Chenford Oneshots

Doesn't Sit Right With Me

The precinct crew rarely had a chance to unwind together, so tonight's rooftop dinner felt special. Under the warm glow of string lights, laughter and casual conversations filled the evening. Lucy was seated beside Tim, leaning into him comfortably, as Angela and Wesley recounted a funny story from work.

"So, Lucy," Aaron said, leaning in with a grin, "did you and Nolan ever, you know... date?" The table fell silent as the question lingered, everyone turning to look at Lucy. She blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh... wow, that's random," she stammered, glancing at Nolan. Tim frowned, shifting beside her. "Wait, what?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "You and Nolan?" Angela doubled over, laughing. "Oh, this is priceless. The look on Bradford's face!" Lucy shifted, glancing between everyone and biting her lip. "Okay, yeah," she admitted, laughing nervously. "But it was years ago! Just a couple of dates. We both realised it wasn't... you know, it wasn't really anything serious."

Nolan awkwardly raised his glass. "Here's to really short, unmemorable relationships?" Everyone laughed, but Tim's face remained stony, and he looked away, jaw clenched. After a beat, he stood up abruptly, leaving his napkin on the table. "I need some air." Without another word, he headed out. The laughter died down as everyone watched him go, a few awkward glances shared around the table. Lucy's face fell. She muttered a quick excuse to the team and followed him out, but by the time she reached the street, Tim had already hailed a cab. When Lucy arrived back at their shared apartment later, she found Tim in the kitchen, rummaging through the fridge. He didn't look up when she came in, his posture tense. 

"Tim," she said softly, "are you really mad about this?" He let out a humorless laugh. "Why wouldn't I be? You never thought to mention that you dated him?" Lucy sighed, stepping closer. "I didn't think it mattered. It was just two dates, and it was years ago."

"Yeah, well, it's news to me," he replied, his tone clipped as he closed the fridge a little too hard. Without another word, he walked down the hall, disappearing into their bedroom.

Lucy took a deep breath, letting him cool off a bit before following. When she entered the bedroom, Tim was already lying on his side, his back turned to her. She climbed into bed beside him and gently touched his shoulder. "Hey. We don't go to bed mad, remember?" For a moment, he didn't respond, his silence speaking volumes. But finally, he sighed, shifting just enough to face her, though his expression was still troubled. "I don't like being the last to know about something like that," he admitted quietly.

Lucy felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you, Tim. It just... I guess it felt so insignificant compared to what we have." He searched her face, and she could see a flicker of vulnerability in his gaze. "I get that it was in the past," he said, voice softening. "But I guess hearing it tonight, in front of everyone? It made me feel like maybe there's more I don't know. And that doesn't sit right with me." Lucy moved closer, gently cupping his face in her hands, her voice earnest. "There's nothing else, Tim. You know everything about me that matters—everything that's real. Nolan was a blip, a moment that didn't mean anything in the end. But you... you're everything to me. There's no one else I've ever felt this way about." Tim's face softened further, though there was still a flicker of doubt. "I just don't like surprises like that. Makes me wonder if I'm the only one who feels... all in, you know?"

She nodded, understanding. "I get it. And if the tables were turned, I'd probably be upset too. But I promise you, Tim, you're the only one. I didn't even realise how much I needed someone like you until you showed me." Her thumb brushed his cheek gently as she went on, "There's no comparison—then, now, or ever. It's just you." Tim's lips curved into a small, reluctant smile. He took her hand in his, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I love you, Lucy. I don't know why I let something so small get under my skin, but it's because you mean so much to me." Lucy smiled, letting out a small breath of relief. "I love you, and you mean everything to me too, Tim. And you always will." He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her tightly against him as they settled back into bed. "Alright, no more surprises, then?" She chuckled, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Promise. You're stuck with me, Bradford, no secrets and no surprises." They fell asleep tangled together, feeling closer than ever, the evening's tension melting into a comforting certainty that they were each other's only choice, past, present, and future.

A/n: This one was a suggestion by @5Shorty5 - Thank you so much for the suggestion I hope this went in the direction you hoped for! Lmk if you have anymore ideas!!