The 3 A.M. Rule | Chenford
There's an unspoken rule in the LAPD: if someone calls after 3 a.m., it better be life or death.
So when Lucy Chen finds herself dialing Tim Bradford in the middle of the night after a nightmare, she expects silence - not for him to answer on the first ring.
The call is short. Quiet. Safe.
And it accidentally starts something they can't stop.
What begins as a lifeline during sleepless nights becomes a ritual neither of them wants to break. Every call brings them closer - shared silences, confessions half-whispered into darkness, and feelings neither of them can admit under daylight. But when a dangerous call on duty nearly shatters everything, Tim and Lucy are forced to confront what's been growing between them - not with words mumbled through sleep, but with eyes open, hearts racing, and no more excuses.
Because after so many calls at 3 a.m., they're both starting to realize...
Maybe it was never just about the time.
Maybe it's always been about each other.
| I also post this on my AO3 account |
