Chapter Text
The usually peaceful neighborhood vibrated tonight with a growing tension. The shrill wail of sirens cut through the night's stillness, casting bursts of red and blue light onto the faded walls of the surrounding buildings. Tim Bradford stood by his patrol car, his muscles tense and his senses on alert. His eyes scanned every shadowy corner, every nook and cranny that might conceal a threat. His jaw was clenched, his gaze intense, and his fingers drummed lightly against his belt, as if preparing for any eventuality.
Lucy Chen, attentive at his side, observed the scene with the same caution, but a hint of concern shone in her eyes. Flames were already rising to the first floor of the building, hinting at imminent danger inside.
"I think we're going to have to team up with the fire department on this one," Lucy murmured, breaking the silence in a low but assured voice. She quickly glanced at the emergency truck that had just arrived at full speed. "Apparently, this is a high-risk building, and it's going to require backup."
Tim nodded, mentally prepared to manage the coordination between their two teams. He knew the procedures well, but an operation of this magnitude required perfect synchronization. The fire truck's doors opened with a sharp clang, and an imposing figure stepped out.
Tim's attention was immediately captured by the man who stood out from the group with nonchalant yet focused confidence. Evan Buckley—nicknamed Buck by his colleagues—had the look of someone who relishes facing danger head-on, an athletic career, and a keen gaze, shining with a mixture of audacity and determination. Buck's every movement exuded a controlled confidence, a kind of grace unexpected in someone of his stature.
Buck spotted Tim and gave him a wry smile, a smile both provocative and friendly. He seemed to read Tim, as if perceiving the aura of authority and rigor emanating from the police sergeant. Yet he didn't think. On the contrary, he advanced toward him, seemingly amused by this encounter.
Tim felt a strange shiver run down his spine, an electric tension he hadn't felt in a long time. He remains stoic, but Buck's confidence aroused an undeniable curiosity in him, like an echo of his own field instincts.
They quickly found themselves side by side, each sizing the other up with a calculating look.
"Have you seen this kind of situation before?" Buck asked, his voice light, as if it were just a casual hallway conversation.
Tim suppressed a smile that threatened to break through his impassive mask. "A little too often," he replied, his eyes sharp, sizing up the young firefighter. "And what's your thing? Flames or stunts?"
Buck burst out laughing, a hearty, vibrant laugh that contrasted with the intensity of the scene. His gaze intensified, shining with a mischievous glint. "A little of both, I'd say." His smile widened, revealing an almost unsettling sincerity. "But especially people who are hard to understand."
Tim couldn't help but hold that gaze, sensing both irritation and growing curiosity. Lucy, who hadn't missed a single moment of the exchange, glanced sideways, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of her lips.
"Hey, Tim, don't bite him, okay? It would be bad for team morale."
Tim fixed her with a piercing gaze, but his inner reaction betrayed him: a new warmth was spreading through him, and he felt his reserves cracking under Buck's audacity, under the energy he brought with him. Buck, sensing Lucy's amused expression, took the opportunity to add, almost in a whisper :
"She's right, that would be a shame."
Their eyes met again, and Tim felt his heart beat a little faster. This wasn't the usual field cooperation, and he knew it.
The intervention called them back to order, and they dove into action together, moving as if they'd been partners for years. The chemistry between them was immediate and intuitive, Buck incredibly responsive to Tim's direction, and Tim admired the ease with which Buck moved, clearing obstacles and advancing with a mixture of caution and recklessness. With every glance they exchanged, there was that same sparkle, that same silent defiance.
They remained in constant contact, Tim's instructions cutting through the tumult of the intervention to reach Buck, who responded with the precision of an almost natural synchronicity. Together, they managed to evacuate the building's occupants without major incident, although the danger was palpable at every turn.
Once the operation was over, Tim leaned against his car, his eyes fixed on Buck as he approached, his face slightly smeared with ash, but his smile still bright.
"We did a good job, I'd say," Buck said, his voice tinged with genuine satisfaction.
Tim nodded, trying to hide the hint of a smile. "Not bad, for a firefighter."
Buck moved closer, almost closing the distance between them. Tim held his breath, feeling that thrill of excitement he could no longer ignore. Buck's eyes shone with an amused glint, but his words resonated with a gentle, almost intimate gravity.
"What about a cop?" Buck murmured, his gaze fixed on Tim's.
For the first time, Tim let a faint smile play on his lips. "Maybe we could do this again," he replied, his eyes revealing a new intensity. "Working together, I mean."
Buck smiled wider, a twinkle of complicity in his eyes. "Oh, I look forward to seeing you again, Tim. For work… and maybe for something else."
From afar, Lucy watched them, a smile on her face. She knew that, beneath his tough, uncompromising exterior, Tim might have found someone capable of breaking through his defenses, someone who intrigued him as much as he challenged him.