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blackcat2907 · 2 years

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Got a Secret, Can You Keep It?

Part Three: Secret's Safe

Word Count: 2,119 words

Parts One and Two

"GOOSE! NO!" Maverick wailed, clawing for his best friend. He couldn't breathe. Eyes wide open, Maverick saw bright light and white. He shivered and frantically looked around. Where was Goose? He needed Goose. Oh, God, no! Goose! Don't leave me.

"Maverick, calm down, son." Maverick flinched and stared wide eyed at Viper. He hadn't noticed him before. Maverick couldn't breathe. He needed Goose. Lights flickered and outside in the hall, one of the ceiling lights fell and a nurse tripped over her heels. "Pete," Viper's firm, yet comforting voice grounded Maverick. "You need to calm down."

"Vi–Viper?" Maverick croaked. "Where's Goose? Is he okay? What happened? Please, tell me!" Maverick asked questions after question, green eyes wide and pleading. "Please…"

Viper's heart broke, and his solemn expression told Maverick all he needed to know. Shoulders sagging, the dam broke. Tears streamed down Maverick's face and sobs wracked his bruised body. "No, no, no, no. Not Goose. Please, not Goose." Maverick held his head in his hands, running his fingers through his messy hair. "No…" he brokenly wailed.

"Son, I can't sit here and tell you everything is going to be okay," Viper started, voice soft. "Goose is gone, and I am sorry about that. Right now, you need to rest. Then, we have to talk."

Maverick froze. "About…about what?" He gulped, nervously looking at Viper. Does he know? Stupid, of course he knows! You've been in the hospital since…

Viper gave Maverick a knowing look. "I'm sorry, son. Just get some rest. I'll be back later to talk." The CO stood up, gave Maverick one last glance, and left the injured pilot alone in the hospital room.

Maverick didn't remember falling asleep because the next time he woke up Viper was back with Jester. He could make out Ice and Slider leaving the room. Why were they here? Maverick wondered, brows furrowing. He hissed in pain, shuffling in the uncomfortable hospital bed to get into a more comfortable position.

"You're awake," Jester nodded, looking at Maverick with a stoic expression, but deep down, Maverick thought he could see a bit of concern. "About time, kid. Thought you were going to sleep the second day away."

Second day? He had been asleep for that long? Blinking, Maverick wordlessly nodded, looking from Jester to Viper. Both officers stared back. Viper cleared his throat, and Maverick focused his gaze onto the older officer. "Sir?" Maverick croaked.

"Pete, we need to talk about…the mark." Maverick flinched and shook his head. "Pete, I promise that you won't go back. All you need to tell us is who else knew and what was given to you." Viper spoke in a soft voice, promising Maverick a sort of safety.

Something inside Maverick told him to trust Viper. He opened his mouth but no words came out. It hurt too much. His breathing picked up and soon he started hyperventilating. He couldn't. It hurt too much. He refused to be hurt anymore.

"Son, breathe. Come on, deep breaths. In and out." Maverick heard Jester speak, his deep voice cutting through the haze. He can't breathe. "I know, kid." Did he say that out loud? "Breathe. Come on. Focus on me." Jester breathed deep. "In and out, kid. You can do it, Maverick."

Maverick tried to breathe. Goose, oh god, he needed Goose. This wasn't working. "Kid," Jester began. "What are five things you can see?" He tried a different tactic.

Five things he could see? "You…Viper…" he gasped, "the sheets…the monitors, and the IVs…" That wasn't so hard. Maverick blinked, trying to ground himself.

"Four things you can feel," Jester continued.

"The sheets, my sore body, the IVs, the cold air," Maverick shivered, breathing deep.

"Three things you can hear." Jester leaned forward, reaching out to pat Maverick's leg. "Come on, kid, you can do it."

"Your voice, beeping, air blowing from the vents."

"Two things you can smell."

"Sweat and chemicals," Maverick grimaced, a terrible mix of smells.

"One thing you can taste. Last one, kid," Jester assured.

"Dryness?" Maverick answered, sounding like a question. He needed water. "Water?" he asked, hopefully, now realizing how dry his mouth and throat were.

"Here." Viper handed Maverick a plastic cup of water. Maverick took it and gulped down the water, hands shaking slightly. "Pete, are you ready?"

No, I'm not. "Ye–yeah," Maverick lied. He knew there was no more hiding, but he didn't want to relive it. Taking a deep breath, Maverick stared at Viper. Talk to me, Goose. "The only one who knew was Go–Goose," Maverick started, voice breaking up. "He was the only person I told. He pro–" a soft sob escaped Maverick's lips. "He promised he wouldn't tell anyone."

"Goose is gone, Maverick," Jester said, bluntly. "There is an on-going investigation," Maverick's eyes widened and he tensed, "but no one else other than Viper and I know about the mark. The investigation is about Goose's death and you've been grounded until further notice."

"What did they give you, Pete?" Viper asked again.

"You saw the mark," Maverick grumbled, curling in on himself. He didn't want to talk anymore. It hurt. "It's derived from the Latin word fortuna which means luck. I have extremely good luck, but when I'm sick, scared, or in shock, it can be either extremely bad or good. That's when I'm most unpredictable." Maverick bit back a sharp retort of how it wasn't given to him but forced into him. "I didn't ask for this. I never wanted it. I was just lucky enough to be picked." Bitterness laced his voice.

"I know, Pete. Your father would've tried everything to keep you safe," Viper sighed. He has promised Duke he'd try to keep Pete safe, and he failed. He had to make this right.

"You knew my father?" Maverick gasped. He leaned forward, ignoring the way his body screamed for him to stop moving.

"Lay back, Pete," Jester sighed. "You're going to hurt yourself even more." The commander officer stared at Viper. "Your kid," he deadpanned.

"I flew with him when he went down," Viper admitted, glaring at Jester to keep his mouth shut. "He was the best pilot I had ever seen. He went down saving three other planes. Saved nine men. As we were behind enemy lines, your father's death was pushed under the rug along with every other brave pilot who died that day."

Maverick sat in silence. "I promised I would watch out for you. I failed you, Pete. Help me make this right. I've already spoken to the rest of the class. Asked them if they'd keep a secret and if they were willing to lie to admirals and risk their careers."

"What did they say?" Maverick gulped, eyes downcast.

"They said yes." Maverick's head perked up. They what? "All I need to ask is if you are willing to open up and let us protect you. You can say no. This is your choice. If you say yes, you will have every pilot and RIO here having your back. Think about it." Viper nodded to Maverick, and he and Jester left him alone once more.

Goose would want me to play it safe, but how can I trust them? Ice and I have a rivalry and probably bad blood. I'm not close with any of them. Why would they risk their careers for me? I killed their friend. I killed Goose. But…Goose would have done anything to keep me safe. Maverick sucked in a sharp breath. He knew what he needed to do.

Maverick was released from the hospital a few days later. He was still sore, and everything seemed to be different. A tense feeling of loss and sorrow hung in the air. Viper had personally picked him up from the hospital. Jester and the rest of the Top Gun class were waiting for them in Viper's office. How they all fit in there, Maverick didn't know.

Every eye landed on him as Maverick stepped into the room. Uncharacteristically, he avoided looking anyone in the eye, instead opting to keep his head down. He shuffled to Viper's desk and awkwardly stood to the side. Hollywood and Wolfman grinned at Maverick, welcoming him back. Chipper and Sundown did the same. To Maverick's surprise, Ice looked at Maverick with a small smile.

Jester cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "What you are about to see and be told must never leave this room. You will be expected to never utter a word about this. If this gets out, the man responsible will be discharged dishonorably for leaking government secrets," the CO warned, glaring coldly at the men. "Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir." Maverick blinked back tears. They didn't have to do this. He would have managed without their support.

"Good. Viper?" Jester stepped to the side, letting Viper take front and center.

"Around twenty years ago, the United States government started a program to create the perfect soldiers," Viper began. "They took children–most orphans–but some were given to the program." Ice tensed beside Slider. Viper glanced at Maverick, who tapped his foot against the floor. "They were…" he paused, "tested. Many died in the process. The survivors were forever changed." The aviators exchanged concerned glances. "When the program shut down, the scientists were ordered to terminate the surviving projects." Maverick flinched. "Everyone was believed to be dead, but some kind hearted souls managed to smuggle a few kids out."

"Sir, what are you saying?" Sundown asked, anxiously looking from Maverick to Viper. "Is Maverick…"

"A survivor?" Viper finished. "Yes, he is. He is the only one." Maverick swallowed back tears. He wouldn't cry in front of them. He wouldn't.

Ice blinked. So, they didn't know about him. Slider relaxed, but Ice kept his eye on Maverick. The poor pilot thought he was alone as Ice had felt. Taking a deep breath, Ice opened his mouth, "Actually, Sir, you're wrong."

"What are you saying?" Viper raised an eyebrow.

"Tom, don't," Slider hissed, fear gripping him.

Ice wordlessly unbuttoned his top shirt, ignoring the confused looks and whispers. Forcing his hands to stay still, he pulled up his shirt to reveal his stomach. "I said you're wrong, Sir," Ice spoke, voice wavering.

Maverick's green eyes widened, his jaw dropping. Everyone could see the brand–a brand exactly like Maverick's. "Ice? You, too?" Maverick rasped, wincing at how raw his voice sounded.

Ice nodded and dropped his shirt, buttoning up his top shirt again. He dipped his head and stepped back, Slider glaring at the others, daring them to say something.

"Let me get this straight," Hollywood started. "Iceman and Maverick are people the government took, tested, and thought to be dead?"

"What did the tests do?" Wolfman asked, curiously.

"They made us monsters," Ice snarled, shocking the pilots.

"Wolfman, Hollywood," Viper sighed. "The marks mean fortuna and gelum. Luck and Frost. Have any of you wondered how Maverick could do those death defying stunts? Or when the air would grow cold when Ice was around?" Everyone nodded and murmured. "Iceman?" Viper nodded to Ice.

"Fine." Ice stepped forward and held out his hand, palm up. Taking a deep breath, a small iced over snowball appeared in his hands. Maverick watched in awe. He smirked and tossed it back at Slider, hitting him in the stomach.

"BASTARD!" Slider wheezed, holding his stomach. Maverick burst out laughing with Ice who chuckled softly. "For the record, I knew the whole time," Slider yelled, flipping Ice off.

"That's awesome!" Hollywood exclaimed.

"Does that mean Maverick has the power of luck? Like the superstitious stories of four leaf clovers?" Sundown asked.

"Yeah, it does," Maverick confirmed. "Goose was the only one who knew before now."

Jester stepped forward. "Alright, that's enough. No one will ever tell anyone what happened here today. This base is now a safe place for everyone. Dismissed."

Maverick watched Chipper drag Sundown out of the room. Hollywood and Wolfman clapped Ice's shoulders, sent Maverick smiles, and left the room. Ice stood in front of Maverick, a tense silence settling in.

"I'm…sorry," Ice softly spoke, "about Goose. He also knew about me. It's my fault he died." Ice forced his tears to freeze over. He wouldn't cry in front of Maverick or his superiors.

"No, Ice, it's mine. I was too close," Maverick assured. "Goose was always good with secrets," he chuckled.

"Enough, both of you," Viper coughed. "It wasn't anyone's fault. It was an accident. Get that through your heads. You two have some catching up to do. Go home. Get some rest. It's been a hard day for you. That's an order."

"Yes, sir!" Ice saluted. He glanced at Maverick before walking out the door.

"Thank you," Maverick smiled through his tears. "Both of you." He hugged Viper. "Thank you, Dad." He nodded toward Jester and walked out. "THOMAS KAZANSKY!" he shouted, racing down the hallway.

Viper stood frozen in shock. Jester eyed him and shook his head. "You're welcome…son."

Tag List:

@daughterofthereaper02

@hiraganasakura

@dxmerons

@your-skeletons-extended-warrenty

I hope you all enjoyed this story! Don't worry, this isn't the last of this AU. More stories will be coming soon.

Have a wonderful day!

#top gun #maverick #pete maverick mitchell #tom iceman kazansky #slider hollywood wolfman chipper and sundown make cameos #mike metcalf #jester heatherly #dad viper #not the end only the beginning #kat's stories

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blackcat2907 · 2 years

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Ducklings

Second Story in the Powers AU, can be read as a standalone story

Chapter One: Maria

"She did what!?" Tom jumped up from his seat, eyes filled with fury. The air around the group drastically dropped, and Ice looked like he wanted to murder someone…that someone being Charlie Blackwood. "I am going to kill her!" Slider and Wolfman managed to pull Tom back into his seat.

"It's fine, really," Maverick assured, biting back a yawn. The past month had been exhausting for him. After saving Ice and racking his kill count up to three, Maverick had been happy to be called back to teach at Top Gun. Then again, he missed the danger of being deployed.

"Fine?" Hollywood echoed, looking equally pissed. "Mav, she left you because your powers stopped working for her. You two had been growing apart, and when she left, you two got into a huge fight leaving you a mess. How does that add up to fine?"

Maverick glared at Hollywood. "I got over it. I'm fine," he grit his teeth. He didn't want to talk about it, but everyone else did. He understood why. His powers tended to work based on his emotions. It wasn't always like that, but when he was feeling angry, bad luck would be around. Bad luck also showed up when he was sick.

"Mav, we just don't want you to be hurt," Merlin, Maverick's RIO, spoke gently. "What she did was wrong. But most importantly, Goose's death was never your fault. No one could have anticipated the jet wash. It's a miracle even one of you survived."

"I know that!" Maverick exasperated. "Can you please drop it?" One of the LED light bulbs popped. "I…I just need some time." He stood up and stretched his arms. "I'm probably going to head back home for the night. Carole and Bradley are coming up in a few days to visit."

"Get some rest, Mav," Slider, surprisingly, spoke up. "You look like you need it." There it was. Slider was an asshole, but one with a heart of gold deep down. It was all part of his charm–his words, not Maverick's.

Maverick flipped Slider off with a smile. "Yeah, yeah," he rolled his eyes. "No, Ice, I can walk home by myself. I'm not a child," he told the pilot before Tom could even open his mouth.

"Some say," Wolfman smirked.

"Bitch," Maverick huffed. "Good night." He threw on his jacket and put on his aviators. Waving goodbye, Maverick left Tom's house and started the walk home. Normally he would have ridden his bike, but he had ridden with Tom that night. It had been a rough day, so Tom decided to have everyone get together for drinks at his place.

"Anne?" Maverick gasped seeing his old lover standing at his doorstep. "What are you doing here?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

The woman in front of him huffed and sauntered over to him, slapping him in the face. Her long black hair was in a ponytail, and she wore expensive clothing. She looked like she stepped out of a model magazine. "You ruined me, Pete Mitchell!" she yelled in his face, brown eyes blazing with anger.

"Anne? What are you doing here?" Maverick winced, his cheek stinging. He'd guess there would be a red handprint on his cheek later. "What are you talking about?"

"You ruined me!" Anne screamed. "Because of you, I lost four years of my life! That's it. I am done! This is your problem now." Anne shook with rage. Maverick could swear he saw a tear slide down her cheek. "After all," she scoffed bitterly, "it is your mistake."

"Anne, calm down. What mistake? I thought–" Maverick paused, eyes widening. Behind Anne was a small four-year old girl who looked terrified and had been crying. "Is that your child?"

"Not anymore," Anne hissed, stepping to the side and pushing the child toward Maverick. "She's your child. Yes, biologically. I've wasted enough of my time with this brat. I'm done. It's time you took responsibility."

"Are you saying you're leaving her with me?" Maverick asked, raising an eyebrow, sounding confused. Anne's scoff told him everything. "Anne, she's just a child, and she needs her mother. I…I'm not good for a child."

"Too bad, Pete Mitchell," Anne growled, putting on her designer glasses. "I'm done with a child I never wanted in the first place. Goodbye, Pete. Maybe in another timeline we could have made this work."

"Anne, wait!" Maverick shouted, temporarily leaving the child to chase Anne. "You can't just abandon your child! For once, stop thinking of yourself!"

"That's rich coming from you," Anne sneered, turning toward Maverick. "What child of mine?" she asked. "I don't see my child. I see a mistake I made with you." She stepped into her car and started the engine.

"Anne–" The women drove away, cutting Maverick off. Maverick cursed and stood at the curb, glancing back at the young child. "Come on, Pete. You've been with Bradley. How hard could it be?"

Hard. It was very hard. Once Maverick approached the child, the girl started the cry for her mother. Maverick's heart broke knowing Anne wasn't coming back. He remembered giving Bradley the talk of how Goose wasn't coming home, and this didn't feel any different.

"Hey, kid," Maverick gently spoke, crouching down, pulling her into a gentle hug. "It's going to be okay. I've got you." A cold breeze picked up and Maverick could feel the girl shiver.

"I want my mommy," the girl sobbed. "Why did she leave me?"

"I…I don't know," Maverick lied, heart breaking even more. "Come inside. I'm going to help you." How was he going to help her?

The girl cried and Maverick picked her up, helping her inside. He got her settled on the couch and a blanket and an old stuffed animal Bradley had forgotten to take home. Pacing the kitchen, Maverick reached for his phone.

"Hello?"

"Ice! I need your help!" Maverick hissed into the phone. "Come over."

"Now? I'm kinda busy…"

"YES NOW!" Maverick snapped. "This is important." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Please, I need your help. I don't know what I am doing. I'm not ready for this."

"…Give me ten minutes."

"Thank you, Ice. I owe you one." Maverick hung up before Tom could make a snarky comment. The next ten minutes were the most awkward and painful for Maverick. The girl silently cried, clutching the stuffed animal and refused to speak or even look him in the eye. True to his word, Tom was at Maverico's house within ten minutes.

"Ice! Come in," Maverick sighed in relief, opening the door and allowing the rival pilot inside.

"What's wrong, Mav?" Tom asked, shucking off his jacket. He walked into the living room. "What is so important you made me leave my RI…Oh…" Tom saw the little girl on the couch. "Mav, why do you have a child here? You didn't kidnap her, did you?"

"Is that what you take me for?" Maverick gasped in fake offense, putting a hand over his heart. "No, her mother, Anne, and I had a fling a few years ago. We left on good terms. I didn't know she was pregnant. Not even an hour ago, she met me here, screamed at me, and just left her…our daughter here." Tom's jaw clenched. "Ice, I don't know how to do this. If Goose were here, he'd know. He could help, but…" Maverick couldn't finish his thought.

"Mav, you don't have to do this alone. You have us–Slider, Merlin,Hollywood, Wolfman–we can all help you," Tom determined. "That is, if you let us."

"I don't want to burden any of you," Maverick sighed.

"Stop, you won't be," Tom grinned. "Come on, let's begin." He slowly approached the girl, kneeling in front of the couch. "Hey, I'm Tom, but everyone calls me Ice. What's your name?" he asked gently, smiling at her with reassurance.

The girl lifted her head to stare into Tom's eyes. Tom hated how scared she looked. She opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it. "Hey, it's okay. We won't hurt you. You don't have to say anything, if you don't want to. My buddy over there is Mav. He's your father." She looked over at Maverick with wide eyes.

"…Maria." Tom and Mav did a double take. They had barely heard her whisper. "My mommy named me Maria," Maria whispered. "But my friends called me Mimi. I like Mimi better."

"It's nice to meet you, Mimi," Tom grinned. "You're going to stay with Mav for a while."

"Why? What about mommy?" Mimi asked, voice cracking.

"Your mother left, honey," Maverick spoke up, kneeling next to Tom. "I am so sorry. I don't know how to sugarcoat this. Mimi, your mother left you because she doesn't want you anymore." Tom elbowed Maverick, hard.

"You don't say that to a child!" Tom hissed in Maverick's ear.

"It's better she knows now than later!" Maverick hissed back.

"Mommy's gone?" Mimi asked, fresh tears welling in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mimi," Maverick whispered, hugging his daughter, letting her cry into his chest. Maverick felt his own warm tears slide down his cheeks. Tom watched the scene with a smile. Maybe this new scenario would be able to help heal both of them.

"Well, Mav, looks like you have your first duckling," Tom laughed, dodging a pillow Maverick threw at him.

Tag List:

@daughterofthereaper02

@hiraganasakura

@d4r32bstup1d

@doodledolfines

@your-skeletons-extended-warrenty

I hope you all enjoyed this! I am going to have too much fun giving Maverick children (ducklings).

Reblogs, comments, and notes are appreciated!

Have a wonderful day!

#pete maverick mitchell #top gun 1986 #tom iceman kazansky #slider hollywood wolfman chipper and sundown make cameos #original character #mav collects children like pokemon cards

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