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He’d been warned from day one that with the type of injury he suffered, there would be days that it would just ache.
It didn’t happen often, it didn’t happen on any set schedule, and it definitely wasn’t tied to the weather like most of what old wives’ tales said. But it did happen. Unexplained, unannounced, and unbearable.
From the moment Buck slid out of bed and attempted to stand, he knew today was going to be just one of those days. The multitude of curses leaving his lips in lieu of screaming were a good indication. His leg wouldn’t support his weight, sending him toppling right back down onto his bed, leaving him clenching around the limb in a morbid attempt to just make it stop.
Twenty minutes of careful massage and stretching later, he was able to at least ease his grip and reach for his phone. There was absolutely no way he could safely work, if he could even go downstairs in the next half hour or so.
He thumbed through his contacts, pausing over Eddie, before scrolling instead to Bobby and hitting call. There was no way he could safely text with his hands shaking in pain.
“Hey Buck, what’s going on?” Bobby’s cheerful voice came through the speaker. From the sounds he could make out in the background, the captain was already at the 118, probably preparing breakfast for the outgoing C-Shift in an attempt to get them to not take A-Shift’s food. “Did you hit traffic? You should be-”
“Bobby… my leg… it’s one-”
“One of those days?” Bobby finished his sentence. He didn’t sound annoyed, rather worried. “How bad? One to ten.”
Buck swore under his breath as another wave hit it. “Probably a seven? Can’t get to my meds or anything right now. I-I might be able to come in-” A spike of pain stole his words. “Or not.”
“No, don’t even think about it. You warned me this might happen, especially when the doctors had trouble with that one screw. Take today and try to rest. Do you want me to let the others know?”
Buck nodded before remembering that Bobby wasn’t actually in the room. “Just Eddie. Or Mads-” This time he cut himself off. It wasn’t worth trying to call Maddie. She was still away trying to get better. “Just Eddie I guess,” he said firmly.
Bobby gave him a confirmation and well wishes before hanging up. Buck turned away from his phone, instead staring up at the ceiling of his loft. Lost in thought, he absentmindedly rubbed his leg, finally feeling it stop making him want to do something drastic.
He was so into his head that he didn’t register anyone in his apartment, until he just so happened to see movement out of the corner of his eye. He jerked, pulling on his leg, sending another massive spike through his body.
He couldn’t hold back the scream this time.
Barely a second later, a hand covered his mouth, while a litany of apologies spilled out of its owner. When his eyes finally cleared from the haze of pain, he was greeted to an absolutely gutted Eddie, and the sounds of someone else in the kitchen below.
“Back with me?” Eddie said. Once he was sure that Buck was actually paying attention, he quickly continued, “Sorry for surprising you. Abuela and Chris are downstairs to hang out with you today. But first, let’s get you downstairs.”
“That-that might be difficult,” Buck said, trying to catch his breath. He hated days like this.
Eddie didn’t let him even try to get out of it. He quickly slid his arms around Buck’s torso and carefully helped him stand and find his balance on one leg, before handing over Buck’s old crutches from the last time he had a bad day. “Go get cleaned up. I’ve got a bit of time before I leave you in better hands.”
Buck gave him a quick smile. “Thanks Eddie,” he said, ignoring the twinges of pain and slowly crutched over to his ensuite. “Hey-”
Eddie rolled his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re downstairs entertaining my kid. Just don’t fall over, got it?”
Before he slid the door shut, Buck’s laughter came floating out of the bathroom. His leg still hurt something awful, and it would be a bit longer before it was safe before he could take his meds, but he was already on the mend.