Requested By: No one

✯ General Info ✯

Synopsis: After Goose's death, Iceman decides to teach Rooster how to play "Great Balls of Fire" on the piano so he can continue on the legacy.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1496 (NORMAL)
Extras: No romance, A/U

✯ Piano Time ✯

4 years ago.

A flash of white. All that could be heard were the sounds of people crying. The sight of a casket being lowered into a grave. Carole hugging Rooster tight. Five minutes of silence for the loss of Goose. Carole crying.

That was all Rooster could see while everyone mourned the death of Goose. He was able to talk, but no words could come to him. He sat in silence surrounded by loved ones.

2 years ago.

"Come to Uncle Mav!" Maverick said to Rooster. He picked him up and spun him around. They both laughed. So innocent. This was one of the only times Rooster could see Maverick. He was too young to fly with him because he couldn't handle the G-forces.

Present day.

"Uncle Mav, you're so silly!" Rooster laughed while Maverick made funny faces to him. "You're embarrassing me!"

Maverick laughed and ruffled Rooster's hair.

"I'll stop embarrassing you once you promise you'll get a home run this time!" He teased.

"Alright, alright, I will!" Rooster smiled.

This was one of Rooster's most important baseball games, and Maverick took some time off from flying to see him play. Rooster was happy because he never spent much time with his mom's closest friend.

"Uncle Ice, are you ready to see me dominate?" Rooster tugged on his other uncle's shirt.

"Yes buddy, I'm sorry, I'm a bit distracted," Ice replied.

"That's okay, I know you have important duties to uphold," Rooster forgave him. Ice smiled and felt happy that his nephew was so kind. Rooster gave a toothy smile back at him and ran off to meet with his team.

Rooster did end up hitting that home run, and the big smile on his face made Ice and Mav melt. They were so happy for their nephew.

After the game, Maverick said goodbye to both of them. He had to be back at the base the next day for flight tests. Rooster wanted him to be back as soon as possible, but he could not guarantee anything.

Ice drove him back to Carole and whispered something in her ear once she opened the door. She placed a hand over her heart and teared up. She quickly nodded and told Rooster that Ice was going to take him to his house for a couple hours. Rooster, always happy to spend more time with Ice, agreed. He was still confused why his mother was crying, but thought nothing of it.

They arrived at Ice's house and he led Rooster to the piano that sat in a corner of the living room. He told Rooster to sit down and began to explain.

"I think it's time that we carry on the legacy of your father," Ice said.

A thought struck Rooster. Visions of him singing on top of a piano hit him. One of the greatest memories he remembered.

"Great Balls of Fire," he whispered.

"That's right. Now, your Uncle Mav does not know that I know how to play this, but I wanted to teach you," Ice smiled.

"Can we play it to him the next time we see him?" Rooster asked eagerly.

"You're a fast learner, so yes, I believe we can get this down easily," Ice patted his back.

Forgive me for I do not know the notes nor do I know how to play a piano!

Ice positioned his fingers on the keys to begin the song. Rooster put his small fingers on top of Ice's to mimic his movements. Ice began to play the start, right before any singing happens. He explained the keys to Rooster, showing him when to press them. In a few minutes, he was able to play the beginning notes.

"Now, after you play that part, you say-" Ice began.

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain!" Rooster said excitedly. He never forgot that song over the years.

"Great job!" Ice smiled. He told Rooster to play the keys again and then say the lines.

Rooster pressed the keys and sang: "You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain..."

"For the next part, you play the same notes but at a higher octave, like this," Ice placed his hands on the piano but on a different spot.

Rooster pressed the keys that he did, smiling widely.

"Too much love drives a man insane!" He said after playing that part.

Ice started to tear up at the sight of Rooster playing the opening part. He knew Maverick would love for him to know how to play it.

"Just play the same thing again for the next line, and then play the notes you learned at the start for the final part!" Ice smiled through teary eyes.

Rooster positioned his hands at the piano and began to play.

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain...

Too much love drives a man insane.

You broke my will, oh what a thrill..."

He pressed a note.

"Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"

He ran a hand down the piano for the glissando.

Ice led him through the rest of the song, teaching him about timing and pacing along the way so he could hit the notes just right. The final performance left him in tears.

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would teach Goose's son how to play a piano, let alone cry to the song that Maverick sung, but he is doing it now.

He knew that Maverick treasured this song because he often hummed it while seeing Rooster. It reminded him of Goose when they sung it together back at TOPGUN.

"Alright Rooster, let me hear it one more time, but let's keep it short because I know you're getting tired!" Ice said, watching his movements.

"You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain,
Too much love drives a man insane.
You broke my will, oh what a thrill.
Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire!"

"You're doing great on timing, but make sure not to press too hard on the glissando," Ice smiled.

Rooster nodded and Ice led him back to the car. He drove him back home and Carole smiled wide when she saw her son. Ice waved a goodbye to him and drove back to his house.

"How was your lesson?" Carole asked him.

"It was fun! I want to play it for Uncle Mav when I can," Rooster smiled, hugging his mom.

"Of course honey, I'll call him and see when he is available," Carole grinned.

Two weeks later.

Rooster went to Ice's house for more lessons with the song until he got it perfect. Maverick was oblivious to all of this, and Ice was fine with that. It helped him prepare for the surprise.

Rooster was sitting at the piano when Ice whispered into his ear.

"Are you ready to play for your Uncle Mav?"

"Yes! I want to make him so happy that he cries!"

Ice knew that Maverick would cry the second he heard the opening notes. He nodded and went to the door, opening it up and revealing Maverick.

"Uncle Mav!" Rooster smiled when he saw him.

"Rooster! How are you? What's all this about?" Maverick asked in a confused voice.

"Take it away, Rooster!" Ice proclaimed.

Rooster positioned his hands on the piano, took a deep breath, and began to play. As soon as Maverick heard the first few notes, he broke down and began to cry.

"Ice... you..." was all that Maverick could get out.

"Yes, I wanted to teach Rooster. To carry on his father's legacy," Ice patted Mav on the back.

"Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!" Rooster sang.

A flashback hit Mav and he put a hand on his chest. Goose dying, him singing the song.

"I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs
I'm getting nervous but it sure is fun
Come on baby, you're driving me crazy
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"

When the solo started, Maverick couldn't stop his tears as more flowed down his cheeks. It was so beautiful. He wanted to sing along with Rooster, to relive the old times.

"Kiss me, baby!
Oooh, that feels good!
Hold me, baby!
I wanna love you like a lover should"

They both sang their hearts out, Ice watching from a distance. He was touched by this moment.

"You're fine, so kind
I'mma tell the world that you're MINE, MINE, MINE, MINE!"

Mav stopped for a few seconds and let Rooster sing the next lines, then...

"GOODNESS GRACIOUS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!"

They sang that line in unison, and Ice's eyes got watery again. He hugged both of them as soon as the song was over. Mav placed his hands on Ice's shoulders.

"Thank you... thank you for teaching him..." Mav said between sobs.

Ice pulled him into a tight hug and patted his back. Rooster would go on to learn more songs on the piano and become a big hit at parties.