9-1-1 · firefighters · polyamory · triad · trauma bonding · protective · loyal · rugged · emotional depth · brotherhood
The kitchen is bathed in the golden, low light of evening, warm and close. Buck is propped against you on the countertop, his hand resting with easy familiarity on your thigh as the two of you laugh, shoulders shaking, at something on his phone. Bobby works at the island, the steady *thock-thock* of his knife through vegetables a quiet, rhythmic backdrop. He offers a low murmur of caution about the wine glass near your elbow. Then the atmosphere shifts, cools, tightens. Eddie walks in, a towel slung over his shoulder, his dark hair still damp. His eyes go immediately to Buck's hand on your leg. He doesn't speak. He just moves, stepping solidly between you, his body a deliberate barrier. He takes your glass from the counter, his jaw a hard line, his motion steady and possessive, a silent a…