#between tia pepa

[allaboutthatshowmanlife]

The reason the fake dating trope works so well for buddie is because even canonically they are both that brand of fucking stupid where they think it’d actually work

[daniclaytcn]

the thing that's so infuriating about 7x10's ending for eddie and chris is that it quite literally hinges on the most bonkers, unhinged set of circumstances and all the characters acting kinda insane for it to even work and not fall apart. you have the insane dead wife doppelganger thing which would never happen in real life but HAD to happen now so that eddie would start doing things he'd never dream of doing otherwise. you have kim doing something that no normal person would do; showing up at eddie's house and role-playing as shannon, all so that chris would catch them, see her, and be angry with eddie. all of ramon's character development? gone. helena is practically a caricature; i know she wasn't great, but i also refuse to believe that she was so bad that she would whisk her grandson away to texas without even giving him and eddie a moment and not even check in on eddie's well-being. chris can't say a word about how he's feeling, of course, because the minute a line of communication is opened up between him and eddie, there's immediately a chance of them resolving this without going to extremes, and, well. we can't have that. tia pepa and abuela, the members of eddie's family who would actually stick up for him and try to mediate? nowhere to be found despite the fact that we know they're in LA.

and that's without even getting into the logistics of how insane it is for chris to pack up in a day and move to a DIFFERENT STATE! indefinitely! what happens when school starts? is he gonna forgo his fancy private school in LA for a public school in texas? what about doctors' visits? health insurance? what happens if there's an emergency and his grandparents obviously can't take legal decisions on his behalf because they're not his legal guardians? this is SO insane and you can see how little thought went into it.

[watchyourbuck]

Oh god okay here we go

Why must I go into heavy detail you ask? Well, I am actually unable to shut up so here it is them 10 TOP “there’s no chance this is a straight friendship” MOMENTS

“You can have my back any day” aka the enemies to lovers speedrun. The immediate feeling we’re supposed to get from the screen is jealousy. Buck is jealous of the new recruit because he’s hot, a medic, a veteran, whatever. I’ll give it to you children, he WAS jealous. But then they go on call and they get into immediate danger bc 911 is a drama and then Eddie’s very keen on being Buck’s partner. Nothing queer til then right? WRONG. Eddie’s line is pretty normal but the way Buck reacts isn’t. I have had my fair share of “huh this person I didn’t like is actually cool” moments but nEVER have I once sucked in a breath, forgot how to blink, rushed in my words OR stared at said person like I’d like for them to be my lover. Three points to Gayfindor.

“Is your son REALLY the reason you don’t date?” This line and the dialogue that follows makes absolutely no sense from the non-queer glass. Alright he asks bc he wants to know why two girls practically launched themselves at him and he declined (such a kind offer lmao) but… why are you standing so close? Why do you bump shoulders with him as you walk? Most importantly, what the FUCK does Eddie’s smirk mean after “they’re not my type either… not anymore.” Idk about you guys but when I’m not on the market I’m actually not in it 😀 and I don’t go around looking at my best friend like I’d consider fucking her (I’m actually kinda yikes about that thought bc she’s like my sister). Bottom line is: if you’re willing to fuck your best friend, there’s attraction. That scenes oozes attraction and I’d be willing to white glove challenge a body language reader.

The Tsunami. YES okay, there are far many moments in between but I also need to make this a somewhat readable list so here we go. We’re gonna pretend for a hot second Buck wants to save his best friend’s son, and not the child that he considers his own bc I’m tired. Let’s skip to the far end of this (be GrAtEfuL I’m skipping the whole sacrifice that this episode entailed. Buck was willing to die, to never sit down again if it meant looking for Chris [& the utter fear he has to face Eddie]. It’s a lot). Now, I do not OWN a child (thank god) but if I did, I wouldn’t be particularly comfortable with a simple friend from work taking care of them. They could be my very best friend from work and I’d still feel a little icky -at least nervous- about it. Yet Eddie not only takes Christopher back A F T E R the tsunami (Chris could’ve died and Eddie is nothing short of apprehensive), but he says ‘there’s no one I trust with my son more than you’. Um. Not his wife. Not his family (CHRIS’ family), not Abuela, not Tia Pepa. Buck. Who he… just met? Surely it isn’t bc he’s uncle buck… I don’t believe even Maddie has said that to Buck, where he’s actually, yknow, UNCLE BUCK. Co-parenting is not something done between a parent and a friend, and I know this shit bc my mom raised me with a few of her friends and guys,,, she never said that to any of them. Also Chris is practically never seen with anyone else from the 188firefam alone.

The Kitchen Scene™️. I have gone on rants about this before but truth be told THIS is the scene that conveys the MOST canonically sexual tension between them. We can joke about it all y’all want but this scene is unhinged. I don’t think Oliver and Ryan were aware that they should’ve been friends in this scene. The way the conversation shifts from apologetic sad puppy eyes to “you’re throwing your punches at the wrong guy” to I CAN TAKE YOU (???) you can what? “Oh you think?” “Oh I know” HELLO? Pls don’t even get me started on how Buck approaches Eddie, the way he’s puffy-chested, his hand on his belt, eyeing him up and down, nearly biting his lip, cocky grin,,,,, explain to me in hetero. I’m waiting😐 guys c’mon exPLAIN IT TO ME IN HETERO. The way Eddie glances to the side bc where’s Chris? And h o w he sips his beer right after, smirking, tiLTING His head. I’m sorry this is not straight in any way. I’m sorry you’re gonna have to accept this.

Clipboard Buck. Alright u got me!!! This one’s a lil silly, but so is my life, so it’s fair game. Clipboard Buck is annoying as fuck, he’s so fucking annoying. The entire firefam picks up on this, no one wants to be around,,,, except Eddie. You could argue that it’s bc he likes him as a friend and he’s just indulging …. 👁️👄👁️ sure but he also hides from Interim Captain Han soooo anyway what’s fun about this is how willing Eddie is to comply with everything he says. He’s basically twirling his hair, kicking his feet, smiling & blushing and “check!” 🧍🏽‍♀️ buck is kinky (that is canon e.g the ring cutter) and he gets high on authority and Eddie does backflips to meet his kinks. Exhibit 5 complete.

The Lawsuit Arc acka the first divorce era😔✊🏼. This one makes me rage a little bit because I get really upset at Buck for acting recklessly. Like baby let yourself HEAL. Anyway,,,, onto what brings us here 🥷🏼. It’s canon that the entire team is mad at Buck, they don’t really wanna bump into him, can’t really speak to him,,, but Eddie? Eddie’s filled with wrath. I cannot stress enough the fact that he uses Chris as an excuse “do you even know how much he misses you? how could you! you’re not here”. The way he expresses himself, and we’re choosing to ignore the fact that he HIMSELF misses Buck,, that’s how you talk to someone who has a responsibility with the child, not the fun coworker that randomly shows up @ your house with pizza every once in a while. “I couldn’t even call you to bail me out of jail”. He’s so u p s e t that for the first time they know each other he can’t rely on Buck when he’s hurting and in danger. And pls for the love of Jesus Christ my lord & savior don’t tell me that it’s a 118 thing bc he calls Ronda Rousey to come pick him up 🎅🏻 that grocery store scene is.. interesting.

Eddie Underground. Alright we’re getting serious now guys,,, might as well put on your thinking caps on this one. We all know the story, this isn’t a latest ep recap soooo The wAY Buck’s the ONLY ONE who desperately calls Eddie’s name when he’s fallen underground, amidst the heavy rain and dirt. Listen to me: he starts digging with his hands. With his bare hands I tell you!!!! 😩 Bobby has to physically pull him back as he cries on his lap. Buck is a smart man, he wouldn’t do something that’s completely illogic, he knows he can’t dig him out but he’s so desperate. His voice breaks, he can’t breathe, he becomes impulsive, reckless, impatient. Do I need to remind y’all the reason he wasn’t the one getting strapped to go underground??? “You’re not going down there. So we can have two cut off ropes?” Everyone knows he’s willing to sacrifice his integrity for Eddie bc his life doesn’t make sense without him. “We’ll get him back for you”

The Shooting + “I’ve made u my son’s dad lol”. When Eddie gets shot the world freezes for Buck. He’s left standing there, staring as Eddie’s blood splatters on him. He has to be tackled down. Even then, he’s unable to move, to breathe. He just looks as he bleeds out, and theN he snaps back into reality, bracing himself to go under the truck (foregoing his own trauma - I’ve said this before) and preparing for the amount of strength it’s gonna take to pull him under it. He screams at him to hold on, and later when he manages to pull him inside the truck he tells him he needs him to hang on. He rips his uniform open, he cries and screams,,, then Eddie wakes up, and he asks BUCK if HES okay. Bc he saw blood :( also as @butraura pointed out, he can’t die if Buck’s dying bc what about Chris? He only lets himself drift off when he knows Buck’s okay. Then we got The Will Reveal™️ also so unhinged. “You knew I wouldn’t turn it down” right what is this guys??? That was a year ago. He added him to his will A yEaR aGo. Idk about y’all but I haven’t added my friends to my will😀 also Buck’s the one who tells Chris ??? (I’m being very brief on this subject). Also “Because, Evan” shut up🧎🏽‍♀️

& 10. The Lightning Strike + “She sees me”. I’m doing these together bc I haven’t watched this episodes yet but I’m an addict so I’ve spoiled myself to the brim. The way Eddie screams Buck’s name, the way he saves him, “do more” h e l l o ?? The absolute PAIN in Eddie’s eyes, “you died Buck” “3 minutes and 17 seconds”, “his humor hasn’t changed” & the fact that he listens to Buck on his super genius math theory. And then Buck goes and says “I feel like Natalia sees me” ok. I mean my feelings mean nothing but Eddie’s face ??? That’s a man that knows he’s waited too long.

I rest my case. I’m missing a lot of scenes (like a lot omg Abby comes back, Buck under the Truck, Buck vomiting blood, the Taylor Arc) & y’all can argue in the comments about them, or add shit or try to dismantle mine, honestly the floor is yours idc wHat u do, just know you won’t convince me otherwise 🤸🏽these two are in love & that’s pretty much that on THAT. PERIOD.

[eddiediazismyhusband]

Talk to me about queer Eddie coming out to his sisters, abuela, and tia!

AHH i love thinking about this

so i personally hc eddie as the oldest child w adriana being just a year or two younger than him and sophia being the youngest (again just my personal hc so this is how i am going into this)

i feel like coming out to adriana she would be supportive, but she would be confused about why he had married shannon, and he would have a deep conversation with her about comphet and explain the pressures their parents put him through, and it would lead to a really deep conversational bond between them as brother and sister, especially as the older siblings who are closer in age and probably both experienced the brunt of ramon and helena’s negative treatment. i think it would be a really healing conversation for eddie to to be able to vocalize his feelings to someone he grew up with who probably saw the same things in him, but also didn’t know how to contextualize them.

with sophia, i think she would be the enthusiastic ally, giving him a bear hug and telling him she’s proud (i could also see her later on being like “i kinda always knew”) but otherwise she would be the most outright supportive from the start and i could even see her cussing out helena for giving eddie bullshit if the situation were to arise

pepa and isabel would both be very happy for him and super supportive, but isabel would probably say something along the lines of “it’s about damn time” because she has been waiting for him to realize he has feelings for buck. i think pepa would admit that her scheming to get him into a relationship was her way of trying to nudge him towards buck but that it never worked and she could never figure out why. i also feel like he would have this conversation before even really coming to terms with his feelings for buck and that pepa and isabel would be the ones to be like “you are so obviously in love with him” and he would start to reexamine their entire relationship.

thank you for the ask 💕💕 i really really loved this one!!

[bidisasterevankinard]

I know some people don't like how the thing that Bobby is a father figure for all the members for 118 hidden behind more bright relationships of that type between Buck and Bobby. But there are easy explanations:

Buck looks like someone who is close to what Bobby Jr could look like. Yes, Buck and Bobby's relationship are not only based on it but you can't tell me Bobby wasn't feeling something warm about this kid in season 1 because of how he looks like. And then this kid tries hard to make 118 family and support Bobby in season 1

Bobby was important person who helped Buck to grow as a person. All other characters doesn't have Bobby as such an important mentor. Even Eddie who asks advice about love life because they are having same grief

Everyone in 118 had normal mothers or/and another father figures. Hen? Good mother, yes with some problems with firstly support Hen's sexuality, but they got through it. And when Hen was a baby they were really close (season 4 and 5 showed it). Chim? Mother and Lees. Mr. Lee is Chim's father figure actually. Eddie? His mother had her moments like Hen's but we saw they are close. And Eddie has abuela and I think his abuelo was good. Tia Pepa loves him so much too. Yet, yes he's second after Buck who needs Bobby's advice a lot. Ravi ? From what was said he has amazing parents.

So no one in 118, except Buck sees Bobby as a parent figure because they had at least one normal parent. Not a poor sister who tried hard to be a parent (Maddie is the best but she was a child and couldn't actually be the real parent when she was a teen). Buck had TWO parents one worse that the other who never were good to him. That's why he imprinted on Bobby.

All the 118 has Bobby as a father figure yes, but he never was so important in making them they way they are, never was such an important part of their story as Bobby in Buck's

[yellowcry]

A good tying point

If there were any coffee-fans in the family, it were Luisa and Pepa

@encantober-official prompt — Coffee

Coffee was pretty popular in Colombia. So, Madrigals had drank it daily. And naturally, there were avident coffee drinkers in the family.

In case of the Madrigals — a certain ginger and a giant. Pepa always felt better with after a cup. The skies were clearing with just one sip of the dark caffeinate liquid. And Luisa fell in additionate love with coffee after professionally stealing. Pepa's back when she was a child and didn't have Mirabel to cuddle yet. Since that day Pepa had to make sure her coffee is placed high where certain child couldn't get her hands on it. Well, until Luisa outgrew everyone and the high placement didn't matter at all.

But Pepa also had to admit it was nice to just sit with a cup of coffee sometimes. She and Luisa discussed it with such details that neither actually cared about. But it was fun and enjoyable way to spend time.

She took a small sip, allowing sugar to melt on her tongue. Luisa just swallowed the entire portion in one go. Her size makes it look so tiny, like porcelain toys between her fingers.

"Hey!" Pepa clicked her tongue in a fake disapproval as Luisa poured down another cup. "It's not fair, wait for me!"

Luisa chuckled. "Tia, you're the last person who can blame me,"

"I just don't want to be left out without coffee, at this rate you will drink the entire pot." Woman pouted, ringing the metal of her spoon agaist the pale brim.

They relaxed, slowly consuming a caffeinate drink. This was one way of family-quality time that wasn't risking with causing a mass destruction. Just laughing over nice hot cup of coffee. Maybe Julieta was right when she said Pepa has gotten Luisa addicted to coffee. But who made her get Mirabel so late on? And seriously, Luisa was a pretty enjoyable company. Pepa probably wasn't as close to her as she was to Isabela. But she knew she shared quite a few things with the middle girl too. Restless, when her mind always needed to be busy with something. Whenever it was a new book or another list of chores to do. And with it came the need for a stupid crave for physical activity with some idiots called 'boyish'. Oh, back when Pepa was a child, some adults seemed to put their life purpose to inform Pepa she wasn't acting like a girl. She never really bothered with them, Mama allowed her to run all over and do whatever she wanted. Besides, saying that girls can't be restless and love running around? Yeah, this was pretty bitchy opinion that deserved a punch in the nose.

Luisa was cool. Hardworking and kind for those she cared about. Pepa would never forget how she cradled Mirabel with almost motherly care when they were so little. Always making sure she didn't cause harm by accident. Even if she was a bit snappish at times, Pepa knew it wasn't much different from her. When emotions spilled out of control, making her feel terrible for breaking out.

And having a coffee-drinking companion at times was fun. Giving them some form of silent connection and way to quietly spend time together, whenever they didn't have time for more active thing to do. They did love to challenge each other with their gifts. And Luisa was the one that could possibly stand against Pepa's weather without much discomfort.

In a way it was almost iconic. Pepa needed to provide the weather to grow these beans of coffee. Sun or rain, she had controlled the process of making them rich, impregnated with sun. And Luisa chores definitely had included collecting the coffee. Then again, before the whole rebuild thing it was harder to think what kind of work Luisa wasn't doing. And now they both sat and used the coffee they had made with all this care.

Call Pepa a bit too passionate, but she would never imagine her day without a nice cup of coffee. It had guaranteed no clouds in the morning. Allowing Pepa to shine with her favorite taste. Who could blame her? It tasted so good. And Luisa had shared this trait. Jumping in when the middle of the day to get a cup. Ignoring the sweat that would come from a steaming drink. Because, as Pepa assumed, manual labor made Luisa drip with the thick stickiness way more than any coffee ever could.

When Pepa needed a company or some relaxing talk, getting Luisa on a cup of coffee was the best way for it to come. And it also gave both an excuse to drink once again. She adored some good relaxation, with a nice drink to share. Just don't tell their sisters.

[hippolotamus]

Fuck it Friday 🌻

tagged by @thewolvesof1998 @daffi-990 (do yourself a favor and visit their FIF posts. promise you won't regret it)

no pressure tagging @disasterbuckdiaz @ladydorian05 @wikiangela @malewifediaz @shortsighted-owl @eddiebabygirldiaz @stereopticons @elvensorceress @giddyupbuck @monsterrae1 @spagheddiediaz @spotsandsocks @chaosandwolves @wildlife4life @heartshapedvows @loserdiaz @your-catfish-friend @statueinthestone @buddierights @911onabc @hoodie-buck @the-likesofus @fionaswhvre @barbiediaz @eowon @honestlydarkprincess @spaceprincessem @pirrusstuff @jesuisici33 @steadfastsaturnsrings @watchyourbuck @weewootruck @exhuastedpigeon @underwater-ninja-13 @messyhairdiaz @gayedmundodiaz and anyone else who wants to

so i kinda got this idea. it's more than likely going to the backburner for a while (i have got to finish the stuff i already started) anyway, i came across this post that was adorable af (some screenshots below)

brain said 'huh. what if a young Eddie wants to take young Evan on a date? and then gets shamed for it. because of course he does. and then Eddie has to work through all his crap as an adult so he can then ask Buck on a date?' so i'm dumping what i have under the cut. mwah!

Eddie sits on the end of his parent’s bed, kicking his bare feet in time with a song only he can hear. He can’t remember the name, only the basic rhythm that his music teacher, Ms. Hughes, taught them. 

Tap Tap Thump! Tap Tap Thump! 

The wooden footboard is starting to bother his heels, turning them a faint red, but he continues tap-thumping along, not ready to stop just yet. It keeps him busy while his mama gets ready for a night out with Papa.

“What do you think, Eddito?” She asks, meeting his gaze in her vanity mirror.

She holds up two different earrings. One is tiny, barely visible between her fingers except for the way it sparkles in the light. The other is bigger, in a sort of loop shape with a jade stone at the bottom that matches her green dress. He thinks she looks pretty with both of them, but he remembers his dad boasting about the tiny one being a real diamond. Eddie’s not sure what that means. It seems important though if the way Papa looked was any indication.

Papa was so proud when he gave them to her after his last business trip, practically beaming. Mama wasn’t quite as pleased. Not like she was when Eddie and Sophia gave her the jade pair for Christmas. Maybe she was just tired that day? She usually is when Papa goes away for work. 

“The sparkly ones,” he tells her confidently. If Papa knows Eddie helped choose them for tonight, maybe it’ll help him earn some extra time for catch tomorrow. 

Eddie’s been extra helpful this week, helping Mama look after Sophia, setting the table, and dusting around the house before his dad came back from Houston. Hopefully Mama will mention that, too. He might only be nine but he’s getting bigger all the time (Abuela tells him so) and can do a lot more things than his little sister.  

“Thank you, mijo.” She tucks her long hair behind her ears so she can put the earrings in. 

He rearranges himself on the bed so he’s on his belly with elbows bent, chin resting on his open palms. His feet automatically restart their rhythmic drumming. 

Mama picks a lipstick and carefully swipes the brilliant red across her lips. She pinches them together a few times before she’s satisfied, swapping the small tube for a square container and something that looks like a funny, fluffy paint brush. He watches her swirl the brush and lift it to her cheeks, tinting them a dusky pink. 

“Where are you and Papa going?” 

“Out for dinner at a nice restaurant. Maybe some dancing.”

“Why?” He asks, not particularly sure why he suddenly wants to know. Tia Pepa is babysitting tonight, which means a bowl of ice cream neither of them will ever admit to while they watch telenovelas.

“He’s been traveling and it’s a nice way to celebrate when he comes home.”

“Because, Edmundo.” Papa glides through the doorway, like he was waiting for the perfect moment, stopping to stand behind Mama. “You’ll figure this out when you’re older, but date nights are key to keeping everyone happy. Especially your mother.” 

He tilts her chin up, leaning down for a kiss. Gross. 

“Ramon,” she scolds. “Now I have to fix my lipstick.” 

Papa sighs playfully. He turns to Eddie, shrugging as if to ask what are you going to do?

“So a date is just going out to a fancy restaurant? For no reason?” Eddie muses aloud. The whole thing sounds a little boring and undeserving of a special title. 

“It can be,” Mama says. “Or it can be some other activity. People go out just because and for meaningful days, too, like an anniversary or birthday. As long as you’re with someone special, it can be whatever you decide.”

Oh. Well that changes things. 

“Like laser tag and pizza?” 

“Sure,” Papa answers with a chuckle while he digs through a dresser drawer. 

An idea begins to form in his brain. His best friend in the whole world, Evan, is moving at the end of the summer, just weeks away. Evan and his sister, Maddie, have lived next door as long as he can remember. He and Eddie do everything together. Other than his family, there’s nobody more special than Evan.

[canonicallyobserving911]

Isabel Diaz should move back to L.A. (Eddie’s abuela)

Thinking back to season 5 (regarding how everything was handled to give Taylor Kelly more screen time than the mains 🧐), apparently it was KR's wacky idea to move Eddie’s abuela, Isabel Diaz back to El Paso (which didn't make a lick of sense because Tia Pepa has that big house that she lives in alone therefore, she could have moved in with her). But she moved Eddie’s abuela away so she could live with Ramon and Helena🙄 and I always believed it was suspicious and was done for reasons that didn't make any narrative sense.

I posted about how the Diaz women don't really get along with Eddie's mom (linked here) which is why it didn't make logical sense for her to be gone and the audience didn't find out about it until Eddie, Chris and Pepa went to Ramon's retirement party in 5x17. We hadn't seen her since Eddie’s welcome home party in 4x14 after the shooting but Taylor sure was shoehorned in. Now that we know more about the shooting and what was supposed to happen between Buck and Eddie, it makes things even more convoluted than before.

In season 7, just like Shannon, it appears TM brought her back and it seems she might be there for both Eddie's and Chris' benefit (hopefully, Eddie and Marisol will be toast while Isabel is there).

Can Isabel please move back to L.A. so Eddie and Chris will have more family there? Reminder, Eddie and Chris have the largest biological family out of every main character (excluding Bobby since we haven't seen any of his biological family, only his deceased wife and kids). Athena is an only child and so is Hen. Buck and Maddie don't seem to have any aunts, uncles or cousins and Chimney only has a half brother. Bobby mentioned he has brothers but KR never included any more information about them in the show.

Hopefully, Isabel will be back in L.A. for good. She loves Eddie and Chris so much and I miss Eddie spending time with her.

[wildlife4life]

Tease Tidbit Tuesday

Tagged by: @spotsandsocks, @thewolvesof1998, and @prince-buck-diaz Thank you all so much, I love to share!

Rules: share whatever scene or snippet from your fic that has you excited.

Don't think I have to really say what fic I'm sharing from, ha. So here ya'll are!

Chimney whipped his head around towards Eddie, “How that fu-“Hen elbows him, “How in the world did you afford all that? And find the time? I know you said you’ve only met the quarterback like once, but did you give him a kidney or something?” “Or something.” Hen just barely catches the under the breath comment from Christopher, who ducks away when she tries to catch his eye. Another mystery to add to the pile that is Eddie Diaz and now Christopher Diaz. Eddie sighs, “I’ve been very fortunate with my work schedule in the past and my captain was flexible with me, considering how much my partner works himself.” “And yet you still could afford practically season tickets on a fireman’s salary…no offense man, but like are you selling organs on the black market?” Chim inquires. Eddie rolls his eyes, snorting at Chimney’s wild theory and Christopher just laughs, “No. Buck takes care of everything.” And the first thought that pops into Hen’s brain and past her filter is, “Oh my gosh, Buck is your sugar daddy!” Eddie goes bright red and his son doubles over in peeling, bright laughter.  Chimney joins in and so does Hen after she gets over her own mild embarrassment. Behind them all, she can hear the soft chuckling of Bobby and Carla. “Tia Pepa says that too!” Christopher shrieks between giggles. “Buck is not my sugar daddy.” Eddie mutters as a very weak defense. His son sniffs, shattering his father’s argument, “Dad, we have a private chef and for your last birthday he flew us to Pebble beach so you could play golf and Buck hates golf.” The entire room erupted.

In my world, Eddie likes playing golf and Buck tags along just so he can stare at his ass in golf pants. 😉

Tagging (no pressure): @911onabc @bekkachaos @thekristen999 @lizzybizzyzzz, @911-on-abc, @cowboy-buddie, @alyxmastershipper, @honestlydarkprincess @shortsighted-owl @hippolotamus @panbuckley @transbuck @wikiangela @spaceprincessem @forthewolves

[gamerbearmira]

Giant siren au, where Antonio isn't part of the family he's a human orphan Pepa found on the beach after the family sunk a ruthless pirate ship that kidnapped him. Pepa was the first and only one to find him before comforting him and assuring him she would never hurt him and that when will keep him safe.

Mirabel was the second siren Antonio met. When mirabel went to check on her tia, she noticed a small little human boy in pepas hands. Mirabel spoke gently to the adorable little boy and introduced herself, Antonio did the same. Then he was introduced to the others who quickly accepted him. Julieta just wanted to cuddle the little thing, Augustine and Felix smiled at the little boy and the young adults/teens just washed him with affection, especially Dolores. Camilo did like the little guy but sometimes trys to make it like he's gonna eat Antonio. ( He would never) Antonio feared him for a while but eventually got used to him.

When Alma heard about it, she was abit concerned. But when she met Antonio, all worries left her mind as all she felt now for Antonio is care and love. Never in her life did she think she would love a human like it was her own baby. ( He is now)

The family grew to love little Antonio, Mirabel always hung out with him and played and gave him older sisterly affection when ever he wanted or when ever she wanted. At first Antonio was still afraid of her but now he sees her as his sister. He would cling on to her face and hug her, swing on her hair and hug her giant fingers. She would pin the boy down and tickle him. She loved Antonio, she didn't want anything bad to happen to him. The family new that humans are very vulnerable. So they will keep Antonio safe. He was their new baby.

Pepa always looked after Antonio like he was her own child. As her love for him grew so did Antonio's love for the family. At one point Antonio was being smothered (gently) in kisses by Pepa as he was laughing hard. As he was trying to escape her fury he accidentally says " Mama stop" as he giggled she stopped and he realized what he said, he felt embarrassed he tried to apologized only to be pressed against her soft cheek as she hugged him and said " My baby" Antonio's eyes were filled with joyfull tears as he hugged her back. Pepa herself was crying softly. Happy that Antonio was now hers. The family grew fond of Antonio that they were sad for him to go. But he didn't have a family or a place to go... until now.

Antonio was now apart of the family and he was happy. So we're the family. Other sirens got to meet the little boy and all loved him. He was proof that not all humans are bad.

One day Antonio was tired from playing Pepa was wide awake. She place him on her chest as he leaned on her and fell asleep the giant siren placed a hand over him for warmth. Antonio says " love you mama" Pepas smiles as her heart melts with love and responds " I love you, Antonio madrigal"

THIS IS SUCH A COOL. AU??? OF AN AU WHATTT <333

This could actually work. I think I mentiomed it before, but giant sirens really like human children, and will care for them, especially if they're found in wreakages or alone. (this also leads to a giant rift in the already rocky relationship between sirens and humans because...sirens have a habit of taking kids off the docks and beaches.)

The family would totally love him <333 Especially Pepa and Felíx. Antonio actually gets really attached to the family too, really fast. They’re the first time he’s felt like he’s belonged somewhere. And the Madrigals love him dearly. It wasn’t a surprise to the others when they found Pepa doting on him and. Well, crying. Meanwhile Antonio was asleep.

Antonio probably can swim underwater for a long time, not only can he hold his breath but he can see pockets of air and uses those to breath lmao

[cal-daisies-and-briars]

🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟🧟

Eddie time! 129 for 🧟:

---

Eddie quickly learns that, though there are many similarities between Maddie and her little brother, there is one considerable difference. At least when it comes to long drives. Maddie and Buck are both kind and brave and gentle. Lionhearted type people, to be sure. They’re both well-spoken and intelligent. Friendly. Except, whereas Maddie was perfectly fine letting long stretches of time pass in relative silence, Buck cannot seem to accomplish this. He likes to talk. A lot. 

It’s not that Eddie has a problem with chatty people. He doesn’t. Shannon was really chatty, back when they got along. Eddie tends to not know how to fill silences, even when he should, with anyone but his son. So having someone who seems to be very adept at it is generally a good thing. And really, it would be. Eddie might appreciate it, any other day. Just today? So soon after leaving his kid and so close to finding or not finding Shannon?  Today, Eddie just doesn’t have the necessary social energy or focus to respond properly. And it’s making him feel sort of rude.

“I haven’t been to Los Angeles since I moved back here from Peru,” Buck starts their drive by explaining. 

“Peru?” Eddie blinks, confused. He’s only half-listening.

“Yes!” Buck explains. “I spent half a year working at a resort in Peru. Like an all-inclusive. Mostly attracted college-age party crowds, you know?”

Not really. Eddie had a kid before his nineteenth birthday. The closest to a party vacation he got was the fact that there was a beer festival happening an hour away from the military hospital in Germany where he recovered from being shot. 

He doesn’t say this.

“Right,” he mumbles instead.

“So, yeah, anyway, I moved here from Peru, and got the flight from Lima to LAX, and that was literally the last time I was in Los Angeles.” Buck continues with his story. “I always told myself I’d go more but between the fire academy and working and dating, I never did anything touristy.” 

“Life sure gets busy,” Eddie mumbles affirmatively.

“Yep! And then the world ends.”

It’s easy to say that. That the world has ended. And in a lot of the ways that matter, it feels like it really has. But maybe the scariest part is that it hasn’t. Not entirely. The scariest part is that there’s just enough left that Eddie and everyone else still alive and not a fucking zombie can’t throw in the towel. There’s way too much to keep fighting for. 

“So, what about you, man?” Buck asks.

“Me?” Eddie asks.

“You been to L.A. before or is this gonna be your first time?”

Right. That’s what they’d been talking about. Or, rather, that’s what Buck had been talking about. Sort of. 

“Yeah, I’ve been,” Eddie answers. “My Tia… Pepa. She lives… Lived…”

He takes a struggled breath at the thought of referring to any of them in the past tense. 

“My Tia and her kids lived out here and my Abuela moved out when I was fifteen or sixteen,” Eddie continues. “We visited.”

Buck graciously skirts over the fact that Eddie has just struggled to mention the family he’s lost.

“Oh, hey, that’s cool,” he says instead. “So you’ve done the touristy stuff?”

“Mhm,” Eddie confirms. “Some of it.”

His lack of elaboration seems to disappoint Buck a little. 

Eddie finds that he does not like that muted, disappointed look. It makes him want to scramble to bring his easy smile back. Shoot. Now is not the time for a crush. Not that there ever has been a good time for it. Slowing down and letting himself feel anything would confirm what Eddie’s quite sure he already knows. What he has probably always known, on some level. 

He’s gay. 

He’s gay and he’s searching for his estranged wife with the very handsome, very talkative brother of the woman he’s entrusted his son to. 

Yeah, not a good time for a crush. Like, at all. 

And yet he finds himself talking to mollify Buck anyway.

“I liked Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon,” Eddie says. “I like hiking.”

Buck lights up again. Eddie finds it stupidly endearing.

“I like hiking, too!” He exclaims. This turns into a full story about a hiking trip through the Shenandoah Valley when he lived in Virginia. Seems like this guy has lived everywhere. 

Eddie sits back and listens as he talks, eventually finding the raspy, excited lilt of his voice comforting. He finds himself wondering, perhaps stupidly, if in another life, they might be the sort of people who are well-suited for one another. Someone to hike and be active with. Someone to fill his silences. 

Eddie blinks the thought away. It’s useless. Right now, he has to focus on the road ahead of him, not the road he never got to take. 

▪️▪️▪️

It’s a two hour and twenty minute drive from Sunport to Los Angeles in theory. Eddie thinks. He doesn’t actually know for certain. It’s about two hours from Santa Barbara and he tacked on the twenty minutes. He doesn’t have Google Maps anymore. And he doesn’t know how long it will take to reach Shannon’s last known address in the city. This is all just a fuck ton of guess work, really. 

In practice, it takes them longer. They make it past Ventura, driving the same way he and Maddie had come, without an issue. It’s once they’re on a new route towards the city that things start getting complicated. 

First, the bridge over the Santa Clara River is out on the 101. Eddie’s not sure how this happened. It has not been long enough for the structure to naturally decay. It looks sort of… Blown up? Like someone intentionally destroyed it. They have to circle back and head northeast until they find another option. 

Not long after that, before they even reach Camarillo, there’s a transport truck overturned on the highway. Normally Eddie would just drive on the grass around it, but they’re on a steep hill. One one side of the road, the ground juts out above them. On the other side, it drops off after a guard rail. They’re sort of fucked. 

“This is ridiculous,” Eddie complains as they turn back around.

“Haven’t you driven all over?’ Buck asks. 

“Just from Texas,” Eddie says.

“So haven’t you seen way worse?” Buck asks. “Maddie says you were attacked by lions.”

Eddie shudders at the memory.

[buckaroo627]

I wanna say something. Coz I never saw anyone post anything about what I'm going to point out from the video.

@8:30 ..."there's still a lot of things that 'Buck and Tommy' have to learn about each other but also 'Oliver and Lou', and so you know we're building those relationships."

So building the chemistry.

I'm telling you, I don't like her character from the very beginning it was introduced from seasons ago. So if that one is gonna stay around Eddie,

then I want Tommy to stay around Buck. Coz I have these opinion that I don't want to see Buck hanging around Eddie when Eddie's dating someone. In a sense, when Buck started dating Natalia, I was like, I understand or I'm assuming why Eddie felt the need to do so when before Buck was single and his Tia Pepa arranged a date for him, he was 'No'.

So this building relationships, the characters and actors, is a good thing, coz I wanna see that chemistry playing there genuinely and not because it was being act out.

We really got lucky with Oliver and Ryan. I guess the tattoos helped too. Like, what are the chances that these two actors just coincidentally have tattoos around opposite arms and, what's the word? Ah, right, compliments each other. As well as their characters are like opposites in a way that fits together that building chemistry is not needed. Because the attraction is already present. And they fit perfectly. Even the way they smile, talk, laugh, stand together, and sleep even, and just staring at the other,

even that far apart,

This is a really really really s........l........o.......w burn. And I've been telling this since before, that it will be a beautiful story between them. The history has been told, now we await their future.

btw

I forgot to mention how Oliver's eyes look so green here. I know it's the surroundings, his shirt, his beanie (i forgot his word as well, had to search using bonnet lol), just the surrounding's color's effect.

But his eyes look so green.

[daniclaytcn]

Thank you so much for your latest fic and especially this: "He knows the kind of furious his Tia would be if she found out. He knows how upset Chimney was on his behalf, that day on the court." I see so often how the firefam gets super protective for Buck and how Eddie's tía and abuela and of course Chris practically adopt him-which is great but just not when it comes at the expense of Eddie who is suddenly treated like an afterthought. From what we've seen that part of his family loves Eddie so much and it warms my heart that he gets to have that no matter what.

i love eddie and tia pepa's relationship so much, especially because you can clock the similarities between them, and pepa arguably gets him better than the rest of his family (which is evident from so many things, but especially when she tells ramon to shut up about the silver star in 3x15). i really hope she makes a comeback this season somehow 🤞🏽

[firehousefreak911]

i dont know if you're taking requests, but if you are could you do a eddie diaz x reader where his family comes to visit and sees how good the reader is with chris and how much they love eddie and his family and they tell eddie to marry them because they are exactly what his familys been needing to complete the puzzle

Its not perfect but its done. I may redo it eventually.

Meet the Family

You and Eddie had been dating a little over a year, you knew he had been through so much with his late wife Shannon, that you never pushed the topic of marriage. You had moved in about 3 months ago to help with Christopher during his 24 hour shifts.

Eddie’s family arrives in a couple hours, you are a nervous wreck.

“Y/n, babe, there is nothing for you to worry about” Eddie reassures you, “they are going to love you”

“Are you sure?” You ask.

He kisses you forehead and looks you in the eyes. “I’m positive”

His family arrived around 3.

“You must be the famous y/n that our Eddie has told us so much about” his mother asked.

“Oh all good I hope? it’s lovely to meet you” you said leaning in for a hug. You greeted his parents, his abuela and his Tia Pepa.

You were all at the restaurant you sat between Eddie and Christopher.

“Let’s look at the menu, Christopher” you said leaning over to help him.

“What do you want to eat? They have chicken, burgers, grilled cheeses, what sounds good?” You asked

“I want a steak!” He said excitedly.

“Christopher, you know you don’t like the steak here remember, pick something else” you guided him.

“All right, how about a grilled cheese and fries!” He picked.

You looked up to see Eddie’s mom, abuela and aunt looking you with smiles. Everything was going great, until the topic of Eddie’s career came up.

“So, y/n, what do you think of Eddie being a firefighter? Isnt it a very dangerous job?” His dad asked. You looked at Eddie, who started to look annoyed.

“Well yes, but at the end of the day I know he is going to save lives and come home to Christopher and I” you said, reaching across the table to hold Eddie’s hand.

Dinner was nearing an end.

“Edmundo, you know we didn’t approve of this move to LA and we didn’t approve of our grandson living here especially after his mother died, but I think it was for the best, y/n completes this family” his mother said.

“Si, you have found an amazing woman, an amazing mother for Christopher and maybe even a wife” his abuela said gesturing over to where you had walked Christopher to the ball machine.

“Thats the plan” he responds pulling a ring box out of his pocket, ”I was thinking of asking her tonight”

You and Christopher had returned, Christopher asked to go get ice cream.

Christopher was covered in chocolate ice cream. You had went to grab some napkins. When you came back Eddie was smiling nervously. He got out of his chair and walked around to you. He cleared his throat.

“Y/N y/ln, you have made me so happy, I never thought I would be as happy as I am. You not only make me happy but Christopher to, you didn’t push to be his mother but slowly he made you that. I love you and couldn’t imagine life without you, will you marry me?” He asked getting down on one knee. You started crying and shook your head yes. Eddie grabbed you in a kiss. Then oulled Christopher over for a group hug.

Just then you heard an applause, you looked to see Eddie’s family being joined by the 118. This was a moment that will always bring you happiness.

[theclaravoyant]

(nothing will change) if you never choose ~ 911 buddie (Rated T)

AN ~ Prompted by @exhaustedpigeon on Tumblr. Thank you! I had a lot of fun writing this, I hope you like it!

Prompt #962 for @911actions Gotcha For Gaza event. The prompt period is now over, but you can still show your support for a good cause! MASSIVE thank you to the incredible galaxy brain G4G chat members without whom this fic would simply not be what it is x

Title from Who Do You Love - Marianas Trench

Relationships: Buddie, Eddie & Christopher, Eddie & Maddie, Eddie & Karen, Eddie & Dispatch Crew, Buddie & Christopher.

Shippers on Deck, Feelings Realisation, Feelings Confession. Set post S7. Past mentions of Maddie/Doug and Buck/Tommy.

Read on AO3 (~4300wd)

Summary:

It's been a long time since Eddie Diaz has had friends. Even longer since he's felt like he knows who he is, and what he wants. The Dispatch Wine & Whine crew are here to nudge him in the right direction.

(nothing will change) if you never choose

Wine & Whine nights were a Dispatch thing long before Eddie came along. They persisted once he'd left as well, and he'd removed himself from the invitation. Recently though, when Christopher had left and Buck had gotten involved with Tommy and he was feeling so desperately lonely, more than he dared look too closely in the eye, he'd begged back in. They'd taken pity on him enough to have him, and let him start turning back up with barely a word except to heave a sigh and let as much of the weight of the world as he dared fall off between them.

He didn't share everything of course – far from it – but it was a plus that they were all either parents or first responders or both. Maybe they hadn't been shot out of the sky but they'd all been through their own shit and he kind of knew parts of it; enough to know that they got him, enough for him to start to trust it. They understood that there'd be landmines inside him, and rocks under which they shouldn't be too keen to look, and they all had their own too. And sometimes they talked about them, or around them – about the rough calls, about the struggles of being so close to those who threw themselves at danger every day, and yet so far. Sometimes they just talked about what was going on with Jee and Mara and Josh's new boyfriend Leon (most recently, they'd got a cat). It was nice. Eddie had even managed to convince himself to stick with it as the world turned right side up again around him. He was starting to figure there might be something to Frank's advice after all, about talking to someone who understood, and about spreading his identity eggs – or something; he's sure he's mixing Frank's metaphors - between more baskets.

Change of plans. W&W at the Wilsons tonight, Maddie sends the group chat.

Trading your husband for a decent pinot? Can relate, Josh sends.

Maddie sends a laugh emoji. Karen prefers Epicuro.

I can bring a decent pinot, Eddie offers. He's still got a bottle of Rodney Strong unopened and gathering dust on top of the fridge; it's been stting there since he and Marisol were dating. The offer is met with several little heart reacts and an enthusiastic series of red wine emojis from Josh and maybe it's silly but it makes him smile. It feels like such a long time since he's had friends.

Out of the corner of his eye, he feels Christopher watching him. He's smiling too.

“Are you texting Buck?” Christopher asks. Eddie chuckles. “Actually, no.”

“Uh huh. Are you sure?” His eyes narrow.

“Sure I'm sure. Don't you worry, Buck has clear instructions to leave you alone for the night unless you contact him. Message has been received loud and clear. But if you do need him, his phone number, and Uncle Chim's and Hen's are on the fridge, okay?”

“I have Buck's phone number,” Christopher reminds him. “And Uncle Chim, and Hen, and Bobby. And Abuela, and Tia Pepa, and Mrs Hudson from two doors down.”

“And the emergency services?”

Christopher groans and throws his head back. “Come onnnnnn. Aren't you going to be late to something?”

“That's for me to worry about,” Eddie retorts, but the attitude only makes his heart soar further. He's back, and so Chris, and he'll gladly suffer that glare every day for the rest of his life if he has to. He grins. “Why? You're planning on throwing a party the second I walk out of here, aren't you.”

Christopher shakes his head. “I want to order pizza and use the big TV for my channel launch.”

“Right, right.” Eddie grabs his battered wallet, and tries to remember which one of these folds still has some cash tucked away inside it.

“It's okay, Dad,” Chris says, matter-of-factly. “My fans will cheer me the bits for it.”

Eddie's not sure if he's serious or not about the terminology. But the concept? Christopher's eyes are steady, confident. His jaw is set. As much as when he'd insisted on skateboarding, or horseriding, or the Tower of Terror. Only one of those he's pretty sure Chris regrets.

“You're serious about this, huh?”

“As a tsunami.”

Eddie holds back the urge to pull his son against him and never let go. He holds out a twenty instead.

“Consider it an investment in your future.” He sighs. “Alright. Off I go. Phone's on the counter, first aid kit's on the bench. Don't burn the place down, alright?”

“No promises,” Chris teases, by which he means, of course I won't, you idiot. But he has a fond smile for his dear old dad, and he doesn't object when Eddie scoops him in for just a moment and presses a quick kiss to the top of his hair. Then Eddie picks up the wine in one hand and his keys in the other, and manages to force himself out the door.

-

“My pinooot,” Josh sings, opening the door for Eddie and brushing past his – completely unnecessary, per the rules of W&W – apology with a teasing smile. “Ooh, hello Rodney. Get inside me. And hello to you too, I guess.”

Eddie rolls his eyes. “It's nice to be missed. And I'll have one too. Since you're offering.”

“Done.”

“So, how's Chris?” Karen asks as he drops his bag and moves further into the room. She, Maddie and Linda are already half a bowl and some change deep into a bag of chips and some pickle-sausage-cheese hors d'ouevres. “This is his first big night alone, huh?”

Don't remind me, Eddie groans silently.

“Not his first,” he insists. Though he's not sure that time he rounded the corner to the Taco Bell and watched his phone like a hawk for fifty nine minutes and fifty seconds technically counts.

“Mmhmm.” Karen nods. She meets eyes with Josh and gestures, make it a heavy one, and Josh adds a little extra to his pour before handing it over. Eddie draws a long, deep, grateful sip and sinks into the seat they've left open for him.

“He's so grown up,” he laments. “I feel like I've missed it all of a sudden. He's tall. He's shaving. The other night he came to me asking for help to get a job!”

“Ooh, been there,” Linda sympathises, waving her own glass in the air for some of the newly-arrived red. Josh obliges. “Ben's off to college, it feels like yesterday! He's what, fifteen though, right? Didn't you have a job at his age?”

“Yeah; had my first paper route when I was twelve. But he- he gets pocket money and stuff, you know? He shouldn't need it. I provide for my son.”

“Nobody's saying you don't,” Josh points out, “but there's more to a job than the finances. Schools and jobs are pushing for experience more and more these days. Maybe Chris wants to get his foot in the door. Or maybe just a bit of independence, you know?"

Eddie groans. Out loud this time.

“Ahhh, the i word,” Maddie sighs with a groan of her own. “On that, I can relate. There's nothing wrong with not wanting Christopher to live the life you did, Eddie. I mean, here's to hands-off parenting. But there's got to be a balance, right? Otherwise... Jee will never learn to tie her own shoes.”

She pouts, as if the very prospect of either path forward troubles her, and the others nod in commisseration. Eddie only wishes that was the entirety of the problem at hand.

“Oh, he's being plenty independent about it,” he explains. “He's decided he's going to be a Twitch streamer, apparently.”

“Oh.” Karen scoffs. “So the problem isn't just that he's being independent, it's that you don't like what he's doing with his independence.”

“Which is kind of the point of independence, no?” Josh finishes for her, one sharp eyebrow raised at Eddie.

“Look, it's not that I don't like it -” even though I barely have a clue what it is - “it's just that... I'm not sure it's going to go anywhere for him. It's not, you know. Sustainable. Successful.”

“What are you talking about?” Linda objects, and points a finger before Eddie can do more than open his mouth again. “You sit down, Mr HILDY Hater Fan Club. I think Christopher would rock a Twitch. He totally helped me beat Tomb Raider! And Among Us? Please. He's already getting clipped on Tiktok. I just know a series on Baldur's Gate or something would go wild. That kid's hilarious. You never know. He could make bank.”

Eddie blinks. He's still catching up with the image of Gamer Linda and how this somehow didn't manage to come up earlier. Between that and cheering bits, everything feels like jibberish.

“That was English, right?” he jokes, and peers into his wine glass. “How much have I had?”

“Come on.” Linda laughs. “He's just being creative. Plus, this way he doesn't have to deal with a lot of the constraints of a minimum wage junior job. Me, I worked a deli counter at fourteen, and it sucked ass. You're always standing for too long, lifting stuff you probably shouldn't be lifting. Got held up a couple times.”

(“Ah, the road to Dispatch,” Josh cheers, raising his glass to the room.)

“You don't have to risk him getting held up, though,” Maddie interrupts, before Eddie can jump on that particular point and spiral. “Denny coaches Little League, right? And I know Harry – Harry works at that skate shop. Or was it a surf shop? That might be a bit outside Christopher's wheelhouse but I'm sure there's something more... conventional out there for him, if you want.”

“I do want,” Eddie agrees. He takes a deep breath. “But right now, no thanks. I made a promise. He gets a month to try this Twitch thing and we'll re evaluate after that.”

“Aw. Look at you being all normal about your kid's choices,” Karen praises. “The first time Denny came home in new shoes he bought himself I'm pretty sure I cried for an hour and then called all the local engravers to have a trophy made.”

“So what I'm hearing is, you have a hook up.”

“Oh God.” Maddie cringes. “Don't tell Chimney. We can't afford the storage.”

She's joking. Mostly. But nevertheless, in the chat there appears a link to Solas & Sons, Pasadena.

“Seriously though,” Karen repeats, “let me know and I'll ask around. I'm sure we could use a mind like his at the lab. Priya has a series of lectures on the evolution of deep space photoimagery coming up she'll need transcribed.”

“Thanks, Karen,” Eddie replies. “He'd love that – he's on a real astrophysics kick at the moment. I'll keep you posted.”

His phone buzzes. He jumps for it.

It's Buck.

Are you SURE you don't want me to call in on Christopher?

Thanks, but no. He's got this. Eddie looks at the clock. It's almost been half an hour since he left and he hasn't quite lost his mind yet. Maybe he's more ready for this than he thought. Throwing his phone through the roof at the mere prospect of a message just now notwithstanding.

Ok, Buck agrees.

Then: [Frowny face]. [Clock] [Clock] [Clock] [Clock].

Eddie can't help smiling even as he tries to turn his phone face-down again.

“What about you, Linda?” he asks. “What's going on in the Bates' sphere?”

Somehow, already, he's looking again. He can't help it.

I'm nervous, Buck says. I feel crazy. Do you think I baby him too much since he came back?

You're fine, Eddie sends back. I started it.

Did you know about this, btw?

Buck sends a link to what is, apparently, Christopher's newly launched Twitch channel. 'CYBERTSUNAMI [Cool Guy Emoji]'. He's got what appears to be a live feed of Fortnite playing, the screen dominated by his own avatar leading through the game. There's a chat window in the corner and – well, by Eddie's expectations at least – it is blowing up. One particular message catches his eye.

Caligirl0404 writes: wtf is your 'Buck'?

In their own chat, Buck sends: He's talking about me?? [Star eyes emoji]. BRB I need to find something for this kid to sign to prove I knew him before he made it big.

Eddie barks a laugh. He immediately covers his mouth, but can't quite obscure his smile, and he knows it's just embarassingly luminescent because of the way they're all looking at him. They've been looking at him like that for a while now, especially when the topic of Buck comes up. It's this soft, sparkly sort of look like they're waiting for him to figure out something they know that he doesn't. But he does know, and it has something to do with that warm feeling he gets whenever he thinks about him. Since Buck came out – since Tommy – he's been sort of wondering. If someone like him... if those feelings could be... “How is my dear brother?” Maddie asks, swirling her chardonnay like she knows something. Which she definitely does. “And how's Tommy? I haven't seen much of either of them since the break-up.”

“Buck's fine,” Eddie says. “Tommy's – also fine, sort of. I think. They left things on good terms, as far as I know. No harm, no foul. They just wanted different things.”

Karen nods. “Buck wants kids.”

Josh snorts into his wine glass. Eddie's hands freeze on his own.

“What?” Josh all but splutters. “Our Buck? As in, Evan James Firehose Buckley?”

But Eddie asks - “How did you know?"

“Oh, please!” Karen cries. “Uncle Buck? He lives for them. Plus, he already kind of has one, and you know he loves Christopher more than life itself. I know it sounds crazy, but – and on pain of death, he can never know this, alright? – I see myself in him, that way. I know. I know. But he has this passion. And it's not something fleeting, it's this drive. You know when it's something you really want, and if there's one thing I've learnt about Buck over all these years it's that that man wants to make a family more than anything else in this world.”

Eddie closes his eyes. It's too much to think about, and Karen's steady gaze is boring into him like she can see straight through to the supercut of Buck, and Chris, and Buck-and-Chris that plays at all times in his heart. He can still picture Buck telling him about the break-up like it was yesterday. Too close in their kitchen with his eyes doing that very solemn sort of shine like they did the night he'd told him about he and Tommy being he-and-Tommy in the first place.

-

“Hey. What's W&W?” Buck had asked. “You and Tommy going to some new extreme sport I don't know about?"

“Uh, no.” Eddie had shaken his head. “Tommy and I are... taking a break, for a while.”

“Oh.” Buck had frowned. “Not 'cause of me though, right? I told you: me and Tommy are cool. We just want different things.”

“Wasn't my idea,” Eddie had promised. “He's still a little sore about you guys, and apparently, me starting every other sentence with 'Buck' isn't helping.”

A quiet blush had crept onto Buck's cheeks at that and he'd bitten his lip. Eddie knew that meant he was holding back something he felt he shouldn't say. He was probably thinking, he's sore over me? and not wanting to admit it was kind of flattering. Eddie had wanted to tell him that anyone would be. Well, anyone should be. It was just Tommy's bad luck that he was apparently one of the first who understood that.

“It's not all bad,” Buck had said, and it must have been the truth: he'd never been one for the stiff upper lip approach when he could help It. Yet he'd smiled. “Feels good, actually. Even though it sucks. You know? It's like these pieces of the puzzle of my life are falling into place. Tommy helped me find some of those pieces. But he knows kids aren't part of his puzzle and I've decided... for me they are. Does that make sense?”

“It makes perfect sense,” Eddie had assured him. “You're a great dad.”

And Buck had looked at him with this face like – like he didn't quite believe it. Or at least that he was surprised at Eddie's choice of words. That he is. Not that he will be, or would be, or could be. He gets that face a lot, and more and more lately, Eddie wants to kiss it off him. That's another thing that's been lingering on Eddie's mind of late. The pieces of that puzzle of his own.

-

“Penny for your thoughts?” It's Maddie and her big, brown, powerful Buckley eyes who knocks Eddie out of his reverie.

He sighs, and drinks, and drums his fingers on the bottom of his wine glass, until the words come to him.

“When I was at Dispatch,” he says at last, “May and I had this talk. About the future and if she wanted to stay on and all that. And she said to me this thing about how when she was younger, she'd had this vision in her head of who she wanted to be – 'a very specific person,' she said - and she felt like she'd lost that.”

There's a hush around the room. They watch him softly, nod quietly in their own recognition.

“And I thought yeah, me too,” he continues, down the path inside him precious few others have ever tread. “I had this idea of myself, when I was her age. Hell. Not even. About what a man was and how I was going to be one, and a soldier, and a husband, and now I'm none of those things. I don't really know what I am.”

Maddie nods.

“I remember,” she says softly. “I had an idea of who I thought I was going to be before Doug... The family I thought we'd have, the job, everything. Even myself. I was going to be a nurse. After him I never could.”

“Can you believe,” Karen adds, “I might have been an honest to God astronaut?”

These are their landmines.

Eddie takes a deep breath, and finds his eyes are suddenly burning. In the quiet, it's so obvious. He hates how his voice sounds when he gets upset, all choked and shakey; it brings his father's scolding to his ears and it's one of so many things he thought he'd be over by now. He'd always thought he'd be stronger.

“I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm happy for him,” he manages. “I'm proud of him. For knowing who he is and what he wants and standing up for that. I love that for him. I do. But honestly, I'm kind of jealous. I wish I could do that too.”

“Eddie,” Maddie breathes, like his words have hit her square in the chest.

He tries to laugh it off, and shrug, like don't mind me, bawling my eyes out and I'm not even half a glass in. But he's in a room full of people who listen for a living. Who spend their days, their lives – who are called, if Linda is to be believed, with the same passion and instinct that's brought him to firefighting – to see people through moments just like this. He's never felt so simultaneously exposed and supported.

(Except maybe that time when Buck had broken down his locked door. Listened to him cry I'll never feel normal again and helped him tape up his walls anyway.)

Linda bumps her shoulder against him.

“It's not too late, Eddie,” she assures him. “For everything there is a season. Remember, it wasn't too long ago you weren't even sure you wanted to be a firefighter? Trust. In God, in the universe, in yourself. Have faith, and it'll come to you.”

“May did end up going back to school,” Karen continues. “She's figuring herself out. Me, I've got a family I love and no regrets. And as for Buck? Please. It's not like he hasn't had a long and winding road to get where he is either. We all have. So go easier on yourself, will you? You're thirty. Not ninety. You've got time.”

Eddie nods, but he still curses his hands for shaking. Can Christopher call now, please, he begs – God, the universe, himself. Can someone talk me off this ledge before my heart does it for me.

Josh catches his hands, takes the glass from them and puts it on the table, and then chases his eyes until he surrenders to the contact. For all their petty rivalry, the man does have a surprising amount of gravitas about him when it comes to the moment of crisis.

“Eddie,” he says. “Tell me about that man you want to be.”

He wants to be funny, he thinks, and he's not sure why that's the first thing that comes to mind. He wants to be loved, and feel safe. He wants to raise Christopher to feel the same. He wants to be brave and strong, but more than that: he wants to be vulnerable and soft and needy and silly. Things he never really got to be as the man of the house, or the soldier, or the husband, or the widower. Or the father, even, really – because as much as he loves Christopher, he can't share his whole self with him. That's the sacrifice of a father. A good one, anyway. And maybe, now that he thinks about it, therein lies one of the greatest struggles he's had with his own father and even with his faith. Above all else a father should shield his son from the worst the world has to offer, even if said father has done it, seen it, struggled against it. Yes, he wants that, of course he wants that, but he wants someone to share it all too. He wants to be able to be his best self and his worst self, his strongest and his weakest, and to know there's someone in his corner and it's all going to be okay. He wants a partner, and to be one in return.

And he opens his mouth.

And nothing comes out.

Because everywhere he looks in this little revelation, there's a startling amount of Buck. Everywhere his favourite self is, is Buck, Buck, Buck.

There's that sparkly look in their eyes again.

Linda smiles knowingly. “He's telling you something, isn't He?”

Eddie looks at her. At Josh. At Karen and Maddie, who have moved closer together now and are holding each other's arms like they know what's coming.

“I- maybe,” he confesses. “But I can't- I'm not ready.”

There's still that voice, his mother's voice, that says, Don't drag him down with you.

And Buck, breaking down a locked door and patching up his walls anyway.

“Oh, ready,” Maddie scoffs. She must be catching the tears off him, but she waves a hand dismissively. “Nobody's ever 'ready.' You think I was ready when Chimney asked me to watch Mission Impossible the first night I officially moved here? Or when Buck called us out about Buffridays and made us see our relationship for what it was? I still jumped every time I dropped a plate in front of him for years. And Doug came for us anyway. And we survived. If I'd waited until I was ready we might both be dead. And we wouldn't have Jee-Yun. We wouldn't have any of this life we've built. So I have no regrets. Maybe not everything happens for a reason, but it still happens, and we still have to make a life out of it, don't we? When you find the right person, Eddie, they get down in the trenches and make a life with you. And I promise you, there's nothing better than that.”

Josh looks up at her. He still hasn't let go of Eddie's hands. “If I didn't know better,” he jokes, “I'd say you're trying to set Eddie up with your brother.”

“I said I liked you too much,” Maddie jokes back. She hasn't taken her eyes off Eddie. Her lip curls up into a smile. “Eddie and I, we were never that close.”

His phone buzzes.

He takes a deep breath, and pries a hand free off Josh to check it.

It's Buck. He's sent one of those meme videos captioned: guinea pigs when they get petted be like and Eddie just knows he's got that stupid, smitten Buck Smile on again. He can't help it.

“Call him,” Josh whispers.

“Oh my God, call himmmmm,” Karen urges, shaking Maddie's arm in anticipation.

“What if he says no?” Eddie asks. Because that feels like something he should prepare himself for. Even if it feels strangely impossible, honestly, he might not survive it.

“A wise man once told my husband,” Maddie advises. “That life is short and we're not promised tomorrow. If you love him. Tell him.”

It rushes through him in an instant. Shannon, the helicopter, the car crash, the lightning strike. If you love him, tell him.

He swipes his thumb across the screen and Buck picks up almost instantly. Because of course he does. Because he's Eddie, and this is Buck. He gets up and Karen herds him outside for some privacy. Before he can let himself second guess - again - he clears his throat.

“Hey man. Have you got a minute?”

[glorious-spoon]

Kitchen Table Talks [9-1-1 | Gen | 1/1]

Title: Kitchen Table Talks Pairing: None; mentioned pre-relationship Buck/Eddie Characters: Eddie Diaz, Christopher Diaz, Tia Pepa Wordcount: ~1500

I re-watched 6x14 last night, so have a little post-ep that wouldn't leave me alone.

-

The lights are still on in Christopher’s room when he gets home. He pulls off his shoes, drops his keys in the bowl by the door, and pads into the kitchen, where Pepa is at the sink, sleeves rolled up, cardigan draped over the back of a chair, scrubbing at a pan. La Raza is playing on the little speaker on the counter, the same station that always played at her house when he was a kid. He remembers walking in on her and his tío dancing in the kitchen to it more than once. There’s a wistfulness to that thought now, for a lot of reasons.

“Tía Pepa,” he says, shrugging his jacket off. “Come on, you don’t have to do my dishes.”

“These are my dishes, I cooked,” she says, without turning. The admonishing fondness in her voice makes him smile as he drapes his jacket over her cardigan on the back of the chair. “Go say goodnight to your son, he’s waiting up.”

“Yeah, I see that,” Eddie says, and heads down the hall before she can swat at him with the dish towel like he’s ten years old again.

Christopher is propped up against a stack of pillows in a pool of light from his lamp, his nose buried in the Stephen Hawking book that he got out of the library after his latest scientific enthusiasm strained the limits of Buck’s Wikipedia-diving skills. He sets it down when Eddie raps on the door frame.

“Hey, Dad. How was your date?”

“It was, you know.” Eddie wobbles a hand ambivalently, because he knows it’ll make Chris laugh and because he can’t exactly do that with Pepa. She really will swat him with a dish towel, date clothes and all. “It was okay.”

Chris does laugh, bonking his head back against the pillow with that sunny, beautiful grin that he inherited from his mother. “No second date?”

“No, I don’t think so.” 

“Okay.”

He’s still trying to get a read on how Chris feels about all that. The dating. Eddie dating. The possibility, someday, of Eddie getting serious about someone, which seems unlikely right now, but—it could happen. Someday. He never thought he’d miss the broken salad bowls and the stolen phones and the secret Uber rides, but Chris hasn’t been giving anything away, and that’s almost worse. 

Or maybe he’s just using his son as an excuse again. It wouldn’t be the first time.

“Okay. So maybe it’s time you put the book away, huh?”

“I’m not finished reading it,” Chris says, flapping the pages at him.

“You’re not gonna finish it tonight. Come on, it’s after ten.”

“Barely.”

“Yeah, and you have school in the morning, mijo, get to sleep.”

Chris heaves a sigh like he’s the most beleaguered kid in the world, but he takes the bookmark off his night stand and tucks it between the pages. Eddie slips into the room to turn off the light and press a kiss to the tousled crown of his head, and he doesn’t protest that as an affront against his preteen dignity either, so that’s something. 

“Good night, Christopher.”

“Good night, Dad,” Chris says on another deep sigh, and flops over onto his side. Thus dismissed, Eddie stifles his laughter and retreats out into the warm light of the hallway.

The pan is in the drain and Pepa is at the table with half a glass of wine when he comes back into the kitchen. She raises her eyebrows at him, and Eddie fights not to hunch his shoulders like a kid sneaking in late. Or, in this case, early.

“You didn’t stay very late,” she observes.

“We had dinner,” Eddie protests, because he’s trying, okay. He put on a suit and he went out for dinner and drinks with the daughter of another one of Pepa’s friends—Isabella, 31, veterinary tech with freckles and a fondness for hiking and live theater—and he really did try to see if there was something there other than a nice meal and some pleasant conversation with a stranger he’s never going to see again.

There wasn’t. There never is.

“So what was wrong with this one?”

“Nothing,” Eddie says honestly, in the least exasperated tone he can manage. His tía loves him. She wants him to be happy. She’s making a lot of effort to set him up on dates he doesn’t really want to be on with people he doesn’t really want to be dating, because she wants him to be happy. It’s his own fault that he keeps agreeing to them when he knows they’re not going anywhere. “Nothing, Pepa, she was a really nice woman. They’ve all been really—nice women.”

He doesn’t really mean the last word to come out with an emphasis, but it does. He can hear it the moment it leaves his mouth, and he can see it land. Pepa narrows her eyes thoughtfully. An echo of that old fear rises up to choke him, but he swallows it down.

His tía loves him. She wants him to be happy.

She’s quiet for a long moment, looking at him. Then, in a cautious tone that is very unlike her, she says, “My friend Yolanda—I don’t know if I ever mentioned her—she has a nephew about your age. Very handsome. He works at one of those boat companies, you know, that do the whale watching tours—”

A helpless, breathless burst of laughter escapes Eddie. He collapses into a chair, braces his elbows on the table, and buries his face in his palms. After a moment, Pepa reaches over to pat his arm.

“Should I not have said that?” 

“No, it’s—you’re not. You know. Wrong.” He lifts his head, finally, just enough to rub both his hands over his face. 

“Is that why the dates haven’t been working out?”

“No. I mean, not exactly.” He lifts his head to meet her warm gaze. She pats his arm again, then slides her wine glass over.

“Here. I think you need this more than me.”

Eddie takes a deep breath, nods, and takes it. “Thanks.”

“So should I—”

“I don’t think it’ll be any different with your friend Yolanda’s nephew,” he blurts, because if he’s going to own up to it he might as well own up to all of it.

“His name is Matias.”

“Okay. With Matias. I don’t think it’ll be any different.”

“Edmundo.” She sounds exasperated now, which is easier to deal with than that careful tone. Eddie takes a swallow of wine and avoids her eyes. “How are you going to know if you don’t try?”

“I know, I know, I just…” he sighs. “There’s somebody.”

“Somebody, like, a boy somebody?”

“Really, Tía Pepa, a boy, you make me sound like I’m Christopher’s age, come on.” He’s laughing though now, full of relief that feels almost giddy. Later, maybe, he’ll stress about this again. Probably he will. But for now, despite Pepa’s loving meddling—or because of it—he’s glad he finally told her. Or at least cracked the closet door enough for her to figure it out on her own.

“Well, you’re acting like you’re Christopher’s age.” She leans back in her seat, folding her arms and arching an eyebrow at him. “So? Tell me about him.”

“He’s not—we’re not together.”

“Obviously, or you wouldn’t be letting me set you up with every woman your age in Los Angeles. Tell me anyway. I want to know who captured my nephew’s heart. Make sure he’s good enough for you.”

For a reckless instant, Eddie thinks about actually telling her. She knows Buck, and she’s kindly inclined toward him after all of Christopher’s glowing stories about zoo trips and school bake sales, plus that time when Buck came with Eddie to help out with a (non-fabricated) plumbing issue in the basement. She’d fuss some more about it—can’t you find a nice Mexican boy, Edmundo?—but not seriously. It might be nice to say it out loud for a change.

Still. There’s some absurd little part of himself tucked away behind his ribs that thinks maybe, just maybe, he’ll eventually work up the courage to tell Buck the truth about how he feels, and that if he ever does, Buck should be the first person he says it to. It’s a toss-up whether or not he’ll ever actually manage it, but Pepa knows now that he likes men and the world hasn’t ended, so anything’s possible.

“Not yet,” he says finally. 

“Not yet?”

“I’m not ready yet.”

“Excuses. I told you. You’re never going to be ready.”

“I don’t know. I think—maybe. Maybe I will. Sometime soon. But not yet.”

Pepa purses her lips at that. For a moment, he thinks she’s going to argue some more, but finally she sighs, kisses her fingertips and presses them to his cheek, then cups it in her warm palm.

“Okay,” she says finally. “I won’t set you up on any more dates. For now.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. This boy, whoever he is—you should tell him. Or you should let him go.” She shakes him a little—gently, fondly, then releases him. “You can’t live your entire life for a dream, Eddie. You deserve something real.”

Trust his tía to never pull her punches. Eddie laughs, rueful, and lifts the wine glass to his lips again. 

“I’ll think about it,” he says, and almost lets himself mean it.