Work Text:
“Have you finished your Christmas shopping?” Hen asks as she plops down on the couch next to Buck.
“Of course, I finished last month.” The youngest of their team snorts.
“Wow, who knew Buckaroo could be so organised.” Chimney jokes from the couch opposite them.
“Ha ha, you’re hilarious.” Buck deadpans.
“No, seriously. You’re growing up, right in front of our eyes.” Chim dramatically wipes away a fake tear.
Buck flips him - and a laughing Eddie who’s sat next to him - off. Before ducking his head and apologising when Bobby, who’s stood at the grill with his back to them gives Buck a stern: “No swearing in the house Buck.”
“Yeah Buck, no swearing in the house.” Chimney pokes his tongue out and lifts up his own middle finger.
“That means you too, Chim.” Bobby warns, still not turning around.
“How does he do that?” Chimney pouts.
“He’s a parent. We all have that special talent.” Hen shrugs and Eddie hums his agreement.
“Why’d you ask anyway Hen?” Buck looks over at the woman sat beside him, getting the conversation back on track.
“Will you come over and keep Denny distracted tomorrow so Karen and I can get some last minute gifts? We haven’t had much time to get to the mall recently.” She explains, giving Buck her best attempt at his own puppy dog eyes.
Buck snorts. “Sure thing, or you could just give me the list and I’ll go out and get it all for you?”
“You’d actually do that?” Hen blinks.
“Sure. I’ve got nothing to do for the day.” Buck shrugs, like it’s no big deal.
Because it isn’t for him.
Apparently, for Hen it is, though.
She throws an arm around his shoulders and pulls him flush against her side in a tight hug.
“My wife was right about you. You are so sweet. That kid is damn lucky to have such a devoted Uncle Buck.” Hen sighs, sounding so sincere it makes Buck tear up.
“Ooh Hen, you make him cry!” Chimney crows, pulling his phone out to no doubt take a picture.
“Fuck off Chim.” Buck gripes, but there’s no real bite.
Not even Bobby has the heart to scold him for the curse word, instead spinning around to lean back on the cooling grill with a soft smile.
“She’s right, you know Buck?’ He calls. ‘You’re so good with the kids, they all are really lucky to have you.”
“Stop it, please.” Buck whines, hiding his face in his hands.
Everyone laughs at him and Hen gives him one last squeeze before releasing him.
“Sorry to interrupt.” A voice comes over from the top of the stairs, and everyone turns to see Marshall Lawrence, Captain of the secondary crew, heading over to them.
Buck has never been more happy to see the man, as it takes the attention off of him and his red cheeks.
“Morning Captain.’ Bobby greets Lawrence, gesturing to the coffee pot with a raised eyebrow, to which the man nods gratefully. ‘What can we do for you? I thought you’d be sleeping your shift off by now.”
Lawrence takes a heavy seat at the table, so everyone could see him easily from their positions and rests his head on one of his closed fists.
“I want to be, believe me. But, I’ve got some business I need to clear up before I can think about going home.”
Bobby sets the mug of coffee, just how Lawrence likes it, in front of the man as he takes the seat opposite him. Lawrence sends him a grateful smile and downs most of the coffee in one go.
“Anything we can do?” Bobby asks after a moment.
“I’ve just received news that I’m going to be two men down for the next few days.” Lawrence starts with.
“Are they okay?” Hen asks, her brows furrowed.
“Neither are injured, thank god.” The man offers, and everyones tense shoulders loosen up.
While they might not work alongside them, everyone who works at the 118 is one big team, and the thought of any of them being hurt doesn’t sit well with anyone.
“What happened?” Chim asks gently.
“Perkins has had to fly out to Ohio because of a family emergency, and Sanderson is out because her kids are really sick.” Lawrence explains.
“That’s rough. Is there anything we can do to help?” Eddie asks.
“Well, there is one thing.’ The man sighs. ‘And I loathe to ask it of any of you because you all worked last Christmas Day. But- both of them were scheduled for the 24 hour shift over Christmas Eve night.”
“And you want to know if someone can cover it.” Bobby summarises.
Lawrence nods and sighs. “I really am so sorry for asking but-“
“What are the hours?” Buck cuts over to ask.
Lawrence turns to him and sends him a calculating look. “2pm start on Christmas Eve, though to 2pm Christmas Day.”
“That’s not so bad, I’ll stand in for you.” He offers easily with a small shrug.
Everyone starts talking at once at that.
“Really? Lawrence asks, his eyes lighting up.
“What?” Chimney, Eddie and Hen chorus.
“Buck, this will be your fourth Christmas in a row.” Bobby reminds him in that fatherly concern tone of voice that Buck loves hearing.
“Better me than any of you.’ Buck shrugs. Eddie sends him a scathing look. ‘What? It’s not like I have a family or kids to wake up to on Christmas morning like you guys do. I’ll still have time before my shift starts to grab the presents for you Hen, and I’ll have plenty of time to nap before dinner at Bobby’s after I finish.”
“You’re sure about this?” Bobby asks, and Lawrence echos the question.
“100% certain.” Buck assures both Captains.
He’s definitely not expecting Lawrence to come over to him and pull him into a crushing hug.
“You’re a real Christmas miracle Buckley.” The man sighs.
Buck, once over his shock, snorts and hugs the man back quickly.
“Don’t mention it. I’m always happy to pick up overtime.” He assures the man as they pull away.
“Thank you again, Buckley-“
“Buck.” Buck corrects him.
“Buck. I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’m getting paid overtime for it, that’s more than enough.” Buck grins.
“No it’s not. I’ll think of something.’ Lawrence assures him. ‘Alright, I’m gonna head out now. See you tomorrow Buck. Bye everyone.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” Buck smiles back.
Everyone else calls out their own goodbyes as the man descends the staircase again.
“Buck, are you really sure about this?” Bobby asks.
“I’m sure, Cap. I’m used to spending the holidays working, and it’s a step up from spending them alone, so it doesn’t really bother me.”
“Buck-“
“I mean that in the least depressing way.’ Buck laughs, cutting Hen’s heartbroken whine off. ‘When I was a kid, Maddie was the only one I actually spent any holidays with, so when she left, so did my holiday spirit. It’s come back since working here, don’t get me wrong, and I love spending them with my new family. But, after being alone or working through them for so long, I’m still used to it. And if it comes down to me working so none of you guys have to, I’ll do it time and time again.”
“I have no idea how you and Maddie turned out so good despite your upbringing, but it’s a pleasant surprise to be reminded of it every now and then.” Chimney smiles, looking about as serious as he gets.
“Our mantra used to be ‘kill people with kindness’ and I guess it stuck with us.” Buck shrugs.
“Damn right.’ Hen smiles. ‘Not only are the kids lucky to have you, we all are.”
“You seriously need to stop with that.” Buck warns as he walks over to the kitchen to get a coffee refill, his eyes glistening again.
“Yeah, he won’t be able to fit that big head of his through the bay doors if we carry on.” Eddie winks, but Buck knows exactly what his best friend is doing. Making a silly joke to get the attention off of him when he’s feeling overwhelmed. It’s one of the many many things he loves about the man.
Everyone in the room takes the hint, and leaves it at that. Bobby claps him on the shoulder with a proud smile as he begins plating up the now-cooled down pasta for everyones lunch. Buck offers to help, but the man sends him a scowl, and he holds his hands up in surrender with a laugh.
—
As promised, before his shift starts on Christmas Eve, Buck heads to the mall and fights the crazy crowds to pick up the presents on Hen’s list. And is pleasantly surprised when he manages to get everything on the list without substituting it for something similar.
He grabs a few things for himself, like the little onesie that says ‘my first Christmas!’ for his little niece, a pair of earrings that match the necklace he already has for Maddie, a chef’s hat for Bobby’s gag gift, a new watch for Eddie and a fireman’s hat for Christopher, Harry and Denny to complete their gifts.
They’re all gifts he doesn’t necessarily need, as he really had finished his shopping for everyone last month, but he can’t help himself when he sees them. His family deserve to be spoilt.
He sneakily drops Hen’s bits off at the house during Denny’s allotted games station time. Hen and Karen thank him again and again, kiss his cheeks and tell him to have a good shift. They send him away with a homemade gingerbread latte and cookies that make his mouth water.
He arrives at the station with plenty of time to spare, so he changes quickly and heads upstairs to relax before the weird calls come in. And boy, do they.
Buck doesn’t know what it is about Christmas that turns people into idiots.
Throughout the course of his impromptu shift, the team are called out to a handful of - ahem - Christmas themed bedroom incidents, numerous kitchen fires where people had placed their turkeys in the oven overnight and forgotten about them, and the occasional Christmas decoration war to clean up the aftermath.
Buck doesn’t mind too much though. The secondary crew were more than welcoming to him, letting him in on their personal jokes easily, keeping up conversations with him happily and making him feel comfortable. Not that he had any doubts that they would, but it was still nice. Lawrence is particularly nice to him, handing him the reigns of the few daring rescues they had to execute. It felt weird to do a rope rescue to save a man dangling from his fifth story balcony by nothing but fairy lights without Eddie watching is 6, but he trusted the men and women around him with his life.
Christmas morning comes around, with everyone getting some substantial sleep in the bunks, and Buck insists on helping Marcus and Lewis with making a big breakfast for everyone. The three of them cook up a storm; with eggs of all varieties, pounds of crispy bacon, piles of pancakes and waffles and enough cookies to open a small stall.
Some of the crews families come by to say hi and spend time with their loves ones and Buck gets introduced to every single one of them. Everyone settles around the tables and digs into the breakfast. They even get to enjoy the food warm before the first call of Christmas Day comes in. The families laugh and wave goodbye as everyone rushes down the stairs, their mouths still full of food.
The day consists of malfunctioning presents and family feuds that have escalated quickly. By the time the end of shift rolls around, Buck hasn’t had a minute to himself to feel weird or lonely without his team around him. Everyone climbs out of the rig after their last call, and sees the time 1:47 blink back at them. The tertiary crew are already there, milling around the lockers and gym, waving in greeting and wishing them a Merry Christmas. Buck happily returns the sentiments.
Everyone relocates upstairs for the last ten or so minutes, swiping any leftovers there is. Bucks just dunking a sugar cookie into a glass of milk when Lawrence calls his attention. He, and the rest of the crew, are gathered around the other side of the kitchen island of Buck when he turns. He raises an eyebrow.
“You okay, Cap?”
“We’re good.’ Lawrence assures him with a smile. ‘We just wanted to say thank you for today. You’ve been a real asset to us, at a cost to you.”
“Aw, no it’s fi-“
“You haven’t had a Christmas Day off since you started woking here, maybe even longer, and you willingly gave this one up to help us out of a sticky situation. Let us thank you appropriately.”
“I don’t need any thanks, I’m happy to help. But thank you, I appreciate it.”
“No, Buck. Thank you.” Lawrence stresses as he slips a wrapped up box across the counter.
Buck picks it up with a frown. “What’s this?”
“The point of a present is not to know until you open it.” Lewis sighs and rolls his eyes fondly.
“You really shouldn’t have.” Buck flushes.
“You don’t even know what it is. It could be a pregnancy test from dollar tree for all you know.” Smith snorts.
“And I’d still be grateful. Not that I’d ever have a reason to use it personally…”
“Just open it.” Lawrence rolls his eyes.
Buck does so, feeling a little embarrassed with everyone eyes on him. He carefully peels the paper off of one of the corners and his eyes go wide.
“You guys got me an iPhone 13?!” He screeches, choking on the mouthful of cookie he’d just taken.
Everyone nods and laughs at his reaction. Marcus is definitely recording him.
“It’s not just from us. Your own crew chipped in as well.” She explains.
Buck races around to the other side of the island to pull as many people as he can reach onto a group hug.
“I-I don’t know what to say.’ Buck mutters as he pulls away to wipe his eyes dry. ‘Thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.”
“It’s more than enough.” Lawrence tells him.
“Then thank you. From the bottom of my heart, all of you. Thank you so much. You really didn’t have to do this.”
“We wanted to. Now, get out of here, you have a family dinner to rest up for.”
“If you ever find yourself in a tight spot again, give me a call, yeah?” Buck smiles.
“You got it. Merry Christmas kid.”
“Merry Christmas guys.” Buck gives each of them a swift hug before racing downstairs.
He changes into his civvies sort of in a trance, glancing over at his gift every now and then, smiling. He waves everyone goodbye one last time as he leaves the station, heading over to his jeep and feeling like he’s on cloud nine.
Before he drives away, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He fishes it out and grins at Maddie’s name flashing across the screen. He quickly sets up the phone on his mount and links it though his bluetooth before accepting the FaceTime call.
‘Merry Christmas baby brother!’ Maddie calls happily.
“Merry Christmas Mad’s.” Buck beams back.
‘You left work yet?’
“Literally just pulling out of the lot now.” Buck informs her as he merges into the little bit of traffic by the house. It clears easily, only being a red light.
‘Perfect. Don’t forget, you gotta be at Bobby and Athena’s at 4:30, okay?’
“How could I forget? You’ve reminded me every day.’ Buck snorts. ‘Sometimes several times a day.”
‘Just making sure.’ Maddie giggles. ‘How was the shift?’
“Really good. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t wait to get back to my own team, but they were all so nice and cool with me. I even got to do a solo rope rescue, despite essentially being a probie to them.”
‘Why doesn’t that surprise me.’ Maddie rolls her eyes. ‘What happened?’
“A dad was over compensating and trying to buy his kids love. Fell backwards off of his fifth story balcony whilst trying to hang out enough fairly lights to guide a plane landing.”
‘Oh god. Is he okay?’
“The fairy lights held him in place, he didn’t even get a bruise. Other than his ego, that is.”
‘He’s incredibly lucky.’
“I know right. It was weird not to fist bump Eddie when I got back on the ground, but my partner for the shift, Smith, she was really nice and indulged me.”
‘That’s cute.’ Maddie smirks knowingly and Buck seriously regrets telling her about his major crush on the man. ‘I should go and get Jee-Yun ready, but we’ll see you soon, okay?’
“Sure thing Mad’s. See you later.”
‘Love you Buck.’
“Love you too Mad’s.”
Maddie hangs up the phone as Buck pulls into his space outside his complex. Grabbing his things from the boot, Buck heads up to his apartment, wraps up the last of his presents, sets up his new phone, showers and all but collapses in his bed for a quick hours nap.
—
The sound of his alarm an hour and a half later makes Buck groan. But the fingers that thread through his hair make him startle. He quickly sits up in the bed, coming face to face with his grinning sister.
“Rise and shine sleepyhead.” She smirks.
“Mad’s? What’re you doing here?”
“I thought we could all ride to Bobby and Athena’s together. That way, you can drink and relax.”
“You’re my favourite big sister and I love you.” Buck grins as he tackles her for a hug and a tickle war.
“I’m your only big sister, I’d better be your favourite.” Maddie scolds him through her giggles.
Buck finally pulls away with a grin. “I’m just gonna have another shower and get dressed, I’ll meet you downstairs in like 20, ‘kay?”
“You got it.” Maddie nods and heads down the stairs.
True to his word, 20 minutes later, Buck bounds down the stairs to see Maddie, Chimney and Jee-Yun waiting for him. He makes a mad dash for his five month old niece and Chimney surrenders her easily. She gives him a gummy grin and an attempt at a laugh when he begins bouncing her around.
Chimney and Maddie offer to take his gift bags for him to the car while he carries Jee-Yun and Buck is happy to let them do so. He gets her safely in her seat before sliding in beside her, giving the baby girl his pinky to suck on for the ride.
Before Buck knows it, they’re pulling into Bobby and Athena’s street and, by the looks of it, they’re the last ones to arrive.
Loaded down with presents and a quietly fussing baby, the three of them rush inside. Everyone stops their conversation to cheer when they pile in the door.
“Sorry we’re late, I overslept.” Buck rushes to explain.
“Don’t be silly, you’re not late at all sweetheart.’ Athena coos as she and Bobby walk over to wrap him up for a hug. ‘Merry Christmas son.”
“Merry Christmas mom and dad.” Buck smiles shyly.
With one last squeeze, Bucks pseudo parents let him go, and he does the rounds with everyone else in the room. He gathers Christopher, Denny and Harry in one big group hug.
“What did you guys get for Christmas?” He asks them, bracing himself for the onslaught of answers.
“We don’t know.” Harry shrugs.
“Yeah, we haven’t opened any.” Denny tacks on.
“Oh?” Buck frowns.
“We waited for you.” Christopher grins.
“What?” Buck frowns deeper, looking up at Hen and Athena for the answer. But they’re both smiling softly down at him.
“It’s not Christmas without our Bucky here. So we waited for you to be here so we could all open them together.” Christopher informs him.
“Oh.” Bucks voice cracks over the one syllable, his eyes filling with tears.
“But now you’re here, can we open them momma? Please?” Denny begs.
Karen snorts and, in a flurry of movement, Buck somehow finds himself sat in the centre of the living room with Jee-Yun back in his arms and the kids circling them, a giant pile of presents in front of each of them.
“I swear to god guys, if you make me cry one more time, we’re going to be having words.” Buck threatens emptily as he glares up at the adults sat around the room.
“How do you like your new phone?” Hen smirks.
“They ambushed me!” Buck cries indignantly.
“I’m sure they did.’ Eddie grins. ‘How was it?”
“Not bad at all. I actually enjoyed myself a lot more than I thought I would. So if you guys keep on making me cry, I’ll ask for a shift transfer.”
“Request denied.” Bobby calls over from the armchair.
Buck huffs out a laugh. “As if I ever would.”
“What’re you waiting for kids? Open ‘em up!” Athena calls, and that’s all the kids need to begin ripping into presents.
“Hey Mad’s, can you give out mine?” Buck asks his sister.
She does so with a smile, adding Bucks gifts to the piles of presents throughout the room. She sends him a teary smile when she opens her presents, and Chimney lets out a loud bark of laughter at the ‘Parenting for Dummies’ book Buck’d got for his gag gift. It turns to his own choked up look at the ‘Best Daddy In The World’ thermos, mug and t-shirt set he unwraps next, all with Bucks favourite picture of the man and his niece on them.
Buck sits back with a smile as everyone around him begins giving and opening presents, a warm happy feeling settling in his gut. He helps Jee-Yun open her present from him and gets her changed into it with little to no resistance. He gives her a kiss on the nose and she babbles happily back at him.
When Eddie plops down in front of Buck with a small pile of presents and slides them towards him, he frowns.
“What’s this?” Buck asks.
“Your presents from us all?” Eddie frowns back.
“But-but you already got me a present!”
“That was a group thing we all wanted to do for you. These are your individual Christmas gifts from us.” Eddie rolls his eyes.
“What did I tell you about making me cry?” Buck laughs wetly.
“You’re a huge softy, you know this right?’ Maddie laughs from the couch. ‘If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe that you were once a SEAL.”
Buck freezes at her words. Other than the noise of the kids excited and thankfully oblivious chatter, the room around them goes quiet.
“What?’ Hen gasps. ‘You were a SEAL?”
“Yeah.’ Buck sighs, ducking his head. ‘I only finished one tour before retiring. I had no problems with the physical side of it, but they wanted robots who could shut off their emotions and I just, I couldn’t do it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you hadn’t told them.” Maddie grimaces.
“It’s alright.’ Buck assures her with a faint smile. ‘I wasn’t actively hiding it, but I don’t particularly like talking about it.”
“Well thank you for sharing it with us.” Athena smiles.
“You don’t think less of me because of it?” Buck asks quietly.
“Why on earth would we think that?” Eddie demands.
“Because. SEAL’s have a pretty bad rep. I did some messed up things that I’ll never forget, never forgive myself for. I would 100% understand if you don’t-“
“Buck. You’re the exact same person you’ve always been. That’s never going to change, and neither is our love and respect for you.” Bobby frowns as he places a hand on Buck’s shoulder
Buck blinks up at the man. “Really?”
“Really really.” He assures him with a smile.
“Yeah, we love you no matter what. And hey, now we know who to call if we ever need help.” Karen grins, lightening the mood.
“Could you imagine Uncle Buck chasing away any boy who so much as looks at Jee-Yun?” Hen cackles.
“Yes I can, and I’m already terrified for them.” Maddie laughs.
“Oh god, I thought meeting my mom was the worst thing I could put a boy through. But now I know it’s introducing them to protective older brother Buck that I need to worry about.” May jokes.
“Whoah cool!’ Denny’s exclaim drags everyones attention over to the boy. He’s holding the fireman helmet Buck had bought him in one hand and the scientist outfit in the other. ‘Thanks Uncle Buck!”
“You’re very welcome Denny.” Buck smiles.
The boy places them both on himself and grins. “Now I can be a scientist and a firefighter like my momma’s!”
“That’s exactly right!”
Christopher and Harry place their own helmets and outfits (police uniform for Harry and doctors outfit for Chris) and race around the room happily.
“How did you know Shannon was a nurse?” Eddie asks through his own tears.
“Chris told me a few months ago.” Buck smiles.
“You are genuinely the sweetest and most thoughtful person I think I’ve ever met.” Karen states as she hugs him, being mindful of the dozing Jee-Yun still curled up in his arms.
“I’m being serious now. Stop. Making. Me. Cry!” Buck chokes out.
Everyone laughs at him, before they all settle down and finish opening their gifts. Buck cries even more at the thoughtful gifts he receives, including a hand drawn card from Christopher, Harry, Denny and Jee-Yun, with ‘Merry Buckmas’ written inside that makes him outright sob for a solid minute.
Thank god Bobby calls for dinner after that.
Everyone gathers around the table to eat the delicious feat Athena and Bobby had cooked up, an atmosphere of good cheer and happiness around them.
“This is the best Christmas ever.” Buck sighs happily as he leans back in his chair, his body feeling heavy with food and contentment.
“It’s not over just yet.” Athena smiles over at him from her seat.
“Hmm?”
“Look up.”
Buck does so, and immediately blushes. Eddie is stood behind him and holding a twig of mistletoe over his head. On shaking legs, Buck stands up and turns to face him.
“Ed’s?” He whispers.
“Merry Christmas, Buck.” Eddie whispers
Buck doesn’t get to return his own wishes, as Eddie’s lips seal over his in an incredibly soft and long overdue kiss. Once over his shock, Buck gives into his feelings and kisses Eddie back with all that he has to offer.
They pull apart to catch their breath minutes or hours later, Buck’s not entirely sure, and Eddie rests his forehead against Bucks.
“Now it’s the best Christmas ever.” Buck whispers into the small space between them, his eyes filling with tears for the millionth time that day.
“Yeah?” Eddie bites his lip, and Buck tracks the movement.
“Yeah. Merry Christmas Eddie.”
Buck pulls him in for another kiss to the soundtrack of their family cheering for them and the children (Chimney very much included) making overdramatic gagging sounds.