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One moment Eddie is about to start getting his chores done for his shift and the next he is looking at his best friend like it’s the first time seeing him. Maybe it’s the way that he is just standing there looking more of himself than ever. The sunlight makes him look more like an angel than he already looks. Or maybe it’s that he has a clipboard in his hand that he has no clue why it would make everyone but him anywhere else but not near him. It could also be for any other reason but no amount of catholic guilt is powerful enough for him to realize that Evan ‘Buck’ Buckley is the love of his life.
It should really surprise him about his feelings for his best friend but the more he thinks about it the more he realizes that if he was anyone else he should have realized sooner. Or it could have been a bunch of little and big moments between them that it was hard to realize what happened until now. What if was so powerful since the moment they both agreed to have each others backs and the feelings grew from there until he finally noticed. Or maybe it was his heart finally realized his brain was ready for him to know the truth.
He doesn’t know how long he stood there or what he could possibly look like(a goofball for one) but next thing he knows is he feels a precious at his side. Eddie could already tell it was Hen without looking. Buck would probably joke and say something that Hen has a vibe with her as an older sister ready to tease. He might not have an older sister like Buck but he does have sisters so he will agree with the sister thing. He will never agree with the vibe though(out loud.)
“You know if I didn't know any better I would've thought you were a statue,”
“Sorry, I may have just planned my entire future and wedding with my best friend in less than a minute.” He doesn’t know why he says it but it could be the quick acceptance that he might be gay and in love with his best friend.
When he goes to look at his friend he should not be surprised at the shocked face she has writing on her face. This seems to be a day where the people of the 118 have a minute reboot to process new or old revelations going around.
“In the nicest way possible I just thought one day we all would have to drag you out the closet before this way to come.” Okay, maybe Hen was just trying to find a way to not make him upset, which is far if past records are anything to go by(fight club if anyone needs a reminder.)
Bowing his head and while running his hands down his face. “Everyone knows? Am I the last one to notice? Have I been in love this entire time and was the last to know?”
Hen reaches slowly out towards him and says, “No, Hey, No, if it makes you feel better I don’t think Buck knows and we were not 100 percent sure but we knew that there could be some feelings here. Know this though we are all here for you for when you figure out what to do about your feelings for him. Remember they are your feelings if you want to share them or not but just know I don’t think you will be disappointed.”
Before he can say thanks she was already gone and already heading to Chimney. He was not worried about her spilling knowing that she knows how he feels. What bothers him the most though is how bothered he is that Buck doesn't suspect how much love he might have for him but knowing his history he gets it. That is what tears him apart is how much Buck doesn’t even realize how it’s so easy to love him that he didn’t even realize he was doing it the whole time he had known him.
At that moment he knew he would have to change that. But first he will have to call Chris to see what he thinks of this. He doesn’t believe Chris will see a problem with it but he will always have some say in this. So, before he makes any plan to win Bucks heart he needs to make sure it’s okay with Chris and with that he makes his way to the Bunks.
After a long call with his wonderful son, not only was he shocked to find out that his son was happy about the news but thought that it was a long time coming. Chris explained to him that he has waited for it since he was nine and was trying to find ways to get them together but that Carla said to him that they would figure it out. Chris also said to him that he thought of Buck as like a second dad but never said anything because he didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. So, Eddie reassured his son that if anything goes according to plan that hopefully one day Buck could be his second dad legally. He also reassured him that he will tell Buck how he feels and whatever Buck feels he will not leave their lives but they respect his wishes if Buck doesn’t feel the same way he does. He ended the call to make sure Chris would still be okay with his hangout with his friends and to call if he needs him. Feeling a rush of joy of having the best son in the world he heads of the bunk rooms like he is about to change his life hopefully for the better.
As the shift started to come towards an end Eddie found new ways, during the down time, in which to put his plan in place to show his love to Buck. He knew had to show him how much love he had for him because he knew no amount of words would ever be enough. He just couldn’t think of anything good enough for Buck. Eddie knows that Buck won't mind just him saying the simple ‘I love you’ or anything really but he deserves so much more than that. With his past history with his relationships(maybe because being terrified about being with women while unknowingly being gay is not a good thing to have in a relationship) he wants to make sure he can be better because he wants to be better for Buck. By now he is starting to freak out about it all and Buck will or already started to notice because of course he would that is who he is. The guy who pays attention to the people he loves. He doesn’t want to address the fact it might be because of how he was raised then he would just want to buy a plane ticket and rip them a new one. That would be a waste of time and money, so he won’t do that. For now he will finish his shift and Buck will follow him home to have our annual Friday night movie night.
With all the planning and the working he never put it in place after his realization that he would have to act normal until he has a way to show his love to Buck. But being with Buck by himself all he can think about is how close he is and all he wants to do is keep him close forever. So. he keeps himself busy and cooks for them even though it’s mainly Buck’s job because he is better at it. He puts on his music to help him concentrate on cooking and won’t be tempted to look at Buck. What he didn’t prepare for was towards the end to be pulled into Buck orbit by Buck himself when a slow song comes on and is dancing with him. It wasn't how he imagine this to go like this but he also didn’t think Buck would Slow dance with him while he was trying to cook him dinner so really it’s his fault when he blurted it out.
“Would you Marry Me?” it was said so low and softly with a fondness to it that it would seem like it was planned which in a way it was but at the same time it wasn’t. He thought maybe down the line after the ‘I love you’ then he would propose. But with Buck in his arms and looking like that he couldn’t help himself. And now Buck is just staring at him and he needs to add on before he loses him.
“Buck it’s just earlier today I saw you with that clipboard and I thought ‘wow’ and all these questions have been answered about who I am. I saw everything that happened between us. Me, you, Chris and I just thought all the puzzle pieces are finally together. Buck, you where this missing piece of this puzzle that was right in front me this whole time that I couldn’t see and not because i didn’t want to but because it was there this entire time and I just didn’t know until all the other pieces where put together. All those moments I have spent with you were the ones I love from the moment we met each other till now. It was just so strong and I have never felt it before. I didn’t know what it was until now. And there was the entire catholic guilt in the way for me to not realize how unbelievably gay and how in love I am with you until I saw you being you with that clipboard and it made me realize how strongly in love with you I am. I already knew that you are the most incredible person, besides Christopher, you are. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I have spoken with Chris about this and he would be so happy if you agreed. And I know we haven’t been together and said I love you back to each other but I just couldn’t help myself and asked so would you marry –”
He didn’t have time to finish before lips were connected to his lips. It took a minute but he finally kissed Buck back, melting into the spot. He didn’t know that a kiss would feel like home to him before. It felt so right and he cannot believe his luck that he would get to do this for the rest of his life. It was a good thing the timer went off for the lasagna because he completely forgot all about it.
“So, I guess that it is a yes?”
“Yes, Eddie it is a yes and I love you too. That it has always been you too.”
“Well, Fiancé, why don’t we eat this lasagna and then continue where we were later.” Eddie didn’t think he would see a day that Buck smiled any more than he already has but right now he looks like the happiest he has ever been. Eddie knows that his face is probably making his own version of happiness on his face. He just can not believe that this is his life now that he can be happy fully with his family and can come together now.
“I believe that is a wonderful idea.”
And they sit together and plan for the future. When they get Chris tomorrow they will tell him the great news but that is for future them to figure out but they just have to live in the now.