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Stinger sighed and mouthed at his cigar, which had gone wet and soggy at the end. He glared at the two boys in front of him, looking them up and down, and they shivered under his scrutiny.
There had been an alarming increase in applications to the US Navy’s decoy program as of late. Of course, young men were perpetually in need of jobs and money, but surely this must be an exceedingly difficult job for men to do. They couldn’t be that strapped for cash so as to pretend to be gay in order to figure out which men in the navy were actually gay. And the two men in front of him had offered to do this at Top Gun , the program that trained elite naval aviators. So not only did these men have to pretend to be gay, but they also had to prove that they were good enough pilots to actually be sent to Top Gun so their cover wouldn’t be blown. This Operation was hush-hush, but word travels fast in the Navy. And to Stinger, it didn’t make sense that after putting in all this work, why didn’t they just go to Top Gun without the extra hassle of pretending to be gay? Again, they couldn’t be that in need of money! It was only $20 they got for the 8 weeks they would spend at Top Gun. While that can go pretty far, the sheer hardships they must face while pretending to be gay must greatly outweigh the monetary benefits.
A bead of sweat dripped from the shorter man’s forehead over his cheek and down the length of his throat as he swallowed back his nerves.
“Well.” Stinger blew out a breath. “You boys are headed to Top Gun, both as naval aviators and as decoys in Operation Gay-for-Pay. It is unfortunate that the Navy must put young men such as yourselves through such hard conditions, but know that you boys are doing a great service to your nation.”
“Sir, we wouldn’t be in the Navy if we weren’t prepared for hard conditions,” the taller one, Goose, said.
“Sir,” Maverick added. “One might even say Goose and I have been preparing our whole lives for the type of hard situations that we are about to be put in. I know we will both rise to the challenge. In fact, I can already feel it happening.”
Stinger pulled the cigar from his mouth and raised an eyebrow. “Lieutenant, I trust that you and Bradshaw will remain professional. Those homosexuals can be cunning and convincing, and I don’t need anyone falling prey to their… charm.”
“I can’t even imagine a world in which that could ever happen, Captain,” Mav said, the hint of a smile pulling on his mouth.
“I’m putting a lot of faith in you boys. If you screw up even this much—” He held his hands out in front of him a few inches apart. “I’ll pull you so fast you won’t know which way is up.”
“No screwing while we’re at Top Gun,” Goose agreed.
“Screwing up , Goose. Key difference,” Mav said. “Screwing seems to be a part of the job description.”
“You don’t actually have to screw—” Stinger pinched the bridge of his nose. “You know what? I’m taking a big risk here sending you two. Don’t make me regret it.”
The two men made eye contact and tried (and failed) to keep big, goofy grins off their faces.
“Congratulations. Welcome to Operation Gay-for-Pay. Oh, and Top Gun.”
The boys left, high-fiving each other on the way out. Stinger let out another sigh. It had been a long day already, and he couldn’t wait to go get drinks at that new gay club down the road. Maybe he could even convince his secretary to come with…
“Nice going in there, Mav,” Goose said, leaning back against the wall and rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. “He almost didn’t send us to Top Gun, let alone let us be part of Operation Gay-for-Pay. I really need that twenty dollars.”
“Calm down, Goose. It all worked out, didn’t it? We’re headed to Top Gun, flying with the best of the best, and we’ve basically gotten a free pass to have sex with as many naval aviators as our hearts desire. And my heart desires quite a lot of sex. I might not even limit myself to just the other aviators. We should probably make sure all the office boys and the higher-ups aren’t gay, too. You know. Just to be thorough.”
Goose closed his eyes and thunked his head back on the wall. “Yeah.” His voice was breathy. “Thorough.”
Oh, this was gonna be too fucking easy. And by “this” Mav of course meant fucking his way through Miramar. The late assignment meant they were showing up just in time for the introduction meeting, a short thing meant to brief the boys about why they were here, give them their schedules, their bunks, and what have you. It gave Mav so much more than just logistics. First, when the lights came on, he caught the men sitting in front of him jerk apart, the one’s arm retreating from where it had been around the other’s shoulder. A quick glance at Goose told him that he’d also seen the blatant homosexual behavior on display.
Their captain, callsign Viper, briefed them on what would be expected of them in the next eight weeks. Mav prided himself on his excellent hearing, and so he did not miss it when a man sitting behind him whispered: “This gives me a hard-on.” And he certainly did not miss the other man’s reply: “Don’t tease me.”
God, they’d hit the jackpot.
And all of that didn’t hold a fucking candle to the man very obviously cruising Mav during their intro meeting. The man was tall, even while sitting, lean but clearly strong, blond, blue-eyed, twirling a pen between his fingers, and raking his eyes up and down Mav’s body like his life depended on it.
He would be the best to fuck… er, catch. Right. That’s what they were here to do. Catch homosexual sailors. But, what the Navy didn’t know couldn’t hurt it, right?
They took the afterparty to the O Club. The place was full, and Goose and Mav stuck together near the bar, both nursing a beer that the bartender had winked and given to them “on the house.”
“What do they put in the water here in Miramar?” Mav mused. “I haven’t seen this much homosexuality since I went to that Village People concert.”
“Homosexuality abounds,” Goose agreed.
“Ah, we’re talking about my favorite subject.” A man Mav recognized from the intro meeting sidled up to them. “Mother Goose, congrats on Top Gun. Haven’t seen you since Annapolis. I’m sure you remember.”
“How could I forget?” Goose replied coolly. “You sure know how to make a boy feel special. I’ll be remembering that night for years to come.”
“You guys hooked up?” Mav asked, gesturing with his beer between the pair.
“Hardly,” Goose scoffed. “He tried to drown me in the pool.”
“Bull-fucking-shit, Bradshaw. And even if I did, you would’ve deserved it for wearing those tiny little swim trunks.” The man—Mav still didn’t know his name—took a sip of his drink and looked off wistfully into the distance. “Didn’t leave anything to the imagination.” He shook himself out of the memory. “Hey, you bring those with you to Top Gun? I’m down for another swim if you are.”
“Guess you’ll have to wait and see, Slider.”
Another man wandered over. It was the blond Adonis that had been staring at him at the meeting.
“Hey, Iceman,” Goose said. “My pilot, Maverick. Mav, meet Tom “Iceman” Kazansky and Ron “Slider” Kerner.” His introduction was half-assed because he couldn’t take his eyes off of Slider, but Mav got the jist.
“Congrats on Top Gun, Mother Goose,” Iceman said. What was with this nickname?
“I would say ‘you, too,’ but then again, there was never a question of you two getting here, huh? Best of the best.”
Iceman chewed his gum and jutted his chin out. “I like to think so.”
Mav scoffed and leaned back against the bar, taking a swig of his drink.
Iceman turned his steely cold gaze onto Mav. His tongue darted out to lick his lips. “You got something you wanna say?”
“Just thinkin’ ‘bout how it’s gonna be mine and Goose’s name on that trophy at the end.” His competitive streak ran deep, and everything about Iceman screamed that this would be fun. Fun in many different ways, he was sure.
“Funny, considering I heard a rumor you’re only here ‘cuz Cougar washed out.”
“The rumor’s wrong. Goose and I made it here of our own skill. And Cougar’s living on a farm with his boyfriend and their two kids. Didn’t like putting himself in danger anymore when they had little ones at home.”
“And we’re back to my favorite topic,” Slider said.
Ice ignored his RIO. “I’m here if you ever need a hand, Mav.”
“No thanks.”
“I heard that about you. That you like to work alone,” Ice said. “But I’m sure it gets a little lonely with just your right hand for company.” He gives a pointed look at Mav’s crotch. “And I’m sure you need all the help you can get. All hands on deck, if you know what I mean.”
Mav indeed knew what he meant, and he was flattered, but his ego didn’t really need the stroking. His cock on the other hand… “Yeah, I’ll call you if I ever want a second-rate handjob from a second-place pilot.”
Iceman’s grin grew wicked. “Isn’t that what you’re already getting every night all alone in the barracks?” He mimed a jerking-off motion with his hand.
“My handjobs aren’t second-rate.”
“I might make you prove that one.”
This time, it was Mav’s grin that went wicked. “I think there are better ways we can spend our time together, don’t you think? And.” Mav looked around the bar. “There are certainly better people I could spend my time with. Maybe find someone who isn’t so… cocky.”
Ice opened his mouth to respond, but Mav beat him there, pressing his fingers against his lips. “If you make a joke about how big your cock is,” Mav warned, “then we’re done here.” Ice's lips were warm and soft under his fingertips.
He pulled back, and Ice said, “It’s actually quite small.”
Mav made a show of looking down at Ice’s crotch now. The man was lying, obviously. You could see the bulge from space. He leaned in to whisper in Ice’s ear. “I might make you prove that one.” He glanced over at Slider, who was trying to hold in his laughter, and he said, “Bye, Slider. Come see me if you ever need a second-rate handjob.”
Mav grabbed Goose’s hand and led him off into the throng of men.
The moon reflected off the water where Goose and Mav walked along the shore, their feet bare, socks and shoes in their hands.
“We can’t let ourselves get distracted by the first pretty faces that we see. This is supposed to be the best eight weeks of our lives. A veritable buffet of endless navy men who want nothing more than to let off a little steam with us.”
“I don’t know, Mav.” Goose kicked at the sand. “Those guys cuddling and the guys whispering to each other in the intro meeting are clearly already together. I don’t want to be a homewrecker. And Ice only has eyes for you, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I guess I’ll be the one going through all the office boys. I mean, I’ll do anything to serve my country, but sometimes a guy just wants to settle down, you know? Monogamy.”
Mav rolled his eyes. “You’re forgetting about the one man who was very obviously about to bend you over that bartop, babe.”
“Who?”
Mav rolled his eyes again. “Slider!”
Even in just the moonlight, Mav could see Goose’s cheeks heat up. “Shut up, Mav. He was not about to… to bend me over the bartop!”
“Puh-lease. The two of you have history .”
“We didn’t fuck at Annapolis! He’s straight, Mav, give it up.”
“Twice he said his favorite topic was literally homosexuality. He thinks he’s funny.”
“He is funny. And kind. And very, very hot. And very, very, very heterosexual. He’s just making fun of me.”
“Okay, fine. While I’m fucking my way through the male population at Miramar, you can wallow in your barracks and lie to yourself that Slider doesn’t want you ten ways to Sunday.”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday.”
“Exactly,” Mav grinned. “I’m telling you. The man was drooling over you.”
“Whatever you say, Mav.”
At the briefing meeting the next morning, Viper looked excited. “Before we get you boys up in the air, we thought it would be a good idea to do some icebreaker activities. While you are competing against these men for the title of Top Gun, remember: we are all fighting on the same side. Against those bastard commies of course because this is 1986, and we’re technically still in a Cold War.
“Anyway, we thought you boys would like a nice, casual game of beach volleyball where you can let off some testosterone-fueled, hypermasculine steam. It’s a scorcher out there today, so if you’re going to take off your shirts, make sure to put on sunscreen.
“Jester and I have some very long and hard… paperwork to do. All day. So you’ll be unsupervised ‘til dinner. Try to behave yourselves.”
Oh, this was gonna be good.
Mav got out to the beach before Goose did. Others were already out there, and there was a two-on-two game happening that Mav didn’t pay much attention to. He scanned the large crowd for Tom before he realized what he was doing. He couldn’t focus on one man when what he’d seen so far of Top Gun basically made it an orgy of muscle, sinew, sweaty bodies, and boys he could get fucked by. His jaw and ass were going to be very sore at the end of these eight weeks. He just had to decide where he wanted to start.
“Where d’you wanna go first, Mav?”
Mav turned to his RIO and best friend, Goose. Goose, who was fucking wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. On the beach. In the middle of summer. “What the fuck are you wearing?”
“Clothes? What do you mean?”
“Sorry, let me reiterate. What the fuck are you wearing? Normally, it would already be fucked up to wear pants and a sweatshirt on the beach. But did you not hear Slider yesterday? He practically begged you to wear those swim trunks you had at Annapolis. Do you have them with you?”
“Yes, they’re my only pair, but—”
“No buts. You and I are trying to get railed by as many men as possible. Choo, choo.” He mimed pulling down the train’s horn. “That means.” He punctuated his words with a poke to Goose’s sternum. “That means you need to get your tight little ass in those tight little board shorts and go get your man. Men. Because we are not focusing on the first pretty man we see. Men, men, men. As many men as possible.”
Goose mumbled something under his breath, but he turned heel and started to jog back in the direction of the barracks.
“Hurry back, honey!” Mav yelled after him. “I need to kick some Navy ass today!”
Someone wolf-whistled to his right, opposite the direction Goose just left in. It was Slider, and he said, “Man, I hate seeing him leave, but I love watching him go.”
“I think this is the part where as his best friend I tell you that if you break his heart, I’ll break your dick, but Goose and I are not here to get boyfriends, so it seems unnecessary.”
“No boyfriends?” Ice asked, coming up on Slider’s other side. “Husbands, then? It seems a little fast, but I know we’ve got something special, baby.”
“Slow your roll, Kazansky. I don’t marry men who insult my handjob skills.”
“And I have yet to see proof of those skills, so you can hardly fault me for being doubtful.”
“Is my word not good enough?”
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“What action says, ‘Not in your wildest dreams, Kazansky?’”
“Hmm, maybe a blowjob?”
Mav couldn’t help the smile that grew on his face. “Fuck off. I’ve got my eyes on someone else. Or some ones , I should say. I plan to have a train run on me these eight weeks.”
Iceman’s eyes got cold and sharp. “Who’ve you got your eyes on?”
“You know, I usually go for blonds. Who’s that handsome one in the cowboy hat over there?”
“Wolfman,” Ice bit out. “And he’s with Hollywood. They’ve been together for years, on leave and in the barracks.”
“Hmm,” Mav hummed. He nodded his head at the benches. “What about him? God, he’s sexy in those shorts.”
Ice was quiet, his jaw clenched painfully.
Slider jumped in to answer when Ice didn’t. “Sundown. If you’d’ve got in the day before yesterday like everyone else did, you would know that he and Chipper are also together. Wouldn’t peg you for a homewrecker, Mav.”
Mav stepped closer and trailed a finger up Slider’s bare torso, already slick with sweat from standing under the sun. “Would you peg me for something else? Perhaps… pleasure?”
Slider looked confused. “Would I peg you for pleasure—oh, wait.”
“Took you a second, huh?”
“Sorry, Mav, but I’m a one-man kinda guy.”
Mav smiled. “Unfortunately, I think Goose is, too. Guess it’ll just be me who has to take on the burden of sleeping with every last man in Miramar. Treat him well, Kerner. And be gentle with him; he thinks you don’t want him.”
“Fucking hell, I have to up my flirting game if he thinks I don’t want him.”
Goose jogged up right then, finally clad in beach-appropriate clothing. The swim trunks were indeed very short and tight. Mav had seen Goose naked, but somehow those shorts were more obscene than if he had been wearing nothing at all. They really left not a single thing to the imagination.
It seemed that Slider had lost all human functioning capabilities.
“Wipe the drool off your face,” Ice said.
That got Slider out of his stupor. He was really quite smooth when he wanted to be. “Did those shorts get tighter, Bradshaw?”
Guess he didn’t want to be smooth.
“I think my ass just got fatter,” Goose said, turning around and looking over his shoulder at his own ass.
Slider’s eyes snapped down to his ass, and he barely refrained from reaching out and touching said ass.
“Give us a little jiggle,” said Mav.
Goose did.
Slider didn’t stop himself from touching this time. He palmed Goose’s ass cheek and leaned in to whisper: “God, don’t make me hard in these shorts, Bradshaw.”
Goose glanced at Mav, looking for encouragement. Mav gave him a nod, urging him on. He said, “That sounds like a challenge to me, Kerner.”
Slider dropped his head to Goose’s bare shoulder and let out a choked breath. “You’re killing me.”
“What, you can dish it out but you can’t take it?”
“Oh, yeah, I can take it all right. Question is: how much can you take?”
Goose pretended to think for a moment. “‘Bout eight, nine inches. I think the biggest I’ve ever had was eleven, but after a certain point it just gets tedious.”
“Sounds like my cock and your ass are gonna be very happy together.”
Before Goose could respond with anything other than a heated gaze, Mav slapped a hand on both of their shoulders. “Ready to play some volleyball, pilot and RIO versus pilot and RIO?”
On his way to the court, Ice knocked his shoulder against Mav’s. “May the best pilot win.”
“Win what?”
Ice turned around and raked his heavy, hot gaze up and down Mav’s body. “We’re gonna be seeing a lot more of each other if our RIOs are together.”
“I didn’t realize their budding relationship was a spectator sport. You want to watch them fuck? I know what Goose looks like when he comes—I can describe it for you if you want.”
Ice rolled his eyes. “I just meant that we should get to know each other more because we’re clearly going to be seeing each other a lot.”
“We’re stuck with ten other guys for eight weeks in the barracks. Of course, we’ll see each other. Get to the point, Kazansky. If you want to spend more time with me, just say the word.”
“A date.”
“A date?”
“I don’t want those other sailors touching you.” His nostrils flared with anger. Ah, so the Iceman had a possessive streak.
“You’re a bit possessive.”
“When I see something I want, I get it.”
Mav considered this. “Okay. If you win, I’ll go on a date with you. But I get to choose what we do.”
“Fine. And what do you want if you win?”
“If I win…” Mav picked up the volleyball that had rolled by his feet and brushed off the sand. He pushed the ball into Ice’s chest. “Then you get to choose what we do.”
Mav had a competitive streak a mile long. But, God, Ice was distracting. He would flash Mav a dirty grin, and it would make Mav miss the ball. Then Slider would flex before he served, and Goose’s legs would turn to jelly, so he was practically useless.
Mav called Goose over to talk to him in private after they had just lost five points in a row. “Dick has never made us stupid before, Goose! We can’t let it fry our brains now! This is fucking embarrassing.”
“I don’t know, Mav. I kinda promised Slider that if he won, he gets an hour with me before dinner, so part of me really, really wants to lose this game.”
Mav got a sick feeling in his gut. “What do you get if you win?”
Goose paused for a second. “An hour with him after dinner.”
God, they were fucking stupid. Dick-stupid. They were the worst naval decoys Operation Gay-for-Pay had ever seen. Except, of course, the original decoys in 1919 who had enlisted just to enthusiastically sleep with as many sailors as they could before getting court-martialed. At least Mav and Goose were pretending, albeit very poorly, that they weren’t both about to get boyfriends out of this deal. If, of course, “pretending” was synonymous with “lying to themselves.” Oops.
The game ended quickly, with Mav and Goose losing spectacularly. Mav’s ego and competitiveness were wounded, but something inside him thrilled at the idea of getting to pick their date. That was, until Ice opened his big, ugly mouth.
“Second place, Mav. This is what it will feel like in eight weeks when my name is on that trophy, so you’d better get used to it.”
Mav charged the net. “See if my foot doesn’t end up in your ass, Kazansky.”
Ice’s voice dropped low and husky. “See if my cock doesn’t end up in yours.”
A breath punched out of Mav like he’d been slammed in the gut. It took him a second to gather his composure after that line, seeing as most of it was zipping around somewhere down in his balls. His incessant need to be obstinate warred with his need to get his prostate pegged by Ice. Eventually, he said, “Promises, promises.” Then, he added, “Here at midnight.”
“Midnight?”
“That’s your prize, Kazansky. Don’t be late.” Without flourish, he left and headed back to the barracks. Goose did not follow.
Later, Mav swung his leg over the bench across from Hollywood and Wolfman, who greeted him warmly. Goose was still gone four hours later, but Mav couldn’t begrudge him a good fucking. Finally, his RIO walked into the mess, got his food, and came over to Mav. He sat down next to him gently, wincing, presumably at an ache in his thighs. Mav knew the feeling.
“Well. Debrief,” Mav said. “How did it go with Slider?”
“Hard dick. My ass. I nailed that son of a bitch.”
They high-fived. Goose deserved it. And he was practically glowing with a thousand-watt smile on his face. Coming his brains out was a good look on him.
“Anal sex becomes you, darling,” Mav said, affecting an old-Hollywood accent, making Goose flush with laughter.
When Slider walked in, he was preening like a goddamn peacock, and Ice had to knock him on the back of the head when he stopped and stared at Goose, blocking the doorway to the mess.
For the rest of dinner, Hollywood, Wolfman, and Goose talked while Mav tried to pretend that he wasn’t staring at Iceman.
He looked closely at Hollywood, over at Sundown, back to Chipper, then at Wolfman, and—nope, nothing. He didn’t even feel like flirting with them let alone sleeping with them. He could only conjure up blond hair and blue eyes and lean muscles and what he was sure was a long, throbbing—
How was he ever going to earn his $20 now if he only found one homosexual? And the thought of turning Tom over to the Navy made him sick. He was well and truly fucked, and not even in the fun way. At least, not yet.
“Can’t say I’ve been on many dates at midnight,” Ice said, strolling up to the sandpit volleyball court. Good, Mav was just beginning to think that Ice wasn’t coming. Well, it was still ten minutes to midnight, so he was actually early, but Mav was nervous. Sue him. “Some hookups, sure, but never a midnight date.”
Mav let out a shaky laugh. God, he really was nervous. “I’ve never been on a date.”
“At all?”
“No. I’m a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy.”
“What makes me different?”
“Who says you’re different?”
In the moonlight, Mav could see Ice raise one of his eyebrows. “You agreed to a date with me, didn’t you? Doesn’t feel very ‘love ‘em and leave ‘em’ to me.”
Mav smiled, softer than he would’ve liked. “Something about you… makes everything else seem unimportant,” he admitted.
“You’re gorgeous,” Ice said. “And dangerous. That’s what I like most about you.”
“Ugh, I think I’ve got a toothache.”
“Too sweet?”
“Definitely. But don’t stop.”
Ice smiled. This was so different from their interactions earlier. It wasn’t charged with the brash sexual tension that colored their other previous conversations, somehow all wrapped up in a rivalry and anger. Maybe it was the moon, bright above their heads. Maybe it was the subtle trill of bugs in the grass. Or maybe it was something else, bigger than all that. Don’t get it twisted; that sexual tension still simmered beneath the surface. But something softer mixed with Mav’s nervousness over his first date ever. Something he didn’t really want to put a name to. It felt nice to be pursued and desired and wanted . Wanted for more than a night.
“So what do you have planned for us on our date?”
“I thought we could go skinny dipping.”
That soft little bubble that was growing between them filled with unnameable, deep emotions burst in an instant, and Ice’s eyes grew heated. Mav could feel it down in his toes. Flirting had never felt so good with someone, and he had half a mind to keep Ice waiting before he put out so this little back-and-forth game they were playing could continue indefinitely. The other half of his mind—the much bigger half—just wanted to get fucked on the beach.
Mav pulled his shirt off in one fluid motion, and he watched as Ice’s eyes tracked the movement. His hungry gaze roamed over Mav’s bare torso (even though he had seen it earlier that day when they were playing volleyball). Mav hooked his fingers in his shorts and underwear and tugged them down to his ankles, kicking them off somewhere in the direction that he had thrown his shirt.
“Well?” Mav said expectantly.
Ice’s voice was rapturous when he spoke. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Mav’s cock twitched at the words, and Ice’s gaze cut there quickly, his pupils getting somehow even larger. Ice reached out his fingers to touch his lower belly, but Mav pushed his hand away.
“No. No touching until I get to see you, too.”
Ice did not hesitate. He removed his clothes clinically, without shame and without taking his eyes off of Mav. And so he did not miss it when Mav left Ice standing there with his pants halfway down his thighs and made for the ocean. Ice almost fell over trying to follow after him. Mav made it to the edge of the water before Ice caught up to him. He grabbed Mav by the hip and neck, tugging him around. He bent Mav over backward and started mouthing along his jawline.
“You’re so fucking addictive.”
Mav hummed in contentment and ran his flat palms up Ice’s abs and over his pecs, grazing lightly against his nipples. He tangled his fingers in Ice’s short blond hair and dragged his head up. Before Ice could get his mouth back on him, however, Mav said, “Skinny dipping, babe. Into the water.”
“Bullshit,” Ice said. “You said I could get my hands on you if I was naked.”
“Did I say that? I don’t remember saying that. Doesn’t sound like something I would say.”
Ice’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. Mav knew what little restraint he had would wear out soon, and so he took off running into the water, not stopping until it hit his mid-thigh. Ice followed after, cursing Mav’s name. The water was fucking freezing, and both men were shivering by the time they found each other again.
“ This is your idea of a fun date? Letting my balls freeze off?”
Mav gave his balls a very pointed glance. “They look alright to me.”
“I don’t know, maybe you should double check.”
Mav did, cupping his balls with one hand. He squeezed them a little and said in a detached British accent like he was a butler: “All seems to be in working order, sir.”
“Not for very much longer if you keep me out here.” With that, Ice put his large hands on either side of Mav’s face and dragged him into a kiss. It was soft at first, searching, but quickly heated up when Mav opened his mouth and let Ice’s tongue slip inside. Mav moaned, shivered, and pressed his body closer to Ice’s.
Mav cupped water in his hand and splashed it up into Ice’s face, who sputtered. “What was that for?”
“I’ve got a reputation to uphold, and you’re turning me soft.”
“Hmm, your cock against my thigh says otherwise, baby.”
Mav ducked his head, bashful, only serving to prove that Ice was indeed making him soft.
“How ‘bout that second-rate handjob?” Mav asked to defuse the tension while he held up his hand and flexed his fingers.
“I’ve got a better idea.” Ice drew his mouth up for another quick, sensual press of their lips. It was against Mav’s mouth that he whispered: “Let me take you back to shore.”
They raced, half-dressed, through the halls, trying and failing to keep from laughing and waking up the whole base. Ice yanked Mav through a seemingly innocuous doorway. The room was dimly lit, empty, with just a bed and a couple nightstands against the far wall. The moon shone through the window, partially concealed by gossamer green curtains.
“What is this place? This isn’t, like, Viper’s room, is it?”
Ice shut the door behind them and pressed Mav back against it. “Again, if you would’ve shown up a day earlier like everyone else did, you would know about the row of empty bedrooms on base in case we get visitors.”
“And, what, we’re just allowed to use them to fuck in when we want?”
“Didn’t take you for a rule-follower. Viper specifically said not to use them for nefarious purposes, but he kind of winked when he said it, so that’s all but express permission in my book.”
Mav hummed. “Well, Mr. Kazansky, it seems that all the stars have perfectly aligned in your favor tonight, and you’re gonna get lucky.”
“I’d still consider myself lucky if we stopped right here.”
Mav put his hand on the doorknob behind him and made as if he was going to leave. “Oh, I can go if you want me to…”
Ice slammed his hand against the door by Mav’s head and leaned in closely to whisper in his ear. “Don’t even think about it. Not when I’ve got you right where I want you.”
Their mouths met with a fury and heat that Mav had never felt before from any of his previous hookups. Huh, guess it really was better when you were in love.
Shit, in love ? His heart stopped beating in his chest.
Ice pulled back, sensing Mav’s discontent. “What’s wrong?”
He was falling in love with the man the Navy was paying him to turn in.
Mav searched Ice’s eyes. He carefully arched his back further into the other man’s body, pressed their mouths together once more, and lost himself to Ice’s heat. Sensing the change in their meeting, Ice slowed their kiss down from the franticness that had painted their earlier kiss and made it deeper this time. Mav could sense the emotion, and it made his head spin and his cock hard.
Ice walked them backward to the bed, and he laid Mav on it gently. He was silent and reverent as he drew Mav’s shorts back down his legs. He took a moment just to look before he shucked off his own pants. He climbed over Mav, pressing the lengths of their bodies together. Ice used his fingertips to push back some of Mav’s hair that had flopped forward in his face. Mav let out a shaky breath.
“You ever done this before, baby?”
Mav choked out a laugh, and that snapped the tension between them like a rubber band, thankfully. Mav didn’t know how much more his heart could handle. “Yes. Never like this, though.”
Ice smiled and pulled them so they were on their sides facing one another. He trailed his finger down Mav’s side, over his trim waist. A shiver wracked itself down his spine.
“Make love to me, Tom.”
Ice looked at him with bare awe in his eyes. His voice was a whisper: “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Ice trailed kisses down Mav’s body until he reached the crux of his hip and groin. On his knees and forearms, he looked up at Mav through his pale eyelashes. “I am going to worship you.”
Mav spread his thighs and dropped his head onto the pillow behind him. Ice licked a stripe up the length of his cock and tongued at the head. Mav whined, and his legs clamped around Ice’s ears. Ice dragged a finger back and just let it rest against Mav’s hole, a constant pressure without breaching. Mav’s body didn’t know whether to buck up into the heat of Ice’s mouth or press down into the promise of his finger inside of him. Nothing, nothing had ever felt quite like this.
“Please.” His voice was little more than a breath.
“Hang on, baby, I’ve got lube in my pants.”
Ice made to get off the bed, but Mav clenched his legs tighter and kept him right where he was. Mav reached over and pulled open the drawers on one of the nightstands. Sure enough, there was lube and condoms in there. Mav threw them on the bed and let his thighs relax their grip on the man kneeling between his legs.
“God, I fucking love Top Gun,” Ice said.
It wasn’t long before Ice was two knuckles deep in Mav, whose back was arched in the air as he tried to get him to push in further. But Ice was content to take his sweet time. Finally, only after Ice had slowly pressed three of his fingers into Mav, did Ice pull out and roll a condom on himself.
“How do you want this?”
“Just like this,” Mav said without hesitating. On his back. Ice smiled and helped him situate a pillow under his hips to make this position a bit easier on his lower back. “Kiss me,” Mav said, and Iceman did.
And he was good at multitasking, because as he was stroking his tongue deep in Mav’s mouth, he was lining up his cock. He pulled his head back a hair’s breadth and whispered against Mav’s red, swollen mouth: “Ready for me, baby?”
“I’ve been ready, Tom,” he said. “So, get on with it already.”
Ice’s grin was wicked as he pressed forward in one long, smooth motion, sending Mav keening. He held his breath while Ice was pushing in, but once he bottomed out, it all left him in a single low exhale. He gasped for air and gripped Ice’s shoulders like a lifeline.
“Oh, my God,” Mav breathed once he got some semblance of control back.
Ice pushed Mav’s legs back, leaned over him, and pressed his mouth to his throat. “I’ve got you.”
“Move.”
Ice did. “Fuck, you’re so tight. I’m not gonna last. Stroke yourself.”
Mav complied, and he set a brutal pace for himself as Ice pounded his ass. They got a rhythm after a few strokes, and soon enough, Mav was cursing as his balls drew up tight.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit, I’m—”
“Come for me, baby. Lemme see.”
Mav gasped as he came across his stomach, stroking himself through the tremors. Ice pumped twice more before Mav clenched his ass around his cock, and Ice was coming deep inside of him.
Mav pulled him down for a kiss, and the cooling come on his stomach slid between their bodies. After a long, languid kiss, Ice pulled out and moved to grab his shirt off the ground. Mav stretched out his legs, the muscles in his thighs protesting. He carefully cleaned Mav off and then settled back into the bed with him. Mav curled up on his side, throwing one leg over his hips and trailing his hand across his pecs.
Ice ran his finger over the soft skin under Mav’s eye. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
Oh, Mav didn’t even realize that he was crying. “I’m just happy, I think. God, now I’m the loser who cries after sex.”
Ice kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. I like it.”
Mav let out a wet laugh. “Pretty good first date, I think,” he said.
“I’m gonna take you on a real date.”
“What, mine wasn’t good enough for the big, bad Iceman?”
Ice pressed his lips against Mav’s hairline. “You know that’s not what I meant. It was perfect, but I want to do right by you. I’ll take you out to a fancy restaurant and romance you like you deserve.”
Mav arched his neck back to kiss Ice. “I don’t need fancy,” Mav whispered. “I just need you.”
“Right answer.” Ice rolled over on top of Mav and kissed him.
Mav snuck back into the barracks he shared with Goose, Hollywood, and Wolfman just as the sun was breaking over the horizon.
Goose stopped him just as he opened the door. “We’ve got a problem, Mav.”
Mav shut the door behind him. “What—what’s going on?”
“I got a phone call from Stinger last night.”
It took Mav a half second to place the name. He had Ice on his mind. Oh, Stinger was the man who enlisted Mav and Goose in Operation Gay-for-Pay. “What did he say?” There was a sickening feeling in Mav’s gut.
“He’s visiting on the last day when we all graduate Top Gun, and he wants a list of everyone we know is gay.”
“Fuck.” Mav clasped his hands behind his head and sent a silent prayer up to the ceiling. “I mean, we expected this, right? That we would have to give him some names.”
“I don’t know, Mav. I think if he comes, it’s gonna be obvious that we aren’t doing what he’s paying us to do!”
“Either we man up and tell monogamy to fuck off, or we lie to him and give him some random office boys’ names, and we’re all good.”
Goose rolled his eyes. “We can’t just get random people court-martialed for no reason, Mav!”
“We’ll figure it out when we get there, Goose. Don’t worry. Just keep bending over for your boy, and it will all work out in the end.”
Goose shook his head in annoyance, but he didn’t say anything as he walked out of the barracks. The answer was obvious about what Mav was supposed to do. He knew walking into this that he was going to have to give the Navy a list of his fellow men, fellow homosexuals. However, as soon as he got here, and he saw all these men—his brothers—he knew he wouldn’t be able to do it. Hollywood and Wolfman. Sundown and Chipper. Ice . There was no way those men could be on any list that Mav and Goose conjured up.
But.
This was what he was enlisted for, and this was what he was getting paid to do. He had to give Stinger a list at graduation. It was a bad idea to go on a date with an aviator, and an even worse idea to fall in love.
He was gonna have to take a step back.
Even though it was going to kill him.
Of course, right after he convinced himself that he was going to never talk to Ice again, Viper paired them up for their first time up in the air today. Dogfighting.
On the tarmac, Ice sauntered over to Mav, looking every bit the tall, sexy pilot that Mav knew him to be. Too bad they were done.
“Wanna make another bet, Mav-rick?” he asked, emphasizing the final syllable of his name.
Mav swallowed down his heart. He put his fist against Ice’s chest and went against every bit of his body, which was screaming at him to drag Ice back to the barracks and have his every which way with him. Instead, he said, “We had a nice night last night, but I think it’s best if we don’t continue this.”
Ice’s face fell for an instant before he put up a cool mask that revealed none of his emotions. A muscle jumped in his jaw, though, giving him away. “What?”
Mav looked away. “You know the Navy’s rules. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Are you going to give me a choice in the matter?”
“This is for the best, Tom.” Mav walked away to his own plane before Ice could see him cry.
Before long, they were up in the air. The cross-plane comms were silent—no sexy, tense banter between Ice and Mav. Slider and Goose stayed quiet, too, perhaps sensing the tension between their pilots. The communication between Mav and Goose was minimal—just what was necessary in order to fly and to lock in on the other plane.
Ice zipped in front of Mav, and Mav had to quickly change course in order to avoid a midair crash. He steered back into the game behind Ice and tried for missile lock.
But.
They hit Ice’s jet wash.
Mav lost control of the plane, and they were spiraling out of the air. He knew what he had to do, but he wasn’t sure he could do it.
He did it, and they both shot out of the plane. He heard a crunch, and their parachutes opened. They floated down to the water while their plane crashed.
Sirens. A helicopter. Darkness.
Mav was sitting in the hospital chair, his elbows on his knees and his fists together on his forehead. The machine beeped steadily, and each beep spiked his anxiety levels through the roof.
Goose hadn’t woken up yet.
His neck was in a brace. There were scrapes on his cheeks, and one eye was black. But he was alive. Mav was okay, and Goose was alive but unconscious.
“Fuck,” said a voice from the door. Slider. He held flowers in his hand, and set them on the side table as he rushed the bed. “Baby.”
“Nurse said she’s optimistic he’ll wake up in the next few hours.”
“Can I wait here with you?”
Mav let out a shaky breath. “Of course. He’d… want you to be here.”
Slider found a seat just as someone else came in the door. “Hey,” Ice said.
Mav was out of his seat in an instant, wrapping his arms around Ice and shoving his face into his neck. The sobs he had been holding back for hours hit him full force, and he gasped for air against Ice’s throat. He was shaking something violent, and Ice ran his hand up and down his spine in an attempt to calm him down.
“I wasn’t sure you’d want me here, but—”
“Shut up,” Mav said. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—”
Ice shushed him and pulled him impossibly tighter to his chest. They stayed like that for a very long time as the sun sank lower in the sky, and the machine beeped languidly.
Slider fell asleep in his chair after a few hours, his arms crossed over his chest and his chin settled on his sternum. Ice and Mav whispered together, Mav too full of adrenaline to sleep and Ice too in love to think about it.
“He’s my only family, Ice. It’s always been me on my own since my parents died when I was a kid. Foster home after foster home, and when I enlisted I met Goose. He’s been my best friend ever since, and I almost lost him today. I almost killed him.”
“Baby,” Ice said, full of every emotion swirling around in his body—pity, love, care, sympathy, guilt. He cupped Mav’s cheeks and made him look him right in the eyes. “This was not your fault. There was nothing you could’ve done, and what you did do was save his life.” Ice tipped his head down and willed back tears. “It was my jet wash—”
“Shut up. It was not your fault.”
“Then it wasn’t yours either.”
“Can you both shut the fuck up? It was neither of your fault.” Goose’s eyes were still closed as he said it.
It was a toss-up who made it to Goose’s bedside first, but even asleep, Slider probably beat Ice and Mav.
“Goose,” Mav said, his voice shaky with unshed tears. “I love you, fuck. I’m so sorry.”
“Love ya, too, Mavvy. I vote we don't eject anymore. It fucking hurts. Doc say how long ‘til we can get back up in the air?”
Mav choked back a sob. “You broke your neck, Goose.”
“Ah, so, like two weeks.” He jarred his neck and winced at the pain.
“Don’t move, baby,” Slider said, putting his hands out around Goose without touching him as if to prevent him from standing up, which Goose clearly had no plan to do.
“Ron. You came.”
“No place else I’d want to be, Bradshaw.” There were tears on his cheeks.
“What’s with all these tears for me? I’m okay. Kiss me.”
Both Slider and Mav moved forward before they looked at each other in shock and jerked back. Ice snorted.
“He clearly meant me,” Slider said, and Mav waved him off. Slider brushed Goose’s hair off his forehead and pressed his mouth to his skin.
“No, a real kiss,” Goose whined.
“Your face is all jacked up.”
“I hate it when it does that. My hands still work, though.” He showed them that they indeed did still work, holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers. Slider grabbed his hand and gently kissed his knuckles. It was the softest Mav had ever seen the men.
“Not exactly what I meant,” Goose said.
“I know, baby. You get better, and then I’ll kiss you all you want.”
“I’m counting on it.” Goose’s eyelids were getting heavy, and he drifted back to sleep just as a nurse hurried in to check his vitals. Mav leaned his forehead against Ice’s chest and felt his heart return to its place in between his ribs.
Ice and Mav were in their underwear on Ice’s bed, his larger frame wrapped around Mav’s smaller one, limbs tangled together until they were one man. Ice was pressing chaste kisses on the back of his neck while raking his fingers through his short black hair.
After an indeterminable amount of time, Mav sighed and rolled over in bed to face Ice. “I have to tell you something.”
“Okay.” Ice kissed him on the tip of his nose. “Anything.”
Mav sighed again. “Goose and I are enlisted in Operation Gay-for-Pay.”
Ice’s eyes got wide, and he started to pull back, but Mav held him tight.
“I assume you’ve heard of it then?”
“I thought it was just a rumor. Let me go.”
“Hear me out, please.” Mav loosened his grip, but Ice didn’t move away. “Our captain told us to pretend to be gay in order to figure out who in the Navy at Top Gun was actually gay. And we would give him a list of men, and they would be court-martialed and dishonorably discharged. Goose and I took the job because, well, we’re gay, and we thought it was the Navy giving us free rein to sleep with as many men as we wanted for eight weeks here.
“But we hadn’t counted on you and Slider.”
Ice’s face was steely cold, so Mav continued. “We hadn’t counted on… falling in love.”
“Mav—”
“Tom. Tom . I needed you to know. I’m falling for you. And that’s why I said what I said on the tarmac. The captain is coming to graduation, and he’s expecting us to give him a list of all the suspected homosexuals. I was trying to protect you from me, but… I can’t stay away. Not after what happened to Goose. Not after you were there for me when I was such a shithead to you and have been lying to you for these past few days.”
“To be fair, I didn’t know you two were lying decoys when I showed up in that hospital room.”
“Goose getting hurt is so much bigger than all this bullshit. And I’d rather be court-martialed a million times than ever hurt you again.”
Ice clenched his jaw, and his eyes searched Mav’s face. “I don’t know if I can stand by while you turn in others like us. That goes against the movement, Mav. We can't turn our backs on one another when the entire world wants to see us dead of AIDS or worse.”
“We’re not going to turn anyone in. I don’t know what Goose and I are going to do, but I know we’re not going to give him a list with anyone’s name on it.”
Ice sighed. “I’m trusting you. I’m trusting you, perhaps against my better judgment, Pete. Because.” Ice let out a puff of air that tickled Mav’s face. “Because I’m falling for you, too.”
Oh .
Ice’s mouth was so, so soft when Mav pressed his mouth against Ice’s. “I’m sorry,” Mav breathed. “I never meant to hurt you, and I hate that I did.”
“I forgive you. Don’t do it again.” Ice dove back in, prodding Mav’s mouth open with his tongue and bending him backward on the bed.
Mav whined when Ice pulled back to breathe. “Where—where is everyone?”
Ice made a show of looking around the empty room. “Slider’s staying overnight at the hospital with Goose. The others… probably taking advantage of the few days of leave they’ve given us.”
Mav’s smile was tinged with sadness at the edges at the reminder of Goose in the hospital and the reason why they’ve been given a few days off.
Ice mirrored Mav’s smile, his eyes softening at the corners. “Let’s help each other forget.”
“Fuck my mouth,” was what Mav said in response. He rolled over and pressed Ice back down into the mattress. He dragged his teeth on the underside of Ice’s jaw, where a little bit of stubble had grown since they’d last been horizontal. Mav rubbed his own cheek against the scruff without shame. Ice adjusted his shoulders on the bed and tangled his fingers in Mav’s hair. He dragged him up to kiss him again. Their mouths were hot where they were connected. Their kiss turned into panting against one another with open mouths as Mav rolled his hips down onto Ice’s. Their underwear was becoming an issue. So they slid them off and kicked them onto the floor. Mav pulled the sheet up over their naked bodies as he slipped under and bit at Ice’s hip.
Ice chuckled, and that chuckle turned into a keening moan as Mav took his cock to the back of his throat in one swallow. Ice struggled to stop himself from jerking his hips up. Mav groaned around his cock and urged Ice to fuck his mouth like he asked for by gripping his hips and pulling them up. Ice’s hips were trim and lean like the rest of him, and Mav held on for dear life as Ice relentlessly fucked his throat. Tears formed at the corners of his eyes, and he choked and gagged as Ice went too deep. Ice lifted up the sheet and looked at Mav, who gazed back at him with tears dotting his lashes and drool sliding down his chin. “You okay?”
Mav pulled off with a pop and smiled. “Never better.”
“C’mere.”
Mav crawled back up, and Ice ran his hands up and down Mav’s back. Warmth spread throughout Mav’s body, and he shivered at the feeling. He watched as Ice reached a hand under his pillow and pulled out a little bottle of lube. He squeezed some into his fingers and spread it over his inner thighs. With what was left over, he jerked Mav for a few strokes. Mav let his head fall back at Ice’s ministrations.
“I—” Ice’s voice was shy like he was nervous. “I don’t like to be fucked.”
Mav sensed more was coming. “Okay,” he whispered.
Ice took a breath and looked Mav right in the eyes. “But you can have me like this.” He moved his hands to where he had just spread lube on himself. “Between my thighs.”
Mav exhaled. “Tom.” His voice was reverent.
It took some maneuvering, but they got Ice’s legs over Mav’s shoulders and his thighs pressed close enough together to squeeze Mav’s cock in between them. Mav’s first thrust was long and fluid. Their cocks slid against one another, and the angle that Mav was at aligned their balls with a deep pressure.
“God, Kazansky, you feel so fucking good.”
Ice grinned and reached down to encircle both of their cocks, squeezing lightly. So now not only was Mav’s cock fucking Ice’s thighs but also into his hand. He was wrapped up in Ice, but it was nowhere near enough. He bent Ice nearly in half in order to kiss him all while continuing to fuck into him.
“I'm fucking close,” Mav panted. "What can I do for you?"
“Hah,” Ice breathed. “I’ll come when you come. Show me what'cha got, Mitchell.”
Mav sped up. Their balls slapped against one another, loud in the empty room.
“I love you,” Ice whispered, and that was it. Mav was coming in long stripes on Ice’s abs—which was a sight he wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon. He didn’t stop his thrusts, which were milking Ice’s cock as his cum joined Mav’s own on his stomach. He came with a sexy grunt that Mav filed away for a future solo session.
Mav slowed down, dropping his head between Ice’s thighs, which he spread to stretch out his muscles. Ice dragged his fingers through their mixed spend on his skin, dragging his fingers up to his mouth to suck on them. Mav almost came a second time at the sight.
“You’re dirty,” Mav teases.
“Only for you.”
“Make sure it stays that way.”
“Looks like I’m not the only possessive one.” Ice smiled softly, closing his eyes and tilting his head back on his pillow.
“I’m not gonna let you slip through my fingers.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
The next weeks passed in a blur of flying, fucking, and… visiting Goose in the hospital. Two weeks, and they released him to stay in one of the visitor’s rooms on base—something that made them all very happy but perhaps made Slider the happiest of all of them.
Ice made good on his promise of taking Mav on a date to a fancy restaurant. They were grounded for the afternoon due to heavy thunderstorms, and after a quick debrief, Viper let them off for the rest of the day. At Top Gun, it seemed their main priority was making sure the men were well-rested and that they were put into as many homoerotic situations as humanly possible. Not that Mav was complaining.
The restaurant was dimly lit. When the host sat them at their table in the back corner, Mav couldn’t help but notice how romantic the place was. They were situated well away from everyone else. Ice pulled out a chair for Mav before sitting on the opposite side of the table. Their space was lit only by candlelight, and the softly dancing flame cast Ice’s face in deep shadows. His eyes were electric, and they didn’t stray from Mav as Ice ordered whatever wine the waiter was offering to them with a flick of his long fingers.
Being gay, they had both brought full wardrobes with them to Top Gun, and now Mav was very glad he’d had the foresight to do so. And he was glad Ice thought to do the same. The man across from him looked sexy as all hell in a white button down open to his sternum and fitted dark green dress pants. His hands were folded in front of his mouth, elbows on the table, and his ring reflected the candle back at Mav. His eyes, however, were slowly roaming Mav’s body, up and down just as he had that first meeting.
Mav preened at the attention and drew his shoulders back. Ice had given him no further instructions than “dress nice,” and Mav was glad that Ice seemed to approve. He wore a black silk blouse unbuttoned so low it was borderline obscene. His pants were dark blue and hugged his ass perfectly; he'd felt Ice’s gaze on him as he led him into the restaurant, Ice's hand on his lower back, the tip of his pinky finger teasing below. Mav’s mouth was bitten red from their ten minutes spent in the car prior to coming in, and he swiped his tongue over his lower lip, tempting Ice’s eyes back up to his face.
“I’d have one foot out the door if I didn’t make you a promise,” Ice finally said. “I’ve never seen anything so gorgeous in my life.”
Mav lowered his lashes, and the gaze he leveled on Ice was molten. “I told you I didn’t need fancy.”
“No, but you deserve it.”
The waiter bringing the wine by was the only thing that stopped Mav from jumping across the table and eating Ice alive. Even with the waiter there, it was a close thing.
Ice popped the bottle and poured them each a glass. The wine was good. Mav had never been much of a wine drinker, but Ice assured him it was expensive. Which apparently meant it tasted good. Mav smiled around the rim of his glass and crossed his ankles under the table, shifting his weight further onto his right side. He mouthed “I love you” at Ice, who flushed brilliantly. Ice had said it in the heat of the moment when they were having sex, once, but Mav hadn’t said it back yet. And Mav wasn’t even sure if Ice remembered saying it then.
He let Ice order for them when the waiter came by again. There was something special about being taken care of like this, and his feelings about it settled far below his navel.
“What made you want to be a pilot?”
Ice sighed and ran his finger along the rim of his glass. “I just—needed to be free. My parents were stifling, wanting me to go to law school, to marry some family friend’s daughter. I needed to escape, and there’s no greater freedom than the skies.” Ice took a breath. “Plus, one day I saw the music video for that one Village People song, ‘In the Navy,’ and that was it for me.”
Mav’s eyes widened. “I love the Village People.”
Ice smiled. “That music video saved my life. They made the Navy look so fun and…”
“Queer?”
“Yeah.”
“Well,” Mav said. “Is it living up to your expectations?”
Ice grinned with his eyes. “This is better than anything teenage Tom could ever think up.”
“Mmm, what did teenage Tom fantasize about?”
“At that age, any man who came to the house to discuss business deals with my father was potential fantasy-fodder.” Ice leaned in over the table, and Mav followed suit. “But. Once I got a little older, my fantasies started to be about taking someone apart with my mouth, black hair and hazel eyes, a plump red mouth, that first press of my cock—”
“Your food, sirs.”
Ice and Mav jerked back instantly when the waiter materialized out of nowhere. Mav hid his smile in his hand as the waiter set their food down in front of them. Once he left, Ice and Mav burst out into laughter, causing a ruckus and earning them the stares of people at the closest tables to them. Whoops.
They got themselves back under control, and Mav curled his fingers into Ice’s palm resting on the table. “Well, I’m no daddy businessman, but I hope I live up to your other fantasies.”
Ice looked serious across the candle at Mav. “You are more than I could dream for, Pete. You are the moon when I am lost in darkness, the cold across my thighs when I’m wading in the ocean. You’re the flame heating my skin. I would beg on my knees for your attention and give up my life for a moment of your time. My heart yearns for you when you’re folded in my arms, and my body sings for you when you’re tucked under my chin. You are all, Mav, and you are more.”
Mav pursed his lips and willed back his tears. “I would give you everything.”
“Baby, I’ve already got it.”
Mav couldn’t not kiss him for a second longer. He pushed across the table and met Ice halfway, their mouths connecting in a frantic heat that spoke of the times they’ve met in dark corners on base or empty rooms expressly vacant for this exact purpose. Their lips tangled like they’ve never not been touching, and they would never separate again.
But Ice yelped and pulled back. He fingered his shirt collar, which, Mav noticed, had caught the tip of the candle’s flame and was now charred black.
“Are you okay?”
“Sorry, baby,” Ice said, kissing him once more before sitting back in his chair. “Can we finish that later?”
Mav’s gaze was steady. “My night belongs to you.”
“And each one henceforth.”
“Henceforth?”
Ice flushed. “Yeah, I read it somewhere, I think.”
Mav laughed and finally picked up his fork. “Didn’t take you for a 19th century gentleman.” Ice had ordered him a strip steak with roasted potatoes and carrots on the side.
“The secret’s out, I guess.” Ice had a roasted fish served over rice with rosemary. Mav stole a forkful of rice, and Ice swiped at him, causing Mav to spill it across the table.
They ate, chatting back and forth about equally meaningless and meaningful topics. Mav learned that Ice’s dream vacation was the beaches of Italy, and Mav revealed that he’d followed in his father’s footsteps in joining the Navy and becoming a pilot. Ice worried his father would never truly accept him, and Mav said he’d never been on a plane before flying one for the first time in the Navy.
“You’re not eating,” Ice observed. “I can order you something else if you don’t like it.”
“I like it plenty,” Mav said. “I’m just…” He pushed some potatoes around on his plate. “If you wanted to… you know… then I shouldn’t…” Mav was embarrassed—more embarrassed that he couldn’t say the words. Thankfully, Ice got it without him having to fully verbalize it.
“You never have to do anything you don’t want to with me, Pete. I’m serious.”
Okay, so maybe Ice didn’t get it. Mav was looking to get fucked tonight, and Ice was over there thinking that he was pressuring Mav into something he didn’t want to do. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Mav leaned over the table to whisper in Ice’s ear. “This hole is yours, and I want you to use it.”
Ice bit at the air and turned the tables on Mav by licking a stripe up the side of his neck. “And I plan to use it. But only if you clear your plate.”
Mav saluted. “Yessir.”
Nearing the end of his dinner, Mav toed off his shoe and dragged his socked toe up Ice’s ankle underneath his pants. Ice’s eyes darkened.
“Dessert?” Mav asked. “Can you afford it?”
Again, Ice called the waiter over with a flick of his fingers without looking away from Mav. The assertiveness sent a zap of electricity through his body. Ice ordered something in hushed tones, and a few minutes passed before two cups of ice cream were set down in front of them. Ice picked up his spoon. “Apricot gelato.”
Mav tried it. “It’s good.” He nibbled at it slowly, licking his spoon, making love to the metal.
“Eat it,” Ice said, his voice low and dark. “Or I will eat it for you.”
Mav bent his head. “God, you’re sexy when you’re all bossy and threatening.”
“And you’re sexy when you’re acting like a brat.”
“I can be brattier.”
“I’m sure you can. But you won’t if you want me to touch you tonight.”
Mav pushed away the cup. “I think I’m full.”
“Not yet, but you will be.”
Ice left their waiter a very large tip, and something about that was sexy to Mav.
They barely made it to Ice’s car before his mouth was on Mav’s, all wet heat, apricot, and something solely Ice. He bent Mav backward over the hood of his Jag and licked deep into his mouth. They somehow got into the car and drove off, and Ice’s hand found its way to Mav’s inner thigh, his fingers brushing against the crease of his hip and groin.
They were only halfway back to the base, and this was already the longest car ride of Mav’s life. He threw his head back against his seat and whined, “Need you.”
“Almost there, baby.”
They burst through the door of an empty visitor room and slammed it shut behind them. Ice pulled Mav’s shirt so hard that the buttons popped off.
“I’ll buy you a new one,” he said against his throat. He pulled the ends of the shirt out of Mav’s pants and pushed the silky fabric off his shoulders.
“You not caring about money turns me on.”
“There’s not a single thing about you that doesn’t turn me on, Mav.”
Mav made a noise like he’d been gutted, and he dragged Ice over to the bed, where they tumbled gracelessly. Ice’s body covered him from head to toe, and Mav arched his back up to get just that much closer to his lover.
Ice rolled them over so Mav was on top, his legs straddling Ice’s narrow waist and their groins grinding together.
“Hah, ah, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Mav said through a keening whine.
Ice pulled back from where he was mouthing along Mav’s jawline and gave him a curious look. “Oh yeah?”
Mav knelt over Ice and unbuttoned his own pants, pulling them just under the curve of his ass. He grabbed Ice’s hand and brought it there, making sure Ice’s fingers grazed the silicone nestled in his hole. Ice gasped, and when Mav let go of his hand, he kept it there, pressing his fingers against the foreign object.
“This is a surprise. Where did you get it?”
“Viper was handing them out earlier,” Mav said. “Something about a grant from the government, and he wanted to reward us for working so hard lately.”
“Well, looks like it’s my lucky day,” Ice said. “All ready for me?” Ice’s fingers toyed with the edge of the plug, and he pushed it in a little bit further, twisting it around so it pressed right against Mav’s prostate.
Mav whined. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”
“You like it when I tease.”
“Not tonight. Need you.”
Ice apparently wasn’t feeling mean tonight, so he slid the plug out of Mav and threw it off the side of the bed. Simultaneously, Mav undid all the buttons on all of Ice’s clothes and helped him get naked. Ice reached toward the side table for a condom and lube, but Mav stopped his wrist as he went to open the rubber.
“I got tested,” Mav said. “I’m clean, if you want to…”
“Same here,” Ice said. “I’ve never gone without before.”
Mav exhaled. “Me neither.”
Ice set the condom back in the drawer. He uncapped the lube, pressed some out onto his fingers, and covered his own cock. He slipped two fingers inside Mav to make sure he was ready for him. Mav ground down and back onto his fingers and planted his palms flat on Ice’s abs for stability.
“Please,” he gasped.
Ice relented, pulling himself out of his pants, which he pushed down to his ankles and kicked them off the side of the bed. Mav reached behind himself and grabbed Ice’s cock, loosely stroking it. He thumbed the tip and lined himself. Both men held their breath as Mav sank down onto Ice.
“God, you feel so good, baby,” Ice praised. “So warm.” He ran his hands up Mav’s abs and chest, his thumbs brushing his nipples and fingers digging into his back muscles. Mav sat down quickly with a groan, his ass meeting Ice’s groin. He leaned back to catch his breath, placing his hands on either side of the bed. Ice smoothed his palms up and down Mav’s straining, shaking thighs.
“You’re fucking gorgeous, Pete,” Ice said, exalted.
Mav started moving, grinding his hips down as Ice rolled his and met Mav halfway. It was good, so fucking good. It was always good when they fucked, but the feeling of Ice’s cock without the condom between them was electric. And the knowledge that Mav would walk out of this room with Ice dripping down his legs… He almost shot off at the mere thought of it.
“Want to feel you come inside me,” he said. “Feel you leaking out of me afterward.” He bounced.
Ice growled and clenched his fingers so hard on Mav’s hips that he was sure to leave bruises. He bucked up, putting Mav off balance, and Ice pounced. He flipped them over, smoothly, and fucked into Mav hard. Mav locked his ankles behind Ice’s back and arched up into him. Ice was pounding him, dragging his cock—bare, hard, hot, bare—against his prostate on every stroke. Mav was getting close, fast, too fast.
“Fuck, tell me you’re close, Pete.”
Mav could only moan in response. He fisted his own cock, pumping quickly. He was right at the edge when Ice came, pushing deep inside of him, heat spilling out and spreading through Mav’s entire body. He whited out as he came in long spurts over his fist and abs, stroking himself through the final tremors.
Ice panted, hot in Mav’s neck as he came down. He stretched his arm muscles while Mav unhooked his legs. Ice slipped out, making Mav whine from the loss. Mav pulled his legs toward himself before Ice palmed Mav’s knees. He pushed them back toward Mav’s shoulders and out toward the sides of the bed.
“Don’t hide from me.”
Mav threw his forearm over his eyes as Ice leaned in to get a good look at the place where he and Mav had just been connected.
“How is it?” Mav’s voice was raw. He must’ve been loud.
In lieu of responding, Ice licked a stripe up Mav’s ass, dipping his tongue inside of his stretched hole. Mav gasped, hypersensitivity jolting his spine. Ice pulled back, and he finally said, “I can taste myself inside of you.”
The breath punched out of Mav, and he made grabby hands so his lover would crawl up his body.
“Can you feel my cum?”
“Yes. I don’t want to let it go.”
“Mmm.” Ice kissed him, deep and searching. “I want you to feel me sliding out of you next time you put on your flight suit. When you’re going Mach 6 over the ocean. And once it’s gone.” He punctuated his words with another kiss. “Once it’s gone, I’ll just have to fill you up again.”
Again, and again, and again.
And it still wouldn’t be enough.
Mav had all but forgotten about the job they were here to do; he had put Stinger and their deadline of graduation to turn in their fellow pilots out of his mind. But the reminder kept coming up at the most inopportune moments. Like when Ice and Mav got back to the lounge area, and there was… Well, Mav wasn’t quite sure what was going on.
Mav knew Goose had been getting antsy just sitting around base and watching the other boys play beach volleyball and go up in the air and take full advantage of the empty classrooms and dark corners around the buildings. But Mav did not expect what Goose had done to cure his boredom. Most guys would get a book or maybe ask to do some paperwork. But not Goose.
“His name is Bradley,” Goose said.
“...What is it?” Mav was wary.
“Jester was running a gay adoption drive, so Slider and I thought it was… time to start a family.”
“What's a gay adoption drive?”
“I don’t know, I think he just made it up.”
After a beat of silence, Ice asked, “So, are the babies gay, too… or…”
Goose turned to the child who was standing behind Slider, sucking his thumb, and holding onto Sli’s hand. Goose knelt down in front of the child and coaxed him forward. “Baby Bradley. This is your Uncle Mav and Uncle Ice. Do you want to meet them?”
The child nodded and came over to Mav with little prompting from Goose. Mav bent down after a beat. Bradley stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Mav. Mav picked him up and settled him against his chest.
“Hi Bradley,” he said. “I’m your Uncle Mav. How old are you?”
It took the boy a second, but he held up three fingers in front of his face.
“3 years old!” Ice exclaimed, coming up behind Mav and sliding a hand in his back pocket. “I’m your Uncle Ice.”
Bradley popped his thumb back in his mouth.
“I think he needs a callsign,” Ice said.
Slider walked over and brushed his fingers through Bradley’s hair.
“Baby Goose,” Mav said. “That’s his callsign.”
Goose came over and booped the boy’s button nose. “Baby Goose. I like it.”
With all the attention he was getting, Bradley was getting overwhelmed. He twisted and reached toward Slider: “Daddy.” Slider took him from Mav and held him against his hip. Bradley pressed his face into Slider’s shirt.
Just then, Wolfman walked into the lounge, a small bundle of blankets in his arms. Hollywood stepped up behind him, sliding his arms around Wolf’s middle and hooking his chin on his shoulder. Wolf looked up at him and smiled before turning that smile on the bundle in his arms, and…
Oh .
That was a baby. Hollywood and Wolf adopted a baby.
Fuck .
“Who else adopted?” Mav asked.
Goose followed Mav’s line of sight to where the other pair cooed over their child. “Sundown and Chipper, for sure. Viper and Jester. I think a handful of office boys did, too. Honestly, we didn’t stick around. Once we saw Bradley…”
Goose’s wistful smile at where Slider held their child sunk Mav’s stomach to his knees. He heard Hollywood sniffling over his baby, and Mav’s heart broke. How were they supposed to turn in these men to Stinger so they got dishonorably discharged?
Mav was going to throw up.
At their morning meeting the next day, Viper was solemn. “I have very bad news for everyone.”
Goose and Mav made eye contact, both of their minds going to the same place. Had they been found out? Viper and Jester and literally all of the men here at Top Gun were gay, so Mav’s and Goose’s presence threatened everyone’s livelihood.
“The grant that the government was giving us fell through. I hope you liked the butt plugs I gave you all as a gift for your hard work, but they were very expensive. Also, with us having to buy cribs and child beds for all of your new family members—which, I just want to say thank you to you all for making the Top Gun Annual Gay Adoption Drive such a success—we are quite low on funds. So, we have made the decision to sell half of the beds to recoup some of our losses from these financial endeavors.
“For those of you smart enough to figure it out, that means that you all are going to have to double up on beds.”
Ice raised his hand like he was in school. He was twirling a pen around in his fingers, and Mav could barely pay attention to what he was saying because he was staring at that pen. “Sir, why don’t we just use the visitor rooms?”
“Kazansky, those visitor rooms are extremely important if we ever have guests. While we haven’t had overnight guests to Top Gun since I started teaching here, we always have to be prepared for that scenario.”
Ice scrunched his eyebrows together but remained silent. There were enough rooms that each pair could have their own room. The solution seemed obvious, but Mav couldn’t think of it.
“Anyways,” Viper said. “I’ve gone ahead and assigned you a bunkmate that you will sleep with for the remainder of Top Gun. Here they are: Goose and Chipper; Maverick and Hollywood; Slider and Wolfman; Iceman and Sundown…” The list continued until everyone had been given a bedmate.
The room was silent.
“Nah, I’m just fucking with y’all.” Viper burst out in gut-busting laughter. Which for him was a smile. “Goose and Slider; Chipper and Sundown; Iceman and Maverick; Hollywood and Wolfman…”
And thus the remainder of Top Gun was spent in close quarters with partners. Lovers’ legs intertwined on small military bedrolls, heartbeats syncing up and breathing slowing down. Loneliness, remembering your baby was in the base-nursery and not by your side.
Voyeurism.
Pretending you didn’t hear the other men moving.
Visitor rooms.
Sunrises and sunsets. Barebacking. Jeans rolled up past ankles and cold water splashing on knees.
Love, and love, and love.
Too soon, it was graduation. The men, Mav thought, looked good in their dress whites. Ice cleaned up the best, but Mav was more than biased. He had shaved and done his hair up in those spikes he always did. His tan skin shone in the sun. Mav slipped on some shades.
Despite this, Mav could not settle down and enjoy the day with its ceremony and decorum and festivities. Because he and Goose had talked to Stinger on the phone last night to confirm his attendance at graduation and his expectation of a list of homosexual sailors.
Mav took a deep breath and took his seat as the ceremony began. Viper stepped up to the podium, tapping the microphone to make sure that it was on. He started his speech from notecards which Mav paid little attention to.
“The boys before you—your sons, brothers, partners, friends—have endured eight grueling weeks filled with air fights, close calls, and, indeed, a lot of shirtless beach volleyball.” The audience laughed. “More than that—this was a time filled with lots of laughter, joy, and love. I consider these boys family now, and I hope they consider me the same. You all are looking at the graduating United States Navy Fighter Weapons School class of ‘86. Give them a hand!”
Once the applause died down, Viper continued, “It is tradition at Fighter Weapons School to give an award for first place—that is, the pilot-RIO team who accumulated the most points during these eight weeks. Aptly named: Top Gun.
“The past eight weeks, we have doled out points for dominating dogfights in the air and pounding the other pilots into submission. Winning beach volleyball and making the best use of their time outside of class—including utilizing those guest rooms. The pilot and RIO that we will give the Top Gun award to have shown these traits. Dominant in the skies, unforgiving, demanding, and authoritative, these men emulate what it means to be a top. On top, I mean, sorry.”
The ceremony area, outside in the nice weather today, was so quiet that you could hear the swish of someone’s pants as they shifted in their seat. The entire crowd seemed to hold their breath.
“We’ve been keeping score, and we are thrilled to announce that your class of ‘86 Top Gun is…” Viper paused for dramatic effect. “Tom Kazansky and Ron Kerner!”
The crowd erupted into cheers, and Mav couldn’t help but join in despite his sadness at not being Top Gun. Seated next to him, Goose was equally as excited for the pair. Noticing Mav’s bittersweet expression, he knocked his shoulder against Mav’s. “We’ll get ‘er next time.”
It was hard to be sad when Ice looked so proud and handsome standing up on that stage while he received his trophy. And when his own RIO had been out of commission for nearly the entire time here. Pete could only rack up points the old-fashioned way: getting himself into as many homoerotic situations as possible. It was hard work, but someone had to do it.
Once the crowd settled down once more, Viper took to the microphone again. Mav was expecting a closing statement, so he was surprised when Viper continued.
“As I said, I am really proud of all my boys this year. That’s why Jester and I have decided that it was right to give out another trophy this year honoring different traits than we expect of Top Gun.”
A gust of wind blew past the stage and scattered Viper’s notecards all across the floor. Mav heard a faint “oh shit” in the microphone as he bent to gather up all the cards. Jester scrambled over to help him. It only took a minute, but Viper had all the cards in his hand. Of course, they were hopelessly out of order.
“Bear with me,” Viper said, making the crowd laugh. He took a deep breath and started. “We have decided to give out another trophy to a pair who has shown incredible growth and resilience during these weeks. Nothing hard was too hard for these men.” Viper shuffled his cards and found one that he was looking for. “We commend this pair for how good they are at receiving… ” He shuffled his cards again in search of the next one that finished that sentence. “Criticism from their superiors, yes, that’s it. This duo is excellent at riding… the planes while we’re dogfighting in the air and going with the flow. They overcame incredible trauma and hardships during their experience, but they did not let it stop them in the least. This pilot is just a hole…” The silence was deafening as Viper looked for the next card. This went on for an entire minute before he spotted the index card by his foot. “Just a whole damn good pilot, sorry about that. Awkward. And his RIO was no less impressive. I am happy to award the inaugural Bottom Gun trophy to… Pete Mitchell and Nick Bradshaw! Get up here, boys!”
Mav turned to Goose, whose face mirrored his own, a portrait of shock with a gaping mouth and bright, wide eyes. They shook themselves out of their stupors and went up to Viper to accept their trophy. They took turns shaking Viper’s hand, and they posed for one of the office boys to take their picture. Goose was beaming, and Mav wasn’t doing much better.
In all the excitement, he forgot why there was reason to be wary.
The crowd was released to mingle and enjoy refreshments. Ice immediately made his way over to Mav and wrapped his arms around his waist, picking Mav up off the ground and spinning him around. “So proud of you, baby.” He set Mav back down on the ground and kissed up his neck.
Mav tilted his head to give Ice more access as he made his way up to his mouth and kissed him, deep and romantic. When Ice finally let him go, Mav whispered, “Congrats on Top Gun. You deserve it.” Mav gripped the back of Ice’s head and pulled him down for another kiss.
“Mav—you gotta cut it out!” Goose said, running over to the pair. “Stinger—”
“Lieutenant Kazansky, congratulations on Top Gun,” Stinger said, walking over and holding his hand out for the man in question to shake. Ice shook his hand, sending Goose a confused glance.
Stinger turned to Mav and Goose. “Congrats on Bottom Gun, gentlemen. You should feel proud that the Navy felt you good enough to create a whole new trophy to celebrate you.”
Mav shook his hand first. “Thank you, sir.” Goose mimicked the action and words.
“Well,” Stinger said. “I’m sure you know why I’m here, and it’s not just to see my old friend Viper and eat his delicious macarons. You know, I was there in the barracks with him when he was perfecting that recipe of his. Right here at Top Gun. That recipe earned him the trophy.”
Before they could respond, Bradley ran up to Goose, shouting, “Papa!” Goose scooped him up in his arms and planted him on his hips. In the weeks that Goose and Slider had had the boy, he had blossomed, opening up to not just his fathers but the other men on base. “Daddy said I could have a cookie, but I can’t reach them.”
Mav brushed the boy’s bangs out of his face and quickly grabbed him a cookie from the nearby table. His face lit up, and he positively squealed, “Thanks, Uncle Mav!”
Goose pressed a kiss to Bradley’s hairline.
“Hey, babe,” Slider said, walking up on Goose’s other side and kissing him on the cheek.
Stinger cleared his throat, and Goose and Mav froze; why was Stinger so forgettable? Even when he was standing right in front of them.
“Goose, Mav. I believe you owe me something.”
Mav let out a breath. “Sir, there is not a single homosexual at Top Gun.”
Stinger raised a single eyebrow. “None? Really?”
“None, sir. Goose and I were extremely thorough. We asked around, and no one fessed up. So we made sure that everyone was really telling the truth about not enjoying sex with men. If you know what I mean.”
“I’m sure I don’t want to know.”
“It was very rigorous, sir. We were extremely thorough.”
“...And these two men you are with? Our Top Guns?”
Mav shivered. “...We needed to double-check they were not lying, sir. There were a few men we weren’t sure about, so we made a list and checked it twice.”
“Ho ho ho,” Goose said.
Stinger snapped his angry gaze to Goose.
“Sorry, sir, I hate it when it does that.”
Stinger stared at them for a minute. “Well,” he finally said. “I don’t see any reason not to trust you two. I appreciate all you have done in service of the United States Navy, and I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors. Any ideas what those might be? I hear Top and Bottom Guns get first pick of any assignment.”
Mav turned smiling eyes on Ice. “I think I might stick around and teach.”
Goose glanced at Slider and pressed a kiss to Bradley’s forehead. “First order of business is getting this neck brace off,” he joked. “After that… who knows?”
Stinger looked between the four men once more and then smiled. “Well, seems like you boys have it all figured out. I’m pleased with the work you both put in while managing to prove yourself enough for a trophy.” Stinger retrieved his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out two twenties. “I owe you boys these.”
Goose’s eyes went wide. “But… we didn’t give you any names!”
“No. You gave me something much more important. Trust. Trust that you boys will protect one another out there in the air. These are your wingmen—your brethren. And even when faced with great reward, you won’t betray others.”
Mav paused. “What—what do you mean?”
“Maverick, you and Goose are as gay as the day is long. You think I didn’t notice that the first time you walked in my office, let alone the first, second, or third time you propositioned me.”
Mav rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well.”
“You and Goose will keep the greatest secret of all—the identities of your brethren. You protected not just fellow sailors but fellow homosexuals. That was your real test, and you passed with flying colors.”
“But why make us go through this test?”
“You and Goose mentioned in your psych evals that you want to get to Top Gun and stick around for a long time. You two, to be frank, are destined for greatness. But you’re also major pains in my ass. I had to make sure you wouldn’t accidentally give away the secrets of Top Gun.”
“The secrets of Top Gun?”
Stinger rolled his eyes. “What are you not getting? Look around you. Top Gun is gay, Mav. I had Viper throw as much as he could at you to get you to break and give it all up for $20, but you didn’t. That’s someone who I want to have around Top Gun. Solidarity and pride.”
“Oh.”
Stinger clapped both of them on their shoulders. “Good luck, boys. I wouldn’t pick anyone better to represent Top Gun. Well, except your boyfriends, who are the actual Top Guns.”
“Why do you care so much, sir?" Mav asked.
Stinger frowned. “Well, let's just say that cigars aren't the only thing I like to suck on. You're good aviators, but I wasn't sure I could trust you. So I have personal stakes, and Viper is my friend. I couldn't let you destroy him.” He paused. “And, of course, someone paid me a lot of money to make sure you ended up at Top Gun this year.”
Mav snapped his gaze to Goose, who was already looking at him. So Mav could see it when Slider stepped up behind Goose and pressed his mouth to his cheekbone. “I wasn't gonna let you get away from me again, Nick.”
Goose turned to look at Slider, and he shivered at the look in his eyes. “You didn't have to do that. I was always yours, Ron, even before Top Gun.”
“It was worth it,” Slider said.
Ice slung his arm around Mav and rested his chin on top of his head. “Pretty good day for all of us, huh, baby?”
“The best,” Mav said, leaning back into his man.
Stinger turned sideways. “Ah. Boys, meet my new boyfriend.” A shorter man in the dress whites of a Navy office boy walked in.
There was a beat of silence. “Um. Isn’t that your secretary?” Mav asked.
“He’s got two hands.”
Goose and Mav slowly made eye contact, and they burst out into laughter. Ice smiled wryly, grabbing Mav's hand to tangle their fingers together.
“I guess the real Operation Gay-for-Pay,” Goose said. “Was the boyfriends we all got along the way.”
“Couldn’t’ve said it better myself.”