Chapter Text
It was a hop like any other. Mav did some crazy shit that skated the bounds of immediate program ejection. Goose suffered, but not silently, he didn’t do silent suffering. Ice and Slider edged ahead in the point race. The locker room was as lively as ever, not that Goose got to join in, by time he had gotten his unearned ass chewing courtesy of one Pete “Maverick” Mitchell the locker room had mostly cleared out. Shooting the shit had turned into scrambling out for Friday night at the O Club. That wouldn’t have been so bad, except the locker room wasn’t completely deserted when he and Mav walked in. Slider and Ice were still getting dressed. Goose had a notion they were waiting for them.
Goose was prepared for another Ice and Maverick tango. He was prepared for it the moment he kissed his wife bye for the day and headed to Top Gun.
“Mitchell, would it literally kill you to just follow the damn rules for once.” Ice started in on Mav like it was his god given right to scold Pete.
“I don’t want to risk finding out.” Mav treated Ice to one his crooked grins.
Ice was not impressed, a red flare of anger crept up his neck. “Is everything a joke to you? This is your life you’re toying with out there. Why are you doing this? The shit you’re pulling is not putting you ahead in points. Every day you get closer to getting your ass kicked out.” Ice slammed his locker closed.
Goose felt like he had to intervene to keep tempers from rising, “Hey, calm down over there.”
Ice and Maverick didn’t spare him a glance. They were locked on to each other. Slider did look at Goose in one glance that communicated this shit again. Goose looked back with an eye roll that said Yep the same Kazansky/Mitchell post hop show.
“What’s it to you anyway?” Mav slammed his locker closed and got into Ice’s face. “We get kicked out, you and Slider take the trophy. You sure as shit don’t care if I die.”
“I care Mav. If you died, it would kill me too.” Goose raised a valid point that only Slider noticed and nodded too.
Ice and Mav went into a private bubble for these conversations. It was more of a public bubble that everyone else could see into and hear. The people in it just never acknowledged the outside world. Ice nor Mav acknowledged Goose’s comment.
“To be the best you have to beat the best. That trophy means shit if you aren’t in the program.” Ice and Pete were nose to nose when Pete barked out a laugh.
“So that’s it. You think I’m hot shit.” Mav hit Ice with his crooked grin again and again and a red flush of anger bloomed up his neck at Mav’s flippancy.
“Mav, what does it take for you to follow the rules?” Ice asked.
“Follow the rules and risk my life, you mean?”
“No, follow the goddamn rules and keep Goose alive!” Ice yelled in Mav’s face. Goose was amazed they were acknowledging others in the bubble. “Try it for one day and see how it goes.”
“How about we make it a week and put a wager on it?” Goose’s gut immediately churned seeing Pete’s mischievous grin. For whatever reason, Pete’s mischievous grin made Ice angry too.
“Fine, what's the wager?” Ice didn’t roll his eyes, he let his voice do it.
“If I manage to get through the next week without being reprimanded in the air, classroom or called into the office, you blow me.”
Ice backed up out of Mav’s space at that. Seriously, Goose didn’t know what Mav was thinking. Scratch that, Goose had some idea what Mav was thinking.
“No. What is wrong with you man? You’re supposed to follow the rules. I’m not accepting a wager that risks my career for you to just do your job.”
Mav followed Ice’s retreat. “For one week, I fly your way, by the book, and still pull ahead of you in points by the end of the week.”
Slider, who had until this point been quiet, coughed “Bullshit” loudly into his hand. The bubble popped.
“Do you have something to say Slider?” Mav questioned aggressively.
“There is no way in hell you can last that long without doing some random cowboy shit. By the book?” He scoffed, “Have you ever read the book. Fuck, I doubt you’ve even seen it.”
“I’m a fighter pilot same as you! I may not have your Annapolis education, but I was educated all the same. I earned my position here. I know the fucking book like the back of my hand.” Mav was getting worked up and Goose decided to stop dicking around at his locker to come stand behind him. He was a firecracker but he was Goose’s firecracker.
He laid a hand on Maverick’s shoulder, “Calm down. No one is doubting your right to be here.”
“He is,” Maverick yelled, pointing at Ice. “He thinks I took Cougar’s spot.”
Something about Ice’s smirk said You did though. You took Cougar’s spot, you’re here on a technicality.
Slider had eased in a similar defensive position behind Ice, “One week following all the rules, even the little ones like wearing your face mask per regulations, plus pulling yourself out of today’s point deficit. There’s no way in hell you’re doing that. You’re on Maverick.” Slider’s eyes met Goose’s not in camaraderie this time but with challenge, “and Goose.”
Goose had plenty to say but he was too stunned to get it out before Slider dragged Ice from the locker room. He slumped on the bench. He loved Mav like a brother, an unruly, but lovable little brother who got into trouble every day.
Maverick shoulder bumped Goose. “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna let you choke on Slider’s cock.”
“You’re all heart aren’t you man.” Goose groaned.
“They underestimate me and that will be their downfall. I’m Duke Mitchell’s kid. I’ve faced scrutiny since I tried and failed to get into Annapolis. I had to dot my i’s cross my t’s and double check every word and gesture to get into the Navy. By the time I met you the scrutiny eased up. I had earned my place. They don’t realize I push my aircraft because I did study to know exactly what she can do. I got this.”
“You better have this, or Carole’s never gonna let me live it down.”
“You’re gonna tell her about this?” Mav asked with some alarm.
“Contrary to popular belief, she’s my best friend. I tell her everything so you should be afraid.”
Mav’s veneer cracked briefly. “Carole’s gonna kick my ass.”
“Yep. That mama goose is all bark plus bite.”
“You’re mixing your animal metaphors.”
“Because that's what's important here, Mav. Keeping the animal metaphors straight.”