Chapter Text
For Tim and Lucy, the best part of their day was being able to clock out of work together and discuss dinner plans. Whether it was going out to a fancy place or staying at home and burning down the kitchen together trying to make food. Either way, the end of shift was always a welcoming relief, shedding away the burdens of their day at the station.
As Tim grabbed their bags and headed through the sliding doors, Lucy let out a low hum, a small smile etched on her face. Tim noticed her grin, and so he did the same thing.
"Hey. Why are you so giddy today?" Tim asked, unlocking the door and shoving the bags into the trunk of the car. Lucy giggled softly, her cheeks glowing pinkish red.
"Nothing. You just look so beautiful. I have never seen a more beautiful man in my life." Lucy replied, falling in love all over again.
Tim could've sworn he felt his heart do a backflip. Truth be told, after a long shift, that is exactly something he needed to hear. He turned to face her, leaning against the car.
"Oh yeah? I am?" Tim teased, giving Lucy's cheek a slight pinch, which widened her grin. He was always so gentle with her, something she taught him to do.
"Mmm…yeah." Lucy replied, reaching up on her tippy toes to kiss him on his lips. The warmth of her kiss made the stress from the cases today ebb away. Tim pulled Lucy closer, cradling her small, petite frame against his.
Lieutenant Grey walked by, a small smirk crossing his face as she saw them. "Get a room, Sergeants!" He called out to the pair, before he and Luna got into their car.
Tim chuckled, letting out a low rumble in his chest as he deepened the kiss, savoring the feel of Lucy in his arms. The world outside the bubble they had created for that brief moment faded away for those few moments.
Lucy laughed again, a bright sound to Tim's ears. She pulled away slowly, but her gaze never left his. "Hey, listen. Why don't we order some pizza, and then maybe," Lucy continued, a mischievous look plastered on her face, "we can resume this session back at the apartment." She inquired, her fingers walking along Tim's chest."
Tim raised a sly brow, enjoying the idea. "That's a plan… that's a very good plan, Sergeant Chen." He replied, as he held Lucy by her shoulders.
Tim opened the passenger door for her with a flourish. "After you, m'lady." He replied, his voice in a weird posh accent, bowing slightly as Lucy entered through the door.
"Why thank you, kind sir." Lucy replied, her voice matching the same weird posh accent, followed by a laugh.. As they got into the car, the comfortable silence that followed were a strong reminder of the unwavering connection they shared. The end of their shift had indeed brought the best part of their day.
~~
The ride back home wasn't long, but Tim couldn't stop his body from itching to touch Lucy, to feel her skin beneath his palms. So he did just that—he took one hand off the steering wheel and found its way to her thigh. His hand gently rubbed over the material of her jeans, feeling her soft skin beneath his fingertips.
The ghost of a smile was playing at her lips, because she loved those small moments of physical touch between them. There wasn't anything sexual hiding underneath, just a deep desire to feel each other and be close at any times.
The short drive remained in a comfortable silence, just relishing in each other's presence and feeling at ease after a hard day at work. Tim occasionally stole glances at Lucy, silently admiring how the street light reflected on her face through the half closed window, enhancing the already perfect features—To him she is the most beautiful woman.
When they arrived at the familiar sight of the apartment complex, Tim parked the car in the same usual spot and took the keys out of ignition. He opened the door on his side and walked around to the other side and opened the door swiftly.
"Always the gentleman, mh?" She said in a soft spoken tone, a small chuckle escaping her lips.
He extended his arm to her, wanting to help her out of the car and smiled softly, as if he was looking at the most precious thing in the world.
"Only for you." Tim replied. His words were gentle, very far from his usual no-no sense and firm demeanor at work. It was nice to see this side of him, and knowing that it was reserved for her definitely made her feel special.
She took his hand and stepped out of the car, and his arm immediately went around her waist like an instinct—not only to keep her close, but to keep her safe.
Her arm also went around his back, trying to get him even closer, almost trying to mold their bodies together. They went inside the apartment complex and shortly after they were sitting in front of the apartment. Tim fished for the door key in his jacket for a few seconds before finding it and using it to unlock the door. Once again, like the gentleman he is, he opened the door for Lucy, allowing her to walk inside first.
He followed her shortly after, his eyes darting down at her backside before shaking his head.
Not the time, Bradford—he said to himself, but he could deny himself the magnetic pull between them.
The familiar surroundings of the apartment brought a sense of comfort to them both, where they could finally take a deserved break from work and focus on them and their relationship. The scented candles that were arranged around various shelves brought a flowery scent that filled your nose strils as soon as you stepped in—A scent that now felt like home, even if Tim wasn't a fan initially, he can't help but feel fond over these small things that Lucy implemented in his life over the course of their relationship.
Tim watched Lucy as she shrugged off her jacket, draping it over one of the chairs at the dining table. He couldn’t help himself but watch as her swan-like movements caused her shirt to ride up ever so slightly, revealing a slice of her toned midriff. Tim was used to being able to keep his personal and professional lives separate, but Lucy managed to blur those lines with an ease that both thrilled and terrified him.
“Hey, love? I’ll just change into something comfortable. Could you put a movie on while waiting for me?” Lucy asked, padding towards their slightly messy bedroom.
“Sure thing, babe.” Tim nodded, as he reached down to the coffee table to grab the remote control for their box. He sat down on the couch, scrolling endlessly through the streaming service, trying to find the best romance movie for the both of them. One reason why he was finding it so difficult was that his mind wandered to the realization that he gets to see his former rookie and subordinate naked under the same roof. That both shocked and pleased him in ways that he couldn’t explain.
“Okay, I’m back.” Lucy called out, emerging from the bedroom. She snagged a black, oversized Metro sweater from Tim, one that was so comfy to her, along with lounge leggings. Tim blinked twice as she saw his beautiful wife in those clothes. He was practically swooning.
“Did you find anything good?” She asked, plopping herself down next to Tim’s side, leaning her head against his shoulder. Tim anchored his arm around her, holding her close to him as if he was afraid to let her go.
"Umm, not- not really," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "But, hey, we don't have to watch a movie." He suggested, which piqued Lucy’s interest.
Lucy shifted her position slightly, her gaze meeting his own. There was a soft smile that danced on her lips, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Oh yeah? What would you like to do instead, Sergeant Bradford?"
The playful challenge in her voice sent a shiver down his spine. He wanted to kiss her, to feel her skin beneath his hands, to lose himself in her.
"Well… we could talk," he suggested, his voice simmering to a low grumble. "Or... or we could just enjoy the quiet. Together."
Lucy's smile softened, and she snuggled closer, her head resting comfortably in the crook of his neck. "I like that," she murmured, snuggling up close to him like a little puppy. He circled her in his arms, kissing her forehead, a gesture so simple yet so familiar between the two of them.
After what seemed like ages, Lucy drifted to sleep, the weariness winning victory over her eagerness to stay up. Tim wasn’t so exhausted, so he let his wife sleep.
As Tim was slowly succumbing to sleep, his phone started buzzing like crazy beside him, causing Lucy to stir from the vibrations on the couch. She blinked her tired, brown eyes at Tim’s direction, before yawning.
“Who… who is that?” She asked, her voice groggy. The noise of the ringtone continued, a stark contrast to the quiet evening. Tim mumbled and shifted, his hand fumbling for the phone. The screen illuminated his face in the dim light.
”I… don’t know. It says unknown caller. Babe, just… give me a second, yeah? I’ll be back.” He replied, slowly slipping away from Lucy’s bubble, as he got up to answer the phone call by the balcony, leaving Lucy alone on the couch.
~~
Lucy could see his silhouette shifting anxiously in the soft light provided by the moon, but she couldn't hear anything. Which truly made her all more worried.
But surely he'll tell her what's going on, right?
The call of brief, a simple warning. Tim's fingers were slightly shaking against his phone and his knuckles were turning white from how hard he was gripping it, and if he'd apply the tiniest bit of more force to it, he'd break it. His face is clearly distressed, and he knows that. But he can't let Lucy see him like this, no way he's dragging her into it.
He took a deep breath, trying to not let any emotions show before opening the balcony door and returning to the living room. His steps were firm, calculated, calm—a whole different world from the whirlwind of emotions in mind that will keep him awake all night.
"Everything is fine. Probably just a teenager pulling pranks on random numbers." He smiled reassuringly, wanting–no, needing– her to not worry about this. To not be a part of this.
He plopped himself down on the couch, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. The touch is gentle, but underneath it all, this small contact is like an anchor to him, keeping him in check while feeling like his head might blow up.
"Are you sure everything's okay?" She looked at him with concern in her eyes, unsure of whether or not he's telling the truth.
Tim nodded and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering against her skin for a moment longer than necessary. "Yes, I promise. Don't worry about me." He could see the drowsiness on her face, exhaustion being written all over her face.
It's an adorable sight that tugged at his heart. It even made him feel a little guilty, knowing that he just lied to the woman he loves.
But he can't tell her. He won't.
"You're exhausted. Let's get you to sleep, okay?" He grabbed her hand in his, and their fingers wrapped around each other like puzzle pieces. As if they were meant to be.
"Okay." She said softly as she felt him helping her up the couch. They walk towards the bedroom and of course he opens the door letting her in. His hand stay on the small back of her as she walks inside the comforting and familiar room.
They got to the edge of the bed and Lucy's the first one to climb on her side of the mattress, patting the other side gesturing for Tim to get in.
He got in and draped the blanket over them, providing a much needed warmth as the lingering thoughts of what he got told on the phone was making his skin crawl and sending chills to his body.
Lucy buried herself in his chest and wrapped her arm around his waist, muttering something under her breath "Goodnight, babe. I love you."
Tim took a deep breath and smelled the scent of her hair, that's such a uniqueness of her and her shampoo that always manages to ground him before speaking "I love you too. Good night."
This was definitely not a good night for him, he won't be getting any sleep. He won't even try to, because it's pointless. He just needed to figure out what he'll do.