I do not own the rights to 9-1-1 or 9-1-1: Lone Star. Alexander Strand is my own character.

Buck woke up to a warmth against his back and a soft flutter in his chest. A drowsy smile crossed his lips as he blinked blearily, the morning sunlight a mere sliver through the opaque grey curtains.

Alexander's chest was pressed against Buck's back, one arm around the former LA firefighter and his hand tucked up under Buck's chin. Buck's own hand covered Alexander's, their legs tangled together.

It was a strange position, knowing each other face to face for such a short time, but Buck enjoyed it. He liked the warmth he received from his friend and he liked being held close. Buck was a sucker for cuddling and he wasn't really ashamed to admit it. Besides, Alexander had made it known that he was a cuddler before the two fell asleep the previous night, so Buck didn't have to be ashamed of the trait with the other man.

Buck gently ran his thumb over the back of Alexander's hand, noting the small slivers of scar tissue he could feel. He'd noticed more relatively small scars littering Alexander's left side, plus a jagged scar the size of a stab wound near his heart, but Buck didn't ask. He could see the hesitation and the memories that came up in the other man's eyes upon realizing Buck saw the scar so Buck didn't question it.

A soft groan from behind him alerted Buck that Alexander was waking up. Buck squeezed his hand gently, getting a soft squeeze in return.

"Morning," came the other man's mumble.

Buck smiled, "Morning. Shouldn't I be the big spoon? I'm taller."

Alexander chuckled softly. "Not by much and height doesn't get to decide. Besides, I didn't see you complaining when it happened."

"When it happened, I was half asleep," Buck argued.

"Not a winning point."

A soft laugh passed Buck's lips as he pushed himself upright, much to the displeasure of his bedmate. Alexander whined as Buck moved away and he tried to grab onto Buck's clothes and drag him back to bed.

"Come on, we have a shift at nine," Buck said, pulling himself away from Alexander and sitting at the edge of the bed. "And you promised to show me around Austin a bit."

"Oh, fine," Alexander mumbled. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Shouldn't I be the one awake before you with the time difference from LA? Everything should happen sooner than you're used to."

"Two hours isn't that big of a difference," Buck argued.

A knock on the door and TK came in, dressed in sweatpants and a grey hoodie, and looking half-awake as he mumbled, "Dad said to come wake you guys up."

"What if we were naked?" Alexander questioned with a sleepy grin.

"Then you did a good job of keeping it down last night," TK replied, collapsing face-down on the bed.

Laughing lightly, Alexander lied back down next to him, the twins getting comfortable together, much to Buck's amusement. TK ended up spooning Alexander, his forehead against the base of Alexander's neck and his arm around Alexander's waist. Grabbing his phone from the nightstand, Buck snapped a picture of the two before moving to grab a pale red hoodie to pull over his white t-shirt. He decided to get a quick breakfast before getting properly dressed so Buck kept his sweatpants on and headed out of the room. He found his way to the kitchen, where he found Owen at the dining table with one of his fancy mugs of coffee.

"They're curled up together," Buck informed, showing the man the picture he'd taken.

A smile crossed Owen's lips. "Yeah, good luck winning Alex's heart with TK around."

"They're really close then?" Buck found a smile growing on his lips at the thought. He knew the twins were close, that was easy to see, but he wasn't sure just to what extent. "Alex likes to talk about TK."

"Alex likes to talk, period," Owen replied with a grin. "How'd you sleep?"

"Good," Buck said. He frowned slightly, "Why does it seem like you and TK think Alex and I had sex or something?"

"Did you?" Owen raised a brow. A bright blush came to Buck's cheeks and he shook his head. Owen chuckled, "I'm just messing with you. It's been a while since Alexander tried any type of romantic relationship though, serious or just sexual. It's nice to see he's not running anymore."

That brought a smile to Buck's lips. "Yeah, he's… he's amazing. And uh, just so you know, Buck two-point-oh doesn't do one night stands."

"And Buck one-point-oh did?" Owen questioned carefully, making sure Buck knew he didn't have to answer.

"That Buck was a self-diagnosed sex addict," Buck admitted. He smiled ruefully, "This Buck knows better and isn't eager to go down that path again."

"Well then it's good to know you're getting better, healthier," Owen replied with a smile. "Now I just asked TK to wake you and Alex, but since he clearly can't complete the job, I'm gonna go get my twins out of bed."

Buck nodded and moved aside so Owen could walk past him towards Alexander's bedroom. Buck remained where he was for a moment, smiling as he listened to the three Strands talk.

"Heyyy, Dad." Alexander's voice was sleepy and groggy. "Come to join us?"

Owen's reply was amused but stern, "No, I've come to get you two to join Buck and I in the kitchen. I think I like him better, he doesn't do this."

"Aw, Dad, you love us," TK whined. Buck heard a soft groan and then TK's worried voice, "Does it hurt again?"

"Don't touch it! Your hands are cold!" Alexander yelped. A small grunt and he continued, "It always hurts when some sort of romantic intimacy happens. It's a hellish reminder, as if just the physical scar wasn't enough."

Despite his curiosity and concern, Buck stopped listening. He wasn't going to eavesdrop on something his friend wasn't ready to share with him yet. Alexander would tell in his own time and Buck was prepared to wait. Maybe not patiently, but he would wait.

Maybe the 'it' was the scar Buck suspected to be from a stab in Alexander's chest. Whatever had resulted in the wound likely still affected the man, Buck knew how their line of work left scars long after the events happened. But to be related to a romantic relationship...

Buck's ringing phone interrupted his thoughts and a smile appeared on his lips as he saw his sister's name on the screen. Using his shoulder to hold his phone to his ear, Buck walked to the counter and started making his own breakfast, a quick bowl of cereal.

"Isn't it around five-thirty in LA?" Buck asked, "What are you doing awake?"

"Couldn't sleep," Maddie replied. Her voice was tired and that made Buck worried. "How was your first night stay in the Strand household?"

"Great," Buck said. He wasn't even aware of the grin that lit up his expression as he spoke, "They're all amazing and nice and I think I'm really gonna love it here."

"That's great, Evan." Buck could hear the smile on Maddie's lips through her voice and that made his smile widen. "It's great that you're taking care of yourself and putting yourself first for once. You deserve happiness just as much as anyone else, don't forget that."

Buck swallowed tightly, his voice soft as he answered, "I know… How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," Maddie reassured. "I'm alright and I've been talking with Athena and Carla. I promise, I'm alright, Evan. And just to warn you…"

"Yeah, what is it, Maddie?" Buck asked nervously. "Is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine!" Maddie quickly reassured him. "Just… Athena forbade the one-eighteen from contacting you for a few days. Just be aware that they're going to call and apologize at some point."

Buck stilled at her words. He expected as much, of course he did, but was he ready for it? Was Buck ready to listen to the voices of his former teammates, to really listen to them and not be reminded of the pain they caused him? Could he see their faces through a screen without his memory being placed over reality? Could he do it?

"I…"

"Just say the word and I'll tell them to wait," Maddie said worriedly. "Or I can tell them not to contact you at all, Evan."

"No! No, it's fine." Buck licked his lips, thinking. "I think I need some sort of closure, Maddie, maybe even if I'm not exactly ready for it."

"Alright," Maddie replied slowly. "Don't push yourself for it just to get it over with though. Find closure when you're ready."

Buck nodded despite knowing Maddie couldn't see him. "I will. I swear, I will."

•••

"You stupid goddamn moron!"

"Alex, I just—"

"Tried to get yourself murdered in a bar fight?! I could punch you myself!"

"I'm sorry, I—"

"You didn't talk to me! Not once about how you're really feeling! We promised, Tyler! We promised after—" Buck looked up from staring at the coffee table in front of him as Alexander stopped. He watched as the man paled and swallowed thickly. Then Alexander turned from pacing in front of Buck and TK, and walked towards the door, "I'm going out. Don't worry though, I won't go start a goddamn bar fight."

TK winced and hung his head, seeming to sink further into the couch. "Just be safe." Alexander gave no reply and disappeared, slamming the door after him. Buck got up and started to go after his friend but TK grabbed his wrist, "Just let him go. Alex likes time alone to think. He'll be fine."

Buck hesitated and reluctantly retook his place on the love seat. He couldn't easily make out TK's expression in the dimness of the living room but he could make out enough of it to know the man was guilty. To be honest, Buck was angry as well. It was a stupid, suicidal move but with what TK described as his mental state, it admittedly made sense.

"Why didn't you talk to him?" Buck asked quietly.

TK's reply was a guilty mumble, "I didn't want to interrupt the first real relationship he's had in years."

At those words, Buck felt like someone punched him in the gut. Was he driving Strand twins apart? Was this his fault? Would he tear apart another family?

"It's not your fault, Buck," TK said, seeing the expression on the other's face. He wiped a hand down his face with a long sigh, "It's mine. I broke the promise I made to him and that's on me."

The door opened again and hoping it was Alexander, Buck looked up. He deflated slightly when he saw Owen walking in but he did his best to hide it. Buck wanted to see his friend, to know he was alright and not breaking down. Whatever Alexander had stopped himself from revealing still haunted him and Buck was desperate to know the man wouldn't be brought down by those ghosts.

"Alright." Owen's voice pulled Buck from his thoughts, the man looking at the younger two with a raised brow. "What happened to make Alexander push past me outside without a word while giving me the dead, dangerous, Winter Soldier eyes?"

In response, TK reached over to turn on the lamp resting on the side table at the end of the couch next to him. Owen's frown deepened as he saw his son's busted lip and the bruises covering his guilty expression. The fire captain kicked off his shoes and walked closer to stand at the other end of the couch, his hands on his hips.

"So did you tell him something to provoke him to hit you or did you do something stupid that upset him and will now upset me?"

TK let out a long sigh. "I started a bar fight and got arrested." Owen said nothing, silently urging TK to continue and he did. "I just… I've felt blank ever since we got here, Dad and I guess I just wanted to feel something for once. I didn't talk about it to Alex… I broke the promise we made each other after…"

Buck noted the flicker of pain that crossed Owen's expression as TK trailed off. TK looked pained too and that made Buck's curiosity and worry rise even more. Deciding to let the rest of their conversation remain between them, and needing some air himself, Buck stood from his position and made towards the front door.

"I'm gonna get some air and wait for Alex to come back," he mumbled as he passed Owen.

The night air was cool, a pleasant difference from the tense warmth inside. Buck let out a long breath, sitting at the top of the porch stairs and covering his face with his hands. His thoughts raced as he tried to process everything the day had brought.

Alexander clearly loved his twin; Buck saw that easily as he calmed his friend from panicking when TK was nearly suffocated in a grain silo earlier in the morning (they'd both been on the ground and made to watch the rescue). Alexander also loved his team, Buck had noticed that the man tried his best to make sure the entire team of the 126 was included in firehouse meals and conversations, even the paramedic team that Buck also noticed tended to keep their distance unless specifically invited. Things were different in Austin and while Buck was still learning, he trusted his new team.

The personal problems were piling up though, and it was beginning to put stress on the former LA firefighter. First there was his own unhappy leave from Los Angeles and the loose ends he'd left, sitting in the back of his mind like a box that couldn't be closed. Then there were Alexander's ghosts that were beginning to seem more relevant than Buck first thought since the man seemed so bright and unburdened through a screen. And now the revelation of TK's bad breakup and relapse, and his decision to purposely get others to beat him up.

It appeared as though Owen Strand was the only one in the household who had his shit together in a neat, undisturbed pile.

Another long sigh passed Buck's lips and he looked up. The street was quiet. Street lamps lined the road and painted the scene a warm amber. Darkness lurked around the edges of the light, shadows crawling behind houses, few and far between. There was no one else in sight.

Buck closed his eyes, resting his head on the cold metal railing of the stairs next to him. He felt tired, exhausted even. So tired, with the problems going around him. Tired enough that for a moment, he wished he could turn it all off. Just not feel, flip the switch and distance himself from it all, just for a moment. Then his eyes were snapping open and Alexander was lowering himself down to sit on the rough concrete next to him.

"Was I asleep?" Buck mumbled, pressing the heel of his hand against one eye and stretching out the dull ache in his legs.

"I think so," Alexander replied softly. "How long have you been out here?"

"Since not long after you left."

"Around three-quaters of an hour then…"

A long silence fell between the two. Buck was thinking while Alexander just stared out into the night. It was hard for Buck to pinpoint exactly what the other man was thinking. Alexander's gaze was dull, not nearly as open as Buck had seen the man before.

"I thought he was better," Alexander murmured after a long moment. Buck looked up as Alexander let out a soft, dry laugh, a mere huff through his nose. "I'm sorry… I brought you here from one mess to another. You should head inside and get some sleep, Evan. This is our shit-storm, not yours."

Buck didn't reply instantly. He could see the guilt on his friend's expression, the man really felt bad and maybe he even regretted suggesting for Buck to come to Austin. Buck didn't regret it though. In the one full day he spent in Austin, he felt welcomed, wanted and at home. His new team was the fresh start Buck wanted and needed, and shit-storm or not, Buck wanted Alexander to be at his side.

"It's alright, Alex," Buck said softly, taking his friend's hand in his own. "I don't mind. You're bound to have your own problems and I don't need to know. I'm here for you though."

Alexander let out a small sigh. "I don't know if I can talk about it, Evan. I want to, I do, but I don't think I can. It… It hurts. It was six years ago and it still hurts."

Buck shifted to instead wrap an arm around Alexander's shoulders and pull him closer. His other hand reached over to press against the man's chest, fingertips resting gently over the scar Buck knew lied there. Alexander tensed at the contact and Buck made to pull his hand away but Alexander relaxed before he could. Deciding it was alright, Buck kept his hand against his friend's chest, fingers gently massaging the skin.

"Why do you call me Evan?" Buck asked, curious and trying to get Alexander's mind off his past. A small chuckle passed Alexander's lips and Buck smiled, his heart fluttering at the sound. "No really, other than Maddie, you're the only one who doesn't call me Buck."

"I don't know," Alexander replied softly. "It just feels more… Intimate. Would you prefer Buck?"

"No." Buck smiled, letting Alexander rest his head on Buck's shoulder. "I like hearing Evan from you. I like feeling intimate with you."

Buck could tell Alexander was smiling. He wasn't quite sure how he knew, but he knew. He knew, and he wanted to make it happen more. Before Buck fully knew what he was doing, he pulled back slightly and pressed a kiss to Alexander's temple.

"Until forever, Alex," Buck murmured softly.

Alexander smiled and whispered back, "Until forever, Evan."

Inside, Owen turned away from his quick peek out of the front window and let the curtain fall back into place.

"That's twenty bucks you owe me," the fire captain said matter-of-factly as he walked past his other son. "Plus some more therapy."

TK frowned and peeked out to see for himself. "Damn."