Brooklyn

Slider has known Ice for years, and with that he knows things about Ice others dont. 2 of those things are the nervous habits Ice does;

He chews at/bites at his lips when hes stressed

He'll scratch at his wrist's when hes nervous

Listen all i'm saying is that I think that Ice and Wolf would get along well. Is it because they're both traumatized pretty blondes? Yeah thats part of it, is another aspect is the potential for how well Slider and Hollywood could mesh together in a way; but the real reason is that to Ice and Slider, individually and as a team, I believe that they view Hollywood and Wolf as true equals.

Not to say that Ice and Slider don't view others as "true equals". However, its very clearly established that both Slider and Ice do NOT like Maverick for a litany of reasons; but the main one is that 'Maverick is dangerous'.

Goose of course is an interesting throw in to that mix because on Ice's side there doesn't seem to be any open hostility/tenseness the way there is between Goose and Slider.

Take the Bar Scene for example; the first interaction between the two groups is when Goose calls Sliders attention with the "What happened to wanting to be a pilot" line, its a semi-low blow, and isn't said as lightheartedly as Goose normally does things. Not only that but the minute Slider turns around you can see his stance change in a way, and his jaw clench up. Slider then responds equally like brash and tensely, by immediately calling Goose a "dickhead" and then ask him whose ass he had to kiss to get into TOPGUN, and the quips keep coming from both sides.

Which, could it be a RIO pissing contest? Absolutely, however when Ice comes up to the group, he greets Goose with a light tone and a smile, even using the "Mother Goose" nickname, and Goose responds nicer with Ice's first name. Its noticeably less tense and Ice coming in like that reminds me of that one friend you have to watch out for when going out because they WILL start a fight.

So Ice appears to have a semi-decent to neutral standing with Goose, however Sliders is more tense. And does Ice go on to make a bit of a cheap-shot regarding Cougar? Yeah, but then Slider furthers it specifically with Goose. It seems like its more personal than just a RIO pissing match; before Slider leaves abruptly but Ice says a goodbye and follows after Slider.

So between Slider/Ice and Goose/Mav theres clear hostility to the point of the entire atmosphere being shifted to a more hostile one when the two groups were in close quarters. Which was half of it posturing, oh absolutely-- but the other half was that Maverick, and by extension Goose, were unreliable and wild; complete dangers in the sky and complete liabilities. It contrasted with Slider/Ice completely, which I think it was the main issue with Slider/Ice meanwhile competitiveness was the main issue with Mav/Goose.

HOWEVER with Hollywood/Wolf? Slider and Ice are seen hanging out with them at the bar, the volleyball scene, during the Voodoo fight scene (even though H/W got knocked out early), and friendly bantering in the locker room scene; there was a clear layer of mutual respect between the two groups. There wasn't any open hostility in the way we see between Slider/Ice and Mav/Goose. Its trust without posturing and everyone seemed to get along well.

Which brings it back to true equals; skill wise its even acknowledged by Hollywood/Wolf on how Slider/Ice are a bit better/ "the gold standard" at TOPGUN/in the class. But it doesn't really form an enactable hierarchy in the group on Slider/Ice's side. To Hollywood/Wolf they see an elite pilot/rio pair thats incredibly skilled whom they can trust; and Slider and Ice see the same thing. Even if they're not on the same talent level (even though both groups got into the 1% TOPGUN class), they're "true equals" because at the end of the day talent recognizes talent.

HOWEVER, the key word is that Goose and Rooster are almost identical. Because aside from the mustache you know who Rooster really resembles? Slider. A man Maverick was never able to fully/actually get along with and who also notoriously not only didn't like Maverick back but actively antagonized him too. And therein lies the exact reasoning why there is still so much anger and issues even after all those years Maverick and Rooster have spent fighting.

Because Rooster isnt behaving how Goose would in this situation, hes behaving how Slider would.

Goose was the metaphorical yin to Maverick's yang; the more calm, rational, and the "Conscience" of them both. And yeah Goose might not have forgave Maverick entirely, he was also more willing to deal with things like this and more willing to see it play out in the long run/trust Maverick. Goose wouldn't have obviously just been happy go lucky right off the bat, but he also wouldn't have allowed it to fester nor build as Rooster does. One of the main points of Goose's character is that he is incredibly loyal. He wouldnt just go AWOL in the anger and upset and never return.

But Slider would. Slider already didn't like Maverick to begin with, because Maverick was considered a dangerous, reckless, and impulsive pilot who broke rules and wouldnt listen beyond his own ears. Whereas Slider (and by extension Ice) were more by the book. THATS why Slider didnt like Maverick. Because Maverick had a complete and total disregard for any type of rule or restraint and worked at his own interest first and that made him not only impulsive but a complete risk.

And Rooster is like that. He's (obviously) not the type to just forgive and forget. He gets emotional, he is guarded and will hold a grudge. He is just as by the book as Slider is. Half of his whole "struggle" as a character is adopting Maverick's mantra/belief of "dont think just do" thats necessary for the mission. Because Maverick looks at Rooster and sees the go-with-the-flow, open book, happy, fun, slightly reckless Goose and cant understand why Rooster is not also like that. He doesnt understand that Rooster has a more Slider-esque rigidness vs. Goose's more lax behavior.

Remember the whole basis of Hangman's entire grief with Rooster in TG:M is that Rooster flies too "by the book" and isnt willing to take a risk (which he then relates to that 'Oh Roosters scared because of what happened to his dad boo hoo'; whereas imo its more-so like Rooster will NEVER get over having to work 10x more than anyone for his spot, hes NOT going to jeopardize it over some stupid shit, plus hes literally SEEN what being an impulsive wild pilot does). Which is EXACTLY how Slider and Maverick's dynamic was-- Maverick and Slider dually antagonizing the other because one was too far wild and the other too tame.

So for Maverick to just go over everyones heads and pull Roosters papers from the academy? Yeah Slider would never forgive nor forget. Which is exactly what happened with Rooster (all completely valid that was NOT Mavericks place no matter how good intentioned it might've been), which is why Maverick just cant emphasize properly/completely admit fault for it even after all those years of being estranged.

Because Goose wouldn't act like this. But Slider would, and Maverick cant separate Goose from Rooster and Rooster from Goose. It turns the pulled papers conflict between Rooster and Maverick from a "misunderstanding"/oversight into the reveal of a fundamental personality clash.

Not only that but the continued struggle between Maverick and Rooster is a key factor into Mavericks whole opinion/methodology to his entire relationship with Rooster as a whole. And that is that Maverick is incapable of seeing Rooster as an individual and not just a Goose replacement.

He cant understand why Rooster cant immediately adopt the "don't think just do" rhetoric-- because a RIO isnt worried about that, they're literally along for the ride. They were there to relay data but followed the pilots lead, there was never any "clash of wills" between Goose and Maverick because their roles were complimentary to each other, not true equals that allowed for disagreement or disobeying that Rooster and Maverick are having.

We literally see this confrontation of Mavericks "RIO" placement of Rooster when Rooster turns his plane around to go for Maverick during the mission, and when Maverick sees him, freaks out. (which to the cinematographers you have my whole HEART for mimicking Goose's injury for Rooster in this scene like the ANGST) Rooster literally shouts at Maverick "you told me not to think!", it exposes a level of hypocrisy from Maverick. Because Maverick never wanted Rooster to truly think, he wanted Goose, who'd enable this behavior.

To me that brief little freak out is also symbolic of what Maverick wanted to relay to Goose after Goose's death-- anger and upset on how he just "didnt think" and essentially enabled Mavericks behavior. Because, and you see it, Maverick knows that it was an accident/SNAFU but also its the gnawing thought of maybe if he WAS a bit less reckless Goose'd still be here. (again the parallels of head injury furthering this motif/rhetoric of Rooster = New Goose to Maverick).

The towards the end of the movie when Maverick and Rooster are in the F-14, its incredibly telling how suddenly fine and even at some points joking/daring Maverick gets. Because everything is "right" now, like he never even left 1986-- hes got a Bradshaw for a RIO in his backseat and hes flying a plane. Thats all that matters, even though Rooster is NOT Goose. In that F-14, Maverick doesn't have to learn who "Bradley" is. Because he already knows who "Nick" is, and he can fall back into the muscle memory of 1986.

And you can argue "well rooster is an adult and he seemed fine by the f-14 part of the movie!"

Listen to me when Im telling you the only individualistic part of Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw WAS that entire fight with Maverick over 15 years. Everything else he has, the bronco, the colorful bold shirts, the freaking "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis, the piano at the bar, being shoved into the back of an F-14 to be the RIO? Thats Goose. NOT Bradley. Thats Bradley who at the ripe old age of freaking 2 started being put into a Goose shaped box with no way out. THAT is his normal, of course he doesnt know any better.

Kakashi upon revelation that now all of his students are girls due to this faulty sealwork thats going to take ages to fix, and now contained in the Hokage mansion together, has decided to embrace being a girl dad; these are his experiences as such;

Previously thought his days of being a walking wallet was over as all of his students are adults. This is proven not true.

Sasuke, literal ka-trillionare twice over, aghast,: Credit Card??????? Sakura: ID??????? Naruto: IM SO FREAKING PISSED--

He never expected to have to fight the modern version of the Three Sannin over outfit choices.

Kakashi: Naruto please, you need to wear an actual top, mesh does NOT count- ninja or not Naruto: Well it worked before! Why's it not count now?????? Kakashi, sweating: Well,,, its,, um,,, ANKO DOES IT, do YOU want to be like Anko???? That means you trust Orochimaru now? Naruto: well no, but- WELL WHAT ABOUT SAKURA???? SHE DOESNT EVEN HAVE A SHIRT ON Sakura: wh- HEY! THIS IS A WORKOUT BRA DUMBASS-- Kakashi: Sakura please for the love of god put on an actual shirt dont make this worse Sakura: Thats not fair! Ive ALWAYS dressed like this BUT NOOOOOOOO, when NARUTO says something now its a problem! Kakashi: No, its because previously I didnt KNOW about it. I sent Sasuke back to change after she tried to wear her Oto yukuta. Thats me being fair. Naruto, *sending Kakashi an 'are you stupid' look*: Sakura, scoffing: Yeah and then Sasuke proceeded to immediately leave via her bedroom window when you sent her to go change a half hour ago. Kakashi, springing up: SHE DID WHAT---

He has come to the revelation that any, all, and every man is a scum of the earth pervert who all have negative intentions to his daughters beloved students

No he doesnt care if said men have literally been raised alongside all of them. Still perverts. (Suigetsu is banned from the Hokage mansion, he was WAY too happy about these turn of events)

Finds out that bisexuality exists and now all men AND women are lustful sinners after his students

Saw Neji Hyuga having tea on the engawa ONCE with Sasuke and his mind immediately flashed to how kekkei genkai/occular jutsu obsessed the Hyuga are and had to have to be restrained by Gai lest he do something that would warrant a coup d'etat.

At the very next inter-Clans meeting, then went on to accuse Hiashi Hyuga of trying to arrange a kekkei genkai marriage and if he ever allowed another one of his x-ray vision clan members near one of his students again he'd ████ then ████████████ them all and then set loose a ██████ ██ ███ ███████ ██ ████ ███ █████ ██ ████ ████ ███ ██████ ███ so HELP him god.

Suddenly refuses to allow any and every Nara NEAR Naruto, has the lights on in EVERY room Naruto is in. No he wont turn them off. No he does not care about the electric bill. He sees a shadow so much as TWITCH????? Hes staring at it sharingan activated like a shark smelling blood in the water

AND he Sees how Lee looks at Sakura. ABSOLUTELY NOT. ACTUALLY, NONE of Gai's students are even allowed near any of his, yeah, no.

Realizes that Sakura is ALSO close to Ino and then goes on to have the most one sided grudge and hatred for the Yamanaka since the Warring Clans Era. Yeah they can read and steal minds and then go on to run flower shops like dirty FLIRTS, hes NOT letting them near his PRECIOUS SAKURA PETAL YOU HEAR ME---

Finds this like toy? thing? like a small plush/bag charm, of like a little face with an orange body and 9 tails- maybe a fox?? Turns out Naruto commissioned someone to make a custom made Kurama Labubu. She is incredibly attatched and declares that Kakashi is 'crazy' when he says he feels like its staring at him.

Hes also taken up the art of braiding. If he's lucky enough, he can french braid Sakura's hair before her early morning workout/early shifts at the hospital. Naruto is hopeless with hair, so Kakashi just brushes it because if he doesnt no one will. Does NOT disturb Sasukes sleep. Sai has learned a lesson Kakashi does not want to; BUT when Sasuke tiredly sits at his feet after finally waking up, Kakashi tries all types of intricate braids in her long hair. He is always proud when he sees its been kept in for the day.

Ironically enough, no longer has to separate Naruto and Sasuke fighting. Yeah that joy leaves quicker than federal funding when he realizes that now Naruto and Sakura, of all people, fight/have a rivalry. (Naruto made a comment ONCE on how she has more muscles than Sakura and Sakuras never going to let that go. Ever.)

Kakashi takes great joy at bringing Sasuke into work at the Hokage's office. Partially because Sasuke is incredibly smart and terribly competent regarding politics; but secretly its because she now looks like a carbon-fucking-copy of Mikoto Uchiha and has the time of his LIFE watching village elders and clan heads like bluescreen and freak out over it. Tsume Inuzuka, upon seeing this at an inter-clan meeting, broke out into such strong cackles and laughter they had to take a brief recess because she started looking unwell with how hard she was laughing, which was further spurred on by Shikaku Nara looking vaugely ill and if he saw a ghost before him. (Kakashi is later informed that Shikaku was on a genin team with Mikoto Uchiha).

Kakashi will completely and entirely disregard any and every Hokage rule/amount of work whenever Sakura hits her lunch break at the hospital because he'll bring her lunch. He'll suffer for it later but he cherishes the smile that Sakura will give him upon seeing hes brought said lunch.

It turns out, Naruto as a girl is a stress eater. Which is completely fine Kakashi has no qualms about it. Till he gets the credit card statement and finds out how much money Naruto's spent on Ichirakus Ramen.

Previously Kakashi never cared for gossip, it mattered nothing to him. This is quickly rectified because oh my god?????;

Kakashi, incredulously: What do you mean Meiruki-san doesnt know who the father is??? Sakura: thats what IM saying, had like 6 back to back appointments for like a gender-ultrasound and thats, you know NOT normal, turns out she brought a new guy to each one. Kakashi: *gasp* NO-, wait, SIX??????? Sakura: THATS WHAT I SAID- Sasuke piping in: One of the aunties at the market told me she sees her with a new guy each week, said that one time she got in an argument with one of them about how all he does is cheat on her and then revealed that she slept with the guys brother Sakura: STOP- really????? Naruto, also piping in: NO I HEARD ABOUT THAT TOO- I was at Ichiraku's and overheard the whole thing! Meiruki is VICIOUS, like how good could that family be???? Sakura: Do you think she's doing this for child support? Kakashi: I mean 6 different guys would definitely supplement a decent portion of income, and I think one of the secrataries at the tower saw her check in once with like the son of someone high up in a clan from the land of tea- Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke, all looking at him intensively: WHICH ONE. Kakashi: Ma, I don't remember, maybe- Sasuke: Mibari?- Sakura: Wagarashi?- Naruto: Wasabi?- Sasuke: Yuudou??- Sakura: Dokuji???- Naruto: Toushin???- Kakashi: -How do you even know all this?????

Like the man's in gossip heaven. He now realizes how much more detail women have regarding gossip.

Jin Rulan has for the entire duration of his life, has essentially been put into the cultivation world's direct eye. There was the hundred day celebration, then the deaths of his parents, then his Jiujiu, the young Jiang Wanyin would bring him everywhere throughout Jin Rulan's childhood.

How many times were Sect Conferences suddenly quiet enough Gusu Lan Elders would be proud because Sect Leader Jiang just got the infant Jin Rulan asleep? How many times did Jin Rulan sit with Jiang Wanyin during conferences, meetings, and anything and everything between? The only times that Jin Rulan was not accompanied by Jiang Wanyin was the scant few times he was in Golden Carp Tower where he was typically seen with Jin Guangyao.

Which, it wasn't the cultivation worlds business what happened with Jin Rulan, but it was always mentioned in passing how he seemingly inherited far more from Jiang Wanyin than many would have hoped, a spoilt young master with a temper. But as Jin Rulan became grown, his real parentage shown through- he could be kind and hospitable like his mother, and courageous like his father. He was his parents child, and that deduction was the first mistake.

Because while yes Jin Rulan could be kind and joyous like his mother, brave and courageous like his father; but they were his parents only in name. The people he was raised by?

Jin Guangyao, Lianfeng-zun, a master manipulator who was even able to infiltrate Wen Ruohan's immediate circle. Jin Guangshan's own personal attack dog, and despite his amicable facade if you look close enough you can see the coldness in his eyes.

Jiang Wanyin, Sandu Shengshou, The Master of the Three Poisons- who embodies all three, his temper is known just as much as his unending hatred for demonic cultivation and unending crusade to eliminate it entirely. He's just as venomous and ruthless as any snake from Meishan Yu.

These were the people who raised Jin Rulan, those are the closest thing he will ever get to parents, and people dont realize it till too late. They take the characteristics he presents as face value as genuine, never looking deeper (Jin Guangyao, always scheming, never true nor fair-). But there are,,, glimpses of genuine reaction- anger, outbursts, cunning, how he utilizes Jiang Wanyin akin to a threat (Jiang Wanyin, a temper to rival gods, Zidian always a threat, a promise-).

How Jin Guangyao always brushed off any concerns with Jin Rulan, never seeming to care how lavished with wealth the young Jin heir became, how elevated from his peers he seemingly naturally knew.

"A bit of spoiling will do him well, he is to inherit a great sect isnt he?"

How Jiang Wanyin would get more vicious at any seeming critique against his precious nephew, a ferocity not even seen upon critique of The Yiling Patriarch and his crooked path; not caring about who he intimidated nor threatened so long as Jin Rulan benefited from it. How the halls of Lanling Jin flashed a violent purple when there was so much as a threat to Jin Rulan's standing in Lanling, despite the fact the child was scantly there.

And Jin Rulan learned at his uncle's feet, how even after Jin Guangyao's death Jin Rulan doesn't outright shun him, able to spin schemes just as well as his late Xiao-Shushu. How over time Jiang Wanyin has stopped having to come in and throw fits to the Jin elders, as Jin Rulan does so now; fiercely protective of his precious Jiujiu; and when Sect Leader Jiang visits how Jin Rulan refuses any type of fallacy nor issue, refusing to let his Jiujiu be faced with "any inadequacy, you hear me?". How Jiang Wanyin seemingly doesn't even know nor realize just how vicious his nephew has gotten.

Mme. Jin is a morning person, Mme. Yu, however, absolutely is not.

I love, Xicheng, but for some reason have been focusing on XuanCheng. And this is exactly how they got together:

After Wei Wuxian gets kicked out of Cloud Recesses for fighting Jin Zixuan, Jiang Cheng, is you know, a bit bored. And has made an unfortunate habit of sneaking out on the weekends to go to Caiyi town.

On one of these instances, someone is also taking the same route, and it turns out to be Jin Zixuan.

They're both staring at each other in shock/disbelief, ("what are you doing??")

However once you go out of your rooms to sneak out, you have to BOOK it out of the mountain in order to not get caught.

With the threat of Grandmaster Lan catching them and an impending punishment for the rest of the weekend, theres a look and a mutual understanding to postpone any grief with the other in order to not get caught and they sneak out together

Right as they're about to make it past the borders, they see a Lan in the distance, and almost get caught. Well theres no better bonding than trauma bonding; and by the time they escape the borders of cloud recesses they both kind of think, 'well i can give him a shot'.

Thats exactly what happens- they go through Caiyi together, eating, drinking, perusing the markets, buying trinkets, etc.

They end up at an inn in high spirits, they,,, actually had a good night, and the other isn't that bad.

JZX comes to understand that JC is his own person outside of WWX and doesn't inherently have it out for him- just is protective of his sister

JC understands better that JZX only acted that way because he didn't want to be in an unhappy marriage with someone he had to love and not someone he could choose to love. (trauma bonding, very effective).

Its just about time to go back to the cloud recesses lest they actually get caught for missing curfew and not waking up on time, and they're about to leave the inn- right as the heavens open up and the storm of all storms happens; they are then informed that this storm wont be ending anytime soon, but hey the inn has a room or two left to rent!

They rent a room, and of course have more drinks, get to know each other; and when they're both properly drunk they go up to the room- just to find a single bed. (ik, ikkk its a semi-overused trope. i don't care though).

They're both drunk enough that they don't particularly care, so they get down to the under-robes and JC notices... how muscular... JZX is. How broad his shoulders are, his back muscled clearly even through a decent layer of fabric.

JZX goes to tease him till he sees JC,,, with his long hair down- looking like one of those porcelain dolls a shimei had, perfect in every way. And suddenly going to bed had never been a better idea!!

Morning comes and JZX and JC wake up and despite the amount of space left between the two when they went to bed, it seems they subconsciously had other plans; as JC is laying on top of JZX's chest, both nestled into the other.

They're embarrassed no doubt and WOULD spring away..... if their hangovers weren't so bad (LQR is going to KILL them). And in that sacred time of waking up with a hangover where you're trying to ignore your very existence itself they realize the time they spent together... was nice, actually.

Eventually they do get up and have to make the trek back into the cloud recesses, but they're already kind of screwed because people DEFINITELY know they're late, so if they're going to be punished might as well have a good time.

They end up spend the rest of the day in Caiyi, looking at the shops again, stocking up on snacks, eating from the street carts, and JZX even buys JC a jade bracelet for "a new beginning".

They go back to cloud recesses together laughing, smiling, and even after theyre punished for sneaking out, its pretty common to see them practically joined at the hip- no matter what time of day or occasion.

Eventually its spring and their classes are finished, JZX insists that JC come spend a week in Lanling because "the peonies always look gorgeous this time of year" and JC agrees.

They go and Mme. Jin is at first distant because how will this look on the sect after the engagement breaking up? But she sees how JC and JZX look at each other, and all the time they spend with the other- she supports her son even if he doesnt yet know what for.

Both of them go to the Peony Festival, both attached to the other, JC watching the festival with awe, and JZX watching him

They end up retiring to JZX's rooms after the festival ends, both slightly tipsy from some drinks when JC stumbles, and JZX goes to catch him, but maybe they've had more than their fair share than previously thought as they both fall.

JC ends up on top on JZX and they have this moment, where they both just look at each other and their eyes keep flickering to each others lips when, like a cord snapping, they both lunge towards the other and meet in the middle, a tangle of limbs and attraction and its perfect

Yeah turns out both of them are VERY attracted to the other, who'dve thought???

This continues till JC's time in Lanling is over, where he then invites JZX to a Yunmeng festival which JZX agrees to

Well Mme. Jin can't pass up an opprotunity to go see her beloved lover friend, Mme. Yu. AND chaperone her son and JC, who are doing a horrible job at hiding anything from her, in her opinion.

They arrive in Lotus Pier and Mme. Yu is there to see them, and IMMEDIATELY is suspicious of the two of them, but has better things to do

The entire trip JC and JZX are inseparable, much to WWX's horror and JYL &JFM's confusion

(WHY IS THE PEACOCK HERE??? Wait, is that a hickey? I thought you and the peacock were traveling togeth- OH MY GOD--)

Mme. Yu and Mme. Jin cursing the heavens for giving their sons their mothers taste, forever chasing after someone who they cannot have

But the days go by and JC and JZX are ever more enchanted by the other, going on market dates, going swimming together, sneaking off to go on picnics- puppy love at its finest, genuine and wonderful,

JC loves how strong JZX is, how genuine and earnest, how he may be a bit prickly but will always listen to someone's issues and try to help in any way he can. How JZX looks so magnificent in the glow of the sunset, and understands why the Jin wear gold.

JZX who is utterly enchanted with JC, how wonderful he is with the townspeople, how dutiful he is, how he looks goregeous- irregardless if hes done up or having just woken up in the mornings. How much the Yunmeng purple compliments JC, but how he'd be a striking figure in gold. How wonderful a swimmer JC is and how the slightest things can bring a smile to his face if you knew how to do it.