Chapter Text
Chim, like the rest of the 118, had just finished up a shift seemingly sent straight from hell. Nobody had said the dreaded q-word, but they still ended up with way too many calls. That morning, it was his turn to do a final sweep of the firehouse to make sure it was ready for the next shift, so he expected to be the last of the crew. But he was, in fact, not the last of his crew in the house.
“Oh I did not just see that,” Chim groaned, immediately turning around and making himself heard as the door to the lockers shut behind him.
He only got a few steps before he heard somebody rush out of the door behind him.
“Chim– wait, I can explain,” Buck called awkwardly.
Chim turned to face Buck, whose face was still bright red. “Yes, please explain to me why I walked in on you and Eddie practically eating each other’s faces just now.”
“We wanted to tell everybody, but we just– haven’t found the right time yet,” Buck explained, not wanting to let Chim in on the plan to drop the news of his relationship with Eddie in dramatic fashion.
“So even though it’s still a secret, you two thought it was a great idea to make out in the firehouse ?”
“We thought everybody had left by now,” Eddie said as he walked up to the other two, looking as sheepish as Buck.
“Well, they didn’t,” Chim said, still processing the fact that he just saw his two coworkers making out. It didn’t bother him, but the fact that Chim had to admit that Hen was right once again— did. Shortly after Buck and Eddie started working together, Hen and Chimney were convinced that they were both head over heels in love with each other. Hen believed that one day they’d actually realize it and start dating. Chim, on the other hand, thought they’d both be too stupid to even acknowledge their feelings. To settle the argument, Hen said that he owed her $20 if they got together, and to let them both figure it out. “Wait a minute, when did you two start dating anyways?”
“Last week,” Eddie started to explain, “He came over for dinner with me and Chris, and after we put him to bed–”
“I kissed him on impulse. I didn’t know what to say, so I let my lips do the talking,” Buck interjected with a sly grin.
“And I’m glad you did,” Eddie mumbled to Buck, which earned a grimace from Chim. They were going to be insufferable once the news was out.
“So, what, I just have to keep your secret until you finally decide to tell everybody?”
Buck and Eddie looked at each other for a moment, and Chim knew something was telepathically communicated before they turned back to him and nodded.
“Please tell me you told Maddie,” Chim pleaded, “You know I don’t do secrets.”
“Not yet,” Buck replied. Actually, he was going to tell her once he got home, but he hoped that she’d forgive him for waiting just so he and Eddie could mess with Chim and the rest of the 118.
Chim groaned. “Fine, I’ll stay quiet. But please tell everyone sooner rather than later.”
“Thank you,” Eddie said with a smile.
“You’re welcome, and I’m happy you two finally figured it out,” Chim replied as he turned to leave, “And don’t make me regret saying that by keeping that secret for long!”
Buck and Eddie chuckled, already coming up with many schemes to mess with Chim in the upcoming days.