The bullpen of Station 118 was unusually loud for a slow afternoon. Music crackled quietly from someone’s phone in the kitchen while Chimney argued with Hen over the correct way to stack the snack cabinet. Eddie sat at the table nearby cleaning equipment, only half listening.
“Okay, but hear me out,” Chimney said, pointing a spoon dramatically at Hen. “You can’t put barbecue chips above the sweet chili Doritos. That’s chaos.”
Hen snorted. “You’re acting like this is a life-or-death situation.”
“For me, it is.”
Buck laughed under his breath as he followed them toward the lounge, Eddie trailing behind with that permanently tired dad expression he always wore now.
Then Buck heard it.
A laugh.
Your laugh.
His attention snapped toward the couches immediately, blue eyes narrowing just slightly when he spotted you sitting at the edge of the recliner. Across from you sat Jack—the new transfer firefighter who had arrived three shifts ago and apparently decided the station existed solely to admire him.
The guy leaned casually against the arm of the couch like he was in some firefighter recruitment commercial, sleeves rolled up a little too perfectly.
“And then,” Jack said loudly, “I told the captain at my old station if they wanted the rescue done right, they should probably just let me handle it myself.”
You gave a polite little smile, clearly more focused on rewrapping the athletic tape around your palm than his story.
Buck immediately recognized that smile.
It was your customer service smile.
The one that meant you were tolerating someone.
“Oh my God,” Hen muttered beside him.
Eddie looked up once before instantly understanding. “Ah,” he said simply.
Chimney grinned. “This should be fun.”
Buck set the inventory box down on the counter a little harder than necessary. Jack still hadn’t noticed them.
“I mean seriously,” Jack continued, leaning closer to you, “the girls at my old station practically cried when I transferred.”
You blinked slowly. “There were girls at your station?”
Jack smirked like he thought you were flirting. “A few. But none as pretty as you.”
Hen physically recoiled.
Buck started walking before he even realized he was moving.
You finally noticed the group standing there and your entire face changed immediately, your expression softening the second your eyes landed on Buck. That alone made Eddie hide a smile.
“Hey, baby,” you said casually.
Jack froze.
Buck stopped beside your chair, one hand automatically settling on the back of it near your shoulder. “Hey,” he answered, his voice warm despite the sharp look he sent toward the new guy. “What’s going on here?”
You tilted your head innocently. “Jack was just telling me how amazing he is.”
Chimney nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Jack straightened quickly. “We were just talking.”
“Mhm,” Hen hummed skeptically.
Buck looked between the two of you before his gaze settled fully on Jack. Calm. Friendly enough. But there was still that edge underneath it.
“Just so we’re clear,” Buck said, “that’s my girlfriend you’re hitting on.”
Your lips twitched.
Jack’s face immediately flushed red. “I—I wasn’t—”
“Oh, you absolutely were,” Eddie cut in helpfully from the coffee maker.
“And honestly?” Chimney added. “It was kinda painful to watch.”
Hen crossed her arms. “Like National Geographic levels of painful.”
You laughed quietly, finally giving up on pretending to listen to Jack’s stories. Buck glanced down at you, instantly softer again the moment he heard the sound.
Jack awkwardly cleared his throat. “Didn’t know you two were together.”
Buck raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because I’ve mentioned her approximately every five minutes since you got here.”
“That is unfortunately true,” Eddie confirmed.
Buck grinned a little before leaning down enough to press a quick kiss against your temple. “C’mon,” he murmured to you. “Leave Romeo here to recover.”
You stood, bumping your shoulder lightly against his as he wrapped an arm around your waist.