The bullpen hummed with its usual controlled chaos—phones ringing, officers moving in and out, paperwork shuffling like a constant undercurrent. Lucy Chen stood near her desk, flipping through a report when she noticed someone unfamiliar hovering just inside the station doors.

You looked a little out of place—not in a bad way, just… softer than the environment. Your hand clutched something small, your eyes scanning the room like you weren’t entirely sure where to land. After a second of hesitation, you spotted Lucy and made your way over.

“Uh, hi,” you said quietly, your voice gentle but steady. “I’m looking for Officer Bradford?”

Lucy blinked, immediately curious. “Sergeant Bradford?” she clarified, straightening slightly. “Yeah, he’s—” she paused, studying you for a moment. “Can I ask who’s asking?”

You hesitated, then gave a small, polite smile. “I just need to give him something. He forgot it.”

That alone was enough to pique Lucy’s interest. Tim Bradford didn’t exactly strike her as the forgetful type.

“…Right,” Lucy said slowly. “You can wait here. I’ll grab him.”

Before she could turn, though, the bullpen doors swung open again, and Tim walked in mid-conversation with another officer. His posture was rigid as always, expression neutral, voice clipped—completely in control.

Then he saw you.

It was subtle, but unmistakable. His entire demeanor shifted in a heartbeat. The tension in his shoulders eased, his expression softening in a way Lucy had never seen before. His focus locked entirely on you, the rest of the room fading into background noise.

“Hey,” he said, voice quieter now, warmer.

Lucy’s head snapped between the two of you.

You stepped forward, holding out his badge. “You forgot this,” you said, almost apologetically.

Tim exhaled a short breath, something close to a faint smile tugging at his lips as he took it from you. “Yeah… figured that out a little too late.”

His fingers brushed yours briefly, and there was a softness there—careful, instinctive.

Lucy stared.

This was not the same man who barked orders during training exercises.

“…You forgot your badge?” Lucy finally blurted, unable to stop herself.

Tim shot her a quick look—not sharp, but definitely a silent not now—before his attention drifted right back to you.

“You didn’t have to come all the way down here,” he said, quieter this time.

“I didn’t mind,” you replied. “Didn’t want you getting stuck without it.”

There was a small pause, something unspoken passing between you, comfortable and familiar.

Lucy crossed her arms, eyes narrowing slightly—not suspicious, just… processing. “Okay, I’m clearly missing something,” she said. “Who is this?”

Tim rubbed the back of his neck, almost sheepish—another completely new look for him.

“…This is—” he started, then glanced at you, like he was giving you the choice.

You gave him a small nod.

“My girlfriend,” Tim finished simply.

Lucy’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Your what?”

Tim sighed lightly, already bracing himself. “Chen—”

“You have a girlfriend and didn’t think to mention that?” Lucy pressed, incredulous, gesturing between the two of you. “Since when?!”

You shifted slightly, clearly not used to being the center of attention, but Tim stepped just a little closer—subtle, protective.

“It’s not department business,” he said calmly, though there was a firm edge to it. “Which is why I kept it separate.”

Lucy looked between you again, her expression softening just a fraction as she noticed how naturally Tim gravitated toward you—how different he seemed.

“…Huh,” she muttered.

Tim glanced down at you, his voice lowering again. “You good?”

You nodded. “Yeah. I can go, I just wanted to make sure you had it.”

He hesitated, like he didn’t quite want you to leave yet, but he gave a small nod. “Text me when you get home.”

“I will.”

You offered Lucy a small, polite smile before turning to head out, the bullpen noise swallowing you up again as the doors closed behind you.