#carole top gun

[your-unfriendlyghost]

Idk if you take requests but I would love to see Goose in your style lol

We-elllll I don’t usually take requests unless I’ve specifically asked for ‘em…buuuut I actually would also love to see Goose in my art style

(plus a bonus Carole! I love both of them sm tbh)

[onearmedlegend]

Top Gun: Maverick Notes Part 2!

Tagging: @crooked-jes @merieltla

56. Question: Is Rooster ready?

57. Maverick makes the decision to never leave again; he’s moving on from his past.

58. Phase Two:

a. Coming to an end fast.

i. ‘Act Two’ is ending soon. Characters must develop now, or they never do.

b. Miracle One + Miracle Two: double meaning.

i. Teams must be on target for the next team to deliver the shot.

ii. If one person can move on from the past, the other person must move on, too.

c. “This is where you’ll be at your most vulnerable.”

i. The steep climb:

1. Stay on mark, get out.

2. Move on and be better.

59. Because they are moving ahead of schedule, nobody is ready.

a. Coyote almost died in G-LOC: will he die on the mission?

b. Bob + Phoenix almost died due to a bird strike: will they die on the mission?

60. Rooster + Maverick fight.

a. “Don’t think, just do.”

i. Maverick’s second to last warning because Rooster. Has. To. Change.

ii. Be the leader that he was meant to be. Be better than Maverick.

61. Rooster says that he won’t make the same mistake his father did.

a. This is a minor callback to Penny’s statement about Amelia.

i. Penny lets Amelia make mistakes.

ii. Rooster won’t let himself make mistakes. (No parents, hesitation to let Maverick be a father figure).

62. Iceman dies.

a. B Story ‘gives’ their life for the main character. Maverick cannot turn back now.

b. Shot shows Rooster before Maverick.

i. Rooster knows that Maverick is vulnerable. He understands the pain Maverick felt for Goose.

63. “Take some time.”

a. Theme: Time.

i. For Maverick, the past is finally gone. He cannot waste anymore time.

ii. He had the chance to be a teacher, but he blew it. Now, he’s grounded forever from the Navy.

64. Movie flaw: Dark Night of the Soul is super short.

a. All movies have this flaw, though.

65. Maverick shows up unexpectedly to show the class that this mission is indeed possible.

a. In less time than they were initially given.

66. Maverick shows up at The Hard Deck.

a. He’s finally comfortable as opposed to how he was when he first arrived.

i. This is his element, where he belongs.

67. “Captain Mitchell, you’re where you belong.”

a. He’s where he should be: a teacher + in the Navy.

68. Warlock + Maverick.

a. Warlock doubted Maverick, now he’s confident in him. Development fulfilled.

69. Hangman + Rooster.

a. Rooster is chosen as wingman, Hangman is on standby.

b. Hangman understands. According to screenplay, he says that he is fine with this arrangement. He understands now that Rooster is a natural-born leader.

70. Maverick + Rooster.

a. Rooster wants to apologize/thank him, but they are interrupted; it’s an unfinished storyline.

i. Either one dying, before they talk, will be devastating.

1. Maverick with the intention to die since the beginning? Now that the Navy has accepted him, the Daggers all trust him, and Iceman is passed?

2. Goose’s son Rooster with the love of flying coming back to bite him, since he may or may not be ready for this mission?

ii. Rooster answers to ‘Bradley’ instead of ‘Lieutenant Bradshaw’.

1. Callback + character development.

iii. Nobody is wearing sunglasses, as opposed to the first time.

1. “Eyes are the window into the soul.”

71. Maverick says, “You got this.”

a. He may not be Rooster’s father, but he can be the father figure.

72. “I don’t like that look, Mav.” “It’s the only one I got.”

a. Callback. First time he says this, he is confident. Now, he is scared.

73. “Thank you, Hondo, if I don’t see you again.” “It’s been an honor, Captain.”

a. An attempt to close the relationship between the two. We know that they’re on good terms if Maverick dies.

74. Act Two coming on its end: “Send them.” “There’s no turning back now.”

a. 2:30 – double meaning.

i. Time to get in/get out.

ii. Timer for things to go awry.

75. Rooster’s anxiety.

a. Will he speed up or no?

b. “Come on, Rooster. Move it or lose it.”

76. “Talk to me, Dad.”

a. Like Maverick, he uses Goose as a calming tactic.

77. “Don’t think, just do.”

a. Last time. If Rooster doesn’t speed up, his character is rendered useless.

78. Cyclone uses the ‘come home’ line. He understands Maverick now.

79. Coffin Corner: all the Daggers are communicating as a unit.

a. Development fulfilled.

80. Maverick risks his life for Rooster’s.

a. He is Rooster’s B Story.

81. Rooster needs to go back for Maverick, Cyclone says no. Hangman requests permission to go, Cyclone says no. Warlock requests search and rescue, Cyclone says no. Hondo says Maverick is out there, Cyclone says no.

a. If anyone disobeys Cyclone, they are disobeying Maverick’s wishes to make sure everyone gets home back to their families.

82. Rooster lost his father, his mother, Ice, and now possibly Maverick. He cannot lose Maverick.

a. He doesn’t think, he just goes after Maverick.

i. Rooster + ‘Slow Ride’: Development fulfilled.

83. Act Three: Maverick waking up in a new, uncharted territory. But now, he knows how to defeat the enemy.

84. Rooster risks his life to save Maverick, and he is hit.

a. Everyone on the carrier knows about Goose, they are devastated.

85. Rooster and Maverick are leaders. This is why both wanted to save each other.

86. “I saved your life!”

a. This is how Maverick was supposed to die, like he wanted. But the world had other plans; people cared too much about him. He thought he didn’t have anyone left that did.

87. “What were you thinking?” “You told me not to think!”

a. Rooster + ‘Don’t think, just do’: Development fulfilled.

b. Maverick didn’t mean like this, though.

i. Audience laughed and applauded during this scene. The irony.

88. Frame Within a Frame

a. Rooster + Maverick in center, two trees ‘blocking’ the edges.

89. (See 7b): The answer to the major problem in Act Three – an F-14.

90. When they go up in the air, there is a shot of the wheel. This is a quick foreshadow for the wheel being broken off mere seconds later. We would have figured out what happened to the wheel without the ‘breaking off’ shot.

91. Singular note plays right before Cyclone says, “Maverick.”

a. This way, if someone missed all the beginning of Act Three, they know who’s about to show up.

i. Leitmotif.

92. Maverick tells Rooster about the ejection handle.

a. Audience has memories of Goose dying. Will Rooster make the same mistake?

93. “It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot.”

a. Rooster used this line before, except it’s used for Maverick and not redirected at himself.

94. “Don’t think, just do.”

a. Another callback now meant for Maverick, not Rooster.

b. Maverick + his hesitation with Rooster: development fulfilled.

95. “Come on, Mav. Do some of that pilot shit!”

a. Callback to Top Gun. Goose said this to Maverick.

96. One last fight. Who will win?

a. Out of bombs, missiles, and flares.

i. Both still haven’t talked. Either/both dying will crush the audience; they were so close.

97. Maverick tells Rooster to eject, but it’s not working.

a. If it doesn’t work, he could die like Goose.

98. The beeping of the incoming missile, the breathing/panic of Rooster, the sadness in Maverick’s, “I’m sorry, Goose,” line.

a. Rooster will die by the same mistake Maverick pulled. Even worse, he will die scared. It’s over.

99. Smoke reveals Hangman, the savior.

a. Like Iceman being the guardian angel for Maverick, Hangman is Rooster’s.

b. Hangman didn’t leave them hanging. Development fulfilled.

100. The lack of the front wheel comes full circle. Minor thing, but it stayed consistent.

101. Maverick and Rooster get out of the plane.

a. Maverick looks at Rooster; they still have to talk.

102. Hangman + Rooster.

a. Both smirk and shake hands. Past is forgiven. Development fulfilled.

103. Hangman + Phoenix.

a. He goes in for a hug, and she accepts. She is proud of him. Development fulfilled.

104. Maverick + Cyclone.

a. Both share a smile and a nod. Respect is earned on both ends. Development fulfilled.

105. Maverick + Rooster.

a. Rooster shows respect by calling Maverick ‘Captain Mitchell’.

b. They hug for the first time.

c. “Thank you for saving my life.” – double meaning.

i. Maverick is grateful. He doesn’t say, “I saved your life!” this time. Outright, we take this literally.

ii. Maverick also means to thank Rooster for a new purpose in life.

1. Maverick + suicidal tendencies: development fulfilled.

d. “It’s what my dad would have done.”

i. Rooster has forgiven him for his past. Development fulfilled.

106. Maverick.

a. Almost cries. Hugs Rooster. He forgives himself completely. Development fulfilled.

107. Rooster + Maverick working on the plane.

a. Callback to the first scene with Maverick. They are now father and son figures for each other.

108. Amelia shows up.

a. She looks around in a yellow glow.

i. She must be in the next generation of pilots.

1. Theme: Hope.

109. Maverick + Penny.

a. Both find each other.

b. Callback to the first film: go on a flight in the end.

i. Development fulfilled.

110. Rooster.

a. Knocks his knuckles on a picture of his father.

i. He knows he’s made his father proud. Development fulfilled.

111. ‘Hold My Hand’.

a. About having each other’s backs equally and supporting.

112. Closing Image: picture of Maverick and Rooster smiling at each other. Maverick is no longer alone.

[callsignchicha]

Sorry that its kind of a long post, too tired to figure out why the ‘read more’ thingie isn’t working :’3

[enthyrea]

my tg86 piece for @topgunzine!

i actually drew this in april of last year- i’m so glad to finally post it! thank you to everyone who bought and supported the zine 🤍🛩️

[scottishaccentsareawesome]

(After Rooster's first week at TOP GUN) Rooster(on the phone, sounding a little grouchy):...Hey, Dad. Goose(sighs):...What's his name? Rooster: What? Goose: The asshole in your class that seems to be making it his mission to piss you off - what's his name? Rooster: Hangman. Goose: Is he good-looking? Rooster: What?! Goose: Is he? Rooster: Uh...yeah, I guess. Goose: Is he blonde? Rooster:...How'd you know that? Goose(to Carole): - Honey, talk to Bradley. I need to scream into a pillow and then give Maverick a call.

[kcsplace]

All I see is Ice teaching Baby Goose about cars and their care, and then, because being with Mav has reminded him how to be playful and carefree, starting a war with Carole

Being with Mav got Ice a whole family, adopted age 26.

[iceiceicecold]

thinking of making a top gun polaroid series out of this 😋

[streetsweepershenanigans]

Out of all the '86 flyboys who became like uncles to little Bradley, it wasn't Mav, it wasn't Slider, it wasn't even Wolf or Wood- who taught him his first swear word, it was Ice He'd done it with his nieces and nephews and little cousins before, so why would Bradley be any different? Of course, he figured one of the others would have beat him to it, but the shocked and speechless look on Maverick's face told him otherwise.

When no one had been looking, he'd quietly beckoned Bradley over with a "Hey, baby Goose, com'ere." When Bradley's little voice had proudly chirped "fuck" over the dinner table, Maverick had immediately choked on his food and dropped his fork while Carole immediately burst out in laughter so contagious, Ice couldn't help but catch on. Mav's pale face and shocked expression only making the situation funnier.

"Carol, I swear- I didn't- I never-" Maverick rushed to defend himself.

"Oh honey, I know. And I know I didn't, which means," Carol turned on Ice then, and damn. He didn't think of that. He figured Maverick would've already pulled the stunt. "Mr. Goody two-shoes, Thomas 'Iceman' Kazansky, is the first person to teach my son a swear word." Carol cackled while pointing and accusing finger at him.

"Ice-" Maverick implored in disbelief.

"Well, I figured-" Ice gestured over to Maverick while struggling to conceal his grin.

The conversation turned from their to all three adult coaching little Bradley on how, yes- that is a word, and no, it's not a very nice one that should ever be used, all while desperately trying to suppress their laughter.

However it was Ice who would suffer the unforseen consequences of his little prank, as over the years, neither Maverick nor Bradley- now proudly Rooster, would ever let him forget that it was Admiral Thomas "Iceman" Kazansky, Commander of the Pacific Fleet who had taught him his first swear word.

[military-newsboys]

Bradley: Where’s dad? I wanted to ask him for advice on asking someone out. Ice: Uh-what? No, you really shouldn’t. Bradley: Why? Ice: Pete is a dumbass. He doesn’t know shit about love. Bradley: He’s literally your husband. Ice: That’s exactly how I know that.

[paxdracona]

Goose and Carole absolutely made it their mission to love on Mav so hard he'd be too bowled over to even attempt to put on a cocky flirty persona for them (most of the time). Add little Bradley to the mix and Mav never stood even the tiniest chance ♥

(i'm decreeing that this is an Everyone LIVES au and a few years later Mav brings a slightly bewildered Ice into the fold because I love everyone loving each other okaY)

[yeagrave]

my fave throuple

[ultimatedirk]

the mavcarole drawing of all time

[onearmedlegend]

Top Gun: Maverick Notes Part 1!

Tagging: @crooked-jes @merieltla

1. Opening Image (technically)-planes flying (a past sequence for the audience to be nostalgic for).

2. Opening Image (officially): Maverick walking out of a door with his food. He is alone.

3. Maverick in his ‘natural habitat’: fixing planes, room swarmed with awards, pictures of friends/family.

a. Focuses for 3 seconds longer on the picture of young Bradley, and shifts to a picture of older Bradley.

4. Long pan left/right/zoom in of Maverick traveling (stays consistent)

a. Color grading stays consistent with monochrome in every shot.

5. Admiral Cain reveals with black, tinted windows. (Looks amazing.)

a. Continuity error with Cain’s hand; not on his face, the next shot it is under his chin.

6. Golden ratio of the plane circling around.

7. Kid has to say the “Earth,” line; kids look up to Maverick for the same reason the Navy hates him.

8. Cain says, “The future is coming, and you’re not in it.”

a. Shows that Maverick is still stuck on Top Gun, Goose + Carole, and Bradley.

i. This goes double for Iceman saving him all the time.

ii. Goose and Rooster look a lot alike.

iii. Penny comes back (another reference to the first movie)

b. Predicts F-14 subtly. (something good from his past is returning). This is the answer to the major problem in Act Three.

9. 15-minute mark: Maverick is called back to Top Gun.

10. “Just want to manage expectations.” – reference to how Maverick must exceed expectations (100 ft flight).

11. “Old relics.” – predicting again.

12. The steepness of the hill is resembling Maverick and Rooster; they have to move on faster than the both of them think for this mission to work.

13. “Someone’s not coming back from this.” – shows that Maverick wanted to go on this mission to go out with a bang.

a. PTSD + suicidal tendencies (?)

14. 20-minute mark: “Fly this mission or never fly again.”

a. “I think this is it.” – suicidal tendency again

15. Penny says, “It always ends the same with us, let’s not start.” – reference to past, but that there is hope for it to end better.

16. “You look good.” – Maverick to Penny

a. Exes.

17. “Hangman, you look…good.” – Rooster to Hangman

a. *16 + 17 are basically in the same scene, not a coincidence.

17. Phoenix references Hangman’s ‘easy’ kill, this will come back later. (if he learns to stop leaving people hanging.)

18. Screenplay throws names at the audience quick; it will help the audience to remember them by understanding who likes who and who hates who.

19. Rooster makes a jarring appearance (cut from warm lighting in bar to purple lighting outdoors). He’s already made an impression on the audience by just this + his outfit. (We don’t need to see his face.)

a. Everyone knows him, almost everyone loves him, Maverick looks away. (establishing relationships for later again.)

20. Hangman presses 8 + 6 on the jukebox. Reference to release date of the first movie.

a. ‘Slow Ride’ – foreshadows the development of Rooster having to change flying technique.

b. This gives us an insight into much of an asshole Hangman is. (He thinks that he will be appointed leader; irony: Hangman = leaving people hanging again.)

c. “Special detachment,” Payback says.

i. Rooster and Hangman hinted at being exes again (?)

ii. Shared weird looks among the Daggers

iii. Something unsaid (deeper meaning) behind Rooster and Hangman’s exchange.

21. “Who are they going to get to teach us?” Phoenix says. This shot is an answering quick shot to Maverick, who will be their teacher.

a. “It’s been declined,” says Penny. Meaning nobody is going to like Maverick here soon.

i. When he gets thrown out of the bar.

ii. His teaching methods later.

22. When Maverick is thrown out of the bar, there is a shot of Coyote, Payback, and Hangman.

a. Background is yellow, they are tinted blue.

23. ‘Great Balls of Fire’ triggers PTSD for Maverick. (Used to sing inside the bar alongside Goose, now he is on the outside watching Rooster, who doesn’t even know he’s there.)

a. Maverick is worried for Rooster, too. (That he will end up exactly like his father.)

24. Contrast of red/white on the American flag.

a. Red = hardiness, valor

i. Maverick

b. White = purity, innocence

i. The Dagger squad.

25. They are all wearing green.

a. Green = new beginnings, growth

i. Maverick + Rooster

ii. Rooster + Hangman

iii. Hangman + new Daggers

iv. Maverick + teaching instead of being a pilot.

26. “You going to wash me out?” “That’ll be up to you, not me.”

a. Washing out – to deplete the strength in someone.

b. Rooster only responds to Lieutenant, not his name (Bradley), this is his way of staying ‘strong’.

c. He and Maverick both wear sunglasses because they are literally not seeing eye to eye.

i. “Am I dismissed?” – keeping the ranking instead of it being personal.

27. Hangman and Phoenix are the only two that the camera shows the reaction of.

a. Hangman being the ‘antagonist’.

b. Phoenix being his best friend.

28. ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’ – Rooster’s song for not making the same mistake Goose did, or Maverick towards the Navy about being a teacher.

a. Rooster: trusting Maverick.

b. Maverick: getting fired.

i. “Easy, Maverick. Let’s try not to get fired on the first day.”

29. “This guy needs an ego check.” – Irony for Hangman.

30. Dog fight sequence shows that Rooster will die for his friends. (good leadership)

a. Maverick says, “It’s going to cost him.” Rooster says, “Not this time.” – still holding onto the grudge, obviously.

31. “Watch your back, Phoenix.” – Rooster knows that Hangman will ditch, and so does Phoenix.

a. According to the screenplay, Bradley gave Jake the callsign ‘Hangman’.

b. Bob wonders where Hangman went, and Phoenix answers for the audience of why they call him Hangman.

32. Maverick flying upside down – a reference to the first film.

a. Top Gun: Goose flipped him off as a joke because they were friends.

b. Top Gun Maverick: Rooster is looking at Maverick because he’s pissed.

i. This is how the scenes differ.

33. How low can the two go, triple meaning:

a. how low can the planes fly?

i. foreshadowing height for the mission.

b. How far will Maverick go to push his pilots.

i. Proof Maverick can be a teacher.

c. Rooster holding onto something in his past that was not Maverick’s fault, as the audience assumes (Goose’s death).

i. Secretly something else; foreshadowing.

34. “Don’t think, just do.” – Theme of Bradley’s development arc.

35. “It’s too low.” – double meaning, also a foreshadow (but it is also the answer.)

a. Both went too far for the other’s liking, emotional-wise.

b. It is how they will have to fly and pull up.

i. Rooster proves that he can do it, but he didn’t see; Maverick proved it because he knew Rooster’s potential.

36. We finally understand the real reason Rooster despises Maverick: pulling his papers and sending him back 4 years.

a. We didn’t know this as the audience, so Maverick is an unreliable narrator.

i. “Why would he do that?” – Now we must find this out, whether Maverick says it, or it is revealed to him that someone else knows.

37. Maverick explains why he pulled the maneuver (not just for personal reasons) + permission to request to lower the hard deck.

a. Teaching the Daggers how to come home.

i. PTSD from Goose, again.

38. Maverick’s theme: Time.

a. “You could learn a thing or two about timing, Captain.”

i. The next scene: Hangman looking at a picture of Maverick and Goose (+ Iceman, foreshadowing an appearance.)

b. Now, Hangman and Coyote (Bradley’s ‘antagonists’) know inside information on Maverick and Rooster’s ‘problem’.

i. Callback: “Bradshaw. As I live and breathe.”

1. First time was cocky, second time is intimidating and calculated.

39. Theo + Amelia: another sign that time is passing Maverick by.

a. “Captain? Still?”

40. Boat scene: to build the relationship that Maverick and Penny lost/could have had, now they can.

a. “Now you’re in the Navy.”

i. Foreshadowing that Maverick can still be in the Navy elsewhere if it isn’t flying.

41. Maverick states his own theme: Time.

a. “Time is your greatest enemy.”

i. Reference to how everything in their past will tear the mission apart, if they don’t move on.

b. “This makes time your greatest adversary.”

i. Reference to people’s relationships (Maverick/Rooster, Maverick/Daggers, Rooster/Daggers, Hangman/Daggers, Rooster/Hangman) will have to be one mind, same page.

42. Maverick talks about the 100 feet maximum height, everyone is shocked.

a. But some have proven they can already do it. (Rooster)

43. Maverick makes sure that the team starts communicating + thinking about not only each other, but the other Daggers’ families.

a. PTSD again

b. Hangman is still hanging onto the idea he needs to be leader and everyone else is behind him.

c. Rooster is late instead of increasing speed.

i. ‘Slow Ride’.

44. “It’s not the plane, sir. It’s the pilot.” “Exactly!” – triple meaning

a. To not think too much for this mission to go well.

b. Rooster won’t stop pushing back on Maverick, when for once he needs to listen.

c. Maverick won’t stop pushing back against Rooster because Maverick really means himself.

i. Suicidal tendency.

45. “It’s no time to be thinking about the past.” – Hangman to Rooster.

a. Now Hangman has Rooster where he wants him; enraged and vulnerable.

i. This is how Hangman thinks he can prove he’s the better leader.

1. “He’s not cut out for this mission. You know I’m right.”

46. Midpoint: Iceman, the B Story, arrives in person finally.

a. Movie is 2 hours, 10 minutes. Midpoint is around 55-65 minutes in. Iceman is in shot at 55:25.

47. “It’s come back.” Reference to something bad will happen to the last piece of Maverick’s past.

48. “How’s my wingman?” – Maverick wanting to talk about the past. Iceman wants to talk about work. They talk about Rooster holding onto the past.

a. Iceman types, ‘There’s still time.’

i. Maverick’s theme.

b. “Send me.”

i. Suicidal tendency.

c. Iceman types what needs to be said to Maverick, that nobody has told him yet. We see their reactions before reading the screen; because we know, we just want to see how Maverick reacts to Ice—his guardian angel of the past—telling him.

49. “It’s time to let go.” “I don’t know how.”

a. He needs to let go of his guilt of Goose dying and pulling Bradley’s papers.

b. But he also needs to let go of Top Gun after this mission.

50. “The only reason I’m here is you.”

a. True, but we as the audience know that there is a clock on Ice.

b. Time. Things are moving past Maverick again. He needs to become a teacher, not stay an aviator pilot.

51. “The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That’s why you’re here. That’s why I fought for you.”

a. Iceman gives Maverick the last bit of his strength to move on. It’s all him now.

52. ‘I Ain’t Worried’

a. “Time is running out. […] I ain’t worried about it right now.” The song is about taking things slow for a bit.

i. Taking a break. The beach scene is the fun and games scene.

ii. Also about making sure everyone is playing on the same team.

1. “You said to build a team. There’s your team.”

53. Maverick + Penny love scene.

a. Top Gun: blue

i. Blue = harmony, unity

b. Top Gun Maverick: yellow

i. Yellow = power, ambition

c. Shows that he found the right person.

54. Penny + Amelia

a. Amelia reminds Penny of herself and doesn’t want her to make the same mistakes.

i. She must let her daughter grow up.

ii. Theme: Learning from the Past

55. “Not an easy choice.”

a. Penny: letting Amelia make her own decisions.

b. Maverick: Letting Rooster hate him for a promise he made to Carole.

[callsignchicha]

[enthyrea]

topguntober days four, five, and six! "you came; you called," "wedding," and "hard deck"

prompts are from here <3

[nimuetheseawitch]

He traced patterns over Bradley's skin in the soft morning light. He kissed a constellation of freckles on his shoulder and his fingers wandered in the direction they always did. Spooning Bradley like this, it was so easy, so natural for his fingers to glide along the tattoo on his ribs. It was a beautiful piece of art, and Jake let his fingers travel slowly over the graceful figures of two geese in flight. He'd done it so many times before that he didn't expect anything except for Bradley to grumble at him softly on waking and grab his hand to pull him over for a kiss, but today, Bradley's hand just rested on his, arresting it's movement. Jake's breath caught, and he waited, listening to the changes in Bradley's breathing.

After a quiet eternity, Bradley breathed in deeply and started speaking softly.

"My mother had a tattoo like this."

Jake didn't interrupt, but he stilled entirely, afraid that if he moved, Bradley would startle and stop talking. He'd never said much about his mother besides that she had died, and Jake could tell this was important.

"It was on her left shoulder, behind her heart. Every time we went to the beach, she would ask me to put sunscreen on her back and she would tell me about him, about Goose, my father. She told me how he'd loved to fly, how he'd loved to laugh, how he'd loved to sing, how he'd loved us so, so much. Sometimes she'd smile at the stories she told me, and sometimes she'd cry, and sometimes she'd hold me tight until I whined for her to let me go play. It was her first tattoo, and she said that she liked that even though she couldn't see it, she always knew it was there."

Bradley paused, and Jake linked their fingers together over his tattoo, trying to silently give him support.

"She started tattooing when I was 5 or 6, I think. Said she liked meeting all sorts of people and learning what kinds of things they wanted on their bodies permanently. By the time I was a teenager, her arms were full of color, full of the art her friends did for her. She said she liked carrying the people she loved with her everywhere where people could see it." Bradley huffed a small laugh that could've been mistaken for a sob. "She got so angry when I let one of my friends give me a shitty poke tattoo when I was 15. She put all my allowance for months towards the cost of ink to do a proper cover up for me. That's the swallow on my wrist. When she was diagnosed with cancer--"

Jake couldn't help the small noise he made at that, and Bradley just squeezed his hand before continuing.

"When she was diagnosed, she told me she wanted her last tattoo to be one for me, and I asked her for a goose of my own. She gave me two, one for her and one for Dad. She said she'd always wanted to fly with him. It wasn't until after the funeral that I realized she'd put them where my hand always went when I hugged myself."