Title: Unfunny
Rating: T
Pairings/Characters: Buck&Eddie gen, Chim, Hen, Bobby, Christopher
Warnings: AU: No Lawsuit
Notes: 9-1-1 Bingo Square - Prank Wars
Unfunny
It started innocently enough. The 118 had always been like one big family. And like a family, they liked to have fun. Sometimes, it was the expense of each other. But always good-natured.
Most of the time, there were pranks done by individuals. Sometimes, partners teamed up to do something a little bigger and better. Hen and Chimney were often on the same side. And when Eddie felt inclined to participate in the team's antics, more often than not, he was Buck's partner-in-crime.
There had been an unofficial prank war before the ladder truck. It was Chim versus Buck. They were pretty even. Both were looking for one good prank to put it over the top, in order to be declared the ultimate victor.
Then the ladder truck bomb happened, and their war was momentarily forgotten. Buck was too focused on physical therapy to think about a good prank.
He pushed himself to the point of exhaustion. All he cared about was getting back to his family.
And finally, the day came. All of his doctors cleared him for active duty. They claimed it was a miracle. It showed what hard work and determination could do for a person.
All he had to do was recertify, and then he'd be back where he belonged.
Buck actually ended up breaking some records with his recertification which impressed the instructors. And when the paperwork was on Bobby's desk, it was official. Buck would be back on the following Monday.
If he was being perfectly honest, he expected some sort of push-back from Bobby.
Bobby seemed worried about him coming back. He kept saying Buck was overdoing it, and he should let his body heal. There was no reason to rush his return. So, he was surprised there was no drama as Monday approached. Surprised, but thankful for it.
On Monday morning, Eddie came by his loft before their shift started. "You think I'm not going to celebrate your return?" Eddie asked when Buck opened his door and exclaimed his surprise. "I missed my partner," Eddie continued, a soft look in his eyes.
Buck blushed as his heart did a wild tempo within his chest. "I missed watching your back. I was so scared when someone else was doing my job. I know Bosko is one badass firefighter, but I guess I only trust myself when it comes to your safety."
"Trust me, Bosko is awesome, but she is no Buck. And now today, you'll be back where you belong."
Buck grinned, grabbing his bag that lay by the door. "Then let's go."
After a talkative drive in Eddie's truck with Buck practically bouncing in his seat in excitement, he nearly jumped out of the truth while it was still in motion. He danced in place, waiting for Eddie to get out at his more sedate pace.
"Hurry up, slowpoke."
"The 118 isn't going anywhere," Eddie retorted with an easy grin.
Buck stopped his motion, frowning as he looked back at the familiar building. "There was a time I worried I may never come back. At least not as a firefighter. It almost feels like a dream, and it's one I don't want to wake up from."
Eddie clapped his hand on his shoulder. "I understand. Let's go, and you'll see it's definitely not a dream. I bet everyone is just as excited to see you in the uniform once again."
Buck practically skipped to the door with Eddie following. When they entered, there were no greetings from anyone. In fact, everyone barely glanced up from whatever they were doing.
Buck frowned. He wasn't expecting a big parade, but he thought there might at least be a banner and cake. After all, Chim got the banner and rebar cake on his triumphant return. But there wasn't anything. Not even a half-hearted wave.
Eddie stepped up next to him. "That's weird."
Buck swallowed past the lump that was lodged in his throat. "it's no big deal."
"Let's get in our uniforms and go find Chim, Hen, and Bobby. I'm sure they'll be excited to see you."
Buck nodded. They went into the locker room together and quickly shed their civilian clothes, putting on the uniform that always made Buck feel like a real-life superhero.
When that was taken care of, they went upstairs. Bobby was busy in the kitchen while Chim and Hen played a card game.
Buck warily waved. "Hey, guys."
Hen waved without looking away from her cards.
Chim at least looked up at them. "Hey, Eddie. Buck." And then his eyes were again focused on the game."
Bobby didn't say anything as he flipped the pancakes.
Buck's shoulders slumped. Everyone else in the 118 barely acknowledging him, he could understand. But he thought he'd get something better from his team.
Eddie glared at the three of them. He opened his mouth, ready to ask them what their problem was, but Buck's hand on his upper arm stopped him.
Buck mutely shook his head. It wasn't worth getting angry over. Maybe his being gone wasn't even a blip on their radars.
The thought hurt, but he should be used to it. After all, his own parents never noticed when he was gone for days at a time while he was a kid. Why should anyone else be any different?
Buck's first shift back was 12 hours. Easy. He was happy to see him and Eddie still working well together, like a well-oiled machine. He worried that their time apart would make it difficult for them to find the right rhythm when it came to working together.
On the other hand, Buck felt awkward around Chim and Hen. It wasn't that they treated him differently from before the fire truck, but it was like they could take him or leave him, and him being gone hadn't affected them at all. Bobby would watch him a little closer if he had to do a particularly dangerous rescue, but other than slight hesitation, Bobby was all business. Like usual.
Thankfully, the first shift was him and Eddie finishing at the same time. "Want to come to the house? Maybe help Christopher with his math homework so I don't have to?"
Buck cracked his first honest smile since he walked into the 118 this morning. "I'd love to."
Eddie first dropped Buck off at the loft so he could drive over to Eddie's house. He didn't want to spend the night, no matter how much Eddie tried to cajole Buck into doing what he wanted.
Then they both drove over to Eddie's house in their separate trucks.
Christopher, of course, was thrilled with the surprise of Buck. And even more so that Buck would help him with his homework. ("Dad tries, but he's not really good at math," Christopher whispered, although not really because Eddie heard it loud and clear.) Although Buck put on a good show once they were at the house, and Christopher didn't seem to suspect anything, Eddie wasn't fooled. No matter how much he acted otherwise, Eddie knew today bothered Buck.
And when Christopher was asleep in his bed, after two stories (who could resist both Christopher's and Buck's puppy dog eyes?), Eddie brought it up.
"It's okay that today hurt you. I won't think less of you if you admit it."
Buck shrugged. "It was nothing."
"Really? Because it didn't happen to me, and I was ready to smash some heads together."
Buck cracked a small smile. "I appreciate you always having my back, but it really wasn't a big deal. I always thought of the 118 as my family. And I guess they are. Like my mom and dad, they wouldn't notice if I was gone. It hurts, but at least now I know where I stand."
Eddie's heart clenched and not for the first time, he wished he knew the address of Buck's parents so he could hop on a plane and ask them if they needed their heads examined. How could they have a son as brave and good-natured as Buck and take him for granted?
He couldn't do anything about Phillip and Margaret Buckley, but he could do something about the 118.
"You know I'd notice if you were gone, right? Christopher would too. Neither of us can imagine our life without you."
Buck nodded. "I never doubted you, Eddie. And as long as I have you and Chris, I don't need anyone else."
They clasped each other in a hug and then Buck was gone for the night. Eddie heard the rumble of Buck's truck as he pulled out of the driveway, and Eddie internally swore he was going to give the 118 a piece of his mind tomorrow.
Eddie stormed into the 118, ready to yell at the first person he saw, even if it was his captain. But the words were stolen out of his mouth when he saw the gigantic banner. It read in big, bold, orange (Buck's favorite color) letters: Welcome Home Buck!
"Look at that face," Chim said with a grin. "And I bet Buck will be just as awestruck. If I actually make him speechless, I hope I get it on video. No one would ever believe me."
Eddie blinked. "What is this?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
"His banner. And Bobby's finishing his cake. Just wait until you see it. It is definitely a masterpiece."
"Why are you doing this today? Why not yesterday?"
Chim continued smiling, not seeing the sour mood Eddie was in. "It was a prank, us acting as if we didn't care Buck was back. It will make today even better."
Eddie glared at Chimney. "Do you have any idea what your little prank did to Buck? How it made him feel?"
Chimney blinked, suddenly realizing that Eddie wasn't amused. "It was a joke. Why are you making such a big deal out of it? I'm sure Buck will find it hilarious."
"Were the others in on it?"
"Of course."
"Come with me," Eddie ordered, stomping up the stairs to the loft.
Chimney followed behind. "I'm not sure what the problem is. It was a prank. Buck and I are always pranking each other."
"The difference is that Buck's pranks never upset you and made you doubt the fact you belong with the 118."
Both Hen and Bobby turned when they came upstairs, having heard Eddie's statement.
"What do you mean?" Hen asked.
"I can't believe you were a part of this. You're supposed to be the more sensitive one, Hen," Eddie snapped.
"Eddie, what's going on?" Bobby asked.
"What's going on is Buck believes you're no better than his parents. That none of you would care if he left the 118 and never came back. That you wouldn't even notice if he disappeared. All because of your hilarious prank," Eddie spat. "Pranks are meant to be funny. Not cruel."
"What's going on?" Buck asked as he came upstairs. "I saw the banner, but…" He trailed off as he noticed Eddie glaring at the rest of the team. "Eddie, what did you do? Did you actually get a banner? I'm not sure how you got it so quickly, but it really wasn't a big deal. And I certainly don't need you to fight my battles."
Eddie's gaze softened as he turned and faced Buck. "I didn't get the banner, but these geniuses thought yesterday would be a great prank."
"Prank?" Buck asked. "You mean, everyone ignoring my coming back was a prank?"
Chim scratched the back of his head. "It was my idea, and I've been informed that it was insensitive and not funny. I'm really sorry, Buck."
Hen cleared her throat. "I'm sorry too. Like Eddie told me, I'm usually a lot more sensitive to my friends' feelings. And when Chimney came up with the idea, I should have seen what a mistake it was, and I should have put a stop to it. I never thought it would hurt you, but that's no excuse. I'm supposed to know these things about friends. About family."
Bobby cleared his throat. "I guess it's my turn. As the captain, I'm supposed to know better. You guys are always pranking each other, and I guess I didn't see this as any different. But I do know a little about your history. Not much, but I know enough to know that you never really had your parents growing up, and I should have realized this prank would remind you of them. And I'm sorry that I didn't stop it."
Buck nodded. "So, Eddie was the only one that wasn't in on it?"
Chim nodded. "We knew he wouldn't go for it, and knowing that, should have been a clue. But hindsight is 20/20 I guess.
"Do you know how I felt yesterday? Like I could fall off of the face of the planet, and no one, except Eddie and Chris, would notice. I felt that about my parents. It was the first time I felt that way about you guys. "
"We're sorry," Hen whispered.
"We'll make it up to you," Chim said.
Bobby nodded. "What can we do to make it better?"
Buck looked at Eddie, who was watching him. He nodded to himself. "I believe you when you say you're sorry. There's nothing you can really do to make it better, though. It brought all of those bad feelings to the surface. My biggest fear is being abandoned. I need time to get past it. Time and space."
Hen and Chimney both opened their mouths, ready to argue that there had to be something they could do. Bobby put up his hand, silencing them. "We understand, and we'll give you the time and space. I'm almost done with the cake if you're interested in it."
Buck smiled, but it was a pale comparison to his normally bright, golden retriever smile. "I'm always interested in cake. I'm going to go to the lockers to get changed into my uniform."
Eddie followed Buck downstairs. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked once they were in the locker room.
Buck shrugged. "Yes and no. I'm relieved it was all just a prank, but it doesn't erase the hurt I felt. I'll get over it. I just need some time."
"I'm here for you if you want to talk," Eddie reminded him.
Buck squeezed Eddie's shoulder. "I know. But right now, all I want is some of that cake. I hope it's red velvet."
They finished getting dressed in their uniforms. "Then let's go get some cake," Eddie said as they left the locker room.
X
(word count: 2,436)