two rival aviators make it their mission to set up their top gun instructor and his old flame in hopes of them falling in love again. they didn't exactly plan to fall in love either.
set it up au x top gun maverick
❝i dont know what you've been told but time is running out, no need to take it slow❞
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𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊. The aviators lined up along the beach for dogfight football. Waves crashes against the shoreline, the sun peeking out over the horizon and casting a yellow glow.
"You're going down old timer." She muttered, squinting at Maverick. He smiled.
"All right, all right." Hangman's voice rang out. He wore a smile, sweaty with sand all over him. He pushed his shades up. Harper pointedly ignored him, looking over to stare down Phoenix. She glanced at Hangman and smiled at Harper. Of course Phoenix somehow knows what's up.
The whistle blew. The ball was snapped, and the game began. A flurry of bodies, silhouetted by the San Diego ocean. Laughter rang out. Maverick and Hangman threw the sandy football to Rooster and Phoenix. Rooster ran for it, tossing the ball to Coyote, who cheered as he scored a touchdown. The sound of victory cheering along with the whistle filled the air. Coyote and Rooster ran up and chest bumped. Harper laughed and tried to do the same with Fanboy, but they both fell on their ass.
The score hadn't been counted for a while, but the victory cheers remained the same. Harper looked away as Hangman whooped, throwing the ball behind him to a group of guys who threw themselves on the ground. Safe to say Harper smiled when Hangman got tackled the next play.
Maverick caught the ball, running it to the touchdown the same time Harper caught the ball. Sadly, she got pummeled by Fanboy. She groaned, lying on the ground and ignoring Fanboy's laughter. Sand covered her skin, sticking to her black sports bra and shorts.
"At least I caught it." She remarked, slumping back on the ground and looking up at the sky.
"Well well, look who it is, not that I'm surprised you're on the ground. I'm enjoying this actually. Just guess some of us aren't cut out for football." A shadow fell over her and a hand outstretched. She heard that smug taunting voice and sighed, but reluctantly took his hand.
She was hoisted up by Hangman, who was wearing a cocky smile on his face. He looked good, and that was annoying Harper more than anything. He smelled like sunscreen and-
Booing sounded as Maverick tossed the football to Phoenix, leaving the game. Harper focused on that rather than Hangman with his stupid tousled hair in front of her.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer. And not all of us peaked in high school." She grumbled.
"Not looking so happy to see me, Sunny." Hangman smirked.
"Did you forget yesterday or...?" Harper held eye contact with him, annoyed.
"Oh, about that Cyrano thing." Hangman said, earning a groan from Harper. He completely missed the mark, forgoing to mention the whole Rooster situation.
"I heard that Mav gave Penny a ride home the other day, and that they went sailing together. Making progress I'd say, but not enough." Hangman shrugged.
"Where'd you find that out?" Harper grumbled, trying to hide the curiosity in her tone.
"Amelia, Penny's daughter. Had no trouble telling me when I stopped by the Hard Deck. See, you need me to do this Cyrano thing, admit it." Hangman smirked.
"No I don't." Harper muttered. But he was right and they both knew it. "Do you not remember saying no to it too?"
"Yeah but I changed my mind. I'll do it, just to secure my spot as team leader." Hangman boasted, earning a sigh from Harper.
"Don't be so sure about that. Its a deal." Harper outstretched her hand, earning a look from Hangman, but he took it anyway. They stared each other down as they shook on it. Hangman released her hand and they each returned to their respective teams. Harper ignored the smirk from Phoenix.
The game continued. Rooster threw the ball to Bob, who caught it and immediately starting cheering. A bright smile crossed Harper's face as cheers rose from everyone.
A shadow fell over Maverick, who was sitting on a beach chair in the sand, his shades perched on his nose. He looked up to see Cyclone. "Sir."
"What is this?" Cyclone looked at the team of aviators outlined by the sun, now cheering for Bob.
"This is dogfight football. Offense and defense at the same time." The two looked out into the chaos that was the game, two sides tackling eachother and catching it.
"Who's winning?"
"I think they stopped keeping score a while ago." Maverick chuckled, looking into the sea of bodies.
"This detachment still has some training to complete, Captain. Every avaliable minute matters."
"Yes, sir."
"So why are we out here playing games?" Cyclone gazed at the team.
"You said to create a team, sir. There's your team." Maverick gestured to the huddle around Bob.
The team ran up to Bob, cheering as he caught the ball and scored a touchdown. Harper whooped as she ran over. Rooster hoisted him up on his shoulders, surrounded by the crowd. Bob cheered with them as they chanted his name. The sunny day on the beach didn't seem like much, but a new sense of belonging was felt.
"Psst." Harper hissed at Hangman through the crowd surrounding Bob. He turned to look at her. "Come with me, I have a plan."
The two wandered away from the cheering team. Operation Set It Up was a go.
