Chapter Text
Kojo ruffed with curiosity, nuzzling on Tim’s leg as he checked himself on the mirror for the tenth time.
After two seconds and a deep frown, he huffed, unbuttoning the seventh shirt he put on.
Kojo huffed back at him, tail thumping once on the hardwood floor.
Tim ran both hands through his hair, staring at his reflection as if it was going to talk back.
“Why is it so hard?” he muttered as he pulled the shirt off, tossing it onto the growing pile on his bed.
He grabbed another one—dark, plain, the one that always worked when he needed to look put together, and held it out to Kojo.
“What about this one?”
Kojo tilted his head and sneezed.
Tim groaned. “Great. Even my dog hates it.”
It wasn't supposed to be so difficult to just pick something to wear right? He’d gone on many dates before. But it wasn't just another date with someone, it was a date with Lucy Chen.
He had made a reservation at a romantic—but not too romantic—place for seven. He had to leave in fifteen minutes to be there on time. But there he was, overthinking what shade of grey his shirt had to be.
Lucy wanted to scream into her pillow. All the dresses she loved to wear were suddenly wrapping her body in a weird way, her favourite shade of lipstick seemed to stand out a little too much, her hair refusing to cooperate. She had to look perfect. This wasn't any man taking her out, this was Tim Bradford himself.
Five more minutes. She gave herself five minutes to decide, and then she’d throw on whatever dress she got her hands on.
Only two options. He narrowed the shirts down to two, he’d lay them out for Kojo to decide.
She picked the green dress with the flowers.
Kojo sniffed the black shirt.
Lucy texted Tim with shaky hands to let him know she was ready. Tim’s heart skipped five beats as he fumbled with his house keys, mumbling “Be good,” at Kojo as he shut the door.
The fifteen minute drive to the restaurant was scarier than everything he’d ever faced in his ten years in the LAPD.
They both pulled to the parking lot at the same time. Lucy almost stepped on the hem of her dress as she got out of her car, catching herself with a quiet gasp.
Tim, in perfect sync, bumped his head on the door.
Lucy scoffed under her breath as she adjusted her skirt, purse dangling from her arm. Across the driveway; Tim noticed her, and the softest smile tugged at his lips, the kind he didn't even know he had in him.
He quietly cleared his throat, and walked toward Lucy’s car. “Hey,” he muttered, showing his hands in his pockets.
Lucy looked up, dragging her hand over her hair, face flushed. “Hi,”
Tim blinked, hesitating before reaching his arm out for Lucy to take. Lucy tilted her head, eyes softening as she grinned.
“You look very nice,” Lucy said, a little breathless, as they walked toward the restaurant.
Tim looked down at her, still smiling. “Thanks,” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Lucy’s hand tightened just a little on his arm as they walked, the warmth of him grounding her more than she wanted to admit.
The place was warm without feeling stuffy, lit by soft golden lights that made the wooden tables glow. Not fancy enough to be intimidating, but definitely nicer than anything Tim usually stepped into on a weekday.
Lucy’s eyes lit up the moment they stepped in.
Tim’s stomach churned in the best way possible.
They shuffled into their table, smiling at each other as if they were in high school, experiencing dating for the first time. The waitress came to take their orders, wine was poured, and the éntrees were served.
Tim unintentionally stiffened his shoulders as he sipped his wine, the presence of Lucy beside him making his stomach flip.
Lucy glanced at Tim once—just once—but that was enough to make her breath hitch. “You okay?” she asked, nudging his shoulder playfully.
“Yeah,” Tim replied quickly, staring at the soft flame of the candle. “Just… kinda nervous.”
Lucy’s eyes creased at the corners as she smiled. “Wow,” she muttered, teasing. “Tim ‘I bounce rookies for breakfast’ Bradford is nervous because a girl is sitting next to him!”
Tim rolled his eyes, shaking his head. “A very beautiful girl is sitting next to me. That changes things.”
Lucy bit her lip subtly, lips curling into a shy grin as she tugged her hair behind her ear.
Tim chuckled as he smiled back, eyes narrowing.
They sat in silence for a couple minutes, sipping their wine and nibbling on breadsticks.
“So,” Tim finally said after a minute of mental preparation. “What did you order, again?”
“Oh, the stir-fry beef.” Lucy replied, voice cracking.
Tim frowned. “With the mushrooms? God, how do people eat that stuff?”
Lucy snorted into her wine glass, shaking her head. “It’s amazing, actually. You should try it sometime.”
Tim tilted his head, suspicious. “You are trying to convert me into liking mushrooms.”
Lucy laughed, a little too loudly, and waved a hand. “Maybe. Or I just want to see you frown in disapproval.”
Tim shook his head, muttering, “Unbelievable,” but the corner of his mouth tugged upward anyway.
Lucy rested her chin on her hand, eyes narrowing softly as she let her eyes rediscover every little detail of Tim—the ones she’d seen a thousand times, but never really looked at until now.
How he pursed his lips when he sipped at his wine, how his knee bounced every once in a while when silence between them stretched a little too long, how his smiles seemed like they were only for Lucy to see...
It felt amazing—just sitting with him, talking about nothing in particular.
The waitress interrupted Lucy’s thoughts by bringing their food. Tim mouthed a “thank you” and his gaze met Lucy’s for a brief moment.
Lucy immediately looked down at her plate, pulse racing as she felt her face getting hot. Her eyebrows pinched together, lips pressing into a thin line. The words tumbled out before she could even stop herself:
“Why is this so weird? We’ve eaten together literally hundreds of times!”
Tim sighed softly, putting his fork down. “Because,” he began, shrugging. “Our other meals only ever held the promise of getting shot at afterwards. And not, like…”
He narrowed his eyes, hesitant before continuing. “Naked time, or—”
Lucy snorted, covering her mouth with her hand. “Naked time.” She deadpanned, teasing.
Tim raised his eyebrows, holding his hand out. “That’s not— I didn’t mean—”
Lucy chuckled, reaching out to lightly brush her hand on his arm. “I know. I just… I don't wanna rush into that,” She pursed her lips, eyes narrowing.
Tim sat a bit straighter, nodding.
“I wanna take things slow, you know?” Lucy continued, her voice softer. “Go on this date, maybe a second date, have our first kiss…” She fiddled with her napkin, hesitant to meet Tim’s eyes.
Tim just smiled, leaning back just a little. “Yeah, we shouldn’t jump into bed just because we know each other so well, right?”
Lucy’s chest churned. Tim actually listens. He didn’t tense, he didn't push. He just knew what it was that she wanted. He always did. Lucy wasn't the type to get attached so easily, heck—she’d never even been properly in love before.
She felt something settle warm and steady in her chest, and for the first time in a while, she felt sure of one thing. Tim was the right person.
“Yeah,” Lucy said, a little breathless.
Tim’s lips twitched into the softest of smiles, and he leaned forward. “Then, we’ll go as slow as you want.” He promised, voice low yet sincere.
“I’d like that,” Lucy murmured, her cheeks flushed pink.
Tim nodded, lifting his wine glass. “Good. Now eat before it gets cold.” He said, pointing at Lucy’s plate with his fork. “Or before I decide to be one of you freaks who enjoy mushrooms.”
Lucy scoffed, mockingly clutching her pearls. “Ouch!”
Their laughs mingled into something softer, less awkward. The world around them seemed to disappear, giving them the place to be...them.
At that moment, they weren’t two cops running toward bullets every day, they were just ordinary people falling into one another, fitting like a jigsaw puzzle.