Chapter Text
He should have known.
Summer break was coming to an end. Soon, Buck and Eddie’s houses would feel a whole lot more empty during their days off. Chris would be back at high school, practically halving the time Eddie gets to spend with him. Not to mention all the after-school study sessions and hangouts he will undoubtedly have with friends - God forbid he wants to spend time with a girl on top of all that.
A chill ran down Eddie’s spine as he recalled Chris’ ‘Buck 1.0’ phase. Thank God that was done and dusted.
Buck had no idea what was waiting for him in the future. If Theo was anything like him (which, let’s be honest… he was practically a tiny clone of the guy) then he was in for a wild ride.
Honestly, Eddie had no idea how Maddie did it. Theo was a lot.
Don’t get him wrong, the kid had the biggest heart. He was adorable and kind and… a little insane? Just bundles and bundles of endless energy.
So much so that taking him out to eat had proven… ‘difficult’. Buck had tried twice, both times resulting in takeaway boxes, a large tip for the waitstaff and an overly long late-night debrief over the phone with Eddie.
So, it took a lot for him to convince Buck to try again.
“We’ll have six eyes watching him and six hands ready to keep him at the table. It’ll be fun.”
“Okay, fine. But if this goes badly, you’re covering the tip.”
“Deal.”
Oh, the delicious taste of righteousness.
Sure, when the four of them ate together at either his or Buck’s place, Theo could be a little resistant to dinner at the actual table. Most of the time, though, he was relatively calm come that time of night. That kid had an appetite.
Or maybe it was just that there weren't so many new things to see, touch and taste all around him, compared to eating out.
Turns out, all it took to occupy Theo’s full attention was seating Chris directly next to him. The rest of the world might as well not exist as the pair were locked into some deep conversation about which dinosaur was best.
Eddie may have honestly believed that Theo had forgotten he and Buck were sitting at the table, if it wasn’t for the random questions the kid would send their way.
“Would da dinosaurs be da boss of us if dey didn’t expwode?” He asked.
“I think we would be friends with them. They might even let us ride them.” Buck replied, swirling the ice in his glass.
“DINOSAUR CAR.” Theo shouted, jumping up and down in his chair.
Buck’s eyes lit up, a big toothy grin spreading across his face. Theo had moved on, his excitement over this new development shifting back to Chris as they debated who would drive their dinosaurs faster.
Eddie leaned over to Buck, keeping his voice low.
“Told you it would be fine.”
Buck’s grin turned into a smirk as he side-eyed Eddie.
“You had no idea this would happen, did you?”
“Nope.” A chuckle escaped Eddie’s chest as he leaned back in his chair. “But I’m happy taking full credit.”
The food came out shortly after they’d ordered, and it was so good. Nothing extravagant, nothing fancy. They didn’t really like fancy anyway.
No, the food was good in the same way his Abuela’s home-cooked meals used to be. Made with flavor and love. As Eddie looked around the table, he realised the moment was perfect.
The most important people in his life: laughing, smiling and munching down on a range of finger foods. He could’ve pulled the ‘embarrassing Dad’ move and whipped out his phone then and there to capture it.
For Christopher’s sake, he resisted.
And for his own sake, he planned to never mention the urge to Buck.
He eyed the bag that hung over the back of Buck’s chair, knowing its contents absolutely included a spare change of clothes for Theo. Amongst other things he’d probably require should this meal get messy.
His eyes drifted across the table just in time to witness Theo wipe his ketchup-covered hands across the front of his striped shirt.
Buck let out a resigned sigh. Eddie quickly whispered, “At least you brought a spare.”
That was when Eddie’s ears perked. His eyes were drawn to whatever commotion was unfolding on the far side of the patio. Tables of diners were staring, gasps morphing into shouts.
“Oh my God, she’s choking!” An onlooker seated beside them screamed, clutching her purse.
Eddie sprang to his feet, catching the familiar sight of Buck mirroring him in the peripherals.
“Chris, stay with Theo.” Eddie rattled off as he and Buck moved as one, approaching the chaos. The pair navigated the gawking crowd, not bothering with apologies as they forced their way through.
“Sir- sir, call 9-1-1.” He heard Buck instruct someone, but Eddie was too focused on the scene in front of them.
A woman was hunched over a scattered meal, gagging helplessly as nothing came up. Her eyes were pulled wide with panic, arms helplessly outstretched as she grabbed at the tablecloth.
“Ma’am, ma’am. It’s okay.” Eddie placated as he moved behind her. “I got you.” He crossed his arms over her front, clasping his hands together. It all happened fast.
He pulled upwards - fast and hard.
The crowd gasped as one, hands hiding their faces as they watched him work.
He pulled again.
Buck didn’t react. Instead, he was ushering people back, giving them space. Giving Eddie space to save a stranger.
It was the third pull that did it. A small chunk of food flew from the woman’s mouth, just before she hauled in a shaky breath.
He loosened his hold as her hands shifted down to grip his forearms. Still breathing heavily, she turned to face him.
She looked different now. Now that she was past the scare, the thrill, the danger. Water bloomed in her eyes before she threw herself at him.
Her arms wrapped tightly around Eddie's neck, melting into him.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She muttered into his neck.
Eddie looked past her, locking eyes with Buck. He was laughing, shaking his head even.
Yep. This would definitely come up later.
Hesitantly, Eddie returned her embrace. His hands tapped her back in an attempt to soothe the frazzled woman.
“Just doing my job.” She pulled back, smiling as she stared into his eyes.
“Are you like a superhero or something?” She asked in full earnest.
“Wha- no. No, just-” Eddie’s eyes wandered, once again landing on Buck who was practically giggling like a schoolgirl. A hot flush filled his cheeks. “I’m a firefighter.”
“Wow.” She breathed out, her head falling onto Eddie’s chest. He sent a look of confusion Buck’s way.
It wasn’t unusual. Not really. In their line of work, they save a lot of lives. And a fair amount of those people want to thank them. And some of those people can get a bit carried away; offering to pay them, buy them things, flirt with them… it just, it wasn’t unusual is all. Didn’t make it any less uncomfortable.
And this was easily one of their easier, low risk rescues. They weren’t even on the job. No turnouts, no med kit, nothing.
He should have known.
“The on-duty professionals are on their way,” Eddie grabbed a hold of the woman’s shoulders and gently created space between them. “You should let them check you out. Just to be safe.”
“Okay.” She responded. God, she looked young - early twenties if he had to wager a guess. “My name is Jorja…”
Her- Jorja’s eyes bore into him. Wide. Expectant.
“Eddie. Eddie Diaz, ma’am. I should be moving along. My sons-” Oh shit. “My son is waiting for me.”
Please say Buck didn’t hear that.
It took Eddie a few seconds to find Buck this time around. He scanned the crowd and eventually, there he was. Back beyond the onlookers. Holding Theo and standing by their once peaceful table.
“Where can I find y-” The girl’s words were lost in the haze of people as Eddie started moving. The crowd parted for him now, patting him on the back and telling him how ‘incredible’ he was.
“Are you like Batman now?” Theo stared up at him with those inherited baby blues from his position on Buck’s hip.
“Well, we already have Superman,” Buck pointed to Chris, then his finger moved to land on Theo’s chest. “And Spider-Man-”
“Spider-Man!” Theo squealed, throwing his arms up.
“So what do you think? Would Eddie make a good Batman?” Buck continued, sending Eddie a sickeningly self-satisfied smirk.
Theo fisted Buck’s shirt, his other hand lifting to hide his mouth as he whispered, “But Batman is gwumpy. Eddie’s not gwumpy.”
“You just haven’t seen him when he’s hungry. He’s all,” Buck proceeded to make the most over-the-top frown Eddie had ever seen, forcing another giggle from Theo.
Mimicking Buck’s actions, Theo pointed at Eddie with a simple, “Batman.”
“Batman is super rich.” Christopher stated from the table. “Is he gonna buy us dessert?”
Right as Eddie was about to tell Chris a playful watch it, their waitress and a man in business clothes approached the table. Some kind of manager, maybe?
“Excuse me, sir-” The man looked between Buck and Eddie, “Sirs, we’d like to cover your meals today. Our way of saying thank you.”
“That won’t be necessary-” Eddie started, but the man cut him off.
“We insist.”
Okay so, probably the manager.
The waitress held out a laminated page. “The dessert menu,” she said with a smile. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, give you some time to decide what you’d like.”
“Thank you!” Chris called out from his seat at the table.
“Th-thank you.” Eddie added, face going red.
“You’re more than welcome.”
The pair walked away, and Eddie looked up. Buck’s beaming smile directed straight back at him had sweat dripping down the back of his neck.
Probably the ridiculous summer heat. Must be.
“Be quiet and sit down.” Eddie told him with a laugh that he couldn’t quite hold in any longer.
All of this was ridiculous - the compliments, commendations, free food? He’d much rather save a life and be able to leave completely anonymously.
No medal. No thanks. Just the knowledge of doing something good for someone else. Giving them a second chance.
Sheesh, maybe he was getting a big head.
Everyone had taken their previous seats when Chris leaned toward Theo.
“See Theo?” Chris asked him as he grabbed the menu, “He’s definitely Batman.”
Okay, so Eddie didn’t like the whole ‘hero’ thing. But watching how excited Theo got every time the table mentioned Batman… maybe, just maybe, he could get behind it.
For now.
Just this once.
Buck was busy reading the dessert options out loud to Theo when Eddie caught sight of the paramedics leaving. He hadn’t noticed them walk in.
The woman he had helped was exiting with them.
‘Jorja,’ his mind offered.
She turned her head and locked eyes with him, light brown hair crisscrossing over her cheek. A small smile crawled across her lips as she lifted her hand in a wave.
After a moment of hesitation, he smiled back and returned the gesture.
Then she was gone.
Just another save.
He should have known.