Conflicted (Buddie) ENGLISH VERSION

Baby-sitting

Buck pointed at him, almost slamming the door on him, a smile on his face.

-I'm a veggie, Diaz, and you won't ever force me to eat animals, you moron.

Eddie rolled his eyes, amused, and nodded, leaving the corridor. Buck kept his eyes at him till he disappeared in a corner and closed his door with his heel. He crossed the room, went to the couch, sat next to the little boy, and smiled.

-One V One on Taken? He suggested filling in the blank.

The boy jumped on the couch, excited and nearly plunged over the remote, ready to try hard.

                                                          ***

-He wasn't surprised to see you? Asked Maddie when he went back in the car.

-Guess what, I didn't know your brother was scared of ghosts, he laughed.

Maddie sneered, taking her phone.

-I'm pretty sure he's already losing at Taken against Christopher, he continued, making his way out of the parking.

-Buck sucks at Taken.

-He sucks at every game, he corrected her, a finger up in the air.

Maddie couldn't help but laugh out loud, promising herself to never reveal the discussion to her little brother. He'd play drama.

-Thank you for driving me to work. Sorry to make you take another road.

-That's okay, Maddie, I'm going out of L. A for a few hours, so why not pass by the center. But somehow, I wonder why you didn't ask your brother, you know he loves driving his sister.

-Yeah, and even though he pretends not to, he still suffers from his leg. I don't want him to drive; I'd rather say it's Chim, she said mildly.

-Talking about Chimney, everything's alright between the two of you? You don't seem to hang out a lot those days.

-Yeah...How to say that...His brother Albert arrived at his apartment and is sleeping on the living room's couch. Chim's relations with his family are tricky, as you know.

Eddie puffed. Yes, he can relate. Nothing was more complex and foolish than relations between the members of the Buckley family. It was maybe even more complex than his.

-It gives us time to speak together; we don't talk much besides Athena's dinner and parties at the firehouse. We must have plenty of things to say!

Eddie frowned, keeping an eye on the road but couldn't help but see the shotgun staring at him. He leaned over the door, concerned.

-Go, say it, what's the matter?

Maddie swang as if she had always been waiting for that precise moment. She was almost excited.

-I just wanted to know what happened at the hospital. You know, when my stupid brother decided it was a good idea to be crushed by a firetruck. I didn't talk about it to anyone, don't worry, but you have to tell me the truth.

-Tell you what? I was worried about my best friend, and you already know that I don't really like hospitals. You know my wife's dead there a few weeks before Buck's accident, he pointed.

Maddie arched an eyebrow, wanting him to continue, or therefore, to develop.

-I remember yes. I also remember seeing you at the church. Were you praying for him?

The firefighter swallowed.

-Yes. Not a problem, I hope? I know Buck only believes in himself, but if God does exist, maybe he helped him. Who knows.