The Firehouse 51 love triangle has kept Chicago Fire fans on the edge of their seats.
AOne Chicago love triangle is reaching a fever pitch as Season 14 of Chicago Fire heats up.
Chicago Fire’s April 22 episode “Instinct” was blood-pumping after Firehouse 51 paramedics Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith) and Lizzy Novak (Jocelyn Hudon) navigated one of their most frightening rescues yet. After being held hostage by a crazed stalker and landlord who kidnapped a pregnant tenant, every move mattered as Violet and Novak tried to rescue the pregnant woman without losing the baby, with their own lives on the line while being held at gunpoint.
Fortunately for the paramedics, they’ve become dear friends with Firehouse 51 newcomer Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente), who trained as a cop before becoming a firefighter. After Violet and Novak went M.I.A., Vasquez searched far and wide to find his friends and eventually helped save the day.
“It’s a really fast-paced, a lot of stakes in the line episode,” Larracuente told NBC Insider, also reflecting on the tension between Novak and Violet after their awkward confrontation about Vasquez during the hour. The Season 14 newcomer opens up about the Firehouse 51 drama amid an action-packed episode, below:
Brandon Larracuente opens up about Vasquez’s love triangle with Violet and Novak
“Instinct” was a white-knuckled watch for Chihards, not only because of the paramedics’ hostage situation, but also due to the paramedics finally confronting their drama over their shared crush on Vasquez. Sure, Violet came clean about hooking up with Novak’s former crush, but Novak was more hurt over Violet’s secrecy. This was less about Vasquez; it was more about trust. So, who does the Firehouse 51 heartthrob have his eye on as the Chicago Fire love triangle reaches a boiling point?
“That’s such a tough question because I feel like they both offer so many things,” Larracuente tells NBC Insider. “They’re both really strong individuals. Novak’s character, she’s quirky and she knows who she is. She’s unapologetically herself in any setting. And then, of course, Violet’s character, she’s super smart, and she’s so capable. She’s a great paramedic.”
“That’s tough for me to even say,” Larracuente diplomatically concluded. “I think if my character ends up with either, it’s a win, you know? Because they’re both just strong women who could probably teach Vasquez a thing or two about himself.”
Chicago Fire Season 14
One Chicago Wednesdays are here!
Fresh off an extended fall hiatus, new Chicago Fire episodes begin airing January 7, 2026 every Wednesday at 9/8c. New episodes are available to stream on Peacock Thursdays at 6 a.m. ET.
Keep up with your favorite firefighters and paramedics Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo), Dom Pascal (Dermot Mulroney), Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg), Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso), Randall “Mouch” McHolland (Christian Stolte), Violet Mikami (Hanako Greensmith), Lyla “Lizzie” Novak (Jocelyn Hudon), and Sal Vasquez (Brandon Larracuente) as they navigate the highs and lows of Firehouse 51.
If that’s not quite enough One Chicago for you, checkout exclusive merch available now at the NBC Store!
Simply put, Vasquez has no bad options, so Larracuente would be happy to score a date with Novak or Violet. As Vasquez continues to open up around the firehouse, he’s become vulnerable with both Novak and Violet during a crisis, so it’s no surprise he showed up for them during their hour of need.
“That is the really interesting thing about his relationship with both of them; he trusts them both implicitly, but also very differently,” Larracuente said. “So I would like to see honestly where that progresses with either of their characters.”
Like many Chihards watching at home, Larracuente doesn’t want the cherished bond between Novak and Violet to be jeopardized by a workplace crush.
“My hope is that no matter what happens, if Vasquez ends up with one of them, either one of them, I hope that at the end of the day, they can maintain their friendships,” Larracuente said. “Yes, their hearts do get tied up romantically at certain different points, but they’re wonderful people, and I hope that they can continue to at least remain on good standing with each other.”
Fortunately, by the end of Fire’s latest, it was clear that Novak and Violet were on the same page. The women are certified ride-or-dies, and no one’s getting in between that steel-tight bond.