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Every family has their own traditions when it comes to the holidays. Sometimes these traditions are bestowed upon you, generation after generation sharing recipes and decorations and celebrations. Sometimes new traditions are created, spouses and children bringing their own twist. Living alone for so long, Buck didn’t hold on to most of the holiday traditions his parents used to have. Sure, he celebrated New Year’s and tried to cook something nice for himself at Christmas, but the real traditions faded away. That all started to change around Christmas…
1. Christmas
This Christmas, Bobby and Athena had urged him to join their family. Bobby was cooking a whole feast with the kids helping out when Athena opened the door to let Buck in their home. The entire foyer was beautifully decorated with light strung along the railing and down the stairs. On the fireplace there were a bunch of stockings, including one at the end with ‘BUCK’ written on it. Upon seeing it, Buck walks up to it and looks into it to see multiple small wrapped presents. A hand lands upon his shoulder and he looks to his side to see Athena next to him.
“You always have a family here, Buck.”
2. New year’s eve
For New Year’s Eve Buck found himself at Maddie and Chim’s place. It would be their first year with Jee-Yun and they invited Buck to celebrate the new year with them. There was a lot of food, maybe too much alcohol for the new parents and a lot of fun was had. Maddie and Chimney swore to make kissing Jee-Yun at midnight their new tradition, if they would still remember it next year.
Yet, Buck wondered if he’d ever get something like this for himself. Celebrating the new year with his family. Of course, Maddie is his family, he loves her dearly. But it’s not the same as having your own family, your own kids, creating your own traditions. He misses having someone to kiss when the clock strikes midnight.
When the clock did eventually strike midnight, Buck made a new year’s resolution. This year he would do something about his growing feelings for Eddie. This year would be different, whatever the outcome.
3. Easter
A few months later, Buck found himself at Hen and Karen’s place for Easter. Together with Denny they painted eggs before Hen and Karen went out in the backyard to hide them so Denny and Buck could have a competition on who found the most eggs.
Buck had a lot of fun, though he did feel a pang of sadness when Denny commented on Christopher not being able to join. Eddie and Christopher had already decided to visit family for Easter and Buck missed having them around.
4. Halloween
On Halloween, Buck was home alone. He was lounging on his couch trying to decide which horror movie to watch when he heard someone knocking on his door. When he opened the door, there was a very adorable looking small Superman with a very handsome looking Captain America next to him. Christopher beamed up at him and spoke at the same time as Eddie, clearly practiced, “Trick or treat!”.
Buck ended up going through all his cabinets digging out whatever treats he could find.
5. Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was a big affair this year, with the entire crew meeting up at Bobby and Athena’s place. Buck had brought (store bought, sorry to disappoint) cookies and everyone else brought something as well while Bobby prepared the turkey. Buck took his seat next to Eddie, which had become customary over the last year. Whether they were at home, at the firehouse, or all gathered together like now, Buck’s place was next to Eddie.
Bobby cut the turkey and all hell broke loose with everyone asking for food to be passed along and everyone animatedly talking.
+1. Christmas Eve
The week before Christmas, Eddie had asked Buck if he wanted to come over on Christmas Eve. Not knowing what to expect and remembering his new year’s resolution all those months ago, Buck was rather nervous on his way towards Eddie’s place. His time to act on his resolution was running out. Getting out of his car, he saw Eddie already leaning against the doorframe. And he looked gorgeous, wearing a maroon buttoned shirt with dark jeans underneath. Buck immediately felt very underdressed in his casual sweater.
Once they were inside, Eddie led Buck to the large Christmas tree in the living room where quite a few presents were stashed underneath and where Christopher was waiting, not at all too patiently.
“Can I open this now?” Christopher asked, shaking the wrapped present he was holding.
Eddie explained to Buck how they both wanted to wait with opening the first present until Buck had arrived. The words itself were left unsaid, but for the first time, Buck felt like he belonged to a family. Together with Eddie he watched as Christopher happily unwrapped his very first Christmas present.
Later that evening, with Christopher already put to bed, Eddie once more moved towards the Christmas tree and grabbed a present which he handed to Buck.
“I got you a present as well. You can open it now, if you want.” Eddie’s voice was slightly shaky and he was wringing his hands together in a nervous motion. Buck just smiled and started unwrapping his present. What he saw was not at all what he expected.
In his hands was a picture frame, with a picture taken of the three of them during Thanksgiving at Bobby and Athena’s place. Buck and Eddie are both on Christopher’s side, both with an arm around him and they are all smiling widely. Buck immediately had a big smile on his face, seeing this picture, remembering the moment the picture was taken.
He looked up to look at Eddie, who was smiling and looking slightly embarrassed.
“I hope you like it. When Athena sent me this picture I… couldn’t help noticing how happy we all looked. And I want you to know, I- no we, we think of you as family, Buck. I want you to be a part of this family.” Eddie was blushing now, he looked to be struggling to get the words out.
“Eddie… I’d love nothing more.” Buck took a step forward and wrapped his arms around Eddie’s shoulders.
“I kind of promised myself I would tell you something this year.” Buck mumbled on Eddie's shoulder. Eddie stepped backwards, just a bit so they could look at each other again.
“Eddie. I’m in love with you. Have been for a while. I’d love to be a part of your family but… I can’t ignore these feelings anymore.” Eddie just smiled, hearing Buck’s confession.
There, in Eddie’s living room, in front of the Christmas tree, with the picture frame still clutched in his hand, they had their first kiss. The start of many, many new traditions for the both of them.