Archive of Our Own ^beta

Kelly Severide scanned over the clusters of fellow cadets, now fellow graduates, trying not to be obvious. It wouldn’t do to have his best friend poking his nose where-

“He’s on your left, 8 o’clock, halfway up the steps,” a knowing voice snickered from far too close to his right ear. Kelly could practically hear the shit-eating grin spreading across Andy’s face. Not turning around, he affected a nonchalance cultivated from years of dealing with Benny’s lack of consideration. 

“Who is where? What are you talking about?”

Andy “best friend, partner-in-crime, and knower of far too many drunken confessions for his own good” Darden, moved around to stand before him,  eyes bright with laughter. 

“You know who; the quiet blond too pretty for his own good, the top of this year’s class, the guy who keeps you up at night, though sadly not from your bed, because you won’t take the leap and grab him by the mmph!”

“Will you shut up?!” Kelly hissed, as he clamped his hand down over Andy’s stupid grin, his own eyes narrowed and flashing. Not that it mattered, Andy had absolutely zero sense of self-preservation, and had known him far too long to ever be cowed by his quicksilver temper.

Andy shrugged… and licked his palm.

“Oh, gross, man. What are you, five?”

“You’re probably not the grossest thing I’ve ever licked, Kelly,” Andy chuckled. Kelly rolled his eyes and tried not to smile. They’d been friends since they were seven years old. Kelly knew for a fact, Andy had licked far more disgusting things than the palm of his hand. 

“Seriously, man. He’s over on the steps, just go talk to him before you’re stationed on opposite sides of the city.” Andy’s voice had softened, as had his eyes. He knew Kelly had it bad, but; he was pretty sure it could all work out in his favor, if he’d just take the first step. God knows Matt Casey never would. At eighteen, Casey had been the youngest cadet in this year’s class, and probably the weariest soul Andy had ever met; the trauma of the blond’s childhood had etched deep insecurities in the younger man. 

Kelly turned, catching sight of a head of short, ruffled blond hair, a boyish profile, and sloping shoulders over by the steps to the fire academy building. Jesus, he was even haloed by the late afternoon sun, making him even more ridiculously golden than he already was. There was the weight of a familiar hand, and a gentle push, between his shoulder blades.

“Go get ‘em, tiger,” Andy said, face still soft and full of understanding. They gave each other so much shit, but there’s no one he’d rather have in his corner than Andy Darden. Well, Matt Casey was a close second, but he couldn’t bring himself to risk the blooming friendship between them on the hope of something more. 

Matt looked up as Kelly approached, big blue eyes crinkling at the corners. The blond didn’t smile much, but when he did, it was small and soft and honest, and Kelly treasured every one. 

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself, Mr Top of the Class. Had to put us all to shame, didn’t you?” Kelly smiled to take any sting out of his words. He knew some of Matt’s past. Matt had bravely told him and Andy one night, after he’d had laid out Ted Griffin with one punch after  too many snide comments and thinly-veiled innuendo about his mom. He knew the signs of physical abuse had faded over the years, but the emotional wounds were as raw as ever. 

Kelly was charmed by the blush that rose on Matt’s cheeks, all the way to the tips of his ears. Shit, Kelly, you have got it bad . He looked down to the paper Matt was fiddling with. 

“Got an assignment, already?” He wasn’t surprised. Matt was the top of this year’s cadet class and had set a few Academy records to boot. Then again, so had he. Kelly’s own assignment was folded up in his pocket.

“Yeah. Engine 128, with Captain Timmons.” Kelly whistled.

“Damn, 128 is the busiest engine in the city,” he smiled and thumped Matt on the shoulder. “You’ll make lieutenant in no time.” Matt huffed a laugh, but his smile widened. 

“Thanks, Kelly. How about you? I’m sure you got assigned already.” 

If it had been anyone other than earnest-to-his-bones Matt Casey, Kelly would have assumed the comment was a jibe based on his being a legacy firefighter, and the assumption that his father had pulled some strings, but Kelly knew better. Matt was simply sure Kelly’s own track record at the Academy would have garnered the right attention and gotten him picked for an open slot.

“Yeah, Engine 18, with Rizzo.” 

“Oh. Oh, that’s great. Rizzo’s lucky to have you.” 

“Hey,” Kelly noticed that Matt’s eyes had dimmed and his smile had faded. He’d looked down and shoved his fists in his pockets, a sure sign he was unhappy. “I know that’s on the other side of the city from 128, and I don’t know what shifts we’ll be on yet, but you’re always welcome over at Casa Severide.”

“Yeah?” Matt eyed him from under thick, blond lashes, and Kelly couldn’t help the skip of his heartbeat. He nodded and swallowed hard as seldom-seen dimples marked the younger man’s returning shy smile. 

“Yeah. Anytime.” He swayed forward as Matt’s smile widened, eyes straying down to the other man’s lips. Matt caught the shift in his gaze and froze, breath caught on a quiet inhale. Kelly looked up to see big, blue eyes round with surprise, no little uncertainty, and something  … else. The blond pulled the pillow of his lower lip between his teeth.

“Hey, don’t,” Kelly whispered and moved closer,  his hand reached out to gently thumb Casey’s lower lip free. He watched his thumb smooth over the reddened skin once, twice, three times before the tip of Matt’s tongue flicked over the sensitive skin. It was Kelly’s turn to catch his breath, his own blue eyes darting up to the other man’s, something vulnerable and precious caught within. 

Kelly swallowed Matt’s gasp as he pressed closer in what was, likely, the most gentle kiss he’d ever had. 

Just before he could pull away and try to apologize or play it off, or something, anything, Kelly felt the gentle brush of a warm hand against his own, and the shy smile he’d know in the dark, against his lips. 

As he pulled back, feeling the goofiest of grins stretching across his face as he met Matt’s bright eyes smiling back, he heard a familiar voice call from across the way.

“About damn time!”