When We Were Young (Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x FEM reader)

Chapter One

-Readers POV-

I sit quietly in front of Dad. We were playing an intense game of chess and he is currently in check. I smirk slightly as he reached for his Rook. He is falling into my trap. But when he does eventually move his Rook, I captured it with my Bishop, leaving my king wide open without me seeing it. The attack could not only come for his knight but also for his Queen! And there were 2 pawns blocking my escape. Dad, smiling back at me, reached for the keyboard. 'Checkmate' "Shit," I sigh "How have you beaten me 6 times in a row?"Dad was quick to type out 'You are not thinking ahead. You see a move and you take it. But you don't think about what it could cost you.' I look at him and sigh again. "You know sometimes you scare me with that old wise man talk." We both chuckle and set up for a new game. But a gentle knock on the office door interrupts. Mom pops her head in. "Hate to disturb your game, but Y/n, someone wants to speak with you on the phone, in the parlor," she smiles gently.

 I nod and turn back to Dad. "Don't move any pieces till I get back, ya hear?" I say pouting my finger at him. He holds up his hands, surrendering. I let out a breathy laugh and headed to the parlor, picking up our house phone."This is Y/n Kazasky." "Good afternoon, Lieutenant Kazasky. This is Admiral Simpson. I hate to disrupt your retirement, but you said as a condition that if we ever need you, we could call. And we need you. There is a mission, here at Top Gun, that needs the smarts of your family. And we need here before tomorrow." "Thank you, Admiral, but now is not a good time for me. to leave. My father just got sick again, I don't know if it's the best thing right now." "Your father knew you would say that. That's why he has told me to pass this on to you if these circumstances were to come up. He said 'Do not take no for an answer.'"

Well of course he did."Well, looks like my hands are tied. I'll be there Admiral. Thank you" I hang up and take a stroll into Dad's office. He has a cheeky smile on his face. "How did you know?" He was quick to type out 'I'm your Dad, I know all.' I roll my eyes. "Well if you know all, maybe you know a way to help me beat you at chess?" He just smirked, typing 'Never'

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I sat in my room going through my old flying gear. I picked up my black and silver helmet. It still had the shine from the first time I placed it in my head. When the sun hits the white on the bull eyes on the sides.  I stroke my hand over the helmet and smile. But then I hear a yell "Daggers, what's our status up front?" A breath gets caught in my throat. "Ghosty, we are losing air and face. Stick is no longer in control, eject! I repeat eject!"  I throw the helmet away from me. My chest got heavy. God, Mav I could really use your harsh words of advice. Maverick is not just my Dad's best friend, he's like a father to me. And I miss him. No time for a sob fest Y/n/n. I zip up my duffle, grab my helmet and throw it into the trunk of my precious 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible, in the most beautiful of shades  y/f/c. 

When I graduated from Top Gun, I started instructing. That didn't last long. I was missing that feeling of being in the clouds and the sun glowing against the glass of the cockpit. Sometimes, I think I am actually Maverick's kid. Because I have the same feelings he does. If I ain't in the air, I ain't happy. So I came back and went all over. Iraq, Vietnam, Dutch Harbor, you name it. But when Dad got sick the first time, Mama needed all the help she could get. I came home and helped, never again thinking I would be back at Top Gun. I made a deal with the Navy. I  have an early retirement unless you absolutely need me. Then and only then, will I fly.I shut myself out from all navel.

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I finish packing everything in my car and made my way back inside. I say bye to my siblings and make my way to Mom. She was in the kitchen. "If anything happens, good or bad, I will drop everything to come home, I promise you." She smiled softly and hugged me. "I know you wish you had control, but as long as he is breathing, you will be completing this mission," she said with a laugh.  I pull away and smile. Her eyes gleam with hope, but the shift to the door is Dad's office. I look and stare."I know I need to go in, but I can't let this be the last time I see him," I sniff. Mom cups my cheek and strokes it using her thumb. "I promise you, Baby, it won't be." "But you heard what the doctor said at his last check-up, we don't know. And depending on what this mission is, I don't know either. Hell, I could be the one who's not gonna make it to Christmas!"

"Y/n Kazasky, don't you dare speak like that! You are one of the best pilots I know! You are gonna be just fine. Trust me, Baby," Mom said. A single tear fell down my face, but Mom was quick to wipe it. "Now, your father is waiting for his proper farewell." I turn and look at the door again.  My old-fashioned cowgirl boots clicked against the floor as I nervously walk in.I open the door and squeeze my way inside. Dad was texting on his phone. "Was the Maverick?" I ask him, that's one of the only people he texts. Dad looks up and nods. "How is he?" I ask. But Dad just shakes his head. "In trouble again? Well, that's Mav for you," I say with a light giggle. I look around at his office.

Earlier today, this place was where Dad and I would open letters from Maverick wherever he was, or play poker and chess. Now it's the place we have to say goodbye. Stop it, Daggers, you're psyching yourself out. I watched as Dad slowly stood up. He opens his mouth, but I stopped him. "Dad, please don't. I know it hurts." I say looking at him with tears in my eyes. But he hushed me "You are my daughter. You inherited one of the best traits of being a pilot, planning. You know when it's the time to strike and when it's not. Your call sign says that. Your eyes can be your best friend," his gravelly voice made me cringe. Why talk? It hurts him!

"But they can also be your biggest enemy. They can deceive you. Make you think something that isn't really there." "Yeah, I know-," I start. "I'm not done. Make sure you are better about looking ahead more. Maverick always says 'Don't think, just do' and he's right to an extent. Sometimes the only thinking you need to do is what will my next move do to help me and my team." He said and took my hand. I squeeze both and kiss them. "I love you, Dad," I say tears blinding my view. "I love you too, my little aviator," he whispered bringing me into a hug. I felt him place a small kiss on my head. "Now go be, what I've trained you to be."