Chapter Text
It should be unusual. The thing is, it is not. Of course, it’s Eddie who notices it first. Of course, it’s Eddie who finds the weird cryptic messages. Of course, it’s Eddie who is going insane because, of course, it’s Buck who’s gone out and got himself a stalker.
Eddie pointedly ignores Buck’s exasperation about the fact that he is innocent in this matter. What he can not ignore is the way Buck’s treating it so lightly. As if you can acquire an obsessive stalker on a random Tuesday.
Buck finds this whole situation childish. From the cute handmade cards to paper flowers and the stupid blue handkerchief that has ‘ E ’ stitched on the corner of it, in red no less. Chim and Hen tease him about the flowers and the cards, all in good spirits that Eddie is ruining, apparently. No, he is not sulking.
The teasing comes to a halt eventually. Eddie feels like the universe really does hate him for not believing in it because this is the farthest from an ideal turn of events that could have led to everyone taking this matter seriously. Buck finds another gift sitting outside the firehouse with his name scribbled on it in a squiggly handwriting.
You ruined everything. I know what you’re trying to do. I know you! I see every move of yours. I see it and I hate you for it, I hate you, I fucking hate you. You will pay for everything, Evan Buckley.
It’s the first time this person has outrightly addressed him. The blood on the empty box is just a little off-putting and unsettling. It’s less than ideal, to put it mildly. And if not put mildly - well - Buck looks like he is a tap away from throwing up, Cap looks concerned and has been hovering near Buck who hasn’t complained like usual, Hen has glued herself to Buck’s side, Chim is pacing frantically.
Gone is the teasing, it’s like a trance has been snapped and they’re all finally seeing the reality of the situation that Eddie had been trying to show them. Eddie is leaning against the side of the couch, arms crossed in front of him, trying really hard to keep the bitter ‘I told you’ bitten between his teeth.
Eddie is not being petty. He is a petty petty man. There is no denying that. But it’s Buck on the line. He’s pissed, he’s upset and most importantly he’s worried for his friend. His eyes find the worried line of Buck’s eyes.
He can’t stop himself from walking around the couch to sit on his friend’s other side that Cap has vacated. He catches the look Bobby and Hen throw his way and he feels his shoulder tense up. None of them have yet said anything to Buck who had been rambling nervously and went completely quiet just a few minutes ago. They are looking to him to handle this. To take care of Buck.
Who else can? His brain counters and it suspiciously sounds like Buck.
Eddie looks around and surely, no one’s hovering around anymore. It’s like everyone suddenly had really important tasks to complete. Eddie might have a few guesses.
He moves closer, pressing his thigh against Buck’s. Blue eyes turn to him with so many questions and Eddie feels a pit open up in his stomach knowing he has answers to none of them.
“Hey,” He says, nonetheless.
Buck’s lips quirk in a small smile. “Hey”
“You wanna go home?”
“I…Eddie…the loft–”
He cuts off Buck, which is a very rare thing, “Home, Buck. You wanna go home , Buck?” He says, putting an emphasis on ‘home’, trying to make Buck understand and Buck will always, always, understand him.
Something shifts and settles in Buck’s eyes. He opens his mouth to say something but then the hesitation trickles in his eyes like raindrops. “I can’t…I–I…Eddie…What if…I can’t. I can’t put you…This sucks.” The end of the sentence is muffled between his hands as he smothers himself. Eddie can tell he’s trying to rub his eyes subtly but Eddie sees him, has always seen him in ways no one else has, so he gently grabs his wrists and pulls away his hands.
“It’s ok, Buck. I…I need to tell you something,” He looks away, worry gives way to guilt as he clears his throat. It’s Buck’s turn to find his eyes and he does. Piercing blues implore him, nudge him, softly, gently. Tell me. You can tell me.
“You can tell me anything, Eddie.”
For an instance he thinks it’s his imagination but Buck is looking at him expectantly.
“It was a bouquet.”
“What?”
Eddie finds his confused face very adoring but right now he looks miserable as if Eddie not making sense might be his last straw so Eddie turns to him completely and firmly holds his hands. They don’t do this . His mind echoes, to which he responds, Shut the fuck up .
“A week ago, when we were hanging out, there was a knock at the door, someone had left a bouquet with an honest to God, awful poetry and no name but a simple E on one of the corners of the card; the stupid poetry was written on. I’m sorry. I didn't want to ruin your mood. I could tell this thing was starting to bother you. It was honestly a really dumb thing to do.”
“What did you do?” Buck sounds better than before? Cheerful, even. It throws Eddie off the fucking rails so much so that he tells Buck in full honesty.
“I threw it in the trash.”
The rewarding laugh is honestly the best thing Eddie has heard all day.
“That’s where the flowers in the trash came from?” Buck says, exasperated.
“Yeah Buck. I know it sounds real stupid now but that poetry really did piss me off. You were happy. You were enjoying your blueberry pancakes.” He doesn't ramble, Buck does but if he can get just more laughter out of Buck, he is not above embarrassing himself.
“What are you more annoyed about? The stalker or the awful poetry?” Buck laughs, leaning against him.
Eddie feels his breath catch in his throat as Buck snuggles into his side nose pointedly pressed into his shoulder. He looks down and blinks repeatedly but that’s, definitely, blush high on Buck’s cheeks.
“Both,” He smiles, Buck laughs into his shoulder, “The point is, you can’t protect me from something I’ve already made myself target to. You aren’t doing anything. You’re just coming home with me.”
“What if…”
“Let’s worry about what-ifs when we get there.”
Bobby tells him, he’s already called in replacements for them so, Yes, Eddie, you can take him home and take care of him. It is said as casually as Bobby can afford right now but Eddie still catches him holding the documents upside-down. He doesn't comment on it and assures Bobby that he will take care of Buck.
Taking care of Buck proves to be easy and it’s concerning. He doesn't move from the couch as Eddie moves around the house after putting a glass of water in front of Buck and ordering food for them. Eddie gets the food and sits beside him, closer than usual and witnesses Buck unfurl slightly when he presses closer.
“D-did I do something? I don't like it, Eddie. The attention. That’s not me. Not anymore. I have hated it ever since Devon. I try to be careful because of the catfish incident. Is it something I did again? What did I do this time?”
He sounds so utterly confused and helpless that Eddie wants to line up everyone that has exploited Buck and maybe punch them in a row but that’s not going to help Buck so he’s gotta pull himself together.
“You didn't do anything, Buck. Devon wasn't your fault and the catfish incident was a misunderstanding. Again not your fault. Nothing you did or do allows someone to do any of this. It's on them and their sick minds. They find joy in cornering and preying on people who shine brighter than them. You shine so brightly, no wonder you attract all these nutjobs.”
That gets a smile out of the blonde as he slumps back into the couch with a sigh.
“Thanks, Eddie.”
Eddie shuts his eyes and clenches his hands in his lap when he feels Buck press his forehead against his back. “You’re always welcome, Buck.”
It’s in the middle of the night that he hears a laboured breath and a choked up sniffle. He cracks open his left eye and for a moment he thinks it’s Chris standing in his doorway, clutching his pillow but the image quickly dissolves when Buck whispers his name, still standing in the doorway.
“Buck?”
“I think there's someone outside,” He sounds tired and Eddie catches the shiver that jolts Buck upright when he leans on the door.
“Get in the bed, Buck.”
Buck doesn't waste a second before climbing into the bed, crawling over him to settle on the other side of the bed.
“I’m gonna go take a look quickly. Get comfortable.”
Only then does the tension caught in Buck’s shoulders slip away when Eddie makes it clear that Buck can and will sleep with him in his bed.
Eddie checks all the windows, doors and locks before getting back in bed. He groans when Buck turns for the 100th time.
“Buck?”
“I can’t sleep.”
“C’mere, Buck,” He says, voice just a little bit hesitant, arm outstretched, inviting.
Buck shuffles over and settles in his side, comfortably nestled in, perfectly fitting and…Eddie immediately cuts that line of thought short.
Buck is by no means a small man, he’s larger than life, not just in the metaphorical sense. But, right hare, right now, curled in Eddie’s side, one hand clutching onto the hem of Eddie’s shirt, forehead pressed just a breath shy of his heart, he looks like he was made to fit beside Eddie…Eddie really needs to go to sleep before he has some earth-shattering realisation that might or might not ruin his life one way or another.
It’s not like they haven't shared a bed before. But not like this, never like this. Never with Buck nestled perfectly against him and Eddie biting through the urge to crack open his ribcage to make space for him just so Buck can sleep peacefully. Safe and protected.
Eddie feels Buck go slack against him and then his hold on Eddie’s shirt loosens but he still doesn’t let go. Eddie slowly covers his hand with his own and turns his head so that his face is partially buried in Buck’s curls. It’s fine. Buck needs the comfort. Buck needs him.
Morning brings several new things with it. Unpleasant things to be precise. It starts with Bobby’s call. Eddie groggily walks out of the bedroom so as to not disturb Buck. Bobby sounds frantic.
“Buck is with you, right?” There’s some shuffling behind him as well and some muffled voices.
“Yeah? He’s sleeping. Something’s wrong.” Years of training has his back straightening immediately as the alarm bells start to ring in the far back of his head. He doesn't ask. He states. He knows something is wrong. The real question is, what is wrong?
“Someone broke into Buck’s apartment last night. His neighbour called the management and then the police got called. They couldn't get in contact with Buck so the building manager called me. It’s…not…Don’t bring him here, Eddie.”
The man sounds tired to the bones and Eddie hasn’t even seen him. He slowly moves away from the bedroom and lowers his voice.
“How bad?”
There’s a long pause and momentarily Eddie thinks the call has been dropped but then Bobby sighs. Tired and worried.
“It’s bad.”
“Did they find anything?”
“No messages or cryptic warnings. Just a lot of thrashing and well…I don’t know. You gotta see it for yourself. Maybe you’ll be able to understand if there’s something to be noticed.”
“Buck?”
“Maddie is going a little insane ever since Chim told her about that letter. She didn't want to disturb him and make it seem like she was fretting but I think a day with Maddie and Jee is what he might need right now.”
“So I’m assuming we aren’t telling him?”
“The police think he should know and I think he should know the seriousness of the situation. You’ll tell him–”
“What do you mean I’ll tell him?” He doesn't mean to snap but he can already see Buck’s face rapidly paling and the fear that he’ll try to hide under layers of false bravado and Eddie doesn't have the heart nor the courage to face that. No thank you.
“Who else Eddie?”
Eddie doesn't like the conviction and confidence exuding from merely Bobby’s voice. As if the very idea of someone else doing this is absurd, impossible and absolutely insane.
He’s about to answer Bobby when the front door rattles gently and Eddie’s nerves shoot in his body as he races towards the door with a grace of a newborn fawn. He pulls open the door swiftly and comes to a stop.
“Eddie?”
He’s about to answer Bobby again when his eyes catch a piece of paper lying on the ground.
“Found your missing message or cryptic warning, Cap.”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what you think,” He says, picking up the paper.
“What does it say, Eddie?” Eddie almost jumps when the voice from the phone and the one coming from behind him speak in sync. Fuck!
He rubs at his chest and turns to glare at Buck.
“A warning would be nice next time, Buck. How long have you been standing there?” He asks, eyes squinted in suspicion. Buck fidgets on his spot.
“Not long. What does it say, Eddie?”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Buck’s jaw clenches and Eddie belatedly realises that was the wrong thing to say.
“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to go back to my loft–”
“You can’t!”
Eddie winces when Buck flinches and looks at him a little horrified.
Look Eddie is a very calm and collected man, he just didn't have his coffee yet and his head is a mess. This is not a good start.
“Something happened.” He hates the way Buck’s tone is the same as him. Always expecting the worst. Never questioning, always expecting.
“If I tell you what’s written on the paper, you won’t go back to your loft. I’ll drop you off at Maddie’s, make a stop at your loft to get a few things and pick you up on my way back. Deal?”
“Deal.”
He expects more horror on Buck’s face but he’s faced with utter silence as Buck looks at the paper.
Stay away from him!! Stay away from him!! STAY AWAY FROM EDDIE!!
Buck stands up abruptly and looks around in a hurry.
“Buck?”
“W-where’s my–my phone?”
“It’s charging on the bedside table.”
Buck turns to leave but Eddie quickly catches his arm and pulls him back.
“What’s going on?”
“I…I need to go…I–I need to leave. I need to go. I can’t stay here!”
“What are you talking about? We had a deal, Buck.”
He doesn't expect Buck to reel away and push Eddie with an angry snarl.
“To hell with your deal! I’m not gonna put you in danger, Eddie!”
“And you think I’m gonna let you walk out of here when a fucking nutjob is after you?”
“You said we’ll see when we get to the what-ifs, it’s happening and this is my decision. Are you fucking blind?? Can’t you see? That’s a warning, Eddie. Whoever this is, they don't want me near you.”
“And you are gonna let them take you away from me?” That is not a reasonably platonic thing you say to your dearest best friend when he’s trying to leave you to protect you from a supposed psychopath. Eddie is beyond reason at this point. All he can see is Buck walking out that door and never coming back.
“Eddie…please…I can’t do this. I can’t. Chris–”
“--Isn't here. I can’t afford to lose you, Buck. That kid is never going to forgive me Buck if you won’t be here when he decides to come back,” Eddie pushes Buck back so that he’s against the kitchen island and the man doesn't even blink at being cornered. He just lets Eddie, “I refuse to tell my son he lost another…I refuse to do that.”
“Why can’t you see my side! I draw the fucking line at you and Chris!” There are tears in Buck’s eyes.
“And you’re my fucking line! Why can’t you see that?” He sounds hysterical as he pushes Buck back further. It must hurt. It has to hurt but he needs Buck to see just how this is going to tear him apart.
Buck sags against him, boneless and lets out a strangled sob that is muffled into his shoulder. “I’m scared, I don't want you to get hurt.”
“Me too, Buck. Me too” He says, fingers running through Buck’s unruly curls.
Eddie reaches Buck’s loft with his heart between his palms and the way Bobby and Athena are whispering with each other doesn't sit well with him.
“Eddie.”
“Hey, Athena.”
“Wish we were meeting in better circumstances.”
“Soon, I’d hope.”
“Me too.”
He turns to Bobby, “What’s the situation?”
“Nothing’s taken. Everything’s broken. Clothes are torn and uh they found some um–”
“What Bobby?” He urges, fear growing with the hanging silence.
“They found DNA” It’s Athena and Eddie barely contains the way he wants to physically hurl and hiss because what the actual fuck !?
“Not blood,” She clears and Bobby throws a look in her direction that she simply shrugs.
Eddie turns to take a look inside the loft, when the door opens and a tall man walks out the door. He looks stunned when his eyes fall on Eddie but he quickly catches himself and straightens up, hand stretching out to greet him. Eddie looks down at the gloved hand skeptical and simply nods. “Officer James Anderson. You are?”
“Eddie Diaz. I’m Bu–Evan’s… partner .” He doesn't elaborate but he also doesn't miss the twin looks Bobby and Athena throw his way neither does he miss the slight pinch of brow and the uptick of Officer James’ lips. He opts to ignore both for reasons unknown. He’s being ambiguous on purpose. He needs as much information as he can get.
“Can I have a look inside?”
“Don’t touch anything.”
He nods and enters the loft with a heart that’s beating a little too erratically. The loft is a mess. Nothing’s been left untouched. Not a single thing left intact. Eddie cranes his neck to get a peek of what’s the situation upstairs and he doesn't want to look, it’s best if he doesn't look but he needs to see for himself.
He follows Officer Anderson up the familiar stairs and when he catches a glimpse of the bed, his heart falls through the gaping hole in his chest because he feels empty and simultaneously so full of anger and rage that he wants to destroy.
The bed is a mess of red and white.
“It’s not human blood,” Anderson provides, as a reassurance that falls flat.
As if that matters. That’s blood! Some psychopath decided to turn the bed Buck sleeps in to a fucking ritual ground and then…Eddie’s eyes stop at the white substances that has dried up clinging to the sheets and he grimaces in disgust. Nope, Buck’s not coming back here.