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Evan Buckley is absolutely soaked. Standing in the rain and miserable If he’s being truly honest with himself. But that’s the thing. He should be miserable. Because he just had his heart broken. He was supposed to have had the cinematic love story— from the meet cute while he had been helping Bobby host the annual toy drive to a kiss in the rain after they decided to exchange keys and each have a drawer at the other’s place, cheesy keys in a jewelry boxes, contact paper and all. But the box is in his jacket pocket and it’s pouring rain. and Alex was the one with the car that night so Buck trudges towards home. Trying not to think about how this news will spread throughout town, for lack of a better term, like wildfire.
Sure he could have called a cab had his phone not died of course. So yeah he was pretty much stuck walking through town, completely soaked.
He's not sure why he stops on the corner that he does, maybe to take a break under the awning of the little coffee shop that opened recently. He had been meaning to stop by, but it felt like a betrayal against the old machine that sputtered out the perfect cup at the station.
He runs a hand through his sopping curls. And he hears a crack of thunder and sees a flash of lightning.
“Fucking hell,” he mumbles to himself.
“You wanna come inside?”
Buck jumps as he turns towards the door, where he finds a man about his age leaning out of it. He's wearing a henley and a flannel— both of which look impossibly soft. He has a towel sling over his shoulder and gentle eyes.
“Aren’t you uh, closed?”
“Technically, but when I see cute guys walking through severe weather I get concerned.”
“I- um, I don't want to keep you. I really don’t live too far.”
“I live upstairs,” The man says and shrugs, “and I can make you a hot beverage so you don’t get sick.”
Buck swallows the fact that standing in the rain doesn't necessarily get you sick and accepts the offer.
Once they are both inside the other man takes stock of him and how he’s dripping onto the welcome mat.
“Uhh let me get you a towel— and maybe a change of clothes?”
He’s gone before Buck can protest.
He looks around the cozy shop and then locks eyes with a pair behind red glasses. The gaze scrutinizing.
“Who are you?” the boy demands
“Uh, my name's Buck.”
“That's a funny name. Why are you all wet?”
“ Christopher, what have I told you about rude questions buddy?”
“It was a valid question. I just didn't know how to explain getting brutally dumped to a six year old.”
“I'm seven!” Christopher pipes up.
The man laughs shyly, “I'm Eddie Diaz by the way.”
“Evan Buckley, but everyone calls me Buck”
“You’re the…firefighter right?”
Buck just buries his face in his hands, “Sorry there are approximately 10 queer people in this town and we must all know each other.”
“It’s okay. There’s a bathroom around that corner.” Eddie holds out a fluffy towel and what looks like a neatly rolled t-shirt and pair of basketball shorts, “sorry this is all I had that I thought might fit.”
“Hey, it’s better than what I've got on.”
He exits the small bathroom feeling a bit refreshed and finds Eddie behind the counter seemingly hard at work at a new chalkboard sign.
“Pick your poison—tea, cocoa, or decaf?”
“Cocoa!” Buck brightens.
“Are you really a firefighter?” Chris asks with the pure wonderment only a seven year old can have.
“Yeah, I am!”
“Can I come visit and slide down the pole and sit in the truck? Please?”
Buck smiles so much it hurts his cheeks a little bit.
He lowers his voice down to a conspicuous whisper, “You ask your dad and I'll ask my captain and we’ll see what we can do.”
He knew Bobby would say yes, he loves having kids at the firehouse as long as they are respectful if they have to rush off. Which doesn’t happen all that often anyway.
Eddie comes back to the table tray in hand, loaded up with two hot chocolates and a black coffee along with a cookie split into thirds.
“Thank you, you really didn't have to do this.”
Eddie waves it off as he brings his mug to his lips and takes a long sip of coffee.
“Can we please visit Buck at the firehouse Dad?”
Eddie smiles down at Chris and ruffles his hair, “Sure kid.”
The beaming smile that comes in return nearly blinds Buck– and only makes him smile harder too.
☕☕☕☕☕☕
It’s two days later when Bobby texts that Marie (the coffee maker) has finally and officially shorted out (RIP) and asks Buck to bring a round of various coffee concoctions into work for the crew.
So of course he stops by Eddie’s shop– which is of course swamped, because it's 7:30 on a Monday morning.
Ravi, a kid he recognizes from one of their community events is behind the register while Eddie seems to be the one focusing on the drinks.
“Hey um Ravi?” he asks while handing over the cash for the drinks, “Could you tell Eddie that I'm asking about my suit? He’ll know. Thanks.” he smiles as Ravi nods.
🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒🚒
It's later that day, they've cleaned the entire station, as per the Monday schedule, and even went on a few calls.
“So,” Chimney pops his gum, “I hear that you had quite the roller coaster weekend in the relationship department, Buck.”
Buck raises his eyebrow with uncertainty.
“Well I heard that–”
“Stopping you right there Henrietta.” Buck replies holding up his hand.
“Yes, Alex and I broke up. And yes I met Eddie who owns the coffee shop. That's it. Happy?”
“Then what is Eddie doing here with a child and what appears to be your date night suit?” Chimney asks eyebrows climbing rapidly.
“Just because that's all that happened doesn't mean- Hey you two!”
“Ravi got your message to me, I took it to the dry cleaner. And I, um, thought you would want this back too." Eddie holds out the box tentatively. “I didn't realize it was that-”
“Oh,” buck smiles, opening the box, “it's just a key- it wasn't”
“Oh!” Eddie smiles, “well regardless. It's yours.”
Buck glances over his shoulder to see that Bobby is entertaining Chris with a plastic firefighter helmet and the different parts of the engine.
“Come here,” Buck takes Eddie's hand and pulls him further away from the prying eyes of his well meaning but nosy family. “So, I know I was just broken up with, but I would really like to take you out on a date sometime. Or just for dinner, as a thank you. Totally fine if-”
“Yes, I'll go on a date with you.” Eddie encroaches further into his space and brushes a light kiss over his lips. “Wanted nothing more since I saw you sopping wet under the awning.”
Buck rolls his eyes and laughs.
“So Buckley, are we gonna get free coffee out of this whole deal or what?” Chimney asks, leaning against the engine.
He looks up at Eddie and whispers, “you can say no,” in his ear.
“Sure.”
“Dad, Dad, Dad, can you and Buck help me down the firefighter pole?” Chris asks, rocking excitedly on his crutches.
“Let’s do it!”
Eddie looks over at Buck, smiling in a way that makes Buck realize exactly where Chris gets it from, and just reflects it back.