Work Text:
Eddie isn’t the only important person in his life. Truly, he isn’t. If Buck had the time, or the headspace, he could think of many people in his inner circle that are vital for many reasons. Like the sunshine Jee brings into his life. Like Christopher who gets excited about every little thing they do together, because he shares Buck’s passion for … everything. Like how Maddie makes him feel loved and cared for. Like how Bobby loves him like a dad, and Athena keeps him in line with all the tough love of a mum who truly cares. Like Chim who teases him like the big brother he never had but should have had. Like Hen who gives him a hard time about literally everything and still cares for him like a sister would. Because you can never have enough big sisters.
If he had the time, or the headspace, he would probably marvel at the realisation of even having an inner circle. Even though it’s just a circle. No inner or outer about it. Every human in his circle is a vital part of who he is and of what makes him BUCK
But Eddie is… Eddie. He strings all of the parts that make up Buck together in a way that makes Buck make sense. Even to himself. So there’s no hesitation.
Because Buck doesn’t have the time, or the headspace, to think about any of these things, or about any of the people that make his life worthwhile. So he does the only thing that makes sense. He jumps and pushes Eddie out of the way. There’s a loud bang, a sharp pain, Athena’s voice barely shaking when she yells instructions to her team to restrain the hostage taker.
And Eddie is right there with him. Alive, in one piece, definitely not bleeding. And quite possibly the most important person in his life.