Chapter Text
The 118 crew had been mid-lunch when the alarm had sounded. With a few groans, all of them had rushed to the engines.
'Hen, Chim! This is a medical call. You two take the ambulance.' Bobby pointed at the pair as he himself jumped into the engine. Soon enough the two vehicles took off.
Buck was the first to pipe up, as he usually was. 'What's the call, Cap?'
'Gunshot wound. Dispatch mentioned it was the victim's son who made the call so we need to be prepared in case the kid goes into shock.' Bobby looked over his shoulder at Buck and Eddie.
Eddie's eyes had widened slightly at the mention of the victim's son. The thought of Christopher having to make that kind of call made his stomach churn. It was then that he noticed Buck cursing under his breath. Despite being with him almost 24/7, Eddie had never heard his best friend curse. It might have been his imagination but he could've sworn that Buck clenched his hands a little tighter. Hesitating slightly Eddie turned his attention back to Bobby.
'How old's the kid?'
'7...' He couldn't see Bobby's face but Eddie was almost certain his eyebrows were scrunched with worry.
It wasn't long before they came to a stop outside a house. Chimney and Hen were already grabbing the med kits as they arrived. Bobby turned to them all and paused. 'Cops have already got the shooter so right now we focus on the victim.' All of them nodded before starting towards the front door.
'LAFD!' No reply.
'LAFD, open the door.' Silence.
'Buck.' Bobby didn't even have to say anything else. The younger firefighter sprinted to the engine and grabbed the battering ram before jogging back. They stood aside as, with one swift move, Buck forced the front door open.
Whatever the 118 had been expecting, this was not it...
Next to a woman in her mid-30's, clearly the victim judging by the amount of blood on and around her, was a 7 year old boy. The kid had one hand on his mother's stomach putting pressure on what appeared to be her gunshot wound, and the other brandishing a kitchen knife. He was surprisingly not shaking much for the amount of blood on the floor and on his hands.
'A-Are you here to help my ma?' He looked up at the adults, dropping the knife.
'Yeah kiddo. Now we need you to keep your hands still for a moment, ok?' Chimney softly said, crouching down. The boy nodded, eyes snapping back down to his mother. 'Ok you can let go now.' With that the boy scrambled back, letting Hen take his place.
'BP's dropping! Hen, fluids!'
Paternal instincts kicking in, Eddie moved towards the young boy.
'Hey...you ok, kiddo?' He quickly looked over the kid, checking for any injuries but due to the amount of blood on his hands and arms it was hard to tell.
'I'm ok...just please help my ma.' He sniffled and surged forward, clinging to Eddie's shirt. 'I can't lose her too.' Something within Eddie snapped and he cradled the boy against his chest.
'I got you. My friends are gonna help your mother and they're really good at their jobs. She's gonna be alright.' He stood up and turned away from Hen and Chimney, not wanting the boy to see any more. Buck seemed to notice and stepped over. Seeing movement, the boy looked up.
'You wanna see a fire engine, kid?' Buck hesitantly smiled. The boy curled into himself slightly.
'Mm Joseph...' He mumbled. 'I'm Joseph.'
Buck nodded. 'Well then Joseph, you wanna see a fire engine? It's super cool.' Eddie's heart skipped a beat when he saw Buck's smile. Ever since the well and the sudden realisation that his supposed last thoughts were of Buck, he'd come to terms with the ache in his chest whenever Buck was nearby.
The bo-Joseph nodded sheepishly and held his arms out towards Buck. The firefighter easily picked up the 7-year-old and carried him out the house.
It was 8 o'clock at night and Buck was wrapping up his shift when he spotted a young boy at the entrance to the firehouse. The same boy from the gunshot call earlier.
'Joseph? Whatcha doing here, buddy?' Buck tilted his head and walked over, scooping the kid up.
'Ma's gone...I overheard the doctor people.' At that, Buck closed his eyes and tucked Joseph's head into his shoulder.
'I've got you, kiddo.' He could feel Joseph shaking with silent sobs as he rubbed the kid's back. He heard footsteps behind him, slowly Buck turned around. There slightly bewildered was Bobby.
'Is that the kid from earlier?' The captain's eyebrows were raised. 'He was supposed to be at the hospital...' Bobby's eyes widened and he immediately pulled out his phone. 'I've gotta call Athena.' With that the older man took a few steps away from the pair.
Joseph sniffled and nuzzled against Buck's chest, still shaking. 'Didn't like the hospital...I didn't know anybody. 'S why I came here...you were nice to me.'
Buck's heart seemed to crack as the kid glanced up at him. There was a lump in his throat and he was almost certain that if he wasn't holding the 7 year old already, he would've picked him up then.
'Oh kiddo...' Buck pulled him closer and let out a shaky breath. 'It's gonna be alright...I've got you now.' He deliberately ignored the look Bobby gave him, now done with the call to Athena it seemed.
Buck was going to care for this kid. No matter what.