You know... I do try to get this out faster, but i fail every time. However, I end up writing massive chapters. Here is a 11k beast for you.
Please let me know what you think.
Also, Happy July 4th if you are in America.
Chapter 21:
Harsh Words and Threats
Los Angeles
Against popular belief, Eddie is not stupid. Yes, while he has been blinded by his anger several times, he—generally—is a smart guy who can quickly pick up things. So, when Christopher's mood abruptly changes for the better, he knows something is up, and seeing his son smiling and beaming at his tablet, he puts two and two together. Buck must've finally- yes, finally- reached out to Christopher through the game, the realization hitting Eddie like a hard fist. At first, Eddie isn't sure how he feels. Okay, he's grateful as that's what's best for his son. Christopher needs Buck, but he can't help but be a little bitter.
Why did it take so long? Did Buck have to drag it out? Surely, he had to have known that this or any silence would hurt Christopher? So why? But then again, why did Buck have to leave? Why was he such a coward? Stop it! He yells at himself. "Just stop it." This time, he voices it aloud. "You're the asshole in this situation. This is on you." Maybe, if he hears it, he'll believe it and stop being a damn fool. With a deep breath, he can admit that it does sting to hear these words and he can admit that this is more complicated than he pretends it to be. Buck didn't leave for shit and giggles, and he definitely didn't go silent with Christopher for heck of it. No, Buck ghosted all of them because of their-No, Eddie corrects himself, he ghosted you fuckers because of you. Buck left because he was unhappy. Unhappy from his former friend's horrific treatment of him.
This isn't a new realization as Eddie had seen this deep sadness in the man since before the lawsuit, but his anger and his grief were (still is) too overwhelming for him to understand how badly he hurt Buck. God, that thought is a kick to the gut. How did he go from being besties with Buck to uncaring and cruel? His first impulse is to blame it on his military trauma, which he will never be rid of. At times, all he can see is blood and guts. His second is to blame Christopher's traumatic birth, where for half a second, he thought his son and wife were going to die. His death would have followed, death by broken heart. His third was Shannon's death, him watching her take her last breath. Her death especially fucked him up. She was the mother of son, his wife. A person he had loved with his entire heart once. Having to tell Christopher that his mother was never coming back broke something inside of Eddie, and he doesn't think that piece can ever be repaired. Then to add that trauma to the rest of his traumas, it is amazing that he can even stand.
Anyhow, back to the point: Eddie has a lot of trauma and misplaced anger, and it was unfair to aim it at Buck. Yet, he did. With an image of a laughing Buck and Christopher swirling around his head, he can't believe that he unloaded this intense anger and piercing pain onto Buck, and it makes him physically ill thinking about how much he enjoyed unleashing his anger unto Buck. How could he have been so blind?! Yes, yes. He knows why, and shit, even now he still mad. Mad that—
Stop it. Stop it! Stop it!
Eddie takes a deep breath, counting slowly down from 100. His anger is an angry beast, and it takes an excruciatingly long bit for him to calm down, his heart refusing to slow. "65…64…63" he voices and pauses between count to take a deep breath. Eventually, his heart beat returns to normal, and feeling more like himself (whatever that is), he stops counting and gets to his feet. Taking another deep breath, Eddie stands there for a moment as he attempts to clear his mind, putting himself on a sunny beach. It takes a few tries.
"Mijo," Eddie calls as he steps into the living room. For the first time in a while, Christopher isn't hiding in his room…or hiding from him. That helps his aching, beating heart.
Christopher, their relationship still off, glances up at his father. "Hey." He replies softly. His eyes are back on the tablet a second later.
While Eddie knows who Christopher is talking to, he doesn't want to point it out, scared of how his son will react. He doesn't want his son to feel guilty for talking to Buck; plus, he's also scared of what he will say when it is confirmed to be Buck, so he would rather pretend he doesn't know for a while longer. "Hey." He nods his head as he sits next to the young boy.
"Hey."
Eddie snorts, a smile gracing his face, and throws out, "Hola." Christopher's face scrunches up at the Spanish. Before the lawsuit, Christopher and he practiced their Spanish every day, while Buck and Christopher watched Spanish telenovelas. Both Buck, with a goofy smile on his face, and Christopher would talk a million miles an hour as they discussed what was going on. Eddie didn't care to watch, his focus on his giggling boys—Buck's not yours, his mind supplies—and not the show. Granted, the times that he did listen to show, Buck surprisingly wasn't wrong.
"Dad," he says, stretching out the last 'd'.
"What?" He innocently grins, which earns him a dramatic eye roll. "Did you want to do something with me? Or are you too focused on that?" he asks, pointing a sharp finger at the tablet. Christopher jolts and yanks the tablet away from his dad, holding it up to his chest. His son's stark reaction startles the Firefighter, and he leans away, his smile dropping. "Mijo."
Christopher stares at his dad, not blinking, before he exhales the breath he is holding. "Just playing." He says a tad too quickly.
Eddie nods. "Cool."
"Yup." A few seconds pass.
Eddie is glad Christopher's anger is gone, but he could do without this awkwardness. This is your fault, his mind declares, which he doesn't dispute. "So… do you want to do something with me?"
"Like what?" Christopher asks calmly, now holding the tablet-screen down- on his lap.
His response stuns Eddie, still expecting his son to reject him. "Video games? Or… we can go out. The zoo? We can go to a baseball game too if you like. Anything you want." He is desperate, throwing out ideas.
Christopher takes a deep breath and shakes his head, his grip tight on the tablet. "Can you tell me why Buck left?" He asks cautiously, his voice soft and low.
An intense anger flashes up inside Eddie, his hand balling at his side, at the thought of Buck dragging his name through the mud to his own sun. But don't you deserve that? He violently shakes his head before his mind replies with 'Buck would never do that,' which is correct. Buck isn't a petty or revengeful person. Eddie isn't sure Buck even has a vicious bone in his bone. He doesn't think he has ever seen him truly enraged. Yes, he has seen and heard Buck rant, but never truly angry. Upset yes, but never mean or nasty. "Um…well." He pauses and takes a deep breath. "Listen, Bud. It isn't important. Mistakes happen."
"Like what?" Christopher asks, his tone shifting. It is more accusatory.
Judging by his tone and blank star, Eddie knows he won't be able to get out of this without some kind of an explanation. However, there's no way that he can voice the true reason without wanting to punch himself in the face. If he could go back in time, he would, though he doesn't know if he can trust himself not to be the same asshole as he doesn't trust his ability to control his anger regarding the lawsuit. The lawsuit still leaves a bad taste in his mouth, and he has no doubt that he would still be a dick, but he hopes he wouldn't have been as cruel.
Eddie inhales deeply and exhales slowly as he meets his son's eyes. He has seen those sharp eyes pointed at a few people throughout his life, but having it pointed at him throws Eddie off and his brain bluescreens. Puffing out his cheeks, he closes his eyes, and, drowning in that toxic dread, thinks back to the time after Shannon's death. "Your mother's death affected me in ways that I didn't know was possible." He painfully swallows. "I didn't respond well, and my anger got the better of me. It is one of my greatest regrets."
Christopher's heart is thumping so badly that Eddie feels his nerves from here. "So…you were m-mean to Buck." His voice squeaks at the end.
Just like that, Eddie shatters, and he just wants the floor to open up beneath him and swallow him whole. "Yes." He is struck hard by his own answer that his world spins.
"So, you are the reason why Buck left." He says softly and harshly at the same time.
Eddie's chest constricts painfully. "We both made some mistakes." He replies hastily and anxiously, though he isn't sure he believes it. Yes, he will still stand behind the fact Buck wasn't ready to return to work. Neither were you. His mind counters. After Shannon's death, he refused to stop for even a second, his thoughts too nasty and cruel. To prevent thinking- to prevent living-, he pushed himself forward. Had to focus on anything except Shannon's death and his bloody hands. Hands covered in the blood belonging to Christopher's mother.
"Really?" Christopher accuses, his eyes cutting right through Eddie. "Was he mean to you?"
Once more, Eddie wonders what Buck told his son, but considering Christopher is talking to him, he must've given Christopher an edited version, which Eddie is grateful for. Chicken. You're glad you don't have to face the truth. "No. He…ah…wasn't. I was wrong. It's just that Buck…" He pauses to take several deep breaths. With a puff, he says, "He…umm… He pushed himself too hard too fast, which I think is a lesson we all need to learn. We have to be aware of our own failures… I didn't realize that I wasn't ready to return to the job after your mother's death. I was a mess. So much like I had done, Buck failed to listen to Bobby and was willing to do whatever it took to get back on the job. Whatever it took."
At the word 'mother', Christopher's stare softens and his eyes gross over, but he doesn't offer any words of encouragement.
Eddie waits a few seconds to see if his son will say anything. Christopher just sits there in silence, holding his tablet close to his chest. "But that doesn't excuse me. I made some mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes." Eddie says softly. The words burn as he speaks. They don't burn because he sees them as a lie; rather, they burn because they are true. "There are so many things that I wish I could take back."
Christopher shakes his head and asks, "Do you still hate Buck for the lawsuit?"
*O*O*
Chicago
Buck cannot tell you how this happened. He can't tell you how Steve can be so nimble and agile at his large size, but man, the former navy seal, is a sneaky bastard. A very sneaky bastard. Somehow Steve is driving his jeep and Buck is stuck in the passenger's seat, looking like someone has kicked his puppy. This should be illegal, but fighting with Steve over the driver's seat will only give Buck a major headache. Instead, Buck just pouts like a child, though he will deny it if poked.
Unfortunately for Buck, Steve likes to poke. "Do you need some ice cream for that pout?" he teases as he drives through the streets of Chicago like a pro.
"I don't know why you have to drive my jeep." Buck, his eye twitching, whines.
"You know why." He says matter of fact as if he has explained this to Buck a million times.
Pouting like a toddler, Buck rolls his eyes and huffs. "Suurrreee…"
Steve shots Buck a pointed, yet offended glare. "Sure?! What is that supposed to mean? You think I'm lying about getting car sick?" he dramatically asks, playing up how affronted he is. "Are you calling me a liar?"
Spotting the familiar building on his street, Buck is tempted to drop this playful—though annoying-conversation as he is too sleepy to deal with Steve and his silliness. However, Steve would take that silence as confirmation that he won, and Buck cannot let that stand. "Yes." He states firmly. "We can ask your wallet how many times you 'left'"—Buck adding air quotes— "it at home to avoid paying for drinks."
Replacing his pointed glare, Steve is gasping like a damn fool. "I would never."
"You would never not." If Buck didn't know Steve, he would've thought he had insulted Steve as his mouth hangs open in disbelief. "You know Freddie,"—Buck's heart aches at the memory—"had a drinking game regarding the number of times that you 'had' forgetting your wallet." He says, putting air quotes around 'had.'
"Why do you hate me? I left the wonderful, beautiful, warm state of Hawaii to fly to this shit hole to check in on you. Where is the love?" He takes one hand off the wheel and waves to the city. "I can smell it through the window."
Even though Buck is a new resident of Chicago, a protective roar flashes up inside of him. This place is his home, and no one will smack talk it front of him. "Hey now, don't knock Chicago. At least, we don't have to cut off an arm and leg—just an arm here- to live unlike in Hawaii, where locals get priced out of their homes for B and Bs."
The 'pained,' shocked expression falls from his face, as he sighs. "I can't deny that," he grumbles. "It's a real issue." Steve pulls up to Buck's apartment and parks in the first available parking space. "But you can't deny this isn't the best part of town."
"I am aware." Buck huffs as he gets out of his Jeep.
*O*O*
"Who do we have here?"
Buck stiffens up, his hand freezing on the doorknob, as the chilling voice cuts through the firefighter like a sharp knife. "Dom." He stiffly articulates, wishing the man away. When that obviously fails, he straightens up and meets the man's cold, calculating stare. "A friend." he answers dryly. Picking on up Buck's tone, Steve straightens up and zeros in on the man, and a familiar cold, calculating expression falls unto Steve's stoic face. Buck is instantly reminded how deadly—yes, deadly- Steve can be when the situation calls for it.
Dom, hand on his chin, takes a large step forward, his eyes in fine points. "A friend? Or cop? He looks like a cop." He replies, his tone missing any of his normal charmed—not that Buck considered this man charming. Dom is the opposite of charming. "Is he a cop?"
Buck blanks. While Steve isn't CPD, he is a cop, and he doubts that Dom would appreciate any cop regardless of where they are from, especially if he is trying to funnel in drugs from out of state. "Not a cop. He just whipped my ass in the Navy." Buck answers quickly. "He was one of the seals instructors. Put the fear of god into me and made my ass hurt quite a few times." A few seconds pass before it dawns on Buck what he said. His cheeks go cherry red.
Steve, stunned, turns his blue eyes onto Buck, his narrowing eyes going large before he forces a blinding smile on his face. It takes a second Steve to collect his thoughts. "He had a big head." He replies, turning back to Dom.
A second passes as Dom ponders. "Are all instructors friends with all of their seal rejects?" His eyes shift between the two.
Without missing a beat, Steve's grin grows and goes, "There are some people you can't shake. Buckley is one of them. He will just tie you down and not let you go."
For a second—still hot over his misstep with his words-, Buck forgets about Dom and gets offended. "Hey now!" A deeper blush forms on his face when reality hits and he remembers Dom. "But anyhow," he coughs, painfully and loudly. "Nice talking to you, Dom." He squeaked out. Not. "However, I had a long day at the fire house, and I just want to sleep."
"And you?" Dom asks, extremely interested in Steve.
"Just going to watch him sleep."
Buck coughs, his brain taking a second to reboot. "Yea…um…What?"
"Excuse us." Steve doesn't wait for a response before he sets his hand on Buck's shoulders and manhandles—yes manhandles—him into the apartment. He closes the door behind them, purposely and swiftly locked the door behind him. He lets go of Buck and crosses to the window. With his back against the wall, he hooks the curtain with two of his fingers and moves the curtain just enough to peek out. "What did you get yourself into now, Buckley?"
There is no judgement—or maybe there was?— in Steve's tone, but Buck feels it. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Steve snorts as he lets go of the curtain and turns his attention back to Buck. "You remember the time that you almost got kicked out of the Navy over some Admiral's daughter?" He asks, deadpanned.
Buck's face scrunches up as if someone waves something nasty under his nose. "That isn't fair. I didn't realize she was his daughter. And she hit on me first." That specific Admiral was never his biggest fan, though Buck blames Steve for that. Steve, who is not scared to let you know that your plan sucks, bucked head with the Admiral a lot.
"Yea, but you're the one who wanted to show off to some random girl without knowing who she is." Steve shoots out. "Oh, don't forget the time you almost got arrested for flirting with the younger brother of the—"
"Okay. Okay. I get it." Buck waves him off. "But I wasn't flirting. This is just my face."
"Such a pretty face." Buck snorts. Steve cocks his head to the side, and with his joking tone gone, he replies, "So, what is the story with Dom. I know you don't like to tell people you were a seal to avoid the 'yes, I killed people' conversation, but I don't know you to lie about it straight out." He pauses. "I hadn't forgotten about you being in Chicago thing. You still owe me that explanation."
Buck's eye twitches. "I know." He huffs, knowing he promised Steve an explanation, but he is exhausted from his shift. However, maybe he should just tell Steve so he can get it over with, but he is too tired. His brain is malfunctioning. "Can I get some sleep first?" He asks, angling himself to the bed.
Knowing the younger man, Steve looks Buck up and down. "Buck." he calls, speaking like an annoyed older brother.
"Okay." After taking a deep breath, Buck exhales deeply. "Which one do you want first?" Unlike Kelly, Steve knows a few key points already. Having seen the news, Steve knows about the tsunami and the fire truck, but Buck never told him about the shit that went down after the lawsuit. Yes, shit is a good word to describe the events post lawsuit. It was just shit.
Steve, crossing to the couch, motions for Buck to take a seat as if this is his home. Why does everyone act like this is their house? "Sit."
"If I sit, I'll fall asleep." Buck blows out slowly before he starts his story. After telling Boden, Casey, and Kelly, he has it down pat, knowing exactly what he's going to say. He tells him about how Bobby kept him back and blamed it on the white shirts. He, his heart beating a million miles per second, tells Steve about lawsuit, while trying not to bite his lip in his nervous fit. He stumbles over the lawsuit details, still embarrassed at how far his lawyer took even if Casey and Boden told him he had nothing to be embarrassed over. It is nearly impossible to keep his voice even when he mentions the settlement and the millions that he won which do not go unnoticed by Steve.
"I assume by this apartment you did not take it."
"I did not."
"I also assume you and your team didn't pick up exactly where you guys left off prior to the lawsuit."
Buck swallows deeply, his heart pounding in his ear. While a weight was lifted off his chest when he told Casey, Boden, and Kelly, he hates having to relive this story over and over. He hates having to think about it, still in denial that his fire family would do such a thing. He is also upset with himself for taking it so far. "To say they were unhappy is an understatement. They couldn't understand why this job was so important to me, not understanding why I needed this." He states loudly, pulling at the CFD logo on his shit. There is a question hanging over his head, and Buck is almost too scared to ask it. "Can you understand?" He asks restlessly and desperately.
Steve, clocking each twitchy movement, gives Buck a gentle smile before answering, "I got shot, had a kidney transplant, and went back to work almost immediately. So, yes, I understand."
Steve getting shot doesn't surprise Buck, the firefighter expecting it to be a daily occurrence, but a kidney transplant throws him. "You what? Which time was this?"
"Pretty sure my entire team wanted to tie me to the bed, but it's fine. I was fine. Nothing I cannot handle. Reopening my stitches? But sshhhh, it is fine." Steve waves it off.
Buck doesn't disagree. "And no one to kick your ass out."
"The good thing about being the boss. Danny would have if he could have," Steve smiles and adds. "But back to you."
Buck grumbles to himself, his exhaustion still hitting him like a truck. He wobbles on his feet, and it takes too much energy to keep upright. "Okay." Regarding the abusive and hostility that he faced after he returned to the 118, he tries to keep it general and simple like he had with Boden and Casey. However, Steve doesn't let him off the hook that easily.
"Evan." Steve says evenly and sternly, the order clear.
"What?" Buck utters, acting innocent.
Steve levels Buck with a piercing stare. "You're a former Navy Seal. I trained you myself, so I know it takes more than a few cold shoulders to get to you."
"Okay." Buck takes a deep breath and tells Steve everything. As with Kelly, he can spot the muscles twitch in Steve's perfect face as he explains what happened after his return to the 118. He, fighting back tears, explains how he felt isolated. He explains how nothing he did was good enough. A shudder running through his body, he tells him how the rest of the shift ripped him apart each shift and how the house no longer felt like a home. He can tell that Steve has some comments, his jaw stiff in anger and his hand balled, but he doesn't speak, allowing Buck to continue his story.
Without stopping, Buck continues, explaining why he left LA and why he stayed in Chicago. His face goes pink as he explains—rather awkwardly- why he stayed at 51. Even he winks at the number of times he mentioned Kelly's name. Do I always sound like this when I talk about Kelly? Avoiding any mentions of Kelly cornering him in the turnout room for a make out session, Buck explains how he met Adam and got dragged into this uncover assignment. He explains how Casey and Boden know, ready to pull the plug if needed but he wants to see this through. Again, Buck can see the muscles in Steve's jaw twitch when he mentions how Dom has taken an unhealthy interest in him. "And that's how we got here."
Steve, his smile gone, runs a hand down his face, thinking about everything Buck had just told him. The former Navy Seal Commander, now on his feet, will deny he has any tells, but he is showing all of them. As he paces from the door to the couch, the muscles in his left arm spasm visibly as he flexes his hand into a tight fist. His right eye twitches, while he swallows some thick huffs. Looking like a bull, it takes a few seconds before he can form a sentence, though it isn't much. "Give me a second." He says, breathing through his nose.
Buck does give him a second even though with each passing second his nerves grow. He can feel the anger rolling off Steve, an intense tide wave of fury. "Yea, I know it is a lot."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
That is the million-dollar question, isn't it? But there isn't just one answer to that. One, he was—still is—embarrassed by the fact that it happened, that he let it happen. Two, he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. His parents have drilled that into him. Burdens are unwanted. Three, he was scared of Steve's reaction. He knows how protective the man can be, and he will rain hell down on anyone who hurt his family. "I should have," Buck answers, honestly. "I just couldn't see a way out."
Coming to a stop, Steve exhales slowly, his nose flaring, and deflates. "But are you okay?"
It takes a second for Buck to answer as he ponders the question. Adam and his undercover assignment aside, he is truly happy. This is his home now. "Yes. I am. Good in fact."
Puffing out one last breath, Steve nods and says, "Okay."
That is a loaded okay, but Buck isn't sure what to make of it. While there is no outward hostility towards him, Steve was mostly quiet during his story, only pushing him along when he got stuck. "Just, okay? That's all you got?"
Steve takes a deep breath as he rubs his chin. "Do you want the truth?"
Buck's heart stops and he swallows, "Yes?" Is Steve going to tell him he is wrong? Is Steve going to hate him? Steve had talked about how important trust is among your teammates and how they are your family. Family is important to Steve and Buck just broke it. Will Steve hate him? He can't have Steve hating him.
"Stop that."
"W-what?" Buck asks, as he tries to slow down his heart.
Steve motions to Buck's face, waving at his expression. "That face. You can kill someone with that. Put it away."
Buck wavers on his feet. "Okay."
"Stop." Steve says firmly. "You're your worst enemy, you know?"
"I…Um…I…" Buck's first reaction is to deny this, but literally nothing comes to mind, and he is pretty sure Casey, Kelly and Boden would agree. "…Yea."
Not speaking for a minute, Steve watches Buck's expression morph between anger, sadness, and acceptance. While crossing back to the couch to say, he says, "Nothing the 118 did was okay. It will never be okay. Never. Personally, I understand exactly why you did what you did and would probably do the same. Again, I pushed myself way too hard and too quickly after my kidney transplant. I reopened my stitches a few times. But as a commander—a leader-, I could never allow someone under my command to do so. I can't help but see your former Captain's point. Blood thinners are dangerous for a first responder."
This is the same thing Boden has pointed out, and Buck can see that. "I know." He mutters, deflating.
Steve exhales deeply. "Again, your Captain didn't handle this correctly. It was his job to guide you and he failed."
The word 'failed' ringed in Buck's ear. "Yea."
"I don't know if a lawsuit was the way to go, but I can see why you did it. If you had asked me, I would have just kidnapped you. I doubt Danny or the team would have minded."
"Would you have?" Buck asks, knowing he wouldn't have rejected Steve's offer.
"I totally would have offered up my home. I am willing to do it know, but I am not sure that Severide guy would like that." He chuckles. "But I can take him." he flexes.
While it hurts to hear Steve say he disagrees with the lawsuit, Buck agrees. The lawsuit was his desperation, a manifestation of his fears, and it was his willingness to do whatever it took to be a firefighter, his life purpose. His lawyer did warn him that this lawsuit would destroy any hope of being a firefighter again, but Buck was too blinded by his pain and desperation to listen. "I wish I could take it back." It takes a second. "Yea…. Ah… Kelly…." Buck shakes his head not willing to finish that statement.
"I know." Steve smiles weakly. "So, I'll put my unbridled anger at your old firehouse—I will touch back on it later as no one deserves to be treated like that. And I mean no one.— away for now. I do want to kick their asses though. We can touch back on Kelly too." He pauses. "However, this Dom guy takes priority."
Buck can taste Steve's anger. "Hopefully, this will be over in our next meetings. I just need to him to tell me about the drugs."
"It isn't going to be that easy." Steve deadpans, his tongue running across his tongue. "I have been a cop for a while now, Kid. It is never that easy."
Deep down, Buck knows that, especially as he is more unluck than not. However, he's going to keep positive thoughts. "A guy can hope?"
Steve stared at him. "Who is in charge of this thing?"
"A man name Voight. He heads the intelligence unit, but the guy I'm working with is Adam Ruzek." Buck thinks about Adam for a second, and while there are times Buck wants to hang him from the aerial, he isn't half bad. In fact, they get along well when they aren't talking about the case. He is a worthy video game opponent. "He isn't horrible."
"Hm." Steve hummed. "I will be the judge of that."
Buck narrows his eyes. "What does that mean?"
Steve turns to the door, his legs moving as on a mission. As he puts his hands on the doorknob, he stops and turns back to Buck. "That can wait. You should probably get some sleep. I can give this Voight a talking too later."
Buck literally went blue screen for a second, his brain erroring. While he has only met the man once, he isn't sure that that is the best idea. Plus, he is honestly scared for that meeting. "Okay."
"Wait. Just one last thing." With a swift movement, Steve is back at Buck's side and pulls Buck into a tight hug. Buck doesn't fight and wraps his arms around Steve. He loses himself in Steve's warmth. Steve gives the best hugs.
*O*O*
If it wasn't for Buck's exhaustion and lack of sleep, he doubts he would've fallen asleep so easily and quickly. He's lying if he says he isn't worried about Steve going ape shit on the 118 or Adam or his boss. He has a few bad dreams about it, and they aren't far from the truth as Steve is ready to go as soon as Buck is up. The younger man barely gives gets two words out before he is handed a plate of eggs and is told to eat up so they can go. It takes a few seconds for Buck to figure out where, his brain still lagging. "What?"
"What what?"
"You know wh—" Buck's phone whistles—a text coming in-, stopping him in his tracks. Giving Steve a quick 'Don't play' stare, he glances down at the phone and stiffens when she spots Adam's number. "He hesitates for a season before he opens it.
Steve straightens up. "Is there an issue? Or did they just beat me to it?"
Buck's face scrunches up as he reads the text from Adam. "Dom texted Adam, the officer that I am working with, asking him about the Navy seal that showed up at my door. Little scared you are a cop."
"I am a cop." Steve grins, pauses for a second. "Well not CPD."
"Yea, either way, we don't want him to know that," Buck softly and dejectedly chuckles to himself. Mumbling to himself, he whispers, "I still don't know how you are a cop."
"Hey!"
Shit. Buck smiles, his cheeks a slight red. "What? You don't have the…." He hesitates for a second as he tries to find the right word. "Right… patience for it."
Steve nails him with a pointed glare. "Been talking to Danny, have you?" He waits for a second as if daring Buck to confirm. "I am wonderful. Not my fault people are idiots."
Knowing he can't let Steve go down this rabbit hole, he changes the topic. "Anyhow, Adam wants to meet. He's worried Dom is scared… Well, not scared overall." Buck waves his hands in a sweeping motion. "I don't believe that man is scared of anything. I am pretty sure he has gutted people for the hell of it; so, yea, just worried you are a cop."
Steve's playful glare changes, more calculating. "Then let's meet this Adam and this Voight fellow."
*O*O*
Adam gives Buck an extremely out of the place to meet, and after pulling it up on google and grabbing a jacket, Buck and Steve head right out. Of course, Steve is driving, simply staring at Buck when he questions it. Buck has been living in this city for much longer, but again, Steve has to drive. He has the keys in his hand before Buck can comprehend how. "I'm not going to drive my own vehicle any time soon, am I?"
Steve shots him a sharp look. "How many times do I have to remind you? I get car sick if I don't drive."
Buck dramatically rolls his eyes. "Suurreee." He teases, rolling his tongue. Again, Buck has never brought the 'I get car sick when I don't drive' excuse, but he—for the most part—let Steve use the excuse. It may be weird, but he, when he isn't dead on his feet, enjoys this game with Steve, feeling like two brothers messing with each other even if it is several times a day. So, while there is annoyance, there is no anger. However, he would never tell Steve that as that would only energize him.
When they pulled up to the location—an old empty lot with a layer of gravel-, there's already a vehicle waiting there, hiding halfway by an old concrete pillar. Steve stops the jeep for a moment like he is contemplating turning around, but after a quick scan of the area, he presses the gas and continues forward. As they get closer, two dark figures manifest in the car, though their faces are undisguisable. Steve's expression is unreadable, but Buck knows how he gets when he puts on that face. "Why are you more stressed than I am?"
Steve huffs, his nose flaring, as he puts a healthy amount of space between them when he parks. "I am not stressed." After switching the car off, Steve slips the keys into his pockets and shots a glance at Buck. "I'm not going to hold back."
"I don't expect anything less, though try not to punch anyone. They can arrest you here."
Steve snorts before his expression changes, ice cold. "I can't make any promises." This frosty tone gives Buck pause.
With a deep breath, Buck shakes his head and pushes that frosty tone of Steve's to the side while he reaches for the door handle. "The death of me. You will be the death of me," he mumbles to himself as he pushes the door open and steps out, hot nerves going up his arm. Steve follow suits, which triggers the individuals in the other car to step out. Buck's eyes automatically drop to their guns before popping up their eyes. Adam's form is as clear as day to Buck, recognizing him from anywhere, but it takes a few seconds for him to recognize Voight, having only saw him once.
"I can see why Dom is worried." Adam announces, as he, adjusting his gun on his belt, crosses to them. His eyes linger on Steve's large form. "You do scream cop."
"Well, that's easy to explain I am a cop." Steve replies, nonchalantly with a soft struggle. Voight's eyes narrow.
"Though far from your jurisdiction," Buck teases, balling his hands into his pocket of his bomber jacket, as he gives Steve his famous Buck smile. "How-"
"So, who do we have here?" Voight asks, interrupting Buck and getting directly to the point.
Buck doesn't know Voight, only meeting him once in Boden office, well enough to judge his hot glances, but man, he is intense. Swallowing awkwardly, Buck shifts uncomfortably under his hot glare. It's like he is looking right through him.
"Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett," Steve says stiffly, not offering his hand. The muscles, arms folded across his arms, twitch. "I currently run a major crime task force for the state of Hawaii." Just like Voight, Steve gives both officers the once over, measuring them up. "The Kid here was under my commander in the Navy, and no matter how much time passes, I will always keep a watch over him."
"Hawaii, huh," Adam echoes.
"Yes. Hired by the Governor herself." Steve adds.
If Voight is impressed by it, he does show it. "I heard about that task force," he replies, not taking his eyes off the Hawaiian Cop. "Doesn't your task force have full immunity and means? I bet that comes in handy."
"It does." Steve answers, his voice stiff.
Adam rubs his nose. "But surely, you don't mean full immunity? There has to be some things you can't do."
Buck can't lie and say that the phrase 'full immunity' doesn't make him nervous because it does. Everyone needs checks and balances, everyone. This includes Steve, who Buck himself had to pull back a few times in the past. There's the one time specifically that Buck remembers that Steve had to do the same for him. It has been years, years, and yet, Buck has never been angrier in his life than that one moment. If Steve hadn't been there to pull him back, he doesn't know what he would've done. Sure, he has been angry—Buck loses count when he thinks back on the last year or so-, but never to that level. Buck thanks God every day that Steve checked him.
So, for cops, those balances are especially important, as they are tested every day either by their own ethics and/or the lack of ethics of those they serve. Buck isn't hip to all that Steve does, but he does know Steve pushes boundaries and had shot a guy while in custody fearing a nuclear bomb on Hawaiian soil. He is aware of why, and he can't blame Steve for acting the way he did, but he can admit that he would be scared if someone else had that ability. Steve is an honorable man who protect those who cannot do so. He isn't dirty. No doubt a dirty cop would've taken the immunity and done some real damage.
Steve eyes Adam for a second before turning back to Voight. "Well, I can't go around killing people. That would be frown upon." He holds Voight heated stare.
Buck glances at Steve from the corner of his eyes, not sure where this is going, but if he were to judge Steve's tone, he isn't going to like it. He shots Steve a side way glance checking in with him with his eye.
Voight holds Steve's piercing gaze. "That is true anywhere." He pauses, takes a step forward, and offers his hand, "Sergeant Hank Frank. I run Chicago-"
"I know who you are," Steve firmly cuts him off. "I am also aware of your reputation."
Confused, Buck straightens up and pulls his hands from his pockets. "What?" he utters. He knows there is bad blood between 51 and Voight, but no one had ever mentioned why. He is tempted to ask, but he never found the right moment to ask. Plus, it didn't seem like it was his place to ask.
Lowing his hand, Voight takes a step back. "Have you?" he states, calmly. "All good things, I hope."
Steve rubs tongue across his teeth, his annoyance clear as day. "No. You have quite the reputation."
"You can't believe everything you hear," Adam points.
For a second, Steve's hot focus is on Adam, his eyes in fine points. "Sure, we can't believe everything we hear, but I have some reliable sources."
"Like who?"
"A Former Chicago SWAT Captain." Steve answers. His eyes cut back to Voight. "I know PD suspected you of a few murders. Revenge killing of your son's murderer for one."
Voight, nodding softly, hums. "As I am still here with this," he replies as he motions to his badge, "Baseless rumors."
Buck blinks, as this is all news to him. If this cop murdered a man, what else have he done? Is this why the 51 dislikes him? Or is it something else? His brain can't seem to wrap its mind around it. "What?"
"You can deny that, but you can't deny the fact that you attempted to plant drugs Captain Matthew Casey after he refused to be paid off regarding a DUI with your son, and when that didn't work, you sent a man to 'teach him a lesson'. Or rather, you set him up to be killed, which you got arrested for. Only released due to IA's request for some undercover work."
"That's some source you have," Voight replies, unbothered by it.
"That's why there is bad blood between you and 51!" Buck shouts in astonishment. The awkwardness and anger in both Casey and Boden make sense. This man was—is?—a threat. "What the hell?!"
Voight shoots a glance toward Buck. "We are getting side tracked."
"Are we?" Steve asks, flexing his fight fist. "I say we are on point. Why should the Kid risk his life for you?"
"It isn't for him." Adam, choking on the hostility in the air, takes a large step forward, and places himself between Voight and Steve. "This is for safety of the public." He shoots everyone a glance. "I think we can all agree that no one is perfect, and there are things that we all wish we can do differently. Right now, we have to deal with Dom, and he is spooked."
"First, I think we need to make some things clear. We are in charge here." Voight inserted, pointing to himself.
Steve, puffing out his chest, unfolds his arms and runs a hand down his chin. "Okay. Let's be clear. I don't care who is in charge. I'm not leaving. I am here checking on my brother after the shit he went through."
Buck has always claimed Steve as his brother, but it always touches his heart to hear Steve say it. Stop getting distracted. He tells himself, as he tries not to drown in the tension. "Okay. Okay. Okay!" he shouts, still stunned that Voight tried to hurt and/or kill Casey. No matter the length of time he has been at 51, he is pissed off on Casey's behalf. How can Casey even be in the same room as this man without losing his cool? "Let take a deep breath." He takes a dramatic breath for show. "I am still willing to help. So, can we get back to point?" Buck waits a second to see if anyone disagrees. "While I still don't understand why Dom is interested in me, I think we still fine."
"Do you, Buckley?" Voight asks, turning his calculating eyes to him.
"From my experience in uncover," Buck starts, thinking back to his Seal days, "the best covers have some truth to it. I obviously don't live in the best part of town and keep to myself for the most part. I am a loner. So, let's play up the fact that I was chased out of LA with only the clothes on my back." He puts a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Steve is just checking on me."
Adam perks up. "I can work with that. I can accidently let it slip that you left LA in a rush and are low on cash, which no doubt Dom will use. I can even play up the fact that Steve is super worried about you. It will work as Dom thinks there's something going on between you two. Asked me if Buck was a teacher's pet." Adam's eye twitches. "In a nasty way."
Voight does a double take on that while Buck stares up at the gray sky, a little red in the cheeks. Steve looks unaffected. Buck still can't believe he made that comment. Being in the service, comments like that are normal—Sailors being gay a common jest along the branches- , and being around Steve, he forgets to watch himself at times. "Did he?"
"Is there something I should know?" Voight inquires. "Did the meaning of brothers changed?"
Steve rolls his eyes. "Evan and I are comfortable in our sexuality"- He ignores Buck's coughing- "and are comfortable teasing each other." He nails Voight once more with his eyes. "We are brothers. Family. It's what you do."
For a second, it looks like the Chicago Cop wants to push it, but his shoulder relaxes, and he states, "I guess it is settled then." Voight glances at Adam, motioning to him. "Adam can start—"
"Again, just to make sure we are clear here," Steve starts, cutting Voight off. "I'm not leaving until this thing is settle and I will be involved whether you like it or not." He explains. "I don't think I can trust someone like you with someone like Buck."
Buck doesn't know if he should take that as an insult, but he can admit that he is a people pleaser. A major people pleaser. He lost count has many times he had given up in the past in order to make someone else happy. Heck, he stayed at the 118 longer than he should've, believing that he could've changed their minds by doing whatever they wanted. It was a fool's goal.
Voight stares, analyzing the twitches in Steve's face—his firm jaw. "I normally would disagree, but you're a cop, and something tells me you won't take 'no' for an answer."
Steve curls his upper lip. "It wouldn't be pretty for anyone."
Nodding, Voight adds—sounding amazed-, "It appears like the Kid has an army behind him, ready to pick up pitchforks."
A shiver runs down Buck's back when he hears the word 'kid' come out of Voight's mouth. It feels off putting and wrong. He puts on a smile and replies, "Yes, I do." And honestly, that feels amazing.
Adam turns toward the SUV, staring at Voight from the corner of his eyes. "I'll reach out to Dom and 'accidently' drop the info that Buck is struggling both mentally and financially. He will eat up that up." He pauses. "I'll let you know what he says." With that, Adam heads back to the SUV. Voight lingers for a bit, studying both Steve and Buck for a moment before he nods and follows Adam.
Steve watches them get into the SUV and peel off, gravel flying. Voight and Steve's eyes meet for a second before the vehicle disappears around a bend, trees blocking it from view. Clearly, they will not be friends. "You okay, kid?"
"Yea." That isn't a lie. He isn't alone.
"Good. Now, why don't you show me Chicago?"
"Do I get to drive?" Buck whines with a smile.
Steve grins and shakes his head as he turns back to the jeep. "No."
*O*O*
Once again, Kelly finds himself at Molly's with a bottle of beer—almost empty- in front of him, drinking with the rest of the house. "You know, Herrmann," he starts with a grin. "We should've stopped you from buying a bar. It was really stupid. How much of our money have you taken so far?" He holds up his fingers as if to count. "Taking all of my money I know."
Herrmann snorts as he waves to Stella. "I'm pretty sure if it wasn't me, you would still be giving away your money at some bar. At least with me, it is going to a good place."
"So, if 51 gives you all of our business, 51 deserves a discount for that business," Kelly tries to argue. No, he isn't drunk, but he needs something to keep his mind off of Buck and that ass of his. More importantly, he needs to get the image of Steve complimenting Buck's ass out of his head.
"Keep trying, Severide," Herrmann chuckles as he turns away and steps away toward the cash register.
"Or don't," Stella snickers. "You have a better chance of winning a million dollars than a free beer from Herrmann, but it will be fun to watch." She reaches down to the beer cooler and pulls out a fresh beer. In one quick and clean motion, she twists open the bottle and sets it down on the bar top in front of Kelly. "How about you just pay for this one?" She doesn't wait for Kelly to respond and just takes a few bucks from the stack of cash he has next to him.
Kelly snorts. "Not lying there. Maybe, I should start playing lottery then."
Stella scans the bar fully, taking count of everyone in the bar, as a heavy thought passes across her eyes. "So…" she starts slowly, "You and Buck set that date yet?"
Kelly locks eyes with her. "You make it sound like we're picking a wedding date." His cheeks getting rosy at the thought of marrying Buck. Buck would look amazing in a suit. The thought startles Kelly as marriage is the last thing on his mind. Ask any woman that Kelly has ever slept with, and they will answer the same: he is not the marrying type, which he agrees with. However, that word feels weird on his tongue when he thinks about Buck. He knows it's way too soon to even think the word, but man, it hits differently.
With a smile that could scare anyone, Stella grins, "I just want to see the moment after."
Kelly's eyes narrow. "Moment after what?"
Stella's head swings side to side, her smile getting a bit loopy. "Okay. Not the moment after. Definitely not the moment directly after, but I need to see you the next day. Gotta witness the loopy Kelly afterword."
"Loopy?" Kelly's right eye brow is in his hairline. "What?"
"Same here," comes Casey's voice as he magically pops up next to Kelly, startling the man. Stella, without asking, hands Casey a beer as he slides a ten across the bar.
Kelly's eyes frantically zip back and forth between his two good friends multiple times before he exclaims, "Again, what?!"
With a devilish grin taking up half his face, Casey shares a knowing look with Stella as he takes a big slip of beer. Stella chuckles and says, "Nothing." Kelly glares. "Okay. Relax. We're just messing with you. You're fun to poke." To prove her point, she reaches over the bar top and pokes Kelly in the arm, causing him to grumble. "See? In all honesty, we are just happy you and Buck are happy."
Nodding, Kelly, who leans back in his chair, ponders that thought for a second. He wants Buck to be happy too. "Well, with Buck's friend in town, I am not sure when we'll have this date. Had to pick a day when Buck is busy with Steve." He doesn't know what to make of Steve, a man who apparently thinks it's okay to check out his own friend's asses. What kind of friend does that? Okay, don't go there. Kelly did not check out Casey's ass… Yes, he checked out a few men's asses to test his sexuality, but he didn't just do it randomly. He didn't—doesn't look in Casey's direction at all.
"Is that jealousy I sense?" Stella teases, studying him from the corner of his eyes.
Kelly huffs. "…No." Him jealous? Yea, no. He does not get jealous...Yes you do.
"Listen," Casey firmly states, "You have nothing to worry about between those two. Nothing. Even if they aren't connected by blood, they are brothers. A brotherhood forged in combat, which can't be broken. Much like us."
"I know." Kelly replies. He is annoyed at himself for even allowing that thought to enter his mind. It isn't fair to Buck.
Stella pauses, both confused and concerned. "Combat? Not that, that should surprise me: look at their arms." Exhaling, she—cheeks red- looks off. "Not that I don't think they can't. It's just that that stuff messes people up. They say the average servicemen don't actually see combat and I was hoping that would've been Buck's case. He deserves happiness."
No one can deny that, especially after everything Buck has seen. "Steve and Buck were in Seals together," Kelly answers, as he brings his beer to his lips. If that tattoo is to judge, Buck has seen combat and has experience lost. Kelly's heart goes out to anyone who has lost someone. Shay and Andy flashes before his eyes.
"So, you know." Casey says as he gives Kelly a look that screams 'Okay, see?! Are you done being stupid yet?'. "They have probably seen some shit." Kelly nods, gloomily.
The three of them are silent for a moment as they truly ponder that thought. Buck and Steve aren't the first vet they have met, Jay Halstead coming to mind, but it hits different for them since Buck is one of their own. "You think they are coming to Molly tonight?" Stella asks.
"No. They will probably just stay home and roll around in bed together." Casey cruelly winks at Kelly who just sneers. "Just kidding." He admits, smiling as he softly bumps Kelly in the shoulder. "Kidding."
Kidding aside, that puts a steamy image in Kelly's head that he does not want to envision. He doesn't need to know who would win that battle in bed. "You know—"
Suddenly, Stella's glance flies to the door, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, I guess we know they aren't rolling around in bed together."
Kelly spins around in his chair and spots Steve and Buck at the door, each with sun kissed checks and smiles on their faces. As they chat by the door, the deep bond and the love between them are clear, even if Steve likes how Buck's ass looks. Steve claps his hand on Buck's shoulder and directs him to the bar top. Shaking his head in a fit of laughter, Buck glances up and locks eyes with Kelly. Buck's brilliant, warm smile grows, causing Kelly's stomach to do flips. No matter how many times Kelly stares into Buck's eyes, his heart leaps into his mouth every time. Oh, his brain squeaks. This is what Stella meant earlier. He is going to be so loopy that Kelly doesn't know if he will be able to stand after their date…
After making sure the door is closed, Steve and Buck—his eyes still on Kelly- make their way across the bar. "Hey," Kelly croaks, ignoring the hitch in his voice. "You two had fun?" He finally breaks eye contract with Buck and gives both Steve and Kelly a once over. For his own sanity, he needs to check. No clothes seem out of place.
Buck, his eyes sparkling—yes, Kelly says sparkling- shots Steve a look before shaking his head and saying, "Depends on how you look at it. Just showed him around Chicago and this man is a handful."
Kelly cocks his head to the side and snorts. "Oh, really? You know enough about Chicago to do so?" he teases.
"Well…umm…Yea." Buck stutters.
With a Chester Cat smile, Steve claps a hand on Buck's right shoulder and goes, "Oh, but that is half the fun."
Buck is a bit sheepish. "We did get lost at a point, though."
Kelly studies the two Sailors, and once again, the brotherly bond between the two is screaming. It reminds him much of Matt and his friendship, though he has never fought with Matt over a bed. He definitely has not done that. You need to get over that, his voice of reason orders. "Good thing you have smart phones then."
"True." Buck replies, giving Kelly a warm smile—which goes directly to his heart. "Though it only helps if they are charged."
Stella leads over the bar top and says, "So, Steve, how long are you staying?"
"I don't know yet. It is still up in the air. I first have to make sure nothing happens to this dummy." Steve replies, earning a snort from Buck. Steve shoots Buck a look that screams 'shut up.'
Exhaling, Buck rolls his eyes. "I think it is the other way around. I got to make sure nothing happened to you."
Steve, frowning, brings his hand to his chest and jokes, "Ouch. That hurt. To make it up to me, you can buy me a beer."
"Why am I buying you the beer? You're one actively trying to steal my bed." Buck protests, his eyes large and his hands shaking in the hand. Steve chuckles, his smile taking up his entire face. "It is a good thing you are cute, McGarrett."
"We can always share the bed."
The word 'cute' slaps Kelly in the face, and he almost chokes on his beer. By almost, he totally does choke on his beer. The world goes dark for him until he feels a large hand slapping his back. Pure shock of it slams the cough right out of him. "Thanks," he coughs, as he takes a few strained breaths. He goes to shoot Casey a nonverbal 'thank you', but Casey hasn't moved from his spot, which… means it isn't his hand on his back. Kelly sits right up, and whipping his head around, he sees Steve standing close to his right side, and he, still struggling to control his breathing, follows Steve's hand to his back. His brain fuzzes for a moment before he snaps himself back to reality: Steve is slapping his back. "Thanks," he forces himself to say.
Again, with a large smile and a nonthreatening expression, Steve replies, "You're welcome."
Buck tilts his head to the side, his eyes still drilling into Kelly's face. At first, it looks like Buck is worried about Kelly, but it all comes crushing down when he goes, "You know… I think even babies have mastered this skill. Do you need a retraining?"
Kelly straightens up, and it takes a second to comprehend what Buck is doing. He is messing with him. This isn't the first time Buck has teased him, but it always comes as a surprise. A welcome surprise. "Are you up offering some tutoring? If so, I will sign right up for it," he asks, focusing only on Buck. He does intend for it to come out flirty, but shit, it is dripping. Even he is shocked by how thick it is with sexual desire.
Straightening up, Buck, beat red, reaches a hand behind his head, leans on to his right foot, and scratches. "I…ah…if…"
"Nope." Casey coughs loudly and awkwardly. "Keep it PG, you two," he orders.
"Or not, I am up for a show." Stella throws out.
Buck's hands drop to his side, his eyes slightly panicked bouncing between Kelly, Steve, Stella, and Casey, and he's quiet for a few seconds, deep in thought, before he announces loudly, "I'll be right back. Gotta use the restroom." He turns tail and bolts before anyone can say anything.
Steve, his expression changing, looks over his shoulder and follows Buck with his eyes. Once Buck is far enough away, Steve steps into the open space directly next to Kelly. Kelly glances at him for a second before he looks away, his eyes drilling into the dark wood of the bar. "So, you really have no idea when you are leaving?" he asks, skeptical.
Casey puts a hand on Kelly's shoulder and squeezes. "Severide here isn't always the best with his words. What he means is—"
"I don't mean anything," Kelly cuts, quickly. "Just wondering as sleeping on couch for weeks can't be all that comfortable."
Steve grunts. "No, it isn't." He reaches for the beer that Stella places in front of him. "Thanks." He says, giving her a smile. "My goal is just to make sure Evan is okay, after everything he has been though. Once I confirm with my own two eyes that he is okay and not faking it, I'll be jumping on the first plane back to the beautiful state of Hawaii." After answering, Steve leans over to Kelly elbow on the bar and drills with his eyes into the side of Kelly's face.
The movement startles Kelly and he leans side wards in an attempt to put some space between them. However, Steve doesn't seem to get it and leans closer. "Yes?" Kelly states loudly
"So, what is your intentions with the Kid?" Steve asks, his voice suddenly cold. The smiley Steve from before is gone.
Kelly shoots a silent plead for help to Stella and Casey, but Stella, who takes a second to exam the situation, turns her attention onto a new customer waving at her, and Casey, who is supposed to be his ride and die, turns away and stares intently into his beer. Traitors. His mind hisses. "What?"
Steve narrows his eyes, as he takes a singular step back. "I don't have a lot of time, so I am getting to the point. What are your intentions with the Kid?"
"Intentions?" Kelly's brain is glitching.
"You asked him out but yet, you haven't taken him out. What is up with that?"
"I…um…" Kelly blinks as he tries to find the words. "Well…" There's no denying the uneasiness that settles in his stomach with Steve around, leaving him speechless. Kelly can't tell you why, besides his nonsensical jealousy, which isn't a valid reason to dislike someone.
"Well? Does a cat have your tongue?" Steve pokes, earning a chuck from Casey who is still pointedly looking away.
Kelly straightens up in his chair and shifts to put some space between them. He takes a deep breath, refusing to allow Steve to get the better of him. He is a grown man who can handle his shit; plus, he has his own muscles, thank you very much. He knows Buck is a fan. "My intentions with Buck are between me and him, but know that I have nothing but respect for him. I want nothing more than to make sure he is happy. He deserves it. He deserves so much."
Steve cocks his head to the side and stares at Kelly. A few seconds pass as he studies the lieutenant. "Agreed."
"Agreed." Kelly automatically copies.
With the biggest—and creepiest- smile that Kelly has ever seen, Steve goes, "However, if you hurt that man, you will have to deal with me. And I have been told I am nuts." He glances off, looking a bit sheepish and guilty. "Very nuts. No sense of self preservation. A risky sense of fearlessness, and oh, I love my guns."
Steve doesn't say what he would do to Kelly if he does hurt Buck—which Kelly won't do-, but he assumes that is the point. Real threats don't need to be voiced, and from what he hears from the Firehouse—Ritter and Gallo not shutting up-, Steve is a cop with his own major crime task force. Plus, he is a former Navy Seal. Kelly has no doubt that Steve can hand him his ass without trying. Kelly meets Steve's eyes and says, "You don't have to worry. Regardless of what happens between Buck and I romantically, I will never intently hurt him. I am sure Casey would beat me too if I hurt him."
"Damn right," Casey agrees, loudly and cheerily, as he finally turns back.
While Kelly would rather Casey be protective of Buck over him, his eyes twitches at how loudly and quickly his best friend agrees to it. Traitor. "See." He says as Stella comes sauntering back over. "Buck is in good hand."
Stella, a smile beaming, asks, "What did I miss?"
Casey, the horrendous traitor, answers, while grinning, "OH, Steve here is giving Kelly the shovel talk."
"Oh, that sucks. I am sorry that I missed it."
Steve, mood changing once more, perks up and steps back from Kelly toward Stella, clearly pleased with her approval. "I can give it again. It's fun."
Kelly, side eyeing Steve, waves him off. "It's okay. I got it."
"Okay, then. Go pick a date for yours and the kid's date. Or else, I'll take him out instead," Steve threatens, still a smile on his face. "Trust me, he looks really hot in a suit, and I wouldn't mind that." With that, Steve spins and scans the bar, looking for Buck who has been gone awhile. "Oh, there he is," he speaks, spotting Buck at the other end of the bar with Gallo and Ritter. There is no hearing what they are chatting above, even on a slow night in the bar, but all three are grinning. "Well, talk to you later." He tilts his beer toward the trio, though his eyes are on Kelly. "Just treat him right." His voice is calm, but the threat is clear and present.
Watching Steve make his way toward Buck, Kelly sits there stunned, unsure of what to make of their conversion. He is used to threats from family members, but Steve is on another level. Steve clearly cares for Buck, wanting him the best for him; yet he is poking at Kelly. He is trying to trigger you, his mind reasons. "That…um… was intense."
Casey and Stella share a look and just laugh. "Good luck."
Author note:
I know this is my own story, but I enjoy when Kelly is jealous over Steve and Buck. Who wouldn't be?
With Voight, I wasn't sure how I wanted to play that, but I always envision Steve be skeptical of him. Who wouldn't? And if you watch Hawaii 50, we all know who Steve's source is. Granted, he probably knows ten people in every story. LOL
Let me know what I think. Reviews make me smile