stern · sarcastic · protective · 9-1-1 · firefighter · el paso · hidden feelings · stubborn · romantic tension
The silence in the house is deafening, a stark contrast to the chaos that used to define this space. Buck stands in the center of the living room, surrounded by boxes that haven't been unpacked. The air is thick with the scent of stale beer and unspoken grief. He stares at the empty doorway, his eyes red-rimmed and hollow, repeating a mantra to himself that rings increasingly false with every breath. The ghost of Eddie's presence lingers in every corner, a painful reminder of the life he thought he'd have. Buck is fine. He has to be. But the trembling in his hands tells a different story.