Work Text:
It was a rough day, back-to-back calls for the first half of the shift and then silence; like all emergencies in LA ceased but of course, in the last few hours the alarm went off.
“Ladder 118. Engine 118. Aid Car 118. Respond. Structure fire in progress. 272 Ash…”
Eddie was in his turnout and in the driver’s seat before anyone else. He was so ready for this shift to be over. He wanted to go home and just sleep in his own bed with his husband. Bobby was in the truck next and soon the others were piling in. The 118 raced down LA’s streets towards the fire.
Dispatch told them it was a one-alarm so the team wasn’t worried. The banter came easily between them as they drove to the fire.
“Buck, you have any plans after shift?” Ravi asked the older man.
“Nah just hanging at home, why?”
“The rest of us are gonna go grab drinks if you wanna join”
“Alright, whatta you say Eds?”
“I’ll pass this time but you should go.”
“You sure Eds?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna pass out as soon as I get home anyway. You should go.”
“Alright old man you go get your beauty sleep,” Buck said with a kiss to the back of Eddie’s head and despite months of marriage Eddie’s face still bloomed with a flush.
They arrived at the scene and quickly hopped into action with Bobby directing them to their tasks. “Chimney Hen sweep the first floor. Ravi perimeter check. Eddie, Buck you’re on the second floor.”
“Got it Cap” they yelled in unison as they ran to their duties. Buck and Eddie grabbed a hose and ax and ran inside and up the stairs. The smoke was thick and filled the hall so they had to duck low. Buck went left and Eddie right. Eddie went into the first room on his side, a bedroom. He did a sweep and confirmed it was empty then he went into the bathroom where he found an older man crouched by the sink trying to wet washcloths. He looked at Eddie’s sudden entrance and his face was filled with anxiety. “We tried to get out but the smoke was too-cough- thick and we couldn’t see the stairs” the man rambled with obvious panic. Buck came in at that moment saying his side was clear.
“How many people are with you sir?”
“Just Andrew and Dakota, we were hiding in the study”
“Okay, my partner Buck is gonna bring you outside. Okay?”
“Okay, but please make sure they are safe. Please!” the man said with urgency.
“I’ll do my best sir.” and with that Buck herded the man out the door and down the stairs.
Eddie went to the next door and opened it to find an older man- Andrew he assumed- and in his arms a small dog. “Where’s Dakota?” he yelled. The man gestured the dog towards Eddie and Eddie understood. He grasped the man’s shoulder and led him down the stairs.
“Wait!” the man shouted and jerked away from Eddie. “Where’s Calvin?” The man stumbled back up the first few steps before Eddie grabbed him.
“Sir! Sir, he’s outside being treated. I need to get you out there so you can too.”
“O-oh okay.”
Eddie held on to the man tight and finally led him and the dog outside to a second nightmare.
Buck was leaning over Calvin giving him CPR while Chimney and Hen shouted for supplies and vitals but all that could be heard was the flatline of the monitor. Andrew dropped so suddenly that Eddie stumbled under the unexpected weight. Dakota leaped from his arms and ran to Calvin barking wildly. Eddie took the limp man to another ambulance where he was treated but as Eddie turned to walk away he felt the hand of the man locking him there. Andrew didn't look at him but Eddie knew what he was trying to communicate, so he sat in the ambulance with him. As the paramedic worked on him, Andrew began sobbing all while holding on to Eddie tightly.
Eddie didn't know what to say so he just sat and sat and sat holding the hand of a mourning man. The hand of a man who lost his light, his life, his will to go on. The hand of a widower. A silent tear down his cheek.
The ride back to the station wasn’t one of joy but the loss did seem to hang over Eddie the most. He knew he was zoning out but his mind was so clouded he couldn’t manage to come back to reality. That is until he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. He blinked and saw Buck standing there, his presence grounding Eddie for which he was thankful. Eddie realized they were back at the station. Buck guided him out of the truck and into the locker room. Eddie went on autopilot and washed up, Buck giving him the space he knew Eddie needed. He met back with Buck in the loft and leaned into him on the couch.
“Listen Eds, I’m gonna meet you at home after shift okay.”
“What. No Buck you were gonna go out, you don't need to watch me.”
“It's not watching you, Eddie, it's being there for you after a tough call.”
“Buck I’m fine. Really.”
“Eddie”
“Buck”
“Ed-”
“Why don't I go with you okay? I've been meaning to go out with the team more anyway.”
“I- are you sure Eds?”
“Yes Buck,” he sighed with a small smile. God, he was hopelessly in love with this man.
“Okay.”
The remainder of the shift was calm thankfully, it let Eddie process his thoughts and clear them before going out with his friends. His family.
Eddie and the team had changed back into their civilian clothes and headed to the bar. Buck and Eddie got there first and saved the team a table. When everyone arrived, Buck and Hen went to the bar to get the first round. They came back a few minutes later with the shots and passed them around. A few shots later Eddie was feeling the liquor and with a surge in patrons, the atmosphere of the club amplified. Eddie wanted to dance. He grabbed Buck’s hand, who grabbed Hen’s. Hen yelped and reached for Chimney’s but he moved out of reach, laughing along with the rest of the 118. Eddie dragged Buck and subsequently Hen to the dance floor. Both Hen and Buck, laughing the whole way, joined in the dancing. The crowd was large and everyone was bumping into everyone and suddenly Eddie was right in front of Buck’s face and got lost in those ocean blue eyes of his. Buck smiled, blushing at Eddie’s obvious adoration.
Eddie leaned in to kiss Buck deeply. Buck, in surprise, opened his mouth and Eddie’s tongue didn’t hesitate at the opening. Hands-on his hips he pulled Buck deeper and Buck, in return, wrapped his arms around Eddie's back. Eddie tugged and Buck jumped into his embrace, legs wrapping around Eddie’s lower back. Eddie walked Buck to a wall and pushed him against it.
“God, Buck you’re the hottest boyfriend I’ve ever had.” Eddie groaned into Buck’s neck.
Buck pulled back from his assault on Eddie’s own neck with a joyous grin on his face.
“I’m your husband,” he said laughing.
Eddie paused and then a goofy grin appeared on his face. “Oh my god! That's amazing!”
Eddie swung Buck around peppering his face with kisses causing them both to burst into a fit of giggles. “Say it again.”
“I’m your husband,” and god just as much as Eddie would never tire of hearing those words, Buck would never tire of saying them.