Chapter Text
Carlos 👮🏽♂️:
Did you hear the news?
Me:
That Tia Yenifer has finally left her dead beat husband?
Carlos 👮🏽♂️:
No, even though she should 🙄. They're rebuilding the 126.
Me:
........
Respectfully, what the fuck?
Carlos 👮🏽♂️:
Papa was the one who found out. Some alpha and his kids from New York are coming to rebuild it. Papa said that you should apply.
Me:
I.....I'll think about it. Still on for Saturday?
Carlos 👮🏽♂️:
And kick your ass in football? Of course. Just....think about it, Eddie. You can't stay on that ranch forever.
Eddie sighed heavily as he put his phone down, running his hand through his hair.
He lost count any many months it has been since the explosion.
Since he lost his crew.
Since he and Judd Ryder became known as the only survivors.
People still whispered about it. In church. On the street. Whenever he's dropping Christopher off at school.
The pity.
The staring.
The hidden question.
"Why did he get to live, but my son/husband didn't."
Eddie took a deep breath to push the onslaught of tears that had wanted to get out. He has been living with guilt ever since, and now someone was going to come and try and rebuild it.
After the accident, Carlos got him straight into counselling. And it had been helping, but still, he could still feel the guilt sometimes.
He weighed the options.
His uncle, who owned the ranch, knew that Eddie would eventually go back to firefighting, so he only offered him the job until the opportunity came.
He liked working with the horses (although there was one that was an absolute asshole).
He liked that Chris was given the opportunity to grow up on a ranch and experience the same childhood as he did (without his parents trying to force their religious beliefs down his throat).
He liked the still, quiet mornings. Watching the sunrise over the canyon, then taking Chris to the other side of the valley to watch the sunset.
But he missed being a firefighter.
He missed the adrenaline rush.
He missed saving people and putting out fires.
He missed having a close knit group of friends. Of family.
Eddie was lost in his thoughts when his phone started to ring.
He quickly picked it up.
"Mrs. Harper. Let me guess, he got out again?" He asked with a heavy sigh.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Diaz. He jumped the fence and got into my garden. I tried to hold him off, but he's too strong," the elderly voice sounded just as tired as Eddie felt.
He was already up and out the door, locking it behind him.
"Don't worry. I'll go and rangle him back in. I'll tell Tio Diego he needs to fix the fences again," he said as he put his hat on and got onto Sundancer's back.
"Gracias, Eddie. I'll have someone fresh baking waiting for you," the old omega replied before ending the call.
Eddie sighed heavily as he patted the stallion's neck. "Let's go get this devil," he muttered before nudging the horse into a gallop.
He got halfway down the road when the woman on the phone stepped out to stand by her letter box.
"He took off Eddie! He went that way," she said as she pointed down the road.
Great, the last thing he needs is for the horse to cause a crash.
Eddie galloped down the road, where a familiar dun coloured blur soon memorised in the distance. He slowed Sundancer into a trot as they got closer, when he was hit by a scent.
Wildflower. Honey, with a sweet smoky scent of ozone.
There, standing with the stallion that has caused so many problems, was a tall young man. Early, maybe mid 20s, with blond hair, a muscular built, a birthmark above his right eyebrow.
And the most gorgeous face that Eddie has ever seen.
Omega.
"Who's a good boy. You are, yes you are," the unknown man crooned as he gently scratched the horse's nuzzle, causing him to close his eyes as he relaxed.
It made Eddie's job easy as he placed the rope around the stallion's neck, causing him to jolt and throw Eddie a look.
"Trust me, he's not a good boy. This wild thing keeps escaping and causing trouble," Eddie stated as he turned back to the omega.
He found him with crossed arms and brilliant blue eyes staring back up at him.
See, Eddie prided in him in not being like every "knothead" (as Carlos calls them). He respects omegas. He doesn't think lowly of them. He believes they should have the same rights as everyone else.
Hell, he even attended some omega right rallies with Carlos when they were younger.
But the way the omega was staring at him right now, defiant, stubborn, with a hint of curiosity and maybe, maybe just a hint of interest, it did things to Eddie.
He made him want to kiss that stubborn pout of his lips, to make him hear him whimper his name.
It made him into a knothead.
"Well, that was rude. I was just having a nice conversation with Spirit here and you interrupted," the omega stated.
Eddie was brought back down to earth as he sighed heavily.
"I believe a thank you is in order. This is a wild mustang, not a pet. He could have bitten you," he replied, causing the omega to roll his eyes.
"I worked on a ranch in Montana, I think I know a thing or two about horses," he replied as the stallion raised his head with a neigh, as if he was agreeing with him.
Eddie fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Well, I'm just putting it out there. Not all horses are the same," he said as the omega huffed softly.
"Yes sir. I believe a thanks is in order. If I didn't stop, then your horse would have caused a crash," he replied with that same defiant air.
However, his pout had transformed and, mio Dios, he was smirking at him now.
Fuck, Eddie wanted to bend him over and teach him his place.
Especially when the next words that come out of the omega's plump lips were; "Come on, cowboy. Say thank you~," he said in a soft, teasing croon.
Eddie gritted his teeth as he took a deep breath.
Don't knot, don't knot, don't knot.
"Thank you. Now, I'm taking your friend back before he causes an accident,' he replied in a calm tone, pushing the raging beast inside him down.
The omega gave the horse one last scratch before looking up at Eddie. He felt himself freeze as the omega lightly touched his hand.
"Before you go, can you kindly point me to the direction of the city. I was supposed to get some drinks, but I got distracted by the sights and got myself lost. Won't you be a gentleman and give me directions?" He asked as he fluttered his eyelashes slightly.
Eddie wanted something to strike him down as he stared into those blue eyes.
Dios, give him strength. This omega was going to be the death of him.
Swallowing whatever horny thoughts he had, Eddie held his hand out.
"I'll put the directions in your phone," he replied as the blond passed him his phone. He tried to push down the chill that travelled through him as soon as their hands touched.
He loaded the map up and put in the directions for one of the few cafes he went too. He had a feeling that the omega would like the sweets there.
If he was here, Carlos would roll his eyes and tell him that not all omegas had a sweet tooth.
"There, that should take you right to town. Next time, try not to get distracted by the sights," he said, allowing his own voice to become more teasing.
The smirk transformed into a bright smile as the omega laughed.
Oh, Eddie wanted to record that laugh. It was bright, clear, carefree. God was really testing him today.
"So you do have a sense of humor. I like it. I'll try, but I can't help that the sights are beautiful and easy on the eyes. Hopefully I'll run into you again," the omega said as he gave Eddie a wink.
Eddie felt his heart flutter as he felt a smile of his own grow on his face. "Maybe, just try and not get in too much trouble now," he said as the omega playfully rolled his eyes.
He made to walk back to his car, before remembering that Eddie had his phone. He was then struck by a thought.
He walked back over and sheepishly gave him a smile as he held his hand out. "I got so distracted that I almost forgot my phone," he said.
Eddie was about to give it back, when something stopped. Since the phone as still open, he opened the omega's contacts and put his number in.
"There. Now you have someone in case you need help," he said as he handed the phone back. The omega's cheeks tinted slightly as he gave Eddie a smile.
"Well, aren't you kind. I'll let you go, Cowboy. Take care of Spirit for me," he said as he climbed back into the Jeep.
Eddie was quiet for a moment before he called; "it's Eddie!". He watched the omega pause slightly before he rolled the window, flashing Eddie a smile.
"Eddie. Now I have a name. The name's Buck. Hopefully I'll catch you around, Eddie," he said as he rolled the window up.
The alpha sat on top of his horse quietly before he suddenly clicked. "Wait! You named him after that horse from the movie?!" He called.
All he was met was a wink and laugh as Buck drove off towards town.
Eddie watched until the Jeep rolled down the road and out of sight. He just sighed heavily as he patted Sundancer's pale neck.
"I think I'm falling, fellas," he said to himself, to which he was meet with two whinnies.
*************
Me:
When do those firefighters arrive?
Carlos 👮🏽♂️:
Today actually. They're doing interviews if you want to go down?
Me:
Yeah......I think it's time.
*************
Eddie stepped out of the truck and stared up at the newly painted firehouse.
Immediately, he was hit with nostalgia.
He was freshly out of the army.
A little boy that needed a dad.
And a firehouse that became home.
He had gone to Frank, who luckily had a cancellation and was able to see him last minute. He knew that it was going to be hard, so he needed the strategies set in place.
"Think of it as honouring them. Of living in their memory. Of making them proud."
Taking a deep breath, Eddie slowly walked into the firehouse. He took in newly designed house; modern, yet still carrying some of the old design and structure within.
He looked up to the wall and stopped. He felt hus eyes heat up slightly as he read the names of all the fallen firefighters, their portraits hitting home.
Do it for them.
Do it for Chris.
"Mr. Diaz?".
Eddie took a deep breath as he slowly turned towards the voice.
Behind him was an older alpha, dark blond hair, blue eyes. He carried a compassionate, yet powerful aura around him.
It was clear he was the new fire captain of the 126.
"Owen Strand. Thank you for coming down," Owen said as he walked over and held a hand out, to which Eddie was quick to shake.
"Thank you for seeing me. For giving me this opportunity," he replied as Owen just gave him an understanding smile.
"Of course. This is your house, nothing is going to change that," he said as Eddie nodded. Most captains would change everything and not remember the fallen, but Owen didn't.
He rebuilt the house with those memories still connected to it.
"Right, we'll just go through your files and take about a starting date. I'm just waiting for one of my sons," Owen explained as he led the younger alpha to a table that was clearly used as for interviews.
Before he had gone in, he had seen a trio of people come out; Mateo, who was a couple of years under Eddie and lived around the corner from Carlos. A Muslim female alpha known as Firefox on Instagram who was chatting with an African American omega who was from Chicago.
It was clear that they were going to be his new crew. They seemed friendly enough; Mateo was basically like a little brother to Eddie anyway, so there's one familiar face that will make the process easier.
It made him wonder if Judd would come back.
He was brought out of his thoughts as a younger alpha walked over and let out a snort.
"What do you expect? He has the attention span of a sparrow. He probably got distracted by the sights," he stated as he sat down beside Owen. Owen just sighed as he glanced over at his son. "I did ask if you wanted to get the drinks, TK."
TK just rolled his eyes again playfully. "I got outvoted and he drove off before I could."
It was clear from their mannerism and comfortable position, as well as looks, that he was his son. And he was right as Owen turned to Eddie. "Eddie Diaz, this is my eldest, TK Strand," he said as TK waved before looking at his watch.
"He's running late~," he sung, causing Owen to sigh heavily like an exhausted father. It brought a smile on Eddie's face; he knew that feeling.
"Be nice to your brother. He texted me to say that he was on his way," Owen replied as he got Eddie's C.V that he had sent in and his other records out.
Just then, he heard the sound of tires coming to a halt and Owen gestured to the door.
"Speak of the devil, that's my other son, Evan," Owen started to say as the sound of a car door opening, then slamming shut echoed through the house.
"I'm sorry! There was a crowd, then someone changed their mind at the last minute and told me to change their order," a voice called as someone rushed in.
Eddie felt his body freeze as TK rolled his eyes as he held a hand out. "Hey, you would have plenty of time if you didn't get lost," he said as the cup as passed over.
"You two, I really thought that the squaling would have ended when you were kids," Owen sighed as another cup as placed in front of him.
"Thanks Buckaroo."
Eddie wanted the floor to swallow him up.
He wanted to hide as a hand, one that he had touched earlier that day, had now shyly placed a take away cup of coffee in front of him.
"The barista said that was your favourite," that sweet voice stated as another person sat down on Owen's other side.
Eddie slowly looked up and felt lightening strike him.
There, cupping his iced caramel frappe (ha! Take that Carlos) and wearing a shy, bashful smile, was Buck.
Who was the new captain's son.
A captain that looked between them wearing a puzzled expression, while TK crossed his arms with an air of a protective sibling.
Oh, Eddie was so fucked.