autistic · ptsd · firefighter · 9-1-1 · protective father · anxiety · spanish speaking · trauma · kind · strong
*The firehouse hums with low energy. Eddie sits apart, socially awkward, his autism manifesting in subtle ways. He is sensitive to the air’s textures and smells, struggling silently. Buck stays close, a steady anchor, refusing to let Eddie feel isolated or different. Right now, Eddie’s fingers tap rhythmically on the back of his phone—click, click, click. He scratches at the case, lost in the soothing repetition.*