fears-and-feels

[fears-and-feels]

Reblogging this for Whumpril Day 30.

Whumpril Day 30: "I'm/You're not going anywhere."

Fandom: 9-1-1 (Sequel to Day 29)

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: Buck gets a fever and Eddie has to assure him that he's not going anywhere.

(These are supposed to be a part of Whumpril, but I got ahead of myself and wanted to post them now ❤️ I'll reblog on the corresponding days next month ❤️ What happens in this fic is different than what happens in the show ❤️ :))

It had been a few days since the blonde had helped rescue Eddie from the cabin of the disgruntled Dad. Once the two got out, they had been taken to the hospital then sent back to LA for rest.

Eddie had to call his parents to tell Christopher he would be a few days late. When the teen pushed with questions, Eddie then had to break the news of what had happened.

Buck had been there for the entire call.

Eddie had to have surgery. Several ribs were badly fractured and the doctors wanted to make sure he hadn't punctured his lungs nor was he having any internal bleeding.

Buck had been there in the room when he'd woken up.

Eddie had to stay in the hospital overnight. The doctors wanted to monitor him and make sure nothing progressed.

Even with the starts of a mild fever, Buck had camped out in one of those hard plastic chairs all night long.

When Eddie had finally been released, Buck had made sure he'd gotten taken back to his LA home and recovered his lost U-Haul. By then, the fever had gotten much worse, but Buck hadn't brought it up. He kept pushing everything down to make sure Eddie was okay.

Eddie had to be okay. He had to get Christopher. Buck could take care of himself later.

But now all that work was coming to a halt when his fever spiked.

Hen and Chimney had practically wrangled him into bed so he could rest. On the hopes the blonde actually listened, they'd hung threats of handcuffing his good arm in the air if he didn't listen.

With a huff and a pout, Buck stayed in bed and eventually fell asleep.

When he awoke, he had no idea where he was.

Buck had only been living in Eddie's house for roughly a few days. He was still adjusting to waking up there every day and not in the loft.

A layer of shadows crept in during the late night hour, making the space even more unfamiliar to his feverish mind.

The blonde crept downstairs. Again, nothing down here looked like the loft. Nothing looked familiar.

Then he bumped into something.

Buck placed a hand on the couch back to steady himself. Something about it triggered a memory in his mind.

"Buck, you hear from Eddie?"

"No. Should I?"

"No one's heard from him all day."

"He probably just caught up with something. Here, let me call him."

But Eddie hadn't picked up the call. Or the one after that. Or even the third. On the fourth missed call, Buck knew something was off.

He had gone somewhere after that? Hadn't he?

The blonde sluggishly moved toward the kitchen in the hopes of triggering another memory. Something that could tell him where he'd gone or maybe even where he was.

His feet felt the shift from hard wood to cool tile, but his brain took a minute to catch up.

By the time he stopped, Buck was mere inches from the dining table.

"Anything?"

"Still nothing Chimney."

"Police are out searching now. They'll find him."

"I hope so."

Eddie. He had to find Eddie.

Hadn't he snuck out after that call? Gone off in search of something?

Fever ridden blue eyes traveled across the table and up to the back door.

He saw himself snagging his keys off the dining table.

Him shoving them into his jacket pocket.

Him quitely stepping out the back door because someone else was in the living room.

Who had he been trying to avoid? And why? Had they been trying to stop him for some reason?

The same bleary eyes scanned the kitchen area before landing on an empty kitchen chair that had been left out.

The cabin.

The smell of dry grass around him as he wound his way closer.

The sounds of near death like quiet as he reached for the handle.

The air whooshing out of his lungs when he saw the strange figure making his way toward Eddie's beaten form with a crowbar.

Eddie was in danger.

Buck raced back into the living room. "I have to go find him."

"You're not going anywhere."

The blonde immediately froze. He knew who that was standing by the door. He'd seen him before.

The figure set down what he was holding. "Buck, it's me. It's Chim."

"Eddie."

"Eddie's okay. He was just getting checked out by the doctors to see how he was healing."

"Where is he?"

"He's just outside."

Outside. He needed to get outside.

Chimney must have seen it in his face because he moved closer to the front door. "Don't run. He'll be in here in a moment."

The back door.

"Just take a breath and sit---."

Buck turned and bolted.

He heard Chimney calling out after him then shouting to whoever was outside. But Buck didn't stop.

Eddie was outside. He had to find Eddie.

He wrenched the back door open so fast it rattled whatever was hanging on the walls.

He ran as fast as he could into the backyard and around the side of the house.

He heard several voices calling his name.

One of them sounded familiar.

The blonde froze. "Eddie?"

"Buck!"

Buck ran toward the voice. "Eddie."

"Buck!"

Buck's bleary eyes frantically looked around.

He heard Eddie talking to someone else before his voice called out to him again. "Buck!"

That's when the blonde found him supporting himself against the side of a car.

"Over here!"

A wave of relief crashed over Buck as he raced toward the ex-Army medic. "Eddie!"

A second later, Buck had the brown haired firefighter snagged in a one arm hug. Then he immediately broke into sobs.

For a few seconds, Eddie just stood there. Finally, he found got his one good arm up in a return hug. "Hey . . . You okay?"

Buck shook his head.

"What happened?"

"I lost you."

"You didn't lose me Cowboy." Eddie's fingers brushed up against his forehead.

Buck jerked his head into the crook of the brown haired man's neck.

Eddie stayed quiet for a minute, switching to rubbing the blonde's back. He then spoke to someone next to them.

"He's burning up Cap."

A new set of fingers gently pressed into his forehead.

Buck jumped away.

Eddie's hand grabbed his good arm. "Wow wow wow, it's okay. It's Bobby."

Bleary blue eyes found the captain's concerned brown ones.

"You alright in there?" asked Bobby.

Buck didn't respond.

The older fire captain hesitantly reached forward. "I need you to come sit down."

The blonde yanked himself away from his hand.

Bobby immediately held it up. "It's okay. It's okay."

Buck scrubbed at his eye with the heel of his shaking palm. Breathing was becoming very difficult right now.

"You can stay with Eddie, but I need you to come sit down."

Why did he need to sit down?

Buck's body involuntarily sank to a sitting position on the ground.

Oh yeah. That's probably why.

Several faces moved in around him. Way too close for his liking.

Then one of them grabbed his good arm.

"No." Buck tried to fight them off. "Get off!"

"Buck, it's Hen." The hand returned. "We need to---."

Buck kept fighting. "No!"

"He's out of it." Another set of hands helped Hen. "Freaked out inside too."

The blonde swung a right hook in that direction, crying out in pain.

"Buck, stop." A third set of hands grabbed his shoulders. "You're going to hurt yourself even more."

"No!"

"Alright, everyone back up!"

A moment later, all the faces pulled back. Then Eddie disappeared.

"Eddie?" called Buck.

The brown haired man stuck his head out of the backseat of the car. "Buck, come on. We need to get in here."

Shakily, the blonde pulled himself up to his feet.

Eddie carefully slid along the backseat, making room for Buck to get in.

A moment later, the door shut trapping them inside.

It was dark in the car. Very little light shone in from the moon and the various street lights outside.

Buck scooted as close as he could to Eddie, ready to protect him if any of those faces came back.

He wasn't loosing him again.

"It's okay." Eddie's fingers squeezed his shoulder. "It's Bobby car."

"Bobby?" Buck's eyes furrowed together. "When did he get here?"

". . . Where are we right now?"

Bleary blue eyes darted around. "I don't know . . . All I know is that guy could be back soon."

"That deranged guy with the crowbar?"

"Yeah."

"Buck, look at me."

The blonde shook his head. He had to stay vigilant in the bumpy car.

The blonde's vision moved down. Wait, why was it bumpy?

He jumped at a sudden turn.

"It's okay." Eddie gently squeezed again. "We're just taking a drive with Bobby."

Buck relaxed a tiny bit when he realized they weren't in any immediate danger, but that was as far as he got.

"Look at me for a second."

Reluctantly, Buck peeled his eyes away from the seat and turned to look at Eddie.

Two warm brown eyes found his anxious blue ones.

Four fingers gently squeezed his shoulder.

One long thumb calmly came up to rest on his pulse point.

"Listen, that guy is gone."

Buck stayed quiet.

"He's in police custody. Once his side is healed up enough, they're going to put him behind bars. He won't be able to hurt me or you anymore."

Buck's bleary eyes drifted to his hands.

He heard Eddie begging behind him.

He felt his fingers grip a sharp piece of wood.

He felt himself roll.

He felt the piece of wood sink into flesh.

"I stabbed him."

"You did. You saved us."

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

"No ties here. Everything that matters is in Texas."

El Paso.

Buck shrugged out of the hold.

"What's wrong?"

"Christopher."

"He's in El Paso."

Eddie had been driving to El Paso the day he had been captured. His U-Haul was sitting outside the house.

The blonde clumsily scrambled for the handle. "You have to go."

"Go where?"

Buck finally secured the handle, but it wouldn't open. "El Paso."

"Wow there Cowboy." Eddie's fingers pulled his arm away the door. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But Christopher---."

"Will have to wait until I'm cleared by the doctors."

The word doctor immediately pulled Eddie's injuries into focus.

His face was covered in bruises.

His lip was badly split.

His left arm and right leg were wrapped in casts.

His movements made his face wince as they tugged on his ribs.

Buck looked down at his own right arm covered in plaster and a sling. He could feel his pulse painfully pounding on his own ribs now too. And the sore goose egg on the back of his head.

"I can't go anywhere right now."

The blonde deflated. "But you still have to go."

". . . I don't know."

Buck's attention immediately snapped back up.

Eddie sighed. "I was lying to myself just as much as I was lying to those renters. I do have ties here in LA."

"But Christopher's---."

"In El Paso. I know." The dark haired man turned his full attention back to Buck. "But the 118 is here. And so are you."

"I'm not a part of the 118?"

"You are, but you're also so much more." Eddie squeezed his bicep. "And despite what you might think or if you'll even remember this, it does matter what you feel about this whole thing. So you gotta be honest with me."

"Christopher needs you more than me."

Eddie shook his head. "He's a tough kid. He doesn't need me."

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

"Guess both of you have something in common," Buck mumbled while pulling his arm away.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Both of you don't need anyone. You'll be fine all on your own."

Eddie glanced up at the driver's seat then back at the blonde. "I do need you Buck."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is."

"Christopher needs you."

"He's growing up Buck. He's thriving all on his own."

"Which is why you need to be there."

". . . I don't know anymore."

Buck crushed any hope he had before anyone else could do it for him. There was a big part of him that wished the ex-Army medic would stay here in LA. But deep down, the blonde knew he would always regret it if he never went.

He'd always regret missing more of those special moments in his son's life.

So he pushed the brown haired man's arm away. "You need to go Eddie."

"I don't need to."

"But you want to."

Eddie glared. "What do you know about what I want?"

"Because I know you, and I know how much that kid brings you joy."

The brown haired firefighter went quiet.

"Eddie . . ."

The brown haired man finally looked back up. "What?"

Buck couldn't get his next words out. It was like something in his brain disconnected and he couldn't get it back online. All he could do was stare.

"Doesn't matter right now." Eddie reached for the handle of the now still car. "Your fever ridden brain doesn't even know what it's saying."

Buck snagged the brown haired firefighter's shirt. A shot of anxiety raced through him and his limbs felt funny.

"Let go Buck."

Buck's hand jerked and Eddie's shirt slipped through his fingers.

Don't leave. Don't leave. Don't leave.

The rest of the blonde's muscles immediately went stiff and jerked. An odd feeling of déja vu crept up his stiffened spine.

Had he felt like this before?

"Buck?"

I can't answer. Why can't I answer?

Buck heard a shout in the distance, but everything now sounded like it was underwater.

A vice like grip landed on his elbow, yanking the blonde close enough for the figure to pin him in place via a bear hug.

Buck's brain couldn't process what was being screamed at him. He could hear it, even as darkness started creeping in, but not respond.

He also understood enough that that voice wasn't Eddie's. It wasn't familiar to him at all.

Where was Eddie? Hadn't he'd been right there? Had he really changed his mind about El Paso?

Why was it suddenly so hard to think? Why was his body so stiff?

He felt the grip tighten. That didn't feel like Eddie. That didn't feel like anyone he knew.

Another shot of anxiety. The man must have found them. He got Eddie again.

Sure enough, Buck was strapped down. He desperately tried to get his body to respond to anything, but it was still not working.

Buck felt his body being moved and he finally managed to croak out, "Eddie."

But there was no response from the dark haired firefighter.

Slowly but surely the darkness overtook the blonde's vision until it finally won leaving him with one thought.

Eddie's gone.

[fears-and-feels]

Reblogging for Whumpril Day 29.

Whumpril Day 29: "Get your hands off of them!"

Fandom: 9-1-1

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: When Eddie gets taken on his way to El Paso, Buck will try to save him.

(These are supposed to be a part of Whumpril, but I got a bit ahead of myself and really want to post these now ❤️ I'll reblog them on the corresponding days next month ❤️ What happens here may be different than what happens in the show ❤️)

It had all happened so fast.

Eddie had been cruising down the highway on his way to El Paso. The radio was blasting, the windows were cracked, and Buck's baggie of cookies bumped along in the passenger seat.

At some point into the night stretch of his journey, the tire on his U-Haul had popped, forcing him off onto the side of the road at an odd hour of the night.

It was an easy fix. He could get it back up and running in no time.

While he was mid-change, a dark van pulled in behind the U-Haul and a man popped out.

Eddie didn't know why, but something about the man rubbed him the wrong way. The way he sauntered too casually up to Eddie, hands stuffed into his jeans pocket. The too confident smile beaming down from his face. The too calm even tone in his words as he asked Eddie if he needed help.

It just all seemed like an act that the ex-Army medic wasn't buying.

He smiled and tried to assure the stranger he was alright, but the man wouldn't back down.

The uneasy feeling didn't fade either so Eddie reached for one of the bigger wrenches he could use as protection. His attention was away for half a second.

It was half a second too many.

Something collided with the back of the ex-Army medic's head. When he woke up, he wasn't along the side of the road anymore. He was in some sort of cabin looking building, bound to a chair with the stranger from earlier looming nearby.

Both windows had been boarded when Eddie got there. The thin beam of light shining through the cracks gave him atleast some semblance of time over his next few days of torture.

Multiple times over the corse of the next couple days, the stranger would attack Eddie. Sometimes just throwing a few punches before settling down while other times he'd beat him till the ex-Army medic's vision went dark.

"Who are you?" Eddie had finally managed to spit out during one of these attacks.

"Surprised you don't recognize me," came the cold reply. "Must be all the blood loss."

Eddie blinked, staring at the individual with his one good eye. His face had looked familiar, but his brain had to take a moment to finally connect the dots.

It had been a call from his first couple years at the 118. A father and son duo in a terrible car accident.

"You survived. Your son . . ."

The man had yanked Eddie's head forward by the hair. "And who's fault was that?"

"The one who swerved into an oncoming traffic," Eddie had gritted out.

"No." Anger had glinted in the man's eyes. "It's the fault of the first responders who let him die."

"His door was smashed in. We did what we could."

"But you didn't do enough. Now my son is gone because of you."

"That was years ago."

"And every day since, I've been waiting for the chance to get even."

The man had yanked on Eddie's hair the other way, snapping his head back this time.

"What luck when I found out one of those same firefighters was in the area, and I just so happened to be taking a camping trip."

The hand had finally let go of the ex-Army medic's dark brown hair in favor of snatching something up off of the floor.

"Now I won't stop until every last bit of anger, every last bit of rage, is poured into you." The crowbar had smacked the man's opposite hand. "Hit by hit and blow by blow."

The rest of the time had descended into a mirage of pain. Nothing felt right anymore. Even breathing felt like a chore more than a sign of life. By this point, bruises were littered everywhere. Several bones were definitely fractured and, if it wasn't a concussion making his head pound, then there was something else severely wrong.

Now moving into day three, Eddie wondered if anyone even noticed he was gone. His parents could justify his late arrival to Christopher and he was long out of LA for anyone to think he was missing. It may be another few days before anyone even noticed he was gone.

By that point, it may be too late.

The disgruntled father rolled up his sleeve while taking another step closer to Eddie.

Surely someone would notice.

He promised Christopher he'd text him when he got there since he was planning on arriving while he was still in school.

He told Bobby he'd call him every day with updates.

He reassured Hen he'd video chat when he had a stable wifi connection.

He calmed Chimney by promising to text him after he fixed the flat.

He promised Buck he'd---

"Get your hands off of him!"

Both Eddie and the father whipped their attention to the door.

Eddie's eyes went wide. ". . . Buck?"

The blonde stepped further into the room. "Get your hands off of him, or you won't like what's coming next."

The stranger chuckled and moved toward Buck. "You and what army kid?"

Eddie saw the movement. His sluggish brain refused to act any faster than a couple seconds. "Buck, look out!"

The disgruntled Dad yanked his crowbar up then swung.

Buck managed to get his arm up for the first swing. The crack following the crowbar's smack was deafening.

The blonde let out a scream, yanking his arm to his chest. However, the distraction allowed the stranger to get an official hit to Buck's head, sending him to his knees. The third hit made contact with the blonde's back.

And down he went crashing to the ground.

Eddie's heart dropped again. "Buck!"

The stranger turned back to look at Eddie. Something must have been written on the ex-Army medic's face because it made the man grin sadistically.

Eddie steeled his face, trying not too wince at the way it pulled on his bruises. "Don't you dare."

The disgruntled Dad placed one foot on Buck's back just as the disoriented blonde tried to push his way back up. "This'll be fun."

"This is between me and you," Eddie argued.

"Correction." The stranger lifted his crowbar again. "This is between me and the 118."

The crowbar landed again. Then again. Then again.

Each blow pulled some sort of grunt or cry of pain out of Buck. Each time Eddie felt his heart crack a little more.

When the stranger finished, he shifted his foot from Buck's back to his injured arm.

Buck screamed again.

"Stop!"

The man lifted his head to Eddie. The ex-Army medic hadn't even realized that had come out of him.

"Listen, he didn't do anything," pleaded Eddie while he tried to find a way out of his restraints. "What you said was true. I was the one who let your son die. I was the one who was supposed to get him out and I'm the one that failed."

The disgruntled Dad stared.

Eddie kept going. "Buck didn't go anywhere near the car. He was getting the equipment out of the back like our Captain told him to."

The stranger's entire face went blank.

"I'm the one who messed things up. I'm the one you should be taking things out on, not an innocent man."

The disgruntled Dad took one step closer to Eddie, finally freeing Buck's arm.

Immediately, the blonde curled into a fetal position on the ground.

Some relief went through Eddie before his eyes went back to the stranger. "So take your anger out on me. Not on the innocent."

Without a word, the disgruntled Dad leaned closer.

The ex-Army medic never took his eyes off of him.

"You took something special away from me," hissed the stranger. "What other way can I return the favor than by doing the same?"

All hope Eddie had built just vanished. He was forced to watch as the man turned back to Buck while raising his crowbar high.

Meanwhile, Buck stayed still on his spot on the ground.

"Buck," Eddie desperately called out.

Then came the first blow.

Whether the blonde had passed out from the pain or was just laying still from the injuries didn't matter. What did matter was getting him away.

"Buck," Eddie tried again with every blow. "Buck . . . Buck!"

Just when the disgruntled Dad went for another strike, Buck quickly rolled.

A splintered piece of wood sank into the man's side, sending him down to his knees.

Eddie froze. "Buck?"

The blonde laid still.

"Buck. . . Buckley."

Carefully, Buck pushed himself up with his one good arm.

Eddie slowly let out a breath of relief. "You alright?"

Buck didn't answer. Instead he grimaced then shoved himself up onto his knees. A few seconds more and he was up on his feet, leaning heavily on the wall for support.

"Answer me Buck," demanded Eddie. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"How bad?"

"Broken arm." Buck carefully pushed himself off of the wall. "Bruised or broken ribs."

Eddie watched as Buck slowly made his way over. His eyes scanned over every injury.

"You?"

"Too many to count, but I'll be alright."

The blonde nodded before clumsily untying the ex-Army medic with one hand. "Can you walk?"

"I can't even crawl."

"Stay put."

While Eddie wrapped his right arm around himself, Buck pulled out his phone.

"Who you calling?" asked Eddie.

"Help."

On the other end of the line, Eddie could just make out the 911 operator's calm voice asking for Buck's emergency.

While the blonde rattled off where they were, Eddie took the time to study the disgruntled Dad.

He wheezed heavily while applying pressure to the wound.

"Stay down," the ex-Army medic commanded. "Help will be here soon."

". . . It'll be too late."

The stranger tried to push himself up only to be greeted by a shove from Eddie's boot. Once the stranger was back down, the toe of Eddie's boot then collided with the guy's temple. He crumpled to the ground, completely still.

Then Eddie sank back down. His head spun with the sudden movement and the intense pain in his body.

A hand gently squeezed his shoulder. "Paramedics are on their---."

Thinking he was under attack, Eddie threw the hand back.

Buck's eyes went wide, one hand out in front of him. "Sorry."

Eddie relaxed again. "You came alone."

"I was the first one who found the U-Haul. I just followed the trail and then I saw him getting ready to attack you and I just---."

"You could have been killed."

". . . What about you?"

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

Buck's face hardened. "You haven't looked in a mirror yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you could have died too."

The ex-Army medic stayed quiet.

"You know, I should point out you're covered in more bruises than you are regular flesh right now right. Or point out that your eyes are so swollen I'm surprised you can still see anything. Or that you've got more bones sitting at awkward angles than I thought was possible."

Again, Eddie stayed quiet.

A tear slid down Buck's cheek, but no other outward sign gave away what he was feeling inside. "Most people would have been grateful to be rescued. Guess you're not like most people."

Eddie could hear Buck's feet stomping toward the door. ". . . I'm sorry."

Everything around him went still.

The ex-Army medic looked up to make sure the blonde was still in the cabin. "All I could picture was something happening to you. And I couldn't do anything to stop it."

This time Buck stayed quiet.

"Chris and I, we can't lose you too."

Still nothing came from the blonde.

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together, pulling another wince of pain.

"What difference does it make? Losing me?"

The ex-Army medic's mouth fell open.

When Buck finally raised his head again, more tears were pooling up in his eyes. "I'm already losing you both."

"What are you talking about?"

"You can call me selfish all you want. I'm probably being extremely that right now . . . but we've been a unit for six years. And you just act like none of it even mattered."

"Buck . . . Christopher's---."

"I know." Buck swiped at his eyes. "He needs to be there in El Paso. You need to be there for him."

"And you don't like it?"

"It doesn't matter how I feel about things. What matters is getting you to El Paso so you can be there for him."

"Buck---."

Pounding footsteps and rustling dry grass got closer and closer to the cabin. Several voices called out.

Eddie tried again. "Buck---."

But Buck turned to the door. "In here!"

"Buck."

It didn't matter.

The blonde then had two seconds to scramble back before the door flew open. Several paramedics and police officers rushed inside.

Some immediately surrounded Eddie, cutting off Buck from his view.

The ex-Army medic tried to move around them to see. "Buck."

"He's alright sir." A dark skinned paramedic moved into Eddie's line of sight. "A few of our own are looking him over right now."

"No, I need to see him." Eddie tried to look for the blonde again. "Buck . . . Buck!"

However, Buck never turned back. He kept his eyes dead ahead as he followed the paramedics out the door.

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril Day 23/Day 25: "Don't you dare" and Too Weak To Stand

Fandom: The Greatest Showman

Pairing: PT Barnum and Philip Carlyle

Summary: Philip ends up sick and PT tries to help him.

Warning: Mentions of vomiting and sickness.

Philip's eyes flew open. It took him way longer than it should to recognize where he was.

"Phil." Something patted his shoulder. "Hey."

Philip blinked and looked up.

When things finally came into focus, the younger Carlyle recognized PT Barnum's face hovering over him.

Phineas gave him a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You alright in there Mr. Carlyle?"

Philip squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep breath to stem the nausea.

"Oo." The gentle hand on Philip's shoulder shifted up to brush strands of hair away from his sweaty forehead. "Not too good?"

The younger Carlyle lurched torward his knees. He brought a hand up to his mouth and swallowed hard.

The hand on his forehead disappeared only to return a few seconds later to press a bucket under his chin.

Philip squeezed the bucket close. He tried to hold everything back, he really did, but his body was determined not to.

And a few seconds later, anything he had eaten that day spewed out of his mouth and into the bucket. For almost a minute, he deposited everything in him into the bucket before he was finally able to relax, his head coming to rest on the back of the couch he was on.

Then one firm hand rubbed up and down his back.

Philip pushed the hand away.

PT shifted. "Don't want me to touch you?"

"Don't get sick," the younger mumbled out.

The older ringmaster made a correction noise in the back of his throat.

"PT."

"You're sick Phil."

"And you'll get it."

"I don't care."

Philip shook his head.

There were a few seconds of silence before the couch moved and PT's footsteps sounded. A second more and a blanket dropped around his shoulders.

Philip relaxed a little more into it.

PT tucked it around him. "Wait here. I'll be right back."

As PT made his way out of the tent, the younger Carlyle watched him go. For a brief moment, the lighting from outside lit up the inside of the office tent. Then once it closed, the tent fell back into dim darkness.

Philip had never felt so alone. Here he was hugging a bucket for dear life while he shivered like a leaf on the couch. The chill traveling throughout his entire body burrowed deep into his bones.

Meanwhile, his head was swimming, making his nausea come in waves with each spin. The younger Carlyle kept trying to take deep breaths and calm everything down. He needed to get moving. They had a rehearsal to do.

Philip set the bucket to the side so he could push himself up.

Then he toppled to the ground.

After catching his breath, Philip looked around to get his bearings. The smell of grass and dirt tickled his nose. The far away sounds of muffled laughter and voices reached his ears, pulling his attention up to the tent flap.

The younger Carlyle pushed himself up before promptly sinking back down. Everything was tilting to the side and spun around him.

Philip squeezed his eyes shut. He needed to get up. He needed to show up to rehearsal.

Pushing his wobbly limbs under him, Philip tried to get up. Yet every attempt to stand just sent him back down to the ground. So he tried to crawl and made it five inches away from the couch before falling back down into a panting mess.

A lurch in his stomach made him clamp a hand to his mouth. The bucket was still back on the couch.

With his arms and legs wobbling and head swimming, Philip desperately tried to scramble for the bucket. His ears rang and his eyes went dark.

When he finally got his vision back, he was laying on his cheek in a pool of vomit.

A blush spread across his cheeks while embarrassment heated up the rest of his body. Tears sprung up into his eyes. How was he supposed to help run a circus when he couldn't even keep himself out of his own vomit?

A sob escaped his throat. His legs jerked up. His forehead came to rest on his knees.

Philip tried to keep the following sounds escaping him quiet. He didn't want to draw any attention to how he looked right now. A shivering, sniffling mess. If his parents could see him now, they would have a heyday pointing out how undignified he looked.

"Pathetic excuse for a Carlyle."

"Shameful. Just shameful."

"Pipe down or I'll give you something to cry about."

"Look at the state of your clothes and your hair! Have you no respect for us."

"Why are you making such a big deal over nothing? Man up."

"Okay. Sorry that---."

The younger Carlyle was too far gone to stop.

Immediately, PT was beside him. "Philip, hey. What happened?"

Philip felt Barnum's strong calloused hand grip his shoulder. That didn't quiet his sobs. In fact, it just made him louder.

The older ringmaster shifted to sit behind the younger. His hand moved to rub along the back of his shoulders.

That's when Philip tried to shrug him off. Not because he didn't want the comfort, but because he didn't want the older ringmaster getting sick.

"Hey, look at me."

Philip jerked his head before burying it under his arms.

"Then listen to me. It's okay to not be okay. Getting sick doesn't make you any less worthy of help and comfort."

Though not completely gone, Philip's sobs did start to slow.

"You're not a burden Phil."

"I don't want you to get sick."

"You're still hung up on that?"

The younger Carlyle could hear the soft smile in PT's voice and it made him shoot back, "Don't you dare."

"What shouldn't I dare Mr. Carlyle?"

"Don't try to talk me out of something true."

"I never said it wasn't the truth."

"You can't get sick." Philip shifted to look up at the older ringmaster.

"I can't get sick? Or you can't get me sick?"

The younger Carlyle fell quiet. Even his sobs were dying down.

"There it is." PT shifted closer. "The real reason you're trying to push me away."

"I won't forgive myself if I do get you sick."

With a shrug, the older ringmaster replied, "If you don't, the girls will. Might as well get it out of the way now."

"Or you could get sick twice."

"That's a risk I'm willing to take."

"PT---."

Barnum made a correction noise in the back of his throat. "Don't you dare Mr. Carlyle. You're not pushing me away that easily."

With a groan, Philip buried his face back into his knees.

"Hop up." PT patted Philip's back. "I'm taking you home."

Philip didn't move.

There was a pause before the hand came back to rest. "Is that how you ended up on the ground?"

The younger Carlyle turtled into his shoulders. PT could leave him here to die now.

"Do you feel like you're going to throw up again?"

"Not at the moment."

"Very well."

The younger Carlyle shifted his head when he felt two calloused hands on him. One was near his shoulders, one was near his knees. A moment later, Philip was off the ground and in the older ringmaster's arms.

Philip gripped Barnum's shirt. "PT."

The older ringmaster adjusted his grip. "Try not to move too much."

In response, the younger Carlyle buried his face into PT's shoulder. His face heated up with embarrassment again. He looked really pathetic now.

A deep chuckle vibrated through the older ringmaster's chest. He then shifted Philip higher. "Can you help me out by holding on?"

"Hold on where?"

"Maybe by wrapping your arms around my neck or shoulders."

"That's called strangulation."

PT huffed and hefted the younger higher again. "Wrap them loosely like a hug or I will be dropping you on the ground."

Immediately, Philip wrapped his arms around the older ringmaster.

"Thank you."

The younger Carlyle glared up the older ringmaster. "I can walk."

Meanwhile, PT started walking toward the tent entrance. "Is that what you told yourself when you landed on your face?"

"I can. I'm not weak."

"Never said you were weak Phil. Just in need of a little help."

The younger ringmaster took a few deep breaths to calm his stomach. The rocking movement mixed with PT's early movements of lifting him up were making him feel nauseous again. And another thing he would never forgive himself if he covered the front of his honorary father figure's shirt in vomit.

"You sure you're okay?" PT asked, the concern leaking through his voice.

Philip pressed his forehead into the older ringmaster's shirt, eyes screwed shut. If he opened his mouth, it may not end well.

"Deep breaths in and deep breaths out," soothed the older ringmaster. "If you feel like it's coming up and out, turn your head to the left."

Philip retorted, "I was planning on turning to the right."

Another chuckle and a slight shift in PT's arms. The next thing Philip realized, he was sitting in the back of a carriage. And PT slid in next to him.

Philip desperately tried to ignore how weak he must have looked to the driver and instead put his full attention on his honorary father figure. "Don't you need to stay for rehearsal?"

"Lettie's taking over today." Barnum pulled the door shut with a snap. "Although the office will smell lovely tomorrow."

"Sorry about that."

A smirk pulled up the corner of the older ringmaster's lip just as the carriage lurched forward. "You apologize to foliage now Mr. Carlyle?"

"It deserves it after what I put it through."

"Can't help getting sick."

Guilt pooled in Philip's stomach.

"I know that look." PT shifted closer. "That's a 'I'm thinking an ingrained Carlyle thought' look."

The younger ringmaster curled into the wall of the carriage.

"You want to talk about it?"

Philip shook his head. He'd embarrassed himself enough today.

PT's calloused hand squeezed his arm. "I'm here if you change your mind."

While the younger ringmaster appreciated the sentiment, he'd never want to admit that to Barnum. If his honorary father figure heard what Philip thought of himself, he may start to agree and realize the younger Carlyle wasn't worth keeping.

He needed to keep that to himself.

A moment later, Philip felt himself get pulled into someone's side. His tried pushing himself away from PT, but the older ringmaster would have none of it.

Barnum held him close, carefully guiding his head to his shoulder. "Get some rest Phil."

Philip noted how PT's hand carefully avoided the vomit on his face and hair. However, the older ringmaster still did his best to comfort the younger.

His hand ran up and down Philip's arm.

Inside his heart, the younger ringmaster made a vow. Once he was better, he was making this up to PT by working doubly hard.

He'd show Barnum he was worth keeping.

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril Day 13: Head Injury

Fandom: Moonknight (MCU)

Character: Steven

Summary: A walk leads to Steven taking a tumble.

Warning: Mentions of a head injury and vomiting.

(In this fic, I have the three boys separate instead of in one body ❤️ Hope you enjoy ❤️ :))

The first thing Steven became aware of was the pounding in his head. It made the nausea in his stomach increase by a horrible level. Then again, the dizziness wasn't helping either.

In not so many words, Steven felt awful.

In the hopes of figuring out where he was, the youngest knight forced his eyes open. The brightness of the area made the bile in his throat bubble up even more.

He swallowed hard to force it down, but it was still trying to come up.

Steven lifted his head then put it right back down. He yanked himself to the side just in time for the bile to spew out of his mouth. Unfortunately, he couldn't get too far away from it so the bile ended up pooling back under his cheek.

Steven cringed at the sticky smelly mess. He couldn't do much else.

This time, when Steven opened his eyes, he managed to actually get a look around him.

The youngest knight found he was laying on the damp ground of the forest floor. A cool breeze brushed along his face, scattering leaves around him. The once crisp fall air Steven had been appreciating now chilled him to the bone.

Steven turtled into his shoulders, tugging his jacket closer around him. If only he could remember where he was.

And why he felt so sick.

Something wet and slick slipped into Steven's eye. At first, he thought it was sweat, but the color looked off. The youngest knight swiped at his eye then pulled it back to see red smeared across his fingertips.

The youngest's eyes widened. A head injury. That would explain the dizziness and nausea.

After some slight adjusting, Steven managed to look up. Up above him was a ledge with a sloping side leading down to where he was. Part of it had indents where someone may have slipped and a boulder sticking out had a smear the same shade of red as the liquid on Steven's fingers.

He remembered now.

He had noticed this little part off to the side while Marc, Jake, and Layla wandered ahead. Layla had told him to be careful and he shushed her, telling her to hurry ahead and join the other two.

Layla had shrugged before turning away.

Steven had wandered closer to the edge of the trail to enjoy the view and saw the slope leading down.

He knew he should have stayed up on the trail, but he was curious. So he had carefully started his way down only to slip on the damp soil. Everything had gone dark after that.

Steven pulled his head down before spewing out another stream of bile onto the puddle already next to him. He still couldn't get his body to cooperate so back into the puddle he went.

Fresh tears found their way into the youngest's eyes. How long would it be before the others noticed he was gone? Minutes? Hours?

Then another startling idea hit him. How long had he been unconscious?

The others may have already come back through on their way back to the car and hadn't even realized he was there. He very well could be all alone out here in the woods until someone stumbled across him.

Who knew how long that would be.

Steven sobbed. "Hello? . . . Is anyone there?"

The youngest had to cringe at how slurred his speech sounded. He'd be lucky if anyone heard him, much less understood him.

He had to get back up to the trail. So the youngest rolled himself from one side to the other. His head spun and his stomach lurched, making him dry heave.

Steven took a couple of deep breaths to calm his stomach, pushing back tears.

Then he carefully started to crawl.

[fears-and-feels]

Meant to reblog this yesterday and completely forgot.

Whumpril: Day 2 and 14: Lies and Lost/Found

Fandom: 9-1-1 (Sequel to Day 29 and 30)

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: Buck and Eddie confront each other.

(This is technically a part of Whumpril, but I got ahead of myself and wanted to post these now ❤️ I'll reblog them on the corresponding days next month ❤️ It was not intentional for all three prompts to go together, but they kinda ended up that way ❤️ Hope you enjoy ❤️:))

Eddie felt hopeless.

He had to watch as his best friend started seizing from the too high fever racking his body. He had to watch while nurses wrestled him onto a stretcher to try to keep his injuries still. He had to watch

He had to turn away when he heard his name slip past the blonde's lips. He had to stay turned away when the nurses started scrambling after Buck had slipped into unconsciousness.

Now the brown haired firefighter found himself being forced to look at Buck's too still form lying on the hospital bed.

"Did you hear what I asked?"

Eddie started. His eyes drifted past Buck to Bobby sitting in the chair on the other side of the bed. "Sorry no. I zoned out."

Bobby smiled in understanding. "I asked if you wanted me to take you home."

The younger of the two shook his head. "No, I'm alright."

"You sure."

"I'm fine Bobby."

Both of the fire captain's eyebrows slid up a bit.

"I just want to be here in case he wakes up."

"I'm sure he'll understand."

Eddie scrubbed his face. "I'm not going anywhere."

Bobby didn't ask for an explanation.

But Eddie kept going anyway. "Buck was right. I did just move like nothing even mattered."

"It's not for nothing."

"Of course not . . . But I could have handled it so much better."

"How?"

"I should have been honest from the start. Maybe sat down and talked with all of you instead of just springing it on everyone."

Bobby nodded to Buck. "Didn't he 'help' with that?"

"He wouldn't have had to if I'd said it first."

"Why did you need to tell us anything?"

Eddie looked back up at the fire captain. "Because all of you have been the closest thing to a family that I've ever had."

Bobby's gaze softened.

"You don't walk away from family."

"Eddie, we support whatever decision you want to make. Christopher's your son. Of course you want to be there for him."

"But I don't want to leave behind my family here. That's been the problem right from the start."

Bobby fell quiet.

Meanwhile, Eddie found his gaze turning back to Buck. He still looked way to still.

The brown haired firefighter shook his head and forced his attention back on Bobby. "I need my family. Together."

"We're always a phone call or FaceTime away," the fire captain assured him.

"That didn't work with Christopher and it's not going to work with anyone else too."

"Eddie."

"I need everyone together."

Bobby's gaze softened again. "Go home and get some rest Ed. I can call you when Buck wakes up."

"Bobby I---."

"I know you want to have everyone together, but it's for the best right now to have a little space and rest. You won't be any good to yourself or anyone if you don't take care of yourself first."

The younger firefighter wanted to argue. He wanted to push back and make Bobby see why he needed to stay.

But deep down, he knew the older fire captain was right. He was exhausted and it was pulling on his injuries. He could probably fall asleep in the chair he was sitting in and be perfectly content until he woke up sore.

Bobby nodded to the door. "I can take you home and be back in no time."

After a few more seconds, Eddie carefully pushed himself up. He snagged his crutch from a nearby wall then followed the older fire captain out of the room, guilt pulling at him in the process.

The drive home was quiet. It was late, both men were exhausted, and neither really felt like talking. However, something kept pulling in Eddie's gut. Something was wrong and he didn't know what.

He tried to ignore it. He really did.

First, he chalked it up as exhaustion making him overthink.

Then he reasoned a quick clean up should help him relax.

After that, he turned on a show to help take his mind off of things.

Yet, every time, his gut still pulled him to go back to the hospital.

Eddie tried to shift to a more comfortable spot, a grimace pulling at his face. Focus on rest.

That's when his phone started to buzz.

When the brown haired firefighter picked it up and saw Bobby's name and number on screen, his anxiety spiked again.

Immediately, Eddie muted the show and answered the call. "Bobby."

"He's gone."

Time slowed. "Who's gone?"

"Buck." Bobby was moving around on the other end of the phone. "I came back and he wasn't here. The nurses think he took off shortly after we left."

A slight twinge of relief shot through Eddie. He meant that type of gone.

"We've been searching the hospital and there's no sign of him."

"He's not here either," Eddie explained. "But I'll keep an ear out in case he shows up."

"Please do."

Eddie lifted his head, the hair on his arm sticking up straight as the back door quietly closed. "Call you back Cap."

"Talk to you later."

As soon as he hit end call, Eddie typed 911 then stood. Shuffling could be heard in the kitchen as the brown haired firefighter quietly hopped his way over to the dining room doorway. He pressed himself flat against the wall when he heard someone shuffling toward the same entrance.

Just as the firefighter was debating how hard he would need to hit someone with a crutch to knock them out, Buck ducked around the corner.

"Buck."

The blonde turned and froze.

"You're supposed to be in the hospital." Eddie shifted on the wall, keeping his foot there for balance. "What are you doing here?"

Buck moved toward him "I need to talk to you."

Eddie stopped him by holding up his hand. "What you need is to go back to the hospital."

"The hospital can wait---."

"No it cannot." The brown haired firefighter of the duo snagged his crutch. "I'm calling Bobby and you're going back. And you owe him an apology for scaring him half to death."

"What I need is for you to listen---."

Eddie grabbed the blonde's arm. When he rotated it, he found the under side of Buck's sleeve soaked with blood.

The brown haired firefighter glared up at Buck. "Where was your IV put in?"

"Near the crook of my elbow, but---."

Eddie shoved him toward the couch. "Sit down. I'll get the first aid kit."

Buck righted himself. "No Eddie, you should rest. I'll---."

The brown haired firefighter held up his hand. "You've done enough."

The room went silent as Eddie stalked off toward the bathroom with his crutch and Buck sank down onto the couch.

Anger and frustration rolled through Eddie. Buck was an idiot. He just had to do things his way.

Eddie paused to grip the side of the downstairs bathroom sink. He took a breath in through his nose then out through his mouth. Yes, Buck was an idiot, but he always had a reason for acting the way that he did. In his mind, it made perfect sense, often leading to impulsive decisions. In everyone else's mind, the logic and reasoning behind the act took a minute to process.

Buck wasn't always right, but he did have a reason. Eddie just had to find out what the reason was.

The brown haired firefighter reached for the first aid kit.

A muffled sniff reached his ear.

Eddie paused. The house was quiet again, but he knew what he heard.

A moment later, the sound came again.

Slowly, Eddie stood back up, balancing the first aid kit in between his broken arm and chest. He followed the sounds back toward the living room to find Buck still sitting on the couch alone.

When Eddie looked closer, he noticed the blonde's shoulders were hunched inwards. His good hand was pressed up to his forehead and a few quiet sobs were slipping out.

"Hey."

Immediately, the sobs fell quiet and Buck scrubbed his face.

"You okay?" Eddie asked next.

"I'm fine," the blonde replied tersely.

Eddie felt a few more shreds of anger and frustration leave his body. He slowly made his way up to the couch. "I know things have been rough between us---."

"Rough?" Buck jumped up from the couch, whirling on the brown haired firefighter. "There's no I in team Eddie. You jumped down my throat with that the moment I came back from the lawsuit."

Eddie paused.

"You don't just get to move and expect everyone to act like everything is fine. You don't get to go on and on about how you're doing this for your family while also turning your back on them. You don't get to build a connection for six years and then suddenly act like they don't matter in this at all."

"That's not true," the brown haired firefighter fired back. "I wanted to wait to tell, but you couldn't keep your big mouth shut."

"You wanted to wait for you, not for us."

"Because I knew it was going to hurt."

"Because it was convenient for you until you 'had all your ducks in a row'."

Another wave of anger shot through Eddie. "What is wrong with you? You were completely fine with this and then you weren't."

Buck moved around the couch. "I was never fine with it."

"Then why act like it?"

"What difference would it have made Eddie? Give me one thing it would have changed had I said anything?"

The brown haired firefighter stayed quiet.

"You can't even give me a straight answer. You already had it in your mind that six years didn't matter anymore and you were just going to do what you wanted no matter if it hurt someone else."

"Oh, so you do get it?"

"Get what?"

"You do the exact same thing. You go off and do what you think is right with no thought for anyone else in your team. You're literally standing here right now while the rest of your family is out there scared half to death that something's happened to you."

This time Buck went quiet.

"Grow up."

A glare appeared on the blonde's face. "You first."

Another shot of anger coarsed through Eddie's veins. "Why do you care so much if I leave?"

"I don't know Eddie. Maybe because for six years we've been a family and you didn't even have the guts to tell me you were thinking of leaving. You're leaving me behind and you don't even care."

"That's not true."

"Do you even care about me?"

"Of course I care Buck. You're family."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"Is this what this all about? You're upset with me because I didn't tell you I was moving before you found out?"

"No." The blonde turtled into his shoulders. "I'm just so sick of everyone leaving."

There was the reason.

Buck looked away. "I'm sorry. This isn't about me---."

"It is."

The blonde went quiet.

"You're tired of everyone moving on while you sit there spinning your wheels so you decided to take it out on me when I made a decision."

Buck's jaw dropped. "That's not---."

"Stop."

"You really think that way?"

Eddie made a correction noise in the back of his throat. "Stop before you say something else you regret."

"I don't regret what I said."

After a pause, Eddie motioned for him to continue.

"I'm not projecting on you because I feel stuck. I'm upset because everyone thinks it's okay to move on and not even talk about it. I'm tired of getting my hopes and emotions tied up with someone just for that person to---."

"Stomp on them like they don't even matter," Eddie interrupted.

Buck slowly went quiet. "Yeah."

With a sigh, Eddie moved closer to the couch. "I do know how that feels."

The blonde watched him.

"I felt the same way when Christopher moved to Texas."

Buck looked away.

"I know why he did it, and I do not balme him in the slightest for doing it." Eddie carefully placed the first aid kit on the coffee table in front of him. "Didn't make that sting hurt any less."

No response from the blonde.

"I do get it." Eddie motioned to him. "And I'm sorry I handled things the way that I did. You're right. There is no I in team and I didn't stop to think how this move would affect anyone else but me."

Buck finally lifted his head. "I'm trying to be happy for you Eddie. I do know how much Christopher means to you."

"I know." The brown haired firefighter eased himself down onto the couch. "You pointed out you've been there long enough to know."

The blonde looked guilty. "I didn't say that to make you feel guilty---."

"You did."

"No, I said it so you would understand why I was upset."

After a pause, Eddie patted the couch next to him. "Take a seat."

At first, Buck didn't move.

"Please?"

The blonde finally moved back to the couch.

"Take off your jacket," commanded Eddie while popping open the first aid kit.

The blonde carefully slid off the outer layer on his left arm. It showed black and blue bruises flaring up near the crook of his elbow. Dried blood and sweat stuck to his arm while still more blood was pooling out of a small pinprick spot on his skin.

Eddie used his teeth to carefully open a sanitary wipe. He spat the torn piece of packing to one side before carefully working the wipe out of the package.

Buck reached for the wipe. "I can---."

The brown haired man pulled Buck's arm into his lap before wiping around the small wound. "You yank it out with one hand?"

Buck hissed at the sting, tugging on his arm a bit.

"Hold still."

"You rub a cleaning wipe onto an open wound then tell them to hold still?"

Eddie purposefully dragged it directly onto the bruised and bleeding wound.

Buck yanked his arm with a pained cry. "Ow!"

"Whoops."

The blonde lifted his head to glare at Eddie.

"Talk to me." The brown haired firefighter took out a clean cotton pad and some medical tape next. "What's going through your mind?"

Buck hesitantly gave his arm back. "I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. This isn't about me. This is about what works for you and Christopher."

Eddie paused his work.

"You need to be there . . . I just wish I could be there with you."

The brown haired firefighter finally taped down the cotton pad with one hand. "I wish you could be there too."

Buck looked down at the lopsided cotton pad and uneven tape job. Slowly, his gaze lifted back up to Eddie. "I'm also sorry I've been such a pain through all of this. You just mean so much to me and it hurts losing you after losing Christopher."

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together. "You're not losing us."

"But you're moving."

"That doesn't mean you're losing either of us." The brown haired man squeezed Buck's shoulder. "Just means our relationship is changing."

The blonde blinked back more tears. "I'm going to miss both of you so much."

Eddie moved his arm around Buck's shoulders, pulling the blonde closer. "I can't speak for Chris, but I am definitely going to miss you too."

"You can always come back and visit."

Eddie smiled. "And you can come down and visit us."

"How's the new house? You said you flew down for the inspection."

"It's good. Needs a lot of work, but it's good."

"Christopher like it?"

". . . It's growing on him."

A smile ticked up the corner of Buck's mouth. "He hates it."

"He doesn't hate it."

The blonde gave his friend a look.

Eddie jerked his arm back. "Okay maybe a little, but that's because it's new."

Buck chuckled. "Sure."

In response, the brown haired firefighter shoved his friend to the side. "What do you know?"

However, Eddie couldn't hide the smile on his own face.

That's when another idea hit him. He grabbed his wallet off of the coffee table before fishing something out. A small piece of cold metal brushed against his fingers.

Eddie held it out to Buck. "Here."

The blonde noticed the silver house key glinting in Eddie's fingers.

"I made a couple copies at one of those Walmart kiosks. You'll need it when you come down to El Paso."

Buck held up his hand. "I can't---."

"Buck." Eddie pushed it toward him. "I want you to have it."

Hesitantly, the blonde grasped the key.

"You'll always be a part of my family." The brown haired firefighter rubbed Buck's upper back. "You're not getting rid of us that easily."

The blonde huffed out a chuckle. "Thank you."

"You're covered in sweat." Eddie patted Buck's back. "Go get changed. As soon as Bobby gets here, you are going back to the hospital."

"I don't have to."

"An infection doesn't go away by itself."

With a sigh, Buck carefully pushed himself up. "Be right back."

Eddie waited until the blonde had disappeared upstairs before he grabbed his phone. There was always a reason. Sometimes Eddie had to push to figure out what it was, but honestly, it kinda made sense.

If the roles were reversed, he'd probably be upset too.

He had just finished shooting Bobby a text when a knock came from the front door.

That was fast.

Yet when Eddie looked, the text hadn't even been read yet.

The knocking came again so the brown haired firefighter huffed and carefully pushed himself up. "Coming."

It took a couple extra seconds to clear the floor and make it to the door.

When he opened it, he found a familiar police sergeant standing on the front porch. "Hey Athena."

"Can I come in?"

Eddie took a step back so she could step inside. "Bobby send you?"

"No." Athena moved into the living room. "He doesn't know I'm here."

A buzz from Eddie's phone showed a confirmation. "Just got a text. He's on his way here now."

"Thought he was at the hospital with Buck."

"Well, Buck decided to be Houdini and left the hospital without telling anyone."

Athena's eyes went wide. "Do they know where he is?"

"He made his way back here." Eddie bumped the front door closed. "He's upstairs right now."

Athena crossed her arms.

"Hey Buck," Eddie called out. "We have company."

"Who is it?" Buck called back.

"Athena."

"Uh, give me a minute. I don't have my pants on."

"Why don't you have pants on yet?"

"You try getting changed with one hand."

Athena raised an eyebrow.

"Well hurry up and get them on" Eddie added.

There was a responding huff from upstairs.

The brown haired firefighter shook his head. "Gotta love family."

"Why is he here?" Athena diverted.

"He and I needed to talk."

"About your move?"

Eddie nodded. "I really should have handled this whole situation a lot better."

Athena squeezed his good arm. "Both of you should have, but you worked it out."

The younger firefighter smiled. "Yes we did."

From upstairs, a door closed before footsteps started squeaking down the stairs.

"Sorry to take so long," Buck sassed.

"Your sweatpants are on backwards," Athena pointed out.

"No they're not."

Eddie looked back up from Buck's backside and muttered, "Drawstrings don't go in the back."

Buck glared at Eddie next. "I was in a rush."

"Like you were in a rush to get out of the hospital?" Athena brought up.

The blonde quickly turned back to Athena. "No."

"Then why are you here Buckley?"

"I had to talk to Eddie."

"You couldn't have talked to him in the hospital?"

"You're giving me such a hard time." Buck jerked his chin toward her. "What are you doing here?"

The police sergeant froze.

"That's true." Eddie perked up. "Why are you here?"

". . . One of my officers got your distraught Dad kidnapper talking and they found something."

"What did they find?" Buck asked next.

"It wasn't at random that he found you Eddie. Someone tipped him off to where you were."

"He was paid," Eddie connected.

"Not with money. He was paid in revenge."

Buck caught something in the police sergeant's face. "You know who it was."

"We do."

"Who?" demanded Eddie.

"After the officer got the tip from the kidnapper, he did some digging and found the messages on his phone."

Eddie took her phone when she handed it out to him. His heart stopped when he saw the profile picture. ". . . Christopher?"

Athena nodded. "We tried to contact him and he wouldn't respond."

Immediately, Buck jumped in. "There's no way. I mean yeah, he and Eddie had a falling out, but he would never do something like that to his Dad."

Athena held up her hand. "I know."

The brown haired firefighter fought back tears as he looked back up at the police sergeant.

"We contacted your parents next and your Dad let us talk to him." Athena lowered her hand. "Christopher had both his IPad and phone taken away as a punishment and hadn't been able to access them all week. The messages in the chat would have lined up with the same time frame."

"Meaning Christopher couldn't have sent them," added Buck.

"Not unless he lied and snuck one of the two out when no one was looking. Which he claims he never did."

Eddie's blood started to boil. "Someone framed him."

"And we think we know who." Athena took her phone back from the younger firefighter and swiped to another photo. "This popped up in our searches."

When both Buck and Eddie looked at the phone, Athena had pulled up a screen shot. The message read 'Have to do homework. Can't talk or I'll be in trouble' along with a picture attachment. The picture showed a worksheet that had Christopher's handwriting on it, but no sign of the teen.

Eddie scanned the background then started. He recognized the person with long brown hair holding a phone in her hand reflecting in the stainless steel bowl on the table. Yanking the phone closer just made her more clear.

Buck immediately took the phone next. A similar expression of shock crossed his face. ". . . That's Helena."

"That's what it looks like," Athena added.

"She tried to sabotage you." Buck turned to Athena. "She could have gotten him killed."

"Which leads to a bigger problem."

The blonde whipped back to Eddie. "Christopher."

The brown haired man's body and brain finally kicked back in. "We have to get to El Paso."

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril Day 1: Hug

Fandom: OC

Pairing: Oliver and Perez

Summary: Perez has to give Oliver some not so great news.

Warning: Mentions of a death of family members.

(Perez and Oliver are two police officers ❤️ Oliver immigrated to America from Manchester UK to work for the American police force, and Perez has lived in America since he immigrated with his family at 4 years old ❤️ If you have any questions, let me know ❤️ :))

This trip had gone from bad to worse in a heartbeat. What was supposed to be an easy transition of Mrs. Harvey from her flat in Machester to her brother's home in Middleton had almost cost the younger officer his life.

If Perez had been a few seconds slower.

If the neighbor hadn't gotten to him when she did.

If Perez had come back when he was supposed to instead of an hour early.

The older officer had to grab hold of each of those thoughts as soon as they entered his mind. He had to take a breath, feel the thought, then let it go.

Dwelling on 'ifs' never led a person down the path they wanted to go. Instead, they morphed and bent until you had a panic inducing scenario that kept you up at night.

Perez needed to remember that Oliver was here. He was alive. He was safe.

But he may never be okay again.

Shifting from the bed pulled the older officer back into the hospital room. He looked up in time to see two blue-green eyes confusedly studying the hospital room.

"Hey."

Oliver's head immediately turned to the older officer. "Perez?"

"I'm here Ols."

". . . Am I in the hospital again?"

A huffed laugh left Perez. "Yep."

Oliver groaned and plopped his head further back on the pillows.

"Even in Manchester you can't escape them."

"I'm starting to hate them."

"I know." Perez's mouth lifted up into a wry grin. "Trust me, I hate them too."

Oliver chuckled and shifted so he could look Perez in the face.

He looks so much like his Dad.

A part of Perez's heart cracked.

"Perez?"

The older officer swallowed hard. "Yeah pibe?"

Oliver's face showed nothing but concern. "You alright?"

It took a moment before Perez could even force his mind into order, much less voice it.

"What happened?"

You have to say something.

Perez cleared his throat. "The doctors did an evaluation on your Mom."

"Did something happen to her?"

"Something's been happening to her Ols."

The blonde's eyebrows furrowed together.

"The psychiatry staff are testing her for schizophrenia."

Oliver's lips parted in shock.

"The episodes she's been having your entire life. The voices and sounds she was hearing that weren't really there. They were all in her head."

"So there's a reason for them?"

Perez nodded.

"Thank the Lord."

Now it was the older officer's turn to look confused.

"She just had a problem she needed help with. She isn't a monster."

Might want to rethink that.

"I still need to tell you something else," Aguilera blurted out next.

Oliver went quiet.

This next part wasn't going to be good.

Perez swallowed hard again. "Do you remember her attacking you?"

"Yeah."

"After she knocked you out . . . She threw you into the Irk."

"How did she get me down there?"

"Asked one of the boys on the neighboring flat to take some things down to her car. She took it from there and the police are still trying getting the pieces of how she did it out of her."

"Guess all those workouts did pay off," Oliver muttered.

"There's . . . still more."

The weight of the situation must have shown on his face because Oliver's facial features pinched.

A brief interruption came when the hospital room door opened. In stepped Oliver's Uncle, a bobby on the UK police force, wearing a firm expression. One look at Perez and the American officer immediately knew.

He's trying not to cry.

"Uncle George?" Oliver greeted.

"I was just about to tell him," explained Aguilera.

Officer Taylor nodded.

"Tell me what?" Oliver asked.

Perez slowly turned back to the younger officer. "The officers started examining the area where she thew you in and they found two more bodies submerged nearby."

The blonde's eyes widened ever so slightly, the only outward sign on his face.

"One had been there for a few years and the other was fairly recent."

Oliver's jaw went slack.

"They had to run a few tests and have a family member come in to identify them, but they were finally able to. The female was harder to identify at first because she had been under for so long, but the male still had discernable features."

Perez heard Oliver's Uncle move closer to the bed behind him.

Then he dropped the next bomb of news he had. "The male was your Dad."

Shock spread across Oliver's face while the news sunk in.

Perez forced his own emotions back. "The female was confirmed to be your sister. It looked like---like each time your Mom had one of her episodes and attacked, just like she did to your Uncle. She went too far and killed both of them."

For several long seconds, Oliver said and did nothing. His eyes stared blankly ahead, not seeing anything.

A hand gently squeezed Aguilera's shoulder. He hadn't realized a couple tears had slipped out of his own eyes.

So he quickly brushed them away and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry pibe. I wish things could have come out differently."

"She wouldn't." Oliver shook his head. "She wouldn't do . . . She was violent but . . ."

"He's telling the truth Ols," George finally spoke up, his voice thick with emotion.

"How do you know?"

"Because I was there when they pulled them out, and I was there when they conducted her interrogation."

"So? That doesn't . . . She's my Mum!"

"She's my sister Ols." George shifted closer. "I would know if she was lying."

Oliver shook his head, turning away from the two.

Before either Perez or George could piece together their next thought, a sob rocked through the blonde officer. His knees yanked up to his chest. His face buried into his hands as more sobs bubbled out into the room.

Immediately, Aguilera rushed forward to sit on the bed, pulling the blonde into his arms. He squeezed the younger as tight as he could.

Oliver's Dad Cade had been the kindest man Perez had ever met. He loved everyone, even his own ex-wife, with a heart that was a big as he was. When Perez closed his eyes, he could see his bright smile and feel his strong arms in the hug he'd gripped him in.

For months, Oliver had hoped his Dad was just busy with his Mom and that's why he couldn't respond. There was a part of Perez that hoped the same thing even though it just seemed uncharacteristic of the older Harvey.

Now he squeezed Oliver tight, coming to terms with the idea that none of them would ever see him again.

Another set of arms joined the impromptu group hug. George's weight settled in across from Aguilera.

The only sounds filling the hospital room were Oliver's sobs. Gorge pressed his forehead against his nephew's temple. He murmured a few soothing words into his ears.

"I'm sorry kid," Perez also soothed. "Estoy aquí para ti."

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril: Day 2 and 14: Lies and Lost/Found

Fandom: 9-1-1 (Sequel to Day 29 and 30)

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: Buck and Eddie confront each other.

(This is technically a part of Whumpril, but I got ahead of myself and wanted to post these now ❤️ I'll reblog them on the corresponding days next month ❤️ It was not intentional for all three prompts to go together, but they kinda ended up that way ❤️ Hope you enjoy ❤️:))

Eddie felt hopeless.

He had to watch as his best friend started seizing from the too high fever racking his body. He had to watch while nurses wrestled him onto a stretcher to try to keep his injuries still. He had to watch

He had to turn away when he heard his name slip past the blonde's lips. He had to stay turned away when the nurses started scrambling after Buck had slipped into unconsciousness.

Now the brown haired firefighter found himself being forced to look at Buck's too still form lying on the hospital bed.

"Did you hear what I asked?"

Eddie started. His eyes drifted past Buck to Bobby sitting in the chair on the other side of the bed. "Sorry no. I zoned out."

Bobby smiled in understanding. "I asked if you wanted me to take you home."

The younger of the two shook his head. "No, I'm alright."

"You sure."

"I'm fine Bobby."

Both of the fire captain's eyebrows slid up a bit.

"I just want to be here in case he wakes up."

"I'm sure he'll understand."

Eddie scrubbed his face. "I'm not going anywhere."

Bobby didn't ask for an explanation.

But Eddie kept going anyway. "Buck was right. I did just move like nothing even mattered."

"It's not for nothing."

"Of course not . . . But I could have handled it so much better."

"How?"

"I should have been honest from the start. Maybe sat down and talked with all of you instead of just springing it on everyone."

Bobby nodded to Buck. "Didn't he 'help' with that?"

"He wouldn't have had to if I'd said it first."

"Why did you need to tell us anything?"

Eddie looked back up at the fire captain. "Because all of you have been the closest thing to a family that I've ever had."

Bobby's gaze softened.

"You don't walk away from family."

"Eddie, we support whatever decision you want to make. Christopher's your son. Of course you want to be there for him."

"But I don't want to leave behind my family here. That's been the problem right from the start."

Bobby fell quiet.

Meanwhile, Eddie found his gaze turning back to Buck. He still looked way to still.

The brown haired firefighter shook his head and forced his attention back on Bobby. "I need my family. Together."

"We're always a phone call or FaceTime away," the fire captain assured him.

"That didn't work with Christopher and it's not going to work with anyone else too."

"Eddie."

"I need everyone together."

Bobby's gaze softened again. "Go home and get some rest Ed. I can call you when Buck wakes up."

"Bobby I---."

"I know you want to have everyone together, but it's for the best right now to have a little space and rest. You won't be any good to yourself or anyone if you don't take care of yourself first."

The younger firefighter wanted to argue. He wanted to push back and make Bobby see why he needed to stay.

But deep down, he knew the older fire captain was right. He was exhausted and it was pulling on his injuries. He could probably fall asleep in the chair he was sitting in and be perfectly content until he woke up sore.

Bobby nodded to the door. "I can take you home and be back in no time."

After a few more seconds, Eddie carefully pushed himself up. He snagged his crutch from a nearby wall then followed the older fire captain out of the room, guilt pulling at him in the process.

The drive home was quiet. It was late, both men were exhausted, and neither really felt like talking. However, something kept pulling in Eddie's gut. Something was wrong and he didn't know what.

He tried to ignore it. He really did.

First, he chalked it up as exhaustion making him overthink.

Then he reasoned a quick clean up should help him relax.

After that, he turned on a show to help take his mind off of things.

Yet, every time, his gut still pulled him to go back to the hospital.

Eddie tried to shift to a more comfortable spot, a grimace pulling at his face. Focus on rest.

That's when his phone started to buzz.

When the brown haired firefighter picked it up and saw Bobby's name and number on screen, his anxiety spiked again.

Immediately, Eddie muted the show and answered the call. "Bobby."

"He's gone."

Time slowed. "Who's gone?"

"Buck." Bobby was moving around on the other end of the phone. "I came back and he wasn't here. The nurses think he took off shortly after we left."

A slight twinge of relief shot through Eddie. He meant that type of gone.

"We've been searching the hospital and there's no sign of him."

"He's not here either," Eddie explained. "But I'll keep an ear out in case he shows up."

"Please do."

Eddie lifted his head, the hair on his arm sticking up straight as the back door quietly closed. "Call you back Cap."

"Talk to you later."

As soon as he hit end call, Eddie typed 911 then stood. Shuffling could be heard in the kitchen as the brown haired firefighter quietly hopped his way over to the dining room doorway. He pressed himself flat against the wall when he heard someone shuffling toward the same entrance.

Just as the firefighter was debating how hard he would need to hit someone with a crutch to knock them out, Buck ducked around the corner.

"Buck."

The blonde turned and froze.

"You're supposed to be in the hospital." Eddie shifted on the wall, keeping his foot there for balance. "What are you doing here?"

Buck moved toward him "I need to talk to you."

Eddie stopped him by holding up his hand. "What you need is to go back to the hospital."

"The hospital can wait---."

"No it cannot." The brown haired firefighter of the duo snagged his crutch. "I'm calling Bobby and you're going back. And you owe him an apology for scaring him half to death."

"What I need is for you to listen---."

Eddie grabbed the blonde's arm. When he rotated it, he found the under side of Buck's sleeve soaked with blood.

The brown haired firefighter glared up at Buck. "Where was your IV put in?"

"Near the crook of my elbow, but---."

Eddie shoved him toward the couch. "Sit down. I'll get the first aid kit."

Buck righted himself. "No Eddie, you should rest. I'll---."

The brown haired firefighter held up his hand. "You've done enough."

The room went silent as Eddie stalked off toward the bathroom with his crutch and Buck sank down onto the couch.

Anger and frustration rolled through Eddie. Buck was an idiot. He just had to do things his way.

Eddie paused to grip the side of the downstairs bathroom sink. He took a breath in through his nose then out through his mouth. Yes, Buck was an idiot, but he always had a reason for acting the way that he did. In his mind, it made perfect sense, often leading to impulsive decisions. In everyone else's mind, the logic and reasoning behind the act took a minute to process.

Buck wasn't always right, but he did have a reason. Eddie just had to find out what the reason was.

The brown haired firefighter reached for the first aid kit.

A muffled sniff reached his ear.

Eddie paused. The house was quiet again, but he knew what he heard.

A moment later, the sound came again.

Slowly, Eddie stood back up, balancing the first aid kit in between his broken arm and chest. He followed the sounds back toward the living room to find Buck still sitting on the couch alone.

When Eddie looked closer, he noticed the blonde's shoulders were hunched inwards. His good hand was pressed up to his forehead and a few quiet sobs were slipping out.

"Hey."

Immediately, the sobs fell quiet and Buck scrubbed his face.

"You okay?" Eddie asked next.

"I'm fine," the blonde replied tersely.

Eddie felt a few more shreds of anger and frustration leave his body. He slowly made his way up to the couch. "I know things have been rough between us---."

"Rough?" Buck jumped up from the couch, whirling on the brown haired firefighter. "There's no I in team Eddie. You jumped down my throat with that the moment I came back from the lawsuit."

Eddie paused.

"You don't just get to move and expect everyone to act like everything is fine. You don't get to go on and on about how you're doing this for your family while also turning your back on them. You don't get to build a connection for six years and then suddenly act like they don't matter in this at all."

"That's not true," the brown haired firefighter fired back. "I wanted to wait to tell, but you couldn't keep your big mouth shut."

"You wanted to wait for you, not for us."

"Because I knew it was going to hurt."

"Because it was convenient for you until you 'had all your ducks in a row'."

Another wave of anger shot through Eddie. "What is wrong with you? You were completely fine with this and then you weren't."

Buck moved around the couch. "I was never fine with it."

"Then why act like it?"

"What difference would it have made Eddie? Give me one thing it would have changed had I said anything?"

The brown haired firefighter stayed quiet.

"You can't even give me a straight answer. You already had it in your mind that six years didn't matter anymore and you were just going to do what you wanted no matter if it hurt someone else."

"Oh, so you do get it?"

"Get what?"

"You do the exact same thing. You go off and do what you think is right with no thought for anyone else in your team. You're literally standing here right now while the rest of your family is out there scared half to death that something's happened to you."

This time Buck went quiet.

"Grow up."

A glare appeared on the blonde's face. "You first."

Another shot of anger coarsed through Eddie's veins. "Why do you care so much if I leave?"

"I don't know Eddie. Maybe because for six years we've been a family and you didn't even have the guts to tell me you were thinking of leaving. You're leaving me behind and you don't even care."

"That's not true."

"Do you even care about me?"

"Of course I care Buck. You're family."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"Is this what this all about? You're upset with me because I didn't tell you I was moving before you found out?"

"No." The blonde turtled into his shoulders. "I'm just so sick of everyone leaving."

There was the reason.

Buck looked away. "I'm sorry. This isn't about me---."

"It is."

The blonde went quiet.

"You're tired of everyone moving on while you sit there spinning your wheels so you decided to take it out on me when I made a decision."

Buck's jaw dropped. "That's not---."

"Stop."

"You really think that way?"

Eddie made a correction noise in the back of his throat. "Stop before you say something else you regret."

"I don't regret what I said."

After a pause, Eddie motioned for him to continue.

"I'm not projecting on you because I feel stuck. I'm upset because everyone thinks it's okay to move on and not even talk about it. I'm tired of getting my hopes and emotions tied up with someone just for that person to---."

"Stomp on them like they don't even matter," Eddie interrupted.

Buck slowly went quiet. "Yeah."

With a sigh, Eddie moved closer to the couch. "I do know how that feels."

The blonde watched him.

"I felt the same way when Christopher moved to Texas."

Buck looked away.

"I know why he did it, and I do not balme him in the slightest for doing it." Eddie carefully placed the first aid kit on the coffee table in front of him. "Didn't make that sting hurt any less."

No response from the blonde.

"I do get it." Eddie motioned to him. "And I'm sorry I handled things the way that I did. You're right. There is no I in team and I didn't stop to think how this move would affect anyone else but me."

Buck finally lifted his head. "I'm trying to be happy for you Eddie. I do know how much Christopher means to you."

"I know." The brown haired firefighter eased himself down onto the couch. "You pointed out you've been there long enough to know."

The blonde looked guilty. "I didn't say that to make you feel guilty---."

"You did."

"No, I said it so you would understand why I was upset."

After a pause, Eddie patted the couch next to him. "Take a seat."

At first, Buck didn't move.

"Please?"

The blonde finally moved back to the couch.

"Take off your jacket," commanded Eddie while popping open the first aid kit.

The blonde carefully slid off the outer layer on his left arm. It showed black and blue bruises flaring up near the crook of his elbow. Dried blood and sweat stuck to his arm while still more blood was pooling out of a small pinprick spot on his skin.

Eddie used his teeth to carefully open a sanitary wipe. He spat the torn piece of packing to one side before carefully working the wipe out of the package.

Buck reached for the wipe. "I can---."

The brown haired man pulled Buck's arm into his lap before wiping around the small wound. "You yank it out with one hand?"

Buck hissed at the sting, tugging on his arm a bit.

"Hold still."

"You rub a cleaning wipe onto an open wound then tell them to hold still?"

Eddie purposefully dragged it directly onto the bruised and bleeding wound.

Buck yanked his arm with a pained cry. "Ow!"

"Whoops."

The blonde lifted his head to glare at Eddie.

"Talk to me." The brown haired firefighter took out a clean cotton pad and some medical tape next. "What's going through your mind?"

Buck hesitantly gave his arm back. "I'm sorry I've been such a jerk. This isn't about me. This is about what works for you and Christopher."

Eddie paused his work.

"You need to be there . . . I just wish I could be there with you."

The brown haired firefighter finally taped down the cotton pad with one hand. "I wish you could be there too."

Buck looked down at the lopsided cotton pad and uneven tape job. Slowly, his gaze lifted back up to Eddie. "I'm also sorry I've been such a pain through all of this. You just mean so much to me and it hurts losing you after losing Christopher."

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together. "You're not losing us."

"But you're moving."

"That doesn't mean you're losing either of us." The brown haired man squeezed Buck's shoulder. "Just means our relationship is changing."

The blonde blinked back more tears. "I'm going to miss both of you so much."

Eddie moved his arm around Buck's shoulders, pulling the blonde closer. "I can't speak for Chris, but I am definitely going to miss you too."

"You can always come back and visit."

Eddie smiled. "And you can come down and visit us."

"How's the new house? You said you flew down for the inspection."

"It's good. Needs a lot of work, but it's good."

"Christopher like it?"

". . . It's growing on him."

A smile ticked up the corner of Buck's mouth. "He hates it."

"He doesn't hate it."

The blonde gave his friend a look.

Eddie jerked his arm back. "Okay maybe a little, but that's because it's new."

Buck chuckled. "Sure."

In response, the brown haired firefighter shoved his friend to the side. "What do you know?"

However, Eddie couldn't hide the smile on his own face.

That's when another idea hit him. He grabbed his wallet off of the coffee table before fishing something out. A small piece of cold metal brushed against his fingers.

Eddie held it out to Buck. "Here."

The blonde noticed the silver house key glinting in Eddie's fingers.

"I made a couple copies at one of those Walmart kiosks. You'll need it when you come down to El Paso."

Buck held up his hand. "I can't---."

"Buck." Eddie pushed it toward him. "I want you to have it."

Hesitantly, the blonde grasped the key.

"You'll always be a part of my family." The brown haired firefighter rubbed Buck's upper back. "You're not getting rid of us that easily."

The blonde huffed out a chuckle. "Thank you."

"You're covered in sweat." Eddie patted Buck's back. "Go get changed. As soon as Bobby gets here, you are going back to the hospital."

"I don't have to."

"An infection doesn't go away by itself."

With a sigh, Buck carefully pushed himself up. "Be right back."

Eddie waited until the blonde had disappeared upstairs before he grabbed his phone. There was always a reason. Sometimes Eddie had to push to figure out what it was, but honestly, it kinda made sense.

If the roles were reversed, he'd probably be upset too.

He had just finished shooting Bobby a text when a knock came from the front door.

That was fast.

Yet when Eddie looked, the text hadn't even been read yet.

The knocking came again so the brown haired firefighter huffed and carefully pushed himself up. "Coming."

It took a couple extra seconds to clear the floor and make it to the door.

When he opened it, he found a familiar police sergeant standing on the front porch. "Hey Athena."

"Can I come in?"

Eddie took a step back so she could step inside. "Bobby send you?"

"No." Athena moved into the living room. "He doesn't know I'm here."

A buzz from Eddie's phone showed a confirmation. "Just got a text. He's on his way here now."

"Thought he was at the hospital with Buck."

"Well, Buck decided to be Houdini and left the hospital without telling anyone."

Athena's eyes went wide. "Do they know where he is?"

"He made his way back here." Eddie bumped the front door closed. "He's upstairs right now."

Athena crossed her arms.

"Hey Buck," Eddie called out. "We have company."

"Who is it?" Buck called back.

"Athena."

"Uh, give me a minute. I don't have my pants on."

"Why don't you have pants on yet?"

"You try getting changed with one hand."

Athena raised an eyebrow.

"Well hurry up and get them on" Eddie added.

There was a responding huff from upstairs.

The brown haired firefighter shook his head. "Gotta love family."

"Why is he here?" Athena diverted.

"He and I needed to talk."

"About your move?"

Eddie nodded. "I really should have handled this whole situation a lot better."

Athena squeezed his good arm. "Both of you should have, but you worked it out."

The younger firefighter smiled. "Yes we did."

From upstairs, a door closed before footsteps started squeaking down the stairs.

"Sorry to take so long," Buck sassed.

"Your sweatpants are on backwards," Athena pointed out.

"No they're not."

Eddie looked back up from Buck's backside and muttered, "Drawstrings don't go in the back."

Buck glared at Eddie next. "I was in a rush."

"Like you were in a rush to get out of the hospital?" Athena brought up.

The blonde quickly turned back to Athena. "No."

"Then why are you here Buckley?"

"I had to talk to Eddie."

"You couldn't have talked to him in the hospital?"

"You're giving me such a hard time." Buck jerked his chin toward her. "What are you doing here?"

The police sergeant froze.

"That's true." Eddie perked up. "Why are you here?"

". . . One of my officers got your distraught Dad kidnapper talking and they found something."

"What did they find?" Buck asked next.

"It wasn't at random that he found you Eddie. Someone tipped him off to where you were."

"He was paid," Eddie connected.

"Not with money. He was paid in revenge."

Buck caught something in the police sergeant's face. "You know who it was."

"We do."

"Who?" demanded Eddie.

"After the officer got the tip from the kidnapper, he did some digging and found the messages on his phone."

Eddie took her phone when she handed it out to him. His heart stopped when he saw the profile picture. ". . . Christopher?"

Athena nodded. "We tried to contact him and he wouldn't respond."

Immediately, Buck jumped in. "There's no way. I mean yeah, he and Eddie had a falling out, but he would never do something like that to his Dad."

Athena held up her hand. "I know."

The brown haired firefighter fought back tears as he looked back up at the police sergeant.

"We contacted your parents next and your Dad let us talk to him." Athena lowered her hand. "Christopher had both his IPad and phone taken away as a punishment and hadn't been able to access them all week. The messages in the chat would have lined up with the same time frame."

"Meaning Christopher couldn't have sent them," added Buck.

"Not unless he lied and snuck one of the two out when no one was looking. Which he claims he never did."

Eddie's blood started to boil. "Someone framed him."

"And we think we know who." Athena took her phone back from the younger firefighter and swiped to another photo. "This popped up in our searches."

When both Buck and Eddie looked at the phone, Athena had pulled up a screen shot. The message read 'Have to do homework. Can't talk or I'll be in trouble' along with a picture attachment. The picture showed a worksheet that had Christopher's handwriting on it, but no sign of the teen.

Eddie scanned the background then started. He recognized the person with long brown hair holding a phone in her hand reflecting in the stainless steel bowl on the table. Yanking the phone closer just made her more clear.

Buck immediately took the phone next. A similar expression of shock crossed his face. ". . . That's Helena."

"That's what it looks like," Athena added.

"She tried to sabotage you." Buck turned to Athena. "She could have gotten him killed."

"Which leads to a bigger problem."

The blonde whipped back to Eddie. "Christopher."

The brown haired man's body and brain finally kicked back in. "We have to get to El Paso."

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril Day 30: "I'm/You're not going anywhere."

Fandom: 9-1-1 (Sequel to Day 29)

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: Buck gets a fever and Eddie has to assure him that he's not going anywhere.

(These are supposed to be a part of Whumpril, but I got ahead of myself and wanted to post them now ❤️ I'll reblog on the corresponding days next month ❤️ What happens in this fic is different than what happens in the show ❤️ :))

It had been a few days since the blonde had helped rescue Eddie from the cabin of the disgruntled Dad. Once the two got out, they had been taken to the hospital then sent back to LA for rest.

Eddie had to call his parents to tell Christopher he would be a few days late. When the teen pushed with questions, Eddie then had to break the news of what had happened.

Buck had been there for the entire call.

Eddie had to have surgery. Several ribs were badly fractured and the doctors wanted to make sure he hadn't punctured his lungs nor was he having any internal bleeding.

Buck had been there in the room when he'd woken up.

Eddie had to stay in the hospital overnight. The doctors wanted to monitor him and make sure nothing progressed.

Even with the starts of a mild fever, Buck had camped out in one of those hard plastic chairs all night long.

When Eddie had finally been released, Buck had made sure he'd gotten taken back to his LA home and recovered his lost U-Haul. By then, the fever had gotten much worse, but Buck hadn't brought it up. He kept pushing everything down to make sure Eddie was okay.

Eddie had to be okay. He had to get Christopher. Buck could take care of himself later.

But now all that work was coming to a halt when his fever spiked.

Hen and Chimney had practically wrangled him into bed so he could rest. On the hopes the blonde actually listened, they'd hung threats of handcuffing his good arm in the air if he didn't listen.

With a huff and a pout, Buck stayed in bed and eventually fell asleep.

When he awoke, he had no idea where he was.

Buck had only been living in Eddie's house for roughly a few days. He was still adjusting to waking up there every day and not in the loft.

A layer of shadows crept in during the late night hour, making the space even more unfamiliar to his feverish mind.

The blonde crept downstairs. Again, nothing down here looked like the loft. Nothing looked familiar.

Then he bumped into something.

Buck placed a hand on the couch back to steady himself. Something about it triggered a memory in his mind.

"Buck, you hear from Eddie?"

"No. Should I?"

"No one's heard from him all day."

"He probably just caught up with something. Here, let me call him."

But Eddie hadn't picked up the call. Or the one after that. Or even the third. On the fourth missed call, Buck knew something was off.

He had gone somewhere after that? Hadn't he?

The blonde sluggishly moved toward the kitchen in the hopes of triggering another memory. Something that could tell him where he'd gone or maybe even where he was.

His feet felt the shift from hard wood to cool tile, but his brain took a minute to catch up.

By the time he stopped, Buck was mere inches from the dining table.

"Anything?"

"Still nothing Chimney."

"Police are out searching now. They'll find him."

"I hope so."

Eddie. He had to find Eddie.

Hadn't he snuck out after that call? Gone off in search of something?

Fever ridden blue eyes traveled across the table and up to the back door.

He saw himself snagging his keys off the dining table.

Him shoving them into his jacket pocket.

Him quitely stepping out the back door because someone else was in the living room.

Who had he been trying to avoid? And why? Had they been trying to stop him for some reason?

The same bleary eyes scanned the kitchen area before landing on an empty kitchen chair that had been left out.

The cabin.

The smell of dry grass around him as he wound his way closer.

The sounds of near death like quiet as he reached for the handle.

The air whooshing out of his lungs when he saw the strange figure making his way toward Eddie's beaten form with a crowbar.

Eddie was in danger.

Buck raced back into the living room. "I have to go find him."

"You're not going anywhere."

The blonde immediately froze. He knew who that was standing by the door. He'd seen him before.

The figure set down what he was holding. "Buck, it's me. It's Chim."

"Eddie."

"Eddie's okay. He was just getting checked out by the doctors to see how he was healing."

"Where is he?"

"He's just outside."

Outside. He needed to get outside.

Chimney must have seen it in his face because he moved closer to the front door. "Don't run. He'll be in here in a moment."

The back door.

"Just take a breath and sit---."

Buck turned and bolted.

He heard Chimney calling out after him then shouting to whoever was outside. But Buck didn't stop.

Eddie was outside. He had to find Eddie.

He wrenched the back door open so fast it rattled whatever was hanging on the walls.

He ran as fast as he could into the backyard and around the side of the house.

He heard several voices calling his name.

One of them sounded familiar.

The blonde froze. "Eddie?"

"Buck!"

Buck ran toward the voice. "Eddie."

"Buck!"

Buck's bleary eyes frantically looked around.

He heard Eddie talking to someone else before his voice called out to him again. "Buck!"

That's when the blonde found him supporting himself against the side of a car.

"Over here!"

A wave of relief crashed over Buck as he raced toward the ex-Army medic. "Eddie!"

A second later, Buck had the brown haired firefighter snagged in a one arm hug. Then he immediately broke into sobs.

For a few seconds, Eddie just stood there. Finally, he found got his one good arm up in a return hug. "Hey . . . You okay?"

Buck shook his head.

"What happened?"

"I lost you."

"You didn't lose me Cowboy." Eddie's fingers brushed up against his forehead.

Buck jerked his head into the crook of the brown haired man's neck.

Eddie stayed quiet for a minute, switching to rubbing the blonde's back. He then spoke to someone next to them.

"He's burning up Cap."

A new set of fingers gently pressed into his forehead.

Buck jumped away.

Eddie's hand grabbed his good arm. "Wow wow wow, it's okay. It's Bobby."

Bleary blue eyes found the captain's concerned brown ones.

"You alright in there?" asked Bobby.

Buck didn't respond.

The older fire captain hesitantly reached forward. "I need you to come sit down."

The blonde yanked himself away from his hand.

Bobby immediately held it up. "It's okay. It's okay."

Buck scrubbed at his eye with the heel of his shaking palm. Breathing was becoming very difficult right now.

"You can stay with Eddie, but I need you to come sit down."

Why did he need to sit down?

Buck's body involuntarily sank to a sitting position on the ground.

Oh yeah. That's probably why.

Several faces moved in around him. Way too close for his liking.

Then one of them grabbed his good arm.

"No." Buck tried to fight them off. "Get off!"

"Buck, it's Hen." The hand returned. "We need to---."

Buck kept fighting. "No!"

"He's out of it." Another set of hands helped Hen. "Freaked out inside too."

The blonde swung a right hook in that direction, crying out in pain.

"Buck, stop." A third set of hands grabbed his shoulders. "You're going to hurt yourself even more."

"No!"

"Alright, everyone back up!"

A moment later, all the faces pulled back. Then Eddie disappeared.

"Eddie?" called Buck.

The brown haired man stuck his head out of the backseat of the car. "Buck, come on. We need to get in here."

Shakily, the blonde pulled himself up to his feet.

Eddie carefully slid along the backseat, making room for Buck to get in.

A moment later, the door shut trapping them inside.

It was dark in the car. Very little light shone in from the moon and the various street lights outside.

Buck scooted as close as he could to Eddie, ready to protect him if any of those faces came back.

He wasn't loosing him again.

"It's okay." Eddie's fingers squeezed his shoulder. "It's Bobby car."

"Bobby?" Buck's eyes furrowed together. "When did he get here?"

". . . Where are we right now?"

Bleary blue eyes darted around. "I don't know . . . All I know is that guy could be back soon."

"That deranged guy with the crowbar?"

"Yeah."

"Buck, look at me."

The blonde shook his head. He had to stay vigilant in the bumpy car.

The blonde's vision moved down. Wait, why was it bumpy?

He jumped at a sudden turn.

"It's okay." Eddie gently squeezed again. "We're just taking a drive with Bobby."

Buck relaxed a tiny bit when he realized they weren't in any immediate danger, but that was as far as he got.

"Look at me for a second."

Reluctantly, Buck peeled his eyes away from the seat and turned to look at Eddie.

Two warm brown eyes found his anxious blue ones.

Four fingers gently squeezed his shoulder.

One long thumb calmly came up to rest on his pulse point.

"Listen, that guy is gone."

Buck stayed quiet.

"He's in police custody. Once his side is healed up enough, they're going to put him behind bars. He won't be able to hurt me or you anymore."

Buck's bleary eyes drifted to his hands.

He heard Eddie begging behind him.

He felt his fingers grip a sharp piece of wood.

He felt himself roll.

He felt the piece of wood sink into flesh.

"I stabbed him."

"You did. You saved us."

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

"No ties here. Everything that matters is in Texas."

El Paso.

Buck shrugged out of the hold.

"What's wrong?"

"Christopher."

"He's in El Paso."

Eddie had been driving to El Paso the day he had been captured. His U-Haul was sitting outside the house.

The blonde clumsily scrambled for the handle. "You have to go."

"Go where?"

Buck finally secured the handle, but it wouldn't open. "El Paso."

"Wow there Cowboy." Eddie's fingers pulled his arm away the door. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But Christopher---."

"Will have to wait until I'm cleared by the doctors."

The word doctor immediately pulled Eddie's injuries into focus.

His face was covered in bruises.

His lip was badly split.

His left arm and right leg were wrapped in casts.

His movements made his face wince as they tugged on his ribs.

Buck looked down at his own right arm covered in plaster and a sling. He could feel his pulse painfully pounding on his own ribs now too. And the sore goose egg on the back of his head.

"I can't go anywhere right now."

The blonde deflated. "But you still have to go."

". . . I don't know."

Buck's attention immediately snapped back up.

Eddie sighed. "I was lying to myself just as much as I was lying to those renters. I do have ties here in LA."

"But Christopher's---."

"In El Paso. I know." The dark haired man turned his full attention back to Buck. "But the 118 is here. And so are you."

"I'm not a part of the 118?"

"You are, but you're also so much more." Eddie squeezed his bicep. "And despite what you might think or if you'll even remember this, it does matter what you feel about this whole thing. So you gotta be honest with me."

"Christopher needs you more than me."

Eddie shook his head. "He's a tough kid. He doesn't need me."

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

"Guess both of you have something in common," Buck mumbled while pulling his arm away.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Both of you don't need anyone. You'll be fine all on your own."

Eddie glanced up at the driver's seat then back at the blonde. "I do need you Buck."

"That's not true."

"Yes it is."

"Christopher needs you."

"He's growing up Buck. He's thriving all on his own."

"Which is why you need to be there."

". . . I don't know anymore."

Buck crushed any hope he had before anyone else could do it for him. There was a big part of him that wished the ex-Army medic would stay here in LA. But deep down, the blonde knew he would always regret it if he never went.

He'd always regret missing more of those special moments in his son's life.

So he pushed the brown haired man's arm away. "You need to go Eddie."

"I don't need to."

"But you want to."

Eddie glared. "What do you know about what I want?"

"Because I know you, and I know how much that kid brings you joy."

The brown haired firefighter went quiet.

"Eddie . . ."

The brown haired man finally looked back up. "What?"

Buck couldn't get his next words out. It was like something in his brain disconnected and he couldn't get it back online. All he could do was stare.

"Doesn't matter right now." Eddie reached for the handle of the now still car. "Your fever ridden brain doesn't even know what it's saying."

Buck snagged the brown haired firefighter's shirt. A shot of anxiety raced through him and his limbs felt funny.

"Let go Buck."

Buck's hand jerked and Eddie's shirt slipped through his fingers.

Don't leave. Don't leave. Don't leave.

The rest of the blonde's muscles immediately went stiff and jerked. An odd feeling of déja vu crept up his stiffened spine.

Had he felt like this before?

"Buck?"

I can't answer. Why can't I answer?

Buck heard a shout in the distance, but everything now sounded like it was underwater.

A vice like grip landed on his elbow, yanking the blonde close enough for the figure to pin him in place via a bear hug.

Buck's brain couldn't process what was being screamed at him. He could hear it, even as darkness started creeping in, but not respond.

He also understood enough that that voice wasn't Eddie's. It wasn't familiar to him at all.

Where was Eddie? Hadn't he'd been right there? Had he really changed his mind about El Paso?

Why was it suddenly so hard to think? Why was his body so stiff?

He felt the grip tighten. That didn't feel like Eddie. That didn't feel like anyone he knew.

Another shot of anxiety. The man must have found them. He got Eddie again.

Sure enough, Buck was strapped down. He desperately tried to get his body to respond to anything, but it was still not working.

Buck felt his body being moved and he finally managed to croak out, "Eddie."

But there was no response from the dark haired firefighter.

Slowly but surely the darkness overtook the blonde's vision until it finally won leaving him with one thought.

Eddie's gone.

[fears-and-feels]

Whumpril Day 29: "Get your hands off of them!"

Fandom: 9-1-1

Pairing: Buck and Eddie

Summary: When Eddie gets taken on his way to El Paso, Buck will try to save him.

(These are supposed to be a part of Whumpril, but I got a bit ahead of myself and really want to post these now ❤️ I'll reblog them on the corresponding days next month ❤️ What happens here may be different than what happens in the show ❤️)

It had all happened so fast.

Eddie had been cruising down the highway on his way to El Paso. The radio was blasting, the windows were cracked, and Buck's baggie of cookies bumped along in the passenger seat.

At some point into the night stretch of his journey, the tire on his U-Haul had popped, forcing him off onto the side of the road at an odd hour of the night.

It was an easy fix. He could get it back up and running in no time.

While he was mid-change, a dark van pulled in behind the U-Haul and a man popped out.

Eddie didn't know why, but something about the man rubbed him the wrong way. The way he sauntered too casually up to Eddie, hands stuffed into his jeans pocket. The too confident smile beaming down from his face. The too calm even tone in his words as he asked Eddie if he needed help.

It just all seemed like an act that the ex-Army medic wasn't buying.

He smiled and tried to assure the stranger he was alright, but the man wouldn't back down.

The uneasy feeling didn't fade either so Eddie reached for one of the bigger wrenches he could use as protection. His attention was away for half a second.

It was half a second too many.

Something collided with the back of the ex-Army medic's head. When he woke up, he wasn't along the side of the road anymore. He was in some sort of cabin looking building, bound to a chair with the stranger from earlier looming nearby.

Both windows had been boarded when Eddie got there. The thin beam of light shining through the cracks gave him atleast some semblance of time over his next few days of torture.

Multiple times over the corse of the next couple days, the stranger would attack Eddie. Sometimes just throwing a few punches before settling down while other times he'd beat him till the ex-Army medic's vision went dark.

"Who are you?" Eddie had finally managed to spit out during one of these attacks.

"Surprised you don't recognize me," came the cold reply. "Must be all the blood loss."

Eddie blinked, staring at the individual with his one good eye. His face had looked familiar, but his brain had to take a moment to finally connect the dots.

It had been a call from his first couple years at the 118. A father and son duo in a terrible car accident.

"You survived. Your son . . ."

The man had yanked Eddie's head forward by the hair. "And who's fault was that?"

"The one who swerved into an oncoming traffic," Eddie had gritted out.

"No." Anger had glinted in the man's eyes. "It's the fault of the first responders who let him die."

"His door was smashed in. We did what we could."

"But you didn't do enough. Now my son is gone because of you."

"That was years ago."

"And every day since, I've been waiting for the chance to get even."

The man had yanked on Eddie's hair the other way, snapping his head back this time.

"What luck when I found out one of those same firefighters was in the area, and I just so happened to be taking a camping trip."

The hand had finally let go of the ex-Army medic's dark brown hair in favor of snatching something up off of the floor.

"Now I won't stop until every last bit of anger, every last bit of rage, is poured into you." The crowbar had smacked the man's opposite hand. "Hit by hit and blow by blow."

The rest of the time had descended into a mirage of pain. Nothing felt right anymore. Even breathing felt like a chore more than a sign of life. By this point, bruises were littered everywhere. Several bones were definitely fractured and, if it wasn't a concussion making his head pound, then there was something else severely wrong.

Now moving into day three, Eddie wondered if anyone even noticed he was gone. His parents could justify his late arrival to Christopher and he was long out of LA for anyone to think he was missing. It may be another few days before anyone even noticed he was gone.

By that point, it may be too late.

The disgruntled father rolled up his sleeve while taking another step closer to Eddie.

Surely someone would notice.

He promised Christopher he'd text him when he got there since he was planning on arriving while he was still in school.

He told Bobby he'd call him every day with updates.

He reassured Hen he'd video chat when he had a stable wifi connection.

He calmed Chimney by promising to text him after he fixed the flat.

He promised Buck he'd---

"Get your hands off of him!"

Both Eddie and the father whipped their attention to the door.

Eddie's eyes went wide. ". . . Buck?"

The blonde stepped further into the room. "Get your hands off of him, or you won't like what's coming next."

The stranger chuckled and moved toward Buck. "You and what army kid?"

Eddie saw the movement. His sluggish brain refused to act any faster than a couple seconds. "Buck, look out!"

The disgruntled Dad yanked his crowbar up then swung.

Buck managed to get his arm up for the first swing. The crack following the crowbar's smack was deafening.

The blonde let out a scream, yanking his arm to his chest. However, the distraction allowed the stranger to get an official hit to Buck's head, sending him to his knees. The third hit made contact with the blonde's back.

And down he went crashing to the ground.

Eddie's heart dropped again. "Buck!"

The stranger turned back to look at Eddie. Something must have been written on the ex-Army medic's face because it made the man grin sadistically.

Eddie steeled his face, trying not too wince at the way it pulled on his bruises. "Don't you dare."

The disgruntled Dad placed one foot on Buck's back just as the disoriented blonde tried to push his way back up. "This'll be fun."

"This is between me and you," Eddie argued.

"Correction." The stranger lifted his crowbar again. "This is between me and the 118."

The crowbar landed again. Then again. Then again.

Each blow pulled some sort of grunt or cry of pain out of Buck. Each time Eddie felt his heart crack a little more.

When the stranger finished, he shifted his foot from Buck's back to his injured arm.

Buck screamed again.

"Stop!"

The man lifted his head to Eddie. The ex-Army medic hadn't even realized that had come out of him.

"Listen, he didn't do anything," pleaded Eddie while he tried to find a way out of his restraints. "What you said was true. I was the one who let your son die. I was the one who was supposed to get him out and I'm the one that failed."

The disgruntled Dad stared.

Eddie kept going. "Buck didn't go anywhere near the car. He was getting the equipment out of the back like our Captain told him to."

The stranger's entire face went blank.

"I'm the one who messed things up. I'm the one you should be taking things out on, not an innocent man."

The disgruntled Dad took one step closer to Eddie, finally freeing Buck's arm.

Immediately, the blonde curled into a fetal position on the ground.

Some relief went through Eddie before his eyes went back to the stranger. "So take your anger out on me. Not on the innocent."

Without a word, the disgruntled Dad leaned closer.

The ex-Army medic never took his eyes off of him.

"You took something special away from me," hissed the stranger. "What other way can I return the favor than by doing the same?"

All hope Eddie had built just vanished. He was forced to watch as the man turned back to Buck while raising his crowbar high.

Meanwhile, Buck stayed still on his spot on the ground.

"Buck," Eddie desperately called out.

Then came the first blow.

Whether the blonde had passed out from the pain or was just laying still from the injuries didn't matter. What did matter was getting him away.

"Buck," Eddie tried again with every blow. "Buck . . . Buck!"

Just when the disgruntled Dad went for another strike, Buck quickly rolled.

A splintered piece of wood sank into the man's side, sending him down to his knees.

Eddie froze. "Buck?"

The blonde laid still.

"Buck. . . Buckley."

Carefully, Buck pushed himself up with his one good arm.

Eddie slowly let out a breath of relief. "You alright?"

Buck didn't answer. Instead he grimaced then shoved himself up onto his knees. A few seconds more and he was up on his feet, leaning heavily on the wall for support.

"Answer me Buck," demanded Eddie. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"How bad?"

"Broken arm." Buck carefully pushed himself off of the wall. "Bruised or broken ribs."

Eddie watched as Buck slowly made his way over. His eyes scanned over every injury.

"You?"

"Too many to count, but I'll be alright."

The blonde nodded before clumsily untying the ex-Army medic with one hand. "Can you walk?"

"I can't even crawl."

"Stay put."

While Eddie wrapped his right arm around himself, Buck pulled out his phone.

"Who you calling?" asked Eddie.

"Help."

On the other end of the line, Eddie could just make out the 911 operator's calm voice asking for Buck's emergency.

While the blonde rattled off where they were, Eddie took the time to study the disgruntled Dad.

He wheezed heavily while applying pressure to the wound.

"Stay down," the ex-Army medic commanded. "Help will be here soon."

". . . It'll be too late."

The stranger tried to push himself up only to be greeted by a shove from Eddie's boot. Once the stranger was back down, the toe of Eddie's boot then collided with the guy's temple. He crumpled to the ground, completely still.

Then Eddie sank back down. His head spun with the sudden movement and the intense pain in his body.

A hand gently squeezed his shoulder. "Paramedics are on their---."

Thinking he was under attack, Eddie threw the hand back.

Buck's eyes went wide, one hand out in front of him. "Sorry."

Eddie relaxed again. "You came alone."

"I was the first one who found the U-Haul. I just followed the trail and then I saw him getting ready to attack you and I just---."

"You could have been killed."

". . . What about you?"

"I would have been fine. Could have gotten out of here eventually."

Buck's face hardened. "You haven't looked in a mirror yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you could have died too."

The ex-Army medic stayed quiet.

"You know, I should point out you're covered in more bruises than you are regular flesh right now right. Or point out that your eyes are so swollen I'm surprised you can still see anything. Or that you've got more bones sitting at awkward angles than I thought was possible."

Again, Eddie stayed quiet.

A tear slid down Buck's cheek, but no other outward sign gave away what he was feeling inside. "Most people would have been grateful to be rescued. Guess you're not like most people."

Eddie could hear Buck's feet stomping toward the door. ". . . I'm sorry."

Everything around him went still.

The ex-Army medic looked up to make sure the blonde was still in the cabin. "All I could picture was something happening to you. And I couldn't do anything to stop it."

This time Buck stayed quiet.

"Chris and I, we can't lose you too."

Still nothing came from the blonde.

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together, pulling another wince of pain.

"What difference does it make? Losing me?"

The ex-Army medic's mouth fell open.

When Buck finally raised his head again, more tears were pooling up in his eyes. "I'm already losing you both."

"What are you talking about?"

"You can call me selfish all you want. I'm probably being extremely that right now . . . but we've been a unit for six years. And you just act like none of it even mattered."

"Buck . . . Christopher's---."

"I know." Buck swiped at his eyes. "He needs to be there in El Paso. You need to be there for him."

"And you don't like it?"

"It doesn't matter how I feel about things. What matters is getting you to El Paso so you can be there for him."

"Buck---."

Pounding footsteps and rustling dry grass got closer and closer to the cabin. Several voices called out.

Eddie tried again. "Buck---."

But Buck turned to the door. "In here!"

"Buck."

It didn't matter.

The blonde then had two seconds to scramble back before the door flew open. Several paramedics and police officers rushed inside.

Some immediately surrounded Eddie, cutting off Buck from his view.

The ex-Army medic tried to move around them to see. "Buck."

"He's alright sir." A dark skinned paramedic moved into Eddie's line of sight. "A few of our own are looking him over right now."

"No, I need to see him." Eddie tried to look for the blonde again. "Buck . . . Buck!"

However, Buck never turned back. He kept his eyes dead ahead as he followed the paramedics out the door.

[fears-and-feels]

*reads fanfiction with the most incredible description, most incredible inner monologue, most incredible dialog, most incredible pacing, most incredible world building, and just most incredible writing*

*looks at my own shrimpy writing skills*

*looks back at incredible fanfiction*

*blinks*

*shakes it with unyielding force*

"HOW DO I DO THAT?!?!?!??!?!!?"

[fears-and-feels]

Lol, I love this 😆

luke: where do babies come from?

owen: brought by sorcerers. they come and drop 'em at the house. that's how we got you.

luke:

luke: you're not lying

owen: nope

[fears-and-feels]

Might try to do a few of these ❤️ :)

Whumpril 2025 approaches!

Rules:

Anyone can participate.

Any media form is allowed (art, fic, gifs, music, whatever).

AI-generated content is NOT permitted.

You can participate however much or as little as you want, no pressure to complete every single day.

You can post your work anywhere on the internet, Tumblr, Ao3, etc.

Tag potential triggers and NSFW accordingly.

If you want to be counted as an official participant and have the chance to be featured on the blog, post your content during the month of April. You can still use the prompt list after April ends.

I can’t guarantee that every single work will be featured but I’ll try to reblog as many as I can.

To increase your chances of being featured here, tag your post with the event name and the prompt of the day that you used (For example: #whumpril2025, #whumprilday1, #hug) 

You can also @ the blog, @whumpril.

Full write-up of the prompts can be found under the cut!

Whumpril 2025 Prompts:

Hug

Lies

Sore

Threat

Neglect

Distrust

Restless

Burnout

Stranded

Bandages

Grounding

Dislocation

Head Injury

Lost/Found

Belittlement

Waterlogged

Interrogation

Mood Swings

Fetal Position

“You’re next.”

Stage(s) of Grief

Dehumanization

“Don’t you dare.”

Sensory Overload

Too Weak to Stand

The Kind One Snaps

Tossing and Turning

Inexperienced Caretaker

“Get your hands off them!”

“You’re/I’m not going anywhere.”

Alternative Prompts:

If there’s a prompt above you don’t feel inspired or comfortable doing, you can switch it out with one of these alternatives!

X-Rays

Hazing

Clammy

Trampled

Cowardice

Unsanitary

Congestion

Silent Tears

Falsely Accused

Slammed into Wall

Missed Medication

Heimlich Maneuver

 “Why won’t you believe me?”

[fears-and-feels]

You Look Like My Dad

Summary: When a college student approaches Buck, he and Eddie take the time to help.

(This is based on that one Pleasantpeasantmedia video: Look for 'Not me wearing an elderberry shirt the whole dang time too'.)

"You look like my Dad. Maybe you can help?"

Buck froze. ". . . What?"

The girl standing in front of him looked up and down the aisle then scanned up and down Buck. "Can you help me? Please?"

"Uh, sure? What do you need . . .?"

A cough paused her response. She did not look good. "I think I have the flu---."

Buck turned away and held up his arm while she sneezed several times into her arm.

Once she was done, she blew her nose then raised her head again. "And I don't know what to take to feel better."

"Okay." The blonde firefighter lowered his arm. "I'm not really the most qualified for this, but I have someone with me who might be able to help."

While the girl focused on keeping herself upright, Buck spun around. A quick scan found Eddie at the other end of the aisle examining different brands of anticentamime.

"Wait right here?" The blonde raced over to him. "Eddie."

The dark haired firefighter put one of the brands back while dropping the other into his shopping basket. "Don't worry. I got the one I need. We can move on now."

"No." Buck grabbed his arm. "I need your help."

Eddie's eyebrows furrowed together as the blonde practically dragged him down the aisle. "You alright?"

"I am, but she's . . ."

They reached the struggling girl a few seconds later.

By now, her shoulder on the shelf was the only thing keeping her up. When Buck got a good look at her, he couldn't help but note she looked super young. Like, 18 or 19 in a college branded sweatshirt young.

Sweat plastered her dark blonde curls to her forehead and she shivered hard where she was standing. Pale skin and hazy brown eyes mixed with the heavy mouth breathing definitely added to the flu idea.

Buck gently shook her shoulder. "Hey, can you tell me your name?"

After blinking a bit, the college girl looked back up.

"Ma'am?"

"Yeah?"

Buck shook his head. "Nevermind."

Eddie's jaw went slack when his friend turned back to him.

"This is my friend Eddie. He'll be able to help."

"Help?" demanded Eddie. "Help how?"

Buck motioned to the girl. "She's sick and doesn't know what to take, and I don't know how to help her."

Realization dawned on the dark haired firefighter's face. "Ah."

"Can you help me help her?"

Eddie looked between both blondes before shoving his basket into his friend's arm. He then stepped closer to the girl. "Ma'am."

The girl just stared.

The dark haired firefighter tapped her shoulder. "Ma'am?"

The college girl jumped.

Eddie held up his hands and smiled. "My name's Eddie Diaz. I want to help you, but I need you to work with me a little."

Tears pooled in the girl's eyes. She pressed the heels of her palms into her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's okay." Eddie hesitantly squeezed her shoulder. "Fever's are always a pain."

The girl peeked up. A few tears lingered, but she did seem to focus a little better.

The dark haired firefighter swallowed his awkwardness. He was dealing with a teen. A very very sick teen, but still a teen.

He tried to imagine Christopher in a similar situation. Reaching out to a total stranger for help because he didn't know what medication he should buy to help him.

That definitely tugged on his heart.

He softened his touch and his tone. "Can you tell me your name mija?"

"Maddie."

"That's a great name." Eddie jerked his thumb behind him. "Buck has a sister named Maddie."

Maddie sluggishly glanced up.

The blonde firefighter smiled at her and nodded.

Eddie smiled too. "So Maddie, what are your symptoms?"

The girl dropped her hands and paused for a second before responding. "I think I have a fever."

Eddie leaned back a bit while Maddie sneezed several times into her elbow.

Then she suddenly leaned even more heavily on the shelves.

Both Buck and Eddie pulled her upright.

"You okay?" Eddie asked.

More tears pooled in her eyes. "No."

This time, before Eddie could jump back in, Maddie was tugged to the left. When the dark haired firefighter looked up, he found Buck had abandoned the basket on the floor to wrap her in a hug.

His arms carefully supported her like he had done this several times over. Eddie couldn't hear what was said, but the blonde lowered his voice to whisper comforts to the college girl. Buck didn't even know this Maddie and he was still trying to help her.

Eddie smiled even more.

A moment later, Buck rested his chin on the top of her head. "You said I reminded you of your Dad. Why didn't you call him?"

"He lives two hours away." Madide sniffed. "If I told him I was sick, he'd drive all the way over here."

"It's kinda late. LA traffic probably wouldn't be too bad."

Maddie gave a small shake of her head. "He has a work shift in the morning. Because of me, he wouldn't get any sleep."

"You didn't tell your Dad because he has to go to work?" asked Eddie.

"Yeah."

"But you definitely need help."

". . . Yeah."

Buck gave Eddie a pleading look over the girl's head.

The dark haired firefighter sighed, the smile never leaving his face. Instead, he pressed his knuckles into her forehead, wincing at the heat. "Well, you definitely have a high fever. Probably a lot of congestion if I had to take a guess. Any nausea?"

Buck nudged Maddie.

The blonde girl blinked and lifted her head. "A little."

"Definitely sounds like the flu. Do you have any known allergies to medication?"

". . . I don't think so?"

Eddie tugged on her shoulder. "Come here."

After carefully detaching herself from Buck's hold, Maddie scrubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm and turned to Eddie.

The dark haired firefighter guided her over to the racks of medication. In hindsight, this could be extremely overwhelming.

One scan alone showed him five different variations of medication that all claimed to fight the same handful of symptoms at all different prices. Some of which he had never even thought to try.

Instead, he pulled down two boxes from a brand he did trust. "A lot of medicine businessess hike up a price for virtually the same thing."

Maddie blinked.

"You can do the research on your own time to find a brand that you trust, but, in the meantime, I highly recommend these two." Eddie handed her the boxes. "Orange you take in the morning and purple you take at night. Be careful you don't swap them. The purple will have you knocked out in no time."

Behind them both, Buck chuckled.

Maddie blinked. She pointed to one on the lower shelf. "How is it different from those?"

"You can get the knock off, but I've found they're not as strong as this brand."

"You get a lower price, but then you have to pay more to get the grade you need." Buck pointed out.

"Exactly." Eddie tapped one of the boxes. "These are slightly more budget friendly, but still work the best."

Maddie's shoulders relaxed. "Thank you."

"Hey." The dark haired firefighter bumped her shoulder. "Don't ever be afraid to ask for help from someone you trust."

"Okay."

"You're doing great Maddie. Keep it up."

The girl beamed. "Thank you both for all of your---."

Another sneeze broke her off.

Maddie blew her nose again before looking back up. "For all of your help."

"Happy to do it," Buck assured her.

"How do you two know so much?"

"We both have a lot of experience with sick kids," continued Eddie.

Buck nodded. "A lot alot."

Maddie blinked and turned back to Buck. "That's why you remind me of my Dad."

Buck chuckled. "Well, thankfully he didn't have to come all the way out here in the dead of night and mess up his work shift."

Eddie nudged her arm. "You going to be okay?"

"I think so." Maddie started moving toward the front. "Thank you again."

"Try to get some extra rest if you can," Buck called after her.

"And go heavy on the water," added Eddie.

They waited until Maddie had disappeared around the corner of shelving.

Eddie scooped up the forgotten basket. "You know, you should take your own advice sometime."

"On asking for help?" Buck sassed back.

"No." Eddie turned to go back down the other end of the aisle. "About resting when you're sick."

"Hey, I rest when I'm sick."

"Passing out on the loft floor from a 103 degree fever is not resting."

Buck marched after him. "Like you're any better. You were puking your guts out from the stomach flu and still tried to work a double."

Eddie turned back to him. "I puked once."

"Say that to the floor boards of my jeep."

"It washed out."

"Like that makes it all better."

The dark haired firefighter turned to grab a box of Vitamin C packets. "Sure it does."

"You stocking up?"

"Just being cautious with what's going around."

Buck opened his arms with a smirk. "Well, why don't I give just you a hug. You know, to celebrate another success."

Immediately, Eddie jumped back, holding his hand out to keep the blonde back. "Not when you still have snot on your shirt."

"Come on Eddie." Buck moved closer. "It'll wash out."

"I will throw you onto the floor."

"I'll take my chances."

When Buck showed no sign of backing down, Eddie immediately started backing away more. "Buck, don't you dare. Don't you DARE!"

Buck charged and Eddie ran.

[fears-and-feels]

Stubborn Stickness

Summary: Steven gets sick and Marc takes care of him.

(A short try at whumpee Steven ❤️ hope you enjoy :))

Marc pounded on Steven's door. "Steven! If you don't get up now, you'll be late for work!"

No answer came from behind the door.

"Steven!"

Still no answer.

Frustrated with the younger knight, Marc threw open the door. However, his frustrations died when he caught sight of his friend. Steven was curled into the fetal position with a flushed face and eyes screwed shut in a grimace.

Marc tentatively stepped closer to the younger man. "Steven? You okay bud?"

A shake of the head and a watery cough from the other man confirmed Marc's worst thoughts. The older knight placed the back of his hand on Steven's forehead and winced at the heat.

Meanwhile, Steven pushed himself up. "Gotta . . . Gotta go . . . To work."

"Wohow buddy." Marc gently pushed his shoulders back down. "Not today you're not."

"But---."

"No no no, you're staying right here. I'll let Donna know you're not coming in."

Steven utterly crumbled. "Okay. . ."

Marc smoothed Steven's hair. "Hey, nothing wrong with being sick. Happens to the best of us."

"I know, I just . . . feel so useless."

"What is it you keep trying to tell me?" Marc tucked the blanket around Steven's shoulders. "That it's okay to rely on others when you need it?"

". . . Yeah?"

"About time to start following your own advice Stevo."

Steven chuckled. "Thahat's rihich coming frohom you."

"Watch it," Marc teased.

Steven tried to chuckle again, but it was broken by another cough fit.

The older knight rubbed some circles into his back. "Easy, easy. Do you need anything?"

"Umm . . . Could I have some water please?"

Marc nodded. "I'll be back in a jiffy."

"Thank you."

The older knight stood. "Now, stay put, or I tell Jake."

The younger man's eyes widened. "Oh bullocks, I'll never hear the end of it."

"Then use that as an incentive."

Steven nodded as Marc stepped back out of the room. He knew the older man was joking, but Jake could be scary in overprotective mode.

So the young knight curled back into a ball and drifted back off to sleep.

[fears-and-feels]

Are You Alright?

Summary: Marc and Steven take care of Jake ❤️

Marc flipped aimlessly through the channels. Nothing good on at this time of night.

"That's the fifth time we've seen that channel Marc. Why don't you just put on a movie?"

The older knight sighed and glanced down at his younger counterpart. "What movie should I put on then?"

Steven shrugged as he picked up another colored pencil. "What do you want Marc? Adventure? Horror? Feel good?"

"I don't know Stevo. Anything I guess."

The younger knight huffed. "Fine. Big Hero Six?"

"No."

"Lilo and Stitch?"

Nah."

"Finding Nemo?"

"Not interested."

Steven threw one of his colored pencils at the older knight. "Now you're just being stubborn."

Marc caught the pencil and threw it back. "I'm sorry Steven I gue---."

Marc's next phrase was cut off by the front door opening and Jake stepping into the flat. When the other two vigilantes caught sight of their friend, they bolted up.

"Jake! What happened to you mate!" Steven demanded as he hurried over.

Jake wiped some of the blood from his face. "I'm fine hermano. Solo un poco de problemas en el trabajo."

Marc wrapped an arm around Jake's shoulders and lead him toward the couch. "That looks like a lot more than just some trouble bud."

Jake pulled away. "I'm fine Marc. No need to worry about me."

"Blimey, you're an idiot!" Steven ran to go get a washcloth.

"He's right you know." Marc grabbed a wad of nearby napkins and placed them over his nose. "Especially if you think that's going to happen."

Jake snatched the napkins. "I'm fine."

"I'd believe you more if you weren't currently covered in blood."

Jake muttered as he held the napkins to his nose. "You should see the other guy."

Steven hurried back in with the first aid kit. "That's not encouraging you twat!"

"Steven, relajar. I'm okay." Jake reached forward. "It's just an arañar."

Steven snatched the kit away. "I've seen a scratch and that's not it clotpole!"

Jake sighed. "Mi hermano---."

The vigilante was cut off as Marc pulled him to the couch. "Jake, you always take care of us. If something goes wrong, you come to the rescue. If one of us get hurt or sick, you swoop in immediately. But this time, you need the help, you need the rescue."

Jake closed his mouth.

Steven cautiously held up the kit. "So can we do the rescuing this time? Please?"

The middle vigilante looked between his two counterparts. Slowly, his gaze lowered to the floor. "No quiero que ustedes dos se preocupen por mi."

"We're going to worry about you no matter what." Marc sat next to Jake. "So why don't we worry about you while we take care of you."

The internal struggle could be seen on Jake's face. On the one hand, he normally took care of each injury, shrugged it off, then went on with life. It was routine, it was familiar, it was calming.

On the other hand, it would be nice to have someone taking care of him. In front of him, he had two people who loved him and cared about him and wanted to make sure he was okay.

The vigilante crumpled. "I---I don't . . ."

A hand squeezed his. "Hey, it's okay. Remember what you tell me? If you want us to stop, we'll stop right away. We'll go as slow and as gentle as we possibly can, and we'll walk you through each step of the process."

Jake's heart warmed. With Marc's past, it made tending wounds difficult. At first, he wouldn't let the other two near him without flinching away. As time went on, Jake had earned his trust by saying those exact same words and doing those exact actions. Over time, that trust became extremely valuable and helped the two build a special connection.

Now it was time for him to do the same with the other two.

After taking a deep shaky breath, Jake finally nodded. "Okay."

Marc nodded before turning to Steven. "Let me see the kit please."

The youngest knight handed over the kit. "Right."

While Marc laid out the supplies, Steven hurried away to get a clean washcloth and bowl of water. Once everything was in place, the two worked together to treat Jake's nose and the other wounded areas they found.

It was hard to sit still, but they held true to their words. They went slow, steady, and carefully tidied up.

Marc tied on the final bandage. "There we go, all good to go."

Jake's heart filled with warmth. "Thank you hermanos."

"It's no problem mate, but for future reference, don't scare us like that? Please?"

"I didn't mean to," Jake apologized as his gaze dropped and his cheeks flushed red.

"I know you didn't mean to. But ya know we love you and we'll look out for you no matter what mate?" Steven scooted forward and wrapped Jake in a hug. "We love you."

Jake returned the hug as a smile pulled up his lips. "Yo tambien los amo a los dos hermano."

While the two shared the embrace, Marc wrapped his arms around both of them. It was a nice reminder that they were all together and that they loved each other. Neither of them wanted it to end.

"Por favor no te vayas," Jake whispered.

"Not planning to bud." Marc soothed. "We'll be right here as long as you need us to."

Jake slowly relaxed into the hold. "Gracias."

[fears-and-feels]

The Rescue

Summary: Bobby's family attempt a rescue after he gets kidnapped. Things do not go according to plan.

(No real backstory for this, just a random idea that popped into my head ❤️ 😅)

Bobby shifted in his spot. The gunmen had him sitting in a chair with his hands cuffed behind him. He had been on his way home when the group had forced him off the road and out of the car. They had driven for a few hours before finally stopping outside an old farmhouse.

The fire captain had been forced inside and kept there overnight with no idea if anyone knew where he was.

Bobby shifted uncomfortably in the cuffs again. He needed to find a way out.

Suddenly, the gunmen keeping Bobby hostage turned to the front the door. The hinges creaked as it swung open.

The main gunman lowered his gun when he saw who it was. "What do we have here?"

Bobby's heart sank into his stomach. This was not good.

The gunman who entered shoved Buck forward. "Found this one snooping around outside.

The blonde's eyes darted between the older fire captain and the others surrounding them.

"What are you doing here?" The main gunman asked.

Buck stepped closer. "Looking for him."

"Stay there."

The younger firefighter froze and the gunman behind him grabbed his arm.

The main gunman nodded to his accomplise. "Cuff him."

In response, his accomplise yanked the younger firefighter's arms behind his back. He shoved the blonde to his knees.

Bobby's anxiety spiked. If Buck got hurt, he wouldn't be able to help him.

The blonde's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Guess you guys have the upper hand."

The older fire captain's head snapped up. "Buck---."

"There's only one of me and I don't think I have enough skills to take on all of you."

Stop talking, Bobby silently pleaded.

"It'd be a fun challenge, but I'm pretty sure I'd be in over my head," the blonde continued. "Should probably hold my breath."

Bobby's eyebrows furrowed together.

After a pause, the main gunman nodded to the next room over. "Take him in there. We'll figure out what to do with him later."

After the gunman yanked Buck up, the blonde made eye contact with the older fire captain. "I said, I should hold my breath."

Bobby immediately inhaled.

A moment later, white smoke poured into the house. All of the gunmen started coughing and gagging.

They'd released smoke bombs.

The older fire captain squeezed his eyes shut.

There was a loud scuffle before a hand then yanked Bobby forward by his arm. The duo rushed out the front door with shouts behind them.

A moment later, the person next to Bobby fell to the ground, accidentally pulling the older fire captain down with him.

Bobby took a moment to suck in a breath of clean air while he listened to a familiar voice apologize profusely.

"I'm so so sorry Buck!" Maddie exclaimed. "You weren't wearing the mask. Why you weren't wearing the mask?

Bobby pulled himself up to a sitting position.

The elder Buckley was bent over the unconscious form her younger brother.

"Buck, please." Maddie examined her brother. "Please wake up. We don't have time for this."

The fire captain felt along his cuffs before he was finally able to find the spot that popped them loose. A trick Athena had taught him in case of emergencies.

He then scooted over to the Buckley siblings to assess the damage. "What did you hit him with?"

"A pipe." Maddie motioned to it. "I didn't think I hit him that hard though."

Bobby quickly checked to find the younger Buckley did in fact have a pulse and was breathing. "He's alright."

Gunshots rang out in the yard, sending both up. Both grabbed one of Buck's arms and dragged him behind a nearby pickup truck.

The older fire captain pushed both Buckley siblings down under him as several bullets whizzed over their bodies.

Meanwhile, in the house, Athena and her officers desperately tried to wrangle the kidnapping group in the billowing smoke.

Maybe smoke bombs weren't the best idea for a rescue idea even with the masks.

The police sergeant wrestled with one of them on the ground when she heard the gunshots outside. Her heart went cold for a second, visions of the worst flashing through her mind.

The pause allowed the one member to get the jump on Athena.

He rolled the police sergeant under him and tried to pin her, his hand coming up to her neck.

Athena grabbed the arm trying to choke her. She couldn't push the steel like grip off her throat and get a proper breath in.

"Athena?" Eddie called out for her, running around the chaos. "Athena!"

Why wasn't he outside like he was supposed to be?

"Athe-oof!"

Eddie couldn't see very well through the smoke either. Just when the police sergeant's vision started blurring, he tripped over the attacker.

As soon as her windpipe was clear, Athena sucked in a breath. She coughed and sputtered as she slowly pulled herself back up.

Meanwhile, back outside, Bobby ducked his head back down as a new round of bullets decorated the truck to the right of them and kicked up dirt as they sprayed along the ground. Footsteps crunched the dried grass. The attackers were inching closer.

A stray bullet whooshed past Bobby's ear this time, almost hitting Buck's unconscious form and forcing the older fire captain to press both Buckleys further under him.

Just as one of the bad guys rounded the side of the truck, an engine revved to life.

Bobby jerked his head up in time to see a car come barreling through the front yard of the house. It jerked from side to side as the driver fought to gain control and follow the bad guys.

The fire captain knew he recognized that car. He just couldn't think of where in the moment.

A commotion pulled his attention back behind him just in time to see Michael wrestling the one attacker to the ground.

The bullets had stopped, due to the car, so Bobby jumped up. "Michael!"

"Don't let him get away!"

The two managed to get the guy's gun away, but we're struggling to take him down.

Bobby tackled the guy in a bear hug just as the car's image clicked. "What's May doing here?"

Michael wrestled the guy's legs. "They were supposed to wait down the street as a get away car."

"They?" When the guy broke free of the hold, Bobby punched him in the face. "Harry's here too?"

"Yes." Michael pushed the guy face first into the ground. "They overheard me talking to their Mom. They were going with or without me so we all came together."

"One heck of a family outing."

While the two went back and forth, Maddie crept toward the gun. Once the dispatcher had it secure in her hands, she jumped up and charged the duo with a yelled, "Look out!"

Both men ducked just in time for the but of the gun to collide with the back of the bad guys head.

He went completely still.

Michael looked between the guy and the elder Buckley shoving the gun far away from her. "That's one way to use it."

The skidding of tires brought the group's attention back to May's car.

She was having some sort of trouble driving. So much so that she actually side swiped the pickup truck, leaving some scratching and paint all down the side of it.

Bobby turned to Michael, his body already in motion. "Stay with them."

"Bobby, what are you doing?" Michael demanded.

But the fire captain didn't answer.

Instead he raced up to the driver's side of the car as it looped back around. "May!"

Thankfully the window was down.

"I can't stop." May yelled back. "Something's wrong with the brakes!"

The fire captain looked around. Most of the kidnappers had gathered closer to the house to escape the car. There wasn't much in the way of debris or brush to really slow the car down.

"Look out!"

Bobby turned in time to see May's car headed right for him. She'd swung too close.

The fire captain jumped to the side then tried to run along the side of the car. "Pull the emergency brake."

"The what?"

Bobby went to say it again when he tripped. He managed to snag the side of the car through the open passenger window as he felt two hands grab onto his arms.

May swung hard again, dragging Bobby along with her. The older fire captain felt every rock and bump in that yard.

"Bobby," Harry called this time.

Bobby snapped back into action. "Tell your sister to pull the emergency break."

The youngest Grant whipped around to his sister. "Dummy, the emergency break!"

"Shut up idiot." May snapped back while yanking on the handle. "You didn't think of it either."

The sudden stop flung Bobby forward where he rolled to a stop just as May's car rolled to a stop. The older fire captain landed on his back then laid still as he processed how bad his legs were.

Back over by the pickup, Maddie and Michael tensely waited to see if they needed to jump in.

"That'll leave a mark," Michael muttered.

Suddenly, footsteps came pounding toward them.

Both he and Maddie turned to see the guy Maddie had knocked out with the gun running toward them. A second later, Buck, also awake, clumsily tackled the guy. The two rolled across the ground, trying to get the upper hand.

Michael took one last look over in Bobby's direction. May and Harry have him.

He turned back to see Buck throw a punch at the guy. It landed and did some damage, but it was also very sloppy.

Michael jumped in to help while Maddie went for the gun again.

After a bit of a tussle, Michael rolled the guy upwards and Buck wrapped him in a bear hug of a hold. Maddie then swung the butt of the gun into the back of the attackers head again.

When the guy pitched unconscious to the side, Buck went down with him.

"Buck!" Maddie carefully tossed down the gun.

Michael scrambled up to check on him with her. "You alright kid?"

"S'fine."

Maddie's jaw dropped and her eyes went wide. She quickly pulled her hands up to then bury her face in them.

"It's alright," Michael assured her.

Maddie lifted her hands, throwing them up in the air before dropping them down.

"You act like he's not going to forgive you."

"Mads should play baseball," Buck slurred out with a loopy giggle.

He sounded drunk, but atleast he was awake.

"See?" Michael helped pull the blonde upright. "Pretty sure that means you're already forgiven."

Maddie huffed and returned to her check of how bad of a concussion she'd given her brother.

While she assessed him, Athena's officers were chasing out the last few kidnappers while Hen and Chimney dropped in a few more smoke bombs to keep up the smoke screen.

Atleast, they though they were all smoke bombs.

Earlier that day they had confiscated a pack of homemade fireworks from a group of teens. They were supposed to destroy them, but somehow between the crew confiscating the fireworks and them returning back to the station, the fireworks had somehow gotten mixed in with their smoke bombs.

Chimney didn't realize the mixup until he dropped a couple of lit ones into the house.

The paramedic cursed. "Athena!"

Inside, the police sergeant caught sight of the fireworks. Thankfully so did Eddie.

The younger firefighter bellowed out. "Everybody, outside! Now!"

The two could hear the sounds of feet rushing outside.

Athena then grabbed Eddie by the back of the jacket and his arm then practically yanked him toward the front door.

Back outside, Hen grabbed the last few homemade fireworks and chucked them inside.

"What are you doing?" Chimney demanded as they raced around the side of the house with the bag of remaining smoke bombs.

"Might as well dispose of them all," she replied.

The two rushed around the side of the house while Eddie and Athena dove out the front door.

A split second later, the air filled with explosions as the handful of fireworks shot off.

Bobby carefully pulled himself up before yanking Harry and May toward the pickup truck. Along the way, he stopped to help up Athena and Eddie.

Meanwhile, Hen and Chimney carefully made their way around the side of the house. Catching sight of the group, they followed after.

Then one of the fireworks shot in Hen's direction.

"Look out!" Chimney shouted just before tackling her to the ground.

The firework sailed mere inches over them and clipped May's nearby car.

When the coast was clear, both paramedics were back up and racing toward the pickup.

"You okay?" Chimney asked Hen.

"I'm fine," she replied.

As soon as they were close enough, Bobby and Athena yanked the two behind the truck to wait out the last few fireworks.

Suddenly, the loudest explosion yet happened. One of the larger fireworks had gone off near a fire extinguisher.

The extinguisher sailed out of the house and right into the spot where both Chimney and Hen had been. It hit the ground, spun back up, then sailed straight through both front windows of the car, showering glass on the opposite side.

The side the entire crew was huddled along. However, Hen and Chimney were the closest to the window and received most of the glass shard shower.

The fire extinguisher then spun on the ground. It's nozzle sprayed and the foam landed on a few of the members of the group, including Maddie.

As soon as there were no more explosions, one by one, the members of the group lifted their heads.

"Injury count?" Bobby asked.

"Some cuts and bruises here," Hen reported.

"Make that two," Chimney added as he finished helping Maddie into his fireman's jacket.

Maddie quickly buttoned up the jacket. "Some mild skin irritation from the fire extinguisher."

"Bruising here," Eddie replied.

Michael motioned with his hand. "And here."

"Harry and I are clear," May added.

"Your car," Harry peeked over the hood. "Not so much."

"A little roughed up, but otherwise fine," Athena rasped out.

Bobby's concern spiked. "What happened to you?"

"One of the attackers tried to strangle me."

Harry's head whipped back around. "What!"

"Mom, are you okay?" May asked.

Athena patted her arm. "I'm alright. I promise."

"Cap?" Hen questioned.

Bobby nodded to her. "Legs and wrists are scrapped and bruised."

Eddie nudged Buck. "You good?"

The blonde sluggishly lifted his head and blinked.

Chimney snapped his fingers to get the younger firefighter's attention. "Hey, Buck."

The younger firefighter blinked again and looked up at Chimney.

Meanwhile, Bobby shared a look with Michael over Harry and May's head.

"Concussion," Michael replied. "Mild by the looks of it."

Hen leaned forward to look over at Buck. "How did you get a concussion?"

Maddie had the biggest look of guilt on her face.

Chimney caught it. "Mads?"

The elder Buckley slowly looked up at her husband. ". . . He wasn't wearing his mask."

"Your wife should play baseball," Buck slurred out.

"You hit Buck?" May demanded.

"With a metal pipe," Bobby muttered.

"I thought he was one of the kidnappers," Maddie defended.

"M'fine," Buck tried.

"You sound drunk," Eddie pointed out.

The blonde looked confused, then his eyes went wide. "I'm on work."

"We know you didn't drink on the job," Hen assured him.

Buck's shoulders sagged in relief.

Chimney nudged Maddie's arm. "You can thank slugger for the headache though."

Maddie gave her husband a look. "Howie."

Buck chuckled.

"Sergeant Nash."

Athena pulled herself up so she could look over the hood.

One of the officers jogged over. "We're rounding up the the kidnappers now. Few of them took off and the officers went after them."

"Keep up with them if you can. Get a couple officers who can take witness testimonies and we'll get this show on the road."

The officer stared at Athena. "Are you okay Sergeant?"

"I'm fine. Just can't raise my voice right now."

"I'll have someone bring you the megaphone from my car."

Athena nodded.

The officer motioned to the unconscious attacker. "You want us to take him too?"

The police sergeant glanced back at the attacker. "Might want to leave that one for the paramedics."

The officer nodded before heading back off.

Hen, Chimney, and Eddie also jumped up to help with the fire that was now the house, leaving the rest of the group behind the truck.

Athena sighed heavily. "The paramedics will probably want to check us all."

Bobby stood next to her, rubbing her back with his hand. "Focus on the positive. Everyone's alive."

"For the most part."

The fire captain chuckled and tipped her chin up. "Thanks for a rescue."

"You're welcome." Athena gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Just wish things could have gone a little smoother."

Bobby looked out over the scene. Officers and firefighters scrambled around to gather kidnappers and tame the fire alike. "It went well . . . For the most part."

A few timbers on the house fell to the ground.

[fears-and-feels]

Final part in the series:

Peter 1

Peter 2

Peter 3:

Three hunched into his shoulders as another coughing fit wracked his body. Each fit took his breath away, leaving him him shaky and breathless.

Once he was able to catch his breath again, the younger man wiped his nose before picking back up the stack up paperwork he needed to finish. "Stupid cold. Gotta finish these for tomorrow."

Somehow, Peter had caught the worse cold of his life during the busiest season of work and it was kicking his butt. However, he couldn't take a break until these reports had been handled.

So Peter 3 balanced the papers on his lap while he settle back into the couch. However, no matter how hard he focused, the squiggles in front of him refused to form the words he needed them to be.

Three rubbed his eyes. "Come on, focus!"

The young man looked at the paper again, but the words still refused appeared.

Peter 3 yanked on his hair his frustration. "I don't have time to be sick. I need to get this---."

Any future retorts were cut off by another harsh coughing fit. This one was bigger than the last, pulling him off the couch to his knees as his hand clutched his chest.

While Peter 3 fought to breathe, he thought he heard a whooshing sound of some sort from behind him. The next sound he heard was pounding feet running toward him and two sets of hands grabbing on to him.

Three tried to pull away from the grip. "I---I---."

One hand moved to pound in between his shoulder blades.

Finally, Peter 3 coughed loose whatever was in his lungs. With his energy spent, the younger man then collapsed into the nearest person's arms.

Those same arms pulled him as close in a firm hug. "It's okay Pete, it's okay. Take a deep breath with me."

After listening to the person holding him take a few deep breaths, Three was able to mimic them. The first few tries were painful, but eventually evened out.

"Pete?" A hand wrapped around one of his. "Can you hear me?"

Peter looked up at the figure holding him. "Two?"

The oldest Peter smiled at him. "Hey Pete."

The younger man struggled to sit up. "S-sorry."

Two helped him. "It's okay. That's what I'm here for."

"You . . . You shouldn't have to."

A water glass was handed to the younger man. "But we want to though."

Peter 3 looked up at the second figure. He hesitantly took the glass of water from his younger counterpart. "Thank you, but you two shouldn't have to take care of me."

"Why not?" Two asked.

Three shrugged. "You just shouldn't have too."

Peter 1 knelt beside his older counterpart. "No offense, but that's a pretty lame excuse."

Peter 3 gave a small grin. "Still."

Three didn't want to be a bother to his counterparts. Two had a wife and job, Uno had his whole life to remake, and Three was just stuck in the past. They were off living their own lives and didn't need him interfering with them.

"Three?"

The young man looked up at the oldest.

"I know it's not the easiest thing to ask for help. It's not easy being vulnerable when you feel like you should be strong. But if you need help, we want to help."

Three shrunk into his shoulders. "But you've both got your own lives to worry about . . . Why would you need to worry about me?"

There was a brief pause before Peter 1 snuggled into Three's side.

"You're going to get sick bud."

"I don't care Three. That's what happens when you care about someone." One snuggled closer. "And I'm staying here until you realize how much I care about you."

Tears sprang into Peter 3's eyes. He set his watercup aside so he could wrap his younger counterpart in a tight hug. From the other side, Peter 2 joined the impromptu hug and Three hadn't felt so safe and secure in a long time. His muscles relaxed and his breathing actually calmed.

After a couple more minutes, the oldest counterpart pulled back so he could look Three in the face. "Hey Pete? Can I check you out?"

A smirk pulled on the corners of Three's mouth. "I mean most people don't normally ask."

Two's eyes widened. "Well that's why I want to."

"Oh no, it was . . ."

Three looked at Two's face.

" . . . Thanks for caring Two."

The older variant smiled. "So can I?"

The young man nodded. "Go ahead."

It took a little bit of a struggle, but Peter 3 was lifted back onto the couch. While Two took over examination, One gathered the papers that had scattered to the floor.

Three started. "My papers."

Two pushed him back down. "Easy Three, One's got it taken care of."

"I'll try to put them back in the order they go, I promise." The youngest carefully sorted the papers. "You just focus on getting better."

The middle brother reluctantly sunk back to the couch. He hated just sitting back while someone did things for him. It just made him feel so useless.

A tap to his forehead drew him out of his thoughts. "Tell that brain of yours to stop being mean to you."

Three looked up at his older brother. "But . . . if I can't take care of myself, I'm being lazy."

Peter 2 gently felt along the sides of the younger Peter's throat. "Says who?"

"Well, says everyone."

The oldest nodded. "I know what you mean."

"R-really?"

"Open your mouth for me please?"

Three did so.

"To answer your question, everyone says the same thing. If you can't get up and still get to work, you're lazy. If you can't finish everything while still under your under the weather, you get teased for being weak."

As Two moved to examine a new spot, Three nodded. "That sounds about right."

The oldest pressed his hand against Three's forehead. "Do you think it's true?"

Three shrugged.

Peter 2 stroked his cheek. "It sucks being in a world that doesn't value a person for taking rest when they need it."

The middle Peter broke into another coughing fit. While his lungs tried to fight their way out of his body, Two rubbed circles into his back until the fit passed. When his coughing was done and his body was exhausted, the oldest then helped him sip some water.

"Judging by the signs you've given, you need lots of rest."

"But, I've got to---."

"Rest Three," Peter 2 replied. "Don't listen to those other voices."

Peter 3's breathing picked up. "B-but I have so many people counting on me, I-I can't . . ."

"Three, breathe. Breathe." Two squeezed his arms. "It's okay."

"N-no! I can't!"

"Three listen to me. Please?"

The middle Peter turned the oldest while tears pooling in his eyes. "If I-I don't finish, I-I'm letting s-so many people down!"

"I know it feels like you have the weight of the world on you right now. But if the people who matter in your life can't be okay with you taking a sick day, then they shouldn't be a part of your life."

"I-I know, b-but---."

Two shook his head. "No one should have that kind of power over your body. You know your body better than anyone. You should be the one to say what you can and cannot do and you should be the one to say when you need rest."

Peter 3 sniffed and thought about what the oldest said. He knew what he was saying was true. If Three wanted to be able to care for people tomorrow, he had to take himself today. It was just hard to say no when everything he had to do was swirling around in his head. "Pete, I just. . . I just can't."

After a moment of silence, One stepped toward the duo. "Maybe we can compromise?"

"What did you have in mind?" Three asked the youngest.

"If Two and I help you finish your work, then you could rest without worrying about everything."

The middle Peter's eyes widened. He hadn't thought about something like that. "M-maybe?"

"What do you need to finish Three?" Two gently asked.

"J-just the paperwork. I-It's due tomorrow."

"If we help you finish it tonight, will you get the rest you need?"

"You two would---would really help me?" Three looked between the two. "You've got your own lives to w-worry about."

Peter 1 knelt beside the couch. "You'd do the same for us in a heartbeat."

Peter 2 nodded. "Now, it's our turn."

"B-but what about MJ or y-your job? Don't you two have enough to worry about?"

One shrugged. "I can take a day off of work."

"And MJ won't mind if I'm gone for a couple days."

"You would do that? F-for me?"

"Yehes." Two gently pushed Three's jaw up. "And if your eyes get any bigger thehey'll freeze thahat way."

Peter 3 chuckled. "Thahank you."

The oldest Peter tapped his nose. "I'm getting a couple things to take care of you with and then we're getting this paperwork done."

As the oldest went to step away, he was snapped back. Three looked down to see his hand holding on tightly to the oldest.

"I'll be right back Pete. I promise I'm not leaving for good."

With some hesitation, Three's hand slipped away from Two's.

However, it was quickly replaced by One's warm grip. "I'm still here too. We're both here for the long haul."

Peter 3 smiled at the younger Peter and held onto his hand. He was grateful to have these two in his life. For once, it was comforting to have someone here who cared.

So Three let himself feel safe and secure and protected as they settled in for the night.