Archive of Our Own

“He’s gonna be there,” your annoying (one and only) friend, Leonard tells you. 

“Thanks, Peaches.” 

He groans, “how many times have I told you not to call me that?”

“I don’t know. How many times have you not gotten a girl’s number because of that hat?” 

“Woah. Woah. Too far, Combat. Too far.” 

“Whatever.” You start working on your makeup, hoping you can get it right (unlike the past week when you’ve failed every other time). 

“When are you gonna be done and ready?” He whines, his hat resting over his face. “We’re gonna be late.” 

You scoff through your nose, “we’re not gonna be late. Get your shoes off my bed, Dogboy.” 

“Don’t be mean.” 

“Don’t get dirt on my bedspread.” 

“I’m raiding your kitchen.” He stomps out of your room. 

“Have fun! You won’t find anything you want.” 

-

The stairs creak under you as you walk down. 

He puts away the jar or peanut butter and tosses the spoon into the sink (as if you won’t know what he did). “Finally, I was beginning to think-” he cuts himself off at the sight of your costume. “Wow! Please tell me you ain’t looking nice for one of my classmates because, I got to be honest, you look good, too good and I don’t want to be bearing up people all night long. I’ve got people to impress too,” he tugs on the collar of his buttoned-up flannel. 

“I’m sure you’re getting ladies left and right. Oh, that is until they realize that hat never comes off. Talk about a real deal breaker.” 

“Bite me.” 

“Not on this lifetime, Dogboy.” 

“You know what my call sign is. Use it.” 

“How about… no.” 

He groans, shutting the door behind him. 

“You better lock it!” You shout as you get into his car. 

“Give me your keys!” 

You toss him the keys; he almost drops them but is able to make a recovery and clutches onto them before the keys could fall into the bushes. “How are you in Top Gun?” 

“Okay. One, rude and second, Top Gun doesn’t require you to play catch. You know that.” 

“I also know that you’re gonna want to bang everyone at the bar tonight.” 

“This is why we’re such good friends.” 

“We’re friends because your dumbass got burned too many times at that weird club and you looked like you needed someone who needed a friend.” 

“Is that compassion that I hear from the scary, big, bad, Combat.” 

“I’m this close to opening the car door and tumbling onto the road.” 

He pulls to a stop at the red light and looks over at you. “Your fingers are touching!” 

“Exactly!”

- 

You lean your head closer to him, “if you leave me so help me God, Leonard.” 

“I’m not. I’m-” 

You look at him and back to the girl he’s been working up the nerve to talk to for the past few weeks. “No,” you shake your head. 

“I’m leaving you.” 

“You little sh-” 

“It’s not you, it’s me and me needs to talk to a pretty lady to make me feel better.” He practically runs away after that. 

You purse your lips, slightly pissed off at Wolfman but overall impressed with his dramatic skills. You make your way over to the bar, ordering your usual. 

“Well, don’t you clean up nice.” 

You sigh, hoping to whoever is listening that this isn’t some douche, talking to everyone else from Top Gun is enough. You turn, a wide smile dancing across your lips at the sight of your favorite non-official photographer. “What’s up, Nick?” 

He smiles back knowing he did good with his douche voice. “Not much, just came by, drop Mave off, say hi and run home so we can take Brad trick or treating.” 

“You’re such a good work husband to Maverick.” 

He snorts, shaking his head, “why are we using call signs? We all know you don’t use ‘em unless you’re upset, or they’ve done something to piss you off.” 

You don’t answer him and take a sip of your drink. 

“Come on,” he continues. “It couldn’t have been that bad.” 

“It’s bad, alright.” 

He pats your shoulder, “tell psychologist Goose, what happened so I know how bad I need to kick Mave’s ass.” 

You lightly slap your hand against your chest, “aw. Nick, I didn’t realize you cared so much.” 

-

What you hadn’t realized was that a certain follow the rules Naval Aviator watching the two of you talk, a bitter feeling flooding through his veins as you pick at the skirt of your costume. 

He knows he doesn’t have a right to be feeling this way, but he can’t help himself. Ron nudges his shoulder. 

“What?” Tom grumbles. 

“If you’re gonna be pissed off all night I’m ditching you for that one,” he points to a woman dressed like red riding hood. “I know I’ll have a better time with her than I would with you.” 

“If you want to talk to little red then go. I don’t care,” he mumbles before throwing his head back to drink the rest of his drink. 

Ron walks away from his friend, walking over towards the annoying blond one. 

-

You pinch the costume skirt between your fingers, lifting it for him to understand. “This is not what I wanted when I said I wanted something scary.” 

Nick furrows his brows, “you wanted something scary, okay.” 

“You want to know how this princess costume is scary, right?” 

He nods. 

“Maverick told me that me dressing up so nice, like a princess was scary.” 

He bursts out laughing and quickly covers his mouth. He turns resting his forehead on his arms, making a terrible attempt to hide his laughter. 

You shove his shoulder, “don’t laugh you jerk.” 

His head snaps up. “I’m not laughing,” he answers you with the widest smile on his face. 

“You’re an ass.” 

There’s a tap on your left shoulder, you look to see who it is only to find no one. 

You turn back to ask Nick who it was but, he’s disappeared. You scoff, “what an ass.” 

-

Ron continues to haul Nick further away from you and Tom. 

“Okay, okay.” Nick shoves his hand off the back of his neck, “ease up on the grip.” 

“That’s not what I heard.” The RIO furrows his brows, glancing his opposing RIO up and down. “We’re not doing this tonight. Your friend already did is part. It’s time you did yours.” 

The mustached man scoffs, “I’ve been doing more than you have all night.” 

Ron raises a brow, “are we gonna keep doing this or are we gonna get those two to fess up and get together?” 

“Who knew you were such a romantic?” 

“I’ve got Ice, you keep Combat there.” 

He walks away, aiming back towards his friend. 

“You keep Combat there,” Nick mimics with a sarcastic tone. “Who does he think I am? I can keep her there. Oh shit. No, no, no.” He pushes and shoves his way through the crowd. 

-

He slaps his hand down on his buddy’s shoulder. “Mave,” he says through a faux chuckle, leaning his head closer to whisper, “the hell are you doing here?” 

“He came to piss me off,” you snap, ordering another drink. 

“You should go.” 

“I think I’m good.” 

Nick purses his lips, “hey, is that- is that the woman from the coffee shop?” 

Pete’s head snaps up, “What? Where?” 

Ron gestures his head to the side. 

Nick turns to find Leonard waving him over and gives him an okay hand signal. “Over there. Come on, Mave. Let’s go find her.” 

The two disappear from your view. 

“What the actual-” 

“Language, sweetheart.” 

It takes you a few seconds to realize who it is that’s beside you. 

-

Nick and Pete stand in front of Leonard and Ron. 

The duke’s son pouts, “where is she?” 

The other three glances at one another, ignoring his gaze. “Weren’t you here with, Freezie?” 

Ron looks off to the side, pretending to find the lights on the wall more fascinating than this conversation. 

“Wolfman?” 

The man in question turns to his fellow Top Gun classmate. 

“You got any idea what’s going on here?” 

He gives Pete a confused look and sprints away, going back to his lady’s choice of the evening. 

“Talk to me, Goose.” 

“I gotta go. I’m late for trick or treating.” 

“Goose! Hey, Goose!” 

The two exit the bar in a chaotic fashion. 

-

You slowly turn towards him. “Kazanksy.” 

The corner of his lips tugs upwards, he raises his glass in greeting. “Good to see you too… Princess.” 

You thin your lips, “really? Did you have to go there?” 

“I figured it’d be my only opportunity.” 

“You think you’re cute, don’t you?” 

He shrugs. 

“If you must know, Maverick-” 

He chuckles to himself at the call sign, like Nick said, when you’re pissed, you use their call sign, everyone knows it. Everyone. 

“Bought me this damn thing when I specifically asked for something scary.” You let out a quiet huff. 

“If you asked for that, why’d he get you this?” 

You stare at him for a couple of minutes. “He told me dressing up so nice, like a princess, was scary.” 

Tom scoffs, “he says a lot of things, but I wouldn’t listen to him.” 

“You’re just saying that, so I stop pouting.” 

“If anything, it’s to stop talking about Mitchell.” 

Before you can even try to fight it, a smile stretches across your lips. 

“And you think I’m mean when I bash on him.” 

It might be the contents of the drink flooding through your system, but you giggle. 

He takes the opportunity to scoot closer to you; a mere few inches separating the two of you. “There’s that gorgeous smile fit for a princess.” 

“Does that make you, my prince?” 

“I could be, if you let me take you out.” 

“Oh wow.” 

The humor falls from his face. “Is that- should I not have asked?” 

“No,” you shake your head. “I… think I could check my schedule and maybe make some time for you.” 

“Is that how it is?” There’s that charm. 

“Yeah, do you not like it?” 

“Oh, I never said that.” He leans in, whispering in your ear, “how about we ditch this place and you let me take you out tonight?” 

You interlock your arm with is, “a poorly costumed zombie and a princess. Who would have thought?”  

-

You owlishly blink, trying to turn the brightness of your phone down. You quietly groan to yourself. 

Peaches with the Hat 

“How was the date? ;)” 4:51am Sent Read 

Combat Wins 

“Why are you up?” 4:53am Sent Read 

Peaches with the Hat 

“Good Halloween… ” 4:53am Sent Read 

Combat Wins 

“Gross” 4:54am Sent Read 

Combat Wins 

“How do you know about the date?” 4:56am Sent Read 

Peaches with the Hat is typing… 

Peaches with the Hat 

“I’m superrr tired.” 4:59am Sent Read 

An arm pulls you closer to their arm body. He hums against your shoulder. “Who’s that?” 

You pat Tom’s sheet covered thigh, “no one we need to worry about right now.” You glance over at the wall, “not until I see him later today.” 

His breath hits your skin causing you to shiver. “Cold? Need something to warm you up?” 

A smirk tugs at the corner of your lips. “I mean, I am in bed with Ice.” 

A loud, annoyed groan escapes him. 

“Don’t be like that, you know you like it.” 

“I’d like it if we were in a similar situation that we were earlier.” 

You hum, turning around so you can be face-to-face with him. “I bet you would.” 

He lifts you hand up, placing a kiss on your knuckles. “Hop on.” 

You snort, “please tell me you didn’t just say that?” 

“I did and I have no regrets.” He lifts your leg, resting your thigh in your hip. 

“As much as I would love to go again. We need sleep.” 

He maneuvers you onto his lap. “I’m not tired.” 

You place your hands on his chest to balance yourself. “How can you still be so cocky?” 

“I got a date with a princess.” 

“Shut up.” You and he share a laugh before he sits up, pulls you closer, and kisses you like there’s no tomorrow.