Chapter Text
The first time it happened, Eddie felt something in him…. shift. It is cliche, really, but still groundbreaking for him nonetheless.
They are just wrapping up the scene, the fourth (and hopefully the last) call for today. Eddie only has less than an hour before he can officially clock out for the day. He cannot wait to wash off all the grime from work and spend the rest of the evening with Chris. Tomorrow is going to be his day off. They have arranged with Buck to visit the museum for the limited-time-only space exhibition, something Chris would not shut up about the entire week.
Eddie is not a huge fan of museums. But space exhibitions sound fun. And as long as Chris is happy, so is Eddie. Buck being with them is a plus. (A huge plus.) All in all, yeah, Eddie is really looking forward to tomorrow.
God, he just wants to go home and see his kid already.
“Excuse me, Firefighter Diaz!” Eddie’s head snaps automatically when he hears his name being called but there is no one in close proximity. Frowning, Eddie looks further.
On the other side of the scene, there is a middle-aged woman who Eddie recognises as the victim’s aunt talking to Buck. While still unsure if she was the one who called for him, Eddie decides to make his way over.
As he is getting closer, he catches the drift of her questions, something about post-discharge care and Buck is answering her accordingly. Once he is there, they are already finishing up.
“I think you’re right. He’s gonna be fine. He’s a strong boy.” It sounds like she is trying to convince herself more than anything. The smile on her face seems forced when she pats Buck on his arm, “Thank you for your help, Firefighter Diaz. Oh, and you too.” She nods her head once towards Eddie, before walking away.
Eddie gives himself about a minute to try to digest whatever he just witnessed, then turns to send Buck a questioning look. “What was that?”
Buck shrugs as he continues to shove the last black gear bag back into the firetruck’s storage compartment. “Worried aunt. They only have each other, apparently. Dad passed away when he was a kid and mom’s walked out a couple of years ago.”
That does not answer Eddie’s question, but then he realises he did not ask the right question either. Eddie is about to reiterate when Buck simply closes the compartment and walks towards Bobby who is flagging him over.
That is also when Eddie notices on Buck’s back, between those broad shoulders, between the suspender straps, the word ‘Diaz’ in uppercase, bold, display-styled font sits proudly.
He can hear himself gulping, his mouth ajar, staring like a dumbstruck idiot.
Buck must have taken his shirt this morning by mistake. They were in a hurry, as the first alarm blared while they were still changing into their uniform. And since they have been in their turnout gears from the first call through the third, no one probably noticed to have pointed it out.
Eddie probably should have, right? Since he has. Noticed.
He grimaces.
Well. There is nothing wrong with wearing each other’s shirts. They are best friends. Their lockers are next to each other. Some of Buck’s shirts sit nestled between Eddie’s in the drawers back in Eddie’s bedroom. Besides, there is not even an hour left in the shift. It is pretty pointless to change now when they are going back into their civilian clothes very soon.
Shrugging, Eddie wheels around towards the other side of the truck, so very ready to go back.
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(Eddie consciously refuses to check his own back on a mirror, knowing the possibility of seeing a ‘Buckley’ between his shoulder blades. His stomach is already doing something weird, no need to make it worse.)
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(Eddie is also absolutely not going to think about how Buck does not as much as flinch when he is addressed as Firefighter Diaz. Twice! Those are two cans of worms he is going to keep hidden out of sight under his bed.)