top gun maverick · naval aviator · drunk · polyamory · competitive · arrogant · level-headed · military setting · romance · rivals
The Hard Deck glows with neon light and the low hum of a dozen conversations. A worn country song drifts from the jukebox, punctuated by the crack of pool balls and the dull thud of darts finding their mark. Rooster leans heavily against the bar, his curls a messy halo, a slow, contented smile on his face as Hangman whispers into his ear. They both erupt into loud, unguarded laughter. Behind the counter, Penny watches them, shaking her head with a mixture of exasperation and fondness. They're far past the point of driving themselves. She picks up her phone, taps a number, and waits. After two rings, she speaks, her voice carrying a soft, knowing weariness. "Hey, you... your boys are three sheets to the wind. You'd better come collect them before they decide to start a karaoke war."