#911 reader

To make matters worse, no amount of blankets seemed to stop the shivering. Your fever wasn’t going down, and your head hurt too much to even watch TV. You were utterly miserable. All you wanted to do was sleep, but every time you started to drift off the urge to cough woke you up. The only remedy that seemed to help was cough medicine and you needed some more if you hoped to get any rest. 

Slowly forcing your tired body up, you grabbed the bottle off the nightstand, but your phone started to ring before you could. A quick glance told you it was Maddie calling.

“Hi, Mads,” you said, hating how nasally your voice sounded.

“Hey sweetie, Josh let me know you called in sick this morning. You doing okay?” 

“I’m hanging in there. I woke up feeling like utter shit. I probably won’t be in for a few days, I’m so sorry.”

You hated missing work, especially since you knew it meant others would have to pick up your slack.

“Oh gosh, that’s okay! Just make sure to take it easy. I’m sure Buck has been fussing over you. He's always so sweet when I’m feeling bad.” She mentioned fondly.

“Um, yeah. Well, I should let you get back to work. Thanks for checking up on me though, you’re sweet.”

“Of course, feel better, hun!” Maddie said before ending the call.

With a sigh, you placed the phone down as your thoughts drifted to Buck.

Truthfully, your boyfriend had no idea you were sick. It wasn’t that you were trying to hide it from him, but work had been stressful for him lately and the last thing you wanted was to add more. He would spend his entire shift worrying about you when all you had was a little cold. You didn’t want to be such a bother.

Sure, it would be nice to have him here taking care of you, but that would just be selfish. You would be better in a few days and Buck would be none the wiser. After all, you were an adult and could take care of yourself, fever or not, right?

Grabbing your cough medicine, you took it before huddling under the blankets and hoped you would be able to get some sleep.

Buck let out a sigh as he stared up at the firehouse ceiling. It had been a slow day, with most of the calls being minor issues that didn’t require the whole crew’s assistance. He usually ate up the extra free time by texting you, but for some reason, you weren’t responding to any texts or calls.

So, here he was, lying on the break room couch, with all his house chores done, having nothing to do but worry about you. It wasn’t like you not to text back and he couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong that he didn’t know about. Since the two of you started dating a few months ago, he quickly learned that you were an independent spirit. You didn’t like to depend on anyone, even him. 

Just last week Buck had walked in on you struggling to reach something on a high shelf in the pantry, despite knowing he was right in the living room and could have grabbed it easily. It made him chuckle just thinking about it. Your stubbornness was adorable and endearing. 

He loved the way you were and knew that eventually, you would come to trust him more. Or so he hoped because he wanted nothing more to love you and be loved by you. He couldn’t think of a time when he had been happier in a relationship. You were, sweet, funny, and caring. Everything he could ever want and by some blessing, you seemed to feel the same about him.

He just hoped you would text back soon so he could know you were alright, if not he might just have to show up announced after shift.

Well, time to go find something to do till then…

With that he got up from the couch, deciding to go see if there was anything downstairs he could do when he heard someone coming up the stairs.

It was Chimney, a bright smile on his face as he said, “Hey, Buck! How you doing today?”

“Uh fine,” Buck said, returning the smile though it didn’t touch his eyes. “How are you and the girls?”

“We’re all good, sorry to hear ___’s not feeling too well, though,” Chimney said nonchalantly as he headed into the kitchen.

“Wait, what?” Buck asked, his blond eyebrows furrowing in confusion as he followed after Chimney. “What are you talking about, Chim?”

The older firefighter frowned as he turned around, unsure why Buck sounded surprised. “Maddie called me during her lunch break and said ___ didn’t go into today because they came down with something. You didn’t know?”

“No, I didn’t,” Buck replied glumly, his eyes downcast.

Chimney moved closer to Buck, unsure what was going on, but knowing he should comfort him. 

“Hey, I mean I don’t think it's anything serious, just a little cold. They probably forgot to mention it. Don’t worry too much.”

Buck nodded, giving a tight-lipped smile. “Right. Well, I’m going to head downstairs. See ya.”

With that, he quickly turned around and headed down the stairs, not wanting Chimney to see him upset any longer.

It felt like he had been hit by a pile of bricks. You were sick, so sick you hadn’t been able to go to work. His sister knew, his brother-in-law knew, but he didn’t. Why hadn’t you told him? Did you really not trust him enough to let him know you weren’t well?

Glancing at his watch, he realized his shift ended in two hours, but he couldn’t wait that long. He needed to see you now and make sure you were okay. Even if it was just a cold, you were his lover and you mattered more to him than anything else in the world.

It was some time after eight when you woke up, a yawn leaving your lips as you sat up in bed. Thankfully, you had been able to get some rest and though you still felt feverish, it didn’t seem as bad. Or so you tried to tell yourself. You just wanted to get better so you could see Buck and go to work again.

But right now you were parched and starving. You had stocked up on water bottles and crackers last night, but they were all gone now. The kitchen seemed so far away though and you weren’t sure if you could really cook anything, but you would have to try.

Forcing your exhausted body up, you slowly trudged from your bedroom into the living room. Every step seemed to weigh a ton and before you knew it, you were sinking right to the floor and curling into a ball. Your head throbbing, your body telling you it couldn’t exert any more energy.

“How pathetic am I?” You muttered to yourself, as tears filled your weary eyes.

It seemed like all you could do was call for help and the only person you wanted was Buck. Pulling your phone out of your pajama pants to text him, you were shocked to see multiple missed texts and calls from your boyfriend. 

Fuck, I forgot I put my phone on do not disturb. 

Before you could call him back or read the mountain of texts, your front door was pushed open, startling you —nearly causing you to drop your phone. 

You immediately relaxed however upon seeing it was Buck, his hands filled with plastic bags. He looked worried, his cobalt eyes filled with concern. You had no idea why he was here, but knew he must have got in using the emergency key you had told him was under the doormat. 

“Baby!” He called in surprise, dropping the bags and immediately rushing over to where you lay on the floor. “Are you okay? Are you injured?” 

“I’m ok, was trying to go into the kitchen to cook something when I got too tired,” you explained weakly as you clung to him.

As you spoke, his hands searched your body hurriedly, confirming there was nothing wrong before he pulled you into his arms bridal style and stood up.

“You’re burning up. Let’s get you back to bed. You shouldn’t have been up at all in your state.”

“B-But, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” You wondered, embarrassed he was seeing you like this. You looked as shitty and pathetic as you felt. Your hair was a mess and you hadn’t showered all day. You couldn’t imagine what he must be thinking of you. 

“Don’t worry about that, I needed to make sure you were okay. Bobby let me off early and I rushed over here,“ he said calmly as he brought you into the bedroom and gingerly placed you down on the bed. “And looks like I showed up just in time.”

“I am glad you came, but how did you even know I was sick?” 

“Yeah about that…” Buck said, sighing as he sat in front of you on the bed. “I had to hear it secondhand from Chimney instead of you. I can’t say I really liked that, sweetheart.”

Shit, you hadn’t thought about Maddie telling Chimney.

“I’m sorry, I should have said something,” you admitted, hating the feeling of guilt that swirled in your gut. “I just didn’t want you to worry or think of me as a bother.”

“Baby,” Buck started as he reached out and grabbed your hand, squeezing gently, “you’re my partner. I need to know what’s going on with you, especially if something is wrong. It’s much scarier to feel like I’m in the dark about the person I care about most.”

Now that he pointed it out, you realized your mistake. He always let you know how he was doing and you would feel terrible if he didn’t. Sometimes it was hard for you because Buck was the first person who had shown you how much you could depend on him, but you wanted to let him in and you would.

“I hadn’t thought of it like that at all. I promise to tell you next time,” you assured him, squeezing back which caused him to give you a bright smile.

He leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on your forehead. “Good. Now that I’m here, I’m going to take care of you. I’m going to make you some chicken soup, but in the meantime how does some ice cream sound? I bought your favorite.”

“I would love that, baby, thank you. Let me get up and help,” you said, starting to get out of bed again.

“Uh uh, did you forget where I just found you, silly? I’m taking care of you, you lay back and relax.” Buck chastised, wagging a finger at you. 

You pouted at that, knowing he was right, but disliking it still. “You could carry me again?”

He laughed at that.

“Maybe later, but for now you stay here. I’ll be back in a bit. Don’t let me catch you out of bed,” he warned, heading out of the room before you could protest further.

You couldn’t help but smile as you watched him leave. How lucky were you to have him here taking care of your stubborn ass? Honestly, you felt silly now for not telling him from the start. Buck was the sweetest and most caring partner you had ever had. For him to be here for you, taking care of you, made you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Without a doubt, you were being loved.

A bit later Buck strode back in, the hearty aroma of homemade chicken soup now in the air. You breathed it in as you could, a smile on your face at the thought of how good it would taste.

“Here you are, darling. A bowl of your favorite ice-cream as promised,” Buck said, handing it to you carefully.

“Thank you so much,” you said happily, excited for the cool treat to calm your sore throat.

“No problem, just remember to eat it slow. I’m still getting the soup prepped, so I’ll be in and out. Do you need anything else?”

You mulled it over for a second as you grabbed a spoonful of ice cream before looking up at him.

“Just need you, really.”

Buck seemed surprised at your answer, his cheeks flushing in response. He composed himself quickly though and leaned forward, love and affection swirling in his blue eyes. 

“You know, if you weren’t sick, I’d be kissing you senseless right now.”

You gulped, unable to look away from his passionate gaze. “I’d better hurry and get better then.”

“Oh, you’d better, because then I’ll really take good care of you,” Buck said with a smirk before heading off again, leaving you alone with your ice cream and your imagination.

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Eddie seemed to find this amusing, "that was barely a kiss. I planted one on his forehead because you were holding mistletoe and I was in the Christmas spirit. There's nothing too it. I kiss Abuela on the forehead."

"But Buck isn't Abuela, Eddie."

"Very well deduced, Sherlock," Eddie replied sarcastically and busying himself with tidying the kitchen. "You still okay to pick Chris up from school tomorrow?"

"Of course. I better head home, Erica is cooking something special apparently," Allie grabbed her coat and chucked her coffee cup into the bin. She grabbed Eddie in a one-armed hug telling him, "be safe on shift, love you."

"Always am. Love you too kiddo," then, Eddie grabbed her head and planted an over exaggerated kiss to her forehead, arrogant smirk on his face, "see! Nothing to it!

"You keep telling yourself that, Edmundo!" Allie called behind her as she left the house laughing.

Some time between the evening and night, Allie was lounging in bed, doing some noncommittal research for an assignment when her phone lit up with Buck's face, vibrating.

A pit formed in her stomach.

Surely Buck wouldn't be calling at this hour whilst on shift to discuss the latest Marvel announcement.

"Buck?" She answered.

"Allie. Hey," Buck replied but didn't elaborate any. She could tell it was bad by the not so subtle crack in his voice.

"What's happened?

She heard Buck clear his throat and began explaining, "urm, its Eddie. He, uh…there was this kid in a well and he went to get him and…and we uh, he's safe, the boy, Chim got him but uh-"

This was all too much for Allie and as brash as it sounded, she needed answers now. The wait was killing her.

"Buck. Are you telling me my brother is dead?" Allie was shocked at the solidity of her own voice. Later she would realise that she had almost detached from the situation, from the pain stabbing at her heart.

"No," Buck was quick to answer, allowing short breaths to re-enter her lungs, "but we lost him. He was underground and he..he cut his line, Allie. The fucking idiot. Fucking hero idiot. We lost radio contact and then the well collapsed and I tried, I really tried Allie but Cap has a cooler head about it and he's given us orders and - fuck I just, I thought you should know but I also…I also needed to talk to someone who lo-who knows Eddie as well as I do." She was certain by this point Buck was actively crying. She was joining him.

"You can say it to me, you know? That you love him? I know. And it's okay. I get it, Buck and I'm glad you called and that we have each other. All I can say, is that I've been through this before, when he was injured in the military. He's a fighter, Buck and he will fight to get back to his family. Always. That includes you, obviously."

"I don't know how obvious it is, Allie." Buck responded, defeated.

"Maybe not to you boys, but everyone else can see. And I know my brother better than anyone." Allie paused to discuss the current issue, "I'm going to come to where you are okay? Abuela has Chris for now and I don't think he needs to know until we have a better idea of what's going on."

"Allie, I'm really sorry but I don't think it's a great idea for you to come out here. The site is really unsafe right now, I don't even know if you would get across the safety barrier," Buck reasoned.

"I don't care," was Allie’s print reply. "He's my brother, Buck. I'm going to be there so that when you guys do get him out safe, and I know you will, I'll be right there with him. He was alone out in Afghanistan and I don't want him to be alone and hurt ever again." Allie was resolute in her decision, already putting on extra layers and gathering her coat and boots.

"Hey, Allie? Thank you. I'll see you soon." Buck ended the call as she rushed out of the front door.

Buck was largely right, in that Allie was not allowed past the security tape and those who manned it. That was until she spotted the familiar power stance of Athena Grant.

"Athena! Sergeant Grant! Please, Athena!" Allie called across gaining the attention of the police sergeant. Recognition immediately lit up her face.

"Let her through," she called with authority. Allie was allowed to pass, rushing towards Athena who looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

"Thank you, Sergeant."

"Call me Athena. How are you holding up?"

"I don't know. Just keeping the faith I guess. He'll fight for us, I know it and I have to believe it." Allie answered, strong at first but increasingly teary.

Athena placed a sturdy hand to her shoulder in place of words that they both knew would offer no comfort.

Allie was then lead towards the small building where it seemed the 118 were devising a plan to rescue Eddie. She immediately found Buck, rushing to her friend.

"Buck!" He turned just in time for the small Diaz sibling to collide with his torso. He wrapped his arms around her immediately and placed a hand on the back of her head, resting his chin much like he would do with Maddie.

"Hey, how are you doing?" He asked, ducking his head down to look into her watery and red eyes.

At this point, all Allie could do was nod. Buck understood.

"We have a plan in place, we were just heading up now to start. You are welcome to stay here, but please, for your safety, you cannot come to the site with us, okay? It was Bobby that took charge and addressed her.

She nodded and watched the 118 head out the door, each giving her a kind smile or a pat on the shoulder.

Allie only had to endure half an hour of wearing a hole into the sleeve of her jumper and gnawing the skin around her fingernails before she heard her name being called. Athena soon barged into the room.

"They've got him," Athena broke the news with a smile.

Allie launched herself to her feet, following Athena outside. She didn't allow herself to rejoice yet. No. Not until she saw her brother with her own eyes.

She didn't have to wait long. Eddie was already on a stretcher, being loaded into the back of the 118 ambulance. She didn't fail to notice Buck resting his hand on Eddie's arm like a lifeline.

"Eddie!" She called to her brother who looked at her sleepily. She rushed to his side, climbing into the Ambo without seeking permission. Noone stopped her.

"Hey, Chiquita. I'm okay. It's okay." Why was Eddie comforting her? He was the one that went missing and nearly died and is in the back of an ambulance getting stuck with needles!

Oh, Allie realised it was because she was the one hyperventilating and sobbing in relief. Oops. She made a conscious effort to take a slow deep breath.

Chimney hopped into the driver's seat, meaning there was room for Buck to climb into the back with Allie and Hen who was administering treatment.

Allie grasped Eddie's free hand like she was unsure he was actually real, whilst Buck stared at Eddie with a similar look in his eye. One hand however, rested on Allie’s back, slyly monitoring her breathing as she tried to calm herself from a full panic attack. Eddie noticed this and appreciated Buck immensely for comforting his sister while he couldn't.

Once they had pulled up to the hospital, Hen and Chim cheeled Eddie away to the waiting doctors and nurses and Allie and Buck had to part with him. Seeing him disappear through the doors hit Allie like a freight train and all the feelings both from tonight and the resurfacing ones from years before began to fall upon her, crushing her.

Hen tried to assure her that her and Chim did not find anything immediately worrying, just that Eddie was exhausted, dehydrated and possibly suffering the beginning of hypothermia. He was not dying.

Regardless, Allie had to excise herself, walking randomly through hospital corridors until she found a quiet corner and sat herself in it. The cool and hard floor grounding her, the walls at a right angle pressed against her shoulder almost like a stone hug. She tucked her head to her knees, allowing the emotions to hit her.

One those floodgates opened, she was in trouble and with no other options but to let the flood wash over her.

Buck had been watching since a minute after she had sat down. He wanted to give her space of course, and he knew that these attacks were not unusual, but it still pained him to see his friend in such anguish. Thus, when her sobs went from heart-wrenching to silent, but her shoulders continued to heave, Buck moved to her side and placed a large hand to her shoulder.

Allie didn't even notice. She was too focused on her breaths halting their journey in her throat.

She did notice when she received a firm pinch to the forearm, whipping her head up to be face to face with a concerned Buck.

"Hey, you're okay, Allie. Eddie is going to be fine, you'll be able to see him real soon," Allie was nodding, trying to convey that she understood rationally but that convincing her body of that was a whole other story. The stress of the day and the reminder of her past experience had the steering wheel right now.

"Take some deep breaths with me, yeah? Everything is okay. You're safe, Eddie is safe, Chris is safe. I'm here for you." She vaguely noticed his fingers wrapping around her thin wrist as his concern grew.

"Can you focus on your toes for me, Allie? Can you wiggle your toes?" He received a jerky nod. "That's great! Can you feel your socks on your feet? The shoes over them? Are your shoes tight, or is there wiggle room?" He knew she couldn't answer but he watched as she looked at her feet and was following his instructions.

"What about your legs? What are your trousers made out of? Can you really concentrate and feel all the muscles from your ankles to your knees, to your thighs, and to your hips?" Her breathing can stuttering back slowly. By the time Buck was talking about her fingers and hands, she had launched herself into his arms, tears flowing freely into his LAFD t-shirt.

Buck shushed her and stroked her hair, rocking her slightly while she composed herself. He was grateful to feel useful in a situation he would otherwise feel powerless in.

"How?" Was all Allie could utter to begin with but Buck understood.

"After your drunken escapades when I saw you have an attack, I did some research. I already saw Eddie do the 5 4 3 2 1 technique, but I wanted to know some other grounding options just in case. Glad I did," he finished cheekily.

"Thank you. For everything today. I think you're my best friend, Buckley."

"I'd say the same back but there's a smaller, cuter Diaz that holds that title I'm afraid," Buck replied.

"I'd be honored to be second place to Christopher."

"There you two are," Chim exclaimed, rounding the corner to their hiding spot. "Eddie's asking for you both."

Attempting to de-puff her eyes, Allie arrived at the door to Eddie's hospital room, Buck beside her. He gestured for her to go first.

"Hey big brother. What did I tell you this morning, huh? Cutting your line is not being flipping safe!" She started at him, only half joking.

Around ten minutes later, Allie didn't want to hold up the reunion any more, so sent Buck in and gave them a moment of privacy whilst she got the team coffees and updated them.

"Buck, hey," Eddie started.

"You're a fucking idiot. A stupid, heroic, fucking idiot. You know that Diaz?" Buck went straight in with no pleasantries.

"Okay, okay, Buckley, I've already been berated by my sister, you can let up a little." Buck took pity on the man who looked exhausted laid up in the white hospital bed.

"You scared me." Buck said simply.

"I'm sorry." Eddie replied.

They sat in silence.

"Buck?" He turned his attention to Eddie who looked into his eyes with such intensity. "When I was in that well, all I could think about was getting back for Christopher, because he can't lose another parent. I couldn't put him through that. But, then I also started thinking about what I want for myself…and of course I want to watch Chris grow up, graduate, be there for his first love and his first heartbreak. But what do I really want for myself? So, I fought to get out. To get back to my family. I will always fight to come home to my family, Buck." Eddie reached his hand out to take Buck's, "I'll always fight to come home to you."

Buck hoped with all soul that Eddie was saying what he thought he was saying, and that he wasn't about to ruin the greatest thing to ever happen to him. Slowly, gently, he leaned in close to Eddie, and pressed the most gentle of kisses to his lips.

It wasn't earth-shattering or revolutionary like Buck had imagined, but something different. Something better. It felt like coming home.

As they pulled apart, footsteps sounded at the door and the men turned to see a Cheshire cat grin spread across the face of Allie Diaz.