Top Gun Imagines

43. Mermaids and Eels (Rooster - Bradley Bradshaw)

(Published January 21, 2024) 

   A harsh wind blew across the deck as several planes took turns landing.  I watched, holding a hand to my brow to shade my eyes from the bright sun rays reflecting off of the water.  The last plane landed, according to the deck hand nearest to me, and was jerked to a stop not far from us.  The pilots were climbing out, many of them already on deck with their helmets in their grasps.  I quickly located the one I needed to have a word with.  He was just dismounting the ladder to the cockpit.  I marched towards him, ready to let him have a piece of my mind.  
   "Rooster Bradshaw," I stated loudly as I approached him.  
   He turned to face me, his eyes squinting a little against the sunlight.  I walked right up to him, leaving only a couple of feet between us.  I was only a few inches shorter than him, so I stood upright to look him directly in the eyes.  The corner of his mouth twitched.  He knew exactly why I was here.  He was going to play ignorant, though.  Well, I wasn't going to have it.  
   "It's actually Bradley," He spoke up.  
   That threw me off.  Not a good start to my confrontation, sadly.  "What?" 
   "Bradley Bradshaw.  Rooster is just my call sign." 
   Ah, he was going to play the snarky card.  I let my expression stay as it was: annoyed and stoic.  
   "Bradshaw, you're some special kind of jackass, you know that?" I stated.  
   He grinned.  "It's been rumored every now and then." 
   "There's no reason to dink around with my helmet.  Do it again, and I'll report your ass to the commander." 
   "Whoa, hang on now." He held up a hand.  "I didn't mess with your helmet." 
   "Really?  'Cause you're the only one who calls me "Mermaid", and now there are scale stickers all over it and ribbons in the shape of fins off the back." 
   He stared at me for a moment, probably taking in my angry expression.  Then, he burst out laughing.  He laughed so hard that his eyes teared up.  I frowned, confused.  This wasn't the reaction I was expecting.  I was anticipating him teasing me, maybe saying he'd add sparkles next time or something.  This reaction led me to believe that this was complete news to him.  And I had a feeling he wasn't just acting.  He wasn't that good of an actor.  
   Taking deep breaths to try and calm his chortles, he wiped his eyes with his free hand.  I crossed my arms, waiting for him to respond.  He took another long moment, trying to compose himself before making a comment.  Finally, he met my gaze again.  I could see he was trying not to laugh again, but he was going to fail if he didn't keep a real close watch on it.  This was far too amusing to him.  
   "So," He gasped again in attempt to not laugh.  "You're telling me that your helmet has been modified to resemble your inner princess?" 
   I narrowed my eyes at him.  
   "Look, as hilarious as it is, I hate to tell you the truth.  I didn't do it, mermaid." 
   "Then one of your buddies did, which puts you in cahoots.  I still blame you." 
   He just grinned.  "You would.  But you're swimming up the wrong current." 
   "You really want to die, don't you?" 
   "Careful now, life threats are a dangerous game on this reef." 
   "Rooster Bradshaw, if you don't cut the oceanic crap I swear I'll stick a moray in your bunk!" 
   "You wouldn't touch an eel; they're too slimy." 
   I looked him up and down, pretending to examine him.  "You're right, you eels are too slimy." 
   Spinning around, I started stalking back towards the door.  Too my dismay, Rooster followed.  
   "Look, I'll find out who did it, okay?" 
   "I don't care anymore.  Get your laughs out of it now, 'cause if it happens again you'll all be sorry." 
   "Hey, Pacific." 
   I kept walking.  
   "Ariel.  Ariel, wait." 
   He grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.  I spun around to face him, meeting his apologetic glance with a blank expression.  I was a tough cookie.  He wasn't going to get another reaction out of me easily.  
   "Don't be mad, okay?  I'll figure out who did it and it won't happen again." 
   "Good." 
   He held my arm tightly, obviously not finished saying his piece.  I waited.  I had nothing left to say.  
   "Does the mermaid stuff really bother you?" 
   "No." 
   "Then why are you so worked up about it?"
   "Because you all think you're so funny.  And if y'all are defacing my stuff, you're going to keep getting confident until you deface the wrong persons things and then all hell will break loose.  I really shouldn't care.  I'll probably just stand back and watch.  You know what, knock yourselves out.  I don't care anymore.  If this doesn't get you caught, something else will.  It's inevitable." 
   I pressed my lips together, trying to cut off my unnecessary rambling.  Rooster simply stood there, staring at me.  His grip on my arm loosened slightly, but he didn't let go.  I waited, wishing he'd let go.  Wishing I could walk away and escape those dark brown eyes searching my face.  Wishing he'd just leave me and my feelings alone.  
   "I'm sorry, Pacific."  
   I didn't want him to be sorry. That word meant little to these arrogant pilots.  
   "Let go." 
   He released me, to my surprise.  His hand fell to his side, but he didn't step away.  I lifted my gaze from his hand to his eyes.  He seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words.  Which was rare for Rooster, because he always seemed to have a quick quip ready when I was around.  
   "Thank you," I mumbled.  
   Turning, I made it a whole two steps before he spoke up again.  
   "You know why I pick on you, right?" 
   I halted, but didn't turn back around.  
   "It's how I try to make friends.  I only pick on people I like." 
   It was an excuse, but it wasn't a good one.  
   "I'm saying that I like you, Ariel." 
   He was suddenly right behind me, his voice dropping into a quieter tone.  I turned just my head to glance at him from the corner of my eye.  
   "You're telling me this now?  While I'm still mad at you?" 
   "Are you mad at me?  Doesn't seem like it."  
   I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms again.  
   "What'dya say, huh?  Truce?" 
   Finally turning, I found his hand extended to me.  I lifted an eyebrow, meeting his warm gaze with my own pale one.  He just watched me, waiting.  I shook my head.  
   "No truce.  Not until I get those ridiculous iridescent scales off of my helmet." 
   He chuckled again.  "Alright, deal.  But we'll revisit this conversation after that."  
   "Yeah, right." 
   I had a feeling he'd forget by then.  Once he was done feeling guilty, he'll go right back to teasing me mercilessly.  That's how things went on this ship, and I was used to it.  Heck, I probably wouldn't know what to do if he started acting nice to me.  It's be like living in an alternate universe.  
   "Hey, Bradshaw," I began slowly.  
   "Yeah?" 
   "You're not going to be all fake nice now, right?  I mean, I don't want the other guys to think I blackmailed you or something." 
   He grinned widely at me.  "Not a chance.  Gotta keep up my reputation, you know.  But I'll be a little nicer...  When I feel like it."  
   "Right."  
   Well, at least there wouldn't be any teasing from the others.  Mermaid jokes were one thing, shipping Bradshaw and me jokes were quite another.  I knew how easily rumors got started on this boat, especially when girls were involved.  
   "See you around the reef, mermaid." 
   Rooster placed his aviators on his nose and gave me a quick nod before sauntering off.  I turned away without a word.  I had a helmet to finish descaling before I got assigned any flights.  The jokes would never cease if I showed up to work with a tail on my gear!