#literally frothing at the mouth over 7x06

[star-chlld]

Buck turns around, and Bobby nearly breaks his composure. A giggle slips out, and there's a sharp smack to his shoulder as Athena playfully glares at him. And then Tommy is there, giving another apology for his tardiness and up close, the bottom half of his face is significantly less soot covered. Bobby has to stifle another laugh as Tommy greets Athena, making some comment about how happy he is to see them “on dry land.” Bobby gives Athena’s hand a squeeze before letting go and stepping towards Buck. He's grinning widely, and Bobby pushes him towards Maddie and Chimney before offering to take a picture of the three of them. At least nobody can say Bobby is afraid of a little harmless blackmail. After all, Buck had harbored plenty of embarrassing photos of Bobby over the years. It was karma, right?

“Alright,” he says, “now one without the 5 o’clock shadow, Buck.”

Buck, confused, reaches up and touches his face, looking horrifically embarrassed when his hand comed away black. He pulls up his sleeve and wipes across his mouth but it only serves to smear the black around. “Wait, how noticable-”

“Very,” Karen interrupts, leaning over Chimney to offer a makeup wipe. “Like, incredibly noticeable.” Buck looks horrified, but Bobby patts his arm. 

“We're happy for you, Buck, seriously. Just maybe wait until he's cleaned up next time.” And he means it, of course. Bobby is partly just happy this one isn't a news reporter, or a “death doula,” but mostly relieved that Buck looks happier than he has in a while  Although he does notice Ravi slip Hen a $20.

“Don’t worry,”Karen says playfully, “I totally understand how hard it is to resist a firefighter right off work,” and this makes Hen bark a laugh. 

“If memory serves, last time I came home after a fire, you made me sleep on the couch until the smell was gone!” Bobby doesn't hear what Karen says in response, instead distracted by Buck, who is still smiling but tense, almost breathless. Bobby turns, just slightly, and puts his hand on his arm, smiling warmly. Buck’s breath catches, eyes relieved but still a little uncertain. He squeezes Buck's shoulder in response, and the relief is immediate before he's drawn back into the conversation. 

Bobby steps back, moving next to Athena and slipping an arm around her waist as she congratulates Maddie. She holding her phone low, discreetly typing something, and as soon as Maddie steps back towards her husband he glances over. 

“Are you doing a background search on Tommy?” he asks, which is a stupid question because she clearly is. She raises an eyebrow in response, and Bobby grins before kissing her. Buck makes an exaggerated gagging noise before turning back to his conversation, but Bobby lowers his voice just in case. “Kinard is spelled with one N, by the way."