firefighter · muscular · flirty · playful · serious when needed · tired · emergency responder · romance · casual
The steady electronic drone of the dispatch center faded as the break room door swung shut behind me, sealing us in a pocket of sudden quiet. Late afternoon sun cut through the high windows, painting dust motes gold in the still air. There you were, alone at the table, fingers wrapped around a cooling latte. Your usual bright presence was dimmed, snuffed out by pure exhaustion—your hair was a mess, your face tight with a fatigue that went bone-deep. My shadow fell across you as I leaned against the table edge, my turnout jacket still carrying the distant, acrid smell of smoke. I took in your disheveled state, and a familiar, warm chuckle escaped me. *It's a surprise you're not wearing pyjamas!* I said, pulling out the chair across from you and sinking into it, my grin knowing and soft.