A mans best friend

by orphan_account

Summary:

After the Lawsuit Bucks therapist suggests that he get a dog to help his depression and loneliness. The 118 has no idea, so when eventually they let Buck back into their lives there are some questions to be answered.

Notes:

Sorry for any spelling and grammar mistakes I'm not to great with em so if you see any feel free to point them out and I'll try and fix it!

Chapter 1: Suggestions

"Your exhausting!"

"Disappointment!"

"Useless!"

"Suck it up!"

Bucks eyes stung, His throat felt as if it was closing with every breath, water flooding his vision. How pathetic crying in the shower, no wonder Bobby said I wasn’t ready. Turning the shower off and stepping out, he looked at himself in the mirror. "Man I look like shit" staring in the mirror at the dark circles under his eyes only growing with every sleepless night, his lifeless blue eyes, the pale sickly color of his skin. He barely even recognized his own reflection anymore. Buck jumped as his phone's alarm rang out signaling he needed to get to therapy. Quickly Buck got dressed and headed out to his Jeep to start the 30 minute drive to the office.

 

“So Buck, I know in our last session you said you feel like you have no reason to get up in the morning. Would you please elaborate on that?” Dr. Blue started

“Uh- It’s just when I wake up I lay there for a while working up the motivation to get up in the morning. Some days I don’t because there's no use, no one is waiting for me…” Dr. Blue started to write down a couple things in her notebook.

“Alright Buck, I’m going to suggest that you look into getting a dog, it’s shown to reduce depression, and loneliness. I think it would be very beneficial for not only your mental health but also your physical health.”

“A dog?” Buck asked skeptically.

“Yes, I think it would help you out a lot. Now I’m not forcing you, I'm only asking that you look into some shelters and breeds. If you decide you don’t want one we can look into other options.” Dr. Blue waited for a moment before the silence started to drag on before asking more questions.

 

Once Buck walked into his loft he sat down on his chair in front of the TV and pulled out his phone and searched up some local shelters. "A dog huh? Well I’ve always wanted one, obviously Mom and Dad never let me get one. Maybe this will be good." Smiling to himself He clicked on the first link that popped up. Scrolling through the pictures the shelter has of adoptable dogs he found a Blue pit bull terrier mix named Twizzler. He chuckled to himself, catching him by surprise. "I haven't laughed or I guess chuckled since this whole thing started." As he was reading the site's description of Twizzler; he learned she had been abandoned by her previous owners because vet bills got too expensive after she had been hit by a car. The shelter paid for her bills, but she ended up losing an eye from the accident and had been adoptable for only a couple weeks.

Buck felt his heart break, poor thing is going through the same thing I am, losing her family and being abandoned in a time where she needed the support and love. He saved the link to Twizzlers profile and started researching about what a dog would need and started ordering some toys and a bed.

“I’ll need to get bowls, a collar, leash, and a couple more toys tomorrow.” Buck said to himself, feeling excited for the first time in a long while. Stifling a yawn he got up and got himself a snack then hobbled up the stairs and slipped into bed, and for the first time in a long time Buck fell asleep quickly and wasn’t plagued constantly by nightmares all night.

Chapter 2: New beginnings

Summary:

Buck goes to pick up Twizzler!

Notes:

This is a longer one so strap in! I am messing around with formatting things so bare with me if you notice differences in things like thought dialogue and time skips.

Buck sat in his Jeep watching the rain fall on his windshield. Cracking his knuckles, and combing his fingers through his hair a couple of times. “Well I guess it’s now or never” Buck let out a soft chuckle to himself for sounding so pathetic. He conjured up the courage and hopped out of his Jeep taking in the vibrant dogs on the shelters sign. Buck stood there for a moment listening to the pitter patter of descending rain on his jacket. Looking at the building made everything so real. He was doing this, he was going to be in charge of this animal's life, with that realization a wave of excitement and anticipation washed over him. Buck took a step forward as two kids hurried inside giggling about the rain, their parents quickly following them.

The inside was just as vibrant as the outside, some sort of blueish green walls, with what looked like wood floors although with the constant footsteps around him it sounded more like tile, and large windows.

“Hello I’m Eleanor! Can I help you?” one of the ladies at the front desk asked when she noticed Buck standing a few feet in front of her.

“Oh- uh- yeah I saw this dog on your website named, Uh- Twizzler and was wondering if she's still available for adoption?” Running his hand through his hair again he looked up at Eleanor.

“Let me check here to see if she was adopted” Buck takes another look around the room as another lady at the desk starts typing in her computer, another family walks through the door as Eleanor speaks up catching his attention 

“Looks like Twizzler is still here! Follow me and I’ll take you out to our indoor play area so you can get to know her!” The lady said cheerfully. Buck quickly followed behind her and soon enough both of them were in front of a large room carpeted with fake grass and a couple benches, along with a basket full of dog toys.

“Alright you make yourself comfortable and i'll be right back with Twizzler!” Eleanor happily stated as she walked away.

 

—

 

Buck looked up as the gate swung open and a very excited dog was brought in. 

“Here's Twizzler! I'll be at the front desk if you have any questions!” 

“Thank you” Buck said as Eleanor left the room. Looking around he noticed Twizzler had found her way up on the bench next to him patiently waiting for him to notice her. 

“Hey pretty girl.” Buck whispered, reaching his hand out slowly to the top of Twizzlers head who excitedly started licking his hand. Her tail was making a thumping noise as it hit the back of the bench. “You're a good girl aren't you?” With that her tail thumped louder.

It’s been so long since someone actually enjoyed me being in the same room, nevermind talking to them..

  Buck smiled sadly, Twizzlers tail came to a stop as she noticed the tear slipping down his face and quickly licked it away. “I'm sorry, you deserve someone better than me” Buck laughed to himself once again feeling like a disappointment. Twizzler took a few tiny steps forward closer to Buck and started licking his nose. 

“How would you feel about coming home with me?” Buck asked in a hopeful voice knowing it was pointless to ask a dog what they thought, even so Twizzlers tail started wagging again “Is that a yes?” Buck asked in a babyish voice which caused Twizzler to get up and grab a toy bringing it to Buck. “Alright I’ll be back I promise” Buck said in a soft voice.

—

 

“Alright that's all the questions I have for you today I just need you to fill out these forms and sign here” The adoption man pointed towards a couple papers and a signature line. 

“Do you have any questions?” He continued as Buck started filling in the questions in his neatest printed writing. 

“ What food do I get for her?” Buck blurted out as it crossed his mind.

“We suggest, Orijen to start out just to keep it consistent. Although if you do want to switch to another brand you would start putting a small amount of new food in a bowl of the old one till you have just a bowl of the new one.” Buck nodded as he finished up the remaining questions and placed the papers on the table.

 “Alright I'll be right back, I am just going to run a background check and make sure you're compatible with Twizzler’s needs!” The man said happily as he walked out of the room papers tucked safely under his arm. Just as the man walked out, Buck's phone buzzed quickly he took it out, disappointed to see it wasn’t Maddie or his team, just a notification reminding him he had a shift tomorrow. Seeing as he already had his phone out he unlocked it and started playing one of the few games he had on it. The door opened once more but a new woman poked her head in and said to follow her out to the lobby and she would grab Twizzler. Buck did as she said and was soon back in the lobby standing awkwardly off to the side. Watching as a father and son came in, the son had the same happy grin Chris did whenever Buck picked him up from school. 

What I wouldn’t give to be able to go see Chris.

Buck thought to himself, frowning slightly at the bitter sweet memory of Chris running as fast as he could into the loving arms of Buck. Taking a deep breath Buck calmed himself as he heard an excited bark heading his way and what's coming to be a very familiar nail clicking on hard floors.

“Looks like someone is happy to see you again!” The worker exclaimed happily as Buck leaned down to scratch Twizzlers head. “Alright, it seems you two are all set!” happily she handed the end of the leash over to Buck, who gladly accepted it standing up he thanked the staff and started making his way out the door. 

“Alright Twizzler we need to go to the pet store before we go to your new home. Sound like a deal?” Buck asked, listing out what he needed to grab in his head. While pulling his hood up and over his hair as the rain poured down on the both of them. “Come on Twizzler your gonna be soaking wet by the time we make it to the car.” Pulling on the leash slightly Twizzler got the message and trotted over to his side following him as he opened the trunk of his Jeep and patted the floor. 

“Come on girl hop on up!” patting the floor of the jeep with more urgency as the rain picked up. Staring at him blankly Twizzler sat down tilting her head slightly in confusion. “Okay come here” Reaching down and picking her up he walked over to the trunk and put her on the makeshift blanket bed he set up. Closing the trunk he opened the driver side door and pulled his hood down. 

Chapter 3: Shopping

Summary:

Buck goes on a shopping spree with Twizzler.

Notes:

Sorry I haven't updated this in a little bit. I went on a school trip that lasted four days, and then got really sick. Anyways I'm back now and I'll upload whenever I have a chapter ready!

Never had Buck ever imagined he would be one of those people whose dogs ride in the passenger seat. But somewhere along the way to the pet store Twizzler had squirmed her way up into the backseat then into the front next to Buck. With her nose pressed up against the window trying to lick some rain. Amused Buck opened the window just enough so Twizzlers head could stick out. Soon enough they were parked again and Buck was putting his hood over his head grabbing Twizzlers leash. As soon as he opened the door and stepped out Twizzler had already jumped down and was staring at the rainy sky with her one squinty eye, tongue lolling out.

“Come on pretty girl” Buck encouraged, giving two short tugs on the leash, catching her attention Twizzler trotted up to Buck walking side by side as they entered the store. Buck could feel Twizzlers flank on his leg as they walked to the collar and leash aisle.
“They have a lot of options, what about this pink candy collar?” Buck asked as he spotted a matching candy harness.
“And one of these?” grabbing a light blue leash he turned around and dropped it on the floor.
“I didn’t grab a cart…” Buck quickly grabbed the things he dropped looking around to make sure no one saw as he looked to the right he made eye contact with an older lady, he felt his face flush a light shade of red as the older lady looked away. Quickly standing up he rushed out of the aisle Twizzler in tow.
“That was embarrassing” Buck mumbled, grabbing one of the carts and throwing in the things he had picked out so far.
“Alright now we need a crate, toys, bowls, food, and a bed.” Looking down at Twizzler as he started back towards the back of the store where the larger things were sold. All of a sudden it dawned on him he didn’t know what a good size crate should look like.
“Uh excuse me?” Buck asked an employee walking by.

“What can I help you with?” The employee responded with a smile.

“I've never had to buy a crate and I don’t know what size she needs” Motioning towards Twizzler who was busy sniffing a cat tree on the opposite shelf.

“Well you're gonna want to look for a crate she can turn around comfortably in, stand up fully, and lay down comfortably.” She started listing off. “I can help you find the right size then you can find the style of crate you like!”

“That would be great, thank you!” Buck said, smiling as he followed the employee down the aisle towards the larger crates.

“Alright this should be in more of her size range. Now are you looking for more of a crate she can spend all day in, or one she's going to mainly sleep in?” The employee asked thoughtfully.

“She would need one she can be in all day when I have to work.” Buck said after realizing he's gonna need to have someone go over and let Twizzler out while he's on shift.

“Alright so you’re gonna need a larger one.” She says looking up towards the ones on the second shelf “these are the ones that should be in her size we have a couple different types, we have the traditional wire metal crates, the airline crates, and then we also have more of a kennel style where it’s just the walls and you could put it wherever.” The kennel style catches Buck's attention because he would be able to put her food bowls, bed, and dog pads In the kennel.

“Thank you!” Buck smiles, although it feels too stiff, and forced to be believable. The employee responds and walks away towards what looks to be the reptile section.
“Alright Twizzler how do you feel about a kennel?” He asks looking back at Twizzler who is staring up at him wagging her tail. “Yeah you wanna try a kennel?” grabbing one of the large black kennel boxes and sets it on the bottom shelf of his cart.

‘What do I need to grab now? I think I saw the food and bowls in the aisle over.’
Turning into the next aisle, he saw rows and rows of pet bowls for all kinds of animals, obviously they had cat bowls and dog bowls but along with that they also had reptile bowls and rodent bowls. Buck didn’t even know half of these animals needed some sort of bowl. Getting back on track he started skimming over the bowls till a slow feeder bowl in the shape of a doughnut caught his attention. Putting it in his cart Twizzler grabbed one of the metal bowls off the bottom shelf.

“Twizzler! Let go!” Buck smiled and bent down grabbing the bowl. “Alright let's put it in here if you like it so much!” Putting it in the cart along with the other things he shook his head fondly at Twizzler. “Alright come on, let's find some of that Orijen stuff.” Starting down the aisles again he only had to turn the corner to find tons of dry pet food separated by brand. It was easy to find the Orijen brand with its bright red logo and colorful bags.

—

Walking into his loft arms full of bags and barely holding onto Twizzler as she jumped around at the end of her leash. He closed the door with his foot after double checking he had everything in his arms or on the floor. Dropping the remaining bags he reeled in Twizzler and released her wrath on his apartment. Rounding up the bags he set to work on assembling Twizzlers kennel, with her help of course. Much to Bucks pleasure Twizzler got bored of helping and went to supervise the progress instead.

‘Man, my leg is stiff.’ Buck sighed readjusting his position on the floor, eyes feeling as if they were being weighed down by sandbags. his thoughts spiraling further and further as his eyes got heavier and heavier, his breath was coming in short separated gasps. Feeling as if he was swimming, or rather sinking in an ocean of his own thoughts. With nothing in sight. No one was coming to save him. He started sinking water lapping at his face, clawing him down, wind whining in his ears. As he sunk deeper everything around him faded to black. Drifting in a peaceful bliss. No cold shoulders, no snide remarks as he passes by, no awful messages written in his locker, no “harmless” pranks, and definitely no Chase Mackey. Just Buck, something was missing. He should feel happy or at least nothing at all right? But he was lonely, no one cared about him, no one would care if he was gone. Twizzler, Twizzler would care, she cares about him.