Chapter Text
Buck was quite embarrassed of himself for what he had done upon returning from the beach. If he could, he would simply curl up into a ball in the darkest room he could locate and wait for death. But he knew it was impossible. As much as he didn't want to face the outside world, he knew that his brothers and people who loved him were not going to let him give up.
However, he was still very embarrassed of himself for losing control. He had worked so hard to build his barriers and control his emotions that he allowed some to seep through to appear human, as Steve once put it. However, seeing Caleb again prompted the gaps in his barriers to begin to disintegrate. He remembered Doctor Copeland telling him that he needed to find an outlet for his feelings and focus on dealing with what he had gone through. However, he had the impression that what he did was not what Doctor Copeland was thinking of.
After walking away from Caleb and leaving his ex on the beach, he felt stuck in a bubble of emotions. As he proceeded towards Steve's house, he felt his skin begin to heat and tremble, as if his emotions were pressing against his skin, threatening to burst. He had no idea how to handle this, and he could feel tears welling up in his eyes as he moved to enter Steve's home. He knew he was beginning to panic; how could he not?
His ex had stood directly in front of him, looking like a Greek god and flawless. He looked gorgeous, healthy, and well. Of course, he was pleased with it, but it killed him. Caleb appeared to be in control of his life, whereas his had fallen apart. He was constantly aware that he was unworthy of him. He knew he was well out of his league, but he couldn't help but fall madly in love with him. To this day, he still loves him.
Buck's heart rate increased as he entered Steve's back garden. He felt like he was running a marathon as he attempted to force more air into his lungs. He knew he was on the verge of a panic attack, but he couldn't control it. As he reached for Steve's backdoor handle, his arm began to shake. His entire system was saturated with adrenaline. He wanted to run without stopping. He couldn't believe what was happening; it was as if his body had just been through a trauma or that he was in grave danger. But he had no idea why he was acting this way; no one was going to harm him. No one would, not with Steve and Sam present.
After a few long breaths, he was finally able to pull himself into Steve's home. The sinking light had illuminated the area, which was now beginning to produce shadows. There were no lights on except one in the living room. He hadn't noticed the sun setting when he left Caleb on the beach, but he had no idea how long he had spent sitting on the sand, trying to figure out what to do with his life. It was only made worse by seeing his ex.
As he made his way into his brother's house, he could hear the low sound of Steve's television, indicating that his brother was still awake. As he came through the threshold into the living room, he noticed Steve sitting on the couch almost to the edge of it, seeming to have been watching TV rather than looking into the garden, as he knew he had been.
That's when he completely lost it. Buck could feel all the fury and pain that had been building up inside of him finally bursting forth the instant their eyes connected. Fortunately, no one else was home, or Buck knew he would have fled in humiliation for how he acted. He had yelled at him, telling him that just because he claimed he wanted closure did not mean he wanted to be ambushed on the beach. He had gone there to figure out what he wanted to do with his life, not to relive his darkest memories in only a few seconds. He knew what Steve had tried to do, and he had essentially asked for closure so Steve had just done what he had asked. But he never expected him to go through with it this way.
He had looked for Caleb when he initially got to Los Angeles, he knew that he was just curious about what his ex was up to, but he had merely googled his name to see if there had been any updates on what he was doing or if he had found what he was looking for. However, Caleb had never been a fan of social media, he never had Instagram or Twitter. It was then that Buck remembered that Caleb had confessed one drunken night that he formerly had a Facebook page but never posted any images of himself there, so he had attempted to locate it, but it looked to have been deleted.
He spent nearly 10 minutes ranting at his brother, not giving him a chance to defend himself or caring about his excuse. He had crossed the boundary. He had assumed that his brother respected him enough not to force him to face something he wasn't ready for it. When he told Steve that he wanted closure, he intended to speak with Doctor Copeland about how to handle the meeting when it occurred. But Steve had gone ahead and planned the meeting, which felt more like an ambush to him. He had trusted Steve to keep him safe, and seeing his brother sit there as if his world hadn't just been turned upside down exacerbated the situation.
Buck kept yelling until his voice became horsey. Then he hurried himself upstairs and into his room. He didn't mean to, but he slammed his door and threw himself onto his bed. He did not want to feel this way; he thought he was healing. He assumed he was getting better, but perhaps he wasn't. Maybe he was just masking his emotions, and they sat there waiting for something to happen to make him relapse. He simply wanted his pain to stop.
His head hurt from all the shouting he'd done. His mind was working overtime, reevaluating everything he had thought and done. He hated himself for yelling at his brother and hurting him. He knew Steve had only been trying to help him and achieve the closure he sought. Sure, his brother had planned this disaster thinking he was helping him, but Steve was only human, he could make mistakes, and he couldn't hold it against him, not after everything he had done for him already.
He cried himself to sleep that night, but not with just angry tears. There was also pain.
He still loved Caleb.
He knew it from the minute his gaze fell on Caleb's face. He had assumed he would have gotten over that by now. But he had not. Seeing Caleb triggered all the emotions he had suppressed since Caleb's departure. He had never loved anyone like him, and when he left, he knew he would never love anyone the same way again.
Hell, he had promised himself never to date or love again after experiencing the pain that Caleb had caused. But he had broken his promise, hoping to find love again. First with Abby, then with Ali. But they all blew up in his face. He had hoped that simply sleeping around would fill the need that Caleb had left, but they meant nothing to him. He even threw up the first few times he slept with someone other than Caleb.
It was why he had stayed with women, thinking that he needed to stop dating men altogether to get over his ex, but one night he got so intoxicated that he ended up in the alleyway with the barman. He didn't remember his name, but he resembled Caleb so strongly that he couldn't help himself. Thankfully, he had not said Caleb's name, but he had come close. Thankfully, the guy stated that he was aware that it was a one-night stand, but that if he ever wanted to do it again, he should phone him handing over his number. He hadn't said anything but nodded before starting his walk home. But he hadn't gone far; three streets from the pub, he had to duck into an alley to vomit.
It wasn't that it was bad sex; the guy was clearly experienced, and it was fun, but it felt wrong. He felt like he was cheating on his ex, even though he had been dumped. When he eventually got home, he had spent almost an hour in the shower trying to get the man's scent off him. He realised it wasn't the guy's fault that he couldn't deal with his personal trauma, and he'd been the one to ask if he had a break coming up. But from that day forward, he had sworn off men for good. He also knew he couldn't date a guy since it wouldn't be fair to the other man to give him his entire heart.
But then he met Eddie. The man had expressed thoughts he hoped would never appear again. He also knew he couldn't act on them because he knew Eddie was straight. Eddie would never look at him in the way he wanted to, but he couldn't stay away. Eddie had become his best friend, yet his feelings continued to build. It was so obvious that he was falling in love with his straight closest friend. And then Eddie had cut him out of his life, but his love for him stayed.
He hoped he could have stopped feeling for his best friend, but for some reason, he couldn't. Even before the lawsuit, he could feel Eddie pulling away from him. He assumed that Eddie must have been in a lot of agony after the bombing to be so close to an IED again and the loss of his wife. But he had at least continued to trust him with his son. Chris was everything to him; he treated him as if he were his own, although knowing that he wasn't.
He'd always wanted children. He always wanted a large family if he could, but even as a child, he never imagined it was possible. He and Caleb had talked about having children while they were together and serious. Following a lengthy discussion, they chose to adopt rather than use a surrogate. They both wanted to help children who had had a difficult start.
But, following the bombing, Chris had been his lifeline at that time. He loved the little guy, but he had to let him go after Eddie cut him off. He knew he had no rights over Chris because he was merely an ex-friend of his father, but that was all he was. However, this did not imply that he did not love him. That was why he had written the letter, to ensure that Chris understood he had always loved him.
When he accessed his emails, he discovered that Chris had emailed him, telling him that he had forgiven him and that he still loved him despite his departure. He had cried as he read Chris' words.
He reached out to him, asking him to be brave while still being there for his father, who might be battling with something. He didn't want to tell Chris what he thought his father was going through but hinted enough that he knew that Carla would catch them and be there for them both. He also made sure Chris knew he loved him completely and was always there for him if he needed him.
They had begun to email back and forth ever since. Chris had told him about the school, his father seeing a head doctor like him (something he had started to say when they had tried to explain what a physiotherapist was), and that he had a sleepover with Denny and Harry where they ate so much pizza that they nearly threw up. That made him chuckle and then cry, knowing that he would probably never see Chris again till he was eighteen. But the news that Eddie was getting therapy made him feel a little better.
He was finally getting the help he had been looking for. Even thinking about Eddie rekindled some of his feelings for him, but seeing Caleb again put them on hold as his love for Caleb returned. Buck knew that his feelings for Caleb would always take precedence over his feelings for Eddie, but seeing Caleb again made him wonder if he really loved Eddie or if he was simply drawn to the two men's similarities.
Caleb had looked amazing; he appeared a little older, but not by much. Seeing him again reminded him of the first time he'd seen Caleb, the day Steve introduced him to the team. He appeared hesitant, but Buck saw a spark of mischief in his eyes that suggested to him that they would get along well. But he also sensed something that brought him closer to the man, which he subsequently discovered was an instant attraction. And as time passed, he couldn't stop those feelings from intensifying. He attempted to stay away so he wouldn't disrupt the team dynamic. He loved his brothers too much to put them all at risk by initiating a relationship within the team, but he had failed.
One wild night, he finally allowed himself to fall and succumb to those emotions. They had been stumbling back to Caleb's apartment after getting extremely intoxicated at the pub joking and laughing as they went.
Caleb and he had become the best of friends, or as Steve dubbed them, the terrible two, when they were up to mischief. When they got to Caleb's they had started their usual debate on who was sleeping where. Caleb's studio apartment only one bed. Buck usually slept on the couch, but he had three fractured ribs on their last mission, so Caleb had asked him to take the bed. They had argued for five minutes before Caleb approached him, grabbed his collar, and kissed him firmly.
Buck felt his body stop as Caleb continued the kiss, but he instantly began to break away. Buck could sense Caleb's horror as he took a step back as if he couldn't believe what he'd just done. Buck however didn't want the kiss to end, so without a second thought, he took a step forward and dragged Caleb back into a kiss of his own. Kissing Caleb was easier than breathing. Everything felt like it fell into place when their lips met again.
Soon, they found themselves in a war of their own, each attempting to control the kiss. Buck had never considered how this relationship would work. Buck, however, eventually gave in to Caleb after only a few minutes of fighting. And that's when he discovered something else he liked about Caleb that seemed unusual for a Navy Seal. He enjoyed letting Caleb control him. While they kissed, he felt Caleb manhandle him towards the bed but didn't stop him. He had no idea how it happened, but the next thing he knew, they were in bed together, their clothing strewn across the bed, and had the best night ever.
Buck awoke the next day feeling amazing. He had the best night of his life. He awoke feeling elated. Caleb had been his first. He had never slept with anyone before; he had gone on a few dates, but they had never slept together. Feeling sore reminded him of their time together, and he couldn't believe how wonderful it felt. Laying there in Caleb's bed with his arms wrapped around his waist like he would disappear on him felt right. But he knew it couldn't last; they couldn't be in a relationship. Not without Steve's or the team's approval.
But before he could get out of bed, Caleb woke up and stopped him from leaving. Not without talking to him first, after getting dressed they had sat down to talk. They discussed everything, what was going to happen to the team and what it meant for their brothers if they continued with the relationship.
Caleb had assured him that he would ask for a transfer to another team if it meant they could be together. Caleb had stated that he had fancied him since the beginning and would not give up on what they had together now. They had contacted Steve the following week and asked for permission to date. Something Steve happily gave but not without threatening Caleb a few times.
Buck opened his eyes and knew he had been dreaming of his and Caleb's first encounter and that he was in fact in his bed in Steve's home. And he couldn't help but feel his eyes well up with tears. He'd broken down again, but after crying and feeling sorry for himself for about twenty minutes, he pulled himself out of bed and headed downstairs. He needed to face what he had done the night before and needed to speak to Steve.
He spotted Steve in the kitchen, and when Steve saw him standing in the doorway, still dressed from the night before, he pulled him into a hard hug and apologised repeatedly for messing things up. After that, they had a lengthy discussion about what had happened the night before. Steve had stated that he intended to tell Buck that he had found Caleb and set up a meeting, but he had no idea Joe was just going to drop Caleb off at his house until Joe had messaged him telling him that he had dropped Caleb off at his house before leaving.
That shocked him; he had assumed Joe would be the one to drop him off at Steve's home, but he had no idea he hadn't checked with Steve beforehand was shocking. Buck apologised again for yelling at him, believing he had planned it. Steve had very much ignored his apology, telling him that he didn't blame him for kicking off with him. They had hugged before Steve forced him to eat breakfast and take his meds before settling him down on the couch with him to watch repeats of MacGyver on Steve's TV.
That's when he notified Steve about his resignation from the LAFD. Steve hadn't tried to disguise his enthusiasm and had assured him that he had done the right thing. He was surprised that Steve hadn't questioned him further about why he had done it and whether he had thought it through completely. He then went on to question him why he responded the way he did; he knew Steve wanted him to stay in Hawaii so he could keep an eye on him, but he would never push him or pressure him into doing something he disagreed with.
Steve sighed and drew him into a one-armed embrace, holding him close to his chest while explaining. He explained how stressed he would become when he thought of LA and the firehouse as well as all the times that he had to calm him down before he picked up the phone for his meeting with the Deputy Chief. And that if he had made the decision to leave that plainly topic atmosphere, he would have been very happy for him.
But, before they began another episode, Steve explained that just because he had quit did not mean he wanted him to leave. Buck knew exactly why Steve had said that, he had been worried that his unemployment might cause problems for Steve if he stayed there. He also did not want Steve to believe he was taking advantage of him. But Steve had swiftly dismissed that concept, assuring him that he was his brother and that he could stay as long as he wanted. No questions asked.
That had been a week ago.
One week had passed since his ex returned to his life. Steve had chastised Joe for simply dropping Caleb off at his place as that hadn't been the plan. Only for the older man to tell Steve that he had asked him to find Caleb and bring him to Hawaii. He didn't tell him to keep him away until Bomber was ready. Buck kind of understood; Joe must have expected Steve would have alerted him of Caleb's arrival, but they couldn't undo the past.
Steve had gone back to work the day after Caleb arrived, leaving Buck in Sam's care. The Governor had called him in on a serious case that he needed him to deal with and Steve couldn’t say no. Michelle, Aidan, and Kamran had already returned to LA as the kids had school. When they had come to say goodbye to him, he had to sit them down and remind them of the importance of education and that they could always come and visit on vacation if they had been good and listened to their parents. Michelle had also made him promise to keep in contact with her, with a little threat that she would happily use her CIA contacts to track him down if he ever thought about disappearing again. And Buck knew that she wasn’t lying.
Sam had essentially stayed with him as Steve clearly didn’t want to leave him alone after what had happened with Caleb. He suspected Steve had told Sam about his outburst, but Sam hadn't chastised him for how he responded, as he had expected. Instead, he forced him to talk about everything that had been on his mind. However, he did not correct him when he mentioned his thoughts or why he exploded the way he did.
Talking to Sam had truly helped him deal with his feelings, but he knew that Sam couldn't stay. He needed to go back to L.A, he had a job and family there, and he couldn't be selfish. Sam’s colleagues and family needed him there but then Sam reminded him that he would be back when he decided to finally listen to what Caleb had to say. Buck remembered Steve's vow to Caleb that if he ever hurt him, no one would locate his body. He had laughed about it at the time, but then he remembered the expressions on all his brothers' faces and knew they were being serious. And he knew that more than likely that vow remained.
He had reassured Sam that he was capable of handling himself and that if things did not go as planned with Caleb, it was fine. All he needed was closure and to understand why their relationship ended. But then he told Sam that he didn't know when he'd be ready to face him, but he'd let him know.
Sam and Buck talked for a while before Sam had to leave. Sam had planned to take a taxi to the airport and mentioned it to Steve when he arrived before their brother had left for work. But Steve had merely chuckled and handed Buck the keys to his truck, explaining that since he planned to meet Kono after lunch to go surfing, it made sense for him to have the truck and drop Sam off at the airport.
Kono messaged him the other day (Steve had previously saved all their phone numbers into his new phone) and asked if he wanted to go surfing at Waikiki Beach, where the waves were supposed to be great. He knew Kono had the day off, so he agreed. But he had a feeling Steve had something to do with it. When he had gotten up, he had noticed that Steve had already loaded his surfboard into the truck, along with some spare fins and a foot leash for use.
He dropped Sam off at the airport and promised that he would keep in contact with him (he also remembered Michelle's warning) and that he would call him when he was ready to meet up with Caleb. Afterwards, he drove directly to the beach and as he parked, he sighed. He wasn't ready to talk to Caleb, not yet. But seeing Kono pull up next to him he drove out Caleb from his mind. He was going to enjoy himself and he did. They spent at least four hours surfing some of the greatest waves he'd seen in a while. Kono had thoroughly loved showing him off to every single one of the surfers she knew while they watched him catch several waves.
And all a while Buck was loving it.
Back in the ocean, catching wave after wave.
It was some of the most fun he'd had in a long time. Being in the ocean, catching some very fantastic waves, he forgot about his troubles since he wanted to avoid overbalancing or placing too much weight on either side of the board and falling. There was also the brotherhood that came with the water, as several other surfers congratulated him on catching a wave or commented on where he had been hiding all this time when he caught a larger wave.
While he was putting away Steve's board, Kono had called him her good luck charm as they hadn't had waves like these in a while. And he did, surfing with Kono had become one of his adventures. Something that Steve was very happy about as he had said that he was happy that he was getting back out there. He didn't understand at the time, but Steve revealed one night that he was relieved to be able to leave the house without being forced to and was enjoying himself.
But today he had plans, so he couldn't go surfing which was a real bummer as the waves according to Kono were some of the best she had ever seen. However, he had promised her that he would head out with her another day when she was off. Kono further told him that a few of the other surfers were asking about him and wanted to know when he would meet up with them again. It was nice to hear that other surfers enjoyed hanging out with him and to be honest, it was nice. They were a lot of fun as well.
Today he had a full day scheduled.
Chin had picked him up early at around 7:30 a.m. after Steve had handed him a backpack full of water, his medications and food in case he got hungry. They had begun to drive to the ranch where Chin had kept his horse. He had promised to try and exercise Chin's friend's horse, who had started acting up after not being worked while his owner was recovering from injury.
Buck was looking forward to riding again, but he was concerned. He asked a lot of questions to Chin on the way there, asking him about the horse, his height, and whether he had any previous issues with other riders. This wasn't his horse, and he didn't want it to get hurt because of him.
Chin had chuckled at Buck's concern because Steve had told him that Buck was an experienced rider with nothing to worry about. But Chin was a kind man who answered all his queries without making him feel like he was making fun of him. The horse was a five-year-old crimson roan blanket Appaloosa. He stood at least 17 hands (Buck knew that most stood at 16 hands, so he was big for his breed), was kind, and was truly a gentle giant. He had never acted out, but he had a lot of energy, which was causing problems because no one could ride him due to his height or didn't have time to exercise their own horse and then him.
When they arrived at the ranch, Buck's nerves got the best of him. He noticed four horses already out in the field grazing happily, but Chin told him that his and his friend's horses had been kept in for them, so they didn't have to run around catching them. Chin's friend's sister, Meg, who owned the ranch, she was an elderly Hawaiian woman in her fifths with black thick hair tied up in a ponytail underneath a worn cowboy hat, came out to greet them. Buck noticed that as she left the ranch house, she was accompanied by her ancient bloodhound Maluhia who trotted gleefully after her barking a little at them.
She greeted them both cordially and hugged Chin. Meg thanked Buck for assisting with Kāne Nui before directing them to follow her to the barn. She told them that she had already tacked up both horses for them after Chin had texted her telling her that they were on their way. And that she had already gotten the reports of the bridal paths that most of the trails around the ranch were clear for them to use but did warn to avoid the trail that went close to the river as it was flooded in parts due to the rain on the hills.
As they entered the barn, Buck noticed Kāne Nui. Buck fell in love with him the moment he saw him. He was gorgeous. His white markings looked like paint splatter on his crimson coat, with a long mane and tail. Chin explained the meaning of Kāne Nui, which made him laugh as he saw the shocked look on Buck's face. His name essentially translates as Big Man. His name perfectly described him; he was enormous and muscular, but he exuded peacefully.
Meg had properly tacked him up, along with a robust leather breastplate to provide extra saddle support. Kāne Nui stood silently next to Chin's horse, who was yelling at them to hurry up as she felt impatient. Chin shook his head at his horse before passing Buck Kāne Nui's reins and going to grab his own. Buck could not help but rub Kāne Nui's nose while waiting for Chin without thinking. Kāne Nui's nose was incredibly soft, and the gentle giant just stood there looking at him like he was trying to judge him. Buck couldn't explain it but, in that moment, he could feel the link that had just formed between the two, but the only way he could describe it was that he had just met an old friend.
As they led the horses out of the barn, Kāne Nui was clearly happy with the situation and trotted happily behind Buck. Meg grinned and mentioned that Kāne Nui seemed to be taken with him. As they approached the mounting block, Buck waited for Chin to mount his horse before he moved Kāne Nui to the mounting block. However, before he got a chance to move to the block, Meg stopped him and handed Buck a little plastic bag containing what appeared to be sugar cubes, chuckling at the confused look that he sent her.
She explained that even though Kāne Nui was a gentle giant, it was always a good idea to take him some treats in case he needed him to do something that he didn't want to do. Kāne Nui's weakness was sugar cubes, and Meg joked that he had even smashed open his stable door because someone had left the bag in plain sight of him. Buck had not taken her seriously, but as he opened the bag to check the contents, he felt Kāne Nui's mouth on his shoulder, trying to nibble at his shirt and get him to turn so he could get into the bag.
After saying goodbye to Meg, they rode out of the yard up onto the trail that Chin had picked out. Getting back on a horse was terrifying for Buck but as they rode, that fear started to disappear. Kāne Nui didn't seem to mind his worry and was just happy to be out on a ride. Buck found himself laughing out loud as he had to duck to avoid another low-hanging branch that Kāne Nui seemed to find for him. He heard Chin laugh hard when he had to almost hug Kāne Nui's neck to avoid getting hit in the face by a very large branch.
Buck felt more at peace as they continued to ride. They didn't say much as they rode, mostly to avoid disturbing the wildlife around them. Chin gently stopped and pointed things out to Buck, who asked him a million questions about the ecosystem, the wildlife, and whether there were any historic settlements nearby. He'd been reading up on the islands, and Chin seemed impressed with what he learnt as the facts he mentioned had been right. Buck and Kāne Nui rode like old friends, never wanting to stop. Chin had snapped a few photos of them and Buck asked for him to send them to him. Buck had even felt ready to take his first selfie with Kāne Nui and another with Chin and his horse. He had forwarded that one to Steve to show him how he was doing.
But as the clock struck twelve o'clock, Buck realised they needed to go back. As they turned back, Chin finally voiced the question he had plainly been wanting to ask.
"So, I heard Steve is taking you house hunting?" asked Chin.
Buck could not help but laugh at his question. He had been looking for a place to live to rent on the island to give Steve some space and regain some of his freedom for the past few days. However, after a video call with Mr Sanderford, his lawyer, and his accountant, they all advised him that it would be better to buy a house on the island rather than rent it. But purchasing a home required him to deal with all the responsibilities that come with being a homeowner that he wasn't sure he could handle after everything that had happened.
His lawyer had advised him that buying property was a better alternative for him. He had enough money to buy any property outright without a mortgage and cover maintenance and taxes without depleting his savings for the next twenty years. But he hadn't given any thought to whether he'd stay on the island after he got better. He wanted to be close to Steve since his brother was a lifeline he wasn't prepared to cut off. But the prospect of being tied down to another property worried him. Right now, he had no desire to leave Hawaii.
But will he still feel the same in a year? Two years? Five years? Or longer?
He had already discovered a few properties online and visited two of them with his realtor, but even though they were lovely places, they were not for him. One of the properties was a big two-bedroom apartment located in the heart of Honolulu. It was in one of the taller apartment complexes and was stunning. It was extremely modern, but it felt like something from a fashion magazine. Not a home. The other was a residence on the opposite side of the island, near Laie. It was nice, but not to his liking. It was overly fancy in the sense that it was composed of white stone and marble. It screamed money, which he had not liked. He wanted a home, not something that would show others that he was wealthy. He never wanted anyone to know his net worth, as he didn't want to deal with individuals attempting to befriend him to obtain his money. If he was going to buy a house, he wanted it to be his home.
He had scheduled another viewing of a home near Steve's that had been on the market for a while. It was completely private, including its own private beach. It was more expensive than any other house he had looked at and was right on the border of his self-imposed budget. However, the sale of the property included a vast plot of land, which piqued his curiosity. He had requested his lawyer, who had a friend who worked in Hawaii, to investigate the property for him, and he had discovered that the existing owners were currently being harassed by lobbyists who wanted to convert the area into a resort, but the owners were not interested. He despised how much natural land was being dug up for hotels, and from what he learnt about the area, it was protected, but there was a good chance they would have their way.
Steve had found his list of properties that his realtor had given him after he had left it out on the table as he got home from work. Buck had written down on the piece of paper his viewing dates and Steve had immediately said that he would go with him if he wanted him to. Buck had agreed for Steve to tag along mainly because he wanted to hear Steve’s thoughts on the properties. Mainly because he knew that Steve would more than likely be stalking the properties to make sure they were right for him. He also knew that Steve wouldn’t lie to him, he would tell him the truth if something was odd about a place. But he didn't realise Steve had told his team that he was looking around for a place.
"Did he tell you that?" Buck asked, laughing and shaking his head.
Chin joined in the laughter and nodded, "Yer, came skipping into the office about you staying on the island."
Buck could almost imagine it; he'd seen the delight in Steve's eyes when he discovered the listing and should have known Steve wouldn't be able to keep this information to himself. "Bet he did," Buck laughed.
"He's just excited that you're staying," Chin answered with a shrug, but the way he concluded that statement made Buck think that he had something else to say.
"And?" Buck gave Chin a look that he had once been told mimicked Steve's severe gaze.
"And then started planning the search like it was a military operation, using our systems to check houses' criminal histories, do background checks on the realtors involved and the current owners." Buck couldn't help but shake his head as Chin went on to enumerate all the things Steve was doing to try to help him.
"Sounds about right," Buck grumbled. "I told him I had found a good realtor who knows what's she doing." He added and had. His lawyer had located one of the top realtors on the island, but Buck's only request was that he use a local agent. Not some giant corporation with only a name. He wanted to help a smaller firm, and since he had the funds, he was willing to pay to help a firm that wanted to improve the island.
Pele (which translates as "goddess of fire") was a fierce lady in her thirties who knew exactly what she wanted. She was no-nonsense and preferred order. Buck appreciated her for that. When he arrived at her office after his lawyer had scheduled their first appointment, he knew he had chosen the right people the moment he stepped inside the little office building. Pele worked for a small family firm she had married into, and she clearly enjoyed her work. He had observed the numerous family portraits on the workplace walls telling him that the business was ran in a family way which was nice. Pele had two five-year-old twin girls. He had met them during their meeting as Pele’s husband had called in to see her. They were beautiful and to see such a beautiful family made his heart skip a beat.
During their meeting, Pele thanked him again for choosing their firm over the larger firms and promised that they would do everything in their power to find him his dream home. They went through what he was looking for in his new home and if there was anything that he wanted to avoid. After creating that list, Pele openly admitted that since they were a smaller firm they only oversaw a few properties complete but did have contracts with other firms so they had more options for him if he couldn’t find a home in their listings.
Chin laughed as he said, "I know, Pele's one hell of a realtor."
Chin's remarks forced Buck to stop Kāne Nui in his tracks, which he wasn't happy about and he let Buck know that by pawing the earth with a huff. He had never told Steve his realtor's name and it hadn't been written on any of the papers that Steve had found. So, he couldn't have informed Chin who he was using.
Chin laughed stopping his own horse before turning in his saddle with a grin, "She's my cousin bro. It is a small island." Chin remarked, still chuckling.
Buck couldn't help but laugh along. He had started to understand what that comment meant. When he had been surfing with Kono, they had run into three of her cousins and two uncles. Which had been nice however sadly due to his size, one of her cousins had tried to openly flirt with him. He had turned her down as gently as he could, and Kono had apologised to him for her cousin's actions. Buck had brushed off her apologise saying that it didn't matter. He even joked that if he had flirted with anyone, it would have been her male cousin who was in his thirties but built like a rugby player, who promised to design him a surfboard if he ever wanted one. After his third surfing session with Kono, he finally asked Kono how much it would cost to have a board created for him.
"Don't worry," Chin said, returning his attention to their conversation. "You're in good hands with her. She is no pushover and will find you your perfect home, or if not, one that can be converted into a lifelong home," Chin stated as they began to move again.
"I know, she's chosen some nice places. I only want anything simple. Away from the city and bustling streets. Somewhere I can unwind properly. Do not get me wrong..." Buck spoke but then paused and groaned, forcing Chin to stare at him. "…I love the city and being around people but…"
Buck could feel his emotions rising again as he said. He didn't want Chin to think that he wanted them around. He loved having them around and going out with them. But he wanted to make sure Chin realised that while he enjoyed having them in his life, he also wanted a place where he could lock himself away to find calm.
"You want somewhere you can go that is only yours," Chin said finishing his sentence.
Buck accepted his comment with a smile and a nod. He knew Chin would understand where he was coming from. Chin was the quietest person in 5-0, but when he spoke, everyone listened.
"Well, Pele has picked out some beautiful homes for you to see and, don't tell her I told you, but she thinks the one you are going to see today is going to be the one," Chin said as they headed towards the ranch.
Buck grinned at his comment; he had looked over the marketing images before leaving the house and didn't want to jinx it, but he genuinely liked the look of the place. And the prospect of having so much open land that he could go for walks around his property without encountering anyone was incredibly appealing. Looking at the images of the area also triggered a notion that he hadn't considered in a long time. Maybe if he got the place, he might consider getting a four-legged pal to share it with him.
"I know and I will have Steve with me since he said he's coming." He spoke as they approached the hill that overshadowed the ranch. As they reached the top, they could see the ranch and Kāne Nui neighing to see his home. "I love him and he's a good brother, but he can be a little…" Buck kept going but eventually came to a halt. He didn't know how to say Steve's desire to be in control in a way that didn't sound like he was mad about it. He knew that all his brother wanted was the best for him and that he was kept safe.
"Controlling?" Chin questioned, smiling, and then chuckled slightly. "His old man was the same. It's their method of demonstrating that they care for someone." Chin explained but then sighed, and Buck surmised it must be difficult for Chin to talk about Steve's father because, according to Steve, Chin had worked with him for a long time and had supported him during his HPD troubles.
"John never knew how to show his love for someone without attempting to micromanage every aspect of their lives in order to protect them. He used to remark that if he had control over what happened in their life, they would be kept safe. Chin explained.
"Families are complicated," Buck mumbled.
"Tell me about it, I still get dirty looks from mine, that is if they even acknowledge me," Chin explained, shrugging his shoulders.
Buck felt himself frozen in his saddle as he considered Chin's comments. Steve had told him a little about what Chin had been through when he returned to Hawaii. He had been accused of a crime he did not commit, and his family had essentially abandoned him. He understood how lonely it was to be abandoned by those he thought would love him unconditionally.
"How do you deal with that? Your family not talking to you? Buck enquired softly.
Chin paused for a time, and Buck began to panic a little, wondering whether he had crossed a line by asking. But after a few moments of stillness, Chin spoke "It was hard at first." Chin began with a sigh and then resumed. "People who I thought were my family suddenly left me. Some of them publicly accused me or enquired if I had taken the money."
Chin cleared his throat slightly before continuing, "When I quit the police, some people interpreted it as an admission of guilt, but it was not. I didn't want someone else to get killed because no one responded to our pleas for help because I was there or for a criminal to get away with their crimes because the District Attorney believed I was dirty." Chin explained.
Buck understood where Chin was coming from with that statement. It was one of the reasons Buck hadn't just requested a transfer when things with Bobby and the 118 had gotten too much. Deep down he hoped that he had been wrong, but he couldn't shake the thought that if he worked at another house, and they ended up working together on a scene would they risk other people's lives to get back at him? He couldn't take the risk, and he admired Chin for leaving to protect the people he wished to save.
"When Steve came back and created 5-0, it was my second chance to give back. Sure, many of my family members still refuse to speak with me, and it hurts that they do not believe me. But now I know that I have people in my life who will defend and support me no matter what. Steve, Danny, and Kono are now my family." Chin smiled gently.
Buck grinned back, knowing that Chin had found a fine home with Steve and the rest of 5-0. Steve was fiercely loyal to those he considered family, and he would give his life to protect them if necessary. And from the things Kono had told him about Steve's wild schemes, he knew he was right.
Buck paused briefly when he thought about his family. He had always been infatuated with the idea of having the perfect family. He knew Doctor Copeland would remark that his obsession stemmed from his bad childhood, and he couldn't help but agree with her. He had never had much success in finding his forever family. They either left him or he screwed up so horribly that they no longer wanted him. It was the overarching theme of his life.
Perhaps he wasn't intended to have a family. He was horrified at the notion of dying alone. Nobody stood by him as he took his final breath. The idea alone gave him nightmares. It was why he fought so hard to save as many people as he could, and if he couldn't, he made sure they weren't alone when they died. But perhaps he would be one of the unlucky ones who died alone.
"I'm sorry you went through that," Buck murmured softly as they approached the ranch.
"That's okay. Chin smiled, "And things will get better for you too. I still have dark days Buck, some days it gets to me that my family abandoned me because of a lie before some days were so dark that I found myself thinking that I would be better dead than being the black stain on the family."
"What stopped you?" Buck enquired innocently, knowing that his voice would sound distressed to Chin. He had always puzzled how Chin had managed to preserve his composure after learning what he had gone through. He was so close to ending it all that if Steve hadn't promised, he would have done something crazy.
"Because I knew that I was innocent and if I was dead who would be around to defend me." Chin explained but then added, "There aren't so many dark days anymore since I started working at 5-0. Maybe it is because I have people who completely trust me and have never doubted me now that those dark days, I do get now don't seem so dark anymore."
They were silent again as they walked past the field adjacent to the barn; Buck had so much on his mind that he struggled to concentrate on just one thing. Chin had publicly admitted to having bad days and that he had come very close to ending it all, but he never let them consume him fully and he didn't see a way out.
Instead, Chin treated things with care and turned to people who made them bearable. He was aware that Steve had advised him several times to reach out to him if the voices that told him to end it all returned or if he wanted to talk about them. But he couldn't help but wonder how Chin had managed those particularly awful days. He had Steve's promise to keep him alive, but Chin had nothing like that, so how did he keep himself from doing something stupid? But whatever he had done, Buck couldn't help but respect the older man for surviving all that and coming out stronger.
As they returned to the ranch, Buck was surprised to see Steve's truck parked next to Chin's car, with his brother seated in the truck's bed, playing on his phone. He then realised the time and understood that Steve was most likely here so that they could make it to his appointment with Pele on time. However, he didn't understand why Steve couldn't simply sit in the truck like any other person. As they got closer to Steve, his brother gave a grin. It was then that he noticed that Steve had pointed his phone directly at him and knew that Steve had more likely taken a few photos to properly email to the rest of their brothers.
Buck dismounted Kāne Nui and caressed him on the neck to express gratitude for the ride. Buck then reached into his pocket and pulled out the leftover sugar cube pack. Kāne Nui chuffed enthusiastically as his ears sprang forward, indicating he had caught his actions. And nibbled at his hand in gratitude as he devoured the cubes.
Buck unintentionally found himself forming a connection with Kāne Nui but knew that he couldn’t become too attached to him. Kāne Nui was not his horse (even though he wished he was) and he was merely exercising him for his owner. Buck patted Kāne Nui's neck again and adjusted his girth. He'd worked hard today and deserved some TLC.
He had been so lost in stroking Kāne Nui that he hadn't noticed Chin approaching him with a grin on his face. It was when Chin collected Kāne Nui's reins that he noticed him standing there. Chin nodded his head towards Steve and said, “You better get going before Pele complains to me that you’re late,” Chin said. Before he started to walk Kāne Nui towards the barn with his own horse.
Buck regretted not spending more time with Kāne Nui before leaving. But he also knew he needed to get moving or he'd be late; Chin added before he left that they could come back through on his next day off or he could check with Meg to see if they were okay with him coming through on his own.
Buck nodded, then turned and walked towards Steve who had climbed out of the bed of his truck and was standing watching him carefully. Buck knew why and guessed that he must look a little different. He felt lighter, that was the only way he could describe it. Being among horses again was liberating. They were gentle and powerful creatures and Kāne Nui was one of the most unique and beautiful creatures he had ever seen. Kāne Nui simply trusted him. Buck wishes that working with people was as easy as working with horses. Sure, horses may be cruel and deliver a hard kick if annoyed, but they never lied about giving him signals that suggested that they weren't happy with him. People lied, and they did so to his face not caring how much it hurt him.
Buck couldn't help but reflect on everything as they drove near the house they wanted to inspect. During the ride, Chin offered suggestions on what he could do to enjoy the real Hawaii, including hiking paths and where he could try some authentic Hawaiian food. Chin also remarked on all the search and rescue calls he had responded to after Buck had asked if anyone got lost in the woods as they went through an overgrown part of woodland. Chin also dropped in that the team he worked with was experiencing some challenges due to the retirement of senior members and no one taking their places. Buck realised he was dropping hints to him about maybe looking into helping and it wasn’t a terrible idea.
He wanted to keep helping people. Search and rescue units were very similar to what he used to do in the Seals. However, he didn't know the area as well as Chin and knew that unless he learnt, he wouldn't be able to help anyone. Anyone could rope down or administer first aid if they had the training. The expertise known solely by locals offered them an advantage in finding lost persons.
But he had been looking for part-time jobs or outside work to keep him active while he figured out what he wanted to pursue. He was able to keep that private from Steve since he did not leave any proof in the house. He planned to inform Steve about his search, but he wanted to wait until he found a home he loved.
He hadn't noticed where he was until Steve tapped him on the shoulder making him jump. He had been so immersed in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed they had arrived, and peering through the windscreen, he saw Pele standing there in her maroon suit and white shirt with a grin on her face like she had won the lottery. He then looked at the house behind her and felt his jaw drop. It was as stunning as the photographs.
Buck climbed out of the car, following Steve's lead, and strolled around Steve's truck, falling in love with the place even more. He knew he loved the property when he looked through the listing but seeing it in person only made him fall in love with it more. It was a beautiful modern two-story house coated in wooden cladding with tall, big windows that let in plenty of natural light. He had told Pele that he preferred a home with as much natural light as possible and this was just that.
To his left stood the big two-door garage, which he knew was much larger than it appeared on the exterior. Unbeknownst to Steve and many others, he had three cars stored in Washington with Mr Sanderford, and as soon as the old man learnt he was looking for a home, he began the process of having the cars delivered to him. He considered using his cars in Los Angeles but didn't. Mainly because they weren't just ordinary cars.
They were all drunken purchases, but he'd loved them the moment he saw them. One of them was his Rolls Royce, which he found after watching a British TV show about the brand's history. However, instead of the usual old Rolls Royce model, he had brought a Rolls Royce la rose noire droptail. The rich deep red colour had caught his intoxicated eye, but he loved his car. Caleb had joked when he picked up the automobile from the showroom that he would look like a rich white lad, which he didn't mind. Instead, he merely kissed him and told him that doing so would turn him into a sugar baby, which made Caleb nearly wet himself laughing because he was a few years older than him.
He also had a few motorcycles accompanying his cars, but one of them was more important to him than any of his cars or bikes. He had been very proud of his Harley-Davidson Knucklehead from 1945. He had purchased the bike used while recovering from an injury and had rebuilt it as he healed. The bike was in a horrible state, but he was able to find all of the parts at a reasonable price to restore it to its former glory.
Buck shifted his gaze away from the garage and towards the front door of the house, which felt more welcoming than any other entrance had. It was covered with a porch with clay titles and surrounded by bushes and plants, giving the impression that the house was erected among the trees.
"Hi Evan, you made it in good time," Pele said cheerfully, looking at him closely as if she was trying to decide whether he liked the place or not.
"Hi, Pele," Buck said, clearing his throat. "This is my brother Steve he's here to have a look around as well." Buck introduced Steve, who was observing him closely.
"Hi Steve, shall we?" Pele enquired, pointing her head towards the entrance door.
Buck nodded, and with a deep breath, they entered. As he did so, Buck couldn't help but feel his nerves getting the better of him but thankfully Steve noticed it and gently pushed him forward.
As soon as they opened the front door, they were greeted by a lengthy corridor painted in a pleasant cream colour with wooden floors that flowed throughout the whole house. As they took a few steps in, they noticed the main staircase stood pride of place in the centre of the entranceway. And a large empty ceiling-high fish tank. Buck's eyes flew around as they entered the room, attempting to take it all in.
"Now this property has been on the market a little longer than the others due to its layout and style, but I think you are going to like it," Pele remarked with a laugh. "On the first floor, you can see a stunning wide hallway that can allow full wheelchair access to the entry ground floor that leads to the huge open living space. The previous owner had the enormous fish tank installed and set up for seawater, but you may change that if you like." Pele explained.
But Buck was only partially listening; the living room was light and dazzling. There was enough space for a huge u-size couch that could be placed to surround a large entertainment system, which had been built around a large fireplace. The television that had previously been there was huge, judging by the vacant space in the wall. Buck had always wanted a place where he could curl up on the couch with an open fire while watching his favourite show. The fireplace was an open wood burner, and this would be a perfect place for that.
"The staircase separates the living room from the kitchen and dining room," Pele explained, leading them into the gorgeous modern kitchen, yet Buck noticed an almost cottage vibe with the light marble countertops and Coconut palm wood cabinetry with silver handles. Three hanging lights in the centre of the kitchen island appeared to be made of bamboo or something similar since they resembled a weaved basket and looked lovely. The kitchen appliances appeared fresh, including a new oven and hob, a large two-door fridge, and a dishwasher.
Pele stated that the entire house had been rewired and serviced before it went on the market. There were four bar stools arranged around the huge island that sat in the centre of the kitchen. He assumed that with all the wood, the room would feel dark, but it did the opposite. It made the entire facility appear more welcoming. The windows and lighting provided so much light that the entire space felt warm, and he loved it.
"The dining room windows provide a direct view of the ocean and garden. There's a pantry, a utility room, and a room that the previous owner built as a home gym, but you can transform it into whatever you want." Pele pointed to three doors off the kitchen.
The dining room was painted in the same vivid creams as the wooden furnishings. An enormous monkeypod wood table sat in pride of position, supported by a large tree stump made of the same wood. Pele had indicated that the table was too large and heavy to move and was being sold alongside the property. Buck had been looking for a set of chairs that would complement the table's rich reddish-brown tones. It was the centrepiece of the room. When he moved into his flat, the first thing he brought was a dining room table, as Mr Samson had always taught him that eating at a table with someone, he cared about made a place feel like home. He always enjoyed sitting with him at the table, eating their dinner, and discussing their day. It made him feel wanted.
Buck poked his head into each room while Pele pointed them out. He had anticipated that some of the rooms would be smaller than expected, but they were not. The utility room was spacious enough to accommodate a large washer and dryer. With storage for household cleaning products, and enough space to store everything he needed to keep the house clean.
The pantry was lined with long wooden shelves to keep as many dry goods as he wished, as well as baskets on the three bottom shelves to accommodate vegetables or fruit. It was wonderful and reminded him of a small farm shop with its set-up. He could go crazy in there, buying whatever he wanted and possibly trying some Hawaiian dishes or improving his cooking in any manner he desired. Not in the way others expected him to.
He was really interested in his home gym. The room was spacious, and he could fit a lot of equipment in there. And he wasn't talking about the little at-home equipment that individuals brought; he could have top-tier gym equipment that he had only seen in high-end private gyms.
"From the dining room, you don't have access to the garden however you can do that through the folding doors in the living room where you will find an outdoor kitchen that is fully furnished and to the pool." Pele continued to lure them back into the living room. Buck realised he hadn't noticed the folding doors when he first entered the space, but he appreciated how they would allow him to make his living room feel like the outdoors.
"From the hallway," Pele said, walking towards the front door but stopping in the corridor to wait for them to catch up. "From the hallway to the left, you can access the workshop and garage, but to the right," Pele smiled and encouraged them to follow her. Buck observed that the end of the hall led to another hallway. "This way, you have a medium-sized bedroom with an on-suite that is wheelchair accessible and includes a wet room. The final room is what I like to call the sunroom." She explained as she unlocked each door for them to see.
Buck gazed into the bedroom, which was decorated in muted blues and white, and couldn't help but think of how ideal it would be for Chris. The bathroom would allow him to enjoy complete independence which is one thing that he knew Chris wanted. But then his heart sank, he remembered Eddie cutting him off and after everything he'd done to him, Eddie was unlikely to let his own son fly to stay with him or if he let him see him at all.
Pele then showed them the room she dubbed the sunroom, which was just that. It was a space filled with windows that looped around, letting in as much light as possible. The built-in couches line two of the walls with one holding storage cupboards. The cushions that sat all along the couches creating a window seat had a mix of Hawaiian designs and creams making the place look even more welcoming. It looked beautiful and the natural light made him feel immediately calm. The ceiling lamp appeared to be formed of broken sea glass, reflecting its various colours onto the surfaces surrounding him. He'd seen seaglass lights online before and discovered that natural light could shine through them even when they weren't turned on.
However, when Buck gazed around the room, he felt himself gasp slightly at the scene in front of him. The house's pool and outdoor kitchen were visible through the windows on his left. A stunning view of the ocean and garden awaited him looking forward through the centre windows. However, to his right, he could see the rolling hills of Hawaii. It was breathtaking. This was the real Hawaii, and the thought of waking up every morning to that scene tugged at his heartstrings.
"This view is beautiful," Buck said quietly, and he felt Steve's hand on his arm, giving him a soothing squeeze as if to tell him that he was there in case he needed him. His voice must have indicated to Steve that something was bothering him. And it was—this house seemed more like home than anywhere else.
"I know, with all of the land attached to the property, it is also quite secluded. It is distant from the road, as you can tell from the long drive, so it is peaceful and quiet." Pele explained.
Buck nodded again, not trusting his own words. So far, this place has been amazing. He could see himself living here, and as they went through each room, he began to make a mental list of what he wanted to modify in each room. His mind had run wild when he noticed the empty fish tank in the living room. He had always liked the water, and he was excited about the prospect of transforming that empty tank into his own living reef. He had done a lot of research on live reefs, and the thought of bringing some of the ocean into his home made it feel more like home.
"Shall we continue?" Pele enquired, and he could sense she was becoming hopeful that he was falling in love with the location.
"Please," Steve whispered, speaking for him, and Buck felt Steve's hand on his shoulder, drawing him back.
As they returned through the home and approached the stairs, Buck saw that the staircase itself was made of what appeared to be an ancient tree. It wasn't a straight modern frame, but rather a small bend that suggested the house was designed around the staircase to incorporate more of the nature element. As they moved up, Buck discovered that the spindles had been engraved with small symbols, some of which he knew as Hawaiian symbols and guessed that the others were the same. It was subtle details like this that made him feel that, despite the current appearance, it had true character.
"As you can see, the landing is fairly spacious and may accommodate a small couch or loveseat. This floor contains two medium-sized bedrooms and a spacious bathroom to share between them." She explained and walked him through each room. Both rooms were light and bright, with enough space for at least one queen bed in each with room for a few bedroom pieces. One was painted in a seafoam green colour while the other was painted in a lava rock grey colour. The bathroom, on the other hand, was a source of concern because it was located at the front of the home, and the enormous marble bathtub that sat in the centre of it made him nervous. But Pele had chuckled at his shocked face and quickly explained that the window had a mirror film on it, making it impossible to see in from the driveway.
"There is also a home office that has a doorway into what was used as a library," Pele added as she showed them the two rooms.
The office was painted a dark sage green and included a wooden desk built into one full side of the room that could accommodate at least three monitors, a printer, and at least two computer towers, as well as bookcases surrounding the windows for storage. There were also two monitors in one corner of the desk that were already wired in. He recognised the monitor and the unit next to it as the house's security system. He had counted at least nine cameras both inside and out, and he expected there to be more dotted around. He had a feeling that Steve would make him update the system if he brought the place but at least he didn't have to start hunting for one immediately.
The library was painted the same dark sage green, and a built-in couch surrounded the windows, creating a cubby hole large enough for him to hide from the outside world. He then realised that the library could be closed because two by-folding doors stood against the wall, allowing him to isolate the space if necessary. Empty built-in bookcases lined the rest of the walls, with even the underside of the couch designed to house more volumes.
"There is also a spare room that was used as one of the owner's hobby rooms but has the potential to be anything you want it to be," Pele explained, bringing Buck out of his thoughts and showing him an empty spacious room. The lighting at this side of the house was ideal, not too bright but enough to make painting there feel like painting in perfect light. When he saw the room, he couldn't help but start planning where everything should go. It was close to the garage and from the windows, he could see the drive and Steve's truck.
In his imagination, he could envision where he would place his easel for optimal lighting, as well as where his storage cabinets and cupboards would contain all of his paints, pencils, and brushes. In addition, he knew where he would keep his set of drawers for his sketchbooks and canvases to keep them safe while he completed a collection. He also noted that the ceiling lights were strategically placed to allow him to paint even when the natural light was low.
"And then we have the master bedroom," Pele added, before showing them the largest room Buck had ever seen. It was huge, virtually spanning the entire length of the rear of the house. He knew by looking at the size of the room that he could fit two super king beds, a large couch, and a television inside with plenty of room to spare. Steve whistled as he entered the room, and Buck couldn't help but agree. It was beautiful.
The room was painted in a stunning maile green that complemented the overall design of the space. The floor was built from a rich 'Ōhi'a wood, giving the space an earthy and relaxing atmosphere. The room was lighted by two woven rattan pendant lights that hung lower than the main ceiling light on either side of a super king-size bed. Large floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to stream in, highlighting the surrounding tropical scenery. Looking around the room, Buck fell in love with the room's design and knew that if he bought the house, he would not change anything about this room. He'd add a few more details and make it more his but the colours would stay.
"It has a large on suite with a tub, a walk-in closet and access to a large balcony that can hold a full balcony set if you want to utilise it." Pele demonstrated how to open doors and showed them each one.
The bathroom included a marble tub in the centre of the windows, with views of the lawn below. Buck peered over the tub and found that he could see down to the private beach, he could imagine himself sitting in the tub watching the sunset over the ocean. The bathroom, like the rest of the house, was stunning. There was a gigantic shower that could accommodate at least three people, complete with a built-in bench and a large waterfall shower. It was embellished with small, handcrafted titles in the style of leaves in various colours of green, providing a forest motif within the shower.
The double sinks were set on a black marble top, and he knew the oak cupboards would hold more than enough items. A fresh new toilet has a small device to sort its cleaning products, which couldn't be displayed.
Then there was the walk-in closet, which included two long, deep wardrobes on either side, with enough space to store all his things tenfold. He would need to consider extending his wardrobe, or perhaps he could store something else there. Yes, he needed to get some new clothes. He hadn't taken many clothes with him when he moved to Hawaii and knew that if he wanted to stay on the island, he'd have to go shopping.
He also clocked two built-in safes in two of the wardrobes. Pele mentioned that there was a larger built-in safe in the workshop. Which was going to be useful because he needed the space. During his service, he had accumulated a few weapons that he would need to keep locked up. His sidearm was safely housed in Steve's safe among his own firearms, as he no longer carried it. But he had two rifles that he knew he would need to bring over if he was going to live on the island. He had left them in a secure unit along with all his Navy stuff. He might ask Sam to clear it out and send everything over as he knew what was needed.
Buck buried himself in his own thoughts as they walked throughout the house, taking in every detail he could find. The wooden but modern theme that ran throughout the house further added to his affection for the property. Buck couldn't think of anything wrong with the house. With the other places Pele had shown him, he had managed to compile a large list of problems or things he disliked, but this place had none of those.
"Bomb…" Steve replied, looking down from the balcony to the big garden and lawn that would become his if he purchased the property. They had gone out on it to get a letter and look at how large the balcony was.
"This place is so you; it's like it was made for you," Steve admitted, and Buck couldn't help but agree.
"We can look around the grounds if you want," Pele remarked, fully aware that Buck loved the house.
"Please," Buck replied.
They followed Pele down the staircase, but when they reached the bottom, Steve stopped him before they could follow her. "Do you actually like this place?" He enquired, but Buck saw a confident smirk on his face, indicating that Steve clearly knew the answer to his own question. Buck wasn't sure how to respond at first. He knew Steve was pleased to have him staying in Hawaii.
"Yer, I do," Buck stated quietly with a smile, knowing that he was now believing his own words.
"I'm happy for you, brother," Steve whispered softly, pulling him into a one-armed hug before following Pele outside, where she was waiting for them.
The patio next to the pool has a large open space that used to contain some outdoor furniture. Buck had already been eyeing some lovely, locally crafted pieces that would complement the rest of the property. He realised that if he bought the house, he would have to furnish it fast since he wanted to be out of Steve's hair as soon as possible, thus buying locally was important to him.
"So, the garden is divided into multiple sections. The majority of it is unspoiled with grass, with native trees and bushes. However, you do have a few coconut trees scattered about." Pele added as they all gazed at the gorgeous, pristine area before them.
"There are greenhouses on the right that can grow a variety of produce. The previous owner was able to raise a variety of veggies." Pele explained, pointing down to the stone and wooden greenhouses that were close to the beach but far enough away that the sand did not impact the soil quality.
Buck remembered seeing the photographs inside them and had started to study what fruits, vegetables, and herbs he could grow. He wanted to try growing a few native plants that he would need for a few recipes he read, but the idea of being able to grow his own food sounded fantastic. Back in LA, he grew several herb plants for his personal cooking, but after the lawsuit, he gave many of them to Natalie for her cooking so they wouldn't go to waste.
"As you can see you have a decent-sized saltwater pool with from what the owner tells me has been fitted with an adjustable propeller-drive system to create a current for training as well as a waterfall to create that relaxing feeling," Pele explained before pointing to the waterfall at the top of the pool. "The waterfall also contains all of the pool's pumps and machinery. There are local pool providers who can come out on a regular basis to maintain and clean." Pele added.
Buck nodded in response to her comment; if he had a pool, he would want it maintained by professionals. He also remembered Chin's comment about Pele always trying to sell her clients local businesses to help with maintenance or labour around the property to keep them employed. He had already agreed to hire a local company rather than one of the larger ones. Kono added that one of her cousins worked for a small pool cleaning company that was struggling to compete with larger corporations. If he was able to help, he would.
"There are also two waterfall outdoor showers and a changing area behind the plant room that has some storage options for outdoor or water equipment like your surfboard." Buck couldn't help but smile at Pele's comment. He'd want to have a place to keep his own board when he got around to getting one.
And then she turned to face the outdoor kitchen, which had clearly captured Steve's attention, as Buck followed Pele's lead and discovered Steve already nosing around the kitchen layout and equipment. Buck couldn't help but grin and shake his head at his brother's behaviour. Steve clearly preferred the arrangement of the outdoor kitchen over his own, as he looked like a kid in a candy store.
Pele laughed with him and then spoke. "The outdoor kitchen, as I previously stated, is fully equipped with a BBQ, clay pizza oven, and fridge for drinks or food," Pele continued, pointing out all the amenities. The outdoor kitchen was covered with a bamboo thatch roof, all but one side was exposed to the weather. The rear wall was lined with wooden shelves containing modest items such as an old wine bottle and a small bowl. It was beautiful, it reminded him of a beach hut or an outdoor kitchen in Spain.
However, when Buck studied the surroundings in front of him, he observed something unusual standing close to the green home. It wasn't an eyesore, but it was strange-looking. Pele plainly followed his gaze as she rapidly answered, answering his unsaid queries. "Those are the properties of a wind turbine. It was created in such a way that it did not spoil the view while also helping to create power."
Buck nodded in response, but before he could say anything, Pele continued, "The entire property is operated off the grid, and the roof," she said, pointing up to the roof of the house, "has over twenty solar panels on it that store all of the power produced into subterranean generators. The power generates powers the house, all of the lights, the property walls lights, the sprinkler system, the pool equipment, and the home security system." Pele explained.
Buck couldn't help but shake his head at everything Pele had listed. She had conducted a thorough study on each property to ensure that it met all his requirements. Buck had requested that the property either have the option of installing renewable energy, such as solar panels or already have them.
"The property also comes with a private beach," Pele said, breaking the silence and pointing to a gap in the hedge row that clearly served as the beach entrance. "On the map, the beach that runs along each side of your land is yours to use as you see fit. It ends when you reach your neighbour’s property line and is marked on both sides." Pele explained.
Buck was surprised at how long his own private beach was, assuming that was correct. It seemed odd to claim that he owned a portion of the coastline, but after looking at the photographs, he remembered that some of the beach that would be his was made up of rocks and deep tidal pools that were submerged during high tide.
"It has everything that you were looking for," Steve said, breaking Buck's concentration.
He turned to face his brother, who was grinning ear to ear, and Buck couldn't help but shake his head at his brother's remark. Steve had made him write down everything he was looking for in a place as soon as he realised, he was looking so that he could 'assist' him make a decision if he discovered one he liked.
"Close enough, is there any structural problems I need to be aware of?" Buck refused to take Steve's bate quite yet and turned to Pele with his question.
She shook her head and grinned, "No, all of the wood has been treated recently, and the structural integrity is perfect." She answered.
Buck sighed and closed his eyes, reflecting on what he'd seen. He truly liked this place. It was ideal for him and suited all his needs. He wanted a larger kitchen so he could cook better for himself. A gym and workshop to keep his body in shape until he found his next job. A place where he could paint whenever he felt like it, as well as a huge open living area where he could entertain and express his gratitude to Steve and the rest of 5-0 for their friendship.
"How much is the asking price?" Buck asked without glancing at Steve, knowing his brother would be grinning like a Cheshire Cat if he did.
Pele smiled and then looked down at the file in her hand; Buck hadn't noticed it previously, but he wasn't surprised given how deep he had been in his own thoughts. "It's on the higher end of your budget with the lawyer fees that will be needed to complete the sale however the seller is trying to sell quickly so I am not expecting a lot of waiting around if they accept your offer," Pele explained.
Buck nodded, sighed loudly, and closed his eyes. He was now in a war with himself. On the one hand, his brain was advising him to conduct more research and look into other choices in case things didn't work out, but his heart was already in love with the house. How could he not? The location was perfect. However, the prospect of purchasing a property made him nervous. What if he botched things up here? It meant he'd have to relocate again, and no matter what Steve did to help him, he'd never be able to face anyone again.
"What are you thinking Bomber?" Steve asked quietly.
Buck gently opened his eyes to see that Steve was now standing in front of him. Not touching him, but close enough that if he fell, he could catch him. Clearly, his silence and reaction concerned him.
"I can see myself living here," Buck said quietly.
Steve simply nodded, and with a strong touch on his shoulder, Buck felt as if he had unlimited energy and confidence. "How long will it take for everything to go through?" Buck enquired of Pele, whose expression changed from one of anxiety to one of a wide smile.
"We can get the ball rolling as soon as you submit an offer," she explained, taking out a piece of paper to jot down his bid.
Buck was aware that this was moving too quickly, but he couldn't stop himself from saying, "I'll match what they are asking for it," he knew he could have given a lower price or negotiated a lower price, but he didn't want to risk losing this place. He was already too smitten with it to do that.
"Okay, I'll call the sellers right now," Pele responded hurriedly, pulling out her phone.
"Thanks," Buck replied as she stepped inside the house to make the call that would result in him either having a home in Hawaii or figuring out how much to offer them to get them to accept. He didn't care how much money he had to spend; he didn't have much of it. The money had been sitting there doing nothing anyway, so he might as well use it for himself.
"I am so proud of you, kiddo," Steve said in his brain, and for once, he believed him. Another first for him: he was proud of himself.