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When Hangman landed, he thinks he's allowed to take a little longer than usual to straighten up and fix his hair, especially since the first thing he saw when he jumped out of his plane was his rebellious Captain-irritating-Admirals-is-my-passion aka Maverick reaching out not just to a four-star Admiral but to the COMPACFLT, and grinning like a hyperactive child as the Admiral grabbed his arm and braced himself to jump out of the cockpit.
Admiral Kazansky, the person who had just caught them all with their pants down in the air and then proceeded to hunt them all down with his Captain like it was child's play. The COMPACFLT just kicked their butt and was now leaning on the plane he had flown. Same that Jake was sure he was nowhere near ready or on the runway when they all took off two hours earlier.
He only realized that he had been staring at the veterans when Halo nudged him to move as she came forward.
They were lined up side by side along the runway but it was obvious that everyone was doing their best to look at their superiors without being too obviously trying to hear what they were saying when Maverick laughed and put his head on the Admiral's shoulder, well, that's a lot of confidence, supposed to be what you get after decades of being a Wingman.
Some of Jake´s attention was taken to Rooster beside him, who was swaying and nervously shifting his weight from side to side and making no effort to hide his gaze from the two older men.
Jake reacted with the others when they stood to attention and greeted the Admiral with a firm and practiced "SIR" as he approached them walking beside Maverick who simply laughed as the COMPACFLT replied "Rest" with a relaxed posture that, if he were crazier, dare say that was also a little funny around the edges.
"Come on kids, Ice invites lunch"
Yes, it must be said that none of them managed to gather the necessary brain cells to move, well, except Rooster, who, like the weirdo that he is, just let out a pitiful sigh and went ahead to follow the elders.
They only moved when Makerick's voice called from the hangar entrance "Hurry up kids, I'm hungry and we still have to go to the showers!!"
"Trust Maverick to call us kids in front of an Admiral" a stunned Coyote said softly, effectively snapping them all out of their daze. Jake only twitched a little before jogging to catch up Rooster, who was already a few feet ahead by this point.
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“Sooo” Jake said, leaning a little toward the other pilot when they managed to surround him after emerging from the showers, where the mustachioed guy had cowardly fled to as soon as he had a chance, “do you want to tell the class how do you recognized Admiral Kazansky when he just passed by next to you all full speed??”
“Or why did you look like you were going to collapse and go for a run when you realized who it was??” Phoenix chipped in as she and Halo caught up with them in the hallway as they all walked to the exit where Maverick was waiting for them along with, God save them, the COMPACFLT.
Because of course, both veterans managed to shower and get dressed before either of them, and Maverick managed to lean out the door to yell them to hurry up.
"Or why did he recognize you from the communicators?" THAT is a great point.
So, calling it a survival instinct, to better understand the situation they were in and not gossip, Payback leaned closer to listen better.
"Actually, he had his call sign etched into his helmet."
“And I was born yesterday, it is impossible for you to read that so quickly”
"I recognized the helmet," Rooster tried harder as he determinedly walked on.
"Try again"
"Look" he said stopping in exasperation, "You know that Maverick used to fly with my father"
“Yes, that was quite clear to us”
“And that they, along with Ice-Iceman, were in Top Gun together” as if making a point as he started walking again.
“Yes, they are in the photo of their promotion”
"Maverick is my godfather" he said dryly looking straight ahead.
Oh… OHHHHHHHHHHH, shit, that explains a lot, and creates even more doubt, looking around, he knew everyone else was just as confused as him, everyone except Phoenix, who had a knowing look in his eyes. Even so
"That still doesn't answer how you know Admiral Kazansky" said Javy earning an exasperated groan from Rooster and prompting him to speed up the walk.
“And, it is well known that Maverick and Iceman became Wingman” he said pointedly pointing to the huge photograph of both pilots in the hall.
And yes, they all stared at it because damn, in that photo the veterans were a few years younger than them and they had already achieved so much. And even now, 30 years later
"Fuck, we got our butts kicked by an old couple" yes, everyone had thought but
“THAT IS NOT THE POINT BAGMAN”
“Maverick visited and took care of me when I was younger” he said marking each word “AND” looked at each one “As he and Iceman have been together ever since” he pointed hard at the photo again and even jumped a bit “Iceman was also a constant presence” he finished with his voice a little muffled from the effort. "So yes, I can identify that helmet at any time because I've bumped into that blue thing more times than I can count" took a breath "And even if I didn't, the way he flies is quite recognizable. Don't you think?" he was silent waiting for their reaction.
“How many Top Gun legends do you know and we didn't know about?” Jake finally said.
Rooster just rubbed his eyes furiously and continued walking to the parking where their two superiors were waiting for them.
They barely managed to compose themselves a bit when they saw the COMPACFLT throw some keys to Rooster.
"You take the truck, give the Bronco to Phoenix" Maverick said with a smile "Let's go to Penny's for lunch and, if you make an effort, everyone get into the two cars"
Immediately afterwards he got on his motorcycle and the Admiral climbed quite naturally behind, grabbing hold of the smaller man just before he sped off.
“Holy shit”
"They're going to be like this all fucking day, prepare for the worst" Rooster said with a groan as he handed Phoenix his car keys and headed to what was presumably the Pacific Fleet Commander's truck.
"Hurry up, I'm hungry and we have to figure out how to get you all into two cars."
What. Fucking. Holy. Shit