Chapter Text
Buck was just getting out of the shower when his phone pinged a message. He opened it to see a notification from one of his many blog sites. To look up in the sky. The northern lights making perhaps a once in a life time appearance in the states. His eyes went wide and he glanced out his windows and almost dropped his phone. He did drop his towel though and quickly put on his shorts and a hoodie. Then carefully but steadily made his way down his stairs and opened his porch doors and looked up. The purples and greens were so pronounced. Was that a blue streak? It took his breath away. He opened his phone to dial Tommy, but remembered he was on a call, so he scrolled to Eddie's name and dialed. He picked up after the second ring.
"Hey Buck."
"Eddie, go outside!"
"Oh, well. I'm fine. Thanks for asking. How are you?"
Buck snickered. "Just go outside in the yard and look up!"
He listened to Eddie sigh his fond breath and then silence but he could hear him moving through the house, a door open and footsteps on the deck.
"Dios!"
"I know!"
"How is possible, Buck? Even with how bright our neighborhood is, it's so clear!"
"Same here, Eddie. Magnetic storms triggered by solar flares. Could be what triggered so many of our calls today."
"I don't think that's true."
He moved to sit on one his lounge chairs and leaned back, still in awe of the sight before him. He grabbed the pillow and pressed it to his chest.
"You never know! Solar flares mess with electronics. We had to rescue a couple from their tesla. And that cyber truck that got stuck in the middle of that intersection. God, they are so ugly! And break proof windows, my ass. They folded like paper. And have you seen those videos? They cause so much more damage to a smaller car, even if they made of crap. Remind me to never get one. And you should know what they call it by official scientific terms, its called coronal mass ejections!"
A light breathy chuckle on the other end of the line. "Chim would have a field day with that line. And, I'll mark down NO on all electric vehicles."
"Oh, for sure! And what about you? I know your mind can go to some filthy places. It surprises me what comes out of your mouth sometimes."
Another fond sigh. "Yes, well. I am trying to keep my mind PG for a while. I've got too many issues. I am a father, don't forget. Chris is number one, even if he is far away."
"Speaking of! Chris would totally enjoy this. Him being a science nerd and all. Maybe even more than me!"
Silence. "Eddie, call him. Tell him him to look up."
"It's not guaranteed to be there also, Buck. It would only be a disappointing phone call."
"Then you FaceTime him. Apparently it looks even clearer through a lens. He's been slowly opening up, this will just get your foot in the door a little more."
Another puff of air and he can picture Eddie rubbing a hand over his face as he does when he stresses out.
"It will be fine. Just call him."
"Okay, okay. So bossy." He could practically hear the smile on Eddie's face.
"Let me know how it goes?"
"Of course. Thanks Buck. How long do you think this will last?"
He put his phone on speaker and scrolled through the blog again. New posts popping up.
"Hmmm...they say could be for a few hours. Maybe go in and out. But it looks like it will hang out for a bit. Fingers crossed."
"They? Are you on your blog site again? What was it called? Science of the stars and all things extra terrestrial?"
"You know it! There are real scientists on there, ya know."
"Sure, sure. I'm sure I'll be the second to know when they find aliens nearby."
He heard the sound of his door open and smiled when Tommy walked in.
"Yes, you will! Gotta go! Tommy just walked in. Don't waste time Eddie!"
"Bye Buck. Say hey to Tommy."
They hung up and Buck bounded into the kitchen just as Tommy was grabbing a beer. He grabbed Tommy's free hand.
"Babe, you're home! Come outside and look at the sky!"
Tommy grumbled something under his breath, but he was too excited to notice. He held onto Tommy's hand and they looked up together.
Tommy nodded, taking a sip of his beer. "Looks great. I've seen it before."
Buck glanced at Tommy who had a neutral look to his face. His excitement dropped. "Like you've been to Alaska? Or did you go to Greenland? Iceland? Oh, we should totally take a trip there! I bet the lights would be so bright. Not all this light pollution to dampen it. Do you think you can take some time off? I've been wanting to take a break, believe it or not. I haven't had a vacation in years."
Tommy shrugged. "Saw it while on a rescue. Maybe. You know I've been trying for that promotion."
Buck nodded. "Okay, so future talk. But you'll think about it?"
Tommy nodded, taking a sip of his beer.
Buck squeezed Tommy arm. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Just hungry and tired."
"Then we can order a pizza and sit out while we wait for it."
"It's cold out here and I all I want to do it shower and watch the game. World Series. Ringing any bells?"
"What's with the attitude, Tommy? I know you have it recorded. Doesn't even start until 8. We've got an hour. All I'm asking if for you to sit out here with me and cuddle for a little bit. Watch something amazing with me."
Tommy shrugged. "I don't know what you want me to say."
"Nothing. Just live in the moment with me. That's not too hard, right?"
"I guess not."
Tommy just stood there looking bored.
Buck rubbed his face in frustration. "Seriously, what is going on? Are you depressed? Because I know we've only been dating for six, almost seven months, and you totally don't have to tell me. But if there are signs that I've missed and pushing you too hard or whatever, then I feel I have the right to know, so I know how to approach you."
"Not depressed. There is nothing to fix."
"I didn't say fix, Tommy. I want to get know you more. And right now, you are really hard to read."
"Maybe it should stay that way."
He took a step back in shock, dropping his hand from Tommy's arm. "What?"
Tommy sighed. "I don't want the connection that you are looking for. If I had known you would have been so emotional about everything, I would have just stayed in the closet."
Buck was confused by that. "What are you saying? You were the one who kissed me! And told me you liked the way my mind works."
"Yeah, well. It's good in small doses."
He looked up to the sky in disbelief. The sky flared with colors seemed to match their fight.
"Then, what where you going on about at the hospital? Wanting a team, being part of a team, someone to have your back. That's connection. I'm not understanding what's happening here."
When Tommy raised an eyebrow, that's when it clicked. He got it. "So, you used me as a way to get back onto the 118? Unbelievable! But, maybe it makes sense. With Gerrard being in charge again. He told me you two were close. And what? Push me out? The others? Create a new team, one that is not 'soft' as Gerrard put it. He was giddy with power. Should have sensed something. That's not really how that works anyway. You integrate into a team and form bonds. We are a family here. It's harder when its all new people. And that kind of mindset. Don't tell me you still align with Gerrard's thinking? "
Tommy just smugly drank his beer.
"You are the worst kind of person, Tommy. So, you can kindly get the fuck out of my house and out of my life."
"I can do that. See ya, Evan." Putting emphasis on his name.
He really tried liking being called Evan again. Tommy always said it sweetly and he never questioned it. But now it just soured in his stomach and wished he corrected him in the beginning. Too late now. He'll have to be more careful in the future. He flinched a little when Tommy slammed the door hard.
"Fuck."
He slumped back down onto the recliner and looked up. The swirling lights were still bright and danced around, calming him almost immediately. He check his phone. They had been arguing for over an hour. He sighed and then noticed he missed a text. Eddie sent a picture, a screen shot, of him and Chris smiling widely.
Eddie: Chris could see them too! He wants to come home. He has a science event thing and then he's ready. Talked to mom. She's reluctant, but told her too bad. Chris also agreed to do family therapy.
Eddie: Thank you.