Daddy's Sweetest Cherry

THE GANG EXPANDS pt.2

IASIP x Reader

Always Sunny Masterlist

“Nope... I'm putting my foot down you guys. We can't make someone drop acid as a job interview.” Dee slurred, attempting to stomp on the ground and almost losing her balance on the stool.

Part 1 Here

Summary: You agreed to play Chardee Macdennis with the gang as a form of ‘job interview’. The level 3 card you pull poses the question of how far is too far?

Warnings/Tags: 18+ due to the very nature of the show. Canon typical themes including but not limited to misogyny, exploitation, abuse, derogatory language, drugs and alcohol, sexual themes, etc.

You read the level 3 card aloud, "You must do the hardest drug available to you. Players have 1 minute to search and present you with their findings."

Thinking that this game was most likely designed to be played on a weekend when it was more likely for someone to be holding, you sighed in relief. However your brief moment of safety was short lived as you watched everyone dispense and rummage around in their pockets — desperate to find anything that could be considered a hard drug.

Dee dug her contraceptive pill packet from her handbag and placed it on the table. It was a safe option, what would a harmless bit of estrogen do for a fellow fertile woman, huh?

Dennis reluctantly pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and took out a small clear ziplock baggie with a single pill inside of it. "It's a perfectly legal prescription, calm down."

"But what is it though? It could be a fresh dose of date rape for all we know. How do we know it's not a roofie, huh?"

"Jesus Christ Deandra, no... It's an emergency melatonin for me to take if I decide to stay the night with a lovely lady at her house instead of mine."

Dee wasn't buying that crap. She wasn't buying it for one second.

Frank pulled out a penny, $300 in cash, a cracked piece of eggshell and a black jelly bean from his pocket, whilst Charlie pulled many an assortment of treasures; A Phillips head screw, a cashew nut, a crumpled up receipt and ball of lint that on second glances was definitely crawling across the bar table. Last but not least however, you watched him pull out a tab of acid from his jacket pocket.

"Wait, shit… I need that back!" Charlie said worriedly, leaning over Frank's shoulder to take back the receipt of all things. "I bought a dud goldfish from the pet store the other day. It's a rollercoaster of a story. I'll tell you later."

"Nope... I'm putting my foot down you guys. We can't make someone drop acid as a job interview." Dee slurred, attempting to stomp on the ground and almost losing her balance until you swung your arm out to stop her.

"You're right Dee. You're right." Mac hiccupped before raising his eyebrows in surprise of his own inner thoughts. “What if she dropped acid as an employee? Make it a team bonding exercise.”

Could you do fluff fic for David 'Deacon' Kay with wife reader where brought something from her bakery to the station just to see her husband? Just fluff and romantic. Thanks!!

Of course!! This is such a cute idea! I think there's even potential for a continuation/pt. 2 if anyone is interested.🤍

Edit: Part 2 Here! >

Warnings: just lots of fluff, a bit of teasing, baker!wife!reader. 1.4k+ words.

Picture from Pinterest

Sweet as You

Early mornings with Deacon are your favorite. Since you opened your own bakery after getting married, you and Deacon have grown into a routine of slow, loving mornings with one another.

Today, you find yourself in the kitchen long before the sun rises, testing a new recipe that popped into your mind. Humming, you slide the muffin tins into the oven and wipe your hands on a nearby tea towel.

“You’re up early,” Deacon says, wrapping his arms around you as he enters the kitchen. “You’re supposed to wake me up.”

“You were really tired,” you argue, turning to hug him. “And I had an idea I wanted to try.”

Deacon nods, kissing your forehead as he sways you gently.

“Remember when we went on date nights? When we could stay awake for them?” you ask.

“I do. Although I think I like this version of us much better.”

You kiss the underside of Deacon’s jaw, sighing in contentment. The quiet moments never last long, but they’re amazing while they do.

“I’m supposed to get off around the same time as you on Friday. We can have a long weekend together,” Deacon suggests.

“Sounds perfect.”

“Like you?”

“Like you.”

Deacon smiles as he drops his chin to kiss you, tugging you as close as possible before the oven timer beeps. He releases you to remove your muffins, waiting until you’re safely away from the heat to pull you close again.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you,” you reply. “Take a muffin or two; though I can’t promise they taste good.”

Deacon’s eyes drop to your lips, choosing to kiss you rather than taste a muffin.

✯✯✯✯✯

After the initial rush of opening the bakery, the area grows quiet, and business slows. Mornings in Los Angeles are unpredictable, and as you sit idly, waiting for a customer, you decide to be the customer. Ensuring someone is available to take orders, you begin baking a few crowd favorites and Deacon’s choice. Every cop you’ve met enjoys baked goods occasionally, and your desire to see Deacon is more than enough to encourage you to make more than you can carry to deliver to the LAPD.

Once you’ve finished loading too many boxes into your passenger seat, you cross your fingers that Deacon isn’t out on a call as you drive to the station, setting your sights on S.W.A.T. HQ. 

✯✯✯✯✯

Deacon sighs, sitting back against the wall after a round of weight training. It’s been a slow day, and 20-David has been relegated to training and waiting. Hondo finishes sparring with Street and walks toward Deacon, chuckling in amusement as he sits beside him.

“Bored yet?” Hondo jokes.

“Better to be here than risk not getting home to my wife, I suppose,” Deacon hums.

“I don’t suppose, I know. She’d kill me if anything happened to you, so I’m happy to watch you sit here with nothing to do.”

Deacon chuckles before turning suddenly, watching the door. Hondo shakes his head, well aware of Deacon’s sixth sense. Whenever you’re close, expected or not, Deacon knows.

As Hondo expected, you step around the corner, your arms full of boxes from the bakery. Deacon rushes to your side, taking some of the load off your arms.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, smiling when he moves a box away from your face.

“I wanted to see you,” you whisper conspiratorially. Luca joins your other side, and you add, “I figured the best S.W.A.T. team could use a pick-me-up, especially if your day is going as slowly as mine.”

Luca helps you and Deacon set the boxes down. Nearly immediately, you are surrounded by police officers eating your treats. As they thank you and compliment your baking abilities, you watch Deacon take a box off the table before approaching your side.

“Excuse us,” he says, taking your hand in his and leading you away from the hungry cops swarming your delivery.

Leading you into a quiet office, Deacon sets the box down and pulls you into a hug.

“Thanks for coming,” he says.

You return his hug, squeezing him gently as you enjoy his presence again.

“I missed you,” Deacon tells you.

“You saw me a few hours ago.”

“I didn’t get to try a muffin then.”

You smile at Deacon’s teasing, leaning against him to kiss his cheek. He steps back, pulling you with him, as he opens the box of his favorites. Each time he visits you in the bakery (which doesn't happen enough), he buys a box and promises not to share it with his team. He has no problem telling you what he does and doesn’t like, but his favorite taste-testing activity is kissing you while you bake. It's only been a few hours since he last did that, but he still missed you.

“You’re almost as sweet as the new chocolate brittle,” you murmur, brushing your fingers across Deacon’s jaw.

“Only because of you, sweetheart.”

Smiling at his attention and kind words, you duck your head under Deacon’s chin. He wraps an arm around you, rubbing your back comfortingly.

“I love you. And now you have a whole lot of cops who love you too.”

“They love sugar, not me.”

“Good,” Deacon decides. “Because I can’t take them all at once.”

“You wouldn’t have to,” you promise. “I only want you.”

You glance over Deacon’s shoulder, laughing at the sight of the empty box. “Did you really eat all of those while hugging me?”

“I can multi-task. Two sources of sweetness.”

You groan and tip your head back, though your loving gaze betrays your faux tiredness as Deacon pulls you under his arm, leading you back out to see the rest of the empty boxes.

“Do you have more?” Hondo asks, batting his eyelashes as he clasps his hands before his chest.

“Yep. Everything is on sale right now, too,” you answer. 

Deacon laughs beside you, and you feel complete. And hungry; those cookies and scones smelled delicious.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Deac,” you whisper, pressing a hand to his chest. “Deacon, handsome, baby, love of my life.”

He sighs, moving closer to you without waking. 

“David,” you try, laughing when his eyes snap open. “I made breakfast but you need to get up if you want time to eat it.”

“You called me David,” he says, groggy as he gets out of the bed and reaches for you. “Sorry.”

Chuckling again, you take his extended hand and promise, “You’re not in trouble. You just wouldn’t wake up.”

Deacon nods, letting you lead him to the kitchen and show him the array of food on the table. He tugs you into his lap, telling you he won’t eat unless you do. He drives a hard bargain, but you agree after he kisses the side of your neck and whispers that he loves you.

✯✯✯✯✯

The day after surprising the LAPD with a delivery, your bakery is crowded all day, with police and firefighters coming in and out from opening until closing.

When you unlock the front door, there’s a small group of police officers waiting, smiling as you let them in and ordering what they heard about from their buddies and anything else that looks good.

“You’re Sergeant Kay’s wife?” one of them asks.

“I am,” you answer, passing him a box.

“I see why he talks about you so much.”

You smile at the idea of Deacon talking about you at work, then go to the back to bake more items as you notice you’re running low. Meeting officers who know your husband, those who heard about your bakery in passing, and the firefighters who were jealous you chose the police station over the fire station makes the day go by quickly. Although by the time you close, you’re exhausted.

Walking into your house, Deacon is waiting, and you collapse beside him on the couch, turning your face against his shoulder and releasing all of the tension from the busy day.

“Word get out?” Deacon asks playfully, turning you gently to kiss you.

You nod, returning the kiss and sighing. When Deacon pulls back, you sit against his side, leaning so you can see him.

“Maybe I should just open a bakery in the station. But then the firefighters would get jealous again,” you muse.

“And be within walking distance?” Deacon asks with a huff. “I’d never get anything done.”

“Weekly visits then?”

“I think we could handle that. But make the firefighters pay for it.”

Deacon pulls you into another kiss as he finishes, and you chuckle against his lips, wondering how you got so lucky.

Lonely in Misery

Requested Here!

Part 2 Here: Lonelier in Misery

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!paramedic!reader

Summary: Bailey notices that you're lonely and miserable while Nolan notices the same about Tim. They decide to set you up on a blind date, but it only ends with more sadness.

Warnings: mention of motorcycle accident, pure fluff (the title and summary are misleading, my bad)

Word Count: 2.0k+ words

A/N: @newobsessionweekly here's some soft Tim if you're interested🥰

Masterlist | Tim Bradford Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

“Let’s go!” your chief calls. “Motorcycle accident on Wilshire.”

You nod as you gather your equipment. Being a paramedic is stressful, but you work with an amazing team. It’s too bad you don’t have the same kind of community in your personal life. Working with your best friends is great until you can’t hang out or talk to anyone because they’re on different shifts.

“Single rider?” you ask as you climb into the ambulance.

“Dispatch didn’t say. Only called for one ambulance, so I assume,” your chief replies.

“Hey, maybe it’ll be a single guy and you can nurse him back to health and finally get a date,” your teammate in the driver’s seat jokes.

“Ignore him,” Bailey says, rolling her eyes.

“Ignore who?” you tease.

As the BLS rescue ambulance pulls out, you sit back in your seat.

“Are you okay?” Bailey asks softly.

“Fine,” you reply. “Just… I don’t know.”

“I get it. We, uh, we haven’t been able to hang out in a while. What have you been up to?”

“Nothing. Work, eat, workout, sleep, repeat.”

“Yeah, you’ve been kind of mopey.” She reaches her hand toward you and smiles when you lay your hand in hers. “This job is hard enough without being lonely. Why don’t you go on a date or just go hang out somewhere, meet somebody?”

You shake your head and brush off her concern with a half-true promise, “I’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to when our schedules give us time to be friends again. If I can get out away from Nolan, of course.”

Bailey smiles and rolls her eyes but squeezes your hand reassuringly. You know she isn’t convinced that you’re fine. Your job is more important, though, so you decide to focus on the motorcycle rider who needs your help rather than the empty home, the empty life you’ll go home to after your shift ends.

“Hey!” Tim yells harshly. “Socialize on your own time, boot!”

His new rookie ducks his head and walks quickly after abandoning his conversation. Tim has been grumpier than usual lately, and he’s taking it out on everyone in the station. When he yelled at Sergeant Grey, who only shook his head and told Tim to take a breather, Nolan knew what was happening.

“He’s lonely, right?” Nolan asks Angela.

“Incredibly,” she answers without hesitation. “It’s been worse, though, so his sports buddies must have gotten busy, married, something.”

Nolan nods. He has an idea, but he knows better than to suggest Tim go on a date where he could overhear or be told. As he walks toward his shop, Nolan makes a mental note to ask Bailey if she knows anyone who would be willing to go on a date with Mid-Wilshire’s resident grump.

“Do I look like I care about your engagement party?” Tim asks across the garage.

“Hey,” Nolan says as he walks into the house.

“Hi,” Bailey replies.

Nolan hugs Bailey and sighs against her.

“I need your help with something,” Bailey says.

“Anything,” Nolan replies as he steps back. “But I need a favor, too.”

“My best friend is lonely and needs a date.”

Nolan’s brows raise as he adds, “My coworker is lonely and needs a date.”

“Did we just plan a blind date in under thirty seconds? Are we really that good?”

“Depends. Is your friend interested in someone like Tim Bradford?”

Bailey considers the pairing for a moment but smiles as she pictures you balancing Tim and him providing an edge that you haven’t experienced in years.

“Oh, yeah,” Bailey decides. “She’ll be interested.”

“Great! Now I just have to convince him to actually go on the date,” Nolan muses.

“Good luck.” Bailey laughs before she realizes, “I have to get her to let me set her up too.”

“Well, if she’s anything like Tim, appeal to her misery.”

“Yeah, because it’s better than absolutely nothing and complete unhappiness is the perfect way to pitch a date,” Bailey scoffs. “I’ll get my friend there, and you convince Tim your way.”

“I hope this works,” they say together.

“What’d you do last night?” Bailey asks as you exit the locker room.

You step back in surprise at being ambushed the moment you arrive but recover quickly. “I made dinner, watched a movie, and went to bed. Why?”

“Because you’ve got a date tonight, so we’re switching it up.”

“Bailey,” you begin.

“No, no, hear me out before you decline. Please? I’m doing this as your best friend, I promise.”

“Okay,” you sigh. “Pitch this guy. But, Bailey Nune, if you say it’s Nolan’s brother Pete I will find a new best friend.”

“Oh, no. I love you, I would never do that. Besides, the whole point of a blind date is that I don’t tell you the guy’s name. But…” She raises her finger to emphasize as she adds, “Nolan and I both know him well and he’s a great guy.”

“You’re gonna have to give me more. I don’t want to go on a date just to say that I didn’t spend another night alone, Bailey.”

“Completely. I know you, though, okay, and this guy he’s- he can do and be everything you want. The romance, the connection, the best friend that is also your life partner, what you are looking for in a guy, this is it. I promise. And, if I’m wrong, I’ll bail you out of the date and I will clean your equipment for the rest of the month.”

You purse your lips as you think about her offer. She does know exactly what you want in a man, and you trust Bailey’s judgement. “Fine. I’ll go on the date.”

“Yes!” Bailey cheers as she hugs you. “I’m so glad. You’ll feel so much better after you’re not miserable and lonely anymore.”

“You should’ve been a motivational speaker,” you deadpan. “Now don’t mention it again until we get off. This can’t be the topic of conversation for the rest of the day; I’ll never live it down.”

“I’ll stay quiet and think of the perfect outfit for you,” Bailey says as she follows you into the heart of the station.

“Officer Bradford,” Nolan calls as he walks across the bullpen.

“Yeah?” Tim asks.

“I’ve got a proposition for you. Or a question, idea, whatever you want to call it.”

“Then spit it out, Nolan.”

“Right, yes, sir. Bailey has a single friend, and we want to set you up on a blind date.”

Tim’s face remains impassive as he shakes his head. “Pass. Ask Aaron.”

“No, Tim, I’m asking you.”

“And I’m not interested,” Tim argues.

“Look, you’re lonely and miserable, so you’re making all of us miserable. I know you – sort of – and I know this woman. She could be really good for you.”

“If you’re wrong? Because I think you are.”

“Then leave the date! You’re not losing anything more than a few hours.”

Tim takes a deep breath before he asks, “Why do you think she’d be good for me?”

“She can be the balance that you need, and she understands some of what we deal with daily.”

“Don’t tell me she’s a lawyer.”

“Oh, no, I know better than that. So… is that a yes?”

“It’s a hesitant yes,” Tim answers. “When?”

“Tonight.”

Tim nods once before he walks away to reprimand a rookie. Nolan watches him yell and hopes that he and Bailey are right. Because if they’re wrong and the date goes poorly, Tim will be worse in the morning.

You sit in the front of the restaurant and await your date. Bailey said he’d arrive after you. She never explained how you were supposed to find each other, though. As you watch people come and go, you grow discouraged. You shift your attention from the door to your hands. Several minutes pass before the door opens again, and you look up but don’t expect anything.

“Tim?” you ask.

You’ve seen Tim Bradford several times in passing. At wrecks, crime scenes, and various Los Angeles law enforcement meetings. He’s always been kind to you, and you remember that you may have mentioned finding him attractive to Bailey before.

“I’ll assume you’re my blind date, then,” Tim replies. He smiles as he adds, “I’m not as disappointed as I expected to be.”

“Wow,” you say through laughter. “If I’d known you were such a flirt, I would’ve asked Bailey to set us up sooner.”

Tim shakes his head, and you join his side as he gives his name to the hostess. As you walk to the table, a sudden awkwardness descends. There’s no good way to begin a conversation on a blind date, you realize. Tim takes his hand against the menu but looks similarly lost about what to say.

“I guess being lonely and desperate worked in my favor,” you joke.

“Oh, I can guarantee that I was lonelier and more desperate,” Tim replies. “Nolan used that to convince me to come tonight; said I was making everyone else miserable with my misery.”

The mood lightens with your playful jokes, and you smile at Tim.

“Since you’ve had to pull an arson suspect off me before, should we skip the small talk?” you ask Tim over your menu. “Or do this the normal way?”

“There’s nothing normal about this,” Tim comments.

Your phone buzzes in your bag, but the Are you still miserable? text from Bailey goes unread.

“Okay, I hate this,” you murmur as you set the menu aside. “Can I just sit beside you?”

Tim’s smile grows as he stands and offers his hand. Once you’re seated beside him, where you don’t have to lean across the table to talk, you don’t even remember the miserable feeling that led Bailey to set this date up.

Tim leans over to whisper, “I’m glad I agreed to the date,” and you move closer to him as you answer, “Me too.”

As you walk out of the restaurant with your hand in Tim’s and a joyful smile on your face, you don’t want the night to end.

“Same time next week?” you ask as Tim slows.

“What about the same time another day this week?” he suggests. “I had a great time, and I want to go out again. If that’s what you want, of course.”

You pull your phone out and hand it to Tim, ignoring Bailey’s text. He puts his number in and texts himself, so he has your number, too. You grow giddy, something you thought was a thing of your past.

“I think this is the best date I’ve ever been on,” you tell Tim as you begin walking again. “Thank you.”

“Nolan and Bailey are gonna take credit if we tell them the blind date worked,” Tim points out.

“Yeah,” you agree, drawing out the word. “But I don’t think I can hide how happy tonight made me. Not from Bailey, at least.”

Tim nods like he understands as you stop. You turn to face him, and he raises the hand that isn’t in yours to hold your cheek. There isn’t a question or doubt in your mind as you kiss Tim. What was supposed to be a date to cheer you up and get you back out of your mundane, lonely life is already becoming so much more. As Tim releases your hand to hold you and pull you closer, your entire world brightens. Neither you nor Tim are lonely, let alone miserable, with the prospect of a new relationship with one another. You pull back when you can’t stop smiling against Tim’s lips.

“Thanks,” you whisper.

“For what?”

“All of it.”

Tim smiles and brushes his thumb under your bottom lip. “If I don’t see you before Friday, I’m looking forward to our date. And I’ll pick you up at the fire station.”

“Are you sure about that?” you question. “Bailey will tell John.”

“They’ll have to learn sooner rather than later that there’s no room for them in our relationship.”

Your smile grows at our relationship, but you lick your lips to keep your excitement from showing. “They’re both born meddlers.”

“Let’s stop talking about them,” Tim murmurs as he leans in again.

Bonus:

When you arrive home, you see the text from Bailey and answer: More miserable than you can imagine. I’m going to sleep to escape it. Sure, you left off the part about being sad because the date ended, but she’ll find out soon enough.

Tim Through the Years - The Meeting

Series Masterlist

Summary: Tim meets a very young boy who is all alone in the police station. Then he meets a frazzled teacher who changes his life forever. 0.6k+ words

A/N: An extra special thanks to my friend for creating this series with me (and writing most of it)! I hope every reader enjoys our ideas about what it would be like to fall in love with Tim Bradford!

It was an average day in the Mid-Wilshire Police Station; Tim had just returned from a robbery that ended with him having the suspect in custody fairly quickly. The robber forgot his mask for one and for two, left his business card in a fishbowl to try to win a free lunch. They caught the guy in just 10 minutes, so the day was going well so far. But his mood quickly turned sour when he had to do a mountain of paperwork due to the fact that his robber was a wanted criminal in at least three different states with various crimes under his belt. 

Meanwhile, y/n was walking into the station, trying to get all 40 kindergartners into the police station without losing any of them. It was career week for their school and the Mid-Wilshire Precinct had invited all the students to visit the station on different days. It was hers and one other teacher's turn to visit, so here she was trying to wrangle 40 different students into the Roll Call room. It was as easy as herding cats, but with the help of some parents and the other teacher, they made it to the room with everyone accounted for.  Sergeant Grey introduced himself to the students and explained what his role at the station was and what the room they were in was used for.

“Now, rookies, are you ready to get your assignments?” Grey questioned the group.

Of course, the students got very excited to be police officers for day and all responded with, “Yes, sir!”

Once the excitement died down, Gray split the students into three groups (each group had an adult and an officer). A group was sent to look and learn about the shops, another to booking, and the last went to the interrogation rooms. 

Tim was so busy trying to get the paperwork done that he completely missed all the students going to their area until he felt like he was being stared at. When Tim looked up from his paperwork, two bright blue eyes stared back at him.

“Do you like donuts?” the child asked.

“Uh….yeah,” Tim answered while looking for the child's mother.

“Is it hard to catch bad guys?”

Tim squinted his eyes and asked this child, “Where’s your mother?”

“Johnny!”

Tim turned and saw a beautiful young woman walking up to the small boy at his desk.

She crouched down at this level and softly asked, “Is this where you ran off too? It's your turn to get fingerprinted and have your picture taken.”

“But Miss. Winchester! This is a Real-Life Police Officer! I have lots of questions that need answers!!” Johnny exclaimed.

The woman patted Johnny on the head. “I know, and he’s very busy at the moment so let's leave him alone and ask another officer, okay?”

Johnny glanced at a scowling Tim. “My mommy tells my daddy that being grumpy isn't good for your heart,” he said before skipping off to the booking room. 

Tim heard a giggle before he turned to the gorgeous smiling woman in front of him.

“Sorry about him, he’s one of my spunkier students,” she explained.

Then it clicked in Tim’s head. “Oh, you're here touring the station with your class right?”

Her smile grew as she answered, “Yep, that’s me. Hi.” She reached her hand out to shake Tim’s. “I’m y/n Winchester.”

Tim took her hand, and he’d never felt anything softer.

“Hi, I’m Sergeant Tim Bradford, but you can call me Tim,'' he flirted.

Y/n blushed as she replied, “Well … I better get back to my class.”

She started to walk back toward where Johnny ran off to and Tim decided that it was now or never to get back into the dating game.

“Wait! Could I maybe take you out to dinner?” he called after her.

Aftershock - Office Barbie

Main masterlist | The Rookie masterlist

Part 1 - Part 2

Tim Bradford x younger!reader

Fandom: The Rookie

Summary: Weeks later, fate (and a lost bet) brings Tim to a community conference—where you just so happen to be the key speaker.

Fluff

Warnings: sexual tension? kissing? not proofread

You didn’t expect to see him again.

Not really. You figured Sergeant Bradford belonged to that weird category of men you clash with once and remember longer than you should. Like a slow burn from a too-hot pan. Irritating, and then it lingers.

Tim wanted to leave the second they walked in.

“You two are evil,” he mutters to Lucy and Angela as they weave through city-funded booths and low-effort posters with cheap pamphlets about green living.

“This is what you get for losing a bet, Bradford,” Lucy chirps.

“I thought the punishment was brunch,” he growls.

Angela grins. “Brunch and an event. That’s how you learn humility.”

Tim’s already working on a plan to fake a phone call when the lights dim and a new voice comes through the speaker system.

Sharp. Confident. Familiar.

He turns his head—and his body goes still.

“Holy shit,” Lucy whispers beside him. “It’s her.”

Angela lifts a brow. “Tell me that’s not your girl from the construction site.”

Tim clenches his jaw. “She’s not my—”

“She called you Grinch,” Lucy interrupts, grinning. “You called her Barbie. And now she’s out here talking about carbon-neutral foundations in heels that could kill a man.”

“I think I love her,” Angela whispers.

“She’s not—” Tim tries again, but his voice dies in his throat as you scroll through your presentation, completely composed. He watches the way you move—elegant, direct, sure of yourself. You don’t look nervous. You look like the stage was built for you. Like the mic came from your purse.

You look… expensive. Like someone who knows how to win a boardroom, a bet, and a man—if you feel like it. Like the version of you he wouldn’t know how to approach, if he hadn’t already seen you in a hard hat and work boots, barking orders at construction workers during an earthquake like it was just another Tuesday.

You don’t dress like this for conferences.

Usually it’s practical shoes, maybe a sleek ponytail, something just polished enough to prove you take yourself seriously, but not too much—so no one calls you “daddy’s little intern” behind your back.

But today?

Today you wear hot pink.

The blazer is tailored, the skirt is short, and the heels are unapologetically sharp. Office Barbie realness. And you own it. You glide across the conference stage with your presentation remote in one hand and a bulletproof smile in place, heart pounding but controlled.

You’ve got this.

You’re talking sustainability in construction—carbon reduction, green infrastructure, water retention—and you know your shit better than half the men in the room who’ve been in the industry twice as long as you’ve been alive.

But then you see him.

Scowling like someone dragged him here against his will, still looking too good in a plain black T-shirt and jeans. And still somehow managing to make his scowl sexy.

You inhale, steady your hands on the remote. You don’t let it show. Not the way your stomach tightens or how your heart does a messy skip at the sight of him. You keep your voice level and your smile unfazed.

Because this isn’t the time. Or the place.

But God, you missed that face.

Tim hears words. He knows you’re talking about sustainability, about long-term environmental impact, about scalable urban design. He even recognizes a few terms. But none of it sticks. All he can focus on is the curve of your mouth when you speak, the fierce spark in your eyes, the way you command the room like you own every inch of it.

He's absolutely screwed.

Lucy elbows him hard. “Close your mouth, Bradford.”

“I’m not—”

“You’re drooling,” Angela stage-whispers.

“I’m going to kill both of you,” he growls.

“You’re welcome,” Lucy sings.

The second you step off stage, the conference organizer pulls you aside. Praise, compliments, the usual. But your eyes keep darting to the back of the room, where the tall, broody one is whispering furiously to his two grinning companions.

“What are you doing?” Tim hisses.

Lucy clasps her hands like a rom-com fairy godmother. “Helping you get laid. Now shut up and be nice.”

Angela tugs her away. “Don’t be a caveman. Go say hi.”

Tim glares after them. But he moves.

God, he looked even better up close. A little scruffier than last time. Brooding. And his eyes—so blue they could knock the wind out of you.

Tim gave you a slow once-over, and that smirk hit.

He stands there, hands in his pockets, the corner of his mouth just barely tipped up. That same annoyingly sexy, broody look on his face. Blue shirt stretched across his shoulders like a sin.

“Office Barbie suits you.”

You roll your eyes—but you’re smiling. “Still calling me that?”

“Still acting like you don’t love it?”

You step closer, arms crossed. “What are you doing here, Grinch?”

“Lost a bet.”

You bite your lip to hold in the laugh. “That explains the permanent scowl.”

Tim glanced at the now-empty stage, then back at you. “You were good.”

“Only ‘good’?” you teased, stepping closer. “I worked on that presentation for weeks.”

He tilted his head, eyes lingering on your mouth. “To be honest, I didn’t hear most of it.”

“Oh?” You raised your brows, pretending offense. “Too many big words for you?”

His mouth twitched like he was trying not to smile. “Too many distractions.”

Your cheeks warmed. But you didn’t flinch. “That sounds like a you problem.”

“Maybe,” he said, eyes dropping briefly—pointedly—to your legs before dragging back up to your eyes. “But the view was decent.”

You let out a soft laugh and cocked a hip. “You flirting with me, Sergeant?”

He stepped closer. “Would it work?”

“Depends.” You toyed with the button of your blazer. “Are you here to arrest me for having too many words in my presentation?”

“Didn't bring cuffs."

You gave him a slow, deliberate once-over.

“That’s too bad. I did prefer the uniform.”

He smiled. Actually smiled. It was a little crooked. A little dangerous.

And it did things to your insides.

Before you could say something even more reckless, a voice called your name. One of your professors—old, sweet, the type who’d ask you for lecture slides in a USB drive.

“I should go."

But when you started to step away, he reaches for your wrist—not grabbing, just touching. His fingers brush against your skin and it jolts through you like a live wire.

“Wait—can I get your number?” he asks.

You pause. Smirk.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

He raises a brow. “You’d rather I stalk you?”

You lean in slightly, lips just shy of his ear.

“You’ll have to catch me first.”

Then you’re gone—heels clicking as you cross the room, leaving him standing there with a frustrated groan and a look that says challenge accepted.

The event wrapped up an hour later, long after the panels ended and the buzz of too many conversations filled the air.

And there he was.

Leaning against his truck like he belonged there. Arms crossed. Jaw tight. Watching you approach like he hadn’t been doing exactly that since the second you walked in.

You slowed, one brow raised. “Stalking me now?”

He shrugged. “Maybe I’m just being polite.”

You glanced at the truck. “Didn’t think Grinches offered rides to strangers.”

He stepped forward, opened the passenger door for you like a damn gentleman. “Get in, Princess Barbie.”

You rolled your eyes, but your smile gave you away.

The inside of Tim’s truck is warm. Smells faintly like pine and leather and whatever cologne clings to him naturally, subtle but unmistakably him and masculine in a way that makes your thighs press together instinctively. You settle into the passenger seat, crossing your legs, careful to tug your skirt down as far as it'll go.

He starts the engine. Glances at you. “Seatbelt, Barbie.”

You smirk. “Worried about my safety, Sargeant?”

His jaw flexes, his eyes on the road now. “Always.”

Silence falls for a beat, thick and brimming with the words neither of you are ready to say. Then he clears his throat.

“So… what are you studying exactly?”

You raise an eyebrow. “Civil engineering. Sustainability focus. You know, boring stuff.”

He scoffs. “Didn’t look boring from where I was sitting.”

You give him a side glance. “You mean from where you were staring?”

His mouth twitches—almost a smile. “You were hard to miss.”

You feign surprise. “Because of the heels or the facts?”

Tim shoots you a look. “Definitely the heels.”

You laugh, and he exhales like he can finally breathe again. The ease between you returns, like it never left—not after the earthquake, not after the adrenaline wore off.

Not even after weeks apart.

The car settles into a smooth cruise, city lights rolling past the windows. Tim rests his right elbow on the center console. His fingers dangle—casual, relaxed. Then they brush against the bare skin of your thighs.

Heat crackles up your spine. You don’t move. Neither does he. His pinky drags the lightest line over your skin—so subtle it could’ve been an accident. But it’s not. You both know it.

You shift, just barely. His finger follows.

Still, neither of you look at each other. You chew your lip.

“You were impressive today,” he says, voice lower now. “Seriously.”

You glance at him.

“Thanks,” you say, softer. “I wasn’t sure anyone actually listened.”

“I did,” he murmurs. “Mostly.”

Your brow lifts. “Mostly?”

“I was distracted.”

You smirk. “By the visuals?”

“By your mouth,” he says simply. “Hard to focus on what you’re saying when you look like that.”

A pulse flutters in your throat. You open your mouth to answer—but then the car slows. A red light.

And suddenly, he turns. His fingers shift, pressing slightly into the inside of your thigh. His other hand leaves the wheel. And then he leans in.

You meet him halfway.

The kiss starts soft—testing, brushing. But your lips part almost immediately, like your body was waiting for this, begging for it. His hand cups your cheek. Yours tangle in the collar of his shirt. His tongue slips past your lips, deep and claiming.

It’s slow for a second. Then it’s not. The kiss turns wild—hungry, open-mouthed, teeth and breath and want. Like all the flirting, the near-misses, the power plays between you were just foreplay for this.

Your back arches into the kiss. His hand slides up your thigh, firm and confident. You gasp softly against his mouth, and he swallows the sound like it feeds him.

Then someone honks, announcing the green light. You both freeze.

Tim pulls back slowly, his forehead resting against yours for a beat before he straightens and puts the truck in gear again, cursing under his breath as he drives. His fingers never leave your thigh.

He pulls up in front of your apartment building, cuts the engine, and hops out to open your door before you can even unbuckle.

Chivalry looks good on him.

You step out, heart pounding, the kiss still tingling on your lips. But the second you’re on the sidewalk, his eyes are on your mouth again.

You smile up at him, voice low and teasing. “You know… I live alone.”

He raises an eyebrow, lips twitching. “As an cop, I suggest you stop saying that to strangers.”

You grin. “Didn’t know you were a stranger back in the car, Sergeant.”

He steps closer and kisses you again. Harder this time. Wilder. His hands find your waist, dragging you against him as your fingers tangle in the front of his shirt. You kiss him like you’ve been waiting—because you have. For weeks. For months. For this exact moment.

You fumble with your keys, still kissing, still gasping between touches.

The door opens. Neither of you stop as you kick the door shut with your heel.

Tim presses you up against it, his mouth hot and hungry on your neck.

You pull his shirt over his head—god, he’s ripped—and he does the same to you, sliding your blazer off your shoulders, fingers grazing your skin, leaving heat in their wake. You gasp when his lips find your collarbone.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmurs.

You look him in the eye. “Don’t you dare.”

Aftershock

Main masterlist | The Rookie masterlist

part 1

Tim Bradford x younger!reader

Fandom: The Rookie

Summary: You’re a bold, confident civil engineering student, used to taking control on construction sites. But when an earthquake hits while you're in charge of your father’s site, you meet LAPD Sergeant Tim Bradford. You clash, you work together, and slowly, something deeper begins to spark.

A/N: I have the second part almost ready so it'll be here soon!! Also is you have some ideas for this mini series, feel free to drop it in my box! Feedback is always appreciated!! I hope you like it! Lots of love, bubs! Stay safe! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

Warnings: Earthquake/emergency scenario, mild injury, panic attack (comfort follows), age gap, not proofread

Word Count: 4k+

It starts like a whisper—barely-there tremors under your steel-toes as you walk the perimeter of the new mixed-use high-rise downtown. You've spent the last half-hour barking into your phone, coordinating crane placement and checking load-bearing support numbers. You’re dusty, focused, and completely in your element.

Until the earth moves for real.

You don’t hear it before you feel it. The tremor roars upward through your boots like a live wire. The scaffolding groans. A metallic shriek pierces the air. Then it happens.

The world shudders. A cacophony of screams. Cement rains down. You drop to your knees and roll, instincts kicking in, sheltering beneath a shipping container propped on steel beams.

Earthquake.

It only lasts seconds—long ones—but the aftermath feels like a war zone. You crawl out coughing, your lungs filling with grit and fear, but your brain is firing on pure adrenaline. You're not just some student or supervisor. You’re the boss’s daughter. And he’s out of town, which makes this your site.

Your chest heaves, but your eyes are already scanning. Where's the crew? Who’s accounted for?

“Luis!” you shout, dodging fallen equipment. “Jen! Mateo!”

Two workers emerge from a cloud of dust, one limping, another coughing blood into his glove. You guide them to the open lot beyond the scaffolding, mentally mapping the layout. Six missing. Maybe more.

And then, over the scream of sirens, two figures cut through the dust—uniformed.

The man in front moves like he was born in boots. Tall, broad shoulders, determined jaw. There’s something sharp and no-nonsense about him, like he’s the human equivalent of a battering ram. Behind him, a quick-footed brunette surveys the site with wide, alert eyes.

“LAPD!” the man shouts. “Is anyone hurt?”

“I’m fine!” you yell back over the noise. “There are still people inside!”

He reaches you in seconds. “You need to move—this whole site could still collapse.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” you snap. “This is my father’s project. He’s out of town. I’m responsible for everyone here.”

“Name?”

“Y/n Y/l/n. Civil engineering student. Site lead for the day.”

“Sergeant Tim Bradford,” he grunts, scanning you. “This is Officer Lucy Chen.”

Chen gives a small nod and immediately moves to triage the injured worker. Bradford, however, keeps his full attention on you.

You don’t miss the way his eyes rake over you—not in a creepy way. He’s taking stock. Assessing damage. Dirt on your face, small gash on your arm. His brows tighten.

“You were inside?”

“Under that scaffolding.”

“You shouldn’t be standing.”

You fold your arms. “Well, I am.”

“You need to let us handle this.”

“No. I know this site better than anyone. I helped design the layout. There’s a crawlspace beneath the west scaffolding that no one else knows about. If anyone’s still in there—”

“You’re not trained for rescue ops.”

“I’m trained to know what’s safe and what’s about to fall on your head.”

His jaw ticks. “I don’t have time to babysit you.”

“Then don’t. Keep up.”

You step past him, and for a beat, he just stares.

“Unbelievable,” he mutters. “You’re like if a Barbie Doll had a death wish.”

You toss him a grin over your shoulder. “Grumpy and unoriginal. Cute.”

He follows, grumbling something under his breath about stubborn civilians and lawsuits.

The two of you reach the compromised scaffold, and you crouch beside the twisted beams. Bradford stops behind you, way closer than necessary.

“Let me go first,” he says, voice low, eyes scanning overhead.

“I’ll fit through easier. You’re built like a linebacker.”

You feel his breath on the back of your neck as he leans down.

“And you think I’m letting you crawl into a death trap alone?”

You glance at him, only inches away. “So you do care.”

He doesn’t move.

“Protocol,” he says stiffly. “And… you’re bleeding.”

You look down at the gash on your forearm—dirt-caked but shallow.

“Didn’t notice.”

“I did.”

He steps forward and gently takes your wrist. His touch is unexpectedly careful—rough hands, but soft grip. He pulls a cloth from his vest and dabs at the wound. You watch his face as he works. He’s so serious. So guarded.

“I’m going in first,” he says, not giving you a chance to argue.

You don’t push it this time. He’s trying. In his own way.

You both drop into the crawlspace, the air thick with dust and heat. Your shoulder brushes his arm as you squeeze through. Close. Too close.

You hear it before you see it—a cough. Faint, raspy.

“There,” you whisper. “Under that beam.”

Bradford nods. “Stay low.”

The man’s pinned, conscious but trapped under a slab of drywall and steel piping. You approach carefully, testing for weight, and give Tim a look.

“If we shift the load here, I can drag him out.”

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

His hand grazes your back as he shifts to position. Again, he’s close. Protective. Your skin sparks where his fingers press.

He moves the slab, and you reach under, tugging the worker free with all your strength. It takes effort. You grunt, digging your heels into the ground. Bradford leans forward, adds his strength behind yours. The worker slides out.

You sit back, panting.

“You okay?” Tim asks, wiping sweat from his temple.

You nod, heart pounding—not just from the rescue. From him. From the way his hand didn’t quite leave your lower back.

“Yeah,” you say softly. “Thanks.”

He meets your eyes. For a second, everything around you disappears.

And then his radio crackles. “Bradford, update?”

“We got one out,” he replies. “Sending location for medical. Continuing sweep.”

As you crawl back out, he places a steadying hand at your waist, guiding you up the incline. You feel the heat of it even through your shirt. It lingers. He doesn’t rush the touch. Neither do you.

Once you’re out, the EMTs swarm. The worker is taken. Chen updates the map with accounted-for crew.

You press your hands to your thighs, catching your breath.

“How many are left?” Tim asks.

You scan your clipboard. “Two. Maybe three. Could be hiding in the south exit shaft.”

“Is it stable?”

You pause. “Barely. But I can get us in.”

His eyes narrow. “You’re not invincible, Barbie.”

“And you’re not my boss, Grinch.”

He exhales hard. “Fine. But I go first this time. You stay on my six.”

“Yes, sir.”

He gives you a look. You wink.

You both make your way through the wreckage, ducking twisted rebar and beams. At one point, you trip on a loose plank. His arm shoots out, wraps around your waist.

You freeze.

So does he.

You’re chest to chest, his hand splayed across your back, your fingers gripping his vest.

“You okay?” he asks, voice a touch lower now.

Your throat’s dry. “Yeah. You?”

He doesn’t answer. Just watches you for a moment, then slowly lets you go.

You keep moving, but now every time your fingers graze or your arms brush, it feels intentional. Loaded.

You find the last two workers behind a jammed gate. Tim breaks the lock with a metal pipe, and you help the shaken men out. One thanks you. The other looks at you like you’re a superhero.

But the adrenaline has started to fade.

The full weight of it all—the noise, the near-deaths, the responsibility—presses down.

When you step away from the others, your legs buckle just a little. Bradford is there instantly.

“Sit,” he says, catching you by the arm.

You nod slowly, dropping onto a low wall.

He crouches beside you, reading your face. “It’s catching up to you.”

You swallow. “Yeah.”

“You held it together. You did everything right.”

Your breath hitches. “I didn’t… I didn’t think. I just moved. But what if I missed someone? What if—”

“Stop.”

His voice is gentle but firm. He places his hand on your knee. You flinch—but not from fear. From how it grounds you.

“Look at me.”

You do.

“You saved people. You helped us. You didn’t hide. You ran toward the danger.”

Your lip quivers.

His hand slides to your shoulder. His thumb strokes your collarbone, just once.

“You’re allowed to feel it now.”

And that’s all it takes. The panic hits like a wave—hard and fast. Your chest clenches, eyes burning.

Tim doesn’t hesitate. He pulls you into his chest, wrapping both arms around you. You bury your face in his shoulder, fists curling in his vest.

“It’s over,” he murmurs, voice barely above a whisper. “You’re safe.”

His hand slides into your hair, combing gently through it. The motion is soothing. Familiar. Like he’s done it before. Or maybe just dreamed of it.

“You don’t have to be strong right now.”

You tremble in his hold. He doesn’t pull away.

“I’ve got you,” he adds. “Okay?”

You nod against him. When you finally look up, his hand lingers on your cheek.

“Didn’t think you’d be the nurturing type." you say, voice hoarse.

He chuckles, voice rumbling in his chest. “Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my brand.”

You lean back just enough to see his face.

And something shifts between you.

A quiet moment in the eye of the storm.

“I still think ‘Grinch’ suits you,” you whisper.

“And I still think you’re high-maintenance.”

“Excuse me?”

“Only a Barbie Doll would coordinate a rescue effort and sass a cop in the same breath.”

You smirk. “Maybe I’m both.”

The moment stretches. You’re both still, holding onto something neither of you fully understands yet.

Then a shout breaks the spell.

“Y/n!”

You turn. “Dad!”

Your father is running across the rubble-strewn pavement, suit jacket flapping, eyes wild.

You stand, and he pulls you into a crushing hug.

“I’m fine,” you gasp. “We’re all fine.”

He cups your face. “I got the alert mid-meeting and left immediately.”

You hug him tighter. “I had to take charge.”

“And you did,” he whispers. “I’m proud of you.”

You feel a shift behind you. Turning, you find Tim standing quietly, watching the scene with a measured expression. Your dad notices him too.

“You,” he says, crossing over. “You pulled her out.”

“Sergeant Bradford,” Tim replies, shaking his hand firmly. “Just doing my job, sir.”

Bradford looks at you. And he gets it.

You’re not just another young woman on-site. You’re his daughter. His pride. His heart. And you’re damn good at what you do.

Daddy’s princess—with steel in your spine.

He watches you hug your dad again, whisper something that makes the older man smile. And Tim’s jaw tightens, just slightly.

Lucy appears beside him, sipping water.

“She’s a powerhouse,” she says.

“Yeah,” Tim replies, watching you like he can’t look away. “She is.”

“You gonna ask for her number?”

He snorts. “She’d probably write it on an OSHA citation and tell me to lighten up.”

“You could use someone who challenges you.” his rookie shrugs.

Tim glances back at you—still in that vest, still a little scraped up, but glowing with that post-adrenaline shine.

Maybe he could.

Not So Grumpy

Requested Here!

Edit: Read Part 2 Here >

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!wife!pregnant!reader

Summary: Tim is grumpier than usual, and when you decide to visit him at the station, the rookies get an idea of why.

Warnings: pregnant reader. fluff!

Word Count: 1.8k+ words

A/N: Softie Tim? Softie (and clingy) Tim. This takes place sometime during seasons 1-2.

“Don’t start,” Tim says, sitting beside Angela.

“Whoa, okay,” she replies with a laugh. “Glad to see you’re in such a good mood.”

“That sounds like starting.”

Angela puts her hands up, smiling as she turns away from Tim. “Chen, good luck.”

Tim rolls his eyes, wishing his mornings could go differently. It’s been several weeks of his persistent bad mood, and everyone who has to deal with him is curious about what’s causing it.

“Bradford, can I- could I maybe get you something?” Lucy offers softly.

“No.”

✯✯✯✯✯

You wake up curled against Tim’s side, his arm extended over your waist. His alarm is going off, and he’s smacking the nightstand beside him in a poor attempt to turn it off.

“You have to go to work,” you remind him, kissing his cheek as you move farther up in the bed.

“I’m good,” he replies, sighing as he finds his phone and turns the sound off. “Right here.”

He rolls closer to you, his hand sweeping over your stomach as he looks into your eyes. Tim can be persuasive, but you’ve gotten used to this routine over the last few weeks.

“I’d love for you to stay, I really would, but I don’t think your boss would appreciate it,” you say.

Tim groans, pressing his face against your neck as his arm tightens around you.

“You got clingy,” you tease, running your fingers through his hair and gently scratching his scalp.

“And you won’t let me stay,” Tim mumbles.

“It’s not my fault you wanted to be a cop.”

“You would-“ Tim pauses, sitting up so you can hear him. “You would deprive me of staying at your side during a time like this?”

Chuckling at his dramatics, you push your hand against Tim’s shoulder in a pointless attempt to move him away from you.

“Tim, baby, you see me all the time.”

“Not enough. I’m going to come home one day, and there will be a toddler running around, but I won’t remember any of this.”

You close your eyes and lean back against your pillow. “You have to go to work today so you can come to the doctor with me on Friday, right? Just think about that.”

“I can’t. I can only think of you.”

“You start a family and suddenly you’re the most romantic, clingy guy in the world. Where’d the grump go?”

Tim doesn’t reply as he tries to pull you closer. Rolling away from him, you leave him no choice but to get up and go to work. His disappointed sigh makes you frown; you know he’s being dramatic to cover up how he feels.

“Tim,” you call, sitting up as he walks to you. “I’m sorry. I love you, and I really do want you here as much as possible.”

“I know. It’s just harder than I thought it would be.”

You nod, tilting your chin up in a silent request for a kiss. Tim smiles, shaking his head as he bends to meet you. You pull back before he risks getting distracted.

“The grump is back now,” Tim mumbles.

“Hey! Be nice today,” you call after him.

Tim doesn’t reply, and you know he’ll deny ever hearing you say such a thing.

✯✯✯✯✯

Tim slams the door as he exits the shop. Standing with his hands on his hips, he looks at the flat tire before glancing at Lucy.

“I didn’t see it,” she begins, her voice rushed and apologetic.

“Because you weren’t paying attention,” Tim snaps.

“But I-“

“How do you expect to graduate to short sleeves if you can’t even drive, boot?”

“It wasn’t my fault; there was something in the road!”

“Call dispatch,” Tim demands.

“What’s the protocol for this?”

Tim remains silent, leaning against the side of the shop as Lucy racks her brain for the proper procedure. As she radios dispatch and explains the situation, Tim grows grumpier. He’s stranded in a subdivision of Los Angeles with a flat tire that could have been avoided instead of home with you. His conviction about being a cop wanes each moment he’s away from you.

✯✯✯✯✯

Even without seeing the worst of it, you can tell Tim’s attitude has changed lately. His fellow officers and the rookies have been dealing with the grumpiest version of Tim they’ve ever experienced, but you see the clingy, emotional, loving side of whatever is making him act so differently.

After doing a few small chores, which Tim will tell you not to do again, you get ready and decide to pay him a visit at the station. You want to see how he is doing.. mostly, you miss him and want an excuse to see him and hug him.

As you get in your car, you consider calling Tim to ensure he’s at the station and has time for a visitor. He has been protective of you since you met, but it has changed and increased since getting married and throughout the early months of your pregnancy. You shrug, putting your phone away after electing to surprise him instead. 

✯✯✯✯✯

“It would be great if one of you could remember that you’re a police officer!” Tim yells, looking between Nolan, Lucy, and Jackson. “Now you’ve got nothing to say? No excuses? Well maybe you should review those rook books before going out on patrol again.”

He turns quickly, prepared to storm away and find a private place to calm down. When he freezes, the rookies look at one another in confusion. Nolan prepares to speak, and Lucy shakes her head to stop him, unwilling to get yelled at again so soon.

“What are you doing here?” Tim asks.

You step into the bullpen with a smile as Tim rushes to your side.

“Missed you,” you whisper.

“Is that- is she-“ Nolan stutters.

“Pregnant? Yeah. And Tim is… smiling?” Jackson adds.

Lucy gasps, moving in front of Nolan to see better. It’s true: Tim is standing as close as he can, with one hand laid protectively over your stomach while he smiles down at you. His grumpiness, which has made being a rookie nearly unbearable recently, is completely gone, vanished at the sight of you.

“You shouldn’t be up walking around,” Tim frets.

“Then I probably shouldn’t tell you I cleaned the kitchen, huh?” you reply.

Tim shakes his head, his thumb brushing over the swell of your baby bump as he leans forward to kiss your forehead.

“Are you feeling okay?” Tim asks softly.

You smile, moving your chin to gesture to your left. Tim’s brows pinch as he turns, glaring at the rookies until they look away, turning to one another in a fake conversation.

“I’m not going to survive this afternoon,” Tim tells you.

“You’ve been grumpy and mean,” you accuse.

“Look, they’re going to annoy me all afternoon. Stay with me? You can do a ride along. Oh! Or you could go into labor so I can stay home with you for a few days.”

“As great as that sounds, I’m going to pass. I’d like to have a healthy baby when the time is right, not on your schedule, grumpy.”

Tim frowns, his hands on either side of your bump.

“But, I promise to be waiting for you the moment you get home,” you add. “And, maybe, if you just tell them the truth, it won’t be so bad.”

“You’ve never dealt with a boot. Or Angela Lopez.”

“Just because you won’t introduce me.”

“For good reason.”

You smile, raising your chin again before Tim kisses you quickly.

“Be careful going home. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

Tim watches you leave, waiting until you’re out of sight to turn back toward the rookies. He jerks back slightly when he sees Lucy standing right beside him.

“She’s so cute! You’re so cute together! Why haven’t you mentioned her, Tim?” Lucy gushes. “And where do you hide that guy that was with her? I’ve never met that Tim.”

“And you won’t,” he promises.

“I think he leaves that side of Tim with her,” Nolan adds.

Tim’s jaw clenches. It’s true, he knows, but he doesn’t want details of his personal life to become an accepted topic for the rookies. He raises his hand, and they silence.

“Just- leave it alone for now, and I will introduce you the next time she visits,” he offers. 

As he says it, he makes a mental note to ask you not to visit without warning so he doesn’t have to follow through. The lie is the only way to have peace while in the vicinity of the rookies.

“I can’t believe you’re going to be a dad,” Jackson muses.

“You’re having a kid?” Angela yells, running down the stairs and grabbing Tim’s arm.

Tim grumbles something unintelligible under his breath before saying, “Yes.”

“Boy or girl?”

“Don’t know yet.”

“If it’s a girl, Angela is a great name.”

“Oh, trust me, I’ve got a long list of names that are an absolute no-go,” Tim replies, looking between the rookies and Angela.

“How did you figure this out?” Angela asks Lucy.

“She – who is she?” Lucy begins before realizing that she never heard who you are to Tim.

“My wife,” Tim mutters.

“You’re married?!” Angela and Nolan ask together.

Angela slaps Tim's shoulder, frowning when he looks at her with his eyebrows raised.

“I thought we were friends.”

“What gave you that impression?”

Angela gasps, covering her heart with her hand.

“Uh, Tim?” you ask, standing behind him.

He turns toward you quickly, and Angela’s eyes widen as she looks at you.

“Yeah?” he asks kindly, yet another surprise.

“Can you come with me for a second?” You notice the small crowd behind him, officers who seem more interested in you than anything else. “Hi,” you say, waving at them.

“It is so nice to meet you,” Angela begins, stepping toward you before Tim blocks her way with his arm.

“We’ll do introductions later,” Tim says, putting his arm around you and leading you away.

“I’m holding you to that!” Lucy yells.

Tim leads you into an empty interview room, his eyes searching yours. You take his hand, laying it on your stomach. Something happened when you heard his voice earlier, and you want to share it.

“Say something,” you request. “Anything.”

“I love you,” Tim answers.

His eyes widen as he feels the movement of a kick against his hand. He squats before you, moving his hand under your shirt.

“You know who I am, don’t you?” he asks.

You feel another kick, laughing at how your baby already has Tim wrapped around its finger. 

“You promised to make introductions,” you say, interrupting Tim’s conversation with your stomach.

Tim stands, cupping your face in his hands and kissing you. Breathless, you push against his chest as you break away.

“You were right,” you admit. “It would be nice to have you home more.”

“We did it,” Tim whispers, his eyes dropping to your bump.

“I feel like I’m interrupting something,” you mumble.

Tim chuckles, rubbing your back as he leads you to the door.

“Introductions, and then we’re going home,” Tim explains. “Names and nothing more.”

“I would expect no less, Officer Bradford.”

The Flower and The Serpent : a Walt De Ville x reader FF : two

You leaned against the wide bank of windows and watched the sun fall, the beautiful dress from Walt still draped over the bed covers, seemingly calling your name. A fine mist hovered in the grounds as a light rain started to drop, coating the manor in a sheen of dampness.

Keep reading

Anonymity

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!singer!reader

Summary: You and Tim Bradford have secret lives, but when you see one another, the desire to wear a mask disappears.

Warnings: attempted violence against reader, mostly fluff!

Word Count: 3.3k+ words

A/N: There was a brief period where I wanted to be a songwriter, so the bad lyrics in this are mine! I've been listening to even more music than usual lately so if you have (or need) any song recs, please drop them in my inbox🤭

Masterlist | Tim Bradford Masterlist | Request Info/Fandom List

“What exactly are you telling me?” you question.

“Your front row security team refused to sign the NDA,” your manager Wendy explains.

“So, I don’t have stage security for tonight? The show that starts in less than six hours,” you clarify.

“Right.”

You sigh, rubbing your jaw as you think. “Do they have to sign one?”

“They’re required to have backstage access via all access passes to be in that area between the crowd and the stage,” she explains. “So, yes.”

“And we can’t get a security team vetted, signed, and prepped that quickly. What are we supposed to do?”

“I don’t want to suggest we cancel the show, but our options are incredibly limited.”

“That is not an option,” you say. “These people paid for tickets; they’re already lining up. Absolutely not.”

“Legally, I cannot let you on that stage. As your friend, I wouldn’t anyway, it is not safe.”

“Then we need to start brainstorming.”

Your makeup artist enters, greets you kindly, and begins clipping your hair away from your face.

“I have one idea,” your manager says several minutes later. “But you’re not going to like it.”

“Can’t be as bad as cancelling,” you murmur.

“We could call the LAPD for assistance.”

You shake your head, meeting her eyes in the mirror. “They have better things to do.”

“Then we ask for a few trustworthy cops who are off duty and make it well worth their while.”

You hesitate but answer, “Fine. But give them double what we were going to pay the last team.”

“Whatever you say, Scinan.”

You grab a used makeup wipe off the vanity and throw it over your shoulder at Wendy. She laughs as she dodges it, then walks out of the room. You apologize to your makeup artist and sit back to have your transformation completed. Because you remain entirely anonymous on stage, there are a lot of security and legal measures that someone has to consider. Luckily, you have an entire team of people you trust.

Letting your eyes close, you review your set in your head, then start daydreaming new stories and shifting them into songs. The hours leading up to a concert used to be stressful and anxiety-inducing, but after several weeks of sold-out stadiums, you’ve learned to find the peace before the madness. Besides, you love what you do.

“If there’s a bunch of cops in the front row,” your makeup artist muses, “I might stay and fall in love.”

“Only if you wait for a decent song to kiss, give the people in the front row something worth filming,” you tease.

Less than an hour before the doors open and SoFi Stadium fills with fans, Wendy knocks on your open door and steps into the green room your host set up before you arrived.

“Good news?” you ask.

She looks at you for a moment, then shakes her head. “Sorry. You’d think I’d be used to the difference, but it still throws me off a little bit when I see the costume.”

“Well, at least I succeed in looking like a different person,” you reply.

“I do have good news, though.”

She offers you a small stack of papers, and you flip through the signed and dated NDAs. They’ve been notarized, so you return them and thank her for the quick thinking.

“What did the LAPD say when you called?” you ask.

“The Sergeant I talked to was more than willing to pass the offer along, even recommended a few officers he knew had tonight off. They now make up four-fifths of your security team.”

“Are they here?”

“Yes, they’re getting familiar with the stage area.”

“I want to meet them before the doors open.”

“Follow me,” Wendy says.

You walk onto the stage and immediately spot the officers. They’re wearing similar dark tactical pants, boots, and matching shirts reading ‘SECURITY’ on the front and back. The three men before you have black ball caps tucked in their back pockets.

“Officers,” Wendy calls. “I’d like to introduce you to Scinan.”

“Hi!” one of the female officers says, waving excitedly. “I’m a huge fan, but I promise I’m not you know, a crazy fan.”

“You sound a little crazy right now,” the woman beside her points out.

“I am excited,” the first woman says under her breath.

“Scinan,” Wendy begins, “these are Officers Chen, Lopez, Thorsen, Nolan, and Bradford.”

“Oh, first names, please,” Officer Thorsen says. “That’s Lucy, Angela, I’m Aaron, John, and Tim.”

“It’s very nice to meet you all,” you reply, smiling. “I can’t thank you enough for making time to be here.”

“It’s an honor, thank you,” Aaron says.

“You’re Aaron Thorsen?” you ask.

“Yeah,” he answers carefully. “Wondering where you know me from?”

“Sort of,” you admit. “Is your dad Lincoln? From Flex and Flow?”

“He is.”

“You know Flex and Flow?” Lucy exclaims. “Make Da Noise is my go-to karaoke jam.”

“Not this again,” Tim grumbles.

“I’ve never considered singing it at karaoke,” you reply. “Not that I ever actually do karaoke, but, you know.”

“You could sing your own songs, and no one would know,” Angela points out.

“I only have the confidence to sing in character,” you respond. “I’m more myself when people see a face that isn’t mine.”

“It works,” Lucy says. “Your fans – the ones who like you and your music and the stories – also like your mind and your heart, and your voice, obviously.”

“Thank you,” you whisper. “Help yourselves to the merchandise, it’s on me. Show your security badges at the snack bar, and you can get food, water, anything, free of charge.”

“There are also refreshments just off stage left,” Wendy offers.

“Right,” you agree. “Thank you all again, and I’ll see you all night.”

“Good luck,” Angela says.

“You don’t need luck,” Lucy adds.

“Thanks,” Nolan says. “My wife loves you, so I’ll get to take her at least a t-shirt.”

“Go get her one now,” you encourage. “Or one of each, seriously, it’s all on me. I can’t thank you enough for being here. This show quite literally would not be happening without you.”

You nod to Tim, the only one who didn’t speak directly to you, then turn to exit the stage. When you return, you’ll be fully immersed in your character, living a story similar yet wildly different to your own. Maybe you’ll have the courage to do more than look at him then.

The stadium is dark when you take your place at the microphone. Phones are up, cameras pointed toward you, yet you feel hidden, fully confident, and bright. Scinan, your stage name, is the Old English word for shine, and though your music is often referred to as dark, moody, and raw, you seek to bring some light to the darkness of reality. As you weave a narrative through your songs, albums, and the shroud of mystery around your character, you’re telling a story of moving through the dark, navigating life with a purpose rather than wandering blindly.

“Welcome to the City of Demons,” your voice says through the speakers. It’s distorted, played from the opening of your song Fear. As you wait for your cue to begin singing, the band starts playing, and the crowd cheers.

“Scinan!” the crowd yells.

You can hear some audience members quoting the song’s opening monologue, and you smile beneath your hollow ceramic mask. A few years ago, you wouldn’t have imagined you’d make it here. Now, you never want to leave.

“Darkness engulfs me like a blackened shroud,” you sing.

The lights behind you begin twinkling, reminiscent of a field full of fireflies.

“In this dark, I am forever alone.”

The stage lights slowly begin to glow, illuminating the meticulously designed stage. You look out into the crowd, invisible yet fully exposed.

“Even the sun can’t be seen through the cloud, and no one hears my broken groan.”

As the drummer picks up the tempo, you pull the microphone from the stand, walk to the edge of the stage, and wave to the crowd, inviting them to join you in the darkness as you lead them to the light. You squat behind Tim Bradford, watching him from behind your mask.

“The fear has kept me bound in its chain,” you sing.

The beat drops, and you join as the crowd yells, “So I pull it to my side!”

“I’ve got one surviving memory of when you walked away, taking everything,” you sing, stepping purposefully across the stage. “But past that I don’t remember a thing.”

“Scinan!” a man in the front row screams, waving a vinyl record cover.

You carefully jump off the stage and smile as you walk between the crowd barrier and the stage.

“Do you remember what it felt like when it was real?” you continue, accepting a pen from Officer Nolan to sign a few things.

When you reach the man who drew your attention, you scribble your autograph across the top corner of your most recent album cover. You step back, but he wraps his hand around your wrist, pulling you toward the barrier. Before you can glance over your shoulder, Tim Bradford is between you. You feel the man release you and step back, letting the crowd sing the chorus. Tim turns toward you, carefully steering you away from the front row as Nolan and Angela unceremoniously pull the man over the barrier and shove him toward the exit.

You pick up his forgotten album cover as the song ends. A young woman who'd been standing behind the man looks frightened, so you write a note on the cover and offer it to her with a smile.

"Are you okay?" Tim asks, holding your shoulders.

"Yeah," you answer. "Thank you."

Tim exhales like he's relieved you're safe. "Let me know if that changes."

“You know that video is going to be all over social media, right?” you whisper to Tim.

He taps the bill of his cap and winks before he helps you back onto the stage. You shake your wrist out and get right back into the show. With Tim so close, you have nothing to fear, not even the demons you fight through your music.

The final song on your set list is one of your slower songs but is among the most highly rated. You took to Instagram when the tour was first announced and allowed your followers to assist you in building the set list, and this was nearly unanimously voted to finish the show.

“Whoever you love,” you say into the mic. “Tell them before it’s too late. Sing it, scream it, whisper it, show it. But don’t risk what could’ve been for what might’ve been.”

As you sing the first verse, you remain close to the side of the stage where Tim is. You’ve been drawn to him all night, and it’s time you take your own advice. Even before he stepped between you and the overeager fan, you saw how special Tim was behind his mask. You can relate to that, but you also know that for the right person, removing the mask is more than revealing your appearance; it's baring your soul and your heart to someone worthy of seeing it and treasuring it.

You shift to sit on the catwalk, letting your feet hang over the edge. The crowd cheers, undoubtedly filming you and the moment you’re having. You lean forward and tap Tim’s shoulder. When he turns to you, you slip your arm across the back of his shoulders and tug him closer. Tim doesn’t fight you but steps forward to stand between your legs. You sing to him like there’s no one else around. There are 70,000 people in the stadium, but only one has your attention.

As the song ends, you lean back, pulling your palm lightly along Tim’s jaw before you stand and walk to the end of the catwalk. The song ends, and the lights go out. The crowd cheers, bringing another smile as you return to the mark where you started. With your custom-made, glowing blade in your hand, you press the foot pedal beside your mic stand and wait for the sword to alight. Cheers and screams fill the venue, and you spin it carefully before propping it against your shoulder.

“One more song for the road?” you ask as the bassist strums the opening chords of Blade.

“I can’t hear, but that was so worth it,” Lucy says too loudly as she pulls her earplugs out of her ears.

“Bailey was right,” Nolan muses. “She’s better live.”

“Wait, why didn’t Bailey come?” Angela inquires.

“She’s going to the San Diego show with a few friends next week.”

Aaron nods, and then his jaw drops. “Tim, you got a little something…”

Tim raises his hand to his neck, rubs it lightly, then looks at his fingers. They’re stained a yellow-tinted grey, clearly from where your painted skin touched him. He’d been face to face with you, his hand on your hip where the crowd couldn’t see, and it felt as if you were singing to him, about him.

“I would actually pay for her to sing like that to me,” Lucy sighs dreamily.

“Well, the paint is incredibly hard to remove, so now I feel bad,” you interrupt.

Tim turns first, looking up at you where you stand on the stage.

“Sorry,” you offer.

“It’s okay,” he assures you.

You glance down, but Tim shakes his head. He raises his arms and holds your hips. Bending forward, you place your hands on his shoulders and let him lower you onto the floor.

“Thank you,” you whisper before you step away from him.

Your outfit has been exchanged for black sweatpants and a Deftones shirt that is too big for you. The body paint covering your arms and neck has worn off in several places, but your face is still covered.

“You were incredible,” Aaron applauds. “What a show.”

“I really appreciate that,” you reply. “My security team made it special.”

“We’re yours now?” Lucy asks, bouncing in place.

You smile, but Tim answers, “Easy, Chen. Don’t drool all over her.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Wendy says. “Do you need copies of your NDAs?”

“I do,” Angela replies. “My husband would kill me if I didn’t bring him one.”

“I’ll take mine, too,” Aaron adds. “Thank you.”

Nolan and Lucy also ask for copies, but Tim politely declines.

“It’s legal documentation,” Lucy points out. “You may need it.”

“You can call or email Wendy if you need it later,” you offer. “She can send it from anywhere.”

Lucy shrugs, but Aaron narrows his eyes. He shakes his head as Nolan and Angela begin speaking again, and whatever suspicion he had passes.

“If any of you are interested in security jobs or free concert tickets, please let me know,” you say. “I’ve got some stuff to do before we leave tomorrow, but it was very nice to meet you all.”

“You too,” they reply.

“Good luck with the rest of your tour,” Lucy adds.

You nod in gratitude, then step back so they can leave. When they walk toward the exit, it feels a bit like losing friends.

“What’s your favorite song?” Tim asks from beside you.

“You know the answer to that,” you reply, smiling at him. “I didn’t mean to paint you while I sang it, though. Sorry about that.”

“Not the first time I’ve had to wash this stuff off.”

You shake your head, raising your hand toward his face. Tim catches your wrist and wags his finger in a no motion.

“Sing about painting me or something, don’t actually do it.”

“My songs have to be authentic,” you groan. “I can’t sing about it if I haven’t experienced it.”

“After your last show, then,” Tim stipulates.

“You’re coming to San Diego with me?” you ask excitedly.

“If that’s alright.”

“I’d let you go everywhere with me, handsome.”

Tim taps your mask, and you tip your chin up. After pulling it away from your face, Tim carefully removes the strap from around your wig. He cups your chin and replies, “Beautiful.”

“The sweat streaks in the paint really sell the look, right?” you joke. “Speaking of which, I’m pretty sure Aaron knows.”

“If any of them caught on, it would be Angela.”

“He noticed that Wendy only had four NDAs.”

“I’m going to fire her.”

“Not your call.”

“They want to talk to you again,” Wendy calls from the right wing. “Can I bring them back in?”

“Yeah,” you reply. “Give me ninety seconds.”

“Got it.”

“I’m going to tell them,” Tim says, tugging the strap on your mask to put it back on.

You lift your hands quickly to stop him. “About what?”

“Lucy keeps trying to set me up on dates.”

Biting back a laugh, you nod and allow Tim to finish. As you face your returning friends, you murmur, “Tell them now.”

Tim looks at you but can’t reply before Aaron, Angela, Lucy, and Nolan return.

“I was wondering where you went,” Aaron tells Tim.

“We’d like to go to the San Diego show,” Angela explains. “Whether you need security, or we buy tickets, we’d love to be there.”

“I can hire you to work, or I can get you VIP passes,” you offer. “I’d love to have you there.”

“My wife is going,” Nolan tells you.

“Send Wendy her ticket info, I’ll get them upgraded and put you near each other, if you want.”

“You’re the sweetest person in the world,” Lucy says. “I love you.”

“Lucy,” Tim sighs.

“Ooh, Tim, you should bring a date.”

“Stop.”

“But, it would be so good for you!”

“Chen,” Tim interrupts firmly. “I’m married.”

The stadium falls quiet, no more voices to echo as Tim’s friends stare at him with wide eyes and slack jaws. They seem to repeat his statements internally as you watch them process his reveal.

“To whom?” Angela asks, clearly forcing her voice to stay level and calm.

“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Lucy demands without taking the same care to control her reaction.

“You all seem like very trustworthy people,” you murmur.

“We are,” Nolan says. “Which is why I don’t understand why you’d keep this from us.”

“Especially me!” Lucy adds. “I’ve been trying to set you up!”

“You are a catch,” you tell Tim. “Hope your wife doesn’t care that you’re wearing my mark.”

“Will you stop?” Tim whispers.

“You two do know each other,” Aaron realizes. “That’s why Tim didn’t sign an NDA.”

You give Tim an I told you so look through the mask, and he rolls his eyes.

“Can I tell you guys one more secret?” you ask.

“Anything,” Lucy answers. “I’ll take it to my grave.”

“What is wrong with you?” Nolan asks her.

“I’m starstruck, I think.”

You smile as you pull your mask off. With your face exposed to your new friends, you say, “I don’t usually look exactly like this.”

“Are we best friends now?” Lucy inquires.

“I think so,” you answer. You introduce yourself and finish with, “Tim’s wife.”

You’re met by the same slack-jaw looks Tim had received. Only when they snap out of it this time, it’s much louder.

“Whoa, whoa,” you chuckle. “One question at a time.”

“No questions,” Tim amends. “It’s midnight, and we all have stuff to do tomorrow.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” you repeat. “Hopefully we can actually meet soon.”

“Dinner after San Diego,” Nolan says, pointing at Tim.

“We’ll see,” Tim answers. “Now get out.”

“I can’t believe you’re married to her,” Lucy tells Tim.

“Who do you think Jacket is about?” you whisper conspiratorially.

Tim shakes his head yet again as he pulls you back. You wave before you let him lead you toward the back door of the stadium.

At two a.m., after you have showered and come down from the post-concert high, you lie in bed beside Tim and press your ear over his heart.

“Nice to see you again,” Tim murmurs, rubbing his hand along your spine.

“I missed you,” you reply. “Thank you for coming tonight.”

“Thanks for finally confirming that Jacket is about me.”

You lean forward to kiss Tim’s jaw, then close your eyes and relax against him.

“I love you,” Tim says, tapping your ring.

“I love you more,” you reply, falling asleep before you hear Tim’s argument.

Could you do fic for David 'Deacon' Kay with wife reader where she's a ballet dancer? Maybe he brought the team to see her and he's proud of her. I don't know if it make sense. Add something you'd like though. Thanks!!!

Of course! I know next to nothing about ballet, so hopefully what I found online is accurate lol. I hope you enjoy and please feel free to let me know what you think!! Proud, obsessed with his wife (and showing her off) Deacon is the best, so thanks for the great req!🤍

Warnings: just fluff! 1.1k+ words

Picture from Pinterest

Your Biggest Fan

People always say opposites attract. Most people don’t really believe it, though; you, for one, expected to find something compatible, comfortable, or, in other words, similar. That was until you met David “Deacon” Kay. He is your polar opposite. You’re a ballerina, and he’s a cop. You’re soft pastels, and he’s dark blues and blacks. But you love each other more than anything else and are proud of each other in everything you do.

✯✯✯✯✯

Since marrying Deacon and moving into his house, he has developed a ‘dance day ritual.’ He makes your favorite light breakfast and serves it with a single red rose. After he wakes you, he kisses you in the bedroom doorway, promising to be on time to watch you.

“You’re my biggest fan,” you murmur against his lips.

He nods, pulling you tighter against him as he wishes to spend the whole day with you. When you finally manage to direct him to the porch, you have to practically force him off you, laughing as he fights to stay in your arms.

“I will see you tonight,” you argue.

“Too long,” he says with a pout.

He steps backward off the porch, waving as he closes the door, and you begin preparing for your performance. From morning stretches to rehearsals, you have a full day leading up to the dance at the end of it. Deacon never leaves your mind as you prepare, cheering you on from miles away.

✯✯✯✯✯

“Dance day!” Luca cheers as soon as he sees Deacon.

Hondo, Hicks, and Luca always know when you have a recital because Deacon is in a better mood than any other day.

“You have our tickets?” Hicks asks.

Deacon nods, and Street inquires, “Tickets for what?”

“The ballet,” Luca answers.

Street’s brow furrows, looking back and forth between the men standing before him. He can’t tell if they’re serious but doesn’t know how to ask.

“Deac’s wife is a ballerina,” Hondo explains, filling in the gaps.

“Oh!” Street exclaims. “Cool. Have an extra ticket?”

Hicks laughs, gripping Deacon’s shoulder as he says, “Deacon would buy out the entire theater just to show off his wife if he could.”

Deacon shrugs but doesn’t argue. He knows what he’d do for you.

✯✯✯✯✯

Waiting backstage, you take a few deep breaths and smooth your hands over your stomach. Peeking out of a gap in the curtain, you easily find Deacon sitting in the center of the theater. It looks like he brought his entire squad, plus Hicks, Molly, Rocker, and his wife Val. You smile when you see him and step away from the curtain as you tap your wedding ring six times for good luck.

While you were dating and then engaged, Deacon didn't make it to six dances. In his wedding vows, Deacon promised never to miss another one, and so far, he has kept that promise. Once or twice, he’s come in a few minutes late dressed in full SWAT gear but has never missed an entire dance since becoming your husband. He's your good luck.

Approaching your backpack, you pull a small ring safe from the bottom, slide your ring in, and lock it. You hug your friends as you take your place, closing your eyes and focusing on the moves.

The curtain rises, and your eyes lock on Deacon as the music begins while you lift into a relevé. When you dance in front of Deacon, simply knowing he is in the audience takes all the stress away. Everything melts away except you, Deacon, and the dance you know. It begins to feel like a private show until you pause in the fifth position as the ballerinas before you glissade across the stage. Counting the beats, you find Deacon again as you move to the side, spinning into a fouetté before performing a grand gete. As you land, you hear clapping and are reminded that your husband and friends will always be in the audience cheering you on. Even if they don’t understand ballet etiquette.

✯✯✯✯✯

The moment the curtain touches the stage, you rush from your spot, finding your bag in the staging area and exiting in search of Deacon. You compliment your friends as you hurry past, promising to see them at the next practice.

As you rise onto your tiptoes to search the crowd for your husband, Deacon finds you, pulling you into his arms and spinning you around. Wrapping your arms around his shoulders, you raise your feet and laugh against his neck. You feel cellophane pressed against your back and smile as Deacon sets you back on the floor.

“Wow, they’re beautiful! Thank you” you exclaim as Deacon hands you eleven red roses. After you dance, Deacon always completes the dozen he began at breakfast.

Turning toward his team, you thank them for coming before you are showered with more praise and flowers than you think you deserve.

“Beautiful as always,” Luca says, pulling you into a hug as he passes you a bouquet that matches your costume.

“You always know just what to get,” you reply, thanking him.

“You were amazing! I understand why Deac gets everyone tickets,” Street says, smiling.

“What are you doing here?” you exclaim, pulling him into a hug. “I thought you would be against anything that happens in a theater.”

“I can give things a try,” he argues playfully.

“Okay, okay, my turn,” Deacon interjects, pulling you into another hug.

After a few minutes of talking to his team, you and Deacon say goodbye and he leads you to his car, setting your bag in the backseat before retrieving your ring and sliding it back on your finger. He stows your flowers safely in the back before returning all his attention to you. Deacon kisses your hand before pulling you closer by your waist.

“You were amazing, as always,” Deacon whispers.

“You’re amazing,” you reply, looping your arms over his shoulders to kiss him.

As you pull back, Deacon’s eyes narrow as he asks, “What?”

You tap his shoulder, leaning against him to say, “I have a chance to dance at Lincoln Center in New York City. But… I don’t want to do it unless you can be there.”

“Tell me when and I’ll be by your side the whole way,” Deacon promises. “Stuck to your side, actually. Like a leech.”

“Gross!” you exclaim with a laugh.

“I love you, twinkle toes,” Deacon teases.

You groan, pressing your forehead against his shoulder until he whispers an apology and helps you into the passenger seat.

“Where to?” he asks.

“Anywhere with you,” you reply.

He leans across the console, kissing you quickly before his big brown eyes meet yours. “I meant: do you want to get food on the way home?”

“Nope. Just get me home so I can shower you in affection.”

“That’s my job; you’ve been dancing all day.”

“You have no idea what I do on dance days, do you?”

“Stay on my mind,” Deacon replies, sighing as he takes your hand.

“You are my biggest fan.”

“That was never in question.”