#fic: the firehouse

[fictionalmenxyn]

𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦? 𝐎𝐫 𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞?

Pairing: firefighter!eddie x cop!reader (fem)

Warning: light language (once mentioned ‘shit’), injury, threats, attempt arson attack, blood, reader takes a hit (stitches but NO mentions of needles) and I believe that’s all!

Summary: 118 and Y/n had been called to an accident, nothing strange. The manager of the diner said that she could smell a gas leak but they recently had that checked. Y/n asked a few questions to the manager, revealing more information. That’s when it all clicked Y/n.

--༒⚠︎︎༒--

Just another normal evening in Los Angles, while patrolling. Driving in your ford suv cop car, your radio came on. And with a familiar voice (May) it spoke “dispatch 813 P28, we’ve got a call from a person who has said there was a supposed car crash at the ‘come dine’ diner on Lakewood avenue” you nod subconsciously nod “copy that dispatch, on my way.”

You put your sirens on and head start to the scene.

You pull up already seeing Athena’s car there. You park up and hop out, putting your sunglasses on, you walked over. Seeing the 118 fire engines already there, Hen and Chimney helping some witnesses that were at the diner.

“Hey, Athen, what’s it looking like?” You approach Athen. She had her hands in her pockets as she replied “looks like the driver made a run for it after crashing, Bobby said once they had showed up, driver was no where to be seen.” You hummed “that’s odd, you think they’re injured? Looks like a bad crash..”

You look at the scene in front of you. The large window of the diner has half a car doing through it. Smashed glass everywhere, tables and chairs knocked over or broken. “Well, nobody besides the get away driver seems to be in bad shape…” you look around after Athen spoke. Seeing only a couple and a mom with her child. Only minor injuries, cuts and bruises at most. You asked “you think it’s a dui?” Athen answers “I mean, possibly? It’s half six on a Friday evening..”

Athena’s name had been called, so you were left to yourself for a moment. Sticking your hands into the arm parts of your utility vest. Glancing around the scene, you saw the 118 team by the engine. You smiled and walked on over. Seeing Buck and Ravi standing next to each other while Eddie sat on the small ledge on the engine. Hen and Chimney were at their fire ambulance patching people up as Bobby was talking with other fire captains and police officers.

You approached the three guys “hey you three.” The guys look over, Buck and Ravi almost in sync “hey.” Eddie chuckled at the two then looked at you “hey, mi amor” you smiled “hey, heard of anything from here?” Buck replied “nope, just a crash… without the driver” you nodded. Eddie asked “talked to any witnesses yet?” You shook your head “just got here five minutes ago. Athena told me she already had officers asking round” he nodded.

After some chatting a person in a retro outfit approached us. “Hi um, I think there is something up with the diner..” you raised an eyebrow “what’s wrong with it? Besides the car?” The person spoke “I’m the manager of the diner, i went back in the back to my office… something is smelling real bad in there… I think it’s a gas leak, but we just had that checked not too long ago..” the guys all geared up once again and went inside. You escort the manager to the side and out of the way. You ask some questions and chat with the manager. She told you how she saw a guy running out of the car, but he looked to be unscrewing something at the back of the car.

The guys came back out, Eddie walked over and spoke “hey, it’s a gas leak, but it seems to be unscrewed and damaged like someone went at it…” you look to the manager and she replied “nobody has been down there since the handyman had been down there..” Eddie added on “yeah, somebody left a rusty old wrench down there… couldn’t have been a handyman’s wrench..”

…A rusty wrench? Nobody had been down there? Saw a guy unscrew something at the back of his car? Gasoline? No… a gas leak and gasoline? That wouldn’t cause a fire… just yet.. but it could’ve… Your thoughts clicked on…you thanked the manager for her time.

Eddie looked at you in confusion.

You quickly made your way over to the car. You mumbled “thought so…” Athena looked over “everything good, Y/n/n?” You called out “this wasn’t a simple crash… I think this was intentional” Athena walks over “what?”

“I was with the one eighteen.. then the manager complained of a smell, a gas leak, Eddie checked it out and told me it looked as if someone had purposely damaged it. Before that I was questioning the manager; she said a guy had ran out of the car. But before he fled the scene, he was unscrewing something.” You gesture to the gas cap on the car. Athena clicked on too “maybe he had some sort of match or lighter on him?” You added “and maybe he fled because he saw first responders.” You jog over to the manager, “hey sorry to bother you again, but can you tell me when you saw the guy run out the car?” The lady responded “around six twenty..” you gave her a small smile and thanked her. You then jog over to Eddie.

“Hey babe, around what time did you and the team arrive here?”

“Uhh I’d say around six twenty? Why?”

It all clicked together, “this is an attempted arson”

“Wait what? Y/n! What?!”

You jog back over to Athena, “yep, we guessed correctly, one eighteen arrived right as the suspect would’ve caused the arson.” Athena nodded and headed over to Rick and explained our theory.

You walked over to Eddie, you explained everything you and Athena had just discussed. You stood next to Eddie and now Buck. Glancing around at the crowd that had formed over the time you had been there.

You notice a guy, looked about early twenties maybe late teens. A black hoodie and dark jeans. You saw a large stain on the bottom of his jeans. He looked fidgety or on edge, more like… suspicious.

You tilted your body towards Eddie “hey, don’t make it suspicious, but the guy in the crowd, black hoodie, dark jeans, looks young 18 maybe 20 at most.. looks fidgety, he’s got a big stain at the bottom of his jeans..” Eddie and Buck glanced over. Buck replied “yeah, he seems off, huh?” You nodded in agreement. Eddie suggested “you gonna go over and talk to him?” You nodded “worth a shot..”

You casually made your way over; as you got close enough the guys saw you. He panicked and darted off in a direction. You called out “we’ve got a runner!” Athena looked over. She saw the guy running, also saw you hot on his tail. Athena started to run too, following you both.

You pressed your thumb on the radio “dispatch, this is Sargent Y/l/n, got a possible suspect of the diner accident on Lakewood avenue, he’s on the run. Male, late teens early twenties, black hoodie, dark jeans with large stain on the bottom, pale skin brown hair.” You call out “hey! You won’t be able to run forever!”

You kept chasing the possible suspect. He caught himself on his foot and miss stepped; giving you an advantage. You practically throw yourself on him, taking him to the ground. He tried to fight you off of him, he threatened “get off me, I’ll- I’ll hurt you!” You reached for your cuffs “not today, you’re in custody of attempted arson” the guy lashed out. He reached in his hoodie pocket. Grabbing a small pocket knife, waving it around as he tried to get you. You tried your best to dodge it.

Feeling a slight sting in your face, you felt blood trickle down your cheek. You look down at the guy. He threatened again “get off! I will do it again!” “You will not-”You tried to grab his wrist, sadly he was quicker.

You felt a sharp burning sensation in your arm. You see you have been stabbed, lucky for you, it was only the tip of the blade. You look down at the now ripped arm of your shirt, along with a dark patch forming against the navy of your uniform “shit…”

You heard a voice “Y/n/n!” Athena ran over just in time with two other guy police officers. You got up as the two guys took over and detained the guy. Athen looked you over “he cut you…” you nodded. “He got me in the arm too.” Athena saw the blood that started to trickle down your arm.

Athena pressed her thumb on her radio “this is Sargent Grant, we’ve got an injured officer, Sargent Y/l/n, she’s been stabbed in her arm and a cut to her cheek.” We could hear Bobby through the radio “bring her back to the scene, Hen and Chimney will take a look at her.” “Roger that, Cap.” You both head back to the scene.

Eddie spotted you quicker than anyone. He ran over, he held your uninjured arm “baby, you alright?!” You nodded “yeah, it’s not too bad, it was just the tip of a pocket knife.” Eddie still looked concerned, you couldn’t blame him.

You were now sat on the ledge of the ambulance, Hen is stitching your arm up while Eddie watched over her shoulder. Chimney asked “so you got the guy now though, right?” You nodded “after I tackled him to the ground, and his exchange-” gestures to the stab wound and cut to your cheek “-Athena and two other cops came over, they took over as Athena did a once over on me.” Chimney and Hen nodded.

Once Hen was done, you thanked her and stood up. Now only having one long sleeve on your navy uniform shirt. You looked to Eddie “see, I’m all good now, Ed, I promise..” you open your arms for him. Which he gladly walked into.

You wrapped your arms around his neck as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around your waist. He whispered “you’re a badass for taking that guy down, but still gotta be careful, love.” You chuckled softly and replied “it’s all apart of the job, besides I didn’t know he had a pocket knife on him.” He hummed in agreement.

“Well expect some tlc from Christopher and I tonight, yeah?” You smiled at his comment “yeah…” he smiled.

He leaned closer to your face, “alright, I’ve gotta head back to the station, see you in four hours?” You smile and nod “see you in four hours, my love.”

He glances to your lips momentarily, then he leans in and kisses your lips softly for a moment. Savouring your kiss, he then pulls away reluctantly. “I love you, see you later…” you smile and respond “I love you too, babe.” He waved then jogged over to the fire engine. You wave to the rest of the team before heading back over to your cop car and getting in it. Continuing the rest of your shift with one long sleeve and a new set of stitches. You pulled off and continued the rest of your four and a half hours of your shift.

All you could think about was your tlc that Eddie mentioned. Most likely a movie night in, eating popcorn or candy with your favourite boys, Eddie and Christopher…

--༒⚠︎︎༒--

[acesartemis]

Buddietommy new year’s kiss

The department designated Station 118 to be the lucky ones to be “closed” this year for New Year’s (they still had to be open for any walk-ins/five alarm fires), allowing for a party to be thrown.

Since they still needed to be fit for duty, sparkling grape juice was substituted for alcohol. 

But the party raged on. There were still decorations from Christmas up, the overhead lights dimmed to let the string lights shine. Karaoke, dancing, and so much food (pot-luck style) was spread around the loft as people from all shifts intermingled.

Everyone was having a blast.

All except one Edmundo Diaz. Tommy clocked him off to the side, leaning against the loft railing most of the evening while checking his phone repeatedly.

After multiple members of the team tried to engage with him, he would soon make his way back to that very spot. Alone.

After a few tries himself that didn't stick—once to do line dancing, for fuck's sake—Tommy decided desperate times called for desperate measures.

He pulled Evan away from where he was dancing with Karen and Hen. Evan smiled at him, leaning into him to kiss his neck, totally misreading why Tommy had pulled him away.

“Ev—Evan,” Tommy called his name firmly to get his attention, tilting Evan’s gaze to his. “What's going on with Eddie? He's been alone all night.”

“Chris.” Evan sighs, turning his own gaze to rest on his best friend. “He’s been in a funk all week. Christmas and now New Year's without him. I had to beg him to even come. My heart breaks for him.”

Tommy hums, nods. Then he smirks. “I have an idea that might make him feel better, if you're in.”

*******

“Five—four—”

Tommy and Evan had slowly made their way to bracket Eddie.

“Three—two—”

They share mischievous smirks, turning to crowd into Eddie’s space.

“What—”

“One!”

They pull Eddie towards them, their lips meeting in the middle. It's awkward, the three-way kiss, their foreheads and noses knocking together, but contact is successful.

Tommy pulls away first, grinning his scrunchy grin, laughing as Evan gently releases a shell-shocked Eddie, his mouth slightly agape and eyes closed. Eddie's eyes open slowly, flitting back and forth between the duo.

Before he can say anything, Tommy dives in to kiss him again, this time properly and thoroughly.

“Just to remind you—”

“—that you’re not alone,” Evan finishes, enveloping both of his boys in a tight embrace.

[paperstorm]

Rating: E Pairing: TK/Carlos Additional tags: Alternate Universe, Romance, Childhood Friends, Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Drug Dealer TK, Undercover Cop Carlos, Implied/Referenced Drug Use, Minor Violence, Blood and Injury, Falling in Love, Explicit Sexual Content

Carlos's heart is pounding. He can barely hear over the blood rushing in his ears or see through the fog clouding his mind. Because he knows those eyes. He knows the hand he just shook, and the voice he just heard, although it’s lower and richer than it was over a decade ago, when the man he’d just met was called TK instead of Tyler. He doesn’t know how or why TK is here, in Austin, a lifetime after circumstance ripped them apart and spread miles between them. He doesn’t know how or why the Tyler they’ve been tracking all these months has turned out to be Carlos’s childhood friend, to this day his most cherished relationship, his first heartbreak. He doesn’t know how or why any of this has happened, but it has. He’s completely sure of it. TK – Tyler – didn’t seem to recognize him. But that face is burned into his memory. In 2002, TK and Carlos meet in a third grade classroom in Manhattan. 21 years later they meet again, at a nightclub in Austin called The Firehouse.

Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen

[meowdy-all]

Eddie Diaz is like a feral mother cat with her one kitten who has no regard for his mother's solitude, im going to make you socialize with this colony of cats, and a few years later they're deeply ingrained into this colony, and yeah Moms still a little feral but at least she has a husband.

[callsign-dexter]

The Firehouse Miracle Masterlist

Summary: A car crash in front of the 118 took her parent's life and almost her life when she was just 2 months old. Two firefighters stayed with her while she was in the hospital fighting for her life and they had grown attached. When she was well enough to go home she had no one to go to and no name, and that's when the two firefighters decided to adopt her. Y/N Elenor Buckley-Diaz is the light of her fathers' lives as well as the 118's. She's the Firehouse Miracle.

Pairings: Eddie Diaz x Daughter!Reader, Evan Buckley x Daughter!Reader

Warnings: angst, fluff, inaccurate medical talk, inaccurate firefighter talk, car crash, blood

Masterlist

A/N: Can be read together or stand alone. Ages range.

The Firehouse Miracle

Allergic Reaction

Lawsuit

CPS

Firehouse Picnic

Party Disaster

Don't talk about our kids.

School Fire

Pickup Suprise

Park Incident

Revenge on the 118

Abducted

Appendix

Family Beach Day

Runaway

[cavevulpis]

Title: Hotbox Heroes || Author: cavevulpis

Word Count: 2,8k || Pre-Relationship || Rating: Teen || No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationships: Firehouse 118 Crew, Firehouse 118 Crew & Ravi Panikkar, Howie "Chimney" Han & Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Ravi Panikkar & Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz

Additional Tags: Firehouse 118 Crew as Family, Ravi Panikkar Is The People's Princess, Mind/Mood Altering Substances, Pre-Relationship, Minor Slash, Equipment Malfunction as a Plot Device, Inaccuracies Everywhere, Crack

Summary:

Buck nudged a charred bag of gummies with his foot and whistled low. “Man, this place is like a stoner’s cathedral.”

They moved in deeper, tracing the fire to a storage room. There, nestled in a corner, was the culprit—a wall-mounted electrical panel.

Buck steadied himself against the doorframe. “Do you feel that?”

Eddie glanced at him. “Feel what?”

“I’m not sure,” he said, squinting at the ceiling. “The lights look... brighter? And the room feels... kind of stretchy?”

He blinked. Now that he had mentioned it, something did seem off. He frowned at the scorched plaster, his mind struggling to rationalize the way it seemed to ripple. Skeptical, he turned to Buck. “Are you serious right now? This isn’t…wait…why are the walls moving?”

Buck stared at him for a long moment.

“Oh no,” he ultimately gasped.

Eddie’s brow furrowed. “Oh no what?”

Buck’s face was the epitome of seriousness. “I think we just got hotboxed.”

-

It’s LA— of course there’s a fire at a weed dispensary.

And because it's LA, the rest is predictable.

—

Read on AO3

[kumquatqueenb]

It’s finished!!! Check out my no longer wip!!!!

If you’re looking for a nice long fic to keep you occupied during the rest of the 9-1-1 hiatus until season 8 drops, then might I just suggest my fic! I’ve been writing it for 3 years and posting it chapter by chapter for over a year, but it’s finally finished, so if this sounds like your thing then pls go check it out!!!

Eddie couldn't spot Shannon and Chris in the chaos despite his desperate search. He did however see a figure in yellow scrubs pushing through the crowd at an alarming speed heading straight for the fence. He realised what the figure was about to do only a second before they made contact with the fence.

"No! Don't-!" He screamed, banging on the glass, but it was too late.

The fence was made with special materials that allowed it to conduct electricity at a rate that was too high for even Yellows to handle. This Yellow thought it was worth a shot anyways. Their hands grabbing onto the fence, and as soon as they did their whole body stiffened, head tipping back, eyes wide and blank, and mouth open on a scream.

It was Buck.

…………………………………………

Or, the 9-1-1/the darkest minds au fic

(You do not need to have read/seen the darkest minds to read this fic)

[jtownraindancer]

y'all I'm desperate.

what episode did Bobby say that having a kid is like [paraphrasing] "having a piece of your heart walking outside your body," and chim replies with "morbid?"

I'm trying to write a fic but I can't find the quote anywhere and I don't want to use it if it doesn't fit the timeline

thanks in advance ♡

update: thanks @mattoidmeerkat for the episode! i found a link to the clip if anyone else happens to need it:

[bluenet13]

Christmas One Gingerbread Cookie at a Time - Read on AO3

Love, loss, new beginnings, and bittersweet endings: a journey through Carlos and TK's holidays across the years.

December 2020

The car is quiet as they drive to a restaurant for date night. The silence only interrupted by Carlos' soft voice when he asks, "So, how are you celebrating Christmas?" His fingers tap anxiously against the steering wheel in a nervous gesture he had surely picked up from TK.

"Christmas?" TK raises an eyebrow and looks at Carlos questionably, but his boyfriend is doing everything in his power to focus on the road ahead of them and not on him.

Carlos sighs when they have to stop at a traffic light, reluctantly turns to look at TK, and smiles tentatively at him. "Yes, Christmas. You know, the holiday happening in one week. That ring any bells?"

"I'm Jewish, Carlos," TK says matter-of-factly, "I haven't celebrated a real Christmas since my dad tried when I was seven. He forgot to defrost the turkey, then burned the ham and had to call his own firehouse to turn off the fire alarm."

Carlos grimaces. "I know." He stops and swallows a few times. "That you're Jewish, I mean, not that Captain Strand can't be trusted with Christmas dinner."

TK smiles and reaches a hand to stop Carlos' fidgeting one. He squeezes once and lets go so it can go back to tapping a finger on the stick shift. "Why? Are you asking me to Christmas with the Reyes?"

He means for his question to be lighthearted, teasing even, for it to be a way to break away some of the tension in the car and put his boyfriend at ease. He doesn't have to always walk on eggshells around him. But the way Carlos instantly freezes and seems to have stopped breathing triggers warning bells inside his head.

Ever since Alex, he has been looking for red flags everywhere and he has been determined to stop after that fateful night at the police station, but, seeing Carlos stare wide-eyed ahead, his fingers no longer tapping but holding onto the stick shift for dear life, all TK can see is red.

Still, he tries to calm down his racing heart. Tries to breathe deeply a few times, which is decisively hard since he doesn't want Carlos to notice. A beat passes, then another and another, and only when TK is sure he can talk without bursting into tears or throwing himself out of the moving car does he speak again.

"I'm kidding," TK whispers, and his breath hitches on the last three letters. "I haven't even met your parents yet."

He wants to say more, thinks he should say more, but he isn't in control enough to trust what would come tumbling out of his mouth if he did.

Carlos doesn't say anything. He is grasping the steering wheel like his life depends on it, like it's the only thing tethering him to this world, to this reality, and he's scared of letting go and simply drifting away forever.

TK kicks himself mentally for making that comment, even if he doesn't know why it's affecting Carlos so much. And maybe he doesn't want to know. But he can't doom their relationship for the third time in less than a year, so he pushes past his own apprehensions and sets his hand over Carlos's that is resting in between them. He runs his thumb over the back of his boyfriend's hand and smiles to himself when he sees some of the tension that had been there a second ago leave Carlos's shoulders.

"I was joking, I promise," he tries again, wishing Carlos were less good at hiding his feelings so he could see some of it on his face. "I'm perfectly content with listening to Harry Styles on repeat and eating Sufganiyot my mom brought."

That finally makes Carlos look at him out of the corner of his eye, and TK chuckles at the incredulous look on his face. "Sufganiyot," he repeats, more slowly this time, "they're like a cross between a beignet and a jelly donut, and we eat them for Hanukkah."

Carlos seems to slowly mull over the new information before his face breaks into the most adorable and equally blinding smile TK has ever seen. "Do you want to come over on Christmas' Eve and help me bake some cookies?"

TK's first instinct is to decline the invitation. He doesn't like to be an inconvenience, or to be invited somewhere out of pity. But Carlos's smile is truly blinding, and TK doesn't think he's that good of an actor, so he must really want him there.

"Sure," he finally says. Because a night not so long ago, under a multicolored sky, TK promised himself he would be the reason Carlos' smile was there in the first place, and not the man that wiped it away. So now, as Carlos parks in front of the restaurant, he nods and smiles back.

Carlos jumps a little, clapping his hands together, and lets out an honest to God squeal. It's cute, but TK's not about to admit that out loud. 

"You won't regret it. My Christmas cookies are legendary," he promises excitedly, before looking at his watch and ushering TK out of the car and towards the restaurant because they're already late.

-x-x-x-

TK does in fact regret it.

And in retrospect, he should have seen it coming. This is the same man that turned a casual dinner into a five course dinner that could rival the best three Michelin stars restaurant and made him want to run for the hills. But his smile had been so earnest when he asked that TK didn't have the heart to turn him down. Even if that smile, and everything that hid behind, sometimes still made him want to lock away his heart and throw away the key.

It's that smile that TK chooses to focus on now as he dips his hand in the bag of red and green M&Ms and dutifully sprinkles them over the dough still sitting in the mixer.

There are gingerbread molasses, Classic Sugar, and Chocolate Chip cookies cooling in various racks on the kitchen counter, Gingerbread Man on the dining table waiting to be cooked, Snickerdoodle Bars and White Chocolate Barks hardening on Carlos's bed because they ran out of space in the kitchen and Carlos is adding the jelly to one half of the Linzer Star Sandwiches while the tops finish baking in the oven.

The house looks like a poor man's bakery and TK belatedly wishes he had asked for more information when Carlos extended the invitation. Because apparently, to Carlos, baking cookies means baking hundreds of assorted cookies because it's a Carlos Reyes tradition to give a box to all his family members and friends, which also includes mailing one to those no longer living in Austin.

"Why did you wait until the night before Christmas if you wanted to bake enough cookies to rival an Oreo factory?" TK asks distractedly, his tongue sticking out as he concentrates on scooping the dough in the exact amount Carlos had shown him and setting them on the tray at the adequate distance so they don't, quote unquote, "run against each other, making one mess of a giant cookie like that one time his sister tried to help and ruined Christmas".

Carlos snorts and stops what he's doing to look apologetically up at him. "I usually start baking the week before Christmas, but work and other things have been keeping me pretty busy this year."

"So, you only invited me because you were behind schedule and needed an assistant?" TK shakes his head, feigning annoyance. "Unbelievable."

Carlos drops his spatula and turns panicked eyes to TK. He opens his mouth, but TK swallows whatever he was about to say with a kiss. "Hey, I'm kidding. I'm happy to be here."

Carlos' hands are sticky with powdered sugar and frosting, but he still cups TK's cheeks and kisses him again before he strays too far away. "I'm really happy you're here," he breaths against his lips when they part again.

TK nods, closing his eyes, and rests his forehead on Carlos'. "This sure beats listening to music and eating pastries alone," he says sincerely, before a cheeky grin overtakes his sweet smile, "and it got me out of trying new vegan eggnog recipes with my dad." 

Carlos gasps, and dramatically clutches his chest. "You wound me, Tyler. Here I thought you genuinely wanted to bake together."

TK sticks his tongue out and fights the urge to remind Carlos he's never baked a day in his life. He likes eating pastries, not actually making them. Although, on second thought, he might actually enjoy baking with him. But he doesn't say any of that, instead he dips his finger on the frosting and smears it across Carlos' nose. "You're one to talk. I'm only here as your personal assistant."

"You're lucky you're not, or HR would have fired you already," Carlos mutters, catching TK's hands before he can smear more frosting across his face and licking it off his finger.

TK lets out a good-natured chuckle and accompanies it with a playful wink. "You'd miss me too much," he quips, a mischievous grin dancing on his lips as he reaches forward to snatch a gingerbread man out of the tray, ignoring Carlos' previous remark of no cookies until after dinner.

Were it anyone else, Carlos would have snatched the cookie right back, but seeing as it's TK, and he's been screwed since that night at the Honky Tonk, he just waits expectantly for his verdict.

TK breaks the cookie in half, offering one half to Carlos. He takes it but instead of taking a bite off it, leans forward and bites the exposed end away from TK's fingers, holding out his own half for him in return.

TK's eyes widen in shock at Carlos' move, but it quickly transitions into an infectious, delighted laugh. "Well played," he concedes, shaking his head in defeat before taking a bite off the offered half with a sigh of appreciation.

"Good?" Carlos asks, eyebrows raised expectantly. 

TK finishes the cookie, and leans forward to kiss Carlos. "Delicious," he finally breathes out into the shared space.

Carlos rolls his eyes, but the smile on his face remains. "I meant the cookie," he jests, trying to fake annoyance but the affection in his gaze is unmistakable.

TK taps his chin, as if he was thinking it over. "Cookie was good," he confirms, his tone soft and warm. He leans in, swiftly licking the chocolate ganache off Carlos' nose. "Frosting was too. But you're so much better than both."

December 2021

On December 2nd, within an Austin apartment, a man leans forward, his hand trembling slightly as he lights a new candle. He's careful not to drop the shamash as he sets it back in the menorah, not wanting to incur the wrath of more than one version of his God. The warm glow of the candles reflects on his face, illuminating the tears streaming down his face, yet failing to reach the depths of his broken soul.

The space is quiet, except for the gentle melody of Christmas music resonating from the living room speakers. Discarded, burnt cookies lie in the trash, while an open recipe book on the counter remains set to a page featuring Sufganiyot. Despite the fact he still can't actually pronounce the word, he attempted to make them, yet the dough now rests in a bowl, half-submerged in water in the sink.

In a corner of the room stands a Christmas tree, its lights only partially aglow—the string ending somewhere in the middle. Sparse ornaments dot its branches, creating a feeble attempt at holiday cheer.

The rest of the apartment isn't much better and it mirrors the disarray. Pizza boxes occupy the coffee table, frozen meal cartons crowd the trash can, and the coffee pot wears the stains from previous mornings.

Settling onto the couch, the glow of his phone reveals a series of unanswered texts on his phone—Christmas party invitations waiting to be received, inquiries about lunch and dinner plans or post-work drinks demanding responses, family members and friends asking if he's okay and if there's anything they can do.

Shaking his head, he fails to respond to any message, except for a brief thumbs-up and smiley face sent to his mother confirming Sunday dinner plans. With a dismissive flick, he sends his phone flying to the other side of the couch.

The side of the couch that's empty and will remain empty, just like the unoccupied side of his bed.

That night, Carlos cries himself to sleep, his pillow the only thing absorbing his silent despair. He cries some more in the morning, then he washes his face, dresses up, and goes to work.

-x-x-x-

The following morning, a man arrives at his workplace in another part of Austin, awkwardly clutching tins of Christmas cookies, each adorned with matching ribbon and bow.

"When did you become the Pillsbury Doughboy?" teases one of his coworkers upon receiving a tin.

"Christmas cookies, sweet!" exclaims another, already savoring a bite of a ginger molasses treat.

"Did you bake this?" questions someone else, eyeing a Snickerdoodle Bar skeptically.

With a nod, the man meets their doubtful gazes. Beneath their skepticism, he senses their sadness. A shared sorrow that weighs on all of them, but nowhere as heavy as on his shoulders. It's an invisible cloak that threatens to choke him, gradually stealing his breath since that one fateful night when it all ended with a bang and not a whimper.

The previous night had been particularly bad, prompting him to bake. The first batch emerged too soft, the second too hard, the third burnt, and only the last batch turned out right.

He shed tears as he tasted the first cookie, yet he pressed on. His teardrops continued to glisten on the counter as he added ingredients to the mixer, frosted cookies and waited for others to cool down.

He didn't have a big family—no sisters, nieces or nephews, no brother-in-law, tías, or abuelos, to share the cookies with. But he had a work family and, thus, here he was, sharing with them the cookies born out of his despair.

Hesitantly, and then more animatedly, his friends sample the cookies, their expressions gradually softening into genuine smiles. He finds it in himself to smile back. And in that simple exchange of hesitant bites and shared smiles, a missing piece falls into place even if the greater picture is still missing.

An alarm goes off somewhere in the distance and it interrupts their conversation, though he wasn't particularly inclined to speak in the first place. Snatching a bite of a plain sugar cookie, he hurriedly exists, a solitary tear trailing down his cheek as he goes. 

For the rest of the day, TK works, and that night, he bakes. Then he cries and eats broken pieces of gingerbread men with hot chocolate for dinner.

-x-x-x-

Weeks later, the two men step into the same Austin apartment, for the first time in weeks. The holiday decorations are gone and the place looks tidier than before.

"You moved me in," one of them says.

"Welcome home," his boyfriend responds, before leaning in until their lips meet. 

They kiss like it's the first time all over again, but also like it could be their last.

Throughout the next few hours, their gaze remains locked in an unbroken connection as they reacclimate to the shapes of their bodies, the lines etched on their faces, and the cadence of their voices. All the while, TK's hand entwined with Carlos serves as an anchor to this lifetime, grounding him in the present, while Carlos' body pressed against TK is as a promise that, for as long as they're together, the chill of loneliness, and nearly dying, will never return.

December 2022

Carlos lugs the Christmas tree through the door, balancing it precariously as he kicks the door shut behind him. He glances around the apartment, noting the silence and lack of festive cheer. When his gaze lands on TK, he can't help but deflate a little. He's still sitting dejectedly at the kitchen table, scrolling through his phone with a distant look in his eyes.

He sighs softly, deciding to give TK some space. Setting the tree in the corner of the living room, Carlos starts quietly decorating it, the sound of rustling branches the only thing breaking the silence in the house. Eventually, he goes to their room to get the remaining ornaments and out of the corner of his eye, sees TK staring intently at his phone, a picture of Gwyn and little Jonah on the screen.

Heart aching, Carlos skips the ornaments and walks to the kitchen instead. "Hey," he says softly, gently placing a hand on TK's shoulder, "Want to talk about it?"

TK looks up, his eyes clouded with unshed tears. "What's there to talk about?" He shrugs and leans closer to Carlos' side. "I just… I miss her so much, Carlos. I miss her every day, but I miss her a little more on Christmas because that's a time we were always together, even when I moved with my dad, and when we came to Texas. She always made sure to come visit even if just for a weekend."

Carlos pulls him closer and places a kiss on his forehead. "I'm sorry, TK." He wishes he could say more, but what can he say when he has never experienced the kind of pain that envelops TK now. He knows loss, all first responders do to some extent, but his parents are both still alive so he feels complete in a way that he knows TK will never be again.

"How do you feel about baking some of her favorite cookies?" He proposes, wanting to distract his boyfriend somehow. "I remember you said she always made some when she visited. We can include them in the gift boxes I'm putting together for our family and friends."

TK shakes his head, a small, sad smile on his lips. "Baking was her thing… and it's your thing too. Not mine."

Carlos sighs dejectedly and sits down next to him, their knees touching. "Would you be open to me baking some of her recipes? You don't have to help if you're not in the mood. If not, I can just bake the gingerbread man I was planning for today."

Looking uncertain, TK manages an almost convincing nod. He stands and returns a moment later carrying an old recipe book, its pages wrinkled in the corners and stained from many hours in the kitchen.

"Thank you, I promise to take care of it." Carlos grabs the book and starts gathering ingredients.

Meanwhile, TK continues scrolling through photos on his phone, a lone tear escaping every time he sees his mother's smile. Eventually he takes a deep breath and joins Carlos at the kitchen island.

Quietly, Carlos turns the book so they can both see and hands TK a bag of almonds so he can measure the right amount.

In the next few hours, the broken pieces of TK's heart start to mend with each new ingredient added into the mix.

They work side by side in companionable silence, with Carlos guiding TK through the steps, their hands brushing occasionally, igniting invisible embers in their wake.

"I remember when I was little," TK says when they're forming the almond crescents to set in the tray. "Mom would let me roll the dough. I always made a mess, but she never got mad. She only laughed and said the messier the kitchen, the better the result."

Carlos chuckles, his eyes twinkling as he imagines a young TK with flour in his hair and his small hands sticky with butter. "Thank you for sharing that memory with me."

"Thank you… for doing this, Carlos. It means a lot," TK says softly, his voice thick with emotion.

"Anything for you, Tyler. We're in this together."

-x-x-x-

Later they move to the living room, the aroma of vanilla and almond heavy and familiar in the air.

Together, they finish with the lights and start hanging ornaments: glass globes and icicles, wooden figurines, iron snowflakes, and some vintage ornaments from past generations of Carlos' family.

Once they're done, just before they settle the star to finish the tree, Carlos asks TK to wait and rushes to their room. He comes out a moment later and hands TK a final ornament.

TK cradles the piece in shaking hands, and takes a deep breath. "This was my mom's favorite," he explains, his voice barely above a whisper. It's a Star of David made in fabric, with a picture of TK, Gwyn, and Owen in the center. He'd made it for his mom as a class project.

"I found it last week in one of the boxes Enzo sent, I thought you would want it near. I hope I didn't overstep," Carlos says, wringing his hands as he waits.

"You could never, but… are you sure you want it on the tree?" TK can't help but ask. "It's old and tattered, and everything else is so nice and sparkly."

Carlos smiles at the gesture but shakes his head anyway. "It's not about a perfect tree, TK. It's about one that's a little of you and a little of me… and us, and our families. It's about bringing a bit of her back into our lives."

TK looks into Carlos' eyes, seeing only love and sincerity there. "She'd love this," he says as he moves to hang the ornament, but Carlos stops him with a tentative hand on his shoulder.

"Then let's put it at the top." He takes the ornament and raises on his tiptoes, settling it in place of the usual star.

Seeing it there, some weight lifts off of TK's shoulders and the tightness in his chest eases just a little.

Together they step back to admire their work, matching smiles on their faces as they stare up at the small symbol of Gwyn's presence in their lives.

Carlos wraps an arm around TK's waist, pulling him close. "Merry Christmas, TK."

"Merry Christmas, Carlos," TK replies, a sense of peace washing over him.

December 2023

Their first Christmas as a married couple wasn't supposed to be Carlos' first without his father, just as their first Christmas in their shared apartment wasn't supposed to be TK's first without his mother. But life's a bitch and here they are (or rather Tim is a bitch but TK and Carlos don't know about the omnipotent God destined to bring them misery and leave them parentles, and so still, here they are).

It's December 15th, the last day of Hanukkah and less than two weeks before Christmas, and the Reyes-Strand residence couldn't look any less festive. The menorah is lit, illuminating the corner of the living room and casting shadows across the rest of the space. But the Christmas tree is still at the farm, and the flour for the traditional cookies is still at the store. Instead, there's a poor excuse of a pre-illuminated, pre-decorated tiny tree sitting atop the coffee table, surrounded by unopened boxes from Amazon containing Walker’s Assorted Shortbread, Royal Dansk Danish Cookies, and White Fudge Oreos—a makeshift substitute for the cherished baked goods Carlos usually creates.

Carlos sits on the couch, staring blankly at the Hallmark movie playing on the TV, uncharacteristically unmoved by the decorations the protagonist walks past. His demeanor is as blank as his motivations and he wants nothing more than for the holidays to end and December to go on its merry way.

The months following Gabriel's passing were undeniably tough, but eventually, in between the shared pain with his mother and sisters, and the love and support he received every day from TK and their friends, Carlos found the strength to move forward. Slowly, he reached a point where he could smile again without guilt or the threat of an imminent breakdown.

It all had gone well, or well enough, until December arrived. Gabriel had loved Christmas, and with his life also went Carlos' inherited love for the holiday. Despite his own sadness, he tried to be present for TK and their friends as they got carried away in the holiday excitement. Everything worked out until a few nights ago when he was driving home from work, and "Feliz Navidad" started playing on the radio. It was his father's favorite Holiday song, and it pushed Carlos over the edge. He parked his car on the shoulder in the middle of the highway and cried until TK called him an hour later, asking if he was working overtime and had forgotten to tell him.

And so, every night since then, Carlos had come home from work tired and sad, carrying takeout and apologies. They ate in silence and watched in silence as the Hallmark magic failed to reach their living room.

This night is no different. When the credits roll on Hallmark's 'The Secret Gift of Christmas', Carlos automatically kisses TK on the forehead and mumbles something about being tired and going to bed early.

At this point in their routine, TK usually takes a hold of Carlos' hand and follows his boyfriend into the room, getting into bed together and running his fingers through his curls until he falls into a restless sleep. Tonight, however, he says he's too awake to sleep and stays behind.

TK waits until the bedroom door closes, a hushed silence settling over the room. Then he tiptoes into the kitchen and starts planning.

-x-x-x-

The following night, TK is reassured he's made the right choice as soon as he turns to Carlos, who is sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the 'Holiday Baking Championship: Gingerbread Showdown', playing on the TV. It took TK a few months of knowing Carlos to realize he loved baking shows as much as he loved baking itself. Typically, his boyfriend is a bundle of nervous energy and excitement when they watch. Tonight, however, he's quiet and subdued, and TK dearly misses his running commentary about the contestants and the treats they're trying to make. He even misses his uncharacteristic snark when someone messes up and his adorable muttering that he could have done it better.

As the living room clock ticks closer to eight o'clock it's TK who becomes the bundle of nervous energy as his conviction wavers, and he begins questioning his decision. Luckily, or maybe unluckily, he has no time to wonder further as the doorbell rings, and Carlos turns to look at him uncertainly.

"Can you get that? Please," TK calls offhandedly, busying himself with some dishes that needed drying.

Carlos raises a suspicious eyebrow and gingerly lifts from the couch. "Are we expecting someone?"

"Just takeout," TK lies, shelving the plates and cups from breakfast but looking at the front door out of the corner of his eye.

"Right." Carlos stops by the antique mirror he inherited from his grandmother to fix his hair, straighten the neck of his Polo, and take a few deep, calming breaths.

A shriek welcomes him as he opens the door. Instead of a delivery driver, there's Judd and Paul struggling to carry a fresh Christmas tree in between them, Mateo fumbling with various grocery bags and a case of beer, Marjan holding Target bags of Christmas ornaments, and Nancy, arms full with a Yule Log Cake from their favorite local bakery. Grace and Tommy are standing at the back, alongside Charlie, Evie, and Izzy, the last of which is carrying three boxes of various gingerbread houses.

More surprising is the fact they're all dressed in Christmas Pajamas ranging from completely adorable to hilariously inappropriate.

"Hey everyone," Carlos says, his breath hitching, and vision blurring.

"Hi Reyes. Thanks for having us," they all say in chorus.

Their friends are already familiar with the Reyes-Strand residence as if it were their own and they waste no time making themselves at home. Judd and Paul expertly navigate the Christmas tree through the door, their laughter filling the air when they almost knock over a framed picture of the firefam plus Carlos last 4th of July. Mateo arranges the food on the kitchen counter with one hand, the other already holding a beer can, while Marjan untangles strings of Christmas lights and Nancy opens boxes of ornaments and arranges them on the coffee table. Grace and Tommy, with the help of Evie, Izzy, and Charlie, begin to set up the living room with festive decorations.

TK notices Carlos standing by the door, shocked by the unexpected gathering of friends, and gestures to the others to go on without them. Concerned, he makes his way to his husband, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," TK says softly, looking into Carlos' eyes. "You okay?"

Carlos, still processing the scene in front of him, startles a little. Eventually he manages a nod and a tentative smile. "Yeah, just overwhelmed. I didn't expect…"

TK understands the unspoken words and pulls Carlos into a hug. "I wanted to make this holiday special for you, for both of us. Our friends thought so too. They have been texting all week asking to come over. They wanted to bring some Holiday cheer to us," he whispers, and his breath near Carlos' neck is warm and tingly and comfortable.

"Thank you." Carlos takes a deep breath, melting into TK's embrace. "I never thought I'd have this again."

TK sighs sadly and squeezes him a little tighter. "We can make new traditions, babe. We can celebrate with our friends, and just the two of us. We can create new memories," he pauses, letting his words reach Carlos before he continues, "and none of that is going to erase the traditions or memories you shared with your dad. Just like they didn't erase the ones I shared with my mom. They would want us to be happy and carry on enjoying the holidays."

Carlos nods into TK's shoulder, giving himself an extra moment to breathe him in before he pulls back. "How did I get so lucky?" He asks seriously, cupping TK's cheek and running his thumb over his bottom lip.

"I've been asking myself that same question for years," TK replies, without missing a beat. "We're a team, remember?" He closes the distance between them and kisses Carlos chastely, hoping to avoid the familiar groans and chants to "find a room".

"Besides, your smile? It makes it all worth it."

Before Carlos can respond, TK pulls him into their room and dresses them in matching pajamas before they rejoin their friends in the living room, the atmosphere already buzzing.

They decide to divide and conquer, and spend the next few hours setting up the tree, decorating it and the living room, baking chocolate chip and sugar cookies, and building three gingerbread houses because Evie, Izzy and Charlie couldn't agree on one.

Quickly, the room is transformed into a lively scene of laughter and friendly arguments, much like the Hallmark movies Carlos is so fond of. By the time the clock ticks midnight, the living room is no longer bare and shadowed, but adorned with twinkling lights, enough ornaments to rival Santa's workshop, and the fresh scent of a Christmas tree and recently baked cookies.

With the parents of the group having all gone home, way past the girls' bedtime, the exhausted remaining members of the group lounge in between the furniture and the floor, finishing the day eating cookies, broken pieces of gingerbread houses, and drinking spiked hot chocolate or apple cider.

When Carlos goes to bed a few hours later, he's still sad and a little bit overwhelmed, but he breathes a little easier. The holiday magic that seemed lost has been rekindled by the people who care about them the most.

December 2024

Carlos stands by the cabin's window, gazing out at the twinkling Christmas lights adorning the houses of their temporary neighbors. Snow had been lightly falling for hours, initially dusting the ground in a soft, white blanket. Now, it fully covers the yard, their car, and every road leading out of town and to the airport.

Resigned, he turns back to the room, which is filled with the comforting scent of pine and cinnamon. TK is bustling around, unpacking the luggage he had only packed this morning just before their phones buzzed with matching alerts informing them that their flight had been canceled.

After a challenging year in which they almost lost their way to each other, TK had convinced him to abandon tradition and embrace the new beginning that was thwarted before. No one had passed away recently, and their ghosts and demons were finally at peace.

So instead of spending a familiar Christmas at home, they had taken a flight to Aspen and spent a magical week getting familiar with each other and relearning the ways to make each other's hearts soar. The cozy cabin, with its roaring fireplace and rustic charm, had become a sort of sanctuary for them, a place where they could truly reconnect without other people and their jobs taking their attention.

Sensing eyes on him, TK pauses and looks up, a smile breaking on his face as soon as he sees Carlos staring. "You know, since we're snowed in, we might as well make the most of it."

Carlos raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? What did you have in mind?" He asks, his tone light and playful. 

TK grins and nods towards the kitchen. "How about we bake some cookies?"

"Cookies?" Carlos looks dumbfounded at the many boxes of homemade cookies Andrea sent "because it's important to keep tradition alive." 

"We're alone in a snowed-in cabin, with nothing to do and nowhere to be, and you want to bake cookies? Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?" He asks seriously.

TK chuckles, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you have other ideas, Ranger Reyes?"

Carlos nods and beckons TK closer. "I wouldn't mind continuing what we were doing last night," he whispers, his breath hot on TK's ear. "We don't have a hot tub at home, after all."

"I like the way you think." TK leans back and kisses Carlos chastely, laughing when his husband chases him and stumbles as he leads the way to the fenced-in patio.

-x-x-x-

"This week has been perfect," Carlos murmurs sometime later. He wraps his arms around TK from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder as they stand in matching ugly sweaters and cozy sweatpants gazing at the Christmas tree they decorated on their first night here.

TK turns his head to press a kiss to Carlos' temple. "It really has. We should do it more often."

Carlos nods and pulls a small box from his pocket. "That reminds me, I have one more gift for you. I was going to give it to you when we were back in Austin to fight the post-vacation blues, but now feels like the perfect time."

TK's eyes widen in surprise as he takes it in. Carefully, he unwraps a delicate locket. Inside it's a picture of the two of them on their honeymoon, and their initials are engraved on the cover of the small heart.

"It's a promise that no matter what comes our way, we'll face it together. You're my home, TK. I'm sorry that this year I strayed a bit farther away." Carlos holds up the locket and clasps it around TK's neck, its length making it fall just above the insignia he's seen his husband wear every day since they met.

Tears well up in TK's eyes and he turns around, burying his face on Carlos' chest as he hugs him tightly. "I love you so much, Carlos. Thank you."

Carlos smiles, heart full. "Thank you, TK."

Lost in their own bubble, TK and Carlos lose track of the time. The cheers coming from outside are the only thing alerting them of the arrival of the new year.

Laughing, they turn towards each other. "Happy New Year," TK whispers, their foreheads pressed together.

"Happy New Year," Carlos echoes, pulling him into a slow, heartfelt kiss. One full of promise for the new year.

They move to the couch with a plate of gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, and sit down, content to just hold each other.

Carlos turns to look into TK’s eyes, mesmerized at how they reflect the light from the fireplace. He chuckles softly, "We were supposed to be at Nancy's party, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything."

TK smiles, his thumb brushing the heart-shaped locket resting above the one beating inside his chest. "Neither would I. This feels right."

As the night gives way to dawn, the sound of distant fireworks and jubilant cheers fills the air, but in their cabin, the world revolves solely around the two of them.

[tedcruzatemyson]

So I was listening to where the wild things are by Luke combs and all of a sudden I had inspiration for an angsty fic about Buck getting a new bike. Ya know the things that nurses, docs, and first responders sometimes call donorcycles? Ya know the one he crashed last time? 🙃

[trashbag-baby666]

Your Blood is Washed Away and all you did will be Undone-Clegan Casper fd au

Dedicated to @umika :3

Summary: John knows exactly how to get Gale to relax after a long day.

WC: 1,060

C/W: Brief mentions of blood (Gale talking about his workday)

mota masterlist! | ao3 link

Gale’s glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, the laptop screen In front of him reflecting off. He stared blankly at the electricity bill to keep himself, to keep himself a reason to not go up to bed. John would fall asleep and he’d be left with his wandering thoughts, unable to catch a single moment of peaceful sleep. 

Today, there had been multiple people airlifted to the hospital after a particularly nasty bus crash. The ER had been packed, every bed full. Gale ran rampant through the open space, swishing curtains back to ask questions or hold a bloodied wad of gauze to someone while they nearly bled out on him. 

His thoughts came to a stop as he felt Scooby’s wet nose nuzzling at his elbow. It wasn’t just John who wanted to come to bed, even their great dance was pleading with his dad to come lay down. 

“Will you come lay down if Scooby asks you?” John came down the stairs after reading Flynn her last bedtime story. Gale felt his warm hand rub a circle on the center of his back before resting on his shoulder, “What kinda business does the electricity bill have at nearly ten pm, Buck?”

“Just checking the finances.” Gale closed the tab and closed his laptop but remained seated at the breakfast bar. His head going down into his hands, his glasses being pushed up into his blonde locks as he rubbed his eyes. 

“Your day still bothering you?” John rested his chin on the top of Gale's head wrapping his arms around him. Gale instinctively leaned into John’s warm touch, every part of him would never fail to provide comforting heat. 

“No, I’m just tired.” Gale lied letting his glasses fall back into place, he crossed his arms over John’s holding the man’s muscular arms. His index finger begins to trace the winding vines and flowers down John’s left arm. 

“Will you come up to bed?” He could feel the vibration of John’s voice against him. Scooby returns to nuzzling him and throwing in the occasional sigh and whine, “I’ll rub your back.”

That was enough for Gale to agree, he gingerly nodded. John set him free from his grasp, he stood up off the bar stool pushing it back in.

Gale folded the ear pieces of his glasses in and set them back in their designated case. He pulled off his shirt in one slick movement tossing it aside next to the bed. He tended to run cold at night and probably would put it back "Lay down," John instructed, grabbing their eucalyptus mint lotion from Gale's side of the vanity in the adjoining bathroom. Gale obeyed, letting Scooby find his spot sprawled at the end of the bed first. He stretched out horizontally, resting his cheek on his intertwined hands and closing his eyes. He felt John climb onto the bed, balancing his weight carefully on Gale's lower back and butt. "This alright, baby?"

Gale nodded silently, listening to the familiar sound of John squeezing the nearly empty lotion bottle. He made a mental note to watch for another sale at Bath and Body Works. As John’s warm hands began working circles into his lower back, Gale let his mind drift to the couples retreat they had attended last year. He had initially scoffed at the idea, but soon found himself in a beachside hut, lulled by the sound of waves and the salty breeze in his hair. The massage class had been particularly memorable. John's massages had always been pleasant but a little rough and karate choppy... Now, after the class, John’s touch was professional-grade, blending perfect pressure with soothing strokes.

As John’s hands moved up his back, Gale's tension melted away. He kept his breathing steady, savoring each moment, every touch, feeling an almost meditative peace wash over him. For a while, the harrowing events of the day faded, replaced by the simple, profound comfort of being loved.

“Talk to me, Buck,” John’s voice broke the silence, gentle yet insistent. “I know it was a rough day.”

Gale sighed, burying his face deeper into his hands. “It’s just… everything. The crash, the blood, the chaos. I can’t shake it off…feeling like my dads right.”

John's hands paused momentarily, then continued their soothing rhythm. “You don’t have to carry it all alone, you know. I’m here.”

Gale’s throat tightened, and he squeezed his eyes shut. “I know. It’s just hard. Sometimes it feels like if I let go for even a second, I’ll fall apart. Maybe he was right, John? I’ll end up just like him.”

John leaned down, his breath warm against Gale’s ear. “You know that’s not true, baby. You have so much to be proud of that you know he couldn’t even be bothered to do himself. You’re a doctor for pete's sake. So let me catch you. We’re a team, remember?”

The sincerity in John's words broke something open inside Gale. He turned his head slightly, looking up at John with glistening eyes. “I’m scared, John. Scared of what’s happening, scared of losing control.”

John’s face softened with understanding. He climbed off Gale’s back, lying down beside him and pulling him into a tight embrace. “It’s okay to be scared. But you don’t have to face it alone. I’ve got you.” 

Gale felt the dam inside him break, tears spilling over as he clung to John. The weight of the day, the weeks, the months, seemed to pour out in those tears. John held him, whispering soothing words, his hands never ceasing their comforting touch. He knew it was healthy he was getting it out. It’s what he had worked on all these years in therapy.

“I love you,” John murmured, pressing a kiss to Gale’s temple. “And I’m not going anywhere and I assure you, you’re the best dad in the world.”

Gale nodded against John’s chest, his breathing slowly evening out. “I love you too,” he whispered back, the words a lifeline in the dark.

As they lay there, the room filled with a quiet, profound peace. Gale could feel the tension slipping away, replaced by the warmth of John’s presence and the steady beat of his heart. For the first time in what felt like forever, Gale allowed himself to truly relax, knowing he was safe, loved, and not alone.

- - Taglist: @austeenbootler @storysimp @executethyself35 @coastiewife465 @slowsweetlove Reply to be added to the Casper fd au tallest <3

[fictionalmenxyn]

--✵𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝✵--

✵𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐧 ’𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤’ 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐱 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 ’𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐲’ 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬✵

Pairing: firefighter!buck x firefighter!willow

Relations: coworkers to lovers

Summary: Willow had been working in the 118 for as long as she can remember. It was her second job, thankfully she loved it. Later on in her job, Buck had joined the team and they became close very quickly. Would it be something more? Or would it just be ‘work family’??

(Reqs are open for both buck x willow AND buck x reader!!! :D)

[schrijverr]

Wake Me Up Before You Go 2

Chapter 2 out of 6

5 times Buck falls asleep on someone + 1 time he wakes up by himself

On AO3.

Ships: Minor Madney

Warnings: none

~~~

2. Chimney

After falling asleep on Bobby it’s a long time before it ever happens again. With the lawsuit, they’re far removed from each other and after it takes a long time to come back to each other. So, it’s not until Covid hits and Chimney and Buck are sharing his loft as roomies that it happens again.

Rationally Chimney knows he’s running just a little bit, but he can’t help but fear all the ways it can go wrong, so he stays away from Maddie no matter how hard it is and takes Buck’s ribbing about crashing on his couch this time around.

However, despite Buck’s teasing, Chimney knows how hard it is for Buck too. He wants to be there for his sister, wants to hug her and assure her better than he can through a videochat, wants to come over and help in any way he can. But he can’t. Neither of them can.

In a way it’s nice to have Buck there, someone to verbalize what he feels and can’t bring himself to say.

So, all in all, living together is going well.

Chimney has taken it upon himself to further educate Buck on pop culture, unable to live with him when he doesn’t even get his James Bond reference. Thus, movie nights have become quite common place, both of them crashing on the couch after a shift and watching some movie that Chim picked out with snacks or a meal Buck made.

Today, they’re munching on some sandwiches and watching The Breakfast Club. They’ve had one of the longest 48 hours shifts in a while and both are tired, but too wired to go to sleep just yet.

Instead of their usual commentary, they sit there in silence. Chimney is barely obtaining any information only half following the movie because he has seen it often. He is just thinking that they’re probably going to have to rewatch this later because Buck is probably not paying attention when that is confirmed by a weight against his shoulder.

When he looks to the side, Buck is fully zonked out against him, the sandwich half eaten and slipping from his grip. He must be more exhausted than Chimney thought that he’s actually asleep right now, he thinks as he saves the sandwich.

Both of them are tired, of course, but they ended their shift on a big car accident. Lost a few people there too. Chimney knows how badly Buck deals with losing people, even though he has gotten more used to it, like they all have had to. Still, it’s never easy, especially for Buck. So, the fact that he’s sleeping instead of being as restlessly exhausted yet awake like Chimney speaks a lot.

Chimney knows how hard it is to fall asleep after a call like that and Buck has another shift that he took over from Charles on the B shift soon, so he needs all the rest he can get. Chimney on the other hand is free the next two days, so he decides to let Buck sleep while he can. He can catch up later and blearily watch The Breakfast Club now.

It doesn’t entirely work out like that, because when he wakes up it’s to some jostling. He’s only half awake, so he doesn’t realize Buck is carrying him up the stairs until Buck is tucking him in bed and crawling in on the other side. Chimney falls back asleep before he can process fully.

The next morning Buck is already off to his next shift, because he is a workaholic weirdo. But Chim is glad now, he’s sure the teasing will be relentless, because apparently Buck can easily carry him up the stairs to tuck him into bed. Great.

However, the teasing never comes. Not when Buck gets home after his shift, not when they get into bed that night, not when they videocall Maddie and Albert, and not when they come into work next time with the A shift.

After a few days of nothing Chimney carefully brings it up, asking Buck why he hasn’t been teased to hell and back after that.

Buck looks slightly embarrassed – though Chimney doesn’t know why – as he shrugs: “You let me sleep, figured I’d do the same for you. It’s not a big deal.” And that’s that.

[wildlife4life]

Fuck-It Friday

Tagged by @giddyupbuck @watchyourbuck @buddierights @cowboy-buddie @jesuisici33 @spotsandsocks @spaceprincessem @disasterbuckdiaz @hippolotamus @forthewolves @exhuastedpigeon @ladydorian05 @lover-of-mine @daffi-990 and @wikiangela Thank you all so much! You are all so awesome and I look forward to all your works!

I know I'm a little late to today's tag but my mother and youngest sister are in town and my sister can be... a lot. Anywho, really don't want to get into all of that. So here is a little bit of NFL Buck, featuring the Dosed arc.

Bobby was in the safe hands of Michael and David, with May soon to the join them once her class was out. Karen graciously got off work early to pick up Hen and recorded the over affectionate reunion on her phone. Ravi's mother had come storming in and gave Chimney (one of the sober few and currently acting captain until the all clear is given by the further ups) an earful before bundling the probationary firefighter up in her car, all the while he mumbled on about still being able to see the new type of pollen. The rest of the drug induced firefighters were picked up by various friends or family members. All except Eddie Diaz. On file for his emergency contact he had an Isabel Diaz, with abuela noted next to her printed name and after her, Josephina Diaz. Unfortunately, Isabel was out of town along with Josephina, her daughter and Eddie's aunt, but Isabel did give some reassurance, "Eddie's novio, he's at their home." "Can I get his information then? Give him a call to come pick up firefighter Diaz?" Athena asked. A pause. Frantic whispers away from the phone. Then, "Los siento, but Buck won't be able to do that." Isabel states, voice on edge. "How come?" Athena was becoming a little suspicious. Another pause. More whispers. This time Josephina answered, "It is not our place to explain, but if you would please get our Eddito home safely, we know he will be taken care of." Athena sighs and accepts that she is going to be stuck with the blubbering high mess that is Eddie Diaz a little while longer. Later, when her husband and his newest firefighter were sober, she was going to get answers.

I am so excited for the comedic piece of the arc because I love love love how Eddie was high and I just wanted more of it. If you want to see more NFL Buck, just go here.

Tagging (sorry if you've already been tagged and that its a little late. Also no pressure!): @try-set-me-on-fire @rogerzsteven @devirnis @theotherbuckley @callaplums @fortheloveofbuddie @eddiediaztho @cowboy-buck @eddiebabygirldiaz @thewolvesof1998 @loserdiaz @thekristen999 @lizzybizzyzzz @shortsighted-owl @homerforsure @sibylsleaves @monsterrae1 @eowon @911onabc @911-on-abc @brokenribsdiaz @housewifebuck @honestlydarkprincess @bvckandeddie @arthursdent @elvensorceress @glorious-spoon @bigfootsmom @athenagranted @rainbow-nerdss @gayhoediaz @gayedmundodiaz

[meowdy-all]

Yk what i need. A 118 firefam watch the show fic. Whether it be the 118 fam from the past (season 1) watching the future. Or chosesn season watching back and through the future. I need the group to react to eddies entrance to 'What a man', eddie winning at fight club, buck during the tsunami, chim and the fucking rebar, the ust between buck and eddie, the SNIPER. I need it unhealthily.

[callsign-dexter]

Appendix

Summary: Y/N Buckley-Diaz is rushed to the hospital.

Pairings: Eddie Diaz x Daughter!Reader, Evan Buckley x Daughter!Reader, Eddie Diaz x Evan Buckley

Warnings: angst, fluff

Masterlist

The Firehouse Miracle

It was a normal Wednesday morning in the Buckley-Diaz household. Both Buck and Eddie were up before Chris and Y/N, which wasn't unusual. What was unusual was when Chris came out of his room to the smell of bacon but Y/N didn't. Both Buck and Eddie looked at each other in concern. "Hey, Buck and Dad." Chris said and they smiled at him

"Hey, Chris!" Buck said

"Hey, Buddy!" Eddie said at the same time. Chris sat down and Buck dished out his food but their daughter had yet to come out of her room. "I'll go and check on her." He said after looking at Buck, they had gotten to the point where they could tell what one another was thinking with just one look. Eddie began walking to her room after ruffling his son's hair, which Chris laughed at.

When Eddie got to Y/N's room he knocked first and when he didn't get a response he opened the door and peeked in. He found her curled up in a fetal position still sound asleep at first he smiled then the light caught sweat on her hairline and he frowned. He walked in further and noticed her face scrunched up in pain. He sat on her bed and rubbed her back "Princesa." He said softly using his nickname for her when she was little. She groaned but didn't stir. This wasn't like their daughter. Buck had decided to make his appearance when Eddie didn't come back after 10 minutes. He frowned when he saw her in a curled fetal position, the same position Eddie found her in. He walked in and kneeled on the ground. He looked up at Buck and Eddie shook his head.

Buck began stroking her hair. "Sweetheart? It's time to wake up." He said in a soft voice and she groaned again and Buck looked at Eddie. "You want some food? I got eggs and bacon." He said in a questioning voice. She slowly opened her eyes and grimaced.

"No." She said and looked at Eddie and then Buck. This concerned her fathers.

"You ready to get up and dressed for school?" Eddie asked with a small smile.

"Ok." She said this wasn't their talkative 10-year-old. Eddie got up and Buck stood up. They watched her slowly get out of bed and move slowly around the room.

"We'll be in the kitchen if you need us." Buck said and she nodded and they left the room. Still as concerned as ever when they walked into her room.

"She felt warm didn't she?" Buck asked Eddie and he nodded.

"Yeah, she did. Something isn't right with her. This is not like her." Eddie said and Buck agreed. They reached the kitchen and started to fix her plate just as soon as she started to come out they looked at her. Now out in the light, they could see how pale she was and her gate was slow. She had her school clothes on but they weren't going to send her to school not with her looking like that. She sat down and they put the plate in front of her.

"Hey, Y/N/N." Chris said and she smiled "You don't look so good." He said and she shook her head.

"Hey. I don't feel so good." She admitted as she took one bite of the eggs she swallowed and they could've sworn her face turned green. She jumped up and ran to the bathroom and started throwing up. All three males looked at each other and Eddie and Buck took off towards their daughter.

When they got there she was leaning over the toilet puking what she had in her stomach, which wasn't anything. So she was just dry heaving. She had tears rolling down her face. Eddie was the one to pull her hair back. "Princesa, are you ok?" He asked and she shook her head. Afraid that if she spoke she would just dry heave more. Dry heaving made her exhausted she practically fell into Eddie exhausted and he caught her. "It's ok Princesa." He said and wrapped an arm around her. He then looked at Buck.

"I'll call the school and tell them she's not going. I'll call Maddie and Chim and see if they can watch her." Buck said and looked back at their daughter who had her eyes closed and was sweating and had tears escaping her eyes.

"Yea, that sounds like a good idea." Eddie said. Buck went off into the other room. "Princesa, you want to try and get up?" He asked her. She cracked her eyes open.

"Ok." She said really out of it. He kissed the top of her head and started the process of getting up "Want Maddie." She said and this didn't surprise her father. She went through phases of wanting different people when she was sick.

"Ok, getting up on 1,2,3." He said he helped her stand and her legs were shaking like a newborn foal standing on its legs for the first time and he was mostly supporting her weight. He let her get her footing and then started to help her out of the bathroom and into the living room. "Dad is calling Aunt Maddie now." He said as he laid her on the couch she nodded her head and drifted off to sleep. He made sure she was ok then went to where Buck was in the kitchen with Chris.

"Maddie and Chim said they could take her." Buck said and that made Eddie chuckle "Did she say she wanted Maddie?" He asked.

"Yea she did. Alright, Chris, we are taking you to school and then taking Y/N/N to Maddie and Chim." Eddie said

"I'm gonna say bye to her." Chris said and they smiled. That kid really did love his sister and she loved her brother.

"Just be careful." Buck said as Chris was getting up and walking into the living room. They could hear quiet talking and that brought smiles to their faces.

When it was time to leave Buck was the one to help their daughter up off the couch while Eddie got the truck ready. They were loaded in by the time she and Buck got there. "Dad?" She asked and he looked at her.

"Yes, Baby?" He asked

"I don't feel good." She said and about that time she had leaned over and threw up in the bushes. He held her hair back and rubbed her back.

"I know, Baby. Let it all out." He said and by the time she was done Eddie was there with a washcloth wiping her mouth. They got her loaded into the truck and headed off.

When they dropped Chris off he said bye to them and his sister which she weakly returned. Then they drove to Maddie's and Chimney's house. "Why does Chimney have off?" Y/N asked weakly they both softly smiled.

"He had some things to do around the house and errands to run that Maddie couldn't." Eddie said and she nodded and leaned back against the headrest. They both looked into the review mirror concerned for their youngest.

When they arrived at Maddie's she and Chimney were already outside. All three of them got out of the truck and headed to the couple. "Oh, Honey. You don't look good." Maddie said and brought the girl into a hug "You're warm too." She said.

"Yea she tried to eat and ran to the bathroom and threw up. She was warm then too. She threw up in the bushes. She also said that she wanted you this time." Eddie said and they all chuckled.

"Well you two need to get to work. We got her from here." Chimney said and they nodded and said goodbye to their daughter and headed toward the station. The three of them headed inside. "Do you want something to drink?" He asked the girl as Maddie was helping her sit on the stool.

"No. Not hungry." She said not looking at them so she didn't see the look on their faces towards each other.

"Can you at least drink a little bit of juice or Gatorade?" Maddie asked she looked at her when she said Gatorade.

"Gatorade, please." She said and they smiled. She was always so polite. Chim nodded and got it out of the fridge and opened it for her.

It was becoming 1 PM and it was lunchtime. Y/N had moved to the couch to watch some TV when Maddie came in and sat down. "Hey, do you want to try to eat something? Chim is going to stop at Panera on his way home. He can get you some soup." She asked looking worried.

"I'll try. Can I get the tomato soup?" She asked in a small voice while looking at her and Maddie smiled.

"Of course, I'll text him. You just continue resting and drinking that Gatorade." Maddie said and swept some hair away from her face.

Chim arrived back with the food and Y/N slowly made her way to the table and sat down slowly. They looked at each concerned. "When was the first time you got sick or started feeling this way?" Chim asked the youngest and she took a bite while thinking.

"It started Friday but I didn't think anything of it. I didn't tell Papa or Dad because they were stressed. I didn't start throwing up until this morning." She said taking slow small bites of her soup.

Surprisingly she didn't run to the bathroom throwing up. They finished lunch and when she was getting up pain shot through her right side abdomen. She stopped and took in a sharp breath and this caught the attention of both adults. They turned to her and rushed to her side. "Hey, are you ok?" Chim asked and she didn't answer at first but nodded her head.

"I think so." She said breathlessly. She stood and began walking and both adults watched her eyes roll into the back of her head and her knees buckle as they rushed to catch her. They lowered her to the ground where Chim went into paramedic mode and Maddie went into nurse mode.

"Hey, Sweetheart. Can you hear me?" He asked and they got no response. He felt her pulse and it was racing. Then Maddie made attention to something.

"Chim, her right side abdomen is swollen." She said and she lifted her shirt and sure it enough it was.

"Appendicitis." Chim confirmed.

"Should we call 911 or take her ourselves?" She asked

"It'll be too long for us to take her. Call 911." Chimney said and she nodded and got up to get her phone while Chimney called 911.

**********************************************

The 118 had just gotten back from a call and were putting their gear away. "How's Y/N/N doing?" Bobby asked the two fathers.

"She's sick. She threw up on Buck's bacon and eggs, which she loves. She then threw up in the bushes when we were leaving." Eddie said as they walked up the stairs to the kitchen.

"Who did she want this time?" He asked knowing the girl.

"Maddie." Eddie said and they chuckled.

"It'll change the next time she's sick." Buck said while getting something to eat. "I'm kind of wondering how she's doing." Buck said and was about to make a call when the bells rang. When the alarm said the address and the situation everyone froze.

"Please tell me that is the wrong address." Buck said as they were gearing up. Once in the truck, Bobby asked for the address again. They said it and Bobby looked back to both of them as they heard the address and the situation. He watched the color drain from their face.

"Ok guys this is one of our own we treat this as any other call." Bobby said but nobody said anything.

They got to the apartment and rushed in. Eddie and Buck were the first one to her but then Hen came in and they started to assess the situation "It looks like she has appendicitis, I don't know if it has bust yet. Did she hit her head on the way down?" She asked Maddie and Chim. They shook their head.

"No, Chim caught her and then we helped lower her down." Maddie said and Hen nodded. Y/N started to come around she opened her eyes and saw her fathers and who she considered her aunts and uncles.

"Papa? Dad?" She asked when her eyes landed on them.

"Princesa, we're here. You're ok." Eddie said and then she looked at Hen and the woman smiled at her.

"Hey, Sweetie. We're going to get you to hospital ok?" Hen asked in a sweet voice and Y/N nodded. They got her on the gurney and everyone left. Maddie stopped Buck.

"We'll meet you there." She said and he nodded he could see a certain look on her face.

"This is not your fault. Ok? Nobody could've predicted this." Buck said and gently grabbed her shoulders and she nodded but tears still came to her eyes. "Hey, it is ok. We're taking her now and she's going to get the surgery that she needs. We should've seen the signs before but she's a good at hiding things." Buck said reassuring his sister. He kissed her forehead and ran to catch up with the rest.

Eddie and Buck rode in the back of the ambulance while another paramedic drove since. When they got to the hospital Hen listed what was wrong with her and they now had to wait. Bobby came up to them. "Take the rest of the day off. We'll be back to be with her and I'll bring you a change of clothes." He said and they both nodded and went to wait in the waiting room. About that time Chimney and Maddie showed up and sat with them.

"What about Chris?" Buck asked thinking of the older child.

"I'll have Carla pick him up and bring him here." Eddie said in a quiet tone. Nobody really spoke after that. It was a comfortable silence. Chimney was holding Maddie's hand and looking down and Maddie was looking at the doors wishing she was still working as a nurse to fins out what is going on. Buck and Eddie were just staring into space wondering how the missed the signs.

"How did we miss it?" Eddie asked "She never let us know she was in pain or was sick." He said shaking his head.

"She's good at hiding things." Buck said. Maddie then looked at them.

"She said that she didn't want to bother you. You were both stressed She said it started Friday but I didn't think anything of it. She also said that she didn't start throwing up until this morning." She said and if they weren't feeling bad before they were feeling bad now. Just then Bobby and Athena walked into the waiting room. Bobby handed Eddie and Buck their bags and they went and changed.

"Are they ok?" Athena asked

"They're feeling bad because they didn't catch the symptoms earlier." Chimney said

"They shouldn't feel bad. She's good at hiding things and masking pain." Bobby said and they all agreed. Eddie and Buck walked out from getting changed. Athena hugged the both of them and they hugged her back.

"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Buck said to Bobby once Athena released the hug.

"I'm just here dropping of your bags and then heading back out. We'll be back after out shift. Athena here actually doesn't have to go back to work." Bobby said and they nodded. Bobby left after a few minutes "Keep us updated." He said and they nodded.

**********************************************

1 hr. later the doctor was coming out into the waiting room. "Family of Y/N Buckley-Diaz?" He said and Eddie and Buck stood up and walked over to him.

"We're he dads." Eddie said and he nodded.

"I'm Dr. Waters. We got in there just in time. Any minute later it would've ruptured. She still has a fever and we put her on IV fluids and antibiotics. She has been moved to a room. You can go and see here in room 118." He said and they nodded and he turned and left. They found it a little bit funny that she was in room 118 when they worked for the 118. They walked over to Maddie, Chimney, and Athena. They looked at them.

"The got in surgery just in time. Any minute later and it would've ruptured. She still has a fever and has been put on IV fluids and antibiotics. She's in room 118. We can go see her." Buck said and everyone sighed in relief.

"118 huh?" Chimney said with a chuckle.

"We found it funny too." Eddie said as they started to go and see the most beloved girl known to the firehouse. "I'm gonna text Bobby and Hen and let them know." He said as he started walking and texting. He also texted Carla.

They got to her room and found her sleeping peacefully and they walked in. Eddie and Buck walked over to her and brought over two uncomfortable plastic chairs and waited for her to wake up. They would've woken her up but they wanted her to sleep. Everyone else took seats around the room.

30 minutes later she woke up with a groan and her dads were up and fussing over her. "Princesa." Eddie said at the same time as Buck said "Baby." She moved slightly uncomfortbale.

"How are you feeling?" Eddie asked

"Better. What happened?" She asked

"You had your appendix removed. You fainted when you were at Maddie's and Chimney's place." Buck said and she nodded and then looked over to them.

"I'm sorry guys." She said feeling guilty. They walked over to her along with Athena. "Hi, Athena." She added.

"Hi, Sweetie." Athena said and smiled

"It's ok, really. We're just happy you're ok." Maddie said and Chimney nodded as they touched her leg. They talked for awhile until she let out a yawn and they let her back to sleep.

**********************************************

3:15 PM rolled around and Carla was coming in with Chris. They greeted everyone and then turned to Y/N who was awake. "Hey sis." Chris said and she smiled.

"Hey big bro." She said tiredly

"Hey, Y/N. How are you feeling?" Carla said

"Hi, Carla. I'm feeling ok just sore." She said and she smiled.

"Knowing you, you'll be back to your normal self in no time." She said and Y/N smiled they all knew it was true. Nurses and came and went throughout the day checking on her. Her fever had broke and now she had to spend the night and hopefully be released tomorrow.

She had fallen asleep again while everyone had quiet conversations. When it had turned to 5 PM Bobby, and Hen were walking into the room carrying some things. "118 huh?" Bobby asked and chuckled.

"Yea, that's the same reaction we had." Chimney said and then Y/N stirred.

"Hi Bobby and Athena." She said and smiled and they smiled bacl.

"Hi Y/N." Bobby and Hen said at the same time.

"We got you some things." Hen said and that is when they noticed the 'Get Well Soon' bear and balloon and then the flowers in Bobby's hands.

They all talked and then visiting hours were over. Buck and Eddie were allowed to stay since she was minor. Carla offered to take Chris back home and to school the next day. Once everyone left they got comfortable although they had one thing on their mind and Buck was the first one to address it. "Baby, why did you hide it from us?" Buck asked and she looked down.

"I didn't want to bother you. You both were stressed from pulling two 24-hr shifts. I didn't think it was anything just something that I ate. I'm sorry." She said and they felt their heartbreak.

"Princesa, it's ok. We should've saw the signs earlier so it's on us. Just please come to us next time." He said and she nodded her head and looked up with tears falling.

"You can always come to us." Buck said and she sniffled and then yawned. "You tired?" He asked and she nodded her head and they chuckled.

"Get some sleep. We'll be right here." Eddie said and she nodded and she scooted down with the help of her and got comfortable.

"I love you Papa and Dad." She said already going to sleep.

"We love you too." They said at the same time. They got comfortable and listened to the sound of her heart monitor beeping steadily. They promised they would pay more attention to their surroundings when it comes to their kids, even after pulling two 24-hr shifts. She also promised to come to them when she started to feel sick.

Tag list:

@kmc1989

@els-marvelvsp

@atarmychick007

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