Amber 💜 What about a May joined the 118 instead of Harry AU where she and Ravi begin (or already were in) a secret relationship. It gets revealed - or maybe they think it will, but it doesn't - when the biblically accurate Ravi bidding war happens and May goes all out to bid on her boyfriend. (Athena on the rooftop voice: "You're bidding on your boyfriend?")
1. Getting through the academy is one of the hardest things May’s ever done. Not just physically, mentally too. She’s never been that afraid of anything — she is her mother’s daughter after all — but forcing herself to run into burning buildings, even when she knows there are people there to keep her safe. It’s going to be even harder when she’s the one rescuing people, and there’s no one there to rescue her. Hen helps out with some after hours training, but one day when May shows up at the firehouse, she finds out Hen had to leave because Mara was sick. One of the other firefighters offers to help her out if she wants. This is the first time she’s actually talked to Ravi. He’s really helpful. He tells her he taught at the academy for a bit, gives her his number and says if she has any questions, just to call or text. May calls when she gets home and asks if he’d like to grab coffee with her.
2. One coffee turns into two, turns into lunches, then dinners. May still meets up with Hen for training, but works with Ravi as well. They’re basically spending all their free time together, which is maybe moving kind of fast, but. He’s a first responder, she’s on her way, they both know what that can look like. They haven’t dropped the “L” word yet, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time.
3. May’s family and the 118 come to her graduation — Ravi sends her a selfie of himself in his uniform before the ceremony starts. May can’t wait to get him out of it once she’s done with the family stuff. She knows one of her instructors recommended her to a couple of different stations, and she’s buzzing with excitement to find out where she’s going to be assigned. Her only concern about it, really, is hoping it’s not too far away from her house. She’s shocked to hear the “Station 118” called after her name. She fakes a smile but she can see the way Ravi’s genuine smile has dropped to something smaller and strained, even all the way from the stage. She had genuinely never considered that they might ask for her to fill their empty spot. Hen and Chimney immediately fold her into a 118 hug when the ceremony is over, Chimney effusing how much work she’s been doing with Hen and how well she’s been progressing, Hen asking if she’s surprised. May manages to answer them, somehow, and survive the impromptu lunch that they’ve planned. Ravi still comes over that night, but he looks sad. May asks why, and he says he doesn’t want to break up. May says they’ve been dating this whole time without anyone knowing, why does that need to change? She’s not about to break up with him.
4. May starts at the 118, and it’s easier to hide her relationship with Ravi than she thought. Buck shows her the ropes, and she gets paired with Hen for basic medical calls. She and Ravi try not to be alone together, and her past with the 118 means they don’t really want to ask her about her dating life — most of them have known her since she was in high school. It’d be a little weird.
5. The 118 gets assigned to the bachelor auction, and May is torn between wanting to proclaim the sexism of the event, glad that she’s not participating, and wondering if any of the higher ups have any idea how ignorant of history this event seems. She helps Ravi with his info slide, giggling as she adds “Cat Dad”. Buck says at least they usually get a good dinner out of it. The night of the auction, May sits with her mom, Maddie, and Captain Han — she tries not to think of him as Chimney in work situations. It feels too informal, too familiar for her captain. She’s handed a bidding paddle when she gets there, and she keeps it on her lap. She tries not to laugh when the other firefighters come out, but it’s so weirdly showy. When it’s Ravi’s turn, she gives him a small smile and a nod. And then — nobody is bidding on him? Her hand is in the air before she consciously processes the action. Captain Han applauds her for looking out for her teammate as more bids roll in for Ravi. May grits her teeeth. It’s for charity, she reminds herself. Someone yells out a suggestive comment as they bid, and May snaps. She doubles the bid. The auctioneer calls it in her favour immediately. Ravi hops off the stage to join them at their table, cheeks adorably flushed. He takes the empty chair next to May and she immediately clamps her hand down on his thigh and pulls him in for a kiss, barely this side of appropriate for a room full of people. “We’ve been dating for six months,” May tells the stunned table. She doesn’t let go of Ravi for the rest of the event.
