𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐏.

for maverick to share that he wanted any of his spare time to go to this girl he was telling her about conveyed, at least to her, how serious this connection might be for him. like any lonely person avoiding too much of the quiet he threw himself into work and whatever kept him busy. he sacrificed himself time and time again for the sake and needs of others but maybe that was now shifting a bit. was he feeling the return for the first time? "it's that and not wanting to miss out on quality time. someday we're gonna be old and looking back on your life do you really want to see all the times you took an extra shift?" brow arched, the question was more about making a point rather than getting an answer. if anything maverick had his time with daniela to draw on and how she'd dedicated herself to her work rather than building with him, and she knew he hadn't forgotten how that'd made him feel. it was so cute and sweet to see him grinning like he was as he talked about this woman. "she's pretty?" he'd said it, but mia felt he might want to repeat it. "if she's making you smile like that? i already do like her."

a smile curved her expression as she watched him add a little more heat to the sauce. the smell of it simmering was fantastic and mia put a hand on her stomach to stifle the grumbling. "oh," was all she said in response to the accident comment and nodded her head once in understanding. "you'd learn to ride a motorcycle just to make things easier for her?" now she was grinning. "that's actually so freaking sweet." at his question she nodded and thought he might even have fun with it, learning to ride. as someone who ventured off on mini roadtrips she could see all the scenic routes he could even take once he'd learned. "of course. you can do anything you set your mind to." but she moved around the island to sit. "alright lets see this plating..."

while she watched and felt a bubble of excitement for her friend, mia's thoughts ventured a little to her encounter with nathan. she had her own personal reasons to be nervous and hopeful. she nodded for more sauce but held up her fingers in a pinch to show just a little more. when it was all put together her eyes swept the plates and then up to maverick. "wonderful. it smells so good too. can't wait, come on," she pulled at the seat next to hers, "let's eat. and you can gush some more if you want. we're in girl talk territory now."

thirty-five wasn't much of a milestone, but it felt like one to him. he'd spent years being complacent with the world and what it offered him, never taking more or questioning what landed at his feet. he spent his time helping others, ensuring they saw the best in themselves and in the world around them. "no, i don't want to look back and wonder about any of it." he wasn't the rearview type of person. he preferred his focus on the present, because he'd spent too much time looking back at memories he couldn't change. no, what he wanted now was to make a better future for himself, to fill the voids he'd let sit for so many years. "stunning," he nodded, his smile deepening as he thought about everything he liked about paige. her eyes, her smile, her body. "she's real funny. always making me laugh," he continued on, thankful for the other's support on the matter. as one of dani's friends, he'd wondered how she'd feel, but they'd forged their own friendship too, and he'd trusted in that.

maverick pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and shrugged. "sure. i mean, can't be that hard, right? plus, if it means it'd make her life easier... i'd be sort of crazy not to try." he sounded more confident than he felt, but that was the thing about caring for someone as much as he cared for paige. he'd go out of his comfort zone, even if he knew she'd never ask him to. "i can be sweetheart from time to time," he teased, though it was more often than not. by making the lives of others easier, he felt better about his own. "one thing at a time." his brows shot upward and he forced out a steadying breath. "take it easy on me, alright? i'm still learning."

with the adjustments made and the plates settled in their respective spots, maverick joined her in the seat she'd pulled at for him. once seated, he stole a drink from his glass and turned toward her slightly. "girl talk territory?" he chuckled to himself, and turned away long enough to steal a bite from his plate. it was hot, but he blew out breaths and turned back toward her after he'd swallowed a big bite. "i'll tell you everything you want to know, but you have to tell me a little something too. come on, how are things? how's nathan?" he tried to meet her gaze when the man's name rolled off his tongue. he couldn't help himself from asking about their mutual connection, just like he couldn't help the way he studied her, looking for any subtle tells.

"do you have a favorite thing i call you?" he hadn't thought much about it until she'd asked him. he shuffled through nicknames with her, only using her full name when he wanted to know that he was being serious. "good. i like both. pretty sure i'd like anything you called me." he nodded, eager and pleased by the idea of her saying it on repeat. his blues shifted down to her mouth before raising back to meet hers. "please do." the words were mumbled against her mouth, quiet and raspy off his tongue. he wanted to kiss her over and over again, stand there until the sun greeted the both of them, but another part of him wanted to get her home and into the bedroom where it'd all started. "you already are giving me everything." her time was more than enough, but her kisses, the soft stories shared in the quiet moments of the night, and all the time they spent together doing everything and nothing at all. that was everything to him. she was everything to him. "hey," he called out softly, waiting until she looked at him again before he spoke. "i'm not going to be the person who lets you down. i've got you, paige."

wanting something for himself and expressing such were two different things. as every word was breathed into the night air, he wondered if it was enough, it any of it made sense or if he was talking himself in circles. his eyes went a little wider when she called his name, her voice steadying the rise of panic that clawed beneath his ribs. he wanted to do this right, wanted to tell her just how much he wanted her. he watched her closely and waited, nodding slowly as she tried to piece together words of her own. he didn't dare rush them from her, he simply hovered, watching her while he tried his damnedest to control the rise and fall of his chest. the pace of his nodding quickened by a few beats as he watched her. he wanted that too, and that was the very thing he was trying to put out there. he wanted her... to be with her. he started to speak, but he forced himself to stay quiet, to allow her the chance to finish. he chuckled quietly when she kicked at the pavement, because it was such a paige move, but the amused look faded back into the focused, hopeful stare he'd been giving her. no part of him wanted to look elsewhere, or to think of anyone else. "i know," he chimed in, but fell silent when she began speaking again. there was so much he wanted to say, so much that he wanted to give her in return, but eh waited until she'd finished. "i don't want to be with anyone else, paige. when i said i want you, whatever you'll give me... that's what i was getting at."

the firefighter reached out to her, his hands falling gently against her cheeks, his thumbs swiping slowly at her skin, his eyes on hers. he knew the tears building behind his own blues had fallen, the wetness streaking his cheeks. "i want to be your partner. i think we'd make a damn good team," he mumbled quietly, his bleary eyed gaze glued to her. "you already give me so much. waking up with you is the best part of my day and getting to come by and see you at the end of that same day... it's my favorite way to spend it." a small smile crept onto his mouth as he looked at her, at the woman that he'd met by chance, and now couldn't imagine his life without. "i got you. i'll always have you." maverick dropped his hands from her face and pulled her into his chest. he hugged her tightly and pressed a firm kiss into the crown of her head. "it's you and me, paige."

at the age of twenty, he'd been willing to believe anything. how was he to know that his crew mates would bring him into the fold in such a way? as he told the story, the way she looked at him made his head spin, but he continued on without missing a beat. he liked being looked at like that, like what he said mattered, even if it was nothing more than a silly story from his past. "they spent about a week doing the prank calls. it was the last one that gave them away though. it was way too over the top and they couldn't hold it together when i came into the bay looking for help." they'd tried again after that, but they always laughed while trying to get into character because they remembered how he'd responded to that one call he'd told her about. "both seems like the best answer, so i'm glad you agree." he wasn't going to shy away from her. he wanted everyone to know that they were together, that maverick malone, resident loner, was no longer alone. "all i care about is us. besides, we've got some time to make up. three years of it, i think," he teased, brows wiggling as he grinned down at her.

"so, what i'm hearing is... we both have some encouraging to do. unless you think i shouldn't say anything? i don't want to get in the middle of it or anything, but he's a good guy, and if she's into him?" he shrugged, thinking of what tyler would do if the roles were reversed. he thought of will and summer too, but he'd taken a hands off approach to their marriage, and had instead opted to care for them separately. he looked to her like he was hoping for an answer. she knew her friend, and they both knew tyler. if it was better to let them figure it out for themselves, he'd let them. "then i guess we better get moving." he wanted to peel off her layers and his too, and he wanted to feel her skin pressed into his. two long days without her had been torture. "i think that might be the solution to all arguments. can't be mad if your focus is somewhere else." despite the joke, maverick knew that they operated on the same wavelength. if there was an ever issue, talking about it was the only way they'd get through it. after the talking, that's when they'd let their bodies handle the rest. he felt a familiar tug low in his belly and he snickered. "sounds like it's a win-win situation for the both of us."

maverick cupped a hand over his mouth to stifle the loud laughter that threatened to spill into the night air. he nodded, recognizing that they had to be quiet. his other hand stayed firm against her backside, greedy and claiming in the way it gripped her. "i'll be by your side most of the time, but you can't blame me for wanting to follow behind every now and again." he was playing with fire, but any bit of tiredness he'd felt earlier in the evening had burned out, replaced by his need for her. he groaned quietly when she yelped, chuckled raspily when she nipped at his chest. "that was the plan, baby," he muttered lowly, voice weighted with want and desire.

maverick shook his head slowly, deep blues lit with amusement. his line of sight fell to the way she bit into her bottom lip. he watched her work it between her a teeth for a few beats, and then he shifted to rid himself of everything except for the black briefs that clung to the round of his backside and left little to the imagination of where his mind was. "that's all you." her body was perfect, every inch sculpted just right. it was hard for him to pick what he liked best, but he chose to leave no part unappreciated. "just waiting for you to catch up," he teased, the anticipation of her shedding each layer enough to drive him mad. her gentle touch brought his gaze to hers. his smile softened and he took in the way she looked at him. his heart thudded wickedly against his ribs, his pulse hammering at his temples so loud that he'd nearly missed the three quiet words she'd delivered.

tears welled in his eyes and he replayed her voice in his head over and over again. for three years, he'd gotten to know her. he'd seen her during her highs, and he'd been there with her during the lows. she'd shared pieces of herself with him and she'd listened while he did the same. "paige," he breathed, his voice cracking. "i love you. i love you. i love you," he echoed, leaning down to press his forehead into hers. his eyes fell closed and tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. "i love you," he muttered again, his lips brushing hers between every syllable.

her immediate answer was halted before it rushed off her tongue, because it wasn’t what maverick had asked. she’d love if he called her babe or baby, but she couldn’t prompt that. that was something that should come naturally if it ever did. thinking about it there was only two things he did call her and a smile easily came to her. “it’s cute when ya call me p. i love it. the sound of my full name on your lips?” her hand went to her chest and her fingers tapped like a heartbeat. “it’s powerful.” and he seemed to use it when he really wanted her attention, which worked every time. not wanting to interrupt the kisses the blonde nodded against the firefighter’s mouth, confirming that she would. it didn’t really matter where they were, if she were in his arms and they were kissing, then paige was in her happy place. thought it’d be even better when they got home and into bed. “hopefully that everythin’ is what ya want.” it wasn’t said with doubt but more so to confirm her intentions. when he called out, bright blues snapped to his and she nodded. “i know ya do, babe.”

becoming a rambling mess when she was saying or asking one of the more important things she ever had in her life wasn’t how she’d wanted that to play out. as always, maverick was patient with her, letting her get it out in her own way rather than rush in, but when he confirmed he wanted to be with her and no one else, the blonde exhaled in a shaky cry of relief. “i know. i think,” she chuckled a little through the weight of her emotions, “i guess i just had to throw a shit ton of words at it and hope that it made sense and somethin’ stuck.” what she meant was that she needed it absolutely clear, but then both of them kind of beat around the bush until they eventually got to the clearing. 

being pulled into him was comforting and immediately soothing given that she’d become a raw nerve trying to get that out to him. to ask this man wiping her tears away to be her partner. “baby, you’re cryin’,” she said softly, having looked up and seen the trails of tears marking his cheeks. before she reached up to wipe his cheeks gently with her fingers, her arms wrapped around him gave him a good squeeze. “that’s my favorite way to spend it. each day. and then i try to get as much of ya in-between because i can’t help but be greedy with ya.” this moment, how far they’d come in three years and change was proof to her that something beautiful could come from something bad. “you and me, maverick,” the dealer confirmed, pressed into his chest and under his kiss.

whether he was launching into a story, any story, or reciting the grocery list paige tended to look at him with awe. everything that came out of his mouth was worth listening to, because to her every little thing he said mattered. the firehouse hazing story was amusing though and there was a light in her eyes as he shared. it was great that he had a place and a job he loved so much and loved him back. it made her happy. “wow a whole week? babe…” before she laughed there was a light scolding her tone, teasing him. “so is it somethin’ ya do now to any of the newbies? are ya apart of giving the new fella or gal a hard time?” she figured so because maverick was funny, liked to have a good time and joke about, but paige also knew he was likely the easiest on the new person. it filled her up, warmed her from the inside out that them being together was going to be loud, unabashed, and in everyone’s faces. she wanted to be able to show off this amazing person, but she also didn’t want to have to behave in public. “same. us is all that matters to me. oh? yeah, i think you’re right…maybe we better get started tonight because three years is a helluva long time.” somewhere in the back of her mind she would be wondering why she took so long to get here, but then again, knowing what they knew of each other, it made sense. as his brow wiggled suggestively paige went onto her toes and nipped at his lips.

“nah, say somethin’. i dunno about ya but miri nudged me, encouraged me to tell ya how i feel because what if ya felt the same but were strugglin’ like me with how to say it. maybe they need the same favor from us?” realistically, the blonde didn’t know tyler the way that maverick did. the guys were much closer so he’d know a little better how to move with the tattoo artist, but she understood that tyler wasn’t shy and was the type to go after what he wanted. that just made her curious on why he wasn’t moving like she thought. she nodded, they really did need to move along but they didn’t pull away from each other just yet enough to carry on to the house. “see? we just have the best solutions to everythin’,” she grinned, smug, and shrugged. and now she really wanted to get home with him because her thoughts were going sideways.

it almost felt silly how much paige loved having his hands on her, but she couldn’t help it. the way maverick gripped her backside so selfishly was such a huge turn on for her and it was all the blonde could do to continue to behave on the doorstep. the bedroom was so close yet so far away. “i mean ya could just hold me like this walkin’ beside me, couldn’t ya?” but she knew it was the visual as well that he was meaning. her hand reached out and poked at the bulge in the front of his jeans, “does somebody wanna play with me?” it was her turn to wiggle her brow suggestively. then he went ahead and made the sounds he did and it was all she could do to keep from jumping him right there on the front porch. “oh, fuck. baby, say that again.” he’d called her baby for the first time and paige lost it, she jumped onto him and kissed him hard.

with him standing right before her with nothing but those boxers on, which couldn’t hold back his want for her, paige chose to pause and admire him. “nope. look at ya. fuck, you’re perfect.” it was hard to hold off on trying to get every part of his body on hers, but she managed and when he closed the distance between them her hands went to his chiseled abdomen and moved up to his rock hard chest. biting her lip the entire journey. “i want ya to undress me. i like it when ya get impatient and take over when ya think i’m goin’ too slow.” which, sometimes she did on purpose. before either of them could get to her clothes though, something else came over her.

those three words had felt like a long time coming and they’d felt so right in saying them to him that she didn’t shy one bit. her heart knew this man, knew the heart within him. “maverick,” she returned his name and heard the emotion crack his voice. the reaction to him saying ‘i love you’ nearly made her pass out with the rush of warmth all over her entire body. her head felt light and dizzy and if he hadn’t been holding onto her then her knees might’ve buckled underneath her. “i love you,” she told him again. “i love you,” again, and that time sealed with a kiss. her mouth moved from his after a moment and her lips pressed to his cheekbones to kiss his tears. one side, then the next. “i love you,” paige said softly against his cheek, “c’mere.” another kiss before she pulled maverick along with her as she backed to the bed. “let’s make love.”

Her head tilted and she smiled slightly. "Somehow I can't see you being persuative. I think you're the rationale kind which is good but I don't always.... receive that well. I need more the aggressive type." The one who would order her to shut the car to ensure she didn't go anywhere. "Let's do next week." Sooner so she wouldn't back out and long enough that maybe she felt like she could if she wanted to. "Next friday?"

maverick released a surprised chuckle and nodded. "i think i'd surprise you. just because i took a different approach back then, doesn't mean i haven't learned." he countered her lightly, but truth was, he'd learned a lot about her during the times she'd pushed away his offer for help. he was the learning type, after all. "next friday it is." he'd have to double check that he wasn't on shift, but seeing as her agreeing to something was an every day occasion, maybe he'd get it covered if he was.

He smirked at Maverick's response, "Ah yes, because I'd definitely classify fourteen hungry firefighters as a hot date." There was a part of Jake though that couldn't actually say that sounded bad. There was a camaraderie that came with working at a station, he'd experienced it when he and Kiraz first got married, that he hadn't found even working at the hospital. And Jake was glad that Maverick had that. "I'll try not to keep them waiting."

He made a note of something on the form. "Tightness from time to time, huh?" He repeated, moving to Maverick's left side. He'd caught it, the barely there clenching of Mav's jaw on the forward roll, the way the backward one had shifted something in his expression for just a fraction of a second before he'd smoothed it over.

He placed one hand lightly on Maverick's shoulder, the other supporting his elbow. "I'm going to move your arm for you this time. Don't help me, don't resist. Just let it go." He began guiding the man's arm slowly, first forward, then gently rotating it outward, watching Maverick's face more than the arm itself. Then he lifted it, slow and steady, rotating it inward across his body.

He stopped just before the apex of the movement, not because Maverick's arm had run out of range, but because he could feel it. The subtle resistance. The way the joint just didn't want to cooperate the way the right one had. "Does that pinch?" he asked, holding it there. Calmly. Like it was routine. "And before you tell me it's fine, I can feel that it's not..." His voice trailed off, waiting for Maverick's answer, hoping for a real one this time.

the firefighter huffed a chuckle and shrugged. "hey, maybe my hot date is just one blonde who doesn't like it when i'm late." he flashed a grin toward the other and wiggled his brows. so, maybe that wasn't the case, but he'd thought of paige and how he was eager to swing by her place or the casino to see her. "i appreciate your dedication to a swift cause. promise i'll leave you a green smiley face on that satisfaction survey."

maverick ignored the way the scratching of the pen on paper sounded ten decibels louder than it actually was. this was part of the examination. "yeah, it's not all of the time, but it's enough." he glanced toward jacob and watched as he etched his notes onto the pad. he trusted the doctor as a friend, but more than that, he knew that he was just doing his job.

"you got it." he loosened his body and pulled in a calming breath. he watched jacob's movements, how he was careful, yet firm with the way provided the guidance. a breath caught in mav's throat as the movement became uncomfortable, and he joked it down to speak. "it does." he'd debated on stretching the truth, but his friend had been quick to tell him that it wouldn't matter, because his body was betraying his stubbornness.

mav pulled in another breath, his brows pulling together, his expression rougher, more real than the mask he'd worn since sitting down atop the examination table. "talk to me, jake. is that bad? what's that mean?"

At the firefighter's insistence about getting there ten minutes earlier, Dre sucked in a breath, a pang of guilt hitting him all at once as his thoughts immediately went to the threatening letters his father received a couple weeks ago.

His father had brushed them off. We don't negotiate with fear, Andre. We don't give it that kind of power. And Dre had let him, because he always let him, because disagreeing with Reverend James Carter on matters of faith and principle felt a little like arguing with God himself. But standing here now, looking at the scorched remains of a building his family had poured decades into, Dre felt the full weight of that deference settle on his shoulders.

He blinked, pulling himself back, and cleared his throat. "Don't do that to yourself," he said, and there was a quiet roughness to it, because he was saying it just as much to himself as to Maverick. "You guys got here as fast as you could have. You did everything you could with the time you had."

His hand found the back of his neck, rubbing there once. "Trust me," he added, his voice dropping just slightly, "I know what it feels like to wonder what would've been different if you'd just acted sooner." He left the statement there. Didn't explain yet. But his eyes stayed on the chapel a beat too long to mean nothing.

maverick allowed the silence to settle between them like a comfort. most days, he would have rushed to feel the void of quiet, but he stole a glance at the other man and knew that it wasn't what the moment called for. he couldn't imagine it, couldn't even begin to think of what it felt like to be staring over the burned and charred building that meant so much to his family. he was allowed to be angry, upset, and anything else that was buzzing within him. it was his emotion to grapple with.

when the other's voice pulled back from his thoughts, he nodded. arguing with dre wasn't going to help matters. it wasn't fair either. "i'm sorry. i shouldn't have said that," he exhaled softly, a small smile of appreciation etched into the subtle curve on either side of his mouth. this wasn't about him, or the station. this was about what still remained, what was left to be rebuilt.

"we did what we could and i know you get that." the firefighter lifted a hand and brushed over his face, his fingers brushing over his stubble and pressing into his mouth. "i'm sorry for what happened here, but this stuff... it brings people together. it doesn't excuse what was lost here, but just know you guys aren't alone in this. you never were, never will be."

reaching down with his hands tyler pulled some of the wood away from the dresser with a grunt as it splintered and cracked then gave way. when he stood his attention was offered and he shrugged a little with some food for thought. "what if it wasn't the wrong time? knowing your history and hers maybe that time spent building a foundation was purposeful." it sounded right in his head at least and he hoped he conveyed that correctly. "what do you think?" for a moment he studied his friend, a grin stretched across his expression as maverick pointed at him. "it's just that when you wanna be with someone you've got to actually make room for them in your life. not the other way around." saying that, it mean he'd do the same and he'd cut back how much he was at sombra.

"never said there was, buddy." there wasn't a thing he didn't admire about maverick, he genuinely thought he was one of the best people he knew and was never shy or quiet about saying so. especially since his friend rarely gave himself any credit. at the comment about the state of things these days he scrubbed a hand down his face as he sighed and nodded his agreement. he kicked at a fragment of wood to get it out of the way and only contemplated another drink from the green bottle between his fingers. "you know you don't have to," his words were broken up by his amusement, but what was said was real, "i'm always gonna show up for you."

as his friend shared it began to resonate just what he was meaning by it and tyler nodded his understanding, to show that he got it on the deeper level intended. "it's too bad you didn't live out here then," he eventually said, "i saw her often with jake but i'm sure having someone that knew that kind of loss and pain at that age would've done a great deal for her." some memories surfaced of her grandparents sharing their frustrations with his parents of how paige wouldn't talk and seemed so turned in on herself. it only hit tyler now how hard that had to have been as a little five year old. he reached out for his friend's shoulder and gave him a supportive squeeze. "i'm sorry you went through that, mav." he couldn't fathom that kind of grief as he'd not experienced it. but for a child? tyler's head shook before he let emotions get the better of him. "stubborn is an understatement," he chuckled, "she also curses like a sailor and and my poor mother constantly has to cross and bless her." the grin on his face softened and he tipped his head. "seems like it means a lot to you, too."

in a way, tyler considered that getting some of the heavy stuff out first could be a good thing. a weak person would turn away, not wanting to deal with the weight of someone else's baggage, and continuing to show up was a display of intention and grit. "yeah i think i'll invite her over for dinner and cook something. we can hang and get to know each other on a different level maybe. i can get a feel for where she's at and if she might be open to something like a date." he didn't want to overwhelm someone that was dealing with a lot, pulling her time away from her priorities. anything she maybe had to spare though? tyler would take that.

the second green bottle, only a third of the way consumed, was set aside. it was getting easier to drink it but tyler had started thinking ahead. to the after when they tired of this. "yeah and throwing it over and over can really work your arms. that shoulder of yours okay?" he'd seen some favoring of it so the ask was casual. looking over the hole maverick had made with his boot he shrugged, if only to get under his skin and encourage him. "i don't know, güey, i think it could be bigger." the smirk on his lips was soon gone when the hammer went high above his head and came crashing down on the nightstand. with pride he glanced over at maverick, beaming a bit while surveying the damage his friend did. "now that's what i'm talking about," tyler pointed at it, "how do you feel now?" then with a nod of his head and a laugh, "of course. i know my duties on feeding the little gremlin. what're you in the mood for? just holler when you're ready to eat."

three years. they'd spent three years getting to know one another. he knew her favorite flavor of ice cream, knew what cereal she preferred. he knew what exhaustion looked like on her, and she knew what it looked like on him too. "i think you're right about that. i know a lot about her, and she knows a lot about me too. i guess we were too caught up in everything to really understand what that meant for us?" ray came first, but their bond had formed naturally, the entangled of themselves happening without either of them realizing it along the way. "that's the thing, man. i want to make time for her. i want her to be in my life and i want to be in hers." if that meant no more doubles, no more covering shifts, then he'd do it and he'd do it a smile on his mouth and warmth beneath his ribs.

even when he couldn't own things about himself, he appreciated the gentle reminders and encouragement that his friends offered. it went far and reached the places within him that triggered a flutter of comfort in his core. that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't all that broken after all. "you're a good guy, tyler." he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and watched as the male went for another bottle. what he saw was someone that he considered more of a brother than a friend. hell, tyler had done more for him than his older brother ever had and probably ever would. "i'm always going to show up for you too." he knew it went without saying, but his big blues focused in on the other and he'd delivered the reassurance anyway.

"it was lonely," he admitted, shoulder rising in a lousy shrug. "i had this one friend and don't get me wrong, we were... inseparable, but he had his parents. it's not really something that anyone else could understand unless they were in the same situation." to this day, he still kept in close contact with his friend, even if there was a lot of physical distance between them. "it's better late than never, no?" maybe they couldn't turn back time and change how their childhoods played out, but they could make their adult futures whatever they wanted. "no apologies needed, ty. it happened, you know? i feel like it's helped make me who i am today." he smiled softly, letting the other know that he was alright. heavy topic or not, he wasn't a scared little boy any more. the flip back to paige made his smile widen and the commentary pulled a chuckle from deep within his chest. "yeah, she's uh, colorful with her words." he thought of some of the things he'd heard her say over the years another round of laughter quietly rolled off his tongue. "it does. she does."

the firefighter was proud of his friend. he was bolder than maverick in that way, and it made the younger male want to match that energy. "that's a good idea. maybe i'm old fashioned, but i think that's a good way to start. getting to know her, low pressure, food. it doesn't always have to be this big thing. that's what you can plan a date for." he looked encouragingly at the other and nodded slowly in approval. maybe he wasn't the best person to be giving it, but maverick knew firsthand how far support from a good friend could go.

he eyed another bottle, but he didn't reach for it. eventually, he would. "i think it'll be alright, but it's definitely felt better," he chuckled, trying to make light of the dull ache that sat in the joint. he didn't allow himself to slip down the rabbit hole that he fell into during quiet moments. it'd get better. it had to. ocean blues rolled and a loud sigh was forced out of his lungs for nothing more than dramatic effect. "if it makes you happy, then sure. it's bigger than mine." he grinned in a way that felt more coded to his older brother, the kind of curve that read as taunting. after the brief exertion of energy, his chest rising and falling rapidly, he turned back toward tyler and nodded, trying to catch his breath before speaking. "good." he dragged his hand over his forehead and wiped away beads of sweat that threatened to roll down his brows and into his eyes. "you okay if we head out in the next five to ten? now that i'm thinking about food, i can't stop thinking about it. i'm in the mood for salsa. pretty sure that'd solve everything," he half-joked, half-suggested as he stared back at the other. "go ahead and swing that thing all you want. i'll work on another bottle, and then we can head out?"

as she went quiet, the past freezing her up, she listened to every word that had come out of his mouth with intention. she was moved. her heart was beating heavy against it’s cage. there was a faint ringing in her ears as the rush of nerves had become almost overwhelming. this felt like the moment. paige had listened to miriam and the advice to tell maverick how she felt and suddenly that opened up right in front of her. scared as hell to want what she wanted, she opened her mouth anyway. “maverick…” even the way she said his name held weight. “i…i,” her eyes shut over bright blue and she let out a couple of heavy, shaken breaths, “i wanna…” she found his eyes again because it would be wrong to say this looking anywhere else but her heart’s desire. “i wanna be with ya. like, umm, y’know,” she started fidgeting, scratching at the back of her neck and gesturing to him with her hands while too many emotions crossed her features for any of it to be understood. “like…together, yknow?” then paige shook her head. that wasn’t good enough, clear enough, it didn’t fully say exactly what she wanted. “shit, fuck me, i’m fuckin’ all this up,” she groaned and kicked at the pavement with her vans sneaker. “i dunno how this is supposed to be done. all our lives us girls is conditioned to wait for the boy to do it, to ask, to make the first moves, but what i’m feelin’ is too strong and i don’t wanna lose ya to anyone else because this is everythin’ to me,” she gestured between them, completely spiralling on a ramble, “but i want ya to be mine and i wanna be yours. no one else. umm, an exclusive thing, y’know?” the way she looked up at him in her pause, hopeful that he was somehow following along and deciphering everything she was yammering about, but then the blonde groaned again and her head fell back on her shoulders while her hands went to her nervous stomach. “i want ya to be my partner. boyfriend/girlfriend is too juvenile for me and what i want here,” again she gestured between them, holding his gaze again, “i want ya to be my partner in this life.” fuck, was that way too much? paige shook out her hands again, it sounded very serious because it was very serious, but she was terrified he was going to start running in the other direction. her blue eyes brimmed with tears because the fear was working overtime. “umm, do-do ya? yeah? uhh…do ya want that? is it?” before she made things even worse, paige buried her face in her hands.

with her eyes closed and the quiet tears rolling down her cheeks she just breathed into her hands and did her best to steady herself and her overwhelm of emotions. she nodded at his words and eventually lifted her head, took a step toward him, and tried to clean up her face. “i wanna give ya everythin’, maverick. i want all of ya in return. everythin’. even the parts of yourself ya don’t like. i want them too. i want ya in every way. i want ya to be mine and only mine. i want ya to be selfish and greedy with me. i want it. i want ya. i want it all with ya.” she wanted to reach out again, to be tucked back safely into his side, but she needed to give him room to process and decide.

when he decided to offer her a story for now, something to tide her over until she was with his buddies at the firehouse and they filled her up with all the dumb and embarrassing things the object of her affection and adoration had done, she smiled and nodded to encourage him on with it. anything to distract from the way her heart was still pounding. as he told his story, she was a rapt audience and smiled and chuckled and lifted her brow along the way. all to end up laughing while shaking her head a bit. “i’m not even surprised. your heart’s so into your job it isn’t no shocker ya’d do anythin’ to help. how long did they razz ya before ya finally caught on and were able to know the real calls from the pranks?” curious when it came to anything about him, she wanted to hear anything he wanted to share. “alright, both,” she grinned at maverick and bit into her plush bottom lip when he wiggled his brow at her like that. “really?” she reached up, her hand found a chunk of her long, wavy blonde hair and fidgeted with it. “ya wouldn’t like…” be ashamed or try to hide it in front of everyone? it was a giddy feeling again, understanding that maybe he was proud to be with her.

“oh, she’s into him,” paige laughed as she confirmed, thinking maybe maverick would give tyler a confidence boost with that bit of information. “she was gushin’ about her time with him and for sure wants more.” more hope bloomed within her that they could all go out together sometimes. maverick would have his buddy and she’d have hers and they could all enjoy quality time while also being with their person. it seemed a best of both worlds sort of deal if it all worked out. “yeah, you’re right and maybe we can get into some of that freaky stuff when we get home,” she winked, but as much as she teased at it and felt a little hot under her blouse and hoodie all paige really cared about was being as close to him as possible and being in his arms. “ain’t that the best way to do it? if we’re both naked how ya even gonna focus on what ya were even made about to begin with?” brow raised like she was making some really significant point, paige didn’t actually foresee any big arguments coming. when it came to him if there was disagreement or discourse she’d want to work it out not be at odds with him. even then they could do that naked too though. “the blow?” a brow arched as high as her smirk. “i don’t think it’ll be less. ya might not even get a chance to say anythin’. not with that in my face,” she wiggled her brow. 

“i knew it!” then she giggled and made a motion with her hands that they needed to quiet down, even if it was just her being loud. the last thing they needed was to wake and disturb pop pop. but when maverick’s pat turned into a grab a little yelp came out of paige and she leaned into his chest, grinning up at him. “how often are ya gonna willingly be second place now? are ya gonna be followin’ me everywhere i go instead of hold my hand beside me?” not that she really minded, her assets were technically his at this point to do what he wanted with and she’d be a big fat liar if she tried to claim she didn’t love every second his hands were on her. the next pop to her ass made her jump a little, partially from the surprise but mostly from impact, and she leaned further into him and nipped at his chest. “or ya could just follow me inside and take my pants down in the bedroom,” paige suggested, then he could do much more than just watch her backside. 

excitement pooled in her belly, heat burned through her as anticipation for whatever was to come got the better of her with each step toward the bedroom. in the very least she knew they’d makeout until they fell asleep, but she knew the probability of that turning into something more was pretty high. either way, the blonde was happy. he was with her and she’d be tangled with his body. “because a demand doesn’t come with a please, baby,” she winked at him and bit into her bottom lip. she got distracted from undressing herself because she was watching him. each bit of flesh revealed a sculpted body, one she’d luckily had her hands and mouth all over, but she was in awe of him every time she saw him. “goddamn, baby, you’re…” her bright blue eyes lifted from roaming him to meet his ocean stare, “incredible.” and now that she was looking at his face, a softer smile took shape, “so handsome, too.” when he reached for her and paige felt his body press against hers, she hadn’t even finished unbuttoning her blouse. “pretty sure i said take off all your clothes,” she murmured playfully but there was a shift and she quieted. peering into the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen she felt at peace and she completely softened under his touch and presence. the emotion he shared caught her, hooked in her chest and she felt her eyes well with tears. she didn’t get shy or try to blink them away, only enjoyed the brush of his lips and craved more. when he looked at her it was something she always loved, because his gaze was nothing shy of appreciative, but this time her finger pressed under his chin just enough to get his eyes to return to hers. “i love you.” voice soft, tender, spoken with reverence. there was no tremble or fear, paige felt so solid in saying what her heart beat that she didn’t let nerves walk it back or talk over it. how she felt about him was out there now and there was no changing it. those tears in her eyes were from happiness.

"do you have a favorite thing i call you?" he hadn't thought much about it until she'd asked him. he shuffled through nicknames with her, only using her full name when he wanted to know that he was being serious. "good. i like both. pretty sure i'd like anything you called me." he nodded, eager and pleased by the idea of her saying it on repeat. his blues shifted down to her mouth before raising back to meet hers. "please do." the words were mumbled against her mouth, quiet and raspy off his tongue. he wanted to kiss her over and over again, stand there until the sun greeted the both of them, but another part of him wanted to get her home and into the bedroom where it'd all started. "you already are giving me everything." her time was more than enough, but her kisses, the soft stories shared in the quiet moments of the night, and all the time they spent together doing everything and nothing at all. that was everything to him. she was everything to him. "hey," he called out softly, waiting until she looked at him again before he spoke. "i'm not going to be the person who lets you down. i've got you, paige."

wanting something for himself and expressing such were two different things. as every word was breathed into the night air, he wondered if it was enough, it any of it made sense or if he was talking himself in circles. his eyes went a little wider when she called his name, her voice steadying the rise of panic that clawed beneath his ribs. he wanted to do this right, wanted to tell her just how much he wanted her. he watched her closely and waited, nodding slowly as she tried to piece together words of her own. he didn't dare rush them from her, he simply hovered, watching her while he tried his damnedest to control the rise and fall of his chest. the pace of his nodding quickened by a few beats as he watched her. he wanted that too, and that was the very thing he was trying to put out there. he wanted her... to be with her. he started to speak, but he forced himself to stay quiet, to allow her the chance to finish. he chuckled quietly when she kicked at the pavement, because it was such a paige move, but the amused look faded back into the focused, hopeful stare he'd been giving her. no part of him wanted to look elsewhere, or to think of anyone else. "i know," he chimed in, but fell silent when she began speaking again. there was so much he wanted to say, so much that he wanted to give her in return, but eh waited until she'd finished. "i don't want to be with anyone else, paige. when i said i want you, whatever you'll give me... that's what i was getting at."

the firefighter reached out to her, his hands falling gently against her cheeks, his thumbs swiping slowly at her skin, his eyes on hers. he knew the tears building behind his own blues had fallen, the wetness streaking his cheeks. "i want to be your partner. i think we'd make a damn good team," he mumbled quietly, his bleary eyed gaze glued to her. "you already give me so much. waking up with you is the best part of my day and getting to come by and see you at the end of that same day... it's my favorite way to spend it." a small smile crept onto his mouth as he looked at her, at the woman that he'd met by chance, and now couldn't imagine his life without. "i got you. i'll always have you." maverick dropped his hands from her face and pulled her into his chest. he hugged her tightly and pressed a firm kiss into the crown of her head. "it's you and me, paige."

at the age of twenty, he'd been willing to believe anything. how was he to know that his crew mates would bring him into the fold in such a way? as he told the story, the way she looked at him made his head spin, but he continued on without missing a beat. he liked being looked at like that, like what he said mattered, even if it was nothing more than a silly story from his past. "they spent about a week doing the prank calls. it was the last one that gave them away though. it was way too over the top and they couldn't hold it together when i came into the bay looking for help." they'd tried again after that, but they always laughed while trying to get into character because they remembered how he'd responded to that one call he'd told her about. "both seems like the best answer, so i'm glad you agree." he wasn't going to shy away from her. he wanted everyone to know that they were together, that maverick malone, resident loner, was no longer alone. "all i care about is us. besides, we've got some time to make up. three years of it, i think," he teased, brows wiggling as he grinned down at her.

"so, what i'm hearing is... we both have some encouraging to do. unless you think i shouldn't say anything? i don't want to get in the middle of it or anything, but he's a good guy, and if she's into him?" he shrugged, thinking of what tyler would do if the roles were reversed. he thought of will and summer too, but he'd taken a hands off approach to their marriage, and had instead opted to care for them separately. he looked to her like he was hoping for an answer. she knew her friend, and they both knew tyler. if it was better to let them figure it out for themselves, he'd let them. "then i guess we better get moving." he wanted to peel off her layers and his too, and he wanted to feel her skin pressed into his. two long days without her had been torture. "i think that might be the solution to all arguments. can't be mad if your focus is somewhere else." despite the joke, maverick knew that they operated on the same wavelength. if there was an ever issue, talking about it was the only way they'd get through it. after the talking, that's when they'd let their bodies handle the rest. he felt a familiar tug low in his belly and he snickered. "sounds like it's a win-win situation for the both of us."

maverick cupped a hand over his mouth to stifle the loud laughter that threatened to spill into the night air. he nodded, recognizing that they had to be quiet. his other hand stayed firm against her backside, greedy and claiming in the way it gripped her. "i'll be by your side most of the time, but you can't blame me for wanting to follow behind every now and again." he was playing with fire, but any bit of tiredness he'd felt earlier in the evening had burned out, replaced by his need for her. he groaned quietly when she yelped, chuckled raspily when she nipped at his chest. "that was the plan, baby," he muttered lowly, voice weighted with want and desire.

maverick shook his head slowly, deep blues lit with amusement. his line of sight fell to the way she bit into her bottom lip. he watched her work it between her a teeth for a few beats, and then he shifted to rid himself of everything except for the black briefs that clung to the round of his backside and left little to the imagination of where his mind was. "that's all you." her body was perfect, every inch sculpted just right. it was hard for him to pick what he liked best, but he chose to leave no part unappreciated. "just waiting for you to catch up," he teased, the anticipation of her shedding each layer enough to drive him mad. her gentle touch brought his gaze to hers. his smile softened and he took in the way she looked at him. his heart thudded wickedly against his ribs, his pulse hammering at his temples so loud that he'd nearly missed the three quiet words she'd delivered.

tears welled in his eyes and he replayed her voice in his head over and over again. for three years, he'd gotten to know her. he'd seen her during her highs, and he'd been there with her during the lows. she'd shared pieces of herself with him and she'd listened while he did the same. "paige," he breathed, his voice cracking. "i love you. i love you. i love you," he echoed, leaning down to press his forehead into hers. his eyes fell closed and tears rolled down his flushed cheeks. "i love you," he muttered again, his lips brushing hers between every syllable.

She  didn't  respond  at  first  when  he  started  speaking.  Not  out  of  hesitation ,  initially ,  but  because  of  the  lag  in  processing  his  words.  She  poked  her  head  up ,  resting  her  chin  above  her  knee.  She  pressed  her  index  fingernail  against  her  thumb.  ❝   Yeah ,   ❞  the  word  came  out  as  a  choke ,  not  realizing  how  hard  it  was  for  her  to  admit  it  until  now.  She  pressed  her  lips  together ,  taking  longer  than  she  should  to  correct  herself  as  she  dug  her  nail  further  into  her  thumb.  ❝   When  I  was  younger.   ❞  At  any  other  time,  this  conversation  would  be  different.  It  wouldn't  taste  so  bitter  on  her  tongue  or  leave  a  heavy  weight  on  her  chest.

❝   How ,   ❞  she  started ,  wanting  to  change  the  focus  off  of  her ,  ❝   How  else  do  you  handle  it  on  scene?   ❞  She  gave  a  small  appreciative  smile  when  he  lowered  himself  to  the  floor.  She  couldn't  meet  his  gaze  yet ,  but  something  was  calming  about  being  at  the  same  level.  ❝   Is  it  often?   ❞

when she spoke, he raised his gaze back to her and nodded. it was still difficult for her to speak, but that was progress and he'd make something of it. "i used to have them when i was younger too. i didn't know how to handle them back then. i didn't realize there were techniques out there to help." it made them easier in some ways, but in others, it didn't matter. panic wasn't forgiving and it didn't feel good to the lungs. "it's nothing to be ashamed of." he wasn't trying to imply that she was, but he wanted to offer the comfort anyway.

understanding the need for distraction, maverick crouched down slowly, making himself level with her from a distance. "well, i'd start with the breathing routine. it's a way to redirect the mind, and when that's under control, i'd figure out where the person is and i'd go from there. sometimes i tell them stories, another way to distract. sometimes i ask if it's okay to check vitals. i've found that every person is different." he smiled at her softly when he clocked the slight tug on her mouth. it was a start, at least. "it happens more than you think. when there's a fire, or an accident, it's when things settle that panic rises. when the adrenaline is gone. everyone thinks the crisis ends when the fire's out, but that's always true."