Work Text:
Unknown: Shannon?
Sorry, I think someone gave you the wrong number :Buck
Unknown: Dammit
Happens to all of us, dude :Buck
Unknown: I'm sorry, I'm trying to reach my wife, but she changed her number, I'm just texting random numbers
Damn, that's rough man :Buck
I'm Buck, btw :Buck
Unknown: Eddie
Buck smiles down at his phone as he adds the contact. It's not like it's the first time Buck's gotten with someone over the phone, but it's a good challenge and Buck is bored. Now, he knows that this Eddie is clearly married, but Buck is also aware enough that if a woman you are married to changes her number, it's pretty much over. So, really all Buck has to do is test the waters, make sure there is no issues with Eddie and that's why the wife left.
So, can I ask why your wife left, just in case I need to call the cops about you :Buck
Eddie: Long story, but no you don't have to call the cops on me
Can I call you then? :Buck
Eddie: Wow, bold move when talking to a married man
We're not talking yet :Buck
Eddie: Okay, then what are we doing?
That depends :Buck
Eddie: On what?
On whether or not you mind flirting :Buck
Eddie: So, Buck, what do you do?
Buck moves lower in his bed, feeling his lips tug into a smug smile. That's not a no.
I'm a firefighter :Buck
Eddie: Wow, I'm impressed
Can't tell if that's a compliment or not :Buck
Eddie: It's a compliment
Thank you then :Buck
What about you? :Buck
Buck doesn't get a response. It follows him the rest of his evening and then into the first half of his shift. He wonders what he could have possibly said wrong. Look, Buck isn't a newbie at this game. He's had people stop responding before, people fall asleep, they go to work, their phones die. All of it, but this stings a little, because he certainly doesn't feel like the conversation was hitting a dangerous territory.
The 118 have just gotten back from a simple call when Buck's phone dings.
Eddie: Sorry, my kid needed something and then I had to work, I just got home
You got a kid?! I love kids :Buck
Eddie: Yeah, he's six
Kids are the best. We had a kid today who had a Lego stuck up his nose :Buck
Eddie: The parents called 911?
No. Kid did, because he was worried his parents would mad :Buck
Eddie: What did the parents do?
Mom just turned to dad with the most "this is your kid now" face that I've ever seen :Buck
Eddie: Do you like being a firefighter?
Buck pauses. He's not even sure why. Something just seems loaded about the question.
Yeah, it's the only thing I've ever done that's felt right :Buck
Buck frowns at the screen, he hadn't planned on being that honest. This is not flirting. Luckily, the bell rings and Buck doesn't have time to think about Eddie's text nor his own.
Eddie: Would you recommend it?
Yeah :Buck
It's all Buck can bring himself to say. If Eddie decides to try it out, he'll be warned of all the dangers at the Academy.
Three weeks later and Buck has almost forgotten that he was supposed to be flirting with Eddie. It was just so easy to talk to him. Buck even finds himself texting Eddie when he goes out instead of finding someone to take home. They write about Buck's calls, Eddie's hate for graveyard shift, and on one occasion Eddie goes on an hour long rant about his parents at three in the morning.
Over these last three weeks Buck has learned that Eddie lives somewhere in Texas, that his kid's name is Christopher and he has cerebral palsy. He's also learned that he would not like Eddie's parents if he met them. The one thing Buck has discovered that he makes sure to burn into his mind is that Eddie stops responding if Buck asks about Eddie's wife. Buck only knows her name.
But it seems fair considering the fact that Buck doesn't talk about his family either. He talks a little about Maddie, but even then he barely says anything because it hurts to think about her.
Eddie: I'm surprised
Why? :Buck
Eddie: I thought you were gonna flirt with me
Buck is very glad that he's alone upstairs at the station when the texts comes through, because there is the dumbest, dopiest smile on his face.
Well, sorry. Didn't mean to disappoint :Buck
Eddie: You haven't disappointed
Eddie: Yet
Okay, handsome. What are you wearing? :Buck
Eddie: Wow, slow down cowboy
Buck can hear Eddie laughing, which was exactly what he wanted.
Okay, okay, how about this? What's your favorite date? :Buck
Eddie: I had a kid at 19 what makes you think I've dated much
Right. What do you like doing then? :Buck
Eddie: In high school I used to do competitive dancing
Wow, now I'm impressed :Buck
Eddie: Yeah, I haven't done it in a while
Maybe you could teach me a thing or two :Buck
Eddie: I bet you're a great student
Eddie: Mister got thrown out of college
Okay, low blow :Buck
I will have you know, that I'm a great student with the right motivation :Buck
Eddie: Oh yeah, what would that be?
I'm sure you can think of something :Buck
Eddie: Only downside is, I can't teach you over the phone
But there is an easy solution there :Buck
Eddie: You really suggesting traveling 12 hours across three states for a booty call?
Wouldn't be the dumbest thing I've ever done :Buck
Eddie: So, that's what it would be?
Eddie: Another dumb thing you do
Nah, the dumb thing would be if I don't try with you :Buck
Eddie: I haven't been in the game a long time, but that doesn't sound like booty call levels of flirting
Maybe not, but I don't mind mixing friendship and pleasure :Buck
Eddie: Is that what we are?
Eddie: Friends?
I'd like to think so :Buck
Eddie: Yeah, it's just weird since we've never met
Eddie: We haven't even talked
I know, and I give such good phone :Buck
Eddie: I don't even doubt it
So, it's like midnight for you, right :Buck
Eddie: Yep
You staying up for me? :Buck
Eddie: Yes and no
Oh? :Buck
Eddie: I was hoping to be entertained, but I'm at work
Graveyard three nights in a row? Rough :Buck
Everything okay? :Buck
Eddie: It's a little complicated, but yeah all good
Distraction? :Buck
Eddie: Please
If we did do the dance lessons, how long before you couldn't keep your hands to yourself? :Buck
Eddie: Well that depends on how good you are with your hips
Oh, I'm very good with hips :Buck
Eddie: So the real question is if you can keep your hands to yourself
Would you want me to :Buck
Eddie: Are you good with those too?
Absolutely :Buck
Eddie: And what would you do with those hands?
Buck was so excited to get into this territory, but the bell rings before he's able to type a single word. He doesn't even get to send an apology text, doesn't even look at his phone for hours because of a major pile-up on the 101. It certainly is a lesson on not starting to sext when you're at work. Buck gets to send an apology at three in the morning, which does get him a few texts in return, but Buck passes out pretty quickly.
Eddie: I finished the Academy
Buck hasn't heard from Eddie in almost a week. He's texted him several times, but hasn't gotten so much as a thumbs up. Buck really thought that the actual attempt at sexting was over the line, but it didn't make sense, seeing as Eddie seemed just as into it. Honestly, Buck has been preparing himself to never hear from Eddie again, throwing out the fantasy that Eddie would come watch Buck's end of probation ceremony.
Congratulations :Buck
Buck really wants to mean it. He wants to tell Eddie how proud of him he is. Because he is. Buck knows that joining a fire department means that Eddie doesn't have to work multiple jobs to make do, he can have time with Christopher that he didn't before. Buck knows this, but he's also a little hurt still.
Eddie: Thanks
Eddie: And thank you for helping out with everything
You're welcome :Buck
Told your parents yet? :Buck
Eddie: Last night
Eddie: They were not happy, especially when I told them I planned on not staying in El Paso
How bad? :Buck
Look, Buck might be hurt and upset, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. Actually, Buck thinks he might care a little too much. Despite whatever Buck is feeling, he is more than aware that Eddie's parents are complicated.
Buck is very right about that.
His phone goes silent for almost fifteen minutes. And for the entirety of those fifteen minutes the three dots are moving. Not coming and going, just moving.
Eddie: Well, it started with my father telling me that I should be getting a real job, but then proceeds to inform me that the jobs I have had don't count for anything, while judging me for working all the time despite the fact that he was never around my entire life because he was always working. He basically told me off for not being in my kids life while completely ignoring the fact that my birth was the only one he was there for. And at the same time my mother backed him up, called Shannon horrible things for doing the same thing I did, but I'm the hero because I went to war. But then she also told me that firefighting is too dangerous. Then when we were fully arguing, shouting at each other my mom said that I can't take care of Christopher. That I'm never around, that I won't be around when I start firefighting, so I should let them take my kid. That I should give up being a parent to MY kid, so that they can raise him instead. And then they had the audacity to tell me that I was being mean for saying that I'm not giving up my kid just so they can have a do over
By the time Buck has read through the whole thing - twice because he didn't want to miss anything - another text from Eddie comes through.
Eddie: Sorry, that was a lot more than you asked for
Hey, no. I asked, and I wouldn't have if I didn't care :Buck
I'm sorry that they're like that :Buck
It's not fair :Buck
Eddie: Thanks for saying that
I'm not just saying it, I mean it :Buck
Do you have a station yet? :Buck
Eddie: I'm not even sure which city I'm gonna pick
Damn, you got options :Buck
Eddie: Yeah
Eddie: Oh God, I have been a terrible friend
What makes you say that :Buck
It's harsh saying that Eddie's been a terrible friend, but Buck isn't going to give Eddie shit just because he's a little sensitive.
Eddie: I haven't replied in a week, I'm sorry Buck
Eddie: Really, that's not cool, the least I could have done is tell you, or say sorry
Eddie: And I really am sorry Buck
It's fine :Buck
Eddie: Bullshit, but I'll let you have it
Eddie: For now
Eddie: How've you been?
Good :Buck
That's not true, we had a messed up call this morning before end of shift :Buck
Eddie: What happened?
Police raid gone wrong, kid got caught in the crossfire :Buck
Eddie: Oh my god, kid okay?
Yeah, it's just rough when it's kids, you know :Buck
Eddie: Yeah, I'm not looking forward to that part
No, it's the hardest part, well one of the hardest, but kids can also be some of the best of it :Buck
Eddie: Oh right, Lego Kid
Eddie: Can I ask you something?
Shoot :Buck
Eddie: If the mother of your kid left and changed her number, how likely do you think it is that she would pretend to not know either of us if she saw us
Honestly? :Buck
Eddie: I wouldn't want nor expect anything else
You? Absolutely, she would probably walk the other way :Buck
Christopher? I don't know, maybe, but it might depend on how he reacts :Buck
Eddie: Thanks, I thought you might say that
Eddie: I'm really grateful I texted you
Me too :Buck
Two months later
Am I being crazy for caring about the calender? :Buck
Eddie: No. Are you over-doing it? Absolutely, but I bet you look great
I always look great, even if you don't want to FaceTime :Buck
Eddie: I have been thinking about that
Eddie: Maybe it's time to at least do a phone call
Oh wow :Buck
You wanna go steady with me or something? :Buck
Eddie: What is this? 1950?
Coming from the guy who can barely even handle a little sexting :Buck
Eddie: Okay, shots fired and completely uncalled for
I'm just starting my shift, but what are you doing tonight? :Buck
"You are unbelievable, Buckaroo."
Buck lifts his head, finding Bobby, Hen, and Chimney watching him curiously. This is not a new thing for him. Sure, the first couple of weeks he was texting Eddie, neither of them said much about it, but when they realized that Buck wasn't texting or really seeing anyone else, they started getting interested. Which means that every time Buck has been on his phone during shift or when meeting up outside of work someone will question him or he will be stared at until he admits he's texting Eddie. The grief they've been giving Buck hasn't been too bad.
"What did I do?" Buck would normally not be surprised by that tone, if it came from Bobby… okay that's a lie, he isn't even surprised that it's coming from Hen, but he doesn't see why this time. Shift hasn't even started yet.
Bobby sounds a lot less accusing, "What did I just tell you guys?"
"I don't know," Buck admits immediately, because he really has no idea.
"We have a new probie, and I want him to partner with you."
Buck feels a little apprehensive. He's barely done being the new guy and still doesn't feel fully secure in his place at the 118. But he'll take this in stride, because he is not an idiot, despite previous actions.
"Where is he?"
Bobby turns towards the locker room where a very attractive man is just walking out, still buttoning his uniform. "Diaz!"
"Yes, sir?" Buck wants to eat this man alive.
Bobby gestures to Buck as he introduces, "Eddie, this is Buck, he'll be your partner."
Buck knows that Bobby says more, but he doesn't hear a single word of it, because the look on Eddie's face says everything.
Eddie isn't an uncommon name or nickname, but Buck is. And Eddie has clearly come to that conclusion.
"Buck?"
"So, you picked LA, huh?"
Around them Buck can feel everyone watching them, clearly trying to figure out why the hell Buck seems to know the new probie. Buck doesn't care, because he is actually looking at Eddie.
"That I did," Eddie gives a crooked smile that makes Buck want to grab his face and kiss every inch of it, "Sorry, I didn't tell you."
"It's all good, really. I'm just glad to finally meet you."
"Me too, and I actually did tell you. Just sent you a text," Eddie looks around at the others, and it's obvious that he's a little uncomfortable having this conversation with everyone around.
Buck knows that he puts on his flirtatious tone and smile, but he just can't help himself, "Don't tell me. You were hoping to meet out in the field, so you wouldn't have to ask me on a date to see me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Okay," Bobby cuts in, finally getting Buck's attention to move away from Eddie, "I'm going to have to cut in there, because I need to know if either of you knew that the other was going to be here."
Speaking at the same time, Eddie and Buck say, "No, sir," and "I had no idea, Cap," respectively.
"Give me an hour to figure this out, then come see me," Bobby pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed tight, "and for the love of God, do not make my life more difficult before that."
Buck is trying to hold back a laugh, not just at the situation, but also at the look on Eddie's face.
God, Eddie's face.
Buck has been imagining Eddie's face, his voice, his everything for months and here he is. In the flesh.
He doesn't get a chance to do anything about the fact that Eddie is within touching distance, because they're kept busy all morning. Buck barely remembers any of the calls, also barely remembers that Bobby informs them that they can be in a relationship, as long as it doesn't interfere with their jobs.
Honestly, Buck doesn't really notice nor care about much of anything before the fact that he is in a storage closet with Eddie. Alone.
"So, you want to talk about it?" Eddie takes a step closer, biting his lip like he knows what Buck's answer is going to be.
Buck moves in closer, too, "Not really, not yet anyway. If that's okay with you?"
"Absolutely," Eddie isn't looking Buck in the eye anymore.
"Thank fuck."
They almost knock their foreheads together in their rush to touch for the first time. Buck would have been happy with just about anything, but kissing Eddie is everything and more. Despite their rush it's the softest kiss Buck has ever experienced in his life. There's hands in his hair and a soft waist under his own. It feels almost heavenly.
"I do want to ask you on an actual date, Buck," Eddie says lowly against Buck's lips when they separate for air.
Buck has to kiss him again, "I would like that very much."