Chapter Text
It had been a fairly mundane day for Evan Buckley, all of the calls that firehouse 118 received were easily resolved and most of the shift had been spent sitting around, waiting for that alarm to startle everyone into action.
That alarm never came, instead Athena appeared at the doorway holding some muffins, she pecked a kiss at Bobby and made her way through the kitchen.
“Thanks Sarge!” Eddie smiles, having stolen a muffin out of the basket and shoving them in his mouth.
“Come on everyone, sit down for some muffins - they’re still warm” Bobby calls.
Dread filled Bucks stomach; it had been a while since he allowed himself to eat anything that didn’t contain the bare nutrients that he required to work and not put others at risk. It started as a small weight loss project after one too many jokes about Buck eating them through house and home at the firehouse, he knows they didn’t mean harm.. but that didn’t change the stinging sensation he felt when he heard it.
“Oh, I’m alright.. thanks anyway” Buck mumbles
Bobby and Athena share a look of concern between them and before Bobby could speak, Athena ushers Buck to a muffin on a plate.
“I’m not asking, Buck.” Athena says, authoritatively and Buck knew there was no room for argument.
Bobby and Athena watched as a man who’s wormed his way into their hearts, fight back tears over a muffin.
Something was very wrong.
—
Bobby followed Buck upstairs as Buck fought the tears. To say he was concerned was an understatement.
“Buck.. Buck.. kid, what’s wrong?” Bobby starts but is very quickly cut off by a sharp gasp behind him.
Buck had reached up to get something and his sleeve rolled down, ever so slightly. But the Sargent has eyes of a hawk, it’s part of the job. Athena laid eyes on his marred wrist.
Bobby didn’t even hear Athena come up the stairs, but he was relieved that he didn’t have to have this conversation with Buck alone.
“Buck.. baby.. what’s going on?” Athena whispers, tears forming in her eyes.
Buck hates to admit it, but Bobby and Athena are better parents to him than his own and he envies Bobby and Athena’s kids, he just wants to feel wanted.
“I..I..” Buck starts, eyes going cloudy.
“Let’s go someplace more private, follow me” Bobby says, wrapping his arm around a sobbing Buck.
The concerned stares and whispers of the team made Buck want to cry more, Athena just nods at them to assure them that it’s being handled.
Well, she hopes it is anyway.
Once the door of the office was closed, Buck completely broke down. He couldn’t get enough air in his lungs, and he could swear he was dying.
“Buck.. look at me. Breathe.. breathe.. kid.. in.. and out.. match my breaths” Bobby instructs.
Eventually, Buck calmed enough to have a bit of conversation.
“Buck sweetheart, can you show us your wrists?” Athena asks gently.
Reluctantly Buck rolls up his sleeve, just a little bit so his pseudo parents can see what a disappointment he is.
Bobby and Athena’s hearts broke.
“I would never do anything at work, I won’t put anyone in danger because of me I promise, I can still work.. please.. this is all I have left” Buck cries.
Bobby and Athena’s eyes glaze over with fresh tears.
Who hurt this boy?
Their boy?
Taking in the sight of bucks angry red slices in his porcelain skin sends a shiver down both the Captains and the Sargents spine.
Athena just rubs his shoulder in a motherly way, which makes Buck want to die.
“It’s alright baby, we will help you” Athena soothes.
He doesn’t deserve that. He doesn’t deserve making people worry about him.
“I should go” Buck starts, trying to get up from the floor and gaining a head rush instead.
“Woah woah, you’re not going anywhere. We won’t let you leave like this.” Bobby says guiding Buck back to the floor.
“I’m FINE” Buck protests.
“If this is your definition of fine Evan Buckley then I’m scared to death of your definition of not-fine.” Athena states, her voice slightly shaking.
Everyone is interrupted by the alarm blaring.
“Don’t you even think about it, not right now. You need to go home.. Athena can you take him home?” Bobby asks before rushing to grab his turnouts.
“Yes. I’ll take him home.”
They both wait for the team to disperse into the firetruck before heading through. Athena still had her arm protectively around Buck, as if he might slip away at any moment.
Nodding at Ravi, the man behind Athena ushers him to her cruiser.
“What about my Jeep?” Buck starts to protest.
“There’s no way on god’s green earth I am letting you drive right now” Athena says, leaving no room for argument.
The journey is quiet, Buck spends most of it staring out of the window, but he notices that Athena drives straight past his loft.
“Uh.. Thena.. my loft is that way.. “ he says pointing behind him, concerned.
“I know. I’m taking you home. There’s no knowing what you might do left to your own devices Buckaroo. It’s not that I don’t trust you, I’m scared to death that you’ll do something that you can’t come back from” Athena whispers.
“Okay” was all that Buck could croak out.