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aestheticsuwu · 1 year

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🌄🥃Wanted (Dead or Alive)🥃 🌄

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Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky x Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell

Western au

(Ps: Maverick is not underage, he just got a baby face.)

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Peering down at the small man pushed to his knees, a groan slipping out of his lips from the harsh impact of the dry ground. Slider shrugged when Ice threw him a look. The man or should he say boy—He looks young and doe-eyed—,looks up through his eyelashes and does a terrible job trying to hide his flinch when he sees Ice staring back at him .

Ice inspected him, Top to bottom, from the fresh purple bruise sporting by his eye socket , looking more darker and swollen, the dirty and torn clothes sheen with sweat from the boiling suffocating weather, to the metal collar chained to his pretty neck that rested heavily on his shoulder .

Ice took a guess that they hadn’t taken it off him by the blooming bruises that were appearing beautifully on his collarbone that his ripped shirt allowed to see.

Too important to be locked with other criminals but not enough to keep his dignity having the boy chained like an animal.

“I wouldn’t be asking, but Carole is due pretty soon and Nick will kill me before I can blink if I brought this outlaw to our home.”Slider squints to block out the sun.

“Weren’t the plans for them to move in here when she delivered?” Ice says dryly. Slider shuffles awkwardly as if stunned with the information. Ice refrains himself from laughing, Slider probably forgot.

Ice place is much bigger than the tiny cot that the three lived in , much more smaller now that a baby’s arrival was merely few weeks away. Iceman didn’t like to share his space or be around with people. He enjoys his solitude , the quietness and not having to deal with pesty neighbors .

Tom was no people person or people pleaser and he has let it known. But he found himself fond over the little chick ever since he felt the babe move underneath his palms when Carole had proudly showed her belly. It was the first kick and Ice secretly carry that information proudly.

“Still is, unless you changed your mind ?” Slider grins as he wipes away the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. It was an old thing, discolored and worn,(it used to be a deep dark green before it was thinned with use), But the man refused to throw it away since it was a gift from Carole.

He had a pocket knife to match, gifted by Goose.

The people in the town loves to gossip and murmur their unimportant opinions of their relationship. It was unheard of. Two men and a woman together was scandalous and shameful like two men being together.

It only worsen when Carole had gotten with child. A man had dared to open his disgusting mouth to sneer his insignificant and distasteful words to Carole.

Slider and Goose wondered angrily were that man had gone , as if vanished in thin air, wanting to desperately to give him what he deserved.

Iceman just sat there quietly, hiding his wrapped knuckles and sharing a look with Carole who smiled in gratitude.

Till this day, that man was not seen again.

“Besides by that time you’d already have this boy trained and domesticated.” Slider kicks the man back sending him forward, The outlaw hands shoots out to prevent himself from falling quickly before he eats a mouthful of dirt.

He’s weak . Slider had merely use any strength . Tom briefly wonders if he has eaten or drank any water.

“Touch me again I will break your wrist.” The boy snarled but Slider just laughs at the pathetic threat. He bowed his head, in shame or to block the sun that felt it’s job to melt brains— Iceman didn’t know for sure. Ice took two big steps to take a closer look.

Maverick felt a shadow cast over him, And does the mistake of looking up , coming to face the mans groin. His eyes were ready to fall out with how wide his eyes were.

Iceman knew. A voice in the back of his head is saying -shouting- to say no and get back in his house and leave Slider and the outlaw on his knees( a place where he looked he belonged). But he does the mistake of looking into the wide green eyes peering up at him.

“Leave before I change my mind”, Iceman scoffs when Slider promises to do anything to repay him for this favor. If Ice had a list of favors that Slider owes him ; it would be endless.

He watches the tall man retreat leaving him with the kid. He felt sweat pool behind his neck from the unforgiving heat, Maverick; Ice distinctly remembers when he turned him in with Stinger.

Where the kid should’ve stayed. Not with Ice.

Later he will convince himself that he is doing this for Slider, his only friend, that behind his reckless attitude Ron was a man of a big heart and when it came to his family he would protect them with his life, For the unborn baby that need his mother to be calm and safe and Goose not dying of nerves by having an unwanted guess trespassing his home when it should be safe.

And not because the small man fluttered his stupid pretty eyes.

Tom is Iceman, Ice cold and no mistakes.

“Get up unless you plan to do something other than stare .”Ice click his tongue , and reached out to the man. One hand gripping his chin and tilting it up just enough so their eyes can make contact.

Those green eyes turned into slits , his mouth twisted in anger , Maverick wince when his voice cracked, ”I’d rather cut my tongue off.”

It brings out a chuckle out from Iceman.

“Don’t worry little one, bratty outlaws are far from my taste . Let’s see how good of a slave you are .” Ice drops his hand and takes a step back. He smirks when Maverick throws him a glare, the kid is threatening as a kitten.

Ice watches the boy struggle to stand on his two feet like a newborn deer. His patience running thin , tensing his jaw , at how slow Maverick was moving. Another thirty seconds go by and he’s ready to throw the man over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Seeing enough, he hauls the Maverick up by the arms with a soft but firm grip. Green eyes flicker , the boy tried to hide it but Ice can see how scared he was.

“I’m not a housewife, but I will make your life a living hell if you don’t let me go“ He did a pathetic attempt of threatening Iceman. The last part came out weak , Maverick swayed on his feet but remain looking up at him with those green shiny eyes trying to look menacing even when he was the one resting all his weight on Ice and practically rested his chin on his chest looking so small.

Ice feels the dull ache begining to creep up in the back of his skull , annoying him and threatning to lose his last silver of sanity. He clenched his teeth so hard he felt like any more tighter they could break. Ice should’ve made Slider drag this man in the house or let him figure out what to do with him, if the man can handle two energetic lovers he can deal what to do with this bratty small man.

But something about Slider holding Maverick like he is right now doesn’t sit right, his gut turns at the thought and his blood boils. He pulls maverick away, ignoring the latter confuse noise , just enough to put his arm at the back of the man legs to carry him in a bridal hold.

“What are you doing?!,” Maverick squeals. He stays silent. And begins his way to to the door.

…………………….🥃🌄🥃…………🥃🌄🥃………………..

#icemav #tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #ron slider kerner #nick goose bradshaw #carole bradshaw #baby bradley #bradley bradshaw #western au #tom kazansky #pete mitchell #goose x carole #goose x carole x slider #bounty hunter #outlaw au

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bearsinpotatosacks · 2 years

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Top Gun Coffee Shop AU

Goose and Carole own a cafe called Bradshaw Brews

It's a mixture of mid century and that tiktok/instagram aesthetic you see

Carole make the food, Goose makes the drinks

Mav was brought on to help with dishes and the tills and cleaning etc

All their food has the Bradley seal of approval

Ice and Slider buy a boxing gym across the street, Ice manages it while Slider coaches and fights too

They start to go to Bradshaw Brews after setting up and after Ron's morning training

Ron declares that the coffee is the best he's ever had, which is true but also he wanted to make the cute owners blush

He succeeds

They leave for the first time and Carole blurts out that Ron has a great ass, Goose agrees

Ron starts going practically every day, even on the days when he's not at the gym

They get to know his order and even prep it in advance but Ron isn't the most fond of this because he doesn't get to talk to them so he starts to try a new thing every day

Goose tries more and more elaborate latte art

One day, there's a storm warning, Ron sees Goose and Carole struggling to get in all the outside furniture in time so runs over to help and picks up like 3 tables in one go

They close up and he stays with them

And because Ron is a himbo, he takes off his soaked t-shirt to ring it out and Goose and Carole are mesmerised by the way the rain rolls over his muscles and how the shines over them

He looks up and just says "what?" before they both go over and explain how he makes them feel

And his confused face turns to a mischievous one and they all get smooches

He gets his drinks on the house from then on

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bo0tleg · 3 months

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GEMS MY FRIEND SAID WATCHING TOP GUN (1986) FOR THE FIRST TIME:

"Look at those thighs! He's gotta be sitting on a dick, there ain't no way!" (about a random engineer in the opening sequence)

"This guy is too handsome to be a rando" (it was, indeed, a rando)

"Fifteen minutes in and I have no idea who the protagonist is." "Do you know what Tom Cruise looks like?" ".... No."

*Thought Cougar was gonna be the protagonist, was confused as hell when he left*

"The baldo is boring, but I think were gonna keep seeing him throughout the movie." "No, we're not." "We're not? Oh, thank god."

"Whoop, spotted the gay one. That wasn't even hard."

"That guy (Chipper) looks russian." "Nope." "No? What about that one (Slider)?" "It's the middle of the Cold War." "..... So?"

"A gay couple already? Wow."

"The blondie is trying to flirt while the other one is too concentrated on the rivalry."

"OH HELL NAH."

"Every old movie just feels the need for random straight romance– OH SHIT THAT'S HER? HE'S SO FUCKED." (In the scene where Charlie is 'officially' introduced)

"HOLD UP!" *Rewinds the scene* "What kind of flirting is that?" *Plays the scene again* "Did he just... Chomp? At him?"

"He has chemistry with her, but she doesn't want any chemistry with him. I mean, I can see she's attracted to him, but I think she just wants a quick lay." (Repeated this Every. Single. Time. Maverick and Charlie had a scene together.)

"Ah yes, the hetero scene that actually looks really gay." Later, remembering the scene: "How the fuck are you gonna play sports looking like a hot piece of ass without looking gay? You're not supposed to be hot! You're supposed to slap that fucking ball, not be like 'hahaha look at me, I'm so dainty and pretty.' THAT'S GAY!"

"It's cute, Goose treats him like a father would." "Don't you mean an older brother?" "No, he's too gentle for that. They'd be killing each other."

"See, Goose's wife treats him like an older sister would. By annoying him."

Charlie, on screen: "(...) Because I've fallen in love with you." "NO YOU FUCKING HAVEN'T, SHE'S JUST SAYING THAT FOR HIM TO STAY! SHE'S JUST SAYING WHAT HE WANTS TO HEAR TO KEEP HIM THERE!"

*Loud disgruntled noises I could hear from the kitchen over the sex scene*

"That's the one with the hard on!"

"I want more scenes of the blondie (Ice) and Maverick, I don't care about fucking planes."

"Did he die? Oh, no he's fine, the chute is there. Wait, he did die? NO!"

"Did he really need to be in his underwear for this conversation?"

"How cute, he's worried about Mavericks mental health. Shit."

*Screams*

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT? SHE LEFT YOU AFTER YOUR BEST FRIEND DIED!" "And put on a song that reminds him of his parents." "AND PUT ON A SONG THAT REMINDS YOU OF YOUR DEAD PARENTS!"

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justmilkplease · 2 years

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#no energy x too much energy is goated #icemav #tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #nick goose bradshaw #carole bradshaw #ron slider kerner #top gun #tg86

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oh-surprise-its-me · 9 months

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Bradley is a hand holder. Partly because it shows he’s with someone and because of the casual affection it has but also because he loved holding hands with his mom.

Jake didn’t get it at first, why be down a hand just to hold someone else’s. But once he got used to it he really got into it.

He doesn’t notice at first but he will reach for Bradley’s hand first now, getting out of a car? Hold hands to wherever they are going. Walk on beach? Hold hands until one of them tosses the other in the ocean. After the most filthy, heart pounding, Jake can’t catch his breath because of something Bradley did with his tongue activity’s? Yeah obviously they hold hands.

It’s a constant reminder that Bradley picked Jake. He fucking loves it.

He only loves it more once they are married and they have rings, Jake just has his wedding band that was Carol’s and an engagement ring that Bradley picked. Bradley has the one Jake got him and then on the right hand he had his dads band. So that when they hold hands his parents rings are together wrapped in their sons love.

#this is not part of my slider as jakes dad idea #jake hangman seresin #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw #jake seresin #bradley x jake #bradley bradshaw x jake seresin #holding hands 💞#top gun maverick #top gun #carol bradshaw #nick goose bradshaw #hangster #mac writes top gun

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callsignthirsty · 3 months

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Stuck at the Navy Ball

So… I decided I wasn’t done playin’ with the boys.

As this is a continuation of the original Stuck in the Middle fic, I highly recommend that you read through that before diving into this. Could you dive headfirst into this? Yes. There might be a little confusion, though.

Inspired by a comment someone left on SitM over on AO3.

Pairing: Tom “Iceman” Kazansky x F!Reader x Ron “Slider” Kerner Summary: You, Ice, and Sli haven’t lost that loving feeling. So when the flyboys are reunited at the 1986 Navy Ball, it's only natural that they bring a bit of chaos with them. Word Count: 4200 Warnings: Smut, bets and wagers, under-negotiated situations (but everyone involved is fine), fingering Chapter: 1/4 Minors DNI

gif originally posted by neuromancer1888

Chapter 1: Under the Table

The invitation arrives early in September, printed on thick cardstock and addressed to your brother. But if Viper’s words are to be believed—and you’ve yet to hear of a situation in which they aren’t—Pete’s attendance isn’t exactly optional. So the summons finds its way from the trash onto the fridge, rough edges taped back together.

Please Join Us For the 211th Navy Ball. Monday, October 13th Washington D.C.

Cocktail Hour 1700 | Ceremony Begins 1800 Live Music. Food. Dancing.

The same invitation has Carole positively giddy. Born and raised in Virginia, she’s been looking for an excuse to fly east to visit her parents. And for a party? Isn’t that swell! Arrangements are made for Bradley to sleep at his grandparents on the night of the ball before Goose—whose PT-mandated wheelchair has landed him desk duty—is home from work.

Which is how, roughly one month later, you find yourself in Goose’s room at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, sharing precious mirror space with Carole. Breathing in Aqua Net while putting the finishing touches on your looks.

The hotel calls the four of you a taxi, Goose’s wheelchair is stuffed into the trunk, and then you’re off to meet your date.

Singular.

There hadn’t been a question of if you’d attend or whose arm you’d decorate once Pete’s invite arrived. Officially, you’re at the ball with Ice. After Layton, Ice had made it a point to be seen with you while he was off-duty. Your relationship, which you’d tried to keep on the down-low, was worth showing off publicly after he and your brother had dropped their rivalry in favor of mutual respect. Friendship.

But the other half of your relationship was still very much under wraps.

That fact hadn’t stopped you from nodding eagerly when Ice pulled you close to ask you to attend the Navy Ball with him. Ice wants to climb the ladder, and earning stars is more than clambering into the cockpit every morning or disappearing on a carrier for the better part of a year at a time. It’s politics. It’s achieving perceived milestones on or ahead of schedule. And in October, for Lieutenant Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, naval aviator and promotion hopeful, it’s attending the Navy Ball with a woman on his arm.

Pete wrestles the wheelchair out of the trunk while Goose pays the cab driver. As you step into the crisp October evening, you marvel at the palatial, white-stone building that is to be the backdrop of your night. A steady flow of servicemen and women crossing beneath grand archways with their dates for the promise of a good night.

You aren’t left alone to gawk for long before you catch sight of them chatting with someone or another: decked in their whites, Slider leaning against the wrought iron rail and Ice to his side. Ice’s gaze flicks to you instantaneously, as if he’d felt your eyes land on him. The natural pout of his lips morphs into a grin as he excuses himself from the conversation and moves toward you against the flow of the crowd. Slider follows close behind, ultimately making his way to Goose, Carole, and your brother. But you catch the hesitation in his step. The course-correct.

Events like these will be challenging for the three of you—that had been a foregone conclusion—but this knowledge doesn’t make it any easier. It feels all sorts of wrong to have Slider keep himself at such a purposeful distance when you’re used to his proximity. Even at the O Club, he manages to stand close. Doesn’t shy away.

Before your mood can be irreparably embittered, Ice takes your hand in his and coaxes you into a slow spin. “You’re beautiful,” he coos as he kisses your cheek, and a delicate smile lights your lips.

The dress had been a surprise. Something you’d insisted on buying yourself despite Ice and Slider offering to pool their money for something truly extravagant. But after years spent in the foster system, even the thought of spending money on something so frivolous left a bad taste in your mouth. Instead, you’d taken Carole, your more comfortable budget, and found an old gala dress at a thrift shop. The sleek, black velvet gown up to your collarbones with the slightest sparkle as the fabric shifted beneath the store’s old lights ticked all your self-imposed boxes. A dress fit for an aspirational young officer’s date, even after Carole added a slit up the left side to show a little leg and “bring the dress into this decade.”

“Look who’s talking,” you say, squeezing Ice’s arm as it’s offered to you. Typically, the change of season calls for blues, but the Navy Ball is an exception to the rule. You wonder whose wife you have to thank for that because although your boys look damn fine in both, you have a not-so-hidden preference. “And Kerner didn’t clean up so bad, either,” you shoot in Slider’s direction with a playful grin.

“Surprised?” Slider asks, brow raised. You shrug because, no, you’re not surprised, but you aren’t sure what to say that will fly under the radar. And that’s the name of the night’s game. That doesn’t stop Pete from rolling his eyes as he passes you with Goose and Carole on their way to the building’s ramp.

The closest you ever got to a ball before tonight was prom—not yours; you’d been on staff at the venue. Frankly, you’d half expected you and Pete to have been blacklisted, given your father’s ill-gotten reputation, but they let you in without issue. You wonder if Pete’s face appearing on the front page of every magazine in the English-speaking world has anything to do with it, but you keep that to yourself while Ice, ever the gentleman, escorts you further into the event.

If the outside of the building is beautiful, then the inside is magnificent: all barrel vaulted ceilings decorated with Romanesque gold leafing and warm mahogany. A vast hall that steadily fills as guests arrive for cocktail hour and to mingle before the evening officially kicks off.

Slider spots Carole’s shock of blonde hair by a table with easy access for Goose and herds Ice in her direction. They aren’t alone at the table. “Merlin,” Slider barks, bounding over to shake his fellow RIO’s hand. “I thought you were stationed over the Atlantic. What’re you doing here?”

“Turned out to be an exercise. Over and back in sixty-two days.”

“And just in time for the party,” the woman at his side chips in, and Merlin wraps an arm around her to pull her close.

“Oh! Tom Kazansky, Ron Kerner, my wife, Laura.” Ice takes the opportunity to introduce you in turn. The conversation is easy-going, Ice and Slider filling Merlin in on their time instructing at Miramar.

Slider gets in several quips about Ice having a list of officers whose asses he needs to kiss to speed up a promotion when Ice spies one of said officers. He gently tugs you in the right direction so you can play the part of the doting girlfriend. The officer—a captain—quickly introduces you to his wife before he and Ice talk shop.

You manage to pluck a champagne flute from a waiter’s tray, sipping daintily and nodding along with the captain’s wife. Considering most of your knowledge concerning the Navy revolves around the planes your brother flies and the stunts he’s pulled in them, the conversation goes in one ear and out the other.

Not that it matters. Your role tonight—thankfully—is just to follow Ice around and look pretty.

The captain’s wife finishes her champagne in record time, and though you’re hesitant at first, you aren’t too far behind her. It is at this point, glass empty, that Slider appears like your guardian angel. “Captain,” he nods. “Ice.”

“Captain Reid, have you met my RIO?” Ice asks, knowing full well that Slider has no interest in schmoozing. Much like your brother, Slider is there because it is expected of him. Unlike Pete, Ice doesn’t need his friend’s emotional support or commiseration to make it through such events, mandatory or otherwise. Every opportunity like this is one Ice can use to his advantage.

Slider offers the captain a firm handshake. “Lieutenant Ron Kerner, sir.”

“Your RIO? I thought you were stationed at Miramar?”

“The perks of winning the trophy, sir,” pride leaks through as Slider says it. He and Ice worked damn hard to finish at the top of their class. “We’ve been together since flight school. When Ice took a teaching position at TOPGUN, I followed.”

“And how does a man of your stature fit in the cockpit, lieutenant?” the captain’s wife asks from beneath heavily painted lashes.

The grin Slider offers her is loose. “It’s a bit of a squeeze, but no complaints so far.” The minute narrowing of Ice’s eyes says behave. You nearly avoid snorting, hiding the unladylike compulsion behind the rim of your empty flute, a reflection off the crystal drawing Slider’s eye.

“Actually,” Slider says, hand twitching as if he’s had to stop himself from resting it against your back, “I noticed your glass is empty.” Sli nods toward the bar, an invitation to refill your glass. You look up at him with a grin—a genuine one, not the soft smile that’s grown stale throughout Ice’s conversation—acceptance on your lips when–

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Ice’s brow wrinkles, noticing for the first time that you’ve finished your drink.

”I didn’t want to interrupt,” is your bashful answer.

”Don’t be ridiculous,” Ice says. “I’ll come with you.”

”You don’t have to leave.” Slider will take care of me, you don’t say.

Ice picks up on the silent part but blatantly ignores it. His eyes take on that warm, charmed look, tongue peeking out before his lips curl into that honeyed smile you love so much. “You’re too good for me,” he says as if it’s a secret meant only for you. There’s no doubt he means it, but something about the way he’s playing the sentiment up for the brass makes it feel different in a way you’re not entirely comfortable with. No mistakes. “If you’ll excuse us, sir. Ma’am.”

Captain Reid is already turning to walk the room with his wife when Ice’s eyes narrow into what can only be described as a glare at Slider, his arm cementing itself around your waist in a way that probably looks far more relaxed than it feels.

”What?” Slider asks, shooting for casual, but now you’re not sure you’re buying it, either. “I’m just trying to do my part so you can talk to everyone on your list.” The subconscious flex of Ice’s jaw, as if he wishes he could chew out his frustration on the butt of a cig or some gum, doesn’t go unnoticed, but it does go unheeded. “Admiral Benjamin is on your list, right?” You perk up. As in Penny Benjamin? “I think I saw him by the corner with wife number three and Commander Johnson.”

“You know,” Ice says, his grin glacial, “it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you rubbed elbows at an event like this.”

Slider scoffs, though it’s affectionate. “Why bother? We both know my military career ends when you take a desk job. Besides, I think my time is much better spent keeping your date’s cup full.” You’ve all agreed to go to the bar, but no one is moving. The tension between Ice and Slider is palpable.

”Okay,” you interrupt. There’s something off about their banter tonight. You’ve seen Ice stare down many a handful of people since landing in Miramar, but never Slider. It’s enough to raise a sculpted brow. “What am I missing?”

Slider senses blood in the water. Sees the smoke in the air. The grin he gives you is far tighter than the one he gave the captain’s wife. He opens his mouth, but Ice beats him to the punch. “You said something about grabbing my date a drink.”

Slider’s jaw clicks shut, but his grin isn’t so easily wiped away. “More champagne?” When you nod, Slider picks his way toward the bar while Ice escorts you to the side of the room where there’s more room to breathe and a lesser likelihood that someone will overhear when he presses close. “Sli’s upset that you’re with me tonight.”

That’s it? You hadn’t thought the arrangement would bother Slider so much. The three of you had discussed it and mutually concluded that you should go with Ice. That you had to go with Ice. Was Slider having second thoughts?

“Well, not upset,” Ice concedes at the concern that drags your lips down. “But he was talking a big game.”

Color you curious. “What’d he say?”

“Well,” Ice pulls you closer so his breath tickles your ear and you can smell the mint on his breath, “he thinks he can get you off before we leave the building. Steal you away while you’re being my pretty little girlfriend for the brass.” You gulp. Where is Slider with that drink?

”Oh.”

Ice chuckles. “Yeah. Oh. But I’m not worried.” Two fingers find their way under your chin and lift until your eyes meet Ice’s. “I know you’ll be good for me.”

“What’s the winner get?”

”Bragging rights.”

”And?”

It’s impossible to miss the way Ice’s eyes flit to your lips and linger there because he can. Those are the perks of being your date out in the light of day. “Can’t that be it?”

“Could be,” you breathe and slowly wet your bottom lip with your tongue, delighting in the way gray-blue eyes track the movement, “but it isn’t.”

Ice double-checks that no one is eavesdropping on your conversation. “You remember what got delivered the other day?” Your breath hitches. Yeah. You remember the catalog order you’d put in for a remote-controlled toy. The excitement and disappointment that had come with unfortunate delivery schedules. “Single-night, exclusive access once we’re all home.”

”That’s quite a lot on the line.”

”It would be,” Ice concedes, one large hand spanning the small of your back, warming you and holding you close enough you can breathe in his cologne, “but you can be good for me, right, baby? I’ll make it worth your while.” You nod, a little dumb as you inhale teakwood, sage, and sea salt.

It’s sure to be a profoundly satisfying night as long as you can stick to the script.

“I’m not going to make it easy on you,” Slider promises, appearing by Ice’s shoulder.

”Wouldn’t be fun if you did.” Ice’s smirk is all cocky confidence, cracking only when he notices Slider has only fetched two flutes of champagne.

”Only got two hands, Tommy,” Slider says with a toothy grin, “but I’ll keep her company while you grab yourself a glass.” The crystal buzzes with the steady fizz of bubbles, your fingers brushing Sli’s ever so slightly before Ice pulls you back into the throng.

The room becomes more difficult to navigate with each new attendee, but Ice only seems more in his element as cocktail hour drags on. He introduces you to a flurry of officers and their wives whose jewel-tone dresses all start to blend together, brushing shoulders with the men who ultimately control his upward trajectory.

On his arm, you smile and nod, interjecting where appropriate because, despite the smattering of female officers present, the Navy remains very much a boy’s club.

Still, it’s nice to be shown off so publicly. To delight in the knowledge that Ice’s attention never strays far from you despite his planned schmoozing. You preen each time he introduces you to someone new with a tender look—there are many things tonight that may be manufactured, but that look isn’t one of them.

An ache blooms in the ball of your foot as Ice delivers on the same script over and over to increasingly dismal company. The throbbing is nothing compared to the pinpricks in your cheeks, though. Beauty pageant smiles are their own form of torture. But this is important.

It’s all for a good cause.

Tonight is important to Ice, so it’s important to you.

You’d do anything for your boys: ignore every sour expression at your last name, force a pleasant laugh along with each rear admiral’s wife, stifle a relieved sigh when everyone is invited to find their seats for dinner.

The flyboys have claimed three closely clustered tables during your absence, forcing others to walk around them as they spill into the spaces between each table, leaning close to make up for the distance forced by post-graduation reassignments. Viper is curiously absent, or perhaps Jester had pulled the short straw and been stuck with babysitting duties.

But there’s someone you don’t recognize at your table, sat between Merlin and Slider, a stranger in your midst. A smile splits Ice’s face when he spots him. “Cougar?” The man stands and pulls Ice into a quick embrace, Ice’s hand on the man’s—Cougar’s—shoulder. Ice makes quick work of introducing you to Bill Cortell and his wife, Maria. “Cougar and I were like brothers in flight school,” Ice beams. “We were supposed to meet up at TOPGUN, but–”

”It turned out for the best,” Cougar cuts Ice off goodnaturedly with a quick nod toward Pete. “Besides, desk life isn’t so bad.” Ice raises a brow at the assertion while Goose lets out a ‘bullshit!’ “Okay,” he cedes, “it’s pretty bad, but I wouldn’t give up being at home with Maria and the kids for the world.” Maria, who is heavily pregnant, rests her hand over her bundle of joy.

The lights choose that moment to dim, commanding stragglers to find their seats, but neither man moves. Slider stands up. “Here,” he offers Ice his seat on Cougar’s left because the two clearly have some catching up to do. Ice takes the seat while you slide over to stay seated next to him, and Slider takes your spot as the lights come up on the stage for the opening ceremony.

By the time everyone is seated and some speaker makes his way to center stage, Ice is only half paying attention to the night’s program. He and Cougar have a lot to catch up on in appropriately hushed whispers. You’re about to zone out when you’re yanked back to the present by a hand on your knee.

Above the table, for prying eyes, Slider doesn’t give anything away. Attention seemingly focused on the stage. Below the table’s skirt, however, you press your thighs together as Slider’s hand massages the skin exposed by the modified slit in your dress. Familiar callouses drawing senseless patterns above your knee. His hand stays there, occasionally giving you a comforting squeeze, like he knows you crave reassurance through gentle touches after being dragged so far out of your comfort zone. It’s nice. Before long, between the buzz of quiet conversation and each soothing caress, you relax back into your chair.

Polite applause fills the room as the admiral gives the podium to the next presenter. Pete and Carole chuckle at something Goose murmurs. Wolfman yawns. Someone coughs. A waiter comes around to top off champagne.

You wrap your fingers around the delicate stem of your flute, raising it to your lips in the same instant that Slider’s palm shifts so it’s wedged between your thighs. Your sharp breath is lost in the crowd as nimble fingers creep higher, never once pausing their massage.

The corner of Slider’s lip tugs the slightest bit up. Smug bastard. When you’re sure no one is paying attention, you give his wrist a tug, but instead of retreating, Slider brushes a finger against the flimsy fabric of your panties.

Your heart jumps into your throat as you become hyper-aware of how loud your breathing is, and your brain kicks into overdrive. Can anyone hear you over the clink of glasses? Your nails dig into the meat of Slider’s wrist in surprise, but you’re fairly confident that the rest of you looks normal—suddenly, you’re not sure what that means.

Is this the way a normal person’s mouth rests? The way a normal person sits in their chair? You need to leave, but you can’t. Being good for Ice, among other things, means not causing a scene. Not fleeing the room in the middle of a presentation. Not letting anyone know that while your boyfriend dutifully splits his time between the podium and his colleague, his RIO is pushing your underwear to the side for better access to your cunt. How you’re responding to his touch.

“Hey.” Pete’s giving you a strange look from across the table. “You okay?” From the way he’s pulled a face, you missed the bar for normal, and now Goose and Carole are also looking your way.

“I’m fine,” you hiss. “I-” need a distraction. You mentally stumble as Slider continues to stroke up and down your slit, his fingers spreading the wetness until they glide effortlessly through your lips.

The universe grants your wish when the crowd bursts into polite applause and the mic is turned over to the next speaker. “Isn’t that Admiral Benjamin?”

“As in Penny Benjamin?” Carole perks up, sitting tall in an attempt to get a better look at the stage while Pete bangs his head onto the table. Probably. You’re admittedly not paying attention.

Pleasure zings up your spine as thick fingers nudge your clit. A reward for redirecting the eyes on you. It’s everything you can do not to press your hips into the pressure or let your head loll back with a gasp. And with Penny’s father keeping attention off of you, Slider hooks an ankle around yours to encourage your legs further apart.

You shouldn’t, but Slider has always been convincing.

Ice won’t be particularly pleased with how promptly you gave into Slider’s suggestions, how readily your legs fall open, but that’s barely a blip on your radar as firm circles rub into your clit. The devil on your shoulder whispers that if Ice had really wanted to win, he shouldn’t have allowed himself to be so easily distracted.

None of that matters nearly as much as it should when your heart pulses between your legs.

A hand lands on your velvet-covered thigh. Ice. “Sweetheart.” You whip your head around too quickly for the move to be anything but suspicious. Like you’ve been caught with your hand—or someone else’s—in the cookie jar. You try to focus on the cool, grounding pressure of his touch. It’s working, you think, but your leg is still trembling from the effort it takes to keep still. Keen eyes move from your face to your leg, trembling under his touch, to your lap, and then to Slider, where they narrow almost imperceptibly. “You alright?”

With a nod, you reach past your champagne for water to wet your dry throat. “Just taking it all in.”

A poor choice of words. Ever the opportunist, Slider presses a finger into your hole, the stretch delicious and unexpected enough that you almost choke. If anyone catches the color on your cheeks, you hope they’ll blame your earlier drinks.

“I was just saying I didn’t know Maverick had a sister,” Cougar says, this time loud enough for the table to hear him.

“He doesn’t talk about me much.”

“Yeah,” Pete scoffs, “because when people find out about you, this–” he gestures between you and Ice “–happens.”

“You got any other sisters, Mav?” Chipper’s question from the next table over prompts Pete to load a pomegranate seed onto this salad fork. He’s ready to launch, but a disapproving look from Jester dissuades him. Goose flips Chipper the bird in a show of solidarity.

“So when did this happen?” Cougar asks, eyes flitting from you to the blonde on your right.

Slider chuckles and leans into the conversation at the same time as he crooks his fingers. You bite the inside of your cheek. The circles Ice is rubbing into your knee aren’t as distracting as either of you wants them to be. “He hasn’t been able to keep his hands off of her since we made it to Miramar.”

Hypocrite. You clear your throat. “About five months?”

“Aw,” Maria sighs in that way so many in long-term relationships do. You try and fail to focus on that as a second finger prods at your opening before pushing in slowly. “You’re still in the honeymoon phase.” Thankfully, Ice steps in with a reply because all you can hear is the blood rushing in your ears when Slider rubs his fingers against your sweet spot, thumb applying steady pressure to your clit. Your nails dig crescent moons into Ice’s wrist in a last-ditch attempt to ground yourself because if Slider keeps this up, it’s going to take a miracle to keep you from causing a scene.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Viper’s unapologetic quip appears from seemingly nowhere. Your own personal savior. “I need to borrow Iceman and Slider, Maverick and Merlin, Hollywood and Wolfman.”

You shiver at the abrupt emptiness. Slider wipes his fingers, dripping with arousal, off on the tablecloth, eyes locked on Ice.

Next Chapter

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xihe1874 · 1 year

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Top Gun Fake Google Search History

Maverick's:

Who is the best pilot in this country How to change the search result of "Who is the best pilot in the country" How to grow taller at 25 Where to buy milk in California Why can't people grow taller at 25 What does snapping jaw mean in body language Does "wingman" have other meanings What does it mean when a smoking hot guy call you his wingman How can I fxxk my wingman (Safe Search off)

Ice's:

Who is the best pilot in this country Is it normal to want to kiss and kill someone at the same time Do shades really hide your line of vision Can a guy see that I want to fxxk him when I snap my jaw at him What does a gorgeous guy mean when he say you are his How can I fxxk my wingman (Safe Search off)

Goose's:

How to take care of your moustache Best anniversary gifts to your wife Best anniversary ideas Language of flowers Will a godfather's musical ability affect his godson How to deal with it when your best friend is flirting with his enemy Best "best man" speech

Slider's:

How to improve your friend's taste Is it illegal to kill your best friend's wingman Is it illegal to kill your best friend's boyfriend Is it illegal to kill your best friend's husband How to change the law to make it legal to kill your best friend's husband How to run for US president

#Google: GO AWAY #top gun #top gun 1986 #top gun: maverick #icemav #iceman x maverick #pete maverick mitchell #tom iceman kazansky #ron slider kerner #nick goose bradshaw #goose x carole #top gun incorrect quotes

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ever-changing-fandom-bomb · 7 months

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Second one today have fun.

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pollyna · 2 years

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At some point Ice starts referring to Slider, Goose and Carole has the lil trouple. Mav is lying on his stomach, Ice's top tank on and legs between his boyfriend when the man comes out with the name. Tom kisses his nose and it's lil because Goose and Slider are tall as fuck and Carole is smaller so they're the l and she is the i. Pete laughs and oh you dork.

(The name stucks. Not that they say it out loud in front of them.)

#icemav goes out with lil :)#it's stupid but tom's brain wasn't really there at the moment too much maverick in his clothes #even if listen l(goose) i(carole) l(slider)#it have it's sense!#tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #icemav #nick goose bradshaw #carole bradshaw #ron slider kerner #goose x carole x slider #top gun(1986)

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littleroosteruwu · 2 years

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Incorrect Top Gun Quotes

Goose : There's a spider!!

Slider : What do you want me to do about that?!

Goose : Kill it!!

Slider : You kill it!!

Goose : No, you kill it!

Carole , taking the spider in her hands : Hello little one

Goose and Slider : I-

#goose x carole x slider #incorrect top gun quotes #goose #slider #nick goose bradshaw #ron slider kerner #carole bradshaw #nick bradshaw #ron kerner #top gun

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aestheticsuwu · 2 years

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I like You , And You , And Both Of You Like Me ?

High school Au

Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw x Carole Bradshaw x Ron ‘Slider’ Kerner

Kernshaw ??? OT3 (what is their ship name!?!) 🔼

And Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky x Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell

(Slider hates Maverick but affectionately )

@bearsinpotatosacks @pollyna (it’s me @littleroosteruwu , this is my main account where I post all my moodboards. )

WARNING : Bad Writing !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥️🔺♥️~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

High/3

“Ice . . . C-can one be in love with two people at the same time? “

The question was wrecking his brain for a good while now . Ron has had an epiphany , but it just left him more confused than ever. He thought now was the best time to share his frustration of the situation with his friend, that he trusted who was in some degree more mature and serious than Ron.

Slider didn’t think playing with his lunch would solve his problem but for the first time he wasn’t hungry . If his ma could see him now, he would get an earful.

When Ron realized that Tom hadn’t uttered a single word , he glanced at the blonde and realized he was being to preoccupied to acknowledge his despair .

“Ice? TOM!” Ron had to kick Tom shin to get his attention since busting his eardrum didn’t work. Only then he managed to get his attention even if it came with a glare. That didn’t even scare him .

“What?” Ice hissed , rubbing his shin .

“Can you stop eye-fucking the pipsqueak for 5 seconds to help a brother out.”

“Eye fucking ? He wishes .” Tom scoffs but goes back to the stupid staring contest with a shark-like grin and in response Mitchell, who tilted his head coyly and batting his dumb eyelashes. Ron didn’t know how Ice repress the urge to not vomit .

It might be affecting him differently , Ice might be lying about how much hate he has towards the short stack .

“When I asked for a friend , I didn’t ask to be put through this torture .” Slider complain, looking up at the ceiling to speak to God, Slider shook his head goes back to eating his lunch making accidental eye contact with Carole who was grinning , and her boyfriend ,Nick ,who gave him a cheeky small wave then went back to talking to Mitchell. Even if Pete was not paying attention.

Slider doesn’t blush nor fumbles dropping his spork . He’s just a clutz at times and the heat on his face is the cause of the weather and not being caught talking to himself like a lunatic by a pretty girl and dorky-cute guy.

He glue his eye strictly to his tray until lunch was over. Doesn’t even try to take Toms attention away from Pete . Rons mind swirls back to his question , Can someone be in love with two people?

The bell rang , the sudden sound makes him jump , He and Ice pack up their stuff and throw away their trash . Ice is ahead few feet ahead, As he struggles with his zipper to close his bag ,only managing to get it more stuck and getting his skin pinched , he runs into Ice back who suddenly is stopped by Maverick (Ron wonders if one day his eyes might get stuck with how hard he rolls his eyes by the presence of Mitchell but now is not the time to fuzz about him because Nick and Carole were on Mavericks left and right side.

He just gagged, He sounded like a girl right now.

Showing off their pretty smiles , Slider could smell Carole’s glossy strawberry scented lips and Nick watermelon chapstick from here.Don’t ask how he knows , The pair told him after being caught staring at a particular area ; Their lips .

And that one time in the boy locker room , Goose chapstick fell without him noticing . Slider kept it , not like a pervert way , but just out of curiosity . He also has Carole’s floral scarf that she told him to hold on to and never asked for it back.

Again not in a perverted way . He swears on his ma . He carries the chapstick in his pocket and scarf wrapped around his wrist . Just in case they ever need it . And not because he feels closer to them .

“We are having a party for Maverick’s birthday and we want to extend the invitation personally .” Goose voice cracked halfway , what can you do it’s puberty , but spoke with the same glee from the beginning .

“I’d imagine you wouldn’t want us to go anywhere near your party .” If Ice was not a master of blank expression , he’d have confusion written all over his face. Slider is guessing since he is confused as well. They were far from enemies . They actually got along well with Nick and Carole , Ice had soft spot for Carole , at one point Slider thought he had feelings for the girl, it didn’t sit well with him. Because she was in a relationship already !

The problem is and always will be Pete Mitchell . He makes his friend act all …. Not like himself to put it the least .

“I don’t” Maverick mumbles like the little shit he is . Carole elbows Maverick not so discretely, Slider grins at her direction “Ow!” Maverick yelps dramatically .

“I would love for you and Slider to be at Goose house ,that he graciously offered to host with the graciousness of his heart ,and Carole ,beautiful ,Carole who planned the whole thing to be the best party . “ Maverick read the written speech off of his palm . Carole whispers into Mav’s ear ‘You were suppose to memorize it’.

Goose looked second away from face palming , “You want to RSVP right now. Just to get it out of the way.”

“We are going to be late for class “ Ice makes a move to leave but Nick kept talking making him pause. Like those salesman that is trying to convince you to buy a car, except Goose isn’t fat or ugly —- He meant he’s not a salesman !

“Let’s make this quick then , will we expecting you the grand extravaganza celebration of the day that the one and only Pete Mitchell was born .” Goose did wild motions in enthusiasm with his skinny arms .

“Yeah ….No .” Ice said dryly , looking to the side like the idea of going to the party seemed a bore . Slider actually thought he was going to say yes , since the guy can’t go a minute without being near Maverick .

Mavericks shoulders drop and his grin tugged down into a frown looking like a spoiled little girl that just heard no to her demanding wishes. For a second, Tom looks like he regretted saying no when he casted his eyes back at the group. Maverick is quick to hide his expression and scoff bitterly“Good , I won’t have to be worried about your presence ruining my day.”

Carole shared a panic look with Goose . Maverick and Ice had a mini stare off and then went their separate ways when the second bell rang. He made a move to follow his now annoyed friend when a hand pulled at the strap of his backpack .

Turning around Goose pulls him closer by the front of his shirt , surprising him how easily he let himself be moved. Slider palms began to sweat , He discreetly wiped his hands dry.

Slider wasn’t usually like this . He is a confident suave dude that can charm his way with any girl but suddenly he is anywhere near these two and he becomes a stuttering mess , chokes on his tongue and stutter his words .

“Those two idiots .” Carole words were full of warmth and no trace of malice , shaking her head her blonde curls move gracefully .

“If we have any luck , those two will get it on in the party. Fingers crossed for somewhere with a locked door.” Goose jokes making himself laugh.

Carole crosses her fingers on both hands.

“If they don’t , we just dangle a piece of yarn and Maverick will follow and lock his ass in said room.”

“Hey ! What about Iceman.” Goose smacked Slider shoulder, Goose will not let his friend be talked that way.

“That Tomcat will follow the little rat .” Slider rolled his eyes and laughs, Ice and Mavericks game of Cat and Mouse was getting pretty old , if it takes three to get those two to finally realize they feel anything but hate , then so be it.

Carole snorts and Goose is doing a terrible job trying to hide his laughter.

Slider might sound dumb ass fuck but he felt like he was handed a trophy for making them laugh.

“How about we ditch class .” Carole blue eyes gleam with mischief . Her and Maverick were a pair of rebelliousness.

“We already did missed half of the class already .” Goose added trying to help Carole to coax him into agreeing . Which was a surprise since Nick usually was rule follower between the three.

“What do you say , Ronnie . You want to treat us to ice-cream .” Carole and Goose lean against each other and smile broadly . Kind of like what Maverick was doing, the tilt and batting lashes , only difference , it made him swoon and have butterflies like a girl.

“Yes!” Ron cringes internally at how fast and loud he responded. How much is he going to embarras himself today .Carole and Goose looked pretty happy with his reaction or maybe that’s his brain playing tricks on him .

“I want 3 scoops big guy .” Nick raises 3 fingers and wraps his arm around Sliders bulging bicep, Carole does the same to his left side, “Me too and sprinkles .”

Both arms adorned with Carole and Goose , Slider felt like he just won the lottery. He was smiling ear to ear like a lunatic but it’s not everyday he is graced to have Carole and Goose latched on to him.

Is it a date? No it couldn’t be. Or could it ? No way , Goose and Carole had eyes only for each other . Then why is Goose free hand on his chest and Carole is now holding his wrist , her small fingers almost touching his ?. Man, he just reading into things, he’s confused with his mix feelings because he can’t really be crushing on the couple .

Can he really be in love with both of them at the same time ?

He really has to go back on that question with Tom or he might be in deep trouble . But for now , he is buying his babygirl’s ice-cream , 3 scoops with sprinkles to be precise.

#goose x carole x slider #goose x carole #icemav #nick bradshaw #ron kerner #carole bradshaw #tom kazansky #pete mitchell #pete maverick mitchell #tom iceman kazansky #nick goose bradshaw #ron slider kerner #high school au #au moodboard #top gun au #ot3 #kershaw ot3

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bearsinpotatosacks · 1 year

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A Smile Through the Clouds

Nick and Ron stumble into Carole's life like a blue sky on a dark day.

5 Times Nick, Ron and Carole bump into each other + 1 Time They Intend to See Each Other

Words: 6501

Afternoon sun peeked over the rows of bookshelves. It hit the trees outside on campus and reflected on the windows of nearby buildings. Soon the sun was sinking below them, then now the horizon, trailing pastel colours as the evening set in.

Ron pulled on his arm as they left the library. It was only the start of the year but Nick was determined to get started early with his studies. They'd spent the few free hours they had together in the library, and were heading off for pizza after a long time of rewriting notes and researching to get ahead on assignments.

"Gimme a second," Nick said, opening his bag. "I've got to return this book."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Nicky, baby, you've already dragged me here for over two hours when it's only the second week of class, I do not want to spend another second here if I have to."

He tried to keep up the vague look of disgust he wore on his face but burst into laughter when Nick batted his eyelashes at him. Letting go of his arm, he told him he'd wait outside and not to take too long before promptly leaving the stuffy library.

There was a short queue at the counter. There was a machine free but some part of him decided today was a good day to actually talk to somone.

And he was glad he did, because the person staffing this station took his breath away. Her hair was short, choppy and platinum blonde, curling around her ears. She smiled as she waved off the previous person, her blue eyes sparkling from the beams of light coming in through the windows and lighting up the dust in the air. A hand-knitted jumper, with flowers on, hung off her arms as she pulled the cuffs over her hands.

"Hi, what can I do for you today?" She said.

And with just a sentence, every thought he'd ever had left his mind. His hands went clammy around the book. He couldn’t remember what he was doing here at all. All he could focus on was the dimples in her cheeks as she smiled.

"Are you okay?" Her brow creased with concern. "Do I need to get someone for you?"

"I-I'm alright."

His eyes flicked down to her name badge. Carole. What a beautiful name. A song he'd happily hum for the rest of time. Dear lord, what was wrong with him? He was with Ron, had been for eighteen months now, was he growing a wandering eye?

"You sure? Your face is all red."

She was right, he realised. His face felt hot. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears and sweat forming on his brow.

"Fine, fine, really,"

He tried to give a charming smile but knew it came out goofy. She didn't seem to mind this, giggling at his foolishness. Her laughter made his face burn hotter.

"So, what can I do for ya?"

He jolted awake again, looking down at the book in his hands, that's what he was going to do. How long had he been standing here again? It felt like it had been an eternity. Which meant that Ron had been waiting for a long time too, but turning back to her again made his brain short circuit and all ability to speak was lost.

"I wanted to, erm, return this, erm, book," he slid it over to her on the counter.

"Well, that I can certainly do,"

He laughed again and leant on the counter. He needed the support, his legs had turned to jelly.

"Nick!" Came a shout from the door, followed immediately by a harsh shush. "I told you not to take too long and you've been five minutes."

He felt him come to his side, "How long does it take to return a book-"

Nick pulled his eyes from Carole to look at Ron. He too had frozen but instead of becoming a blubbering mess, his face broke into that charming smile that made his knees go even weaker than they already had. The same damn smile that charmed him the first time they met.

"Hello, I don't think I've had the wonderful opportunity of making your acquaintance," he extended a hand. "I'm Ron, and you are?"

She took it, hiding her blushing face with her other hand, "I'm Carole."

"Like the Christmas song?"

"Yup, like the Christmas song," she nodded. "But with an e on the end."

"Well, Carole with an e, I'm sorry if my boyfriend has been bothering you, he's damn cute but damn annoying too."

Nick, suddenly gaining his autonomy back, elbowed him in the ribs and rolled his eyes.

"I'm funny, not annoying,' he said. "You just have no sense of humour."

"The way he treats me?" Ron joked, looking at Carole again. "Could you be a doll and return that book? We have a pizza date to get to."

Upon being called doll, Carole's face went from a dainty shade of pink to a deep red. Her eyes widened and Ron looked impeccably more proud of himself.

"I can't have you two missing out on pizza," she squeaked out.

She placed the book somewhere underneath the counter and scribbled something down. She looked back up at them with some of the redness from her cheeks gone.

"There we go, have a nice day,"

Ron linked arms with Nick and pulled him upright, "We will, you be sure to have a great day too," he said.

They turned to leave. Nick’s face was still burning. Ron pulled them back at the last minute.

"Oh, and we'll be sure to come back again," he added with a wink.

They turned back to the door, just catching a glimpse of Carole's face rushing red again before they were in the late afternoon air. As they walked further away from the library, Nick grew able to think and speak again. Carole was still on his mind, and by the look on Ron's face as they walked in silence, she was on his too.

"She was the prettiest girl I think I've ever seen," Nick blurted as they left the campus.

"Yeah, she really was," Ron said.

A sheepish smile flicked on his face. It had a light glow to it. It could be from the cold but Nick knew better.

A few days later, on a fresh Monday morning, the peace of the library was once again distributed. Carole was still rubbing sleep from her eyes, while trying not to smudge her eyeliner, when those two silly yet undoubtedly pretty boys glided in, already caught in a whispering argument.

"I'm just saying that all of this could've been avoided if we just gave back the extra coffee," Ron said.

"But it's extra coffee, Ronald," Goose argued.

"Yeah, an extra coffee that we didn't need and are now arguing over,"

They stopped near her desk. A fog filled her brain as they met eyes, and not from fatigue. The book in her hands weighed her down as she followed them, hoping they'd stop to talk.

They'd been on her mind ever since they waltzed into her life. She wanted to see if the glimmer in Nick’s eyes was real and if Ron's smile sparkled or if she'd added them afterwards. Part of her was enamoured with them, maybe developing a crush, but the other was reminding her that Ron said Nick was his boyfriend, and her heart sank.

Breaking through the fog, she met their eyes and something within her cleared. Nick waved at her, dragging Ron with him. Ron still looked disgruntled but some amusement read in his face.

"Hey, Carole," Nick said.

"Hi Nicky,"

She widened her eyes. Nicky? She'd spoken to him once and already had a nickname. Her face flushed and her hands grew clammy.

Nick had frozen. His smile was still on his face. Ron looked from him to her. Annoyance was steadily replaced with humour as he tried not to laugh.

"Sorry, I meant to say-" she started

Nick stopped her, "Nicky," he pondered. "I like that."

She gulped. He lent on the desk with that goofy smile and one hand on his hip. Something fluttered within her. Her brain felt like it was melting. How could two guys turn her brain to mush? Yet, just as she threatened to zone out completely, Ron slammed down three coffee cups, breaking her brain fog.

"Maybe you can solve our dilemma," he said. "We got coffee to go, but the barista got our orders mixed up and now we have an extra cappuccino that we have no idea what to do with."

She flicked between the coffee, Ron and Nick. Nick’s face was still shining that goofy smile but his eyes made him seem like he was in a trance. By the way Ron's brow was furrowed, he made it seem like this coffee dilemma was life or death.

"Well, I like cappuccinos," she said simply.

They both darted up like they'd never considered that to be an option. Ron picked up the cup and raised an eyebrow at Nick. They nodded. Silent communication through a look. She wished she was part of that.

"Okay, then," he slid the coffee across the counter and winked. "Enjoy your coffee, babygirl."

Her face flushed warm again, "I-I will," she squeaked.

"It really is great coffee," Nick said

He pushed off the counter, giving her a brief wave as she collected herself for the next person. Those silly boys, making her a blushing mess.

She took a sip of coffee. It was good.

It was a sweet day, the sun glimmered on the grass as she walked past the park. Another day, another shift. She did like her job as a library assistant, it helped her with her studies. Plenty of books surrounding her and people to help.

Nick and Ron made the days easier too. They'd fallen into some sort of routine after a few weeks of flirting. They came in in the afternoon most days, studied together before hurrying off somewhere else. They'd also gotten used to bringing her coffee and would somehow find her in the labyrinth of shelves just to deliver it.

Caught in her own world, something hit her ankle and broke her out of it. She looked down and saw an orange, slightly dirty, basketball. Then the slapping sound of shoes on concrete came towards her and her breath was taken away.

Nick and Ron, both sweaty, panting and glittering in the sunlight. Nick wore a muscle tee, a vibrant print on the front, with shorts that were just short enough to show a bit more of his long legs. Ron was topless, in baggy shorts, his chiselled chest heaving as he got his breath back.

"Hey Carole," Nick said. "You got our ball."

She gulped, breaking herself out of the lust filled trance she was in to hand him back the ball. Nick grinned at her, holding it under his arm and slouching where he stood.

"You're playing basketball, then?" She asked.

Ron nodded, still getting his breath back, "Yeah, Nick’s shirts, I'm skins."

A bead of sweat rolled from his neck and over one of his pectoral muscles. The sheen of sweat he was covered in danced in the sunlight as he moved.

Forcing her eyes from his bulging muscles, she laughed weakly to herself, "You're not on the same team?"

"Nah, me and Pete are too damn good for us not to play together," Nick waved at a shorter guy on the basketball court. "That's him, my flatmate."

"And that other guy? With the frosted tips?"

Ron stood up fully, "Oh that's Tom, my roommate, we are also a great team, arguably better than Nick’s."

Nick squinted at him, "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, Kerner."

"I will, Bradshaw."

They stared for a few moments longer. Carole had to fight not to go into a trance and just ogle them some more. It was an interesting battle. One side of her wanted to desperately take in every detail, breathe them, and their long legs, stupidly good hair and charming smiles, in. The other wanted to be aware of every moment, she didn't want to miss a thing.

"Wait," she said as her eyes fell on Tom in the background. "He looks familiar."

"Who? Tom?"

She nodded. Even though his face was blurry in the background, something about him sparked recollection in her mind.

Then it hit her, "Oh, he’s in my book club!"

They looked from Tom and back to her. She couldn't stop the small smile on her face.

"Huh," Nick said after a few moments. "I guess we have more in common than I thought."

She nodded. Her shift was going to start soon, she couldn’t be late even if the thought of watching those two competitively play basketball was deliciously enticing.

"Goose! Come on, man, stop flirting!" Pete called from the court.

He scratched the back of his head, "I guess that's our cue to go,"

"I should too, don't want to be late," she said. "But I'll see you soon, yeah?"

Ron nodded furiously, "Course, we have that assignment-"

He looked at Nick. Nick didn't pick up on what he was inferring. He elbowed him in the ribs, getting a slight 'ow' before he clocked on.

"Oh! That assignment, I remember now," he winked at Ron, who facepalmed with a sigh. "We'll probably be there for hours."

"Oh, hours, huh?"

"Yeah, so you'll see plenty of us,"

"I'll look forward to it,"

She winked at them and sauntered off. Today was going to be a very good day now she had the images of them in her mind.

Carole left the library with a hesitant step. She peered up at the thick grey clouds above and held out a hand. Weighty rain drops splashed on her hand. There was a storm brewing, and she had no umbrella and no coat. That was the dread of autumn, the weather became unpredictable.

Perhaps she could use her bag and run? Or maybe just suck it up and walk in the rain. She shivered at the latter option.

She frowned. Today hadn't been the best day either. Her lecturer had been late, for a start. The assignment she'd worked so hard on, declining going out with friends and becoming so stuck in her books she had started to taste the words, had the date extended so she didn't need to put in all that effort over three days.

Her shift at the library hadn't been much better. A few of the library's patrons were beyond rude to her, with one particularly mean person making her shed a few tears as she returned books to the shelves deep in the library. People complained about the noise and the amount of people as if she could click her fingers and make them all disappear.

And worse of all, there had been no sign of Nick and Ron. She hadn't seen them since they came in after their basketball game. She hadn't realised how much they made her day until she hadn't seen them in a few days.

With a huff, she walked out into the dreary weather. All she wanted was to curl up at home in the warmth, but it was a long walk to get there.

In her own little world, she didn't hear two people calling her name but let out a yelp when her two giants were suddenly by her side.

"Hey, Carole," Nick said. "Want to share our umbrella?"

She grinned and felt a wave of relief when the rain stopped hitting her head. The darkish walk home didn't seem so daunting now she had company.

"Where are you two going in this weather?" She asked.

"Volleyball practice," Ron said.

"Volleyball? I thought you played basketball?"

He shook his head, "That was just for fun, this is serious."

His face was stone cold for a second but softened at her confusion. His hand made its way to her lower back as they hurried on in the rain. Nick’s joined too. It could be seen as possessive, or overstepping a boundary, but she trusted them. This felt protective, warm and cosy. Two tall men surrounding her made her knees go weak.

She came to a fork in the road. She was going right, off campus and away to her apartment. They'd be going left, the sports buildings were a good ten minutes away.

"I'm going this way," she pointed down the road.

They withdrew their hands and the brief reprieve in the gloom of the day ended. She still had to walk home in the rain, without them to keep her company.

"Good luck at your practice," she said and began to walk away.

As the first drops fell on her head again, she deflated and hunched over as she walked. Her arms hugged her lithe frame.

"Wait!" Nick called, running after her. "You'll need this."

He handed her their umbrella. His hair began to plaster against his head as his smile shone sun through the grey clouds.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded vigorously, "Of course, we'll need to get changed anyway."

Her hand gripped the handle of the umbrella as Nick’s smile spread to her. She glanced at Ron who looked miserable in the rain but proud of Nick. He reminded her of a wet kitten.

"Get home safe," he called through the weather.

"I will, thanks for the umbrella."

She waved as they separated. Their figures getting smaller as her hope that this crush could be reciprocated grew larger.

Ron huffed and lent back on his chair. This library was too quiet. He could hear a clock ticking in the background. Rustling paper and the sighs of the other students made it too hard to concentrate. He was sick of his music too, it was too loud and exciting, and anything slower just put him to sleep.

The words on the page all blended together into a sea of black ink. His brain felt dry, like mush. He couldn’t concentrate on his equations anymore.

Nick’s face was almost pressed to the page. Concentration was laced on his face. He'd been stuck on that problem for a while and had finally figured it out. But this also meant that now he was on a roll, he probably didn't want to be disturbed.

That didn't mean Ron wasn't bored, though.

"How you doing with your problem?" He asked.

Nick didn't look up from the page, "Good, halfway through."

Ron hummed and leant forward again so the front two legs of the chair smacked against the floor. He clicked his pen on, then off and on until he was doing it on a reflex.

Nick’s head rose up from his page. His brow was furrowed and his moustache twitched.

Ron put the pen down, "Sorry."

Nick returned to busily scratching on the page. Ron's gaze drifted to someone scrunched up on an armchair. Their face was covered by a large book, the title of which he couldn't make out.

He could never understand how someone could get so engrossed in a book. There were no pictures, so many words which left everything up to too much interpretation. He just couldn’t focus on one, couldn't settle down long enough to fully lose himself in a novel.

Boredom kicked back in quickly. He lay his head on his books and groaned.

Nick’s left hand rested on the desk next to him. Ron stroked the back of it, the protruding knuckles and bumpy veins. His foot rubbed his. He ran his foot up his calf. Perhaps they could call all this studying a day and go back to his place to have some real fun. Tom would be out, they'd have the place to themselves, for once.

Nick pulled his hand away, "Why don't you take a break for a second? Maybe get me a coffee," he then added while batting his eyelashes. "Please."

He smiled, holding back the itch to get back to work. Ron lifted his hand to his lips and got up. His chair screeched across the floor and made some heads turn his way.

They were on the second floor. It was a mezzanine floor, with a glass railing that overlooked the rows of pine bookshelves that matched the pine panelling on the walls. The help desk was circular, and a familiar crop of blonde hair near the front and suddenly he wasn't bored.

Hopping down the stairs, he almost ran to talk to her. There was a queue when he got there, not too long but enough to agitate him. He tapped his foot, trying to keep a hold of the excitement he felt when he saw her.

They met eyes as he stretched to look at her. She beamed at him, holding up one finger to say 'I won't be long'. Once he reached the front, he lent on the counter and sighed.

"Hey, Ron, how can I help?" She said.

"Well, I'm looking for a book," he replied nonchalantly.

"I may be able to help you with that."

He tilted his head, his smile coy, "Do you have any books on charming pretty girls?"

She opened and closed her mouth. A rosy tint glowed within her face.

"I-I don't think we have any books on that," she stammered. "But I think I could give you some tips."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Like what, then?"

She laughed, "Well, calling girls you like pretty is a start."

"Noted," he said with a smirk. "What else?"

"Getting them coffee, giving them your umbrella, walking with them in the rain,"

Part of him tingled. This meant she liked them, right? He hoped so. He and Nick had spent a few nights pining over her. Sometimes drunk, sometimes sober.

"Flowers are a good shot," she traced a line across the table. "Going out for drinks could be a good idea."

He lent closer. Their foreheads almost touched. The air tingled around them as the world seemed to stop turning.

"Drinks do sound good. You free Friday?"

She looked away, faking pondering her calender, "Yes, I suppose I am, what time were you thinking, and where?"

"Say eight, at the O-Club in town?"

She giggled, "It's a date."

He took her hand and kissed it. Her face grew more red. The blues of her eyes sparkled, flashing deep colours as she froze.

"That it is, babygirl."

He winked and walked away, hopping back up the stairs. Nick's head darted up expectantly.

"No coffee," he pouted.

Ron slammed his hands on the desk. His blood was racing. A smile he couldn't shake was plastered on his face.

"Coffee doesn't matter," he said. "We have a date."

Nighttime was ready in the air. Stars blinked as bright as they could through the lights of the city. Cars bustled past as she hurried to the O-Club.

The O-Club was the new hip bar in town. It was just close enough to campus that students were often its patrons but not too close that it was considered a student bar. She had no idea what the 'O' meant in O-Club meant, either. All she knew was that their music was good and their cocktails were fire.

Approaching the bar, she saw two familiar figures hanging around outside the doors. Nick was wearing an even more vibrant shirt than he usually did. His moustache was combed and shoes spotless. Ron wore a baggy muscle tee with a band logo she didn't recognise underneath a shiny leather jacket, with jeans and chunky boots.

She waved at them and quickened her pace, her shoes clip-clopping as she ran to them. Her heart began to race. They looked so good, good enough to eat.

"Hi," she said, slightly out of breath.

"Hi," Nick replied. "We got you some flowers."

He handed her a medium sized bouquet of roses. The thorns had been clipped off so she could hold them safely in her hand.

"You do like roses, don't you?" Ron asked.

He scratched the back of his neck and looked away. He'd never seemed sheepish before. There was a confident security about him that she liked. Coupled with Nick’s bubblegum attitude, she felt drawn to the security they exuded.

She sniffed them, "I love them, thank you."

"Should we go in, then?" Nick said.

She nodded and felt his hand on her lower back. Ron's arm lay casually across her shoulders as they guided her to the door. It made her feel deliciously secure.

Blue lighting made it hard to see at first but, once her eyes adjusted slightly, she saw the hustle and bustle of people. The bar was full of people ordering, the stools full of people shouting over the music. Bartenders swung bottles around and poured out cocktails. Tables grew emptier the further from the dancefloor they got. Two people were butchering Greased Lighting on karaoke.

They spotted a free table far off and made their way there. She sat with her back to the wall so she could see the whole room.

"So-" she started, picking up the drinks menu. "How's both of your days' been?"

Nick peaked over her shoulder, resting his chin there, "Good, had two lectures this morning, studied for a bit at home, went to Volleyball practice and did some piano lessons."

She spiked up. He jolted up too, rubbing his jaw from where she'd knocked him from her shoulder.

"You play the piano?" She asked.

Ron, who'd been scanning the menu while stealing glances at them, spoke up, "Just wait until he's had a bit to drink, he'll find a piano and will take requests."

She looked at Nick. He had a proud smile that made her want to squish him. She wanted to squish both of them, hold them in the night, show them she loved them.

"I do love a good sing song," she said. "And playing piano must make you good with your fingers."

His eyes widened with his smile. A cheeky glint sparkled in his brown eyes.

"We'll have to find out."

She inched her face closer to him. His lips looked plump and the urge to kiss him grew stronger.

"That we will."

Ron rolled his eyes and slid closer to her, breaking her out of her spell, "How's your day been?"

She turned to him and saw how close he was. His teeth were shiny under the blue light. The whites of his eyes popped and glittered as his head moved.

"Good, went to a lecture, studied, went to my shift at the library, put books away, answered questions, looked up said questions, organised book clubs and meetups, did some paperwork, the usual," she said, then added, giggling to herself. "Thinking of tonight helped, though, thinking of you too always gets me through, seeing you two is even better."

Nick sat closer to her back. She was surrounded by them and could smell their aftershave mixing together in the air. But, her excitement grew over her urge to fall into them with hooded eyes.

"I guess I've got to ask you the usual questions for a date," she said as she tried to get the attention of one of the waiting staff.

"What are the usual questions?" Ron asked.

"Oh, you know, family, work, exes, agonising trauma that you play off for laughs, childhood, the usual,"

He raised an eyebrow, "What was that?"

"Childhood?"

"No-" he furrowed his brow. "That other one, the trauma one?"

She giggled and smiled at the waitress as she approached their table. For a second, she saw both of the boys zone out. Nick let out a slow smile and Ron halted in his confusion.

"I was just messing with you," she scanned the menu again. "Trauma sharing's a second date activity."

Ron was left gaping his mouth like a fish. She saw him mouth 'Touché' to himself as she pondered whether to have a pornstar martini or a piña colada.

"Hello, welcome to the O-Club, what drinks can I get you today?" The waitress said in a fake gleeful voice.

Carole held a finger on the menu, "I will have-" she took a moment to think. "A pornstar martini, please."

"Ooo, me too, I'll have one of those," Nick said.

They looked over to Ron. Nick had rested his head on her shoulder again. He hadn't stopped smiling since she'd got here. It made her heart flutter, and by the look on Ron's face, it made his heart miss a beat too.

"I'll just have a budweiser,"

The waitress nodded and walked away. They watched her go before Nick started booing him.

"You're no fun sometimes Ronnie."

"I'm plenty fun, just don't like over expensive, sugar-loaded drinks,"

"They're not that expensive," Nick rolled his eyes. "Plus I like the taste, so-"

He stuck his tongue out. Ron gave up on his argument, instead picking up his hand and laying a kiss on the knuckles. Nick’s face blew up red. Carole's stomach churned. This was a private moment, one she didn't feel qualified to be a part of. Yet, she was. They had invited her and it made her feel glorious.

Nick shook his head to try and stop himself from being too flustered. He turned back to Carole. His eyes were sparkly.

"So, we were going to talk about family?"

"Oh! Yeah." She sat up and back. "Well, I was born in Texas, a middle-sized town, I'm a middle child, got an older sister who's way more mature than I am and a younger brother that's way less, I moved here for college just so I could get a chance to go somewhere else other than home."

Their drinks arrived. Ron handed over the money, with a decent tip, and turned back to her.

Carole looked at Nick, "What about you?"

"Not much different, grew up in Tennessee, church choir, little cherub of a child," he said. "I've got a younger sister, a mom-"

He paused and swirled his drink, "-and a dad."

There was a confusing look all over his face. She couldn't read it. But by how serious it was, she daren't ask.

"He, er, he died when I was thirteen, we weren't on the best terms before he died so it's a bit complicated,"

She placed her hand on his and squeezed it. Glancing under the table, she saw Ron pat his thigh. He smiled and took a long sip of his drink. Some of the egg whites from the cocktail got caught in his moustache.

"Ron doesn't have a good relationship with his dad either,"

He scoffed, "I haven't got any relationship with my dad, he's a piece of shit who walked out on me, my mom and my four sisters over and over again, and after he knees your mom in the stomach while she's pregnant with your baby sister you don't forgive very easily."

She gripped his hand too. Her relationship with her dad was pretty good. He was a bit protective, and would surely have something to say about her dating two guys, but she knew he just wanted the best for her.

"That sounds horrible, I'm sorry."

"Hey, don't apologise to me, he never hurt me,"

Nick scooched them closer, "Not physically."

Ron sniffed and took a long swig of his beer. Beads of condensation dripped down the bottle, his hands were slick from it.

"Anyway, didn't we say trauma sharing was a second date thing."

She laughed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "Yeah, we did, didn't we?"

The bar got more and more full. Karaoke had ended and music started pounding as people collected on the dance floor. She hummed one of the songs and took a sip of her drink, a great choice.

After a moment of silence, mainly of her taking advantage of her perfect view of both of the boys, the conversation started up again.

"What are your majors, then?" She asked.

"Me and Ronnie both do physics, we met because he asked me for a pen, we got talking about notes, told me about Volleyball tryouts, and we just hit it off from there." Nick said. "What about you?"

"Literature,"

"It must help to work in a library, then," he retorted.

"Yeah, you'd think so, but it's a lot more organising and developing a thick skin from rude patrons than reading books," she said, then added. "That's why I like my book club."

"Oh yeah-" Ron pointed a finger at her. "I mentioned you to Tom and he does know you."

"I'd hope so, we talk about books a lot."

"Yeah, he gave me well wishes, even told me not to break your heart, so I think he likes you too."

Tom was a sweet guy. He seemed strict and uptight but if you tried hard enough then you'd get to his mushy centre. He listened when she talked and got sparklingly excited when she liked the same part of a book as her.

"You know what, I would never look at Tom and think he's a book club kind of guy-" Nick said.

He mainly spoke to Ron as she started to focus on the hazy song in the background. It was new and played a lot on the radio. When she realised what the song was, she almost threw her glass across the room.

"-looks can be deceiving, Nicky, I mean with that moustache you could be assumed to be a pornstar-" Ron said but she interrupted.

"Oh, my god, I love this song!" She slammed her hands on theirs, breaking up their conversation. "We have to dance!"

She began to shuffle up the chair, pushing Nick along as he went to finish his drink. He slid off and pulled her up in one swift motion.

"I'm always up for dancing,"

She smiled at him. His hands were so warm, slightly wet from the condensation of the glass. She could see the muscles in his forearms as he held her. Her heart beat quicker. They turned to look at Ron.

"I'm not one for dancing," he said simply.

"We're not taking no for an answer here, Ronnie," she insisted, turning her back to Nick and letting his arms thread around her waist.

"It's still no."

"Fine, but don't blame us for taking drastic measures."

She pulled Nick forward and held onto one of Ron's hands. Nick took the other and with one look, they heaved Ron upright.

He gave a disgruntled look but Carole just giggled. They didn’t let go of his hand as they ran down the steps and onto the dance floor. Not as the song changed and they grew closer and closer. Not as they kissed each other under the multicoloured lights.

~~~

After hours of dancing and drinking on a sweaty dance floor, the nighttime air was crisp and sharp against her skin. She wished she'd brought a jacket as she rubbed her goosebump-covered arms.

Ron must have picked up, as he took off his leather jacket and placed it on her shoulders. He did end up enjoying their dancing. Maybe he just hadn't had the right partners before. He'd complained throughout that the music choice was shit, he liked rock and metal, yet he continued to dance to the high beat pop playing on the speakers.

"Well, thanks for a good night," she said, clutching the smooth leather of the jacket close to her body. "Are you sure you don't want this back? I don't want you to lose such a good jacket?"

He and Nick looked at each other, then at her. Apparently she said something a bit dim, by the look on their faces.

"We're going to walk you home," Nick said.

"Really?"

She didn't try to hide the way her face froze. They made her feel glittery and golden. She had to admit that the walk home seemed slightly menacing at half one in the morning.

"Can't have you walking alone in the dark, not at this time."

He linked arms with her as Ron threw an arm around her shoulder, "Show is the way, m'lady."

The walk home was easier with them, she thought. Her head was drifting just enough that she couldn't quite catch the conversation in full. She was content just watching them talk as they walked past various shops and apartment buildings until they stopped at her's.

Her heart dropped lower and lower as they staggered up the stairs. She’d never hated seeing her door more than she did right now. She didn't want tonight to end. This was the best first date she’d ever been on.

Despite her lowering heart, she fumbled around in her bag for her keys. Part of her was aware that it was half one in the morning and almost everyone else was sleeping. The other just wanted to find her keys no matter how much noise she made.

"Aha!" She exclaimed.

The keys jingled as she put them in the lock. Her apartment was dark, a grey and blue hue throughout the hallway as she huffed. This is where it ended then.

"Thank you for a wonderful night," she said. "I really enjoyed it."

Nick shuffled his foot. Looking down, he smiled up at her through his eyelashes.

"I did too,"

"Yeah, me too," added Ron.

"Get home safe, yeah?" She added. "I kind of wanted to see you again so you two dying would ruin that."

Nick chuckled. He stroked her arm, her breath caught in her throat. Her body thrummed with want. She gulped as images of them tangled together, soft gasps filling the air. Something below, beneath her shorter than usual dress, tingled. Maybe tonight didn't have to end now?

"Well, we, too, would like to see you again," he turned to Ron. "Wouldn't we?"

He nodded vigorously, "Of course, babygirl."

Her flushing face blushed stronger. She wanted him to call her that again. She wanted Nick to touch her on more than just her arm.

"We'll have to arrange something," Rom said.

"Yeah," she choked out.

"We'll probably see you around at the library, then."

She nodded, but the idea of not seeing them until next week made her mood sink lower. They looked away from each other, the night turning cold around them.

"I'll go inside, then." She said. "Have a good night."

Reluctantly, she turned around and made her way inside. Her hand lingered on the door as an idea came into her head. She pondered it for a moment before pushing it open a tad and continuing to sonter down the hall.

When she didn't hear footsteps, she turned around to see them standing confused on the threshold. She played it coy. Batted her eyelashes and grinned smally.

"You coming?"

She turned back around. Their footsteps weren't far behind.

I have been writing this for so long. I have a goal to write some slooserole for every trope if I can help it. I think my original fic was the first on AO3 and I want to have more for them so will write it, it just may take me some time.

I would also like to point out that I guess Ron is a nice Gaston. I added the 'there's no pictures' line when he's talking about books on purpose. Also, I pondered whether to make this still in the 80s or a modern au. What made me make it modern is just that I didn't want to have to think about 80s homophobia when it came to Ron and Nick and society being even more against poly relationships then too.

Thank you for reading 😁

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