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It's safe to say that this— the place they've been dispatched at, it's easily one of Eddie's favorite emergency calls so far.
They are in a greenhouse.
A greenhouse that's so big and wide that it's basically spread like a labyrinth, and it's nearly impossible to find where it begins and where it ends.
It’s filled with different kinds of plants all around, each shelf and platform carrying more than one flower pot that’s hooked with separate, small sprinklers nailed digged into their soil, and the floor is almost full with various types of plants to the point that each step Eddie takes, he sees another green beauty that he probably hasn’t even heard the name of. The air is surrounded by a mixture of each flower’s heavenly scent— some fruity, some musky, some powdery, and although Eddie sees himself as a black thumb and can’t grow a plant to save his life, he knows how to admire them from afar and has always found joy in seeing those delicate, colorful leaves bringing life to wherever they are in.
“Hey, Eddie. Look at this.”
Buck’s excited voice ringing his ears gets his attention and makes Eddie turn around, and he finds Buck a few steps behind him, slightly bent forward with his hands on his knees, staring at one of the red roses as if he’s been hypnotized, amazement crossing his face and making his baby blues sparkle.
They are the only ones in this section of the greenhouse— Hen and Bobby are handling the front part, and by the looks of it things are calm and they’re waiting for Bobby to radio them so they can go back to the station.
He takes a few steps closer to Buck, standing next to him, and his brows gather as he tilts his head. "What's up?"
Buck points at the flower and looks at Eddie. "Smell it."
Rolling his eyes and huffing out a breathy chuckle, Eddie leans forward and breathes in the flower, and his eyes close when the intense rosey scent of the red leaf plant travels through his nostrils and intoxicates his senses with its powdery smell.
It does smell so otherworldly.
"Wow."
"I know, right?" Buck smiles, voice dripping with amusement.
Eddie gives him a nod as he straightens up. "Smells good."
Buck leans forward once again, taking a deep breath through his nose, and the grin on his face grows wider.
"There won't be any scent left if you keep doing that." Eddie teases with a light slap to his shoulder.
His brows arched, Buck throws him an unimpressed look, voice monotone. "That's not even possible."
"Maybe." Eddie shrugs, the sly expression sitting on his face visible from a mile away.
"Hey." Buck begins as he straightens himself up. "Did you know roses have the highest frequency?"
Eddie frowns. "What do you mean?"
"Roses have the highest vibration out of all the plants." Buck nods to himself, widened eyes staring at Eddie and voice enthusiastic. "That's why they offer rosewater in funerals, to heighten the room's frequency and bring calmness."
A fond smile that Eddie can't hide curves up his lips as he listens to Buck talk, his hazels staring at the other man with awe. His heart swells in his chest with each word Buck speaks with such passion, and warmth builds up in his stomach at the sound of Buck’s voice as if it’s honey to his ears.
“That sounds interesting.”
“It is !” Buck answers. “Did you know about that?”
Eddie shakes his head, smiling. “No, I didn’t.”
“Well…” Buck’s pointed finger digs his chest, a cheeky grin on his lips. “Now you know.”
Bobby’s voice buzzing from the radio interrupts their conversation. “Buck, Eddie, we’re good to go.”
Buck presses the button on his radio, leaning into it. "We're coming, Cap."
"Alright. Time to go." Eddie says with a short sigh.
As much as he likes this place, he wants to go back to the station and it's time to do just that.
He turns around to make his way towards the exit which is slightly far away— figuring Buck is following him behind, but he stops on his feet and twists his head to see Buck leaning forward to get a one last smell from the flower before he leaves.
Letting out a tsk , Eddie almost groans. "Buck, come on."
"Okay, okay." Buck breathes in the rose one last time— a deep one, but before he can pull away, the sprinkler attached to it spouts its water right on Buck's face, droplets falling into his eyes, and Buck flinches back immediately with a baffled sound leaving his lips, his eyes clenching shut. "Ow."
A worried frown screws Eddie's face as he walks towards Buck, brows gathered. "You good?"
"Yeah, I'm—" Buck presses the heels of his palms to his eyes and drops his head to his chest, letting out a hiss. "I think something got in my eye." He chokes out a groan behind his gritted teeth and tries to move but ends up staggering backwards and the thin clicking sounds echo in the greenhouse when his hip hits the metal tray behind them, which causes Buck to let out another yelp.
"Hey, hey." Eddie quickly wraps his arm around Buck's waist to steady him and folds his other hand around Buck's forearm to straighten him up as he lowers his head to see Buck clearly. "Let me see."
"Fuck, it hurts ." Buck desperately tries to pull away when Eddie brings his hand down, and he keeps his eyes closed shut even then, his face twisted in pain, but can't do anything else when Eddie's fingers land on his face.
As carefully as he can, Eddie places his thumb and forefinger on each side of Buck's eye and slowly pries it open, which turns out to be a big fucking mistake, because that's when a loud , gut wrenching scream that startles Eddie rips Buck's throat and he doubles over as he brings his hands to cover his eyes again, and he doesn't stop screaming.
"Fuck!"
"Hey, hey!"
Another harsh shout escapes Buck's lips followed by a groan and he can't hold himself up anymore; he curls into himself more almost like a ball as he lets out screams that drill Eddie's ears and Eddie has to tighten his hold around Buck to keep him from falling to the ground, the other man's trembles vibrating out of his skin and shaking Eddie with him. Buck's knees hit the ground with a loud thud despite Eddie's attempts, and he brings Eddie down with him, kneeling on the floor next to Buck.
Eddie lifts his free hand to press on the radio and his voice comes out panicked and raw. "Hen! Cap! I need help here, Buck is hurt!"
His radio buzzes not a second after. "What happened?!"
"Bring saline with you!" He doesn't have enough time to explain something he himself doesn't know in the first place.
His attention shifts back to Buck, worry sitting in his guts already skyrocketed, and his own eyes sting when Buck starts to rub his closed shut ones with a force but ends up with a cry, moving away from Eddie and bending over so low that his face almost touches the ground.
"No, no, no, no, no." Eddie blurts out and grasps Buck's wrist to stop him. "Don't rub them."
It doesn't stop Buck from flinching hard, and his lips quiver with another whimper, but Eddie manages to restrict his movements.
"It b— it b-burns." Buck grits out behind his clenched jaw and lets out a painful groan, hands trembling like a leaf and tears running down his cheeks.
The panicked look on Eddie's face deepens as he holds Buck steady as he can; he lifts his hand to his radio to tell Hen to hurry but thank god— thank fucking god, her voice booming in the greenhouse washes away his worry even if it's a small amount.
"What happened?!" She paces towards them and kneels in front of Buck, Bobby following her behind with a frantic look on his face.
"Something got in his eye." Words leave Eddie's mouth in a rush, shaking his head. "I don't know what but I don't think it was water."
"Buck, hey." Bobby puts his hand on Buck's shoulder and leans in to take a look, but furrows his brows whem Buck flinches back, his back digging Eddie's shoulder. "We need to irrigate his eyes."
While Hen unzips the emergency bag next to her, Eddie sits on the ground and spreads his legs, and Bobby crouches down and gently pushes Buck by the shoulder to lean back. Siting between Eddie's thighs, Buck's back presses Eddie's chest and Eddie places his palm on Buck's forehead to tilt Buck's head backwards, the back of his head digging Eddie's shoulder.
"You gotta open your eyes, Buck."
When Buck doesn't get his hands off of his face and only presses them deeper, Bobby holds them by the wrist and lowers them on Eddie's thighs, and the scream ripping Buck's chest feels like a stab right into Eddie's heart.
"Keep them here, alright?"
Hen doesn't wait for Buck's answer, she takes the syringe filled with saline and slides next to Buck, and forces Buck's eye open with the other hand.
Buck's eye is bloodshot when Hen pries it open, no white area visible whatsoever over the redness painting them like a curtain, even his baby blues look blurry and fuck, it hurts to look at him when Buck lets out a hoarse cry and his eyelids try to fall close but fail under Hen's forceful hand, eyes roll behind his head.
"Shh, calm down." Her gaze meeting Eddie for a brief second, the clear fluid drips in Buck's bloodied, half open eye when Hen lifts the syringe and pushes the plunger.
Another groan escapes Buck as he tries to move his head from side to side, trying to get away from the water but Eddie's palm holding him steady keeps him in place and Buck ends up digging the tip of his fingers to Eddie's thigh like his life depends on it, his body squirming under the hands holding him down, chest rapidly moving up and down with each heaving breath.
Bobby does the same process to Buck's other eye, they both keep dripping saline in his eyes and Buck doesn't stop squirming once; he clings onto Eddie's thighs and presses his back deeper into Eddie's chest and his damp curls tickle the side of Eddie's neck each time he frantically tries to get away but can't because of the firm grip Eddie has on him.
For twenty minutes, Hen and Bobby force Buck's bloodshot eyes to stay open as water pours into Buck's eyes and down his face, wetting his skin and uniform; and for twenty minutes Eddie has to hold Buck steady even though he hates himself for it while the other man writhes in agony and chokes out cries of pain.
Until they make it to the emergency room and the doctor takes over.
Currently, Buck is sitting on the edge of one of the beds in the emergency room, his head tilted backwards, and Bobby and Hen standing next to him while Eddie is on the other side of Buck, watching the doctor like a hawk as she examines Buck's eyes.
They performed another round of irrigation once they arrived at the hospital, and all there is left is to find what's wrong.
"Easy, relax." She says as she keeps the other man's eyelid open with her one hand and uses an anesthetic eye drop with the other.
Buck swallows down the whimper stuck in his throat when the droplet falls in his eye, his blues clouded and dark red veins covering everywhere else, and Eddie instinctively places his hand on Buck's shoulder blade and gives his tense muscles a light squeeze when Buck tries to blink but can't.
It hurts, seeing Buck like this; Eddie barely keeps himself from squinting or worse, clawing his eyes out— his own eyes feel on fire just by looking at the man, so he has no fucking idea how much pain Buck is in. The thing is, he doesn't want to think about it, either, because he knows he won't be able to take it if he does.
"How did this happen?" She asks as she puts the drop on the other eye.
"We were at a call in a greenhouse. Water sprinkler splattered in his eye." Eddie explains.
The doctor shakes her head. "This isn't water."
"W-What is it?" Buck makes out with his scratchy voice. He already sounds tired.
"It looks like acid— probably hydrofluoric acid, but we have to do some tests to make sure."
What the actual fuck?
"Acid?" Hen acts before Eddie and scowls in disbelief, brows knitted. "How is that even possible?"
"Is there any workshop near the greenhouse?" The doctor questions. "Or a factory maybe? It's possible if they have a joint plumbing system."
"There is a chemical lab next to it." Eddie mumbles as the map of the area slowly appears in his mind. He moves his eyes to meet Bobby, and they share a thoughtful look. "Do you think that could be it?"
Letting out a sigh, Bobby runs a hand down his face and nods. "I'll call Athena, let her know."
Once Bobby leaves the room, the doctor speaks again.
"The good news is, you'll be fine with some antibiotics and painkiller drops, I know it hurts a lot but the burns don't look too severe so you got lucky."
"And the bad news?" Buck rasps out.
The doctor finally removes her hand and Buck's face twists in pain as he closes his eyes and drops his head. He makes a fist and lifts his hand to his eyes but the doctor acts quicker and grips his wrist, stopping him and lowering it on his thigh.
"No, no." She shakes her head, brows arched to warn him. "The bad news is, you're going to need to keep them closed or sterile at least, and since you can't stop rubbing your eyes, that means you're gonna need an eye patch."
And Buck— he honest to god pouts that Eddie's sure if Buck had them open he would flash those puppy eyes to have it his way.
"Uh— do I have to?"
"Yes." She says, despite the firmness dripping from her voice, she sounds caring. "Do you have someone you can stay with?"
"Me." Eddie jumps in without waiting a second. "He'll stay with me."
Eddie looks at Buck as he talks and even though the other man can't see him, it's almost as if a part of the invisible weight sitting heavy on Buck's shoulders disappear at Eddie's words, his posture slackens and his clenched jaw loosens up, and Eddie feels a sense of pride blooming in his chest, and it causes him to relax as well.
"Alright, then." She sighs. "I'm gonna write you a prescription, and you can leave once your results are out. Then I'll see you in a week."
"Thank you."
The doctor makes her way out of the room, leaves Eddie and Hen alone with Buck, and the waiting begins.
They let him go when the results come out, the doctor writes him a prescription with painkillers, antibiotics and lubricants; she carefully puts a bandage contact lens on both of his eyes and informs Eddie about possible discomforts, how to take it off and put it back on when needed along with what Buck should do and what he should avoid— which is practically to avoid everything and to only rest, and she sends them off.
"Okay, let's go." Eddie says with a sigh leaving his lips after he signs the discharge papers.
Hen and Bobby have already left— Eddie coaxed them into leaving after promising them he got everything under control and that Buck is in good hands, and now they are getting ready to leave but as Eddie was expecting, it looks like it's gonna be tricky.
It's…weird, seeing Buck like this, his damp uniform sticking on his chest and shoulders and those lenses blurring his baby blues. Despite the bandage lens somewhat managing to lessen the pain, Buck can only open his eyes halfway and even then they seem so red and scratched; the man looks so unguarded and tired and lost that something in Eddie's heart snaps into two.
When Buck lifts and turns his head to where Eddie's voice is coming from, a confused expression painting his face that Eddie can see despite the lens, he wraps his hand around Buck's bicep and holds him tight.
"I'm here." He says, keeping his voice soothing. "I'll guide you out, okay?"
"Yeah."
He steadies Buck while he lowers himself off of the gurney and stands on his feet, and loops his arm with Buck's until they slowly walk towards the exit one step at a time and make their way outside near the Uber he called.
"Easy, careful." Opening the backseat car, Eddie carefully helps Buck settle before quickly pacing to the other side of the seat and getting in.
Once the engine starts running, Buck clears his throat and asks wearily: "Where are we going?'
"First to a pharmacy." Eddie answers, checking his watch. It's still late afternoon and they won't have trouble finding an open place. "Then to my place."
"What time is it?"
Eddie lets out a sigh, glancing through the window. "Close to four. We spent a few hours at the hospital."
"It's almost like evening to me."
To that, Eddie's face drops in a sympathetic frown. "Can you see at all?"
He isn't sure if it's a stupid question to ask, but he can't help the curiosity building inside his mind but not only that, knowing the answer may give Eddie some idea on how to handle these few days as best as he can.
"Uh." Buck stays silent for a few seconds before he licks his lips, and Eddie can see the tension wrapping him up by the way he digs his short nails to his thighs, scratching the fabric. "Kinda but— but not really? It's like a curtain is draped over my eyes, it's all blurry shapes. I know someone is next to me but I can't see that it's you."
Eddie doesn't know why— maybe it's the way Buck says it so fragile but for some reason, his body aches with the need to touch Buck and to protect him from the world, but all he can do is to be his eyes until he gets better and look after him. It's still better than nothing.
"I'm sorry." Eddie says in a mumble.
Buck shrugs. "It's okay."
The rest of the ride passes in silence, Buck keeps his eyes closed and rests his head against the headrest while Eddie texts Maddie and the 118. With his chest rising and falling evenly and his face sack, Buck looks like he's drifted off, and Eddie doesn't wake him up while he buys his meds and comes back in no time.
When they make it home, he puts his hand on Buck and gently shakes him by the shoulder.
"Buck." He almost whispers. "We're here."
Buck's face twitches as his eyes slowly slit open, but then he immediately lets out a groan and furrows his brows as he closes his eyes again, jaw clenching.
His concern spiking once again, Eddie slides his hand up to rest it on the side of Buck's throat, feeling the steady beat of Buck's heart. "What's wrong?"
"Itches." Buck rasps out, moving his head to Eddie's direction. "Hurts."
"I got your meds, I'll put them once we're inside, yeah? But we gotta go in."
Thankfully, Buck doesn't protest, he gives Eddie a tiny nod and stretches his hand which Eddie instantly grasps, and Eddie helps him get out of the car and walks by his side as they get inside.
But when Eddie aims towards the bedroom, Buck clings onto his wrist and stops him.
Eddie's brows arch. "What?"
"Couch is fine."
"Buck, you need to get changed." Eddie protests.
He's still in his uniform— they both are, and the sooner Buck gets to wear something more comfortable the sooner Eddie puts those drops, and the sooner Buck gets his needed rest.
But still, Buck shakes his head. "I'll change here. I don't—" The hesitance in his voice bordering on anxious sends shivers down Eddie's spine. "It's dark, I- I don't— couch is fine."
Fuck, okay. Why didn't Eddie think of that?
"Okay, okay." Eddie yields, guilt heating up his neck. "I'll bring them here."
Once Buck is settled on the couch, Eddie quickly goes to the bedroom to get a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants while Buck unbuttons his shirt and takes of his pants.
Much to Eddie's surprise, changing into clothes turns out to be not a problem— he puts the shirt over the other man's head and slides his arms through the sleeves, and then pulls up the sweatpants. Overall it doesn't even take too much time.
Putting eye drops, however, turns out to be a big fucking mess, because Buck doesn't lie still.
"Buck— Jesus ." Eddie grumbles with a sigh, holding the plastic bottle in hand as he stares at Buck with an exasperated expression.
He's sitting on the empty space next to Buck hovering over him while Buck is lying on his back, head tilted backwards and stretched neck supported by a pillow, and whenever Eddie brings the eye drop closer to Buck's face, he either flinches and closes his eyes, or turns his head away and swats Eddie's hand away.
Eddie knows he's not doing it on purpose— hell, even Buck looks annoyed with himself, but he can't stop resisting, either.
He puts his free hand on Buck's face and gently lifts his eyelid— only managing to open them halfway, and Buck's eyes roll back as if he's trying to close them but fails, and a shaky, sharp breath escapes his lips, his breaths quickening.
"Stay still."
When Eddie brings the drop closer, Buck wraps his fingers around Eddie's wrist and squirms.
"Buck." Eddie's desperate voice gets thinner as his face screws. He hates this, doing whatever this is; he hates to be the reason behind Buck's discomfort but he has no choice. "For fuck's sake, please."
"You're hurting me." Buck breathes out, which is bullshit because Eddie hasn't even put the damn medicine yet, but still the words feel like a slap across the face.
"I'm sorry but just stay still for two seconds." And without waiting for an answer, Eddie leans in and squeezes the plastic bottle.
Buck bites his lower lip and tightens his hold around Eddie's wrist as the droplet falls into his eye, swallowing the whimper stuck in his throat. His body twitches slightly as he tries his damn hardest to stay still, and Eddie repeats the same process to the other eye until he puts all three eye drops on both eyes.
"Okay, you're all done."
Droplets of liquid fall down Buck's cheek and wet his pale skin as he lets his eyes slip close; sliding down the cushions to lie flat, Buck rests his head on the pillow and lets out a deep breath through his nose. His face is still tense and looking distraught, lips slightly twisted down, but Buck doesn't complain.
"Thank you." He mumbles instead, sniffling.
A warm smile curves up Eddie's lips. "Of course. How are you feeling?"
"Like I want to claw my eyes out."
"Hm." Eddie hums. Quiet. "Do you think you can get some rest until dinner?"
Buck slumps further into the cushions. "I'll try."
While Eddie keeps staring at Buck's lying form, he doubts that sleep will find the other man that easy, knowing that Buck is a restless sleeper by default, but he proves him wrong when Eddie finally gets up to grab a blanket from one of the drawers because what he finds when he comes back is Buck already fast asleep with his lips parted open and face slack, one arm dangling pliantly over the couch while the other one rests on his stomach, chest falling and rising evenly with each breath.
The sight makes something bloom in Eddie's chest and warms his insides, and Eddie finds himself watching the other man sleep as he stands next to him, a faint smile twisting up his lips.
He drapes the blanket over Buck's sleeping form, and Buck nuzzles his face into the pillow; unable to help himself, Eddie runs his fingers through Buck's disheveled curls once, twice, before pulling away and making his way to the kitchen to start dinner, leaving the light open for Buck.
Buck is still sleeping when Chris comes home from school.
Eddie didn't tell him that Buck will be here, so when Chris walks past him after he kisses him hello and makes his way to the living room, the kid's face lights up with excitement as if he saw something precious to him, and Eddie's heart melts all over again.
"Dad." Chris chimes but keeps his voice quiet, glancing at Buck. "You didn't tell me Buck was here."
"Yeah, bud." Eddie smiles. "He's going to stay with us for a few days."
Slowly, the excitement on Chris' face shifts into confusion. "Is he okay?"
The question makes him recall the accident, and Eddie has to brush off the heaviness forming in his throat. "He got hurt at work today." He explains calmly but immediately continues when he notices the worried look on his son's face. "But he's going to be fine, alright? He just needs some rest."
"Okay." Chris says, visibly loosening up at Eddie's words.
Steadying himself by resting his one hand on the armrest, Chris brings his other hand to cup Buck's face, and gently caresses the sleeping man's cheek, sliding his hand up to pet Buck's hair.
The sight is fucking adorable on its own, but Eddie's heart feels seconds away from exploding when Buck leans into Chris' touch ever so slightly and lets out a quiet sigh as he keeps sleeping, and he actually seems more relaxed than before.
All because of Chris and his caring touch.
Eddie's pretty sure he's gonna burst into tears if he keeps watching, not only that but it's also time for Buck's meds again, he realizes, so with a fond smile on his lips, Eddie places his hand on the nape of Chris' neck, plants a kiss on top of his head and says: "Why don't you go get changed and I'll wake him up for dinner, hm?"
Chris gives him a nod and after Eddie watches him leave, he sits next to Buck and puts his hand on the other man's chest.
He rubs small circles on Buck's chest to not startle him, slow and soothing, and Buck's eyes crack open ever so slightly only to fall close again, but Eddie knows Buck is on his way to wakefulness.
"Hey." Eddie says with a quiet tone, his hand still on Buck's chest.
A tiny sound escapes Buck's lips, and his voice comes out all sleepy. " 'm 'aw'ke."
The corners of Eddie's eyes crinkle as he lets out a light chuckle. "I know. How are you feeling?"
Buck answers after a second of silence. "Eh."
Fair enough.
"Dinner is ready, but meds first."
Surprisingly even though Buck's lips twist down to pout, he doesn't protest. "Whatever you say, doc."
"Alright." Eddie lets out a sigh and grabs the small bag the pharmacy gave him.
It goes better than the first time— Eddie acts swift and Buck doesn't squirm that much, and after waiting for a few minutes to let the drops penetrate properly, Bucks straightens himself up in a sitting position with a groan and Eddie loops his arm through his as the other man gets on his feet.
"Come on." Eddie says. "Dinner is ready."
Slowly, Buck makes his way towards the kitchen and Eddie stays by his side when Buck trips on his feet and leans against him, and that's when Eddie wraps his arm around Buck's waist and pulls him close, feeling the heat of the other man against his own.
In a few days, Buck will get better and the biggest, softest smile will appear on his face, and his eyes will shine when he sees Eddie for the first time when the doctor finally takes off the bandage, and a fuzzy feeling will envelop Eddie like a warm blanket.
But until then, Eddie makes sure to take care of Buck, and he does it well.