Stronger Together

Part 1

Buck shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the hard surface of the station's dining table chair doing no favors for his aching lower back. He tried to focus on the conversation happening around him, the usual banter between his fellow firefighters filling the room with laughter and lighthearted jokes, but the dull throb radiating from his back was making it hard to concentrate. He winced but quickly masked it with a weak smile, hoping no one had noticed. It was the last month of his pregnancy, and he had promised Eddie that he would take it easy. Yet here he was, stubborn as ever, sitting in the firehouse kitchen and trying to ignore the persistent discomfort.

Eddie sat next to him, his hand resting on the back of Buck’s chair as if silently offering support. He glanced at Buck out of the corner of his eye, sensing something wasn’t quite right, but Buck gave him a reassuring look. He didn’t want to worry Eddie or draw attention to himself. After all, it wasn’t like this was his first bout of back pain during the pregnancy, but tonight it felt more intense, more relentless.

"Buck, you okay?" Eddie asked softly, his voice barely audible over the laughter of Chimney and Hen as they swapped stories from old calls.

Buck’s heart warmed at the concern in Eddie’s tone, but he wasn’t about to let this discomfort ruin the evening. "Yeah," he lied, managing a crooked smile. "Just a bit tired."

Eddie didn't look convinced, but he didn’t push. He knew Buck well enough by now to recognize when he was being stubborn, and Buck was nothing if not stubborn. Instead, Eddie shifted his hand to rest lightly on Buck’s back, gently rubbing in slow circles. It was subtle enough that no one else would notice, but the gesture made Buck feel grounded, reminding him that Eddie was always there, always watching out for him.

The smell of homemade lasagna filled the room, and Buck’s stomach growled despite the constant ache in his lower back. He hadn’t eaten much that day, his appetite waning as his pregnancy progressed, but the aroma of food was making it hard to resist. He reached for a plate, his fingers trembling slightly from the effort, but Eddie was quicker.

"Here," Eddie said, sliding the plate in front of Buck and serving him a generous portion without even asking. It was just another one of Eddie’s quiet acts of care, the kind of thing he’d been doing more and more since Buck’s pregnancy had reached its later stages.

Buck smiled gratefully and took a bite, the rich flavors distracting him momentarily from the discomfort. Around him, the others continued chatting, oblivious to the storm brewing in his body.

"Remember that one time," Chimney was saying with a grin, "when Buck tried to save that cat, and he ended up stuck in the tree instead?"

Laughter erupted around the table, and even Buck managed to chuckle, though it felt strained. The memory was a good one, a rare moment of lightness in their chaotic job, but right now, the ache in his back was worsening. Every small movement seemed to aggravate it, sending sharp twinges up his spine. He shifted in his chair again, trying to find a position that didn’t make him feel like he was sitting on a bed of nails.

Eddie noticed immediately. "You sure you’re okay?" he whispered, leaning in closer this time. His brow furrowed in concern, his hand still gently massaging Buck’s lower back.

Buck sighed softly. He didn’t want to ruin the night or seem like he couldn’t handle a little pain, but it was getting harder to hide just how uncomfortable he was. "It’s just my back," he admitted quietly, his voice low enough that only Eddie could hear. "I’ve had it on and off all day. It’s worse now, but I’ll be fine."

Eddie’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes scanning Buck’s face for any sign that he was underplaying the situation. "If it’s too much, we can head home. No one’s gonna blame you for needing to rest."

Buck shook his head quickly. He didn’t want to be the one to leave early, not when everyone else was having such a good time. Plus, he hated feeling like the pregnancy was holding him back. "I’ll be okay," he insisted, even though the discomfort was starting to spread lower, settling into his hips and making his legs feel stiff. "It’s just one of those days."

Eddie nodded, but Buck could tell from the look in his eyes that he wasn’t fully convinced. "Alright," Eddie said softly, but the concern in his voice was unmistakable. "But if it gets worse, we’re leaving."

Buck appreciated the offer, though he hoped it wouldn’t come to that. He took another bite of lasagna, trying to focus on the flavors and the conversation rather than the increasingly uncomfortable sensations in his body. Across the table, Hen was telling a story about her daughter, Denny, and how she had asked the most hilarious question about firetrucks that week. Normally, Buck would be all in, laughing along and adding his own quips, but tonight, he could barely muster the energy to keep up.

As Hen’s story wound down, Buck felt another wave of pain shoot through his back, this one sharper and more insistent than before. He winced, biting down on his lip to keep from making a sound, but Eddie caught the movement. Without a word, Eddie’s hand moved to the side of Buck’s chair, pulling it slightly closer to him. The small movement was both protective and possessive, and for a moment, Buck felt a swell of affection for the man sitting beside him.

He exhaled quietly, leaning into Eddie’s touch, even though his body was protesting every small shift. The pain was growing harder to ignore, and Buck wasn’t sure how much longer he could pretend it was just a normal ache. He knew he should say something, but the last thing he wanted was to cut the night short for everyone else. The firehouse felt like home, these people like family, and the thought of being the one to interrupt their moment of relaxation made him feel guilty.

"Maybe after dinner, we can head out," Eddie whispered, as if reading Buck’s mind.