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Three weeks before Thanksgiving, and Buck finally feels like life is getting back to normal. Chris has been home from Texas since school started, nobody at work has gotten impaled or otherwise grievously injured in months, and he has a sweet and funny boyfriend to come home to after rough days. He tells himself to appreciate it and stop waiting for the other shoe to drop.
One week before Thanksgiving, and Buck realizes he really should have listened to his gut instincts to begin with. Tommy breaks up with him, more kindly than Buck has grown to expect from relationships, but hurtful nonetheless. He’s not even all the way home after that whole scene when his phone rings. Looking quickly, he frowns down at the name on the screen. Pulling over to the side of the road and flipping his hazard lights on, Buck answers the phone.
“Mom?”
“You don’t have to do this, Buck.”
Buck looks up at Eddie from where he’s packing a duffel bag with a week’s worth of clothes and sighs. Eddie’s leaning against Buck’s dresser, hands shoved into the pocket of his softest jeans and giving him an imploring look.
“He’s my dad,” Buck says, squinting as he tries to remember just how cold Pennsylvania is in November and if he needs another heavy sweater.
“Take the navy one Carla made you,” Eddie says, as if reading Buck’s mind. “It’s warm and has those big pockets you like.”
“Keeps my hands completely covered,” Buck mumbles. He removes the brown sweater and tosses it onto the bed, before grabbing the blue sweater from the closet and tucking it neatly in the bag.
“And more room for snacks,” Eddie agrees. “But you still don’t have to do this. Your parents have money, they can hire a caretaker.”
“They did,” Buck says, “but the guy can’t start until after Thanksgiving, and Maddie can’t leave Jee-Yun for a week, and she couldn’t lift him if needed anyway.”
“Still,” Eddie says stubbornly, scowling at the thought of the Buckleys. “It sucks that he broke his leg, but they don’t deserve your help.”
Buck shrugs silently, in that way he does that Eddie knows is disagreement that he doesn’t want to argue about.
“It’s only a week,” Buck says. “I’ll be back as soon as the aide shows up after Thanksgiving.”
“Ugh,” Eddie huffs, thinking about the holiday. “You’re gonna have to spend Thanksgiving with those two, and what, their snobby friends from the country club?”
“Please don’t remind me,” Buck groans. “It’s bad enough I have to be there at all, I don’t need their shitty homophobic friends cackling about the fact that I couldn’t keep a boyfriend any more than I could a girlfriend.”
“That is bad timing,” Eddie says mildly, instead of the blue streak of opinions he has on Tommy Kinard at the moment.
“I just,” Buck says, zipping up the bag before slumping down on to the bed and giving Eddie a tired look. “I just wanted one holiday with them where I didn’t look like a total loser.”
“There’s nothing wrong with being single,” Eddie says, gesturing to himself. “You don’t think I’m a loser, right?”
“Of course not,” Buck says immediately. “But I’m not my parents.”
“Damn right,” Eddie says, glaring as if daring Buck to argue. “You’re a fucking badass firefighter whether or not you have a stupid boyfriend. And even if you weren’t, you’re a genuinely good person who we all love. You don’t need their approval.”
“I know,” Buck says, face softening. “Thank you. But I..” he trails off, looking embarrassed, “I still want it. I don’t think I’ll ever grow out of that.”
Eddie nods in commiserative understanding, and takes a quick look at a text on his phone before sliding it back into his pocket.
“What would you think about,” Eddie asks, walking forward so that he’s standing in front of Buck, “and walk with me here.”
Buck just quirks an inquisitive eyebrow and waits.
“What if you showed up with a new boyfriend instead?” Eddie asks. “A fake one. A…well, me?”
“What.” Buck says, stunned into losing his punctuation.
“I’m just saying,” Eddie explains, “your parents know me already, so it wouldn’t be that big of a stretch. People date their coworkers all the time. It’s not like we’d have to make-out in front of them or anything.”
“The are pretty prudish,” Buck agrees slowly, mulling it over. “It actually could work. And it would be great to have someone in my corner.”
“Two of us, two of them,” Eddie grins, “I like those odds.”
“It won’t be weird?” Buck asks, “I mean, you don’t even like men.”
“They don’t know that,” Eddie says, shrugging. “And why would it be weird? Chim calls us work-husbands all the time. We just lean into it for a while. It’d be even better if we could bring Chris.”
“Stupid school,” Buck says, pouting. “Wait, Chris. Whose going to watch Chris if you’re with me?”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Eddie laughs, Carla and Pepa have it all worked out, with the 118 as backup. He’ll be fine.”
“And Bobby just gave you a week off of work” Buck says, dubiously. “How long have you been planning this?”
“Uhh,” Eddie says, caught in his scheming. “Since you called me yesterday?”
“Eddie,” Buck sighs.
“Buck,” Eddie grins.
“You already have a plane ticket, don’t you?”
“Seat next to yours, Buckley. You really shouldn’t leave your phone unlocked all the time.”
“You know the code anyway,” Buck says, rolling his eyes.
“I know my own son’s birthday, yes,” Eddie teases. “Sap.”
“I changed my mind,” Buck huffs, “I’m going alone.”
“Nope,” Eddie says, reaching out to ruffle Buck’s messy curls. “You’re stuck with me now, boyfriend.”
Buck groans again, but doesn’t argue, and Eddie takes it as a win.
It’s not until they board the plane and get to their seats that Eddie realizes why Buck had insisted on checking them in while Eddie had used the restroom before the flight.
“Business class?” he asks, giving Buck an incredulous look. “I know we were in economy. Tell me you didn’t spend thousands of dollars to upgrade us for a six hour flight.”
“I did not,” Buck says, giving Eddie a crooked little smile. “My mother might have been talked into it by Maddie though. You know, as a thank you for flying all the way there to take care of dad.”
“Have I ever told you how much I love your sister?” Eddie says, stretching out his legs in front of the seat comfortably. “Because I do.”
“She’s married,” Buck says, drolly. “There was a whole hospital wedding and everything.”
“Aw, pookie,” Eddie grins, “don’t be jealous. You’re still my favorite Buckley.”
“You’re so dumb,” Buck says, flushing pink. “And no, not even my fake boyfriend is allowed to call me pookie. I’m not a teacup yorkie.”
“Fine, fine,” Eddie relents. “How do you fly, anyway? Does turbulence freak you out, should I hold your hand?”
“You’re having too much fun with this,” Buck says, laughing and swatting at Eddie’s offered hand. “I’m not afraid of flying, don’t worry.”
“Just keeping spirits high before we get to Hell,” Eddie says lightly, and Buck’s entire chest warms with a pleased rush of affection for his idiot best friend.
Halfway through the flight, they’re woken up by rough bumping of turbulence, as flashes of lightning turn the windows of the plane white for a few very tense seconds.
Buck’s terrified grip very nearly crushes Eddie’s fingers, but he holds on.
When they finally make it to the Buckley home, Eddie is already regretting ever letting Buck get on the plane. He’s a ball of tension beside him, one hand gripped tightly around the strap of the duffel bag that’s slung over his shoulder, the other shoved deep in his pocket.
“We can still leave,” Eddie says gently, even as Buck rings the bell. “Whatever you need.”
Buck shakes his head once, and pulls his hand from his pocket, wordlessly taking Eddie’s free hand and linking their fingers together.
“Just need this,” he says, titling his head slightly as if requesting permission.
Eddie squeezes his hand comfortingly.
“Of course.”
The door opens then, revealing the pinched face of Margaret Buckley.
“Evan,” she says, coolly but perfectly polite. “I was wondering when you were going to get here, your flight landed hours ago.”
“My fault,” Eddie interrupts. “Turns out my original car rental reservation wasn’t available, so we had to wait around until we could get another one.”
Buck laughs quietly at the complete and utter lie. The Crosstrek they’d reserved was waiting for them as they got there. The panic attack Buck had in the passenger seat as they left the lot is what really delayed them.
“Very well,” Margaret says. “Come on in, it’s late.”
They follow her in, dutifully removing their shoes and putting them on the fancy rack by the door, before standing awkwardly in the foyer.
“The neighbors brought a bunch of food over,” Margaret says, still not looking either of them in the eyes. “If you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” Buck says, politely.
“I had Desiree clean up and put fresh bedding down,” Margaret says, before pinning Eddie with a steely blue gaze. “You’ll be in Maddie’s old room, Buck is just across the hall.”
“Mom,” Buck sighs, before Eddie even has time to be offended. “I’m not making my boyfriend sleep in a separate room. We’re all adults here.”
Eddie cringes, knowing damn well he never would have argued with his parents about this.
“Fine,” Margaret says, with surprisingly little resistance. “Just make sure to… be respectful.”
“We won’t have sex in your house,” Buck says dryly, “scout’s honor.”
Eddie bites down on his cheek so hard to stop from laughing that he’s sure he’s drawn blood.
Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.
Later, as they’re getting ready for bed, Buck looks up at Eddie with an apologetic grimace.
“I probably should have asked you about the bed thing,” he says. “I just really wanted to piss her off.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Eddie waves off the apology. “You know I’m down to piss off your parents however we can. And this is a king size bed, we’ll have plenty of space.”
“They added it for guests when I moved away,” Buck says. “Not sure what happened to my old full size bed. Threw it out, I guess.”
“Well, fuck them,” Eddie says, resolutely. “But in this one case, I’m glad two six-foot men don’t have to share a full size bed.”
“Just say you don’t want to cuddle me,” Buck teases, “gosh.”
“Shut the fuck up and go to bed,” Eddie laughs, smacking Buck with one of the admittedly plush pillows.
Buck laughs again but crawls into the bed, stretching out his sore muscles in relief. He clicks off the lamp on the nightstand on his side of the bed, and lets his eyes adjust to the minimal moonlight coming in through the closed blinds.
Beside him, Eddie’s breathing is already steadying as he falls asleep, and Buck lets it soothe him into darkness.
They’re woken up by insistent knocking before 8am the next morning, followed by Margaret opening the door and poking her head in without waiting for an answer.
“Your father needs help, Evan,” Margaret says, eyeing the barely awake men with irritation. “You can’t sleep all day.”
“Jesus, mom,” Buck groans, “It’s not even 5AM our time.”
Eddie says nothing, but props himself up on his elbows and very purposely leans his head against Buck’s arm, yawning widely.
“He has an appointment in an hour,” Margaret continues without acknowledging his response. “And he needs help getting down the stairs and into the car.”
“Ok, ok,” Buck says, sitting up fully and dislodging Eddie’s head with a murmured apology. “Give me ten minutes to shower and get changed.”
“Does Mr. Buckley need help washing up?” Eddie asks, easing up to sit beside Buck. He may hate the man, but he is still a medical professional.
Margaret considers him for a long moment, before nodding shortly.
“That would be appreciated,” she says, before turning around and walking off, leaving Buck’s door wide open.
“You don’t need to do that,” Buck says quietly. “I can help him myself, Maddie said he mostly just needs support to balance, and he’s a lot taller than mom.”
“We can’t risk him getting an infection and you being stuck here even longer,” Eddie says, just as quietly. “We can handle a few awkward shower-assists.”
Buck thanks him again and heads toward the bathroom, leaving Eddie watching his muscular bare back as he goes, not a single pure thought left in his head.
Buck supports his father’s weight with ease as Eddie makes sure the waterproof cast cover is secure around his thigh, and together they get him into the bathroom with minimal fuss.
“Oh, you have a shower chair,” Buck says. “Good. That will make this a lot easier for you. I’ll just help you get undressed and then you can just shout for us when you’re done, ok?”
Phillip nods, avoiding their eyes, and Eddie feels a regrettable wave of sympathy for the man.
“Hey,” he says. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, we all need help sometimes. Buck and I help people in much weirder situations all the time.”
Buck looks at him, a surprised but pleased smile on his face.
“Is it because it’s your son?” Eddie asks, gently. “Because I can help you and Buck can stand right outside in case we need him. I was a medic in the army, I can handle one broken leg.”
“A man shouldn’t have to see his father this weak,” Phillip confirms, gruffly.
“It’s good for sons to know their fathers are human,” Eddie says with a little shrug. “But maybe this first time, you’ll let me help at least?”
“Ok,” Phillip agrees, looking at Buck and then Eddie. “Thank you.”
“I’ll just be right outside,” Buck says, sharing a look with Eddie who just nods in reassurance.
“Thanks, babe,” Eddie says, just to make Buck flush with surprise.
And maybe a tiny bit to make Phillip Buckley uncomfortable. He has always been good at multi-tasking, after all.
The first few days go by without incident, to everyone’s surprise. It’s still an awkward stilted atmosphere, but Buck’s parents keep to themselves until help is actively needed, and Eddie keeps Buck sane with mindless chatter and daily facetime calls to check in on Chris.
“Bye, mijo,” Eddie says as they’re hanging up their latest call, “love you.”
“Love you, too, dad,” Chris says, even though he rolls his eyes as he does. “Love you, Buck,” he adds, with considerably less attitude.
“Love you, buddy,” Buck says, grinning at Eddie’s screen and waving as Chris disconnects.
“I see who the favorite is,” Eddie huffs as he puts the phone down and leans back against the uncomfortable leather couch in the Buckley living-room.
“Don’t be a hater,” Buck says, grinning.
Before Eddie can reply, Margaret appears in the doorway to let them know Phillip will need help up to their bedroom in a few minutes.
“No problem,” Buck says. “He’s getting pretty good with those crutches, too. The physical therapist will be impressed.”
Margaret gives him a smile that seems placating at best, but at least it’s not a sneer.
“That was your son?” she asks Eddie, “Christopher, right?”
“Yeah,” Eddie nods. “He’s a teenager so he thinks he’s too cool to miss his dad, but I’m going to bug him ever day anyway.”
“He seems to care about you both very much,” Margaret says, quietly. “That’s good.”
“Mom,” Buck says, at a loss of how to respond to that, but she just shakes her head.
“I think your father is ready,” she says instead of replying, and once again leaves them alone and confused about what in the world just happened.
“He took one of his pain pills,” Margaret warns them as Buck and Eddie support Phillip on either side and head up the wide stairs.
“We’ve got him,” Buck assures her, his father already becoming dead weight between them as he gets drowsier.
“I’ll be up as soon as I load the dishwasher,” Margaret says, leaving them to it.
They get Phillip into his pajamas and then his bed with no resistance, the pain medication making him heavy but easygoing.
“Thanks, boys,” he says as they start to leave. “You have a good one here, Evan.”
“Oh,” Buck says, stalling in surprise, before ducking his head bashfully.
“Yeah,” he says, “Eddie’s pretty great.”
“You’re pretty great,” Eddie replies automatically, and Phillip laughs.
“See?” he says, giggling in a way Buck’s never heard before. “You really love each other.”
“Sure do,” Eddie says, before Buck can have a complete meltdown at his father’s sudden affable mood. “Get some rest, Mr. Buckley.”
“Goodnight, boys,” Phillip says, and then he’s out like a light.
“What the fuck,” Buck whispers, looking over at Eddie with wide eyes.
Eddie just shrugs. He has no idea.
“So,” Eddie says that night as they’re in bed. Parks and Rec is playing from Buck’s ipad, but it’s more background noise than anything, and Buck turns his attention away from it easily enough.
“So?”
“I guess maybe your parents aren’t homophobic?” Eddie asks. “Your dad seems remarkably chill with us, anyway.”
Buck shrugs. “I guess,” he says. “They never actually came out and said anything awful when they found out I was with a guy. But I just assumed they would be passive aggressive about it like they are about everything else.”
“I would’ve thought so, too,” Eddie agrees. “But they genuinely don’t seem to care.”
Buck laughs ruefully. “I should’ve expected that, honestly. They haven’t cared about a thing I’ve done since I stopped hurting myself to get their attention.”
“Just four more days,” Eddie says, reaching out and ruffling Buck’s hair playfully. “That health aid is starting the day after Thanksgiving, right?”
Buck nods. “They had to pay extra for that, I think. But it’ll be worth it.” He pauses and laughs as Eddie continues to ruffle his hair. “Why are you petting me?”
“I…” Eddie says, freezing in place. “It’s how I would comfort Chris, when he wasn’t too ‘grown up’ for a little babying.” He pulls his hand away. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Buck says, still smiling. “It’s sweet. You’re sweet.”
“Shh,” Eddie says in a conspiratorial whisper, “I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Right,” Buck says, just as quietly. “I forgot you were Mr. Tough Guy who never panics.”
“I don’t need your sass, Buckley,” Eddie says, leaning in to knock his forehead against Buck’s shoulder.
“Then move back to your side of the bed, Diaz,” Buck says smugly.
Eddie glances down and realizes that they are in fact lying much closer together than is required, feet of space on the mattress on both sides of them.
“Shut up,” he says, suppressing the urge to sink his teeth into the cotton of Buck’s t-shirt.
Neither of them move away.
“You didn’t tell me we’d have to actually go to the fancy country club for Thanksgiving!” Eddie hisses at Buck once they’re back in Buck’s room after Margaret’s announcement.
“I didn’t know!” Buck defends. “Mom told me they were going to have it catered, and I thought she just meant here!”
“Don’t their friends have their own families to suffocate?” Eddie asks, digging through his carry-on bag for options. “We didn’t bring anything fancy enough to wear to a nice dinner.”
“I have a few button-ups,” Buck says, frowning at the options. “We could probably get away with those if we have dark jeans?”
“We are not the same size,” Eddie says, laughing when he sees Buck’s face furrowed in thought.
“So the shirt will be a little loose,” Buck says, “You never have to see these people again.”
“Fair enough,” Eddie says, “But I call the dark green one I know you have in there, you’re not making me wear orange.”
“It’s burnt sienna,” Buck huffs. “And fine, whatever you want. Just help me get through this meal tomorrow, and then we can finally go home when the aid gets here Friday.”
“No Maddie this year?” one of the Buckley’s friends ask as they arrive and take their assigned seats. Buck looks down at his little card labelled Evan, grateful that Eddie is seated next to him even if his card just says Guest.
“Oh you know,” Margaret says with a charming and insincere smile. “Traveling with children is so hard this time of year.”
“I remember those days,” the woman says, returning the fake smile. “Oh and look at your little Evan,” she says. “Didn’t you grow up big and strong.”
“Uh,” Buck says, freezing at the predatory look in the older woman’s eyes. “I guess so.”
“I have no complaints,” Eddie says, leaning over so he can give the woman a wicked grin.
“Oh!” she says, giving Margaret a scandalized look. “I didn’t know your son was a homosexual.”
She says the word like it burns her tongue to do so, and Eddie’s never hit a woman outside of combat training before but he’s feeling the need to make an exception.
Buck stops him with a well place hand on his knees, squeezing to tell him it’s not worth it.
“How is your son anyway, Agnes?” Buck asks. “Still in prison?”
“Evan!” Margaret chastises him. “Don’t be rude.”
Evan rolls his eyes but turns away from Agnes, turning his body and entire attention to Eddie.
“You’re terrible,” he whispers, still smirking at Eddie’s comment.
“You love it,” Eddie says, trying and failing not to sound unbearably fond.
The honest to god dinner bell rings before Buck can confirm or deny, but there’s no doubt in Eddie’s mind what his answer would be.
“The dinner was delicious, Mr. & Mrs. Buckley,” Eddie says, years of ingrained manners winning out temporarily over his desire to be petty. “Thank you for including me.”
“Of course, son,” Phillip says as they help him into the car and place the crutches securely out of the way.
Eddie and Buck share a quick incredulous look, but say nothing for the time being.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive, mom?” Buck offers. “It’s getting dark out.”
“It’s not far,” Margaret says, waving off the offer.
They’re nearly home, the only sound in the car the first hours of Christmas music from the local radio station, when Margaret speaks again.
“I’m sorry about Agnes,” she says, meeting Buck’s eyes briefly in the rearview mirror. “She never did have any tact.”
“It’s…” Buck says, before stopping, because it’s not ok. “Thank you,” he says instead.
Margaret nods, and then turns the radio volume up just enough to signify that the conversation is over.
Beside him, Eddie takes his hand between both of his own and rests them together on his knees, thumbs soothing the skin beneath them. Buck looks over at him gratefully and leans over to rest his head against Eddie’s shoulder as they ride on.
“Final night,” Eddie says after his turn in the shower, leaning against the doorway instead of joining Buck in bed immediately.
“Thank fuck,” Buck says. “They haven’t even been as bad as I expected, but just being here is so draining.”
“Yeah,” Eddie agrees, “I’m not a fan of the walking on eggshells lifestyle.”
“Dinner was good though,” Buck says, patting his stomach. “Whoever they hired used seasoning and everything.”
“If we weren’t going to be on a plane in like twelve hours, I know you would’ve taken that whole apple pie home,” Eddie laughs. “I saw how you looked at it.”
“I’m a growing boy,” Buck says, leaning back on his arms where he sits on the bed.
“You’re absolutely not,” Eddie says, “pretty sure you stopped growing like ten years ago.”
“Nah,” Buck says, giving Eddie that little smirk that he knows is going to hurt his brain. “All my growing is just in one spot now.”
“Buck,” Eddie says, sighing.
“If you get what I mean,” Buck continues, gleefully.
“I get it,” Eddie says, rubbing his hand over his eyes. “I promise you I get it.”
“It’s my dick, Eddie,” Buck says, unperturbed. “The growing is in my dick.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Eddie says, unable to stop the amused smile on his face. “I don’t know why I like you so much.”
“Yeah?” Buck asks, giving Eddie a sharp-eyed look that has him gulping against his suddenly dry throat. “I like you too, you know. Really liked how you looked in my shirt tonight.”
“Buck,” Eddie says, frozen in place. “What are we talking about here? Playing boyfriends is one thing, but you’re looking at me like it’s not pretend, and I don’t know what to do about that.”
“Come here,” Buck says, reaching out a hand until Eddie manages to get his legs working again and walks over until he’s standing between Buck’s legs.
“Do you know what I realized this week?” he asks, taking one of Eddie’s hands in his.
Eddie shakes his head and waits, breathing in the scent of the bodywash they’ve been sharing coming off of Buck’s heated skin.
“I realized we didn’t even have to try,” Buck says, giving him a soft look. “We didn’t even do anything different besides a few pet names. And not one person thought we were faking it.”
“It was nice,” Eddie admits. “I didn’t realize how nice it would be. I just wanted to help.”
“Not your fault I’m in love with you,” Buck says, as if it’s not tearing him up inside to confess.
Looking into Buck’s crinkling eyes, Eddie realizes that maybe it’s not.
Maybe it doesn’t have to.
“I think I’ve been in love with you for years,” Eddie says. “I didn’t want to admit it, and I still haven’t really figured out all this sexuality stuff.”
“There’s no rush,” Buck says, softly, and the last of Eddie’s resistance melts away.
“I’m sure about you, though,” he says, using his free hand to cup Buck’s jaw. “Sleeping so close to you has been killing me.”
“No dying,” Buck orders, leaning into Eddie’s touch. “You should kiss me instead of dying.”
Eddie leans down and kisses him silent, Buck responding with matching enthusiasm, wrapping his calves around Eddie’s and pulling him as close as possible.
When they pull apart, Eddie tastes salt on his lips, and realizes with a shock that he’s crying.
“Shit,” Buck says, looking up at him with alarm. “Was it that bad? I thought it felt nice.”
“No,” Eddie reassures him, wiping at his eyes. “Not bad. It felt like… I can’t even find the words.”
“It’s ok,” Buck says, moving so that both hands are around Eddie’s waist, holding him in place and in one piece. “As long as it wasn’t bad.”
“It felt,” Eddie tries again, taking a breath and feeling Buck’s reassuring grip on him, “it felt like coming home.”
“Oh,” Buck says, grinning at him. “That’s pretty good, then.”
“Yeah, baby,” Eddie says. “It’s really good.”
“It’s never going to really be better with them, is it?” Buck asks as they fly somewhere over Oklahoma.
“Probably not,” Eddie says. “But I think it’s ok to love them, even if you don’t want them to be an active part of your life.”
“It wasn’t so bad this time,” Buck says, shrugging. “But they’re just never going to love me the way I wanted them to. Like Maddie loves Jee, or you love Chris.”
“The way we love Chris,” Eddie corrects him. “I know you adopted him in your mind the day you met him.”
“Yeah, well,” Buck says, choking up despite his best efforts. “He’s a really great kid, shut up.”
“And he loves the hell out of you,” Eddie says, “don’t forget that.”
“Please don’t make me cry on an airplane,” Buck says, laughing wetly.
“Fine,” Eddie acquiesces. “I’ll save my sappy speeches until we’re back in our own home. But just know they’re coming; I have a whole wooing plan.”
Buck just laughs before leaning in for a sweet kiss.
“Consider me wooed.”
The End.