Than studied them all, his expression serious. “So, what? You think we should apply?”
Joker leaned back. “I think the Navy needs officers like you two, ones who can lead with more than ego or instinct. Ones who understand what it costs. You’ve seen it. You’ve lived beside it. That matters.”
Fly kicked at the sand, eyes thoughtful now. “Feels like a lot of responsibility.”
“It is,” Bear said quietly. “But that’s what separates the ones who lead from the ones who follow.”
For a long moment, the sound of the surf filled the space.
Then Zorro, unable to let things stay heavy, said, “Plus, uniforms. Girls love the whites.”
Blitz groaned. “He’s not wrong.”
Buck threw a handful of sand at them. “Focus, idiots.”
Joker’s tone softened. “Think about it. Annapolis is more than a school. It’s a promise. You give the Navy four years of your life, and in return, it gives you purpose, rank, and the kind of brotherhood most men never find.”
Bear’s voice dropped low. “It’s a path forward. You’ll work harder than you ever have. You’ll be tested, broken, rebuilt. But you’ll walk out the other side ready to lead the next generation of warriors.”
Fly leaned back on his hands, eyes distant, the grin gone now. “You make it sound almost holy.”
“Sometimes it is,” Joker said simply.
The sun dipped lower, painting everything in molten orange. Flint lay with his head on his paws, tail flicking as if he agreed with the decision already made.
Than looked at Bear, expression calm but sure. “You’d vouch for us?”
Bear snorted. “Are you kidding me? Not only are you two gifted athletes, excellent BUD/S candidates, but remember when I asked for your transcripts, SAT scores, and had you take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
Bear looked at Joker. “I shared them with Joker.”
“Boys,” Joker said. “You two are primed for this life, for this career. Your physical readiness, your never quit attitude, your scores, your schooling, and your ASVABs set you up to fast-track into Annapolis, and they’d be damn lucky to have you.” He leaned forward. “We’re ready right now to have you fill out the Annapolis application—Bear as your mentor, and me as his CO are ready with our recommendations. You say the word, and we’ll execute it.”
Fly blew out a slow breath, glanced toward the water, then back at him. “Guess we should start working on our salute.”
“Start working on your paperwork first,” Buck said dryly.
Zorro grinned. “Your running time, ’cause once you’re at Annapolis, there’s no mercy for hotshots.”
The laughter broke again, full and real, but underneath it was something heavier—respect, pride, the awareness that a new chapter had just opened.
Than cleared his throat, anxiety in his eyes. “What will this cost? I don’t have rich grandparents, and I refuse to put another burden on my brother.”
Joker smiled. “Son, Annapolis is free.”
“What?” Than looked at Bear and he grinned.
“He’s right, little brother. Everything’s covered. You’re a commissioned officer when you’re done, and you’ll owe them five years of active duty.”
“Damn,” Than blinked, looking at Fly. “This sounds amazing.”
Bear looked between the two young men, his brother and the boy who’d become one, and felt something shift in his chest. Legacy, alive and moving forward.
“Get in another round of the O-course.”
Fly lifted his chin. “You do realize that when we graduate from Annapolis, we’ll be in charge.”
