Chapter Text
They were still on the carrier when they have gotten the news. The navy wanted to build a permanent squadron out of the special detachment. They would be based in North Island, Maverick as their instructor and Commanding Officer. It was the last evening and they all sat together discussing the new opportunity.
“So, who of you is going to stay?”
Omaha was the one asking the question that lay on everyone’s tongue, but no one was brave enough to utter out loud.
“I will.”, Rooster was the first to answer. The uncertainty he had shown throughout the training gone. He was relaxed, leaning back in his seat. He was eager to stay, getting a chance to work things out with Mav and in addition Ice. And maybe he would even be able to mend the a bridge he had broken years ago and finally heal his family.
Rooster’s affirmation was the push the others needed. One after the other declared to stay. Some of them excited to have be able to move closer to the beach with their partners.
The only one silent throughout the conversation, was Hangman. A fact that didn’t go unnoticed by the others.
“Hey, Hangman. What about you? A squadron made of the best of the best. That sounds right up your ally, no?”, asked Yale.
Hangman offered an arrogant grin.
“Well, I have a lot of things to consider. Don’t want to leave my people in Lemoore hanging.”
Phoenix rolled her eyes.
“I’m sure your squadron can live without the mighty Hangman.”, she huffed annoyed.
“Or are you afraid, you won’t stand out enough when you’re with us, Dagger Spare?”
Payback’s comment was probably meant to be teasing, but it came out sharp as a knife and Hangman’s shoulders tensed.
“You don’t know, what you’re talking about, man.” As always Coyote was quick to defend his best friend, shooting Payback an angry look. The other aviator held up his hands, playing it down.
“Just teasing, just teasing.”
“Yeah? Didn’t sound like it.”, Halo shot back sharply and a lot of heads turned in her direction. Surprised, that she jumped to Hangman’s defence.
“Well, I think it’s time, Hangman’s got a taste of his own medicine. So why are you defending him suddenly?”, Phoenix jumped to Payback’s side.
“Because all he said was, he wanted to think about it all and you’re attacking him without reason.”
“And he did anything different in the last weeks?”
The two women glared at each other.
Hangman put his hand on Halo’s shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly. “Callie, it’s okay. I’m going to bed anyway. No need to fight. All of you can enjoy your evening in peace. Good night.”
He stood up and left the room, Coyote and Halo following him out.
“What the hell was that?”, asked Fritz. He had known Halo for quite a while and never thought she was very close with Hangman. Omaha also surprised by his back seaters behaviour.
“I think, Hangman shouldn’t be surprised after all the shit he said during training. He never seemed sorry about anything, why should we hold back.”, said Fanboy.
Rooster and Bob squirmed on their seats, sharing an uneasy look.
“Actually, he apologised to me.”, Rooster started. “About the stuff he said about my dad. He knows he went way to far with that. And he apologized to Maverick, too.”
“He apologized to me, too. You know for all the teasing.”, Bob added.
The remaining pilots looked surprised.
“Really?”, asked Phoenix.
Rooster nodded. “Yeah, he even said, that he wasn’t asking for forgiveness, but I was owed an apology, because his behaviour was unacceptable. I think, I have never seen him so sincere.”
“What the hell?”, asked Phoenix.
Bob only shrugged his shoulders. “Did you never think, that maybe his Hangman act is more a mask than anything else?”
Phoenix seemed to contemplate what Bob had said.
“Well, that still does not explain his hesitance to accept the new position. It’s what every aviator in the navy would want.”
In the afternoon, the carrier docked in San Diego. During the day, Hangman, Coyote, and Halo had mostly kept to themselves. Maverick had informed Rooster, that Hangman had asked Cyclone for more time to make his decision. Time, Cyclone readily granted, given all of them had a month worth of leave before they had to return to active duty.
All of them were happy, to leave the carrier. Already making plans to meeting up at the Hard Deck later, to celebrate before they all would go their separate ways for their month off.
Some people were waiting on the dock. Family of the personal that had been on the carrier for months. The Daggers wouldn’t have anyone waiting for them, given the short nature of their mission. The twelve aviators, Maverick, Cyclone, Warlock, and Hondo leaving the Carrier together.
Back on solid ground, Cyclone turned to his newest squadron with a rare smile.
“The navy thanks you for your service in the last weeks. I know, we have tested your limits and your country is proud of your accomplishments. Enjoy your le-“
His little speech was interrupted by a loud screech.
“DADDY!”
A little blond boy came running towards them, closely followed by a redheaded women in uniform.
All of them turned to the little boy, confusion on their faces. Hangman’s face broke into a huge grin. He went down to his knees right in time for the little boy to fall into his arms. The child buried his face into Hangman’s neck, the pilot gently kissing his hair.
“Hello, Captain Trouble. What are you doing here?”
“Well, imagine my surprise when I got the orders to report to Top Gun immediately for a new permanent assignment.”
The redhead had finally reached the group.
“You- what?”, asked Hangman confused, while getting up from the ground, still holding the boy close to him. The child seemingly content with just cuddling up to the man as close as possible.
“Well, I considered that it would make your decision easier, having your family stationed at the same base. And I wanted to have her in my engineering team for a while. Win-win-situation for everyone.”, Cyclone explained.
Hangman looked from Cyclone to the redhead and his face broke into a huge grin. There was nothing sharp about it. His eyes shined with a softness most of the others hadn’t seen before.
With the arm not holding the child, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her sweetly.
“I missed you, screwdriver”, he murmured.
“I missed you, too. We missed you.”, she answered motioning to the blond boy.
Phoenix was the first to voice her surprise.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, but what is going on here?”
Hangman’s grin could only be described as bashful.
“Well, looks like I’m joining the new squadron. Daggers, meet my wife Lilly and my son Nicholas. Nicky, say hi.” He gently nudged his son, who waved at the group shyly, before burying his face in his father’s shoulder again.
Jake held Lilly close while the members of the squadron introduced themselves. Only Coyote and Halo stepping forward immediately to hug her – having known her for years.
The last two to get introduced were Rooster and Maverick who both looked at her with an unfamiliar look in their faces.
Lilly’s smile got tight, before she greeted them hesitantly.
“Hey, Brad. Dad.”