When Casey and Severide hear firehouse rumors that they're together, they decide to prank the house, except they kind-of prank themselves in the process.
The Ripple Effect - Casey & Severide & the Darden Boys - https://archiveofourown.org/works/82226731
When Severide tackles the bomber at Med, Casey realizes the ripple effect of them raising the boys together on him and their boys.
Alex is ready to propose, there's just one problem... the traditions of the royal family might just get in the way, luckily, Henry's one step ahead of him.
Man on a Mission - Alex/Henry - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85834471
Alex and Henry must spend the summer apart, and dive into hand-written love letters when time zones make it hard to talk much.
Not So Cursed Soulmate - Casey/Severide - https://archiveofourown.org/works/85835271
When Severide asks Casey if he's thought about whoever his soulmate might be, he admits to thinking he might be cursed, thankfully, he's not as cursed as he thinks.
The Rules: Copy the following prompts or make your own, post what fandoms you write for & your followers can request one of the prompts with a ship, character or fandom for a ficlet of 100-500 words. Please mention if you don't want M or E content otherwise it will be assumed anything goes. Have fun!
This week's theme is throwback - fave prompts of Ficlet Fridays past:
Go for a picnic
‘Me? Apologise? I think you have me confused for someone else…’
Going to therapy
Fever
Not the first kiss but the second ‘omg I can't stop’ kiss(es)
‘Can we just stay like this forever?’
Darling
Flexible
Arguing with a family member
Skinny dipping
My Pairings this week: Alex/Henry, Alex/Buck, James/Sirius, Trevor/Sass, Buck & Bobby (platonic), Casey/Severide
If I've done a pairing before, you always ask, I'll let you know if I can't/not interested in doing it.
Buck's been dating Alex for a few months and finally decides to come out to his family.
AO3
***
“So, Bobby, I was wondering if you and Athena might want to come by my place on Friday for dinner,” Buck asks, pretending that it’s just a normal ask, even though it isn’t.
He hasn’t told Bobby and Maddie(/Chim) about Alex – well, not true, he’s talked about his boyfriend plenty, but he never specified the boyfriend part, just Alex and everyone so far has assumed that Alex is a woman (Buck hasn’t corrected them because he’s been trying to figure out the right time to tell everyone). Buck and Alex met after the chaos of Eddie leaving and Buck moving into Eddie’s old house.
The whole thing with Eddie leaving had sparked a conversation with Maddie where she might’ve suggested an interest in Eddie (which he doesn’t have) but did make him question why his sister would think that he’d be interested in men, and he did a lot of self-reflection.
His self-reflection led to a research binge (and conversations with Hen and Karen) and that led to realizing that he could be bi and then, he met Alex when he went to a community gathering for queer literature and he had enjoyed talking to him. They’d become friends first, and Alex had joked that it had taken a kiss from a friend (or was more than a friend for a few months) before he realized himself so at least Buck’s a few steps ahead.
And then, feeling flirty and knowing that Alex is bi, he teased, “If only I had a bi friend willing to test my theories.”
Alex had laughed and swung his arms around Buck’s neck, pulling him down slightly (since he’s six inches taller) and kissing him soundly. Given that he definitely didn’t want the kiss to end, he’d quickly figured out that he was – is bi and when they broke apart asked Alex out.
Now, three months after that kiss, and feeling more confident (as no one’s looking at him like a wounded puppy anymore), he’s feeling like maybe it’s time to come out to those not in the know – only Hen and Karen already know thanks to being Buck’s sounding board.
Hence, family dinner with Bobby and Athena, Maddie and Chim, at his new place.
“Finally having a housewarming?” Bobby questions, sounding excited. “I know you had a rough time after taking over Eddie’s lease, but it’s your house now and –”
“Not exactly,” Buck says, cutting him off. “Although, I do appreciate that I should probably have one of those.” He shakes his head. “But there’s something I wanted to talk to you about and it would be better outside of work.”
“You’re not sick, are you?” Bobby asks, immediately concerned.
“No, of course not.”
“And you’re not leaving, are you?”
Buck scoffs. “Definitely not. It’s nothing like that. I was just – I wanted to introduce you to Alex, Maddie and Chim are coming, too, it’s kind of a family dinner.”
“Oh,” Bobby says, sounding surprised.
Buck’s never outright called Bobby family to his face, but with everything that happened with nearly dying by lightning he figures there’s no real hiding it – he’d heard Athena plain as day telling him that he (Bobby) had already lost two kids and couldn’t handle losing him, too. He’s been far more like a dad than Philip Buckley ever was (or is), but he’s not sure if suggesting family dinner would be too much since they’ve never discussed it out loud.
So, he’s nervous for a few seconds when Bobby’s face splits into smile. “This must serious if you want to have a whole dinner for introductions, but I’d be glad to attend.”
Buck smiles. “Great and yeah, Alex is pretty special.”
Bobby smiles. “Then I can’t wait to meet Alex.”
“Good.”
***
“How are you more nervous than I am?” Alex teases as he watches Buck flitter back and forth between the recipe book and the dinner he’s making.
He’s teasing even though he knows why.
Coming out is a big deal. Alex didn’t really get the chance to come out to his family by his own choice – his sister told him when she was mad about his secret relationship (that wasn’t a very good secret), he was forced to tell his mom after her chief of staff caught him with said secret relationship and made a big deal about it), and his dad told him he knew the weekend he met the secret relationship (and even though it ended that weekend, he should have realized bringing him to the lake house would immediate be like telling his dad).
Having not gotten to come out by his own choice, Alex knew that it was an important and decision for Buck to do this now that he’s ready. He also knows that it doesn’t always go well (Raf getting kicked out when he was in his teens, Henry getting told that he can’t let his ‘deviances’ affect the crown and must stay in the closet forever), but from everything he’s heard about Buck’s chosen family, they should be accepting.
Maddie had been the one to put him on this journey accidentally and they are all close with Hen, another firefighter and a part of the ‘fire fam’ family, who is gay – the one that has helped Buck along his journey of self-discovery. It shouldn’t be a big deal or a surprise about Buck, but logic doesn’t always calm nerves.
“Because you’re amazing, so of course they’re going to love you.”
“Is that to say that my boyfriend’s not amazing,” Alex says, coming up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist, and burying his face in between his shoulders. “Because I will not have you talking bad about my boyfriend.”
Buck chuckles. “No, I just – have trouble sometimes. Thinking about being enough.”
Alex loosens his grip and leans back. “Turn around and look at me.”
Buck hesitates for a few seconds and looks like maybe he wants to go get Blaze (their beagle Buck rescued) who’s barking, but eventually turns around to look at Alex.
Satisfied, Alex looks him in those brilliant blue eyes and says, “Look I know that I only have a vague idea about what happened with the Buckleys and your life growing up, but I do know that it scarred you into thinking that you’re not enough – not enough to be worth loving unconditionally, not enough to be worth sticking around for, and not enough to be different, yet, accepted – but it’s all bullshit, okay? You are enough, you are enough as you are, you don’t have to earn it, and these people – the ones you consider family – they’re going to love you no matter what. They aren’t going to stop loving you just because you’re bi and if they do – then fuck ‘em.”
“I think he’s my favorite already,” a new voice says before Buck can respond.
They jump apart, barely missing knocking their heads together.
“Sorry,” the man says, sheepishly. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
The woman with him, says, “But your front door was unlocked, really, Buck?”
Buck laughs and bends down to put Blaze, who had come in with them. “Believe me, the house is more protected that it seems, Athena, we have our own guard dog and everything.”
He’s teasing about Cash and Schmitty, Alex’s secret service agents that have been with him for eight years and are destined for at least another four since his dad was recently elected for President (the switchover from his mom to his dad is going to be interesting to say the least), but naturally, Athena and Bobby (he assumes based on the fact that he knows Bobby’s married to Athena), assume they’re talking about Blaze.
“Yes, yes, your new guard dog has done so well,” Athena responds, sarcastically. “He really stopped us from entering.”
Buck just laughs and shakes his head. He seems more relaxed since Bobby had started off with favorite already, and just leans into it. “Anyway, uh, I don’t know how long you were standing there, but this is my boyfriend, Alex, and I guess you could say that I’m bi.”
“You guess?” Bobby questions as he moves forward to shake Alex’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Bobby, and this is my lovely wife, Athena.”
Alex grins as Buck rolls his eyes. “Okay, I definitely am bi, I am not guessing. Definitely true.”
Athena smiles as she hugs both him and Buck and says, “Good, I’m glad.”
Buck looks to Bobby, who nods at him, giving him that assurance he needs.
“So, I’m going to admit that I was under the impression that Alex was a woman – was that intentional?”
Buck shakes his head. “No, I just didn’t correct anyone.” He glances at Alex, who smiles at him, reassuringly. “I wanted to do this with intention. I didn’t want to come out because of a pronoun so I just… avoided them until I was ready.”
Bobby smiles, “Well, I’m happy that now you are ready.”
“I am.”
***
It takes some time before Maddie shows with Chim and Jee, they were late, but it’s harder to be on time with a toddler, apparently and at least it gave Bobby and Athena sometime to get to know Alex, who they seem to like.
Buck smiles when she doesn’t even blink as he introduces her to Alex and tells her he’s bi. Given that she started him on this journey, it makes sense that she wouldn’t blink, Chim, on the other hand, looks completely confused.
Not unaccepting (he greets Alex warmly) but confused.
It takes until they’re all sitting at the dinner table and the chatter about how good dinner looks fades, before Chim finds his voice, “I’m confused – how did this happen?”
Buck laughs, even as most people at the table give him an incredulous look.
“I think what Howie means is how did you two meet?” Maddie corrects.
Buck laughs. “Well, actually it’s partially because of you.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you put the idea in my head that I could be bi because you thought my reaction to Eddie leaving was due to being in love with him –” at this both Chim and Bobby spit takes and Athena bursts out laughing.
“I’m sorry, you thought what?” Bobby asks. “Believe me if Buck was secretly in love with Eddie – we’d all know it.”
“Yeah, Buck can’t keep a secret to save his life,” Chim chimes in.
Buck gives him a look. “I’m not that one that exposed a family secret to a bomber during a rescue – I am not the one with secret keeping issues.”
“No, but you are the one that fills most of the air chatting about whatever’s on your mind at work,” Bobby states. “In fact, I’m pretty sure you talked about Alex the next shift after you met him.”
Alex gives him a playfully, teasing look. “Did you, Buck?”
Buck flushes. “I was excited. I made a new friend and I like to talk besides you weren’t a secret.”
“That and you have 24-hour shifts, so it’d be difficult to keep secrets,” Athena offers. “No one in the 118 has secrets for long, so if he were in love with Eddie – even one-sided – everyone would have known.”
“I just suggested it,” Maddie states, shrugging. “I thought his reaction to Eddie leaving was … about more than friendship.”
“He’s my best friend, Maddie,” Buck reiterates. “And as I said, then, it was more about the fact that I spent so much time with him on and off shift that I felt I would be lost without him. Everyone else has a family and a partner, so Eddie and I kind of just hung out together when we weren’t working – especially since Chris left and he needed a distraction. It doesn’t mean that there were any feelings there – I’m pretty sure, even though I wasn’t exactly aware myself, I would have realized sometime in the last seven years that I liked my best friend.”
“Fair enough, but you did just say that it was because of that conversation.”
“Hmm-mmm, yes, because it was. You suggesting that I could be bi made me wonder if there was something I was missing out on and so I did some research and I explored different things – talked to Hen – and I ended up at a queer literature community gathering and became friends with Alex…”
“Friends…?” Chim asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Okay, it didn’t exactly last long but Alex told me that he realized he is bi when a friend kissed him and sent him into his own spiral and realization and so I teased that if only I had a bi friend to help me test me the theory.”
He didn’t have to explain the rest of the story, it was obvious that they started dating after that.
Maddie smiles. “Seems very you and I’m happy for you.” She glances at Alex. “Both of you.”
“Thank you.”
***
The rest of dinner is spent getting to know Alex for everyone else, and Buck can’t help grinning at the way they’re so interested in him. It’s different to Buck’s other long-term relationships in that everyone seemed to like him, and the partner is interested in his family – chosen or otherwsie.
By the time everyone left, Buck’s relief and happiness is quite visible, he’s sure. The only person left to tell is Eddie, and he’s not remotely worried about his reaction.
He closes the door and faces Alex, who’s grinning, knowingly. “I told you that they would support you.”
“I think I knew – deep down – that I had nothing to worry about. Hen assured me the same thing, but then again, her and Karen both mentioned how Toni hadn’t come to their first wedding because of it and well, I don’t know, but I really didn’t have to be worried.”
“Definitely not,” Alex says before pressing a kiss to his lips. “But now, you’re out and there’s nothing to worry about.”
Buck hums before he pulls Alex even closer. “And now, I think it’s time to celebrate.”
One of the things that Buck appreciates out about his new boyfriend, Alex, it’s that he loves Buck’s natural affections. He loves the way that Buck throws an arm around his shoulders. He loves the way that Buck ruffles his hair whenever he passes him while he’s at the desk or on the couch or in the kitchen. He loves the way Buck loves to hug him and hold his hand.
He just … he’s so fucking perfect sometimes.
Buck’s never too much for him, and he seems to always genuinely love him for him, not just for mind-blowing sex, but also just for companionship.
He comes over, even on the days that Buck tells him that he won’t be getting lucky (not in those words exactly but just all of the texts about him wanting to see him after a rough shift but being exhausted) – Alex always assures him that he just wants to see him that he doesn’t need anything else than his smiling face.
And he means that.
Buck can tell with the way that he revels in the cuddling during their movie night, not vying for more just enjoying the closeness. It’s the way that he lets Buck lead every soft kiss, never putting more passion to invoke something like he would on other days (when Buck hasn’t talked about being exhausted in their texts and instead sends him messages about how he really just wants to have his way with him as soon as he gets home). It’s the way that he doesn’t make suggestive comments or flirting in a way that usually sparks something in Buck’s belly and leads to a memorable night in Buck’s bed.
He truly loves him that he gets him so when they go to bed that night and he opens his arms to invite Alex in to cuddle him, he says, “I love you,” for the first time.
Alex looks up at him, blinking those big brown eyes at him like he isn’t sure he heard right.
So, Buck repeats himself.
“I love you, Alex.”
Alex grins. Eyes sparkling. “I love you, too, Buck.”
Buck gives him a sweet kiss, and says, “Good. ‘Night, honey.”
Buck is excited to see his new boyfriend, Alex, but he's also exhausted and struggles with the idea of past partners expecting sex when it comes to spending time together and if Alex would, too?
AO3
***
Buck is exhausted after his shift and a bit nervous about it. It’s been close to a Q word day, but not quite and he’d been looking forward to seeing his new boyfriend, Alex, tonight. The only problem is that he’s absolutely not in the mood for sex tonight.
He wants to see Alex, but he’s never had a partner not expect sex if they met up to spend time together… so he’s, unfortunately, having to cancel. Even though he really wants to see him.
“Hey, baby, home already?” Alex’s soft voice says the second he picks up. He’s smiling into the facetime, looking happy to see him.
It melts Buck a little.
“Uh, not exactly. Almost – hopefully. It’s been a long day,” Buck says, hoping his face doesn’t betray how worried he is that Alex has expectations for their date night. “I can’t wait to see you, but I’m worried that I won’t be as much fun as usual tonight.”
“No worries, babe. I’m happy with spending any time with you,” Alex says, still smiling.
Until, when Buck doesn’t reply right away before focused on the road, Alex begins to frown as he appears to sense Buck’s worries.
“Unless you don’t want to see me? Am I – have I … have we been seeing each other too much? It’s – it’s okay if –”
“No!” Buck rushes to assure him.
He likes seeing Alex. He likes coming home to him (sometimes). He loves spending his free nights with him. He’s debating inviting him to live with him, he enjoys it so much. He’s not about to let Alex think he wants to see him less.
“It’s just I want to see you – more than anything – but I, uh, I’m not in the mood for sex tonight and I thought –”
“That I wouldn’t want to see you if I wasn’t getting lucky?” Alex scoffs. He softens when he sees Buck’s slight, ashamed, nod. “Well, baby, I’m not that kind of man. So, if you wanna see me for dinner and cuddling, I’m perfectly fine with that.”
Buck brightens. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Then, I’ll see you in an hour?”
“I’ll be there.”
***
They hadn’t discussed their conversation over facetime, choosing instead to chat about their days during dinner before cuddling on Buck’s couch, a documentary on the TV, but for once, Buck’s more focused on Alex’s soft assurances.
Not through words, exactly, just the way his one hand runs through his hair, and his other holds Buck’s hand. They’re sitting with Alex’s back more in the corner of the couch, his legs over Buck’s lap and Buck’s arm around his shoulders, which helps Alex lean his head on Buck’s shoulder.
It’s nice, it’s calm, it’s everything that Buck had been looking forward to.
He’s just slightly nervous. Is Alex pretending hoping that Buck will change this mind?
(He may or may not have had that happen before).
And he’d hate for that to happen, especially because he really likes Alex. He’s been so good to Buck, and he’d quickly lose interest if Alex doesn’t respect Buck’s tiredness (if this were a trick).
“Are you okay, babe?” Alex asks, jarring his attention to him. “If you’re tired, we can go to sleep or – or I can leave if you want.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” Buck assures him. “But I – I guess I’m just…”
He doesn’t know how to frame it without sounding like he expects the worst of Alex when Alex has been nothing, but good to him.
Alex hums. “You know, I’ve been around the block or two with multiples dates and relationships, and most of those were about sex more than anything else, and so whenever I would plan something with someone I was seeing, it was … expected to put out even when all I really wanted was to cuddle and maybe kiss.”
When Buck looks down, feeling guilty that he was the same way – expecting sex, even when he doesn’t want sex, just always assuming… isn’t great…
Alex uses his hand to get Buck to look him in the eyes. “I’m not telling you this to make you feel guilty. I’m telling you this because you seem to be under the impression that I’m like the people I used to be with … maybe the people you used to be with that didn’t want to spend together if there was no possibility of getting lucky. I’m not them, Buck. I enjoy spending time with you and sometimes, I don’t want to have sex, either, but even if I wanted to have sex if you didn’t want to, I would never expect you to put out just to make me happy. It doesn’t make me happy when my partner isn’t happy and enjoying themselves with me.”
“You are so fucking perfect,” Buck says, giving him a kiss. “How’d I get so lucky?”
Alex laughs. “Something, something, you looked lost at Pride, and I couldn’t resist introducing myself.”
Buck smiles even as he admits, “Yeah, but all of my other partners since I was sixteen always acted like I should be all about sex and always put out and you –”
“I know what that’s like,” Alex offers. “It’s not a great feeling, honestly. So, I know better than to make a partner feel obligated to have sex. That’s not the kind of relationship I want to have, especially when I think about how it made me feel.” He kisses Buck right over his birthmark on his eye and adds, “Besides, I really enjoy cuddling and snuggling and it’s just as important as sex to me.”
Buck gives him a quick kiss. “I’m glad.” He lets out a relieved breath. “And can I be honest?”
“Always.”
“I really kind of want to go to bed but I was worried that if I suggested it, you might leave, and I really want you to spend the night with me.”
Alex smiles as he gets up off of Buck’s lap and offers him his hand. “If that’s the case, then I think it’s time for bed. Just bed.”
Buck grins as he gets up and pulls Alex close to give him a soft kiss. “Thanks, hon, I really appreciate you.”
“Anything for you, baby.”
And suddenly as Alex leads the way up to Buck’s in the bedroom in the loft, their hands intwined, Buck can’t help feeling like he’s the luckiest man in the world.
The 118 is asked to do the firefighter calendar again, but while Buck decides not to summit a photo, someone else does it for him.
AO3
***
Buck never expected the Firefighter Calendar to come up again after Chimney won a few years back. He knows that they still do it, but it’s not always the same stations that get to submit pictures, but this year, the 118 was asked again.
His team had teased him about going for it again, so naturally, he had decided that he didn’t want it – not this time. He’s happy Chim got it last time, but he doesn’t really need the validation like he did back then, and well, he’s gotten enough attention as a firefighter in recent years.
So, he puts it out of his mind.
That is until he buys one of the calendars to use for the year because it’s for a good cause and the pictures are more fun to look at now that he’s realized that he’s bi. He doesn’t know who was picked, but that wasn’t important anymore. At least now, it feels less weird to admire the pictures.
But when he got home, calendar in hand, he was distracted by a call from his sister and so he tosses it on the counter and walks outside on the terrace with Blaze his beagle following behind him.
***
Alex arrives at Buck’s loft only a few minutes after Buck. He waves to him on the terrace and then moves to start dinner. Since they started dating, Buck had pretty much opened his home to Alex and invited him to make himself at home, so he does.
He loves the domesticity of it and hopes one day that this place really will be his home.
Until then though, he still manages to feel that way.
Which is why after getting the food started, he sees the firefighter calendar and doesn’t hesitate to open it up. Flipping through he admires the men up against the fire engines in various states of firefighter gear of stations 122, 133, and 136 until he gets to Mr. April – 118.
He wasn’t expecting to see his boyfriend leaning down in front of the 118 Fire Engine, he’s a bit of a mess, still in his gear – the coat open, his shirt stuck to him through sweat, his hair has soot, but smiling looking a bit relieved. It was clearly taken after the dog shelter rescue as he’s petting/holding Blaze. He looks so happy and like the ultimate firefighter.
“Wow, Buck,” he says, softly, not realizing that Buck’s re-entered the loft, no longer on the phone.
“Wow, what?”
He looks up and offers him the calendar. “You didn’t tell me that you put your name in for the calendar this year.”
“I didn’t,” Buck offers, then he looks down at Mr. April, it’s him with his name – Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley, Station 118 – written in the bottom right corner. “Wow, I didn’t – I wasn’t even considering putting my name forward, how’d this happened?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a good picture,” Alex tells him. “The reassuring face of the rescuer of dogs. Particularly, our dog.”
He crouches down to pet Blaze, who had stayed with Buck outside when Alex entered. He’s very much Buck’s dog, but Alex is quite okay with that. The beagle would naturally cling to Buck when he saved him.
He glances up at Buck staring at the calendar, confused.
“You’re not upset about it, are you?”
“No, no, not … upset. Just surprised that’s all. It’s a great picture, though, clearly.”
Alex hums. “It’s my favorite picture, we should find out where we can get it printed – put it up on the wall.”
“I’d like that.”
***
It’s a few days later, the calendar still on the counter where they left it when they started to focus on other things, that Buck enters the loft and as he greets Blaze tells Alex, “I’ve figured it out.”
“Oh?” Alex prompts, curious. He knows it’s been bugging Buck a bit not knowing.
Buck hums. “Apparently my ex – the one that wrote a book that involved her dating me and getting close the firehouse – was there, doing her reporting and got the cameraman to take a picture. She had intended to write an article about the rescue and use the photo for that, but she heard about the calendar and decided to submit it there. She said that it was a peace offering.”
“A peace offering?” Alex questions, although he’s glad that someone had thought to submit it, it really is a good picture.
Buck nods. “Something, something, she kind of misses being my friend and she thought maybe this would be a way back. I think she’s changed like I have in the last couple of years, and she knew that the calendar meant a lot to me the first time the 118 was asked, and figured… why not try?”
Alex smiles. “Well, I will support you – whatever your choice be – you know I’m not the jealous type.”
“Nothing to be jealous of anyway, hon,” Buck assures him. “But I think I like it – I like the idea of having people outside of the 118 sometimes, it’s nice to have people that are mine, you know?”
Given that for a while he shared a best friend with his sister, he gets it.
“Yeah, I know.” He offers him a kiss before saying, “So, did she send you the picture so we could put it up on the wall?”
“She did one better,” Buck says, pulling something out of his bag. “She framed it.”
He offers it to Alex, who grins. “Quite the peace offering.”
“Definitely.”
And then, Alex moves to where he’d like to put and asks, “Here?”
