Chapter Text
Mickey closed the door of his and Reuben's shared quarters, letting out a deep, tired breath as he leaned his head against the door.
"Shit," Mickey muttered under his breath.
He looked forward at his husband as Reuben also let out a quiet and exasperated sigh, shaking his head with his hands on his hips. He looked just as exhausted and shocked by the news they had just received from their admiral.
"Back to Top Gun, huh?" Mickey said with a smile.
Reuben raises his eyebrows, his lips quirked into a slight grin.
"Back to California," Reuben supplied, running his hand over his head. He began to un-zip his flight suit and reveal the white t-shirt he wore under it. "My parents are gonna be happy about that."
"Will be even get the chance to see them?" Mickey asked, also undoing his flight suit.
"No idea," Reuben replied, slipping on a pair of sweats as he kept his t-shirt on. "But we gotta sleep. Leaving in…"
Ruben looked at his watch, whistling and cringing when he did. "Four hours and twenty-three minutes."
Mickey groaned, pulling his t-shirt off above his head, his dog tags hitting his chest when they got stuck on the color of his shirt. The wedding ring he kept on the same chain slapped against his chest, the silver band cold as the material met skin.
"Hey," Reuben said softly, reaching out and pulling Mickey closer by his wrist.
Mickey let him pull him in lazily, exhausted from the day finally setting in as Mickey felt it in his eyes. Reuben held his wrists as Mickey stood in front of the taller man. He slouched slightly as he raised his head to look up at Reuben.
"Talk to me, Mickey."
Mickey smiled, leaning forward as he set his forehead against Reuben's collarbone. He felt Reuben's hand rub his bare back in rhythmic circles, the spot that always put Mickey to sleep.
"Four fucking hours," Mickey muttered under his breath, which made Reuben chuckle. Mickey felt the vibrations in his chest.
"Come on, Mick, we gotta sleep. We're gonna need those four hours."
Reuben pulled Mickey to the small bed, forcing Mickey to lift his head and move his legs. He waited as Reuben crawled in first, opening up the blanket for Mickey so he could situate himself. Mickey obliged, climbing in as Reuben let go of the blanket, wrapping it around them.
Mickey felt Rueben's hand snake around his waist until resting on his bare stomach. It was relaxing, the warmth from Reuben's hand creating a calming sensation that would make Mickey fall asleep quickly. Even though Mickey didn't need the extra push to fall asleep, he still felt himself begin to doze off faster as his breath matched Reuben's.
It didn't take long for Mickey to fall asleep, not with Reuben behind him, providing warmth and comfort. Mickey found it was always easy to fall asleep like this.
Four more hours, and he'd be awake, probably grumpy, definitely annoyed, but more than grateful it was Reuben he'd be waking up next to.
Their ride from the airport was long, but reaching their temporary rental was pretty easy, given the US government told them where to go and said "stay however long the mission is" without much more go off of.
It was nearing the afternoon when they got to their rental. Mickey felt much better than he had the day before. He always found it easy to fall asleep on a plane, especially one he wasn't in charge of.
Their place was small and waiting, a tiny apartment on North Island. When Mickey drove into the area, he immediately saw the Navy's influence on the Island. It felt nostalgic behind back at Top Gun, where he and Reuben had met all those years ago.
It felt great, actually. Mickey felt like he was reliving all his firsts with Reuben the moment they drove in. Mickey began recognizing the signs, roads, and restaurants. Everything.
What's even better was the way Mickey felt about Reuben was still the same. He was just as in love with him as the first night they kissed.
Damn, Mickey should try and recreate that night with Reuben and all of its glory.
"It's nice," Reuben said, setting his bag down as he stretched his arms.
His shirt rode up ever so slightly as he lifted his arms, but the belt that kept his service shirt tucked into his pants was strong. It almost disappointed Mickey.
"Right?" Mickey said, setting his own bag down. "Maybe your parents were right. We should move closer to home when we're done with the service."
Reuben paused, lowering his hands and letting them fall to the side. He stared and Mickey with a fond expression. Mickey paused.
"Are you thinking about that right now?" Rueben asked, but it was genuine curiosity.
Mickey shrugged. "Yeah, I mean, sometimes. I think about where we'll live when we find something more…permanent."
Rueben smiled, holding his hand out for Mickey to take. Mickey did, letting Reuben pull him closer, holding Mickey by the belt of his pants. Mickey grinned as he wrapped his hand around Reuben's back, linking his hands together behind him.
"I like that you think about stuff like that," Reuben said, the pair swaying ever so slightly.
Mickey grinned. “We have been together for six years. Married for one."
"Yeah, but we're always going places, on a boat. We've never really talked about it."
"We should start. Feels domestic and shit."
Reuben laughed. "I'm down to be domestic and shit with you."
Mickey smiled into the kiss Reuben planted on him. He had to crane his neck, but it was comfortable all the same.
Then Mickey felt hands pulling on the back of his shirt, ever so slightly pulling it out of the belted pants. Rueben's kiss became more vigorous, more wanting in the span of a second. Mickey also tried slowly taking Reuben's shirt out from under his belt, but it was somewhat tricky. Damn those uniforms.
They kissed without stopping, and Mickey thinks it wouldn't have if it wasn't for the knock they suddenly heard at their door.
They pulled apart, Reuben rolling his eyes and sighing, clearly disappointed. Mickey chuckled, putting his lips in a tight smile as Rueben moved past him, fixing his shirt before opening the door.
Mickey also fixed his shirt and wiped his mouth as he prepared for whoever was on the other side of the door. When it opened, and Mickey saw who it was, he broke into a huge smile.
"Holy shit."
Phoenix looked the same as she was a year ago when he last saw her. She also wore her service uniform, hair pulled into a tight bun as she pulled in Reuben for a hug.
When she saw Mickey, she laughed as Mickey picked her up as they hugged, just an inch or two off the floor. He put her down, smiling as he looks her over. It was good to see her.
"You look good, Nix," Mickey said, grinning.
"You too, Fanboy."
"And what about me?" Reuben asked from where he stood, watching the pair.
She smiled but cocked her head, looking Reuben up and down. "You looked better at the wedding."
Reuben touched his hand to his heart, feigning hurt as Mickey and Phoenix laughed.
Their wedding had been the last time they saw her. Almost a year ago now, right before their next leave. It had been small with family and a few friends, Phoenix being one of them. She'd been there when they got together, graduating with them at Top Gun, supporting them when others did not. It meant a lot then, and Mickey was glad she was here now.
"You look good, Payback," she said, rubbing his arm. "Married life treating you well?"
"Yep," Mickey said happily, smiling from Phoenix to Reuben. Rueben winked at him.
"Hey, how did you know where on the detachment too?" Reuben asked, turning his focus to Phoenix.
They found themselves standing around the small Island in their place. Phoenix leaned on the counter, hands clasped together in front of her.
"Didn't," she said. "Got here about an hour ago and was walking around when I saw you two pull up."
Mickey nodded, surprised by the chances. Reuben seemed to be as well as he looked between the two.
"You know anyone else?" Mickey asked.
Phoenix nodded her head. "Nah. Although, I got a feeling they'll all be at The Hard Deck later. I'm gonna go, you two wanna come with?"
Mickey couldn't help but smile at the mention of the famous bar. It was almost too cliche for two navy pilots to have had their first kiss at that damn bar. Mickey has no quarrels with being a cliche. He glanced at Reuben, sure he was thinking about the same thing.
"You know we will," Reuben said, grinning.
Reuben's grin dissipated, however. It was quick, though, like a thought just appeared to him. Reuben shot Mickey another look, and Mickey knew it all too well. They were about to have that conversation. One he never liked, but they nonetheless felt they had to have before entering a mission, a new place with new pilots they could know next to nothing about. Mickey was suddenly glad Phoenix was there because, besides a select few other pilots and admirals, she was the only one who knew they were married, or even together, for that matter.
"Should we say anything?"
Reuben was the one to break the ice with the question. Mickey sighed, rubbing his hand over his head. His ring on his dog tags suddenly felt heavier.
"I don't think so," he said. "We don't even know what this detachment is about, or what the hell we're walking into. Maybe just that we're…a team?"
"So what we've told people in the past."
Mickey smiled sadly. "Yeah."
Ruben did the same. "Yeah."
There was a small silence, which Rueben interrupted when he turned to Phoenix.
"Can you not mention anything?"
Phoenix smiled, one that was sympathetic more than anything else. Still, it was also somehow comforting. "Yeah, of course. I'll just say we met at Top GUn."
Mickey shrugged. "Wouldn't be a lie."
"Thankfully," Reuben replied. "if Warlock is still their, he'd be the only other one to know. Good thing he isn't a dick."
Mickey nodded, thinking back to one admiral they had who had not been so keen on them being married. Mickey wasn't sure whether it was because they were both men or a team. Either way, he couldn't do anything about it because whether people liked it or not, Fanboy and Payback were one hell of a foxtrot team. Better than most, smarter than most, and sure as hell more talented than most.
Of course, the woman in front of them was a strong contender.
"Well, we should head over soon then. Evening rush is about to start."
The pair nodded, Mickey glad they could figure this out relatively quickly.
He didn't like the conversation, never liked the idea of hiding, but Mickey knew it wasn't always wise to express that part of themselves to people they didn't know. Some people saw it as a weakness, even if Mickey believed it was his greatest strength.
Reuben knew Mickey well because as Phoenix was walking out the door, he walked up to Mickey and gave his hand a tight squeeze.
"You good?"
Mickey smiled and nodded. "All good."
Reuben squeezed his hand one more time, wrapping his arms around Mickey's shoulders as Mickey slipped his around his waist. They walked out the front door and eventually their car. When they got to The Hard Deck, Mickey found he was happy but also reluctant to go in at the moment.
The second he stepped in, he was gonna have to act like he didn't marry the most incredible man in the world.
The Hard Deck wasn't too busy when they arrived. They paused when they entered, looking around and grinning at each other as the memories flooded in.
Late nights drinking, pool games, making bets and memories they'll never forget. It was a good time, and the place brought it all back.
Reuben caught Mickey's eye and nodded his head forward. There were two navy men already in the bar. A white guy and a black guy who were both ridiculously handsome and looked equally cocky. Mickey could tell just by their smirks, which he could see from a mile away. His suspicion was confirmed when Pheonix scoffed at them.
"You know these guys?" Payback asked.
Phoenix nodded, shaking her head as she looked up at the ceiling, supposedly at a higher power, and asking why?
"Oh yeah," she replied.
Mickey gave Reuben a look. There's history there.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to the prick."
She walked forward, Micky smirking at Reuben before following behind.
She walked the distance towards the two men, and as soon as the blond one saw Pheonix, Mickey knew they had a history. His facial expression was enough.
"What do we have here?"
He said it with a charming smile on his face, which almost made Mickey laugh. He saw right through it. This guy was a dick, and everything about him told him that.
"If it ain't Phoenix. And here I thought we were special, Coyote." He turned to the other man, who was apparently Coyote. "Turns out, the invite went to everyone."
Mickey raised an eyebrow, almost entertained by the guy. He's seen his type before, so Mickey was not surprised by his attitude. He just stood behind Phoenix, giving Reuben a look. They were thinking the same thing.
"Fellas," she began. "This here's Bagman."
"Hangman," the man corrected.
"Whatever," she replied. Mickey suppressed a laugh. "You're looking at the only Naval aviator on active duty with a confirmed air-to-air kill.
In all his obvious charm, Hangman made a point to act flattered as he responded to Phoenix's sarcasm.
"Stop," he said.
"Mind you," Phoenix continued, ignoring Hangman. "The other guy was in a museum peace from the Korean War."
Theirs the Pheonix he knew and loved.
"Cold war," Coyote said, supporting his buddy.
This invited Mickey and Reuben into the conversation. Mickey did not need to look at Reuben to know they were thinking the same thing.
"Different wars, same century," Reuben said.
"Not this one," Mickey continued.
Coyote looked between the two, as did Hangman. "Who are your friends?"
"Payback," Reuben said, a tone of his voice Mickey matched.
"Fanboy."
"Hey, Coyote," Phoenix said.
So she knew him too. Mickey was starting to think she knew everyone.
Maybe she knew the glasses sitting in the corner eating his peanuts.
"Hey."
"Who's he?" Phoenix asked.
So she didn't know him.
"Who's who?"
They all turned towards the man sitting in the corner. He looked up, seeming to finally realize he was being watched. His glasses and dumbfounded face made him look a lot younger than he probably was, and the fact he was wiping away peanut shells from the leather seat he sat in did not help.
Mickey glanced at Reuben, an amused smile on both faces. This dude was funny, even if he hadn't said a thing yet.
"When did you get in?" Hangman asked. This surprised Mickey a little, only cause he assumed they'd all noticed the guy. Then again, Hangman seemed too self-absorbed to notice.
"Oh, I've been here the whole time," the man replied with an awkward smile. It was a little endearing, Mickey thought.
"The mans a stealth pilot," Hangman said, sarcastic oozing from his tone.
"Literally," Coyote supplied.
"Uh, weapons systems officer, actually."
"Which no sense of humor, apparently."
Mickey ignored Hangman's douchey remark and perked up at the man's revelation. Mickey looked him up and down, examining the man. So he was a backseater like him.
There were a few types of WSOs Mickey has come across in his life. Some who never learned to work with their pilot. They think they're always right, convinced their way is the only way. They never got far in their career. Then there are those who molded themselves to work with their pilot. They're good, but they never manage to be exceptional, always making themselves smaller to fit with their usually egotistical pilot. The other kind is a mix of both. They mold, they work well together, but they have their own unique way of doing things that give their pilot that extra push they need to be exceptional.
Mickey is one of those WSOs. That's why he's Payback's permanent WSO and why he's one of the best to come out of Top Gun. He wondered if Glasses was the same.
"What do they call you?" Phoenix asked him.
The man hesitated for a moment. "Bob."
"No, your call sign," Reuben specified.
This guy really was something.
The man hesitated even more, and he looked nervous in his seat. Mickey held back a chuckle.
"Uh…Bob."
Mickey felt bad for laughing lightly. Reuben nudged him very softly in the ribs, making Mickey pull his grin into a tight smile.
"Bob Floyd?" Phoenix asked, slight surprise in her tone. "You're my new backseater? From Lemoore?"
The man nodded awkwardly, but there was a smile on his face that may have just been there to cover nerves. Mickey looked to Reuben, who shrugged ever so slightly.
"Looks like it, yeah."
There was a moment of silence between the two. Although Mickey could not see her face, she assumed Phoenix was sizing him up, deciding what type of WSO he would be. From Mickey's own perspective, he thought he was harmless. Then again, he could be wrong. Still, Phoenix seemed to accept him suddenly when she approached him with the cue stick.
"Nineball, Bob. Rack em'."
Bob seemed slightly surprised at first but quickly took the cue stick from Phoenix with a relieved smile. Mickey grinned at Reuben, who grinned back, a silent communication as they went their separate ways in the bar. Mickey placed himself beside Bob as he took the stick, Reuben, off to take a seat on a chair as he waited for his turn.
Bob did rack them, Phoenix taking the first shot. She got a striped ball into the pocket with her first hit, Mickey whistling at the shot.
He glanced at Bob, curious.
"Hey," Mickey said, holding his hand to the unsuspecting WSO. He wanted to introduce himself officially. "Fanboy. Weapon Systems Officer."
Bob looked at his hand for a moment before taking it in his grasp, shaking it. Bob smiled at him, clearly happy to have met another backseater.
"Oh, good to meet you," Bob said as Reuben took a turn. "Who's your pilot?"
Mickey pointed his finger at Reuben, smiling fondly at him as Reuben missed his shot and made it known with a groan as Phoenix patted him supportively on the shoulder. Mickey couldn't hide his grin as he watched his husband.
"How long have you been flying together?" Bob asked.
"About…six years."
The time they’ve been together.
Bob raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised by the fact. Mickey didn't blame him. Most pairs didn't stick together that long, whether it's cause they got sick of each other, they moved on to something else, or they wanted something new. Mickey never needed something more, not when he had Reuben.
"That's a long time," Bob stated.
Mickey shrugged, not disagreeing.
"Yeah, well, we met each other at Top Gun and just clicked, I guess." He looked at Reuben, warmth traveling throughout his chest as he snapped his fingers in congratulations as Phoenix sunk another ball. Mickey couldn't suppress the smile on his face or the feeling in his chest.
"We've been together ever since."
Mickey didn't mean to say it like that, but the double meaning perhaps made itself known when Bob raised his eyes brows. Mickey felt himself panic for a moment but calmed when Bob put a smile on his face, and he seemed to soften. He looked from Mickey to Reuben.
"That's nice," he said quietly.
Mickey, for a moment, wondered if he had an idea of what he meant.
"Anyway," Mickey said, changing the subject. "Your turn, Bob. Don't disappoint."
Mickey slapped his shoulder as Bob lined up the ball. Mickey watched from behind, Phoenix and Reuben doing so as well.
Bob was about to line up the shot and take it when Hangman interrupted, taking the cue stick from Bob without warning. Bob didn't put up a fight as Hangman lined up and said something to a man in front of them.
Mickey recognized him as Rooster.
He'd met him once or twice, knowing him through Phoenix, who for some reason knew pretty much everyone else in the damn Navy.
And somehow, she seemed to know two men who clearly had a history and made it known the second they started breathing in the other's direction.
"... I'm to good to be true."
His ball made it into the intended pocket without even looking. Fanboy wanted to roll his eyes into the back of his head.
The energy in the room changed as the two guys who clearly were sizing up dicks continued to glare at the other while somehow making it seem like they were friendly. It was passive-aggressive and awkward, and Mickey wondered if they needed to fight or fuck. He wasn't sure at the moment.
"So, anyone know what this uh, special detachment is all about?" Reuben asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room.
Hangman was the one to answer. "No, mission's a mission. They don't confront me. What I wanna know—who's gonna be team leader?"
He looked around the room of aviators, Fanboy unable to not follow in his step. His go-to would be Pheonix, but that could be because he knew her. Would they make a foxtrot team a leader, however?
All Fanboy knew was that he didn't want it to be the man currently talking himself up.
"And which one of y'all has what it takes to follow me."
Of course, Fanboy thought.
"Hangman," Rooster began, gaining the attention of the people in the room. "The only place you'll lead anyone is an early grave."
Mickey couldn't stop the reaction that came out of his mouth. Hangman turned to Mickey, Mickey just shrugging as Bob stood to his side, Coyote throwing him a dirty look. He ignored the man, instead turning his focus to Reuben, who had an amused smile on his face he was very clearly trying to cover up. Mickey knew Reuben's weaknesses, however, one of which being Mickey himself. He could make him laugh whenever he wanted to.
The two shared a few more snarky remarks until Hangman left to grab what Fanboy assumed were a few more drinks from the bar.
But Hangman's words around Mickey's head. Who would lead this mission, and what kind of mission was it in the first place?
Mickey didn't like being in the dark. He liked knowing things, knowing what was happening around him. He thinks that's why he made a good WSO, but right now, he had no fucking clue.
The fact Halo, Omaha, Fritz, and a few other aviators walked in didn't make him feel any better about it.
"What kind of a mission is this?"
"That's not the question we should be asking."
Phoenix gained Mickey's attention. She looked around the room, arms crossed. "Everyone here is the best there is. Who the hell are they gonna get to teach us?"
Who the hell indeed?
Mickey didn't have much time to dwell on the question because a second later, the music that had filled the now busy bar was suddenly cut short. The room burst into a series of disappointed aws. Mickey looked for Rueben, who shrugged when he caught his eye. A piano began playing a tune Fanboy was all too familiar with. He grinned at Phoenix, who was ushering him over. With a full smile, Mickey slapped Bob on the arm as he urged him to follow.
That's how Mickey found himself behind the piano Rooster sat at as he played Great Balls of Fire.
Rooster was much more musically inclined than Mickey had anticipated.
Mickey was beginning to sway slightly, hooting and hollering to the way Rooster played the keys as he built up to the song's chorus. He was enjoying himself when he saw that a certain someone wasn't there with him. Mickey looked around the bar, eyes landing on Payback immediately. Mickey laughed as he saw Reuben, along with Coyote and Hangman, lift a man out of the bar after the bartender rang the bell. The crowd yelled "Overboard!" as the three aviators lifted and threw the man out of the barn doors.
Mickey felt bad for the guy. Almost.
Payback joined them a moment later, Mickey leaning into his ear when he reached them.
"Enjoed that?"
Reuben nodded. "Oh yeah."
Mickey grinned, feeling the urge to kiss him there. He suppressed it, feeling like he'd save it for later tonight when they didn't have a thousand eyes watching them.
He'd make it worth his wild anyway.
Rooster began singing a second later and damn the guy, but he was a hell of a good singer too. Mickey slammed his palm on the piano when Rooster got to the song's chorus. He and the others sang alone, the energy of the room suddenly tenfold, the singing drowning out any sounds beyond the chorus of people.
Mickey sang along too, following the words, shaking his head as Rooster continued. He sang and sang and sang, pausing when he caught Reuben watching him.
Mickey stopped for just a moment, frozen as he shared a silent stare with Reuben during a verse of the song.
Ima tell the world that you're mine, mine, mine…
Mickey smiled softly as the music seemed to quiet down around him. Rueben did as well, suddenly seeming like the largest focus in the room. Everyone else was just background noise.
The moment was interrupted when Pheonix shook Reuben's arm in a singing excitement. Mickey smiled, laughing as Rueben howled when Rooster began playing just the piano in a way that had Mickey impressed.
They sang for as long as they could, laughed for as long as they could, and existed at the moment for as long as they could. It was beautiful, the Hard Deck creating new memories each time Mickey came here.
Mickey almost didn't want to leave.
When they returned to their palace, Mickey quickly tore off his uniform. Not for sex purposes, simply because it became not the comfiest attire after 24 hours.
Of course, the sex would come later.
Mickey sighed as he layed back on their bed, bareback meeting soft fabric in a welcoming touch. He laid his hands to his side, feeling the blanket. He was interrupted when Reuben climbed over him, grinning at the man as his hand found its way onto Mickey's ribs, palms sliding up and down along his side. It made Mickey shiver.
"Talk to me, Mickey."
Mickey huffed out a laugh. Their nighttime routine didn't change even after traveling cross country, drinking, and singing themselves to death.
"Feel's weird being back here."
"Weird bad?"
"No, definitely not. Weird good. Weird…normal?"
Rueben contorted his eyebrows, but his smile remained the same. Mickey chuckled as he let his right come up to Reuben's shoulder, resting it there. He looked at the shoulder rather than his husband for a moment.
"I just mean it feels weird to be back at Top Gun for a mission we know nothing about. I mean, what the hell are we here for.”
Reuben went quiet, his hand that was rubbing up and down on Mickey's ribs softly. Mickey paused, waiting and patient.
"I have no idea."
"Wow." Mickey narrowed his eyes. "Wise."
Reuben chuckled, rolling his eyes before suddenly rolling around on Mickey, pulling him by the waist, so he ended up on top of Reuben. Mickey laughed, holding himself up by placing his hands on either side of Reuben's head while his hands stayed glued to Mickey's waist.
"So, am I gonna get some tonight or…?" Ruben asked, raising his eyebrows and tracing his thumbs around Mickey's hips.
Mickey scoffed, mouth opening. "Wow. Using me for my body? Disgusting. I know I'm sexy but Christ, Rueben."
Reuben laughed, grabbing Mickey and rolling them over once again, Mickey unable to hold back his laugh. When Reuben ended up above Mickey and stared down at him with a fondness he couldn't not blush at, Mickey knew he'd forgive him.
"I love you for far more than that, Mickey."
Mickey sighed happily, pulling him into a kiss that would last for the rest of the night.