Danger Zone || Pete "Maverick" Mitchell • Top Gun

iv.

By the time the group made it back to base, it was almost 23:00.

Upon their return, they were told they made it just by the skin of their teeth. They weren't worried, though, seeing as each and every one was buzzed and seeing stars.

Goose and Raven ended up driving. The pilots were far too buzzed to be out on the roads, clear as they had been at night. The RIOs each had two beers throughout the evening, making them clear headed enough to get back to the base.

"Man, I had a good time," Maverick sighed, sauntering through the doors towards the sleeping quarters.

Arrow hummed in agreement. "It was pretty fun, we should definitely do it again. I'm definitely a little drunk," she added with a giggle.

"You're not the only one. Your locker room and and sleeping set up aren't supposed to be ready till tomorrow right?" Maverick asked, looking over at the other pilot.

She shook her head. "I don't know why it's not ready tonight. I guess since nobody's really used it, they've gotta make sure it's actually clean. Imagine that."

Maverick narrowed his eyes. "What're you supposed to do then? Sleep in the hangar?"

Again, Arrow shook her head. "Dunno if that would be worse or better. I'm sleeping alone in the back men's room, they've got two bunks in there and said I can have one for the night."

The fact that the higher ups decided to put Arrow in the dingey back room upset Maverick. He had peeked around in it when he and Goose were choosing a room, and it wasn't exactly spectacular. It was cramped, even for such a small amount of people. There were also no windows like in the other rooms, and Maverick wondered if anyone else had been unlucky enough to have to sleep in there.

"That sucks ass," Maverick stated, leading Arrow towards the back of the sleeping quarters. "Do you want Goose and I to keep you company tonight? Is Raven not staying with you?"

Now that Arrow thought about it, it was weird they hadn't assigned Raven to stay with her. He was in another room with a pilot and their RIO.

"No, he's not. Not even tonight. They didn't wanna mix us up, I guess," Arrow sighed. "It'll be fine, it's just one night."

Maverick crossed his arms in the doorway to where Arrow would be sleeping for the night. "You sure you don't want us to keep you company? Lights out is in half an hour but it doesn't mean we have to sleep right away. We don't have have be up till seven anyways."

Arrow looked up at Maverick with a sheepish smile. "I guess I wouldn't mind company tonight."

"Cool. Goose and I will come by after they check rooms, alright? Shouldn't be too long." Maverick was a little more excited than he probably should have been. He was still quite buzzed and energetic after his night.

He and Arrow had even sang a song with Goose and Raven after their third beer.

Arrow gave an affirmative nod before stepping past him and into the room. "See you in just a bit, then."

"Yep." Maverick took off jogging down the hall as Arrow closed the door behind him.

His speedy journey took him right past Iceman, who held out his arm for Maverick to slow down.

"What's got you in a rush, man?" Iceman called after a still running Maverick.

Not particularly interested in answering, Maverick only slowed when he reached the room he and Goose had been assigned to.

He flung open the door and called for his friend. "Goosey boy, you in here?"

"Takin' a shower, Mav, I'll be done in a few minutes," came the reply from the small bathroom.