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[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix smiled, still surprised some days how willing Dodger was to try and power through things. It made him feel warm to know Dodger saw him and Jay as something worth the effort. It was more than he'd ever felt like he could ask for from someone he'd called his best friend for years. "They do have cots for people staying overnight, hardly think they cared if you broke one in a little early," he agreed giving him another quick kiss. Rolling his eyes he chuckled and shook his head at the description of his brother. "You know it's weird hearing him described like that, I still see the awkward kid I grew up with, even if I wasn't much better with the silent brooding thing I had going for me."

Maybe it was why it had been so easy to be friends with Dodger in those days, he'd never expected Phoenix to talk his ear off, the two content to just sit in each other's presence. It was a peace that had been difficult to find for a young Romero so he'd clung to it as tightly as he could. "You're a cute mess," he said glancing down at him and kissing his head, "The bedhead almost looks intentional somedays, I'm a fan." Glancing at the stalls he slowly shook his head, "No, we can stop by and say hi. Maybe buy a painting if he has any left, I saw a few being carted around."

Dodger felt his cheeks flush pink. How had he been lucky enough to fall for his best friend, and have said best friend fall for him too? How had he found someone so willing to compromise and adapt to Dodgers way of living? “No, no I don’t want to cut the day short. We don’t do enough of this kind of stuff. I’ll be alright, just…let me go for a power nap if I really need it?” He always did, and Dodger more often than not had a short burst of revitalised energy. The prospect of a sexy night after the event would certain keep him going. “No Cass is the best dancer, that is just fact. I should go to him for lessons. As for Falco,” Dodger shrugged, “clearly overrated.” He joked, “who would wants a sexy Spaniard with a big ass and big arms and piercing blue eyes that’s good at painting, when you can have a slightly overweight Turkish man that always looks a mess and spends twenty out of twenty-four hours asleep?” He squeezed gently around Phoenix’s middle, letting his head rest against his lovers chest, “but I think Jay knows more Turkish than Spanish, so I’m taking that as a win.” He turned his head for a moment, looking out at the stalls around them. “Have you been to his stall yet?”

[firecaptainphoenix]

"All I'm hearing is we might need to cut out early from the dancing," Phoenix said leaning his face down to kiss Dodger fully. He was only half joking, more than happy with how their night went either way. "I think she take it easy on you, take advantage of the in-law privilege," he joked. While it did scare him a bit to imagine Jay's future the likelihood that she and Felipe would make them in-laws with the de la Luna was fairly high in his opinion. Quirking an eyebrow at Dodger he pulled him in closer to his side, "Listen, Cass can be the better dancer, don't mind you dancing with him. But Falco has his own man to keep him entertained, don't need him pulling out the accent to charm you away," he was mostly joking.

"Hmmm," Dodger gave a thoughtful hum, "just bed, or bedtime activities?" He queried further, but was quick to shake his head, "no, actually, I think after day dancing, any night time action might be too much." Phoenix was used to his sleeping schedule now, and Dodger didn't want to promise something he wouldn't be able to deliver. "With Celia? No, definitely not. She demands perfection and I'm not about that. But, from what I remember of the wedding, you definitely are the more rhythmic of the three. Falco and Cass might have you beat though, but I'm not planning on dancing with them any time soon."

[firecaptainphoenix]

"Tempting but I'm willing to compromise, day dancing and night is for bed," Phoenix teased pressing a light kiss to the side of Dodger's head. He'd noted the small amount of tensing in him as well as occasionally in Jay. He felt similar, but he was trying to be hopeful enough for all of them. "Better than me, you been sneaking dance lessons from Celia without me? Long as I'm still a better dancer than Hawk and Duck I'll live."

Dodger allowed himself to be pulled in close, wanting nothing more than to be close to Phoenix right now, his own arm coming up and over his partners shoulder, head turning to plant a kiss against his stubbled cheek. "If it means I have you holding me all day and all night, I'll dance as long as you want," he grinned, a dangerous precedent he was now setting, but how things turned out at the last event, Dodger wasn't intending to let Phoenix out of his grasp. "I think I'm getting good though. I think we'll give everyone else a run for their money."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix eyebrows rose, "Fuck," he said rubbing his jaw and shaking his head. Pausing in thought before looking at James again, "We got some spare crutches, can grab one, least it'll take some of the weight off?" He was about offer to grab before the metal pig comment hit. Blinking he slowly glanced at Jay who was crouched down grinning at Maya, "Fuck," he repeated as he slowly put together where the metal had likely come from. "Um...found one," he grumbled.

At this point James was just tired. He frowned at the other man. It wasn't Phoenix's fault, but James was already in a piss poor mood. "It was stolen," he deadpanned. "An' now I'm goin' around lookin' for fuckin' metal pigs. Feel like I'm losin' my damn mind."

[firecaptainphoenix]

WHERE: Outside the Fire Station WHO: James (@detectivegoldstein)

Phoenix burst out laughing when Jay showed him the tiny pig she'd bought, half tempted to ask if he could buy it off her and give it any of the officers he was friends with. He figured they'd take it in good fun considering the fake rivalry between the departments over the years. Dahlia was on her way out with her girls when Maya Cruz-Dutton whipped back around.

"Awwww it's so cute!" she said taking it carefully when Jay let her hold it and watching the way the light reflected off the metal.

Phoenix was shaking his head in amusement before spotting James hobbling nearby, raising a brow at the notepad he was flipping through. Walking over he gave half a wave, "Everything alright...wait. Where's your cane? You're as bad as Duck and I ain't saving you from a Jonesy lecture."

[firecaptainphoenix]

WHERE: Main Street WHO: Dodger (@oxtofmydcpth)

Phoenix had waved at Jay who still seemed more than a bit embarrassed over the pig sculpture incident. He gave Felipe de la Luna a small nod, figuring if nothing else her boyfriend could get her mind off things. Glancing over at Dodger he wrapped his arm around his waist pulling him into his side. "Two weddings and now a ball, sure you got the energy for all this dancing we've been doing?" he teased.

[firecaptainphoenix]

🏠 HOUSE — my muse's family/hometown

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix bit back a sigh and shook his head a bit, at least Dodger's tone let him know he was starting to accept his words. He felt a small flush on his face as he shrugged, "Trying to be, least to give Hawk a few less things to worry bout," there was a split second where his smile wavered, unable to hide how worried he actually was before he shoved it back. "Think you might have been fresh from a nap, you look handsome," he said his tease turning more genuine as he pressed his lips against the side of Dodger's head. "Think Celia's girl might have a couple more pictures of us, not sure how good I look in those."

"Hey hey," he shook his head, "It's not all on me, okay? I didn't do anything, I was just around. You did all the important stuff, and she is a strong girl, she would have healed with or without me there." There was something sincere about his thoughts, not the usual self-depreciating tinge that used to lace his words. "Well look at you being the good, supportive uncle," Dodger grinned, he loved how generous Phoenix could be, how supportive of his family he was even when he didn't know them. Phoenix pulled Dodger closer and kissed him, and Dodger smiled into it, letting his arms wrap around Phoenix's waist, hands sliding down into the pockets on the back of his jeans. "He said there was a photograph, but I do not remember one being taken. Please tell me I don't look too tired? We don't have a lot of photographs of us so it would be nice to have one where I look at least a little awake."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix shrugged, "Couldn't hurt to ask her, she and her boyfriend been doing pretty well working with Jaybird," he admitted. He hesitated before adding, "Even gave me some stuff to help me sleep that works pretty good, like I said I can talk to her? Pretty sure Hawk gonna need you once Sora leaves."

Matt pondered then shook his head. "He told me he hasn't taken anything in years and that he had an operation before he came back into town on his heart. Do you really think she can help him?" there was a little hint of hope to his tone.

[firecaptainphoenix]

"Damian, there's being prepared for a fire and then there's the whole town getting leveled by an earthquake," Phoenix said firmly. "You think you're the first to freeze over that? Knew plenty of guys back in L.A. who weren't ready for that their first time." He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, "That's a great thought, but it's part of the job, we don't always save everyone." for a brief second Bradley's face flashed in his head, "We carry em with us, do our best to make sure it don't happen again." As much as he wanted to be supportive, he also knew in their line they needed to be realistic. "Regardless of whatever happened before, you ain't ever disappointed anyone in this station, ok?

"But were suppose to be better with situations like that and I caved under pressure..." He explained. "for a while I guess. I just....I've been a disappointment my whole life I don't want to mess this up. I don't want anyone to get hurt any more" his thoughts went to Jessie. He wanted her to be proud of him. Proud of who she was dating.

[firecaptainphoenix]

"I ain't happy about it, but it is what it is," Phoenix mumbled hand reaching up to fiddle with a necklace he no longer wore, arm dropping back to the table. Glancing at Matt he shook his head, "You ain't gotta apologize for him," sighing he nodded, "Yeah I can get that." Rubbing at his face again he asked, "Was planning on talking to Z about medication for Sora, you know if Hawk takes anything?"

Matt felt bad for spilling the beans, Phoenix looked a bit unhappy about not finding out from the source itself, Matt had begged Hawk for months to tell his family. "I'm really sorry you're finding out about it like this, he just won't tell anyone. I think he's scared." He dropped his shoulders some. "I don't know, I'm taking it one day at a time and trying not to think about the possibilities that come with it."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix bit back a groan and just scratched idly at his beard, "Him and Duck always been closer, can't really fault him for that one," he said shrugging, "Falco knows me better than both of them, just kind of happens, you know?" It wasn't the ideal situation but it was how it worked out. "Course he did, and you? How you been handling this?"

Matt quickly looked down at his feet, then back at Phoenix. "You... might also own Bowie and Mallard drinks too. Bowie was the first one to find out, then me and then Mal when I asked him to help me move Hawk around Halloween. He overworked himself."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix snorted before giving a sheepish shrug, "Been working on it, not perfect but hopefully getting somewhere," if for nothing else for Jay's sake he thought idly. "Free as a bird," he said before frowning at his own words and letting out a groan, "Ok that was unintentional but yeah, I'm free for some pie."

“You Romeros are really good at being closed off,” Claire said with a small half-smile. She pulled his jacket closer around her as they stepped outside. “I missed being friends too,” she admitted. “I’d really like that.” Her smile widened. “Are you doing anything right now? I have some leftover blueberry pie back at the house.”

[firecaptainphoenix]

"Halloween," Phoenix repeated briefly grimacing at the reminder of how that day had gone for him and those near him. "Damian no one holds that against you, the whole town was literally shaken up that day. How long you've been struggling with what happened that day?"

Damian nodded "yeah of course! I'm sure it's going to be a long haul for him. But I'll be sure to stop by!" He stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged a bit embarrassed that he had said it out loud "I think I'm still kicking myself for what happened on Halloween..."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix smiled and nodded, "She's recovered pretty good from Halloween...we both have since you've been around," he admitted softly. Pulling back he nodded, "Yeah his names Sora, helped get him situated in apartment with his friend and gave him a job. Never hurts to have more emergency trained folk." That and he could at least keep an eye on this one for Hawk's sake, considering his condition he was trying not be overbearing but still worried. Laughing, he rolled his eyes, before giving Dodger a genuine grin, "I do feel lucky," he said before kissing him back pulling him closer. "Matt gave me a picture of the two of us at the wedding, plus one with Jay and her guy," he said.

Dodger grinned triumphantly, "well, I am the fun parent, so it makes sense," not strictly true but he liked to believe it. For a kid, having a parent that didn't work and let you do what you wanted must have been amazing, "but I feel like we're bonding, y'know? Not that we didn't before but...more?" It was complicated to explain, for Dodger at least, hard to articulate what he was feeling and what this meant to him. "Sure sounds wild," he chuckled, hand coming up to cup the back of Phoenix's neck, thumb brushing through the strands of hair there, "so Zelda came first, slotted in nicely with life here, but now there's another? Sora you said?" Damn that was a real shakeup, one unexpected kid would be bombshell enough, to then have a second appear shortly after your wedding was something Dodger couldn't even begin to imagine. "Unless giving a woman a hug can get them pregnant, it seems doubtful. Unless my family miss me enough to have made a clone or something, looks like I'm the only one. One of a kind," he pulled Phoenix in closer, pressing open lips against the others, "aren't you lucky, getting the one and only."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix took a slow breath and exhaled after a moment, "Don't apologize, not your fault." Glancing back at Matt he shrugged, "Look he might've meant to tell me, but lot been going on so I'll give him a pass on this one." Pausing his brow furrowed, "Shit so have you been the only one watching out for him this whole time, owe you at least a six pack for that."

Oh...shit! There was no taking this back was there? Matt had assumed that after Duck found out, that Hawk had finally told the rest of his brothers so all Matt could do was sit there, frozen for a second, the colour in his face had drained. "I am... so sorry, I thou- I don't know why I thought he'd told you by now."

[firecaptainphoenix]

Phoenix rolled his eyes, an exasperated but fond smile on his face, "Think she just likes the excuse to spend more time with you than anything else," he said. For a second Phoenix leaned his forehead down onto Dodger's shoulder and let out a sigh before he was shrugging. Pulling back to look at him properly, "Hawk had...bit of a wild streak when he got out of Huntsville. Zelda was the first one to show up and met Matt first, she seems like she settled in with Hawk pretty well." Pausing as he debated how to explain the rest, "Sora's mom and Hawk had a one time thing like 20 something years ago, grew up thinking his dad was his bio dad. Barely found out and came to find Hawk and now he's stuck here." He managed to crack a small grin, "I'm not gonna be mad, but what are the chances you got a mini Dodger out in the world?"

“Yeah I know. She gave me the sad eyes and I couldn’t say no to an hour or two here okay. But she won’t learn anything at school that Dodgers University of Life can’t teach her better.” A bit of an over exaggeration but it made Dodger feel better for letting her skip school. He let out a playful groan as he was pulled closer. “I’m stopping okay? Sometimes the craving hits,” he shrugged, “guess that’s when I don’t have other things to keep me occupied,” he leant in and planted a kiss on Phoenix’s cheek. And then came the work talk. Dodger didn’t mind it, always one to enjoy hearing the lates gossip even if he wasn’t actively involved in it. His expression reflected his confusion. “Hawk is his father? But Hawk’s…and he just got…huh?” Maybe he wasn’t awake enough yet to be following this properly.