Soulmates Never Die (WIP)
Pairing: Evan “Buck” Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV)
Summary: Hanahaki + Soulmates AU
A/N: Unfinished, because work was too busy today but I wanted to share a piece of it anyway and I’ll definitely post the complete version in the coming days. Written for @911firstkissweek. Day 4 - Prompt : Soulmates AU.
Chim’s concerned voice makes Buck look away from the stove where he’s been on cooking duty, and towards the firehouse’s upstairs lounge where the team is sitting, scattered. His eyes follow Chim as he walks to Eddie and it takes Buck a minute to understand what’s going on. Focused on the onions he’s been grilling, shielded by the noise of the pan, he didn’t hear his friend coughing, and now as he leaves his post all he can see are the flowers at Eddie’s feet.
Dozens of flowers piling up on the floor as Eddie keeps coughing.
“Shit.” He knows what this is, they all do.
“Hanahaki,” the doctor says.
The team is gathered outside Eddie’s hospital room, letting him rest with the help of whatever he got to calm the pain.
Hanahaki, the unrequited-love disease as rare as the broken heart syndrome but just as deadly. The team doesn’t need any more explanation, they all remember a scene they were called to that left them devastated, just like they all feel now.
“We stabilized him,” the doctor continues. “We’re treating the pain and we’ll do our best to keep him comfortable as long as possible. But it’s a matter of when not if, now.”
They stay in the waiting room for way too long, unable to leave their friend all alone.
“I didn’t even know he was in love.” Hen’s the first to speak and her words echoe the thoughts buzzing through Buck’s mind.
“It must have been months, have you seen the amount of flowers? That’s not how it starts.” Chim says.
Months of Eddie hiding this secret from everyone. From Buck, who tries to push away the resentment at the thought of Eddie keeping something that big from him. He can’t be selfish right now, not when Eddie’s life’s at stake.
“I don’t understand why he didn’t tell us,” he finally says.
“He probably didn’t want us to worry.” Bobby’s voice is calm and reassuring. “He knows there’s not much to do.”
“We all know,” Hen says, smiling sadly to Buck. “With all the research you did after that call we had.”
“Buck’s gotta Buck.” Chim jokes, trying to lighten the mood. It works, for a minute.
Buck remembers all the articles he read back then. He remembers the options, and the consequences.
To Be Continued (and edited)