#callie bassett fic

[callsignspark]

soft-tober | 03 | Callie Bassett

soft-tober is about experiencing the joys of October with loved ones. each day is a fall-related one-shot for one of the couples from my Dagger, Sword & Shield universe, plus a few extras! today is Callie and Kelly with “Do you like cinnamon” from this prompt list.

If you’d like to be tagged for soft-tober, please send an ask!

word count: 1.3k

soft-tober masterlist | main masterlist | divider credit here

warnings: extreme fluff, discussions of breast cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy and side effects from treatment, pining and yearning

callsignspark disclaimer: my blog is an 18+ space; minors do not interact - you will be blocked. I do not consent to my work being copied, run through an AI generator, translated, or posted elsewhere. I do have an AO3, where I eventually will be cross-posting my works.

03. "Do you like cinnamon?"

Callie is sitting on the entryway bench, lacing her boots, when a thump catches her attention. It’s not the dog, she thinks as she watches Rupert pad toward the noise, his nails clicking across the wood floors. Finishing the knot on her right boot, she peers down the hall, trying to figure out if Kelly is awake or if it’s Emma trying to steal treats again.

“God- fuck!”

The breathless cursing lets her know it’s not the cat making all the noise but, in fact, the human she married. She walks into the kitchen to find her wife sitting at the breakfast nook table, hunched over and breathing hard.

“Kelly? What’s wrong? Can you breathe?”

“Yeah.” Callie isn’t convinced by the way she gasps the word, something Kelly notices because she grabs the edge of Halo’s flight suit before 911 can be dialed. “Couldn’t reach the oatmeal, and it took it out of me. Just need a minute.”

Immediately, she feels guilty. Kelly had a chemotherapy session two days ago, and treatment always exhausts her, but Callie had been so busy at work that Aliyah had been staying at the house to help out. She hadn’t even been thinking about how it was day three, the day when Kelly’s appetite usually returns.

You should have known. It’s been four months of this. Are you even paying attention?

Callie continues to berate herself as she rubs Kelly’s back; it doesn’t do anything to help her catch her breath, but it makes Callie feel like she’s doing something. Like she’s actually helping.

That’s been one of the worst parts of this. The worst obviously is Kelly getting diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer, but the constant helpless feeling. She’s not a doctor or a nurse; she’s just a WSO. The Navy's basic medical training can’t do anything to help against mutating cells. She can’t do anything to help the woman she married.

“Okay, other than the breathing, how do you feel? Dizzy? Sore?”

Kelly shakes her head, “Just need to catch my breath. Hungry, though.”

“Yeah? That’s good. You still want oatmeal? Or I can make something else? Whatever you want.”

“You’re going to be late to work.”

“It’s okay. I just texted Mav that everything is fine, but I’m going to be a bit late.”

Kelly’s head pops up, her brown eyes wide with concern and much clearer than when she got back from the treatment center, Callie notes with relief. “You can’t do that!”

“Yes, I can. Mav understands.” Callie adjusts the brown beanie Kelly had chosen to keep her shaved head warm, centering the little cow before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “You’re a little warm; you sure you feel okay?”

“Yeah… tired.” Kelly hums, leaning into the hands cupping her face, both of them enjoying the closeness of the moment. They linger, not pulling away until a rumbling stomach interrupts them.

Callie reluctantly pulls away. “Still gonna take your temperature, just to make sure. You want oatmeal?”

Efficient movements get her from the bathroom to the breakfast nook to the kitchen in record time. Pulling the jar of rolled oats from the baking cabinet and measuring everything out as the water starts to heat up. If she’s going to make oatmeal, she’s going to do it on the stove. It’s best to save the microwavable stuff for when Kelly needs to make food herself.

The thermometer beeps, and it’s a relief to see it says 99.5° - slightly elevated but consistent with the other treatment sessions.

“Do you like-” Callie cuts herself off as she catches sight of the wedding photo that was put on the fridge the week after they got married.

It’s the two of them from five months ago, standing in front of the chapel. A smiling Callie is dipping a grinning Kelly, who hadn’t lost her hair yet, both of them laughing at some dumb joke Fritz had made while Aliyah took the photo.

They agreed it was their favorite photo from the day, easily choosing that one to use as the photo on their announcement cards. It was harder to decide on what to write inside the cards. How much of the truth to share.

Hi everyone! We know this is sudden, but we got married in Vegas last weekend! Turns out Kelly has cancer, and her insurance is total shit, so Callie proposed to her pet-sitter-turned-friend after knowing her for less than a year so she doesn’t die! We’re sorry we didn’t let everyone know, but we’re actually committing insurance fraud, so we’re just trying to make it look like a whirlwind love story! Thankfully, we’re lesbians, so no one questioned us hitching the U-Haul to Kelly’s Subaru for our third date! And now to answer the unasked questions! No, we didn’t register anywhere; we feel guilty enough as it is! Kelly’s prognosis looks good; they caught it early, and she’ll be able to get good treatment with Callie’s Tricare coverage! We’re just friends! We sleep in different rooms! But if anyone official asks, we share Callie’s bedroom because it has an ensuite, and Kelly’s room is the guest room. It’s not suspicious because she’ll need space after chemo treatments! Yes, we kissed when the Elvis impersonator said; no, you cannot see the photo. Don’t worry about sending stuff for our first anniversary; we’ll probably be divorcing by then!

They had gone with something very different on the massive stack of announcements they sent out. The newly married couple spending the week traditionally reserved for a honeymoon filling out piles of paperwork to get Kelly coverage as quickly as possible, telling friends the truth, and asking them to lie if questioned by investigators. The worst had been filling out the envelopes, the sober mood turning more and more sour by the second as they realized how many people they were lying to.

Despite the bad taste it left in her mouth, Callie didn’t care. Kelly only had a few more treatment sessions left, and at her last checkup, the oncologist was optimistic about the progress. It’s not how she had imagined getting married, but her friend was going to live, and that was the important part.

“What were you gonna say?”

“Oh!” Callie blinks, grabbing an egg from the fridge and checking on the oatmeal to stall. To shake away the thought that she barely knows anything about the woman she married. About the woman she was going to ask out before the diagnosis came down. “I was gonna add a little brown sugar and cinnamon. Do you like cinnamon?”

“I do, that sounds good.”

Callie nods, distracted as she scrambles the egg and fancies up the oatmeal. She feels guilty for enjoying moments like this. Where she gets to spend time with Kelly, take care of her, but they don’t happen very frequently. Even being married doesn’t get her much quality time with the woman she’s had a crush on for months.

“Here you go. Oatmeal and a scrambled egg - for protein - with your meds as an appetizer. And I moved the microwave food down to the counter for now. We’ll reorganize the cabinets this weekend so everything is easier to reach.”

“Yum.” Kelly grimaces at the medication, but her face smooths out as she gets a whiff of the food. “This smells great, Callie. Thank you.”

“Of course, any time. Aliyah is going to stop by later. And let me know what you want from the store; I’m stopping after work today.”

“Okay, have a good day.”

“Thanks, Kel.” Callie murmurs as she ducks down to kiss her wife’s forehead. “Call me or Mav if you need something, okay? He’ll take care of it if I’m in the air. I’ll see you tonight.”

Callie forces herself to leave, only looking back once to see Kelly digging into the oatmeal. Her heart softening at the sight of the dog by her feet and the cat curled up on her lap, wishing she didn’t have to go to work.

Maybe I’ll finally get to ask her out for real after we get divorced.

@gretagerwigsmuse | @hangmanapologist | @hangmanbrainrot | @princessphilly | @hangmanssunnies | @thesewordsareallihavetogive | @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby | @katieshook02 | @hellojameshowyadoin | @aristotles-butthole | @atarmychick007 | @whatislovevavy | @kmc1989 | @sometimesanalice | @laracrofted | @yuckosworld | @mika-darling | @bradshawsbaddie | @bobblebobsbae | @ohtobeleah | @withahappyrefrain

[writernothingness]

preview for new fic I'm working on

Professor!Ice and Actor!Mav along with lots of others (Goose, Slider, Carole, various Daggers)

[mxrcusflint]

hall pass

i'm sorry this is just crack in a chat fic | hangster + dagger squad

Coyote has entered Dagger Sluts & Co. Coyote: I’ve always wondered, actually – who in this group chat are the sluts and who is the co? Phoenix: sluts: Hangman, Hangman again, Coyote, Halo, Bob, Rooster, Fritz Phoenix: co: Payback, me, Omaha, Harvard, Yale, Rooster as well Phoenix: instigators (the mysterious third thing): Halo, Fanboy Rooster: why am I on both sides?? Rooster: I am not a slut.  Rooster: why is Hangman listed twice as a slut

Read more on AO3

[fandoms--fluff]

Hcs for being Natasha “Phoenix’s” sister from top gun?

Being Phoenix's Sister Headcannons

She's five years older than you but holds that over you from time to time

You met Bradley and Jake after her Top Gun class graduation

Bradley treats you as his own little sister

And Hangman annoys you to no end, to which you annoy him right back

You've also got a flying license, you're just not a naval aviator

Nat and Bradley taught you how to fly an F-14 in sligjt combat, that was a week after their top gun grad.

Under no circumstances does Phe let you use the stove or the oven. She barely let's you use the microwave without her watch when she's state side

^Which is fair, considering the amount of fires you've had to extinguish

You live off a bunch if vending machine food at the top gun base

And that's how you met your sister's CO, Pete Mitchell, for the special detachment her, Bradly and jackass (aka Jake) were called back for. He caught you kicking the vending machine since it stopped half way through, not dropping the bag of chips you paid for.

To which you guys had a pretty good conversation together, forgetting to mention you're not an actual aviator.

He didn't learn about who you are until after the suicide mission. He saw you and Nat huh each other tightly after everyone got back state side, on the beach. Everyone was relaxing on the beach after the huge excitement that had happened.

Nat introduced you to him as her little sister, and you chuckled as his mouth gaped in surprise.

Everyone watches as you throw one of the footballs they brought at Hangman after him insulting your sister.

^Bradley giving you a fistbump and Nat sighs while trying to hide her smile.

You, Nat and Halo have a big sleepover movie night, just the three of you girls. Halo taking a liking to you, seeing a lot of Nat in you.

You 'borrow' a bunch of Nat's navy sweaters and wear them around the base and the Hard Deck, seeing how many people will belive that you're in the Navy.

You and Penny become good friends at the bar

^you learn some (a lot of) dirt on Maverick from her

Bradley explains to you about his relationship with Maverick and you may or may not have smacked him upside the head about how he cut connection with the man

^to which he agreed he deserved

The whole dagger squad now treat you as their baby sister and you can't go anywhere without 'protection' aka one of them.

You love your big sister to death, when you were younger you wanted to be just like her. Strong, loyal, pretty and much more.

Amelia and you become good friends, you like a mentor to her and teaching her about different flight maneuvers with model planes, everything you learnt from Nat and Bradley...and maybe....maybe Jake.

[imawkwardlysoc]

you wonder how he got his call sign

Song: Don't Blame Me by Taylor Swift

Paring: mickey garcia x reader (afab)

Warning(s): None, just pure fluff!

Word Count: 2,767

Summary: A little story on how Mickey got his call sign.

Call signs. No matter if you’re in the Marines, Navy, or Air Force, you get a call sign. Some badass ones like Iceman and Maverick may have a cool background if you assume, but in reality, most of them come from pretty embarrassing things. Like Payback for example and the amount of bets that he lost. Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia, on the other hand, has another story.

The first of artists covering other artists' songs first came out in the 1950s. Soon over half a decade later, cover videos started to come out more on YouTube. Singers like Sam Tsui, Christina Grimmie, Conor Maynard, and many others have risen to fame with their covers coming out in the late 2000s/early 2010s. Some have also got the chance to be signed to record labels and winning awards like Y/N L/N. To Mickey though, he doesn’t think of Grammy Award winner Y/N L/N, he thinks of Y/N L/N who he used to help record her cover videos in her bedroom or the backyard of her house.

Every Friday since meeting each other freshman year of high school, Y/N would drag Mickey out of their last period class and out of their high school in Miami to her house to start recording cover videos. As she uploaded her videos onto YouTube, her views went from a few hundred to a few thousand until one day.

“Mickey! Mickey!” The junior yelled her best friend’s name as she ran down the school hallway. “Where are you?”

“Yo! What’s going on?” Mickey closed his locker after grabbing everything he needed.

He turned to face the singer whose face was all red from the running as the screen of her BlackBerry Bold was in his line of sight. Squinting his eyes a little, he looked at the screen which showed one of the recent covers she uploaded.

“Holy shit!” He exclaimed. “One hundred thousand?”

“I know right!” The two of them started to jump together in celebration, ignoring the looks they’re getting.

“This is crazy!” Y/N said, still not believing that her cover of Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood reached that many views.

“You know what this means?” Mickey’s eyebrow was raised. “The chance of you getting signed to a record label.”

“Yeah, not happening,” Y/N let out a laugh. “Never in a million years.”

“Hey,” he gently squeezed her shoulder. “It’s going to happen. I have a good feeling.”

Y/N shook her head at her friend’s nonsense and dragged him to their first class of the day.

Years passed and their friendship grew even more. They shared homecoming and prom dances together. They had many all nighters studying for the AP tests they signed up for and working on college applications. The both of them dated people but their relationships only lasted for three to four months max because they both were missing something. Mickey still continued to help Y/N post her covers on her channel which grew after that one day.

Towards the end of the summer break after they graduated, the duo had to head their separate ways for college. They still kept in contact though by the emails they sent each other and visiting each other in Miami during breaks. With every visit, their feelings grew more without them realizing it.

Mickey had achieved his dream of getting into the Naval Academy and became a weapons system officer, getting the callsign Fanboy from his classmates seeing him geek out and watch Y/N’s covers. Y/N continued uploading her covers onto YouTube while studying literature at the University of Miami. It wasn’t until her senior year of college she got the best news of her life.

The sound of her sandals slapping the concrete sidewalk boomed as she ran down the concrete path which led to the park her and Mickey would sometimes hang out at. With his back facing against her, she leaped on his back which took Mickey out a little.

“Hey, you missed me that much?” Mickey laughed.

“Yeah, but I have some news,” Y/N answered.

“Which is?” He asked.

She didn’t verbally answer but she handed him the small stack of papers. Going through the papers, she saw the look on Mickey’s face as his face lit up with each page.

“No, you’re joking.” Mickey pulled her into a hug.

“I’m not,” she confirmed. “You’re looking at the newest artist signed with Atlantic Records.”

“You’re not going to forget me when you become famous right?” Mickey joked.

“Are you kidding? I won’t forget my best friend.” Y/N lightly punched his shoulder.

“Yeah, best friend,” Mickey sighed.

“What? Are you okay?” A quizzed look formed on her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Mickey brushed off his emotions.

“Hey Mick, tell me what’s up.” Y/N held his hand which sent sparks through the both of them.

“You’re going to hate me when I do this,” he said.

“Do wh-” Y/N was interrupted when Mickey’s lips touched hers.

Butterflies and fireworks exploded inside them as their lips moved in sync. Detaching their lips from each other to catch their breath, they looked each other in the eyes questioning what just happened.

“Did that just?”

“Yeah.”

Kissing each other again, they confirmed that their feelings for each other were true. After the second kiss, Mickey decided to take Y/N for an early dinner to celebrate her getting a record deal and have a pre-first date date.

More years have passed with the both of them graduating with their degrees. Their relationship grew more as they became official. Mickey was out doing the five years required to serve after he graduated after the academy. Y/N on the other hand was busy writing and recording her first album. Constant filming for her music videos and traveling to promote her album.

Despite them being hundreds or thousands of miles apart, they managed to keep their relationship alive. They had many video calls together and if she toured in an area where Mickey was at, he would watch her concerts with Reuben “Payback” Finch, who is the only person that knows her and Mickey are together other than close friends and family. When Y/N started to become more well known, she wanted to keep her personal life private. She did post pictures of her and Mickey together on her social media accounts but they didn’t show Mickey’s face.

On the eve of Mickey’s last deployment, she came back home with the living room of their shared house decorated with flowers and lit candles. In the space where their coffee table used to be, Mickey was on one knee holding a velvet box in his hand. With a short and sweet speech as tears ran down their faces, Y/N nodded her head saying yes to his proposal. A few months after Mickey came back from his deployment, the two had a small private ceremony with their close friends and family in a cabin up in the Santa Cruz mountains. Reuben as Mickey’s best man and Y/N’s college roommate as her maid of honor.

Luckily for Y/N, she could travel and stay anywhere with her job. With Mickey being moved from base to base because of his job, she would follow him while still making music while renting a house off base. From time to time she would have to travel and stay in New York for a little bit for meetings and to record her music. Thankfully when Mickey got called back to Top Gun, they resided permanently in a house that was only a fifteen minute drive away from base after the Dagger Squadron was made permanent in San Diego. Many dinners with her, Mickey, and Reuben were shared as they told stories of the other squadron members they met for the mission. Y/N continued to make music and released her next album which caused her to be away from Mickey to promote it and tour around Europe and North America.

After a day of training, the Dagger Squad decided to head to the Hard Deck for some drinks.

“Amelia has been depressed since the LA tickets for Y/N sold out,” Rooster said before taking a sip of his beer.

“Really?” Mickey raised his eyebrow.

“Yeah, Y/N is one of her favorite singers. Ever since those tickets sold out the first day, she’s been blasting her music in her room and headphones,” the aviator answered.

The WSO nodded his head and excused himself. Taking his phone out, he checked the time to see that Y/N wasn’t on stage yet. Calling her and waiting for a few rings, she answered her husband’s call.

“Hey baby, what’s up?” She asked. “How was work?”

“It was good, got our asses handed by Maverick but that’s normal,” he chuckled. “How are you?”

“I’m good, just two hours before we head onto stage,” she replied. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too, but hey can I ask for a favor?” He asked.

“What is it?” She said.

“You know Rooster right?” Y/N hummed in confirmation. “Well, his little sister wants to see you in LA but the tickets sold out immediately. Is there any way you can get a ticket for her?”

“I’ll check, give me a minute,” she told him. “Stay on the line.”

Taking a sip of his drink, he waited for his wife while admiring the cooling winds of San Diego while the sun setted.

“Hey, you’re still there?” Y/N voice popped into his ear.

“Yeah, so what’s the verdict?” He replied, mentally crossing his fingers.

“Yeah, how many tickets do you need?” The singer asked. “Twelve plus your captain, his girlfriend, and daughter, that would be fifteen. Is that good?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, we have more than enough tickets. Just tell everyone and I’ll send you the info. Also, all of y’all need a break from training.”

“Wow, I’ll tell everyone. Thank you for doing this. I love you.”

“I love you too. You can thank me later when you get to LA.” Mickey could already imagine the smirk on his wife’s face.

Hanging up the phone with a grin on his face, Mickey headed back into the bar and stood next to Rooster.

“I managed to get a ticket for Amelia,” he told the pilot.

“Wait, how?” The pilot questioned.

“I know someone who’s one of the guitar techs on her tour. I managed to get all of us plus Maverick and Penny a ticket,” he told everyone.

“Wait, we’re seeing Y/N in LA?” Phoenix started to fangirl a little. “Don’t mess with me Fanboy.”

“I’m not, I’ll text you the information into the group chat,” he confirmed.

“We’re going to see Y/N baby!” Coyote cheered.

While everyone celebrated, Reuben sent his WSO a smirk knowing who gave them the tickets.

*Concert Day*

“Mick, are you sure we’re supposed to park here?” Maverick asked as he got out of Rooster’s Bronco.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Mickey answered his captain.

“Because we’re by where Y/N L/N’s tour bus is,” Rooster added.

“Trust me, we can be here,” Mickey reassured them while pulling out his phone.

Making the call, they waited for a few more minutes before Y/N’s manager came out of the Forum with VIP passes in hand. Mickey greeted the manager and they handed Mickey the passes. All of the members were shocked when they saw the passes they got, questioning how Mickey managed to get these. All of them thought they were getting tickets up in the nosebleeds, but they were mistaken.

“Mickey!” The singer jumped into her husband’s arms when she saw him.

“Hello my love,” the Navy man mumbled before kissing her.

Everyone except for Reuben was shocked at the sight they were seeing. They couldn’t believe that one of their WSO’s was kissing the singer they would soberly and drunkenly sing out the lyrics while doing karaoke.

“I missed you,” the singer wrapped her arms around Mickey’s neck.

“Me too, four weeks is too long.” Mickey moved a strand of hair out of Y/N’s face. “Everyone’s here already.”

Y/N moved away from Mickey and saw his pilot standing there with a grin on his face. “Ru-Ru, it’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you again too,” the pilot returned her hug.

Letting go of the hug, Y/N looked at the rest of her husband’s squadron who had shocked expressions on their faces. “Hi, you must be Mickey’s squadron and you must be Amelia, is that right?”

“Y-Yeah,” Amelia stuttered as her idol stood in front of her.

“It’s so nice to meet you,” Y/N smiled at her and looked at Maverick who stood behind her. “You must be Captain Mitchell. Mickey and Reuben have been telling me great things about you.”

“It’s a pleasure meeting you m’am. Thank you for inviting us,” Maverick said.

“Anything for Mickey's adopted family,” Y/N smiled. “Also, call me Y/N.”

“I will if you call me Pete or Maverick,” Pete smiled.

“That’s a deal,” Y/N chuckled and faced the squad again. “Mickey, wanna introduce me to your team members?”

Mickey nodded his head and introduced his wife to the rest of the Dagger Squad. After the introductions, everyone headed to the greenroom.

“So, you’re telling me that Reuben knew that Fanboy over here is dating Y/N?” Hangman asked. “The same Y/N who won a Grammy and many Billboard Music awards?”

“Not dating, we’re married,” Y/N corrected the Texan.

“What!” Everyone yelled/exclaimed.

“Married for almost five years.” Mickey and Y/N looked at each other in admiration.

“You knew that already didn’t you?” Halo asked Reuben.

“He should, he was my best man,” Mickey answered for his pilot. “Also, who do you think Don’t Blame Me is about?”

“And I thought Bob over here had secrets we don’t know about,” Omaha chuckled.

“Nah, she’s the only secret that I have.” Mickey tenderly pressed his lips onto his wife’s.

Soon after that, the topic of conversation changed, promising them the couple would host dinner to get to know Y/N more.

After spending an hour or so in the greenroom, Y/N had to start getting ready for the show. Giving his wife one last kiss, he met up with the squad following one of the assistants to the VIP booth Y/N set them in. The booth provided food, snacks, and drinks for them while giving them a view close to the stage.

The lights in the venue started to dim down as the crowd’s cheers started to rise. The band started playing the introduction and the cheers from the audience elevated as Y/N rose into the stage.

Throughout the concert, the energy was amazing. Everyone was screaming and jamming out to the lyrics. All of the Dagger Squad and Penny and Amelia were enjoying the time they were having and thanking Mickey for the tickets. Mickey was pretty sure he saw Hangman and Coyote doing the choreography to I Did Something Bad.

“Alright, before we do this next song, how is everyone doing?” Y/N asked the audience as they replied with cheers. “That’s good. Fun fact, the person that I wrote this next song about is in the crowd tonight with his friends. This song is dedicated to him. Love you darling.”

Y/N sent him a wink and he winked back at her. The band started to play Don’t Blame me and everyone was taken to church by the way she performed it. The singer got down on her knees, belting out the high note which caused Mickey to form a proud smile on his face.

After a few songs and the encore, the last show of the tour was finished. Mickey and the gang headed backstage to see Y/N in a pair of sweat shorts and one of Mickey’s old t-shirts.

“You were amazing.” Mickey picked her up and spun her around.

“Thanks,” she laughed. “So, what did you guys think?”

Everyone started to compliment her performance at the same time. Y/N blushed because she wasn’t used to compliments they were giving her and let out a laugh.

“So, instead of driving back to San Diego this late, my producer is out of town and allowed us to use her house to sleepover,” Y/N told them. “What do y’all think?”

Everyone nodded their heads in approval and started to leave the venue.

[lesbiradshaw]

it’s nice to have a friend

by lesbiseresin

“Damn double standards.”

“They suck,” Natasha agrees. It comes out more heartfelt than she intends it too. A beat of silence follows that ends with Halo clearing her throat.

“You good, Trace?”

(alternatively: a natasha character study ft. callie being the best)

[topgun-imagines]

Deck The Halls

Requested: yes

Summary: When the Dagger Squad tries to help you put your Christmas lights up, it ends with a certain mustached aviator dangling from your roof.

Word count: 1.3k

Warnings: Falling off a roof. Bradley being a klutz.

Pairings: Dagger Squad x fem!reader(platonic)

The Dagger Squad was all pilled into your house. Loud laughs floated around the room as you all discussed some of your favorite Christmas memories. Bob was in the middle of telling a story about a hilarious sledding accident from when he was a child. You were sipping on your hot chocolate slowly, watching your friends laugh loudly without a care in the world. It was rare that you all had Christmas off, but since the success of the uranium mission, some strings had been pulled leading to the Dagger Squad becoming a permanent detachment. Meaning that all of you would get to spend Christmas together this year.

Laughter continued to fill the room as Bob finished his story. Next, Jake began recounting a tale of a sleigh ride gone wrong. You watched your friends with a soft gaze. This was the first time in a long time that any of you had had significant time off. Clearly, it was well-needed. Jake finished off his story, the rest of the group chuckling quietly at the unfortunate way Jake had to spend his Christmas. Hopefully, no one ended up in a cast tonight.

Slowly, your living room grew silent. Everyone was either slowly sipping on their drinks or gazing aimlessly around the room. “Well,” Bradley spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. “Should we get started on the lights?” He had a good point. The entire reason that everyone was over tonight was to hang up Christmas lights. This year, the group had unanimously decided that your house would be the main one for all the Christmas activities that you planned on participating in. You had even worked out a way that you could all stay at your house on Christmas Eve. It was the first Christmas that you had off in a while, and you all planned on making the most of it.

Murmurs of agreement filled your living room as drinks were set on side tables. Everyone stood up before making their way to the front door. Unfortunately, seeing as you lived in Miramar, there would be no snow for Christmas. Some of the group still slipped into heavier sweaters, however. While there was no snow for Christmas, that didn’t mean that the evenings weren’t a little colder than they used to be. One by one, you all filed out of the house.

You, Phoenix, and Coyote moved away from the group and towards the shed at the back of your house. The Christmas lights should be in there somewhere. After a few minutes of sorting through boxes, the three of you eventually found what you were looking for. With one Tupperware container in each hand, the three of you made your way back to the group that was gathered in front of your house. The containers were set on the ground before Coyote turned back to grab the last one. Needless to say, you were a very festive person.

Bradley and Jake seemed to be discussing the best way to hang the lights while the others began riffling through the boxes. Mickey had taken it upon himself to draw up a plan based on the lights you told him you had. Now, he and Bob were shuffling through the boxes in search of those lights. Your eyebrows furrowed in confusion. You seemed to be missing a few members of your group. Just as you were about to ask where everyone went, Halo and Reuben emerged from the door, both with trays of freshly made drinks on them. As you had recently learned, both Callie and Reuben were amazing in the kitchen. Harvard and Yale were trailing behind them, arms full of everything else that you would need to put up the lights.

Once everything was set out in front of the group you all gathered around. It was silent for a moment before Bob spoke up. “I don’t suppose you have a ladder? That might make putting the lights up a bit easier.” Everyone laughed loudly at the comment. You shook your head with a light grin. Before you could even respond, Bradley was placing a warm hand on your shoulder and moving toward your shed. Your eyes trailed after him, slightly surprised he knew where to look. Moments later he returned, the ladder tucked under his arm.

Now that you officially had everything that you needed, teams were formed to hang up the lights. It was decided that Bradley, Phoenix, Coyote and Jake would be climbing up onto the roof while the rest of you remained on the ground. As they situated the ladder in the right place, you, Bob and Mickey began to untangle some of the lights. When you looked back over they were all standing on top of your roof. Once you finally had a strand untangled, Reuben carried it over to them while you began working on the next one. Callie passed them some hooks and an extension cord.

It seemed that with the whole Dagger Squad helping, the lights were on the roof in record time. By now, as per Mickey’s plan, coloured lights were being integrated with the white ones. You only had two strands left to put on the roof when it began to go awry. First, what was once a mostly calming activity was soon filled with anxious yells. Everyone’s eyes were now trained on the roof where the voices were coming from.

On the roof, you could clearly see Bradley’s arms darting around wildly. You gasped quietly, standing up and rushing closer to your house. You couldn’t see what was happening but if you had to guess, you would speculate that Bradley being the clumsy person that he is managed to get himself caught in a strand of Christmas lights. The other three that were up on the roof were nowhere near him, meaning that he had to figure out how to get himself out of it.

Everyone watched anxiously as Bradley got closer to the edge. You all tried to tell him, tried to warn him that he was getting too close. It seemed as if your warnings fell on deaf ears. Before any of you even realized it, Bradley was dangling from the edge of your roof. He had managed to get his arms free, which was the only way he hadn’t already landed flat on his back. You almost cursed yourself for the thought when his one arm slipped from the roof. The pilot glanced towards the ground, deciding whether or not it was worth it to just fall. With his height, he would only be falling a few feet.

Just as Reuben, Harvard and Yale rushed forward to try and help him, Bradley huffed and let go of the roof, landing on the grass with a groan. By that time, the other three aviators on the roof had made their way down. You all rushed forward to check on Bradley. When you reached him, you kneeled down by his side, placing your hand on the side of his head. His eyes slowly fluttered open. Warm brown eyes met yours as he blinked sluggishly. “Oops.” He whispered, voice rough. Everyone laughed slightly when Rooster cracked a small smile.

You rolled your eyes fondly. “Cmon, Bradshaw,” You huffed, pulling him up. He leaned the majority of his weight against you as you helped him over to your porch. When his eyes landed on you again he offered you a somewhat flirty smirk. You fixed him with a half hearted glare as you grabbed the water that Callie passed to you. “It’s a miracle that they allow you to fly planes.” The only response that you got from the aviator was a soft laugh. At least your group wouldn’t end up spending this Christmas in the hospital. You silently prayed that you could manage through the next few weeks with no more incidents.

a/n: Thank you for reading! Requests for holiday prompts are open.

[festivetopgun2024]

Bluff by viridimessorem (@viridimessorem)

for growingupbrown (@growingupbrown)

Ship: Callie "Halo" Bassett/Neil "Omaha" Vikander

Rating: T

Word Count: 1,383

Summary: 

Neil hadn't expected this to be the way the night ended, but hell, he wasn't complaining. Or; the time Neil Vikander became Callie Shen's boyfriend for a night, and maybe beyond.

[See previous Fake Dating Fic.]

[Top Gun 🌞Secret 🎅Fake Dating Fic Exchange Collection]

[redhead-writes]

Every angel needs their halo

Huge contribution from my lovely friend @pollyna. Alternative name for this is: “ Halo🤝the daggers: we're going to fix what it's broken because mavdad and icepop can't be sad”.

Halo had impressed the Admiral Kazansky a lot and so he put her on this mission team. He knew she would do her best on this and keep an eye on Maverick for him. 

When Maverick found out that Callie ‘Halo’ Shen will be on this mission team, he realised he has to impress this young WSO because his husband cares about her a lot, but it seems they didn’t get off to best of the start. Mav seemed to get into a lot of trouble while Halo was working with his husband.

Maverick would go around talking with himself,saying stuff like "Don't fuck this up Mav, you need you're husband's kid to like you" and so everybody starts to think Halo is actually Adrmial Kazansky's kid. Mav is so embarrassed because they tell that to Halo. She doesn't understand why someone would think something like that!  It confuses hell out of her until she heared Mav over the comms.

Halo sends recording to Ice. Ice goes on spiel that he would love to be, he would feel honored to be counted as father figure to Halo, of course, if she wants to. Because Mav had Bradley and yes, he co-parented. Halo is different. She brings out his soft side again. He feels responsible to take care of her. Callie also never treated him with gloves like others after his sickness. Halo even tears up and says yes but that she will grill Mav for some time. She can’t allow the old man not to pay for his sins.

Ice is taken by all that and how Mav is concerned that he tries to do his best to shoot his husband's cautions away because I could never ever feel less for you even if Halo doesn't like you. “You're my wingman, Mav, and I'll take you with me even to afterlife, my love.”

But Mav still wants to impress and be on Halo's good side because she is the first kid after Bradley that his husband had shown his soft side to. This is important to his husband, so he is gonna nail it whatever it takes him. When it comes down to Ice and proving to his husband that he cares deeply about people he cares about? He wants to nail it down but it has to be good too, so it's extra work but it's all worth it.

And like Mav telling Halo after a strenuous training session I SEE WHAT HE SEES IN YOU AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF HIM FOR ME. After that Callie can’t keep grilling Maverick. He had broken down her walls, too, like he had done with Iceman before. So she answers with the same to him, taking Mav by surprise. That spurts Maverick asking her and Phoenix to come to dinner on Friday.  He knows they are dating each other and has since they were deployed together on previous mission. Mav has constant need to fill their nest and now he has the chance again.

Mav didn't even know he wanted all those people around until he started having them and now he just continues to invite people over and it's awesome because he can cook with Ice and it's the win of a win. When the Navy made you lose so much but finally it is giving you back what you deserve and finally these old men can be happy. And Mav takes it all, and sometimes he thinks he's a little selfish but then he looks around and on Ice's desk mostly and realizes he's hoarding too, all the moments he can in pictures and he can finally breathe.And they are the first piece of Mav's family? Literally the first two people he can call his own?

Halo teaches them how to cook her national dishes that her grandma thought her how to. Halo teaches Maverick how to eat with chopsticks and Ice sends video out to the '86 group chat because some tries are too funny. Halo is happy. She now has two gay dads that are proud of her chosen career and of her partner. Also she notices baby Roosters on the mantel and how sad her dads look at them. So she gets Phoenix help for intervention because Halo knew Rooster was an idiot but this is some kind of absurd level of it. Ok, intervention could wait because the anger was too great right now. She could not believe that someone could carry anger for over 15 years.

Bob is first to join Halo and Phoenix at these dinners. He is shy at the start but then he warms up and Ice is amazed by how smart this WSO is, not only about planes but life, when you allow him to feel safe to talk. They get into deep discussion. Next time Bob brings books that he thinks Ice would love to read. That house becomes Bob's safe space. Bob brings Fanboy next and he is amazed by the science fiction library Iceman has because secretly Ice is a geek. So Fanboy starts bringing over Lego sets. They start with Dark Star from Star Wars that they all construct together.

Bradley tries to think of what he did to piss off Halo. Because she won't stop glaring at him. He asks Phoenix but she also is curt with him. Bob looks like he is contemplating murder and it seems it is Bradley's.

Hangman: Hey, Rooster. What did you to piss off those three? Usually, it is my job. Like even Baby on board looks murderous. Even my dumb jokes never get him like that.

Rooster: Wish I knew, Bagman.

So next they bring in Hangman and he isn't his usual cocky self. More like a star struck puppy, catching every word that comes out of the admiral's mouth. But after time he also relaxes and lets his walls down. Iceman had talked with him about his attitude that reminded Ice of his own once. The hug Jake got at the end of conversation brought him close to tears, to be honest, he cried a bit. It was nice to be just Jake. Now he got why Halo, Bob and Phoenix looked so murderous to Bradley. How would that prick choose loneliness over this? Over being loved and cared for. After Hangman the rest of mission squad ends up in Icemav house, except Bradley because that would end up in drama. Ice gives them all the keys to their home. Rooster finds it strange that each Friday all the mission group disappears somewhere without bringing him along.

And Bradley is like : “Weird, where everyone has disappeared to?” He asks them but everyone tells some lies because they still need to fly this mission with him. Even if right now they would trust Hangman more than Rooster. Shame, that they aren’t the ones in power of choosing who flies it.

Tom comes in the car to get all the kids and promises doctors that he will wake Bob and Nat up for their concussion checks. So they all are allowed to leave. Fanboy and Payback had taken over the kitchen, making dinner for everyone. The Ivy league and Omaha are turning living room in one huge bed.

Halo is the one to walk in on Bradley shouting at Maverick. She had heard raised voices on her way to get Javy to hospital. Callie just stands between them both because no one talks to her Dad like that, not even this child who he raised. Rooster is towering over her, seething but she is not breaking the eye contact she has with Rooster. He once again had hurt Maverick. The man finally had started to look happier but he had to ruin it. Now Halo had seen that man really could carry anger for over 15 years. Well, if he was gonna hurt Maverick, she was gonna hit back even worse.

Halo: He has me, other daggers and his husband. Who do you have, Bradshaw?

With that she puts arm around Mavs shoulders and leads him out of room, feeling the older man's body tremble under it.

Halo: We are gonna get you some juice, dad, pick up Jake and Javy and go to hospital to visit Bob and Phee.

The older man just nodded and allowed himself to be led out of the station. There were people behind him who wouldn't leave him. He had his kids who he was going to bring back from this suicide mission.

Tom was scared when he got a call about an ejection accident because it still hit too close to home. After hop 31 every ejection is a mini heart attack for Ice and Mav. But seeing both Bobby and Phee coming out of their hospital room on their own was enough for him to relax.

So everyone stays in the living room. Those two old dogs guarding the kids and watching their chests rise and fall. Like a reminder that they all are here and okay.

Ice to Mav: You have to bring them all back.

Mav: Isn't that the reason why I am the instructor?

Ice: You know that was always just half of the  point. You have to bring them all and yourself back, Mav. I won't tolerate any less.

Mav: I promise and then I am gonna take the promotion so you don't have to worry anymore. But if you promise to come up with me again?

Ice: With you I would go anywhere. I am happy that you for once will be close by again. Just one piece of the puzzle missing.

[the-authoress-writes]

Bradley’s Uncle(s) (And Dad)

Synopsis: The Daggers look through Mav’s TOPGUN class yearbook.

What they see surprises most of them.

In other related news, Bradley would like to bleach his brain.

And his ears.

Author’s Note: This was inspired by this tumblr post, and I churned it out in about half an hour.

I posted this on my main blog, @oh-great-authoress, eleven days ago, but it makes me cackle to the point that I feel that you guys on my fanfiction sideblog should see this too.

Title is inspired by the Fountains of Wayne classic, “Stacy’s Mom”.

Warnings: None, really, but the events of TG:M are completely canon for this, so a certain Admiral is unfortunately not with us in this ficlet.

The daggers were gathered at Mav’s hangar for their weekly get together, when one of them—not Jake, surprisingly—decided to snoop around Mav’s bookshelf.

Fanboy was looking at all the gathered NATOPS’ from various aircraft, when he spied the thin, blue-spined book entitled “TOPGUN Class One, 1986”.

“Hey Mav?” Mickey called out.

“Yeah, kiddo?” came the voice from the trailer, where Mav was heating the food Payback had brought.

“Do you mind if I take a look at one of your books?”

“Knock yourself out!”

“Thanks!” Mickey replied, immediately taking the yearbook, and moving over to the living area, where most of the daggers were. “Hey guys, look what I found!

It’s—”

“Damn—haven’t seen that in an age,” Rooster breathed, rubbing a hand over his upper lip.

“What is that?” Hangman asked, leaning forward, curious as ever.

“It’s Mav’s TOPGUN class yearbook,” Mickey explained as he laid it out. “Mav said I could take a look.”

The first photo was of the whole class together, and more than a few of the daggers silently chuckled at the fact that Mav was one of the shortest people in his class.

There were a few photos included that were also visible on the hangar walls, the versions in the yearbook printed with a small “Courtesy of Carole Bradshaw” or “Courtesy of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell” in the corner.

Then they came to the section with everyone’s official Navy portrait, when suddenly, Phoenix reached out, and grabbed the book, wide-eyed.

“What?” Rooster asked, speaking for everyone, shocked and worried.

She pointed vaguely at the page, her mouth slack.

Halo immediately turned away and spat out her drink.

“Hey Cal, you okay?” Omaha rushed over.

“Yeah,” she rasped, coughing and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “I just—I never expected Admiral Kazansky to be hot!”

The other daggers immediately leaned to look at the book, and true enough, there was twenty-six year-old Thomas “Iceman” Kazansky in all his youthful glory.

“Well, I’ll be damned, who knew the late COMPACFLT could give me a run for my money?” Jake whistled, while everyone else save Bradley blinked incredulously, trying to reconcile the image they had of Admiral Kazansky with the image they were seeing.

Phoenix scoffed, leafing through the portraits section, “Most of Mav’s class could give you a run for your money, Bagman, you’re hardly God’s gift to women.

And even now, Mav could give you a run for your money,” she declared, ignoring the Texan’s dramatic gasp.

“I know, right, Nat—I mean, you saw those abs—who has those abs at fifty-seven?” Halo whisper-shouted.

“Oh, yeah.” She paused, then blinked. “Gotta admit, though, young Mav hits different.”

Halo leaned and nodded, an admiring smile on her face. “Ooh, yeah, he could totally get it.”

A sharp sound pulled the two women away from their musing, and they turned to see Bradley had slammed his beer bottle down on the coffee table, and he was striding away towards the airstream. “Roo, what are you doing?” Natasha shouted.

“Nope!

No!

I’m not listening to you guys thirsting over my dad and uncles!

No!!”

It’s Traumatize Bradley hours in this blog I guess 😂!

If you look at the nametags they’re all wearing in TG86, the second row says “TOPGUN 1”, so I’m assuming that there’s more than one TOPGUN session a year, at least in the TG/TG:M universe.

Taglist

@valmare (I know you saw it already, but I’m including you because it’s the taglist, sorry Mir!)

@callsign-skydancer

@permanentlyexhaustedpigeon88

@tadomikiku

If you’d like to join my taglist, just send me an ask!

[mooncherrv]

Building Legos w/ Dagger Squad

Character(s): Jake "Hangman" Seresin, Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw", Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, Robert "Bob" Floyd, Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia, Reuban "Payback" Fitch, Javy "Coyote" Machado, Callie "Halo" Bassett, Billy "Fritz" Avalone, Neil "Omaha" Vikander, Logan "Yale" Lee, Brigham "Harvard" Lennox x Reader

Summary: Just being all fluffy and building legos with your fav pilots

Author's Note: Including all the pilots because i think they all deserve love and not just the main ones also i need more halo content and if nobody is gonna give it to me imma do it myself

Masterlist

Hangman

Hangman gets you two a few of the botanicals sets. He originally was gonna make them all in his free time to gift to you but you walked in on him making the succulent set and just sat down and started to help him. Eventually it just became a weekend activity for the two of you to do while a movie played in the background. Eventually when you accumulate too many built sets you end up giving them to his nieces and nephews.

Rooster

Rooster loves legos. It's not something he talks about a lot but he really enjoys building the NASA sets with you and talking about all the facts he knows about space. One day while building a spaceship set with him you asked about it and he explained how when he was little him and his dad would build spaceships out of the stray legos he had and for a bit he wanted to be an astronaut.

Phoenix

Pheonix also gets you some of the botanical sets. She loves to give you little lego flowers from time to time. When you build them she mostly just watches you while you build each set. Between the two of you there is quite the collection of stray lego roses scattered across the apartment.

Bob

Bob had a decent lego collection as a kid already so into adult hood he just kept building them. His favorite to build with you are the architecture ones. He's a man that has a lot of knowledge about random things so as you build them he explains historical events or facts about whatever it is you are building. When you two built the New York said he kept mentioning places in the city he had visited and how he couldn't wait till the two of you traveled there together so he could show you all the things he liked in the city.

Fanboy

Y'all are building the Star Wars sets. No question about it. He definitely gets the expensive Millennium Falcon set and tries to hide if from you but one night at around 3am you woke up to go to the bathroom and saw him missing. He was sitting in the living room with a lamp on building the set. He tried to hide it but instead of saying anything you just sat down and began helping him. When you two finished building the set all you did was look at him and say "Can't believe you hid this from me." before walking back to bed.

Payback

Payback doesn't actually build legos. He'd much rather sit back with a cup of coffee or tea and just silently observe you. He'll gladly help you when you are confused or lost from the instructions of the larger sets but other than that he simply enjoys sitting in silence with you and observing you build each set. He likes to see the smile on your face once you finish each set.

Coyote

Coyote doesn't buy his own legos but sometimes Fanboy gives him a few sets so he likes to build them with you when he's got the free time. He honestly doesn't even really look at the sets when Fanboy gives them to him he just shows up and is like "Hey let's build this." and tosses it onto the table. He just likes to spend quality time with you and enjoys that there is a physical product to put on display to show the time you spent together.

Halo

Halo enjoys the art sets. She never really built any legos as a kid so you are the main reason she started building sets. She'll make you each a cup of tea and sit down at the table with you to build each set while singing along to whatever has been on your playlists recently. If it's a set that allows her to she will gladly hang them on the walls around your houese.

Fritz

Much like Payback, Fritz doesn't really build the sets and simply observes you building them. He does occasionally help you build some like the Batman set you got he helped build since he really enjoys Batman. Most of the time he'll have a movie on in the background while he is watching you build each set.

Omaha

Omaha is another big fan of Star Wars and him and Fanboy definitely send each other photos of all their lego sets. He only got into legos when he met Fanboy so he has always built them with someone and never alone. He actually doesn't like building alone because he is so used to having someone with him. Even if he is super excited about a set, if you are busy, he will wait specifically till you have free time to even open the box and look inside. He loves to be wrapped up in a blanket with you and sitting on the living room floor together building the different sets.

Yale

Yale likes the Harry Potter sets. He has a lot of memories associated with the movies from when he was a bit younger so those sets always stood out to him. He doesn't have many sets but one time you got him the Hogwarts castle set and he insisted you two build it together while watching the movies. Since then, he always builds the sets he gets with you while watching Harry Potter.

Harvard

Harvard LOVES to help you build the superhero sets. Similar to Fanboy, he probably bought one of the super expensive sets to build but rather than hiding it he proudly walked up to you with the biggest smile on his face asking if you wanted to build it with him over the weekend. He has an entire shelf to display all the sets he has and he puts all the ones the two of you built together in the middle to proudly show them off.

[callsignspark]

soft-tober announcement

soft October - part of the Dagger, Sword & Shield universe

by callsignspark

October is my favorite month of fall. It’s just the right blend of warm days and chilly nights. Apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin carving, corn mazes, and trick-or-treating to end the month. It’s filled with soft memories of fun times spent with loved ones. I’m taking inspiration from these fond memories of mine and creating soft-tober!

Sixteen days of warm, cozy, and sweet fall-related prompts for all of my Dagger, Sword & Shield universe couples! (Plus a few extras!) Starting October 1st, I’ll be posting a short one-shot of each DSS couple based on a prompt from one of these three lists.

The masterlist for soft-tober can be found here! And on my main masterlist and the DSS universe masterlist! All posts relating to soft-tober can be found here!

If you'd like to be tagged for soft-tober, please send an ask!

callsignspark disclaimer: my blog is an 18+ space; minors do not interact - you will be blocked. I do not consent to my work being copied, run through an AI generator, translated, or posted elsewhere. I do have an AO3, where I eventually will be cross-posting my works.

01. Javy & Erin - “Do you want some hot chocolate?”

03. Callie & Kelly - “Do you like cinnamon?”

05. Jake & Flora - “Trick or treat?” “…Depends on if you’re the treat.”

07. Logan & Kristina - “It’s Halloween, why are you already putting up Christmas decorations?”

09. Bradley & Mary - “Is this costume too revealing?”

11. Billy & Aaron - “I don’t like scary movies.” “I’ll keep you safe.”

13. Warlock & Betty - “Here, take my sweater.”

15. Mav & Penny - “It’s never too early for Halloween music!”

17. Mickey & Carlee - “Quit trying to scare me! I know that’s you!”

19. Hondo & Cara - “Isn’t this stuff for kids?”

21. Cyclone & Linda - “Halloween is for children.”

23. Neil & Laura - “Candy corn is the best candy.”

25. Reuben & Danielle - “I forgot how cold it could get.”

27. Natasha & Calvin - “Do you like my costume?"

29. Brigham & Catherine - “Hey, where’s your costume?”

31. Bob & Elaine - “We should carve pumpkins!”

tagging some friends and people who might be interested!

@gretagerwigsmuse | @hangmanapologist | @hangmanbrainrot | @princessphilly | @hangmanssunnies | @thesewordsareallihavetogive | @a-court-of-roscoe-and-baby | @katieshook02 | @hellojameshowyadoin | @aristotles-butthole | @atarmychick007 | @whatislovevavy | @kmc1989 | @sometimesanalice | @laracrofted | @yuckosworld | @mika-darling | @bradshawsbaddie | @bobblebobsbae | @mothdruid | @ohtobeleah | @rhettabbotts | @sunlightmurdock | @withahappyrefrain | @roosterbruiser | @blue-aconite | @sylviebell

divider credit here

[writernothingness]

I don’t know if anyone will care but I can’t decide what fic to work on so someone else decide

I can explain more if need be

[callsign-daydream]

Girl's Night Out - TGM

Summary: Halo is back in town, and the girls are ready for a night of fun! Who knows? The boys might even miss them.

Warnings: Starred out swearing, yelling, general Navy/Military inaccuracies, alcohol, no plot in sight, inconsistency between names/callsigns, just silliness, OC included (about her here), mild Hangman/OC

Word Count: 1471

Girl's Night Out --- “We’re going out tomorrow.” Phoenix strode into the apartment, typing something out on her phone, stepping over some boots in the middle of the floor, and snagging an apple out of the basket on the countertop.

Daydream stopped humming along to Caterina Caselli and looked up from the her salad. “Was there someone at the door? Nah. Couldn’t be. Nobody knocked.”

“Not my fault you never lock your door.”

Hallie grumbled but couldn’t deny it.

“Anyway,” Nat sat on a stool, “tell Bagman you can’t hang out this weekend.”

That caused Hallie to snap her head up again. “Who says I’m doing anything with Hangman?”

“Because you’re usually doing something with him on the weekends, and for some reason the medics haven't figured out yet, you like him.”

“Do not.”

“Liar.”

Hallie chucked a tomato over the counter. Nat managed to catch it, promptly tossing it into her mouth.

“What’s the special occasion anyway?” Hallie poured some vinaigrette over her bowl before turning the music down on her phone.

“Halo’s coming to town.”

Hallie's eyes widened. Halo had been reassigned after the Dagger Squad’s first mission, before Maverick decided on adding an eighth member. Hallie had been in the same TOPGUN year as Halo, but hadn’t seen her since.

“What for?”

“Extra training. She gets in tonight, and we’re going out for a girl’s day tomorrow. No ditching.”

Hallie scoffed and picked up her phone. “You know I’m in.”

Nat smirked and raised an eyebrow at the blonde woman typing on her phone. “Who are you texting?”

Hallie looked up, opened her mouth several times, and then grimaced. “...Jake.”

“I knew it!”

Another tomato went flying.

--- “Where’s Fee and Dream?” Rooster asked as he joined the crew in the corner of the Hard Deck. Payback and Fanboy were currently testing how many peanuts Bob could fit in his mouth, while Hangman and Coyote were haunting the pool table as usual.

Hangman didn’t look up from his shot. “Girl’s night. Halo’s in town.”

“And they didn’t come here?” Rooster sat with his beer.

Coyote chuckled. “Probably didn’t want us crashing their night.”

“We wouldn’t crash it—”

On cue, a spray of peanuts flew across the space. One hit Rooster’s face. One fell in Coyote’s open cup. One ricocheted off the window. A mess rattled across the pool table, eliciting a curse from Hangman, who bombed his shot and sunk the cue ball. Bob was coughing severely as Payback and Fanboy cheered and high-fived.

“Forty-eight,” Payback confirmed.

Rooster nodded. “Yeah, I see it now.”

Penny was quickly at their side, handing out cups to pick up the nutty missiles, as well as collecting thirty dollars from a grumbling Payback after finding out Bob hadn’t passed fifty.

“We got another bet going, if you want in,” Payback said to Rooster.

“What’s up?”

“When the girls will call about needing a ride home.” He glanced at the clock and grinned. “Fanboy’s already out.”

Rooster shook his head. “You gotta give them at least till midnight.”

“That’s what I said,” Coyote agreed.

“I thought they’d drink faster!” Fanboy protested.

“Phoenix said two in the morning,” Bob said.

“I say one,” Rooster said. “Give or take fifteen minutes.”

“You’re all wrong.” Hangman set his now-full peanut cup down on the pool table. “They’ll be drinking more because of Halo, but Phoenix is somehow more stubborn when she’s drunk and will have them hold out until twelve thirty, which is when I’ll get a call from Daydream about how much fun they’re having. She'll finally ask for a ride around twelve forty-five.”

“Oh, right.” Rooster smirked. “I forgot you’d know your girlfriend better than us.”

“Not my girlfriend.”

“Then how’d you know who I was talking about?”

Hangman threw the cup of peanuts at Rooster, earning one laugh and several groans at the new mess.

They all turned out wrong. At around twelve forty-five, Hangman’s phone vibrated on the table, “Dreamgirl” glowing across the screen. Rooster whistled as Hangman glared and answered it.

“Seresin here.”

“Jake!” Hallie’s voice was loud enough without even being on speaker. “Guess what!”

He chuckled. “What?”

“I can do a tequila shot through my nose!”

Bob’s eyes widened. “That doesn’t sound safe.”

Hangman waved a hand. “You should join the circus with that trick, Hal.”

Hallie gasped on the other end. Her next words were quieter as she evidently spoke to her physical companions. “We should all join a circus!”

This was met by loud agreement from the voices of Phoenix and Halo. Hallie chattered and shouted with them as they yelled about their new performing careers and imminent success. Hangman held the phone away from his ear for a moment before attempting to cut back in.

“Hal. Hallie. Hal.”

“Hi!” She paused. “Is this Jake?”

Phoenix made a loud wolf whistle, causing Rooster to waggle his eyebrows. Jake shoved him hard, making the aviator fall back into Payback and Fanboy.

“It’s me,” Hangman said. “You called me.”

“Oh, right!” Hallie laughed for a few minutes before Halo could be heard smacking Hallie’s arm.

“I’m asking! ****, Halo!”

Jake rolled his eyes.

“Anyway,” Hallie went on over more giggling, “I really, really, really don’t need to be driving…or Fee…or Halo…”

“I’ll come get you.” Jake stood. “Tell me where you’re at.”

“No!” Phoenix’s voice interrupted. Judging by the sounds of a protesting Hallie, the former must’ve successfully obtained the phone. “I don’t want to be driven by Bagman!”

“Send Bob!” Halo cheered.

“Nooo!” Hallie whined.

Jake rolled his eyes as his other companions chuckled at him. Distracted, Rooster wrestled the phone from his hands. Some of his beer spilled as he slapped Hangman away.

“Hey, Fee. Rooster. Where are you at?”

“Bradshaw! Where are you?!”

“The Hard Deck.”

“Get over here! This place is crazy…it’s…Halo, where are we?”

"Burning Sun.”

“Burning Sun!”

Jake looked up and groaned. “That’s half an hour from here.”

“No worries, Bagman,” said Bradley, hanging up the phone. “I’ll pick up your girl too.”

“Not my girl!” Jake stood, snatched his keys, and stomped after Bradley, who was already dashing out the door.

---

Thirty minutes later found Rooster and Hangman at the entrance of the Burning Sun. It was newer than the Hard Deck, with no Navy uniforms in sight and a karaoke station in the back; the last item was likely the reason behind the ladies’ choice in venue. The Daggers scanned the space, searching for the trio.

Rooster yelled over the noise. “How are we gonna find--”

Daydream’s Italian yelling cut him off, followed by Halo cheering and an unknown, male voice yelling just as loudly in a much less victorious tone.

“Found ‘em,” said Hangman. He pointed at a large crowd to their right.

The duo pushed through to find a scene worthy of a Baroque painting. A man as tall as Hangman was on the ground, rubbing his jaw that was quickly turning purple. Daydream was standing on a nearby table, cheering and nearly knocking down a collection of glasses. Halo sat at said table, oblivious to the imminent danger, a beer bottle in each hand. At the center was Phoenix, standing over the man and basking in the crowd’s applause.

Rooster nudged Hangman’s ribs. Across the room, a bartender was beginning to sidle over.

“Alright, show’s over, folks!” Hangman announced as he clapped a hand on Phoenix’s shoulder. “Come back again tomorrow!”

Phoenix immediately shoved him off.

“Jake! You came!” Daydream cried.

“Gross,” said Phoenix. “We had…have…have it under control.”

“I’d say,” Rooster chimed in, brushing Hangman away from Phoenix's fighting stance. “That guy’ll feel it tomorrow.”

“Serves him right.” Halo stood and swayed. “Nat just gave his **** back to him.”

“**** straight!” Phoenix yelled.

After more yelling, a bribe to the bartender, and more yelling, the five aviators were situated in their proper vehicles. Phoenix and Halo had started up a rendition of “Evacuate the Dancefloor” that was just the chorus over and over in the back of Rooster’s Bronco, while Daydream was wiping away some tears from saying goodbye to the two in Hangman’s passenger seat.

“Over and out,” Rooster saluted as he drove out and joined the singing.

“You okay there, Dreamgirl?” Hangman glanced at his passenger.

Hallie nodded, then sat up straight. Jake raised his eyebrows.

“My name and Callie's rhyme! We're like…name twins!”

Jake laughed and shook his head. “Might as well be related.”

Hallie laughed and then settled down, evidently very interested in the pattern of the leather seats. The only sounds came from the wind through the cracked windows and the mild country singing from the radio. For a moment, Hangman thought she’d fallen asleep.

“...thanks for coming,” she mumbled.

“Anytime, Dreamgirl.”

---

Phoenix, Halo, and Daydream all woke up the next morning in their respective residences with matching headaches. Phoenix was the first to recover out of the three women, leaving the following text:

🔥 Phoenix 🔥: same thing next weekend? 😜

---

[the-navistar-carol]

Chapter 17 of "Aftershocks," up now!

Kelly "Vacay" Savannah, Weapons Systems Officer, has been called back to Top Gun years after her graduation, about a mission she knows nothing whatsoever of. Luckily, she's not alone. Her frontseater Marisol "Floodgate" Carter, has been called back, too. OR: Two more people join the Dagger Squad. Not a lot changes, but nothing is the same.

This chapter has taken so long in coming because the one three chapters ahead could NOT get its ending figured out. The loving @zee-has-commitment-issues has edited, as always, and their praise will make my ego unbearable until the hurricane hits.

Another step forward. Another shaking inhale. A new sting behind her eyes. “But you’re not. As a WSO, I’m trusting in my pilot that he’ll bring me back home. Every goddamn time. I’m trusting you, too!” A lump began to rise in her throat. “It’s not just – it’s not just whatever you have to prove, to – to – to God knows who, Bradley, ‘cause it’s my life up there, too!” She didn’t have to look down to feel her knuckles whitening on her helmet chinstrap. Fuck, this was familiar.

HEEHOO I'm proud of this one. Named "Test Drive" for a reason!

Read now on Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/41581620/chapters/124880212

Taglist (open): @missezri, @isieoop

[lesbiradshaw]

our secret moments in a crowded room

by lesbiseresin

Callie’s glass isn’t yet empty, but Mickey’s, Bob’s, and the bottle are all approaching that point.

“We’ll go look for another,” Natasha had volunteered after Brigham took notice of it, the we she was referring to being made clear by the hand circled around Callie’s wrist as she stood up.

(alternatively: my favorite girlfriends finally getting some downtime)