Something I Need: A Buddie Story

Confrontation

The crew piled into the changing rooms after a long day of fighting fires. Eddie was just about to leave when Chimney stops him in his tracks.

"Hey, I actually wanted to talk to you about something real quick", Chimney said, glancing at Hen who gave him a brief nod.

"Shoot."

"What's the deal between you and Buck? I saw you guys spooning the other day".

Eddie freezes, unsure of how he was going to wiggle his way out of this conversation.

"...When?"

"That day Buck came here, saying that he was struggling to sleep. I woke up before the alarm. He was literally laying on you", Chim explained.

"I-Look. Buck has been having nightmares since the coma, and a few days ago he slept over at my house and we ended up sleeping in the same bed. We literally woke up in each other's arms", Eddie tried to explain calmly, but honestly, he was a bit on edge.

"So, it's just platonic?" Hen asked. (Subconsciously she's trying to win a bet).

"Y-yeah". Eddie hesitates, which draws Chim and Hen closer to him.

"Don't seem too sure about that, Ed", Hen said, garnering a playful smack from Eddie.

"I think it's platonic", Eddie begins, "But honestly, I've been trying to figure out what we are for a while now. I mean, he's basically my kid's second dad. I spend all of my free time with him. I've turned down dates to hang out with Buck. So. I'm not sure anymore. All I know is that if something more were to happen between us, I wouldn't stop it".

Hen and Chimney turn to each other and smirk.

***Meanwhile at Buck's apartment***

In the chaos of Buck getting struck by lightning and all, his friend from Texas decided to stop by with his fiance to pay Buck a visit.

Buck moves from his fridge to get two beers for T.K. and his fiance, Carlos. They thank Buck while giving each other a look. A possibly uncomfortable conversation was in their midst.

Carlos clears his throat and gears himself to ask, "Hey, this is totally none of our business, Buck, but we were wondering, what's the deal between you and that other firefighter, what's his name, babe, Edward- Eddie?"

Buck looks up from where he just sat down and looked at the couple in front of him in disbelief. "What? Nothing? We're friends".

"He's super cute," T.K. started, I mean, my type IS Latino men", he continues after Carlos turns to glare at him. Buck chuckles at the two, musing about how perfect they were for each other.

Buck chuckles airily, "Yeah. You should meet his kid though. Sweetest boy ever. Name's Christopher".

"You didn't deny that he's cute", Carlos smirked at him, who developed a slight rouge tinge to his cheeks.

"I-well okay fine. Yeah, he's cute", Buck admitted, "He's really fucking cute. But I can't do anything, okay? What if I tell him how I feel and he doesn't feel the same way? What happens to my guardianship of Christopher? Too much is on the line for something as childish as a crush". Buck let out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding. It felt nice to actually be able to tell someone how he feels.

"Hey, your feelings are not childish. If you've thought about this before then it's not childish. I get not wanting to ruin what you already have going for you two, but if you want more you should let him know. Or figure out where you both stand". T.K. pats Buck on the shoulder reassuringly.

Buck looks at T.K. and Carlos, smiling appreciatively at them.

A/N: Sorry for the wait, I had the dialogue ready to go, then completely forgot to upload the chapter. (ADHD brain whoops). Anywhoops. I absolutely love the entire universe of 9-1-1 and that includes Lonestar, so naturally, I had to include some Tarlos hehe