#why didnt the 911 writers make buck and josh a couple

[echowithpain]

Okay so, now I’ve got to expand on that last ask. Because that isn’t the whole story.

Unfortunately, Josh and Evan can’t align their schedules until almost two weeks later. It’s a Wednesday just Buck coming off a 24 hour shift and Josh only working a 12. Josh assures Buck that he can plan the date, since it’s the middle of the week and Buck’s hours differ than his. Josh opts for the simple dinner and a movie, on the off chance that any of their coworkers are out too, they could play it off as friends hanging out and catching up rather than a date. But Josh is pleasantly surprised, when Buck calls him to say that he is outside his apartment, and when Josh gets downstairs, Buck is waiting outside his Jeep, and in his hands, a small planted red orchid, and Josh, well, if he wasn’t terrified of scaring him off too soon, he would kiss the man senseless. Buck’s smile is soft and genuine as he holds out the orchid for Josh to take and then, much to Josh’s surprise, places a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. And Jesus, Josh wonder’s if he’s died and this is heaven and he can’t help but want to stick it to everyone who has doubted the man before him, and broken his heart, because this is their first date and Buck’s first date with a man and he’s sweeping Josh off his feet. Buck is blushing when he pulls away a fraction of a moment later, but still has that soft, radiant grin on his face and opens the door for Josh to get in his Jeep before closing it behind him and moves quickly to the drivers side. The rest of their date goes smoothly. No mishaps or awkwardness even if in the restaurant Buck is slightly tense and nervous. But in the theater, Buck’s nerves are far less severe and he places his arm around the back of Josh’s chair, and it’s everything Josh heard about his friends experiencing in high school. It doesn’t feel like Buck is trying to make a move on him more so then craving closeness without being inappropriate. What is surprising though is once the movie is over and they are leaving the theater, Buck takes his hand, tangling their fingers together as they walk back to the jeep. The ride back to Josh’s place is filled with their comfortable talk about the movie and when Buck parks in front of Josh’s apartment again, he rushes around to open the door. And Josh, well he is gone on this man even knowing that there’s an expiration on this. He offers Buck to come up, but Buck smiles sheepishly, running a hand over the back of his head, “I’d like to, but I offered to cover part of a shift tomorrow and I have to be there at 7. And I know you have an early morning too.” And Josh won’t lie and say he’s disappointed but again he is surprised when the other man tilts his head and gives him that grin again, “But hey, you were right. Not so different after all. And…I had so much fun tonight, and I would like to do this again, if you’d like to.” And Josh readily agrees because he likes to torture himself a little too much. And this time, when Buck leans in and kisses him, it’s full on the lips and deep and all Josh can think of is that he taste like popcorn and cherry chapstick, and if his foot pops up, no it didn’t. And it’s over to quickly and Josh is lightheaded and he has a dopey grin on his face and he can’t even be embarrassed because so does Buck.

And it goes on for weeks, just them knowing. Not telling a soul that they are dating each other. But everyone knows they are seeing someone. Maddie has cornered them both, keen to know who is making her brother and friend smile like they are. But they both stay tight lipped. After their fourth date, Josh had taken to calling Buck on his way home when he knew that the 118 wasn’t on a call to wish him a goodnight and stay safe, and Buck would say, “Drive safe. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” It comes to a head though, on one call, Buck is being repelled down the side of a cliff and a strong gust of wind sends him into the side of the rock face, hard. He knows he is slightly concussed and his arms are rubbed raw and thinks that he may have a few crack ribs. He finishes the call though. He’s not dying and the victim is seriously hurt. They have a helicopter coming to fly the hiker out, and when she is situated with the flight nurses, Buck is heading back up the side of the cliff. Eddie and Hen rush to him when he gets to the top, Chimney to focused on making sure the wench is secured and Buck won’t fall backwards. Hen and Bobby insist on Buck being checked out at the hospital and really, he can’t argue. It’s only when he gets there that he thinks about Josh being off, and not at dispatch and in his moment alone, without any of his family allowed back with him, he pulls out his phone and calls his boyfriend. Which yeah, Buck gets kind of lightheaded at that thought, but since they made it official, Buck is always lightheaded at that thought. Buck fumbles with the brightness, bringing it down to a level that doesn’t feel like his eyes are being stabbed and thumbs Josh’s name, and it’s not long that Josh answers, his voice cheerful. And Buck hates that he’s about to worry the man, but he starts with “Don’t freak out okay, but I’m at the ER. I’m okay. Slightly concussed and a few bruised ribs. I wanted to to know from me. You can come down if you want. I actually, well, I may need you to bring me home and I want you here.” And Josh, slightly panicked because Buck, the danger magnet that he is is hurt, but he agrees whole heartedly and is on his way within minutes. Buck tells his nurse that his boyfriend is coming and will be able to take him home when he can get discharged. And then his family is back with him and they are all arguing about who will take Buck home, and really Buck has had enough, the headache increasing slightly with the multiple voices, and before he can speak up and let them know he “doesn’t need any of them to take off and babysit him and yes Maddie you can go back to work”, Josh is coming through the curtain and Buck feels bad for worrying him when he sees the man visibly relax once he’s seen him, holding out his hand for Josh to take “Hey, baby, I am sorry I ruined our plans for tonight.” And all Josh can do is smile, “I didn’t want to go to that place anyway. A night in on your couch with take out sounds more than enough.” And Buck pulls him down for a kiss, and Josh runs his hand through Buck’s hair, the sweat from earlier making it slightly wild. And then Chimney squawks, “I’m sorry what?” And Maddy is just gobsmacked because her friend just kissed her baby brother. And Josh finally looks around and goes to pull away from Buck slightly but he whines, “Hey no wait. You have to cuddle me. I’m concussed.” And Maddie under no certain terms allows Josh to leave with Buck before she gives him the big sister talk. Eddie, poor baby is so confused and low key hurt but is also really happy for his friend because Buck has been the happiest he has ever known him to be. Hen was honestly surprised. And Bobby, well he’s just glad Buck has someone in his corner.

I actually think I love you.

Someone at 911 needs to hire you. Wait no, they'd probably just throw away your beautiful ideas.

AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! WHY DIDNT THEY MAKE BUCK AND JOSH A COUPLE?!?!?!?!?!?!? THEY COULD'VE BEEN SO CUTE!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[echowithpain]

Okay okay okay…it’s currently 8:30 am and is it too early for this? Maybe, but do I care? No, so buckle up cause here is another Buck/Josh headcanon:

Before Abby left, sometimes Buck would stop by dispatch to see her. And look, Josh likes Abby. She’s a good dispatcher and loves her mother. And they’re friends, if only at work. And when Abby mentions she’s starting to see a fireman and she’s having fun and it’s nothing serious, Josh just assumes it’s a gruff looking man in his forties with a mustache and smells permanently of smoke who is maybe twice divorced and doesn’t have time for commitment. What he isn’t expecting though is the young man that walks through the doors. He’s all legs and a bright smile; the literal embodiment of sunshine and he’s looking at Abby like she hung the moon. And Josh, well he is floored, because surely Abby can see that this young man is invested in them. And after observing them together, and having heard how Abby has talked about Buck and witnessed how love struck Buck is, well, Abby is cast in a new light that Josh doesn’t’t care for too much. And then Abby’s mother passes, and Buck is there for Abby through is all, but even then, Josh can see Abby pulling away from Buck, who just clings to her harder. Then Abby leaves with a hollow promise to come back and it’s weeks until Josh sees Buck again, the young man starting down the aisle Josh is on in the grocery store, and before he thinks anything of it he’s calling out to the other man, “oh, hey Buck.” And poor thing was so stuck in his head he startles, confusion passing over his face, and then hesitant realization, “Josh right? You work at dispatch right?” Josh nods, his smile tentative but there “Yeah, how’s it going?” And Buck deflates, but now there is a small smile on his face, “I’m okay. Hanging in there you know.” And they stand there, small talk in the juice aisle and Josh is offering before he can think twice, “Look, you can say no, but if you ever want to hang out, maybe talk about how you’re feeling, I’m a good listener. I also make a really good chicken bake.” And Buck’s eyes light up, and there is no hesitation when he agrees, handing over his phone for Josh to put his number in, and silently curses when he sees he only has about 20 left until the start of his shift, and he’s offering apologies and hurrying away. Josh is surprised though, when two days later Buck sends a message that he has the next two days off if Josh is free. Which is why, a two months after their run in, Buck is sitting on the floor, head leaning back against the couch, brushing against Josh’s thigh where he is reclined back against the arm and his legs are down the length, the fireman, in the near quiet of the room, whispers, “she’s not coming back.” And Josh’s heart breaks because he’s known this fact since Abby left, despite her promise to return, so all he can do, is run his hand through Buck’s hair, lightly scratching his scalp. “Thanks for being here for me.” And Josh, well, he’s half in love with this man after then short time they’ve been friends. “You don’t have to thank me Buck.”

Life goes on, and two weeks later, Buck mentions to Josh that he needs to find a new place to live because he can’t keep staying in Abby’s place and Josh is offering the second bedroom in his apartment to the other man permanently because there isn’t any reason not to. Buck is there most days when Josh is there anyway. And Buck is thankful, promising “I won’t be here long and I’ll help with rent. And it will be just until I can find my own place.” And Josh assures him there is no rush, that he is welcome to stay as long as he wants. And three weeks later, they’d been watching a movie in the living room and sometime they’d fallen asleep and Josh ended up draped over Buck’s body during the night. When he wakes, he’s warm and we’s wedged between the back of the couch and a solid wall of muscle and heat and there is a thigh between his legs and he has never slept better in his life, but then there is a shift and he blinks awake, and there is Buck, sleep mussed and small smile playing on his lips a soft “hi” escaping on an exhale and then he’s pulling Josh closer, brushing their lips together in a soft kiss, and then Buck takes it deeper, his hand moving up to hold the back of Josh’s head. And then, Buck’s pulled away and he’s breathing hard, and Josh feels like he’s drunk and and slightly like he’s about to panic but then Buck’s palm is on his cheek and Josh meets his eyes and all he sees is wonder and mirth as he whispers, “we should do that again” and there is no hesitation as they both move, their lips brushing again. And if later, Josh thinks that Abby has made the biggest mistake by letting this man go, well he’ll keep that to himself.

I love you.

Also, I don't know what it is with sleepy kisses/confessions that makes the happy drug in my brain go BRRRR but HOLY SHIT I FEEL LIKE I'M FLOATING!!!!!

This is another thing I love about Buck/Josh, you could put their relationship anywhere in the timeline and it would make sense!!!! This is freaking awesome for after Abby. Ali broke up with Buck because she couldn't handle worrying about him getting hurt, insert Josh who would still worry about him but not as much because he knows Buck can handle himself but is also there to reel him in when he tries to do too much, relationship grows from there.

Taylor Kelly was a nightmare, insert Josh who starts to talking to Buck more after Taylor's story on Jonah and he learns how messed up it was for Jonah to do that but also how messed up it was that Taylor didn't keep her word about waiting to run the story because Josh knows HR and lawyers are a nightmare, relationship grows from there.

Natalia was obsessed with death, insert Josh who helps Buck find new ways to appreciate life (with him maybe? 👀), relationship grows from there.

FUCK THE WRITERS FOR NOT MAKING BUCK AND JOSH A THING 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[echowithpain]

Hi! It’s me, I’m the sundae receiver! We’re going to go all in now. We are committed to this. Okay so, setting the scene.

When Maddie and Chim have Josh and Buck over that first time, and Maddie says that she wouldn’t be setting josh up with her brother, Buck acts like it doesn’t bother him, but it does. Like, he is highly offended thank you. He is a fantastic boyfriend. He doesn’t try to make his relationship difficult, but somehow they all end. And at the end of the night, Buck offers to take Josh home because his place is on the way to Buck’s loft and Buck didn’t have anything to drink really. But they drive off, and Josh keeps stealing glances at Buck because in the little they’ve interacted, Josh has never seen him so, quiet. Stewing almost, so Josh breaks the silence with “I’m sorry if my comment upset you.” And poor sweet Evan, is so confused because, what is Josh even talking about, nothing he said was offensive, and Buck tells him so, its just that, what Maddie said about she wouldn’t set any of her friends up with Buck, that kind of hurt because Buck thought he was a great guy. And Josh, he hurts for Buck, because he knows what happened with Abby and Ali, and none of that was Buck’s fault, but everyone kind of makes it out like it is. So Josh tells him that he thinks Buck would be a fantastic boyfriend, and that just sets Buck off on a mini rant about how he WOULD be a fantastic boyfriend because he is romantic as fuck. And Buck can’t tell because he is a responsible driver and paying attention to the road, but Josh, well, Josh is watching him with heart eyes because he’s just so earnest and Josh knows all Buck craves is to be loved. And it slips out before he can even think about it and Josh almost takes the words back, but the soft, “I would be interested in seeing your romance in action, if you’d want that too.” And Buck, bless him just goes, “Oh,” and Josh, his heart falls because of course this man is straight and his apology is about to slip out but Buck just says, “I mean what would Maddie say though. She already hinted that she’d think we wouldn’t be good together.” And Josh, well his heart flips and for a moment he thinks he is going to have to call into work but he says instead, “I mean, I don’t tell her about every date I go on, and that would be up to you to tell her if you wanted to, but Evan, I am interested if you are.” And Buck has pulled up in front of Josh’s apartment building now and is just staring at him for a moment and Josh swears Buck’s eyes are made of stars and Buck just “Yeah, sure okay.” And Buck has this grin and it makes a warmth blossom in Josh’s chest, and dammit Josh would give up the world just to see Buck smile like that for all of eternity. But then, well Buck’s smile falters and Josh is worried he’s changed his mind but in a soft, slightly panicked whisper, says “I’ve never been on a date with another guy before.” And Josh just melts, “That’s okay. I would imagine that it’s not so different than a date with a woman.” And Josh’s voice is soft, but just that side of teasing and Buck huffs out a laugh, his grin back and they both relax. Buck opens his phone and gets Josh’s number with a promise to call when he has a chance to look at his schedule and they’ll make the plans. And then, Josh gives him a bashful smile, that Buck returns with a small goodbye, and Josh can feel Buck’s eyes on him as he walks up to the entrance to his apartment building and once he has the door open, turns and waves at Buck, watching the other man pull off slowly before letting the door close behind him. And look, Josh knows that Buck won’t be his forever. He’s seen the way he looks at Eddie and Eddie looks at him. But Josh knows that Buck has been hurt before and deserves to have someone love him for him before he finally realizes who his forever is. And if Josh is loved by one of the greatest men he knows in that time, well, that seems like a good payoff to him.

... I think I love you.

This was incredible and now I'm even more pissed at the writers for not making Buck and Josh a thing because thEY WOULD'VE BEEN SO CUTE!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Buck always gives 100% in his relationships while the other party barely gives him anything other than the chance to say he's dating someone and it's never been fair!

When he was with Abby, he helped her when her mom went missing, told her he had a sex problem and because he liked her he didn't want to mess it up by having meaningless sex, was taking her on dates and planning fun things because she said she felt like she wasn't allowed to have fun with her mom to take care of, and was there for her when she finally passed and promised to wait for her when she decided to go on her "Eat Pray Love" tour. And Abby... Got his number from a police statement because she thought he looked hot when she saw him on tv, was worried about being seen as old when they were on their first date, called him a "fun boy toy" when talking about him to Carla, and only wanted to get in his pants.

The whole relationship with Taylor was a mess. The 118 saved her life from a helicopter crash so she wants to do a report on them, and when they accidentally get high on drugged brownies, she makes her cameraman keep recording them and planned on releasing the footage to the public. Buck thinks she didn't because she liked him, but it turned out she only didn't because the LAFD's lawyers were scarier than hers. Buck realizes all she cares about is her "stupid job" and she goes off on him saying he doesn't have to like it. "Well I don't like it." "And I don't care." But because of heteronormativity, her cameraman walks past them and says to "just get a room already" making it seem like the angry tension was sexual tension (🙄). And when they finally do start dating, does Buck make mistakes? Yes, but it's because he's afraid of being alone. But he still tried to help her find new stories to report on, got the fire fam and Athena to help out when she needed "a miracle", was there for her when the writers tried (and failed lmao) to give her a tragic backstory, and for Christmas gave her a super thoughtful gift (the distress beacon that only activates when she wants it to). And while Taylor was there for him when Eddie got shot, she was also mainly focused on her work and doing anything that could boost her career. The fact that she figured out Lucy was the one who kissed Buck, went up to her and said "You don't know what the 118 means to him" only to turn around and run the story about Jonah even though Buck asked her not to. Geez their relationship was so bad.

Honestly, Ali was the only one I actually liked with Buck but she was unfortunately the one we got to see with him for the least amount of time. She was kind, actually funny, helped him get his loft, and was shown to be really loving and understanding. After he got his leg crushed by the firetruck when it blew up and he was finally out of the hospital, she understands that he wants to go right back to being a firefighter once his leg heals and realized she couldn't stand the thought of him getting hurt again. He asks her if she wants him to quit his job and she IMMEDIATELY tells him that she would never ask that because she knows it's who he is. That was probably the only time I've seen people break up and not be angry with either party. She was the only good relationship he's had so far.

Can you imagine, after dealing with Abby, after the unfortunate but understandable break up with Ali, after dealing with Taylor freaking Kelly, after dealing with "death death death" Natalia, Buck getting into a fun happy relationship with Josh?

I know the mini fanfic (fucking loved it btw 🥰💖🥰💖🥰💖🥰) has them starting with the poker night at Chim's which I think was before Taylor, but it still captured everything we would need from Buck and Josh dating! Buck being upset because romance doesn't seem to work for him, Josh worrying about Buck and talking to him to make sure he's okay, Buck going on a mini rant about how romantic he is, Josh lovingly listening to him and accidentally letting slip that he wouldn't mind dating Buck, Buck being surprised but not put off by the idea, only being unsure about what it'd be like dating a guy, Josh reassuring him it should be similar to dating a girl while also teasing him a little, both of them being flustered and excited for the new adventure they'd take together, Josh already knowing he and Buck won't stay together forever because he noticed how he and Eddie act around each other, and while knowing that, still wanting to date Buck because he deserves to be loved by someone who actually loves him 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

FUCK!!!! IM MAD AT THE WRITERS AGAIN!!!! (not you, you're beautiful and I love you 💖) WE COULD'VE HAD IT ALL!!!!!!! WE COULD'VE HAD SO MUCH!!!!! WE COULD'VE EATEN SO WELL!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[echowithpain]

A date, I mean” And Josh doesn’t know how there was enough air inside his lungs, but he says yes, the answer breathy and for a moment Josh is lightheaded and it has everything to do with Buck’s smile that he is positive could put the lights in Vegas to shame. Buck stands up, handing him a slip of paper before winking at him and leaving, and Josh well, he has to be dead now because there is no way. But then their date comes and one date becomes three becomes six becomes “I am pretty sure we should make this official” and it’s been two months and Josh is over the moon in love, and a few times a week, Buck will stop by either on his way to work or home from work with a few coffees, and sometimes he spends a bit there, and funnily enough Eddie is never there until one day, Eddie is upstairs talking with him and May in the break room , Maddie out on the floor and in comes Buck, his stance casual, brining in a few coffees, handing their own to Maddie, Sue, and Linda before stepping inside the break room. Eddie, immediately lights up, “hey Buck” falling fondly out, but Buck, doesn’t seem to hear him, be lining to Josh and giving a soft kiss against the lips. And it’s sweet and chaste for Buck, but he’s in Josh’s work space and there are people around, so he immediately pulls back greeting May and Eddie. And it must be Josh that is only able to feel the tension rolling off Eddie, because suddenly it’s like it is 10 degrees chillier and Buck at least is none the wiser. Eddie is still however, casual and friendly when he asks, “so when did this happen?” And he gestures between Buck and Josh, taking his and May’s drinks from Buck. He takes a sip and Eddie watches him from over the rim of the paper cup, and it’s not threatening or malicious. And Josh is floored when he realizes it is jealousy coming from Eddie. But Buck never misses a beat when answering, “a few weeks after new years” and sweet child that he is, Buck is oblivious. And Buck just, picks up the conversation and if he contributes to it, Josh has no clue what he says, but then May is leaving, her break over and Buck turns to Josh, “I should probably be going too, I just wanted to bring you and everyone else a nice treat, and to say hi. I’ll see you tomorrow” And Buck kisses his cheek, turning to Eddie, “come on man, I’ll walk you down to your office before i leave.” And once Eddie knows, well, he becomes snippy. He isn’t ever rude or hateful, but seems almost petty with his jealousy. It isn’t until Eddie is back with the 118 full time, and their interactions have gone back to bare minimum, that Eddie seems to mellow out, snide comments and pettiness all but vanishing. And then suddenly life gets hard, and it’s longer and longer between dates and meet ups at their respective work stations and Josh just knows that it’s time to let Buck go. He loves the man, loves him so deeply and fully because he really is the best of men. But he knows that he doesn’t have Buck’s heart in the way forever needs, and truthfully, if he’s being honest Buck never had his. So now it’s down sixth months and funnily enough Buck brought back Josh’s things that were at his apartment, and Josh had Buck’s packed neatly in a box on his table. And they find themselves on the couch, their fingers intertwined and Josh tells him the truth, “I think we should break up.” And Josh can see it in Buck’s eyes, the sad understanding and Josh is so thankful that they have always been on the same page, since they started dating. Then Buck whispers, “I won’t lose you from my life. No matter what, you are and always will be my friend.” And Josh reaches over, wrapping his arms around the man, “You have so much love to give Evan, and I am so thankful that I was fortunate enough to experience that first hand.” There are no tears from either of them, because while this chapter is done, they know they are engrained in each others story forever, but it is still a few months before they allow their paths to cross again.(Part three coming and it should be the last)

Chewing through my wall and frothing at the mouth WHY ARE YOU SO GOOD??????

THE DATES BECOMING MORE COMMON, BUCK VISITING JOSH AT WORK, JOSH REALIZING THAT EDDIE'S JEALOUS WHILE HES WORKING AT DISPATCH, THEIR LIVES GETTING BUSY AND DIFFICULT BEING THE THING THAT MAKES JOSH REALIZE ITS TIME TO LET BUCK GO, THE MUTUAL BUT SAD UNDERSTANDING, THEM BEING ABLE TO END ON GOOD TERMS!!!!

im not worthy 🙌