who has the cards

Jake "Hangman" Seresin & Beau "Cyclone" Simpson

Jake "Hangman" Seresin & Thomas "Iceman" Kazansky

Jake "Hangman" Seresin & Pete "Maverick" Mitchell

Bruce Wayne/Batman & Jason Todd/Red Hood

Slade Wilson/Deathstroke & Jason Todd/Red Hood

Hal Jordan/Green Lantern & Jason Todd/Red Hood

Aaron Hotchner & David Rossi

Alucard & Dracula

Trevor Belmont & Dracula

James Kirk & Pike

Booth & Sweets

Gibbs & Tony

Ducky & Palmer

Obi-Wan Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker

Anakin Skywalker & Luke Skywalker & Leia Skywalker

Din Djarin & Grogu

Bobby Nash & Evan Buckley

Aizawa & Shinsou

Probably a shit ton more thats buried deep in my brain because I read all the fanfics pertaining to the pairing and now have nothing to read but rereading

Hey, it's likely that I already have read most of the father-son relationship fics, but if you want to recommend stuff, feel free to leave it in the comments

IceMav operating an adventure guild/inn/tavern. Iceman is the head of the guild and Maverick is his right-hand man. Ice and Mav co-own the establishment. Most people don't know this, they just assume that Mav is pretty high up, because he's one of the top adventurers, and when he's not out and about, he trains or guides the newer adventurers (Mav does the dirty work Ice can't visibly do).

Potential additional idea: Iceman and Maverick used to knights, but stop and established a guild.

Rooster is a traveling warrior, but he is not part of the guild. He goes their only when it is necessary for a job, but he doesn't linger or stay. Bradley wanted to be a knight, but Mav used his connections to block his application to the academy. Bradley found out and left, cutting contact and went to find his way. Bradley was bitter, thinking, it all makes sense. Why Mav was reluctant in training him, only got involved in his training when he was older, and why it was mostly Ice who taught him. Mav never thought he could do it, he never had faith in his abilities. (Goose was Mav's partner and died in one of their adventures. Mav couldn't bear the thought that if he taught Bradley, and Bradley died, it would be because of the skills he passed down to him. Because Mav's skills at the time wasn't enough to save Goose, so it is not good enough for Bradley. Also Carole made Mav promise before she died.) On a side note, during his travels, Rooster picked up playing different instruments and is quite good at it. He's trying to remember the song his dad used to play him, but it's been so long that he can only really play the tune of the chorus. The lines lost in time (part of Rooster wants to ask Ice or Mav, but his pride won't allow him to). On the bright side, Rooster displays himself as a bard, allowing him to gather money and information easily as no one is suspicious of him. At least until he draws his hidden sword.

Hangman was raised to be a knight, he was taken in as a ward of a Knight's order, went through the academy, and was knighted young. He was well-known and people admired him. However, one day he and his partner were dispatched far to deal with a horde of demons. He and his partner figured out that there was corruption in the order that spread to the town folk, allowing for exploitation, which grew to warriors being hired despite barely having any fighting experience. The problem grew, until the town was overwhelmed by monsters every night. In the final battle, his partner died. When Hangman went to report what happened, the order decided to push the incident 'under the rug', with his partner's death being declared as an 'accident'. The order's reputation was far more important than the life of one man. Hangman was pissed and left the order, swearing revenge (and succeeding). Hangman still keeps the sword he used as a knight, but he never unsheathes it. Instead he transitioned to dual wielding two short swords. Hangman works alone, travelling and doing mercenary work. He doesn't care about anything else, but results. No one knows that Hangman used to be a knight.

Javy is from a blacksmith clan, realized that blacksmithing wasn't for him and decided to go on a journey. Found this creature, nursed it to help, and now follows him around. Someone eventually suggested that he use the creature as a mount. He did and he fell in love with it. He became well-trained in fighting while on his mount. Easily maneuvering any weapon while the mount charges. Coming from a family of blacksmiths, he understood how to use most weapons and that came handy in times of improvisation.

He became friends with Jake when they were travelling. They were forced to share a room together in an inn rather than camp outside and they got to know one another (Jake was sharpening his sword, Javy told him he was doing it wrong, they bickered, Javy impressed Jake and wrangled a thank you out of him). They keep on meeting each other throughout the next year or so, Jake even allowing Javy to work with him occasionally. After more than a year, Jake told Javy everything, Javy was heartbroken for his friend.

A day before an important mission, he visits them. Hangs around with his mom, messes with his siblings, plays with his nephews and nieces, and even talks to his dad a bit.

His dad got pissed though, and asked him why the hell is he crawling back.

Hangman was tense before he simply said that he wanted to spend some time with them. He left a bit after that, his dad scoffing at his son's typical behavior.

Hangman gets shot down on the mission.

When James Seresin opens the door, it's to two Naval officers in dress uniform. A Pete "Maverick" Mitchell and a Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, with grim expressions asking if they can come in, and if Jake's sister is here.

James, his wife, his daughter, and his son, all sit on the sofa, as the two men explain that Lieutenant Jacob "Hangman" Seresin was shot down in active combat, no parachute, no possible chance of rescue, no body, declared missing in action, presumed dead. They are sorry for their loss.

"The kid was a good man, a good friend, if only I had more time," Mitchell would say evenly. "You're lucky to have had Hang-- Jake as a son."

"He talked about you guys, a lot," Bradshaw would say softly.

Beau and Jake fluff, hurt/comfort

Ch1 (Diners and Late Nights)/Ch 2

“You called me in, Admiral?” Seresin said, standing at attention in front of his desk.

“At ease, Lieutenant, you’re not in trouble,” Cyclone said watching the kid, moving the papers he was looking at to the side.

“Didn’t think I was, sir,” Hangman drawled.

Cocky brat.

Despite that, the sharp line on his shoulders softened.

“Due to scheduling conflicts, the earliest we can deploy you is a month from now,” he said, watching the younger man who gave no indication whether or not he was disappointed. “However, your instructors say that you’re eager to work, much more so than whatever your paperwork implies. Additionally, it seems like you have aspirations to move up the ranks.”

“I like having something to do, sir, being higher in the ranks allows that and prohibits that at the same time,” Hangman said evenly. “I love flying, sir, but I understand that I can not do that all the time, might as well do something else between that.”

Smart kid.

“Well, Top Gun is empty right now. Only you remain in the barracks. Everyone else is preparing for the next batch of Top Gun graduates, maintenance, and catching up on administrative tasks. Might as well make yourself useful,” Cyclone said, handing Hangman a folder. “The mechanics are doing maintenance on the jets, you know your jet based on the manual, but you’ve never delved deep inside of it, have you?”

“Not more than what was required of me, sir, the Navy wanted the mechanics to focus on that,” Seresin replied, opening the folder with details on what he would be doing for the day.

“Well, back in my day, pilots and backseaters were more involved in hands-on, plane maintenance. Are you going to let us old timers be better than you at that?” Cyclone drawled out, staring at Hangman in the eye.

Seresin’s brow furrowed before he snapped the folder shut and straightened up, “Back in your day you were flying what would be now considered a fossil, sir,” Hangman said smirking. “I’ll go report to the hangar.”

“Good man,” Cyclone said, the corner of his lip twitching when he noticed Seresin leaving the room with a little more bounce on his step.

—

“How did he do? Any trouble?” Cyclone asked, approaching Warrant Officer Walker who was watching the mechanics and Seresin from afar who seemed to be delving in underneath the jet.

Walker snorted, giving a small smile as he rubbed his chin, “Eh, he’s just like the other kids in these parts.”

“Oh?”

“Young, confident, full of shit, but a good kid, this one works hard,” Walker said, smiling at Cyclone. “I heard this one was the last winner of Top Gun, I gotta say I was a bit worried. I know those kids talk a lot of shit, but damn, did I almost think you assigned him to me as punishment.”

“Not like you to judge a man before meeting him,” Cyclone said, crossing his arms, brows furrowed.

Walker shrugged, “The rumor mill is a bit more crazier these days, or that kid just special. Plus, heard some of the comments he said to his classmates, well, the kid has a mouth on ‘im.”

That’s saying something considering they were all in the military.

“He still got that mouth, but it ain’t anythin’ bad, just the usual young men talking shit and making fun with one another. Nothing close to what little I heard from ‘im before,” Walker said.

He mostly supervised the cohort from afar, and the few times he was directly involved, was a few minutes, with the men all in their best behavior. However, he did read the reports, but reports are for report keeping, not for a reflection of real life.

“I see,” Cyclone said, frowning and crossing his arms.

He watched as Seresin crawled out from under the jet, arms of his flight suit tied at the waist, and white shirt covered in grease. He stood up and looked like he was pouting when he looked down at his grease covered hands. Hangman finally noticed Cyclone when he looked up, grinning and giving the Admiral a two-fingered salute.

Cyclone felt Walker’s eyes in the side of his head as Cyclone nodded at the boy to go help out the other mechanics.

“You like the kid, don’t ya?” Walker mused, before Cyclone could reply the other man clapped a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. “Bring ‘im around whenever, I’ll look after ‘im.”

Cyclone patted Walker’s shoulder in response.

—

“Is it true that you got engine oil dunked in your hair when you were an ensign?” Hangman blurted out.

Cyclone slowly raised his head from the paper Seresin gave him to look at Seresin with a raised brow. It was a week after Hangman started working with the mechanics, and if he wasn’t doing that, he was studying the documents used at Top Gun with him at the office. He was helping him sort through survey data, and the report Seresin produced was much more impressive than he expected.

Seresin simply stared back, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

“Where in the rumor mill did you find that?” Cyclone drawled.

“Warrant Officer Walker, Admiral,” Hangman said dutifully.

The vein in Cyclone’s forehead twitched, he should have figured that sooner.

Goddammit Lucas.

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Lieutenant Seresin,” Cyclone said looking back down at the paper.

“That’s why I’m confirming the facts with you, sir,” Hangman said, lips pressed tightly together to prevent it from twitching upwards.

“I can neither confirm nor deny those allegations,” Cyclone said drily, flipping the paper to the next page.

However, he couldn’t help but smile when he heard the hold back a snort, grinning brightly at him.

Ch 1/Ch 2 (Work and Distractions)

Hangman slipped out of the crowded bar, leaving the chorus of celebrating aviators behind him, and started walking towards the Boardwalk. It was quiet, no tourists this time of the year, so barely anyone was milling around. Shops closed, light from dying lamp posts, the beach dark.

He got far enough that the bar was a blip in the distance. He reckoned by the time he got back, most of his classma- former classmates would have gone home to wherever. The bar doors closed for the night. 

He leaned his forearms at the railing, hearing the waves crash on the beach, but only see glimpses of the water due to the moon’s reflection. He sighed as he pulled out a new pack of cigarettes, unwrapping them and pulling one out.

He brought one between his teeth and lit it with a lighter, his other hand blocking the wind. He took a slow deep drag, held it in, breath again, 5 seconds, and out. He watched the smoke dissipate in the air, before he brought the cig to his lips again.

He won Top Gun.

After all those weeks of intense training. All these past few years in the Navy. All the years he spent studying, working, and training his ass off. He got the trophy. He should have been elated. He was, he swear he was, but all he felt was, nothing.

When his name was called he felt elated, as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders, relief. He smiled, laughed with Javy as he hooked an arm around his shoulder. Shook hands. Gave a grin and sarcastic remarks to his cohort. 

It died down.

Not the noise. Never the bright lives of the people around him, smiling, laughing, celebrating. From the classrooms, hangar, to the bar. All of them were celebrating, and he was smiling too, but it felt forced. Everything around him felt out of focus, as if he wasn’t fully there. Going through the motions of getting inside his truck and driving to the bar. Ordering a beer, but letting it get cold and stale. 

He won.

He felt relieved.

Then nothing.

He looked up, the sky was devoid of any stars, the moon was bright though.

He pulled out his phone, and opened the messaging app.

He scrolled down and pressed on his Dad’s contact. 

Stilted conversations. Unsolicited advice or criticisms. One word answers. Last message was sent 6 weeks ago.

He closed the chat.

Javy was probably back at the barracks sleeping. He had an early flight tomorrow.

Hell, he was pretty sure everyone else had an upcoming flight.

He took another drag of a cigarette.

He hoped that winning Top Gun would mean they could expedite his deployment. Better to have something to do, right?

He closed his eyes and leaned forward, groaning as he ran a hand through his hair with his other hand. 

“A penny for your thoughts, Lieutenant Seresin?” a voice asked and Jake turned around 

It took him a second to realise who it was, he’d never seen Admiral Simpson in regular clothing.

“Sir,” he said, straightening up, stubbing his cigarette on the railing.

“At ease, Lieutenant,” Cyclone drawled, walking to lean on the railing beside him. “I’m not in uniform, and we’re off the clock. No need for formalities right now.”

Jake hesitantly nodded, throwing the cigarette bud away in a trashcan nearby.

“Didn’t think of you as a smoker,” Cyclone started casually.

“Not usually one, first time in months,” Seresin said, shrugging.

“A celebration for winning Top Gun?”

“Nah, ‘just needed to clear my head.” 

“Hmm, I get that, you’ll be needing a lot of those times when you go up the ranks in the Navy, try not to rely on that thing too much.” 

Jake felt a flash of irritation, “I don’t smoke a lot. Anyways,” Seresin said before giving the older man a smirk, “You think I’ll go up the ranks, Admiral? That seems like a compliment.”

Cyclone simply grunted in response. “That attitude will both help and curse you up the ranks.”

Seresin simply shrugged, “I know.”

“You know, I got your deployment request,” Cyclone started, making Jake stiffen.

“Yeah?” Jake said, trying to play it casually. He wished he didn’t snub out his cigarette, but he wasn’t rude enough to smoke in front of someone who wasn’t smoking.

“Pretty early timeline, don’t you think?”

“Got nothin’ better to do,” Jake said, shrugging. “Top Gun’s over, time to move-on to the next thing, right, sir?”

Cyclone gave him a look that made Jake hunch his shoulders before straightening up, “What?” He said glaring.

“I probably should have expected it, but I did not think you were a workaholic, Lieutenant.” Simpson said coolly.

Seresin shrugged, “I like to keep busy, sir, what else would I do?”

“Hmmm, you like breakfast Lieutenant.”

Jake looked at the admiral with a raised brow, “... Yes-?”

“Do you have anything you have to do tonight?”

“No-”

“Perfect, meet me in this diner, my treat, I need to properly congratulate this year’s Top Gun winner anyways.” Simpson said.

“You gave me my trophy and shook my hand already, though-?”

“Defying orders, Lieutenant?”

“I thought we were off the clock!”

-----

Seresin stood in front of the brightly lit diner. Before stepping inside. Noticing the classic red seats, 80s decorations, and bright neon lights. A little ring from a bell on the door.

“Be there in a sec!” A voice shouted from the back where the kitchen presumably was.

“Seresin,” Cyclone called out from the counter. “Almost thought you weren’t coming.”

He almost didn’t.

“It was a walk to my truck,” Jake answered instead, sitting down next to the man, opening the menu in front of him.

“Order whatever you want, I already ordered,” Cyclone said, sipping from his mug.

“Coffee this late at night, sir?”

“No, hot chocolate, they make theirs themselves, it’s very good.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Jake said, nodding. “How’d you know this place, anyways?”

“You stay around these parts long enough, you start to know where the best 24hr dining option is. Been going here for years. Tastes better at night.”

Jake couldn’t argue with that.

An older lady came out from the back, “What can I get for you, honey?”

“Just the platter, ma’am, bacon and scrambled eggs,” Jake said, smiling. “And a hot chocolate too, please.”

“Aww aren’t you a polite young man,” she said, making Jake flush and duck his head. Barely anyone in the Navy would call him polite. “Beau, bring him around more often.” She said before going back to the kitchen.

“So you can get along with people,” Cyclone mused.

“I know how to get people to like me, I just choose not to, not worth the effort, most of the time,” Jake said, reaching forward for the case of toothpicks, shaking one out to his hand and bringing it to his mouth.

“So, you usually bring your subordinates to diners?”

“No,” Cyclone said simply. “Just the ones that look like they need a warm meal in them.”

“You’re the airboss, maybe you should do something about the slop in the cafeteria.”

Cyclone snorted, “I tried like many before me, and it remains one of my greatest failures,” Cyclone said drily. “Plus, it wouldn’t be the Navy without shitty food, would it?”

AU where Bradley is a firefighter and Jake is still an aviator. Jake is on a long leave, probably because of the mission, and he takes another job to pass the time. He works at Best Buy.

Bradley comes to Best Buy to buy something, he's still in uniform, so Jake knows where he works at. And they snark at one another, but Jake manages to throw the box of what Bradley needs at him, smirking all the time.

---

"Can we stop debating the merits of 10 different wires and connectors and just give me the box, please," Bradley said exasperated as he held a hand out for the box this Ken doll was holding.

"Sure, here, catch," Jake said shrugging throwing the box lightly at him. "No need to get as red as your fire truck."

Bradley groans, rolls his eyes, and walks away. He was never wearing his fire department shirt in public ever again.

---

Bradley put his keys on in his bronco. And turn it. Engine sputtering.

"Oh come on," Bradley muttered, moustache twitching.

He stepped down again on the brake and clutch, twisting the key. Nada. Bradley groaned and hit his head on the steering wheel wondering who the fuck to call.

He jumped when he heard a knock at the window, seeing Ken doll, looking sympathetic.

He opened the door.

"Need a jump?" Ken-doll asked.

Bradley, sighed, "Yes please."

"Give me a sec to bring my car over."

"Thank you." ---

"Man, you've been having issues with the lights and radio, too? But you just replaced the bulbs, right?"

Bradley deeply sighed and rubbed the space between his eyes, "Yeah."

"That's fucked up, man, good luck, better bring it to the shop for the wiring."

"No comment on the wires on this one?"

"Car wiring is a whole another thing I ain't gonna touch, too much of a headache for me," Ken-doll said, flicking the toothpick in his mouth to the side.

"How do you know so much about wires, anyways? You work with it a lot at Best Buy?" Bradley said going back inside his truck to try to start it.

"Nah, not really, I studied engineering, and my other job. You pick some stuff up along the way."

"You studied engineering and you work at Best Buy!?" Bradley said fingers slipping from the ignition.

"Anything wrong with that?" Ken-doll said, raising a brow.

"No, I mean-- Oh look the car's starting," Bradley said flustered. "Thank you, man, I'm Bradley Bradshaw by the way, incase you need anything, I'm by the fire station." Bradley said holding out his hand.

"It's Jake, and if you need anything from electronic goods to repair, come to Best Buy for a wonderful service," Jake said shaking his hand and winking.

"Should add auto-repair to that slogan."

---

A series of events caused them to meet again. And they hit it off, go one dates and all that.

Jake likes listening to Bradley's stories about his job, and Jake tells him about some crazy customers he had to deal with.

Bradley never asked about Jake's previous job/other job, and Jake,,, forgot.

---

One day, Bradley's station gets a call for a jet having to do an emergency crash landing. And they have to make sure that the area is clear and be prepared for anything that might happen. If the pilot gets stuck or something gets lit on fire.

And they're listening in on the radio with the pilot and pilot's instructor telling him what to do. Calm, steady, smooth, and knowledgeable.

Familiar.

They arrive on scene, get the pilot out, and the instructor comes eventually in a rush.

"Is my pilot, okay?" A familiar voice asked.

"Yeah, we're getting him checked out at the hospital, nothing severe."

He hears the man sigh, "Good."

The man turns the corner, and his eyes flickered to Bradley for a moment, before focusing back on the fire captain.

"I'm Lieutenant Commander Seresin, thank you for helping during this incident."

---

"You work in the Navy!?"

"Yeaahhh--"

"You didn't tell me!?"

"I forgot!"

A pause.

"Also does the team know we're dating?"

"The station? No, why?"

"Wanna mess with them?"

Just imagining the dynamic if these three because of the Dagger Squad and Mav and Ice began started to bond.

Bradley: An only child who was suddenly given 2 baby brothers.

Goose and Carol's only son, became a Mama's boy

After Goose died, the class of '86 helped chip in to raise him, meaning before they settled in with their own families he got the attention of so many uncles.

Mav of course took the most active role, basically being the father-figure to Bradley after Goose died. Bradley sees him more as a dad than Goose, that's why it hurt so much when Mav pulled his papers.

Then suddenly, the mission happened, they turn into a permanent squadron, and wow is Mav bringing Jake and Bob around more and more.

Hmmm, so Bob's former squadron giving him some trouble? No they're not.

Goddammit, Jake, give that back, right now!

Bradley: Hangman's the worst, selfish prick (Jake ate his leftovers). Some guy: Yeah, the guy's a fucking selfish assho- Bradley: What the fuck did you just say?

Bob: The youngest child given an older brother that actually pays attention to him and a younger brother that he needs to protect.

Big age difference between him and his siblings, he's the baby, was born when his siblings were already teenagers and young adults, focused on their own lives than him.

He was spoiled and loved by his family though, but they couldn't give him a lot of time and attention. His siblings were building their own lives, his parents were getting older, and he was an "easy kid". Bob was quiet, easy to please, easy to ignore.

When he said he wanted to join the Navy, his family was not supportive and doubted his ability. Deeply hurt him.

Then Bradley came, who would actually listen to him. Ruffle his hair and offer to hang out with him. They would play instruments together and stuff. Who defended him against his former squadron when they were making fun of him.

Then there was Jake who loved poking fun at him, but never in a mean way. Who would forget to eat when he was busy or having fun, making him have to shove fruit snacks in his mouth. Who would simultaneously teach and make fun of him when playing pool.

Bob: Come on, Rooster, not the hair (Bob rolled his eyes as Bradley ruffled his hair) Bradley: Awww, you're taking after Jakey, caring about your hair so much. Bob: Well, we actually want to look presentable (scrunches his nose at Bradley's Hawaiian shirt) Bradley: How rude.

Jake: The forcibly responsible, yet ignored middle-child, being given 2 older brothers who are protective of him, and finally gives him the chance to be free.

Jake is the middle child, have two older siblings and one younger sibling. His parents were neglectful, did not care enough.

He and his siblings used to be tight, but due to circumstances falls apart.

His older brother is a Navy SEAL, but suffers from PTSD, when he's on leave, he gets into trouble and drinks too much. He has to bail his brother out a couple of times.

His older sister began to be distant, he doesn't know where she is, she sends money and calls every now and then, but she started a new life. Whenever Jake asks for help, she refuses, claiming that Jake is strong and smart enough, that he can do it. (Jake simultaneously can't blame her and is resentful of her)

His younger sister needs financial support since she's just a teenager, she's in college right now and Jake is extremely proud of her. Just lonely as well. She's doing well for herself, Jake wants to protect her innocence. He acts more like her dad than their dad ever was.

Jake always has to be the rock, steady and strong. He's just tired.

He's a twenty-something, and he wants to be a twenty-something, careless and free. Fuck up and have fun every once in a while.

Then Bradley and Bob comes in.

He can't help but allow himself to play around with them, mess with them, tease them. They make him let his guard down, it's fun being around them, he's not responsible of them outside of being their teammate.

And they actually pay attention to him, and dote over him. He grumbles about them being overprotective or being too much of a mother hen, but he's sad whenever they hesitate to ruffle his hair, wondering if they were overstepping.

Maybe one day, he'll tell them about his family.

But one day, Hangman did something that scared the shit out of Mav, that pissed him off so badly that he starts berating Hangman, shouting and all that. Hangman and the others have never seen Mav mad often, but Mav was just so terrified.

Jake just stands there jaw clenched, as he took it all. Scared that he fucked it up for good, putting his hands behind his back to make sure that Mav doesn't see them trembling.

Eventually Mav ends with a, "What can you say for yourself, Lieutenant Seresin!?"

And Jake opens and clenches his mouth shut, like a gaping fish, brow furrowed, but eyes looking straight forward, as if he was staring at nothing or at the wall behind Mav. Looking straight ahead, yet no where at the same time.

Everyone waits with baited breathe, waiting for Hangman to fight back, retort, or snap back with snarky comments because it's Hangman.

"I'm sorry, da-" Jake audibly snapped his jaw shut, wincing, "I'm sorry Captain Mitchell, it won't happen again." Jake paused, "I'm sorry." He said the added apology quietly, but it reverberated loudly throughout the room.

Mav took a deep breathe before dismissing all of them, leaving him in the empty classroom to collapse on his desk. Wondering if he had ruined the relationship with the son he just got. Thinking if he could have handled it better. Was his son scared of him, now?

Jake's limbs was heavy as he trudged back to his apartment. He was wracked with guilt, wondering why was he so abrasive, why did he always push, push, and push. Why did he fuck up so constantly. Why was he so Hangman and why couldn't he be better?

He went through the motions of cleaning himself up after he went home and curled up in bed to just, sleep the sadness away.

Mav lugged himself into Ice's office, where his husband was working on his desk and he moves behind his chair and wraps his arms around the man, burying is face in Ice's hair, as if to hide his shame.

"What's wrong, Mav?"

"I-I think I scared, Jake," Mav mumbled. "He couldn't even call me, dad."

Ice pulls the whole story out of Mav before he tries to comfort him saying that he and Jake will work things out. How fathers and sons always will have their ups and downs. Fathers are always scared that their sons will turn out too much like them, after all. Also, they are still captain and lieutenant, Jake was probably trying to keep rank.

The last part even Ice said hesitantly, Mav was never shy about letting his kids call him what they want. Neither was Jake.

"Oh god, I-I left him, Ice, I didn't talk to him, I--"

"Shh, maybe so, but you both needed some space, you can go to him, now, bring him home." Ice said, turning to pull Mav fully in his arms. "Everything will be fine."

Mav ends up outside of Jake's housing. Ice waiting in the car, he knocks. No answer. He knocks again. No answer. He gets worried, checking back to see if Jake's car really was there. He grabs a spare key and opens the door, the apartment eerily quiet.

He never notice how bare the apartment really was, Jake always took a lot of space.

His boots were there, though, so were his car and house keys.

He walked into his son's bedroom, softening at the sight of him curled up in bed. He moved closer sitting on the edge as he ran a hand through his son's hair, frowning at the warmth emanating from the boy's forehead. Although, he did see the boy's face softened.

Jake's eyes fluttered open, blearily peering up at him, "Dad?" He asked softly tugging at Mav's heart, inspiring him to lean down and kiss his forehead.

My son.

"Hey kiddo, you good?"

Jake blinked up at the soft kiss, before the day's events came rushing back to him, "Sir I--"

"You never have to call me, sir, okay? It's fine if you don't want to call me dad," Mav said, choking out the last part. "But, you'll always be my son, even when I'm mad, or even if you are mad, you will always be my son, unless you never want to be again."

Jake stared up, suddenly fully awake before jolting up and quickly wrapping Mav in a tight hug. The angle was awkward, but Mav didn't care. His son was in his arms.

Mav tightened his hold around his boy, cradling his head on the crook of his shoulder. Hushing him softly.

"I'm sorry, dad," Jake muttered.

But holy shit, Mav invited the Top Gun legendary class of '86, which consists of current and former high-ranking Navy officers. Including THE COMPACFLT, ICEMAN. Who is Mav's husband. All the Daggers are having fun mingling around and talking to others, but Jake was thrown off.

He was expecting a casual event, he didn't think a bunch of his superiors were here. He never had to interact with his superiors without any prep. Jake awkwardly hanged out at the edges or stuck close to Mav, Cyclone, or even Bradley because he suddenly lost all social skills because fuckfuckfuck his hair wasn't combed, he wasn't in uniform, and his clothes aren't even halfway decent. He's not Hangman and it’s only recently he’s gotten used to being Jake around the Dagger Squad. He was shy and only spoke when spoken too and only started to loosen up when he was primarily surrounded by the Daggers.

Although, when he was hanging by Cyclone, the class of '86 asked Cyclone if Jake was his son, which made Jake flush and look at Cyclone worriedly, afraid that he would be offended. He wasn't. He was flattered.

Mav was confused and worried about Jake's recluseness, but decided to wait until later to confront him about it.