the sky is ours~top gun maverick

i solemnly swear

"Lieutenant, please be seated" Admiral Simpson says calmly.

I sit in the chair opposite his desk the. realise there are two chairs on my side of the desk. I then hear the door open and I can tell who it is by his footsteps.

Shit

"Lieutenant Seresin, take a seat"

I sigh and lower my head. Hangman sits in the chair next to me, puffs his chest out and clears his throat all cocky.

I feel like screaming at him "what the hell happened". He wasn't always like this. Well, his ego was always big enough to fill a room but he wasn't always an asshole about it. Fact when we were at TopGun the first time, him and I were close. Very close. And we've been in touch the past few years, but I guess you can be anyone over text..

"You were both at the very top of our list for mission leader, it was so hard to determine who we wanted that we were yet to decide. Until now at least" Cyclone begins

"Give it to Rooster" I say quietly "Sir"

"I'm sorry?" He asks

"Yea what?" Hangman says

"He's earned it. We both showed today that neither of us are leaders. I guessing that's why you asked to speak with us Sir." I say my voice strained.

"You saying that Lieutenant, proves our point." Warlock smiles at me.

I look at him confused. I feel Hangman look at me but I ignore him and look at Maverick who's already looking at me and I flash him a sad smile.

"Hangman..." Maverick starts

Hangman smirks at me.

"You will not fly this mission. We have agreed that you will remain in reserve as first stand by."

I have to bite my lip and lower my head to stop myself from smiling. I don't care if I'm not mission leader, at least I get to fly it with Rooster and not Hangman.

"Clutch" I look up at Mav.

"You will fly as mission leader. You've shown at every given opportunity that you are more than capable of taking the other aviators under your wing. The position was once mine, but, with great pride I hand leadership over to you" He says with a warm smile.

"Thank you Captain" I nod with a smile.
"Am I aloud to know, who will fly with me or is that yet to be determined also?"

The three look at each other.

"Lieutenant Seresin, you may leave" Cyclone says.

With a huff, Hangman stands up. And holds his hand out to me.

"Congratulations Clutch" He smiles sincerely

"Thank you, Hangman" I smile

Now that's the Jake Seresin I once knew.

"I can tell you, however, you will need to swear to secrecy from anyone until the day of the mission" Cyclone says.

I nod and stand looking directly in front of me.

"I, Lieutenant Amy 'Clutch' Rhodes, solemnly and sincerely, in the presence of Almighty God, swear that I will not, directly or indirectly, divulge or make known any resolve, order, act, or debate, of or in this Congress, or of any Committee thereof, or the matter of the same, or any thing relating thereto, or any part thereof, or any act, matter, or thing, to be done in or towards the execution thereof, except to such person or persons, not of this Congress, as shall by them or their Committee be necessarily employed in or relating to such execution; nor give any advice or information to any person or persons that may in any wise obstruct, or tend to obstruct, the execution thereof, nor divulge or make known to any person or persons, either directly or indirectly, any information or intelligence which shall be received by this Congress, or any Committee thereof, if the same, or any part thereof, shall be enjoined by resolve or order of this Congress, or of such Committee, to be kept secret, until such secrecy be dispensed with, by further resolve or order of this Congress, or by such Committee. So help me God." I speak without a single stutter.

"Thank you Lieutenant, be seated" Warlock says.

Cyclone pulls up a presentation slide that reads:

Dagger 1: 'Maverick' X 'Clutch'
Dagger 2: 'Phoenix' and 'Bob'
Dagger 3: 'Rooster'
Dagger 4: 'Payback' and 'Fanboy'

Knowing I'm with my friends makes me happy but I'm now wondering if I can handle the responsibility because I literally have their lives in my hands.

"The best of the best" Maverick says

"The best of the best indeed" I repeat.

I walk out of the base and head to my car. I sit down and put my head back on the head rest. This is what I've wanted since I can remember, to lead a mission for my country, but now that it's been handed to me, I'm, I'm shaking?

I struggle a deep breath and whisper "Talk to me dad"

I pull out my phone to call Rooster.

Hey doll,

Hey..

Everything alright?

Yea, yea-um I'm on my way back
do you maybe want to order
something? I really don't have
the energy to cook.

Yea of course! You
sure You're ok?

Yes Ro I'm fine

Alright, If you say so!
I'll see you in a little bit
Drive save!

We fly the world's fastest
most dangerous dangerous
planes for a living and you
tell me to drive save?

Because I don't want
you to get hurt!

*Laughs*

See you soon

I put my phone down on the passenger seat and turn the key in the ignition but my mind can't help but wonder off to Rooster.

I mean what does this make us? We've been best friends for years, so the nicknames thing, not unusual but the feelings I have for him are different. I still love the man to the moon and back but not just as a friend anymore. But I don't know what he thinks. Surely friends don't look at friends that way, surely friends don't make out with each other.

Right?