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“Where did you say Buck was right now?” Eddie asks, sitting across the counter as Bobby preps for lunch.
“He’s gone to Oklahoma. Something about Taylor, he didn’t specify.” Bobby continues to chop vegetables. “Just that he’d be out for a day - “ Bobby pauses when he sees the curious expression on Eddie’s face. “You okay?”
“Uh, yeah.” Eddie sits up, his eyes are steely and jaw is clenched. “He - he didn’t tell me.”
Now, Bobby knew that Eddie and Buck shared a…special relationship. Sure, they liked to claim that they were best friends, and that they had each others’ backs on and off the field. But Bobby couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more to them.
It’s not like Bobby was complaining; he appreciated their synergy. Though they had gotten off on the wrong foot; Buck, especially. The presence of another young, hot-blooded, and good looking man had prickled Buck, made him defensive and mouthy, and generally moody. And to Eddie’s credit, the army veteran had tried to keep his cool but there was only so much he could hold back before confronting Buck in the firehouse’s makeshift gym.
But that had quickly changed, in a matter of a few hours and all it took was a live bomb lodged in an unsuspecting civillian’s leg. Go figure. What, Bobby initially thought, would have been a make-or-break problem turned out to be 118’s greatest strengths.
Eddie clears his throat; “So Taylor Kelly huh.” He says; “That’s such a Buck thing to do, you know?”
“Yes…?” Bobby drags his reply as he sautees the vegetables.
“He doesn’t think - just takes off, no impulse control. Christopher has more impulse control than he does and Chris is 10!” Eddie has now gotten away from the counter, pulling a mug to make himself coffee.
“Oh God! That reminds me, I probably need to tell Chris that Buck won’t be able to help with his lego project tonight because I bet you, Cap,” Eddie blows on his coffee and snorts; “I bet you Buck has not told Chris that he had to urgently take off for Taylor Kelly’s problem.”
Bobby isn’t sure if this is a conversation anymore.
“Just another adult letting Christopher down, huh?.” Eddie says, shaking his head in contempt. He sighs heavily and saunters away, mumbling something under his breath and Bobby is left thinking, what on God’s green earth just happened?
It is no secret that Eddie Diaz is a jealous man. He gets all mean, and petty, mumbles snide remarks under his breath, carries his passive-aggressive attitude on his sleeves and wears it around like a medal of honour.
It is, however, to be noted that Eddie doesn’t get jealous often.
Except when it comes to Buck.
Or so Bobby has observed.
There is just something about the way Eddie treats Buck. Unlike Buck who, God bless his heart, would readily jump into a blazing fire; Eddie is more calculating, more grounded, more reserved and hesitant to express any real emotion. But his face always lights up when Buck enters the room, the way Eddie would smile softly at him, eagerly lapping up everything Buck spilled about his latest internet deep-dive.
And Buck? Bobby’s sure that Eddie (and Christopher) gave Buck everything the boy had dreamed for; pizza and video game nights, weekend outings and picnics, being included in a loving family unit; a home for Buck to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in.
Bobby feels like their relationship is so much more deeper than a friendship; it’s so personal, so intimate. When they sit huddled, during their off-time at the firehouse, heads put together, Eddie quietly laughing over something Buck had said. Bobby is sure there is something romantic - no, something much deeper than just romance. There is understanding, acceptance, and loyalty. And space. They always have space for each other.
Bobby can’t help but feel that, maybe, these two are just idiots who don’t know what has hit them in the face.
He is only proven right when Eddie approaches him at their community Christmas celebrations and requests for a transfer. It’s so out of left field that Bobby is left stumped. Eddie claims it’s to protect Christopher, save him from the hellish nightmares of losing his only surviving parent, and though Bobby knows it to be true; he has an inkling that it’s not the whole truth. And it maybe, possibly, could have something to do with Buck and Taylor’s relationship going steady. But, of course, he is not going to tell Eddie that. He only hugs the younger man and wishes him luck.
A week after Eddie leaves the 118, Buck kisses Lucy Danato and the cracks in his relationship with Taylor start to show.
Eddie’s and Buck’s long-distance friendship? Partnership? Relationship affects Bobby more than he would care to admit. In his defence, it’s affecting Buck, which has a ripple effect on the team. It’s nothing life-threatening, obviously. But it’s enough to make the firehouse slightly dimmer and less welcoming. Bobby feels helpless when he sees Buck sitting in a corner of the lounge, uncharacteristically quiet and looking like a puppy who has been kicked.
Bobby keeps asking May to stop by after her shift at the dispatch center, just to get updates on Eddie.
“Honestly, I don’t think Josh likes Eddie much.” May says, one evening over dinner. “But also you know, Josh has always had a small, little crush on Buck so maybe he’s jealous of Eddie or something, I don’t know.” She shrugs casually.
“Oh…” Bobby says quietly. “What?”
“I mean it’s not a secret, everyone knows he’s got a crush on Buck - “
“So why would he hate on poor Eddie?” Athena interjects, raising an eyebrow.
“Um, because Eddie’s dating Buck?”
Bobby bursts out laughing. “They’re not dating.” Bobby isn’t sure he can fully trust his words.
May looks shocked as she eyes Bobby and Athena in disbelief. “Wait - what?! Then why do they behave like that?”
“Mhmm.” Athena hums as she looks at Bobby.
Naturally, Bobby and Athena have previously discussed Buck and Eddie because Athena has seen it; the way Eddie’s hand always hovered around Buck’s body when they were out on call, the way Buck was a frozen shell of a person when Eddie got shot.
“Why don’t they just confess to each other?” Athena had rolled her eyes.
“I don’t think they know.” Bobby had chuckled.
“Idiots.”
Bobby had to agree.
Bobby hears about Eddie’s mental breakdown from Buck.
Buck walks into his cabin and wordlessly sits across from Bobby; “What’s up, kid?” Bobby asks, without looking up from his paperwork. When he doesn’t receive a reply, he tears his gaze from the documents and looks at Buck. The boy looks broken.
“Buck?”
“It’s Eddie.” Buck mumbles. “He’s - he’s not alright.”
Bobby had an idea that Eddie wasn’t doing too well, not adjusting with his new coworkers and place of work; especially since Eddie showed up at Bobby’s house with transfer papers and bags hanging from under his eyes, demanding Bobby sign it, accusing him of murder when Bobby refused to. Eddie had looked - deranged; vaguely reminding Bobby of Buck’s anger when he was refused to be let back into work after getting his leg crushed,
“And - and I don’t know how to fix it.” Buck sniffs; there are tears, actual tears, threatening to spill. “Maybe - maybe you could do something and get him transferred back to 118.” Buck suggests. “He needs us, Cap.”
he needs me are the words Buck doesn’t say but Bobby hears them anyway.
“No, Buck.” Bobby says kindly. “He’s not ready yet.”
you’re gonna stand there, with a hundred something bodies on you and tell me i’m not fit for duty? were the exact words Eddie had used to attack Bobby.
“Let him continue his sessions with Frank.” Bobby presses on when he sees that Buck has clenched his jaw and purposely looks away from Bobby. “He will always have a place here with 118, you know that. I just want him to get better, so when he rejoins, he’ll be the best version of himself and provide the best care for his patients.”
Buck sits quietly for a moment, unmoving and deep in thought; “Fine.” He says, iron determination in his voice. “Fine, it’s fine.” He nods. “I’ll take care of him, Cap.” Buck says, getting off his chair and walking away before Bobby can stop him.
Hen later tells Bobby about how Buck tracked down Charlie - the boy Eddie had rescued on the day he was shot - and proved to Eddie that he was the reason for this boy to get his second chance at life, that Eddie mattered, that Buck needed Eddie to fight. While also getting Christopher equine therapy. Bobby feels proud of Buck but he’s also left wondering, is this not the kind of love you pray for?
When metro dispatch catches fire, the 118 are the first on the scene though being several blocks away. Bobby isn’t sure who’s feeling more jittery, him or Buck. Fortunately for Buck, Eddie meets them outside the building, holding on to a near faint Terry. Bobby witnesses first hand as the calm flashes across Buck’s face, like he can finally breathe again.
And when Sue Belvins informs Bobby that May was still in the building, locked up in a room right next to the raging fire; Bobby doesn’t even think twice when he asks Eddie to get his turnouts from the truck and suit up.
Once everyone is pulled out of the building, after Bobby takes a roof over his head while saving his daughter, he’s sitting at the triage as Hen, Athena and May fuss over him. He doesn’t mind, in fact, he loves it. He’s basking in their affection when he spots Taylor Kelly standing across the parking lot, with her cameraman; she’s got a pained expression on her face, her eyes unblinking and face stiff. Bobby follows her line of sight and immediately spots Buck and Eddie; ashy, sooty, and grinning at each other.
They’re almost stuck together, maybe holding hands, Bobby can’t tell; but they are definitely lost in their own world, everything else, a blur. Buck is saying something, he looks so earnest and sincere and Eddie’s eyes are searching, studying Buck’s face. Bobby watches as Eddie reaches out and cups Buck’s face gently in his hand. Buck pretty much melts; eyes shut, a soft smile, and leans into Eddie’s touch.
that’s unfortunate for Taylor Kelly Bobby thinks, as he gets ready to be transported to the nearest hospital for an MRI scan.
The following weekend there is a party at Bobby’s and Athena’s for several reasons but mostly for everyone’s good health. Bobby has got his grill ready, Athena makes sure there’s enough drinks for everybody and enough club soda for her husband. Their house is lively with the 118 and their families.
From across his backyard, Bobby spots Buck playing with Chris, Denny, and baby Jee. It's so wholesome and endearing that Bobby has to pause his grilling and take it in. Eddie is with them, of course, with a big, wide smile on his face but his eyes are fixed on Buck. Bobby watches as Karen comes in and ushers the kids away towards the food table, leaving Eddie and Buck alone.
“Told you they’re dating.” May appears by his side, eyes twinkling as she looks over at Buck and Eddie.
Eddie frets over something on Buck’s face; pulling on a tissue, wetting it with his tongue and wiping it off Buck’s face. Buck doesn’t even flinch, let alone care that it’s Eddie’s saliva. It’s too familiar, too intimate. Bobby has to cringe and smile in response.
They’re probably not, Bobby wants to say, but that’s okay because they’ll always find their way to each other everytime and that’s enough.