst while hoping for the best. He’s not sure what he’ll do if something happened to his own kid under his watch.

A nurse greets him as soon as he enters; “Sir.” He gives her a nod to continue because he’s not sure if he can speak right now. “Lieutenant Mitchell is going to be fine. He has some severe bruising, mild concussion and is currently in shock, but overall he will make a full recovery.”

Mike blows out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. “And Bradshaw?”

The nurse stops their trek down the hall and Mike tenses once more. “I’m sorry Sir. Lieutenant Bradshaw didn’t make it. His neck was broken and likely died upon impact, we assume he hit the canopy. Lieutenant Mitchell hasn’t offered up any details on what happened as of yet, so the doctor is just making assumptions.”

“Has Bradshaw’s wife been informed?”

“Not yet, no. We were waiting to see who you wanted to designate to do that.”

“I’ll handle it,” Mike decides. “Can I see Mitchell?”

“Of course. Right this way.” She shows him to Pete’s room, and Mike pauses, gathering the strength to push the door open. When he does, he feels the breath knocked out of him once more. Pete looks so small in the bed, eyes closed, but Mike knows he’s not asleep.

The nurse leaves him with it, and Mike quietly closes the door behind him. Pete’s eyes snap open at the sound of the door closing, and when they meet Mike’s, he quickly turns his head the other way.

He pulls up a chair beside the bed, and tentatively reaches out for Pete’s hand that has an IV in it. He can see where Pete has picked at the tape around it, and it brings a small smile to his face as he smooths it back out. Some things with his kid will never change, he thinks. “Pete?”

Pete turns his head back towards him, tears shining in his eyes, but he keeps them from falling.

“I’m not going to ask you if you’re ok because I know you’re not.” He pauses as he watches Pete just staring at him. “I told mom. She’d be here if she could, you know.”

“I know,” he croaks in a whisper.

Mike squeezes his hand tighter once more. “You’re not ok right now, but you will be…. You will be.”

Pete turns away again and Mike sighs. “We have to be even more careful now, so this is the only time I can offer you any form of comfort kiddo. There’s going to be an inquiry; they’ll let me know the date tomorrow.” Pete still won’t meet his eyes and Mike feels like they’re back at day one when they brought home a scared nine year old that didn’t trust them. “Pete? You know I love you son. But I need you to know that right now and for the next however long it takes to get the brass off our backs, I can’t be ‘dad’. No matter how bad I want to be.”

Pete gives him a tentative nod, and Mike can’t resist any longer. He leans over and pulls Pete into his arms, into his chest. He resists at first, but the first hint of Mike’s cologne and Pete breaks. The sobs break Mike’s heart even more, and he just holds him. He murmurs soft innate words of comfort as his son breaks in his arms. It takes several, several long minutes before Pete starts settling, his sobs turning to quiet sniffles, before he eventually just goes silent.

Mike softly strokes his back as he keeps holding him. “I’ll try to sneak mom in after hours ok?”

He knows Carrie isn’t going to rest with just his reassurance that Pete is ok, and he knows Pete really needs her at this moment. Pete gives a small nod before his whispered words destroy what is left of his broken heart. “Just don’t get in trouble for me.”

Mike pulls Pete’s head off his chest and stares into Pete’s eyes. “We’d do anything for you and you know it kiddo. If it comes down to a choice between you and the Navy…” Pete tries to interrupt him, but Mike just keeps talking. “If it does, I’m choosing you every time kiddo. Every. Single. Time.”

“Mike…”

“I mean it Pete. You are my son, my kid, and if the Navy doesn’t like it, they can go fuck themselves. You matter Pete. I love you son.”

“Love you too dad,” he whispers as he falls back into Mike’s chest.

Mike lets out a deep breath at that. Pete isn’t ok, but he’ll make sure he is, no matter what he has to do.

After several minutes of letting Pete resettle he has the horrible task of making Pete recount what happened. It’s the most detached he’s ever heard his kid, and it strengthens his resolve to sneak Carrie in to see him later. Once he’s sure he has everything Pete can recall, he squeezes his hand once more. “Try to get some rest. I can keep the others out if you want?”

“Na. It’s fine. I’m sure they need to see with their eyes I’m fine. Especially Ice and Slider.”

“Alright. I’ll let them know.” He leans close in case anyone can hear; “I’ll get mom in here later. That’s a promise.”

Pete gives him a weak nod. They both know what a risk it is, but he’d do it over and over for Pete. He gives him a nod and then heads for the door, with one glance back at his son.

Mike’s not surprised to find the six aviators waiting in the waiting room. They all jump up as soon as they see him, and Mike pulls himself together. “Mitchell is going to be fine. Some bruises that will heal in time and a mild concussion. He’ll be discharged tomorrow.”

He sees a small relief flow through the group, and he knows what he says next will cause it to vanish.

“Bradshaw on the other hand, is… dead. Broke his neck on the canopy as soon as he hit. I’m going to inform his wife now.”

The six aviators before him are deathly quiet, grief written across all their faces.

“Can we see Mav?” Wolfe finally breaks the silence.

Mike gives them a nod. “He’s pretty detached, still in shock. He’s resting, but he said it would be fine for all of you to visit. Probably do him some good to not be alone right now. Classes are dismissed for the rest of the week. When arrangements have been made, you’ll be the first to know.” He gives them a nod of dismissal and takes his leave.

The six aviators scurry down the hall to Mav’s room. Wolf and Wood are through the door first, just barely squeezing in before Chipper and Sunny. Ice stands at the door for a long moment just breathing, trying to prepare, and Slider waits with him squeezing his shoulder. Tom wants nothing more than to race in and scoop Pete into his arms, but he knows he can’t. Once he lays eyes on his boyfriend, who’s barely engaging with the other four, he leans in the corner just watching. He can see Pete’s eyes trail over to him ever so often, and he finally sees when Slider realizes they need to go. Tom gives him a nod of thanks, and promises to get back to their base housing later, before Ron turns and ushers everyone out.

Once he’s sure they’re gone, he walks over and settles on the side of Pete’s bed. His hand ghosts over Pete’s forehead, brushing the hair back. “Hey,” he whispers.

Pete can’t speak, too choked up holding back tears.

“Come here,” Tom whispers, easing down and helping Pete sit up some and lean into his arms. He holds him as tight as he dares, knowing under the gown Pete will be covered in bruises too painful to be held too tight. “I’m so sorry,” Tom whispers over and over as Pete sobs in his arms. He finally exhausts himself even more, and Tom can feel him drift off. He eases Pete back to the bed and covers him up. He sits and watches him sleep, knowing the coming days, weeks, and months are going to be hell, and wonders if Pete will blame him, wonders if this will be the end of them. Once Pete is deep asleep, Tom takes his leave, knowing he can’t stay any longer without them being found out.

After talking with Carole, he finally makes it home; it’s late enough he knows he’ll just be leaving as soon as he’s through the door though. Carrie is waiting on him at the door just as he suspected, and he pulls her into his arms. “He’s going to be ok. Just some bruising and a mild concussion. He was still in shock earlier. I…” He feels her squeeze him tighter and he lets out a soft sigh. “I promised to sneak you in. He needs you.”

“Do we tell the girls?”

“Not yet. Sneaking you in is going to be hard enough. I don’t need Catherine leaving Cynthia and banging down the hospital door or Jamie freaking out.”

Carrie gives him a soft huff of a laugh. “Alright. Let me get my purse and we can go.”

Once at the hospital, Mike nods to the night nurses, but doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t see any of the class in the waiting room, and assuming they’re not still with Pete, they should be at home. He stops right outside Pete’s room and tries to listen for any voices, but doesn’t hear any. He pushes the door open just a hair, and sees it empty, Pete just lying in the bed staring off into space.

He turns back and gives Carrie a nod, before pushing the door open further for her to slip past him. He closes the door behind them, but stays near it, so he can run interference if anyone comes to it. As soon as she’s by his side, she sits on the side of the bed and pulls Pete into her arms.

“Mom,” he cries as he clings to her, and it breaks Mike’s heart even more. Carrie just hugs him tight, her hand running up and down his back and into his hair.

When Pete has finally exhausted himself of tears, he whispers “I killed him,” effectively tearing both his parents’ hearts out.

Mike moves across the room at that statement, joining Carrie on the side of the bed. He eases Pete back from her hold and cradles his face. “Look at me son.”

Pete slowly meets his eyes, unable to ignore the firm demand in Mike’s voice. “You did not kill Nick. You did not kill him. You hear me?”

“I did though. He was my RIO, my responsibility.”

“Pete…”

Carrie cuts him off though, knowing that Pete isn’t going to believe a word of any argument at the moment. She cradles Pete’s cheek and kisses his forehead. “You need to get some sleep sweetheart.”

“Don’t think I can,” he sighs. He knows he’d fallen asleep on Tom, but it doesn’t feel like he slept long at all before a nightmare gripped him. When he’d woken and been alone, he laid there staring off into space, knowing sleep would be hard to come by.

“Try. We’ll stay til you’re asleep,” she promises.

She gets him to ease back against the bed, and softly runs her fingers through his hair. It’s the fastest way to settle Pete; they'd learned the first time the kid hadn’t gotten sick after coming to live with them. She keeps it up until his eyes drift, and even after until he’s deep asleep.

“He’s going to be ok,” Mike reassures her as they watch him sleep for a few more minutes. They don’t linger long though, despite Carrie wanting to stay.

The next morning, the inquiry information is waiting on Mike the minute he steps on base. He goes through Mav’s file one more time to make sure nothing of their connection is hidden in there, even though he knows the file like the back of his hand. When he’s sure everything is good, he makes the trek over to the base hospital to deliver the news about the inquiry. From here on he knows everything has to be above board until the brass is done sniffing around.

When he walks into Pete’s room, he’s surprised to see him not there. He has a moment of panic before one of the nurses points him towards the bathroom down the hall. He gives her a nod and heads in. Mav is leaning heavily on the sink, but he somehow managed to shave. Mike catalogs the bruising along his chest and shoulders from his harness that he wasn’t able to see yesterday because of the gown. He knows there’s probably some along his thighs as well, he just can’t see them. He wants so badly to pull his kid into his arms and never let go, but they also have more eyes on them now more than ever. He just has to be careful, not show emotion or favoritism, he keeps reminding himself, and they’ll get through this. He calls on all his years in the service to keep it together as he meets his kids' eyes. He doesn’t like what he sees; Pete’s eyes have always been alive and full of mischief. They always shine and sparkle so bright. But right now, they are dead, lifeless, emotionless, same as yesterday.”How you doing?” he manages to ask.

“I’m alright.” It’s rough and so much quieter than Pete normally talks it throws Mike for a minute. He spins and meets Pete’s eyes in the mirror trying to portray that he has to be a Commander at the moment.

“Goose is dead.” Internally he winces at how straightforward and harsh he has to be, and he knows the minute Carrie finds out, she is going to be livid. But they all knew when Pete joined up, that a time like this might come, and Pete told him then, as a bright eyed eighteen year old, that he’d never hold it against him.

“I know.” His eyes drop back to the sink, hand splashing more water onto his face, and Mike can see he’s barely holding it together. He wants to tell him to come home with him, let Carrie mother him to death, but he bites it all back. Seeing her last night is going to have to be enough for now. Pete runs another hand over his face, and takes some deep breaths. Mike recalls words one of his former COs told him after Duke died. At the time he hated it, and he knows Pete is going to hate being told the same thing, but he needs to say it. “You fly jets long enough, something like this happens.”

“He was my RIO, my responsibility!” It’s an echo of his statement last night and Mike knows the guilt is eating him alive. He knows he’s going to have to work hard to get Pete to let it go, if that will even be possible. He knows Goose was like a brother to him; that Carole and Goose both welcomed Pete into their family. But he can’t see his kid drown in grief, not if he can help it.

“In my squadron in Vietnam, we lost eight of eighteen aircraft. Ten men. First one dies, you die too. But there will be others. You can count on it. You gotta let him go.” His hand touches his side, draws across his back, offering as much comforting touch as he can in that moment. “You gotta let him go.” He knows it's harsh, hates the words coming out of his own mouth, but as a Commander, it’s what you’re supposed to say.

Pete’s eyes are hard as they stare at him despite being red rimmed, but Mike does his best to let it roll off his back. “Your inquiry hearing is scheduled for two days from now at 0800. Jester and I will be there. I don’t see any reasons why you won’t be cleared and can return to finish the program before graduation.”

Pete doesn’t say anything and won’t meet his eyes again. He walks away even though it kills him too. He passes Tom in the parking lot and he knows he was right about something going on between the two. He gives the Lieutenant a nod, wants to pull him to the side and threaten him if he so much as dares to break Pete in any way. But he knows he can’t, so he keeps walking and just hopes Tom will be able to get through to his kid.

Tom finds Pete back in his room, trying to dress. “Can I help?” he asks from the doorway.

Pete gives him a nod and Tom comes over, helping him pull his shirt down. The bruising looks worse today, and his body is stiff and achy. He’s refused anymore pain pills though and just wants to leave. “I saw Viper leaving.”

“Mmm yea. Stopped by to give me the information for the inquiry hearing.”

“It wasn’t your fault Pete.”

“Let’s not. I don’t… I just want to get out of here.”

Tom bites back all his retorts that Pete needs to talk about this and just gives him a nod. “Carole and Bradley are at the base housing. I can take you there.”

Pete gives him another nod, and follows Tom out the door. Once in the car, the silence is almost unbearable. “Pete…” Tom starts when they’re in front of the housing, but stops when Pete cuts his eyes at him.

“Might be best if we just had some space right now. You don’t need messed up in this hearing too.”

“I have to be there because I was in the air with you.”

“Better to be safe than sorry.”

Tom wants to argue, wants to push that Pete doesn’t need to do this or push everyone away, but his own guilt is eating him alive. Thus, he’d do anything Pete asks. “If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

Pete won’t meet his eyes so Tom knows he’s lying. “I just want him back,” Pete says softly before he gets out. He closes the door and doesn’t look back.

Tom watches him go, his heart breaking, but knowing he will give Pete anything. He watches until Pete is inside the door before driving off.

#my writing #maverick chronicles #icemav #icemav fic #pete maverick mitchell #tom iceman kazansky #ron slider kerner #nick goose bradshaw #mike viper metcalf #vipapa #top gun #tg #top gun fic #tg fic #MCD

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