Chapter Text
Tim Bradford had come to a decision, and for the first time in years, he felt a quiet certainty. He was going to take a year off. A real year off. Not the piecemeal vacations he had always promised himself but never fully taken. He had saved enough vacation days to last him over a year.
Over the years, between shifts, calls, and the endless cycle of work, he had written down places he wanted to see, experiences he longed to try. A bucket list. Things he always meant to do “someday.” Someday never came. But now, it would.
He had weighed the pros and cons countless times. What about work? What about responsibility? But in the end, he realized he had been postponing himself for too long. The time was now.
On a Friday evening, he invited his closest friends over to his house. Drinks. Snacks. Nothing fancy — just a chance to share his news with the people who had become something like a found family.
His home smelled faintly of brewed coffee, mingling with the crisp chill of winter slipping through a slightly open window. He had poured whiskey into a decanter, stacked glasses neatly, and left out snacks. Comfortable, warm, familiar.
One by one, his friends arrived. Nolan tossed his coat onto the couch with ease. Angela followed, teasing about judging his choice of whiskey. Nyla gave him a skeptical side-eye he had learned to trust. Wade brought his calm, grounding presence. And, of course, Lucy — steady, observant, unwavering.
As laughter and chatter flowed, Tim felt the nervous flutter of anticipation. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“There’s a reason I invited everyone here tonight,” he said, voice calm but firm. Silence fell.
“I’ve decided to take a year off. Travel. See the things I’ve always meant to see. Do the things I’ve kept saying I would but never actually did. I have enough time saved. I’m starting January 1, and I’ll be gone for a full year.” He paused, letting it sink in. “No trips home. This is it. My time.”
Lucy’s brow lifted. “A full year?”
“Yes,” he nodded. “I’ll keep in touch — texts, postcards, photos. But for the most part, I’ll be offline, living the list.”
Nyla leaned back, smirking. “You’re crazy. But… yeah. This is actually kind of awesome.”
Wade’s calm voice added, “You deserve this. Monday I’ll make sure your vacation time is all set. Go enjoy it. We can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Angela’s grin widened. “And your house? Don’t make us come back to a moldy wasteland.”
“I hadn’t thought about that,” Tim said with a small laugh.
“Don’t worry,” Angela said. “We’ve got it. Mail? Collected. Plants? Watered. Windows? We’ll air it out. By the time you come back, it’ll feel like you never left.”
Nolan smirked. “I call TV remote duty.”
They all laughed. Tim could feel the warmth of their support, the humor and affection making the decision feel real, tangible.
Angela leaned forward. “You’ll have to send more than postcards, though. Photos. Proof you’re still alive.”
“You’ll get both,” Tim said, smiling.
As the evening wore on, the conversation drifted. Drinks poured. Snacks shared. The comfort of their presence was grounding. And when the room emptied except for Lucy, she lingered, her gaze steady.
“You’re crazy,” she said softly. “But I support it. You do so much for everyone. Time to do something for yourself. If you ever need someone to talk to — or just a quick check-in — I’m here.”
Tim hesitated a moment. “Actually… Lucy, can I ask a favor? While I’m gone, could you help with bills and make sure things at the house run smoothly? I’ll set you up with access.”
She smiled, accepting the trust. “Of course. We’ll make sure your house survives a year without you.”
He hugged her briefly, grateful. “Thanks. Really.”
Alone, Tim looked around his home, feeling the quiet weight of leaving it behind for a full year. The adventures ahead, the people supporting him, and the freedom to finally live his bucket list — it all felt real now. And for the first time in a long while, he felt ready.