Work Text:
Could you shine in something like a mirror?
Washing the last of the dishes in his sink, the sound of New Girl plays aimlessly in the background as bucks snores grow louder, smiling to himself, he drops the plate onto the drying rack and drains the sink.
Wiping his hands down, he wanders through the small hallway towards the knocked out man and can’t help the deep breathe of air he sucks in at the sight. His heads thrown back, curls askew across his cheekbones and forehead, his cheeks have a faint dusting to them from the heater and he’s in Eddie’s hoodie. If he was to get up now DIAZ would be emboldened across his lower back.
If only it was that easy to have, that easy to keep.
Taking a seat next to him, he folds his legs underneath him and watches the remainder of this episode. Cece and Schmidt’s wedding, one of his favourite scenes of the show. How in love they are, through their up’s and downs, the cheating was definitely not called for or fucking logical in any sense. But their story, (cut the cheating out) was perfect.
Cuz I don’t wanna lose you now, I’m looking right at the other half of me.
Tossing a glance in bucks direction, he’s still knocked out, the shift of hell, he called it earlier, drained everybody. From terrifyingly close calls to arsonists and buck falling down a flight of stairs. It wasn’t a good day.
But now, now he looked peaceful, he looked beautiful. The warm yellow light from the salt lamp buck insisted he bought shining brightly on his skin. Making him glow almost.
Gently brushing a stray curl from his cheeks, the smile that settles on his face is nothing compared to the ache that blooms in his soul. He’s so close, so positively him and Eddie just wants.
Wants with everything that makes him human, so powerfully and viciously.
“You just gonna keep petting me Eddie?” Jumping at the sudden voice, his hand retreats quickly as buck pops one eye open, glancing over at him with a tired smile. “I know my hairs amazing, no need to get jealous.”
Huffing out a laugh, his heart hammers against its confinements in his chest as bucks eyes stay trained on him. “You wish it was amazing.”
“Mhm that’s why you were laying it on thick there with the petting.” Buck teases, snickering under his breathe as Eddie rolls his eyes, smile playing on his face.
“Okay ego.”
Buck stretches his limbs beside him, a glimpse of his stomach peeking out as Eddie tears his eyes away, biting down on the inside of his cheek.
“Oh man, you should’ve woken me up. It’s the wedding.” The man literally whined as he reached for the remote, Eddie quickly stealing it right from his fingertips. “Oh come on!”
“Nope. You fell asleep, not my fault.” Teasing him with a smirk, bucks eyes soften slightly as his gaze tracks around Eddie’s face, making him feel scrutinised slightly.
“Fine. Don’t expect me replay master chef for you when you fall asleep during it next time.”
Forcing a scoff out, he throws the remote to the man and gets up. Grabbing the empty beer bottles from earlier on the floor.
“You’d replay it anyway, you can’t resist the Diaz eyes.” He wiggles his eyebrows in a playful manner as buck goes quiet, focusing on replaying the episode as Eddie’s fingers slip almost losing the grip on the bottle necks.
“Whatever.” Buck grumbles. “It’s kinda hard to ignore them.”
Swallowing down what he felt was hope in his throat, he stepped over bucks outstretched legs and almost forced himself to leave the room. Dropping the bottles into the small recycling bin.
“Want something else to drink?” He called out.
“No I’m good.” Significantly closer to him, he didn’t even hear him get up. Turning around, buck was stood at the entrance to the kitchen, leaning against the frame with a curious look on his face. “Why aren’t you dating again?”
“I could ask you the same thing cowboy.” Eddie breathed out, opening the second drawer for a glass. “It’s been what, almost 8 months since Natalia.”
Buck makes a noncommittal noise from behind him, making Eddie throw a look his way. No surprise when bucks smirk is sat right on those perfect lips. Rolling his own, he filled the glass up and took a sip.
“Of course.” He muttered. “Should’ve known.”
“What? A man can’t be needy?” He said it like that thought, the thought of him sleeping around with people didn’t make Eddie want to scream into a pillow or punk a hole through his wall.. again.
“Didn’t say that buck.” He forced out, taking another sip, pretending to scratch off something on the glass as buck hummed. “You do you or whatever.”
“Or whatever?” He joked. “You don’t seem to happy about me fulfilling a natural urge that everybody has.”
Groaning, he tipped the rest of his cup out and put it on the rack. Spinning around, he tried to look amused as bucks eyes shone amusement.
“You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me and Chris so of course me being a tad bit concerned with your sexual habits from your past coming back to bite you in the ass would worry me.” He rushed out. Feeling his cheeks heat up as buck blinked in shock.
“I uh.. thanks?” He looked positively sheepish, if Eddie wasn’t a tad bit jealous, he’d think it was cute.
“Don’t thank me dude, that’s weird.”
“Oh and saying sexual habits isn’t?”
“Shut up.”
}{
Walking up to the stations lounge space, the first thing he saw was buck passed out on the lounge, not even thirty minutes into their shift. Stifling a laugh, he pulled his phone out and crept around to the front of the couch.
Snapping a few photos, he walked back around to his original task, the coffee.
“I saw that.” Hen said from the island. A knowing smile on her face. “You’re so smitten.”
“Oh please.” He scoffed as hen shook her head. “It’s just funny.”
“Yeah? And how many photos of sleeping buck do you have? A normal amount so like one or two or a creepy collection of photos that you look at when you’re not with him.”
The coffee pot hovered in the air as he shot her a look that bled ‘ drop it’ and then poured the coffee into two cups. Making bucks just how he likes it and his all the way bitter and milk less.
“Wow, sleeping beauty over there gets a freshly made coffee and not your coworker who’s awake behind you?”
“Sleeping beauty didn’t tease me.” He smirked as she rolled her eyes, getting up to make her own as he walked around to buck with both cups. Placing one down, he waited no less than ten seconds before bucks eyes opened and immediately latched onto the coffee cup.
“Oh thanks man.” His voice was all rough and scratchy, making Eddie’s insides melt as he could only give buck a small smile in return.
Raising his own cup to his mouth, his eyes looked over to hen who was shaking her head with a fond look in her eyes. He purposefully looked away.
}{
“It’s just a scratch Eddie, I’m fine!” He tried again as Eddie just gripped his arm tighter, turning it this way and that.
“It’s not just a scratch Evan.” He gritted out as the collection of blood got bigger as the open wound bled. Dripping down onto the concrete. “You’ve cut your arm open.”
“It’s nothing compared to what I normally get from these kinds of jobs.” Eddie doesn’t know if he was trying to joke around but it wasn’t funny. He had ran into a piece of rebar as they were leaving, torn his uniform and right through to his skin.
“Ed’s?” A hand came down on his where it sat firmly against bucks forearm. “I’m fine.”
Breathing a deep sigh, he shook his head and let go. Buck reaching around to the tray of medical supplies, unwinding a bandage and wrapping his arm up.
“You’re lucky I disinfected it before you did that or you would’ve got an infection.” Bucks eyes shot down to his arm with a guilty smile on his face, Eddie smiled and stood up.
“Hey.” His hand shot out and grabbed Eddie’s wrist, pulling him back to him. Reeling him in like the lovesick bitch he was. “I’m fine, really.”
“I know.”
}{
Yeah, now I’m feeling you breathing slow.
Cuz baby we’re just reckless kids, tryna find an island in the flood.
Dropping his bag down on the floor, he kicked the door closed and sucked in a rage filled breathe. For the first time in a long time, something buck did pissed him right off, rubbed him the wrong way, pressed a button.
They were on the last final moments of their shift and everything was going great. It was literally the perfect way to end a shift, everyone gathered around the trucks, rattling off what their plans were for the weekend.
Then buck chimes in saying he was going to meet an old friend, someone he missed, someone he’s been waiting to see for a while. It peeked his interests immediately.
Then he almost popped a trucks tire.
The words “I’m going to see Abby” fell from his mouth and Eddie swore he saw red. The team was silent as he gushed over the details, hens eyes skirted to him as his jaw clenched into place.
“That’s great buck!” Bobby said. GREAT?
That was the opposite of great, the woman picked up and left him in the dirt, made it seem like she was coming back for and to him and then got married while being across the world. And still dating buck.
So no. He was not happy. At all.
He couldn’t even talk to him about it because he was with her, like right now, like at this second. It made him furious.
Groaning out loud, he took his shoes off and dropped his phone onto the couch. Heading for the bathroom, he grabbed a pair of sweats and an old shirt before taking a long overdue shower.
Washing all the dirt and soot out of his skin as the hot water burned the day off him.
When he got out, the sound of a key in his lock caught his attention and he stuck to the spot. Why the fuck was he here right now.
“Eddie?” His voice called out.
Opening the door, he made for the kitchen, he had dishes to do. Buck was standing in the doorway, eyes on his feet as Eddie passed him, frowning as the man walked past him.
“Hey? You okay?” Following him like a shadow, Eddie turned the tap on and watched as the water rose, adding the soap. “Eddie?”
“How was catching up with her ?” He bit out. He wasn’t even trying to hide the disdain he felt. Buck knew how he felt about the situation, he didn’t need to act all happy for him.
“Uh.. could’ve gone better I guess. She asked me for coffee, we chatted. It was good but, then she asked me for my new number.” Buck perched himself on the counter top, legs swinging beneath him as Eddie turned the water off harder than normal.
“ Great .” He dragged out. Ignoring the piercing stare he knew was being directed at him. “So, is she still married?”
“Nope.” Clenching the plate harder beneath his fingertips. “Freshly single and her kids are living at her new place around the corner.”
“Oh for fuck sakes.” He grumbled. Tossing the plate down and turning around. Immediately seeing the smirk on bucks face, his anger boiled over. “Not funny.”
“Oh it’s kinda funny. You’re all worked up over nothing.” Eddie just mumbled a few choice words under his breathe as buck watched with a now soft smile. “I wouldn’t even-“
“I can’t believe you even agreed to meet her again. Like seriously, after everything she’s done to you? All that shit she put you through.” Shaking his head in annoyance, he heard buck jump off the counter and saw his shoes in the tips of his view. “She didn’t deserve you and she still doesn’t.”
“I know that.”
“Good.” He sighed through the word. Shaking his head, he put a smile on his face and parts bucks shoulder before turning back to the dishes. “Besides, I’m sure there’s someone out there for you.”
Buck hummed in agreement and grabbed the towel beside him, placing himself beside Eddie, elbow to elbow. “Where are they though?”
Turning his head, he looked up at the now serious man. Placing the plate back down for the third time, he inhaled deeply.
“Evan I-“ the sound of the door opening made him twist his head, then he heard the telltale sign of Chris and walked towards the boy. Buck sat there for a moment longer.
}{
Determination was coursing through his veins as he barged into the crowded bar. He was out on a date, Eddie was done. He was so fed up.
Spotting the man in the crowd by himself at the bar, obviously buying drinks, he pushed his way through and stopped in front of him.
“Hey Ed’s? What are you-“
“I know there’s something on your mind and there has been for a while and I just I need to say something because I can’t do this anymore.” His blood was pumping with nerves as buck nodded wordlessly.
“I care about you, probably more than a friend should. I love the way you say my name whenever we’re watching MasterChef and I love that you love MasterChef. You make me feel safe, me and Christopher. When you said you were going out on this date, I felt like you were ripping out a piece of me without even knowing. I can hear your voice when your heart beats next to mine, can hear your stupidly adorable facts that you have endless amounts of and I’d gladly hear them for the rest of my life. I can’t quit you. I can’t give you up. I can’t get over you.”
Breathing heavily, bucks eyes have blown wide with shock as he stood there, amongst the loud music and the chatter around them. The silence dragged on and Eddie’s heart was sinking.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something, a familiar hand ran it’s stupidly annoying fingers across his shoulder and he almost threw up. Taylor fucking Kelly.
“Heya Eddie.” She sickeningly said.
“Hi.” Turning towards the bartender, he ordered a shot of whiskey before turning back to them. Raising the glass, he downed it and winced as it burned down his throat, Buck was still standing there in shock. “Have a good date.”
Then he bolted, weaving through the crowds of people just like he did getting in. All the way to his car and then out of the carpark.
}{
“You did what?!” Hen screeched as he flushed down to his toes. “Oh my god! I’m so proud of you!”
“Yeah well I’m mortified. He was on a date with Taylor.” Throwing his head into his hands, she gasped.
“NUH uh.” Nodding his head, she groaned and set her coffee down. “That is disgusting.”
“Tell me about it. I saw her hand come across his shoulder like a possessive claim and I just.. I felt the hope in me just die out. I don’t even care, I said what I said and I don’t regret it.”
Hen nodded and smiled sympathetically at him as the sound of a familiar laugh trickled through the station. His eyes grew wide and he shot up like a bullet.
“Okay definitely not true. I’m hiding like now.” Looking around for a spot. Hen just grabbed his arm and tugged him back down. “Hen, no I can’t-“
“Hey buck.” She called out as he marched up the stairs, wide smile on his face. “How are you this morning?”
He went to answer her and then his eyes flicked to Eddie and his smile dropped right off his face. Eddie turned back to hen. He couldn’t deal with this right now, it’s been less than twenty four hours.
“I’m going to wash a truck or something.” Eddie grumbled, getting up, hen not stopping him as buck all but jumped out of his way. “Not awkward huh.” He mumbled as he passed by.
Taking the stairs two at a time. He groaned as what seemed to be the entire station working on the trucks. Turning around, the workout station was also full. What the hell is wrong with this place today.
“Eddie!”
“Oh god no.” He mumbled under his breathe, heading for the nearest exit, scooting past chim and Ravi at the ambulance and slipping out the open door. “Please no.”
The sound of heavy footsteps behind him made him walk faster.
“Stop walking away from me.”
“Not doing that.” He shot back, grimacing at the childish throwback as he continued to walk away from him.
“Eddie for fuck sakes stop!” Screeching to a halt, buck slammed into his back with a grunt. “Okay DIDNT mean that goddamn fast.” Rubbing his chest, he let out a breathless chuckle as Eddie turned around.
“What buck?”
“Last night.. what happened?” His eyes were burning with curiosity as well as confusion as he folded his arms across his chest. “I mean I know what happened but.. what happened?”
“I told you in more ways than one that I’m in love with you. That I have been for years. But you were with Taylor so I understand and as much as I dislike the shit outta her, you’re happy so.. that’s all that matters.”
Buck let out a wounded breathe.
“I didn’t know that you were going to say that, I.. Eddie-“
“Stop I don’t want the whole guilty speech about not returning the feelings or whatever. You’re my best friend and my partner, that comes before anything. Chris is your kid as well so that also has to come before anything else.”
Buck nods and looks down at his shoes as Eddie’s heart does a summersault off a cliff, so much for that.
“Eddie I just..” he stopped and groaned. “I wish you didn’t come last night, it was such bad timing.”
Nodding tightly, he felt like someone had just shot him through the chest again, but instead of one bullet, it was a fucking bazooka. Straight through his goddamn chest.
“Yeah sorry man. I just got so wrapped up in my own head that I ruined your date. Fuck, I’m sorry.” Running a hand across his forehead, he shook his head with a humourless laugh as he stepped back. “I’m gonna go find something else to do before we get sent out on a call.”
“No Eddie, I don’t mean-“
“It’s fine.” Taking another step back. Buck followed.
“You’re not listening to me!”
“I am perfectly fine. I came and ruined your date just when you were going to ask Taylor to get back together, worst timing ever. Trust me I-“
“All I want is you!” He shouted. “You came at the bad timing because it was so fucking far into the date, if you had come in earlier I would’ve so jumped your bones and ran out.”
“What?” Eddie laughed out.
“Yeah. I’m not even kidding, she tried to get a one on one about the bridge collapse ages ago, apparently they’re still looking for a firefighter to talk about it.”
Eddie nodded and shook his head in disbelief.
“So, you’re not into Taylor?” Buck took a leap forward and pressed in close.
“Fuck no.” He breathed.
A simple nod of acknowledgment from Eddie and he was crashing forward, hands on bucks waist as he gripped him tight and walked him hard back to the stations walls, shoving him hard against it.
Buck moaned into his mouth, his hands coming up around his neck, pulling him even closer as the kiss turned dirty, bucks tongue adding a filthy element to the moment.
Eddie pulled away quickly, gasping for air as buck flushed a deep red.
“Damn.” He breathed, taking in bucks wrecked look. Eddie nodded wordlessly in agreement before surging forward again.
}{
Buck walked back out from their room in his favourite pair of sleeping clothes. Eddie’s old LAFD training hoodie and his sweats.
You know you’re on my mind, I’m watching you this time.
Turning the corner to the lounge room, Eddie was passed out on the couch, head back and short hair resting wildly around his cheekbones. Buck smiled sweetly and stepped quietly closer to him.
Leaning down he pressed a soft kiss to his cheek and then his forehead.
“Ed’s.” He whispered. The man’s eyes opened slowly and a lazy smile formed on his face.
“Mi amor” he spoke gruffly as buck melted above him. “You okay?”
“Perfectly happy. It’s late though, let’s go to bed. Chris is in bed already.” Eddie nodded and got up, gratefully being guided to their room. God he still can’t believe that’s a thing now.
when the seasons change will you stand by me?
Six months together and nothing had changed, apart from all the sex, and kissing and PDA. But nothing else, it was still them.
Especially now, laying down in bed facing each other, whispering about their day and how Christopher aced a math exam earlier this week, how proud they are.
It was still them.