Touches

Eddie had been discharged 3 days after he woke up, with the understanding that he'd come in every time he visited Buck to have his burns checked. But they knew he had a kid at home and was a medic/EMT, they trusted he knew how to take care of himself.

Which of course meant Eddie had a constant rotation of people coming and going from his house. Bobby, Athena, Hen, Karen, Chimney, even Maddie came and checked on him. They made sure he and Christopher had food, rides to school and the hospital, or just company.

Eddie appreciated it, and he knew Christopher appreciated the food. He'd been slowly getting better, Buck's and Bobby's lessons slowly rubbing off on him so he no longer overcooked pasta and he could cook basic box meals, but the variety was welcome.

Abuela and Pepa came around often, Eddie finding them by Buck's side more often than not. Buck's parents had questioned why they were there one day, wondering why just a coworker's grandmother and aunt were showing up at Buck's side, but Abuela wasn't having it.

"Evanito is my nieto in every way that matters. I will be here for him," she said firmly, barely even glancing at them as she lifted and kissed the back of Buck's hand.

Eddie had to swallow to not laugh, though Pepa shot him a amused look at the too audible noise he made. Eddie just smiled innocently, Pepa shaking her head. They all knew how much Eddie did not like the Buckley parents.

Buck had been asleep now almost two weeks, Eddie by his side every possible moment. But he couldn't find it in himself to talk to him, to touch him in anyway.

Eddie had already experienced once trying to speak to Buck and not get any response back. Buck always replied when Eddie asked him something. Even if it was just a small "hmm?" Or a nod or anything. Eddie always got a response. Not getting a response had hurt.

And Eddie knew he wouldn't be able to handle touching Buck and finding his skin was cool. Buck ran cold, he always had. The amount of times they'd sat on Eddie's couch and Buck would tuck his feet under his leg just to warm them was immeasurable. But there was always that warmth to his skin too, that inherent glow that Buck had that showed him full of life. If Eddie touched him and couldn't feel it- he didn't know what he'd do.

Carla had snuck Christopher in a few days before, Eddie helping. Hen had been in the room, and she gently explained to Christopher exactly what each machine was doing.

"Can he hear me?" Chris asked hopefully and Eddie had to turn his head away. "You know, I bet he can," Hen said softly, Eddie swallowing as Christopher stepped forward and laid his hand on Buck's arm.

"Hey Buck, it's Christopher. You have to wake up. Wherever you are, you have to wake up," he whispered, Eddie unable to stop the tears. He wiped at them quick, looking away as Christopher continued to talk quietly to Buck.

Hen caught his eye, tears swimming in her own.

The doctors were taking the intubation out today, and Eddie was terrified. He stood next to Maddie, his unbound arm hanging so Maddie could take it. Eddie ignored Buck's parents, who stood by the bed with their eyes on Buck.

"Now, we'll give him a minute or two to see if he'll breathe on his own. His oxygen levels and the last scan of his lungs show good conditions and chances, but it's all up to him," the doctor said calmly, looking between the four.

"What happens if he doesn't breathe on his own?" Mrs. Buckley asked, Maddie's hand tightening around Eddie's. They both had medical knowledge, they both knew what would happen.

"We'll cross that bridge if it comes to it," the doctor said, Maddie and Eddie exchanging looks. Their grips on each other's hands tightened, eyes locked on the doctor as she moved forward to start undoing the intubation.