DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own 9-1-1 or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it. Lyrics are from Flowers by Miley Cyrus.

WARNING: This story may include M/M, F/M and F/F relationships. If this offends, you do not have to read. Alternate Universe. Not sure where this should fall in the timeline. Pre-relationship Buck and Eddie. Current/Past Buck and Taylor.

BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Valentine's Day Special. Well, I did not plan on writing anything today. But…listening to Flowers by Miley Cyrus made me think of Buck.

.:oOo:.

I can buy myself flowers

Write my name in the sand

Talk to myself for hours

Say things you don't understand

I can take myself dancing

And I can hold my own hand

Yeah, I can love me better than you can.

.:oOo:.

Dating Taylor, Buck believed he found someone to share a part of himself with…a part of himself that craves showing affection without the thought of receiving any in return. A part of himself that goes out of his way to help someone without question and his actions not be thrown back in his face. Buck believed that he found someone that could love him despite everything he has been through; despite believing things about himself from growing up that causes those he loves to eventually leave regardless of how he feels. Buck thought he had that with Taylor.

God, you are so needy.

You just can't stand the idea of someone not liking you.

Maybe the problem isn't others…maybe it's you.

Words had the power to build someone up or tear them down, and Taylor Kelly knew exactly which words to use to rip through Buck without mercy. Watching her snatch up her purse and keys, watching her stomp out of the door to their apartment and slamming the door shut…Buck wanted to go after her. Buck needed to go after her, but his feet were rooted to the floor as he struggled to catch his breath that had been punched out of him with every cruel statement Taylor threw at him.

Swallowing the lump stuck in his throat, Buck glanced at the dining table he had spent the last hour setting up for today. It was Valentine's Day and Buck wanted to spend it with Taylor, showing her how much he appreciated her by cooking her a nice meal, playing her favorite music, running her one of her favorite scented baths while he cleaned up. He was then planning on taking her out dancing. That was not going to happen…not now. The bouquet of stargazer lilies he had bought Taylor stood at the center of the table forgotten, some petals looking as crushed as he currently felt.

For as long as he could remember, Buck had hated Valentine's Day. For a while, he disliked it because he was lonely on those days. Sure, he found himself having someone to spend it with, but there was nothing serious about those times. Not since Abby. But, then again, he spent his Valentine's Day with Abby in the hospital after choking on a piece of bread during their date. A year later after Buck finally moved past getting ghosted by the woman, Valentine's Day had passed and Ali was a short blip in the shattered pieces of his love life. Then there was Taylor…the one who made it as long as Abby did in tolerating spending time with him.

Then Taylor was not there…well, she was until she left slamming the door on her way out. It was like she could not get away fast enough and Buck resigned himself that maybe he just was not cut out for having someone long term in his life, not in the way he wants…the way he craves. He wants slow mornings waking up next to someone warm. He wants sharing breakfast in bed on rainy days. He wants sharing about his day at work. He wants spending time with someone who cherishes time with him as much as he cherishes time with them. He wants someone to love and have a family, get married and grow old together.

Why could he not have that?

Trudging over to the table, Buck picked a flower out of the bouquet and brought it up to his nose. The scent was sweet and delicate, something that immediately drew him in. He thought it would be the perfect flower for Taylor, but did he really buy them for her or because he enjoyed them? Both, maybe?

"I can buy myself flowers," Buck murmured, trying to shrug off the blanket of sadness that was threatening to smother him. "I can appreciate them just fine. No special occasion needed."

Setting the flower back in the vase with the others, he sat down to start on the lunch he spent weeks planning. The recipe was something new and Bobby had even helped him practice making it on their days off. The ratatouille had looked perfect when Buck had taken it out of the oven and placed it on the table. He had even snapped a photo of it and sent it off through the 118 group chat with Bobby not hesitating to comment on how proud he was. Warm ciabatta filled a decorative basket within easy reach, the pairing of garlic infused olive oil beside it.

"Who needs company anyway," Buck huffed, fixing his plate and starting to eat.

There was no way he was going to waste all of his hard work and the time he spent making this meal. He definitely was not going to make Bobby regret helping him by wasting this food. By the time Buck finished eating, he was ready to call it a day. Instead, he made his way to his upstairs bathroom. Starting the bath, he poured scented oils of spearmint and eucalyptus. If Taylor was not going to take the time to appreciate all of his efforts, Buck would just do it himself. Removing his clothes, he slipped into the hot waters and forced himself to relax to the softly playing music coming from his cellphone by the sink.

"Lunch was amazing, Buck. Thank you. I'm sure it took you a while to make it," Buck whispered hotly under his breath before exhaling loudly.

Buck's sadness was quickly turning into anger and he did not want to spend the day mad. He stayed in the bath until the water began to cool. Getting out, Buck dried off before working on controlling his curls without the heavy use of product he typically does for work. Afterwards, he moved to his closet and picked out the outfit he had planned on wearing tonight when taking Taylor dancing.

"Who needs a partner? I can take myself dancing," Buck voiced out loud, pulling on a pair of navy chinos, a white button-up shirt under a ash blue blazer.

Tucking his shirt, Buck slipped on a dark brown belt before heading downstairs. Grabbing his keys, phone and wallet, Buck stepped into a pair of brown dress shoes before leaving. He was not going to spend the day inside wallowing in sadness or anger, especially not when he had plans of spending the night out on the town…even if those plans changed to include only him. Just as he made it down to his jeep, his cellphone began to ring. For a split second, he thought it was Taylor calling, but a quick glance at the caller ID forced that thought away.

"Eddie? Hey, is everything okay?" Buck answered, frowning slightly as he thought about the plans his best friend had for today. "Is something wrong with Christopher?"

Eddie's chuckle filled the silence and a warmth spread deep inside Buck's chest.

"Yeah, man, Christopher is fine. He wanted you to know that he made you a present for Valentine's day," Eddie stated and Buck could hear Christopher in the background asking if he was coming over. "I know you made plans with Taylor—."

"I'm on my way over," Buck interrupted, placing his phone in the hands-free holder before starting his jeep.

"Oh…is she coming with you?" Eddie asked, uncertainty in his voice and Buck sighed.

Everyone was bound to find out about his new single status eventually. He may as well start with telling Eddie.

"We broke up," Buck finally spoke after a long moment of silence.

There was the sound of a sharp intake of breath and then shuffling, most likely Eddie walking out of the room Christopher was currently in so that he could speak in private.

"Look…it's not a big deal," Buck started, keeping his eyes on the road as he drove to Eddie's. "I bought some flowers, had a nice meal, took a relaxing bath, and I was just leaving to go dancing."

"Alone?" Eddie whispered, concern evident in his voice.

Biting his bottom lip, Buck nodded before remembering that his best friend could not see him.

"Yes, but that's my choice," Buck told him quietly, his fingers tightening around his steering wheel. "I didn't want my plans for today to go to waste."

"Okay, how far away are you?" Eddie asked, suddenly changing the subject.

"Um…about twenty minutes give or take LA traffic," Buck answered honestly, pulling to a stop at a red light.

"See you when you get here," Eddie stated before ending the call.

Buck blinked, his brows beginning to furrow. That was strange. Shaking his head, he spent the rest of the drive in silence. Arriving at Eddie's, Buck pulled into the driveway and parked beside Eddie's truck before getting out. He quickly walked up the sidewalk. Before he could open the door, Eddie was there already opening it with one hand.

"Come on in. Chris is just finishing up. I'll be right back," Eddie stated, before hurrying back down the hall to disappear into his bedroom.

"Bucky!" Christopher shouted, spotting Buck as he stepped out of his room.

Buck's answering grin faltered at the sight of Christopher dressed up in beige slacks and a cute little button-up shirt with suspenders.

"Hey there, Superman, you're looking handsome," Buck said, his grin growing as he knelt down to hug the nine-year-old.

"I picked it out myself," Christopher stated, returning Buck's hug. "Daddy said we're going dancing."

Eddie popped out of his room looking sheepish as he ran a quick hand through his damp locks.

"You…want to go dancing with me?" Buck asked, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched Eddie straighten his black dress shirt before patting down the thighs of his nice dark jeans.

Eddie smiled, clapping a hand on Buck's shoulder.

"Of course, we are. Mijo, why don't you get Buck's present and then we can get going," Eddie said to his son and waited until Christopher left them alone to speak again. "I know it's not what you planned, and I'm sorry for just inviting us along, but we want to spend today with you."

Buck blinked quickly at Eddie's words, turning his head to break eye contact before he did something embarrassing like cry or worse…kiss his best friend. Christopher chose that moment to reappear with a large handmade card and Buck was grinning again.

"Is that for me?" Buck asked, knelling back down to be eye level with Christopher and accepting the card. "Happy Valentine's Day, Love Christopher. I love you too, Chris."

Christopher giggled, hugging Buck one more time before impatiently moving towards the front door.

"Let's go, let's go dancing!" Christopher exclaimed with excitement, gaining laughter from the two men.

Buck caught Eddie's gaze as they made their way out of the house and over to his jeep.

"Thank you," Buck whispered and Eddie bumped their wrists together.

"Anytime."

So, while Buck can buy himself flowers, cook himself something nice to eat, take a relaxing bath, and go dancing by himself…watching Eddie and Christopher cutting loose on the dancefloor, Buck knew that he did not have to. He was not alone, not anymore.

.:END:.