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Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, Tom "Iceman" Kyzanski, and Ron "Slider" Kerner, some of the best pilots in the Navy.
The four came back from a terrible mission a few weeks ago. Everyone is okay, but Goose was hurt pretty badly. He is okay but has been honorably discharged from the Navy, as his injuries are too extensive to ever fully recover from, making him unable to fly. He is devastated, of course, but is happy to be able to be there while is son, Bradley, is growing up.
Goose is still going to The Hard Deck (a bar near base) with Mav, Ice, and Slider, but he can only be there for around an hour at a time due to not being able to stand or walk for long periods of time. Plus, he has a head injury, making lights and sounds even more overwhelming for him, causing him to have to stay at home most of the time. He wears sunglasses to the bar and pretty much anywhere outside his home so the lights aren't as bad as they would be without them. He hates not being able to be with everyone more often and misses flying terribly, but he's just grateful that he's alive.
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It was around 4:45 in the afternoon when Goose called Mav. As always, Mav picked up right away. He's started to answer any calls or texts from Goose right away just incase, as he's extremely worried about Goose's health worsening randomly.
"Hey Nick, what's up? Everything alright?" Maverick's voice was somewhat quiet over the phone.
"Uh, yes? You don't have to ask if I'm alright every time I call you, Mav, I'm okay."
He paused.
"Anyways, I have a question. Want to go to The Hard Deck tonight? My doctor just cleared me to be able to go for an extra 45 minutes now instead of just an hour. My sensitivity to lights and shit has gotten way better." He asked, sounding very excited and hopeful.
"That's great, Goose! And yes, I'd like that. What time do you want to go?"
"Uhm..probably around 30 minutes from now? Carole said she can watch Bradley. They're gonna go to the base to see our jet. Stinger said it was fine." Goose sounded oddly happy when talking about the F-14 he and Maverick used to fly together. He hadn't been this happy talking about the jet in awhile. Ever since the mission, he barely ever talked about it, and when he did, he sounded like he was on the verge of breaking down. How he talked about the jet made Maverick a bit confused and even a little worried.
"Oh…okay. How…..uhm...how do you feel about Carole taking Bradley to see it? It hasn't been that long since–"
"It's fine, Mav. I'm fine! Bradley can see it. I don't care about him seeing it. He asked to see it. Who am I to say no?" Goose interrupted Mav halfway through his sentence, speaking fast and almost defensively.
Mav just nodded, sighing. He couldn't press anymore than he already tried to. He didn't want to make anything worse than it already is, even though Goose wouldn't admit it.
"...Alright. Okay…I'll be there by 5:30. Need me to pick you up?" His voice was cautious and lined with almost quiet worry.
"No, Carole is going to drop me off on their way to the base. I'll see ya there, Mav." The line clicked off, the loud high-pitched sound of the line cutting out ringing in Mav's ears. He sighed.
I don't know what's going on. He seemed so….calm. The thought was lingering in the back of his mind as he got ready to go to the bar.
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Mav and Goose were sitting at the bar, talking and having a good laugh. Mav stopped talking for a moment, getting the feeling that someone was staring at him. He tried to stay focused on his conversation with Goose but it was getting harder with every minute that passed as the feeling of being watched continued.
"Once sec." He said, not hesitating in the slightest as he stood up, looking around the room. His gaze met with Ice's, realizing that he was the one staring. Mav sighed, starting to walk over to where Ice and Slider were standing. The closer he got to Ice, the more he noticed about him.
Ice has icy blue eyes, blond hair slicked back and neat. He looked almost….unreal, like he was an angel.
Mav immediately brushed the thought away, feeling caught off guard that he was thinking this about his colleague. I don't want him to be just a colleague anymore. He almost visibly grimaced at the thought, curing himself silently for even thinking of it.
He stood in front of Ice now, looking at him with a somewhat confused look on his face. There was a small hint of light pink on his cheeks, the thoughts swirling around in his head making him a bit flustered.
"You good, Ice? You were staring." He said, almost point blank, trying to hide how he was panicking internally about how he thinks of Ice.
"Oh, right. Sorry, I guess I just….zoned out." Ice sounded unsure, like he didn't know why he'd been staring.
Mav nodded, glancing away. He inhaled sharply.
"Right, well, I'm sitting with Goose at the bar, if you two want to join." He offered, quickly walking back to where Goose was waiting for him.
Mav sat down in the seat he was sitting before, right next to Goose. He took a long sip of his beer, sighing slightly as he set it back down. He turned to Goose.
"What am I supposed to do about this? I keep having these…..thoughts. About Ice, I mean. Like when I walked over, I though he looked…" He paused.
"He looked almost like he was an angel. He's my colleague but I don't want him to be. I don't know why I'm thinking like this and it's weird. I mean, I've thought like this for awhile, but I thought it would go away and it's just gotten worse. What does this even mean? I don't even know what I'm feeling anymore." He rambled, barely stopping to take a breath. He looked at Goose, a kind of desperate look on his face. He needed to know what was happening to him.
While this was all happening with Mav and Goose, Ice and Slider were talking.
"Slider, what does it mean when I think about Maverick like he's some sort of…..I don't know how to explain it. He's important to me, no shit, but it feels more than that. It's gotten to the point where I think about him almost all the time. Whenever his name comes up in a conversation, my face gets hot. It's weird. I shouldn't be like this." Ice rubbed a hand over his face.
"God, Ice, you're oblivious." Slider laughed, like he knew exactly what was going on. He did know, and it was halarious to him how Ice had absolutely no idea.
"You're falling for him, dumbass. These thoughts your having are because you like him. And not just as a coworker or friend." Slider smiled, patting Ice on the shoulder.
"I have no idea how you don't see how he looks at you. He acts like you're the only one in the room worth listening to. You've never noticed how he looks at you from across the bar and in debriefs?"
Goose looked at Mav, a smile on his face.
"Dude, you like him. Not just as a friend. You're falling in love, Mav. You always notice the small things when flying but you can't see how Ice acts around you." He chuckles.
"You're not the only one having thoughts about another guy. If you could see how happy Ice look around you, you'd be surprised. It's like his 'ice cold' facade immediately falls away when he sees you."
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Mav was on the phone with Goose every night for the next couple weeks, trying to get his head wrapped around all the new information he's found out. He's started to notice how different Ice acts with him compared to everyone else. He stands closer to Mav, almost protectively, like he's something fragile that needs to be taken care of. He will walk close to Mav in the hallways, their hands brushing sometimes. It seemed intentional when their hands touched, like Ice wanted it to happen. Mav started to tune into his own thoughts and how he acted around Ice. He was much more comfortable and calm around Ice, less on edge. He also realized just how often he thought about Ice, and when he did, how he got a fluttery feeling in his stomach, how his heart felt like it was going to explode, and how his face got hot and how he immediately smiled whenever Ice was brought up in a conversation. He was always so happy whenever he was around Ice, and it had made him confused because he never felt like this when he was with a woman, but when he's with Ice…it's different. It feels real.
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Goose stirred awake, climbing out of bed to see who was calling him at 2:47 in the morning. Oh, it's just Mav.
"Mav, why the hell are you calling this early in the morning?" Goose asked, his voice groggy as he yawned.
"How do I ask Ice out? Like…on a date, I mean." Mav sounded like he was panicked, but in a good way? Goose couldn't tell.
"Okay, okay….uhm..well, you could just….oh! I could ask him to come to The Hard Deck with 'us and some friends' and then Penny could help you to make it all romantic or something. She'd be willing to do that, I think. Maybe a nice dinner and some drinks….dimmed lights, all of that." He offered, just rambling the thoughts he had. He was way too tired to even think fully about what he was saying.
"Yeah…yeah that's a good idea. But what do I even wear? A tux? And what do I bring? God, I have no idea how to do this. I've never taken a girl on an actual proper date. And even if I did, it's different…..cause it's Ice." Mav's voice trailed off near the end.
"Dude, there's nothing to stress about. Just…..okay, you know what he likes, so just get him something you think he'll enjoy. I mean, flowers are an obvious choice." Goose laughed, trying to be quiet so he didn't wake Carole and/or Bradley up.
"Okay…okay, thanks, Goose." Mav hung up the phone almost immediately, making Goose laugh.
God, he's in so deep. Goose thought, chuckling quietly.
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4:29 am.
"Jesus, Ice. What could you possibly need at—"
"How do I ask Mav out?" Ice inturrupted Slider before he could even finish his sentance.
"Dude….it's not even 5:00…..whatever. Where would you want to do it?" Slider asked, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Uhm…..The Hard Deck? Mav seems to really like going there. Well, accept when it's loud, then he doesn't like it, makes him overwhelmed. Maybe not there, then."
"What if you asked Penny to help you out with it? I am 100% sure she would be fine with it. Dim lighting, soft and quiet music, some drinks….oh, and a nice dinner." Slider yawned. He was still half-asleep but knew how important this was to Ice, so he didn't care.
"What would we eat? Mav likes steak….yeah, maybe steak and mashed potatos. He would like that. And some beer. I know what ones he likes."
He paused.
"Flowers. And a….an accurate F-14 figure. That can be taken apart. He likes taking things apart and figuring out how to put them back together. I think he'll like it…" Ice sighed, rubbing his eyes. He heard Slider snoring on the other end of the line.
"Thanks, Slider." The line clicked.
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Goose and Slider have been working together for the past few nights to put this together for their friends. Slider called Penny and got the plan for The Hard Deck worked out: steak dinner, Dos Equis beers, dim and soft lighting, a table set up with a nice table cloth, everything. Meanwhile, Goose was setting up the time when Mav and Ice would arrive at the bar.
"Okay, Mav. Just got off the phone with Ice. He'll be there by 5:30 tonight."
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"Okay. Mav is gonna be there at 5:30 tonight, Ice. Good luck."
Slider was basically praying to any and every God out there that this works out.
So was Goose.
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Mav had changed his outfit at least 3 times by now, he'd stopped counting awhile ago. He finally settled with his jacket (the one he wears every day), a white button-up, and a pair of new jeans that he'd gotten specifically for this. He decided against his aviators, but brought them just incase things didn't go as planned. He ended up getting Ice a boquet of red roses (of course, the most basic flower for dates) with baby's breath, lillies, and small ferns. He also got a heart-shaped box of chocolates (basic, of course) but, instead of the cheap chocolates, he spent almost $50 on intricket and very fancy chocolate truffles. He was stressing out, but he got onto his bike and left. (He almost forgot to lock his door on his way out.)
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Ice was wearing a white button-up (that he washed at least 4 times in the past two days to make sure it was completely white with no possibility of having any stains or spots), a small blue hankerchief, a p hi air of somewhat formal jeans (that he ironed multiple times), and a jacket that had a few new fighter jet and Navy patches on it. He got Mav a boquet with lots of beautiful flowers. They were all red, as that is Mav's favorite color. The flowers are roses, tulips, blood sage, and baby's breath to fill the gaps. He got a very nice F-14 model, specifically the Tamiya 1:48 Gumman F-14D model. It is very accurate and really good quality. He went above and beyond for this, and all he could think about what all the possibilities of how this could go. He forced himself to stop thinking about it and get himself out the door and into his car. He was gripping the steering wheel till his knuckles were white the entire way to The Hard Deck.
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Mav arrived at The Hard Deck at 5:00, making him 30 minutes early. He walked in, seeing the amazing job Penny had done. There were string lights lining where the walls and ceiling met, soft romantic oldies playing on the speakers, and beers on the table in the center. Mav walked over to the table, picking up one of the beers.
"Dos Equis..? I didn't even mention a brand…." Mav mumbled, a confused look on his face. He wasn't complaining in the slightest.
"Hm. Goose must've remembered my favorite or something."
He walked over to where Goose told him Penny was going to leave the dinner. Mav hadn't asked for a specific meal, so he was surprised to see two plates of steak and mashed potatos in the heat shelves. He thought it was just Goose telling Penny his favorite food…and beer brand…..and old romantic songs. He was confused but he didn't think much of it. Mav looked at his watch. 5:17. Ice should be here soon.
He decided to put the chocolates in the refidgerator so they wouldn't melt. He went to stand by the table so he was visible from the door. He heard a car pull up, the gravel crunching under the tires.
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Ice walked up to the door, holding the boquet behind his back and carrying a gift bag that he'd used to put the F-14 model in. He sighed before opening the door to see Mav standing by the table.
"Mav…? Why are you here already, Slider said—" Ice stated talking, but Mav inturrupted him before he could finish.
"Wait, Slider? What—...Goose said he'd asked you to come for a couple beers with 'us and a few friends'…..nevermind, that doesn't matter."
A pause.
"These are for you. I thought you might like them….Oh, and what did Slider have to do with…this?" Mav handed Ice the flowers, gesturing to the room when he asked about Slider.
"Slider helped me plan this….I was planning to ask you out." Ice explained, a confused smile on his face.
Mav looked at the Dos Equis on the table, the steak and mashed potatoes dinner….he listened to th song playing on the speakers. Take my breath away by Berlin, A.K.A his favorite song. He stepped closer to Ice, chuckling with a warm smile on his face. One only Ice gets to see.
"Well. This is…honestly the best way this could've gone, I think."
"Yeah…to be honest, I would've never thought of you as the one who'd ever even think of making the first move." Ice laughed.
"I think the 'you can be my wingman anytime' still stands, then." Mav adds, his voice uncharictaristically calm…with a noticible hint of reverance.
Ice smiled, hesitating for a moment before taking Mav's hand in his own.
"What if I cange it to….'you can be my date anytime?'" Ice's voice was calm yet tentative. He wasn't sure how Mav would react, not only about the question, but about how he literally just took Mav's hand to hold it.
Mav, for once, looked caught off guard rather than knowing. It was like his mind was blank with how to respond. He glanced down to their joint hands before looking back up to Ice. His eyes were widened just a bit, but he nodded, a smile creeping onto his face.
"Yes…yes, I like that a lot better." He was smiling like a damn lovestruck teenager now.
"Okay. So…dinner? Or we could just go to my house and eat leftovers and watch the sunset…if you'd like that more." Mav offered. He wanted this night to be perfect, and he was very grateful to Penny for setting up everything, but he felt awkward just being in The Hard Deck on a date. It seemed…empty, like it was just a show to be put on to seem like an actual date, rather than a comfortable thing. It wasn't something either Ice or Mav would ever usually do, so why fake it?
"Yes, that sounds a lot better than eating a fancy dinner and acting like we don't just want to go home and be on the couch." Ice nodded, sighing as he spoke. He was so happy that Mav offered to go to his house rather than staying at the bar. Yes, it was a great place to have a first date. That is, if only one of them had asked.
"Oh thank God. I was so worried about all of this and I am exhausted." Mav smiled, his thumb rubbing small, gentle circles on the back of Ice's hand.
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Ice and Mav ended up ordering take-out from their favorite Chinese resturaunt for dinner. Ice wanted to watch Flight of the Intruder and Mav immediately complied, as he, of course, loves aviation just as much as Ice, so they thought it would be a great movie to watch. The were sitting on Mav's couch, watching the movie, when Mav started to fall asleep. He kept denying it when Ice asked if he was tired, as always, being stubborn. He ended up falling asleep with his head on Ice's shoulder and holding his hand. Ice almost finished watching the movie before falling asleep too, resting his head on top of Mav's.
Mav stirred awake, wiping his eyes. He checked his watch. 5:31 a.m. He yawned, noticing how Ice was sound asleep next to him, leaning on Mav for support. He smiled, nestling closer to Ice. He wrapped an arm around Ice's waist, rubbing his hand up and down Ice's waist comfortingly. He realized how he and Ice had fallen asleep in their outfits from last night and exhaled softly.
Mav gently woke Ice up.
"Ice…let's put some sweats on, okay? It'll be a lot more comfortable." Mav offered, his voic barely above a whisper as he talked.
"I'm tired, Mav.." Ice mumbled.
"I know, but you'll be a lot more comfy and warm in sweats. And you can sleep in my bed so you can lay down. I'll sleep on the couch."
They walked to Mav's room, Mav getting them both a pair of sweatpants, a tee-shirt, and a hoodie. He gave Ice his clothes before heading to the bathroom to change. When he came back, Ice was stading by the door of Mav's bedroom, like he'd been waiting for Mav to come back. Mav walked closer to Ice, taking one of his hands in his own.
"Still want to sleep in my bed?" Mav asked, his voice quiet.
"No…couch." Ice mumbled, leaning on Mav a little. He was so tired and didn't want to have Mav to sleep alone on the couch. Plus, even though he didn't say it, he didn't really want to be alone. Mav's room is big and it felt almost too big.
"Okay…do you want me to sleep in my bed—"
"No. Couch. With me." Ice inturrupted him, his grip on the other's hand tightening a bit.
"Okay…we can do that." Mav smiled, squeezing Ice's hand comfortingly.
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It's been a year since that night at The Hard Deck. Mav and Ice were at The Hard Deck once again, but this time was different. They were with friends. In public. Holding hands. They were being open about their relationship, finally, after a year of being together. They were very happy to be being open about their relationship in public rather than just telling Goose and Slider, but it was still nerveracking. They both knew how the Navy was with people who were in same sex relationships, but they wanted this. They couldn't hide this forever, and if that meant being dishonorably discharged from the Navy just for being gay, then that's what happened. Their identity shouldn't effect their status in the Navy, and if it did, then that's saying something about the people above them.
Mav was watching the door for the past couple minutes, worried about someone coming in and seeing them. Ice noticed this, noticing how tense Mav seemed, and how tight he was holding onto Ice's hand. Ice ganced to the door at just the right time.
Their commander, Stinger, walked into the bar, noticing Ice and Mav. He walked over to them, noticing how they held hands. He didn't mention it.
"Hello, boys. I wanted to tell you both something about the last mission." He had a smile on his face, which was interesting to Ice and Mav. They'd never seen Stinger smile, especially when talking about missions. More specifically, ones that went wrong. He looked kind of proud…?
"First, Maverick. You stayed with your wingman, and that says a lot. You're still reckless and dangerous, no shit, but you did what was right. You handled the bird strike well. Even though Goose got injuired, you did everything you could." He pat Mav on the shoulder before turning to Ice.
"Secondly, Iceman. You reacted well, despite every part of the bullshit that happened." He smiled.
"You both have earned my respect, and that is definately saying something."
Mav and Ice glanced at each other, confused looks on their faces. Mav's hand tightens around Ice's as he looks back at Stinger.
"Thank you, sir. That…was unexpected. I'm not complaining, though." Mav says, a nervous smile creeping onto his lips. He watches as Stinger's gaze flicks down to Ice and Mav's joint hands again.
"Well, it looks like you two are having a date, I assume? I'll let you be." Stinger responds, not even adressing Mav's words from a second ago. He pauses.
"And, no, I don't give a damn about you two holdin' hands or any of that. It's a free country, why should I give a shit about what you two do in your free time?" He adds, turning and walking away.
Mav and Ice look to each other again. Mav's smile widened, losing the nervous energy it had just a moment before. Ice rests a hand on Mav's hip, pulling him close.
"Yeah…I don't know why I gave a shit about what he thought. I mean, have you seen how he acts with—" Ice starts before Mav cuts him off.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Just kiss me already, Kyzansky." Mav's smile was genuine, loving, as if it was dedicated to Ice.
And to be fair, it was.