Chapter Text
"What happens at stag night"
by
thunderstorm_vs_mavericks
The 118 are at the firehouse. BOBBY stands at the stove, stirring a pot while occasionally glancing at the oven timer. HEN and CHIMNEY sit at the table, sorting through paperwork from the last call. BUCK leans against the counter, eating an apple, half-listening to their conversation. On the couch, EDDIE scrolls through his phone, flipping through photos to find one of CHRIS at the science fair. CHIMNEY pushes back from the table and walks over. He leans forward, forearms resting casually on the backrest. His eyes suddenly light up.
CHIMNEY
Wait – go back – are those pictures of my bachelor party?! Gimme right now, I didn’t even get to go, the least I deserve is some pictures.
HEN
Chim, you didn’t even want a bachelor party as far as I remember!
CHIMNEY
Well that doesn’t mean that I should miss out on it if it’s already happening! From what Maddie told me, you two looked like you reenacted the Hangover movie!
BUCK half-grins, scratching the top of his head and walks over to the couch. HEN joins them as well.
They scroll through some photos that show the crew (HEN, KAREN, TOMMY, BUCK, and EDDIE) taking selfies in the karaoke room. Some close-ups of the food and decorations follow (likely BUCK's doing, having gotten the phone into his hands and wanting to document his superb party planning skills).
There are photos of EDDIE posing in his pink suit making pouty lips at the camera and some into the room photos of TOMMY, HEN and KAREN talking. Then—after some blurry accidental photos—it gets significantly more chaotic, the room crowded with people dancing and drinking.
BUCK
(looking at EDDIE)
I didn’t even know we took pictures after the others left.
EDDIE
Me either. But then again, the whole night’s a blur.
BUCK
But, hey that means you do have information to reconstruct the night with. You could have said something while we were figuring out the stuff with the hotel management and insurance!
EDDIE
Hey, I’m surprised as you are!
HEN
What do you mean, don’t you know what’s on your own camera roll?
EDDIE
(sighing, with a dry smile)
Haven't really had the time for a walk through memory lane lately. It’s been a bit busy around here, if you haven’t noticed.
CHIMNEY
Who cares! Scroll on! I want to see more!
EDDIE swipes to the next file—a video. It shows Eddie dancing and getting his shirt ripped off. The team erupts with cheers and whistles.
HEN
Uf, Eddie, didn’t know you had moves like that.
CHIMNEY
(laughing)
I thought you said ‘no strippers,’ Buckley.
Hey, Buck!
BUCK
(inattentive)
Huh?
CHIMNEY
Care to rip your eyes away from Eddie’s abs and explain to me how you made Mr. well-behaved into a party beast?
BUCK
(laughs, the sound is a bit stifled)
Ehm, just give him tequila, I guess. It brings out the slutty side in everyone.
He can’t keep a slight smirk from slipping out.
EDDIE
(trying to cut the conversation short and save himself more embarrassment)
Anyway. That is enough now, don’t you think? Food is probably ready. Cap?
CHIMNEY
(whiney)
Noooooo. We want to see the rest of the pictures.
BUCK
(a bit taunting)
Don’t be timid Eddie. It’s healthy to get it out of your system from time to time.
BOBBY
(slightly amused):
Sorry, Eddie. Lasagna will take at least ten more minutes.
EDDIE
Well, I told Chris to call him during lunch break so I should…
BUCK
What about?
EDDIE
What?
BUCK
Why did Chris want you to call? Doesn’t he have his science project class right now?
EDDIE shoots him a look but BUCK is oblivious to it.
BUCK CONT’D
He told me that they’ll build aircraft models soon. Actually, I did some research on this and the best way to keep something afloat is…
CHIMNEY
Ah come on, don’t flee the country, Diaz. We’ll behave, I promise.
They go through more pictures, most of them blurry, with strangers partying.
Then there’s a picture of a couple, kissing.
CHIMNEY
Wait, is that…
HEN
(whose attention has been drifting a bit leans forward, mouth slightly open)
Well, you two certainly know how to make it a party.
BUCK
(not really looking at the screen)
Yeah we do, right Eddie?!
EDDIE
(sitting very still, thumb hovering over the screen)
Ehm…
BUCK
I mean, we were on fire!
CHIMNEY
(snorts):
Yes, you were.
HEN
(laughing uncontrollably, trying to get words out)
Maybe you should look at the picture before going on, Buck.
BUCK
What? Am I doing the party trick with the cherry stick?
HEN
(laughing hysterically)
CHIMNEY
(smug and dry)
No, but you’re thinking of the right area.
BUCK
Okay, let me see…
EDDIE silently holds the phone out to BUCK.
The picture shows him and EDDIE, hands cupped around cheeks and necks, EDDIE's face slightly angled, sharing a very passionate, open-mouth moment. They’re both tousled, EDDIE is wearing, well, the shreds of his pink shirt and BUCK around his waist. And it’s not a static photo, which means it repeats one second of movement over and over and over again. Lips moving, hands gripping, faces adjusting, pressing noses.
BUCK
(hesitating)
Ehm. Wow. I…
CHIMNEY
Ladies and gentlemen, it has happened. Evan Buckley is officially lost for words.
BUCK
(nervous laughter)
No, I mean. It’s just … it’s …
He looks in Eddie’s direction and seems a bit timid and unsure.
CHIMNEY
And he’s stuttering. You must have left quite the impression, Diaz.
HEN
(silently)
No lie there.
EDDIE
(joking)
Well, my dancing tends to have that sort of effect on people.
BUCK
(fidgeting)
Yeah, you’re irresistible.
EDDIE
(after a quick look at Buck)
Ah, come on you guys, it was just some truth or dare game. As if you haven’t been there before.
CHIM
(smirking fondly)
He’s not wrong…
And Hen, didn’t you have your formative moment playing 7 minutes in heaven?
HEN
Sure did.
BUCK exhales sharply, shoulders losing some of their tension. His brows furrow for a moment, as if piecing something together. Then, he shakes it off—his face shifting into an easygoing grin as he nudges EDDIE with his elbow, tossing out a lighthearted joke.
BOBBY calls them for lunch, and the team moves to the table. Conversation flows, laughter bouncing between them. BUCK joins in, but only halfway. Between bites, his gaze drifts, unfocused, fingers absently picking at the edge of his napkin, mind somewhere else.
END OF SCENE 1.