Work Text:
Lucy still remembers the words he’d spoken on their second day riding together: “more of a ‘show you’ kind of guy .”
At the time, it drove her insane the way he’d use words sparingly. His silence was infuriating, his grumpy stares and insane punishments and tests making her crazy. She thought it was just bullshit, a macho cover to avoid talking about feelings or to keep distance between them.
And it was, in a way. But now, when she looks back, Lucy sees just how true those words really were.
Because he doesn’t need words to show her that he cares. He shows it in his actions.
She’s seen it in the big moments. Digging her out of the dirt with his bare hands. Passing on the Sergeant position at North Hollywood to finish training her. Adopting her dog when she can’t keep him. Bringing her back to his place so she doesn’t have to go back to her apartment the night Jackson dies. Taking a desk job so she won’t have to transfer.
But she also sees it in the little things, too. The way he sends her flowers just because. How he makes sure the coffee’s ready for her, even on mornings where he’s up and gone to the station before she’s awake. By pulling a blanket over her when she falls asleep on the couch on movie night.
And so even though they haven’t said the words yet, she sees it, feels it, knows it.
It’s love.