CAPPTAIN / Chicago Fire

Piranha Plant Slide

Chapter 3

Kelly's house was extremely modern, with plants everywhere, brick themed... Capp didn't even know. He could ask Sylvie about the interior design and she'd go off on a whole spiel. He knew if she ever needed a side hustle or a career switch, she would travel down the interior design path.

"This is Stella and I's room," Severide explained, while he gave him a quick tour. "And, Shay sleeps over there," he pointed to another room. "Then Stella wanted to flip the office into a guest bedroom, so you're right over there," Kelly pointed to a small room. Capp opened the door and walked into his room. It was decorated with plants, had a carpet placed in the middle and a single bed pressed against the wall. The bed was made, and light leaked through a small window. He sat on the bed, Kelly leaning against the door frame.

"Thanks again," Capp said with gratitude. "I promise I'll be out of your hair in no time."

"Your apartment was burnt to crisps," Kelly remarked. "It's okay if it's a while."

Capp exhaled, "We'll see."

Kelly left him alone to unpack. Capp swung his duffel bag and suitcase on top of his bed. He stared at the remainder of his belongings that survived the fire. It wasn't much, yet, Capp didn't have much of his own stuff. Mazie and he had bought the furniture together. He stacked a couple of books on top of a nightstand next to his bed. He arranged his newly bought laptop on a shelf.

It felt weird being in Severide's apartment. Well technically, it belonged to the three of them. It was the last place he expected to show up, he'd even thought to crash at a cheap motel for a while. Money hadn't always been an issue but it was always running in the back of his mind. He'd never quit his job to make more, it was too much of a passion now.

And he'd considered taking Tony up on his offer, though Tony's nephew was already staying with him and he didn't want to intrude on any family time. Matt's offer was thoughtful too, Capp was inclined to take him up on it. Yet, he didn't know him well and never had a moment with just the two of them. Dawson was the only other one he knew, who lived alone, though he imagined it would be strange to live with her.

Someone knocked on his door. It opened slightly, Stella parading her way in. She sat down on the bed next to him, examining all of his stuff.

"What do you think?" she asked.

"You've got a nice place."

"Yeah, we do." Stella relaxed her shoulders, sinking into his bed.

Capp took a deep breath, "You think Kelly is okay with it?"

"Why wouldn't he be?" she asked.

Capp shrugged, "He just seemed cold."

She chuckled, "That's Kelly. For you, if you're gonna be scared of someone, I'd be scared of Shay. God, she turns into a whole other person after a couple of beers past midnight."

He snorted, picturing the blonde throwing her head back laughing. "Sounds about right."

"Shay and I are going out for a girls' dinner, I think we're meeting Dawson there, umm, Kelly's here though," Stella informed, standing up to exit the room.

Capp nodded, "Have fun."

Halfway out the door, Stella poked her head through the opening, talking in a voice a little louder than a whisper. "We're happy to have you here, Capp. All of us."

She closed the door, leaving him with his own thoughts. He wondered if Kelly would've acted differently if it were Cruz staying with him.