Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buck doesn’t know why he ends up at the pier. After Maddie convinced him to get out of bed and into the world, he tried to think of happy places.

A pier full of smiling families may not have been the best choice for his mood.

After finding out the truth about Daniel, Buck has been, for lack of a better term, stuck.

He feels stagnated in life. Sure, he loves his job, and his sister, and his friends at the station. But lately, Buck thinks he’s missing something in his life.

Scratch that.

Buck has been searching for a purpose his entire life. It’s just, now he knows what it is, and how he failed before he got a chance to try.

But the sun is warm, and his pockets are full of the candy he never got to buy as a kid, so as Buck leans against a bench, he tries to appreciate it.

He’s startled out of his head when something taps his knee.

“Excuse me? Are you a firefighter?”

There’s a kid on crutches looking up at him with a slightly-worried look on his face. Buck remembers he’s wearing his station 118 shirt, and nods.

Immediately, Buck crouches down to eye-level. “I sure am. How can I help you, bud?”

“I got…I’m not lost, I just don’t know where Sandy is. Can you help me find her?”

“Of course. I’m Buck. What’s your name? Is Sandy a family member?”

“Christopher. No, she’s a new sitter. My dad was supposed to take me today, but his job started early.”

“Okay, thanks for telling me, Christopher. What does Sandy look like?”

“Uh, she’s tall, she has light hair, and she said she was gonna buy me some twizzlers.”

Buck’s lips twitch into a grin at his description.

“Okay, buddy. How about we go to the visitor’s center? Sandy might already be there waiting. Is there anyone I can call on our way?”

Christopher lets out a sigh too big for his body. “I don’t want to bug my dad at his new job.”

Buck gets momentarily distracted by a couple people pointing at the water, but he quickly refocuses.

“I get that. How about a text, then?”

The boy nods hesitantly, but something grabs his attention behind them.

The next few seconds pass in slow motion.

Buck sees the water receding, he recognizes the blare of the alarm, and the next thing he knows, Christopher is in his arms as he sprints inland.

Buck knows it’s a bad situation when the kid doesn’t even complain at a near stranger scooping him up. People are screaming at the top of their lungs, and Buck is desperately looking for something, anything, to block the wave that’s coming.

He has a split second to vault over an abandoned stand and grip Christopher tight before the water rushes in.

Buck has never held anyone or thing as fast as he tries to hold onto this kid, but the wave still rips them apart.

He’s screaming his name before he breaches the surface of the wave.

Between coughs, Buck searches the landscape.

By some miracle, he sees Christopher holding onto a pole down what used to be a road.

“I’m coming, Christopher! Hold on! I’m coming!” Buck’s voice is already straining with his volume as he launches himself through the water.

It’s pandemonium in the waves, with debris blocking his way as he throws himself toward the tiny voice calling out his name.

After far too long, Buck manages to reach the boy, whose grip on the pole is white and slippery.

Christopher falls into his arms, shaking, as he tries to stop crying.

“Hey, I got you. I got you, it’s okay. Hold onto my neck, okay, Christopher?”

“Y-you can call me Chris. If you want to.”

Buck starts swimming, though he has no idea where they’re heading. But he tries to keep Chris talking.

“Thanks, man. Is that your nickname?”

“Yes. My abuela gave it to me.”

“That’s awesome. You know, Buck is my nickname.”

“W-what’s your real name?”

“It’s Evan, but I think Buck is way cooler.”

“I think you’re right.”

Incredulously, Buck barks out a laugh. In their dangerous situation, this kid is somehow making him smile.

When Buck spots the overturned fire truck, he almost cries out of relief. It’s a comforting sight, though he’s a bit worried about the missing crew, luckily or unluckily not the 118. He’s worried about a lot of things, most notably the kid on his back.

Getting onto the sky-facing side of the truck is difficult, Buck using the familiar rope holders and hose nozzles as footholds as they make their way on top.

Buck takes a precious few seconds to relax, though his grip on Chris’s shirt never falters.

The yells shouldn’t have been surprising, but Buck still jolted when he heard them coming closer.

Buck sees the first woman in the waves, bobbing up and down on her way toward them, but there’s something that holds him back from helping.

When he hesitates by the edge of the truck, looking at Chris, the kid seems to understand.

“Go!” He insists, “She needs you.”

Without another second to waste, Buck is working on using the long hoses to make his way to the woman hurtling past in the current of debris and water.

The people keep coming, and Buck keeps reeling them in and helping them on top of the truck.

He practically begs the first woman he helped to look after Chris, and she luckily nods easily, still a little out of breath but looking stubborn.

The hours add up, and soon so do the injuries. Both on others, and unfortunately, on Buck. He can feel his strength waning, and his face stings from a particularly rough save.

But the people are grateful on the truck, and soon the rush slows.

Buck makes his way back toward Chris, who latches onto him without hesitation.

He’s never had someone to come back to, really, before. Among the devastation of the day, it’s a nice feeling.

Buck entices Chris into a game of I-Spy, and he’s thrilled when some of the others join in.

Probably a little late, Buck tries to figure out if anyone has a working phone, but no one does. They were either swept away, like Buck’s or so water-logged the screens wouldn’t work.

What they do have, are packs of candy safely stored in Buck’s zipped pockets. They were a little wet, but a lot of the sweets were packaged air-tightly, so Buck rations them happily.

Chris croons at the singular twizzler he hands over, making Buck smile despite his exhaustion.

There isn’t much, but he sees the rejuvenating effect of sugar on everyone, himself included, as Buck munches on half a pack of skittles.

The colors leech onto the skin of his palm, which makes Chris laugh and call him Spotty.

“Hey, I thought I told you I already have a nickname?”

“That’s true.” For the first time in the hours they’ve been stranded, Chris goes a little quiet.

“Hey, buddy, what’s wrong?” Buck asks, though he can manage a guess.

“I wanted to go to the pier.” He whispers.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Buck tries to impress.

“But…Sandy’s out there. She could be…”

Buck sighs. He’s never even met the woman, but he feels this kid’s anxiety very well.

“Yeah, Chris. I know. You’re not wrong.”

“It’s my fault.” Tears threaten to fall, and Buck is seized by panic for a moment. He’s usually on the other side of a guilt spiral with Maddie there to talk him down.

“I know you may not believe me, but I am 100% sure that you are not responsible for a natural disaster. You can’t swirl the clouds or move the waves, no matter how wildly you wave your arms. Unless there’s something you’re not telling me…?”

Chris lets out a wet chuckle, shaking his head no.

“I used to, uh, think I was responsible for a lot, too.”

“Like what?”

Buck doesn’t want to scar the kid, but he can’t lie to him.

“I was born to help my brother through a really tough time. I wasn’t able to. It’s been really hard to admit that I wasn’t at fault, and some days I still think I am. But my sister, Maddie, has been really helpful in reminding me that some awful things happen, and we can only do the best we can.”

“She sounds like my dad.”

“Tell me about him?”

“His name is Edmundo.”

Buck snorts. “Sounds like he might need a nickname.”

“I call him Daddy!”

“I don’t think I should do that, though.” Buck jokes before he can stop himself. “Uh, anyway, what’s he like?”

“He was gone for a while, but he called a lot. Now my mom is gone, but she never calls.”

Buck’s heart hurts more than all his scrapes combined.

“I bet he’s doing all he can to find you.”

“Us.” Chris corrects, holding Buck’s arm tighter.

“Thanks, little man.”

“You’re welcome. You’re my friend.”

Smiling, Buck scans the area again. He’s hoping a rescue boat or helicopter finds them soon. He knows there’s a good chance of a second wave, and he doesn’t want to be this exposed when it comes.

“You’re my friend, too, Chris. Hey, tell you what, what’s something you’ve been wanting to do in LA?”

“Besides the pier?”

“Yep. I know the city pretty well; I could take you and your dad. Show you around.”

Chris tilts his head, considering. “How about…the zoo?” He asks tentatively, like he’s afraid Buck will say no.

Buck grins. “I love the zoo! That’s a great choice.”

Chris ducks his head. “Thanks, Buck.”

They spend more time talking about what animals Chris wants to see at the zoo, and Buck tells him all about the exhibits he’s seen so far.

Chapter Text

Buck has never felt panic like this.

He’s felt hurt, he’s felt worry, he’s felt loneliness.

But this…this is a madness he’s never known before.

One second, Chris was tucked against the first woman, Mary, who he’d saved.

The next, both her and Chris were gone.

Disappeared.

Mary was lucky enough to get stuck against the firetruck. A few others were already working on freeing her by the time Buck realizes he’s in the water.

It wasn’t even a conscious thought, jumping in after Chris.

Second nature just kicked in, and Buck barely registers the water and debris around him.

As the minutes pass, his eyes sting from the salty spray, his throat burns from screaming, and his body feels like it weighs about a thousand pounds.

But nothing, and Buck means nothing, can stop him from continuing.

Eventually, when Buck’s head goes under a third time in as many minutes, Buck hears Bobby’s voice in his head.

‘Be logical. You need to rest if you’re going to be any help for that boy.’

Hating the world, hating the water, and hating himself, Buck hauls himself on top of the next overturned car.

Black spots flutter at the edge of his vision, but Buck blinks hard to dissipate them.

After a few short, but long, minutes, Buck sits up. It takes far too much effort.

He wraps his wounds in pieces of his shirt almost mechanically. Scratches are covered, bruises are poked and prodded, and his ribs are counted and approved.

If the circumstances were different in any way, Buck would just about consider himself lucky.

For once in his life.

A sob is punched out of him almost violently.

Buck tries to wipe his face with his shirt sleeve before remembering that one, it would also be wet, and two, it’s currently wrapped around his other arm as a makeshift bandage.

What kind of world is this?

He wants to stop. He wants to scream. He wants to succumb.

Slipping back into the water is easy.

Too easy.

It seems to drag him in greedily, eager for another victim.

But Buck doesn’t give up that quickly.

Just the memory of Chris, of his courage, his grin, and his fearlessness, propels Buck’s arms through the water.

Buck scans his surroundings too quickly.

He almost misses it.

The flash of color.

Buck swallows a mouthful of the disgusting water in shock as he redirects toward the glasses hanging off of a downed street light.

They’re precarious on the metal, barely hanging on, they’re predictably scratched and waterlogged, and they’re precious.

Because they belong to Chris.

Buck clutches the light post structure as the water churns around him, desperately trying to drag him along, but Buck holds firm.

Looking from left to right, Buck scans the area. His vision is caught on car wreckage, smashed storefronts, a boat, a couple of piles of what could have been sidewalk sale tables at one point.

Buck’s eyes snap back to the boat before he registers looking in that direction.

It’s got a couple scuffs and no sails, but it’s mostly intact.

“Chris!” Buck yells, voice barely audible.

He tries again, a bit louder, but there’s no response.

Still, hope is burning him up from the inside.

Buck has no reason to think Chris is in that boat, no evidence to support this ridiculous claim, but he’s swimming toward it nonetheless.

It takes too long, the boat is too quiet, the water around it too still.

But Buck doesn’t stop.

He reaches the sailboat, gripping its smooth rungs to haul himself onto the side facing the sun.

For some reason, the sight of the empty boat doesn’t give him pause.

Buck looks under the benches, behind the wheel, and around the railing with baited breath and staggering legs.

He’s about to collapse onto a seat and reexamine the street when his gaze stops on what seems to be a storage area tucked beside the empty life jacket container.

“Christopher?” Buck whispers, his heart pounding too hard to speak any louder.

Carefully, so carefully, Buck takes a step toward the tiny, unlatched door.

He hears a sniffle, and almost breaks down.

Instead, Buck crouches down, knees cracking, and knocks lightly on the wood.

The sniffling stops.

“Knock, knock.” Buck calls softly, aware of how traumatizing this experience really is.

“Wh-who’s …who’s there?” Chris’s voice is faint, but he would know it anywhere.

Buck gives up the joke quickly. “It’s me, bud. It’s Buck.”

For a minute, nothing happens.

Then…

‘Click’

The door creaks open slowly.

Chris is wedged tightly into the space, holding his knees with one arm as the other raises the door slowly.

“B-buck?”

He’s squinting, and shaking, and Buck needs to be careful here.

“Yeah, it’s me. Here, these might help. I have your glasses. They might be a little scuffed up, though. Think that’s okay?”

“I…I don’t know?”

“That’s okay.” Buck says softly. He sets the glasses down on the deck, sliding them over slowly.

Chris opens the door more, flinching at the bright sun, and takes the pair.

Buck uses that time to search for injuries. He’s not surprised to see a few scratches, one looking particularly rough, but not life-threatening.

Chris manages to put on his glasses, looking up at Buck for the first time with teary eyes.

“Buck?” He gasps.

“Yeah, superman. I’m here.”

“You f-found me?”

“Of course! I gotta say, this is a great hiding spot. But it might be time to go. Are you okay with that?”

Buck doesn’t know how long the kid has been hiding here, or how in the hell he managed to find this spot.

“I think so.” He sniffles, trying to wipe at his eyes as he ducks his head.

“Okay, Chris. Would you like help standing up?”

“Yeah.” The kid’s voice is unsure, and Buck is worried.

But Chris opens the door fully and reaches out one hand for Buck to take.

Buck is shaking as much as Chris as he pulls the child out of his spot, careful and slow.

He definitely hears a joint pop, but the rest of the world fades away as Chris clings to Buck.

For the first time in what has to be hours, Buck breaks down fully.

He holds onto Chris too tightly, cries too loudly, and stays there for too long.

Eventually, Buck lets go when he realizes Chris wants to move his arms.

To his shock, Chris raises a hand to Buck’s head, patting it.

“It’s gonna be okay, kid.” Chris reassures in his quiet voice.

Buck lets out a desperate laugh, ducking his head so Chris can reach it easier.

“I think you might be right.” Buck responds, feeling his lips smile.

Chris echoes the grin, a bit tiredly, but still.

Buck needs another minute before he can stand, but he does it. After wrapping some of Chris’s cuts and inspecting his joints and ribs, Buck lets out another couple of tears when he seems okay. Relatively, that is.

Getting down from the boat requires some time and effort, but they manage it without letting go of each other for a second.

Chris is back in Buck’s arms as soon as possible, and the kid is melting with exhaustion.

“I’m not letting go of you, Chris.” Buck promises, he vows, as they make their way through the water until Buck can finally stand.

His legs are going numb as the water recedes to his knees, then his ankles, but he doesn’t stop.

“I know.” Chris mumbles.

“Good. If you need to, you can sleep now. You’ll be safe, I swear.”

“Okay, Buck.” Chris’s eyes are already closed, and it takes Buck some effort to tear his eyes away from the kid tucked against his chest.

Buck doesn’t recognize the area, but he knows the coast is behind him.

So, with some considerable trying, he looks up and starts walking.

Chapter Text

The VA hospital is a mess. It’s crowded, it’s loud, and it’s smelly.

It’s the most beautiful thing Buck’s ever seen.

After reaching it an hour ago and their injuries deemed not life-threatening, Buck and Chris are finally getting a cot and some supplies.

Buck understands, he really does, but he’s been begging for a phone for almost as long as some water for Chris.

Chris woke up a few times, sometimes yelling for his dad, and one time for Buck.

Buck barely let the kid out of his arms to get checked by one of the few practitioners.

Now, he’s sitting on the cot because if he lays down, he knows he would pass out in seconds.

And he still needs to call, well, everyone.

Buck managed to get Chris to recite his dad’s phone number a bit ago, written on his wrist since there was no paper to be found.

He’s worried the ink will smudge, so he passes the time memorizing the numbers.

236-213-2244

It makes some part of Buck delighted to make connections between the numbers.

2 times three is 6, 2 plus 1 is three, 2 times 2 twice is 44.

Somewhere between 213 and 2244, a voice filters into his brain.

He’s standing up, still clutching Chris, in seconds.

“Bobby?” Buck’s voice is still faint, and a little disbelieving, but the older man a few feet away hears it anyway.

Bobby turns, looking less rough than Buck and Chris but still worn-out in his uniform.

“Buck? Buck, what are you…Oh, god.”

“Hey, Cap.” Buck manages a wry smile, sitting back down heavily as his captain runs the few feet toward him.

Buck sighs in relief as the other man settles his hands on Buck’s shoulders, looking him over.

“It’s your day off, what the hell are you doing here?”

“I was…” The words are harder to get out than Buck expected. “It was a gorgeous day at the pier.”

“Jesus.” Bobby seems at a loss for words. “Let me-- were you checked out? Do they know you’re allergic to naproxen? Also, where did you acquire a child?”

“Yes, yes, and he found me. He got separated from his babysitter right before the first wave hit. Who, by the way, I need to find. Her name is Sandy.”

Bobby nods, shifting into captain mode. “Done. I don’t have my phone, but the new probie has been glued to his all day. He’s looking for someone, too. Hell of a guy, but I had to bench him when we found out his family was at the pier, too. I…I can bring him over, but you’ve got to stay here. No more heroics for the day, okay?”

Buck smiles. “I promise. I’ll sit and stay.”

“You’d better. Hen and Chimney are gonna give you so much shit. Right after they absolutely hug the hell out of you and check all those scratches. Don’t think I didn’t notice them. I’ll grab some actual bandages next.”

Buck nods, trying to recognize the feeling of safety after hours without it.

Hen and Chimney are running toward him within minutes, their voices floating over Buck’s head as they talk over each other.

“I can’t believe this-”

“On your day off--”

“Stupid, stupid, heroic, boy-”

“Did you swim through the entire ocean? Jesus-”

“I’m okay, I promise.”

Hen looks like she wishes she had hair just to rip it out.

“You’re still on blood thinners! And we heard about someone with a kid and a birthmark rescuing people right after the first wave, don’t think we don’t know it was you.”

Chimney nods. “You’re not taking any more days off. That’s an order.”

“That seems more like a threat, Chim.” Buck chuckles, which seems to wake Chris up.

“And who’s this?” Hen asks, cooing at Christopher.

“This is superman. He got me through the tsunami.” Buck explains.

“Buck saved me.” Chris rasps, yawning.

Hen and Chimney stare at Buck for a second, and Buck can see Chris wrapping them around his fingers in seconds.

Hen speaks first. “I’m Henrietta, but you can call me Hen.”

“And I’m Chimney. Good to meet you-- well, as good as it gets.”

“More nicknames!” Chris starts to perk up.

“Guess so, Chris.” Buck smiles, but Hen and Chim seem to stop moving at Chris’s name.

“What?” Chimney asks, barely audible.

“What did you just say?” Hen pleads.

They’re interrupted by Bobby’s return, hauling another man through the lines of cots.

The man seems to be looking at each bed as they pass, dragging his feet as though terrified of missing something.

Or someone.

Time seems to slow as Chris turns and the man reaches them, a cell phone locked in his grip.

“Daddy!” Chris yells directly into Buck’s ears.

“Chris?” The man seems to stop breathing as he whispers his name. “Chris!”

For the first time all day, Chris starts struggling in Buck’s hold.

Buck is quick to make the connection, standing up and staggering toward the man as he sprints forward.

They meet in the middle, the man’s hands shaking as he cups Chris’s face and kisses his forehead.

He’s crying, almost sobbing. Buck realizes he is too, but Chris is smiling hard enough for all three of them.

“You found us!” Chris hiccups.

For the first time, Chris’s dad seems to register Buck. Buck doesn’t blame him one bit.

“You’re-- you--”

“This is Buck.” Bobby interrupts, explaining gently. “He was on the pier for his day off, otherwise known as Firefighter Buckley. Buck, this is Eddie.”

“Buck saved me.” Chris adds as Buck shifts the kid over to his father. His arms, lighter than they’ve been all day, feel empty.

“I don’t-- you, you-”

“I think Chris saved me, too.” Buck admits quietly.

The man, Eddie, hasn’t stopped crying, but his eyes are clear when they settle on Buck.

“He tends to do that.” Eddie responds.

“We were waiting for a phone-- and some water, I guess.” Buck says, mostly to fill the poignant silence. He shows Eddie his inked wrist, who laughs wetly.

“Are you thirsty, mijo?”

Chris nods. “A little.” He admits.

“And you?” Eddie asks Buck.

“Huh?”

Eddie shakes his head, smiling a little. “There’s water on the truck. You coming with?”

Buck’s exhausted to his bones.

He’s shaking without moving.

He’s coming with.

Chapter Text

Buck wants a lot of things in the long/short walk to the firetruck.

He wants to hold Chris, but his hands haven’t stopped shaking.

He wants to pause and rest, but he can’t stop moving forward.

He wants to cry, but he doesn’t think he could handle the wetness on his face.

He wants--

A warm hand slips into his, pulling him the last few feet to the truck. Buck hadn’t even noticed he’d been slowing down to a crawling pace.

Or that the bright red truck was glaringly, obviously in his line of sight.

A bit hurriedly, Buck blinks hard to try and refocus.

“It’s okay.” It takes a second for Buck to realize the man-- Chris’s father, Eddie, is talking to him.

“Sorry, I’m not usually this out of it.”

Eddie gives him a grin.

It feels like a gift.

“I’m guessing you’re not usually thrust into a natural disaster either.”

“That’s not--”

“Your fault. It’s not your fault.”

How did he know that’s where Buck’s mind was going?

Eddie’s eyes are brown, deep, and most of all, kind.

“You don’t know…Eddie, I lost him.”

“What do you mean?”

Buck tries to let go of Eddie’s hand, though he really doesn’t want to.

Eddie doesn’t even flinch as his grip holds steady.

“I...the second wave separated us. For hours. I only found him again because of what has got to be a miracle. If I hadn’t…I don’t even know what could’ve happened.”

Eddie presses a kiss to a sleeping Chris’s head, pausing there to breathe for a second.

“And that terrifies me. That he was alone even for a second. But, it’s, it’s Buck, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Buck, you kept fighting for him. You found him again, against all the odds there could be, and he’s safe. He’s okay. If…god forbid, he wasn’t? He got hurt? He…” Eddie cuts himself off, shaking his head.

“...It still wouldn’t be on you. Me? For sending him off in a new city? Maybe.”

“Hey, I have dibs on the guilt today.” Buck jokes, and though he can still taste salt, the words taste sweet.

Eddie squeezes Buck’s hand, finally letting go to hand over Chris then climbing in to retrieve some supplies.

Chris wakes up slowly, but he perks up quickly when he gets some fresh water. Buck refuses to drink until Chris insists he’s not thirsty anymore, making Eddie huff in frustration and resigned understanding.

The water tastes like nothing, and everything.

It tastes like a fresh start, like a new beginning.

While he drinks probably too much of it, Eddie gets to work bandaging his and Chris’s cuts and scrapes.

Buck tries to quell the feelings, tries to hand Chris over as soon as he can, but the kid clings to him.

“Where are you going?” Chris asks, looking anxious.

“I…” Buck doesn’t have an answer. God, he still needs to call Maddie.

“Look, I…” Eddie starts, and Buck knows where this is going.

“I know, I know, I swear I’ll get out of your hair soon, but I would feel better if I saw you guys home first.”

Eddie looks at him incredulously, and Buck shifts on his feet.

“I mean, if you really need me to go--”

“Buck.” Eddie steps closer, mindful of an exhausted Chris on Buck’s hip, and cradles Buck’s face in his hands. “You.” He states firmly. “Are not going anywhere. We’re going to be partners, remember?”

Oh, right. At work.

But Eddie isn’t done.

“You…How do you not get it?” Eddie’s hands slide off Buck’s face as the other man lets out a bitter, unbelieving laugh. His fingertips drag down Buck’s cheeks, and Buck can’t fight the urge to lean into the fleeting motion.

“I barely know you, but I feel like I understand you. You save people. You saved my son. It’s time somebody saves you, okay?”

“Okay,” It’s the easiest, hardest word he’s ever said. “Speaking, of, um, saving…”

Eddie tilts his head, and it’s adorable.

“You might need to resuscitate me after my sister kills me for today.”

Eddie’s eyes crinkle as he smiles, leading the way back to the team with more bottles and bandages.

“I’ll have your back any day.”

“And, I- maybe I could have yours.” There’s more meaning in Buck’s words than he intends, but he can’t help it.

Eddie glances at his son, once again passed out in Buck’s arms.

“You already do.”

Chapter Text

Maddie is understandably emotional.

Buck can hear her frantic voice coming from Chimney’s phone from a few paces away as he, Chris, and Eddie make their way back to “their” spot amongst the chaos.

Buck had almost forgotten that not everyone is getting the happy ending that their circle had.

“No, he’s okay, I swear, I checked him out myself. Look- oh, thank God, here he is. You can talk--”

“Maddie?” Buck plucks the phone out of Chim’s hand, suddenly desperate to hear his sister’s voice.

Buck registers Eddie lifting Chris out of his arms, patting his arm, and setting down on a nearby cot to talk with Bobby.

“Evan?! I--”

“I’m okay, I promise. Really okay. I think I’ve been saving up all my luck to use it today.”

“I swear to God, if I get there and you’re bleeding out…”

“Okay, I do have some scratches, but Eddie cleaned and covered them.”

“Who the hell is Eddie?”

“Oh, he’s Chris’s dad.”

“Evan.”

“I found this kid on the pier, and it turns out his dad is going to be my new partner.”

Chimney grabs his phone back, setting it to speakerphone.

“Hey Maddie, Buck’s not delirious. Well, I shouldn’t speak too soon. But, uh, he’s right. Somehow, someway, Buck managed to save this kid from a tsunami and reunite him with his family. Now, it’s Buck’s turn. How soon can you pick him up?”

“No, no, you don’t need to--”

“I’m already in the car. But, the roads--” Maddie sniffles. “I don’t know how the hell I’m going to get to you guys.”

“Then we’ll come to you. We can meet you at Buck’s apartment.”

“My house is more central.” All eyes turn to Eddie, who shifts on his feet but squares his shoulders. “You’re leaving from the dispatch center, right?”

“Yes, but, sorry, are you Eddie?” Maddie’s voice sounds hesitant.

“Yeah. This guy,” Eddie shifts Chris on his hip in a way he’s must have done a million times. “is a little attached to his Buck. Plus, I have frozen pizza to spare. Cap isn’t letting me,” Eddie gives Buck a knowing look, “or Buck do anything other than recuperate. And maybe log some overtime.”

“Done.” Buck can imagine Maddie nodding along to the plan.

“I’ll send the address, Maddie. And I’ll see you as soon as I can.” Chimney confirms, sounding regretful that he can’t join them.

“I know. Ilove you.” Maddie calls before she hangs up.

“You too!” Chimney and Buck respond at the same time.

Eddie looks between them, confused, while the two men crack up.

Buck manages to calm down relatively soon, though hysteria bubbles in his chest.

Chimney does as promised, sending Eddie’s address, before hugging Buck tightly.

Eddie looks surprised but grateful to get a hug, too, as Chimney joins Hen at another cot.

Hen looks up over a saline bag, giving Buck a meaningful nod.

Eddie makes a few calls, one to his abuela, and one to a frantic-sounding woman who Buck distantly registers as named Sandy. He feels terrible for forgetting about her, albeit very shortly, but Eddie is rubbing circles into Buck’s shoulder. He can’t really focus on anything else.

Buck is swaying on his feet by the time Bobby makes it over to ensure they have a plan.

“Is Maddie coming to pick you up?”

“Nah. I’ve managed to cop myself a new ride.” Man, his filter was gone, gone.

Eddie clears his throat, hiding a smile. “She’s going to meet us at my house. It’s more central, should be away from most of the damage.”

Bobby grins, placing a firm, yet gentle hand on each of their shoulders. “I had a feeling you two would work well together.”

“That remains to be seen.” Buck points out.

But Bobby just shakes his head. “Just get home safe, son. Take care of each other.”

With that, they’re finally heading back toward the truck.

Eddie explains that there’s a second wave of firefighters meeting them at the station, where Eddie’s car is, to take the truck back to the scene. From there, Eddie will drive the short distance to his house.

Buck is barely aware of the journey, preferring instead to lean his head back and doze. Eddie wakes him up intermittently to switch vehicles and check his pupils.

Eddie’s hands are purposeful and pleasant as he cradles Bucks head while shining the light in his face.

Evidently, he’s not presenting symptoms of a concussion, but Eddie is intent on checking every few hours.

“If you wake me up a million times tonight, I’m going to kill you.” Buck groans.

“Sure, yeah right.”

“You don’t think I could take you?” Buck teases as they pull into a quiet neighborhood.

Eddie scoffs, and Buck feels like he should be offended, but all he feels is warm.

Eddie and Chris’s home is beautiful. It’s cozy, a bit messy, and so obviously lived-in that Buck feels like a puzzle piece being slotted into place.

There’s a short, completely understandable argument about showering that ends with both Eddie and Buck crammed into the bathroom as Chris washes off, the pizza cooking in the oven.

He pokes his head out to ensure they’re both still there, pressed knee-to-knee, multiple times until he’s done.

Buck is more than a little nervous about being alone and under the spray, but Eddie and a dry Chris don’t budge. They settle back on the floor, talking about what pizza toppings are superior.

“You’re not listening! Pineapple is fun!” Chris insists.

“Sure, on a cake, maybe.” Eddie responds. “But pizza? With red sauce? No thanks.”

“Sorry, Eddie. I’ve got to agree with the superior opinion. Pineapple is amazing on pizza. So is honey.” Buck adds as he fumbles for a towel with one hand outside the shower curtain.

“Ooh, tonight can we try honey?” Chris asks.

“Sure, we can try. But don’t call me honey.”

Buck snorts, wrapping the towel around his waist and leaving the shower.

He ends up a lot closer to Eddie, who’s standing next to the door with a smile frozen on his face.

“Oh, sorry-” Buck attempts to pivot as Chris slips out first, making a beeline for the pantry, he assumes.

“No, it’s fine, I’ll just--” Eddie tries to give Buck space.

They just end up moving in sync for a few steps. Finally, Eddie puts his hands on Buck’s hips, manhandling him next to the sink.

Buck’s heart leaps into his throat, his blood rushes to his cheeks, and his tongue twists in his mouth.

“Sorry, I thought that was just, I don’t know, easier?” Eddie looks so self conscious, Buck rushes to nod.

“No! I mean, yeah! I mean, that works.”

Eddie’s hands haven’t left Buck’s hips, still damp from the shower.

Just when Buck is starting to memorize the shade of Eddie’s brown eyes, the oven beeps.

Eddie jumps like he’s been shocked, making Buck chuckle tiredly.

“I, uh, I’ll set out some sweats. They might be a bit small, but--”

“That’s perfect.” Buck insists.

Buck is just pulling on the clothes when he hears the doorbell ring. Three times in quick succession.

He grins, heading out, as Maddie straight-up ignores Eddie in favor of rushing toward Buck.

Her hug almost takes him out, but he manages to stay upright.

“I’m so sorry.” Maddie spits out. “I made you--”

“Hey, hey, none of that. I chose to go to the pier. Don’t you dare put any blame whatsoever on yourself. I needed a push.”

“But…” Maddie pulls back to look him in the eyes. Her hands are cold and shaking. Buck places his own over them, warming her fingers between his own.

“I’m okay.” Buck insists. “Come on, I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.” Maddie tries to joke, but the worry hasn’t left her eyes.

The pizza is probably not as good as Buck thinks, but he’s been running on that half pack of skittles all day, so he eats as much as Maddie and Eddie deem safe.

Pouting, Buck tries to reach for one more slice. Eddie levels him with a look, and Buck sighs, resigned.

Maddie looks between them, incredulously. “You never listened to me about pizza portions as a kid!”

“Hey, I have grown up a little!”

Maddie’s eyes soften. “Yeah,” She agrees. “I guess you have.”

When Chris’s head bobs down for the third time, Eddie excuses them to put him to bed.

Buck and Maddie start washing dishes as they hear muted protests and brushing teeth and leg exercises, but they’re soon replaced by Eddie’s low voice reading what has to be a bedtime story.

Buck is worried when Maddie starts crying.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m okay.” Buck dries the last plate, turning to hug her.

“I know, I just…my head hasn’t gotten the message.”

“Then I’ll just have to remind you.”

“That works for me.” Maddie sniffles. “Are you coming with me?”

“What?”

Maddie gives him a searching look. “Tonight? Should I stay with you at your apartment? I don’t want you to be alone.”

“He won’t be.” They turn to see Eddie walk back into the kitchen.

“You’re staying here?”

“If that’s okay?” Buck looks at Eddie hesitantly, who nods without pause.

Maddie nods, too. “Okay. But I’m coming back first thing in the morning. You really should wake up every few hours to check for--”

“A concussion.” Buck whines. “I know. Eddie already made that particular threat.”

Maddie manages a wet laugh as she starts to grab her things.

She hugs Buck twice more before finally leaving, swearing that she’ll text when she gets home.

Eddie’s set up a few blankets on the couch, so Buck groans appreciatively as he collapses on it.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Eddie asks incredulously.

“Uh, I’m about to pass out, I think?”

“Get up,” Eddie rolls his eyes. “You’re taking my bed.”

“No way.” Buck protests.

“Don’t make me pull out the MMA moves.”

“You wanna go for the title?”

Eddie shakes his head, smiling, and pulls Buck up, leading to his bedroom.

Buck goes without hesitation, though he’s not about to put Eddie out in his own house.

When he sees the queen bed, he gets a bad idea.

Buck gravitates toward the right side, pushing Eddie toward the left.

“Uh, what--”

“It’s not a big deal, Eddie. I swear, I don’t sleepwalk or anything.”

“Oh! Yeah, of course. Me either.”

Eddie leaves briefly for his own shower, coming back in soft-looking pajamas.

Buck is already dozing, but he doesn’t feel the sweet release of sleep until Eddie settles next to him.

He sleeps well.

Almost too well.

Eddie stays true to his word, nudging Buck’s shoulders every few hours to check his pupils and state of mind.

His state of mind is usually a bit cranky, but Eddie chuckles like it’s endearing. Every time.

The last time he’s awoken before morning, he shuts his eyes immediately.

“No.”

“Come on Buck, just once more. I need to check your--”

Fed up, Buck rolls over, taking Eddie with him.

He settles onto the mattress, using Eddie as a pillow, in an intimate embrace that he doesn’t quite clock.

Eddie’s skin is soft as Buck exhales into his collarbone. Eddie slowly relaxes, relenting to Buck’s closeness like it’s a gift.

Eddie’s arms wrap around Buck as he slowly falls back into sleep.

He can almost pretend to feel Eddie’s hands raking through his hair, Eddie’s heart beating just a little too quickly, Eddie’s lips pressing a fleeting ghost of a kiss to his temple.

Chapter Text

Buck needs to get a grip.

Well, he has a grip. A very strong grip on his waist.

It doesn’t belong to his own hands, though.

Buck wakes up a bit panicked, though Eddie’s slow and even breaths beneath him lull him back to a sense of calm.

Staying completely still, Buck spirals for a few seconds, distantly recognizing the fact that his body, though sore, feels safe and content.

Eddie groans lightly, squeezing Buck for a millisecond before he freezes.

Buck leans back on his arm, certain his face is beet red.

“Um. Morning?” Buck greets.

Eddie looks way too adorable with his sleep-mussed hair and soft eyes.

“Y-yeah. Good morning?”

“I think I may have tackled you a few hours ago, so, uh, sorry about that.”

“No! No, it’s-- well, you did, but it’s fine.”

“You sure? I think I drooled on your shoulder.”

Eddie looks down automatically, bringing their faces closer. He clears his throat, looking away.

“It’s cool, I swear. How do you feel? Any dizziness?”

“Pretty sore, to be honest. But no, I feel like my head is clear.”

“Thank god.”

Neither of them have moved.

Buck knows he’s not imagining the way Eddie swallows and flicks his eyes, just briefly, to Buck’s lips.

Before he can explore the many, many feelings that brings out in him, there comes the sound of crutches down the hall.

Buck and Eddie extricate themselves from each other as Chris seems to hesitate, then knock on the door.

“Come on in, Chris,” Eddie calls. “It’s okay.”

“Dad? Buck?” Chris enters slowly, wiping at his face.

Eddie sighs like he’d expected Chris to be upset but still hoped against it.

“Hey, mijo. How are you feeling?”

“My arms and legs hurt.”

“That makes sense. Is that why you came in?”

“No.” Chris doesn’t say more, but he comes closer.

Eddie lifts him up onto the bed, startling a giggle out of the kid, but it fades quickly.

“My arms and legs hurt, too, buddy. Maybe your dad here will make pancakes for us.” Buck suggests.

“Dad always burns them.”

Eddie gasps theatrically.

“Is that right?” Buck smirks. “Well, I happen to be an expert. Do you have chocolate chips?”

Eddie gives Buck an annoyed but endeared look.

“I mean, um, blueberries?” Buck tries to pivot.

“We have chocolate chips! I’ll get them!” Chris is off the bed and out the door before Buck can insist on some sort of nutrients.

“Sorry, is that--”

“You better go put your batter where your mouth is, Buck.” Eddie says with a smile that should not be legal before Buck is fully awake.

A few dozen pancakes later (sue him, Buck doesn’t know how to portion pancakes very well), Eddie is playfully arguing with him over the dishes. Buck keeps sneaking in to dry the ones that didn’t fit in the dishwasher, making Eddie sigh in exasperation.

Somehow, Buck isn’t worried about scaring him off. Maybe the tsunami used up all of his fear allotment for the year.

Well, he isn’t scared until now.

“Will you stay?” Chris says, sometime after breakfast but before it’s time for Maddie to come by.

Buck hesitates, unsure of his next move.

Luckily, Eddie steps in. “I think Buck needs to spend some time with his sister and check on his own home.”

Eddie doesn’t look thrilled about it, though, which Buck takes as a win.

“Yeah, Maddie should be here in a half hour.” Buck’s voice sounds regretful even to himself.

“That seems like enough time for you to show Buck some of your Lego sets, if you hurry up and get dressed.”

Chris nods seriously before heading to his room, like he’s plotting which ones will convince Buck to stay.

As Eddie cleans off the last plate, Buck puts his hands in his borrowed pockets.

“Where’s my-oh, right. No phone. Damn, I miss Googling stuff.”

“What on Earth would you be Googling right now?”

“Where to buy a new phone, duh.”

“That doesn't even-- whatever. I have my phone, well, obviously, yeah, but I could, uh,”

Buck’s heart rate picks up as Eddie’s face starts to turn red.

“Eddie Diaz, I would be honored to get your phone number.”

“Even if it’s on a piece of construction paper?” Eddie says with a relieved expression.

“Especially then.” Buck can’t contain his grin.

Maddie turns up soon after, finding all three of them on the floor of the living room putting together Chris’s Lego Batmobile.

“Alright, Superman, I have to head out sometime. Looks like this is so long for now.” Buck feels anxious about leaving the kid (and his father), but he can’t avoid distance forever.

“You can’t leave,” Chris protests. “It’s not done yet!”

“Then I guess that means I’ll have to come back another day. Maybe your dad and I can find a day off at work once we’re both back on schedule.”

Chris is nodding before Eddie has a chance to speak.

“Okay, I guess.” Chris still hugs him tightly, making Buck tear up a bit.

Buck flails for about a second before pulling Eddie into a similar embrace. It’s shorter, though no less meaningful.

Eddie’s number tucked safely into his pocket, Buck leaves the Diaz house. He’s proud of himself for only looking back once.

“Most people pick up injuries from natural disasters, not families.” Maddie says as they drive away.

Buck clears his throat. “You know you’re my family, Maddie.”

Her face softens. “I know. But there’s nothing wrong with a few additions. Especially those as cute as him.”

“Yeah, I bet Eddie gets that a lot.”

“I was talking about Christopher.”

“Oh.” Caught in her teasing stare, Buck blushes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you totally do! I bet he’s going to be the first contact on your new phone, once you start working and get his number.”

“Um. I may already have it.”

Maddie barks out a laugh, shaking her head.

The rest of the day passes in a blur of necessary activity, like getting another pair of keys to his apartment, calling his insurance about the Jeep, and yes, inputting Eddie’s number into his new phone.

Maddie has a shift at dispatch, though she hesitates by Buck’s door for far too long.

“I’ll be fine, I swear.”

“I still don’t want to leave you alone.”

“I have to face some solitude eventually.”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t have to be so soon after…” Maddie trails off.

“The tsunami.” The words are like thick taffy in Buck’s mouth, hard to pull out in their entirety.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’ll stop by before my shift.”

“Okay.” Her tone is soft, but in her eyes is a promise.

One Buck intends to keep.

After reorganizing his silverware drawer, then putting it back the way it was, Buck finally gives in and calls Eddie.

“Hello?” Eddie’s tone is confused and a little guarded.

“Oh! Right, it’s Buck. Sorry, I should’ve texted or something so you would know it’s me. Um. Hi?”

“Buck, hey!” Eddie sounds relieved to hear from him.

“What’s up?” Buck asks, wishing he had something better to say.

Eddie doesn’t seem to mind. “I’ve been emailing the school all day, trying to figure out when Chris has to go back to classes. This red tape is insane. You would think with a natural disaster, the kids would have more of a break. But in that case, I would need more help than my Tia and abuela. Not that they’re not amazing! But, well, you know…”

“I actually do! Know, that is. I know this home care aide who might be able to help, if you’re interested.”

Eddie is silent for a beat, which makes Buck want to slam his head into the cupboards. He even considers it.

“You…you know someone who can help with this?”

“Yeah, her name’s Carla.”

“Oh. Is she…”

“She’s awesome! Her record for getting through complex documents is insane.”

“No, I mean, that’s great. I’m glad you have someone like that.”

“What?”

“Yeah, I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”

Buck has to laugh. “No, nonono, she’s not my girlfriend. Just a friend. That I met through an ex-girlfriend, who is not a current girlfriend. I don’t have one of those-- or a boyfriend. Now. Either. By the way.”

“Good-- I mean, not good, but yeah. Me either. Chris’s mom, she, passed away. A year ago, but we were separated. No one-- no one here. Boyfriend-wise, that is.” Eddie’s words sound a bit tentative, but clear. Confident in their truth.

Buck is smiling before he means to.

“Good.”

“Good.”

“So, I’ll send you her number?”

“Whose number?”

“Carla’s.” Buck bites back a laugh.

“Right, duh. Listen, I uh,” Eddie takes a breath. “Shit. I wanted to do this in person, but we never seem to have enough time, or you distract me with pancakes, and I just wanted to….”

“Do what?”

“Ask you out. On a date.”

Buck stops breathing to focus on smiling. “Yeah! Yes. I, um, accept.”

“Okay! Awesome! I mean, um. Good.”

“Great.”

“So, I’ll save your number--”

“You better.”

That gets Buck a laugh from Eddie.

“--And I’ll see you at work tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m back on light duty.”

“Cool. I look forward to seeing you in action.”

“Oh, yeah, cleaning will definitely show off my skills.”

“Hey, I believe it. Plus, it’ll give me time to get all your embarrassing stories from the others.”

“I have no shame. But everything Chimney says is a goddamn lie.”

Eddie chuckles, and the sound echoes in the chasm of Buck’s chest where his heart used to lay.

For some reason, it’s been given away. Freely and without question.

Buck does end up stopping by Maddie’s before work, bringing her coffee from the good place that’s 10 minutes in the other direction.

He’s never been one to arrive early, but Maddie shoos him out the door with a smile when he checks the clock four times in two minutes.

Walking through the doors a full 15 minutes before his shift starts, Buck feels time pause as he catches a glimpse of Eddie donning a shirt in what feels like slow motion.

Buck’s throat is dry, his heart rate is skyrocketing, and he’s sure his face is as bright as the rig.

But that’s Eddie. That’s the man who cradled his face and promised to take care of him. That’s the man who held him through the morning hours after the most horrific event of both of their lives.

That’s also the man who asked him, (HIM?) out on a date (A DATE?).

So, shouldering his bag, Buck strides in and takes his place next to Eddie Diaz, new recruit and new beginning.