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Mav was the last one to roll into the small house that sat upon the shore of the San Diego sand, yet he was the only one to be stateside at the start of the day. The sun had begun to fall from its highest perch as the time grew closer to nightfall, cooling the air with the company of the smallest breeze. That wind shifted throughout his helmet-free head as he sped through the neighborhood, with no regard whatsoever for his safety.
(Nobody couldn’t really blame him, in a city as beautiful as San Diego, to feel every element was a privilege).
As he pulled into the driveway of the warm yellow house, he saw the dark red color of a familiar pickup truck and the old beater car that would be gifted to Bradley as he approaches the age to drive. Mav’s bike was weighed down by the military-issued duffle bag holding fireworks illegal to California state law, but worth every penny. Mav would do anything for the 4th of July, especially to see the faces of his loved ones lit upon by the many colors that graced the skies at night.
Mav knew who would greet him when he entered the backyard, where the smell of burgers and hot dogs traveled throughout the air. He had seen the sight so many times already, he would continue to witness it as the years came, but he would never get sick of it.
(Maybe a bit exasperated when Slider would be running with a hanging Bradley on his shoulders, but never would he wish for something else).
The small, secluded backyard was green, with flowers along the fence of different species and colors. Carole’s favorites, Bradley’s favorites, and even Goose’s favorites. A remembrance for everything lovely, but also a reminder of a life so beautiful.
As Mav closed the white picket fence behind him, he was surprised that nobody acknowledged his entrance. (Not even the two idiots he was in love with).
Ice stood at the grill, cooking, (As per usual). While Slider played catch with the ever-growing Bradley, giving pointers to him about his form and ball grips, because they all knew Slider was the most athletic. Talking strategy though, Ice gladly took that category. (Mav didn’t offer much except valuable support. Emotional support is what Sli called it. Ice called it mental blockage).
Mav stayed where he was in nobody’s direct sight. Watching.
It was all serene. Nothing but pure tranquility.
Carole sat at her chair on the patio, letting the sun wash over her frame as her eyes were closed with what Mav assumed was bliss. The beginning of her sickness had made itself apparent and the days got more arduous, but there was never a time when Mav didn’t appreciate the moments when pain didn’t plague the once-healthy mother. Mav’s heart filled with grief as a feeling blew over him, with the knowledge of he may have to lose another Bradshaw. Tears almost welled up in his eye but he looked away before they could.
Ice was focused on grilling, his dress shirt rolled to his elbows as he hummed to a song that was most likely stuck in his head. Given his appearance, he came from the airport in full admiral getup and refused to change. Mav certainly wasn’t complaining. They were all growing older, faster than some of the constant stress they were under, but Ice had only ever gotten more pretty. His brow was creased, but not in a stress-induced way when he was looking at long stacks of paperwork, but in the way he focused on whatever was in front of him. Something so distinctly Ice.
Slider, for once, wasn’t dragging Bradley into roughhousing or trying to convince the child to do some rule-breaking. He simply played catch with Bradley as he passionately talked about the current MLB season and new grips he wanted Brad to try. He was in an old t-shirt and jeans, obviously changed and comfortable from his flight in, and if anybody else saw him like this, they wouldn’t have guessed he was also an admiral rank. (Even Mav had refused to believe it, because really? Ron Slider Kerner???).
They all looked so young and carefree despite the years that all caught them off guard.
Mav wanted to believe it was the holiday, but he knew it was from being home.
Mav announced his presence as he dropped the duffle bag on an empty chair as he moved to kiss Carole on her forehead, prompting her that getting up was not needed, at that, she hugged him a little harder. She sat back as she whispered, “They've been on their best behavior.”
Mav let out a small chuckle, knowing that the statement could be applied to all of the others in the yard. The skies above knew how agitated they got when the time shifted into months without seeing each other.
(Little Goose was exempted, he saw Mav every day when he wasn’t deployed). But it could not be said about the other two.
“Mav!
He barely had enough time before the little human, who was not so little anymore, was pushing himself into his arms and squeezing around his torso. Mav placed a firm hand on the light brown curls of the boy in a pat, “Hey kid, miss me?”
When Bradley pulled away he looked up at Mav, a nasty little smirk playing on his lips that Mav could only assume he picked up from Ice, “Nah. Uncle Sli is better company.”
Mav barked a loud laugh, his head thrown back, “Oh you little shi-“
A hand was placed on his mouth to stop the words from flowing out and another was gripping his waist as the young Bradshaw went back to his glove forgotten in the grass.
“We don’t threaten the child Mav”
Mav leaned into the familiar warmth at his back, the sound of the voice so nostalgic for how much time had passed from them seeing each other. but it didn’t mean he was distracted from the insult that was thrown his way earlier.
“Ice, he said Slider was better company than me… we know that’s not true.”
“Hey!?”
Ice laughed and Mav felt it on his back. He also felt the nose nuzzled into the base of his neck, the minty breath cold on the open skin. “Hate to break it to you Mav, but he has a point. “
At that, Mav spun around to face the other. Where the bright blond hair had a few grey strands amongst the golden sea, the bright blue eyes wrinkled at the ends, and the oh-so-gorgeous lips were split in a smile. (Ice had always looked younger when he smiled and when his eyes shined. He never believed it when Slider and Mav made the fact known, but the two knew and it was all that mattered).
It was rude for Mav to not smile back, even if his didn’t already take up his entire face, “Hi “
Blue eyes softened, and the small tension in his frame loosened, “Hi you.”
Joy overtook his mind as he pressed kisses into the open skin of a sun-beaten face. Occasionally dodging the wide grin placed on red lips, but not always.
“They’re gross.”
“Word, little goose.”
Mav stopped his assault on the other to shoot a glare with no heat at the taller one of the two. “Shut up and come here Sli.”
(Slider didn't have to be told twice, Bradley was deeply offended).
The tallest placed a peck in Ice’s hair as Mac felt another arm snake around his waist, so he continued his assault only on the curly-headed admiral with too much of a shit-talking mouth.
Once hellos were finished, they all moved back to their respective roles. Ice on the grill, Slider with Bradley, and Mav setting the table, while Carole watched them with a love-filled gaze. Grateful for how they treated her and her son, but most importantly, each other.
Dinner was served, the table filled with laughs, stories about their deployments, questions egged on from Bradley’s endless curiosity, and even quiet pockets where they enjoyed everyone’s company while they ate. Mav would comment on the growing greys in Slider’s hair, Slider would tell him to shut up as he stuffed his mouth and fought the blush climbing to his face. Ice would laugh a little too hard and Carole would tell him, “Easy there sparky” which sent liquid flying from Slider’s nose. Little Goose would give the details of his upcoming little league championship and how he's the starting pitcher. Slider graces him with “Use that pitch I taught you and you’re guaranteed a no-no.” Bradley beams and Mav melts.
Ice was often the quiet one amongst the chaos at the dinner table, observing those he choose to surround himself with, but both Mav and Slider would catch his gaze and send a small smile. One that was small enough to keep a secret, but big enough to convey the love the three felt for each other.
The sun had begun to set as day unfolded into night. Then it was time for Bradley to vibrate with an energy reserved only for the fourth of July. As the sky turned darker, the booms became louder. Within the house, all of them flinched; Mav Slider and Ice with memories they would prefer to stay buried, Carole with heightened sense and a weak body, and Bradley with surprise. But it didn’t stop them from rushing outside to catch the displays, also lighting fireworks that would explode in the sky. It definitely didn’t stop Mav and Slider from chasing each other with sparking sticks. Or Ice throwing the fallen pieces of cardboard at the two telling them to ‘knock it off.’ Or Carole taking pictures of the four of them making fools of themselves. Later that night, the kitchen counter will be filled with new polaroids, dates, and descriptions written beneath. A habit they all honored, for it was Goose’s favorite hobby.
As the night dwindled on, they ran out of fireworks while their bodies drained themselves of the energy that was put on the back burner. Then, it was Bradley’s turn to nearly fall asleep standing while Carole ushered him inside, her own energy long spent.
The three men said goodnight to the mother and son as they stayed outside in the hot air, soaking up the last bits of life the night had.
Soon, it was the fireworks that came to a stop next, nothing but the occasional pop every once in a while.
Mav sat in the middle of the other two, his right hand playing with a hole in Slider’s jeans with his left hand being held hostage by Ice bending his fingers and pulling on the joints. His dominant hand was reserved for the person he could trust to understand him with something as small as a look, his go-to, his navigation through life. As his left hand was being played with by the person who Mav trusted to lead him blind. His vulnerable side taken care of, no room for openings, as his wingman was always there.
Above, one last crack was heard and in Mav’s opinion, it was the most beautiful. The stars were joined with blue and gold sparks as smaller ones filled the negative space. From there, the constant popping was seemingly endless, until the explosions ceased and they were once again graced with silence.
All three of them looked up at the sky in amazement. Slider’s mouth was agape and Ice almost made a joke about the mosquitos going in but Mav had the same expression. That was most likely the finale, as the night came to an end and the fun had run out.
Ice continued to play with the hand in his lap as Slider adjusted to sit a little closer to the man in the middle. Seeking warmth when it wasn’t really needed, but Slider needed an amount of physical touch.
Mav grabbed a hand from either side and held them both in his lap, each of his thumbs brushing over the others’ knuckles.
He spoke softly, almost a whisper but still sure, “I love you guys so much.”
Ice looked to the side, cheeks warm because even after all these years he wasn’t used to the blatant expressions of love from Slider and Mav. The words and actions were always so random that it sent his head spinning more often than not. But that wasn't the case for the Slider, instead, it was as if the words flipped a switch in Slider, for he tackled the others into the ground and laid on top, his weight securing their positions. He kissed Mav deeply as his free hand found a home on the open skin of Ice’s collar, just resting. When Slider pulled away he immediately leached onto Ice’s lips with enough love to go around.
When the men’s lips beneath him were bruised, he lifted his head as each hand played with the hair at their temples,
“I don’t think I’d want to be anywhere else but here.”
Mav’s eyes crinkled at the corners with how wide his grin is. Ice even looked at him softly with a grin that resembled the one from the graduation at Top Gun. All pretty teeth on display looking much younger than he was.
In the moonlight, as the summer breeze made their strands dance on their heads, they all realized something different. Slider was head over heels in love with both of them, he has been for a long time and there will never be a moment when that isn’t true. Ice was so glad to be spending the rest of his life with flyers he called his. His backseater and his wingman. His Ron and his Pete. And easily the men who cause him the most headaches but god, he wouldn’t change them for the world. And Mav was just so happy, to be happy.
-
Inside, Carole watched the scene from her window. Her nightgown was on and her eyes were drooping from fatigue. She had tears in her eyes watching the three men love each other, the words they said going unheard but the actions still voicing all that was there. A tear fell down her cheek with silent joy, so proud to be a witness to the ever-blossoming love.
She raised he hand to wipe at the stray tear and turned to enter the covers of her bed. But not before she placed a kiss on the Polaroid that sat at her vanity, one that had the words written in scratchy handwriting 'happy 4th to the only fireworks in my life' as the photograph showed a once young Carole with a baby Bradley in her arms as a small American flag was gripped between the rock sized palm.
Her heart broke a little more, it never being fully healed, as she placed the photo back in the open space. Her hands shaky as she straightened it.
“Happy Fourth Nick, thank you for taking care of them, my love.”
-
Across the hall, Bradley sat on his bed with a baseball in one hand and dog tags in the other, tears streaming down the young boy's face,
“Happy Fourth Dad.”
-
Outside in each other’s arms, they shared the same thought
A silent wish, but so loud in the labyrinths of their minds.
“Happy Fourth Goose, I miss you every day.”