A/N: June 5: "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." -C.S. Lewis.
So, I honestly wasn't sure how to approach this one. Of course, the first thing to come to mind was Maverick trying to move on without Goose, but in my 'world' Goose lives and it's too sad to bare, soo…this is what happened…lol. Added with a little twist. Obviously. I'm a fanfic author, who wouldn't add a twist? Hope y'all like this!
A SPECIAL NOTE(s): Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my stories Towering_Book_Piles, RabidPlotBunniesAttackkkk and AFollower! Also, thank you so much MalecShipperForever, WingsuitFlying, Slightly_Psycho, sewinshut, Lelelover_123, tgmavericklover, HanaG and MarvelsHauntedHouse for your continued support! Also, a special thank you to everyone who is reading the stories, it's very encouraging for me. 3
Yes, Bradley had noticed that the man Hangman and the others had thrown out was his godfather. But did he care? No, not really. In fact, Bradley just blatantly ignored it.
Until said godfather didn't get up.
Yeahh… If someone you knew for half of your life didn't get up, and even if you had a really bad argument, I'm pretty sure you'd still feel a little bit anxious if said person didn't get up. (If you don't, you're messed up. No offense.)
Bradley jumped up from the piano bench and made a mad dash for the door. He didn't even bother to take the steps, he just jumped down to the sandy ground and skidded to a stop, kneeling next to Pete Mitchell.
He was hesitant at first, but he pushed aside all the anger that was bubbling underneath the surface of his skin. His eyebrows creased as Rooster tried to find a pulse. "C'mon, don't die on me now." Rooster muttered anxiously.
He was dimly aware of the others standing beside him in a confused and concerned state.
"Mav! C'mon, man!" Rooster cried out. Finally! His fingers had found a pulse. Rooster let out a shaky sigh of momentary relief.
He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and looked up. Hangman was looking at him with slightly noticeable concern in his eyes. "Phoenix called the ambulance; they should be here soon." A sorrowful expression crossed his face. "I should have known…" he trailed off.
Rooster shook his head, "With this guy, you never know unless he tells you. And the idiot doesn't tell people anything…"
Bradley carded his fingers through Maverick's hair. Just like what his dad did when Maverick was hurt…
Green eyes were staring up him, pain and surprise filtering through his face. "Bradley?" he whispered.
Rooster smiled grimly, "Yeah, hey there." His eyebrows creased. "What did you do this time, huh?"
Maverick chuckled weakly. "Ejected at Mach 10."
Rooster's eyes widened in shock, and he heard the audible gasps of the others behind him. "Of course you did, Mav. Of course you did." He repeated, shaking his head.
"What hurts?"
Maverick shook his head, "I'm fine." He rasped, moving so he could sit up.
"No," Rooster said sternly, gently holding him to the ground, "You're not fine. What hurts?"
Maverick pouted. "Chest, shoulders and head."
"Makes sense." Bradley gave Pete a stern look, "And your holding nothing from me?"
Pete hesitated.
"Maverick."
He let out a soft sigh, "I may have accidentally possibly maybe broken a few ribs."
"And you didn't think to go get it fixed?" Rooster's eyebrows raised. "Maverick! What am I supposed to do with you? You're still as bad as you were with Dad!"
Mav closed his eyes. "But I'm fine."
"Yeah, right." Rooster snorted, "Sure buddy. You're fine."
Maverick hummed.
"What are you doing?"
"Resting my eyes."
"No, don't rest your eyes, you gotta stay awake until the paramedics come."
…
"Mav?"
…
"Mav?"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Rooster sat in the cold, bright hospital room, holding one of Maverick's limp hands.
Gosh he missed the old man. Even if he wouldn't admit it. Goose had told him a quote from someone years back.
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
He supposed it was time to move on. To a new chapter. A new start. And a better relationship with Maverick.