Chapter Text
“So, are we the only people we know that don’t have kids?” Maddie asks Chimney, as the two are standing in the kitchen of their apartment.
The two look at each other contemplatively, and with a bit of worry, before realization hits them.
“Buck!” they both exclaim in unison, laughing at their forgetfulness.
Though, if Maddie really thinks about it, that’s not quite true. Sure, Buck may not have a kid of his own, but her little brother practically treats Christopher like his own kid, especially after Shannon’s death.
Of course, thinking about her little brother just causes Maddie to wander deeper into thinking about her family. Or more specifically, to thinking about her other little brother back in Pennsylvania.
Unlike the rest of Buck and Maddie’s family, both immediate and more distant, their youngest brother has actually kept in contact.
And by keeping in contact, she means sending them text messages complaining about their parents at 2 a.m. and yelling at Maddie and Buck whenever he gets an update from them.
To be fair, most of the updates they send their little brother are rather … unpleasant.
Anything related to Doug and Buck’s incident with the fire truck are proof of that.
Maddie even texted her youngest brother when Buck had an embolism a few days ago, but he has yet to respond.
Which is strange.
“What are you thinking about?” Chimney asks, noticing his girlfriend’s worried face.
“My brother,” Maddie admits.
“Hey,” Chimney says, as he places his arms on Maddie’s shoulder supportively. “Buck will get through this. Nothing can stop him, once he sets his mind to it.”
“No not Buck, well yes Buck, but I was talking about Math.”
“That’s the youngest Buckley sibling, right?” Chimney asks.
“Yeah, Matthew “Math” Buckley. He was a late child in our parent’s lives, born ten years after Buck.”
“You barely even know the kid then, huh?”
Maddie nods regretfully. By the time Math was born, Maddie was already off in college. Between that and Doug, she’s never really gotten to know her youngest brother that well. Even Buck doesn’t really know Math that well, considering he was only 7 when Buck ran away from home.
“What’s got you worried about him?” Chimney asks.
“He never responded to my text about Buck the other day.”
“Is that normal?”
“Not at all. He usually always responds when Buck or I text him. Granted, the response isn’t always polite, but he still always responds.”
“Are you worried he’s in some trouble?” Chimney asks seriously.
“Nothing like that,” Maddie says. “He’s a pain in the ass, and brash and crude, but he’s not dumb. The opposite in fact. He wouldn’t get into anything he couldn’t handle.”
“Are you sure Buck and Math are actually related?” Chimney jokes.
“One can only guess.”
Before the duo can talk any further, a loud knock sounds throughout the apartment.
“I wonder who that could be?” Chimney asks. “Were you expecting Buck?”
“I’m not expecting Buck to get out of bed, let alone come over here at almost 8 p.m.”
Chimney nods, and goes over to open the door, with Maddie trailing behind him.
Chimney is surprised when he doesn’t recognize the person at the door.
He’s clearly a teenager, or close enough to it. He has sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and stands about as tall as Eddie does. He’s dressed in some kind of comic t-shirt, and a pair of faded jeans, a duffel bag in one hand and a suitcase in the other.
“Math?” Maddie asks, shocked at the appearance of her younger brother.
“Surprised to see me sis?” Math says, with a cocky grin. “Can I come in?”
Maddie just stands there in shock, so Chimney takes over. “Yes, please come in. Do you need help with your bags?”
“Nah, don’t bother. I’ll keep 'em close in case I need to go quickly,” Math says, walking into the apartment. “Nice place, especially for Los Angeles.”
“I’m Chimney, by the way,” he says, sticking out his hand to shake Math’s. “I’m Maddie’s boyfriend.”
“Rebar guy, right?” Math asks, setting down his duffle and shaking Chimney’s hand.
“Yeah that’s me,” Chimney says sheepishly.
“Wicked.”
“What are you doing here Math?” Maddie finally asks, shaking herself out of her stupor.
“I’m checking in on my siblings,” Math answers quickly. “You guys keep getting injured when I’m not around, so I figured I’d come slap some sense into my elders.”
“Do Mom and Dad know where you are?”
Math snorts. “Yeah, but like they care. Don’t ask questions that you know the answer to Maddie.”
“So, you are here to check on Buck?” Chimney asks. “Then why did you come here?”
“Because I saw Buck just a few years ago, but I haven’t seen my sister for almost 8 years now.”
“Math-” Maddie starts to say, guilt clear in her voice.
“I’m not blaming you Maddie. That guy was a fucking jackass, but that isn’t your fault. I just missed you, I guess,” Math says, standing awkwardly, like he doesn’t quite know how to deal with his emotions.
“Oh Math,” Maddie says, walking over and pulling her brother into a tight hug.
Math stiffens at the sudden intimacy, but eventually he allows himself to relax into his sister’s embrace.
“I missed you Math.”
“You hardly know me sis,” Math says, despite the fact that he is currently digging his face deeper into his sister’s hair and trying to hide the few tears that are threatening to fall.
“But I love you.”
“Why did no one come for me?” Math asks Maddie. “Why did you guys just leave me there?”
“I’m so sorry Math, it was selfish of us.”
“It’s fine, you guys have your own life. No place for me,” Math says passive aggressively, but still clings tightly to his sister.
“Math no, that’s not true.”
“Sure, feels like it. I’m just the forgotten child. Not kind like Maddie, or brave like Buck. Even my own siblings forget about me.”
Chimney wishes he could escape without gathering attention, but he doesn’t want to interrupt the heartfelt moment between the two, so he just settles for distancing himself from the two for now. They obviously need to have this conversation; Chimney just hopes it goes well.
“Math don’t say that. You are the smartest out of all of us. And you were the only one who was able to put up with those two for all 18 years.”
“I don’t wanna do it anymore Maddie,” Math admits. “I can’t live with them anymore. They are so exhausting, and I feel like I can’t breathe around them.”
“What happened Math? You were fine a few months ago.”
“They caught me with a guy,” Math admits. “My boyfriend, well ex-boyfriend now. You know how well they respond to that. I’ve been mostly couch surfing since then and working to try to afford a place to stay, but it’s hard. I can’t afford college right now.”
“We both know you could get a scholarship anywhere Math.”
“I’m just scared Maddie. I don’t know what to do.”
“It’s ok Math, you’re here now. You came to your family. You came home.”
“I … I don’t know if I trust that yet.”
“It’s ok Math. I’ll do better now. I’ll be a better sister.”
Math doesn’t answer his sister, but he doesn’t pull away either. Chimney takes that as a good sign.
It takes several minutes before the two siblings separate.
“Sorry for invading your space, Chimney. I know it probably ruined any plans you had for tonight.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it kid,” Chimney says. “Your family, and family can’t interrupt anything. They are always welcome.”
Math shoots Chimney a weak smile.
“So, what are your plans Math?” Maddie asks.
“I hadn’t really gotten that far yet. I want to check on Buck, and help him with this slump of his, but I hadn’t really thought further than that. I was hoping I could crash on your couch for tonight, and maybe go look for a job tomorrow so I can afford rent somewhere.”
“I’ll do you one better,” Chimney says. “You can have the guest bedroom. It’s yours for as long as you want it.”
“Really?” Math asks.
“Of course,” Chimney says, smiling at the younger boy. He was a bit worried that Maddie would be upset with him, but his girlfriend shoots him a kind smile, and Chimney knows he made the right choice.
“I’d love that, if that’s ok with you Maddie?”
“Of course, it’s ok with me. It’ll give me a chance to actually follow through on my promise.”
“I can pay. I don’t have a lot, but I have some savings.”
“You aren’t paying anything Math,” Maddie says. “It’s the least I can do. Keep that money for you.”
“But-”
“No, I am your older sister, and it's time I act like it. I’m going to take care of you Math.”
Math looks at his sister, with both shock and adoration on his face, before he nods. “Thanks Maddie. I don’t know what to say.”
“We were just about to turn on a movie, if you wanna watch?” Chimney offers, hoping to give both of the siblings a chance to relax a bit. “We can help set you up in the guest bedroom afterwards, if you want.”
“Ok,” Math nods.
The three make their way into the small living room, Maddie and Chimney curling up on the couch, and Math very specifically choosing a separate chair from the duo.
It’s clear that whatever is going on between Maddie and Math is not completely resolved, but Chimney thinks they made good progress tonight.
The three watch the movie in silence, before Math asks, “Do you think someone could drop me off at Buck’s tomorrow morning?”
“I can take you before my shift,” Chimney offers.
Math shoots Chimney a grateful smile.
Chimney smiles back.
He doesn’t quite know how it happened, but their weird little Firehouse 118 family just gained another member tonight.
Wait until he tells Hen!
________________________________________
Math hesitantly walks into the kitchen, only to witness the full craziness of Maddie and Chimney scrambling to prepare breakfast before their morning shifts.
“Oh, hey Math, glad you are up. Want some eggs?” Chimney asks the boy.
“Oh sure,” Math says hesitantly.
“Are you already showered?” Maddie asks.
“Yep, and I’m ready to go whenever,” Math says.
Chimney sets a plate down in front of Math, and another in the seat next to him. Maddie sits down, handing Math a mug and a couple packs of sugar and creamer.
“Thanks,” Math says, starting to prepare his coffee before taking a long sip.
Math is used to waking up early in the morning, but a nice cup of coffee always helps.
“No problem,” Maddie says, through a mouthful of toast.
“Ew Maddie, that’s disgusting,” Math complains.
“That’s the normal in this household,” Chimney says, through a mouthful of eggs, before swallowing. “At least in the mornings. We never wake up early enough for anything else.”
“No thank you,” Math says, taking a bite out of his eggs.
“So, you’re going to go see Buck today?” Maddie asks, thankfully with no food in her mouth. For now.
Math nods. “I’m hoping surprising him will help get him out of this funk.”
“I don’t think I ever said he was in a funk,” Maddie says.
Math scoffs. “It’s Buck, after he was separated from something he cares about. Of course, he’s a mess.”
Chimney nods. “He’s right.”
“Of course, he’s right,” Maddie says, messing with his hair playfully. “He’s the smart one after all.”
Math smiles up at his sister.
“Oh, Maddie you have to go,” Chimney says. “You don’t wanna be late.”
“Shoot,” Maddie says, as she looks up at the clock. She scrambles around the room, grabbing things at random and stuffing them in her purse. She pecks Chimney on the lips, and kisses Math on the cheek, before rushing out the door. “Love you both. Text me if you need anything Math.”
Math barely even has time to shout back that he will before Maddie is out the door.
“Is it always this chaotic?” Math asks Chimney.
He laughs. “Kid, I hate to break it to you, but out of our weird family, we are the well put together ones.”
Math shoots him a look of disbelief but doesn’t say anything.
“Don’t worry kid, you’ll understand soon. Now come on, we gotta go if I’m gonna drop you off at Buck’s first.”
Math nods, quickly setting his plate in the sink before following Chimney out the door.
“Here,” Chimney says, handing Math a key. “For the apartment.”
“But-”
“Maddie and I talked about it, and we want you to have it. Ok?”
Math just nods, not quite sure what to say.
Chimney smiles at him. “Come on kid, let’s go see your brother.”
________________________________________
“Bobby?” Chimney calls out, right as they are entering Buck’s apartment building. “May? What are you doing here?”
Chimney approaches the man and girl. The guy stands at about 6 feet tall and has brunette hair. He is clearly a part of Chimney’s firehouse, since they are wearing the same uniform. Math suspects this is Captain Nash, from the way he carries himself.
The girl stands at about 5’9 and has long black hair. She is wearing a white hoodie, and a pair of jeans.
“Chimney,” Bobby says in greeting. “Who is this with you?”
“Bobby, May, meet the youngest Buckley sibling, Matthew or Math as he likes to be called.”
“So, this is the infamous youngest Buckley,” Bobby says. “Nice to meet you son. I’m Captain Bobby Nash, but you can just call me Bobby.”
“Nice to meet you sir,” Math says, shaking his hand.
“Sir?” Chimney asks teasingly. “You weren’t near this polite when you met me.”
“You’re easier to bully,” Math says, teasing his future brother-in-law.
May and Bobby both laugh at the offended look on Chimney’s face.
“And this is my step-daughter, May Grant,” Bobby says, introducing the girl next to him.
“Nice to meet you,” Math says.
“You too,” May says.
“So, what are you doing here Bobby?” Chimney asks.
“Oh well, may wanted to come and check on Buck, so I figured I’d drop her off before my shift. Harry and Michael are out of town at a baseball game, and Athena is working, so it’s better than her being by herself anyways.”
Chimney laughs. “Apparently May and Math here had the same thought. Math actually flew in to check on Buck. Gave Maddie and I a fright when he showed up last night.”
Bobby laughs. “Yes, I’m sure he did.”
“Well, it’s gotta be better than the way Maddie and Buck met up at Buck’s old place,” May says.
“What happened?” Math asks.
“They didn't tell you?”
“They don’t like to tell me the embarrassing things. I never let them live it down.”
“Well, apparently Maddie just let herself into Buck’s apartment, and decided to take a shower. Buck thought it was her girlfriend, well ex-girlfriend-”
“Abby, right?” Math asks.
“Yeah her,” May says. “So, Buck decided to join her in the shower.”
“Wait really?” Math says, looking to Chimney and Bobby for confirmation.
They both nod, and Math starts practically cackling as he clings to Chimney for support. “Holy shit, I am never letting them live that down.”
“Maddie and Buck are gonna hate you for telling him that story,” Bobby says to May.
May just shrugs. “Worth it.”
“Hell yes it is,” Math says. “God, that was glorious. I swear to you May, somehow, I will pay you
back for this incredible piece of information. I’m not sure how, or when, but I will.”
“Glad to see he’s just as dramatic as the rest of the Buckley’s,” Bobby says.
“I should be offended by that, but it’s true,” Math says.
“As much as I would love to continue this conversation, we should probably get them up to Buck.”
“You guys can head out,” May says. “I can show Math where Buck’s apartment is.”
“Are you sure May?” Bobby asks his stepdaughter.
“Yes Bobby, I’ll be fine. Besides, it’ll give me time to bond with the newest member of this weird family. Harry is gonna be jealous.”
“I knew there was an ulterior motive there,” Bobby says, kissing May on the forehead.
“Always.”
“Text me if you need anything sweetheart. I’ll pick you up after my shift. Chimney, I can pick up Math too if you want. You get off after me tonight.”
“That would be great Cap,” Chimney says. “I’ll see you later Math. Bobby will drop you off at the apartment. Text Maddie or I if you need anything.”
“I will. Bye Chimney.”
“Bye kid.”
Bobby and Chimney both walk out of the apartment building.
“So, you are Buck and Maddie’s youngest brother?” May asks.
“Yep,” Math says.
“They don’t talk about you much.”
“They don’t know me very well,” Math admits. “I was too young, and none of us exactly got along with our parents well enough for them to have come back and visited me.”
“That sucks. So, are you here temporarily or permanently?”
“Hopefully permanently,” Math says. “But I’m kind of playing it by ear right now. I’m taking my gap year. Hopefully I can find a job, and then go back to school next year.”
May nods, as they walk up the stairs to Buck’s apartment. “Have you applied to any colleges yet?”
“Not really. I wanted to know how all this would go first.”
“So, you planned this? Coming out here I mean.”
Math nods. “Yep, for a while now. Not that either of them knew. I kinda wanted to freak them out.”
May snorts. “Well, this is going to be fun then.”
Math just nods enthusiastically, and May shakes her head in joking exasperation.
“You are going to fit right in,” May says.
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Honestly, I have no idea.”
The two walk in silence for a bit, before May stops.
“Here we are,” May says, pulling out a key to the apartment.
“How did you get a key?” Math asks.
“Buck doesn’t know how to say no to me. I have him wrapped around my finger.”
Math laughs as May opens the door.
“You go in first,” Math says. “That’ll really surprise him.”
May just nods, an excited smile on her face.
“Hey Buck,” May says as she enters the apartment, before her voice suddenly gets much lighter and kinder. “Hey Christopher, what are you doing here?”
“Daddy dropped me off to be with Buck,” Math can hear a little boy say.
“May, what are you doing here?”
“Spending the day with you, and Chris apparently. Oh, and I brought a friend.”
“Hey Evan,” Math says, entering the apartment. “Long time no see.”
“Math?” Buck asks in shock. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t I get a hug, big brother?” Math says, stretching his arms out.
Buck doesn’t hesitate to sweep his younger brother into his arm.
“I miss you Math,” Buck says.
“I missed you too,” Math says, as he gets set down by his brother.
“What are you doing here Math?”
“Checking in on you of course. You keep getting hurt when I’m not here, so I figured it was time for me to step in.”
“Math, did something happen at-”
“Not now Evan,” Math says. “We can talk about that later. Just know that I’m sticking around for now, staying with Maddie and Chimney actually, and that I’m spending the day with you today. And May and Christopher, apparently.”
“Hi,” says a boy who is sitting on the couch, with the brightest smile plastered across his face. “I’m Christopher.”
“Nice to meet you,” Math says, walking over to the boy. “I’m Math, Buck and Maddie’s youngest brother. How do you know my brother?”
“Daddy and Buck work together. They are best friends. Buck is my friend too.”
“So, your Dad is a firefighter?” Math asks Christopher. “That must mean he’s pretty brave right. But not as brave as you.”
“Daddy’s braver than me,” Christopher giggles.
“Are you sure? You must be pretty brave to spend all day with Buck. Lord knows I struggle with it, and I’m related to the guy.”
Christopher laughs, and Math can hear May and Buck talking behind him.
“He has the Buckley charm, just like you and Maddie,” May says.
“The what?”
“He’s good with kids, just like you and Maddie are. Christopher never takes to anyone as quickly as quickly as he takes to a Buckley, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.”
“Yeah, Math is really good with him, even if he is making fun of me.”
“Well, you make it so easy Buck.”
“Hey,” Buck screams out in indignation, which causes Math to laugh.
“So, Chris, what do you want to do today?” Buck asks.
“I want to go to the carnival!” Christopher says. “Daddy said it was ok for us to go. Can we go Buck?”
Buck’s face practically melts as he looks at Christopher, and Math watches as the tension starts to disappear the more his is in the boy’s presence. “Of course, Christopher. Is that ok with you guys?” Buck asks Math and May.
“Sounds good to me,” May says.
“Yep, it’ll be cool to see some touristy places while I’m still new here.”
“Great, can you two just watch him while I get changed?”
May and Math both nod, as Buck heads into the bathroom.
“So, Chris, what do you want to do at the carnival?” May asks, taking a seat next to the boy.
“I wanna go one the Ferris Wheel!” Chris says excitedly.
Math and May keep throwing questions at the boy, and he answers all of them with an infectious exuberance. By the time Buck finally gets out of the shower and changed, all three kids have wide, excited smiles plastered on their faces and are practically pushing the older man out the door.
________________________________________
“So, what exactly are you doing here?” Buck asks his brother.
They four of them had just gotten off the Ferris Wheel, and Chris is a bit ahead of the brothers, leading May towards some of the carnival games set up around the area.
“I wanted to see you,” Math says. “Check up on you I guess.”
“You didn't have to do that Math. You shouldn’t have to worry about me.”
“I wanted to,” Math admits. “I want to be close enough to you and Maddie to worry and care and for it to make sense, instead of me just looking at text messages from people a thousand miles away.”
“Math, you are our brother. You have every right to care and worry. More than most of the people who care and worry about us in fact. And we care and worry about you too.”
“Do you really?” Math asks Buck, faltering but it somehow still feels like an accusation.
“Of course, we do Math.”
“Sometimes you guys have a shit way of showing it,” Math says.
“Math-”
“Sorry,” Math apologizes shortly. “I didn't mean to cause you more drama. That’s not my place.”
“No,” Buck says, pulling Math out of the crowd and placing his hands on his younger brother’s shoulders. Buck glances over, and sees May nod in his direction, before she places a hand on Christopher’s shoulder and walks away.
Buck glances back to look his brother in his eyes. Math is purposely avoiding Buck’s gaze, staring straight at the ground.
“Math, look at me.”
Math petulantly continues to avoid his brother’s gaze, but Buck sees a few tears start to fill Math’s eyes.
“Math, please,” Buck says desperately.
“What? I’m only telling the truth.”
“Math, you have every right to be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad. I’m just upset. I overestimated how much I mattered to you and Maddie, and that’s ok. I can deal with it.”
“Math no-”
“You don’t get to do that Evan,” Math says, raising his voice slightly. “You don’t get to tell me that’s not what’s happening here. You went and found yourself a new family, and your favorite sibling even joined, and that’s fine,” Math says, the words coming out through gritted teeth. “It’s ok that you care about them more than me. It’s ok that you found happiness, while I lived with them. It’s fucking fine that I was left alone. I just need to accept it. Accept that you will keep doing stupid shit and get injured and I can’t do anything about it, because not even your real family can do anything about it!”
Buck isn’t ashamed to say he has tears streaming down his face by the end of Math’s speech, and his younger brother is in a similar predicament.
“I’m so sorry Math. I’ll do better, I will. I promise.”
“You’ll try,” Math says. “I’ll give you that much, but you’ll always go back to them.”
“And I want you to join me Math,” Buck says, grabbing his brother’s hand, and squeezing tightly. “You’re right, I did find a new family. But I didn't replace you. I didn't forget you. They are just extra. They can be your family too, if you want. If you are willing.”
“I don’t trust that Evan. I can’t trust you yet.”
“That’s ok Math, but you said you can trust me to try. So, let me try. I don’t deserve it, but please Math, let me try.”
Math nods, and Buck doesn’t hesitate to wrap him in a bone-crushing hug.
“Thank you, Math.”
“I love you Evan.”
“I love you too.”
The two stay like this for several moments, before Math eventually let’s go.
“Let’s go join this family of yours,” Math says.
Buck wants to protest. He wants to say that Math is part of the family too, but that’s not true yet.
Yet.
“Hey, so is there something going on between May and you? You two seemed to get along very well earlier.”
Math punches his brother in the chest. “Shut up Evan.”
Buck grins. Math didn't deny anything.
________________________________________
“Buck, I don’t want the marbles, I want the bear,” Christopher says to Buck right before the game starts.
Buck chuckles, with May and Math giggling behind him.
“No, it’s just a figure of speech.”
Buck and Christopher both aim and shoot as the game starts, easily hitting the target as the two teenagers cheer them on.
Buck and Christopher manage to get first place, and the two high-five, before Buck gets distracted by the sound of sirens off to their side.
A pair of paramedics are helping a man, who clearly collapsed from exhaustion, out of a dragon costume.
Buck stares at the scene wistfully for several moments, and Math has to move in to help Christopher carry the bear they just won.
“Buck?” May says lightly. “Everything good?”
“The universe is mocking me,” Buck says.
May gives him a sad look, before Christopher interrupts the wallowing, by showing Buck the prize.
“Buck, look!” Christopher says.
“Hey, we got it!” Buck says, immediately switching to enthusiasm.
May and Math both share a look of concern, though neither voices their opinion.
“Hey, let’s go feed the fish,” Buck says, leading the four of them to the pier.
Later, May and Math have walked off to watch some of the seagulls, leaving Buck with Christopher.
Christopher is looking over the rails, out at the ocean. Buck has a strong grip on Christopher’s shirt, so there is no chance of the boy falling.
“Ever wondered about what you want to do with your life? What do you want to be when you grow up?” Buck asks the boy.
“Astronaut or Pirate,” Christopher answers immediately.
“Some good choices,” Buck admits. “Cool outfits too.
“No way, a firefighter.”
“Yeah me too.”
Buck continues to bemoan his fate, and once again attempts to give Christopher words of advice that he’s really trying to give himself.
“But Chris, if those don’t work out, I hope you do find something you love. Something you're good at, that makes you feel important. Something you can do forever. Because it will show you the rest of your life. And that is the best feeling. I hope you get that, and I hope you get to keep it.”
Chris reaches down, laying a hand on Buck’s face. “You’re gonna be ok kid.”
Buck smiles up at the boy, before noticing the strange scene around him.
The water appears to have completely pulled back from the pier, causing confusion in everyone around him.
“Where did the water go?” Christopher asks.
Buck hears Math’s voice, booming over the confusion, as his brother yells from across the pier.
“Evan, Run!” Math yells. Buck turns and sees Math grab a confused May by the hand before dragging her away from the pier.
Suddenly, Buck remembers what happens when the ocean recedes like that.
Buck grabs Christopher and does not hesitate to sprint after his brother and May.
“Tsunami!” Math yells, from several yards away, right before sirens start to sound out.
Buck can hear as the water gets closer. He watches as someone pushes May over in the chaos, and wants to turn to help, but knows he cannot reach them in the stampede.
The sound of running, screaming and the siren is starting to be outweighed by the deafening sound of roaring water.
Buck apologizes in his head, before continuing to run. Praying to any god that will listen, begging for both their safety and forgiveness.
Buck knows that he won’t be able to get much further before the water catches up with them. The best thing he can do is hope to mitigate some of the initial impact of the water as it crashes down on them.
Buck sees an abandoned booth and rushes over to it, setting Christopher gently down inside, before climbing in on top of the boy.
“Just remember to find me Chris, and to swim up, ok?”
“Ok buck,” Christopher says, trying to put on a brave face, even though he is clearly terrified.
Buck pulls Christopher impossibly closer and kisses the top of his surrogate son’s head.
His last thoughts before the water hits are of May and Math, hoping that they somehow made it to safety.