Chapter Text
Bobby hadn't seen Eddie for nearly two years.
The last time was just after Eddie got shot by a sniper, causing such significant damage to his nerves and heart that he was given two options: retire, or join the marshals. Bobby remembers sitting in with Eddie during that meeting, both there as a friend and a fellow captain.
Eddie had been quiet during the meeting, but that was because he was in deep in thought.
He hated sitting behind a desk. He would rather be out on calls and helping his team and fellow firefighters out. But then he thought back to Christopher, who was recovering from losing his mother not too long ago. And how close he had been to losing his father.
Finally, Eddie had taken a deep breath and, with a heavy heart, handed in his notice. He had been given some land by a relative when he first arrived in Los Angeles: a nice plot of land just outside Yosemite National Park. Yes, it was a drive to Los Angeles, hence why Eddie didn't build on it for a while. But now that he was in retirement at the tender age of 32, he thought that it was a good place to restart his and Christopher's life.
Of course, Bobby had wished him all the best and told Eddie that, should he ever need anything, then his door was always open.
To which Eddie had offered him a smile and told Bobby the same thing before they went their separate ways. The pair kept in touch, mostly through Facebook and Messenger and a handful of text messages, but other than that, Bobby hadn't physically seen Eddie for two years.
Which is Bobby hoped and prayed that Eddie's offer was still standing.
He followed the last direction that Siri told him, finding himself driving down an old country road with the backdrop of Yosemite in front of him. There was sprawling woodland on either side, as well as the occasional breakage that revealed endless pastures filled with oceans of greenery and grass.
Bobby soon drove past a wooden post that said Casta Diaz Rancho and already had a feeling that Christopher picked the name out. He was always creative like that. It gave Bobby reassurance that Buck and Christopher would get on well.
Soon, he pulled up to a large wooden ranch. The house itself looked both modern and traditional at the same time: stone built alongside wood to give it a modern taste. There was also a large barn behind the house, where Bobby heard the distant sound of horses neighing and even a cow mooing. The older alpha remembered Buck telling him about the animals he got to look after while he was in Montana, his baby blue eyes sparkling with mirth as he talked about the baby foal he got to help deliver and how it had pretty much imprinted on Buck then and there.
That was the last real smile that Buck had given his father. Because Tommy arrived soon after. Then his boy started to lose his spark.
Buck's right eye was slowly coming back to normal as he dodged his family's concerns, telling them that if Tommy did it again, then he would leave. Maddie had come away in tears after that conversation, and it was then and there that Athena staged an intervention and begged her husband to go to Eddie.
The female alpha had tried everything to get Tommy behind bars, but the alpha always lawyered up and would always say something to make Buck stop himself from pressing charges.
Everyone knew how loyal and protective Buck was over his family and, if Tommy did say anything about harming his family, then Buck would stuffer the abuse if it means that they were safe. But Bobby refused to stand by as his boy, who he had taken in after the omega ran from home at the age of 12, who allowed him to become a father again, got beaten and potentially killed by an alpha who played everyone he meet.
So he was doing what any father would do: he was asking for help.
Taking a deep breath, Bobby walked up to the front door and knocked on the oak wood. He heard footsteps from the other side, followed by the door opening and Eddie standing on the opposite side of Bobby.
The alpha had matured slightly in the last two years: there was a few little strands of grey amongst Eddie's dark brown hair, as well as a couple of laughter lines by his eyes. However, the alpha still held a strong muscular physique and the same handsomest that most omegas fell for.
However, Eddie Diaz had to be the most noble and chivalry alpha Bobby has ever known. A former army medic, Eddie had followed the chain of command like the bible he used to keep in his desk. But he still treated his crew with respect and equality, as well as respected omegas and didn't belittle them. So you cam imagine that the 118 C-Shift was devastated when Eddie resigned.
"Bobby, come on in," Eddie said, having received Bobby's text message beforehand that morning before the older alpha left Los Angeles before the sun rose.
Bobby followed Eddie inside, looking around at the interior as he did so. While there was a hint of California wilderness within the design, there was also a hint of Eddie's Texan and Mexican heritage woven in. Terracotta panels with turquoise and bright colours designs painted on, followed by rattan furniture with a natural colour theme built in.
Overall, the home felt nice and well loved. "How have you been, Bobby? The 118 still thriving? I heard your boy joined not too long ago," Eddie commented, making small talk as he filled two coffee cups up before passing one of them over to Bobby. He gestured for the older alpha to sit down at the table, where the lounge appeared in view.
Christopher, nearing his 15th birthday, was home due to the fact that the schools were on summer break. Bobby waved to the younger alpha before turning back to Eddie.
Immediately, a smile had already grown on Bobby's face at the mention. But Eddie, who was well read in picking up people's emotions, clicked on that something was wrong with Buck. "He's great. He's...hes meant to be a firefighter. But," Bobby took a deep breath before he cleared his throat. He took a sip of his coffee, and he was quiet before he looked up at Eddie.
"He's in trouble. He's dating this alpha, I'm not sure if you remember him. Tommy Kinard?" Bobby started to question, only for Eddie to snort and roll his eyes as he took a sip of his coffee before setting it down in a firm manner.
"Unfortunately I do," he commented before looking over at Christopher. Seeing as he was focused on his lego, Eddie turned back to Bobby.
"He's the most arrogant and egotistical person I have ever meet. I can't understand why your son would be interested in him," Eddie commented, causing Bobby to sigh heavily as he ran his fingers over his eyes. Eddie's eyes softened slightly as he took in the older alpha's pained expression as he removed his hand.
"Tommy must be a secret sorcerer, because he had Buck wrapped around his finger as soon as they meet. But....he's been abusing him. We've tried everything to get him out, but Tommy knows how to work the system. And he must be threatening to harm us, because Buck refuses to leave him. Tommy...he's sent him to the hospital the other week, and Buck managed to leave him then. But....he's going to kill him, Eddie," Bobby explained, his voice aged and worn with heartache and fear as he turned to look at him.
Eddie straightened up as Bobby took a deep breath. "Athena believes that the police might have a way to get Tommy locked away. There is a restraining order that is about to be put in place, but that won't stop him from harming Buck. Eddie, I know that this is the last thing you expected. But....you're the only person I trust to keep him safe," Bobby started to explain. Eddie frowned slightly as he looked down at the table, before looking back up.
He was quiet for a moment before he spoke up.
"So, what? You want me to take in your boy until his no good ex is finally cuffed?" Eddie asked as he crossed his arms, staring across the table at Bobby.
The older alpha took a breath as he ran his finger over the small laced corner of the table cloth that Isabel had given Eddie when he first moved to California.
"I know it's a big ask, but I trust you, Eddie. I know I don't normally ask for favours but," Bobby took a deep breath as he cleared his throat before turning his gaze back to Eddie.
Immediately, the younger alpha recognised the pained look in Bobby's eyes.
It was the haunted look of a father who had already lost his family, and was on the tethering tread of losing another.
"I've already lost my children, Eddie. I refuse to bury another one."
Eddie was quiet as he allowed the words to sink in. His brown eyes glanced over to where Christopher was sitting with Carla in the lounge, laughing as he placed a lego figure on the little tower he was building.
If Christopher was in any danger, then he would do whatever he could to protect him.
Finally, Eddie exhaled before nodding. "Alright, I'll take him in," he replied. And it looked like a giant weight had been lifted off Bobby's shoulders as a look of deep gratitude filled his eyes. The older alpha reached out to shake Eddie's hand, shaking slightly as he gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Eddie. I promise, it won't be for long. It's just until the police have what they need," Bobby stated as Eddie smiled softly as he shook his hand.
"Bobby, I always said that I'm always happy to help when needed. I promise you, Buck will be safe here," he said, and it almost looked like Bobby was going to start sobbing then and there as he just took a deep breath and rubbed a hand over his face.
In a matter of seconds, the aged look of fear and sorrow melted off Bobby's face as he tipped his head back and sighed softly in relief.
"I'll let Buck know. He's a good kid, I promise," Bobby said as Eddie smiled faintly before clapping his shoulder, squeezing it softly. "I know. With you as his father, he will have a good head on his shoulders."
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Bobby had told Buck about Eddie. The omega remembered his father bringing up the alpha's name throughout his late teen years. About how the alpha had arrived at Los Angeles with a young pup and worked his way through the fire academy and came out on top.
How he had gelled well with the team and, how while Buck was travelling and living his life as a young, careless omega in the best years of his early 20s, Eddie had become captain of the C-Shift at the tender age of 29. And when Buck returned from Peru and enrolled in the fire academy, he heard from one of the instructors that Eddie had to retire because of an life threatening injury from being shot at.
By the time he had graduated, Eddie had left Los Angeles and was now a rancher out near Yosemite.
Even so, Buck was gutted. He was looking forward to meeting the man that Bobby had talked about and had even told Buck a couple of times that he wouldn't mind if he had brought an alpha home if they were like Eddie.
So Buck had to have hope that Eddie was as noble and compassionate as everyone said he was as he drove down the country road.
His heart had since calmed down from trying to jump out of his chest, while he finally felt like he could breath without his throat tightening with each inhale. Buck was certain that he was going to have difficulty removing his hands from the steering wheel due to the fact that he had his hands gripping it so tightly that his knuckles were pure white.
Buck couldn't believe it. He was finally doing it.
Their fight started off the usual manner: Tommy was being an absolute fucking dick. Buck had finished a 48 hour shift the previous day, so he was getting some much needed sleep. Then Tommy walked in and started berating Buck for sleeping when he was supposed to be cleaning and cooking, like a good little omega wife.
Buck, who had been reaching his tether with the alpha. Who had to watch his sister age with worry as she patched up his little cuts and bruises.
Who had to watch his strong, fierce mother argue with the higher ups to arrest Tommy herself.
Who had to watch his father almost go grey with stress, while Hen, Chimney and Ravi all hovered and looked seconds away from wrapping him in cotton wool.
Who had finally reached his limit and was done with the abuse, both physically and mentally.
He had spun around at Tommy and shoved the alpha, stating that he had just finished a shift where he had to pull a pair of siblings out of a house fire, where he had to pull out a pregnant woman from her crushed car and held the hand on a child as Hen tried to revive her father who had a heart attack in front of her.
The conversation still rang in Buck's head as he speed down the road.
"I'm fucking done, Tommy! You complain about coming home to an omega who is recovering from an 48 hour shift? Well, you never saw me complaining about the fact that my alpha abuses me, threatens harm to my family and makes my life a living hell!" Buck had shouted, panting heavily at the end of it. There was only a split second of shock that appeared in Tommy's eyes before they hardened.
The next thing Buck knew, he was being pinned against the wall, throat squeezed an inch of it's life as Tommy got in his face.
"Watch your fucking mouth, Evan. Looks like I will need to put you in your place," Tommy had hissed and reached to remove Buck's pants. Only to howl as Buck headbutted him in such a violent manner that it shattered Tommy's nose.
The omega didn't think twice. He grabbed his phone, Jeep keys and bolted out the door. He punched in the address his father had given him earlier that day, in his usual bid to save his son.
Now, Buck was four hours out of Los Angeles, with only the stars and the moon keeping him company. He knew that he should have called his family, but he didn't want to send them in a panic. The only words that followed him from Los Angeles to the wild woodland was Bobby's plead.
"Please, Buck. Eddie is a good man. He will look after you."
Well, I hope you're right about him, Dad.
Buck barely registered the wooden post, or the sprawling mountain ranges behind the house that was coming into view. He came to a stop before he could crash into the house, gasping for air as he sat in his car.
The only light that was showing was the porch light that came to life with the omega's arrival. He didn't pay attention to the front door opening and a shaow appearing, before the shadow approached his driver's side door. In wasn't until there was a knock that almost caused Buck to jump out of his skin that he remembered he had run away to a complete stranger's house.
He slowly unlocked the door, and sat there as the door opened. Immediately, he was shrouded in the comforting scent of cedarwood, whiskey, clove and old leather.
"Hey, bud. You must be Buck."
The omega blinked a couple of times before slowly turning towards the voice. His breath got caught in his chest as blue meet brown, and Buck was greeted with a face carved by a god. Dark brown eyes that had flickers of ember around the pupil, with a small mole underneath his left eye. Chocolate waves that brushed against his forehead, while his skin was rich and tanned over sharp cheekbones and a jawline most people paid thousands for.
Meanwhile, Eddie stared back at Buck, his brown eyes slightly widened as he took in the omega in front of him.
Blond curls that had become unruly from it's gel. Baby blue eyes that bordered on ocean blue as they flickered between fear and wariness. Plush pink lips that begged Eddie to kiss them, followed by a red birthmark above his eye that stood out beautifully against his creamy skin.
The two stared at one another, their hearts joining as one as the moon and starts became witnesses to the beginning of a romance that will be born like the wildflowers the blossom in the toughest terrain.
As Eddie gazed at Buck, the omega took a breath before offering him a shaky smile as he exhaled. "So, you're the infamous Eddie?" He asked, causing a small smile to grow alongside Eddie's face as he lightly placed his hand over Buck's. Immediately, a volt of lightning shot through them both as their hearts skipped at the same time.
"Yeah....yeah I am. And I'm going to make sure that you're safe, Buck," Eddie found himself saying, and his voice rang true and sincere.
Because one thing is for sure: no one is going to take his omega away.