Work Text:
In the quiet corner booth of the O Club, Tom sat with his drink, savoring the taste and letting the smooth liquid linger on his tongue before swallowing. His gaze kept returning to the sight across from him. It was impossible not to notice how effortlessly handsome Pete was, with his tousled dark hair and striking green eyes.
Tom's heart would skip a beat every time Pete let out a laugh or flashed a smile.
Pete was in his element as he animatedly gestured and talked about any and every topic that came to his mind. The conversation started with a story from his day of teaching, the way the students have yet to catch him in the air but how close one team got.
Pride radiated from him as he exclaimed, "They're catching on, Ice! Blitz and Striker may not be on our level yet, but they're close – definitely the strongest in this group."
He then moved on to what he had talked about with Baby Goose on their last phone call; how big he was getting and how much he hated math.
After a while, he started to make up reasons to why some of the other bargoers were there.
"See that couple in the corner? The lady in the red dress and the older guy? They're probably having an affair," Pete said with a smirk. "Oh yeah, definitely. Look at how they keep sneaking glances at each other."
Pete then pointed out a group of men in suits, huddled around a table, their voices hushed as they spoke. "Men in Black, on the search for alien life," he guessed waggling his fingers. "Baby Goose would probably agree, he liked that movie."
"I thought Carole said no to that movie?" Ice finally chimes in.
"Well," Pete draws out the word before continuing, "it wasn't really a no, it was a I have to see it first and then I could take Baby Goose to see it."
"When did you go see it then?"
"Slider went with Wolf and saw it the week before so I had him talk to Carole and then Baby Goose and I went."
Ice hummed before replying. "Of course, Slider went and saw it without me. He did the same thing when Terminator came out. He's obsessed with Science Fiction."
Pete lets out a laugh. "That's cold- huh cold get it? Mr Iceman." He laughs harder before continuing. "Well next time he ditches you, we can go, or even better go see it before he has the chance."
"Sure Mav, it’s a date."
Pete's smile was blinding like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds and casting a warm glow on the dimly lit bar. Tom's heart fluttered at the thought of going on a date with Pete. It was just a casual remark, but god did he want to.
But at the same time, there was a voice in his head warning him of potential complications and consequences. He was scared to take the leap.
He had seen firsthand what could happen if they weren't careful. It was a messy thing, filled with heartbreak and shattered trust.
But as Tom watched Pete sitting across from him, the fear began to fade away. In that moment, nothing else mattered except for the way Pete's eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed, and the way his voice filled the air with warmth and comfort.
Mav raises his glass to Ice, who returns the gesture with a smile. Pete then turns to the next group, making up the next story.
A few hours and several drinks go by when they stumble out of the bar and start walking towards Ice's housing. Mav excitedly chatters about a vintage motorcycle he saw for sale and his plans to fix it up while they walk along the dimly lit sidewalks.
“Don’t you have enough bikes?” Ice ask teasingly
“Excuse you, I have one bike.”
"Yeah, one too many."
Mav dramatically gasps, "How dare you, Ice. My sweetheart is lonely and needs a friend." He lets out a chuckle. "And I need something to occupy my time before the next cohort arrives after graduation. Plus, I need to tune up Sweetheart. Maybe then I can convince you to go on a ride with me."
Tom's mind froze at the thought of riding on Mav's bike, the rumble of the engine beneath them as they weaved through the streets of Miramar. The warm breeze brushed against their skin, tousling their hair and carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean. Tom’s arms wrapped around Mav's body, holding him tight as sped down the highway. Mav's laugh in his ear.
Tom shakes his head out of that daydream before responding, "The day you get me on that bike, someone would have to call hell, see if it froze over."
Mav laughed, head thrown back before pointing at Ice. "One of these days Ice you'll change your mind."
Ice smiles at Mav, "Maybe but today is not that day."
They kept walking until they reached Ice's housing.
"Would you like to come inside for a bit?" Ice turns to face Mav.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind."
Tom nods and turns to unlock the door before pushing it open. He tossed his keys into the bowl that Bradley had made for him when he was back in elementary school as Pete made his way to the kitchen.
In the living room, Ice walks over to his record collection and flips through until he finds what he's looking for. He carefully places the vinyl onto the turntable and drops the needle, filling the room with the smooth crooning of Frank Sinatra. Mav joins him with two freshly poured drinks, handing one to Ice before settling onto the couch next to him, placing his hand down on the couch, it brushed against Ice's, their fingers barely touching.
As the music played, Tom couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle over him. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated the room, casting long shadows on the walls. The clinking of ice cubes in their glasses mingled with the melodic notes of Sinatra's voice.
The two of them sit quietly, listening to a couple more songs before Mav leans in closer, his warm breath brushed against Ice's cheek as he whispers, "You know, I've always loved this song. It's so timeless and romantic."
Ice smiled softly, feeling a blush tint his cheeks. "Yeah, it is. It makes you want to dance."
A mischievous glimmer appeared in Mav's eyes as pulled away and extended his hand towards Ice. "Well then, why don't we?"
For a moment, Ice hesitated, butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He had always admired Mav's outgoing nature and infectious enthusiasm, but this felt different. It held a promise of something more, something beyond their usual banter.
Taking a deep breath, Ice reached out, his hand trembling slightly as it intertwined with Mav's. The touch sent an electric surge through him.
Ice gazed into Mav's eyes as he was pulled up and into Mav's arms, swaying to the music. He felt himself falling into their depths, the glittering green was mesmerizing, like emeralds reflecting in the sun. He couldn't tear his gaze away, the intensity pulling him closer and closer. He could see every speck of color in Mav's irises, each one a world of its own. It was as if time had stopped and all that existed were those brilliant green pools before him.
Ice leaned in slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them. Mav's breath mingled with his own, sending shivers down Ice's spine. Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, igniting a fire within them that had been smoldering for far too long.
The taste of Mav on his tongue was intoxicating, a blend of whiskey and something uniquely him. Ice's hand moved instinctively to cup Mav's face, his thumb gently caressing the smooth skin of his cheek.
He pulls away, looking at Pete's face as he slowly opened his eyes.
Frank Sinatra continues singing, " Then I go and spoil it all by saying somethin' stupid like... "
"I love you"
Tom froze. ' What the hell? Why did he just say that? He's Iceman. Ice cold no mistakes. Why would he go and say that, He was going to scare Pete away befo-'
"I love you too."
Ice's thoughts come to a screeching halt at the soft response.
"Wh-what?"
"I love you too Tom."
He felt like he could breathe again.
A surge of relief and happiness washed over Tom. He never dared to hope that Pete would feel the same. Slider was right, he's going to be so smug about it.
From competition to wingmen, it had taken some time working together, teaching at Top Gun for their friendship to grow to the companionship Tom cherishes with Pete, even though he kept his true feelings hidden. Losing Pete was not an option for him; he would rather remain friends and wingmen than risk losing him altogether.
Pete leaned forward more, further closing the gap between them. His eyes were filled with warmth, mirroring the emotions that Tom could feel pulsating within his chest. With a shy smile spreading across his face, Pete reached out to gently brush his fingers against Tom's cheek, sending shivers down Tom's spine.
"I've loved you for a while now," Pete whispered, his voice barely audible but brimming with sincerity. "I was just too scared to say anything."
Tom felt his heart take off at Mach 3 hearing those words. The years of teasing, bantering, and shared moments suddenly made sense. It wasn't just him wishing for more, all that time spent together did mean something.
Without another word, Tom leaned in again, their lips meeting once more. Pete responded with an eagerness that matched Tom's own. Their hands found each other naturally, instinctively, as if they had been searching for this touch all along. With every caress and pull, the world around them faded once more and all that remained were the two of them.
Their kiss grew more fervent, igniting a flame within Tom that burned brighter with each passing second. The heat radiating from Pete's skin was like fuel to the fire that engulfed them both, fueling a hunger that had been suppressed for far too long.
When they finally pull away just enough to catch their breath, a small chuckle escaped from Tom's lips, filled with overwhelming happiness about everything as they rested their foreheads against each other's.
Everything's changed now and what was once just a distant dream had now become reality; what was once a simple friendship had blossomed into something infinitely more profound and meaningful.
Tom's voice was barely audible as he spoke softly to Pete. "I've loved you for a while now too," he murmured, his eyes shining with emotion. "I didn't want to lose you."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Pete's lips before he replied, "Well, you're stuck with me now." He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss on Tom's cheek.
Tom's arms wrapped tightly around Pete, pulling him in close,
their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces. The soft melody of the music surrounded them as they swayed back and forth slowly, smiling and lost in each other's eyes.
If you had told Tom this is how his night would turn out, he wouldn't have believed you. It was like a wish or a dream come true, being held by the man he loves.
In that moment, nothing else mattered, he had Pete and that was all he ever wanted.
" The time is right, your perfume fills my head, the stars get red and oh, the night's so blue. And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like "I love you."