Chapter Text
Look, Eddie was seriously not that bad of a cook. Between him and Buck, Buck was better, obviously. But Eddie would argue that comparing them wasn’t even fair, Buck was taught by Bobby. Bobby, greatest captain and chef ever. (Seriously, Eddie had never had better food than Bobby’s) Of course, Buck would be better at cooking! However, he never said he was better at baking. That title belonged to Eddie.
Cakes, brownies, cookies, any of it, Eddie could do it all. So, when Christopher told them that his school was holding a fall bake sale, Eddie accepted easily... so did Buck.
There was definitely an easier way to do this but Buck and Eddie being BuckAndEddie somehow decided that, rather than working together and making one pastry, they would compete against each other and make two to sell. On one hand, this was the perfect way to prove that Eddie was the better baker and, hopefully, raise more money for Christopher’s school. On the other hand, they spent less time with each other and missed out on a date-not-date in their kitchen. Eddie could just imagine them laughing like teenagers as they threw flour at each other and immediately regretting it once they realize the mess and all the cleaning that’ll be needed. They'd figure out how to enjoy that too though, Eddie was sure of it. Everything was fun with Buck.
Buck, sunshine incarnate, strong but gentle, always happy, biggest heart and, his lovely boyfriend... His boyfriend who’s barely seen in two days due to him picking up extra shifts to use the kitchen for his baking experiments. See, they had agreed that they cannot know what the other was making, just that they had to make the same amount, and so, Buck took to the station kitchen to bake while Eddie baked in their kitchen.
Eddie didn’t need much prep; he knew what he was making as soon as he first heard about the bake sale. He wasn’t going to be a basic parent and simply put fall colors on a rice krispe treat and call it a day, (Leah Sharpe was bound to that again like she had been doing for the past three years that her so has been enrolled with Christopher) no, he was making his homemade pumpkin shaped and flavored cinnamene rolls. Light and doughy pumpkin rolls with an icing glaze mixed with just the tiniest amount of nutmeg and a cinnamene stick straight through the middle to make it look like a pumpkin.
With the smell of cinnamene and sugar wafting through the air in the Diaz home, Eddie cut the final string on the rolls and marveled at his pumpkins before hearing the front door open. Making quick work to hide his treats, Eddie greeted Buck from the kitchen.
“Hey.” Buck muttered as he toed off his shoes, holding a container for what he assumed to be for his pastry of choice.
“What’s that?” Eddie asked with a smirk.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.” The blond responded before putting a quick peck on Eddie’s lips and moving towards the kitchen.
“Don’t need too, already know I’m gonna win.” Eddie followed Buck as he put the container on the counter and stood next to him, shoulders pressed against each other.
Buck huffed a laugh. “Yea right. Big words coming from a man who can’t even fry and egg.” He turned to face Eddie and was met with mock offense.
“None of us eat them! I don’t need to know.”
“Excuses, excuses.”
The brunette muttered a shut up before finding Buck’s lips and kissing him. He can't help but be remined of their first one, in the very kitchen they were arguing in, due to the same reason of missing each other.
Buck had kissed him that fateful night, two months ago after a full three days of avoidance from Eddie. He had just figured out how he felt towards Buck, realized how long he loved him and what that meant for their friendship when he started to avoid him, not trusting himself to snap and kiss him in front of everyone when he made them laugh or when he had a close call on a scene or when he whistled while cooking or doing really anything at all. Despite that, Buck had been the to kiss him. Eddie had just ranted about his complicated and conflicting feelings without actually saying how he felt when suddenly, Buck’s lips were on his and all of his anxieties simply floated away. He melted into the touch and only realized what had actually happened when Buck pulled away. He opened his mouth and began apologizing but before the word sorry had even left his mouth, Eddie said he loved him. Eddie chased his lips, desperate for Buck to get just how much he loved him when he pulled away again with a smile.
“Didn’t even let me say it back.”
“I didn’t want to hear you apologize for something that wasn’t your fault.”
Eddie still remembers, doesn’t think he’ll ever forget the way Buck’s whole body softened and whispered I love you. Eddie mirrored Buck’s smile and kissed him again, just for good measure.
Eddie’s brought back to the present when he feels a tongue slip across his lips and opens his mouth to allow Buck in. There’s no heat behind it, just a need to feel closer, impossibly close. Buck now had his arms around Eddie’s back and his chest was pressed against Buck’s. Eddie broke the kiss and sighed contently while hugging him back.
“I missed you.” He says sleepily and in Buck’s ear.
“Eddie, you saw me Tuesday night.”
“At night, I didn’t get to actually be with you.” He stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world while looking in Buck’s eyes.
Buck hums and pulls back slightly, both hands finding Eddie’s. “Well, you’ll get to be with me all tomorrow. Even when I win and rub in your face.”
“Not happening Buck.” Eddie quips while dragging them their bedroom.
“You never what might happen tomorrow.” Buck whispers as they pass Chris’ room. They stop to peer into it and see the sleeping form of their son on his, steady breaths being heard even after they get into their own room and settle for the night.
***
“Alright!” Buck says while jumping out of the jeep and going around to the backside doors. He grabs both containers of mystery pastries while Eddie gives Chris his crutches and helps him out of the car. He waits on the sidewalk for them while trying to navigate the maze of tables full of food with his eyes. “Hey bud, we’re sharing a table with Leo’s-” He gets interrupted by Christopher’s shout for his friend and off they go.
Buck and Eddie stay slightly behind Chris as he meets with his friend Leo. “Have you ever met Leo’s mom before? I don’t even know what she looks like! How are supposed to find her table and set up with her if we don’t even know what she looks like?”
Eddie takes on of the containers from Buck and replaces it with his hand. “Relax Buck, we’ll find her and it’ll be fine.” He offers a small smile and treks on.
“Until I win.”
“You’re going to be a sore loser.” Eddie says in a sing-songy voice just as they find their table.
They introduce themselves to Leo’s mom Jessica and quickly set up their sweets among hers. They count down from five and reveal them to all. A collective “Oh my god” is said from all three of them at the table. On Bucks plate lay 15 chocolate cupcakes, all with a frosting cauldron and green m&ms on top. On Eddie’s plate lay 15 perfectly shaped pumpkin cinnamene rolls.
“You guys really took this seriously.” Jessica replies a little starstruck, still gaping at the pastries.
Buck and Eddie stare at each other before Chris pops up between them gasps at the treats.
“You guys never bake like this for me.” He says while looking at them. They meet each other's gaze again and both reply, “Way too much sugar.” Chris pouts and stares at Jessica’s chocolate chip cookies.
“I’ll just uhh, get the moneybox ready..” She replies sadly, sparing one last look at her cookies and retreating to the front of the table.
“We totally took this way too seriously.” Buck says while inspecting the cinnamene rolls. “I mean, how did you even do this? It looks... really good Eds.”
“I’ll say, how did you do this?! What, did you separate out all the greens from the rest?” Eddie points to the cupcakes.
“Yea. There's a big bowl of m&ms and the station now, just without the green.”
Eddie laughs a little and says earnestly, “They look really good, professional.”
“Are you admitting defeat already?” Buck raise’s a brow at Eddie and smirks.
“Never.” Eddie whispers while leaning towards Buck. “Oh look, a costumer!” Eddie leans away and walks off, not before looking at a dumbfounded Buck and winking.
“What a tease...” Buck says under his breath as more costumers show up.
Soon, the entire outside area is completely packed. Surprisingly, Jessica’s cookies had been a hit and were sold out first so, she took the opportunity to walk around the sale and see what others were selling. Eddie quickly took over the moneybox, making sure to separate the money spent on Buck’s cupcakes and on his cinnamene rolls. Buck kept peering around Eddies shoulder and quote, “making sure he isn’t taking his money.” Eddie says he’d never; he leaves out saying he considered it.
Their down to the last couple treats when Eddie catches Buck talking to a costumer. He sees him being all smiley, leaning over the table and standing up straight. Eddie has half a mind to be jealous and leave his spot to kindly tell the girl off when he realizes it. The girl comes around the moneybox and pays for a cupcake. As soon as she leaves, Eddie whisper yells to Buck. “Charming your way to selling them? Really Buck?”
“We never said it was against the rules.” Buck throws his hands up in defense. He busies himself with unwrapping the remaining cupcakes before timidly adding, “I’ll stop if you want.”
Eddie sees him flush and replies softly. “No, It’s fine.” Buck meets his gaze and they stay there for a minute, deep into each other's eyes before Eddie blows out a breath. “This means war. It’s fair game.” He begins to roll up his sleeves.
“Ok, you don’t need to go and show off Eddie, everyone can see your hot already.”
“Is that so?”
Buck flushes again and avoids his gaze. “Two can play at this game Diaz.” He says while taking off his jacket and unbuttoning the first two buttons of his shirt.
Eddie looks at Buck’s chest unapologetically. “I’m glad you are Buckley.” He tilts his head slightly, only looking away once a costumer comes by.
Finally, the bake sale comes to its end and Eddie begins counting the money. Buck stands off to his side, shifting from foot to foot. He begins fidgeting impatiently, only getting distracted enough once Christopher comes back around starts talking about the drama of the PTA moms. Buck’s full attention is on Chris until a frustrated groan breaks their conversation.
“One dollar. There’s a one-dollar difference.” Eddie says reluctantly with his head in his hands. Buck smiles so brightly Eddie swears he can feel it. Despite his lose, he can’t but feel like a winner so long as he is around Buck.
Eddie finally confirms that Buck is in fact the winner of their little bake off. “Told you so.” Buck says sweetly into his ear when he pulls him aside, away from the table and watchful eyes of parents. They hadn’t told any of the parents there but Chris was free too, they had been acting like they normally would the entire time. Buck figured that no kid exactly wants to see to adult's kiss and flirt, especially their own kid.
“Yea, yea. I guess congratulations are in order.” Eddie rolled his eyes fondly and put his hands around Buck’s neck. Buck’s hands were on his waist, steady and strong but not trapping him there. Eddie gave Buck a small peck on the lips and pulled away.
“Oh, come on, I feel like I deserve more than that.” Buck played as if annoyed but a soft smile remained on his lips.
“Evan Buckley, are you suggesting we make out on our sons school grounds?” He hears Buck suck in a breath the way he always does when Eddie says our son. Buck’s been co-parenting him for practically the entire time they’ve known each other, Eddie put him in his will, he’s Christopher’s parent just as much as he is.
“I’m merely suggesting that you give me more than a peck.” Buck clarifies and stares at Eddie longingly, waiting.
“Fine, it’s not my fault if we get kicked out.” Eddie says swiftly before pressing into Buck completely, lips crashing. Eddie swore it was as easy as breathing to kiss Buck. He could do it all day. He would if he could but he doubts Bobby and Chris would like that very much.
Eddie pulls back just far enough so their lips aren’t touching but they’re sharing the same air, foreheads against each other. “Does this count as your prize for winning?” Eddie asks a little breathlessly.
“We never did talk about that did we?” Buck says as he looks down at Eddie through his lashes, dopey grin and all.
“Nope.” Eddie answers, making a popping sound. “What do you want Buck?” Eddie asks, genuinely curious.
“Honestly? Nothing. I’ve got the second-best thing right here.” Buck says while jabbing Eddie in the sides and laughing lightly as Eddie wriggles around him, giggling.
“Second best?” Eddie manages to say in between his laughter.
“Christopher’s better, sorry.”
“You’re such a sap.”
“You love it.”
“I do. I really do.” Eddie agrees before placing a soft kiss to Buck lips and cradling his face.
“Dad! Buck! Hurry up!” Chris’ yells at them, far away not to see anything.
“Come on, Let’s go home.”
Eddie follows Buck and Chris as they get everything in the jeep and watches as Buck helps Chris into it. Before they make it into the car, Eddie can’t help but give Buck another kiss. Maybe Buck was the best baker and cook, he deserved those titles. He deserved everything.