Work Text:
9th April
Prompt: “I can tell you’re not fine”
To say Eddie was concerned about his boyfriend was the understatement of the century. From the outside, he looked like his normal, happy self. He would show up to work with that stupid shit-eating grin he sports and tease Hen and Chimney and cook with Bobby and then go out and do his job like he always has. He would sneak behind Eddie while he was cleaning the truck, wrap his arms around his waist and kiss his cheek before running away before anyone saw him and proceed to tease Eddie about the flushed look on his face for the rest of their shift.
He was fine, at least, that's what he wanted everybody to think, and if this had been a year ago before Eddie and Buck were dating, he probably would have bought it, which makes Eddie feel sick inside when he thinks of all the times Buck was probably not doing okay and nobody even noticed.
But now Eddie goes home with him, constantly has one eye on him out of habit and sees what others don't. He sees Buck's shoulders slump while he washes the dishes with his back to everyone, and sees his smile falter when the attention is not longer on him. He has to sit and wait while Buck showers for almost an hour at a time and watch as he skips meals by insisting he had eaten, forgetting that he was with Eddie all day and Eddie knows he hasn't.
Buck wasn't okay, and it was about time Eddie did something about it.
A-Shift had the day off but Buck had picked up an extra shift to help cover a sickness on B-Shift, so he set out early in the morning with Chris as they schemed together.
"You have to make sure you don't burn the garlic bread because Buck loves scooping the lasagne onto the bread." Eddie rolled his eyes as he drove towards Hen's house. Hen had very kindly offered to take Chris for the day and night so that after wining and dining with his boyfriend, they could have an "adult" conversation without prying ears. Despite how he hounds Eddie to be honest with Chris about his emotions, he refuses to show the kid weakness and Eddie right now, needs honesty from Buck. "And you have to get the tiramisu from the cafe by the Greek takeaway, he will know if it's Target tiramisu because he says it tastes like plastic."
"I know Chris, you have told me seven times already since yesterday, and also written it on my list." Eddie scolds playfully, looking in his mirror to Chris who was re-reading the to-do list Eddie had written like it held all the answers to the universe. The first on the list is obviously the most important to Chris.
- Drop Christopher off with Hen (Fortnite stream!!!!!!!!)
"Dad? Do you think it will work? Will Buck not be sad anymore after this?" He looked up to the mirror, Eddie's heartbreaking at the look in Chris' eyes. He knew his son had noticed Buck's off behaviour lately, and had also noticed how Chris would try extra hard to keep Buck talking because he knew it distracted him. He loved how aware his son was but also hated it, wishing he could have protected him from the horrors of the world better.
"I hope so buddy. Thank you for letting me do this, and for agreeing to spend the night with Hen so I could talk to Buck properly. I appreciate it."
"I know, I'm the best." Seeing Chris wearing that same shit-eating grin that Buck had had Eddie belly-laughing the rest of the drive. Chris really was Buck's son. They pulled up outside and Denny was immediately at the door waving excitedly, Hen and Karen stood behind him. Chris barely said goodbye to his dad before running into the house after Denny, something about a Fortnite livestream that was about to start or something.
"You off to Bobby's?" Hen asked, leaning into Karen who had her arm around her shoulder. Eddie had voiced his concerns to the two one night while Buck was working yet another overtime shift. He noticed as well that Buck liked to dive into work as another form of distraction, Eddie having to tell him off a few weeks ago when he almost agreed to continue with B-Shift after they had pulled a 28-hour shift, running 4 hours over after a warehouse fire got out of hand. He would have ended up working 40 hours without stopping and didn't even seem to batter an eyelash.
"Yeah, he spent all morning making lasagne so all I have to do is keep it warm in the oven and make the garlic bread. Chris has made me promise I won't burn it, so in order to keep the promise, I am going to order it in about half an hour before Buck finishes work."
"I'm telling Chris you cheated," Karen commented, Eddie holding his hand over his heart in mock offence.
"And to think I thought we were friends. You were my favourite Wilson." He stepped back with a grin when Hen swung for him, heading down the steps of the patio back to his truck. "Thanks again, I owe you both!"
"Yeah, for more than you think!" Hen yelled back, though her voice held no malice and the two were smiling as they closed the door and Eddie climbed back in the driver's side, setting off. It didn't take him long to get to Bobby's, the man already reeling off reheating instructions before Eddie even had one foot in the doorway.
"If I hear on Monday that you have burnt my lasagne by leaving it in the oven too long on a higher heat than I told you, I will fire you."
"Got it." Eddie saluted mockingly, Bobby sending him his standard dad glare that worked wonders on Buck but had yet to make Eddie quiver. "I promise Bobby, I will not burn your precious lasagne."
"You're not giving me much hope here Eddie."
"Bobby, I promised, come on." Rolling his eyes, he handed over the lasagne with hesitant hands, Eddie pretending to almost drop it making the man lunge forward with wide eyes. "I'm kidding Bobby, I'm kidding!"
"I will be asking for updates." Eddie knew the man was half joking, that he probably meant it as a hint to also be sent updates on Buck who he knew Bobby was worried about but was being a lot more subtle than Eddie. As his captain, Bobby had to keep Buck at arm's length but everyone knew how the man was seen in Bobby's eyes compared to everyone else. Eddie, although a colleague of Buck's, did not have to be as subtle as his boyfriend.
"Don't worry, I will keep you up to date, on the lasagne and Buck." He says with a raised eyebrow, Bobby sighing with a slight nod, leading Eddie to the door. He watches the man carefully as he climbs into the truck, shouting after him before he closes the door.
"Thank you Eddie." Smiling, Eddie salutes again making Bobby roll his eyes before he shuts his front door, Eddie pulling out his list with a smile.
Drop Christopher off with Hen (Fortnite stream!!!!!!!!)Pick up Bobby's lasagne (Pay attention to his instructions Dad)
It's almost 2:00pm when Eddie is heading back to the house after running his errands, only having two hours to get everything set for Buck to finish his shift. He ends up having to do three trips to get everything into the house, dumping all the bags and Bobby's lasagne on the kitchen table with a huff. He pulls out the list, nodding to himself as he admires everything he has accrued so far.