Chapter Text
Buck’s POV
“Hey, cariño. Don’t worry, you’ll do great. You’ve worked so hard, and I know you’ll be amazing.” Even through the screen, Eddie’s voice carried a warmth that wrapped around Buck like a familiar blanket. He always knew exactly what to say, as if he could read Buck’s heart even from a war zone.
Buck smiled, but his heart ached. “How is it that you always know what to say to make me feel better? But anyway, thank you. I just… I really wish you were here, Eds.”
Eddie’s sad smile flickered across the screen, and Buck knew he felt the same. Before Eddie could respond, a muffled voice called his name in the background.
“I’m so sorry, cariño, but I have to go. I love you and Chris so much.”
“We love you too. Stay safe, Eds.”
“Always. Love you.” And just like that, the screen went black, leaving Buck staring at his own reflection.
— — —
The next morning was chaos, but Buck was used to that. Breakfast dragged on longer than it should have, and LA traffic lived up to its infamous reputation. Despite it all, they managed to get Chris to school on time. Buck kissed his son goodbye, waved until Chris disappeared through the doors, and then sped off to the firehouse.
— — —
It was his first official shift as a firefighter, and nerves fluttered in his stomach like restless birds. He stepped into the station, but it seemed empty. For a moment, he wondered if he’d arrived at the wrong time—until laughter drifted down from the loft. Following the sound, he found a group of people sitting around a table, their faces lit with easy camaraderie.
“Hi, I’m Evan Buckley. I was told to report to Captain Nash.” His voice was steady, but inside, he felt like a kid on the first day of school.
An older man raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair. “Captain Nash? Hmm, does anyone know a Captain Nash?”
Two others—one with a quick smile and another with a teasing glint in her eye—answered simultaneously. “Nope,” and “Never heard of him.”
Laughter broke out around the table, and Buck’s face flushed.
“Just messing with you, kid,” the older man said with a chuckle. “I’m Bobby, and these two troublemakers are Chimney and Hen. Take a seat, Evan.”
“Everyone just calls me Buck,” he replied, grinning despite himself as he slid into a seat next to Hen.
Buck’s first week flew by, and to his surprise, he loved every second of it. The calls were a wild mix of the bizarre, the heartbreaking, and the adrenaline-fueled, with only a few straightforward house fires sprinkled in.
The crew was just as eclectic as the calls. Hen, a no-nonsense woman with a heart of gold, shared stories about her wife and son. Chimney, the station’s comic relief, had an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies but lamented his painfully single status. And Bobby, their steady leader, was a quiet force who occasionally let slip details about his girlfriend, a police sergeant.
Buck told them he was from Pennsylvania and that he’d traveled a lot, but he didn’t mention Eddie or Chris. It wasn’t shame that kept him silent; it was the weight of their situation. Talking about Eddie being deployed was too raw, and the last thing Buck wanted was pity.
— — —
Bobby’s POV
In the month since Buck had joined the 118, he’d become an integral part of the team. He was quick-witted, fearless, and had a knack for finding humor even in the most stressful situations. But Bobby could tell the kid was holding something back.
It wasn’t unusual—everyone had their walls—but Bobby hoped one day Buck would trust them enough to let his guard down.
The crew had just returned from a medical call. Chimney and Hen were restocking the ambulance, Buck had disappeared into the locker room, and Bobby was heading upstairs when he noticed a woman with brown hair and a little boy hobbling on red crutches entering the station. The boy’s wild blonde curls were impossible to miss.
Bobby made his way over. “Hello, can I help you?”
The woman offered a polite smile. “Hi, I’m looking for my brother, Evan Buckley.”
Before Bobby could respond, Buck emerged from the locker room. His face lit up with a mix of surprise and joy as the little boy’s voice rang out.
“Papa!”
Buck closed the distance in a few strides, scooping the boy up in a tight hug. The moment was so tender it made Bobby pause.
Buck set the boy down and hugged the woman. “Hey, Maddie. What are you guys doing here?”
“Superman here really misses his dad,” Maddie explained, ruffling the boy’s hair. “I thought a visit might help.”
When Buck turned back to Bobby, he noticed Hen and Chimney had joined him. Their faces reflected the same confusion and curiosity Bobby felt.
“Chris, Maddie, these are my coworkers—Hen, Chimney, and my captain, Bobby. 118, this is my son, Christopher, and my sister, Maddie.”
Bobby nodded, his expression softening. “Nice to meet you. Buck, why don’t you show them around the station? After that, they’re welcome to stay for dinner.”
Buck nodded gratefully and led his family away.
— — —
Buck’s POV
Dinner had been perfect. Chris loved the firehouse, and Maddie fit in seamlessly with Buck’s new crew. But after they left, the inevitable questions came.
“You have a son?”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Is your sister single?” (That last one earned Chimney a collective eye-roll.)
Buck chuckled and held up his hands. “Okay, yes, I have a son. It just never came up. And… family’s a bit of a sore subject right now, so I wasn’t ready to dive into it. As for Maddie, yes, she’s single.”
Hen’s expression softened, and she stepped forward to pull Buck into a hug. “If you ever want to talk about it, we’re here, okay?”
Buck swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. “Thanks, Hen.”
— — —
Later that night, Buck’s phone buzzed with a video call. He answered quickly, Eddie’s face filling the screen.
“Hey, cariño. How are you?”
“Hi, Eds. I’m good. The crew met Chris and Maddie today.”
Eddie’s brow lifted in surprise. “How did that happen? I thought you wanted to keep us under wraps.”
Buck rolled his eyes. “They came by the station. Chris missed you, and Maddie thought seeing me would help.”
Eddie’s smile softened, but there was a flicker of longing in his eyes. “I miss him. And I miss you.”
“We miss you too,” Buck said quietly.
“But I’ve got good news,” Eddie added. “If everything goes well, the commander says I’ll be able to leave in 10 days.”
“Oh my God, Eds! That’s amazing!”
“Yeah, I thought so too. But I’ve gotta go. I love you, cariño.”
“I love you too. Stay safe.”
“Always.”
As the call ended, Buck stared at the screen, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks.