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It’s the night of the annual Christmas LAFD ball and Buck is picking Eddie up. They usually go together, but tonight, they’re going together and Buck can’t wait. Carla is looking after Christopher until they get back and even though they’ve been together for a while, it’s their first official do for the fire service as a couple and Buck is both excited and nervous as hell.
When he knocks on the door, deciding to do the proper date thing rather than just let himself in, he holds the flowers he’s bought in one hand and tries to regulate his breathing. He hears Eddie before the door opens and then he can’t speak even if someone paid him. Because Eddie looks stunning.
He’s dressed up for the ball, in a charcoal suit. The pants are slim and fit so well, and the jacket has a deep collar and it’s buttoned up so it’s nipped in at the waist, thus showing off Eddie’s shoulders perfectly. He’s wearing a light blue shirt and tie, and he’s just finishing turning the collar down as he opens the door.
Buck wants to devour him.
When he blinks back to the present moment, he realises that Eddie is also standing, one hand on the door, gaping at him as well and the look of heat and amazement on his face makes Buck preen. It’s clear that he’s having exactly the same effect on Eddie as he’s having on Buck. Eddie blinks too, shakes his head like he’s trying to clear his head and all Buck can do is step forward and kiss him hello.
Christopher’s giggle makes them break apart, even if Buck keeps his hand tucked into Eddie’s jacket, keeping him close. Christopher has his camera out, taking photos of them greeting each other, smiling as they kiss and then of both of them turning and staring at him. “You two are gross,” he tells them and Eddie pretends to swoon, making Christopher giggle even harder.
“Buck! Roasted by our own son! What’s this coming to?” he gapes, over dramatic and Buck can’t help the smile that settles onto his face.
“Now, come on, Christopher,” Carla’s voice floats over as she also comes out to the door. “Leave your dad and Buck alone. You know how much they like to kiss, we’ve talked about what you can look at instead.”
“Yeah, but I don’t think there’s a big enough bucket for all of this sappiness,” Christopher points out, before handing Carla the camera and leaving them alone. He hugs both of them and Eddie kisses him and then he heads back into his room and they’re alone with Carla. She gives both of them an appraising look over, probably noticing how Eddie’s arm is still around Buck’s waist, how close they’re still standing.
“You two look stunning together,” she finally says and winks. “Enjoy your night, Christopher will be in bed when you get back, I’m sure.”
“Good luck with the negotiations!” Buck tells her and gets a kiss to his cheek for his words of wisdom.
Finally alone, Eddie leans in and kisses Buck’s cheek, lingering on the skin. “You ok, baby?” he checks. “You look so beautiful, I’m so lucky.”
Buck huffs a laugh and tucks Eddie in close again for another last kiss. “I think I’m the lucky one here,” he says, letting his eyes skim over Eddie’s suit and biting his lip.
“Fuck,” Eddie breathes out, resting his forehead against Buck’s. “Don’t look at me like that, Evan, or we’ll be finding excuses as to why we never made the ball and why we end up having sex in your Jeep instead.”
“Bobby would kill us,” Buck says, his eyes wide as he realises that his dad figure would know exactly what he and Eddie had been up to if they don’t reach the ball and it’s that fear that makes him tangle his fingers with Eddie’s and pull him to the Jeep, trying to make sure he keeps his thoughts more appropriate.
The ball is not Buck’s scene, if he’s being totally honest. Music and food, always a good thing, but having to be switched on whilst meeting people for hours, not so good. It helps having Eddie next to him, but he’s dragging his feet by eight. Eddie’s taken off his jacket by this point, and rolled his shirt sleeves up and Buck’s with the county commissioner, talking about his future and what he’d like to happen and yet, he’s completely distracted by his boyfriend. He is over the other side of the room, chatting to Hen and Karen, but he’s got one eye on Buck, looking so proud whenever their gazes meet. It still makes Buck blink, not believing that he has someone who puts his needs and desires first, and yet, seeing Eddie and the way he’s watching him, how he’s got a drink ready for Buck, how proud he is, he can’t refute it.
He makes his excuses and crosses over the room, sliding his arms around Eddie’s waist and forgoing the champagne glass. “Let’s go home,” he whispers into Eddie’s neck and Eddie pulls back and looks at him carefully.
“Are you sure? There’s still people you can talk to, sort out your promotion path? I love watching you, baby, you’re incredible. We can stay as long as you want.”
Buck presses a chaste kiss to the corner of Eddie’s mouth. “Promotions will always be there and I can smooch the higher ups another time. I’ve just realised how much I love you and Christopher and I’d much rather spend the night with you in our home than somewhere I can’t cuddle and kiss you constantly.”
“Well, if you put it like that…” Eddie grins and takes Buck’s hand.
Christopher is awake when they get home, and he turns around as they walk in, confused that they’re back early but happy to see them. Carla calls an Uber, and leaves them alone, Buck sitting with Christopher whilst Eddie goes to get changed. He’s in pyjamas when he comes out of the shower, a new set, Buck thinks, in soft grey sweatpants and a burgundy top. He seems a little nervous when he sits next to Christopher and hugs him, gesturing for Buck to go and get changed. Buck notices they’re wearing matching pyjamas as he gets up and it makes him feel a little choked up. He wishes sometimes that his dad had been like Eddie, had treated him the way Eddie treats Christopher but at least he now has the privilege of seeing the sort of caring relationship first hand.
But he’s stricken into silence when he walks into their bedroom and realises Eddie has laid out a set of pyjamas for him to change into too, and they’re the same as what both Diaz boys are wearing.
He pulls them on with slightly shaking fingers but when he goes into the lounge, it’s to find matching faces waiting for him expectantly, grins on both of their faces that light up as he walks in.
“We now match!” Christopher says, and pulls Buck next to him so he can cuddle into both of them.
Later on, when the movie is almost over and Christopher is snoring between them, Buck lets his fingers play with Eddie’s, watching the colours from the screen run over his face. When Eddie turns to him, he tilts his head, looking a little confused.
“You ok, babe?” he whispers.
“Yeah, just… I think I like this more than the fancy ball and you in that suit, even though you looked damn hot.”
“You know what?” Eddie says, leaning in and stealing a soft kiss, “I think I prefer this too.”