When Chicago Fire season 13 premieres, Firehouse 51 will undergo many changes. Since Chief Boden is no longer the chief but the Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department, a new chief will join the firefighters and paramedics at Firehouse 51 — Dom Pascal, played by Dermot Mulroney. Plus, the Chicago Fire season 12 finale revealed Jack Damon is Severide’s half-brother, and Sam Carver told Violet Mikami he loved her before taking a furlough. So, season 13 has a lot to unpack. However, among the chaos also lies a potential love story.

Damon & Novak’s Budding Romance Can Follow Casey & Brett Story Format

Chicago Fire Needs A New Friends-To-Lovers Relationship

Both Jack Damon and Lyla Novak made their Chicago Fire debuts during season 12, and the finale set up a possible romance between the newbies. Damon served as Derrick Gibson’s replacement when he left Chicago Fire. Meanwhile, Novak was Brett’s successor after she moved to Portland with Casey and her daughter. So, given their age and status as newcomers to the show, it makes sense to push Damon and Novak together, which is exactly what happened during the finale. One of the last scenes teased romantic chemistry between Damon and Novak, but they’ll probably start as friends, like Casey and Brett.

Damon essentially asked Novak out, but she steered the conversation in a different direction. Novak encouraged him to open up about what he had been hiding (which viewers later learned was his relation to Severide) and ignored Damon’s proposal to go out sometime. So, it’s more than likely that Damon and Novak’s relationship will be platonic before growing into something more. Casey and Brett were friends for years before they started dating. It appears as if Damon and Novak might take the same route in Chicago Fire​​​​​​ season 13.

Chicago Fire Season 13’s Damon & Novak Can Be Its Next Slow-Burn Relationship

The Other Chicago Fire Romances Are At Different Stages In Their Relationships

It took many Chicago Fire seasons for Casey and Brett to come clean about their feelings for one another. Of course, Casey was dating and married to Gabby Dawson for a few seasons, but that’s beside the point. Even when Casey and Brett started developing feelings for one another (and Gabby was out of the picture), it was a long time before they even kissed. If Damon and Novak are officially replacing Casey and Brett in Chicago Fire, it would make sense if their relationship was a slow burn, too (especially since the other couples are already admittedly in love).

Severide and Kidd have been married since the Chicago Fire season 10 finale, while Carver and Violet started hooking up in season 12. Yes, Severide and Kidd’s marriage has been on the rocks in Chicago Fire, but their relationship is essentially old news. Even new drama between Severide and Kidd isn’t exciting anymore. Carver and Violet are still figuring out where they stand with one another, but they have already slept together and Carver has told Violet he loves her. Consequently, the NBC procedural drama would significantly benefit from a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance — enter Damon and Novak.

Will Damon & Novak Become A Couple In Chicago Fire?

The Chicago Fire Season 12 Finale Laid The Groundwork For Damon & Novak

Nothing is certain regarding Damon and Novak’s romantic potential in season 13 of the One Chicago TV show. However, based on their shared scene in the season 12 finale, it’s clear that they have chemistry, and the writers wouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to take advantage of that. A behind-the-scenes image from filming Chicago Fire season 13 also teases Damon and Novak growing closer in the upcoming episodes. Only time will tell what Chicago Fire season 13 has in store for Damon and Novak, but the odds that they develop feelings for one another are significant given the show’s history.