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Ravi knows that running is seen as cowardice by some people. In this case for him was survival instinct and a way to preserve his job. He lasted one whole week of shifts under Captain Asshole - excuse him he meant Captain Gerrard - before he took his bag and transferred himself to the Academy as Instructor again until somehow Bobby was back in the captain chair. If that was gonna happen and if that wasn't gonna happen he was evaluating offers by others stations.
No one at the 118 blamed or got angry at him for leaving them, they were just disappointed they couldn't do the same for various reasons.
When he got the call from Chimney that Bobby was back he couldn't be happier to get back in action, but he couldn't just leave his recruits he has been following at one step from being assigned to a Station, so he stayed at the academy until then.
Now all of them were off being Probies around the city's stations and his transfer request back to the 118 was approved.
The Station was exactly like when he left it, just less bigotry around and more of a familiar air.
The difference he couldn't help but notice was Eddie's absence. Apparently he moved back to El Paso just before Ravi got back so he could be close to Christopher.
Ravi didn't have much information as to why Eddie's kid had moved back to Texas to live with his grandparents, just that something bad had happened, but for sure he didn't think it was messed up that Eddie was moving back to his hometown too. For the few time he saw the man and the kid together it was clear that they loved each other very much so in Ravi's mind Christopher was always gonna come back to his father. He felt bad for not reaching out to Eddie more after he transferred, he considered him his friend, maybe he should contact him to see if he wants to chat while they play a match at some video games.
He also couldn't help but feel like he was taking Eddie's spot in the team since Bobby partnered him with Buck, no matter how many times everyone reassured he wasn't. That if Eddie wanted to come back at any point he would have gone back to be Buck's partner and Ravi would have taken in to mentor the probie.
Anyway Ravi is glad to be back in action with the 118. And working with Buck was always a fun and adrenaline-filled experience. Especially since he wasn't a probie and Buck couldn't boss him around too much. Ravi always learned something new with him and he got to do fun rescues that usually were done by Buck and Eddie.
About Buck, Ravi isn't going to call him on it, but his attempt to be normal about Eddie's absence isn't going well. His smile forced every time someone asked him if he had news from the other man and he had to tell them that Eddie was settling well. Ravi truly doesn't understand why he feels like he has to pretend not to be sad, everyone is allowed to be sad if their friend packed everything and moved to another State, so why Buck can't? Ravi doesn't ask the question out loud. He smiles along when Eddie is mentioned, never mention him himself and shakes his head when he sees Hen, Chimney and Bobby shake their head at Buck's behavior. If they aren't gonna intervene then he won't.
It starts during their third shift in their new routine. People ask Buck about Eddie less, reaching out themselves or tired to see Buck pretend so badly, and that's when it's Buck himself that brings up the man in conversations, like he's worried they would forget about their ex coworker. But the worst of it it's when he calls Ravi, Eddie.
The first time it happens they just got back from a call in which a little kid had got Ravi's uniform dirty of something Ravi isn't sure he wants to know what it was, so instead of going up to the loft like everyone else he had to go change quickly.
Buck is at the coffee machine when Ravi arrives at the loft. He needs coffee too so he walks straight for the kitchen area.
“You want coffee, Eddie?” Buck asks reaching for a mug in front of him without looking. Ravi for a second turns behind him to see if the man had magically appeared before he connects that Buck is actually talking to him. “I meant, Ravi.” Buck corrects before Ravi can say anything. “Sorry.” he adds sounding more like he killed his pet instead of simply calling him the wrong name.
Ravi bites down a chuckle, “No worries, man. It's just a name.” he reassures waving a hand and walking to retrieve his drink. “I will get a coffee, though.” he jokes when Buck doesn't move from in front the coffee machine.
Buck shakes his head and moves, “Yeah, uhm, sorry, there you go.” he says taking his mug and moving to sit at the table, head kept down and brows furrowed.
Ravi forgets of the accident pretty quickly until the next shift it happens again during a call.
A pileup with four car and the two cars in the middle were well crumpled together. Buck and Ravi have been instructed to check and extract the passengers of the third car. Two very scared teens.
“Hey, I'm Buck, that's Ravi, we are working to getting you out, okay? Can you tell me your names?” Buck asks as they check their vitals and puts them in c-collars as precaution from the windows on each side.
They both seems to be fine, just cuts, bruises and in shock. “I'm Jamie and this is Edward.” the driver says after a few deep breaths to calm down.
“Okay, Jamie, Edwards, we have to get you out so our paramedics can assists better. To do that we will have to use the saw which will be loud, but you two will be covered from any sparks.” Buck explains with a calm voice, “We will be fast, I promise.” he adds patting Jamie's shoulder, “Eddie, go grab the saws.” he orders.
Ravi doesn't really notice the slip of the wrong name since he was already moving his hand away from Edwards wrist feeling for any changes in his pulse, until the teen points it out, “I thought your name was Ravi.” he says trying to move his head to look between both firefighters.
Buck's make a chocked out noise that Ravi quickly tries to cover with a laugh, “Yes, it is. Eddie was the probie before me, Buck got confused for a second.” it's not a lie after all. Edwards seems okay with his answers so Ravi gives him a tight smile and leaves to get the tool.
“There you go.” He says passing the saw to Buck, who accepts it with a silent nod of the head.
Getting Edwards and Jamie out is all downhill once the doors are out of the way, neither of them is pinned by any part of the car, Hen confirms they haven't any evident injuries but they will still bring them to the hospital to rule out internal bleeding.
Buck stops him as they are leaving and apologizes for calling him Eddie again, Ravi pats him on the back and tells him there's nothing he has to apologize for.
The next time Buck accidentally calls him Eddie happens while they are sitting down for dinner.
“Eddie, can you pass me the salad, please?” Buck asks through the clatter of people serving themselves. Ravi frowns, looks down at the bowl of salad in front of him and before he can make a joke and correct Buck, the man is correcting himself, “Ravi, I meant Ravi, can you pass me the salad, please?” he asks again looking pointedly at the salad bowl like it offended him. Everyone in the room hears the Fuck that he says right after, no matter how low he thinks he said it. Nobody comments, Hen and Chimney look at each other wordlessly and Bobby gives Buck a quick pat on the arm he is resting on the table.
“Sure.” Ravi says with an easy smile, before changing topic.
Buck's voice is a whisper when he thanks him.
This time when Ravi sees Buck approach him with the same guilty look in his eyes, he anticipates him, “Do not apologize for calling me Eddie, come on, it's no problem.” to which Buck answers with one of the most genuine smiles Ravi saw on him since he came back. The other times being when Jee-Yun and Maddie – pregnant, when Ravi got the text from Chimney he made sure to send them a basked of goods and flowers – came to visit at the station. Probably with the only intention to cheer Buck up a little.
---
Ravi's plan for the next 48 off is to play as many video games as he can, which is the perfect opportunity to asks Eddie if he wants and can play and have a chat. When the man texts him back a few hours later they organize to connect and play that evening.
“Hey, man, long time, how are you? How's the lone star state treating you?” he greets when he sees Eddie is online.
Eddie laughs in his hear, “Hey, Ravi. Life has been busy, man, but looking forward to beat your ass again.” he says as they wait for the game to load.
Ravi burst out a laugh, Eddie won one time and thinks he'll win again. Maybe if Ravi lets him on purpose, “You wish.” he jokes and Eddie snorts.
“I'm good by the way.” Ravi can't say he totally believes him, but uhms and waits for Eddie to continue, “What can I say, El Paso is...” there's a pause, like he's choosing his next words carefully, “El Paso, it's a work in progress adjusting to live here again, you know.” he says and Ravi can imagine him pouting and shrugging like he usually does when he doesn't want to say the whole truth. “What about you? Buck told me you are back with the 118, bummer that I missed your big return this time.” he adds sounding sincerely sad about it.
“Very glad to be back in action, I missed the adrenaline. I love helping others get their badge, but nothing like a rope rescue to get the heart pumping.” he answers smiling to himself. “And missed the 118, the bummer is that you had to leave, which I get, everyone misses you and Buck keeps calling me Eddie.” he recalls with a laugh. He hears like a chocking noise, which Eddie poorly covers with a cough and a very weak laugh of his own. “Force of habit, I guess.” he adds so Eddie doesn't have to say anything.
“Yeah. Force of habit.” Eddie repeats, his tone distant.
Ravi has to change the subject, talking about Buck apparently makes Eddie sad. Understandable. “There's a new probie.” he says trying to sound as cheery as he can.
“How are they?” Eddie asks sounding genuinely curious.
“He is too clumsy with heavy equipment, whoever was his instructor didn't do a good job, Chim thinks he may be better as paramedic.”
Eddie uhms, “Let's hope he decides to switch before he makes any big mistakes.”
The Super Smash Bros theme song starts interrupting they conversation, it's show time.
As Ravi predicted he and his Pikachu wins most games against Eddie's Yoshi, four out of six and two challenges at Rocket League. Eddie groans and Ravi hears the thump of something hitting the couch cushion, most likely Eddie's controller.
“How is Christopher?” Ravi asks tentatively. For what he overheard from Buck talking to Bobby, the kid is talking to his father more.
There's a sigh on the other line of the headset, “He is fine. We are making progresses to the right direction.” Ravi smiles at the news. That's good, he is happy for them. “He's being difficult about the new house, though, we have seen so many lately and he dislike them all, comparing them to our old house in Los Angeles.” he recalls with another loud sigh. “I'm getting tired of this AirBnB where he doesn't want to sleep in, you know? If we have to live in El Paso I want us to have our own place together.”
Ravi thinks this new information over, “It sounds like he doesn't like the idea of living there, forever, I mean.” he tries. He hasn't spent much time with the now teenager, but from Eddie's and Buck's stories about him, Ravi knows Chris had quite a social life in Los Angeles, if he has to guess he maybe misses it even if he is having a great time in El Paso.
“Well, he had quite a reaction when I told him I was moving here and buying an house.” Eddie admits.
“Wait, Christopher didn't know about you moving there permanently?” Ravi asks, leaning on his knees as if Eddie was in front of him.
“Yeah I know it was wrong of me to blind side him about it, Buck already lectured me.” Eddie sighs.
Ravi is not surprised by this information, “I wasn't gonna to, I don't think it's my place to do that, but happy to know someone did.” It makes Eddie laugh and Ravi relaxes back on the couch. “So, what is your next move?” he asks.
Eddie barks out a bitter laugh, “I have no fucking idea.”
“We can go back to Rocket League, if it can help you not to think about it right now, but I'm sure you'll figure out what to do.” Ravi propose after the silence scratches for a minute too long.
“I'll beat you this time.” Eddie is quick to say without giving Ravi the time to get really ready and starting a new game.
Ravi is glad that Eddie isn't dealing with everything on his own, that even if in different States Buck is still supporting him, he doesn't think he would be in the position to give him any good advice. What he can do is distract him by making him win the next two games before they call it a night.
He won't admit it, but the whispered Thank you, man and I miss you all too as they are saying goodbye makes him chock up a little.
---
Ravi day sucks. It just started and it already sucks. Between his car leaving him stranded before shift and the guy he has to sell his last apartments building being an asshole about the price even if Ravi has decreased it twice already, Ravi is overwhelmingly annoyed and when he feels like this he get snappy.
First at Bobby when the man catches him walking into the firehouse two minutes late with the sole purpose to recap him the morning brief and Ravi snaps that two minutes aren't that much; next is to Chimney that has the bad luck to ask him his opinion about what color they should paint the nursery since they don't know the sex yet right while Ravi is angrily texting his buyer and gets a look in answer that Ravi isn't proud off. He does apologize to both men.
The worst is when he snaps at Buck after his teenager sister, Avia, texts him to complain about their parents as if he doesn't have enough on his plate today.
He's in the gym trying – and failing – to blow off some steam when Buck walks in.
“Eddie, do you mind spotting me when you are done?” he realizes his mistake instantly, “Ravi, Ravi. You are Ravi, I know you are Ravi.” he stresses sitting down on the bench.
Ravi is honestly tired to hear his own name today.
“God, man, if you miss him so much you should just go to Texas, with how much you mention the guy I'd think you are in love with him or something.” he tries to make it sound like a joke, fails miserably because of his annoyance of the day and he regrets it as soon as he looks up and sees Buck looking at him with wide eyes. Tears starting to gather in his eyes. Guilt washes over him and all the weight of the day leaves as he stumble on his feet to spot Buck. “Shit, Buck, I'm sorry I didn't meant to answer like that, you can call me Eddie every time you want, I'm done with my workout, I'll spot you.” he says pointing animatedly to the weight bench.
Ravi wants to bang his head on a wall for doing the one thing he promised to never do which is call out Buck or Eddie about their weird obsession slash co-dependency with the other. For a while when he arrived at the 118 he was sure they were dating until Eddie hadn't started talking about Ana and Buck about Taylor, and Ravi couldn't help but notice that whenever one of them started dating someone new the other would too soon after. He always told himself that if it worked for them to let them live. And now he dropped the Love bomb on Buck and the man looks minutes from being sick on the gym floor.
Buck gets up and sniffle, Ravi chews the inside of his cheek, “Not here.” Buck says looking around the bay where some of their colleagues are doing various chores and walks towards the back entry, out to the parking lot.
Ravi takes a deep breath, getting mentally ready for whatever secret conversation they are about to have, and follows him.
“You are right.” Buck says when Ravi stops in front of him. He's looking down to his feet, arm crossed on his chest like to shield his heart from spilling on the parking lot's floor. “I am in love with Eddie.” Ravi shuts up the applause in his head that he was right. “Turns out I've been for a while and just couldn't or didn't want to call it love.” he shakes his head at himself with a fake laugh. “And now that I've let myself feel it, he is in another state to rightfully be with his son and I'm stuck here calling you his name because I keep on missing him.” a pause, Ravi waits. “Not that it would change anything if he was here.” he says, kicking a small rock with his foot.
“What do you mean?” Ravi asks.
If Eddie was here it would be different, for instance Buck wouldn't miss him as much as he does now and he could tell him how he feels and they could be happy together. It's simple math in Ravi's head.
“Because Eddie can't know about how I feel.” Buck says matter-of-factly. “He's not queer and nothing to say that he would be into me and it could ruin our friendship.”
Ravi has the urge to smack Buck's head to see what sound it makes.
“First of all, it's so very rude to assume someone's sexuality and feelings and second even if he didn't feel anything romantic for you, which I call bullshit, I never seen a friendship like yours, nothing could break it.” Ravi is sure of very few things and one of those is that nothing could ruin Buck and Eddie's weird friendship.
Buck looks away from him, crosses his arm again and leans against the wall behind him. “Well, anyway, nothing I can do about it with him being in El Paso where he should be, you know that.”
Ravi shrugs, “I know that, but I have to tell you he sounded pretty miserable to stay there and Christopher is sabotaging the house buy.”
Buck frowns confused, and oh Ravi knows something he doesn't, there's a thrill to it, “What? How do you know?”
“I played Super Smash Bros and Rocket League with Eddie the other night and he told me that Christopher doesn't like any of the houses they visited, is avoiding sleeping at the AirBnB and had and I quote quite a reaction when he was told about the move so my guess is that he'd rather come back to Los Angeles.”
Buck's expression twist to a mix of hurt and worry, “They didn't tell me any of this.” he comments.
“Probably neither of them wanted to worry you, but you three will figure everything out, you always do. And while you do you can call me Eddie all you want and I'll answer.” he wants to say something more, reassure Buck that Eddie and Christopher will reach the agreement to come back to Los Angeles when the alarm goes off. The laugh he gets is a good sign, though.
“Shit.” Buck mutters under his breath looking down at his gym clothes.
“We are gonna have to change in the truck.” Ravi says, shrugging.
They walk fast towards the locker room to retrieve their uniform and make their way to truck.
“Uh, Ravi.” Buck calls him, stopping him with a hand on the shoulder before he can sit in the truck, “Thank you for the chat.” he says with a bright smile, like every single one of his worry had gone away while their went to the truck.
“You are welcome.” He smiles back.
---
Ravi doesn't hear from Buck or Eddie for the next few days.
Bobby lets the 118 know that Buck asked for some days of leave and Ravi can only hope he's right about what Buck's doing. So at the first opportunity he has to use his phone he sends an You got this and gets left on read.
He doesn't have too much time to worry about them. Avia asks him to sit with their parents to convince them she can go that pajama party and the buyer finally agrees to meet to finalize the purchase of the building so he's got his hands full.
He's relaxing on the lofts couch in the middle of a twenty-four hours shift with B shift to cover for someone – he doesn't know the new people of B shift that well so he is bored out of his mind and misses A shift - when Buck's voice fills the firehouse from the bay with a loud, “Eddie, come down here!”
Ravi laughs loudly and Buck echoes him. He pockets his phone and gets up making his way down the stairs.
When he rounds the truck, he stops in his tracks. Buck isn't alone. Eddie is standing next to him, an ease smile on his face, eyes shining.
“Hi, buddy.” Eddie says lifting his hand to wave.
“Wait.” Ravi says instead of greeting back, “Do I say welcome back or ask how long are you staying for?” he asks.
Buck's face breaks in a bright smile, “You don't have to worry about getting called Eddie anymore.” he says and Ravi sighs dramatically making them laughs.
“Thank God you are back!” he says as theatrical as he can while hugging Eddie, “Welcome back, man.”.
“Thanks.” Eddie answers patting his back affectionately.
“So,” he starts breaking the hug and looking between Buck and Eddie, “does that mean you two...” he says waving his hand between them so he doesn't have to finish the question, a eyebrow raised suggestively. Buck and Eddie exchange a look and Ravi doesn't understand if they are playing with him or if they actually don't understand.
Then Eddie smiles and takes a step closer to Buck who automatically, like a magnet, does the the same and their hands meet right between them, intertwining with ease.
It takes Ravi all he has to contain his excitement for them. “I'm so happy of you guys!” he says sounding very contained as he hugs them both together as he can.
“Thank you.” they say at the same time. God save Ravi if they start constantly talking in sync he's gonna be sick.
“So you were in El Paso during your leave?” he asks Buck as they make their way up the loft to sit.
“Arizona, actually.” Buck answers sitting down on the couch, Eddie sitting almost on top of him. Nothing new compared to their only-friends situation, if Ravi has to say. “Turns out he and Christopher were already driving back to Los Angeles when I called to tell him that I was driving to El Paso so we kind of met in the middle.” he says, smiling.
“That's some romantic shit, guys.” Ravi says excitedly. “You driving to another State to declare your love and your love driving back without telling you to surprise you. Real rom-com material.” he declares making the two men laugh.
“It wouldn't have happened if we hadn't talk with you.” Eddie says. “I talked to Christopher after our game night and turns out he really hated the idea of living in El Paso and wanted to come back.” he says squeezing Buck's hand. “And you were right to tell Buck not to assume my sexuality and feelings because turns out I'm very queer and in love with him.” he finishes, pink cheeks and eyes shining with joy. Buck next to him as the same love-struck look he always had, just doubled down in intensity and pride.
Ravi didn't realize his talks had that much impact. “I'm very happy for you Eddie.” he says.
They chat until the alarm goes off and Ravi has to rush to work and Ravi feels happy like he is the one that found the love of his life.
---
During Eddie's first shift back, everyone is in a good mood. There's a banner and a cake in the shape of Texas.
Ravi has to say that he's a bit jealous that he never got a banner and cake when he came back. Maybe he should stay away longer, make them miss him more and they will get it for him. He thinks they would get them if he hurt himself during a call, but he doesn't really like that idea.
“Hey, Eddie, do you want some coffee?” Buck asks in the afternoon.
“Yes, thank you!” Ravi and Eddie answer at the same time.
Silence falls in the firehouse loft, Buck turns slowly towards where Ravi and Eddie are sitting on the couches. It lasts very little before everyone starts laughing at Buck's death stare.
“Come on, Panikkar, you can let it go now.” he complains, still bringing three cups of coffee, one for himself, one for Eddie and one for Ravi.
Yeah, that's not happening. Ravi will bring that up every now and then just so to watch Buck squirm, for once he is the one that can tease the guy.