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tngrace · 1 year

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Coming Home

I’ve been sitting on this way too long. So thanks to wifey @bayisdying for getting me over the medical block to finish this. Hope yall enjoy!

🏷ing: @dragon-kazansky @mrsjaderogers @askmarinaandothers

TG/TGM Masterlist

Mav knows the minute he hears Admiral Cain wants to can the Darkstar project that he’s going to do something to piss his husband off, even if Ice would agree that he’s right about the project. He debates giving him a heads up, but he also doesn’t want a lecture yet. He sends Ice a text to check in on how he’s feeling, knowing he still has good and bad days, before he decides to write one last letter.

He’d been debating a final letter for weeks. He used to write one every month, and then would write one summary one in December before Christmas that would be the one that was mailed. He’s determined Bradley isn’t even reading them, or if he is, he’s not responding to either of them, but he can’t seem to stop writing them. If it wasn’t for Ice’s pull as Commander of the Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), they wouldn’t even know where he was stationed, so he guesses he can be thankful for small blessings. But he’s decided this will be the last one; he doesn’t want to keep reminding the kid of what he doesn’t want. And while it hurts, he’s not sure he’ll ever regret doing what he could to keep him safe.

He quickly scrawls out a couple of pages and seals it, before passing it and Ice’s letter to Hondo. Ice’s letter never changes, always prepared in case Mav does something he can’t get out of and leaves him behind. But thankfully, Ice has never had to read that letter. He hopes today goes the same. He knows Hondo will mail Bradley’s letter regardless of what happens and for that he is thankful.

Mach 10 came easier than he expected, and he can hear both Ice and Hondo in his head telling him not to do it. But he wouldn’t be Maverick if he didn’t try. He knows when all the warning lights go off, he’s in big trouble, but he’s able to pull the ejection handle just in time. Ice is going to kill me is his last thought before landing on Earth, somewhere.

It’s not until after his conversation with Cain, and then his conversation at TOPGUN with Cyclone and Warlock, is he able to even see his husband. He heads straight home, spoiling for a fight after all he’s just learned. If Ice thinks he can just railroad him like this, throwing Bradley in his face for a mission that’s impossible, well he doesn’t know his husband at all.

“Tom,” he shouts, slamming the front door.

Ice is waiting in the living room already prepared for him.

“Just what do you think you are doing?!”

“Well, I was waiting for you to get home so we could decide what to do for dinner tonight, since you’re home and all.”

“God damnit you know what I meant!!”

“Oh, you mean the meeting at TOPGUN that didn’t go so well?” His eyebrow arches up, infuriating Mav even more.

“Don’t even start with me! You blindsided me! And for what?! You know this is going to end badly. Cyclone hates me, and you’ve tried how many different times over the years to throw me and Bradley together? Huh? I know you, Tom! I know you’ve tried to do this before now.”

“And yet, one or both of you manage to screw it up every time.”

“Don’t even start with that. You know railroading me never works!”

“Seems to be working this time. You’re home. Our kid is coming home. What more could I ask for? Oh wait… I know. A conversation between you two. Putting all this to rest finally. But that’s right… you two are too much alike for that to happen.”

“I don't have enough middle fingers to let you know how I feel," Mav growls.

Ice just smirked back, "Is that right, wingman?"

Maverick just growled and stomped off, Ice silently counting in his head to ten before Mav reappeared like always. “The kid never answers any of our letters. We haven’t seen him in years, and you think throwing us together for a suicide mission is going to work? One, I might add, that I’m not even getting to fly!!!! I’m grounded Ice, fucking grounded to just teach because you know Cyclone will never let me fly.”

"If you would stop pissing off other admirals, I wouldn't have to keep doing things that piss you off. Just be thankful you're not getting reassigned around the world this time; be thankful you're the one that's going to be bringing him home."

Maverick growled again but deflated when Ice didn’t even flinch. After thirty years together, they knew each other like the back of their own hands. Ice reached out once Mav deflated and pulled him into his arms. “I know you’re mad, and I know you hate it, but it was the best solution I had. I couldn’t not include him - he was top of his TOPGUN class for crying out loud, and well, you are the only one I know that can prepare them. You were always coming back… before you pissed off Cain.”

Mav grunts, but melts into his embrace. “He’s not going to be happy about this.”

“Don’t I know it.” Ice sighs deeply, wishing more than anything that his husband and his son were back on better terms. It’d been too long since their boy had been home. Ice had tried over the years, secretly of course, to get them back on the same track, but one or the other always found a way to screw up his plans without even knowing it. “He’ll be here in an hour, so you my dear have to go see Penny.”

“What?! Why? And how did you get him to agree to come here?”

Ice smirks and shakes his head fondly. It’s as if Mav doesn’t know him. “Well, the perks of being COMPACFLT is that I can make anything an order.”

Mav snorts as he pushes off to go get his jacket once more. “And you thought he was pissed at me. That’s just cold.”

Ice laughs at that. “It’s like you forget what my name is, Maverick.”

Mav gives him a genuine laugh then. “Fine, I’ll go see Penny while you railroad our kid. But you forget who he takes after the most. Let's just hope your plan works.”

“I’ve kept you around and out of trouble this long, haven’t I? Surely the kid I half raised will at least have some of my traits too.”

“Keep telling yourself that Ice. Remember he hasn’t spoken to us in years.”

“I know,” he sighs. Mav feels bad for throwing that back in Ice’s face again. He knows it bothers his husband just as much as it does him. Losing Bradley will be one of his biggest regrets in life, especially since it made Ice lose him too, but he doesn’t regret protecting him for those extra four years. Mav pulls Ice close for another hug and kiss. “It’ll be ok. You’ll get through to him, I’m sure. You’re good at that.”

He gets a genuine Ice smile, before his husband is pushing him out the door to his bike. He barely makes his escape before he sees the blue Bronco pulling onto their road. He can’t believe Bradley kept it, even though it makes him happy he did. Mav races off before Bradley can register it’s him on the bike and he prays Ice’s plan works.

---

Bradley knocks on the door to his childhood home. He almost just walks in, but he knows he lost that privilege with all the unanswered letters and calls he collected over the years. The door swings open revealing Iceman giving him a fond look. “Lose your key?”

Bradley shakes his head. “No sir. Just… wasn’t sure I should use it.”

Ice gives Bradley a sad look before he steps back motioning him in. He isn’t Iceman right now, his facade dropped, hoping it will get Bradley to be a little more open and receptive to him. “As long as you have that key, it is yours to use Bradley. No matter what.”

Bradley gives him a nod and his shoulders drop just a touch. “You can relax. Maverick isn’t here. It’s just me and you right now. And while I’d love nothing more than to talk about all the years between then and now, I know that’s not why you’re here. Shall we,” he gestures towards his office.

He can see Bradley let out a breath that Ice is sticking to business. It breaks his heart a little, but he calls on all his years in the Navy, of being the “Iceman,” to get through this without letting the kid see him break. Bradley sits in the chair across from his desk, so Ice settles behind it.

Bradley stares at the picture behind Ice’s desk of him and Maverick. He knows the kid has every detail of it memorized, with as much as he saw it growing up, so he’s not sure why he’s fixated on it now. He lets Bradley look though and after a few minutes the kid seems to snap out of it. “If I’m not here to play catch up, then what am I doing here?” After a minute he tacks on a quiet “sir,” which makes Ice snort.

“Even though it came through as an order, which I only did because I wasn’t sure you would come at a request, you can drop the formalities, Bradley. You know that was never a big thing here in this house.” At Bradley’s nod, Ice sits back into his chair and just watches him a moment before he continues. The kid looks so much like Goose it takes his breath, but he steels himself. “I’m sure you’ve seen your orders to return to TOPGUN for a special detachment.”

“Yes sir.”

Ice gives him another nod before he himself looks at the picture over his shoulder. He spins back to Bradley after just a moment. “What I’m fixing to tell you doesn’t leave this room. I know you’ll go to the Hard Deck tonight to see who else has been recalled, and you’ll have your official briefing in the morning. But I’m not going to totally blindside you kid.”

At Bradley’s confused stare, Ice takes another deep breath and continues.

“You and eleven other TOPGUN graduates are being recalled for a special detachment from the Pentagon. You will train for four weeks before flying the mission. It’s dangerous, deadly, more than likely a suicide run. I’ve looked it over every which way possible, and it just… I don’t know that everyone is coming back. Six of the twelve will be chosen to fly the mission; the other six will remain in reserve on the carrier. You’ll learn mission details in the morning; that’s not why I brought you here.”

He can see Bradley’s brain working; can see when it clicks. His face hardens in anger and he’s up pacing Ice’s office before Ice can stop him. “No,” he growls. “No! You can’t do this!”

“I have no choice, Bradley. The twelve of you were recalled because you are the best of the best, and you proved that at TOPGUN. I had to select the instructor, and there’s no one better. Deep down you know that too.”

“NO!”

Ice stood up and walked towards him. Bradley was staring out the large windows that overlooked into the backyard where he’d spent many days playing. He didn’t touch him; he knew better with the anger simmering just under the surface. “You may not want to believe it, but you know he is the best. You know he will do his damned best to get everyone on that mission back home.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’ll wash me out.”

Ice snorts and holds his hands up in surrender at Bradley’s glare. “I can assure you that won’t happen, Lieutenant.”

“So much for no formalities,” Bradley snorts.

Ice tentatively lays his hand on Bradley’s shoulder. When the kid doesn’t shrug him off, he takes it as a good sign. “Bradley, I know you are still angry; you’re going to stay angry until you talk to him.”

“I have nothing to say!”

“I know,” Ice sighs. He thinks hard about his next words. “You’ve made that clear and we’ve tried to respect that. But just because you don’t have anything to say doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot you still don’t understand. I don’t know if you ever read any of the letters, but if you didn’t maybe you should. At least mine. I don’t think he would’ve put anything of importance in his – he might’ve but I’m not sure, but some of mine might be enlightening. Just a suggestion.”

He takes his hand off Bradley’s shoulder. “It’s not going to be easy, but Bradley, I won’t tolerate blatant disrespect of him in front of the others, let me make that clear. You might not want to hear what he has to say, you might not want to listen to his instructions, but you will pretend if nothing else. He’ll make you an even better aviator than you already are, and if you want to come home from this mission, you should probably listen to at least some of his knowledge. Because I believe deep down that he is going to be the reason everyone comes home.”

Bradley gives him a stare that could rival his own icy glare. “I’m not Maverick. I know how to not piss off people in power. If you haven’t been following, which I feel sure you have based on the letters you mentioned, you know I’ve been compared to you more times than not. I won’t like it, I’ll probably even hate it, but you don’t have to worry about me.”

“I’ll always worry about you Bradley. Like it or not, you are our kid in everything but blood. You are the only kid we ever had or will have. Nothing will change that, especially not your anger. But Bradley, I want you to think about something. You lost your mom and dad way too young. You worshiped the ground your uncle walked on while growing up. You loved like there was no tomorrow, and you got that from your mom and dad. It’s been years, and had they not caught my cancer early, you would only be left with the one person you can’t stand as family. Is it worth it kiddo?”

Bradley swallows deep and Ice just prays he got through to him. “Is it worth the decades long silence? Is it worth being alone in the world? Is the anger worth it?” The silence stretches between them. “Think about it. And Bradley, just know we love you, more than anything. Nothing will ever change that.”

Bradley gives him a nod, and then he’s walking out the door. Ice lets out a deep sigh, doing his best to hold back tears before he sends Mav a text. He lets him know he’s done with the kid, and he will more than likely be arriving soon if he wants to make an escape. He just hopes this was the right decision and it doesn’t blow up like Mav seems to think it will.

---

Training goes about as expected. The kids are cocky, think they know it all. Bradley won’t even speak, much less wants to hear what he’s trying to teach them. Their hops are a mixture of disasters waiting to happen, and Mav feels like he’s at the end of the rope. He tries to force Bradley’s hand in the air, tries to get him to say everything he won’t, tries to get him to take the shot, but it doesn’t work. He’s too cautious, thinking too much, and Mav isn’t sure he’s going to be able to get through to him. The thought of not being able to bring Bradley home from this mission scares him more than anything.

Ice keeps assuring him that deep down Bradley is more than likely listening. But Mav just doesn’t see it. The day Hangman decides to be an ass, Mav almost loses it, but he’s too shocked at the brazenness of the man and his statements. He can’t keep control of Bradley though, so Mav dismisses them all knowing they all need a break after that blow-up. He knew Goose would more than likely be a touchy subject with the kid, but he didn’t realize it would be that much of one.

What Mav doesn’t realize is that Bradley was more pissed that Hangman was insinuating Mav was in the wrong. He was defending the dad he knew and loved for the first time in years. It was a startling realization for Bradley and he’s not sure what to do with it. The next day Mav gives them the morning off, which is odd considering their timeframe, and tells them to meet on the beach at lunch. Bradley uses the morning to stew, unable to help it. He debates pulling out the letters and reading them then, but he can’t do it. Deep down he knows he still loves his Dad and Pops, but this anger has been burning for too many years to let it go so easily.

The dogfight football game feels like a bridge to letting go though. Especially when he watches Mav get tackled and he can’t help but help him up, knowing Ice is watching from the deck with Penny. He sees the look of bewilderment on Mav’s face, and he chances a glance at Ice behind his aviators, seeing a look of happiness and approval. He doesn’t address either and just jumps back into the game. Maybe things can start to mend.

Those thoughts fall apart though when Coyote goes into G-Lock and Phoenix and Bob eject from a bird strike. It puts him on edge and why he stays in the ready room feeling like he can’t go home yet. Deep down he knew Mav would come check on him, even though Bradley would be looking for an outlet for his emotions. The conversation spirals faster than he was expecting, and he regrets the words as soon as they leave his mouth. He just wanted Mav to hurt like he did. He can see he accomplished that by looking at his face. Just as he’s fixing to apologize and take them back, Warlock interrupts them.

“Mav. It’s Iceman.”

The look on Warlock’s face has them both freezing; Bradley had just seen him a few days ago on the beach and he looked fine. He can feel Mav start to tremble beside him as Warlock tells them that Ice has been taken to the hospital and Mav needs to get over there. He offers to drive him, but Bradley is grabbing Mav’s arm before he can stop himself.

“I’ll take him, sir.” Warlock looks them over, but Mav gives a barely there nod and Warlock lets them go. He drags Mav to the Bronco, not sure how he is the steady one. He gets them there in record time, and follows Mav in. A nurse directs them to a waiting room, and Mav just collapses into a chair while Bradley paces. He’s not been good with hospitals since his mom got sick, so he can’t sit still.

Thankfully they don’t have to wait long before a doctor is getting Mav and explaining what happened: that they were running some test, but they were hopeful that he was still in remission. They told Mav that Ice wasn’t talking, but that didn’t seem to rattle Mav like it rattled Bradley. All his regrets slam into him hard; he should’ve come back when Ice was sick. He’d know more about what was going on right now instead of feeling like he’s missing whole sections of a puzzle.

The doctor leaves them after just a few minutes and Mav turns back to a pacing Bradley. He wants to pull him close and reassure him that everything is going to be ok, but he doesn’t. He’s not sure how Bradley would respond, not after their fight less than an hour ago, nor does he know that everything is going to be ok. The doctor returns after another ten minutes and informs Mav that they can see Ice. He’s in a room now, but they won’t have test results for a few more hours. He turns to Bradley to see if he wants to come with him, but Bradley just freezes.

“No… It’s… You go. I’ll… I’ll bring the Jeep tomorrow.”

“You sure?” He wants to reach out and pull his kid into his arms, but he doesn’t.

“Yea. Just... Just text me, please.” He knows he doesn’t really have a right to ask, but he doesn’t think he’ll be ok with not knowing.

“Of course. I’ll keep you posted. Go get some rest.”

Bradley gives him a nod before watching Mav walk away. He wants to go with him, wants the comfort of one of Mav’s hugs, but he doesn’t think he deserves it, not after what he’d said to Mav tonight. Once Mav is out of sight, he heads towards his house. Once home, he paces some more feeling too keyed up to sleep. He wasn’t surprised when the email came through at 2100 from Mav saying that they were grounded with the day off tomorrow. He stripped out of his flight stuff, slipping into some sweats, before he dug out the box he carried everywhere. It had all the letters and cards over the years from Ice and Mav along with other things from his childhood. He’d never opened them; he’d come close several times, but never gave into the desire. Now he did.

He started with the envelopes in Ice’s handwriting, remembering his words from his first day back stateside about his letters having important information. He already had them sorted by years, so it wasn’t hard to read them in order. It took almost six years before Ice started trying to get him to come home. It was at year ten that he found the information he’d longed to know.

Bradley,

I don’t even know if you’re reading these, but I hope that maybe you are reading our words. That you know how much we love you, how much we miss you, how proud of you we are. I know by your silence you’re not ready to talk, and that is fine, I get it. But kiddo, we miss you. Something terrible. And I pray that one day soon you’ll be back home.

I don’t know if it’s too little too late, but I know Mav is never going to tell you. I love him dearly, but he’s stubborn as fuck, and no matter how much I’ve tried, he’s not going to listen.

Bradley there is one thing you know about your uncle, and that is that he always keeps a promise. Always. No matter what. This isn’t mine to tell, but I’m going to tell you anyway because I’m hoping it’ll bring you home. Mav made a promise to your mom to protect you no matter what. Bradley, she loved you more than anything, you were her whole world and even more so after your dad died. She would’ve done anything for you, and she did. She gave you the chance to have the most wonderful life ever. She made Mav promise to give you that, to keep you safe, and he did. Mav promised he would keep you alive longer than your dad, and even though I tried to get him to just talk to you, he did what he thought was best.

I don’t know if you’ll ever understand, or forgive us, but I hope this gives you some answers. You always have a home with us, and honestly, we can’t wait for you to be home.

Love, Ice

Bradley felt tears running as he pushed the rest of Ice’s letters aside to dive into Mav’s. He had to know if Mav ever explained, or if he just let him keep hating him all these years for no reason. The letters during Ice’s cancer treatments were hard to read, and Bradley found himself crying harder as he read Mav’s words and felt his pain. His regret of not being there during that time might never go away. He’s not even sure if he can apologize enough.

Around 0130, he got a text from Mav that Ice was going to be ok. It was just a case of bronchitis, and they were just going to keep him the next day to keep him on some oxygen and monitor everything. His voice was going to be rough for a while, but he would be ok. He didn’t open the message just yet; he didn’t want to leave Mav on read, so he waited as he kept reading through the letters. The last one Mav sent caught his attention. It came two days before he got his recall for the special detachment.

Kiddo,

I’ve gathered you’re more than likely not reading these, and I’m sure you’re tired of getting these, so I’ll say this is more than likely going to be my last one. If this training op doesn’t kill me, your Pops probably will. You know I can’t tell you much, and hopefully one day you’ll know all about it, but I was supposed to go Mach 9 today. The good Admiral over this testing has changed his mind, so you know me. The threshold for the project is Mach 10, and I will be reaching that today. What happens after that is anyone's guess.

Bradley, I want you to know how much I love you. From the moment I held you when you were a day old, I knew you were going to be an important part of me. I didn’t know how important then, but I knew. I loved you from that moment, and that has never changed. No matter how old you get, no matter where you go, no matter what you do, I’m always going to love you. You’re my son in everything but blood, and I love you, Bradley.

Since this is my last letter, and I don’t think I’m ever going to get to see you again, I guess it’s time I tell you some truths. First, your parents loved you more than anything, and I wish upon every wish possible that they’d gotten to see what an amazing man you’ve grown into. The fact that neither were here long enough with you is a pain I carry forever - I know I was a poor substitute, but I hope that they and you can at least see I tried. If nothing else, I loved you like they wished. Second, you’re not going to want to hear this, but I don’t regret pulling your papers. I hate how things went down after, but Bradley, I gave you the chance to grow up, to make sure this is what you wanted, to make sure you’d matured enough to understand what you were doing. I told you that you weren’t ready, but that was a lie. Ice and I made sure you were always ready. Truthfully, I wasn’t ready - I wasn’t ready to watch you risk your life like I did, like your dad did; I didn’t want to lose you the same way. I promised your mom I’d keep you safe, and I did that the best way I knew how.

If you hear that I didn’t make it on this training mission, check in on Ice for me sometime. He might have backed me, like a good wingman and husband, but kid, he was not happy about the whole thing. He tried to get me to tell you the truth that night (and every year since), but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to taint the memory of how much your mom loved you, and I knew all you would hear that night was that she didn’t want you to fly, that we weren’t letting you fly. He’s missed you so much Bradley, and I will forever regret that my actions cost him you - the closest thing to a son he was ever going to get.

I have to go get suited up, but just know I love you Baby Goose. Always.

Mav.

Bradley was sobbing by the time he was done reading it. He didn’t even bother flipping through anything else in the box. He just wanted his dads. He grabbed his phone and keys, still clutching that last letter from Mav, and headed back to the hospital. He sent Mav a quick text before he pulled out telling him he’d be there soon.

His phone started ringing as he raced down the highway back towards the hospital. He answered it without thinking, his voice rough from the tears. “Bradley what are you doing? You don’t have to come back. You should be asleep.”

“I…” he hiccupped on another sob. “I read the letters. I… I’ll be back in ten. Please just…”

Mav does his best to hide his reaction to Bradley saying he’d read the letters. “Bradley. Hey, breathe. I need you to focus on driving if you’ve already left.”

“Yea... Yea.” He sniffed, wiping at his eyes, putting the phone on speaker. “You’re on speaker. I’ll be there in ten.”

“Ok. You got my text with the room number?”

“Yea. Just… be there please,” he begged.

“Not going anywhere ki— Bradley. But I’m going to stay on the phone, make sure you get here.”

“Yea… yea that’s fine.”

Mav talked about Ice and what the doctor said, assuring Bradley he was going to be fine and would be home in a day or two. Bradley asked about the voice thing, and Mav explained how some days his voice is rougher than others from the cancer and treatments. It comes and goes, some days he doesn’t speak at all. He tells Bradley about learning ASL, and how that’s how they communicate on the hard days. He’s at the hospital before he knows it, and he tells Mav he’ll be right in.

He’s not surprised to find Mav standing out in the hall waiting on him. His hand still clutches the letter, and he can’t stop from running straight into Mav’s arms hugging him tight. He feels Mav squeeze back, and it breaks him, the sobs coming hard.

“It’s ok Bradley, it’s ok,” he murmurs over and over. Bradley shakes his head no repeatedly even though he keeps his face buried in Mav’s neck.

“It’s not. I was awful, to you both, but especially to you. Just a few hours ago… I didn’t mean it Mav, I didn’t. I wanted to take it all back as soon as I said it. I was going to but Warlock-”

“Bradley, breathe.” Mav’s hand ran up and down his back. “Just breathe.”

Bradley took a deep breath as he shuddered in Mav’s arms. “You can go back to nicknames,” he whispers because it feels weird to have Mav constantly calling him Bradley. Almost as an afterthought he whispers “dad.”

He feels Mav’s sharp inhale, and he just buries his face deeper in his neck. “Ok kiddo,” Mav whispers and Bradley smiles against his neck.

Bradley slowly pulls back and leans up against the wall next to the door to Ice’s room. The letter is clutched in his hand, and he won’t meet Mav’s eyes. “Wanna tell me what happened?” Mav asks, standing in front of Bradley.

Bradley runs his hands over his face before holding up the letter. “I finally read them. I was… I was too restless to try and sleep, and Ice’s words from my first day back kept running through my head. He told me there might be important things in the letters, especially his. So, I started reading through them, but I didn't finish his though. Mav… why? Why didn’t you tell me? Why have you let me…”

Mav chuckles softly before propping up on the wall beside Bradley. “Kid I love you to death, but you just had to pick up my temper. It was too much to ask for you to get Ice’s.” He sighs as he runs a hand down his face. “I remember what it was like to be your age and be told you couldn’t fly… yet. And I knew you would lash out, and I didn’t want it to be at your mom. She meant well, but she was scared. And I got it. Looking at you, knowing I could lose you the same way. I just… I couldn’t do it. It was easier to know you were still out there, to know you were ok and still breathing, to chance it. The only thing I regret is you losing your Pops.”

“I lost you both,” Bradley whispers. “I lost you both because I was a fucking idiot. If I’d just thought…”

“No. Bradley this isn’t on you. You hear me?” Mav asks, grabbing his face and making him look at him. “You were a kid. It’s on me. I should’ve just let you cool down and then explain but I didn’t. I should’ve listened to Ice, but I didn’t. This is not on you.”

Bradley gives him a shaky nod. “I’m sorry I didn’t come home. I’m sorry I wasn’t here when Pops was sick. I’m sorry I’ve been nothing but a jerk since getting back. And I’m especially sorry for the words I said in the ready room a few hours ago. None of them were true.”

Mav pulls him close and places a kiss on his forehead. “I know, kid. I know. It was a ‘textbook Mitchell fit’ as your Pops would say.”

Bradley snorts but nods, pulling Mav in for a tight hug. “You’re forgiven B. And I don’t want you to let it sit in your mind. None of it. You hear me? It’s all forgiven and we’re moving on. I need you totally focused on this mission.”

“I hear ya.” Mav pulls back cradling his face once more. “Your parents would be proud of you. We’re proud of you. And I know you don’t think so, but you’re a hell of a pilot. I just need you to think less up there, ok? Just fly like you know how.” Bradley swallows deep but nods. “We’ve got time, we’ll make this mission a success,” Mav promises. He gets another nod from Bradley. “Come on, you need to rest,” Mav says, leading Bradley into Ice’s room.

Bradley freezes inside the doorway. “Hey, he’s ok. I promise.”

Bradley feels tears in his eyes once more. “I know kiddo. I know. It’s not easy, but I promise, he’s ok.” Bradley let’s Mav push him into the chair beside the bed before he can protest. Mav just grabs another chair and pulls it beside Bradley. He lays his hand on Bradley’s back as Bradley grabs Ice’s hand and drops his head to the bed. “I’m sorry Pops, so sorry,” he cries softly.

Before Mav can reassure him, Bradley’s head shoots up as Ice squeezes his hand. Blue eyes are staring back at him, and Bradley just cries harder. Ice reaches out and cradles Bradley’s head trying to pull him closer. Bradley resists for half a heartbeat not wanting to hurt him, until he sees Ice trying to talk. “No, no, no. Dad said you can’t talk yet. Don’t, please don’t try.”

Ice turns to give Mav an exasperated look, and Mav just shrugs. “You’re the one who didn’t tell me you were having a bad day nor that you weren’t feeling good. The doc seems to think all the coughing has irritated your throat and it would be better not to talk yet.”

Ice takes his hand off Bradley’s face and holds his hand out to Maverick. Mav sighs but hands over his phone. “I’m assuming telling you to rest right now is pointless.”

Ice just gives him a dry stare and Mav rolls his eyes. Ice expertly unlocks the phone and starts typing quickly. Bradley watches him and Ice turns the phone towards him before putting his hand back on Bradley’s face.

You have nothing to be sorry for Bradley. It’s just good to see you here, even though none of us want to be here. A hug would be nice though.

Bradley drops the phone and leans closer, burying his face in Ice’s neck like he’d done Mav earlier as Ice wraps his arm around him hugging him tight. “I’m so sorry. I read the letters. Well not all of yours. I’m going to though I swear. I just... I read the important one and then I had to read Dad’s and I just…”

Bradley stops his rambling when Ice squeezes the back of his neck, and he hears Mav whisper to breathe again. He takes a deep breath before meeting Ice’s eyes. “I’m going to finish reading them, but I just had to get back. I needed to be here, needed you both.”

Ice rubs the back of his head before reaching for the phone once more. I’m glad you’re here kiddo. That’s all that matters. It’s forgiven. I’m sure Dad has already told you that.

“He has. I just…”

Mav leaned forward and laid his hand over Ice’s on Bradley’s. “I know it’s going to take some time. It doesn’t feel real. But Roo, everything is forgiven. Has been.” Bradley wrinkles his nose a little at that new nickname, but at the same time he doesn’t mind it coming from Mav.

For a change I’m going to agree with Mav. Bradley snorts hard as he reads it, and Mav rolls his eyes affectionately at his husband. Everything was forgiven right after it happened. We never stopped loving you, never will. You’re our kid and that means we love you regardless.

Bradley lets the words soak in, figuring out how to say what he wants because he’s not sure if Mav knows about his conversation with Ice before their first day, but he knows he owes Ice another apology. “Pops I…” he swallows deep as he studies the bed. Ice cards a hand through his hair as he watches him.

“I owe you another apology. I told you that you wouldn’t have to worry about me… and I did the one thing you were worried about. Just… Just a few hours ago. It wasn’t in front of anyone but I… I still did it.”

Ice just watches him; he’s never lost that ice cold stare even after all these years and it falls into place as Bradley stumbles through what he’s trying to admit. Bradley does his best not to shrink in front of it because while he’s seen it before, it’s never been directed at him like this and he knows in this instance he deserves it. Mav is bouncing his eyes between them like a tennis match unsure of what is really happening.

“What are you talking about?” Mav finally asks.

Neither answer him as Ice picks up the phone once more and starts typing. Bradley knows if he could talk, he’d be getting an icy lecture right about now.

Want to tell me what happened?

Bradley reads it and shakes his head no, even though he knows the story will spill out. Ice's eyes turn to Mav who just stares right back. He signs something to Mav knowing Bradley won't understand. Mav signs something back just as hastily, before rolling his eyes. “The icy stare lost its effect on me in ’86, dear husband."

Ice snorts but picks the phone up once more. Mav says it's nothing for me to worry about and to tell you you're forgiven. I get the feeling you want to tell me even though you say no.

Mav groans as he reads the words over Bradley's shoulder. "Stop railroading our kid," he growls.

Bradley gives Mav the most self-deprecating smile either of them have ever seen from him. "It's ok Dad. I brought it up; I can tell him. Besides, if you think I haven't learned when I'm being railroaded, you're wrong. I knew the original order to come to the house was just that. I didn't expect him to send you away, but I can handle it."

Mav cackles as Ice just rolls his eyes at them before he breaks into a cough that has both his boys jumping up before he can wave them off. Mav gets him a drink as Bradley sinks back into his chair. "However, I think I'm going to insist on postponing this conversation until you're better."

Ice passes Mav the cup back before turning his eyes on Bradley. Bradley does shrink a little this time and sighs. "Fine. Today was stressful. Coyote went into G-Lock and Phoenix and Bob had to eject because of a bird strike." Ice turns his eyes to Mav before Bradley can continue.

"Later," he sighs. Ice turns his attention back to Bradley as a sign to continue.

"I was on edge. I was looking for a fight. I think Dad knew that too." He swallows as he takes a breath, and Mav won't give either of them the satisfaction of saying he did know. The kid has been spoiling for a fight since day one.

"Anyway, I knew he would find me after something like that and I couldn't get myself to leave the ready room; not til I knew Phoenix would be ok. I knew the right words to say to push the right buttons," he shrugs.

Ice pinches his nose knowing exactly where this was going. "I said things I didn't mean because I knew it would hurt." Bradley won't meet his eyes anymore. "It was stupid. And I'm so sorry," he says looking between them both. "So sorry for everything. If I'd just used my brain, thought like everyone says I do too much of, all of this…. None of this…. I could've."

"Bradley. Hey." Mav gently squeezes the back of his neck calming him like he used to. "It's ok. I told you it's ok. And I meant it. I didn't just say it to make you feel better. It's the truth. Everything is ok, and most importantly it's not your fault."

Bradley nods as he chews on his lip still not meeting Ice's eyes. If there’s one thing Bradley knows for certain, it’s that Ice doesn’t take too kindly to people mistreating Mav. Ice made sure to remind him of that even, and Bradley did it anyways because he was stupid and let his misplaced anger control him. "Ice," Maverick growls when Ice won't sign or type anything just watching them. He hates seeing his kid in pain, thinks it's right up there with watching Ice struggle with his health.

"No Dad, it's fine, it's… I get it," Bradley says softly with a shrug. He moves to stand up and Maverick shoves him back down in the chair, keeping a hand on his shoulder so he doesn't move. Bradley looks between them, at the stare down they’re having - a silent conversation they don’t want him to hear - and sighs. At least some things never change, he thinks as he drops his head.

Ice picks up the phone once more and starts furiously typing away, making Bradley seem to shrink into himself even more than Mav thought possible; Bradley mistaking the furious typing for what it really is - a desperate need to get the words out as fast as possible. It's times like this where Mav hates that Ice can't use that beautiful voice of his. He squeezes Bradley’s shoulder in what he hopes will be reassurance until Ice turns the phone towards them.

Your dad is right once again kiddo. God I'm never going to hear the end of it agreeing with him this much. But when it comes to you, we agree more than not. We love you. Nothing will change that. And because we love you so much, everything is forgiven. I appreciate you telling me - you didn't have to. Mav is not going to hold it against you. If anyone understands what you were doing, it would be him. You might’ve said you've been compared to me more than him, but kiddo, you act just like him - especially when you're mad. We love you. And you need to put all this behind you today so you can focus on the mission, you hear me? I know Mav has done his best to prepare all twelve of you, but Baby Goose. You must be focused if you go. You can't be thinking about anything else, not us, not this. Nothing. But coming home. We just got you back. I refuse to lose you again, son.

Bradley feels tears as he reads the phone. Mav gives Ice a smile before Ice is being pulled into a tight hug. If the kid wasn't so big now, he knows Bradley would've climbed in the bed with him like he used to do when Mav would get injured. "Love you too Pops," he whispers through his tears.

Doctors’ orders be damned, Ice thinks. "Love you too kiddo," he whispers, and Bradley just squeezes him tighter as more tears leak out. He stays in Ice’s hold until he feels himself relax all the tension away and he sinks back into the chair.

“You should go home and get some sleep,” Mav tells Bradley when he sees the exhaustion on his son’s face now that the anxiety is gone.

“Not leaving. I saw your email that we’re grounded today. I have nowhere to be but here.”

Ice snorts from the bed as he rearranges to go back to sleep. Told you. Just like your dad.

“Would you stop it. He flies just like you and last time I checked you’re just as much a stubborn bastard. The kid was doomed with stubbornness.”

Ice would laugh out loud if he could as Bradley groans around them like he did when he was a teenager. “I’m still right here. And don’t think I didn’t figure out what this is,” he says with a shudder pointing between the two of them. "Stop it until you’re home, please,” he begs.

Ice snorts again as Mav laughs, neither embarrassed as Bradley would like them to be for flirting (or more like foreplay his unhelpful mind supplies) in front of their kid. “Just for you Baby Goose.” Bradley rolls his eyes as he gets comfy in the chair.

“Now it’s 0300, get some sleep,” Bradley tells them both. Mav settles back into the chair beside him and leans over grabbing Ice’s hand. Bradley watches them with a fond smile before getting up to dim the lights. He does his best to get comfy, his head ending up on the bed beside Ice and Mav’s joined hands. He smiles a little when he feels fingers running through his hair like when he was a kid and promptly falls asleep.

Bradley manages to sleep through nurses coming in every couple of hours to check on them and the doctors’ rounds the next morning at 0800. No one has the heart to move him off the bed, and Mav honestly thinks Ice would flay whoever tried. They’re going to keep him through at least lunch, but they’re hoping to discharge him that afternoon.

Mav goes to get coffee and breakfast after the doctor leaves and Ice just watches Bradley sleep. He hates that he’s sick and can’t talk right now, but it accomplished what they haven’t been able to do in years. His fingers gently run through Bradley’s hair, and he can’t help but smile a little. Their family is whole once more. Mav sneaks back in, smiling himself as he sees Ice watching Bradley sleep. He knows how much they’ve both missed the kid, and he can’t help but feel elation knowing they have him back.

Bradley stirs at the smell of coffee and food, jerking upright when he remembers where he is. “Morning Roo.”

“Ugh, Morning,” he grunts, stretching out his back until it pops.

“Breakfast burritos and coffee,” he says, laying out his finds on the tray. “Tea for you Admiral,” he smirks at Ice’s scowl. He drinks tea on the days his throat gives him trouble, but some days - today - it’s not what he wants. He hands Bradley his coffee, “Iced with oat milk, mocha, and sugar. Hopefully your weird coffee habits haven’t changed since you were a teen?”

He knows Mav is a little anxious to get it right, so Bradley grins as he takes the largest sip possible to get his brain fully back online. “Still the same,” he grins, inhaling some more.

He digs into the burritos as Mav tells him what he missed when the doctors came around. “Would… I mean… Could I come home today?” he asks them quietly once Mav is done explaining.

“You’re always welcome home,�� Ice whispers. Drinking the tea has helped along with not talking since being there, so he just rolls his eyes at Mav’s glare. He just wants to talk to his kid damnit.

Bradley looks on the verge of scolding him too, so he just reaches for Mav’s phone once more because he has no clue where his is at the moment. Fine I won’t talk … yet! You’re always welcome home Bradley. We would love nothing more.

“Mav?” Bradley asks tentatively. He’s not sure how comfortable they are with his slip ups of “Dad and Pops” from the middle of the night terror, so he’s trying to tread carefully.

“Pops is right. You’re always welcome home Baby Goose.”

The smile they get in return could light up the whole room. “K well I think I’ll go pack then, and then come pick ya up once you’re free?”

He gets a nod from them both and a promise from Mav to let him know when they’re discharged so he can be back to get them since he drove Mav there in the middle of the night. He hugs them both tight, especially his Pops, before he cleans up their breakfast trash and heads to his on-base housing. It’ll be nice to be back in a bed that is comfortable.

While Bradley is packing, Cyclone stops by the hospital to check on the Admiral and talk to Maverick. Ice can’t hear the conversation in the hallway, but when Mav returns, he knows something is up. What was that about?

Mav sighs as he sinks into the chair. He runs his fingers through his hair before meeting his husband’s eyes. “He grounded me - permanently. Said my focus needs to be here, and that he is taking over training because even if I was to come back tomorrow, I’d be too worried about you. You know he never wanted me to begin with so not surprised.”

Mav can feel the temperature drop as Ice’s facade drops into place as he starts typing. Where is my phone?!

“What are you going to do?” Mav asks skeptically.

Phone. Hand it over Maverick!

“It’s fine Tom, really. I should be focused on you. I should’ve given this up a long time ago to better take care of you. These kids don’t want to listen, hell Bradley didn’t want to listen. I’m not a teacher Ice, I’m a pilot. And even if I could’ve taught that, it’s not what they want. It’s not what the Navy wants. That’s why they canned me the last time. You’re the only reason I was pulled for this mission, and you know it. It’s probably better this way.”

The Navy needs Maverick. The kids need Maverick - Bradley needs you. That’s why I fought for you and why I’ll continue to fight for you. If you lost your wingman in the air, you’d keep fighting; you wouldn't give up. You’re already attached to the kids; you’re not going to let anything happen to them, especially Bradley. You’ve not lost your wingman on the ground either so hand me my phone Pete.

He digs through the bag the nurse gave him of all the stuff Tom had on him when he came in. He pulls out the phone and stares Ice down before reluctantly handing it over. “Don’t give me that look,” Ice rasps before dialing.

A nurse returns with their discharge paperwork, and Mav listens to all the instructions while Ice schedules a meeting for in the morning. He texts Bradley that they will be ready when he gets back. As soon as Ice hangs up, Mav helps him redress. “What time is your meeting?”

“0800. And while I’m in the meeting, you’re going to show the kids this mission is possible.”

Maverick just stares at him as Ice smirks. “Admiral, are you suggesting I steal a plane while you’re on base?”

“I never said those words. What you do while Cyclone is tied up is up to you dear.”

Maverick snorts as a plan forms in his head. “Not a word of this to Bradley.” Ice gives him a nod of agreement.

Bradley returns and they get settled at home. The night is nice and peaceful, catching up on things Bradley wants to share - deployment and missions, friends and partners. It’s of no surprise to either of them when Bradley admits he and Jake are exes. “You owe me a steak dinner,” Maverick tells Ice, tipping his glass at him.

“Seriously?! You bet on my love life?!” Bradley acts so scandalized; his dads can’t help but laugh.

“Kiddo if you only knew the amount of betting that went on at TOPGUN throughout the years. Betting is just habit at this point. Besides, Pops here didn’t believe me when I said you two acted just like we did back in the day.”

They finish out the night with more stories before Ice gets tired and Maverick and Bradley both insist he go rest. Bradley sleeps like the dead for the first time in years, and the next morning when he gets up to report back to base, he’s surprised to see Ice in uniform.

“What’s going on?” he mumbles as Mav passes him some coffee.

“Nothing for you to worry about Baby Goose,” Ice rasps. Bradley shoots Mav a look, but Mav won’t meet his eyes.

“Uh huh. I don’t buy that. You just got released yesterday. You’re not seriously going back to work already?!”

“Just for a meeting this morning. Then I’ll be back home.”

“They couldn’t reschedule?”

Mav snorts before he can stop himself, and Ice and Bradley both shoot him looks. “Oh for the love! Just tell the kid already,” Mav sighs, throwing up his hands and going to get his keys to Ice’s Jeep.

“Nothing for you to worry about. We’ll discuss tonight.”

Bradley shoots looks between them, but neither will cave. “You know we only have like two days left right? Whatever it is just tell me now.”

“Tonight,” Ice repeats. He joins Mav at the door leaving Bradley to follow.

“Fine. See you on base,” he calls to Mav before jumping in the Bronco and heading off.

“He’s going to be pissed you didn’t tell him,” Mav singsongs as he gets in the driver’s seat much to Ice’s displeasure.

“I didn’t need him storming in Cyclone’s office in a Mitchell fit. Besides, he'll be too distracted by you.”

As planned, Mav takes an F-18 up and runs the course while Ice has Cyclone cornered in his office. They hear everything from the control tower, and Ice knows if he wasn’t standing there, Cyclone would be livid. As it is, the Air Boss doesn’t know what to say as Ice rips him a new one over trying to ground Mav. He meticulously lists all the reasons why Mav needs to be the one to finish the last two days teaching, and then informs Cyclone, when they hear confirmation from the control tower that Mav hit the target, that Mav will be team leader now. He doesn’t like the idea of sending his husband on this mission, but he knows it’s the best plan.

After Maverick is back on the ground and rejoined the team in the ready room, Cyclone joins them and informs them that Mav will be team leader and that they will be running more training ops with him in the air for the rest of the afternoon. All twelve are impressed and eager to get in the air with Maverick; Ice gives his husband a soft smile and sneaks out before the kids see him.

Bradley wasn’t as pissed as Maverick predicted, since everything worked out. But he has to agree with Ice that grounding Mav was the wrong call. He knows things shifted for not just himself, but the team as well and he’s starting to believe that maybe, just maybe they’ll be able to pull this off.

Training is intense for the next two days, and reality doesn’t set in until he’s packing for the carrier, listening to Mav and Ice talk down the hall. They’re having a mini argument about whether Ice should come along or not. Bradley wants to agree with Mav on this one that Ice needs to stay here and look after himself, but Iceman is not going for it. In the end Bradley knows Pops will more than likely get his way so he stays out of it. Once he’s packed, he pulls the letters out to read again. He’d finished reading Ice’s the second night of being back in his old bedroom. But tonight, he feels like reading over some of them again to make sure he hasn’t missed anything and to be reminded that their love never changed.

“You ok kiddo?” Mav asks from the doorway, startling him a bit.

“Yea… yea all packed and ready.” He puts the letters back in the box and back on the desk.

Mav points to the bed beside him and Bradley nods making room for Mav to sit down. “You sure you’re ok?”

“Yea… it’s just… I think it’s finally sinking in. You convince Pops to stay?”

“What do you think?” Bradley snorts and shakes his head no. “You’d be correct then kiddo.”

“Do you know what you’re going to do tomorrow?”

Mav sighs, dropping his head a bit before meeting Bradley’s eyes once more. “I know the two-man teams. And I think I know what I’m going to do for my wingman. I know what Pops wants me to do.”

“And what’s that?”

“He wants me to let go.”

“Huh? Let go of what?”

“You… Wants me to let go of you, Bradley.”

“What… What does that even mean?”

Mav gives him a sad smile before releasing a sigh. “I have a problem letting go of people and things. Until I met your dad at my first deployment, they called me a lone wolf. Hell even after your dad determined to stick to me, they still considered my flying to be lone wolfish. I didn’t trust people, but once I trusted them, I kinda hung on to them tight.”

“And that’s why you always talk to Goose,” Bradley whispered. Ever since Mav became “dad,” he always referred to Nick by his callsign. He knows that’s really his dad, but he barely remembers him. The only dads he knows are Mav and Ice.

“Yea… I can’t let go.” Mav takes a deep breath to recenter. “So, in retrospect, you could say I’ve held on to you too.”

“And Pops thinks it’s time to let go, to let me protect myself.”

“In a sense. I know he’s right… I know you can do this. I’ve never doubted your abilities, Bradley. I know that’s what you’ve thought all these years since I pulled your papers, but that wasn’t why. You can do this, and I know you can make it back home. That need to protect you though, to keep you safe…”

“I get it Dad. I don’t know that I’m going to like watching you go on this. I know in the back of my mind you’ve done all kinds of crazy missions over the years, but it’s different seeing it happen right in front of you. I’m… I’m not going to hold it against you if you pick someone else. I know you probably think I will, but I won’t.”

Mav gives him another sad smile before he pulls Bradley into a side hug. He places a kiss on his forehead before letting him go. “I love you kid. And no matter what happens tomorrow, know I’m proud of you and love you so much.”

“Love you too Dad.”

They both barely sleep that night, but the next morning all three of them are off to the port to fly to the carrier. The Lincoln crew is scrambling at the appearance of the COMPACFLT once they land since no one was prepared for him to join them. They get settled in their rooms before Maverick meets the team in the ready room. His eyes scan over all twelve aviators, his kids as Ice would say, and tries to give them the words to believe in themselves before he picks his team. Even after their conversation the night before, he can see Bradley’s surprise and confusion when he calls his name. He’s not sure he’ll ever get over the fact he caused his kid to have self-confidence issues, but he’s hoping by letting go like Ice suggested, that Bradley will start to believe in himself more.

The next day they launch with no problem, and Mav knows that Bradley will have a problem with flying so close to the ocean. Ever since he learned how Goose died, how Mav had to hold him in the ocean for however long it took for the Coast Guard to find them - Mav honestly has no clue how long it really was despite Ice giving them a vague idea one year - Bradley doesn’t do well with the ocean. He can hear his kid’s heavy breathing and just prays that Bradley won’t overthink and will just fly. He keeps an eye out his canopy on him as they fly until they’re in attack formation and he can no longer see him.

He can tell that the SAMs freak Bradley out even more; he’s not sure if Bradley’s had to experience them before or not, but he’s just praying his kid will stop thinking. He speeds up on instinct knowing the bandits will move to defend as soon as the tomahawks hit. He hears over control tower coms that Bradley is falling behind. Shit Roo. Stop thinking. He doesn’t say anything until he gets confirmation that the bandits have changed course, but Bradley doesn’t answer.

He hears Payback try as they navigate the course, and then command gives another update. Fanboy tries next hearing how close the bandits are to intercept, and Payback chimes in again. Come on kid, Mav thinks before he hears it whispered across the coms. “Talk to me dad.” He knows Bradley’s not talking to Goose, even though that’s what everyone else probably thinks, so he answers, knowing Bradley needs it to come home.

“Come on kid, you can do it. Don’t think, just do!” He whispers it back in the same voice and prays it works. It’s a half a second before he hears Payback telling Roo not to go that fast and it makes him proud. “That’s it kid, that’s it.” He prays it’s the encouragement he needs to keep going. He needs Bradley to come home.

---

The mission is a success in the Navy’s eyes; they pulled off both miracles despite one deadeye laser. Ice however feels like his world ended the minute Maverick was shot down. He knew despite Cyclone ordering the other three back that Bradley wouldn’t listen. He knew there was no way his kid was leaving his dad behind. Ice was pissed when Cyclone wouldn’t let Jake launch to cover them though, so to keep from taking over the mission, knowing he was too close to it, he stepped out of the control tower.

He has no idea how long he’s standing out at the railing – Daggers three and four both landing and both pilots trying to get Jake out of his plane to no avail - before Warlock calls him back in. When he enters, he feels his heart restart hearing that Bradley is supersonic in an F-14. The only way that was possible is if his husband was with him. He doesn’t know what condition they’re in, but he knows with certainty that they are coming home.

This time he doesn’t wait for Cyclone to decide to launch Jake; he orders it himself. Jake is the only one ready to go up, all the others having disembarked when Phoenix and Payback landed. He sends Hondo out to ready the crew and he steps out to the railing once more. Hondo points in his general direction, and Jake’s eyes meet his. He gives him a nod and a salute, Jake returning them before he is off. If Mav is right about him, Jake will do anything possible to get Bradley home.

Ice returns to the tower to listen and watch. Bradley manages to connect the radio at the worst possible time. Hearing Mav tell Bradley to eject, hearing the fear in his kid’s voice, hearing that they can’t eject – Ice doesn’t think there’s another pain imaginable. All eyes are on him as they listen though, so he relies on all his Navy years to keep his ice-cold exterior in place. Jake’s voice coming through, telling them he’ll see them on deck, almost brings Ice to his knees. He gives everyone in the control tower a nod before he is out and heading down to the deck. He’ll be damned if he’s not greeting his boys as soon as they’re free of the cockpit.

Luckily for him, no one pays him any attention as they’re too busy preparing for a crash landing once Jake is out of the way. Ice sees him practically scrambling from his plane and it makes him smile knowing he would be the same way if the roles were reversed. He watches Mav land the F-14, albeit roughly, and the crew races around putting out flames. He sees medical rushing towards them along with all the Daggers. He takes his time, watching Bradley and Mav climb out, but he does push his way through. He makes it to his husband first, who is just stepping away from Hondo.

“Admiral,” he smirks.

“Get over here,” Ice rasps, pulling Maverick into his arms tight. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Retirement, remember?”

Ice pulls back in surprise and Mav just smiles at him. They’d talked about it some the other night after they got home, but Ice wasn’t sure Mav was serious. Before he can question him any further, Bradley is pushing through the crowd yelling “Dad.”

Ice steps to the side and Bradley launches at Maverick hugging him tight despite the grunts they both let out. Ice knows they have at minimum harness bruises, so he makes a note to get them down to the med bay as soon as they disentangle from each other. Mav pulls back first cupping Bradley’s cheeks whispering a quiet “thank you,” that Bradley murmurs back before they’re hugging again. He sees Jake standing off to the side watching them, and Ice makes a note to check on him later.

He eventually separates his husband and son and marches them both to med bay, Jake trailing behind. “Seresin, you stay with Bradley. Make sure he doesn’t escape doctor’s orders.”

“Pops,” Bradley whines, causing Jake to whip his eyes up between them.

“Don’t start with me Bradley. Again, you’re too much like your dad and I can only babysit one of you at the moment.”

“Rude,” Maverick grunts from his side, causing Ice to just scoff at him and push him further into the room. He’ll get a full report on Bradley later, but Maverick is his concern at the moment, especially with it being his second ejection in a month. He proceeds to inform the nurses of that, causing Mav to roll his eyes, before he strips the flight suit free.

Bradley spends six hours in med bay, Jake making sure he’s stay in bed. Mav was just in the bed beside him, so Ice could’ve kept an eye on them both, but Bradley was secretly glad Jake had stayed. Bradley had a mild concussion, had broken his collarbone in two places and had severe bruising across his ribs and chest. Mav also had a concussion, had cracked a few ribs, had severe bruising on top of the bruises that hadn’t healed from his last ejection, along with a slight case of hypothermia from laying in the snow for an undetermined amount of time.

He ended up staying in med bay overnight. If Ice hadn’t practically ordered Bradley to go shower, eat and rest, he would’ve stayed with them. The next morning though, Bradley was back by their side, with all of their bags ready to catch the transport home. Ice was already working on leave papers for the entire squad, knowing they all needed some time to heal, even the ones who hadn’t flown the mission. He was able to grant them all six weeks, and he was only slightly surprised when Mav followed through and submitted his retirement papers once home.

It might’ve taken a suicide mission and a health scare to get them where they were, but their family was complete once more. They might’ve had a whole lot more of talking to do, but Bradley was home; Mav was home, and Ice couldn’t be more grateful.

#my writing #top gun maverick #top gun maverick fic #tgm #tgm fic #icemav #implied hangster getting back together #tom iceman kazansky #pete maverick mitchell #bradley rooster bradshaw #icemav raised bradley #tgm with ice

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