Chapter Text
When Tommy left the 118, Chimney had fully intended for them to keep in touch. But as so often happens, life just kept getting in the way, and before he knew it, almost a whole year had gone by before Chimney saw him again.
Sure, they had kept in touch in the beginning, mostly through text messages, once or twice the occasional call. Some “how’s the 188 holding up without me, falling apart yet?” and “having fun being a flyboy?” to check on how things were going. But slowly, the frequency of their contact began to lessen, for several reasons that wasn’t really anybody’s fault: different fire houses which meant different schedules; Tommy needing time to get settled in his new job; Chimney dealing with his own personal dramas. Before they knew it, it had been months since their last contact.
Then Chimney wound up with a piece of rebar through the head.
Chimney sat in his hospital bed, absently tapping his pencil against the tray in front of him as he stared blankly at the Sudoku book resting on his lap. There were only so many puzzles you could do before the constant monotony of being confined to a hospital bed 24/7 got on your last nerve. The rest of the 118 were on duty at the moment, so he was currently alone, trying to alleviate his boredom, but it was not working.
“So much for never getting any scars,” an amused voice broke Chim from his daze. His eyes snapped up to see Tommy leaning casually against the doorframe, his arms folded and a smirk on his face.
“Tommy!” Chim exclaimed with a delighted grin, shoving his tray table to the side and wriggling up the bed so that he was sitting up straighter. “What are you doing here?”
“Well,” Tommy said, pushing himself off the doorframe and sauntering in. “Heard through the grapevine that a firefighter from the 118 ended up in the hospital with a chunk of metal in his head. You wouldn’t believe my surprise when I heard it was you. Thought I should stop by, see for myself.”
“Alas, the rumours are true. My beautiful, unmarked body has been spoiled by my first scar. Though I suppose now I can join the rest of you guys as I regale others about the war wounds I received in my times as a firefighter.”
Tommy grinned. “Your story probably beats all of ours though. That’s one hell of a thing to live through.” He raised an eyebrow, a cheeky glint to his eye. “Not sure it counts though, since I hear you weren’t on duty.”
“Hey, rebar through the brain – it counts,” Chimney grinned back. He gestured to a nearby seat. “Pull up a chair main, it’s good to see you, it’s been a while.”
“Too long,” Tommy agreed, grabbing the chair and dragging it to his bedside. “How have you been? Besides the obvious of course,” he amended when Chim pulled a face that clearly said “really?!?”
“Eh, not too bad I guess, besides the fact that I’m stuck in here bored out of my brain while I recover. I’m still not sure when I’ll be able to get back to work, which is all I seem to have going for me at the moment since my girlfriend broke up with me.”
Tommy winced. “Ouch man. I’m sorry. It’s like I’ve said before – girls love the scars but can’t handle when you actually get them.”
“Nah, to tell the truth, it was over before that,” Chim admitted. “Bobby was right - it was probably for the best; it wasn’t the most… honest of relationships. But thanks anyway.” Chim waved a hand in dismissal in an attempt to banish any further talk of devastating injuries and wounded pride. “So anyway, what about you? What’s it like fighting fires from the skies?”
“A different sort of adrenaline rush, for sure. I love it. I didn’t realise how much I had missed flying until I got back into that pilot’s seat. Gotta admit though, there are the odd moments where I do miss the feeling of climbing the ladder to pull out someone stuck in a tree.” The pair grinned at each other. “So, how’s life at the 118? Sometimes it feels like I’ve been gone forever – then I remember it hasn’t even been a year.”
“It’s been going great. A few months after you left, we got a new probie to replace you. He’s… let’s just say he’s a handful. I mean, you were a pain in my ass, but this guy takes the cake.”
“Hey, screw you,” Tommy laughed, playfully swatting Chim’s blanketed leg and ignoring his protests of “no injuring the injured” with a grin. “And give the guy a break Howie – once he becomes an old hat like us, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
“Hey,” Chim said indignantly, grabbing the pen from his table and pelting it in his friend’s direction, who ducked it easily. “Who are you calling old?”
Tommy held his hands up in mock surrender. “I meant experience wise. Remember I had only just finished my probation when you joined us at the 118 so we’ve both been doing this for over 10 years now.”
Chimney settled back into his pillows. “Wow, has it been that long? Time flies huh.” Tommy nodded, and the pair sat for a moment in comfortable silence until they were interrupted by a nurse knocking at the door.
“I’m sorry Mr Han, but it’s time for a check-up.”
“Story of my life,” Chim said wryly to Tommy. “Constantly poking and prodding and scanning to see if my brain still works.” He pointed an accusatory finger at Tommy as the other man opened his mouth. “Ah ah, not a word.”
Tommy smiled and stood from his chair, placing a friendly hand on Chimney’s shoulder. “Well, I better leave you to it. It was good to see you again Howie.”
Chimney returned the smile. “Likewise. We need to try and catch up more often.”