#inverted jax

[jester-dragons-aus]

Look who's back

And look at all these Jax-es! So many of them

Jax Chase!

All of these Jax-es are mine :]

AUs: Dragons, Rabbit Ringleader, Inverted, Zooted[ @zooted-jax ], Sweet, Horror House, and Amalgam AI

I didn't draw my Warriors AU Jax cuz that'd just be a cat and probably too small to draw very well

[draikathedragon]

The Inverted Digital Circus!

I’m still working on the other designs, so here’s what I have so far. I hope you like them!

[attleboy]

i thought too hard about insect motifs got a little silly and made... a lot lmao these versions of the characters are from @sm-baby's amazing digital carnival au!! full images and rambling about insect choices are gonna get stuck under the cut... it'll be a bit long and i will be putting photos of real bugs down there so be mindful

pomni: "butterfly"

inspirational species are black swallowtails mostly for the shape, and malay red harlequins mostly for the pattern

carnival pomni's actually the one that kickstarted this whole set... i drew her hat in a way that reminded me of butterflies, went "wait...", then i fully leaned into it :)

jax: "centipede"

there was no specific species for jax. without being able to use color, they were too similar to pick any out... i have included a giant centipede just for reference though since it was mainly larger centipedes i used for inspiration

anddd there's a little bonus sketch for how pre-sentience jax might've looked with a centipede outfit... he gets a bug scarf and some goggles!

ragatha: "ladybug"

inspirational species was the twice-stabbed ladybug chosen because the inverted color scheme looked the best out of all the ones i tried, and also because it's a metal name and we know ragatha's good with a knife... stabby stab... i did add more than two spots to the dress though, it just looks cooler lol

gangle: "spider"

inspiration was the spinybacked orb weaver which i was absolutely ecstatic to find because come on that is the perfect spider for gangle like look at it!! it looks like her mask, it's got red, it's got gold on the limbs, literally twinning

zooble: "mantis"

inspiration was the spiny flower mantis which, like with gangle, i feel is pretty much perfect for zooble... they come in many colors (including pink), have abstract patterns, and it gave me the excuse to cover zooble in spikes :D fun

and no kaufmo because i'm lazy and he's dead (sorry kaufmo fans but am i wrong), and the rest don't have bug names that i know of?

i still want to draw the carnival characters in their regular looks sometime, i just got really really inspired by the idea of secret skins and bug-themed outfits and went a liiittle haywire :P

anyways if you read all that you're a real one and you've got too much time on your hands... if you didn't, i understand, i get wordy, sorry :'D okay i think that's all byeee

[whinychimera13]

STIMMING ISN'T ENOUGH I NEED TO FUCKING EXPLODE /QUO

MY FRIENDS ARE BEING TOO NORMAL ABOUT THIS PLEASE PEOPLE I NEED SOMEONE TO BE NOT NORMAL ABOUT IT WITH ME P LE ASE

JAX MOMENTS????????? JAX MOMENTS?????? GANGLE HAS HER COMEDY MASK OH MY FUCKVJDOSHOXNXKSBCKXNJ KINGER HAS 0 THOUGHTS IN EVERY FRAME HE APPEARS. RAGATHA PRINCESS LOOLILALU LESBIANS REAL?????? IDK I SAW SOMEONE DRAW THE SHIP ONCE. ZOOBLE MENTION ZOOBLE MENTION. OH MY GOD. JAX HAS A FUCKING SHOTGUN WHILE RIDING SHOTGUN. POMNI IS IN A MEAT LOCKER!!! THERE'S MORE GUMMIGOO PEEPS HE HAS A POSSE I REPEAT THERE ARE MORE OF THEM!!!!!! POMNI'S ARM WAS FUCKING ABSTRACTING IN THE SCENE WHERE SHE WAS FALLING YALL. Y A L L. DID I MENTION JAX YET HE HAS SO MANY MOMENTS IM GOING TO PERFORM OPEN HEART SURGERY ON MYSELF AND INVERT MY BODY FROM THE HOLE MADE. THE ANIMATION LOOKS SO FUCKING GOOD YALL IT'S SO SMOOTH!!!! AND PRETTY!!!!!! THE COLORS!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY FUCKIJG GODFJOSHXKSJSIXJ JAX FUCKING MENTION JAX JAX JAX

[fizzyellouw]

Inverting~ 🎶

Ragatha carrying Jax

[simpalert]

I gots a au, for tadc, it's called the inverted au

Here are the design I gots so far

Invert!pomni:is a trickster

Invert!Jax;is practically like fluttershy

[kittydragondraws]

well that happened, tadc reaction

stuffs under cut

yipee ads :D sick beats yoo new intro yipee silly pommi silly symbols is it just me or did things get… golder nauseating i think this is a dream, soo sobble oh my god this hurts to watch i don't like thit "i don't wanna play with you anymore" toy story vibes oof collission errors at their finest best girl raggy is it just me or did she get deeper?? man it's so much better watching yt on a laptop then phone "judging by what he's been teasing" FOURTH WALL BREAK canadaland BUBBLE!! local intorvert what's with the block? LARPing :,D he's so me frfr of he's smoking GUNNY ELEPPHANT MY FAVORITE THIIIING shiny manrqquiens kinda nice ngl awww kinger :D it's giving mario movie tbh "GOD" I'M CRYING AHAHAHAHHA ooooh amazing digital yuri she just like me frfr loloo kinda sweet i looove jax ha :D pomni is me jax is so slayful wacky sound effects i'ts only been thrity seconds but i love her already this si adorable WAIT SAD BACKSTORY GUMMIGOO jax has those n genes jesus christ bunny boy i swear i've seen that joke before babootka little arms georg gummigoo is precious jax is actually horrible kuh-nife jax is a masochist lesbian gangle real OH GOD NO RAGGY girly got inverted hot chokky, or diarreah i love colission errors NOO GUMMY COME BACK POOR GUMMY SAAAAVVVEEE HIIIIIIM that's not terrifying at all it's giving n learning he's a clone vibes exstestential horror yippee :D POMMY SAVE THE DINESAW you're in out of bounds dumass POOOR GUUUY NOOOO NAW WAAAAAAA D: data in a computer WAIT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH THAT REFERENCE wow i hate this, i haaaaaate this jesus fuck my man she wouldn't last a day on copper 9 the keys come back i legit throught that was a nuke oreo wheels he's busy being emo i love his voice NO GUMMIGOO YOU'LL LIVE ON ON TURMBLR oh shit pomni therapy it's giving cabin fever oh i'm sad now YEES POMNI LET HIM COME WITH YOU CAINE WON'T MIND HAHAHAHAHAHHAAH (hyperfixating) his legs are so frucking weird bruh like yourself you worked at C&A i love him yipeeeeee colission glitches are best glitches fudge is nauseating nd i hate him md fans before a new ep: kinger why is your head in a bucket RAGATHA NO IT'S FINE SHE'S JUST IN THE ETHER kinger admin headcanon HE JUST DIED THEY MURDERED A GUY is there like a one vomit per episode requirement or sumting AWWW HE'S BEEEEST YEESSSSS GUMMIGOO GO SAVE YOUR MOMMA are they dancing? are those cahsews on the front? EVERYONE IS DEAD oh… my… god CAINE I HATE YOU CAINE CAINE CAINE I HATE YOU were her teeth clipping? ptsd flashbacks lol RAGATHA FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD PLEASE BE RIGHT oddly wholesome awww don't make me sad NO DIALOGUE? GOOSE YOU COWARD! awwwww wait noooooo this iiiissss sweeeeet I WANNA GUMMIGOOOO PLUSHIE jax looking pretty neat ngl

[tadcccallmyocs]

Bring back Tether part 2

Tether and Ashrani were still sitting together when the Portland opened again, and an orange furball rocketed through the portal and slid across the floor into the opposite wall. Ashrani hid behind her interdimensional sister as Tether stood to confront the strange presence.

Tether "wh--Who are you?"

Totes "Urk, that was worse than Caine's teleporting-- I'm Totes. And you must be Tether."

The ferret-person stood up slowly, looming taller than anyone Tether or Ashrani had ever seen. Needless to say, they were both intimidated. In spite of the newcomer's goofy smile.

Tether "h-how do you know my name?"

Totes "Well, it's a long story... one we don't really have time for right now."

Totes then reached for the zipper at the base of their neck, unzipping it to reveal a mostly empty pocket in their chest. It looked big enough to fit a person inside-- which, to Tether's horror, was the plan.

Totes "Alright kid, get in! I'm taking you home marsupial-style!"

Tether: "n-No way!"

Tether backed away from the strange animal, remembering her parents warning about going off with strangers. Besides the general bad vibes, this person reminded them just a bit of Jax between their toothy grin and mammalian appearance. She put on her brave face-- the one that was color-inverted-- and further confronted Totes.

Tether "Why should I trust you-- I've never met you before! Why would my parents send you, of all people?!"

Totes took a moment, smile falling away as they came up with an answer that would prove their intentions.

Totes "Well in truth it wasn't your parents that sent me... it was your best friend, Harley."

Tether "Then I don't-- did you say Harley?"

Tether's expression turned, and in doing so they notices that Tote's had also changed-- their serious expression had a touch of sadness to it.

Totes "Yeah, she's real worried about you. Every one in your server is, by the looks of it. Zooble was a bit too busy beating the [#$ಠ⁠益⁠ಠ!%] out of Caine for porting me in instead of you, so I went ahead and sent myself here. Which sure, maybe not the best idea, but how many servers have people with names that start with T? I have no idea what that chatterbox was thinking--"

Tether "Ok fine-- I believe you."

Tether gave Ashrani a quick goodbye hug and then climbed into the ferret's pouch. Once they were fully inside, Totes zipped the hole closed.

Totes "Ok, get comfortable-- oh, and if you find any chocolate bars in there, don't eat them. It's uh... mushroom-flavored."

Tether "Eww! Why would you have mushroom-flavored chocolate?!"

Totes "Well the flavor isn't really the selling point-- oh, here we go, portals activating! Hold on Tether!"

There was another lurch of teleportation, and once again Totes was standing in front of the same mix of half and full strangers. Kinger's finger was still pressing the recall button.

Kinger "Ah--! Sorry, wanted to see if it worked. Guess I pressed it too soon..."

Cathin "well at least you bring the guy back... but not the child"

Zooble "Where's my child, weasel?"

Gangle "Oh no, did you not find her in time?" Gangle asked, tears welling up from her eyes.

Totes "Relax, your timing was perfect-- and I'm a weasel of my word!"

Totes unzipped their pocket, and inside was Tether-- dazed from the teleportation, but fine.

Tether "h-Hi everyone. I'm really sorry about disappearing like that--"

Harley "TE-TE!"

Totes "Whoa!"

Harley didn't wait for Tether to get out of Totes, tackling both to the ground to hug her friend. Soon Zooble and Gangle joined in, and it became a group hug.

Harley "I'm so, so, SO glad you're ok! We were so worried when you started to abstract!"

Tether "y-You were?"

Gangle "Of course we were-- we love you Tether."

Zooble "You're still grounded... but, I'll count the days you were gone."

The hug may have went on forever, but then Caine hovered over.

Caine "Harley darling, your enthusiasm is delightful-- but it seems to have been a bit much for our new friend!"

They glanced over to Totes who-- between the disorientation of being recalled and the fall-- was out cold.

Harley "Oops... sorry."

Jax "Great, we're stuck with the weasel for a while.”

(totes and this writing is made by @enby-denby, this Collab has come to an end thanks to @spookykittyzzz to be so awesome to made this arc possible and I hope some of you have questions like Harley and Tether know what abstraction is or more things let me know have a nice day)

[lionews]

"gimme y’all’s unpopular lioden opinions" Inverted rosettes aren't real rosettes.

jax </3

[jester-dragons-aus]

Protecting the King.

I'm back again with the Inverted Digital Circus AU

I just drew this cuz I wanted Jax to be punched, so don't say "oh your writing is bad" or anything like that cuz I know (not in a mad/mean way, I'm being silly). I'm shit at writing so I try my best to stick to drawing :V

Caine showing affection in his own ways.

[wonda-ch]

@dujour13 I had to take a screenshot to get it out of the sideblog. Sorry.💕 Thanks for asking. 😊

----

The lake lies quietly in the orange glow of the setting sun as Daeran approaches its shore with a blanket, a bottle of wine, and two glasses. He pauses when he recognizes Tishlia's silhouette, sitting near the shore with her arms wrapped around her knees, gazing into the water. She shouldn't be here. She should be looking for the animals, losing track of time as usual, and then finding him waiting on the shore, wine in hand, smiling at her.

The closer he gets, the more his stomach clenches when she does not turn her eyes to him, despite the fact that it should be impossible to approach her unnoticed. The slight trembling of her shoulders makes his gaze freeze for a moment. If she's crying, there must be a reason, one he doesn't know. As he continues to approach, he feverishly ponders what could be making her sad, and even more so, what could be keeping her from coming to him with that sadness.

Daeran is on the last steps to his wife when she wipes her eyes and sits up straighter, but she still doesn't look back at him. Shadowy, evil thoughts are already troubling him, and he tries to push them away until he can talk to her and get some clarity. "Tisha? What's wrong?"

"Nothing Dae, everything is fine."

The cramp in his stomach intensifies at this all too obvious lie. He sits down next to her, inverted so she can't avoid his gaze. When he tries to grab her hand, she reflexively pulls it away and the feeling of being rejected sends a chill down his spine and he tries hard not to let it affect his voice. "It doesn't look like all is well, why the tears, my love?"

"I'm grieving for my friend." Her voice is cold and dismissive.

"Midnight is gone, not dead. When Jax finds him and they settle their stupid argument, he'll be back." He relaxes a bit when he hears her reasoning, he doesn't quite understand it, but at least it doesn't seem threatening.

"You have no idea, Dae. They are dragons, I haven't heard any news from him, I have no idea where he is, he doesn't contact me. They are dragons, Dae, they have a different sense of time than we do. It could be years before he comes back." Without a sob, tears run down her cheeks again, but she doesn't try to hide them.

"If he wants to miss years with us, that's his choice and his loss. He won't risk it for long. Don't be sad, it wasn't you who argued with him. Until they return, we will be happy without them, you still have my most delightful company." Hoping that his motivating, light tone will brighten her mood, he tries to reach out his hand in her direction, but again she flinches from his touch.

Her reaction hits him like a low blow, and he drops his eyes to the ground. Hurt. Unsettled. He takes a deep breath, trying to control his voice, but the uncertainty clearly resonates in his next question. "What did I do wrong, Tisha?"

"It's not about you. It's nothing you've done, but it's not going to be all right because you decide so, Dae! Things do not come to you just because you want them to. You're not the center of the world." Her eyes pierce him and the anger in her sharp voice increases with every word.

The fury she makes him feel makes him flinch as if he had been physically hit. He quivers, angry at himself for not knowing where her anger comes from. His insecurity increases, he has no idea what words he can use now without making things worse.

A moment passes in which only the soft wind rustling the reeds can be heard. She has turned her eyes back to the water and he can see her holding back her anger, but he can't see why. The silence does not answer his questions and Tishlia seems unwilling to break it again.

His voice barely above a whisper, he makes a cautious approach. "I never wanted to be the center of the world. I only want to be the center of your world."

The wind continues to whisper, as if continuing his thoughts. When Tishlia looks into his eyes, he can see the sadness in the dark blue depths. For a moment, she stares at him as if to tell him her thoughts, and he chides himself for not understanding her. His self-reproach is interrupted when she finally speaks to him, calm and tender.

"That's what you are, you stupid idiot. That's why I'm sitting here, because of what you are." Her gaze returns to the water and more tears glisten on her cheeks. Hesitantly, as if trying to touch a burning log, he makes another attempt to take her hand. As she allows him to touch her, he finds himself holding his breath as he exhales in relief.

The warmth of her body suddenly leaning against his shoulder gently loosens the tense knot in his stomach. His free hand begins to gently brush her back, calming the renewed trembling of her shoulders. Without further questions, he waits patiently for her to explain what this is all about.

The setting sun bathes the lake in a reddish glow, the wind dies down so that even the whispering in the reeds seems to await her next words. "He wanted me to go with him. I tried to change his mind so he would stay. But he couldn't, he had to leave, and he wanted us to go together. I had to make a decision. I decided. And now… I miss him, Dae. It's like a part of me is gone. I don't regret my decision, I belong by your side, but sometimes… like today, it tears me apart".

He is glad that she can't see his face, in which his eyes now shine after her revelation. He holds her tighter in his arms, feeling the restless rhythm of her breathing and hearing the slight sob that has come over her again. His lips press tenderly against her temple as he says, "We'll look for him, everywhere, and we won't give up until we find him, I promise you, Tisha." She hears his promise and snuggles closer into his arms. These are the last words the lake will hear until the darkness falls.

[redmegarex]

why is jax the only one with inverted skin

Old wips are a lifesaver when it comes to artblock ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ! Here's a thing

Changed their outfits slightly too

[laraenglish]

jax and ragatha inverted colors.. purple and red n red n purple.. siblings

[tadcccallmyocs]

(Carefully considers how to word this question)

So Tether, I noticed in an animation of your face turning that you had a.... color-inverted angry variant. Have you ever had to use this Shadow-face?

Tether "I have something like that? I didn't know, well I don't know how it looks like, Harley told me once that when I pop out Bubble I have a scary expression, same said my mom one time that jax was bully her."

[kilojulietsierra]

"See You Try" - Jake "Hangman" Seresin x OFC

I don't have words for how obsessed I am with this movie and all the characters! I loved the original as a kid and am so happy with the second! So, obviously, I have several stories in the works. This is the first one finished!

Warnings : nothing really except for Top Gun Instructor !Hangman and one of his female students Victoria "Two Step" Harper flirting ever so slightly. He can't help it when he finds a woman that's up to the challenge...

"Where's he at Jax? Where's he at!"

"I'm looking, I'm looking. I lost him in the terrain."

"He's out there somewhere, I don't have him. Help me out here!" Tori swung her head left to right, eyes scanning the skies around her for the target.

"Wait!" Hard deck, two o'clock. See him?" Gunner, Jax's WSO chimed in.

Tori looked down and to her right, "There he is. What the hell's he doing down there."

"Playing another one of his mind tricks on us."

Focusing on her breathing Tori flexed her fingers over the controls of her multi-million dollar aircraft and took a a deep breath, "I'm gonna re-engage."

"Don't do it Two Step, it's a set up."

"Well if he get's me it's all up to you Jax." She turned to aknowledge her wingman flying beside her, "Avenge me." And with that she rolled the jet into a dive, heading straight for the canyon where the target had just disappeared around a sharp bend.

Above her her wingman shook his head, "Nice knowin' ya Two Step. Jax on overwatch."

Leveling out above the canyon Two Step followed the flow of the canyon until the enemy jet came back into view. Without hesitation she dropped into the canyon and began her pursuit, "I've got you this time…"

The sweat was rolling down her back and her lungs burned as she fought to keep her wits about her, swerving back and forth through the twisting canyon, her eyes jumping from one obstacle to the other all while keeping her eye on the target in front of her. "C'mon, c'mon…"

Ahead of her the jet screamed around every corner, almost graceful compared to how borderline out of control she felt.

Just when she thought the enemy plane was for sure going to outrun her she saw it, the head of the canyon. Her target would have to go into a climb to miss hitting the wall, and she'd have her shot.

FIngers cramping and muscles in her legs shaking from the effort of the manuevering Two Step fought through all of that and focused on her target. She engaged her missile system and patiently waited to set up her shot.

When the time came her opponent popped up out of the canyon, surely feet away from scraping the rockface, and she prepared to take her shot.

Then he was gone.

"Son of a bitch!" She jerked back on the joystick, putting her jet into a steep climb to avoid the wall. With gritted teeth she watched, caught only a glimpse, as the enemy jet popped over the canyon, immediatly inverted, and skimmed the desert floor as she screamed past.

She knew she was done for in that moment. Her jet was in a steep climb, his only needed to roll over and pitch up.

Over the ringing alarm in her ccokpit she heard it, "I've got tone, Two Step is down."

"Son of a bitch!" Tori slammed her fist against the canopy and leveled off, ripping her face mask off in frustration, "Son of a bitch, son of a bitch, son of a bitch!" She muttered over and over again even as she scribbled a quick note on her leg board and turned to fall into formation. "I had him."

Jax came over the radio, "I know ya did Two Step, I know ya did." When her wingman only got silence in return he added, "Let's go home."

The three jets formed up and headed back to base, the airwaves silent.

~~~

In the debrief Two Step stayed silent, rolling a pen over and over in her fingers as she took her dressing down.

She listened to her instructors as they picked apart everyone's flights, especially hers. She all but glared at her instructor, with his stupid blonde hair and stupid smirk, as he told the entire class in excruciating detail how she had screwed up. Like the professional she was she called out her own shortcomings, took notes and criticism with gritted teeth, then stood up to make a snappy exit.

"Two Step!"

Rolling her eyes and breathing deep through her nose she stopped.

"Hang back a minute." The instructors drawl carried over the dull roar of the rest of the class exiting the ready room. She let her teammates filter by her, several of them sharing knowing looks and sympathies with her as they passed. "

Sir?" Hands clasped behind her she turned to face her teacher as he approached.

His expression was steady and unreadable as he came to stand in front of her, "You know what got you up there?"

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes Victoria responded, "You're a better pilot than me Sir?"

He smirked, "Besides the point." He relaxed his posture, an attempt to get her to relax as well, "You got locked on, too focused on the target to maintain your situational awareness." When she nodded once he continued, "If I had asked you this morning in class, what would you do if an enemy fighter had you in the position you had me in?"

Tori took a deep breath, relaxing slightly knowing that he wasn't solely here to make her feel inadequate. "Pop and invert, let him blow by and use the maneuverability advantage against him."

"See, you know what to do."

She nodded, "Yes Sir."

"Next time, just do it."

"Yes Sir."

With a short nod of his own, and maybe a slight look of disappointment, he moved to step around her and leave the room. Her voice calling after him this time stopped him in his tracks.

"Hangman!"

He turned, looked at her over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised in question. "

You didn't bait anyone else, didn't take anyone else below the hard deck." She chewed on the inside of her lip. "Why? Why me?"

Now he was smiling, that big, stupid, cocky smile, "Nobody else would have had the balls to come for me." He threw her a careless, barely noticeable wink, and with that, left the room.

~~~

Jax was waiting for her in the locker room, "So? How'd it go?"

"Feel like he's actively trying to get me to fail." Tori jerked her locker open and started unlacing her boots.

"Oh please, you're still leading the class. By like, three points mind you, and we're a week away from graduation. That trophy is as good as yours as long as you don't die or murder one of the instructors." He pushed off from where he was leaning against the wall and walked closer, "And honestly, Phoenix and Bob might actually award you points if you murdered Hangman."

"Don't tempt me." She grumbled as she peeled off her flight suit, grateful for the air conditioning.

Laughing he leaned against a locker closer to hers, "You know why he gets to you so much don't you?"

"Cause he's an arrogant prick that needs to be knocked down a peg or two?" She shoved her suit into a duffle bag with that mornings gym clothes.

Her wingman laughed again, "Y'know, there's a lot of pilots out there that say the same thing about you sweetheart."

She tossed a tennis shoe at him and pointed to the door, "Don't call me that and get the hell out of here Jackass, I need a shower."

Jax laughed and tossed her shoe back, bumping her shoulder as he walked by, "So mean." He paused and yelled from the door, "See you at the Hard Deck tonight! You owe me a rematch!"

~~~~~

Two Step, Jax, Gunner and Flex were all camped out at the pool table later that night unwinding after a long week of brutal training. Jax was on his second rematch with Two Step and he was looking at another loss, much to his disappointment.

He and Gunner had gained the attention of a couple pretty, young girls and were doing their best to impress. Flex and Two Step kicking their ass at pool was not helping. Flex currently had control of the table so Tori leaned her stick against the wall, "I'm gonna grab a beer."

She spotted a gap at the bar and made a beeline for it, not noticing until it was too late who else was aiming for the same spot.

"Well look who it is."

Tori sucked in a deep breath and took a step back but Hangman stopped her, one hand at the back of her shoulder and the other gesturing to the bar, "Ladies first."

She gave him a side eye but nodded in thanks and leaned across the bar to get Penny's attention. Behind her Hangman remained silent and kept a respectful distance. It was driving her crazy. Taking a deep breath and swallowing a little of her pride she turned back to face him, "I've been thinking about what you said this afternoon."

He bobbed his head and raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Oh really?"

"I was too focused on taking you down when I should have been thinking critically, looking at the big picture." She glanced back over the bar still not seeing Penny, "If I had been thinking I would have throttled back, let you pop over the ridge, level out and I could have followed, saved my firing position and got the kill."

Hangman was grinning, nodding slowly, "Now you're thinking like you're at Top Gun." Sharp green eyes flicked from hers to the bar and back.

Following his lead Tori turned and found Penny standing there with a smile, "Hey! Can I get another 4 please?" Then she glanced back to Hangman, "Would it be inappropriate if I offered to by my instructor a drink?"

Taking advantage of someone else stepping away Hangman moved to lean against the bar next to Tori, "To be honest I've never actually read the handbook, just skimmed it," He threw Penny a wink and put on his best smile, "Now, generally speaking I don't let ladies by me drinks, but for you," He pointed in Tori's direction,"I will make an exception." "

Oh yeah?" Tori scoffed, looking to Penny for backup, and then turning on Hangman ready for a fight, "And what makes me so special?"

His smile was in full force now, dimples and all, "Because you..." He licked his lips and made a show of eyeing her up and down. When his eyes locked back on hers he continued, "Are one hell of a pilot."

Tori blushed and oh, did that piss her off. Cheeks warm and heart racing a little Tori rolled her eyes and turned to Penny, "Second thought, would you put these on his tab? Thanks." She grabbed the beers sharing a laugh with Penny and turned to head back to her friends.

"Hey, I'm serious." His tone stopped her in her tracks. Once she looked back at him he elaborated, "You're a damn fine pilot."

She felt her cheeks heat up again, and her chest get tight.

"You're competitive, and tenacious, you take risks and aren't afraid of a fight" His face was sober now, his voice less teasing, "Just remember not to let that suck you in. You're playing the long game, and the only way to win is be the one that comes home. Think and fly accordingly."

For a moment Tori was at a loss for words, she wasn't sure any of her instructors or mentors had ever given her such profound advice. Ten seconds ago she would have thought Hangman was flirting with her, now... now he was her Top Gun instructor again and that change had thrown her for a loop. With a nod she held up the beers and offered him a thanks, before heading back to the table.

~~~~~

"Get him off me T! Get him off me!" Flex was milking everything she could out of her jet banking and rolling, left and right, pulling out every move she had to evade Hangman but he was gaining on her.

Tori had just taken down Phoenix and Bob after a grueling dog fight and now it was her and Flex versus Hangman. "I'm comin' Flex, I'm at your 10, bank left and bring him to me."

"He'll catch me broadside." Flex countered even as she made a faint to the right, prepping to take him to Two Step for the kill.

"Trust me."

Flex came left hard, Hangman compensating to follow.

"Roll left! Roll left!" Two Step breathed deep and prepped for the G's she was about to subject herself to.

As Flex rolled down and left Two Step screamed past her and made a pass at Hangman, their two jets coming so close together he was forced to pull an evasive maneuver and relinquish his chase.

Straining to look over her shoulder Tori smiled, "Come on old man, let's dance." She jerked the stick back and moved to turn and try to engage Hangman.

"You really just call me an old man?"

That threw her off, "Hey! Get off freq! You're not supposed to be eavesdropping!" She kept her jet in a tight turn, her voice coming across strained.

"I wasn't." His own voice sounded strained, like it was tough to get the words out.

"Shit." Tori looked around frantically trying to find him.

He was turning, hard and fast, she could hear it in the sound of his voice. "I got on to chew you out for that stupid ass stunt you just pulled." He took a deep breath, his voice steadied, "And I hear you callin' me an old man. Is that really anyway to talk to your superiours?"

How the fuck was he not coming up on radar? She could tell he had leveled out, his voice unaffected by the strain of breathing and talking under G-forces. Trying not to let her little bit of panic seep into her voice she laughed, "I'm just sayin' don't feel bad if you can't keep up."

He chuckled, it sounded rougher, more dangerous over the radio. "Let's find out."

Out of nowhere he appeared her radar, directly behind her. "Ohh shit."

Hangman had been flying below her matching her speed and effectively camouflaging himself. Now he had fallen in right behind her. "Fight on."

For a split second before she yanked on the joystick she was grateful he hadn't just taken her out right away. Air sucked out of her lungs as she pulled back and right trying to circle back on him and gain a firing position but he was two steps ahead of her and now it was Two Step and Hangman going head to head one last time.

"Okay you know what," Tori took a deep breath, "Come on, come get me." Adrenaline flowing and a little pissed she rolled her jet into an even steeper climb and flew directly into the midday sun.

~~~`

Hangman switched his radio off the teams frequency, and smiled inside his mask, "There's my girl."

Instead of taking her bait he made an easy turn to the right, climbing, circling like a bird of prey on a warm updraft. "Now, where'd you go?" He watched his instruments and scanned the sky looking for either Two Step or Flex.

It was a solid minute before he finally caught sight of a plane. Down below and hugging the mountainside. "Alright…" He slid down to engage and soon he was chasing them down the valley. His target flying quick and dirty through the terrain, Hangman had to work to gain ground and get into position. Suddenly the jet in front of him pitched up hard, making to climb out of the valley.

"Big mistake." Jake watched his heads up display intently as the missile lock hunted for a target, but the sound that echoed through the cockpit wasn't the sound of his missile guidance system. It was the warning that someone had missile lock on him. "What the f…"

He looked to his radar and knocked his helmet back against his headrest in annoyance as he pulled his jet up to a cruising altitude. Changing his radio back to the previous frequency he sighed, "Good shot Two Step, well played." Hangman unlocked his mask and let it fall to the side, holding it briefly to add, "Form up, return to base. Exercise complete."

~~~~~~

On the ground Two Step was swarmed by her fellow classmates before she could even get down the ladder of her jet. Hangman watched on as the younger aviators celebrated the victory.

"She's good." Bob came to stand next to Hangman.

Phoenix joined them, "Took down two instructors in one hop. That doesn't happen very often."

Hangman just nodded for a moment, watching on, "Glad she's on our side, I'll give her that."

Phoenix started her walk to the hanger, "Go easy on her Bagman, don't take it out on her just 'cause she got the better of you."

The dig from his friend and co-instructor brought his head back from the clouds, "C'mon, you know there's noone better than me Phoenix." He called after her.

Slapping him on the back, Bob followed after his front-seater, "Well, she'll definitely give you a run for your money."

He continued to linger by his jet longer than necessary, taking the chance to watch the younger aviators chat and celebrate as they made their way, casual and cocky, in that way only the top 1% of aviators seem to walk. Decked out in flgithsuits and gear, boots thumping and scraping across the tarmac, colored helmets bouncing against their legs, sunglasses glinting in the west coast sun.

Hangman grabbed up his own kit and slid his Ray Bans on, smirking to himself, making his way to the hanger to debrief. Proud of himself, proud of Bob and Phoenix and the group they had spent the last six weeks training.

He grinned a little wider, something stirring inside him as the adrenaline of a good flight seeped away. Ahead of him Two Step had fell back behind the group, slowing her stride down to fall into step beside him.

"Good game." She held out her gloved hand and tossed him a wicked smile as she waited for him to shake her hand.

"Congratulations Lieutenant." Hangman gave her a slight smile and a firm handshake.

"On kicking your ass?" She took her hand back, switching the grip on her lime green helmet.

Hangman couldn't help but snort out a laugh, "On your trophy."

That stopped her in her tracks. It must not have really sunk in yet. Smiling a little more, Hangman kept walking, "First female aviator to take home the Top Gun trophy." He glanced over his shoulder waiting for her to keep up. "How's it feel?"

She jogged the few steps to catch up, and few strides past him, before she turned around to face him, walking backwards, "Like it's had my name on it since day one." She smiled, pushed her aviators further up her nose and jogged to catch up with the rest of her class.

~~~

North Island felt almost dead for the week in between Top Gun rotations. Graduation had been the previous Friday and their class of pilots had left for their home stations. The Hard Deck was relatively quiet tonight so Hangman settled into a stool at the bar and gave Penny a winning smile, "Hello Penny, my dear, give me some good news."

Penny turned from the other end of the bar and headed his way with a smile of her own, "Good news?" She leaned over the bar with a certain kind of look in her eye. She nodded and set her bar rag down, "Your favorite girl is here."

Hangman smiled, "I know, right here in front of me." He crossed his arms on the bar and leaned forward.

"Very funny. Better not let Pete hear you talk like that." Penny admonished him with a shake of her head, and then pointed behind him, "Over by the dartboard."

A little perplexed but still smiling Hangman turned in his stool to glance towards the dartboard. He wasn't sure who he expected to see but he couldn't hide the hint of a smirk nor could he deny the relief when he saw Two Step throwing darts across the bar.

When he turned back to Penny she was setting two bottles of beer in front of him and smiling like the Chesire cat.

"You are trouble Penny Mitchell." He shook his head but stood up and grabbed both beers, making his way towards the dartboard.

~~~

Tori was about to let her second dart fly when a voice behind her startled her.

"Shouldn't you be on your way back to Pensacola?"

Her heart rate doubled and she hadn't even turned around yet. It took every fiber of her being to keep her hand steady as she sent the dart flying, watching as it sunk in just a hair left of the bullseye. With a deep breath she turned to face him, "Change of station. Got my orders right after the ceremony. Navy was kind enough to give me some time off in between."

"So, here you are." He was smirking, two beer bottles in one hand and adjusting the toothpick between his teeth with the other.

"Here I am." She toyed with the last remaining dart in her hand. The way he was looking at her unnerved her. The way his eyes were narrowed and glinting, a smirk plastered on his face and his posture easy, confident as always.

The jukebox changing to the next song seemed to snap them out of their little staring contest. 90s country replaced 80's rock and Hangman's smile doubled.

Without a word he stepped past her, plucking the dart from her fingers and tossing it at the board like an afterthought. It struck the bullseye but he paid it no mind, "You know there is something I've been dying to ask you," He took a sip of one of the beers before setting them both down on a nearby table, flipping the toothpick in his mouth once before tossing it beside the bottles. "Since the first day of class."

He faced her fully again and she knew she wasn't hiding her emotions well. Whatever feelings they were they were out of control, her pulse only speeding up more, her chest tightening as he stalked back towards her.

With one hand extended towards her, palm up, he stopped directly in front of her. He was close enough she had to look up slightly to meet his gaze and God did that look on his face make her want to press her luck in one way or the other. "What's that?"

Hangman held her gaze for a beat, green on green, and his barely there accent was thicker than normal when he asked, "Wanna dance?"

~~~~

Of course Jake "Hangman" Seresin could dance. And he danced the way only boys born and raised in Texas could dance; smooth, cocky and a little over the top.

Tori figured there was no harm in one dance, she believed that one of the few true joys in life was being pushed around the dancefloor by a man that knew what he was doing. The second dance, well, a girl from Texas can't not dance when George Strait starts into "Write This Down". She hadn't come up with an excuse for the third dance yet, but she was trying like hell.

It was hard though, their dancing had persuaded a few other couples out into barely there dancefloor and that meant Hangman had less room to move her and spin her. It meant he was holding her closer, tamed it down to something closer to a true two step.

Tori did her best not to stare up at him, instead focusing on his ribbons, nametag, anything other than his flashing greens eyes and now permanent smirk.

He spun her once, close and tight, her body barely leaving the frame of his arms and she couldn't help but smile as he caught her. "Careful, I might think you're having fun."

She rolled her eyes and pushed away from him, only to be twisted back into his chest in one smoth motion.

Holding her there, her back to his chest, he spoke next to her ear, "I know I am." Before she could respond he spun her again, sent her around behind his back before settling her in his arms again.

Smiling but rolling her eyes, again, Tori looked up at him and admitted, "You are pretty good at this, I'll give you that."

Without missing a beat Hangman arched his eyesbrows, "I'm good at a lot of things."

She was laughing when the song ended and she forced herself to back away, "I'm gonna have to take your word for it."

"Where you think you're goin'?" He followed after her, matching her hesitant stride, not yet letting go of her one hand.

"I have some things to sort out before Monday. Thanks for the dance Hangman." She winked as she turned to weave her way through the tables only pausing when he called after her.

"I'd rather you call me Jake…" The look on his face was dangerous and way too tempting.

Tori paused for half a step before chuckling again, "Good night Lieutenant Commander Seresin." and waving to Penny as she left the bar.

~~~

The look on his face Monday morning was priceless, when he reported to the first instructor briefing for the next phase and Victoria "Two Step" Harper dropped into the seat across the aisle from him. He stared at her until she turned and acknowledged his presence.

"Good morning, Jake." She smiled, pretending not to notice the question behind his easy grin.

"Yes… Yes it is." He smiled even wider, flipped his toothpick end over end, and settled back into his chair, excited to see what other pleasant surprises the next few months would hold.

~~~~

Part Two