Great Balls of Fire

Top Gun: Maverick/Marvel Part 4

A week later Team Beta and Fanboy all head back to Top Gun, Bradly having to get there separately due to having to finish a mission with Barton and Natasha before coming.

"It's been a hot minute, huh, guys?" I ask Payback and Phoenix, meeting them and Fanboy in the lobby after unpacking and changing into my uniform. They look almost as uncomfortable as I feel.

"Yeah, but I'm kind of excited." Phoenix says.

"It'll be a trip." I agree.

The four of us go to the Hard Deck Bar where we're meeting some of the other patches that got called back.

"Well, if it ain't Phoenix and Wildcard! And here we were thinking we were special. Turns out they invited any old riffraff." Hangman calls when he sees us.

"Fellas, this here is Bagman." Phoenix introduces to Fanboy and Payback.

"Hangman."

"Whatever. You're looking at the only active duty Naval Aviator with a confirmed air-to-air-kill."

"Stop." Hangman says, pretending to have humility. "What about Wildcard here? An Avenger?"

"Got to tick flying an alien ship off my bucket list." I confirm and he looks impressed.

"Who're your friends?" Coyote asks.

"Payback."

"Fanboy."

"Hey, Coyote." Phoenix says, sounding much kinder than she had when introducing Hangman.

"Hey." He says with a smile, obviously trying to flirt but Phoenix ain't having it.

"Who's he?" I ask.

"Who's who?" Coyote asks. We all look over at guy who's just been watching and eating sunflower seeds against the wall, seemingly minding his own business. "When did you get here?"

"Oh, I've been here the whole time." He says.

"A stealth pilot."

"Oh, a weapons system operator actually."

"With no sense of humor." Hangman says, sounding a bit exasperated, and hands the pool stick to Phoenix.

"What do they call you?" Coyote asks.

"Uh, Bob."

"No, your call sign." Payback asks.

"Um...Bob." He says awkwardly. I share a look with Phoenix before looking back at Bob.

"Nine ball, Bob. Rack 'em." Phoenix says, handing him the pool stick.

"Okay." He says, looking like a happy puppy by being accepted.

"Hey, Bradshaw!" Phoenix calls a little over five minutes later. I look over instinctually, used to my last name at this point, happy to see it's my husband healthy and whole. "Is this how I find out you're back stateside?"

"I wanted to surprise you." He says while Phoenix takes a shot. She purposefully hits him in the gut in response to his words.

"Guess I surprised you back."

"It's good to see you." He gets out. I come over and smack him upside the head as hard as possible while he's lower. He just chuckles and kissed me in greeting. "Missed you too, Laurel."

"I don't like surprises."

"Has that ever stopped me from doing it?"

"No." I grumble. "You okay?"