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Chris has been absolutely spoiled with gifts this year; toys and books and blankets and the cutest little baby clothes galore. Buck’s frat brothers had even all chipped in to get him a big train set, complete with a tiny conductor’s hat. And Buck can even see through them – that this wasn’t just a bribe for Chris to favour his uncles on Buck’s side; they genuinely just want the best for the little guy. And maybe also to be his favourite uncles. But mostly the unconditional love thing.
Buck and Eddie had said they weren’t going to get gifts for each other this year, and so far, they seem to have kept their promises.
The frat did secret Santa before most of the guys left for the break (Buck got Jacob an LA Kings practice puck and a card of the picture Buck, Eddie, and Chris took with Santa at the mall so fucking cute please kill me. Blake got Buck the new Madden NFL game on Xbox plus a few Hershey’s bars, very thoughtful) but today only a handful of the guys and their girlfriends were in the house. They had done a big brunch together and let Chris make an absolute mess of his waffle plate, fruit and whipped cream smushed all over his adorable face.
Almost everyone has retired to their rooms, presumably to FaceTime family or sleep off the sugar crash of endless candy canes. Buck and Eddie and Chris, however, are sitting on the floor by the Christmas tree. Well, Buck and Eddie are sitting. Chris is playing in a pile of discarded wrapping paper, grabbing it and ripping it and giggling like a maniac. Evidently the sugar high has not worn off for him yet.
While all cozy under a blanket on the floor by the tree, Eddie thinks it’s a perfect time to break a promise or two.
“Look,” he starts, trying not give away his giddiness with a smile, “I know we said no gifts–”
“Eddie!”
“I know. I know. Just– please? Hear me out?”
“…Fine.” Buck rolls his eyes. How can he turn down a Christmas present from his boyfriend when he looks so hot in nothing but those slutty plaid pyjama pants?
Eddie shifts and grabs a little box that was hidden in the thick branches of the tree.
“Don’t think of it as a Christmas gift. Think of it as… I dunno, something I need to give you anyway. It just happens to be given to you on Christmas, okay?”
“Okay…?”
“Close your eyes and put out your hands.”
“Eds–”
“Trust me, okay? Do you trust me?”
Buck closes his eyes.
“Always, baby.”
Eddie smiles to himself reflexively, placing the opened jewelry box in his boyfriend’s palms. “Open ‘em.”
When Buck opens his eyes, he’s confused for a second.
Why did Eddie put his Saint Christopher medal necklace in a box? Why is Eddie giving him his most beloved– Oh. Oh. Buck looks up.
Eddie still has his necklace on.
This is… his. This is Buck’s.
‘Don’t cry, Evan. Don’t cry, Evan. Don’t cry, Evan’ Buck tells himself. But it’s a fruitless ask. He’s already there.
“Eddie…” his voice breaks, getting the necklace out of the box and admiring it.
“I just thought you should, y’know, like, he’s your son too, so–”
Eddie’s cut off by a kiss, one that is soon joined by Buck’s tears dripping towards their lips.
“It’s perfect,” Buck whispers when he pulls away, barely getting the words out before connecting their mouths once more.
“Want me to put it on you?”
“Yes!” Buck hands the necklace to Eddie, dropping the box and turning around so he can do it up for him. “Fuck, now I feel bad. Your Christmas gift was just gonna be some bangin’ sex in a Santa costume–” Buck jokes.
“Oh, shut the fuck up, would you?” giggles Eddie. Though he’ll totally take him up on that. Minus the whole Santa thing.
Later, they help Chris set up his new train set in Buck’s room. That’s a lie, actually. Eddie is setting up the toys while Buck tries to get Chris to say ‘train’ for him.
“What’s that, mijo? Is that a train?”
And with a few solid attempts;
“Twane!” Chris eventually cheers. God, he’s so cute.
Buck is pretty sure you wouldn’t even be able to pull his new necklace from his cold, dead hands.