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Chapter Text

Buck just got back from Maddie and Chimney's place. He was stuck there for hours, getting showered with gifts and cards. Now, don't get him wrong, he absolutely loved the thoughtful gestures.

But the worst part was the constant worry in their eyes. Maddie kept asking if he was okay, if he needed help with anything. For fucks' sake, he just went to grab the grill to bring outside, and Chimney insisted on doing it instead.

"Oh, it's alright, Buck. I'll handle it," Chimney waved him off, leaving Buck completely confused. Buck is a strong guy, stronger than most. Why should he just sit back and let " others" do the hard work when he's fully cable of doing it now?

It really gets under his skin, you know? Buck despises feeling like some fragile person who needs constant care. So as soon as he stepped foot in his place, he made a quick move to the kitchen, swung open the fridge door, and dug out a hidden beer from behind a stack of leftover party dishes.

Placing the beer on the counter, he tugged at his jacket, effortlessly slipping it off and flinging it onto a nearby chair. Leaning against the counter with frustration etched on his face, he deftly popped the cap off the beer, lifted it to his lips, and tilted his head back for a refreshing gulp. 

With the beer resting near his thigh, he licked his lips and stared off into the distance. What was there to look at? He was too drained to watch anything and too irritated to consider doing something. The water dripped down from the beer, trickling onto his dark jeans, but the chill against his thigh didn't seem to faze him.

Buck's attention was abruptly pulled back to reality as his phone emitted a soft, melodic ringtone. He blinked, momentarily torn between curiosity and a strong sense to just ignore it. However, he knew he couldn't avoid it forever, so he reluctantly set his beer down on the counter and made his way towards his jacket.

He rummaged through the pockets until he heard a dull thud as his phone slipped out and hit the floor. A muttered curse escaped his lips as he swiftly bent down to retrieve it. Standing upright, he found himself staring at the message that had appeared on the screen.

Bobby:
Are you doing okay?

Buck's grip tightened around the phone, the taste of the beer turning bitter on his tongue. The fact that they were checking up on him again only served to further irritate him. But he knew he couldn't let his frustration get the best of him, not when it came to Bobby. If he wanted to get back to work, he had to keep himself in check.

Taking a deep breath, Buck gave a response.

Bobby:
Are you doing okay?

Buck:

I'm actually doing good👍!

Buck didn't really feel like checking the next message, so he plopped his phone screen-down on the counter and returned to his untouched beer. Snatching it up, he walked his way upstairs to his bed, kicking off his shoes along the way.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, he gulped down the remaining beer in the bottle. Placing it on the side dresser next to his bed, he couldn't help but crave another one. However, exhaustion had him already, making it too much effort to go back downstairs.

Are you doing okay?

That one sentence seemed to echo in Buck's mind, as if it had gotten stuck there. He was doing okay, actually. In fact, he felt much better than before. So why was that message lingering in his thoughts? Buck lowered his head, his hands gripping the sides of his head as he shook it.

Are you doing okay?

He's fine, Buck reassured himself, releasing his hands from his head. He's completely fine. Leaning back onto his bed, he pulled the blankets over himself, too tired to bother changing out of his clothes. His tired eyes fluttering as they closed, the message still clung to his mind.

Are you doing okay?

Eddie grabbed the milk from the fridge and headed to the table to set it down. "Christopher, come on and eat! I gotta get to work," he called out. As he placed a bowl and a box of cereal next to the milk, he noticed Christopher slowly making his way to sit down.

Eddie poured himself some cereal and milk, placing his phone on the table. He used his spoon to dig into his breakfast.

"Dad, can..Buck come over today?" Christopher asked, pouring milk into his cereal without making eye contact. Eddie glanced over at Christopher, his smile slightly fading but still present.

"I'll call him later to check, buddy," Eddie replied, running his hand through Christopher's hair. He returned to his own bowl of cereal, wondering whether bothering Buck was a good idea or not.

His gaze shifted to his phone on the table, tapping his finger on the wood surface. He wasn't sure if he should make that call, considering the tough time Buck had been going through and the constant checking up's on him that probably already made him frustrated.

Eddie thought maybe he should wait a bit before giving Buck a call. He wanted to make sure Buck was ready for a chat, so now didn't feel like the best time.

Finishing his breakfast, Eddie wiped his mouth and took the almost-empty bowl to the sink. "Come on, buddy, time to go," he said, grabbing Christopher's backpack and crutches. "Carla will pick you up after school."

Christopher let out a disappointed groan as he finished his cereal and headed to the sink to put his bowl away. Eddie quickly put away the milk but left the cereal box. They both headed out of the house together.

Eddie slowly walked up the stairs, glancing back to find everyone engrossed in their phones, with Bobby nowhere in sight. That's definitely not weird.

"Hey, Hen!" Eddie casually approached Hen, who had her eyes glued to her phone. She gripped it tightly and only spared Eddie a quick glance before returning her focus to the screen.

"Hey Eddie, have you messaged Buck?" she asked, her fingers lingering on the keyboard, her nails digging into the phone. Eddie glanced at her phone and realized she was trying to reach out to Buck.

So, he figured Chimney must also be racking his brain, trying to come up with a message for Buck.

"No, I haven't texted him since..." Well, damn. He hadn't reached out to Buck at all since he got out. Eddie felt like Buck needed some space, considering he had died. And just thinking those words caused a pang of pain for Eddie.

"Since he got out? Sorry, I thought he might need a break," Eddie confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. Hen shot him a fierce glare, making Eddie cough nervously. "Maybe you should text him or give him a call? I...I'm worried about him."

He truly was worried, and he'd kick himself if he wasn't. But he couldn't just dial Buck's number and ask if he was okay. Seriously, it might just trigger Buck and set him off. Chimney slammed his phone on the table, catching both Hen and Eddie's attention.

"What's up, Chim? Something going on with Buck?" Hen asked, moving her phone aside to focus on Chimney.

"Not Buck, it's the other Buckley," Chimney replied with a weary scoff. "Just got a text from Maddie." Hen and Eddie exchanged a glance before redirecting their attention back to Chimney.

"What did she say?" Eddie was the first to ask, his arms slightly crossed as he gave Chimney his undivided attention. "She wants me to go check up on Buck, make sure he's alright." Chimney covered his eyes with his arm, leaning back in frustration.

"Yikes, didn't you do that already?" Hen remarked, causing Chimney to lift his arm and hold up three fingers. "Three times, I've checked on him three times!" He sat up, leaning on the table. "I swear, if I go again, I might end up getting thrown off his balcony!"

Eddie rested his hands on the table. "Why can't Maddie go and see how he's doing?"

"Because she's been on his case ever since he left the damn hospital. She doesn't want to keep hovering over him," Chimney let out a heavy sigh before lifting his head and giving Hen a wide smile.

"No way, I'm not doing it! If I go, all I'll end up doing is expressing how worried we are about him!" Hen blurted out, raising her hands in defense before crossing them over her chest.

Chimney frowned, his disappointment obvious. And Eddie couldn't help but bite the inside of his cheek, he paused for a millisecond, then straightened up from the table. "Fine, I'll talk to him. It's been a while, so maybe he'll be more chill when I come to visit."

Just as Chimney was about to show his gratitude, the blaring alarm interrupted them, and they all hustled down to the trucks without another word.

A part of him knew Buck would be happy to hear from him, but Eddie still felt he might just push Buck too hard that he'll completely break.

Buck woke up, feeling a chilly dampness beneath him. He slowly opened his eyes, struggling to get himself upright. As he surveyed his surroundings, darkness engulfed around him.

Curious, he touched the ground, only to discover that it was covered in water—small puddles, nothing too overwhelming. He couldn't be experiencing another nightmare about the tsunami; it seemed impossible since he had already moved on from that ordeal.

He stood up and tapped the pool of water with his foot. Suddenly, a rumble of thunder startled him. He swiftly turned around, gazing up at the sky, and his eyes filled with pain.

Memories flooded back—painful memories.

He vividly recalled taking Chimney's place and climbing up the ladder, rain pouring down on him. Looking down, he instinctively covered his ears as a bolt of lightning struck nearby.

"Alright, Cowboy, go get 'em!" A familiar voice echoed in his mind. It was Eddie. Eddie was there.

Buck's breath hitched as he collapsed onto the cold, wet ground, his fingers clawing at his chest, his entire body shaking. Buck gasped, Sweat coated his palms, forehead, everything. It was suffocating, making it hard to breathe.

He couldn't believe it was a panic attack. It couldn't be, but damn, it hurt like hell. He struggled for air, gasping desperately.

Suddenly, Buck leapt out of bed, gripping his shirt tightly against his chest, his body drenched in sweat as he panted heavily.

"Just a dream," he muttered, wiping his face with his sweaty hands. Exhaustion washed over him.

Are you doing okay?

A moment passed before Buck pressed his palms against his eyes, a silent showing of how badly he was struggling. No, he wasn't okay, perhaps he never truly had been.

Chapter Text

Eddie hopped out of his car, making sure to lock it securely behind him. With the heavy rain pouring down, he shielded his head with his hand and briskly walked towards Buck's place. It's been two days since the conversation with Chimney, and tonight was the night he'd chosen to finally speak to Buck, he Navigated through the hallways, finally reaching the elevator.

Just a few hours ago, Eddie had asked Carla if she could watch Christopher a little while longer while he checked up on Buck. Honestly, he didn't really want to do it. I mean, he did want to know if Buck was okay, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he might end up upsetting him even more.

The sound of the elevator doors opening snapped Eddie back to reality, he stepped inside and press the button for Buck's floor.

tightly holding a bag in his hand, filled with beers and snacks. He couldn't just show up and ask if Buck was okay; he had to play it cool.

As the elevator doors opened, Eddie walked out and headed towards Buck's front door. Holding the spare key to Buck's loft, he took a deep breath, unlocking the door and stepping inside, carefully closing it behind him.

"Buck, it's me, Eddie." Eddie strolled on over to the kitchen, setting the bag down on the counter and starting to unpack it.

From behind him, he caught the sound of shuffling coming down the stairs, but he didn't bother turning around. He just kept unpacking the last of the snacks.

"Eddie?" Buck's voice came out all rough. "What... what are you doin' here?" Eddie leaned his hands on the counter, turning his head to look at Buck, a little smile tuggin' at his lips.

"Can't I come to visit you?" He squinted his eyes a bit, takin' note of how Buck seemed like he hadn't slept at all. "It's not like that, I just..." Buck stepped closer, leaning his body against the counter as he glanced at the stuff Eddie brought. "I didn't expect you to swing by just to hang out."

Eddie couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle, his hand instinctively scratching the side of his forehead. "What did you think I'd come here for?" he asked. 

Buck shrugged, honestly admitting that he had thought Eddie would come to check up on him. But deep down, he was secretly glad that Eddie didn't. At least, that's what he believed.

"Maybe to baby me like everyone else, but I'm glad you aren't," Eddie nodded awkwardly, grabbing the beers and snacks and making his way over to the table. He carefully placed them down and settled into a chair.

"Oh god, no. You... you can handle yourself," Eddie said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he directed his attention to one of the beers, popping it open.

"Yeah," Buck replied, his smile softening as he walked over to the table and took a seat across from Eddie. He grabbed one of the beers, popping it open. 

They both drank, sitting in silence, the only sound being heard was the hard rain outside. Eddie glanced at Buck, who was taking another sip of the beer, visibly relieved as he placed it down.

"How's Christopher?" Buck broke the silence, and Eddie blinked, coughing slightly before looking away and then back at Buck. "He's alright, just misses you," Eddie replied. Buck chuckled, nodding, hesitating to grab one of the snacks.

"Of course he does. I'll make sure to come visit him." Buck grabbed the bag, and opened them up, grabbing a handful of popcorn, popping a couple into his mouth. Eddie let out a soft laugh, but their moment was interrupted by the sound of Eddie's phone ringing. He raised a finger to signal Buck, excusing himself to take the call a little farther away.

Walking over to bucks small living room, Eddie stood near the single couch, lifting the phone to his ear. "Maddie? What's up?" he greeted, his voice slightly lowered so Buck wouldn't hear.

"Eddie? Did you check up on Buck? I heard from chimney that you would tonight," Maddie's voice came through the phone. Eddie let out a soft groan, of course Chimney would tell her, he glanced over at Buck who was still munching on the popcorn.

"Yeah, I'm here with him right now," Eddie confirmed.

"Does he look okay? Did you ask him?" Maddie's concern seeped through the phone, making Eddie slightly nervous. His eyes remained fixed on Buck as he replied, "He seems fine, I mean, I haven't asked him directly. But he's alright, aside from looking exhausted."

"Eddie, he's good at just seeming fine. Please, just ask him, talk to him?" Maddie's plea resonated in Eddie's ears. He nodded, releasing a heavy sigh. "Okay, yeah, I'll talk to him about it," Eddie promised. Maddie thanked him before ending the call. Eddie stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the conversation he was about to have with Buck eat him from the inside, before walking back over to Buck.

"Who was it? Carla?" Buck asked, chugging down the rest of his beer. "Nah, doesn't matter." Eddie plopped back onto his chair.

"Ohh, keeping' secrets now?" Buck chuckled softly, a wide smile spreading across his face. He got up from his seat and made his way to the fridge.

"Actually, I got some leftover food from past gifts. Never had anyone to share it with, so I'm glad you're here." Buck grabbed two containers of food and placed them on the counter.

Eddie's phone chimed, and he glanced down to see a message pop up.

Maddie:
Don't worry about what would happen, Just ask him.

Eddie looked back up, he wished he'd hadn't volunteered for this. Buck looked so happy just because he didn't ask if he was okay. Eddie didn't wanna ruin the moment by bringing it up.

But he made a promise, and he knew he'd regret it later. Eddie looked up at Buck, who was grabbing two plates from the top cabinet.

"I’ll heat it up though." Buck scooped some of the food onto one of the plates and popped it into the microwave. "I'm not hungry, but since you're here I'll eat something." Buck chuckled, leaning against the counter as he waited for the food to warm up.

Things got kinda awkward. Buck hadn't heard a word out of Eddie. Biting the inside of his cheek, he coughed and turned to face him. "You haven't said a word. Everything alright?"

Eddie paused. "Am I allowed to ask if you're alright?" The question made the warmth Buck had just moments ago drain from his face as he turned around to face the counter, a murmuring words escaping his lips, breaking the silence.

"I should've known." Buck clenched the counter, his fingers digging into the hard surface.

As the rain intensified, it drowned out Eddie's voice of concern, still heard from Buck but ignored, "Buck, I'm-..I'm sorry, but are you doing okay? Like seriously, you look like you haven't slept in days." Buck's attention was pulled to the relentless downpour outside, his expression hardening with each drop that fell.

His eyes narrowed over to Eddie,"is that the reason why you came? To check up on me like everyone else did?" His voice filled with anger, making his fists tighten, not in aggression, but in a desperate attempt to control his emotions.

Eddie's gaze didn't waver, the concern in his eyes still remained. "Buck, We're all worried about you," Eddie's eyes squinted a bit at Buck, he knew Buck would get mad, but why was it pissing Eddie off so much than it needs to. A broken laugh escaped Buck, laced with sarcasm. "Worried? I feel like I'm under a microscope. It's always the same—'Are you okay?'"

The air crackled with tension as Buck raised his voice. And fuck if that didn't make him upset, confusion and frustration were bleeding into Eddie's response, "You were dead, Buck! We have to know if you're still okay knowing that."

"Eddie, I died. I get it. But I'm fine, I'm tired of repeating it!" Buck's shout was so loud, that he might just think his neighbors could hear it. "Do you want me to scream it into the rain?" He gestured toward the balcony, but getting distracted by the sound of the microwave dinging, but returned his gaze back to Eddie, anger still burning inside him.

Eddie really hated arguing. "Look, Buck, there's no reason to get so pissed—though I kinda expected it."

Buck ran his hands over his face, a clear sign of his annoyance. "I'm allowed to be pissed, Eddie! I can't handle this shit anymore," he exclaimed, hands falling to his sides while Eddie just looked on, dumbfounded. Buck went on, voice rising, "All this fussing and babysitting—I get it for a week, but it's been a long time since I've been out, and I'm so over it. Why can't you guys see that?"

Eddie got it; he really did. He'd felt smothered by similar concerns before, hating the constant check-ins about his feelings and well-being. Yet now, from the helper's perspective, it was just as aggravating.

"Because we care, that's why! We want to make damn sure you're actually okay. You might look alright, but sometimes, you're not—and that pisses me off too," Eddie finally lost it, his voice louder, desperate for Buck to get where he's coming from, where they're all coming from.

But Buck just scoffed his words off, anger coloring his tone. "I'm fine, Eddie. Never been better. What the hell? Why are you getting so pissed at me because I'm not honest with my feelings with myself, when you've-"

Eddie's blood boiled as those words echoed in his mind, his hands curling into tight fists.

"Because you're exhausted, Buck! And you're too stubborn to admit it!" Eddie replied sharply, his finger pointed accusingly at Buck before it fell limply to his side. The anger in his eyes was visible to Buck, a clear sign of his deep concern for Buck's well-being.

Why are you getting so pissed at me because I'm not honest with my feelings with myself—

Those words, the tone he put into those words, as if it didn't matter, even though it mattered to Eddie, even though it made Eddie want to grab Buck by the collar and yell at him till he understands how much he should matter to himself.

So why shouldn't Eddie be mad? Why shouldn't he care that Buck was lying to himself on how he feels, insisting he was okay when every action, every strained smile, said otherwise?

Buck froze completely, his eyes darting across Eddie's tense frame before locking onto his eyes. It was a familiar scene, one that had played out between them before, filled with the same unspoken fears and frustrations. 

Yet, Buck kept a steady reaction, the set of his jaw firm, even as he brought his hands up to rub at his eyes, a gesture of how tired he was of all this arguing and a silent acknowledgment of the truth in Eddie's words.

"Eddie, I'm doing fine. When you get home, give Maddie a call and let her know I'm okay," Buck said, putting his hands down and retrieving the plate of food from the microwave.

Eddie slowly approached Buck, the counter acting as a barrier between them. "I get it, Buck. It can be annoying to be constantly checked on, but we're just worried about you," Eddie explained, his concern visible.

"Eddie, I understand. It's just too overwhelming, the check-ups, the sleepless nights, the loss of appetite, and those damn nightmares. It's a lot to handle."

Buck leaned on the counter, closing his eyes and attempting to steady his breathing. Eddie showed a hint of confusion on his face. "The nightmares? Is that why you're not sleeping well? Because of the nightmares?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice. He couldn't help but notice the exhaustion in Buck's eyes.

Buck dismissed it, grabbing a spoon and placing it in the plate before turning to face Eddie. He slid the plate across the counter. "Just some stupid dream. Doesn't matter," he muttered. "Eat before you go."

Eddie stared at the plate of food, momentarily lost in his thoughts. He glanced up to see Buck turning away, putting the other plate away in the cabinet and placing the container of food in the fridge. The door closed behind him.

"Didn’t you want to eat?" Eddie asked. Buck glanced at him and replied, "Lost my appetite." He walked past Eddie, heading to the table to clean up the beers and snacks. He put the leftover snacks and three remaining beers back into the bag.

"Make sure you hurry, don't want Christopher to wait too long," Buck said, leaving the full bag on the table and making his way upstairs. Eddie watched him go and then turned his attention to the food.

He picked up the spoon, scooped some onto it, and put it in his mouth. After chewing and swallowing, Eddie frowned. "It's still cold," he muttered, glancing over to the stairs, looking up to see if he could hear anything, but there was no sound. So he covered the plate and put it back in the microwave. 

walking over to the table, he grabbed the bag, and spoke up, "I'm leaving. If you need me, Buck, you know where I live. You're always welcomed!" He called softly up the stairs, but Buck didn't respond. Eddie sighed, turned around, and slammed the front door shut.

The last sound Buck heard was the click of the door being locked.

It was still raining the next day, but it was lighter. It's much calmer than the rain last night when Buck and Eddie were arguing. Eddie was in the firehouse kitchen, pouring himself some coffee. Lost in thought about the argument with Buck, his mind was a whirlpool and Buck was the one causing it.

The only thing that snapped him out of his thoughts was Bobby quickly turning off the coffee maker. Eddie was confused until he saw that the mug was about to overflow.

"Oh, shit, sorry Bobby. I wasn't... I wasn't really paying attention," Eddie apologized, carefully picking up the mug and spilling some coffee into the sink to avoid it being too full, then placing it back down.

"It's okay. Is your mind somewhere else today?" Bobby asked, causing Eddie's eyes to flinch slightly. Eddie let out a huge sigh. "I... I don't know, it's Buck. We kinda argued last night. I went over to check on him, you know, for Chimney and Maddie, but..."

"But he didn't really appreciate that, did he?" Bobby finished for him. "Yeah, he's always like that, acting like he's fine,"

Eddie‘s eyebrow arched in question. "You already knew he wasn’t okay?" With a nod, Bobby leaned back against the counter. "Of course I knew. I visited him before you did." His eyes trailed away, before landing back on Eddie. "He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days, and he was all sweaty, but he just brushed it off. I tried, but who am I to force it? I was planning to visit him today again, but it seems like he'd just explode if I did it now."

Eddie looked back at his coffee. "I understand him, but why can't he just tell us how he really feels, even if it means letting his guard down for just a few seconds?"

Bobby stared at Eddie, observing his worried expression. He chuckled softly, catching the other man’s attention. "Eddie, Buck is like a tongue." Eddie gave a confused look and asked, "A tongue? Why are you comparing him to a tongue?"

Bobby ignored the question and continued, "When he takes a sip of some hot coffee," he gestured towards Eddie's steaming mug, "he gets burned, and it hurts him. But he can't do anything except suck it up because he thinks that's what he should do, keep his pain hidden and pretend everything is fine. That's how he believes he'll get better."

Eddie blinked, glanced at his coffee mug, then motioned towards the sink. He looked back at Bobby and responded, "But there are other ways he can heal. If he just finds that good refreshing cup of cold water that could drown all his pain away, he might be able to overcome the burn and get better." Bobby nodded. "So, who do you think should be his cup of cold water that can help him drown his pain away from that disgusting burn on his tongue?" Eddie raised his eyebrows.

"Oh..." Eddie lowered his eyebrows, his expression becoming more thoughtful.

Oh.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the blaring sound of the firehouse alarm. Bobby quickly rushed downstairs towards the trucks, followed closely by Eddie, who had to set aside his thoughts for the moment.

Bobby exits the truck alongside Eddie, while Hen and Chimney pull up in another vehicle.

They got a call from a woman who dialed 9-1-1 about her husband. She came home and found him not breathing and unresponsive.

Bobby, Hen, Chimney, and Eddie quickly enter the house. Eddie notices the woman holding her baby, gesturing that her husband is in the bathroom.

"I had came home from my sisters house and... and I found him unconscious in the bathroom. Oh God, please don't tell me he's going to die," the woman says, covering her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.

Bobby gently moves her aside as Hen and Chimney rush to the unconscious man. Eddie glances at her and asks, "What's your name?"

"Jasmine. I'm... my name is Jasmine," she replies. Bobby nods and says, "Okay, Jasmine. Let's try to stay calm, alright?" Jasmine softly cries, nodding as she steps back.

"I didn't think he would do something like this... I mean, we were arguing last night," she says, her voice cracking with every word. "It was about something stupid, and we yelled and shouted. I guess he couldn't take it anymore and asked if I could leave him alone, so... so I did. God... I left and I regret leaving him. He needed me, and I just completely left him all alone." She breaks down, her eyes filled with tears.

Eddie's breath hitched, remembering he had also had an argument with Buck. But would he... would he do this over some argument about feelings? Honestly, you never know. Some people get so upset that they do stupid things, and that scared Eddie to the core.

Hen checked his breathing, but there was nothing. She performed chest compressions, but still, there was no response. Chimney noticed a bottle of pills, opened and most of the pills were all out against the ground, he looked at Hen and whispered, “Hen, I think he was already dead before we got here.” Hen stopped, also noticing the bottle of pills, She turned to the woman, asking, “Jasmine, how long was he unconscious for?”

Jasmine clenched her baby tightly, pulling him close. With trembling hands, she swept her hair aside and stammered, “I-I don't know. When I got back home just five minutes ago, he was already unconscious.” Hen looked back at the man, then back at Jasmine, and asked, “What time did you leave last night?”

With quivering lips, she responded, “Around ten p.m., maybe?” Chimney glanced at Hen again and said, “Call it.” Hen sighed, “He could still be-” Chimney cut her off, placing a hand on her shoulder, “Hen I don’t think so, there’s no sound of breathing. He overdosed last night around ten p.m., He's gone.”

Jasmine crumbled to her knees, and Eddie swiftly supported her, as she slid down to the floor, while Bobby carefully took the baby out her hands. “Oh my god!!... He's not!! He can't be..!!” She screamed, crying her lungs out. Hen expression softened, tears brimming in her eyes, Eddie continued to hold jasmine as she cried.

“I'm sorry!.. I should've been there. I should've known you were hurting..!!” she cried out, her hands covering her face, leaning on her knees, as her forehead touched the ground.

The baby put his hand in his mouth, babbling softly.

Eddie finished his shift and quickly threw on his jacket, grabbing his keys. As he walked out of the locker room, he accidentally bumped into Bobby.

"You heading home now?" Bobby asked Eddie.

"Yeah, well, sort of. I'm actually gonna check up on... well, you know," Eddie trailed off, but Bobby understood. He placed a hand on Eddie's shoulder and said, "Don't let him burn for too long." Then, Bobby walked away, leaving Eddie standing alone.

Eddie glanced down at his phone, scrolling through his contacts. His finger hovered over Buck's name. After a moment of hesitation, he finally clicked on it. The phone softly rang as Eddie hurriedly made his way to his car. 

He just needed to make sure Buck was okay, not for anyone else, but for himself. And if he wasn't, Eddie would be there to offer that cold glass of water he needed from the very beginning to drown his pain away.

Chapter Text

Eddie retrieved his keys to Buck's loft, tightly gripping them as he drove towards his destination. Despite multiple attempts, Buck remained unresponsive to Eddie's calls, causing him to fear the worst.

"Please pick up, Buck." Eddie gritted his teeth and redialed Buck's number as the phone rang briefly. Upon reaching the parking lot, he hastily grabbed his phone and unbuckled his seatbelt. He stepped out of the car and closed the door with force.

Eddie activated the lock on his Car Keys, securing his vehicle. He swiftly pulled up his hoodie and hastened into the building. The downpour was heavy, accompanied by a distant clap of thunder that made Eddie glance back through the door. He hated that noise with a passion. Without delay, he headed towards the elevator and pressed the button.

He attempted to make another call, holding the phone to his ear. What the hell was was he doing? Upon the elevator doors sliding open, he swiftly made his way to Buck's loft, retrieving the keys and unlocking the door.

"Buck! Buck, are you here!" Eddie yelled out immediately. He scanned the kitchen, but nobody was there. So he shifted his attention to the bathroom, opening the door and finding it empty as well. "Buck!! We really need to talk... about you!" Eddie shouted once more, stepping out of the bathroom and rushing up the stairs. The bed looked untouched, no sign of Buck.

"What the hell... where did he go?" Eddie muttered, startled by the loud thunder and the heavy rain that made him shiver. "It's still pouring." He quickly descended the stairs, snatching one of Buck's umbrellas, and walked out of the loft, making sure to lock the door behind him. He took the stairs, too impatient for the elevator. Moving quickly, He had to make sure Buck was okay and he would search everywhere if he had to.

Athena was seated opposite Bobby, who had dished out dinner thirty minutes prior. She savored the flavors of the meal yet noticed a concern Bobby stuck in his thoughts.

"Bobby, is everything okay?" she asked, drawing him out of his thoughts. "Yes, it's just... lingering thoughts," he responded, a tad distracted. Athena offered a wry smile. "Lingering thoughts don't usually keep you from enjoying your own cooking for this long," she observed. Bobby glanced at his untouched plate and acknowledged her point with a slow nod. "It's Buck, isn't it?" she deduced, casually enjoying a forkful of mashed potatoes.

Bobby exhaled and reclined in his chair. "Yeah, something's off. When I last checked on him, he was drenched in sweat—as if he'd just come from a hard workout session."

"Maybe he was working out?" Athena raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed. Bobby, fiddling with the spoon in his hand, asked, "Can you get red eyes from working out?" Athena nodded now understanding where he’s coming from and replied, "He could've been having a nightmare. Some people experience that after going through such terrifying events."

"Like the tsunami? It took a while for those nightmares to stop," Bobby said, his voice tinged with concern. Athena reassured him, "Bobby, he'll be fine. You told me Eddie was going to check in on him, right?" Bobby nodded, and Athena continued, "Then he'll be okay. As long as someone is by his side, we know he'll be okay." With a warm smile, she reached her hand across the table and placed it on top of his.

Bobby softly smiled back, placing his other hand on top of hers and gently rubbing it with his thumb. "Yeah, I know."

Buck felt his phone ringing once more, and with a heavy sigh, he retrieved it from his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID, and it displayed Eddie's name.

He didn't have much to say to him. It's not like he could stay mad at Eddie forever. Buck knew he couldn't ignore him for too long. He just needed a moment to himself. But he wasn't trying to be overly dramatic. I mean, who likes being treated like a helpless child, constantly asked if they're okay every single damn day, right?

Buck switched off his phone and placed it back in his pocket. He then tapped on the wooden counter, calling the bartender over. "Are you ordering something?" the lady asked. Buck nodded, his finger tapping on the hard surface. "Yeah, a Lager, please." he requested. The lady offered a soft smile and went to fetch his drink.

Buck wasn't here to pick up chicks, you know? He was done with those make-out then break-out sessions. As the lady handed him his beer, he gave her a nod of gratitude before she walked away.

Just when he thought he could finally relax, his phone had to ring again. He pulled it out of his pocket, frustration evident on his face. It was a flood of messages, all from the same person.

Eddie:

Buck, where the hell are you???

I need to talk, Please?

Pick up your damn phone

???

Buck, seriously, what's going on?

Pick up the phone, I'm not messing around anymore.

Alright, fine. Be that way.

Buck let out a scoff, tossing his phone onto the counter. He ignored the incessant ringing as he downed half of his lager in one go. Wiping his mouth, he placed the beer back on the counter. Buck really hated getting into arguments, especially with family, and especially with Eddie.

Because no matter what argument they seem to get into, Buck tends to overreact, while Eddie’s words often crossed the line, and that's why he never truly wanted to keep arguing with him, he didn't say anything wrong yesterday. He just hated being asked if he's okay.

He really hated it.

"Evan, catch!!" hollered a boy, launching the football towards Evan. With lightning speed, Evan dashed backward, stretching his hands out to snatch the football. He leaped up, effortlessly securing it in his grasp. The crowd of kids erupted into cheers and screams of excitement.

"He caught it!!!" exclaimed one of them, bouncing up and down alongside another kid. Evan's face beamed with a bright smile as he swiftly tossed the football back to the boy. Making his way to the bench, he plopped down to grab his water bottle. He took a few big gulps before eagerly returning to the game.

"Okay, ready?" the boy shouted to Evan. "I'm ready!!" Evan replied, stepping back and preparing to catch. Meanwhile, one of the tall boys from the opposing team positioned himself a fair distance away.

"Go long!" the boy shouted, hurling the football with all his might. Evan sprinted back, arms outstretched, ready for the catch. But just as the ball was within reach, a tall boy from the opposing team barreled into Evan, sending him tumbling to the ground as the football landed snugly in the others hands.

Evan hit the concrete hard, his knee scraping against the ground, now bleeding profusely. Wincing in pain, he clutched his injured knee to his chest while lying on the chilly ground.

"Evan!" His friend rushed to his side, concern etched on his face, as the rest of the kids formed a circle around him. Evan's attention was on his bleeding knee, oblivious to the trickle of blood also coming from his head due to the harsh fall. "What the hell, Brad?!" a young girl in the crowd shouted at the boy with the football, who merely scoffed, football triumphantly in hand.

Everyone was asking if Evan was okay, he didn’t mind it. Really, he didn’t. "He's not a girl, he should get up and deal with it. You're all just coddling him! What, are you a baby, Evan? Daddy's little girl, perhaps?" Mocked the taller boy, his laughter cutting through the tense air, causing Evan to stiffen. With a forceful push, he extricated himself from the huddle of concern.

"Guys, I'm fine, really. I can take care of myself; I’m not a baby," Evan asserted with a forced chuckle, attempting to deflect the attention. "But Evan, you're bleeding quite a bit. It's alright to admit if you're hurt and can't continue," one friend expressed, his voice laced with genuine worry. Evan's gaze flickered to Brad, who was snickering behind his hand, flanked by his cronies. "Yes, I'm okay! I'm totally fine, everyone! Can we just get back to the game?" Evan implored, brushing past them to take his place on the field.

Later that day, Evan left school early. The embarrassment of admitting he needed care for his injuries was too much, so he found himself getting dismissed by the principal and heading home instead.

After that day, Buck was a different person. Maybe he still got hurt on purpose, hoping his parents would notice him, but that's another story for another time. He had to harm himself to get their attention, but the worry from his accidental injuries, makes him irritated.

Buck grabbed another beer, taking a long chug, he put the beer onto the counter, his eyes following a single droplet of water sliding down the side of the bottle.

Eddie pulled out an umbrella, shielding his head as he stepped out of the car. He had been searching all the familiar spots Buck used to visit, and this was the last place that came to mind.

Taking a deep breath, he made his way towards the bar and pushed open the door. Once inside, he closed the umbrella. Eddie scanned the crowded room, but there were too many people blocking his view so he couldn’t really tell if Buck was around.

"Are you looking for someone?" one of the employees asked. Eddie turned to them and replied, "Yeah, I'm searching for Evan Buckley." The employee glanced at the tab and nodded, pointing to the other side of the bar where Buck was seated.

"He's right over there," she said with a smile. Eddie expressed his gratitude and walked straight over to Buck, standing beside him. Buck felt a presence by his side and turned to see Eddie looking back at him.

Eddie held up his phone, showing Buck the texts he had sent. "I texted you," he said, trying to get Buck's attention. Buck just hummed and looked away. "I know," he replied dismissively. Eddie ran a hand through his hair, feeling frustrated as he sat down next to Buck.

"I even called you, multiple times." Eddie continued, keeping his eyes on Buck. Buck hummed again, clearly indicating that he was aware. "Yes, I think I was the one who ignored those.” Buck admitted.

"Buck, I understand that you don't want—" Eddie started, but before he could finish, Buck raised his hand, cutting him off. "Honestly, I really don't," Buck said firmly. He finished his third beer and tapped the counter, signaling for another one.

Eddie just stared at Buck, He knew exactly what he wanted to say before coming here, but now that Buck was in front of him, he felt at a loss for words. He knew he was pushing the ‘maybe he isn't okay’ agenda, but deep down, he knew that Buck was really not okay. 

He just wished his best friend would open up about it, it was like watching someone drown but refusing to acknowledge they’re in the water.

Buck took the beer from the lady and thanked her, but Eddie quickly noticed how slightly drunk Buck already was, with his slurred words and all. Eddie reached out and grabbed the beer, making Buck turn towards him, saying "Eddie, what the hell?" Eddie placed the beer down and moved it away from Buck, "You look like you've had enough to drink already."

"I haven't, listen, I get that you're worried, but I just need a break, okay?" Buck stumbled a bit on his shoe but managed to catch himself. He was definitely drunk, and Eddie couldn't let him walk home like that. So, he stood up, firmly grabbing ahold of Buck's arm. "Let's go, I'll drive."

"I can walk home, I need the exercise anyways," Buck shrugged off Eddie's hand. "Buck, it's pouring outside and you're drunk. I'll drive you home," Eddie insisted, grabbing Buck's arm again and leading him towards the exit. He closed Buck's tab, paying for him, and they left the bar.

Eddie handed the umbrella to Buck to hold as they made their way to the car. Buck closed the umbrella before opening the passenger door and sitting down. They both fastened their seatbelts, and Eddie pulled out of the parking lot, merging onto the street.

The ride was quiet, with only the sound of the rain pouring and some soft music playing in the car.

' And I know it's long gone and there was nothing else I could do '

Buck stared outside the window, there was nothing to say, he was just glad he was going to go home and could just pass out, he already felt drunk so he actually appreciated Eddie for driving him home.

' And I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed to '

Eddie drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, casting sidelong glances at Buck, it was too quiet and Eddie hated it. As they came to a halt at a red light, he broke the silence, "Are we going to sit in silence the whole way?"

' Cause there we are again in the middle of the night, We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light '

Buck sank deeper into his seat, the throbbing in his head probably from all the drinking. He glanced at Eddie, who resumed driving as the traffic light lit up with green. With a sigh, Buck responded, "What do you expect me to say, Eddie? I'm sorry, I should have been honest about my feelings!"

' Down the stairs, I was there, I remember it all too well, yeah '

Buck's words dripped with sarcasm, drawing a sharp glance from Eddie before he refocused on the road. "Buck, we need to discuss this. Talking might help you, and it would certainly ease Maddie's mind. That's all I'm asking—let's just talk."

' And maybe we got lost in translation, Maybe I asked for too much '

"You're asking me to look vulnerable?" Buck scoffed and turned away, looking out the window. Meanwhile, Eddie's grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Buck, you've seen me at my lowest, seen the tears and the mess I was. You were there, you got me through it. So why can't I be there for you in the same way?" Eddie's voice carried a mix of frustration and concern by Buck's words.

' But maybe this thing was a masterpiece 'til you tore it all up '

Buck went quiet. He had been there when Eddie was at his lowest, but still, the only Diaz who had seen him vulnerable was Christopher, and that was when Eddie had been badly shot.

' Running scared, I was there, I remember it all too well '

Buck took a moment before he realized that they were nowhere near his place. He adjusted his posture, turning to Eddie with a confused expression. "This isn't the way to my place, Eddie." Eddie responded with a nonchalant hum, "Didn’t you say you wanted to go home?"

' And you call me up again just to break me like a promise '

Eddie pulled up in front of the house, shifting the car into park, finally able to give Buck his full attention. "This isn't my home," Buck stated, leaning back in his seat. Eddie nodded,"You said you weren't a guest anymore. Doesn't that mean you see this as your home too?"

' So casually cruel in the name of being honest, I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here '

Buck scoffed, his smile carrying the echo of laughter, his words tinged with a gentle slur. "Okay, I can't deny that." Eddie's chuckle was soft as he unbuckled his seatbelt. "Plus, you wanted to see Christopher. That's a good enough reason, right?"

' Cause I remember it all, all, all, Too well '

Eddie took out his car key, turning off the music. Buck pressed the button, unfastening his seatbelt, and grabbed the umbrella. He mumbled, "Right." They both got out of the car, closing it quickly as they hurried into the house. Eddie helped Buck walk, and the rain soaked them both.

He unlocked the front door, stepping inside and waited for Buck to enter fully before closing and locking it. Carla appeared from around the corner, a smile on her face. "Hey Buck!" Buck's smile lit up as he leaned down slightly to give her a big hug. They pulled back, and Carla wrinkled her nose at the smell of beer coming from Buck.

Eddie spoke up, "Hopefully it wasn't too much trouble for you to watch Christopher longer." Carla waved him off. "No, it was no trouble at all. Don't worry." She glanced at Buck, who was slightly wobbling as he made his way to the couch. "I'm just glad you found what you were looking for," she said, smiling at him. Eddie chuckled, "Yeah, I did."

"Well, I'll be heading out then," Carla said, grabbing her purse and waving goodbye to them. The door closed behind her.

Now it was just Eddie and Buck. Leaning on the couch, Buck glanced toward Christopher's room and said, "He's probably asleep by now. You know, you wasted a trip." Removing his jacket and placing it on the rack, Eddie replied, "Not entirely. You're still drunk, and I didn't want you doing anything foolish while I'm not around."

"Ah, so I’m here to get babysit’d? That's hilarious," Buck said with a feigned laugh. Eddie chuckled softly in response, "No, if I were babysitting you, you would've been in a car seat on our way here." He then sat down on the couch next to Buck, grabbing the remote.

Buck rolled his eyes at the joke, eliciting a laugh from Eddie, who started flipping through the TV channels. Buck leaned back, his eyelids growing heavy, which didn't go unnoticed by Eddie.

Eddie considered fetching blankets and pillows for Buck to sleep on the couch, but he preferred Buck to have a comfortable night's rest. So, he gently nudged Buck, "If you're tired, you can use my bed." Buck shook his head, his words slurred, "No, no, I'm fine." Unconvinced, Eddie set the remote aside and, taking Buck by the arm.

"Don't start, I’ll help you," he said. Buck groaned, trying his best to keep his eyes open. Eddie tried to lend a hand, but Buck kept pushing him away. Giving Buck a stern look, Eddie said, "You're gonna make me carry you over my shoulder, Buck."

And you know what? Eddie could totally handle it, even if he was a bit shorter. I mean, Buck's a big guy, but as a firefighter, Eddie's trained to carry heavy loads. Buck even carried him on his shoulder once when he got shot.

So Eddie tried again, supporting Buck as they made their way towards the door. But Buck stopping halfway there, Eddie sighs, and called out, "Buck." Buck let out another groan. Without missing a beat, Eddie quickly bent down, tripping Buck's legs so he fell forward over Eddie's shoulder. With a straightened posture, Eddie carried Buck into his bedroom.

He did his best to gently place Buck on the bed, but it ended up being a bit more forceful than intended. Definitely did not remind him of a scene from a porn film, though. “Take off your shoes," Eddie instructed. Buck complied, leaving only his socks on. He then helped Buck remove his soaked sweater.

Once the sweater was off, Buck crawled under the covers and closed his eyes. "I'm fine," he mumbled before drifting off to sleep. Eddie let out a sigh and quietly left the room to put the sweater in the laundry. He knew he wanted to talk to Buck about their argument, but he figured it could wait until tomorrow.

Next week, when Buck comes back to the firehouse, Eddie wants him to be okay. He hopes that by then, there won't be so many people crowding around Buck, wanting to see if he's alright. Eddie sat down on the couch, the sound of the TV playing a basketball game in the background.

But his mind was elsewhere. He glanced at his bedroom door, knowing that he was going to stay up for a while. He remembered Buck mentioning his nightmares, and Eddie wanted to be there for him. He wanted Buck to know that if a nightmare did happen, Eddie would be right by his side to comfort him.

Chapter Text

"BUCK!!" came a distant shout.

Buck's ears rang as he felt his body go limp. He tried to move but couldn't. The shouting mixed with the sound of hard rain thundering down on him.

"BUCK!!" The same voice yelled for him again. He felt himself being lowered down, hands grasping onto him. He could see everyone clearly—Bobby, Hen, Chimney—but Eddie was nowhere to be seen.

What's wrong? Why can't I move? Buck tried to speak to them, but it was as if they couldn't hear him. He could hear them, though, Bobby's voice saying, "C'mon, kid," over and over. Then Eddie's face came into view, with a few scratches on the side of his head. Eddie? What happened? Why are you hurt? But there was no response, only Eddie's worried face as he was pushed to drive the ambulance to the hospital.

Buck looked up into the sky for a moment, a loud thunderclap making him close his eyes, and then he woke up. This time, he wasn't surrounded by chaos—no loud screaming, no hands trying to pump life back into his heart, no cruel rain pouring down on him. This time, he was in a bedroom that wasn't his.

Sweat covered him as he looked around, trying to remember why he was in a different bedroom. Right, he had talked with Eddie in the car, and Eddie had driven him... Ah.

Buck tossed the heavy blanket aside and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up with his feet planted firmly on the floor. He turned to glance at the door and noticed it was slightly opened, a ray of light spilling from the other side—and he knew that Eddie was still awake. Clutching his head, which throbbed painfully, Buck's eyes fell upon the nightstand.

There, he spotted a glass of water and a pill resting atop a napkin. It seemed Eddie had left it for his pounding headache for when he woke up, Without hesitation, Buck took the pill, popping it into his mouth and washing it down with the water.

After draining the glass, Buck rose from the bed, a bit unsteady on his feet. Nevertheless, he made his way to the door and pushed it open further. Eddie was there on the couch, absorbed in a movie. Buck leaned against the doorframe, about to speak, but the sight of Eddie stopped him. His eyes were gloomy, almost lost—Buck's stare must have been intense because suddenly, Eddie's focus was on him.

"You're up," Eddie observed, his grip on the beer bottle a tad too tight, his eyes never leaving Buck.

Buck nodded slowly, his gaze briefly wandering before settling back on Eddie. "Yeah, you're still up?" he asked. Eddie's eyes scanned Buck, noting the sweat coming off Buck must’ve been the reason he’s awake, he wanted to be there, wanted to ask what happened but he held back, fearing it might lead to an argument.

"Mh, couldn't sleep," Eddie muttered, returning his attention to the television and taking a sip from his bottle. At a loss for words, Buck walked over to the couch, sitting at the opposite end and rest against the armrest. His eyes shifted to the screen—'Moana' was playing, Eddie's favorite Disney movie when he wants to get distracted from his own thoughts.

Eddie had probably started the movie just a few minutes before waking up, because Moana was already on her way to find Maui. Buck threw occasional glances at Eddie, noting a few things: Eddie's silence, his lack of questions for Buck, and the only sounds filling the room were those from the TV and the gentle rain outside.

The quiet was unsettling to Buck; he despised it, which is why he always chooses to talk so much—it became a habit. Feeling compelled to break the silence, he finally spoke up.

"I had another dream," he said, drawing Eddie's attention. "It wasn't a nightmare, or..at least it didn't feel like one," Buck added, his gaze dropping to his nervously twiddling fingers. "It felt more of a memory of when I went up the ladder." Eddie then shifted, seeming for serious now.

"I could hear everything around me when my body went limp; I could hear someone screaming my name, the rain pounding in my ears," Buck took a deep breath, and Eddie waited. "I felt hands grasping me, and I could only see the faces that appeared before me—Bobby, Hen, Chimney..." Buck's voice cracked slightly, which Eddie picked up on. He shifted, setting his beer bottle down and repositioning himself to face Buck, giving him his full attention.

Buck met Eddie's gaze, then looked down into his lap. "And you... I didn't understand why you had scratches... I tried to ask, but it was like you couldn't hear me. I remember your face, Eddie." Buck's eyes met Eddie's again, and Eddie looked away, feeling as though he might break down just talking about it.

"You looked terrified, Eddie, and I'm sorry... I didn't mean to put you or any of you through that," Buck said, rubbing his thighs in an attempt to soothe the tremor in his hands. "We were all terrified, Buck. Every single one of us," Eddie finally spoke, breaking his silence since Buck had started sharing. "You don't need to apologize for it—it's not something anyone could have guessed would happen."

He reached out, placing a hand on Buck's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up over it. We'll all feel better once you're completely okay. Are you okay?" Buck looked at Eddie, his eyes beginning to water. "I'm... I don't know... I can't really..." he stammered, covering his face with his hands to hide the fact that he was on the verge of breaking down.

Eddie immediately pulled Buck into a hug, "Okay, okay, that's alright. Take your time. We'll all wait for you," he reassured, allowing his head to rest on Eddie's shoulder.

"Dad? Buck?" Christopher came from the hallway, his eyes on them. Buck backed up slightly, returning Christopher's gaze. "Hey..." Buck said, Eddie stood, rubbing his face and getting off the couch. "Sorry, Mijo, did we wake you?" Christopher didn't reply but instead walked around the couch to give Buck a tight embrace.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, concern in his voice. Buck hugged him back firmly, "It's just..." His voice broke, unable to finish. He allowed himself to be vulnerable with Christopher, knowing he would understand. He softly sobbed into Christopher's shoulder. From the side, Eddie watched, turning away to rub his face, he didn’t like seeing his best-friend cry, because he might just also break down.

They remained in their embrace until Eddie gently nudged Christopher back to bed. Returning, he noticed the movie had been switched. "Why'd you change my movie?" he asked, sitting next to Buck. Buck chuckled softly, glancing at him, "Wanted to watch something else." Eddie nodded, turning to see Rapunzel on the TV.

"Rapunzel? Out of all the Disney movies?" Eddie queried with a look. Buck just rolled his eyes. "What's wrong with that?" Eddie shrugged, turning back to the screen as Buck hit play. The quiet didn't last; Buck began to narrate the entire movie, dissecting each scene for Eddie. Even though Eddie knew the story well from previous talks, he listened. Who really recalls every detail of the Rapunzel lore anyways? 

And that's how they spent their night, on the couch, discussing the lore of Rapunzel's story until they fell asleep.

Eddie arrived at the station and quickly walked up the stairs, only to find Bobby in the corner of the kitchen talking with Buck. When did Buck get here? then remembered the note Buck had left earlier stating he'd left early. Eddie went to sit down at the table with Hen and Chimney, who were eyeing the two curiously.

“What do you think they're talking about?” Hen asked, her gaze fixed on Bobby and Buck. Eddie, reaching for an apple from the bin, shrugged. “I don't know, maybe something personal?”

“Personal? So, is Buck telling Bobby if he's okay or not?” Chimney interrupted. Eddie bit into the apple. “It could be anything, guys.”

Hen slapped Chimney's shoulder. “They're hugging! He definitely said something emotional!” At her exclamation, Eddie and Chimney quickly turned their attention to the pair, just in time to see the hug.

Buck stepped back from Bobby, “It's good you're telling me this, Buck. We didn't mean to make you feel this way.” Bobby said, placing a hand on Buck’s shoulder. Buck offered a soft smile. “It's okay. I just want to figure it out on my own, you know?”

Bobby nodded in understanding. “I'll make sure to let everyone else know.” Buck hugged him again, murmuring, “Thanks, Bobby.”

“If you need anything, just let me know, okay?” Bobby said as they pulled away, and Buck nodded. After one more reassuring pat on the shoulder from Bobby, Buck said his goodbyes and waved to everyone else as he walked away.

Hen and Chimney waved back, while Eddie simply nodded. Bobby then joined them at the table. “What did he say? Is he doing alright?” Hen asked eagerly. Bobby sighed before replying, “He's figuring that out. He wanted to let us know that he doesn't feel comfortable with the way we've been trying to help him.”

Chimney looked confused. “What do you mean?” he asked. Eddie, who had been quietly observing the exchange, bit into his apple again before swallowing and preparing to speak.

"I think what Bobby is trying to say is that we've been checking up on Buck way too much. Maybe we should give him some space to sort out his feelings. When he's ready, he'll come to us."

Bobby nodded in agreement with Eddie. "That's exactly what I meant," he confirmed. Hen let out a sigh. "I had a feeling we were being a bit pushy." Chimney scoffed. "I knew it all along since those first two visits I went to see him, That's exactly why I didn't visit Buck afterwards." Bobby gave a soft chuckle, but then the loud bell interrupted their moment.

Everyone got up, racing down to the truck. Eddie took one last bite of his apple, then, mimicking a basketball player, he tossed it into the trash bin before dashing downstairs with the others.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"There's been a hit and run! I saw this guy, probably in his thirties or forties, driving a Black Honda. The license plate is BM1349!" On the other end there’s loud cars beeping in the background.

"Alright, sir. Are there any injuries? Are the victims with you?"

"It was a young boy and his mother. It happened near the 118 firehouse. If they turn left and go straight, they should see a group of people gathered around a car!" There was a grunt, along with the sound of a car screeching..

"Okay, the firefighters are on their way to the location. Can you let me know where you are?"

"I'm near..." There was a brief pause. "He's getting onto the highway!"

"The highway? I'm tracking your location. Please stay on the line."

"No worries, I'm not hanging up anytime soon!" More honking and the tires screeching through the phone.

"May I have your name?" the lady asked.

"Buck, Evan Buckley! I'm a firefighter from the 118." Buck's voice felt rushed as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel, following closely behind the speeding car.

Bobby and the rest arrived at the scene in just five minutes, since it was quite close to the station. They immediately got out and rushed over to the scene.

Bobby instructed everyone to move back, while Hen and Chimney ran over to the young man and woman. “Are you okay, ma’am?” Hen asked, using a small flashlight to check her eyes. She nodded, “We’re okay, just scrapes and bruises.” The young boy clung to his mom. “We’re still going to take you to the hospital; there could still be internal injuries,” Chimney said, looking at the car to see the door had been pried open.

“Did you get out of the car yourself?” he asked her. Someone from the crowd came forward. “No, it was some man. He rushed over and asked a bunch of us strong guys to help pry open the door with him, then he ran off to chase after the driver.”

Hen scoffed, “Hit and run, huh…” Eddie raised an eyebrow, then looked at the man.

“What color was his hair?” Eddie asked. The man looked over, “Blonde? Maybe dirty blonde.” Eddie knew it couldn’t be who he thought it was. “Eye color?” The man paused for a second, then pointed up, “Blue! Definitely blue!”

“Fuck, let me guess, he had a birthmark on the left side of his face just above his eyebrow and near his eye?” The man nodded, “Yes! He did!” Bobby now understood, “Eddie, he’ll be fine. The police will be on their way to him right now.” Eddie gritted his teeth. “Our main focus is what we were tasked to do,” Bobby reminded him. Eddie nodded at Bobby, still visibly upset. Because honestly, what the hell was Buck thinking?

Buck wove through traffic, honking to avoid collisions, “What is that fucker doing?!” Then suddenly his phone rang with Athena's name flashing on the screen. "Sergeant Grant's calling. I'm going to answer," he yelled to the dispatcher on the other line.

"Go ahead, I've pinpointed your location, and she'll take it from here," came the response. Buck swiftly answered the call. "Buck? Buck, I'm on my way! Leave this to us," Athena's voice, thick with concern, blared from the phone. "I can't stop now; I'll lose him!" Buck shouted back, dodging cars on the highway. Athena exhaled a weary sigh. "Buck, do not engage further. I'll be right there kid."

"Understood, ma'am," Buck responded, never taking his eyes off the Honda ahead.

Eddie stood, pacing around the room. They had just returned from the call, both Bobby and Chimney watched him with concern. "Eddie, stop moving around like that! You're making me nervous," 

Chimney said, his fingers drumming on the table. "Well, I'm nervous too! What was Buck thinking, charging into the next problem without solving his first?" Eddie exclaimed, running a hand through his hair in anger. Hen was distracted, her attention fixed on her phone.

Bobby noticed, "Hen, what are you watching?" Hen reluctantly set her phone down. "Nothing," she muttered. Eddie raised an eyebrow and walked over. "Hen," he pressed. Chimney coughed, deliberately avoiding Hen's gaze. "Not going to help, Chimney?" Hen scoffed softly, but Chimney merely whispered, "You got yourself into that one," refusing to get involved. With a sigh, Hen grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, flipping through the channels until the screen displayed a high-speed chase.

"I just didn't want to freak Eddie out more," Hen admitted, but by then, everyone's eyes were glued to the screen. The black Honda was recklessly weaving through traffic on the now-closed highway, closely followed by a dark grey Jeep. Eddie recognized Buck's vehicle trailing the Honda, with police cars, including Athena's, in hot pursuit.

"Buck, we've got this covered! Pull over now!" Athena's voice crackled through the phone. Buck's grip on the steering wheel tightened before he relented, slowing down the Jeep and pulling over to the roadside as the police cars zoomed by. Buck knew that whatever unfolded next, he would have no part in it.

Buck took a while to get home, as he had to answer questions and give a statement about the incident. When he finally arrived, he pulled out his keys and unlocked the door to his loft. As he stepped inside and shut the door, he noticed another set of keys on the side table. He placed his own keys beside them and walked further in to find Eddie sitting at the table. “Uh, I wasn’t expecting guests,” Buck chuckled awkwardly.

Eddie looked up, his arms folded. “You could’ve gotten injured,” he stated. Buck exhaled loudly. “Of course, that’s why you’re here,” he replied. Eddie scoffed, “What other damn reason would I need to be here for? Buck, you could’ve been seriously hurt!” Buck removed his sweater and draped it over a chair. “But I wasn’t, and that’s what counts! Eddie, if I hadn’t acted, that guy might have gotten away.”

Eddie massaged his forehead. “Just stop, Buck. Before you go rushing into danger again, fix the one problem you haven’t addressed yet.” Buck bit his lip, hesitating, “Okay, I won’t do it again.” Eddie nodded, and a silence fell between them.

Eddie stood up. “I need to leave; I asked Carla to watch Christopher while I came to have this talk with you.” Buck nodded in understanding. “Okay, will I see you tomorrow?” Eddie offered a small smile. “Yeah.” Buck turned and walked up the stairs, Eddie felt a shift in the air. Something was different after their exchange—whether it was within him or Buck, Eddie couldn't quite pinpoint it, but he sensed a change.

Eddie took his keys and walked out of the loft. Once outside, he pulled out his phone, dialed Carla's number, and settled into his car, starting the engine.

Carla answered after a few rings. "Eddie, hey, are you on your way back now?" Eddie merged onto the street, heading toward his place. "Yeah, I'm on route now. Just left Buck's place." A brief silence followed before Carla spoke again. "Eddie, it seems like you're really concerned about Buck these days." Eddie couldn't help but scoff. "It's not just me; everyone is worried." He could almost feel Carla's sigh through the phone. "I guess some things you have to discover on your own."

Eddie's brow furrowed in confusion. "Discover on my own? Carla, what do you mean? Is there something wrong with being worried about Buck?" He heard Carla's laughter before she replied, "Of course not, Eddie. Just let me know when you figure it out." Before Eddie could respond, she bid him goodbye and the line went dead.

Confused about what he needed to 'find,' Eddie shook his head, dismissing the thought, and continued his drive home.

Buck undressed, about to take off his boxers, Since He was about to step into the shower but then his phone started ringing loudly in the bedroom. He quickly darted out of the bathroom and ran up the stairs to answer it. It was Maddie calling—great.

He picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear. "Maddie, is something wrong?"

"Buck, Mom and Dad are coming over to your place in two weeks," she said calmly. Buck froze. Why would they be coming over? He was at a loss for words. He had spoken to his parents during their visits for Maddie, but those encounters had always ended horribly, and they were never alone without others around before.

"Are you serious?" Buck chuckled nervously. Maddie replied, "Yes, they want to see how you're doing, so they're planning to visit. Is that okay?"

Buck swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. "Yeah, that's fine," he managed to say. It gives me enough time to get out of here.

"Great," Maddie paused for a second. "I hope you're doing okay. I love you, bye." Buck mustered a soft smile. "I love you too, bye." After hanging up, he tossed the phone onto the bed. Two weeks? It felt like waiting in line for hell—except without the waiting and with all the burning.

Buck sighed. He had enough time to prepare for whatever they might want to talk about, pleasant or not. He resolved to be ready. But that could wait; it was two weeks away, not three days. There was no need to train for a conversation with his parents.

He retraced his steps down the stairs and back into the bathroom. He was tired and likely didn't smell great. Tomorrow would be Sunday, and then Monday he'd return to work. That was enough to think about for now.