A small little 6x02 coda
"I'm worried about Buck." It comes out in one breath, breaking the comfortable silence between him and Chimney as they eat their breakfast.
Chimney nods. "Yeah, me too. And Hen. I know she's had a lot on her plate and losing someone on the job is always hard."
"Yeah." He takes a sip of his coffee and mulls it over.
The way Buck looked so devastated, the way he was so quiet on their way back to the station, is haunting him. They've had dozens of bad calls before, but this feels different, like one of those special calls that hits just a little too close to home. He doesn't know what the guy had said to Buck, but he does know Buck, and could tell how much it affected him.
He knows Buck is focusing on himself right now and just needs his space, but Eddie just wishes he could grab Buck by the shoulder and tell him that he's here. He doesn't have to go through this alone.
Chimney points a fork toward him. "What I don't get is why aren't you currently with Buck right now?"
Eddie furrows his brow. "He declined the offer to go to breakfast, remember?"
"Yeah, but why isn't he with you? Don't you guys usually hang out at each other's place whenever there's a bad call?"
Eddie fights the urge to squirm in his seat. "Yeah, but Buck needs his space."
Chimney studies him for a moment. "Maybe he does. But maybe he's just in his head to ask for help."
"Yeah. But…I just –" Eddie sighs, and looks down at his food, the truth crawling up throat and barely escaping his tongue. "I'm not sure that I'm what he needs right now."
Chimney snorts which makes him lift his head up to meet his gaze. Chimney then clears his throat. "Sorry, I thought you were joking. Eddie," he then gives him a soft look, "you're always going to be what Buck needs. Anyone who knows you two knows that."
Eddie gulps.
"Look, I know a thing or two about fear, but don't let that stop you. If you want to show Buck that you're there for him, show him. The kid's smart and all but he needs that reminder."
Eddie huffs out a laugh. "Don't I know it." He then smiles. "Thanks, Chim."
Chimney smiles back. "Of course."
***
"Knock knock." Eddie proclaims as he opens Buck's door.
Silence greets him.
He slips off his shoes and immediately heads upstairs.
Just like he thought, Buck is buried in his covers, back facing Eddie.
Eddie can't help but just stare at him for a moment, lost in the way his curls are sticking out or how even with a hoodie, his muscles are popping out through the fabric. He looks so soft like this and all Eddie wants to do is shield him from the world.
"Alright, scoot over."
Buck turns his head and squints up at him. "Eddie? What are you doing here?"
"To spoon you. Now scoot over."
Buck doesn't say anything and instead lets out a small smile before scooting further in the bed.
Eddie takes that as his cue to crawl in bed. Once comfortable on his side, he wraps an arm around Buck and pulls him closer against him.
"You don't have to be here you know."
Eddie scoffs. "I know I don't have to. But I want to. I'm always here for you, Buck."
Buck links their hands together. "Thanks, Eds."
"Anytime."
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