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Bobby didn’t like prying into his team's personal life, really he didn’t. He knew that outside of the station all of them had their own lives to live, their own people to worry about. But when it came to Buck, well. Sometimes he blurred those lines a bit.
They were a family at the 118, and he knew that for Buck that was more important than it was for the others. Other than Maddie, he didn’t really have anyone else outside of them. So when he got a little dodgy, secretive about phone calls, Bobby got concerned. It finally came to a head when he skipped a cook out though. Because that, that just really was not like the Buck he knew at all.
“Have any of you guys noticed that Buck has been a little...off lately?” He asked the team as they sat around the station waiting for a call. He had sent Buck to pick up the takeout he ordered. Something he didn’t like doing, but it was the best way to get him out so he could pry, just a little bit.
“What do you mean Cap?” Eddie asked, putting down the book he was reading to look at Bobby, expression puzzled.
“Just.” He frowned. Maybe he really was seeing things.
“He’s been distant since we went to that conference in Chicago.” Hen said, pausing the video game her and Chim her playing, ignoring the outraged noise he made.
Bobby frowned, because yeah that timeline fit. Buck had been ridiculously excited to go to that conference, they had gone to the one two years prior, and he wouldn’t shut up about seeing how it improved. Bobby honestly thought he wouldn’t have wanted to go again, because in reality those things didn’t always change much, but he insisted he would have a good time.
“Yeah, but didn’t he practically beg to go to that thing?” Eddie asked, rolling his eyes. “He wouldn’t shut up about it. What’s the big deal with him and Chicago anyways.” He huffed, moving to pick up his book, but Bobby beat him to it with a question.
“What do you mean the deal with him and Chicago?”
“Yeah, that’s news to me too.” Hen said, and Eddie looked sheepish.
“You know Buck and his trivia. He knows like a shit ton about that place, and one of our vacation weeks I asked if he wanted to come camping with Chris and I and he said he was going out there to see the sights. What the hell sights are there in Chicago anyways?” He sounded hurt, which Bobby would get into at a later time. But right now his main concern was what the hell was in Chicago that Buck was keeping from them.
“Do they have family up there?” Hen asked, looking at Chim.
He frowned, shaking his head. “No, all of their family is in Pennsylvania. They aren’t close with any of their family anyways, and besides why would he hide a trip to go see his family?”
“You guys don’t think-” Hen started, but was cut off by Buck walking back into the station.
“So I made sure to get extra duck sauce, because some people here are heathens.” He called, as he walked up the loft stairs. He grinned at all of them before his face fell. “Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Did you remember the chopsticks this time?” Hen asked, and Buck rolled his eyes.
“Of course I did, what do you take me for?” He asked with a pout. She got up, taking the bags out of his arms, shooting a look at the rest of the team. Bobby understood immediately. They needed to drop it.
+++
Bobby honestly wanted that to be it. Was hoping everything would go back to normal, but of course he had no such luck. It was a week later when they were on a call from hell. It made the news, mass casualties, everyone was upset. But especially Buck, Bobby could tell he was blaming himself for losing that last victim, and to make it worse it had all been caught on camera.
As they rolled back into the station, he figured they were all going to have to drag him out of the truck. But instead he went willingly. Running off to the showers. Before anyone could talk to him, he was running off again, the entrance to the roof was propped open slightly, and Bobby shook his head. He shot Eddie a look who nodded.
However instead staying out on the roof, or coming back down with Buck, he returned not even two minutes later. “What happened?” Hen asked, and Eddie shook his head with pursed lips.
“I’m not going out there.” Was all he said, before stalking off to the gym.
Bobby sighed, not sure if he should follow Eddie, or head up to the rooftop. Hen sighed, before walking towards the gym. He shot her a grateful look, as he headed up the stairs towards the roof. However he didn’t manage to make it out before he heard Buck’s voice.
“Don’t try and pretend you didn’t see it Kelly.” He paused, and Bobby frowned. Since when was he talking to Taylor Kelly again. “Sure, sure you would have done exactly what I did but-” he cut himself off again. “Stop trying to fucking placate me!”
Bobby sighed, part of him wanted to say Buck’s private conversation be damned, it was clear she wasn’t doing much to help him. Besides as a news reporter she might see the job, but she would never understand how hard it really was. Buck needed the team right now. People who could understand what it meant, and help him understand that it wasn’t his fault. Finally right as he was about to open the door Buck spoke again, voice cracking.
“I know, it’s not my fault. But the hell if that makes it hurt less.” Bobby sighed, taking his hand off the door. He turned to walk down the stairs, when he caught one last part of their conversation. “I love you too.”
He went back down to the common area, where he was met with only Chim. “Where’s Buck?” He asked and Bobby sighed.
“He’s on the phone.”
“What’s got Eddie so mad then?” He asked, before his face went through some mental gymnastics. “Who is she?”
Bobby sighed, looking to the ceiling. “Taylor Kelly.”
Chim groaned. “Of all the people he could have gone for, he really chose her?”
“Hey, we just have to put our dislike aside for him. I think he’s pretty serious about this. And it’s obvious he’s been hiding his relationship for a reason. We just need to show him we support him.” He didn’t like it either. And if he was being honest, he had no clue why Buck would have gone back to Taylor Kelly of all people. He also had no clue what she had to do with Chicago. Maybe she was from there and he was meeting her family? Whatever it was, they needed him to be comfortable telling all of them he was seeing her again before they could ask.
“You know you might want to go and get Eddie on board with that whole plan.” Chim pointed out, and Bobby sighed.
He stood up, walking towards the gym. Hen was sitting on one of the benches while Eddie was pounding on a punching bag. She looked up at him helplessly. Eddie looked at Bobby and scoffed. “Did you hear him?”
“I did, and I think you know as well as I do that who he dates is his business.”
“He’s hiding her because he knows none of us approve. Which we’re right not to, she’s a snake.” He rolled his eyes, throwing another punch at the bag, and Hen chimed in.
“Wait a minute. That’s what this is about? Buck is dating someone?” She asked, looking between Eddie and Bobby. He guessed that Eddie hadn’t been very forthcoming.
“Yeah, Taylor Kelly.” He spat out, and Bobby sighed.
“How much of their conversation did you hear?” Bobby asked, and Eddie finally stopped hitting the bag to really look at him.
“Just enough for him to say her name and leave. Hell he doesn’t even call her by her first name. They can’t be that close-”
“He loves her.” Bobby cut him off. It had the same effect dousing the man in cold water would, and he felt bad for doing it. They all knew how Eddie felt about Buck, everyone but Buck that is. But he needed to hear it.
“No he doesn’t.”
“I heard him say it Eddie. So please, just let him come to us with this. And try and support him.” He clapped him on the shoulder, before sending Hen a look pleading her to stay with him, walking back up to the common area.
Buck was there sitting with Chim, looking far better than he had in the truck. “You good kid?”
“Yeah, just needed to take a little bit of space. Clear my head. You know how it is.” He smiled, and Bobby held back a frown.
“You know you can talk to us about anything right?”
Buck flashed a smile. “Of course Cap.”
+++
It was two weeks without mention of his relationship, and Bobby was shocked at how well Eddie was handling things, when Buck ran into the station just bordering on late with a vase of flowers in his hands. “I know I know I’m pushing it!” He called up the stairs. “I ran into the delivery guy on my way out, and when I realized he was going to my place but it wasn’t the usual guy so there was an issue. Then I didn’t have time to bring them back up and they would die if I left them in the car, can I just leave them on the counter for the shift?” He asked, out of breath.
“Uh of course.” He said, staring at what was honestly a beautiful array of flowers.
“Usual guy? You get flowers often Buck?” Hen teased, and Buck turned bright red.
“Oh uh, huh yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and looked at the flowers with a small smile on his face. Like he couldn’t help it. Bobby wondered how they all missed it.
“Who are they from?” She asked, and he shrugged.
“Just a friend. I have to go change for shift.” He grabbed his duffle, and ran down the steps two at a time.
Hen immediately stood up, and started snooping through the bouquet. “What are you doing?” Eddie asked, frowning deeply at the flowers like they personally offended him.
“Just a friend, my ass.” She rolled her eyes. “And I bet you pretty boy down there was in such a rush to get here he forgot to remove whatever card they came with.”
“We already know who they’re from.” Eddie said darkly.
“Can you at least admit it’s cute she gets him flowers regularly. Most girls don’t think to do that for men, and it’s clearly making him happy. Aha!” She yelled, as she fished out a card. “Evan, as always these flowers will just have to be there when I can’t. Love Kelly.”
“Okay that’s really cute I can’t lie.” Chim said, walking over to peer at the card. “Are we sure this is Taylor Kelly though?” He asked, and both Bobby and Eddie looked over at him with a frown.
“Explain.” Hen said, as she shoved the card back into the flowers.
“I’m just saying, the card doesn’t say Taylor. Or Taylor Kelly, it just says Kelly. And Bobby didn’t you say on the phone you thought it was weird that he calls her Kelly now? I’m just saying I think we all jumped to conclusions that he’s back with Taylor Kelly because it made sense. But does it really?” He waved his hands at the flowers, and the down at Buck, and Bobby frowned.
He was right, it was weird that Buck never referred to her as Taylor. And that the card simply said Kelly. Plus it would make the Chicago thing make a lot more sense. If it was a completely different person. The only thing that didn’t make sense was-
“Well then why is he hiding it huh?” Eddie asked, and Chim put his hands up in defense.
“Hey man, I wish I knew. But all I’m saying is I really don’t think this is Taylor Kelly.”
They couldn’t speculate further, because Buck was running back up the stairs. “So Buck, just how often are you receiving flowers?” Hen asked, and he flushed yet again.
“I don’t know. Once a month I guess.”
“Wow, that’s a pretty nice friend. Do we know them?” She asked, and he shook his head.
“Nah, they aren’t from around here. They just know that the whole firefighting thing gets hard sometimes and wanted to brighten up my apartment, at least that’s what they said.” He explained, looking anywhere but their eyes.
“How come I’ve never seen them then?” Eddie asked, and Buck looked at the floor.
“I uh, keep them up in my room most of the time.”
Bobby was unsure if he was going to need to step in, as Eddie’s fists clenched, and Buck looked at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the world. “Hard for them to brighten up your apartment if they’re hidden up there, isn’t it?”
“Maybe I like looking at them when I wake up in the morning.” Buck defended, finally looking up at Eddie.
“Which friend was it again, I don’t think you mentioned them.” He spat out, and Buck stood up straight.
“I didn’t know it was your business to know about every single person in my life.” He said, and Bobby was ready to step in when the bell rang.
He was almost relieved that they got that sense of distraction. Because he couldn’t see that conversation ending well. The rest of the shift was tense, Buck and Eddie only interacting with each other as much as they needed to for calls. But as always they worked together with such practice and ease he was never worried. It was exactly what he wanted when he hired Eddie. He hated that now he was worried about it being compromised because Buck didn’t return his feelings.
+++
They were at the bar at the end of their shift a few days later when they all got another look into the secrets he was keeping. Buck was in the middle of telling some story from a book he read, Bobby wasn’t quite sure. If he was being honest he had lost track, but Athena was smiling at him fondly. Most of them were used to these antics. Even if they were all lost they’d let him finish because they wanted him to know they cared. However Buck’s phone started ringing on the table. It was faceup, lit for them all to see. The contact photo was some blonde smiling brightly on the back of an older man. The contact name said Shay however, not the Kelly that Chim was trying to convince everyone about.
If Bobby was being honest he was half expecting Buck to ignore it. Everyone was at the bar tonight, all the important people in Buck’s life. So no one was expecting him to stop short the second he looked at his phone. “Excuse me guys I need to take this.” He grabbed his phone swiping to answer, and tried to shimmy out of the booth. “Shay, is he okay? Did something happen?” He asked, as everyone tried to move quickly to let him out. As he walked away they could catch the end of what he was saying. “Of course I would worry I know you’re all on shift right now. How bad is it?”
“Am I the only one that’s lost?” Karen asked, looking to the group for an explanation.
“Nope.” Athena said, looking to Bobby. He wished he had answers, sadly this only left him with more questions. Who was this he on the other end of the phone that Buck was so worried about? And who the hell was Shay?
“Maddie do you know anything?” Chim asked, and they all turned to her.
Unfortunately she was also frowning deeply. “Is he seeing someone new? Shouldn’t all of you know? You’re with him for days at a time.” She pointed out and Chim sighed.
“So we think he might be seeing-”
Eddie cut him off. “Taylor Kelly. We think he’s seeing Taylor Kelly.”
“Excuse me, no. You think he’s seeing Taylor Kelly. All we know for sure is he’s seeing someone named Kelly.” Chim corrected. “Come on, Hen back me up on this,'' he pleaded.
“Eddie, he’s probably right. I mean other than the name, what evidence do we have that it would be Taylor? This only gives us more proof that it’s not if anything.” She said, and Maddie made a noise.
“Excuse me, but you all knew Buck’s been seeing some mystery girl and no one said anything!” She looked around the table, and then glared at Chim.
“There's a reason he’s keeping it secret and I think we all need to respect that. He’ll come to all of us when he’s ready.” Bobby pointed out.
“How long do we think this has been going on though?” Athena asked, and Bobby sighed.
“He’s been receiving monthly flowers, for at least long enough to expect them. And they say I love you. That’s really all we know.” He said, with a small shrug.
“He’s been acting off since our firefighter conference a few months back, but if this has been going on longer than that then I don’t know what to say. I never expected our Buckaroo to be capable of a secret relationship if I’m honest.” Hen told them all, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Buck came rushing back to their table with a stressed look on his face. “So hey listen, I have to go. But uh, shit I really hate to do this. I know we’re off for the next two days. But is there a way I can request our next shift off? I can put through the paperwork tomorrow morning but-”
“Woah woah woah, Buck just slow down.” Bobby said, placing his hand on Buck’s arm. “What happened?”
“A friend of mine got hurt. He’ll be fine, but he needs someone there with him. If not it’s fine. But I was just really hoping to-” Bobby cut him off.
“Of course. I’ll work it out. You take all the time you need. You sure you only need the day?”
“Yeah I’m sure. 5 days total will be plenty. And he totally gets the schedule. He told me not to come up, but I just want to make sure he’s really okay. Plus I really just want to make sure he’s not alone.” He was chewing on the inside of his lip, and Bobby had about a million more questions but now really was not the time to ask them.
“You’re good kid. I hope everything works out with your friend.” He stood up giving Buck a quick hug, which he took with a smile.
“Thank you. And I’m sorry everyone for cutting out of here so quickly, I just-”
“We all understand Buckaroo.” Hen said, shooting him a smile.
“Thank you.” With that he ran back out of the bar.
They all sat around the bar in silence for a moment before Athena finally spoke. “Are all of you sure this Kelly character is a woman?” She asked, and Bobby froze.
Was he sure? Buck had never said a woman sent him the flowers, he had just said it was a friend. There was no gender on the phone and he was never close enough to hear a voice on the other end. He just stared at his wife who shrugged.
“No, no we aren’t.” Chim said, staring at the door Buck had left out of.
“Do you think that’s why he’s not telling us?” Hen asked, staring at the door as well.
“It’s not like any of us are homophobic.” Eddie snapped out, and everyone's gazes shot to him.
“That doesn’t make it any less difficult to come out.” Karen pointed out, and he could see Eddie shifting guiltily.
“Plus it could be his partner who isn’t ready to come out.” Hen added.
“Either way, he said he was going up there. Do you guys think that meant Chicago?” Bobby asked, and Chim frowned.
“I think it might.” He confirmed before looking to the rest of the group. “Do you think he’ll tell us when he gets back?”
“Maybe.” Bobby said, but he didn’t really hold out much hope.
+++
When Buck rolled into the station on their next shift, Bobby couldn’t deny that the kid seemed lighter. Like someone had lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders. He felt bad for the fact that he was going to start prying, but at this point he didn’t really have a choice. He had skipped work for this guy, it was clearly serious.
“Hey Cap.” He called with a smile, passing him a coffee as he got close. “Am I the first one in?” He asked, he also set a box of what Bobby assumed were danishes down. A really good mood then.
“You’re a half hour early kid, of course you’re the first one in.” He opened the box and stole a cheese danish. “How’s your friend? Is he doing alright?”
Buck froze slightly, like he was unsure about how to answer. Before he shook himself out of it. “He’s good, it wasn’t as bad as all of us thought. But it was really great to see him. He should be back at work by the end of the week.”
Bobby nodded slowly, taking a bite of his danish thinking out his next question. “That’s good I’m glad. I don’t think I ever caught which friend this was.” He said, and Buck flushed.
“Oh uh yeah. Just this guy Kelly I met at the firefighter conference.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Bobby had to hold back a sigh. So Chim was right, as well as Athena. Kelly wasn’t Taylor Kelly, and she also wasn’t a she. “This year?” He asked, and god please let it be this year. He wasn’t sure how many more surprises he could ta-
“Nah the one two years ago.” He admitted and Bobby did sigh this time. “It’s not like I was trying to hide some big secret friend group or anything. I just got close with a couple firefighters from there and it never seemed like a big deal-”
He started, clearly having heard Bobby. “No, no it’s not an issue kid. Of course you’re allowed to have friends. I’m glad your friend is okay.” He finished, clapping him on the shoulder. “I have to go finish up some paperwork before the start of the shift.”
He walked away, because he wasn’t sure what he was going to say to Buck if he stayed. Should he tell him that they all knew who Kelly was? That he and Eddie had overheard their conversation, and that Hen read the note left with the flowers. How was he going to look him in the face and admit to digging into his personal life like that.
Besides, two years? He had been hiding a long term relationship. How was he supposed to tell the rest of the team that? Was he supposed to tell them that, or was he just supposed to support Buck and hope he would come clean.
Luckily by the time he walked back out, Hen was there and he was saved from facing him alone. “So your friend is okay?” She asked, and Buck smiled and nodded.
“Yeah, he’s doing great.” He moved to rub at his collarbone, when Bobby saw it, and he knew Hen wouldn’t have missed it either.
“You sure he’s just a friend?” She asked, and Buck made a humming noise before looking down.
“Oh shit, that. Haha, yeah funny story.” He moved the collar of his shirt to cover the hickey back up, just in time for Eddie and Chim to come up the stairs.
“Funny story, I love those.” Chim said. “Oh god danishes. Bobby I love you.”
“Not me, those were all Buck.” He said, and Buck gave them all a weak smile.
“Funny stories and danishes, maybe you should miss a shift more often Buckley.” Chim grabbed a danish, and moved to sit on the arm of the couch next to Hen. “Now spill.”
Buck however just blushed brightly, staring at the group of them. “What’s happening?” Eddie asked, also coming to join them.
“Buck here was just going to tell us who he got lucky with, when he was visiting his ‘friend’ out in who knows where.” She said, grinning at him like the cat who caught the canary.
Bobby almost wanted to put a stop to it. Tell them all that Buck hadn’t been hiding his relationship for a few months but for over two years. That it wasn’t some little thing. But he also hoped that maybe this would push him into telling them. “We uh. Okay so the thing is.” Buck took a deep breath. “So there’s a guy. We’re sort of together.”
He could see Buck bracing himself for rejection, and he knew everyone in the room felt like a jerk. Even Eddie whose face was pained. “Oh honey, did you think-” Hen started but he cut her off.
“It’s not like I thought you wouldn’t be supportive or anything. I just, it was hard. The thought of coming out. And it was easy for us to keep it a secret because of the distance, and then it felt like I had kept it a secret for so long it felt weird to tell all of you.” He shrugged, and looked apologetically at all of them.
“For so long? How long have you-” Hen trailed off. It was clear she also was under the same impression Bobby had been.
“Uh, we’ve been seeing each other for almost two and a half years. But I guess you could say we made things official just about two years ago. It’ll actually be two years at the end of the month.” He smiled at them all, but Bobby could tell it was strained.
“You’ve been seeing someone for two years. And you just never thought to mention it to any of us?” Eddie asked, hurt lacing his tone.
“Never felt like a good time.”
“There doesn’t have to be a good time. You just open your mouth and say, ‘hey guys I’m dating someone, so maybe we could all stop pretending that-”
“Eddie let’s take a walk.” Bobby said, walking towards the man. He didn’t give him much of a choice. Taking him by the arm and guiding him out of the room. When they were out of earshot of the rest of them he spoke. “I know you’re hurt by this. Probably more hurt than the rest of us are. But he never did anything to you. He never-”
“I know he didn’t okay? He never-” Eddie cut himself off. “You know I kept giving myself reasons why I couldn’t tell him. But maybe I knew all along that he wasn’t as interested as I always wanted to think he was.”
“He loves you and Chris.” Bobby offered, and Eddie chuckled darkly.
“Yeah, but he’s in love with someone else.”
+++
It was the end of the month, and Bobby was half expecting Buck to back out of the cookout. They all remembered that it was going to be his two year anniversary. So he was more than a little surprised when he got a text from Buck two hours before it began.
Buck: Hey, I know this is a little last minute. But do you think I could maybe bring a guest?
Bobby stared at his phone shocked for a moment. In the weeks since they had found out about Kelly, Buck really hadn’t been very forthcoming. He was a little less awkward about some of his phone calls and texts. But overall, he still didn’t tell them much about the man.
“Honey, what’s wrong?” Athena asked, and he shook himself out of it.
“Buck wants to bring a guest.” He said, and she stepped back slightly.
“Well tell the poor boy yes. We’ve all been dying to meet this man.” She said, coming to press a kiss to his head before continuing to set up.
Bobby: Of course, we’re looking forward to it
By the time guests started arriving, Bobby found himself growing anxious at Buck’s arrival. He hadn’t told anyone other than Athena that Buck was bringing his boyfriend, and he wasn’t sure if Buck had either. He also had no clue who he was looking for. As well as being less than forthcoming, Buck had never shown them any pictures.
However when Buck walked in the door, mid laugh holding the hand of an older looking man Bobby knew. He also vaguely recognized the man from the photo at the bar, but he looked familiar past that. All of the conversation that was milling around came to a halt.
Buck’s laughter died, and he looked at the man with an apologetic smile. The man just shot him a bright grin before pressing a kiss to his cheek. “So uh, guys this is Kelly Severide. Babe this is my team. There’s way too many people to introduce at once, and I’m sure they’d all like to interrogate you so let’s go around.” He waved at the room, and Bobby smiled at him.
“It’s not like I don’t already know who they all are.” Kelly pointed out, he must have pinched Buck or something because he jumped.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Keep it up.” He stuck his tongue out at the man who just smiled at him.
He could hear Eddie next to him mumble under his breath. “Not like any of us know who he is though.”
Buck headed straight for their group, and Bobby wondered if Eddie was going to make himself scarce, but he instead moved closer to him and Athena. He could see Buck’s face tighten slightly at that, but then Kelly’s arm squeezed around him and he relaxed. It was weird to see how in tune they were when they hadn’t even known this man existed until two months ago.
“Babe this is Bobby, Athena, and Eddie. Guys this is my,” he paused looking at the man for a second. They shared a silent conversation and Buck nodded. “Boyfriend, Kelly Severide.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Athena said, moving to shake his hand.
“Likewise, Evan has told me so much about all of you. I feel like I know you guys already.” He was clearly charming Athena, but he knew the comment was going to rub Eddie the wrong way.
“That’s so funny because we never heard anything about you.” He said, and Bobby frowned. Because there it was.
Kelly however, just chuckled lightly. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that.”
“No it’s not his fault. It was me.” Buck said, staring straight at Eddie. “I chose not to tell you guys. He wanted to meet all of you, especially after I met his team. I’m the one who kept putting it off.”
“Oh honey, that doesn’t matter. We’re just glad to meet him now.” Athena said smiling at Buck, before shooting a look at Eddie.
“She’s right Buck. We’re happy for you.” Bobby said, and Buck shot him a relieved smile.
“Thank you, I gotta go bring him over to Maddie before she kills me.” He said, wrapping his arm around Kelly steering them over towards Maddie and Chim.
“He seems happy.” Athena said, looking to where Buck was grinning at his sister who was clearly ripping him a new one.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this happy honestly.” Bobby agreed. Looking to his wife sadly. Had they really all missed it? Because somehow just with this man around, he was so much more at ease. Like a part of him that they never saw was finally at peace with itself.
He was saved by any more pondering by Maddie yelling. “Evan Parker tell that is not what I think it is!” She screamed, yanking his hand forward.
“Uhh, surprise?” He asked, allowing her to inspect his hand. And Bobby froze, because he had missed that, and that made the silent conversation before his introduction make sense. “I was going to tell you all once I introduced him to everyone, I swear.”
“How long have you been hiding this development!” She demanded, and it was Kelly who laughed, slightly ashamed.
“Uh, about three hours. I didn’t want to propose until I had met all of you. But the moment was just so right this morning I couldn’t wait anymore.” He rubbed the back of his neck, and Bobby felt for the guy. He never wanted to be on Maddie’s bad side, because that girl could hold a grudge.
“It’s true, he bought the ring at least six months ago.” Buck told her leaning in.
“Hey, how the hell did you know that!” Kelly asked, and Buck blushed.
“I uhh, found it?”
“How the hell did you find it? I hid it in Shay’s underwear drawer everytime you came up. Why the hell were you snooping through there?” He made a hurt face, Bobby was more confused as to why he was hiding a ring in some girls underwear drawer. But it seemed to make sense to Buck.
“Well maybe you should have hid it in Casey’s. She needed a new pair one day and asked me to grab one. She forgot she was supposed to be hiding it for you, and she swore me to secrecy.” He twisted in Kelly’s arms looking down at the man. “I know you’re not actually mad at me. Or Shay, seeing as she’s the love of your life.”
“I’m still having words with her when we get back.” He warned, and Buck just laughed, kissing him without reservation.
“And I’m going to warn her.” He said, like it was an old argument. It was cute, but Bobby was stuck on the words when we get back.
He supposed he should have been expecting it, when at the end of the cookout Buck approached him, shuffling from one foot to the other. “So, I don’t really know how to ask this.” He started, and Bobby sighed.
“Are you trying to transfer on me?” He asked, half praying that the answer was going to be no. Hell he would take Buck asking him to try and find a place for Kelly at the 118. However he knew he was out of luck when Buck sighed, and plopped down next to him.
“It’s all ready to be approved on the other end. I just need to talk to you about it. Say goodbye to everyone.” He told him, with a sad smile.
“You sure you want to do this?” He asked, but he knew the answer. Hell he knew the answer the second Buck walked in looking like a different person than the Buck he knew. Happier than he had seen him even with Abby.
“He’s the love of my life. And I’ve spent two and a half years not being with him properly. I owe it to him and myself to do this right finally.” He looked ready to fight Bobby on this, and that was all he needed for any arguments in him to die.
“I’m so happy for you kid. I’m glad you found someone who completes you. Chicago is going to be lucky to have you, just don’t be a stranger.” He pulled Buck into a hug, and he went easily.
“Of course not, you guys could never get rid of me that easily.” He promised. Then he stood, walking over to Kelly who was hovering near them. He wrapped his arm around his waist and moved to lead them out the door. Kelly looked back, shooting Bobby a grateful look, and he nodded back.
Yeah, Buck was going to be alright.