#turned me into a STAY AWAY FROM MY BABY BOY EVAN BUCKLEY person.

[eddiegettingshot]

rewatched 701-703 today and i was like damn tommy's snark is less funny now that i know he does that in literally EVERY scene! it worked in 703 because the 118 were being hog wild and we need an audience surrogate to be like "wtf" but after 709 it's like hey could you lighten up a little? i fear the mouth static was a one-off crazy moment for him 💔 (and no wonder buck liked it lol)

i LOVED tommy in 7x03 lmao i was like omg this guy is gonna be fun. and then he just kept... being like that... which is fine in the sense that i don't mind a mean and snarky character and i think he could be a fun recurring addition on the show in theory (for the same reason i would've liked taylor kelly to stick around), but i at this point i VEHEMENTLY dislike him as a love interest for buck. it would work better if he'd had more than one (1) moment of coming across as actually sincere and not condescending because then the cynicism would be balanced. but at this point it's coming across as him just not matching buck's energy in the slightest! can anyone point to textual evidence of a reason why tommy even likes buck other than that he was giving off vibes? it literally seems like he doesn't even want anything from buck.

and i feel crazy because everyone's like "omg but buck seems so happy, don't you want buck to be happy?" and yes buck does seem giddy and affected by tommy but HE'S BUCK!!! HE'S GIDDY AND AFFECTED BY ANYONE WHO THROWS HIM A CRUMB OF ATTENTION!! that doesn't necessarily mean the relationship is good for him? or that it's enjoyable to watch?

[911lonestar911imagines]

..Save me- Possessive Evan Buckley x Reader Smut

Summary: After a close run in and getting robbed Possessive! Evan Buckley is here to help

Warnings: Robbery, Heavy Smut, Degradation, rough sex, sir/captain kink, slight mommy kink, daddy kink

A/n: not proofread or edited, it was made at 4am before work :D

You and Evan hadn't been together long, but Evan knew something was different with you, he was more possessive, protective, territorial, and you never complained. You were an only child, and grew up only knowing a story about a deadbeat father who left whenever he found out about your mother's pregnancy, so if someone wanted to protect you and treasure you, who were you to stop them?

The day went smoothly, you both woke up, had great morning sex, and then went to work, your station as a pediatric doctor at the hospital, and his station at the firehouse. You visited him and the team on your break, and now you both just waited until you were both back home. As you locked your car and made your way towards your apartment you got the overwhelming sense of danger, even as you kept glancing around, never seeing anybody or anything, you still couldn't shake the feeling. As you unlocked your phone, you called Evan, before being slammed face first into the wall, feeling something almost like a gun, press against your lower back "E-Evan! Help me!" You screamed loudly, hoping really anybody would hear, it was a little past two thirty in the morning, and your apartment was mainly filled with older couples, and families with young babies, so somebody had to hear right?

Evan was finishing up checking up on a young boy they had rescued from an apartment balcony, whenever he got the call from Y/n. He wasn't sure exactly what she was saying because of the muffled moving like she was moving her phone around against her clothing, before he felt his heart drop and felt like he was going to puke all at once as he heard your scream pierce through the phone speaker. Evan wasn't even thinking at that point, sprinting past Hen, Bobby, and Eddie before he ever knew he was moving.

You screamed out as you finally broke away from whoever was holding you captive, taking off in a sprint down the hallway, you wanted to go to the safety of your home, but you didn't wanna risk the creep getting into your apartment. As you debated your options you noticed your phone was gone, no longer in your hand, no longer having a line to Evan, to safety, to the person who protected you no matter what. You sobbed, trying to pick your pace up as you turned the corner to run down the service stairs, a quick escape, screaming whenever you collided with a body, being held tightly. Your chest hurt from screaming for help and sobbing, you wanted to wake up, next to your boyfriend, ready to start another day. You felt yourself be pulled towards your apartment before seeing someone dash around the corner "Motherfucker!" You heard Evan yell, his voice echoing off of the walls "See if I don't find you myself!" His voice boomed, you fell against the wall, sliding down the wall as you cried, holding your body tightly, only now taking in you didn't have anything in your pockets anymore. No wallet, phone, keys, or your purse, you were robbed.

Evan froze, deciding on chasing after the guy, or staying with you, he quickly made up his mind as he rushed to your side, his shaky hands cupping your face "H-Hey, hey I've got you, y/n I've got you" He whispered holding you close to his chest, basically pulling you into his lap, wrapping his arms around you as he held you in a hug "Nobody can get you, I've got you" he whispered slowly standing up, lifting you up like you were a pebble on the ground "Come on" He whispered, you were too shaken up to actually process where you were going, but Evan was confident as he sat you in the passenger seat. "I know..I know" He whispered as you held onto his shirt tighter, slowly he pulled your hands away "We're going to my place...I've gotta get in though" He whispered before handing you the keys motioning for you to lock it as he walked around the jeep. You both knew you lived in a somewhat safe neighborhood, but you felt safer with them locked. Evan got in, buckling in the both of you in, before heading towards his apartment.

The entire drive he was lost in thought, seeing you so shaken up in his passenger seat reminded him of Maddie, sitting there after Doug, his thoughts were cut short by a gentle, shaky hand resting on the bend of his elbow, as he stopped in the apartment parking lot. As he looked over he was met with your soft delicate gaze, fixed on his lost one "You saved me, Evan.." You whispered, he shook his head resting a hand over yours "I was doing what was right..because I love you" He whispered.

It took a bit, but Evan had a dinner made, you showered, and now both of you sat on his bed watching a random tv show you found playing, You sighed looking at him as he traced his fingertips up and down your stomach "I'm gonna talk to Athena tomorrow about filing a police report.." You whispered, Evan hummed in agreement, you ran your fingers through his hair, smiling softly as his hums continued. You moved your hand lower starting to massage the back of his neck, giggling as his hums turned into groans of relaxation and pleasure. As you dug your fingers deeper, his groans grew louder, before eventually he mistakenly let a moan slip through. You both looked at each other in shock, Your giggles growing louder before Evan rolled to hover over you, immeidetly shutting you up. "Why is it...That it's funny when I moan..but whenever I laugh about making you scream in the mornings before work..I'm in the doghouse?" He teased, playfully giving you a pouty face "Yea yea" You groaned, laying back on the bed, watching Evan slowly stalk down your body until he was mouth level with your panty hemline, you could feel his breaths he was so close.

"Evan.." You whispered lowly, you could see as he held back as groan, instead biting down on your hip bone "Easy baby boy" You whispered, you could see his eyes snap towards yours "Uh uh, you were top this morning, plus, you had a hard night" He said as he grabbed your chin tightly, you looked at him through your eyelashes as he kissed you deeply. "I'm gonna make you feel so good" He whispered grinding against you, you didn't care how many times he fucked you, his size always shocked you, how could someone be so perfectly hung? Just thick enough and long enough to hit every spot. "Please Sir" You begged arching your back, Evan had to hold back his own moan, between your little 'yes sirs' and the way your tits fell perfectly out of his work button up. "Don't worry, I'm gonna take care of you" He whispered "Gotta get me nice and ready though, baby girl" He whispered pulling his sleep pants down lower, his cock springing up halfway hard "f-fuck" You whispered, all of a sudden you were seeing his naked for the first time again, taking his cock in your mouth for the first time "You've got this, baby girl...You've taken it before so well. you're my good girl" He whispered kissing your forehead gently as you slowly crawled to the end of the bed, he could feel himself growing more possessive, how dare someone else touch you? You brought him out of it as your warm mouth wrapped around him, his hand flying to the back of your head, and his legs spreading wider "Fuck" He grunted leaning back taking in the sight.

You were laid in front of him, ass up, legs spread, tits hanging out of his shirt, as your mouth was stretched around his cock, spit slowly pooling from your lips, dripping down to the very point of your hardened nipples. As his mind wondered it went back to being possessive, How dare someone else touch what's his? Try to hurt what's his?

You noticed Evan was lost behind his eyes as you swallowed around him, about to stop before a loud growl errupted from his chest, his hips bucking into your mouth, his cock sliding down the back of your throat. You relaxed it as you focused on his words that were muttered angrily under his breath

"....Touching what's mine"

"She's mine"

"Fuck my good slut"

"Even knows she's mine"

You gulped as he lifted your mouth off of him, you made eye contact with his possessive almost crazy stare "Who are you?" He whispered, the growl vanishing, his tone not matching his eyes, making him seem even more crazy "I'm yours" You responded just as softly, panting softly as you cupped his cheek, he never moved an inch, just letting out a huff "Who. are. you." He growled, you repositioned yourself over his lap, grinding against his cock, desperate to feel anything "I'm yours! I'm Evan Buckley's!" You screamed out as he held your hips against his as he grinded against you, hitting your clit almost perfectly "What else." He snapped, halting his movements almost as fast as he started "Just as loud, slut" He growled loudly "nobody can care for me like you, Evan! Nobody can fuck me, love me, or please me like you do, Evan Buckley! I'm yours" You panted as he squeezed your nipple between his finger tips "And nobody does it like you, baby" he whispered in your ear before flipping you onto your back, holding your hands above your hand "You want fucked? Want me to fuck you so hard with my cock you forget where you are?" He panted in your ear, you whined loudly spreading your legs, Evan just moved his knees to hold them as far open as you possibly could. You never experianced Evan like this, yea he's been a heavy dominant in bed, but never possessive dominant.

You almost screamed as Evan ripped your underwear off, biting his lip as he stared at your pussy, watching it slowly pool more wetness out, already soaking wet from your panties. "What baby? Where do you want my cock?" He panted in your ear, reaching under your pillow to use the silk ties you bought for his house a couple weeks ago, with your hands tied he smirked leaning up to sit on his knees "Please Sir! I want your cock, Please Evan!" You whined before moving your tied hands down to run your fingers through your folds spreading your wetness around to tease him "I want..your big cock..right here..please Captain Buckley" You whispered biting your lip teasingly as you started to push a finger into yourself slowly, you knew Evan always wanted to have the authority of captain, but he'd never take Bobby's place, and he'd never leave the 118, so Captain Buckley was a strong one for him. You could almost see his cock twitch "Don't you dare touch what's fucking mine" he growled before shoving himself fully into your pussy, bottoming out and kissing you deeply as you cried out around his lips as his cock stretched it's way through you.

"Fuck yes!" You squealed, allowing Evan to take his chance to kiss you deeply, shoving his tongue through your lips, exploring every part of your mouth, his cock never slowing it's brutal pace. "Nobody can touch what's mine" Evan growled taking your nipple into his mouth sucking and biting as you arched your back "Yes! Yes!" You started to chant before Evan clasped a hand over your mouth "Change of plans. You're mine tonight, and I don't wanna hear a peep until you're making a mess screaming my name" He growled, his voice was almost enough to have you creaming around him, but you held strong. You could feel the bed moving and the headboard hitting the wall as Evan fucked your pussy mericiless "D-Daddy!" You cried out as you came around his cock for the first time, Evan freezing before looking at you with the most evil smile.

He carried you to the kitchen, laying you over his kitchen island before resuming his brutal pace "Say it again" He grunted as he watched his cock disappear inside of you "I said say it again!" He demanded louder, you cried out as you felt his finger slide inside of you next to his cock "Fuck Daddy! It's too much!" You cried out as he found a steady pace, removing his finger pushing it into your mouth, moaning as your tongue circled his finger, cleaning any of your juices off of it. "Yea. My good fuckin wife. Taking my cock in the kitchen like a whore desperate to please her husband" He growled, you never knew Evan was the roleplay in bed type, but you couldn't lie, imaging you both married, him bending you over the table after a long day at work and having his way with his wife was orgasm inducing. "J-Just wanna make daddy feel good after work!" You moaned grinding against him, he just growled moving you both to the couch, positioning you on the arm rest so his cock was buried deeper inside of you.

"Don't worry, I'll make mommy feel good too" He growled as he sped up his pace, you gasped and moaned loudly feeling his warm cum pool inside of you, he slowly pulled out, using his thumb to push back in any cum that tried to leak out of your swollen pussy. You had no time to rest before Evan's tongue swiped over your clit "E-Evan too much!" You whimpered, already overstimulated by both of your orgasms and from how deep his cock was buried inside of you. He just growled against your clit, causing a vibration across your pussy "Daddy!" You whined trying to close your legs, but Evan lifted his head "You can either Squirt around my cock or my mouth." He said lowly, almost in a cold tone, like you didn't have a choice You knew you did though, you knew your safeword would stop everything but you liked this side of Evan. "Mouth it is" He snapped before sucking your clit into his mouth, you cried out again, chanting nothing but a song of 'Evan's and 'daddy's. Evan's tongue and mouth abused your clit as you squirmed on the couch. Evan never let up on his abuse until you were squirting around his tongue and into his mouth.

You screamed out as you soaked his face, riding his tongue desperately to ride out your high, once you got to the point, you pushed his head away whimpering, your legs shaking in his hands. "Such a bad..bad girl for me..now look at my couch.." He whispered motioning to the wet splatters coating the arm rest "Guess you'll just have to make it up to daddy" He whispered looking back down to his raging hard on, already painfully turned on by how desperate you looked. "Yes sir.." You whispered smirking...

Part two?

[creativeashproductions]

Change of Scenery // Evan Buckley

IN WHICH: Captain Bobby Nash has kept a secret from his friends, his wife and his step children since 2015 when he came to LA. Bobby’s eldest and only surviving child comes to LA to reconcile and make amends all the while she catches the eye of a certain blue eyed firefighter.

Warnings: Swearing, death/familial loss, pregnancy, blood, angst, injuries/medical emergency, and fluff

Words: 8k

A/N: Back at it with another 9-1-1 fic. Hope you enjoy, and I may just have to do another crossover with 9-1-1 and Julie and the Phantoms.

TO BE TAGGED SEND AN INBOX/ASK PLEASE!

Masterlist

There are moments in our lives that define us, whether it can be known as a positive or negative, but the outcome is always the same. A six-letter word that strikes fear and excitement into the souls of humans is change. The fear can be for ourselves or as a result of a child, a sibling, or a parent branching out on their own. Unfortunately, you had gone through a harsh and cruel experience on a cold winter night in the city you grew up in.

A typical Thursday filled with classes at the college you attended in Minnesota on a scholarship, nothing out of the ordinary. The plan had been to drive to your parents’ apartment to catch up with them for the weekend. Saturday morning was already reserved for a girls day with your little sister Brook and your mom. In the afternoon, you’d promised to take your brother Bobby to the ball diamond.

Your bag was packed, the plan to drive straight from class to St. Paul the following day to arrive in the daylight. Your dad struggled with worry when it came to you driving in the dark and especially in winter with icy roads.

“Y/N!” Dottie screeched from the living room of the four-bedroom dormitory. The pretty and curvy brunette had been the first friend you made in college.

Typically Dottie was on the quieter side, so when she screamed, you practically sprinted to the girl.

“Where’s the fire?” You demanded with a smirk at the reference to a topic that was a constant in your family. 

The fire drills your father conducted every four months for an exit plan in case of a fire and general information to save yourselves. He had also trained you to remember fire hazards and how to call dispatch with clear information if that time ever came. It never did and hopefully never would.

“The Lakeview Apartments in St. Paul.” Dottie’s dark brown eyes spoke only of pity and concern. The five foot ten roommate literally caught you as you tumbled into her arms with a loud grief-stricken scream.

You were forever indebted to the brunette for the plans she sacrificed to drive you back to St. Paul. There was absolutely no chance Dottie would allow you to both drive and be alone with no news. The media hadn’t released the names of the 148 deaths the fire relentlessly tore from the land of the living.

“I want to prepare you for what you’ll see. Your mother suffered severe third-degree burns over the majority of her body.” The kind nurse, also one of your friend’s parent, explained as she guided you to the Burn Center in the Regions Hospital, “I don’t want to lie and tell you she’ll be fine. You’re an adult Y/N. You deserve the truth and not be coddled.”

“Is she gonna survive?” You quietly asked, “Has she woken up since she was brought in?”

“The doctor placed her on a high dosage of morphine for the pain. Your father hasn’t left her side.” Lucinda informed you with sympathy written as over her face, The hazel eyes unable to adequately meet yours.

“I’ll check on her, then could you take me to the rooms my siblings are in?” You asked, completely unaware Brook and Bobby had been DOA at the hospital.

Your father hadn’t answered the text messages or the voicemails you had left on his phone—radio silent. You couldn’t be mad when he was with your mom, but a text would have been nice.

“This is where your mother is staying for the unforeseeable future. If you need anything, you can call me.” Lucinda softly replied before turning her heel to head back to the Burn Centre’s front desk.

It was horrific walking into a room with no idea if the occupant who had raised you would survive. The confident, gorgeous mother you had for the past nineteen years was unfamiliar to you, the extensive gauze covering nearly every inch of her body. You almost couldn’t even recognize the man sitting in the chair with his hands wrapped. 

“Dad? What happened?” You questioned the grieving man. The only person left in your family as you would soon come to know.

“Y/N?” Bobby gasped, pushing himself to his feet, staring at his only living child. The guilt ate at him just staring at you with those light brown eyes, “Oh, sweetheart.”

Your dad crossed the room in a few steps. The scent of smoke was still clinging to every part of him, but it was fine. Your dad was okay, minus the wounds on his hands. You’d always been closer with your father than your mother.

“Dad, what happened?” You quietly asked the ashamed firefighter that had to reconcile his feelings on the fire and his career—that struggle ending up pushing you away when he really just wanted you as close as possible.

“The building caught on fire after an ember from a heater lit a blanket on fire,” Bobby informed you with his eyes pinned on his wife. Bobby knew the chances of Marcy surviving were incredibly low, and he had to tell you that.

Bobby only knew the details passed on from a firefighter who pitied the man who’d lost most of his family. 

“Is Mom gonna be okay?” You questioned, and the said injured woman in the bed weakly responded.

“Baby?” Marcy quietly questioned from her absolutely still position on the hospital bed, “Uh, Bobby.”

You left your father’s side to be as close to your mom as possible, with the clear plastic separating you for her safety. Your heart shattered at the sheer exhaustion in her pretty blue eyes. 

“Hi, Mom.” You shakily spoke with one hand lightly pressed against the plastic divider. You didn’t even notice when your dad stepped up too.

“Marcy?” Bobby called out from right beside you, just as torn up, but Bobby carried extra weight on his shoulders, “We’re right here, Marcy. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

The muffled grunt of pain, your mom’s attempt to save you from grief, Marcy let out as she turned her head to look at you. You knew deep in your gut that this was the time place you would see your mom alive. And by the look in her eyes, she knew too.

“The...kids…?” Your mom’s breathing became more erratic as she questioned the man she viewed as her hero. The man she believed had saved her and their youngest children, “Where...are they?”

“The kids are fine.” The way your father said it and the tears led to the knowledge once kept from you.

“No.” You whispered, seeing the total grief written clear on his face. The pain meds and agony kept your mom from knowing the truth.

“They’re safe.”

“I knew you’d come and save us.” Your mom breathed as her eyes started hiding the pretty blue you’d now only see in pictures. In your dreams, until even those faded as father time cruelly pulled you along.

Then your worst nightmare happened. You watched as the woman you looked up to flatlined with the thought of her children safe. You’d always know she’d held on just long enough to find out the state of her children. You could only hope she’d forgive your father for lying to her as she died.

“Mom!” You screamed, fighting the arms of an orderly restraining you. You barely noticed the resistance to your frantic attempts.

One minute you were staring at a team unsuccessfully trying to revive your long-gone mother, then you were in a hotel room. The atmosphere tense and quiet between father and daughter, with the ghost of your dead family to keep you both company. You could hear Brook gagging every time you’d kissed your now ex. You could see Bobby toddling after you years ago.

At least you had your father—a father whose guilt festered until he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“It was my fault.” He murmured, staring at the barely eaten burger that tasted solely just cardboard. He couldn’t bear to look at your face, “I didn’t mean to leave it on.”

Your head snapped to stare at him in disbelief, “What do you mean you didn’t mean to leave it on?”

“I-I went to the roof to sleep after your mom kicked me out. I didn’t have my keys to the apartment I had below ours.” Bobby began spilling the lies he’d told to you about his addictions. Of the apartment, you’d had no clue was even in his possessions.

The pain of losing your family tore into you, “You took my mom away from me. I’ll never get to share my wedding day with her. Shopping for a dress and gossiping about boys. I’ll never be able to wipe Brook’s tears during her first heartbreak.”

Each word broke Bobby more and more.

“You stole my future. You’re selfish, ungrateful and utterly pathetic. You cost so many people so much, all because you sought out your next high.” You spat, glaring at someone you’d never expected to hurt you. You didn’t notice your hands grabbing your possessions nor opening the hotel room door, “You couldn’t even properly try to get clean.”

“Y/N-”

“Get your shit together before you kill anyone else. I never want to see you again.” You sobbed with regret already festering in your body, but pride held you back from apologizing.

Upon your return to your dorm with Dottie by your side, you immediately began the process to enter an exchange program. Within a month, your feet entered Sydney Airport. You didn’t return to America for several years.

You took a job as a casual lifeguard on Bondi Beach, met Lucas in a meet-cute situation at the grocery store. You graduated college and found a job as a paramedic as you began becoming a flight paramedic. In 2020 Lucas and you discovered you’d be bringing in a little baby into the world.

Learning about your little Cashew growing safe in your womb fanned the flame of desire to reconcile. Ultimately the pride kept pushing the urge to apologize for the cruel words you told your father further away. You naively believed you had all the time in the world.  

Remember the six-letter scary word? If losing your mom, siblings, and father was a devastating blow, losing Lucas was nearly tied. Your little Cashew lost their father before they even got to meet him. That was push enough to pack up your home and fly back to America with your father’s new address as soon as you could.

In the fallout of the apartment fire, your father relocated from Minnesota to Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles, 2020

As soon as you’d found the nicest but cheapest hotel to stay in until you found a place, you walked the streets of LA. The first order of business of approaching your father at his workplace as you had no personal address. Residing still in Minnesota, Deputy Chief Evans had only given you the address of Bobby’s work.

You could only hope Bobby wouldn’t turn you away. That he was willing to bridge the gap, you’d widened over the years. That he could forgive the silence to each email, he sent when you changed numbers.

“We should go out to dinner.” The female voice was what brought you back to the present time. The woman was beautiful with her buzzed head and clear skin.

Right by her side was a dark-haired male of Asian ethnicity with a bag thrown over his shoulder, “If you’re paying, you bet I’ll be there.”

The two continued to converse in their own world until the man had to literally dodge you when they finally noticed you.

“Does Chief Bobby Nash work here?” You inquired, having no desire to enter small talk when the baby was sitting on your bladder again. You nearly retched when the man stared down at your swollen midsection, shocked, “It’s not his baby.”

Hen caught the evident disgust on your face, “He’s in his office. I’ll guide you there…”

“Y/N.” You supplied the firefighter. Hen smiled in response, “And your name is…”

“Henrietta Wilson, but you can call me Hen. That was Howard Han. He goes by Chimney, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the name.” Hen chuckled in her steps to the closed door of the fire chief. Hen swiftly knocked on the door to give Bobby a heads up.

“Come in!” Bobby called from his pile of paperwork he had pushed and waited to work on. It had slipped as the date came closer. Your twenty-seventh birthday, the seventh one since he last saw you.

“Cap, a woman is asking for you,” Hen told her friend and boss. It’s a good thing you didn’t choose to surprise your father because Hen was shorted, and your bump made manoeuvring around tricky.

“What can I do…” Bobby trailed off when he saw the girl waiting to talk to him. The pen in his hand dropped to the table in shock.

Hen glanced between the two equally taken aback individuals, “Am I missing something here?”

“Hey, dad.” You whispered to the man who’d been dreaming of this moment since the minute you left. He’d searched for you at your previous college and nearly made a missing person report.

“Dad?” Hen couldn’t pick her jaw up from the floor if she even wanted to because this was juicy information. Sure, Bobby had caved into telling his team, his family that he’d lost his wife and two children in a fire.

He rarely talked about his life before the 118, but he’d never mentioned having a surviving daughter. Not in the handful of times he’d talked about the tragedy, nor did he have any objects or photos of you. 

“You’re really here?” Bobby lightly chuckled with a twinkle in his eye. Hen had only seen a handful of times. All of them had Athena in the scene, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” You beamed, stepping closer to the man you’d missed dearly, “I’m so sorry for the way I left. What I said was cruel and untrue. You aren’t selfish, and I can’t blame you for something you couldn’t control.”

Bobby grinned. He’d stepped around his desk only to halt when he took in an undeniable development—the baby bump you carried.

“Is-”

“I’m pregnant. Six months along with a baby girl.” You laughed to the apparent disbelief in your father’s light brown eyes. His gaze continued to shift between the bump and your e/c eyes.

“Wow. Sorry, this is...wow.” 

“She’s one of the reasons I wanted to come back. To fix our relationship because I want her to know her grandpa. You’re the only grandparent Poppy will know.” Bobby was quick to tug you into his arms as soon as the first tear dropped down your cheek.

There was so much you wanted to tell your father, but that overwhelming grief rose higher. You’d left Australia where Lucas laid in a plot in a cemetery. You left the friends you’d found in the city. Left the lifeguard job you’d come to love.

“Where are you and your partner staying?”

“He...uh...Lucas passed away recently.”

The arms holding you tightened in response to your confession, “Oh sweetheart.”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I can’t stay in the home we bought. Not the place he died when I couldn’t save him.”

“I don’t know what happened, but it wasn’-”

“Don’t coddle me. I was...am a paramedic. A flight paramedic, to be specific, so I know that my hesitation could be the reason he died.”

Your career took the father by complete and utter surprise because you’d always planned on a different job. Before the fire that claimed so many lives, you’d never entertained a career in the emergency field.

“We have a lot to catch up on. First, you need to know that I’ll always love your mother no matter what, but you need to know. I met someone when I first moved here, and we were friends at first. She divorced her husband. We started dating...sweetheart, I remarried.”

A wave of emotions flared in your chest, from betrayal to sadness and ultimately happiness. Having lost your first love, you understood and knew if love came around for you, you wouldn’t ignore it. Lucas wouldn’t want that.

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

Re-entering into Bobby’s new life was a difficult adjustment for everyone included. Tension had risen between Athena and Bobby for a brief period. Athena hadn’t even been aware of your existence, but she could fault Bobby. Athena had even told her first husband about her late fiance Emmett when they were still together.

It was difficult for you with the new addition of two step-siblings in the same birth order as Brook and Bobby had been. The Grant siblings had welcomed you into the family without any reservations.

“Did you ever get to fly the chopper?” Harry asked as he scrubbed the dirty dish from the Sunday family dinner. 

It was the first dinner that had no awkward tension since you arrived back in the country. Athena had taken a bit to warm up, but it was nothing personal. She’d actually been the one to find you you’d been staying at a hotel. Mama Athena did not like her pregnant step-daughter living at a hotel. She’d actually stormed your room with Hen and Karen as back up to pack your room and leave for the Grant-Nash house.

“No. I had to help keep the patients alive. If I’m telling the truth...sometimes I didn’t even notice I was in the air.” You whispered to your stepbrother. He was just invested in your career as he had been when Bobby first entered their lives.

“That is so cool!” Harry enthused with soap suds splashing your thin knitted sweater. Harry’s mouth formed an ‘o’ when you flicked water onto his face in retaliation.

“Do you know Bondi Beach in Australia?” You inquired the youth with the chore of dishes completed.

“Yeah! There’s a tv show called Bondi Rescue! I watch the clips on YouTube!” Harry exclaimed, hot on your heels to the couch. Out of May and Harry, he followed you around with questions about your life in Australia.

“I was a casual lifeguard. I’m not featured on that show, but I would get called in when a lifeguard was needed. It paired well with my job as a flight paramedic.” You half-smiled, remembering the Bondi lifeguards who had welcomed you into the family. You became one of them when they started pranking you.

“Did you ever see a shark-”

“Harry, go brush your teeth. Leave Y/N alone.” Athena informed her youngest from the open patio doors. Your father, Athena and May had been outside as soon as the table had been cleared.

“But-”

“Harry,” Athena warned the youngest Grant. Harry didn’t attempt to argue with his stern mother; all he did was hug you quickly. You watched the young boy disappear into the hallway.

“He reminds you of your little brother?” Athena questioned. In your time of reminiscing, the older woman had settled in Harry’s previous position.

“A little.” You whispered, “Thank you for welcoming me into the family. For making my dad happy.”

“You know I may have some baby clothes put away if you’d like to use them?” Athena offered with that smile that made you feel at home. Athena was far different from your late mother, with her presence commanding respect and intelligence. Your mom was similar, but I suppose it could be described as a softer touch.

“Anyway, saving a penny is appreciated. I have a question for you also.” You hesitantly started with a bundle of nerves deep in your belly. Athena turned to give you her full attention.

“Well? Out with it.” Athena pushed, but she had a slight feeling of what you were about to ask her.

“My mom was one the strongest women I know. It hurts that my baby won’t get to experience her love and guidance, and you can say no. We’ve only known each other a short time, but would you consider...maybe being a grandma to my baby?”

Giddy was the feeling Athena developed along with the laughing smile that only came from happiness. The woman could only nod her head in response to your hesitant question. To Athena’s knowledge but not yours, Bobby was softly smiling, watching his formerly estranged daughter getting along with your stepmom.

“Oh!” You gasped as your baby kicked hard enough for her foot imprint to be seen through your knitted sweater. 

Bobby was by your side in concern the second he heard your startled sound, but Athena wasn’t that concerned. Athena remembered having the same reaction.

“Are you okay?” Bobby frantically questioned. He faltered when the woman shared a belly-deep laugh at the sheer fear written in the seasoned firefighter’s eyes.

“Poppy was kicking.” You chuckled as your father’s shoulders dropped in relief, “Here.”

Your nimble fingers clasped around your father’s wrist to bring his palm to the spot Poppy was kicking. A certain lightness flooded your entire body, being capable of sharing this experience with Bobby. Watching tears well up in the grandpa to be’s brown eyes.

“Whoa.” Bobby breathlessly spoke as Poppy kicked against his palm. The feeling building in his was exhilarating with the small amount of grief mixed in, “I remember when your mom was pregnant with you. We didn’t know if we were having a girl or boy, but she was adamant you would be a kickboxer. So active.”

Athena watched as the relationship between father and daughter started healing directly in front of her eyes. The Sergeant was about to give you two some privacy when you caught her hand in your free one.

“Here.” You informed the older woman shifting to place her hand where your father’s hand had previously been. Your e/c eyes sought the wonder-filled different shades of brown eyes the couple had.

“You should get some sleep,” Athena spoke, staring at her hand resting on your bump. Her dark chocolate brown rising to find your gaze, “You won’t be getting a lot once she arrives.”

Bobby and Athena watched as you turned the corner to the spare room Athena’s parents used when they visited. For the time being, you’ve moved into the room, and the Grant-Nash house hoped you would stay. May had always wanted a sister, and Harry loved all the stories you told about Australia.

“You know, at some point, you’ll have to talk to her.”

“I just was-’

“-without anyone else being the buffer. Bobby, both your lives is evidence enough that some things are too trivial to stress over.” Athena pinned her stern gaze on her husband. The same husband is actively trying to avoid her penetrating gaze.

“What I did-’

“Is in the past, Bobby. You have a second chance with that wonderful woman in that bedroom and our grandchild. Now, are you sure that having the party at the firehouse is okay?”

A hand supported the base of your back where an ache tended to stay for most of the day. That ache wasn’t the worst symptom of your pregnancy. You had heartburn constantly that tied with unfortunate constipation that had thankfully lessened. Your purse always had a cardigan for the hot flashes as well.

“Perfect! May has my car, and Bobby needed that.” Athena beamed from the open bay of the 118. One of the firefighters, Eddie, if you recalled, snagged your purse and the specific ingredient for a recipe.

“You could have borrowed Bobby’s-”

“His vehicle is in the shop Buck.” Athena interrupted the only member of the 118 you had let to officially meet.

Now there were two suspects of the sudden shortness of breath you started experiencing. It could be Poppy in the limited space in your body or the handsome firefighter. Buck had to be hands down none of the most attractive men you’d ever encountered. His dark blonde hair had minimal height, but the soft waves made your fingers itch to feel it. His ocean blue eyes crinkled at the corners with mirth.

“Ah, so you’re flesh and blood of Cap?” Buck questioned from in front of you. His blue eyes centred solely on you, with half a mind thanking himself that he could navigate the station blindfolded in the dark.

“For the last twenty-seven years, I have been.” You retorted, stopping at the edge of the stairs to the apparatus. Your keen sense of smell catching one of your favourite meals your father had dug up from the recipes he hadn’t used in years.

A zing of electricity trailed off your arm when a calloused palm met yours. Your e/c eyes followed the path of tan skin until it reached the shirt sleeve of Buck’s t-shirt. The shirt emblazoned on the chest with the department’s insignia. The man in the casual uniform guided you safely up the stairs with his hand on your back.

The pressure of Buck’s hand on your aching back muscle nearly brought what would be an embarrassing moan from your lips. Thankfully a gasp of surprise fell out instead at the banner hanging with other decorations.

“What?” You choked, cupping your hands to your face. Pure unadulterated shock and affection flooded every inch of you.

The entire 118 squad intermixed with their loved ones surrounded the open area with grins. On a table behind everyone was many wrapped gifts. But the cake was the most impressive.

A large rectangular cake in the realistic shape of a fire engine parked in front of a fire hydrant with a fondant hose going to the truck. On top of the fire truck was the turnout boots next to the matching helmet, the 118 proudly on it. You adored the turnout coat draping off the top to hang off the side.

“If you look at the helmet, it says Poppy.” Buck enthused, guiding you even closer to catch the immaculate cake, “It has to be the best cake we’ve gotten from them.”

“Hey, my rebar head cake was phenomenal!” Chimney called with a belying grin on his face. His hand encased by a brunette woman about his height with her heels on.

“It’s a long story.” Buck offered as soon as you gave him a weird questioning look, “Let me introduce you to everyone!”

For the next five minutes, you spend it by meeting the family of 118, including Eddie’s completely adorable son. Christopher was happy to sit next to you as soon as Harry had found you. Slowly the others came closer to hear the stories.

“What’re the most common injuries on the beach?” Denny, Hen and Karen’s ten-year-old son questioned.

“Bluebottle Jellyfish stings. On one day, we had hundreds of people come to the tower for stings, and the treatment for the minor ones is stingose spray and ice.”

“My question is how a girl from Minnesota is a lifeguard in Australia. Especially on Sydney’s most dangerous beach.” Chimney inserted, waving his bottle of pop at you, his eyes kept moving towards the wine Maddie brought.

Unfortunately, the 118 wouldn’t be celebrating with the wine until their shifts ended in a few short hours. It was a damn miracle they hadn’t been called out yet.

“This former Minnesotan spent summers at my best friend’s parents’ place in Cali as a lifeguard. Also, Bondi is not the most dangerous beach in Sydney. That’s Tamarama.” You pointed towards the man who raised his hands in surrender.

“Have you ever seen a dead body?” Harry asked, bringing a sobering silence in the question’s wake.

Your body language changed as soon as he asked, “Unfortunately, I’ve seen death as a paramedic and as a lifeguard.”

“You’re a paramedic? I thought you were just a lifeguard?” Buck asked, interested in the new information. Buck could feel his Captain’s eyes on the back of his head; he was sure Bobby could smell the attraction on Buck.

“Casual lifeguard. Called when needed as a backup.” You turned your e/c eyes towards the arguably youngest member of the 118.

“How many dead-”

“Harry.” Athena warned her son from continuing a topic that killed the ease and happiness you’d shown previously, “Why don’t we stop talking about-”

“Too many, Harry.” You interrupted your stepmom with a gentle smile towards the woman, “It’s not just drowning that claims lives but also the cliffs surrounding the beaches. Lifeguards patrol more than the beaches and water. Lifeguards respond to medical emergencies, mostly spinal until the paramedics arrive.”

“Oh-”

“I had a fellow lifeguard leave the job because of the suicides we deal with.”

“...who wants cake?” Karen used the quiet interlude of the much too serious topic for a group of kids barely in the double digits of ages. All referenced children followed Hen’s life to the beautiful baked creation.

“Sorry for getting dark there.”

“We all know the dark side of the jobs we chose to do. You sound like you miss Australia. Are you going to return there?” Eddie questioned with one eye pinned on his son, consuming more sugar than he wished.

Eddie’s question did raise self-doubt, but you knew that ultimately living in Australia was no longer a viable option. 

“There’s nothing there for me.”

Eddie, Buck and your father understood that mentality to a ‘t’ with family complications keeping them away. Your father for obvious reasons, whereas Eddie and Buck each had a living family with opinions only they saw right.

“You’re always welcome here. Especially when you bring that little cutie to the firehouse.” Maddie cooed towards your baby bump. The 911 dispatcher had asked many questions about your pregnancy.

 Maddie was the type of person who could make a stranger feel like they had known for their entire lives.

“Here.”

A plate of the cake was thrust in front of your face courtesy of Maddie’s brother Buck. It is quite literally the perfect size you could ask for. In his other hand, he had a new bottle of water waiting for you to grab.

“Thank you, Buck.” Your shock must have shown in your voice when his cheeks flushed.

“This whole party is a celebration for you, so you shouldn’t have to get up...unless you want to!” Buck rushed to respond, getting more flustered with the amused look of his older sister on him, “You’re already doing something absolutely amazing, so you should get to rela-”

“Buck!” You laughed, ending the older man’s rambling thoughts. The entire party attendees had started watching Buck’s failed smooth attempt.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

Buck mutely nodded in response, “No prob-”

The bell was the one to interrupt him instead. The on-duty firefighters rushed down from the upper levels to the lockers. The swift suiting up impressed you as it was like you blinked, and the bay was empty.

“Should be the last call before they get off shift.” Maddie, still occupied with the cake she was eating, “That wine looks so good!”

Your attention snapped from the vacant spots the 118 vehicles parked to the woman ploughing down on the cake. Sure it was good, but not that good. Maybe you could tell as a pregnant woman, or perhaps you just caught some of the symptoms you felt.

“How far along are you?”

Maddie froze, “What are you talk-”

“You’re pregnant, right?”

“Don’t tell anyone. Chim and I found out recently, but we want to wait on telling people. Once the first trimester is over, everyone can know.” Maddie pleaded with two hands cupped under her chin in a prayer position. The pretty brunette using the puppy dog eyes on the new friend she’d made.

“You should tell Buck-”

“We will once we enter the safe zone. So tell me about your baby’s father.” Maddie swiftly changed the subject, unaware of the ache developing in your midsection.

“Lucas Gowan.” You mussed, recalling the freckled half Australian half Scots man with the thick red locks.

“Ooh, is he still in Australia?”

“Technically, he is. I met him at the grocery store near the university campus. I’d transferred to escape my grief. It was purely an attraction at first sight before developing into love at first sight. We convocated and moved into a cosy little place. We’d only just found out about the baby when Lucas passed away.”

As you told Maddie, your hand had moved to cradle the only remaining piece of Lucas. 

“His death was unexpected and sudden. He’d taken a run the morning of our scan to find out baby Gowan’s gender. He fell off the side of the cliff. I was told he died instantly. The investigator believes his shoelace untied, and he stepped on it. Fell right off the side.”

“I’m so sorry.” Maddie breathed, leaning closer to hold your hands in her own, “He’d be so proud of you. For returning to the states. Do you keep in contact with his family?”

“He was an only child. Parents died in a car accident when he was ten years old. He was in foster care until he aged out of the system. Poppy is named after his mom.”

Maddie instinctively knew talking about Lucas was, “You know you get along pretty well with Buck... I’ve never seen him so flustered.”

“Maddie, I can tell you are a very intelligent woman, but you’re wrong here. Why would a guy like Buck be interested in a pregnant woman with a reconciling relationship with her father and his Captain while grieving her baby’s dad?”

Maddie tilted her head to the side, “Because I know my brother. He’s only ever had that look when I first moved to LA. Back when Abby was still important to him.”

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

Maddie’s mouth opened to speak, but you were saved by the bell when Athena called you over for pictures. Then her attempts got thwarted once more when the 118 returned to the house perfectly synced to the end of shift.

“Driving here was the last time until the baby’s here. You’ve got precious cargo-”

“I’m seven months pregnant; I can still drive. There’s no law saying I can’t-”

Never argue with Athena Grant-Nash, “It may not be illegal, but I won’t endanger my daughter or my granddaughter.”

“I have to get to my OB/GYN appointment tomorrow. You and Dad each have a long shift during my scheduled appointment. Harry is both too young to drive and in school. May has a shift at dispatch. There’s literally no one available to take me.”

Bobby watched as two of the most important women in his life argued over something as trivial as driving. Harry shook at listening to someone fighting against his mother; she could be terrifying.

“I can take her.”

Everyone in the fir house turned to the voice who’d offered suddenly and found the sheepish form of a tall firefighter. Eddie’s eyebrows raised at his best friend.

“I don’t work tomorrow. I’ve got no plans. Albert’s got some date with a girl at her place.”

“I couldn’t put you out.”

“You need a ride, and I’ll be bored, so why not take my new friend to her baby doctor.”

“Baby doctor?” Hen parroted to her wife in astonishment towards her coworker and close friend. Both the women found the blatant flirting from Buck to the soon to be mother.

“She’ll take you up on the offer. She’s staying in our guest room. Come early for breakfast before you go. We’ll be having waffles.”

Buck found any excuse to visit the Grant-Nash home with the motive to hang out with you ever since the baby shower. From delivering baked goods from your favourite bakery to insisting on driving you to appointments. Didn’t matter if Athena or Bobby could take you; Buck was adamant he drove you.

The friendship was easy going and very natural, like a ball glove still moulded perfectly to your hand. The hangouts in your home evolved to weekly visits to restaurants with guidelines to the current event happening worldwide. 

Ultimately it even led to a test date.

“You look breathtaking.” Buck breathlessly informed you once he’d gently pushed your chair closer to the table.

“Thank you.” You kindly responded despite thinking the complete opposite to the charming man sitting across from you.

Athena and May had helped you get ready for the date with calming words on how going on a date so far into the pregnancy was okay. Then, your father had tentatively inserted himself with sage advice on re-entering the dating scene.

“I thought we could grab some ice cream after,” Buck spoke up as soon as the waiter had taken your drink order. Buck had decided to refrain from alcohol and went with glasses of lemonade and water.

“You shouldn’t say that. I’ll just want ice cream.” You snickered, caressing the taut belly you’d grown to love. In fact, the firm push of a heel announced Poppy’s agreement with ice cream as dessert.

“How is Poppy?”

“The doc says she’s right on track. Healthy all around and in the position, she’s supposed to be at this stage.” Buck adored the affectionate smile that always appeared when the topic of your pregnancy was brought up.

“That’s amazing! Bobby gushes about you and Poppy. The fridge has an entire door dedicated to sonograms of Poppy. Even a few from that maternity shoot Hen and Maddie surprised you with.”

A few weeks had passed since the baby shower the 118 had surprised you with. Maddie had announced her pregnancy to the joy of the chosen family she had. Bobby had put together a crib he had painted. Michael, Athena’s ex-husband, had started making plans for adding on to the house for a room for the baby.

Despite informing the architect, you planned on moving out when you had saved enough, he’d made a sound argument. Athena would want a place for the baby to stay when you visited, or the woman demanded to babysit.

Now you found yourself in a National forest not far from Los Angeles, posing in front of nature. A surprise photoshoot Hen and Karen had organized with Karen’s brother Trey. Maddie and Athena had been the ones who drove you.

“Hold the teddy bear on your bump,” Trey informed you from behind his professional and intimidating camera. The photographer praised you in the rapid movement to listen to his offer.

“Hey! Maddie! You should take a few photos. I need a pee break.” You didn’t wait for Maddie to respond in your rush to the somewhat rustic bathroom hut.

By the time you returned, Maddie was taking a couple pictures. Then you took some with Athena to have on the nursery walls and for Bobby to have a photo for his desk.

“Now one with all three of you.”

Present

“So a daredevil.” You stated unsurprised that the firefighter had a history of recklessness. You don’t go into firefighting without a taste for danger.

“The bruises and blood fit better than the awful bleached hair during my time in Peru.” Buck laughed, recalling the questionable choice in his fashion pre-firefighting. Sometimes he missed the people he encountered in his period of self-discovery.

“You didn’t wear puka sh-”

“I did. Bleached hair, puka shells and Hawaiian shirts were my staples during my bartending years. I fit in with the aesthetic of the bar I tended.”

“Buck!” You nearly gasped at his raw honesty. Buck didn’t hold back any answers to your questions, but you each strayed from the topic of family.

Talking about the tragic family history wasn’t a good idea on the first time regardless of the time you’d known each other.

“You’re telling me-” Buck halted as soon as he caught the flash of discomfort flicker over your beautiful features, “Are you okay?”

“She shifted. Been sitting on my blad-” You cut yourself off with a hiss of pain. Buck’s eyes widened at the pain taking over your features, “Oh, that hurt.”

Buck went straight into work mode, “Have you been in pain for long?”

“No. A few cramps here and there today, but my doctor said it was nothing to worry about.” You informed the experienced first responder resting level to your knees.

Buck didn’t want to say it, but he was sure that you’d gone into early labour. There was no indication your water had broken, but he kept over the last hour together. Every once in a while, you shifted or pressed a hand to your bump.

“Has your water broken?”

You shook your head, “No, but...oh... that’s not a cramp.”

With that statement out, you clenched your fingers tight on the edge of the table as pain rippled in your belly. A contraction that stole your breath momentarily. In your contraction, Buck had dialled 911. Buck recalled that sometimes a woman’s water doesn't break until right before the birth.

“We’re not getting that ice cream, are we?” You snorted upon being lifted onto the gurney. How fortunate or unfortunate you were to have the 118 right there.

Hen had taken a position at your feet to check on your lower body while Chimney took your vital signs. You honestly didn’t like the look Hen and Chimney shared with Buck.

“What is it?”

“We’re gonna need to deliver here.” Hen sighed, giving you the facts that terrified you. When you envisioned having the baby, it was in a medical centre. Not in a restaurant.

“My office is large and away from the crowd if you want. I can show you the way.” Sophie, the restaurant manager, offered already starting to lead the way. Sophie would never know how thankful you felt for being able to have privacy.

“Okay, Y/N, is it okay if I check how dilated you -.” Hen breathed with her hand, gently disappearing until the thin blanket Chimney procured from the stocked ambulance, “Y/N when I saw I want you to do that.”

Hen didn’t need to check your dilation when she could see the baby’s head already.

“I’m right here.” Buck cooed in your ear. He had held your hand as his coworkers did their jobs around you.

“This isn’t the way I envisioned you seeing my pu-”

“Push.” Hen urged, cutting off your almost vulgar language, but it eased the tension in the small restaurant office. You couldn’t even see Buck’s flustered reaction as you bore down with the contraction, “Good! Take a breath.”

“You’re a strong woman. It never ceases to amaze me the strength women have.” Buck spoke, keeping your e/c eyes on his blue ones. His hand raised to push a strand of your sweaty hair off your temple.

“Once more push!” Hen called out just in time with the last contraction. The feeling of the pressure between your legs popping was moan inducing.

Poppy was silent. Your entire body froze, yearning for the sweet sound of crying instead of the eerie silence. The world stood still as Chimney worked on your baby girl.

“Pulse is strong,” Chimney announced, keeping his attention on the task of clearing Poppy’s throat and nose. And that sweet sound of crying commenced, “Congratulations Y/N, you have a beautiful baby girl. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

Your father beat the ambulance to the nearest ER in pure anticipation at meeting his granddaughter Poppy Nash Gowan. He barely noticed as Buck stuck to your side like glue. Bobby waited outside the door as you got checked over in the room.

“Quite the first date.” You mused towards Buck, who hovered in awe over the life form you had carried for nine months. You’d been pregnant for three quarters of an entire year to his fascination. 

“All my meaningful relationships started with a medical emergency.” Buck finally looked up at you. He’d kept Poppy company in the bassinet while you delivered the afterbirth upon entering the hospital.

“Seriously?”

“Had a tracheostomy on Valentine’s Day with Abby, an earthquake with Ali and a newscaster in a crashed helicopter.” Buck listed off. He hadn’t even noticed scooping the newborn into his arms until he’d sat in the chair by your bed, “Why not add a sudden labour and delivery.”

“He would have liked you.”

The sentence came out of absolutely nowhere. Almost like something had ripped it out of your vocal cords. At the look of confusion, you elaborated.

“Lucas. He would have liked you. I think if it is possible, he might have pushed me into meeting you. I’ll still need to take it slow, but I’d like to give this a shot.”

That was all Buck needed to lean in closer to kiss you—the first of many kisses.

Some might disagree on how quick your relationship with Buck developed, but they didn’t know yours at all. It was natural with the firefighter who stepped into the role of father figure for a growing Poppy. By the time Poppy was one, you’d moved into a house not far from your father’s place with Buck. By the time Poppy was three, a pretty ring had sat on your finger. By five, the young girl had a baby brother. 

“Your parents spoil Poppy.”

“You say that like you didn’t crawl into her crib during her afternoon naps.” You deadpanned towards your husband. Buck had the nerve to sheepishly grin, “You give in each time she says ‘pwetty pwease’ for a cookie.”

“It’s a crime to make her sad!” Buck defended himself, but a grin of amusement threatened his act, “Besides, you crack each time too!”

“Mhm. Just wait until Theo can talk.” You pressed a kiss to the sleeping infant strapped into the baby carrier. Theodore Robert Buckley could fall asleep in a thunderstorm if he was in Buck’s arms.

“Oh! Maddie wants to have Poppy over for a play date. Madster’s been begging for her cousin to have a sleepover.”

Maddie and Chimney’s daughter was only a few months younger than your daughter, but the two were thick as thieves. Buck had referred to the Han daughter as Madster with how similar her mannerisms were to her mother.

“Think they’d take the rascal?”

“Is this code for you wanting to have another?” Buck questioned with a twinkle of mischief in his blue eyes. The same blue Theo had inherited along with a birthmark like Buck’s on his bicep.

“I-” You choked, blinking furiously, “Evan, I pushed Theo out of my body barely three months ago!”

Buck inconspicuously winked in response with the sudden scream of excitement coming from Poppy. The rambunctious five-year-old ploughed into Buck’s legs full force. Falling into the practised ease, you’d unstrapped Theo from Buck’s chest and promptly had his tiny body stolen into his grandpa’s arms.

“There’s my boy.” Bobby cooed to the sleep drunk tiny infant. The little baby is crowded by his Gram Athena and Aunt May, “Gonna have to get you a Minnesota Wilds jersey.”

“Hell no. That boy is LA born and bred. He’ll be wearing a Kings jersey like the civilized.” Michael announced with the sudden arrival of Theo and Poppy’s Uncle Harry.

“Mommy? When are we going to Stralia?” Poppy inquired from right beside your leg. Her tiny handheld is the giant one of her dad.

“In a few weeks. Are you excited to see the mommy’s old friends again?”

“Hm. Can we see Dada?”

Buck may be Poppy’s father, but he’d never let Poppy go without knowing she had two fathers in all. Her first one waiting to meet here decades from the time she was born and solely referenced Lucas as Dada. Buck was grateful for the man who brought Poppy into existence; the little green-eyed tot Buck could never regret. Unlike Buck’s parents keeping his older brother’s existence a secret, the firefighter refused to follow in their footsteps. He’d continue to shower the late Lucas in gratitude and respect. He refused to make the same mistakes as Phillip and Margaret Buckley.

“Of course. C’mon Poppy, time to say goodbye.” Buck guided the little girl to the extended family showering her little brother with love. The little girl was quickly swung into Bobby’s arms, and Athena cooing at your infant son.

Changes. The six-letter word doesn’t have to be terrifying. It can be breathtaking, memorable and beautiful to experience. 

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[horrible-writer-rain]

Over the Edge and Under

Summary: The 118's actions have devastating consequences.

Pairing: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Male OC!

Warnings: Suicide, Angst, Hurt No Comfort, Depression, Post-lawsuit, Past Abuse in reference to Buck's treatment at the 118

A/N: This is not edited. I wrote this fic at like midnight. I'll post the reactions and aftermath at some point.

He was tired. Tired of the glares and harsh words from the people he called family. Tired of going home to an empty apartment because Luca was overseas on some mission that was classified. Tired of being the man behind when all he wanted was to save people. To do the one thing he was good at. He left a voicemail for Luca and one to both Luca’s twin sister and brother in Texas. His grip is tight on the railing but not from a fear of failing. No, he had resigned himself that he was going to die but only when he’s ready. He hopes Chris will forgive him, but he had written him a letter and had left it on his counter with Carla’s name on it. He knew she would give it to him. Luca would be pissed and heartbroken but he had a good support system in their old team, his family, and his crew in Austin. He had left letters for the crew of the 118 as well. Left them on the counter as well. He had written a letter for every person in his life that he loved. It was up to them if they read it or not.

He lets out a breath when he hears a car stop. “Sir, please step away back over the railing.” He felt like he could cry. He knew that voice. “I’m good right where I am, ‘Thena.” He calls opening his eyes to look down. It was about a 40ft drop into freezing water so if the impact didn’t kill him then the hypothermia and subsequent drowning would. “Buck?” He hears her come closer. “What are you doing here, baby?” She asks and he shrugs. “I’m tired ‘Thena.” He tells her as a firetruck pulls up. “Anyone I can call?” She asks stepping closer and he shakes his head. “Stay where you are ‘Thena.” He warns and she stops moving. “Just you Bobby. Keep the others back.” He hears her speak into her radio. The 118 must have responded. Fuck. It was bad enough that he was going to jump in front of Athena but now his crew. The ones who have thrown insults and petty jabs his way. The ones who had a hand in causing this. His grip loosens and Athena lets out a strangled noise. “It’s Okay, ‘Thena.” He tries to reassure her.

“Why’d you have the rest of the crew stay back, Athena?” He hears Bobby, no captain Nash say his tone weary. He knows exactly when Captain Nash spots him. His breath audibly hitching. “Buck?” The use of his nickname and the concern in his voice has him letting out a harsh laugh. “It’s Buck now, is it?” He says finally turning around to face him. “Buck, you don’t have to do this.” He says stepping closer, but Athena holds her arm out. “Why should I listen to you? You’ve done nothing but belittle me since I got back. This isn’t your house, so I don’t have to follow your rules.” His voice is calm, and he looks over to where Hen, Chim, and Eddie have gotten out of the truck. He can see the horror in Hen’s eyes, and he feels kind of bad. She was the one who he confided in the most about being away from Luca. They had eventually bonded over their similar sexualities and marriages to people of the same sex.

“Eddie get me a harness.” Captain Nash says and he sees Eddie falter for a second before following the order. Chim stands beside Hen watching with wide eyes. No doubt trying to figure out how to explain what happened to Maddie. Hen is gripping her med bag tightly. “Think about the people that love you, Buck. Think about your family.” Captain Nash says and he turns his gaze once more to his captain. “My family consists of Luca Rizzoli and his family.” He says and Captain Nash shakes his head. “You’ve got us Buck.” Eddie says as he hands over the harness to his captain. He lets out another humorless laugh. “I’ve not had you since the bombing. I thought you were my best friend. But friends don’t call each other exhausting or shove them around. Family doesn’t belittle anything that’s ever happened to a member of said family.” Eddie looks guilty at his words. “Captain Nash, I used to think of you as a father figure. Now, I see that your no better than my own damn father who didn’t give a single shit about me. In a way this is your fault. You chose to lie to me about what happened. So the only way I saw to get back to my family was to fight for it. I turned down 7 million dollars to get back to my family. It was never even about the money. I just wanted you back.” He pauses to take a breath before continuing. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy and I accepted that you all would be mad at me. I just didn’t expect for it to last a few months and involve being assaulted. You chose to leave me as the man behind. At first, I was fine with it. I knew you didn’t trust me. I figured I’d need to earn your trust back, but you never gave me the chance. Then after awhile it just started to hurt. You had taken away my ability to help people in a way I loved. I wasn’t being shot at or have the threat of getting blown up and I wasn’t in some active warzone halfway across the world.” Captain Nash had put on the harness as he was talking but never took his eyes of him.

“Please, let us make this right.” Captain Nash pleads with him, but he shakes his head resolved to do what he had come here for. “Think of Christopher. That kid loves you like you’re his father too. Think of what it will do to him if you die.” Eddie says. “That’s a low blow, Eddie. I did think of him. All the time. I wondered if he had nightmares from the tsunami. Wondered if there was any way I could help him, but you kept me away.” He seethes but his voice is still level. “I’m sick and tired of thinking of and putting other’s before myself. Call me selfish but I just don’t give a shit anymore. I’m tired of being other people’s punching back both physically and emotionally. I’m done.” He sees Hen and Chim start moving toward him. “I’m sorry but I just am.” With those final words he pushes himself away from the railing letting go.

The air is cool against his skin as he falls closing his eyes a thinking of his husband. He can hear the screams of the people he once called family, but the sound disappears as soon as he hits the water and his world fades to black.

The 118 stand shocked as their youngest member just jumped of the bridge. Henrietta Wilson falls to her knees as a broken wail leaves her. Her partner Howard Han stands in total shock trying to make himself believe that the man he considered as a brother has just ended his life. Edmundo Diaz has crumpled to his knees as well sobs leaving him as the reality of what he had done had cost him his best friend and the man his son considers as a second father. Athena Grant stands with her hand over her mouth and tears streaming down her face. It was like May’s overdose all over again but this time she wouldn’t be saving her child. Robert Nash is half leaning over the railing with his arm outstretched for the man that had become like a son to him. Guilt consumed each member of the 118 from their actions in the last few months. Athena’s guilt coming from her failure to save her boy. Each of them wondering how they were going to tell their family and how they were going to tell them it was their fault. How it was their actions that drove him to take his own life. “Get water and rescue down here to search the waters. I want his body recovered.” Captain Nash’s voice is void of any emotion as he gives the command. It prompts the others into action but a cloud now hung over them and its their own fault.

[controloffandoms]

Buck Begins Fic Recs

For @thisissirius 

Here are a couple of fics that I have written. And I’ll probably add a couple of favorites that I’ve read along the way!

Nothing I Ever Did Was Good Enough

Buck bit his tongue, looking away from his father. It was too early in their get together to have a blow out. He especially didn’t want to have that blowout in front of Chim and Albert. “You know, firefighting, until recently, has had a huge amount of off duty suicides due to improper care of mental health. The department has changed to help firefighters through hard times of losing patients or families in fires by hiring departmental psychologists and having service animals available for visits to the firehouses after really tough calls. If someone isn’t in the right mindset, we could lose more people, not to mention our own people and that person. Mental health is no joke,” Albert stated. Buck had to hide is smile, but he turned to Albert, giving him a knowing look and small smile. His parents spluttered for a few seconds before Phillip turned to Albert. “I don’t think I was talking to you. Mind your own business, this was a family matter.” “Don’t talk to him like that,” Buck nearly growled. “He is family.”

~~Or the one where the parents visit and Buck is in over his head...luckily his family has his back.

~~~~Part 1 in the Nothing I Ever Did Was Good Enough series

Nothing I Ever Did-

~~~~Part 2 in the Nothing I Ever Did Was Good Enough series

"Watch your attitude, Evan," Margaret glared. "Why should I? All you've ever done is put me down and compare me to Maddie and try to make me into her. News flash, I'm my own person and I'm different! I get that nothing I ever did was good enough, but I don't have to keep trying to appease you and let you walk on me or my family. So if you could kindly drop the attitude and rude comments regarding Eddie and Christopher, it would be much appreciated. They invited you into their home and you've been nothing but assholes since you got here! Clearly you came here with opinions and baggage and a want to have your way, but that's not going to fly here. You best just head out of town tonight, you're not wanted here in my life or Maddie's life. We don't want your toxicity melting into our families because I'll be damned if the shit you've said tonight will ever affect my niece or my kid!"

~~Or the one where Eddie hosts the Buckley parents and just tries to be supportive in general...but the parents are nightmares. Featuring cuddles with Chris, Eddie, and Buck.

Not The One You Wanted

“Evan, I don’t know what you expected us to do.”

“Love me anyway,” it had been said like his heart had been ripped out...which, it felt like it had. Because that was the truth, wasn’t it...all he ever wanted was for them to love him anyway. He wanted his parents to give a damn about him but they never did...it was like he was a responsibility that they never wanted.

Maddie had said that their parents had been different back then when they were sentimental and made a box for her...and now Buck knew why. Daniel. His older brother Daniel...a brother that he didn’t even know existed until he sat down with Maddie to look at all the baby photos in the box...and there were plenty...Buck can hardly remember ever getting portraits like these done during his childhood….but his parents were different back then.

-OR- Evan Buckley deserves love and hugs because of how shitty his parents are.

*This is honestly one of my favorites that I’ve written...it’s like a character study while Buck was trapped in the warehouse with some liberties surrounding the reason Buck’s in the warehouse*

Secrets

He’d been lied to his whole life...Maddie had never thought to tell him about not being his actual sister...his parents were acting like it didn’t matter...like he should just get over it. Buck’s eyes met Chim’s...and his whole body went rigid. “You knew,” he whispered, looking directly at Chim. “You knew and you didn’t tell me?!” He rounded on his sister, “you told him, but not me?!”

“Evan, I was trying to protect you-”

“No, you don’t get to do that! You don’t get to try and protect me! I’m a grown ass adult, I deserved to know but instead of telling me, you told him and even though I’ve known him longer he still didn’t tell me!” Buck shook his head, backing from the room. “I can’t do this,” he whispered.

-OR- Buck finds out the secret Maddie's been keeping from him while his parents are visiting...he is understandably betrayed.

*Basically, Buck Begins and the Daniel scenes hadn’t happened yet and I wanted to know what the secret was, so I came up with this.*

Ambush of the Parents

Based off the new Promo (or the one I just saw) where we see Maddie, Chim, Albert, Buck and (who I believe) are Buck and Maddie’s Parents. Buck’s dad says “you’ve been seeing a therapist?” and Buck responds “Well, the job can be stressful.”

Disclaimer: Please don't read if verbal abuse from parents triggers you.

~~~~Or Buck’s parents  are absolutely horrible and Buck’s family defends him.

Buck Begins

Buck always tried to please his parents. He wanted to be recognized and loved. He tried to get their approval but it was never enough. *Includes flashbacks, this was before Season 4 was even in production*

~Evan had thought that the SEALs would make his parents proud. He tried out for the SEALs, he went through training, but it still wasn’t enough. Then he’d dropped out. That had been the icing on the cake. Evan had never had a big blowout with his parents. He’d always tried to appease them. He tried to be the perfect son…but they never thought he was good enough. So when he dropped out of the SEALs, having a shouting match with his father as a consequence, he left for South America. He bartended and had fun. Then he’d gone to LA and became a firefighter and he hadn’t contacted his parents since the blowout. 

Here are some fic recs that are not my own works

double vision wrapped in last night’s party clothes by amirlywritingfanficnow

"I have always been honest with you." When Eddie's voice cracks, Buck's composure almost cracks with it. "Why can't you just be honest with me?"

or

When Buck is let in on a long kept family secret, he doesn't know what to do. He almost ruins things with the one person that keeps him from feeling like he's floating away with no way to land, but it ultimately turns out okay with help of a little communication.

*This one pulled at my heart strings a little*

but i leave it in my heart, cause I don’t want to stay in the dark by neoncrayolas

Buck hadn't meant for the confession to come out like it did. He'd wanted it to be more eloquent and not so full of snot and tears.

But once it was out, there was no going back.

Or, part character study of Buck, part coda to 4x05.

*Basically, Buck isolates himself, Eddie gets worried, and Buddie is endgame

Learning to Breathe by TearsThisSideofHeaven

Boy, he thinks as the city lights blur a little in his vision, my therapist is going to have a field day with this.

*Short little fic that delves into Buck’s emotions with Eddie trying to support him

Finally Safe by WinterLioness

In the aftermath of finding out a family secret Buck finds himself going to Eddie. Christopher and Eddie use their Diaz charm to help.

*This picks up on the emotions Buck feels not only because of the family secret but because Maddie kept it from him (not full on hate, but what any normal person would need to work through) and Eddie is there to support him. Features cuddles with the Diaz Boys.

Not Related to the story line of 9-1-1 but has a whole ‘Buck Begins’ vibe because I was world building: The Life We Live

*The Old Guard AU no one asked for* "Athena had seen many a millennium and many men, women, and children die. She had seen the rise and fall of civilizations. She had felt the pain of loneliness and the happiness of community...but she’d never, in her many years of living, seen something like Eddie, Buck, and Chris. She’d never seen this profound of a bond, even between herself and Bobby. After Buck lost Abby and, later, Ali, Athena wasn’t sure he would have let his heart reach out to another person that he could lose...but she was proud of him. He built something that was hard to come by in their way of living. He built a home."

*I’m really proud of this one, it turned out well*

Not Related to the Story Line of 9-1-1, Fics by others!

Please Don’t Say You Love Me (because I might not say it back) by Queerfeministdork

"Say I love you loud, and say I love you often. It was an easy sentiment, and it was a beautiful background picture. But something clenched tightly in Buck’s chest when he saw it flash open as he handed Hen her phone. Because he knew it was a simple thing for most people, that most people could just let those three little words slip out without a care. But he couldn’t. They always got caught in his throat, stuck behind his chest. Tamped down before he could think to breathe them out."

Buck always wished he could just say the words. Turns out, maybe people just know.

*Basically, Buck can’t say ‘I Love You’ as easily as everyone else and panics about it...but eventually, everyone understands.

everything is blue by amirlywritingfanficnow

When Evan Buckley is ten, he discovers nail polish.

-

In which Buck paints his nails, Eddie is flustered, and May is a matchmaker.

*Basically Buck and Eddie saying fuck toxic masculinity. Buck enjoying painting his nails and Eddie is definitely in love with him.

Coming Home To You by kariberri13

The 118 want to know more about Buck, but the man won't give them many details. That is until the biggest detail walks through the station's bay doors.

*Not focused on his past, but a different story focusing on the fact that Buck is married to Eddie and has a kid that he didn’t tell the Fire fam about.

There are tons more, but this is what I could think of off the top of my head! 

Hope you like them!

[buckleysjareau]

masterpost of all of my fics

!hey hey, here’s mostly everything i’ve ever written for 9-1-1 and Criminal Minds. Reblog if you like any of them, and always come back to check and see if it’s updated. It’ll always be pinned. :) Everything under the read more line!

AO3: 9-1-1

Buck Goes To Pride (buddie, getting together)

Thinking back to that cold winter afternoon when Buck broke down in her arms after the shit show that was his coming out, she never thought she'd be helping her brother get ready for Pride. He shut that part of himself away for a long time. But eleven years later, she's handing her brother a box with a pride flag in it, and he's grinning from ear to ear.

Buck goes to his first pride featuring his journey of coming out, lots of hugging, and Hen being the best.

...or you could have mine? (buddie, pre-relatioship)

There's too much going on between his agitation, people talking over each other, the way his uniform feels more scratchy than it ever has, and the bright lights. He can't sit still and he knows he's starting to annoy everyone but he can't help it no matter how much he wishes he could with his medication.

ADHD Buck

agree to disagree (buddie, getting together, friendship)

Whoever thought a night of heavy drinking between Buck, Eddie and Chimney was a good idea, were out of their minds. When sober, they were idiots but shot after shot of tequila plus the couple of beers they each had before meeting up multiplied the absolute stupidity of the three men.

Buck, Eddie, and Chimney get wasted and Athena wins a bet.

i put a spell on you (buddie, getting together)

Eddie Diaz absolutely loved Halloween. Ever since he was an excitable eight year old boy he’d been known to go all out for the holiday. Twenty-four years and a son had not changed that.

4k+ words of Eddie being happy, scaring his friends, and loving Halloween.

baby you know i just wanna leave tonight (buddie, pre-relationship)

If there was one thing that people knew about Evan Buckley, it was that he didn’t want people to know him.

People find out more about Buck then he ever wanted them to know when the Buckley’s come to town.

i woke up from a never ending dream (buddie, getting together)

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Sensing the urgency, Eddie jogs the rest of the way. He doesn’t know what he’s really expecting, his mind not entirely focused, but for the second time that night, Buck surprises him.

“Buck?!”

Where Buck is going through it and Eddie has anxiety but they help each other through it. Featuring pet names and lovesick Eddie.

you feel like the sun on my face (buddie, established relationship)

Buck has a way of doing things and saying things that even in Eddie’s worst moods, he still can’t fight his smile.

Eddie's view on Buck's Wikipedia spirals and the beginning of the brilliant idea it inspires.

Part 1 of 3 in the ‘cause of i’m not too far and you’re my favorite place series

you feel like the perfect escape now (buddie, established relationship)

"In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness."

Eddie planning his proposal with the help of Hen and Karen. Featuring good ol' Buck and Chimney banter, soft and in love boyfriends, and tooth rotting fluff.

Part 2 of 3 in the ‘cause i’m not too far and you’re my favorite place series

everything is blue (may + buck friendship, buddie, getting together)

When Evan Buckley is ten, he discovers nail polish.

In which Buck paints his nails, Eddie is flustered, and May is a matchmaker.

it weighs on me (buddie, established relationship)

The bad weather is gone, except it’s not.

In which Buck has a bad day and Eddie holds him through it.

101.9 (buddie, getting together)

Evan Buckley did not get sick.

Based on a tumblr prompt where Buck’s fever won’t fuck off so Eddie makes him take a cold bath.

when i’m walking in my sleep (buddie, getting together)

He finds that maybe he’s a little in over his head when Buck greets him with a loopy smile. He’s just a tiny bit in love with Evan Buckley, and having dealt with post-surgery Buck before, Eddie is sure his heart might burst with every zany grin and stage-whispered expression of appreciation.

Eddie takes care of a loopy Buck after he gets his screws removed, and truths come out.

you’re in my heart  (buddie, established relationship)

"I will not be broken... I will not be... fine, fine, you win! Stop with the face."

Eddie sings Buck to sleep after he finds out Eddie can sing.

we’ll be fine, you and i (buddie, established relationship)

He couldn’t believe his luck. He never imagined he’d be able to have this and now, he’s here. He has everything he could ask for and more in his boyfriend’s arms. Stability, happiness, love.

dizzy hurricane (buddie, pre-relationship)

“I’m a medic,” Buck mocks. “You’re a medic, but you can’t take care of yourself, apparently!”

Eddie refuses to admit he’s sick and finds his medic expertise is unreliable when it comes to himself.

tongue forgot the words and feet forgot the earth, it’s true (buddie, established relationship)

Eddie feels like he’s drowning in insurance payments, tuition raises, overbearing parents and anxiety. Things had definitely been worse on him when he didn’t have a whole new support system on his side but things just kept piling on, one after another, it was impossible for him not to feel suffocated. Every muscle in his body was sore from being completely tensed all of the time, the lack of sleep was getting to him, he’s in a foul mood to everyone that loves him. He just wants a break, needs a break.

Eddie finally gets a second to breathe.

you are my glitter and my gloom, i am so numb without you (buddie, getting together)

But right now, with Eddie by his side, he doesn’t worry. For the first time in almost a year, he doesn’t have to worry.

Buck has a flashback, or six, after the landslide. Eddie is there to bring him back, like always.

double vision wrapped in last night’s party clothes (buck centric, pre-relationship buddie)

"I have always been honest with you." When Eddie's voice cracks, Buck's composure almost cracks with it. "Why can't you just be honest with me?"

When Buck is let in on a long kept family secret, he doesn't know what to do. He almost ruins things with the one person that keeps him from feeling like he's floating away with no way to land, but it ultimately turns out okay with help of a little communication.

safe, better keep that thought to yourself (madney)

But days after, he still can’t stop hearing it in his head, over and over.

I love you, Howie. I love you, Howie. I love you, Howie. I love you, Howie.

with friends like ours anywhere is home (buck & tk, background buddie)

[@evanbuckley: you have two new follow requests.] @marjanmarwani would like to follow you. @tkstrand would like to follow you.

@tkstrand liked your photo. @tkstrand liked your photo. @tkstrand liked your video.

@tkstrand So, I see you have a boyfriend, too. I’m sorry for assuming haha

Wait, what?

Buck and TK’s long distance friendship featuring love advice, horrible nicknames and background Buddie.

wish i could keep you in amber, safe from the outside (buddie)

Neither of them say anything as Eddie takes shelter in Buck’s arms, face tucked in the crook of his neck, sheltered from all the bad that’s happened. A safe place.

He can only hope that he’s Buck’s safe place, too.

In which Eddie and Buck are struggling after the shooting and they finally have a much needed talk.

AO3: Criminal Minds

you light my fire (jemily, AU)

Emily's face stays complacent as JJ reaches out her hand to shake, only dropping the smug act and smiling genuinely when she reaches for JJ's hand. "Welcome to the team, Pennsylvania Petite."

Jemily Firefighter AU

Tumblr: 9-1-1

“i saw this and i thought of you immediately.” (buddie)

keep you warm (henren)

wheels up, buck (9-1-1, criminal minds crossover)

stand, you’re gonna run again (buck centric, buck & bobby)

bows and ribbons and glitter (buck & chimney, madney) 

“i believe that would be murder” (buddie, pre-relationship)

mac-and-cheesy (buddie, established relationship)

his saving grace (buddie, pre-relationship, buck centric)

what i love about the south (pre-relationship buddie)

unconditional, unadulterated (buddie, getting together)

home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling (buck & athena)

he’s special, they’re special (madney, meet-cute)

Tumblr: Criminal Minds

rough nights end in hot chocolate (garvez)

[obvious-captain-rogers]

For Evan Buckley Week: Day Four! Buck with kids is just too irresistible and I think Eddie would take notice of that too ;)

Prompt: “You want to marry me?” + love

           Eddie had always made fun of his sisters whenever they’d talked about Baby Fever. While yes, he’d been excited when it was time for him to have his own kid, and he loved his nieces and nephews, he hadn’t really felt an irrational urge to have a baby.

           Until the moment that he saw Buck holding Hen and Karen’s new baby, Nia.

           It’d been a while since they’d all been able to have a day off together where they could hang out, long ago enough that Nia hadn’t even really been a thought beyond Hen and Karen decided to have another kid. So when they got the chance, they’d all taken it and made plans to go out to the park since the weather was getting nice.

           Buck had been excited about the new baby and the moment that they’d arrived, Buck had made a beeline for Nia. Karen had laughed at whatever it was that Buck said to her before passing her over. Buck’s smile had been so bright that Eddie’s cheeks had ached just looking at him. He’d also felt like someone had hooked him in the gut and was pulling at the tether.

           “Buck’s really excited,” Christopher mused and it snapped Eddie out of whatever thoughts he was having because he hadn’t thought about Christopher being jealous. His son was used to being the center of Buck’s whole universe and to suddenly have the attention switched over to the baby… Eddie couldn’t help but brace for a tantrum.

           “Everybody gets excited about a new baby, kid,” Eddie said as they walked over at a much more sedate pace.

           “Some of my friends at school have new babies too,” Christopher said and glanced up at Eddie with a thoughtful expression. “Can I go play with Harry and Denny?” Eddie let out a subtle breath of relief.

           “Yeah, just make sure to stay where I can see you,” Eddie said and ruffled Christopher’s hair. Chris laughed before making his way over to where Denny and Harry were playing some game with a group of kids from the playground nearby.

           Eddie gave everyone a smile and a short wave before he stepped over to see if he could help Hen out any as she and Bobby were setting up. “Need an extra pair of hands?” Eddie asked.

           “Always,” Hen said and nodded towards the cooler. “If you can just start handing us the containers that would be great, because apparently Buck has decided to be unhelpful.” She raised her voice pointedly on the last word and Buck turned his head from where he’d been making faces at Nia to give Hen a flat look.

           “I’m babysitting so Karen can go get the extra tablecloth from the car,” Buck said and shifted Nia on his lap as she reached for the collar of Buck’s shirt and started playing with it.

           Hen gave him an unimpressed look and Eddie just broke out into a grin as Buck turned his attention back to the baby, smiling and talking to her excitedly. He jumped a little when Hen smacked his arm. “Knock it off. You two are giving me serious concerns about kidnapping.”

           Eddie felt his cheeks get hot as he ducked his head and opened up the cooler so he could pass stuff to Hen and Bobby. “Think you’re finally ready for another kid?” Bobby asked teasingly, referencing to that conversation about when they’d thought Shannon was pregnant that Eddie had nearly forgotten about.

           “Uh…” Eddie opened and closed his mouth a few times without really answering. Bobby let out a short bark of laughter and shook his head, Hen following suit.

           “Someone’s got Baby Fever, and it isn’t just Buck,” Hen teased and Eddie’s ears were burning with their teasing. Eddie rolled his eyes as he handed off the last of the stuff. Thankfully, Karen came back and Eddie offered to cover the kid’s table for her. If for no other reason than to escape the teasing. Which he was sure Hen and Bobby would rib his for later.

           Eddie was clipping the tablecloth to the table when Buck came over with Nia settled on his hip and it was a picture that made Eddie’s heart turn to mush. “You know Hen thinks you’re gonna try and take her home with us,” Eddie said to distract himself from the picture in front of him. Buck laughed at that.

           “I don’t think Christopher would appreciate that very much. Especially when she starts crying in the middle of the night,” Buck said and rubbed Nia’s back as she shoved her tiny fist into her mouth.

           “Buck!!” Both Eddie and Buck turned to see Chris frantically waving Buck over to see whatever it was that he and Denny were looking at.

           “Speak of the devil,” Eddie murmured.

           “I better go see whatever it is,” Buck said and before Eddie could say anything, Buck had passed Nia off into his arms and was gone. Eddie blinked for a moment and Nia simply blinked back at him before babbling happily and pressing her sticky fingers against Eddie’s neck. Eddie huffed out a short laugh before gently guiding her hands away from where they’d been starting to reach for his short hair.

…..

           Buck had gone over and looked at the little frog that Denny and Christopher had found. They both laughed in delight as it hopped around and Denny fell backwards from where he’d been crouching when it jumped in his direction. Buck had simply lifted the boy back to his feet and dusted off the back of his t-shirt.

           “Do you like having a sister, Buck?” Christopher asked suddenly.

           Buck blinked, taken aback by the question. “Yeah, Chris, I do.” Before he could ask Christopher why, Christopher was posing the same question to Denny. Denny’s face twisted up in thought for a minute before he nodded.

           “I do most of the time. Though sometimes Nia is really loud when she cries, and that sort of sucks,” Denny said with a grimace.

           “Hey, little man, language,” Buck corrected, knowing that Hen and Karen didn’t like it when Denny talked like that. “And think about it this way, Nia’s still a baby and she can’t talk yet, right?” He waited until Denny nodded. “So crying is her way of talking. She’s telling your moms if something’s wrong, or if she’s scared, or needs something. The same way you ask them.”

           Denny and Christopher both seemed to take that in. “It’s still loud,” Denny said but it was more hesitant. Buck laughed a little and patted Denny’s shoulder.

           “I’m sure both of you had some loud cries too,” Buck said, “you just don’t remember it. I’m sure your moms and dad do though.”

           “Boys!” Athena called. “Time for lunch!”

           “Come on,” Buck said and turned to head back. He faltered in his steps as he saw Eddie with Nia against his chest, casually talking to Karen and Bobby as if he wasn’t the hottest person to walk the Earth in that moment. He swallowed thickly and rubbed at the back of his neck, which was burning.

Buck continued walking with the two of them to the table. He sat and Christopher came over and leaned into his side, his smile pressed against Buck’s neck firmly. “I don’t think hiding in my neck is going to get you out of washing your hands,” Buck whispered conspiratorially, making Christopher laugh brightly.

           “I wouldn’t laugh, kid,” Eddie said, coming over with an alcohol wipe. “He’s right.” Christopher sighed in a very dramatic and put-upon sort of way- that he almost certainly learned from Buck- before tucking his hands under his arms so that Eddie couldn’t reach them without pulling at him.

           “It makes my food taste funny,” Christopher said with a pout that highlighted how much he looked like Eddie.

           “I think most of that is your imagination,” Buck said and wiggled Christopher’s shoulder a little.

           “You didn’t have to wash your hands,” Christopher pointed out sulkily.

           “I wasn’t catching frogs with Denny,” Buck retorted. “How about I make you a deal? You let your dad wash your hands and we will get ice cream on the way home.” Christopher thought about it for a long time before he finally untucked his hands from his armpits and let Eddie scrub the dirt from his hands.

           “Then you’re the one putting him to bed tonight,” Eddie said before pressing a kiss to Buck’s temple and giving him a ‘good luck with that’ look. Buck grimaced, he hadn’t thought about the combination of Christopher and late afternoon sugar. Not his best plan.

           “Didn’t think that one through, Buckaroo,” Chimney said from his spot further down at the table. Buck stuck his tongue out at Chim since the kids were there and he couldn’t flip his sister’s boyfriend off in front of them. Not without incurring the combined wrath of Athena, Hen, Karen, and Eddie. Buck was dumb sometimes, but he wasn’t that dumb.

           The rest of lunch went well and Buck flitted between where the boys were playing and where the adults were sitting and talking. He was helping Athena and Karen clean up, Eddie taking a turn to go and play with his and their friends’ sons. “You know, when I first met you I wouldn’t have ever imagined I’d be saying this,” Athena said as they shook out the tablecloth, “but you make a good father, Buck.”

           Buck grinned and ducked his head before glancing over at where Eddie was kneeling on the ground with Denny over his shoulder, both laughing, as Harry and Christopher tried to free their friend. “They make it easy,” Buck said before turning back to look at where Athena and Karen were exchanging a glance that spoke volumes. “What?”

           “Nothing,” Athena said with obvious sarcasm.

           “We’re just wondering when you and Eddie are gonna get a clue and just take the plunge,” Karen said with a light laugh.

           “Huh?” Buck asked, playing dumb on purpose, hoping the conversation would end there.

           “Oh, come on, Buck,” Karen said and shook her head. “With the way Eddie was looking at you when you were holding Nia, I give it less than a year before someone’s down on a knee.”

           “I give it less than six months,” Athena said flatly, shooting Buck a knowing look that had Buck’s mouth going dry.

           “You’re seeing things. Me and Eddie have never even talked about it,” Buck said and shifted a little uncomfortably because yeah, he’d definitely thought about it. But Eddie had never given any indication that he was ready to get married again. That he was ready to let another parent into Christopher’s life.

           Thankfully, the two of them let the subject drop not long after that. When the wind started to pick up a little, turning the afternoon a little chillier than they would have liked for the kids not to have jackets, they decided to head their separate ways home. Buck’s cheeks ached as he said goodbye to Hen, Karen, Denny, and Nia. He pressed a smacking kiss against her round cheek just to hear her sweet peals of laughter. She clumsily imitated their waving and Buck felt like he was walking on air.

           “I’m tired,” Christopher said and, in a show of uncharacteristic clinginess, held out his arms for Buck.

           “Come on then,” Buck said and looped his arms around Christopher. He was getting so tall now and Buck could hardly believe it as Christopher flopped his chest over Buck’s shoulder. Eddie took Christopher’s crutches with a slight frown to which Buck simply shrugged. They got Chris buckled into the backseat of Eddie’s truck and Buck twisted in his seat to look at Christopher with a contemplative look. “Hmm, you were too tired to walk to the car so you must be too tired for ice cream.”

           Christopher’s eyes widened before he shook his head. “No, I’m not that tired.”

           Eddie laughed as he glanced between Chris’s reflection in the rearview mirror and Buck beside him. “Alright then,” Buck said and nodded at Eddie. “I guess we can have a little ice cream before we go home then. Since you’re not that tired.”

…..

           True to his promise, Buck had settled Christopher for bed. They’d gone through Christopher’s bath routine, Buck supervised Chris brushing his teeth and combing his hair once it was dry enough, getting him into his pajamas and into bed. Eddie joined them for their story time. Christopher had decided he’d outgrown “baby books” and so they were now working on chapter books, reading a chapter or two together every night.

           “Alright kid, we’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow to see if Edmund really went to the White Witch,” Buck said and pressed a lingering kiss to the top of Christopher’s head. “Love you.”

           “Love you too, kid,” Christopher said around a yawn before hugging Buck and his dad goodnight. Eddie smoothed a hand over Chris’s blankets before they left the room, keeping the door cracked just in case.

           Buck went into the kitchen to clean up the last few dinner dishes while Eddie went about tossing a load of laundry into the washer since he and Buck were getting low on uniform shirts. It was domestic they way that they moved around each other without having to say very much.

           Eventually they ended up ready for bed and getting settled themselves. Buck felt like his brain was still buzzing, whether it was from the ice cream or his conversation with Athena and Karen he couldn’t say.

           “What’re you thinking?” Eddie asked as he shifted so that Buck’s back was nestled against his chest. Eddie pressed a kiss against Buck’s shoulder and Buck cracked a small smile.

           “Nothing, really,” Buck said and traced his fingers over where Eddie’s arm was over his waist.

           Eddie hummed but he clearly wasn’t convinced. “You know,” Eddie started carefully, choosing his words with obvious care as Buck’s fingers fell still against his skin, “I can’t stop thinking about you holding the baby.” Eddie bumped his nose against Buck’s shoulder before continuing. “I know that we’d have to talk to Christopher and everything, but… when we get married, would you want to have another baby?”

           When. When. Eddie had said ‘when we get married’ like it was a certain thing. It made Buck’s stomach knot up and he turned in Eddie’s hold so that he could look at him. The light wasn’t great, but Buck could make out most of the features of Eddie’s face.

           “You want to marry me?” Buck asked quietly.

           There was a pause and then Eddie was huffing out a laugh against Buck’s mouth. “Of course I do.” Buck felt a smile tugging at his lips, and he knew that Eddie wouldn’t be able to see it so Buck leaned forward to kiss him so Eddie could feel it.

           “I didn’t think you were ready yet,” Buck admitted.

           “I’m not ready to actually do it yet, but I’m more than ready to think about it- talk about it,” Eddie said and pressed his fingers into the small of Buck’s back. “Unless you’re not.”

           “No, I’m good.” Buck bumped their noses together playfully. “You sound awfully confident that I’m going to say ‘yes’,” Buck teased.

           “I’m pretty confident, yeah,” Eddie replied.

           “Not if I ask you first.”

           “Only you, Evan Buckley, would make a proposal into a competition.” Eddie’s voice was warm with fondness as he said it.

           “You love me.”

           “I do.”

           They fell into a short silence before Buck spoke again. “And to answer your question, yes. I think I’d want to have another baby. At least one. I think Christopher would like having a little sister.”

           “I think he would too,” Eddie said and leaned up to press a kiss to Buck’s forehead. “We can talk more about it tomorrow.” Eddie’s voice shook a little around a suppressed yawn.

           “With Christopher,” Buck said, turning over so that his back was against Eddie’s chest again.

           “With Christopher,” Eddie agreed as he pulled Buck closer. Buck felt something warm and content settle in his chest as he fell asleep.

[holidaywishes]

Embers XV

Chapter XV: the (non) moment

  Summary of series: Katie moves from Peachtree, Georgia, to L.A. with her son, Alex to start fresh after the death of her husband. When she meets Evan Buckley, a young firefighter, she falls fast but will her son be so quick to accept Evan into his life?

   Summary of chapter: Alex hosts a sleepover with mediocre results; Katie fields insults from the PTA moms

  Warning: some angst, some fluff but that’s about it

  Author’s Note: I was going to stop this series at fifteen chapters but it felt weird but going up to 20 felt like too many -- so the compromise is 18 chapters. So, in the next little bit, I’ll be posting these last three chapters. I’m so excited that the show is back and that we get to learn a bit more about Evan and his family -- hopefully, that means I’ll have some more inspiration when it comes to writing. Hope you all enjoy this short chapter! Stay golden <3

  masterlist

  the other masterlist

xx

Katie’s P.O.V

  You felt like a chicken with its head cut off as you ran around your house trying to get ready for when Alex’s classmates showed up. They were dropped off by the dozen, accompanied by mile long lists from their mothers; who upon seeing you and Marie were the only adults around were hesitant to leave.

  “Your kids will be fine!” Marie exclaimed

  “And who are you?” one of the moms asked snidely

  “Marie,” she replied, “I work with Katie”

  “I see...” the mom sneered, “and do you know anything about taking care of children?”

  “I have my babysitting license!” Marie teased, “or at least I did when I was in high school. I took care of my baby cousins all the time and they’re doing great”

  “Alright, Marie...” you interjected before things got too out of control, “why don’t you go help mom in the kitchen, mmkay?” She nodded in response before glaring at the pack of moms who had been interrogating her, “I promise, ladies, we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight. Plus, if anything happens, Evan will be here” you smiled as you directed their eyes to your boyfriend who was busy trying to figure out to set up a board game

  “Maybe we should just stay a while?” one said

  “Just to make sure?” another added

  “I don’t think that’s necessary...” you tried but it was clear to you they weren’t going to leave, even when they saw Eddie come in with Christopher. You took a deep breath before heading over to check on Evan and help get all the kids settled, “they’re staying...” you whispered to Evan, nodding in the PTA moms direction

  “Don’t worry,” he smiled, “I’ll be here. Everything will be fine.” He kissed your cheek and you smiled in return; After a few games, and realizing that it was still too early to call it a night, you decided it was time to have a bit of a dance party, putting on your most kid friendly playlist. It didn’t take much for the kids to get excited and start to wear themselves out but when Alex and Christopher tried to coax you and Marie to dance, you looked over at the moms; sighing deeply as they glared at you

  “Hey!” Marie whispered with a smile, “dance with your son. Don’t pay attention to them”

  “Fine” you laughed, taking your sons hand and twirling him around to start before the four of you began to bounce to the music, laughing at how much fun the two boys were having but you couldn’t ignore the whispers from the PTA moms

  “What’s she trying to prove?”

  “I bet she does this when we’re not around”

  “It’s not appropriate”

  “Especially around the single dads...”

  “I think she acts cheap”

  “I think she’s a bad role model for our children”

  You couldn’t tell if they knew you could hear them or believed that they were whispering quietly but you took a deep breath before you walked past them and into the kitchen to check on the food, “how’s everything going mom?” you asked, Evan coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist

  “Good, I was just about to bring everything out” she smiled, handing some plates to Marie and Eddie

  “I need to talk to you...” Evan whispered

  “What’s up?”

  “I have to go in to work” he winced

  “What? No!” you whined

  “I know, I’m sorry...” he sighed, “they needed someone to fill in and Eddie already said he took the day off.”

  “Alright...” you groaned, rubbing his arms before wrapping your arms around his waist, “if you have to, you have to. We’ll be fine here.”

  “You sure?” he asked

  “Yeah!” you replied, “Eddie’s here to help out because I’m sure Marie will leave soon”

  “Okay,” he said with a closed smile, “I’m sorry. I love you and I’ll see you tomorrow.” You pecked his lips and sent him on his way before finding the kids in front of the TV; you sat down on the couch watching them eat the food your mom had cooked while the PTA crowd silently judged. As the kids settled down, the moms decided to head out but not before giving you a few last words

  “Katie...” one started, placing a hand on your shoulder, “don’t feel like you can’t call us if things get out of control”

  “Thank you, Sylvie,” you smiled politely, “but I’ll be fine. The kids are great. No trouble at all”

  “All she means,” another interjected, “is we know sleepovers can be a lot. Especially when kids have so many different needs or restrictions”

  “I know,” you kept your fake smile plastered on your face as the women in front of you tried to undermine you, “but, trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

  “We just don’t want you to be in over your head, you know?” another added

  “Why would she be in over her head?” Eddie asked, seemingly coming to your rescue, and you noticed the moms perk up at his appearance

  “Oh Eddie!” they all cooed

  “There’s just a lot of kids for one person” Sylvie continued

  “Well,” Eddie smiled, “she’s not just one person. I’m here. Her mom is here. Marie is here”

  “Actually, no,” Marie said quietly as she tried to sneak away, “Marie won’t be here. But that doesn’t mean Katie is alone. Plus, the kids really like her so I know she’d be fine even if it was just her”

  “Bye, Marie” you smiled, hugging your friend before turning back to the group in front of you

  “Look, we love that our kids love you. They relate more to you than to us because of your age,” Sylvie admitted, “but after what happened to you and Alex... we’re just nervous leaving them here.” Your eyes grew wide at her confession, slowly taking in that this is how they felt, when you felt Eddie’s hand on your back

  “I understand,” you finally said, “but I can promise that won’t happen again.”

  “And that wasn’t her fault” Eddie added, rubbing your back to comfort you and it seemed like they didn’t want to argue with him so they walked away.

  “Thank you, Eddie,” you smiled, turning on your heels to walk back into the house, “they’ve never liked me”

  “Their just threatened by you”

  “Oh I’m so sure” you laughed, sitting beside your son to watch whatever was on the screen. After a while, the kids had fallen asleep in their sleeping bags and you were left with Eddie while your mom slept in your room; the two of you jumping up from where you were when you heard a noise in the yard

  “Stay here” Eddie insisted

  “What?!” you exclaimed

  “Stay with the kids” he repeated and you fell back to where the kids were but you couldn’t help feeling your heartbeat faster with each second that Eddie wasn’t coming back. When you heard a bang outside you ran to the door, coming face to face with your boyfriends best friend, “everything okay?” he asked, probably noticing your shallow breathing

  “Sorry...” you replied, forcing yourself to pull your eyes away from his, “I just.. heard something and I was worried.”

  “I just knocked over the trash can,” he confessed, “there was nobody out there. I didn’t see anyone hurt either, so the noise must have just been the wind.”

  “Okay,” you said with a smile, “that’s good then.”

xx

Eddie’s P.O.V

  You weren’t sure what the moment meant, if it even was a moment, but Katie was sure to dismiss it all and you tried to do the same; but it was something that kept running through your mind

  “Katie?” you whispered

  “Mhmm” she hummed, playing with Alex’s hair as she started to fall asleep

  “Should we talk about what happened?”

  “What do you mean? The trash can?”

  “No...” you sighed, “the... moment”

  “Moment?” she questioned, peering over the arm of the couch to you, “what moment?”

  “At the door, with the eye contact”

  “Eddie...” she whispered, “there was no moment”

  “I’m not trying to make it into something,” you added, “I just thought we should talk about it.. in case it came up again”

  “Okay,” she said, dropping her eyes and you could tell she was thinking about something, “I was worried about you, I told you that. After I heard the noise.. I’m just a little skittish still you know? I wanted to make sure you were okay. That’s all. When I saw you at the door, I was relieved that you were alright.”

  “Okay” you added

  “I didn’t mean to make it seem like there was something else...” she continued

  “I know you love Buck,” you said quietly, so to not wake up the kids, “and I know that we don’t have those feelings for each other...”

  “But you wanted to address it and I appreciate that,” she smiled, “you’re a good friend, Eddie, to me and to Evan. I respect everything you do for me and Alex, I mean you saved my life...”

  “I did my job”

  “You saved my life,” she repeated, “and I couldn’t let you get hurt, I couldn’t live with myself if you got hurt trying to save me again.”

  “So the moment was a non moment?” you asked with a smile

  “Exactly.” She smiled once more before leaning her head back against the arm of the couch. You woke up the next morning shortly before everyone else and quietly tried to clean up because you knew the moms would be coming to pick up the kids soon but not before they all came screaming into the kitchen as Katie groggily followed in with Christopher by her side

  “You know what, Chris?” she said with a smile, “you’re my favourite.”

  “Thanks” he smiled, leading you to reflect that same smile on your face. When the doorbell rang, signalling the moms arrival, you and Katie went in to say goodbye to all the kids; but when none of them even acknowledged Katie, you rolled your eyes

  “What?” she scoffed

  “They could’ve at least thanked you or said goodbye or something...”

  “Eddie...” she laughed, “it’s fine. We survived the sleepover. Everything was good. They don’t like me, I don’t really care. What I care about is that the kids had a good time and I would say they did.” You agreed with a nod and started to pack up Chris’ bag so the two of you could get going. You were glad you had brought up the “non moment,” even if it was a little bit awkward, but now you had to wonder -- do you tell Evan or do you keep it between you and Katie?

[nighting-gale17]

superhero (stronger than you know)

Buck hated what he saw when he looked in the mirror.

His finger grazed lightly over the thick, ugly scars running down his face, from the bridge of his nose to his cheekbone. Another one was longer—extending down almost to the edge of his jaw and Buck hated it.

All over the media he saw people celebrating these scars, congratulating them on their bravery thats marked by the permanent scars on their faces. Buck knows that some people find them heroic or something but all he sees is another flaw, another piece of him to hate. The bright red, angry shade of the scars contrast starkly with the pale pallor of his skin. He couldn’t even keep looking at himself for more than a few seconds before he was tying a soft, cloth mask over his face.

With things finally seeming to settle down, the department had deemed it okay for them to wear these reusable cloth masks instead of the hard, awful plastic ones they’d been issued. May had sewn some, with Harry’s help, for the entire family. She’d even made extra for Buck, though not after giving him an almost twenty minute lecture on why he shouldn’t be ashamed of the marks on his skin.

Buck didn’t believe her, but he was grateful for the extra masks.

The only time Buck had shown anyone the scars beneath the mask was Bobby. The older man understood Buck better than himself some days, so it wasn’t a surprise when he reassured him that he shouldn’t ashamed about the scars, but accepted his decision to continue wearing the masks anyway.

Buck was just absolutely terrified of anyone seeing him. Of Christopher seeing him and being scared because the awful scars that marked up his face made him look like a monster. Scared of Eddie seeing him looking like this and deciding he didn’t want him, finally coming to his senses and gong after a younger, prettier person to be with.

“Buck, baby,” Eddie’s hand brushed gently through his curls. “You gotta take that off while we sleep. You’ll smother yourself.”

Buck averted his eyes, trying to hide his shaking hands in the bedsheets when he felt Eddie’s fingers gently unhook the mask from his ear. His fingers were gentle as he pulled it off and Buck closed his eyes, unable to bear seeing the disgust or horror in Eddie’s eyes that he knew was there.

“Oh, mi vida, lo siento…” Eddie’s voice was barely above a whisper, thick with emotion that made tears burn in the back of Buck’s eyes. 

Soft hands hesitantly brushed over the scar on his right cheek and Buck flinched away from the touch violently, turning his head and biting back a sob. “I’m sorry.” he whispered, breath hitching as tears started to drip down his face.

“Bebé, what do you mean?” Eddie asked softly. “Sorry for what.”

“I-I look like a monster.” Buck pressed his hand against his mouth, squeezing his eyes shut as the tears started to fall faster. 

“Oh, Buck,” Eddie murmured, his hand reaching out and grabbing Buck’s hand. “Hey, bebé, look at me, por favor?”

Buck did so slowly, reluctantly raising his head and opening his eyes to look at Eddie. Eddie, his lover, gazing at him with nothing but love and admiration in his eyes, with maybe a little sadness as well. “Evan, you’re the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes on. Nothing will ever change that. You’re not a monster,” he continued, fingers brushing gently once again over the scars on Buck’s face. “You’re brave. Selfless. Kind. Gorgeous. Captivating.” He leaned forward and pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss. “You, Evan Buckley, are perfect.”

Buck sobbed softly, staring at Eddie through tear-glazed eyes, overwhelmed with the amount of love his boyfriend was showing him. Then he launched himself at him, letting the older man hold him tightly while he cried against his shoulder.

“Shhh…” Eddie shushed him comfortingly, one arm wrapped tightly around his torso while the other rubbed comfortingly along his back. “It’s okay, querido. You’re okay. I love you. You’re okay.”

Buck cried in Eddie’s arms for a long time before he finally quieted down, feeling a little shaky and drained from the leftover adrenaline and his crying session. He made no move to leave Eddie’s arms, though, pressing his face against his boyfriend’s neck and just enjoying being in the one place he hasn’t been able to be in months. 

“Is this why you kept putting off coming home?” Eddie asked quietly.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t want me anymore.” Buck admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “I-I thought Christopher would think I looked like a monster. Because of these disgusting scars on my face. I-I wouldn’t blame you but…” he trailed off, feeling his cheeks burn with shame. “I was selfish. I wanted to see you I-I didn’t want you to leave me.”

“Oh, cariño,” Eddie pulled back a little, looking down at Buck and cupping his cheek with a broken look on his face. “I will never leave you, Evan. Ever. Not even when we’re old and gray and full of wrinkles. I love you. Christopher loves you. He’s not going to care what you look like.”

Buck had to look away. “I’m disgusting.” his breath hitched with another sob. “T-These scars on my face and my leg—”

“Hey, hey, Buck, no—” Eddie ducked his head until Buck met his eyes again. “There is nothing disgusting about you. These scars on your leg are reminders of how much you survived, remember?” he said, tracing a finger lightly along the back of Buck’s calf. “They’re a sign of your strength. And so are these.” Soft lips pressed gently against his cheek. “This shows me how brave and selfless you are—how kind. It shows me your strength, cariño, there is nothing disgusting about it.”

Hearing it come from Eddie and the soft way he cherished him made Buck believe his words just a little bit more. “I’m probably going to forget,” he warned, sniffing and pressing his forehead against Eddie’s. “You’re going to have to remind me a lot.

“I’ll always be here to remind you, mi amor,” Eddie promised, pressing their lips together in a chaste kiss. “I’m never leaving you.”

xxx

When the morning came, Buck was worried Eddie would find the scars as hideous as they truly were in the morning light. But Eddie knew Buck, and he was quick to smother him with kisses and reassurances that nothing had changed. He kept looking at Buck with this strange emotion in his eyes that made Buck blush, even though he wasn’t sure what it was.

It was rejuvenating being able to fall back into the morning routine he so dearly missed. The soft sizzle of the pancakes cooking on the stovetop while Eddie woke up Christopher and helped him with his morning exercises. The quiet giggles did more to ease his wounded soul than any medicine could ever hope to.

“Bucky!” Christopher’s screech had him turning around, barely getting to his knees in time to catch the young boy as he threw himself at him. Christopher’s arms clutched tightly around his neck and he was crying into his neck. “I-I missed you so much!”

“I know, buddy,” Buck whispered, unashamed of the tears on his own face, “I missed you, too. So much. I thought about you everyday, you know? Even in-between our FaceTime calls.”

“Are you back forever this time?” Christopher asked, his voice hitching against Buck’s ear.

“Forever.” Buck promised, closing his eyes briefly before meeting Eddie’s eyes when he opened them again. “I’m not leaving you two again.”

Christopher demanded to be held for several minutes longer, his face staying buried against Buck’s neck. Buck had a feeling the clinginess would last for a while—but he definitely wasn’t going to complain. Not when it meant he got to hold his favorite person in the world after months of being apart.

When Christopher finally leaned back, Buck tensed as he felt those small hands press against his cheeks. He watched anxiously as Christopher stared at his face with wide eyes, his hand carefully running down his cheek. Christopher’s bottom lip wobbled a little and tears started falling from his eyes again. “Did Bucky get hurt?”

Buck hesitated, glancing over at Eddie standing right in front of him for help.

“Yeah, baby,” Eddie murmured, stepping forward and placing on hand on Christopher’s back and the other on Buck’s waist. “Bucky got hurt everyday while he was helping people. That’s why he’s got these scars.” he explained gently.

Christopher sniffed, silent for a moment before he asked. “Like from the tsunami?”

He was referring to the multitude of little, faded white scars that scattered Buck’s body from where he took the brunt of the injuries while shielding Christopher from danger and saving other people.

“Yeah, just like that, buddy,” Eddie kissed the top of Christopher’s head. “Bucky was worried you would be scared if you saw them.”

“I could never be scared of you, Bucky,” Christopher sweared vehemently, looking more serious than any nine-year-old had the right to be. He patted Buck’s cheek with one hand and smack a kiss on the other. “I think you look brave!” he declared. “Like Iron Man!”

“Is that so?” Buck chuckled wetly, blinking back the tears of relief. Eddie had told him, obviously, that he didn’t think Buck was hideous but—well, it was different, coming from a child. There was something about the earnest innocence about the declaration that settled his nerves and warmed his heart.

“Yup.” Chris nodded, as if that was that, the debate was settled. “Can we have pancakes now?”

Buck barked out a laugh, pressing a loud kiss against Christopher’s cheek before putting him down on one of the kitchen chairs. “Of course, buddy, anything you want.”

“I just missed your cooking. Daddy hasn’t gotten any better.” Christopher explained to him patiently, raising himself up and squinting his eyes as if that would let him see the pancake stacked on the counter across the kitchen easier.

“Of course he hasn’t.” Buck teased, accepting the soft kiss from Eddie before he grabbed the pancakes and started setting them out for the three of them. “Anything else you missed about me? Or was it just my amazing cooking?”

Christopher scrunched up his face thoughtfully for a minute before nodding. “Your hugs. Daddy’s missed your hugs too.”

Strong arms wrapped gently around his waist and Buck felt Eddie rest his chin on his shoulder. “He’s right,” Eddie murmured, pressing a kiss against the exposed skin on his neck. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Well, I’m not going anywhere for a long time.” Buck answered, twisting a bit and pressing a lingering kiss against Eddie’s lips. With paid vacation awaiting him and his family finally back at his side, Buck would finally allow himself to relax. Maybe now, everything would start to be alright again. A new normal—but Buck knew the three of them could weather anything the world threw at them.

Also HERE ON AO3

[eleventhdoctorsangel]

Sneak peek for Spencer Reid story

I promised dad that I would stop by the station before I had to take Haley to her two week appointment. I parker in the parking lot of the station. I check my phone to see a text from dad saying they landed and that he and JJ we're on the way to the station. I put my phone in the baby bag as I put it on my shoulder getting out of the car. I opened the back door and undo the seat belt from the car seat as I grabbed it closing the door. I made my way into the station where Athena immediately came up to me. "Now what do we owe this surprise?" Athena asked. "Well my dad wanted to see his granddaughter before I take her to her doctor's appointment. Is their set up ready?" I said. "It is come on sweetie." Athena said as she lead to the room the team would be working. I sat the car seat on the table and the baby's bag on the chair next to the table. I took Haley out of the car seat and held her in my arms. "She gets cuter every time I see her." Athena said. "Promise try not to kill him please." I said. "Don't worry sweetie I won't. Even though I still think he's a dumbass." Athena said as another cop walked in to let is know that dad and JJ have arrived.

Athena left to go meet them and bring them to the room. I had my back facing the door when I heard it opened again. I smiled and turn to see dad and a shocked JJ. "Hey." I said smiling. "No way." JJ said as she came up to look at Haley. "How have you been sweetie." Dad said as he kissed my head. "Well it's definitely something to get used too." I said. "Yeah it does. Can I hold her?" JJ asked. "Of course. Where's the rest of the team?" I asked as I handed Haley over to JJ. "Morgan and Blake went to the crime scene and Rossi and Reid went to talk to the victims family." Dad said. "After you guys finish the case you should really come to my place." I said. "Everyone?" Dad asked. "Wait why wouldn't everyone come?" JJ asked. "If spencer wants to come then I'll tell him if he doesn't than fine." I said. "So you're saying." JJ said looking between Haley and I. "Please don't tell him. I want to tell him my self." I said. JJ nodded. "Thank you JJ. Do you want to hold her dad?" I asked. "Do you have time?" Dad asked. "I still have forty-five minutes before her appointment." I said. JJ handed Haley over to dad. "She just like you." Dad said. "You really think so?" I asked. "Of course sweetie." Dad said. "She really does Y/n. I don't know if you want to hear this but she looks like Spencer too." JJ said. "No it's okay JJ. My um boyfriend said the same thing." I said. "Boyfriend?" Dad asked. "Yeah I guess I forgot to mention that last time we talked." I said. "So what's his name?" Dad asked. "Evan Buckley. He's a fire fighter." I said smiling. "Well I hope to meet him when the case is done." Dad said as the sound of Gracia requesting to face time sounded off. Dad handed Haley to me so I can stand off to the side to surprise her.

"Hello my fine furry friends." Gracia said as she appeared on the screen. "Do you have anything new for us?" JJ asked. "No not yet." Gracia said. Dad looked over to me and I walked into the frame. "Hey you." I said. Gracia face went from shock to excitement very quickly. "Oh my God. Oh my god." Gracia said. "Gracia this is Haley." I said. "Oh she's beautiful. How can you not tell me or anyone for that matter." Gracia said. "Well dad knew." I said. "She looks like our boy genius...Oh. Oh sweetie is that why you took the job in LA?" Gracia asked. I sadly nodded. "I would love to stay and chat but I have to go to Haley's doctor's appointment." I said. "You better start sending me pictures." Gracia said. "Of course. You should come out sometime." I said. "Yes. Yes a million times yes." Gracia said. I laughed as I went to put Haley back in her car seat. I put the baby bag on my shoulder and grabbed the car seat. "Well I'll see everyone later." I said. "Bye sweetie." Dada said as he kissed my head. "Can't wait to meet that new boyfriend of yours." JJ said as she hugged me. "A new boyfriend?" Gracia asked. "Don't worry I'll send you pictures." I said taking one last look at Gracia who looked slightly worried. "Right this way gentlemen." I could hear Athena said. Knowing that she wasn't talking to Morgan and Blake seeing that Blake was female. I knew that she was talking to Rossi and Spencer. I let out a sigh knowing that I was about to see Spencer again.

Athena opened the door and Rossi and Spencer walked in but stopped when they saw me. Rossi looked happy to see me but Spencer couldn't look away from Haley. "Now who is this little girl." Rossi said as he kneeled down to look at Haley. "This is my daughter Haley." I said. "Um how old is she?" Spencer stuttered. "Two weeks today. Now I would love to stay but my little girl has a doctor's appointment." I said. "Is Buck meeting you there?" Athena asked. "He had to work and couldn't get away but he wanted to come." I said. "Well I'll walk you out." Athena said. I nodded. "Bye everyone." I said walking away. I walked out of the room with Athena by my side. "I bet you didn't plan on him finding out that way?" Athena asked. "No not really." I said laughing a little. "You should have the look on his face when saw you. He looked like he regretted ever leaving you." Athena said as we walked out of the station. "He should. Thank you for mentioning Buck." I said and smiled at her. "Oh don't mention it dear. You have been the best thing that has ever happened to him." Athena said. "You really think so?" I aksed as Athena opened to back door for me so I can put Haley in the car. "I do before you Buck was a dumbass. You made him grown up." Athena said as I put Haley in the car. "Y/n?" I heard a voice ask. I looked to see Morgan and another woman who must be Blake walk up to us. "Hey Morgan." I said. "So this is where you went." Morgan said as he hugged me. "Yeah here's where I went." I said hugging him back. "And who is this cutie." Morgan said as he pulled back from our hug to look at Haley. "This is my daughter Haley." I said. "So your a mama now." Morgan said. "Yeah I'm a mama." I said. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" Morgan asked. "Well dad knew. I didn't tell anyone else because well." I said. "You're kidding." Morgan said. I shook my head. "I'm sorry I want to catch up but I have to get her to the doctors." I said. "Alright. See you later baby girl." Morgan said hugging me one more time. I hugged him back and got in my car. I waved at everyone has I pulled out of the station parking lot and driving away.

Haley appointment went well. We were both back at home. Haley was sleeping and I was making dinner for Buck and I. I had music playing softy has I cooked. I've also been sending pictures of me, Haley and Buck to Gracia through the day and she's been living for it. I soon heard a car pulled up in my drive followed by a door open then closed. I heard the door open then closed. "Y/n." Buck said. "In the kitchen babe." I said. I heard footsteps getting closer to the kitchen. I felt arms wrapped around my waist as Buck kissed my head. "Oh have I missed my girls." Buck said. "Well we missed you too." I said as I turned around and kissed him. As we pulled away Buck put a hand on my cheek. "How did everything go today?" Buck asked. "Her doctor's appointment went amazing. She growing as a baby her age should. Now the whole team knows." I said wrapping my arms around his neck. "Including him?" Buck asked. "Including him." I said. "What do you think will happen now?" Buck asked. "I don't know. I said. I went back to finishing up dinner while Buck helped me. We both eat dinner together and talker about our day. After dinner Bucked helped me wash the dishes. I went to go feed Haley before I gave her bath. As I gave her a bath I heard someone knocking at the door so I asked Buck to get it as I got Haley's bath finished. As I picked up Haley from the bathtub wrapping her up in a towel Buck was in the doorway of the bathroom. "What is it babe?" I asked. "You need to come into the living room now." Buck said. I looked at him in confusion. "Come on." Buck said as he gently grabbed my hand leading me out if the bathroom into the living room where I saw the last person I ever thought I would see in my living room.....Spencer.

[detectivecarlosreyes]

Series: Part 2 of Hidden Truths  / Link to Part 1: The Secrets We Keep

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Chapter summary:

Older sisters are very perceptive, Buck should have known Maddie would be concerned about his life choices.

Read under the cut

It was a few nights later and Buck was sitting on the floor starting the process of boxing up non-essential items, when his phone dinged with a text from Maddie saying she was on her way over, reminding him of the fact that it was Buckley sibling dinner night.  And he was hosting, which meant that he was supposed to be ordering or cooking dinner while Maddie brought the wine. And…he had forgotten.

He quickly sent her a reply before checking the fridge for any feasible dinner options only to realise he hadn’t thought to restock his fridge, mostly because he’d been at Eddie’s place the last couple of nights. Picking up his phone Buck scrolled through dinner options before settling on ordering some Spanish dishes that he knew Maddie liked, to be delivered.

Just as he finished doing that he could hear Maddie’s keys jangling against the door, signaling her arrival.

Buck turned around and selected two wine glasses from the cabinet for them as Maddie breezed through the door. “Whew, traffic was a nightmare! Hey there, little brother.” She said walking in, planting a kiss on his cheek as she sets down a bottle of chardonnay beside the glasses.

“Hey Mads.” He responded fondly, “We’ve been having Chinese food too much lately, so I’ve got Spanish food on the cards for dinner tonight, should be here in half an hour or so.” Buck said as he poured the wine. He knew that she wasn’t really listening though, seeing as she was more focused on the numerous half-packed boxes sitting open throughout his living room.

Collecting both glasses, he handed Maddie one and took a sip of his own as she gestured to the room. “What’s with all the boxes?” She asked, brow furrowed, “Are you moving?”

Buck moved around the island bench and took a seat on one of the stools. “Yeah, my lease is almost a month away from ending, and I figured I’d find a place closer to the station.”

Maddie sat down across from him and eyed him with suspicion, “How long have you known?”

He shrugged nonchalantly and looked away at the boxes, knowing that she wasn’t going to like his answer. “A couple of months.”

Maddie reached over and lightly slapped him on the arm, “Evan! Why didn’t you tell me sooner, I could have been helping you find a place!”

He rolled his eyes at her antics, slightly offended that she thought he couldn’t find a place by himself. “I’ve been looking I swear! But I wasn’t sure whether I was going stay on for another contract or find somewhere else until now!”

She looked at him unconvinced, “So you found somewhere else then?”

Buck twirled his glass at the stem and took another sip as he muttered his answer into the liquid.

“Evan,” said Maddie warningly.

He sighed and set the glass down but kept his focus on it as he swirled its contents, knowing that there was no point in keeping it from her when she’d find out sooner or later. “Eddie offered his spare bedroom and I’m taking him up on it.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea.” Maddie reached across the space between them and placed her hand over his, “Despite the fact that I’ve teased you before about it being a boy crush, I know how much you like him.” He smiled softly, knowing she was referring to his accidental confession many months ago.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s just a stopover point for a month or so until I find the right place.” He couldn’t help but grin, “I think Eddie is just happy to have another adult in the house for once, someone to share the load with, even if it is for a little while.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door, but Buck could tell it wasn’t over with the way Maddie was looking at him. Picking up his wallet from the benchtop, he collected their dinner and handed the delivery person their tip before relocating them to the lounge room. It’s only then that Maddie resumed the conversation.

“I just wanted to make sure that you thought this all the way through. It surely won’t be easy living with someone you’ve been crushing on who doesn’t feel the same way.” She said, concern bleeding into her words.

He gave her a look, “Come on Maddie, give me some credit, I’ve managed this long while working with him haven’t I?”

He appreciated her looking out for him, he really did, but he was going to be selfish. If Eddie was offering a chance for him to get closer and be his housemate then Buck was going to take it even if it was just temporary.

“I know. I just can’t help but worry about my baby brother.” She fell quiet at that but continued to scrutinize his face, so much so that Buck couldn’t hold her gaze any longer and turned his full attention to the food in his hands. “Speaking of which, how has work been lately? You look tired.”

Buck shrugged and continued to pick at his meal, appetite abandoning him with her line of questioning hit a little too close to home, implying that he wasn't sleeping, which in all honesty he wasn’t. “We had a bad call a few nights ago, and it just been playing on my mind lately, that’s all.”

“Howie didn’t mention anything, what happened?”

Buck sighed and set down what was left of the yellow rice he was playing with and topped up his glass instead, “I was sent down into the LA River for a body retrieval, had to be up close and personal the victim while securing a rope around him.” He shuddered, “let’s just say it wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences.”

Maddie pursed her lips like she did whenever she got lost in thought and he could see her putting two and two together. “The tsunami,” she murmured before redirecting her attention back to him, “I’m guessing it’s brought back bad memories?”  

Buck nodded, “But I’ve got it under control Mads, you don’t need to worry about it.” and he doesn’t elaborate more than that, unwilling to make a big deal out of a few hours of lost sleep.

He knew he was lying to himself, but he didn’t want to admit that it was worse than what he’d made it out to be. Also, because he didn’t want to admit that the tsunami affected him even now especially after he pretended he was fine back then after it happened.

Maddie pulled him out of his thoughts with a light touch to the knee, “As long as you know you can talk to me about it, same as always.”

“I know.” He replied softly.

They sit quietly for a bit after that with the atmosphere of the room weighing heavily on them. Buck couldn’t stand for that, it wasn’t the point of these dinners so he changed the subject, moving onto lighter conversation by asking Maddie how things were going with Chim.

She immediately brightened at his question and proceeded to gush about the things she and Chim have gotten up to lately. It did seem strange to know more about his workmate than he ever wanted to, but in saying that, he was happy for them, glad to know that they had found joy and love with each other.

Tags: @judsonryder @bisexualbuck @benjisvictor @seaofashes @chimbuckleys @maysgrant @pan-buck @adamngoodbuck @buckleydiazs @nearly-writes @oliversstark @brilliantbanshee @eddiediaz

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[name-me-regret]

If The World Was Ending 7/?

If The World Was Ending Chapter Seven: A Little Peace Of Mind

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

“I'm so tired I haven't slept a wink I'm so tired My mind is on the blink I wonder, should I get up and fix myself a drink? No, no, no

I'm so tired I don't know what to do I'm so tired My mind is set on you I wonder should I call you But I know what you would do...

You know I'd give you everything I've got for a little peace of mind...”

~I’m So Tired - The Beatles

- ~ - ~ - ~ - ~

Buck looked at his sister with pain and grief, not seeming to realize that either Tony or the rest of the members of the 118 were close by. “I... Mads... Eddie dropped Christopher off with me,” he told her, voice shaking. “He-he thought, you know, doing some actitivities with him would take would-would get me out of my apartment and out of my head.” She reached out to wipe several tears that ran down his face. “Maddie... I brought him to the pier.”

She’d grabbed his hand and now squeezed it, trying not to think of him with Christopher at the pier. It would likely give her nightmares. “And... and I had him. All right, Mads? I-I had him. I-I kept him safe.” He gave a sardonic smile and a forced laugh. “We were, uh... we were on top of a ladder truck, then the water receded... and... then he was gone. I lost Christopher,” he said, a crying mess at that point. Neither Tony or the others could move or say anything as the man poured out his heart to his sister. “I c-checked the emergency refuge camps at the Promenade, at the high school... a cupcakery on Strand,” he said with a hysterical laugh that was more of a sob.

“Oh Evan,” she wept, bringing her other hand over the one she was holding.

“I swear I don’t even remember cutting myself... I j-just... I lost him so I had to find him, no matter what. I couldn’t face Eddie until I did, because how could I tell my best friend I lost his son?” He clenched his eyes closed. “He trusted me and I failed him... failed Christopher.”

She smiled past her tears, beyond trying to keep them from falling as they ran down her face. Tony was at the head of his cot out of Evan’s line of sight, and he was content to stay there, now that he saw for himself he was alright. “Evan, look at you, baby brother. You’re a mess. You lost enough blood to need at least two transfusions.” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his forehead. “And you managed to find him, even being like this. Even if you hadn’t, you did everything you could to find him. You are not a failure, Evan Buckley.”

Tony took that moment to reveal himself when he saw Evan about to protest. “You know you’ll never win an argument against her, so don’t even try it. Even I can’t win one and I’m a certified genius,” he said as he stepped into Buck’s line of sight. He laid a hand on Maddie’s shoulder as a sign of support. “And what did I say this morning about staying out of trouble?”

Evan stared up at Tony with wide blue eyes. “Tony? W-what are you doing here?” He frowned. “And you didn’t say anything about keeping out of trouble,” he argued, because of course he would.

Tony stared at him and then looked at Maddie. “Is he kidding?” She shook her head, but there was a bit of a smile on her face. “I’m here to see you. In case you forgot, you were hit with a tsunami, Ev. You were supposed to be safe at home, but I should have known you’d put yourself in the middle of this.” His voice was teasing, but his whiskey brown eyes gave away how worried he’d been. There was a reason he always wore sunglasses, since his eyes were the most expressive part of his face.

Evan licked his dry and cracked lips. “You know, when I said come visit me, I didn’t expect it to be this soon,” he joked, never mind that he was laid up in a field hospital, beat up to hell from a natural disaster.

“Well, how can I not come running when its an invitation from someone as pretty as you,” Tony said with a more relaxed grin, the panic induced worry having subsided a bit. Also, his exhaustion was quickly catching up to him and he felt a bit light headed.

“Ugh, can you two please not flirt over my head?” Maddie said as she threw up her hands. “Honestly, its always the same with you two.”

The other members had heard the whole thing and had been utterly shocked into quiet, and it was finally Chimney that broke the silence. “Buck, you know Tony Stark? And flirt with him?” the man asked incredulously.

The blonde haired man, whose hair was so filthy it looked dark brown at the moment, snorted. He didn’t even seem shocked to see them there, or worrying that they might have heard him and what he’d said to Maddie. “Tony flirts with everyone,” he told the others, seemingly unfazed about them knowing he knew Iron Man. “He once flirted with our 80-year-old grandmother.”

Tony looked offended. “I’ll have you know-” The rest of his sentence was cut off as he suddenly crumpled as his eyes rolled into the back of his head. If it wasn’t for Bobby’s quick reflexes, the billionaire would have hit the floor.

Evan sat up in alarm, blue eyes wide in shock and one arm around his mid-section where he had a contusion from being knocked around when he’d been hit with the first wave. “Is he okay?! Did he get hurt?” His face was screwed up in pain and Maddie forced him to lay back down, but only did when Bobby, with the help of Hen and Chim, had laid Tony onto the empty cot next to his.

“Check him for any injuries,” Bobby said to Hen and Chim.

However, before either could move to comply, the sound of heavy footsteps interrupted them, and moments later the Iron Man armor clanked into view. ‘I’m sorry, Captain Nash, but I’m going to have to ask you to step away from Mr. Stark,’ a mechanized British voice came from the suit.

Bobby and the rest of them held out their hands in a universal sign of surrender, but took it as a good sign that the armor hadn’t lifted it’s hands. They’d seen enough footage of the Iron Man in action (whether from YouTube videos or news footage) to know that’s where the blasts he fired came from.

Bobby remembered hearing Tony talking to someone by the name Jarvis, and wondered if this was that person. Perhaps they were operating the armor from another location. “Jarvis was it?” The other didn’t answer but the armor had come to stop beside the cot they’d put Tony in. Now people were starting to take notice of Tony. “We just want to help him, make sure he isn’t hurt,” Bobby told him.

‘There is no need. Mr. Stark has sustained no injury. His collapse was caused by extreme fatigue. I will take him now and proceed back to the tower.’

Bobby made a face at that, since they all knew what tower he was talking about; Stark Tower, which was in New York. That was a long trip, even in a suit that could go at high speeds. “Or,” Maddie said as she stood up slowly, “you could take him to my house. I have an air mattress from when Evan was staying with me.”

The Iron Man armor turned to look at her, and it was a bit unsettling knowing it wasn’t Tony in there moving it around. ‘Madeline Buckley, you are a trusted person. This is acceptable. Although, I will inform his medical proxy of his location in case he needs any medical assistance.’

Maddie nodded. “Of course, now is it alright to have my boyfriend Howie Han and his partner Henrietta Wilson get him out to my car?” She wouldn’t be able to get him out of here without some kind of help.

‘That is acceptable,’ Jarvis informed her.

Her eyes snapped to Buck as he tried to sit up again. “And what do you think you’re doing?”

Evan groaned as he swung his legs over the side of the cot. “I’m going with you, of course,” he said. As he straightened, his gaze caught with Eddie’s and saw Christopher in his arms. The boy seemed to be fast asleep and Buck felt relief fill him. It was one thing to be told he was safe and another to actually see if for himself. “Chris...”

Eddie stepped closer, the man trying to squash the... annoyance he was feeling ever since he’d heard Tony freaking Stark say Buck’s name (and flirting with him, but he wouldn’t delve too much into that right now). Who, apparently, called him by his first name, as well as a nickname that wasn’t the one they were all used to; Ev he’d called him. Eddie couldn’t describe exactly why this bothered him. “He’s fine... Buck,” he said, hoping he didn’t notice his hesitation.

The man didn’t seem to notice, but he saw Bobby eye him in his peripheral but decided to ignore it for now. “I’m glad,” Buck gasped, his eyes red as if it was taking everything in him to keep from crying. He’d seen how vulnerable Buck had been with Maddie and Eddie had never seen him lose so much control. It burned a bitterness in his throat, especially wondering if Stark had ever seen Buck this vulnerable.

Then the man was grunting as he forced himself to his feet. “Wait, Buck,” Eddie said as Bobby jerked forward as Buck swayed. The man’s parental instincts always kicked into overhear whenever Buck was involved. Eddie at times wondered if Buck reminded him of the son he’d lost, but had never had to balls to ask. There were some things you didn’t ask Bobby Nash, and one of those things was about the children he’d lost. “You should stay. You’re still hurt.”

The blonde man shook his head, Eddie’s lips thinning with a frown that he seemed so intent on accompanying Tony that he was disregarding his own health. “I’m fine, and besides, there are other more seriously injured people that need this bed.”

“Man, why you gotta be so stubborn?” Eddie snapped, quieting down when Chris gave a sleepy moan and shifted in his arms. “I’m sure... Iron Man’s friend can take care of him.” He indicated the suit. “He doesn’t need an escort.”

Buck was looking at him with a confused frown, and Eddie knew he was being unreasonable, but he was irritated. Eddie had almost lost Chris, and then realized that he had also almost lost his best friend as well. It was a combination of everything that was fueling his annoyance; from the dismissive nurse even if he knew he shouldn’t, and realizing he’d left Buck alone while injured. Also, having been yelled at by Maddie after she’d relayed Buck’s condition to her over the phone.

That hadn’t been a fun conversation, but he’d felt a bit vindicated that he’d managed to calm her down. Maddie was never easily calmed when it came to Buck’s safety, and that was especially true after the bombing incident. And she was a force to be reckoned with. So, he’d been a bit irritated with how easily the woman had spoken with Tony, how even Buck had easily bantered with Tony Stark; flirted with him even.

“I know JARVIS can protect him,” he told Eddie even as he stood despite everyone telling him to lay back down. “I’d just feel better knowing someone with a physical body was there to watch over Tony.” He glanced at the suit with a stiff smile, likely because he was in pain; stubborn bastard. “No offense, J.”

‘No offense taken, Mr. Buckley,’ the British voice told him. ‘It would be reassuring to have both of you watching over sir.’

“Are you sure you’ll have enough room at your place?” Bobby asked. “You could all come over to my house. I have plenty of room. Michael has May and Harry over at his place and Athena is on shift.”

Buck didn’t say anything to oppose the idea, since he’d been over plenty of times, especially during his recovery following the two surgeries on his leg. It almost felt like a second home, well third, since Eddie’s house was practically his second home. As for Maddie, she wasn’t too sure. “I don’t know... I mean, as long as J doesn’t have a problem with it.”

‘I’ll just need the address to make sure it’s safe and secure,’ he told Bobby.

The man and JARVIS conversed on the ‘security measures’ that had to be taken. Meanwhile, Maddie helped her brother into a wheelchair despite his protests, while Hen and Chim maneuvered Tony onto a second wheelchair, since it’d be easier to get him into Maddie’s car that way. As for Buck, his Jeep was likely completely totaled since it’d been in the parking lot of the pier when the tsunami hit. So, he would have to ride with his sister.

Eddie asked to come along since he wanted to get Chris home but he didn’t have his vehicle. So, it was a tight fit in the car with Buck, Tony and Chris in the back and Eddie riding shot gun.

“Guess we’re having a big sleepover,” Buck giggled, groaning as it caused him some discomfort. Eddie glanced back at him and almost wished he hadn’t, since Tony was slumped against the taller man, head resting on his shoulder and he hated to admit that they made for a good-looking couple. Buck hadn’t dated since Eddie had known him, since the thing with Abby was finished by the time he came along (despite Buck’s denials), and the thing with that reporter hadn’t been an actual relationship.

Now, he was seeing the man being cozy with another, a man even, and Eddie wasn’t liking it one bit. He just couldn’t (or wouldn’t admit) as to why that was. After all, they were friends, and he convinced himself —not too successfully— that it was because he was used to having all of Buck’s attention, that he didn’t know what to do now that Tony was in the picture.

Apparently, he’d been in the picture longer than Eddie had known Buck.

“I’m not letting you two out of my sight,” Maddie grumbled, looking at her brother through the rear view mirror.

Buck snorted and Eddie bit his lip to keep from saying anything stupid, and that sounded jealous.

Because, nope, he wasn’t jealous at all.-