It was a surprise when he’d showed up on your doorstep, completely unannounced, claiming he needed to talk to you. About what? You’re still not too sure. All you do know is that you’d somehow managed to end up not too far from the runway the pilot at your side practically calls home. It has been a short ride to where you are now, lying on your back against a blanket you’d nabbed before you’d left, your gaze wandering the heavens gradually coming to life as the Sun sets. Crickets, the distant ocean waves and traffic all blend into one relaxing sound, coupled with the odd overhead fighter jet passing by. You needed this - life’s been busy. And now, as you shift closer to the man at your side, a certain set of emotions settle within you, a notebook and pencil in his grasp. “A rolling reversal might work,” You suggest, glancing at the poorly printed diagram the pilot is peering at in the dying light. At this, Pete Mitchell nods thoughtfully, passing you a rather impressed and surprised look. “If I reversed on a hard cross, I could immediately go to guns on him,” Comes the reply, his hands mimicking the plane’s actions. “That sounds a bit too aggressive. The one they call Maverick just chuckles, a smirk tugging at the edges of his lips. “Too aggressive,” He repeats softly, grin broadening. “Yeah, I guess when I see somethin’ I go right after it.” The pilot’s voice trails off, a note being scribbled on the piece of paper before it’s tossed aside, attention now solely focused on you. “You didn’t tell me who you were the other night.” Now it’s your turn to chuckle, memories of the rather sharply dressed figure deciding to make his move on you in that bar coming to the forefront. “You didn’t really give me a chance to.” “I know. But, uh… you were tempted…” You raise an eyebrow questioningly, almost in disbelief. “To ask me out for dinner.” All you can do is huff a chuckle, a blush adorning your cheeks. “Maybe sometime later, but you beat me to it, showing up tonight, out of the blue.” Maverick just grins, once more picking up his notebook and scribbling a last few notes before tuning the radio settled between the pair of you, the soothing melodies beginning to play. Something settles in the silence between you both as the song continues, with Pete finally breaking the silence, his features suddenly a lot closer than you’d last recalled. “It’s gonna be complicated. You know, on the first one, I crashed and burned.” Your blush deepens as he speaks, your gaze involuntarily darting to his lips and then back to his eyes. “And the second?” You barely manage to muse, your voice so small it makes your heart skip as he nears, tone lowering into a certain playfulness, his gaze glimmering with a well-intended mischief. “I don’t know. But, it’s lookin’ good so far.” And from there, the night stretches on into a calm bliss, the stars finally beginning to twinkle with the comforting darkness as jet after jet continues to take off and land. This certainly is an evening you won't be forgetting for quite some time.