The Rooster and The Wolf | Bradley 'ROOSTER' Bradshaw

TWO

Thankfully, in a bar full of naval aviators, uncomfortable silences are quickly covered, and soon, you found yourself entangled in yet another game of pool against Hangman, and making small talk with the pilots around you. 

Laughter was heard as many shared the origins of their call sign, yours included, and you also told the story of how you came up with Fanboy's, telling how he was so taken with Phoenix in the Naval Academy that he followed her around like a fan chasing their idol.

Rooster stayed mostly silent, only speaking when spoken to. 

He watched you, still not quite believing you were here, but every time your eyes met, the feeling of guilt swallowed him.

"You good, Bradshaw?" Phoenix's voice sounds quietly from beside him. 

"All the years we've known each other and you failed to mention that you knew who Wolf was?" he questioned.

"Didn't really see the need, she doesn't like people knowing." She shrugged, taking a sip of her beer. 

"C'mon Phoenix, you know who she is to me, surely?"

"Oh yeah, I know. We tell each other everything."

Phoenix was two weeks in to her first mission out of Top Gun, and had finally found some time to update her best friend.

"Hey you! You'll never guess who I've been paired with on this mission." Phoenix smirks, and you too smiled, deciding to play along. 

"Hmmm, Jameson? Dino? No, Fanboy!"

"Rooster."

"Rooster? Who is Roost- wait, no no no no Tash no way." Your heart sunk, knowing exactly who she was referring to. 

There was only one person who would have a call sign like that. 

"Yes way."

"Oh fuck me-" your hand flew to your face, dread overcoming you at the thought of your new best friend working so closely with your old one.

"Calm down!" Phoenix laughs, "I didn't say anything about you, yet."

"Please, please don't..."

"But why? This could be the perfect chance for you guys to meet again and make up, I know you like him still, (Y/N)."

"I-I can't, Tash. You never saw the way he looked at me when he left, he was so...so disgusted, like he didn't know me."

"Oh honey..." Phoenix sympathised, she did, but she just wanted to see her friends happy again.

"Please don't tell him you know me. If you wanna talk about me just use my callsign, it seems I'm picking up a lot of traction with it anyway." you laughed dryly.

"So I've heard! I'm so proud of you, honey. You've done amazing."

"So have you, look at you! First mission and all!" you smiled, "So, uh, how is he?" It was now Phoenix's turn to smile,

"He's... nice, really selfless. A hot head at times but he's super funny."

"Yeah," you smiled again, "That's Bradley."

Her words made Rooster shift uncomfortably, now being aware that one of his closest friends knew what he did six years ago. 

But what's more, he knew that she knew the damage it had caused you, and was likely there to help you through every birthday, Christmas, and little anniversary you had shared throughout your childhood together that he had missed.