Work Text:
“Here, take this.”
Eddie looks down at the book that May has thrust into his hands. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin - he’s never heard of it. “What-”
“I overheard you telling Bobby that you want to read more so I figured I’d let you borrow one of my favorites.”
Eddie’s confusion gives way to understanding and is followed shortly thereafter by a burst of affection that he’s sure May would much rather he not put on display while surrounded by their family. And that’s what this, the 118, has become for him - a family.
It’s something his parents swore up and down he’d never have after he told them about his decision to leave Texas. He might find better job opportunities, but he’d never find anything better than the family he was leaving behind.
How wrong they were.
“Thanks, May. I’m looking forward to reading it.”
It’s a statement he means wholeheartedly. After a few months, Eddie has finally found a way to balance his work and home life, but he’s still lacking in any hobbies that he can call his own. Maybe that’s what reading can become for him - a moment of peace in his otherwise hectic day-to-day schedule.
May tilts her head to the side and stares at him for a moment before holding her hand out to him. “Give me your phone.”
He does as he’s told without asking, even if he doesn’t know what she’s planning to do.
Her fingers move across his screen with a speed that Eddie finds a little intimidating. In no time at all, she hands him back his phone. “I put my number in so you can text me your thoughts on the book.”
Eddie shouldn’t make a big deal out of this exchange, but there’s a small part of him that wants to. He’s an adult, May’s a teenager, and she just willingly gave him her phone number. And told him to text her. Does this make him cool now?
He’ll consult Hen later to find out.
“I can do that.”
Eddie starts the book while at work and regrets that decision immediately.
The first interruption comes from Bobby.
“Put that book down, Eddie. You’re helping me cook lunch.”
The next one is from Chim.
“Hey, Eight-Pack! Help me clean the truck!”
And then Hen.
“Eddie, please come and explain to Chim why I’m the superior video gamer.”
Then the alarm goes off and Eddie leaves the book behind in his locker. It remains untouched for the rest of his shift.
Eddie (9:42pm): i’m not sure who i’d want to be paired up with if i was in this game
May (10:01pm): you JUST got to that part??
May (10:02pm): i’m disappointed
Eddie (10:07pm): i’ll try to read faster
May (10:15pm): good
“Daddy, what are you doing?”
“Reading a book.”
Chris takes a seat beside his dad on the sofa and leans heavily against Eddie’s arm. “I’m bored. Can we do something?”
“I thought you were having fun drawing,” Eddie answers, eyes still skimming the words on the page in front of him. He’s managed to make some leeway with the book and now that he’s gotten into it, it’s been harder for him to put it down.
“I was but now I’m not. Please can we do something?”
“Chris.”
“I said please.”
Chris peers up at his dad from under golden eyelashes with a pout firmly in place. He’s only doing it to sway Eddie’s decision and not because he’s genuinely upset but that doesn’t stop the sight from tugging uncomfortably at Eddie’s chest. If there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to hurt Eddie, it’s his son’s unhappiness. The reaction can easily be traced back to not being around when Chris was growing up.
That guilt that will haunt him forever.
It’s what pushes him to mark the page he’s on before closing the book. “What do you think about having a movie night?”
Chris’s eyes light up at the suggestion. It’s the best thing Eddie’s seen all day.
“Really?”
“Of course. How about you pick out a couple of movies and I’ll order us some pizza?”
Chris nods enthusiastically and is about to get up from the sofa when he stops. Eddie is going to ask what’s wrong, but the words get lodged in his throat when his son crawls into Eddie’s lap. He wraps his arms around his dad’s neck and plants a loud kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, daddy.”
The show of affection is almost second nature for Chris, but Eddie knows a time will come when that stops being the case. It’s as depressing a thought as it is unavoidable. Chris will get older and doing things like cuddling with Eddie and randomly saying ‘I love you’ will become nothing more than a rare occurrence.
Until then, he plans to cherish every single one of these moments and then lock them away for safekeeping.
Eddie wraps his arms around Chris, holding him as close as he can and kisses his son’s forehead. “I love you too.”
Eddie (5:45pm): ANOTHER bomb? How many are there?
May (8:32pm): keep reading and you’ll find out
With Christopher at Abuela’s and no shifts scheduled for the day, Eddie decides to take advantage of the cool Sunday weather and go to the park to get some reading done. By the time he gets there, the park is bustling with energy from children and adults alike. It takes Eddie almost ten minutes to find an empty bench but it’s worth it when he settles into his spot. It’s far enough away from the playground that the sound of yelling is nothing but background noise and close enough to a tree that protects him from the sun in case it decides to peek out from behind the clouds.
He leans back in the seat, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles. Then he takes the book out of the bag he brought it in, always cautious of how he carries it since it’s a loaner, and dives in.
Eddie’s eyes follow the words with anticipation, drinking in every sentence as he reads them, not wanting to miss a single detail. He’s nearing the end and is desperate to see how the author is planning to wrap everything up. He has a couple of guesses, but the only way to determine if they’re correct is to finish the book.
“Excuse me?”
Eddie flips to the next page.
A throat clears and then, “uhm, hello?”
Eddie barely refrains from growling at the intrusion. The point of coming to the park to read was being able to do so without any interruptions.
He is nothing if not polite though, a trait that he attributes to his abuela. His parents might’ve taught him how to behave himself, but it was Abuela who taught him how to go out into the world and greet people with a smile.
“Yes?” Eddie says, grin locking in place when he looks up and finds a man with bright blue eyes staring back at him with a hopeful smile of his own. The sun is only just making a home for itself in the sky and the glow from its rays reflects off of the man’s hair and gives him an angelic glow. It’s almost too much for Eddie to handle.
Almost.
“I was just wondering if I could sit with you?” He gestures to the small part of the bench that’s empty. It’s possible that Eddie spread his things out when he first sat down so that no one would be tempted to join him. “I’ve done two laps around the park, but there are no other open seats.”
Eddie might’ve preemptively tried to keep strangers from intruding in his space, but he figures he can make an exception for this guy. That decision has nothing to do with how attractive he finds him and everything to do with the manners he picked up from Abuela. It’s what she would do as well, he’s sure.
“Yeah, of course.”
He grabs his jacket and backpack and slides over to the left end of the bench instead of staying in the middle. The man sits on the opposite end.
“I really appreciate this, thanks.”
The words have the potential to sound insincere or sarcastic, but coming from this man’s lips, they’re anything but.
“You’re welcome.”
Eddie wants to say more, find a way to continue a conversation with this beautiful stranger, but he doesn’t know how. He’s very out of practice when it comes to conversing with anyone outside of his family. It’s not something that he thinks about until it inconveniences him, and this is definitely one of those times. It also acts as a reminder that he should try his hand at putting himself out there again. It might be scary, but he owes himself that much.
Next time.
Next time he’ll be ready to actually engage in a conversation with someone who piques his interest.
Until then, he’ll cut his losses for today and jump back into his book. Maybe if he finds the courage to do so, Eddie can sneak a couple of sideways glances at the guy. That’s not creepy, right?
“Are you reading The Westing Game ?”
The question catches Eddie off guard as he fumbles to hold up the book. “Yeah, I am.”
“Me too,” the blond says as he turns towards Eddie and pulls out a worn copy of the book out of his back pocket.
Eddie’s eyes are temporarily drawn to a red bookmark sticking out at the end of the book, before settling on the cover itself. The cover is different from his, but the title is the same.
Eddie has no clue what the odds are of this happening, but he’s more thankful than ever to May. Not only has the book been the perfect option for him to turn to occupy his free time, it’s also acting as a way for him to continue talking to this guy.
“How do you feel about it so far?”
It’s the perfect conversation starter and Eddie latches onto it right away.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he begins before diving into a more in-depth explanation of his thoughts.
He talks about everything from the characters to the storylines that took him by surprise to the theories he has for how the book will end. It all comes rushing out of him in a way that words usually don’t and he’s proud of himself up until the guy sitting across from him laughs.
“Sorry,” he apologizes, using his free hand to cover a smile. “I’m not laughing at you, I promise.”
Seeing as though there’s no one else around, it really feels like Eddie is being laughed at. It picks and prods at a deep-seated sense of inadequacy that he’d really rather not be experiencing on his day off.
“Was I rambling?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just, I never said how far into the book I was.”
Mortification seeps into Eddie’s veins in an instant, coursing through his body and making him warm all over. “I saw your bookmark placement and assumed...”
“I just put it in a random spot of the book so I wouldn’t forget it.”
“Oh.”
This is what Eddie gets for assuming, isn’t it? How does that saying go again? When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of you and me?
It’s safe to say that he has definitely made an ass out of himself.
“So, I just spoiled the entire book for you?” The guy doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. The answer is written all over his face. “Shit, I am so sorry. You came here to enjoy your book and instead you got stuck next to an idiot who doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.”
“Hey, no it’s okay. Really. I liked hearing what your thoughts on the book are. Gives me a better idea of what I have in store for me when I start reading it myself.”
The smile on the blond’s face makes it seem as though he’s not annoyed but Eddie’s not convinced. Had someone done the same thing to him, he would be less than impressed. It’s why he starts packing up his things to go, making sure to put his book away first. The guy has reserved the right to enjoy some quiet time without Eddie there to disturb him anymore.
“I still can’t believe I did that.” Eddie stands up, slings his backpack over his shoulder and twists the fabric of his jacket in his hands. He’ll finish his book at home. “I’ll leave you to it.”
He gives an awkward wave and sets off in the direction of the car, all the while internally chastising himself for the foolish mistake.
“Wait!”
Eddie is tempted to ignore the command, but his still deeply ingrained army training makes it hard to do so. He stops walking and the guy is there, standing in front of him, only seconds later. He’s holding his book in his hands and Eddie tries not to cringe.
“You don’t have to leave.” Eddie is about to argue otherwise when the stranger adds, “I know you feel bad about the book. But what if you make it up to me another way instead?”
“And how would I do that?”
“You can take me out for coffee.”
Eddie can’t keep his jaw from falling open. Out of everything he was expecting the guy to say, this was the last thing he had in mind. “Huh?”
“Take me out for coffee,” he repeats, scratching the back of his neck. “Only if you want to.”
“I do,” Eddie answers, perhaps a little too quickly. “I’m Eddie by the way.”
“Buck.” It’s an odd name, but it’s not something Eddie intends to comment on. “Now c’mon, that bench is big enough for the both of us and I know you’re dying to finish your book.”
Eddie (3:42pm): met a cute guy at the park and accidentally spoiled the book for him
Eddie (3:43pm): and then he asked me out for coffee
Eddie (3:43pm): also, i finished the book
May (5:02pm): we’re going out for lunch this weekend and you’re telling me everything (your thoughts about the book and this cute guy)
Eddie (6:00pm): you got it
Eddie is half-asleep on the sofa when the front door opens. He shifts at the sound, body too heavy to move into a sitting position.
“Eddie?”
“Hm?”
Feet move carefully across the hardwood floor and then there’s a body sliding into the space right in front of Eddie’s. It’s a tight squeeze, but Eddie wouldn’t want it any other way.
“You didn’t have to wait up for me,” Buck murmurs, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s waist and kissing his forehead.
Eddie melts into his boyfriend’s arms the way that he always does. Even after two years together, the novelty of being held by Buck has yet to wear off.
“I wanted to.”
Eddie nuzzles against Buck’s neck, drawing a small laugh out of the younger man.
“Someone’s extra cuddly today.”
There was a time when a comment like that would’ve been enough to shame Eddie into pulling away and apologizing. This, being open with how much he craves affection, is something he’s worked hard towards since him and Buck officially became a couple though. Now that he’s allowed himself to have it, there’s no way he’s ever turning back. “I missed you.”
Another laugh. “I was only gone for a few hours.”
“A few hours too long.”
Buck starts running his hand up and down the length of Eddie’s back and that plus the silence around them lulls Eddie right back onto the verge of sleep.
“I have a confession to make.”
“Mhm?”
“I lied to you.”
The words are like a bucket of cold water, effectively waking Eddie up. He presses his back against the couch, earning himself an inch or two of space away from Buck. He tilts his head up, sees the guilt in Buck’s eyes, and feels his breath hitch.
“About what?” Eddie asks, hating how his voice cracks.
He trusts Buck implicitly and knows he’d never do anything to hurt Eddie, but that can’t stop fear from making a home in his heart.
Buck has to be able to feel how tense Eddie is but he stills his hand, keeping it pressed against Eddie’s back. It’s the anchor that grounds him, the only thing keeping him from running away from whatever it is Buck has to say like Eddie so desperately wants to.
“Remember that first day we met?”
Of course Eddie does. How can he forget the day that changed the course of his life forevermore? “Yes.”
“And how you thought you spoiled The Westing Game for me?”
“Yes.”
Years later, Eddie can still remember how mortified he was on that day when he realized what he had done. They’ve told the story many times whenever people ask them how they first met, and the story usually ends with a lot of laughter and Eddie hiding his face in his hands.
“It’s maybe possible that I withheld the truth just a little that day.”
“Withheld it how?”
Buck’s hand curls into a fist at Eddie’s back, a surefire sign that he’s nervous.
“You didn’t actually spoil it for me.”
Eddie must still be a little sleepy, that’s why Buck’s words don’t make sense. “What do you mean?”
“That wasn’t my first time reading The Westing Game .”
The admission takes a minute to register but, once it does, Eddie is left reeling. “Do you-does that-you mean I didn’t spoil it for you?”
“Technically no.”
“Technically?”
“That was my first time reading it in a couple of years, so I had forgotten a lot of the details you mentioned, but I did remember the way it ended.”
Eddie blames the late hour for his lack of filter and for saying what he does next.
“I want a divorce.”
Buck reels back like he’s been slapped and maybe, in a way, he has been. There’s hurt written in the lines of his face, but also understanding. It’s almost as if he was expecting this reaction. He opens his mouth to respond, to say what, Eddie isn’t sure. Because realization dawns on Buck and he says, “we’re not married.”
“Yeah I know.”
Buck uses the arm that is still slung over Eddie’s waist to do away with the small space between them and tuck Eddie against his chest. “You scared me for a second there.”
“You scared me too.”
“I’m sorry I lied.”
Eddie rests his hand right over Buck’s heart, feeling his accelerated heartbeat thrumming under his fingers. He closes his eyes again and lets it lull him back to sleep. “It’s fine. You can be the one to tell our family that you were so desperate to date me that you lied so you could ask me out.”
“I hate you.”
Eddie tilts his head up just enough to kiss Buck’s neck. “Love you too.”
Eddie (1:02am): buck’s been lying to me this whole time
May (10:02am): did he finally tell you about the westing game?
Eddie (10:55am): you knew??
May (11:02am): yeah he told me a year and a half ago
May (11:03am): i think it makes your meet cute even cuter
Eddie (12:02pm): i cannot believe this. deceived by my boyfriend and my pseudo-niece on the same day.
May (12:15pm): don’t be so dramatic
May (12:19pm): you, me, chris and maddie still going ring shopping this weekend?
May (12:20pm): i better not have interrogated your boyfriend about his taste in jewelry for nothing
Eddie (2:03pm): yeah, we’re still on for this weekend. I’ll see you then.