It was me in there( 9-1-1 )

Buck Tells Athena

Buck sat on the couch in the common area, his leg bouncing so rapidly it rattled the floor beneath him. He twisted his hands together, biting the inside of his cheek hard enough to taste blood. Eddie was next to him, his arm resting lightly along the back of the couch. It wasn't touching Buck, but it was close enough to feel like an anchor—a quiet promise that Eddie wasn't going anywhere.

"She's here," Bobby said softly from the doorway. He stepped aside as Athena walked in, her dark eyes scanning the room before landing on Buck. Her usual confidence was tempered by concern, her movements slower, as though trying not to startle him.

"Hey, Buck," Athena said gently, her voice a soothing balm that immediately set tears pooling in his eyes. She stopped a few feet away, giving him space. "I'm here whenever you're ready."

Buck couldn't look at her. His jaw clenched as he focused on the coffee table in front of him, his chest rising and falling too fast. He tried to speak, but the words lodged in his throat, sharp and painful.

Athena glanced at Eddie, her brows lifting slightly in silent question. Eddie answered by leaning closer to Buck and murmuring, "Do you want to go somewhere quieter? Just us three?"

Buck nodded stiffly, his voice so small it was almost inaudible. "Can... can Eddie come, too?"

"Of course," Athena said immediately, her tone leaving no room for doubt.

Eddie stood first, offering Buck a hand. "Come on, Buck. Let's find somewhere you feel safe."

Buck hesitated before gripping Eddie's hand tightly, letting himself be pulled to his feet. The three of them moved toward the lounge, Athena and Eddie staying close, their presences protective without being overbearing.

Once inside, Athena closed the door softly and took a seat across from Buck and Eddie. Buck perched on the edge of the couch, his hands clasped tightly in his lap as his leg bounced relentlessly. Eddie sat next to him, close enough that their shoulders brushed.

Athena waited patiently, her hands resting loosely in her lap. "Take your time, Buck. There's no rush."

Buck opened his mouth, but his breathing hitched instead of forming words. He clamped it shut, shaking his head as his chest heaved.

"I—I can't," he finally choked out, his voice breaking as he buried his face in his hands. His body trembled, and his breaths came in rapid, shallow gasps.

Eddie's hand landed on Buck's knee, grounding and steady. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe here. Just breathe with me, Buck."

But Buck couldn't. His chest was tight, his lungs refusing to cooperate. "I can't breathe," he gasped, his voice panicked as tears spilled over his cheeks. "I can't—I can't do this."

Athena leaned forward, her voice calm but firm. "Buck, listen to me. You're safe. You're not alone. Just try to match Eddie's breathing, okay?"

Eddie exaggerated his breaths, making them loud and slow. "In through your nose, Buck. Come on, you've got this."

Buck tried to mimic Eddie, but his body refused to obey. His hands clawed at his shirt as though trying to physically drag the air into his lungs. "I can't—"

Eddie shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Buck's shoulders and pulling him into his side. "Yes, you can. You're stronger than this, Buck. Just follow my lead."

For a moment, Buck leaned into Eddie, his sobs muffled against his chest. But then the memories surged forward, crashing over him like a tidal wave. He jerked back, his hands gripping his hair as his breathing deteriorated further.

"He killed her," Buck sobbed, his voice barely coherent through the tears. "He killed my mumma."

Athena's eyes darkened, but her voice remained gentle. "Who, Buck? Who hurt your mum?"

"My dad!" Buck cried, his whole body shaking as he collapsed forward, his head nearly hitting his knees. "He—he came after her. He—she was so scared, and now she's gone. She's gone because of him!"

Eddie pulled Buck back into his arms, holding him tightly as Buck dissolved into heart-wrenching sobs. His body shook so violently that Eddie had to tighten his grip to keep him steady. "I've got you, Buck. Just let it out. I'm not going anywhere."

Athena's voice softened even further, though her expression was steely with resolve. "Buck, I am so sorry this happened to you. And I promise you, we're going to do everything we can to make sure he can't hurt anyone else. But I need you to tell me everything you can."

Buck shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face. "I can't—I can't do it again. It's too much. It's all too much."

"You're not alone," Eddie said, his voice steady and low. "We're here. Bobby, Athena, me—we're all here to help you. But you have to let us in, Buck. You don't have to carry this by yourself anymore."

Buck's breathing hitched, his sobs becoming quieter but no less devastating. "I'm scared," he admitted, his voice breaking. "What if he comes after me next? What if it's not enough to stop him?"

Athena moved closer, her tone unwavering. "He won't get the chance, Buck. Not while I'm here. Not while all of us are here. But you have to trust us to protect you."

Buck nodded weakly, his body sagging against Eddie as exhaustion began to overtake him. "I... I'll try," he whispered, his voice hoarse.

"That's all we need," Athena said gently. "One step at a time."

Eddie rubbed Buck's back, his voice soft. "You did good, Buck. I know it wasn't easy, but you did it. I'm proud of you."

Buck let out a shaky breath, the weight of his confession lifting just slightly. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he allowed himself to hope that things might one day get better