#Athena needs a hug and so do i apparently

[mer-acle]

i hold all the power (evil laugh, evil laugh)

Give me...

The big athena hcs

I desire knowledge and inspiration (evil laugh, evil laugh)

Haha

You kinda put me on the spot there. Not bc I don't have big headcanons but bc I'm like how do I phrase this without being like "here's the plot of that fic I wrote" yk? And now I'm unsure what constitutes a big headcanon... so I'm just gonna give you some more random ones and maybe you can help me out with what you were thinking of? (O.O)

For Epic specifically: Her owl form is a dark barn owl, bc they're really pretty and rare and have ginger feathers that match her hair

She dislikes Poseidon so much because he's so much like her father but her perception of him isn't softened by the love she has for Zeus.

Prometheus really saved her after Pallas's death. He kinda filled the void that losing Triton as a paternal figure had left more so than that of Pallas herself, but he took her along for his little creation projects (like the humans whoops) and they really match each other's freak. Yk. Until Zeus takes Prometheus away and definitely forbids Athena from visiting. I will literally murder him one of these days.

Speaking of Zeus taking people away, Athena was STRUGGLING after Pallas. Unsurprisingly, but still. Nobody but Hephaestus knows her from when she was still pretty openly mourning, they're all too young, and he never really asked why, but my girl was so depressed and lonely. She spend IRL HOURS in Quick Thought rewatching that battle and trying to figure out the moment where she went wrong. She knows Zeus intervened, but it doesn't matter to her, it's her spear, it's her kill. He was all like "for a nymph?" when she asked to take Pallas's name. "well, if you think that is a title worthy of your status..." It was her most open rebellion against his wishes for a while.

Her favorite domain is wisdom, but it's followed by crafting, not war. Don't get me wrong, she enjoys a good fight, but if she had to choose and wasn't worried about Zeus's opinion, she would choose crafting over war any day. The reason in my hc is how the domains are assigned, she was basically born with Wisdom, her powers are all about thought, and Zeus later assigned her with warfare which her powers work well with, but weren't technically meant for it. Meanwhile crafting is her "Passion domain" meaning her power in it literally stems from her intense enjoyment for creating. Imagine "What else can I do" from Encanto, but it's her discovering making clothes for the first time. The angst factor of this obviously being "My life has one mission, create the greatest warrior" Why is that her one mission? Is it the crushing weight of who she has to be?

My favorite bigger concept has to be her relationship with truth. In other words, Athena lies and manipulates her way through life, she is smarter than her father but knows he holds the power, so her council is whatever works in the moment, if she knows it's hopeless, she'll tell him what he wants to hear. Life has become a game for her, a game where she sells her soul for approval, bc she's lost those who loved her unconditionally, and can't trust those around her bc they're all trapped in the game with her, she doesn't want to be the favorite, she needs to be the favorite, it's the only way to survive, the only way for some semblance of safety and control, and yes, she gets along with mortals better than gods because they hold no power over her, they can't threaten the position she's worked so hard to achieve. Until Odysseus compromises a part of her that she hadn't thought she still had. Attachment never felt like danger with Pallas, but it does now, because what does it matter if you're more powerful when you respect the other person too much not to honor their wishes, should they tell you to leave them alone? If asked, she will have to leave, and that's terrifying (None of that would be overly conscious before My goodbye but for me, that breakup deep down always will be Athena being scared of her own feelings and trying to stop it before it goes too far and being at least 15 years too late.)

Woah that got dark lol I just wrote the last section and was like 👀fuck I am projecting SO bad. Like... gods I am so not okay. Jokes on me I thought I had headcanons all I have is trauma lmao

Anyways lol

Hope you liked it, and do let me know if you had something else in mind, I'll do my best :3

[kamiko1234]

Alright just got to chapter ten of The Lightning Thief and I have more thoughts.

So, first off : I stay firmly rooted in my opinion that Luke is great. I love him, I bet his hugs are great. He and Percy have a cool brotherly sort of friendship going on. Ngl ? Percy and Luke found family sounds GREAT to me. God knows that poor boy (Percy) could use someone like him (Luke) to look after him. (Sadly with Percy going off with Annabeth and Grover now it seems we'll see less of him, which is a crime imo. Give me my wholesome older bro character. Hope dies last tho, so I'll just hope I can get more of him over the course of the book and the rest of the series !) But also, the hint with his quest ? Naw that backstory is going to be SAD, my poor baby. I will cry over him. I may have only known him for a few chapters but damn, he's my favorite. Offical favorite. Like he deserves for radiating the biggest Teedy bear, Big Bro, Green Flag vibes in the entier series besides our beloved MC Percy. Second off, uh- the gods are sort of dicks ? Like, you are telling me that Poseidon was just A-okay with abandoning Percy for all his life and ONLY claimed him bc he needed him ???? Not cool ! But also, the implications of this ???? And the fact that apparently Percy is being send out on a quest at- what ? 12 ? 13 ? That is NOT safe, and the gods are apparently fine with it too ?????? Not to MENTION what happened with that Thalia girl !? Honestly, the fact that Zeus broke that sacred oath first did not surprise me, but also Hades wtf ?????? That's an innocent kid ! She isn't at fault here you idiot. That entier sittuation is some A+ child neglect and endangerment aswell as what I gotta assume attempted murder, someone call CPS on those guys or I will do it myself. What a bunch of a-holes. On a third note, so the prophecy said that Percy would be betrayed by a friend. Which means I gotta scrap my previous suspicions of Clarisse or any Ares kid, they and Percy are NOT friends. My next best guess would be Annabeth. She's the next best friend of Percy, and she's on the quest with him which would give us good opportunities. She DID seem weirdly enthusiastic to go on a live threatening quest.

Not to mention that Annabeth is a child of Athena, and it was stated that she (Athena) has a rivalry with Poseidon going on. Maybe Athena's in on the plot to steal the Master Bolt and frame Poseidon due to a grudge from that, and Annabeth as her kid acts on her behalf.

But also, she's like- the only one I can reasonably imagine doing it. Besides here Percy has like, two other friends. Grover and Luke. Grover is the ultimate dork, but also has more than enough motives to specifically STAY loyal. Besides the obvious thing of getting his license, he's been Percy's oldest friend at that point. he cares for him. As for Luke, I just don't think he's the type to do that, yk ? As far as I've seen the guy is nothing but caring, he teached Percy and welcomed him ! Even going out of his way to train him when the other campers were avoiding him after he'd been claimed. Why would Luke do that if he'd just betray him at the end ? He's seemingly being written out of the book for now too, when should he get the chance to betray Percy ? (He did have that one weird line about looking evil that one time which confused me a bit ???? Ngl imma just assume he has a cool badass side, like the cool badass dude he is. Did I say that I really like Luke already ?) My fourth point : the line in the prophecy saying Percy'll fail to save what's most important will be him failing to save his Mom from the underworld. Hades' is built up to be the big bad, and he rules the underworld where Percy's mom is currently in. He cares a whole lot about her and Percy did think about saving her already. And last but not least, I think Annabeth betraying Percy will lead to him not being able to save his Mom. I'd imagine it'd go like this : Percy, Annabeth and Grover go to the underworld to get the Master Bolt from Hades (which I assume is the big bad) and to save Percy's mom. They manage to get the Master Bolt, and are about to save Percy's mom when Annabeth reveals herself and betrays them. Causing Percy and Grover to be unable to get Sally. And that was all ! PS: OMG OK I JUST STARTED WITH CHAPTER 10 AND I NEEDED TO GET THIS OUT WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE NEXT POST. I FUCKING LOVE LUKE, buddy sprinted up there so say goodbey AND he handed Percy those sneakers ?

Naw I'm convinced of my theory now. No WAY Luke could ever be a bad guy ! Why go through all that trouble just to betray Percy in the end ? But also, found family sense are going strong in me rn. Greenest Flag if I have ever seen one. BUT ALSO HE GIVES HEADPATS ? AKJFHQILUWEZBDIL I do still think he has some issues going on tho, poor lad. I hope he get's therapy and a good hug. he deserves it.

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🧟‍♀️🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽

YEAH! Finally some TWATYTK asks (this is next up on my 'chapters I need to finish' list)

30 for ⚡️:

---

“That’s because this is the best trip of my life,” Buck informs him.

Eddie grins. “So far.”

Buck likes the sound of that. 

“So far.”

And as they start talking about all of it, all the things they’re going to do, they start including that second kid. Inadvertently, at first. But nevertheless. 

“There’s always Disneyworld. Like Florida,” Buck mentions, talking about future vacations.

“Oh, but that sucks with a baby,” Eddie shakes his head. 

“True,” Buck frowns. “Disneyworld, in several years?”

“But then will Chris be too old?”

“Are we assuming Chris will age out of wanting to have fun, Eddie? Because if so, I didn’t get the memo.”

“You’re right,” Eddie says. “So we just wait until he’s old enough for it to be bearable.”

“Wait, what? I thought you just said he’d be too old?” 

“I didn’t mean Chris,” Eddie says. “I meant… You know, the other kid.”

“You said he,” Buck points out.

“Oh, did I?” Eddie frowns. 

“You’re just banking on that, huh?” Buck smirks.

“Well, uh…” Eddie shrugs.

---

33 for 🧟‍♀️:

---

“So it’s someone else.”

“Lot’s of action in Sunport lately,” Hen mumbles.

Not that she’s not… Well, obviously she’s glad to have Athena, May, and Harry back in town. They’ve been friends for years. She thought about Athena and wondered what had happened to her. Having answers, having her here? It’s good. And, of course, she thrilled for Buck. Kid hadn’t stopped fretting over his sister for months, and she understands why. Plus, having a nurse around can only help them. Really, having Maddie around is a blessing. She has no idea about Eddie. He seems fine. She likes his kid. More importantly, Denny likes his kid. But she’s not really expecting him to be around for long.

So it’s not that Hen isn’t glad for all the action in Sunport lately. But how many visitors can be good, honest, helpful people before the opposite type shows up? Hen is full of worry. 

“So what do we do?” Chimney asks. “We can’t just ignore it.”

“No, but we don’t want to go running after shadows in the middle of the night, either,” Bobby says. “That’s an easy way to get hurt.”

“I agree,” Hen says. “We’re not risking anyone.”

“No,” Bobby agrees. “We aren’t.”

“We can take turns watching from the roof?” Athena suggests. “Extra precaution? Until the morning.”

---

33 for 🔼:

---

By the time Buck recertifies for active duty, he and Shannon are basically back to normal. Or, well, a new normal. Because what was ever normal for them, really? The point is, they had a long, awkward conversation, and they’re firmly just friends. Which Buck is really glad and somewhat surprised about. He did not think Eddie would want them being friends and he definitely would have defaulted to whatever Eddie wanted of him. But Eddie was insistent. 

“I don’t want either of you avoiding each other because of me,” he’d said. “Seriously.”

So they talked. Acknowledged a mutual attraction they aren’t going to act on. For so many obvious reasons. And they moved on. 

Apparently, they’ve moved on so effectively, that here Shannon is. In Bobby and Athena’s house. At a surprise party for Buck. That she helped his sister and Athena pull together. Kind of crazy, if he’s being honest. 

He’s riding a pretty significant high, though, so he doesn’t think too much about it. He passed. He cleared. He’s going back to work. It’s all he can think about. Being back where he belongs. Maybe if his head was clearer, he’d think about how wild it is that Shannon is here for him tonight. In a room of people who know Eddie, love Eddie, and know some of what’s going on between them, when he knows how insecure she was about that when they started talking. He might think it’s insane she even wants to help throw a party for him at all. But all he can do, tonight, is bask in his own joy. 

He’s hugging everyone. Eddie. Bobby.

[prosperdemeter2]

WIP Wednesday - glass

I'm choosing this to tease mostly because I *desperately* need inspiration for this chapter. Get me going 🙏🩵

“Uh…” Buck rocked on his heels again.  Eddie latched onto his belt loops to tug him closer. “You’re nervous.” He stated because he was, that much had been obvious when he had asked Eddie if he wanted to come visit in the first place. Dan’s got work all night, and-and Maddie is meeting with the DV counselor in Southie.  “I don’t…” Buck’s eyes searched his face and then abruptly looked away, but his hands caught and lingered, one on Eddie’s shoulder and the other on his waist. “I’ve never really had people over before.”  “Never?”  “Daniel doesn’t really like my friends.” Buck said with a helpless shrug because his friends were… were Eddie’s friends. Hen and Chim, Karen and Rosa. The 92 had raised Buck, but Daniel… was Daniel.  “He likes me.” Eddie tried not to preen at the thought. For a man that routinely didn’t like much of anyone, Daniel had apparently liked Eddie enough the one time he had met him to tell Buck that information.  Buck didn’t trust his seal of approval. Eddie didn’t really care what Daniel thought one way or another, but he would lying if the approval where he was so used to being unapproved of wasn’t sweet. Buck snorted, “That hasn’t gone to your head at all.”  “Oh, come on.” Eddie scoffed. “Like my son adoring you, hasn’t gone to yours.” “Yeah, but Chris is wonderful.” Buck shifted his weight until the two of them were rocking from side to side softly. “Danny’s a jerk.”  “What did he do this time?” Buck didn’t usually go this hard on Daniel at one time if he didn’t do something first to earn his ire. He loved his brother, even if that love was layered under tons of debris.  Buck frowned and picked at Eddie’s collar. He breathed out heavily. “Nothing.” It was something. “He’s just…” Daniel. “He ran into Doug at work and,” Buck shrugged. “I don’t think he’s handling things right, you know? He’s not really happy that Maddie’s staying here, but I won’t let him rush her, right? She feels safe here, and that’s what really matters.”  “But…?”  “But…” Buck sighed in aggravation and pulled away. “I don’t know. It’s like he still doesn’t believe her! He says Doug seems really messed up about things and he keeps telling him to tell her that he’s sorry.”  “And what does Maddie say?”  “That she’s not going back.” Buck shrugged and hugged his arms around himself like, as a child, he was used to giving himself comfort when his siblings weren’t there. He leaned back against the kitchen island, his leg bending at the knee so that his foot could rest on the wood behind him. “But, I don’t know, Eddie. She seems really scared.”  Slowly, Eddie nodded, “Have you talked to Athena?”  “She doesn’t want to press charges. She just wants him to leave her alone.”  “But she hasn’t been to work since she left him?”  “No,” Buck shook his head. “She hasn’t been to work at all. Which I think is part of the thing that’s pissing Daniel off, you know? Like… I offered to take up her portion of rent and shit but Daniel won’t let me do it. Keeps saying it’s not my job to take care of her, but she’s our sister. I don’t mind taking care of her.”  “Well, it’s…” Eddie trailed off, hating that he actually sympathized with Daniel’s potential case. It was a delicate situation, because if it was Adriana or Sophia, Eddie would be doing the same thing Buck was, and because Eddie was well aware of just how important both of his siblings were to him. No matter how much Buck pretended to hate Daniel. “Maybe he’s a little right here?” He offered cautiously.

[wisteriaiswriting]

𝕎𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙𝕪?

Words: 368

Due to a…let's say, outside person, Athena had heard a small rumor. That Apollo was dating a mortal, and she couldn’t have that. Calling for Hermes.

“Apollo is, with a mortal, and I need you to bring them here.”

“Who, Apollo or the mortal?” Sighing at their question.

“The mortal.”

***

“So…”

“You’re the mortal ‘dating’ Apollo?”

“I mean, if that's what you call him?” You had absolutely no clue what to say, one minute you were at home. More like your boyfriends, then in the next you were here. Apparently he’s an Idol, and ‘Athena’ didn’t like the thought of you two together.

“Well, I’ll make you a deal,” Raising your hand, only to be ignored. “You’ll have a week, prove yourself and I’ll allow this to keep going, if not, you’ll see.”

“But–” Suddenly pulled backwards into, who knows what. But you ended up back at ‘Apollos’ house. He just exited a room looking worried, while the Oracle only spared you a glance.

“They’re back.”

“How wou– Y/N!” Launching himself at you, holding you close as if you’d slip away again if he let go. “Where did you go? I was looking everywhere an–”

“Athena.”

“Hm?” You let him think about it, his eyes widening.

“What did she do.” The way he asked was less of a question, rather a statement. One he wanted to fact check, but not right now. Not when you needed him right now.

Not giving you a chance to turn or leave, his arms surrounded you. Tugging you closer until you were successfully trapped in a hug, taking to slightly swaying side to side.

“Can you two get a room?”

“We have, in the living room.”

“Ugh..” Slamming their head down next to the computer, resigning themselves to listening to this.

“C’mon now love, lets go rest.”

***

“Athena.” His voice caught the attention of everyone around him. And while she looked unhappy she knew he knew.

“Yes Apollo?”

“Just… why, why involve someone who doesn’t need to be?” She sighed, knowing she’s done.

“Fine, all I ask now is that you keep them away from Idol business.”

“Now that I can do!” Turning on his heel, ready to comfort you again.

[greentrickster]

Okay y'all, listen up, because this evening I went on an Odysseus-style odyssey, in that what was meant to be a quick jaunt with minimal difficulties turned into a multi-hour trip where I was thwarted every step of the way.

As all good disasters do, it started off well enough. My mom informed me that a local, extremely large booksale is on today and I decided to go, because yay, books!

Then my dad, who was in the same room at the time, generously pulled out his wallet, handed me some cash, and told me to go buy myself a book! So even better, free book(s) and no requirement to return the change! Jackpot! I drive to the booksale in high spirits! Arrive! Enter the building!

...

What the heck, why are there so few tables?! What has happened to this booksale, it's in an area the size of a full-sized basketball court and usually it's full of tables covered in books! There's maybe an eighth of that! It doesn't even have a sci-fi/fantasy section. It's, quite possibly, the most tragic I've ever seen this booksale look, and I'm unable to find anything to my taste there.

However, like Odysseus before me, I don't assume failure at the first hurdle - I was told to buy myself a book, but I was never told where I had to buy it! To the local bargain outlet, which has all sorts of delights to offer, including books, and I've found some good ones there before! Not tonight, apparently, but, like. It's happened.

So that's... less than fun.

Also, I'm starving at this point, because I left at five-ish and haven't had supper yet. So, since this place sells food, I grab a box of soft strawberry granola bars for $2, because my money tonight is for literature, not sustenance, and I'm not out yet! There's still Barnes & Noble, the local mega-chain bookstore, which I have mixed feelings about! But it's my last option at this point and, hey, graphic novels! Manga! All sorts of exciting new releases! I was just there a week or two ago and even wrote some titles down while I was there!

My friends, I walked all over that store and perused books for two hours, and I found nothing that sparked enough joy to accompany me home. I did find a couple with minor potential, and one that gave me heart palpitations and made me regret the choices that had led to this point in my life, but nothing I felt the desire to own, you know?

My feet hurt, because I wore the cheap sandals that are only good for short expeditions. It was late. I wanted to go home and get a mom hug to help with the trauma that came with the heart palpitations.

But I had no book.

I had not fulfilled my mission.

A state of events that was simply unacceptable.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned, it was also about eight at night and everywhere around me other than a few grocery stores tend to start rolling up the carpets within an hour or two. So, in an act that would make Odysseus proud, I rearranged my strategy! I would use the cash to buy the Christmas gift I've been meaning to get for my dad (I get my holiday shopping done early), then go home and buy a couple books I'd been eyeing on Amazon!

Books would be purchased!

Triumph would be had!

I got home and discovered, as Odysseus did, that not all was the pleasant peace I had left it in! Except instead of a bunch of entitled suitors trying to marry my wife and steal my throne, the internet had gone down five minutes before I opened the door.

I chose to do the mature thing in order to gain Athena's favour by screaming into a pillow. About twenty minutes later, the internet turned back on! Success!

I discover Amazon has upped the amount you need to spend to get free shipping from $25 to $35 as of September 8th, because they are an evil mega-corporation and not my friend! Rage!

However, still rich with Athena's blessing, and in dire need to prove that if Odysseus can do this then so can I, I made one last-ditch effort... and went and asked to use my parents' Prime account to get free shipping for my order.

And thus my books were finally ordered, and, like Odysseus, I am at last triumphant, but boy golly, that was 90% more effort than it needed to be, what the heck, what sort of sick, dystopian future am I living in that I finally have my own money to get books but can't guarantee the bookstore will have anything I want to buy?!?

[softquietsteadylove]

How about this for Thena bodyguard AU. Fan gets on stage and tries to get to Thena ( to hug her or something) and Gil jumps into action.

The tour was going pretty well, so far. It hadn't been Thena's idea, but it was going well all the same.

Gil knew it was taking a lot out of her. Between being on the road all the time, and the hours they were making, and the constantly being live, she was exhausted. But he always made a point of telling her it went well, of assuring her that she was doing great.

And he took extra care with her offstage.

Obviously he wasn't allowed on stage with her, as much as she would probably like it if he were. But he lingered just offstage in the wings, as usual. There were other security guards at the edges of the stage and in the crowds of course.

But Thena always wanted Gil as close as possible, and something about that really warmed his heart.

Gil was always watching, never once distracted by what was going on around her. He would watch from where he could, move across the massive stage and change angles when necessary. Anything to keep her in his sights.

The show was about three hours in length. It was a full repertoire of Thena's stuff, plus a few extras added for the tour. She would stumble backstage after the whole thing, exhausted and ready to curl up in a ball.

Gil would keep her close as she raced to the solitude of her provided dressing room and then back to the tour bus to rest. One night - after entertaining multiple encores - she had been bold enough to ask him to carry her. Which, of course, he had.

Another song finished, and they were nearing the finale. He could see her steps drifting more and a sheen of sweat making her platinum blonde hair stick to her skin. She looked magnificent.

"Athena, I love you!"

It happened quickly. The guards on the floor were apparently otherwise occupied. That must have been it, Gil thought, because otherwise he was going to have a word with them about how to do their fucking jobs.

Thena rushed back from the edge of the stage, where a fan was clambering up like a zombie in a horror movie. People were already screaming at the upset, and the floor security was trying to mount the stage in pursuit.

But Gil was closer. Gil was faster. Without question, protecting Thena mattered more to Gil.

Thena gasped as Gil appeared from the side of the stage, throwing himself at the intruding presence, both of them rolling away from her. "Gil!"

The kid stopped rolling after the first few. But in reflex, he had kicked Gil off of him, sending her bodyguard into the pit in front of the stage. Fans were screaming, people were in a panic, stage managers were scrambling to recover from the upset.

"Gil!" Thena screamed, dropping her handheld mic and running to where he'd fallen.

"Thena, I'm fine," he called out, already picking himself up. The last thing they needed was her trying to climb down in here with him. "It's just a fall."

"Oh my god," Thena shook her head, waving her hands for the stadium security to come and assist him. "We're going to get you out, Gil."

It was a hell of a fall, and he'd been through it as a security guard before. He picked himself up, although his shoulder was for sure fucked in some way or another. He sighed, wondering if it was enough for him to have to call someone in as a replacement.

Thena wouldn't like it, but his priority was her protection, even if he was no longer the best man for the job.

"Easy," two security guards on either side of him muttered as they pulled him up and walked him towards the stairs. The lights shut off and the house lights came on, signalling the end of the night for everyone involved.

"Where the hell were you?"

"Gil!" Thena rushed forward, having already abandoned her fancy heels and just in her bare feet. He was going to have to lecture her about how she could cut her feet that way.

"Hey," he greeted softly, putting a hand on her back as she threw her arms around him.

"Whoa there, little lady," the other security guards attempted to reach for her.

Gil shrugged them both off and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. They were the fuckers whose fault this was--no way in hell they were touching her. "Let's go."

"Gil, are you okay?" Thena frowned, letting him lean on her as heavily as he needed on their way backstage.

"Pulled something, I think, but I don't think it's an emergency," he sighed as she helped him hobble back. "I'll get off my feet for the rest of the night and I'm sure I'll be better in no time."

"Gil, you should let the onsite medics look at you," Thena frowned.

"We have our own medical team, they can look at me back on the bus," he grunted as she helped him up the small side steps. "Let's get you somewhere safe, first."

"You can worry about yourself a little bit, you know," she gave him a look he usually saw her reserve for Kingo when he was on her nerves, or Ikaris when she had to be around him to hang out with Sersi.

"I'm fine, I-ah!" Gil grunted as she gripped his shoulder with a defiant glare. "Okay, I'll get it looked at. I just...I need to know you're safe first, Thena."

Thena pulled him into the wings, where the rest of their team were already waiting at the ready. She let some of his other security guards take his weight off her shoulders, calls already being made and assistants ready to run out to 24/7 pharmacies in the area.

Gil sighed as he got loaded into a golf cart, which he had to admit, was nicer than walking at the moment. A stage manager climbed into the front, but - to his pleasant surprise - Thena climbed in next to him.

"I've made you promise not to leave my side before," she murmured as she pulled him to lean against her at a comfortable angle, one of her arms around him and the other helping to keep his sore shoulder in a relaxed position. "Now, it's my turn."

[crazydoughnutlady]

RAEsed in the End

master list prev

Sherbet was the one leading the charge. The various members of the town began to look for their missing member. They eventually came to a large bedrock bubble. Inside it there seemed to be a building.

“Hello?” sherbet, carefully called out into the building.

***

The day is gone from bad to worse, not only had Rae jumped into the void in front of Centross now the three remaining members of the household have been teleported to the prison. Ghosty was having a panic attack, and Athena was confused because of the aforementioned panic attack.

“Ghosty you need to breathe just listen to me.” Centross’s said, reaching through the bars, and grabbing Ghosty’s hands it usually worked with Rae. it was about to continue his instruction and help calm down the panicking adventurer. However, a voice rang through the building.

“Hello?”

“Sherbet up here!” Athena instantly ran towards their door.

“Athena!” the voice, which apparently was named Sherbet ran up the stairs, followed by a variety of people crowding into the small space outside the cells.

“Oh, there’s three of you.” Spoke a brown-haired woman with a shriek of white.

“How does prison works somebody has to take the place of the others so if you want to free Athena, someone else will have to stay behind” Centross explained, standing upright and coming to the door, so they could easily see his face. “If you are to take Athena, you should also take Ghosty’s here I would like to stay.”

The townspeople debated it for a moment but before much arguing could happen someone in a dino onesie, hit the button to Athena‘s door.

“Easton!” a red-haired woman with flowers all over her, called out angrily.

“Don’t worry mom I’ll be fine plus you need to look after Jamie and Athena,” Easton said in a calm tone, with a small smile.

“No, I’m staying with you!”

“Well, whoever switching you should do it soon the portal probably won’t stay open for that long.” Centross expressed the urgency. He had sometimes listened to Rae.

“Mombo if you’re staying, can I wish you well before I go through.” The person called Sherbet whose I was bleeding. Is that OK?

“Yeah, of course, Sherbet,” she said closely pulling them into a tight hug. They looked like they were about to kiss.

As overworlders all hurried down to the portal Centross turned toward Ghosty, “ Ghosty, can you promise me something?”

“Yeah…” his voice was weak as he looked up at Centross with tear-stained eyes.

“Take care of Rae for me.” Gosty looks like he was about to respond, but then Sherbet showed up. Taking Ghosty’s place.

“Wait I thought my mom was going to his place”

“Change of plans Easton, I know how much she would hate it here.”

As the two of them talked, Ghosty cast one last glance back at Centross before he two ran down to the portal and jumped through.

***

When Ghosty opened his eyes in the overworld for the first time, in a long time it was raining. there was a conversation happening outside of the building he had woken up in arguing about what had happened.

“Ghosty! You're here!” Athena headed down the stairs and hugged the adventurer.

“What happened did Sherbet take your place?” a masked man asked.

“Yeah, it was weird. It’s been so long since I’ve been in the overworld it looks different…”

“Have you seen much of it?” The masked man once again inquired.

“Yeah, I’m an adventurer or I was.”

“Oh, so am I I’m Will”

“Ghosty nice to meet you!”

“Here if you come to my house, I can get you geared up!”

As the two walked to wills house Ghosty couldn’t help but think over the last words, Centross had said to him. How would he take care of Rae? Rae was still in the end, wasn’t he?

***

Rae wandered of fair distance from the town and climbed the top of the mountain when suddenly the sky began to change. Little dots of white, began to drift from the clouds above. It was fascinating!

The auras said it was called snow, and he remembered reading about it a few times. He decided that he wanted to live in this mountain. It even had a pretty little stream leading down into the forest below.

He spent the next few days building his house. It was so weird to him that you could tell the time from how bright or dark it is instead of the constant light at the end. He wished Centross was here to explain most of it. After all, he remembered more of the overworld than Rae.

He is enjoying his quiet little mountain home and what she had added pretty doors from the woods below and so many fun, colorful blocks all sorts. The overworld was just filled with so much. When he heard a knock on the door.

“Athena we shouldn’t be knocking on random doors that show up behind my house!”

“Why not it could be a new friend!”

Rae opened the door to see Athena, standing next to a creature from the overworld.

“RAE! How did you get here?”

“I went through the portal when it was open, woke up in the strange building under the giant ball of light walked for a bit. Then the light ball of light went away, and stuff started falling, and I decided to live here.”

“Wait, Athena, you know him?” the brown overworld creature asked.

“Yeah, this is Rae. I was his lab assistant in the end!”

“Oh, well, do you need another?” they had flowers on their head were they connected to the red-haired lady with flowers?

“Yeah! can Jamie be your lab assistant as well?”

“Umm.. sure nice to meet you, Jamie.”

“Nice to meet you too Rae.” They said, with a careful tone and suspicious eyes.

“OK this is gonna sound terribly rude,” Rae began as he welcomed them into his house, “but what are you?”

“Have you never seen a bear before?”

“the books I read, didn’t say bears didn’t talk.” Rae mused, leading them down to the lab.

“Yeah we usually don’t, wait books?” Jamie quirked an eyebrow.

“Rae is from the end, Jamie, I don’t think he has seen the overworld, and what he does know it’s from books,” Athena explained with a laugh.

“Oh, sorry I guess I didn’t realize that.” the bear apologized.

***

It was like that for a short while Athena and Jamie, being the only ones that knew that Rae existed, and them learning all sorts of exciting and fascinating things, such as the scientific method, inter-dimensional auras, redstone, and even some other languages. Athena had picked up Ender very quickly.

However, Athena began to worry about Sherbet and Easton. wanting to bring them home. So Rae added that to his priority list getting them back to the overworld. Maybe even Centross could come along.

[alloutofgoddesses]

S08E07 - Hotshots

- Entertainment Tonight is a crime

- Everything on ET looks so forced and uncomfortable

- Demon legion?

- What just happened

- “Well… you know” he ate with that ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

- UNDERCOVER ATHENAAAAA

- NICE

- Why are they making Angela Bassett use all the gen z lingo

- “Discord”

- oh noooooooo Athena what happened :(

- Aaaaaa THEM

- Baking kick!!

- Lemon loaf! Walnut loaf! Pumpkin loaf!

- I also love loaf Chimney

- DO NOT CALL ANYONE YOU MENACE

- Ponds! That’s my thing!

- Special person!

- BRIE oh my god dude

- Oh Maddie

- Oop

- She sure is!!!!!

- I’m sorry. Buck is the blabbermouth? Chimney…

- Group hug!!

- I love when brothers

- Hi Brad

- Lmao! “It is love! Send help.”

- Incredible delivery

- Okay so are we addressing the trauma of this for 118 or nah

- Hi Gerald

- Hi Eddie

- Oop

- Oh Buck’s going up

- And we are not currently addressing it

- Why would we

- Hello rebar head

- Gerald you good bro

- Good Lord

- Hollywood Bob!

- Hugs

- Nooo Athena is limping :(

- :(

- Yawn

- I do not have it in me to care about Probie Sparks

- Get his ass

- SHE WOULD GOOGLE HERSELF lol

- We have unlocked a new pasta

- STAY STRONG

- Buck… my baby

- Also that contact says Buck

- Incredible parenting skills on display from Eddie and Hen here

- Like they both have definitely had to play phone keep-away before

- “That’s what scares us” SCREAM

- “He’s got my phone” I think I’ve been Bobby during this about sixteen times in the last week

- This is incredible I am having a wonderful time

- Oop hey Chief

- I get it Brad

- Lmao

- Sk8r boi

- Yawn x2

- If I have to hear Angela Bassett say Flash Rob one more time…

- “Before you retire” SIR

- Athena is trying to kill him with lasers

- HEN AND ATHENA WINE TIME THIS IS NOT A DRILL

- Wise words from Hen

- Gerald.

- HA

- Gerald you cannot change

- TAKE HIM TO DINNER I CANNOT

- Brad wants to wear Bobby’s skin like a coat

- NOOOOOO SHE SAID IT AGAIN

- I love obviously empty cups like the vibe is just different when a cup doesn’t actually have anything in it

- Oh my good god

- Maddie I will always love you

- Sigh

- Why is he doing all that

- And AGAIN she said it againnn

- She just called him a bitch

- What. The fuck. What the fuck

- BOY WONDER

- I mean his last name is Sparks

- He looks like my troublemakers

- Like I am sorry but he looks like he wants to say something very offensive

- More baking with Buck!

- God he looks great

- HI JEEEEEEEEEEEE

- THE MOST SPECIAL PERSON

- Awwwww he loves his niece so much look at his face

- LOOK AT THEM

- She wants all of them!

- I am gonna explode

- Oh it’s time for the Brad and Bobby date

- The rumour mill is gonna mill

- There’s the olives

- Brad Torrance you are so scary

- Oh noooooooooooo

- He’s a divaaaaaaa

- Get his ass Bobert

- Hell yeah

- I love Bobby Nash with my whole heart and soul

- “Menaced”

- I know this woman is clearly a Karen but I personally love that word

- Oh boy

- Not a sovereign citizen

- This is not fighting oppression my girl

- Sparks… oh no

- Oh no

- OH NO

- Bruh…

- So this is why we trust Athena’s instincts

- And also. Did we /have/ to do this storyline?

- I feel like this storyline was completely unnecessary

- BOB THE DRAG QUEEN LIPSYNCHING TO CHAPPEL ON DOCTOR ODYSSEY?!?!

- Anyway back to this woman being shot apparently

- Breathe girl

- Oh that’s cool I didn’t know they made masks like that

- I only know the ones that are like a flimsy piece of plastic

- And she is walking with a crutch 👀

- SHE IS REQUESTING ONE

- Ohhhhh Athena…

- Aaaa they’re watching Bobby’s takedown of Bradley i love them

- AAAA NOT THE BRITISH ACCENTS

- It was just for a second and I need more

- Hey Bradley

- Eddie lmao

- He is so weird

- Bobby is not a zoo animal my friend

- Hehehehehehe

- Fall finale!!

- Oop

- … I’m sorry. They are combining a car crash with a drowning accident

- W. T. F.

[storm-cloud-lightning]

This show has a lot of healthy communication it's honestly so great. IDK how to explain it it just works. Feels real in ways a lot of shows don't.

Also gotta be honest even if Buddie is endgame, I'm totally fine with the slow burn. Kinda like Bones ya know? Like their characters need that character development to get to the place where they'd work.

DAMN Chim just punched Buck! Oh no and now he's leaving too??!!? I hope they come back! (also I just noticed that I said Maggie instead of Maddie earlier. That's honestly embarrassing my goddaughter's name is Maddie, you'd think I'd remember that) (also also did Chim's actor also ask for time or did they just write him out bc JLH is on maternity leave bc that's bs) (PSS is JLH just always pregnant?? She was pregnant in Criminal Minds and now again here)

Oh no I hope probie makes it he's getting a lot of screen time and now with this riot.... Okay he survived

Hen is going for general surgery? Yikes that'll be like 7 years

Sasha is back! YAY omg that case was so funny

I'M SORRY DID DAVID JUST CALL BOBBY 'OUR BOYFRIEND'?! That's hilarious! Awe damn went back and he said 'my boyfriend' sadge. Oh you know I just realized they never kiss or show affection what's up with that?? Oh hope he says yes. Oh damn something has to go wrong I just know it- and the building blew up fucking knew it

OMG BOBBY DON'T TELL HIM THAT OMG! Ok literally he just proposed and they just hugged? And he's leaving? Dang everyone is leaving this season. Is he not coming back?? He's getting this flashback send off, seems final

OMG Bobby and Athena kinky OMG

Is Taylor gonna leave? Seems like there's something in her past that's come up and she's gonna leave. Damn Bobby spitting facts. Sigh doesn't seem like she's leaving but I like her character better I guess

Eddie leaving? fuck.

Aw damn Buck no kissing other people! Glad it didn't go past that (slightly hopeful that means a break up is coming thou)

Eddie wtf that was way too far!!!

Oh finally Maddie and Chim back. omg JJ and JLH acting together again sweet. Man this show like speed runs weeks and months we just had Christmas and now it's St Patty's?

I think Maddie leaving really effected Buck more than we've seen. Like no wonder he's been doing dumb stuff like trying to leave the 118 and cheating and lying about it.

Damn Eddie is going through it. Love that Chris called Buck for help

ISTFG if Albert dies the same way Chim's other brother died I will RIOT. Ok ok he's fine

Dammit why is it always Chimney!?? And now it's Hens turn too. "He'll never hurt anyone again" yeah, I'll believe that when I see it. This show is AMAZING at keeping and bringing back the actors of side or one off characters. (except for Eddie's mom apparently, wonder what happened there)

Plz tell me Bobby didn't take a drink. He poured the whiskey down but before that with the glass, did he do it?

So glad Buck and Taylor are done, they were incompatible from the beginning clearly that's why their first argument was also their last.

Possible unpopular opinion but I like that Chim and Maddie broke up. It's the same like the last time when they took time to heal before trying their first date again. They were apart a long time, they need to find each other again. Hoping the next season starts with them back together.

Season 6 here I come!

9-1-1

Welp. I've been thinking about starting the show because it's EVERYWHERE on AO3 and I've started to get tired of filtering it (I have watched a surprising number of things for only this reason) but now I guess I *gotta* watch it. Damn. What a Hardship. /s

[astaroth1357]

Demigod MC Series: Ares

Demigod MC Series: Intro, Aphrodite, Hermes, Hades, Dionysus, Demeter, Athena, Hades Pt. 2, Poseidon, Ares

Lucifer

He cannot overstate what kind of damage this mortal was able to do in their first few seconds in the Devildom...

The instant they got to their feet, they had managed to incapacitate Satan and knock down Beel. Lucifer himself tried to get between them and Diavolo but…

If he hadn’t moved his head, if he was standing just ONE INCH to the left… he wouldn’t have a head anymore. Barbatos was there to intervene, but had he not they could have probably taken out the Avatar of Pride and done critical damage to the Demon Prince himself in one strike...

Frankly, Lucifer prefers not to dwell on that moment... He's sure Ares must be proud of this one...

He pretty much treats the mortal like a live bomb afterward, if he can get away with not interacting with them at all, that’s what he’ll do.

He’s NOT scared of them... much... It’s just that they have a bullish and uncooperative attitude at best and since they know they can take any of them, they don't even consider him - Lucifer, the eldest demon brother - a threat...

But you know what the most frustrating thing is? They won't give him an inch of respect, but they'll always listen to Levi! Levi!!

Look, Lucifer knows he may not hold a rank among the Hell's army and he might not have been a major player in the Celestial/Demonic wars of the day, but he's still the strongest demons here, dammit!! 😡

Lucifer finds nothing is more embarrassing than having to ask Levi of all people to keep the mortal in line because he can't... Oh, the humiliation… He hopes they leave soon...

Mammon

At first, he thought they were scary. But in time he thought they were scary… and also pretty damn awkward.

Mammon wasn’t there when they more or less wiped out the majority of his brothers in the Conference Hall but when he finally showed up he'd never seen Lucifer look so pale… If THAT doesn't make you shit your pants, he doesn't know what will.

Naturally, he kind of toned it down on the "stupid human" stuff real quick after seeing that…

But here's the thing. After the two made a pact together, Mammon started to notice that the MC wasn't all that mean, they were just… violent?

He legitimately thought that they couldn’t stand him for a while until one day a guy on the street called him a dirtbag. The MC threw a punch right there! No questions asked, they just decked that guy!!

It was kind of touching… and messy. Very messy. Did he mention that they’re terrifying yet? 😥

As it turns out, the MC has apparently spent a lot of their life just fighting things and being asked to fight things so they're not very used to showing non-violent affection… 

It took him awhile, but he realized that their way of saying, "I like you," is, "I will attack your enemies." So now all he does when his brothers tease him is say, "I'm telling MC!'' and they'll stop immediately. It's great!! 😁

Considers them to be his bodyguard when he goes out to gamble in some… shadier places. Most of the time not even the bouncers want to take on the MC, ain't nobody getting paid enough to lose that many teeth…

Leviathan

Okay, so. It's not very obvious anymore, but he USED to be on the front lines of the war against demons in the Celestial Realm. He was in charge of battle strategies, he led armies, and even now he still holds the highest rank of the royal navy!

So leave it to the kid of a war god to sniff all that out about him, huh…? They appeared to know all about his record the instant they saw him and they actually seemed to respect him for it!

For context, this mortal tells pretty much everybody to shove off but any time he’s around they call him “Admiral” or “sir” and actually pay attention to what he says! He can tell it drives Lucifer insane, but honestly? It’s a bit of an ego boost. 😌

It’s sort of cute when they come to him asking for tactical advice… They get just as into it as he does with his anime and any time he points out something that they haven't seen before they get so excited it's like they're a kid watching a magic trick. HUGE ego boost. 😏

Speaking of anime, it’s hit or miss whether or not they can watch any of it. Anything with good fight scenes (and let’s be honest, not that much talking) they’re on board for. But if the hero and the villain talk to each other for like an episode before throwing punches then the MC will just rant...

MC: “The enemy is distracted... Why aren’t they attacking yet??”

Levi: “Because the villain killed the hero’s best friend and they’re-”

MC: “They could avenge their friend right now if they ended things right here!”

Levi: “MC, we’ve been over this... That’s not how plot works.”

MC: “And now he got away!! See?? They should have killed him when they had the chance!”

Levi: “*sigh*... Let’s just play some CoD.”

Satan 

The last thing he remembered when the “human” hopped out of the portal was a sharp pain to the side of the temple and Asmo wailing as he fell unconscious…

Yeeeeah, not great. And unfortunately for the mortal the Avatar of Wrath tends to hold a grudge… 

For a comparatively brief moment in time, all of Satan’s considerable ire had shifted away from Lucifer and to their new housemate. They found their bed, clothes, pillows, food, and even their toothbrush cursed!

… But Ares kids must be built from some strong stuff, because half of what he employed didn’t even faze them! He even put an explosive spell on their backpack and not only did they tank the blast, it didn’t hurt them at all!! It was like they’re damn near immortal!

Annnnd they kind of are. Apparently the MC had taken a dip in the River Styx at some point before and became nigh invulnerable…

Was it maybe a little terrifying to know that they had kidnapped a nearly invincible demigod on the level of Achilles? Yes. Did that also mean that they must have had a weakness too? In theory....

Satan honestly devoted a depressing amount of time trying to uncover the “Achilles’ Heel” of his new sworn enemy… until…

The MC was walking with him and Asmo to RAD one morning when they passed by a group of lesser demons harassing a small puppy. Now Satan may be more of a cat man, but NO ONE fucks with animals while he’s around.

He was right about to go over and rip those demons a new one but the MC actually beat him to it! Apparently, the second that they realized what was happening, they launched themselves forward and started bashing the abusers' heads into a wall!

… Live by violence, forgive by violence because in that very moment Satan decided they weren’t so bad after all. He even joined in!

Oh, Asmo gave them both shit all day for the bloodstains on their uniforms and the scratches on their… everywhere, but it’s not like either of them cared. Righteous justice had been served and it was glorious!!

100% would team up with the MC in some kind of vigilante “punish-all-animal-abusers” gig. They have but to ask. 😌

Asmodeus

Oh they TERRIFIED Asmo when they first showed up! How else was he supposed to react?? They brought down his brothers like they were made of cardboard!!

Though he had to admit that the confident, battle-ready look they had about them was sexy as hell, he knew better than to go bear poking! 😣 He avoided them like plague until they finally asked him for a pact.

And then he discovered something… something very unexpected….

They're actually adorable!!!

Okay, like, not in appearance (they look like they could pile drive Cerberus for Pete’s sake!) but he discovered that they have NO CLUE how to handle physical affection. Like zero!!

The first time Asmo actually got the courage to try and hug them he expected them to toss him off, but instead they just stood there like a malfunctioning doll, all flustered and confused… It was so cute!!! 🥰

From that point on, Asmo would take every chance he could to wrap his arms around them or kiss their cheeks just to watch them try and fail to handle it. It's more fun than picking on Levi!!

It took two months for them to finally attempt any kind of reciprocation and even that was adorable! They pecked him on the forehead without thinking about it then nearly passed out from the realization. Apparently, they had never felt like kissing anyone before so he was quite honored!

The brothers know that if the MC's looking too mad to listen to Levi, they just need to call Asmo. A nigh invincible warrior becomes a LOT less scary after you’ve cuddled them into submission! 🤭

Beelzebub

Beel didn't like them one bit, at least not at the beginning. They had managed to get past him and actually attack Lucifer which was NOT a great first impression on their part...

He honestly saw them as a threat for a while, but unlike the rest of his brothers he didn’t avoid them. He just kept an eye on them.... constantly….

Look. Beel is a big guy. Stealth is not his strong suit… If he's tailing you, you're probably going to know about it because there's a six-foot something behemoth in orange following you around while pounding down bags of chips. He's not very subtle…

That being said, after following them around for a while the two finally got to talking and he realized that they didn’t want to hurt anybody or anything. They were just acting on instinct before.

After making the MC promise not to hurt any of his family, they got on much better terms. Hell, he actually got them into fangol!

Beel's sport of choice is pretty much just ultra-violent American football so the MC took a liking to it instantly! After enough begging, the coach let them try out and they got onto his team immediately.

He likes having them as a teammate! They're very good at the game, uh... even if they take it a little too seriously…

They once tried to convince his teammates to decorate the team bus with "the helmets of their fallen foes." They're REALLY into the sport… But hey, they haven't lost a game since they’ve joined. It’ll be fine!... Probably.

Belphegor

Hahaha… He’s in danger… 😥

It took one look at this mortal to make him rethink the whole, “Trick the Human” plan… Since when have humans looked like that?? They could crush his skull under their heel!!

It took all he had in him to play it cool when they first met because his internal monologue was nothing but screaming… THIS was the "human" he had to use to get him out of there?? How in the WORLD was he going to kill them?!

Admittedly, he had to think about it for a while. Belphie's a clever guy… and a demon. So who needs an honorable fight, anyway? If he can’t win one-on-one, then he’ll cheat!

He waited until the MC got the door open and didn't attempt a frontal assault… No laughter, no gloating. He just waited for them to turn their back, claws ready to dig out their heart, and then-!

MC: "Do you really want to try that?"

The MC must have had some kind of danger sense, because they didn't even have to turn around to know what Belphie was doing…

MC: "Look. I like Beel and you're his twin brother… So I'm willing to let this slide. But if you really want to try me…"

MC: *looks over their shoulder with the glare of a bona fide killer* "I won't hold back."

That was... very persuasive.

The MC brought Belphie down to the others peacefully with his tail between his legs and honestly Lucifer was more relieved that he wasn’t a bloodstain on the floor than he was mad… They could have killed him sooo easily… 

They did, indeed, forgive and forget about the whole “attempted murder” thing, though Belphie was never quite able to shake off how frightening they were in that moment… He had nightmares for a while.

Thankfully, Asmo clued him in that the MC would melt into a harmless puddle of fluff if they got even the slightest bit of physical affection... Oh, the sweet payback he could dish out... It’s cuddle time. 😏

[favefandomimagines]

I Bought A Ring (e.b.)

Summary: Abby’s back and Buck doesn’t know how to handle the news. And neither do you. 

AN: i’m still PISSED that abby came back even if only for an episode, my poor buck was so hurt ): this was something i had deep in my drafts and now that buck is blowing up it seemed like a good time to post it!

there is a buck fic similar to this and i just wanna say that i did not copy or steal the idea. i’ve had this in my drafts for months since season 3 ended so no one stole anyone’s idea! if you wanna check out their fic their username is @lotsoflovefromlea and the fic is titled ‘Second Best’ it’s really really good

You didn’t think you’d have to face the day when Buck’s past came back to haunt him. You were hoping it would stay in the past and you would be his future. But life has a funny way of putting us to the test. 

After the train crash, and Buck saw Abby again, he had been acting distant. Distant enough for you to notice that something was wrong. It wasn’t hard to notice, especially when the two of you live together. 

He would rarely talk when you had the same shift at the 118, there was no conversation during dinner and he’d come to bed long after you had already fallen asleep. 

It had gotten to the point where you didn’t even remember the last time he kissed you or touched you. And you had enough of the maltreatment. 

You exited the shower and saw him standing in the kitchen, leaning against the counter. You walked down the stairs and stood across from him, the tension between the two of you painfully obvious. 

“What’s been going on with you?” You asked, breaking the ice. “What do you mean?” He asked, not meeting your gaze. “Seriously? Buck, you’ve been acting like I killed your dog for three weeks since the train crash. What the hell is going on?” You explained. 

Buck sighed before looking up at you. He knew he couldn’t keep secrets from you. Including ones that could possibly change your relationship. 

“Abby reached out to me. She wanted to meet up to talk.” He said. Buck could tell by the way your right eyebrow was raised and your eyes narrowed that you were not happy. “Really? And you went?” You asked. “Yeah.” Buck answered quietly. 

You laughed bitterly before walking around the counter back towards the stairs. “God, you just can’t seem to let her go, can you?” You started. “It’s been, what? Two years? Two years since she left you for her ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ experience and got engaged? And who was the one who never left your side? Me. It was me, Evan and even now, you can’t seem to realize how terrible she was to you. Face it, you were her midlife crisis and you fell in love with her and never fell back out. All while making me fall in love with you.” You finished. 

Sure you were a tad bit cruel, but it was what he needed to hear. No one wanting to be the one who had to pop his perfect bubble when it came to Abby. 

“I stayed with you when you were suing the department for christ sake! And I can’t do it anymore, Evan.” You added. There it was again. His dreaded first name. The name you never used unless you were beyond angry with him. And he hated hearing it come from your lips. “Y/N, what do you mean?” He asked. 

Fear was coursing through his body as he waited for you to finally leave him. After everything he put you through, Abby was the last straw. 

“I mean, maybe we should take a break. Until you figure out what it is you really want.” You answered. It wasn’t something you wanted nor did you think it would ever happen. “No. No, no, Y/N, don’t do this.” He begged, walking towards you. “I have too. Since she came back, this relationship has been one sided and I don’t deserve that.” You said. 

“Please, Y/N, I love you.” Buck told you. “Do you? Because you have a funny way of showing it.” You replied. You swiftly grabbed your keys and your purse and made a path towards the exit. “So this is it? You’re breaking up with me?” Buck asked, causing you to stop. 

“I don’t want to. But you seem to have unresolved feelings for Abby and you can’t claim to love one person wholeheartedly when you clearly don’t. Figure it out, Buck. But remember who was here when no one else was.” You answered before leaving the house. 

You didn’t know where else to go after you left. So you decided to go to Bobby and Athena’s. Bobby was like a father to you when you joined the 118 and you trusted him more than you trusted most people. 

After trying to straighten yourself up and wipe the tears from your face, you got out of the car and headed to the front door. You knocked a couple of times and waited for the door to open. 

When it did, Athena’s face softened when she saw you and instantly knew something was wrong. “Y/N? What’s wrong? What happened?” She asked, ushering you inside. “I didn’t know where else to go.” You answered. 

Bobby, wondering who was at the door, turned the corner and saw you standing in the entryway. “Y/N, what’s wrong?” He asked. “Buck and I got into a fight. He went to meet up with Abby and he didn’t tell meand I just, I just don’t understand why he won’t let her go. Am I not enough?” You explained. 

Athena shushed you and pulled you into a hug to comfort you. She knew Buck was stubborn but not so much that you felt you had to leave. Bobby was furious. He hated seeing you so upset and he was frustrated with the young man for making you think you weren’t enough for him. 

After a few minutes, Athena made up the guest bedroom for you and said you could stay as long as you needed. But you hoped it wouldn’t have to be for long. 

__

Bobby arrived at the station in search for Buck and found him sulking while Hen and Chimney were grilling him about his mood. “What’s wrong with you today?” Chimney asked. “Him and Y/N got in a fight last night and she walked out on him.” Bobby answered for him. 

Buck looked up at his captain with wide eyes, wondering how he knew about the prior events. “She stayed at mine and Athena’s last night.” He added. Buck let out a sigh of relief, mainly because he was worried sick about you. You didn’t answer a single one of his calls or texts and he didn’t know where you went off to. 

“Why did she walk out on you?” Hen asked. “Because I may have went to meet up with Abby the other day. And apparently I had been acting distant towards Y/N and she confronted me.” Buck explained. “Seriously? You still have feelings for Abby?” Hen asked. “No, Hen-” Buck tried to explain but was interrupted by his coworkers. 

“Y/N is the perfect girl for you and you’re throwing her away for someone who left you?” She continued. “Hen,” Buck started. “You’re stupid but not this stupid.” She said. “Hen! I don’t have feelings for Abby anymore. I wanted to give her a chance to explain why she left and to thank her. Because if she wouldn’t have left, I wouldn’t have met Y/N.” Buck interrupted. 

“And I,” He started before he stopped himself, not sure if he wanted to tell everyone his secret. “You what?” Eddie asked. Buck looked up at his friends before sighing. “I bought a ring.” He answered. “Wait, what?” Chimney asked. “I bought a ring. I was going to propose but then I got all in my head after Abby showed up. I thought Y/N would say no and she’d leave me just like Abby did.” Buck explained. 

The rest of the 118 crew was silent as they looked down at Buck. Hen sat down across from him before speaking. “That girl is head over heels in love with you, Buck. She has been since the first time she met you and the last thing she would do is leave you like Abby did. Though, because of Abby, she felt she had no choice.” She said. 

“I need to get her back. I didn’t even know what to do this morning without her.” Buck said. “When does she come in for her shift?” He asked Bobby. “She was supposed to be here by now. She left before me.” The man answered. 

Before anyone could form a theory about your whereabouts, the bell went off signaling they had a call. 

They soon arrived to the scene of a car accident, one car completely flipped upside down. 

The 118 stopped short, however, when they noticed who’s car was upside down. It was yours that was hit by a guy texting and driving and ran a red light. 

“Y/N?” Buck called, running to the driver side door. “Buck, you’re too close to this.” Bobby stopped him. “We’re all too close to this, Bobby.” Buck rebutted. Bobby looked at Athena and gestured for her to keep Buck away from the scene. “Keep him away from her.” He instructed his. wife. 

Eddie began trying to get the door off and Hen and Chimney noticed you were still conscious, struggling to get out and stay awake. 

“Y/N, can you hear me?” Hen asked. “Yeah. I-I can hear you.” You stammered. “I have a piece of shrapnel between the third and fourth intercostal space. Mild to severe concussion and around three broken ribs, and a possible pulmonary contusion.” You told them. 

Both EMTs were surprised that you could still diagnose and recognize your symptoms while having a concussion and actively bleeding. 

Once the door was off the car, Hen and Chimney set down the backboard and Eddie began cutting your seatbelt. 

“Where’s Buck?” You asked him. “Bobby won’t let him help. He’s too close to this one.” Eddie answered. “Aren’t you all though?” You joked. Eddie laughed dryly as the seatbelt was cut free. “Can you move?” He asked. 

You looked down at the piece of metal from the seat and back up at him. “You have to pull it out.” You told him. “Y/N,” Eddie started. “Eddie, you have to pull it out or I won’t be able to move. I have a concussion, I’m already bleeding and in about five minutes I’m going to pass out. I will slowly bleed out from the inside if I don’t move. Pull the damn thing out.” You snapped. 

Eddie looked at you for a moment before glancing over at Buck, arguing with Athena. As Eddie pulled the piece of metal out of your side, Buck broke free of Athena’s grasp and fell to his friend’s side. 

“Y/N, baby, are you okay?” He asked frantically. “I’m going to pass out in a couple of seconds so I’m sorry, Buck. For what happened last night.” You spoke, your breathing becoming shallower. “Buck we gotta move her.” Eddie told him. 

Your eyes fell closed slowly and the heart rate monitor attached to you started beeping rapidly. “We gotta get her out now.” Hen instructed. Bobby pulled Buck back as he watched in horror while his friends began giving you CPR once they pulled you from the car.

Your heart beat thankfully went back to normal and Chimney and Hen loaded you into the back of the ambulance. 

Buck took the liberty of joining you considering he was your emergency contact, having no other family in LA.

Once the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Buck, Chimney and Hen were forced to stay at the ER bay, not being allowed to go with you. 

Buck watched as the doctors took you away and this quickly became his worst nightmare. What if you didn’t make it? What if the last conversation you had was a fight? 

Bobby’s hand rested on Buck’s shoulder as they all watched you disappear down the hallway. 

__

It had been hours. Hours of the 118 sitting in the waiting room for you to come out of surgery. Buck was a nervous wreck and no amount of consoling from Maddie or Eddie made it any better. He knew she should have told you about meeting with Abby but he was afraid of ruining everything. But not telling you made it ten times worse. 

“Evan Buckley?” A doctor called, alerting the entire crew. “Th-That’s me. I’m Evan Buckley.” Buck replied. “Y/N is going to be okay. We repaired the damage to her lung as well as the other internal damage she received from the car crash. She still had a major concussion and she’ll be out of commission for a while, but she got incredibly lucky.” The doctor explained. 

Buck let out a very visible sigh of relief, as did everyone else. “Can I see her?” Buck asked. “She’s in the ICU so only a couple of people at a time.” The doctor said. “You go, Buck. We’ll see her when she’s moved to a normal room.” Bobby told him. 

He nodded his head and followed the doctor to your room. He saw you lying in the hospital bed, multiple IVs in your hands and arms and an oxygen tube in your nose. 

Your eyes were still closed but he could tell you were awake, though hearing the doctor’s voice alerted you. 

“Y/N, someone’s here to see you.” You turned your head slightly and saw Buck standing in the doorway. “Hi.” You said quietly, your voice still hoarse from the breathing tube in surgery. 

Buck sat in the chair next to you, his eyes red and watering. “I am so sorry, Y/N,” He whispered. “I should have told you about Abby but I met with her to get closure. And to thank her because if she wouldn’t have left me, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you.” He added. 

“It’s okay. I should have let you explained.” You replied. “I have something else to tell you.” Buck said. “Oh no, now what?” You joked. “I bought a ring.” He said. “Like, a ring ring?” You questioned. “Yes, a ring ring.” Buck laughed. “Where is it?” You asked.

Buck let go of your hand for a moment and fished the piece of jewelry out of his pocket.

“You have to put it on for me.” You said. Buck looked at you in disbelief as he smiled, sliding the ring on your left finger. “I’m assuming that’s a yes.” He said. “Of course it is. I’d be stupid to say no to you.” You told him with a smile.

Buck squeezed your hand gently as he looked at the ring on your finger. “I never want to come that close to losing you ever again.” He muttered. “You won’t. I don’t plan on leaving you for a long time.” You said. “Good. Because I really don’t know what I’d do without you.” Buck said. 

He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on your forehead as you looked down at the ring. “You did a good job.” You commented. Buck laughed at your comment, causing a smile to grace your face. “Hen and Maddie helped.” He said. “I figured as much.” You replied. 

The rest of the evening, or whatever time of day you thought it was, Buck stayed by your side. Even when the doctors were running their tests and looking over your condition. After almost losing you, there was no way you were going to get rid of Buck even for a moment. 

[somebodycall911onabc]

Spoon me, you idiot

Post ep4x13 Buddie because my brain is just that episode on loop. Hands up if you're not ready for the season 4 finale, folks. Have some cuddling and love confessions in the meantime.

Buck helps Eddie over the threshold with one hand at Eddie’s elbow and the other pressed against his hip. Eddie’s fine, he’s fine, he’s alive, but he’s exhausted. Pain and shock weigh down his shoulders, make him unsteady on his feet.

Carla breathes in sharply at the sight of him. Then she’s stepping forward, folding Eddie into a soft embrace, pulling his head down cheek to cheek with hers. Buck drags his eyes away from his living, breathing, living friend to find Chris, who’s lying on the couch with his glasses askew, mouth open in sleep. Buck’s heart clenches like a fist. He’s going to remember Chris’s haunted, horrified expression for the rest of his life, the light dying in Chris’s eyes as Buck had to tell him… had to tell him that his dad wasn’t coming home that night.

Buck walks over to Chris and kneels down beside him. He’s pretty sure it’s the first time Chris has slept since he heard about it. The first time in more than 48 hours that the kid’s closed his eyes. Buck brushes the curls back from Chris’s forehead, trying to be gentle, not wanting to wake him.

Eddie gets down next to Buck, their knees pressing together. Buck feels the shudder that runs down Eddie’s spine, feels it echoed in his soul. Buck isn’t the religious type, but he feels like this is another miracle. Years after his first brush with death, Eddie coming home once again to his son.

With a hand on Chris’s shoulder, Eddie murmurs, “hey, my little Superman. Chris, I’m here.”

Chris’s eyes open slowly, reluctantly, until he sees his dad’s face and wakes up all at once.

“Dad!” Chris shouts, hands flying up to attach themselves to Eddie’s face. “Dad!”

Eddie’s smiling, huffing out laughter in pure, unadulterated joy at seeing his son’s delighted expression. Chris is grinning and whooping, falling forward to curl himself into his dad’s chest. Eddie lifts one arm to hold Chris close and buries his face in Chris’s hair.

Buck blinks back tears, feeling relief crash over him. He rubs his eyes and starts to get to his feet, wanting to give the Diaz boys some space, until he feels a tug on his shirt. Eddie’s hand twists in the fabric. He’s not even looking at Buck, head tucked against the curve of Chris’s skull. Buck sinks back down and tentatively puts his arms around the both of them, Chris’s knobbly spine and Eddie’s strong back, his cheek brushing Eddie’s forehead. Buck lets out a breath that trembles like an earthquake.

It feels like home. It feels impossible. It’s what he’s always wanted. It feels like something Buck isn’t allowed to have.

When they finally let go of each other, what could be a minute or a year later, Buck notices Carla standing at the end of the couch. She’s smiling fondly at all of them, and Buck realizes abruptly that this is the first time he’s seen her since the pandemic started. He gets up—although it’d be more fair to say he tears himself away—and moves toward her, and there’s always been something magic about Carla because she takes one look at him and she knows.

“I missed you,” Buck says, his nose smashed into her chin. She’s hugging him like she’s trying to pack Buck down tight and snug him into a little box where she can keep him safe. Or maybe that’s just Buck’s wishful thinking. He’s so goddamn tired.

“I missed you too, Buckaroo,” Carla says, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. Buck swallows the lump in his throat her tenderness causes.

She pulls away and very gently pats his cheek, looking Buck in the eye. “He needs you, you hear?” She whispers, holding that eye contact like she’s bet money on a staring competition. “Take care of each other.”

Buck can only nod.

She lets go of him and Buck shakes himself into standing straight, even though he’d much rather crumple to the floor. But he needs to get Eddie and Chris to bed, he needs to figure out what’s still edible in the kitchen and take out the trash, he needs to call the pharmacy for Eddie’s meds and the station for Eddie’s med leave, he needs to—

“Alright boys, get some rest.” Buck blinks and Carla comes back into focus. She’s addressing all of them, voice firm. “I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow to help out.”

“Thank you, Carla,” Eddie says.

“No need for that.” She bends down to give Eddie a quick hug, and Buck hears her tell him, “just try not to get on the bad side of any more sniper-rifle-wielding nut jobs, alright?”

Eddie’s reply is somewhere between a laugh and a choked-back sob.

Buck walks Carla to the door. Before she leaves, she looks at him, sharp-eyed and commanding again. “You call me if you need anything. Anything. You look just as bad as he does.”

“I’ll be fine. Thanks, Carla.”

She narrows her eyes at him, but this is what Buck has always been best at. He wades through the hurt and the pain and just keeps going. He gives her a tight smile, reminds himself that he wasn’t the one shot (no, just the one sprayed with Eddie’s blood, he can still feel it on his skin, still taste it on his lips), and closes the door behind her.

Getting Chris and Eddie to bed is easy. Buck lifts Chris up, carries him to Eddie’s room, and pulls the covers over both the Diaz boys. Eddie tries to catch Buck’s eye while Buck leaves the room, but if Buck stops moving then he’s not sure when or if he’ll start again. Buck pulls the bedroom door most of the way closed, leaving a tiny crack in case Eddie or Chris need him in the night.

In the kitchen, the clock on the stove informs him that it’s just past 9 pm. It’s jarringly early. It feels like time doesn’t really exist, that he’s been moving in a place defined by the hours since Eddie dropped, the hours since Eddie went into surgery, the hours since Eddie woke up.

Buck opens the fridge and looks into it without seeing anything, like when you’re reading only to realize that three pages have gone by without you remembering a single word. He closes the fridge door and opens it again, and oh, there’s the carton of milk and bottle of ketchup on the top shelf, the egg carton down to its last egg, a container of left-over fried rice from… was it yesterday? Buck folds back the top flap and sniffs it, decides it will be fine for one of the boys to eat when they get up.

He closes the fridge and investigates the pantry next. Two boxes of spaghetti, a can of beans, three cans of chicken noodle soup, an unopened bag of quinoa that is probably the result of Ana because Buck’s not sure Eddie has ever heard of quinoa—like he’s taking inventory of the truck. Thermal blankets, C-spine collar kit, 3L of sterile water, 3L sodium chloride, hug-a-bear. The 118 has a blue elephant courtesy of Athena. Buck could honestly really use it right now.

Buck runs a hand through his hair and pulls out his phone, planning to make a grocery list. He sees two missed calls from Bobby and eight from Maddie. One from Chim. Hen texted him at 4pm: How you holding up?

Buck very slowly puts the phone down.

He takes a step back and grips the edge of the kitchen counter. Breathe, Buck, he thinks. Just breathe.

His vision is spotty when he opens his eyes, like he’d shut them too tight. He doesn’t remember shutting them. It doesn’t matter. Buck finds a scrap of paper in the recycling bin and a pen from the junk drawer and writes a list. It’s late, so he’ll go to the grocery store in the morning, early, make sure breakfast is on the table for when Eddie and Chris get up. Oh fuck, does he have a shift tomorrow? What day is it?

Buck puts down the pen and presses the heels of his palms to his eyes. He can’t do this. He can’t stand here and pretend like he can take care of Eddie because he can’t stop seeing Eddie die. It’s in the back of his head every moment, it’s what he sees every time he closes his eyes, it’s the memory rewritten by his cells as they multiply and decay, it’s in his fucking genome now or whatever they call it—

it’s in the air he breathes, the reminder that for a moment that lasted an eternity, Eddie’s heart had stopped beating.

It’s a loud silence. Deafening.

Buck thinks, take a breath before you pass out, idiot.

Buck thinks, get a glass of water and pull yourself together.

Buck thinks, your best friend just got shot, you don’t have time for this bullshit.

Buck peels his hands away from the counter slowly, carefully, like if he makes one wrong move he’ll come away with flayed palms. He pours himself a glass of water and makes himself drink the whole thing. He picks up the list he wrote and reads it over and over and over. He thinks: what do I know is true? I’m standing in Eddie’s kitchen. I’m alive. Eddie is alive. And: I should get carrots.

Buck hiccups. Carrots—fucking—

No. Get it together. DAMN IT, Buck!

Buck bites the inside of his cheek until it bleeds and does not add carrots to the grocery list. Because apparently they cause emotional breakdowns, and Buck can’t afford one.

He puts himself to work. He ties the trash bag and then he wipes down the counters, and then he unties the trash bag to throw some paper towels in. He transfers the dishes from the sink to the dishwasher, quiet as he can, and locates a broom at the back of Eddie’s hall closet to sweep the floor.

When he’s emptying the dust pan into the trash (he’d tied and untied the bag again, but nobody’s counting, so what does it matter), Eddie says: “Are you OK?”

Buck jumps at least three feet in the air. He’s got the quads for it.

“Hey!” Buck whisper-shouts, turning to face Eddie. “What are you doing up?”

“Was wondering where you were.”

“Uh,” Buck looks around at the spotless kitchen and the broom in his hand. “Just, you know. Thought I’d be of service.”

Eddie raises his eyebrows at him. “Buck, the last thing I’m worried about is the state of my kitchen.”

“Right. That’s why I’m taking care of it. You know, so you don’t uh. You don’t have to.”

“OK.” Eddie squints at him like maybe a closer look will explain why Buck is sweeping his kitchen at 9:45pm three days after he got shot in the street in broad daylight. Buck sincerely hopes he doesn’t figure it out. He leans the broom against the counter and clips the dust pan to it in a rare display of tidiness. The pan slides down the broom handle until it hits the floor.

“When’s the last time you slept?”

Buck shrugs.

“Answer, please.”

God, what a dad.

(Not that Buck would know.)

“Uh… I think I got a few hours while you were in surgery.”

“That was two days ago, Buck,” Eddie says, frowning at him. “You look like a stiff breeze could knock you over.”

“Well, we’re inside.”

“Why are you being so stubborn? You need to sleep.”

“I’m just not really feeling it,” Buck says, folding his arms and resting his hip against the counter.

“Not giving you a choice,” Eddie says, looking extra grumpy because he can’t fold his arms. Unless you count the one in a sling as folded.

“I’m fine, Eddie. Don’t worry about me. You should be with Christopher.”

Eddie lifts his hand to his face and rubs his temples.

“Buck,” he says, “the only thing I need you to do right now is come to bed.”

“But I—“

“Come to bed, Buck.”

And it’s the repetition. It’s the look in Eddie’s eyes like a slow, early flame: the promise of a fire.

Buck’s throat is very, very dry.

“I… yeah. OK.”

Eddie gives him a small smile. Buck’s reeling. Because here’s the thing—they’ve shared a bed before. They’ve shared a too-small bunk at the station and a backseat and even a beanbag once (courtesy of a very poor decision on Buck’s part, but at least Chris likes it). But it’s always been “just bros.” It’s always been necessity. It’s been about efficiency and familiarity. Which maybe Buck is reading this all wrong and snuggling up with your best friend and his son after a near-death experience is totally no homo but… come to bed. Come to bed. Like it’s their bed. Like Buck belongs there.

Buck’s ears are ringing while he follows Eddie down the hallway to his bedroom. Their bedroom? He’s losing it.

The hallway light illuminates a strip of the room as they step inside. Buck can see Chris tucked in the sheets, curled into the rumpled spot where Eddie slid out to fetch Buck. This has to mean something, right? They’ve been dancing around and on the edge of something for so long, Buck doesn’t know how to interpret anything anymore. He loves Eddie, though. And probably the only way he’ll sleep right now is if Eddie’s in arm’s reach. So it doesn’t really matter what this is, because Buck will take any scrap of Eddie he can get, not just tonight, but always.

Eddie slips into the bed and scoots forward, leaving a space behind for Buck. Chris makes a heavy, sleepy sound and turns his head into his dad’s shoulder. Carefully, so, so carefully, Buck lowers himself onto the bed and fills the space Eddie made for him.

“What are you doing?” Eddie asks, exasperated.

Buck blinks at the ceiling. “What?”

“Idiot,” Eddie mutters. “Spoon me.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Buck, this bed is small enough as it is with one person. I know you’re hanging half off it right now.”

“You’re not even looking at me.”

“Call it intuition,” Eddie says, dry as the desert.

Buck gingerly turns on his side, his chest just a breath away from Eddie’s back. “I…” He swallows. “Where should I put my arm?”

“Buck, you must have done this before.”

“That’s your bad arm, Eds.”

Eddie shifts a little, his calf coming into contact with Buck’s shin. Buck breaks into a cold sweat.

“Shit, well… under the sling, then. Around my waist?”

Dry, dry, his throat is so dry.

Buck lifts his arm up and drapes it over Eddie’s waist. He shuffles in closer, pressing them together from head to toe. His nose is in Eddie’s hair, his dick is nestled in the curve of Eddie’s ass, his ankles are knocking into Eddie’s. Buck feels like he might reverberate out of his skin.

“You sure you wouldn’t rather have Ana here?” Buck whispers. His mouth is like, one inch from Eddie’s ear.

Eddie turns his head a little, so his ear actually brushes Buck’s lip. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Eddie says, “There’s no one in this world I want here more than you.”

Buck stutters on his next breath.

“I wish it’d been me,” he says, suddenly. Eddie has to know. Eddie probably already knows. Buck’s grateful, so goddamn grateful, that Eddie survived. And sure, part of it is that self-deprecating shit he’s been working through with this therapist: Eddie has more to live for, Eddie has a kid, Eddie is a better man than I’ll ever be. But mostly, it’s far simpler than that.

If Eddie had died, the sniper may as well have shot Buck too. Because Buck doesn’t know how to live without Eddie. He’d found that out ages ago, when he lost Eddie under fifty feet of mud and water.

Eddie’s next words are nearly a growl. “The only good thing to come out of all this,” he says, “is that you didn’t get hurt.”

“What are you—“

“After it happened, when I was… when I was lying there, I—I looked at you. I looked at you, Buck, and I was terrified. Not because I might die, but because if I did, who was going to protect you? Who was going to keep a sniper off your self-sacrificing, heroic ass, and make sure someone came home to Chris? Who was—“ Eddie cut himself off with a sigh. “I was worried about you.”

Buck feels like… like an unbroken, empty tundra. Like a fried electric socket. Like someone dropped him to the very bottom of a very deep well.

“Eddie, Eddie I—“

“Shh,” Eddie murmurs, as Buck shakes apart. As he bends his head to hide his tears in the nape of Eddie’s neck. As he bites his tongue to stay quiet and not wake Chris up. Eddie presses backward into Buck’s hold. “I know, I know.”

“I can’t lose you,” Buck grits out between several halting breaths.

“You won’t,” Eddie says.

“I almost did.”

“You had my back.” Buck’s throat makes an awful, wheezing sound as he fights a losing battle against crying. “You got me out of there. You saved me.”

“I love you,” Buck says, losing the fight against that too.

“Buck… I…” Eddie sounds like someone knocked the wind out of him.

“Sorry,” Buck hurries to say, chest icing over with panic. “Sorry I just—“

“I love you,” Eddie interrupts. “I do. I know it took me a long time to realize, but… I’ve been in love with you, Buck.”

“Oh my god,” Buck says. I mean, what else do you say to that? No wonder Eddie froze up. Buck is in shock. “Is this real?”

“I hope so,” Eddie says. “And if it isn’t, then I’ll just have to tell you when we wake up.”

Buck feels fit to burst with more emotions than he can name. Relief, joy, fear, disbelief, pin-prickly. It feels like another miracle.

“Deal,” Buck says. And places a kiss to the fatal, devastating spot behind Eddie’s ear.

Eddie is the first thing Buck sees when he wakes up. “Good morning” are the first words he hears.

And then:

“Just so you know, I love you.”

[lovecolibri]

The people that're defending this cheating SL I noticed use a lot the but they aren't going to be endgame. And well yes, I think nobody is worried about this but can we be mad that buck is going to be in another relationship that we already know won't work? Or about the fact that they're making him like anyother protagonist of a cw TV shows? Because in the last 2 years a part for runnig after skirts what did buck really do?

Sorry part 2, I know they're saying lucy is going to regress him, but nobody in the interviews is saying that, everything is how lucy is this wonderful character and how buck likes having her around. Imo after what arielle said I see them doing the will/won't they thing until the finale where as b/t 2.0 they'll decide to give it a try, and I'll be mad because is it possible that buck can't stay single for 3 episodes?

Yeah, I totally get your frustration! I don't think anyone thinks they'll be endgame and even if that was KR's original plan, there is NO way the general audience will accept her sticking around. She's been around for maybe 5 minutes of screen time, but with all those interviews pushing her (WAY more than any other side character got hyped up) and how her introduction happened, everyone is sick of her already. So I doubt she'll be around after this season ends. If she is, it will be tay kay all over again and it'll just be a matter of time.

But she doesn't need to be an "endgame" love interest to be a love interest. That title simply means someone that is not a platonic friend, not that they'll be seriously together or even date. But they've already kissed, so she's not a platonic relationship for Buck. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think Buck has grown a lot, and season 4 saw him in therapy and dealing with his family stuff and being there for Eddie. 5a though...what did ANYONE really do in 5a? Maddie and Chim left, we got the briefest hint about Hen's medical school arc, Eddie broke up with his gf and had panic attacks but we barely saw him or anything from his POV after that until 5x10, Buck was isolated in his loft looking miserable with his gf 90% of the time, Bobby was....around, Athena and Harry had a whole thing but SO much time was spent on Jeffery and him being a creep, rather than on them. (Sidebar, we know that 5x02 was supposed to be the end of that, but KR stretched it out into 2 episodes meaning 5x03 took the space of a whole other episode we could have had instead of....whatever TF that was that we suffered through in 5x03. So again, her insistence that they were short on footage and that's why they used a cheaper actress like MW so much sounds like more excuses rather than accepting that she as the showrunner chose to focus on the wrong things, and people were unhappy with the results because it's clearly not the show anyone fell in love with.) Like....5a was an inconsistent mess, and the cast and crew and KR have all said so. But it's because she keeps focusing on the wrong things, and these rando white woman side characters, but not even really, because we didn't even see ANYTHING from tay kay's POV for her "backstory" it was all told through Buck's encounters with her, but also we didn't see much inside his head either!

KR has made it clear she doesn't particularly care for the deep, meaningful talks between characters that resolve the dramatic moments, and that? THAT is the heart of the show. THAT is what sets it apart from other procedurals and teen dramas. The drama isn't the point, the drama is what leads to these beautiful character moments! I was SO excited to see Buck and Chim have a moment to talk, come to a mutual understanding and mutual apology, and hug things out, but apparently, they already did that off screen when Buck called him about Maddie being in Boston, despite the fact that after that, Chim mentioned still being upset and not talking to Buck so 🤷🏻‍♀️. I was excited to see Buck and Eddie talk about The Will of it all, and that Speed rescue call had SUCH Buddie foreshadowing vibes, but she's said she didn't think the will was a big deal, it was definitely nothing but platonic (Tim is the one that wrote the scene and put it in her episode), and that it likely isn't going to come up again. I'm hopeful with the PTSD thing we'll get to talk about the shooting but I'm trying not to hold my breath for that either, considering the ONLY reason we got Buck and Chris talking about what happened is because Tim insisted it was important and wrote it and again put it into KR's episode.

And I'm soooooo sick of the "showrunners always lie and they won't reveal big things in the interviews" line. Like, yes they aren't going to spoil things, but there are ways to tease things, and hide things without flat out lying, saying the opposite is going to happen, or something is NEVER going to happen. I don't think the interviews are the gospel truth, and things may change between when an interview is given and when the episodes come out, but I don't think they can entirely be written off as lies either. I said it before, no one wants to publish an interview they know is fully lies, and if all the interviews were always lies, they wouldn't do them anymore because what would be the point? And as you said, all the interviews have promoted L as just the coolest thing to ever come to the 118, beloved by all, and someone that makes Buck feel alive again, and given what we know about KR and what she prioritizes, I don't think it's senseless to be worried.

HOWEVER, I don't think things are entirely hopeless either. I mean, tay kay and Buck supposedly brought out the best in each other and balanced each other out and that....is not at all what happened in season 5, likely because people did not like her character and were pissed that the season ended with her and Buck getting together. So by the time 5a rolled around, their relationship was already fractured and shown to be unfulfilling and it just went downhill from there. And the casual viewers are already sick of L, and baffled at why she was even brought on and especially why there are pics of her being around after Eddie gets back. And given that her major role is going to be working emergency calls, I don't think they'll be able to cut much of her out and people will continue to hate her and be more and more sick of her the longer she is around taking up screentime from the main characters when, even IF they are doing Buck spiraling in the middle of Eddie and Maddie both spiraling, she wasn't really needed to push him for that, as you could easily make the argument that Buck has been on the brink since the shooting.

Season 3 had both Eddie and Buck entirely single with not even a whiff of a love interest going on, and that's still one of the best seasons the show has done, and you didn't really notice they weren't having relationship drama because there was so much other stuff, GOOD, captivating stuff, going on. Maybe after 2 seasons of failed experiments with new love interests for them, they should take a step back, and get back to the heart of the show and let them be single for a bit. (Ideally, this means putting someone else in charge of running the day to day if Tim doesn't want to go back to being the sole showrunner full time for OG and co for LS. After a season 4 that felt off and an inconsistent season 5, it's probably time to re-evaluate.)

[readinginthereadyroom]

let’s talk about christopher and santa claus for a minute. 

because the thing is. that kid is a national treasure and possibly magic. because he has santa’s ear. direct line to christmas miracles. 

and the best part is. it’s canon. 

but before we get to that. we need to talk about eddie being scared of santa when he was a kid. about the difference in eddie and christopher’s childhoods.

because eddie’s childhood lacked magic. santa wasn’t a right jolly old elf with a red suit and a belly laugh. just a creepy guy with a fake beard who smelled bad. a stranger he was forced to go see. that scared him so much he got sick. twice.

christopher’s childhood tho. filled with magic. when he was little and not feeling well (maybe around one of his surgeries?) and missing eddie. shannon caves. tries to cheer chris up with a giant tree for the backyard. but we didn't have enough ornaments to cover it, so we just loaded it up with lights and ribbon. I got the sleeping bags out, and we laid under it, just staring up at the branches for hours.

which is the most magical thing I’ve ever heard.

so really it’s no surprise that christopher believes in the magic of christmas. the power of santa. miracles and the christmas spirit. 

because christopher only asked for one thing that christmas. one very specific gift. not toys. not candy. he just wants his dad. w-when you were gone, I asked santa for you to come back, and you did.

which makes me wonder what time of year it was when eddie’s helicopter was shot down. did he arrive home in time for the holidays? with his wrist in a cast and his arm in a sling and propped up by a cane. wounded but alive. home for the holidays. which is all that would matter to little christopher. that dad’s back. dad’s staying. forever.

and since christopher’s wish came true before. since santa came thru before. why wouldn’t it work again? because christopher’s got his dad. a new life, in a new city, with a new best friend. and everything is perfect. everything except the lack of shannon. christopher misses his mom. so he forgoes toys and candy once again. goes with eddie and buck to see santa. I asked him to find mom. will he?

the answer is yes. because she’s already back. has been for a while. eddie’s just been reluctant to let shannon see christopher. because he’s scared she’ll break his heart if she decided to leave again. because eddie doesn’t believe in magic. and I think that includes happily ever afters. 

but christopher believes in magic and wishes. and eddie knows that. and he’ll do everything in his power to keep it that way. cause he loves christopher more than himself. loves that he believes in magic and miracles and santa.

because it allows eddie to believe thru christopher. just for a second. but seconds accumulate. grow. build. into something magical all eddie’s own.

so they get another giant tree. cover it in ribbons and lights. turn the floor into a wrapping paper treasure map for christopher to follow into the front yard. where shannon is waiting. mommy! mommy! I missed you so much. I knew Santa could do it again.

and then so much happens. by the time next christmas rolls around shannon has died and christopher’s survived a tsunami. and eddie has to work thru the holiday. buck too. christmas is ruined. 

we don’t see chris talking about santa this year. or to santa. I think that’s probably on purpose. this year is about the absence of christmas spirit. and how that absence radiates out into their lives. chris storming away. giving eddie the silent treatment. buck saying he’s working too.

missing pieces. lack of communication. absent people.

but you cannot convince me that when the holidays go awry. that christopher won’t turn to his old pal santa to fix this particular problem. that he won’t ask for another christmas miracle. that his family can be together for the holidays. christopher and his dad and his buck. it tracks with christopher’s history.

and the thing is. santa comes thru. via buck. who plans a surpise holiday party at the 118. ropes athena and maddie into gathering their friends and family all together. throws the biggest holiday party in the history of the firefam.

and now I’m thinking the s5 holiday episode would be the perfect time for buddie to go canon. buck and eddie have been getting closer since their begins eps. they’ve both grown as people. tried other relationships. neither of which work out. both of which they choose to end. 

actually, yes. I am into this. and here’s how it happens:

the sniper and the blackout puts things in perspective. which leads to eddie to breaking up with ana. buck realizes where his priorities are and he breaks up with taylor soon after. that’s when the shoulder bumps and playful banter starts to ramp up. they’ve always been in each other’s space and at each other’s homes. now it’s just more. buck and eddie become buck&eddie. 

there’s no big declaration or passionate kiss. 911 doesn’t really do that. what we will get is a buddie hug after a too-close call that lingers a little too long. and eddie doing his sustained eye contact thing. and buck reciprocating with his eye flutter thing. then eddie reaching with his hands. then buck’s blinding smile. then...

END CREDITS. because it’ll hurt so good. 

mid-way thru the next ep we’ll get confirmation in the form of carla. she’ll stumble over buck coming out of eddie’s room. there will be a little light teasing. it’s about time interspereced with domestic fluff. they will keep it to themselves for now. 

and then eddie’s parents guilt trip him into going to texas for the holidays. buck has a christmas eve shift, but has christmas day off. and plans with maddie, chim, albert, and the hans for jee-yun’s first christmas. plus holiday dinner with athena and bobby’s family. he’s not going to be alone. 

doesn’t feel that way tho.

and then there’s a scene at the airport that mirrors the end of s1. only instead of abby leaving it’s eddie and christopher. with buck and eddie both pretending to be okay. neither of them are. 

cue eddie in texas. where everything goes wrong. of course it does. helena and ramon keep making jabs about how eddie’s raising christopher. they will never think he’s enough. even worse they don’t treat christopher like an autonomous person. but a consolation prize. a parenthood do-over.

and eddie’s miserable. christopher’s miserable. they both miss buck.

there’s definitely a firefighter santa involved. a lesson about family being who you chose. christopher won’t stop talking about last christmas at the station. about buck.

which is why. when everything comes to a head over christmas eve dinner. eddie makes an executive decision. books a red-eye flight and bundles him and christopher off to the airport. 

buck’s out on a call when eddie and christopher arrive. it was only a 2 hr flight but it’s still really late. they both conk out on the sofas. and that’s where buck spots them when the trucks pull into the station. he’s doesn’t go all the way over to them. just watches them from afar. like he’s always done. 

until eddie wakes up. sees him watching. reaches his hand out to buck and drags him into their space. physically connects the three of them. kisses his hand. merry christmas buck. 

neither buck or eddie notice that chris is also awake. watching them with a mischieveous smile on his face. because christopher believes in magic. the christmas spirit. santa claus. and apparently santa claus believes in christopher because that man has granted each and every one of his wishes.

dad. mom. family. buck. 

christopher has been slowly building his own family. via christmas miracles and the help of his good friend santa claus. 

outside the window it starts snowing.

and it feels like magic. 

[percabethfeelsfandom]

How I’d rate the Gods/Goddesses(riordanverse)

This is my rating based off the way Rick Riordan portrayed them in the Riordanverse. The traditional myths have been taken into account but do not make up my entire opinion. 

Hestia:

10/10 would give my life for this goddess. In all aspects of the word, this goddess is a goddess. I want a novella of her watching over the hearth and watching out for her family and the heroes. I imagine her being a very comforting presence and warm like a hug, and maybe this is me projecting my mummy issues but I just want her to hug me. 

Dionysus:

A solid 7.35/10 for Mr D. Naturally he was a bit annoying, but we were never under the pretence that he he was meant to be anything more than what he provided and I respect that. Him caring about his kids at camp, and staying relatively loyal to his wife is always a plus. And I like his relatively humble beginnings being a hero and becoming a god and then not causing that much trouble in the series. Unlike some other pieces of shit. 

Hermes:

4/10. Mans had no right blaming Luke’s thirst for mass genocide on 16 year old Annabeth. Not cool man. Not cool. He gets the points he got because he did genuinely care about Maia, and Luke, but he lost the rest of them by having a blatant favourite (who literally caused so much destruction). However I do still like his line about family in sea of monsters and never giving up on them. Nice meaning. But he was still a shitty father and only intervened out of self interest most of the time. 

Aphrodite:

2/10. I hate how low I have to rank her. But my god did Rick do her dirty in his depiction. Just the misogyny, the lack of depth, and the untouched potential she has as a character, as a goddess, THE OLDEST GOD/GODDESS and Rick really made her throw rose petals around the battle fields on one of (what was meant to be) the biggest fights of the riordanverse. Absolute robbery. If I’m not mistaken as well, she was a huge contributor to the issues and obstacles percabeth went through and we do not Stan. HOWEVER, I love her as a goddess normally, and what she could represent if she’s written properly. 

Hephaestus:

8/10. I have no qualms with this man. I too prefer the company of inanimate objects to people and get stressed about social interaction. And I too have mummy issues. So me and Hephaestus are on the same page. Let this man tinker away in his little bunker. He never went out of his way to make things harder for demigods, and was helpful when they came to him for help which I can also respect. (Point deduction because it was on his land that Bianca died…if I��m not mistaken). 

Ares:

-12/10. This man was introduced as a bully, and gives off the vibes of every phobic, known to humanity. I do not vibe. I do not agree. I do not stan. ALSO his motorbike seat is apparently made from "Caucasian human skin”!!!!!!???? We as children never questioned this? We just went sure aight move on?! Please this man has the biggest small dick energy if I ever saw it and I despite him so much. Mans was also never helpful. Ever. I don’t think. I think Mars was better than him though so I’ll give him that. 

Artemis:

9.99/10 all hail queen of the lesbians. Mad respect to this woman. In what she stands for, who she protects and in her actions. She’s what I embody when I stand up for myself in fights and when I speak to have my voice heard. I like Rick’s depiction of her and I love seeing her and her hunters pop up in his books. Would love a couple books on the hunters and their adventures. Also I love archery. And I’m biased to the moon because I love the night so she gets extra points for all of that too. 

Apollo:

Prior to Trials of Apollo 7/10, after TOA 9.90/10. Yes it’s a big jump but my god did Lester grow on me. Prior to TOA he was pretty average. He was funny, always provided a good laugh to the plot and was always helping the demigods which I loved. But I know he’s an asshole full of himself so I can’t give him any higher than that until he had some character development, which we got in TOA (specifically after Burning Maze). And I really like who he is now and the type of character Rick shaped him out to be. In the myths he’s a big creep, and I still stand by that idea, hence why he doesn’t get a full 10. 

Athena:

3.5/10…ughhh I hate to say this. But part of it is the same reasoning I gave about Aphrodite. I just have so many issues with the way she’s portrayed and it’s not accurate to what I believe in my heart she should represent. And as a child of Athena, I feel like Rick then did her entire legacy dirty. She has her moments, but since I can’t even fully recall one right now, it just proves my point. As a goddess as a whole though, what she represents is everything I aspire to be in life. She’s my entire aesthetic of hard work, creativity, and strength and grit, without taking away of being a powerful female. Zeus’ lead strategist like shit, Rick could have done so much. But he did not. And I am thus sad about it. 

Demeter:

6/10. I have no issues with Demeter. Kinda boring. I think that’s what most of the fandom thinks as well. She just didn’t get enough screen time or development. I have no attachment to her. I think the powers that she has, and has passed on to her kids is cool though so there’s that. But in the series as well she doesn’t do much. She also (initially) doesn’t fight in the battle of Manhattan so maybe I’m slightly bitter there. But yeah, i’m indifferent. 

Hades:

8.99/10 Okay so hear me out I know this man gets so much bad rep in the myths and that’s part of why he doesn’t get a full 9. But I really really love the way he’s depicted in the riordanverse, especially with his entire arc with his kids/specially with Nico. Like literally one of my favourite quotes In the entire series is “my children are so rarely happy, I would like to see you be the exception.” Out of the gods listed here (and excluding Dionysus), he acts like a genuine parent to his kids and tries. And like there’s issues, sure, but he works on them. And since so much of the first series is about how the gods are neglectful, seeing him change and seeing him fight for Nico is my everything. 

Poseidon:

7.1/10. Honestly this feels too high considering mans was nearly If not just as bad as Zeus in keeping it in his dam pants. His points come from treating Sally like the queen she is, and trying with Percy (albeit too little too late but I can see the minimal effort). That being said, he’s really shitty in the myths so I can’t really give him anything higher than this. He’s barely a dad, and sees Percy more as an ally than an actual son or human being that needs attention. I like him more in Fanon and the way that I write him lmao because I humanise him. But I won’t lie he’s dilf material, and I still like rick’s depiction of him. 

Hera:

3/10 I’m surprising myself with this rating because tbh I might even push her to 4.5 just because she’s so consistent in her own goals and agenda, and that perseverance is very admirable even if it was at the cost of some of my favourite characters. She was very much two faced though and fucked around stuff that she should have stayed out of. Her hatred for literal children though is a bit problematic. I have no attachment to her but I admire how much she just wants a family. However she just really needs to assess how she approaches that since it’s a bit messed up.  

Zeus:

-5/10 I really don’t Zeus, his character, him in the myths, everything about him. He gives off the vibes of a man who abuses the power that he was given. And I don’t like that. It makes me uncomfortable and I don’t like him at all. His treatment of his children, of the demigods, and the way he governs Olympus. Not a fan. I could rule Olympus better and I’m a mentally unstable, serotonin deficient 20 year old with a hyper fixation on greek mythology and Minecraft. However despite not liking his character, I think Rick does a great job at depicting him accurately to how he was in the myths.