Work Text:
This Isn't Grey's Anatomy
Historically Valentine’s Day had always been a bit of a bust for Chimney, who tended to strike out in love, even when he managed to find what felt like the real thing. Women ran hot just long enough for Chimney to get his hopes up and begin to picture a life with someone waiting at home, before freezing him out and letting him down. Honestly, the back and forth between acceptance and rejection was turning out to be a life course for Chimney, who had been experiencing it ever since his father left him for a new family. There was no reason to believe that this year would be any better, or even different, but it was coming on the tail of his remarkable recovery and speedy return to work, so he decided to be optimistic. After all, if he could survive a piece of rebar straight through his skull, he could give love one more chance.
So, Chimney determined that he would forget about Tatiana, shake off the funk from his weeks of recovery, and enjoy his first day back on the job, complete with a grotesque cake commemorating his injury. Being back with the friends who had become family throughout his time with the 118, gave him a sense of belonging, and self-worth; and if it didn’t take away the ache for something more substantial, it at least made him feel worthwhile. It brought a genuine smile to his face when Buck asked him if he was glad to be back, and he quipped.
“It’s better than the alternative.”
Everyone laughed at the joke, but they had no idea how much of his time at home, on his couch, was spent contemplating who would even have missed him if he hadn’t made it through surgery. He had pictured his bigger, buffer, more capable replacement taking over, wowing them all, and envisioned how easily he would be forgotten.
Shaken from his thoughts by Bobby’s complaint that no one was carrying a light, Chimney set to cutting the cake. They really didn’t need to make an even bigger deal than they already had, and putting slices of the gruesome dessert on plates gave him something to focus on, so he could ignore the discussion that had turned to Valentines plans for the next day. Buck brushed behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“You all good, man? For real?”
“Oh, yeah sure. Cake?” He held up a slice, that Buck took with a frown.
“I wanted to talk to you. Later.” Buck said, and glanced at the others across the table, lowering his voice. “Alone, ok?”
Chimney stilled the knife in his hand and turned around. He fixed Buck with a confused look and raised one eyebrow. “Dude, what’s with you?”
Buck just patted his back and headed for the stairs where Bobby’s voice drifted up from the truck bay, greeting another party guest. Chimney shook his head and watched him go.
Buck’s phone-only girlfriend joined the party after that, perfectly iced cookies in hand, and Chimney couldn’t help the stab of irritation, that everyone at his party was happier than him. Abby was beautiful, of course, but her tone was patronizing when Buck introduced him as ‘the guy’, and she refused to take the cake he handed her. He didn’t like the way Buck followed her like a rescued dog, and he was entirely disgruntled by the time he joined Bobby, thrusting the rejected cake plate into his hand.
“I was gonna light the candle, you couldn’t wait for me?” Bobby chided, reproachfully.
“What’s that kid have that I don’t?” Chimney griped, stabbing at his own plate, and eyeing the happy couple hovering around the buffet table, giggling and gossiping. “Forget I asked.” He amended quickly. He knew exactly what Buck had that he didn’t; remarkable abs, an endearing smile, a husky voice that was sexy without trying, and an irrepressible nature that made you want to be near him forever.
Bobby gave him an incredulous look that Chimney didn’t understand, but before he could question it Bobby asked.
“You want some ice cream?”
Chimney nodded, tearing his eyes away from the star-crossed duo. “Yeah, yeah I want lots of ice cream.” He agreed, following his boss.
Chimney could hear Buck and Abby laughing, joined by Athena and Hen, and he made every effort to ignore them all and mingle with the other guests. Gardiner was telling him about some fight with his wife, and Chimney kept his back to the counter where they were gathered around his cake. He could feel their eyes on him, probably pitying him, but they could keep it to themselves because he was fine; and they could move too, he thought grumpily, because he was going to need more dessert.
“Chim, I asked if you were working tomorrow?” Gardiner prompted.
“What?” Chimney jumped, attention back on his coworker. “Oh, yeah. You know, fresh from recovery, not a lot of time to make plans.”
Gardiner nodded. “Bobby said he would cover for me. Not sure I’ll need him with the wife in such a foul mood though.”
Chimney gave the obligatory sympathetic laugh, and Gardiner moved off to talk to the other party goers, who were probably more interesting than the guest of honor. He risked a look over at the counter again, accidentally meeting Buck’s gaze, and snapping his away. He would have to wait for more food it seemed, so he slunk over to the couch and slumped down to feel sorry for himself. The red and white balloons just mocked him now, a bitter reminder that they would be reused for Valentine’s Day tomorrow, just another day for him, while the rest of the world celebrated love, relationships, and not dying alone.
Those thoughts drove him to find a distraction, so he made small talk with the B shift crew, regaling everyone with stories of his accident that had him sounding braver than he was. They all at least feigned interest, and he appreciated that. Chimney didn’t often demand to be the center of attention, but this was his welcome back party, and damn it if he shouldn’t be able to enjoy it. While he talked he tried not to side eye Buck and his red headed counterpart, but he kept catching the other man staring at him and wondered what his deal was. He remembered that Buck had asked to speak to him later and realized that he probably wanted his shift covered so he could take his newest conquest out to a fancy dinner, before bedding down at her place. Of course. But he was out of luck, because Chimney was already covering, and he took some satisfaction from that. Buck would have to slum it with the rest of them.
The bell rang just in time to jerk Chimney back to reality, and remind him that here at work, at least, he was needed, and he felt his adrenaline surge. Hopefully his first call back would be a good one.
The call turned out to be relatively routine, but the largely medical nature gave Chimney a chance to flex his skills. A driver had a heart attack behind the wheel, lost consciousness and caused a multi car collision at a busy intersection. Chimney assessed the driver, stabilized him, and sent him off with another RA unit, while Hen aided the occupants in the other vehicles. Buck and Bobby set to work with the extraction equipment, there were no fatalities, and overall it was a glowing success. It felt fantastic to be back in the field, being useful, doing some good in the world, and getting out of his head.
Their second call came before they could turn for the station, a woman trapped in her garage, then a kitchen fire in a nearby high-rise, then a man who collapsed in a department store. There wasn’t any time for Chimney to feel sorry for himself, and he soon forgot about Valentines Day, shallow girlfriends, and his non existent love life. Instead, he threw himself into his work with a vengeance, relishing the challenge, and the reminder that he had a purpose, and a noble one at that. He was an accomplished firefighter and medic, and if he never found a partner that could love him for who he was, he would be ok.
By the time they made it back, everyone was hungry, tired, and ready for some down time. Chimney planned to clean, and put away the ambulance, then sneak off for more cake, so he wasn’t thrilled to be ambushed by Buck the second he put it in park and opened his door.
“Look,” Chimney held up a hand, as he slid to the ground. “If you want your shift covered tomorrow, forget it. I’m already covering.”
“What-no-I wanted to-" Buck stuttered, looking crestfallen. “I wanted to talk,” he looked up at Hen who was climbing out the other side of the ambulance, “like…alone though.”
Hen guffawed, grabbing her gear. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll go freshen up and leave you boys alone.” She winked at them, then headed for the lockers, laughing under her breath.
Chimney watched her go, baffled, then turned to Buck with a raised eyebrow. “Ok, we’re alone,” he said, arms crossed. “What can I do for you Buck?”
He didn’t wait for an answer before he turned, and headed for the back of the ambulance, swinging open the doors. Buck followed but he was hesitant, fidgeting with the helmet in his hands, eyes focused on anything but Chimneys face.
“It’s just…” Buck started, then trailed off, suddenly interested in his feet. Chimney sighed.
“Come on, I don’t have all day. I need to restock, then there’s food waiting.” Chimney motioned for Buck to get on with it. When he continued to just stand there, Chimney prompted. “We could get a call anytime, man.”
Buck finally spoke, with a weak half smile. “Dude, you aren’t making this easy.”
Chimney threw up his hands. “Making what easy?”
Buck seemed to gather all his courage, and straightened his back, squaring up with Chimney and really looking at him now.
“It’s just, well, Valentine’s is tomorrow and-"
“And I already said I can’t cover for you.” Chimney interrupted, annoyed that everyone just assumed he would be free.
Buck’s earnest gaze turned pleading. “Just listen! Ok?” He waited for Chimney’s curt nod. “I wondered if you wanted to have dinner. With me. Tomorrow. Someplace fancy. I know people, I can get us in.”
Chimney had never been so totally speechless.
“I thought it was a bad joke.” Chimney laughed, taking in their fancy surroundings at Le Chance Bistro, a high class dinner spot for lovers. He flushed at the thought.
Buck laughed too, nervous, but hiding it well. “I thought you were going to have a stroke. Glad I asked you at work.”
“Me too,” Chimney agreed. “I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing for a bit. It’s a good thing Gardiner can’t get along with his wife. Left him free to cover for me.” He nodded at the waiter who breezed up to set bread on the table and flourish a wine menu.
With Buck distracted, Chimney took the opportunity to sip some water and swallow the lump in his throat. Buck’s ask for a…date… had been unexpected to say the least, and he was still confused after spending the better part of a night and day obsessing over it. It came off like a prank, but the suggestion hurt Bucks feelings, his expression changing to dejected before Chimneys eyes. That was enough to convince Chimney to accept the offer, though not without reservations.
“The wine is ok?” Buck asked, catching Chimneys attention with a hand waved in his face. The waiter had brought the bottle and filled their glasses while Chimney had been staring off into space. He raised his glass to toast and took a tentative sip.
“It’s great for me.” Chimney smiled ruefully, setting down his glass and tucking his hands between his knees. “But then, I’d be ok getting my wine from a box.” He kidded, awkwardly, reminding himself not to start rambling.
Buck grinned indulgently at him, elbows propped on the table, apparently determined to be attentive. It made Chimney squirm, even if it was nice to have a guy like Buck so interested.
“So, you weren’t kidding…this place sure is nice.” Chimney tried, wiping the sweat from his palms onto the napkin in his lap.
“Told you I had connections,” Buck beamed. “The owner remembers me from a call a while back. Gas leak.”
Buck was so excited about the ‘in’, leaning close and giving Chimney the cutest grin, that Chimney didn’t have the heart to remind him he wasn’t the only one on that call. In fact, Chimney had used the same ‘in’ to get himself and Tatiana a table here. Impressing her was the name of the game, and it was the only thing that kept her interested. It had been tiring to keep up the façade, and he sure hoped Buck didn’t feel that way now.
“Well, it’s great, Buck. Just…great.” He said tightly, throat constricted with nerves. Chimney needed Buck to explain himself soon, or he was sure his brain would explode. He certainly wouldn’t be able to enjoy dinner. Morbid curiosity had made him come tonight, but he was regretting it now, because really, what the hell was he doing? Buck had a girlfriend, and even if he didn’t the idea that he and Buck could…it was insane, and Chimney was going to throw up. He tugged at his collar, trying to breathe normally, in through his nose, out through his mouth.
“Bread?” Buck pushed the plate toward him, and Chimney shook his head. Buck studied him carefully before asking. “Do you mind if I do?”
Chimney had no idea how the other man could eat but he nodded. “Oh, ya, go ahead.”
Chimney let his eyes drift around the dimly lit restaurant, taking in the other couples, the ones who made sense and knew why they were there. But he wouldn’t be jealous, he refused. He resolved to give Buck a chance to be different than the women he was busy comparing him to, and turned back to focus on his date.
“So, do you bring people here a lot? Or am I the first?” Chimney’s face scrunched in distaste. He hadn’t meant to goad, and that’s exactly how it came out. He grabbed his wine and took more of a gulp than a sip this time.
He watched Buck suck in a breath, open his mouth to answer…then nothing. Buck held up a finger, made a raspy squeak, then reached for his water. Chimney's forehead creased, as he instinctively reached out and knocked the glass from Bucks hand.
“Don’t drink!” He was on his feet instantly, practically throwing his wine down, and shouting. “Are you choking? Buck! Say something! Cough, man!”
Chimney crouched in front of his date when the only response was wheezing, and grabbed the seated man by the shoulders, meeting his panicked gaze. Bucks mouth was moving, but no words came out, and his hand flew to clutch at his throat. The waiter was there suddenly, ready to help, probably alerted by Chimney’s shout.
“I know the Heimlich!” He volunteered, and grabbed urgently for Buck, intending to pull him from the chair. Alarmed, Chimney stopped him with a hand and shook his head, already thinking ahead. Buck was taller, heavier. Best to leave him where he was.
“Call 911!” He ordered, straightening, and stepping behind Bucks chair. “I got this. I’m a paramedic.” His voice was firm and confident.
Chimney steadied Buck, then leaned him forward, and slapped him hard on the back, directly between his shoulder blades,…once, twice…five times.
“Cough Buck! Cough it up!”
He checked quickly to see Buck unable to move any air, eyes wide, lips tinged blue. With a deep breath in and out, and an internal reminder to stay calm, Chimney moved back behind Bucks chair. Reaching around his friend he expertly positioned his left fist, cupped it with his right, and thrust in and up with all his strength. Buck is forced up against the chair’s solid back, and Chimney waits, ignoring the other patrons gaping, and the waiter beside him shaking. Nothing, and Buck is slumping, losing consciousness. Chimney closed his eyes, offered up a prayer, and attempted again, pouring all his desperation into the effort.
The restaurant erupted into applause the second the chunk of bread went flying from Bucks mouth, and cleared their table, to land on the floor on the other side. But Buck made no sound, and he wasn’t moving, dead weight in Chimneys arms.
“Help me!” Chimney snapped at the waiter, and together they eased Buck to the floor, flat on his back.
“Should you cut his throat open? You know, do a…what’s it called…a tracheotomy!” The panicked waiter asked, kneeling across from Chimney and wringing his hands.
“What?! No!” Chimney snapped, disturbed. “I got this. Check on the ambulance.” Chimney managed, already tilting Bucks chin up, inserting his fingers and sweeping his throat. “Buck!” He shouted, giving the man a rough shake, then slapping his face. “Come on!”
He felt for a pulse, and it was there, weak, but steady. Plugging Bucks nose he leaned in to place his mouth over his friends, giving one rescue breath, silently begging him to wake up. And another. Forever if he had to because he won’t give up. Once more, and he was sure he would pass out from gratitude when Buck coughed brutally, gasped, and struggled to sit up.
There was more clapping and cheers, and the sound of sirens not far off. Chimney exhaled, and pulled Buck up into his arms, certain he had never in his life felt quite so relieved.
“Buck, thank God.” He whispered.
“This is not the kind of bed I wanted to be in with you,” Buck ribbed, in a hoarse voice that sounded painful. He nudged Chimney with his elbow, and Chimney gave a wry smile.
“You know it might be a bit too soon for talk like that,” Chimney said softly, letting his shoulder bump Buck’s, “considering.”
They are sequestered in a curtained cubicle, waiting for the ER doctor to officially release Buck, sharing a gurney, the only seat available in the small space. It wasn’t a fairy tale end to a first date, but to be fair, Chimney had no idea what he was expecting from the night anyway.
Buck turned a worried gaze on him. “Considering what?” He rasped and pressed a hand to his throat.
Chimney glanced at him, then sighed and looked down at his hands. He picked at a hang nail and thought about what he meant.
“Considering that I don’t know why you asked me to that restaurant in the first place Buck.”
There was silence in their cubicle and they both listened to the organized chaos in the hall outside their curtain.
“Oh,” Buck whispered, after a few minutes. “Why did you say yes then, Chim?”
Chimney snorted derisively. “I have no idea. For a second I guess I didn’t think. I mean…you have a girlfriend, so even if-"
He got cut off but Buck's outrage. “What?!” He objected, swallowed, and tried again. “I do not have a girlfriend. What kind of person do you think I am?”
Chimney could hear the hurt in his words, but he bristled at the accusation that his perception was unfounded.
“Abby? You talk to her all the time! You invited her to my welcome back party. Seriously Buck.” Chimney deflated some. “She’s perfect, and I get that guys like you can keep people hanging, but guys like me…we define things fast. Before a woman like that changes her mind.”
Buck listened; forehead creased in the way he had whenever he was confused. Chimney had always, secretly, thought it was adorable.
“Abby is perfect. She helped me understand things…myself.” Buck rasped, rubbing his palms on his pants. “She's a friend. A really good one. But no more than that.”
Chimney nodded. “Oh. And all the other women you’ve been with?”
Buck huffed. “First of all, it’s not that many.” He reached over, took Chimneys hand, and squeezed. “I like sex. But I want more too.”
Chimney exhaled in a rush and turned enough to meet Bucks eyes. His expression was earnest, and Chimney had never pegged him for being mean. If he was messing with him now, he was good at it, and it was downright cruel.
“More?” he questioned. “More with me? A man who also dates women.”
Bucks face lit up with amusement at that. His smile was irresistible, and Chimney blamed the stress of the night for the impure thoughts it stirred in him.
“Free your mind, Howard.” Buck said, holding Chimneys gaze unabashedly. “I’ve been interested in you since the day we met. I kinda thought…that you noticed me too.” He grinned impishly. “That you thought I was hot.”
Face to face like they were, alone, with no one to judge, Chimney let himself imagine the possibilities, if Buck was for real. Without any conscious decision Chimney leaned in, and Buck eagerly met him halfway. Their lips touched, pressed, explored, long enough for Chimney to realize it wasn’t weird, and it felt more right than any woman ever had. It was Chimney who pulled back first, but just enough to rest their foreheads together.
“You can’t be alone tonight. You should come home with me.” He offered boldly.
Buck cleared his throat, uncomfortable, and Chimney kicked himself for getting caught up in the moment. Who was he kidding…Buck was a player…and Chimney was decidedly not.
“Sorry. I got ahead of myself. I didn’t mean…just never mind.” He backtracked, tugging at his hand when Buck refused to let go.
“Hey! Whoa, don’t go there, Chim.” Buck chided. “Don’t get upset. I would love to go home with you, love to,” he stressed when Chimney gave him a doubtful head tilt. “It’s just I talked to Bobby earlier, and he said I shouldn’t rush straight to sex. He said if I really liked you, which I do Chim, I should wait. Get to know you-“
“Wait!” Chimney cut in, alarmed. “Bobby knows? You talked to Bobby? Our Captain? Our boss?”
Confused, Buck gave a helpless shrug. “Well, yeah, I talk to him about a lot of stuff…is that bad? Sorry.”
Chimney wondered how Bobby deciphered that he was open to dating men. He had never mentioned it. Chimney sighed.
“It’s done. Whatever.” Chimney stared down at their conjoined hands. “Listen this whole thing is insane Buck. I don’t know if I can wrap my head around it. Maybe we should just-"
This time Chimney was cut short by Buck lips on his, one hand snaking around the back of his neck to prevent any retreat. Buck kissed with passion and urgency, putting all his hope for the night into the gesture. He was smooth and firm, gentle but insistent, in all the right measure. He tasted like honey, and smelled like tropical nights on the beach, and Chimney was lost.
They eventually parted enough for both of them to breathe, Chimney with his eyes closed, panted.
“Why me, Buck? Out of everyone? You could have literally anyone.”
Bucks hands came up to latch onto Chimneys shoulders, giving him a shake.
“Because you have no idea how awesome you are.” Buck breathed out, seriously. “Entrepreneur Howard Han, firefighter Chimney, paramedic who saved my life tonight…I love them all. They’re all you, and you are the steadiest, truest, most amazing person…God, Chim, you don’t even know, and I love the shit out of that too. How clueless you are.”
Chimney didn’t know what to say to that, but he knew no one had ever described him that way or spoke to him like that. He shivered.
“Look,” Buck launched, misunderstanding Chimneys failure to speak. “I know you think I’m a man whore, or a boy toy, or whatever you call it, but really I’m not…I’ve just never had something real. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but there have been no women since I started talking to Abby. She told me if I wanted you, I had to stop hooking up and make myself available. So,” his cheeks reddened, “you would notice me, noticing you kind of thing.”
It was then that the absentee ER doc appeared, tossing the curtain aside with no warning. Chimney jumped back startled, and Buck laughed as heartily as someone with a swollen airway could.
Oblivious the doctor consulted his clipboard, and pronounced Buck good to go, so long as he was watched tonight, and stuck to a soft diet for the next few days. He admonished them to be come back if Buck had any trouble breathing, and then pointed a finger at his patient.
“You’re lucky. Your husband saved you from a much worse fate. Smart man. I’ve fixed a couple amateur tracheotomy’s after this kind of thing. Scary. One episode of Grey’s Anatomy and everyone thinks they’re a surgeon.” He shook his head and turned to leave. “Anyway, I know you’ll be in good hands.”