Hope you guys enjoy! If you want on the taglist let me know! (See guys I am learning Tumblr)
Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!
The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers! Feel free to leave requests and ideas!
Followed Maverick plot but Icemav is a thing, some changes along the way, all set up to show Mav and Ice and their adopted Dagger Squadron kids!
"I already miss you." Mav said softly.
"I miss you too Pete. If I didn't have to be here I wouldn't." Ice promised from the other side of the country.
"You know, for once it's not me causing us to be in separate locations and have to video call. You have to admit that is quiet a feat. Especially, since my current posting has me basically permanently home." Maverick teased.
"That just means you have to deal with what I dealt with for how many years?" Ice gave him a knowing look, "And it means you can't get in trouble while I'm gone."
"I have enough reasons to stay put."
"Good, now I am disappointed we have to postpone our reveal to the Daggers."
"Nah, this will just make it even funnier. I was thinking of inviting them out to the hanger tomorrow."
"Don't you dare let it slip without me there. I have to see the reactions."
"I will do everything in my power to prevent that. However, I think I will leave up our wedding photos. I have plenty of photos up, it will be hard for them to realize that it's my husband in the picture and not just my wingman. Also there are several pictures of me with people at the wedding up, and we are all in uniform."
"Fair point, plus it will just be that much funnier when they realize they literally had our wedding photo out."
"Also, I think I am going to fill Bob in later today, make sure he doesn't give them too much information or theories and make them realize. Feel up to another video call later in which we do a reveal, therefore you get to see the reaction."
"I would be delighted, however that does not take the place of our evening call."
"Never, I love seeing you and talking to you too much."
"Alright, after their debrief today I will hold Bob back under the guise of wanting to discuss some extra WSO stuff. Also, they don't know I know about the current bet so they have no reason to believe that's what it's about."
"Sounds like a plan, the conference won't start til tomorrow morning, so I can answer at any point. You on the other hand need to go start class. You can't get in trouble especially when I'm on the other side of the country."
Maverick nodded with a smile.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
---
"Alright, I think I've corrected yall enough for one day, everyone head out, and don't forget my hanger tomorrow. I sent yall the address. Dismissed." Maverick told his daggers after hours of lecture.
"Bye Mav!" They chorused on their way out.
"Bob, hold back for a second." Maverick ordered as the rest headed out, Bradley still feiging grabbing his stuff in order to hang back.
"Sir?" Bob asked.
"I hear there is a bet going on." Maverick said with the most stern expression he could come up with.
"Yes sir." Bob said, trying his best to keep a professional tone of voice and not let the fear squeak through.
"Well, I have someone who would like to talk to you about that." Maverick said pulling out his phone and pressing the video call button.
Bob's eyes were wide as he feared what was to come next. This was never in his training.
Bradley slowly made his way to the side with his phone filming.
"Lieutenant Floyd, I hear there have been some rumors flying about me?" Iceman answered the phone with his famous cold expression.
Bob's eyes went wider than they thought possible.
"Sir-" Bob wasn't sure what to say.
"Bob, I would like to officially introduce you to my husband, Admiral Tom 'Iceman' Mitchell-Kazansky."
"So I was right?" Bob finally spoke looking over at Rooster.
"Pops, just clarifying you are married to dad right? Which makes Bob's bet correct?" Bradley said with a smirk on his face.
"That is correct Baby Goose."
Bob froze once more, this was far more information than he was expecting, and he wasn't expecting any of it.
"I think you two broke Bob." Maverick laughed.
"You know, so much has just made sense." Bob finally spoke.
"Information tends to do that." Ice said in a dry tone.
Once again Bob learned something new, the admiral was sarcastic. Though that fit with Maverick.
"So, kid, since you are the only one to guess correctly, we are pulling you in on the plan. Also because you knowing could corrupt the plan if we didn't interfere." Maverick informed him.
"What do you need me to do sir?" Bob said, a small mischievous smirk making it's way onto his face.
"Be our Stealth Pilot. Collect information that Bradley doesn't get, report to us, and have fun messing with the narrative. Especially at the hanger tomorrow. We planned on the big reveal being sooner however Ice was called away for a conference, so we have more time to mess with the others."
"I'm in."
"I figured as much. Tomorrow, I need you to both dissuade and encourage the theory that Ice is my husband. No too much either way though. Just don't push the fact we are married too much to the point that they actually figure it out."
"I want to enjoy the shock on their faces, so they better not uncover the truth when I am not there." Ice gave his admiral glare.
"I would be delighted sirs."
"Good, have fun lieutenant."
---
"I'm sorry, you just casually have a P-51, and you never told us about it?" Phoenix asked incredulously.
"I'm show it to you now am I not?" Maverick rolls his eyes.
"Can we fly it?"
"Do you know how to fly it?"
"Well, no..."
"Then you all can take turns being the back seater, how about that?" Maverick offered.
A collection of cheers were heard from the squadron.
"But not all you today, we can do a few every now and then." Maverick amended, there was not time for him to go up and down with all 12 of them today.
The pilots grudgingly agreed.
"Hey Mav, is this who I think it is?" Coyote asks pointed to a series of photos on the wall.
"That would be Goose, Bradley's father."
"Wait, he played the piano too?" Omaha asked.
"Where do you think Bradley got it from? He grew up listening to his dad play. His favorite song to play was 'Great Balls of Fire'. Hints, where Bradley got it from."
A look of understanding crossed Hangman's face.
"So is this baby Pops?" Hangman asked pointing to a photo in the corner.
"Yea, that's a baby Maverick." Bradley laughed.
"And that is a baby Bradley." Maverick pointed to several pictures.
"Guys! Look it's Admiral Kazansky!" Fanboy pointed to a photo of them in their formal uniforms.
Maverick stifled a laugh, they were pointing at what was one of their wedding photos.
"Hey look it's the same photo they have up in the halls at Top Gun!" Payback added.
"That was taken right after our first mission together as wingmen." Maverick explained.
"Can you- Umm..."
"Out with it Fanboy." Maverick rolled his eyes at the sudden timidness of the pilot.
"Can you tell us the story of that day, I mean rumors flew at the academy and flight training, but I'm sure it's changed over the years."
"How about this, you tell me what you've been told, and I'll tell you how close it is." Maverick agreed hesitantly. It wasn't his favorite story to tell, too many things associated with it. Too many close calls and too soon after a close call wasn't just close.
"The main version I've heard, is that you were pulled straight from Top Gun graduation for a mission and you two were like besties, and got sent off and face 5 MiGs at once and you took down 3 and chased the other 2 away."
"It's a close version, but not true. Iceman and I were rivals at Top Gun, and I was the spare for that mission." Maverick explained.
"Was Goose your RIO for that one?" Coyote asked, not realizing the timeline nor the weight of his words.
Maverick froze for a second, his breath leaving him, as Bradley looked down at the floor.
Hangman chose to answer for them thanks to his findings before the mission.
"No, I thought Goose died in a training accident at Top Gun."
"That, was the first mission I flew without Goose." Maverick explained, his voice coming out weaker than it had been.
The squads eyes went wide as they quickly found a new picture to ask about.
Bradley watched his god father closely, he knew no matter how long it had been, Goose's death was a touchy subject for him. It was for Bradley too, but not in the same way. He only remembered the man from stories, videos, and pictures.
They found a large group photo.
"Who are these guys Mav?" Halo asked.
"That, is the Top Gun class of '86. Well at least my class." Maverick explained.
"So do you still keep in contact with the admiral?" Payback asked pointing to the another picture of their wedding, this time of Ice and the Bradley's class of'86 uncles.
"I do, I had a phone call with him last night actually. That photo was actually taken at my wedding. I still keep in contact with most of the guys from my Top Gun class. We do little reunions every now and then." Maverick decided to reveal. It didn't give much away because they were both in uniform as well as there were a several pictures from that day of him with other people also in uniform.
"Wait, when do we get to meet them?" Yale asked.
"Meet who?" Maverick not sure if they meant Ice or the class of '86.
"Whoever you're married too!" Harvard answered.
"Oh, it will be a few days, he got called away to a conference. He has been waiting to meet you guys though."
Bob smirked from the back of the group.
"Hey who is this?" Phoenix asked pointing to another photo.
Quickly leading to story time for a series of other photos.
---
Dagger Group Chat
Fanboy
We have new INFO!!! Mavericks HUSBAND is at a conference. Therefore we can knock out Penny and Hondo, because we saw Hondo earlier therefore not at a conference.
Phoenix
So all we have left is We haven't met them, Cyclone, and Warlock.
Bob
And Admiral Kazansky
Payback
Sorry Bobby, but it's definitely not the Admiral, I mean we saw the photo earlier, taken at the wedding, not the groom. If he was married to the Admiral he just would have said that.
Bob
I guess that makes sense, but I am standing by my bet
Halo
Good, because bets are closed, no changing
Harvard
We can also narrow it down if we find out if Cyclone or Warlock left for a conference. Seems like something they would do as the heads of Top Gun. If either are gone tomorrow, then we have our answer.
Hangman
Or we establish we just don't know who they are because we have never met them. So if both are there tomorrow, then Phoenix and I win.
Yale
Woah Woah Woah, Hangman, don't count your eggs before they've hatched. Your bet is that we don't know of them, we could know of them we just didn't bet on them. Therefore you would be wrong too.
Hangman
Fine, we find out officially when we meet them, that work for everyone?
Phoenix
As long as it ends with free round for me from everyone, then I don't care when.
Hangman
Except me, I would get free rounds too!
Phoenix
Yes Hangman, except you.
---
"Ice, you wouldn't believe it, they literally talked about one of our wedding photos and didn't catch on."
"The look on their faces is going to be priceless."
"Are you sure you can't hurry back from your conference?"
"I would if I could, I would do it even if we weren't waiting to do this reveal. I would do it just to come back to you."
"Aww, the ice cube is melting."
"Only for you."
"Sarcastic Iceman might actually kill them though, they still only know stoic Ice Cold Admiral Iceman."
"So, maybe I shouldn't meet them then, we will be down 10 of our best aviators." Ice jokes.
"I said might not would, plus you are a guardian angel you could bring them back to life."
"No I am your guardian angel, and occasionally Bradley's."
"You mean you don't want to do the paper work that would be involved."
"Maverick, I do my paperwork, but that doesn't mean I want extra."
"Fair point, if I didn't have to do my paperwork I never would."
"You do your paperwork last minute anyway!"
"Yea, but I still do it."
Ice glares at him thru the phone.
"I love you too," Maverick smirks. "But seriously, how much longer until you are back? Despite being Iceman you keep the bed very warm, and it is cold now."
"Your personal heater will be back in two days."
Maverick smiled.
---
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I hope you guys are enjoying!! Fear not the reveal is coming!! Sorry that this one is a little shorter, they will probably average 2k to 4k in words. Depending on what's in each chapter. I have planned out a lot of what will be happening. Once the reveal occurs it will become more one shots taking place after this focusing on fewer daggers at a time.
If you have any requests or ideas for those one shots let me know! I have my own list but will happily add!
Also I need help picking Ships
Hangman and Rooster or Phoenix and Rooster? I like both, and both can work for this story, or I can leave them relationshipless for now.
Please comment! You guys don't understand the joy I feel when yall comment! Hop you enjoyed!
Hope you guys enjoy! If you want on the taglist let me know! (See guys I am learning Tumblr)
Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!
The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers!
Feel free to leave requests and ideas
Dagger Group Chat
Fanboy
GUYS!! CYCLONE AND WARLOCK WERE HERE TODAY
Phoenix
Which means Hangman and I have most likely won, all we need todo is find out officially.
Hangman
See the one time Phoenix agrees with me is the one time she is right. You should agree with me more often.
Phoenix
Shut up Bagman, I didn't agree with you, you merely came to the same conclusion as me. Most likely out of pure luck.
Coyote
Which if proven true that we don't know who it is, then I am stumped as to who is could be.
Halo
Don't forget, we could have met them and somehow none of us guessed them
Bob
Or it could be Admiral Kazansky.
Harvard
Sorry Bob, but you are going to have to give that one up
Bob
I will give it up when we find out who it is or I just won't give it up once we all find out I'm right.
Yale
Harvard is right Bobby, you may need to clean those glasses of yours a few more times if you think the Admiral and Maverick are married.
---
Bob smirked at his phone, this reveal was going to be priceless.
---
Fanboy
GUYS!! DID YOU SEE THE TEXT MAVERICK JUST SENT?!?!
Omaha
Dude, we are all in the group chat where he sent it, yes we saw it.
Hangman
Be prepared to shower Phoenix and I in rounds
Payback
Wait, does Maverick not live at the Hanger? Cause that is a very different address and a lot closer
Phoenix
I mean it would be fitting to his character to live there, but it makes sense that he has an actual house too
Fritz
Well, I guess the mystery will be solved tomorrow. Though that does confirm it's not Cyclone or Warlock for sure since Maverick's husband just got back today.
---
"Mav, have you seasoned the burgers yet?" Ice asked walking into the kitchen.
"Yes, Ice, and I sliced the onion. " Maverick rolled his eyes.
"Thank you," Ice said walking up to kiss Maverick, "I've missed you." He added tenderly.
"I missed you too Ice," Maverick leaned his forehead against Ice's shoulder before a devious smirk began to emerge on his face.
"Maverick, I can feel you smirking, what?"
"I just thought of a great idea."
"Your version of great or my version of great?"
"It's in the gray area where we both think it's great."
"Let's hear this great idea then." Ice looked down at Maverick, an expectant look on his face.
"You know how we haven't decided exactly how to introduce you yet?"
"Yea..."
"I think I figured it out."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
And with that Maverick revealed his plan, and even Ice had to agree, it was a great one.
---
"Dude, this is a nice house." Coyote said walking up, not quiet believing he was at the right address.
"I know, are we sure Maverick lives here?" Payback asked, eyes wide.
"I'd question it too, but that's his bike." Phoenix pointed out.
The squadron agreed to all arrive as one group to prevent anyone from meeting Maverick's husband before the rest of them.
In attempting to complete this task, all 12 of them were crowded onto the front porch arguing over who got to ring the door bell.
"Who rings doorbells anymore? Isn't it just back to knocking?" Fritz commented.
"But with a house this big will they even hear us?" Yale argued.
"How about we just knock and if they don't answer then we ring the doorbell?" Halo offered.
"Alright, but then who gets to knock?" Omaha asked.
"How about we just go in?" Bradley offered. trying his best to suppress laugh.
"We can't just walk into his house!" Harvard lightly exclaimed.
"You can if he is standing with the door open waiting on you all to walk in." Maverick commented from the open doorway.
"Hey Mav!" Bob greeted with a large smile on his face.
"Mav!" Fanboy smiled.
Maverick greeted his two youngest WSOs.
"Alright, everybody in!" Maverick ordered stepping out of the way.
All of the kids were taking the house in as Bradley side hugged his dad with a knowing smirk on each of their faces.
"Nice apron Mav." Hangman commented.
Prompting the others to take notice of said apron with large words across it reading:
'I am Dangerous'
Bradley smiled, as much as he rolled his eyes at those aprons he was glad they kept them.
"Thank you, my kid gave me the idea." Maverick said non-chanlantly as the squadron took a second to process his words.
"If yall all want to head to the kitchen I am going to grab Ice for drinks." Maverick informed them after a moments silence before the aviators could come out of their stupor and ask questions.
A chorus of agreements were heard as they made their way to the kitchen after Maverick pointed them in the right direction.
Bradley quickly made sure the camera was filming as he took his place in the kitchen. The aviators talking amongst themselves, not so subtly looking around waiting on Maverick's mysterious husband to show up.
"Maverick has a kid too!" Fanboy whisper shouted.
"The more we learn about Maverick the less I realize we know about him." Phoenix shook her head softly.
Bob just stood to the side waiting for the great reveal.
"Bob, you seem awful smug, and that's abnormal for you." Payback commented.
"I am just waiting for you all to learn I was right." Bob replied.
"Bob, give it up, you are about to be proven wrong." Harvard shook his head.
"Do we start a separate betting pool for who Maverick's kid is?" Fanboy asked.
"I'm back with Ice." Maverick walked into the kitchen, Ice walking next to him.
Jaws dropped, eyes went wide, and no words were spoken.
"Sir" Phoenix finally came to her sense and saluted Admiral Kazanasky.
"It's Ice and there is no saluting me nor is there any titles in my own house." Ice stated, in all his glory including his apron that matched Mavericks except his said:
'I love Dangerous'
Only then did it process for the pilots what was going on.
"Wait-"
"Your-"
"Maverick's-"
"Husband!" The aviators stuttered out.
Bob finally broke his composure and busted out laughing.
"Wait, how did you know?" Phoenix asked her WSO realizing he wasn't in shock.
"I didn't, I just had a hunch after a looking at a few things and went with it. Then I got held back one day to find out over a video call! So I already got my shocking reveal. Appearantly being the only one to bet Admiral Kazansky means you get pulled into the reveal."
"Wait! You knew there was a bet?!" Fanboy asked turning his head to Maverick "How did you find out!?"
"My kid told me." Maverick smirked.
"Your kid?" Fanboys eyes went wide as he tried to solve this one.
"Bradley!" Phoenix turned eyes wide.
"Yes Phe?" Bradley smirked.
"YOU KNEW!"
"I did."
"And you didn't tell me!"
"Well I could ruin their fun, and I was enjoying watching you all scramble to figure it out."
"So that's why you abstained from the bet." Payback realized.
"Bingo." Bradley smirked before adding, "It was hilarious helping dad out with this. You were all so oblivious."
"And you are his kid!" Phoenix yelled.
"I mean I have all but told you a few times." Bradley rolled his eyes.
"You know, a lot is starting to add up." Fritz commented.
"Especially the photos at the hanger." Coyote agreed.
"Honestly that was hilarious. You literally asked me questions about our wedding photos without realizing." Maverick laughed.
"Alright, who is ready to eat?" Ice asked gesturing to the pan of burger patties and bags of buns.
"You expect us to eat after all of these revelations!?" Fanboy exclaimed.
"Chill out Fanboy, you can ask more questions while we eat." Maverick patted the WSO on the shoulder as he grabbed a plate and began putting together his burger.
---
"So Pops, this is how you get out of all the trouble you get into?" Hangman asked.
"I only get into trouble when it's necessary-"
Ice gave Maverick a look.
"In recent years I have only gotten into to trouble when necessary." Maverick amended, "Don't give me that look Ice, you know why I did what I did at Dark Star, and you know you had fun with that phone call to Cain."
Ice rolled his eyes.
"Though Hangman, we are going to have to talk about your choice of words." Ice fixed Hangman with one of his famous ice cold stares.
Hangman's soul left his body as his mind flashed back to his words to Bradley about Goose.
"Sir, I'm sorry about what I said about Goose. I didn't have all the information and shouldn't have said what I said to provoke Bradley."
"While that was wrong, you were forgiven after and especially after you saved Maverick and Bradley," Ice spoke, "However those are not the choice words in question here."
Hangman's brain spiraled trying to figure out what else he had said wrong, or atleast wrong enough to warrant this level of glare from Admiral Kazansky.
"I'm sorry sir- Ice, I don't know what else I said wrong." Hangman admitted.
"You have been calling Maverick 'Pops' I am 'Pops'." Ice said coolly, his glare still fixed on the cocky pilot.
Hangman's eyes went wide.
"Ice is Pops, and Mav is dad, or Mavdad. You don't mess with it." Bradley supplied.
"Ice is very territorial over his Pops title." Maverick added.
"As he should be." Bradley supported. "I came up with it."
"Wait, why is Ice Pops?" Phoenix asked sensing a story.
"Because Bradley realized Ice Pops were cool and since we called him Ice, he obviously needed to be Ice Pops, shortened down to Pops and interchangeable with Ice." Maverick informed them.
"Oh my goodness, Bradley, that is so cheesy." Hangman shook his head.
"But you have to admit, it makes sense."
"It definitely makes Bradley sense." Phoenix agreed.
"And it only needed to makes sense to me."
After a beat of silence Fanboy spoke up.
"So wait, how did you wind up with Mav and Ice?"
"After my Father died Mav was around whenever he could to help me and my mom out, and when he cancer started getting worse I moved in full time with him and Ice until she passed when Mav took over as my legal guardian." Bradley revealed, glazing over the pain from those years.
"So then why were you and Maverick so tense at the start of the mission?" Hangman asked.
Bradley looked down ashamed.
"We had a fight several years back and hadn't spoken since." Bradley once again glazed over the details.
"Wait, you said he pulled your papers," Phoenix commented as her head started to do the math, "You mean you hadn't talked to him in over 15 years?"
Bradley looked down again.
The table went quiet as Fanboy realized he probably shouldn't have initiated this line of questioning.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that." Fanboy said softly, in great contrast to his normal upbeat self.
"It's ok Fanboy, you guys are curious and with good reason." Maverick nodded softly. His hand already rubbing up and down Bradley's back as subtly as he could. While Ice held Maverick's hand under the table squeezing tight in support.
"We've been talking it out." Bradley spoke softly.
Hangman watching with a tender eye, as Phoenix squeezed Bradley's hand.
"So, who is interested in watching a movie?" Ice asked breaking the silence and lifting the mood of the room."
All the daggers jumped up and followed Ice to the living room.
"Any preference on movies?" Ice asked opening the TV up to a series of streaming services.
"Disney!" Fanboy exclaimed.
"Alright, which Disney movie?" Ice asked after the others mumbled agreements, unwilling to express their love of Disney movies so opening in front of THE admiral Kazansky, they wanted to keep some of their professional credit.
"Planes." Bob piped up quietly.
And so the Family of 14 began planes, immediatally followed by Planes 2.
By the end of the night the 12 daggers were sprawled across couches fast asleep.
Ice smirked at the sight of his son leaned up against Hangman.
Maverick gave him a knowing look.
Ice and Maverick eventually drifted up to their bedroom after draping blankets across their aviators and turning out all the lights.
"You know, I'm pretty sure just a few weeks ago we only had one kid."
"And now we have 12."
"I like our little family expanding."
"Me too Mav. I missed the noise around the house."
"I am just waiting on Hangman and Bradley to stop being so oblivious."
"You know, it's fitting he would fall for someone like you."
"And it's fitting he became so much like you."
"Don't sell yourself short, he is a lot like you too, he just causes less trouble. He is nice enough to not give me more paperwork."
"Hey, at least we weren't as oblivious as those two are."
"I think Slider would beg to differ."
"Well, we will just have to wait and see when he gets here."
"I'm scared to know what stories he is going to tell the kids about us."
"I'm just waiting to see the kids faces when you fly against them next week. Then again when you have your RIO."
"Me too."
"And I wouldn't be scared of the stories told by Slider, I'm more scared of the stories that will be told when the whole gang is down here."
"Yeah, especially Viper and Jester."
---
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Sorry for the delay on this chapter! Most of the time I cannot post daily, but my goal is every couple of days. I write when I can and when I am inspired. I hope you enjoyed the reveal.
I had to stop writing for a few minutes because I was busting out laughing at Maverick saying he had to go get ice before the drinks.
Also I feel like a genius for their aprons, did anyone else love them or was that just me? If it's just me that's fine.
Also as popular demand has requested, Hangster is becoming a thing.
From here on out it will be more one shot style in writing rather than a continuous plot. I plan to bring in other characters but also narrow down the amount of characters in each one shot. This story seriously put me out of my comfort zone thus far with how many characters I was handling at once. Normally I like about 4 max. Preferable 2 or 3. So future chapters will have more plot, fluff, more to go with dialog and less pure dialog.
I will be accepting requests which will be done in no particular order and more so as I feel the inspiration for them. So feel free to put some in the comments! Even if it's just part of a request or a headcanon.
Also Ice's cancer will be further explored in other chapters, I've mildly hinted at it in previous chapters but NOTE THERE WILL BE NO DEATH and Cancer is NOT returning, just some after effects. Do not worry.
Thank you guys for reading, please let me know what you thought and leave some ideas and requests!
So, I’ve never posted on tumblr before but decided to start spreading my works onto here. So here is my first Top Gun Fanfiction. More chapters to come! Let me know what yall think! If yall have any advice for me for using tumblr please give it! I’m just starting to learn it! I did learn the keep reading bar thing before I posted this so I hopefully don’t clog the feed!
Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!
Followed Maverick plot but Icemav is a thing, some changes along the way, all set up to show Mav and Ice and their adopted Dagger Squadron kids!
The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers! Feel free to leave requests and ideas!
My first Top Gun Fanfic and being used to pull me out of writers block. May not be some of my best work but you can edit a story but not a blank page.
No matter what let it be known that dagger squadron is in fact not oblivious. Well, they are not always oblivious. They do have their moments though, however this, was not one of those moments.
"So, everyone else has seen the ring on Mavericks dog tags, correct?" Payback asked.
"Yes, and yet we have had no mention of it is." Hangman rolled his eyes at the fact this conversation was starting again. They had been theorizing since they first saw the ring.
"Obviously, it has to be Penny. I mean you guys saw him flirting up a storm with her our first night at the hard deck. How else could he have gotten permission for us to use the beach for football yesterday?" Fanboy asked aloud.
"No, that was more," Phoenix paused for a moment trying to find the right word, "Familiar banter. They've obviously known each other for years, but they are not married. More like long term friends."
Rooster just sat in the corner shaking his head. For he had all the answers, but absolutely no will to give them.
---
The next day was the day everything took a turn for the worse.
Jake stared at the radio from the ground helpless hearing Maverick yelling at his best friend trying to pull him out of G-Lock.
"Come on Javy." He muttered under his breath.
A weight was lifted off his shoulders as soon as he heard Javy say he was okay, and Maverick also took a breath.
Only for the next tragedy to occur.
"Bird strike!" Maverick yelled out over the comms.
This time it was Bradley's turn to freeze and stare at the radio begging anything and everyone that his best friend would be okay as Phoenix spoke everything she was doing. While Maverick told her to eject.
Though even when Maverick announced he saw the two parachutes, he did not let the tension go.
He knew better than most anyone that a chute didn't mean much. Especially after Top Gun in '86.
Until he heard confirmation from Phoenix, he wasn't believing anything.
"Rooster, there were two chutes." Hangman tried to pull him out of his stupor, only still in the room because he was waiting on Coyote to get back.
"Chutes mean nothing Hangman. I'll believe it when I see them with my own two eyes."
Jake nodded, knowing what they had been told in flight school. Before heading out to the tarmac to wait on Coyote.
Rooster knew he wasn't going to get info from anyone, not until the copter was back from picking them up and probably not until medical had checked them out.
So he sat in the rec room until he heard otherwise. Someone with information would eventually make it in here, and he didn't want to miss that info.
Eventually, news did make his way, just not in the carrier he would have wished for.
"They'll keep Phoenix and Bob in the hospital overnight for observation," Maverick broke the silence, "They're gonna be okay."
"That's good," Bradley took a deep breath, "I've never lost a wingman."
"You're lucky. Fly long enough, it'll happen. There will be others."
"Easy for you to say. No family. No kids. Nobody to mourn you when you burn in other than Ice. All you've got left in your life is on man."
"Go home. Just get some sleep."
"Why'd you pull my papers at the academy?" Rooster suddenly moved, having remained mostly still, "Why did you stand in my way!"
"You weren't ready." Maverick said softly, the day Bradley left flowing through his mind.
"Ready for what? Huh? Ready to fly like you?"
"No. Ready to forget the book. Trust your instincts. Don't think, just do." Maverick shook his head, "You think up there, you're dead, believe me."
"My dad believed in you. I'm not gonna make the same mistake." Rooster said putting all the venom he could in that one bite. He knew what words would hurt the most and he was willing to use them.
Before Maverick could say another word Bradley stormed out the door, just like he had all those years ago.
Maverick leaned against the wall and slid downwards til he was sitting on the floor with his knees pulled close to his chest.
Flashes of the night Bradley left covering his sight before changing to his days with Goose. Until his line of sight was engulfed by memories, his mind unable to comprehend anything else.
All he could hear was Bradley's words on repeat, only broken up by the sound of Goose's neck hitting the canopy.
"Maverick." Another noise breaking through the sounds, but he kept fading back out.
Warlock had come to check on the captain after the insane day, and especially after seeing a fuming Rooster leave the room.
Realizing words would not get through to him, Warlock decided to pull the emergency card, one he really hoped he wouldn't have to use.
Seeing Maverick's phone sticking out of his pocket he gently grabbed it, only to realize there was a password on it. One Warlock did not know.
Shaking his head he pulled out his own phone and called Cyclone.
"Warlock?" Cyclone answered professionally though unsure what his co worker would be calling him for having seen him mere minutes ago.
"I need you to get medical to the rec room, and I need you to make another call..."
"Why do you need medical in the rec room?"
"Sir, Maverick is having a panic attack."
"No, we don't call medical-"
"But sir-"
"No, I was given special notes on who to call for this and we avoid medical."
"Understood sir, I'll stay with him."
Cyclone stared down at his phone for a moment, before taking a deep breath and pressing call on a contact he had only ever been called by.
"Admiral Kazansky." The voice on the other end answered.
"Sir this is Cyclone, your orders were to call you directly for anything concerning Mav-"
"Get to the point Admiral." Ice spoke coldly, he was not one for wasted time espeically when it came to the wellbeing of his husband.
"Sir, Maverick is experiencing a panic attack." Cyclone said bluntly realizing it was the best way to go.
"Is anyone with him?"
"Yes sir, Warlock."
"Understood, I will be calling Maverick's phone, have Warlock answer."
"Understood sir."
The phone made a click as it hung up as Cyclone then began texting Warlock the instructions.
---
The phone Warlock had pulled from Mavericks pocket mere minutes ago began ringing as a text from Cyclone came through with instructions.
Warlock answered immediately and was met by the face of the COMPACFLT.
"Sir"
"Thank you, please put the phone in Maverick's hand with the screen facing him and exit the room, wait just outside."
"Yes sir."
"Mav, I need you to breath ok. Just breath." Ice spoke softly, but still loud enough to be heard through the phones speaker.
Maverick was slowly coming out of the attack, and that was being expedited from hearing Ice's voice.
"Mav, it's Ice, just breath, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, alright now breath out." Ice continued to talk him through breathing as his car took off towards Top Gun.
Ice watched at Mav slowly started to slow his breathing down to match the counts.
"Mav, I need you to start listing off things you can see." Ice saw the panic in Mavericks eyes as he went to speak.
"Hey, Mav, it's okay. Take a second. You aren't in the ocean or in a plane. You are on the ground in the rec room at Top Gun. I need you to keep breathing for me."
The panic began to subside from his eyes once more as he became more aware of his surroundings.
"Ice." Maverick choked out.
"Yea, it's me Mav," Ice nodded over the phone glancing up to see they were approaching the Top Gun building. "I will be there in just a few minutes ok, just keep breathing."
As soon as the car stopped in front of the entrance closest to the rec room Ice jumped out of the car and took off. A few people did a double take as the Commander of the Pacific Fleet ran through the building.
Warlock's eyes widened as he saw the admiral turn the corner. He opened the door as Ice nodded a look of thanks before entering. Slowing his speed as not to startle Maverick.
"Mav, hey, I'm here."
"Ice." Maverick said much more clearly this time.
"Hey, Mav, I've got you it's going to be okay. Just breath with me." Ice spoke softly tugging the other man against him. Maverick held on tight breathing in Ice's scent, mostly coming out of the panic.
"Alright, I need you to name five things you can see."
"You, the tarmac outside, the tables, a radio, umm..." Maverick paused for a moment.
"That's four, just one more Mav."
"The chairs."
"Good, alright, four things you can hear."
"Your voice," Mav smiled softly, just barely, for a second remember the time when they weren't sure they would ever hear it again. Ice smiled with him. "Your breathing, jets taking off, and people talking outside."
"Good, now name three things you can feel."
"Your heartbeat, your arms around me, and your presence."
"I'm not sure if the last one counts Mav, but I'll take it."
"Fine, if your being picky, the floor." Mav snarked back a bit making Ice smile, seeing him really coming out of the panic attack.
"Alright, two things you can smell."
"You and jet fuel."
"Good." Ice breathed out pulling Maverick back into a tight hug.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" Ice asked softly.
"Not here. Tonight." Maverick promised.
"Alright, are you good to head back outside yet, or do you want to sit here for a few more minutes."
"Few more minutes. I haven't seen you since this morning." Mav smiled into Ice's neck.
"Yeah well, at least we get to see each other every morning and night right now. Might even be able to keep that up if you don't make another admiral mad."
"Yea well, if they would stop doing stupid stuff I would stop making them mad."
"Yeah I know, though not all of them are your fault some are their fault." Ice rolled his eyes.
"Come on, you know you had fun ruining Cain's fun."
"I did have fun with that one, you ejecting at mach 10.4 not so much."
"Details."
"Are you ready?"
"Ready? To let you go? Never. Can I go out now? Yes."
Ice nodded at the answer, pulling away just enough to give his wingman a kiss.
"You head out, send Warlock in. I'll talk to him then head back to my office. I'll see you at home tonight." Ice promised before releasing his husband from the hug. "I love you."
"I love you too." Maverick said as he went to leave before stopping, "Don't get mad until I tell you what happened at home ok. I just want to talk about it there, not here. I'm not trying to hide it. I promise."
"I believe you." Ice nodded watching as Maverick left and Warlock entered.
"Sir."
"Thank you for assisting. I expect your discretion on this matter."
"Yes sir."
"Beside this, how has it been going, and don't give me the official wording."
"Maverick is a better teacher than he wants to say. The kids rally behind him. They recognize his skills and abilities, albeit they didn't at first. He definitely has an unorthodox method to teaching and life in general, but that just seems to be Maverick over all."
"Unorthodox is definitely a good way to describe him."
"But I think I understand why you were so insistent on him teaching this mission. I don't think anyone else could. Not with his expectation of them all making it home."
"That's part of why it needed to be him. His acceptable losses are always zero. If he doesn't believe they can execute the mission and make it back, then they never will."
"He believes in them, but I'm not sure they are ready to believe in themselves yet. He finally made them start becoming a team after his beach football stunt the other day, but none of them have successfully completed any part of the mission in the time allotted or the elevation."
"Then maybe he just has to show them..." Ice trailed off coming up with a plan to tell his wingman later that night.
"Sir, I don't want to overstep, but why were there orders not to contact medical?"
"It would have just freaked him out more. I know you are aware of what happened to his RIO during his time at Top Gun," Warlock nodded, "He was with him for medical after, and those moments as well as those once he made it to the medical bay are still ingrained in his memory. To be surrounded by that makes it harder for him to come out of the attack."
Warlock nodded in understanding knowing of others who had a serious distaste for hospitals after certain events.
"Off the record, how is he doing with Lt. Bradshaw?"
"Off record, I'm waiting on the bomb to go off. If it didn't already. In the sky Rooster finally flies as well as he could not being held back, until suddenly he goes back to his careful flying. He bounces between your style but slower and less instinctive and Mavericks in the sky. But not in an efficient way, rather he is too careful then too reckless. If he would just fly he would be fine, but he won't let go."
"Part of that is Maverick being here, and part of that is what has happened between the two in the past. Then Goose on top of all of that." Ice shook his head. "What do you mean if the bomb didn't go off already?
"I was walking here to check on Maverick after the events of the day, and as I was walking up I saw a fuming Rooster leaving."
Ice closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"So that's what set it off."
"That and a couple of other incidents."
"Incidents?"
"Coyote went into G-Lock on the last hop, and immediately after there was a bird strike, Phoenix and her WSO Bob were forced to eject. Everyone should be okay, but that doesn't make the day any easier."
"No it doesn't." Ice nodded taking in the information. "Thank you for you time admiral."
Ice went back into admiral mode and made his way back to his car then back to his office. Knowing he and Mav would have a lot to talk about when they got home.
---
Dagger Group Chat
Fanboy
GUYS!!!
Payback
What?
Fanboy
DID YALL HEAR WHO WAS ON BASE!?!?
Phoenix
I've been stuck at medical, who?
Fanboy
Admiral Kazansky! THE COMMANDER OF THE PACIFIC FLEET
Phoenix
I know who Admiral Kazansky! But why was he on base??
Bob
Well is kind of in charge of Top Gun and you know the whole Pacific Fleet and every naval base on this side of the country.
Fanboy
Yea, but apparently he was literally sprinting across base
Yale
Did they maybe call him in since we had two incidents today?
Fanboy
Why would they call him in? Seems like more of a report on his desk kind of thing, unless he was here to chew some people out. Do you think Maverick got in trouble?
Payback
It's not like either of the incidents were within our control. For heavens sake, one was a bird strike.
Rooster
Wait! When was Admiral Kazansky on base?
Fanboy
If the rumor mill is to be believed then about an hour or two after we everyone touched back down.
Phoenix
Well since I doubt we will get any further on this mystery tonight, I need to be entertained while stuck in medical all night, so anymore theories on who wears the ring to go with Mavericks?
Fanboy
To list out our list of ideas we have: Cyclone, Hondo, Penny, and Warlock.
Payback
I still think Cyclone is absolutely not it.
Bob
For all we know at this point we may not even know of this person at all
---
"Mav?" Ice called out as he walked in the front door of their home, locking the door as he hung his keys.
"Living room!" Maverick called back.
"Hey." Ice greeted pulling Maverick into a hug.
"Hey." Maverick sighed holding on tight to Ice.
"Food is already in the crock pot and ready for us. Then we are talking."
"I know, but I just want to stand here for one more minute."
Ice nodded pulling Mav even closer.
Mav took a deep breath before pulling away.
"Alright, I'm hungry and this food has been smelling amazing for the past 10 minutes I have been home, let's eat." Maverick announces.
Ice smiled following his wingman to the kitchen.
They sat down at their table and began eating, when Ice finally broke the silence.
"Maverick-"
"I know," Maverick cut Ice off. "I am trying to find the words."
"Don't worry about finding the perfect words, just get it out and clarify from there." Ice knew his mind was going faster than an f-18 being flown by Maverick and he just needed to start speaking. That was the trick, once he started talking he would figure it out.
"How much did Warlock tell you?"
"Not much, but I want to hear your side and version. He gave me basic facts, you will give me the info I actually need to know."
"We were on a Hop, the goal was practicing the targeting followed by coffin corner. Coyote went into G-Lock." Maverick paused, staring off in the distance.
"Mav..." Ice comforted reaching his hand to take the other mans.
"Just before he would have crashed I got tone on him and he snapped out of it. We leveled out. Everything should have been fine. Then there was a bird strike. I managed to maneuver away in time but Phoenix and Bob got caught in it," Maverick looked down sighing, "She did everything right, she was calling out every step of the way, but there was no saving the plane. It was gone. They ejected. There was two chutes. I saw the two chutes. You and I both know chutes don't mean anything, but they made it. Just a little bruised and shaken."
"Maverick," Ice said softly, "They made it out. You made it out. Everyone is fine."
"I know."
"There is more."
"Yea."
Maverick moved the food around on his plate, taking a few bites, before pushing away the now nearly empty plate.
Ice saw this for what it was, Mav wanted to delay the second part for a few minutes, and he did not want to have it at the kitchen table.
Ice was not a fool, it was not a coincidence that a fuming Bradley Bradshaw was seen just before Maverick was found. That was the reason Ice wasn't pushing the conversation yet.
Ice followed Maverick with his own empty plate. Rinsing them off before placing them in the dish washer.
He wrapped an arm around Maverick, who leaned into him, before guiding him to their couch.
Maverick curled into his side before he began to speak. Ice rubbing his hand up and down Maverick's arm.
"I knew Bradley was in the rec room. He and Phoenix are close. I knew he was waiting on an update. He knows just as we do that chutes don't mean all is well. I told him they would be kept overnight for observation, and it just escalated from there."
"Maverick, what did he say to you?"
"Told me no one other than you would mourn me when I burned it. Told me I had no kids."
"Mav..."
"He told me that his father trusted me, and that-that he wouldn't make the same mistake."
"Pete..." Ice's eyes widened, he pulled Maverick tight against his side. "He knows what buttons to press. He knows how to hurt you. Just as you know how to hurt him. That doesn't make anything he said right. Bradley is our kid. We helped raise him for most of his life, you even before me. Then after Carol we did raise him. He is your kid, no matter how mad he is. He may not want to say it out loud, but he would mourn you. If he wouldn't then he wouldn't care."
"Ice, if I put him on this mission I could actually lose him forever, but if I don't... I lose him anyway."
"Pete. You are a better teacher than you will probably ever realize. You have something that cannot be taught, you give a care about those kids. About their lives. You aren't just there to send them on a mission and be done with them, you want them to come out alive and better pilots. You will choose who is best for this mission, and that is all you can do. That is what you are there to do, you are training them to make it back from the mission. Not just to complete it as everyone else would do."
"They don't believe they can do it."
"Then show them."
"How?"
"I've known you a long time. You always manage to find a way, especially when no one else can."
The cogs in Mavericks brain started to turn.
"Ice, can you authorize and f-18 for me in the morning?"
"Is this you finding a way?"
"I think I already found the way, however it's less paperwork for you later if you authorize the f-18 rather than me just taking one."
"I do appreciate less paperwork considering how often you cause me to have more paper work."
"See, I'm improving."
Ice rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I love you too."
---
Cyclone stood in front of the 12 pilots in the classroom, having no clue what to expect. All he knew was that Maverick wanted them all in the room.
That alone scared Cyclone.
Though maybe not as much as the f-18 authorization he had received for Maverick this morning, conveniently timed after he tried to ground maverick after his panic attack yesterday fearing he wouldn't be able to carry out the mission training much less fly. Maverick and his guardian angel. Honestly, if Cyclone didn't look up to and respect Iceman as much as he did he would call him insane for putting up with Maverick at all. He didn't see how he did it. Much less why he put up with it. Though he understood it a lot more when he found out the worst kept secret in the navy was true and not just gossip and the wingmen were in fact together. Married at that. Further confirmed when Cyclone got Maverick's file for this mission.
Once again a mess to deal with since that file was filled to the brim.
The aviators were talking amongst themselves trying to figure out what crazy idea Maverick had for them today, and Cyclone couldn't blame them because he was curious too.
"Maverick to Range Control. Entering point Alpha. Confirm green range."
"Maverick, Range Control green range is confirmed"
"What's he up to?" Phoenix mumbled.
"Setting time to target. 2 minutes, 15 seconds."
"2-15, that's impossible." Payback said
"Final attack point. Maverick's inbound."
"Popping in 3, 2, 1. Bombs away."
Cyclone and the pilots all stared up at the screen in shock watching with anticipated breaths.
9.5 G
TIME ON TARGET
00:00.16
"Bullseye!" Fanboy shouted
"Damn." Hangman mumbled, this was the Maverick from the stories.
---
Maverick looked at his phone as he changed out of his flight suit.
Ice
They are making you mission leader.
I'll be on the carrier now.
The third miracle was never optional, but now it really isn't. You will come home to me. That is non-negotiable.
Maverick stared at the messages for a minute.
He was going on this mission.
---
Maverick stood looking out at the water.
"You are coming back to me."
"You know I can't promise that."
"You can promise me that you will do everything possible to come back to me."
"I can promise you that, but I am doing the same to make sure the others come back. Especially Bradley."
"I know. They know that too. They believe in you, and they believe that you believe in them. I saw it in their eyes when you announced your pilots."
Ice hugged his wingman as they stared at the open waters, the calm before the storm.
---
Ice watched the command room with a bated breath as updates came through. They were nearly to the target.
He listened, not speaking a word, letting everyone else do their jobs.
He stayed ice cold as his name suggested and his reputation supported.
He stayed that way, until he heard Bradley's panicked voice announce he was out of flares and SAMs were on him.
Only those who knew him well or were paying close attention would see the change, but anyone could see it when the words 'Dagger one is hit' came over the comms.
His entire world was shaken.
Cyclone and Warlock's eyes widened as they risked a glance back at the admiral, scared of what they might see.
The mighty Iceman's ice cold face was gone, and in it's place was terror and heartbreak.
His world collapsed further when they call out that Dagger two is hit.
---
Ice leaned against the wall of the command room, wishing to Goose above to bring back their kid and Maverick.
Iceman was generally very patient, something that made him very dangerous and feared, but when it came to the well-being of Maverick and Bradley, well his patience went out the window.
His head shot up as fast as Maverick flies when they had something pop up on radar.
"It's an f-14 sir."
"Maverick." Ice finally spoke.
Cyclone shook his head with an impressed look on his face.
"Launch Hangman." Iceman ordered.
"Goose, save our boys." Ice mumbled under his breath.
---
Ice stood in the tower, bracing himself for the inevitable buzzing of the tower. A smile on his face as he laughed.
He watched their landings from above, and watched his husband and son hug for the first time in many years, before heading to his quarters to wait on his wingman. The flight deck didn't need him down there. He would ruin their celebration, and they deserved a celebration.
---
Ice watched from the window as a blue bronco pulled up to his house for the first time since Bradley had left 15 years prior.
"He actually came." Maverick spoke so softly Ice wasn't even sure if he knew he spoke it aloud.
"He will always come back home, it just took longer this time."
A tentative knock came from the door.
"I'll be upstairs. You two talk. I'll join after." Ice nodded knowing this conversation needed to be between just those two for now.
"Bradley." Maverick breathed out as he opened the door.
"Mav."
They made their way to the couch, tension was evident in the air. No one was sure how to start a conversation that had been in waiting for 15 years.
"You said we would talk. Why did you do it?"
"You weren't ready."
"You've said that, but I know that's not all of it. The academy would help me get ready. You and Ice would help me get ready. So tell me the rest."
"I made a promise."
"You held me back because you made a promise? Why would you promise to keep me from the academy? From flying? Like you and ice and dad-"
It clicked. There was only one person Mav would make that promise too.
"You promised my mom."
"She didn't want you to fly and risk dying young like Goose. She wanted you to live a full life."
"Why didn't you ever tell me that?"
"You weren't talking to me anyway. I wasn't going to hold that over your head."
"Why didn't you tell me when I asked you in the rec room?"
Maverick realized Bradley wasn't going to let this go.
"You hated me. You didn't need to hate her too. I couldn't ruin your memory of your mom."
Bradley froze.
"I'm sorry for the thing I said you. I didn't mean them. I regretted them as soon as they came out of my mouth, but I just kept going because I knew it would hurt you. I could never hate her. I couldn't even hate you, and I tried. Trust me I tried. I couldn't even hate Ice. "
"I love you Bradley."
"I-I love you too dad."
Maverick's eyes watered, it had been 15 years since he had been called that. Bradley had for years used Mav and Dad interchangeably, part of why him saying he had no kids had stung so much. Bradley was his kid.
"I already did Baby Goose." Ice said from the stairs behind them.
"Pops." Bradley gasps, standing up slowly.
"I forgave you the moment everything happened, I've waited for the day you would walk back through the door."
"I missed you Pops."
"I've missed you Baby Goose, now how about you come sit with us for dinner and tell us what you've been up to the past few years that didn't make it in your file and that your uncles never told us."
"Well for starters Dagger Squadron currently has a bet going to figure out who you are married to Mav."
---
More to come!! There will be Mav and Ice with their adopted squadron!
Not fully sure where this story is going other than it will be IceMav and their 12 adopted dagger squadron kids!
Followed Maverick plot but Icemav is a thing, some changes along the way, all set up to show Mav and Ice and their adopted Dagger Squadron kids!
The dagger squad is determined to find out who Maverick is married to, leading to some shenanigans and eventually the reveal! Followed by one shots featuring MavDad Icemav and Dadmiral with the Daggers! Feel free to leave requests and ideas!
"Bradley, we need to talk." Ice said with a version of his admiral's voice. One Bradley was familiar with as a child for when he was going to get a stern talking to.
Also known as his 'Dad'miral voice
Maverick had stepped out at Ice's request to give the two a few minutes alone.
"Yes sir."
"I will preface this with the fact you have already been forgiven. However, consequences of your actions do you need to be discussed."
"Yes sir." Bradley nodded taking a second to decide if he wanted to ask the question, "Why were you at Top Gun the other day?"
"Well, that is part of the consequences we need to talk about. I assume you heard from base gossip I was there?" Bradley nodded. "What else did you hear?"
"Just that you were sprinting across base and everyone was doing double takes, no one was sure why you were there."
"Based off the fact you are asking me, you have a hunch don't you?"
"A small one, not sure of the full understanding of it, but I do have an idea."
"Bradley, Maverick may have forgiven you for those words that day, but that does not mean they did not effect him. I was there because after you walked out of the room he had a panic attack. A combination of the two incidents from the day and your words set it off. Your words were what pushed it over the edge. I tell you this not to make you feel guilty but to understand the consequences of your actions. I know you were angry, but that does not excuse your words. I know you know they were false, but that doesn't change the pain they can cause."
"Yes sir, I... I didn't mean to send him into a panic attack, I just, I wanted to hurt him and before I knew it the words were flowing out of my mouth. Once I calmed down I knew I had made a mistake."
"I know, and that's why I am not mad at you and you were forgiven, but I needed you to understand that those actions you had lashing out at Mav, they had consequences." Bradley nodded softly, staring down at the ground unwilling to see the look in Ice's eyes.
"Now come here," Ice said pulling him into a hug.
"I missed you guys."
'We missed you too Baby Goose."
---
"So, Roo, did you have that talk with Mav?" Phoenix asked her best friend, circling the pool table at the Hard Deck.
"Yea, it went well."
"That's good, now I think you owe me a game of pool."
"Yes ma'am." Rooster rolled his eyes as Phoenix grabbed her pool stick.
"And I expect a song tonight."
Rooster rolled his eyes as he watched Phoenix line up her shot.
"Alright boys-" Phoenix started only to be cut off by all of their phones going off at once.
"Did you guys just get the email too?" Coyote asked staring at the notification.
"Yea," Harvard said glancing at everyone else.
It was strange for all 12 of them to get an email at the same time, especially from the sender.
"Admiral Kazansky just emailed us." Payback's eyes were wide.
"Alright, if no one else is going to open it I will." Hangman said, ever the confident one, though they all could tell his bravado was much more of an act right now.
Bradley was just staring at his phone trying to figure out was his Pops was up to. Though he acknowledged he could figure it out a lot faster if he just opened the email.
"Guys! Open your email!" Hangman finally said his eyes wide.
That was the final thing that needed to be said to set off the reaction of the other 11 aviators opening their emails.
"We are being assigned to a new squadron. Like a brand new squadron..." Halo said.
"All 12 of us." Harvard mumbled.
"It's a new squadron for the elite of the elite. We will be stationed out of Top Gun." Yale added
"That must be why Admiral Kazansky has been around." Fanboy realized.
If Bradley weren't so shocked by the new squadron he would have face palmed. For the all the squadrons theories on who Maverick was married to they kept skipping over Ice, not even thinking of him as an option. He could not wait to see their faces when they found out.
---
'Pops'icle
Bradley
So, a new squadron?
'Pops'icle
I see you checked your email
Bradley
So did the rest of the squad.
'Pops'icle
Good, everyone seem happy about it?
Bradley
Definitely
'Pops'icle
Are you?
---
Bradley stopped for a minute staring at his phone, before he decided on his answer.
---
Bradley
Depends, who is our commander?
'Pops'icle
Read the rest of the email.
---
Rolling his eyes he switched applications to finish reading the email.
Under the command of Rear-Admiral Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell
---
Bradley
You convinced him to finally take a promotion?
'Pops'icle
Told him it was the only way he could be the commander, and it still keeps him in the air. Cyclone and Warlock will remain over Top Gun, but Dagger Squadron will be a separate entity within Top Gun, under my command.
Bradley
Limiting the amount of Admirals Dad can tick off?
'Pops'icle
An added perk most certainly. Also keeps him home and you close. Plus Mav has become attached to the whole squadron.
Bradley
I'm pretty sure they've become attached to him too.
---
"Come on Rooster get off your phone and finish this game, unless your too chicken and know you are going to lose?" Phoenix teased.
"Alright, but I'm definitely not chicken."
"I don't know, I think we can still change your call sign." Hangman teased.
"Then you would have to learn to spell another call sign Hangman." Rooster teased right back, knowing the actual story behind his name. Apparently having a few too many public spelling mistakes sticks with people.
"Shut up, Rooster."
"Glad to know I get to keep my call sign."
"Back to the mission at hand, we still haven't figured out who Mav is married to, but with us staying on as a squadron we now have more time to figure this out." Fanboy jumped in.
"I don't think we can get anywhere with that until we have more info. Right now we have very little to work with, but now that we are no longer prepping for the mission I have a feeling we will finally find out more." Payback argued.
Rooster internally laughed, if only they knew. He was still shocked Phoenix or one of the others hadn't out right asked him considering they already figured out he and Mav were close.
"I wonder what they will have us doing?" Harvard asks.
"Probably more training, become the Top Gun of Top Gun." Yale says.
"More specialized missions for sure." Hangman adds.
"Who knows boys, maybe we will get our own kills." Halo playfully pats Hangman's shoulder.
"In your dreams Halo." Hangman teases right back, only pausing for half a second.
No one notices his hesitance.
---
"Good morning, Daggers," Maverick greets standing in front of his newly formed squadron. "I know the specifics of this were a little tight lipped and vague. Mainly because this will be a project that will constantly be changing as we find its place."
"That being said, this is an official squadron now," Maverick continued. "We will be further training you all to become even better than before. To train you to already be prepared when the specialized missions come up. On top of this we will be assisting Top Gun training. You yourselves may occasionally be called in as guest instructors, though mainly you will be flying on hops with them helping to simulate the situations."
"Sir, so we are becoming the Top Gun's of Top Gun?" Yale asks.
"In a way yes, however we are not making another trophy." Maverick deadpans. He is not dealing with a points system and the issues of a trophy.
A collection of disappointed sighs were heard across the room.
While the trophy did push many to become even better, it also caused unnecessary tension amongst those in the air, pushing them to do things they normally wouldn't. See Hop 31 from the class of '86. Desperate pilots were reckless pilots.
That added tension especially did not need to be added to a team. They needed to trust each other and not worry about beating the other.
"So what other specialized training do you have up your sleeve for us sir?" Bob asked.
"I'm glad you asked Bob, I will continue to train you in dog fighting skills, but also more advanced maneuvers, strategizing, both in the air and on the ground, and just enhancing your skills over all. We will also occasionally have some special guests stop by, whether to give a quick lecture, debrief or even just evaluate your flying. Though some I imagine will fly with us for a few exercises."
"Sir, if we are the best of the best, who are you going to bring in?" Hangman challenges, a smirk on his face.
"Well Hangman, they called in the best of the best from recent Top Gun classes and from active duty. Not all of us are still on active duty, and many of them are my friends." Maverick said with a smirk even more devious than Hangman's.
Rooster just shook his head and looked down. He knew what was coming, and it was a whole bunch of his uncles.
"Got something you want to add Bradshaw?" Maverick teases.
"Not yet sir."
"Alright, everyone head to the locker rooms, change into your flight suits. We are going to do a few exercises. Let me test some things we couldn't get to before the mission. Dismissed."
Everyone filed out except Bradley who held back a bit.
"So how many of my uncles are about to show up?" Bradley asked once the others were out of ear shot.
"How many do you have?"
Bradley rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry they aren't joining us for a little while, and you will probably have a heads up since they will be at the house."
"I missed them over the years too."
"They missed you too kid, but hey, we still get to mess with the squad as they try to find out who I am married too."
"It's just sad at this point Mav, they don't even have the right answer on their radar."
"Which is making it all the more fun for us. How many major hints do you think we can drop before they figure it out?"
"Depends on if they are willing to believe you of all people are married to him."
"You are right, I am the better pilot."
"Don't ruin the moment Mav, plus all they need to do is actually pay attention to the giant photo in the hallway."
"You know for being the elite naval aviators you are, they don't seem to be the most observant bunch."
"They have their moments."
"So, any ideas on how to mess with them first kid?"
Bradley smirked.
---
"Come on Pops is that all you got?" Hangman antagonized as he evaded Maverick.
"Well Hangman, it seems to be enough, I got tone."
"How the- you were- and I was-" Hangman sputtered.
"I'll teach you sometime." Maverick waved as he flew off to catch the others.
"So, we keeping that pushup rule?" Payback asked.
"Not today, I need you all to still be able to hold your stick by the end of the week."
Maverick spent the next hour strategically taking each of them down. Each of them glad the push up bet was off the table for the day.
"Alright Daggers, return to base to debrief." Maverick ordered over coms.
---
"Alright Daggers, good debrief. I want to see those corrections being made and those weaknesses being strengthened. Also, tomorrow, meet me at the beach, I'll text you a time later. Same attire as last time."
"Another game of Dogfight Football sir?" Fritz asked.
Maverick nodded an affirmative.
The plan was set in motion.
---
The next morning the Daggers all met at the beach.
"Alright, small twist today, I already picked the teams," Maverick instructed separating the pilots and WSOs from one another and separating the wingmen until the teams were even, but no one was with their main counter part. "Alright, Hondo and I will each be joining a team, Penny has graciously agreed to referee today."
Maverick tossed the footballs in the middle of the two groups, Hondo and Maverick splitting off to their respective teams then nodding for Penny to start the game.
Maverick and Ice had filled Hondo and Penny in on the Daggers mission to figure out who Maverick was married to. They were more than happy to mess with the daggers.
They went head to head waiting on the play to start, staring each other down with a smirk.
Once again the score of the game was long forgotten, but still it was a successful game.
"So, does anyone want to take a guess as to why the teams were the way they were?"
"We need to learn to work with everyone sir?"
"Bob is correct. The way this squadron will function, there will be no set six that fly together. Each mission will call for different areas of expertise just as the last one did. You could have anyone as your wingman. For that matter, there could be missions where we have to separate WSOs and their pilots. While not a preferred method, sometimes that is required."
"But sir, they are our WSOs-"
"Harvard, I understand that. Trust me I do, a WSO and a pilots bond is different and takes time to build. However, even WSOs have specialties. Sometimes we will need a certain WSO and a certain pilot, but not their pilot. Occasionally during training we will switch them around just so you have practice with everyone. This is not us separating you. But if one of you is injured, we can't have both of you out. Not if the other is safe to fly." Maverick explained.
"Wingmen are the same, if one of you is out or needed for a different part of the mission, we need to be prepared for that. You are all a team, a squadron."
"And also you wanted to prove that dogfight football was still relevant?" Rooster challenged.
"It worked last time didn't it?"
The others couldn't disagree with that.
"Alright aviators, I am going to do some paper work up there, yall continue to bond." Maverick shuddered at the words paper work causing the team to laugh. "Penny darling, mind coming to help?"
"What ever Pete, I'm not doing it for you."
"No, but you can keep me company." Maverick smirked.
They both made their way up the beach and to the patio while Hondo excused himself as well.
"See, I told you, it's got to be Penny." Fanboy stated once the pair were out of ear shot.
"I don't know, he and Hondo had some tension going during the game." Omaha disputed.
"I'm tell you guys, it's not Hondo." Hangman stated firmly.
"Then who do you think it is?" Phoenix challenged.
"I don't know, but I just don't get that vibe from them. I still think we don't even have them on are radar yet."
"Fair point, no one has given me the vibe yet either." Phoenix conceded.
"Did Phoenix just agree with me?" Hangman faked shock.
"Don't get used to it Bagman."
"Back on topic, who else does Maverick interact with? Admiral Kazansky?" Fanboy rolled his eyes, "As if the Commander of the Pacific Fleet would put up with his antics."
"Or, maybe that's why Maverick gets away with so much, they were wingmen. Just look at their picture at Top Gun." Bob theorized softly, but no one heard the others too busy debating with one another.
"The only time we've seen them together was for the mission on the carrier, and that was just the admiral acting as well the admiral. It was a pretty big mission." Payback rebutted.
"Alright guys, we need this written out as to who believes who at this point." Phoenix stated pulling out her phone and typing out everyone's names. "I am going to pass this around, type your answer next to your name. This will be your final pick, so choose wisely. Haven't met them yet will be an acceptable answer."
"What does the winner get?" Payback asked.
"All the losers pay for a round at the Hard Deck?" Omaha suggested. No one argued so they went with it. At this point winning wasn't the big deal, it was solving this mystery.
Phoenix: Haven't met them yet.
Bob: Admiral Kazansky
Hangman: We haven't met them yet.
Rooster:
Yale: Warlock
Harvard: Warlock
Payback: Penny
Fanboy: Penny
Halo: Hondo
Coyote: Cyclone
Omaha: Hondo
Fritz: Hondo
"Bob, you are out of your mind with thinking it's Admiral Kazansky, but what ever." Payback said looking over the list of names.
"Hey, Bradshaw, where is your pick?" Hangman asked looking over the list.
"I am abstaining from this bet."
"AKA, you have no clue and don't want to lose." Hangman translated.
'More like a guaranteed win' Bradley thought to himself.
---
"According to Bradley's latest text the daggers have put in their final bets as to who I am married to." Maverick told Ice.
"Well, I wish I could have gotten in on the bet, I have a pretty good idea who it is."
"Is that so, who would that be Kazansky?"
"That's Mitchell-Kazansky to you, and coincidentally he has the same name."
"Really, anything else you know about him?"
"Not much about the partner, but I know plenty about Maverick."
"Well I know plenty about his husband, and how annoying he is."
"Well Maverick is pretty insane."
"Yeah, insanely in love with you."
"Don't forget, he is dangerous." Ice teased.
"That's right Iceman, I am dangerous."
"God, you two, next thing I know you are going to be arguing over who is the better pilot again. Did I ever really leave?" Bradley asked rolling his eyes from the door.
"Would you expect any different from us Baby Goose?" Maverick asked pulling him into a hug.
"No, it just makes home feel more like home. I would be more worried if you two weren't still up to your antics."
"I'm glad you decided to move back in." Ice said softly taking Bradley's duffel from his arm.
"Yeah, well. I never should have left in the first place."
"All that matters is that you found your way back home, now come on, your room is just as you left it." Maverick smiled pulling Bradley along.
Things weren't entirely back to normal, though they never would be too many years had passed, but they were making a new normal.
"So, Baby Goose, anyone figure it out yet?" Ice asked setting the bag down on the chair.
"Just one, the stealth pilot."
"I'm sorry, who is the stealth pilot?" Ice asked.
"Bob." Maverick and Bradley answered at the same time.
"That kid can blend in anywhere, it's crazy." Maverick elaborated, "However, don't let that fool you, he's got some bite. I'm not entirely surprised he is the only one to guess Ice."
"Yeah well, the others razzed him over it, which will make the reveal that much better."
"Should we bring Bob in on the plan earlier?" Ice asked.
"Could be fun." Maverick agreed.
"We do need to figure out how to do the reveal."
"I say, just invite them over to the house, call it a family dinner or something, officially introduce them to Pops."
"Yea, or, I have specified that we will have guest fliers. Ice you up for a hop?"
"Definitely could be fun, but I think we need to save that until after they find out."
"Fair point, so dinner?"
"I can grill some burgers out back." Ice offered.
"Yes! I missed your burgers, also that will make it even more fun for the reveal. You still have your aprons?"
"Of course we do, I am offended you would think otherwise." Maverick feigned offence.
"Then we have our plan."
---
WOW!! The response to this story has been amazing! Thank you guys! If yall have any requests for things to occur or to be added please let me know! If it works I will try and add it.
I have been making a list of things I want to happen since May, and I am finally getting to write them. After the reveal I will probably break it down to smaller groups of the daggers at a time, writing this many characters at a time in a scene throws me off. Also I am still trying to get a feel for each of the characters. If yall have any ships yall want carried out let me know! I can't decide for some of them!
I have already been planting seeds for some future scenes, let me know if you caught the big one...
Well, I hope you guys enjoyed, please comment and let me know what you thought!
