training wheels. // evan 'buck' buckley

iii. an unexpected visitor

i spent the first few days in LA adjusting to my new life, my emotions a mix of excitement and uncertainty. the apartment quickly became both a refuge and a reminder of the big changes ahead. bobby had insisted that i take his old place, assuring me it was just temporary until i found my own. despite his reassurances, i couldn't shake the feeling that i was intruding on his space.

the apartment was cozy and familiar, yet it had that unmistakable bachelor vibe - simple, minimalistic, and filled with remnants of bobby’s life before he moved in with athena. the walls were bare except for a few framed photographs bobby hadn’t taken with him, and the furniture was sturdy but sparse. as i walked through the small living room, i noticed a slight dent on the corner of the coffee table. it was a tiny detail, but it made me wonder about the stories these walls could tell.

i unpacked my bags slowly, each item representing a piece of my old life that i was trying to fit into this new reality. i hung up a few pictures of my family photos from holidays, birthdays, and everyday moments that now felt distant. next, i set up some plants by the windows, hoping the greenery would breathe some life into the place. the final touch was spreading out a colorful quilt on the bed, a gift from my mom, who had insisted it would make the apartment feel more like home. with each item i placed, the apartment started to feel less like an old bachelor pad and more like a space i could call my own.

bobby checked in on me regularly, often stopping by after his shifts. his presence was a comfort, his voice steady and warm as he asked how i was settling in. we shared easy conversations, usually over takeout that bobby would bring with him - thai, mexican, chinese, anything quick and comforting. it was during these dinners that i learned more about the 118 crew. bobby would recount stories that ranged from hilarious mishaps - like the time buck accidentally set off the fire alarm while trying to cook a romantic dinner for his then-girlfriend - to intense rescue operations that had left them all shaken but more bonded than ever.

as bobby talked, i could feel the deep affection he had for his team. he spoke of them as if they were his family, not just colleagues, and i found myself wanting to be a part of that. but even with bobby’s support, i couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place. LA was massive compared to where i’d lived before, and though i’d visited plenty of times as a kid, living here felt different. it was overwhelming, and despite bobby’s reassurances, i was anxious about how i'd fit in with his firehouse family. the 118 seemed like a tight-knit group, and i worried about being the outsider, the girl who only got a chance because she was bobby’s niece.

it was late afternoon when i heard a knock at the door. i wasn’t expecting anyone, so i approached the door cautiously, peeking through the peephole. to my surprise, buck was standing on the other side, holding what looked like a gift bag in one hand and a broad grin on his face.

“buck?” i opened the door, eyebrows raised in confusion. “what are you doing here?”

“thought i’d stop by and give you a little LA welcome gift,” he said, holding up the bag. his voice was bright, and there was a boyish enthusiasm in his demeanor that made it hard not to smile. There was something infectious about his energy, and i found myself feeling more at ease just by his presence.

“wow, that’s… really nice of you,” i said, stepping aside to let him in. “you didn’t have to do that.” i was a little surprised, especially considering his behavior when i met him.

buck shrugged, stepping inside and handing me the bag. “figured you could use a few essentials, you know? and some firehouse swag, of course.”

i took the bag from him, peeking inside. there were a few items that made me laugh - a “118” baseball cap, a t-shirt with the firehouse logo, and a keychain shaped like a tiny fire hydrant. “i’m guessing this is so i never forget where i belong now, huh?” i teased, holding up the keychain.