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Of all the things Bobby expected to see bright and early Tuesday morning - nearly an hour before the start of shift - it definitely wasn’t a certain mop of familiar blonde curls poking out from one of the couches.
With a small frown, Bobby diverts from his original route to the kitchen to get closer to the couch. He blinks once, twice, three times. But every time he reopens his eyes, the image in front of him stays the same.
Evan Buckley is on the couch - a duffel beneath his head, doubling as a pillow - sound asleep. Actually, asleep seems too… soft. He looks passed out, in all honesty. There are dark circles under the young mans eyes and he looks exhausted, even in his sleep.
Bobby decides to leave him there and do some paperwork at the table. He sits in an undisturbed silence for a good 45 minutes before the sound of the rest of the crew arriving reaches his ears, and he cringes. Deciding to leave Buck asleep for as long as possible - even if his shift starts in 15 minutes along with the rest of them - he quickly runs his fingers through the kids hair once - and he doesn’t even stir - before moving back over to the staircase.
Hen and Chimney are chatting away loudly, as they usually are. Bobby catches their eyes as he descends the stairs to get to them and places his finger to his lips. Universal sign for ‘be quiet’.
It has the desired effect, and the two paramedics lower their voices instantly, though while looking confused. And if Bobby’s not mistaken - a little offended.
“Buck’s asleep on the couch.” Is all Bobby says.
Hen’s eyebrow ticks up, while Chimney’s furrow. Before either of them can say anything though, Eddie is literally tripping over his own feet to get over to them, still with his own duffel thrown over his shoulder.
“Have any of you heard from Buck?” He pants out as soon as he reaches them.
“No, because he’s still asleep.’ Bobby’s brow furrows and he points up at the loft. ‘Why? What’s going on Eddie?”
“I haven’t been able to get through to him.” Eddie explains hurriedly, already pushing past Bobby to get up the stairs.
Bobby shares a ‘what the hell’ glance with Hen and Chimney, who give it right back, before the three of them shrug and follow Eddie.
The man races over to the couch Buck is still sprawled out on and kneels next to his head, the relief upon seeing Buck with his own eyes palpable. Bobby is thoroughly confused.
Much like Bobby had done just minutes before, Eddie begins raking his fingers through Bucks curl’s, though his movements don’t cease after just one pass, and they’re incredibly tender.
Buck slowly comes to consciousness at the ministrations and, soon enough, his bright blue eyes are flickering open, and he’s smiling up at Eddie.
“Hey.” Buck whispers, his voice thick with sleep.
“Hey?’ Eddie chuckles wetly, and Bobby belatedly realises that the man is crying -which, what? ‘You give me a damn heart attack, and all you have to say for yourself is ‘hey’?”
Buck frowns and slowly sits up on the couch to come face to face with Eddie.
“What’re you talking about?” He asks slowly, echoing Bobby’s thoughts.
Eddie fishes his phone out of his jean pocket and, after a few taps, hands it over to Buck, who takes it with a confused little frown. But, as he reads whatever is on the screen, it changes to shock, and then guilt.
“Ah shit, sorry Ed’s.’ Buck mumbles sheepishly. ‘It was so late and I didn’t want to wake Chris, so I just came here. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Why didn’t you just call me?” Eddie asks.
“Like I said - it was super late, and my phone died on me. I haven’t plugged it in.”
“What is going on?” Hen finally asks, and breaks the little bubble the boys had fallen into.
Buck blinks up at her, then Bobby and Chimney, as though only just realising that they’re there.
“Hey guys. My uh- my apartment complex went up in flames last night.” He shrugs casually.
Bobby’s heart stops. He, Hen and Chimney all race over to the couch to get a better look at Buck.
“What?” Hen demands.
“I’m completely fine.’ Buck quickly assures them all. ‘We got evacuated before it spread too far, and I was given the all clear by the paramedics at the scene - didn’t even get smoke inhalation. I tried to help out, but I got kicked to the curb by incident commander Williams. I don’t think she’s forgiven me for badgering her during the earthquake about going after Hen.” He snorts.
“So instead of coming to one of us and sleeping in a guest room, you decided to just crash here instead?” Bobby asks with a shake of his head.
“Didn’t think any of you would appreciate me banging your door down at 3am and I didn’t want to take a bunk away from someone on shift, but there was no way I was sleeping in the Jeep. My leg would never forgive me. So, here I am.” He sweeps an arm out in front of himself.
“You know you can come to me any time of the day or night, you idiot.” Eddie sighs.
“Uh, I know how heavy you sleep, Edmundo.” Buck snarks back.
“You have a key.”
“You are a heavy sleeper, but Christopher is not. I would’ve freaked him out if I let myself in in the middle of the night.”
Eddie huffs, but he doesn’t have any more arguments in him.
“Next time, call, okay?’ He orders and points at Buck. ‘And until you can go back, you’re staying at my place.”
“Ed’s, they said it might take weeks. I cannot live on your sofa for that long.” Buck whines.
“Who said anything about the sofa?” Eddie grins.
“Are you- are you inviting me to bed with you?” Buck splutters.
“Yeah I am. What are you going to do about it?” Eddie challenges.
“Accept. Obviously.” Buck smirks, then launches himself forwards into Eddie’s waiting arms.
The kiss they share is nothing short of desperate, and a little - okay a lot - graphic for a workplace. But Bobby’s too shocked by the turn of events to pull them apart.
Turns out, he doesn’t have to. Because Hen’s crowing does the job for him.
“Finally!” She screeches.
Buck and Eddie spring apart and stare at her with wide eyes and open mouths.
“What?” Buck manages to say.
“Do you know how long we’ve waited for this moment Evan Buckley?” Hen asks.
“Years.’ Chimney stresses. ‘Literal years.”
“Waited for what, exactly?” Eddie asks, still looking just as confused as Buck, if not more. The poor kid.
“You and Buck to finally realise that you’re head over heels in love with one another.” Bobby clarifies for them.
“Wait, you all knew that I loved him?” Buck demands.
“You didn’t?” Hen counters.
“Yes! I just thought it was a secret! I thought I was being subtle about it!” Buck whines.
“Buck, honey, you’re about as subtle as a punch to the face.’ She coos. ‘It was obvious to absolutely everyone who spared you a glance.”
Buck sends Eddie a betrayed look.
“Everyone other than Eddie, who was so focused on his own not-exactly-unrequited love for you to notice.” Chimney amends quickly.
"Huh." Eddie shrugs, before kissing Buck's lips once more. Buck kisses back eagerly.
"Who knew my building burning down would lead to this? I would've done it long ago." Buck grins.
Bobby rolls his eyes while Hen and Chimney groan and bitch about Buck's terrible joke.
“So, you’re finally together, yes?” He asks instead.
Buck and Eddie share a shy smile before they both nod.
“Yeah, we are Cap.” Eddie mutters.
“Perfect. I’ve had the paperwork in my drawer for a few months now.’ He grins. ‘Go get ready for shift and don’t make out in my locker room. You’ve already defiled my loft.”
Both Buck and Eddie blush down to their chests.
“Copy that Cap.” Buck manages to squeak.
The men link hands as they thunder down the stairs to get changed, and Bobby watches them go with a smile.
“So.’ He turns to Hen and Chimney as soon as they disappear into the locker room. ‘Who won the pool?”
“Athena.” Hen grumbles unhappily.
Bobby smirks and pulls his phone out to tell his wife the good news. And tell her about the money.