Thunder

Thunder boomed outside, followed quickly by a bright flash of lightning. For most in Los Angeles, this was just another storm that would soon pass. For Buck, however…

The young man pressed himself against the wall as the thunder came again, almost like he was trying to make himself vanish. His hands gripped his short hair, his breaths were coming too fast, but he couldn't seem to make himself calm down.

Tears streamed freely down his face and a whimper escaped him as the room lit up with yet another flash of lightning. He was so trapped in his own head, he didn't hear the key in the door, or someone enter his apartment.

"Don't worry Maddie, as soon as we're there I'll let you know how he is," Athena assured the girl on the other end of the phone. "No, of course we don't mind. Go take care of Jee, I'll call you soon. Bye."

"Everything okay?" Bobby asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"She feels bad she can't go over herself, but with Chimney covering B-Shift she's alone with Jee." Athena told him. Bobby just nodded, but said nothing, and Athena reached over, resting her hand on his arm.

"Are you okay?' she asked.

"Me? I'm fine," Bobby replied immediately. He didn't need to look at his wife to know the face she was giving him right now.

"Okay," he conceded, "I'm worried about Buck. This is the first storm since…" He trailed off, a lump growing in his throat as his mind flashed back to Buck's lifeless body being lowered towards him.

"I know baby," Athena murmured, "And that's why we're going, so we can make sure he's alright."

"He's still not answering?" Bobby asked and Athena dialed Buck's number again, but it rang through to voicemail. She shook her head and Bobby stepped on the gas a little harder.

They pulled up in front of Buck's building and Bobby barely managed to pull the key from the ignition before he and Athena were racing towards the door. Thunder boomed overhead, but they barely noticed, both too focused on getting to Buck.

The elevator ride took far longer than either of them liked, but soon enough they were stood in front of Buck's door. Athena knocked once… twice… nothing.

Bobby banged a closed fist against the door. Still, no answer. He pulled his key out of his pocket. He wasn't waiting anymore.

They walked in and looked around, but there was no sign of Buck on the lower level. Bobby stopped and held a hand up, the pair listening. Sobs could be heard coming from upstairs.

Bobby and Athena rushed up the stairs as another crash of thunder sounded outside. A flash of lightning quickly illuminated the room, allowing the pair to see Buck huddled against the wall. His legs were drawn up to his chest which heaved with sobs, while his hands gripped his hair tightly.

Bobby crossed the room and dropped to his knees in front of Buck.

"Hey, Buck, you're okay," he said gently, "Buck, can you look at me?"

There was no response from the younger man. Bobby laid one hand on Buck's knee, the other reaching up to try and release one of Buck's hands before he pulled his hair out.

"Shh, Buck you're okay now. You're safe," Bobby kept repeating, "Just try to take deep breaths. You're safe here Buck."

Athena joined them, having pulled a throw blanket out of the closet, wrapping it around Buck's shoulders before she took his other hand.

"We've got you Buckaroo," she murmured, "Keep breathing baby, we're right here. You're safe now."

They continued this constant mantra until Buck finally looked up at them. Tears were still flowing steadily, but he had a better handle on his breathing.

"I'm sorry," he croaked and under any other circumstances he might have laughed at the look Athena gave him.

"Buck, you don't need to apologize," Bobby said, slightly exasperated.

"But I-"

"No buts," Athena interrupted, "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"But it's just a storm," Buck said miserably, flinching as thunder shook the windows.

"Plenty of people are scared of storms," Bobby said, "And majority of those people weren't struck by lightning."

Buck's bottom lip trembled, "It's like I'm back there… but I can't wake up this time."

"You're not there," Bobby said gently, "You're here. You're with me and Athena and you're safe. I know it's hard to believe, and I'm not saying you can't be scared, but I promise you Buck, you are safe, okay?"

"Okay," Buck said, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry you guys got all wet coming over here."

"Oh sweetheart don't even worry about that," Athena said, running a hand through his short hair.. "What d'you say we go downstairs and watch a movie, hmm?"

"You guys don't have to stay," Buck said, "I… I don't want to put you out."

"Buck we're staying," Bobby said gently, but with a firm edge, "Alright? So, you two find something for us to watch, and I'll make us some popcorn, deal?"

Buck looked back and forth between them a few times before he finally nodded. They helped Buck to his feet, but before anyone could make a move downstairs, Buck threw his arms them both.

"I love you guys," he said, his face pressed into the dip between their shoulders.

"We look you too kid," Bobby said, bringing his arm up to hold Buck close.

"We got you Buckaroo," Athena murmured, "We always will."

I love the family dynamic between these three and wanted to explore that and how Buck might have felt during the first storm after getting hit by lightning.