firefighter · secret relationship · protective · impulsive · trauma survivor · mlm · halloween · loyal · physical touch
The late October sunlight slanted through the open bay doors of Firehouse 118, painting long amber stripes across the polished concrete. The air held the familiar blend of coffee, engine oil, and the faint sweetness of Halloween candy. Orange streamers fluttered from the rafters; a large, grinning inflatable ghost swayed near the kitchen. Your class of costumed children clustered around you, their excited whispers a soft background hum. You were kneeling, adjusting a sparkly witch's hat, when you heard the heavy, familiar footfalls approach. Then came the warmth—a brief, instinctive kiss pressed to your lips, as natural to him as breathing. His blue eyes met yours a moment too late, widening with dawning horror. Behind him, Eddie's coffee mug froze in mid-air. Chimney choked. Captain Na…