Work Text:
The 118 loved their new recruit, Eddie Diaz. He used to be a medic in the army but had recently retired, and decided to become a firefighter.
He was quick, strong and intelligent. However, he tended to isolate himself.
The team tried to get to know him, but the guy was impenetrable. It took five months and an earthquake for him to even share that he had a kid.
___________
It took them more than seven months to realize that Christopher was not the real reason he didn't date.
They were having one of their routine barbecues. Christopher and Denny were drawing at one of the tables, and to Denny's surpriseChristopher drew what looked like a family picture, himself with three other figures.
"Who's that?" Denny asked him.
"That's my papa!" Christopher answered excitedly, a bright smile on his face.
"And that?" Denny said pointing to the other figure.
"That's my Dad!"
"And her?"
"She's my mom!"
"Where are they?" Denny asked, looking around the room, he could only see Eddie.
"They are gone, but they are always with me! Mom will always be in my heart and Papa is far away! But he will come back! Dad always came back!"
Bobby was the first to look at Eddie in disbelief. A secret husband? Or maybe just a partner. A dead partner? Eddie used to be in the army, maybe this second partner was there too?
"That's beautiful Christopher, good job," Eddie praised him, a sour smile on his face.
The team took that as their answer, Eddie had lost his family somehow, and he had every right to keep it to himself, no matter how curious they all were.
___________
Eleven months after Eddie joined the team, he started being in a bad mood. It just kept getting worse. At first they gave him space, especially since this work was - as always - impeccable.
But rather than eating with them, or playing games, or cleaning the rigs he spent all the time they weren't on calls in the bunks, or outside making calls. Something was clearly going on, but nobody knew what.
Two weeks later, it escalated. Eddie had been boxing and he’d broken the punching bag. Afterwards he simply stared at the sack of sand as it laid on the ground.
"What did that poor punching bag do to you?" Hen asked as she came down the stairs after the crash.
Eddie laughed harshly, with no humor. "I wish that was the problem," he sat down, his hands covering his face, breathing harshly.
Hen got closer. "Is something wrong with Christopher?"
"N-no. It's," Eddie sighed, exasperated with himself.
"Is it something we can help with? Playdate and sleepover? Enough food for a week? You can rely on us," Hen said softly.
"Margaritas? Boys' night out?" Chimney proposed as he had come over while the two were talking, and then placed a hand on Eddie's shoulder.
"I don't know. I need- I need to-" Eddie whined, trying to keep the sobs in and failing. "I need to hear from him . It's been almost three months of complete silence. Not a single call, not a message, not an email, not a letter. Absolutely nothing from- And- I-" he took a deep breath to try to calm himself. "They wait until it's been three months to declare death."
Hen and Chimney shared a look. Eddie was worried about someone in the army. Could this person be the "papa" Christopher sometimes mentioned?
"When will it be three months?" Chimney had the courage to ask, though he did it softly and kindly.
"It's today. I haven't told Christopher yet. He can't lose another parent. I- I- can't lose him. He's my everything!" The last word ended on another half sob.
"Today is not over, right? If they don't come to you it means he's alive." Hen tried to reason, still looking at her friend with kind eyes.
Eddie nodded at the reassuring words. "Ok. Today he's still alive."
The team was tense, they might be able to work perfectly, but they all feel tense, on the edge for any visitor Eddie might get.
______________
The day after, they all know. It happened. Or it was about to happen.
Eddie walks into the station, one hour before the start of their shift. He looks tired, and the bags under his swollen red eyes tell everything he can't say himself. His hair is unwashed and uniform slightly rumpled, and it's clear that only one thing has been on his mind.
"Hen, could you pick Christopher up from my house after school? Carla will take him home from school. “A deep shaky breath and then “Cap, can I talk to you in your office?" Eddie asks and both his friends nod immediately.
Only seconds after they’ve closed the doors, a blond man with a distinct birthmark walks into the station. He stands tall, his posture rod straight and proud, and when he stands still, his arms find rest behind his back as if it's the most natural thing in the world..
The man's attire began with a cutting-edge tactical combat uniform, crafted from advanced materials clearly designed to withstand the trials of covert operations and high-intensity missions.
The uniform's sleek design offered a blend of mobility, durability, and camouflage capabilities, ensuring optimal performance in a variety of environments, from urban settings to dense jungles and rugged terrain. Strategically integrated into the uniform were pouches, holsters, and compartments for carrying essential gear and equipment, though most seemed to be empty on this day.
The uniform featured the discreet yet unmistakable insignia and identifiers that denoted his rank, credentials, and affiliations. His subdued SEAL Trident emblem, affixed to his chest or shoulder, signified his expertise in maritime, air, and land warfare, while his special agent credentials were subtly indicated through encrypted patches or insignia with unknown meanings for them.
The only thing missing from the picture of a loved one making it back home was a tactical helmet and duffle bag.
"Hello, I am looking for Eddie Diaz. He's a firefighter here, right?" The man asked with a soft smile, in complete contrast to his appearance. He looked around for the man in question, though his face fell just a bit when he couldn't see him right away.
"He's in the captain's office, are you here to share the bad news?" Hen inquired, squinting at him.
"What bad news? Do you work with him?" The man asked, genuinely confused.
"We don't know all the details but-" Hen started explaining, but as the doors to the office opened, her words trailed off in anticipation.
For a moment Eddie's words freeze. He'd been in the middle of thanking Bobby, and then he stepped out of the office and he saw him . He stilled.
Bobby, behind him, looks over at Hen, confused.
"I don't believe in ghosts, I don't believe in ghosts, I don't believe in ghosts," Eddie whispers to himself, barely loud enough to be heard.
"Hey," The military man said, a big smile on his face. It transformed it completely. Whoever he is, it's clear that he cared for Eddie.
"Buck?" Eddie asked as he looks to the faces around him. Everyone else can see the man standing in front of him too, right? It's not just his imagination? Or is he really imagining his dead husband?
The army man, Buck, opened his arms, a clear invitation to a hug, but the only thing visible on Eddie's face was anger when he stepped forward and slammed the man onto the engine, a hand on each of his shoulders.
"Eddie! Wh-" Eddie shut the man up by kissing him. Strong arms wrapped around their coworker as the others looked on in confusion.
"Buck! You're here?! Are you really here?" He pleaded once they needed to breathe.
"I sent you an email! Last week! That I would come home today. I didn't have a way to see if you replied, but then I waited for you for two hours at the airport! Then I went home. Since the house is empty, I figured Chris must be at school, and you are here, so I came to make sure you knew!" The army guy replied, though at the end he looked a little sheepish.
"I- I didn't get any emails. I got the hospital's documents last night! They said you were dead!" Eddie's smile fell as he remembered the night spent crying.
"I'm very much alive!" Buck yelled back, then paused, "I'm so sorry they sent them to you, my team all made it out alive," he wiped his partner's tears away with his hands. "I'm alive and I came back to you. I always come back to you."
After a long hug, Buck took a deep breath. "Don't freak out, but I think they just didn't get my doctor's note…"
"What do you mean?" Eddie asks.
"Don't freak out, I kind of died, but I'm fine!" The words came out in a fast jumble.
"YOU WHAT?" Eddie yells.
"For three minutes! I got electrocuted. It's not a big deal!"
Eddie shoved his husband against the engine again. "NOT A BIG DEAL?"
"Hey, in all fairness you met me because I was carrying a teammate on a broken leg," Buck said in his defense, though he knew it was a weak one.
"So you did die!" Eddie cries out.
"I was directing a mission the day after. I swear I feel fine. There's no damage, they checked, I was in an actual hospital." Buck tried to defend himself again. "It hurts more to be away from you."
"You!" Eddie began, and his partner smiled at him.
"Me! In love with you," he imitated.
"You are trouble!" Eddie said before kissing him.
"Baby, have you seen yourself cooking?" Buck joked, kissing Eddie's forehead.
Eddie couldn't help himself, laughing while crying.
"I know baby, you were worried. I'm sorry there was a problem with my file," Buck said as he tightened the hug.
"I love you, but don't ever do that again!" Eddie threatened.
"I love you. Pinky promise.“ Buck takes a breath and looks at Eddie with eyes full of adoration, “Actually, I'm done. I never have to go there anymore. I have done all the super-classified things I was supposed to do. I'm home, with a huge bonus too, you and Chris are going to be so spoiled at Christmas."
"I love you," Eddie repeated as he rose on his tiptoes to kiss him.
And then he remembered that they had an audience of confused firefighters watching them. He turned around, still leaning slightly on Buck and introduced them all. "Oh, guys, this is my husband, Evan Buckley. Buck, these guys are family."