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The morning light was just beginning to filter through Buck's curtains.
Ever since Buck and Eddie had finally gotten their shit together and became 'official' a couple months back, they had rarely spent time at Buck's loft. Sure there was the occasional overnight or post work hangout, but home was Eddie's place. In fact, today would be the last day they would spend at Buck's place, since they were moving in together. The plan was to pack the few things Buck had left and finally make their home complete.
Their shift ended unexpectedly late last night after a massive pileup, but Chris already had a sleepover at the Wilson house set up, so it all worked out. They were going to pick him up later, but it was nice doing this final farewell to the loft. It was still early-ish, around 6, Buck and Eddie were dead to the world. Or they were supposed to be. Buck had no reason to be up, his shift certainly tired him out, but here he was, with Eddie pressed against him, before all the Los Angeles chaos began and he was just existing in the quiet. Before he could slip back into a peaceful sleep, he registered what must of woke him. He was thirsty. The glass next to him was empty - great - and Eddie's side was empty too - even better.
As much as it pained him to leave his boyfriend's warm embrace and the coziness of his bed, he extracted himself, careful to not rouse Eddie. After grabbing both glasses, he tried to move as silently as possibly down the stairs. Apparently he was too focused on that, because around 3 stairs in, he tripped. Full-on cartoon-style, fell down the stairs.
It was oddly choreographed, with how silently he landed. Well, he landed silently, the glasses? Not so much. He landed on his right side, seeing stars for a moment - he must of hit his head - before trying to move. That's when he noticed the blood on his hand. This was not the relaxing morning he thought he would be having.
"Buck?"
Shit.
He woke Eddie up and he's bleeding and it's getting on the floor and he is so damn tired and all he wanted was some water.
Buck continued to adjust himself on the ground, trying to pick up the shards of glass whilst also inspecting his injury. It wouldn't need stitches (he doesn't think, it's hard to tell with all the blood), but it's a solid cut across his wrist, reaching the edge of his palm. He knew nothing he could say would get Eddie back to sleep, but he tried anyway.
"Sorry, dropped a glass, I'll be up soon." Does his voice always sound this panicked? Why does it sound panicked? He's okay, his body is shaking, but he's okay. Right?
Before he can spiral any further, he sees Eddie at the top of the stairs, hair rumpled and squinting behind a yawn.
Moments like these are Buck's favourite. The intimate, relaxed times when they feel like a family. Seeing Eddie calms him down almost immediately, the safety that Buck associates with him being able to pull him from his fear.
"Buck, you're bleeding." Eddie says it like a shocked observation, like maybe Buck didn't notice the blood oozing from his hand, that's why he's still picking up the glass. He's immediately more awake now, seeing Buck hurt and starts walking towards him.
"Careful Eds, don't want you to get hurt."
"And I appreciate that, but I need to look at your hand, cariño." Eddie's nearly at the bottom of the stairs now, but Buck is still sitting on the floor with blood and glass in his hands. He suddenly feels stupid and messy - he feels like a kid.
"I'm sorry." Buck mumbles to his hands, he can't look at Eddie, he feels so exposed.
"Nothing to be sorry for," Eddie says easily, in the way that Buck always needs to hear, reminding him that love is tender.
He expertly steps over the glass and grabs an empty bowl that happens to be sitting close by. He gives Buck the chance to dump all the glass in his hands into the bowl, before helping him stand up and leading him into the bathroom.
The water is like ice on Buck's hand, but it rinses most of the blood away. Eddie grabs a first-aid-kit out of one of Buck's cabinets and helps him patch up the cut.
The antiseptic stings and Buck flinches away. Tears are silently flowing down his face. It's not because of the pain, but Buck feels so small in this moment.
"I know, I'm sorry," Eddie reassures, trying to be more efficient and loving. He caresses Buck's check to wipe away the tears with his free hand.
Now that the cut is cleaned up, Buck sees it isn't deep and he should be fine with a heavy duty bandage. At that moment, Eddie begins placing a heavy duty bandage around Buck's hand.
Always in sync. It makes Buck giggle just a little and the tears begin to let up.
"Am I all set, Doc?" Buck asks, trying to lift the mood somewhat.
"Not before this," Eddie leans down and presses a gentle kiss to Buck's newly bandaged wrist.
It's lame, but it's so sweet and Buck can't believe this is his life and he loves it. He loves it so much.
Eddie insists on cleaning the glass up whilst Buck finally gets some water. They each make their way back to bed easily. It's closer to 7 now, they could probably stay up, but what a unique privilege it is to stay in bed for just a while longer. Eddie cards his fingers through Buck's hair, holding him and both their breathing evens out before they know it.
When Buck wakes up for the second time that morning, it's much less relaxing. His head is pounding and half of his body hurts. It's much brighter outside and Eddie is tracing circles along Buck's arm, like he always does when he's awake before Buck. His's back is to Eddie, but when he tries to turn around, he can't quite bite back his wince.
"You okay? Is your hand still sore?" Eddie is already reaching for Buck's injured hand under the covers, then bringing it to his eyes to inspect.
"I'm okay, my head and body are just hurting I don't know wh-"
Buck cuts himself off. He fell down the stairs. How the fuck could he forget that?
Shit, maybe he has a concussion. No, he's had concussions before and he was definitely more woozy then, it's more of a tight pain on his right temple.
"Buck? Did something happen?"
"I fell down the stairs." Buck says quietly, a stunned confession.
"You what?!"
"When I dropped the glasses. I was walking down the stairs and I tripped."
"And you didn't say anything!?" Buck knows Eddie isn't mad, he is genuinely confused as to how he didn't notice that his boyfriend fell down the stairs a few feet away from where he was sleeping. Maybe even more confused that Buck didn't tell him.
"I forgot!" Buck tries to defend himself, but he knows it's pointless.
"You forgot?" Eddie is doing his Concerned Dad Voice™ and a small part of Buck (all of him) finds it very enduring.
"What if you have a concussion?" Maybe him and Buck are a little too similar seeing as they both jumped to concussion immediately and not the obvious answer, Buck being a forgetful idiot who got carried away by his boyfriend's care and love.
"Eddie," Buck tries to say it with as much sincerity as possible, "I am fine. My head is a bit sore and my body will probably be bruised for a few days, but I'm okay."
"What's the date?" Eddie ignores Buck's sincerity and reaches his hands out to Buck's head, trying to feel for a bump.
"August - I don't know the date when I'm perfectly healthy. Ow." Eddie presses vaguely on the spot Buck must of landed on, he seems apologetic, but the medic in him continues with his exam.
"What's your name"
"Evan Buckley, boyfriend to Eddie Diaz - that's you - and hot firefighter to all others."
"This is serious, Buck."
"And I'm seriously fine, Eddie."
He can see Eddie making the choice in his mind, to inspect further or leave it. His drops his hands to the bed.
"I'm not too worried about the bump on your head, it probably hurts right now, but it should be fine in a couple of hours. Promise you'll tell me if you feel worse?"
"Promise."
They sit in that silence for a bit, both of their backs pressed against the head board, Eddie's hand making it's way to Buck's. It's comfortable, until Buck needs to pee thanks to all the water he risked his life getting. As he moves to stand up, he winces. He must of landed right on his hip, because it flares up when he finally stands up straight.
"Fuck," Buck says under his breath.
Eddie is next to him impossibly fast, quietly muttering, "I've got you."
"I think I'm good now, thanks," Buck says once they get to the bathroom.
"If you're sure," Eddie says uncertain, "Don't close the door all the way, I'm getting you painkillers and some ice for your head, don't do anything stupid."
"I'll try my best," Buck says before mostly closing the door, following Eddie's orders.
After the meds and ice, the day starts going more smoothly. They eat some breakfast and finish up the last of the packing. Buck (after lots of insisting from Eddie) doesn't do any of the heavy lifting, but they work as a team and get the job done. They load up each of their cars and agree to meet up at home, Eddie gets Chris and Buck finishes the remaining admin he has.
That evening, despite the bruises and headache, Buck had never felt that peaceful. He can't wait for this life to be only his favourite moments, the intimate and relaxed ones, where they're a family. They eat spaghetti and watch a random action movie that Chris falls asleep not even 20 minutes into. He really loves that kid.
After tucking Chris into bed and cleaning the dishes, they make their way into the bedroom, Eddie takes a look at the bruising on Buck's side. He can't help the hiss he lets out.
"How could you forget this happened?"
'I don't know, I guess this really sweet, handsome, guy distracted me."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm sure."
Eddie rubs some ointment or cream (he isn't really sure, he just trusts Eddie to do what's best for him, he always does) onto Buck's injuries and makes sure to kiss all the places that cause Buck even the slightest whimper.
He goes to bed with the man he loves on his right and a full glass of water to his left.