Work Text:
The Pains of Grief
Written By 4QuietRyt3r
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Disclaimer: I own nothing, the characters minus Ashton “Pita” Preacher. They belong to the movies, and it has a bit from Charmed too. The plot of it.
This is given to: Ryis_morphie, I hope this story meets expectations and that you enjoy your surprise gift.
Summary: Maverick has been keeping his pain from losing Goose down for so long. It’s eating him up, now Ash and Ice need to help Maverick face his pain. This has Rooster understand and see what’s been eating his uncle for so long.
This story is a one-shot and I was given permission to write this. This was inspired by the awesome story Joyous Remembrance. I just hope I did a good job with this. And, I know my grammar is not perfect, I’ll never achieve it.
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The “Talk”
Ash was starting on making baby waffles since she knows Maverick hasn’t eaten breakfast. Getting him to eat seems to require effort since he barely eats. It worries her as she hears a knock.
Curious, she takes in the scent of the person and hears it’s two people.
“Why are we here? Besides, Maverick might feel better tomorrow?”
“Because we don’t know your uncle that well and you said it yourself only your aunt and Penny know him like the back of their hands or Iceman.”
Ash unlocks the door and opens it, “What’s going on with Maverick?”
Rooster seemed hesitant to say something.
Hangman says, “Rooster asked about his father’s relationship with Maverick, and he didn’t take it well.”
Ashton sighs, “It’s because he never had time to properly grieve. He’s also angry too. What he needs is to let it all out.”
Hangman wonders, “Is he mad at Rooster?”
Rooster looked pained, “Why would he be mad at me?”
Ash assures him, “He’s never mad at you Baby Gosling. But I know who he’s mad at. He just needs to let it out. For his sake if not to fix his relationship with you.”
Rooster nods, “I know but I still don’t know how close my father was to him.”
Ash says, “Let’s just say it's closer and leave it for Maverick to explain. It’s his place to tell you. Not mine.”
Rooster sighs, “All I know is that I wanted to know about his relationship with my father.”
“And was that any of your f***ing business?!”
Rooster turns upset and sad, “Yes because I want to know-.”
Before Maverick could yell, Ash had him on her shoulders as he cursed and yelled how it’s not right.
“Put me down! I demand you put me down!”
Ash says, “Yeah, yeah and I demand a gold crown and to be called Queen of Europe. Come on Maverick you need to let it out. And I don’t mean your pants again.”
Ice coming over asks, “Where are we going?”
Maverick continues struggling in Ash’s arms as she says, “To the one person he’s truly angry at. And it’s not Baby Gosling.”
Maverick screams, “Put me down!”
Ash walks and ignores Maverick’s demands. She figures Maverick would try to jump out of a car so walking seems reasonable.
While walking, Rooster and Hangman follow with Ice. It’s clear to Ice who Maverick is mad at. Even Ashton knows too, only Rooster and Hangman are both confused.
Ashton continues as Rooster wonders where are they going? Then Ash stops as she enters a cemetery. Then continues as Maverick grumbles until Ash puts him down.
Maverick, confused, sees Goose’s gravestone and wants to leave, but Ice blocks his path. Ash blocks him from going back.
Ash says, “tell him Maverick. It is okay to tell Goose how angry you are.”
Rooster was confused, “Why get angry with my father?”
Maverick tries shoving past Ice as Ash continues, “It is okay to get mad at Goose. I know you're hurting because you didn’t get a chance to have a life with him. It is okay to let it out. Maverick you’ve been carrying this pain for too long.”
Hangman adds, “She’s right. I’ll bet Roo is mad that his parents left when he still needed them. Just let it out.”
Rooster was stunned as Maverick screams sobbing, “How dare you?! (He kneels pounding Goose’s headstone) How dare leave me?! How could you go on that f***ing mission just to die before we could have a life together?! Please just come back for me! I need you so much, please come back!”
Maverick ends up sobbing on the headstone as Ash and Iceman comfort him.
Ash says, “It’s okay-.”
Maverick shakes his head sobbing, “No it’s not okay. I should have made him. Why didn’t I stop him? How could he think that I could live without him? I should have made him stay from that f***ing practice. I miss him so much!”
Maverick ends up sobbing in Ash’s neck as Rooster cries a little at Hangman's arms who holds him close. It hurt him to see his uncle in this pain. And sees he wasn’t crying from losing his best friend. He’s crying because he lost the only man who he loved the most.
After that Ice helped carry Maverick home since Maverick cried himself to sleep. Rooster and Hangman stayed on the couch that night.
Start With a Hug or Talk At Least
Morning comes as Maverick wakes up for once, he feels rested. He goes downstairs as Ash was serving breakfast.
She gives him coffee, “Morning, feel better?”
Maverick takes a sip, “First time I wake up without wanting to stay in bed.”
Ash nods as he rubs his eyes, “I’ve been spending so much time trying to keep my distance from Rooster. I missed so much of his life. How am I supposed to approach him? He’s probably going to hate my guts since I was sleeping with his father.”
Ash says, “I think seeing how much pain you were carrying last night helped him see that maybe you were something special to his father. Now I know you're nervous but maybe don’t start with opening your heart too quickly. Why not start with talking and maybe breakfast.”
She sends him to see Rooster with two plates of breakfast. Rooster lets his uncle sit next to him as both play with their food.
Rooster takes a breath, “Is this why you kept your distance because how much I remind you of my father?”
Maverick nods as he continues, “My father loved you? What was going to happen for me?”
Maverick sighs, “Your dad figured since I’ve considered you like a son to me that I would be your papa.”
Rooster says, “Really?”
Maverick nods as Rooster and puts their plates on the side as Rooster considers a high five but rather hugs his uncle who hugs him. Rooster was happy even though he didn’t have his uncle or Papa in his life.
At least they can start their relationship over that started with a hug.
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The End
Last Notes: Let me know what you all think of this one-shot, leave me kudos and hopefully a few positive words about this one shot. Stay safe and enjoy reading