**Chapter 3: A Cup of Coffee and a Thousand Questions**

The station was abuzz with activity as Fai finished up his report, Nancy's questions and comments guiding him through the process with ease. As he wrapped up, he couldn't help but glance at his watch, counting down the minutes until his coffee date with Carlos. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to hum in sync with his racing heart, and Fai felt a flutter in his chest as he gathered his things and headed out to meet Carlos. The bright sunlight outside was a welcome respite from the tension building inside him. Outside the station, Carlos was leaning against the wall, sipping on a coffee and chatting with TK. He grinned as Fai approached, and TK clapped him on the back. "Hey, rookie, have fun with Carlos. Don't let him corrupt you too much." Fai rolled his eyes good-naturedly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as Carlos fell into step beside him. "So, where do you want to grab coffee?" Carlos asked, nodding towards the nearby café. As they walked, Fai couldn't help but notice the way Carlos moved with a confident ease, his long strides eating up the distance. They slid into a quiet corner table, and Carlos signaled the waitress for a couple of coffees. "So, tell me more about yourself, Fai," Carlos said, leaning back in his chair. "What made you decide to become a firefighter?" Fai took a deep breath, launching into the story of how he'd always been drawn to the fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled world of emergency services. As he spoke, Carlos listened intently, his eyes sparkling with interest. Fai felt himself getting lost in their depths, a sense of connection growing between them. The coffee arrived, and Carlos pushed a cup towards Fai, their fingers brushing as he did. The touch sent a jolt through Fai's system, and he couldn't help but wonder if Carlos had done it on purpose. The rest of the conversation was a blur as Fai struggled to focus on the words, his mind racing with questions. Who was Carlos, really? What did he want from Fai? And why did Fai feel like he was drowning in the depths of his eyes? As they sipped their coffee, Carlos began to open up about his own experiences as a firefighter, sharing stories of close calls and triumphs. Fai listened, entranced, feeling a sense of admiration growing for the man across from him. The café began to empty out, and Carlos glanced at his watch. "I'm so sorry, Fai, but I have to run. I have a meeting with the chief in 20 minutes." Fai nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. As they stood to leave, Carlos reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of Fai's face, his touch sending shivers down his spine. "Thanks for the coffee, Fai. I'd like to do it again sometime." Fai's heart skipped a beat. Was this a date? He couldn't quite tell, but he couldn't deny the spark of excitement he felt. "I'd like that," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. Carlos grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Great. I'll call you soon." And with that, he turned and walked out of the café, leaving Fai feeling like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, staring into the unknown.