Chapter Text
San Diego, California
17:51 - May 21, 2022
“When I was young, I really thought I knew everything . I always thought I knew what love was. But…”
Maverick stood in front of the crowd, holding a glass of champagne as a toast to the newly wedded couple. He smiled at everyone in the room and continued, “...when I grew older, I realized I knew nothing at all.”
“I thought… love was the most powerful thing in the world. But I was wrong.”
He pauses and glances at the crowd, anticipating his next words. Maverick’s expression contorts to a pained smile. He continues with a huff, regaining his composure.
“If there's such a force greater than love…it's time. Timing. It is such a bitch.”
The crowd laughed then he picked up from where he left off, “Lucky are those who find true love at the right time. And I'm very fortunate to have witnessed this through two of my dearest friends, Hondo and Iris.” He says as he gestures to the bride and groom all the while the crowd claps for them.
Rooster sips a drink as he watches Maverick give a speech. If he had known that Maverick was here and the best man, he wouldn't have come. Iris, the Chief Petty Officer of the Yokosuka Naval Base, was his friend after all. Knowing that his friend was in good hands made the corners of his lips turn up slightly. But the fact Maverick is here and is friends with them as well, God he really really doesn't want to be here.
“Team, this is it!” Maverick laughed as he raised the glass. The four tables in the front and center cheered loud.
“Let's go Hondo!”
“WOOHOO!”
“SAY BYE BYE TO FREEDOM!”
“Something you will never see again!”
Hondo brings his wife to his chest as they share a loving embrace, giving the guys the middle finger while Iris just laughs as she lies her head on Hondo's chest.
Maverick smiled as he gestured to them to keep quiet. He then looks at the newlywed, “Hondo, Iris, we all know both of you waited a long time for this day. Hell, Iris, ever since 2016, Hondo has been waiting for a miracle for you to say yes to him. Thankfully, he was able to wait. Come on everyone, let's raise our glasses to Hondo and Iris!”
Everyone raised their glasses and shouted, “To Hondo and Iris!”
“Oh right! The advice.” Maverick laughed, “Well, all I can give are 3.”
He showed his index finger, “One. Tell each other everything no matter how bad it is. It's best to be honest with one another as early as it is before it is too late.”
He brings up another finger, “Two. No matter where you both are, be there for each other. Iris, you're stationed in Japan and Hondo…you're stuck here with us and that is a big distance. We're in a different world where it's easier to talk to each other thanks to phones.”
He brings up a third finger, “And most importantly, life is short so cherish that love. Cherish those dreams. They are the most precious things in both of your lives as a couple. 'Cuz time is a bitch.”
The crowd laughed again.
“Congratulations to you both once again.” Maverick cheered as he took a sip of his drink.
“Thanks Mav!” The couple smiles.
Rooster was visibly upset as he listened to his surrogate father give a heartfelt speech about love. Maverick's words, filled with sincerity and emotion, seemed to strike a nerve. Unable to contain his frustration, Rooster stood up and quietly left the room as soon as the speech ended.
He hates Maverick.
He hates him so much .
The sight of him alone stirs up a deep resentment. His presence always seemed to cause so much harm to everyone he is near, leaving a trail of betrayal and shattered trust. The pain of past betrayals and the lingering bitterness were too much for Rooster to ignore.
His mom told him that there was an accident where Maverick survived and his dad died. She kept telling him it was an accident but why did only Maverick survive the accident?
Maverick helped his mom with everything after the tragedy. Why would he? His mom brushes off his doubts with a “because he’s family and family helps each other.” When mom was diagnosed with cancer, all Maverick did was argue with his mom.
Ungrateful asshole, that's what.
At least the asshole had someone who was stopping him from making things worse. Aunt Charlie, a godsend to be honest, has been the middleman between Maverick and his mom. Every argument, she would stay neutral and make sure Maverick would just stop. She always convinced Maverick to take a walk, probably to make him cool his head.
Why? Why does he keep arguing with his mom? She was already sick! He's making it worse!
And worse it did. Mom died.
After that unfortunate passing, Aunt Charlie and Maverick stood in to take care of the bereaved Rooster. He really can’t grasp why Aunt Charlie married Maverick, the same man whom he believed to cause his mom misery. He's just so… so… selfish!
Maybe love is blind.
There are times that they do love each other but they don't seem as loving as how his parents love each other or even how his classmates' parents love each other. There was always something between the two. They were lovey dovey and suddenly they became awkward. He often saw how Aunt Charlie would cry and Maverick would either half-ass comfort her or not comfort her at all.
Then before Aunt Charlie died, he finally understood why their relationship was weird.
Maverick was right, time has always been a force to be reckoned with . Rooster wished he had more time with Aunt Charlie. He wished he would spend time learning more on tactics rather than flying like Maverick. He wished that he didn't spend a lot of time with Maverick. He wished he didn't try to live up to Maverick's expectations because it wouldn't be much as painful when Maverick pulled his papers in the Academy. He wished that Maverick and Aunt Charlie didn't end up being together. Maverick did not deserve Charlie. Especially his last memory before her death.
There was no stopping Rooster after he ran off the reception. Too lost in his own thoughts, led to wherever his legs could take him.
“Bradley!” His ears perk up at his name being called, “Bradley!” But he knew that voice so he ignored it and continued to walk the other direction. On the brink of stepping onto a busy road, a hand tugged on his arm, pulling him back as a loud car horn blared.
God he didn't realize…
“You alright?”
Bradley sighs and begrudgingly turns around at the voice. In front of him is Maverick. The man who he hasn't seen for over 20 years. He looks like he hasn't aged and it seems his personality hasn't either.
“You have to be careful, Baby Goose. You nearly got run over.” Maverick says softly as he adjusts his uniform, “You left the reception. I tried calling you but you were ignoring me. Like, I get it and you must be thinking of a lot of stuff right-”
“What do you want, Maverick? Sir.” He really didn't want to be here talking to him, patience running thin.
“I just… I just want to catch up with you like how are you and how big you got.” Mav puts his hands in his pockets and smiles sadly.
“You're looking at me right now. I'm okay. So we're done here.” Bradley told him in a monotone way and turns his heel to leave but Maverick is persistent.
Maverick sighs, “Bradley, I'm talking to you politely. You shouldn't be giving me that tone.”
“Oh really?” Bradley tried to hold it in but his voice raised, the thin thread of his patience finally snapping, “Why should I talk politely to you? You pulled my papers in the Academy! You stood in my way!” He didn't care if there were people staring. He can't help it. Maverick wants to talk then he'll give him the talk.
“But you're still an officer in the Navy.” Maverick kept his tone of voice. He didn’t raise it or did not lower it. “I didn't stand in your way, son.”
“It’s Rooster!” Bradley roared, “IT'S NOT BABY GOOSE, AND IT CERTAINLY ISN'T SON. YOU LOST THAT RIGHT AFTER WHAT YOU DID! AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ME, TO MOM, TO DAD, TO AUNT CHARLIE! YOU RUINED MY LIFE! YOU RUINED THEIR LIVES!”
Maverick's face shifts to shock, his mouth agape as if he tries to get the words out but ultimately keeps them shut.
“THEY WERE MISERABLE BECAUSE OF YOU! THEY WERE IN PAIN BECAUSE OF YOU! THEY ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!” Bradley added, “YOU KILLED MY DAD! YOU KEPT FIGHTING MY MOM 'TILL SHE DIED! YOU CHEATED ON AUNT CHARLIE WITH A BITCH NAMED ICE UNTIL SHE DIED!”
He wanted to talk. He deserves this shit. A killer and a cheater deserves to be told like this.
“I didn't cheat.” Maverick spoke with a firm voice, “And don't you dare call Ice like -”
“SEE! YOU CARED MORE ABOUT THAT WHORE THAN YOUR ACTUAL WIFE”
Maverick spoke, “Brad- Rooster, I didn't-”
“SAVE IT, MITCHELL! DO YOU THINK I DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHIT?! LET ME REMIND YOU WHAT YOU TOLD AUNT CHARLIE ON HER DEATHBED.” God, his Godfather is so infuriating, “ Sorry, Charlie. I'm sorry I couldn't love you the same as before. I'm sorry I couldn't love you the same as I love Ice… ”
Maverick's face morphs into pure terror. Tears stinging his eyes as gripped his first but lets it fall to his side. A tear fell as he said, “Don't repeat those words. You have no idea how much I love your dad, your mom, Charlie, and you.”
“Yeah right! Because of your selfishness, you only see you and only you.” Bradley growled, “Now you're all alone. No wife. No kids. God I wish dad lived and you died. I wish mom and Aunt Charlie lived and you died. I wish you would just die! Nobody would mourn you when you crash and burn!” He shoved Maverick out of the way and walked away.
He didn't look at how Maverick now looked.
He told him the truth.
He told him what his family was thinking.
He doesn't care.
“Good morning, Lieutenant Bradshaw. This is Lt. Commander William “Axis” Kenzie calling. I regret to inform you that Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has gone missing in action. This occurred during a classified operation, and I cannot provide further details over the phone. Due to confidentiality of the operation, I will be informing you, as Captain Mitchell's next of kin and emergency contact, more details of the situation when you arrive at the base here. Report to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. I will ensure you have clearance upon arrival. Please prioritize this and keep this information confidential until we can discuss it further in person. I'm sorry for bringing you this tragic news. ”
Fuck. Shit. Fuck.