Work Text:
Turning the Rain into Sun
Sometimes Rooster couldn’t help but wonder whether he missed earlier signs somewhere. Maverick had always been there for his entire life, right by his father’s side, lighting up every room he was in with his infectuous charm – heads turning his way because of his blatant cockiness just as much as his distracting Omega scent. Then Nick Bradshaw had died and something changed on a fundamental level. Maverick’s smile appeared just as frequent but it was less vibrant, faint like a watercolor drawing put together too hasty. Like a part of him had died together with his best friend. Yet he had always been there for their family even though every visit must have torn that wound open again and again. Rooster and his mother had been able to heal eventually, even if there would always be scars visible. They healed each other by their shared company, by choosing to go on. But with Maverick, it seemed like he kept pushing the pain into the farthest corner of his heart until his next visit, until the next slash reopened it. Things had been improving a year or so after Goose’s death and it was only much later after Rooster had finally presented that he realized it was because of Iceman. He still wasn’t sure how to label what the two fighter pilots had shared for almost three years – friends with benefits clearly didn’t cut it but it had obviously not been mates either because Iceman found a beautiful female Omega and got married with her. And Maverick had been thrust back into that strange space between living life and teetering at this dark abyss of despair.
Rooster had presented as an Alpha at the age of 15. He still remembered it with clarity, the moment something inside him seemed to shift and suddenly he had been flooded with too many scents…
Right next to him, something unobtrusive, so subtle he could easily ignore it even with his haywire senses. Not presented yet. His kindergarten friend Lucy.
Downstairs, light and sweet. Calming. Omega. Mom.
Also downstairs, just as sweet but far darker and more intense. Another Omega. Maverick.
Should he have noticed then? When it became clear after a few months – once his senses had settled – that he could pick up on Maverick’s scent far easier than any other, that he always sensed him long before Maverick came into sight. He had mentioned this observation to his mother once but she had chuckled and assured that this was just typical Maverick. Always drawing the attention of the whole room even when he didn’t mean to. So, Rooster had forgotten about it.
Then he had turned nineteen and there had been the major falling out after Maverick had prevented him from getting into flight school. Since then Rooster had avoided the older man like the plague. According to his mother Maverick still visited her regularly but he had stopped asking about Rooster and this was a good thing. Their paths had parted and Rooster had been happy not thinking about Maverick for most of the time.
Until this stupid mission. Until Maverick had waltzed back into his life and for the first time Rooster had seen him in his element – a force of nature up in the air - showing their class up as though they were new recruits on their first day of flight lessons. In retrospect Rooster realized his respect and astonishment for the older pilot had already built up back then, but it had been buried under the hate he had chosen to wield like a cloak whenever Maverick was in proximity.
No matter how much he thought about it, he didn’t realize where it had first started or whether it had always been there since he presented but the moment of when he just knew, was forever seared into his memory like a brand.
The moment he had known that he was in love with Maverick.
What should have been a moment of joy – or with their complicated history maybe even anger – had instead been a moment of absolute terror. It hadn’t been the split-second realization that he was going to die that had terrified Rooster so much. No, with the adrenaline in his veins and the pure chaos of the fight around him, there hadn’t been time for fear of death. With the odds of this mission, they all had been prepared that it could happen, that death was a real possibility. The analytical part of his brain had been prepared for that. And when he saw the missile coming at him with no weapons of his own left and more importantly no decoy flares to avoid the impact, he had been prepared to die. Then Maverick’s Super Hornet had pulled up from nowhere, its flares blocking the missile’s way and then there was the deafening sound of an explosion as Maverick’s fighter went down in a cloud of fire and smoke.
That’s the moment something inside of Rooster snapped violently, his ears ringing as mind-numbing terror flooded him and drowned out reason. There had been the cackle of the radio, Phoenix and Bob and everyone else who was in the air panicking, the always so composed and cocky Hangman who was ready to depart from the carrier, practically begging for permission to help, their superiors Warlock and Cyclone arguing and eventually refusing their pleas because there was no use, Maverick was dead.
And that’s the last thing Rooster remembered because at this point his memory blacked out completely, up until the point he shot down the hostile aircraft. He had apparently gone against orders and flown into enemy territory to where Maverick’s fighter plane had crashed. And that’s when Rooster was finally able to breathe again because there Maverick was, alive and conscious like he ought to be. Rooster would never know what he would have done in his own vulnerable state when he saw Maverick coming towards him. Perhaps he would have hugged him and never let go, perhaps he would slapped him for his stupidity because how could he sacrifice his own life when Rooster was the Alpha, the one supposed to protect him. He hadn’t yet decided but Maverick swiftly took that decision away from him when instead of being grateful for the rescue, he came at Rooster like a freight train, pushing against him with so much momentum that Rooster stumbled back despite their height difference. He had never been so happy to be yelled at by the older man because this was Maverick, defiant and stubborn and most importantly, alive. And the part of him that was all Alpha and had been pacing in his mind like a caged animal, had finally settled into a steady rhythm of ‘mineminemine’.
And now hours later, after narrowly escaping death a second time, the mission was over, they had done it and Rooster had only eyes for Maverick. The celebration after their victorious return was long over and they were setting in a secluded booth of their favorite bar in comfortable silence. Maverick had brought the whole bottle of scotch over after subjecting Penny Benjamin to a whole minute of his charming smile. Rooster had his arm on the back of the next seat, only dimly registering bits and pieces from Phoenix and Bob’s conversation opposite him. His eyes were firmly trained on their team leader, who was walking back towards them with a soft, happy smile.
There was movement on the side and suddenly Hangman stepped into view beside the Omega. Instinctively Rooster tensed up, his slack posture stiffening as he watched the interaction. Maverick didn’t seem bothered in the least – of course not, why would he be? Instead, he turned his attention to the cocky Alpha and no matter how much Rooster strained his ears, there was simply too much noise in the bar to make out any snippets of conversation from them. He was left to interpret their body language and he had to grit his teeth as he watched Hangman invade Maverick’s personal space, one hand resting casually on the small of the older one’s back. Maverick’s expression became even warmer and he made no move to shrug Hangman off. Rooster had always considered himself a calm and collected person but right now he had to stomp the urge to get up and walk over to yank the Omega to his own side instead.
“Stop doing that.” He flinched at the voice from the opposite side of the table and looked over to find Phoenix watching him with amusement.
“I’m not doing anything,” Rooster defended himself but he sounded petulant even to his own ears.
Phoenix snorted. “Quit the bullshit, I’m an Alpha as well and I know what that look means. Hangman is just being himself, you know that.”
To be honest that’s what Rooster was afraid of. Sure, Hangman was arrogant and cocky and oftentimes selfish but he was also charming and attractive, not to mention a far better pilot than Rooster could ever hope to be. And if the story of Maverick and Iceman was any indication, those were all qualities that the Omega seemed to be attracted to.
“He is not interested in Hangman, believe me.” Rooster blinked in surprise at Bob of all people chiming in. The WSO was usually far too introverted for this kind of talk and well, he was also an Omega so Rooster was inclined to listen to his opinion far more than to Phoenix’.
“How do you figure?” He hated how pathetic he sounded.
Bob smiled cautiously. “Anyone who has seen Maverick around you, can tell you that. It’s like whenever you are in the same room, he orbits around you. It was obvious from the moment I first saw you two in the same room together and it’s only gotten worse with time.”
Rooster fell silent, unsure how to respond. He had never allowed himself to see Maverick as a potential mate, first because of their age difference and later because he had been too busy pushing the Omega away. But the past day had put his feelings into perspective. He had almost lost Maverick today and he didn’t have the energy to keep staying away. Yet…
“He doesn’t see me that way,” he murmured resigned. “I will always be his best friend’s son, nothing more.”
Phoenix gave him a disbelieving look. “Sure, that’s why your scent has been rubbing off on him ever since you two came back from the mission.”
Rooster glared at her. “We almost died several times today. We were both going into survival mode, it makes sense that he would accidentally form a superficial bond with the only Alpha in proximity.”
Bob gave a heavy sigh while Phoenix patted his wrist. “That’s exactly what this is about, I’m sure.” She raised her voice to the Alpha still hovering at Maverick’s side. “Hey Hangman, what about those shots you promised us? Either get back here now or take your seduction scheme elsewhere.”
Rooster stiffened at her words and his stomach clenched painfully as he watched Hangman look up. The Alpha’s eyes darted over to him for a brief moment, uncharacteristically hesitant. Rooster wasn’t sure what his own eyes were projecting but Hangman seemed to have gotten his answer because a teasing smirk graced his handsome features. Then the hand lightly resting on Maverick’s back dropped lower, settling on the curve of his ass.
Rooster barely heard the warning growl coming from his own throat, his attention on the way Maverick froze like a deer caught in the headlights. The Omega gave Hangman a puzzled frown and with how empty the bar had become in the last few minutes, Rooster could hear him loud and clear. “What are you doing, lieutenant?”
Hangman let his eyes linger on Rooster for another moment before turning to Maverick with a far too charming smile. “Just making my intentions clear, sir. You shouldn’t be surprised, not after what you accomplished today. I bet half of this bar was weighing their chances for a little one-night stand with you.”
To Rooster’s annoyance Maverick seemed to be mostly amused by Hangman’s boldness. “What makes you think I would agree to anything like that? Especially considering it’s against regulations for me to hook up with a student.”
Hangman didn’t seem the least bit perturbed, instead moving closer until he had Maverick cornered against the nearest chair, his free hand cupping the older one’s jaw. “You’re not exactly a textbook example for following regulations, are you?” His grin widened as he added, “Sir.”
And that’s when Rooster couldn’t take it anymore. He surged up from the booth, eyes set firmly on the man who was now his rival in more ways than one. “Let him go, Jake. Now.”
Hangman didn’t even look at him. “Wait your turn, Rooster. I’m not done here yet.”
“Yes, you are,” Rooster growled and he couldn’t even recognize the sound of his own voice.
Finally Hangman turned his attention to him but that infuriating grin was still in place. “Do you have a problem, Bradshaw? Scared that I’m gonna steal your Omega from right under your nose?”
Before Rooster could respond, Maverick had placed himself between them, a mild glare directed at the blond Alpha. Rooster dropped his gaze, fighting the sudden impulse to shove the Omega behind himself.
“Enough, lieutenant. I don’t think this is the right time for your teasing, not after the rollercoaster of emotions we have been through today.”
Hangman looked between the pair incredulously. “He hasn’t told you, sir? How he went all into possessive Alpha mode when your plane got shot down from the sky?” Rooster froze at being called out but Hangman wasn’t done yet. “He lost it completely, I have never seen anything like it. As though somebody flipped a switch and there was only the thought of saving you that was keeping him together.”
Maverick looked uncertain now, several emotions flitting too quickly over his face to properly place them. Rooster took another step forward until he felt the Omega’s back against his own chest, a warning in his eyes as he stared back unblinkingly at the other Alpha. “Stop this, Hangman. I won’t ask again.”
Hangman seemed to consider the warning briefly. But then he also took a step forward, invading Maverick’s personal space. There was challenge in his eyes as he looked back at Rooster. “I really don’t think so, Bradshaw.” Then he surged forward and for a split-second Rooster expected a punch to his face. It would have been preferable to what happened instead.
Maverick let out a startled yelp as Hangman pushed him back into Rooster and then his sound of protest was cut off by the press of the blond’s lips on his own. Hot fury whitened out Rooster’s mind and he wasn’t aware of the loud roar he made as he tackled the other Alpha. Hangman crashed into the table beside them and Rooster would have followed it up with a fist to the face if it wasn’t for Maverick inserting himself between them yet again.
“Hey, Rooster, stop it!” His voice was all authoritative, reminding the younger one of their difference in rank. Still, the Alpha in him refused to back down from this fight because Maverick was his and his alone. It seemed that his instincts had also scrambled big parts of his higher brain functions because instead of an explanation for the clueless Omega, all he got out was, “Mine.”
Maverick stiffened at the world, looking as though he had been whiplashed. “Rooster…”
He didn’t continue but Rooster still understood all the things implied in that tone, the wonder and amazement, the hope and the fear. Maverick wanted this – wanted him – but he was too afraid to accept it. Rooster had no idea why and he didn’t care. Because Maverick had refused to allow himself happiness ever since Goose had died, probably thinking he didn’t deserve it. The realization made Rooster angry at himself and at the world because if there was anyone out there who deserved it, it was this man who had already sacrificed so much for the greater good and was still willing to lose more.
“Mine,” he repeated, his voice barely more than a possessive sneer. “Mate.”
The word caught him by surprise but it paled against the raw emotion in Maverick’s face. Right here, right now there was no trace of Captain Pete Mitchell, their superior and team leader. The face staring back at him was that of a lonely Omega, hidden behind the demeanor of a man used to rejection and hurt. And damnit, hadn’t Rooster been responsible for at least part of that hurt when he had cut Maverick out of his life? And worse still, he had almost been responsible for Maverick’s death.
At the memory of Maverick saving him, all fight drained from Rooster’s body and he stumbled forward. He wasn’t sure which one of them was holding the other up, all that mattered were those strong arms coming around him and the familiar scent of his Maverick enveloping him like a warm blanket. The feel of Maverick’s embrace was familiar yet foreign at the same time, years of memories reminding him that Maverick had always been there to protect him and yet it had never felt like this, like coming home.
“I love you, Mav,” he whispered into the crook of the other man’s neck and he didn’t care that Hangman was still on the ground, just a few feet away, probably too afraid of ruining the moment to move away now.
Maverick let out a desperate sob and then he shifted his head until his nose was tracing along Rooster’s jawline, leaving a fiery trail in its wake. “I love you too, Bradley, you know that.”
And Rooster did – had known all along. Maverick was the only person who had never left him, not even when Rooster had wanted him to. Even when Maverick had sacrificed himself and should have been dead, he had refused to die. Maverick would never leave him, he knew that now. And Rooster would be grateful for that the rest of his life.
“Kiss me,” he begged, his voice broken but he didn’t move, he didn’t make the first step because it needed to be Maverick. He wouldn’t take advantage of the Omega, not after everything he had been through.
And Maverick smiled a smile that Rooster couldn’t recall ever seeing but he must have because it pulled at something buried deep within, faded memories of Mom and Dad singing and laughing, Maverick beside them, three decades younger and more carefree, the same dimpled smile lighting up his face. A smile that he thought had died together with his Dad.
And before he realized what was happening Rooster was crying, overwhelmed by the knowledge that he made Maverick happy, that he could chase away the demons from the past. Their lips finally met in a sloppy, wet kiss – more about comfort and reassurance than it was about desire or lust. It wasn’t perfect and yet it was, because didn’t that sum them up perfectly? They both had their baggage to carry and yet they fit together like two halves of the same heart.
And now they were finally beating as one.
As Maverick melted against him and finally let him in, Hangman’s amused whisper reached their ears. “Fucking finally.”