Work Text:
It was a bad call. It was bad before they even got to the scene. It's the kind of call that stays with you for a while.
Eddie sees it. It's in the heaviness of Hen's shoulders, the way Ravi doesn't meet anyone's eye, the way Chim doesn't say a single word, how Bobby stares out the window. But Buck. Eddie doesn't see it, he feels it.
It's in the way, he gravitates towards Eddie, how he keeps seeking touch. Eddie gives it freely, whatever Buck needs. It's usually just being close enough to press their knees together, resting a head on Eddie's shoulder. Today it's more. The rest of the team are scattered around the loft, doing anything but paying attention to Buck and Eddie.
Eddie is sitting in a corner of one of the couches. Buck is curled into Eddie's side. His ear is right on top of Eddie's heart. It's something they both do, needing the unmistakeble proof that the other is alive. Eddie's running his fingers through Buck's curls, feeling Buck's breathing even out, his body getting heavy.
They don't get anymore calls for the last couple hours of the shift, so Eddie lets Buck sleep. But Buck still doesn't talk, when they get in the car. He's driving, but he isn't singing along to the radio, like he normally does.
Chris is still at school for a few more hours. Buck walks through the house without a word and starts making coffee. He doesn't even seem to notice Eddie moving around him.
It's not untill music is playing from the speaker Buck insisted they needed that he turns around. Now Eddie knows he'll never hear the end of it, for that speaker, but this is far more important. Buck turns to him, looking confused at the slow song playing gently through the room.
Eddie just takes his hand and pulls him to his chest. Buck sighs, but he follows easily anyway. He always does. Eddie takes his other hand and places it on his shoulder, putting his own hand on Buck's waist.
"What are you doing?" Buck keeps his voice low, like he still isn't ready to talk.
Eddie gives his boyfriend a kiss on the cheek and starts swaying them side to side. "Distracting you, mi amor." Buck gives him a tired smile and drops his head to Eddie's shoulder. "I know, we both need Chris right now, but I hope this will do." Buck kisses him on the side of his neck. It's just a simple press of his lips, but Eddie knows what it is.
Buck has a tendency to go non-verbal when he's overwhelmed. Eddie knew, but Buck used to force his way out of it. He doesn't do that anymore. He and Eddie talked about it, when they started dating. This is actually something Eddie had insisted on. He didn't, doesn't want Buck to force anything. It helps Buck feel better in the long run. He gets to work things out in his head, before he talks about it.
Once he described it as all his thoughts get tangled and if he tries to explain before he's untangled it, it'll come out all wrong. So Eddie waits, however long Buck needs him to.
Which is exactly what he's doing now. They are still swaying, but Buck's lifted his head, pressing his temple to Eddie's. The song changes and Eddie gives them a spin. It pulls a small laugh from Buck, and earns Eddie another kiss. Eddie rubs his nose against Buck's and whispers into the air of their kitchen. "I love you, Evan Buckley." He feels Buck's smile before he sees it. All Eddie can do is return it in equal measure. "My boyfriend, my partner, my co-parent, my love" Buck kisses him in answer, but Eddie's not done. "my best friend, my life, the biggest pain in my ass." This time the laugh is loud, full. It's Buck.
"I love you too, Edmundo Diaz." Buck pulls his hand out of Eddie's and places both arms around his shoulders. Eddie pulls him even closer both arms around his middle. "My boyfriend, my best friend, my favorite man, the love of my life" Eddie kisses Buck's cheek, down to his jaw and finally that spot below his ear. The one that makes him shiver. "the biggest idiot I've ever known."
"Ouch." Eddie says with a smile.
"Only an idiot could ever choose me, so that also makes you my favorite idiot." They stop dancing, when Eddie catches Buck's mouth with his own.
Buck's breathing is a little heavier when they break apart, but he starts swaying. So that's what they keep doing untill Buck's stomach rumbles so loud it makes them both laugh.
It was a bad call, but there is nothing Eddie won't do for Buck, so it won't be a bad day.