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Maverick felt better overall, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to walk in his own, so he just had to stay content with the fact that he was going to have to stay in the hospital until he was better.
But, he was lonely.
No matter how many times the nurses or the doctor came in to ask him how he was feeling, it meant absolutely nothing without his kids there with him.
He really wanted them to be there with him. It made him wonder if they were on their way now. Did they even know? Where they still in class waiting for him?
Just as he was about to start overthinking, a knock came at the door just before it was opened and a blond nurse beamed at him, “There are some people to see you.” And she left just as the aviators made their way into the room.
Maverick just couldn’t seem to conceal the smile of joy.
Rooster, Hangman, and the others all returned it. They sat there in silence, just relieved that he was okay and chuckling lightly, Bob and Phoenix leaning against each other as they did so.
Only one was able to break the stoic silence. “How’re you feeling?” Hangman grinned, his tone was implying that he was teasing him, but everyone knew that he was glad that Maverick wasn’t dead.
“Great.” Maverick chuckled, and looked at Rooster.
Rooster was smiling, but Maverick could see that he had a lot of things to get off of his chest. His eyes were full, like a water balloon just waiting to get jostled before it spilt, and the way that he was fiddling with his fingers was yet another sign that he was trying to bite down the tears.
So, seeing all of this, Maverick said nothing, just smiled gently and held his arms open, gesturing for Rooster to bring it in.
Rooster, almost as if it was rehearsed, immediately dropped his head and dropped down to his knees next to Mav’s bed and buried his face in Maverick’s shoulder, quietly sniffling.
Maverick’s heart shattered. “Hey, It’s Alright, Buddy. I’m okay.”
Rooster nodded, but just sniffled a couple more times, letting Maverick play with his hair.
“Don’t ever do that again, please.” Rooster tried to make it sound like he was angry, but in the end, he just sounded like a broken child who had just dodged becoming an orphan.
Hangman smiled, and if anyone had looked at him at first glance, they wouldn’t have been able to see the unshed tears in his eyes, “Yeah, you scared the hell out of us.”
“I won’t. Promise.” Mav turned his head to lay his cheek on top of Rooster’s head and sighed. He could stay like this forever.