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Chapter Text

1.

Casey had been separated from Severide since they arrived at Molly’s. Chief Boden had pulled the Captain into a conversation with Cruz about a recent suspicious fire they were called to, while Severide chatted superficially with his fellow Squad members. Capp was droning on about his latest girlfriend as Tony nodded along, gulping down his beer. 

Severide scanned the bar for his boyfriend, recognizing Matt’s dirty blonde hair on the far side by the door to the patio. They made eye contact and a bright smile lit up Matt’s face. Kelly put his head in hand and smirked, admiring the other man’s face and causing him to blush profusely. 

For the next hour or so, Kelly would make eye contact intermittently and intensely. Matt finally excused himself from Boden after the conversation faltered and pressed his way through the crowd to sit by the Lieutenant. He was stopped short, however, by Dawson grabbing his arm and pulling him to dance. The bar was rowdy as usual so she raised her voice to demand, “Dance with me!” Drunk and nearing trashed, the brunette was shaking her hips and her arms were in the air as she moved to the music. Uncoordinated and trying to get Casey to move, Dawson sloshed the half-empty drink in her glass over the sides and onto her fingers. “Oh, shhhhoot.” She slurred. 

Casey laughed, taking the glass from her and guiding her to the bartop. Sitting her on a chair, he set down the glass where she couldn’t reach it. “Stella!” He called to the woman working and gestured to Dawson. “Would you mind getting Gabby some water? I’m gonna say goodbye to Kelly then take her home.” Stella sighed at her friend, nodded, and grabbed a glass. Casey checked that Dawson was stable on the chair before finally being close to Kelly. 

“Hey, babe,” Kelly said, slipping part of his hand into Matt’s when he cuddled into the brunette’s side.

Matt makes a face. “You were staring at me all night and that’s all you have to say?” Kelly grins wickedly, leaning in and cupping his hand around his boyfriend’s ear. He whispers for a long time, telling Matt all the dirty things he wants to do to him. 

The dirty blonde only half-focuses on the words as the bar seems to fade away, the feeling of Kelly’s breath on his ear making him shiver. Matt registers ‘pineapple,’ ’bruises,’ and ‘tongue piercing,’ which makes his eyes widen and he punches Kelly in the shoulder. “Oh my god!” The blush on Matt’s face causes Kelly to smirk deeper. 

They talk idly for a few minutes about their earlier shift before Matt remembers his promise. “Hey, I’m going to take Gabby home and then I’ll meet you at your apartment later. Maybe we can do some of your… ideas .” 

Kelly hums, biting his lip before pulling Matt in for a chaste kiss. “God, I like you,” Kelly whispers before pulling away. The other man smiles bashfully, falling away from him and walking back to the bar. 

When Casey returns, Dawson is finished with her water and has calmed down slightly, but she still exclaims, “Casey!” rather loudly when he tries to get her to stand. 

“Yeah, hi,Gabby,” He says, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and guiding her toward the door. To any on-looking bystanders, these two would look like a cute couple, but any informed friends would see Casey looking at Severide and flushing again when Kelly winks. 

In Casey’s truck, Dawson stares out the passenger-side window with half-lidded eyes. “Casey,” She mumbles sleepily. 

“Yes?” He asks, turning the wheel in his hands. There’s soft rock playing quietly from the radio, and the occasional car lights pass across their faces. 

“I really like you, y’know.” Casey glances at her, worry etched into his expression. “Or I least I used to. I mean, since I met you, all my relationships have been pretty much dumpster fires, because I can’t get over you.” Gabby makes eye contact with him as they near her apartment and she looks more sober than twenty minutes ago. 

Casey pulls the truck over to the side of the street in front of her building and opens his mouth. ”Gabby, I-” 

“If you’re going to tell me ‘sorry,’ and/or ‘I don’t feel the same way,’ just keep it to yourself. I got it. This doesn’t have to mean anything. I just had to tell you. Once.” And with that, she exits the vehicle after throwing a curt “Good night,” and “Thanks for the ride,” behind her.

Matt idles by the curb for a few moments, running over the past few years of friendship with Dawson in his mind. He’d always suspected, especially after the Christmas party where he had to shut her down gently with a kiss on her cheek. 

The dirty blonde is pulled from his thoughts by a ding from his cell phone on the middle seat. It’s a text from Kelly. 

You better hurry up or I’m going to start without you. ;) 

After a few seconds, a picture pops up after the message. Kelly is sitting shirtless on the couch, a teasing smile on his pretty face and a hand grasping his erect cock through his basketball shorts. Matt sighs, shaking his head as he pulls away from the edge of the street and speeds away. 

At Kelly’s apartment door, Matt knocks impatiently, out of breath from the jog up the stairs. The brunette swings open the door with a smirk and immediately pulls his partner in for a kiss. 

“The things I’m going to do to you, baby boy,” Kelly whispers against Matt’s lips.

Matt groans as the door clicks shut behind them.

Chapter Text

2.

Matt sat up, stretching wide, not caring if his hand smacked Kelly in the face. He looked over to see if he had and saw an empty bed. Shrugging, he got out of the sheets and headed into the shower. It was his apartment; it's not like Kelly would have run away. After turning the water off, he wrapped a towel around his waist and headed out to greet his boyfriend for the day. Walking out of Kelly's room, he tightened the towel slightly as he saw who was in the loft. 

"Stella. I thought you were staying at Sylvie's." 

"Yeah, I did; I just came back for the coffee maker. I want to show her- Damn, Casey, did you fall in the shower or something? Look like you're turning into the rainbow over there, all the colors." Stella gestured to his half-naked form. 

Casey looked down at his body, confused. "What? No, I didn't fall. What are you talking about?" 

"Why don't you go look in the mirror, pride parade." 

So he did, heading back into Severide's bathroom and examining his body in the few minutes before he heard laughing in the kitchen. As he reentered the living space, Stella said, "Alright, well, I'm gonna go; I promised Sylvie and the gang they could try this, so I'll see you guys later on shift. Bye!" 

She had walked away and out the door by the time he moved to smack Severide upside the head. 

"What have I told you about marks above the collar?"

Kelly shrugged, rubbing the spot where his boyfriend had hit him. "Not to do that?" 

"Yeah, so why do you keep doing it?" 

The Lieutenant smirked,  "'cuz it riles you up. You're cute when you're mad. Unless you're like pissed mad, that's not cute." 

He looked away, grabbing a piece of buttered toast from a pile he had made. "Plus," he said around a bite, "Shows everyone that you're mine." 

Matt still stood with his arms crossed and dripping onto the hardwood floors, not looking at all menacing. He had splotchy bruises all over his body, the light red ones from Kelly's fingers on his hips standing out against the olive backdrop of his skin. Even the currently invisible handprint on his right buttcheek was a bright cherry red. Matt knows; he checked. Whether or not that turned him on a little was privy to him. The dark purple and pink spots on his neck practically gave him a necklace, the bite marks like giant stones. 

"God, if we didn't have a shift, I would take you back to bed and make sure you couldn't walk for the rest of the day. So, sexy right now, my marks all over your skin. Shit, baby." Kelly had turned to fully enjoy Matt at this point, admiring his hard work, strong hands gripping Matt's hips roughly. 

"Fuck, stop talking. We'll never make it to work if you don't stop." Matt leaned forward onto his partner. He only let out a low moan as Kelly turned his head and breathed in the other's musk, savoring the smell of his coconut shampoo. 

--

Dawson walked into the main room as everyone sat down with their food. After grabbing a plate for herself, she sat beside Casey, with his collar pulled up high, almost touching his ears.

"Casey, what's up with your collar? You got something to hide?" She saw him flush red, his hands reaching up to plaster it across his neck. 

Everyone looked up at their Captain and started bombarding him, demanding he shows them what was under the collar. Eventually, he felt pressured enough that he lowered his only shield. Nearly all of the shift gasped, laughing and elbowing each other.

"Yeah, I had maybe too much fun last night." He said, looking across the table at Severide, who was wearing a smug smile and twirling a fork in his hands. 

Gabby figured that Severide knew whoever put hickeys all over Casey's neck and was happy about the result. Before she could ask who it was, the bell rang, calling the ambulance for a person in distress.

Once Dawson and Brett had left, Chief clapped Severide on the shoulder and said, "Maybe a bit much, Kelly." 

The rest of the day, Matt wore the bruises with pride, grinning a bit deliriously after he had stripped off his shirt in the locker room, and Otis said under his breath, "Jesus, there's more? I wish I was getting that kinda action." When Hermann turned to look at him with a judgmental face, Cruz leaned into his locker, praying to any God to make that happen. Capp patted him sympathetically before going to his truck, second shift over. Everyone went home that day feeling pretty sheepish about their own sex lives.

Chapter Text

3.

Casey slammed the truck door shut, shaking with arousal.

Most of the shift had just gotten back from a pretty medium call, no one severely injured, but Severide had to make a miraculous save. 

A woman's car crashed into the railing of a bridge, almost breaking it in half. She was holding onto her young son while dangling off the edge of the bridge. 

Just as Severide was gearing up to repel down to save them, she slipped, tumbling down towards the river below.

He quickly jumped after them, the boy screaming the whole way until they hit the water; a giant splash followed. 

The Lieutenant dove under the water's surface, finding the mother first and then the son, quickly pulling them up to where they could breathe. 

Truck ran down to the river's edge as Severide pulled the woman and boy to the shore, both coughing. 

The paramedics huddled the victims in blankets, Casey throwing his bunker coat over his boyfriend.

"Kelly, are you okay?" 

"Yeah, babe, I'm fine. How are the other two?" He asked, looking back at the bridge and the big car accident, referring to the truck driver and doctor also involved. 

"Gabby said they'll be alright - minor scratches except the driver might lose a finger." 

"Oof." 

The crew spent the next half hour cleaning up the scene and then headed back to the firehouse. 

Casey watched as Severide stripped off his wet shirt and headed toward the showers. He followed him, intending to show his partner just how impressive that save was. 

The Captain caught his shoulder as he entered the shower room, roughly shoving him into a stall. 

"What the f-" Kelly started before being cut off by Matt's lips on his.

"Shit, Kel, that save was so sexy. The way you jumped in after them." Matt whispered, out of breath. He bit at the other's lips, making them red and swollen. 

Soon enough, he was shoving his tongue down the brunette's throat, trying his best to make him hoarse. 

They didn't hear the footsteps in the bathroom, too far away in their own little world. 

They pulled apart just as someone ripped the shower curtain open. 

Gabby looked at them, Severide with his kissed red and bitten lips, and Casey, with his polo half undone. 

"Alright, I don't know what's happening here, but Casey, Chief needs you in his office." 

"Thanks, Dawson," he said, retreating behind her and giving Severide a wink. 

After he left, Gabby asked, "Why was Casey in the shower with you?" 

Severide backed up a little, trying to get away from the question. "Uh. He was helping me. With my pants?" 

Gabby had her mouth open, ready to ask another question the Lieutenant didn't have an answer to when Sylvie called her name. 

She walked away, still suspicious. 

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Severide finally stripped, turning on the water and letting it run down his tan back.

Chapter Text

4.

The shift started quiet, with only two calls before lunchtime: a cat stuck in a tree and a young man going into cardiac arrest. 

Otis was cooking sloppy joe's when the bell rang, calling Ambulance 61, Truck 81, Squad 3, and Engine 51 for a warehouse fire. Everyone ran to their vehicle, even Chief Boden.

Severide was practically whooping in his seat. Finally, a big call. 

-

When they pulled up to the scene, they watched as a part of the roof collapsed, sending up a cloud of dust and smoke. Boden took charge, ordering Squad inside and Truck to assist. There were two victims still inside, one stuck in a railing, shelves on top of him. The other - his best friend - stayed to try and help him. A warehouse worker told them all of this, looking terrified, before running to the paramedics. 

The two crews suited up, heading for the back of the building. Engine started on the flames closest to the trucks, turning them from bright orange to a somber black, the charcoaled wood shifting around as it snapped. 

Inside, the rescue teams reached the victims, moving the relatively uninjured one first, promising him they would save his friend. Gabby and Sylvie intercepted him, the man coughing due to smoke inhalation. He tried to go back in constantly; the medics had to put restraints on him.

"Why do you want to go back in so bad?" Brett asked, applying burn gel to the scorched flesh on his arm. 

"He-I-" He paused, trying to find the words. "I love him. I didn't get to tell him." He put the oxygen mask back on, discouraged.

Dawson looked at her partner. "Yet," She spoke. "Casey and Severide will get him. We promise." 

And they did, eventually. Using the saw, the crew broke through the man's bonds, pulling him out slowly so as not to cut his neck on the sharp metal of the shelves. 

He gained consciousness just as they were about to head out, saying there was a third victim, a young intern, just a little ways away. Casey went after her, ordering the others to take the man outside. They moved quickly; Chief was shouting about the whole roof collapsing now. Severide called after his boyfriend, asking him to come back, and when Matt didn't respond, he ran after the blonde. The Lieutenant tripped over a piece of metal, falling to the ground, his ankle twisted and air coming in short breaths. 

Meanwhile, Casey was helping the woman up off the floor, kicking debris out of his way. He didn't see the other firefighter on his way outside; the man's wind knocked out of him. As Casey handed the victim over to Gabby and Brett, he looked around for his partner. He walked over to Chief, asking, "Where's Severide?" 

Boden, confused, responded, "I thought he was behind you." 

"O-Oh, my god. He must still be in there. I've got to go get him." The roof started trembling, pieces of it falling, the eaten-through wood crumbling. Chief grabbed the Captain's jacket, preventing him from going into the collapsing building. 

Minutes later, the dust settled, a PASS-alarm ringing loudly in the alleyway. 

"Truck, Squad, in there immediately for a Search and Rescue; Severide is trapped." 

The walls were still intact, with a small crawlspace around the whole building. Every firefighter was in the warehouse, calling out for the Lieutenant. 

Eventually, Casey found him in the office, a giant piece of concrete on his chest. Severide came to for a little while, speaking to Casey in a punched-out voice. 

"Matt." He coughed, wincing. "I can't breathe." 

"I know, baby, I know. Try not to talk. Okay?" Matt called out for Capp and Cruz to help him with the rock. 

They got it off, almost breaking the injured man's hand in the process. By the time they returned to the ambulance, Severide had lost consciousness again. 

Casey felt like everything was moving in slow motion as a pair of medics rushed to the man's side, pushing the blonde out of the way. Ripping open his coat and cutting the shirt underneath, he caught of glimpse of Sev's chest, which had caved in a full inch. 

After that, he couldn't see what they were doing, pulled away by Chief Boden in a tight hug. 

The tears were falling now, wetting the older's bunker coat, as Casey let his emotions run free. 

As Ambo 61 pulled out of the scene, the others following it, the Captain prayed to any higher power that Kelly would be okay.

--

Casey's arm rested above Severide's head as he woke up. 

He turned his head, seeing his dozing boyfriend in a chair and practically draped on Kelly's side. He blew air in the Captain's face, gently bringing him back to the land of the living. 

Matt made a disgruntled sound when he opened his eyes, but seeing Kelly's face helped him relax. "Oh, hey, how are you doing?"

"I'm great." Kelly smiled. 

"No, he's not; he has a bruised lung and rib, a concussion, and a sprained ankle." A nurse piped up from the side of the room. She held an empty food tray and a clipboard in her hands. 

Casey shook his head, leaning forward to kiss Severide as the woman left. 

"Well, what about you, babe?" Kelly asked. "Is this a bandage on your head, or are you just happy to see me?" 

Chuckling, he touched the white cloth. "Just a scratch, promise." 

They heard a knock on the glass, both turning to see Chief Boden. "Hey, the nurse said you woke up. Good to see you, Kelly." 

"Thanks, Chief. Where's everyone else?" Severide asked, not seeing any other members of house 51. 

"At home. You were out for three days. Casey was here the whole time, right?" 

Casey nodded, blushing when his boyfriend looked at him. "You didn't tell me that." 

"Yeah, I um-" 

"Took off shift and going on the water with me to stay with you, in case you woke up." Boden wore a tiny smile, knowing he was helping Casey earn brownie points with Severide. 

Kelly gripped Matt's face, pulling him for a chaste kiss. "I love you."

"I-I love you too, Kelly." They both smiled softly, Matt ghosting his lips over the other's cheek. 

-

Soon enough, everyone else got to the hospital, bringing flowers, balloons, "get well soon" cards, and chocolate. They all hugged him, or at least tried to, his ribs making him wince every time, though he appreciated the support. 

Dawson was talking to the doctor as Kelly and Matt spoke absent-mindedly to the others, hands clasped tightly together next to Kelly's head. She missed when Casey got up to go to the bathroom, kissing Severide on the forehead before leaving. 

She missed when Hermann asked, "When are you two gonna get married? Christ, how long have you been dating now?" 

Severide thought about it. "I'm not sure when we really started dating. Could have been a couple of years ago or nine months ago when we told you guys. We always sorta had a thing, if you know what I mean."  

Everyone nodded collectively, going back to their conversations.

When Casey returned, the doctor told him Kelly would need at least a month to recover and a prescription for pain meds. He also insisted he stay under observation for two or three more days in case he went into a coma again or his ribs collapsed.

After three extended days at the hospital, they discharged him, telling Casey the other man needed two weeks of bed rest, with someone watching the brunette constantly. 

"Finally," Kelly exclaimed as he, Matt, and Stella entered the loft.

"Home, sweet home," the woman said, heading to her room. 

Kelly grabbed Matt's hand and walked to his own room, pulling his partner along. They fell on the bed together, Matt snuggling up to the larger man. He closed his eyes, appreciating the feeling of having the other back in his arms. 

Laying in comfortable silence, Kelly carded his fingers through Matt's hair; their hands joined on his hip. 

"I want you to move in with me." He said eventually, looking down at the Captain. 

"I kinda have to now, if I'm going to watch you." 

"Oh, really. And who said that job falls to you?"

"I'm the dutiful boyfriend. It's in the job description." 

Kelly hummed, feeling his eyes slip closed as Matt shifted closer. 

They fell asleep, anchored by each other's touch.

Chapter Text

5.

Matt peeked an eye open as he felt the bed lurch up. He laid there for a moment, blurrily watching Kelly waddle to the bathroom. 

Forgetting about the man's injuries, he studies the muscles on his boyfriend's back until he swears, bumping into the doorframe. 

"Fuck, fuck. Ow, damn." Kelly clutches his side, practically doubling over in pain. 

The Captain sits up quickly, bounding off the bed and over to his partner. "Dammit, Kel." He put an arm around his shoulder, supporting Kelly on his way. 

"God, sorry, babe. Next time I'll try not to be passed out on a collapsing warehouse floor." He hissed as they moved forward. "Looking for you." He added. 

Matt recognized the sarcasm in his voice and fought the urge to whack him upside his head, not wanting to make the concussion worse. 

Once they made it to the toilet, Kelly lowered himself slowly so as to not jostle his skull or bend his ankle. 

The blonde left him there - confident he was okay - to get him a glass of water and check the time. The alarm clock on the nightstand read 3:37.

When Matt returned, Kelly looked all around like a lost and wounded puppy. He leaned against the wall, mouth slack and hand on his side. His eyebrows were scrunched together in pain. 

"Alright, Kel, c'mon. Got you a couple ice packs and water." Matt crouched down to hoist his partner up off the seat. 

Back on the bed, the Lieutenant angled his foot on a pillow, resting a cold pack across the ligament. He had one on his side, too; Matt was holding it there as he drifted back to sleep, cuddled up to Kelly. 

-

Later in the morning, when Matt kissed his partner goodbye and made sure Stella was okay watching him, the blonde drove to his apartment to start packing. 

Eventually, the others arrived, stuffing boxes in the back of Matt's truck as Matt talked to his landlord. 

Kelly woke up to soft hands carding through his hair. 

"Hey." The other spoke, sitting on the side of the bed. 

The injured man shifted, raising himself on bent elbows. He groaned as a wave of dizziness washed over him. 

Looking around the room, he saw lots of boxes. "Guess it's gonna be a lot more crowded in here." 

"Yeah, well, I would have sorted it back at my apartment, but I talked to Len, and it turned out he's wanted me gone for a while. Already had another renter set up and everything. I promise it's not as bad as you think."

Kelly smiled, taking Matt's hand in his own. "It's fine. Are you done already? Figured you'd have some help." 

"Nah, the guys are just on a lunch break, my treat." The Captain grabbed Kelly's other hand, helping him off the bed. 

"You got so much money now that you're not renting an unused apartment, huh?" The brunette limped with Matt to the kitchen, sitting on a stool gingerly. 

Matt snorted as he grabbed leftover homemade mac-and-cheese from the fridge, reheating it in the microwave.  

Kelly took a bite from the bowl as his boyfriend set it down. 

"Yeah, I'm practically Jeff Bezos over here."

Swallowing made the Lieutenant's head throb worse, and he swayed in his seat.

Matt looked up and quickly made his way to the other side of the island. "Oh! Oh, alright, Kelly, let's get you on the couch." Maneuvering him, the man slid down onto the furniture. Then, he suddenly started wheezing and coughing harshly. "Kelly, Kelly, deep breaths, come on, with me, in," Matt breathed deeply in, and Kelly followed as best he could. "Out. Again." 

A few minutes later, Kelly had calmed down, and his breathing was back to normal. 

"Jesus, don't scare me like that. The doctor said coughs, but not that kind of coughs." 

Voice straining, Kelly whispered, "My fucking side hurts so bad." A small wheeze. Matt moved to sit next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. The brunette tucked himself into his boyfriend's side, his eyes slipping closed. 

The loft door crashed open, Cruz, Otis, Stella, Dawson, Herrmann, and Mouch jaunting through the door. They were laughing loudly, carrying foam boxes surely filled with leftovers. 

Kelly put his hands up to his ears, somewhat deflecting their noise. Matt lifted his head to glare at the rowdy bunch, and they all promptly shut up. 

"S-Sorry, Captain, we figured he was still asleep." Mouch started. 

Casey opened his mouth to address them, "A-" 

"It's fine, just please talk quieter," Severide interjected. 

The group visited with each other as Kelly finished his lunch and a few glasses of water with his pills. 

-

Otis had Cruz pushed up against the wall, a hand under his shirt, massaging his hip, as he berated the man's neck. 

"Brian," he cried out quietly. 

Severide cleared his throat, rubbing his lower back as a clear sign of discomfort. 

"I- um. Just need-" He gestured to the bathroom door behind them. The pair moved to the side, Joe blushing profusely and Brian smirking slightly. 

The tall brunette shuffled halfway into the room before he turned, wincing as his skin pulled on the bruising. 

Cruz reached out two hands to steady him, asking, "Lieutenant, are you okay?"

"Peachy, how- uh, how long has this been goin' on?" Severide leaned against the doorway, wanting nothing more to sit down at that moment. 

The couple glanced at each other, both telling their partner to speak first. 

"Few days, I guess." Otis finally said. "After you got hurt, I just need to let Joe know how I felt in case something horrible happened." 

"Congrats?" Severide squinted at them, his vision was swimming. "Can you get Matt, please? I can't see." 

Cruz rushed off, a "right away" thrown over his shoulder. 

-days later- 

Matt poked Kelly in the hip, shocking him quickly back to the world of awake and alert. "Come on, babe. It's past your bedtime."

He groaned as he was helped off the couch, the TV before them shut off, the game presumably over. 

"Did we win?" He asked. 

"Yep, 3-2." 

After Matt had managed to get Kelly in bed, he sat in the La-Z-Boy and read a book. A knock on the door made him look up from the novel and frown. He glanced at his watch before getting out of the chair. 

"Gabby," he said after opening the door. 

"Yeah, sorry, I didn't want to come because it's so late, but-" She shifted the box in her hands, squeezing past Matt into the open room. "I had this stuff in my car that I forgot to bring, and I'm going out of town, so..."

"Right." 

Dawson set the brown box down. Matt crossed his arms and leaned against the counter as she stood awkwardly. 

"Severide asleep?" 

"Yep."

Gabby stared at a hole in the floor for a few minutes before they heard footfalls coming from Kelly and Matt's room. 

"Baby?" Severide called as he entered the living room. "There's no more water in... oh, hey, Dawson. What's up?" 

Her eyebrows furrowed together as she halfheartedly pointed to the box on the couch. "I was bringing some stuff I left in my car after Matt's move. But, I know it's late, so I guess I should go."

"Yeah, okay. Bye, Gabby, I'll see you on Monday." 

"Mmm-hmm." The door clicks behind her as she leaves. 

"She seemed weird." Kelly said, adjusting his grip on the wall. Matt laughs, grabbing a couple of water bottles from the fridge and slinging an arm around his partner. 

"Come on, grumpy, lets get you into bed." 

Kelly tweaked his head and pouted. "I'm not grumpy." 

"Sure, darling." Matt responded sarcastically. 

They got into bed; Matt curled protectively around his partner. 

Chapter Text

+1

"Hey, sweetheart." Kelly purrs, flopping on the couch and throwing an arm around his boyfriend. 

Matt slowly looks up from his paperwork; his eyebrows furrowed together in a blatant show of judgment. "Alright, what is happening. The last time you called me that, you had accidentally bought a car." 

Kelly smiles a little wider. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?" 

The Captain sets his files down beside him and shifts his body to face Kelly. "Yeah, could be fun. Should we go to Molly's or maybe that one trivia bar? I could call Brett-" 

"No, let's go somewhere new, just us." The other starts to play with the hair at the base of Matt's neck. "Maybe a fancy, romantic dinner? Think about it, the last few months have been consumed by my injury. When's the last time we had fun?" 

Matt pauses. "Well, two weeks ago, we had some wine, and I think you were pretty happy about it." He glances down casually and squeezes the hand suddenly on the brunette's thigh. 

Kelly hums, remembering. "Mmm, yeah. I would still like to go out. What do you think?" He pulls Matt onto his lap, linking their fingers together. 

"Sure, sounds fun. Where do you wanna go, exactly?" 

"Oh, no, it's going to be a surprise. Gotta keep you guessing."

Matt smirks, pressing closer. "Okay. Then you better be ready for heart-racing, bed-breaking, ecstasy-type- fun." He delivered each hyphenated phrase with a sultry breath and an inch forward.  

Kelly just looked at him. "Jesus, Matt. I don't know if we'll make it that far. You are really sexy when you wanna be, did you know that?" 

The blonde laughed, pulling his partner in for a suave kiss.

Matt slipped off the taller's lap, grabbing his files to place them on the kitchen island.

"I'm gonna change quick. After that, I have to pick up something from a friend, and then I'll come back to pick you up. 'Kay? Dress nice." Kelly spoke, already walking towards their bedroom. 

Matt nodded his acknowledgment before burying himself into the paperwork again. 

-

A bell dinged as Kelly entered the jewelry store, glancing around for his favorite attendant. "Ah, Mr. Severide. I was wondering when you were going to come back. Have you finally decided?" 

He sighed in relief. "Kenny. Yes, I have. The light silver band, did you hold it for me?"

"Against my better judgment, yes. I just like you, Mr. Severide." 

Severide grinned. "Kenny, stop. I'm practically an engaged man." 

Kenny smiled back. "Let me get that ring for you, sir." 

- 

Hours later, after a fancy, romantic dinner, with expensive champagne and delicious food, Kelly and Matt are walking down a well-lit path close to the loft. The blonde is cuddling his partner's arm, their hands locked at Kelly's side. 

"Mmm, I missed this," Matt says, tightening his grip slightly. 

"Missed what?" 

"Just us. It's been crazy these past few months with your injury and work. It felt like any time we wanted to be alone, there was this third person in the room, making it awkward." 

"Let me guess, the sprained ankle? I couldn't walk for days." Kelly smirked down at Matt. 

"Ugh, whatever." 

Kelly stopped in the middle of a clearing, a quiet road a few feet away. He put a knuckle under Matt's chin, tilting it a little. "No, I know what you mean. I felt the same way. But we got over it, right? We're here now-" 

They heard screeching up the street, like tires leaving marks on the asphalt. Matt left Kelly's grasp and walked forward, more into the light of a street lamp. The noise continued to get closer. Suddenly, the vehicle came into sight, a white van. 

Matt shrugged and turned away from the street. When it came to an aggressive halt, two men slammed open the side door to step down from it. 

"Matt!" Kelly immediately started rushing forward, but the men in black hoodies and ski masks already had their hands on Matt, pulling him into the van. 

The blonde started to fight against them, but the taller pulled out a cloth and put it over his face. His eyes started drooping as the door closed behind them.

"Go, go!" The vehicle took off, barrelling down the street as Kelly ran behind it. 

"Matt!!"

- 

"I'm sorry, what?" Boden asked. 

"Matt got kidnapped! Right in front of me! I didn't even get to fight the dogs that took him." Severide started to break down. "He's gone, he's gone. My whole world is gone." Wet streaks began to run down his face. 

Boden sat him down on a nearby bench in Voight's office. "Alright, Kelly. Deep breaths. Why don't you start over?" 

Severide sniffed. "I wanted to propose tonight." He looked up with watery eyes. "We went out to this fancy restaurant and had a romantic dinner. It was perfect. And then we were walking in the park near our apartment-" A fresh wave of tears cut the man off as he sobbed quietly. 

"Severide, we can't find Casey unless you give us all the details." Voight reminded him. 

Jay offered him a tissue box before leaning against the desk. 

Severide recovered somewhat and continued. "We heard this screeching up the street, and then this white van came into view." He paused, closing his eyes. "And they took him. Two guys, average build. Ski masks and everything. They even had chloroform. I, um, got a partial license plate." He pulled out a scrap of paper and handed it to Jay. It was four symbols long. 5B7I

"Thank you, Severide." 

Voight spoke up. "Was there anything unusual about them - tattoos, did they speak, stuff like that?" 

"I was a little busy watching my boyfriend get kidnapped." Severide snapped. 

"Just trying to get it while it's fresh in your mind," Jay said gently before laying a hand on Voight's forearm, shooting him a disapproving look. The Seargent mouthed a 'What' back. 

"No, I told you everything I noticed." 

"Okay, thank you again, Severide. This should be good information to get started with. Chief Boden, why don't you take him for a cup of coffee?" 

Boden sighed. "Yeah, come on, Kelly." He put a hand on his lieutenant's shoulder, ready to pick him up off the bench. 

"No." 

"Kelly?" Boden questioned. 

"I'm not going anywhere while my Matt is still out there. You're gonna let me help you, or I'm gonna help myself." Severide stared Voight in the eye as he stood. 

The Sergeant sighed. "Look. I don't want to step on your toes, but this isn't exactly your area of expertise." 

"I know, but. Just- let me help. Because if I don't find Matt, if I don't get him back-" Severide started to choke up again. "My life will be over. I won't-" 

Voight didn't say anything for a few seconds. "Fine." 

-

The last thing Casey remembers was seeing Kelly's face as he ran towards the Captain. He shook awake with the moment still imprinted on the whites of his eyes and was greeted by a dim room. He was sitting on a metal chair facing a blacked-out window. Pulling on his wrists made ropes tighten against Casey's arms. He groaned in frustration when the same happened with his legs. 

"Hello?" He called out. "You're not scaring me! I like being tied up!" Which was untrue, but they didn't need to know that. 

A man with unkempt hair and a 5'clock shadow emerged from the semi-darkness. "So, you're Kelly's new boyfriend." 

Casey's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm sorry, who are you?" 

"Eric Sutton. Kelly never mentioned me?" Eric's sinister smile drooped slightly. 

"Was he supposed to?" 

"We dated for almost two years. I imagine it would have come up." Casey analyzed the man, noticing the imprint of a switchblade in his left pocket. "My hair used to be lighter, if that helps."

"Nothing comes to mind." 

Eric sighs, disappointed. "Well, it doesn't matter. You will have to remember me after this." 

"What are you gonna- " Casey is cut off by a powerful punch to his jaw. He tastes copper as another fist is driven into his stomach. Tears spring to the blonde's eyes as the chair tips to the right and falls. Eric starts kicking him in the gut, barely missing his crotch. 

"See how Kelly likes you now." The man says before Casey blacks out. 

-

"Okay, first, who would kidnap Matt and why? Does he have any enemies who might want him dead?" Voight asked Severide. 

"Well, it's Matt; he has a tendency to rub people the wrong way." Severide took a drink of coffee, accenting the shaking in his hands. "He thought he had a stalker, though. Said a couple of times earlier this week he would see an unmarked white van outside before it drove away." 

Jay's ears perked up. "Yeah, Matt called me and asked me to look into that. I hadn't gotten anywhere." 

Voight nodded solemnly. "Did we get a hit on the license plate yet?" He asked his partner. 

A small ding answered the Seargent's question. "Registered to a Simon Towers. Two priors: attempted kidnapping and aggravated assault. Ooo, and he had a partner for both of them: James Towers." Jay looked at the man standing over him. 

"Brothers." He scoffed. 

"Address is in West Englewood." 

"Let's go." 

-

"Alright, Boden, Severide, stay in the car; we'll be right back." The brunette said, glancing in the rearview mirror as he and Voight exited the vehicle. 

The officers pulled their guns and stood on opposite sides of the doorway. 

"On my count, one, two, three." 

Jay kicked open the front door, immediately scanning the first room with his gun raised. "Clear." He called. Voight entered then, moving forward into what looked like a kitchen. They cleared the entire first floor and were making their way up the stairs when they heard a thump. On the right side of the house, garbage cans were kicked over as whoever fell was trying to flee. Jay made it out a side door and gave chase. 

"Hey!" He shouted. Severide, much closer to the running man, flung open his door, whacking one of the brothers flat on his ass. Jay just got over to the felon as Voight exited the house, leading a man in handcuffs. 

- 

Casey spits out more blood, watching Eric take his phone from his pocket. "What do you want? Money?"

Eric laughs. "No, honey, I just want to see Kelly suffer. Should we call him? What's your password?" 

"I think you broke my arm." The Captain says. 

"Oh, don't be such a baby." Eric faces the phone to Casey's face. It unlocks with a quiet click. "Wow, didn't expect that to work. Alright, Kelly, Kelly." He scrolls through the other's contact list, pressing the video call button when he finds Kelly. 

Kelly blinks twice when he sees Casey's profile picture pop up on his phone.

"Who's that?" Boden asks. 

"It's Casey; he's trying to video call me." 

"I'm gonna get Voight." 

The Chief comes back with Voight and Jay before Severide answers the phone. The Seargent instructs Severide to face away from the inside of the station and not to talk like anyone else is there. 

"Matt, baby, are you okay?" Severide says, practically hysterical. 

"Hi, Kelly." Eric appears on the screen, grinning wide. 

"Eric? What the hell? Where is Matt?" Severide starts to ball one of his fists. 

"Oh, he's right here, sweetheart." Eric turns the phone, snuggling up against Casey so the firefighter can see them both. "Remember when you broke up with me, and I said if you ever find another boyfriend, I'll kill him?" 

Casey's eyes widen as he struggles against the tape across his mouth. "I really don't." 

"Well, guess what I'm going to do." He pulls out his switchblade and playfully drags it across the blonde's throat before the call ends. 

"No!" Severide exclaims, putting his head in his hands. 

Voight storms back to the interrogation room and slams his fists on the table. "Where is your boss?!" He yells. The brothers - with fear in their eyes - start to talk quickly. 

He re-enters the large room and grabs hold of Severide's shoulder, dragging him to the car as the others follow. Jay calls for backup on the drive as the sirens blare out. Soon enough, they are pulling up to an abandoned building.  

Voight instructs the other officers to go around the back as they surround the property. He looks to Severide, who is leaning against the car. "Stay back, okay?" 

Positioning himself on the side of the doorway, the man holds up his radio. "On my count, one, two, three." The Sergeant enters the building with the others and raises his gun. Severide is a few steps behind him. Within minutes, after maneuvering many empty rooms, the pair stumbles upon a large room. 

Eric stands over Casey with his knife raised. "Eric Sutton!" Jay calls. "Put the knife down!" 

"Now, why would I do that?" He brings his arm down just as a shot rings out. Casey falls with Eric, landing in his pooling blood. Still strapped to the chair, he can't move away from the liquid soaking into the blonde's clothes. The wound on his neck from the other's knife starts to leak as Kelly runs up to Matt. Matt's eyes slip closed as he feels Kelly's fingers on his face.

-

"Well, Matt. We have to stop meeting like this." Doctor Halstead said, fixing Matt's IV drip as he slowly opened his eyes. 

Matt blinked blurrily, looking around the room for Kelly. "Where's-" 

"Severide? He went out for some ice. I'm sure he'll be back soon." Doctor Halstead smiled. 

"How long have I been here?" Matt asked, sitting up on the bed. 

"Few hours. Broken arm and a few cuts and bruises. Plus a black eye. Severide was really worried about you." 

"Thank you, Doctor." He left, giving Matt a little wave.

Eventually, Kelly came back and almost dropped his ice cup as he saw the Captain's weak smile. "Matt! You're awake!" 

"Hey, baby."

Kelly rushed forward and dragged him into a long kiss. He pulled back reluctantly, pressing their foreheads together. "I thought I lost you." 

"I'm here." 

"I thought I was never gonna see you again; I thought I was never going to kiss you again; I thought I lost you." Tears sprung from Kelly's eyes. 

"I'm here, Kelly. I'm not going anywhere." Matt reassured him, eyes boring into his own, green on green. "Kiss me." 

The brunette did as Matt pulled him onto the bed, and they laid together, sharing soft kisses. 

Minutes later, the firehouse got there - minus Gabby and Sylvie, giving Matt hugs and clutching their hearts in relief. 

As the crews got caught up in their talking, Severide cleared his throat. "Uh, Matt. I have something to ask, and I think this is the best time, in front of the house. In front of our family." Kelly glanced at Boden, and he nodded. 

Matt tilted his head slightly. 

Gabby and Sylvie finally snuck in as everyone's eyes were on Kelly and Matt. 

The lieutenant took his partner's hand. "We've had a lot of scary experiences lately, and I just can't stand not having my forever on your finger anymore." 

"Kelly. What are you doing?" Matt asked, his voice breaking. 

Kelly laughed slightly, pulling out a box from his jacket pocket. Everyone gasped.

"What's happening?" Gabby whispered to her friend. Sylvie shushed her. 

Severide popped the ring box open. "Matthew Casey, you are the air I breathe, the food I eat, the water I drink. Yours are the lips I kiss; yours is the body I worship." The house groaned at that. Kelly rolled his eyes before continuing. "Yours are the eyes I adore. Matt, you are everything to me. Will you-" 

"Yes, yes, Kelly Severide, yes! I'll marry the hell out of you." Kelly grinned and roughly kissed his new fiance. 

"When did this become a thing?" Gabby asked Sylvie, pulling her back from the group flocking the couple. 

"Severide and Casey have been dating for months. How did you not know this? They told everyone at once." 

"I must not have been there. I- are you serious?" 

"Yes? They just got engaged, do you need any more proof?" Sylvie sassed, going up to congratulate her friends. 

"I love you," Kelly sweetly whispered before kissing his partner again. 

"I know," Matt whispered back.