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“Goose told me you don’t have a girl there” Carol's voice traveled through the phone, her voice was preppy, but he knew there was a hint of concern buried beneath the bubbly attitude.
Mavericks lips twitched as he leaned further back into the room, he had been lucky today to manage to snag the call room when it was nearly empty. There was another man further down doing his respective fortnightly call so Maverick murmured quietly to Carol so they wouldn’t be overheard.
“I’m fine Carol, it’s just a dry spell. You know how they get on long deployments” he said softly his eyes darting to the clock on the wall, they only had a few more minutes.
She hummed slightly, “As long as you’re sure”. He heard something ding and Carol called out to Bradley, “Buddy your meatloaf is ready!”.
He chuckled lightly, Bradley was going through an obsessive food phase again. Eating the exact same meal every day until he couldn’t stand the smell anymore and honestly no one else in the house could either.
“I’ll let you go” his voice dropped off slightly and she sighed into the phone. He could almost see her look of disapproval as she rested her hand on her hip.
“Call me if you need anything” she said firmly, “I mean it Mav”.
His lip twitched, Carol was just as much of a mother hen as Goose was. “I promise”, his heart clenched as he heard Bradley yell out a goodbye as they hung up. What he would give to be back with the kid again, he replaced the phone on the wall watching the clock as the final 3 minutes came and went giving himself time to collect himself before going to find Goose.
Of course it wasn’t hard to find him, the man was lounging out on his bunk. He had his khaki pants on and his uniform shirt unbuttoned crumbling into a heap at his sides as it stayed on purely around his shoulders. His chest rising with each breath as his standard white wife beater strained around his muscles.
Goose looked up away from his book when the cabin door opened, an easy smile falling onto his lips as his mustache twitched.
“How did it go, honey?” he asked softly, putting his book to the side as Maverick closed the distance, taking care not to step on the taller man as he carefully crawled onto the small bed before he dropped onto Goose. He laid partially on top of the man, curled up to his side with Goose's thick arm around him securely, his ear on the man’s chest listening to his heartbeat.
One hand calmly stroked through his hair as the other retrieved his book from where it bounced. “That bad?” he murmured jokingly, his mustache leaving a prickling trail as he brushed his lips across Mav’s forehead in concern.
“I miss them,” Maverick admitted quietly, burrowing into Goose’s embrace as the man pulled him closer. Goose opened his book again as without prompting quietly started to read out loud, giving Maverick the opportunity to relax for a bit.
He had been high strung recently. He had been unfortunate enough to fall into a dry spell two weeks before they were deployed. He had thought by the time that they got here it would be over, but it had stayed strong.
He hadn’t gotten a dam boner in the whole three weeks they had been at sea, a highly unlikely situation for him. It left him irritable and stressed out. He found himself lacking the interest of bragging about his sex life with Wood. In fact he lacked the sex drive entirely, he had no interest in it. He was used to rubbing one out every day, his sex drive being so high that sometimes he would have to have several goes a night before he was finally sated. It hadn’t been the first time Carol had called him a man whore; he unfortunately hadn’t been living up to the name
He felt odd, without the ability to get it up he felt somewhat…inadequate. Shy almost, like he was going to disappoint someone. He didn’t contain any of the confidence that he had two months ago, if someone had asked him to whip it out and show them the goods he would have with an arrant smirk. Now he might even consider running away.
He knew Goose had picked up on the issue, the man's concerned gaze when Maverick got up in the middle of the night feeling unwell. His skin was clammy with sweat and a surprisingly runny nose on some nights. An unsettled stomach that decided it didn’t like the sway of the sea; it wouldn’t be the first time that Goose got up in the middle of the night to hold him up straight next to the toilet as he puked his guts out into their ensuite bathroom. A blessing in disguise with his current infliction, allowing him to keep the issue somewhat private.
Goose laughed softly “you falling asleep bud?”, Mav grumbled a noise of acknowledgment into his chest, he could almost hear the crooked smile. “You can't go to sleep, bud. We have rounds later”.
Maverick groaned mourning the comfort as he pulled away to sit up, he yawned rubbing his eyes roughly only stopping when Goose pulled his hands away with a disapproving frown,
“Don't do that Mav, you’ll damage your eyes” Goose scolded, his fingers wrapped around both wrists the soft pounding of Mavericks pulse sounded below them. Goose rubbed the skin slightly before pulling back rubbing his hair affectionately, “God you're a mess Mav” he grinned with a huff.
Mav whacked the man’s hand away attempting to salvage what he could save of his hair. He frowned when he ran his fingers through it trying to restyle it but it seemed dedicated to staying randomly spiked.
He hummed a tired sigh climbing over Goose to get off the bed listening to Goose snort at his not so subtle knee to the stomach. Once his feet were on the ground he quickly moved out of range of the bed, knowing fully well Goose would attempt to reach out and drag him back for a noogie.
He tugged on his uniform pulling it down attempting to make it somewhat presentable. He turned to look at Goose who was lounging lazily on the bed still looking at him with a soft smile. The taller man raised his hands above his head stretching on the cot, his white shirt raised up slightly and he scratched at the skin absently.
Maverick rolled his eyes, “Get up you lazy bum”. Before Goose could retaliate a knock sounded through the room, and Wolf’s voice called out.
“Hey are you guys ready? Rounds start in 10” his voice was slightly muffled form the metal but there was no doubt that the man would be leaning against the wall waiting for them, Wood most likely keeping him company.
Maverick shot Goose a knowing look, smug as the older man huffed in annoyance calling back to Wolf.
“Give us a few Wolf” Goose called out as he swung his legs on the bed sitting up. Standing up and moving around the room his hands were already moving to his uniform shirt that was beyond wrinkled, attempting to smooth it while single handedly doing up buttons.
“Yeah Goose is acting like an old man today” Mav called out with a grin, flinching slightly as Goose flicked his ear.
He could hear Wolf laughing out in the hall, someone was muttering softly to him. “Like he doesn’t every day” was heard from the other side of the wall and it sent Wolf into another bout of laughter.
Yeah, Wood was definitely with him.
“Brat” Goose said fondly as he retrieved his watch, tightening it before wrapping his arm around Maverick's neck. His uniform was miss buttoned slightly but he was somewhat presentable. He would never understand how the man could do that in such a short time.
Maverick stepped forward goose attached to him like another limb easily moving with him. The door opened with a creak and as predicted they found Wolf leaning against the wall next to the door. Wood had his head tilted towards the man’s ear as he leaned over him easily, one hand on the wall over the man’s shoulder, he turned his head and sent them a lazy smile.
Wolf raised an eyebrow at Goose “What the hell happened to you?”
Wood sent Goose a soft smile, “Hey goose?”
“Yeah Wood?” He asked distractedly as he pulled his shirt down trying to um-wrinkle the stubborn fabric. His arm leaves Mavericks neck to run his hand down the scratchy fabric, licking his thumb and rubbing it against a slightly odd colored mark on the shirt.
“Your shirt is miss buttoned” he said helpfully as Goose eyes darted down to it.
“Oh fuck!” He cursed just as their Co turned the corner into the hallway looking startled at the sudden vulgar language.
“Bradshaw!” He blowed and Goose snapped at attention beside them looking far sloppier than the other three with his uniform in disarray. Goose sent Maverick an irritated look out of the corner of his eye. “Fix your appearance! You’re in the Navy not working as a barmaid!” The Co told him firmly, his eyes darting to his watch as he continued his way through the hall not stopping to bother to properly reprimand Goose. His pace was quick as his shoes squeaked on the floor clearly still wet from being somewhere on deck, rushing off down the corridor, continuing on his war path, as he called out behind him, “Don’t let me catch you again!”.
“You minx!” Goose turned on him, frustration clear as he glared down at him.
“I thought you loved me” Mav teased, pushing down his anxiety, Goose aggression softened. He sighed running a hand through his hair before joining his other hand and fixing his buttons.
“I do Mav” Goose said tiredly as he looked him over, as if trying to pinpoint something , “But you don’t have to get me in trouble with the brass to get me to say it. Just ask next time bud” Goose told him with a flash of teeth as his mustache wiggled.
Mav sent him a sheepish guilty smile, “In my defence they could have said something too” he pointed out throwing the others under the bus. Goose turned on the other men Wolf gaped at Maverick before attempting to claim innocence while butchering it horribly under Goose's disappointed look.
Wood simply shrugged holding his hands up in a peaceful manner, “Hey man, I warned you”.
Maverick slipped away continuing to their scheduled duties. While he loved Goose he didn’t want to be on the end of that look when Goose rounded back on him. It was best to let the man tire himself out on two other unfortunate souls.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It didn’t take long before Goose fell back into his cheerful moods, his frustration fading away as he threw an arm around Maverick’s shoulder with a grin.
Warmth built up in Maverick’s chest, an easy smile falling onto his lips as he soaked up Goose’s affection. He gently pressed into Goose's side and the man simply pulled him closer, brushing their sides as they walked. Goose looked down over his aviators that sat precariously on the edge of his nose, a thin layer of sweat on his face that made his skin shine as he gave Mav a soft smile.
Maverick’s stomach fluttered slightly at how easy this was, they both seemed to understand what each other needed without a word spoken between them. Goose offered affection easily to Maverick as if he wasn't touch starved, and hadn’t attempted to climb Nick like a tree many times over the years.
This was so easy, comfortable. It was safe, knowing that no matter what had happened nothing could rival the feeling of being in Goose's arms. It was like the world around him just faded away and the only important thing was the man's heart echoing his ear. The rise and fall of his chest that no matter how many times they did this, he always attempted to match. The smell of Goose’s aftershave assaulted his nose, surrounding him and forcing him to relax.
Something tugged at his heart strings as Goose's smile grew bigger with a soft laugh, “Something on my face doll?” he asked softly leaned closer his hand lifting slightly to play with the short hair at the nape of Maverick’s neck.
Mav had to force himself to focus on walking so he wouldn’t trip, he felt a purr of satisfaction rise in his chest, rumbling through him and threatening to emerge. He swallowed it down hastily, there was no need to embarrass himself.
He sent Goose a crooked smile, “Nothing, dear” he said, equally as softly, nudging the man playfully.
Goose watched him for a moment before letting out the small amount of tension in his muscles, fully relaxing around him. Seemingly accepting his dismissal, letting comfortable silence fall between them.
He was letting Maverick have this. The memories of the soft mornings waking up next to each other, watching the sun travel across Goose’s face as it rose in the sky. Watching in amusement as Goose grumbled and blinked at him tiredly, “Morning Mav''. It made his stomach twist and turn, small knots making themselves known. This was his family, his Goose.
And he had almost lost it all. He could never forgive himself for putting them in that position, that risk. To have so close to the end. He hated that it had been his own rashness, the very thing Ice had warned him about. His impatience and unwillingness to listen that Goose had scolded him for so many times. He had done the very thing he had promised Goose he wouldn't do.
“You’re the only family I've got. I’m not gonna let you down. I promise you”.
They had been so close to losing him. He remembered the smell of the anesthetic of the sterile hospital, the clattering of carts and the chatter of the nurses. He remembered Carole by his side crying into his shoulder with Bradley hanging onto his pant leg. Having to stand tall enough for both of them, pushing down his own guilt, his misery to keep himself focused and on task. Because his family needed him now more than ever.
He could only stand tall for so long before the pressure started to crush him. It hasn't stopped the flashback, or the numerous nights he woke up with a scream trapped in his throat. His heart pounding in his chest as he watched Goose hit the canopy over and over again, each time dying in a different way. Goose surviving ejection but then drowning when Maverick was too slow, Goose dying in Maverick’s arms because he couldn't keep them both afloat, he didn't keep Goose's neck cradled well enough and it broke in the ocean choking on his own blood in Maverick's arms. Maverick had killed him.
He couldn't stand tall enough, not for all of them. He couldn't keep them all afloat. Plastering a smile on his face when Bradley clings to him, brushing off Carole’s concern, returning her attention to her husband.
He felt like he was swimming alone in that ocean still, it was dark and cold. He couldn't tell the difference between what was up and what was down, leaving his disorientated and foggy headed. He could only hear Goose's voice echoing in his ears, crying out for him. Begging him to stay with him, to stay awake, not to leave him. The strength in his limbs fading with the chill as he started to sink further under, he struggled to fight the current of the water.
The silent battle stole his strength leaving him exhausted and irritable. The constant flood of anxiety swallowing him, the sudden inability to put up with anyone other than Carole, the odd stomach aches that came and went. It didn't stop the nights he went without sleeping, waiting until he passed out to finally get sleep without being haunted by his dreams.
It didn't stop him from dreaming that he was the one falling from the jet. What if he was the one that hit the water first, what if he sank under, what if he was the one who died? He could never bring himself to put blood on Goose’s hands.
He couldn't help the explosive outburst when Sunny pushed him. He wasn't ready. Why couldn't anyone see that? Every time he got in the air all he wanted was to send the jet into a nosedive, to let go to just watch it fall out of the sky like a fall from grace. Every time he went into the air his heart stuttered and his chest clenched. Sweat built up over his skin as he attempted to maintain his breathing. He wasn't ready, god damn it.
The constant nausea, the lack of appetite. Digging through medical kits for pain killers for the headache that never seemed to go far. Why did no one notice he was struggling? He had been so stupid, he knew the risks, everyone did. Why would he risk that?
It was an irresponsible, impatient, cocky move. Both he and Ice had been too busy measuring dicks to notice the danger they were placing their RIOs in.
Why Goose? He had a family, a son, and a wife who loved him. Why not him? Maverick didn't have anyone, the Navy would be glad to see him go. He could count the number of people that would go to his funeral on one hand.
Goose, Carole, and Bradley. 3 people. That's the impact he left.
Why not him? No one would miss him. After all he was Duke Mitchell's son, the man hadn't exactly left him a life to look forward to.
He wasn't coping, he didn't have anyone to go to. No one shoulder to cry on, no one to cuddle when nights got hard. He couldn't talk to Carole, she was struggling as well and she had Bradley to take care of. He couldn't be a burden to her.
Nothing made sense anymore, he didn't want to fly. Not without Goose in the back seat. In one day his life dream of flying had been washed down the drain and he had no one to blame except himself.
Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash.
He had never wanted to admit Stinger was right before.
You up for this one, Maverick?
Just a walk in the park, Kazansky.
He had been so confident, all he had wanted was that point. He had been willing to take any risk to get it. Apparently even his RIO's life.
He wasn't coping. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't deny it, without Goose, he was falling apart at the seams. Why couldn't it have been him?
Survivor’s guilt, his therapist had later explained. It wasn't uncommon and a bitch to get rid of, if he ever did. There was always a constant voice in the back of his head sneering at him, reminding him how close he was to losing it all. 15 seconds was all it had taken, 15 seconds.
Within 5 seconds, they had flown through Iceman's jet wash.
In 11 seconds, they were in a flat spin plummeting to earth with no hope of survival.
By 13 seconds, Maverick had been pinned. Failing his only task of keeping his RIO safe. Calling out for Goose to eject.
15 seconds was all it took from being a simple hop to the worst day of his life.
The echo of Goose's neck snapping on the canopy still haunted him. No matter how loud he screamed he could still hear it echoing through his head, causing panic to thrust itself forward and swallow him whole. Stealing his breath, sending him into a spiral of ‘what ifs’. What if it had been him? Would that have been better? Easier?
Goose’s arm tugged him slightly, dragging him out of his head. Turning slightly to look into the concerned eyes settled on him, he nudged him back a smile coming naturally. Goose always chased away his nightmares after all, he was still here. Maverick had saved him.
Maverick had killed him.
Almost
killed him.
It had been far too close, the months of healing and therapy after had been horrifying. It had been traumatic for Bradley who went weeks without talking to anyone. Selective mutism they had been told, that too was normal. He would grow out of it, and he had. If only Mav could grow out of his issues as well, but he was sure he would be haunted by his mistake for the rest of his life.
Goose was assuring them all Bradley would grow up to look just like him. Mav dreaded the year he would walk through the threshold of their familiar house and stop seeing Bradley. He dreaded the day the familiar face suddenly became haunted, the blood dripping down his face. Becoming Nick's identical image of the day of the crash. He wasn't sure if he could look at him and not see the blood, even if he knew it wasn't really there.
He dreaded the year that would be a constant reminder of what they had almost lost. It was unfair on Bradley but he wasn't sure if he could go through an entire year looking into the identical face of one of the worst moments of his life.
That one hour had been a lifetime for him, left in the freezing water cradling his best friend, his brother. In that moment Mav had prayed to gods he didn't believe in. He prayed to everyone, even going as far as making a promise to the devil. No price was too high for Goose. His blood had been everywhere, it had been smeared on Mav’s skin almost as if marking him for hell.
He had sinned. He had taken one life for another. An eye for an eye. He was simply waiting for the day that death chose to knock on his door to collect his payment for saving Nick. He would go willingly.
Goose tilted his head back dramatically as he sang, “Come on baby! I feel the need-” Maverick grinned, joining in as his lips tugged in amusement. Goose pulled him closer, flush up against his side. “The need for speed!” they cried.
Goose released a honking laugh that never failed to put a smile on Maverick’s face, he could hear some of the guys jeering behind them.
“They’re louder than a god damn rooster some days.” he heard Wood grumble behind them, letting out a groan as someone smacked him.
He heard Wolf laugh somewhere behind them further away as he called out to his partner “Don't be a baby, Wood.”
Maverick yelped as he was suddenly ripped away from Goose’s warm embrace as another set of hands grabbed him from behind settling on his hips. Lifting him off the ground as he was thrown over someone's broad shoulder.
He could hear Goose laughing again, as Mav sent a well aimed knee into his assailant's chest causing them to grunt.
“Stop wiggling you little gremlin” they grumbled in false bravo.
“Slider, you bastard!” he cursed, recognizing the voice. The man’s arm was wrapped around the back of his knees keeping him from flailing (or falling, he was a slippery bugger and they wouldn't put it past him), his other arm wrapped around Ice shoulder, pulling him close.
Maverick had the urge to reach out and yank on the bleached tips but Goose caught his gaze, the man was now smiling between Wolf and Wood.
“Honey, play nice” Goose cooed his lips turning into a smirk as Maverick glared.
“Yes dear” he grounded out as he pressed his knuckles into Sliders back by his spine feeling the bigger man jerk and hiss.
“You little rascal!”.
Maverick grinned and watched Goose roll his eyes. They had all become closer after the mission, he was so glad to have Goose back with him. He had feared for a moment that he would have to fly with Sunny or Merlin. Don't get him wrong they were good RIOs, but they just didn't…match. They didn't blend, not like he and Goose did.
After the disaster of hop 31, they had been rushed to the hospital. Maverick had still been soaked through, shivering from the cold in the lobby as Goose was wheeled past him a flurry of medical staff around him. Doctors shouting things out as a nurse knelt by his side on the bed pressing down on his chest in the familiar rhythm of CPR.
He finally remembered the others being there as well, Merlin had been leaning tiredly against Sunny's shoulder as the man read the newspaper. Chipper was pacing anxiety on the phone, while Wolf had jumped up to see him as soon as he entered. Wood was standing on the other side of the room refilling a cup of water, abandoning it to join his RIO by his side.
Ice was standing by the side of the room, Slider's hand on his shoulder as the taller man mumbled to him quietly. Ice’s eyes connected with his, something coming over the other's face. Something he never thought he would see on the impossible Iceman, the man who was emotionless, perfect in every sense.
Ice cold, no mistakes. Nothing got to the Iceman.
This had, it had been clear as day. Devastation and guilt as he watched them wheel Goose's body down the corridor. He was dead, there was no point. He knew he was dead, he had known for the last hour and a half in that water and on the ride over. Not once had the man's pulse jumped along his fingers. Not once had his
prayers
been answered. But somehow the man had walked out of the hospital, despite having been dead in the water.
Maverick learnt long ago not to question when he was given a miracle.
Carol had both her boys back, it had been a close call. Far too close, but they were there. She welcomed them both back with open arms without judgment, holding Maverick close, whispering to him “I don't blame you.” over and over until it sunk in.
It had been a close call, one he never intended to let happen again.
They had struggled for a while, it thankfully hadn’t been a full break but it took a while to heal from. Graduation had been two weeks after the accident and neither of them attended. Maverick instead spent his days by Goose's side monitoring him waiting for him to wake from his coma.
He knew Ice and Slider had won, he couldn't stand looking at the trophy without disgust. It had been the reason for this, it may not have started the fire but it had been the one who convinced them to pour gasoline on it. Watching it grow in size until it became unmanageable burning everyone in sight.
The others stopped by every so often but not as often as he would have assumed. Now that he thought about it perhaps they hadn't thought they would have been welcome. Ice and Slider came around a few times, Ice spent his time staring blankly at Goose in silence while Slider talked enough for all of them. He only saw Ice once after that, when the man came alone to see them. He stood there awkwardly overthinking his words as he attempted to talk to them clearly uncomfortable and lost at what to say.
“Goose was a good man.” Ice said solemnly, “We all liked him”.
It had rubbed him wrong hearing Ice talk about Goose as if he was already dead, he had snapped at the man to leave. Not once turning around to see the fresh tears that had fallen down the man's face, oblivious to the man's internal struggle to speak. Overthinking each word and yet still managing to get his words muddled up. He never saw him again. Not until the mission.
That dreaded mission that had come months after Top Gun finished. Goose had woken up within his first month in the hospital, using his second to rest and start physiotherapy, already on his way to healing. Determined to get back into the skies with Maverick, who was truthfully hesitant to let Goose back in a plane with him.
It had been his fault.
By his 6th month Goose finally got out of his wheelchair, happily completing his physiotherapy and made his way into Navy training to get back into the cockpit. He had only been cleared for flying two days before it had been announced.
9 whole months after Top Gun, almost a year since he washed out. A year since he had seen the rest of their teammates. They had stopped visiting after Goose had left the hospital, leaving them to struggle together silently.
It had still hurt to see them all as thick as thieves, seeing them all beam and cheer to see Goose again. Alive and walking, coming over to talk to him and give the man a slap on the back or even a hug. Then there was Maverick on the sidelines watching it happen, alone once again. It felt odd, he was used to being left out but this felt different. Like it was being done on purpose.
The mission where he had almost lost Goose again.
He hadn't understood it all until they landed on the carrier having flown their mission successfully and somehow still alive. He hadn’t understood until he clasped hands with Ice, his hands still trembling from the adrenaline and sweat pouring down his back under the hot unforgivable sun. He watched in mild fascination as the coldness bleed into something foreign and warm.
“You can be my wingman anytime!”
“Bullshit you can be mine!”
He had caught Ice’s eye over Woods shoulder as the man grabbed him and spun them around in celebration. Overwhelmed by the sudden attention from his classmates, as they flocked to him - all of them having something to say. It hadn’t been until he caught Ice's smile that he had realized what it was. Acceptance. Ice was the alpha male. Acceptance from him essentially bought him a ticket to everyone. The bastard just watched in amusement.
After that the whole class had been there as they helped Goose get to his appointments and his physician therapy. Helping shoulder the weight that had been crippling Carole and himself, who offered a silent supportive hand when he felt like he was going to collapse in on himself and give up on the world.
18 months later Goose was in the air with them again, “officially”. Apparently Viper had pulled a few strings to let them fly together on the Layton mission, something he had thanked the man for profusely.
They were both safe and cleared of all wrongdoing. Goose had taken to the attention with ease just shrugging his way through it and cradling Mav close as he sobbed his heart out not caring that they had been surrounded by the class. Everything had built up in the last two years, all his struggles and worries; the fear of Goose dying to the moment he was told he could keep his wings. He let it all out, no one could blame him.
After all, the last two years had been hell, but he had a much brighter future to look out for now, one filled with mismatched friends.
Little Bradley who was getting bigger every time he saw him (growing far too fast if Mav had anything to say with it).
Watching Carole and Goose interact showering each other in love. Watching as Goose pulled Carole into his lap as she shrieked with a gleeful laugh.
“Goose you big stud!”.
“That's me honey” he answered slyly as he tugged her closer.
“Take me to bed or lose me forever” she grinned as she pulled him down for a kiss. Laughing as Maverick deposited a complaining Bradley into their laps efficiently separating them. Taking on Goose playful glare with one of his own as Carole smiled at them both softly. Leaning forward to kiss his cheek softly.
“Go play with Mav darling, we wouldn’t want him feeling left out” she said cheekily ducking away from the hands dancing at her sides with a squeal of laughter as Mav took out his revenge as she slid off Goose’s lap.
Goose grinned pulling Mav away from his breathless wife, “Come on honey” he laughed, “You know this one”.
His fingers started dancing along the piano keys in an all too familiar pattern. Maverick knocked his shoulder with Goose's playfully as the man started his serenade, both of them crying out dramatically to the song.
“You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane
You broke my will, but what a thrill
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!”