Rabbit Hearts & Bulletproof Vests || Tim Bradford??

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LAPD Parking Lot, Morning

Alice stood outside the precinct’s main entrance, staring into her coffee cup like it held the answers to the universe. Spoiler: it didn’t.

Celina sauntered up beside her, sunglasses perched on her nose, sipping from her smoothie like it was a magical elixir. “You okay? You look like you just remembered you sent a risky text.”

“I wish it was just that,” Alice muttered. “This is worse. I think I… I have a crush.”

Celina blinked. “On who?”

Alice groaned and buried her face in her hands. “Tim.”

“Tim Bradford?”

Alice peeked through her fingers. “Yes.”

Celina gasped dramatically. “Timothy ‘I am the rules’ Bradford?”

Alice nodded in defeat.

“Oh my god. That’s adorable,” Celina declared, grinning. “Do you remember anything about him from before?”

“Nothing,” Alice admitted. “Just… this feeling. He’s kind. He’s calm. He helped me with Kojo’s vet appointment. And he said I looked ‘sturdy’ yesterday.”

Celina choked on her drink. “That is the most Bradford compliment I’ve ever heard.”

“And I blushed,” Alice added miserably.

“You like him.” Celina elbowed her. “You like like him.”

Alice moaned. “Shut up.”

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Locker Room, Later That Morning

Alice sat beside Lucy on the bench, fiddling nervously with the hem of her jacket.

“I think I’ve got a crush,” she admitted, cheeks slightly pink.

Lucy tilted her head, curious. “On who?”

“…Tim.”

Lucy blinked. “Bradford?”

Alice nodded quickly. “I know it’s crazy. I don’t even know him that well, but there’s something about him. It’s like—my brain might not remember him, but my heart… does.”

Lucy’s expression softened, and she smiled instead of teasing. “Tim’s a good guy. He’s a little grumpy on the outside, but once he lets you in… he’s solid. Loyal. Protective.”

Alice smiled a little. “Yeah… he brought me a granola bar earlier. I almost cried.”

“That’s very Bradford of him,” Lucy said, amused. “He’s got that quiet care thing going on.”

“I just—I don’t want anyone telling him,” Alice added quickly. “I want to figure this out on my own.”

Lucy hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Then no one will. Clean slate. Promise.”

“Thank you,” Alice breathed.

Lucy bumped her shoulder. “Besides, watching you trip over your words around him is way too entertaining.”

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Evidence Room, Afternoon

Tim met Alice in the evidence room to go over a missing persons lead tied to their case. He stood tall, clipboard in hand, reading off statements with his usual gravelly focus.

Alice… tried not to stare at the way his sleeves were rolled up.

“You good?” he asked when he noticed her spacing out.