Chapter Text
As firehouse 118 settled in for lunch, Buck’s phone rang. He doesn't look before he picks up saying, “Hey, pretty girl.” He then loses his smile, eyes darkening and his face pinching in worry. “What did he do?”
“He didn't hurt me… but I think he wanted to…”
“I’ll be there soon, honey.” He looks at Bobby, shaking his head. “Send my transfer to firehouse 51 in Chicago. I have to go.” he stands and takes off his LA firefighter badge.
“Buck, what's going on?” Hen asks, gently grabbing his wrist.
“Nothing you should be concerned with. It’s handled,” he pulls away. “It’s been a pleasure serving with you.”
“Buck!” Chimney protests.
“I have to go. You can’t stop me. If you don't want to send my transfer, that's fine. Chief Boden knows me.”
With that, he walks out of their lives.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Buck arrived on the doorstep just around midnight. He knocks after checking the location of Shay’s cell phone. He knocks again after a few seconds. And then again until someone shouts at him and the door opens. He pushes past the man and into the house.
“Hey, what the hell!” he shouts, which makes whoever's upstairs move down the stairs and show themselves.
“You came,” Shay says as she hugs him.
“You called,” he returns. “I promised, remember?”
“Uh… who the hell are you?”
“Where’s Severide?” he asks darkly.
“He’s at a bar,” Shay says softly, not letting him go. He holds her just as tight, breathing her in. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“Can I please get an explanation on why some asshole was knocking on our door at midnight?”
“I’m Evan Shay,” He says. “We’re married.”
“She’s a lesbian.”
“And im a homosexual,” he says with a nod. “We did it for the benefits.”
“Oh.”
“C’mon,” Shay tugs Evan towards the stairs. “I require cuddles.”
“Coming. Nice to meet you…?”
“Otis.”
“The Russian dude,” he nods. “Have a good night.”
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Buck was sitting at the bar when Severide entered. He jumps when he sees the blond, casually making two coffees.
“Who the hell are you?”
“I'm Evan,” he says. “You’re the asshole who yelled at my wife.”
The man laughed, “I think you broke into the wrong house.”
“He didn't,” Shay says as she walks off the stairs.
“You’re married… to a dude?”
“Benefits,” Evan shrugged. “Here ya go, pretty girl.”
“He’s gay,” Shay shrugs and takes a sip of the coffee. “Thanks, love.”
“See ya at work. I have to talk to Boden.” he paused by Severide. “And don’t think I’m going to let that slide.”
“What the hell is going on?” Severide catches Shay’s arm.
“Let me go,” Shay tugs, but he doesn't let go.
“Tell me what's going on.”
“I called my husband,” Shay says simply.
“Why.”
Shay walks away in silence, smiling as she sips her perfect coffee.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
When Severide, Shay, and Otis arrive at 51, there's a buzz in the locker room. “Did you know we have a new guy?” Casey asks Severide as the man changes.
“Not until this morning,” Severide says dryly. He takes some Advil and walks off.
“Shay!” Boden calls.
“Coming,” Shay returns and walks towards him. “What can I help you with?”
“You get the pleasure of introducing your husband,” he says in a low voice.
Shay nods, “I know it's a shock, but it's from forever ago… back during Lincoln Square. At this point, we’d both prefer people don’t know… about the marriage or the mission.”
Boden nods as well, “I figured.”
As everyone settles into the briefing room, Shay stands up and walks toward the front. “Okay, so… We have a new guy… a paramedic from my old house.”
“You know him?”
“Meet Evan Buckley,” she introduces. The man smiles as he enters. “He’s one of the best I’ve seen, and he's not hard on the eyes.” She pinches his cheeks.
“Hey,” he bats her away gently.
“Nice to meet you,” Dawson shakes his hand. “I'm Gabi Dawson.”
“The PIC,” he nods. “Leslie talks about you.”
“Well, we know nothing about you,” Severide scoffs.
“Okaaay,” Evan rolls his eyes. “Any question you have, I'll answer if I can.”
Someone in the back asks first, “Where’re you from?”
“This time? LA. I’ve been all around the world. And my family is from Hershey, Pennsylvania.”
“Where’d you meet Shay?”
“Lincoln Square.”
“Really?”
“Yep!”
“Why’d you move back here?” Severide asks.
“Leslie said something happened and she was scared. I promised her I would always come when she needed me.”
Someone else asks, “how tall are you?”
“I’m 6’2,” he smiles. “As of my latest physical… 2 months ago?”
“How long have you known each other?” Gabi asks.
“About…17 years? We had a few classes together in the academy.”
“Long time for her not to mention you,” Severide grumbles.
“What are you so pissed at? That she knows someone you don't?” Evan scoffs. “She had to call me crying, afraid you were gonna hit her.”
“I wouldn't!” Severide takes a step forward, but Evan sweeps Shay behind him.
“You don't know shit about her and it pisses you off,” Evan says, nose to nose with him. “Because you so desperately want to control everything around you, likely a result of childhood trauma. Like your father leaving.”
“You don't know anything about me.”
“I know enough.”
“Break it up!” a blond man calls, crossing his arms. “He’s goading you, Severide.”
“You and I are nearly the same,” Evan continues. “Except she believes me when I say I would never hurt her.”
“Shut up,” Severide growls before he walks away.
“That was unnecessary,” Shay whispers softly.
“No,” Evan says. “He’s been on his high-horse far too long.”
“Evan,” she insists.
“He could have hurt you, and I promised you I would never let someone hurt you again,” Evan tells her.
“That isn't your job anymore.”
“It always will be,” he shakes his head. “Hungry?” he asks the shocked group.