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cowboylikebuddie · 15 days ago

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𝐢𝐢. 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦

series masterlist

LUISA burst through the surface of the water with a sharp, desperate gasp, her lungs burning as she sucked in air between coughs. Salt stinging her throat, her chest convulsing with each splutter as she fought to breathe. The weight of water clinging to her limbs, dragging her down against her efforts to stay above the surface.

Her bloodshot eyes stung as she blinked them open, only to find chaos in every direction. Snapped power lines between toppled buildings, rooftops folded into each other, broken street signs barely peeking above the churning flood.

The aftermath of the tsunami was a nightmare made real.

"Chris..." she croaked, her voice raw, barely more than a breath. Her arms flailed against the water as she turned in circles, panic building with every second, "Christopher!"

No answer.

She pushed forward, chest heaving, eyes scanning the water desperately. Her hand reached out toward something, anything, when a hot, blinding burn suddenly shot up her side. Luisa let out a strangled cry, instinctively curling in on herself.

"Shit..."

Her arm throbbed violently as she brought it closer to inspect. The blood seeping down from a deep gash along her bicep, streaming crimson into the dark water, running to the hollow of her armpit in thick, warm trails.

"Oh God..."

The wound pulsed with every beat of her panicked heart, the pain sharp and disorienting.

But her continued her search. She couldn't stop. She wouldn't stop, not until her nephew was back safe in her arms.

"Chris!" she screamed again, her voice cracking with desperation. The water was rising around the wreckage.

Then she realised someone else was missing too. Buck.

Buck who was on blood thinners. Buck who could be bleeding out at the bottom of the flood by now, all alone.

"Buck! Chris!"

Luisa pushed her way through the water trying to find her footing as she scanned for the familiar face. Destruction and death everywhere. Limp bodies floating on the surface making Luisa's lip quiver as she fought against the current.

She needed to find Buck and Chris, how was she going to explain to Eddie that she lost them?

"Buck!"

A wind echoed against the buildings, no other sounds other then the running water and her scattered breathing as she gasped through her heaving lungs. Until the sound of alarms started to ring in the distance and then the faint panicked yelling caught her attention. It sounded like Buck.

Luisa continued through her struggles blinking away the slight blurry film that kept fogging her eyes and ignoring the pounding at the back of her head, "Buck!" She yelled, her tone full of hope.

"Luisa!"

"Buck..." Her throat closed as her lip quivered but she couldn't push against the current anymore, "Buck!"

Then a terrified, little voice yelled out, "LuLu, Buck!"

"Christopher."

That was all it took.

She used her good arm to pull herself along the trunk, kicking through the current, forcing herself toward the sound of their voices. Her eyes scanned wildly, and then she saw them.

Chris was wrapped around a post, soaked and shaking, his glasses barely hanging onto his face. Buck was a few feet away, clinging to string lights that had managed to stay intact after the wave, eyes wide with fear and relief as they bounced between her and Chris.

Buck's eyes locked on both of them, his heart shattering at their petrified faces, "Stay where you are! Don't move!" He directed.

Luisa couldn't reply. Her vision spotting with every second that passed, her lungs burning, and her body screaming with every movement.

"I'm coming to you!" Buck yelled, releasing his grip and pushing off toward her.

She shook her head weakly, the sob already rising from her throat, "I, I can't..." she whimpered, voice barely audible over the rushing water, "I can't."

Her arms buckled under the weight of her own body and her gripped loosened on the branches as her head dipped under the surface. The salt scrapping her mouth and lungs like fire.

"Luisa, no!" Buck's voice cracked with terror.

Her eyes drifted shut as she let the feeling of cold consume her, letting the pain fade away as she gave in to the weight of the water. Until she felt a hand wrap around her wrist pulling her up, "Stay awake, Lu."

Luisa hummed feeling a pressure on her pulse point as Buck muttered quietly to himself, "C'mom, stay awake. Open your eyes for me."

She tried so hard to do as he asked, cracking her eyes open even the slightest bit but her head was growing heavier by the second, "My head hurts." She managed to croak and Buck hummed pressing harder on the crown of her skull, "I'm so tired."

"I know, but I need you to stay awake, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'm gonna go get Christopher okay?"

"Oh my God, Christopher." Luisa's head shot up as she looked around for the boy ignoring the sting on the back of her head, "Go get him, Buck. He's more important."

Buck nodded, his eyes softening at her words, but he went off anyways letting the water pull him down the road towards the young boy, "Chris, grab my hand."

Just as the two were about to meet, the current pushed Buck away and Chris' terrified cries echoed off the walls, "Chris, keep holding on."

"I can't."

The little boys hands slipped from around the post and his head dipped under the water, not coming back up. Buck's instincts kicked in and he dove into the water gripping Chris close to him pulling him up again.

"I got you. I got you." He muttered in reassurance, holding Chris close to his chest. Buck's free hand gripped the side of the 136's firetruck and he hoisted Chris up onto it, "Chris, stay here, okay?"

"Okay."

"Luisa, let go."

Her drooping eyes locked on Buck, who held his arms out motioning for her. She hesitated, her mouth opening before snapping shut and she took the plunge, her head falling under the surface before she forced her way back up gasping.

The current dragged her along and she pushed slightly closer to Buck fighting against every nerve in her body telling her to give up and then she felt his arms wrap around her torso, "I've got you." He muttered, lifting her onto the truck beside Chris.

"Chris..." she gasped, her aching arms wrapping around the boy, "you're okay?"

"I'm okay," He muttered, leaning into his aunts hold his arms wrapping around her neck skimming the back of her head making her hiss.

Buck landed on the other side of her, his hands instantly finding the massive gash on the back of her head, "Is your head hurting?" He muttered, parting her hair making her bite down on her lip in agony as she whined, "I'll take that as a yes."

Buck's hands didn't stop moving. Constantly pressing and assessing, trying to slow the bleeding at the back of Luisa's head with his button down. His breathing was shallow, adrenaline still running wild, but his focus was razor sharp.

"We're okay," he muttered, more to himself than anyone, "we're okay. Just hold on."

Luisa's head lolled forward for a second, and Buck reached up to cup her cheek, gently lifting it up again, "No, no, no. Stay with me, Lu. You don't get to pass out, alright?”

"I'm awake," she mumbled, but her voice was fading. Her arm stayed tightly around Chris, like instinct alone was keeping her upright.

"Christopher," Buck said softly, trying not to let his fear show, "I need you to keep talking to your aunt, okay? Just keep her awake."

Chris nodded, his face pale but determined, "LuLu, remember when I beat you and dad at Go Fish last weekend?"

Luisa gave a weak chuckle that turned into a wince, "You cheated."

"Nuh-uh," Chris replied, smiling now, even through the tears welling in his eyes, "You're just bad at it."

"That's fair," she whispered, her head tipping back against the metal behind her.

Buck glanced around. The water was still moving too fast for anyone to wade through safely, but the 136's truck had become a temporary island in the flood. Just a few feet away, a desperate cry for help echoed the chaos, catching his attention.

Luisa's heavy head turned toward the sound. She weakly tapped Buck's arm, "Buck, go help her."

He hesitated, his eyes flicking between Luisa and Christopher. If anything happened to them, Eddie would never forgive him. He would never forgive himself. But this was who he was. A firefighter, his job was to save lives.

"You stay here," he instructed firmly, easing Luisa's head against the metal of the truck and pressing his soaked shirt to the wound at the back of her head. "Chris, keep talking to her, okay?”

"Okay, Buck."

Luisa's eyes fluttered closed the moment Buck left her side. Her limbs were heavy, her head pounding, but Chris's soft, constant voice kept her grounded. She focused on it, on him, and held on.

One by one, more people climbed onto the truck with Buck's help. Each time he returned, he gave Luisa light taps to check she was still conscious, and every time she managed to whisper, "I'm awake."

Buck had finally settled himself in front of Luisa and Chris, constantly checking and reassuring them. His eyes wide as he hugged Chris closer and pressed his shirt to the back Luisa's head as he tried so hard to keep her responding, then the truck jolted under them.

The rocking snapped her eyes open just in time to see the debris floating past them in a rapid speed, the water growing harsher and more violent. She pulled Chris tightly to her chest,

"It's okay. I got you."

Her eyes lifted up to Buck, and he looked uncharacteristically scared.

"Everybody get down and hang on!" Buck shouted, throwing his body over Luisa and Chris as the truck groaned under the pressure of the wave.

Screams rang out from the water, and Buck peaked over the edge of the truck reaching out his hands for people to grab as he hoisted them up.

Then the truck jolted again.

Chris lost his footing from where he was stood next to Buck tilting backwards.

"No!" Buck lunged reaching to grab the boy, but it was too late.

"Christopher!" Luisa gasped, shoving herself up past Buck and slipping into the churning flood after Chris despite Buck's shouted protests.

"Luisa! Christopher!" Buck's voice cracked, echoing after them, but it was drowned out by the roar of rushing water.

Luisa's fingers brushed against Chris's, her fingers latching his for only a second. Then the current tore them apart.

Her grip on his melting as she tried to hold on, tried to fight against the pull, but it was no use. She watched helplessly as her nephew's terrified eyes met hers, his small hands reaching for her as he was pulled away.

Her hands sifting through the water to get to him, but with every movement her vision was getting cloudier until the black spotting started.

Luisa had no clue where she was, she had no idea where Chris was. All she could think about was that she felt like she was dying – at least this is how presumed it felt.

Her lungs screamed for air, and her heart raced but she couldn't push herself up. She was exhausted. The splitting pain from her head becoming unbearable and she let herself slip into the comfort of unconsciousness.

"Luisa?"

#911 fanfic #911 show #911 abc #cowboylikebuddie #ravi panikkar #ravi pankkar x fem oc #ravi panikkar x fem reader #ravi panikkar x original character #ravi panikkar fanfic

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cowboylikebuddie · 16 days ago

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:( what happened to smoke and fire? Will you be posting that again? No pressure just curious

hi love !! ive deleted it for the time being just bc it’s not my main priority of fic rn !! hopefully itll be back up soon, but for now my priority is my ravi fic xx

#911 show #911 abc #cowboylikebuddie #kirst talks

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cowboylikebuddie · 17 days ago

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living happily in my world where maddie had to listen to her brother meltdown about the implication of being in love with his straight best friend and just. took a picture of him. in his adorable little housewife apron. and went. hmm i wonder who would enjoy this. and sent it to eddie. who she never speaks to. and eddie seeing a text from maddie and freaking out. lunging for his phone only to see a beautiful picture of buck practically glowing. and he's like :) thank you maddie :). and then he sets it as his little contact picture for buck. and he's just smiling to himself for the rest of the day.

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cowboylikebuddie · 17 days ago

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I've seen a lot of "first date gone wrong shenanigans" but what about a "friend hang where everything goes so right, they're forced to call it a date" for them? Eddie buys Dodgers tickets for him and Chris. Chris says, "Dad, are you crazy?!?!?! I have three tests and two essays ALL due Friday. I do NOT have time for this" because Mr. I Puke Over the Stress and Pressure of Chess definitely cares about his grades. So, Eddie texts Buck and says, "I have an extra ticket, you in?" and Buck responds, "A night with the Diazes? Wouldn't miss it for the world" and Eddie says, "well. Actually. Just me. :(" and Buck goes, "I'll pencil you in then, if I must :)" But then Buck is driving to Eddie's because Eddie is going to drive them to the game, and he stops at the store first. To get Chris study snacks because he's trying to suck up to him post-Texas. The cashier is like, "here. Someone paid for these roses but then dramatically took a phone call with their girlfriend and said they no longer needed them. I think they broke up. They're yours now." So, Buck brings roses to Eddie who is like, "uhhhh, wow" all rosy (pun moderately intended) cheeked and Buck is like "yeah haha I got them for free, BUT they'll look so much better here!!!!!!!!" (they both miss him living there, but couldn't think of a logical reason for him to actually stay) And they go to a restaurant first, and the couple next to them gets engaged. Turns out to be like some rich LA couple, so they buy everyone in the restaurant a bottle of wine to celebrate. So, Buck and Eddie are just like chilling, sharing this bottle of wine, and the couple next to them is talking about their plans for the future and Buck and Eddie are eavesdropping and smiling at each other and feeling light and happy. Then they get to the game finally, and a couple asks them to take their photo, because tourists, and then they offer to return the favor and Buck and Eddie now have a picture of them in front of Dodger Stadium and Buck "jokingly" sets it as his phone background, which makes Eddie take a picture of Buck but super zoomed in on one of his eyes, and he "jokingly" makes that his phone wallpaper because they're being giddy and stupid and maybe a little 30-something men flirty. And the Dodgers win and neither of them care or notice. They decide to take a walk after, maybe at the beach, maybe in the neighborhood of South Bedford because Buck "misses the area". And when they're walking it just feels right to hold hands, and then maybe when they go to say goodnight it just feels right to share a first date sort of kiss. And they don't really talk about it, they just go on dates and start treating each other like boyfriends and all of this is fine with them until Maddie is like, "okay, wait, when did you guys actually start dating? Like when is the anniversary? Also how did this happen?" and Buck and Eddie are like shrugging, Buck is saying, "maybe that dodger game? maybe non-exclusively years ago? I guess I don't really know, just sort of happened." And Eddie is just like grinning, "See Buck, the universe doesn't scream, sometimes it just whispers."

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cowboylikebuddie · 17 days ago

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𝐢. 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲

series masterlist

"ARE you sure Buck is up for watching Chris?" Luisa asked, rifling through her backpack, eyebrows furrowed in mild frustration, "I mean, if I had just been fired I wouldn't exactly wanna get out of bed either."

"You sell make snow cones and cotton candy for a living."

"Okay that's just rude," She stated, pointing at her brother with a frown before looking around the kitchen, "Have you seen my-"

Eddie was already holding her purse out toward her like he'd been expecting the question. "I've already told you," he said, a note of patience in his voice that suggested this wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation, "I know Buck, I know that he'll doing anything for Chris. I would've sent you as well but yknow you got work too."

Luisa tilted her head with a small smile before nodding and Eddie walked behind his son placing his hands on his shoulders, "Beside Chris is excited to see his Buck anyway. Aren't you, bud?"

Chris, seated at the kitchen table with a half-empty bowl of cereal in front of him, grinned up at them with a milk-mustached smile. "Yeah! We're going to the movies."

Luisa took the purse from Eddie and dropped it into her bag with a laugh, "You're still taking me to work, right?"

Eddie glanced at the clock on the wall, his eyebrows lifting. "If we leave right now, then yes."

He reached down, grabbed Chris's packed bag from the empty dining chair, and swung it over his shoulder. As he passed the table, he ruffled his son's hair, then picked up the empty bowl and dropped it into the sink with a practiced clatter. "Let's go!"

Chris slid off his chair with a slight wobble, and Eddie was already holding out his crutches, ready for him. With Luisa slinging her bag over one shoulder, the three of them headed out the door, the morning light spilling in behind them.

THE Diaz clan waltzed into Buck's loft with an ease born of habit, the kind that came from countless unplanned visits and never again mentioned comfort. Christopher made a beeline for the couch, making himself comfortable and grabbing the remote like he owned the place. With a click, the TV buzzed to life. Luisa wandered straight into the kitchen, opening the fridge without hesitation and fishing out a can of soda, the hiss filling the quiet loft. She hoisted herself onto the counter, legs swinging casually, sipping as her eyes trailed upward.

Meanwhile, Eddie was already bounding up the stairs two at a time.

"Get up," his voice rang out from above.

A groggy, incoherent groan followed, muffled by blankets and pillows.

Luisa chuckled into her drink, the sound soft and fond. She leaned back on her hands, watching as Buck's arm appeared briefly, reaching to pull the duvet higher over his head like it could shield him from Eddie's persistence.

"Because it's morning," Eddie answered dryly to incoherent grumbles, "And you have things to do."

Another unintelligible mutter came from under the covers, probably a protest and possibly a curse.

Downstairs, Luisa pushed off the counter and wandered into the living room where Christopher was already settled in, legs sprawled in front of him. He looked up at her with a bright grin.

"You wanna watch TV with me?" he asked, resting his head against her shoulder. His curls brushed her skin, tickling the side of her neck.

Luisa smiled and gently tilted her head toward him, "Sure. What are we watching?"

Chris shrugged, already clicking through the channels with the kind of random confidence only kids could pull off. He paused on a colourful animated show, eyes lighting up, "I love this one!"

Luisa looked down at him, her chest tightening with affection, "Then I think I'm going to love it too."

"Okay, perfect. Let's watch it."

They settled into the cushions, the flickering colours of the screen dancing across their faces. Moments later, the familiar creak of the loft's steps gave way to the unmistakable sound of Buck and Eddie descending with an easy cadence of bickering that was oddly reminiscent of an old married couple.

Luisa didn't turn. She just smiled to herself, her eyes still fixed on the screen, one hand gently smoothing down a curl at Chris's temple.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself." Eddie's words floated through the quiet air with a sharp edge, his words heavy with unspoken meaning. Buck shoulders hunched over as he half-heartedly poked at the stack of empty takeaway containers. A frustrated breath passed through his lips, but he said nothing.

He brushed past Eddie without meeting his eyes, heading toward the stairs until a familiar voice floated through the loft.

"Hey, Buck!"

Buck paused mid-step and looked over. Chris was comfy on the couch, smiling like the sun. Luisa sat beside him, sipping from her soda, legs tucked beneath her.

"You look like a mess," she said. Her words held no nastiness in them, just the familiar teasing that had always seemed to go back and fore between the pair.

Despite himself, Buck's face cracked into a crooked confused smile, "Hey, guys," he greeted, voice rough with sleep and something heavier. His eyes flicked to Eddie with confusion, "Uh, what are you doing here?"

Luisa stood, brushing her hands on her linens as she stepped around the coffee table and past her brother, who had already crossed the room and scooped Chris up in a tight hug.

"He's hanging out with his Buck today!" Eddie announced cheerfully, though his eyes still held that familiar steel, the kind he always used when he was nudging Buck toward something he didn't want to face.

Buck's smile faltered. He looked between them, a flicker of unease creeping in, "Uh, where's Carla?"

"She went to Morongo," Chris replied helpfully, his voice light and unbothered, completely unaware of the tension between the adults.

All three of them smiled at him then, instinctively, Chris always being the one thing to anchor them no matter the situation.

"So, take him out," Eddie said, more directive than suggestion. "Have some fun."

Buck's brows furrowed, unsure if this was supposed to be a favour or a punishment. Eddie didn't give him time to figure it out, "Maybe you'll learn something," Eddie added, tone a touch softer now, "He never feels sorry for himself."

That landed like a weight in Buck's chest. He blinked, stunned, then turned to Luisa as if for backup, but she was already halfway smirking, the corners of her mouth twitching as she tried to suppress it.

"I think Chris said he wanted to go to the movies," she offered, stepping past Buck with a playful pat to his shoulder, "Something with dog, he's been obsessed with them."

Buck scoffed faintly, lips quirking up despite himself.

Luisa bent down to press a kiss to Chris's head, "Love you, kiddo. Bye, Buck."

"Uh... yeah. Bye." Buck waved vaguely, still catching up on what was happening.

"Love you," Chris called over his shoulder, eyes still fixated on the TV.

"Love you, buddy," Eddie echoed, giving Chris a final squeeze before grabbing his keys.

"Love you, Dad!" Chris called after him, waving as Eddie disappeared behind Luisa.

The door clicked shut, leaving Buck alone with a boy beaming up at him and a silence that wasn't as heavy as it had been before.

"So," Buck cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck, "movies, huh?"

Chris nodded eagerly, curls bouncing, "With popcorn!"

Buck smiled, more genuinely this time, "Okay, popcorn it is."

"SERIOUSLY," Luisa muttered under her breath, snatching a wad of napkins from the shelf above her head before wiping up the latest spill pooling across the counter behind the register. Her eyeroll was practically audible, as the scowl on her face deepened.

She straightened with a huff, tossing the soggy napkins into the trash with a dramatic flick. "Daisy," she said flatly, dragging a hand down her face, "please, for the love of God, learn to clean up after yourself."

The teen stood by the cotton candy machine barely flinched. She turned slowly, gum smacking between her teeth, one brow arched like Luisa had just asked her to solve world hunger, "It wasn't me."

"You're the only other person here."

Daisy gave a lazy shrug and spun back around pulling out her pho e, fully unbothered. Luisa glared at the back of her head, then raised her hands, silently miming strangling her from across the booth. Her finger flexed, teeth clenched until a quiet chuckle caught her off guard.

She turned sharply, eyes wide as she spotted a customer standing at the counter, amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. Luisa blinked, then plastered on a sheepish smile, quickly smoothing a few strands of loose hair back into her ponytail.

"Hi, sorry about that," she said, her tone immediately shifting into a friendly professionalism, "What can I get for you?"

"That's alright," the man said, still smiling like he'd caught the tail end of a sitcom, "Just a water, please."

Luisa nodded and turned to the fridge, grabbing a cold bottle and placing it gently on the counter. He handed her a five-dollar bill, but as she went to make change, he shook his head.

"Keep it," he said, "Have a good shift, Luisa."

Her hand froze halfway to the register, "Thanks," she replied automatically, brows pulling together as she watched him walk away from the booth like he hadn't just casually dropped her name. She glanced down at her apron, no name tag.

Behind her, Daisy let out a gleeful little snort, "He totally was flirting with you."

Luisa turned just enough to give her a sidelong glare, "Don't you have something better to do?"

Daisy popped her gum, "Not really."

Luisa muttered something under her breath and turned back to the counter, but she couldn't stop the tiny smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"LuLu!"

The familiar shout rang through the booth, high and excited, and Luisa's face lit up instantly. She turned, already smiling, as she spotted Buck and Christopher weaving through the crowd toward her.

"Hey, guys!" she called, opening the side door with her apron still tied around her waist. Her bright eyes bounced between the two of them, "What are you doing here? I thought you were gonna go to the movies?"

Chris huffed dramatically, a playful roll of his eyes behind his smudged glasses, "The movies were boring."

Buck laughed, resting a hand lightly on Chris's shoulder and giving it a fond squeeze, "Yeah, he vetoed all three options. So, we got pancakes instead, and then ice cream because someone insisted it was 'second breakfast'."

Chris grinned proudly making Luisa chuckle.

"and then he asked if we could come see you."

Luisa melted, hands on her hips, heart swelling at the thought, "Well," she said, crouching down to hug her nephew, "you are officially the best customers I've had all day."

Buck smiled sympathetically, "That bad, huh?"

She stood back up waving him off with a playful eye-roll, "Just the usual chaos. I finish in like forty minutes. Why don't you guys go have some fun, and I'll come find you when I'm done, yeah?"

Chris perked up instantly, his face bright with excitement, "You'll come on the rides with me?"

Luisa leaned down slightly, matching his energy with a mock-serious tone, "Try and stop me."

That earned a cheer from Chris and a quiet, amused chuckle from Buck as he nudged the boy gently away from the tent.

"Alright," Buck said. "We'll be the ones screaming from the rollercoaster."

Luisa laughed, waving them off as she stepped back into the booth, the grin on her face lingering long after they disappeared into the crowd.

"He's cute," Daisy said with a dreamy smile, biting her lip as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. Her eyes were transfixed on the door where Buck had just disappeared, "Is that your brother?"

Luisa's face twisted like she'd just bitten into something sour, "Yeah, he might as well be. Also, he's like ancient. So, keep your panties on."

Daisy gasped, half-offended, half-amused, "He's a firefighter, right?"

"Yup," Luisa replied flatly, already turning away to wipe down the counter, pretending she hadn't heard the tone in Daisy's voice.

"I bet he's strong," Daisy giggled, clearly not taking the hint.

Luisa whipped around, dish towel still in hand. "Can you please shut up and do some work?"

Daisy leaned on the counter, still grinning, "Does he have a girlfriend?"

"For the love of God, just be quiet."

A long forty minutes later, Luisa was finally released from the shackles of the refreshment booth. She yanked off her apron with ease, rolling it up and shoving it into her backpack before slinging the bag over her shoulders with relief that practically radiated from her.

She tapped Buck's contact as she weaved through the crowd, phone pressed to her ear.

"Hey, you finished now?" he asked, the sound of the ocean and laughter faint in the background.

"Yeah," she said, her tone light with excitement. Her eyes scanned the festival grounds as she dodged a couple holding cotton candy, "Where are you guys?"

"We're at the pier. Sitting on one of the benches, right opposite the ferris wheel."

"Okay! I won't be long."

She ended the call and picked up her pace, ducking beneath strings of bunting, sidestepping a runaway balloon, and grinning at the sound of a distant scream from the roller coaster. She was halfway through the sea of bodies when she felt a gentle tug on her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

Luisa turned quickly, a small gasp slipping out as she looked up to see the boy from earlier, "Oh, hey," she said, her brows lifting in recognition.

"Hi," he said with a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck, "Sorry, I didn't mean to freak you out. I just wanted to say sorry if I came off... weird earlier. I wasn't trying to be a creep or anything."

Luisa blinked, then let out a soft laugh, shoulders easing, "You're fine. Really."

"I'm Kai, by the way," he said, offering a hand like this was the start of something more formal.

She took it for half a second, giving it a brief shake, "Nice to meet you, Kai."

Her eyes flicked over his shoulder toward the direction of the pier, "I've gotta run," she added, already stepping back, "but maybe I'll see you around?"

"Yeah," Kai smiled, releasing her wrist, his hand falling back to his side, "See you around, Luisa."

She flashed him a small, sincere smile before turning and breaking into an easy jog toward the boardwalk her heart oddly light, the breeze lifting the ends of her hair as she disappeared into the crowd.

"Hey, guys!" Luisa called out, breathless but beaming as she jogged up to the bench, dropping her bag beside it with a soft thud. Her eyes immediately locked on the oversized brown bear seated proudly next to Buck, "Christopher Diaz, did you win this?"

"Yeah," Chris said, puffing out his chest with pride, "All by myself."

Luisa's smile stretched wider as she looked over at Buck, who nodded in quiet confirmation.

"Well done, bud," she said, sinking onto the bench beside Chris. She tilted her head up at him from her seated position. "You had a good day?"

"Oh, yeah," Chris said with a decisive nod, eyes bright behind his glasses.

"Good." Luisa smoothed a hand over the boy's arm, then glanced over at Buck, who sat back with one hand casually curled in the hem of Chris's shirt, keeping him steady. His eyes, though were elsewhere his focus fixed beyond the boardwalk.

"How about you?" she asked gently.

Buck's mouth twitched, a half-hearted attempt at a smile, "Yeah. Yeah, it's been good."

"Until?"

His gaze didn't leave the distance, "Until the world decided to remind me I can't do the one thing I love more than anything."

Luisa followed his line of sight. Station 136 was just up the pier, paramedics huddled over a man lying on the boardwalk. The scene was contained, efficient. Routine. And entirely out of Buck's hands.

A frown tugged at Luisa's mouth as she turned back to him, "It's just temporary, Buck."

He didn't answer right away. His hand flexed lightly on Chris's shirt, his jaw tight, "It doesn't feel like it."

Silence settled between them, not heavy with awkwardness, but with the weight of things left unsaid. Chris remained oblivious to the tension, his attention on the waves below, leaning slightly against Luisa's side as he hummed something tuneless.

Luisa shifted a little closer to Buck, nudging his knee with hers. "You're still important, Buck. Even if you're not in uniform."

Buck glanced over at her then, his eyes tired, but grateful, and gave a small nod, "Doesn't always feel like that either," he muttered, softer this time.

"I get that," Luisa murmured, her voice low as she leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees. Her eyes were fixed on the horizon, but they looked far past it.

Buck sat back against the bench, "You ever think about what you want to do with your life?" he asked, gaze flicking between Luisa and Chris, "What you want to be when you grow up?"

Their reactions couldn't have been more different, Chris lit up like a firework, while Luisa's frown only deepened.

"Astronaut," Chris answered brightly, then added, "Or a pirate."

Buck's lips curved upward, "Those are some good choices, cool outfits too."

"What about you, Lu?" he asked, softer now.

She let out a quiet huff, "No idea."

Chris's expression shifted as if struck by divine inspiration, "Wait, no. A firefighter!" he declared.

Luisa chuckled, tickling his side carefully, "That tracks."

Buck laughed too, though it faded quickly, "Yeah, me too."

A silence settled between them, more tender than tense. Buck fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, twisting it between his fingers before he spoke again, "But, Chris," he said, voice lower now, "But Chris, if those career paths don't work out, um, I hope you do find something you love. Something that makes you feel like you matter."

Luisa's heart squeezed as she looked at him. She knew he was speaking from experience, Buck's job was the most important thing to him, he didn't feel like Buck without it. There was something brittle behind his words like he was trying not to crack under the weight of them.

"You too, Lu," he added, turning toward her, eyes sincere, "Something you're good at. Something that makes you feel like you're you."

Her throat tightened, "Thanks, Buck."

He gave her a small nod. "'Cause when you find it that thing, it's gonna show you who you are. And it's gonna show you the rest of your life. And I hope when you find it, you get to keep it."

Chris leaned toward him, placing a gentle hand on Buck's cheek with a comforting kind of wisdom that seemed too old for his years, "You're gonna be okay, kid," he said with a soft smile.

Luisa smiled too, moved by the quiet exchange, until she saw Buck's expression shift.

His eyes were no longer soft. They were wide and distant.

And terrified.

He stood up so fast the bench creaked beneath him.

"Buck?" Luisa's voice cut through the calm like glass.

He didn't answer.

She followed his gaze out past the pier.

But there was no water. Her stomach dropped, "Where's the water?" she whispered, standing as her eyes tracked the empty stretch of ocean floor exposed like a wound.

Then she saw it. The wave that towered over them from a distance, a wall of nature rushing toward them, devouring the horizon.

Buck's hand snapped around Luisa's wrist as he yanked her backward, his other arm already lifting Chris into a tight hold against his chest.

#911 fanfic #911 show #911 abc #ravi panikkar fanfic #ravi panikkar x original character #ravi pankkar x fem oc #ravi panikkar #cowboylikebuddie

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cowboylikebuddie · 17 days ago

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𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

series masterlist

THE golden hues of the texan sunset poured through the blinds sizzling over the icy tension that suffocated the Diaz' living room. Ramon, the patriarch of the Diaz family, stood stiffly near the fireplace with arms folded and jaw clenched tight. He hadn't said a word in ten minutes, the silence feeling more punishing than yelling.

Helena leaned against the doorframe, rubbing her temples like she was holding her skull together. A letter pinched between her thumb and pointer, a letter addressed to Luisa asking her to confirm her decision to drop out of college.

Luisa sat on the couch, hands trembling in her lap as she gnawed on the inside of her cheek, head low and chest heaving.

Helena stared at her daughter in utter disbelief, "Tell me I didn't just hear you right." She pleaded, throwing the letter to the table.

"I dropped out. Months ago." Her voice came out quiet, but her tone was firm, her head lifting slightly to look her mother in the eye.

Helena let out a bitter scoff, "And you didn't think to tell us? Not once? You've been lying to us for months Luisa!"

"Unbelievable." Her father finally spoke, looking at his daughter with a fury in his eyes that made her shrink under it.

Luisa's hand flew up, "I tried! I tried so many times." She defended, "But every time I open my mouth, it's just expectation after expectation. Be better, be perfect, don't end up like Eddie.

"We never said that."

A dry laugh dripped from Luisa's laugh as she nodded, "You didn't have to." She said. Helena's eyes darted over to her husband, who remained silent. Luisa's eyes glossed over as her voice raised an octave, "I wasn't doing it for me anymore. I was doing it for you. So, you'd stop looking at me like I might disappear the way he did."

Ramon snapped finally, pushing himself off the wall looking directly at his youngest daughter, "You are disappearing! One stupid decision at a time."

"You had a full ride, Luisa. Scholarships people dream of. And you just threw it away!"

Luisa shook her head, "No, I stuck it out while quietly falling apart."

Helena's eyes softened slightly, the emotion in her daughters' voice pulling at her heart, "Then why didn't you say something?"

"Because you never listen!" Luisa yelled, dragging her hands through her hair tugging harshly, "Eddie was the only one who ever listened!"

A harsh silence fell over the room. Her words hanging in the air like a live wire.

Her voice dropped as she looked up at her dad, "When you were gone all the time, Dad, working late or just not showing up at all, Eddie was the one helping with my math homework, cooking me dinner, showing up to school events. You don't get to judge me for wanting to be around someone who actually tried."

Ramon's eyes flickered with something, guilt maybe, but he didn't respond. He just dropped his head low. The silence between them deafening.

"So that's it then?" Helena asked, her voice soft but laced with a bitterness, "You think Eddie has all the answers?

Luisa's lips parted, realising that everything she had said weren't even being acknowledged properly, "No." She muttered, "I just know he has never made me feel like I had to be someone I'm not."

"What now? You'll just run off to LA like he did? You think that's the answer to this?"

"You're just like your brother." Ramon spat, eyes hard.

Luisa's breath hitched in her throat, blinking hard to fight back the tears burning her eyes. When she spoke again, her voice was scarily calm, "You say it like it's an insult. But he was more of a parent to me than either of you ever were."

Her words landed like a gunshot. Ramon turned away from her making his way into the kitchen, and Helena's eyes darted to the floor, stung by the truth.

"I don't want to waste away trying to be something I'm not. I can't stay here and be something." Luisa stated, having already made up her mind on her next decision.

"And if he doesn't take you in?"

Luisa shrugged as she rose from couch walking past her mother in the doorframe, "Then I figure it out. Like I always do."

THE LA air was different to Texas. The breeze wrapped itself around Luisa's tanned skin kissing it softly as she rolled her suitcase up the driveway, her heart in her throat. She knew there was a possibility that Eddie wouldn't be home – and that's what she was hoping for. As much as she wanted to see her brother, she hadn't really planned what she was going to say when she saw him. She knew he'd have so many questions, and she didn't know if she had the answers quite yet.

Luisa gulped down the bubble of anxiety in her throat as she raised her hand, knuckles rapping on the door softly. The sound of chatter came from behind the door and the sound of her nephew's muffled laughter squeezed at her heart. The door was ripped open by Carla, "What on Earth are you doing here?" She laughed, pulling the young girl into a hug without hesitation.

"Hi, Carla." Luisa smiled, letting the woman squeeze her tightly.

"LuLu!" Chris' excited exclaims made the two women pull apart from each other.

Luisa's eyes locked on her nephew and a bright smile broke across her face as she rushed over to the young boy, "Hi Chris." She cooed, pulling him into a gentle but secure hug, "I've missed you buddy."

Chris linked his arms around her neck giggling happily, "Are you staying?"

"Hopefully."

Luisa pulled away from her nephew placing gentle kiss to his hairline before walking back to grab her suitcase, but Carla was quick to slap her hand away, "Uh-uh, missy." She shook her head sternly, "You've been traveling for hours, so you go shower and change. I'll have dinner ready by the time you're done."

A grateful smile filtered over Luisa's face as she nodded letting Carla wheel her suitcase into the spare room down the hall. Luisa let out a shaky breath of relief as she wandered off into the bathroom switching on the shower quickly.

THE smell of grilled cheese and tomato soup simmered through Eddie's house as Luisa made her way into the kitchen now with clean hair and fresh clothes. Her stomach growled as she stood in the doorway, "this smells so good, Carla." She complimented, sliding into the seat next to Christopher.

"Thank you," The woman smiled, sliding a bowl and plate in front of her, "Chris made this one specially for you."

Luisa looked down at her plate and her heart quite literally melted in her chest. Chris had cut her grilled cheese into a misshaped love heart, "It's a love heart." He stated, pointing at the sandwich with a bright, prideful smile on his lips.

"Thank you, Chris!" Luisa beamed, lifting the sandwich to her mouth taking a bite, "That is the best thing I've ever eaten." She complimented, mouth full of food making her nephew laugh loudly.

HOURS had passed since Carla had left the Diaz household for the night, feeling more than happy to leave Chris in the care of his aunt whilst he slept. Luisa had been so attentive to her nephew from the moment she stepped foot through the front door, it almost had Carla worried she'd bee out of a job.

Louisa had curled up on Eddie's couch, one of his throws pulled up to her chin as she settled on a film to watch. Before she had even got 20 minutes into the film, she was flat out. Her lips parted slightly as soft even breathe passed through and her hair curtained her eyes from the flickering of her TV.

Eddie's keys clanged as he unlocked the door, trying his best to be as quiet as possible as the front door squeaked open. He let out an exhausted sigh dropping his keys into the dish by the door and then he heard ruffling on the couch and his eyebrows curled.

"What the-"

His grumbled were cut short when he laid eyes on his baby sister sleeping peacefully on his couch, the throw half off her frame as she twitched slightly. Eddie shook his head rounding to the front quietly pulling the blanket over her frame.

"Good night, bug." He muttered softly, pressing a soft kiss to her temple like he used to do when they were younger.

"Night, Eds."

He smiled softly walking off into his room letting his sister sleep in peace.

LUISA groaned as the beams of the morning sky burned in through the blinds. Her arms lifted over her head stretching out as she shifted from her spot, eyes adjusting to the brightness and then she heard a hum coming from the kitchen.

She smiled sleepily pushing herself up off the couch wrapping her arms around herself. She pushed the kitchen door open finding her big brother stood by the stove stop scrambling eggs, "Morning."

"Morning," He greeted, turning around to look at her briefly, "It's actually almost midday but you must be exhausted from all the travelling you did yesterday."

Luisa noticed the bite in his words instantly and she winced pressing her lips into a thin line, "You're mad?"

"Not mad," He shook his head, turning off the stove as he turned to face Luisa, "I'm confused. What are you doing here Luisa?"

"I came to visit."

"Is that why my phones been blown up by mom and dad not knowing where you are?" He questioned, arms crossed over his chest eyes piercing hers, "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

Luisa dropped her head with a shake, "I'm not in any trouble," She reassured, letting out a sigh, "I left home because I dropped out of college."

"Luisa," Eddie sighed, running his hands over his face, "Why? You were doing so well, you were getting A's in all your classes."

"Yeah, I was, two years ago."

"You flunked out because I left?"

"After you left, mom and dad put so much pressure on me to be perfect all the time. To get good grades, to be the perfect daughter, to be good at everything. I couldn't do it."

Eddie's scowl turned into a frown as he watched the tears prick at his baby sister's eyes and he sighed, "C'mere." He muttered, opening his arms for her, "We'll figure it out."

She looked up at him with bright, hopeful eyes, "You're letting me stay?"

"As long as you promise to get back on track"

#911 fanfic #911 show #911 abc #cowboylikebuddie #ravi panikkar fanfic #ravi panikkar x original character #ravi pankkar x fem oc #ravi panikkar

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cowboylikebuddie · 17 days ago

Text

𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐒 - series masterlist

ravi panikkar x fem oc

masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad

CAST !

𝘬𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘴

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝗮𝘀 𝙡𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙯

╰ 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 - 𝘰𝘯𝘦 *°:⋆ ༄ ˚ ╭ 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘶𝘵 *:･

𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘩 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘺

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞 𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙠𝙠𝙖𝙧

╰ 𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘺 - 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 *°:⋆ ༄ ˚ ╭ 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 *:･

others !

9-1-1 cast

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ as their respective characters

drew starkey

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ as kai finnigan

froy gutierrez

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ as danny myers

whitney peak

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ as lana trainor

chapters !

prologue

season three !

one | two

#911 fanfic #911 show #911 abc #cowboylikebuddie #ravi panikkar #ravi pankkar x fem oc #ravi panikkar x original character #ravi panikkar fanfic

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cowboylikebuddie · 1 month ago

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heyyyy!! idk if you’ve done this yet w another character, but i was thinking maybe some buck x reader where buck is sick and tries to put on a brave face but reader takes care of him and it’s fluffy and sweet. thank youuuu!! <3

take care of you

evan buckley x fem reader

summary: buck is sick and you take care of him

a/n: this is my first 911 fic, so i do hope i’ve done it justice and i hope you enjoy it

masterlist | main masterlist

Buck has never been great at admitting when he’s was less than okay.

He has always been the type to brush off injuries, ignore fevers, and claim that he was fine. You always knew better.

So, when he walked into the firehouse with his shoulders hunched over and movements sluggish, like every step was an effort. You knew instantly that something was wrong. He clung to his hoodie pulling tight around him like a shield hiding the shivers racking through his body.

He nodded faintly at you as he walked in, his eyes rimmed with red, and skin void of colour beneath an unnatural flush.

You stood by your locker eyeing him suspicious. His hair was tousled like he hadn’t attempted to do it for the day, and the sleeves of his hoodie were pulled low over his hands. There was no bounding entrance, no joke cracked, no clapping Chim on the back. Just a quiet nod as he beelined for his locker.

“Hey, Buck,” you greeted softly, eyes lingering on the slight wobble in his step.

“Morning,” he mumbles, voice hoarse and strained.

You arched a brow, watching him a moment longer. You saw it. The slight sway as he tied his boots, the subtle wince as he straightens up. You decided it was your job to keep an eye on him from that moment.

The morning passed by in a blur of routine: gear checks, equipment cleaning, reports to file. Buck moved through it all like a shadow. He hadn’t made one snarky comment, there was no bite back at Chim’s heckling, and no laughter when Eddie made a horrific joke.

The only time you saw a shift in his frown was when he’d because he caught you watching him, but it never reached his eyes.

You had caught him leaning against the engine more than once, eyes fluttering shut for just a second too long. When Eddie asked him to help hoist a ladder, Buck grunted something and complied, but you noticed how he winced, how his legs shook when he thought no one was looking.

He was trying so hard to pretend he was fine.

And maybe no one else seemed to notice that he wasn’t except you.

Then a call came in just after noon.

A non-emergency call thank God. It was a sweet elderly woman down in the suburbs whose cat had climbed onto the roof and decided that is where it would remain. No danger. Just a chance to help, reassure, and get some fresh air.

You arrived on scene with Hen and Eddie, and while they dealt with the ladder setup and calming the frantic homeowner, you scanned the street for Buck.

You found him beside the truck, half hidden in its shade. He was gripping the side of the engine with whitening knuckles, and his other hand pressed flat against his lower back like he was steadying himself. Sweat beaded on his forehead, soaking into the neck of his turnout gear, and when his eyes closed, he swayed slightly.

“Buck,” you said hesitantly as you approached, rummaging in your pocket. He startled slightly, eyes glassy.

“I’m good,” he rasped, “I just need a sec.”

“Uh-huh.” You held out a bottle of water and a protein bar, “Drink. Eat. Then sit.”

He looked at you like you were offering him gold, not snacks, “You’re a lifesaver,” he mumbled, uncapping the bottle with trembling fingers.

“Just don’t make me carry you back to the truck,” you teased gently.

He laughed for the first time all day, “Could be fun.”

You rolled your eyes, but your hand lingered on his.

The rest of the day went pretty uneventful. The team had returned back to the station, and went into their post-call clean-up, before settling into the calm between calls.

You had spent most of your down time pretending not to look at Buck, and failing miserably. He tried to carry on like usual, but he was fading fast. After lunch, you noticed he hadn’t touched his food, which was very unlike him considering his love for Bobby’s cooking, and instead just pushed it around with a fork before disappearing onto the sofa.

You waited for the rest of the crew to disappear back downstairs before joining him.

Sure enough, you found him on the sofa curled tightly under one of the many blankets you had left in the firehouse. His hoodie had scrunched around his neck, his boots were still on, and one of his arms draped over his eyes. His breathing was slow, congested, and soft.

You smiled crouching beside him and gently shaking his arm, “Hey, Buck,” you said softly.

He groaned and blinked up at you, “What time is it?”

“Time for you to go home.”

“I’m fine,” he murmured, already trying to sit up.

You stood quickly, hands out ready to steady him. He got to his feet and immediately swayed, blinking rapidly like the room was spinning.

“Okay,” he mumbled, grabbing onto your out stretched hands, “Maybe not one hundred percent.”

“That’s what I thought.” You nodded, snaking an arm around his waist letting him lean against you as you guided him downstairs and to the lockers.

You flagged Bobby with a small smile, “I’m gonna take Buck home,” you informed simply, trying to ignore the knowing smirk that played on your Captains face.

“Good. And maybe knock some sense into him while you’re at it.”

“Try not to burn the place down while we’re gone.”

Eddie followed behind a sluggish Buck with a raised eyebrow, “Wait, you’re taking him home?”

Hen looked between the two of you, then back at Chimney, “They’re seriously still not together?”

“I’m starting to think they’re doing it just to mess with us,” Chimney muttered.

“Dumbasses,” Hen sighed fondly.

You pretend not to hear them as a soft smile played on your lips, and you guided Buck to your car.

The warmth of Buck’s loft wrapped around you the moment you stepped through the door, the dim light a stark contrast from the station and the faint scent of cedar wood lingered through the air. You guided Buck up to his room pushing him to sit on the bed despite his half-hearted grumbles of protest.

You stood between his legs tapping his biceps gently, he lifted them with a wince letting you pull the sweat soaked hoodie off his warm body. The tips of your fingers skimming over his skin making his shiver instinctively.

“You do know I’m not dying, right?” He mumbled sleepily, rubbing his sore eyes before peering up at you.

“Didn’t say you were,” you said, turning away from him to toss the hoodie in the hamper, “But you’re definitely out of the count tomorrow.”

He collapsed back onto bed with a dramatic sigh, “You’re bossy when you’re concerned.”

You pulled the duvet over him, then leaned down, “You like it.”

His smile was small, sleepy, “A little.”

You kissed his temple, soft enough that it barely even registered in the moment, and padded downstairs to the kitchen.

When you were younger, your mother had always made the same soup when you were sick. Sometimes you wished you’d get sick just to have some, and you carried on that tradition when you got older. Garlic, ginger, rice, chicken and carrots. A dish that was comforting, nostalgic, and medicinal all in one.

The loft filled with the gentle bubbling of the pot and the scent of broth and herbs. You hummed quietly as you worked, feeling oddly at home in the situation. When the soup was ready, you ladled a generous portion into a bowl, and you poured the rest into a container labelling it with the date and slid it into his fridge with a note stuck to the lid: reheat this. Or I will come do it for you.

You walked up the stairs carefully, the warmth of the bowl warming your hands and when you spotted Buck it warmed your heart all the same. You found him exactly where you left him, curled on his side, chest rising and falling steadily.

You placed the soup on the nightstand, cautious not to wake him, then leaned over, brushing a few curls back from his forehead.

His skin was still burning against your touch.

You bent down and pressed a soft kiss to his damp temple, “Goodnight, Buck.”

You turned to go but was stopped by the feeling of fingers wrapping weakly around your wrist.

“Can you stay?” he mumbled, barely audible, “Just for a little longer.”

You looked at him, at his flushed cheeks and pleading eyes, and your heart splintered a little.

“Yeah,” you whispered, “Of course.”

You toed off your shoes, and shimmied out of your jeans, before climbing into the bed beside him. He immediately shifted closer, curling into your side, his nose tucked against your shoulder, breath warm against your collarbone.

Your fingers found the curls at the crown of his head twirling them softly, feeling him relax further into you with every minute.

“Good night, Buck.” you whispered again, letting your own eyes drift shut.

taglist: @sdmnpact @triplefrontierbabe

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cowboylikebuddie · 1 month ago

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successful schemes

evan buckley x diaz! reader

summary: eddie and chris come up with a plan to finally get you and buck together

main masterlist | masterlist

The plan started the same way as most of Diaz boys' schemes did. Quietly, with a subtle nudge from Eddie and his enthusiastic co-conspirator, Christopher, tagging along for the plan. Ever since you had moved to California to live with Eddie to help out with Chris, your little trio had fallen back into their familiar rhythm once again. You cooked dinner when your brother was working late shifts, packed lunches, drove Chris to his appointments, and never complained about any of it. You were just happy to be back with your boys.

For you, being with your brother and nephew was home. The chaos that never left, the late-night cartoons with Chris, the soft laughter that bounced off the walls no matter what. The only thing that made you pause, that made your heart ache in that specific unamable way was Evan Buckley.

Buck, with his boyish smile and his boisterous ways. Buck, who had taken to Christopher like a duck to water, and who always had a special way of making you feel like the only person in the room. You brushed it off telling yourself that it was just Buck being Buck, a shameless flirt. Eddie saw through it though, saw the glances when you both thought nobody was paying attention, saw the lingering touches, and apparently so did Chris.

Which was exactly the reason why Eddie had casually called Buck one Saturday afternoon with a tone that screamed nothing is going on, definitely no secret plans here.

“You need me to watch Chris?” Buck blinked, pressing the phone closer to his ear, “Isn’t your sister there?”

“She’s busy,” Eddie replied smoothly, “And Carla had something come up.”

There was a suspicious beat of silence, “Then you could’ve called Carla's backup nurse.”

“I could’ve,” Eddie agreed, far too casually, “But I trust you, Buck. You’re good with him.”

Buck sounded hesitant, “You sure? I mean, y/n’s usually-”

“I’m sure,” Eddie cut in quickly, “Can you be here in ten?”

Buck looked around his empty apartment, “Yeah. I’m on my way.”

You had just finished rinsing the conditioner from the ends of your hair, the steam from the water clinging to the mirror in cloudy swirls, when you heard the sound of the front door clicking open. You frowned. The boys wouldn’t be back yet, you had been sent a photo of Chris munching on popcorn not even an hour ago, and Carla wasn’t due till the morning.

You wrapped a thick towel around your frame, cautiously padding down the hallway with a brush in your hand – not that that would do much to an intruder. As you rounded the corner, you collided into the hard chest of a shocked, wide-eyed Buck.

“Jesus!” You yelped, the towel nearly slipping from your fingers as you jumped back, eyes equally as wide.

“Holy! Sorry! I’m so sorry!” Buck spun around so fast he almost tripped over his own feet, shielding his eyes with one hand, “I didn’t, Eddie said, I thought no one was, oh my God.”

You clutched the towel tighter to your body, blinking at the back of his head, “What are you doing here?”

His eyes remained locked firmly on the wall, “Eddie called. Said he needed someone to watch Chris. Told me you weren’t around.”

Your eyebrows scrunched as you narrowed your eyes, your brain working through the pieces, “They’re not even here. Chris and Eddie went to the movies with Carla. They sent me a photo.”

A beat of silence passed.

“Oh my God,” you muttered, letting out a laugh. The realisation of what was happening dawning over the both of you.

“We’ve been set up,” Buck said, voice flat with disbelief.

“I can’t believe they did this,” you muttered, “Actually yes, I can. This is exactly the kind of thing they would do.”

From his position facing the kitchen wall, Buck let out a nervous laugh jabbing his thumb towards the door, “Should I go?”

You rolled you eyes and spinning on your heel back toward the bathroom, “No. Don’t go. Just stay there, I’m not wearing pants.”

“Copy that. Staying put.”

Ten minutes later, you emerged from the bathroom fully dressed in cozy joggers and a worn tank top with your towel dried stuck between your shoulder blades. Buck was still stood awkwardly near the kitchen, hands in his hoodie pockets, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to sit down.

Your expression softened, “I ordered pizza just before I showered. It should be here soon. And there’s beer in the fridge if you want one.”

Buck blinked, “Wait, you still want me to stay?”

“I mean…” you shrugged, feigning casual, “I was planning on a chill night but now that you’re here might as well not waste the pizza.”

He smiled. That soft, crinkly-eyed smile that always made your knees buckle a little, “Twist my arm, why don’t you.”

An hour later, the living room was littered with empty plates and two half-finished beers. The TV playing an old movie neither of you were really watching. It had become background noise to your conversation.

Buck told stories from past firehouse shifts that had you doubled over gripping his arm to steady herself. You shared stories about growing up in Texas with Eddie, including a particularly embarrassing anecdote that involved a slip-and-slide, a beehive, and a trip to the ER that made Buck nearly choke on his beer.

As the evening wore on, the movement in the apartment slowed as yawns snuck their way in between sentences. The air grew warmer, softer, and thicker with the kind of quiet that came not from silence but from comfort.

You had found yourself tucked into Buck’s side with your legs curled beneath you on the couch. You weren’t sure when you had shifted positions, but you knew that you felt safe there.

“You know,” Buck murmured as you laid your head on his chest listening to the soft beats of his heart, “I think they knew exactly what they were doing.”

You chuckled sleepily, “Yeah. They played us.”

He shifted slightly, tightening his arm around your waist, “I’m not mad about it.”

And neither were you.

By the time Eddie and Chris got it back to the house, you were both fast asleep on the couch. Eddie opened the apartment door, carrying a sleeping Christopher inside with his head laying on his father's shoulder. Eddie quietly made his way towards the living room hearing the faint sounds of the TV playing and he assumed you’d be sat awake watching whatever show you were currently obsessed with.

But instead, he froze. There, tangled together on the couch, laid you and Buck. You were sprawled across him, cheek pressed against his chest, one of your arms curled under his hoodie. Buck’s arms were firmly around your waist, holding you impossibly close even in sleep. His chin rested lightly against the top of your head.

Eddie stood still for a moment, lips quirking.

Christopher lifted his head, rubbing his eyes sleepily under his glasses.

“Did it work?” he whispered.

Eddie smiled, carrying him to bed.

“Yeah, buddy,” he whispered back, “It worked.”

The morning sun filtered in through the thin curtains of the living room, casting soft, long shadows across the walls. The house was still, wrapped in the sleepy hush of early morning. The only sounds that were heard was the quiet hum of the fridge and the rhythmic breathing of two people still tangled up in last night’s unintended nap.

You stirred first. Your head tucked against a warm chest; your arm looped lazily around a waist. The steady rise and fall of someone else’s breathing lulling you for a few moments longer until… Wait.

Your eyes blinked open. You're lying on Buck.

Your body was still sprawled over his, one leg tangled between his. His arms remained wrapped tightly around her middle like a human seatbelt, his grip strong even in sleep. His face, relaxed and soft in the golden light, was nestled against her hair.

“Oh my God,” you whispered under your breath making Buck stirred beneath you.

His arms tightened instinctively for a second before he blinked awake, his gaze hazy with sleep and confusion, “Mmh, y/n?”

You froze. He blinked again. And then it hit him. His eyes widened.

“Oh. oh my God.” His voice shot up an octave as he pulled back slightly but didn’t fully let go, “I didn’t, I mean, I must’ve. Did we fall asleep?”

“We definitely fell asleep,” you nodded, voice barely above a whisper.

They both looked down at their position. You laying half on top of him, his large hands splayed across the small of you back, their legs intertwined. The awkwardness settling in quickly.

“I should probably get up,” you said, but didn’t make any move to actually do so.

“Right, yeah,” Buck said, though he didn’t move either.

Another beat passed and then Buck let out a small chuckle.

You quirked an eyebrow, “What?”

He shook his head with a crooked smile, “Nothing. Just, I’ve imagined waking up with you a few times, but this isn’t quite how it went in my head.”

Your breath caught in your throat, eyes locking onto his.

He flushed instantly, “Crap. That was, sorry, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

You tried to bite back the smile on your lips, but failed, “You’ve imagined waking up with me?”

“Maybe. A few times.”

Something soft unfurled in your chest. You ducked your head shyly, cheeks warm “Well,” you murmured, “aside from the pizza breath and waking up fully clothed, I guess it could’ve been worse.”

Buck laughed again, “Yeah. Not the most romantic first sleepover.”

You sat up finally, stretching out your arms, “Still kind of perfect, though.”

He watched you, eyes flickered over your warm skin, lingering on the sleepy warmth in your smile, before darting to your exposed midriff, admiring the way the early morning light kissed your skin. His heart thudded in a way that had nothing to do with awkwardness anymore.

Just as he opened his mouth to say something when the front door creaked open, “Well, well, well,” came Eddie’s amused voice, “Look who decided to turn the couch into a bed.”

Buck nearly flung himself off the couch as you scrambled upright, flattening down your hair as if that would help the situation.

Christopher padded in right behind Eddie, looking far too smug for a ten-year-old, “You’re still cuddling?” he asked, grinning wide.

“We weren’t! We just!” Buck sputtered for an excuse, running a hand through his messy hair.

You rolled your eyes shoving his arm playfully, “We fell asleep, that’s it.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it, “Right. Totally innocent. Just two friends, tangled together, dead asleep on the couch. Happens all the time.”

“All the time,” Christopher echoed with a giggle.

Buck buried his face in his hands, “I walked into a trap.”

“More like snuggled into it,” Eddie quipped, heading toward the kitchen holding up the two grocery bags in his hands, “You want eggs, or should I leave you two to continue your spooning?”

You let out a groan as you flopped back on the couch, “I’m never living this down, am I?”

“Absolutely not,” Eddie called.

Buck glanced down at you, a teasing smile tugging at his lips, “Hey, if it helps, I’m not complaining.”

You lifted your head to look at him, one brow raised in questioning.

“About last night,” he added, voice more serious now, “About this. I know it was unplanned, but I really liked being here. With you.”

Your teasing expression softened, “I liked it too,” you admitted quietly.

And even with Eddie purposefully banging pans in the kitchen and Christopher humming a love song mockingly under his breath, Buck leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead, a moment that was soft and full of promise.

“Next time,” he said, “let’s do that on purpose.”

You smiled, “Deal.”

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