The midday sun beat down on Sparwell Zoo, casting a golden light over the main walkway. Y/N stomped down the path, shoulders tense, boots scuffing hard against the gravel. She muttered under her breath, fists clenched.
Kelly's voice carried over the sound of footsteps. "Oh, don't look so pleased with yourself. You're practically glowing with rage."
Y/N spun around, a storm flashing in her eyes. "I'm glowing because you're testing my patience, Kelly," she snapped, voice thick with her heavy British accent. "And I don't have much of that left, mind you."
Kelly crossed her arms, unbothered by the attitude thrown her way. "You know, I thought firefighters like you had a bit more control."
"Oh, trust me, I have plenty of control. Just not when it comes to people who think they can walk all over me." Y/N's voice was low, barely more than a growl.
Dylan and Lily, standing a few feet away, exchanged amused glances. Dylan tilted his head towards Lily, whispering, "Think they'll finally kill each other this time?"
"Shush, this is better than a soap opera," Lily replied with a smirk.
Y/N threw them a glare, but Kelly leaned in closer, undeterred. "Oh, you mean people like me, who actually understand how things work around here?"
"I'm here to keep this place afloat, not to take orders from you," Y/N shot back. "Last I checked, I was the one with ownership over this zoo."
Kelly raised an eyebrow, a spark of amusement lighting her green-amber eyes. "Right. Owner. That's why you've been so helpful," she replied with a heavy dose of sarcasm. "When you're not, you know, yelling at everyone, that is."
A muscle in Y/N's jaw ticked. "At least I do something. Unlike some people who'd rather just bark orders and drink their weight in beer after sundown."
Kelly rolled her eyes and stepped closer, and it seemed like she'd reached the end of her patience, too. "You really think I'm the problem here?" she challenged, her voice low. "After you left everyone to fend for themselves for years?"
For a moment, Y/N went silent, and a flicker of vulnerability showed through her harsh expression. It was just a second, but it was enough for Kelly to catch. She softened slightly.
But Y/N, sensing her walls breaking, immediately hardened her glare. "I don't owe anyone here an explanation," she said, but her voice lost some of its strength.
Without warning, Kelly took a step forward, grasping Y/N's arm firmly. Y/N's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and outrage flickering across her face. "Let me go," she hissed.
"Not until you listen," Kelly replied, her voice surprisingly gentle yet unyielding.
Y/N's heart thudded, feeling a swirl of frustration, anger, and... something else that she couldn't quite place. She tried to pull back, but Kelly held her steady. The world seemed to still as Kelly leaned in, her lips capturing Y/N's in a kiss that was both commanding and surprisingly soft.
Y/N froze, her heart stuttering in her chest. Her initial reaction was to pull away, but something about the tenderness in Kelly's kiss weakened her resistance. Slowly, she found herself melting into it, her hands coming up to rest against Kelly's shoulders.
After what felt like an eternity, Kelly pulled back, and there was a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Now are you going to listen to me?"
Y/N blinked, utterly speechless, her cheeks tinted a deep shade of red. "Wh— what was that for?" she stammered, her usual confidence slipping.
Kelly just smiled, patting Y/N on the cheek. "Sometimes, Y/N, you need a little reminder that being stubborn doesn't always get you what you want."
Dylan let out a snicker, unable to hold it back any longer. "Wow, she's actually blushing. I didn't think it was possible."
Y/N shot him a glare, but it lacked its usual bite. She was too disoriented, her mind still reeling from the kiss. "Shut up, Dylan."
He laughed, leaning against Lily. "I think you just got tamed."
Kelly chuckled softly, turning back to Y/N with an amused tilt to her head. "Are we done arguing, or do you have something else to say?"
Y/N cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Just because you think you can— can silence me with... with that," she gestured vaguely, "doesn't mean I'm just going to roll over and do whatever you say."
"Good," Kelly said, unfazed. "I like a little fight in you. But maybe think twice next time before picking one." With a wink, she walked off, leaving Y/N staring after her.
Y/N, still dazed, watched Kelly disappear around the corner. For a moment, she stood there, at a loss for words.
Lily nudged Dylan, whispering, "Looks like someone's got a crush."
Y/N turned to them, narrowing her eyes. "Don't you two start with that nonsense."
Dylan held up his hands, smirking. "Hey, I just call it like I see it. You're like a puppy chasing after her."
Y/N scowled but said nothing. She found herself watching the path where Kelly had walked off, an unfamiliar warmth blooming in her chest.
Over the next few days, Y/N found herself, almost against her will, gravitating towards Kelly. Every time she saw her, her heart would skip a beat, and her usual dry remarks came out weaker, softer. The other staff noticed too, and it became a bit of a running joke around the zoo.
Peter MacCready, always one to poke fun, leaned over one afternoon as Y/N was pretending not to look for Kelly. "Don't worry, lass. She'll be back any minute now."
Y/N shot him a scowl. "Keep your comments to yourself, MacCready."
He chuckled, shrugging. "Just saying, you look like you're waiting on a lover more than a boss."
Y/N clenched her jaw, but a blush crept up her cheeks. "Shut up."
At that moment, Kelly appeared, arms crossed, looking amused. "Are you following me, Y/N?"
Caught off guard, Y/N stammered, "No, I was just—"
Kelly gave her a knowing smile, walking past her. "Uh-huh. Well, you know where to find me if you happen to be looking."
The staff's chuckles followed Y/N as she watched Kelly's retreating figure. And despite the playful teasing and her own reluctance to admit it, Y/N couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips.
