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callsigndragon · 2 years

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A Rebel In My Soul | Chapter 2: The Instructor

Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Fem!Mitchell!Reader

Word count: 2.1k

Warnings: swearing, brief mentions of death, Hangman being an asshole (again), Rooster being the best friend we all deserve (i think that needs a warning), enemies to lovers, slow burn.

Summary: Y/N "Rebel" Mitchell is one of the best aviators of her generation. She grew up hearing the adventures and stories of Maverick, her father, that he used as bedtime stories. She became an aviator with her best friend Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw and now both of them have to come back to the Top Gun Academy for an important mission. Only the best of the best is called for this mission, including the southern idiot called Jake "Hangman" Seresin. Both of you had hated each other since day one. Now, having to work together once more, you count the days for this mission to be over, not only to never see Hangman again, but to also cut all connections again with your father.

Taglist: @theprettytragic @thatoneweirdhorsegirl913 @shrimping-for-all @inky-sun

(If you want to be added to the taglist comment here or send me a message!)

A/N: Y'ALL??!!! I posted the first part yesterday thinking that no one would read this and it got 96 notes in less than 24 hours? I love y'all I swear. So, today is bank holiday in my country and I decided to write another chapter. I have to say that this is going to be a slow burn, I like the idea of exploring Rebel and Hangman's relationship slowly. There is no much interaction between our two fav aviators in this chapter BUT things will escalate from here. I have a loooot of ideas for this fic and I hope you like them!

Series Masterlist

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You stay with Phoenix and the guys for a while, playing pool, until the music stops playing and Rooster begins to play the piano. Great Balls of Fire. You know that this is a special song, as he told you that his father used to sing it all the time. You look around the place, watching as Hangman and Payback take Maverick by the arms to getting him out of the bar for not paying. Instead of walking away, he stays there, listening and watching through the window how Goose’s son becomes more like his friend by the day.

You wish you could hate him with all your entire being, but a part of you, a very tiny part kind of understood what he did. You’ve never known why, he never told you, not even Iceman. He said that it was a Mitchell problem and that he knew better than getting involved.

“Rebel come on!” roars Rooster trying to be louder than the people around him.

You leave all feelings asides for tonight and go have fun with your friends. You don’t know how difficult this mission is going to be but if they brought Maverick, then something is clear.

Someone might not make it home after this.

Few hours later, Rooster and you walk out the Hard Deck, ready to go home.

“Where are you staying, Roos?”

“I don’t know yet, I just got here. You?”

You take the keys out of your pockets, getting closer to your yellow Honda bike. “Follow me, you’ll stay with me”

“You still have it?”

“Of course, it’s like my baby” you say while you sit on it. “Remind me I have to tell you something when we get home”

“… I have a feeling I’m not gonna like this”

“Oh Roos, you’re so not gonna like it” you turn on the engine of the bike, ready to leave and wait until Rooster gets into his Bronco. It’s safer to tell him about Maverick when he doesn’t have to drive right after.

After a few minutes, you’re both entering your home. The base gave it to you, for a few weeks until the mission is over.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in one of this” says Rooster, sitting on the sofa.

“Yeah, I thought the same when I entered this morning… I’ll be right back, I’m gonna get out of this uniform. Your room is the one on the left at the end of the corridor” you explain to him. He nods closing his eyes and resting his head on the back of the sofa. You know he is mentally preparing himself for whatever it is that you have to tell him.

You go to your room, feeling bad for destroying Rooster happiness. You know he likes being back, surrounded by old friends, being recruited as a member of a special team for a secret mission. And you’re gonna pop that happiness like a balloon.

After changing into some more comfortable clothes, you take a sit next to him. You take a long breath, preparing yourself to just throw the news at him.

“Maverick’s here”

Rooster’s eyes, that were closed still, open slowly moving around to look at you.

“You gotta be kidding me”

“I wish I was, Roos… I saw him at the bar a minute before you came in”

He shuffles in the sofa, taking his hand into yours.

“Did he talk to you? If he said something I’ll kill him”

“No, I couldn’t even look at him. He was the old timer that paid for the round. Well, he actually couldn’t and got thrown out by Hangman and Payback”

Roos scoffs. “For once, Hangman did something good”

You smile a little, looking at Rooster hand. He is the only family you have left, and now you are both in this mission…

“Why do you think he’s here?” asks Roos, hate evident in his voice.

“I think I know. But I wish I’m wrong”

Rooster squeezes your hand, as if reassuring you that you are not alone.

“He’s gonna teach us. Phoenix was right, we’re the best of the best and we need someone better than us to teach us something”

“What is he gonna teach us? To kill friends and pull your daughter’s papers?”

Rooster had reasons to be angry and hate Maverick. More than enough reasons. However, you never thought that Maverick was behind Goose’s death. You’ve read the case files. It was investigated and it turned out to be a malfunctioning. Maverick had nothing to do with it… but still, Rooster thought so.

“I just want to finish this and it hasn’t even begun yet”

“Feel ya… Wait, are you telling me that Hangman kicked out his instructor from the Hard Deck?”

You raise your head, looking at him with a smile in your eyes.

“I can’t wait to see his face tomorrow when he realizes” you laugh, the sound filling the room.

Rooster laughs with you, hugging you and kissing your forehead.

“Everything will be okay, Reb. We’ve got each other”

“Of course. I’m gonna need a wingman when I get the team leader position”

“Yeah, you need someone up there to stop your ass from time to time” he mocks.

You sigh and hug him tightly. How much have you missed this big man.

“We need to sleep, we gotta work tomorrow”

“I hope I get to kick that old man’s ass tomorrow”

“I’m sure you will have the chance”

Next morning, you’re sitting with Rooster waiting for Cyclone for the morning briefing. Your keep bouncing your leg up and down, knowing that the moment Maverick enters the room, you’re gonna have to talk to him and address him as your superior. You look at the book in front of you. F-18. You’re going to fly an F-18.

“Reb, calm down”

“Easy to say”

Hangman approaches the both of you. Oh, how you’re gonna laugh when he sees Maverick entering the room.

“I see that you’re still joined to the hip”

“Jealous, Hangman?” asks Rooster looking up to face him.

“Of a rule breaker and a slow rider? Yeah sure” retorts Hangman.

“What do you want, Bag man?” you ponder, standing up.

“I just want to ask you two to behave. Mostly you, Rebel. We don’t want to be ashamed in front of our teacher”

You look down to see Rooster smiling slightly. You have to bite your cheek to stop the laugh that wants to come out. That stupid cocky smile of his is going to disappear when the teacher gets here.

“Don’t worry Hangman, I can assure you that I won’t be the reason your ashamed”

He looks at you, slightly tilting his head to try and decipher the meaning behind your words. You are about to speak when you see Cyclone and Warlock getting closer to the deck.

“Cyclone is coming, go take your sit” you say, sitting again next to Rooster and watching Hangman leave.

“Wanna bet?” Rooster whispers

“Sure”

“Five bucks say that Maverick is going to tell us to forget the book”

“Roos, if you need five bucks just say it. That’s obviously the reason that they have called him”

“Attention on deck!”

Every aviator in the room stands up, waiting for Warlock and Cyclone. Cyclone stays next to Hondo; Warlock is the one in charge of introducing Maverick.

“Morning. Welcome to your special training detachment. Be seated. I’m Admiral Bates, NAWDC Commander. You’re all Top Gun graduates. The elite. The best of the best. That was yesterday”

You can see the smiles drop in the room. Yeah, this is the best of the best, but you’re here to learn, right? You’re here again because there are things that you need to learn if you want to succeed in this mission.

“The enemy’s new fifth-generation fighter has leveled the playing field. Details are few, but you can be sure we no longer possess the technological advantage. Success, now more than ever, comes down to the man or woman in the box. Half of you will make the cut. One of you will be named mission leader. The other half will remain in reserve”

Hangman turns his head to look at Rooster and you, smiling, as if saying that he will be team leader. Yeah, sure. If someone’s going to be team leader, that will be Rooster. You are too much of a rule breaker for that position. Not that you want to be team leader, anyways. It’s a big responsibility.

“Your instructor is a Top Gun graduate with real-world experience in every mission aspect you will be expected to master”

You and Rooster look at each other, knowing exactly who Warlock is talking about. You hear someone walking behind you. You don’t turn around, there’s no need to. You sit straight in your seat, looking for anything interesting to look at rather than your father.

“His exploits are legendary” continues Warlock “And he’s considered to be one of the finest pilots this program has ever produced. What he has to teach you, may very well mean the difference between life and death. I give you Captain Pete Mitchell. Call sign: Maverick”

Hangman and Payback look at each other, shame on their faces and you have to cough to hide a laugh.

“Good morning” says Maverick, looking at everyone in the deck. You and Rooster look at each other. Maverick looks directly to Rooster, his smile fading a little. Rooster turns his head to look at you. You found his hand under the table, holding it between yours.

“It’s okay”, you whisper.

Rooster nods and looks to Maverick again. He’s a superior after all, he has to be respectful.

“The F-18 NATOPS. It contains everything they want you to know about your aircraft. I’m assuming you know the book inside and out” says Maverick, holding the big manual in his hands.

A few of your teammates agree with him, Hangman of course talking every time he has the chance. Cheeky bastard.

Maverick tosses the book inside the bin. “So does your enemy”

“You owe me five bucks, Reb” Rooster mutters next to you.

Cyclone and Warlock look at each other, regretting their decision of bringing Maverick. You see Phoenix smile. She loves people that don’t care about breaking some rules. That’s why she likes you so much.

“But what the enemy doesn’t know is your limits. I intend to find them, test them, push beyond”

“He’s gonna get someone killed...” Rooster whispers.

“I hope that they know where the limits are. You don’t have to do everything your instructor says... Not when said instructor is known for breaking the rules over and over again” you whisper back.

“Today we’ll start with what you only think you know. You show me what you’re made of” finishes Maverick.

He looks straight at you. Not Rooster, but you. He has seen Rooster fly. But he never was around when you did. He wants to know what you are capable of. So be it, then.

You're walking towards your aircraft, next to Rooster. The grip on your helmet tightens every time you think that you are going to fly with your father.

“I haven’t seen you up there in a while. I’m excited to see what you got” says Rooster, bumping his arm against yours. “Chin up, Rebel. Mission’s a mission, remember?”

You look at him, mouth opened in surprise. “Did you just quote Bag man?”

“Don’t you ever tell him that I agree with him on something” he warns you, smiling.

“Rooster, Rebel” you hear Maverick calling you both.

“Great” you keep walking. You have nothing to discuss with him.

“Bradley. Y/N”

Rooster takes a deep breath. “Leave us alone” he says low enough for you to hear.

“Lieutenants Bradshaw and Mitchell!”

At that, you stop. He’s using official names, no disrespecting superiors. That’s Maverick’s thing not yours.

“Yes, sir” both of you say, turning around.

“Let’s not do it like this” says Maverick, looking at the both.

“You're gonna wash us out?” Rooster questions the only thing you want to know about him.

“That’ll be up to you two, not me”

“Now it’s up to us, but all those years ago it wasn’t? Interesting” you articulate, every word filled with resentment.

“Rebel...”

“Are we dismissed?”

You don’t wait for him to dismiss you, you turn around and leave, seeing Hangman and Phoenix looking at the both of you. Great, if they want, they can put two and two together and guess that he’s your father. Rooster walks you to your airplane, he puts on his helmet and looks at you.

“Safe and sound, Rebel”

“Safe and sound, Roos”

You hit his helmet two times, Rooster doing the same with yours. An old tradition of yours before flying. You get into your airplane, ready to prove to that old man that you’re better than him.

If he wants you to prove yourself, you’re gonna show him how it is done.

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