Reading Time: 6 Minutes
Title: Time of the Season
Author: Jilly James
Fandom: 9-1-1, SWAT, Code Black
Genre: Contemporary, Crossover, Drama, First Time, Romance
Relationship(s): Evan Buckley/Lou Ransone
Content Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Violence-Graphic. Canon-level violence, Canon-level circumstances, Canon-level angst. Mild character bashing. Explicit Sex. A smidge of kink towards the end.
Author Note: See note tabs below for some explanations. I have issues with Season 8. Crossovers are minor, and all characters can be viewed as OCs. Canon knowledge of those shows is not necessary. Title is from Time of the Season by the Zombies. I reference a lot of music in the narrative, but I believe all credits occur inline. There’s a playlist of all the songs mentioned in the story on the tab below.
Beta: Ladyholder (thank you so much for the last-minute save!)
Word Count: 98,000
Summary: Evan’s trying to get his best friend moving to Texas off his mind. Lou is trying to distract himself from a case that he shouldn’t be working on, even as a case from his past haunts him. They run into each other and spend an evening in easy conversation. That should be the end of it, but talking for them is easy, and when life gets increasingly complex and sometimes disastrous, they turn to one another. In their own way, they each need to let go of the past in order to move forward, and sometimes that’s easier with someone who understands you.
Artist: didbuckygetaplum
Artist Appreciation: I so enjoyed working with you, and I adore this art. It captures the vibe of the story perfectly. Thank you for all your time and grace under pressure as my life became so chaotic. You’re a rock star and a very talented one!
Story
Season 8 Catastrophe
First, this story is fundamentally a romance. I wanted to put that out there before I delve into the sheer hostility that brought this story to life.
There are vague spoilers within… That said, I don’t think you need to have seen season 8 to read the story, but it has more depth if you have. People who have seen it will pick up on a lot more. There are some episodes I disliked so much from the first 5 minutes, I was only willing to engage with them in summary, so my comprehension of them is poor, and I could have some details wrong from those episodes.
For the most part, when I don’t like a season of a show, I get annoyed, don’t write fanfic in that season, and move on.
Season 8 of 9-1-1 was different (and to some degree, this applies to season 7 as well). It was full-on character assassination of Eddie, it wasn’t all that kind to Buck in many respects, and tore apart everything I liked about the show.
Worse, it took everything I liked about Buck and Eddie’s friendship, made a mockery of it, and then tried to make it out that they were better for it. I read an article that said that Eddie’s verbal abuse of Buck and the way they bounced back from it showed what great friends they are. Gross. It showed that Buck will just put up with anything without standing up for himself in the end game. And I have nothing good to say about what it said about Eddie.
Don’t even get me started on Bobby’s exit from the show.
The episode that kicked this story off was when Buck decided to show his love and support for Eddie by taking over Eddie’s lease so Eddie was free to leave for Texas. After Eddie’s comments about how he had no more ties in California, I can’t even with that kind of masochism. And the idea of Buck living in a mausoleum of broken family memories was so appalling to me that the episode finished airing, and I was writing this story within an hour or two of finishing my rant about it. I was art claims eligible (40k) within 4 or 5 days. Though I really did think I was going to stop around 50k, so there’s that! (and, of course, by the end of the season, Eddie is back in his house, and Buck has nowhere to live again. Priceless! We all knew that was a bad idea, Tim!). But I added a subplot that took lots of words; next thing you know, it’s nearly 100k.
Boom! Kiss my ass, Season 8!
I get that major fans of Eddie may not like this story, but I fucking redeemed Eddie from season 7 & 8, thank you very much. The fix-its are all over the place. He’s a better father, a better friend, and a better human being than canon gave him the opportunity to be.
It’s scattered throughout the narrative that no one is an angel, and Buck has made mistakes too, but this story is told from his point of view as he tries to get his life back together and stop being so fucking codependent. And it’s told from the point of view of his future romantic partner, who doesn’t see how Buck’s mistakes are the problem. Lou’s allowed to be biased in Buck’s favor 😉
Also, if you’re a fan of Tommy, don’t worry, I’ve got your back. I like Tommy in general, so obviously that weird “competition” thing doesn’t happen in this story. Tommy isn’t the devil (I can’t imagine writing him that way), and things get talked out (ish).
Anyway, I’m not advocating seeing season 8, because it’s awful, but if you haven’t seen it, you won’t have the context to understand just how much is getting fixed here. And how, despite how frustrating he can be in the story at times, where Eddie ends up is light years better than where canon puts him.
In many ways, this started as a fix-it for my hostile feelings towards canon. But actual canon stuff got fixed along the way.
As an aside, I thought I was done with season 8. This was my magnum opus and double bird at the same time. But then that big blow-up at the end of the season. Yeah, Buck needs a 98th act to show Eddie what that would look like, and then he needs to double bird everyone. JFC.
There are some similar elements between this story and my other QB. It’s just a weird coincidence. Most of the writing for SoBH was done before October, I think, and then massive rewrites later. This story was written entirely in March and April of this year, so there were a lot of other projects between the two that are nothing like these.
Anyway, despite how hostile I am about this season of the show, the story is intended to be one of love and hope. I tend to be a little angsty, but there’s a lot of romance in this one despite everything that’s going on.
Hope you enjoy. Stay salty,
-Jilly
Cast Pictures
Music
Regarding Playlist structure:
- Buck and Lou talk about music a lot, and only songs between the two of them are on the playlist
- Songs they mention negatively or jokingly don’t appear in the playlist.
- There are a couple of songs that appear twice, though this is rare.
- In a couple of instances, they talk about a song and then listen to it “on screen” so it appears in the playlist when they listen to it, not when they talk about it. The exception to this is the title song Time of the Season, which is in the playlist both when they talk about it and when it’s played. (I think also Unchained Melody, but that’s because I like the interview version with the Righteous Brothers where they explain their name.)
- This is not intended to be a super “playable” playlist because it reflects what’s mentioned in the story, not what music goes well together.
Special Thanks
Thanks to desertpoet for doing the labor-intensive work of helping me recover the text version of my playlist. I overwrote the list, because I’m a bonehead, and there was no way to recover it, so she did the time-consuming work of combing through the file and finding all the music mentioned. You’re a peach, and I really appreciate it.
My artist, didbuckygetaplum, was so patient as I was dealing with crazy health issues and delivering the story piecemeal and then juggling my duties as the challenge admin. Thanks for putting up with the extra challenge that goes along with being my artist, because I turn into a full-on ditz in May.
Finally, thank you to Ladyholder. I tend to write what’s in me to write, but sometimes you just really need someone to understand what you wrote. I was feeling pretty low about this story when you came along. I really needed someone to get it, and you did. Thank you.
I haven’t read this story yet (obviously) but thank you for putting into words what season 8 did to Buck and Eddie (both individually and their friendship). I honestly just wanted to be really mean to the writers of 9-1-1 when I saw that season finale! And ALL I want is Buck to grow a backbone (a little bit) and stand up for himself and leave the toxic 118 behind!!!
I cannot wait to read this story because of all the reasons you put in your notes. This season felt so horrid so many times. I am desperately hoping they redeem it next season but I’m not actually holding my breath. Take care of yourself.
I adore this story and love and hope are truly at the center of it. I can’t wait for others to get a chance to read it.
I can hardly wait to read this. I agree so much about season 8, it was a felony level crime. At this point I’m very, very seriously considering stop watching the show. Frankly I like the Buck / Lou ship a lot more that the Buck / Tommy ship.
I agree 100% with what you said about this whole season and having this to look forward to is such an effing relief. The writers need to be arrested for character assassination. And this isn’t even the first time that Eddie treated Buck like absolute shit and said horrible things and then decided to act like it was all OK. The writers are utter pricks. I will say I’m surprised you’re generally positive towards Tommy because canon Tommy is kind of a dick. He’s not an evil villain TM or anything but he’s pretty gross all the same. He paid zero attention to Buck when he kept trying to get his attention (apparently, though it was clear he was just mad at being ditched by Eddie, again) but then when went to “apologise” to Buck he saw an opportunity and jumped on it- such a typical fuck boy move. I know nothing about you but hey, an opportunity. Then he basically told Buck that he didn’t know what he wanted. Then he came back and then dumped Buck because he decided that Buck didn’t know what he wanted again (which begs the question, why come back if that’s what he really thought of Buck?). And don’t get me started on the whole “competition” thing. And he said exactly nothing to support Hen or Chim during Garrard’s reign of terror. Overall, not a nice guy. Super unhealthy IMO.
But anyway, I digress. I am so looking forward to this and I LOVE a good Eddie redemption (I loved Rest of Yesterday !!!) and Buck finally deciding do what’s healthy.
There was something in the early dynamic with Tommy that I really enjoyed… I’m not sure I can even articulate it, but they sort of lost the plot once they decided to end the relationship, and they ended it in worst way possible. By that point, I’d given up on Eddie as he’d spiraled into deep dysfunction that will not end before Buck and Tommy got together. And since season 8 was the season of character assassination (honestly, they weren’t kind to Buck either), I figured I’d give Tommy a fix-it too. Especially that “competition” nonsense. That really made him seem like his whole friendship with Eddie was contrived.
Tim Minear said in an interview he didn’t want to do some 1980s style coming out story… I mean, I get you don’t want to retread a well worn path, but sometimes doing something for shock value just comes across as poorly thought out (and your characterization suffers for it, TIM!)
And I’m definitely digressing (and possibly inclined towards a rant…)
Anyway, it’s not a comfortable journey, but I think everyone except Chim and Maddie come out better than they do in canon. (I don’t like Chim and Maddie so unless it serves my plot to keep them whole and happy, they’re gonna have a rough ride)
Honestly, I love your stories because they AREN’T comfortable- no growth is comfortable- but it’s still necessary, important development- not effing shock factor for ratings (shakes first at Minear). But hey apparently poor character development, shock value and unnecessary trauma (and normalising abuse) pass for “high art” in commercial television and writing. Honestly, if the only way to keep ratings up is to constantly cause character turmoil and/or kill off someone, then they should have ended it SEASONS ago. And honestly, I think they should have. S6 onwards was just….what even was that? I hate what they’ve done to all of them and you’re right- this season Buck didn’t come out fabulously either. (The Arc of Assassination, I’m calling it).
Also, 100% agree with you on Chim and Maddie and I hate that so few stories address their issues. There is plenty of outright bashing, or else adulation and excusing their actions, but very little honest analysis of WHY their behaviour is so toxic (another reason I love your fics) . Honestly, the only one I care about at the 118 is Eddie, because Buck deserves to have his friend, who TREATS HIM THE WAY HE DESERVES. And because I liked early seasons Eddie. Everyone else improving or whatever…eh. Optional extra.
I’ll be honest- I was in an abusive relationship for years and several toxic and abusive friendships that stayed almost a decade after I left the arsehole and SO MUCH of the behaviour I’ve seen on 9-1-1 (and NCIS and about 12 million other shows- what kind of people ARE these writers? Are their families ok?) is so enormously triggering. That fight and that HORRIFIC comment about the 97 tragedies- what the actual FUCK? After the horrible traumatic life Minear gave Buck? And Eddie’s lacklustre response to most of it ? Literally made me feel ill to see any character’s friend, let alone their supposed best friend, speak to them that way. Normalising this crap in popular culture is SO dangerous. Argh, I ranted again! Anyway, this is my terribly long-winded way of saying that I am excited to read this and it will absolutely be my therapy for S8 and then I am going back to early seasons where I live (and Eddie Diaz lives, thank you. Not whomever the fuck that was in s8).
Shows have got to stop normalizing abuse for shock value. It’s just not something we want people to think is a typical thing to have in their relationship is someone being physically aggressive. So I’m with you on the rant (though this response missed me entirely until I was just now going through my email).
Sorry to hear you had to go through something so wretched. It does give you a laser pinpoint view of what toxic behaviors look like. Even in their earliest, most “innocent” stages. Blergh.
It’s also a good point how Eddie (and almost everyone) has almost no response to Buck’s past. But, then again, the show normalizes shitty parenting too.
I’ll just live in fandom where I can make everyone go to therapy and act decent!
OMG yes! THANK YOU. ALL OF THIS. I swear, Tim Minear needs to leave. Clearly the only thing he can write to try to get ratings is Horrible Life Events Followed by Eddie Abusing Buck. Also, someone is likely to die. In S3 it was Shannon, and now it’s Bobby. Apparently that means that Eddie can say whatever horrible shit he wants, be a selfish dick and refuse to see how his actions affect anyone but him (and yet again, especially Buck and Chris) and then lash out at Buck because despite multiple years of therapy, apparently he still hasn’t learned how to regulate and process, and lashing out at Buck is his emotional outlet.
The thing that pissed me off in the early seasons is still here- Buck literally bending over backwards to help EVERYONE, and especially Eddie, even when it literally broke his heart that Eddie left right after Tommy dumped him, went above and beyond to support him, and even LIVED IN HIS DAMN HOUSE (I am with you, that was HORRIFIC), and Eddie can’t deal with the guilt of Bobby dying while he was in Texas so naturally, calling Buck selfish when he has literally just given up and isn’t asking for anything from anybody…what the FUCK. Oh, but now it’s all fine again. And everyone- including Oliver Stark- talking about “I want to see more mature Buck.” As though his reactions aren’t part of being human- he’s a child. But anyone else making a mistake, reacting, feeling or whatever? TOTALLY ADULT. Apparently. Argh. I can’t wait to read this because I need your therapeutic and ADULT redemption of what was the best friendship on 9-1-1 and Buck finally moving on from the 118 (which will apparently be led the guy who bullied, then assaulted him and then married his sister. So), that’s cool.) . Then I will put the horrors of season 8 behind me. And stick to your early season happiness before I wanted to write an Essay on Why Tim Minear is A Terrible Writer.
Also glad the Tommy stuff is gone Abe sorted- he wasn’t like, evil, but he was a dick a lot of the time and he needs to own that and do better. I love your work because it seems that canon in just about anything these days is fucking traumatising.
We love you!
I mean, I honestly thought i was done with season 8 after writing this until I saw the finale, and then I started writing Buck full-on leaving after Eddie’s little “trials and tribulations of Evan Buckley in 97 acts” speech. Gah. I swear, the writers need a hiatus from the show, go back and watch season 5-8, see how Eddie just circles the drain, how all the characters just fall apart in season 8, how they normalize abuse between friends, and see if they really think this okay. Sometimes, you’re just too close to something.
Tommy is an interesting case because I think multiple interpretations of him are legit and I can read them, but what I struggle with is how little sense there is to his actions. It just doesn’t hold together well for me. So, of course, I had to try to put some reason behind it. I’m sure I’m not the first person to some up with the reasons behind his behavior that I explore in this story, but I think understanding why someone does something is important to them being empathetic as a character. Tommy was all over the place characterization wise in s8… to the point it was like getting whiplash.
Once I write Buck moving away, I can then go back to living in season 2-4. my happy place. Because season 7-8 is not it. Not my Eddie. (Who even is that guy?)
Anyway, I didn’t expect to enjoy writing Lou/Buck as much as I did, but I really, really had fun with it. So that will probably be my go-to for post s6 stories, even if my goal is to put my blinders on and start pretending like the show stopped at s4.
Oooh so there will be another fic after this one?? With Buck leaving??? One is intrigued! I LOATHED that horrid 97 acts remark- it was vile. The kind of thing someone says to deliberately hurt someone who is already vulnerable. I have to ask though- will Eddie be redeeming himself in this one? Totally valid if not but the final dissolution of what was a close friendship (and throwing the relationship with Chris into the mix) is something very painful for me for personal reasons so I tend to avoid it. Also, Buck deserves Eddie to care enough to own up, do better and stop being a…whatever the hell that was in S8 so I tend to look for that in trying to process or (if you’ll forgive the term) therapise my poor brain after that terrible season, before I got back to the earlier stuff and stay in my happy Delulu land.
Totally get what you mean re Tommy not making sense- he was SO all over the place. But then, honestly, most of that season was entirely illogical and all over the place. Shock value wins once more. (Don’t even get me started on Minear trying to convince everyone that he killed Bobby off because it was “realistic in their line of work.” Really, Tim? How many laboratories do you think firefighters usually catch evil modified plague in? He couldn’t even write something vaguely BELIEVABLE. Ffs.). But fwiw, I really like the idea of the Lou/Buck for post s-6 stuff- it really appeals, after everything that happened to Lou as well (because why not share the tragedy).
Oooo well that’s my Sunday entertainment sorted 🙂
I’m already looking forward to this story so much! And it’ll be posted right before a very busy week for me. Guess I’ll have to get up very early a few days to get some reading time in.
I agree that season 8 ruined Eddie. I haven’t seen everything, but I read a lot about it and there’s just some incredible level bullshit going on … I’m not even sure if they can ever fix it and it’s sad…
I love this pairing though and there aren’t enough fics with them so I’m counting the hours until I can read this!
Catastrophic and horrific and I don’t know what other terrible adjective for season 8.
Like I feel like they just need to make season 8 a whole coma dream or something because it needs to be undone.
Either that or we need to find out that a Eddie has a brain tumor to explain this isht.
I don’t actually watch the show (like with TW!) so everything I know is from reading people’s fic fixes. It sounds like the writers/show runner have been really cruel this season, which is awful for viewers. It’s one reason I actually struggle to invest in TV these days, because as I’ve aged my tolerance for seeing beloved characters treated badly has plummeted. There’s enough RL sadness, I want TV to take me away & I firmly believe that *can* be achieved with good drama that doesn’t mean putting the faves through the wringer.
Anyway, I know your version of events will be 100% better, Jilly. Thanks in advance.
I really think the whole thing is a way for them to separate themself of the idea of Buddie after they had Buck being bi. People got really happy with the sotyr and ready to push what was floating in the internet about them but I think Guzman is not on board, so why not make it that people don’t want them together anymore. It would be so much better if they could be the best of friends even if one of them is bi/gay/whatever. Wave, saying we see what fans want but it won’t happen, so let’s go halfway. Buck gets his guy and keeps being friends with Eddie and a dad for Chris. But noooo, let’s bomb that friendship to kingdom come!
I had to wait a day to process before I felt I could write this review. I just had that many feels.
Number one – this was an amazing story. No caveats or “I wish you had gone… blah blah”, this was amazing and perfect. I’ve fallen behind in my watching of 9-1-1, so I haven’t seen the season but I knew about the issues and am thrilled with both the redemption and non-redemptions because they fit with the way those characters had been portrayed in previous seasons and made sense going forward.
Number two – now I have a new pairing I have to troll AO3 for. Dammit. There goes sleep.
Number three – this is wholly unintentional on your part, but your portrayal of the impact of music in this story made me feel validated. I’m a music therapist by profession and how Buck and Lou use music to process and interact with each other, their experiences, and the world around them is exactly what I try to get my patients to do.
So, yeah. Thank you so much for witing this. Truly a beautiful story.