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Chimney, Hen, Karen and Eddie walk into the bar.
This isn’t a joke, there’s no punch line here.
It’s crowded and loud and hot, like every other Saturday night, but it’s exactly what they need.
The firefighters have had the week from hell - cleaning up after an earthquake is never fun. So, the kids are with Bobby and Athena for the night, and the adults were free to unwind.
Karen and Hen dash off to snag a booth for them all while Chimney and Eddie hit the bar. A bottle of wine, four beers and four tequila shots later, they head over to where they can see Hen and Karen giggling together in a booth close to the stage.
“Please stop rubbing our singleness in our faces.” Chimney grumbles playfully as he slips in opposite the women.
“If I wanna kiss my wife, I damn well will.” Hen warns with a wink.
Karen rolls her eyes and pulls away from her pouting wife.
Conversation flows easily, and, over time, Eddie can feel his tense limbs slowly loosen up. It might have something to do with the countless tequila shots currently thrumming through his blood, but he’s not complaining.
Suddenly, the pounding music over the speakers stops, and the DJ announces Karaoke Hour. The other patrons cheer, and Eddie looks halfheartedly up at the stage. When he does so, his breath catches.
A man and woman are standing on the stage, chatting with the DJ as he gets everything set up for them. The woman is short, with long brown hair and soft features, warm eyes and a sweet smile. But the guy? He’s tall, broad and devastatingly handsome. His bright blue eyes twinkle under the dim bar lights, and they enhance the adorable pink mark over his eye.
He feels a little bad for checking out the man, when he doesn’t know his relation to the woman beside him, but he can’t help himself. Ever since Hen walked him through his bisexuality crisis a few months ago now, he’s come to terms with it. And this handsome stranger is definitely his type.
“Eddie. Eddie? Eddie!”
Eddie’s head snaps to the side, to see Chimney staring at him with raised eyebrows. He flushes a little.
“Sorry man, whats up?”
“I was asking if you wanted another beer.’ Chimney tips the neck of his own bottle to Eddie's basically empty one. ‘What’s captured your attention so much it makes you ignore your best friend in the whole wide world?”
“Him.” Eddie hears himself say - completely ignoring Chimney's teasing - as his eyes travel back over to the stage, where the man is now stood with his back to him, looking down at the woman he’s concealing with his body.
Hen cranes her neck over the back of the booth and whistles. “Damn.”
Karen, following her eye line, raises her eyebrows in appreciation. “I agree.”
Chimney opens his mouth to say something, when the man suddenly moves and reveals the woman. Eddie hears his breath catch audibly in his throat as he makes heart eyes at her.
“Well shit, they’re both beautiful!” Hen laughs loudly.
“Yeah..” Eddie mumbles, distracted by the way the mans biceps bulge when he brings the mic to his pink kissable lips.
“Okay everyone!’ The DJ hollers over the speakers. ‘First up, we have the very talented Buckley siblings. Give them a hand.”
“Hear that? They’re siblings! You guys might actually have a shot with them!” Karen winks.
Eddie and Chimney ignore her, still enamoured by the beautiful Buckley siblings.
A familiar tune starts up over the speakers, and then the man is singing.
’Give me a second I
I need to get my story straight
My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State
My lover she's waiting for me just across the bar
My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking about a scar, and
I know I gave it to you months ago
I know you're trying to forget
But between the drinks and subtle things
The holes in my apologies, you know
I'm trying hard to take it back
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down, I'll carry you home.’
Eddie is hypnotised. The mans voice is velvety smooth and absolutely beautiful. And then, the woman joins in for the chorus.
’Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun.’
The woman’s voice compliments her brothers amazingly. It’s rich and full with a little vibrato. She carries on with the song on her own as her brother watches on.
’Now I know that I'm not
All that you got, I guess that I, I just thought
Maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
But our friends are back
So let's raise a tab
'Cause I found someone to carry me home.’
Eddie spares a look at Chimney, who’s mouth is hanging open in awe with a lovestruck expression on his face. Eddie’s certain he looks the exact same, judging by the way Hen is sniggering behind her phone, obviously recording them. The siblings join together again for the second chorus and Eddie focuses back on them.
’Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun.’
The woman carries on alone again, while her brother provides the backing vocals.
’Carry me home tonight (Na na na na na na)
Just carry me home tonight (Na na na na na na)
Carry me home tonight (Na na na na na na)
Just carry me home tonight. (Na na na na na na)’
Then, they switch it up, with the man taking the lead.
’The world is on my side
I have no reason to run
So will someone come and carry me home tonight
The angels never arrived
But I can hear the choir
So will someone come and carry me home.’
And then, they join together one last time to close the song.
’Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Tonight, we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
So if by the time the bar closes
And you feel like falling down
I'll carry you home tonight.’
Eddie, Chimney, Hen and Karen - as well as the rest of the bar - burst into a raucous applause for the siblings, who flush adorably and thank everyone before exiting the stage. Karen kicks Eddie’s leg under the table, and Hen evidently does the same to Chim, because they both yelp in pain at the same time.
“What are you boys waiting for? Go shoot your shots!” Hen demands.
“But what if he’s not into guys?” Eddie asks nervously.
“You’ll never know used you try. Go!” Karen shoos him away.
Eddie is on his feet and dragging Chimney with him without another word. They weave through the crowds to get to the bar, where the siblings are now stood. Another couple have taken over on the stage, but Eddie pays them no mind.
The siblings blink up in surprise when Eddie pulls Chimney and himself to an abrupt stop in front of them.
“Eddie.” He blurts
The two of them share an amused and slightly confused glance while Chimney sighs and rolls his eyes.
“What he means to say is - hi. My name is Howie, and this is Eddie.”
“Hi Howie and Eddie.’ The woman’s voice chimes, with a hint of amusement. ‘I’m Maddie and this is Evan.”
“It’s nice to meet you both.” Evan smiles and holds his hand out.
“You too.” Chimney nods and shakes his hand.
And then, those beautiful electric blue eyes are on Eddie, and he freezes. Evan arches an eyebrow and looks down at his still outstretched hand pointedly.
“Oh my god Eddie, shake his hand! Do you always forget your manners after a few tequila shots?” Chimney ribs him.
“No, only when I meet real life angels.’ Eddie blurts, and then blushes furiously at the wide eyed look Evan gives him. Eddie lifts his hand and shakes Evan’s hand with a sheepish smile. ‘Hi, sorry. Nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, you too.” Evan breathes.
“Can I buy you a drink?” Eddie asks.
“I’d really like that.” Evan nods.
Eddie barely notices Chimney roll his eyes again and start up his own conversation with Maddie. He only has eyes for Evan.
“So, I’m a real life angel, huh?” Evan smirks.
Eddie groans and thumps his head against his hands, which have settled on the bar as they wait for their turn to order.
“I’m sorry. May brain to mouth filter stopped working for a second then.”
Evan lets out a loud laugh, and its music to Eddies ears. “Hey, no, it’s fine. I’m flattered. Most people call me a demon, thanks to my little ‘mark of the devil’ here.” He indicates the pink smudge above his left eye.
“I think it’s beautiful.’ Eddie admits freely. ‘Just like you.”
Evans blush is endearing as hell, and Eddie smiles.
“Well, you’re not exactly bad on the eyes either.” Evan mumbles and rakes his eyes up and down Eddie's body, making him shiver.
“Thank you.” Eddie laughs.
The bartender finally turns to them, and Eddie orders himself another beer while Evan orders a Purple Rain cocktail.
“So Eddie. What do you do for work?” Evan turns back to him.
“I’m a firefighter with the LAFD. You?”
Evan's eyes go wide. “Currently in the last stages of training with the LAFD Academy.”
Eddie's eyebrows shoot up. “No kidding? What are the odds!”
“I know.” Evan laughs.
“You wanna join me and my friends? We’re just over there.” Eddie waves over to the booth where Hen and Karen are sat, watching unblinkingly.
“Sure.” Evan shrugs.
They receive their drinks, and Eddie pays before leading Buck over to his booth, where Karen and Hen are grinning at him. They settle across the couple, with Evan taking Chimney’s abandoned seat.
“Guys, this is Evan. He’s currently training up to be a firefighter.” Eddie introduces.
“Welcome to the ranks!’ Hen hollers. ‘I’m Hen Wilson, LAFD paramedic.”
“Hi Hen.” Evan laughs and shakes her offered hand.
“And I’m Karen, Hen’s wife. I’m a rocket scientist.”
“Like a real life rocket scientist?” Evan asks, his eyes wide.
“A real life rocket scientist.” Karen confirms with a laugh.
“Well damn.” Evan whistles.
Chimney and Maddie join them then, and more introductions are made. Eddie and Evan slide around the booth to make space for them, with Evan basically sitting in Eddie’s lap. He does not mind one bit, nope.
The night wares on with more drinks, laughs and life stories and, by the time the bar is calling for last rounds, Eddie feels like he’s known the Buckley siblings his whole life. They’re both ridiculously funny, sweet and witty and they fit in with their little ragtag gang tremendously.
When the six of them stumble out the bar at 3am, Eddie is pouting. He wants to take Evan home with him, but he also doesn’t. He likes him, a lot, and he wants to see where this instant attraction heads.
“I won’t carry you home tonight, but I’d really love to get your number.” Eddie states.
Evan’s eyes are bright in the glow of the street lamps, and he gives Eddie a crooked grin. He wordlessly passes over his phone, and makes grabby hands for Eddie's own. He obliges with an easy laugh, and they swap numbers. With a kiss on the cheek goodbye, Evan and Maddie slip into their Uber while Eddie, Chimney, Hen and Karen squeeze into their own.
Eddie can’t stop smiling the whole way home, and neither can Chimney. By the time he’s back home and crawling into bed, there’s a message waiting for him.
Buck (not a real life angel):
Thank you for an amazing night, Eddie. I hope you made it home safe, love Buck (Evan) x
Eddie feels giddy with excitement and laughs at the name the man gave himself.
Me:
No thank you, you made the night amazing. I’m home now and I hope you and Maddie made it home safe too. And I really hope I can see you again. Love Eddie x
He only waits a few minutes for his reply.
Buck (not a real life angel):
me and maddie just got back to our place. I would really like to see you again too. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, night Eddie xx
Me:
Sweet dreams, Buck xx
—
Eddie wakes up the next morning with a sore head and the taste of something dead o his tongue. But, when the nights events come back to him, he pushes past that with a grin. He grabs his phone from its charger and looks at his notifications.
There’s a text from Buck.
Buck (not a real life angel):
ugh why did I drink on the night before my certification test? 😖 I hope you’re feeling better this morning! x
Me:
Yeah, that’s probably not your brightest idea 😂 hope everything goes well today, I’m rooting for you! And I feel like death warmed over this morning, but I at least don’t have work! X
Bucks reply is instantaneous.
Buck (not a real life angel):
lucky! Thank you, I’ll let you know how I do! X
Eddie leaves their conversation at that, and goes by his moving like usual. He does some loads of laundry, goes food shopping, tidies up the house and even cleans his truck to keep himself occupied.
Hours later, he gets another text. It’s an image of Buck’s smiling face.
Buck (not a real life angel):
Top of my class baby!!!
Me:
I’m so proud! When are you given your house options?
Buck (not a real life angel):
Next week! I’m so excited!
Me:
you should be! And you should be proud of yourself too! And hey, I work at the 118 if you’re wondering 😉
Buck (not a real life angel):
I’ll keep that in mind 😉
Eddie grins to himself.
—
Eddie spends the entire week texting Buck whenever possible, sometimes phoning him. The man even has a few conversations about space and astronomy with Christopher, much to his sons delight, but he says nothing of what firehouse he chose. He doesn’t want to jinx it, and Eddie respects that.
Monday morning rolls around, and Eddie strolls out of the locker room in full uniform, his phone in his hand, texting Buck.
Me:
Good luck on your first day 😘 you’ll have to tell me all about it later xxx
He hears a phone ping from behind him, and a very familiar chuckle. Eddie slowly spins around, to see Buck, stood in the bay - also in full uniform - talking to Bobby, Chimney and Hen.
“Here? You got in here?” He asks, a little dumbfounded.
“Yep. Surprise!” Buck grins cheekily.
Eddie blinks at him a few times, before his own grin stretches across his face. He strides over and pulls Buck in for a bear hug, and the man goes with a laugh.
“Break it up, lovebirds.” Chimney teases after a few long seconds.
Eddie lets go of Buck with a faint blush and clears his throat.
“It’s nice to know you get on so well already.’ Bobby starts with a smirk, and Eddie just knows Hen has shown him that video. ‘Because he’s your new partner. Glad to have you here with us, Buck.”
“Thank you Captain. I’m happy to be here.” Bucks eyes slide over to Eddie.
Bobby rolls his eyes and leads Hen and Chimney up the stairs. Buck rocks back on his heels and shoves his hands in his pockets.
“You’re really happy about me being here?” He asks shyly, biting his bottom lip.
“Yes Buck, of course.’ Eddie assures him with a smile. ‘I get to be the one to watch your back out there, why wouldn’t I want that?”
“I don’t know. I kind of inserted myself into your personal bubble without asking.” Buck shrugs.
Eddie steps forward and takes Bucks face in his palms.
“You don’t need my permission when choosing a house to work at, and the 118 is the best in the county.’ Eddie winks. ‘I’m really happy you’re here, Buck.”
Buck looks up at him though his lashes with a bashful smile. “Yeah?” He whispers quietly.
“Yeah.” Eddie whispers back, equally as quiet.
Buck inches forwards and presses a small, hesitant kiss to Eddie’s lips. Eddie responds almost immediately, opening his mouth and coaxing Buck to do the same with his tongue. When he does so, Eddie delves into the warm heat of his mouth with a groan, that Buck swallows. Their tongues roll together languidly for a few long moments before Eddie pulls away.
“Wow.” Buck breathes out.
“Yeah.’ Eddie smiles and pecks Bucks lips once, twice, three times before pulling away. ‘I like you Buck.”
“I like you too.” Buck flushes adorably.
“C’mon, let’s go introduce you to the rest of the team.” Eddie links his fingers with the taller mans, and slowly leads him up the stairs to the kitchen.