PAIRING: evan buckley x fem!reader
WARNINGS: no use of y/n
GENRE: fluff, meet cute
SONG INSPIRATION: tadow by masego
WORD COUNT: 938
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you were new to the 118.
from the moment you stepped into the station, they had welcomed you with open arms. chimney took you under his wing, showing you the ropes with his humour that helped keep the nerves at bay.
hen had this way of grounding you, offering advice that made you feel like you weren’t just learning the job, but learning to trust yourself.
sure, you’d had a couple of minor slip-ups during your first rescues. nothing too dangerous, but enough to sting your pride. you’d quickly learned from your mistakes, and the team had noticed. they always made it clear you weren’t alone, encouraging you as you found your footing.
as your first month passed, you began to feel like you were truly part of the family. but there was one name that kept coming up, like a shadow you couldn’t quite pin down, evan buckley.
whether it was on the ride back to the station or during meals around the table, his name was always on someone’s lips.
“remember when buck–”
“oh my god, and then buck said–”
“i still can’t believe buck actually–”
from the stories, he sounded like their long lost annoying younger brother, ruthlessly teased but fiercely loved. he was the kind of person who could drive them up the wall one minute and have them laughing until they cried the next.
with each story, you found yourself forming a mental image of him. this larger-than-life, chaotic force of nature who somehow managed to be their glue. without even meeting him, you felt like you already knew him.
and then, one day, you did.
you were cleaning and restocking one of the ambulances, focused on the methodical rhythm of your work. the sound of cheers outside pulled your attention, distant at first but growing louder, accompanied by bursts of laughter.
curiosity got the better of you. you closed the ambulance doors with a firm slam and started toward the commotion, your steps quickening with each cheer.
as you rounded the corner, you stopped in your tracks. the entire team had gathered in a loose circle, their voices raised in excitement, their faces lit up with the kind of joy reserved for reunions.
in the middle of it all stood a mountain of a man.
chim was the first to spot you lingering at the back of the group. “hey!” he called out, his grin widening as he reached for you, tugging you forward. “c’mon, don’t be shy! you’ve got to meet him!”
you stumbled slightly as you were pulled to the front, your breath hitching the moment your eyes landed on him.
he was everything the stories hadn’t prepared you for.
tall and broad shouldered, his uniform stretched taut over muscles that seemed almost unfairly large. his hair was slightly tousled, the golden strands catching the sunlight, but it was his smile that truly knocked the air out of your lungs. warm and open, it softened his chiselled features and sent a rush of heat straight up your neck.
then his eyes met yours.
blue. so blue they seemed to pull you in, almost as if the world had narrowed to just the two of you in that moment.
chim’s voice broke through your daze. “and this,” he said with a teasing grin, gesturing toward you, “is your new replacement!”
you rolled your eyes playfully, trying to ignore the way your heart raced as buck’s gaze lingered on you.
“replacement, huh?” buck chuckled, “i’ve heard i left them in good hands.”
he extended a hand toward you, and for a split second, you just stared at it, your brain short circuiting. then, as if on autopilot, you took it.
the moment his hand closed around yours, you felt it. a warmth spread through you, starting at your palm and radiating outward. his hand was large and strong, but his grip was gentle, as though he didn’t wanna hurt you.
“yeah…” you managed, your voice softer than you intended. “you could say that.”
You give him your name, his lips curve into a gentle smile. He nods, his eyes never leaving yours. "pretty."
your hand stayed in his for a beat too long, neither of you seeming eager to let go. his thumb brushed against your skin, an unconscious movement that sent shivers down your spine.
the world around you blurred. all you could see was him. the way his uniform hugged his frame, the way the corners of his mouth quirked up as he smiled at you, the way his eyes softened.
then, as if realising himself, buck gave your hand one final squeeze before letting go, his own hesitation mirrored in the slight reluctance of your fingers.
the moment broke before you could process what had just happened, someone called his name from across the station, and he was ushered away, leaving with the crowd and disappearing through one of the doors. his laughter echoed faintly as he went, but not before his eyes flicked back to you, lingering for a moment longer than they should have.
you turned quickly, your face burning. you took a step back and mouthed silently to yourself, “oh. my. god.”
“catch your breath yet?” bobby’s voice startled you, low and amused.
your head snapped toward him, but the knowing look in his eyes said it all. he’d seen the whole thing.
you tried to play it cool, clearing your throat and turning back to the ambulance as if you had work to do. but your heart was still racing, your hand tingling from where his touch had lingered.
little did you know, buck was feeling the same thing, standing in the middle of his family with his thoughts entirely consumed by you.
Helen and Menelaus (1816) by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein (German 1751 – 1829), oil on canvas, 272 × 288 cm (107 × 113.3 in), Eutin Castle, Germany
Found this BG3 indie animation vid that blew my mind. An example of magnificent story telling. It crushed my soul and made me Fully Invested in a character I’d never met before.
Absolutely stellar.
This amazing video is by @ritzeldraws! This is the YouTube link. They’re also on tumblr under the same name. Check them out! Their art is absolutely amazing!
