Top Gun Imagines

29. Birds of a Feather (Bob - Robert Floyd) Requested

(Published July 6, 2023) 

   "Great flying today, Birdie," Bob stated as he approached the plane I was climbing out of.  
   "Thanks," I hopped onto the deck of the carrier and gave my best friend a grin.  "Couldn't let Phoenix get in the lead, ya know." 
   The blond WSO chuckled, dropping his gaze.  "She said the same thing about you." 
   "Guess it's just a game we play." I laughed with him.  
   Grabbing my helmet, I began walking towards the door to the ship.  Bob fell into step with me, as we usually did after a mission together.  
   "So, um," He began nervously.  
   I glanced over at him to see his eyes darting around the deck nervously.  Whatever he wanted to ask me, he was very uncomfortable talking about.  "Yeah?" 
   "You got plans tonight, right?" 
   "Crap, yes.  I've got that stupid blind date." I groaned.  
   "Why did you agree to go if you don't want to?" 
   "Because Phoenix." 
   "Because Phoenix what?" 
   We reached the door and he held it open for me, like the gentleman he always was.  
   "She told me she thought I was too scared to date.  I assured her I wasn't, I just don't like getting that attached to co-workers.  So, she came up with this brilliant plan of a blind date with someone she used to work with and I promptly shot it down.  Then, she proceeded to tell me that if I didn't go I'd be proving her right, so you know me...  And now here we are."  
   "What if he's an ass?" His words were sharp as he spoke.  
   I raised my eyebrows at him, surprised.  He didn't often get that worked up.  "I leave.  We're meeting at the restaurant, so it's not like I'll be at his mercy for a ride, thank goodness." 
   "Okay." 
   We fell quiet as we walked the last few steps to the separate showers.  Before entering, I turned back to face him.  
   "Bob." 
   He turned, taking longer than usual to meet my gaze.  
   "I'll have you on speed dial, 'kay?" 
   He cracked a smile at that, though it was tiny.  "What restaurant?" 
   "Some little Mexican restaurant that Phoenix described as 'quaint'.  I'll let you know as soon as I get the location.  At least she picked good food!" 
   "Well, you make it well known that you like tacos." 
   "Hey, you like tacos, too!" 
   "True." He chuckled.  

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   The restaurant was just off of the coast and only ten minutes south of where I was dropped off for my short shore leave.  I paid the Uber before stepping out onto the paved parking lot.  It was a cute little place with a cement wall around the outdoor patio.  Dim colorful lights hung from the wood beams that were slanted over it and were entwined with what looked like leafy garland.  All in all, the exterior was exactly how Phoenix had described it: very quaint.  
   I tugged on the skirt of the only dress I had brought with me, a decently flattering knee length black dress with flowy short sleeves and a V-neck.  My shoes didn't match at all, however.  They were the dressiest pair I had brought with me, but the black Chaco sandals didn't exactly make the look I had been going for.  At least I wasn't truly aiming to impress whoever it was I was meeting.  I would much rather be at a local bar right now, jamming to the jukebox and sipping on a light beer with Bob.  But that wasn't an option tonight.  
   With a sigh, I marched towards the entrance and found myself stepping into a restaurant that was just as cool as the exterior had been!  Artificial vines were hung on the walls, colorful pots lined the entry way, the tables and chairs were wooden with colorful table cloths and cushions, and several of the waitresses had colorful flowers in their hair.  I couldn't help but smile as I took in the colors and soft music that surrounded me.  
   "How many?" The hostess asked with her heavy accent.  
   "I'm meeting a man here, was there a reservation for a Rooster?" I inquired.  
   "Si, this way." She gestured with her hand.  
   I followed her to a back corner where a man was already seated in a booth.  She gestured to him, so I nodded my thanks before approaching the table.  The man stood, smiling nervously at me.  He was tall and dark haired with a classy mustache.  His attire made me feel overdressed, though.  He simply wore a pair of faded jeans and a button down Hawaiian shirt open over a white shirt with aviators hung on the collar.  
   "Birdie?" He asked.  
   "Hi Rooster." I replied with another nod.  
   "I've heard a lot about you from Phoenix." He commented as we both sat.  
   "Only good things, I hope." I joked.  
   "Only good things." He assured with a grin.  "Mostly fowl jokes, to be honest.  Fowl with a W." 
   "I can only imagine!" 
   "Yeah, something about how the three of us are named after birds, so we should be a flock and cheesy things like that." 
   "Sounds like Phoenix." I laughed with him.  
   "My real name is Bradley.  Bradley Bradshaw." 
   "I'm Wren Hamilton."  
   "Ah, now I don't have to ask why they call you Birdie." 
   "Yeah," I shrugged.  "It's been a nickname since childhood.  But why are you Rooster?" 
   "Well, I think it's because I wouldn't let them call me Gosling.  My dad was a pilot with the callsign Goose." He explained after I gave him a questioning look.  
   "Gosling would've been fitting, then!" I teased.  
   "I don't think I would've made it through training." He rolled his eyes.  
   "I guess Rooster kind of fits the pattern, though." I amended, hoping I hadn't crossed a line I hadn't known about.  My filter didn't always kick in before I said things I shouldn't. 
   "Yeah," He nodded with a small smile.  
   We both fell into a moment of silence.  I took that minute to glance about the restaurant at who else was there.  My eyes darted around, moving from one unfamiliar face to another, when suddenly a familiar face stopped my quick surveillance.  Very familiar gold rimmed glasses under blond hair.  Bob was sitting across the restaurant from us, munching on a basket of chips as he shot glances our way now and then.  Unable to keep from smiling, I dropped my gaze to my hands, which were folded in my lap.  My crazy best friend had come to make sure I'd be okay!  Instead of being angry like I imagined most would, it actually just made me love him all the more.  
   "The waitress should be here in a minute.  She already came once, but I told her I was waiting for you." Rooster spoke up after a moment.  
   "That's fine." I told him.  "So, tell me more about yourself." 
   At my request, Rooster launched into his story and how hard it was for him to get into the Navy.  We ordered, chatted, and hung around for a bit.  I managed to only glance over at Bob a few times, trying not to seem too suspicious.  However, by the end of the date, I knew I was not into Rooster at all.  
   "So, what's the verdict?" Rooster asked as we pushed our empty plates to the side and he had paid for the bill.  "You want to walk along the beach, or shall we say goodnight?" 
   I gave him a small smile, hoping I wouldn't hurt his feelings.  "You're a great guy and I've had a really good time.  But I can't lie to ya.  I don't feel a connection with you." 
   "I don't, either." He admitted.  "We have the potential to build one, but us being assigned to different ships, I don't think it's a good time in our lives to try it.  I had a really good time, too.  So, if you're ever around and want someone to hang with, I'll be game." 
   "Thank you." I smiled again as I got to my feet.  
   "Can I walk you out?" He scrambled to his feet, too.  
   "Yeah." I agreed, knowing it was a nice thing for him to do.  I avoided looking at Bob's table as we moved through the restaurant, not wanting to draw attention to him.  
   We stepped out of the noisy restaurant onto the patio.  I turned to face him and offered my hand.  He shook it with a grin, probably thinking I was odd.  
  "Thanks again very much." 
  "Goodnight, Birdie."