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tripleaxeldiaz · 3 years

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“Truth or dare,” Eddie asks.

Taylor takes another swig, the line of whiskey dropping once again, almost to a quarter full. “Dare.”

He thinks for a minute. “I dare you to hold a handstand for as long as you can.”

The chair clatters just a little as she stands. “Jokes on you, Diaz. I was on the all state gymnastics team all four years of high school.”

“Yeah, but you weren’t five shots deep for any of those meets.”

She dips her head in concession. As she’s tying back her hair and taking off her shoes, his phone pings with a text.

[from: Buck] the 133 finally got here, they should have the elevator open in 15

Eddie smiles, relieved. Buck’s been stuck for two hours now, and even though the elevator’s just down the hall from the loft, Eddie doesn’t like not being able to get to him, not being the one to get him out of this.

He takes another drink, hopes the burn stops the fluttering in his heart and his stomach.

[to: Buck] We’ll try and save some Jack for you, but no promises.

[from: Buck] hope you kids are getting along!!

If “getting along” means goading each other into more and more elaborate truths and dares as the alcohol has been flowing, then yeah, they’re getting along just fine.

“Buck should be free in 15 minutes,” he says, noting the way Taylor’s shoulders drop ever so slightly in her own relief.

“Great,” she says, raising her hands in the air. “Start the timer.”

To be fair, three minutes is pretty impressive.

She makes Eddie do his best “dad dance moves” in retaliation and films the whole thing.

“Truth or dare,” he pants as he sits back down, head resting in his folded hands. He’s only a little dizzy but, the soft light coming from every candle Buck owns makes everything blurred and easier to handle. He can just make out Taylor’s face as she contemplates a response.

“Truth,” she says firmly.

He means to think of a good question, a deep dive that may or may not get some embarrassing story out of her, crack the perfect facade that he’s only ever gotten to see that Buck swears is housing something more. Maybe about her first date, or her first kiss, something guaranteed to be awkward but still humanizing.

Instead, the whiskey asks, “Are you in love with Buck?”

She doesn’t flinch. He almost asks her again because he thinks maybe she didn’t hear him. But he sees her cock her head to the side and stare into the middle distance, thinking, so he waits. He closes his eyes, enjoying the almost total darkness, the unnatural quiet of the city just outside the window. If he could, he’d sink into it, away from the loft and from Taylor and whatever her answer is, because he’s not sure he’ll be able to handle it, no matter what.

“Not yet,” she says finally, and Eddie’s stomach twists into a million different knots, just like he suspected it would. “But I think I could be, eventually.”

All he can do is nod and take another swig.

She stares at him, head still cocked as she asks, “Truth or dare.”

There’s a safe option, an option that doesn’t involve him baring any more of himself to basically a total stranger, but once again, the whiskey takes over. “Truth.”

She keeps looking, and he thinks he finally catches a glimmer of the girl inside the shell. Vulnerable, a little nervous. Trying to find her place.

She sits up straight, and the shutters close back up. “Are you in love with Buck?”

There’s no escape, really. He could laugh it off, deny it until he was blue in the face, but they’d both know it was just for show. And as much as he may not like Taylor, he does respect her, too much to lie to her.

He doesn’t want to lie to himself anymore, either.

He looks her dead in the eye and takes yet another swig.

Judging by the way she stares back, he thinks she gets it.

Before anything else can happen, the front door jiggles and flies open, Buck striding in with a big grin on his face like he wasn’t just trapped in a metal box for a majority of the evening.

“Sweet freedom!” he says, plopping into the chair between Taylor and Eddie. “Can’t wait to tell Chris about that one, he’ll get a kick out of Mrs. Hace making sure all three dogs got out safely before her husband.” He lights up when he sees there’s still booze left and takes a long pull, eyes flitting from left to right. “Did I miss anything here? How’s your evening been?”

Taylor’s still looking at him, but the sharpness has softened again into a small, resigned smile.

“Enlightening,” she says.

Eddie drinks again.

#eddie diaz #taylor kelly #evan buckley #911 fox #911 fic #buddie #buddie fic #vaguely #i’m??? not sorry i actually need this #ficcery #911 spoilers

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kitkatpancakestack · 2 years

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Eddie Diaz going to college to find himself again after he had to give it up to support his family by joining the army...ok but this is so galaxy brained????

also as someone who's dad went back to college in his thirties by going to work during the day and going to class at night...i can totally see this happening for eddie (but also something about eddie going to school full time i'm 🥺)

Whatever you do don't think about:

Eddie getting overwhelmed by higher education (aren't we all) and deciding to start with community college (CC) to get his feet wet, night classes are available, etc.

Eddie and Chris doing homework together at the kitchen table

Buck deep-diving into Eddie's class material to help him learn as much as he can

The 118 quizzing Eddie before/during/after calls

Eddie attending study groups with the eccentric hodge podge of people at CC

Buck and Christopher putting the first 'A' he gets on a test on the fridge

Eddie complaining about having to post to discussion forums for credit and always procrastinating until the deadline so it's Buck with Google open at Eddie's table at midnight and them trying to find something coherent to write about (iykyk)

Eddie buying SCHOOL SUPPLIES (i e. a pencil case and a backpack) *swoons*

Eddie being v competent and passionate about learning new things

#i hurt myself #eddie diaz #eddie diaz goes to college #kitkat answers asks #K spirals

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wackybuddiemewbs · 3 years

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Buddie Moodboard - Emergency Room AU

Basically, if you throw every hospital show together, including Grey's Anatomy, ER, and whatever else, add a dash of Buddie and unresolved sexual tension, you end up... in this mad fictional hospital, I guess. With this AU on a rampage inside it. Anywho... have fun! Stay safe! Take your meds! Cheers!

While Dr. Evan "Buck" Buckley and Dr. Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz did not have the most ideal start in the ER (disagreements, misunderstandings, and a bomb in a patient's leg, you know, the usual), they have since become known throughout the hospital as the dream team of the Emergency Room.

Buck considers the hospital his home not just because he spends many hours there per week, but because the people he works with are family to him - and are actual family, in case of head nurse Maddie, who is his sister.

He is friends with Dr. Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, general surgeons, and Dr. Howard "Chimney" Han, who since specialized in cardiothoracic surgery. At the helm is chief physician and also general surgeon Dr. Robert "Bobby" Nash, who is one of the best physicians in L.A.

Buck proved himself as a capable trauma surgeon and since assumed his role in the ER with all of himself. Eddie fits right in as a former doctor for the Army, whose expertise is to be on point, quick, and perhaps most importantly: to never panic.

Working this kind of job is demanding, of course. Long hours, little sleep, and balancing that with social and family life are but few of the challenges they all face in their line of work. Buck especially is someone who has since immersed himself in his job. After all, he's single, and aside from his found family and his sister, has not too many attachments.

That is about to change when Buck treats a very kind Mexican woman who keeps gushing about her grandson, who is also working at the hospital. Because, as it turns out, that's Eddie's grandmother. And just like that, Buck finds out that Eddie has a son, is a single father trying to make ends meet, while also figuring out how to get proper medical care for Christopher.

Buck makes a decision on the spot to dive deep and support his partner in the ER - outside the ER. He "hooks" Eddie up with co-worker Carla Price, who knows exactly how to wrap authorities around the little finger. And while Eddie is reluctant at first to accept help from Buck, he finds himself reaffirmed in his initial belief in Buck to be better than the shitty attitude he used to give him when Eddie started at the ER.

Even better? Buck and Christopher get along more than great. Christopher loves spending time with Buck, and Buck loves Christopher, plain and simple. And for a while, Eddie thinks that he can finally relax, knowing that he has someone who has his back - and who trusts him to do the same.

Things turn out more complicated when Shannon makes a reappearance in Eddie's life - after she left, following major disagreements in the past. Sadly, their attempts to mend things are short-lived. Shannon wants to leave again, only to be run over by a car. And Eddie can't save her.

Lost in his and his son's grief, Eddie doesn't know what to do with himself. He picks up street fighting to cope with his anger, needing an outlet for all those emotions he has to keep in check for the sake of his son. But he soon comes to a turning point after an incident in the arena. While Bobby is none too pleased once he finds out, Eddie is glad that the chief offers help instead of throwing him out.

While he has yet to hear the end of it from Buck, he has to realize that even if Shannon is not around, he still has many people he can dare to rely on. That for them, he is enough, even when he's broken.

Crisis strikes again when Buck is caught up in a horrible car accident while in an ambulance car. PT is gruesome, but he pushes through, all the more thanks to the support of his friends, family, and Bobby in particular. Just when he's cleared to return to the ER, Buck receives another blow, starting to bleed while working on a patient and collapsing. As it turns out, the leg injury led to blood clots, which caused an embolism in turn.

And like that, Buck can't work as a trauma surgeon anymore, which is perhaps one of the worst things that could possibly have happened to Buck. He is petrified, bereft of what he considers his life's purpose. While everyone rallies to support him and help him come to terms with the new situation, Buck doesn't know what to do. He caves in at home - until Eddie winds up at his apartment with Christopher in tow. So long he is not working, he can at least babysit.

Buck takes Christopher to the pier, hoping to find some distraction. Though a tsunami is not the distraction he's been looking for, really. He manages to get himself and Chris to safety somehow, but he soon dives in to save people and tend to them - only for himself to be swept away by a second wave. Buck is desperate to find Christopher, whom he left with one of the people he pulled from the water. He has no way of telling whether Christopher was caught up in the wave as well. The boy might be dead, for all he knows.

And if that is the case, Eddie will never forgive him. So Buck keeps pushing himself past his limits to find Christopher and aid people along the way.

At the field hospital, Bobby and the other doctors are busy helping the patients pouring in. Eddie is in for the shock of his life when he recognizes a particular stitch on a patient's injury he knows is Buck's specialty. As he keeps asking around, he hears from many people who had their injuries treated by a young man fitting Buck's description.

But where is he? And where is Christopher?

Thankfully, Eddie is soon reunited with his son. Though Christopher is livid after he watched Buck be swept away, asking anyone he sees whether they have seen Buck. Hours pass until a worn-out trauma surgeon stumbles into the field hospital, still asking for Christopher on the verge of passing out.

Buck is taken back to the hospital for treatment and a fair amount of blood transfusions. By the time he comes back around, he goes straight to panic mode again, yelling for Christopher. Gladly, Eddie and Chris get through to him to snap him out of it - and the three take solace in the fact that they are finally reunited.

Buck and Eddie have a heart-to-heart later that night, wherein Buck admits that while he was desperate to find Christopher, he realized again that being a trauma surgeon is who he truly is. So unless he can return to active duty in the ER, he can't be a physician anymore. He can't work from behind a desk. That's just not him. Eddie tries to reason with him that he is more than his job, but Buck won't budge.

The surprise is all the greater when Hen delivers the news that the blood clots are no longer an issue, which is why Buck can return to being a doctor in the ER, once he recovered from the aftermath of the tsunami.

While Eddie is relieved that Buck gets to have his job back, he remains fearful for his friend. Because Buck still seems to think that he is nothing without his job, and Eddie doesn't know what to do to prove it to Buck. Yet anyway.

Buck is happy as a clam upon his return to the hospital. He is finally back with his family, and he doesn't have to visit that dark headspace again that he tried to stay clear from ever since he was a kid who was invisible to his parents.

He dares to think that his life is finally headed in the right direction. He dares to make plans for the future. And those plans involve Eddie and Christopher foremost. Because the matter of fact is this: Buck has since fallen in love with Eddie. He just has to figure out how and when to tell him that.

Though all of those plans may soon be crushed when the son of a former patient of Bobby's sets on a rampage in the hospital. He is shooting people as he goes to lure Bobby out, believing him responsible for his father's wrongdoings and death. When the attacker shoots Eddie, Buck finds himself on the brink of losing everything...

Find more moodboards here.

#buddie #buck x eddie #eddie x buck #evan buckley #eddie diaz #evan buck buckley #buddie moodboard #buddie au #moodboard #911 on fox

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moonstonediaz · 3 years

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On The Blue Ocean Floor

It happened slowly, like rising up from a deep-dive to avoid getting the bends. If you asked, Eddie couldn’t point to the specific moment he looked at his best friend and thought, it’s you. It was an unconscious thought wading in the back of his mind. It was only when that thought made itself alarmingly present, after suffering through yet another near-death experience, that Eddie knew he had to end things with Ana.

Loving Evan Buckley was as natural as breathing, but he had been holding his breath for a long time. Just when he thought he might come up for air, Taylor Kelly eclipsed his ascent. And who was he to stand in the way of Buck’s happiness? Buck had been showing an interest in Taylor for some time now. Eddie wasn’t going to jeopardize that for his own selfish reasons. And if Eddie Diaz is anything, it’s selfless.

So he holds his tongue, recalibrates, and dives back down.

------------------------------------------------------------

They’ve been dating for months.

Months and Eddie is in hell. Taylor comes to the station to bring Buck coffee, to meet up after a shift, and hell, even to join in for team dinners. Taylor’s been widely accepted into their little work family despite her initial introduction. But Buck is completely smitten with her, so Eddie bears the burden just beneath the surface. He always happens to be around when they hold hands or exchange disgustingly flirty looks with each other. Eddie always averts his gaze or holds back on making a comment that’ll give himself away. He tries to be polite so he doesn’t lose the best relationship he’s ever had.

Instead, Eddie makes temporary best friends with the punching bag in the fire station gym. And he dives down just a little bit further.

------------------------------------------------------------

“I see you, Eddie.” The comment comes from Hen one afternoon during a break between calls.

“See me what? Almost bust my ass with that kick just now?” Eddie, dripping with sweat, walks over to the bench she’s sitting on and accepts the towel she holds out for him.

Unimpressed with his obvious attempt to divert the incoming topic of conversation, Hen raises a single eyebrow and smirks.

Eddie shakes his head at her and points an accusing finger. “Don’t do that.”

Hen, dipping her head slightly, raises the other eyebrow. Her eyes dart briefly over to the loft where Buck and Taylor stand, shoulder-to-shoulder while playing with each other's fingers on the railing. Hen’s eyebrows climb higher as she meets his eyes again.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Eddie drapes the towel around his neck and holds on to both ends while giving Hen a nonchalant frown.

“Oh, you don’t?” Hen says, a smirk playing on her lips. “The second that woman walks in here, you make yourself as scarce as possible.”

“Probably just a coincidence,” Eddie shrugs.

“You sneer at her when she gets Buck’s coffee order wrong.”

“I mean, it’s not that hard,” Eddie mumbles. “Venti shaken espresso, extra shot, four pumps of white mocha, and a splash of soy. A four-year-old could remember that.”

Hen leans forward, “You nearly ran over her with the truck yesterday.”

Eddie frowns and looks at the ceiling. “Shouldn’t have been in the bay, then.”

“She was out by her car,” Hen deadpans.

Eddie sighs. “What do you expect me to do here?”

“Not commit vehicular homicide, for one,” Hen mumbles as Eddie plops down next to her on the bench. “It used to be the two of you joined at the hip. What happened? Do you not like her?”

“I almost ran over her with the truck yesterday, Hen. So, no, I wouldn’t say I’m her biggest fan.” He rubs a hand down his face. “That was an accident, by the way.”

“But it’s more than that. Isn’t it?” Hen ignores the quip and fixes him with her keen stare.

Eddie works his jaw, looks down at his feet, and tries to breathe. He tries, but his lungs won’t fill.

“I won’t push you, but I can tell you need someone to talk to about this. I just wanted to tell you that I’m here. If you need me.”

“Thank you, Hen,” Eddie says in a small voice.

“Anytime,” she says, patting his knee and standing up.

Eddie’s gaze flicks back up to the pair in the loft, but they’ve moved over to the couch. She shouldn’t even been here.

He clenches his jaw and stalks back to the showers, but nothing is more suffocating than the water.

------------------------------------------------------------

The news comes at the end of summer with a quiet knock at the door. Eddie shuffles across the floor, checking his watch as he goes. Buck greets him with a sad smile on his beautiful face when he opens the door. Eddie’s chest feels tight with the pressure.

“Hope it’s not too late,” Buck says, hands stuffed into the pocket of his hoodie.

“No, not at all.” Not for you. Eddie stands back to let Buck pass and gently closes the door behind him. “Christopher’s having one last sleepover with Denny before school starts next week.”

Buck’s face softens at the mention of Chris and the knot in Eddie’s stomach tightens.

“Come on, sit down,” Eddie says, gently prodding him in the direction of the living room. “I know you wouldn’t just show up without warning just because you missed us. What’s going on?”

Buck sits next to Eddie on the couch and sighs. “I think Taylor broke up with me.”

Eddie stills. “You think?”

“It might have been mutual?” Buck scrunches his face up.

Eddie holds his hands out, “Care to elaborate?”

“When you were with Ana,” Buck says, turning in his seat to face Eddie, “did you ever feel like you couldn’t trust her?”

Eddie almost laughs. “Yeah. Yeah, all the time.” He turns to face Buck, mimicking his position.

“Is that why you broke up?” Buck’s eyes squint fractionally closer together with each question. Eddie fights away the fond smile threatening to overtake him.

“It is,” Eddie confirms. “I also wasn’t in love with her. Didn’t feel fair to string her along. But you trust Taylor, right? I figured that’s why you took a chance on her.”

“I did trust her. Well, I thought I did. But now I’m starting to think she was just using me. We got in a huge fight and now...now we’ve ruined any possibility of friendship and I’ve lost the one friend I had outside of work.”

“Hey,” Eddie says, mildly wounded, “just because your friends are at work, it doesn’t mean they’re somehow less. I don’t have any other friends outside of work.”

Buck pauses to consider this.

“It’s not in the quantity, Evan,” Eddie says gently. “And it doesn’t matter where you find them. It’s the quality. And you’ve got some pretty top-tier friends if I do say so myself.”

Buck smirks. “I like it when you call me Evan. It sounds better coming from you than it ever did from my parents. Less accusatory.”

Eddie winces and looks down at his hands in his lap. “Your name isn’t supposed to be a weapon. I hope you can change the way you view it one day.”

Buck laughs, “Only if you keep saying it like that.”

Eddie’s eyes go soft as he and Buck stare at each other. After a few moments, Buck clears his throat and shakes them out of their reverie.

“I don’t know,” Buck sighs. “Maybe love just isn’t in the cards for me. I’ve put myself out there over and over again and I’m always the one getting hurt. Maybe some people aren’t meant to find someone that’ll love them through the best and worst parts of life, you know? Maybe some people just have to brave it alone.”

You’re not alone. You’ve never been alone. I’m here. I’m drowning and I’m right here. I’ve always been here. See me. See me.

Eddie swallows and plays with the hem of his gym shorts. “I...love you,” he says, starling himself with how clear his voice sounds.

It’s out, he said it. He can’t take it back. He loves him. I love you. His heart is racing, his stomach is inside out, but he’s steady. He’s sure.

Buck smiles and ducks his head, a small blush spreading across his cheeks. “Well. Thanks, man, for trying to make me feel better and all, but...it’s not the same.”

“It is, Evan,” Eddie says, a smile slowly growing brighter as the weight of his secret is finally lifted. His eyes lock on to Buck’s ocean blues. He clings to them like a life-line, letting them drag him to the surface. “It is the same.”

Realization dawns across Buck’s face.

Eddie’s eyes glisten with unshed tears and a shaky breath escapes from his throat.

He can breathe.

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charming-charlie · 3 years

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Washed Away

Title // Washed Away

Pairing // Evan Buckley x Reader

Warnings // Panic attacks sort of. This chapter is mostly clean.

Summary // Who knew hanging out with Buck and Christopher for a day would lead to a life or death situation?

Word Count // 1.5k

Prompt // Hi! Can i request a fic where you were with Buck & Christopher when the tsunami hit? They could be dating or crushing on each other. If nothing comes to mind, then it’s completely fine to ignore this request! Have a nice day!’

Author’s Note // This is Part 1 of the Washed Away series. || Part 2 || Part 3

It was a beautiful day at the pier. Crowded, yet beautiful. Carnival music was playing in every direction. The smell of funnel cakes, cotton candy, and popcorn wafted through the air. There was laughing, screaming, and merriment everywhere you looked.

You had to give Evan Buckley credit. He sure knew how to pick a good first date spot.

Okay, so maybe date was pushing it a little bit. You have known the guy for a while now, but that’s mostly because of Christopher. You are the nurse at Christopher’s school. It’s how you met Buck. When Christopher is ill, or perhaps has an incident where he needs to go home, sometimes Buck picks him up. He was, after all, one of the few people Eddie Diaz trusted around his son. Since Buck quit the LAFD and Eddie was working constantly to pick up the extra work, Christopher was often in Evan Buckley’s care.

And my goodness, what a charmer Evan Buckley turned out to be.

Buck and Christopher finished riding Shark Frenzy, a ride that reminded you of the teacups at Disney World. They met up with you at a blue picnic table, where you had cotton candy ready for the boys.

Buck took the blue one. “B for Buck, B for blue.”

Christopher took the pink one and dived right into it, giggling and enjoying himself.

“Mmm,” Christopher said with a satisfying smile. Pink floss was stuck to his fingers, but he paid no mind to it.

“Good?” Buck asked, and the little boy nodded. Buck went to snatch a piece, but Christopher pulled back with a laugh. It was kind of adorable to see.

“Where to next?” you asked as you looked around. In every direction, there were amusement park rides everywhere.

“Let’s take a break and play some games,” Buck said as he flashed you a charming smile.

The three of you cleaned up the table, with Buck tossing everything in the trash. You were on one side of Christopher and Buck was on the other, with the little boy using his crutches in between. Slowly, the three of you made your way to the arcade row on the pier. Games were lined up one right after another and Christopher pointed to a water gun shooting game.

“I want to play that,” he said, and Buck complied to his wishes.

You insisted on paying for a round or two, with Buck being out of a job and all, but the handsome ex-firefighter swatted your hand away and plopped two dollars on the table.

“Two rounds,” Buck told the person in charge.

“You are so stubborn,” you retorted as you pocketed your money.

Buck only smiled and sat down. He pulled Christopher into his lap and together, they began round one.

Christopher held the trigger and Buck controlled the aiming. The object of the game was to shoot a stream of water at a small target which will raise a platform. The first person whose platform reaches the top wins.

Together, they were invested. Honestly, you were watching from the sidelines and you thought for sure they had some kind of strategy planned out beforehand.

“I am so proud of you right now, I cannot be more proud of you. Come on, we’re so close! So close!” Buck was telling Christopher as their little platform was rising more and more with each passing second. Christopher was smiling the entire time, and when the bell rang, both boys acted like it was the greatest moment of their lives. They screamed and cheered, and celebrated their win.

“You did it! Come on, high five!” Buck said as he held his hand out.

Christopher slapped it as hard as he could, and Buck over-exaggerated the little boy’s strength and flailed backwards.

However, the sound of a siren interrupted the fun and games and Buck immediately turned. He was looking past you, over your shoulder. Slowly, he stood up, his eyes never leaving what was happening behind you. Curiosity got the better of you and you turned to see what the man was looking at.

“And we have a winner!” the man running the water gun booth said in the background, handing a giant brown teddy bear to Christopher.

But the two of you paid no mind to that as an ambulance rolled up through the crowd.

A person in some kind of dinosaur costume collapsed. Buck was inching closer to the scene, and you grabbed him by the arm to hold him in place. He looked down at your hand, which was around his bicep and his eyes traced your arm up to you.

“The paramedics got this,” you whispered to him and he nodded, looking defeated and a bit sad.

It broke your heart.

At school, when Christopher would see you, he would always go on and on about Buck and firefighting. Buck had such a passion for his job and to not have it at the moment must be soul-crushing.

“Buck!” Christopher said behind the two of you, “Buck!”

The paramedics shocked their patient with an AED and you could feel Buck exhale. He was holding his breath the entire time. You pulled him back and he turned to face you with a forced smile. While he would never admit it, he was so grateful you were there.

“Come on, you two. Let’s go sit down and take a break,” you said as you handed Christopher his crutches and abandoning the second round of the water gun game. The three of you found an empty bench at the edge of the pier and sat down. Christopher wanted to look out at the ocean, so Buck picked him up and helped him stand on the bench. Gripping the back of Christopher’s shirt tightly so that the boy doesn’t fall in, Buck sat down, and you sat next to him. There was silence for a little bit and you looked over at Buck, who seemed deep in thought.

“Ever think about what you wanna do with your life?” Buck asked, “What you want to be when you grow up?”

“Astronaut or a pirate,” Christopher answered instantly. It was like he didn’t even need to think about it.

Buck nodded in agreement. “Some good choices. Cool outfits too.”

“No wait,” Christopher said with a smile, “a firefighter.”

Of course, it made sense. His father was a firefighter and Buck used to be one. Growing up in that field and being around that environment made such an impression on Christopher.

Buck only chuckled and nodded a little to accept Christopher’s answer. He clenched his jaw, wanting to clearly move on from the topic. “What about you, Y/N? Was nursing what you always wanted to do?”

You turned to look at him, a little confused by the question. No one ever asked you that before. Everyone just assumed nursing was your passion, considering the overwhelming amount of schooling you need to become one.

“Yes,” you said with a nod, “I like helping others.”

Buck grinned and turned his head to look at you. He knew all about helping others. It was one of the many reasons the two of you relate so well with each other. Slowly, his hand was creeping off to the side, getting closer and closer to yours without trying to seem obvious. You didn’t even realize until his pinky finger was brushing the back of your hand.

“Yeah, me too.” Buck’s pinky linked through your own and you could swear that your heart fluttered as he touched you. Could it be? Did Evan Buckley have a little crush on you? Did you have a crush on Evan Buckley? Was this really happening?

He was gazing into your eyes and…wait a minute, was he leaning in? Should you lean in too? Not going to lie, you wanted to. And… there goes your head, getting closer and closer to his.

But he stopped. He looked alarmed, shocked even, and turned his head to look out at the ocean. You slumped back with a slight pout, knowing it was too good to be true. It was stupid to have a little crush on Buck.

The ex-firefighter was gripping onto Christopher’s shirt tightly as he stood up, your pinkies unlocking, and you could tell instantly that something was very wrong. You stood up too and looked at Buck.

He held onto Christopher as a crowd of people were gathering behind you, watching was well. Everyone seemed to stop in their tracks and stare at the ocean.

“What’s wrong?” you asked as you followed his line of sight out to the ocean.

But the answer was right there in front of you. The water had pulled back drastically.

“Where did all the water go?” Christopher asked, looking confused.

Panic was slowly rising inside of you as you stood next to Buck. You felt his hand slip into yours, holding your fingers tightly in a grip. You clung back onto him with your other hand wrapping around his arm tightly.

A warning siren blasted through the loudspeakers in place of the fun carnival music.

A giant wave was rolling back, taking in as much water as it could possibly carry. Your panic turned into fear as you saw the wave approach the shore. A massive tsunami was about to hit and you, along with Buck and Christopher, were trapped on the pier.

#evan buckley #evan buckley x reader #evan buckley x you #Buck #buck x reader #9-1-1 #9-1-1 on fox #christopher diaz #oliver stark

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hopeintheashes · 3 years

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the static's where you'll find me

Set (and written) post-5x01, Panic. Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Buckley-Diaz family feels.

Buck goes home with Eddie after shift. No one is okay, no matter how much they're pretending to be.

read here // on AO3

He'd be falling asleep standing up if the water pouring down from the shower head had any heat to it. Unfortunately, any hot water that had been in the tank when the blackout hit is long since gone, so he's lathering up out of the reach of the spray and then taking a deep breath and diving beneath it, his curses mixing with everyone else's who's doing the same after 36 hours on shift.

It's efficient, anyway, and he's stumbling into his clothes and toward the door within 10 minutes of them being released. He knows they're going to get called back as soon as it's allowed, and he intends to spend as much of that time sleeping as humanly possible.

Eddie's ahead of him on the tarmac, and Buck half-jogs to catch up. "Hey. Eds." A little bit slurred. "Any chance I can crash at your place until we get called back? The traffic back to my apartment sucks when there's not a blackout, and the elevators are gonna be out, and…" He trails off into a yawn, but also because he hadn't expected to get through that many words without Eddie saying, Of course, come over, you don't even have to ask. It's a rush of sick adrenaline, self-doubt and concern fighting in his veins.

And then, finally: "I mean, I guess so." Like Eddie desperately wants to say no, but can't come up with a plausible reason.

Buck bites down on his tongue hard to keep the self-doubt from winning, and manages a tight smile. "Great."

Carla and Chris meet them at the door, clamoring for information. Their text messages have been getting through, but the cell service is stretched so thin that the calls they'd attempted kept getting dropped.

"We're okay," Eddie says, and Buck looks at him sideways, but they're here and unhurt so it's going to have to be true for now.

"I'm so glad to hear that," Carla says, and hugs them both, and then gestures for them to come further inside.

Chris is still clinging to Eddie, arms wrapped tight around his waist. Buck keeps his voice gentle when he says, "What do you think, bud, do I get a hug, too?"

Chris nods, but it takes a long beat for him to actually let go. Buck drops down to one knee so he's eye-to-eye with Chris and holds him tight. "You okay?" Buck asks quietly, and he just gets a shrug in return. "We'll talk later," Buck tells him, and presses a kiss to his temple and stands back up.

Carla's reassuring Eddie that she can and will cover their next round of overtime as well, but "I just haven't been able to get ahold of the rest of my family other than a quick text with Howard, and if you're going to be home for a few hours I would love to go check on them—" and Eddie cuts her off with "Of course, go, you don't even have to ask," and then she's out the door and the three of them are alone.

It feels— precarious. Nervous and off-balance, the support beams threatening to give way. It hurts to keep his eyes open, though, and he's yawning so wide it makes his jaw pop, and so it's all going to have to wait just a little while more.

He wakes up with a stiff neck and the imprint of the couch cushion on his cheek from pretty much faceplanting into sleep— he checks his phone— three hours ago. Jeez.

It's still light outside, which is a little disorienting, but the power is clearly still out. Chris has some complicated Lego project set up on the coffee table, which he's managed to push close to the window for better light without waking up Buck.

"Hey," Buck says, voice rough with sleep. "That looks good."

Chris nods, no trace of a smile, and adds another piece.

"Is your dad asleep?" He pushes himself up to sit in the corner of the couch and yawns. God, he could sleep for another fourteen hours.

"Yeah." Quiet. Eyes on his project. "I checked on him. Like ten times."

The alarm bells that have been going off since that cardiologist first recognized Eddie in the hospital are clanging again, deafening, and he has to force himself to take a breath, keep everything steady and calm.

"You want to come over here?" he asks, and Chris's lip trembles, and he nods, eyes full of tears, and then he's tucked against Buck's side on the couch.

"Okay, sweetheart, I've got you." A shaky breath. He's not sure how to start; not sure what Chris does or doesn't know. "Did something happen? Other than the blackout and the stuff on the news?"

It comes spilling out in a mess of tears and half-finished thoughts: "He, he was fine and then he just— fell" (on the street in broad daylight, blood pooling under his head),"and he was just lying there, and they had to call 911 and the ambulance came" (no help coming, no one but him; half-dead weight impossibly heavy and impossibly light; set your jaw and scream and hope to god you're not too late), "and then we went, we went to the hospital and it took a really long time and he just kept saying he was fine," (all that uncertainty like a slow-motion heart attack; don't leave me; what will I tell your son),"and," Chris's voice breaks all over again, "I had to tell them that he got shot!"

"What?" Shaking nearly as much as Chris, all of it too much, too much—

"He wasn't—" angry, now— "he wasn't even going to tell them. Like it didn't even happen." Swiping at the tears and snot running down his face. "But it did!"

"Yes." He feels like he's going to shatter. "It did." Blood and terror and the scrape of asphalt against his skin; the weight of his body— pulling him in, pushing him up; gasping words and motion-sick speed and Eddie's blood on his lips and his hands and his hair and his clothes; the endless heartsick wait and everything that came after. "It did."

Chris buries his face in Buck's chest and all the ways he's undoubtedly been trying to be strong give way at once in heaving sobs, and Buck holds him and fights the urge to collapse as well.

Eventually, Chris's breathing slows, and Buck gives him a squeeze and then gets up to find tissues and water and to generally try to put them both back together.

"I'll go talk to him," he says, smoothing Chris's hair back at the kitchen table.

"He's asleep," Chris tells him, but Buck shakes his head.

"This is important. Right?"

Chris nods, eyes puffy and breath still a little uneven. "Yeah."

"Okay." He squeezes his shoulder. "Hang tight."

Eddie's sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. Buck closes the door behind him and leans against it, arms crossed.

"You heard?" His voice is shaking, just a little bit.

Eddie nods into his palms. "Enough."

"Your kid is scared, Eddie." Gentle, coming close. "Hell, I'm scared." He sits down on the bed beside him. Quiet: "You're allowed to be scared, too."

Eddie's on his feet, hands balled tight. "I'm not."

"Allowed to?" Trying to figure it out.

"Scared! I'm not fucking scared, Buck, and I do not panic, and I don't know what the hell happened that day but it's not what you think it is so if you could just leave it the fuck alone, that would be great."

"Is that what you're going to tell Chris, too?" His voice is quiet and tight. "That he should just stop being scared? Stop replaying that moment in his head?" His voice is shaking hard, now. "That moment you fall like a fucking stone? Or the one where he's not sure if you're going to die right there in front of him? How exactly do you suggest he just gets past that, Eddie? Because if you've figured out a way, I would really fucking like to know."

Eddie's arms are pulled tight around himself, like he can hold himself together. Hold back the world. "I can't."

"Can't what,Eddie? Admit that what happened fucked us all up? I think that's a pretty normal reaction, if you ask me."

"I can't," he repeats, and it's strained, like his heart is pounding. Like he's not getting enough air. "I can't— do this right now." Pulling in air like it's mountain-top thin. Almost too quiet to hear: "I can't let it in."

Buck's on his feet, moving in close, and Eddie flinches but let him get his hands on his arms. His shoulders. Lets him pulls him in. "Okay," Buck says. "It doesn't have to be now. But let me tell you from experience, the longer you try to hold it back, the more the weight of it crushes you."

Fast, shallow breaths, and Eddie's moving his fingers like they're starting to go numb, and there's no choice but to let it go. To count breaths, slow and steady, until Eddie's lungs remember how to do it for themselves. To sit him down on the edge of the bed again with his head between his knees. To wait, and ride it out, and to know that just like this wasn't the first time, it also won't be the last. That this is something neither of them can fix through sheer force of will.

"I think Chris wants to see you," he says after a while, and Eddie takes one more deep breath and nods.

"Just give me a sec," he says.

Buck follows Chris in a few minutes later, and Eddie pulls his kid in for a bear hug and talks to him quietly for a minute, hands warm and steady on his arms, and Chris nods and gets up onto the bed, pressing in close. Buck stands in the doorway, torn for a moment, and then Chris reaches for him and Eddie nods and Buck lets out a shaky breath and climbs in on the other side of the bed as they all settle in. Tries not to think about how many more hours until they're back in the chaos. About what will happen once they are.

Chris's eyes are closing, and Buck brushes back his hair. Meets Eddie's eyes over his head.

"Just give me some time," Eddie says, quiet, and Buck takes a breath and nods.

"I'll be here."

#911fic #911 fox #buddie #buckley-diaz family feels #angst #hurt/comfort #panic #5x01 #9-1-1 #by:hopeintheashes

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toosicktoocare · 3 years

Note

Hello!! Your fics are beautiful. May I please request a Buck and Eddie prompt where Buck is having a terrible day (feeling anxious, sad and insecure) and his boyfriend Eddie is the only one that notices and comforts Buck?

hi, this made me a lil sad.

There’s nothing, Buck thinks, that can truly compare to the newfound anxiety that comes at the mere sight of rushing water. It steals his breath, two cold hands wrapping around his lungs, forcing his heart into slow motion. It takes him back; it always takes him back to the first large, swelling wave, to the bodies floating in the water, to Christopher, who, despite everything, kept a brave face when Buck felt like he was ripping at the seams.

He stares at the young girl barely holding onto the life float that’s thethered to a long rope at the back of a boat. Her screams start to sound like Christopher’s screams, and the river water’s rushing too loudly, too close. He can almost feel it pounding against his eardrums, muffling sound around him, all but the screams for help.

“She’s not too far out. We should be able to prep the life raft in time.”

Bobby’s quiet on Buck’s side, and Buck knows why. A girl her age against a strong current, the product of an afternoon storm? Even if they were able to inflate the life raft and get it onto the water, they’d have to take more time securing it, and that’s time that little girl doesn’t have. As it is, her head’s barely bobbing above water, and he parents, thrown close enough to shore when the boat flipped, are understanably hysterical.

“Start prepping the life raft,” Bobby calls out, and while Eddie and Chimney race back to the truck, with Hen trying to assess the parents, Buck takes a step closer to the riverbank, his eyes never leaving the girl’s struggling frame. He can feel the anxiety begin to swell and loom over him, cold, dark, almost suffocating, and every inch of his being wants to back away, to remain safely planted on dry land. But, when the girl’s head dips below the water and doesn’t resurface, when Bobby’s shouting over his shoulder for the others to hurry the hell up, Buck takes a few steps back, briefly works around how quick he’ll have to swim to get to the girl, and then he runs.

“Wait, no- Buck!”

Buck hits the water in a swan dive, and he’s immediately overwhelmed. Water slaps at his face, burns in his eyes, pushes into his mouth, but his legs are already kicking hard, and he’s forcing his arms through strong, gliding motions, just making it to the life float before the current grabs him. He loops one arm through the float and wraps the other around the girl’s waist, pulling her back above the water. She coughs and sputters, and Buck manages a warm smile despite the cold water all around them.

“Hi, I’m Buck! You okay?”

“Tired,” the girl mutters, and Buck nods knowingly.

He can hear the others shouting at the bank, can hear her parents screaming her name. “Suzie, right? Listen, I’m going to do all the work now, okay? You’ve done a fantastic job, but I’ve got it from here. All I need you to do is hang on to me, okay?”

“Okay, Bucky.”

Buck hears that name from one person only, and just as it comes from Christopher’s small voice, the single use of a silly nickname slips past Buck’s rib cage to tighten around his heart. He whips his gaze around, panicked, to see the life raft already hitting the water and starting toward them, secured by a rope tied to the ladder truck.

It takes roughly a minute to reach them, and the second it’s close enough, Buck’s twisting around and lifting the girl up just enough for Eddie to reach over and grab her. He’s pulled up next, and though he wants to instinctively curl up against Eddie, he swallows back that need for comfort and pulls all his attention toward Suzie instead, answering Eddie’s questions about her condition until the raft’s being pulled back onto the riverbank.

It’s not until Buck’s stepping out of the raft, his feet hitting solid ground, that he can fully breathe again. It comes in more of a rough gasp of air, but it’s enough to release some of the tension sitting heavy on his lungs. He watches as Suzie’s parents rush over, the whole motion going by slow and quiet, and then a jacket’s being draped over his shoulders, and he doesn’t need to look to know it’s Eddie’s turnout coat.

He sags against Eddie, and Eddie’s arm wraps around his waist.

“You okay?”

Buck only nods, and Eddie guides him over to the truck.

***

“All changed?”

Buck turns from his locker, slipping his other arm into his jacket sleeve, still feeling a little cold. He nods, and Bobby’s smile drops in the blink of an eye.

“Good. My office. Now.”

“Bobby,” Eddie tries, abandoning his seat on the bench behind Buck. “Is this really necessary-”

“-I didn’t ask for your opinion, Diaz.”

Bobby turns to leave, and Buck winces as the door slams.

“I’ll go with you,” Eddie starts, frowning. “I mean, I agree that what you did was incredibly stupid, but I don’t know that that girl would have made it if you hadn’t jumped in. Surely Bobby knows this-”

“It’s okay,” Buck interrupts, a small smile pulling at his lips. “Really. I’ll be right back.”

“Buck-”

Buck cranes his neck down slightly to brush a light kiss to Eddie’s lips, lingering just for a moment. “I’ll be right back,” he repeats, his voice no louder than a whisper, and though Eddie’s eyes look like he wants to say more, he gives with a low sigh.

“Fine.”

Buck smiles, giving Eddie’s hand a tight squeeze, but when he turns away, his smile falters, and he keeps his head low as he climbs the stairs and steps into Bobby’s office.

Bobby motions for Buck to have a seat, but Buck keeps himself close to the door, crossing his arms and dropping his back to the wall.

“How many times are we going to have this talk, Buck?”

Buck frowns. “She was drowning, Bobby. What was I supposed to do?”

“Wait for direct orders.”

“She didn’t have time,” Buck argues. “She-”

“-Insubordination.”

Buck pauses, jaw going slack. “What?”

“I’m contemplating writing you up for insubordination.”

“Bobby,” Buck drags out, pushing off the wall and crossing the office until he’s right in front of Bobby’s desk. “I saved her.”

“You didn’t listen.”

“Look, Bobby, it’s not that I wanted to go against your orders. It’s just... She didn’t have time, Bobby. I had to do something.” Buck swallows thickly, staring hard at Bobby’s tight jaw.

“Listen, Buck. A good firefighter follows the captain’s instructions. I need you to obey my orders, okay?” Bobby’s voice is calm; he doesn’t yell, but Buck’s face still falls, and he breathes a small nod.

“Got it, Cap,” he mutters, glancing to the door. When Bobby nods, he slips out quickly, thankful for the alarm ringing overhead because he’s not sure he wants to smile through the sympathetic looks he’s bound to receive.

***

Buck spent the rest of his calls hesitating, going to dive into action but faltering and waiting for Bobby’s orders, and all the while, he couldn’t shake Bobby’s words from his head: a good firefighter.

He declined going out after their shift, assuring everyone he’s fine and just a little tired from his unplanned swim today, and his drive back to his apartment was suffocatingly silent. All he could hear were Bobby’s words: a good firefighter.

He flops down onto his bed and curls into himself on his side. He’s a good firefighter, right? He saves lives everyday, and yes, he knows he can be a little reckless, but every call is a ticking clock, and with each passing second, they could lose a life. So, reckless is necessary, isn’t it? He’s not intentionally disobeying Bobby, he just-

“Buck? You in here?”

Buck doesn’t move when he hears Eddie’s voice, or when he hears the front door close. He draws his knees tighter to his chest, thankful his back is to the stairs.

“Buck?”

Eddie’s voice is a lot closer now, and Buck can hear the concern so loud in his soft tone. The bed dips at Buck’s back, and Buck sighs quietly when Eddie’s hand finds his hip.

“Are you okay?”

Buck hums a non-verbal affirmative, and he rolls his neck until he’s pressing his face into the bed.

“Want to try that again? You’re a really bad liar, even when you aren’t talking.”

Buck stays quiet, and Eddie stands and walks around the bed until he’s kneeling close to Buck’s face.

“Look at me. Please?”

Eddie’s voice is soft but demanding, and Buck slowly rolls his head until he’s facing Eddie. “Hey.”

Eddie’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Hi. What’s going on? You’ve been off all day.” There’s a deep-set crease in Eddie’s forehead, and Buck focuses on that because he can’t meet Eddie’s eyes.

“Do you think I’m a good firefighter?”

“What? Yes. Why would you ask that?”

Buck sighs and forces himself into a sitting position, his boots hitting the floor beside Eddie. He hunches forward, dropping his elbows atop his knees.

“Bobby said a good firefighter listens to their captain.”

Eddie frowns and drops down onto the bed beside Buck. “He’s just worried about you. I think he loses a year off his life everytime you throw yourself into danger.” Eddie pauses. “I know I do.”

Buck jerks a heated glare toward Eddie, and he makes to get off the bed, but Eddie yanks tightly at his arm, and he falls back against the bed. In seconds, Eddie’s got him pinned down, his chest flush against Buck’s, and either hand pressed against the bed beside Buck’s head.

“Eddie, I’m not really in the mood-”

“-Yeah, I’m not here for that,” Eddie drags out, voice flat, but just as quickly, it softens. “Do you know what you do every single day, Buck?”

Buck stays quiet, swallowing thickly.

“You save lives. Everday. It’s no ‘them or you’ scenario; it’s always them. Are you reckless? Damn straight. Does it scare the absolute hell out of me? Endlessly. But, at the end of the day, I know it’s our job, and you,” Eddie raises one hand, jabbing lightly at Buck’s chest, “are the best firefighter I know.”

Buck’s eyes sting with tears he blinks back. “Sure that’s not just your bias talking?”

“I know you’re still freaked out by water after the tsunami, and yet, you jumped into that river today to save that girl. That’s what good firefighters do, Buck.”

Buck tries to look away, but Eddie’s fingers wrap around his chin, keeping their eyes locked in place.

“You’re a good firefighter, Evan. I know it. Our team knows it. Bobby knows it. We just don’t want to see you get hurt... again.”

Buck can feel loose tears slipping down his face, small drops clinging to his warm skin, and then Eddie’s dropping his entire body against Buck and tucking his arms under Buck until he’s completely engulfing him, warm and heavy.

“Eddie. I can’t breathe,” Buck tries, and Eddie only squeezes him tighter.

“Tough. I don’t want to see you cry, so you’re stuck like this until you stop.”

Buck breathes out a weak laugh, smiling around his tears when Eddie nuzzles his nose to Buck’s neck. For a moment, all Buck can feel is Eddie’s heartbeat against his chest. He can smell Eddie’s aftershave lingering along his jaw. For a moment, it’s just Eddie, and his tears fade, leaving his cheeks faintly damp.

“Thanks, Eddie.”

“Anytime, “Eddie starts, breath warm against Buck’s neck, “Firefighter Buckley.”

#911 fox #9-1-1 #buddie #evan buckley #Eddie Diaz #9-1-1 fox #hurt/comfort #fanfiction #emotional whump #emotional hurt/comfort

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carocane · 3 years

Text

never saw fireworks like this

Flufftober Day 4 - Sparklers & Fireworks

@flufftober2021

9-1-1

Eddie Diaz/Evan “Buck” Buckley

Buck looks around his living room with satisfaction. “Yeah, this’ll do” he says to himself with a definitive nod.

The open living space in front of him has been transformed from its usual configuration. The couch and coffee table have been moved out to make room for the large air mattress piled with blankets. The blanket and pillow fort he constructed is perfect. The canopy over it makes it cozy and the small fairy lights give it a soft glow. The goal is for everything to be soft and safe. He hopes it will be perfect for Eddie.

Eddie had cringed when Christopher asked about going to see the 4th of July fireworks show LA would be putting on like they did every year.

Eddie had tried to hide it but Buck knew him too well and of course caught it. He waited until Christopher was out of the room before bringing it up with Eddie. He wanted to make sure he approached this in the right way.

“Hey Eds? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure Buck, you can ask me anything. You know that.”

Buck took a deep breath before continuing. “You don’t really like fireworks, do you?” He asked carefully.

Eddie debated for a moment, eyes down and head ducked, before he lifted his face to his partner and confessed “No, I really don’t. The loud noises and flashing lights bring up the worst memories of my time in the Army. I don’t really like reliving that every year. But it is what it is. Parents do things they don’t like for their kids.”

“We don’t have to go to the fireworks display if you don’t want to, you know.”

“I know, but Christopher really loves them and it makes him happy to go. He’s still at the age where he likes doing stuff like that.”

So, Buck had let it drop but he worked out a plan. One that would allow Christopher to see the fireworks but would take away the worst of the experience for Eddie. He just hopes it will work and they will both like it.

He has no more time to worry about it as the knock sounds at this apartment door. He puts on his best smile and opens it to reveal the Diaz boys dressed in their red, white and blue 4th of July best.

“You guys look great!” he greets enthusiastically, just happy to see them. Eddie looks a bit apprehensive, like he’s still not sure this is the best idea. Buck will just have to convince him, with some help from Christopher of course.

He ushers the boys in and gestures to the living room behind him “Alright, guys, make yourselves comfortable. We have everything we could possibly need for firework watching tonight.”

Eddie looks around the room, taking it all in. The fort takes up most of the room and he has to admit, at least to himself, that Buck did a good job with it. He thinks this might just work.

Eddie turns to Christopher and sees that his son is already halfway across the space, more than ready to dive into the nest of blankets.

Buck has disappeared into the kitchen area so Eddie makes sure Christopher gets settled before heading over to his partner to help bring food and drink into the living room.

“You really didn’t have to do all this, you know.”

“I know. I wanted to. I would do anything for you two.”

The moment hangs heavy between them, the two of them standing close and simply staring at each other. That moment is shattered by Christopher calling for them and they break apart with a jolt.

There’s a few seconds of awkwardness as they shuffle around, grabbing drinks and snacks.

Finally, they have everything they need and make their way to Christopher. It takes another few minutes to get everything set up.

Buck turns on the TV to one of the big firework shows, making sure it’s muted. The sounds of fireworks exploding and patriotic music have been replaced by a special mellow playlist.

No loud noises, no bangs or clashes. Buck is going to make sure nothing triggers Eddie’s worst memories.

Christopher is between them on the air mattress, his attention on the flashing colors. Buck concentrates on him for a long second before his eyes shift up to Eddie. Eddie looks content and relaxed, though there’s still a bit of tension in the line of his shoulders.

Buck knows he will do just about anything to make that tension disappear. He stretches out his arm and gently touches Eddie’s back, being careful not to scare him or make him jump. Eddie gives him a soft smile as Buck lightly massages where he carries the worst of his tension. All his stress seems to drop away at that. He is comfortable and safe here. Eddie feels a surge of affection for his best friend and partner. Part of him can’t believe Buck would do all of this for him. The rest of him knows that’s just how he is. He knows he’s incredibly lucky to have this man in his life.

The colors of the fireworks flash across the screen, illuminating the room and all of their faces. For the first time in years, Eddie is able to just enjoy the show and not worry about how it’s going to affect him. He knows he’s with the most important people in his life and nothing bad is going to happen. There’s no danger here.

They watch the show in silence, the light music still playing in the background.

Eventually they realize Christopher has fallen asleep, likely due to the excitement of the day and the subdued atmosphere of Buck’s apartment. Buck glances up and notices that Eddie is a lot closer than he was just a few minutes ago.

“Thank you for all of this, Buck. It was perfect.”

“I’m glad you liked it. I really wanted you to have a good 4th of July.”

Eddie tilts his head just a bit and presses his lips to Bucks. “That’s not gratitude. That’s just for you being you.” Their lips press together again, and Eddie swears he still sees flashes of color behind his closed eyes. “Now that’s my kind of fireworks.”

“I think I prefer those also. I might need to see them again just to make sure.”

Eddie is more than happy to oblige and they are just as good the second time. And every time after that.

#911 fox #buddie #eddie diaz #evan buck buckley #flufftober2021

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zainclaw · 2 years

Note

🍔 zaaaiiiiiin I can Feel the queer Eddie storyline coming up PLEASE WHATEVER GODS EXIST LET US GET A NICE DEEP DIVE INTO EDDIE EXPLORING HIMSELF AND FIGURING OUT WHO "EDDIE DIAZ" REALLY IS

There is literally nothing more I want out of 2022 than a full on queer awakening storyline for Eddie Diaz, okay. The perfect set-up for that in 5A is already fucking me up but I NEED the rest of it, oh my goooood.

#burger anon #ask #911

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diazevan · 3 years

Text

we stick together (and see it through)

After a bad call, Buck shuts down, but luckily, Christopher is there to pick him back up.

Christopher Diaz Week, Day 4: Buck & Chris + “I’ve got you.”

Read on AO3

TW: OG Character Death (Implied Drowning; child) & Panic Attack (Buck)

Bobby had rules.

Like the ‘Q’ word, Bobby was planning to ban the term ‘simple call’ because more often than not, when those words were uttered, the call seemed to take a nasty turn.

They were called to a house where a teenager collapsed in her bedroom.

While her mother was distracted, knelt on the carpet as the team were handling her daughter, she suddenly realized that her young son was unaccounted for.

The boy was only five, and among the chaos, he’d ventured outside, falling into the outdoor swimming pool, hitting his head.

Buck, who'd headed downstairs to grab the backboard, was the first to find him; he sprinted across the grass and leaped into the pool, locking an arm around the child’s front as he screamed for help.

It was too late.

Trying to hide the tears filling her eyes, Hen called it.

With a gut-wrenching scream, the mother collapsed to her knees, comforted by a shaken Eddie, who knelt in front of her, uncertain of what he could but say, he didn’t flinch when her face collapsed against his shoulder. Tears filled his eyes, thoughts obviously locked onto Christopher as he pressed a hand to the woman’s back.

When Buck stood, he wavered on unstable legs, held up by Bobby’s firm grip on his shoulder.

It wasn’t anybody’s fault.

Although Bobby could count seven people who would blame themselves. Including himself.

Buck slipped away before Bobby could say anything to help Chimney who’d remained upstairs to care for the daughter.

***

Parking the truck, Bobby was the first to notice that they had visitors.

An excited Christopher was hanging beside the main entranceway with Carla.

Buck muttered to Eddie, his voice hoarse, “Go and get him.”

“See you out there,” Eddie pressed a kiss against Buck’s temple before spinning to unbuckle himself.

With morbid curiosity, Bobby watched as Eddie shook off what he’d witnessed, plastered on a grin, wiped his eyes, and hopped out of the engine.

“Christopher!” Eddie sang, holding out his arms, kneeling to pull his son into a needed hug; Bobby knew that he’d seen Christopher in that little boy, which is probably why Eddie didn’t let go, lifting Christopher clean off his feet.

Another station has transported the daughter on Bobby’s order, his team needed time to breathe.

He was going to play counselor soon enough; Hen, Chimney, and Eddie insisting that they should have noticed that another child lived in that house, or Buck believing that he should have run faster.

When the truth was simple, a scared mother was spread too thin, and it led to the most unfortunate of accidents.

That boy died; long before Buck even reached the backyard.

Bobby unbuckled himself, gazing up into the mirror.

Chimney raised his hand, patting Buck’s shoulder, his brow furrowed in concern as he reached for the door, jumping out.

Running her hands over her face, Hen made her way out of the engine as she scrunched her nose with a defined sniff.

When Buck’s eyes found Christopher, he titled his head to his shoulder, hiding a muffled cry behind his closed hand.

Bobby’s heart jumped into his throat, he went to speak but realized he wasn’t sure what he could say.

Buck scrambled to undo his belt before sliding to the opposite side of the engine, jumping out and taking long unconfident strides towards the locker room, actively avoiding Christopher.

Bobby leaned his hands against the dashboard, cursing himself inwardly.

Swimming pool. Tsunami.

The boy. Christopher.

“Oh—” Bobby couldn’t believe it taken him that long to put two and two together, “Crap.” He jumped out, closed the door, and sprinted towards the locker room, “Buck!”

Buck was sitting on the floor, back pressed up against the lockers, and arms wrapped firmly around his locked knees.

Bobby slowed his breathing, gripping the doorframe a little too hard, “Hey, kid.” He said, using the softest tone that he could muster.

Buck’s eyes widened startled, and the gaps between each breath grew shorter, the action itself more labored.

Buck hadn’t dried off since diving into the pool, his forever growing hair was wet-through, dripping onto his pale face. On the scene, Hen had wrapped a foil blanket around him, but he must have brushed it off while they were driving back.

“Okay.” Bobby got onto his knees, in front of Buck, giving him enough space to escape if he needed to, “I need you to look at me, kid.”

Buck locked eyes with him as he panted through a strangled breath.

“Copy my breathing, all right?”

Buck shook his head, frantic in motion, only exalting his panic, “Bobby—”

“Buck.” Bobby remained gentle but spoke strictly, “I’m gonna need you to listen to me.”

“Can’t—”

“I know you don’t usually want to,” Bobby mused, “But I’m gonna need to you, this time around.” He held up his hands, raising them as he took a deep breath in, “Just like me, okay?”

It doesn’t take long for Buck to fall into rhythm with Bobby, but as the panic attack slowed, the delayed reaction to the cold kicked in, Buck’s teeth chattered as he spread his fingers across his knees.

It didn’t help that the station had the air conditioning at full belt to beat the California heat.

Bobby pulled off his turnout coat, “Come here, kid,” He beckoned softly, with careful hands he pulled against Buck’s shoulders, coaxing him forward, making room for Bobby to wrap the turncoat around him, “That better?”

Buck nodded, darting his eyes around, “Yeah.”

Bobby combed his hand through Buck’s hair, allowing formalities to slip away as he gave his pseudo-son the hug he needed.

Christopher’s worried tone filled the room, “Buck?”

Bobby moved, perching on the edge of the bench as he spun his head.

Christopher hung in the door with a concerned Eddie lingering behind, their eyes locked onto Buck.

Christopher didn’t waver as he tossed his crutches aside and moved around the bench, throwing himself into Buck’s arms, tangling his legs across his lap as he muttered, “I’ve got you.”

Buck froze, not moving as he scanned Christopher with his teary blue eyes. Studying him like he would disappear if he dared blink.

Christopher noticed this, reaching up to grab Buck’s cheek with his small hand as he instructed, “Don’t be sad, Buck.”

Buck’s lower lip trembled as he cried out a lie, “I’m not sad.”

“Yeah, you are,” Christopher told him with a frown, “But that’s okay!” He ducked his head, laying it against Buck’s shoulder, curling himself around him.

Buck crumbled, his forehead falling against Christopher’s side as he released a sob, “Sorry.”

Christopher breathed, looping his arm behind Buck’s neck, “You’re gonna be okay, kid.”

Buck gazed up at him, “You promise?”

Christopher nodded, “I promise.”

Buck melted, folding his arms behind Christopher’s back, closing his eyes as he held him. Relishing in his safety, knowing that he was alive and that he was okay; at least, one kid he fought hard to save, was safe, well within his reach.

“Proud of you,” Christopher muttered, earning a slight sad chuckle from Buck.

Christopher was, hands down, one of the cleverest people that Bobby had ever met, he learned from his surroundings, and the world was better off with him doing so.

Bobby blinked away tears, his eyes finding Eddie, who was leaning against the doorframe, tears running down his cheeks as he crossed his arms. He wanted nothing more than to gather his son and husband into his arms, but this was once of those times where he couldn’t.

Nobody would ever understand what Buck and Christopher went through during the tsunami, that was an experience the pair went through together, which meant at times, such as these, they relied on one another for support.

Christopher probably didn’t even realize that the help that he was providing, but Buck relaxed, the tension rolling off his shoulders as he melted into his stepson’s embrace, the grief of the day dissipating, even if it didn’t last, it would have been worth it.

Remembering the loneliness behind Buck’s eyes when Bobby first met him, and now seeing the family that surrounded him, Bobby couldn’t help but smile.

Even following a bad call, Bobby was proud that Buck was no longer finding comfort in self-destructive activities but with a support network that would never let him fall.

Christopher Diaz-Buckley would always be around to catch Evan Diaz-Buckley.

#911 fanfiction #911 #chrisdiazweek2021 #christopher diaz #evan buck buckely #evan buckley #bobby nash #eddie diaz #buddie #liberty writes

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buttercupbuck · 2 years

Note

i just did a deep youtube dive into old 911 trailers from previous seasons, bc i wanted to see how different the contents of the trailers back then was from the contents of the series, because it's super interesting to me. BUT what i absolutely loved and didn't expect at all were all the youtube comments saying stuff like "are they hinting at buck liking the new guy?" and "i think buck and the diaz guy are gonna end up together" and in 2x08 "what?? i was so sure buck was gonna end up with diaz"

part 2: and it's so true for me lmao, because when i was watching season 2A i genuinely thought that this was what they were hinting at with all the buck and eddie scenes. the one where maddie teases him, the look maddie gave buck when he mentioned eddie for the millionth time, the looks they were giving each other, it genuinely screamed future romance to me. then it all stopped by the time season 2 ended and season 3 started, but now i'm glad i wasn't the only one seeing it like that lol

INCH RESTING. big kudos to them for living in the year 3000 omg. in s2 i wasn't even thinking anything would seriously happen between them more than a few jokes here and there, but mannn look at where we are now.

#also omg but watching old trailers is SO entertaining #like i remember the s2 trailer had a bunch of nuggets that didn't quite make it in #or like alternate shots and stuff like that #and i love all that so much lmao #ask #anon

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mattzerella-sticks · 3 years

Text

Ticking Photobomb, T, 1.6k

Carlos Reyes/TK Strand, Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley/Eddie Diaz, Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley & TK Strand

TK loves Carlos, and wants their relationship to work out. Before they can recapture even a semblance of the bliss they shared, Carlos needs to fix his mistake and properly introduce TK to his family. Until then... Carlos deserves at least some punishment. He only hopes Buck will forgive him, for involving him in his and Carlos's first big fight as a couple.

Only it's not Buck's forgiveness he'll need.

ao3 link

based off of this post

He’s wary. He and TK are supposed to be enjoying a delicious meal outside at a nearby park, sun high in the sky, bright but not too cruel, as they sit together on a thin, yellow blanket, and Carlos cannot enjoy any of this beautiful date because a tiny voice in the back of his mind warns him that TK’s silence is a cover for something more sinister. His boyfriend’s smile, aimed at his phone as it has been since they arrived, means trouble. The small, continuous giggles that eke free sound like alarms. Giggles offered with every bite, where he’d type a short message and then set his phone down; only to grab it halfway through its jingling ringtone – TK never usually keeps that on. Carlos remembered him complaining how he hates ringtones, prefers having his phone vibrate. Why is it on now? And why is he texting while they’re on a date? And why does his laughter make Carlos cringe?

“Who are you texting?” he asks, finally, Carlos pushing the plastic container with his half-finished sandwich to the side.

TK glances up from his phone. “No one.”

“No one?”

“Just a friend,” TK says, pinning Carlos with a strange expression that squeezes his heart. It makes the sweat pricking his temples relocate and journey down, rolling towards his chin. Carlos wipes at his face as TK adds, “seriously, you don’t have to worry.”

It’s the way he said ‘you’ that does Carlos in. That has him dredging up what he already considered resolved since before they sat down. Discussed, at length, over the phone, with Carlos apologizing repeatedly. TK assured him they were good. “I thought we were good?”

TK sighs, “We are good.” Then, he mumbles, “As good as any two friends can be.”

Carlos’s frown deepens, mouth resembling a severe gash carved into his face. “I knew it!” Carlos cries, pointing at him. “You’re still mad at me.”

“I never said I wasn’t!”

“You said it was settled –“

“Because it is,” TK insists, a heavy glare drawing all breath out of Carlos’s chest. The façade he wore for their date has been pulled away, and Carlos sees exactly how distressed TK remained after he introduced him to his parents as his ‘friend’. Even with Carlos promising that he would remedy the situation soon, gather his boyfriend and family together and explain the truth of his romantic life, TK clings tight to the pain Carlos caused by letting fear sway his choice, both at the farmer’s market and when he let TK walk out of his home, relationship dangling from a fraying cord. It frays ever closer to breaking. “It’s settled until you work up the nerve to have that dinner you were talking about.”

Carlos splutters, “That’s not – you know, with the pandemic how hard it’s…”

His excuses further irritate TK, who retreats into his phone. He texts someone else. Perhaps the same person he’s been texting this entire time. “Then it’s settled.”

“If it’s so settled,” Carlos asks, “why even bother agreeing to our date today?” He gestures at their unfinished meals, probably cold and stale. If they weren’t, it’s not like Carlos feels like eating anymore.

TK stops texting, smirking at Carlos. Usually, it riles Carlos up in that he wants to kiss it off of him. Right now, Carlos swallows the urge to shove his boyfriend onto his ass. “A date?” TK asks, words languid and breezy, spaced out by palpable sarcasm. “Why would you think this was a date,” he continues, phone tapping against his chin, “we are just friends after all…”

Anger and disappointment converge violently inside Carlos, fighting for release. Neither can, as his vibrating phone pulls his focus from TK. He opens the message on autopilot, confused since it’s from TK. Confusion then drops into the cesspool of his emotions, like Mentos in Coke, and Carlos explodes.

“Why did you send me this?” he demands, showing TK a picture he sent to Carlos of himself. A picture they took, together, when visiting a lake one weekend long ago during the summer. A picture taken after they spent the entire afternoon swimming, bathing suits forgotten on the pier. A picture where TK’s chiseled physique was on display, skin dazzling as fading sunlight turned water droplets into diamonds, and TK’s sunglasses rested low on his nose as he smiled to the side where Carlos was. Was. As in not anymore. Only his arm, slung around his boyfriend’s shoulder, remained. Saved by being impossible to crop out. “Well?” Carlos asks again.

TK sighs, “Oh, I must have sent that by mistake.”

“You wanted to send me something else?”

“No,” TK clarifies, “I sent that to you by mistake. It was supposed to go to Buck, see?” TK shows Carlos his message thread, with the picture he sent Carlos, timestamped, showing he forwarded it to Buck first, then Carlos.

“…Buck.”

“Yeah, Buck,” TK continues, leaving his texts and diving into his photo album. He selects a group shot of the 126, plus a few extra members. He zooms closer on one face, Buck’s, enough that Carlos can distinguish the two birthmark spots above his eyebrows. “I’m sure I told you about him.”

“You did,” Carlos nods. He tears his gaze from Buck’s smile, fuming. “The firefighter who flirted with you.”

“I mean, he also helped me save my dad,” TK says, “but, yeah… he also flirted with me.” TK lowers his phone, chuckling, “We’ve just been chatting back and forth – as friends do – when I realized… y’know, I told him I wasn’t interested, because I had this really awesome boyfriend who I love, but since that’s not the case anymore, we’re only friends apparetly, I figured I might as well shoot my shot. Find out if he’s still interested. Maybe once quarantine is done, I can take some time off and… see what Los Angeles has to offer.” The eyebrow wiggle was completely unnecessary. TK communicated exactly what of Los Angeles he intends to see, regardless of how his eyebrows moved.

He’s better than this. Carlos knows what TK is doing. What the picture, and its delivery, was supposed to accomplish. What it’s succeeding at. He can win this, simply by ignoring TK’s teasing.

Except.

“You are not going to Los Angeles.” Carlos scowls, “Not without me. And especially not if Buck is gonna be there.”

TK scoffs, “What are you, my boyfriend?”

“…Yes!”

“Says who?” he asks, “Your parents?”

They’re outside. In public, surrounded by people who keep their distance. Unfortunately, their voices carry wide enough they draw a sizeable crowd. Carlos doesn’t notice until TK storms off and leaves him with the blanket, the abandoned food, and their audience.

Carlos blushes, hiding behind his hands. He wishes he never fumbled back then, in the farmer’s market. He also, briefly, wishes he and Buck switched places. At least then TK would be treating him to risqué pictures. At least Carlos would be having a good time, if he were Buck. He’d be receiving sexy photos from a certified dreamboat instead of suffering because of his own mistakes.

---------------------------

Buck stumbles over his words, stuttering, rushing out his explanation to a stone-faced Eddie. “Seriously,” he says, “I don’t – I don’t know why TK sent me that picture of him! It’s not like I asked! One second we’re talking about movies and the next thing I know – shirtless TK!”

“Yeah, I know,” Eddie huffs, arms folded across his chest, “I saw.”

He shouldn’t have. If Buck hadn’t left his phone on the table to help Bobby in the kitchen. If he didn’t hear his phone beep with an arriving message, almost vibrating off the table from it. If Eddie, along with Hen and Chim, weren’t climbing the stairs at the moment, and if he ignored Buck’s plea to hand him his phone. To punch in the code – which he knew, of course Eddie knew – since Buck was wrist deep in a turkey’s hole.

Buck washed his hands immediately, drying them on his pants as he chased Eddie the few feet towards the couch.

“So,” Eddie continues, “you and TK…”

He and TK? “We’re friends,” he says, repeating himself after Eddie’s disbelieving stare. “Okay, I mean – he did turn me down once, when we were leaving Texas. But he said he had a boyfriend –“

“He turned you down?” Eddie asks, “You flirted with him?”

“No!” Buck shrugs, running his hand over his forehead, frowning at the sweat that pooled there. “Well, I didn’t think I was. But he did? And – and he left before I could say anything, but I didn’t think it mattered since he, y’know, had a boyfriend!” He stomps his foot, irritation bubbling from the pit of his stomach and out his mouth. “Besides! Why does it matter if he sends me pictures?” Nice pictures. Distracting pictures that made Buck question exactly why TK misunderstanding his friendliness was a problem. “Why are you so angry?”

“Because… because…” Eddie looks past Buck, at the peanut gallery assembled by the kitchen. Hen and Chimney watching with interest while Bobby pretends cooking a turkey involves his whole focus. None of the seem keen to jump in and help. “Because… you…” Suddenly, Eddie stands. Buck recoils, stepping backwards. “You know what,” Eddie says, digging into his pocket, “I’m telling Marjan to unfollow you on Instagram.”

“What?”

“And!” he yells, phone free and on, “I’m telling her to block you!”

“What? No – Eddie, no! Don’t!” Buck follows his friend, pleading, “C’mon, she hasn’t even liked any of my photos yet… Eddie… Eddie!”

Eddie ignores him, furiously typing the end of Buck’s most famous connection online. In his haste, Buck forgets his phone on the counter. Eddie takes precedence over his phone.

Later, Buck will return to it. He will respond to TK’s picture, sending a tidal wave of texts at the Texan firefighter ranging between the immense trouble that picture landed him in and how TK can repay him by convincing Marjan to follow him again.

But that’s later. Now Buck slams his fist against the firetruck, yelling for Eddie to unlock the door.

Eddie doesn’t.

#911 on fox #911 lone star #carlos reyes #tk strand #evan 'buck' buckley #eddie diaz #tarlos #buddie #tarlos fanfic #buddie fanfic

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etherealtauruss · 3 years

Text

i’m wasting my time (when it was always you)

read on ao3

The air in the room was thick with tension. The men weren’t as close to each other as they usually were. It was weird, to say the least, to sit with such a generous amount of space between them. The silence was uncomfortable as well; it was bordering on eerie at this point. This wasn’t the first time they sat in a noiseless room together, but something about the energy was off.

On the bright side, Christopher was finally in bed, thanks to Buck and two chapters of his latest Goosebumps book. Eddie had decided it’d be best if they talked about the disagreement they had earlier in the day tomorrow; after both of them had a good night’s rest. If they tried to hash it out tonight, he was sure that they’d just be talking in circles. Both parties needed a clear mind going into the conversation of Eddie jumping back into the dating pool.

Now, back to the issue at hand. Buck and Eddie were fighting.

Okay, fighting is an exaggeration, but things were certainly weird between them. Eddie had originally come by to pick up Chris, and he had figured Buck would fill him in on anything he deemed detrimental the following day. But, the look on his best friend’s face said it all. Whatever had happened between the time that Chris arrived at Buck’s house and Eddie coming by to get him, was something they needed to discuss sooner rather than later.

But seeing said look on Buck’s face made Eddie want to do nothing more than hold him close and assure him that everything would be alright. He had no idea what they had discussed, but the thought of either of the most important people in his life hurting was almost too much to bear.

Eddie wanted to place soft kisses all over Buck’s body; starting from his nose and ending at the tips of his toes. He wanted to love Buck unapologetically. He wanted to declare his love for the man; shouting it from the rooftop of the tallest building he could locate in Los Angeles. So yeah, there was no denying his feelings for Buck. But to risk losing one of the best friends he’s ever had? To risk ruining the amazing friendship between Buck and Chris? It wasn’t worth it. He had ultimately decided his feelings didn’t matter all that much in the grand scheme of things.

If only he had the balls to just come out and say it, perhaps he could’ve avoided this night sent from hell entirely.

So, that’s how they ended up here. In Eddie’s living room, acting as if they’d never spoken to each other a day in their lives.

“So you’re just not going to say anything,” Eddie finally announced after what seemed like a lifetime.

“I’m not sure what you expect me to say, Eddie.”

Buck’s tone was clipped.

“I want you to explain to me what conversation took place between you and Chris,” Eddie replied. “Because clearly, it was more serious than I had originally assumed.”

“I already told you on the drive over here,” Buck groaned. “I specifically said we had a heart to heart; nothing more, nothing less.”

Eddie crossed his arms and turned his body so he was facing the younger man. “Do you expect me to believe that, Buckley? Because the look on your face formed words before your mouth had the chance to.”

“You want the truth? Because I can give you the truth, Diaz,” Buck answered. “Chris told me that everyone leaves and when they do, he misses them, and it makes him sad,” Buck took a breath. “And now, you’re going to introduce him to yet another person, just for them to leave. He’s scared. And quite frankly? I don’t blame him, Eddie.”

Eddie took a second to absorb what Buck had just told him. He had no idea this is where the anger Chris expressed was stemming from. But how could he? This had been the first time the topic of dating had come up since Shannon’s passing. And now with the pandemic, feelings were bound to be amplified in all areas.

“Wait, ” Eddie said. “Did you just imply that you don’t think Ana is here for the long run?” His brows were furrowed and his tone was teetering on accusatory, but he couldn’t care less right now.

“Maybe I did,” Buck replied. And boy, did he look smug, with the outer parts of his mouth quirked slightly. He was testing Eddie; seeing how far he could push him until he reached his breaking point.

“That’s a bold statement to make about someone you barely know,” Eddie fired back.

Things were heating up, quickly.

“That’s rich coming from you,” Buck chuckled humorlessly. “You’re bringing someone into his life that you barely know!”

Eddie grimaced at Buck’s statement. He wasn’t wrong, per se, but he was in too deep. This was happening.

“That’s not,” his voice faltered, “that’s not the same and you know it.”

“Oh but it is,” Buck replied. “Humor me though. How well do you know Miss Flores?”

Eddie opened his mouth and then closed it. He knew she was Chris’s old teacher. He knew she was now a VP at a different school. He knew she was Latina. He knew she was beautiful, smart, and put together.

Okay, so maybe that was all that he knew.

“Ha! See. I know you, Eddie and you know me. But you have to admit, you don’t know anything that’s not surface-level about her.” He laughed again, “Your conversations are about as deep as a kitty pool.”

“I’m getting to know her, Buck,” Eddie replied, rolling his eyes. “Do you get into relationships and dive into their shit immediately?”

While Eddie waited for Buck’s response, he rose from the couch and walked into the kitchen. He grabbed two beers from the bottom shelf of the fridge and nodded his head at Buck, signaling him to move the conversation.

Buck walked up to the island, cracked open his Heineken, and took a generous swig. “No. But I also don’t have a mini-me to introduce my potential significant other to,” Buck said pointedly. “All I’m saying is that I think it’s a little early to be jumping headfirst into the deep end.”

“I didn’t ask you what your opinion was on my relationship.”

“I mean technically-” Buck challenged, but Eddie was fed up at this point.

“Why do you care so much anyway?” Eddie countered, cutting Buck off mid-sentence.

Buck was taken back. He wasn’t expecting that question, but he was quick on his feet, so he went rushing in with another answer.

“Because I care about Chris,” he said calmly. “I also care about you and I want you to be happy, I do. You deserve it more than anyone, but I just think you’re moving a little fast. There’s no guarantee she’s not going to walk out when it gets rocky.”

Buck sighed, “Or maybe she’ll decide that being with a first responder isn’t for her. Which I mean, fair; it’s not for everyone. Regardless, the point still stands. I don’t think she’s permanent in Chris’s life at the moment, so it’s weird, in my opinion, to treat her as such.”

Eddie knew Buck was right. He wanted to say it. The words were at the tip of his tongue. If he could just–

“I’m a permanent fixture in Chris’s life,” Buck blurted out, nervously brushing his palms against his jeans.

Eddie raised an eyebrow at the younger. Surely Buck didn't think he could be anything but a permanent fixture in Chris’s life. He meant so much to both of them; Eddie and Christopher. Buck was a crucial part of the Diaz family; no ifs, ands, or buts.

“I never said you weren’t. Is there something I’m missing here?” Eddie asked, letting out a nervous laugh.

“I-,” Buck began. “Nevermind. Now’s not the time.”

“Buck, c’mon,” Eddie pleaded. “There’s no better time than right now.”

“I can’t,” Buck muttered. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I can't tell you like this,” he finished in a hushed tone.

Eddie frowned. He placed his beer bottle onto a swirled marble of the island and swiftly walked over to his best friend who stood just three feet away. He placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and rested his thumb on Buck’s collarbone, rubbing it back and forth across the clavicle covered by milky skin.

“Buck. You know you can tell me anything,” Eddie said. He gave the man's shoulder a light squeeze and continued to rub his thumb across the length of the prominent bone, letting Buck know it was okay to speak whenever he was ready.

“Did you ever stop and think about why I jumped into the dating pool right after you did?” Buck asked, eyes trained on the floor.

“I-I figured–,” Eddie stumbled slightly, trying to find the right words. “I just assumed you were tired of being single.”

“That and the fact that the person I wanted was whisked away before I had the chance to tell him how I feel,” Buck replied, voice cracking. His throat felt like it was closing and he felt the familiar sting towards the back of his eyes, a sure sign that the waterworks were on their way. “God. This is pathetic.”

“Hey. Look at me,” Eddie said, coaxing Buck’s head upward with a feather-light touch to his chin.

Buck tried to avoid eye contact by going against the grain of Eddie’s touch. He couldn’t breakdown, not now. He'd almost made it to the end of their.. conversation? Whatever. At this moment, he wished for nothing more than for the ground to swallow him whole and return him to real life in 14 to 17 business days. He couldn't tell Eddie how he felt now. Not when Eddie was finally happy.

He couldn't make something about him. Again.

He couldn't be a bad friend to another person within two hours.

So why did Buck blow up his spot? Beats him.

“I like you, Eddie,” Buck confessed. “But, that doesn't matter now. I missed my chance; you're with Ana. I won't take away your happiness. I can't take away your happiness; not now, not ever.”

Buck sighed and reluctantly stepped out from under the older man’s touch. “I should leave. I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Eds.”

“Buck,” Eddie started gentle yet firm. “The only way you could take away my happiness is if you walked out, through that door.”

“Huh?” was all Buck managed to say.

“You bring me happiness, Buck. You are my happiness. Well, besides Chris, but that should go without saying.” Eddie rubbed his hands together and continued, “I like you too.”

Buck chewed on his bottom lip, trying to think of what to say in reply to Eddie’s declaration.

“How long have you felt this way? How come you didn't tell me, Eds?” he asked.

“Longer than I’d like to admit. But I couldn't risk messing up everything just for feelings that could've been one-sided.”

“And that’s why you went out with Ana?” Buck questioned.

“Partially. I needed to start my journey to real happiness. Then Ana conveniently reappeared, so I thought, why not y’know?”

Eddie continued before Buck could respond. “Ana isn't you, Buck. That's what I'm getting at. She's sweet, funny, and intelligent, but she's not you. She doesn't hold a candle to all that you are.”

Buck began to chuckle, which soon turned into a full-on fit of giggles. Once he was done with his laughter and caught his breath, he spoke once more. “We’re a pair of idiots, aren't we?”

“That we are," Eddie said. His eyes crinkled as a genuine grin graced his face. "Though I must say, there's no one I’d rather be an idiot with besides you.”

They wanted to kiss. Boy, did they want to kiss. However, the men also knew Eddie had to break things off with Ana first. It was just the right thing to do. But in the meantime, they could hold one another in the soft glow of Eddie’s kitchen and exchange words so sweet you'd think they had been dipped in honey. They would be together soon.

Oh so soon.

#buddie fic #evan buckley x eddie diaz #buddie 911 #etherealtauruss #evan buckley #eddie diaz #ana flores is mentioned #evan x eddie

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madamewriterofwrongs · 4 years

Note

62 of the sensory prompts!

I hope you enjoy <3

Sensory Prompts

62. Fingertips smudged in blue ink

Bear my Signature

2008

His hands were steady as he bent over the recruitment table, sure in the path he was setting himself on. This was his decision, not his father’s. Shannon was proud of him; his parents were proud of him – he was proud of himself. Nothing could make him change his mind.

Then why did he hesitate over the final signature?

One last scrawl of his name and he would be a new Sixty-eight Whiskey recruit with the United States Armed Forces, with a career and a future serving his country and doing something of use – for once.

He couldn’t keep working for his father, long hours of travel, barked orders, and n real choice. Working with his hands was one thing, but this would be so much more.

He was going to make something of himself.

All he had to do was sign on the bottom line and his life would change forever. He thought of Shannon. They hadn’t been together long enough to know what time and distance would do to them, but he loved her; and she loved him. That would be enough.

He could do this.

He would do this.

He had to do this.

Eddie’s hands shook as his pen danced over his last key to freedom.

2010

He had been staring at the page for hours. It was a good program – it should be for the amount of money his parents were paying (he could hear his mother’s voice echoing in his ears). He wanted to be here. Sure, he wasn’t overly enthusiastic about his field of study but it would open up a lot of doors if he could be at least a B student.

He wouldn’t have to live at home any more, that was a definite plus. There was a great love he had for his parents when he didn’t have to see them every day.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Or forgetful.

Either way, this college would be the perfect opportunity to go out on his own and make something of himself. So what, if it was only a few hours away from home and his parents were paying for everything? He was still an independent person of independent means; he would finally have something to contribute. He’d be doing something of use – for once.

So what, if he hated the program? So what, if he was still staring at that map of the known world he got on his seventh grade trip to the museum?

This would be how he would make his mark on the world; it was his only option.

Buck placed his signature on the final page and handed the pile of forms back to the registration office.

2010

Eddie had never felt so panicked in his entire life (apart from the time two months ago when he’d called his girlfriend in the middle of the night and asked her to marry him when he was in town on leave). That had been a different kind of panic.

The panic brought on from calling his parents the day before and telling them that Shannon was pregnant and he had no idea what to do. After a lot of cursing and a lot of lecturing, they told him that there was only one option available to him: marry the girl.

They never liked Shannon. They tolerated her – were polite to her whenever Eddie brought her around – but the sneer in his mother’s voice when she told him what an idiotic mistake he’d made, reminded him that this would be the only way his parents approved of him marrying his high school sweetheart.

He’d always thought he’d get around to marrying her eventually. Sure, they’d only dated for a few months in her last year of high school but that still counted as a teenage romance where he was from. It was romantic right?

And then she’d told him she was pregnant, and then he’d panicked and begged her to marry him.

And now they were walking down the aisle in front of their friends and family (who were available to fly out at a moment’s notice), saying their vows like they actually meant them.

To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.

Eddie smudged the ink of his signature as he marked the marriage certificate, a reminder of the familiar yet uncharted path his life was currently on.

2011

Eddie never believed in love at first sight, but holding that little boy in his arms changed everything. Christopher Ramon Diaz, born 4lbs, 9oz. The doctors assured them that he was a little small but perfectly healthy and safe. That was all he needed to hear.

He hadn’t stopped smiling since they brought Shannon and Christopher to their room so mom and the baby could rest.

Mom.

Shannon was a mother now. The mother of his child.

He was a father. How the hell was he going to be a dad when his own had kept him at a distance his entire life? Not that he blamed him – he was providing for his family – that’s what you do. That’s why he was serving out the rest of his tour and coming straight home to look for a job.

He hated that he wouldn’t get to spend more than a week with his wife (the mother of his child) and newborn son, but that was the deal he made:

Put food on the table, keep a roof over their heads, and you will be a family forever.

At least he was around long enough to sign his name on the dotted line, declaring this little boy his for anyone to see. Christopher looked so much like his mother, he prayed he wouldn’t stay away long enough to become a stranger in his eyes. He wanted every moment he could get.

Eddie was going to be a good father; he would fight for them, and when he came back, he would work a million jobs so he could keep their deal. So long as the two of them were happy, nothing else mattered.

2014

Buck was floating, restless, in a sea of uncertainty. To be specific, he was floating in Moloaʻa Bay, just north of Kauaʻi, watching a group of men performing professional grade dives further out. They worked in sync but came up splashing and laughing, hearty laughs of grown men (not boys who had no idea what they were doing with their lives).

He’d spoken to them the night before when they stumbled into the bar he’d found himself sitting at most nights, striking up a conversation about how they all ended up on this island paradise.

He vaguely remembered coming up with some story about following a girl here only to have her ditch him for another man. It sounded better than telling them, he’d shown up at the airport in Seattle and asked for the cheapest, earliest flight and somehow ended up here.

Their story had been much more interesting anyways. Naval SEALS, honorable and strong. They were attending a conference by day (who got to go to a conference in Kauaʻi?) but the nights were all for them.

Buck blushed, remembering how bright the youngest one, Jacob, had smiled at him over their fifth shot of rum – or was it their eighth? Either way, they’d woken up tangled in each other’s arms somewhere around 6am, when Jake kicked him out so he could get ready for his meeting.

Now, he watched them all, wondering what it must be like to have that kind of comradery, that kind of purpose – that kind of freedom.

That night at the bar, Buck found Jake again and followed him back to his hotel room so he could register for their mailing list of interested applicants (he didn’t ask to stay).

The next time he was in Coronado, he’d have a new career opportunity and – hopefully – a new life.

2015

Eddie hated his signature. On a good day, it was a series of loops strung together with an E and D sloppily thrown in.

On a bad day, it was the end of a long series of papers that meant he was being discharged from the army with honors. For being brave, he wouldn’t have to fight anymore.

He didn’t feel brave. He certainly didn’t feel like he was done fighting.

And yet here he was, standing in front of a General he’d never met, having to hide the tremor in his hand as he struggled to sign off on his emancipation from the only real thing he’d ever known.

He had a wife and a son back home who didn’t know him any more – it wasn’t a stretch to say he no longer knew himself. But they needed him. They needed his money and his leadership and he didn’t have much of either. He had no way of knowing what he was coming home to (and didn’t that just sting?). Having no idea what was going on with his own family because he was gone for too long. What good was he to them now that he was back, though? He still had months of recovery ahead of him, and a few scars that opened up into a chasm of nightmares every night. All he wanted to do was take a deep breath a scream.

But he couldn’t do that.

He could salute with his good hand, and thank the man for the box that said he was a hero, and go back to his family.

And keep trying to hold it together.

2016

So being a SEAL hadn’t been the dream he imagined it to be. He still gained some valuable skills when it came to search and rescue, and combat. He also learned about the type of job he didn’t want to have.

He wanted the life they had on the brochure:

Help save lives.

Do some good.

Be a daredevil.

So they hadn’t said those exact words but that was the implication. It was implied that he’d get to be a badass rulebreaker with a heart of gold.

He shuffled out of the facility with a few new bruises and a new respect for being a decent human being for once.

Whether by coincidence of providence, he found himself wandering around the streets of Los Angeles nearly every night after he arrived, searching for some sort of sign that this was the place to be at this moment in time. If it wasn’t, he could always move on to the next place. But there was something about LA that felt right. Hot sun, hot people, lots of mischief and adventure.

A boy could become a man here.

He was stopped on the street as the fire station in front of him roared to life, and he watched through the window as men and women worked in tandem to load their gear and peel away from the hangar. 30 seconds of excitement suddenly left the building feeling empty enough for Buck to hear his own heart pick up.

Before he knew what he was doing, he walked up to the main door and rang the bell. A man in a uniformed t-shirt and pants answered, and invited him inside to tell him all about the exciting life as a Los Angeles Firefighter.

For the second time in his life, Buck left his name and number with a strange man, hoping this single interaction would change his life.

2017

Eddie took a deep breath; not screaming, this time, but exhaling the last of his nerves. This felt right. This was his decision, not his father’s – in fact, his father had no qualms about showing his disapproval at his decision.

But it felt right.

Being a firefighter was a lot like combat (with an eighth of the on-the-job stressors). But he still got to help people – he could use his skills he’d learned in the army to save lives at home the way he hoped he was doing overseas. And he could come home to his son every night.

He would have come home to Shannon, too, if he could get her on the phone for more than a few minutes at a time.

He hadn’t spoken with her in over a year, now. She’d stopped answering so he’d stopped calling and only part of his heart was broken for knowing that she’d run away, too.

Even if it was just him and Christopher for a little while, it would be still be a blessing to go save the world and be back in time for dinner (usually).

He was so tired lately. Working three jobs left him no energy to be with his son and even less desire to argue with his parents over how to best raise him.

Christopher needed stability, so he’d give it to him. He’d become a firefighter for whoever would take this mess of a human being, and build the life for his son that he deserved – a happy one.

Even if he wondered twelve times a day if a happy life was really a life with him. Maybe Christopher would be better off with his parents. He barely knew the little boy sleeping in his own bed and not a crib.

Isn’t that all the more reason to stay?

Before Eddie could second guess himself, he signed his name on the dotted line, and joined the row of recruits for the fire academy training.

2017

As far as first dates went, this one was strangely not the worst. That had involved jumping out the second story window of an apartment complex because her “technically still my boyfriend” was coming through the front door.

He’d twisted his ankle when his leg got caught on the fire escape and the police were called – though, thankfully, no charges were laid. Incredibly painful, and incredibly embarrassing.

Waking up in the hospital after his girlfriend had performed an emergency tracheotomy, was a very close second.

Unlike that awful first date, though. Abby was still at his side when he woke up. He hadn’t realized how long it had been since he’d had someone to wake up next to – even if it was groggily coming off anesthesia after surgery.

It was nice.

She was nice.

God, he liked her so much. Why couldn’t the universe let him have one good date? He hadn’t had that many to begin with, was it so much to ask that things go right?

Abby was nice and smart and beautiful and liked him.

And she stayed.

She was at work when he signed himself out of the hospital but Bobby had been there, too, to drive him home since his car was still at the restaurant. They even went out for breakfast. That was new as well. Someone who willingly spent time with him and offered him advice and cared whether Buck took that advice.

He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t a little addictive:

Having people in his life who stayed.

2018

Carla had to slap his hand during their tour of the school every time he tried to play with the lanyard around his neck. He managed to stop fidgeting after the first fifteen minutes, but the nerves never faded.

This was a huge risk. It was still early in the school year, but Christopher had just moved to LA. He had no friends, no social circle, no one outside of his family; and now Eddie wanted to move him to a highly specialized school.

What, just because it had small class sizes, and teachers who seemed to understand his son’s needs, and had incredible security measures, and was an opportunity for Christopher to get a better education than he had back in Texas, and it felt like a miracle that Carla convinced the school to see him on such short notice?

It was still an incredibly expensive miracle.

And there was the problem of getting a hold of Shannon. He’d told their lawyer when he was taking Christopher out of the state, and thankfully, her number hadn’t changed, but getting her to pick up the phone when he called his estranged wife had been an exercise in anxiety control.

If it meant that Christopher got the best care, nothing else mattered.

Even as his thought swam with a thousand unanswered questions (the loudest one being: what did that kiss in the parking lot mean for us?), Eddie’s hand was sure and still as he signed the registration form.

2019

Maddie was back in his life. He’d almost lost Maddie a few months after getting her back, but now that wouldn’t be a problem anymore. She was safe, and she was home with him; he had his big sister once again and that was all he needed.

It didn’t stop the nightmares from bolting him awake, reminding him that he could die tomorrow and then she’d be left alone. Or she could leave again and then he’d be alone.

He didn’t want that: he didn’t want to be alone again. He liked the people in his life. Maddie, Bobby, the 118, Eddie, Christopher; they were people he wanted to keep safe.

But the dangers he needed to protect them from weren’t always solved with a giant water hose or an axe. For everything else, he called a lawyer and got some advice.

Maddie had been very understanding when he told her about the will he planned to change so she’d receive a larger piece of his assets. She was his sister, he was always going to leave something to her, but now that she was back, he wanted to know that she’d be happy here without him in this place he’d convinced her to settle.

Eddie had been less understanding; grateful, yes, but speechless as to why Buck would want to leave his colleague so much (it was mostly for Christopher, he explained, so that he’d could have something for his future if he lost his best buddy). That had still led to a lot of protesting – eventually broken up by a confused by thankful Shannon – but nothing was compared to Bobby.

Bobby who teared up when Buck explained that he didn’t have a lot of things in this world, but if anything happened to him, he wanted Bobby to have something to remember him by.

That hadn’t been a lie, but maybe not a whole truth.

He wanted to know that the people he loved most were never left alone even after he left them.

Was that so much to ask for?

2019

Eddie hated funerals. He didn’t know a single person who enjoyed them; but he’d been to far too many in his short life to find any comfort in them.

They were burying his wife today.

She didn’t want to be his wife anymore but he hadn’t told anyone that. The shame that burned his throat when he thought of revealing that painful truth, was too sharp. He suffered in silence as he always had. It wasn’t just his own feelings he had to worry about; there was Christopher.

There was always Christopher – there would always be Christopher – he would never stop caring for his son as long as he lived (and probably long after as well). Because that’s what parents were supposed to do.

He found himself standing, poised with pen in hand over another piece of paper, frozen once again by his own indecision and fear.

What was he supposed to write in the book of her life? How was he meant to say goodbye to the only woman he’d ever loved? How could he close this chapter of his life with a flick of ink?

He couldn’t.

His eyes hooked onto his son’s back, sitting quietly beside his great grandmother, swinging his legs under the pews because he still wasn’t tall enough to touch the ground. He was so small; so young.

Christopher needed him to be strong; needed him to put it away so they could take care of each other.

Eddie signed the front page, and opened the book for the guests to sign.

2019

When Buck woke up in the hospital this time, he saw an angel, and for a moment he was terrified; but then everything was at peace.

The moments after he felt peace, however, were agonizing and terrifying. The moments before hadn’t been a picnic either, but at least his memories of laying underneath a ladder truck and being pulled to safety were still a little hazy. He remembered a warm hand in his and a few words of encouragement and a lot of screaming, but not much else.

Now that he was awake, fear was quickly becoming his only focus. The fear of not knowing whether the surgery had been successful – not knowing if he’d ever work again or if he’d have to start his life over. The fear of whether he would be the same man if he ever could go back to work. So much was uncertain, that he clung to the tiniest bit of hope: Ali, Maddie, and Carla. The women who would stay by his side no matter what.

It took him four days before he had the strength to walk to the end of the hall, and finally, the doctor was satisfied that the was safe to go home. He had never been happier being wheeled out to his sister’s car, than the day he got to sign himself out of the hospital, knowing that everything would be back to normal.

2019

Buck was man enough to admit that this punishment was nothing compared to what it could be. Three hours in the human resources office with Bobby, Chief Alonso and Alex, head of HR, signing his name to a million forms, could have been a lot worse.

Sure, his hand cramped about half an hour in, but it was worth it all if it meant he could finally go back to work.

It all seemed a little silly – not that he’d ever say that out loud. Buck had no intention of suing the city or the department (or Bobby) again. He’d meant what he said, though: he was a fighter. He’d fight for his job and his family however he could.

Sometimes he fought in really stupid ways that he didn’t realize were harmful until it was too late. But then he’d just have to fight to make up for those mistakes.

Buck was a fighter, plain and simple.

Tonight, he’d fight through hand cramps and eye fatigue. Tomorrow he’d fight for his friends’ trust.

And pray it was enough for them to let him come home.

2022

There was one recorded day of history in which Eddie Diaz felt happier than he did today: the day his son was born.

Nothing else compared to that day, vowing his fealty to Christopher and whatever he needed.

Today was a pretty good day, though.

He was dressed a lot nicer, that was for certain – not that he didn’t love the sea green scrubs, but a fitted suit was much more comfortable.

The company was also pretty good.

Christopher stood beside him in the mirror, adjusting his tie for the tenth time (even though Abuela told him to stop playing with it). He understood that the boy was nervous so he only smiled down at him and his slightly crooked tie.

There was a knock at the door and Eddie hurried to answer it, knowing exactly who would be on the other side.

Buck hadn’t stopped smiling since he arrived at the rental hall, taking all of Maddie’s teasing as she helped him dress for his big day. Nothing could dampen his mood; not the caterers calling in with last minute substitutions, not baby Gloria throwing up on Chimney all night, not a small tear in his suit jacket that neither of them could fix.

None of it mattered as he knocked on the door of the side room they’d set up.

Technically, he wasn’t supposed to see the groom before the wedding – but technically they weren’t supposed to sleep together the night before either, so one more break in tradition wouldn’t be the end of the world. Since the day they moved in together, Buck had never willingly spent a night away from their bed. Even on the nights when they were irreconcilably fighting, they’d sleep on opposite sides of the bed.

He was not about to sleep without his fiancé on the last night he got to call him his fiancé.

Eddie and Buck walked down the hallway to greet the officiant, Maddie waiting for them with two pens in hand.

This was it; the last step before they officially tied the knot. Everything after this was just icing on the cake (which reminded Buck, he needed to tell Eddie about the catering mishap after everything was sorted because he was more likely to panic). This was the moment where they would sign their names and be legally bound in the eyes of the world, as two people who wanted to spent their lives together.

Eddie was careful with his penmanship. His hands didn’t shake much – absolutely confident in this choice – but he wanted it to be perfect. This would be the last time he would sign his name on a piece of paper like this (and he wouldn’t sign his name on a book for others to impart their memories of his dearly departed for a very long time); so he savored every little detail as he lent his name to another cause he believed in wholeheartedly.

Buck laughed when he messed up the B in “Buckley” after spending hours for weeks on end, practicing his “Diaz”s. It turned into a strange series of vertical loops that someone could use in context to describe as a B, so he wasn’t too worried. In fact, he had no worries at all. Now, he had a happy memory attached to signing away his life to a man he hoped to know better with every passing day.

#cj writes things #cj answers things #love zee #zeethebooknerd #buddie #911 fox #911 fic #buddie fic #history of signatures

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