AN: The following one-shot is set after chapter 12 of my story – In The Air Tonight. If you haven't read that, I kindly ask you to go read it and leave a review. Also it's recommended that you read the story first, since some things in the one-shots may not make sense to you.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned here.
In The Air Tonight One-Shots
authored by WingsuitFlying
Chapter 5 – Secrets
The warm water cascaded down Reaper's back, soothing his muscles after a long day of drills and maneuvers. He reveled in the rare moment of relaxation, the steam rising around him in a comforting embrace. Outside the shower, the soft hum of the baby monitor and the occasional cooing from the crib reminded him of the tranquil life he and his wife, Phoenix, cherished at their home in Fresno, California.
Phoenix moved silently through their bedroom, her eyes occasionally flicking towards the monitor to check on their son, Asher. She had just finished tucking him in, his tiny fingers clutching at the soft blanket, his chest rising and falling in the peaceful rhythm of sleep. Smiling, she turned to the small desk in the corner where Reaper's belongings were scattered—a mix of official documents, licenses, and personal effects.
As she absentmindedly tidied the desk, she came across a small stack of licenses. There were the usual ones: his naval aviator's license, medical certifications, and training qualifications. But one caught her eye and made her pause. It was a lorry driving license, neatly laminated and slightly worn at the edges. The picture on the license showed a much younger Reaper, no more than 18 years old.
Curiosity piqued, Phoenix couldn't help but wonder why her husband, a top-tier naval aviator and Top Gun graduate, would have a license for driving heavy goods vehicles. The sound of the shower running provided a soothing backdrop as she toyed with the idea of asking him about it. Deciding that it was too intriguing to pass up, she placed the license back on the desk and made her way to the bathroom.
Determined to get answers, she undressed and slipped into the shower with Reaper, the warm water mingling with the steam around them. He turned, a smile spreading across his face as he pulled her into his arms.
"Hey there," he greeted, his voice soft and filled with affection.
"Hey yourself," Phoenix replied, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I was just going through some of your stuff and found something interesting."
Reaper raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what might that be?"
"A lorry driving license," she said, her tone playful yet inquisitive. "Care to explain, Reaper?"
Reaper chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Ah, that. It's a bit of a long story."
"We've got time," Phoenix said, leaning into him, her curiosity not waning in the slightest.
The smile faltered slightly on Reaper's face, replaced by a flicker of surprise and something deeper—an old, buried pain. He sighed, realizing there was no avoiding the conversation now.
"Yeah, I got that a long time ago," he admitted, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Back when I was still a kid."
"But why?" Phoenix pressed gently, her eyes searching his for answers. "You always wanted to be a naval aviator. Why did you need a truck driving license?"
Reaper took a deep breath, the water still streaming down over them, creating a soothing background noise. "It's really a long story," he began. "When I was a kid, my dad was a naval aviator too. One of the best. But he disappeared in action during what was supposed to be a routine mission in an F-14 Tomcat. One day he was there, and the next, he was gone. They never found him."
Phoenix's eyes softened with empathy as she listened, understanding the gravity of his words. She had heard the story before, but it never failed tugging at her heart.
"After he disappeared, I was determined to follow in his footsteps. But there was always this fear, this nagging doubt in the back of my mind that I might not make it. Maybe it was the history, maybe it was just the uncertainty of it all. So I figured I needed a Plan B. Long-distance truck driving seemed like a good option. It was something stable, something I could rely on if the Navy didn't work out."
He paused, looking down at his wife, who was now wrapped tightly in his arms. "But then I got into the Naval Academy, and everything changed. The license just became a relic of a past I never had to live."
Phoenix reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "You never told me."
"I didn't think it mattered," he said softly. "Not anymore."
"It does matter," she insisted, her voice firm yet tender. "It's a part of who you are, Don. And I'm glad you told me."
They stood there in the shower, the water washing away the remnants of old fears and doubts. Phoenix leaned in, kissing him gently, a promise of understanding and support. They were a team, in the skies and on the ground, bound by love and shared dreams.
Phoenix pulled back slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully as she shot Reaper a mock glare. She poked her finger into his chest, her tone teasing but firm. "You know I don't like it when you keep things from me," she mock admonished.
Reaper chuckled, catching her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I know, I know. I promise, no more secrets."
She raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You better keep that promise, Lieutenant."
"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a grin, pulling her closer for a deeper kiss.
As they dried off and stepped out of the bathroom, Reaper wrapped a towel around his waist, and Phoenix did the same around her body. They made their way to Asher's room, checking in on their son who was still peacefully asleep in his crib.
Phoenix leaned against the doorframe, watching Reaper as he gently adjusted Asher's blanket. "You really did have a backup plan, huh?" she mused, her voice softer now, tinged with admiration.
"Yeah," Reaper admitted, turning to face her. "I guess I always wanted to make sure I could take care of my family, no matter what."
Phoenix crossed the room and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest. "You always do," she whispered. "And you always will."
They stood there for a few moments, soaking in the quiet peace of their home. The golden glow from the setting sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm light over the room.
"Now," Phoenix said, pulling back slightly but keeping her arms around him, "tell me more about this truck driving license. Did you ever actually drive a truck?"
Reaper laughed, shaking his head. "No, not really. I got the license and did a bit of training, but once I got into the Academy, I never looked back. It's just been sitting there, gathering dust."
"Well," Phoenix said thoughtfully, "maybe one day we can go on a road trip. Just the three of us. You can show off your skills."
Reaper laughed heartily at Phoenix's suggestion of a road trip. "I think the Navy would rather have me flying a fighter plane than driving a truck, love," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Phoenix chuckled, shaking her head. "Probably. But it's good to know we have options."
They settled deeper into the couch, the soft hum of the evening wrapping around them like a cozy blanket. Reaper's mind wandered back to his father, imagining what life might have been like had things turned out differently. But then he looked at Phoenix and Asher, and he knew he wouldn't trade his life for anything.
"You know," he began, his voice thoughtful, "it's strange how life works out. I spent so much time worrying about having a backup plan, and now, here I am, living my dream. And more importantly, living it with you."
Phoenix turned to look at him, her eyes filled with warmth and love. "We all have our doubts and fears, Don. But what matters is how we face them. And you've done that, every step of the way."
He smiled, pulling her closer. "Couldn't have done it without you, Nat."
They fell into a comfortable silence, enjoying the serenity of the moment. Reaper traced patterns on Natasha's arm absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting back to their journey together—from the intense training and missions to the quiet, precious moments like this one.
"Remember our first flight together during our first deployment together?" Phoenix asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Reaper laughed, nodding. "How could I forget? You overtook me as the lead pilot during the sortie and then smirked about it for weeks."
"Well, I had to make an impression," she said with a playful shrug. "And it worked, didn't it?"
"It definitely did," he agreed, kissing the top of her head. "I knew from that moment I had to work my ass off to keep up with you."
They reminisced about their days together in the Naval Academy and the early days in the Navy, sharing stories and laughter as the night wore on. The bond they shared was more than just love; it was built on mutual respect, admiration, and countless shared experiences.
As the evening deepened, Phoenix yawned, snuggling even closer. "We should probably get some sleep," she murmured.
"Yeah," Reaper agreed, but neither of them moved, savoring the last moments of their quiet evening.
Finally, they rose from the couch, turning off the lights and making their way to the bedroom. They checked on Asher one last time, his peaceful slumber a reminder of the simple joys in their hectic lives.
Climbing into bed, Reaper wrapped his arms around Natasha, holding her close. "I love you, Nat," he whispered.
"I love you too, Don," she replied, her voice soft and filled with contentment.
Phoenix pursed her lips thoughtfully before breaking into a sly smile. "Since we're revealing secrets, I did ballet when I was a child."
Reaper raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Ballet? Really? That's something I didn't expect."
"Yep," she nodded, her eyes distant with nostalgia. "It was my passion. I loved it—the grace, the discipline, the sheer beauty of it all. But as I grew up, more important things came up, and I had to give it up."
"Like flying?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Exactly," she confirmed. "I always wanted to fly. The idea of being up in the sky, free and powerful, it just called to me in a way ballet couldn't. But funny enough, all that ballet training helped me when I started flying."
"How so?" Reaper asked, intrigued.
"Well," Phoenix began, a playful glint in her eye, "all those years of spinning and turning helped me develop a strong inner ear. So when I started flying, I didn't get airsick. While other pilots in flight school were throwing up after maneuvers, I was perfectly fine."
Reaper chuckled, shaking his head in admiration. "I never would have guessed. Ballet to fighter jets. You really are full of surprises."
She laughed softly, her fingers tracing circles on his chest. "Life is full of twists and turns. Who knows what other secrets we have yet to discover about each other?"
"True," he agreed, his expression turning more serious. "But I'm glad you told me. It makes me appreciate you even more, knowing all the different facets of your life."
Phoenix smiled warmly, leaning in for a gentle kiss. "Thank you, Don. For listening and for always supporting me."
"Always," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "And for the record, I think you would have made an amazing ballerina. But I'm glad you chose the skies. I can't imagine flying without you."
They held each other tightly, the shared revelations deepening their connection. As the night grew darker, they finally settled into bed, their hands intertwined, the love between them palpable.
"You know," Reaper mused as they lay there, "maybe one day we can find a way to combine your love for ballet with flying. Like a midair ballet performance."
Phoenix laughed, the sound light and melodic. "That would be something. But for now, I think I'm happy right where I am—flying with you and raising our son."
"Me too," he agreed, kissing her softly.
As they lay in the dim light of their bedroom, Phoenix's curiosity got the better of her. "What secrets do you think the others would have?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Reaper chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I can't tell you about the Dagger Team members. But you know my friend Bill, right?"
"Lieutenant Bill Bailey?" Phoenix asked, picturing the larger-than-life helicopter pilot with his signature ten-gallon white cowboy hat.
"That's the one," Reaper confirmed, grinning. "Did you know he was a choir boy?"
Phoenix burst out laughing, the image of the burly, swaggering Bill Bailey singing in a choir as a child bringing tears to her eyes. She clutched her stomach, her laughter echoing in the quiet room. "No way! Bill Bailey? The same guy who sings You Lost That Lovin' Feelin' to his wife Tracy off-key at every party?"
"The very same," Reaper said, his own laughter joining hers. "He was apparently quite good, too. Had a solo and everything."
Phoenix wiped away the tears of laughter, trying to catch her breath. "That's priceless. I can't wait to tease him about it."
"Just don't tell him I told you," Reaper said, still chuckling. "I'd never hear the end of it."
Their laughter subsided, leaving a warm, happy silence between them. Phoenix snuggled closer, her head resting on Reaper's chest. "I wonder what other secrets everyone else has," she mused. "It's funny how much we think we know each other, but there's always something new to discover."
"True," Reaper agreed, stroking her hair gently. "Everyone has their hidden stories, their unexpected sides. It's part of what makes life interesting."
"Like you and your truck driving license," Phoenix teased, looking up at him with a playful smile.
"And you with your ballet," he countered, smiling back.
Phoenix playfully nudged Reaper, her curiosity unabated. "Come on, take a guess. What secrets would the others have? I mean, Hangman, Rooster, Bob, Payback, Fanboy, Coyote, and the rest of the team. Spill it, Don."
Reaper chuckled, rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling as he thought. "Alright, let's see…"
"Hangman," Phoenix prompted, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Hangman," Reaper began, a grin spreading across his face. "I bet Hangman has a secret love for classical music. Can you imagine Jake listening to Mozart while doing push-ups?"
Phoenix giggled, covering her mouth. "Oh, that would be hilarious. Mr. 'I'm too cool for school' with a hidden passion for symphonies."
"Rooster," Reaper continued, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I think Bradley has a secret hobby of knitting. He probably makes scarves and beanies in his downtime."
Phoenix laughed out loud, shaking her head. "I can totally see that. Bradley, sitting in his quarters, knitting away. It's kind of endearing."
"Bob," Reaper said, a twinkle in his eye. "'Bob... I bet Bob is secretly an amazing dancer. Ballroom, salsa, you name it. He's got all the moves."
Phoenix's eyes widened. "No way. Bob? Are you talking about Robert Floyd? My backseater? Now I really want to see him dance."
"Payback," Reaper continued, warming to the game. "You already know the James Brown story. But I think he's probably got a secret talent for baking. Makes the best cookies and cakes you've ever tasted."
Phoenix clapped her hands in delight. "Payback, the master baker. That would be something. We should get him to bake for us sometime."
"Fanboy," Reaper said, his grin widening. "I think he secretly writes romance novels. Under a pen name, of course."
Phoenix's laughter filled the room. "Fanboy, the romance novelist. That's perfect. He's always been a bit of a hopeless romantic."
"Coyote," Reaper continued, his tone playful. " I bet he's got a hidden talent for magic tricks. You know, pulling rabbits out of hats and all that."
Phoenix shook her head, laughing. "I can actually see that. Coyote, the magician. That would be a fun show to watch."
They both laughed, enjoying the playful guessing game. Phoenix snuggled closer, her laughter subsiding into a contented smile. "You know, Don, it's fun to imagine these things. Makes you realize how much more there is to people than what we see on the surface."
"Yeah," Reaper agreed, his voice softening. "Everyone has their hidden depths, their own unique stories. It's what makes our team so special."
They lay in silence for a moment, the warmth of their connection filling the room. Phoenix sighed happily. "Thanks for playing along, Don. It's moments like these that make everything worthwhile."
"Anytime, Phee," Reaper replied, kissing her forehead. "Here's to many more secrets, discoveries, and laughter."
With that, they drifted off to sleep, the joy of their playful conversation lingering in the air, a reminder of the bonds they shared and the endless possibilities of what lay beneath the surface of each member of their close-knit team.
They shared a quiet moment, the intimacy of their conversation bringing them even closer. Reaper thought about their journey, the paths they had taken, and the secrets they had uncovered together. It all seemed to add layers to their relationship, making it richer and more profound.
AN: A short one-shot that I have planned a long time ago but didn't incorporate into the story. Reviews are always welcome! If you have any requests for a one-shot you want to see written, let me know and I'll come up with something for you. Also I want to thank AmberRising and Batghost once again due to their unwavering support for In The Air Tonight!