Archive of Our Own

When Eddie got to his sister’s place, he wasn’t expecting to see a 6’2’’ blond man with a clipboard ushering everyone around, but the guy did look oddly adorable doing it.

 Eddie studied the guy a moment, watching as he zipped from one end of the backyard to the other. It was just days before his sister’s wedding, Adriana in full wedding mode, planners of various sorts spread all about.

It wasn’t his first wedding by any means, Eddie even having gone through one of his own, but it was all a little upscale for him. His wedding to Shannon had been rushed, much like the rest of their relationship. Their wedding had been more intimate, just their immediate family. Eddie barely remembered it, the memory a blur in the midst of their downfall.

He shook the thought off as his sister came to greet him, the bride to be wrapping her arms around him.

“What do you think?” When Eddie didn’t respond for a moment, her smile beamed over to him. “Speechless, I know!”

Adriana was giddy with excitement, Eddie playing into it, not wanting to be a downer where her special day was concerned.

“It looks great Adri.” He gave her a warm smile in turn, his sister leaning in to hug him once more.

As the tall blond man approached, Adriana began to disentangle herself from him.

“Oh, you have to meet my wedding planner!"

Adriana rushed over to meet the guy, all but dragging him over to where he was stood, Eddie suddenly face to face with the bluest eyes he’d ever seen, a pink splotchy birthmark above the mans left eye. A shy smile splayed across the guy’s face, Eddie watching as he ducked his head down.

“Eddie, I want you to meet the most amazing man in my life…well a part from my fiancé.”

The man next to her blushed, ducking his head away once more.

“Buck, this is my brother, Eddie.”

Adriana all but nodded at Eddie, and this Buck guy, ushering them to shake hands and greet properly. He wasn’t sure which one of them stuck their hand out first, only that when they connected, they just fit.

Buck had a strong grip, his fingers a little thicker than Eddie’s, hands warn and calloused from hard work, yet still soft, gentle.

“Nice to meet you, Eddie. Your sister’s told me all about you.”

“Has she?” Eddie questioned, looking toward his sister, hand still firmly grasped in Buck’s.

Adriana only winked to him before darting off, someone else calling her attention. It took both of them a moment to realize they were still holding hands, the two dropping the grip awkwardly.

Buck cleared his throat, Eddie speaking before the other man could get anything out.

“So, what exactly has my sister told you?”

Buck smiled over to him, a warm glow. It reminded Eddie of sunshine.

“Uh, just that you’ve—been going through it recently. She didn’t go into specifics, but…”

Buck trailed off, Eddie having to infer for himself what exactly his sister had said.

After Shannon had taken off and they’d finally finalized their divorce, Eddie had been on his own, just him and Christopher. He hadn’t been able to be around much for the wedding, his various jobs not allowing him a ton of free time. He knew his sister would kill him if he wasn’t involved in at least some of the prep though.

“What about you?” Eddie asked, wanting to get the focus off himself.

Buck shrugged, tucking his clipboard underneath his arm. The thing barely fit there, stacked to the brim with papers, chaotic writing scribbled all over them.

“I uh, helped a friend plan a wedding when their planner turned out to be a disaster. Found out I was pretty good at it, so just…kind of stuck with it.”

Eddie nodded. There seemed to be a bit more to it, but he didn’t want to push, not when he hardly knew the man.

“Well, I’m sure my sister’s lucky to have you.”

Buck flashed another smile at him, Eddie unable to look away from the blue gaze.

“Hi Buck!”

Little arms wrapped around Eddie’s leg then, his whole world coming into view.

“Hey buddy.” Buck looked between the two of them, Chris’ smile beaming up to them.

“Buck, did you meet my daddy? Isn’t he so cool?”

Buck looked between the two of them, a fond smile passing his lips.

“Yea, he’s pretty cool bud.” Buck bent to Christopher’s level then, whispering just loud enough for Eddie to hear. “I mean, he’s not as cool as you, but…”

Buck winked, the sight nearly causing Eddie to stumble over his own feet.

Buck’s name was hollered out then, the man grasping his clipboard back into hand and pulling the pen from his ear. Eddie watched as Buck gave Chris a fist bump, winking to Eddie again before taking off.

Eddie scooped Chris into his arms then, hugging his son tightly, watching as Buck zipped all around, his long ass legs carrying him about. It was quite a sight to see, one Eddie didn’t think he’d ever tire of.

He wasn’t sure what to make of it. He hadn’t felt this way since—well, maybe ever.

Eddie shook his head. He absolutely was not going to get attached to his sister’s wedding planner. The man would be there and gone all too soon. No sense in falling for big blue eyes and sunshine smiles when they’d be fading away soon enough.

~

Eddie had stayed that first night to help out as much as he could, grateful to help out anywhere he was needed. He didn’t mind being ‘bossed around’ by Buck either, the man adorably flipping through his haphazard notes, the clip at the top of his board struggling for its life; the guy’s shirt kind of did the same, not that Eddie had noticed or anything.

They hadn’t gotten much time to talk one on one, Buck rushing all around, making sure everything was going as planned. Eddie was also trying to spend time with his sister before she got married, as well as her soon to be husband, Matias. He hadn’t been able to hang out with the guy as much as he would’ve liked, but he was a good man from all Eddie had heard and seen; he took care of his sister and made her feel special like she deserved. Eddie couldn’t really ask for much more.

Since his sister’s wedding was fast approaching, Eddie had managed to get time off work, from all of his jobs, taking the early shifts when he could so that he’d be available in the afternoons and evenings.

He was at his parents’ house again, the wedding taking place there later in the week.

Spotting Buck, Eddie wandered up next to the man, watching him a moment. Buck had his pen tightly clipped between his teeth, blues intently focused on the papers in front of him as he flipped back and forth between them.

“Are your thoughts just as organized in your head?”

Buck was a little startled at Eddie’s voice, clearly having been lost in his thoughts. He raised an unamused brow over to Eddie.

“Funny. Your sister never mentioned you being a comedian.”

Eddie raised his brows playfully, think to himself. She didn’t mention you were a walking Adonis either, but here we are.

Keeping his thoughts to himself, Eddie dipped his chin toward the clipboard.

“Anything I can help with?”

Buck let out a breath, one he’d seemed to have been holding in for a while.

“The rehearsal dinner is the day after tomorrow, and I still need to tie down the catering company. Some of your family is coming in later tonight, but I still haven’t been able to lock down travel and hotel for them, and then there’s the—”

“Buck.” Eddie gained the man’s attention, placing a reassuring hand to his shoulder. “Everything will work out, ok?”

Buck shook his head, doubting Eddie.

“You don’t get it man. I can’t fuck this up.”

Eddie furrowed his brows together. “What are you talking about? My sisters not going to give you a bad review on Yelp or something if that’s what you’re afraid of.”

His sister had never been the type. She wasn’t big on confrontation, not to mention, Buck had been working his ass off to pull off her big day.

Buck let out a weighted breath, letting his clipboard slip from his grip, Eddie just catching it before it toppled to the ground.

“It doesn’t—it doesn’t matter, ok? I just-just need everything to go smoothy.”

It seemed like more of an internal debate, Eddie deciding not to push it.

“Ok, then tell me how I can help?”

Buck looked at him with relief, his mouth suddenly moving a mile a minute as he rattled off a list of things Eddie could help out with.

Before Eddie could question any of it, Buck was being called off, Adriana suddenly at his side instead.

“He’s a little much with the clipboard, but he’s been amazing with everything.”

Eddie highly disagreed about the clipboard part, but he didn’t dare say so to his sister; he already had his suspicions she was trying to set them up.

“Yea, well I’m glad you have him…his help, I mean.”

Adriana eyed him keenly. “So, what do you think of him?”

Eddie shrugged, casually brushing off her question.

“He seems like a good guy. Chris has definitely taken to him.”

Eddie had watched the two high five or fist bump nearly every time they passed one another. He’d also witnessed Buck sneaking him cookies for the help on more than one occasion.

“He has, hasn’t he?” Adriana questioned, raising her brows suggestively.

“Adri—don’t, ok? I’m just here to support you; that’s it.”

Adriana frowned with a bit of a humph.

“Eddito,” she started, a little mockingly. “It’s ok to put yourself first sometimes…let yourself feel. How do you think I met Matais?”

Eddie knew exactly how they’d met; he’d heard the story no less than 3,000 times since said occasion had occurred.

Eddie scrubbed a hand down his face, avoiding her pleading eyes.

“I need to go help Buck check a few things off this list. Keep an eye on your nephew for me, huh?”

She all but rolled her eyes at him. “You don’t even have to ask, you know that.”

He did, but still. He hated that he even had to ask in the first place.

Adriana gave him a quick hug before wandering off, leaving him to it. He caught sight of Buck then, the man bent down next to Chris, the two putting some sort of garland together. Eddie smiled fondly, letting himself watch a few moments, pretending it was real.

~

The next day was much of the same, Eddie unsure of who was following who around, only that Buck and his trusty clipboard always seemed to be close by. He ignored his sisters wandering heart eyes.

As Eddie worked on some of the table setups, his sister approached him, pretending to look things over. Eddie fixed her with a look, arching a brow her direction.

“What?”

Adriana kept up her façade, giving nothing away.

“Oh nothing, just wondering what my brother is up to now.”

“Meaning?” Eddie questioned, stopping what he was doing to give her his full attention.

Adriana picked up some of the arrangements he’d been working on, toying with them.

“Nothing, I just—well, my planner did a lot more ‘planning’ before my brother started helping out.”

Eddie had no idea what she was talking about. He pleaded the fifth, thank you very much.

Sophia came up to join them then. As soon as she caught the gist of what was happening, she ganged up on him with her immediately.

Grabbing the arrangement from Adriana, ignoring both of them, Eddie got back to work, ignoring her pointed question.

“Oh c’mon. You two have been following each other around here all day.”

“Not all day,” he muttered under his breath.

Before Adriana could press him further, Buck came sauntering up, completely ignoring his sisters, only further proving their point.

“Hey Eddie, what do you think about this?”

Buck plopped down next to him, one leg on either side of the bench, Eddie trying not to notice how closely it pressed their legs together. He flipped through his pages, showing Eddie a few of the table set up designs he’d mocked up. Eddie looked it over, glancing around them as he tried to envision things. Like Buck’s writing, the drawing was a little chaotic, little hearts drawn around them with eyes and happy faces.

Eddie looked up to him with a raised brow, Buck smiling sheepishly, rubbing a hand at the back of his neck.

“I uh, like to doodle when I can’t focus. My sister said I’ve been doing it since I was a kid.”

Eddie smiled over to Buck, brushing a finger across one of the heart drawings.

A clearing of throats had them both turning wide eyed to his sisters, Adriana and Sophia fixing them with pointed looks.

“How about asking the bride what she thinks about her wedding layout instead of her brother?” Sophia questioned, Adriana snickering next to her, elbowing their sister.

“Uh,” Buck laughed nervously, Eddie refraining from reaching a hand over to squeeze his arm in comfort. Buck cleared his throat then, blues catching on Eddie before he grabbed his clipboard, lifting it up for his sisters to see.

Adriana and Sophia looked it over, mumbling things as they went, using their unspoken language to point things out.

“Yep, that’s looks great Buck. You’re the best.” Adriana handed the clipboard back to him, Buck sheepishly taking it and turning back to face the table. His sisters looked between the two of them then, Eddie rolling his eyes as he shooed them away. He didn’t care if it was his sister’s wedding week or not; surely, they had somewhere else to be, right?

Once they were out of sight, Eddie refocused his attention on Buck.

“So, you have a sister too, huh?”

Buck nodded.

“Yea. We were really close growing up, but uh, I haven’t—well we kind of lost touch.”

Eddie and his sisters weren’t super close. They loved each other and were always there when it mattered, but it didn’t go much past that. They just didn’t have that bond, Eddie often more of a father figure to them when they were younger than an older brother.

Buck seemed lost in a memory, a sadness clouding his bright blues.

Eddie knocked their shoulders together.

“What would she think about you being a wedding planner?”

Buck’s face lit up in a private smile, one that seemed reserved just for his sister.

“She would probably say it was a great place to put all my energy. I guess she’d—well she’d be proud of me; she always was.”

“And what about you?” Eddie questioned. “Aren’t you proud of yourself?”

The man’s spark instantly dimmed, Buck tensing up next to him.

“Not much to be proud of,” Buck mumbled, Eddie just close enough to catch it.

Eddie didn’t get a chance to convince Buck of all that he’d accomplished with the wedding so far, the man once again being called off to help out elsewhere, Eddie left there alone with his thoughts.

How could Buck not be proud of himself? Everything he’d done just in the week Eddie had been around was amazing in itself. Eddie could only imagine what was in the guy’s portfolio.

Chris wandered over to him then, slouching down next to Eddie before placing his crutches to the side. Eddie wrapped an arm around his son, tugging him in close.

“Hey buddy, you ready to get going soon?”

It was almost his kid’s bedtime, Eddie hating when Chris was off routine too often; he wanted to give his kid the most stable life he could provide.

“I don’t want tía Adri to get married.” Chris frowned as he looked down at the ground, kicking his feet together.

Eddie squeezed his son tighter, unsure of where that had come from.

“Why do you say that bud?”

Chris puffed out a frustrated breath, Eddie giving him time to gather his words.

“I just—I don’t want him to go dad.”

“You don’t want who to go?”

As many times as Eddie had considered leaving his family behind to better their lives, he’d never voiced that to Chris.

“Buck.”

Oh.

Eddie was unsure how to answer, a little grateful when Chris spoke again.

“Tía should cancel her wedding so he has to plan it again. Then he can stay longer!”

Eddie had to stifle a laugh.

“That’s not how it works kid. Plus, that wouldn’t really be fair to your tÍa, now, would it?”

Chris hung his head low, pouting his lip out.

“No, I guess not.”

Eddie understood though. He didn’t want Buck to leave either.

Hugging Chris to him, Eddie tried to be as sensitive as words would allow.

“For right now, let’s just focus on the time we do have with Buck, ok? We still have a few more days before we need to think about that.”

His words seemed to settle Chris, his son leaning into his hold. Eddie wished his own words did the same for himself.

Buck would be gone soon, Eddie left alone once again. He really wished Buck had a plan to keep them together.

~

The day of his sister’s rehearsal came all too soon. Eddie would be lying if he said he weren’t more disappointed than excited. It was about his sister though, not his stupid longing feelings. Eddie couldn’t put himself first, no matter how much his sisters or others told him to.

Eddie looked in the mirror once more, adjusting his shirt collar. He’d decided on a maroon button up with dark slacks, slicking his hair back a bit. If he put on his finest cologne for Buck, well, that was just for him to know.

Chris looked adorable in his little button up as well, Eddie styling his curls into place.

They made their way outside, his parents backyard lit up in little twinkly lights, giving them a preview of what tomorrow night would look like.

Eddie looked around for their seats, a little disappointed when he didn’t see Buck anywhere nearby. Surely, he’d be there tonight, right?”

Reminding himself this weekend was about his sister and her soon to be husband, Eddie helped Chris into his seat before taking the one next to him. He mingled with his family, ignoring his parents remarks about him working too much and needing to be there more for Christopher. He was trying his best, ok?

After a while, Eddie found himself wandering around, looking for something stronger than the wine he’d been sipping on. He didn’t find anything, but he did find Buck, which if you asked Eddie, was much better than any bottle of alcohol.

“Hey, I was wondering where you’ve been.”

Buck gave him that shy and dopey smile, ducking his head a little at Eddie’s words.

“You uh, you were?”

Eddie deiced to tease him a bit. “Well, I’m pretty sure you would’ve planned a better alcohol than the wine I’m currently suffering with.”

Buck laughed, the sound warming Eddie’s ears.

“Yea well uh, it’s what the bride requested. I uh, didn’t want to get in trouble taking ideas from her brother again.”

Eddie shrugged. “I dunno, I think I can hold her off.”

“Eddie, I mean this in the nicest of ways…your sister scares me…terrifies really. She’s too nice—I know she must hate something I’m doing.”

Eddie chuckled with a shake of his head.

“She’s all bark no bite. Trust me.”

“And uh, what about you?” Buck asked, ducking his head away from Eddie again.

Eddie stepped into Buck’s space, lowering his head down a bit so it was even with Buck’s ear.

“Guess you’ll just have to find out.”

With that, Eddie left him to it, not daring to look back.

He really needed to stop flirting with his sister’s wedding planner.

Eddie found himself back at the table, amusing his sister by drinking the wine. A few toasts were made, Eddie waiting to give his until tomorrow. He wasn’t big on speeches or being the center of attention, but for his sister, he would.

He caught Chris talking lowly with Buck, the two giggling together like a couple of school girls. Eddie watched them with such a fondness, something like yearning lingering in the air. He never got that with Shannon, the two of them always apart or too tired to share in the joy. A heavy sigh left Eddie’s lips. Buck wasn’t his. Maybe his son was onto something. Eddie was starting to wish his sister wasn’t getting married either.

Eddie made his way over to them, scooping up Chris from behind, laughter filling his ears.

“C’mon bud its bedtime. Let’s let Buck get back to his planning, ok?”

Chris grumbled for it. “Dad, can Buck read the story with us tonight?”

Eddie’s eyes widened at Chris’ question, as did Buck’s.

“Oh Chris, I’m sure Buck has…a lot of preparation he needs to get done for tomorrow.”

Eddie was very carefully avoiding eye contact with Buck. He suddenly wished his son wasn’t so loving of others.

“I um, I have a few minutes to spare.” Buck rubbed nervously at the back of his neck. “If uh, if you don’t mind, I mean.”

Christopher’s pleading eyes looked up to him. They weren’t really necessary, Eddie already a goner. Like he could tell either of them no.

“I don’t mind,” was all he could manage, Eddie looking directly to Buck, the man’s face lighting up.

Buck followed behind them, Eddie’s heart aching for it to be a norm, something they could do every night.

Buck waited in the living room while Eddie helped Chris get ready for bed, his son calling in his new best friend once he was settled in his bed. With Eddie sat at the head of the bed next to Chris, there wasn’t a whole lot more room. He quickly looked around for a solution, Chris already having one in mind.

“Sit here!” Chris all but begged, kicking the end of his bed with his little feet.

Buck looked to Eddie for permission, Eddie only able to smile with a small nod of his head.

Once they were all settled on the bed, Chris handed his book out to Buck, instructing him to read first. Buck took the book, completely enthusiastic as he looked it over, not a single ounce of sarcasm passing his lips.

Buck opened the book to where they’d left off the night before, his blues scanning the page a moment before settling into it. Nothing could’ve prepared Eddie for the animated voice that came out of Buck, the man switching up his tone for each of the characters.

Chris was in awe with it all, attention honed in on Buck, his laughter filing the room as Buck went.

Buck looked up to him a few times, Eddie smiling softly in response.

When Chris began to yawn with his eyes flickering closed, Buck closed the book, watching Eddie’s son with a fondness.

“I wish you could read to me every night,” Chris mumbled. “Dad doesn’t do the cool voices.”

Buck snickered while Eddie feigned offence.

Eddie leaned in to kiss his son’s forehead, tucking the blankets around him. Chris pushed into his touch, calling out when he pulled away.

“Where’s Buck?”

“Uh, I’m right here bud.”

Chris extended an arm out to him, Buck’s face lighting up in awe. Eddie gave him a reassuring smile, watching as Buck leaned in, easily accepting Christopher’s hug.

“Goodnight Christopher.”

Chris snuggled into his blankets then, shutting his eyes off from the world.

Eddie moved for the door, beckoning Buck to follow, turning off the light and closing the door as they made their way out. Eddie didn’t miss the way Buck watched Chris the same way he did, Chris his whole world.

Eddie walked them back down the hall and into the kitchen, offering Buck a beer.

“Thanks for helping me out.”

Buck popped the top off his beer, toying with the label, avoiding eye contact with Eddie. He took a seat on the stool while Eddie stood at the counter, the two of them on opposite sides.

“Yea I uh, anytime. You’ve got a great kid Eddie.”

His kid was pretty great, Eddie couldn’t deny.

“Thanks. I can see he’s taken quite the liking to you.”

“Hopefully he’s not the only one.” Eddie barely heard Buck’s whispered words; it was him who refused to make eye contact then, the words lingering between them.

Eddie decided to ignore them, knowing the clock was running against them.

“Well thanks. You made me look very lame with your cool voices.”

A laugh slipped out of Buck at that.

“You can blame my sister for that. It’s how she used to read for me.”

“You two are really close, huh?”

Buck seemed lost in thought, taking his time to answer.

“Yea, she uh, she pretty much raised me. My parents weren’t—weren’t really around.”

There was more to that, Eddie once again not finding it his place to ask.

“Well, I’m glad you had her. You seemed to turn out alright.”

Buck looked up to him through his lashes, the sight nearly buckling Eddie at the knees.

“Yea well, I just hope your sister feels the same after tomorrow night.”

A sadness like the other night washed over Buck, his insecurities slipping back out.

Eddie rounded to Buck’s side, taking the seat next to him.

“Hey, she’s gonna love it. You’ve been working your ass off to make her dreams come true.”

Buck shrugged, clearly not believing him.

Eddie dared to knock his knee into Buck’s, the other man tracking the movement.

“Talk to me Buck. What has you so worried? If it’s something my parents or someone said, I—”

“No, it’s not that. Your families been great to me.”

“Ok, then what is it?”

Eddie didn’t want to push, but he wanted Buck to know he was there, that he cared.

A heavy sigh escaped Buck’s lips, Eddie moving closer to him on instinct.

“It’s not anyone else it’s—it’s me. I can’t, I can’t keep fucking things up.”

Eddie could tell Buck wasn’t referring to the present, but to his past.

Buck puffed out another breath before going on.

“I just—everyone expects so much of me, and I—I always fail them. Nothing I ever do is good enough.”

Eddie wanted to wrap his arms around Buck and hold him tightly. He hated whoever had made him feel that way.

Instead, he settled for tapping a finger over Buck’s arm, gaining the man’s attention.

“Hey, you’re not a failure Buck. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’ve seen how much time and effort you’ve put into this. I haven’t seen you take a break since we’ve got here, not to mention how much my sister talked about you. She’s not always easy to please, you know.”

A smiled slipped passed Buck’s pout. Eddie loved that he’d been the one to put it there.

“Everything’s going to go just as it’s supposed to tomorrow, and if it doesn’t, we’ll figure it out together, ok? I’ve got your back.”

Buck’s head ducked down before he looked directly to Eddie, two pools of shimmering blue.

“Yea, or um, you know I could—I could have yours. You know, with the uh, book reading and voices.”

A smile spread across Eddie’s lips, the two of them stifling their giggling, lest they wake up Christopher.

“Well I uh, better get going. I have some last-minute planning to be done.”

Eddie nodded as he walked Buck to the door.

“Goodnight Buck. Thanks again for your help tonight.”

“Yea anytime Eds.” The nickname seemed to slip off his lips, warming Eddie wholly.

“Night. See you tomorrow.”

Eddie watched as Buck wandered off, the man no doubt going in search of his clipboard.

If Eddie could plan tomorrow, he knew just how he’d end it.

~

The wedding ceremony went over beautifully, just as it’d been planned. Like any wedding, there were a few snags and hiccups along the way, Eddie eying Buck carefully through each one, assuring him it wasn’t his fault. A lot went into a wedding; there was no way to make them flawless, no matter how much time and planning went into it.

The reception was under way, Eddie watching as his sister and Matias took their first dance as husband and bride. Adriana was beautiful, the sight making Eddie a littler teary eyed. He was oh so proud of his sister and grateful he got to be there on her special day, as well as have been able to spend so much time together beforehand.

Shimmering lights hung all around, his parents’ backyard decorated from top to bottom. Eddie found Chris at the smore’s bar, a perfectly curated table of all the smore’s essentials.

Eddie bent to his son’s level, looking over his shoulder.

“How many of these have you had today bud?”

A sheepish smile spread across his son’s face.

“Just one dad. Promise.”

Eddie didn’t buy it for a second.

Buck was suddenly next to him, fake whispering in his ear.

“I definitely saw him with at least two.” At Chris narrowed gaze, Buck quickly changed his answer. “One of which was mine, of course.”

Chris beamed up to him, Eddie shaking his head with a laugh. A quick gaze at Buck had Eddie frowning a little. The man’s suit jacked was tucked beneath his arms, as well as his trusty clipboard.

“Buck, you can relax now. You’ve planned all you could plan.”

A faint smile read across Buck’s lips.

“I know, that’s why it’s time for me to go. My job’s done here.”

Oh.

Well, Eddie wasn’t having any of that, Chris either.

“Buck, you can’t leave yet,” Christopher cried, grabbing onto him. “We still have cake!”

Buck smiled a little wider for that, bending to Christopher’s level.

“I know buddy, but that’s for you to enjoy. I was just the planner. I’m not needed anymore.”

Eddie begged to differ. Chris pouted his lip out, Eddie doing much the same.

“You’re not gonna leave without at least giving me one dance, right?” The words slipped out of him, Buck’s blues widening in response. Eddie was suddenly afraid he’d gotten it all wrong.

“I um, I don’t-don’t—isn’t there a dance you need to do with your sister?”

“Sure, after that then.”

Wide blues looked to him once more, Chris coming in to save the day.

“Yea Buck, you can dance with my dad and then we can have cake!”

“Yea Buck,” Eddie chided, letting his eyes wander over the man.

Before Buck could answer, Adriana was there, tugging on Eddie.

“C’mon hermano. Your turn to dance with me!”

Eddie raised his brows toward Buck, the guy smiling shyly.

Adriana reached for Buck then, wrapping her arms around him.

“You made all my dreams come true today, Buck. I seriously could not have done this without you.” She kissed him on the cheek before pulling away, tugging on Eddie’s arm once more. Eddie gave Buck a pointed look as he was dragged off, Buck nodding with understanding.

He tried to give his sister all the attention, but his eyes wandered, Eddie wanting to make sure Buck didn’t disappear.

“You should take those heart eyes over to him and ask him to dance, Eddito,” his sister mocked.

He did not have heart eyes, thank you very much.

Adriana hugged him tightly, Eddie placing a kiss to her cheek before he was pushed away, left to his own.

He didn’t see Buck anywhere, Eddie beginning to panic a little before he felt warm arms wrap around him from behind. Buck’s voice was low in his ear, Eddie shivering a little for it.

“I believe I was promised a dance.”

Eddie tried to remain calm, answering as simply as he could.

“That you were.”

Buck spun him around then, Eddie coming face to face with those enchanting blues.

“Hi,” Eddie breathed out, taking Buck’s hands in his.

“Hi,” Buck parroted, just as shyly, the two of them falling into a rhythm of their own, Eddie easily forgetting everyone else around them.

They twirled each other around the dance floor, switching off who took the lead, Eddie ignoring his sister’s pointed stares.

Eddie only left Buck to give his speech, their eyes staying locked for the entirety of it. Eddie was tired of pretending he was only there for his sister.

The two of them danced with Chris after that, Buck just as enthusiastic as before, never seeming to mind Chris being there. It was something Eddie would never take for granted.

They enjoyed a nice meal, yes cake too, Buck never leaving his side.

They did a sparkler send off for the bride and groom, Buck taking charge of it before coming to stand next to them, Chris in between.

When it was time to put Chris to bed, Buck followed behind them, Chris tugging him along. Eddie listened while fondly watching Buck become animated, giving his all to the story at hand.

After tucking Chris in, they went back to the reception, most of the crowd having thinned out.

“I guess we should start cleaning some of this up,” Buck commented as they walked by the abandoned tables arches.

“Later. I have a better idea for now.”

Buck arched a brow but let Eddie tug him along.

They’d both stripped of their suit jackets and ties, Buck’s top buttons undone as well as a few of Eddie’s. He couldn’t be sure if Buck’s had popped on their own or not, the buttons fighting for their life most of the night.

Eddie led them to a spot he’d stumbled upon earlier, Buck having set it up just so.

A cozy corner had been set up with outdoor couches and beanbags, a firepit glowing in the middle. It was the perfect kind of night, the stars shining bright above them.

He stopped at the basket of blankets, Eddie reading over the sign once more. ‘To have and to hold, in case you get cold.’

He eyed Buck, a soft smile splaying across the man’s lips.

While Eddie bent to grab them a blanket, Buck took his hand, leading them forward. They sat just in front of the couch on the soft padding, the two pushed together from shoulder to hip. Eddie placed the blanket over them, the two of them cozying up together.

They sat there in silence a few moments, Eddie unsure who’s heart was beating faster. Buck’s leg bounced next to him, knocking into his.

“The ceremony was beautiful Buck. My sister’s never going to shut up about today.”

Buck chuckled next to him, the sound echoing into his ear with their close proximity.

“She looked stunning. I’m just glad I was able to help make part of her dreams come true.”

“All her dreams,” Eddie corrected, quoting his sister from earlier.

Another smile spread across Buck’s lips, Eddie wishing he could press it to his own.

“The ceremony, the photographers, the food, the décor—man it was just…incredible. I already know how I would plan my next wedding, just incorporating some different tones and things and—” Buck stopped his rambling, smiling shyly to Eddie.

“Anyway, I uh, I don’t think I could’ve planned a better night.”

Eddie looked Buck over, capturing his fingers with Buck’s, tangling them together over his lap.

“Maybe you should shut up and stop planning and just kiss me.”

Wide blues met him, the color of them deepening.

“Yea I uh, I can do that.”

The lights twinkled around and above them as they leaned together, Buck’s lips brushing against his. They were just as soft and tender as Eddie had imagined, Eddie pressing further into the man.

They took their time, lingering soft kisses to the other before Buck deepened it, pushing into Eddie’s mouth, tangling them into one.

Breathless, they pulled apart, resting their foreheads together. The blanket was a tangled mess between them, not a gap of space to be spared.

Eddie wasn’t sure he could’ve planned the night if he’d tried. As if he’d read Eddie’s mind, Buck’s words fell into the breath of space between them.

“You’re the best plan I never had.”

This time, Eddie did press his lips to Buck’s smile, soaking it all in.

“Just know,” Eddie exhaled, lips mere inches from Buck’s. “I plan on keeping you, forever.”

Buck seemed just fine with that, pushing into Eddie’s space, molding them into one.

They could plan their future out later, but for now, they had each other. They had forever to plan ever after.