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"They'll keep Pheonix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation. They're gonna be ok," He said quietly. "That's good... I've never lost a wingman," Rooster said back. Mav sighed quietly, thrown back to Goose. "You're lucky. Fly long enough, it'll happen," He said bitterly. He shut his eyes at Roosters scoff. "Easy for you to say. No wife. No kids. Nobody to mourn you when you burn in," Instead of biting back, Maverick sighed shakily.
"Go home... just get some sleep," He turned away, blinking away the tears that dared to fall. "Why'd you pull my papers at the academy?" Rooster snapped, standing. "Why did you stand in my way?" He seethed. Maverick took a breath. "You weren't ready," He said over his shoulder. "Ready for what? Huh? Ready to fly like you?"
Maverick spun. "No. Ready to forget the book. Trust your instincts. Don't think, just do. You think up there, you're dead. Believe me." Part of him was biting back through the pain of losing his best friend... it still sent his heart plummeting into the dark abyss that was grief.
"My dad believed in you... I'm not gonna make the same mistake,"
Maverick's heart dropped. "That's not fair," He whispered. "No, what wasn't fair was taking my dad away from me." Rooster snapped. "He may have been your father, but he was my best friend. I held his body. I brought his body back to shore. I held him in the pacific ocean, crying over his body." Maverick was aware of the tears flowing down his face, and he knew Rooster could see them as well.
"I had to go through months of therapy and counselling and medical appointments, just to be well enough to face waking up." He hissed. "I was put on antidepressants, anxiety medication, opioids for the pain... Rooster, I was put on suicide watch."
Maverick knew he was spiralling out of control, but the accusation that he'd killed Goose?
"I might not have anyone to mourn me anymore, but that's why I still fly. I can protect those who do have family that will mourn. The last of my family died 33 years ago with your dad,"
Maverick turned away and glared at the floor, unable to look at Goose's look-a-like. "I still have night terrors to this day. I have to ward off panic attacks every time I step in a jet." He furiously wiped his eyes.
He finally looked back up into his godson's eyes. "So don't you ever, ever, say it was my fault again." He took a shaky breath and turned his back, unable to look at Rooster's face. "Go home Rooster..."
And he left.