Work Text:
Eddie wasn’t sure if it was his imagination but it seemed that now that he and Buck were officially together, things went wrong in their down time more often than not. It wasn’t just small things either, and they weren’t relationship related. They didn’t argue over who left a wet towel on the floor or where to eat out on their date. No, it was bigger than that, as if the universe saw two first responders together and clapped her hands together in glee before rolling out the disasters.
The first one was simple enough really. It was their second date but the first that they’d left the house for. Their first date had consisted of a movie and pizza at Buck’s place after a crazy shift but this time they were going out to dinner. The restaurant wasn’t overly fancy but it was nice, a family owned Italian place with good food, better wine, and fabulous prices.
They were enjoying their entrees - mushroom and feta arancini - when a commotion at the table over from them caught their attention. It was a large family gathering for a birthday and an older gentleman was clutching at his throat and slowly turning blue while every single person at the table just stared in horror. It took them two seconds to realise that no one was going to step in and help before they were on their feet and moving.
“We’re firefighters, make way,” Buck announced and the crowd parted in relief.
“Somebody call 911,” Eddie instructed and while Buck supported the man by his shoulders, Eddie began administering several blows to the man’s back. “It’s still lodged,” Eddie told Buck. “Beginning abdominal thrusts.”
Buck nodded and stepped back, reassuring the family while Eddie worked. Suddenly half a meatball was flying from the man’s mouth and he gasped in a huge breath.
“You’re alright,” Eddie said softly and helped him to sit. He placed his fingers on the man’s wrist and took his pulse, tuning out the loud exclamations of relief from the family and trusting Buck to keep them occupied.
Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards - a team from the 133 that he and Buck had worked with before - and Eddie began handing over to them. The old man grasped Eddie’s forearm in thanks before he was wheeled away and his daughter insisted on paying for their meals before she followed her father to the hospital.
“That’s very kind of you,” Eddie told her, graciously accepting when she refused to take no for an answer.
“We’re just so lucky that you were here. Thank you so much.”
“I guess we were just in the right place at the right time,” Buck said with a smile.
The second time was while they were at the local park with Christopher. It was a bright, sunny day and the park was packed with families making the most of the fine weather. Eddie was chatting to several of the parents and Buck was with Christopher on the Liberty Swing when there was a squeal of tyres.
Eddie watched in slow motion as a car barrelled around the corner, then jumped the curb and slid across the grass, right into the path of several families. There were screams and shouts, and one sickening thud, before time sped up to normal once more.
The car had come to a stop some distance away from where Christopher was and Buck was moving even before Eddie was. He scooped Chris into his arms and jogged across to Eddie and the other parents and directed two of the moms to stay and look after the kids as they were gathered and returned.
Eddie and Buck hurried over and immediately began to triage. A quick glance told Eddie that the driver of the car - who looked to be no older than seventeen - was unharmed, just dazed, so he directed one of the onlookers to help him out and he kept on moving.
Buck knelt down next to a woman who looked to be in her late twenties and Eddie watched from the corner of his eye as he assessed an older woman. Buck gently felt over her body, then looked up and caught Eddie’s eye. “Looks like a broken hip,” he said, then called out for an onlooker to bring him something that he could use to immobilise her.
“Is she going to be alright?” the woman that Eddie was checking over asked, her worried eyes looking at the younger woman.
Eddie gave her a smile. “She’s conscious and alert which are great signs. My partner will get her stabilised before the paramedics arrive and they’ll take good care of her. Do you know her?”
“She’s my daughter. We brought my grandson out for a play while I was in town visiting.”
“Looks like you might need to stick around a little longer to help out,” Eddie said.
The woman nodded. “Oh yes, she’ll definitely need some help.”
“Does this hurt at all?” Eddie asked, rotating her wrist.
“It’s a little sore but not painful,” she said.
“Well, it looks like you escaped with only a few bumps and bruises. I’d still like for one of the paramedics to look you over but I think you’ll be fine.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You’re very welcome.”
He moved on after that, helping people immobilise strained joints, put pressure on shallow cuts and grazes, and monitored others for shock. The local fire fighters soon arrived on scene and he and Buck handed over to the paramedics before they walked back over to where Christopher and his friends were watching.
“We kind of did that backwards, didn’t we?” Buck murmured once they’d bundled Chris into the car and were on their way home.
“Oh? How so?” Eddie asked.
Buck shrugged, looking self conscious. “You’re the more experienced medic but I was the one who went to help the most injured person. It should have been you who helped the lady thrown by the car.”
Eddie took one hand off the steering wheel and reached over to squeeze his thigh. “Buck, you are more than experienced enough to deal with a broken hip.”
“But -”
“No buts, Buck. You did great.”
Buck shot him a shy smile and Eddie patted his leg before returning his hand to the wheel.
Christopher’s class was putting on a play and Eddie had been asked to help out in the canteen for the night, selling hot dogs and fries to raise funds for some new play equipment. He roped Buck into joining him, not wanting to spend an entire night fighting off flirty single moms and so come Saturday night, they both showed up, ready to help.
Mrs K, Christopher’s science teacher, looked relieved as they walked in and she hurried over to them. “Thank God you boys are here,” she said. “The other helpers I’ve been lumped with don’t have a lick of common sense between them. It’s absurd.”
Eddie gave her a sympathetic smile. “That bad, huh?”
“I’ve already had to throw out several hot dog buns because Gemma started putting the uncooked dogs in them. Felicia decided that wearing stilettos would be appropriate tonight. Oh, and Tamara hasn’t gotten off her phone the entire time she’s been here.” She definitely looked harried.
“It’s okay, Mrs K,” Buck assured her. “We’ve got it from here.”
“I could kiss you boys,” she declared.
“Please don’t,” Buck said with a wink. “Eddie gets jealous and I don’t want to sleep on the couch tonight.”
Mrs K laughed and then directed them to where she needed them. Buck jumped on the till and started serving people, a huge grin on his face, while Eddie began to cook the hot dogs, slotting them into buns and adding ketchup and mustard. Mrs K directed Gemma to the fryer and began showing her how to cook the fries, and Felicia totted over next to Eddie and leaned into his personal space, showing off more than a little cleavage. “Hello, Eddie,” she purred.
“Ms Johnson,” Eddie greeted her, keeping his tone as neutral as he could and his eyes firmly on the task at hand.
“How have you been?” she asked.
“Busy.”
“How’s that cute son of yours?”
“He’s good.”
“It’s so nice to have some men helping out. I haven’t seen him before. Do you know who’s dad he is?” she asked, gesturing over to Buck, obviously picking up on Eddie’s disinterest and changing tactics.
“That’s Buck,” Eddie told her. “My boyfriend.”
“Oh, I see.”
Eddie turned and scooped up several foil wrapped hot dogs and shoved them into her arms. He tried not to feel gleeful as her top got smeared with ketchup and mustard. “Could you pop those in the warmer please? Thanks.”
The number of customers picked up and they were run off their feet and Tamara finally put her phone down and deigned to help, scooping fries into cardboard boxes. “Gemma, we need more fries,” she called.
“We need to top up the fryer,” Gemma called back. “It’s not quite covering the fries.”
Eddie glanced over at her and his heart stopped as he saw the jug of water in her hand, lifted above the fryer. “No!” he shouted. Before he could even take a step, Gemma had poured the water into the fryer and the entire thing erupted.
Gemma cried out as hot oil splashed over her and Tamara and Felicity screamed as bubbling oil spilled over the edge of the fryer.
“Buck!” Eddie called but Buck was already on his way over. Eddie spotted a pair of white safety boots in the corner and shoved his feet into them, shoes and all. While Buck moved everyone out the way, Eddie crossed the growing puddle of oil and scooped Gemma into his arms, then hurried her across to the sink. Buck met him there and began running the cold tap and they doused her arms under the cool water. Gemma was sobbing, almost hysterical and Eddie glanced at Buck. “You got her?”
“Yep, we’re good,” he said.
Eddie crossed back to the fryer, catching Mrs K’s gaze as he did so. “I’ve called 911,” she informed him.
“Excellent.” Being careful not to slip in the cooling oil, Eddie found the power outlet for the deep fryer and he pulled the plug free. The reaction between the water and the oil had run its course but he didn't want to take any additional risks. Once the fryer was dealt with, he turned to Felicity and Tamara. “Are you both okay? Are either of you hurt?”
“It depends,” Felicity said, batting her lashes at him. “What answer do I have to give to have you carry me in your arms like Gemma?”
He stared at her, unable to comprehend how she thought that now was an appropriate time to flirt, especially since he’d made it clear that he was unavailable. Finally he just shook his head and turned away, going over to help Buck. The paramedics arrived soon after and Gemma was taken to hospital to be treated for her burns, and Buck and Eddie helped Mrs K shut up shop for the evening.
By the time they got home, they were tired, smelly, and oily, but as they squeezed into the shower together and soaped each other up, all of Eddie’s fatigue just melted away.
“Don’t forget that we need to stop at the store on the way home,” Buck said as they slung their bags over their shoulders and walked out of the locker room.
“Christopher has already messaged me to remind me,” Eddie said with a grin.
Buck laughed. “He’s so excited.”
“I don’t blame him,” Eddie said. “My mother hasn’t given anyone her Äppelkaka recipe to anyone in years. I hope you know what an honour it is that she’s entrusting it to you.”
“To be fair,” Buck said as they jumped into Eddie’s truck, “I don’t think it’s her entrusting it to me so much as it is her giving it to someone who can make it with Chris without burning the house down.”
Eddie thumped Buck’s arm in a token protest but didn't argue since it was true. Chris was so excited to be able to bake his own Äppelkaka, a Swedish Apple cake whose recipe had been passed down from generation to generation on his mother's side of the family. Eddie was just grateful that Buck was skilled enough in the kitchen to be able to help him.
They pulled up in front of the store and they ran inside, and Buck headed directly to the fresh produce, skipping around a heavily pregnant woman so he wouldn’t bowl her over. Eddie watched with a smile on his face as he examined each apple carefully, trying to find only the very best ones until Buck caught his staring and said, “Don’t just stand there - go and get some flour and vanilla pods! The sooner we get done here, the sooner we get home. I’ll meet you at the registers.”
Eddie snapped off a salute and grinned at the flash of desire in Buck’s eyes (he knew how much Buck loved him in his army uniform) and then he hightailed it across the store to the baking aisle. It took him no time at all to pick up the items Buck needed and then he was on his way to the registers, but Buck wasn’t there. Frowning, Eddie started to walk to the fresh produce section but it turned into a run as he heard a woman scream. He skidded to a stop to find Buck kneeling on the ground, peering up under the dress of the pregnant lady, who was now flat on her back with her legs spread.
Oh shit.
“Okay, you’re right, she’s coming right now,” Buck was saying. “It’s okay, as I said, I’m a firefighter and I’ve delivered a few babies. It’s going to be okay.”
“Okay Okay? How is this okay?” the woman snapped, then her face contorted and she screamed through another contraction. She gulped in a breath as it passed and then glared at Buck. “I am giving birth on the floor of a Trader Joe’s with an audience, and my husband is at home oblivious. What part of this is okay? Huh?”
Her question snapped Eddie into gear and he quickly began ushering people away. The manager was standing nearby, wringing his hands. “Do you sell towels here?” Eddie asked him.
“Uh, yeah, we do.”
“We’re gonna need as many as you’ve got. Now,” he barked when the guy just stood there.
Eddie crouched down close to the woman’s head and smiled at her. “Hey there, I’m Buck’s partner, Eddie, and I’m a firefighter as well. You’re in good hands.”
A tear trickled down her cheek and she bit her lip. “I’m sure that’s true but right now it feels like a complete disaster.”
“I know it does. What’s your name?”
“Belinda.”
“Do you want me to call your husband, Belinda? How far away do you live?”
“About ten minutes away.”
Eddie looked over to Buck and he shook his head. “Okay, so he might not get here in time for the birth but he’ll get here in time to join you in the ambulance on the way to hospital.”
She sniffed and nodded. “Okay. I really want Steve with me”
Eddie took her phone and made the call, urging Steve to hurry, then turned to meet the manager who was hurrying back over with towels and several new baby blankets. Between the two of them, Eddie and Buck made a padded mat on the floor, along with a pillow and helped Belinda onto it. Buck spread one of the larger towels over her knees, offering the bare minimum of privacy and Eddie offered Belinda his hand. “Squeeze as hard as you need,” he offered.
It only took two more contractions for the baby to crown, and two more after that for Buck to cradle gently in his arms the newborn child. “She’s beautiful,” he said as he wrapped her in a blanket and handed her over to her mother.
Belinda burst into tears as she held her daughter, drowning out the frantic sounds of her husband arriving. Eddie moved over to make room for him and he shared a smile with Buck. A few moments later there was another commotion as the paramedics arrived and not long afterwards, Steve was cutting the cord. As they loaded Belinda and her baby onto the stretcher, Buck asked, “Does she have a name?”
Steve shook his head. “Not yet, we wanted to meet her first.”
“About that,” Belinda said, meeting his eyes. “I think I have the perfect name.”
Steve smiled. “Oh”
“Angel,” she said. “After the two guardian angels who helped bring her into this world.”
Steve leaned down and pressed a kiss first to Belinda’s temple and then the baby’s. “That’s the perfect name for our little angel.”
Buck promptly burst into tears and Eddie pulled him into a hug, waving as the happy family were taken outside to the ambulance.
“You okay?” Eddie asked as Buck wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Yeah,” Buck said and then he laughed. “Come on, we’ve got our own little angel to get home to. He’ll be wondering where we are.”
Eddie grinned and kissed Buck’s cheek. “Sounds good. Let’s go home.”
As time went on, they got used to being on alert each time they left the house. They helped people having asthma attacks, heart attacks, and panic attacks. They stopped to help at car accidents, both big and small. They immobilised fractures and elevated sprained ankles. They kept people calm and reassured bystanders until first responders could arrive.
For some it would be exhausting, essentially being on call for twenty four hours a day but not for Eddie or Buck. Helping people is what they chose to do for a living and they chose to do it in their spare time as well. It was who they were, and neither of them would change it for the world.
The universe looked on and she smiled.