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It was late already, and Eddie had been hoping for a quiet evening. A beer, his couch and maybe a game, if he could stay awake long enough to finish it. Somehow he doubted that, it wasn’t even halftime yet and he could barely focus. Maybe he should just go to bed and watch the rest tomorrow between calls. Definitely better than falling asleep on the couch, because if he did, he’d be sore in the morning. Before he could think about it any more, his phone rang. As usual, Eddie was happy to hear from Buck, hell, most of the time, it was enough to see Buck’s name light up on the screen for his heart to pick up the pace. It was silly, he knew that, but he couldn’t help himself. Smiling, he reached for the phone, picking it up.
“Hey, I thought you were so tired you could sleep for a month?”
Throughout the entire shift today, Buck had been complaining about how exhausted he was and how he just wanted to go to bed and never get up again. And really, he had looked like he could pass out and sleep for twelve hours straight, which, Eddie had figured he would do as soon as he got home.
While Eddie was thinking about this, he waited for an answer, a witty comeback, something, but nothing came, the line stayed silent.
“Hey, Buck, you there?”
“Eddie”
His friend’s voice was barely audible but what Eddie could hear almost broke his heart, weak, pathetic and definitely a plea for help.
“Buck?! Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel so good.”
“What’s wrong, Buck?”
But instead of an answer, Eddie could hear Buck wince and throw up.
“Buck! Talk to me, Buck, c’mon, say something.”
It took Eddie less then a heartbeat to make a decision, whatever was wrong with Buck, he needed him and he needed him now!
“Hey, Chris, wake up, buddy.”
He didn’t like waking up his son, but he couldn’t leave Christopher alone and he couldn’t just sit and wait until he found someone to babysit, and until that someone arrived.
“Grab your schoolbag and go put on shoes and a jacket.”
“What’s wrong, Dad?”
“Go.”
Scaring the kid was probably not the best thing to do right now, but Eddie could barely stop himself from panicking. Grabbing some of Chris’s clothes and throwing them in a bag, he followed his son out the door and into the car, all the while listening and hoping for Buck to say something, but all he could hear was wincing and groaning now and then.
“Dad! Where are we going? What’s wrong?”
“You’re going to Carla’s, you’ll stay with her tonight.”
“Why?”
Chrisopher was tired and accordingly irritated and whining, but right now, his son was safe and Buck wasn’t.
“Buck is sick. I need to help him.”
“Okay.”
He should have expected this. Of course, Chris wasn’t going to complain about Eddie helping Buck, Chris loved Buck. No five minutes later, they arrived at Carla’s house, to a very surprised Carla opening the door.
“Eddie, Chris? What are you guys doing here?”
“So sorry to just show up. Can you watch Chris tonight? Please, it’s really important.”
“Yeah, sure, of course. Is everything okay?”
Eddie didn’t answer, he pressed a quick kiss on his son’s hair, told him to be good and was back in his car, wondering if, maybe, he should call an ambulance. He didn’t know what was wrong with Buck, he could be in danger. But if he was, he’d called an ambulance himself, and not Eddie, right? God, he really hoped he was right about this.
“Hang in there, Buck, I’m on my way, okay? I’m almost there.”
Thanks to the spare key Eddie could let himself into Buck’s apartment, looking around slightly frantic.
“Buck!?”
The only answer he got was a quiet whimpering from the bathroom, on which’s floor he found Buck.
“Hey, hey, I’m here. I’m here.”
Being a firefighter, Eddie was used to seeing people hurting, unconscious, covered in their own vomit, it never really bothered him, but seeing Buck like this? That was totally different. Part of him wanted to shake Buck and yell his name until he woke up. But no. He was a firefighter, he could do this. First things first, examine Buck, make sure he wasn’t in any serious danger. A quick check-up confirmed that, he was breathing alright and he responded to Eddie, even if only a little, but he had a fever, which explained why he was so out of it.
“Okay now, let’s get you cleaned up and into bed, alright?”
Leaning Buck against the wall, Eddie began to carefully take off Buck’s cloths.
“Bed, huh? I’mnothaeasy.”
The mumbling was so quietly that Eddie could barely make it out at first, he sighed, suppressing a chuckle,
“Whatever you say, bud.”
Finally, having gotten all of Buck’s clothes off Eddie took off his own shirt before lifting his friend up, manoeuvring him into the shower.
“Whatayoudoin?”
“Cleaning you up.”
Having a naked Buck leaning heavily against him while in Buck’s shower was so not how Eddie had envisioned tonight would go. And Buck being mostly unconscious was not at all how he had been hoping… not that he had been hoping anything like that… that would be…
Eddie was glad when he could wrap Buck into a towel and get out of his dripping wet boxer, which, as he only now realised, he had been wearing since he had gotten home this evening.
“You’re gonna be okay, Buck, don’t you worry.”
“With you there, I never worry.”
Surprised, Eddie starred at his friends, both because of this statement and because it was the most coherent thing Buck had said all night. But mostly because of the statement.
After wrapping another towel around his own waist, Eddie pulled Buck up again. With minimal cooperation on Buck’s side it took a full ten minutes to get him up the stairs and onto his bed, but eventually they made it. Rummaging through Buck’s drawers, Eddie found sweatpants and a sweater that he managed to put on Buck before settling him into bed.
“Sleep, you’ll feel better in the morning. I hope.”
He was still wondering if this was a good idea or if he shouldn’t take him to the hospital. But he knew Buck and if there was any way to avoid waking up in the hospital (that wasn’t not waking up at all) Buck would be all for it. As soon as Eddie found himself something to wear, he got into bed next to Buck. A bucket next to Buck’s side of the bed and Buck’s phone on one and Eddie’s on the other nightstand, Eddie hoped the night would go quietly and tomorrow things would be better. Carefully, Eddie slipped under one of the blankets, positioning himself close to Buck, one hand over his waist, the other at his head. He had been wondering sometimes, in quiet moments, when Buck had fallen asleep during movie night, how it would feel to lay in bed next to him, to hold him. This wasn’t at all like he had imagined, all Eddie could feel was concern for his best friend’s well-being. He didn’t even care what Buck would think if he would wake up tomorrow to find Eddie like this. Pressing a gentle kiss onto Buck’s temple, Eddie settled his head right next to his and closed his eyes, exhaustion finally overpowering the adrenalin.
The night was as quiet as Eddie had hoped and when he woke up in the morning, Buck was awake, much to Eddie’s surprise - and delight -, because they both were still in the same position as they had been when they had fallen asleep, with the only exception that now Eddie’s forehead was leaning against Buck’s cheek and Buck’s hand was on the arm Eddie had around his waist.
“How about some breakfast?”
The grimace and the greenish colour creeping over Buck’s face were all the answer Eddie needed, a cup of tea it was.
“Where’s Chris?”
It was good to here Buck speak a little clearer than yesterday and it warmed his heart that Buck’s first thought was to worry where Eddie’s child was.
“He’s with Carla, she’ll take him to school today and everything else we’ll work out later. You need me more right now.”
“I always need you.”
What the hell was Eddie supposed to answer to that? What was that even supposed to mean? Luckily, Buck didn’t have his eyes open right now so there was no need for Eddie to hid his burning face.
“I’ll get you some tea, okay? And call Bobby to tell him we’re not coming in today. You rest, I’ll take care of you.”
“I love you.”
‘Breath, Eddie!’, he had to remind himself, otherwise he’d probably passed out on the spot, not that he was very far away.
“You’re sick, you don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.”
Gripping his phone, Eddie fled downstairs, away from any more delirious confessions of love. What wouldn’t he had given yesterday to hear Buck say these words to him? But today, with his fever rendering him delirious, they were worthless, he might as well have confessed to assassinating Kennedy.
While he boiled some water he dialled Bobby’s number, knowing that their captain was already awake.
“Morning, Eddie. What can I do for you this early?”
“Me and Buck aren’t gonna make it to work today, sorry.”
“What’s going on?”
“Buck’s really sick, he’s running a fever, barely staying awake, he threw up yesterday, a lot. If it doesn’t get better ‘til tonight, I’ll take him to the hospital.”
“And you don’t want him to be alone right now.”
“That and… I’m not sure what made him sick. If he just ate something bad or if it’s a virus.”
“And the last thing we need is another virus outbreak at the station.
“Right.”
He’d known Bobby would understand.
“You’ve got everything you need?”
“I think so, I found something to bring the fever down, if I can get him to take it. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Do that.”
Hanging up, Eddie poured some cold water in both cups of tea and went back upstairs, finding Buck still awake, and watching him.
“You’re so hot.”
Oh dear lord, if Buck kept complementing him, he would start screaming soon. The heat in his face was getting uncomfortable, so was the look Buck was giving him.
“And you’re really sick!”
“True that. You’re still pretty.”
He should be glad, after all Buck felt well enough to talk, he wasn’t as quiet as yesterday anymore, still mumbling, but louder and clearer, so Eddie should be glad. But right now, he wished for nothing more than for Buck to just shut up. Otherwise, this would be a really long day!
“I made you some tea. And I found some pills to make you feel better. Will you take them?”
“Anything for you.”
Was it possible to die of blushing too much? If yes, Eddie was probably heading there, every time Buck said something, another wave rushed over his face.
But at least Buck obediently took the pill out of Eddie’s hand and downed it with a big gulp of tea. Hopefully it help soon and bring Buck to his senses again. As soon as Buck was finished with his cup of tea, he laid down again, smiled at Eddie warmly for a moment and was asleep again, giving Eddie time to breath and call Carla to sort things out with Chris. He didn’t even have to ask, as soon as he had explained the situation with Buck, Carla immediately offered to take care of Christopher as long as needed. This woman was truly a gift from heaven. After a short conversation with his son, in which he reassured him that Buck would be alright in no time and that he’d call again in the afternoon, after school, Eddie went back upstairs to sit with Buck.
For most of the day, Buck was either sleeping or letting Eddie fill him up with tea, refusing any kind of food, he threw up at the sole mention of chicken soup. But by the time the sun began to set his fever was down to a reasonable temperature and he was actually awake when he was conscious, which came as a great relive to Eddie, even though, or maybe especially since, that meant no more random complements and declarations of love. While Eddie was making himself some dinner, Buck actually managed to get up by himself, and come downstairs without falling and breaking anything.
“Hey man, how you’re feeling?”
“Horrible.”
That was probably accurate, he did look horrible too. And still, to Eddie he was the most beautiful person alive, which might have something to do with his relieve to see him up and around.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Upps. This time he caused the blush himself, just because he could stop himself from starring at Buck, thinking about all the things he had said today.
“Just glad you’re feeling better. Sure, you don’t want anything to eat?”
“Nah, better I wait with that.”
Probably true, he still didn’t think eating nothing all day was a good idea, even if he’d just throw it up later, but he had to trust Buck knew what was good for him, at least as long as no one else was involved.
After having eaten something, Eddie shooed Buck back to bed. Once more Buck obeyed without argument, which told Eddie just how much the little trip down the stairs had exhausted him. Within seconds Buck was asleep again, leaving Eddie to the book he had found in Buck’s surprisingly full shelf. By the time Christopher called to say goodnight, he was almost through with it, and decided to settle down on the couch, deciding it was probably best to sleep there tonight. At least it seemed like a good idea until he woke up to a crashing noise and Buck laying at the foot of the stairs.
“Shit! Buck, Buck, you okay? Are you hurt?”
“Only my ego. Just fell the last few steps, don’t worry.”
“I’ve been doing nothing but worrying about you since you called me yesterday! What are you doing out of bed anyways?”
“I was looking for you! Why are you down here?”
“Where else would I be?”
“In bed? Sleeping? You need to sleep, Eddie!”
Something told him arguing that he had been sleeping, just on the couch, wouldn’t end well, so he just sighed and pulled Buck to his feet.
“You’re right, let’s go to bed.”
How was it possible that saying something like that, something he had wished he could say for a long time now, hurt so much? How could anything hurt so much?
Eddie half expected Buck to fall asleep the second he hit the pillows, but instead Buck turned towards him and frowned.
“Did I thank you yet?”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. That’s what friends are for.”
“Well, thank you, anyways, I really appreciate you being here.”
“I will always be here for you.”
“You really are perfect.”
That was concerning! Placing the back of his hand on Buck’s forehead, Eddie checked Buck’s temperature.
“I thought your fever was down? Are you feeling dizzy?”
“Not right now. Why?”
“Because you’re still delirious.”
Sitting back up, Buck starred at Eddie.
“What are you talking about? I’m not!”
“This morning, when your fever was still higher, you were saying some things. I figured the fever made you delirious.”
“Things like…?”
“Like that just now… that I’m perfect.”
“Oh… I actually said those things out loud?”
“Yeah. No worries, I know you didn’t mean any of it.”
Should Eddie find it concerning that Buck was blushing furiously, or should he see it as karma? Concerning karma, maybe.
“Buck?”
“Yeah… uh, you see… ahm, the thing is… I kinda did… do… mean those things.”
Eddie could practically feel his eyes widen in surprise. Never in a million years had he dreamed of this being possible.
“I always kinda thought it was obvious that I am madly in love with you. It definitely is to everyone else.”
“You are… madly in love with me?”
It might be stupid, but Eddie decided to just follow his gut on this one and leaned over to Buck, hesitantly closing the distance, waiting if he’d pull away, but he didn’t. Instead, Buck pulled him in, pressing his lips onto Eddies, kissing him gently. And oh, it was all Eddie had hoped it would be, and so much more.
Eddie pulled away soon, ignoring the desire to keep kissing Buck.
“I love you, too, Buck.”
“Good.”
Sighing contently, Buck laid back down, petting the bed beside him, inviting Eddie to join him, which he gladly did, pulling Buck into his arms. Oh yes, this was so much more like had envisioned laying in bed with Buck would be like. Cuddly and soft and just perfect.