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Buck was having a day. A very bad, no good, terrible day.
First off, it was a day that Eddie wasn't working, so of course all Buck could think about was what Eddie was doing on his day off.
Did Eddie sleep in? Is Chris with him? What are they doing? Is Eddie thinking of me? Does Eddie know I'm thinking about him? It was all Buck could think about, leading to some very stupid and simple mistakes.
Before the day even started and before the first bell rang, Buck cut his hand open, because of an avocado pit no less.
“Shit,” Buck cussed under his breath, but it still caught the attention of Chim and Bobby.
Bobby reached him first just as the kitchen towel touched Buck's now bleeding hand.
“Don't use that! Do you know how many different bacteria types there are on here,” Bobby said, ushering Buck to the sink.
“We also use that to dry our dishes, Buckley,” Chimney chimed in.
Buck just watched, barely listening, as Bobby and Chim bandaged up his hand. He stared at his deep red blood circle around the drain.
Down the drain, just like my day's going, Buck thought.
It really hadn't started as a bad day; nothing major had happened. It just wasn't a good day and that was enough to make it a bad day.
“Are you listening, Buck?” Bobby's face focused in front of Buck's eyes.
Buck tried to shake it off, “Uh sorry, what?”
“How many calls do we respond to that are just careless accidents in the kitchen?” Bobby continued as Buck tuned him out.
“Uh, right,” truthfully, Buck just wanted the conversation to end. It was a stupid mistake and he knew that, but the way that Bobby AND Chim were laying into him was a little bit much.
Buck made his way to the locker room and after tripping on the stairs twice and getting his foot stuck in the strap of a backpack, finally made it to his phone. Eddie had texted him. It was just a good morning text, but the sheer joy that bubbled up in Buck almost saved his entire morning. Almost.
Just as Buck was going to call Eddie, hoping that he was still in bed so at least Eddie's morning could be better, and partly so Buck could see Eddie shirtless, the bell went off and everyone ran to the engines.
“Come on Buck!” Chimney yelled, as he started putting on his gear next to Buck's locker.
That's Eddie's spot…
Even Buck had to admit that he was moving slower and quieter than usual, but the whole of the 118 really didn't need to bring it up. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.
It started with Chimney staring at Buck, then looking between Buck and Hen, then Hen and Chimney staring as if they were holding a whole conversation with just their eyes.
Finally Hen spoke up, “Are you grumpy because Eddie's not here today?”
“I am not grumpy.”
“Yeah,” Chimney grimaced, “you are. Just a little bit.”
Even Bobby nodded along.
As Buck continued to sit in silence, his mind once again drifted to Eddie. Eddie was probably making breakfast for Chris and his hair was probably sticking up in all directions and he probably wasn't even thinking of Buck…Maybe he was a little grumpy because Eddie wasn't there.
Buck glanced at his phone and once again his heart started beating harder. He tried to hold in the smile, but at this point all of his reactions for Eddie were involuntary.
I heard you were a little grumpy this morning. Eddie had attached a photo of him and Chris eating cereal, their smiles mirrored each other.
Buck was right; Eddie was still wearing his sweatpants and his hair was sticking up and he did look insanely adorable. The way Chris was looking into the camera, his eyes so full of love, could have cured his bad mood alone, but adding morning Eddie to the picture, Buck's cold attitude was melted.
Not grumpy. Buck texted back.
Ha I'm sure. I'll see you when you get off. Be safe.
Buck felt lighter. The little grin that danced in his lips was evidence of that, but as he looked up to see Hen and Chim across from him smiling knowingly at each other, Buck's smile faded.
You'll see Eddie when you get off, Buck reminded himself, that's only in like 12 hours. You can make it.
Buck repeated that in his mind like a prayer. Like it would save him from all the bad. Like Eddie would save him. A prayer, a promise.
You'll see Eddie when you get off.
Buck had tried to help grab the legs of a little boy stuck in a tree, but instead it led to him getting kicked in the face, twice.
You'll see Eddie.
Then it started raining, which wouldn't normally be a problem, except the team was already on a call without rain gear when the bottom dropped. They all got absolutely soaked, which also wouldn't normally bother Buck, but because it was a bad day and he was the last to call dibs on a hot shower, Buck had started to hate the rain.
You'll see Eddie.
To top it all off, another call came in right as Buck was heading to the showers. He had changed, so it didn't really matter, but Buck was looking forward to that shower about as much as he was looking forward to finally seeing Eddie.
Eddie.
The world was against Buck; he was fully convinced that he was cursed as he hit his 4th red light in a row. It wasn't even heavy traffic, but you'd never know from the way Buck was surrounded by the slowest moving traffic. The world was really against Buck.
Eddie.
He took the stairs two by two, completely passing by the mailbox. He could get it later. After he had been wrapped in Eddie's arms for as long as Eddie would allow.
Eddie.
As Buck swung the door open, he was greeted by Eddie's strong back, the thin material of Buck's shirt stretched over his shoulders. That sight and the promise of finally touching Eddie was the only thing that propelled Buck forward. Eddie let out an “Oof!” as Buck crashed into his back, wrapping his arms around him, and splaying his hands flat against Eddie's chest.
“Eddie.” Buck's breath was hot against Eddie's back. He could feel the deep, ragged breaths that Buck was struggling to take in with his face fully pressed into his back. A little part of Eddie's heart ached for Buck. He really had to have had a bad day to be acting like this.
Eddie turned around, still in Buck's arms, not daring to break that connection for even a second. Eddie guided Buck’s face to his own, leaning his forehead against the other. Eddie dipped his head, trying to get Buck to open his eyes, or speak, or show any sign of life beyond the controlled deep breaths Buck was taking. Eddie could see the day's wear written all over Buck's face. There was even a little bruise forming just under his eye.
As Eddie brushed his thumb over Buck's physical reminder of how shit his day was, he felt his tension staring to ebb away.
“I think I’m cursed”.
Buck felt Eddie's chuckle start before he heard it, but when he heard that sweet deep sound, it was like everything bad that had ever happened ceased to exist. With every sound of Eddie's laugh, the clouds around Buck's day began to part. Buck tightened his grip on Eddie's (his) shirt, balling his hands into little fists, like a promise to never let go.
“Why are you laughing?” Buck asked, still pouting, but with a hint of a smile.
“Because you looked pitiful,” Eddie cupped Buck's face, “you were pouting!” The concern was so evident in Eddie's voice.
As Eddie continued laughing, he began pouting again. Eddie brushed his thumb against Buck's lower lip, making the pout more pronounced. Buck stared deep into Eddie's eyes; a warm brown, full of love, stared back.
“You know what happens to that lip when you pout right?” Eddie's hands felt hot against Buck's face.
“You're gonna take it?” Buck's voice barely above a whisper.
“I'm gonna take it.” Eddie leaned his head forward, pulling Buck's lower lip into his mouth and sucked lightly, eliciting a small laugh from Buck.
I'll never stop pouting, Buck thought as he gave a little peck back to Eddie.
“Can I ask about your day? Or will that make everything worse?” Eddie struggled to lead Buck to their couch. For every hand that Eddie released, Buck grabbed and wrapped around himself. For every single step Eddie took, Buck dragged his feet. If it wasn’t so utterly adorable, Eddie would have been a little peeved.
“Not yet,” Buck grumbled, finally looking at Eddie. Though Buck was still struggling from the day, Eddie could see the normal brightness returning to his eyes. He smoothed his thumb across Buck’s forehead and over his birthmark, hoping that would help release some of the tension.
The two finally settled into the couch; the same couch that Buck had fallen asleep on multiple times before either of them knew the other was in love. With Eddie’s arm wrapped around him, Buck thought about how many times he would seek out Eddie without fully realizing how deeply he loved him. His long day was over and he was finally where he was meant to be. It was just enough to finish shaking off the feelings that had been looming over Buck all day.
Buck took a deep breath, knowing that he could only get it all out at once, “My day was bad because I had to work without you, and Chim took your spot, and then a kid kicked me in the face, and then it started to rain,” Buck trailed off, “and you weren't there to smile at me or laugh and I didn’t hear your voice all day.”
A wide grin broke out across Eddie’s face, “So what I’m hearing is that you really missed me.”
“I really missed you,” Buck turned to place a kiss on Eddie’s chest. He rested his cheek right above his heart, Eddie’s heartbeat steadying him. It was quiet for a moment as Buck nuzzled deeper into Eddie’s side; the warmth from his chest and slow tracings Eddie was writing across Buck’s hand had started to coax him to sleep.
“And I cut my hand this morning,” Buck said, eyes still closed, and voice sleepy.
“I see that,” Eddie traced over the scab. “Does it hurt?”
“No.” Eddie still placed a delicate kiss along the cut.
“Chris would say it’s all better now.” It was Buck’s turn to let out a chuckle. Buck could feel Eddie’s smile against the side of his head and it made him happier knowing he was happy. Eddie pulled him tighter to his chest and placed a sweet kiss on Buck’s temple, as he drifted to sleep. The day was finally over for Buck.