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The new probie, Buck, had been at the 118 for a couple of weeks before he was invited to join them for post-shift drinks. He didn't always go, often citing his family's schedule.
And hadn't that been a revelation? Young, bouncy, innocent, twenty-something Buck putting on a silicone wedding band at the start of every shift; taking off quickly at the end so he could see his son.
Post-shift drinks didn't happen too often. Everyone had lives outside of work along with limited free time. Sometimes shifts ran over or they were so busy that everyone just wanted to go home. Still, drinks happened every couple weeks and within Buck's first few months, he became a regular attendee.
The bar Buck had heavily suggested they go to this time was a little out of Hen's way, but she was pretty sure it wasn't far from where Buck lived. "I've got to introduce you to the hottest bartender," He had said. "Sometimes I come here just to watch him work." Hen and Chimney had shared a puzzled glance. There was so much to unpack from that one statement.
Still, they followed Buck to a spare table that was close enough to the bar that Hen had to wonder if Buck was actually gonna lust over some guy in their company when they knew he was married.
But nope, he was dreamily watching an admittedly very attractive man serve drinks from behind the bar. Tanned and tattooed with doe eyes and fluffy brown hair. He was the exact image she conjured up whenever she heard about people thirsting over men who had their sleeves rolled up to their forearms.
"Makes me think about what else he could get his hands around," Buck muttered as the bartender squeezed half a lime.
Hen had to admit that it was partially her fault that the 118 definitely knew way too much about each other, but that comment did make her throw up in her mouth a little. "Does your husband know you do this?" Chimney asked warily.
"Yeah," Buck said.
His eyes lit up like they always did whenever he was reminded he was married, even as he kept his gaze trained on the bartender.
"And what does he think of you sitting here?" Hen couldn't help but ask.
"Oh he doesn't really get the appeal, but I enjoy myself." She met Chim's confused frown once again.
"Do you have an open relationship?" She asked.
"No, we're monogamous. Why?"
Hen was about to say something when Chimney interrupted her. "Nothing! No reason."
They managed to steer the conversation into other topics for a while, the others getting into teasing Chimney for his obvious crush on Buck's sister of all people. It started to feel like an average catch up until Buck offered to get the next round.
For a Wednesday night, it took the probie far too long to come back with their drinks. Hen only had to peek over her partner's head to see Buck leaning heavily on the bar, chatting up that same bartender. It was almost a little stalker-y, if she was honest, but the bartender seemed into him. Maybe this wasn't as one-sided as she thought.
He did eventually come back with the drinks, which the bartender handed him with a wink. "That bartender know you're married?"
Buck shot her a strange look as he sat down. "Of course. Why wouldn't he?"
"He seems pretty into you," Chim supplied.
Buck snorted. "I would hope so."
Hen was honestly so confused.
She really didn't want to be the bad guy, but Chimney was shit at confrontation and none of the others were sitting close enough to Buck to see his pining.
"Can I get a water?"
She did get one, but it was given by another bartender. She stayed up at the bar and pretended she was just chilling there until the man she was after moved nearby. Come on, Hen, be the good guy. It's now or never.
"Hey, um, I don't know if you know this but that guy over by that table?" She watched as his eyes landed on Buck. "He's actually married."
And the bartender let out a slightly dumbfounded laugh. "Yeah?" Jeez, Hen was gay but even his voice was sexy. "I am well aware."
"Oh, well- I'm just not sure his husband would be happy about you two getting together."
The bartender blinked, then laughed and shook his head, muttering something like, "Fucking troublemaker."
He tossed down the rag he was using to wipe the bench and strode towards their table. Hen followed behind him.
The bartender placed a hand on Buck's shoulder as he stood behind him. Buck looked entirely comfortable with the gesture, grinning back at the man. "Want to introduce me?" He had asked Buck in a low, intimate tone.
"Oh! Yeah," Buck said, as if he suddenly realised not everyone knew this mystery man. "Guys, this is Eddie."
Yeah... That gave them nothing. Eddie seemed to get that when he huffed out another laugh as the table chorused a greeting. "Nice to meet you all," He patted Buck's shoulder. "I hope my husband hasn't been giving you too much trouble."
Ohh.
"I thought your husband was in the academy?" Chimney asked, which-
Yeah. Good point.
Buck brought his hand up to lace with Eddie's and rested his cheek on them. "Well, yeah. But a probationary salary is hardly enough to house one person."
"I just do weekdays" Eddie added. "The closing shifts give me enough time to go home for a couple hours after the academy."
That made a lot more sense.
Later, when Hen thought about it, it was actually pretty sweet. Buck invited the whole team out to drool over his husband and introduce him to the team. The idea of Buck just sitting at the bar, keeping his husband company while he was on shift. It painted a cute picture.
And Buck and Eddie only got more disgustingly in love when Bobby managed to get them working the same shift. Buck was basically vibrating with excitement, yet he seemed so settled by his partner's side. Hen got to know Eddie more, too, and it was easy to tell that these two were so smitten that they'd never have any cheating scandals. They really only had eyes for each other.