Chapter Text
The 118 had been his family for a lot longer than he had noticed. They had accepted him since day one even if the first 12 hours with Evan Buckley had been hell. It was then that he understood what Bobby meant when talking about this man during his interview for the job.
At first, Buck had seemed like a spoiled little kid that was used to being the center of attention, a playboy of the fire station—which was nothing like the Captain had described. He was supposed to be kind and gentle but still a reckless kid that was amazing at his job.
The man seemed to be exactly how Bobby had told him but only around his team. As soon as Eddie stepped by them, he would change, try to look bigger and more protective. Like Eddie was trying to steal away his whole world- he could understand that change could be terrifying. But he still wanted to work things through and made them the team that their Captain had hoped for.
One piece of advice on a call was an even bigger wall being built between them. There was nothing that he did that would please the other man, and it was starting to annoy him. He was only being pushed back without a proper reason.
Then they were stuck inside of an ambulance at the risk of it blowing up; it was obvious that Buck had only offered to please their Captain. Thankfully they came out of it intact, and then he figured out what made all of Buck’s walls crumble. It was enough to compliment him, show him that he could be trusted, and the man just melted into a puddle.
“You are badass under pressure, brother.”
“Me?”
“ Hell, yeah. You can have my back any day.”
“Yeah…and you know…you can have mine.”
He should have known that that smile would be in his life many times, and he would do anything to make it appear whenever he could.
Slowly, he was even more accepted into the team once Buck saw that there was no competition between them. Instead, they had gotten intertwined into each other’s lives so easily that Eddie hadn’t even realized what happened.
They had started to build a steady home; it was slowly built like a Lego house, trying different pieces but never giving up. If something went wrong, they found a way to fix it, They would bring down the pieces that didn’t fit and put the new ones into their place.
A lot had changed in the last year, to the point where Eddie had to leave the 118 for Christopher and himself. It had been scary to do that especially because he didn’t even warn his best friend about it, and that could have set a line between them, could have gone as bad as the lawsuit. But Buck didn’t give up on him and was there for both him and Christopher. Even when Eddie tried to push him away. Even after he had been shot. And even after his blood had been covering them both, been in Buck’s mouth.
Because that was Buck; the guy that wouldn’t give up, that liked to fix things. That had been there for him, not to fix Eddie but to support him. To be a parent for Christopher when Eddie couldn’t do it, when Eddie had shattered into a million pieces.
That breaking point had been the trigger for his healing. Healing your mind wasn’t linear or easy, especially when you have been around so much trauma for years. But it had become easier with Buck by his side and eventually the 118 when he went back to the job.
Eddie finished cleaning the kitchen before going to find the other two, Buck had easily and happily stepped into his role of putting Christopher to bed when the boy asked him to. He had just stared at them both in awe, he knew that it was happening more frequently, and he had felt ashamed at first, but slowly he learned with Frank how to not push it away but instead to embrace it. It was okay to show emotions.
He leaned against the doorframe of Chris’ bedroom without saying a word or making any noise. Usually, his son would ask to keep reading the book they were currently excited about but tonight was different.
There was no book in Buck’s hands as he practically laid on the bed, only his upper torso being propped up by the headboard as Christopher laid his head on Buck’s chest. Sometimes they looked so similar that he understood why so many people would confuse Buck for Chris’ father, and he knew that it should make him feel a bit hurt, but instead it made him feel proud. Especially when people assumed they were a family, at first he had noticed how Buck would tense up a bit, but it started to be normal for them for that to happen.
“Can you tell me a story? The one with the knight and the prince?” Christopher sounded hopeful but didn’t even move from his spot, Buck would always cave into these kinds of requests. And Eddie knew now that he was doing what his parents never did to him, what probably had been done by Maddie instead.
“I have told you that story so many times.” Buck’s voice was smooth and gentle, the same way his fingers were working on Chris’ wild curls.
“Yeah, but they still have many adventures to go on together.”
“You are right.” Buck looked up at him with a wide and bright smile that was so warm that Eddie almost forgot that he wasn’t supposed to be caught listening to them, but he wasn’t strong enough to move away either. “Is the king coming with them this time?”
“Only if he doesn’t stop the prince and the knight from having fun.” That tore a chuckle out of Buck and even Eddie had to do his best to not let a smile come up to his lips.
“Fine, get comfortable then.” Christopher moved from Buck’s grip to get a better position in the bed so that when the story was over, Buck could slip out without bothering him. Christopher always fell asleep during these stories.
“Once upon a time there was a kingdom far, far away, so far that most people thought that it was a legend and that it wasn’t real. Only good people at heart would be able to find this kingdom.”
Eddie watched carefully, he had heard it before, the beginning was always the same, but the adventures were always different. He wondered if this story had been told to Buck when he was about Chris’ age, maybe it was Maddie’s story to keep him away from the drama of their childhood.
“When the special prince was born, the King and Queen had decided to protect him at all costs because they knew that some people wouldn’t understand him. How special he was and how powerful he could be, because it was clear that whenever he decided that he could do something, it would happen."
“Did they keep him safe?” Christopher asked even though he knew the answer to it.
“Yeah, he was loved by his parents and even if the King sometimes had to go away from the kingdom for a while he would always come back to them. Then the Queen died, and other people found their way to the kingdom, so they had to find another way to protect the young prince.”
“Were they sad? The king and the prince.” Christopher looked up at Buck, probably having a hard time focusing because his glasses were already on his nightstand.
“Of course they were, and it’s okay to be a little sad sometimes.” Buck gently strokes the wild curls to put them in place. “After that, the king got them guards, strong ones. Only the best and more loyal men in the kingdom while also getting a wise and powerful wizard to make stronger barriers along the kingdom. Those barriers were so strong because of all the love the prince would get from his father and his knights. They had slowly become good friends, especially a tall and blondish guard that had a bravery mark on his face.” With that, he traced Christopher’s left eye with the tip of his finger, like he was drawing his own birthmark making the boy chuckle.
“They sound like good guards, what are they like and the wizard?”
“The other two close guards, one is the chief. He is older but wise, he keeps the younger knight from doing stupid things but cares a lot about the King and the prince. The other one is really bad at jokes, he tries a lot mostly to just make the prince smile. The wizard is an intimidating woman, but she melts whenever the prince is around.”
“They sound like Hen, Chim, and Bobby.” Christopher pointed with a knowing look.
“That means that you are the prince then.” Buck teased back and got a wide grin staring back at him.
“What was the adventure this time?”
“Well, this time only the king, the prince, and the blonde knight went on their horses. Do you know horses can be really helpful for people?” Buck didn’t wait for the reply and kept going with the story, how the knight and the king would let the prince have his own space and ride along the land.
Buck continued the story, and it was always a big adventure where the knight would protect both the king and the prince but in the end, it was really the prince who worked things through. By the end of the story, Christopher was already asleep and both adults sneaked out of the room.
Eddie went and grabbed them two beers before joining Buck on the couch. They had enough space for both, but somehow they ended up with a part of them glued to each other, either a knee pressed into a thigh or arms brushing on each other.
"Those stories…was Maddie the one telling them to you when you were younger?" They didn't talk much about Buck's childhood and the question was enough to make the other tense at his side.
“No, they were mine.” Buck was avoiding looking at him and in these moments Eddie was glad that he never met the Buckley parents. “It was a way of pretending that my parents did really care about me.” He licked his lips while fumbling with the label of the beer bottle. “But when I tell Chris those stories, it isn’t because he has to pretend to be happy. I tell those stories, so he believes in himself and believes that he can do anything. Because I know he can.”
When Buck finally dared to look up at him, there was a tear threatening to fall and Eddie almost reached out to stop it. He wasn’t brave enough to give Buck that, to reach out and touch his face, so instead he reached for the other’s shoulder and gave it a little squeeze.
“Thank you for being so good with him.”
“I have learned with the best.” Buck offered him one of those private smiles, it was just the two of them, so it was genuine. Sometimes he wondered if Buck could only be like this around him and Christopher, even with the team he sometimes didn’t show everything.
“Oh? Do you mean Maddie? Or Bobby?” Eddie tried to light up the mood as he took another sip of his beer.
“I meant you.” Buck got more serious. They knew each other weaknesses, how Eddie never believed he was a good father or a good partner, and how Buck never felt good enough as a person. “I know you don’t agree, but for me? I think you couldn’t be better with everything you have been through.”
“Maybe that is the beer talking. Do you want to stay over?” Eddie could always sleep better when Buck stayed, he could at any point get up and check on him and his son. Plus, having Buck around always made everything easier, his chest even felt lighter.
“I didn’t drink that much, but I know that tone. You want me to make breakfast.” Buck teased.
“For Christopher. Besides, I do know how to cook.” Eddie said matter-of-factly with a raised eyebrow like that would prove a point.
“Now. You were terrible before.”
“You still ate it.”
“Because you are my best friend and I would do anything for you. Even eat your awful food.”
They end up chuckling at that and then took the last sip of their beers before getting up. It was a routine for them now, it had been since Eddie had his breakdown and Buck started to stay over more and more often.
They headed for Eddie’s bedroom and while he got some sheets and a pillow for his best friend while the other went to the drawer that had only his clothes. It had been easier to keep some of Buck’s clothes around and back then it was mostly used for bad days since it had helped to put one of Buck’s hoodies on and feel himself relax.
Buck never said anything when he came to check on him and saw that it was his clothes on Eddie. Instead, he would make sure that Eddie had eaten and that Christopher had everything that he needed. It only proved to Eddie that it had been the right choice to make Buck his son’s legal guardian because he had been a parent for Christopher for so long now that Eddie couldn’t imagine it in any other way if not having Buck by their side.
“Hey…” Eddie clutched the pillow against his chest before turning around to see Buck already slipping into more comfortable clothes. “I know we never talked about it but…was it my fault?”
“What?” Buck looked at him confused, his birthmark moving along with his raised eyebrow.
“Taylor. When she moved in with you, you spent more time here.”
“It wasn’t you.” Buck had stopped and stood a few feet away from him only with his baggy sweatpants on, it was threatening to fall at any moment. “We were both clinging to the relationship, it was over even before she moved in. Asking her to do it was stupid and a desperate move. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out.” He wasn’t and Buck could see it if his smirking was any indicator of that. “Buck, I just want you to be happy. Even if I don’t like the person you are with.” Eddie probably would never approve of anyone for Buck, not even himself, but it wasn’t his choice and he couldn’t control it.
“I am happy.” Buck took the pillow from his arms along with the sheets. “Goodnight Eds, call me if you need anything.” He passed by Eddie, brushing their shoulders before leaving the bedroom.
Eddie could feel his face go on fire at the gentle and barely-there touch, it hadn’t even been skin-on-skin contact, but it was enough to send some thoughts up to his head and not only send blood to his face.
“Goodnight Buck.” He still doesn’t know how he was able to say any words while his brain was still trying to catch up.
It would have been easy to just ask Buck to share a bed with him, they had done it before but for some reason, Eddie didn’t feel ready just yet. It was slightly different now that he was aware of his feelings, of what he wanted. Still, he didn’t feel yet ready to go after what he wanted, and he was still working with Frank on that.
It took him more time than he should on changing into comfortable clothes, his bedroom door was ajar, so he could hear and see Buck getting comfortable on the most uncomfortable couch ever. He should be brave enough to let his best friend sleep in his bed, but he wasn’t, so the mattress felt too big for him all night and until the morning when he woke up to the sound of laughter and to the smell of food.
This kind of domesticity should scare him, it should. It did a year ago when it was Ana taking Buck’s place (how wrong he had been for letting that happen). It was the beginning of everything so maybe…maybe it hadn’t been that much of a mistake, maybe it had been necessary. Now, though? With Buck? It only made him feel safe and meant to be, so he got out of bed and joined his rebuilt family.
More and more small of these moments began to happen more frequently, they were having more movie nights a week than they should considering that Christopher had a schedule to go to bed. They had left an early shift and would have two days off that allow them to have the weekend off with Christopher, and it meant starting the Friday night with a movie.
The problem was that Eddie had slept most of the day and didn’t have time to pick up any of their favorite snacks, especially Christopher’s.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Eddie looked at his son who sat on the couch with the best puppy eyes, and he would have to punish Buck for ever teaching him that trick. It always just makes Eddie feel bad and want to comfort them. “I don’t have time to go and get it. Buck is probably on his way too.”
“But it won’t be the same without it. Maybe Buck has them on his house?” Even if Christopher was getting older, some things would never change like his tasting for sour gummies that would give him too much energy for the night.
“I’m gonna try.”
Eddie picked up his phone and of course, Buck’s contact was on the most recent and also as a favorite, so it wasn’t hard to find it and press the call button. It didn’t take long before the call was connected, maybe two rings, and he could tell that Buck was already in the Jeep because it was possible to hear the street sounds before his voice.
“Hey, I just left the house. I will be there in a bit. I’m on the Sunset,” Buck said as soon as Eddie said hi.
“I forgot Chris’ gummies. Do you think that you can get some?” Eddie asked while staring at the boy who had a huge grin.
“Of course. But from now on, what about we go shopping for your house every week? If I go with you then you won’t forget these important details.”
Eddie couldn’t see the other, but it was easy to hear the grin in his tone.
“We will end up buying more things than is necessary, and I’m pretty sure you won’t let me pay in the end. So no, I will allow you to come along once a month.” Eddie couldn’t help himself from smiling. He knew that Buck would find a way to go along with him anyway.
“Come on Eds, you know you need my guidance and I can show you some spices you can buy to use. It’s a win-win.” How could someone sound so excited about spices Eddie would never know but it was so easy to follow along with it.
And when Eddie was about to say something more to fight back against this stupid shopping discussion, there was a loud crash that sent his heart racing. It was the sound of metal on metal, glass shattering, and Buck’s voice calling out for him.
“Buck…?” Eddie knew that his voice was breaking, which caught his son’s attention enough to make him look worried as well.
“Eds…” Buck’s voice was strained. “Call 911.” It was obvious the other was struggling to breathe, much else to speak. “I’m…stuck…Sunset”
“Buck!” Eddie screamed without knowing if the other was still listening to him, but there was no answer, just the sounds of the street. Everything was loud but he couldn’t hear Buck.
“Dad?! What happened?” Christopher was already getting off the couch and Eddie knew that he needed to stay calm for both of them, as Buck had done before, but he just couldn’t find the strength to end the call, so he put it on pause to call 911.
“I…I think Buck is hurt. We will get him help okay?” Eddie’s hands were shaking as he pressed those three numbers.
“911, what is your emergency?” Josh’s voice came through his phone, and somehow it helped that it was someone he knew.
“Josh, it’s Eddie. I think that Buck was in a car crash.” He spoke so quickly that he had doubted that the other first responder had caught any of it.
“Are you with him? Or anywhere near?”
“No, I was with him on the phone. All I know is that he is on Sunset.” The problem of being more in touch with your own emotions was that now Eddie had a harder time going into soldier mode. He couldn’t shut them down long enough to not worry about Buck, who was probably bleeding and alone.
“I’m gonna check if someone already called with the location. Do you know if he is hurt?” There were typing sounds and Eddie knew the procedures for this, he just needed to focus.
“Yes, he said he was stuck, and he was having trouble breathing, I think he lost consciousness. Please tell me that there is someone on their way.”
“The 118. Two more minutes.”
“Text me when you know which hospital they are taking him to.” Before Josh could reply Eddie was already hanging up and going back to the call with Buck.
Christopher looked scared at him, and it sent him back to the night where he lost it and scared his son. He didn’t want that. He didn’t want Chris to go through something like that again, but he couldn’t lie to the boy either. The sound of sirens getting closer made him feel anxious about what they may find, as soon as there were sounds of them starting to cut through metal, the call ended leaving him more on edge.
“It’s my fault…” Christopher moved back to the couch curling on himself.
“Chris…” Eddie quickly moved closer, ready to take his son in his arms, but the boy flinch at it. “It’s not your fault.”
“He was going to buy my stupid gummies…”
“No, Christopher. It’s not your fault.” Eddie was slower with his movements this time, making the boy look at him. His glasses were fogged by the tears. “Listen, Buck will fight to be okay. We both know how strong he is, and he has us. He has the team. We need to be brave for him.”
Christopher nodded and finally moved forward to wrap his arms around his father’s neck. Eddie easily held him tightly against his body like that would take all the pain in that smaller body and put it on Eddie’s shoulders. No kid should be going through something like this and somehow his son was going through it over and over again.
“Buck needs us.” Christopher said after a while, his tears a bit more calmed down and his body wasn’t shaking anymore but Eddie’s still was.
“I can’t take you with me, buddy. I don’t know if they will tell me anything either. But I promise I will take you to see Buck when I can.” They didn’t even know yet what kind of condition Buck was in, but Eddie didn’t want to think the worst.
“But I want to see him.” It broke Eddie’s heart that they even had to have this talk.
“I know.” Eddie rested their foreheads together. “I will take you as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I need you to stay with Abuela.” He dropped a kiss on his son’s forehead before pulling away.
Christopher was already in his pajamas, so it was easier. Eddie packed his bag for the night, thankfully Abuela had everything else that was needed and wouldn’t fit in the bag. On any other night, he would let his son do everything by himself, but not tonight, not when they didn’t have any news about Buck’s condition, so he took Chris in his arms and got him in the truck to be faster.
On the way to Abuela’s, he called her to explain what happened, it didn’t take him long to drop off his son with the promise to give news whenever he got them. While getting back to the truck Josh had finally texted him with the name of the hospital and told him that he had already warned Maddie.
On his drive to the hospital and to keep his mind from going into a bad place he called Bobby, who was like a father to Buck. He knew that soon his whole team would be at the hospital, their whole family would be there, and it was all they needed. That and for Buck to keep fighting whatever came his way.
Eddie sat on his truck outside of the hospital, they had been here so many times. He had tried to escape it by leaving a job that he loved, and somehow they would always end up here. Whether they were working or not. It was like they were doomed to be tortured by it.
Stepping inside into the huge building had him shaking again, he curled his hands into fists to try and keep it under control. He tried to breathe in and out slowly. But as expected no one told him anything, only that Evan Buckley had gotten into the hospital after a car crash and that they were checking what damage had been done. At least no one was telling him that Buck was dead.
After telling the nurses who he was and who Buck was, they were able to find him a more quiet waiting room. Soon it started to be filled, the first one arriving had been Maddie who took him into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face. They had never been that close but they were the closest people to Buck, so they cling to each other. Eddie tried to be brave for both of them.
Eventually, they split away to sit down on the uncomfortable chairs in a too-bright room. Eddie leaned forwards with his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together and his forehead against them.
It might look like he was praying, it could have been true if he was still naive and young. When he still believed that someone was looking out for him, but after everything that had been through, it was hard to believe a god would be watching this and not put a stop to it, actually, that it would throw them even harder obstacles.
Soon, Hen joins them. Probably Chim had told her about where to find them, she passed by him and gave him a little squeeze on the shoulder before sitting on the opposite end of the room. Eddie didn’t even dare to lift his head.
Then it was Bobby, who sit down by his side. His hand was carefully placed on Eddie’s back, and it felt so wrong, they weren’t supposed to be there. They weren’t working, they were having two days off to enjoy family time.
It was Maddie’s turn to reach for him again, she gently grabbed his arm and slowly moved her hand until taking his. It was enough to make his tears start to fall, and he hated himself for that.
He needed to be stronger than this, he knew that this was what they were fighting against in therapy but right now he needed to be stronger for Buck. They didn’t even know yet what was wrong.
+++
Buck woke up to what had to be the biggest headache of his life, not even hangovers had left him like this.
Everything was a blur.
He remembered talking with Eddie about movie night and their snacks and then there was nothing.
He dared to slowly open his eyes and everything was so white that it hurt.
Slowly he got up from the bed, the sounds of the machines working to show heartbeats and keep lungs working filled the room but for some reason, there was nothing attached to Buck that kept him from walking around.
The room was quiet, and it was obviously a hospital room, ICU probably.
Buck turned around, and he could see a body lying on the bed, pale and hurt. Bruises all over his exposed arms, a tube down his throat, and his head wrapped with bandages. It was his body. Laying still, lifeless if it wasn’t for the machine pumping air into his lungs.
Was he dead?
“You aren’t dead.” There was a voice behind him, and he quickly turned, how did this person know what he was thinking?
There was a boy, about 8 years old calmly staring at him and Buck recognized him. He was familiar, of course, he was. How could Buck forget about him? It would haunt him for the rest of his life and apparently when he is dead as well.
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you.” It was the first words slipping out of his mouth.
“Have you ever thought that maybe I wasn’t meant to be saved, Evan?” How could he be so calm and not feel angry about not being saved?
“Daniel, I would have done anything to keep you alive. Mom and Dad miss you so much, they never forgot about you.” He got closer to his brother, to see him better. The brother he never got to meet.
“But they forgot about you.”
“They were in pain, hurt because they lost their kid.” And Buck was learning more and more about it, he would go crazy if anything happened to Christopher, and they weren’t even blood-related.
“They had more kids to love. They could have had pain and still loved the ones who survived. Remind them of the brother that you never met, and the one Maddie loved, instead they erased me to not have to deal with the pain.” Daniel’s voice was stern and for a moment he didn’t sound like the kid he was supposed to be.
“If anything happened…” Buck couldn’t even begin to imagine. Losing him in the middle of the tsunami almost drove him crazy.
“To Christopher?” That made Buck look up to his brother that was moving towards the wall opposite to the door and sat down with his back against the white paint.
“Yes. I don’t think I could ever move on.” He followed the other, pulling his legs against his chest as he stared at his beaten body. “I love him as my own.” He had never dared to say that to anyone, not Eddie or Maddie, but it was engraved on his heart. That boy would always be like a son to him.
“It would be hard for you and Eddie, but you would have each other. You would have your family there, the one you built and not the one you were born in. You wouldn’t be alone, not like you were in that house. And you are loved by everyone around you.” Before Buck could say anything, Maddie opened the door to get inside of the room.
She looked so tired, it was obvious that she had been crying, and he could only imagine the news that they had been giving her.
Buck remembered how hard to breathe it was after the crash, probably a punctured lung from the force of the seatbelt against his ribs, he reached for that spot and felt nothing. No pain.
So he sat there and watched, if he didn’t feel a thing then he wouldn’t be able to reach out to his sister and comfort her. Tell her that he was okay, that he didn’t have any pain. That he was making peace with his brother.
“Evan…” Those words fell out of Maddie’s lips with such emotion, with worry and love at the same time.
Buck knew that look on her face, she was beyond worried but also meant that maybe things weren’t looking that great for him.
Maddie pulled one of the chairs closer to the bed, but before getting comfortable in it, she got closer to his pale body, kissing his forehead gently. The bandages kept them from having full contact, but Buck felt it, it was like a ghost touch, but it was there.
“I felt that. I thought I was dead.” Buck kept his voice low like Maddie could listen to him if he spoke any louder.
“I told you that you weren’t.” There was a moment of quietness as Maddie got to her spot in the chair. “She loves you so much. Maybe you think she worries too much but…she already lost one brother. You can’t blame her for being scared of losing another.”
Buck looked at his brother, surprised by it all. He didn’t remember anything about Daniel, he was just a baby when his brother died, and yet he was here with him.
“Do you remember me?” Buck wanted to know so many things about Daniel. He looked back to the bed when there was a tingling feeling on his fingers, Maddie was holding into his hand hard, but it still was a featherlight touch.
"I do. You were a chubby and happy kid. And you didn't treat me like I was sick, so you were the best one of all of them." Daniel mimicked him as he pulled his knees to his chest.
"She was always a little sad, I think I always knew that something was wrong…that something was missing from us. I wished I could remember you and have a big brother." It was the truth, if he had been able to save his brother maybe their parents would have loved them more. Maybe they wouldn't be a broken family.
"I have told you. I wasn't meant to be saved. If we were a happy family you probably wouldn't have been a firefighter. You wouldn't have met 118, and you wouldn't have met Eddie and Christopher. Would you want that to change?" Daniel looked at him like he already knew the answer.
"No. Of course not. But I can't help but wonder how it would be to have you here with us." Would they be close? Would they love each other unconditionally? Would their parents be loving to them?
"You can't change the past, Evan. And you can't dwell on it either." Their talk was broken by a sniff coming from Maddie that had remained silent all this time, just staring at his unmovable body.
Buck watched as she intertwined their pinky fingers together, and he knew what was coming, the promise that they made to each other a few years ago. Still, he couldn't make his body move to squeeze back.
"I know we made a promise that it was us against the world, Evan." Maddie cleaned the tears that were falling with the back of her hand as she tried to calm herself down. "But it's no longer just us. We have a family fighting with us so fight for us too."
“Maddie…” Buck got up from his spot on the floor, trying to reach for his sister, but there was nothing, he couldn’t touch her or assure her that he was fighting to come back home to her.
“I’m gonna go, there are a lot of other people that want to see you.” Maddie got up and once again kissed his forehead before heading towards the door and Buck just stood there watching. What else could he do?
He moved back towards the wall, pressing his back against it as Daniel got back to his side.
“Maybe it’s time for you to just watch and listen to them. I will be here with you.” Daniel leaned against his side and took his hand. Not even while unconscious Buck alone.
After a few minutes of the room being quiet Athena got inside. Buck remembered so well how they hadn’t started well, and now she was visiting him at the hospital. He could only imagine what she had seen.
“Hey, kiddo.” Athena got closer but didn’t take the chair or even dare to reach out to him. “You scared the hell out of us.”
Athena had probably been the first one to arrive at the scene, she would have been the first one to see him if that was the case. He could only imagine what she had seen.
"I'm sorry." Buck spoke even if the woman couldn't listen to him.
Athena was still with her uniform on and no blood in sight, so maybe she hadn’t seen him hurt. Things may have started off with them on the wrong foot, but she cared and there was so much pain in her life already. She had been there for all of them without complaining and keeping her own pain locked away.
“I always expected for you to get hurt like this during a call, going full Buck.” She got closer to his body, fingers ghosting over his arm but not grabbing it. “Instead it was just an idiot that was drunk and didn’t respect the signs. But you will come back to us. Because Buck doesn’t only mean that you do reckless things to protect others, but it also means how brave and a fighter you are. And I know for sure that you will come back to us, baby.”
She gently squeezed his arm before walking away, leaving Buck just staring at his own body while tears ran down his face. He needed to come back.
Buck knows how much Athena has been through. How she lost a fiancée, almost lost both of her kids and even Bobby. And she still had enough space in her heart to care about him.
It didn't take long for her to be replaced by Bobby. Not giving Buck any time to recover from her words. This man was like a father to him, he had no ceremonies as he sat down on the chair next to the bed and took his cold hand. Just like they had done with Chimney before.
Bobby didn't say a word to him, but Buck could see his lips moving and on his free hand there were beads forming a rosary and now Buck understood. Bobby was praying for him.
"Can you make it stop?" Buck turned to his brother, he couldn't watch this. He couldn't watch the people he loved mourning him like this. "I don't deserve it…I don't want it."
"I can't. And wasn't this what you wanted your whole life? Having someone to love you for who you are? They do."
"Stop it." Buck was pretty sure that Daniel wasn't real, that was his own conscience dealing with the trauma of his accident. Maybe there was something wrong with his brain that was making him hallucinate all of this. Maybe no one was really there for him.
Bobby didn't stay for long and Buck felt a bit of relief when the man was gone and the room went quiet except for the sound of his heartbeat on the machines and air being pumped into his lungs.
But the worst part for him was Eddie walking in. Of course, Buck had noticed that he hadn't been there yet, but he just hoped that maybe Eddie was with Christopher instead.
It was already the middle of the night, way past Chris' bedtime and Eddie was here instead of home. Buck was stealing him from his son because he got hurt in a stupid car accident.
Eddie didn't say a word, he sat down on the same chair as the others had been, even if there was another one in the room, on the opposite side. Buck took the one chair that was empty and could feel Daniel's eyes on him.
There was a distance between them, a body. All the others had reached for Buck's body but not Eddie. He stood as far as away as possible from any contact, almost the same as had happened after the shooting when they got back to being partners. Eddie looked exactly the same as when he broke down. The only thing lacking was the bat on his hands and his bruised knuckles.
“Come on Eddie…say something.” Buck breathed, this silence was breaking him into tiny pieces, and he wanted to fix it. Fix how broken Eddie looked there staring at his almost dead body.
No words came out of Eddie’s mouth for the next hour. And when Buck was brave enough to move and try to reach out for the other, it was too late. Eddie leaned forward, away from his touch almost like he could feel him reaching out.
So instead Buck moved around the chair, lowering himself, so he could see Eddie’s face that was hidden in his hands, his elbows supporting the weight on his knees, and pressed against his lips there was the St. Christopher’s medal.
“Eddie…” Buck couldn’t help the tears from gathering in his eyes. Eddie didn’t wear it all the time, mostly because he was always scared that the lock would break again but in these moments? Eddie would always keep it around.
“He cares about you.” Buck almost jumped at the sound of his brother’s voice, had forgotten about him.
“More than I deserve.” Buck sighed moving away from the bed, and standing at the foot of it. Eddie still hadn’t reached out to him or even said a word. “He should be at home…with his kid.”
“Christopher.” God, Christopher must be scared at this point, not having his dad at home and Buck…being himself and getting stuck in a hospital.
“Yeah, he is an amazing kid.” Buck couldn’t help the smile from showing up on his lips, he loved that boy so much. “He lost his mom, got lost in a tsunami, and he almost lost his father. He was so much braver than me…”
“You were there for everything?”
“Yeah but I should have been there more. Especially for his mom and after the tsunami. I pushed them away because I thought that Eddie was against me.”
“You were wrong?”
“Yes. I know they will always be there for me, that Eddie will probably be the only person that doesn’t leave me even when he has reasons for that.” Buck tightened his grip at the edge of the bed, so many times that his best friend could have just walked away.
“It still sounds like you were a better dad to Christopher than our dad was to you.”
Buck couldn’t help but laugh at it even if it was a wet sound. That was exactly what he was afraid of, not being enough, not showing his kids how much he loves them. But then again Chris wasn’t his kid. Still, he would never be able to deal with the fact that he failed that kid, to not show him how amazing he is.
“I will protect Chris as long as I can. I won’t even let him doubt that he is loved by his dad, by me, or by the family we choose.” No matter what he would always choose the 118 as his family, one where his sister also belonged.
Daniel moved closer to him, even daring to reach out and take his hand from the railing of the bed to take on his own. It was strangely warm, and it was the first real touch to feel, everything so far was only tingling.
“Why are you upset with how our parents treated me? You weren’t there…” Buck couldn’t help but ask.
“Evan, you are still my brother and I wouldn’t want you to live in my shadow. You deserve to be loved, and you are from all I can see.”
With that, they stayed away from the bed and just watched as Eddie stubbornly tried to fight back his eyes, trying to stay awake but eventually lost that battle. For one moment, he wished he was a ghost because those could interact and give signs to their loved ones but here he was. Stuck and unable to comfort them.
They watched as a few nurses came in from time to time to check on his vitals, he could see their gentle smiles whenever they looked at Eddie sleeping on the uncomfortable chair. One of them even brought him a blanket. Buck could only imagine how much of a fight Eddie had put to stay all night by his side.
Before Buck realized it, Maddie was walking back into the room, she had other clothes on, and it was probably a new day by the way the light came through the window. Eddie was still in an awkward position on the chair when his sister came in.
She stopped at the sight, looking unsure of what to do. Eventually, she moved forward, walking around the chair so that Eddie would see her once he opened his eyes.
Maddie has been around so many people in her life that she probably knew how to wake them up without scaring them. Without sending them into attacking mode, Buck has asked her for some tips on how to do it when Eddie has been finally diagnosed with PTSD.
"Eddie…" Her voice was low and soft. Maddie's kept some distance between them.
Buck watched as his best friend wriggled around on the chair, pulling the blanket tighter around him and if this wasn't happening in a tragic situation he might have laughed at it. But Maddie smiled at it, raising her voice a bit more to make herself noticed.
"Maddie?" Eddie's voice was hoarse even if he hadn't spoken all night.
"Yeah. It's already morning." Maddie offered one of the fuming coffees in her hand. Buck hadn't even noticed that she had brought them. "Maybe you should go home to get some rest, be with Christopher."
Eddie took the cup and took a sip of it before wrapping both of his hands around it, probably to warm his hands and have something else to do with them.
"How? I don't even know what to say to him. He is a smart kid, he will know that something is off." Buck could see how tired his best friend still looked, how he was probably fighting himself inside his head.
"Just be with him." Maddie moved to sit down on the other chair and finally looked at Buck's body. "I spent all night with Jee in my arms. So maybe you just need each other. I will keep an eye on Buck until you get back."
"What about Jee? Is Chim with her?" Maddie nodded to Eddie's question, and Buck was happy that his sister had someone to be there with her.
"I will talk to the nurses and give you privacy before you go, okay?" Maddie suggested before getting up and leaving the room, doing what she had said.
Buck could see Eddie take a few deep breaths before moving, his hand now for the first time on the bed, but still away from his, and Buck never wanted a touch so much in his life as now.
"I usually talk to you about this, you are my partner…" Eddie's voice was shaky and Buck hated that he was the cause of it. "We always find a solution together." His best friend looked up towards the ceiling like that would give me some answers. "How did you do it? How were you brave enough to go home? To our home and tell Christopher what had happened to me?" He looked back at Buck's quiet body and Buck more than anything wanted to tell him how scary it had been.
"Even then, when you didn't know about the will…you did what most partners can't. I can only imagine how scared and hurt you were, but you still did it. You were there for Christopher, like a fucking good parent. I don't know if I can do that." Eddie's voice broke several times throughout his speech and now there was only silence.
“Eddie…” Buck whispered and quickly got rid of the tear that was falling down his cheek.
It still hurt to remember how he broke down in front of Christopher, how he had thought over and over again about what to say to the boy. That Eddie was hurt, that Eddie was fighting as always to go back to them. But he didn’t need those words because Bobby had sent him the happiest news he had ever seen, that his best friend would be fine, and he would come home to his kid soon enough.
After that, Eddie got up and left the room, his hand almost touching his cold one, but there was still some space between them. It seemed like Eddie was scared that his touch would break him into tiny pieces.
His spot wasn’t empty for long and Maddie got back inside, taking his hand and making small circles with her thumb, not that Buck could feel it, but he could see it.
“Is she happy?” Buck was glad that his brother had avoided making any questions about Eddie and what just happened, he was still processing it.
“She is now.” He couldn’t help but smile even with the tears burning in his eyes.
“Tell me about her.”
They moved back to sit down on the floor that should be cold and uncomfortable but somehow Buck felt good with it.
“I always remember her being a bit sad and when I found out about you, I understood why.” And why she had just jumped into the first opportunity to leave their town. “At home, things were always weird, and she ended up leaving with Doug, married him and things were rough, but she is really brave. She will always be my hero.” He could see Daniel smile beside him. “Doug was never good to her, and she left. She left him and fought to be herself. Amazing as she is she was able to find happiness again with Chimney. He is my coworker.” He explained and as he remembered how happy his sister was now, he couldn’t help but let his grin get bigger. “They have a little girl, they had a rough time after that, but they found their way back to each other, and we have the cutest niece. You would love her. I hope they give me more nieces and nephews.” Buck ends up chuckling at that.
“I’m happy that she was able to move on after what happened to me. She was the best sister. I couldn’t have better siblings.”
Buck took his brother in his arms like that would protect them both from everything. Like that would give them back all the years that they never got together. As if his brother was really here with him.
+++
Getting back home was torture. Eddie felt like he should have stayed at the hospital with his best friend, just been there for him but then again Christopher was also waiting for him, so his heart was torn for the next few hours when he couldn’t get back to Buck’s side.
Christopher still needed him to be functional, they both needed each other right now, that much Maddie had gotten right. It would be hard to talk to his son about it when they didn’t have the best news or any big news at all. The doctors were still running some tests but apparently, everything was in Buck’s hands he needed to keep fighting to come back to them.
Eddie just sat for a few minutes in his truck outside of Abuela's house. Too many words went through his mind as he tried to find the right ones to tell his kid that their Buck wasn't going home anytime soon, now until he woke up.
He was delaying as much as possible, only a few minutes had passed by the front door was swinging open, Christopher peeking out of it and Abuela right behind him, hand on his shoulder probably to keep him from leaving the house.
No more secrets, they had agreed that in therapy. If he wanted his son to be honest with him about how he felt then Eddie needed to do the same for him.
He fought back the heaviness and ache in his legs as he got out of the truck, the walk to the house took him more than usual. He was always eager to get back to his son but not today. As soon as they got close enough Eddie crouched down to be at the same level with Chris, a quick exchange of glances, and they were in each other's arms. Tight and steady.
He was so lucky to have such an amazing kid. They pulled apart and Eddie got up, giving his Abuela a quick peck on the cheek before they all got back inside. Christopher guided them towards the living room taking his hand to balance himself and Eddie let him take the lead.
"When can I see him?" It was the first words to come out of his son's mouth as he sat down on the couch.
Eddie sat on the edge of the coffee table, so he could look his kid in the eyes, and he saw Chris's semblance change to that. His son was smart and whenever they got into this setting, it meant a serious talk.
"I don't know yet." He reached out to touch Chris' cheek gently. "He is stable, but we don't know yet when he is going to wake up."
Bright eyes stared back at him behind red-rimmed glasses and for a moment his own son looked so much like Buck that it was scary. Maybe he would never have his best friend looking at him again.
"He needs us. To help him find his way back to us Dad. Remember? He is always the knight protecting us, and now we have to protect him." Except there was nothing they could do to protect Buck, he was safe at the moment, just hurt.
"I know he will fight his best to come back to us. I will keep an eye on him as the rest of the team and I promise to take you there as soon as I convince the nurses, okay?" Eddie had already cried so much at the hospital, that by now he just felt like he didn't have any more tears left.
"We will go together and convince them! No one can resist two Diaz, right? Buck always says that no one can say no to us." Christopher smiled brightly and Eddie just took him in his arms again.
They were like that for a bit, just enjoying each other's company and safe space.
"Eddie, why don't you go get some rest, sí? Pepa and I can handle everything." Abuela looked at him as always, with love and caring. "I will even make some food for you to take to the hospital."
"Your food is amazing, but it won't make Buck wake up." Eddie sighed, he knew that his Abuela was only trying to help.
"It's not for him, don't you think that the nurses and doctors deserve it for taking care of nuestro niño?" She looked at him with a raised eyebrow, she was clearly judging him but also trying to cheer him up.
Pepa and Abuela had loved Buck right away, so he shouldn't be surprised that they would do everything they could for him. Buck was probably already on Abuela's praises before this.
"Of course." He nodded and moved to sit down on the couch next to his son, both of them cuddling up with each other. "I will rest here."
+++
Buck didn't feel tired, he didn't feel pain, he didn't feel anything except the words coming out of everyone's mouth when they stopped by to see him lying quietly under the white sheets.
Everyone talked to him, and everyone touched his hand or his shoulder. Anything that might bring him back to them. Everyone but Eddie.
Eddie was still avoiding touching him, the closest was his hands resting on the bed, close to Buck's but never really having any contact. At least now he was talking from time to time, he was probably the person that spent more time with him at the hospital, reassuring Buck that Christopher was being taken care of by Abuela and Pepa and how much they all missed him.
Buck could feel the ache of wanting to see Christopher, but he couldn't ask for that. He couldn't ask for Chris to see him like this, it would probably scare the boy even with how brave he was.
It had been a few days since his body lay unconscious in the bed, enough to give him time to process everything his friends told them and his sister. How much love there was around him when once upon a time he thought that he was unlovable.
"So, when did you fall in love with him?" Daniel's voice broke the surrounding silence.
"What?" Buck was taken aback, he had never told his brother about his feelings.
Actually, he never told anyone about them, it was just easier to ignore it. He had even dated Taylor long enough to make himself believe that maybe he could have been happy with her, that they could have built it together. Again, he had been wrong.
"You keep staring at him, he is the only person I saw you trying to reach out for. You are my brother Evan, so I know you." It’s at this point that Buck was pretty sure that Daniel was just how he imagined his consciousness.
"I don't know…I was an idiot to him in the beginning, and he still tried to reach out to me. Be nice. Then I met Christopher, and soon we were all tangled in each other's lives. It's the happiest relationship I ever had." He had tried to function with other people, but they weren't Eddie.
"Are you going to tell him how you feel?"
Buck had questioned himself a lot about it.
"No. I'm not going to ruin everything we built for something that I would probably ruin with my neediness." He set his jaw, closing it tight. It was a decision that he had to live with.
"What if he wants it? To be with you like that?" Daniel asked and Buck just shook his head, he wouldn't even dare to think of that possibility.
"He doesn't, he needs someone stable."
"Don't you think that you are that to him?" Before Buck could answer or even think about it Hen's head showed up at the door, making just enough noise for Eddie to look up.
"I just talked with Chim." Hen's voice was filled with anger, and she was never that angry with her best friend. "They aren't coming to visit him…"
Buck could see his own best friend clenching his jaw, his hands curling into fists like he was about to get in a fight, and as fast that showed up it also vanished. It was making Buck curious because they clearly weren't talking about his sister and Chim, they had come by before.
"Maybe it's better like this. They were never good parents to him or Maddie. It's better if they stay away, he has everyone he needs right here. I will be out in a bit." Eddie was looking back at him as he spoke, after he was finished Hen nodded and left the room.
"I know you probably don't want this, for Christopher to see you like this, but I think it might help you and him. He has been grumpy for not having you around and not being able to see you." Eddie sighed, hands trying to take away his tired look and ending up threading his hair. "I can't keep him away from you any longer." He breathed probably more to himself than anyone else as he got up to leave.
Buck's heart was beating faster and just the thought of seeing Chris was scary, to see him react to his probably dying body was frightening, and he couldn't do a thing about it. On the other side, there was hope that it might help him fight to go back to his family.
Before Hen could get inside, the nurses were faster than her, attending to his wounds and changing the bandages. For the first time, he dared to look into his head wound, they hadn't done the surgery, so they were probably trying to get his swelling to go away with meds. Hopefully, it would work, or otherwise, they would have to open his skull.
He could hear the noise coming from outside, the team probably had made sure that they all had the same day off. Bobby was an amazing Captain, so Buck wasn’t surprised that he could pull that off.
The man on his mind was the one that came into view once the nurses were gone, he wasn’t in his uniform, just his civilian clothes. The familiar rosary wrapped around his wrist as he sat down on the chair, taking Buck’s hand gently and keeping the holy object in between them.
“I know that I tried to push you away when you joined the 118 for the first time. And it wasn’t because I didn’t like you. It was the opposite, actually. It scared me. I had already failed my own kids and I wouldn’t let you get close enough because when I failed you again, it would hurt just as much.” Bobby’s voice was watery and Buck remembered the first time he stepped foot into the station.
It felt like coming home for the first time, they were gathered around the kitchen table with their meal, and it looked like something he never had but always wished for.
“You messed up badly, and maybe I was a bit rougher than I should when I fired you but I wanted you to learn. The 118 was the only family I had now, and you were disrespecting it. I just wanted for you to respect your family because you belonged there. You aren’t just an amazing firefighter but also a human with a big heart, that was why I didn’t give up on you. I don’t regret hiring you back.” Bobby was able to show a tiny smile, probably remembering some of the stupid things that Buck had done all along.
“You got better at your job, I know that Abby helped, but I think that you were only fully happy when Eddie joined the team. I could see that you were upset, maybe even scared that you were going to be replaced. That never crossed my mind, I even warned Eddie before he joined the team how important and kind-hearted you were.” Then he chuckled. “You failed me on that by being stubborn with him.”
Buck just stood listening, he never knew that Eddie had been warned about him, yeah he knew that people had said that he was a nice guy, but he didn’t expect Bobby to be the one doing it.
“After you accept him I couldn’t be happier with my choice. You had a partner in and out of work. I think that at some point it was also something that Eddie needed and without asking for it, you just gave it to him. I always thought that I was awful at matchmaking, but I was wrong because you two are the best partnership that I have seen in and outside of the field. Don’t tell Hen and Chim. They are just as amazing in the field and as best friends. You and Eddie are different.” Bobby was clearly implying something, he was an outside viewer and maybe there was something that Buck wasn’t seeing. Maybe this was his opportunity to open his eyes.
“He is like your dad. I like him.” Daniel walked over to Bobby almost like he was checking him out. “Does he have kids of his own?”
"He had. But he is such an amazing person that he loves his stepkids as his own. He made space in his heart for me as well when I got myself in so many troubles." Buck couldn't help but feel fond of the man that was there with him. Maybe Eddie was right, all the family he needed was right there.
They had created it with love and kindness. Sure they had their arguments, but that was also part of what a family was. They just tried to keep each other happy and be there.
"How can I go back to them?" Buck needed that, he needed to show them that he loved them as much as they did. That he would fight to come back.
"I don't know." Daniel replied and for a second Buck thought he was looking at his younger self.
Hen then walked into the room being followed by Chimney as well. She sat on the opposite side of his body and Chim stood at the foot of the bed. Buck had seen this before but had been his friend laying in there.
"I could use your advice now Chim." He sighed as he watched his friends stay by his side just like they did for Chimney. Just like then, they looked like a family. They acted like a family. One that Buck always thought that it was completed, but that changed when Eddie joined them, when he fought for his place in their family, and it was earned.
Buck probably wouldn't be able to live without that man in his life. Even if there was a clause in a will that stated him as Christopher's legal guardian. Back then, he had thought that it meant that he needed to step away, that he was only needed when Eddie was gone, but things had changed since then.
Now he understood that all Eddie meant was for Buck to be even more part of his family, to be careful because not only does he have a family at the station but by his side as well. He meant with the will to find a way for both him and Chris to keep leaving their lives even if Eddie was gone. To be each other's support.
Now he knew, and they were so close to crossing the line between them but never really be brave enough to do it. It was scary for both of them. It was scary for Buck because he would lose his best friend and the kid he saw as his own, a family they had created.
He knew that Eddie probably was scared of the same thing, he had trouble trusting people that much. Not even Shannon got back that trust when she wanted to reconnect with Christopher. Buck felt lucky to be one of the few people that Eddie trusted with his world.
How could they ruin that for wanting something more? How would they cross that line without breaking everything else? Risk it all? Because Buck knew that at some point they would be ready for it, they had been building this for years, and they were closer and closer.
Buck was so lost in thoughts that he didn't notice how much time had passed by, not until he heard the crutches clicking into the white tile. Then it came to a stop, and he could imagine Eddie crouching down in front of his son. The rest of the people in the room seem to notice as well as they looked at the door.
“Chris…it’s okay if you don’t want to do this. Just say if you feel uncomfortable or even scared. It’s okay to be scared.” Eddie’s voice was gentle and warm.
“Are you scared?” Christopher asked and out of Eddie came out a sigh, just by the sound of it Buck could tell that his friend was struggling with the answer he wanted to give.
“Yeah, I am a little bit.” Pure honesty. Eddie had become more honest with what he felt and tried to be an example for his kid.
“Buck is strong. He just needs us with him.” Such innocence in Chris’ voice scared Buck of the reaction he might have when seeing him in the hospital bed.
“I know, kid.” There was so rustle of clothes, and he knew that father and son were hugging.
Then they finally walked into the room and everyone stared at them. That look. Buck had been at the receiving end of it when the well collapsed on Eddie. He had been at the end of it after Eddie got shot. He had given that look to Bobby when they heard Athena being attacked. But now? Now it was Eddie that was getting it.
The look you give to someone when their romantic partner is in danger, presumably dead.
Bobby move so that Eddie could take his spot while Christopher passed by Chim and headed for the other side, sitting on Hen’s lap.
“Bobby, you don’t have to do that.” The thing was Eddie had been on the other side of that look before. When Shannon died.
“Just do it.” Bobby had to practically make Eddie sit down on his spot.
“Can I talk to him?” Christopher asked in the tiniest voice.
“You can touch him too, it might help. It helped me.” Chim offered, he had been in that same spot before.
Christopher carefully took Buck’s hand on his own, frowning a bit probably because Buck didn’t squeeze back like he always did. Then he looked across the bed at his father.
“He needs us, dad.” Eddie seemed to know what his son wanted, something that he hadn’t done ever since Buck was like this.
Eddie never once said no to his son when he asked for something that made sense, that wouldn’t hurt anyone, so hesitantly reached for Buck’s hand for the first time. Even if it was a weak hold on both of his hands, Buck felt it stronger than before. It felt more real than any of the other touches that he got before. His heart was racing so fast that it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest.
“Once upon a time there was a kingdom far, far away, so far that most people thought that it was a legend and that it wasn’t real. Only good people at heart would be able to find this kingdom.” Christopher’s voice filled the room, everyone paying attention to him like it happened most of the time.
Both Buck and Eddie knew where this story came from, and the rest of the team was about to find out. Eddie kept his eyes on his son and this time his grip on Buck’s hand got stronger.
“When the special prince was born the King and Queen had decided to protect him at all costs, they knew that some people wouldn’t understand him. How special he was and how powerful he could be, because it was clear that whenever he decided that he could do something, it would happen."
There was a pause for Christopher to regain control of his breathing and probably think of all the times they had told this story.
“The prince was loved by his parents and even if the King sometimes had to go away from the kingdom for a while, he would always come back to them. Then the Queen died, and other people found their way to the kingdom, so they had to find another way to protect the young prince.”
“After that, the king got them guards, strong ones. Only the best and more loyal men in the kingdom while they also got their wise and powerful wizard to make stronger barriers along the kingdom. Those barriers were so strong because of all the love the prince would get from his father and his knights. They had slowly become good friends, especially a tall and blondish guard that had a bravery mark on his face.”
“What about the other knights? What are they like? You are an amazing storyteller, I will borrow you from your dad to tell stories to Jee.” Chim smiled up at the kid.
“One of the guards is the Chief, he is older and wise.” Christopher looked up to Bobby that stood behind his father. “He is like a father to the blonde knight. The other knight is really bad at jokes, but he does it to keep the prince happy, and he is really good with his mission.” Chris looked at Chim with a wide smile. “And the wizard is a strong intimidating woman, but she is so nice when around the prince.” He finished that by looking at Hen and leaning his body into hers.
“I like this story.” Hen smiled widely at the kid.
“This time it wasn’t the prince or the King in danger. It was the brave knight that was always with them. This time he was the one that needed to be saved.” Christopher looked back at Buck’s face that stood blank. “This time it was the prince and King’s turn to come and rescue him.”
Before Chris could say any more a nurse come into the room, breaking the bubble that they all had created, even Buck had been drawn to it to the point he hadn’t noticed the tears falling down his face.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you stay any longer, only one person can stay.” Her voice was gentle, and her eyes landed on Chris. “I promise to let you sneak back in on another day.”
The whole team was exchanging looks, it was obvious who was going to stay. Christopher was still holding into his hand, so Buck tried his best to squeeze back, he wanted to let him know that he was there. That he would always be there.
“Dad…” Christopher’s eyes went wide as he stared down at Buck’s hand on his own.
“You heard the nurse. You have to go.”
“It’s not that. Buck…he squeezed my hand.” Hen looked down in the same direction as Chris but didn’t see anything.
“Maybe it was just a reflex of the muscle. Come on, you can stay for a sleepover with Denny tonight.” She tried to soothe him.
“It was Buck, I know it was him.” Christopher looked over to his father and Buck could see the hope in his eyes.
“Of course, it was me, Superman.” He whispered as they waited for Eddie’s answer.
“Maybe it was Buck, that is why I will stay here okay?” Eddie finally answer. “I will be right here when he wakes up.” Then he looked over at Hen. “Are you sure you can keep him tonight?”
Hen just nodded as they all got ready to leave the room, Eddie being the only one that stood unmoved in the room.
Without thinking Buck started to move, his feet leading the way to follow everyone outside, to follow Christopher to make sure that he was okay but as soon as he tried to walk through the doorway there was something pushing away from it. A pain shooting through his heart was strong enough to throw him into the cold floor.
Then he heard Eddie’s voice getting reckless and the sound of the heart monitor being constant, no beeping sound just a continuous sound meaning that Buck was flatlining. Nurses filled the room while he lay flat on the floor. Noises were all around him but the thing keeping him grounded was Eddie calling out for him.
“Buck! Fuck! Evan!” He had never heard Eddie sound so desperate, maybe it was just his imagination as he lost consciousness.