Hunting Season (Kelly Severide Love Story)

When They See Us Coming

"SO I'MA BUY A BOTTLE OF THE BEST CHAMPAGNE, I'MA RAISE A GLASS ALL TO MYSELF, IN YOUR NAME" 

"Thank you so much" I take the perfectly wrapped-up box from the store clerk, paying for everything before leaving. I hold on tightly to Henry's gift for his 16th birthday; I need to ensure that it is good enough so he doesn't complain. 

He does not understand the principle of it's the thought that counts just yet.

I walk into a random cafe, deciding on grabbing a coffee before I have to head to work since I have a bit of time. 

"Olivia, is that you?" I hear someone say after I finish ordering my coffee, turning around to see Benny, Jennifer, Kelly and Stella all sitting at a booth. I really have the worst timing, I shouldn't have come here.

"Hey, you guys," I greet them politely, waiting at the counter for my coffee, "what's going on?" I try to fill the awkward silence. "Nothing much, just have a little celebratory breakfast," Jennifer answers, "celebratory?" Can my coffee take any longer?

"Benny and I are engaged again," she announces 

"Oh My! Wow!" I don't know whether this is a good thing, from what I remember, Kelly told me that they had a nasty divorce, "that's fantastic, congratulations!" I congratulate them.

"Thank you" They smile, seeming loved up which is not the same as Stella and Kelly's faces.

"I haven't seen you in a while, how are you doing?" Benny asks, "great, really great, thank you for asking," I answer. "Do you want to join us?" I glance at Stella and Kelly who are unimpressed with the suggestion but don't say anything.  

"I would love to but unfortunately I can't today, I need to go and give my brother his birthday gift," I show them the bag, "but maybe another time," I add to be polite. 

"It's Henry's birthday?" Kelly finally looks up from his plate. 

"Well, it's tomorrow, but I thought I'd give it to him before shift" I answer. 

"Big milestone," he comments, "it is," I agree, "anyways, it was great to see you again, Benny and Jennifer" I turn my focus to them. "Wish you guys the best with your engagement, and I will see you two at work" I thank the waitress for my coffee before getting out of there. 

Once I am in my car, I take more of my pills, throwing them back while chugging the hot coffee, no longer feeling the burn on my already scorched throat. 

Once I feel content, I start to drive towards the firehouse. I should be driving extra slow because of how blurred my vision is but I don't really even care. 

I get to the firehouse, miraculously unscratched. 

Joining Brett in the locker room.

"Hey my beautiful lady" I greet her, "you're in a good mood" she comments, "I don't have a reason not to be" I shrug, "it's another bright day for us to save lives" she smiles back.

"Where do you get your coffee? I need some of whatever you are having" she chuckles.

If only she knew.

"I actually got my coffee at this diner near the mall where I run into Kelly, Stella and his parents" I fill her in, "oh, that must have been awkward" she mentions. "Let's just say, it was not fun" I laugh, feeling too much pleasure for my brain to even worry about anything else. 

"God, I hate running into an ex," she sighs, "you work with one so I am not jealous of your situation," she jokes. 

"I work with two of my exes," I remind her, "oh yeah," she remembers that Otis and I dated, "plus don't you live with your ex" I point out her and Cruz's relationship. "Well, Cruz and I were different," she argues, "really?" I chuckle, "okay, you got me there" she accepts my argument.