Chapter Text
Having slept on a twin-sized mattress for the last six months, Eddie was overly happy when he stretched his limbs and realized that his body wasn’t hanging off the bed. He was back in his gigantic and comfy bed, with the softest pillows and blankets that made him feel as light as a feather. He felt like he could stay in bed all day because he didn't want to leave it – almost.
Because as glorious and unexpected this feeling was, it still wasn’t how Eddie expected his first morning back in L.A to turn out. Having six months to dream about the perfect morning, Eddie wanted to wake up next to his husband. He had missed his Buck-shaped pillow and blanket that kept him warm physically and metaphorically. He also missed having the chance to kiss Buck good night and good morning on his first day back in their home.
But there was a reason none of that happened, and it was because of the ladder truck accident. Eddie could only imagine the pain Buck had gone through when it all happened; he got a glimpse of it when they finally reunited in the hospital, which was the last place he wanted to see Buck in.
The only silver lining out of it was knowing and seeing that Buck was alive, and he knew that he had come home. Despite that, one gigantic positive thing from last night was reuniting with the child sleeping in the next room. And Eddie was too excited to see him as he had quickly jumped out of his bed to walk out the room and peek his head into Christopher’s.
“Morning, buddy!” Eddie cheered once he saw Christopher sit up because of his entrance. “How did you sleep?”
Christopher’s face already hurt from smiling because his dad was home. He threw the covers off the bed and immediately charged towards Eddie, who caught him with open arms and lifted him into the air for a hug.
“You must have slept well if you have this much energy!” Eddie chuckled. He was taking another good look at his son when he pulled back to see him better. “Yep, you’re still my growing baby boy.”
“I got taller! Buck keeps saying my cheeks got bigger too!”
“They sure are!” Eddie teased while pinching them. He ran his fingers through Christopher's curls and added, “Even your hair is growing longer. It looks like a lighter color too.”
Christopher did the same to Eddie's disheveled hair when he wrapped his finger around the part that flopped onto his forehead. He sorely missed being this close to Eddie, months of anticipating when he could hug him again, and he didn’t want to let go. He rested his head back onto Eddie’s shoulder and reminded himself of this feeling of being overwhelmed by Eddie’s love.
Eddie soaked it all in as well as he closed his eyes and breathed in his son’s familiar scent. It was the same shampoo and body wash like the one he’s been using since the start of last year, and it made him wholeheartedly smile because this was all home to him.
But there was just one more piece missing from the puzzle that completed their home.
“Where’s Buck?”
Eddie wanted them to sit down for this conversation because he needed to update Christopher on what happened to him, with the 7 years old child not knowing about the accident. It was going to be a difficult conversation for them, but Eddie had to do it as he sat them down on his bed to explain what had happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The elevator doors dinged open when Eddie stepped out of it with Christopher right beside him. He was taking Christopher to see his other dad, and they had many balloons and a giant teddy bear to liven up the room. It was going to be an unpleasant sight for him to see Buck laying up in a hospital bed, but it would be impossible to hide Christopher from seeing Buck until he fully recovered – he had the right to see him.
Eddie looked through Buck’s window and saw he was still asleep, so he held his finger to his lips and gestured that they would both need to be quiet. After Christopher zipped his lips shut and nodded his head, he and Eddie walked in together to be with Buck.
“Is he okay?” Christopher immediately asked once he saw him. He stepped towards Buck with his eyes staying on his propped-up leg. “Is he in pain?”
“The doctor’s given him lots of medicine that helps him with the pain. The fact that he’s sleeping is a good thing because it means his body can slowly get better. It will take a lot of time for him to heal properly, and it will be difficult for Buck, so we need to be here to help him when we can,” Eddie gently said.
“Can he hear-” Christopher cut himself off when he saw Buck’s eyes move despite them being closed. He gestured for Eddie to see it as he then approached the side of Buck’s head. “Dad? It’s us.”
Buck slowly opened his eyes to see the giant balloons in front of his face. Still feeling groggy, he turned towards the voice and saw it was Christopher. He reached out and weakly cupped his jaw before smiling at him. “Hey, buddy, how did you get here?”
Eddie cleared his throat when he stepped in front of Buck’s view. He recognized the look in Buck’s eyes when they looked at each other, instantly seeing the happiness and excitement shining in his blue eyes. But then he also saw the look of relief in them.
"You’re here,” Buck whispered.
“I said I would be here when you woke up,” Eddie lightly chuckled. “I cut it close with time, but I still made it. We wanted to get you something bright and colorful that would keep you company while you're in here. I tried to explain that you’re the one meant to name the bear, but Chris insists on Mr. Snuggles.”
“Because he’s very snuggly!” Christopher chimed in.
Buck attempted to sit forward on the bed, but Eddie had rushed over and gently pushed his chest back down. “It’s my leg that I can't move right now, not my upper body.”
“Hey,” Eddie whispered ever so softly, the single word and loving tone going straight to Buck’s soul and quickly settling him down. “Take it easy.”
Buck’s fingers were clinging around Eddie’s hand that was still on his chest. He held onto it even more as their eyes locked on each other’s, with neither of them looking away as they deeply stared back at one another. And that was when Eddie slowly leaned in to kiss him.
Eddie kept it short and sweet because that small amount of affection always goes a long way. He gave Buck one more kiss before pulling up a chair next to him, with Christopher quickly making himself comfortable on his lap. “How are you feeling? Did you manage to get some sleep?”
“The pain meds could only help so much. I lost count how many times I woke up in the middle of the night,” Buck confessed. “At least my head doesn’t hurt as much right now.”
“Do you want me to get a doctor for you?” Eddie asked.
“I’ll be fine. Besides, seeing you guys is the best medicine,” Buck cheesily grinned, with Eddie and Christopher’s chuckles fuelling his energy and making him feel better already. “I’m ready to do backflips and somersaults once I stand up.”
“Daddy told me you have to stay in bed because of the accident. You’re not allowed to move until you’re better,” Christopher sternly told him.
Eddie shook his head while laughing as he squeezed Christopher’s shoulders. “I didn’t say it quite like that, but he is right. You’re on bed rest until further notice.”
Buck threw his head back slightly and groaned at the thought. “You know I can never sit still.”
“I don’t think you have much choice here, Buck,” Eddie weakly chuckled. “You’ve got to take things slow.”
A determined Buck was already thinking about his recovery speed when he asked Eddie, “How often have you seen me take things slow? I’m more motivated than ever to get better.”
“I’m not doubting any of that. I know you, Buck, so I know you’re going to put all your effort into getting better,” Eddie sincerely said. “But you can’t rush your recovery. What has the doctor said? Have you spoken to her yet?”
Buck sucked his teeth because the uncertainty had made him anxious. Even though he hasn’t been awake long, he was already antsy to know about his condition sooner. “I haven’t spoken to my doctor yet. The only thing I’ve heard so far is the same stuff you and Maddie told me last night. I don’t know what’s happening with me.”
Eddie saw the scared and apprehensive look in Buck’s eyes that spoke louder than his calm demeanor. So he gave Christopher his phone and whispered for him to sit on the chair in the corner, giving him a moment alone with Buck so that he could stop him spiraling before it happened.
Eddie moved his chair closer to Buck and wrapped his hands around his, squeezing all the love and assurance he could offer him while looking deep into his eyes. “I know things look scary right now. It’s still early days. Whatever happens next, we’re going to work through it together. And you've also got all your friends and family's support along the way. You're not alone in this anymore."
Buck’s breath was shaking as he looked down at his leg. He kept staring at his immobile leg that he couldn’t even wiggle because of the bandages and the harness. His hands were balled up into tight fists as his fingernails dug into the palm of his hands. He tried to push through the pain he felt and move his leg, but he couldn’t.
Buck felt himself on the verge of tears when he slowly noticed the hand now on top of his injured leg. His ragged breathing had started to settle when he followed the hand upwards to see Eddie looking at him so tenderly. He felt himself breaking down for a different reason because he felt more relieved than anything to have his whole family back with him again.
“I don’t think I could have handled this if you weren’t here,” Buck painfully whispered.
“Yes, you could have. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met,” Eddie proudly said. “You’ve been through so much and bounced back every time. This is just another instance where you have to fight back again, except you don’t have to worry about doing it on your own this time. We’ll take it one day at a time, and for now, I’m just so glad you’re okay.”
Buck wiped his tears with the back of his hand while nodding his head. He eventually circled his arms around Eddie's neck and pulled him closer, quietly crying into his shoulder when he felt his husband immediately hug him back. “I’m glad you’re home.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eddie's surprise reunion with Abuela was everything he had hoped for after knocking on her door. Her tinier stature meant nothing when she crashed into her grandson, almost knocking him backward in their hug while she showered him with constant kisses, cheek pinches, and squeals.
The overwhelming and adoring affection she had given him had brought Eddie back to when he was the same age as Christopher. It never felt so good to feel so small again because the love she had in her heart for everything made her 10ft tall.
Eddie and Christopher stayed with her when she began to whisk him a quick lunch to welcome him home. Her food had tasted even better than when he had dreamed about it every other day while he was away.
And when she learned why Buck couldn’t join them, she had immediately packed a giant portion for Eddie to take to him.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours to pick you up. I’ve got to see Buck’s doctor and ask her about some things. I think all the doctor talk will be boring for you,” Eddie explained to Christopher.
Christopher nodded his head and hugged Eddie goodbye at the door. “Tell him I’ll see him soon.”
Abuela made sure Eddie didn’t forget the food for Buck by pushing it into his hand. “Send him our love.”
“I will. Mwah,” Eddie said, kissing Christopher on the head before turning to Abuela and kissing her cheek. “Mwah. I’ll see you guys soon.”
After saying goodbye to them again, Eddie was back in the car and drove back to the hospital.
In no time at all, Eddie walked through the hospital entrance and was on his way towards the elevator. He saw the doors were already closing when he then quickly picked up the pace.
“Hold the door!” Eddie yelled.
The 6ft man with the short brown hair had stuck his hand out in-between the doors and stopped it from closing. He sidestepped out of the way and let Eddie inside before letting the door close after him.
“Floor number?”
Eddie looked at the buttons on the wall and saw his floor number already lit up. “Same as you. Thanks.”
The elevator music played in the background as the two men were locked in the metal box. Eddie absentmindedly looked around the confined area and saw the bag of green grapes in the other man's hand. When he turned around and noticed Eddie was looking at him, Eddie had then politely smiled while silently ducking his head as an apology.
“Between food, balloons, and a teddy bear, I had to pick something,” The older man half-heartedly chuckled. “I’m visiting a friend that got badly injured at work. Grapes are what I normally receive whenever I end up in here. But now I'm thinking I should have gotten him a whole hamper instead.”
“Food is always the right choice to go with, especially comfort food. That’s what I brought with me,” Eddie grinned while holding up the container of Abuela’s food. “My husband was injured at work too. We’re waiting for the doctors to talk about his results. It was a pretty bad accident.”
“I can only imagine. My line of work sees people in all kinds of bizarre accidents that end up with them coming here. Some stuff you have to laugh about, but this isn't one of those incidents because it was that bad that the world saw it on the news last night.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a funny coincidence; that’s how I found out about my husband’s accident,” Eddie snickered, needing to somehow make a joke out of the situation because it hurt more reliving the moment he watched it happen. “Sorry, I don’t mean to laugh at your friend’s situation - that's wildly inappropriate of me. I’m just really nervous about my husband. I’ve been away for a long time, and the day I came home, I saw on national TV that he's badly hurt. He’s more than just my husband; he’s also my best friend and life partner. We’re raising a kid together, and I don’t think I can process everything until I know he can come home.”
The older man listened to Eddie’s nervous rambles and saw how incredibly anxious he was. He reached out to comfort the stranger by placing his hand on Eddie’s shoulder and squeezing it. “Don’t be sorry. Laughter is one of the best medicines. It’s always hard seeing a loved one in a hospital bed, but that love also makes us stronger. We’re quite fortunate that our loved one made it out okay, and I'm sure your husband will be fine once he gets out of here.”
"I hope so too. I really do."
The elevator dinged open when Eddie thanked the man for the conversation. When he thought they would go their separate ways and meet their loved ones, Eddie was surprised when he kept following him a couple of feet behind – not wanting to come off as a stalker.
But then Eddie was confused when he saw the man look through the window of Buck’s room. He was about to ask the man if he knew Buck when he saw him let himself in.
“Bobby?” Buck said. He then looked behind Bobby after noticing the man on his tail. “Eddie?”
Eddie had the lightbulb go off when he remembered there was only one ‘Bobby’ Buck has ever mentioned, and that was Captain Bobby Nash of the 118. Every time Buck talked about him, it was all with the highest amount of respect. They had only known each other for a few months, yet Eddie knew that Buck cared about him more than just a boss and mentor.
“Eddie?” Bobby quizzed while turning around to look at him.
Eddie knew the question Bobby was asking him despite not physically saying it, and he nodded his head while holding up his hand with his wedding band. “Yeah, I’m that Eddie. And you must be Bobby Nash.”
“Bobby, this is Eddie Diaz – my husband,” Buck formally introduced.
Bobby wholeheartedly smiled because he finally had a face attached to the name from Buck’s file and all the stories he heard about him. He gave Eddie a strong handshake while using his other hand to clap his shoulder. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Right back at you,” Eddie chuckled. “I guess this explains that eerily similar conversation we had in the elevator.”
Bobby had become the first person from the 118 that got a glimpse of Buck’s relationship with his husband, the one he had initially kept a secret when he first joined them. He had quietly stepped out of the way when Eddie walked past him towards Buck. Eddie had placed Abuela's food on the table before whispering something into Buck’s ear. It was too quiet for Bobby to hear what was said, but he watched Buck’s reaction light up the room when he pulled away to stare at his face. And after seeing Eddie quickly plant a kiss on top of Buck’s head, Bobby saw Buck’s blushing reaction – forgetting that there was someone else in the room with them.
Bobby remembered all the times' Buck had confided in him about his worries of Eddie never coming home. Between fear, anxiety, and paranoia, Bobby had watched Buck’s confidence chip away. But now, despite the last 24 hours, this was one of the happiest times he had seen Buck because Eddie was back by his side.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was over an hour later when Dr. Klowski had an update on Buck’s condition. Dr. Klowski had announced that Buck had been booked for another surgery early the next morning, explaining that she wasn’t happy with Buck’s x-rays and advised he needed the surgery to replace the rod and do a bone graft.
The doctor had shortly left the room after delivering the unexpected news. Eddie and Bobby nervously looked at each other because this wasn't the outcome either of them hoped for. They had turned towards Buck when they saw him quiet and withdrawn, staring at his leg again while frozen in place. When Bobby had tried to engage in a conversation with him, Buck didn’t respond.
Eddie tried instead when he lifted Buck’s chin to look away from his leg and at him instead. His heart was breaking as he saw Buck’s eyes shimmering with tears, on the verge of crying because his leg seemed to be even worse than they imagined. All the side effects and possible complications had scared Buck into thinking he would never be the same again - and Eddie had read this by looking into his eyes.
“Bobby, can you give us a minute?” Eddie asked while still maintaining eye contact with Buck.
“Of course. I’ll be outside if you need me,” Bobby replied.
Eddie knew they were alone when he had heard the door close behind him. The second it had shut, Buck’s eyes had changed into something fiercer. He used the back of his hands to wipe his eyes dry as he kept shaking his head at himself and surprising Eddie.
“This isn’t going to change anything,” Buck murmured, more to himself than anyone else. “This isn’t a setback. I’m going to be back on my feet in no time - like nothing has ever happened. None of this extra surgery is making me lose my job.”
“Buck-”
“I can’t lose my job, Eddie. I’ve spent years training for this. It’s part of my life now. I can’t suddenly quit.”
“We’re not talking about quitting,” Eddie emphasized. He sat on the bed with Buck and lifted his chin with his fingers. “We just need you to focus on your recovery before anything.”
“But she said I might have to!” Buck almost cried. He knew he’s only been a firefighter for a couple of months, but it had quickly become his passion that made him feel like he mattered outside of his family. “This is what I'm supposed to do. Saving people and helping them is more fulfilling than any other job I've had. I can’t go back to finding another job when this was it for me. ”
“She said you might have to. We won’t know for certain until after you come out of surgery. But Buck, you need to focus on the right thing for now. Your recovery is more important than your job. Anything could happen if you push yourself too hard – complications, infections, blood clots.”
“But-”
“There isn’t any way you can argue out of this,” Eddie weakly chuckled. He knew how important Buck’s job was to him, but he was too tunnel-visioned on getting back to it that he was missing the bigger picture. “Regardless of the results, you have to take your time recovering. You need to slow down and focus on where you’re at now. Something bad will happen if you push yourself too hard and too fast. I’ve seen people’s condition worsen with injuries like yours, and I don’t want to see you choking on blood because you pushed yourself too hard.”
Buck knew he couldn’t be stubborn on this matter because Eddie was right - and it frustrated him. No matter how he quickly wanted to get better, to resume the normal life he had with Eddie and Christopher before they spent six months apart, there was nothing else he could do about it except wait to get better.
Buck ran his hands over his face while exasperatedly sighing. “I’m sorry for freaking out. You’re right. I can’t push myself too hard. I need to be patient.”
Eddie felt relieved that he had deescalated the situation and helped Buck see the light. He brought Buck’s hands down from his face and kept them in his lap, holding them gently as he felt Buck's warm hands find their home within his. “This is about your health and your ability to walk, so you can bet your ass I’m making sure we do things properly. You’re one of the strongest people I know; physical therapy will be a breeze for you. You can bounce back from this, but you need to give yourself time to do it. And I’m going to be with you throughout it all.”
Everything had become less scary for Buck because he knew he had Eddie. He provided the balance in his life that made him feel like he was capable of anything. The love and trust he had in his husband were why Buck knew that he could always seek out Eddie for help – just like he had done now.
Buck’s tears finally fell as Eddie quickly pulled him into a hug. He felt Buck shaking in his arms as he held him tightly, whispering everything he could think of to console him. And with Buck clutching his fingers around the back of Eddie’s clothes, Eddie was there for his husband like Buck always is for him.