Oscar Night
The Oscars were held not long after the mission took place.

The entire mission crew were still in California and had decided to have a watch party to support Cat in any way they could.

Of course, Cecelia was missing from this party as she was Cat's date for the night. (They had a standing promise that they would be each other's dates for events if they could find someone.)

After grabbing food, the group was gathered around the TV, spread across couches, chairs, and on the floor.

For the most part, they just had the award show playing in the background as they talked. Truly, they were only watching for Cat's moment, so they didn't really care for the others.

But soon, the moment they were waiting for arrived. A hush fell over the room as the Supporting Actress category was announced.

Despite not being there, when Cat's name was called the room clapped and shouted for her. Just like Cece, Cat had quickly worked her way into all of their hearts.

The minute Cat's name was called as the winner, the room erupted into cheers. They were all hugging each other, shouting out for Cat, and laughing.

Having watched West Side Story before they two left, the aviators were blown away by Cat's talent. If she hadn't won, they had promised to storm the Academy in protest.

They quickly quieted down for her speech. And there was not a dry eye in the room.

Cat thanks everyone she could, knowing if she listed them all, they would be there forever.

But then she looked at Cece who was sitting there, crying tears of joy for her best friend, her sister.

"I would also like to thank my family. My best friend, my rock, my sister Cece who came with me tonight." The camera pans to Cece, who is only focused on Cat. "Without you, without Ma and Pa, without our annoying younger brothers, I don't know who I would be. You showed me it was possible for me, as a queer, woman of color, I could make it. I could find my place." Now Cat has trouble speaking, her voice full of emotion.

"So to anybody who has ever questioned your identity, ever, ever, ever, or you find yourself in the gray spaces, I promise you this. There is indeed a place for us."

The audience erupts into applause.

"Thank you to the Academy and thank you all."

☽☆☾ ☽☆☾ ☽☆☾

Tony's Night
If these aviators thought they knew anything about theater, they were about to be schooled.

It was time for the 2022 Tony Awards, and they had managed to set up a Watch Party, despite not everyone being in the same location.

Of course, Cat was hosting the entire event, and the Marcellini family was in attendance. And somehow, someway, Cece had managed to convince Rooster to be her plus one to the event.

Hangman sure got a kick out of thay conversation.

And most of them can honestly say they hadn't really been into theater. But meeting Cece, Cat, Kai, and Ronen changed that. (It might not always hit, but they are more willing to watch it now than before.)

And the opening number alone shows them all they had been missing. Cat kills at what she is doing. Her singing and dancing are unparalleled. And they get a kick out of her audience interactions. (Fanboy is particularly taken aback by the Andrew Garfield moment. He's not called Fanboy for no reason after all.)

Moments throughout the show, whether Cat is on screen or not, hold their attention. The audience interaction for the Mr. Saturday Night performance particularly got them all. (Phoenix didn't know she needed Yiddish Scatting in her life until that moment.)

And the closing number?! Talk about a show stopper.

The aviators were so genuinely taken by surprise at how much they enjoyed this. Of course, they couldn't let it get around base, as they all had reputations to uphold.

But they had already talked about doing another watch party for the next Tony awards.

(Not to mention they all had notes for the performer of the night the next time they saw her.)

It's safe to say that the Naval Aviators of Top Gun became Broadway lovers that night.

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Word count: 719

The video posted above is Ariana Debose actual acceptance speech at the 2022 Oscars. I tried to summarize and add in my characterization of Cat. But the last line is taken directly from her speech. Make sure to give it a listen, it is truly beautiful.

I also highly recommend you check out anything from the 2022 Tony's you can find. (It's the 75th Tony Awards) most of it was taken off of YouTube (idk why it makes me mad) but I believe you can still stream it with Peacock (the NBC streaming service)

The Mr Saturday Night performance with Yiddish Scatting? I literally die every time I watch it.

But that's all I've got for you guys. So bye for now!!!