Archive of Our Own

“You seriously cannot tell me that you’ve never seen any of the Marvel movies and just expect to go see Infinity War and not get the references,” you hear one pilot tell his colleagues as you sit at one of the booths studying for your bar exam.

Penny, while you had befriended since arriving to the small naval town, approaches you with more fries and a refill on your water. “Ah. Sounds like Fanboy is ready to give the squad a lesson.”

“Is that really his callsign? Fanboy?” You ask chuckling.

“You’ll see why…” Penny says with a wink before walking away.

“Jake… Bradshaw… at least tell me you’ve seen The Avengers!”

You close your books and save your notes on your tablet and give this conversation your full attention.

It must be your desire to make new friends or the shot of tequila you had that made you walk over to the group.

“Now I understand why you’re called Fanboy,” you say in a lull of the conversation as the other two pilots try to keep up with their friend’s monologue on the MCU.

Three pairs of eyes turn their attention to you, not having noticed when you reached them.

The once talkative WSO, you soon learn, has a slight flush to his cheeks.

“But if you’re going to talk about the MCU you can’t forget the One-Shots” You wink at the officer as you invite the trio over to your booth to talk some more.

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3.5 Years Ago: The Meeting (of families)

You wave at Mickey as he approaches in his car to pick you up for your first road trip. His girlfriend sits in the front with him.

“Where’s everyone else? I thought Reuben was riding with us too,” you ask.

“They’re driving down later. Mav had them stay for a few more drills. And Bob got sick. Bad flu.”

You pout and make a note to send Bob a text and order some groceries to be delivered to him. “Aww. Okay. At least I’ll have Bethany to make fun of you with me.”

The both of you settle into a comfortable silence as the bags are all rearranged into the trunk.

“Mickey… I know part of this trip we’ll go visit my hometown. Of course I can't wait to show you where I grew up… especially after hearing all the stories I've been telling you for six months now.”

Mickey chuckles but then you continue. “My ma… she reads too much into things and she knows you have a girlfriend but please don’t get offended if she insinuates anything about you and me.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “She sounds just like my ma.“ Mickey offers you a hug before you both get into the car.

You happily greet Bethany as she get like she had become a friend of yours. You don’t notice the unhappy look Bethany has as you both get back in the car.

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Halfway through the trip, Bethany can’t take it anymore and she argues with you in front of the rest of the squad as you all are having drinks and relaxing by the pool of the rental house you’re staying in.

“Just stay away from Mickey! Don’t bother coming in the car with us. You’re trying to break us up. I know you want him!” Her speech is slurred showing everyone how drunk she is.

“I’m sorry Bethany. I would never want to come between a relationship. Mickey loves YOU.”

The slap is sudden and leaves you at a loss for words. Natasha and Jake are immediately at your side making sure you’re okay.

“LIAR! I know you wanna sleep with him! Well you can’t! He’s mine! We’re going to get married and you’ll never be in his life!”

Bradley and Mickey have to drag her away and get her sobered up.

Your heart breaks at the sight of Mickey. Not because you couldn’t be with him. And not because he didn’t love you in a romantic way. Your heart broke because you knew that his relationship with Bethany changed at that moment and so did your friendship with him.

You knew you had to put his happiness before yours so that moment you decided to limit your friendship with him. The tightness in your chest increases and breathing becomes harder to do. You take quick, shallow breathes as your hands start shaking.

Jake notices you’re struggling and about to have a panic attack. “Hey darlin’. Breathe with me. In and out. In and out.” He coaches you through your breathing. “There we go,” he says once you’ve calmed down.

Natasha brings you a cup of water as she rubs your back. “Come on. Let’s head up to our room and just watch movies.”

The next day Reuben rode with Mickey and Bethany, while you piled in with Nat, Bradley, Jake and, Javy.

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They say Disney is the happiest place on Earth. But not to you. The happiest place on earth is in your ma’s kitchen having coffee and guava pastelitos from the local bakery once you reach your hometown of Miami.

“Ma. Please don’t say anything to Mickey about the fight. He’s still coming but… he’s hurting since Bethany just left the trip a few days after everything happened.”

“Of course my love. Now it’s your sister that’ll be asking a million questions and say anything she can to turn him red.”

You groan at that. “What if we give her enough food to put her in a food coma?”

Your mom laughs. “Ahh. You know you love her… And you love Mickey.”

“That’s why papa always told me boys and girls could never be just friends… I miss him. We both know he’d be taking Mickey fishing down to The Keys and pretend he doesn’t like him.” You stand up and start making sure the guest rooms are all ready for the rowdy bunch that will soon be arriving.

“You should talk to him,” you hear you mom say as she helps you fluff the pillows.

“Ma. If either of us does or says anything that could ruin our friendship… I’ll be fine… but we’ll both be breaking more hearts than mine.”

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3 Years Ago: Feelings Are Revealed

Fridays always mean movie night. Well, except today.

This whole week you've been exhausted and were unsure why. Today, though, you woke up with a fever and body aches. You groan as you accept reality that the flu has hit you. Grabbing your phone, you call your superior officer and inform them that you’ll be out sick.

You then text the squad that you’ll be canceling movie night.

You: hey gang... I hate to do this, but we need to cancel movie night today. I have the flu. 🤒

Roos: Feel better! Let me know if you need any snacks! 🫐🧇

Javy : Aww! That’s her excuse to not watch the horror movie I picked!🤪😜

Bob: I can make you some soup 🍲 my mama taught me. I have a free day today.

You: Robert Floyd! You’re the sweetest. 😍😍

The group chat is left abandoned as they continue to reply when Mickey calls you. He insists on still coming over. When he hears you coughing and struggling to speak of exhaustion he decides to text you.

Mickey✈️: Friday's are always movie night. No germ 🦠 will stop me. I'll go over and take care of you cariño.

Mickey✈️: Pick out what you like. I don't care as long as you're here. I'll be there at 6 sharp. Rest up amor and let me take care of you.

Your reply is an incoherent jumble of letters. You’re so out of it you don’t pick up on the terms of endearment in Mickey’s texts.

After spending the majority of the day coughing and sleeping, you get up to take a shower to freshen up.

Thinking you might still be sleeping, Mickey lets himself in with the key you gave him to your place.

He makes his way to the kitchen with the bags of groceries he bought to make you his mom’s caldo de pollo.

“Mick?” You call out before a coughing fit hits you as you make your way down the hall after your shower.

“Here amor,” he responds and you notice the sounds of pot and pans being used. “Nope nope. You my friend are going to be spoiled and your only job is to watch the movie and let me take care of you,” Mickey tells you as he greets you with a kiss on your forehead. “Fever gone down?”

You nod contently having this friendly but still intimate moment with him. You don’t recall the specific moment when or how you developed feelings for Mickey.

Once the movie starts, Mickey’s groan makes you chuckle.

“This movie again? I tell her to pick a movie and guess what? Surprise, surprise. Ain't that nice. Same old chick flick, Eighteenth time,” Mickey teases.

Sleepily you smile up at him. “Shut it… You love watching the movies cuz you love me.”

When he notices your breathing has deepened he quietly admits his feelings. “Yeah, I do.”

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He didn’t just spend Friday night taking care of you. No. He stayed the weekend and only would leave your side when Nat or Bob came over to bring food.

Reuben even stopped by to come have guy time with him.

“You guys should have an honest conversation about your feelings. I know you’re both still reeling from the trip and Bethany leaving you… You two are a couple. You’re soulmates.”

Mickey thinks about Reuben’s word. He knows his colleague would never purposely set him on the wrong course.

Once you’re feeling better a few days later, Mickey comes over with pizza and beers. He gives you the tightest hug he’s ever given you. “Hey… I was hoping we could talk.”

“Just the words any girl likes to hear.”

Mickey shuffles his feet nervously before going to get some paper towels for you two.

“Cariño… I need you to know I could never be mad at you for the events of the trip. How Bethany treated you was far from okay and she knows and recognizes that.”

You nod. “She called me and we talked everything out. I told her I could never resent her for how she felt because her feelings, though misguided, are valid.”

Mickey’s shoulders relax and his whole body deflates, releasing the tension he was keeping in. “That’s… Wow! You really are my perfect friend. It’s why… Bethany was right about us. She and I were never going to really last. Not when my heart already belonged to someone else.”

Before you can ask him to expand, he leans in and places a gentle kiss on your lips.

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2.5 Years Ago: Separate Ways… But Not By Choice

It had been three months since you and Mickey decided to take the next step in your relationship. Three months of bliss and of normal dates with you both being based out of Key West.

Three months was all you got before Mickey got called back to Top Gun. You only felt a bit of calm knowing that the rest of the Dagger Squad was also called back.

The days before his departure pass by quickly. You request a morning off from work to spend it with him before he leaves.

“Amor. I’ll be back in a couple months. We’ll email… I’ll sneak a way to FaceTime with you,” Mickey says peppering you with kisses and wrapping his arms around your waist. “I love you.”

You gasp softly and your eyes fill with happy tears.

It wasn’t the first time he told you he loved you. Even as just friends, you both often told each other “I love you.”

But this time. You knew how he meant it and it made it so special and hauntingly beautiful.

“Te amo Mickey,” you reply before he kisses you deeply.

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Unfortunately, Mickey's deployment in California had been extended for 10 more months. You hated being away from each other for that long but you both understood the other's responsibilities.

That didn't stop you from taking a week to fly out to San Diego and surprise Mickey.

"Amor. I miss you and the rest of the squad... I know you're going to be with the gang at The Hard Deck. Think we can FaceTime so I can at least say hi to them?"

"Do you really want to see their faces? I only want you to miss me," he teases.

"I do... But who am I going to bribe to tell me embarrassing stories of you and Reuben?"

"Hey!" yelled out Reuben as he heard you. "I never embarrass myself."

"Sure Reuben. Mhmm. I believe you," you reply laughing.

Mickey shakes his head and laughs. "Okay. I'll call you when I get to the bar so you can experience walking in with me."

Hours later you sat with your sister in the same booth you sat the first day you met Mickey. You made sure that she covered you.

For as much as you hid, you just couldn't escape the watchful eye of a green-eyed aviator. His smile widened and he made his way towards you.

"Fangirl... As I live and breathe."

"Hangman. You look... good."

Jake laughs and hugs you. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprise! But don't tell Mickey! I have a whole week pla-" you shriek and push Jake away when your phone rings and you see that Mickey is FaceTiming you. "Shoo Jake! We'll catch up later!"

Laughing and shaking his head, he walks towards Penny at the bar to order more beers.

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Your sister is your lookout as you greet Mickey. She makes sure he doesn’t see you both as your sister gestures to Jake and Bradley to cover you both as you make your way to stand behind Mickey.

“Why is your camera moving so much?” He asks.

“It’s just hard to get comfortable when I can’t hug you,” you say.

You can see him sigh sadly. “I know. I wish I could have you here. I’ve missed you.”

“Awww! Is that why he’s called Fanboy? Cuz he’s a fan of yours?” Reuben says coming on screen.

“And I’m a fan of his,” you say as you wrap your arms around him from behind. You laugh as you feel him jump in surprise.

The group erupts in cheers when Mickey lifts you in a hug and spins you around before setting you down to kiss you. "Carpet ride, starry nights... There's no way I don't kiss the girl."

"Hi stranger," you say through a fit of giggles. 

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1 Year Ago: Last Minute Road Trip

3am. Mickey dared to wake you up at 3am telling you to pack a bag for a road trip and that he’d pick you up immediately after work. Not once throughout the day did he tell you where you would be going.

What he didn’t tell you was that he was having Natasha and Bradley pack additional bags for you after you left.

Arriving at the hotel you’ll be staying for the evening, Mickey helps you unload your bag and the snacks you both bought.

“Do you think we have enough snacks for the trip?” Mickey asks.

“First of all… How hungry are you? Secondly… How many more snacks do we need? All the snacks are using up one of the back passenger seats!” You exclaim laughing.

“Let’s see who is the first one to go digging into the snacks,” Mickey replies with a smirk and a soft pat on your butt.

“Lieutenant Garcia!” You call out.

He laughs and kisses you softly. “Te amo.”

“Te amo,” you reply back as you wrap your arms around him.

“So where are we going and how far from the hotel are we going?” You ask as soon as set your bags down in the room.

“A magical land that makes dreams come true… And… well okay Disneyland but only because the Avengers campus opens tomorrow and I wanted us to be here early!”

You crack up at his rushed response. “I thought you said you wanted to come during the weekend.”

"Well... isn't Thursday towards the end of the week?" He asks nonchalantly. “Come… I have another surprise for you,” he says as you both make your way to the theme park.

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If by surprise he meant a seeing some of his favorite people and your family at the park entrance, this was the best surprise ever. Or do you thought.

You all happily enjoy some rides, eat the much obligatory Disney snacks. Who says no to snacks? Then you all make your way to the castle for the photos.

As everyone is setting up, you don’t notice your ma handing a small box to Mickey. When you turn to him to let him know what pose you both should do for your pictures, you see him getting down on one knee.

Happy tears fill your eyes and you can only nod. Then you’re shouting yes and jumping up and down. That night you celebrate your engagement with your friends and family.

Upon returning to the hotel, Mickey kisses you before he says “So there’s been a change of plans. We won't be staying in the room we put our stuff in. Actually, you'll be staying in a suite with your sister and Nat… So the bride can have a girl's night with her bridesmaid.”

“Yes. I said bride. Nat and your sister have your dress ready along with the other accessories. I’ll see you in the morning future Mrs. Garcia.”

“Mrs. Fanboy…” you teasingly corrected him.

While it was a happy surprise, it wasn’t a complete shock. You both had previously talked about marriage the last few months. You also admitted to him your fear that your anxiety wouldn’t let you enjoy your wedding day if it took too much planning. You knew you wanted to marry Mickey, you both had even considered eloping but decided you both wanted your closest friends and family to be a part of the celebration.

Being detailed planner he is, Mickey decided to create your perfect wedding day, with the help of family and friends. He wouldn’t have had it any other way.

He kept surprising you even the next morning. You saw that your wedding dress was in a soft blue color. Eyes watering, you recall your conversation with him about how you always get white wedding gowns just weren’t your style. That you wanted something with color. 

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Present: Another New Beginning

Your eyes are heavy with sleep but you fight to stay awake a few more minutes just to stare at the small bundle sleeping in your arms.

“Mickey… We made our own fanbaby,” you tiredly tell your husband.

“He’s beautiful like you Amor,” Mickey says kissing your temple. “Have we decided on a name yet?”

“Nathaniel Robert Garcia… Named after his godparents,” you say. “You want to call them and tell them the news?”

“Let us have a few more minutes of peace and quiet before the squad gets her to corrupt the baby,” Mickey says as he gently takes your son in his arms. “Mi’jo. It’s your papa. We’ll chat a bit while we let mom rest. Yeah that pretty lady. Yup that’s your ma. And she’ll be one of your biggest fans, me being the other one.”

You shift to try and get comfortable and just smile at your husband and your son, before settling in to get more rest.

“And the Fanboy married his beautiful, strong princess in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle… Captain America was there too… I had to fight Darth Vader so he wouldn’t take her.”

You close your eyes to sleep a bit as Mickey continues to whisper your love story to Nathaniel.