Work Text:
First Time
There was many things you could say about Buck; quiet wasn't one of them. He loved to share information about various topics. He did his best to over do it. However, sometimes he couldn’t help it. For example, when he was a kid, Buck got really excited about countries around the world.
“Maddie, did you know that there are forty-three native languages in Peru?”
“I didn’t know that. Wow that is fantastic,” she would say genuinely.
At school, he had a group of friends who also share cool facts with him. Having Maddie and this group of friends helped curb the urge. He had learned the hard way at a young age that not everybody was going care or would be mean.
“Mom, mom,” he excitedly shouted on his way to the living room.
“Yes, son,” she sighed. “Did you know that the Amazon River start in Peru?”
She sighed; this time for more frustration slinked into her voice, “And what am I supposed to do with this information?”
The dullness in his mother’s voice stopped him cold. He had been so excited to tell his mom about this information that he had forgotten what his mom was like. Thankfully, Maddy stepped in. As she ushered them away from their mother, she said, “What a fantastic fact!”
After that he never shared any exciting facts with his mother again.
Peru
Peru had been on the top of the places he wanted to visit since reading about it when he was a young child. The sunrises at the top of the mountains were a cherry on top of the cake. There wasn’t a place where the food and drink didn’t hit just right. All the views especially the human ones were stunning. He wanted to explore them all and he had some success. But, he was still missing that emotional connection that he had heard about in stories. Especially when he opened his mouth; that killed the spark faster than anything else.
One of his bed partners even put her finger on his lips and said, “You are more beautiful when you don’t talk.”
The sting from those remarks was so strong that even the mind blowing sex they had afterwards was ruined. So, he decided it was time to settle down closer to home and where Maddy was. After one last romp of course. The bar was in a beautiful location as the sun’s setting raise shimmered over its stools. Nobody was inside except for the bar tender and two only patrons. While both were good looking, Buck went decided to go for the women.
“Hi,” he said.
The women’s eyes shinned as she replied, “Hi.”
“Is this seat taken?”
“Only by you.”
Cracking a grin, he sat down next to her. Extended a hand forward, “I am Evan Buckley. I am delighted to make your acquaintance tonight.”
The women met his hand with hers, “Diana Gold, and it is a delight for me as well. Especially when the view is so beautiful.”
“I agree with you though I am not just talking about the scenery.”
Both the flirting could continue, the bartender came over to take their orders. Both ordered strong drinks and nothing else. The alarm bells went off in Buck’s head as he took his first sips. The bell that rang when he had the urge to tell all the facts about well anything. This time it was a fact about their drinks and how they were made.
“So,” Diana asked, “What does a man as good looking as you do for a living?”
“Right now, I am in between jobs. But, I have gotten use to the life of a rancher.”
“So, those long days must’ve made you strong.”
The bell got quieter as he said, “Yes, especially after to saving a calf from a river.”
“Awww, you are a real life hero.”
Blush crept onto his cheeks as he said, “Yes, mam.”
She chuckled.
Score one point for getting laid tonight, he thought. He just had to say one more flirty thing. What came out instead was..
“Did you know that there were Alien Skulls found in Peru?”
Fuck and there goes that.
The women look at him confused, “oh?”
“Yeah.”
All the tension that was once in the room threw its self out of the window.
“That is interesting.” She looked at her phone and said, “ I am so sorry. I am getting a very important call. I am am going to pay for my drink, just incase.”
“It is alright, I got you.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, think of it as a gift for being pleasant company.”
She softened with the statement, “Likewise.”
The bold she did afterwards says otherwise. Her action caused the bartender to sigh. Trying to lighten the mood, Buck said, “That sucked.”
He offered his card to pay for the drinks. The bartender took his card with pity.
“You know,” the one other patron said, drawing Buck’s attention, “that fact you stated was pretty great. Got anymore?” “You sure?”
“Yeah, it was interesting and I would like to hear more.”
“Same here,” the bartender added. So for the next few minutes, Buck told them other similar facts. They gave him a few ones as well; it was nice to hear more about this beautiful country and how great it was. However, the feeling of going home was stronger.
Firehouse
Being a firefighter was a sweet gig for the most part. The thrill of never knowing what the day was going to bring. Another perk was his co-workers who were great; they were even supportive if he accidentally info dumped. They listened earnestly.
The most supportive he felt was a couple of weeks after Bobby had come back. Long story for another time. The gang was hanging out a local hangout, celebrating a job well done. Maddy, Athena, Karen, and all the respected kids joined making it a nice little family gathering. One of the best parts was getting to sit next to his best friend Eddie. Maddie would even joke with them separately that it was like the pair was in their own little world. He would also never say this out loud but, it was just the way he liked it. Having your crushes full undivided attention is something that he wished for everyone. It was a comforting gaze; almost like coming home.
Then a familiar voice broke through the comfort. He looked up and saw his ex Tommy walking like he was a king. Buck tried to grow smaller but his ex’s gaze still landed on him. Tommy smirked at the pair before sauntering over to the pair.
“This isn’t going to be good,” Hen muttered.
She was right.
Tommy stormed right over and sneered, “ I was right. You were just waiting on the right moment to jump into bed with him.”
“What? We aren’t sleeping together.”
“Really cause your body language says differently.”
“Tommy, can you do use a favor and just fuck off?” Eddie butted in.
Tommy’s glare shifted from Buck to Eddie.
“You really want to deal with his yapping?”
“Excuse me?”
“You know that he can’t shut up.”
The tension dialed up to eleven. “Especially when it has been a long day and the topic is going to be boring. You also can’t shift the conversation because of his stupid brain will force to retrack.” Oh… Buck thought. He had never thought about that; he should try and be better about that.
“So? He does try. Maybe you should try and be a little more compassionate about it?” Eddie answered. Buck almost broke his neck looking in his friends direction. Wait, Eddie was right; he had been trying. He didn’t always succeed but, it would be a lie to say that he didn’t.
“Yeah, and his facts are interesting,” Maddie pipped in.
“You are only saying that because you are his family,” Tommy countered.
“She would never say that if it wasn't true,” her husband defended.
“ Sure,” Buck’s ex said sarcastically.
“Anything else you want to add,” Bobby asked, clearly not caring.
“Nah, just this,” Tommy said before throwing his drink at Buck and Eddie.
The pair both dodged it. The group wasted no time launching themselves at the attacker. Thirty minutes later, Tommy was being led out in handcuffs.
“Well, that was an adventure,” Eddie commented as the pair walked to their respective cars.
“Yeah, though I hope to never partake in that adventure ever again,” Buck joked. Realizing a beat later that it might be taken as including the dinner beforehand, he quickly included, “Only the Tommy part. Not the whole-”
“Oh no, you are good. I knew what you meant.” Eddie responded.
“Well, Tommy was right though.”
“Woah, woah,” Eddie said stopping his friend in his tracks.
Looking him in the eye, he added, “You know you shouldn’t be afraid to be who you truly are.”
“I know but it is still hard.”
“Well,” Eddie said pulling him closer, “I am down to always hear any of your facts.”
“Really?”
“Always.”
Feeling bold, he leaned forward and asked, “Do you wanna hear facts about kissing?”
“Only if you show me in practice.”
“With pleasure.”