9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star one shots (mostly angst)

61: Buck+Eddie

•Title: "Close call"

•Requester:

•Warnings: I mean, none.

•Inspiration: IDFK

•Type: fluff?

A/N: Sorry, it's rushed.

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"Maddie, what are you doing here?" Buck asks as he lets his sister into his apartment.

"Chimney told me about work today. I thought I'd come see how you're doing," Maddie responds.

"What do you mean? Eddie's the one who got hurt. Not me," Buck responds simply.

"He wasn't just hurt, Buck," Maddie says.

"Yeah, I know."

"How's Christopher?" Maddie questions.

"Carla and I are waiting to tell him the full truth. He's at school. I'm just here to get some clothes," Buck responds.

"How are you, really?" Maddie asks.

"I'm fine."

"Eddie's in the hospital-in a coma-and you're 'fine'?" Maddie questions with her eyebrows raised.

"Yep."

"Buck."

"Mads."

"Evan," Maddie says, her voice more insistant.

"What do you want me to say, Maddie?"

"Well, the truth would be a nice start," Maddie says, "sometimes, things like these happen so that we can face our true feelings."

"What do you mean?"

"When Chim and I first got engaged, we planned on waiting a while for the wedding-if we even had a formal event. When the crisis happened-in which you and Ravi had to save everyone-the collapse, we took a look at our lives. We realized that we were lucky enough to find one another. We wanted to share our joy. We wanted to savor as much happiness as we could."

"Yeah, I know. Why are you telling me this?" Buck questions.

"Because," Maddie says as she grabs her brother's hands in hers, "you need to grab any amount of happiness that you see. You need to tell Eddie."

"Tell Eddie what?"

"Really? Do you seriously want me to act like I don't see you staring at him? Or how I don't see him stare at you?"

"Point taken. Fine."

+ + + + +

"Okay, buddy," Buck says as he lowers his body to be eye-level with Christopher, "your dad has a few bruises on his body, but he's okay. He rested for a few days and now you're able to see him. Are you ready?"

"Yeah," Christopher says immediately.

Buck stands and shares a nervous look with Carla as he walks behind Chris towards the room. With a deep breath, Buck opens the door and leads the young boy inside. Eddie is sitting up, his back pressed against the bed.

"Dad!" Christopher exclaims.

"Hey, Chris!" Eddie says with a smile.

Buck smiles and lifts Chris onto the edge of the bed so that the father and son can hug. He and Carla sit in chairs on either side of the bed while Christopher updates his dad on his life.

"So, Buck's been taking good care of you?" Eddie asks, sending a smile towards his friend.

"Yeah! He's even good at science. Did you know that? He helped me with my homework!"

"You're good at science?" Eddie questions Buck.

"Watch the surprise," Buck says with a chuckle.

"Okay, Chris," Carla says as she stands, sharing a look with Buck, "how about you and I go to the cafeteria and get your dad and Buck something to eat?"

"Okay," Chris says, getting help off the bed by Buck.

Once the door shuts and the two firefighters are alone in the room, Buck takes a deep breath. He looks over Eddie's monitors, focusing on his heartbeat.

"Buck, are you okay?"

"This was too close," Buck says.

"Says the guy who actually died for three minutes and seventeen seconds," Eddie retorts.

"I've been meaning to ask you," Buck says, "how do you remember the exact amount of time? Even Maddie doesn't."

"I remember because that's how long I wasn't able to breathe for," Eddie responds.

"Oh," Buck says before the realization hits him-like the firetruck when it fell on him, "oh."

Eddie laughs as he sees Buck's eyes widen, "took you a lot less time than I thought it would."

"Maddie suggested it to me but I didn't exactly believe her. Eddie, do you like me?"

"Well, I'm not sure I always like you, but I'm definitely falling in love for you," Eddie says, suddenly nervous.

Buck moves closer to him and connects their lips in a soft-but powerful-kiss, "I'm falling in love with you, Eddie."

"So, when I get out of here, what do you say to a date?"

"Definitely. Don't nearly die in the meantime, though."

"Right back at you."

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed!!!