#and i kinda ship Bob and Phoenix

[adhd-chaos-queen]

Me: *watches new piece of media*

My ADHD brain: "uh, i kinda like this..."

Me:...

My ADHD brain:...

Me: "don't..."

My ADHD brain "heh🙂" *releases shit ton of dopamine*

Me: *sighs* *adds this piece of nedia to list of hyperfixations*

[ddejavvu]

MEI i have severe top gun maverick brain rot and all i can think about is reader being the admirals daughter and everyone assumes rooster or hangman is gonna go after her but it turns out she’s been hooking up with bob for AGES and they’re all like ??? how did you do that???? bob gets kinda flustered but readers just like idk he was really nice and he’s really good in bed

"Check it out," Phoenix elbows Bob where the man is engrossed in reading the back of the bar napkins Penny had handed them so that they didn't stain her tables again, "There's Mav's daughter. 'Think she's got that Hawaiian shirt on to seduce Rooster?"

Bob's eyes dart to where you're chatting with Penny, his shoulders stiffening as his friends turn to watch you.

"Nah, Rooster doesn't like orange. But those cowboy boots she's got on are probably for Hangman- didn't he say he'd teach her how to square dance?"

Penny reaches over the bar to tug affectionately at one of your braids and Bob tries to no avail to break the conversation.

"Actually, she's-"

"I'd say she was here to meet Fanboy, but she doesn't date losers," Phoenix's eyes are narrowed dangerously, and she hides a smirk against the rim of her bottle.

"Hey! Hangman's a bigger loser than I am!" He protests, but before the taller man can trap him in a headlock, Penny points towards the dagger squad where they're lounged in a corner of the bar, and your eyes shine as you rush over.

"Bob!" You shriek, throwing your arms around his neck and letting your legs bend when he hoists you off of the ground for a hearty hug. His muscles are well hidden beneath his regulation khakis, but he's built for much heavier loads than you, and he lets you hover a few inches off of the ground while he hugs you.

Your face is buried in his neck but you press a kiss against his cheek, catching the bewildered blinking of the rest of his squadron over his shoulder.

"Oh. I forgot you didn't know." You supply, your feet back on the ground as Bob keeps one arm slung loosely around your waist, "Sorry, we- uh, we've been hooking up for a while, it's just... I haven't seen him since you guys got shipped out."

"You've been hooking up with her?" Coyote stares down his nose at Bob who shifts subtly closer to you, nodding once, stiffly in the face of his teammate's scrutiny.

"Damn. And he was good enough in bed to keep you waiting 'til he got back?"

Bob flushes - you feel his skin warm where it's pressed against your own, and you fill the awkward silence.

"Oh, please. I'm sure you've seen it in the locker room; I'd wait a lifetime."

Bob scoffs over your shoulder, now even more flustered, but Phoenix is happy to save the situation.

"Does your dad know?" She tilts her chin towards you, remembering how viscerally uncomfortable their Captain had been whenever someone had suggested you get together with one of his aviators.

"Of course he knows," You laugh, "He's the one that set us up! 'Said Bob had to get his hands on me before Texas over there tried to Hold 'Em."

Bob wraps an arm protectively over your chest, leaning over your shoulder from behind to return a kiss against your own cheek.

Hangman whistles lowly, shaking his head with a dazed look, "Well, shit. I didn't know the offer to hold 'em was on the table, but-shit!"

Bob's face darkens but Rooster levels the toe of his boot with Hangman's lower thigh, striking him at the back of the knee and subsequently spilling beer over his khakis. Hangman grunts as his knees knock against the beer-sticky floor, but he seems to know he deserved what he'd gotten because he doesn't retaliate.

"We'll wrangle him." Rooster promises, "You two go have fun, Bob you gotta quarter for the jukebox?"

"Yes'sir," Bob nods, tugging you towards a lesser populated area- perfect for slow dancing even if the bar isn't, "Let's make up for lost time, honey."

[somethinginthewayiam]

The girl behind the bar : Epilogue

pairing: Jake Hangman Seresin x plus-size reader

warnings: really fluffy

words: 1.4k

Summary: Jake has to talk to you about something kinda serious...

a/n: I TOTALLY forgot to post the epilogue last week, my apologies. Here it is now. Enjoy!

Link to my masterlist

“I think this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten”, you sighed after the first bite. Jake had taken you to that diner where he had interrupted your date once. You were finally able to get that burger he had but fresh out of the kitchen this time. And it was even better than you imagined.

“Oh god”, you said after the second bite, making Jake chuckle. “If you keep this up, I will not let you finish that burger”, he mentioned and his green eyes bore into yours while he licked his lips. He hadn’t even touched his burger yet.

“Yeah, like you’re able to get up right now”, you countered with a challenging smile and took another bite. His eyes shot down to his crotch for a second then he adjusted in his seat. Your smile widened.

“We should get chocolate cake after”, you suggested and wiggled your eyebrows. His face froze. “Stop it. Right now”, he advised you with a low voice but you could see that he was intrigued.

If there was something you could drive him even wilder was eating chocolate cake. He said he had never seen anything more sensual and then continued to lick it off your chin and other places he had put it on your body. Good thing you were at his place when it happened and it were his sheets that were ruined. But the sex was out of this world.

You shot him a wink and a smile before you ate some fries. Your feet were entangled under the table. You were now the couple you were often so sick of when you saw them in restaurants, bars or just on a bench in the park. But this was actually quite fun when you were on the other side.

“Listen, Y/N, I wanted to talk to you about something”, Jake started and seemed a bit nervous all of a sudden. You looked up from your plate. He still hasn’t touched his burger.

“Yeah?”, you encouraged him as he didn’t continue right away. “Uhm, it’s about work”, he continued and it was almost awkward how nervous he got. It definitely made you nervous, too.

“Jake, what is it? You’re making me nervous”, you stated, chuckling. “Sorry, that wasn’t my intention. I wanted to talk to you about…”, “Hey! Hangman, Y/N!”, you heard behind you and turned around.

It was Rooster, Payback and Fanboy. Bob and Phoenix were already shipped off to Miramar for their next assignment. The group was coming over to you. “Hey, are you guys on a date?”, Rooster asked as he arrived at your table and immediately sat down on the bench next to you, pushing you down a seat. Payback sat down next to Hangman and Fanboy pulled up a chair.

“We were”, you told him. “Cool. Now it’s a group hang”, Rooster said and started eating some fries off your plate. “Hey, get your own food”, you told him and grabbed your plate, turning away from him. This burger was too good to share. “Sorry”, Jake mouthed and pulled a face. “We need new friends”, you said out loud, not caring if you hurt their feelings. They had just interrupted your date.

“No, we need more of those burgers”, Rooster said and turned around to wave at the waitress.

You ended up having an improtu group dinner but Jake managed to get the two of you out of there just when you had finished eating, leaving the guys with the bill as payback. Instead of going straight back to his place like you had expected, he drove to Pacific Beach and invited you to a walk on the beach.

You took your shoes off and carried them in your hand, feeling the sand between your toes as you walked next to Jake. For a little while, the two of you didn’t talk and just enjoyed the view and each other’s company.

You walked a few steps towards the water and ran back to Jake when the waves came in, trying not to get your dress wet. The last one came quite close and you squealed as you hurried back to Jake. He caught you in his arms and pressed a kiss to your lips while you smiled big.

You put your arms around his neck and kissed him back. His hands settled on your hips.

“You good?”, you asked him when you pulled back and your hand caressed his cheek. “With you in my arms, I’m always good”, he replied and gave you another kiss. “Aw, so cheesy”, you chuckled and played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Back at the diner, you wanted to talk about something before we got so rudely interrupted”, you reminded him. Jake’s facial features hardened at your words and underneath your hands, you could feel how his body tensed up.

“Jake, come on. You’re really scaring me right now”, you told him and tried to keep a brave face but you got increasingly worried the longer his silence went on. You let go of him and took a step back.

“I wanted to talk to you about work”, Jake finally spoke. “Okay”, you said slowly.

“I already put in two requests to prolong my stay at North Island and I can't put it off any longer”, he told you and your stomach turned. Was he breaking up with you?

“They're sending me overseas”, he told you and your heart sank so fast, it almost knocked you off your feet. Your shoes fell out of your hand. No. This couldn’t be happening.

“And I would really love for you to come with me”, he continued.

You looked at him with big eyes. You weren't even living together yet and you're supposed to leave the country with him?

“I don't even know where exactly they're sending me yet and it's only temporary. But I asked if I can bring someone and they said yes, so, it's not gonna be somewhere dangerous, so, I think...”, he finally realized that he was rambling and you were overly quiet.

He took your hands in his and took a step closer to you.

“I know it's quick, we're moving five times the speed you're provably supposed to do this, but I'm so sure about us. I haven't felt about anyone the way I feel about you and I just think that this could really work out between us. If you don't wanna come, which I can totally understand, we can do the long-distance thing. It's not gonna be ideal but anything is better than not being with you one way or another”, Jake declared and just about stopped himself. The puppy eyes he was giving you were almost too much to bear.

“Yes”, you finally said. The expression on his face turned hopeful yet hesitant.

“Yes as in...”, he asked.

“Yes, this is super quick and yes, long distance would be less ideal”, you began and his face dropped. Your stomach turned nervously when you took a deep breath. You couldn't believe what you were about to say.

“And yes, I will go with you wherever they send you because I don't care how fast we are moving, we're fucking great together and I'm not ready to have our story end just like that”, you told him.

“Really?”, his voice was shaky, unsure, trying to hide his excitement just in case he hadn't heard you right.

“Really”, you nodded and the next second his lips were on yours. His arms wrapped around you and held you close, never wanting to let you go ever again. It felt like forever until you pulled back.

“I've known you pretty much since the day I came to San Diego and even though you annoyed the hell out of me when we first met, I simply can't picture this place without you”, you added. He put his forehead against yours.

“Don't let me regret this, Hangman”, you told him.

“Never”, he lightly shook his head against your skin.

“I love you, Y/N”, Jake said.

“Good, 'cause I love you, too, Jake Seresin and I will literally follow you to the end of the world”, you said and closed your eyes for a moment.

My god, you were really doing this. There was no place you'd rather be than with him.

a/n: okay, but this time, it's really over. Their story might only be beginning, but our window into their little world is closed now.

Thank you all so much for reading, commenting, liking and just the amazing experience The girl behind the bar has been!

[cyandreamz]

❁Pearl Fey and Trucy Wright hanging out❁

Today I finished this drawing and honestly, I love it so much! makes sense since I drew most of this with my left (main) hand (used right hand for a good chunk of the sketch to help maintain being somewhat ambidextrous) and, got to use an art medium I haven't used in almost a year, after buying some cheap alcohol markers (cheaper than sharpie's cheap) a few weeks ago.

(rest of post has minor spoilers for AA2-5, mostly AA4-5 but I do mention very minor spoilers for AA2-3)

I've been wanting to draw Pearl for a while, especially after seeing her in the DD DLC case (which is my fave case from DD) but than on the 18th I read this fanfic by Samioli and, it was so cute! It made me want to draw Pearl even more! To clarify this isn't fanart of the fic (idk if I ship Pearl and Trucy but I do see them as childhood bffs) but, I do hc Pearly as lesbian thanks to the fic and, I still wanted to recommend it cuz it's such an amazing fic and, it motivated me to draw Pearly hanging out with Trucy.

okay now back to talking about the drawing XD. I decided to re-design both girl's hair-do's and I'm very glad I did. I like Trucy's canon hair but as mentioned in this post I originally thought her official sprite had a bob, and now that I drew her with a bob I think I might continue doing so! Also I don't think she has an ahoge in canon but, I think it suits her so I will always give her one :3 (Edit, turns out she does have an ahoge and it's even cuter that the one I gave her so in future I will draw her with her canon ahoge)

As for Pearl, I dislike that her model in DD basically is just a taller version of her child sprites in AA2-3, so after making some thumbnails on a different page of hair-do ideas, I decided on a hairstyle that's similar to her canon hair-do but, more interesting imo, especially since I made the braids heart shaped on purpose cuz it references her love of romance (very on the nose, but being on the nose is kinda on brand for AA).

I also had a lot of fun designing these outfits for them both! Trucy's bag is of course a playing card and I picked 8 of diamonds cuz she has a diamond motif in canon and, was adopted by Phoenix when she was 8! Her jeans also have a two patches, one of her first daddy's hat/her hat when she was a child and a bunny, cuz that's magic related and cute lol. Also gave her a bracelet that kinda references Apollo but kinda doesn't, because it's on the wrong arm (didn't want it to crowd the hand holding pose!) and it's sliver because I didn't want to add yellow to the colour pallet :P

Pearl's outfit was loosely inspired by fairy-kei fashion as I feel like Pearl would enjoy Fairy-kei and Yumekawaii but not strictly follow a jfashion style. I also gave Pearl glasses. Not only make her look more unique compared to her canon child design but also, cuz AA doesn't have enough characters with glasses imo and I think they look super cute on her! I did consider giving her heart lenses but, I think that might be over doing the heart motif so I made them round instead :P

[kafka-ohdear]

random shit to say but i can ship hangman with phoenix. i can ship bob with phoenix. i don't hate shipping rooster with phoenix but the idea seems kinda funny to me. it feels like shipping a gay man with a lesbian woman.

[the-ace-with-spades]

just wanted to say i would 100% read any hangster omegaverse you write there is not enough of it out there tbh. and also like truly whatever combo/dynamic you feel would be amazing but i would frankly die for some omega bradley cause i never see people take that route and it's such an interesting take on his character to me BUT ANYWAY like i said follow your heart and i'm sure it would be glorious if you do decide to write it

Hi! Thank you for the ask, I'm absolutely flattered ✨ I'm also happy to say that my cliche omega Bradley/alpha Jake mpreg fic has been planned out already - hope you don't mind me using this ask to ramble about it a bit 👉👈

As for the dynamics, we're going with:

omega Bradley and alpha Jake

alpha Mav and alpha Ice

(only mentioned but ) omega Goose and alpha Carole

so Bradley was raised mostly by alphas

omega Phoenix, beta Bob, beta Coyote

scent-wise, they're both on suppressants the majority of the time but when they aren't, they both smell like fuel and dust (Bradley loses it when he stops flying), but Jake's natural scent is dry, earthy one, kinda like straw and hot air on a sweaty day, and Bradley's is honey and vanilla/cinnamon; Mav smells like leather and jet fuel and Ice like cool mint and old paper

Not sure whether this is going to be written in my typical non-linear scene format (alternating past & present povs) just because I'm aiming to try and fit in 40-50k but the backstory/premise/whatever is well, this:

Bradley's experience growing up as a male omega was different than what most expected — most of his family didn't care about what the society said about designations and what was proper and what not. He was very much a stereotypical 'sensitive/soft' omega but he never thought that would hold him back, he literally was taught he could be anything and anyone he wanted. His mom was an alpha that choose to stay home, his dad was one of the first omegas allowed into combat, and after they both passed away, he was taken in by Mav and Ice, two alphas that by society's standards couldn't work out together, but did so better than most couples, and who tried to raise him to be his own person, not a designation. So he had plenty of ‘unconventional’ examples as a child.

That's why it hurt it so much when Mav said he wasn't ready and pulled his papers — it's like all he was taught about being whoever he wanted to be was a lie. Obviously, Bradley reacted by shaming himself out of being soft (to the outside world anyway).

Bradley and Jake met in flight school. They were only supposed to be something out of convenience, to spend heats and ruts together and nothing else. But then they were placed in the same squad after training and things continued and escalated and before they knew it, they were living together, they were each other's emergency contacts, they were each other's official heat/rut partners, on paper.

Jake'd never made him feel like any less because he was an omega and never doubted he was competent enough to be where he was in life — he was an asshole to him the say way he was to others, which was better than being undermined or coddled. Bradley felt like maybe he wasn't confident enough to be himself without care, yet, around Jake, but one day he would.

It was an unspoken thing on base — Bradley was Jake's omega and vice versa.  Unspoken because despite eight years together, they never bonded.

Bradley still has issues, about being an omega, that mostly strive from Mav's you aren't ready and the general opinions about omegas in the Navy. He was okay without all the usual stuff omegas wanted from alphas — couldn't be scented much because of scent neutralisers and suppressants he had to wear at work, couldn't make nests since they spend a lot of their time on deployments or trainings away on different bases and ships, he liked touch but it was both unprofessional at work and very omegian of Bradley at group outings (and he didn’t want the guys he worked with to think too much about him being an omega). 

At home, behind closed doors and in their own bubble, Jake didn't have a problem with giving him those things — what Bradley asked for, he got. Affection, nests, scenting, praises. In private, Jake never hesitated to fulfil whatever stereotypically omegian thing Bradley wanted and never held it against him. Jake’s family didn’t know about them, but given that Bradley wasn’t ready for bonding, that was probably for the best — he knew people could be nosy about when will you get bonded or married, when will you have kids, should you keep working in the Navy after bonding, etc. It bothered him a bit, especially when he had to leave their place and stay with Nat whenever Jake’s family showed up in town or stayed alone over holidays, but well, he never asked Jake for any of it to change and Jake never made the first move.

So Bradley hoped he wouldn't mind giving it all to him when Bradley finally did ask for it.

Then they just came back from deployment, after months on heavy duty suppressants, and his heat and Jake's rut synced up — something that happens only after bonding or after big big stressors — and then he found out he was pregnant.

He took a few to process everything and decided that he wanted it more than he was afraid of how it’d change their life and how people would see him, and he was going to ask for more from Jake and tell him.

Then he comes home and his nest is dismantled and Jake’s got two cans of scent neutralizer on the kitchen table and the first thing he tells Bradley is, “My sister is visiting for a week, gotta be fast because she’s going to be here tomorrow.” And Bradley isn’t so sure anymore.

(probably not the actual dialogue but the gist of what happens) "It's just going to be a few days and everything will go back to normal." "What if I don't want it to go back to normal?" “Look, you’re not exactly the type my family expects—” “So, how do you see us, in the future? Do you not want to get bonded, get married or—or have kids? Or are we just going to do all those things while sneaking around your family forever?” "We have a good thing, why change it? It’d all just be so inconvenient with our lives—”

And Bradley makes a decision again. Packs his stuff, tells him he isn’t comining back and leaves. He was fine alone, he’ll be fine alone again. He just needs some help first.

(gonna get short now, just not to spoil too much) Bradley goes to the only person he can think of — Ice. He moves in with Mav and Ice for the time being, things are awkward so Mav moves out to the hangar and Ice schemes so his two dumbasses talk and they forgive each other.

Fast forward, he’s six months in and the Top Gun recall happens, Bradley is currently Cyclone’s flag lieutenant, and ThingsTM hit the fan.

Scenes the dialogue is written down for (no promises on actual inclusion in the fic):

Jake being a dumbass and calling Bradley fat the minute they see each other in San Diego

The snow scene from the mission but with Mav and Jake arguing about who needs to come back home more

The beach scene with Bradley sitting around with Penny on the patio, drinking mocktails and being thirsty (the other kind)

Jake finally telling his mom

Bradley and Mav getting tricked into going to a doc appointment together (by Ice)

Bradley teaching (or ordering him around, more like) Jake how to do the flooring in the nursery while he sits on a bean bag and eats a whole box of strawberries

It's gonna be a while before I post the first chapter because I want to have at least dialogue written for the whole thing and will shuffle around scenes and plot points, but it's coming!

Thank you to you, anon, and to anyone who helped me figure out some stuff about this au fic 💙

[crinkled-emotions]

Day 18: "Holy shit."

We're slowly working our way back! Do we think I can get back up to date in the next... 48 hours? Lmao.

Ship: none! Daggers being Daggers.

Warnings: Mentions of illness (but nothing graphic)

Do I need to start putting gifs here again? That was kinda a vibe.

-

“Holy shit.”

The minute Maverick walked into the ready room and took in his team, he almost turned around and walked back out. They were strewn around the room in various stages of unwell, from Phoenix cradling the tissue box to Bob with his glasses off napping on the couch, then to Hangman lying on the top of the couch taking deep breath and across to Payback who was grasping on to the bottle of Gatorade in his hands like it was his lifeline. Fanboy and Coyote were nowhere to be seen but when Maverick opened his mouth to ask Hangman was stumbling off the couch into the nearby bathroom. The door slammed closed and Maverick grimaced.

“Why are you all here again?”

“Because it’s work,” Phoenix said, voice hoarse. She gently nudged Bob’s shoulder to wake him up but he flipped over to face the back of the couch. Maverick gaped at his team.

“Okay- okay. Everyone, please, go... home? Where is your self preservation- and where is Rooster?”

“Here, Mav.”

Rooster appeared in the doorway, pausing when he took in the rest of the team.

“Damn; what happened to you guys?.”

“Coyote’s with Bagman and Fanboy stayed home,” Phoenix supplied. She carefully lifted Bob’s legs to sit on the couch properly, leaving them on her lap. He glanced up to see if she was okay but she shook her head to reassure him. Coyote appeared from the bathroom and cleared his throat.

“Hey, Cap, uh... what’s new?”

Maverick sighed.

“Please don’t tell me you’re all hungover- except for you, Phoenix, and you, Bob.”

Bob didn’t respond, still half asleep, and Phoenix waved at her Captain. His head turned toward the bathroom door.

“What is wrong with Hangman?”

“You don’t want to know,” Coyote winced. Maverick looked between his team then gestured toward the door.

“Okay, well, let’s... get him home... Bradley what are you doing?”

Rooster was standing by Bob and Phoenix, a finger on either side of Phoenix’s nose.

“It helps with sinus congestion,” he supplied. That was all Maverick needed.

“Everyone go home... now.”

-

Hangman: how are we doing?

Phoenix: better than your bathroom

Phoenix: but that’s not hard

Hangman: glad to see you’re feeling better

Coyote: don’t act like you’re doing so hot Bagman

Payback: my stomach has officially been turned inside out

Fanboy: congratulations now mine wants to

Phoenix: oh btw Bob’s in the er

Phoenix: don’t tell Mav

Coyote: what??

Hangman: brb gonna go eject

Fanboy: what happened?

Rooster: I’m here

Rooster: what’s this about Bob in the er??

Rooster: why is bagman ejecting?

Phoenix: shut up my head hurts

Rooster: tash

Rooster: which er?

Phoenix: base

Rooster: okay I’ll go see him tonight

Rooster: does anyone need anything?

Coyote: I need to ask a favour

Rooster: that’s what I’m here for

Rooster: wait no that sounds wrong

Coyote: can you go check on Seresin?

Coyote: I got the stomach flu too

Rooster: gross

Rooster: I’ll make sure he’s only slightly dying

Rooster: Mav just said he can go see bagman so I’ll go to baby on board

Phoenix: tissues

Rooster: and get you tissues

Payback: gatorade

Fanboy: x2

Rooster: be there in a sec

-

Knocking on the door, Maverick tried to brace himself for how gross it was going to be for the next half an hour. He’d been with Bradley through almost every stomach flu, cough, cold and random kid-illness during his childhood and into his teen years but it never got easier to deal with mostly because he was absolutely miserable the entire time.

When he didn’t get a response to the door knock Maverick called out, glancing in the window.

“Seresin?”

No answer. He wasn’t entirely surprised.

“Jake, I’m coming in.”

He reached into his pocket for the key Rooster had quietly given him without an explanation. Honestly, Maverick kind of felt like he didn’t need one; the Daggers had exchanged house keys when they first became a permanent squadron.

“Jake?”

Stepping into the apartment Maverick waited to hear any signs of life- if anything, he could hear what sounded to him like football reruns and he rolled his eyes in amusement.

“Where are you?” He muttered more to himself than calling out for Hangman. He glanced first at the couch and then sighed, heading toward the bedroom. Sure enough, he was passed out on his stomach under the blankets... sound asleep. He looked... better. Not great, but better. Maverick crossed the room, gently nudging his shoulder.

“Hey, kid, how you feeling? Is sleeping on your stomach a good idea?”

Hangman stirred, brows furrowing as he slowly moved. Maverick pulled the sheets back over his shoulders, keeping a hand on his back.

“Wha?”

Maverick snorted, kneeling by the bed. He stifled the wince when his knees popped and Hangman smirked, turning his head to raise an eyebrow at him.

“I feel better than your knees, apparently.”

“Javy was worried about you and by the looks of it, he may have been on to something. Where’s your water?”

“My bottle’s in the kitchen.”

“Wait here.”

Maverick got up, ruffling his hair. He heard the groan in response.

“I really don’t think I’m goin’ anywhere, Mav.”

With water in his system and toast ready for when he could stomach it, Hangman was looking a little less green and a little more cocky so Maverick made a polite (but swift) exit.

-

“Hey, Bobby. How are you feeling?”

Bob looked a little better too. Sitting up, glasses on and IV in his arm, he was slowly eating the cup of jelly in front of him. He glanced up and sent Rooster a soft smile.

“Roos. My head isn’t throbbing right now so I’m taking that as a win.”

“What happened, man?”

“I had a migraine but then the migraine meds didn’t work and I figured I should probably go to the hospital. I couldn’t open my eyes at all by the time I got here and my stomach was so unsettled but I managed to get a couple hours of sleep and the meds are working now.”

“That’s good. I was worried when Phoenix finally told us.”

“Ugh, I made her promise she wouldn’t.”

“Yeah, well, I kinda wish she’d mentioned it when you went in. Me or Mav would have come and sat with you in the waiting room.”

“I’m okay; what happened with Hangman?”

Rooster shifted the seat to be beside Bob’s bed, offering the book he’d swiped (purchased. Legally.) from the gift shop on his way over.

“He’s fine, Mav said he was bitchy so he must be feeling better. You look tired, man, should you be sleeping?”

Bob hummed, running a hand through his hair.

“Probably. Uh, the doc said I can probably go home tonight. Could you-“

“-text me when they release you and I’ll take you home.”

Bob smiled.

“You’re nice when you’re not having a dick measuring contest with Hangman.”

Rooster snorted, rolling his eyes as he stood.

“Don’t need to measure it when I know it’s bigger.”

Rooster winked as he headed out the door, making Bob groan as he buried his head in his pillow.

-

Maverick’s next stop was to Payback, taking Gatorade and soup he’d bought from the local deli that looked like it was the closest thing to homemade that could come out of the Daggers. None of them were particularly amazing cooks and it was a joke amongst them that they were never going to host a Christmas Day where they cooked it. Unlike Hangman who had been curled up in bed pitying himself, Payback was on his couch dozing with a trash can beside him and reruns of M*A*S*H playing on his TV. He let Maverick in and took the offerings gratefully but before Maverick could start a conversation he went back to his previous position and went back to sleep. Maverick couldn’t blame him; between checking on him, Hangman and Fanboy then talking to Rooster about Bob and Phoenix he knew whatever this bug was that had gone through everyone except his godson and Coyote was one for the books. Fanboy didn’t answer the phone but Maverick got a message from him saying he was on the mend; he was alternating between sleeping and playing Among Us with Payback, Phoenix and Coyote. Maverick had already told everyone that had been sick they were to take an extra day off but Rooster and Coyote were going to be helping him with training another team.

The pair moaned and groaned about it all day but by the end of it they had a collection of baby pilots following them around like lost sheep and they’d both been asked to coffee a handful of times- it wasn’t even on a date, they just wanted to talk about flying. Maverick hadn’t stopped laughing at the helpless look on both of their faces as they hid in the locker rooms. They’d begged for mercy but Maverick had just sent them to their next lectures and laughed all the way to his own.

-

[foreverrandomwritings]

Contoversially Young Girlfriend-Part 4

Summary:In this part of CYG and Nat, Nat learns that CYG's moms have intimidating careers. She reacts just about how you'd expect.

Pairing:Natasha "Phoenix" Trace x CYG

Warnings: Anxeity and Alcohol.

Word count:851(Kinda short sorry)

Masterlist Series Masterlist

It was a normal day at The Hard Deck with CYG, Natsha and some of the Squad. CYG has one of her books and notebooks out and is studying for an exam coming up. Nat is talking with Bob about his parents coming into town and then the conversation gets turned onto CYG.

“What do your parents do?” Bob asked her politely. The pair had only been dating for a couple of weeks at this point and it hadn’t crossed Phoenix’s mind to ask, so she was also curious and listened intently. 

“One of my moms is a stay at home mom and the other one is JAG.” Natasha had been taking a sip of her beer when the words came out of her girlfriend's mouth. She ended up choking on the liquid, it spewed out of her nose and she coughed for a solid 5 minutes. All the while CYG is rubbing her back soothingly. 

“What the fuck did you just say?” the words came out of Natasha’s mouth before she could stop them after she could finally breathe properly. 

“My mom is JAG, she works on your base, sometimes she's sent out overseas or on a ship or whatever.” CYG said it so nicely as though her mother wasn’t feared by everyone around them. 

“When were you going to tell me this?” Nat said in bewilderment, throwing her hands in the air. She was known for being exceptionally calm but this news had shook her to her bones. She contemplated breaking up with the woman in front of her at that moment. But she shook that thought out of her head quickly. CYG was no doubt the person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. 

“I figured it would come up in conversation at dinner this week.” CYG shrugged casually and the words reminded Phoenix of the dinner she had agreed to go to at CYG’s home. 

“No way am I going to that dinner. That isn’t going to happen.” Nat shook her head furiously. Natasha knew she could handle meeting parents. She had done it before and parents always loved her. But the thought of sitting around a dinner table with JAG had her skin feeling clammy and her chest feeling tight. 

“Phoenix you’re gonna have to meet them eventually might as well just rip the bandaid off now.” It was Bob’s calm and wise words that had a scoff leaving her mouth. CYG gave him a thankful smile for his attempt at convincing his front seater that meeting her mom’s wasn’t a big deal. 

“Unless of course you want to break up because my mom’s job makes you sweat a little.” CYG was only slightly teasing. She was well aware how terrified military personnel were of her mother. Even Cyclone had shown fear of the woman on multiple occasions. 

“Of course not babe. I want to be with you. Just kinda terrified of your mother is all.” Natasha’s words reassured the younger woman there was no need to worry. Even though Natasha was already running through a million scenarios in her head. 

“I wish I could say she isn’t that bad but she is. You get used to it though. After a while that is.” Natasha’s wary look had her continuing “My other mom Juniper or momma balances her out. She’s very sweet, kind and caring. It makes up for how cutthroat my mom Blake is.” 

“She volunteer at a charity or something?” Natasha was being sarcastic with her words but gapped at CYG when she nodded quickly. 

“She volunteers at just about any charity she can. She’s at the soup kitchen every Wednesday. Goes to the local hospital to the children's ward and reads books, sings songs or does crafts every Tuesday and Thursday. Then she bakes cakes and cookies and whatnot and takes them to the Veterans hospital on Friday. Monday is a slow day for her. She normally gardens and practices some songs on her guitar or paints. Saturday is our day together though all three of us go out if mom is in town and spend time doing something together. Sunday is a free day and she normally tries to find some volunteer work somewhere that day.'' As CYG finished listing off her mothers routine she had a warm feeling in her chest. She had always been proud of both her mothers and took any opportunity she was presented to gloat about them. 

“Yea I think I’m sick during dinner.” Natasha was now intimidated by both of her girlfriends' moms and there was no way she was gonna survive an entire dinner with them. 

“I promise you there is nothing to worry about. They are gonna love you!” CYG leaned over and gave Nat a kiss on the cheek before pulling back and giving her an uncertain smile. Even though her palms were sweating and her stomach was twisted in an impossible puzzle Natasha still smiled at her girlfriend reassuringly. Then agreed to go to dinner even if she would be on the verge of throwing up the whole time.

A/N: Next part should be out soon. I'm gonna try and write it tonight or tomorrow!

Tags(open): @sylviebell @wkndwlff​ @eternallyvenus @loving-and-dreaming @princess76179 @kmc1989 @gspenc @aoikioshi

[bradshawsbaby]

Honey I just wanna say you are absolutely amazing and a big congrats on the one year celebration!!!! I was a little bit nervous to send something in but I completely cracked (lol).

I wanted to share a little blurb with you if it's ok but lately I've been thinking about Bob x wifey!reader having a little cottage down in Key West, Florida that was probably built in the 1950s because it's turquoise with the peach pink hurricane shutters. It's where you guys take the whole squad on vacation when things get a little too hairy around Fightertown. It's where you and Bob honeymooned and then Jake and Phoenix after you as well as the others and their s.os. When the babies started entering the family? You guys are constantly on the beach, sunburned even with sunscreen slathered all over you. You and Phoenix have tiny little seashells braided into your hair (courtesy of Bob and Jake), the garden is always in bloom and you guys can go scuba diving on pirate ships wrecked off the island. The only thing you could do without besides the sunburns are having to listen to Bob and Mickey arguing over who's the better college team, the Seminoles or the Hurricanes (but when Jake jumps in with the Texas teams, the both of them gang up on Jake, lol).

I know the blurb is kinda long and I'm sorry, there's just alot I wanna get out (lol). Again honey, big congrats on the celebration, I love your writing and any time you wanna share Hannix thoughts/thots or whatever I'll gladly listen.

Aww, you don’t have to be nervous to send ideas in! I always welcome them! ☺️ Thank you so much! 🩷

This is the sweetest little blurb ever! I adore the idea of spending the summer getting sunburned on the beach with Bob and our babies 🥰 And it must be an absolute blast when the whole Dagger Squad is there!

Thanks for sending this thought in! And I’m always happy to share the Hannix thoughts! 🤭

Join my “TOP ONE” Anniversary Celebration! 🥳

[aro-simp]

🤪💞💌 for the s/i ask game!

- @selfship-shenanigans

Doing these for Psy cause he's my focus s/i atm :) Thank you!!

🤪 - What is your trait that fanon would exaggerate?

I was about to say fanon would 'degrade' him to being just comic relief but actually I feel like it would pretty quickly gain traction to treat him as the "he's only so sarcastic and loud because of Trauma" so that everything he does gets pretty much played down as "it's not his fault it's just a trauma reaction he's actually super quiet and innocent !!!" Whixh... is not entirely wrong but you know... kinda takes away from his agency as A Silly Guy?

💞 - Aside from with your f/o, who else would you commonly be shipped with? Why?

Hangman, I'm pretty sure! Psy can't stand him, and picks on him for the most meaningless things. And no fandom would miss out on such a pristine rivals to lovers opportunity! I... really don't wanna be shipped with him tho 😭 I'm sorry to all fans he's just really not my type

Otherwise maybe Bob and/or Phoenix? But they are platonic f/o's and I do feel like most people would recognize them as friends, and just friends.

💌 - How would your dynamic be portrayed? What might people focus on most? Any misconceptions?

I think a lot about the dynamic (at least "on screen" dynamic) would be about Psy, Rooster and Maverick coming back together, they all knew each other at some point in their lives before, and that's pretty central part of the story. So I guess it's a lot about like... change and balance?

Mav is older than Psy, but Psy definitely likes to treat him like he's younger. In the end Mav is more mature tho (considering his personal history with grief and family and the like, which is more or less all lacking in Psy).

I think their main thing is that Maverick's way to balance is becoming more cautious, while Psy's is to be less anxious.

For Rooster and Psycho it's kinda like... adjacent to childhood friends meeting again I guess? When they met Psy was already working with the Navy for a while but he was undoubtedly an outcast, and Rooster was the only person who spent time with him voluntarily. So when they meet again it's a "Yay Rooster's still the same" from Psy, and a "Yay Psy (and his circumstances) changed for the better" from Rooster.

No clue how far this covers dynamic specifically?? I guess they're all silly little guys in their own right (Rooster just wants to have harmless fun, Maverick needs to do some reckless stuntman-esque shit ti eve feel something, Psy's just... a little unconventional)

I think the age dynamic is what fans would focus on most/more than is called for. It does affect them a little bit but not that much y'know.

I think a misconception could be that Maverixk just kind of takes on a "dad" role in their relationship. I just think general archetypes would be a trap here, it's a little too complex to put it down into something like "that's the bratty one and that's the mean dom"

[outofmemory]

Thank you for answering my ask! 💜

FIRST OF ALL!!! Uncas/ Alice from Last of the Mohicans movie YES!!!! 100% YES!!!!! 💜💜💜

Ok, back to business 😆

I do not know any of the foreing TV shows you mentioned 😅 All the shows I consume are actually foreing, because my country is quite small and I do not really like any shows they produce 😒

But if we talk about Western/USA made shows, here are some of my ships (I will use your list as a guide 😉, canon and not canon pairings by the way, most of them are not canon to be honest 🤣): Marvel: Bucky/Darcy (I do not even know if they actually meet in canon 🤣 Top 10 ships) Steve/Natasha Meredith Quill/Yondu Udonta Madisynn King/Wong (She-Hulk TV)

The Expanse (TV): Amos Burton/Praxidike Meng

Punisher (Netflix): Frank Castle/Karen Page

The Martian (movie): Mindy Park/Mark Watney

Alien (Covenant): Daniels/Walter (do I need to move this ship down to problematic? 🤔)

Pride and Prejudice: Mary Bennet/Original Male Character (I just love to read about Mary and how she goes through life and maybe finds love)

Hobbit (Movies): Fíli/Sigrid (.... problematic age gap category? 🤔 Top 10 ships) Kìli/Tauriel (.... same problem as above? 🤔)

Gosford Park (movie): Mary MacEaachran/Robert Parks

Fargo (TV): Nikki Swango/Mr. Wrench

The Bear (TV): Sydney/Carmen (Like one of my top 10 ships!)

T U A (TV): Five/Lila (that's how we know each other 😉, Top 10 ships!)

Game of Thrones (TV and books): Brienne/Jaime Shireen Baratheon/Rickon Stark (they did not die! both are alive and well and when they are adults they will marry and live a happy life until both of them die together in their sleep of old age! YES I still have feelings about them, very strong ones! FUCK the TV show!!!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬)

The Gentlemen (movie): Coach/Raymond Smith

Bridgerton (I only watched season 1!): Anthony/Penelope

Star Wars: Rey/Kylo Ren (Rise of Skywalker does not exist, Rey is still a nobody, fuck the whole story line that only special people/born of a special line of yedi/sith can be powerful! Fuck that storyline!! 🤬🤬🤬🤬)

Pitch (TV): Ginny/Mike

Karppi (Deadwind -TV): Sofia Karppi/Sakari Nurmi (Top 10 ships)

Elona (Netflix Movies): Edith Grayston/Sherlock Holmes

Top Gun (movie): Robert "Bob" Floyd/Natasha "Phoenix" Trace (Bob is such a supportive co-pilot 💜💜💜)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Midge/Lenny

Star Trek Voyager: Icheb/Naomi Wildman Icheb/Q Junior (... problematic age gap?🤔)

Good Omen: Beelzebub/Gabriel Eric (Disposable Demon)/Muriel

Debris (TV): Bryan Beneventi/Finola Jones (Top 10 ships)

Willow (TV): Elora Danan/Graydon Hastur (Top 10 ships)

So to the more problematic pairings, because their canon power dynamics are kinda fucked up:

American Gods (TV): Laura Moon/Mad Sweeny (Top 10 ships)

Sicario: Alejandro Gillick/Kate Macer

Mad Max Fury Road: Slit/Toast the Knowing (do not know why I ship them, I just do. Found some great ffs and now they are my ship in the fandom 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️)

Good Girls (TV): Beth/Rio Eddie/Annie

Harry Potter: Hermione/Draco

Wednesday (TV): Wednesday Addams/Tyler Galpin

Knives out: Marta Cabrera/Ransom Drysdale

Succession (TV): Lukas Matsson/Shiobhan "Shiv" Roy (I found one extremly good ff and that sparked this pairing for me! And let's acknowledge that both of them are terrible, terrible people, just ... so terrible 😤)

The problematic ones with age gap (so people can shit on my taste 😅):

New Year's Eve (movie): Ingrid [o]/Paul [y] (I just like their dynamics, what can I say 😅)

Firefly (TV): Jayne Cobb [o]/River Tam [y] (It is always a plus if the younger female character could kill her partner without even getting sweaty, and I do mean literally kill him 😊) River is such a great character, I love her a lot 💜

The Walking Dead: Daryl [o]/Beth [y] (again, I just like their dynamics, what can I say 😅 They made each other better people, I like that a lot in a pairing. )

Split/Glass (movie): You thought your pairing was problematic 😅 Mine is, besides Casey[y]/Kevin[o], Casey[y]/Dennis [o] 😆

Mare of Easttown (TV): Mare [o]/Colin [y]

Euphoria: ADULT!!!!! (so we do not misunderstand each other!)-Ashtray [y]/ADULT!!!!!Cassie Howard [o] (nobody dies, everybody get's be a an adult and have an adult relationship that is not abusive, looking at you Nate! That MF! 🤬🤬🤬)

Game of Thrones (TV): ADULT!!!/QUEEN OF THE NORTH!!!-Sansa Stark/Sandor Clegane (HELLO, HELLO!!! 🚨🚨🚨🚨ADULT SANSA!!!! Let it be known!!! ADULT-SANSA!!!! Top 10 ships!)

Extra category of "problematic"??? Fallout (TV): Cooper Howard[o+ghoul]/Lucy MacLean [y] (because age gap and ghoul?!?! 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️, Top 10 ships!🤣)

So this list ends here 😆 Definitly not complete BUT very, very long 🤣 I do not know if you find any other pairing you would like on my list. But maybe one or two 😉

💜💜💜

Hi, so you do not have to publish your respond or answer at all 😉 But beside Five x Lila and Brienne x Jaime what other pairings do you ship? Much love 💜

Hi! 👋🏻

I don’t mind answering- the main thing I use tumblr for is appreciating and talking about ships that I love so it’s not an issue to answer this by any means :)

I haven’t watched a ton of new shows lately, mostly rewatching older favorites or watching new-to-me-but-not-new-this-year foreign tv shows. But I will put a few below (I liked the main couple in the foreign shows) and some of my older ships after that! 😊

Foreign TV shows (I don’t often find a lot of fanfic/ fan art for foreign TV shows comparatively but I loved these series):

-Love Between Fairy and Devil (cdrama)

-The Manny (Mexican TV show)

-Hidden Love (cdrama)

-Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (kdrama)

-Ever Night (cdrama)

-Love, Now (Taiwan drama)

-Tale of the Nine-Tailed (kdrama)

-Happiness (kdrama)

-Mischievous Kiss (jdrama)

-Boys Over Flowers (kdrama, but I like Ji Hoo/ Jan Di instead of the main couple of Joon Pyo/ Jan Di)

And several others, but those are the ones I remember at the moment.

Main ships from American and/ or western shows and movies (though I probably like others from the same franchise too):

-Marvel: Steve/ Peggy and Clint/ Natasha are my main ships. I really enjoy Bucky/ Sam too, but I haven’t ventured to them quite as much.

-Barney/ Robin from How I Met Your Mother

-Penelope and Colin from Bridgerton. Really liked Kate/ Anthony too.

-Carol/Daryl from The Walking Dead followed by Rick/ Michonne (admittedly I slowly lost interest in the series after Glenn died, & I think I mainly stopped watching after Carl died. But I love the ship still)

-Tony/ Ziva from NCIS

-Deeks/ Kensi from NCIS LA

-Rollins/ Carisi from SVU followed by Benson/ Barbara. (All 3 of which, NCIS/ NCIS LA/ SVU, I didn’t finish or don’t really keep up with regularly)

-Harry/ Hermione from Harry Potter

-Penny/ Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory (I probably stopped watching regularly after season 5 though)

-Chloe/ Oliver from Smallville

-Enola/ Tewksbury from Enola Holmes TV show

-Uncas/ Alice from Last of the Mohicans movie

-Casey/ Kevin from Split & Glass (they’re one of my more problematic ships, TBH)

Cartoons/ Anime/ Comics:

-Starfire/ Robin from 2003 Teen Titans cartoon & the 1980s comics & live action tv show, also known as Dick/ Kory followed by Beast Boy/ Raven (or Garfield/ Rachel)

-Bruce/ Selina (pretty much any Batman universe I’ve seen)

-Naruto/ Hinata from Naruto. Shikamaru and Temari are a secondary fav for me.

-Ichigo/Orihime from Bleach. I also like Renji/ Rukia.

-Toph/ Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender, but I prefer them as a post-original series couple. She’s too young for me to want them together during the show. Katara/ Aang.

Pretty much any of the studio Ghibli main characters, though there are still a few films I need to see…

Honorable mention to Lily/ Sebastian in the Love, Lies, & Hocus Pocus book series I’m currently reading…

There’s probably a ton of other ones (certainly there are more shows/ movies I love that I don’t necessarily have a ship for or that I just didn’t have a ship I went to fanfic for) but these were the ships I most remember from growing up and/or from reading fanfic/ fan art in the last 10 years or so…

What about you? What are some of your ships? I don’t suppose we have any other overlapping ships or shows, do we?

And much love right back at you! 🩵

[officialheroesofolympus]

Okay I legitimately cannot stop thinking about Rooster and Hangman from tgm and I am seriously battling the urge to write a fic about them accidentally getting stuck, not in an elevator, but a faulty f14.

Just Rooster in the cockpit, unable to fall asleep because he has nightmares of falling to his death in the very same jet, and Hangman seeing him at like 2am and just going over to talk to him. He perches himself on the edge of the cockpit and suddenly the canopy shuts. He loses his balance and tumbles into the seat with Rooster and it’s awkward at first, horrifically so.

It’s downright claustrophobic, two men as tall and built as them, confined into the tiny space of the cockpit. But after a while of shuffling around, trying to squeeze into one seat, they start to talk. They talk about when they were still in Top Gun, mere trainees that maybe shared an almost-something together. They talk about the death defying mission, the trauma it brought. And then, slowly as they turn groggy and vulnerable from exhaustion, they talk about themselves and maybe they end up kissing and it’s all soft and gooey and sweet

Really wanna write it especially since I miss writing so much BUT not sure about how free I am maybe I’ll resist the urge to write a longass chaptered fic and condense it into one chapter

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Living Up To The ‘Legacy P.7 ✈️| Top Gun Maverick Series Finale

Contains major spoilers for TGM

Read parts 1-6 here -> Series Masterlist

Characters & Pairings: Lt. Bradley ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw x Barbara ‘Legacy’ Mitchell (past/eventual romance), Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell x daughter!OC (platonic), Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin (platonic), Lt. Robert ‘Bob’ Floy (platonic), Lt. Natasha ‘Phoenix’ Trace (platonic), pretty much the rest of the characters are platonic.

Content Warnings: major angst that ends in fluff, profanity, combat accidents, light panic attack. Suggestive content near the end | Female OC (she/her) | wc: 8k+

Premise: Barbara Mitchell was helpless as she stood in the control room of the carrier, watching alongside the crew as her father, lover, and friends set forth on the high risk mission they spent weeks preparing for. Time is of the essence, and Barbara could only sit back and pray they make it out alive despite potential obstacles thrown at them. The fate of her future depends on it.

Note: guys we are finally here! The final part of my Legacy series 🥹 i actually wanna tear up cause I’m kinda sad it’s over. I loved this movie so much and these characters and Barbara has a special place in my heart. I still have the epilogue so don’t worry it’s not fully over just yet. And who knows maybe I’ll do some drabbles that are part of this series in the future. Thank you to everyone who has followed me, gave me feedback and has waited patiently. Much love to you all and thank you for the support! See you in the epilogue.

——————————————

“Dagger One, up and ready on Catapult One.”

Barbara was nervously chewing on her bottom lip, standing beside Hondo as they watched the screens in front of them with the crew. Admiral Simpson and Bates were not too far from them while they waited for the Squad. Maverick was the first to report.

Next came Hangman, “Dagger Spare standing by.”

“Dagger Four, up and ready,” Payback relayed followed by Phoenix, “Dagger Three, up and ready.” Barbara held her breath as the last person reported. Rooster. “Dagger Two, up and ready.”

The comms officer nodded to Cyclone, “Support assets airborne. Strike package ready. Standing by for launch decision.”

“Send them.” Seconds after Cyclone’s order, a light rumble could be felt above the crew. It continued for several seconds, indicating the Dagger Squad was in the air.

“Dagger One away…….Dagger Two away….Dagger Three away……Dagger Four away.”

Fumbling with her dog tags, Barbara could hear the beeping of the radar while her eyes watched the image of the four planes flying in formation toward enemy territory.

“Comanche, Dagger One. Standby check in,” Maverick said through the comms. A response came a moment later, “Comanche one-one, set. Picture clean. Recommend Dagger continue.”

“Copy. Daggers descending below radar.”

The beeping of the radar signaling their position continues to beep until coming to a stop. “Daggers now below radar. Switching to E-2 picture.” The screen enlarged as it switched to E-2. Barbara could see the planes listed with her teammates' callsign as they continued in formation. She and Hondo shared a look.

“Here we go. Enemy territory up ahead. Feet dry in sixty seconds. Comanche, Dagger One. Picture.”

“Comanche. Picture clean. Decision is yours.”

“Copy,” Maverick said before falling silent. Seconds later his voice returned with the order, “Dagger attack.” Though faint, Barbara could make out the sound of tomahawks firing off of the nearby ship aimed to destroy the enemy’s runway. They appeared on the picture with the second comms officer stating, “Tomahawks airborne.”

“No turning back now,” Warlock made the comment, eyes locked on the image of the missiles passing the Squad. Maverick once again spoke into the comms, but it was too his team, “Daggers, assume attack formation.” Slowly with sharpness, the planes maneuvered with Phoenix and Rooster moving in between Maverick and Payback. “Dagger set. Proceeding to target. Two minutes and thirty seconds in three, two, one, mark.”

“Two mark.”

“Three mark.”

“Four mark.”

A click beside her had Barbara turning her head slightly, noticing Hondo had a pocket watch timer in his hand. The steady pace of her heart started to increase as the nerves filled her when Mav said, “Going in.” At that moment the team entered the terrain, making the first of many tight turns they were to endure while increasing their speed. “First SAM site overhead.”

That sent chills in Barbara. She could only imagine what her teammates were thinking with the threat of SAMs right above their heads. Yeah she had successfully done the course, but it wasn’t like it was the real deal.

“Looks like we’re clear on radar, Mav,” Phoenix said. While it gave Barbara a sense of relief, she knew better than to think they were safe. Maverick had the same idea, for he replied, “Let’s not take it for granted.”

“More SAMs!” Fanboy exclaimed. “Three o’clock high!”

“We got two minutes to target,” the update came from Bob.

“Copy. We’re a few seconds behind, Rooster. We got to move.” Barbara stiffened, watching how Rooster, Payback, and Fanboy’s jets were gaining distance between them and the others. Just seeing it send a wave of dread. Even being a second behind could make or break the mission.

“C’mon, baby,” she muttered under her breath while the comms officer reported the tomahawk location. “Thirty seconds to Tomahawk impact on enemy airstrip.” Those thirty seconds were gonna pass quick, and unfortunately it was about to have new obstacle.

“Dagger, Comanche. We’re picking up two bandits. Single group, two contacts.” Eyes widening, Barbara mentally cursed and glanced at Cyclone who also appeared surprised, “Where the hell’d they come from?”

Warlock had no clue, “Long-range patrol?” He offered. ‘It had to have been,’ Barbara thought to herself. There was no way the enemy would leave their territory unguarded when they knew their illegal uranium plant was set to become operational. They had to have expected someone to take it out.

“Comanche, what’s their heading?” Phoenix asked, and Barbara could make out the light waver of her voice despite trying to remain calm.

“Bull’s-eye 090, 50, tacked southwest.”

“They’re headed away from us. They don’t know we’re here.”

“The second those Tomahawks hit the air base, those bandits are gonna move to defend the target,” Maverick’s voice came in a rush, the adrenaline starting to take over. “We have to get there before they do. Increase speed.”

“We got you, Mav. Don’t wait for me.” While Maverick and Phoenix's jets pushed forward—the screen showing their location on the terrain—as they increased speed, Rooster and Payback remained behind. It had Barbara squeezing her eyes shut, a slight tremor in her hand when she brought it to her forehead.

“Sir, Daggers Two and Four are behind schedule. Time to target, one minute twenty.” The second comms officer followed the first with, “Tomahawk impact in three, two, one.” Not a moment later he is calling out, “Impact. Enemy runway destroyed.”

“They know we’re coming now.”

Cyclone was right, because the Comanche comms officer reported, “Bandits are switching course to defend the target.”

“Rooster, where are you?” Maverick asks, causing Barbara’s heart to skip. Distance between them had been gained and they were falling seconds behind what they needed to be. Payback voiced his frustration, “Come on, Rooster. Bandits inbound. We got to make up time now. Let’s turn and burn.”

Barbara’s eyes closed in a silent prayer. It may have been a mistake to be in the control room. As much as she felt she’d be worried sick remaining in her room by herself, the anxiety was overwhelming. There was no way she’d be able to remain calm if she were alone.

“Heads up, Phoenix.”

“Whoa!” Bob shouted which made Barbara look up at the screen. There must’ve been an obstacle they did not anticipate in the terrain.

“Sir, bandits are two minutes from target,” the comms officer relayed, catching everyone’s attention. “Daggers are one minute from target.”

“Come on, Rooster,” Hondo muttered with a shake of the head. “Move it or lose it.”

Fanboy thought the same, “Guys, we’re falling behind. We really gotta move.”

“If we don’t increase our speed right now, those bandits are gonna be waiting for us when we reach the target.”

“Talk to me, dad.”

Nothing could stop the glistening of Barbara’s eyes when she heard Rooster say those words. It told her everything about how Rooster was feeling at that moment. His dad was the only one who could get him through what came next. What followed was a sob in the back of her throat as her own father replied, “Come on kid, you can do it. Don’t think, just do.”

It must have been enough, because before she knew it she was witnessing Rooster’s plane shoot forward, leaving Payback behind who responded quickly, “Jesus, Rooster, not that fast!”

“There you go, baby,” she whispered to herself, feeling a small smile on her lips. Maverick was also pleased, “That's it, kid, that’s it.”

Rooster’s voice was confident as he spoke, “All right, let’s go.” They were back in the game. It would take a moment for them to catch up to the others, but their speed had increased so much they had Barbara worried about the turns. “Damn, Rooster, take it easy.”

“Sir, Dagger Two is reengaging.”

“All right,” Cyclone sounded relieved, “Now hit your target and come home.” The pop up point was approaching, and soon everyone in the control room appeared on edge.

“Thirty seconds to target. Bob, check your laser.”

“Air-to-ground check complete. Laser code verified, one-six-eight-eight. Laser is a go!”

“Watch your heads!” Rooster suddenly calls out, followed by Fanboy exclaiming, “Holy shit! Shit!” It must’ve been whatever it was Mav had warned Phoenix about the minute prior. She made a mental note to ask about it when they retuned—-if they returned.

“Payback, you with me?”

“Right behind you.”

Barbara’s eyes drifted to Mav and Phoenix’s plane, inhaling sharply. They were seconds away from pop up. Glancing at Hondo, he looked just as nervous as her. “Phoenix, stand by for pop-up strike.”

“Dagger Three, in position.”

“Popping in three, two, one.” Grunts could be heard through the comms, from all three of the aviators as they ascended the first part of the mountain. Next they were inverting their dive to descend toward the target before pulling upright. “Get me eyes on that target, Bob.”

“Dagger Three,” Bob stuttered, out of breath from the maneuver. “Stand by, Mav.”

“Come on, Bob, come on.”

“Stand by,” he repeated, making the anxiety rise for Barbara. She brought her hand up to her mouth, gently biting the tip of her finger. “I’ve got it. Captured!”

“Target acquired. Bombs away.” Mav grunted again, as did Phoenix, when they popped up yet again to begin their high-G ascend. The control room was so silent a pin could drop. All eyes on the screen and ears listening for confirmation.

Bob broke the news loudly, “We got impact! Check, direct hit! Direct hit!” The only physical reaction Barbara gave was letting out the breath she had been holding. Beside her, Hondo clenched his fist in silent victory.

“That’s miracle number one,” Warlock spoke for all of them.

“Dagger Two, status.”

“Almost there, Mav. Almost there,” Rooster responded, and the nerves returned all the same. He and Payback were now making the inverted dive. “Fanboy, where’s my laser?”

Panic filled Mickey’s voice, “Rooster, there’s something wrong with this laser!” Barbara’s stomach dropped, willing herself to remain calm. “Shit! Deadeye, deadeye, deadeye!”

“Come on, guys, we’re running out of time. Get it online!”

“I’m trying!”

“Come on, Fanboy!”

“Nearly there! Nearly there!” There was a tremble in Barbara’s legs, the woman glancing to the ground as if by not looking at the screen what’s happening over comms will settle. She was biting her lip so hard she nearly broke skin. They were running out of time.

“Come on, Fanboy. Get it online.”

“There’s no time. I’m dropping blind.”

“Rooster, I got this!

“No time. Pull up.”

“Wait!”

“Bombs away! Bombs away!”

“Oh my God.” The world stops as everyone holds their breath for a second time. Barbara could literally hear her own heart pounding, having to put a hand to her chest as though it would calm it down. A shout of relief escaped as Hondo pulled her into a side hug when the Comms officer shouted, “Bull’s-eye! Bull’s-eye! Bull’s-eye!” Cheers rang all around, some sailors high fiving while others pumped a fist in the air.

“Miracle number two,” Warlock exhaled as the cheers came to an end. Cyclone didn’t even smile, for he knew what came next, “Now they’re in Coffin Corner.”

That seemed to snap Barbara out of her joy. For a moment she forgot that the team was far from safety. Dread filled her at the realization they were about to be fired upon by enemy SAMs.

“We’re not out of this yet,” Mav struggled to say. The second he and Phoenix were out of the mountain climb he saw the first sign of movement. “Here it comes.”

“Radar warning! Smoke in the air. Phoenix, break right.”

“Emergency jettison. Dagger Three defending.”

“Here comes another one!” Bob screams to his pilot. Barbara felt chills along her arms as the dogfight against SAMs began. It was going to be a tough fight and they were limited on their weapons.

“Dagger One defending.” Barbara felt Hondo move closer to her, placing a comforting hand to her shoulder. Together they watched the screen with nervous eyes, seeing the planes of her father and Phoenix do their best to win the dogfight. Payback and Rooster were approaching the end of their climb. “Rooster, status.”

The pilot didn’t answer, but his grunts and heavy breathing could be heard through the comms. Seconds later they hear Rooster go, “Oh my God.”

“C’mon, Rooster,” Barbara muttered, panic filling her at the sound of his tone. “You got this. Come back to me.”

“Smoke in the air! Smoke in the air!”

“Break right, Payback!”

“Breaking right.”

“Oh my God, here they come!”

“SAM on your six, Rooster!”

“Deploying countermeasures.” Slight relief came to Barbara when Rooster responds with, “Negative contact.”

“Dagger One defending.”

“Talk to me, Bob!”

“Break right, Phoenix! Break right! Mav! Nine o’clock! Nine o’clock!”

“Rooster, two more on your six.”

“Dagger Two defending.”

By now Barbara was squeezing her eyes shut with tears threatening to spill. The chaos from the comms was too much. The team was talking over each other, giving statuses and warnings to each other. People in the control room were trying not to react but it was obvious they were experiencing the same level of anxiety as their pilots.

“Payback, SAM on your nose.”

“Dagger Four defending.”

“Rooster, tally, seven o’clock.”

“Talk to me, Bob!”

“On our six!”

“Dagger Two defending.”

“Phoenix, break right!.”

“I see it!” By that point one could hardly make out the individual voices. Mav was talking over Rooster, Bob and Payback were speaking at the same time. Barbara’s head was spinning by the overwhelming emotions she felt. She wasn’t even in the air and it was like she was living it through her teammates.

“Dagger Two defending.” And in the split of the second, Barbara’s world took a turn. “Shit, I’m out of flares!” Rooster’s panicked tone gave her chills, heart rate increasing by the sudden fear. Evading SAMs was difficult in itself, but not having countermeasure

“Rooster, evade, evade!” Maverick ordered.

“I can’t shake ‘em! They’re on me! They’re on me!” The numbness started in her fingertips, before moving to her hands and along her arms. A gasp escaping her as time seemed to slow when the comms went silent. Rooster’s shout followed by Mav’s grunt could only be heard before the world came crashing down on Barbara when her fiancé screamed, “Mav! No!”

“What happened!?” She heard herself shout before anyone else could react. Phoenix was the one to unknowingly answer her, “Dagger One is hit! I repeat, Dagger One is hit! Maverick is down!”

“No,” her broken whisper was met with tears as Rooster called out to her father, “Dagger One, status.” When there was no answer—causing Barbara’s hope to decrease, he repeated, “Status.” Meanwhile Barbara was already losing her composure, “N-no.” Hondo moved closer when she staggered, hand on her shoulder as his own expression mirrored hers.

“Anyone see him? Does anyone see him? Dagger One, come in!”

“I didn’t see a parachute.” A pained sound escaped at Payback’s words. All Barbara could do in that moment was pray that Maverick made it in time to eject. There was a chance he could be hurt and lying in the snow, but at least there was a chance he was alive. She refused to believe otherwise.

“We have to circle back.”

“Comanche. Bandits inbound. Single group, hot. Recommend Daggers flow south. One minute to intercept.” Cyclone was conflicted, eyes flicking to Barbara briefly before shaking his head, “Get ‘em back to the carrier now.”

Barbara continued to cry silently while the comms officer ordered the team to fall back, “all Daggers flow to ECP. You have bandits heading for you.”

“What about Maverick?” Rooster objected, voice strained to contain himself. His tone was laced with pain, breaking Barbara’s heart even more.

“Tell him there’s nothing he can do for Maverick, not in a goddamn F-18,” Cyclone’s voice cracked, surprising Barbara. The admiral and her father had been at odds the whole time leading up to the mission that hearing emotion in his tone was not what the aviator expected.

“Dagger Spare request permission to launch and fly air cover,” Jake's sudden offer had Barbara’s eyes widened, looking to Cyclone with hope. Maybe with four jets they could take out the two bandits.

Her shoulders deflated at the sight of the Admiral shaking his head. “Negative, Spare.”

“Launch search and rescue,” Warlock ordered, but was vetoed by Cyclone—another knife to Barbara. “Negative. Not with bandits in the air.”

Anger started to replace the sadness. Hondo’s cut in, “But, sir, Maverick is still out there.”

“We are not losing anyone else today,” Cyclone cut him off sharply before turning to the second comms officer. “Get ‘em home now.”

As the officer gave the order, Barbara’s fury consumed her. It filled her vision as the last hope for rescuing her father was denied. What the hell was he thinking. There was still a chance Mav could be alive. Alarm bells were going off in her head.

“You’re not gonna do anything?” She was pushing past Hondo, but the man’s arms took her by the waist and held her back. The team was speaking through the comms but Barbara didn’t hear them. Her focus was on the Admiral who was leaving her father behind. “You can’t even deploy search and rescue to give him a chance at coming home, Cyclone!?” Cyclone gave her a warning look at her tone which was rising with each word, not flinching under her gaze.

“Lieutenant—.”

“You’re leaving him out in fucking enemy territory!! Are you out of your goddamn mind!?”

“If you cannot calm down I will have you removed from this carrier at once!”

“THAT IS MY FATHER OUT THERE!” Her scream echoed throughout the control room, ending in a choked sob as she struggled against Hondo’s grip. Little did she know it carried through the comms officer microphone, allowing the whole team to hear her cry. Phoenix was holding back tears, as was Bob. Fanboy had squeezed his eyes shut, muttering a silent prayer while Payback’s jaw clenched. Even Jake heard and brought a shaky hand to his jaw.

And Rooster? He no longer heard the comms officer ordering him to acknowledge. Hearing the pain in the love of his life’s voice sealed the deal for what he was about to do. He could only hope she’d forgive him. If it didn’t go as planned, he’d be destroying whatever was left of her heart. ‘I love you, Barbara.’

Hondo eventually pulled Barbara away a few steps as she crumbled into his embrace. There were voices coming through the comms but she could barely hear with the sound of her muffled sobs. Then she was freezing still when the comms officer spoke, “sir, Dagger Two has gone rogue.”

“What?” Cyclone demanded as Warlock glanced at Barbara.

“He’s heading toward Dagger One’s crash site.”

“Goddammit, Bradshaw.” Barbara couldn’t even describe the feelings consuming her. Fear, grief, sadness, anxiety, all combined at the the possibility her father was dead and her lover was heading straight for danger. ‘What the fuck is he thinking?’ Her grip on Hondo’s forearms tightened, eyes flicking to the screens where she spotted his plane long away from Phoenix and Payback.

Then it disappeared.

As did Barbara’s soul.

“Dagger Two is hit,” the second comms officer stated, disbelief in his voice. He had to repeat it just to believe it was really what he was seeing, “Dagger Two is hit.”

“Dagger Two, come in,” ordered the first comms officer, but was met with silence. “Dagger Two, do you copy?” With her knees no longer able to hold her, Barbara collapsed with a wail against Hondo, who’s own tears were spilling on his cheeks.

Warlock brushed a hand across his jaw, wincing at the sound of Barbara’s cries while the comms officer continued trying to reach Rooster. “Dagger Two, come in. Dagger Two, do you copy?” Cyclone’s head dropped. “Dagger Two, come in.”

“N-no—no-no-no!” Barbara sobbed, Hondo holding her tightly as they crouched on the floor. Her head was pounding, face red as the tears continued to pour. There was no stopping them now. She lightly hit Hondo’s chest, but he didn’t mind—letting her release it all. “No! Not him too—not him too!”

Hondo rubbed her back, “I know, honey. I know.” The choked air leaving her had Hondo telling her to breathe. “You’re gonna hurt yourself if you don’t calm down, Barbara.” He knew the signs of a panic attack well, and saw the pilot was potentially about to have one. “Breath with me.” Together they took deep breaths before slowly releasing them. All the while Hondo rubbed her back, signaling for someone to grab the nurse on deck in case Barbara were to pass out.

“We were g-gonna get married again,” she sniffed, lip trembling as she spoke and missing the way Hondo’s eyes widened. “I-it can’t—. They h-have to-to be okay, Hondo. T-they have to be.” Although Hondo wanted to believe Maverick and Rooster were alive, the odds were against them. Trapped in enemy territory with bandits patrolling the air and an air base not too far from their location meant they would be found soon if the Navy didn’t act fast. If Barbara was in the right mindset she’d be running to the deck to steal a plane and go after them herself. She’d fight anyone who tried to stop her—not caring if it meant prison time.

Unsure of what to say, Hondo let out a sigh, “Barbara…”

“No!” She cried, slapping his chest again. She refused to let her hopes up. “Nothing can kill Pete Mitchell—not even himself! Nothing, Hondo, nothing!” There was so much time they needed to make up. After so many years of estrangement and fear of the cycle repeating, Barbara and Maverick had finally made progress in their relationship. That was her dad—the man who would walk her down the aisle when she remarried the only person who her heart was reserved for.

It would not be the end of Maverick and Rooster. She would not accept it.

“Nothing.”

Meanwhile, deep in the woods of enemy territory, Maverick and Rooster were scoping out the scene in front of them. Smoke made it hard to see—the airbase having been blasted by a multitude of tomahawks making the enemy unable to deploy their aircraft. Alarms were sounding, filing the pairs' ears along with the shouts of men running across the tarmac.

Rooster was unsure of why they were there, glancing at Mav to see him deep in thought. “You’re not serious.”

Oh but he was. Maverick shot him a look before raising from the snow, Rooster following in suit with the same hesitant expression. God, this was not what he planned for when he decided to save Mav. It was like they were planting themselves for the enemy to see.

They moved closer with Rooster taking the binoculars to scan the hangers. Clicking his tongue, the words left his mouth before he could stop them, “I plan to marry your daughter , sir…..again.”

In his peripheral vision he saw Mav snap his head to him. He quickly put the binoculars up to avoid his eyes, a blush coating his cheeks both from the adrenaline and the fact he had just dropped a bombshell on his ex-and soon to be again-father-in-law.

When Pete didn’t respond he got worried, pulling the binocular back a tad to see his reaction. Mav’s mouth was parted, blue eyes wide as he processed the news. Maybe Bradley should’ve waited till they were back on the carrier. Or let Barbara be the one to deliver it. Maybe Maverick would've taken it better coming from her—cause then again, Rooster’s actions had her divorcing him in the first place. If Maverick knew the details then it was shocking he hadn’t confronted him.

Then to his surprise, Maverick smiles, chuckling as he says, “Can I at least be a part of the wedding this time?”

Rooster blushes, biting back a grin. He should’ve expected that blow. “We wouldn’t want you anywhere else.” Maverick claps on the back in congratulations with a, “Let’s hope she doesn’t kill us when we get back.”

Oh fuck. That’s right.

If there was one thing on the planet that scared Rooster—and maybe even Maverick—it was an angry Barbara Mitchell.

And she was going to kick his ass.

“Looks like I’ll be sleeping on the couch for the next year.” Mav laughs at Rooster’s words, the latter bringing his attention back to the binoculars. When he landed on a familiar sight—one he saw in museums—his stomach dropped, “You’ve got to be shitting me.” Nope, his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. “An F-14?”

“I shot down three MiGs in one of those,” Mav casually says, as if that made Rooster feel better about their chances.

“We don’t even know if that bag of ass can fly.” The older man made a face, slightly offended by the insult—like it was directed at him and not the plan. Raising his brows, Mav jumps up, “Let’s find out.”

“Mav!” Rooster whisper-shouts, but it falls flat. The older man was on the move, trying not to slip down the slight hill as he walked onto the enemy’s tarmac. Gulping, Rooster nods to himself—while praying to God Barbara doesn’t kill him if they make it out alive—before chasing after Maverick.

Together they got to the F-14 without attracting attention to themselves with Pete giving Rooster instructions on how to start it up. They had to act fast and thankfully no one appeared or passed by as they were doing so. Once the engines were a go and all pins were removed, Rooster closed the hatches left open before climbing on top of the wing and into the backseat.

“Canopy?”

“Clear!” Rooster shouted as he buckled himself in. The jet exited the hangar with Mav slowly bringing it onto the taxiway. In the back, Rooster removed a Polaroid picture he had snugged in his front pocket. Running a gloved finger over the image, he felt warmth spread through him as he stared lovingly at it. It was a candid photo of Barbara laughing with the sunset behind her. Her once long hair was pulled up in a messy updo, gold necklaces stacked against her neck and adorning a baby blue sundress with daisies spread across the fabric.

It was one of his favorite photos of her. Taken at a happy point in their marriage shortly before everything went down. Rooster kept it with him all this time, hoping that one day they’d be able to amend things.

Bringing the photo to his lips, he whispered, “I’m coming, baby.” He could not imagine what she must’ve been going through. Thinking both he and her father were MIA or worse, dead. He made a silent promise to make it up to her. Placing a kiss against the image before placing it back in his pocket where it would be safe, Bradley felt the plane come to a stop.

“Both runways are cratered. How are we gonna get this museum piece in the air?” There is no answer from Maverick. Instead his fingers are moving toward the lever on his left. Feeling the vibration, Rooster frowns and turns to his right to see movement outside the canopy. A *thump* from his head hitting the side rings out, “Why are the wings coming out, Mav?”

Again, Maverick doesn't answer—making Rooster nervous at what he was thinking. The engines are soon starting up. “Mav, this is a taxiway, not a runway. This is a very short taxiway, Mav.”

“Just hang on.”

Now Rooster was well aware Maverick lived life on the edge. You can’t have a name like Maverick and not live up to the name. But what Rooster did not think the man would do, was use a cratered taxiway as a runway. However, he was shot backward into his seat when Mav suddenly hit the gas, “Holy shit!”

“Come on, come on, come on,” Mav repeated, watching the needle on the knots get higher and higher. “Needle’s alive. Come on.” Rooster peers from the side of Mav’s seat—eyes widening at the large building-like obstacle at the end of the taxiway. It looked like fuel tanks.

“Mav?”

“That’s it. Come on, come on!” The needle gets higher, knots increasing. “All right.”

“Mav!”

“Here we go,” Mav is pulling the stick back, the front wheel lifting off the ground before the back wheels follow. They were coming up fast with Mav having to draw them up high to avoid collision.

“Holy shit,” Rooster closed his eyes, pictureing Barbara in his mind if it was to be his last thought before death. He wanted to remember her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes light up when talking about the things she loved. He thought of their kiss goodbye on the carrier.

A rattle of the plane’s front wheels hitting the side of the tanks sounded amidst the heaving breathing from Rooster as the Gs he was feeling. Once they were steady and he could think straight he switched on his ESAT.

He had to let her know they were okay.

Back on the carrier, the second comms officer became shocked at the beep on the radar in front of him. The tiny lettering spelling out ‘Rooster’ appeared near the top left corner. “Sir, we’re receiving a signal from Rooster’s ESAT. But there seems to be a malfunction.”

Having been brought to a chair and forced to drink a bottle of water and Tylenol for her headache, Barbara dropped the cool towel the nurse had given her as she shot up. Hondo, who was standing close by, gently brought her back when she moved to the officer, “Wait.”

“Have you lost him?” Warlock asked. Both he and Cyclone had their attention on the officer, as did most in the room.

“No, sir.” The officer turns in his chair. “He’s supersonic.” Barbara’s hand went to Hondo’s, squeezing it at the sudden wave of hope in her veins.

Warlock couldn’t believe what he was hearing, “He’s airborne.”

“In what?” Cyclone spoke incredulous. What the hell could have he been in to be traveling that fast. His F-18 was shot down.

“Sir,” the first comms officer hand went to hold her headpiece, the Admirals turning to face her. “Overwatch reports an F-14 Tomcat is airborne and on course for our position.”

“It can’t be,” Warlock said to himself while Barbara turned to Hondo with her jaw dropped. She felt like she could cry again, but this time out of joy. Her gut was right, voice going low as she whispered, “I knew it.”

“It can’t be!”

Silence. In all his years of Naval service, Cyclone was speechless. Face unreadable, there was no mistaking the awe behind his eyes. Only one person could be responsible for what the comms officer revealed.

“Maverick.”

With the immense relief that Rooster and Maverick were safe and on their way to the carrier, Barbara made her way to the deck—having had it with the control room. Hondo prepared for their landing with the flight crew so the pilot busied herself by searching for her friends who should have already returned. “Natasha!” She shouted, running to the woman when she spotted her on the opposite end of the runway. Hearing Barbara, Nat shot toward her, meeting her halfway with the two embracing. The others lightly jogged behind her.

“I’m so sorry,” Phoenix sniffed when they pulled away. Her eyes were rimmed with redness that matched Barbara’s. The second they landed the pilot allowed her emotions to release, crying for Maverick and Rooster. But mostly Barbara. “C, I’m so—.”

“They’re alive,” Barbara grasped her forearms, watching the surprise overtake Nat’s face. The guys surrounded them with similar expressions, waiting for answers.

“Wha-what are you talking about? They got shot down. Rooster, he—.” Barbara cut her off with a shake of the head.

“His ESAT came up on radar—I was in the control room when it happened. He—I don’t know how but the maniacs stole an F-14. Overwatch caught sight of them. They are on course for us at this very second.” The realization dawned on each of them, Bob running a hand through his hair as he met Fanboy’s eyes.

“Holy shit.”

“An F-14?” Payback questioned with hesitance. “You’re serious?”

“The tomahawks must’ve missed the planes and only struck the runways,” Barbara replied, licking her bottom lip as the alarms went off around them. “The fact it got in the air fucking surprises me.”

“Well yeah. That’s like a dinosaur egg being discovered and it hatching,” Fanboy commented, making Barb roll her eyes at the reference but smile nonetheless.

With a sigh of relief, Phoenix brings her into another hug. “What are you gonna do when they land?”

“Kick their ass—especially Bradley’s for scaring me like that,” When Phoenix’s laugh subsided Barbara leaned in closer so the guys would not hear her next words, “and tell him yes to marrying him again.” The gasp Phoenix let out made Barbara grin, pulling away to wink at the brunette.

“You’re serious?”

The pilot nodded, bringing a finger up to wipe the residue on her face. “Yeah, the man popped the question before taking off. Told him I’d give an answer when he came back. But we both knew it was going to be a yes. I love him so much, Phee.”

Nat squealed, doing a little dance and embracing Barb that the two stumbled a bit. “Oh my God! I’m so happy for you two—congrats!”

“Thank you,” Barb giggled, steadying themselves. The guys all looked at each other confused, “Uh what did we miss?” The women ignored them with Phoenix pulling Barbara back a few steps away from their nosy ears.

“I knew you two would find your way back to one another. I had hoped this detachment would be the reason—even though you two acted like children in the beginning.”

“Hey!” Barb whined with mock offense. “Some of it was reasonable if you could agree.”

“True. But it could have also been fixed earlier with simply talking to each other,” Phoenix gave a warning look, making Barb’s shoulders deflate in defeat.

“Okay, you’re right. I should’ve got the truth of what happened that day before jumping to conclusions.” What she purposefully left out was the argument that followed that night with her and Rooster. Nat didn’t need to know he called her a cunt. Otherwise Rooster may not get the chance to marry her cause he’d be dead the second he landed.

The sound of shouts from around the deck captured their attention along with an engine starting up. Barb’s eyes narrowed in confusion, frowning when she saw Jake’s canopy shut. “What’s happening?” She asked no one in particular.

“Looks like they’re sending Hangman out,” Fanboy squinted against the setting sun.

“But why?” Phoenix stepped to the side to get a better look. The flight crew performed last minute checks and soon Hangman was at the catapult waiting to be released. The group watched him raise his hand in a thumbs up before saluting to the crew, and next thing they knew he was off in the air.

Barbara didn’t like what she was thinking. Something had to have happened—or about to happen—for them to send Hangman to assist in bringing Mav and Rooster back.

“They’ve been spotted.”

What they hoped would be a smooth ride back to the carrier was in fact the fight of their life against two fifth generation fighters. After successfully shooting them down—in a F-14 of all planes—things were looking good when they exited the terrain. The ocean greeted the pair, both sighing with relief that they had made it out.

Fumbling with the breakers, Rooster gave a silent victory when he got the radio to work to which Mav instructed him to get in touch with the boat. But their peaceful moment was ruined at the sound of the beeping indicating they had been locked.

Searching around and behind, the sky was clear with no sign of a plane approaching, but as Mav turned forward he was met with their nose. It was not a good sign. The dogfight getting out of enemy territory left them with no weapons—they were a sitting duck for the lone jet. The best thing they could do was evade, but even that didn’t look promising.

Bullets ricocheted off the plane, the damage slowly increasing that would leave them with catastrophic consequences if they took any more. Mav’s best bet was to get high and eject, screaming at Rooster to prepare himself as he shot them upward. The high climb pushed Gs against them, the two breathing heavily as fear consumed them. When they got high enough Mav shouted, “Eject, eject, eject!” Behind him Rooster was pulling against the ropes, but was met with nothing.

The seat stayed put. He was trapped.

“Rooster, pull the handle!” Mav ordered in a haze. “Eject!

“It’s not working!” His panicked voice screamed back. They continued to climb up, the enemy on their tail though the bullets seized. It wasn’t too hard to put together they were trying to missile lock on them. And with their position, Mav and Rooster would not be able to evade it. “Mav!”

With tears lining his eyes, Mav solemnly thought of the two people he would be letting down. “I’m sorry,” first he saw his best friend. “I’m sorry, Goose.” Then he pictured his daughter. Memories of her as a child played in his mind like a movie. The first time he held her. Her laughter as she jumped in his arms when he surprised her at kindergarten. The moment before he took off and said she loved him. “I’m sorry, Barbara.”

He closed his eyes at the sound of the missile lock. Waiting for the end to come. But, it went away and instead the explosion he expected to swarm him was behind the plane. Gasping, he and Rooster turned around as best as they could in their seats to find a cloud of smoke and debris falling into the ocean.

And a F-18 emerging from the darkness.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your savior speaking,” Hangman’s voice filled their ears, all the stress alleviating from their bones. They couldn’t help but laugh—what were the odds at Jake appearing in the nick of time. “Please fasten your seat belts, return your tray tables to their locked and upright positions…” He pulled up beside them, ending with, “And prepare for landing.”

Mav hit his fist against the canopy, raising a thumbs up to the blonde pilot in gratitude. “Hey Hangman,” Rooster said, smiling under his mask, “You look good.”

“I am good, Rooster. I’m very good,” just like how he was the first night back to Fightertown in the Hard Deck, Hangman had the smug but this time friendly, expression to match his words. Breaking off, he goes, “I’ll see you back on deck. Your lady is waiting for you.”

With a shake of the head, chuckling as he let the calm wash over him, Mav swung the nose around in the direction of the carrier. They caught sight of Jake landing, and it was then the Captain remembered they were missing some pieces to their plane. “Maverick is downwind. No front landing gear. No tailhook. Pull the cable and raise the barricade.”

On the deck, members of the flight crew rushed to gather the ropes while Maverick took it upon himself to do a fly by. He could never pass up the opportunity. It felt like he was back in 1986 with Merlin, but this time it was Rooster. By the time he pulled around the barricade was up and ready.

Slowly they descended, the large crowd of crew members holding up binoculars as they stared in awe of the F-14 tomcat making its final land. Decades after her last ride.

Suddenly a jolt had Mav’s eyes widened, looking at the control panel just as Rooster groaned, “Please don’t tell me we lost an engine.”

“All right, I won’t tell you that.”

“Okay,” Rooster just leans back in his chair, holding onto whatever he can as they near the deck. This was going to be a story to tell one day. It made him smile at the thought it could be him and Barbara’s children that would receive that story.

The end of the carrier came up fast, Mav letting the stick drop forward before they made impact with the barricade. It sent the two forward, clutching onto their seats to steady. Thankfully their belt buckles pulled them back so they didn’t smack against whatever was in front of them. When they came to a stop, they could finally breathe.

Crew members in fire hazard suits raced to extinguish the engine, the smoke and vapor wafting against the canopy. “You good,” Mav asked, unbuckling his restraints.

“Yeah, I’m good.” As the canopy opened, they were met with cheers as members of the crew and team ran to them. They ginned, sweat dripping from their forehead and waving to the crowd.Barbara had yet to be seen, for she had raced to Jake when he landed—the two sharing a hug with Barbara thanking him for saving the two.

Mav threw his helmet down for someone to catch, and the two were helped from the plane where they were embraced as cheers rang out from every corner. Hondo was the first one to greet Mav, the two sharing a mutual look of respect as they smiled while Rooster was surrounded by the whole team. There was one person he was looking for, but he embraced Phoenix and clapped hands with Payback, high fiving Fanboy as they approached him.

As Mav shook hands with members of the crew, his attention snapped to the voice calling out, “DAD! D-dad!” Pivoting his heel, his eyes landed on black hair pushing through the crowd, before Barbara’s tear stained face was revealed to him, “Dad!” His feet did the moving, arms opening in time for her to launch as the crowd parted, a broken sob as she cried, “D-dad!”

His face went to her hair, letting out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Tears lined Maverick’s eyes, a lone cascading down his cheek as the noise around them seemed to muffle. All he cared about was his daughter in his arms.

“I-I knew,” she sniffed, clutching tight against him despite the gear in the way, “I knew you’d come back.”

“I promised I would, didn’t I?”

She nodded against his chest, “You did. Thank you for keeping it.”

“All always keep my promises to you, honey. Till the day I die.”

When they broke apart after another minute, Barbara wiped her face, but it didn’t do much because when she caught sight of the man a few steps behind Mav, the emotion returned. Glancing over his shoulder and finding who it was her gaze was on, Mav smiled at his daughter before placing a kiss to her hairline and stepping aside, “Made sure to bring him back for the wedding.”

Barbara’s jaw slacked, surprise in her eyes at the fact her father knew Rooster proposed. “He told you?”

“Right before I made him help me steal an F-14.”

“I still can’t believe you pulled it off. You should've seen Cyclone’s face, dad, the man was in awe. You left him speechless.” Mav couldn’t help but feel proud of that. Knowing he had the Admiral unable to form words. That sure inflated his ego a bit.

Maverick put his hand on Barbara’s back, gently pushing her toward the man she loved. Before she could step closer, Barbara took his hand and squeezed, “Thank you, dad.” He squeezed it back, nodding with a smile as he let go.

Rooster had been occupied with Hangman, the two shaking hands in mutual respect before the latter embraced Phoenix, leaving Rooster to smile at the sky. Heart pounding, the tears already escaping, Barbara came up behind Bradley and placed her hand on his arm. When he turned, it felt like the world had stopped as they locked eyes.

Like they were the only two left on the planet.

“Roo—,” Barbara was cut off by being lifted in the air, arms flinging around him as she pressed her face into his neck—not caring it was sweaty and he smelled of jet fuel. In fact the smell brought her comfort, knowing he was safe and there with her after thinking she’d lost him.

In that moment everything around them disappeared. Barbara didn’t think about the future and the fact the flight suit she had on may be the last time she ever wore it. Any anger or resentment she once felt prior to coming back to Fightertown was long gone. The future no longer scared. All that mattered was the present.

“Oh, baby,” he sighed against her skin, kissing the area just below her ear, relishing in the warmth it provided. Her body shook with sobs, Rooster rubbing a comforting hand along her back as he shushed her. Everything she was feeling Rooster felt too. The man didn’t want to live another day where he did not have Barbara by his side.

“Y-you scared me to death. I thought I fucking lost you, Bradley. Both of you.”

“I know,” he mentally cursed himself. “I’m so sorry I put you through that.” He didn’t want to picture Barb’s reaction to him getting shot down. The way she screamed for Maverick was so heartbreaking that Rooster knew it had to have destroyed her thinking the same fate happened to him.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

“Yes ma’am,” he promised, clutching onto the woman as he felt her pull away slightly to look him in the eyes. A hand came up to wipe the tears.

“You’re sleeping on the couch till I say otherwise.” The joke had Rooster throw his head back in laughter, Barbara grinning down at him with the way he was holding her up. He nodded, as though he expected that and agreed. She then brought her hand to caress his cheek, love in her gaze, “I’m so proud of you, Bradley. So fucking proud.”

Rooster’s breath caught in his throat, emotion consuming him as his eyes became red. He didn’t know how to respond to that, but let his actions take over by placing Barbara down gently before getting down to one knee. The crowd around him was still cheering, but many stopped with faces of shock—especially the team minus Phoenix. The brunette had brought her clasped hands in front of her face, beaming at the scene in front of her. Maverick mirrored hers, arm around Hondo as they watched on.

Rooster took Barbara’s left hand in his while her free one came up to her mouth. Though he had already asked that morning, she did say she’d give an answer when he returned. “Barbara Mitchell,” he began, trying to keep his voice steady, “I’ve made mistakes, ones that I promise to spend the rest of my making up to you. You are the most incredible, hard-working, devoted, and beautiful woman I’ve ever met. There’s no one else on this planet who could have my heart because I gave it to you a long time ago. And I don’t ever want it back. Will you allow me the honor of being your husband once again?”

Barabara could barely make him out with the water filling her vision but she manages to weakly nod as the crowd shouts with glee—Payback whistling as she yells over the noise, “Yes!”

Rooster shoots up, spinning her around as he takes her into his arms—her laughter echoing against the cheers. “We’re getting married!” He doesn’t bother adding ‘again’. They already knew that.

When he finally sets Barbara down, he brings her into a long awaited kiss, his hands cradling her face as her own came up to his neck. In that moment they wished they were alone, and as to not get carried away the kiss lasted only a few seconds. Pulling away, Rooster whispered against her lips, “I love you so much, baby.”

She kissed him again, “I love you too. So so much.”

“I can’t wait to call you my wife again.”

“Me too,” she grinned at him, pulling him close to her by the straps of his gear. Her voice takes a different turn which has a hungry look take over Rooster. “You have a lot to make up to me, Bradshaw. Starting tonight.” He turns them away from the crowd, mouth going to her ear where he gently takes her earlobe between his teeth.

“Yes ma’am.”

When Rooster goes up to Maverick, Barbara stayed close behind and said thank you to anyone who offered her congratulations on the engagement. “Guess I should start calling you Mrs. Bradshaw again, huh, C?” Jake grinned, bringing the woman into another hug.

“Damn right,” she laughed, pulling away to look into his eyes. In all her years of knowing the blonde, Barbara never thought she’d have him to thank for saving the people she loved most. Yeah Jake was arrogant and the resident asshole, but he had a heart. Gratitude filled her as she said, “Thank you for bringing them back to me, Jake.” He lightly patted the side of her arm in a friendly gesture.

“The honor is mine. Plus it gave me another kill.”

She rolled her eyes, of course he would say something like that. Smirking at the opportunity that arose, Barbara couldn’t let it disappear. “That’s only one more than me, Seresin.” The shock in his face had her looking smug, patting his arm to let it sink in as she turned away.

“Wait—what? Did my ears deceive me or does Barbara Mitchell now fully live up to her name?”

Glancing over her shoulder to find Hangman looking at her with awe, Barbara sent a wink in his direction. “I always live up to Legacy.”

…………….

Tag list: @multiple-fandoms-girl, @maverick-wingman, @sgt-huntersupremacy, @the-winter-marvel33, @justanothermagicalsara, @calicokel, @lydia-demarek, @alanadetigy, @shrimping-for-all, @chaoticassidy, @nemtodd-barnes1923, @bradleysgirl, @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy, @mak-32, @persephonehemingway

[icemavschild]

I can help you » Floydsin

Pairing: Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin x Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd

Summary: Bob notices some of Jake’s darkest secrets.

Warnings: mentions of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, fluff, angsty kinda. I’m rating it as 18+ due to the disorders mentioned.

A/N: it needs to be made aware that even men have eating disorders; and what better way to show that through my fav ship atm. Floydsin.

MASTERLIST

Bob watched as Hangman came back from the restroom, his posture seemed slightly off and his eyes swept around the room to make sure no one suspected anything. However, Bob did. He’d been suspecting things of Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin for months.

“Where’d you run off to?” Coyote asked his Wingman, the man tensing up but smirking in that cool Hangman way that Bob had discovered was his defence mechanism.

“Restroom, cute girl.” Coyote and Payback laughed and clapped the man on the back, yet Bob just watched Hangman closer. He watched as his shoulders relaxed in the slightest.

Hangman tensed when he caught the WSO’s gaze, he looked awkwardly around the room hoping to shake off the Stealth pilots suspicious gaze.

“Checking me out, Floyd?” Hangman asked, his brow raised mockingly.

“Maybe.” Bob replied back coolly, Phoenix laughing when Hangman faltered completely and began to stutter slightly.

He just chuckled and gave his usual smirk and went back to his pool game.

—»—»—

As the Dagger Team left the Hard Deck, Bob waited for Hangman to exit. After their burger and fries he’d excused himself to the bathroom and hadn’t returned by closing time. The Dagger team just suspected he’d found another woman, Bob didn’t. Bob had a feeling he knew why Jake went to the bathroom.

The cocky pilot exited the bar, his shoulders hunched and his face sad.

“You go to the bathroom a lot in a night.” Hangman almost jumped ten feet in the air and turned to face the WSO after speaking.

He laughed nervously, looking around the empty parking lot before smirking at the older Naval Aviator.

“Lots of chicks with needs.” The response was a defence, Bob figured that fact out a while ago.

“Stop deflecting.” Bob said harshly, his words hitting deep in Hangman.

“Oh fuck off, Floyd.” Jake’s voice was harsh and insulting. Something that Bob wasn’t exactly used to from the man. He usually tried to flirt his way into his pants, it wasn’t a secret that Hangman swung both ways.

“No, not until you tell me what goi—” Before he could finish his sentence, Jake’s fist met his face. The loud resounding crack was something that surprised both men. Jake didn’t mean to take it that far, Bob didn’t expect to have his nose broken.

“Just leave it the fuck alone!” Jake screamed, rushing toward his car and speeding away. Leaving Bob alone with not only his broken nose, but broken glasses…meaning he couldn’t drive home.

He reached into his pocket and got out his phone, holding it closer to his face to see the contact in his screen before holding it up to his ear.

“Bob?” Maverick’s voice was beyond confused and Bob could understand why. The WSO rarely ever spoke to the man outside of work.

“Hey, can you drive me home? My glasses broke.” Bob could hear Maverick collecting his keys and walking toward his car.

“Of course, are you at the Hard Deck?”

“Yeah.”

—»—»—

After successfully avoiding Mav’s questions about his nose, Bob got home rather okay. His mind pretty much confirming his suspicions of Jake’s bathroom trips.

As Bob strolled into work, everyone’s eyes bulged out of their heads. His nose was clearly broken and he was supporting badly taped together glasses.

“What happened?!” Phoenix asked, hurrying over to her back seater with an immense amount of worry.

“I crossed a line last night, payed the price.” Bob chuckled out, Hangman looking at him weirdly. Surprised he technically didn’t lie but didn’t mention any names. He assumed Bob would say something and get him dishonourably discharged.

“You? Cross a line? No way!” Fanboy exclaimed with a laugh, the group agreeing with him. Hangman staying silent. No one thought much of it, assuming he was just being an asshole.

Maverick walked into the room and eyed Bob suspiciously, yet didn’t press. They had a meeting about mental health, Bob thought it would be great for the team to open up…especially for Hangman.

“If you don’t feel comfortable staying, you can leave now or at any given time.” The presenter spoke, about four people left. Omaha, Halo, Rooster and Hangman. Bob decided he wanted to confront Hangman again and left to find the cocky pilot.

He found Hangman leaving the cafeteria after about 10 minutes of searching, he was headed to the bathroom. Bob followed behind and entered a few minutes afterward. When he did, he knew what he was walking into, yet he was still disturbed by the sound of vomiting.

When Hangman exited, he had tears running down his face and his head hung in shame. He almost screamed when he caught Bob’s gaze.

“You’re bulimic.” He stated rather then questioned, Hangman knew that and he felt defensive and with his defence came anger.

“What? Gonna shout it to the world?” Hangman exclaimed, shocked when he saw Bob turn. He almost leapt to stop him from leaving but froze when he heard the lock turn.

“No, I’m going to help you.” The statement wasn’t harsh, it wasn’t cocky, it wasn’t leading to wanting something in return. It made him want to cry. And he did.

“You can’t.” He whispered out, backing up against the wall and sliding down it. “I’ve tried.”

Bob approached the cocky pilot and knelt in front of him, his hand reaching to lift Jake’s chin.

“Jake, look at me.” The pilot tried his hardest to avoid Bob’s gaze. But his first name shocked him into meeting the WSO’s eyes. He began to cry harder and Bob was quick to hug him. Jake not even hesitating and hugging him back.

“I’m sorry.” Jake whispered out, not letting go of the older man.

“It’s okay, Jake, it’s okay.” Bob placed a gentle kiss to the top of his head and it caused Jake to sob harder. The affection was very new to him, he was never comforted ever. Growing up the way he did, there was no time for affection. He always woke up alone after getting with someone…no one ever stayed. It always hurt him. Always.

Bob leant back and held Jake’s cheeks in his hands and smiled at the pilot, he leant forward and kissed the man’s forehead and watched as his tears slowly stopped.

“Why? Why are you helping me?” Jake asked desperately, “I thought you hated me.” He began to cry again.

Bob was quick to kiss the man’s lips, shocking him into silence and stopping his tears. His lips chasing Bob’s own.

“I don’t hate you,” Bob smiled, before laughing comfortingly, “quite the opposite actually.” Jake smiled at the man, “it takes a lot of care to notice when someone isn’t okay.”

With that sentence, Jake pulled Bob in by the back of his neck and meshed their lips together once again.

“Thank you, Bob.” Jake said, frowning when he saw the WSO cringe slightly.

“Call me Robbie.” He said shyly, his eyes looking deeply into Jake’s. “If we’re going to do this, call me Robbie.”

Jake almost grinned to the point his face hurt, his eyes looking for hesitation in Bob’s eyes.

“You’re letting me take you on a date, Floyd?” Jake asked flirtatiously, no longer a defensive mechanism.

“No, I’m taking you on a date, Seresin.” Bob said cockily, surprising the pilot.

“Sorry about your nose by the way.” Bob laughed loudly, shocking Jake but making him smile.

“It’s okay.” He pressed a peck to Jake’s lips before leaning away. “We’re gonna get milkshakes, since you don’t usually disappear after those.” The way he said it was so loving and Jake started to cry again.

“Thank you.” He began to cry again and curled into the WSO and just cried. “Thank you, Robbie. Thank you.”

“It’s okay, Jake, let’s go sit in the seminar.” He proposed, “I’ll hold your hand?”

Jake nodded and let Bob lift him from the floor and smiled at him. Realising the WSO was slightly taller than him. He pulled him down into a kiss and let Bob lead and push him into the wall slightly. For the first time in his life he felt cared for, he felt small and he loved it.

“Let’s go.”

[24hrfrog]

THINGS I NOTICED IN TOP GUN MAVERICK WHEN I WATCHED IT AGAIN

When Maverick was doubting himself on the bottom of the ship and said “talk to me goose” Warlock suddenly coming out of nowhere and saying this is where u belong— u cant tell me goose wasn’t channeling his dead spirit through Warlock 💀 (edit: ,,, so no one was gonna tell me i got his callsign mixed up with the former Merlin PLEASE)

Same when Rooster in the flight scene said “talk to me dad” and Mav speaking directly after that making Rooster fly faster

Phoenix “talk to me bob” when they were dog fighting(?)

Coyote literally cradling Mav’s legs when throwing Mav out of the bar

Halo??? was back seating for Yale???

Fritz was a solo flyer?!

But Halo being Omaha’s partner?? but in wiki it said Fritz was her front seater but Fritz was paired with Yale and Harvard as a solo flyer and Harvard and Yale were partners (I’m so confused)

I REALIZED PENNY’S DAUGHTER WILL BE LIKE ROOSTERS LITTLE SISTER CUZ PENNY AND MAV GOT TOGETHER OMG HAPPY FAMILY

Payback ALWAYS looking at Fanboy with concern whenever there was a meeting before the flight courses

Phoenix is technically a third party mirroring Ice and Mav’s relationship in top gun 1986, she had a few scenes where she was there between Rooster and Hangman in big moment parallels, shes like a mediator a mix of Ice and Mav I would like to assume

Rooster is clumsy. He almost slipped on the ice when walking with Mav to the F-14, hit his head on the canopy thing while flying, and he did a rlly cute thing of trying to smoosh his face to look out the side of his backseat when Mav was going to take off the short runway lol

Cyclone’s voice cracking when saying to leave Mav, HE WAS CONCERNED WHAT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT!?

Cyclone’s ass shot when standing next to Mav on the beach scene. dumpy.

“oh shit is that Fritz” DID FRITZ DO SOMETHING TO BE INTIMIDATING TO THE OTHERS??! THEY WERE LIKE OH FUCK ITS FRITZ IN THE BEGINNING

Yale, Harvard, and Fritz taking a selfie with the push upper’s omg that was cute before they got shot down and had to do push up lmao

Hondo being like a mini Ice to Mav was :( 💚

ICEMAN WAS CALLED MAV’S GUARDIAN ANGEL WHY WAS I NOT AWARE OF THIS

Hangman winking at Mav when getting his drinks lmfao

Hangman calling Rooster “son” 🫡 get owned

Istg someone pls help clarify Fritz, Harvard, Yale Omaha, and Halo’s positions as flyers. Cuz I could’ve sworn Fritz is a solo flyer, I think Halo is Omaha’s backseater, and Harvard is teamed with Yale.

Mav’s annoyed face when Rooster keeps making callbacks to what Mav said for him to do

BOB HAD A SOUTHERN ACCENT?!

Bob actually being a menace with a silver tounge

Phoenix approving of Bobs attitude and also when she first met him was like “hmm interesting”

They past over Ice’s death way to fast 🧍🏻🧍🏻 like the first time i saw it i kinda forgot my man died and then second time i was like 🧍🏻 they rlly ran past it damn bro

Last one, Coyote being such a smug lil punk when he and Hangman found out who Rooster’s dad was LOL

WAIT I FORGOT ABOUT HALO BEING SO SMUG IN HER FIRST SCENE I LOVE HER

edit: i think i got it— Halo and Omaha, Yale and Harvard, Fritz solo 🧍🏻 there was just a flying scene where it looked like Yale and Halo were teamed when flying with Rooster vs Mav

[spinningwebsandtales]

Imagine Date Night With Robert “Bob” Floyd

Robert “Bob” Floyd X FemReader

Warnings: None

Words: 1,302

As requested by a friend who wanted a Bob Imagine when I had one already in the works.

When your father had taken you onto the Naval Air Base he worked at, you never expected you would meet a guy who could be as sweet and timid as Robert “Bob” Floyd. Normally you were floored by the size of the egos on the pilots that came to try their skills at becoming Top Gun but this time you were taken by surprise by Bob’s ability to be kind. Phoenix had introduced you to her WSO who seemed to be staring at you from across the base and you two really hit it off. Phoenix was secretly cheering Bob and you on and once he announced he was taking you out this evening she gave a loud cheer. Rooster patted the man on the back causing him to stumble forward while Hangman teased him about finally getting a girl.

Your father didn’t much enjoy that you were going to date a pilot but he couldn’t complain too bad since Lieutenant Floyd seemed to have his head on straight. That’s how you found yourself walking hand in hand with Bob enjoying the night scenery as a continuous blush tinted his cheeks. While he cut a sharp image in his Navy uniform there was something about Bob in civilian clothes that intrigued you. There was a festival happening downtown and instead of sitting in some stuffy or boring restaurant Bob took you there. He didn’t speak much but you found that you didn’t mind that very much at all. His actions spoke louder than anything when he kept you from being knocked over by a group not paying attention, or steering you away from a puddle that would have soaked your sandals. You also could have sworn that you heard him curse under his breath when a couple of guys invited to leave Bob for them. You politely declined their offer which made them try harder until you got angry and told them off. Bob laughed under his breath leading you onward, deeper into the festival where the food vendors had lined their stands.

“What made you want to fly Bob,” you asked making small talk while you waited on your food.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “Just being in the sky is something that always excites me. I also enjoy having a partner. They can concentrate on the flying and I can provide all the support with weapons and watch our backs.”

“Sounds complicated,” you replied before turning your attention to the guy holding out your order. You thanked him before following Bob again.

“Not really,” Bob said setting his things down on an empty table. You brushed crumbs from the tabletop before setting yours down right beside him.

“Phoenix is definitely one of the best pilots I’ve ever partnered with.”

“I’m glad you both got to become teammates. It seems like the Top Gun class has a really good group this year. Not like the class isn’t good every year y’know being the best of the best and all.”

Bob chuckled, “Well we do have Rooster and Hangman. Though one’s attitude leaves a lot to be desired.”

You laughed this time, “Let me guess. Hangman?”

“Maybe you should be in Top Gun you annihilated the target first time,” Bob praised.

“Ha! Not really, Hangman’s reputation is notoriously known around the Navy. I hear all the juicy gossip thanks to dad. Pretty sure my parents would have a stroke if I joined the Navy. It’s kinda been a nightmare growing up with a Navy dad. Moving every where not being able to make friends and keep them but honestly I wouldn’t trade my childhood. Growing up on Naval bases was really cool. All the big planes and ships and it always felt like I was surrounded by all kinds of big brothers and sisters.”

“So what does he think of you dating a guy like me,” Bob blushed though he tried to hide it behind his food.

You elbowed him while enjoying another bite of food, “He didn’t like it at all until I told him who. He was afraid I was going to say Hangman or heaven forbid Maverick.”

“Maverick,” Bob choked.

You laughed harder, “He has a thing for ticking off Admirals via their daughters.”

“I can see that,” he nodded.

“I can’t help but think that I got picked out by the best of the Top Gun litter,” you teased.

The night continued on as more people arrived to enjoy the festivities happening all around. While you were enjoying spending time with Bob it was starting to get a little too crowded for your tastes. Bob could sense your discomfort so he suggested getting dessert and leaving. Maybe taking a stroll on a quieter side of the beach. You agreed immediately and pointed towards a funnel cake stand. With treats in hand Bob made his way to where you both had entered hours before. You weren’t paying attention when a group of kids rammed into you causing a ruckus. Your funnel cake fell to the street and kids started crying.

“Hey,” you cooed, “it’s okay just take this as a lesson to watch where you’re going.”

They nodded sniffling while you picked up the trash and throwing it away. “Go on,” you shooed, “go find your parents.”

Off they went and you retook Bob’s hand. “Don’t you want to go back and get another one,” he offered.

“Nah I didn’t need the sugar anyway,” you replied though deep down you were disappointed that you weren’t going to end the night with something sweet. Bob knew he couldn’t talk you into going to get another one as the crowd started to get bigger so he made a pact with himself that you both could share his. Sounds of the ocean crashing against the shore took the place of the excited chatter of the festival. Bob offered his funnel cake to you.

“That’s alright,” you tried denying but the look on Bob’s face read that he wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“We can share mine. I want to share,” he said stubbornly.

“But there’s only one fork,” you continued.

“We’ll share that too,” Bob refused to back down though the thought of the indirect kiss flustered him.

“Okay you win,” you sighed taking the fork and cutting off a bite. The crispy texture and powdered sugar melting in your mouth made you hum. “That’s so good!”

You handed back the fork to which Bob just stared. “I don’t have cooties,” you snorted.

“I know that,” Bob shouted his voice breaking. He couldn’t stop looking at the plastic fork then to your lips. You were licking powdered sugar off your fingers when Bob suddenly leaned in. Surprising you he took your mouth savoring the flavor of funnel cake that remained. You froze unable to think for a moment, his kiss shorting out your brain. Bob released you sitting back.

“You’re right it is delicious.”

“I don’t know if the funnel cake was more delicious or that kiss,” you shivered when a breeze fluttered your hair piercing through your clothes.

“Well I thought that I wanted to taste the real thing before I had a bite with the fork you just used.”

“Man Bob who knew you could be so suave,” you pecked his cheek.

“I can move fast when I want to. I am a Naval Aviator remember,” he replied taking another bite of funnel cake and handing the fork back.

“Touché suave Bob. Touché,” you said. As you sat eating funnel cake and watching the ocean you couldn’t help but not want the night to end. That’s when you decided that everything had been perfect and Bob was completely perfect. And what started out as just a glance across the airfield was starting to grow into something more.