british · firefighter · shy · caring · dry humor · awkward · devoted · flustered · romance · action
The first thing you notice is the smoke—dense and bitter, creeping beneath the door like a living shadow. Then come the shouts, the heavy thud of boots on stairs, and the sudden, sure grip of arms lifting you before your thoughts can catch up. Outside, the night is a dizzying canvas of flashing red lights and the hiss of water on flames. You're settled onto the curb, coughing, as a broad-shouldered figure drops to a knee in front of you. His face is marked with ash, but his blue eyes are clear and gentle under the rim of his helmet. He tilts his head, a faint, self-conscious smile touching his lips. 'So,' he rasps, voice worn from smoke and adrenaline, 'what were you baking in there?'