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The holiday season was finally drawing to a close.
In all the years that Buck had worked with the LAFD, there was a running joke that the holiday season was like a month-long full moon from hell. The crowds collectively lost their minds, people literally fought over the last toy or gadget on the shelf, car accidents would spike up due to people trying to shop online while driving… it was a given to not have a calm shift. And that wasn’t including the kitchen mishaps that always happened. Or the breakup drama. Or just the general fires from malfunctioning decorations.
Suffice to say, the holiday station isn’t something to be trifled with.
Of course, with tempers flying, injuries amongst first responders would also tick upwards. The past three years, the 118 would “win” the LAFD’s record for the most injuries reported caused by civilians during the holiday season. Buck always ended up on that list, even if it was just for an elbow to the face or a hit to the ribs from a very pissed off old woman (please don’t ask, he didn’t want to talk about it). Any injury counted, a hospital trip was not needed.
This year, the 118 collectively decided that they had had it with being at the top of the list and had gone out of their way to be more careful. If possible, they kept a good foot between themselves and any bystanders. Talked down the angry crowds. Hen took to carrying candy as literal bribes to keep kids from freaking out and throwing another baseball at her head (the concussion she’d taken two days before Christmas the year before Buck started was still talked about at the 118). Eddie had dragged everyone to a gym that was owned by a fellow servicemember and taught them all the amazing tactic of ducking when a punch was thrown.
Bobby just straight up started bribing Athena with lunch every shift to get her to basically follow them to calls. It didn’t always work, but damn if it wasn’t hilarious. Money was changing hands about what was going on in the Captain’s office when no one was looking… All directly into the 118’s “Rainy Day Bobby Doesn't Want to Cook Go Get In and Out” fund. So, a good cause.
Somehow, they made it to Christmas weekend with only a few small injuries on the list. Buck once again was the only one with a tally mark next to his name, but at least it was for a good cause. He did end up saving someone’s Christmas turkey, even if it was a bit smokey. He ended up with a small burn on his hand for his trouble.
By the time dispatch had finished tallying up all the injuries from the past month or so, A-Shift was just finishing up handing over the station to B-Shift and preparing to head back to their homes long enough to pick up presents and family before meeting at Athena and Bobby’s for a family feast, which would also be attended by Ravi (so to be returning from being loaned to the Academy) and a recovered Lucy (who would be heading there herself to both requalify and finish studying for another certification that she’d spent her time learning while away on injury). The call to Bobby’s cell had almost gone unnoticed in the shift change chaos. He caught it on the last right, heard the other hand, hung up, and barely kept the laughter in.
The announcement came at dinner, after the turkey was carved and side dishes were being happily passed between the two tables set up in the Grant-Nash garden. In a stunning turn of events, the 118 had come out on top once again, but instead of having the most injuries, they had the least.
The entire table had quickly burst into applause and laughter, talking excitedly about the various calls and ribbing on anyone who had managed to get injured during the month. Buck took his teasing with grace before turning it back on everyone else, which just brought more laughter from his end of the table.
Bobby leaned back on his chair with a pleased smile settling across his face, one that was echoed by Athena next to him. As they watched the decorated and esteemed firefighters of the 118 break into little children with their laughter and jokes, they shared a brief kiss. This was their family and they wouldn’t have it any other way.