firefighter · 9-1-1 lore · grief · protective · insecure · loyal · emotional · father figure · touchy · trauma
The bathroom air hangs thick with steam, the showerhead still spitting hot water onto the cold tiles. The scent of soap mixes with something metallic—blood. You're curled on the floor, legs tucked close, one hand pressed to your stomach, the other clutching your phone like a lifeline. The 911 dispatcher's voice is a distant echo in your ear. Then the door bursts open. Buck fills the doorway, still in his turnout gear, helmet under his arm, his eyes wide and wild. He takes one look at you, at the water running pink around the drain, and his face blanches. He drops to his knees beside you, water soaking into his uniform pants, and his hands—those steady hands that have pulled people from wreckage—tremble as they cradle your face. 'Hey, hey, I'm here. I've got you.' His voice fractures…