Archive of Our Own

1)  Bobby & Buck

When Bobby reminded everyone that the 118 drew a short straw for providing authentic color at the annual LAFD fundraising gala, and as such attendance was mandatory, he wasn’t too surprised to see Buck coming up to him, awkwardly fidgeting with the snapback he’d pulled off his head halfway through the meeting.

“Hey, Bobby, about the gala thing tonight,” Buck started “How mandatory is mandatory?”

“ ‘The only acceptable excuse for absence is death’ mandatory.” Bobby replied. “I know it’s a bummer, and I’ll be honest, extremely dehumanizing, but the food’s usually good. Sorry, kid.”

His probie made fervent eye contact with his boots. “Yeah, but I don’t have anything nice to wear. Like, at all. I only have jeans, t-shirts, and a couple button downs. Definity not a suit.”

That… actually made a lot of sense. Out of curiosity at the random and seemingly disparate anecdotes Buck dropped about his life, Bobby had requested his LAFD application, and was a little stunned at just how varied Buck’s work history was. He’d crisscrossed the country and the continent, but never stayed anywhere longer than 3 months. That kind of transience didn’t lend itself well to maintaining possessions outside the basics. 

“Well, that’s an easy fix. I know a guy that should be able to get you seen today. I’ll take you after shift.” Bobby raised his coffee cup to his lips as the tension and anxiety visibly melted off the younger man. 

“Really? Thanks, man, I seriously owe you.” Buck grinned as he skipped back to complete the inventory. He knew everyone else hated it when Buck came up in the rota, but Bobby never doubted it was done right when he did.

--

Four hours later, Bobby and Buck found themselves tucked into Lopez & Family tailoring, examining the options for an off-the-rack suit. Buck, surprisingly, seemed drawn to some of the flashier fabrics. He was currently trying on a navy suit with bright magenta flowers, and Bobby had to admit, the younger man was pulling it off.

“What do you think? Every eye at the gala will be on me.” Buck preened as he looked himself over in the three way mirror.

“Well, it’s a bit bold for my taste, but if you like it, then go ahead.” Bobby answered honestly. “That said, for your first suit, I’d recommend something a little more classic. I don’t know how much use you’d get out of it.”

“Your father is right.” The young tailor said from where she was measuring Buck’s inseam. “The foundation of a good wardrobe is a few key pieces that don’t fall out of style. Something like this will be out of date in six months, but a classic, well-fit suit is something you can wear for ten years.”

Buck was quiet for a moment, and Bobby was wondering if he was thinking how to best correct her on their relationship, which made his actual response all the more surprising. “Then I bow to greater knowledge. I’ll get the black one I tried on earlier, and I saw a shirt in lavender.” He pointed vaguely towards the one he wanted as his legs were still restricted by the tape measure.

“Excellent choice, sir.” She made a last notation in her tailor’s notebook and closed it firmly. “And that’s the last of your measurements. Come by on Friday to pick everything up.”

As Buck went back into the changing room, the young woman-- Mariana, according to her name tag-- sighed in disapproval. “Maybe it’s a side effect of growing up in a tailor shop, but the appeal of fashion trends is lost on me. Give me timeless or give me death. You’re son’s lucky to have you.”

Bobby just chuckled. “Hey, I used to do my hair like David Bowie. I don’t really have room to judge.”

2)  Buck & May

The first time Buck got an unexpected phone call from May, his heart almost exploded from fear. She was slurring and scared, and Buck still thanked whatever deity existed for the idiocy-proofing of pin drops, or he never would have found her. When she woke up the next day and experienced the joys of her first killer hangover, they’d had a talk.

May explained, in between bites of bacon and over-ketchuped eggs, that she had been told she couldn’t go to the party last night, because her mom knew the last couple had gotten broken up by the cops, so she’d lied. Thus, when she realized she was way way drunker than she should have been, she’d been too scared to call her parents or Bobby. “So I called you. I mean, I knew I needed help, but I also wanted to be alive after today.”

Buck chuckled, remembering the many times he’d similar calls to Maddie. “No worries. What else are unofficial big brothers for? You ever end up in any situation, it doesn’t have to be a party you’re too drunk to drive away from, where you can’t turn to your parents, you call me.”

“Unofficial big brother, huh?” May chuckled, then groaned. “Laughing hurts my brain.”

With a flourish, Buck passed her a large glass of water and two Tylenol. “We also give hangover survival instructions.”

--

Since that day, Buck had gotten a few more calls from May. A couple more parties where she or a friend needed a ride ASAP, or a run in with a guy who was having real trouble with the concept of “no, I won’t date you.” Then he got one that chilled his blood. 

“Hey May, what’s up?” He asked, breathless as he slowed down and stepped off his treadmill.

The only answer he got were hysterical sobs. 

“May? May! Are you hurt? What’s going on?” Buck asked frantically, fishing out his keys and leaving the gym.

She still couldn’t get an answer out. The only thing he could understand was “they’re going to kill me!” and “I can’t do this” over and over. 

“May, I’m heading to your parents house. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” He hung up and pulled out, hitting the gas harder than was strictly needed. If he sped, he could make it in twenty.

--

Fifteen minutes later, Buck pulled up to the Grant-Nash house and ran inside. He found May in the bathroom, still sobbing her guts out. Luckily, Buck now knew why. 

In front of her were two pregnancy tests; one positive, one negative. 

Wordlessly, he sat down next to her and pulled her into a hug. For forty-five minutes, they sat there, not saying anything except for May’s tears. Finally, when all the moisture in her body had come out her eyeballs, she pulled away. 

“My parents will kill me if they found I’d even had sex, let alone got pregnant. God, Buck, I can’t be pregnant. I can’t have a kid. I can’t do any of this. I just want to hide.” May shrank into herself, pulling her legs in until she was a tiny ball of terrified girl. 

“I get that, but hiding won’t help anything.” Buck ruffled her hair. “First, let's find out if you’re pregnant at all, then we can move on to panicking about what to do.”

May gave a rueful smile. “I don’t suppose you have any pregnancy tests in your car? These are the only ones we had.”

“No, but I have a better idea. You up for a drive?”

--

One hour, a panic attack, a mortifying intake questionnaire, and several concerned looks from nurses later, May found herself in an exam room of the local Planned Parenthood, anxiously waiting for the results of her blood draw, and trying to distract herself with TikTok. It wasn’t working.

The door opened and May wanted to both cry from relief and vomit from stress at the sight of a woman in a lab coat. “May Grant?” she asked, moving to sit the stool across from her.

May nodded, unable to talk due to the sheer roiling nerves drowning her. 

“You’re not pregnant.” 

She almost collapsed from relief; the release of all that fear and panic and uncertainty turning her body into jello. “Oh, thank god. Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She lurched forward to cling to the doctor, trying to both remain upright and convey just how grateful she was to not be pregnant. 

The doctor chuckled and patted her back, clearly familiar with this. “You also don’t have any STDs or other issues. You mentioned the tests you took were old?”

May pulled back, her ability to think coherently rushing back. “Yeah, from when my mom had my brother.”

“Well, unless he’s a toddler, they were expired. That’s what caused the false positive. Now, the young man who brought you in,--”

“Buck. He’s my brother. Well, not really, but my stepdad adopted him before he and my mom even started dating, so he came included.” May babbled, unable to stop talking now that she was able to start again. “But he picks me up from parties and warns off creeps and takes me to the Planned Parenthood, so he’s my big brother.”

The doctor smiled politely, but May could tell she wasn’t really paying attention, which.. fair. “Well, Buck recommended we talk to you about birth control while you’re here. We can write you a prescription for the pill and fill it, or do something longer term, like an implant or IUD.”

May raised her hand. “I vote for an IUD! I am not doing this again.”

3) May, Maddie, & Athena

Maddie had worn her thumbnail almost down to the quick. She’d managed to get over her nail biting years ago, but the new stresses of parenting appeared to have brought back some old coping mechanisms. 

She didn’t even know why she was so nervous about this. It’s not like she had doubts Athena would say yes. Still, sitting here fretting wouldn’t help anything, so she took a deep breath and picked up her phone.

“Hey, Maddie.” The other woman said, slightly tinny. “I’ve got you on speaker while I make dinner.”

“Not a problem,” Maddie rushed out, trying to keep her nerve. “I just wanted to ask a favor. I’m going wedding dress shopping tomorrow and Josh was supposed to come with me, but he had to cover a shift last minute and I was hoping you’d be willing to come.”

“Of course, honey! I do have plans with May for pedicures, but it shouldn’t be an issue. Or, May could come with us and the three of us have a girls day?” Athena proposed over the sounds of stirring.

Maddie broke into a small grin. Chim was off tomorrow, and he was always encouraging her to do small things for herself. “Honestly, that sounds amazing. Text me the time and address?”

“Will do, sweetie.”

---

Maddie couldn’t help but grin as she glanced down at her feet. The orange she’d picked was bright and happy, with a sun on the big toe. Definitely a good omen for finding a wedding dress.

She, May, and Athena sat on ridiculously plush couches in an upscale bridal salon, sipping champagne as salespeople scurried around them, trying to make sure they were satisfied.

“Your consultant will be right over. We can bring you some hors d'oeuvres, if you're feeling a little peckish.”

“We’re fine, really.” Maddie smiled placatingly at the woman who was just trying to do her job. “We’ll probably just browse.”

Athena took a satisfied sip of champagne. “I’ve gotta say, this is a lot nicer than the David’s Bridal I got my dress from.”

“Well, then we should toast to Mr. Han.” Maddie replied. “Apparently running off both sons and having a grandchild whose existence he wasn’t informed of made him reevaluate his life. He offered to buy my dress as a peace offering.”

“At which point you made an appointment at the ritziest place you could find?” May piped in, her head popping out from behind a rack of dresses.

“Exactly. I’m marrying into the Han family of Han Industries, I should look the part.” Maddie took a dramatic drink, then drained her glass because this champagne was the nectar of the gods. Staring at her empty glass, she reevaluated. “Maybe some solid food would be a good idea after all.”

--

An hour later, Maddie couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed this much. Sure, part of it was the extremely good champagne, but mostly it was just hanging out and trying on dresses with two people she really liked. 

“Maddie, I’m telling you: you’ve got it, so flaunt it!” May called out, bringing yet another dress that was basically lingerie over. “You are a hot momma. Show the world exactly what Chim has managed to lock down!”

“I appreciate that, but uh, I’m thinking something a little more traditional. Definitely floor length. I really liked that princess one.” Maddie smiled, remembering the poofy, stone-encrusted dress.

“Absolutely not.” Athena chimed in. “You looked like a Barbie cake. Barbie doll is just fine, cake is tacky. And I will not let you get married in something tacky. Now try this one.”

The other woman handed over a dress, still zipped in the bag. Maddie wasn’t sure, but figured it was worth a shot.

The moment the zipper went up, she knew Athena had found her dress. Cut low across the chest, but with off the shoulder sleeves to add a touch of glamour. The bodice had a lace pattern overlay, and the skirt was full, but didn’t veer into over-the-top, all in snow white. 

The moment she came out, May and Athena let out shrieks of joy. They all knew it was the perfect dress, if for no other reason than the beaming smile Maddie saw looking back at her from the mirror.  She sent the other two ladies off to pick up something for themselves -- Mr. Han had also offered to cover her bridesmaid’s dresses, and since she didn’t have any, why not share the wealth with the Grant women?

Maddie gave another twirl, mesmerized with how perfect her dress was, before going back to take the dress off.

“You know, you’re really lucky.” The consultant said as she removed the fitting clips. “So many brides come in here and their families treat them like dolls, more concerned with what they want than what you want.”

“Yeah, I’m going to owe Athena forever for finding this dress.” Maddie’s face was starting to hurt from smiling so hard.

“You really won the stepmom lottery with her, and your stepsister seems nice too.” The woman carefully hung the dress back up as Maddie shimmied back into her pants and pulled her top back on.

She took the bag and thought back on her whole day. “I really did.”

And One Time It Was On Purpose

“So, Maddie, how’s the wedding planning going?” Athena asked over a Sunday dinner of roast beef and sauteed asparagus. “Mmm! Buckaroo, this is delicious. Thanks for cooking.”

Maddie gave a satisfied sigh. “We finally finished the seating chart. I think the head table was the only one that didn’t  make me want to cry. Parents, siblings, the best woman and man of honor, done.”

Bobby quietly cleared his throat. “So, you decided to invite your parents after all?”

Maddie shook her head. “No. We’ve gone no contact and will remain that way for eternity or until they apologize and make amends for asking why I named my daughter something so, you know, I can’t even say it.” She took a sip of her water. “I, uh, I was actually hoping you two and May would sit there.”

Athena felt her heart melt at the doubt on the face of the young woman next to her. “Of course, honey. That’s so sweet.”

“Absolutely.” Her husband chimed in, smiling fondly at the Buckley siblings. “And if there’s any other things you need, help moving or setting up, we’ll gladly pitch in. You, both of you, are practically our own at this point.”

“Funny you should mention that.” Buck broke in. “You see, Mom and dad aren’t invited, and normally Maddie would ask me to walk her down the aisle instead, but as man of honor I’ll be escorting Hen…”

The blond trailed off, giving Maddie a significant look while she blushed and looked awkwardly at her dinner. “You don’t have to say yes, I’d totally understand. And I can always ask Albert, or hey, it's the 21st century, I can give myself away.” She looked up at Bobby, tears in her eyes. “But it would mean a lot to me, Bobby, if you would walk me down the aisle. To have someone who was there for me when I was struggling to rebuild my life, with my guilt after my postpartum breakdown, hand me off to the next chapter of my life.”

Maddie's tears were met with Bobby’s. “Maddie, I promise you, nothing would make me happier or prouder than to walk you down the aisle.” 

Gasps of nervous laughter escaped all six people at the table, easing a burden no one realized was there.  “A toast.” Buck raised his glass, smiling at his family-- his sisters, younger brother, and their parents. “To Athena Grant and Bobby Nash: the parents of the bride!”