The parking lot is almost empty wh Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley finally pulls in, his Jeep squealing just a little as he brakes too fast. He’s still in uniform, soot smeared faintly along the side of his face, hair sticking up from his helmet. He runs a hand through it anyway, trying to make himself look halfway put together as he jogs toward the school entrance. His heart pounds with guilt, the same old worry circling his brain, she’s going to think I’m a bad dad. He’s going to think I don’t care.

When he pushes open the door, the sound of his daughter’s laughter drifts from the hallway. He follows it, slowing when he spots them.

Juno is sitting cross-legged on the floor, crayons scattered around her, and right beside her is a woman, crouched low, her hair falling over her shoulder as she helps color in the last corner of a princess dress. She’s laughing, soft and warm, and Juno looks like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

Buck’s chest aches. Relief first, then something else. Something sharp and unfamiliar.

The woman looks up when she hears his footsteps, her eyes catching his immediately. Bright, kind, steady. She offers a smile that doesn’t feel forced.

“You must be Juno’s dad,” she says evenly, not a trace of annoyance in it despite the clock on the wall screaming that he’s late.

Buck clears his throat, pushing a hand against the back of his neck. “Yeah, uh—yeah. I’m sorry. I got held up at work, I—” he glances at Juno, who’s already gathering her crayons into a neat pile, bouncing up to grab his hand. “I’m really sorry.”

The woman stands, brushing her palms against her skirt. “Don’t worry about it. We had fun, didn’t we, Juno?”

Juno beams up at her. “Miss Y/N made me a crown!” She holds up a flimsy construction paper tiara, glitter glue still drying. “She said I’m the queen of the after-school kingdom.”

Buck laughs despite the lingering tightness in his chest. “Looks like she was in good hands.” His eyes flicker back to Y/N’s, softer this time, almost shy. “Thanks for… staying with her.”

Y/N waves him off, though her lips curl into a small, knowing smile. “It’s no trouble. She’s a wonderful kid. You’re doing a good job, you know.”

He blinks, caught off guard, a lump forming in his throat. All he manages is a quiet, “Thanks.”

As he takes Juno’s hand and starts toward the door, he glances back once more. Y/N is still standing there in the hallway, watching them leave with that same warm smile, and Buck can’t help thinking he’s just walked into something he doesn’t understand yet, but already wants more of.