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Bob didn't talk much to Hangman, other than to sass back at him, he only knew the aviator was married because he overheard him talking to Coyote at the Hard Deck right when they arrived for the special detachment.
That was all he knew of the subject until a few days later. They were once again back at the bar, chatting while taking turns playing pool, and he caught the words 'my husband' leaving Hangman's mouth. He sounded as proud as ever, even more so than usual, but it was the absolute softness in his voice that made him raise an eyebrow to Phoenix. That was certainly a new side to the sometimes obnoxious aviator.
She stepped closer and asked casually. Hangman didn't need much prompting to start talking about how beautiful and amazing his husband of four years was, he just launched into it, singing praises about his husband's engineering skills and how much he knew about planes, and boy, is he good with his hands which was said with an eyebrow wiggle and a too pleased smile.
Coyote only shook his head with an amused expression. "Nice going. Now he won't stop."
It did take some time for him to stop, Hangman only did when he got distracted by a game against Rooster. It was only days later that Bob realized he never said his husband's name, but he also didn't think much of it.
One day, when he was walking to the mess hall to meet the others, he crossed paths with Hangman on his way out. The Lieutenant had just put his phone to his ear to greet the person on the other line.
"Hey, baby," He said sweetly, a genuine smile taking over his features. Bob could swear he saw his eyes literally shine.
And he had gotten the gist that Hangman really loved his husband, but he never heard the aviator sound so completely and utterly honest before. It took him a few days, but Bob noticed he always seemed to have a step back, or a joke ready to deflect from anything more personal. The man that passed by him in that hall was not a cocky pilot with a big mouth that didn't need anyone but himself, he was a man completely in love and not afraid to show it to those he trusted.
He heard that piece of gossip for the first time when he sat down at the Daggers' table, and even though he knew very little, Bob just didn't believe it.
"I think Hangman's been sneaking around with Captain Mitchell," Fritz made a comment he saw as harmless, biting at his nail, like he himself had been wondering and didn't really mean to gossip.
Yale snorted. "What is it about Top Gun? No one can ever keep it in their pants here. When I went, the first time, someone in my class slept with our instructor, too."
"Was it you?" Fritz asked.
"No."
"Harvard, then?" Payback guessed, knowing they were part of the same class. Yale tried to deny it, but he stuttered a little too much.
"Yeah, it was Harvard."
"What makes you think so?" Bob couldn't help but ask, curious as to why his colleague would arrive at that when he had observed the opposite.
"I don't know, there's a vibe."
"Seriously?" Phoenix piped up, pointing her fork around. "You're accusing the man of cheating 'cause there's a vibe?"
"I'm not accusing anyone," Fritz raised his hands. "And it's none of my business, but I'm just saying."
"Hangman can be annoying, but he strikes me as loyal. Also, he's very loud, sneaking around doesn't suit him." Phoenix argued and Bob nodded along, Hangman's loving expression as he passed him still fresh in his mind.
"Pay attention to them, you'll see what I'm talking about."
Bob was still not convinced, but he couldn't help but start looking and he had to admit there were... moments.
They had just finished another run on the course, Bob was walking with Phoenix, he always made sure to go over a few points with his pilot to make sure they were working together as they should, when he spotted them.
They stepped off their jets on opposite sides, but their paths converged and both men came to walk in front of them, aviators on and holding their helmets. Hangman and Maverick were looking at each other, talking excitedly about something and they both had really big smiles on their faces.
That could be because of the flight, it didn't mean they were involved, but there was the way their hands brushed, and maybe Bob was reading too much into it, projecting the gossip onto them, but then Mav took Hangman's helmet, carrying it for him as the blond unzipped his flight suit and tied the arms around his waist and Bob was pretty sure Hangman didn't ask him to, it was like the Captain just knew.
Bob continued to walk behind them, waving to Phoenix in goodbye as all three went to the locker room.
He opened his locker and started to unlace his boots when he heard the groan of pain. He glanced over his shoulder to see Maverick clutching at his side after taking his shirt off.
Hangman moved in a flash, appearing by his side and reaching out to run his fingertips over the Captain's ribcage, a moment so intimate and caring, Bob felt his face heat up a little. "You have to tell someone." The blond said as both a plea and an order, exasperation between the words making it seem like he said it a few times before.
"I'm fine," Maverick assured him, hand coming up to rest over the other man's hip.
"Your ribs are bruised at the least. You don't eject out of a burning aircraft that had been going at supersonic speed and come out of it unscathed, Pete. It's not possible, not even for you."
"I've had worse," The Captain tried to joke but Hangman didn't think it was funny, concern was written all over him. "I can manage, really."
"Just go to medbay and get checked, please."
"I can't, they might bench me and I can’t let you down. You all need me to complete this and come back."
"I need you alive, the rest is the rest." Hangman's breath hitched, as if he was in pain also.
"It's not that serious."
"How would you know? You can't know if you don't get checked out."
"Jake, sweetheart," Mav stepped forward, mouth close to the blond's ear as he whispered.
Bob went back to what he was doing, realizing he already saw too much of something he had no right to. He tried not to look at them as he went about undressing and getting into the shower, but he was aware of them, entangled, not so far.
"I'm gonna talk to Ice, he'll pull his strings to keep it quiet, get someone he trusts to look you over." He heard it over the shower running, Hangman speaking loud and firmly, leaving no room for debate.
And yeah, Fritz had been half right. There was a vibe alright, but he read too little into it.
Bob figured it out just by looking at them, he expected the others to do so too, but they didn't. And he could have said something, sure, but he kept it to himself just because.
Hangman and Maverick would make their relationship known if and when they wanted to.
Rooster went into the Hard Deck to grab some water after the game of dogfight football. He stopped to chat with Penny for a while then went back to the others, wondering what plans they made for the rest of the day.
He noticed two things as he padded back, feet on the warm sand. One: Mav and Jake had disappeared and that was very much not surprising, Bradley would bet they found somewhere to ravish each other. The looks they exchanged while playing were downright burning, he had to avidly try not to look, not needing to imagine what his dad wanted to do with his husband, thank you very much; And two: the Daggers had split, half of them were gathered in a circle and were whispering to each other as Fanboy seemed to panic for some reason, and the other part, Halo, Coyote, Yale and Harvard were still passing the ball around with Hondo.
Bradley went towards the circle, thinking there was something interesting going on there.
"What are we talking about?" He asked, putting his arm over Bob as he settled in the circle.
"Hangman's having an affair."
Rooster just chuckled, brushing it off as he did when he caught wind of another piece of gossip alike, thinking people were just assuming 'cause of Mav's infamous charmer reputation. And he still butted heads with Hangman, more times than he could count and more out of principle than anything else, but he and Hangman had become actual friends. He knew the aviator better than ever and he knew that was not something he would do. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
"I didn't hear it," Fanboy said, eyes wide. "I saw it with my own eyes."
He scrunched up his brows, more confused than actually suspicious. "What did you see exactly?"
"I went into the Hard Deck to use the bathroom, when I was leaving I saw Penny grabbing a few bags to put outside and I offered to do it," Fanboy swallowed as he recounted it, gesturing with his arms. "So I put the stuff outside and then... I only caught a glimpse of it, 'cause I hightailed out of there, but it was Hangman and Maverick making out like there was no tomorrow."
Bradley had to control himself not to burst into laughter, he pressed his lips together. He knew that sight, he walked in on it quite a few times over the past years. As he tried to keep himself in check, he realized he had caught the other half of the gossip from people that didn't know who Mav's husband was, and now he was getting the other part from people that didn't know who Hangman's husband was.
Everyone was trying to seem like they didn't want to gossip while doing it anyway, so they kept it vague and well, Bradley couldn't help but find it hilarious.
"Well, if you're gonna wreck your home," Payback trailed off. "Might as well make it count, I guess."
"The Captain sure is something, I don't really blame Hangman," Omaha joked.
Fanboy ignored them, looking worried. "What is my moral obligation here? Should I say something? I don't know Hangman's husband, that's not something you want to hear from a stranger."
"You should just let it go, it's not your business, man."
"Maybe tell Coyote?"
"Coyote is Hangman's friend, he won't tell." Fanboy eyed Javy as he played, oblivious to it all. Rooster couldn't wait to tell him all about it, they would probably make a bet as to how long it would take them to notice.
"You shouldn't assume, you know? Maybe he has an open relationship."
Bradley couldn't hold back his snort. He knew very well neither Mav or Jake would ever want to share the other that way. A light bulb lit up above his head as a mischievous idea went through his mind. "You should ask him. Yeah, ask Hangman, do that." He told Fanboy casually, feeling a bit chaotic.
The other aviator considered that option and as Bradley noticed Bob, looking like he knew something no one else did, Natasha kept looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"What?" Rooster asked her.
"You know something."
"No idea what you're talking about." He tried, a whisper of a smile under his moustache. Of course, she didn't buy it, so he just told her to wait and see.
Fanboy, bless his soul, actually took his advice and Bradley had a front roll seat to that conversation.
Hangman's shark-like grin was more dangerous than humorous as he replied, "My relationship is very much closed." Looking at Fanboy with scrutiny, trying to gauge just why he would ask. The blond surely assumed he was interested in Mav, and Rooster stepped in before he could fry Fanboy to a crisp with just his eyes.
Fanboy wasn't really one for gossip and he was not one to judge, based on vibes or a few uncontextualized moments or not. People's business was theirs and theirs alone.
But he had to deal with two things after he saw it: Maverick and Hangman devouring each other's lips.
Hangman still had his shirt off and both he and Mav were sweaty from the game and wrapped around each other, not an inch of space in between them, it was not surprising that they didn't notice him.
The Captain's hand slid down to palm at the blond's ass, who made a noise of appreciation and grasped at the older man's dark strands, angling his head back, and grabbing his jaw to pull his bottom lip with his teeth and filthily lick into Mav's mouth. That was... so very hot and it short circuited his brain.
And now Mickey was stuck in a predicament, being guilty for knowing about something that was hurting someone else and not doing anything. He might not know Hangman's husband but being cheated on was a bitch. And he also found himself rethinking a couple of things.
He hadn't given it much thought after Maverick was introduced as their instructor and his mouth had gone dry, 'cause, c'mon, the man's attractiveness was not up for debate, it was just a certainty of life. Mickey could understand why Hangman would risk it all for Maverick, he had to admit.
He saw Mav at the counter talking to Penny, and he heard they had been a thing back in that day, imagining that was hot too. And then Hangman had approached the Captain, standing by his side a bit too closely and damn, did they look good together. And at least that whole situation had been enlightening, in a way.
He took a big swig of his drink, enjoying the cold liquid and how much better the taste seemed after completing that damned mission and coming back in one piece. "I thought I was straight, now I'm thinking I might be bi." Fanboy said out loud to his friends.
Payback hummed, having listened to him extensively before. "So Hangman and Mav were really your awakening?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
"Wanna know for sure?" Omaha came to lean by his side, brushing his hair back, bicep flexing and tone exceptionally smooth. "I volunteer."
Mickey turned to him, finding no trace of humor on his offer, his eyes were alight but with desire and he felt something thrilling go down his spine. Maybe he would have once stopped to think, but he came back alive from a mission everyone deemed impossible, there was no time like the present.
"Alright," He said and he enjoyed Omaha's surprise a little too much, as if he didn't expect Mickey to actually take him up on it, but the way he smiled after made him look really beautiful, and without hesitation he grabbed his hand and they both walked out of the loud bar to the beach.
Mickey had to say that the whole experience was more than just enlightening, it might have just changed his life because he spent the rest of his leave glued to Neil's side and enjoying every bit of it.
Phoenix was sure Rooster knew something but he was keeping a lid on it only to annoy her. And she had a feeling something was staring her right in the face the whole time, but for some reason she couldn't connect the dots.
She had been too focused on the mission, and only after it had been over and they were back and with a well deserved leave, she was able to pay better attention.
It was the way they gravitated towards one another, and moved around each other and just looked at each other.
It was in the way Mav smiled brightly at Hangman every time he saw him, most of those times he wasn't even doing anything, just existing and the Captain seemed like the happiest man on earth because of it.
And Hangman was a big softie whenever he was with Mav, all drawled darlings and softened features and no more walls.
In hindsight, she understood why it took so long for her to see it. It had been so clearly obvious, so ridiculously obvious, really, that her brain just brushed it off.
She knew Rooster and Coyote had known all along, but she didn't expect Bob to already be part of the bet. She joined in and sat back to see it all unfold.
For highly intelligent pilots, they could be quite oblivious.
One afternoon, after they had spent the day at the beach sans Mav and Hangman because they had been attached to the hip after the mission, and the sun had started to set, they went into the Hard Deck, the place they usually wound up at.
It was still sort of empty and she stopped at the counter to talk to Penny.
She saw the others perk up from the table they had chosen and followed their gazes, finding Mav and Hangman playing pool together. Well, they were by the pool table, but they were mostly talking and laughing.
Mav gave Hangman the sweetest kiss she had ever seen, before walking towards the bathroom.
"They're not even bothering to hide it anymore," Fanboy said, a bit exasperated and he got up, not being able to let it go anymore.
Everyone approached, eager to see what would happen and not able to hide it. Nat didn't really mind that she was about to lose the bet - she thought it would take longer, but she also knew it only took that long because everyone had been trying not to intrude.
"I'm sorry, I just can't have this on my conscience," Fanboy blurted out as he came closer to Hangman. "I tried to let it go, but you're flaunting it at this point."
Utterly confusion took over Hangman's face. "Fanboy, are you high?"
"You can say it's not my business, and you'd be right. And I caught you by accident, and honestly maybe I should thank you, 'cause discoveries were made-" Fanboy started to ramble and Natasha wished she had a drink to sip while watching the scene. "But you have to tell your husband you're having an affair. It will be better this way."
Silence stretched out for a moment and Hangman turned to Rooster.
The brown eyed man sat at a nearby table, not able to hide his glee. "Fanboy thinks you should let your husband know that you're having an affair with Mav."
Hangman cackled, throwing his head back as the pieces clicked and, as she suspected he would, he played along. "Okay, alright. Don't worry, Fanboy, I'll come clean."
Maverick arrived back with drinks for all of them. His attentiveness was really appreciated. She took her bottle. "Hey, guys. What's up?""
"It seems I'm having an affair," Hangman's voice was dripping with amusement. He slid an arm around the Captain's waist and the man melted into him.
"Really?" Mav raised his brows and maybe he was a bit oblivious too, 'cause he really didn't know about the gossip going around base. But then again, he was probably worried about the mission too. "With who?"
"With you." Hangman chuckled.
"Huh," Green eyes sparkled. "Ain't that something?"
"Our friends think I should tell my husband."
"That's very nice of you," Maverick addressed them, the compliment sounding genuine.
Hangman pulled out his phone and dialed right in front of them, being as extra as she expected. She could see the others were surprised he was being so casual about it, and she grabbed the money and passed it to Rooster and Bob, both the winners of the bet, guessing it so closely.
Maverick's phone rang and he pulled it out from his jacket's pocket. Answering it with a Hey, playing along with a grin.
Hangman spoke loud and clear, having too much fun. "Baby, I'm having an affair."
Mav turned to Hangman, giving him a peck on the lips, still holding his phone up. "Duly noted."
They both hung up at the same time and turned to them. "There." Hangman said and she took in everyone's dumbfounded expressions, chuckling.
"Uh, I don't understand..."
Hangman rolled his eyes but with mirth on his features. He pulled his chain from under his shirt, shaking it a little to show them the silver band dangling along his tags. Then he, brushing his fingers on Mav's neck and shoulder and reaching under his shirt more than he needed to, Nat was sure he did so because he could, and pulled out the Captain's own tags, displaying the matching wedding ring.
"You get it now? Or do I have to make it more obvious? 'Cause I can bear him down on this pool table and kiss the daylights out of him, if you want."
"We get it," Fanboy said, a little embarrassed to have assumed so wrongly.
"I wouldn't mind more proof," Natasha had to pipe up though.
"I told you there was a vibe!" Fritz said, excitedly.
"But you were only half right!" They all started to argue, blaming Fritz for starting the gossip and making them a part of it. They tried to apologize to the couple, but both waved them off, not even a little bit annoyed at it. Hangman even approached and gave Fanboy a pat on the back, assuring it was okay.
"Rooster, did you know?" Payback asked now that they knew Mav was his godfather, a fact they kept to themselves during training.
"Of course, I was at the wedding."
"So was I. I was the best man." Coyote said, looking proud.
"Seriously? We've been wondering about this for weeks."
Mav gave his godson a look, lacing his fingers with Hangman's - at some point they moved and were now chest to back with Hangman leaning on the pool table and hugging Mav to him. Both were not able to not touch the other for even a few seconds. The cute idiots hopelessly in love look suited them really well. "Why didn't you just tell them, Bradley?" He said just a tiny bit chasitisingly, but already knowing the answer. She knew too.
A shit eating grin took over Rooster's face. "Where's the fun in that?"