Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bravo team was deployed. They had been deployed to Saudi arabia. It had been two months of going out and busting people. Two months of the heat and of being shot at. And they were scheduled to leave in two days. Now all they were doing was goofing off. The objective over and tension gone.

They played many games. Shooting games racing games on the console that was smuggled in. And just regular ones like darts and the game table. That mysteriously was brought in. Had beers around the campfire outside. Just to pass time before they could finally leave and go home.

It wasn’t uncommon for the guy’s to look out for Buck. They watched the news and read articles. They may not be there to watch his back like usual. Like they all wished. But they were still watching over him from afar. And sometimes up close. They sent messages and calls and even visited him.

So any time fire fighters came onto the television they were glued to it. Worry coursing through their bodies and a relieved feeling dropping into their guts once they realized their brother was okay.

They also watched happily when he was shown. When a reporter pulled him in front of the camera for his statement and he looked on confused like a lost puppy. Or when he was shown just saving someone from a burning building. They cheered him on and even laughed a bit at his cluelessness.

They not only worried for him but watched him in support and cheered him on.

The door opened and nobody turned around. None of them tore their eyes away from the television. Sonny and Lisa were perched on the couch. She bent down the controller in her hands and Sonny on her side sitting back on the couch. The others sat around the room. On the chairs on the other couch.

“You’re cheating” Sonny accused not even sparing her a glance.

Lisa rolled her eyes. He could be too childish sometimes. “I don’t need to cheat” She bit out a grin on her lips as she hit a button and passed Sonny on the game again. The guy’s let out a laugh at that. Laughter ringing through the room. But Eric stared at them with a hard expression.

Finally Jason tore his eyes away from the screen. And his face lit up more when he saw who it was. That only made Eric feel worse about what he was about to say. Everything would change. The happiness would be gone from the room. “Hey do you wanna go Blackburn maybe you’ll lower Sonny’s big head” Jason joked gesturing to the texan on the couch.

Eric shook his head and walked further into the room. Stopping at the edge of the couch. “Doesn’t look like Sonny’s the one who needs his ego deflated” He commented dryly. Sonny laughed, his head going back a bit then he nudged Lisa even while his hands were wrapped around the controller.

“Switch to the news” he ordered.

Finally turning away from the television. Sonny gave the man one glance. His eyebrows furrowed. They weren’t supposed to be working any more. They were done with their deployment. “What? I was just about to win?” He asked, sounding upset. When in reality he was nowhere close to winning.

Giving the Texan a blank look. “Do it,” Eric said with more force. Tone coming out sharper and finale. Jason motioned for him to do as said. Face switching to a more serious one. Even if he didn’t know what was going on. Though he knew he trusted Blackburn with his life and would follow him.

He had to have a good reason for ruining there little celebration.

Sonny got up leaving his controller on the couch. He clicked a button on the back of the television switching it to regular tv and Lisa clicked a few buttons on the remote. It was a live broadcast. Unlike where they were, it was night time back in LA.

But what drew their attention away was the fire fighters. They were in a small cluster in front of a fire truck that was tipped over. Their eyes were torn to the numbers on the fire truck. Those three numbers painted on the side were the same department that Buck worked for. They knew this because it was ingrained into their brains.

The people surrounding it moved quickly shifting to bend down and check on him or to re acces the situation. And they were just able to get a glimpse of someone on their stomach. Face down to the gravel. He had a small mop of dark hair. It could be anyone. It could be their brother out there.

Jason had already sat up from the chair. His eyes were hard and focused on the screen. Over seeing everything happening. “Who is it?” He asked without looking away from the screen. He had a feeling in his gut. Like he already knew who it was. Blackburn wouldn't have come in if it wasn’t. Maybe he’d let them know but he wouldn’t react this way.

“It’s buck” He admitted. Telling them what they all assumed.

A gust of air passed through the room. All the guys were standing up looking at the screen with different levels of concern and fear. Standing up like they could do something. Lisa was still sitting on the couch. Hands clasped together into a tight ball as she watched in surprise and dread.

Ray breathed out slow and back in. Like he was trying to calm himself. He had too. He had to stay strong for his team. He knew if he didn’t he’d fall apart. “What happened?” he asked, looking away from the screen and to Blackburn. The man was still standing there, his arms crossed and a steel expression on his face.

“A serial bomber blew the fire truck up causing it to crash. Buck was inside.” Eric explained in a tight tone. That was his brother on the screen as well. Not just Bravo’s. And he cared for all of them like they were family. Even if he didn’t serve with them the same way or any more. He sure as hell cared for him.

Leaning against the back of the couch. Sonny’s arms hardened. His eyes locked on the screen. He thought getting out of the military was supposed to be better, safer for Buck. But here he was on the ground with a whole fire truck on his leg. The thought of the crash only made his arms tightened and teeth grit together.

God when he got his hands on the person that caused all of this.

That’s when the realization that they couldn’t do anything; they were miles and miles away from the scene on the screen came into their heads. All they could do was watch and pray for him to be okay. Watch and wait for the fire fighters around him. His friends and family Clay reminded himself. To do their job in keeping him alive.

They watched as the firefighters tried to lift the truck off of Buck. They could see his face as he turned up. Fear and pain on his face. There were gashes and cuts across his face. Blood was dripping down his face and grime smeared onto his face. He looked like he was going through war. He didn’t look like his normal happy buck self.

“It’s too heavy,” Brock said worriedly.

Shaking his head while his nails were between his teeth. He was going to bite the nails down as he watched the broadcast anxiety and stress filling him. A horrible nervous tic he had when things got really bad. Cerberus was sitting in front of and nudging his knee trying to comfort the man. But Brock wasn’t looking away from the television.

Trent’s eyes narrowed as he watched the people around Buck work. He only wished he was there in person to help with his leg. To stop the bleeding or to give him morphine. Anything Brock needed or wanted. His hands were almost twitching by his sides as he watched the scene play out.

Suddenly people began to come out from behind gates and to the scene. They were trying to help buck. “Look at that,” Lisa said in one breath. It was a unique and almost beautiful thing to see. Bystanders and civilian people coming together to help someone. They were trying to lift the truck off of Buck.

Jason watched with eyes tightening and narrowing at the screen. The noise of everyone and everything was gone and it felt like he was the only one in the room. He couldn’t hear Cerberus’s whimpers or Ray as the man prayed under his breath pleading with god to keep their boy alive. He couldn’t hear anything. His body felt almost numb.

The truck wavered coming up a bit then it fell back down. Causing Buck to lean up. His face is shown on the screen. And cruelly the camera panned on his face. On the blood dripping down his face. The dried blood smeared with dirt on his cheeks. His mouth was open like he was screaming. And god Jason assumed he was. But he couldn’t hear his voice. All he could do was watch.

“C’mon” He mumbled repeatedly.

More and more people surrounded the truck. On a count to three he assumed they lifted. Slowly but surely the truck came up leaving small space free to wiggle Buck away and out from under the truck. And a firefighter facing away from the camera pulled at Buck’s shoulders. Another pulled at his leg pulling the leg away and out from under the truck.

“He’s out,” Clay said in a quick, relieved breath. His fist dropped and the nervous ball in his stomach began to dissipate. But not completely. He knew how much further Buck would still have to go through. He was out from under the truck. But he still had a way’s to go. To recover. To stay alive-.

The firefighters pulled him out and in a swift motion they lifted him onto a stretcher. His eyes shut and the camera turned off. The screen went black and all that was left was the men standing there in front of it. Eyes wide and body tensed from the adrenaline just watching it. They were nowhere near the site but adrenaline was coursing through them like they were being shot at.

Hell that might be easier than standing there and watching their brother in pain.

They all but simultaneously turned to Blackburn. Before either of them could say something. Explain how they needed to get there and see Buck. To be there by his side. Blackburn rubbed at his beard, twisting it as he thought. Then he let go and looked at the wondering faces.

“Get ready” he ordered looking around them. Everyone was looking up at him.

“We’re going to get our guy” He said with a determined nod to everyone. They were going to go see their brother. Within an hour everyone had their things packed and were out on a plane. That Blackburn managed to get. Unbeknownst to them it caused a pretty hefty price. But along with the rest of the guys Blackburn was too worried to even care.

Chapter Text

The guys were back on state lines within a couple hours and at the hospital only an hour after they landed. None of them went home. They got back to base, dropped their gear off and were back in cars. None of them went back home to see their families. Even though they had been gone , away from them for two months by now.

A few calls and messages were made between the guys including Lisa. There was no way she was going to go back home when everyone was going to see Buck. So she carpooled with Sonny and Clay to the hospital. The ride was quiet Sonny didn’t play his usual music or have his usual pep. They were all focused on getting there and what they were going to do.

They all got to the hospital a minute apart. And after stalked into the hospital up to the front desk. They looked so out of ordinary. And there had been numerous people that had trekked the hospital before. But here six big men were walking through the hospital. They walked in holding themselves up and looking straight ahead like they were on a mission and only had one goal in mind.

Which was true.

But the other weird part was how they walked. Bunched together in almost a clutter. They walked together on each other’s sides. With Jason in front of them and Ray in the back coming up on the rear. Like it was a routine they did often.

Ray bypassed them all when they got to the front desk. It would be best for everyone if they let him talk to the lady. They didn’t need Sonny or Jason making a fool of themselves. “Were here to see Evan Buckley” The lady upturned to them, her shoulders jumping a bit in surprise.

Fixing her glasses she gave them an unsure smile. “Family?” She asked.

“No but-” Ray began. But was interrupted.

She dropped her fingers from her keyboard and gave him a stern expression. Not caring about how many men were there lined up and how mad they seemed by her uncooperativeness. “Well then I can't develve any information for you boys” She said with a shake of her head.

Their expressions dropped and instead of anger sadness wracked onto their faces. Sighing a bit. The nurse looked left and right but saw no one. She was becoming way too soft in her old age. “I will say he has some other visitors in the room down to your right” She said, gesturing a bit down the hall.

A smile lit onto the younger man that had blonde hair. She could just see his face light up in the back. “Thank you ma’am” He said, nodding to her. Tapping the man beside him they began walking the way she said to go. Soon all of them were following him. But not before Ray gave her a thankful smile and nod.

The nurse leaned into her chair and watched as they walked away. She was definitely going to get fired. Good thing she was tired of her job. She had been working as a nurse for almost three decades. With a shake of her head she got back to work. The forms on her computer wouldn’t fill themselves out.

They all walked into a room. It was a waiting room but it was almost completely empty beside the group of firefighters huddled together. There was one person that didn’t have the same uniform on. But still had a uniform on. A woman in a police uniform sitting off to the side, an arm wrapped around an older looking man.

Being the bold and stubborn man he was. Jason automatically led his small group to the fire fighters. He looked like was about to blow up in all honesty. And Blackburn along with Ray just hoped he wouldn’t as well as the guy’s. “Do you guy’s work with Buck?” he asked, looking between everyone.

Bobby pulled away from Athena to look at them. He could almost automatically tell they were military. By the way they held themselves. He stood up from his seat. The others followed him and stood to meet the newcomers.

“Yea we do i’m his captain” he responded with a small frown. He had never seen these people before. But the question that really rang in his head was how would they know Buck? Buck told him in his interview how he tried to enlist in the navy but never said anything about getting in. He just assumed he didn’t cut it. That either the physical portion was too much for him or maybe Buck lacked the discipline.

“Who are these people?” Chim muttered in the back.

Jason's eyebrows knitted together at the man's words. But he wasn't the one to speak. “Were his family” Sonny explained sharper than he should've. He was just so worried for the kid. And to be in the same building but unable to do anything wasn’t something he was used to. He was a man that jumped into action. He walked into a room with his gun raised. He didn’t do the sitting and waiting thing.

A confused expression casted over the group. Athena looked at them with a non believing expression. Like she thought they were con artists. Buck hadn't mentioned a word about any of these people. But neither of them knew what they would even gain in lying about something like this. Especially when Buck was in the hospital.

Passing everyone Eddie looked at them and snorted. His eyeballs , about to roll into the back of his head. “Were his family” He said in a final tone. Like there was no way they could be anything to Buck. He would have told him otherwise. He would have told him. They were best friends-.

“Look’e here we've known the kid longer than you all have” Sonny said. Behind him Ray rubbed a hand over his eyes tiredly. Figuratively the plan was out the window now that Sonny began arguing. The ‘plan’ was to walk in and find Buck then they found the 118 and the plan was to communicate peacefully. Not start an argument on who loved Buck more.

Eddie's face tightened at him. His jaw locked. He was already worried over Buck and his mind was spinning a mile a minute. His fingers locked into fists by his sides. He wasn’t thinking accurately. “If you're really his family, where have you been?” He asked, sounding a little triumphant in the fact he was able to say a quick come back.

On his side Chim nodded, popping a piece of gum in his mouth. “Yea Buck hasn’t mentioned anything about ya’ll” He said as he looked through the group. The group was bigger than there's. In fact they had to have about ten people with them. Big strong and muscular guys.

“Maybe you don't know Buck as good as you think you do,” Jason said, looking between them all. These people were supposed to be Buck's friends and family. They were supposed to look out for him. Because Bravo couldn’t. They could watch the news, they could check up on him and go see him but they couldn’t truly watch his back in the moment. They had to do that. They needed to take that step and pull him away from danger.

Suddenly it was like they all became defensive. The insult hitting them all and causing them to react differently. Anger and a little sadness. They knew Buck for years by now. They had been there since day one when he started. Except Eddie but those two were as close as anyone could be. To anyone they could see how much the man loved each other and cared for each other.

Not only that Buck loved Eddie’s kid like his own. Protected him from harm. They were almost like a small family. Buck cooked for Eddie and he played games with Chim. He helped Hen and even watched her son when she wanted to go on date night’s with Karen.

He helped Bobby when he began drinking again. Even when he had only been in the 118 for less than a year. Hell he was probably only a part of the team for a month if less. But still he showed up with Hen and helped pick Bobby back up. Saved Athena on his first day of the job. The point is Buck was a great man; everything he did was to help others.

“Oh yea how would you know?” Eddie responded, looking at only Jason.

Just when they were about to get into an argument. Someone stepped in. She was in civilian clothes on but there was a small symbol on her shirt with a 9-1-1 logo. “Clay?” A shaky voice asked. Clay turned from the firefighters and to the voice there Maddie was. Buck’s sister and by default his.

She came out of the room and automatically went to the mysterious man. Now known as Clay to the others. Her heels clacked against the floor as she hurried to him. He opened his arms for her but she rushed into his chest almost knocking him over. He wrapped her arms around her and held her comfortingly. Her head leaned against his shoulder.

A sting hit Chim and a small jealous feeling submerged into his stomach. He wasn’t normally a jealous person. But it didn’t help that the man wrapped around his girlfriend was inches taller than him and had muscles that were bigger than his head. He felt a little self conscious. And confused. He had never seen Maddie react this way with anyone.

“How is he?” Clay asked low whispering near her ear. So low the others couldn't hear what he was saying. Just that he was saying something.

Finally after taking in the comfort he offered. Maddie poked her head from his shoulder to look at him. Arms still tied around her waist and her arms halfway around his. “They're trying to see if he can breathe on his own '' She said through a choked sob.

Clay just rubbed a hand against her back trying to comfort her. But he was looking at the others over her head. Like they were communicating through looks. The firefighters had no clue what was going on. But now it was confirmed these guys somehow knew buck. They were just not sure how.

Finally after being interrupted non stop despite his attempt to keep peace. Bobby looked at her with a quirked brow and a gentle expression. “You know these people?” He asked only looking at Maddie. The question made Jason roll his eyes. Like she would run into a stranger's arms. He thought idiotically.

She pulled away from Clay but he kept a hand resting on her shoulder just in case. Maddie wiped at a tear that was sliding down her cheek. But that didn't do much good. Her face was wet and her eyeliner smudged.

“Yea… there Buck’s team mates” She said a small sob coming out of her as she did.

They looked at her confused. Tears dripped down her cheeks as she realized. They had no clue Buck was in the Seals. She tried to get him to open up about his life but he never did. Any might not ever be able to

“His old ones' ' She added softly as an afterthought.

Clay let go of her shoulder when Jason walked up stopping in front of her. The hard and stern expression disappeared when he looked at her. But the others couldn't see. He was turned away from them. For a moment Chim wondered if he was going to explode angrily at maddie too.

The same way Jason looked at Clay like he was his son he took care of Buck like he was his son and Maddie came with that. Not that the two package deal upset him. He took them both under his wing by choice. They were his kids' blood or not. Automatically when she saw him she fell into his arms.

His arms tightened around her and Maddie let out a small cry. He held onto her like he would any of his kids. Like he would protect her from anything. Like he could. But he couldn’t protect her from this. All he could was comfort her. “I have to go-” She said into his chest. There were wet marks on his t-shirt soaking it. Even in Clay's.

Behind them the guys stood circled around them. And the firefighters including Athena on the other side watching confused and dazed. Jason pulled back and nodded understandingly. “Yea go” He encouraged in a soft tone.

She pulled completely away from Jason and looked unsure. She didn’t know if she was strong enough. If Buck didn’t breathe on his own. If he didn’t survive and died on that table- She couldn’t even think of a life without him.

“Let us know how everything goes,” Trent said, giving her a comforting nod. She dazed back in and looked at him then all of them with a small grateful smile and nodded. She turned away and was about to leave when she turned to the firefighters not smiling. It was more like she was acknowledging them but then continued walking away.

Without saying a word.

With that new information everyone went quiet when she disappeared. The argument seemed less important now. Now all they were focused on was Buck. This was the leading factor. If he was going to die and give up or if he was going to keep fighting. If he was going to be buckley.

All they could do was wait. The firefighters sat back down in their seats and Bravo sat at the other side of the room. Like they were separating from each other. But still combined in one room. They were all feeling the same thing. Even if they weren’t on the same level with each other.

Almost twenty minutes passed when Eddie couldn't stand it. All they were waiting for was papers to be signed and the answer for the nurse to pull the tube from Buck. The tube that was helping him breathe.

And all he was doing was sitting in the waiting room. His body felt sort of numb and empty. His mind was worse. He couldn’t help but think of scenarios where buck died. He didn’t know what he would tell Christopher or how he would explain it. His eyes began to water at the thought of having to sit down with his son and explain that buck was dead.

Dropping the hand that was holding his chin he looked up from the floor to the group of men gathered in the corner. He couldn’t hear what they were saying but he could hear chatter. He leaped from his seat and strutted to the team. His team watched him curiously and Bobby getting ready if he needed to intervene. But Hen shook her head and stopped him.

All but at the same time all of their conversations stopped and they looked at him coming up to him. “You're his old team?” He asked getting right to the point. If he couldn’t be in there with Buck he wanted some answers. Something to keep his mind occupied.

Jason all but gestured to the free seat in between the group. A chair in the middle like a stage in the middle of the spotlight. He sat down obediently. His eyes still focused on the man. “Military?” He guessed.

“Navy the seals” Sonny said as he shifted. He was leaned back in the chair, his head leaned on his fist and his knees spread out.

Eddie’s eyes widened for a moment then went back to normal. He didn’t want to react crazily in front of people he didn’t know. But he never imagined Buck in the military. He knew about him trying to become a seal but Buck said he had been dropped. No explanation or anything. Buck never really thought about it again after that.

And the Seals were known to be one of the most demanding military branches. Even harder than the Marines. They were known to be elite and highly trained soldiers. Eddie slipped back into his seat. “Why didn't he ever tell us about it?” he asked himself out loud.

Clay takes pity on him. “He just didn't want to change anything,” he said. He tried numerous times all of them to get Buck to tell his friends about his past. It would make things easier. Especially if he told Eddie. The man served in the military as well. It couldn’t be that hard.

“Buck was a damn good seal, one of the greatest,” Jason said nostalgically. Buck was one of the best. Even if he decided to retire. He could never find a man with not just the same amount of skill but commitment and determination to his job. He followed orders but he also served and protected his team mates. Physically and mentally.

“But that's not all he wanted to be known as” Ray said knowingly. He still remembers when Buck brought up leaving bravo. The team all but fell into a pit of despair. Most of the guys were trying to convince him not to despite his warnings. Eventually they all came to a realization and supported him. But all hell about broke loose that day.

Week-

Now Eddie partially knew what that meant and he understood Buck and his decision. He didn’t like to bring up serving in the army. Much at least. Not because he was ashamed of his past and time served. But because of his time in it. People acted like it was just a thing to celebrate. They thanked him for his service. But any time it was brought up he thought of all the people he couldn’t save. He didn’t feel like the hero everyone said he was.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he bit out harshly. Eyebrows lowering and his mouth twisting into a frown. “It wouldn't have changed a thing between us,” he said confidently.

“Do you love Buck?” Lisa asked with narrow eyes. She looked like she was studying him and waiting for him to answer wrong. It was a little odd the women hadn’t said a word to him since they got there. But here she was what felt like interrogating him. A few snorts and chuckles passed around the group at her blunt question.

Eddie’s head snapped up to her immediately and all thoughts dissipated. “What - i” he began to defend himself but just stopped. What was he going to say? That he didn’t love Buck? Because that would be a pretty big lie. He knew how he felt about Buck. But he never truly thought or acted on them. He always thought he’d have the time.

And now he might die.

“I really do,” Eddie said softly.

The hard and mean expression dropped from her face. Lisa just smiled at him beneath all the worry she was carrying. From the end of the row and to his left another man spoke up. “He’s talked about you to us” Brock admitted with a gentle comforting smile.

His ears turned pink despite being hidden behind his hair. Eddie’s eyes widened at the news and his stomach did a small twirl. Was that what people said when they said they had butterflies in their stomach? “He has?” he questioned in a small whisper. Buck talked about him to them? What did he say? Does that mean he feels the same way?

A smile lit up on Lisa’s face. She could automatically tell how much Eddie felt about their guy. And the fact he was precocious with them when they first got there awarded him some brownie points with her. Even if it ticked the others off.“He’s talked about all of you” Jason said, giving the others in the back a glance as he said so. He knew they were listening. They weren’t exactly subtle either.

The fire fighters including Athena faces twisted into a small glimpse of happiness. Before they were back to reality. “Do y'all want to hear about the time Buck lost a bet and had to hold a tarantula?” Clay said, nodding to them. A chuckle ripped through a few of them. They knew his fear of spiders.

One by one everyone formed a group. They pulled chairs up and squashed together. They may not be on the same team. But here they were. They were on Buck's team. That meant they were family by default. And family take’s care of their own.

They all sat together sharing stories of Buck when he was still serving in the Navy. All the way back to green team training all the way to him when he became a firefighter. Despite the worry and fear they all felt of him dying they laughed and smiled as they shared stories. Just for a few minutes maybe fifteen they pretended he wasn’t near death and they were just having a small sharing session.

Hen was just about to share in great detail about the time Buck stole a fire truck.

When the sound of tapping against the floor caused their attention to travel to the doorway. Maddie was running into the room. Tears dropped from her eyes. Chim automatically jumped to join her and wrap her in a comforting hug. She mumbled something into his neck. Repeating it multiple times.

From the side Eddie’s breath caught in his throat and dread filled him. There was a hand that pressed to his shoulder but he didn’t even look to see who it was. It felt like he couldn’t breathe not unless he knew for sure. After a moment she looked up from Chim’s neck and to him directly.

“Buck’s alive he’s not giving up” She said a joyous laugh being ripped through her despite the tears.

Relief instantly washed over everyone. Hugs were passed around. Tears slipped down Eddie’s face he didn’t even know half the people he was hugging. He was just so happy and relieved to know he wasn’t going to lose Buck. There was a small celebration in the waiting room. Until it died down.

But the buzz was still alive.

Now everyone was waiting to see him. Eddie felt like running into the room already. But he couldn’t just run in there. Maddie would surely want to be the one to stay with him. Buck didn’t have his ‘parents’ there with him. He thought a little bitterly. “Go ahead,” Maddie said, gesturing for him.

Eddie had to pause for a second. Like he couldn't believe she was letting him go see Buck. It didn’t feel real. “What- Are you sure?” he asked in a jumble of words. Before he took off he was almost out of the room too when he turned back and wrapped maddie into a hug. She smiled at the embrace before she tapped his shoulder.

“Go” She whispered, chuckling a bit.

Eddie ran down the hall only stopping to see a nurse to see what room Buck was in. He also had to slow down when she got onto him for running in a hospital. Which shouldn’t be a rule everyone runned in the hospital. Surgeons, doctors, nurses and especially someone who was in love with their best friend and was about to see them again.

But he took the time to calm himself. His hands were sweaty and the butterflies in his stomach felt like they were doing flips and somersaults in there.

Staring at the door. Eddie breathed in and out trying to calm down the best he could. He knew Buck wouldn’t even be awake. And he was proven right when he opened the door and Buck was laid in the bed covers pulled up to his chin and eyes shut. He walked into the room and just stood there looking at the rise and fall of Buck’s chest.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it,” he admitted, a sob ripping through his chest. He was barely holding himself together.

He walked closer to the bed and right up to the side. Reaching a hand out to touch Buck’s uncovered hand he pulled back. He didn’t want to wake him up. So he settled with touching the arm rest. Fingers tightening around the plastic.

He bent out as he held his grip on the bar. Breathing in and out. Eddie finally leaned back up and to see Buck’s face. The small birthmark near his usually bright blue eyes. But all he was meeted with was closed eyelids. He knew at that moment he had to admit his feelings. He didn’t want to go another moment without telling Buck just how he felt. Even if he was unconscious to hear his confession.

In fact it made it easier.

“I don’t know what I would do without telling you … just how much i love you” he admitted with a soft expression.

Then Buck’s eyes opened and he looked up at Eddie with wide eyes. “You love me?” Buck’s hoarse voice asked. Eddie practically jumped like he was just shot. He pulled away from the plastic and stepped back until he realized Buck was awake and he was speaking and he went back to his side much closer.

“Were you faking?” he asked in a raised voice.

Buck rolled his eyes at him. “No i was trying to sleep” he explained like it was normal to pretend to be asleep after waking from a coma. They were already back to arguing like a married couple and Buck had been awake less than ten minutes.

“What was that about you loving me?” he asked with a toothy grin. One that Eddie didn’t think he would see again.

Eddie gripped his uncovered hand. Fingers twisting together and hands fitting together like a couple of puzzle pieces. “You did enough sleeping for a lifetime” he said before he leaned down and placed a kiss to Buck’s lips. He pulled back to check on Buck and make sure it was okay. When Buck pulled him back down to meet his lips.

They stayed like that for a few moments. Buck’s hands attached to Eddie’s neck of his shirt. Twisting him to get a better angle. And Eddie stayed like that hovering over Buck. A hand resting on his cheek and the other holding himself up above Buck’s head.

Eddie moved, turning his head. Then a whistle was heard and they pulled apart. There bravo and 118 stood at the door. Different reactions on all of them. Amusement surprise at catching them sucking faces.

“How’d they let you back here?” Eddie asked, trying to sound normal. He moved from Buck tearing his hand from the pillow and his cheek. But he kept Buck’s hand in his grip. He didn’t completely tear himself away.

They each stepped into the room. It was a little hard to fit more than a dozen people in a small hospital room. But they all made it happen. Cramming and squashing together. Shoulder to shoulder and feet only inches apart. “Let’s just say the nurse likes us,” Sonny said, grinning a bit. Near him Lisa and Ray rolled their eyes simultaneously at the man.

All of a sudden it was like Buck retained the ability to speak. He looked at them with wide eyes and a big grin. His favorite people in the world besides Chris were there. Both of his families were there with him. “What are you guys doing here?” he asked, laughing a bit in surprise.

“You didn’t think we wouldn’t show up to check in on our number seven,” Jason said, tapping a hand to Buck’s shoulder. There was a joking smile on his face. Everyone was looking at him with happiness on their faces. And a bit of sadness. He could see the blotches on his sister’s face and how Eddie’s eyes were red.

Buck’s face twisted and he chuckled, tossing his head back a bit but it didn’t have the same happiness to it as before. Just the reminder of not being a part of Bravo anymore tore his mood down and he frowned a bit. “I haven't been Bravo Seven for a long time,” he said in a small murmur.

But Clay spoke up from his other side. He shook his head at his words. “You know you’ll always be a part of our team” He said determinedly. All of Bravo standing in the room nodded agreeing with him. And it took Buck everything he had not to begin crying. To have his brothers and sisters support. That’s all he could ever want.

Well there was one other thing he wanted-

Standing near the door. Bobby and Athena were wrapped together in a hug. “How about you introduce us to your family, Buckley?” She said gently. The disbelief in the guys around the room was gone and she really wanted to get to know them all. Especially if they met this much to Buck.

Buck sat up in his bed and tried to sit all the way up but Eddie pushed him back down. Gaining a few snorts and laughs around the room. “Oh let me introduce you guys” he said brightly with a big grin. He looked like a golden retriever coming back from fetching a ball. So he began to delve into everyone on his bravo team then going the extra mile and introducing his 118 team.

This time they all met and introduced each other more formally. Yelling and judgment gone just happiness and thankfulness that Buck was alive.