Page 203 of Knotting the Firefighters
He said Belong.
Not "earned position" or "received promotion" but BELONG.
Finally accepting his place rather than questioning his worthiness.
My response is immediate, certainty overriding any diplomatic filtering:
"Obviously, you belong. You're the leader of the pack, silly. Natural leader who people instinctively follow because you command respect through competence rather than demanding it through authority."
Truth.
Fundamental truth about his character.
What I've been trying to show him for months.
I punctuate a statement with a kiss on his cheek—an affectionate gesture that acknowledges the significance of the moment while respecting his comfort boundaries.
Public affection.
Mild public affection.
Progress for someone who maintains careful emotional distance.
His blush intensifies, color spreading down his neck in ways that suggest he's genuinely affected rather than just embarrassed.
He pauses—visible internal debate playing across features, weighing options, calculating risk versus reward of potential action.
What's he?—
His arm hooks around my waist with decisive movement, pulling me flush against him with confidence that broadcasts a clear intention.
Oh.
OH.
His mouth finds mine—kiss that's neither tentative nor aggressive, perfect balance between claiming and requesting, public declaration that leaves zero ambiguity about our relationship.
Aidric is kissing me.
In public.
In front of the entire town.
In front of our entire crew.
AIDRIC HAWTHORNE IS KISSING ME.
The crowd loses their collective minds—cheering that probably violates noise ordinances, whistling and catcalling that suggests this development has been anticipated by observers who noticed tension before we acknowledged it ourselves.
Everyone knew.
Apparently, everyone knew before we figured it out.
Small-town observation strikes again.
Station Fahrenheit crew is loudest—their voices carrying distinct approval, satisfaction at watching their Chief finally acknowledge feelings he's been suppressing.
They approve.
