Ice's body was warm. They held each other tight; Maverick relished the sensation of their torsos pressed together. Such powerful physical contact felt more comforting than any words. He felt protected, secure. He closed his eyes and let Iceman's smell fill his nostrils.

A flash. A dark room; a man talking in the front, a screen. People sitting on tight tiers. Iceman, looking at him in the eyes. A long, deep stare. No blinking. A crooked smile formed on his lips; he turned his head to look at the man talking.

He opened his eyes to the sight of his living room. Iceman was still holding him. He frowned. What had this been? It had seemed so real. Like… a memory. He closed his eyes again, and inspired deeply.

Hands touching in the dark, warm atmosphere. One slowly guiding the other; both coming to lie on a thigh. A gentle, but teasing caress. Intermingling fingers.

"I remember", Maverick murmured, opening his eyes and letting go of Iceman. They were now facing each other closely.

"What do you remember?" Ice asked softly.

In a whisper, Maverick questioned: "Something happened, right? Between us."

The blond pilot simply looked at him, imperturbable. "What do you remember, Maverick?" he repeated calmly.

Maverick didn't say anything. He just kept staring at him. Ice's hand was resting on his thigh; gently, Maverick slid his hand under Ice's palm. Not breaking eye-contact, he waited for his reaction.

Iceman's fingers slid between Maverick's and closed around his hand. He leaned forward, imperceptibly slowly. When their lips were just about to touch, Maverick whispered: "Why didn't you tell me?"

Iceman froze. "I…", he hesitated. "I thought… maybe it was better this way." He sighed. "When I realized you didn't remember anything, I was… pretty shook up. But then I thought that you were probably better off without me. You deserve better, Mitchell."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't, but–"

"That's right, you don't", Maverick interrupted him, impatient. "So shut up, Kazansky."

Taking just a second to admire the shocked look on Iceman's face, he grabbed his neck and kissed him. Passed the surprise, Ice kissed him back.

The kiss was feverish. Maverick felt the effects of it spread through his body. He put one leg over Ice's to face him better; his hands went travelling down his back and stopped on his hips.

They broke the kiss and rested their foreheads against each other's, breathing hard. Iceman's fingers came tracing Maverick's lips tenderly. "I'm glad you remember", he whispered.

Maverick smiled. "I don't remember everything. Just… the tax trailer."

"Oh, that's a shame", Iceman chuckled.

"What else happened? Show me?"

Iceman tucked up Maverick's t-shirt a bit, silently asking for permission. Maverick nodded, still smiling.

"This happened", Ice said as he took off Maverick's shirt completely. He threw it away, and put one hand on Maverick's naked torso, pushing him down gently until he was lying on the couch. He then took off his own shirt, put one folded leg between Maverick and the backrest of the couch.

He leaned over him. "And this". He dived for his neck and kissed it wildly. Maverick embraced him and held him tight, with all the strength he had. In response, Ice moved his other leg and thrust his lower body against Maverick's, making him gasp.

Maverick's lips searched for Ice's. They shared a heated kiss; with each flick of tongue, the movements of their bodies became more feverish. Maverick bit Iceman's lower lip lightly, provoking a moan. "Do you remember?" Iceman breathed.

Maverick shook his head.

"Well, it's just like you do", he smiled before kissing him again.