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“Rooster, have you… ever considered building your own family?”
The dim light captured Mav’s green eyes perfectly. It’s difficult for Rooster to breathe and speak for a moment, so he stared at Mav's eyes instead. He wondered if Mav could read his mind right away because the answer has never changed.
“I’m still waiting.”
“For the perfect one? C’mon, Bradley. Nobody is perfect—“
‘But you are, Mav.’
“—all you have to do is to make a move and let the miracle finish the business…”
Rooster chuckles in irony hearing the older man's advice for him
“... just do it, don’t think.”
“Well, I—“ Rooster swallowed a lump in his throat, “—I’m still waiting for you, Mav. Always.”
Wind chimes by the end of September. Cold. Like the heartbeats left by Rooster’s steps. Leaving Mav alone with his thoughts.
———
The sky of Naval Air Station Lemore in San Diego had turned into a fierce battlefield. The usual dogfighting session under Cpt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell showed an unusual scene. It’s all relayed to the radio station in their meeting room. For Bob, what sounds so odd is the number of cursing words that slips off from Hangman’s mouth. None.
Phoenix, who never left her R.I.O side raises her eyebrow–demanding an explanation from the bespectacled pilot.
Words were not necessary when a massive shout of victory from Hangman's mouth nearly made everyone have heart attacks.
"He… won?” Bob tucked on his glasses, blinking in disbelief.
“Against Maverick?! You gotta be shitting me.” Phoenix screamed in hysteria. “That–that–what?!”
It took less than 15 minutes for the current round to fly back to their landing zone. Hangman landed first and the signature smug smile is attached annoyingly on his face. He offered an open arm for somebody — yet Bob refused to accept the invitation. Still, that didn't light off the joy in his eyes. Like a pure child who won an arcade game.
“That’s crazy, dude. What exactly did you do back there?” Payback approached him, followed by Fanboy. Both of them cheer in awe. “So does that make you the number one now?”
Somehow Hangman looked busy playing with his favorite tooth pick, putting it between his lips. Grinning like an idiot. “I’m always the number one, gentlemen. I’m always the number one.”
“Totally rascal.” Phoenix mumbled under her breath, avoiding the crowd from a far. The corner of her eyes catches a glimpse of unusual expression from Bob’s always-stern face. “Bob?”
“Ah–yeah?”
The female aviator hummed in a long breath. “Do you think it's a fair win? Do you think he might be… cheating?”
“We can assume from the cockpit recording we listened to that it might be a bit of chance Hangman used his old and dirty trick on Capt. Maverick. It’s just… whatever reason that made Capt. Maverick took the bait… required more explanation.”
“A very nice observation, as usual.” Phoenix turned to stare at Bob directly. Both of her arms encircled right on her chest. She looked serious. “Bob, is there… is there something that you haven’t told me yet? Aside from the flying business, of course.”
The younger pilot blinked two times before tucking on his glasses again. Another sign of his nervousness. Phoenix smirked. “Whatever it is then let me know if you get the answers.” She patted Bob’s back and flew away.
Bob’s eyes are still fixed on Hangman. He watched from such a distance how the cocky pilot waved his hand at him. A little shy smile curved on Bob’s face.
—-----
Hangman decided to celebrate this victory by throwing a little party with the squad. He brought 3 crates of beer, pizza, and even ordered his favorite sushi from the pub he reserved. The small pub is located across their naval station. The boys showed up on time and immediately congratulated him.
Hangman clicked his bottle with everyone though there was an uneasy look on his face during the crowd. People from his squad and different barracks come and go. Still no sign from the one he waited for since lunch break.
It all paid off when Bob finally walked in 45 minutes late to the party. "Uh.. sorry guys, I was trying to ask Phoenix to come along but she said she can't come over here..."
"Don’t you know there is another part of earth where being late is considered… a crime?” The party owner greeted Bob by himself, looking unamused. Bob, for the umpteenth time in a day, tucking his glasses to hide his guilt. “Aww, it’s okay, baby. I’m not mad. Just give me a quick message if you couldn’t make it on time. I’m afraid you might have lost your way or some monster stole you away from me.”
Bob rolls his eyes. “Sorry, you know Phoenix. She still–emm–”
“I get it, Bob. It takes time. But, you know I’m not a patient man.” He winks while grinning. Stupidly handsome, Bob admits. “A kiss on the cheek is enough.”
“In your dream.” Bob passes Hangman and heads to the cake table. “You will learn to be one.”
“Well, well. Take as much as time you need, baby, and you know I'll be here to welcome you."
Bob replied to Hangman's sweet nothings with a soft smile, letting the blonde pilot throw his arm around him and leading him inside. He beamed with joy as he was served with soda and cookies which Hangman kept from everyone. "Payback and Fanboy cleaned up the whole table but of course I prepared these special treats for my special baby on board."
Hangman winked at the younger pilot and rolled the toothpick between his lips as they curved into a playful smirk.
The night was still long although the silence starts to creep in. Only a few men stayed for a while, including the party owner, some bar staff and of course Bob. The alcohol currently affected Hangman’s soberness. Whenever he watched the younger aviator moved his hips to help the bar staff cleaning the floor, he let out a silly giggle. He put the half-empty beer back to the counter table, made a small hop and sneaks behind Bob’s back.
“Got you.”
Bob yelped when he felt a pair of warm palms touch the exposed skin below his pelvic bone.
“Jake! What are you doing?” Bob hisses.
A warm breath of half drunk man tickled Bob’s nape. “Nobody sees us, baby.”
“The camera does, Hangman. Take your naughty hands off of me.”
Hangman grunted annoyingly but he listened to what he was ordered to. Letting his left cheek leaned on Bob’s shoulder. His arms encircled around the bewildered boy’s waist. “Don’t you want to know how I won from the legendary aviator, Maverick, nay, Bob? Aren’t you curious?”
Pause. Bob hugged the mop stick tightly, successfully creating a big frown between Hangman’s thick eyebrows. “Does that stick feel better than being cuddled by a real person, Bob?” He continues, minding his own problem–having a very stiff boyfriend is a real hassle. Pouting like a baby. “Okay, if that’s what you want. I’ll keep locking you like this until you say something. Anyway, once you told me about Rooster and Mav, I think… they might have been into something.”
Now it’s Bob’s turn to get a little curious, “What is it?”
“Well, you finally speak, oh baby Bob. You’re so cute.” Hangman mumbled while pinching Bob’s wobbly cheek and giving it a quick peck of kiss. "Remember when I was madly infatuated with you and my brain circuit broke? Not literally, just metaphorically.”
“Ever since I’ve known you, you’ve been acting like a mad dog.” The only reply Bob gets from his as-a-matter-of-fact answer is Hangman’s laugh. Bob cleared his throat before continuing, “So, you mean Capt. Maverick is in his love-struck phase? At this age? And you're also saying that he falls for Rooster so hard to the point that it distracted him from the training yesterday?”
Hangman's wiggled eyebrows and his usual clown-like grin rang a bell inside Bob’s brain though it took him a few minutes to process the whole random puzzle. "Dang it, Hang. You're right!"
“Ohh, the puppy is getting so excited now.” Hangman moved his arms sideways, freeing Bob from his prison. It created a small space between them. Before Hangman decided to continue harassing his precious little baby, he suddenly changed into serious mode. “Actually, Maverick was just this far from my tail. He did his usual acrobatic G’s to lure us, like we are some kind of fish. However, whatever crossed his mind back there, he seemed to forget that not only me who’s on the air. So, I did my trick and lure him back beyond the sunlight. The same trick he did to me when we trained for the first time. He took my bait and that’s it. It’s unusual for a Maverick to emotionally make an impulsive move even for an unimportant task, especially when we’re on board. That’s not his everyday version.”
Bob bit his inner cheek, thinking so hard. Hangman caught the look and sighed. “Let’s not think too much, Bob. From my very humble opinion, and experience also, what needs to be done for such a dilly-dally case of love is just a little fire.”
“What a pyromaniac.” Bob grumbled in a low tune mocking voice. “So, you’re suggesting instead of giving them space to melt the situation, we mess it up more?”
“Aww, my cute little baby has grown so well now. I think I might have influenced you.”
A strange little noise of concern came out under Bob’s nose. Even the mop stick fell to the floor.
Two big hands touched the same area of Bob’s skin but they’re now facing each other. A slight mischievous smirk tag along with a quick hand maneuver. Bob couldn’t run from this grasp even though he tried to wiggle or yelp. Yes, Hangman was right. Nobody would know whatever had happened.
Then, a husky sexy breath left a kiss to mark its winning trophy. Right on Bob’s jugular vein.
“I might be spoiled way too much by my parents but one thing for sure I always remember from their lesson is–” Hangman's muscular arms locked Bob’s movement entirely. “–never waste any food or drinks. Bob, the night is still long. It’s Sunday tomorrow and they give us a day off. So, why don’t we just–enjoy the rest of the night alone?”
“Y-you want me to get drunk, don’t you?”
Hangman flashed a wide grin at Bob and it's too attractive for Bob to ignore, blurring his judgmental mind set.
“The little Robert is wayyyy more sexy when he is drunk.” Hangman whispered, giving another present. Bob believed the hickeys won’t disappear for at least a week now. “I still remember your naughty lap dance, Bob.”
“T-THAT WASN’T A LAP DANCE!” Bob exclaimed in embarrassment "W-well, at least t-that's what Rooster told me.."
"Ah, ah, that's another thing I've been wondering… why did you let him give you a lap dance anyway?! Especially as a lesson!" Hangman puckered his lips to a pout and gave a quick peck on Bob's lips, "You know what? Let's forget about it now. I'll teach you everything you need to know and more about pleasure..."
The blonde pilot whispered against Bob's ear while he grabbed Bob’s arm to lead him upstairs. Bob couldn’t hide both the excitement and nervousness in his head. Touching by Hangman, gave him undefined addiction to his body. It’s neither good nor bad. He enjoyed it anyway.
“W-wait, Jake!”
“Hm?”
“If–if you help me–us–to fix that love-struck syndrome from Captain Maverick, I’ll–erm–do it. Tonight. I mean–yeah. If you help us, with a promise.”
Hangman rolled his eyes, “What’s so good about interfering with our teacher’s and comrade’s relationship, Bob? Just let them fix their own things alone.”
“You don’t get the bigger picture, Jake. That problem can’t be allowed to stay in Mav's head. It’s either putting us into a bigger catastrophe or Rooster might have lost his love forever.” Bob hurriedly argued. “We must do something.”
An annoying click sound came between Hangman’s perfect teeth. “Why do you care so much about them? Especially toward Rooster? It’s not like I get jelly or what–it’s just–”
“Cause that's who I am, Jake. The one who stands far from the light, unlike you, Phoenix, Rooster or even Fanboy. I care about you–us–our friends. And teachers.” Bob sighed and tried to calm his breath. “Let’s just say, if Captain Maverick lost his state of mind in the air then it will affect his performance when we are on mission again. It could endanger me or you. Does it make sense now?”
“Son-of–all right! So, what do you want me to do then?”
Bob shrugged his shoulders, “Put the fire on the gasoline? Just like you said earlier.”
“That’s so cryptic. I’ll think about it later–but first–you have to keep your promise. A deal is a deal.” Hangman winked, pulling Bob’s arm when he opened the room’s door.
“A deal is a deal.” Bob repeated. “Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
“Hmm… I can't agree with you for that one… this night will be kept in my memory and heart forever, Bob.” Hangman closed the door quietly and they ended up spending the whole night in the private room in the pub until Sunday afternoon.
—-------------------------------------------------------------
“Happy birthday to me!”
After the hectic training schedules and muscle-tensing G’s, some of the students had not yet left the studying room. Phoenix, Bob and Coyote created a small barricade around their instructor to discuss the science of gravity that needed to be applied for the next potential mission. Mav was stunned by Bob’s mini lecture and sometimes smiled wholeheartedly to reply to them, nodding in agreement. Oh, how Mav loved to be around his junior aviators.
Nevertheless, there’s always this one ice-breaker and its natural enemy. Mind their own business.
“What's all this for, Hangman?” asked Rooster half confused. He was about to leave his seat after staring too long at Mav. But, Hangman blocked the exit door, a bottle of soda in his left hand and plastic cup in his right.
“Happy birthday to me?”
“I believe it’s not your birth–”
“Tsk tsk, not too fast, cowboy. Now, get back to your seat. Nobody leaves this room until you all get a cup of this soda.”
“I don’t drink soda.” Rooster answered straightforwardly.
The so-called birthday boy faked a pout. “I said back to your seat, Rooster.” he gave a threatening look at Rooster.
Bob was the first to notice the plan. He frowned a little bit at first, questioning what kind of put fire on the gasoline that Hangman would initiate. He slides his hands inside his pocket, pretending to play innocent. Phoenix caught the gesture.
“Bob?” she whispered, sometimes she had to turn her head to listen to Maverick’s speech.
“Uh–what?”
The boy kept shaking his head, flustered.
“Oh hello my fellow aviators and to you too, Captain Mitchell. I’m sorry for being the winner at our last dogfighting training.”
Mav blinked a couple times before giving his cheerful response, as always. “Oh, that win is yours, Seresin. You deserve it. I got… distracted for a moment.”
Nail it–Hangman thought. “Still, I’m very honored to finally steal that rare chance from our beloved Maverick.” Hangman cocked his head at Rooster to tease him. “Anyway, Mav and to you all my buddies–”
“That’s gross, Hangman.” Phoenix looked unamused, arms crossed. “You look like you’re planning something for us, with that stupid smile on your face.”
“But I’m handsome, that’s all that matters, Phoenix. Don’t you agree with me, Bob?” Hangman winked at Bob. The boy hummed without staring back at Hangman. “Still shy as always. Cute. Ah–so, I want to celebrate my win with some of you here ‘cuz I didn't get to invite all of you to the pub. Would you mind sharing a toast with me, the birthday boy, but of course it’s soda since we’re still inside the academy building? Mav?”
Rooster rolled his eyes for the umpteenth time. He knew Mav would never say no since… he’s too nice to his apprentices. Maybe to everyone, but not at him–yet.
“Well, sure if it makes you feel happy. Happy birthday, Lieutenant Seresin.”
“Great! Now, all of you–you too, Rooster–come here you champ.”
A weird eye code from Hangman was directed to Coyote, who got up quickly and approached Rooster, pulling him to join their little crowd. Phoenix seemed annoyed and she was ready to hop off when Bob held her off, whispering something in her ear. A surprised expression was shown on her face.
Coyote handed out the plastic cups to each person inside the room.
Hangman pops the bottle open, flashing an evil grin as some soda spilled to Rooster’s thighs, earning a groan from the facial haired man. He then turned to Mav who smiled at him. Another idea popped in his head as he poured the soda into Mav's cup. "Anyway, this victory of mine means I'm two steps ahead from you…"
"What does it mean? You just beat me yesterday. Don't boost your ego too high, Seresin." Mav frowned in confusion as his blonde student chuckled confidently.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk.. not only I beat you in the air, I also beat you on the land. I've got a boyfriend to celebrate my victory, and you… hmm…" Hangman raised his eyebrow at Mav and shook his head in fake pity for his teacher.
“What?! Boyf—oomph.” Phoenix couldn’t finish her words because Bob closed her mouth right away.
Coyote blew a naughty whistle.
Mav—and everyone in the room—is too stunned to speak at Hangman's brazenness. Well, he's always been bold and ready to tease everyone with his words, but none of them expected him to do it to The Maverick.
Even Maverick took a few seconds to process Hangman's bold words until he flashed a weak smile at him. "Well, I hope I'll find the luck and bravery to talk to— whoa!" The shorter man yelped as the soda started leaking from the fulfilled plastic cup. Hangman seemed to put so much interest in his words while pouring the red liquid.
“Oh my, oh my, my bad. Oh my God. Mav, I’m so sorry. I’ll take the napkin or–” Hangman grabbed a handkerchief he kept in his pocket, rubbing the stain on Mav's chest though it smeared the liquid all over his uniform instead, especially when he looked like he just roamed his hand all over Mav's chest. He could feel a pair of eyes glaring at his back but he didn't stop until Mav grabbed the cloth and held it himself.
"That's... fine, Seresin. Really. I.. uh, well, I can take this suit off. My place is not too far from here for me to walk around in shorts?" Mav tried to humor the situation even though he only earned a few low chuckles from the nervous young pilots.
"Actually, Sir, we are allowed to have spare clothes in the locker room. I already used mine though, so I don't have any..." Bob chimed in, offering a solution to break the awkward silence. Hangman beamed in surprise and joy hearing the idea.
"I have two pairs of clothes. Bagman can't hold a soda well enough to not spill it on my pants." Rooster grumbled and walked past Mav, signaling the Captain to follow him.
As soon as the two pilots walked out, Hangman put down the soda and tapped Bob's glasses with his finger. "I see we're starting to share the same track of mind, baby…" he chuckled as his boyfriend just responded with a low grunt and blush on his face. He turned to Payback who's been keeping a distance from Phoenix and avoiding her glare at him. "The next step is yours, Payback. Put in some work too and I'll throw more complimentary parties for your hard work!"
The taller man rolled his eyes and practically dragged both Fanboy and Coyote along with him to the locker room. "The plan is we gotta watch the door and make sure nobody is in or out until they both come out." Payback told his plan in a whisper to his friends.
"Man, that sounds exhausting. How are we gonna say no if… say, Cyclone trying to get in the room?" Coyote grumbled as he remembered vividly that time he tried to cover for Hangman's trick and ended up doing 100 push ups for standing up to Cyclone's order.
Fanboy listened to his friends with a frown on his face. By the time they reached the locker room, he leaned against the wall and mumbled. "Why don't we lock the door from the outside so we don't have to deal with anyone until they're both done?"
Coyote snapped his head at the shorter pilot, grinning from ear to ear. "Someone's been binge watching rom-com series and trying to apply the idea here…" he hummed and pulled out a pin from his pocket, crouching down to turn it around in the keyhole.
“I wish we can witness whatever they’re gonna do inside.” Coyote mumbled. Both Payback and Fanboy shared the same facial expression. “What? Aren’t you curious?”
“Man, I’ll lend you my rom-com collection and after that you’ll end up regretting what you just said.” Fanboy muttered, patting Coyote’s back. “C’mon. Let the magic make its miracle.”
—————————————————————
The awkward silence filled the empty space. To be honest, Rooster hated it.
This room's usually filled with people. But it's just him, Mav and the pitter patter of the air conditioning in the room.
Mav gave him another silent treatment but in a different case. Rooster cursed his selfishness. He should've known the words he said only worsened everything.
Everything had been fixed since the mission. Now, they're back to square one.
Mav waited until the younger Bradshaw closed his locker. Even a small push could create such an inconvenient loud bang. He put the spare uniform on top of the bench.
Rooster can barely look at Mav's eyes. "Aren't you gonna take off that wet soaked shirt?"
"Oh–ah, yes. You're right."
Mav's hands trembled as he unbuttoned his shirt, it's such a rare sight for Maverick got the jitters.
Rooster sighed and stepped closer to him, offering his help. "I'm sorry, Mav. I really am. If my words distracted you and your instinct then please forget it." He helped Mav unbutton his shirt one by one, his eyes staring at the ground with guilt flashed all over his face. "You've done your best and given your all to protect me and I have no right to ask for more. So, uhm.. please just get over what I said, okay? F-for me. For everyone."
Mav lifted his chin to look at the man in front of him. But all he saw was a broken boy crying for his mercy–for sins that he never conducted. He also noticed the hidden tears in his eyes though Rooster flashed them out quickly. Mav held his chest, right at his dog tag.
The smile faded as he pulled his hands off Mav. As if… Mav had just broken his fragile heart with his silence.
"I'll wait outside."
A gush of shame created a tornado inside Mav's mind. He blinked a couple times before realizing he just made another same mistake. If Goose was still alive, he might have hit his head or bombed him with a lot of speech. He rushed out towards the door but only found a confused look from the younger man.
"It's locked. The door. Shit, I forgot to bring my cellphone. I think we must wait until somebody comes over and finds out. Pretty sure everyone is waiting for us at the hall anyway." Rooster sat down on the bench as he explained the situation. But he caught an unreadable expression from Mav. “Mav?”
“Rooster—Bradley…” With a loose and unbuttoned shirt, Mav approached Rooster. His facial features showed deep pain. “—I—I—I’m sorry. I—never wanted to hurt you, ever. I’ve promised to—to—Goose that I’ll protect you at any cost. I—“
“It’s okay, Mav. You’ve explained everything I wanted to hear. No hard feelings.”
“No!” Mav screamed, creating an echo through the room. He lashed out at himself, not at Rooster. “No, Bradley. No. I—I feel so honored for being loved by you. Nothing in my life that I ever feel grateful for other than seeing you in happiness. I really am.” Mav held his breath and gulped. “But I have failed you, Bradley. I—I've hurt you. Leaving you alone—for years. I—“
The tremor was hard to ignore. Not only from Mav’s vocal cord but his hands. He hid them close to where his heart was beating. The avoidance clearly was visible as if he was a blatant sinner.
Rooster felt a big blob had blocked his air passage. He couldn’t speak or move.
“—I’m scared. For all these years, after—after Goose—I've been trying to fight this fear. But I couldn’t. And I’m still drowning in that same nightmare.”
Rooster never imagined that he would see Maverick in his most fragile phase in life. Seeing Mav engrossed too deep into his own fear only left another scar for Rooster. It’s no time to think, he persuaded himself.
Just do it, don’t think.
All he remembered next was how sweet Mav’s lips were and his hands grabbed on Mav's opened collar shirt.
Life is such a puzzle. Once it's complete, another challenge came to break it apart. It's always a matter of time to replace them back again. Over and over again. For Mav, the past that haunted him for decades had corrupted a part of his entire pieces slowly. He was broken, pretty much torn. He kept living and moved forward due to an abstract power he thought he no longer possessed. Ever since Goose. A past that couldn't be forgotten. A sin.
Life is a mystery. He thought by leaping a distance from the source of the light, he'd be forever protected. The truth was none other than embracing the love itself. The source of the power. That love usually came from unwanted places, people or particular events.
Mav only had two options; pushing Rooster away, or accepting the open invitation. He looked into the depth of the younger pilot's eyes, wondering if the boy would regret this. Yet, the fierce and strong glare in Rooster's brown eyes reminded him of his old self. The fire that once young Maverick used to have.
Two warm palms slide in to reach Mav's spine. "There’s still time to turn me down and this entire thing never happens, Pete."
Mav chuckles weakly, “Do I have other options left though?”
“If it’s about time then we probably only have a couple minutes. Someone must notice the locked door.”
For a while, Mav carefully observed the younger Bradshaw’s facial contour. Every line that sculptured his strong feature, ran downward to his mandible. It’s too hard not to compare them with Goose’s. The curly hair was perhaps the subtle difference between the father and son’s appearance.
“You still can’t forget my old man. That’s why you’re entrapped too long in your own prison of mind. But the one you're facing right now is Bradley, Mav. Not Nick. This person is alive. Here…” Roos put Mav’s palm right on his chest. “Can you feel it?”
“Oh God, Bradley. I’m sorry, yes—yes. I’m sorry. I don't mean to compare you with Goose. I'm just… quite not used to this strange feeling. It's nice but also frightening."
Rooster left a quick chaste kiss on Mav's cheek. "Then follow your instinct." He kept his hands on Mav's waist, clutching on the fabric of the flight suit even though he could just rip it off Mav easily. But no, he wanted Mav to be comfortable with him “So, what are we gonna do now, Mav?”
“Is there any particular thing we should do?” Mav asked with an innocent tone, unbelievably cute. Roos only replied with a hush whisper right at Mav’s ear that made the older aviator laugh. “I’m not sure but we can get to know each other closer for now.”
It took Mav a few moments to realize what Rooster meant when he felt the brunette's hands sneaking into his flight suit, unzipping it even lower to his ankle. He gulped a little when he felt Rooster's hands brushed against his butt as he stripped him off the suit completely.
Fuck, he felt like a nervous virgin boy about to get laid for the first time.
Dammit, Maverick. Don't embarrass yourself. He thought to himself and put a hand on Rooster's broad chest to stop the boy from tearing off his shirt. "Wait! I don't... I don't think this is the right way..." he shook his head. He noticed the desperate and disappointed look on Rooster's face. He glanced down and tried to keep his serious look as he got a glimpse of the big bulge in the younger pilot's shorts.
"Ah— it's okay if you want to stop now. I can—"
"It wouldn't be fair if I'm the only one being stripped naked here." Mav blurted out the words loud and clear, earning a little scoff from Rooster.
"Well, let's say it's time for you to learn how to wait for someone's decision.." Rooster chuckled and began to unzip his flight suit, grabbing the hem of his shirt and pulling it off him. Both of them were in their shorts now.
The tension was quite high when Rooster grabbed Mav's hips and sat him on his lap, brushing their lips together.
It started out a gentle kiss, as if Rooster didn't want to rush things with him. But Mav knew it wasn't the gentleness that they wanted, not after everything they went through. His fingers traced Rooster's shoulder to the hair on the back of his neck.
His lips were soft and parted slightly, allowing Rooster's tongue to slip inside. As the kiss deepened, he could feel Rooster's teeth and shared in the sweet taste of soda on his tongue. Mav straightened his back and let Rooster's hands move down to his butt, squeezing it firmly before he practically ripped the fabric of Mav's underpants. Rooster is greedy for him and Mav would be more than happy to give him what he's been craving for.
Mav let out a shaky moan, a sound he didn't know he could hear from himself as he could feel Rooster's fingers dug into his skin, gripping his ass hard enough to leave some marks on his skin.
He was about to roam his hands on Rooster's bulge when they heard a loud bang on the door, causing both of them to get up and look at each other with horrified and panicked looks. They scrambled up and put on their clothes quickly, knowing the door will be opened anytime soon.
Coyote was banging the door one more time to warn Mav and Rooster before he stood up and gave a salute to Cyclone, who looked like he was ready to yell at him for making the loud noises. "What the hell are you doing in front of this locker room?!" He stared the lieutenant down and glanced at the door.
"Pardon me, Sir. I was trying to get my stuff from my locker but it looks like the door is locked. So I tried to knock on the door."
"By banging on it?"
"Yes, Sir."
Cyclone shot another glare at Coyote before he turned to Payback and Fanboy, who had been looking down to avoid him since he was heading towards them. "And what are you two doing here?"
"We were trying to help Coyote to open the door, Sir."
The Admiral rubbed his temple before he reached for some keys in his pocket. "I don't know what you're hiding from me. But if it's something illegal or troublesome, I will send all of you to Hondo for 100 push ups." He warned the three young pilots as he unlocked the door, flinging it open.
His eyes widened at the sight before him. Rooster was on his knees in front of Maverick who was unzipping his flight suit.
Nobody said a single thing until Maverick stepped closer to Cyclone, offering a polite smile and began to explain the situation, "... I spilled some drink on my suit and Rooster offered to lend me his suit. He also helped me to make it fit, because, you know, he's two or three sizes bigger than I am." He pointed at the rolled up suit around his ankles.
The Admiral glanced between Maverick and Rooster back and forth a few times before he exhaled softly, "You're a man of many skills, Maverick. But lying is not one of them. I'll wait for your reports in my office." he stated with a clenched jaw and turned to Coyote, Payback, and Fanboy who were joined by Hangman and Bob as well. He glared at all of them. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Maverick let out a heavy sigh after the young pilots ran off, leaving him with Rooster. He shrugged and gestured at the door. "Well, I need to deliver the report now. I'll see you at the Hard Deck?" He gave a short smile as Rooster nodded. He patted the younger man's arm and walked out.
Rooster, still overwhelmed by everything that happened, put his hand over his face as soon as Mav was gone from his sight. He headed back to the hangar, planning to get some drinks. He hadn't even reached the door when he heard the familiar voice behind him.
"A round of drinks at the bar would be acceptable 'thank you' for all of us. Oh and some snacks for Bob, too, since he doesn't drink but he gave me a lot of ideas for the plan." Hangman flashed his signature grin and rolled his toothpick in his mouth. He took a few steps closer to Rooster and walked side by side with him. "What drink should I spill on Mav for your next... session? I promise for the next one, I'll tell my hands to behave."
"If you pull that stunt on Mav again, I would personally ask Hondo to give you a thousand pushups and counting."
The blonde young pilot chuckled and turned to Bob, who looked like he'd been through some interrogation from Phoenix.
If he ever heard the question about family from Mav again, he knew Mav would find the answer himself. In this family they found together here.
"So, see you soon, Lieutenant?"
Hangman's lazy wave was the last thing Rooster saw before he decided to end this chaotic yet revealing day. He couldn't hide his little amusement when his memory played back the scenes inside that locker room. He also could hear the small whisper Mav told him. "Wait for me at the usual garage."
Oh, what a day. Luckily, Rooster keeps the stache so he could hide that stupid smirk all over his face a little bit. Just a little bit.
However, beyond the excitement, he's reminded about the price of all this ruckus. Rooster noticed the beginning of a new hellish day when his cell phone vibrated.
From : Bagman
'Ms. Penny's bar. Saturday, 9.30 p.m. Don't forget to bring cash, ;)
Rooster used to believe that he is a man with a scripted scenario. His entire life is a play that has been planned well. But, Maverick entered his life and destroyed the path. It's all about an impromptu, an unscripted orchestra of Rooster's — and Maverick's — life.
Yet somehow, that's how a true love story usually starts. From an impromptu.