Chapter 3: through the cracks of a broken stone, bloom the wildflowers
authors note: so i made a small chamge: isaac is now seventeen i just needed it for the plot so yeah... have dun with the new chapter
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Isaac and Buck sit down at the sofa, buck eyes watch Isaac carefully for any signs of discomfort. He sits dow next to isaaac who is currently relaxing into the cushions. "Im sorry". Isaac wispers. Buck immediately shakes his head, his expression firm.
"Hey, no. Don't apologize. This is not your fault and i would definitely have you here everyday then, you beeing alone and hurt"
Isaac nods still not quite believing him but to tired to argue right now.
Sensing that Isaac is getting tired from this emotional rollercoaster buck begins to tell Isaac about his week in quiet soothing voice. "...So you know Eddie and i still have this match against each other in super smash bross and i will definitely kick his ass.."
"No you wouldn't, he definitely beat you" Isaac mutter under a yawn. Buck gasp in mock offense, playing along. "Excuse me, are you questioning my gaming skills? I'll have you known I'm a gaming god, thank you very much!" Buck say's in protest.
"No you suck at gaming, even a little kid could beat you" Isaac retorts with his eyes falling shut.
Buck laughs at Isaacs remark, his expression turning fond, seeing his eyes starting to drop, he pulls an arms around his shoulder letting Isaac lean against him. " oh ho! You're a regular comedian now, aren't you? Trust me, kid, you put a little kid against me in a game, and the kid will be crying by the end of it." Isaac just shakes his head "no they wouldn't"he slurs half asleeep " you're to soft for that" Bucks expression softens even more at his brothers half asleep comment. He can tell that Isaac is getting closer to falling asleep so he responds in a soft tone " well i guess you got me there. I'm a big ol'softie, but don't tell the others."
"Mmmh you're like a big soft golden retriever." Isaac mumbles into the hoodie, curling himself up on the couch into buck.
Buck chuckles at Isaacs reply and runs a hand through Isaacs hair, not denying his comparison. He watches him curl up on the couch with a soft smile, the fact that Isaac feels safe enough to let his gard down even though he is hurt warms bucks heart.
"Yeah, yeah, i guess I'm a goldenretriver, friendly and cuddly, even when dealing with sassy and stubborn kids like you."
Isaac just smiles and sinks more into his hoodie. Bucks arms around Isaac moves along his back, holding him against bucks body. " i guess you really like that hoodie,huh? You're practically glued to it" buck whispers. Half asleep Isaac answers " smells like you.. feels safe"
Bucks heart nearly melts at Isaac soft tone and the fact that he finds comfort and safety wrapped op in bucks hoodie. It sends a wave of love and protectiveness over him, he gently squeezes Isaacs against him his hold firm and reassuring buck whispers back in a warm gentle voice " i got you,kid. You're safe here."
"Okay" Isaac murmur's falling asleep feeling safe for the first time in a long time, as if nothing could reach him and everything was just a bad dream.
Buck smiles and watches his brother drift of to sleep. He continues to hold him, his arms wrapped securely around his smaller body, making sure not to put any strain on Isaacs bruised body. He remains sitting there and seeing isaac asleep and relaxed, he allows a wave of relief to wash over him. He might not been able to prevent your injury and he fill forever carry that guilt with him, but he is glad that he could provide some comfort know. He swears he will never let there parents lay a hand on his baby brother again.
Bobby who was out buying groceries for the 118 walk up the stairs, who didn't hear anything what happened in the firehouse the last hour over. He walks looks over to buck with buck confusion visible on his face.
Buck who looks up when hearing the food steps, sees Bobbys confusion from seeing Isaac beeing curled up against him.practically sleeping in his lap.
Buck gives bobby a small, tired smile and motions with his head for bobby to come closer so they can speak without waking Isaac up. Bobby moves over to buck sitting down on the couch table across from buck, he patiently waits for buck to explain whats going on.
Buck takes in a breath and explains in a quite voice " its a bit of a long story, but this...is my brother, he got into a bit of ...rough situation and came here." His hand running softly through Isaacs hair.
"You have a brother? " Bobby wonders out loud " and i assume he still lives with your parents, from how young he looks" bobby say's in a calm voice, disliking the Buckley parents only from the way he observed buck behaved the last years over.
Buck nods, his expression turning a little bit sour. "Yeah he still lives with them and he's only eighteen."
"And i guess he isn't only here to visit you" Bobby ask raising his brow a silent invitation for buck to tell more if he wants to.
Buck shakes his head, sighting as he continues to stroke Isaacs hair as he sleeps. He keeps his voice low even though he would like to scream and punsh something, so not to wake his brother. " no, its not just s visit. Things aren't exactly going well at home, and i think he needs a safe place to stay for a while."
Bobbys face is a mix of grief and anger " is your brother hurt?" Buck nods his face turning to his sleeping brother " yes...yes he is hurt, some bruises on his arms and his torso ..." bucks voice hollow. " but Hen checked him over" Bobby squeezes bucks knee reinsurangly " i can Athena and see what we can do to keep your brother safe" buck looks up at Bobby his expression of gratitude and relief. The words of support and help a lot especially coming from bobby.
"Thank you,bobby...i just want to keep him safe" buck whispers in a pained voice. Bobby gives buck a knowing look and answers with a small smile " you know our door is always open." Buck nods , a smile appearing on his face as well he know that he can he can trust bobby and the Team to support and help him any way they can, the thought of there support feels as if a weight was lifted from his shoulders. Buck takes a deep breath and glances down at Isaac still sleeping form against his side.
"Thank you, Bobby, really thank you." Bobby watches the two and replays "its not a problem where always here if you need us buck" with that he stands up und pulls his phone out to call Athena. Buck watches as bobby steps away to call her. Buck sits there and just waits. He feels some movements against his site and watches as Isaac slowly wakes up.
Isaac prys his eyes open still sleepy from his nap, feeling strangly comfortable and warm. Buck continues to stroke isaacs hair and ask "hey you finally woke up. How are you feeling?"
"Good" Isaac mutters not wanting to move an inch. " im glad, you sleept pretty soundly, you were out for some time." Buck answers. Isaac lets out a sigh, knowing that if he sleeped that long , that he soon have to go back to their parents.
Buck notice the sigh escaping Isaacs lips and can tell that the Teenager isn't happy about something " hey something bothering you." He just ask hopping on getting a truthful answer. " i was thinking.. it would be wise for me to go home soon...otherwise our parents will get ... mad" Isaac slowly explain. Bucks brow furrows in concern at Isaacs words. The thought of sending him back to their parents never even occurred to him for one second. "Hey wait a minute . Who said that you have to go back there? You can stay here as long as you need. "Yeah sure" Isaac says not really believing him.
"Hey please look at me " buck says in a soft voice, after a view seconds Isaac looks up.
"I know you think you have to get back to them but you don't. There are other option's."
Isaac just grimaces "i don't really think there is another option"
"Why not?" Buck interrupts him. "Because i wont go into foster care and its only one more year, it will be fine" Isaac try's to explains to his brother who he thinks doesn't gets his points.
" i understand that you don't want to go into foster care, and i respect that. But there might be other options that doesn't involve going back or going into the system " buck says to o a bewildered Isaac "like what , living on the streets? " he asks sarcastically. Buck takes a deep breath im knowing that he has to explain this carefully " ok first of all don't get mad" isaac gives a glare to buck before he even explained everything but buck holds his hand up to let him finish. "Well i talked with bobby about your situation and his wife is a cop, who knows some stuff about all of this so maybe we can arrange that you can come and live with one of us" the first reaction that Isaacs feels is anger, "great you told another person about this" he crosses his arms over his chest and doesn't look at buck. "Isaac, please they can help you"
Buck answers trying to get Isaac to look at him. " i don't need anyones help" the teenager whispers. " we both know this is not true, otherwise you wouldn't have come here." Buck responds and Isaac cant really say anything his chest feeling heavy and his mind conflicted on what he really wants. "Bobby us your captain right?" Isaac overs as a truse not wanting to argument further. "Yes Bobby is my captain, and he also worries about you"
"Buck is right, " answers another, Isaac looks up to the owner of the voice , which he guesses is the captain. The captain goes down to one knee so he is on eye level with Isaac who still sits on the couch. " im the captain of this fire house and your always welcome here, but we also have to find a permanent solution for you to stay where you are safe." Bobby says, the topic hitting a little bit close to home. " Athena my wife, suggested to apply for emancipation so you would have the full right over yourself and wouldn't have to go into foster care."
While bobby explains everything , tears beginn to form in Isaacs eyes, that there is hope to get out and how easily they care for him, when his parents never really did.
Without really thinking he stands up and gives the captain a hug "thank you" he says meaning more then just the last minutes. Bobby gives the hug back with a " always, kid" and when he looks at back who still is on the couch he can see him mouth a thank you.
When Isaac calmed down and sat next to buck again the captain tells the, something that makes the two Buckley siblings groan in union.
"You should call your sister"