Top Gun Imagines

39. Spooky Tree (Maverick - Pete Mitchell)

(Published November 1, 2023)

   "Well, you look good!  That's at least half of the battle."
   I very carefully performed a 360 turn in front of the biggest mirror in my apartment.  Unfortunately, it was the bathroom mirror, so I was standing on my piano bench that I had lugged in so I could get the full effect.  Fortunately, it was worth the trouble!
   My semi-sexy elf costume was finally ready for the party tonight.  The mauve dress had a medieval flare to it, yet only came to mid-thigh.  I had curled my hair tightly so that the already short chocolate colored locks made a crown of curls about my head.  An artificial vine with mauve flowers topped the curls and fake rubber elf ears were carefully glued into place on top of my own.  After putting on light makeup and fishnet tights, the look was everything I had hoped it'd be! 
   My only hope was that my date would like it, too. 
   Three loud knocks on my front door jolted me from my thoughts.  I hopped off of the bench and darted into my bedroom across the hall.  Scooping up my heels with one hand and my medieval looking satchel in the other, I made my way to the door. 
   "Coming," I called cheerfully. 
   Just as cheerfully, I pulled the door open.  The sight waiting for me took me a little off-guard, though.  I had to blink a couple of times before the costume before me actually processed.  Once it did, I doubled over with a giggling fit. 
   Maverick was dressed as a dragon!  He wore a violet shirt with large wings that spread when he lifted his arms.  The head of the dragon seemed to be a baseball cap with red eyes, purple ears, and some scales on it.  The black pants didn't match at all, but the large stuffed purple tail attached to his belt made up for it.  All in all, he looked fantastic!
   "Should I be offended by your reaction?" He asked with a chuckle in his own voice.  "You said medieval."   
   "No," I assured him as I collected myself.  "I just got so excited I lost control of it all.  You look great, honest."
   "I know," He shrugged and made the wings rustle.  "What's more attractive than a dragon-man?"
   I tried to quickly fenagle my heels on, gripping the doorsill for support.  "Typically I'd say a pilot, but this new man might just take the cake."
   "I'd rather take the candy tonight.  Are you ready, my stunning elven date?" He held out his elbow to me.
   "Let us hasten to the gathering, shall we?" I had to be careful with the wing, but I gladly took his arm and let him lead me from my apartment complex. 
   "Not so fast, pretty girl." 
   He stopped on the sidewalk outside of the building and gestured with his head to our left.  I glanced at the large knotty oak standing there, which was the only thing I saw that he could be referring too.  It's limbs were bare of leaves curtesy of the chilly October wind, and the bark shone eerily in the light of the half-full moon.  
   "Spooky tree?" I joked, turning to see a glint in his dark eyes.  
   "Exactly.  It's perfect for pictures." 
   "I didn't think you were the photographic evidence kind." 
   His glare responded to my teasing grin.  "Well, I have a friend with a camera waiting, so you're getting your picture taken tonight." 
   "Alright alright, no need to get all fiery." 
   With a giggle, I darted over to the tree and clambered up onto a low, thick branch.  Maverick was right behind me, but I knew he wouldn't be climbing any trees with that tail.  There was only one more branch within reach, so I pulled myself up on it while trying to be careful with my tights.  Then, I glanced down at the dragon and the photographer who were observing my ascent.  
   "That's actually a good height for this," Maverick stated with a grin.  
   "Hmm, I would've thought you'd be sad to see me take the high ground," I teased.  
   "Not in this outfit, I'm not," He chuckled.  "Now lean down so we can both be in the same picture."  
   "Yes sir," I rolled my eyes.  I tried to find a decent position on the limb that was both elf-y and pretty, but the limb swaying slightly under my weight made me nervous.  "If I fall, you do know I'm going to require lots of ice cream therapy, right?" 
   "I'll invest in Moose Tracks.  Is that alright, Jim?" 
   "Yeah, but your pose is pretty sad."  
   "Well then pose me!  I'm not paying you for commentary." 
   "You aren't paying me at all," Jim snickered.  
   "I think free drinks at the party is a fair price for a few picture," Mav laughed with his friend.  "Just pose me already."  
   "Ya know, whenever you two are ready is fine with me!  It's not chilly up this tree or anything," I piped up.  
   "Your date is more of a model than a dragon." 
   "Yeah, I know." 
   Mav glared at me.  "I can be dragon like." 
   "There, hold that position!  Don't move, Mitchell." 
   I grinned back at him with a look of innocence.  "Only when threatened, it seems!"
   He gave me an unamused look before his usual smirk slid into place.  "C'mon, pretty girl, we've got a party to get to."