#Callsign: Cyclone

[crinkled-emotions]

So glad you're back!! Could I request "you look pale", "infection" and "waiting room" from the whumpril list please? How would you feel about writing Cyclone looking out for and trying to take care of Bradley? I think he probably has a bit of a soft spot for him at this stage and knows a little about his past trauma and tendencies to push it when he gets a cold or whatever sickness. (Maybe a few cameos from the other Daggers and Mav at the end, ready to chew Cyclone out, only to find he's the only person who tried to stop Rooster from destroying his system once again lol)

Hey anon!! Thanks for the warm words 🥰.

I've never really considered writing Cyclone, but I'm down for this! Here's to getting his character slightly aligned with how he is in the movie 😂 expect a lot of cranky older man with Rooster's sass but also his respect for authority lmaooooo.

Also, from the movie I kind of remember photos of what looked like his kids on his desk, so I'm saying Cyclone has kids and that's that. Maybe even... grandkids??

Warnings: Rooster's PTSD diagnosis which isn't just related to his active duty, it's also his childhood and the amount of time he spent in hospitals.

-

The rip in his flight suit was an indication of what could have happened had he not been as experienced as he was. Rooster was a decorated Naval Aviator, when they instructed younger pilots they showed his flights and asked him to come in and talk when the older instructors couldn't get through to their mid-20's audience.

Do it like Rooster does it, the instructors said when questioned as to why the younger aviators were instructed to hold on.

That didn't mean he was exempt from making mistakes. Rooster had physical and emotional scars, but when younger pilots asked him for an explanation he was completely honest with them.

All of this put Rooster, despite destroying at least one jet on the Dagger mission, in Cyclone and Warlock's good books. It put the rest of the Daggers in good standing too, deployed as a separate squadron. Rooster had chosen to stay behind for the first one, instead coming on as an instructor at TOPGUN.

-

"Admiral Simpson, sir!"

Cyclone looked up from his paperwork, frowning at the LTJG hesitating by his office door. His secretary looked like she was ready to hand in her resignation but Cyclone waved her off, turning to the young man in front of him.

"Does Bradshaw know you're here?" He asked, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his seat. The young man nodded frantically.

"There's been an accident, sir. Hondo sent me to find you, said Captain Mitchell is out for the week."

"What do you mean accident?"

Cyclone's stomach tightened, already thinking worst case scenario. Then he frowned.

"What does Captain Mitchell have to do with it?"

"It was Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw, sir," the LTJG in front of him said. Cyclone reached for his jacket.

"Let's go. Have you called for the infirmary?"

"Yes sir."

Lieutenant Junior Grade Dawson led the way through base, navigating out to the tarmac. Cyclone could see the class crowded around one of the jets, Bradley Bradshaw "Rooster" painted across the side. He picked up into a jog, gently pushing through the crowd.

"Ah, hell, Rooster? Can you hear me?"

Rooster didn't look bad, but he didn't look good either. Something was definitely up. Cyclone knelt, doing a quick visual check over. Rooster was out cold, but he was breathing. The tear in his flight suit told Cyclone he'd caught his side on something, and with Hondo's help they got the suit down to his waist.

"Go and get me some towels," Cyclone said to the team still crowded around. When they all took off in various directions, he turned back to Rooster and ran his hand down his side, trying to find any cuts or broken ribs. Sure enough, his hand came back with blood and Hondo whistled.

"Medics are on their way. I didn't see the whole thing, but I did see him hit his side when he fell from the wing of his jet."

"Why did he fall? That's not like him."

Where Maverick was borderline chaotic and worked on pure instinct, Rooster was careful and every move he made was highly calculated even if it did look a little like something his godfather would do.

"Not sure. He was fine beforehand."

The medics arrived on the tarmac, wheeling over to where Hondo waved at them. They got out of the ambulance, coming around to assess the situation.

"Bradley Bradshaw, he passed out after his hop and fell from the wing of his jet. There's a pretty major cut on his side, it's bleeding but not enough to soak his flight suit," Hondo filled them in. The medics glanced at Cyclone and their eyebrows raised.

"Sir," they said instinctively. He waved them off.

"You've got his PTSD diagnosis in your file; if he knocks you out because you overwhelmed him, I didn't see anything."

Initially, Cyclone's first instinct with Rooster's diagnosis had been a medical discharge and full pension with a thanks for your service letter in the mail, but Maverick and Warlock had talked him out of it. Maverick had begged and pleaded for him not to, insisted it was mostly regarding hospitals. The psych assessment reports had confirmed that, so Rooster was allowed to stay.

For now, at least.

"Bradshaw, can you hear me? Can you feel this?"

One of the medics firmly rubbed along his chest, the other having a better look at the cut on his side.

"You look pale, sir," Hondo said quietly to Cyclone. Cyclone turned to him.

"Do you want to be the one to tell Captain Mitchell his godson broke on my watch?"

"Uh. No, sir."

Rooster startled awake, thrashing around, and Cyclone narrowly dodged the punch thrown at the medics. He moved, coming to Rooster's side instead of kneeling at his feet.

"Rooster! Rooster, you need to calm down. Bradshaw, it's alright. Settle down, it's Cyclone and Hondo. Do you know where you are?"

Rooster's chest moved rapidly as he took in his surroundings, frowning into the bright sun. Finally, he looked to Cyclone.

"Oh, I'm screwed," he huffed, letting his head lean back against the tarmac. Cyclone frowned.

"What makes you say that?"

"You're here, sir."

Despite himself, Cyclone snorted. Bradley Bradshaw really was Maverick's, even if it wasn't by blood.

"Can you tell us what hurts, Bradshaw?" One of the medics asked. Rooster swallowed, frowning as he shook his head.

"Please tell me you haven't called Mav," he groaned. Hondo cleared his throat.

"Well, I mean, I may have... texted him..."

"Fuck."

"He's on his way, but he's out in the desert so you've got a couple hours."

"Lieutenant Trace is also aware and she'll be back early from detachment."

Rooster's head shot up.

"You called Phoenix back from deployment because I passed out? Oh hell, she's gonna kill me. This has been a great exercise in her patience, you would have been better calling Seresin. At least then I know my death will be swift and mostly painless."

"Maverick said Seresin would cry if he knew you were hurt, Trace was on your paperwork," Hondo replied. Rooster winced, glaring at the medic who was looking at his side.

"Can you cut that shit out? It fuckin' hurts."

"You're brave, Bradshaw. Look, we're going to have to stitch it, it's a pretty deep slice. Let's get you into the ambulance."

The other medic wandered over with the gurney and Cyclone reached for Rooster's shoulder.

"Let's get you up, kid."

"Only Mav can call me that- sir."

Rooster promptly shut his mouth, letting the medic and Cyclone get him up and on to the gurney.

-

"Admiral Simpson? How is he?"

Cyclone glanced up from where he'd been sitting in the waiting room, arms crossed over his chest and if anyone asked he'd deny the powernap he'd been having. Maverick was striding toward him, looking exactly as he'd expected; panicked and very fatherly. Dad-mode was on high and Cyclone scrubbed at his face.

"He was alright for a while, but then they closed the exam room door and he had a panic attack because he couldn't see the hallway. They had to sedate him, so he's sleeping now, but he should be a little better now that you're here."

Maverick frowned, taking a seat beside him.

"How did it happen?" He asked. Cyclone cleared his throat.

"I wasn't present, but to my knowledge Rooster has been sick for a couple of days, and when he went to get out of his jet after a hop he lost consciousness and hit his side on the wing as he fell. He's lucky he didn't snap his neck."

"Sick? What kind of sick?"

"No one knows, the other Daggers are on deployment. Lieutenant Trace is coming home, when she was called she insisted. I got her on the first transport back to dry land."

"She's gonna kill him," Maverick chuckled. Cyclone snorted.

"She was worried. Is there something I need to know about?"

"Oh, no way, sir. Hangman says they've been inseparable since day one but it's always been platonic."

"Hm."

Cyclone wasn't completely convinced, but they were the same rank and honestly? He couldn't deal with the Dagger Drama (or DD as Warlock liked to call it) on a good day, let alone when one of them was laid up in hospital.

A doctor walked down the hallway and paused in front of them, chart in hand.

"Family of Bradley Bradshaw?"

"That's me," Maverick replied. The doctor smiled.

"Alright, you can go and see him now."

Maverick ducked into the room, calling to Rooster even though he was still sedated. The doctor looked to Cyclone, crossing her arms.

"You're not going in too?"

"Bradshaw needs his godfather right now, not an Admiral," he replied. The doctor hummed, nodding slowly.

"Okay then."

-

Rooster stirred, glancing over at the person beside him, and immediately groaned. Maverick smiled at him, squeezing his arm.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired... my side hurts."

"You were cut pretty bad, the mechanics are still working on your jet to find the sharp piece that might have hurt you. You don't feel nauseous or anything? You look pale."

"Is Phoenix here yet?"

Maverick glanced at the door and the way she was leaning in the doorframe, eyes harsh despite the concern. She made her way over, gently flicking Rooster's forehead.

"You got stuck with Cyclone to get you to the infirmary? What the fuck, how did you survive?"

"Wait- Cyclone? I only remember Hondo," Rooster yawned, scratching at his nose. Maverick glanced at Phoenix, the pair having a silent conversation before Phoenix squeezed Rooster's hand.

"Cyclone rode with you in the ambulance, gave your diagnosis to the staff when they couldn't figure out why you were so wound up."

"Oh, no shit- ow, fuck."

Rooster went to sit up but the pain in his side stopped him, clearing his throat.

"Cyclone helped me? He wasn't mad?"

"No, kid, he was worried about you. When you first came in they were wondering if you had some kind of infection because your blood work showed something, but whatever it was has cleared now. You've just got some new scars to show off."

"Oh. Uh, is he still here?"

"Hondo said he was, but I didn't check. Probably signing paperwork or gossiping with Warlock," Phoenix snorted. Maverick hummed, unable to tear his eyes from his godson.

"Roos, you sure you're okay?" He finally insisted. Rooster glanced over, a lazy smile crossing his face.

"Mav, I'm high as a fuckin' kite right now, I'm good."

-

Outside the hospital room, Cyclone backed away from the open door and reached into his pocket, flicking through his contacts for a moment before he found who he was looking for.

"Hey, buddy. What time is it where you are? 5am? Oh, I'm sorry... no, it's not important. Just checking in. What's college like?"

He leaned against the wall, listening to the voice on the other end of the phone, and couldn't help the grin on his face.

-

[tgmsunmontue]

I come up with ridiculous stories for some of these call signs... Like Cyclone...it's a brand of washing machine, and a cleaning agent, and a vacuum. And an ice block/popsicle.

Did someone prank him with washing liquid in the machine and cause a sudsy flood?

Was he fastidiously clean in the barracks and always make the other uphold their areas to the same level of cleanliness?

Did he just eat and eat and everyone joked about him being like a vacuum and 'give it to ol' cyclone over there...'?

Did he 'accidentally' have a red shirt in with his whites and everything went pink? (It was 100% another prank and someone chucked in a dye tablet... Did it happen to his dress whites? Maybe just the pants?)

Or was he obsessed with those cyclone ice blocks and can eat one in one mouthful? (Now there's a skill that has some others interested).

[calkale]

Mav: i think i really wouldve gotten along well with young Cyclone

Cyclone: yes thats why i changed everything about my life

[bayisdying]

Lucky Penny - Chapter Twenty-Six

A/N: I apologize for the wait between 25 and 26. It's been a long couple weeks and I've had zero oomph for this story. Don't worry it's not ending anytime soon. I love these two idiots too much. Also, sorry this is kinda short, next chapter heads will roll.

Tagging the besties for the resties: @mrsjaderogers @gracespicybradshaw @dragon-kazansky @askmarinaandothers @callmemana @ladylanera @kloofspeaks @milesdickpic @notyoursbutlewis @cycbaby @starlit-epiphany

Lucky was done waiting around for these idiots to be ready for the mission. She knew they were pushing it back to grate on her nerves, and damn it they had been successful.

"We run the mission tomorrow Hermes, I don't care that you think your men aren't ready. They are."

"Alright Steele, let's see if you're right." Hermes smirked at her.

She doesn't correct him.

-----

Meanwhile back in California Jake was also tired of waiting, he gathered all the reports he had found and printed them out. The stack was disgustingly tall, and with them in his arms he stormed to Ice's office.

"You have to pull Lucky from the mission." He said slamming the files on Ice's desk. "The men she is with shouldn't even still be in the Navy."

"What is all this Jake?" Ice asks.

"They are formal complaints made aganist all the men on Hermes' squadron. I've highlighted all the important parts. There's a long history of abuse and misogyny between all of them."

"Why did you do this research?"

"Lucky asked me to, she wants to bury them, but they are going to get her hurt if they run this mission."

"Well Jake, I appreciate this. But I can't pull Lucky from the mission."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"They took off earlier, they're running the mission right now."

Jake sees red. "If anything happens to her in the air..."

Ice nods, "I know Jake, I know."

-----

"Come on Hermes, get the hell out of my way." Lucky shouts.

"No can do Steele." Hermes replies.

"Bogey at ten o'clock." Joker announces, which causes Hermes to hang a right leaving Lucky totally exposed to the bogey.

"Are you shitting me?"

"Prove you're the best Steele."

Lucky takes a deep breath and reminds herself that she can do this. She pulls off a cobra maneuver that Mav taught her once and shoots down the bogey.

None of the men speak through the comms, in fact once the debris clears she can't find any of their jets.

"Hermes? Check in."

Nothing.

"Chaser?"

Nothing

"Jinx? Joker?"

You guess it, nothing.

They left her, they really fucking left her alone in enemy airspace. They were going to pay for this.

-----

The air in Ice's office was tense. Ice was sitting behind his desk, Jake was pacing behind him as the Admiral read all the reports he'd found. Cyclone and Warlock were sitting across from the desk also reading reports. Then there was Slider, Dragon, and Whiskey sitting on the couch fuming.

The phone rings and they all pause a moment before Ice answers and they hear his side.

"So the mission was successful?"

"What do you mean you don't know where she is?"

"You don't just lose a jet!"

"If she is hurt in anyway, I'll have your head."

Dragon is the first one to jump when the phone is hung up. "What the fuck do you mean they don't know where she is?"

Ice looks at his wife, and he sees the fire in them. The Dragon was about to be unleashed.

"They landed a little bit ago, everyone but Lucky."

"They just left her in an enemy airspace? How dare they. Jake is the only one allowed to hang her out to dry!"

"Hey, even I'm not that bad!"

"I know Jake, but it's kind of your thing."

-----

Pissed was an understatement, Lucky was fuming by the time she landed. She threw her helmet on the dash and climbed down, stomping her way to the rec room where she heard the laughter of the men who'd left her for dead.

Their laughter dies down when they see her walk in, fire in her eyes.

"I hope you all enjoyed your last flight for the United States Navy." She says, before heading to the women's locker room and digging through her locker for her phone.

-----

Jake's phone started playing "Cold As Ice" and he digs it from his pocket, he sees the confused looks around him.

"It's Luckys ringtone." He says trying to explain before he answers putting her on speaker and placing the phone on the desk.

"Jake, you need to take your findings to Ice right now." She says and they all hear the waver in her voice, she's angry. "We ran the damn mission and Hermes put me in the damn line of fire then they left me out there by myself. I had to dogfight my way back alone."

"What do you mean you had to dogfight alone?" Ice asks and Lucky doesn't even seem surprised to hear him.

"I had three bogeys on my tail, I took care of them myself. Plus the one that Hermes put me directly in front of. I was all alone, but I wasn't dying out there."

Looks are shared around the room, their girl had been in so much danger, but she'd fought tooth and nail to make it back to them.

Dragon walks over and speaks into the phone, "Baylie, I'm so proud of you."

They hear a noise over the phone and Dragon realizes first that she's crying.

"Oh baby, I wish I was there with you." Dragon says.

"I was so scared..."

"I know baby, but you're okay now, and you're coming home to us."

Lucky just cries on the other end, the sound breaking all their hearts, even Cyclone's cold, black heart.

"They'll pay for this Lucky, don't worry about that. You just get home." Hangman says.

"Thanks Jake, I have to go and debrief with these fucking idiots."

"Give them hell girl."

The line goes silent right as the door opens and reveals an out of breath Fanboy.

"What's going on in here?" He asks. "I thought I heard her voice."

Everyone looks at him.

"Okay you guys all looking at me is freaking me out."

Dragon makes the few strides to stand in front of him, and hugs him.

"She's coming home."

-----

[sebsxphia]

every day i realise i relate to cyclone more than anyone in the dagger squad

Vice Admiral Simpson sir! 😭🔥

Ask and ye shall receive 😌🤲🏽 @callsign-viper

[perfectprettypisces]

after reading so many stories where their actual names are used like Jake Seresin, Natasha Trace, Javy Machado, etc., it’s so crazy to me that not once did they say any of the pilot’s real names in the actual movie except for Bradley who has both Cyclone and Maverick say his first name (his last name is said a lot more) and Maverick (for obvious reasons)

not even like a Lieutenant Trace or a Lieutenant Seresin, they were always just simply referred to as “Lieutenant”

the only time we really see their names are on the beginning screen where Cyclone is showing Mav the 12 pilots and their last names on the tags of their uniforms in the bar scene

everyone is simply referred to as their callsign and even in cast interviews, they introduce themselves using their call signs and never the actual names

come to think of it? i genuinely feel like they weren’t in the movie THAT much because i saw a post that calculated Glen’s screen time and it was like less than five minutes total?

all this to say, fan fiction is SO powerful because this was such a minuscule detail of the movie that we could’ve forgotten about but everyone kind of just took it and ran with and now I can’t see it any other way

[fandoms--fluff]

Baby Bradshaw

Flufftober, October 19th

Sister reader x Bradley Bradshaw

Summary: You’re Bradley’s little sister whose 14 and he doesn’t exactly know about the mischief you (cause) get into until he gets called back to Top Gun as one of the candidates. Maverick hasn't seen you since you were six because of the whole pulling Bradley's papers thing. (You've been living with Ice). So, a lot has defiantly changed. Your callsign is Marvel.

A/N: I know the time lining doesn’t exactly add up, but I came up with this idea at 2am. Deal with it I think it’s cute (and hectic). Please, I know it's shitty but just bear with me for it.

Warnings: Swearing, Underage drinking (only a little), (underage) flying combat - it’s just a fanfic and I can create the rules so.....deal with it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Can I leave now?” You complained.

“For the last time, NO” Warlock answered while going through a stack of papers. 

You walk over to the front of his desk, where he’s standing. “Oh, come on, you’re the one who always says that I should be in the farthest room from where you are. Just between you and me, I’m pretty sure that this is because there’s something going on downstairs that you don’t want me to know about.”

“MARVEL!” He yells, fed up with you.

“WARLOCK!” You imitate him and his stance. 

“You know what? Yeah, your right I don’t think I can actually handle any more of well......you today. You can leave” He exasperated while doing a hand gesture when he said ‘you’.

Immediately you grab your phone from the tiny square table in there and sped out the door, deciding to go check out what’s happening downstairs since your brother was saying something about having to go there again today. He’s been complaining about someone - his callsign is bagman you're pretty sure - to you for the past week but won’t tell you why, so you’re deciding to investigate what's going on because, well you’ve got nothing better to do. Well, you should probably get all the science homework you have done but that's a later problem with bullying one of the navy research persons into "helping" you.

You've also asked Ice multiple times but he's found ways to distract you so you'd forget about it until the next day. (Yes, he has written a whole handbook of how to deal with your shit - you don't know of course)

While you're walking down the hall you've come into eyesight of Cyclone who was about to go into a room.

'Shit' you thought to yourself.

"What are you doing down here Marvel?" Cyclone, paused right before turning the doorknob.

"Well, my plan worked with annoying Warlock into letting me leave his office and now I'm going to figure out what you guys are failing at hiding from me just down the hall" you said pointing to a wide door into one of the hanger/classroom things as if it's a normal occurrence.

Which it kinda is...

"That's funny cause I don't remember allowing you to go anywhere near there" He crossed his arms.

"Well unlike everyone else I don't give a crap what you want or think I should do or just orders in general" You smirked and resumed your walking.

“Marvel! Stop!” He yelled.

Right as he yelled you started to sprint as fast as you could (which is FAST).

“MARVEL! GET BACK HERE. NO! DON’T YOU DARE GO IN THERE!” He started to chase after you.

The dagger squad and Maverick turned their heads to the noise coming from the hallway until the door burst open. You ran over to the other side of the room, quickly before Cyclone could get to you. 

By the time Cyclone ran in you already ducked underneath an old wooden desk nobody has probably used in years considering the amount of dust it held.

Everyone looked from where you hid, over to Cyclone who’s clearly pissed. 

“Marvel!” Cyclone called out, ignoring everyone’s confused faces.

You kept quiet, not making even a small amount of sound. Your legs are tucked up against your chest, tightly while you lean your chin on your left knee.

“Okay if no one else is going to say it, I am. Who the hell is Marvel? Is the little girl who ran in Marvel?” Hangman spoke out loud, earning an elbow to the ribs from Phoenix. 

Cyclone looked over to everyone and sighed before yelling out, “Y/N BRADSHAW!” 

At that you rolled your eyes and crawled out from under the desk, walking over. 

“You know I really hate it when you call me by my full name” You glared at him, paying no mind to everyone who’s watching with shocked faces. Bradley's face though was filled with more so disappointment. 

“You know what I give up, I don’t have the energy to fight with you today” Cyclone said, walking towards the doors. 

“Well, that’s disappointing, I’ve got nothing better to do and it’s entertainment for me” He walked out giving you the bird. 

“Wow! How real nice of you!” you said sarcastically before turning over to everyone.

You walked a bit closer to Hangman, giving him a death glare.

“Oh yeah, call me ‘little girl’ again, I’ll kick your shins until they’re raw and bleeding” You threatened him. 

His reaction is a mixture of shock and against his wishes, fright. Before you could laugh at him, Rooster started walking towards you with an eyebrow raised. 

“Okay, in my defense what do you expect me to do? Stay in my room and happily do fucking homework all day?!” You stated to him. 

You looked over at Maverick who was walking towards you and enveloped you into a tight hug.

"I missed you kiddo."

[whohasthecards]

Hangman meets this Nick-Goose guy at the bar (not a joke)

Jake rested his chin on his cue stick as he stared curiously at the pair at the bar.

The famous Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson and some skinny blonde guy were hanging around. He never knew that the Admiral could smile. Sure, the guy was fair and respected all around the base, but he was stoic. He shrugged and went back to his game. 

By the time he sunk the 8-ball in, he looked up and the Admiral was gone. He handed the cue stick  to the next guy about to play and went up to the bar, knocking on the counter.

“Ma’am, a cold beer, please,” He said flashing Penny a smile, she rolled his eyes and handed him his drink.

“Stop calling me, ma’am, I’m not your commanding officer, Lieutenant,” Penny grouched before smiling.

“Aye aye, Captain,” Jake said flashing a wink and Penny rolled her eyes in response.

“Damn, Pen, not checking IDs, you’re getting sloppy or soft,” The mystery man said and Jake turned to get a better look at him.

He blinked before realizing that Roo-Roo Bradshaw was somewhere in the Pacific Ocean and a good 30 years younger than the man.

“Shut up, Nick, he’s a grown aviator,” Penny sniped back, hitting the man with a towel as he batted it away.

“Damn straight,” Jake said, taking a sip of his beer.

“Ahhh, so you are getting soft, you’ve always been soft around aviators,” Nick said, giving Jake a wink.

Penny blushed and gave Nick another hit with a towel before another customer called her away.

“Piss her off enough and you’ll get thrown overboard, even if I gotta do it alone,” Hangman said, flashing Nick a sharp grin.

Nick gave a low whistle, “Damn, son, no wonder she’s soft on ya, you probably remind her of me and the boys back in the day.”

Jake frowned at that.

“Nevermind that, I’m Nick or Goose, choose what you want,” Nick, Goose, said, reaching out his hand to shake.

“Jake,” He replied, shaking his hand, looking the guy up and down, seeing the grey on his temples. “You used to be an aviator?”

“Old men, can’t be on active duty?”

“The Navy would be too busy worrying about paying for your back pain.”

Goose honked out a laugh that made his callsign make sense.

“I was a backseater, RIO, then after I left I became a civilian flight instructor,” Goose said. “Single-seater?”

“Yep,” Jake said, finally deciding to sit down beside the older man. “Lucky guess?”

It was Jake’s turn to be scrutinized as he was looked up and down, “Nah, I just know the type, do you prefer Jake or Hangman?”

Jake’s lip twitched down before he settled on a blank mask. He used to have no shame regarding his callsign, so who gives a shit if he misspelled a couple words here and there. Until.

“All you do is leave good men hanging! Goddamn executioner of your own squad!”

“Hangman! Smoke in the ai-”

“Lieutenant Jacob “Hangman” Seresin, you did everything you could, dismissed.”

He took a deep breath that was more shaky than he’ll ever admit, “Jake’s good,” he said, flashing a smirk as he took another sip of his drink.

The older man’s eyes softened and he gave Jake a small smile.

“How about you?” Jake asked, realizing it was polite to reciprocate the question.

“Eh, either is fine, they’re both the same to me,” Nick said, shrugging. 

“Doesn’t Goose remind you of the thrill of being in a jet?” Jake asked, swirling his beer bottle around. 

“Nah, reminds me more of hanging around the boys,” Nick replied. “Still see them, but it ain’t the same as it used to be. Plus, I think I’ve had enough excitement for this life,” Nick said chuckling, leaning back and both men wincing as they heard his spine crack.

“You’re showing your age, old man,” Jake muttered, looking at him worriedly, wondering if he was about to keel over. “You hangin’ in there, gramps?”

Nick chuckled, “Not that old, brat, I have a son your age. He’s 27.”

“How old do you think I am?” 

“Hmmm, 21?”

Jake squawked in offense, “You’re actin’ like this my second time drinkin’ or somethin’!”

Nick raised a brow at him, “Is it not?”

Jake glared at him and all Goose saw was the same pout on his son’s face when he withheld the cookies from him.

“ ‘M 23,” Jake muttered.

“See? Not that far off, no need to get your feathers all ruffled, birdy,” Nick said, honking out a laugh.

Jake grumbled, but Goose could see the smile behind the sip of the beer bottle.

—

“Mav, did the Navy bio-engineer you and Ice’s DNA to create a son we don’t know about?” 

Mav paused, looking at his phone to check if this was Goose he was talking to. “Not that I know off,” he said slowly. “Why?”

“Kid, tall, blond hair, green eyes, naval aviator, technical flying style with some of your style, has your social skills too,” Goose added the last part thoughtfully. 

“Is that a compliment to the kid or an insult?”

“....Anyways, you made sure you don’t have some kid we don’t know about, right? Because if you gave me a nephew and didn’t make me his godfather I will ground you, no jets for a month.”

“Let me check with Ice.”

—

“Hello my sweet-precious-baby-mini-me,” Goose crowed to the phone as his son groaned on the other line.

“Dad, I am taller and bigger than you.”

“You still get your good looks from me, honey, how’s the deployment going?”

“The other pilots are shitheads, the amount of ego here is astounding.”

“Naval aviators,” Goose said, shrugging before realizing his son can’t see that. “There’s never a shortage of ego, say these pilots are younger than you?”

“Some of them are, some of them are older,” Bradley said slowly, wondering where this conversation was going.

“Good, you’ll have enough practice then.”

“Practice!? Practice for what!? Dad?”

“All good things come to those who wait, Brad-Brad.”

—

Hey gramps, I’m being’ deployed to Top Gun, Hard Deck?

Sure, Jakey

—

Gramps flew with pops? Goose and Maverick ejected. Goose got an honorable discharge. Holy shit.

Bradshaw was Nick’s son?

Is that why he was angry?

—

Hangman was face to face with Bradshaw, anger coursing through his veins. Doesn’t he understand? If they couldn’t fly like Maverick, they would all end up dead. Dead. 

Is he angry because of hop 31? Pissed on behalf of his Dad? But, Nick wasn’t angry at Pete, right?

You can find out.

“Come on, take a walk with me, son.”

No. Nick doesn’t deserve that.

“You have a family Bradshaw,” Jake said slowly, watching as Bradshaw’s hackles raised up even higher.

“Yeah, kid is simultaneously too hesitant and reckless at the same time, and I thought my wingman is the reason I’m gray…”

“You’re almost 60 gramps, that’s the reason why you’re gray.”

“Don’t let them lose you because you can’t think straight. Feelings ain’t matter here, not if you want to live,” Jake gritted out, shoulder checking the other man as he left the room.

—

They’re alive.

He saved them.

Thank fucking god because in all the hours he spent on stand-by in his jet, he still didn’t know what the fuck to say to Nick if he came back, but his brother and son didn’t.

A selfish part of him wondered if Nick would still care if they both died.

Probably not. Thank god he wasn’t a complete fuck up.

—

The celebration died down and he was walking back from his long-ass debrief. Getting reamed for launching without orders.

He felt his phone ping with a text.

Come over for dinner when you’re onshore.

Jake gave a small smile at that as he sent back a reply.

—

“Hangman! Hangman! Lieutenant Seresin! Jake!” 

It was the inverted version of Mav calling out for Rooster during that first day in the tarmac. Except Jake was already turning around once Mav said Lieutenant.

“Jesus, Mav, calm down, I hear ya, I ain’t goin’ anywhere yet, pops,” Jake said, raising his hands up as he flicked his toothpick to the side of his mouth. “Don’t stretch your legs too far tryin’ to keep up with me,'' Jake said, smirking.

Mav rolled his eyes upwards as he put his hands on his hips, as if asking god for patience. Heh. 

“I wasn’t able to talk to you one-on-one after the mission, kid, how are you?” Mav said, eyes softening as he looked at Jake up and down.

Jake felt self-conscious, as he straightened up instinctively, which was dumb because surely Mav wouldn’t notice that he was eating less. That he felt more tired each day. That he doesn’t know what kind of man he is.

“I’m fine, Mav, just thinking,” is all Jake could say.

“Don’t think too hard, kid, you might hurt yourself,” Mav said, giving Jake a smile, but there’s a glint in his eye that told him he meant it.

Mav’s an ace.

“Do you think about it, often?” Jake blurted out.

Mav furrowed his brow, “Think about what?”

Killing people.

No, not now.

“Nothing, nothing, sorry, pops, long day, just thinkin’ about how much the big bosses lectures on and on and on,” Hangman said, cringing at the babbling he just did.

Mav frowned, looking unconvinced, but gave a grin when command’s lectures were brought up, “I just learned to tune it out and forget. After you hear the first one, it all sounds the same, anyways.”

Jake barked a laugh at that, “You’re a menace, Mav.”

Mav grinned at Jake’s laugh, shoulders relaxing as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

“Anyways, I’m here to ask if you’re free tonight? My family and I are having dinner together and I want you to join in,” Mav said. “Some of the other Daggers will be there.”

He felt a pang of regret when he realized he’d have to decline, and it must have shown on his face, when Mav gave an understanding smile.

“Have plans, already, huh?”

“Yeah, a,” grandpa, family, mentor, father-figure-, “friend invited me for dinner, I haven’t seen him in a while, and yeah. I wanna hang out with ya pops and the squad, cross my heart, it’s just that I already got plans, and-”

Mav cut him off with a chuckle, “I get it, kid, don’t work yourself up, there will always be next time. Just promise me I won’t have to bail you out of jail tonight and you have fun.”

Jail with Nick? What a joke.

“Aye, Aye, Captain!” Jake said, giving Mav a salute, smirking as Mav shooed him away.

“Yeah, yeah, go on, brat, don’t cause trouble, you hear me!?”

“As if you can talk.”

—

Jake took a deep breath as he turned off the ignition of his truck, grabbing the beers he brought. He ain’t gonna come to a dinner empty handed, and Nick was more of a beer guy, rather than a wine guy.

He went up to the door and knocked.

“Hangman?”

“Mav?” Jake said, blinking his eyes in shock.

“Jakey! You made it, kiddo,” Nick greeted warmly, gently pushing Mav away to envelop Jake in a tight hug. Jake closed his eyes and leaned in, burying his eyes on the older man’s shoulder, trying to reciprocate the hug despite his hands being full.

“Here, let me take that from you, buddy, and you two can catch up for a little bit,” Mav said when Jake pulled away from the hug, taking the beer from his hands.

“It’s okay, pops–”

“How come Mav gets pops, but you call me gramps?” Nick said, pouting as he slung an arm around Jake’s shoulder.

“Because,” Jake said dumbly, still a bit shock at seeing Mav.

“Ahh forgot to tell ya I invited my former wingman, Mav and of course you’ve heard of my son, Brad-Brad,” Nick said leading Jake to the kitchen. “Some other guys will be coming, later, some of them are part of Mav’s squad.”

“We’re well-acquainted Goose, heck, the kid even told me he couldn’t come to hangout with us because he had plans with a friend,” Mav said grinning at the two of them.

“Awwww, so you do see me as a friend, huh, Jakey?” Goose cooed, ruffling Jake’s hair as Jake pushed him away.

“I didn’t know you were invitin’ me to the thing I was already invited to!” Jake protested, blushing.

“Hey Dad, where’s the— holy shit, Hangman, you came?” Bradshaw Jr. said, walking into the kitchen. “Mav said you said no, did something happen?” Rooster asked, furrowing his brow.

Jake finally had a side by side view of the two Bradshaw’s. Definitely related. Should have figured that out years ago. 

“Ohhh good that you’re here Brad, here’s the baby brother I promised you years ago,” Nick said, steering Jake by the shoulders to push him towards Bradley. “You’ll love him, play nice, okay?”

“That is a pain in my ass, grown-ass man,” Bradley said, blinking slowly as if he couldn’t understand what was happening. “How the hell did you two even meet?”

“Oh, I found him in a bar acting like a mixture of Mav and Ice and I just gotta keep him,” Nick said casually.

“Baby brother-?”

“Congratulations, you’re adopted, kid,” Mav said, taking a sip of his beer. “Wait til Ice sees you.”

“Ice?”

“Iceman,” Nick said. “Tom-Tom, Tommy, Tomcat, you will probably be calling him gramps.”

“I am not calling the COMPACFLT, gramps,” Jake said, jaw-dropping.

“No, you will be calling my brother, gramps, Jakey, plus they already expect it, they have heard many stories about you.”

“You talk about me to the Iceman!?” Jake said, his pitch rising an octave.

“And me, and everyone else, I was wondering why I haven’t heard about this aviator kid Goose here was talking about, started thinking he adopted an air force kid or something,” Mav said grinning. “He only really called you Jakey.”

“Or Jake-Jake, Jay, Baby J –” Bradley started, smirking at a flushing Jake.

“THAT’s enough,” Jake said, pushing at Bradley to cut him off, but Bradley just laughed.

“Boys enough. Bradley, stop teasing your brother. Jakey, no pushing,” Goose said wagging a finger at them.

“Yeah, yeah, dad,” Bradley said, rolling his eyes.

“Also, we need to make a custody contract, Goose, I want partial custody of these two,” Mav said looking way too serious as he pulled out a pen and a piece of paper.

“We need to wait for the other boys to show up first, I have a feeling Cyclone or Iceman would be calling dibs,” Goose said grinning.

“What?” Jake said, confused.

“It means, you’re stuck with us now, Jake-Jake,” Bradley said, ruffling the blond’s hair.

—

“You named your kid, Bradley Bradshaw?”

“I wanted a little Brad-Brad.”

[peacefxlmyko]

Family business

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x mom!Reader, Nick "Goose" Bradshaw x wife!Reader, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell x platonic!Reader

Ask: "I had an idea for Top Gun, the reader was “Goose”'s wife and Bradley's mother, she is in the Navy and trains the squadron for the mission with Maverick. When Maverick and his son's plane are about to be shot down instead of Jake saving them, she is the one who saves them. Cute ending if possible" by @motherofdragons1998

Tags: Fluff, Angst, obviously Top Gun Maverick spoilers, hints to Hangster 👀, Reader is a widow, Use of Y/N, Reader's callsign is Shadow

Notes: I am SO nervous to post this omfg. This is the first thing I ever wrote based off an ask and I hope I did everything right with it lmao. This is also the longest piece I have ever written. I am not 100% happy with it, but I did my best and I hope ya'll like it! Apologies for any Grammar or in general writing mistakes, English isn't my first language. I am also open for more requests/asks!

Words: 2500+

Story under the cut! ✂️

Getting the call to return to Top Gun after years definitely wasn't something you expected. And finding out that you had to train the best pilots in the world for a suicide mission didn't make your anxiety any better.

After you arrived at the Academy, you were met with Beau “Cyclone” Simpson and Solomon “Warlock” Bates and they introduced you to the Mission.

“Captain Y/N “Shadow” Bradshaw." Cyclone began. “I'm Admiral Beau Simpson and this is Admiral Solomon Bates.”

“Pleasure to meet you, sir.” You replied.

“I hope it's no problem we will be introducing you to the Mission without the other instructor.”

“Other.. instructor, sir?”, your eyes narrowed a little in confusion.

"Yes, you will be teaching the class with another instructor.” Your curiosity was sparked, but you didn't get to ask anything else as they started explaining the Mission.

“The target is an unsanctioned uranium enrichment plant built in violation of a multilateral NATO treaty. The uranium produced there represents a direct threat to our allies in the region.” Warlock started to explain.

After the explanation it as your turn to explain your view on the mission. Then, they revealed who the pilots tasked with the mission were. “We've recalled 12 TOPGUN graduates from their squadrons. We want you to narrow-”

As soon as you turned to the monitor your heart skipped a beat and your breath caught in your throat. Bradley.

“Is there a problem, Captain?”

“I just.. didn't expect to see my son there, sir.” You muttered, still a bit in disbelief.

“Bradley Bradshaw, aka Rooster. I understand his father was also a pilot? What was his callsign again?”

Ouch. “It was Goose, sir.”

“Tragic what happened.”

Daggers. With every word daggers were being stabbed in your heart. Not one day went by without you missing Nick. Your husband. The father of your son. The love of your life.

After the briefing, you headed to a nearby bar to try and gather your thoughts. As you walked into the bar, you suddenly saw a familiar figure sitting there. No, two. Two familiar faces.

“Pete?”

The man turned around with a stunned look on his face.

“Y/N?”

“What the hell are you doing here?” You walked closer to him, a smile forming on my face.

“I could ask you the same.”

“He pissed off another admiral.” Penny commented and you cracked a smile. “It's nice to see you again, Penny” You smiled and sat down next to Pete.

“Don't tell me you're going to-”

“Teach a mission here?” You completed his sentence.

“So you are the other instructor! They wouldn't even tell me!” Mav chuckled at your complaint and shook his head a little.

You heard some noises at the other side of the bar and glanced over at the pool tables. There were pilots gathered and you recognised them as the graduates that had been recalled for the mission.

A few more people joined the bar. It didn't even take you two seconds to recognise your son. Hawaii shirt, sunglasses on his nose, that damn mustache like Nick had. Bradley was the spitting image of his father. You also heard someone call out “Bradshaw! Is that you?”

You didn't want to admit it, but sometimes it hurt a little. The way Nick would have been so proud of him hurt. And knowing that you were the reason his papers were held back because you didn't want him to have the same fate as Goose.

As soon as Pete recognised Bradley he quickly turned away, as if to hide from him. “Mav, you don't have to hi-”

“I cost him years of his career.”

“I know, but that was because I wanted it that way. You did it for me, because of Goose. Don't you think it's time he finds out it was me?”

“No, god no. It'll be fine, just.. let it be.”

You sighed and turned back to your drink, taking a few sips.

“How about ringing me up before the evening rush?” Maverick suddenly said to Penny and stood up. You glanced over at Bradley, watching him with his fellow aviators. Hasn't even noticed his own mother yet. You chuckled a little to yourself.

“It's been declined.”

You snapped out of your thoughts when Penny said that to Pete and laid his credit card on the table in front of him. You curiously watched and tried to hide your amused grin.

“You're kidding.”

Soon enough, Pete was getting carried out by three pilots and you watched, not even hiding your amusement.

Then, you heard a few tones coming from the piano and your heart dropped.

“You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain. Too much love drives a man insane.”

Rooster was playing and singing “Great balls of fire”. The same song Nick loved performing, a little out of key but it was still always the most perfect thing to you. You stared at him in disbelief, his back turned to you. Other pilots were standing next to him, singing along. The whole Bar was watching him. Your little boy.

After he was finished you watched him perform a little funny dance as the bar kept chanting “Rooster! Rooster!”. God, when did he grow up so much?

You stood up and slowly made your way towards him.

“I assumed you would at least let your Mother know when you're on a new Mission?”

You could see the way his heart dropped and he looked like a toddler being caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Mom?” He slowly turned around to you, you had an amused grin on your face.

“This is how I find out you're back at TOPGUN?” You grinned. You could hear his friends letting out laughs and a few comments in the background. “I- uh—”

“Oh, shut up and give your mother a hug.”

________________________________________

The next day, all the pilots sat together in a hanger, ready to be taught about the mission. Admiral Bates was standing in front of them all, ready to explain.

“Your instructors are TOPGUN graduates with real world experience in every mission aspect you'll be expected to master and they are considered some of the finest pilots this program has ever produced. I give you Captain Pete Mitchell, callsign Maverick and Captain Y/N Bradshaw, callsign Shadow.”

Maverick and you walked in together, walking up to the lectern where Warlock stood at first. The pilots turned to look at you both and you could see their faces drop as some of them realized they kicked out their instructor last night.

You shot Bradley a quick small smile, meanwhile he gave Maverick a look that could kill.

You both started to talk to the class, Mav doing the most talking. After some briefing, you all got your Jets ready and then took off into the sky for some training and to show what they are able to do.

The next few days were spent preparing and training, trying to get them ready.

But once during some briefing in a classroom, a fight broke out. Hangman had made a comment about Goose and it set Rooster off, almost going for his throat but you all managed to keep them apart. Maverick dismissed them all for the day.

Bradley went back to the base to calm down, Maverick went to meet Iceman and you.. Well, you drove to the Hard Deck and sat down at the Beach there. The whole time you were lost in thoughts. Was he ready for this? Was I ready for this? Was anybody ready for this mission?

“Oh Nick..” You started to tear up. “I don't want to send Bradley out there. He's not ready. No one is! I-I can't risk losing him too! I.. I just can't lose my son too… He's my little boy.. Our little boy.. When did he grow up so much…? I need you here.. god.. I wish you were here..”

Even though he wasn't here anymore, you knew Goose was still watching over you and listening whenever he could.

________________________________________

It felt like the time until the mission flew by. It almost felt like a blur, as if it wasn't real. And burying one of your life-long friends made it even worse. Iceman could finally rest, but it was still incredibly painful. Seeing Maverick grief him made it even worse.

But in a blink of an eye, you were all on a ship in the middle of the Ocean, about to choose which Daggers would fly. You were going to stay back as Backup and Mav was going to fly with them.

You knew he was going to choose him as his wingman, but you secretly begged it wasn't true. You wished it would be Hangman, but it was going to be your son.

“Choose your two Foxtrot teams.” Cyclone said.

“Payback and Fanboy. Phoenix and Bob.” You both had decided these teams together, but the Wingman was Mav's own choice.

“And your Wingman?”

After a moment of anticipation, he finally said…

“Rooster.”

There it was. Your son was flying the suicide mission. And all you could do was listen through the comms and pray.

Everyone went on Deck and walked to their Jets. As you stood by your Jet, you looked over at Rooster and noticed him talking to Hangman. You had noticed throughout the whole preparation there seemed to be some tension and.. closeness between them. There was at least something.

You turned back to your Jet, climbing inside in case they needed Backup during the mission.

As the mission began and the teams flew away, your heart was pounding. With every minute you felt your anxiety increasing, scared for the safety of your son and also your friend.

You listened closely through the comms, listening to everything…..

“Bull's-eye! Bull's-eye! Bull's-eye!"

Yes! God, yes! They did it!

But now it was time to get back alive…

The rest of the mission was a pure air fight, raw dogfighting. They just needed to make it out alive. Please.

But to your worst fear the enemy planes were focused on Rooster.

“Dagger Two defending. Shit, I'm out of flares!”

“Rooster, evade, evade!” You heard his uncle shout.

“I can't shake ‘em! They're on me! They're on me!”

You didn't know what was happening., you weren't there. You didn't see it. All You could do was listen. Listen and wait. It felt awful not being able to do anything.

There was a moment of silence, only the heavy breathing from the pilots.

“Mav! No!”

“Dagger One is hit! I repeat, Dagger One is hit! Maverick is down!”

Your breath caught in your throat. Mav was hit.

“Dagger One, Status. Status! Anyone see him? Did anyone see him?! Dagger One, come in!” You heard the panic in Rooster's voice.

“I didn't see a parachute.”

Shit.

“We have to circle back!”

You felt your heart pumping, this was all so much. You knew this was a difficult mission, hell, a suicide mission but you still hoped this wouldn't happen!

“All Daggers flow to ECP. You have bandits headed for you.”

“What about Maverick?!” There was a strain in Bradley's voice.

“Dagger Square request permission to launch and fly air cover.” You suddenly spoke up. You had to help. You needed to help.

“Negative, spare.”

Shit!

“Dagger, you are not to engage. Repeat, do not engage.”

“Dagger Two, return to carrier. Acknowledge.”

Bradley, please. Come home safe.

You also wanted to save Maverick, but not with Bandits in the air.

The silence was killing you.

“Rooster, those bandits are closing. We can't go back.” You heard Phoenix say. “Rooster, he's gone.”

It hurt, but Bob was probably right. He was gone. He was with Goose. “Maverick's gone.”

Maverick had sacrificed himself for Rooster. Your best friend had sacrificed himself for your son….

Your heart began to pound as you realized Bradley was flying back. He wanted to save Mav. You wanted to scream at him to get his ass back to the ship, but you couldn't. He wouldn't even listen.

The not knowing was killing you. Not being able to do anything. Being stuck on the ship while your son was out there fighting for his life.

After minutes that felt like hours you heard the words you only wished to hear in your darkest nightmares.

“Dagger Two is hit.”

Rooster was hit.

You could barely hold it together anymore. You wanted to scream, you wanted to cry, but you had to hold it in.

“Dagger Two, come in. Dagger Two, do you copy? Dagger Two, come in.”

You were horrified. You might have just lost your only child and your best friend. Now you were alone.

One Minute turned into two. Two into five. Five into ten. Nothing. No reply, no sign of life.

You had no idea what the hell was going on in the tower, they weren't talking to you. Not one word. Was there a trace of the two? Were they still alive? You didn't know and it was one of the worst things you've ever felt.

After what felt like an eternity, you were finally given permission to launch and fly to their rescue after they had detected Rooster's ESAT.

Soon you saw them, they were involved in an air fight and obviously losing. You managed to bring your jet behind the enemy's plane without bringing any attention to yourself. That was the way you got your callsign. You were a Shadow, you could easily follow any planes without being noticed.

Just as they were about to shoot down Maverick and Rooster, you fired a shot and hit the bandit. The bandit was down and they were save. They were finally save and back with you.

You flew right through the smoke towards the F-14, you had never been happier to see a jet.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your savior speaking.”

There was a grin on your face, you had never been so glad.

“Hey, mom, you look good.”

“I am good, Bradley. I'm very good.”

“I'll see you back on Deck.” You flew back and were the first to land. You got out of the Jet and watched everybody put up a net to catch the F-14.

Once they were back on deck you didn't hesitate one second to run towards them. “Bradley!” You shouted.

Everybody came running towards them, cheering and congratulating them.

Maverick got out and first went to Hondo, while Bradley came running towards you.

“Oh, my boy, I thought I lost you. I thought you were gone.” You sobbed and took him into your arms.

“You're not getting rid of me easily, Mom.” He laughed and hugged you tightly, not letting you go for a while. “You're a hero, Bradley. I'm so so proud of you. Your- your dad would be so proud, god-” You teared up.

“I know Mom, I know.”

You parted from him so he could celebrate with the others. The other Daggers immediately came to him.

Once again you could swear there were looks between Jake and Rooster, but you didn't mention anything.

“Captain Mitchell! Captain Mitchell!” You then saw Bradley approach Pete. Without hesitating, Maverick pulled him into a hug. A hug that meant the World.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

“It's what my dad would've done.”

________________________________________

Days after the mission the whole Dagger Squad was sitting in the Hard Deck together, having drinks and cracking jokes. Bradley, of course, sat down at the piano and sang once again. The whole Bar chimed in and sang “Great balls of fire” with him.

“Oh! You're fine, so kindGot to tell this world that you're mine, mine, mine, mine!”

You could have sworn he took a glance towards Jake during that line.

[shadowsndaisies]

dogfighting 101: 06 - dead and buried

wc: 1.6k

synopsis: if it wouldn't result in a court martial or a dishonorable discharge, you probably would punch that stupid mustache off his face.

main masterlist

athena-verse master post

Your last run had been with Payback and Fanboy, you failed.

After, you sat and listened as Bradley almost got both himself and your dad killed. Jake’s running commentary doing nothing for your nerves. When all three came back from their run, you were stood in your black tank top and your flight suit rolled down and tied around your waist. Your sunglasses were perched on your nose, blocking the glare you had hyper-fixated on the idiots walking your way.

“’Thena! Darlin’!” Hangman’s drawl always seemed to emphasize your callsign, often dropping the first A, and elongating the E. Usually the way he says your name could get you to smile, but this time your gaze doesn’t even flicker to him, a stark contrast to just last round, when the two of you had been giddy off of catching Maverick with tone.

“Keep walking, Seresin,” you say seriously, and for the first time Rooster can ever admit to, Hangman simply does as he’s told. He doesn’t argue with you, or tease you. He doesn’t even glare or smirk cockily back at those left to face off with your ire, in fact, if anything, it looks like the smile all but melts from his face. Instead, he just keeps walking, not even bothering to look back, and Rooster’s brows furrow, because not for the first time today he’s left wondering what had the two of you been through to develop the relationship you had?

“What the hell were you thinking?” you all but hiss, pulling your shades off, so Bradley can see the full force of your glare.

He doesn’t know why he says it, he knows it’s not the right thing, or the right time, but he scoffs, and he sees your jaw shift at the sound, “So, now you want to talk to me?” he asks, and Maverick who had kept a distance, walking further behind him and Jake, was now catching up and was forced to stop as he watched the two of you face off, Bradley didn’t miss his sharp inhale at the tone you both were giving off.

“Don’t pull that bullshit with me Bradley!” you shout back.

“Bullshit?” he finally shouts back, and Bradley has to admit, part of it, of yelling at you, it feels really good. “It’s been twelve years since we’ve spoken! Nine since I’ve heard anything from you!”

“And whose fault is that?” that shuts him up, because now he knows you’re done pulling punches. “Whose fault was that Bradley Bradshaw?”

“I never meant for it to go like this,” is all Bradley can offer you, his voice suddenly weak as he pushes his own sunglasses up to look you in the eyes.

“Yes, you did,” you argue back, shaking your head at him.

“No, (Y/n)-” he tries to reach for you, as if it would help in making you understand.

“Yes, you did, Bradley!” you smack his hand away and instead point at him accusingly. “You did, because you were the one who said what you said, you were the one who took the insecurities I trusted with you and twisted them, the one who said all the hateful things you could think of, and then to top it off, you were the one who gave me an ultimatum!” you’re screaming at him, and he’s glad the tarmac’s basically empty now, because he’s sure that if Warlock or Cyclone heard about this, you’d both be booted from the program and probably given a formal reprimand.

Bradley also doesn’t know how to respond.

So instead he gapes at you. How does he explain how hurt he was to you? How does tell you he knows how wrong he was to say what he said and demand what he did? How does he apologize after hiding behind emails for the last twelve years.

He stumbles over that, hiding, because that’s what he’d been doing, isn’t it? And he was stupid enough to trick himself into thinking you would see it any differently.

“You made a decision, over a decade ago. You threw away a friendship that mattered. You threw away lifelines, and people who cared about you, and you did it without even asking for the whole picture,” you tell him, venom dripping from every word. “Let me make myself perfectly clear, Rooster. I have no intention of trying to resurrect what you killed and I was left to bury twelve years ago, but we’re both here, and so is Dad. So get your shit together, because the stakes are too high to be living in the past,” his shoulders drop and you hold firm as you finally make the point you’d intended to bring up.

You stare at him hard for a second before brushing past him and heading straight for your dad. He sees it in the hand movements, the stance, you’re laying into him. Probably equally pissed about the the corkscrew cobra maneuver, that he and Mav had just pulled. There is however noticeably less tension in you as you yell at your dad.

Bradley finds himself stuck for a moment, with the realization of how much anger and hurt was in your voice as you spoke with him. He had been too hopeful, he realizes, to think that emailing you would fix what he had broken. Too stupid to consider the real weight of what he had said, and how much more it meant coming from him than anyone else.

He finally forces himself to look away and walk back toward the hangar. He is extremely annoyed to see Hangman standing there. A witness to the mess that had just occurred. Though he doubted Hangman could hear much if at all. The other pilot rarely needed a reason to give someone a hard time (except you it seemed).

Bradley geared up for another argument, or at least a dig, but Hangman didn’t even acknowledge him as he approached. Instead, he kept his gaze on you, brows squinted, focused. Bradley slinks past him, bewildered at the flip, but gets stopped before he can fully exit the hangar.

“Getting killed on day one would be pretty counter-intuitive to wanting to go on this mission, and it might even make her hate you more, which I honestly didn’t think was possible.”

Hangman’s voice echoes a bit, but he doesn’t turn to look at Rooster, not even when the older pilot turns to look at him. Instead, Hangman stays focused on you, and you alone, and Bradley is left wondering what the fuck? once again, because that has to be the least contentious thing Jake’s ever said to him, and Bradley know that it’s solely for your benefit.

...

everything: @butterfly-skinnylegend

athena’s tags: @omgbrianab @smoothdogsgirl @bazellawriz @sbrewer21 @inky-sun @djs8891 @rory-cakes @geeksareunique @je6291 @kee-0-kee @fanreader75 @whoismurphyslaw @samanddeaninatrenchcoat @thespillingvoid

[snapghoul]

New au to the twin au just dropped. It’s the twin multiverse up in this b. Snap might be cookin.

What if Tyler had joined the Navy too? In this alternate universe, Tyler becomes an aviator, and the rest of his crew is also Navy. The AU remains the same: Tyler still participates in rodeo events and enjoys all his previous activities, while the Daggers remain unaware that Hangman has a twin.

Tyler’s callsign could be Wrangler or Cowboy, and his helmet would undoubtedly match the red of his truck. He might fly solo or have Boone as his Weapon Systems Officer (WSO). If Tyler flies solo, maybe Boone and Lilly the WSO, Dex and Dani as the WSO. Kate would be a pilot with Javi as her back seater, and they would all be part of the same squad, perhaps the Ghost Riders or Twisters.

Kate: Tamer or Salpulpa (Tyler’s fault)

Javi: Anvil, Lion, or Radar

Boone: Boone

Lilly: Cairo

Dani: ?

Dex: just Dex or ??

I don’t know I need suggestions for the others callsings.

The Daggers would remain unaware of Tyler's identity until the Cyclone announces a mission, when they’re assigned to work jointly with his squad. Jake’s grin would grow wider as Tyler bursts onto the scene, loud and enthusiastic, leaving the Daggers stunned and puzzled.

[callsign-dexter]

Safe and Sound

Request: Helloo dear 🥰 hope I can send you an idea as Im having such a shitty day :( so you're Mavericks adopted daughter and also a pilot but he always wants you safe and without danger. But he cannot protect you from falling in love with Rooster and he can't protect you when you get hurt during a mission. Both men stay by your side and Mavs heart blooms when he sees how careful and lovable rooster treats you, so he just knows he is the right for you. Just some angsty fluffy love if that's okay with you 🩷

Pairings: Maverick x Daughter!Reader, Bradley Bradshaw x Pilot!Reader

Callsign: Fearless

Warnings: angst, fluff, swearing, inaccurate military talk, plane crash

Masterlist

Y/N POV

"It's been an honor flying with you. Each one of you represents the best of the best. This is a very specific mission. My choice is a reflection of that and nothing more." My dad said while looking around the room and every now and then pausing to look over at me. I very quickly looked over at Bradley and he saw him looking at me, we nodded to each other and looked back to my dad. Despite everything that has happened from dad pulling his papers to Rooster not talking to him, we never stopped talking to each other. It drove my dad insane and he tried to keep us away but we loved each other and we fooled around here and there but never officially got together. I was so lost in thought that I almost jumped when Cyclone started to speak.

"Choose your two Foxtrot teams." Cyclone said in a loud demanding voice. Dad looked around and nodded and looked at Payback and Fanboy. My heart was speeding up each time he looked around the room.

"Payback and Fanboy." He said and Payback sighed and lowered his head and while closing his eyes and nodded. "Phoenix and Bob." He added Bob slowly looked at Phoenix and she looked back at him. I was happy they were going but also scared.

"And your wingman." Cyclone stated. I continued to stare straight ahead hoping and not hoping Rooster would be chosen. I looked over to Rooster and he had his head down and then I looked over to Hangman and his jaw ticked hoping he would be chosen.

"Rooster." Dad said and I watched Cyclone look over to Rooster and watched his head slowly come up.

"Since this is a dangerous mission I want you to pick a 5th Dagger for safety." Cyclone said. That threw us all off. Dad nodded.

"Fearless." Dad said and my heart stopped and made me jerk my head to the front. That can't be right. Why would he pick me?

"The rest of you will stand by on the carrier for any reserve role that's required. Dismissed." Cyclone said but I was so in shock that I almost missed what he had said.

I needed air once I practically rushed out of the room and into the salty sea air and walked to my jet. I wasn't hearing anything and just lost in my head. Before we left they brought us back and explained what we needed to do and how to execute the mission.

"This is what you've all been training for. Come home safely." Cyclone said we were dismissed again and I was walking to my jet not thinking of anything but the mission and why dad chose me when all he wanted to do was keep me safe. My jet was on the other side of Bradley's they couldn't see me and I could hear them talking.

"Sir." Rooster said the first time and didn't get dad's attention so he tried again "Sir?" which got my dad's attention. He turned and looked at him "I-" he started "I just wanted to say-" but was cut off by the announcement saying we were almost ready to go and people started to run around.

"We'll talk when we get back." Dad said and turned around to get into his jet. Rooster turned around to do the same when he spotted me and was started to quickly walk over to me when dad called out.

"Hey Bradley! Bradley!" He shouted and Bradley stopped "Hey you got this!" He finished. Bradley nodded and walked over to me.

"You be safe and remember I love you." Rooster said and kissed me which I returned.

"You be safe too and I love you too." I replied. What we didn't know was dad caught the whole thing and even though he didn't want us together and he voiced this several times. We parted and got into our jets I looked over at dad as the canopy slowly closed.

"Dagger One up and ready on catapult one." Dad said

"Dagger Spare standing by." Hangman said.

"Dagger Four up and ready." Payback said.

"Dagger Three up and readey." Phoenix announced.

"Dagger Two up and ready." Rooster said and I knew it was my turn.

"Dagger Five up and ready." I said feeling the nerves slowly starting to come a light but I couldn't show it.

In control room

"Support assets airborne. Strike package ready. Standing by for launch decision." The control center announced. Warlock looked over to Cyclone.

"Send them." Cyclone said.

Back to the Daggers

The next thing I knew everyone was catapulting off into the air one by one. We were flying when I heard my dad start speaking.

"Comanche Dagger One. Standby check in." I heard dad say.

"Comanche 11 set. Picture clean. Recommended Dagger continue." They said

"Copy. Daggers descending below radar." Dad said and we all looked at each other except Rooster, I could hear his breathing and was worried but knew he had this. "Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead. Feet dry. 60 seconds Comanche Dagger One. Picture." Dad continues.

"Comanche. Picture clean. Decision is yours." Comanche said.

"Copy." Dad said and looked over to Rooster than me. "Dagger attack." He replied. I looked up and saw the tomahawks fly past us and into the enemy airbase. There was no turning back now. "Daggers assume attack formation." Dad said and we all fell into line. Phoenix and Bob are behind dad, Rooster behind them, Payback and Fanboy are behind Rooster, and I behind them. "Dagger set. Proceeding to target. Two minutes and 30 seconds in three two one mark." He said.

"Two mark." Rooster said

"Three mark." Phoenix said

"Four mark." Payback said

"Five mark." I said

We started to go into the canyon. The twists and turns were hard and took my breath sometimes but this is what we trained for. Everything was running smoothly.

"First SAM site overhead." Dad said

"Looks like we're clear on radar Mav." Phoenix tells him.

"Let's not take it for granted." He replied.

We continued when suddenly Fanboy comes through.

"More SAMs! Three o'clock high!" And then Bob comes in.

"We got two minutes to target." Then Fanboy comes in.

"Copy. We're a few minutes behind Rooster, we've got to move." He was starting to concern me.

"Come on Rooster. You got this." I said over the coms so he could only hear me.

"Daggers, Comanche. We're picking up two bandits. Single group two contacts." Comanche said.

"Comanche what's their heading?" Phoenix asked.

"Bullseye 090 50 tacked southwest." Comanche said and Rooster after a long silence answered.

"They're headed away from us. They don't know we're here." He said.

"The second those Tomahawks hit the air base those bandits are gonna move to defend the target. We have to get there before they do. Increase speed." Dad answered. He increased his speed and so did Phoenix and Bob. I was prepared to increase speed but Rooster was still going the same speed which made Payback, Fanboy, and I fall behind.

"We got you Mav. Don't wait for me." Phoenix said.

"Don't wait on me either Mav. I'll be here when things get rough." I also said.

Comanche came on and said "Bandits are switching course to defend the target."

"Rooster where are you?" Dad asked

"Come in Rooster! Bandits are inbound. We got to make up time now. Let's turn and burn." Fanboy said.

"Come on Rooster you got this! Speed up." I pleaded.

"Heads up Phoenix." Dad said over the comms.

"Guys we're falling behind! We really got to move!" Fanboy exclaimed.

"If we don't increase our speed right now those bandits are gonna be waiting for us when we reach the target!" Payback added.

"Rooster listen we really do need to increase our speed. You can do this! We trained for this!" I said hoping to get through to him.

"Talk to me dad." I faintly heard him say.

"Come on kid you can do it. Don't think just do." I heard dad say and then Rooster, Payback, and Fanboy all increased their speed which made me increase mine.

"Jesus Rooster not that fast!" Payback said and I really wanted to tell him to shut up but restrained myself.

"That's it kid that's it. All right let's go." I heard dad say.

"Damn Rooster take it easy!" Fanboy exclaimed and again I wanted to say shut up but again restrained myself.

We were catching up to them. I was so proud of him. I heard dad say he was close to the target and asked Bob for the laser and he confirmed it but I was more focused on not crashing into the rear-end of Payback and Fanboy.

"Watch your heads!" Rooster said through the comms.

"Holy shit!" Fanboy exclaimed

"Payback you with me?" He asked

"Right behind you. Fearless you with us?" He answered and asked I didn't respond right away. "Fearless?" He asked again.

"Right behind you! My comms went out for a minute!" I said. Something wasn't right with my jet and it had been throughly checked over.

I heard dad talk to Phoenix but again I was focused on being on time and not crashing. My jet was starting to make a rattling noise but I ignored it. I heard Bob say they got a direct hit and was so happy about it but had no time to celebrate.

"Dagger two and five status." Dad asked.

"We're almost there Mav!" Rooster answered

"Right behind them!" I quickly answered

"Fanboy where is my laser?" Rooster asked him.

"Rooster there is something wrong with this laser! Shit deadeye, deadly, deadeye!" Fanboy exclaimed.

"Come one guys we're running out of time! Get it online!" Rooster exclaimed.

"I'm trying." He exclaimed.

"Rooster I can get it!" I said but Fanboy quickly answered.

"Nearly there! Nearly there!"

"Come on Fanboy get it online!" Payback said to his WSO.

"There's no time! I'm dropping in blind!" Rooster said.

"Rooster I said I can get it!" I said

"No time Fearless! I'm dropping in blind!" I clenched my teeth but didn't answer.

"Rooster I got this!" Fanboy came back.

"No time! Pull up!" Rooster said.

"Wait!" Fanboy said.

"Bombs away! Bombs away!" Rooster exclaimed. He released his bombs and thankfully they hit and we started to make the climb.

"We're not out of this yet! Here it comes!" Dad exclaimed. SAMs started to deploy. I could hear them talking and giving what positions they were at.

"Rooster, Fearless status." None of us answered.

"Oh my god." Rooster exclaimed and I was thinking the same thing. "Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air!" He exclaimed.

"Break right Payback!" Fanboy exclaimed to his pilot.

"Breaking right!" Payback exclaimed.

I tuned them out and gave them answers whenever I could but my comms were still going out. I was watching them and defending myself and them.

"SAMs at five o'clock, Fearless!" Rooster said

"Deploying countermeasures!" I said and hit the flares. Everything was chaotic and everyone was talking at once. Then my heart dropped when Rooster said he was out of flares and said that he couldn't shake them. I watched in horror when dad put on his breaks and let Rooster fly under him and take a hit.

"Mav! No!" Rooster exclaimed and then I couldn't hear anything my dad just went down. I couldn't hear what Rooster or anyone was saying afterwards. My hearing came to when Bob came through.

"Rooster he's gone." Bob said. No he couldn't be gone! My dad couldn't be gone. I needed to go back to the carrier my jet was not fit to fly anymore. I watched as Rooster disobeyed the orders and fly back for him. I wanted to but couldn't.

I started to fly back when all of a sudden my right engine stopped working. This was definitely not good. I had to let the others know.

"Guys go on without me. My right engine is down. I'll just slow you all down." I said.

"No way are we leaving you." Bob said. I loved that man but they needed to go on.

"No go on I'll meet you all there." I said and they go ahead this time. Next thing I knew I was by myself. I was just trying to get back to the carrier when all of a sudden a bandit popped up on my radar, this was not good.

"Dagger Five. This is Comanche. You have a bandit coming up on your two o'clock." Comanche said though I already knew that.

"Thank you, Comanche. I see them." I told them. The bandit was getting closer to me and was not being friendly I knew this was going into a dogfight. As I got closer it was clear that they wanted to fight. If this is to end how I think it is then I'll have 3 confirmed kills.

The bandit started to close in and start to get behind me. I couldn't let that happen. I jerked my jet to the left and started to evade and that started the dogfight. My jet was groaning with the turns and the twists. Smoke was coming out of my right engine.

"Come on Fearless, you're a Mitchell. You got this." I told myself. I didn't get to think long because the bandit started to shoot and it hit my right engine and I barely missed it but my plane was riddled with bullet holes.

"Control center. Dagger Five. My right engine is on fire and in a dogfight with a bandit." I let them know.

"Copy Dagger Five. We-" The command center replied but my comms went out as the bandit shot more and hit the left side of the jet, the left engine was starting to make noise as I moved to try and evade the bullets.

"Damn it." I said and tried to get my comms back up and trying to evade. Then I remembered that I was still carrying missiles. I pulled my jet up and got behind the bandit and shot the missile but they turned and it flew passed them. "Damn it, Mitchell. Get it together!" I yelled at myself. I continued to follow the bandit even tho my jet was protesting. I tried my comms again. "Command center this is Dagger Five. Do you copy?" I asked but all I got was static. Damn.

Every now and then I would shoot my gun and it would miss them and hit them. I must have them at least once because their jet was smoking. I was quickly running out of bullets. One last chance to take them down. I got behind them again and shot the missile again and it hit them and blew their jet up. There it is my 3rd confirmed kill. I tried the comms again and thankfully they were working again.

"Command center this Dagger Five. I'm coming back to the carrier." I said and then the adrenaline was wearing off and pain was radiating off of my left side and quickly looked down and saw dark red growing my flight suit. "I would also like to add that I'm hit and wounded and will need medical support." I said my voice shaky and growing weaker.

"Copy that Dagger Five. Medical support is waiting." They replied. I sighed thankfully and saw the carrier coming up but I was also growing tired and light-headed. I was able to put my tail hook down and the wheels and slowly guided the jet down. The jerk of the tail hook jeering my plane made me groan and start to blackout it came to a stop and I was able to open the canopy and then everything went black.

Third POV

The canopy opened and in an instant, the medical team was at her side getting her out and onto a stretcher. The entire carrier was silent. They could see her bullet-riddled jet and her engines were still smoking and a crew instantly put the fire out. They pulled her jet off the side where it was normally at.

In the medical wing, they were quickly getting her stabilized and unzipping her flight suit to find the bullet wound and no exit wound. The medical team was quick to hook her up to an IV and start to get the bullet out. Everything outside was blocked out and everyone had a grim look on their face.

Maverick and Rooster crashed landed onto the carrier and opened the canopy to get out everyone circled them and congratulated them but not as perky as they would have thought. What they noticed was weird was that Cyclone was there as well. He walked to them with a look on his face.

"Fearless is in the medical wing. It's not looking good." He told them. That's why everyone looked sad. Maverick and Rooster looked for her jet and when they found it they paled, it was riddled with holes. They both quickly rushed to the medical wing where they were just finishing up.

"She's stable but she'll need to go to the hospital quickly." One of the medical team said. They both nodded. Rooster went to Y/N and held her hand. Maverick looked on and couldn't help but see Goose and Carole in them. Cyclone comes in.

"Medical helicopter is here. You're both welcome to fly with her to the mainland. You both can debrief back at base." Cyclone said and walked away. The medical team comes and starts getting her ready to move.

Maverick's POV

I can't believe my daughter got hurt. I didn't want to pick her for the mission but she excelled in everything. I was proud of her and I knew Ice was too. I could tell she and Rooster loved each other. I didn't want them together because he was unstable and I wanted to protect her from everything but seeing them together was starting to change my opinion.

We walked with her to the medical helicopter. We both go in next to her. They refined us from touching her until on solid ground.

"She'll be out of it for a while until mainland. It'll help with the pain and the jolting around." The medic said. I nodded.

30 minutes later we were landing on the roof of the Navy Hospital and the hospital staff instantly took her out and right into the hospital to the OR. A nurse stayed back with us to take us to her room.

1 hour later they were bringing her into the room and set her up. The doctor explained what happened and what they did.

"She'll be out of it for a few minutes. Call when she wakes up." The nurse said and walked out of the room. Rooster went to her right and held her hand and sat down I stayed back a little but walked over and sat in the chair on the other side. He was so sweet to her, they were destined to be together. I was so lost in my thoughts looking between him and her. What jolted me out of thought was her groaning and moving around.

"Hey, sweetheart. You're ok." Rooster spoke to her. She opened her eyes and looked up at Rooster and smiled and then looked at me.

"I'll go and get the nurse." I told them. I stepped out of the room and went to the nurse's station and got the nurse. We walked back to the room where I stayed outside of the room they looked so happy together. The nurse walked out and smiled at me and I smiled back. I walked back into the room and they looked at me.

"Dad, I know you don't like us being together but I love Bradley and he loves me. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. I just hope you can accept that one day." Y/N said to me.

"It's true Mav. I love your daughter so much. I want to marry her one day and have kids with her. I've hated you for a long time but after what we've been through, I've forgiven you and I hope you allow us to be together." Rooster said and I knew he meant it. They both looked at me.

"Listen guys I didn't like you being together at the start but seeing how sweet, loving, and caring to each other. I have come to the conclusion that I can't stop you from being together. I see so much of Goose and Carole in you that I'm willing to put my differences aside with both of you and be happy with you being together. I just hope you can accept me to being back into your lives. I love you both." I said pouring my heart out to them.

"Of course dad. You're my father. I was never truly mad just disappointed." Y/N said to me.

"Of course Mav. I know you only did it to protect me but I love you anyways." Rooster said and I smiled. Y/N cleared her throat.

"Now you want to tell me what happened to you both?" She asked. Rooster and I looked at each other.

"It's a long story." We both said at the same time. We all laughed.

"We will tell you after you tell us what happened to you miss 3 confirmed kills." Rooster said and she blushed almost embarrassed.

"We got time." She smiled the smile I loved seeing.

So we began telling our stories to each other. Happy we were all safe and sound.

[helloheyhihowdyheya]

Ruffling Feathers

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x gn!pilot!reader

Masterlist

Summary: "It’s not my fault that your callsign is a flightless bird, dumbass." OR You hated Rooster. And his mustache. ...Until he made it hard to.

Word Count: ~4.6k

Warnings: Enemies to lovers. Arguing. Quite a bit of swearing. Flirting. Jealousy. Depictions of a plane crash and hospital room. Some angst, some comfort, some suggestiveness, and lots of fluff.

*Reader's callsign is Spider

A/n: Guess I just love writing angry!Rooster lol. This one took me a little bit, but I'd love to hear what you think! Thank you for reading <3

--

Stomping through the corridor, your flight suit pushed down to your waist, you tried calculating how hard you’d have to punch Rooster to knock that ugly mustache off his face —- or at least the stupid smug grin he always wore. Maybe Cyclone would only give you a lecture since you’re doing everyone a favor by shutting Rooster up.

The pain from digging your fingernails into your palm did nothing to distract you from the anger rising through your body. Just when you’d get the fastest time on the team, there he’d be climbing from his plane with a time just barely beating yours. You’d answer one of Cyclone’s questions in class only for Rooster to correct you on the most insignificant detail — all with that shit-eating smile.

He was a careful pilot, one that didn’t always act on impulse. But he threw all of that out the window when it came to you, clogging the comms with his amused comments to throw you off concentration. You didn’t take that lying down, either. 

But today, the back-and-forth bickering came with a cost. He’d been in the middle of throwing an insult your way, even though you were on the same team, when Coyote shouted through the comms at him.

“You’re down.”

His only response came with a string of swears.

Phoenix quickly followed with, “Got you too, Spider” as she locked onto your jet too. Her words had you dropping your head back against the seat, realizing Rooster came last with you just barely above him.

All that fighting had thrown you off, making both of your flying sloppy. You told him as much on the tarmac as you both completed 100 push ups for coming out at the bottom. As a burn bled through your arms, you considered strangling Rooster. Maybe when he wasn’t looking, like in the shower. Not that you often thought of him showering.

But now, walking toward the locker room, your anger began to subside — despite the sweat dripping along the side of your face and your aching arms. But any hope for peace shattered when you rounded the corner, nearly bumping into Rooster. 

A scowl immediately overtook your expression as you stepped back, taking in his form — already clean and sweat-free. It only fueled the explosive fire inside you. “Watch where you’re going, Bradshaw,” you told him.

“You should’ve listened to that advice in the air today, sweetheart,” Rooster shot back, his gaze locked on you. He had slicked back his hair, the ends of it still dripping wet.

You crossed your arms, accidentally making your slick skin stick together. “Oh, eat shit. You sabotaged me on purpose today.”

“Oh, so trying to save your ass is sabotage now?” He lifted an eyebrow, that frustrating glint in his eyes.

“God, you just never shut up, do you? Clearly, ‘saving my ass’ didn’t work, did it? And maybe if you stopped talking for one minute, I could actually focus on flying instead of wishing my plane would ram into yours.”

“Me?” Rooster nearly shouted, his jaw ticking. He stepped just an inch closer when you nodded as if it were obvious. “You’re the one that kept saying I couldn’t fly for shit, and look who actually can’t.”

“It’s not my fault that your callsign is a flightless bird, dumbass. And that was only because you kept calling me an asshole,” you told him, now pointing a finger right into his chest.

He scoffed at you. “Oh, and I wonder why I’d ever say something like that, Spider.”

With how close his face was to yours now, you could pick out the pool of colors in his eyes or count the freckles across his tanned cheeks. And before another retort could come to mind, the sound of someone coming toward the two of you echoed from the other end of the hall.

You broke away from him, telling yourself that your quickened pulse came from how infuriated Rooster made you. “Whatever,” you muttered, sidestepping him and making the rest of the walk to the locker room, your heart in your throat the entire way.

Ripping your flight suit off and finally getting clean, even with shaky arms, you finally took a slow breath. Your fingers rubbed down your face as water from the showerhead dripped along your body. You scrubbed until your skin grew angry with you — but you just let the water wash away the day, the setbacks, and any thoughts of Rooster, promising yourself that you wouldn’t let him get the better of you again.

And you’d kept your word for a little bit, biting your tongue when he tried to get under your skin. Turning the other way when Hangman joined it to revel in the teasing. Instead, you let Phoenix rip him to shreds when they got on her nerves too. Things quieted down even — hallway spats became silent head nods as you passed one another. You’d call that a win, especially since his mouth stayed shut.

It certainly became easier to tune him out when flying, just focusing on you and the plane speeding through the air. Hangman gave an instigating laugh, but all you saw was the course to run. Breathe in, breathe out. You were a good pilot.

And when you came back down, Cyclone congratulated you on getting the fastest time of the day. You nearly waited for the inevitable “But…” that followed after Rooster, but it never came. Instead, you were met with a pat on the back from Bob and Phoenix and no extra push ups for the day. 

Your body felt lighter as you walked to the locker room, back to your room, and even all the way to The Hard Deck. Fresh and wearing clothes that actually fit well, you entered arm-in-arm with Phoenix to the bar.

You two ordered drinks, chatting with Penny as the place grew busier as the night passed along. She quickly became too distracted to keep talking, but you just sipped on your drink, enjoying the good mood. More pilots arrived, giving you the chance to talk with them in between turns at the pool table. 

Coyote even convinced Bob to a game, goading the rest of you into placing bets. The laughter and smiles between everyone brought a glow to your vision. You and Phoenix were the only ones to bet on Bob winning, but it was worth it for his wide grin.

And despite Rooster also showing up, in that horrible Hawaiian shirt of his, you still managed to avoid him and keep civil. He didn’t even try to instigate anything — though that didn’t stop you from looking away any time he caught your eyes on him. But the competitive game going on proved distraction enough.

Coming down to the final shot, the game had every pilot leaning in. Several of them threw comments out to distract Bob as he lined up his shot. But a smile broke out on your face as Bob sunk the 8 ball, beating Coyote, and leaving both of them with looks of complete disbelief. 

You threw up your hands, clapping louder than all the booing. Others eventually joined in despite their losing bets, cheering for Bob’s unexpected victory. The way Coyote shook his head had you giggling until your stomach hurt. 

You gave a congratulatory pat on Bob’s shoulder as you thanked him for the money he won you. Collecting the pool of cash along with Phoenix, you told her, “Going to head to the bar, spend my winnings on another drink.”

She gave you a smile before you weaved through the crowd. Over the cheers and music, you asked Penny for another drink as you counted up your winnings. Plenty happy with the amount, you waited, turning around and resting your body back against the bar’s edge. The bubbling warmth never left your body when you hung out like this. Though a voice to your side broke you from the moment.

“You can put that drink on my tab, actually. Thanks.”

Turning, you were met with a handsome man you hadn’t seen here before. As Penny handed you your drink, you gave her a gracious nod. 

“Thank you, um…”

“Will,” he answered for you with a smile. And he certainly did have a nice smile. “To celebrate your victory.” He nodded toward the pool table, raising a beer to your drink.

“Well, he did all the work,” you laughed, leaning forward just an inch, though it was enough to pick up on the comforting scent coming from Will. You happily took a sip along with him.

“But you were smart enough to bet on him.”

A smile broke out on your face, gesturing out a hand as you said, “See! Finally, someone recognizes my gambling prowess.”

He bit back a grin of his own as he leaned his head in closer. His finger pointed toward the pool table again as he asked, “Alright, so since you’re an expert, who’s going to win the next one?”

You felt the heat of his body radiating onto you. The waves of it proved slightly distracting as you saw Hangman and Fanboy racking up the pool balls. Still staring at them, trying to hold back the warmth rushing to your cheeks, you said, “Tall, blond one definitely. He’ll cheat if he has to.”

“Okay, I won’t be going up against him then,” he laughed.

You turned back to Will, watching him run a hand through his dark hair. Did you wish your hand was going through his hair? Probably. 

He then asked, “Since you know how to pick winners, what are the odds of you beating me in pool?”

Raising your eyebrows, you told him, “Never seen you play, but I’d have to guess that you’d sink two in before I win.”

Lifting up his hands in surrender, Will shook his head. “Fair enough. I won’t put money on the line for that game. But…” he said, dragging his eyes across you, “what are the odds, then, of me taking you out sometime?”

You tried fighting the grin etching along your face at his cheesiness, not that you minded all that much when it came with that smile. As you were about to respond, the last person you wanted to see snuggled right up to your side.

“Hey Spider, Phoenix’s been asking for you,” Rooster said. His arm rested against the bar right behind your back, the weight of it along your spine.

You looked between him and Will, your teeth grinding together. “I’m sure she can wait a minute, Bradshaw.”

“Said it was important,” he insisted, smiling the entire time at the two of you. 

“Fine,” you muttered, offering a fake grin to Rooster. “I’ll be right back,” you told Will.

You pushed past Rooster, weaving through the crowd once again with your fist clenched. Of course he had to show up. You shook your head, willing yourself to keep him from getting to you.

Back with the team, you came back to find Hangman in the lead against Fanboy and quickly returned to Phoenix.

“Hey, what’s up? What’s going on?” you asked, hoping something terrible wasn’t happening.

But she sat there, beer in hand and a wide smile until she processed your words. “Just watching them play. What’s wrong?” Her eyebrows furrowed together. “Does it have to do with that hunk chatting you up over there… Oh, where’d he go?”

Your face twisted as you turned, standing on the tips of your toes and straining your neck to see over everyone. Right where you and Will had been was now occupied by strangers, the man nowhere to be seen. But you did find Rooster as he walked back toward your team.

“No goddamn way.” You muttered it under your breath, your face dropping in disbelief. “Hold this, I’m going to kick Bradshaw’s ass,” you told Phoenix. The blood rushing through you pounded in your ears, blocking out anything she might’ve said.

“Where is he?” you asked, venom laced in your voice as you walked up to Rooster. The laidback hang of his shoulders and that dumb fucking mustache nearly made you scream your words at him.

But Rooster just raised an eyebrow at you, holding his beer. “Where’s who?”

You squeezed your eyes shut, forcing yourself to take a breath. “Will. The man I was talking with before you interrupted, remember?”

“Ah, right. He left, had to go somewhere.”

“God, Rooster. What did you say to him?” you asked, shoving a finger into his chest. “Though I don’t know why I’m asking since you’ll probably lie like you did about Phoenix.” You crossed your arms, squeezing them against your body.

Rooster sighed, bringing his beer up to his mouth to take a sip. 

“Look, I’ve seen him around here before. Goes home with someone different every time.”

Scoffing at him, you stared daggers through his eyes. “You’re so full of bullshit. Even if that is true, I can find that out for myself, okay? You’re not my dad or something.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to save you from getting your feelings hurt,” he said, pretending to put his hands in the air like he was innocent. “God knows how bad we’d crash and burn if your heartbroken ass did worse up there.” 

You stepped back, feeling like he knocked the air from your lungs. Pushing past him, your shoulder hitting his, you left The Hard Deck — not even to find Will. You couldn’t handle either of them right now, not when you had to deal with Rooster ruining your night while pretending to care about you.

After that, for your sake, you’d made it your mission to stay away from him as much as possible. You refused to acknowledge his comments or even look his way. Classes were quieter, and insults were no longer thrown across the halls at each other. At least you wouldn’t be misplacing your trust again.

You had other teammates you could rely on, could trust with your life. But either fate hated you or Cyclone loved drama because he paired you up with Bradley Bradshaw once again — as if the universe and the class had to have another laugh at your misery. You just nodded your head at Cyclone as he named the two of you off, standing so still as if it could help you disappear.

Talking rose again as duos came together to discuss the practice exercise. But not the two of you. Your hard stare just fixated on the horizon. Even hearing him clear his throat set your body on edge.

“I’m, uh, sorry for how last weekend went,” Rooster offered, rocking back and forth on his heels.

You fought the urge to roll your eyes, not needing it to cause a lecture from Cyclone on how to work with your teammates. Your refusal to give an answer left a space of buzzing silence, one that Rooster filled again. “Didn’t mean to sabotage it, but I’m not letting a dickhead mess with my friends, alright?”

“Friends?” you asked, finally turning to look at him. “Is that what we are, Rooster?”

“Look, we’re on a team. We watch each other’s backs.”

A scoff escaped under your breath. “Oh, like when you got the both of us killed the last time we were on a team?”

As the words left your lips, Rooster placed his hand on your shoulder. The grip made you look at him straight, the sound of everyone else drifting to the background. “I never tried to sabotage you up there. I really tried to save your life. Okay?” His fingers squeezed when you didn’t answer. “Okay?”

With scrunched eyebrows, you said, “Okay, fine. Doesn’t mean you don’t flood the comms with useless talking to distract me, though.”

As his hand dropped back to his side, he raised an eyebrow at you. “Oh, so I’m distracting to you?” And there it was, that Bradshaw smug grin back in place. A small part of you in the back of your mind, or the left side of your chest, had missed it.

You weakly pushed against his arm, shaking your head. “I’m going to rip your mustache off.”

Cyclone called you all to start the exercise, the two of you among the first up. As you walked to your jets, Rooster said, “Oh, so you’re thinking about my mustache now? I understand, she is a beauty.”

You let out a long groan while fighting back a smile, which he absolutely saw through, before pulling on your helmets. Climbing into the plane and strapping in, you let the few moments of silence before flying into the sky center yourself again — to not let Rooster, good or bad, get in your head.

It was a regular dogfighting exercise, one that’d become part of the curriculum since Maverick came through. But it’d be you and Rooster against Hangman and Payback.

In the air, before it even began, in the buzzing quiet before it all descended into chaos, Hangman flew past you much too close for comfort. It shook your jet, making you let out a long sigh. You looked to your side, watching Rooster give you a thumbs up before Cyclone appeared in the comms. 

“First team to get a lock on both members of the other team wins. That easy,” he told you all.

That easy. They were good pilots, you all were. It’d be a long fight.

Immediately, you and Rooster split off in opposite directions. He climbed higher toward Hangman as you dropped, aiming for Payback’s jet.

Payback broke left, rolling his plane to the side as he evaded you. The world around you, the wispy clouds and landscape below, blurred past. Each time you came close to locking on, he’d pitch up or hit the throttle — always keeping you just out of reach.

“Spider, Hangman’s closing in on your six,” Rooster said through the comms.

In an instant, all of your focus on trying to eliminate Payback now switched to evading in any way you could.

“Almost got you now, Spider…” you could hear Hangman say. Your jaw clenched, your muscles squeezing harder with each passing second.

Braking hard, you rolled right toward the nearby cliffs, trying to keep him from locking on. You gained altitude with the little time you had of shaking Hangman for just a second, flying back around until you saw Payback in your view again.

If you went for him, Hangman would certainly be back on you in an instant.

But Rooster’s voice hit your ears. “Go for it.”

With those three little words, you threw your trust into Rooster. You sped up, diving for Payback and leaving Rooster to cover you. And he did. Without a second thought.

“Got lock.”

“You’re down!”

Your voice mixed with Hangman’s, two simultaneous kills. Hangman left Payback at your mercy. Rooster sacrificed himself to Hangman.

“See you back at base, Spider. Give him hell,” Rooster said, his jet peeling off and heading in the opposite direction alongside Payback’s.

You pulled up, looking all around for Hangman — until he showed up on your radar just below you.

“It’s almost too easy,” he drawled with that lazy laugh. 

Hitting the brakes, you pulled behind him. Just as you angled down, close to locking on, he rolled left, pitching the plane up and trying to loop behind you.

The two of you switched back and forth, the unrelenting sun piercing through the glass. Sweat began to bead along your forehead, dripping down to your neck.

Only once you’d chased Hangman toward the cliffs did you gain any sort of hope of taking him down. His flying became just a bit more reckless, giving you a chance to counter his maneuvers. Your lock grew closer and closer to his jet, your victory on the tip of your tongue.

The lock sound began to buzz as you said, “Got y-”

Your plane shook as something rammed into your plane. Only once Hangman’s voice shouting “Bird strike!” did you register what happened. 

The damage done to your jet’s engines appeared at once, the jerking of your jet ate down to your core.

 “Left engine out,” you panted, pressing the button to cut fuel to it as you tried gaining altitude. Your body felt heavy, falling back into the seat with panicked breaths. The right engine quickly caught too, leaving your dashboard blinking every warning light it could manage. Your stomach climbed into your throat as you lost control, the plane beginning to spin out.

Your hands shakily wrapped around the ejection handle, your lungs feeling squeezed tight. Pulling as hard as you could, your seat flew from the jet. Between the jerk of your body as the parachute released and the fiery crash of your plane into the ground a few moments later, you barely saw anything before hitting the desert all too fast.

You vaguely remembered rolling, or maybe the world was spinning, before you were consumed by darkness.

–

In flashes of memories, you caught the intense whirring of a helicopter, vague shapes of people rushing around you, and… was that Rooster? You couldn’t be sure, not when the pain took hold of your body, pulling you down under again.

–

The echoing emergency alarms of your jet slowly bled into the beeping of medical machines, the light of the sun into bright fluorescents above, and the lingering voice of your team… stayed.

As your eyes fought to open, the world came into focus in bits and pieces. Your throat felt so dry and painful — but it left your mind when the aching of the rest of your body rose to the surface. The groan tumbling from your mouth only fueled the sting.

But he did help, ready at your side and telling you to take it easy.

“Hey, Spider. Slow down. Hey,” Rooster pleaded, his voice desperate against your ears. But only once his hand gingerly wrapped around yours did you finally stop fighting.

You turned to look at him, mind still fuzzy. But it wasn’t hard to focus on him, your gaze unable to rip away from the dark honey of his eyes. 

“Hi.” His whisper entwined around each curve of you, settling onto your skin like a blanket you never wanted to take off.

You grabbed the cup of water he handed you, gulping it down until it soothed your throat.

“Hi,” you finally returned, offering a slight smile. Laying back in the bed, feeling the slight pull of the tubes attached to your body, you asked, “So, what’s my damage?”

Your head lulled to the side, watching Rooster slightly relax at last. The clench of his jaw eased, his shoulders fell.

“Nothing that could stop you. Fractured bone here, internal bleeding there…” he joked, but his grin didn’t reach his eyes. “But you’re alive. You’ll be just fine.”

That eased your nagging thoughts, though you guessed he said it for himself as much as he said it for you.

You squeezed his hand, loving the weight of it on yours. “Thank you.”

He nearly rolled his eyes, as if to say that he didn’t deserve it. “For what?” he asked, the taste of bitterness dripping from his words.

“For having my back, Rooster.”

You said it like it was the most obvious thing. It was to you. Even though he didn’t always show it in the way you’d expect, or even like for that manner, he was there.

He nodded. “You’d do the same for me.”

You would. In a heartbeat.

He whispered, “We all heard you on the radio as it happened. I made them let me on the helicopter to rescue you… Thought you were gone. Couldn’t handle it.” His hand rested over his mouth, his eyes fixed on the ground.

“I’m here, okay? You said it, I’ll be just fine,” you told him, wanting to pull him in if you weren’t stuck in this bed. But then his words registered. “Wait, you forced yourself onto the rescue helicopter? Are you insane?”

You smacked his arm, scoffing at him. You teased him, but it brought a smile to his face.

“That’s what you got from that? Okay, this is the last time I admit to caring about you,” he said behind a wave of laughter bubbling out.

Though all it did was further fuel you, bringing a disbelieving look to your face. “Oh my god, Rooster. I get it now. You were totally jealous of Will.”

“Oh god, why would I be jealous of that tool?” he groaned, pulling away from you. “I think your pain meds are too strong.”

“Calling him a tool like that is such a jealous thing to say!”

“Not if he’s actually a tool.”

You brought your hands to your lap, playing with the sheet as you said, “Wow, who would’ve thought that Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw actually cared abou-”

“I know you didn’t have to do those push ups with me, Spider,” he interrupted. He looked straight at you then, not even fighting his kind smile. “That punishment was only for last place, and you didn’t get last.”

You pursed your lips, feeling a heat rise to your cheeks under his gaze. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you said, trying to give him an innocent look. But you did, and you knew that he had gotten last trying to save you, even when the two of you bickered, so you paid the price with him.

His eyes softened. “I think you do. And I think that you also care more than you let on.”

Goosebumps erupted across your skin as Rooster grabbed your hand again, his thumb rubbing along the backs of your fingers. You stared down at where your bodies intertwined as you asked, “Did you really wait here for me the whole time?”

He nodded, his swept-back hair falling forward. But at your growing smile, he warned, “Spider, don’t ruin this.”

“You’re just a big ol’ softy, aren’t you? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you like like me.” You laughed despite the ache that came with it. It meant you were alive, after all.

Rubbing a hand down his face, he said, “I think that’s enough. You’ve ruined it. Happy now?”

“Quite.”

After a comfortable silence spread through the room, just the sounds of your breathing and the machines beeping, Rooster said, “I do like you. Hope you know that.”

The flutter in your chest spread through your body, pushing the pain to the back to be replaced by a floating feeling. You didn’t think it would take so much for Rooster to admit his feelings, but you supposed it didn’t surprise you. 

He looked to you, worry etched into the curves of his face as he waited for your response. It barely looked like he breathed, sitting frozen still until you answered.

Shaking your head, you told him, “Rooster, if you don’t kiss me right now, I’m really going to rip off your mustache this time.”

A wide, toothy grin overtook his face. “There you go again about my mustache… You’re obsessed, aren’t you?” he said, his hand moving to rest on your cheek.

Rooster inched closer, careful to not put any weight on you or cause any pain. “Is this okay?” he whispered against your lips.

But impatience ran through you, making you twist your fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck and pull him against you. Melting into him, you thought this felt better than any painkillers the doctors could prescribe you. It made you dizzy and craving more, until you were broken apart by Phoenix obnoxiously clearing her throat from the doorway.

As he kissed you one more time, the rest of the world drifting away, you couldn’t quite say you hated his mustache anymore.

--

@reidslovely

[bayisdying]

Lucky Penny - Chapter Twenty-Three

A/N: I'm not at all sorry about the cliffhanger. I'm evil. I know. Yell at me. I thrive in your tears.

Tagging my babes: @dragon-kazansky @callmemana @mrsjaderogers @gracespicybradshaw @milesdickpic @askmarinaandothers @kloofspeaks @breadsquash @notyoursbutlewis

Fanboy tried to not worry when Lucky was deployed, but it never worked. Especially after the uranium mission almost took her away from him.

Cin noticed how on edge Fanboy had been during classes, his mind elsewhere when it should be on their students.

"She's fine Mickey." She offered. "She's on a squadron with some damn fine pilots."

"I know Cin." He says giving her a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm just ready for her to be home."

She pats his arm, "soon hermano."

At that exact moment, Ice was slamming down his phone with force hoping the man on the other end could feel his wrath.

"Tom?" Dragon's voice comes from the doorway. "What's wrong?"

She always knew when something was wrong, many years of marriage does that to you.

"Lucky's mission is being pushed back a couple of weeks, apparently their flight sims aren't going as planned." He sighs putting his head in his hands.

He feels her walk over to the desk, he opens his arms to allow his wife to sit in his lap. A weight that calmed him.

"I should have fought harder for someone else to go." He mumbles into her shoulder.

"Ice, look at me." He lifts those pretty eyes to meet hers. "We both know what Hermes did here at Top Gun. He wasn't going to accept anyone else. He wants a do-over, to prove she wasn't really the best. But our Lucky? She is the best. She will prove him and everyone there wrong. Then she will come home with her head held high."

Elsewhere, right down the hall, another couple was not as...composed.

"I don't know why you didn't fight harder for her to stay!" Whiskey yells at her husband.

"I'm sorry? I was just in the room Jade, it wasn't my call."

"Ice listens to you."

Slider chuckles "He hasn't listened to me since our flying days. And he really didnt listen much to me back then."

Whiskey calms down a little, totally dejected. "I just hate how sad Mickey has been without her here."

"Me too, baby. It's been like torture knowing we did that to them."

Slider opens his arms and allows Jade to melt into him, he kisses the top of her head.

And even further down the same hallway, Cyclone was pretty sure his wife was plotting his demise. Venom hadn't talked to him since she learned he had sent Lucky on a mission halfway through the honeymoon.

She had even been staying at the Kerner's home with her bff Whiskey and completely avoided him while at work. He had a sneaking suspicion she was behind the fact that Cin had been giving him coffee with salt not sugar in it as well.

-----

While the Mama Bears were giving the Papa Bears hell, Mickey was...not having the time of his life.

Him, Payback, Phoenix, and Bob were teaching a simulation and his brain wasn't working like it should. The nagging feeling that something was wrong wouldnt go away.

"You okay back there Fanboy?" Payback asks.

"Yeah man, I'm sorry." He replies.

"We can land if you want, Phoenix and Bob can handle the class."

"No I'm fine."

Payback doesn't reply, he knows his WSO and best friend better than to believe that but he won't say it out loud. Yet.

Another voice comes over the comms. "Payback, Fanboy. Land immediately."

The voice is Cin's and nobody in the air likes the tone of voice she's using.

-----

"What do you mean it's been delayed?" Mickey's voice was louder than normal as everyone in the room just watched him.

"I received a call, their flight sims are not being as successful as they were hoping before completing the mission." Ice's voice is calm, but there is a hint of anger that scares everyone who knows Ice.

Before Mickey could throw a retort at his pseudo-father-in-law, Dragon spoke. "Mickey, we weren't going to tell you this. She's flying with Hermes, he is who requested her for the mission."

Fanboy processes this information before turning bright red, Rooster lays a hand on his shoulder but it doesn't stop the words from coming. "You gave her up to a pack of fucking wolves?"

"Mick..."

"No. I don't want to hear any excuses."

The Daggers plus Cin all share a look, they are used to Lucky being the hot headed half of the couple. In fact most of them had never seen Fanboy get angry except when they played Mario Kart.

"You know what hell he put her through when we were here the first time, and you let her go half way around the world - on our honeymoon no less - to fly with the piece of shit who made her question her abilities?"

Whiskey stands and brings him into her arms, he returns the hug but she can feel the anger rolling off of him in waves.

"Son, Lucky is going to prove once again that she has always been the best." Ice speaks up, Dragon's hand in his. "She isn't going to let that weasel win."

"You better be right, because if he does anything to hurt her in his blind jealousy? I will never forgive any of you that sent her away."

-----

Hours later, when the Daggers had gone home for the night. Jake was the only one left in his office. He had to write reports on the new recruits, and it took him forever to do them.

His cell phone rings, he assumes it's Cin calling to check on him.

"Hey babe I'm almost done here."

"Jake it's me. I don't have much time. I need your help."

"....Lucky?"

-----

A/N: mwhahahahahahaha

[rose-pearls]

You're losing me

Inspired by the song You're Losing Me from Taylor Swift, that completely destroyed me.

Warnings: angst, cursing, men

Part 2

Top Gun. 

Your father had talked about it every chance he had and now here you were ready to join the new class. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell had always been a mystery to you, the only time you saw him were at your birthdays and sometimes at Christmas. Your mother would tell you that he had another family, that he preferred and that you shouldn’t hope for him to come back.

And in the end, you did stop, birthdays coming up with only a postcard and after time you didn’t knew what he looked like anymore. The only reason you still heard about him was because of the Navy, everyone knew him and just for that you were getting judged. 

Getting the callsign Fire didn’t help either but slowly you started showing what you were made of and the captain’s stopped comparing you to your father. 

Now heading into Top Gun, you knew it wasn’t going to be easy, even more cocky pilots who thought they were better than you just because they were men. But you had fought that your whole life, not time to stop now. 

The Hard deck was filled with people as you entered with Steph by your side, the two of you had been flying together since the Academy and by some luck got called together. The pool table is surrounded by pilots, and you know immediately that they will be with you. Dress whites and cocky smiles, that will certainly be your class.

Penny introduces herself before telling you that if you have any issues, you can always come to her, and she will handle it. 

“Ready for your first day tomorrow?”, she asks with a knowing grin and the both of you smile at her slightly nervous.

“Not sure what to expect but excited.”, she smiles and before she can answer a costumer arrives.

Steph takes you to the pool table and the other pilots, already getting to know each other. A blond man is talking to another dark-skinned pilot, and you can’t help but admire him, the man is truly handsome. 

“Well, well would you look at that. Two new recruits”, the man says, a cocky smile on his lips and you can’t help but blush slightly under his gaze as he looks at you. Steph scoffs before looking at him unimpressed.

“And you are?” he smirks at her reaction and turns towards what you assume to be his friend.

“Hangman, and this here is Coyote.”, Coyote smiles in response and you nod back.

“What about you two pretty ladies.”, even if he seems to be quite the asshole you can’t help but feel butterflies in your stomach at the sound of his southern accent.

“I’m Thunder and this is Fire.”, that seems to surprise the two of them, just for a moment. It’s the typical reaction, your last name was quite known just like Steph as her father was Cyclone.

“Two legacies then. We’ll see what you ladies can do in the air and if you didn’t just get in because of your father’s names.”, he smirks, like a cat that got the cream, and you can’t help but scowl at his insinuation.

“I don’t know what you are insinuating Bagman but don’t go there.”, you tell him, and he looks at you surprised for a moment, the quiet chatter around the pool table has stopped and everyone is looking at the two of you wondering what was going to happen.

“Hangman.”, he tells you with a smirk as he comes incredibly close to you, which means you have to lift your head in order to look him in the eyes.

“Whatever.”, you say before turning around towards Steph who is smiling like a proud mother.

Hangman leaves to join his friends again and even if you do not like the man after this first meeting you can’t help but feel butterflies at the sight of him. The butterflies needed to die fast.

“He can be a real pain in the ass.”, a voice tells you and you turn around to see another female pilot.

“Hadn’t figured that out.”, Steph says sarcastically, and you shoot her a look before turning towards the other pilot.

“Well hopefully we won’t have to do this too often. I’m Fire.”, you tell her, and she smiles at your words.

“Unfortunately, he doesn’t give up easily. And I’m Phoenix.”, you had heard about her before but just in passing, you knew about her training accident that gave her, her call sign.

--

The next week had been hell, you thought you were a decent pilot, but your instructors were kicking your ass, it didn’t help that Hangman had somehow decided that he wanted to torment you every day.

“What do you want?”, you can’t help but ask in frustration as you see Hangman waiting for you outside the changing rooms, he has a smirk on his face, and you can’t help but think he looks handsome like this.

“Relax, just wanted to ask you if you wanted to go out and drink something.”, the words surprise you and you must be showing your surprise as Hangman looks at you with a knowing smile.

“Common, I know you find me attractive, and honestly who could blame you.”, his smirk widens at his words, and you can’t help but blush at the thought of him having seen you checking him out.

“You really are confident aren’t you.”, the stupid smirk doesn’t leave his lips as he comes in front of you, one of his hands going against the wall, trapping you against his body.

“I just know. So, what do you say? You, me tonight?”, you try to focus on the words, you really do but the closeness is just a lot, the smell of his cologne is soft after having worn it all day long, but it still smells the same.

“Sure, why not.”, you try to say confidently but your voice quivers a little and Hangman’s smirk widens.

“Perfect, let’s go.”, he doesn’t give you time to react before leaving the spot and turning around, leaving you there trying to regain your senses. After a second or two you start moving and following him towards his car. 

The ride is awkward at first before he starts talking about today’s hop and you can’t help but start talking about the instructor and how he was getting on your last nerve, making him laugh.

The Hard deck was quieter then the first day and as you enter it you see Penny looking at you curiously, but you ignore it, instead following him to one of the tables.

“So, tell me about yourself.”, he simply says as Penny gives you your drinks and you look at him slightly surprised.

“There isn’t really anything to know, I’m an only child, grew up in California with my mother and when I was old enough, I decided to enlist in the Navy.”, Hangman nods at your words and looks at you with curious eyes.

“Common, I’m sure there must be something that you are hiding.”, he says with a smirk, and you roll your eyes.

“What do you want to know?”, this makes him smile and he takes a moment to think before answering.

“What is something that practically no one knows.”, the question was quite intimate, but you guessed that it was normal to move quickly towards these types of questions.

“I have two tattoos, one on my ribs and the other on my ankle.”, he seems to take a moment to process the information and you can’t help but chuckle at his silence before a smirk appears.

“Aren’t you full of surprises.”, you roll your eyes at his words before asking him the same question and he looks unsure for a bit.

“I lived in Texas, on a ranch my whole life and before I decided to join the Navy, I had never seen a real plane before.”, this makes you look at him in surprise and for a moment he seems sheepish.

“I need to hear all the stories of you at the ranch.”, he laughs in answer before thinking and starting a story of one of the horses.

The rest of the night is spent talking, laughing and reminiscing about your childhood. Hangman, or Jake as he had asked you to call him seemed to be a completely different person after a few hours. More relaxed, less trying to put on a front and you couldn’t help but like the person that you were seeing in front of you.

“Well, this was fun.”, you say softly when the two of you get back to your housing and Jake smiles softly, there is something in his eyes that you can’t decipher but you let it go.

“It was, we should do it again.”, he says, and you can’t help but smile brightly at the idea of him wanting to do this again.

“I would love to.”, you tell him, and a small smile appears on his lips.

“Are you free tomorrow?”, you can only nod in answer, too busy looking into his green eyes and before you know it, he kisses your cheek softly. 

“Good night.”, he whispers softly, and he seems to be ready to leave before you stop him.

“Leaving without a good night kiss.”, you tease him, and he looks surprised for a moment before a small smirk appears.

“Your wish is my command.”, he tells you and you can’t help but laugh at the words before feeling his soft lips on yours. He is delicate, sweet even as he kisses you and the two of you stay there for a moment before he stops the kiss.

“Sleep well.”, he tells you softly, and you nod slowly and tell him to do the same before entering your room and silently jumping up and down in excitement after that night.

--

It had all been going well, the two of you were seeing each other every two days and it was going well until one day you didn’t see Jake and decided to go to his apartment.

He answered at the first knock, but he looked worn out, dark bags under his eyes and he was looking distressed as he stood there.

“Are you okay?”, you ask him softly and Jake takes a deep breath, probably to say that he was but you take a step closer and take a look at him, making sure he was alright. 

“I’m not.”, he manages to whisper, and you whisper his name before taking him into your arms and letting him break down. 

The sobs were breaking your heart and he was holding you as close as he could, like he was somehow scared that you would leave but you held him just as close. 

After what felt like hours he started to calm down and you looked at him with worried eyes.

“Do you want to talk about it?”, you asked slowly, and Jake shook his head, rubbing a hand over his face.

“I’m sorry, you didn’t have to do all of this.”, he says, his voice breaking over the words after crying.

“What? Comfort you? Jake that wasn’t an issue at all, I’m here for you.”, you whisper, and Jake closes his eyes at the words.

“I just-”, you let him figure out the words, knowing that he needs to find them on his own and after a moment he lets out a sigh.

“I’m not used to someone doing that.”, he whispers, so quiet that you nearly don’t hear it but when you do you can’t help but get closer to him.

“it’s scary at first to open up to someone but I’m here to stay Jake, talk to me.”, he looks unsure but after a moment he lets out a shaky breath and you take his hand in yours.

“My parents were never really the cuddling type; my mother preferred a bottle of wine as company and my father his mistresses. Most of the time my father would ignore me and the times he didn’t it was to tell me some stupid shit.”, the words make your blood go cold and you squeeze his hand in reassurance.

“I left immediately when I was able to, haven’t seen them since then but sometimes I still have nightmares.”, a tear rolls down his cheek and you immediately bring him back into an embrace, holding him close and trying to reassure him.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, you didn’t deserve that. If there is anything I can do just tell me.”, you whisper, and Jake holds you tighter.

“Just stay.”, he whispers and clings to you as if he is scared that he was going to lose you.

You spent the rest of the night there, holding him until it was time to get ready, but he stayed close to you all day long. It was weird seeing him like this, but it showed you a more vulnerable side to him that you will always protect, make sure that no one would hurt him again.

--

The final hop was close, and Jake had gone back to his cocky self, flaunting his points to everyone and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes and smile at his antics. 

Sure, he wasn’t perfect, but he was Jake, and that was enough for you. Somehow you believed it had been enough for him too.

What an idiot you were. 

“So Seresin when are you going to drop the girl?”, you hear someone say and you can’t help but freeze in your steps, you had wanted to get some fresh air, but the words made you stop.

“What do you mean Cody?”, it seemed like some of the boys had gotten together to talk, recognizing Coyote, and two other pilots in your class.

“I mean that you won the bet, you asked her out and kissed her. I think it’s time you let the poor girl go.”, the words hit you like a knife in the back, a bet. 

“Didn’t you tell him that he would win 50 dollars more if he got her to go to bed with him? Maybe he is waiting for that.”, Coyote says, and you feel sick at the words.

“I don’t think I will go that far. She is nice and all but not really my type.”, you hear Jake, no Hangman say, and you feel anger coming up as the conversation plays over and over again in your mind.

“Well, at least you got fifty dollars out of it and our respect.”, the two other pilots say, and you want to throw a punch at one of them.

“Fifty dollars? That’s low for you Fishman.”, you hear yourself say and the four of them turn to look at you, eyes wide in fear as your look at them with cold eyes.

“Fire, good to see you.”, he tries to start, stammering over his words but you scoff at his words.

“Don’t bullshit me, get the fuck out of here before I make sure you don’t have any balls left of the small ones you have.”, the two men seem to take that as their cue to leave and hurry back into the Hard Deck. 

Hangman and Coyote are looking at you with mixes of horror etched on their faces.

“I can explain.”, Hangman starts but you let out a laugh, as cold as the ice you had pressed against one of his wounds just a few days ago.

“I’m sure you can but let’s see if I got it right.”, you say before stepping down the peer and approaching the both of them.

“You made a bet about me, betting fifty bucks that you could swoop me of my feet and kiss me before Top Gun was over but later on, they saw that you did it and thought why not add fifty more bucks to see if you could get me to sleep with you. Am I wrong?”, you ask him, and Hangman looks at the ground, shame in his eyes.

“Am. I. Wrong?”, you ask, this time raising your voice, unable to keep your emotions in check any longer. Hangman and Coyote both flinch at your tone and you glare at them.

“No.”, Hangman barely whispers, and you scoff at his answer. The silence following is long, and Hangman opens his mouth multiple times, but nothing comes out.

“Was any of it real?”, you can’t help but ask, your voice wrecked from all of the emotions running through you.

“I’m sorry. It was a bet at the beginning but then I got to know you and-”, he continues to ramble, and you shake your head.

“Stop.”, you whisper, feeling tears in your eyes as you close them, trying to regain your strength.

“I know it was wrong alright, from the moment I saw you.”, he tries to say but you scoff and turn to look at him.

“You had a choice! You had one and chose to still go through with it. You chose to talk shit back there and tell them I wasn’t your type.”, he flinches at your words, but you can’t stop. 

“You lied, made me believe you had feelings for me when in fact you did not. And for what? Fifty fucking bucks.”, you yell, tears brimming in your eyes and Hangman takes a deep breath, but he doesn’t say anything else. 

You wait for him to say something, but he doesn’t, just stay there and you can’t help but feel helpless. 

You leave, unable to still look at him and as you leave you silently hope for him to stop you, to try and win you back even if you wouldn’t take him back. But he doesn’t say anything.

-

And I'm fading, thinking

Do something, babe, say something (say something) Lose something, babe, risk something (you're losing me) Choose something, babe, I got nothing (I got nothing) To believe, unless you're choosing me

-

Steph is the one to hold you that night, trying to console you while probably plotting his murder in her mind. 

“I should have listened to you.”, you whisper at one point, and she looks at you with sadness in her eyes.

“For once I wished, I hadn’t been right about this.”, she whispers, and a sob leaves your lips at her words. Unable to stop the memories from coming back with him, trying to push them back but ultimately you fail.

--

You could’ve stayed in bed that morning, trying to mourn something that wasn’t real from the start, but you couldn’t give them the satisfaction. It was after all the last hop; it would be now or never to prove yourself. 

Steph stayed by your side, looking at you with worried eyes but you ignored her. Moving towards your plane, ignoring everyone who was looking at you.

Hangman hadn’t done well on his last hop, not that you were watching but you had heard everyone whisper about it. You managed to get full points, the anger making you even more brutal than you usually were in the air. 

Admiral Cain had congratulated you as he gave you the Top Gun trophy, but you didn’t feel a single emotion, still feeling like someone had pushed you under water and you couldn’t get out.

The time you did come back was when Hangman tried to approach you, but you turned around to try and leave but he quickly stopped you.

“Please.”, he whispers, and you look at him, he looked like shit but at that moment you didn’t care. You just wanted to hurt him just as much as he had hurt you.

“I’m sorry, I know I did something unforgivable, but you have to believe me when I tell you that it wasn’t all a lie. I fell for you through the hours we spent together, and I know I fucked up but please, give me another chance.”, he was pleading, nearly with his knees on the floor but you looked at him, eyes devoid of emotions.

You take something out of your pocket, fifty dollars. 

“They gave it to me after you refused it. Said that I at least deserved to get it.”, he looks pained at your words, but you don’t care.

He tries to say something, but you shake your head.

“It’s too late.”, you whisper, and he shakes his head at your words, looking at you with sad green eyes.

“You just need to think about it, just for a moment.”

“I don’t, we are done. You made your choices now you need to take responsibility, accept it and move on.”, you whisper, and he looks destroyed, but you ignore it, taking his hand and putting the fifty-dollar bill in his hand.

“This is yours.”, a tear rolls down his cheek but this time you don’t comfort him, you let go of his arm and turn around to leave. 

“You promised you would stay.”, he whispers, and you feel a tear leaving your blinking eyes.

“And you told me you had feelings for me.”, you say, unable to look at him.

“Guess we are both liars.”, a sob leaves his lips, but you turn around, seeing Coyote arriving, knowing that someone was there to take care of him.

Rain started falling as you entered your car and a sob left your lips as you gripped the steering wheel. You knew you had made the right choice, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell.

-

You're losing me Stop (Stop, stop), you're losing me Stop (Stop, stop), you're losing me I can't find a pulse, my heart won't start anymore

[ladyelissarose]

‘You Came!!’ 

Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x female aviator reader - callsign: Hawkeye

Summary: Hangman is given a backseater to improve his teamwork skills, he belittled it all including her, thinking that it would be  pointless and ridiculous, learning how to seriously depend and care for someone. But that change the minute she couldn’t eject.

Warnings: mentions of angst, thoughts of dying, mentions of vomiting, mean Jake, a jet accident, panicking, fluff in the end.

Two months had passed when Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin had gotten a backseater, named Y/n Y/l/n; callsign Hawkeye.  Cyclone and Maverick believed that it would do him good, help him learn how to work with others and cooperate during team work. And even though everyone thought that it would help him, it only made him meaner, but towards Hawkeye. He belittled her capability, and talent in flying. He was hard on her when they messed up in training and blamed her half the time. (The other times Rooster would step in and make Jake pay for his responsible actions.) Hawkeye everyday tried to prove herself better, which she would, soon she was one of the best backseaters, (After Bob Floyd). But in Jake’s eyes she wasn’t good enough, he always found something to call her out on. And Hawkeye took his every criticizing word like a pro, never making the same mistake again. Y/n’s competition was Jake, and she always wanted to be like him, the absolute best, and Jake saw that, and refused to let her get there. Through all the mistreatment and unnecessary criticism, it was unknown to all that deep down he really liked her, which is why he pushed her away, he was afraid to engage into something that he felt he wasn’t ready for. Y/n had a beautiful heart and a great, tough personality. After he scold her hard she never cried but squared her shoulders and firmly promised that she’d never do it again. When Jake thought he had pissed her off, Y/n would prove him wrong when she’d show up with his helmet showing him that it was sparkly clean, or with a cold soda can of his favorite beverage after a long day. While Jake tried to make Y/n see that she wasn’t good enough for him, she showed him everyday that she was all he needed, and every time Jake saw and realized it more and more, which scared him and annoyed him.

 On their third month of working together, they both were sent on a risky mission. Rooster and Phoenix with Bob were sent with them too. Things had went absolutely well and they even finished their mission on time with no slip ups, until Jake and Y/n were hit with a bad bird strike on their way home. Loud ringing sounds filled the cockpit along with Hawkeyes cries as they started going down,

  “HANGMAN WE LOST BOTH ENGINES WE’RE GOING DOWN!!”

 Hangman tried to restart the whole system and use the backups, but it only got worse when it went to flames as well. He shouted back to Hawkeye to try and fix it or find a solution when he couldn’t find one,

  “Try from back there and see if we can save it!!-“

  “We can’t it’s going down Hangman!! We lost the backups too!!!”

 Huffing loudly Hangman screamed,

 “THIS IS MY JET HAWKEYE! WE WILL SAVE IT!!-“

 Slamming her fist onto the buttons that flashed red all over she argued,

  “Your jet is screwed over Hangman!! We have to eject!!”

 ‘ALTITUDE! ALTITUDE!!’

Jake looked at his altitude scale and saw how they were dropping fast, beginning to spin out dangerously. Though he was angered with the situation and with Hawkeye, he came to the realization that they had to eject. Tightening on his seatbelt and vest, he shouted to Hawkeye,

  “Alright we have to eject we’re dropping altitude fast!! 

Happy to hear that he finally complied, Hawkeye shouted back with a panicked tone,

 “Great! Let’s do this!!”

 After getting the confirmation he needed, Hangman made his next move as he pressed the button to open the cockpit, and pulled on the strings to fully eject. 

In mere seconds he was sent out of the jet, barely catching Hawkeye’s terrifying screams,

  “HANGMAN WAIT! I CAN’T EJECT!! IT DOESN’T WORK!!!”

  A dart of fear pierced Jake’s heart when his mind registered her words, but before he could say anything, the whole jet exploded in mid air, making him cry out,

  “NOOOO HAWKEYE!!!”

His heart beat loud in his ears and the blood had run cold to his feet, his parachute began to drop altitude, and everywhere he looked, frantically, trying to see if he could find Hawkeye in a parachute anywhere, but he came back negative. His mind hadn’t stopped working as he began to utterly hate himself for not ejecting earlier when she had told him to.

 ‘I killed Hawkeye... this is my fault. I should’ve ejected with much more time left to spare. Instead as always I pushed her to her biggest limit, and this time... she couldn’t surpass it. I just killed Hawkeye... and it’s my fault.’

 All Hangman wanted to do was scream until he couldn’t breathe, or find a way to turn back time so he could of made sure that Hawkeye’s ejection worked. But the cottonmouth he felt kept him from screaming, and the reality of having no time travel machines made Hangman sink into his guilt more and more. Down below was a forest of tall green trees, and miles and miles of thick snow. Hangman was able to gear his parachute onto land that was clear of trees so he wouldn’t crash into them. A rough landing he had, from thinking to much about Hawkeye he didn’t focus on how he landed, hence straining his ankle painfully. With a loud groan of excruciating pain Hangman stood to his feet right away, not wanting to spare another second without searching for Hawkeye, no matter how he found her. He believed he had to be the first to see the consequences of his ignorant actions. Up ahead he saw the smoke from the ground rise and form a black cloud in the sky, the pieces that fell from the exploded jet had taken their landing too. Jake moved as much as he could through the thick snow that went above his ankles. The pain he felt only got worse as he took one step after another, screaming for him to stop, but his mind was determined to ignore it and move on. Jake knew that where the smoke was, that’s where Hawkeye would probably be, in the midst of it all. Probably burned up and long gone, the thought of it only made the anxiety of it claw at him and terrify him more. The whirling sounds of the wind sent chills up his spine, it sounded like a cry, a wailing cry of loss. The freezing air burned his skin and touched his aching bones. Once he dreadfully arrived at the scene, he then took a run to approach it faster, seeing how the fire had already died down. Climbing onto what was left of the wing, Hangman reached the cockpit and looked inside, to only see that it was empty, the seat was still there, and so were it’s buckles and latches, but it was empty. Utterly confused as to why it was empty, Hangman slammed his fist onto the broken cockpit window and sunk onto the wing of the jet and began to sob,

  ‘What if she flew out? And her body is laying around here lifeless? What if her death was so so painful and scary? Oh my God I’ll never forgive myself it wasn’t her fault... but what if she’s still alive, maybe on her last breaths of air.. Gosh I have to find her!’

  Wiping his eyes with his sleeve, Hangman leaned his palms on the side of the jet so he could stand up without falling, also trying to get most of the weight off his ankle. Looking around from where he stood in the wing, Hangman saw absolutely no sign of Hawkeye. After sliding off the wing Hangman than began to walk away towards any direction his feet took him, his mind wasn’t thinking straight anymore, it only thought about two things; Hawkeye and her possible death. Swallowing the stone that was in his throat from the pain he felt inside and out, Hangman shouted from the bottom of his heart,

“HAWKEYE!?!!”

Looking all around the snowy ground and the tall evergreens that stood out like a sore thumb in the midst of Queen Elsa’s snow town, Jake began to feel his heart sink as he didn’t hear any sound of life, besides his panicked breathing, or see any movement other than his feet that trailed off looking and searching frantically. Jake’s mind ran millions of miles per millisecond, trying to reassure his mind and heart that indeed, Hawkeye did make it out of the jet on time, before it exploded on them in mid-air. But what began to convince his mind that she hadn’t, was when he realized that the sky had painted itself a darker shade of color, signaling that night time was crawling around the corner, guaranteeing its nearing, and he still hadn’t found her. It began to grow even colder, the chilly air had already numbed his skin and bones, making them feel incredibly useless but shaky. Even his pointy nose began to turn pink and burn a little on the tip, it burned to close his eyes and blink, the rest of his face felt numb to touch. But that didn’t stop Jake from searching, and calling out with his aching, sore throat,

  “HAWKEYE!! CALL O-OUT!!”

Waiting to hear any voice return his plea, Jake had stopped moving in the snow that crunched under his boots, but even then, he was unfortunately met with silence, only the wind flowed and whispered to Mother Nature around him. The beating of his heart was no longer heard in his ears, it was like it had frozen too. It became hard to swallow and to breathe, it was like if he was drowning or suffocating on his own tears he wanted to cry out. Jake felt worse than a failure and was so afraid of the unknown. His emotions swirled all inside of him like a hurricane, and soon it all came out when he sank into the snow onto his knees, and began to heave out whatever was left in his stomach from earlier that day. His ribs grew sore for how hard he was throwing up, but it just kept coming out. Soon he began to cough out the rest of it, and choke on his sobs that wrecked from his chest and broke heart.  Through it all he still tried to be positive to keep himself from panicking, but his mind only told him,

  ‘Did Hawkeye make it out of the cockpit? Did she land safely? Is she even alive? What if she froze?- No no! She’s alive! Hawkeye has to be!! Come on Hangman, don’t live up to your callsign... don’t leave her hanging... we have to find her and bring her home no matter what!!!’

 Letting out a shout of frustration and pain from the cold that burned his body from inside out, Hangman stood back onto his feet, and sucked in a deep breath, before screaming out desperately while turning around and cupping his hands over his mouth to make his call louder, 

 “HAWKEY!!!! CALL OUT!! COME ON WHERE ARE YOU!?”

  Warm tears had already fallen down his cheeks and brought a shaky chill through his whole body when the freezing weather hit against them, his red lips trembled along with his perfect, chattering teeth. The confidence Hangman always felt, had faded a long time ago, he only felt dread and regret, and it only grew heavier and heavier. Until he heard a small cracking of a branch from above him, and soon felt a small piece hit his head, making him look up, and find who he was looking for. He let out a small laugh of relief, and let out some more tears, but of joy this time. 

 Up above hanging on a thick tree branch, was Hawkeye clinging onto her parachute. It had gone caught on one of the thicker branches of the really tall evergreen trees, hence leaving her hanging off of it from quite a high distance. Hangman didn’t spare a second more as he shouted at her while running towards it, ready to climb it or find a way up.

  “Hawkeye!! Hawkeye!! It’s Hangman!”

 Turns out that Hawkeye had unbuckled in the jet and jumped out with her personal parachute before it could explode. And while going down, her parachute got stuck in the tree. Hawkeye’s voice could barely be heard from her being way high up, sounding a little strained though as she shouted back,

  “HANGMAN?! Oh!! Gosh I thought I was hearing things!! But it’s really you!! You came!!! I thought you left me!!”

 Jake’s heart felt a little stabbed at her words, but he couldn’t blame her, his actions towards her had proven that she should expect that from him, but he was also glad, that he was here to prove other wise. Grabbing onto the sides of the tree, Hangman shouted back while trying to grab grip of it,

  “Oh no! I didn’t leave ya! I’m right here! I’m so sorry for everything- I-I’m going to try and climb up-“

  “No no!! What if you shake the tree and-and it moves then I fall off this branch??!”

 Jake thought about her words for a few seconds then let out a belly laughter because he knew that it would be impossible to move or even shake such a thick tree stump. It’d take like... it’s just basically impossible, logically it is. Jake then reassured her with a positive tone,

  “I promise that this tree won’t move, it’s super thick and.. a million years old, it’s been through hell and back I bet, so I’m sure it can endure me.”

  He heard Hawkeye huffed as she put forth sarcastically,

  “Hangman no one can endure you... you’re too much. But I hope this tree makes you an exception... cause- well cause I really want to you to come up here and help me.... I think I broke my arm.”

Jake let a gasp escape his mouth as he took in her words,

“Oh! Well then don’t move it, or move at all, I’m coming.”

  Jake had already started to measure up the length of the tree while listening to Hawkeye, he knew that when he went up, one branch than the other, he’d have to watch his step and grip very carefully, cause the fall won’t be pretty. He saw that It was quite a high climb, maybe about 30-45 feet high, but Jake knew he could nail it, growing up on a Ranch in Texas had Jake climbing onto whatever he could find, from the tall Barn stables and the trees houses he had built with his cousins. 

  Grabbing onto the first thick branch, Jake pulled himself up and began to climb up. A few times he had to stop and redirect his hands or feet when the branches didn’t seem to promising, which Hawkeye would see and call out here and there, 

  “Careful Hangman!” or “Make sure you feet don’t slip off!” “Watch your head!” Each time she called out to him, Jake’s heart would grow in size, feeling warmed by her kindness. Even after everything that had happened and what he put her through, to the point where she was hanging off a tree branch, she still worried about him, selfless and forgiving she was.

 He was now a couple of feet away from where she was. Hawkeye was above him as he stood on a very thick branch under her, and he smiled to himself as he saw her face come into view, she had a few scratches on her face from falling into the tree, but her smile took his eyes off of them. Her arm was clutched close to her chest, not sparing a second to move it, not even an inch. Just as he was about to instruct how she was going to get down without falling but landing onto the tree branch he stood on, the branch cracked loudly as it moved slightly,

CRAAACK!

“Hooooly shit please don’t tell me that this branch just moved.”

Jake kept his original words in the back of his throat and instead said,

  “Ok I won’t tell you. But listen, I need you to start unbuckling-“

 “No no-“

 “I promise I won’t let you fall-“

“So you’re going to catch me? Is that what you’re saying? After all this time of you mistreating me you think I’d trust you?”

Jake hates how she was right but he urged anyway,

 “Ok ok you’re right! But I’m so sorry I mean it!  Sense the beginning I’ve always liked you but I-I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I pushed you away instead.”

 Hawkeye gawked at him from where she was hanging, not believing his words for a split second,

  “A-Are you serious? Hangman why didn’t you just tell me? We could’ve talked it through, like all the other things we talk through when you yell at me.”

 Jake bit his bottom lip and sighed sadly,

 “I know... I’ve just never worked with someone like you... and it scared me... your kindness and perfection scares me, makes me feel like I’m undeserving of it, and I only proved it when I treated you so poorly.”

 Hawkeye pouted at his confession, she knew there had to be a good reason behind how he badly treated her, she just didn’t know that it would be this reason. And when she saw this tough man with his arm reached out to her with tears in his olive-colored green eyes, her heart instantly believed his every honest word. Just as she was about to reply to him, the tree moved even more and shrieked loudly,

 CRAAAAAACK!!!

At hearing Hawkeye’s panicked gasp Jake steadied his feet on the thick branch he stood on, and used one of his strong arms to hold onto the trunk that was next to him, he stretched his free hand towards her as he promised,

 “I’ll catch you, just unbuckle and let go.”

CRAAACK’

Hawkeye felt the branch move even more as it cracked even louder, she held onto her buckle and looked down as she worriedly put forth,

 “Jake are you sure? Cause if I fall I’ll just go straight down I only have one good arm-“

 “I know, that’s why I need you to trust me and just let go.”

Hawkeye took a deep breath then looked down at Jake as she shakily said,

  “O-Ok... I’m going to unbuckle this o-on the count of 3-3.”

 Jake nodded approvingly as he held his arm up stretching his hand towards her,

 “Alright, start counting, the count is on your time, but it needs to be quick, I don’t know how much time we have-“

Hawkeye shook her head nervously as she began to grab on the buckles, trying to undo it, 

 “I know I know... ok.. 1... -“

CRAAAAAAACK!!-

“SHIT I DON’T THINK YOU HAVE UNTIL 3 HAWKEYE!!”

“JUST WAIT I’M SCARED! F-FUCK IT’S NOT UNBUCKLING!!”

CRAAAACK!!-

Jake knew that it took maybe 3 more seconds and the branch would snap, hence sending Hawkeye to her fall, so he took those 3 seconds left, to quickly move from where he stood, and rush quickly to where Hawkeye hung above him, and pulled on her feet. Her buckle snapped opened and she fell down, but Jake was able to catch her from grabbing tightly onto the vest she wore on her flight suit. But with the momentum of the strength he took to pull her down, and how fast she did fall, Jake kind of slipped off the branch he stood on, but he held Hawkeye against his chest as he fell onto the thick branch with her under him. Both let out loud groans of pain as they heard the thick branch finally snap and fall with the parachute. Jake covered Hawkeye’s head and face with his thick arm so the pieces of the branch wouldn’t fall on her face, he clutched tighter onto her when the felt the falling branch hit the branch they were laying on, but thankfully, nothing more happened or moved. After hearing the it finally hit the ground harshly after crashing down, Jake lifted his head slowly from where he hid it in Hawkeye’s neck, and also lifted his arm from her face, to only see the few tears that had escaped her eyes, along with the growing ones. Her mouth was slightly agape and her lips trembled like if she was holding in a cry, and her nose was pink from the cold. Jake didn’t ask anything, he instead he closed his eyes and pulled her forehead against his as he cooed lovingly,

  “You’re ok... we’re ok. I promise.”

A soft sob left Hawkeye’s lips as she let her hand move from his back that she was clinging onto, and held the back of his head, brushing her fingers through his short hair. Jake felt himself shaking from the inside out, he was finally letting the emotions run through him, and honestly, he was very afraid. Hawkeye began to feel and hear his uneven breaths coming out, and she comforted him by simply saying,

  “Just breathe with me... like you said... we’re ok. So just breathe.”

Jake nodded slowly, relishing her words that comforted him instantly. He then moved to sit up, and brought her up with him carefully, to where they sat on the branch in front of one another, with their legs dangling on both sides of the branch. 

 Hawkeye looked up from where she had her eyes locked on Jake’s name patch, and focused her eyes on his green, shining orbs. They both drowned into their gazes, feeling grateful that they had made it out of the situation alive. He then caught himself staring and looked away down at his hands trying not to blush as he said in a breathy tone,

 “h-hi..”

Hawkeye snapped out of her thoughts and looked down again as she replied shyly,

“hi...”

 Jake pointed his hands between them as he said sadly,

  “Again... I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you and for putting you through this... you can get another front seater when we get back.”

Hawkeye shook her head as she insisted,

  “No no... I really like you-“

She then corrected herself while trying not to blush for being so direct, not remembering hat Jake had confessed first,

“I mean.. I’m fine with you, you’re great guy Hangman, you practically saved my life you know? I need someone like you.”

 Jake nodded appreciatively while trying not to blush at her words.

  “Thanks... I’m glad you’re ok.”

 “Me too.. thanks to you... and when we get back.. we’ll work this out ok?”

 Jake’s face lit up, as he nodded happily,

  “Oh-Ok! great!”

Hawkeye then reached for Jake’s hand and held it in her own, giving it a good squeeze to show him that she was being truthful about her words. Jake lifted his other hand and held their holdings hands, sense Hawkeye clutched her broken arm close to her chest. Jake then felt very sorry, he knew it paid to have a broke arm, meaning you can’t fly until it’s completely healed. While he was in his thoughts seconds of silence had passed, before the atmosphere filled itself with Hawkeye’s hearty laughter. She threw her head back and went on, Jake was confused at first, but then he naturally joined along as he continued to hear it and loved how contagious it was. Words didn’t need to be said as to why they were laughing, they just did, the relief of what they went through came out in laughter. Hawkeye sighed loudly while trying to catch her breath, she then giggled,

  “I can’t believe that this happened... like look at us.”

Jake let out a short giggle,

  “Who would’ve thought huh?”

 Raising her good arm Hawkeye pointed out,

 “Right?! No one is going to believe us you know that right?”

 Shaking his head Jake agreed,

 “I know... by at least we do, we know exactly what happened.”

Hawkeye chuckled as she pointed out Jake’s callsign name patch,

 “Yeah.. thank you for coming back, and not living up to your callsign.”

 Jake looked at his name tag and frowned at it, Hangman could mean a lot of things, and one of them was, that he’d always leave his wingman hanging. Although he liked the name sometimes for certain reasons, there were times like today, where he didn’t like it very much. But Hawkeye knew how to make him feel better as she put forth nicely with a cheeky smile,

  “Don’t frown Hangman, I was the one Hanging after all.”

 Jake looked up and joined Hawkeye when she let out a long but cheerful laughter, cause it was true. Hawkeye was the one hanging off the tree in the end. He wiped his eye from a tear that threatened to slip from how hard he was laughing. But he mainly turned his fear into hard laughter, it was  either him laughing hard or crying ugly, and laughter was the better choice. Hawkeye was happy she broke him out of his trance, and felt more relaxed to see him ok, for he was just as terrified as her. After a few seconds they calmed down and held onto the branch while taking deep but refreshing breaths, letting out a couple of breathy chuckles here and there. And they could get lost into one another’s gaze again, the whipping sound of the helicopter blades began to sound loudly, help and rescue had arrived. Jake immediately moved to stand up and signal them, he first made sure that Hawkeye held onto his legs and he began to wave his hands exaggeratedly while shouting at them. 

Minutes later they came down in ropes to tie and take them up. Jake let Hawkeye go first, after he persistently told the medics  to be extra careful with her hurt arm, he watched them attentively as they buckled her latches. Jake gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and a light but meaningful kiss on her forehead before she was sent up, his heart swelled when she squeezed his hand back tightly. Hawkeye sent him a warm and confident smile as she went up, they kept their eyes on each other until she made it onto the helicopter. Then they came back down again, and tied Jake up, pulling him up onto the helicopter safely. Once he got on, he saw how the medics had started treating Hawkeye’s arm, already finishing up by wrapping it securely and putting it in a sling. He quickly took a seat next to Hawkeye after they secured themselves in, happy to see how she had scooted so he could fit comfortably next to her, though their arms and legs still brushed up against one another. Hawkeye leaned towards Jake and placed a loving kiss on his cheek, before leaning her head back against her seat and closed her eyes. Stunned for a second while blushing hard, Hangman took that moment to gaze at her in awe as he saw how relaxed, happy and relived she looked. He then reached over and pulled her head to lean on his broad shoulder, as he said assuringly,

  “You can lean on me... get some rest ok?”

She leaned closer to him and cuddled her face into his shoulder, as she mumbled a sweet,

 “Thank you Jake.”

 Jake patted her thigh softly,

  “anytime..”

Once he felt that Hawkeye’s weight grew heavier on him, meaning she actually passed out in a nice slumber, he too leaned his head on hers carefully, after he gave her head a soft kiss, smelling her hair that was a scent of vanilla and honey. Happy to know she was alive and safe next to him. Hearing her soft breathing and feeling her pressed up against him, was enough for him to pass out as well, while he held onto her pinkie tightly, while their hands rested next to each other on his lap.