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Eddie stopped near the stairs, suddenly hesitant. Coming back to the station gave him a strange feeling even if it had just been a week since his sudden announcement. In the middle of a shift, the place felt familiar but strangely fake, like the set of a play in which he got no part anymore.
Bobby greeted him with a cautious smile
- Eddie. How are you doing?
Eddie shrugged
- Good. I’m good. Just came to get back some stuff…
Booby nodded, unconsciously showing him the way, as if Eddie did not know the place like the back of his hand.
- Yes, of course, feel free to go to the lockers. Ah, wait. Buck put your things in the closet, we needed some space in the one you shared for...
Eddie’s eyes followed the small movement of Bobby’s head in the opposite direction. On the other side of the station, near the spare supplies, Buck was doing an inventory, clipboard in hand. Near him, a man he did not know was leaning on the shelves, clearly making some jokes while doing the counting. Thick brown hair, brown skin, broad shoulders and wide smile, Eddie was sure he had never seen him before. Buck pushed him playfully, making him start again.
Eddie lowered his voice
- New guy?
Booby followed his gaze
- Yes. Lenny Benskin, from the 122. With two men down, I had to call for a fill in. He is good. Solid. Level-headed. To be honest, I’m relieved he matched so well with Buck. But Lenny’s very friendly.
Bobby clearly wanted to reassure him but Eddie looked at the pair, frowning. Friendly was a word, tactile was an other. The man had made Buck laugh and was now slowly patting him on the shoulder blade, satisfied with his effect. Eventually, Buck felt his attention and looked up at him, and Eddie winced a little seeing a flash of surprise and pain in his eyes. He wondered if that would be their sole exchange but after a second of hesitation, Buck came to him.
- Hey, Eds. Hi. It’s nice to see you. You...doing good?
The voice was a little bit wary, but it was an opening. Eddie looked for a proper answer, not wanting to go on sensitive subjects, as his mildly efficient job hunting, or the stern talk he had with Abuela this morning. Lenny had followed Buck and was now standing just behind his side, looking at them in turn. Eddie did not want to ask. Especially not using that harsh tone. And a hello first would have been nice too. But the words escaped him.
- So, seems that everything’s good with your new partner?
Buck's face closed off, keeping up just a tense and fake smile.
-Yeah. Everything’s fine. Lenny’s great. He is a very open and talkative guy, we got along from the first second...And he is a hell of firefighter! You probably heard about him?
Eddie shook his head, mostly at his own stupidity. He sighed and started to apologize.
- Look, Buck, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…
Lenny was now looking at him with big curious eyes and Eddie certainly did not want to put on a show in front of him. He pursed his lips...
- You’re still taking Christopher this week end, right? To the zoo?
Buck melted and smiled.
- Yeah, of course! But maybe not the zoo. They have an exhibition at the planetarium on Kepler-186f, the exo-planet that could be in an habitable zo...you know what? Nevermind. Yes, I’m taking Christopher, and it will probably be the planetarium.
Eddie nodded, trying to catch Buck’s eyes, but unable to hold his gaze.
- Good. See you then.
Eddie fled from the station and realized once in his car that he had forgotten to retrieve his bag. Well, nothing in it was important enough to make him go back.
Leaning on the first floor railing, Ravi observed Buck and Lenny as they resumed the inventory, albeit in a slightly less cheerful mood. He turned to Hen.
- You guys are sooooo weird...