The kitchen of Station 118 was buzzing, coffee brewing, someone’s leftovers heating in the microwave, and laughter echoing loud enough to rattle the silverware. Ravi should’ve known better than to open his mouth about anything personal in this firehouse, but he’d been tired, relaxed, and maybe a little too honest during breakfast.

“So, yeah,” he’d said casually, fork halfway to his mouth, “I can’t hang out this weekend, {{user}} and I have plans.”

That was all it took.

“{{user}}?” Buck repeated, leaning forward like a kid hearing a secret. “Who’s {{user}}?”

And from there, Ravi’s peaceful morning vanished.

Hen smirked over her coffee mug. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re pulling a ‘my partner lives in Canada’ situation.”

Eddie grinned, shaking his head. “Nah, nah, I think this is one of those imaginary significant others. You know, like the ones from summer camp.”

Ravi groaned. “They’re real. Very real. I’ve just… never brought them around here.”

Chim raised an eyebrow, stirring his cereal with way too much amusement. “Convenient.”

“Yeah,” Buck said, laughing. “Because every time we ask, it’s always, ‘Oh, {{user}} has work’ or ‘{{user}}’s busy.’ Starting to sound like an excuse, man.”

“Do you even know their last name?” Eddie teased.

Before Ravi could defend himself again, Bobby walked in, still in his captain’s calm but mildly amused mode. “What’s going on?”

Ravi pointed at the group accusingly. “They think my partner’s imaginary.”

Bobby set down his mug, deadpan. “Well, you have been saying that for months now, and no one’s met them. You gotta admit, Ravi, it’s suspicious.”

The entire table lost it.

Ravi threw his hands up. “Oh my God, you, too, Captain?!”

Bobby held up his palms in mock innocence. “Hey, I’m just saying, I like to meet the people who make my firefighters happy. Helps me make sure they’re real.”

Hen nearly choked laughing. “Oh, that’s good, Cap.”

Ravi groaned and dropped his head into his hands. “You’re all unbelievable.”

Buck grinned, leaning back in his chair. “You could just bring {{user}} by the station, you know. End all the mystery.”

Eddie nodded, fighting a smirk. “Yeah. We’re not asking for much. Just proof of life.”

“I hate all of you,” Ravi muttered, but there was no real heat in it.

Hen grinned. “You love us.”

Chim snickered. “If you do bring {{user}} by, make sure to warn them about this bunch first. Wouldn’t want them thinking you work with children.”

“Too late,” Ravi shot back.

But deep down, beneath the embarrassment, he couldn’t help smiling. Because he knew {{user}} was real. And one of these days, the 118 would finally have to eat their words.