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The next day, Eddie and Buck have their first shift since they finally tumbled their way into a relationship . The last seventy two hours have been blissful, but reality waits for no one.
Earlier at breakfast, Buck had sat Eddie down and admitted that still he wanted to wait a few days before telling the team. The 118 crew is his family. His loud, affectionate, observant, and deeply invested family. Buck knows Eddie is right, and they would probably be supportive. But he can already picture it, Hen’s knowing looks, Ravi’s ribbing, Chimney’s one liners, the inevitable chorus of told you so that would follow him for weeks. The thought of having something this new and tender immediately dissected by people who love him makes his chest tighten. He wants time. Time to let this settle into something solid before it becomes public.
But it is not just the team that makes him hesitate.
Buck’s insecurities are quieter now, but they still whisper in the back of his mind. Everything feels new. Fragile in a way that makes him want to cup it carefully between his hands. He loves Eddie. He knows that with a certainty that startles him. Eddie has told him he loves him too, and it feels real, solid, like something he could build a life on.
And yet.
Tommy’s words echo in his brain, like the devil on his shoulders, feeding his insecurities. And when Buck lets that voice talk, it isn’t just Tommy. It's his parents, his past relationships, Eddie’s angry words said over the years.
Buck hates that the thought even exists, hates how it dulls the edge of his happiness, but he cannot pretend it isn’t there.
Yet, his confidence in Eddie is growing, fed by every look, every touch, every unguarded moment of softness they have shared. Still, thirty years of fear lingers. A deep, ingrained worry that if this becomes public too fast, too soon, it could shatter before Buck has time to be sure it will hold.
Eddie had looked like a kid who had just been told he couldn’t open his Christmas presents yet when Buck asked to wait, disappointment flashing across his face, but he agreed anyway, promising to keep it under wraps at work as best he could.
They had asked Chris to hold off too, framing it as something just for their family for now. Chris had rolled his eyes in long suffering teenage fashion and muttered something about how he agrees, but he doubts they will be able to keep it a secret long anyways, which does not help Buck breathe a little easier.
Still, as they pull up to the station, Buck can feel the nerves humming under his skin. The team might be family, but this family notices everything. He just psyches himself up, he will just have to stick to his normal routine, no deviations.
Just be normal. Buck pleads with himself as he walks up to the loft, Eddie a few steps behind him.
As the team settles in at the table at the start of shift, Buck sits down next to Eddie, handing him a coffee the way he secretly likes it, extra sweet. Hen asks the team how their long weekend was.
“Really good, how are yours?” Eddie responds smoothly, while Buck fumbles for words. If he didn’t know how badly it had messed up Eddie, he would be super jealous how easily Eddie can slip on his mask and blend. Eddie would say he was a good compartmentalizer, Buck would secretly say he is a bit repressed.
He loses track of the conversation briefly, lost in thought about Eddie and what he might have hid over the years, until he is brought back by Chimney asking, “What did you do this weekend Buck? I thought you would stop by to see Danny and Jee like normal, I was surprised when you didn’t. Finally getting a social life outside of my toddlers?”
Buck knows that Chimney is just teasing, but it just reminds him how adrift he had been lately before Eddie threw him into a brand new orbit. He smiles secretly despite himself.
“Uhh, just hung out with Chris and Eddie. Got caught up with some projects around the house. You know me, I get easily hyperfixated.” Buck responds. This time, his hyperfixation was on Eddie, specifically his mouth and cock, but obviously he wasn’t going to say that part outloud.
“Oh. Did you tour any more apartments? I still have that one unit opening up soon, like we talked about, if you are interested,” Ravi jumps in.
Next to him at the table, Eddie’s face pinches into a scowl. Buck bumps his knee against Eddie’s grounding him. “Not this weekend. Thank you, I’ll let you know if I need it,” Buck responds politely, but trying to dismiss the topic.
The conversation moves on to Hen’s weekend, Mara’s extracurriculars, and so on. Once there is a lull in the conversation, Buck’s eyes meet Eddie's, who flicks his head towards the bunk room before getting up. Buck waits a few seconds.
As soon as he steps through the door, Eddie has him pushed up against the wall. His arms are on bracketing either side of Buck’s head. “Tell me you aren’t thinking about moving still.” Eddie demands.
“I mean, we haven’t really talked about it…” Buck starts.
Eddie leans in, his voice lowering to the timber that melts Buck’s brain, “No, Buck. I made it pretty clear from the get go. I want you. I want you to stay. You belong in our house. I’m still convinced we need to buy a new mattress, but you belong in my bed. So why do you still seem confused, baby?”
Buck feels like his brain is going static. “Humph,” he mumbles incoherently. It doesn’t seem to matter that Eddie finds a way to flirt with him in every other sentence now, or that once upon a time Buck was the one who knew what to say to make people blush. It gives him butterflies each and every time Eddie declares his intent, no one’s ever made him feel so desired in his life.
“We have been dating for just over 72 hours, it feels a little fresh to be living together. What if you want some space?” Buck says, doubtfully.
Eddie raises an eyebrow, “When have I ever wanted space from you?”
Buck gives a bitter laugh that sounds more like a sigh, “Oh, I don’t know, Eddie. How about all the months since you moved back from Texas? I feel like you were always at Hen and Karen’s, or pick up basketball, or running errands, or finding an excuse to get out of the house.”
Eddie steps closer, “Sunshine, I was speed running a sexuality crisis about my best friend after finally being brave enough to admit it to myself out loud. Hen and Karen were basically my gay sounding boards and sages. I was working up to tell you how I felt anyways, but then Tommy kinda jumped started the process for me. But now that I am not nervous about accidentally outing myself by choking on cereal when you walk around without a shirt on, you better believe I will be in the house more.”
“I do understand, but I missed you, I kinda felt like you were pulling away from me,” Buck says, leaning his head against Eddie’s shoulder. “And that really freaked me out.”
“I am sorry I made you feel that way, I never want you to doubt your place in mine or Chris’s life,” Eddie says, kissing his forehead. Buck melts a bit at the soft affection, sometimes he wishes he could spend the rest of his life in Eddie’s arms.
“I know, sweetheart. You know me though, I just get in my head,” Buck lets himself be vulnerable, “I have spent half my life trying and failing to fill the shoes of someone I didn’t even know existed, and my adult life trying to be worth people wanting to stick around. It's not that I doubt you really, it's more that I doubt myself.”
Buck likes the way Eddie always blushes when he calls him sweetheart.
“I know, baby. And I will keep showing up until you believe that I want you. That I am here to stay as long as you will have me. What do you need me to do to show you that you're mine? Do you need me to mark you up?” Eddie asks, nipping at Buck’s neck, sucking the skin between his teeth. Buck feels a shiver go down his spine. Eddie pushes closer until Buck can feel his body heat through their uniforms.
“Do you need to mark me instead?” Eddie says, tilting his head to offer Buck full access to his neck. Buck can’t help but grab his lips along Eddie’s pulse point. Eddie lets him continue to lick and bite for a few seconds before he pulls back.
“Do you need me to lay you out, and kiss every part of your skin until there is no part of you that hasn’t been touched by me? Do you need me to erase all the memories of everyone who is filling you with these doubts?” Eddie stares into his eyes. Like he is starting into Buck’s very soul. His gaze is so earnest and open.
Buck feels his knees give a bit. Eddie just takes more of his weight, not letting Buck go.
“Do you need me to open you up with my fingers until you're a withering mess? Edge you until you agree to admit that you are worthy of love,” Eddie teases. Buck whines, all his blood rushing south at the image.
Buck surges up to try to kiss Eddie, and Eddie meets him, crashing their mouths together. Eddie’s teeth sting his lips before he pulls Buck’s uniform away, kissing over the hollow of his throat, before biting firmly onto Buck’s collarbone. The bit of pain quickly melts into pleasure for him. Eddie’s hand drops down to cup Buck’s rapidly hardening cock, providing a pressure for Buck to rut against.
Eddie stretches the t-shirt down so far Buck, he hears the fabric tear. He is not sure it will be salvageable. Definitely not presentable. He swirls his tongue around one of Buck's nipples, before taking it gently between his teeth and tugging. There's something wild, or primal, and possessive about the way Eddie's touching him.
"Eddie," he gasps, clutching at the back of Eddie's head. "Eddie, oh, fuck-"
“I have waited such a long time to have you,” Eddie says, looking up at Buck with a wet mouth and blown-out eyes, “And I am not letting you go now.” He switches over to torture the other side, littering bruises across Buck’s pecks.
Buck whimpers. He ruts against Eddie’s hand, hips twitching and thighs trembling as he rumbles towards an orgasm. “The way you moan my name, so cock drunk, like it's the only thing you can think to say…”
Eddie’s hand shifts to Buck’s hips as he manhandles Buck into a slightly different position, with his back leaning further against the wall, knees bent slightly. Buck just lets it happen. Then Eddie grinds up, dragging their hips together at just the right angle, hard, slow and filthy. Eddie finds a steady rhythm.
“Eddie…” Buck sobs, grabbing at his back, desperately trying to pull him closer. He feels himself leaking into his jeans. The rough texture of the pants rubbing together isn’t as pleasurable as skin, a bit too dry and choppy, but Buck finds the tightness working down his back regardless.
“I’ve got you, baby. Just let go,” Eddie commands softly, his expression ravenous.
Buck is so close, but then he can hear a muffled voice talking right outside the bunk room.
And what a wake-up call it is. They are basically fucking with their clothes on in a public space. Buck huffs, throwing his back against the wall. So much for sticking to routine and being normal.
Eddie quickly tries to help straight out Buck’s shirt. It's a lost cause with how hard Eddie yanked on it. Buck starts to panic, but Eddie just steps back to take off his own sweatshirt and hands it to Buck. The sweatshirt says “Diaz” across the back, but the team probably won’t question it as it's definitely not the first time they have shared clothes. The sweatshirt is snug across his chest and smells like Eddie’s cologne. Buck loves it.
Buck is trying to pull the sweatshirt down over his crotch and will away his hard on while taking a few steps away from Eddie. There is nothing he can do about how flushed he is. Or how swollen his lips probably are. Right as he steps away, Ravi walks into the bunk room.
“Oh hey guys,” Ravi says, clearly picking up on something going on as he looks between Eddie and Buck with wide eyes, “Chimney handed out chores for the day, and I figured I would pass the message along. But I can come back later if now's not a good time?”
“It's fine,” Buck says, shooting one glance at Eddie, “What do we have?”
Ravi fills them in on their chores, Eddie needs to restock with Hen and Buck has kitchen duty. Buck looks around as he walks up to the loft, waiting for someone to call them out on the fact that they disappeared from the group only to come back in each other's clothes. Or the fact that Buck’s lips are clearly swollen with a bit of beard burn. Buck is sure one of them is going to say something. Ask invasive questions or put two and two together.
But Hen and Chimney just share a suspicious look amongst themselves like Can you believe these two? before separating onto their tasks.. Ravi stares at Buck for too long, but Buck just tries to ignore him.
Buck starts prepping the chicken for lunch, letting his mind drift as he moves through the familiar rhythm of seasoning and trimming. He is just about to slide the pan into the oven when a familiar, chipper voice carries in from the bay.
“Wow. I leave Chimney in charge, and all of a sudden the engine has scuffs. Maybe I retired too early.”
“It wouldn’t matter if this station was actually crumbling, you are not unretiring, Robert,” Athena says, teasing but firm.
Buck grins, washing his hands quickly, a burst of excitement lighting up his chest. He has missed Bobby more than he realized. Knowing he is back from vacation feels like a small piece clicking back into place.
He starts toward the bay, already smiling, and then it hits him.
There is absolutely no way he is going to hide this from Bobby. Not for long. Bobby has always been able to read him like an open book, like a father in all the ways that matter. Buck has never been good at keeping things from him, especially things that make him this happy.
The realization sends a nervous shiver up his spine, his hands trembling just a little. Excitement and anxiety tangle together in his chest, impossible to separate. Besides Maddie, Bobby’s opinion means more to him than anyone’s. The thought of Bobby seeing straight through him is terrifying. But the thought of Bobby seeing him happy, seeing him with Eddie, makes his heart race in a different way entirely. Buck takes a steadying breath, bracing himself as he heads toward the bay, nerves buzzing and excitement blooming all at once.
“Buck,” Bobby says affectionately, enveloping him into a warm hug. Bobby squeezes him tight, and doesn’t let go for a while. Buck can tell Bobby still hasn’t recovered to quite the same muscle mass or weight as before the incident. Buck feels a little teary eyed. The lab incident still feels too fresh. Almost losing Bobby, and all the fallout still causes him to wake up in a panic some nights.
Eventually Bobby pulls back, “I missed you. How are you? How have things been?”
“Oh, you know, same old!” Buck says vaguely, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck. “How was your vacation? I want details,” Buck tries to redirect.
“Our first vacation of retirement was lovely. A relief to be away from all the craziness of LA for a while,” Athena jumps in, also leaning over to give Buck a warm hug. Buck soaks it in, Athena’s hugs feel so safe.
Buck can feel Bobby’s eyes flickering across his back as he hugs Athena. “That’s great, what were your favorite excursions?”
Athena launches into stories of their vacation as the rest of the crew notices the visitors and comes over to greet them. Hen hugs Athena so tight, Bobby teases Chimney, Ravi even jumps in with some comments, but Buck can tell Eddie is hanging back. He stands a few feet back, on the fringes of the conversation.
“I need to go check on lunch,” Buck says, “Make sure we have enough food for 2 extra guests.”
The whole team laughs at that, Buck is notorious for making enough to have plenty of leftovers for when there isn’t time to cook. He learned from Bobby after all.
“Actually, make that 5 guests. Maddie and the kids are stopping by for lunch too,” Chimney calls after him. The rest of the team perks up at that. Bobby remarks how excited he is to see how much Danny has grown.
Meanwhile, Buck just sighs. For months all he has wanted was for the team to feel like a family again, but everyone showing up hours into a 48 where he is trying to keep his new relationship under wraps, was less than ideal. It’s like too much of a good thing, so he feels silly complaining, but maintaining a lie with that many nosy people will be impossible.
He bumps shoulder with Eddie on his way up, Eddie making some excuse to follow him, “I’m going to help Buck out.” As if the team isn’t very aware that Eddie is at best a bad cook, at worst a danger in the kitchen.
The team waves at them, already wrapped up in Athena’s grand stories of their European explorations.
Once they have a bit more privacy in the loft, Buck assesses Eddie whispering, “Are you okay? You seemed a bit stiff with Bobby.”
Eddie whispers back, “I just wasn’t expecting to have Bobby here today. I feel a bit like I defiled his son and he is going to see right through me. Even though we are two consenting adults in our thirties.”
“Right? You're telling me?” Buck groans, “And now Maddie is coming?”
“There is no way we keep this under wraps, but we will try, for your sake. I know this is important to you,” Eddie says gently. As if recommitting to their crazy plan while simultaneously trying to warn Buck there is no way it works.
Buck just sends Eddie a thankful smile.
“And what are you Diaz boys whispering about?” Bobby says from a few feet away.
Holy shit. Buck about jumps out of his skin. Wait, what? Did Bobby figure them out in less than twenty minutes? How?
Buck and Eddie both stare at Bobby with open mouths, gaping like fish. Buck feels like his heart is pumping so hard that Bobby could hear it.
“Are you both okay? I was just making a joke about Buck’s sweatshirt,” Bobby says with an amused smirk.
“Oh righhhhht, ha, Buck was cold earlier so he borrowed my sweatshirt,” Eddie says, aiming for smooth and missing by a mile.
“Yeah, you know me, always cold,” Buck pipes in, not helping the situation at all.
“Right,” Bobby says trying to hide his smile, “I just came up here to see if Buck wanted any help cooking.” Fixing a gaze straight at Eddie that made it clear he clearly wasn’t going to be a helpful sous chef.
“Sure, I am just making your chicken marsala recipe. You could help me prep the mashed potatoes, the asparagus, or the salad,” Buck says, as his heart starts to regulate itself again.
“Sure, I’ll wash up and start,” Bobby says, slipping past the two of them into the kitchen.
“What do you want me to do?” Eddie asks.
“Just sit there and look pretty,” Buck says, his mouth getting ahead of his brain. Eddie just stares at him, blushing a bit as Bobby clears his throat.
Off to a great start.
“How are you and Chris adjusting to being back in LA?” Bobby asks.
Eddie takes a seat at the island as he responds, "It's been good. Chris and I are finally feeling like we are back on more solid ground. He and I are both happy to be back, Texas was not a good environment for us, but neither of us was admitting it to each other. We just needed a nudge to get us back where we belong.”
“I’m glad, and I am sure the whole team is happy you are back,” Bobby says kindly, staring directly at Buck as he says it.
Buck ducks his head to avoid eye contact, busying himself with cleaning up his prep area, ignoring Bobby’s quiet chuckle.
“Though I am surprised that both your backs haven’t given out from sleeping on the couch, I thought Athena and I would have gotten a housewarming invitation from Buck by now,” Bobby says. Buck would believe he was genuinely sympathetic to his plight if it wasn’t for the twinkle in his eye.
“We have been making it work,” Buck reassures him, “Besides, the couch is pretty comfortable.” He says like he has spent any time in the last few months sleeping on it instead of sharing a bed with Eddie.
Bobby shakes his head, amused. “I’m sure.”
“And Eddie, how has transitioning to EMT been?” Bobby asks over his shoulder as he cuts the lettuce.
“Good, Hen is a wealth of knowledge and she has been teaching me so much. And it's been both stressful and fun to work more hands on with the patients. I mean, I definitely miss doing heavy rescues with Buck, but I like being able to provide medical care as well. Reminds me of my army days,” Eddie responds easily, Buck can tell from how he loosens his shoulders that he is happy to no longer be talking about their living situation.
“I’m sure she has been an amazing resource for you, are you finding your rhythm as partners?” Bobby asks.
Buck can’t help but roll his eyes at that, are they ever. Until recently, it was making Buck spiral how easily Eddie adjusted to working with Hen. It seemed so seamless, like two peas in a pod. It made Buck really question if what him and Eddie had for years was even special. Or if Eddie just has that kinda chemistry with all his work partners.
“Really good,” Eddie says, missing Buck’s eyeroll. “We really have been clicking.”
Bobby sure doesn’t. “And what about you and Ravi?”
“We are nothing like the wonder twins, but we are finding our groove,” Buck says, trying for a joke to hide his petty jealousy.
“Damn, right we are,” Ravi says, entering the conversation. Slinging an arm over Buck’s shoulder. Eddie’s eyes focus like daggers on where Ravi’s hand is touching Buck.
Buck does not restrain his second eye roll in as many minutes. Really, really nailing this.
But Ravi and Buck are finding their groove, I mean there are still some mishaps where Buck assumes that Ravi will take a certain position or automatically grab a specific tool. But that's normal coworker stuff. And Ravi has been there for him when a lot of the team hasn’t. To grab a bite to eat, to get a drink, to play some Mario Kart. And Ravi has picked up on how touch starved Buck is, and has given him boosts in little ways.
In a very platonic coworker way, Buck tries to convey this in his eyes to Eddie who looks like he is trying to burn a hole in Ravi’s hand.
Ravi looks at Eddie and then slowly pulls his hand away like he is backing away from a tiger, Bobby clears his throat in a way that sounds suspiciously like a laugh. Ravi and Bobby share a glance and start to catch up as Buck finishes cooking.
Eddie doesn’t move from his spot or join in the conversation, seeming lost in his own head.
“Lunch is almost ready, do you want to set the table Eddie?” Buck says, trying to break him out of his weird behavior.
“Oh… yah sure,” Eddie says, moving on autopilot. Buck tries to wrack his brain on what might be wrong with Eddie. Besides their obvious inability to play it cool.
And they haven’t even faced the inquisition yet, and by that, Buck means the police sergeant and his super intuitive sister.
Speaking of, Buck hears the pitter patter of Jee making her way up the stairs.
He quickly wipes off his hands and makes sure everything is turned off before turning around, kneeing down, and opening his arms, ready to pick her up and spin her in a circle. Her smile is bright as she giggles. Buck’s smile hurts, it's so big.
“Uncle Buck!” she cries, heading like a homing pigeon straight towards him. Until she sees Eddie, and instantly turns to change directions.
And then Eddie has an armful of Jee in his arms as he spins around. “Uncle Eddie, it's been foreeeeever since I have seen you. Why don’t you ever come over with Uncle Buck? Mom says that Buck has separation anxiety. Our neighbor's dog also has that, so we sometimes stop by to keep her company when they are gone.”
Eddie lets out a surprised laugh. Meanwhile, Buck’s face turns bright red at the accusation. Buck can’t believe the betrayals that are adding up. First, his favorite girl in the whole world chose Eddie over him. Then, his own sister told Jee that he has separation anxiety. Probably included in some joke about him being a golden retriever.
Maddie, who is walking up the stairs slowly, carrying Danny, has the tact to at least look a little ashamed under her small smile.
“Hello, sister,” Buck says sarcastically, “So nice to see you today.” But he reaches out to envelop Maddie and Danny in a hug regardless. Happily taking Danny as Maddie hands him over.
Jee squirms to be put down, and once her feet are on the ground, she makes her way over to Buck and gently pats his leg. “It’s okay, Uncle Buck.”
Buck reaches down and grabs her in his second arm, kissing her head at her obvious attempt at comforting him. To ease his separation anxiety. Buck just smiles, happy to have his favorite niece and nephew in his arms.
He catches Eddie’s eyes, which have softened into something explicitly fond. The deep brown recesses of them make him look a bit bambi-esque. Buck can’t help but hope their future will give them a few little ones, but it's much too early to be thinking about. Buck wonders if Eddie is thinking about the same thing. They get lost in each other until Bobby is yet again clearing his throat.
Dammit.
“Prehaps we should eat?” Bobby asks.
“Yes, let’s!” Maddie says, clapping her hands. Maddie takes Jee to the sink to wash her hands and Buck lets himself be distracted with Danny while he tries to refocus.
After all the food is brought to the table, Buck and Eddie find themselves sitting next to each other. They brush their hands against each other, a little reassurance in the dumpster fire that they can still maybe pull this off.
Athena sits at one of the heads of the table, “So I hear a few people have big news to share…”.
Buck almost spits out the drink of water he just took. Ravi and Eddie both go to pat Buck’s back, even though they are EMT trained and know that it does nothing, but jump when they accidentally touch each other's hands. Eddie grumbles something under his breath.
Hen pipes in, “Yes, Karen’s aerospace program got a new major grant from some billionaire. And she is finally going to be able to work on her dream program. Plus it's a hefty pay bump, so we are going to go on an anniversary trip, maybe to some of those places you just showed me pictures of Athena.”
Everyone calls outs their congratulations to Hen to pass onto Karen.
Athena looks around the table waiting for whoever she thinks is going next, Buck feels himself sweat when she briefly meets his eyes.
“Well, I just heard I won the bid on my next four plex. Which means, like I said Buck, I will have some units available soon. Some of them definitely need some work, but I got it for a steal under market value because of it,” Ravi jumps in.
“Oh yay, capitalism!” Chimney teases.
“Hey, there is a big difference between being an ethical landlord and a big bank buying up all the single family homes in a neighborhood,” Ravi complains.
“We know,” Buck reassures him. Ravi has infodumped on ethical rental practices many times. “We are proud of you! Congrats!”
“Anyone else?” Athena asks, yet again staring at Buck.
“Uh, nothing new here.” Buck says, not meeting her eyes. He looks to his left at Ravi instead, who is grinning like a cat who got the canary for no reason at all, eyes full of mirth.
“Mhmm,” she says, but lets Maddie move the conservation back to Hen’s anniversary trip.
Eddie grabs Buck’s hand subtly under the table, and gives him a brief squeeze. Buck tries to keep breathing, thinking maybe the worst is over.
Until Maddie turns her sites on Buck, “So Josh mentioned to me one of his friends saw your instagram profile recently, and they got to talking about you, and we think it would be a really great blind date. What do you think?”
The table goes completely silent. Deadly. Everyone is staring at Buck. He feels a cold sweat run down his back. Eddie’s hand regrips Buck’s so hard it feels like he might lose circulation.
“Oh, I’m not interested, but tell Josh thank you,” Buck declines quickly.
Come on. Why is this happening to him?
“And why aren’t you interested? It's been months since you and Tommy broke up. It's maybe time to consider putting yourself back out there,” Maddie pushes.
“Well it's hard to date when you don’t have your own bedroom,” Buck argues.
“Well, Ravi has a unit available. How soon Ravi?” Maddie asks.
“Oh like a month, max. Super soon,” Ravi responds. Patting Buck’s shoulder, eyes still full of teasing glee.
“Great, problem solved. You probably won’t make it beyond the talking stage in a month anyways, so why not consider Josh’s friend?” Maddie inquires.
“It might be good for you to have someone, Buck,” Chimney says, from his place at Eddie’s right, barely looking up from where he is shoving food in his mouth.
“If not Josh’s friend, I have a friend who would love to meet you,” Ravi says, staring right at Eddie like he is issuing a challenge.
Eddie’s body is so rigid Buck is shocked he doesn’t break his teeth. “Wow. Why is everyone suddenly trying to set Buck up?” His smile looks like a cross between pain and predation. Buck’s fingers are completely numb at this point.
“We just know it's been a bit of a dry spell for him,” Ravi says dryly. Buck knows he purposely pulled on Buck and Eddie’s chains after what he inferred from what he almost walked in on in the bunk room.
“Maybe it's not as long as you think,” Buck mutters under his breath sarcastically.
But as he looks up, he can tell everyone heard it anyway. They all perk up like Buck is about to drop some juicy lore.
He must be cursed. Abort mission.
“Even if something did happen, which I am not saying it did, I do not kiss and tell,” Buck says, shrugging his shoulders, trying to be casual.
“So I assume it has nothing to do with how Eddie is gripping onto your hand for dear life?” Chimney says, finally looking over at them and straight down at the hands joined between their laps.
“Eddie is looking particularly… feral,” Ravi jokes.
He is cursed, there is no other explanation for this.
“Come again,” Athena says, sitting forward with interest.
“And why would Eddie be holding Buck’s hand?” Athena asks.
“My question exactly.” Hen looks at Eddie with a questioning glance, trying to gauge their status.
Ravi just starts laughing. Loudly.
Buck looks at Eddie. Eddie stares back at him. They both just lower their heads in surrender.
Foiled. And they could have gotten away with it, if not for some meddling adults.
Buck decides to do something wild.
Fuck it.
He leans over and pulls Eddie in for a kiss. Not a quick chaste kiss either, a good honest smack. For the sake of Jee, he keeps it tongue free. Eddie doesn’t kiss back in surprise for a second, before softening into the kiss.
“Holy shit,” Hen says.
“I can’t believe this is finally happening, I didn’t know how many more hints I could drop,” Bobby says.
Oh thank god. Buck had been so nervous about Bobby’s reaction, but that sounds like nothing but support.
“Mommy, why is Uncle Eddie kissing Uncle Buck?” Jee adds.
“Because I love your Uncle Buck,” Eddie says softly, staring at Buck with pride in his eyes. The table gasps in a way that only happens on telenovelas.
“Me too,” Jee says.
That results in a round of laughs.
“So who won the bet?” Chimney says as they pull away.
“Wait what?” Buck says, pulling back from Eddie’s face. He looks around as everyone seems to be in on some joke he isn’t.
“I’ll check the calendar,” Athena says.
“What calendar?” Eddie demands.
“I still think Hen and Maddie should be eliminated for meddling,” Ravi complains.
“What?” Hen and Maddie squawk.
“No way, you definitely meddled too, Ravi,” Hen defends. “We have all meddled at some point.”
“It definitely feels like you are too invested in our lives right now,” Eddie says under his breath, leaning his body so he is resting against Buck fully.
Athena interrupts, “Can I get a drumroll please?”
The team, minus Buck and Eddie, bang on the table in rhythm. They just stare at each other in confusion.
“The winner of the pool, which now amounts to $7,684 due to some savvy investing from Ravi is…” Athena says dramatically. “Your Captain…”
Both Bobby and Chimney perk up in excitement. Buck continues to stare in wide eyed confusion.
“Bobby Nash!”
“Oh c’mon,” Chimney says, jumping into the air and tearing at his hair. “Do you know how many diapers that I could pay for?”
“Rigged!” Ravi protests. “I demand a recount.”
Unbelievable.
Buck just gets up from the table, pulling Eddie with him. Leaving the team to argue about who won that enormous sum by betting on them.
As they enter the bunk room, Buck asks, “Was that okay?”
“I am happy for everyone to know you’re mine, but Chris is going to rub it in when he finds out he was right.” Eddie murmurs quietly.
“Oh man, you're totally right!” Buck groans.
“Ew. Don’t call me man,” Eddie declares playfully.
“Oh, right. I’m so sorry sweetheart. Beautiful. Love of my life,” Buck apologizes, leaning in for a kiss.
“I love you, too,” Eddie says, returning the kiss.
The kisses quickly turn heated, Buck happy to just make out with Eddie until they hear the alarm go off.
Duty calls. Eddie gives him one last peck before running towards the ambulance. Buck can’t wipe the smile off his face as he climbs into the engine, waving to Maddie, Bobby, and Athena who grin back at him.
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