An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 2/?
Fandom: 9-1-1 (TV)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Reader, Evan "Buck" Buckley/Original Character(s), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Original Female Character(s), Evan "Buck" Buckley & Reader, Evan "Buck" Buckley & Bobby Nash, Evan "Buck" Buckley & Athena Grant, Evan "Buck" Buckley & Maddie Buckley, Evan "Buck" Buckley & Eddie Diaz & Howie "Chimney" Han & Bobby Nash & Henrietta "Hen" Wilson
Characters: Evan "Buck" Buckley, Bobby Nash, Henrietta "Hen" Wilson, Howie "Chimney" Han, Eddie Diaz (9-1-1 TV), Maddie Buckley, Original Female Character(s), Reader, paramedic!reader - Character
Additional Tags: Enemies to Lovers, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Slow Build, Medical Procedures, Fluff and Angst, Angst, Fluff, Medical Jargon, No use of y/n, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Long Live Feedback Comment Project, LLF Project
Summary:
You can feel Buck staring. When your eyes meet his, you realize he’s staring at your hand, which is still on Eddie’s knee. You slowly retreat, which makes Buck turn his attention to your face. You smile softly. He just looks out the window.
The one where you're an advanced paramedic, Buck and Eddie are firefighters, and you think you might be in love with both of them.
Warnings: mentions of injuries, Eddie can’t do math or cook for shit, friends to lovers :)))
Category: Fluff
Word Count: 2.1k
Author’s Note: takes place after Stuck (2x04) when abuela breaks her hip. Also, this was supposed to be for 911 readers week but I didn’t finish it in time sooooo just take it now instead :)
-----
The phone rang, your arm stretched over the pile of dishes on the counter. “Hello ?” you answered, putting it on speaker and setting it back down.
Eddie’s voice rang through the speaker, echoing through the empty apartment. “Hey, can you do me a huge favour ?”
“If you're gonna ask me to bake a cake, I have literally no time, honey. I’m really sorry but I need to finish this order-” Eddie sounds like he cut himself off before saying something as you explain that you’re busy.
“Eds? Are you there ?”
“Yeah- yeah, I'm here.”
“What’s up?”
“You’re busy, I don’t want to bother you.”
You can’t help but roll your eyes because no matter how busy you are, you always made time for Eddie. He sighs heavily, so much so that you can hear him thinking.
“Eddie, what is it ?”
“Can you pick Chris up from school ? I know you’re busy but if you can’t, that’s ok-” “of course I can pick him up!”
The sound of a breath being released before a feminine voice called out for him. “I gotta go, Abuela needs me but he’s off at 3. Thank you, y/n - really.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Eddie.”
He mumbles something before hanging up. You glance at the phone screen - 2:24. You had enough time to change and shove the dishes in the dishwasher before having to head out so you did just that.
You had picked up Christopher from school a million times. His teachers knew you well enough that Eddie no longer had to call and let them know he wouldn't be picking up Chris but that you would be.
Standing outside of the school, the PTA parents were gossiping within their little bubbles, talking about the other members behind their backs but smiling in their faces. You bit back a smile before walking towards the gate. The students were lined up by the door, waiting for the bell to ring.
The moment it does, the students come running out with their teacher a few feet behind them in an attempt to keep up with them. One by one, their teacher lets them out, Christopher finally spotting you and this teacher waves hello as they open the gate for him.
“Y/n! What are you doing here!?” his little face lights up with a smile.
“Your dad asked me to come get you, he's with abuela.”
The two of you start making your way back to the car when Christopher asks you what his plans for the afternoon were. Soon you realized that Eddie didn’t give you any explanation as to where to go or what to do after you picked up Chris.
“How does ice cream and then abuela’s sound ?”
“Can we take some for her and dad too?” Chris asks as you help him into the car.
“Of course we can.”
----
Christopher was lugging his backpack over his shoulder when you knocked on the door, two containers of ice cream in hand. Eddie opens the door, grinning at his son whose face matches his father’s.
“Hey kiddo” Eddie kneels, wrapping the boy in his arms. Christopher’s arms extend around his father, “hi dad, we bought ice cream” he points out the obvious.
Eddie glances up at you, the ice cream tucked under your arm - he flashes you a smile.
“Oh yeah?” he lets go of Chris. “Did you have any?”
“No,” he shakes his head, his hair flopping around as he snickers. Eddie pushes the hair from Christopher’s forehead. “So what’s this on your face?” swiping his finger on Chris’s chin, a little smudge of brown on his finger from the leftover ice cream.
“Paint.” Chris smiles at his father sweetly.
“Uh huh, paint.” he chuckles, stepping aside for Chris to come further into the house.
“Thanks for picking him up,” he leans on the door frame, stretching and his arms lift above his head as he does. You can’t help but glance down at the area of exposed skin - eyes glued to the man in front of you.
“Y/n?” Eddie’s waving his hands in front of you, eyes raising from their previous spot to his face - the blush was creeping up on your face whilst that stupid smug smile of his was on his.
“Would you like to come in?”
“Oh, I don’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t be.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
Stepping in, you take in the house. You had been by Isabel’s once or twice before but you had never come inside the house. The walls were painted a warm yellow colour, the furniture was spotless as was the rest of the house. Isabel sat on the couch with Chris beside her as he told her about his day at school.
“Chris, did you wash your hands?” Eddie calls, the door shutting. Chris doesn't answer which is an answer in itself. “Go now, please.” Eddie’s voice sounds closer, glancing behind you to see him beside you.
Chris grumbles but gets up, Isabel turns her attention to you and Eddie. “How are you feeling ?”
“As well as someone can with a broken hip” she gives you a smile.
“I’m glad you’re okay, you gave Eddie a scare” giving him a playful shove. “We got ice cream, vanilla and toffee. Chris said toffee was your favourite” handing her the small container. “It is, thank you. That’s so sweet of you.” she smiles, pulling the top off.
“No need to thank me, it was Christopher’s idea.”
“Ah, well I'll thank him when he comes back out.” she says smiling, “Eddie, a spoon please ?” she glances at the man beside you. He hums, stepping away for a moment to get her a spoon.
Chris comes running back in after washing his hands. “Dad! Can we stay over? Abuela said it was okay” he’s beside his father now, looking up at him with his big brown eyes that were practically begging him to let him.
You, Eddie and Isabel all knew that Christopher had his father wrapped around his finger and would ultimately get his way but Eddie had to give him a fatherly response and say no, they should go home. Isabel doesn't usually butt in but this time she did.
“Mijo, stay. I could use the company.” She says, patting the spot beside her and Chris makes his way over to sit beside her.
Eddie sighs, if he had a soft spot, it was for the two people on the couch. “Fine, just tonight then.”
Isabel smiles, satisfied with his answer. “y/n, stay for dinner darling. Eddie’s cooking” “Yea- who said I was cooking?” Eddie butts in, shocked at the assumption. “I did, mijo. Don’t worry, I'll tell you what to do.”
“Buddy, why don’t you finish up your homework so you can relax for the rest of the night ?” Eddie calls out to Chris, who again groans. He loved school but despised homework - as did most kids.
“I have math, I need help so I can’t do it because you’re busy.” Chris says plainly, thinking his statement will get him out of his math work because Eddie can’t do math for shit.
“I can help.”
“Y/n, you don't have to-” “no, it’s fine. C’mon kiddo” Chris grumbles, making his way to the dining room table, the two of you taking a seat when Eddie helps Isabel up and to the kitchen.
You can hear them talking and her telling Eddie to cut things a certain way or not to put too much of something into the pot. It only took 20 minutes for Christopher to finish his math homework, he brought it into the kitchen to show his dad.
“Look! I’m done! Math’s easy when you understand it.” that last bit was a little dig at Eddie and his math skills. You ruffled Chris’s hair as he walked back into the living room.
“Did he just-” Eddie watches his son make his way to the couch.
You hold back a laugh,“Mhm hm” Eddie shakes his head, chuckling. “Here, taste this.” he picks up some sauce from the pot, holding the spoon over his hand before handing it to Isabel.
Her face twists when she tastes it, “Eddie, I love you honey, but that’s terrible.” you press your lips together, holding back a chuckle.
“What?” he pouts, sighing. “I swear it tasted fine ten minutes ago.” sitting beside Isabel in defeat.
You pick up another spoon and taste some for yourself, your expression matching Isabel’s from moments ago. Eddie had remembered to put everything in, except the paprika and the salt, you add a bit of both and stir the pot. Taking the spoon from Eddie, you pick up a bit of the sauce and hand it back to Isabel.
“Ah, that’s better.” she hums, making you smile as she hands you back the spoon. Eddie sighs, letting you know that he was still there.
"Why don’t you go see if Christopher wants to watch something or if he wants a snack ?” his grandmother nudged him, a signal for him to leave the kitchen. “y/n can take over for you”
“Abuela, you can’t invite them in and have them work for their dinner.” he says, making her laugh.
“It’s okay Eds,” waving him off. “I don’t mind, really.”
Eddie left the kitchen and made his way over to the couch, listening as Chris told him about his day. He glanced back to see if everything was alright but he noticed that the two of you were laughing as you told Isabel something. Eddie would be lying if his heart didn’t skip a beat.
He stopped seeking his parents’ approval of who he dated- for a matter of fact, it went out the window when he brought Shannon home the first time but seeing you with an abuela made him so warm and happy, he couldn't help but smile.
---
Eddie’s hand slipped onto your hip, his chest against your back. “Can I help you, Eddie?” you mumble, your eyes on the dishes in front of you.
He hums, hands coming around and arms now wrapped around your waist. Eddie felt your wet hands pull his hands off of you, “Isabel and Chris are in the other room, stop it”
His head tilted, that innocent look on his face, “stop what?”
“Eddie,” turning to face him, “shh I don’t want to hear it” he cuts you off, hands back on your waist.
“I don’t think I've ever loved someone the way I love you.” His words come off so sweet and loving but hit you like a ton of bricks.
You loved Eddie, more than anything but you had never actually told him nor did you ever feel the need too. It was always implied that as friends, you loved and cared about each other.
Eddie always knew he loved you, there was never any question about that but something about you, seeing you with an abuela and how great you were with Christopher (as you always were) just pushed him over the edge.
He had to tell you.
“Y/n, you know I love you- and before you say anything, I know I’ve never actually said it to you but I didn’t feel like I had too, you knew I did.”
“I know.”
“Yeah.”
You were still gathering your thoughts, trying to come up with the words to tell him you loved him too but Eddie’s expression changed. His brows furrowed, eyes studying your face - the worry had set in.
What if you didn’t feel the same way ? God, he’d feel so stupid if he embarrassed himself like that.
The years of friendship were enough for you to realize how he was feeling. You were lacking words and you know what they say, actions speak louder than words.
Your hands reach for his face, now cupping his cheeks. Your lips meet his, he pulls you closer to him- if that's even possible. It was a few moments before you pulled away.
Eddie smiles lovingly at you and you’re sure you have the same expression plastered on your face. “Um- I think that says it.” you hum, smiling at him.
“Doesn't mean you can't say it,” he pokes fun at you, making you roll your eyes playfully.
Walking back to your car, you watched the couple across the street. Hands clasped as they pressed closely together, grins on their face. They were both dressed nicely, surely going out to dinner for Valentines Day.
You felt a soft pang in your chest. You weren't one to feel jealous of people, couples especially, but things changed since you met Buck. There was something lingering between you, but you feared nothing would come of it.
For a moment, today, when Buck came to talk to you, you thought, for just a moment, that he was going to ask you out. He asked what time your shift was up, so you couldn't help but hope. But when it lead to nothing, you couldn't push down the disappointment.
Finally getting back to your apartment, you let out a sigh as you stepped inside. Hearing a soft crinkle underneath your feet, you quickly staggered, looking down at what you stepped on. You frowned when you saw an envelope.
Various thoughts ran through your head. Were you being kicked out? Was it a maintenance warning? A passive aggressive letter from a neighbor?
Picking up the envelope, you pulled out the letter inside. It was typed out instead of handwritten. Glancing at the envelope and bottom of the letter, you saw no name. Anonymous?
You sat at your kitchen counter as you read the letter. Your heart beginning to hammer in your chest the further you got.
- - - - - -
Dear Y/n,
I hate that I feel more confident writing this out that saying it to your face. I thought I would be able to do it, but it turns out I'm a coward when it comes to you. I guess I'm afraid you wont feel the same if I tell you how I feel. And I've never done well with rejection.
You make me more nervous than anyone, sometimes its hard to think, let alone speak when you look at me. I've never been the type to get butterflies in my stomach, but I do when I look at you. When you smile or laugh, especially when you laugh. I think it's my favorite sound, I always find myself trying to make you laugh just so I can hear it.
I feel like a love drunk teenager when I think about you. I wonder where you are, what you're doing, if you're happy. It drives me crazy that I wish I was with you all the time. We spend half of our days together but sometimes it still feels like it's not enough.
We're close, we get along so well, and I always feel like there is something else between us, something pulling us together. I think, or at least, I hope, that you feel it too, but I can't help but fear it's all in my head. I know I'm rambling on about this, but there is so much I want to tell you, so much I'm afraid I might fail to say in person.
Today, I wanted to ask you out, for Valentines Day. To be my Valentine, but the words died on my lips when you looked up at me. And I don't know if I imagined it or not, but I thought you almost seemed disappointed. Finally, I was able to get the confidence to do something, to do this.
I know I haven't said who I am, but I'm pretty sure it's obvious. I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything, so please don't think you have to. If you feel the same, or want to hear the words from my own mouth, meet me on the rooftop at 7pm. If you show up, I'll tell you everything I wanted to say but have been too scared too. If you don't show up, I'll know I misunderstood, and I'll never say anything else, and it will stop here.
I hope to see you there, I hope I was right in thinking there is something here. So, until then.
- - - - - - -
Your chest was clenching tightly as anxiety rocketed through you. There was an address written on the bottom of the letter. A building not far from Buck's apartment. You knew it was Buck who wrote the letter, it was obvious.
His words answered every question you had since you met him. Did he have feelings for you? Were you imagining it? Did he know you had feelings for him? Why did he never say anything?
There were so many thoughts rampaging through your mind. Grabbing your bag you headed towards the door, before halting. You looked down at your outfit, realizing it was what you had been wearing all day. Would he mind? Would he expect you to dress up? Was this turn into a date?
Quickly heading into your bedroom, you changed as fast as you could. You chose nice clothes, that weren't too proper before grabbing your bag and heading out the door. Quickly glancing at the clock, it read 6:35. Buck's apartment was nearly 30 minutes away, the building ever further. Would you make it on time?
Of course, it being Valentines Day, everyone was out on the road. You tapped your steering wheel in frustration as the cars in front of you crept slowly on.
6:46; you weren't close enough yet. How long would he wait for you? Five minutes? An hour?
6:55; as you drove past Buck's apartment, you looked for his car. You frowned when you couldn't see further into the parking lot.
Your eyes scanned over passing cars, making sure he wouldn't pass you.
7:07; You pulled into the parking lot of the building. Climbing out of the car, you looked up towards the roof. It was a small family owned business. Why was Buck here? Did he know the people who owned it? Was he trespassing?
7:13; you clambered up the fire escape towards the roof. Your nerves were intense as you labored your breathing. You fought fires and ran through collapsing buildings for a living. And yet, you never felt more nervous than you did right now.
As you stepped onto the roof, your eyes scanned the area. Landing on the corner of the building. A large blanket was laid out, small battery operated lanterns lighting the area up. A basket was placed on the edge of the blanket.
Your eyes moved to the edge of the roof. Buck was sitting on the edge of the building, legs hanging off as he stared out at the city.
Walking closer, you paused for a moment, not wanting to startle Buck so much he fell off the roof. You paused, flexing your hands as they sweated.
"Buck?" You spoke softly.
Buck still jumped a little as he turned to look back. You could see the mix of surprise and relief on his face as he saw you. He spun around and stood up. You smiled awkwardly at him as you walked a bit closer.
He shoved his hands in his pockets as he smiled at you. A nervous tick you picked up not long after you met.
"Hey! Uh, I wasn't sure you were gonna come." He said softly, chuckling nervously.
"There was a lot of traffic, I'm sorry." You apologized, wondering how nervous he had been when you didn't show up.
"Don't apologize, I get it, that-that's why I was waiting."
You stood in silence for a moment before he chuckled again, "I'm sorry, I'm nervous. You- You make me nervous. In a good way!" He added on a bit louder.
You smiled, "It's alright, I know how it feels." You said softly.
He studied you for a moment, understanding your words. "So I was right? I mean, you- you feel...the same?"
Smiling you nodded your head, "Yeah, Buck. I do."
A wide smile spread across his face, as relief washed over him. He took a few steps closer to you. "I'm sorry I was such a coward, no one has ever effected me like this. It's - it's different."
You smiled shyly at him and nodded lightly. "Yeah I know. I didn't say anything either, so it wasn't just you."
He looked down at his feet, ad then back at you. Then remembering what was behind him he spun around and motioned towards the picnic. "So, what do you think?"
You walked towards the picnic. "It looks great." You smiled, "Ive never had a night-time picnic, especially not one on a rooftop." You turne and looked at him. "Who owns this place anyways?"
He chuckled a little bit, "Uh, yeah, it's that couple that we helped out on a call a week back. They were really nice, and I came to their shop to see how things were going. They wanted to do something for me, and I did refuse at first, but when I had this idea, an no where to do it, I though, maybe they'd be down. And they were, they even helped me set it up."
You smiled as you remembered the couple he must be talking about. You looked back at the set up, he had brought your favorite drink, but you wondered what was in the basket.
"Before we, uh, before we sit-" you turned to Buck, who seemed suddenly nervous. "I wanna, I need to say something, otherwise I might chicken out again."
You nodded at him, encouraging him to continue, as your own heart pumped harshly.
He took a deep breath before meeting your eyes, your breath caught in your throat. His eyes bored into yours as they held a storm of emotion. Anxiety, fear, determination.
"I didn't just want to ask you on a date. I need you to know, to understand, that I want to be with you. I want to be your boyfriend. I want to go on multiple dates with you, to spend a part of every day with you outside of work. I want to hold you hand, to hold you. I want to comfort you after a hard day. I want all of it, because every time I think about my future, about the things I want, you are always there. I don't just want you to be a part of my future, I want you to be my future."
The more Buck talked, the more passionate his voice became, and the more animated his movement. He finally found his voice and had so much to say that it seemed he couldn't stop.
"I can't imagine not seeing you every day, I can't imagine you not being in my life. I want you to be a bigger part of it, I want- I"
As he began to fumble, desperate for more words to come, the emotion that had been building up in your chest seemed to explode forward. Stepping toward him and leaning up, you grabbed the side of his face and pressed a kiss to his lips.
His hands stilled in the air, as he froze. Realizing what was happening, his hands dropped and found their way to you waist. He leaned into the kiss just as you pulled away. He looked at you with mild surprise, and you smiled at him.
"I want you to be my future too Buck." You spoke softly, your voice just above a whisper.
Buck's lips curled up in a soft smile as he stared into your eyes. You felt his hand grip your waist a little tighter.
"I was talking too much wasn't I?" He said softly, an air of amusement lingering.
A grin spread across your face as a soft giggle erupted. "Maybe a little. But I liked what you were saying."
He chuckled as he pulled you towards him, your chest pressing against his as he stared into your eyes. You placed your hand on his chest and smiled at him.
"I really like you." He said softly as his eyes scanned your face, as if he was trying to memorize this moment.
"I really like you too." You responded.
Leaning down slowly, his eyes locked with yours for a brief moment before he leaned the rest of the way in. His lips connected with yours and the tightness in your chest got worse before suddenly releasing, as your whole body seemed to fill with a tingling sensation. Buck brought his hand up to the back of your head as he deepened the kiss. You wrapped your arms around his neck as he pulled your body flush against his.
After a few moments, you broke the kiss, as you smiled breathlessly at each other. Buck motioned his head a bit towards the picnic area. "Hungry?"
You giggled softly, having forgotten about the picnic he set up. "I could eat."
"Good, because I probably brought way too much." Pulling away from you, he took your hand in his as he led you over to the picnic.
Sitting down, you sat right beside him, your shoulders pressed together. Looking out at the city lights in the near distance, you smiled, your heart pounding joyously in your chest.
You hadn't expected your day to end this well, but you were more than grateful it did. You were excited for what your future would hold, especially knowing it looked a lot like the man sitting next to you.
xx End xx
Not sure how I feel about the ending, but I hope you enjoyed it!
Something in which reader gets hurt or sick but it’s kind of touch and go for a bit. So once’s she’s home recovering she wakes up from a nap to find Eddie stething her to reassure himself that she really was still okay while she slept. Maybe with the heartbeat prompt #10...?
It was late at night as you drove home, a blinding rain making the visibility extremely poor. The only saving grace was that the road you were on was practically deserted - it was the only reason you didn’t stop and wait it out. Creeping ahead slowly, you craned your head over the steering wheel to make sure nothing was obscuring the road directly ahead of you as you drove.
Suddenly, you were surrounded by a tremendous noise. Creaking metal and shattering glass echoed around you, cutting off the sound of your own screams as the car rolled down the embankment, throwing you around like a ragdoll even though you were strapped in. It felt like it went on forever, the dizzying spin, but soon things fell silent again. You cried out in agony as you tried to move, rain pelting your skin through the broken windshield, the steering column pressing heavily into your chest.
You tossed and turned as the nightmare raged on, the visuals in your head as vivid as the incident itself had been. Your chest felt tight, your breathing a little too fast, too shallow, and you woke up with a start. Though the flashbacks faded into the distance as consciousness returned, the pressure on your chest lightened but did not disappear all together. Your doctor had warned you that you might feel some tightness as you healed in the wake of your fractured ribs and bruised tissues, but the pressure felt different than what you’d come to know over the course of the two weeks you’d spent in the hospital.
Slowly opening your eyes, you were startled to find Eddie hovering over you. You blinked away the blurry cast to your vision and focused your gaze on him, realizing he had his stethoscope on and was pressing it to your chest. His touch was gentle, but the weight of his hand was no doubt what had pulled you out of your slumber.
“What’re you doing?” You mumbled sleepily.
“Shh, I’m trying to listen to your heart,” he explained softly.
You hummed quietly and relaxed again at his words, unfazed. You were used to being poked, prodded, and examined after your stay in the hospital, and you trusted Eddie. If he wanted to listen to your heart, you weren’t going to protest.
Eddie carefully moved the stethoscope every once in a while, resting it back against your skin with the utmost care so as not to aggravate the bruising on your chest. You dozed a little as he listened closely, waking again only when you finally felt him pull away to set the stethoscope aside. You tipped your head to the side a little, regarding him through half-lidded eyes, a bit fuzzy around the edges from the painkillers.
“Am I gonna make it?” You asked teasingly.
Eddie chuckled softly, but even in your haze you didn’t miss the flicker of hurt in his eyes. You reached out, groping sightlessly for his hand as he met your gaze. He slipped his hand into your grip and you squeezed his fingers clumsily, bringing his hand up to brush a kiss across his knuckles.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered.
Eddie shook his head, shifting closer so he could press a kiss to your forehead.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he assured you. “I’m just glad you’re finally out of the woods. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
You tipped your head to nuzzle into his neck, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of his cologne. You shifted the hand you had gripping his, exposing your wrist, wordlessly encouraging him to wrap his fingers around it like you knew was his wont to do when he needed reassurance. As you’d predicted, Eddie’s fingertips found your pulse point easily. You could feel your pulse reverberating against his touch.
“I’m okay,” you promised softly. “I’m going to heal up just fine, and until I do, you can do whatever you want to do to know that I’m just fine.”
Eddie smiled at your words, shifting carefully so he could wrap an arm around you without ever letting go of your wrist. You winced a little as your broken ribs ached fiercely in protest, but quickly settled comfortably into his embrace.
You laid ensconced in Eddie’s warmth, strength, and comfort for a while, your eyes fluttering closed as he continued to feel your pulse. It slowed over time as you grew sleepier and more relaxed, and Eddie murmured soft encouragements for you to get some more rest before dinner. The pain medication was admittedly drawing you closer and closer to sleep with every passing moment and eventually you felt yourself succumbing to it.
“I love you,” you murmured softly as your breathing evened out and you dozed off.
A/N: So @firemedicdiaz wrote THIS fantastic ficlet which is what inspired this. She also betaed this!! This is a continuation from hers so you will want to read it first. Enjoy!
••••••••
Eddie continued to hold your hand while you waited, rubbing soft circles with his thumb. He encouraged you to keep taking deep breaths as best you could. While it wasn’t doing much to slow your heart rate, it was keeping your already-slightly-low oxygen level from dropping further. Within a couple minutes, you could hear the sirens approaching in the distance. A minute later, the wailing stopped as they pulled up in front of the house.
He squeezed your hand reassuringly. “I’m going to go let them in, okay?”
Despite not wanting him to leave your side, you hummed in acknowledgement. He pressed a quick kiss just above your hairline as he stood. As the door was pulled open, you heard him greet the team. Anxiety flared once again as you realized it wasn’t the 118.
Closing your eyes, you forced yourself to take a few deep breaths in an attempt to stay calm.
“Sweetheart?” Eddie asked, tentatively, as he took your hand once more.
Opening your eyes, you smiled softly at him before looking at the medics now standing before you. Eddie released your hand and moved to stand behind you, out of their way. He laid his hand on your shoulder so you knew he was still close. They quickly introduced themselves, Dawn and Alec, as they knelt beside you.
“Your heart is giving you some trouble today?” the one to your left, Dawn, asked.
You nodded, immediately regretting it as the dizziness intensified. “Damn it,” you cursed softly. “Yeah, it won’t slow down.”
Alec reached to grab your wrist and you lifted your hand, silently granting him permission. His fingertips quickly found your radial pulse and he looked at his watch to count, exactly as Eddie had only a few minutes earlier. As he released your hand, he asked, “And has this happened before?” He glanced at the pulse oximeter on your finger, clearly noting the reading before he replaced it with their equipment.
“Yeah. It usually only lasts a minute or a Valsava will help. But I tried it today and it didn’t do anything,” you explained.
“She said has been treated with Adenosine in the past,” Eddie added.
“So then you know how this is going to go.” She smiled, sympathetically. “May I?” she asked, grabbing the blood pressure cuff. You lifted your arm in silent agreement. She wrapped the automatic cuff around your bicep and started a reading. “We’re just going to check your vitals and get you hooked up to the monitor so we can see what’s going on.”
“Okay.” You took a deep breath and felt Eddie run his hand over your head and down your back. You absentmindedly brought your hand up to run across your sternum again to try and soothe the discomfort.
“Are you having chest pain?” she asked.
Dropping your hand back to your lap, you answered, “No. It’s just an uncomfortable feeling.”
Alec grabbed your wrist again. “I’m going to put in an IV, alright?” You tried to suppress the groan and looked away from him as he wrapped the tourniquet around your arm. You felt his fingers move softly across your inner elbow before the cold alcohol swab. “Just a little pinch.”
“Just keep breathing,” Eddie soothed, squeezing your shoulder firmly to ground you. “You’re doing great.”
“All set,” he said, as he secured the line in place. “We’re going to have you move over to the stretcher now. Can you walk or do you think you’re too dizzy?”
Dawn had moved it closer so it was only maybe three steps. “I can do it.” Eddie moved beside you and offered you his hand, you took it so he could help you stand. The dizziness intensified with the position change and you gripped Eddie tighter for a moment to keep your balance. You felt another set of hands on your opposite arm and lower back as the dizziness subsided slightly.
As you got settled, you noticed Dawn standing by your side with the monitor leads in hand. Feeling your anxiety spiking once more, you quickly asked, “Would it be okay—,” you hesitated. “Can Eddie do that, please?”
She looked to Eddie for confirmation he was okay with that. You saw him nod before he moved around next to her on your left side. He leaned over to press a quick kiss to your forehead before taking the leads from her. He made quick work of getting them in place.
All three of them turned their attention to the monitor. You closed your eyes, trying to mentally prepare for what you knew was next.
“Definitely looks like SVT, as expected,” Alec stated.
Eddie had taken your hand into his once again and was murmuring soft reassurances and calming words.
“Okay, we're going to push the meds now. You ready?” Dawn asked.
You took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”
“It’s in,” she announced, but your fingers were already tingling and there was a tightness in your chest that followed seconds later. Nearly as quickly, the tightness subsided. You groaned as you felt your heart continue the same racing rate. “Straight back into SVT.”
“We’re going to try one more time, okay?”’ Alec asked.
You hadn’t even noticed that your breaths had become short gasps. Eddie placed his hand firmly on your cheek accompanied by a few soft shushes. He waited a moment for your eyes to meet his, “Deep breaths, cariña.”
Nodding, you took a shuddering breath before following Eddie’s lead to slow your breathing. “I’m ready,” you said, glancing at Dawn.
Once again she pushed the meds and the tingling and tightness washed over you. It felt like it lasted a bit longer than the first time and you gripped Eddie’s hand with all the strength you could muster. This time as the feeling subsided, you realized so had the uncomfortable feeling of your racing heart.
“Sinus rhythm. Much better. What do you say we get you to the hospital now?” Alec asked.
Part of you wanted to tell them you were fine now and didn’t need the trip but one look at Eddie told you he knew what you were thinking and wasn’t about to agree. Instead you nodded your agreement and reminded yourself once more that everything would be fine with Eddie right by your side.
Buck and Bobby help volunteer at a women’s self defense class. You may or may not have accidentally broke Buck’s nose during your turn at a demonstration.
A/N: I hope this is okay! I’m not sure about it but I figured I may as well just get it out there instead of letting it stew in my brain forever.
“Oh, shit!”
Buck is trying to keep his cool, but in reality his nose hurts like hell. He’s broken bones before. Hell, he’s been punched before. But he’s never had a broken nose. Until now. He waves you away as you cover your mouth with your hands in shock.
You were meant to be learning self defence. You weren’t meant to be breaking noses.
Bobby, standing to the left of you, is trying to look concerned while, truthfully, he’s actually extremely amused. He’d assured Buck that it’d be good to come and volunteer at the women’s self defence class. He’s pretty sure that right now, Buck would disagree.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to actually hit you! Shit, is it broken?”
You’re mildly freaking out.
Buck shakes his head. “No, I think–” he scrunches up his nose and pain shoots through him. Wincing, he nods. “No, it’s definitely broken. It’s broken.”
“You okay, Buck?” Bobby hesitantly walks toward you both.
He hums. “Yeah… I’ll be okay. I just… I have a broken nose.”
You turn away from them both and run a hand through your hair, trying to figure out what to do. Of all the things that could have happened today, breaking someone’s nose wasn’t on your list. Especially the nose of an incredibly attractive man who was helping you out with your self defence. In all honesty, you’re horrified at yourself.
Buck watches as you take a deep breath and look across the room.
“Hey, hey,” he says, forcing you to turn back around. “It’s not your fault. I should have been more careful, kept my face out of the way of your hand. Don’t beat yourself up about it. I’ll be fine. It won’t be a problem, seriously.”
He tries to seem as nonchalant as possible even though his nose is burning.
Frowning, you furrow your eyebrows. “I broke your nose though…”
Buck chuckles and nods. “Well, at least we know you’re getting the hang of this whole self defence thing, right?”
That brings a small smile to your face and Buck can’t help but smile a little too.
“We, uh, we should probably get you to hospital to get that checked out,” Bobby suggests. He doesn’t mean to interrupt a moment between the two of you, but the sooner Buck gets checked out, the better.
He nods. “Yeah, probably for the best.”
Buck glances between you and the instructor who is more than happy to let Buck get checked out. He’s clearly not too happy that Buck’s nose was broken in the first place. Buck smiles at you before, grabbing his bag off the ground and making to leave the room.
Before he and Bobby can get so much as a step out of the door, though, you appear behind him, smiling sheepishly.
“Would you mind if I came with you? I’d just… I’d feel better knowing everything was okay, you know?”
Buck can’t deny you. Instead, he nods. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“I need to check the wound properly to make sure you didn’t get an artery severed.”
You blush, which is astounding considering a lot of your blood is on the floor. He gives you a gentle smile. “I’m Eddie. I’ll make sure you’re going to be okay, ma’am.”
You pull off your shirt carefully. “[Y/N]”. He looks over at you, keeping his eyes trained on yours. “If I’m going to be shirtless, might as well know my name.”
He laughs, and you swear its the most musical sound you’ve ever heard.
That, or it was the massive blood loss making you dizzy.
Either way, he stems the blood flow as you start to see stars. “You’re going to be okay. I’ve got you.”
His voice is the last thing you hear before you black out.
