Imagines and One-Shots (Book Two)

What You Lost (Calum Hood) - Part 1

if house fires are triggering to you, you probably shouldn't read this one (no deaths, but i don't want to be attacked for not putting some type of disclaimer)

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It was a call as routine as any other – someone called 911 about a house fire and the crew was now on the way to put it out. Calum was the station's go-to paramedic – even though no serious injuries were reported, he was always right alongside his coworkers just in case – so he quickly grabbed the keys to the ambulance and followed the firetruck to the scene.

The firehouse dog – a black lab named Rusty – was sitting shotgun in the ambulance. He was there as a form of comfort to victims of car accidents and fires, and while he was mainly taken in by the department to help kids feel better, adults were also comforted by the canine as well.

Calum pulled up to the curb and got out of his ambulance, taking Rusty's leash and letting him jump out of the vehicle as well. But as he was standing there, getting his bag from the back, the dog immediately took off, causing Calum to drop the leash.

"Rusty!" he called, spinning around. His eyes immediately found the lab as he trotted up to a (h/c)-haired girl sitting on the ground in front of the burning house.

Calum watched his dog approach you, nudging your arm with his nose so you would look up. You did so, wiping your face with your sleeve, staring at the dog beside you. Rusty nudged the hand resting on your lap, signaling for you to pet him. You couldn't help but smile, sniffling quietly as you stroked the dog's head. The dog then laid down on the ground, his head resting comfortably on your calf. Calum couldn't help but smile at the exchange as he came over.

"His name's Rusty," Calum said, making you look up. He heart skipped a beat, noticing that – while you were obviously pretty from where his ambulance was parked – you were absolutely breathtaking up close.

"He's cute," you whispered so softly that Calum barely heard it. He smiled at you, sitting on the ground beside you.

"I'm Calum," he told you.

"Y/N," you said when you noticed he was giving you a look as if to tell him your name as well.

"Well, Y/N-" Your heart fluttered. "-I'm here to make sure you're fine and that you don't have any cuts or anything, okay?"

"I don't," you shook your head.

"You sure?" he smiled at you, "Because I'm seeing a little red mark on your forehead."

You furrowed your eyebrows, moving your hand to feel around. Calum immediately grabbed it though, putting it back down on your lap.

"Trust me, it's there," he grinned again.

He opened his medical bag and pulled out his alcohol pads, ripping a package open. He carefully held your hair out of the way with one hand and brought the pad to your forehead with the other.

"This might sting a little," he said before putting it to your skin. You jumped at the pain, whining softly as you felt your eyes get watery again.

Calum apologized lowly before you felt Rusty lick the back of your hand in the hopes of making you feel better. You couldn't help but smile down at the dog as you began petting him again, missing the way Calum smiled at you.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked you.

"I was making dinner and I wa- I wasn't watching it..." you sniffled, wiping your face with your free hand, "I walked away from the stove for two seconds and it just..." You trailed off as you motioned toward your house, not even able to force yourself to look at what you'd just lost.