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Maverick’s watching Ice and Bradley play together out of the corner of his eye as Carole briefs him on everything.
Ice has a toy plane in his hand, flying it around as he crawls on the rug.
Bradley giggles as Ice follows his commands. Break left. Pull up!
Suddenly, Carole snaps her fingers. “Oh, Maverick! One more thing. He just recently started having nightmares.”
“Oh, no. Poor kid.” Maverick frowns sympathetically.
Carole nods. “It’s been a little rough. Hopefully he won’t have one here, but if he does, his stuffed goose is in his bag. That usually helps, and cuddles too.”
“You got it. Don’t you worry. Ice and I will make sure he has a good time.”
“I know you will, honey. Now I’ve gotta go so I’m not late. Enjoy him!” She says, giving Mav a quick hug.
“I will,” he grins. “Bye, Carole.”
“Bye, Pete.”
——————
Maverick wakes up to one of the worst sounds he’s ever heard: a blood-curdling scream from the guest room.
In what feels like an instant, he tears himself out of Ice’s embrace, opens the door, and races for Bradley. As he approaches the guest room’s open door, he pauses to take a deep breath. He should go in calm, so as not to freak the kid out even more.
When he walks in, what he sees breaks his heart.
Bradley’s sitting up in bed, crying, clutching the comforter in his tiny hands.
Maverick goes to him, crouching at his bedside. “Bradley?”
The second he hears his name, Bradley looks right at Maverick, then launches himself at him, clinging tightly with his little arms and legs.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Mav wraps his arms securely around Bradley, hugging him close. He stands and begins to rub the toddler’s back in smooth circles. “Shh. Shhh. I’ve got you. It’s gonna be okay.”
“Mav!” Bradley wails.
“ Shhh. I’m right here. I’m right here. I love you.” He holds Bradley as he cries, doing whatever he can to help soothe him.
A few minutes later, he spots the stuffed goose on the bed and reaches for it. “Hey, Bradley, do you want your goose? Here,” he offers, trying to tuck it in the crook of the kid’s elbow.
Bradley hiccups, furrowing his brows at the intrusion. He snatches the stuffed toy and throws it on the floor.
“Okay, okay. Just want me then?” Maverick asks, stroking Bradley’s sleep-strewn hair away from his forehead and eyes. “That’s okay. You’ve got me.” He gently swipes his finger under the boy’s eyes, one at a time, catching the fresh tears.
Bradley isn’t sobbing anymore, just sniffling and trying to catch his breath. The occasional cry will slip out, but he’s mostly calmed down.
Mav whispers, “Hey, baby goose. You back with me?” He presses a soft kiss to his cheek. “You okay?”
Bradley nods, then ducks his head onto Maverick’s shoulder.
“You’re sleepy now, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” the kid says. His voice is all watery and scratchy, evidence of his cries.
“Okay, kiddo. Let’s get you some water and then get you back to bed.”
Bradley tenses.
“Oh, no, sweetheart. Don’t worry. You can come sleep with me and Uncle Ice. I’ve got you.”
Bradley sighs, relaxing again.
Maverick kisses his hair. As an afterthought, he squats down to snag the stuffed goose from the floor. Maybe the kid will want it later.
Mav carries Bradley to the kitchen, holding him while he prepares a sippy cup of cool water, and a washcloth with warm water to wipe his face. He sits the toddler down on the countertop, boxing him in with his body and putting one hand on his back so he won’t fall.
As Bradley sips his water, Mav gently cleans any trace of tears from his face. The kid squirms a little, but not too much. He pats Bradley’s face dry with the bottom of his shirt, then lifts him back into his embrace. He remembers to grab the stuffed goose, makes sure Bradley has his sippy cup, then heads for the master bedroom.
Ice is still there, sleeping. He looks incredibly peaceful and soft; Maverick loves it.
He looks down at Bradley, who’s still slurping away at his water. “Here, buddy. Let me put that down so we can sleep.”
The boy hands him the sippy cup with zero fuss, then nuzzles his chest. He must be exhausted.
Mav hands him the stuffed goose, seeing if he’ll take it this time.
Bradley does, gripping it in a tiny fist.
After setting the cup on the nightstand, Maverick climbs onto the bed with Bradley, pulling the covers up around them.
Ice cracks an eye open. “Everything okay, baby?”
“It is now.” Mav smiles, reaching over to stroke his boyfriend’s shoulder.
Ice sighs contentedly, scooting closer to the pair.
“Ice,” Bradley whispers, having recognized his voice.
“Hi, baby goose.” Ice kisses his hair as he wraps an arm around Maverick, effectively snuggling the toddler between them.
“Okay, kid?” Mav asks, wanting to make sure he’s comfortable.
“Mhm,” Bradley answers, half asleep.
“Okay. Get some rest. Goodnight, Bradley. Night, Ice. Love you.”
Ice rubs his back. “Love you, Mav.”
Maverick takes a few deep breaths as he feels his adrenaline crash beginning. If he never has to hear Bradley scream again, he’ll be thankful. But he knows that isn’t possible. At least he’ll always be there to protect the kid. And if it ends like this—with his two favorite boys in his arms—he supposes it can’t be all bad.