Chapter Text
Buck POV.
It has been a shitty week. No way around that. His back hurt. And well the whole auction was just dragging his mood down. The last time he did this was in his Probie year when he was this carefree and hot guy. Who could do backflips? Now? He is a lonely mid thirties guy who bakes instead of partying. Who likes to get to sleep at 9:30. And while he likes his new self, and doesn't feel like he needs to chase it, it also is clear he can't compete with his younger self.
He does another set of pushups. Incline elbows close. Double dipping. Pushing his body.
It's not a bad body. He is far heavier and more muscular than last time. But maybe there was another thing that just didn’t quite sit right. It has been 8 years now. Ever since he met Abby. He wanted something real. And he thought he had found it. Taylor felt real, Tommy felt really real to him at least he believed at the time he saw a future with them but then it all fell apart when he made the next step. 8 years chasing that dream. Being someone's companion and in the end he wasn’t enough for anyone.
Ok Squads. Do squads now. Don’t think about that stuff.
“Hey Buck, have you heard about Eddie?” Harry asked as he turned up in the Firestation gym.
Buck looks up.
“No? What happened? Is Chris still ok? Last time we spoke he said he was at home!”
“I don’t know the details, just that he tried to talk to Abigail and got hurt by her Dad.”
The Father who got acquitted. Sometimes Buck hated how the justice system worked.
“Where is he!?” Buck asked, already packing up his things and changing out of his workout clothes.”
“In the hospital. With my Mom. I think he is fine.”
“Yeah well, I will check myself how fine he is. Later guys.”
Being a firefighter for nearly a decade had made Buck an expert in changing fast.
He was out of the firehouse and on the highway in minutes racing to check on his best friend who got stabbed. All his silly thoughts about himself and the stupid auction were blown away.
Alex POV:
Eddie Diaz was a better man than she has ever met. He had a heart of gold and was a hero to a fault. Maybe slightly naive but she was so glad to see he was alright after the attack.
And yes, she isn't blind to the fact that this man is strikingly beautiful. Seeing him in this tanktop bruised up for defending the innocent girl She had accused of stalking him. Alex could admit she was crushing hard on the Firefighter who just got a talking to by Sgt. Athena Grant.
“Maybe next time I tell you to pull over and let PD handle it, you’ll listen.” Athena reprimanded Eddie while the Nurse applied a bandage over his cleaned cut on his forearm.
“I assumed the worst about her.” Eddie said.
“No, you saw her for what she was. A girl who needed help.” Alex answered feeling guilty for being too jaded to see the obvious.
“Yeah, Abigail's father had been stalking her since the judge released him. She had a restraining order, but Daddy thought he was her guardian angel.” Athena explained.
“More like the angel of death.” Eddie replied.
“And get this: the group home called. They found security footage of him tossing her room. Which is why she ran away.”
“Yeah, he was gonna take Abigail home whether she liked it or not.“ Athena answered.
“Poor girl.” Eddie said while looking at Abigail who talked to someone out of their earshot.
“She managed to hide out at the hotel for a bit. But when she heard that he was harassing you, she gave him her location so he'd stop.” Athena said.
“So, she sacrificed herself to protect me.” Eddie replied.
“Just like you protected her. She's lucky that you can't mind your own damn business.” Athena chuckles.
Alex made the decision, she would ask Eddie out later, she had his number once everything settled a bit she would try it. She felt like they might have a rapport.
Then the elevator bell dinged and a large man burst into the waiting room. Zeroing in on Eddie in seconds like a heatseeking missile.
Evan Buckley. His coworker was at Eddie's side.
“Buck. How'd you know I was here?” Eddie asked, his voice now bleeding into a more vulnerable tone.
“Uh, Athena told Harry, Harry told me. Hi, Athena. Yeah. Let me see.” Buck asked not even looking at anyone else but Eddie while he talked.
Alex saw a shift on Eddie’s face. As if he didn’t really expected Buck to be here. But also warmth, a shy smile and softness she hadn’t seen from him before.
He lifted the icepack to show his bruised eye. For the first time wincing and admitting he was in any kind of pain.
Firefighter Buckley grimaced,
“He got you good here.” And he touched lightly. Just a ghosting of fingers over the bruise then a small lingering caress down Eddie's cheeks. He hissed but didn’t flinch. Didn’t back off, just let it happen.
Oh. Alex thought and all her aspiration went down the river with Eddie Diaz who apparently seems to be lovestruck with his boyfriend.
She gave Evan Buckley a once over. Tousled curly hair, a smile and exuding charm to get you weak in the knees and a body which was tall, big and strong. Yeah Diaz, good choice I don’t blame you.
“Oof. Yeah, that's gonna be a shiner, but... Mm. Yeah. We can sell that as sexy.” Buckley said with a glint in his eyes while doing another once over of his boyfriend.
Alex put Diaz back in her professional box. Some sayings just seem to be true. The good ones are either taken or gay, and Eddie was so good he was both. Go figure.
Eddie POV
Eddie was heading to the dressing room. And he stopped when he saw Buck was holding a clipboard. He realized he was not going to get out of this. See, Eddie had hoped he could slink away and do the bare minimum and not be bid on. Maybe just help out backstage. He had relied on Buck being at least somewhat distracted by all the hot shirtless firefighters tonight. But no, you put a clipboard into Buck's hands and he might as well become asexual. Well not quite true Eddie was suddenly remembering that weekend where Buck once told him he did a roleplay with a clipboard and checklists and deadlines were involved and how it made him harder than ever. Buck likes to overshare. Often. Only grace was he didn’t tell him who of his exes it was and Eddie was a-ok with never knowing that tidbit of information.
The point is, Buck was half running the show behind the curtains and he took this seriously. Which meant that Eddie was promptly half stripped by his best friend and given a white tanktop. Which he even made a bit dirty so it looked like he just came off a shift. He also gave him water and oil to make sure Eddie had that wet sweaty look.
He remembered his plea to May to just write a check himself to Widows and Orphans.
“Not unless that check has a comma in it.” were her words.
Eddie had an Idea. It wasn't a smart one but it felt like his only lifeline to keep his sanity.
He took refuge in a coat rack and started texting.
Eddie:
Help. I should have declined earlier and
now I can’t anymore! They gave Buck a clipboard!
I have to go on! Can you bid on me?
I will pay you back. 🙏
Maddie:
Eddie, it's just a fun charity thing.
You know you don’t have to do anything on that date
and hey who knows, maybe it’ll be the push you need
to get yourself out there.😉
Eddie:
Nobody who bids in this auction is a person I would ever consider dating Maddie!
Maddie:
Ok, I was just teasing you.
I can do it. For a fee.
Eddie:
You want a fee? This is for charity!
Maddie:
Yes, for Widow and Orphans, not for you! 😂
Eddie:
Well I might be the next charity case after tonight then.
How much are we talking here?
Please remember I have a kid to put through college!
Maddie:
Dont you worry, I wont bleed a desperate single dad dry.
Lets say my fee will be a blanket favour to me in the future.
Don’t know yet what but if it comes up I want no complaints.
Eddie thinks. Probably babysitting. Or some house or yard work. That’s cool. She could ask him that actually anytime anyways.
Eddie:
Ok, it's a deal. You’re a life saver!
Maddie:
I know. But please sell it well. Don’t just tank it.
Eddie:
No promises, I’m really bad at this stuff. But yeah I will give my best.
Maddie:
I think you will not be as terrible as you’re assuming. How far can I go?
Eddie thinks about it for a moment. Calculating his accounts.
Eddie:
$2,500, that's my limit. I mean nobody's going to bid that high anyway.
Maddie:
I mean Buck got $8,001 last time. 🤔Dont sell yourself too short!
Eddie:
Yeah and I don’t believe that.
You're all pulling my chain. $8,000 is ridiculous.
It really is. Buck is handsome. Charming even. In a bratty way and all. But $8,000 is serious cash you don’t spend on a single date.
Maddie:
Ok $2,500 it is. I got you.
Now walk the house down, smile and let those guns out Diaz!
Have some fun with it.
Eddie:
Thanks Maddie.
Buck found him with his clipboard in hand.
“Will you get off your phone? The auction is about to start.” he reprimanded Eddie.
“That's why I'm texting.” Eddie said.
“What do you mean? Sending some kind of bomb threat so the auction gets canceled?”
Oh could that work?
“You think that'd work?” Eddie asked, thinking about it. It probably is super illegal though, but what if it's an honest mistake? No, Better to stick to the plan with Maddie. It is for charity after all. He makes a mental note to ask Karen later if he could get a tax deduction.
He stood up. Then shook his arms. Buck fussed a bit on his hair and then smiled. Go, you will do great buddy. He clapped his shoulders and pushed him onto the stage.
Eddie's heart was beating faster. When he stood there his back to the crowd hearing the MC make his announcement.
“No need to worry about that racing heartbeat, ladies. This guy is a medic.”
Eddie raised his arms and flexed, hearing the loud cheers of the crowd he made an effort to put a smile on his face.
Ok showtime in and out, just like your prom night. It will be over in a flash. Just don't think about it too much. Eddie braced himself.
“That's right. Take a stroll and we'll start the bidding at $300. Who's got $300? $300, I got $300 over here. $400, I got $400.”
Eddie was walking awkwardly down the runway while the MC did his thing. The spotlights highlighting the stage and his body from behind. The Women in the room were fanning their panels and excitedly looking at him like a slab of meat.
This isn't fun. This is terrible. Where was Maddie? She was supposed to bid on him.
A waitress with a phone came up to the stage and said something to the MC.
“This is new. Okay. We have a mystery phone bidder. All right! We've got $500 from the phone bidder. Do I have six? $600... $800.” the MC went on.
Eddie was now flexing his forearms to the right of the crowd then to the left feeling like an idiot.
I might be lucky and get away with 800 bucks only.
“Let's go, Diaz!” he heard Chimney throw in with loud claps. Eddie pointed to the crowd. An awkward smile on his face. Inside of him supressing the urge to yell “SHUT UP Chimney!”
Meanwhile the crowd had become way more animated than he thought they would be for him.
“Do I have eight... $800. $900? $900... $1,000 from our mystery bidder.” the MC announced the current bid.
Eddie gave them a little spin at the end of the catwalk and flashed his smile.
“$1,600... $1,600, I got $1,600.”
Ok wrong move, they liked that! Shit, who bids so much! Just write a check directly if you feel charitable! He thought in a panic.
“Okay. Our mystery bidder's bid is $2,500. Who else is gonna bid higher than that? $2,500, going once, going twice. Sold to our mystery bidder.”
Eddie pumped his fist in the air, everything in him knowing that Maddie was on that mystery phone call. Relief came over his tense face hoping it turned out like he planned.
Buck gave him a puzzled look but he had to be already onto the next thing backstage.
Eddie walked into the crowd to Chim and Maddie at their table, smiling.
“I’ll Venmo you the $2,500.” Eddie said. Chimney was still looking confused between him and his wife.
“And don't forget my favour.” Maddie reminded him.
“You bought yourself at auction?” Athena asked incredulously.
“Worth every penny.” Eddie said and Athena laughed.
If the calm and relief that he felt in his body right was anything to go by he knew he had made the right choice. Just the thought of having to go on a date with some stranger who bought him was bad enough to give him a new panic attack. Was it weird that he would sooner go into debt than spend an evening with a woman on a date? Maybe but Eddie is happy right now where he is and he is choosing joy and dating is anything but joyful to him.
Ravi made his walk and while he got a rocky start May had jumpstarted it. And closed down on him with $1,600. Eddie looked around and Athena had a very knowing smile she sent her daughter’s way. Eddie was somewhat perplexed. How did Ravi not clear his bid? The guy was objectively gorgeous, young and fit. Eddie had looked at the sheets. He had actually currently the second highest bid of the whole evening; only one guy from the 144 had cleared $2700. He knew they were pulling his chain with Buck's record bid. He had said it was adjusted for inflation. Maybe Buck had done the math that would explain a lot.
Then the mood switched as Ravi exited the stage the MC took the mic close to his mouth in a dramatic fashion
“Okay, folks, it’s time.” the MC announced. The DJ switched the sound. The screen changed into a flaming inferno. Displaying:
Evan
‘BUCK’
Buckley
“Alright folks, how many bucks is one Buck worth?!”
“Yeah!” Chimney cheered.
“He has a multimedia presentation?” Harry was complaining.
“Nobody told me we could have a multimedia presentation.”
Athena shushed her son, excited to see what Buck would bring to the stage. May had a bit of a worried look.
“Put your hands together for Evan “Buck” Buckley!” the MC roared as if announcing the champion of a prize fight.
Buck came on stage. His shirt at least one size too small clinging to every pumped up muscle of his large frame. He spun around with his big sunshine smile that Eddie knew could light up an entire room and he moved on stage like he had the time of his life. The cheers from the crowd were louder than ever before. He came to the end of the stage and ripped his shirt off. Likely trying to do it in one fluid motion but getting somewhat stuck in his long arms but Eddie thought it had kind of an adorable charm to it. In a very oh my best friend is a damn dork way. Most of the audience seemed to be on the same page and cheered loudly for the shirt ripping action.
“Yeah! Come on! Get this thing out of here!” Buck yelled and threw the shirt toward the riled up bidders.
He was now standing on the stage arms wide, spinning to the crowd to let them see every angle and how his dark tank top was revealing his big shoulders, his new tattoos and his chest stretched the top to its limits. Eddie knew Buck had done several push ups just before going out. Taking every advantage to look as huge as possible under the spotlights dancing across the catwalk. And he looked damn good, Eddie thought.
Oh.
“Is he gonna do a Buckflip?” Ravi asked with a bit of worry in his voice.
“At least we are in a room full of medics.” Athena quipped while watching the show with a smile.
Then the DJ switched the hot and raunchy sound to a softer track.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, Buck wanted me to let everyone know that he has changed his wild ways, and he’s ready to settle down with that special someone. Could be you. Let’s find out!” the MC said and pointed to one of the ladies.
Eddie tensed up on some kind of instinct. This was ridiculous, Buck wouldn't find anyone here. This was a meat market not “Catch your Soulmate”. His best friend deserved so much better. Eddie thought.
“That’s right, folks. He’s learned to cook.”
The presentation switched from Buck in firefighting gear to him in his apron, commanding over pots and pans in the Kitchen. Somehow he managed to make that look sexy on film.
“He is an avid baker.” Another switch of Buck bringing out a fresh batch of cookies.
Eddie didn't know those, that was Maddie's kitchen, usually Eddie had first dip on new recipes of Bucks cookies. They looked nice and fluffy. It's not abnormal to be jealous of missed out sweets. Eddie had a sweet tooth and Buck was getting really good at baking despite the Team's aversion. So a bit of food envy is totally justified, Eddie thought.
“But that's not all. Most importantly, he’s an uncle to his niece and nephew.”
The presentation showed Buck with Jee baking. And then sleeping on the couch with little Baby Nash on his chest.
“Shameless.” Eddie said, shaking his head as Buck would resort to using Jee and Nash to up his bid chances. The worst part? Eddie knew this would work. Buck looked great with kids. His smile was infectious and Eddie knew from his own experiences his friend could brighten any kid's day. Maybe because Buck was more of a kid himself but Eddie knew. It was his idiot friend's big heart that did most of the work.
“Now, do I have any bidders?”
Eddie swore every paddle in the room was raised.
Women were fanning and Buck's smile was even wider. He beamed and the bids came racing in. Already over $2,800 cleared. More than any other Firefighter tonight.
Eddie watched how Buck worked the crowd. How he showed off his body and gave little flying kisses and winks to the audiences who ate it all up wanting more. Eddie will never admit it to anyone and he will take this to his grave but he wasn't able to look away from Buck's performance.
He thought he felt the heat rising in the room. And there was the distinct feeling of a buzz in his stomach. Excitement, nervousness. It was Buck. Just his best buddy Buck. Then Buck looked at him from the stage and Eddie had his friends million watt smile directed at himself and his stomach did its very own version of a "buckflip".
Oh shit. He thought. His mouth parched as he grabbed his drink to distract himself. Failing miserably as his eyes still tracked Bucks movement. And if his eyes fell now down to Buck’s also very snug pants that didn't leave much to the imagination and why Buck had once the nickname Firehose. Then that was between Eddie and his own damn traitorous thoughts.
“I have $7,500 from the women in gold right here. Can we do it? Can we break the record of $8,001?”
“Come on, Come on!” Chimney and Maddie cheered on from their table.
“$8,002! If you’ll take five individual checks.” said an older lady, that seemed familiar.
It was Mabel from their earlier call and their group that called their weekly get together Stitch and Bitch. Who had been very taken by Buck on their emergency call.
“Of course we’ll take five individual checks. $8,002 going once… going twice… sold for $8,002!”
Maddie smiled, leaned in and whispered.
“So do you now believe how your friend was able to go for that $8,001?”
He looked at her his eyes slanted. But didn’t comment. Just shrugged. Maddie smiled and whooped to cheer on her Brother who was chatting up the winners hugging them and thanking them for being so generous.
Something in Eddie's chest loosened. Something he doesn't want to have named or dared to acknowledge yet. Seeing that not a sexy well off influencer Gal snatching Buck up but the odd lovable cabal of friends they had saved in a call earlier this week who had been smitten by Buck.
Buck wasn’t going on a date-date. And Eddie's first feeling about that was: He really liked that.
I think I’m going to be in trouble. Eddie thought.
tbc.