#and goose lives because i said so ♡

[frozen-seagrass]

Everyone talks about Vipapa but Jesterdad has so much potential

Just- gruff and serious Jester seeing cool and unflappable Iceman and his brash but loyal RIO Slider and going "huh.."

Viper picks out his hidden favoritism in a second, though Jester still denies it

Idk I just need Viper and Jester to have a friendly competition and bet between their competing pilot students, and Maverick and Iceman are entirely oblivious to it happening

[elficially-done-with-life]

Enough

Pairing: Lalwen x fem!reader

Summary: Reader confesses her love to Lalwen but fears she is not enough for her.

A/N: I'm sorry, this is by far not as good as I wanted it to be, but I haven't really slept this night and on top of that I'm sick, so that is all I can manage for a fic at the moment. Maybe I will try myself on some headcanons later this day, but I'm not sure. Hope you will still enjoy this!

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

You could feel Lalwen's gentle fingers sliding through your slightly knotted hair and occasionally brushing your scalp. You struggled to stifle a whimper.

It had been really windy when you had made your way to her and your plait had been all tousled, so Lalwen had offered to rebraid your hair.

Before you could protest, she had already made you sit on her bed, dropped onto it behind you and then her hands were already in your hair.

The thing was, you'd been noticing for a while that you blushed and generally felt different around Lalwen. Some time ago you then had realised that it was because you had fallen in love with her.

You had been friends for some time but you were nothing more than that, friends. And by now you really wished you were more.

You knew that she would probably marry a noble elven man one day and the thought hurt a lot. Sure, if Lalwen was happier that way, you would be happy for her, but you knew your heart would break into several pieces.

"Is everything okay?" Lalwen asked suddenly, and goose bumps appeared on your arms as you felt her breath on the skin behind your ear.

But before you could answer 'yes', she said, "And do not tell me you are okay now, because I know you are not. You have been behaving strangely for a few weeks now."

She stroked your hair gently. "Please tell me what is wrong, I cannot bear to see you suffer like this."

"I- I cannot." you whispered softly and your eyes drifted to the floor. What if everything that was already between you ended now? You would rather just be her friend than lose her completely.

"Come on," she whispered, "please. You can trust me."

You sighed. "I just do not wish to ruin our friendship."

Lalwen put one of her hands on your cheek and made you look at her. "I do not think that is possible. Trust me."

Your faces were so close now that you could feel her breath on yours. You looked into her beautiful, encouraging eyes and leant forward.

The moment your lips touched hers, a fire of joy erupted in your belly, but it was short-lived because Lalwen broke away from you.

Immediately a knot formed in your chest. "I am sorry, I really did not mean to- "

"Well, you have already ruined our friendship," Lalwen said with a serious face.

You swallowed hard. "I- "

And then she kissed you again. "I meant," she said smiling now, taking your face in her hands, "that we are more than just friends now."

Your cheeks flushed and you smiled wider than you ever had before. "Oh."

Lalwen laughed and rested her forehead against yours. "I wish I had known that is what you were so nervous about. I have had so many ideas about how I wanted to confess my love to you, I would have just done it sooner knowing now how nervous this made you."

"But- but you deserve someone who- "you gulped. She was a princess of the Noldor. Lalwen-

"No one is as good as you. "she kissed you again and then whispered softly against your lips, "If I cannot have you, then there is no one for me, because no one is as good as you."

As you opened your mouth to respond, she pressed her lips to yours again to silence you.

You smiled softly into the kiss and let yourself fall more against her. You were really happy that you were enough for her. Because she was all that mattered to you.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[byanyan]

5 songs you associate with / remind you of your muse

it's alright - mother mother

i had a night, i had a day i did one million stupid things i said one billion foolish things i'm not okay i got a baseball bat beside my bed to fight off what inside my head to fight off what's behind my meds i'm lonely, lost in pain it's alright, it's okay, it's alright, it's okay you're not monster, just a human and you made a few mistakes

fire - bts

hey, burn it up like you're gonna set everything on fire hey, turn it up until the dawn is gone just live because we're young who are you to compare me to others? i'm only human, so what live however you want, it's your life anyway stop trying, it's okay to lose err'body say, la-la-la-la-la say, la-la-la-la-la throw your hands up, scream, burn it up

young and menace - fall out boy

we've gone way too fast for way too long and we were never supposed to make it half this far and i lived so much life, lived so much life i think that god is gonna have to kill me twice kill me twice like my name was nikki sixx i woke up in my shoes again, but somewhere you exist singing oops, i did it again i forgot what I was losing my mind about i only wrote this down to make you press rewind and send a message, i was young and a menace

cut deep - matt maeson

i'm about to cause a damn ruckus how you bleed when you bleed nothing? how you sing when you can't trust 'em? ah, jesus, please, let me feel something that's why i hate to be alone that's why i don't pick up the phone i just keep moving 'til i'm numb we're all just tryna see the sun cut deep and i'm still alive i talk my shit 'til the day i die 'cause oh, baby, i live oh, baby, i try

one of the drunks - panic! at the disco

orange juice, pour out half the carton grey goose, pour it, get it started good times, remedy your sorrows baptize, don't worry about tomorrow shake it up, shake it up, now it's time to dive in share a cup, share a cup, now you're screw-driving every weekend with your friends every weekday when it ends damn it's all good, i guess

tagged by:ㅤ@youthslost ♡!!

[dragon-kazansky]

Head in the clouds

Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky x Reader

Gender neutral reader

[Masterlist]

[Previous Chapter] - [Next Chapter]

Warnings: Implied smut. This chapter is purely based on the mission. Prepare to just read the movie for the most part. Reader appears at the start and the end.

The past was supposed to stay in the past, but with Goose and Maverick getting into Top Gun, it would seem that it’s repeating itself. No matter what you do, you can never escape Tom Kazansky.

Word count: 2.8k

Chapter Eighteen - The mission

♡♡♡

It’s early when you wake. So early, the sun is barely in the sky. It’s nothing new. You’ve woken up early on many occasions. The only difference about today is that Tom will leave in just a few short hours for his mission. The critical mission that he received orders for yesterday at the graduation ceremony. 

You lie there on your side facing the man you love. He has an arm loosely draped over you. His lips are slightly parted. His hair is sticking up in every direction. That would be because of you, no doubt.

When the pair of you got home, no time was wasted. Clothes were discarded, though you made a bit of a fuss regarding is lovely uniform, and both of you headed straight for the bedroom. Your hands were in his hair as his lips collided with yours. His hands roamed over your body, desperate to hold you, to feel you.

The pair of you must have been at it for hours.

It was some of the best sex you had ever had. Tom knew exactly what he was doing, and you had certainly learned a thing or two over the years.

Waking up beside him was bliss. He looked so handsome and at peace. He was so at home and comfortable with you again. It warmed your heart to know you would get to spend many more mornings together like this.

He stirs softly.

You smile as he starts to wake. His eyes stay closed as he shifts. He turns over a little more, his lips quirking up into a smile.

“I can feel your eyes on me,” he says, voice laced heavy with sleep.

You chuckle softly and get a little closer.

“Guilty.”

His eyes flutter open and his smile seems to grow at the sight of you. You smile back, loving how he looks first thing in the morning. You reach out and gently caress his cheek bone with your fingers.

“Good morning,” you whisper.

“Good morning,” he whispers back.

He pulls you closer with the arm that was settled over you. You don’t fight it and fall into his chest quite happily. He hugs you, pressing a light kiss to your forehead. You take a moment to let this feeling settle. You don’t have long before he has to go.

He needs to be on the carrier within a few hours.

“I’m coming home,” he says.

You listen to his heartbeat. You memorise the feeling of his arms around you. You close your eyes and wish you could freeze this moment forever.

“I’m coming home,” he says again, this time louder.

“I know. I just... I just wish you didn’t have to leave so soon. I wish we had more time.”

Tom moves so that you’re looking at him.

“We have the rest of our lives. I promise you. When I come back, I’m going to whisk you off your feet. The rest of our lives will begin. I’ll be someone you can be proud of.”

You shake your head softly.

“Tom, I’m already beyond proud of you. You’re amazing at what you do. I’m just scared. This mission sounded important. Critical, he said. I know your job is dangerous, but when words like that are used, the risks feel higher.”

Tom kisses you.

You melt into it.

His hand comes up to settle on your cheek, doing exactly what you did to him moment earlier.

“I’m coming home."

You kiss him again.

When Tom leaves, the house falls silent. It’s like a part of you is missing. Your heart feels heavy and the worry sets in. You sent him off with a kiss, and he left with a promise. A promise he intended to keep.

You can’t help but worry.

They had been briefed on the mission at hand. A rescue mission. A communication ship has become disabled and had wandered into enemy territory. They were to provide air support for the rescue mission.

Ice had spoken up about his concern for Maverick, deeming him still unfit to fly. He was shot down immediately. Maverick would fly. He was backup for Ice and Hollywood.

A part of Tom was defeated. Not only was Goose still weighing heavy on Maverick, but Mav still had you too. If something did go wrong, Tom wasn’t sure he would be able to look you in the eye again. He had to come home. They both did.

As Ice sits in his jet after doing his checks, he places something on the dash in front of him. It’s an old photo. The edges are worn and bent. It had previously been in his wallet, then his locker, and now he wants in his jet before he flies this mission. It’s an old photo of you. You have probably long since forgotten about it, but he had kept it all this time. He still in flight school when it was taken. He runs a finger down it gently.

He needs you close to him in some form today. He needs a physical reminder of what he has waiting for him. His reason to come home.

Maverick had done his checks on his jet.

Ice and Hollywood took off. They were airborne.

A couple of bogies. Slider reads off their position and their speed. Control tower confirm. Information is relayed over the radios.

Maverick sits in the cockpit of his jet and listens in. 

“Wood, you see them?”

“Not yet.”

“Must be close, I’m getting a hard on,” Wolfman says.

“OK Wood, I’m taking the lead, let’s identify them,” Ice says, putting his mask on and leading on.

“Roger, Ice. You got the lead,” Hollywood replies, following him. “I’m on your left side, a little low.”

Meanwhile, Maverick sits tight in his jet. He is ready to take off whenever they ask him to. In his hand he holds Goose’s dogtags. He runs his finger over them gently as he listens in on the radio.

“Lets get a better angle on them,” Ice instructs. The jets veer off to the right.

Slider’s radar beeps. Two more bogies come into the picture. He updates Ice on the fact that there’s a total of 4 bogies now. Ice confirms the information. 

“Woah, there’s five!” Wolfman exclaims as another comes up behind them. “Shit, they got a lock on us!” 

Hollywood picks up the speed and flies” to shake them.

“Get out of there Hollywood,” Ice says. “Get out of there, God damn it!”

The enemy jet locks onto their jet. The moment they get the shot, they take it. A missile flies through the sky and hits Hollywood and Wolfman. They lose control of the jet and it starts to descend out of the sky. Alerts are going off in the cockpit and Hollywood does his very best to try and gain control again. It’s not working.

“Wood’s been hit. Wood’s been hit!” Ice repeats. “Wood’s been hit. I repeat, we’ve lost Hollywood. We’ve lost Hollywood.”

Maverick hears his callsign over the radio.

He has to go in. He needs to cover Ice.

The rescue helicopter is alerted of the incident and is instructed to take off immediately. Maverick is also instructed to take off immediately.

He’s trained for this. This is what Top Gun was all about.

He can do this. He can do this. He can do this...

Maverick starts up his engines. He gives the signal that he’s ready. They signal his permission to take off. Maverick leaves the carrier.

“Maverick’s airborne.”

“Ice, what’s your position?” Merlin asks from the backseat.

Ice relays his position. Slider updates Ice on where exactly the enemy jet is as it comes up behind them. They are being tailed.

The count goes up to six.

Until Maverick catches up, Ice is on his own.

Enemy jets fire their guns. Ice manoeuvres out of the way. He dodges the bullets with ease, but he is still in trouble.

Maverick goes supersonic.

“I’m in deep fire, deep fire. Repeat, I’m in deep shit,” Ice calls out down the radio.

Ice doesn’t have time to feel how quickly his heart is racing. He doesn’t have time to think about you. He doesn’t have time to think at all. He just has to keep out of line of fire.

He has to come home to you.

The carrier can’t take off any more jets. All they have is what it’s in the sky right now. Maverick needs to reach Ice and soon.

An enemy locks onto Ice. The missile fires. With Slider’s command to break right, Ice breaks right. The missile flies right past them.

“Shit, that was close.”

Maverick reaches the dogfight. It’s bad.

Instantly a MIG is on their tail. Merlin spots it. Maverick has to focus as another jet comes right at them from the nose. Maverick swerves to dodge it, the jet flying up instantly.

They get caught in the jet wash.

Maverick loses control for a moment, the plane spinning, but he’s quick to get it again. The only thing is, last time Maverick was caught in a jet wash... Goose died.

His breathing becomes unstable. The fear sets in.

From the backseat, Merlin is talking to him. He’s telling him to get back into the fight. He needs to help Ice. Ice is defenceless on his own. 

“It’s no good,” Maverick says.

“God damn it! Maverick is disengaging!” Slider exclaims.

“I knew it!” Ice states.

This is what he was worried about. Maverick wasn’t fit to fly again.

As Maverick flies away from the flight, Merlin is yelling at him from the back. Maverick isn’t paying him any attention.

“Talk to me, Goose,” Maverick whispers.

He holds Goose’s tags tight in his palm.

He re-engages.

He can do this. He can do this.

Maverick comes up behind the jet tailing Ice. He tells Ice his position and is waiting for the tone. He gets toned. He fires his missile and the enemy jet loses a wing and begins to fall.

Maverick is back in the game.

One down.

Two more ahead.

Ice calls out their position. Mav confirms his sight on them. Ice is right below Maverick, and he has a MIG on his tail. Slider gives Ice instructions on where to move as it fires it’s guns at them. They dodge the bullets once again.

Maverick swoops down to help.

Two MIGs dead ahead. One flies right between them.

Another locks onto Ice once again. Ice dodges another missile. 

Slider requests Maverick to check on where the others are. There’s one behind. Maverick banks left. Ice is able to swoop into action and get in line. Another MIG is swinging around to come behind Maverick. Merlin warns him.

“I’m not leaving Ice,” Maverick states.

“We gotta move!”

“I’m not leaving my wingman,” Maverick says again.

Maverick stays with Ice as Ice locks onto the jet and fires his missile.

“Bingo!”

It’s a hit.

They don’t spend to long celebrating as another MIG comes in from Ice’s right. Maverick spots it and warns Ice right away. It fires it’s guns. Ice can’t get out of the way quick enough and takes a hit. The side of his jet is riddled with bullet holes. The right engine cuts out.

“We’re hit! We’re hit. The right engine,” Slider points out.

“I’m shutting it down.”

Ice does just that.

The MIG comes in hot, right on Ice. Maverick is quick to stay in line and keep it dead ahead. Maverick can’t get a tone while Ice tries to shake him. It would be a risky shot.

The MIG fires it’s guns again and Ice takes more hits.

“Ice, on the count to three, break hard right,” Maverick tells him.

“Three. Two. One. BREAK RIGHT.”

Ice breaks right. Maverick lines up the best he can and fires his missile. It’s without a lock, but he’s taking the chance.

He misses.

Maverick stays on him.

He gets the tone and he takes the shot.

It’s a hit.

Maverick gets another MIG on his tail, but he’s only down to one missile. The MIG fires its guns and Maverick rolls to get out of the way. He doesn’t lose the MIG, however.

Maverick slows down.

“What are you doing?” Merlin asks him.

“I’m bringing him in closer, Merlin.”

“You’re gonna do WHAT?”

“I’m gonna hit the breaks, he’ll fly right by.”

Merlin freaks out in the backseat. The MIG has a lock on them. Just as it does, Maverick breaks and the MIG flies on ahead. Maverick is now behind him. He locks on pretty much instantly and fires.

It hits.

Maverick’s stunt worked.

The remaining MIGs break out. The fight is over. Merlin reports the situation with the enemy aircraft and everyone on the boat cheers.

They did their job and they did it well.

Everyone on the carrier awaits the return of Ice and Mav.

“Mustang, this is Maverick requesting fly by,” Maverick says across the radio.

“Negative, Ghost Rider.”

Maverick laughs.

The two jets, one just a little higher than the other, come flying in. Not yet just ready to land.

Ice smiles as he flies with Maverick.

Together, they buzz the tower. How could they resist?

They go around and they land their jets at last. Everyone gathers to meet them once the jets have stopped. As the canopies open on the jets, the rescue helicopter lands behind them.

Ice and Slider stand up and shake hands, smiling at one another. Slider is cheering with the crowd.

Hollywood and Wolfman climb out of the helicopter unharmed. They had managed to eject safely from their plane. They run over to join the crowds gathering and celebrating.

Maverick takes off his helmet and waves it high in the air.

Ice, Slider, Maverick, and Merlin all climb down from their jets.

There is a lot of hand shaking and pats on the back. Maverick gives Wolf and Hollywood huge hugs when they come to him, screaming with joy. They’re all safe and sound, and the mission was a success.

Ice watches Maverick as he celebrates. When Maverick comes closer, he points at him.

“You!”

Maverick turns and faces Ice. He smile drops as he listens to what he has to say.

“You are still dangerous,” Ice says. Then he smiles. “You can be my wingman any time.”

Maverick grins.

“Bullshit. You can be mine.”

They shake hands. Then they hug. Both of them smiling.

Maverick is picked up by one of the guys and they continue to celebrate. Ice looks down at his hand. He’s holding the photo of you. He smiles.

He kept his promise. He’s coming home.

A little while later, while the carrier makes the return trip, Maverick stands looking out to sea below the deck. He’s holding Goose’s tags again. With one big swing, he throws the tag into the deep blue. 

Maverick smiles softly.

Goose will always be with him.

The first thing Tom does when he touches back down in Fightertown is head to your place. He tells Slider he will catch up with him and the others later. There is something he needs to do first.

When he arrives, he hurries to the door and knocks loudly.

He waits.

You don’t answer. He knocks again. He waits some more. Still nothing.

Ice takes a step back and moves to your window. It’s closed and the all the lights off inside. There is no sign of you.

He starts to panic.

This is what it was like that day he came home. You were gone. No note. No sign. Nothing. You had left him and he has spent his days after in misery. He can’t go through that again.

He loved you.

“Tom?”

He spins around so quick.

You’re standing there in shock, shopping back in hand.

He smiles at you. You drop the bag and you run at him full speed. He catches you, wrapping his arms around you tightly. You cling to him, arms around his neck. You bury your face in his shoulder, unable to stop the tears.

Ice is home.

“I’m home, sweetheart. I’m home.”

You pull back and place your hands on his face. You take a good look at him and smile. You kiss him passionately. He smiles against your lips.

“I’m home,” he repeats.

You can only smile and shed more tears. He holds you.

He kept his promise and that’s all he cared about.

You are the most important aspect of his life, and he swears, he’ll always come home.

You make your own promise.

You’ll always be there waiting for him.

This is how it should be.

Tom takes your hand and leads you inside. There was a lot of catching up to do and he had to be sure you were ready for what came next. Top Gun is done, and now he will deployed elsewhere.

As he holds your hand and listens to you talk, he knows he has nothing to worry about. He has a pretty good feeling he’s stuck with you.

♡♡♡

@lieutenantn - @juniebugg - @shianshian4315 - @midnightdevotion - @sitkafay - @luckyladycreator2 - @mischief-siriusly-managed - @littlebadariell - @constellationscharts - @swisswitchmn - @callsignthirsty - @sarahissilent - @marchingicenotes7 - @kassieesworld - @topgun-imagines - @fanboyluvr - @hopplessdreamer - @poppet05 - @soryuwifeyxx - @alanadetigy - @kanevill - @sbrewer21 - @callsign-blue -

[hemi-demi-semiquaver]

omg this ask game is so cool, feel free to skip any you wish to: orchid, sage, edelweiss, camellia

I agree! It feels very charming ?? Somehow?

orchid ⇢ what’s a song you consider to be perfect?

Simplifying this question in my head so I don't think about it forever. Unknown mother goose by hitorie it does something to my brain that I can't describe

sage ⇢ what ‘medium’ of art (poetry, music, fiction, paintings, statues etc.) is the most touching to you? why do you think that is?

Probably music there's so much possibility for it to be moulded by the creator to express what they want in both words and sound.

edelweiss ⇢ how’d you think of your url/username? what’s it associated with to you?

At the time I hung out in the music room a lot at school (can't remember if I'd already left by that time) and I had my little asexual revelation (demi as in demisexual lol) also quick note cool

camellia ⇢ what were you like when you were younger? do you think you’ve changed a lot?

I recently visited the place I'm from and more than one person said that I haven't changed. Refering to my witty remarks I guess. I've always lived in my head I think but looking back I think I was a little lost though. I tended to go along with what others did just because and sometimes overcompensated to try and fit in at my own expense going far beyond what anyone else did. I'm very different now in that respect :) I think it's because I understand myself a lot more

Thank you for asking♡

[dragon-kazansky]

Head in the clouds

Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky x Reader

Gender neutral reader

[Masterlist]

[Previous Chapter] - [Next Chapter]

Warnings: None. More bonding with Mav and Goose. Ice is mentioned. 

The past was supposed to stay in the past, but with Goose and Maverick getting into Top Gun, it would seem that it’s repeating itself. No matter what you do, you can never escape Tom Kazansky.

Word count: 2.2k

Chapter Four - Miramar

♡♡♡

You’re sitting with Bradley on your knee. You’re both sat at the dining table at the Bradshaw house. Bradley is drawing something on a piece of paper that you had given him, using different coloured crayons. You have one arm around him, the other flicking through a magazine Carole had put down on the table. You assumed she was going to sit down and read it herself, but the phone rang, so she abandoned it.

The sound of scribbling occupies your ears as Bradley makes his masterpiece. You can just about hear Carole in the other room. From the greeting she gave down the phone, you knew it was Goose.

It had been several days since the boys left for Top Gun. Almost a week already. You expect it won’t be much longer before you’re flying out there to stay with them. You wanted to see your boys graduate.

Bradley puts one crayon down only to pick up another. He shows it you, putting it in front of the magazine. You laugh softly.

“What are you drawing?” You ask him, peeking around him to look at his art.

“Bruno!”

You laugh. Bruno was a little dog that lived up the road. He could often be found sitting outside on the lawn as you passed by. Bradley had a habit of waving at the little dog every time he saw him. It was cute. Though for some reason, Bradley had made Bruno blue in his drawing. Last you checked, Bruno was brown.

“Oh yeah, look at that. Striking resemblance,” you smile.

Before you can go back to your magazine, Carole comes through the door smiling like a fool. You turn your gaze to her and wait expectantly. Bradley continues to draw.

“How are they? Not been kicked out yet, have they?” You ask, smiling.

“No, but they did get in trouble,” she sighs.

“What did Maverick do?” You ask, knowing it would have something to do with him.

“He buzzed the tower.”

“Oh Maverick,” you sigh. “Are they good?” You ask her.

“They’re fine. They’re missing us. The flight to Miramar is booked for us. Housing already sorted. Oh, and Maverick is in love with the instructor,” Carole says casually.

Your mind takes a second to catch up to what she said. You were caught up on Miramar, finding yourself suddenly excited to be closer to your boys. Then Carole’s last words sink in.

“He’s what?”

Carole laughs. You burst out laughing. Bradley laughs because everyone else is laughing.

“Of course he is, who else would Maverick fall in love with?” You grin at your friend.

“You are still coming to Miramar, right?” Carole asks, wanting to be sure.

“Course. You can’t leave me here on my own,” you smile sadly. “You’re the only family I got.”

“You sound like Mav,” she smiles.

“It’s true.”

Carole comes over and sits beside you.

“I know. We love you. Now, we better get packing. We don’t have long before our flight.”

You smile at her and let Bradley down off your knee. He grabs his drawing and goes to show it to his mother. 

You sigh softly. You can’t help but feel riddled with guilt. Your life now is so different from before. Then, yeah, you wouldn’t have been able to do this. Now, well, you are doing it. You’re following your navy friends to where they are currently stationed, you are waiting for them to come home once their mission is done. You’re being a member of a military family.

Would Ice have still been with you now if you had done this for him back then?

You wonder. You shouldn’t. You shouldn’t be thinking about him now.

Packing for Miramar is easy. You’re not taking lots of stuff. Carole has to pack for Bradley too, so she has a bit more to focus on than you. When it comes to leaving, you’re all set. You have everything you need and you’re looking forward to San Diego. You can’t wait to see your boys again.

When your plane lands, you find yourself filled with excitement. Carole and Bradley exit the plane before you do. As you walk across the tarmac, the two people you needed to see were coming outside to greet you. Carole opens her arms wide as she hurries over to Goose, little Bradley by her feet. You laugh as she takes the rose he gives her and wraps her arms around him. While they share a kiss, you make your way over to Maverick and pull him into a hug too. He smiles as he pulls you in, having needed this.

“You came,” he says, speaking right into your ear.

“I told you I would.”

He holds you tight. It feels good to see them again. When you pull away, you give Mav a smile.

“You look good,” you tell him.

“I feel good,” he smiles back. You both chuckle. Pete throws an arm around you as you turn to greet Goose, who has finally put his wife down.

“Miss me?” He asks, grinning at you.

“Always,” you grin back at him.

“You guys hungry?” Goose looks at you both.

“I’d like to unpack first,” you tell him, then look at Carole. She nods. It would be better to shift your stuff first.

“I’ll take you to where you’re staying,” Pete tells you. You smile at him.

As you make you exit, Carole opens her mouth to Maverick.

“Goose told me you’re in love with your instructor.”

You laugh. Pete turns to Nick.

“Oh did he?”

Unknown to you, before your plane landed, Nick and Pete had been talking about you both. Goose had stated that hadn’t told Carole about Charlie. In fact, the conversation went along the lines of Maverick not having a girl, and Carole responded that he probably had seven.

“No I didn’t,” Goose tries to defend himself.

“You did,” Carole looks at him.

You laugh. Pete smiles at you.

“You have to introduce us, Mav,” you say, looking at him.

“Yeah yeah.”

With that, he takes you to the house that you will be calling home for the next few weeks. You tell the Bradshaw’s you catch them later when you all go out to eat. 

Pete hands over the key to the house. You have the honours of unlocking the door and heading inside. You look around. It’s a basic house with basic furniture, but that’s alright. What could you expect from a military home?

“So this is home.”

Pete looks at you.

“I can stay here with you if you want.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that,” you tell him looking up. “Don’t you stay on base or something?”

“I just don’t want you to be alone,” he says.

You smile softly. “Don’t worry about me, Mav. Now, tell me about this girl.”

Maverick smiles. It’s a ‘I’m hopelessly in love with this girl’ kind of smile. You grin as you look at him.

“Go on.”

“She’s stunning,” he says. “Smart, funny, beautiful.”

You chuckle softly.

“Invite her out with us. Let us meet her, Mav.”

He nods his head. “Alright.”

You smile and leave it at that, needing to unpack. Pete hangs about as you sort your things, all the while chatting with you. Not once does he mention Ice to you. Seeing you looking so happy and carefree right now, he knew bringing it up would only sour the mood, and he won’t do that to you. You’re so very dear to him and he’s going to look about for you. He promises.

When you’re done unpacking, Pete gets up from where he made himself comfortable on the sofa. He throws an arm around you and you both head out.

You meet the Bradshaw’s at a small diner and take a seat. You sit next to Mav who has an arm draped around the back of your seat.

“We have a performance review tomorrow,” Goose mentions, bringing you up to date.

“Oh?” You look up in interest. A waitress puts your orders down on the table and everyone passes things around, making sure everyone gets what they ordered.

“Yeah. Based on reports we’ve made in a situation presented to us.”

You turn your gaze to Maverick.

“And, how do you think you’ll do?” You ask him, curious about his answer.

Pete grins at you, head held up high.

“I think I’ll be alright.”

You smile at him and shake your head, turning back to your food. The conversation flows as you all eat. Laughter fills the table, Bradley is brought to giggles. You share some of your food with Maverick, and by that, he steals some and you just let him carry on. You ask more about Charlie. Mav seems a bit embarrassed, but he shares details about her. You make him promise to introduce her to you all. He promises.

You order one more drink before you leave, knowing Mav will get you home safely. As you all exit the diner, you and Carole go on a head a little, chatting.

Goose and Maverick stay behind to chat between themselves too.

“Did you tell them?” Goose asks.

“No.”

“Good. I don’t think it would go down all that well. Tonight I think is the happiest I’ve seen them in a while. Not once has he crossed their mind. I think that’s because of you, Mav. You’re a great friend to have,” Goose grins at him.

Pete chuckles. “Getting sentimental?”

“Only about the people I care about.”

Goose and Mav turn when they hear you laugh. Carole is also in a fit of laughter. Whatever was said really tickled you. Poor little Bradley looks a little lost with the pair of you. The boys catch up to you, Mav once again throwing his arm around your shoulder. You lean into him and begin to tell him what Carole said.

Never has he felt more at home than when he’s with you lot.

Mav takes you back to your new home and comes inside with you. You sigh as you settle on the sofa. Pete follows after you, getting comfortable beside you.

“Would you stay the night?” You ask, turning your head to him.

Pete looks at you with gentle eyes.

“Of course.”

“I don’t want to spend my first night here alone.”

Pete reaches out lazily and grasps your hand, holding it in a comforting manner. You smile as you close your hand around his, feeling better already. Pete sees something flash before your eyes, and your gaze shifts.

“What is it?” He asks.

“I keep thinking about him.”

“Your pilot?”

“He’s not my pilot any more,” you sigh. “I look around at what I’ve got and the only thing that’s changed is that I have you to look out for me too. Goose and Carole were always there for me, even back then. I don’t have any good excuses as to why I left him.”

“You really still care for him, don’t you?”

“I do, and I hate that I do. I can’t escape him. I feel like I’m clinging to a ghost. I want to be able to let him go and be free of this hold he has over me, but everything around me is making me wonder,” you sigh.

“Wonder what?”

“If I hadn’t walked away that day, do you think I’d still be with him?”

Maverick can’t help but think about seeing Ice in the bar. The way he asked Goose about you. It was clear to Pete that you’re both still hung up on each other, but assume you’ll never cross paths with one another again.

“Yeah, maybe,” he replies.

You sigh again, moving your head to lean against his shoulder.

“I’m a fool, Pete. I made such a huge mistake. I really did.”

Mav gives your hand a squeeze and rests his head upon yours. There is nothing he can say or do that will make the situation better. He can’t tell you Ice is in his class. He just can’t.

Pete spends the night in your home. You make up the sofa for him like you always do when he stays with you. You tell him not to worry about making noise in the morning, you know he has to get back to base. You smile as you bid him goodnight and go up to bed.

Maverick lays there for a while, thinking.

Meanwhile, with the Bradshaw’s, Goose and Carole were sitting together. Bradley had long since been put to bed. Goose is holding his wife’s hand.

“You’ll watch over them while you’re all here, won’t you?” Nick asks her.

“Of course I will.”

“The chances of them seeing each other aren’t huge, but they’re possible.”

“I know, honey.”

“You know, I sometimes wonder what would happened if they hadn’t ended things with him. Maybe they would be just like us,” Goose grins at his wife. Carole chuckles

“Maybe they would.”

You didn’t come to Miramar with the intention of being everyone’s focus. Heck, you didn’t even realise your friends were spending so much time looking out for you. Why would you? You had no idea the man you still desired was so close. 

Turns out, you would be the last one to know.

Tomorrow, things would start to take a turn.

♡♡♡

@lieutenantn - @juniebugg - @shianshian4315 - @midnightdevotion - @sitkafay - @luckyladycreator2 - @mischief-siriusly-managed - @littlebadariell - @constellationscharts - @swisswitchmn - @callsignthirsty - @sarahissilent - @marchingicenotes7 - @kassieesworld -