She was sleeping in his office. Again.
Although he always acted like it bothered him, it was actually quite the opposite. Kelly understood she was beyond tired after such an exhausting shift and he liked seeing her all sprawled out and peaceful in his bed.
It sounds wrong, sure, but he didn't mean it like that.
He would always tell her that she has her own bed in their common room like everyone else and that she shouldn't be privileged. But Sylvie always fired back with good enough reasons to keep that habit of hers intact, like one reason being that he doesn't sleep there anyway because he almost never sleeps.
That his bed is bigger and more comfortable, that she can't sleep in common room because Cruz and Otis are always too loud, ... Ok, that's more reasons. But none of them were the real reason he lets her do it.
He simply didn't or doesn't have the heart to tell her no.
This was happening too often. Kelly couldn't deny her anything at this point. Deep down he knew why that was and it scared the shit out of him. It scared him because he never felt this way. Sure he felt the attraction for her when they first met and she actually knew it too but given his reputation of having his fair share of women, they both joked about it. Because, it wasn't much different with her.
It wasn't back then but as they got to know each other and their friendship kept progressing to the point where it wasn't worth of ruining it, he realized it.
She had his heart.
But he didn't have hers so he won't do anything about it. Sylvie needed him as a friend, she always had. Kelly was more than aware that their friendship meant a great deal to her too and it wouldn't be fair to make her choose. Besides, he was convinced that any man would and should feel lucky to have her heart. It's an honor.
He also knew that he couldn't be friends with her anymore if he confessed and she doesn't deserve that. So he'll keep quiet about it and be the support in her life she so desperately needs.
Little did he know that she had the identical turmoil...
He approached her and gently pushed her shoulder in attempt to wake her up even tough he knew she was a heavy sleeper. She could even sleep in the middle of the war without waking up.
She stirred a little but nothing.
Kelly almost gave up on being all gentle and was planning on just splashing her with water but then he remembered.
Doughnut. He had a doughnut somewhere in his desk and he never got the time to actually eat it throughout the day so he completely forgot about it. Until now.
Brett loves her candy. No. She loves her food.
He returned to her side and knelt in front of her. With that he quietly mumbled »Who's gonna wake up now?«before pushing said doughnut in front of her face.
»Babe, come on, wake up... I have a vanilla custard filled doughnut with extra chocolate, just the way you like it. If you don't wake up, I'm gonna have to throw it out. I mean it would be such a waste... Ok, I'm gonna throw-« suddenly he felt a small hand wrapped around his wrist.
»Don't you dare, Kelly Severide, or I'll rip your head off.« When he looked up at her she still had her eyes closed and was struggling with adjusting to the light.
»Look who is awake! Welcome to the real world, Princess. Where is your Pea?« he chuckled.
Usually Sylvie would be annoyed by this kind of comments but right now she just went with it. »So that's what's been poking me through the mattress while I was sleeping?« she ran her hands through her hair. »What's with the doughnut?«
Kelly raised his eyebrows. »Well I don't want it to go to waste so...« he took a bite. The horror on her face was as if someone had just killed her puppies.
»You... you asshole. How dare you?! You know it's my favorite kind!« standing on her knees, still on the bed, she pointed a finger at him. »You'll pay for this.«
He would laugh at her because the face she makes when she's angry is pure comedy but Brett is nothing but serious when she says he'll pay.
»But it's my doughnut. I bought it. With MY MONEY!«
She punched him in the shoulder. Then in stomach. And the assault would go even further if »Mouch The Saviour« (new nickname by Kelly) wouldn't have knocked on the door and said they have a call.
»Let's go, my people!« shouted Casey.
Firehouse 51 entered their respective trucks and ambulance heading to take yet another call today. They were all pretty tired by now but it wasn't the toughest day they ever had. Or so Kelly thought.
One of the local bars was set on fire and someone even called the police because there was a suspicion it was arson and not an accident.
There were people running out of the bar while coughing and firefighters running in while dragging their gear with them. Smoke was everywhere but it wasn't that bad at all. It looked far worse than it actually was, to be honest.
The fire was almost put out and everyone was safe and sound. Other than damaged property and ruined business, there were no casualties. No one died (thank god), there weren't even serious injuries and Sylvie was so glad because of it.
Dawson was near their ambo treating a girl with minor burns on her arm and Sylvie was patiently waiting by a gurney for other potential patients.
That was when Hermann approached her, holding a man in his mid-thirties around his waist. His curly blond hair and piercing green eyes would not leave any woman indifferent. Handsome, Sylvie thought. He looked pretty much alright but he was coughing, probably because he had trouble breathing. They helped him to sit on the gurney and there was nothing else necessary but for Brett to put an oxygen mask on his face, just to fill his lungs with fresh air.
The man was calm and collected, but Sylvie noticed he was checking her out. Better yet his eyes were roaming all over her body. He wasn't even trying to hide it because for one there was Hermann standing right there beside her, probably completely unaware of the situation, but still. That didn't bother him at all. She felt a little uncomfortable but hey, she remained as professional as ever.
Such a shame that a man this attractive had the rudest attitude.
He spoke. »So honey, are you single?«
Sylvie widened her eyes in disbelief as she cleared her throat and Hermann just smirked mockingly at him.
»With all the respect, that's none of your business, sir.« she responded him maybe a little bit too harsh.
»Woah, woah we have a feisty one here. You can call me Adam, there is no need for sir. I am a little offended by your tone, though. But I'm gonna forgive you and because I'm such a generous person I'm going to offer you a deal. No, not a deal. A proposition.«
No. She was definitely not too harsh before. No matter what situation she's dealing with, Sylvie always questions her actions. She definitely has to stop doing that. What? She has the right to stand up for herself especially with men of his kind and act impulsive. Gabby would be so proud of her.
Clearly trying to ignore him, she didn't respond so he continued.
»I tell you what. You give me your number and after you're done with work, we can grab a drink or two, then we can go to my place and whatever happens there it's cool, if you know what I mean. We're young, the world is our oyster.«
Hermann rolled his eyes. That was probably at the top of the worst pick-up lines he had ever heard. In his time men would romance women before suggesting any activity of such kind. Now? Now they jump right at it.
Their little interaction didn't escape to Kelly, who was leaning on one of the trucks in the close proximity with pretty unpleasant frown on his face. Not that he was eavesdropping, it's just that he finished his job and had nothing better to do at this point.
»Listen, sir-« Sylvie deliberately used the term again to show her admirer that nothing can crush her professionalism. »-I'm only here to help you. I'm sure you are used to picking up women everywhere but you sure as hell picked the wrong one today, because I have a boyfriend. And even if I didn't and you are the last man standing, I still wouldn't go out with you. You want to know why? Because you are rude. Now put the mask back on and lift your shirt up so I can check your breathing.«
He hopped of the gurney and stood in front of her completely ignoring Hermann who almost wet himself, he was laughing so hard. »That's my girl!«
Hermann managed to say exactly what Kelly was thinking. He finally decided to approach them just to have a better view of his girl kicking some random guy's butt. Metaphorically, of course.
Adam, although disappointed with Sylvie's answer wasn't taken aback by his sudden appearance. He looked up at Kelly and it didn't bother him that he stood about half a foot shorter than Kelly's six foot two inch frame. Well, it should have.
»Hey man,-« Adam gestured towards Severide. »-how can you even concentrate with such a piece of ass around and not wanting to hit it? Huh?«
Kelly took a threatening step toward him. »She's a paramedic who's helping you and you will treat her with respect, am I clear?«
Still, completely calm and unbothered with bright smile on his face, Adam turned back to Sylvie. »Is this your boyfriend? He looks like he's really mad. You must be something else in the sack if he gets this aggressive because of you.«
Sylvie watched Kelly's temper rise, eyes becoming darker with the unrestrained anger clear on his face. »Kelly...«
Adam's attention now on Severide. »No really... you don't have to get all pumped up. I'm just stating a fact because I'm not blind. She's very hot and every man should feel lucky to have a girl this beautiful... I mean with those legs wrapped around-«
It escalated so fast. Kelly's fist shot up out of nowhere and connected with his jaw.
»Shut your fucking mouth!« His voice was full of venom.
Hermann was so shocked at the scene in front of him that he completely forgot to try to calm the situation. What brought him back to reality was Sylvie's firm and decisive voice. She felt all eyes around on them.
»KELLY!«
She grabbed Severide's hand who was holding Adam by his shirt and made him let it go. A plain white t-shirt that was, by the way, soaked with the shorter man's blood dripping from his nose. Sylvie was sure it had been broken. Damn it.
But the man remained as animated as ever. He was literally smiling.
She was now standing between them and completely turned toward Kelly. He couldn't read her. It was the first time in their friendship timeline that he couldn't read her. I mean the woman was an open book. He could always tell if she was happy or sad or angry. But right now he just couldn't. Wonder why.
»Leave.«
»But...«
»Right now. I mean it.«
Hermann walked away with him.
Sylvie noticed with corner of her eye that chief Boden was approaching them. The man looked pissed. She was thinking quickly. If he finds out what really happened - that Kelly punched a guy because he made a move on her, he could get suspended. She didn't want that and she had her reasons why.
As if Adam (the guy with bleeding nose) was reading her mind, he made yet another indirect proposition. »How will you convince me not to tell your boss what happened here? Because I assume you don't want your friend to get in trouble, right?«
»I'll go out with you but you keep your damn mouth shot.« Sylvie responded through greeted teeth.
»I will take what I can get, my lady.«
With satisfied grin, he just turned around and left with still bleeding nose.
