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May bakes with Buck a lot.
In her defense, it started as a way to get Buck to bake sweet treats for her. But it turned into her actually learning how to bake so that her brother and mom would stop calling her the disaster baker.
It worked.
And now, she's helping Buck take over the Firehouse kitchen to bake sweet treats for the 118 community dinner that the firehouse is hosting. It's a new tradition that Chim and Hen are putting together, and Buck has been delegated the task to bake all the sweet treats he possibly can.
Eddie has been enjoying every second of it, especially when Buck kissed him after smearing whipped cream on his lips, on accident.
Meanwhile, she's over here with flour on her nose, hiding her face as Ravi steps into the kitchen with curiosity written all over his face.
He'd been helping set up tables and chairs downstairs with everyone else. Aside from Hen and her mom because they are handling all of the decorating.
He wasn't supposed to be up here before she cleaned her face.
"Um, May? Are you okay?" asks Ravi softly as he taps the counter that May is pressing her forehead against.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, totally!" replies May in a strained tone as she attempts to clear her nose of flour. "Are you guys done setting up the tables and chairs?"
"Yeah, we are. I was actually told to come get you because your mom needs your help with deciding between banners? She said you'd know what she was talking about," says Ravi with an amused tone that sends warmth through May's belly, even if it's definitely aimed at her.
This ridiculous crush is messing everything up.
"Oh!" yelps May as she stands up properly, eyes going wide. "If she chooses that ugly yellow banner, I'm going to lose it! Buck, keep an eye on the pies, I have to go deal with my mom!"
"Got it!" calls Buck as May rushes down the stairs.
She stumbles a bit as she hits the bottom, but she manages to straighten herself up enough to jog towards her mom without losing her balance.
"Don't even think about hanging that ugly yellow banner up!" her voice is loud as she announces her presence and tugs at the banner in question. "Use the orange one, it's gorgeous, and fits the fall feeling much better that this weird yellow one."
"May," snorts Athena as she covers her mouth with her hand. "Baby, did you use flour?"
"Huh? Yeah, we were making pie, and some garlic bread for the spaghetti," replies May as she tips her head to the side as her mom chuckles into her hand. "Did I not get it all off?"
"No, you did not," says Athena as she chuckles clearly, reaching past her to grab a napkin for her. "Here, clean yourself up, May."
May groans as she takes the napkin, though it doesn't stay in her hand for very long.
"Here, let me get that for you."
May squeaks as she turns to see Ravi standing there, soft smile curving his lips.
"Ravi? I thought you were upstairs still," May can't quite hide the way her voice cracks in surprise.
"I only went up there to get you for your mom." replies Ravi with an amused tone as he holds the napkin up. "Can I help you clean the flour off your nose? As cute as it is, I'm sure you'd like it off now since Buck said everything was done."
"Oh, are we actually done? I hadn't put the pie in the oven yet," murmurs May as her brows furrow, eyes lifting to find Buck and Eddie leaning over the railing of the kitchen balcony with matching smirks. "Um, I can— I can wipe the flour off myself, you don't— you don't have to do that for me."
"May," he breathes her name so sweetly that her cheeks feel like they're burning as her heart pounds in her ears. "Let me do it."
"O-okay," she almost doesn't hear the word pass her lips, even with the stutter, as she looks into his brown eyes.
Ravi raises his hand slowly, and gently swipes the flour from her nose with the napkin that doesn't feel quite as scratchy as most usually do. But he's also very gentle with it, sweet in a way that's not necessarily needed, but is so desired that she feels like she might choke on the butterfly wings in her stomach.
"There," murmurs Ravi softly as he takes the napkin into his other hand before running a crooked finger down the bridge of her nose. "All clear of flour, and still stunning."
Her eyes go wide, and he seems to come out of some… trance? She doesn't know how to describe the way his eyes fill with panic and he takes an immediate step back like he just screwed up somehow.
"You think I'm stunning?" asks May quietly as she catches Ravi's wrist as he brings his hand back to himself.
"Of course, I do," replies Ravi softly as his eyes fall to her fingers that are so delicately wrapped around his wrist. "I— Sorry, I didn't mean to umm, I just— yeah, sorry."
"Don't apologize, I just— I'm surprised, I didn't— I didn't realize you thought that way about me," says May as she steps forward, ignoring the sudden silence surrounding them as she looks solely at him.
"Of course, I think that way," Ravi's voice is soft, sounding almost disbelieving as he looks at her. "Who wouldn't think you're stunning, May? You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met."
Her cheeks burn, and she ducks her head forward, thumb brushing over Ravi's pulse point at the compliment.
"I— That's very sweet of you, Ravi," murmurs May as she finds her words, barely. "It might just be the sweetest thing I've ever been told."
"Sorry, I— I guess I lost myself a bit more than I should have today. I— I should probably go see if Chim needs anything else from me," Ravi's panicking, it's adorable to see, actually. But he's trying to pull away from her.
"Wait, Ravi, I— I appreciate the compliments, and I hope, really hope, it's not just a friendly compliment," May hadn't been planning on hinting at the crush she has on the other man, but right now seems to be the best time to take that risk.
"It— um— if you think that was more me attempting to flirt while not knowing how to, then you're not wrong," his voice is quiet, sheepish, and his head ducks forward to hide his face from view.
"I think that's a pretty good thing since I adore you in a very romantic way," replies May softly as she leans in, letting her words float towards his ear before backing away just in time for him to whip his head up. "You're very handsome, I would say something else, but I have a feeling Buck is going to have my head for not telling him that I really like you."
"I definitely am!" hollers Buck loudly, sounding put out, which is honestly less than May was expecting from him.
"I really like you too, May," says Ravi firmly, like he needs her to know he means it as he straightens up entirely, bringing his height up just a little bit and making her stomach flutter.
"Then maybe you and I can have lunch tomorrow before your shift?" offers May as she tips her head to the side, looking at him hopefully.
"I'd love that," replies Ravi with a shy grin as the tips of his ears burn adorably.
"Good," says May brightly as she lets her hand slide down until she can lace their fingers together properly. "Then it's a date."
Ravi doesn't really get the chance to respond before cheers erupt around him, but the smile he gives her is answer enough.
This date means everything to the both of them.