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Maverick is in the air when Ice gets the call.
“Commodore Kazansky?”
“Speaking.”
“Hi, this is Nurse Blakesley from the school. I’ve got Bradley Bradshaw here. I called Captain Mitchell first but he didn’t answer. Bradley said I should try you next.” She seems bewildered at that, which amuses Iceman.
His and Maverick’s relationship isn’t exactly public knowledge, so he is sure it comes as a shock to people that Bradley is almost as close with Ice as he is with Mav. Ever since Goose died, Mav has basically been raising Bradley, and Iceman has been there for a lot of that, too.
Still, Iceman’s heart swells at the thought of Bradley asking the nurse to call him for help.
“Ah. Well, Maverick’s flying right now so that should explain why he couldn’t pick up the phone. Is Bradley alright?” Ice worries, twisting the phone cord around his fingers.
“Oh yes, he’s just fine,” Nurse Blakesley practically sings. Iceman holds back an eye roll even though he’s alone in his office. “He’s feeling a little under the weather and hoping you can come pick him up.”
Ice doesn’t waste a second. He grabs his keys and reaches for his coat, slinging it over one arm and switching the phone to the other hand to finish putting it on.
“Yes, of course, tell him I’m on the way,” Ice speaks fervently into the receiver.
“Mhm. Will do Commodore Kazansky. Bye-bye now.”
This time Iceman does roll his eyes at her tone as he hangs up the phone, taking just a quick moment to turn off the light before he heads out the door, locking it behind him.
He briefly stops at his secretary’s desk to ask her to “Clear the rest of my day, please, Marcia.” and to “Please tell Maverick when he touches down that he can ignore the message on his answering machine. I’ve got it all taken care of.”
He’s already walking away when Marcia calls after him.
“Oh, but-“
“I’m sorry, Marcia, I don’t have the time,” Ice answers, walking backwards and shooting her an apoplectic look. “Bradshaw’s kid is sick, I’ve got to go get him.”
Marcia’s face instantly softens at the mention of that name, and Iceman takes advantage of the break in her focus to turn back around and swiftly walk through the corridors to the parking lot.
He climbs into his truck and starts it up, pulling on his seatbelt as he backs out of his spot, mumbling to himself, “I’m coming, Bradley. Hang on, kid.”
——
Either Ice is being overly protective or the nurse greatly under-spoke when she said “a little under the weather”, because he’s never seen Bradley like this.
The twelve-year-old is squished up into a chair with his head propped against the back of it, legs hanging over one of the arms, shivering, with his arms tucked around his own body as if he’s trying to keep warm. His eyes are shut, so Iceman thinks he must be sleeping.
Iceman approaches Bradley, kneeling beside him and stroking the crease out of his forehead. He smiles as the kid relaxes, though only just slightly, under his touch.
“Hey, kiddo, you awake?” Ice speaks softly.
“Yeah. Head hurts,” Bradley winces as he tries to open his eyes.
“That’s okay, you can keep your eyes closed.”
Bradley nods in understanding and shivers again.
Iceman frowns. “How are you feeling, bud?”
“Like shit,” Bradley groans weakly, freezing as he must realize who he just cursed in front of.
Ice sighs, “Hey, it’s okay. I’ll let it slide this once. You wanna go home?”
The kid nods desperately, attempting to unfold himself from his cramped position. The chair squeaks under his efforts, rubbery material sticking to his clothes.
Ice takes one more look at Bradley and decides he’ll honestly probably need to be carried out to the truck anyway.
He leans down to whisper in his ear, not wanting to embarrass Bradley. “You want me to pick you up?”
Bradley freezes, then relaxes and nods, just barely but it’s there.
Iceman scoops him up and stands, adjusting him so he’s as comfortable as he can be. He probably just wants to be in bed, under the covers, Ice is sure. “C’mere, little goose, I gotcha. Just have to sign you out and we’ll go right home. Promise.”
Bradley nuzzles into his shoulder, sniffling harshly, prompting Ice to sigh. He’s got to get some medicine into this kid.
He walks towards the nurse’s desk.
“I need to sign him out, can I do that here?” Iceman asks.
“You sure can,” Nurse Blakesley responds, chipper as ever.
Iceman really wishes he had a free hand to shush her a bit since Bradley has a headache.
He shifts the kid in his arms, reaching around for the stamp in his pocket. He hands it to the nurse and she hesitates for a moment before getting the picture and stamping the sign out sheet. Next to where she’d written Bradley’s name, Iceman’s callsign is stamped proudly in cool blue. He collects the stamp from one stunned Nurse Blakesley and puts it back in his pocket. Ice adjusts Bradley once more, and heads out to get the kid home as soon as he can.
——
Once Iceman has Bradley settled on the couch, he rifles through his medicine cabinet for the children’s stuff. He finally finds a half empty bottle and shakes it up. He checks the expiration date before pouring Bradley a dose and bringing it out to him, along with the thermometer and a box of tissues.
Bradley is curled up under a blanket, tense and shivering, still sleeping from when he’d fallen asleep in the truck. Iceman frowns and steps closer, sitting on the coffee table and setting the items down next to him. He reaches a hand out to card his fingers through Bradley’s hair, pushing some of the curls back from his forehead.
“Hey, Bradley.”
“Mav?” Bradley asks, voice thick with sleep and congestion.
“No, sorry, it’s still Ice.”
“Oh, that’s okay. Hi.”
“Hi, bud.” Iceman smiles softly. “Can you tell me your symptoms?”
Bradley shakes again, apparently still trying to get warm.
Ice strokes his arm gently, trying to rub some warmth into him.
“I’m all achy and stuffed up. And my head hurts.”
Iceman sighs. He doesn’t like seeing him like this. He just wants to help in any way he can.
“I’m sorry, Bradley,” Ice hums. “I’m going to help you feel better, yeah? Let me take your temp real quick.”
Iceman sticks the thermometer under the kid’s tongue and waits.
Once it’s been a few minutes, he coaxes Bradley’s jaw open and checks the reading.
“99.8. Not too bad, but I’m going to give you some medicine, okay?”
“Okay.” Bradley sniffs, reminding Iceman of his stuffy nose.
Ice holds a tissue up to Bradley’s nose, knowing the kid is just exhausted.
“Here,” he says. “Blow, kiddo.”
Bradley does.
Iceman puts the tissue down and grabs another. “Again.”
Bradley relaxes a bit after that, to Ice’s relief.
“That better?”
“Yeah,” Bradley sighs and scratches at his hair.
Iceman reaches for the medicine cup and holds it up to the kid’s mouth.
“Drink up, bud,” Ice coaches softly.
Bradley does, grimacing at the taste.
“I know. Sorry,” Iceman apologizes sympathetically.
Ice pivots to sit on the couch, on the cushion next to the kid’s head. He lifts Bradley, scooping him into his lap, arranging the blanket around him so he’s all covered up. He rubs Bradley’s back in broad strokes, hoping to soothe him back to sleep.
“You okay, Bradley?”
Bradley nods, fisting a hand in Iceman’s shirt. “Thank you for coming to get me.”
Iceman melts a bit. Bradley definitely doesn’t have to thank him for this.
“Of course, kid. I’ll always come.”
He means it. He loves this kid so much. He’d do anything for Bradley Bradshaw. Him and Maverick had become a little family for Ice through the years, and he really can’t ask for much more.
Bradley’s nose twitches when Ice looks back down at him. He hopes he isn’t too uncomfortable.
“Sleep now, little goose. It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Ice presses a soft kiss into his hair before resting his head against the back of the couch. Mav should be home soon. All Iceman can do is wait.
——
When Maverick arrives home, Iceman locks eyes with him instantly. It’s been a day.
He watches Maverick put his things down and wrestle out of his coat. It’s been cold lately, even for California. Ice wonders if that’s how Bradley got sick.
Eventually, Maverick hustles over to the pair, planting a kiss on Ice’s lips. Iceman sighs into it, feeling himself relax in Mav’s presence.
“How’s he doing?” Mav whispers, eyes on Bradley who is still snuggled up against Ice.
Iceman shrugs, tilting his head back and forth. “He’s been in and out of sleep since I got him home. I think he’s okay. He just seems miserable. I’ve never seen him this bad.”
Maverick frowns. “Yeah? He doesn’t get sick too often. Looks like you’re doing great with him though. He’ll be okay. Are you okay?”
Ice closes his eyes and breathes deeply, nodding. “Yeah, just tired. I’ve been worried.”
Maverick hums and frowns deeper. He steps around the back of the couch and starts massaging Iceman’s shoulders. Iceman slumps a little, careful not to jostle Bradley, as he leans into Maverick’s touch.
“I took his temperature. It wasn’t bad but I gave him some meds to help. It could get worse later. He’s all congested too so I had him blow his nose. He fell asleep pretty quick once I had him settled in. He hasn’t eaten anything though. I was going to make him soup but I figured sleep was more important. He’s just so tired.” Ice explains everything.
“Why don’t you go take a nap, love?” Mav suggests. “I’ve got him. You’ve been taking care of him all day.”
Iceman nods in agreement, standing slowly and handing the kid off into Maverick’s waiting arms.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. You go rest, Ice.” Mav takes Ice’s place on the couch, placing a reassuring hand on Ice’s forearm.
Ice looks down at Bradley. He looks so small tucked up in Maverick’s arms. He isn’t shivering as much. The medicine must be working. “He was asking for you earlier,” he tells Maverick softly.
“Yeah?” Mav smiles.
“Yeah. He’ll be happy to see you when he wakes up.”
Maverick hums, rubbing a thumb across Iceman’s wrist. “I’m sure he was happy to have you, too, though. He looks just fine. Nice and cozy.”
“Well yeah, but-“
“Hey. Ice, look at me.” Mav takes Iceman’s hand in his, intertwining their fingers.
Ice looks.
“You did great,” Mav encourages. “He’s safe and sound, and as comfortable as possible right now. He’s gonna be okay. And he trusts you. He won’t fall asleep in just anyone’s arms.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, Ice, I’m sure. Pretty sure the only other person he’s done this for is me. He really loves you, Ice, I promise.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Hey, thanks for taking care of our little goose.” Maverick smiles again, squeezing Iceman’s hand.
Ice beams, squeezing back. “Anytime,” he says fondly, wrapping Mav and Bradley in an embrace as he leans forward to kiss Maverick again. And if that’s all he can do not to melt right into the floor, he’s the only one who has to know.