Buck let out a long, drawn-out yawn, his eyes fluttering as he leaned closer to Sirius. "I'm tired," he mumbled, his voice soft and slightly slurred. The exhaustion of the day had finally caught up with him, and the comforting warmth of Sirius's presence was making it all the harder to stay awake.
Sirius smiled softly, brushing a hand through Buck's hair. The familiar gesture was soothing, a silent promise of comfort and care. "Why don't we go home?" he suggested gently, glancing at Archive, who stood nearby, his tail wagging in eager agreement.
Archive barked, a sharp yet playful sound that echoed through the room, punctuating the moment with his usual enthusiasm. The Belgian Malinois, having just completed his service, seemed to relish the prospect of a quiet evening at home, away from the bustling atmosphere of the fire station. Archive had always been more than just a military dog; he was family, loyal and protective, and his support was a source of comfort for both Sirius and Buck.
"Yeah, home sounds good," Buck replied, his voice still a little sleepy. He leaned further into Sirius, letting the warmth of his partner envelop him like a blanket. The world outside seemed to fade away, replaced by the soft rhythm of Sirius's heartbeat and the familiar scent of his husband—warm leather, faint cologne, and the unmistakable hint of gun oil that spoke of their lives as military personnel.
Sirius tightened his hold on Buck, feeling the tension in his body start to dissipate as they moved toward the exit. The day had been filled with moments of celebration, excitement, and the sudden revelation of their impending parenthood. It had been a whirlwind of emotions, and now, as the sun began to set, the couple was ready for a little peace and quiet.
The fire station was starting to empty out, the last remnants of the day's shift wrapping up as team members finished their tasks and prepared to head home. Sirius waved goodbye to a few of them, grateful for their support and camaraderie, before turning his attention back to Buck and Archive.
"Let's get you two home," he said, taking a moment to soak in the sight of Buck leaning against him. The soft light of the station cast a warm glow around them, highlighting the lines of Buck's face, his slightly tousled hair, and the gentle curve of his smile as he relaxed against Sirius.
As they stepped outside, the cool evening air hit them like a refreshing wave, invigorating yet soothing. Sirius inhaled deeply, savoring the crispness of the air, while Archive trotted ahead, tail wagging eagerly as if he already knew the route home. The stars began to twinkle in the twilight sky, casting a magical quality over the world, and Sirius felt a sense of hope swell within him.
"Are you okay, Buck?" Sirius asked, breaking the comfortable silence as they walked toward their car. "You seemed a little out of it back there." He studied Buck's face closely, his brow furrowing in concern.
Buck lifted his head slightly, giving Sirius a soft smile. "I'm okay. Just… a long day. I think all the excitement finally caught up with me," he admitted, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "And this little one," he added, gesturing to his stomach, "is making sure I don't forget about them."
Sirius's heart swelled at the mention of their child. The thought of being a dad filled him with a blend of joy and anxiety, but he was ready for it. "We'll figure it out together," he assured Buck, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his temple. "I promise."
Buck's smile widened, his fatigue momentarily forgotten. "I know we will. I'm just so glad I have you by my side," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You make everything feel… possible."
Sirius chuckled softly, feeling a warm flush spread through him at Buck's words. "That's my job, isn't it?" he replied, trying to lighten the mood. "To be your knight in shining armor and all that?"
Buck laughed, a melodic sound that filled the air around them. "More like my knight in tactical gear," he teased, nudging Sirius playfully with his shoulder. "But I wouldn't have it any other way."
As they reached their car, Archive jumped in first, settling comfortably in the back seat as he often did, his head resting on the edge of the seat, eyes alert and watchful. Sirius held the door open for Buck, helping him in before sliding into the driver's seat beside him. The car was a comfortable space, filled with the familiar scent of leather and the soft hum of the engine as it came to life.
"Ready to head home?" Sirius asked, glancing over at Buck, who was already relaxing into his seat, a look of contentment washing over his features.
"Absolutely," Buck replied, closing his eyes for a moment as he leaned his head back against the headrest. "I can't wait to kick off my shoes and just… relax."
Sirius chuckled softly, pulling out of the parking lot and merging onto the road. "You and me both. I think we deserve a little downtime after today," he said, steering the car smoothly through the quiet streets. The neighborhood was peaceful, bathed in the soft glow of street lamps, and Sirius felt a wave of comfort wash over him.
As they drove, Buck's hand found Sirius's on the console, fingers intertwining effortlessly. Sirius glanced down, feeling a warmth spread through him at the simple gesture. Buck squeezed his hand gently, his thumb brushing softly against Sirius's knuckles. "You know, I'm really proud of you," Buck said, his voice low and sincere. "You handled everything today like a champ. I'm lucky to have you."
Sirius felt his heart race at Buck's words, a flutter of affection blooming within him. "I couldn't have done it without you, Buck. You keep me grounded," he admitted, glancing at Buck before returning his focus to the road.
As they neared home, the familiar sight of their house came into view, lights shining warmly from the windows. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where they could unwind and simply be themselves. Sirius parked the car, turning off the engine, but neither of them made a move to exit just yet.
"Let's just sit here for a moment," Buck suggested, leaning back in his seat, eyes still closed as he savored the tranquility of the evening.
Sirius nodded, appreciating the moment of stillness. They sat together in comfortable silence, listening to the soft sounds of the night—the distant rustle of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the gentle hum of life around them. It was in moments like these that Sirius felt most at peace, a sense of belonging washing over him.
After a while, Buck finally opened his eyes and turned to Sirius, his gaze softening. "You ready to go inside?" he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, let's go," Sirius replied, feeling invigorated by the stillness and the shared warmth between them. They stepped out of the car and made their way to the front door, Archive trailing behind them, his presence a comforting shadow.
As they entered the house, the familiar scents enveloped them—sandalwood from the candles they loved, the faint aroma of spices from dinner earlier that day, and the lingering warmth of home. Sirius felt his shoulders relax as he stepped inside, his heart swelling with love for the life they were building together.
"Let's get cozy," Buck suggested, heading toward the living room. He made his way to the couch, sinking into the cushions with a relieved sigh. Archive promptly joined him, curling up at Buck's feet, ready to protect his family as he always did.
Sirius followed, grabbing a couple of blankets from the nearby chair and draping one over Buck, who looked up at him with gratitude. "Thanks," Buck said, pulling the blanket snugly around him. "You always know what I need."
"Of course," Sirius replied, settling beside him and wrapping his own blanket around his shoulders. He felt a sense of warmth envelop him, not just from the fabric but from the connection they shared. "We're in this together, remember?"
Buck nodded, a serene smile gracing his lips. "Always."
As they sat together, Buck leaned against Sirius, their fingers interlaced as they settled into the comfort of their home. Archive nuzzled closer to Buck, his presence adding to the sense of family that filled the room. The television flickered softly in the background, but they paid little attention to it. Instead, they focused on each other, cherishing the quiet moments that made life so special.
"Hey, do you think we'll be good parents?" Buck asked suddenly, his voice contemplative as he stared into the distance, pondering the journey that lay ahead.
Sirius squeezed Buck's hand reassuringly, his heart swelling at the thought of their future. "I know we will. We've been through so much together already. We'll figure it out as we go," he replied, his tone confident and steady. "And we have Archive to help us."
Buck chuckled softly at that, looking down at the dog who had curled up at their feet, a proud guardian even in sleep. "True. He's a good boy. He'll keep us on our toes."
They shared a laugh, the kind that came easily between them, before settling back into a comfortable silence. Sirius found his thoughts drifting to their child, the tiny life growing within Buck. The anticipation, the joy, and even the fears swirled