Chapter Text
“Affection must be cultivated, Camilo; it has to be watered and tended like a plant,”
― Violeta
Her fathers have told her two things that she takes. Pop would tell her, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all" while her Dad agrees with his husband he also round-off the advice with his own chaotic yet well-meaning advice: "And if they still say something mean, prepare to fight."
It is that advice, a sort of mantra that Callie 'Halo' Kazansky-Mitchell takes with her for the rest of her life.
She follows in her dads footsteps into the Navy, mostly towards the cockpits. She is a legacy kid in the Navy being Iceman and Maverick's daughter will have some pull but she doesn't use it. It is only used when necessary.
"La la lu, la la lu, oh, my little star sweeper I'll sweep the stardust for you," Maverick sings that song when she was born. It was one of the three songs that had always done the trick to put Callie to sleep. Another one was Love Is a Song from Bambi and The Beatles' song, Here Comes The Sun. When she was older after graduating, they gave her a music box with the song La La Lu in it. Callie had cried, hugging her Dad and Pop.
Now back home, she still had that music box still playing the old lullaby from Lady & The Tramp. She has it tucked back in her room, luckily enough considering her childhood home is close to the training grounds which makes it utterly easy for Callie to help out. She didn't know her Dad was going to be her instructor. What she did know was the nervousness, and anxiety that both men had when their daughter was one of the lieutenants chosen from the best Top Gun graduates to be selected for the mission. All Callie can do is give some semblance of hope to them. They all needed it considering her Pop's finally beat cancer a second time around, going into remission when she got back home in San Diego.
But it comes as no surprise that with bored lieutenants come bets, and those bets somehow turn into a bet of who Maverick is married to.
Scratch that, in Hangman's words it was, "Maverick is married and has a kid. Who do you think was crazy enough to marry Maverick?!" Which in turn starts off the bet. The group concludes that they'll have to meet his kid if they find out who Maverick is married to. She glances at Bradley who tries not to laugh at that very moment.
She and Rooster abstained from the bet, offering to keep track of who picked Maverick's supposed spouse and the amount of money on the line. It goes as followed:
Bob and Payback say it was Hondo
Natasha, Fanboy, and Coyote say it was Warlock
Hangman, Harvard, and Yale say it was Penny
Bob and Omaha say its Cyclone
Callie wants to laugh. None of them are absolutely close to the truth and it will be hilarious once they find out. So they go about their day but she never speaks to Rooster and he doesn't, he tries but she ignores him.
She got home later after getting some groceries for herself. She unlocked the house to find Pop's in his office looking over some paperwork. He was still recovering from his bout of cancer and was lucky to work from home, a perk of being Admiral of The Pacific Fleet. She decided to leave him working and make dinner. Dad arrived a few minutes later as Callie finished making the ravioli, already serving a plate for herself and Pop.
"Hey dad," Callie called out as she began to serve a plate for him.
"Where's IcePop?" Maverick asked his kid, as he rummaged in the fridge for a beer. Finding one and taking the plate that she handed to him. They went to the study where it seemed Ice had finished his work, happy to see his family. Callie kissed his cheek and handed her dad his plate. They ate in silence, hoping they wouldn't ask about her day but they did. They were dads, they always did.
"Was your instructor good?" Ice asked, a twinkle in his eyes as she laughed loudly.
Maverick pointed his fork at his husband and then at his daughter. "He was alright. A bit of a hotshot, old as dirt."
"Hey!" At that point, Tom and Callie were cracking up while Maverick dramatically cried out, "You both have pure ice in your veins. My own family!"
After the laughter died down Tom asked about Bradley. Callie said nothing because she had nothing to say. Maverick told his husband that he tried to speak with Rooster but the young man refused him, only giving anger back at him. Ice turned to his daughter. Callie shrugged.
"You know I won't talk to him until he sorts his problems with dad," She told them. "I'm not going to play therapist to that chicken until he gets his head out of his ass."
"Callie," Both men sternly said but Callie sighed. Even after years of going no contact, her dad still loved Rooster and so did she. But she was protective of her dads, she didn't know why Bradley's papers were pulled or what was said in that fight when Bradley left. All she knew was the aftermath, Dad was heartbroken and Pop's trying to call Bradley. She tried calling him when Pop was diagnosed with cancer. It ended in a fight, Callie didn't even tell him because he didn't let her. He thought she was trying to reach him to talk with Maverick but she was trying to tell him about Pop's diagnosis. She never told him since.
She doesn't want to fight them so instead, she says, "Movie night?"
They decide on Captain Marvel. Ice loves it because it's a blonde pilot that reminds him of himself. Maverick just rolls his eyes but he's enjoyed some Marvel movies and yes, Captain Marvel is their favorite despite the piloting scenes. Callie just loves it. Period.
Her phone kept blowing up late in the night as she studied. She checked it and groaned. Callie had forgotten about the bet the group had made over her dad's love life.
'groupchat created by Bagman' 'in the danger zone pilots'
bagman: Alright guys! so I figured something out about Halo.
shit head birdbrain: what???
nat: what did you find bagman?
bagman: oh HALO
bagman: your dads are in the military? do either of them know who Mav is married to???
bagman: HALOOOO
Halo: I don't think so
After she sent that text, Rooster sent her a private one. She already knew what he was going to say to her.
shit head bird: You, Callie are a fucking liar
snow queen: yeah? I think you just saw yourself in the mirror, roo
He didn't respond to her and she ignored him in class the next day. She went through the motions of training flying with Omaha in the sky and trying to get Maverick out of the sky. They almost got him but ended up doing push-ups. Her arms were sore by the time the sun went down. She was driven home by Maverick who grinned like a maniac at the fun he had with training today. Callie grumbled in response to her dad's antic. Her arms were sore and she blamed Payback for instigating the bet. Fuck you, Payback.
She crashed on her bed, she didn't even remember getting on the mattress in the first place but she woke up there nonetheless the next day. The soreness is familiar, she's familiar with it since she was little. Memories of her ankles and legs when she was ice skating, in competitions, or during recitals for a play in high school. She knows that feeling but it still hurts like hell. Checking her phone, she notices multiple text messages from her friends in the group chat asking about how they were feeling. There was a private one from Rooster.
What are you up to, today?
Callie?
She doesn't respond to him. She wouldn't know what to say so she leaves him on read for the entire day as he continues to blow up her phone. The group chat asks about hanging out but Callie declines. She wants to stay with her dad for the day, and help around the house.
She helps her dad with running documents to his assistant or going over them, and filing them away. When there's a meeting, she leaves him in the study and goes to read her book. Her other dad is fixing his bike on the front lawn, so she goes there to read her book. It was a running joke that Maverick liked to tell-Iceman and Halo were bookworms, instead of exchanging letters they exchanged books. Inside the book, however, were letters. Callie would write two, for her dads. Ice wrote one and Maverick did as well. She had collected a decent amount of books, most of the recent retellings of greek mythology. The one she was reading was Elektra, a retelling of the tale about Elektra and her mother.
"How's the novel?" Maverick asked her, wiping the oil from his hands with a rag.
"It's good. I should be finished with it and I can read my next one," Callie said to him. He sat down next to her as she finished the chapter. "Pops told me you didn't want to teach."
Maverick snorted. "He forced it on me but he says I'm the only one that can do it."
Callie could see that. For as long as she remembered, it was always the four of them, more so after Aunt Carole died. She could see nothing but love between her dads even if it was cheesy at times, it was there for all to see. When DADT ended, she had her uncles help plan a wedding for them, more so when Gay Marriage became legal a few years later. Bradley hadn't been there even after the invite was sent and she had called, leaving multiple voicemails. Aunt Sarah had walked Ice down the aisle and Callie had walked Maverick, both trying not to cry. They failed when they got to the altar, having a group hug before Callie had to let go for the service to commence. Slider had been Best Man and Merlin was Maverick's, Uncle Sundown was the one to conduct the ceremony, cracking jokes.
It would be soon for them to renew their vows, maybe she could do something. The thought ended when she noticed the look he had on his face. "How are you feeling about it?"
The mission. It hung in the air whenever they came home from training. She didn't want to speak about it at the house but she knew her dads, they would be arguing about it. Callie had flown today, with Omaha but tomorrow it would be just by herself. It had sent an argument the night before.
"No-"
"Mav," Ice's voice was rough but it sounded exasperated. "She's ready. For god sake, she was the top of her class, she's flown in combat before! Warlock and Cyclone want her to fly, they need all the pilots for this!"
"Then let Omaha fly for her!"
"You don't think she can do it?"
"I know she can do it. She's our kid, just like Bradley. Mav, she has to do this and she'd want to do this. Train her, just like the others, she will make it out of this alive."
She knew she could do this, her dads had faith in her. The next day she flew and practically scared her dad and the others shitless with the maneuver she did. A cobra one that Maverick had down days before, Callie had done to take out Maverick before he got to her.
"That's a kill!" She yelled. Maverick's laughter could be heard and the other pilots cheered as well. But it was short-lived when Cayote went into G-lock and the birdstrike hit them. Phoniex and Bob were hit but ejected with minor to no injuries. Callie had to eject as well, sending the plane careening down.
That had sent Rooster and Maverick into a fight.
Hangman had been the one to get to Halo first before her dad. He patted her down for any injuries but it was her eyes that betrayed her, full of fear and she was shaken over it. "I'm fine, Jake." came out of her but the other pilot ignored her. He kept a grip on her around her waist as they got to the base where everyone else was there. The medic was there as well, overlooking Phoenix and Bob. She would be in the care and in the medic wing for a day even though she kept protesting until Maverick spoke up.
"I'll call your dad," She gave him a look, defiant and Maverick didn't back down. She accepted only reluctantly.
She stayed there overnight, and in the morning she felt something was off. She checked her phone, noticing a missing call from Jake and the group chat blown up. She scrolled through it and noticed the recent ones. All of them were panicking over someone being on base. Her heart dropped when she read who it was.
Admiral Kazansky. The same admiral strolled into her room just as her team members were about to enter, with Maverick behind him. The only thing she thought of was that something happened for both her dads were here. She noticed the way Bradley glared at Mav and she glared back at Bradley. It did not go missing from the others, Jake giving her a curious look that she ignored.
"If you guys can give us the room. Please," Maverick told the squad. They left slowly and he closed the door behind them. Ice was gripping his cane tightly so that the tips of his knuckles were white. "Kid... Viper passed away."
Her heart dropped at the news. Jester and Viper were her grandfathers, the best men that she grew up with. They loved her unconditionally as well as both her father and now he was gone. Jester had passed away four years ago. Now it was Viper, the old man who had called her weeks ago about how her dad was doing and just mundane stuff. Now he was gone, leaving a hollow place in not only Maverick's and Iceman's hearts but those of the class of 86. She knew they would be flying to be with them and Viper's family.
She didn't say anything but cried. Iceman went straight to his daughter and enveloped her in a hug, Maverick followed. They didn't let go of one another. The Dagger Squad was still there when Callie was discharged in what seemed to be a quick time, being led out by Iceman and Maverick. They didn't say anything, just watched as a tear-streaked Callie walked side by side with the two older men making their way down the hall to go home and prepare for a funeral in the coming days.
Jake knew Callie longer than the rest. She spoke about her two dads but never above the usual anecdote of "oh yeah my dad has a mustang" or "pops has been in a meeting and sent me a funny meme" what he didn't know was who they were. It didn't even hit him until after he saw Callie leave with Maverick and Iceman that day. It hit him a day later when Cyclone canceled the class because Maverick had a personal issue. So Jake came to that conclusion.
Maverick and Iceman.
His Top Gun instructor was Halo's dad along with the legendary Iceman. Jake had come to the conclusion that Iceman was married to Maverick, and he changed his bet quickly in the group chat. Then, he texted Callie, asking for her address. The bubble appeared, disappeared, and appeared for what felt like hours but was only a few minutes. She sent her address and he drove over there.
He parked the car on the street and walked up the driveway. He noticed two more cars and Maverick's bike. Jake came up to the door and knocked three times. It opened to reveal an older man, balding looking at Jake with, raised brow. "Can I help you, young man?"
Jake cleared his throat. "I'm looking for Callie? I'm one of her-"
"Hangman?" It was Maverick who came behind the bald man, curiosity on his face at seeing one of his aviators here. "What are you doing here?"
"I contacted Callie, I just wanted to check in on her, sir," Jake responded to him. "Is she here?"
"She is," Maverick confirmed. He gestured for him to enter the house. Jake saw so many people, mostly older men around Maverick's age, and in the middle was Callie. She was sitting next to Iceman who was talking with another guy. "Callie, look who came by." Jake waved awkwardly as all eyes were zeroed on him. His eyes were squarely on the young woman who stared back at him.
"Hey," Jake walked up to her. Without any hesitation, he had her in a hug. He felt her shake, crying softly. "You okay? Sorry, stupid question."
Callie laughed but it didn't reach her eyes. They pulled back and Jake could feel everyone's stares at him, directly at him. Callie smiled, holding his hand, she introduced him to her 'uncles'. Jake realized that all of these men that he greeted were Maverick's old class of 86. The man that had greeted him at the door was Iceman's RIO, Admiral Ron "Slider" Kerner. He was also Callie's godfather.
"You must be Hangman," Iceman greeted him, his cold eyes never betraying anything that he thought nor did his face but he was friendly. Meticulous would be another word to describe the Admiral of the Pacific Fleet but Jake wasn't going to say that to his face. "Nice to meet you, son."
"Likewise, sir," Jake said. He looked at his friend who seemed both amused and slightly embarrassed. "So, when were you going to share with the class your dads were Maverick and Iceman?"
Callie smirked. "Probably never." She shrugged. "I love them but I don't want to be overshadowed by their shadows." Jake understood that and didn't press any further.
"You could have at least given the chat a hint in the bet."
"Where's the fun in that?" Callie said teasing him. "Saw you changed your bet? You'll be winning that money in no time."
Jake grinned. "Have you eaten anything? We have a whole ass potluck here," She said. Callie jerked her head and he followed her into the kitchen. He could hear Maverick cry out something and the other pilots laughing. "What are you doing here, Hangman?" Straight to the point, as she usually was. He took her in and saw tear streaks, and her hair slightly disheveled.
"Came to check in on you," He answered honestly. Callie softened because they knew this is how they were. Ever since they flew together on the USS Gerald R. Ford after Top Gun. She became his wingman after her graduation but they knew one another because of their service together as well as apart.
"Thanks, Jake. My dads and uncles, their old Top Gun instructor passed away," She explained. "They're all here just to be there for each other. The funeral will be there, I know the rest of the squadron will be there for the service but I won't be with you guys."
"You'll be with your folks. Understandable, Halo." Jake said and Callie nodded. He pulled her into a hug again. She sighed before pulling back and smiling. "So, you promised me food?" She smacked him on the chest before handing him a paper plate that was on the counter.
They came back into the room, Jake having coaxed Callie to eat after she mentioned that she hadn't eaten in the past few hours because of the guests and keeping things running. They sat down next to each other, Jake digging into a lasagna but Callie saw Slider and Hollywood's knowing looks. She glared at them to keep quiet but she spared a glance at her dads. Maverick looked suspicious at Jake, eyes narrow as if he thought the blonde pilot would sweep Callie off her feet and take her away from the house. Iceman seemed more amused like his old RIO, mirth dancing in his blue eyes as he winked at his daughter. She internally groaned knowing how insufferable they were going to be about this, thinking that there was something between herself and Hangman. She would have denied it if her heart wasn't doing that stupid skippy dance in her chest.
He pointed to one of the pictures on the mantel. Chipper brought it over and she noticed it was the wedding picture of Ice and Mav. It had poured that day on July 23, 2013, when Tom Kazansky and Pete Mitchell got married on a rainy day with their friends and family. They were soaked to the bone and Callie, who had been 24 at the time had said a speech to her dads. Someone handed Jake another picture, this one of Callie. When she spotted it, she tried to quickly snatch it from his grasp but he evaded her, cackling. "Nice outfit. Look like Tinkerbell!" He tried not to laugh as she gave him a cold stare that was pure Iceman. "I mean, when did you skate?"
"Since I was eight," Callie confessed as she looked at the picture of her younger self in a sparkly blush pink outfit with her white skates. "I won a few medals over the years. I can teach you, maybe find you a sparkly outfit to match."
Jake nudged her. "I know how to skate too. Without a sparkly outfit, Halo." He shifted in his seat trying to find the right words to ask. "What was your old instructor like, if it isn't too forward?"
The men were silent until Sundown spoke up. Admiral Rick Neven smiled, "The man whipped up into shape, that's for sure. Especially Mav." He pointed at Maverick who grinned but his green eyes were full of sorrow. They were all filled with grief, Jake could see it plainly. "He used to say-"
"Good morning aviators it's 60 degrees with a high..." The men all recited with smiles on their faces. "Always when we did a hop," Merlin told the young pilot. Toward the end of the night, they all exchanged stories of Viper. By 11:30, Jake was heading out with a Tupperware of food that Maverick insisted on him taking. Callie walked him out the door after he said his goodbyes.
"They are pretty cool," Jake said as they made their way to the car. Callie shook her head, a smile on her lips. "Can't believe they gave me a good blackmail story about you, with a photo to go with it."
"Shut up, Bagman." Callie smiled and bumped him gently with her hip. "Thank you, for coming over."
"Anytime," Jake replied and his eyes unashamed, looked at her lips before looking back up at her face. He knew she caught him but had mercy on him.
She let him go, both feeling something towards one another that they were a bit too stubborn to look into.
It would come back to bite them a few days later.