Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buck:

Buck would be the first to admit that he had alot of jobs. Hell he was the Barbie of runaway teens.

As much as he liked the NAVY seals he just couldn't shut off his emotions. And so he wound up in Texas, working on a ranch of all things. It wasn't something he ever expected to be drawn to but here he was exhausted and covered in the very attracive smell of cow shit. Despite the enjoyment he got out of working on the ranch he still felt like he was missing something. There was something calling out to him somewhere, he just couldn't put a finger on it.

Which leads him to his current predicament, as the Winter season rolled in and the Summer work on the ranch became less and less, Buck had yet another job search ahead of him. Buck was currently on the train to El Paso with his bags packed and his cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes; completely passed out.

Eddie:

Eddie was in a great mood.

Not only was he on his way home to Shannon, but they now had a beautiful baby boy on the way. Elated and exhausted, Eddie stumbled onto the train, bag slung over his weary shoulders.

The train to El Paso was packed like sardines, there were only two clear spaces left, yet there were several people still standing. Eddie didn't question it and plonked himself down beside the sleeping man. Eddie tucked his bag behind his feet and sighed deeply.

It suddenly dawned on him why the other passengers were giving him odd looks and a wide bearth.

The man smelled like shit.

Literally.

Eddie stiffled a gag, it smelled like the man had a fight with a sewer and lost.

Just as the train pulled out of the station the man slumped sidewards onto Eddie's shoulder; the five second window Eddie had to get up was gone, he was now a human pillow for a man that smelled like shit. 

And he wasn't just any man, he was heavy, all muscle; Eddie was impressed; he had a cowboys hat pulled low over his eyes, but Eddie could make out a strawberry birthmark above his left eye; Eddie found himself thinking it really suited the man.

That was the last thought Eddie had before he drifted into a deep sleep himself.

Buck:

Buck awoke with a jolt as the train came to its final stop. The conductor's voice announcing such over the train's loudspeaker.

He hadn't meant to fall asleep, he was just so exhausted from the bus and the heat. Speaking of heat, he realised there was a warmth he was leaning on; he didn't remember anyone sitting beside him.

Blearily opening his eyes he caught sight of army khaki's and stiffened; slowly turning his head he caught sight of the man he was leaning on in the reflection of the window. The man was also shifting. Buck was frozen. He had no idea what to say to a man he had seeming slumped onto in his sleep; while smelling like cow shit too. Buck felt himself going red.

Buck sat up awkwardly and stared at the man a moment, his name was DIAZ, or so his jacket said. He looked about Buck's age, he had a tanned complextion and big brown eyes.

Eyes, the man was awake and staring back at him. Waiting for book expectantly.

Sitting up and getting off the man's shoulder book felt drawn to the man.

Sticking out his hand Buck awkwardly introduced himself. The man introduced himself back as Eddie. Buck liked the sound of his voice.

Eddie:

Eddie felt Shannon moving beside him and pulled himself out of his sleep; and looked down at her blue eyes. He could see the whole world in her eyes, the ocean, the sky, the entire universe.

Wait, Shannon had green eyes, and he was on a train.

Eddie stared at the man infront of him, memories flooding back. He fell asleep after the cowboy hat guy slumped onto him.

Eddie realised he had been staring too long when the man awkwardly introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm Buck, well Evan, but everyone calls me Buck. Sorry I fell asleep on you, I did'nt mean to; well obviously I didn't mean to but its been 18 hours of travelling and it sort of just happenned; yiou know you can only go 36 hours without sleep before you start to get sleep deprivation symptoms?...so yeah... Sorry?"

Eddie just stared at the man mouth falling open a bit as he rushed out an introduction, apology, and a random fact about sleep all in one breath.

Eddie realised he should probably close his mouth and say something.

"Nice to meet you Buck, I'm Eddie. I don't mind being a human pillow, but maybe don't stay up 36 hours to test that theory."

Eddie picked up his bag and stuck out his hand to shake Buck's offered one.

As they walked away from one another Eddie couldn't identify the feeling blossoming in his chest, brushing it off as nerves over seeing Shannon again.

Buck:

Buck walked away from the platform, on his way to start his new life in LA as a firefighter.

He glanced back and saw the soldier; Eddie, leaving the other end of the platform.

Brushing off that feeling he couldn't figure out he stepped into the light of the El Paso; sure that Eddie's path would cross his again one day.

Chapter Text

Buck was so over it. He loved his job, he really truly did. He did not like 8am starts when he had spent the night on a friend's sofa on the far side of LA.

Not only did the LA traffic put off his mood, but he hadn't got his morning coffee, which after crashing on an uncomfortable sofa before a 24 hour shift, well that just wasn't the best idea.

Despite traffic preventing him from getting his morning coffee Buck was in a relatively good mood. He was finally an official firefighter, he was no longer the 118's probie. Which meant he was no longer their go-to person for runt work; or maybe that was just hopeful thinking on his behalf.

While finishing pulling on his boots Chimney called him, reminding him that he was to go see Bobby before their shift officially started.

'You wanted to see me cap?'

'Ah Buck, come on in and sit down. I just need you to fill out some paperwork now that you've finished probation', the older man smiled offering Buck a pen and what seemed in Buck's opinion, like far too much paperwork for someone to fill out. 'I'm very happy with your progress over the past few months, now that you're finished your probationary period I can start looking for a permanent partner for you on the team. And Buck; I'm glad you're here with us, you are a part of this house'.

Buck thanked the Captain and took the paperwork (and a large very sweet coffee) to the sofa to try make a dent before the bell rang.

Bobby's words had Buck reminiscing on his first day at the 118.

Buck's first few months in LA had been rough, he lived at what quite frankly could be considered a frat house, and honestly with the amount of women coming and going; it may as well have been a frat house.

It wasn't until he was at the 118 that he really settled into LA, he felt like he had found where he was meant to be.

Buck arrived at Station 118 early for his first shift, following the sound of chatter and smell of garlic bread up the stairs he found a gaggle of firefighters sitting around a table. The table fell completely silent.

'Evan Buckley, new recruit. I was told to report to Captain Nash'? Buck queried.

Buck was not prepared for an awkward silence followed by nobody knowing a Captain Nash. The beginings of panic started to set in as Buck checked his watch, eyes darting around to see if he was in fact at the 118.

'Take a seat Evan'. Buck was not afraid to say that he sighed a very loud breath of relief, sitting down in the chair that Captain Nash had pulled out for him; Buck was in the place he was meant to be, it felt right; as if all his travelling and jobs had lead him to this moment.

---

Buck was grateful to Bobby. He really was. Well maybe not for the paperwork he was steadily making progress through when they got called out to a farm on the outskirts of the city.

Buck was not grateful for the raised eyebrow Bobby raised at him when they realised that someone needed to get into the sewer to remove the trapped teenager.

Yeah no, thinking he would no longer be their go-to for runt work; looks like Buck was still their man for that.

Buck was grateful he found a place he loved to work at, but he couldn't help to think that there was some strange part of him missing. That there was one last jigsaw piece to his puzzle somewhere in the world, waiting for him to find. Buck wasn't sure he would ever find it; but for now all he needed was his work family and it would be okay.

Chapter Text

Eddie was so tired.

Chris had just turned 6 and was trying to push the boundries of independence. Eddie couldn't help but hover around him. He was so small and so fragile. The thoughts that anything could happen to Chris if he was out of Eddie's sight was stressing Eddie out.

Shannon had left 3 years ago, leaving Eddie alone with a toddler and no way to fund the medical bills. After Christopher was born Eddie returned to Afghanistan on what he hoped to be his last tour; it was supposed to be routine, but on the way back to base he was shot. One look at his St Christopher's Medal laying in the sand was enough to make him leave the army right away instead of transferring. His son was too special to him, he couldn't let his son grow up without a father.

Eddie was working any jobs he could find to pay the medical bills. But his nerves were starting to fray. He needed a fresh start. There's only a certain amount of cars he can fix before he started going crazy. He wanted to help people, not help cars; it's the whole reason he trained to be a medic in the first place.

Eddie was currently working three jobs; a mechanic, a gas station attendant, and carpenter. An odd combination, but since starting his work at the gas station he had gotten to catch up with some old friends which helped him get his other jobs.

Eddie scrolled through the civil jobs forum, after putting in his credentials the platform spit out suitable jobs. It spat out random suggestions like carers, or school nurse, one event suggested 9-1-1 operater. Nothing seemed to spark any interest for Eddie; it wasn't until he got to the last one that he felt a small weight lift off his shoulders. Maybe this could be how he could help people?

Eddie uploaded his details into the expression of interest forms; marked the states he was willing to relocate to, and sent off the email. He closed the laptop and smiled down at a sleeping Christopher. Switching off the shark documentary and lifting Chris to bed, Eddie couldn't help but let out a huff of laughter. He really was so lucky to have Christopher, he wouldn't give up Chris for anything. His son was adorable, sue him.

___________

'You're in over your head Edmundo'.

Eddie was tired of hearing the same comments from his father every week 'I'm doing the best I can'.

'That's what we're saying, you're killing yourself' Eddie's mother added. 'Working around the clock, three different jobs, and you don't have time for what matters most'. Eddie started to feel like maybe they had planned this converstation. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end at the thought. 'Christopher, and thats why we think he should live with us permanently, we're the only constant in his life'.

Eddie felt his blood begin to boil 'It won't be like this forever, its just temporary all these jobs, you know I've applied to different fire departments' Eddie looked between his mother and father. 'You know I got accepted to LA and Chicago'.

'Yes, where you'll be working 24 hour shifts leaving Christopher with God knows who!' His mother retorted.

Ramon raised his hand shaking a pointed finger at Eddie 'Christopher NEEDS consistency, he already got cheated out of that when his own mother up and left him'.

'She didn't leave Chris, she left me, to take care of her dying mother. So how about we cut her a little slack?'.

'No. No. She gave up on you and then she gave up on Christopher, I will always blame her for that' Helena added, voice raising.

'But now you want me to leave him to? Makes sense mom' Eddie added, 'How exactly do you think that's good for him?'

Ramon raised his voice in response 'Eddie he doesn't know you, you havent been around most of his life'.

'Yeah because you were around for most of mine, right dad.'

'I was working'.

'And so was I, you may regret those choices now, but you don't get to make up for missing out on raising your son by stealing mine.'

Helena nudged in 'Nobody is stealing Christopher, the reality is that your father and I are the only constant in Christophers life. You can't just take him away from the one this he's known. He belongs with us Eddie. I know how much you love your son, which is why you'll do the right thing for him. Don't drag him down with you Eddie'.

Eddie had never felt more anger towards his parents before, which was a difficult task given his childhood. Eddie got up and stormed out of the room. Headed to the porch where he had heard Christopher sneaking off to earlier.

'Hey buddy'.

'Dad! Are they made at me?'

'Oh buddy no, they're just mad at me, nobody is made at you'

Eddie sat down on the porch step beside Chris and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. 'Hey bud, did you ever miss me when I was gone?'.

'I miss you all the time'.

Eddie didn't think his heart could be broken anymore, but somehow it shattered at those 6 words.

'Well, I was thinking of taking another trip again, what do you think about coming with me this time?'

'Together?'

'Together'.

Eddie help up his pinky to Christophers and twisted them together. Nothing would tear them away from one another again.

Chapter Text

Evan Buckley is a good firefighter. He loves his job. He loves his team. And he loves the 118.

Yes, Buck rushes into things. Yes, Buck make independent and often implusive decisions. But no, Buck does not make stupid mistakes.

His partner on the other hand. Well to say that Reynolds was a disaster would be an understatement.

Alicia Reynolds was a transfer firefighter from the 126, the first of his official and supposidly permanent partners on the team. His Chimney to his Hen.

Yeah... it didn't last long till she was transferred back to the 126.

It was late March when Reynolds joined the 126. She was the exact opposite of Buck. Buck could see how Bobby might have thought it would be a good fit. In theory they would balance each other out. Instead they did nothing but butt heads. Every. Single. Day.

Buck didn't think there was a such things as being too careful, but somehow Reynolds was so over-cautious that they lost precious minutes to rescue people or contain the fires. The final straw for Buck was a call in early July.

It was a routine gas leak. Someone decided to renovate their kitchen and a gas line was connected to the cooker incorrectly. The team was checking out the residents outside by the ambulance. Buck was doing a final search through for the family cat when it happened.

Reynolds was supposed to have turned off the gas. It was the most important job and first task you do at a gas leak. Buck had just collected the cat from the sofa when he realised there was a small tealight burning by the doorway. Almost in slow motion, he watched as the kitchen doorway went up in flames, fire spreading across the roof. Buck cursed aloud and decided to take the next quickest exit from the house. The living room window. He wanted to say his exit was graceful, but with an overweight squirming ginger cat trying to claw its way out of his arms; well Buck landed ever so gracefully on his face in the front garden.

Everyone was okay, the house on the other hand, well Buck felt bad for the young family having to renovate their kitchen so soon again after just doing it. Bobby suggested they get appliances installed professionally this time.

It wasn't until they returned to the firehouse that Bobby ripped into Reynolds. Buck knew Bobby saw him as a sort of psuedo-son; they had a unique father/son relationship going. But he had never seen Bobby quite so mad before. Yeah Buck was put in danger because of an avoidable error, but he felt a little bad about the tear-down going on. Still, Reynolds should have known better. Combined with the numerous previous errors happening and Reynolds moving to a new team, Bobby ended up discovering that Reynolds was going through some personal matters. The stress of a new team ontop of everything was not working. Reynolds ended up transferring back to the 126 by the end of the week, and was reserved to desk duty until further notice.

Buck felt a little bit bad about feeling relief that she was no longer his partner. Only a little.

The end of July brought a new partner for Buck. Some Maxwell-Anthony Franco. Buck definatly matched with Franco alot better, not only did they get on better, but Franco was not about the have a nervous breakdown on every call. Buck actually thought Franco would be with the 118 for a while. But he was gone by Mid-August. Not transferred, but fired from the LAFD completely.

Franco was more impulsive that Buck. Bobby, clearly thought someone like Buck would be better than Reynolds was. But Franco was another category. He did nothing wrong on calls or anything. It just turned out that Franco was a raging bigot and nazi. Buck didn't even think people like that existed anymore?

It all came to light when they were dealing with a five-alarm fire. Franco had gotten trapped and ended up getting a small piece of galvanised steal supporting impaled through his lower left abdomine. Chim was cutting around his compression shirt to evaluate the damage once they got him out. That's when they all fell silent. Across Francos chest was a Nazi Eagle. There was no denying it. It was there plain as day.

Bobby made it very clear once Franco was out of surgery that he was no longer welcome at the 118; and that the department needed to investigate his integrity further to see if he could even stay a firefighter.

Buck was disappointed in himself. He not only lost another partner, but he had completely miss-judged Franco. He felt disguisted with himself for even trusting the man. He swore he would distance himself from whoever was his next partner until he knew for certain that they were reliable and not racist.

Buck was not prepared to be intercepted by Bobby mid-way through a verbal sparring session with Chimney over the firefighting calender. Buck was certain he was a shoe-in, he had been preparing all month, and had Maddie promise to take his photos for the submission the next day that they were both off.

Bobby called him to his office to talk. Buck already knew this meant he was getting a new partner, after the last two candidates he had made Bobby talk to him before they arrived and give him some background. He did not want to be blind-sided by another Reynolds, or god-forbid a Franco again.

'Alright Buck, I said I would give you a warning and rundown' Bobby sat down behind his Captain's chair.

Buck sat down on one of the chairs facing Bobby. 'Look Pops, I appreciate you giving me a heads up; just tell me that they aren't a complete trainwreck' Buck chuckled nervously.

'Alright well today is his first day, he just finished at the academy, top of his class like you and I snagged him from station 6 because I am certain that this will work, third times a charm' Buck nodded along. 'And Buck, if I am wrong about this I will give you my secret lasagna recipie' Bobby smiled, trying to ease some of the tension visible in Buck's shoulders.

'He was a medic in the army, recently moved to the area from El Paso, and I can personally guarantee that he is not a Nazi. I spoke to him at the assessment and triple-checked. Lord knows we can't have another Franco' Bobby and Buck grimiced in unison.

'His name is Eddie Diaz'.

Buck felt something familiar about the name, distantly remembering a train ride years before.

He shook his head and thanked the Captain before going back to find Hen and Chim on the sofas.