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When Buck doubles over with a groan, both arms wrapped tightly around his stomach, Eddie thinks he's joking.
Then, when Eddie sees the sweat gathering on his forehead and the way he's shaking, he convinces himself that Bucks having another embolism in Bobby and Athena's backyard.
He rests a hand on Bucks back, crouching down so they're eye to eye.
"Buck? You better be joking."
"I think my appendix burst," Buck groans.
Eddie would prefer if Buck stopped having sudden medical emergencies– not like that will happen anytime soon– but if they have to happen somewhere, a backyard full of first responders isn't too bad of a place.
Everything goes by fast after that.
Everyone rushes in to help lower Buck to the ground. Hen and Chim lean in to assess Buck.
Before Eddie knows it, two emts come rushing into the backyard. Buck groans painfully as they left him onto the stretcher.
"Dad?" Eddie whips around to see Chris standing behind him, eyes wide in fear. "Is Buck gonna be okay?"
Eddie crouches down, one hand still reaching back to hold Bucks. "Yes, mijo, he'll be fine."
Bobby walks up to them, placing a hand in both their shoulders. "He just needs to get his appendix removed– if that's what it is– and your dad will be with him."
Eddie nods at Bobby in appreciation before he follows the emts to the ambulance and pulls himself in.
He holds Bucks hand the entire way there, only letting go when they get to the hospital and Buck has to go to surgery.
Eddie's paces the waiting room. He calls Bobby to let him know that Buck was right about his appendix. Bobby promises to watch Chris for the night and will bring him to the hospital in the morning.
He finally sits down after Bobby hands the phone to Chris.
"Is Buck okay?"
"Yes. He was right about his appendix. He's in surgery right now so they can remove it."
"Can I come see him?"
Eddie bites his lip. "In the morning, mijo."
"Dad–" Chris protests.
"It's already late, Chris. He's just gonna be loopy and tired."
Chris is quiet for so long that Eddie checks to make sure he didn't hand up. "Chris?"
"Fine," Chris says shortly. "When is he gonna come home?"
"Sometime tomorrow probably."
"Okay. Bye."
"Chris–"
"I think he's just a little upset," Bobby says.
"Thanks, Bobby," Eddie sighs.
"No problem, kid."
"Tell him I said goodnight, please?"
"Of course," Bobby promises. "Try to get some sleep yourself."
"I'll do my best. Night, Cap."
Eddie bounces his leg instead of pacing the waiting room.
"Eddie Diaz?" a nurse calls out.
Eddie stands up quickly. "Yes?"
"Mr. Buckleys out of surgery. You can come see him."
Eddie eagerly follows the nurse to Bucks room. He settles into the seat next to the bed.
He grabs Bucks hand and tries not to think about how tired he is of seeing Buck laid up in a hospital bed.
Buck blinks awake slowly, groaning at the lights.
Eddie scoots his chair even closer, squeezes Bucks hands. "You're okay."
Buck shakes a hand loose to rub at his eyes. He pulls at his nose cannula.
"Hey," Eddie chastises, pulling Bucks hands away. "Don't touch that."
"What happened?" Buck grumbles.
"Your appendix burst, baby," Eddie says sympathetically.
Bucks nose scrunches up and he gives Eddie a dirty look.
"What's wrong?"
"I have a boyfriend," Buck huffs, still glaring at him, clumsily crossing his arms, "and I don't think he'd like you calling me that."
Eddie throws his head back, laughing loudly.
"I don't like you calling me that."
"Yeah?" Eddie asks, smiling cheekily at Buck. "Why not?"
"Boyfriend!" Buck groans in frustration. "I have a boyfriend."
"Oh, yeah?" Buck nods seriously. "What's his name?"
"Eddie. He's a firefighter."
"Hmm," Eddie hums. "Sounds hot."
"He is– Hey! Back off!"
"I have a thing for firefighters."
Buck rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Okay? I don't know how I'm supposed to help you out here."
"Hey, baby," Eddie says, ignoring how Buck lets his head fall back into his pillow, staring at the ceiling in frustration. "Guess what my name is."
"No." Buck stubbornly looks away.
"It's Eddie."
Bucks head snaps back to the side. He smiles dopily up at him, wide eyes blinking slowly. "Eds?"
"Do you recognize me now?"
Buck reaches out, clumsily patting Eddie's cheek. Eddie leans into the touch.
"What happened?"
"Your appendix burst," Eddie says with a frown. "I already told you."
Buck huffs and rolls his eyes. "I know. Did they take it?"
"Yes, they took your burst appendix."
Buck pouts. Eddie sits up so he can press a kiss to Bucks birthmark.
"Where's Chris?"
Eddie huffs, "Dios, you two."
"What?"
"He's mad at me."
"Why?" Bucks asks with a frown.
"I wouldn't let him come to the hospital tonight."
Buck lightly slaps Eddies shoulder. "Why not?"
"Hey, you have to be one my side. United front, remember? And I was right to, considering you didn't recognize me, your hot firefighter boyfriend."
"Whatever," Buck mumbles.
"Don't whatever me."
"I'm hungry," Buck says through a yawn.
"Me too," Eddie says dryly. "The food wasn't done cooking by the time the ambulance came."
"Sorry," Buck says weakly.
"I know you are," Eddie says sympathetically. "But don't think that gets you out of trouble."
"Why am I in trouble?" Buck whines. "I didn't make my appendix burst."
"No, you didn't, but you were feeling the symptoms of appendicitis before it did."
"I didn't know! I thought it was a stomach ache or something."
"Buck," Eddie sighs. "I want you to tell me everything, no matter how much it hurts."
Buck sniffs and looks away. "Not everything."
Eddie gently pushes Bucks chin to look at him. "Yes, Evan, everything. Even if it's a paper cut, or a headache. Or a stomach ache."
"I get injured a lot," Buck protests weakly.
Eddie raises an eyebrow. "You think I don't know that?"
"I'm a lot."
"Buck," Eddie says. He kisses Bucks cheek. "I want all of you."
"Eds–"
"Shut up," Eddie says gently. "You can't tell me what I can and can't want."
Buck opens his mouth to protest but cuts himself off with a sigh when he sees the look Eddie gives him.
"Promise?" he asks quietly enough that Eddie might not hear it.
Eddie links their pinkies together. "Promise."