Storm Of The Mind
Chim stared at his phone as they were all in the locker room after a gruelling 12 hour shift. He was scrolling through news reels as he waited for Maddie to respond with plans for their afternoon once he races home for a power nap.
After reading a few articles on who played which variant of Deadpool in the new movie, he stumbled across one on a thunderstorm alert for most of LA in the next few days.
He scoffs and shakes his head. “Looks like our next shift might be a fun one” he held up his phone for those left in the locker room to see “Thunderstorm warning has been put in place, so much for the decent weather we have been getting.”
Buck stalls slightly as he reaches for his hoodie stuffed haphazardly under other miscellaneous items. His face goes blank at Chims words.
Hen, who had lugged her bag over her shoulder, looks from the phone to Buck before she coughs not so discreetly to gain Chims attention before gesturing with her head in Buck's direction.
Buck regains his composure before shutting his locker and making his way to the door. He knew the others' eyes were on him so he turned sheepishly before he made his exit.
“Well you know what they say” he tried to joke adding a nervous laugh. “Lightning never strikes the same place twice” the smile he pulled didn't quite meet his eyes as he quickly left without another word.
Chim looked at Hen. “I-” Chim started before he let out a sigh as his hand defeatedly fell to his sides.
“I know, don't worry. I think it's still just a sore subject for him” Hen reassured him as she also made her way to the exit.
Chim looked from where he could see Buck walking across the parking bay back to Hen. “He'll be okay won't he?” He uttered with such concern in his voice that Hen deflated as she turned to meet his eye.
“I hope so,” she said gently.
—
Their next shift started just as the dark clouds began to roll over the beautiful blue evening sky. Soon followed by a downpour of rain. Bobby had the sense to skip cleaning the outside of the trucks as he divided out duties that involved keeping everyone inside as much as possible.
Chim had been unfortunate enough to receive the sweeping of the outside drain, to avoid a blockage that may start to grow and sometimes leave the bay doors in a small puddle. Chim was rightfully miffed as he saw no point in getting drenched to simply avoid a puddle from forming that may or may not make its way into the actual station.
Once he returned and changed into a set of dryer clothes he was happily handed a steaming cup of coffee.
That's when the first rumble of thunder made itself known.
Along with that, the alarm started to blare.
—
They had been called out to a three car pile up due to the terrible road conditions. One of the drivers had misjudged the stopping distance which led to the crash.
The rain was still hammering down as Bobby led the team in extracting a high school student from her car as her door had been badly damaged. Luckily all those involved had sustained minor injuries with the main driver sustaining a mild head wound from the initial impact.
Everything had seemed to be going fine as Buck and Eddie used the saw to cut away at the door trapping the high schooler.
That was until a flash of lightning lit up the dark sky surrounding them.
Hen saw Buck flinch, his breath hitching as he reflexively ducked his head. He quickly regained his composure, but it was clear to anyone paying attention that he was rattled.
Eddie was by his side in a flash, placing a hand on his shoulder. Hen and Chim who were now working on the high schooler looked at one another as they watched Buck from the corner of their eyes compose himself.
He gave a small nod to Eddie to reassure him that he was fine.
The tension lingered as they all made their way back to the station after dropping off the head wound patient at the nearest hospital.
In the engine, Buck and Eddie had their knees tightly pressed against one another.
They had both headed for the showers as soon as they laid out their turnouts to dry. It had gotten pretty late so Bobby had ordered pizza and handed out a few slices onto everyone's plates, he kept one box for Buck and Eddie to share after they returned. They accepted it gladly as they both emerged dry and changed, with Buck in a much better mood and a little less tense than before.
With no more calls coming in, the weather obviously deterring people from going out, they all eventually made their way to the bunk room for a well deserved rest.
Hen had just started to doze off when she heard it, a soft noise like a yelp followed by rustling sheets. She lifted her head and saw Buck shifting restlessly in his bed, his face contorted with fear. He let out a soft whimper, barely audible over the rain pounding against the station windows.
Before Hen could react, Eddie was out of his bed, crossing the room with purpose. He knelt by Buck’s side, his voice low and soothing as he gently shook him awake.
“Buck, it’s okay. You’re safe. I’m here.”
Hen nudged Chimney, who stirred from the bed near hers. She put a finger to her lips, and Chimney followed her gaze to where Eddie was now sitting on the edge of Buck’s bed. Eddie’s hand rested on Buck’s shoulder, grounding him as Buck slowly woke up, his breaths coming in sharp, panicked gasps.
“It was just a dream,” Eddie continued softly, his tone gentle. “You’re alright.”
Buck rubbed a hand over his face, looking disoriented, and Hen could see the fear still lingering in his eyes. “The lightning,” Buck murmured, his voice shaky. “I… I felt it again.”
Eddie’s face softened, and he moved closer, his hand sliding down to grip Buck’s forearm. “It’s not going to happen again. I promise.”
“Eddie I don't… I don't even remember it much but it just…hurt!”
Hen and Chimney exchanged a look, both of them trying to stay as quiet as possible.
Then they witnessed something that was definitely meant to be a private moment...
Eddie leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to Buck’s forehead. Buck sighed, relaxing into Eddie’s embrace.
Chim and Hen looked at each other. Did this just confirm their suspicions? Or was this simply Buck and Eddie being well… Buck and Eddie?
“I'm sorry I know this is stupid, I feel like a coward right now” Buck said as he pulled the blanket further up his chest.
“No, you're not,” Eddie said gently as he started to run his fingers through Buck's hair. “There aren't many people out there that can sympathise with what you went through. But to me it seems like your actually doing a pretty decent job”
Buck laughed, and soon he started to doze off as Eddie continued his gentle circles through Buck's hair.
Hen and Chim watch for a bit before looking at each other, Chim mimed out a shushing motion, Hen nodded and they both tried to go back to pretending to be sleeping so as to not be spotted by Eddie watching their obviously intimate interaction.
“I know you two are awake,” Eddie said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “And if I hear a word about this, your coffee will taste very bitter from now on.”
Chimney immediately played dead, letting out a loud, exaggerated snore. “Honk, shew, honk, shew,” he muttered under his breath, pretending to sleep.
Hen groaned inwardly, squeezing her eyes shut and hoping her stifled laughter didn’t give them away. She heard Eddie chuckle softly, the rustle of sheets as he shifted, now laying beside Buck, careful as to not wake him.
For a moment, everything was still. Then Eddie’s voice cut through the quiet once more, a little softer this time. “Seriously. Not a word.”
Hen and Chimney stayed silent, not daring to move until they were sure Eddie had fallen asleep.
—
The next morning, Hen and Chimney were the first ones up. They sat at the kitchen table, avoiding the coffee pot like it was a landmine.
“You think he was serious?” Chimney whispered, eyeing the coffee warily.
Hen smirked. “Are you willing to risk it?”
Chimney shuddered. “Not a chance.”
As they sat there, Chimney’s phone buzzed with a new notification. He glanced at it and immediately burst out laughing, showing the screen to Hen. It was a message from their secret group chat, the one that had been created months ago between Hen, Chimney, Bobby, and Athena—the “$20” chat.
Chim had put a message on as soon as he had woke up saying:
“I think we actually have sufficient evidence!!!”
The notification was of Bobby's reply
Bobby: “What happened, we need to know! Also pancakes are under the tinfoil I didn't know when you'd be up”
Hen: “It was a close call. Eddie caught us watching, but… it was worth it.”
Athena’s reply came through next.
Athena: “Finally! What did you see? Spill the details.”
Chimney: “Let’s just say Eddie might be a little too protective of Buck and has threatened our coffee so wont go into detail, however there may have been a forehead kiss involved.”
Athena : I raise 20 for next week!!
Bobby: I'm still sticking with mine!
Chimney: I say Friday tops!”
Hen: “I will raise you Tuesday!”
Athena: “ I vote we go with the “Lock them in a cupboard” plan! Make things easier for us!”
Hen smiled at the messages, but before she could reply, Eddie and Buck walked into the room, looking well-rested and more relaxed than they had been the night before.
Buck smiled at them both, grabbing a mug and heading for the coffee pot. “Morning.”
Hen and Chimney exchanged a quick glance. “Morning!” they replied in unison, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Eddie shot them a suspicious look but didn’t say anything as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down beside Buck as he looked outside at the once again blue skies of LA.