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Pulling up at the academy was somewhat of a surreal experience.
The last time Evan Buckley had been at the academy, he’d been there to support Eddie’s recertification as an active firefighter, following his extended stint at Metro. (That had been at Eddie’s request, not by Bobby or the brass. He wanted to make sure that he wasn’t rusty or that he wouldn’t endanger anyone after being away from active duty for several months.) Before that, it was to see Albert pass his finals. And before that, it was his own recertifications. Well, the second set.
But today, he wasn’t there for any of that. He was there for one of their wayward own.
It had come at a surprise when Bobby had announced that Ravi had been temporarily assigned to the Academy for the next several months. He wasn’t able to give any details, just that he would be there supporting the next group of recruits. The young man, who had just received his shield only a few weeks prior, hadn’t even said a word about it. Just up and vanished. Which, rude.
When several concerned texts came back with one word answers, if they were answered at all, Buck decided to swing by after a short shift and check in. It wasn’t as if it wasn’t allowed or anything. He just… didn’t bother telling Ravi. Or anyone, for that matter. Better to ask for forgiveness then try to get permission or what have you.
He was halfway across the parking lot when he happened to see Eddie’s truck pull into the lot, leaving him shaking his head and silently laughing. Of course the two of them had the same idea. They both were going to check in on their former probie.
Buck didn’t bother waiting for Eddie, instead slipping through the doors and heading straight for the large training room towards the back of the facility. It only took a few minutes for his partner to fall in step with him, just as they reached the back open staging area. A quick glance revealed their wayward friend, and the reason for why he wasn’t answering texts.
Ravi was standing off to the side of about thirty or so trainees, directing them to quickly get into their gear, then off, then on again. He moved between the rows, correcting one person on the placement of something out of their field of view, stopping another from viciously yanking at a trapped strap, and detangling a third’s fallen braid from her air tank.
“I’m impressed,” Eddie muttered, subtly pushing Buck to the side towards a few chairs that were placed haphazardly out of the way against the wall. “He’s keeping calm, even when some of these people are panicking.”
Buck nodded. “Yeah, I can see why they’d want him here. He’s a natural. Hasn’t missed anything yet.”
The two fell silent, listening to Ravi continue to conduct the drill for several more minutes. And then, he just as quickly ended the lesson, instructing the trainees to pack the gear back up as they were taught, “And yes, I will be checking,” he added, to the good natured groans of his class. The trainees quickly shedded the last of the equipment, helping each other as necessary, before carrying everything towards the storage rooms and themselves the showers.
Ravi stood there for a moment longer, pen flying across his clipboard as he took down notes. After a few lines, he started to pace and write, which made Buck have to fight to keep from laughing. A few snickers must have slipped out because the younger man paused and looked up. His whole face lit up.
“Buck! Eddie!”
Buck barely had time to stand and brace himself before getting practically tackled by Ravi with a very tight hug. The man didn’t seem to want to let him go, except to quickly give Eddie his own hug.
“Hey probie. Heard you got a promotion and had to check on you,” Buck couldn’t help but let some sarcasm slip out.
Ravi shrugged, looking somewhat unsure of himself. “I didn’t… It wasn’t my plan, honest. My favorite instructor asked the chief if I could cover his classes while he recovers from surgery. It was approved before I could say that I wanted to stay at the 118.” He glanced around the room. “I do enjoy the teaching, and the refresher, but I’d rather be back at the 118.”
Eddie clapped a hand on Ravi’s shoulder. “And we’d rather have you, instead of having to track you down.” He gave Ravi a pointed look that even had Buck wincing, because they both knew that look. The “I’m pretending to be a disappointed Dad” look that Eddie had taken to using on Christopher when he was being a typical preteen.
Ravi tugged his phone out of his pocket, now sporting a sizable crack in the case. “I would have gladly texted you. One of the trainees dropped their helmet on it at the perfect angle yesterday. I’m getting it replaced once I finish my notes and inspect the equipment room.”
Buck and Eddie nodded. “Need some help with that? Get you out of here early? We could grab some dinner and catch you up on all the news at the 118.” Buck was already backing away as he offered, heading straight towards the equipment room.
“And now you won’t have to worry about that,” Eddie mumbled.
“At least he didn’t take my clipboard,” Ravi said, holding up said clipboard before going back to his notes.
Eddie glanced around the room for a second before his eyes settled on that clipboard. He recognized it after a fashion. There was a sticker on the back that declared it “Buck’s Clipboard,” a gag gift for his birthday last year. The pen was one of his own, one that had probably fallen in the locker room or was left in the common areas of the 118.
Huh. Well, if Ravi couldn’t work with the 118 right now, at least he was keeping them close.