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“Hey Hen, where’s Bobby?” Buck asked, he’d spent the past hour in the gym and subsequently missed Bobby meeting a man in Navy uniform outside the station.
“In his office, there’s a Navy captain in there, having some sort of meeting” She shrugged and turned back to her book. She didn’t see Buck’s face drop, he turned slowly to look for Eddie, he found him at the table scrolling through his phone. Buck walked up to him slowly, trying to steady his feet and his thoughts.
“Eddie” he says quietly, unable to do much apart from stand in front of him. His breathing was shallow and quick.
“Hey, hey, Buck. Sit down” Eddie stood, pulling out a chair and guiding Buck to it before dragging his chair closer and sitting down again. “Talk to me, querido”
“The only reason a Navy captain would come here is to find me”
“We don’t know that for sure, but what do we need to do if that is the case?” Eddie asked softly, holding one of Buck’s hands gently rubbing his thumb over his knuckles.
“He doesn’t know me as Evan” Buck said quickly. They heard the door open and the voices made their way into the station talking about Buck.
“He should be here somewhere” Bobby said before locking eyes with Eddie who tried to communicate that this was a bad idea through his eyes. Buck jumped out of his seat, Eddie’s hand falling against the table loudly as Buck stood at attention. They walked over to him and Buck saluted.
“At ease, Buckley” he said easily, his voice wasn’t unkind but it had an edge to it.
“Captain Williams” Buck tried to hide his nervousness and it seemed to work for everyone else but Bobby and Eddie could see through it.
“You’ve changed”
“I’m inclined to agree”
“When did this happen?”
“Legally 2 years ago” Hen and Chimney had stopped what they were doing in favour for listening in.
“Why didn’t you update your forms, I had to learn from Captain Nash,” Williams looked Buck up and down, seemingly disapprovingly, “Evan.” The way he said his name was almost a sneer.
“I received an honourable discharge and haven’t had anything to do with it since, i didn’t think i needed to”
“It’d be nice to know, what if you were to get an award?” He was testing Buck, it was clear to everyone listening, they just didn’t know what for
“I wouldn’t accept it. Everyone calls me Buck, could you?”
“No. You changed your name once; you don’t need 3 names”
“Respectfully sir, that’s not how it works” Eddie interrupted without thinking. Standing and walking over to Buck.
“Don’t think I haven’t read your file, Diaz”
“I’m glad you have actually, it’s quite impressive” Eddie said, discreetly placing his hand over Buck’s behind his back. Williams glared at him before turning his attention back to Buck.
“I was sent to see how you’ve adjusted to civilian life; it seems you’ve adjusted far too much”
“I adjusted fine” Buck said through gritted teeth. Williams snapped the clipboard he had with him shut and turned to Bobby.
“I’m done here, thank you for your cooperation” Anyone could tell he didn’t mean his words but they watched him walk away silently.
Once he was out of their view, Buck’s legs almost gave out and Eddie had to steady him. Guiding him to his seat again, he soundlessly took Buck’s head and rested it on his shoulder. Buck hesitantly wrapped his arms around Eddie’s frame and tried to stop himself from crying.
“I’m sorry Bobby” Buck said, slightly muffled by Eddie’s shirt.
“You don’t have to apologise; I understand why you didn’t want to tell me” Bobby said, he took the seat the other side of Buck and rubbed his back gently. Eddie felt Buck grip the back of his t-shirt harder and the tears fell onto his shoulder silently. Eddie ran his hand through Buck’s hair and whispered support in his ear.
“Todo está bien, nadie está enojado contigo, mi alma” Eddie said.
"No puedo creerte" Buck said quietly. Eddie directed Buck to lift his head up and look at Bobby, who had nothing but a fatherly face on. It showed concern, love and respect. Buck drew out of Eddie’s embrace and hugged Bobby tightly. When he opened his eyes again, he looked at Hen and Chim and waved them towards him.
“Do we get hugs too?” Hen asked, she tried to be light even though she didn’t know what had made Buck so upset. Buck laughed a little but nodded and drew them both in for a hug. Sitting back down with Eddie, Buck rubbed his eyes and composed himself.
“I guess i owe you an explanation” He said, getting responses that he owed them nothing, “I want to give you an explanation then” Buck took one of Eddie’s hands in his and Eddie looked at him with a proud smile of encouragement. “You guys know i served, but I’ve never shown you pictures or talked about it much or met up with any old friends because i was a different person” Hen and Chim looked at him confused, Eddie squeezed his hand three times.
“At birth, i was assigned female and until i retired, i identified as female” Buck said quickly, while Bobby and Eddie’s faces didn’t move Chimneys moved in surprise and so did Hen’s but hers was different. “I had a different name, not Evan, and that’s how Captain Williams knew me. I don’t think he likes how i am now. I didn’t tell you because i know it makes some people uncomfortable and i just wanted to feel like it didn’t matter”
“Which it doesn’t, you identify as male and you’re legally male now, that’s all that matters” Bobby said, Buck nodded.
“Can you guys say something before i panic?” Chimney snapped back to reality and Hen stood up to hug him again.
“I love you, Buck. Thank you for trusting us” She said into his ear.
“Thank you for understanding”
“I may not fully understand the complexity of it all but if you’re happy, I’m happy” Chimney said once Hen sat back down.
“I am. I wasn’t for a long time but I am happy now” Buck smiled at him and he smiled back. Hen eyed Buck and Eddie’s hands.
“He already knew?” She asked, smirking.
“Course he did” Chimney answered, they both leaned forward on the table with their elbows and smiled politely. Eddie rolled his eyes with a smile, knowing exactly what they were about to say.
“So how long has this been going on?”
“What been going on?” Bobby asked before Buck or Eddie could answer. Hen laughed at him slightly before Eddie said,
“4 months, officially”
“Wait, you’re together?” Bobby asked, finally clued in, Buck nodded at him with a smile. “Have you told Athena?”
“She came round my apartment about 2 months ago and Eddie answered the door. She took her guesses when she watched him climb back into my bed”
“She told me she’d rip my throat out if I tried any funny business” Eddie supplied and Hen nodded in agreement.
“And have you?” Bobby asked, looking over his non-existent glasses.
“No sir”
“Good, you can fill in the HR paperwork then” Bobby smiled.