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“We thought it was... for the best.” Phillip says, looking down.
“We didn’t know what was going on. I swear Maddie, we didn’t know he was hurting you.” Margaret tells her oldest.
“Well, you should have.” Buck says, looking at the table. Margaret’s eyes move to him. He meets her gaze. “You shoulda known! You shoulda known! You were right there in the same town! How could you not know?!” He barely pauses to take a breath between his sentences. “Actually, you know what? Maybe it does track. ‘Cause you barely knew what was going on with your own kids when we were under the same roof!” His voice lowers as he glances between his parents. “Maybe you never…’gave up hope’ but you sure as hell gave up on us.” He drops his eyes, closing in on himself briefly. “You gave up on both of us.” Standing up, Buck starts heading for the door. “Oh, and uh,” He turns around, “you wanna know why I’m really in therapy? It is because I have spent my entire life feeling like a constant disappointment. And you wanna talk about our jobs? You think my job is dangerous? I have walked through fire Every single day of my life because of you! That is why I’m in therapy...because nothing I ever did was good enough!”
“We tried! But you always…” Phillip trails off with a sweeping hand motion.
“You never made it easy on us...either one of you!” Margaret finishes for her husband, now looking at Maddie.
“We were supposed to?” Maddie says, finally chiming in. Buck feels a little pressure on his chest release knowing she’s on his side. “We were kids.”
“Evan, I don’t know what you expected us to do!” Margaret returns her attention to him.
“Love me anyway.” He sounds dejected and on the verge of tears. Without another word, Buck turns and walks out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.
The guilt starts to hit him as he walks down the sidewalk. Buck decided it was safer to clear his head walking rather than driving. He begins worrying about Maddie and briefly considers going back to be there for her. He eventually talks himself out of it, however, telling himself Chimney will be there and they won’t do anything too bad with him present.
Buck walks for who knows how long. He doesn’t have a destination in mind, he just keeps walking and letting his thoughts run through his head wildly. It’s not until he stops that he finally realizes where he is.
The Diaz residence.
Buck had promised Eddie he’d call him, or text him at least, once he was back at his apartment. Not that he’d show up out of the blue. Glancing at the sky, Buck can tell it’s late. Christopher is most definitely in bed by now and Eddie might be too. But Buck left his car at Maddie’s apartment. And, he came all this way. Clearly his subconscious wanted to see his boyfriend. So see Eddie he will. Buck walks up the two steps onto the porch and knocks. Soft enough that he won’t wake Chris, but hard enough that Eddie will hear him from the living room.
When the door is pulled open, revealing a confused, pajama-clad Eddie, all the emotions that had been building since he saw his parents that night come spilling out. Eddie quickly takes the blond into his arms and tugs him into the house. He shuts and locks the door behind Buck before pulling him into a hug. He shushes the man and tries his best to calm him down, even just enough to get him to walk to the couch. Once they’re seated on the cool leather, Buck’s tears lessen. Eddie is still holding him, he’s still running his fingers through the blond hair, he’s still whispering quiet, sweet words in his partner's ear, occasionally dropping kisses to his temple. When the tears stop completely, neither of them make any move to pull away.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Eddie whispers. Buck sniffs and pulls back, nodding slightly. He explains everything to Eddie. From the baby box, to Buck not having one, to the comments about Doug, to Buck finally saying everything he’s ever thought about his parents. And Eddie listens. He listens and nods along to his boyfriend’s words, taking it all in. Once Buck’s done, Eddie pulls him back in, running a soothing hand up and down Buck’s back.
“Two dinners.” Buck says into Eddie’s shoulder. “That’s all it took. Two dinners and I’m 12 years old again, trapped between my sister and my parents. And now...planning my awkward apology.” Eddie moves away this time, leaving his hands on Buck’s arms.
“What do you have to apologize for? Did you say anything that wasn’t true?”
“No, but...”
“Well, look. Maybe you could’ve come at it a little differently, but if that’s how you feel, how they made you feel, you have every right to say so.” Eddie lowers his head a little to meet Buck’s eyes. “Okay?” Buck nods.
“Yeah, okay.” He gives Eddie a weak smile. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I’ve already told you I’ll have your back any day.” Buck huffs a laugh softly. His smile drops quickly, however, as he finally takes in Eddie’s appearance. His hair is slightly ruffled, his clothes look thrown on, and he looks tired. Buck’s eyes go wide.
“I woke you up, didn’t I? I’m so sorry. I didn’t know how late it was-” Eddie cuts him off by pressing their lips together quickly. As Buck was talking, he was shaking his head but Buck wouldn’t listen. Pulling back slowly, Eddie explains.
“You didn’t wake me up. I was in bed, yes, but I was waiting for a text or call or anything from you. I needed to make sure you were okay before I fell asleep.” Buck feels his heart flutter knowing Eddie wanted to check in. He feels a blush cover his cheeks. Based on Eddie’s growing smile, it’s obvious. Eddie laughs as his blush grows, covering his whole face, and kisses Buck’s cheek. “Do you want to go to bed? I’m sure Chris will be thrilled when he wakes up and sees his Buck in the kitchen making breakfast.”
“What am I? Your housewife?” Buck says, mocking offence. Eddie nods, kissing him briefly once more.
“Of course.” Buck laughs softly and allows Eddie to pull him to his feet. They walk through the house, making their way to Eddie’s room.
As Buck lays in his boyfriend’s bed, surrounded by his scent, with his arms wrapped tightly around his waist, Buck can’t help but smile. He knows he has to call Maddie in the morning, to let her know he’s not upset with her. But right now, Buck’s in the warm embrace of the man he loves, listening to the soothing sound of his breathing as it evens out, telling him Eddie’s fast asleep. He drifts off shortly after, smile still gracing his features.