Work Text:
Hen smirked as she watched two gorgeous, tipsy women approach the table, eyes focused on their intended prey. This had become a weekly occurence and it never failed to amuse her. She turned her head and looked at Chim, who had turned to look her way at the same time. After being friends for years they had learnt to have silent conversations with their eyes. They always knew what the other was thinking and it annoyed the rest of the crew to no end.
Eddie and Buck, however, were oblivious to the two women headed their way. As always they were engrossed in each other, sitting close so they could hear each other over the karaoke music blaring throughout the bar. After all these years Hen still couldn't believe how the pair hadn't realised their feelings for each other. Everyone around them had noticed the sneaky looks each of them would take when the other wasn't looking, just as they also noticed the flirting. No one had brought it up over the years, hoping Eddie and Buck would figure it out themselves. Hen chuckled under her breath as she thought to herself how dumb that sounded. Neither men were very bright when it came to love so of course they hadn't figured it out.
~ ♡ ~
Buck threw his head back and laughed at the lame joke Eddie had just told him. He usually hated Dad jokes but the way Eddie said it just made it funny. Although, Eddie could make any joke funny, Buck thought, and he would laugh even if it wasn't funny because that's how much he loved his best friend. His best friend who he wished he could be with but knew he couldn't. Eddie was the straightest guy he knew.
As he was about to say something to Eddie, who looked pleased with himself, he noticed two women stop next to them. They both had what Buck assumed were sexy smiles on their faces, but he didn't find them sexy at all. He couldn't deny they were both gorgeous. Hell, Buck 1.0 would have been all over them in a heartbeat, but he wasn't Buck 1.0. He was Buck 3.0. The Buck who had finally discovered himself and knew he deserved more than meaningless hook ups and half assed relationships. The Buck who'd had his eyes opened by Tommy. Tommy who had broken up with him once he was sure Buck was finally at peace with himself and his sexuality. He hadn't been sad about the break up either. Buck was just happy to have been with Tommy in the first place.
"Hey boys, would you like to dance with us?" One of the women asked as she twirled a lock of blonde hair inbetween her fingers, a hopeful look on her face. Buck noticed her friend eyeing up Eddie and he mentally grumbled when she reached out to touch his arm. Thankfully, Eddie moved out of her reach, an uncomfortable smile on his face.
As Buck was about to politely turn them down he was cut off.
"I'm sorry but my husband and I don't dance." Eddie said, suddenly taking Bucks hand in his. Bucks mouth fell open but he quickly recovered from the surprise and leaned into the lie.
"Yeah, sorry ladies. Have a good evening." He added and gave them a polite smile. He watched as the women gave each other a disappointed look before storming off.
"I don't think they've ever been turned down before." Eddie chuckled, unaware he was still holding Bucks hand. Buck, however, was very aware.
As soon as Eddies bare skin had touched his he felt goosebumps coat his arms and he fought the urge to shiver. After the initial shock had worn off he couldn't help but think how right it felt to have Eddies hand in his, and that made him sad. Sad because Eddie had only held his hand to get rid of those two women. Sad because being called Eddies husband had sounded amazing but it was just a lie.
"It's cute they thought they had a chance." Chim said, a mischievous smile on his face as he looked at his friends still holding each others hands. "You two are very loyal husbands!"
Hen chuckled and shook her head at her best friend. She chuckled even harder when both men glared at them and Eddie quickly pulled his hand away. She didn't miss the disappointment that appeared on Bucks face for a slight second before returning to neutral. She fought the need to reach over and comfort her friend.Before anyone could comment anything else Karen, Albert and Maddie ran back to the table having just finished singing a song together. Everyone laughed as they noticed Albert had acquired a pink feather boa from the hen party across the room and had a couple of numbers scrawled up his left arm.
"Okay, you guys have to go up and sing now!" Karen exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her wifes shoulders, who had gotten up to let Maddie slide into the booth.
"Yeah, you two should totally do a duet!" Albert cheered, pointing at Eddie and Buck as he plonked himself down in Karens lap. Surprisingly, Karen just wrapped her arms around his waist like it was normal and, to them, it was.
Eddie gave a nervous laugh before shaking his head and taking another swig of his beer. "You won't catch me dead up on that stage, man. No way!"
"Poopy Parter! Boooo!" Albert shouted, reaching over to poke Eddies shoulder. No one tried to correct him and tell him it was 'party pooper'. You couldn't argue with a drunk Albert. It wasn't worth the effort. "Buck should sing then!"
"No, no. Buck shouldn't sing!" Buck himself quickly said, hoping that would be the end of it. He knew better though. He was glad the dimmed lights above them hid the redness of his cheeks.
"Oh come on, Buck. I know you can sing! You were always singing in the shower when we lived together."
"Buck can sing?!" Chim asked, excitement obvious in his voice. He turned to Maddie and gently grabbed her face. "Why didn't you tell us Buck could sing?!"
"Because I didn't know! I've never heard him sing. Every time I've heard him sing it was really badly." She confessed, side eyeing her younger brother. She had missed a lot about her brother when she moved away to be with Doug. Something she deeply, deeply regrets still. "Unless he was pretending to sing badly so none of us would get him to sing again."
"Sneaky boy! Come on, Buck! You've got to sing now!" Hen joined in, as surprised as everyone else at finding out Buck could sing.
"Yeah, come on, Buck!" Eddie snickered, failing to hide his amusement at how uncomfortable his best friend looked.
Buck rolled his eyes as his friends started to chant at him, getting louder and louder each time and drawing the attention of the whole bar.
Their chants were cut short when the bar owner got up on stage to announce who was next. "Next up we have the one, the only Evan Buckley!"
Buck groaned and banged his head on the table infront of him as Albert started to cackle.
"Gotcha! I already signed you up!" The younger man managed to get out between cackles. His laughter was infectious and soon the whole table was joining in.
Buck lifted his head off of the table and glared at everyone before getting up, nudging Eddie to move out of the way. "I hate you all!"
"YES! GO ON EVAN! WOOOO!" Chim cupped his hands and shouted as Buck got up onto the stage and grabbed a microphone, obviously grumbling to himself.
Buck swore at his friends before looking at the screen to see what song Albert had chosen for him. As he read the name his heart dropped and he felt like he wanted to run off stage and out the door. Of course Albert had chosen this song. Albert was the only one he had confessed his feelings about Eddie to and, unlike his older brother, the man had kept it to himself. Sadly, drunk Albert was not to be trusted and Buck mentally scolded himself.
As the music started he tried not to look over at his table, knowing he wouldn't be able to do it if he saw all of his friends watching him.
~ ♡ ~
Most of the bar was lit up with different coloured lights but Eddie was grateful that the light above their table was dim. He was grateful because it meant none of his friends could see the embarrassment on his face when he had realised he was still holding his best friends hand. He knew they had all been surprised when he had grabbed Bucks hand and called him his husband. He had even surprised himself when he had done it but he just wanted the women to go away. After so many failed relationships, and after the mess he had made with Marisol and Kim, he didn't even want to think about women.
After that disaster, and after Chris had gone to texas, Eddie had started seeing Frank again twice weekly. He knew he was broken and he needed help putting himself back together. Frank had been very patient with him, especially during the first session when he had let Eddie just sit there in silence. After that Eddie opened up little by little, eventually telling Frank everything and in return the therapist had helped him rid the weight of the world from his shoulders and had helped him heal. He had even helped him realise some things about himself. Well, helped him come to terms with things he had pushed down for years and years.
Of course, Buck had helped him heal too. His best friend had never left his side, always showing up on their days off so Eddie wasn't alone in his house. Buck, the one constant in his life. The one he could always depend on to be there and have his back. The love of his life, as he had recently figured out.
Eddie had been scared at his realisation. He had been so scared he had fled from the room halfway during a session and raced home, shutting himself in the bathroom and sitting under the shower until the water ran cold. Deep down Eddie knew he liked men. He had always liked men but from a young age he had suppressed it in the hopes it would just go away. He slept with Shannon, got her pregnant and married her. He started a relationship with Ana and Marisol all while knowing he couldn't really love them. Eddie had wanted to love them but there was no way he could. He tried to make things work but his denial always ruined things. They just weren't Buck.
Eddie sighed quietly and downed the last drop of his beer. He needed to get out of his own head and what better way to do that than listen to Buck sing. Something he had no idea the younger man could do. He pushed his empty bottle away just as Buck started to sing.
I've been kicked, been tossed around
I've been steppin' through this town
I've seen heaven, but I ain't never felt this way
Cause you walked in like thunder
And I swear I'm bubbling under
Cause you got that touch, that magic way
Eddie gasped, not expecting such a beautiful voice. He could listen to Buck sing forever, he thought to himself. He could see that Buck was nervous by the fact he was looking anywhere but their table.
I loved you from the first time
Long kiss and a good high
I'm sick of just getting by
Just as Buck was about to sing the chorus he finally looked over and his eyes settled on Eddie. And hell, if Eddie wasn't secretly thrilled.
I swear I would die, I would die to feel that alive!
Just one more night, to float in your atmosphere
I swear I would die, I would die to feel that alive!
God it'd be nice, if you weren't just a souvenir
Cause honey you're making me, making me feel alive!
Eddie was in awe as Buck belted out the chorus, seemingly more comfortable with singing in front of his friends. His heart stuttered as he listened the lyrics and he wished Buck was singing about him. There was no way Buck would ever feel the same though. Eddie was sure of that. Even if Buck ever did return his feelings, which was unlikely, he knew he didn't deserve him. His best friend deserved the world and Eddie was not it. At least, he didn't feel like he was.
~ ♡ ~
Buck couldn't believe he was doing karaoke right now in front of all of his friends. He enjoyed singing but ever since his Dad had told him to shut up one day, years ago, he had decided not to sing anymore. At least, not around anyone. His Dad had made him think he couldn't sing. It wasn't until Albert started living with him and had caught him singing in the shower that he knew he was actually a good singer but still, he didn't feel like singing in front of anyone. Of course he could have said no to singing tonight but he never liked to disappoint his friends. He had always been a people pleaser.
As he sang the chorus he couldn't help but turn his gaze to Eddie instead of looking at the lyrics on the screen. He knew every word of this song by heart. He kept his eyes on Eddie as he started the second verse, partly because Eddie was always able to make him feel calm and partly because, in his head, this song was dedicated to him. Basically confessing his feelings that he knew weren't returned. Not that Eddie would even have a clue.
Ain't it funny, ain't it dumb
You're so cold, its making me numb
I'm praying to ya, like my own religion baby
Cause your kiss gave me a fever
Suddenly I'm a believer
You got that magic touch, ooo
He tried to decifer the look on Eddie's face and he thought he might be dreaming because it was the look Tommy used to give him, like he was the only person in the world. It couldn't be that though, surely. He didn't want to get his hopes up.
I swear I would die, I would die to feel that alive!
Just one more night, to float in your atmosphere
I swear I would die, I would die to feel that alive!
God it'd be nice, if you weren't just a souvenir
Cause honey you're making me, making me feel alive!
Lord take me back to those nights
Las Vegas and a sunrise
I'm sick of just getting by....
Honey I'm feeling alive!
Just one more night, to float in your atmosphere
I swear I would die, I would die to feel that alive!
God it'd be nice, if you weren't just a souvenir
Cause Honey you're making me, making me feel aliveeee!
As soon as he finished singing the last of the music was drowned out as all of his friends started clapping and cheering, shouting his name happily. Not long after, everyone else in the bar joined in and Buck could feel himself going red as he looked around the bar. He hadn't expected such a reaction but it definitely made him feel better about himself. His dad could suck it, he thought to himself.
Buck put the mic back on its stand and stepped down from the stage, jokingly bowing to everyone as he went which earned him some laughs. As he walked towards his table he noticed Hen leaning over the table to say something to Eddie, who had a look surprise on his face. Buck slowed a little when Eddie's warm brown eye met his and the older man abrubtly stood up. Suddenly his feet felt like they were glued to the floor as he watched Eddie nervously lick his lips and start walking towards him. The way his best friend was looking at him made it feel like his stomach was full of butterflies. That's the only way he could describe it.
"Hey Eds, what are yo-"
Eddie reached up and gently grabbed his head, bringing it down a little so he could capture Bucks lips in a searing kiss, interrupting his question. Buck leaned into the kiss immediately, he hadn't even needed a second to think about it. He was afraid Eddie would pull away and tell him this was a mistake but that didn't happen. After a few moments, Buck froze and pulled away himself, wondering if this was real or if he was dreaming. He ignored the worried look on Eddies face and pinched himself on the arm, suppressing a little yelp at the pain. He had pinched himself a little too hard.
"I can't say I blame you for doing that," Eddie chuckled, nervously licking his lips again. "I.. I didn't get this wrong, did I?"
"Would I have kissed you back if you had?" Buck shot back, still a little stunned at what had just happened.
"You have a point. I just... we have a lot to talk about, I think."
"We definitely do but right now all I want to do is this." Buck said, placing one hand on the back of Eddie's neck and the other on his back, pulling him in for another kiss. He felt Eddie relax and melt into him, eagerly kissing back. This kiss was different, slower than the first but it was just as good, if not better. Buck swore he could feel Eddie putting all of his feelings into the kiss so he tried to do the same. Eddie's lips on his felt amazing. Eddie's lips felt like home.
"About fucking time!" An even drunker Albert piped up, startling the pair and causing them to break apart.
"Albert!" Maddie scolded, swatting at the younger man.
"You ruined the moment!" Chim added, rolling his eyes at his younger brother.
Buck chuckled at his friends and turned to whisper in Eddies ear. "We can have more moments later."
He watched in delight as Eddie closed his eyes for a second and shivered. It was difficult to tell with the different coloured lights but he was pretty sure Eddie was blushing.
"It's about damn time! Do you know how long we have waited for this moment? For you two morons to figure it out!" Hen exclaimed, shaking her head. "Maddie has been emptying out wallets!"
"Let me guess," Eddie replied, trying not to smile but failing. He intertwined his fingers with Bucks and they both made their way back to the table. "You've been waiting 7 years?"
"DING DING DING!" Albert shouted, earning a laugh from the whole group.
"Wait, so you've been betting on us for 7 years?" Buck asked, not even the slightest bit surprised. They all liked to place bets.
"Well duh!"
"You guys suck!" Buck laughed, shaking his head as he did.
"Wow, we must both be really dumb, huh Buck?" Eddie grinned at the man, making his heart skip a couple of beats. Eddie's smile was the best thing in the world and Buck was thrilled whenever he was the cause of that smile.
"So... are you going to make it official or are you going to make us wait even longer?" Chim asked impatiently, clearly saying what everyone else was thinking.
Buck smiled and turned to Eddie, raising his eyebrow questioningly. "What do you think, Eds? Ready to make it official?"
"I am if you are." Eddie replied, still grinning like a lovesick moron.
"Well, in that case, will you be my boyfriend?"
Eddie opened his mouth to reply but was immediately cut off.
"Fuck being boyfriends! Just propose already! You've basically been dating for the past 7 years without even realising." Albert loudly said before Karen had finally had enough and stuffed a napkin in his mouth, causing everyone to laugh.
"As annoying as he is, he isn't wrong!" Chim shrugged. He had a point, Buck thought to himself, but he wasn't sure they were there yet. Buck had only figured out he was Bi a couple of months ago but he was so sure of his love for Eddie that he would marry him in a heartbeat. Eddie, however, had only recently figured himself out and he wasn't sure he would be ready. But Buck would wait as long as he needed to for the love of his life to be ready.
"You know what? You're right, Albert. Fuck it!" Eddie agreed, leaning over to pat his friend on the shoulder before turning to Buck. "Will you marry me?"
Buck had just taken a swig of his beer but quickly spat it out when he heard those four words. Four words he definitely was not expecting to hear so soon. Or even ever.
"Are.. are you serious?" He asked, feeling like he needed to pinch himself again.
"Yeah, Buck. I'm serious! I may have only figured it out recently but I've never felt so sure of anything in my life."
Buck stared at Eddie for a moment, trying to process everything that had happened in the past ten minutes. He felt like he was dreaming.
Everyone was too busy staring at Buck, waiting for an answer, to notice Albert pulling the napkin out of his mouth, weirdly having kept it in there for a couple of minutes. "Damn it, Buckley! If you don't marry him I will!"
Buck snapped out of his trance and fake glared at his friend before growling. "Mine!"
"So is that a yes?" Eddie asked, a hopeful but nervous look on his face.
Buck felt giddy all of a sudden and a grin spread across his face. "It's a yes, Eds. It will always be a yes."
"WOOOOOOOO!" Albert shouted before Buck could pull Eddie in for a kiss to seal the deal. No one could be mad at Albert though. They had all been waiting for this moment so they joined in, wooping and clapping, causing everyone in the bar to stare at them.
"Ah man, Cap and Ravi will be pissed they missed this!" Hen piped up.
"They didn't miss a thing," Chim smirked, turning his phone around to reveal the faces of Bobby, Athena and Ravi all on facetime. "They've been watching since Buck got up on stage!"
"And we thank you very much, Chim!" Ravi spoke up, grinning at them.
"About time you two!" Athena shouted, a fond look on her face.
Bobby had a proud look on his face, a look that Buck would always love seeing. "You two will need to sign some papers tomorrow before you start! Glad you finally both figured it out."
"Well," Eddie said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Hen had a small hand in it."
"She did?" Buck asked, a little surprised even though he had watched Hen say something to Eddie as he had left the stage.
"I did indeed." Hen comfirmed, looking smug. "I told him to stop being an idiot and to just kiss you. And then Albert called him a chicken."
Buck chuckled, shaking his head. Albert was going to be so hungover in the morning with how much he was drinking. "Well, Hen, I guess I owe you one!"
"Damn right, you do!"
____ ♡ ____
A couple of hours later, after Chim and Maddie had dragged a sobering up Albert into a cab, followed by Hen and Karen, Buck and Eddie were alone. They were currently standing in Bucks kitchen drinking beers. Carla had gotten into a fight with her husband and needed a place to sleep so she was staying with Chris, leaving the rest of Eddies evening free.
Eddie was leaning against a counter with his back to the window and Buck was standing by the island. So far they had both shown great restraint and hadn't made out in the cab, the elevator or the hallway like horny teens. They may have been madly in love with each other but this was still new and Eddie was still a little bit nervous.
"So that song..." Eddie started, pausing to take a swig of his beer. "Was that aimed at me?"
"You really have to ask?" Buck shot back, raising his eyebrow.
"I guess not." Eddie chuckled lightly.
"I do want to ask you something though, Eds." Buck said, lowering his voice and slowly making his way over to Eddie. He stopped just infront of Eddie, their noses almost touching. He glanced down at Eddies lips and licked his own before making eye contact.
Eddies breath hitched a little at the close proximity, unable to look away from those intense blue eyes. "Ask away."
Buck smirked, enjoying Eddie's reaction. "You, er... you wanna go for the title?"
He watched as Eddies gorgeous brown eyes darkened.
"You know what, Buck?" Eddie growled as he closed the distance between them, pushing the taller man back and caging him in his arms against the island, their lips brushing against each other. His nerves had quickly disappeared. "I do."