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“Eds. Eddie. Edmundo. Eddie Diaz,” Buck said, punctuating every utterance of his name with a poke to Eddie’s shoulder. The two men were sitting on Eddie’s couch, watching old episodes of New Girl.
“Yes, Evan Buckley?” Eddie answered, subtly rolling his eyes as he looked away from the TV and over at Buck.
“I figured out what we should dress up as for Halloween since we actually have it off this year.”
“We?” Eddie asked, lifting an eyebrow in question.
“Yes, we. You should be Captain America, and I can be the Winter Soldier. Chris can be Falcon, maybe, or Iron Man or something like that. If he’s okay with matching us.”
“You’ve got about a 50/50 shot with that,” Eddie said, looking toward Chris’s room. “You’re seriously suggesting that you dress up as someone Steve Rogers calls Buck half the time?”
“Yes, that makes it even better! You have to be Steve, you know, with the army and all.”
“Bucky was in the army, too,” Eddie deadpanned.
Buck waved his hand in dismissal. “That’s beside the point. You’re basically Captain America already, and I’m your best friend, so I get to be Bucky Barnes.”
“Even though you’re the blond-ish-haired, blue-eyed one?”
“Looks don’t matter. You need to be Steve Rogers because of how perfect you are. It’s what’s inside that counts. You know that.”
“Okay, fine,” Eddie agreed with an amused smile. “But I’m not wearing the helmet.”
Buck grinned and pulled Eddie into as tight a hug as he could while sitting on the living room couch, thanking him in a singsong voice. Eddie closed his eyes and breathed deeply into the hug, savoring the feeling of Buck’s arms around him. After pulling away, Buck bounced up and down excitedly in his seat for a few moments before getting off the couch and zipping down the hallway to Christopher’s room.
“Chris,” he said, elongating the vowel in his name.
“I’m in the middle of a battle,” Chris said, not looking away from his computer.
Buck huffed a sigh and leaned against the doorframe, tapping his foot on the floor while he waited. Eddie quietly ventured over to watch from the top of the hallway, his eyes alight with fondness over what he saw. Seeing Buck excited like this about something was one of his favorite things, especially when it involved Chris. Before he could be caught lurking, though, Eddie slunk back to the couch, leaving Buck to talk to Christopher. When his battle was over, the teenager said something about being back in a few minutes, then pulled off his headphones and turned to Buck with an expectant look.
“Okay, so Halloween is in a month,” Buck said, pushing himself off of the doorframe. “And Bobby and Athena are having a party at their place.”
“Yeah, Buck, I know.”
“I’m not done yet,” Buck said, giving Chris an unamused look. Chris mumbled an apology and Buck forged on. “Right, so obviously we’re going and I was thinking that we could have matching costumes. Me, you, and your dad.” Christopher wrinkled his nose, but Buck was not discouraged by it. “Yeah, yeah, I know you think it’s weird because you’re a teenager, but matching is fun when you do it right. Your dad’s dressing up as Captain America and I’m going as the Winter Soldier. I think it’s only fitting that you dress up as Falcon or an equally cool Avenger. My vote is on Falcon, though, because Sam, Steve, and Bucky are kind of a package deal. Iron Man could work, too, though, if you wanted to do a Civil War thing. Or you could go really crazy and do a gender-swapped Black Widow for a Captain America: The Winter Soldier thing.”
“Do I have to?”
“Of course not, but I think it would be awesome if you did.”
Chris sighed. “I guess I can dress up as Falcon, but only because his wingsuit is really cool.”
“Hell yeah! Okay, I’ll let you get back to your game. You’re done with your homework, right?”
“Yes, Dad,” Christopher said with a roll of his eyes, putting his headphones back on and turning back to his computer.
Buck paused for a moment before returning to the living room, Chris’s snarky comment fully hitting him. He made his way back to the sofa, a dazed expression on his face. Eddie quirked an eyebrow at him and waved his hand in front of Buck’s face.
“You okay? What’d he say to you? Does he not want to do the costume thing?” Eddie asked.
“No, he said he’ll be Falcon. But he, uh… I asked him if he was done with his homework and he said ‘Yes, Dad,’ all sarcastic. I know he’s being an angsty teenager, but did I overstep? I don’t want—I mean, you’re his dad, and maybe I shouldn’t—“
“Buck,” Eddie interrupted softly, his hand finding its usual place on Buck’s shoulder. His thumb grazed Buck’s pulse point lightly. “You’re not overstepping by asking about his homework. You do realize we basically co-parent him, right?”
“I-I mean, I guess so?”
“You’re his emergency contact at his doctor’s office since I’m considered his next of kin. You’re the only person aside from me and Carla who is authorized to pick him up from school. You chaperone field trips and help with family volunteer hour requirements. You come with me to Parent Teacher Conferences. We both handle difficult conversations with him. You help him just as much as I do with schoolwork...” Eddie trailed off with a shrug.
“And you’re okay with all that?” Buck asked, biting his lip.
“Of course I am. I put you in my will, didn’t I?”
“I guess I didn’t realize how I kind of fit that role already, how it isn’t just an ‘in case the unthinkable happens’ type of thing.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t communicate that better. You’re not a 'just in case.' You’re my partner in this. Are you okay with it?”
“Are you kidding me? Chris is the best. I’m honored.”
“Good,” Eddie said with a warm smile. His hand dropped from Buck’s shoulder, and they both felt deprived from the loss of contact. “Now let’s start looking at costume options.”
It’s safe to say that Buck went a little overboard on their costumes. Eddie was fine with buying the $20 compression shirts from Amazon that were printed with the design of the super suits. Buck had been offended by the idea. He claimed it was tacky and uncreative and that more effort should be put in for an entire matching ensemble. Even though Buck didn’t outright admit it, Eddie was certain that his insistence on going all out for their costumes stemmed from not having things like this in childhood. It was that—definitely not his complete inability to resist the quiet hope gleaming in Buck’s beautiful baby blue eyes—that had him agreeing to more intricate cosplay that was meticulously planned and documented on Buck’s trusty clipboard.
Buck’s excitement was contagious, too, and not just with Eddie. He had gotten the entire 118 family to agree to show up at the Grant-Nash Halloween Party fully decked out in costumes, with the caveat that they weren’t allowed to disclose what they were dressing up as so it would be a surprise on Halloween. He also convinced Bobby to have a photo booth like the one that had been at May’s graduation party, only more high-tech with an automated camera that emailed photos out to the address entered with each new set.
By the time Halloween finally rolled around, Buck was practically buzzing with anticipation. He showed up at Eddie’s around noon even though Chris was still at school and the party didn’t start until 6:00.
“You’re a bit early,” Eddie greeted him with a fond smile.
“I know, but I have too much energy to be alone in my apartment, so I thought maybe we could do lunch, then go over the checklist again before we pick up Chris from school,” Buck said.
“We’ve been through the checklist three times since we started planning this.”
“And we’ll go through it again when we get suited up before we go to Bobby’s,” Buck said, grinning.
Eddie shook his head, giving Buck another soft smile. “Guess it’s a good thing you’re matching with me . Anyone else would have burned your clipboard already.”
“I will not apologize for my dedication to organization and efficiency,” Buck declared.
“Never said you should,” Eddie said, clapping him on the shoulder. Instead of keeping his hand in place like usual, he let it trail softly down Buck’s arm. When he reached Buck’s hand, he squeezed it once before letting go. Buck’s cheeks flushed a rosy pink, and he stammered when he suggested they should head out.
After lunch at Eddie’s favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint, Buck went through the checklist for all three costumes to ensure every piece was accounted for. Christopher’s school didn’t allow costumes on Halloween, so his was still in the house. Eddie brought everything from his bedroom into the living room so they could separate things into one pile per costume. Each time Buck called out an item, Eddie responded with “check” and moved the item into its respective neatly organized pile on the coffee table.
“Last but certainly not least, the shield,” Buck said.
“Check,” Eddie said, placing the plastic replica on top of the rest of his costume pieces and gazing affectionately at Buck, who was standing in front of the table to oversee the process.
Buck finished the checklist with a flourish of the pen and a smirk. He slid the pen back into place and put the clipboard down on the arm of the couch, his gaze fixed on Eddie.
“What’s that look for?” Eddie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The extreme sense of satisfaction I get from you following every prompt with ‘check’ and never complaining. You get this look on your face… One could say you might actually like it when I have a clipboard in my hands.”
“Don’t ever say anything like that around the others,” Eddie insisted, not even bothering to deny the claim. “I do not need Hen or Chim giving me shit about it.”
“My lips are sealed,” Buck said, his smirk becoming more mischievous. “Might have to bring Clipboard Buck back to the station soon, though. See how long it takes them to catch on to how much you like me bossing you around.“
“They do not need to witness that,” Eddie said, his eyes widening in fear. He didn’t think much about the implication of what was being said. “That’s— That does not belong in the workplace.”
“I make no promises.”
Eddie groaned, letting his head flop back onto the couch. “You’re the worst.”
“You love me.”
“Yeah,” Eddie said, his voice dropping. His eyes locked with Buck’s, and Buck’s breath hitched. “I do.”
Before Buck had a chance to reply, Eddie’s alarm went off to signal that it was time to pick up Christopher from school. Both men snapped out of their brief reverie at the sound of the alarm, matching blush spreading across their faces. They exited the house in silence and made their way to Buck’s Jeep. Eddie slid into the passenger seat, happy to let Buck drive. He let his eyes drift shut as the autumn sun shone down on him through the window, a feeling of serenity settling over him.
A few minutes into the drive, Buck interrupted the quiet stillness, his voice strained. “Are you sure Chris is okay with this whole thing?”
Eddie’s eyes popped open as he looked to the left to find Buck chewing on his bottom lip. “Yes. Even if he wasn’t, it’s a little late now.”
“Do you think I pressured him into it? Maybe he doesn’t actually want to do this, but he agreed anyway so I wouldn’t feel bad. But he could have said no if he didn’t want to. I would’ve been fine. Do you—“
“Breathe, mi vida,” Eddie interrupted, flushing as he realized the pet name that had slipped out. “I overheard him talking to Julian the other day about how excited he is about the whole thing. He would be mortified if he knew I heard him talking about it, so do not mention it, but you can relax. He’s just being a teenager.”
“I don’t like it,” Buck complained. “Why can’t he just be honest and not pretend to hate it just because it’s ‘not cool’ to match your parents or whatever?”
“Tell me about it,” Eddie grumbled. “Maybe he’ll grow out of it soon and take more after you. I hope he does.”
“You-you want him to take after me?” Buck choked out.
“Do I want him to be unapologetically himself no matter what other people think just like you? Hell yeah, I do.”
“Jesus, Eddie, you’re not supposed to say shit like that when I’m driving,” Buck said, blinking fast to try to quell the welling tears.
“Sorry,” Eddie said with a sheepish smile. “I mean it, though.”
Shortly after that conversation, they arrived at Chris’s school. Christopher was already waiting outside with a group of friends when the Jeep pulled up, his back facing the road.
“Hey, Chris, I think your dads are here,” his best friend, Julian, said. “The silver Jeep is theirs, right?”
“Oh, yeah, that’s Buck’s car. He must’ve parked behind the truck. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
“Are you sure you can’t come with us to Tyler’s party tonight?”
“Yeah, we’ve got a family thing.”
“And you can’t get out of it?”
Chris shook his head. “It’s kind of important to Buck, I think, so it’s important to me, too.”
“Alright, man. Have fun. We’ll catch up in homeroom tomorrow.”
“Thanks, you too. Stay safe, everyone.”
With that, Chris turned and made his way to the car. Unbeknownst to him, Buck and Eddie had heard the entire conversation, and their hearts swelled with pride. Chris was already growing up to be an incredible young man.
The three of them were the first to arrive at Bobby and Athena’s, no surprise to the hosts. Bobby was still finishing up the food and refused Buck’s offer to help since he was technically a guest. Buck scowled and marched out to the backyard to complain to Athena.
“You know how he is, Buck,” Athena commiserated. “He just wants you to enjoy the party. And maybe he doesn’t want to risk you ruining your costume.”
“He’s in costume, too!” Buck whined. “Wait, are you guys matching?”
“Mhmmm,” she confirmed. “I thought the metallic silver outfits were a dead giveaway, but maybe not.”
“No, it’s just—I didn’t realize other people were going to do matching costumes, too. It’s cool. You two look great. Aliens, I’m guessing?”
“Something like that. I let Bobby choose our costumes. What are you supposed to be?”
“The Winter Soldier. Eddie’s Captain America and Christopher is Falcon.”
“Those are Marvel characters, right? Harry used to watch the movies, but it’s been years since I’ve seen any.”
“They are! And I figure since they’re a sort of unshakable trio, it fits for the three of us.”
“It definitely does,” Athena agreed, a knowing glint shining in her eyes.
More guests arrived soon, and Buck was impressed by everyone’s costumes. Hen and Karen were dressed up as a solar eclipse; Hen was the sun and Karen was the moon. They’d tried to rope Denny or Mara into being the earth, but neither of them agreed. Denny was dressed up as Venom, much to Christopher’s delight, and Mara had decided on Princess Tiana. Maddie and Chimney showed up as Barbie and Ken. Jee-Yun had insisted on matching Maddie exactly, so she was Barbie, too. Ravi and his partner, Alex, were both dressed as Ghostbusters. Harry was Superman. May was Velma from Scooby-Doo and her girlfriend, Sydney, was Daphne. Once everyone was gathered, Buck’s heart felt ready to burst with happiness. Everyone had gone all out for their costumes, his entire family was there, and the atmosphere was perfect.
“You look a little overwhelmed,” Hen commented. “You okay?”
“It’s a good overwhelmed,” Buck said with a grin. “I have been looking forward to this so much and it’s incredible. I love yours and Karen’s costumes, by the way. I should’ve guessed that it would be space-related.”
“Naturally. I can’t believe you dressed up as a character named Buck.”
“Technically, his name is Bucky. Steve only sometimes shortens it to Buck.”
“I said the same thing,” Eddie chimed in, handing Buck a cup of what Bobby called Witches’ Brew (that was really just pineapple juice, Sprite, and lime jello mix). “But he insisted that I was the one who had to be Captain America.”
“And you two just had to match?” Hen asked with a smirk.
“Matching costumes are cool!” Buck said. “You and Karen matched!”
“They are and we did,” Hen agreed. “Your choice of costumes is… interesting.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Eddie asked.
“Do you know what fans think about Steve and Bucky?”
Eddie didn’t reply, sipping his own Witches’ Brew as he dutifully averted his eyes from Hen’s gaze.
“What-what do fans think?” Buck asked. “It’s not anything bad is it?”
“I also think it’s interesting who all chose to wear matching costumes, don’t you?” Hen continued, ignoring Buck’s question.
“You mean everyone?” Eddie asked.
“Not everyone.”
“Okay…?” Buck said, shifting awkwardly on his feet.
“She’s saying that it’s interesting you and Eddie have matching costumes just like all the other couples,” Chimney supplied. Buck startled. He hadn’t noticed Chimney was next to him. “And that a lot of people think Steve and Bucky—“
“Anyway!” Hen interrupted, elbowing Chimney. “You guys look great. And Christopher’s costume? Unmatched. Whose idea was it to make his crutches look like wings?”
“Mine, actually,” Eddie said shyly. “Buck is the one who pulled it off, but it was my idea.”
“You did great, Buck. It looks amazing. And amazing idea, Eddie. I bet he loves it.”
“He does,” Eddie said with a warm smile.
“You’re good parents,” Hen said, smiling at each of them in turn before walking off to find her wife. Chimney excused himself to go wrangle Jee-Yun down from the table she’d clambered up on.
“What do you think they were getting at?” Buck asked, staring quizzically after his teammates.
“Your guess is as good as mine,” Eddie said, biting his bottom lip and casting his glance away from Buck. He cleared his throat before changing the subject. “We should go get super embarrassing pictures with Chris.”
“Absolutely,” Buck agreed with a grin. He made his way inside while Eddie sought out Chris.
“Alright, break time,” Eddie said, waltzing up to Christopher and Denny who were engrossed in a game on Denny’s Switch.
“Dad!” Christopher groaned. “Go hang out with your friends and let me hang out with mine.”
“You can come back to hang out with Denny in a few minutes. Buck wants to get some pictures of all of us together.”
“Buck does?” Christopher asked, giving Eddie a skeptical look.
“Yes, Buck does. He’s your embarrassing dad too, you know. I can’t take all the credit.”
“Wait, you’re finally dating Buck? Mama goes on about you two to Mom all the time,” Denny said.
Eddie felt his cheeks burn at the thought of Hen and Karen talking about his not-quite relationship with Buck. “Oh, uh… We’re not. I mean, we haven’t— I don’t know if he even wants— And I haven’t exactly told him, or anyone really, except for Chris that I’m…” Denny and Christopher exchanged a look. Eddie blushed an even deeper red. “Let’s keep that part of this conversation to ourselves for now, please. Chris, photos?”
“You might want to wait a little bit, so you don’t look like a tomato in them,” Chris said as he followed Eddie into the house where Buck was waiting for them. “Also, don’t worry about Denny and me. We won’t say anything.”
“Thanks,” Eddie said, clearing his throat. “I haven’t gotten the courage to tell anyone else yet. It’s hard, especially with it being a relatively new discovery.”
“I get it. There’s nothing wrong with that, though, even though you’re like really old.”
“Christopher, I’m only 32.”
“Like I said. Really old.”
“Buck is older. Go be mean to him.”
“Did you just give our kid permission to be mean to me?” Buck asked, mock-outraged as the Diaz boys got to where he was standing.
“He’s trying to say I’m old. You’re older than me, so it’s only fair.”
“I’m not even an entire year older than you,” Buck said with a fond eye roll. “You’ll be 33 in the spring.”
“You might be older, but Dad is definitely wiser,” Chris said, earning a high five from Eddie.
Buck glared at both of them, causing them to break into laughter. Buck tried to remain serious, but he couldn’t resist laughing along with his favorite people. They were still laughing when they got situated in the photo booth, the camera capturing a few different candids full of mirth. After a few photos, Christopher decided he’d had enough and left his dads in the living room to go find Denny again.
“We should get some of just us, too,” Buck said in Eddie’s ear, causing him to shiver slightly.
“Old-school prom photo style?” Eddie joked, trying to play off the moment.
He didn’t think Buck would take him seriously. He should have known better. After typing in his email again on the photobooth screen, Buck placed his hands on Eddie’s hips, then physically turned him to the side. Eddie’s breath caught in his throat at the ease with which Buck manhandled him. Before Eddie could regain his breath fully, Buck stood behind him, pulling him into his chest. He wrapped his arms loosely around Eddie’s waist, and Eddie’s came to rest on top of them, the replica shield at the forefront, covering their hands.
“Think we would’ve won Cutest Couple with this?” Buck murmured, his lips brushing against Eddie’s ear right before the camera flash went off. Eddie was scared to see what face he was making in the photo, almost sure the cheesy smile had slipped off and turned into something much more vulnerable. Buck rearranged their positions so that Eddie was tucked tightly into his side. He guided Eddie’s hand up to rest on his chest, making sure it was hovering over his heart.
Eddie had to consciously make himself breathe. He felt lightheaded and hoped his voice didn’t sound as faint as it felt. “I dunno. Hen and Karen are fierce competition.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Buck said with a laugh.
Eddie grinned up at him and the camera flashed, snapping another picture. They took a few more, one with them trying to imitate classic superhero poses that ended with them cracking up with laughter again. After that, the Hans wanted their turn at photos, so Buck and Eddie rejoined the party out back. They mingled with everyone but were never more than a foot or so apart the entire night unless one of them was grabbing more drinks or snacks.
After the party wrapped up, Buck and the Diazes all went back to the house on Bedford Street. Christopher went to his room almost immediately, bidding his dads goodnight. Buck and Eddie lounged on the blue couch, now clad in sweatpants and t-shirts, and scrolled through their phones in the comfortable quiet. Buck looked up from his phone after perusing a few sites, his brow furrowed.
“Hey, Eds, do you know what shipping means?”
“Uh… regarding what?”
“Fandoms.”
“It means fans want certain characters to date.”
“Exactly. Well, I just looked it up, and apparently, a ton of people ship Steve and Bucky. They have a ship name and everything.”
“I might have already known that,” Eddie admitted, blushing a furious red for the umpteenth time that night.
“You knew we had couples costumes and didn’t say anything.” It came off as an accusation more than a question.
“It doesn’t have to be taken that way,” Eddie rushed to say, a frantic look in his eyes. “They’re friends, too, right? And-and co-workers basically. So yeah. It doesn’t have to be taken as a couple’s thing.”
“Right.” Buck’s voice was tense, and he gave Eddie an uncertain but hopeful look.
“Unless… Unless you want it to be taken that way?” Eddie ventured, his voice filled with anxiety.
“What if—” Buck swallowed, trying to dislodge the sudden tightness in his throat. “What if I did? Hypothetically.”
“Hypothetically,” Eddie said, leaning closer to Buck. “I’d say I’m with you ‘til the end of the line. If that’s what you wanted.”
“And if that is what I want? Then what?” Buck murmured, glancing down at Eddie’s lips.
“Then kiss me?” Eddie asked softly, his voice shaking slightly.
Buck didn’t need to be asked twice. He closed the gap between them, slotting their lips together in a sweet kiss. Eddie’s hand traveled up Buck’s chest, resting in place over his heart like it had in the photo earlier. Buck slid his tongue against Eddie’s lips, requesting permission for entry. Eddie acquiesced easily, opening his mouth for Buck to explore. Soon after, Buck pulled Eddie onto his lap so he was straddling him. Buck gripped Eddie’s hips and pulled him closer, causing both of them to moan into the other’s mouth as their clothed dicks dragged together.
“Sorry, was that okay?” Buck asked, panting slightly. “I just wanted you closer.”
“Yes, it’s okay,” Eddie said, rolling his hips experimentally. “God, that feels so good.”
“Can I?” Buck asked, pulling at Eddie’s shirt.
“Only if you lose yours, too.” Buck quickly shed his shirt, then slowly pushed Eddie’s up, taking his time to drag his hands up Eddie’s chest. “Come on, Buck,” Eddie groaned, squeezing Buck’s biceps and grinding his hips down.
“I’m appreciating your beautifully sculpted body,” Buck defended but nonetheless finished removing Eddie’s shirt, tossing it somewhere behind the couch.
“Thank you, but I want to appreciate your mouth with my mouth.”
Buck snorted, laughing. “That’s one way to request a kiss I haven’t heard before.”
“Shut up and kiss me, Buckley,” Eddie said, trying to glare but utterly failing. Buck giggled against Eddie’s mouth as he tried to kiss him. Eddie was grinning, too, so the kiss wasn’t much of a kiss. Buck ran his hands up Eddie’s back, bringing their bare chests closer together. That gesture sobered them both up, and they returned to making out, their hands roaming each other’s bodies freely. They quickly got lost in each other, the world narrowing down to the points of contact their bodies were making. Buck had just moved his lips to Eddie’s throat when the dreamlike state got shattered.
“Oh my god!” Christopher’s voice rang out, causing both Buck and Eddie to freeze. “This is not the type of scary thing I wanted to experience on Halloween!”
“I thought you went to bed,” Eddie managed to say after clearing his throat.
“I was getting ready to, but I couldn’t find my phone charger, so I came to see if I left it in here! I didn’t think I’d be walking in on a horror movie!”
“Chris,” Eddie started assertively, his no-nonsense dad voice taking charge. “Do you have a problem with me being gay? Or with me dating Buck?”
“Of course not; you raised me better than that. But no one wants to walk in on their parents having sex!”
“We were not having—” Chris gave him a hard look. “Okay, I can see why you would say that, but we were just kissing, mijo.”
“Yeah, shirtless and with your hands all over each other. I’m still scarred for life,” Chris said. “I’m never going to be able to sit on the couch again. Anyway, have you seen my phone charger?”
“It’s in the kitchen, bud,” Buck said, his face still flaming red. “Sorry about—”
“Yeah, this will never be spoken of again. I’m going to try to repress it. I’m happy for you, but please go in your room, my god. Goodnight,” Chris said, ambling off to the kitchen to retrieve his charger.
Buck’s head fell forward against Eddie’s shoulder as he groaned. “That went well.”
“Could’ve been worse,” Eddie said with a grimace. “We could have actually been—”
“Nope. Let’s not even go there. But we probably should move to your room.”
Eddie chewed on his bottom lip for a moment. “I don’t know if I’m ready to fully… you know?”
“That’s okay,” Buck said, sliding his hands soothingly up Eddie’s chest. “We can go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. Even if that means we never have sex.”
“We will definitely be having sex. Just… not tonight when this is so new and we still need to talk about it,” Eddie said, kissing Buck’s birthmark. “But you’re not sleeping on the couch ever again, so we might as well migrate to our bed regardless.”
Buck felt giddy over Eddie’s use of “our.” So much of his comfort was already in the Diaz house, and this just solidified it even more. The two of them brushed their teeth and made sure Chris was in bed with his lights out, then finally retired to bed.
“Can we talk about what you asked Chris?” Buck asked as they slid beneath the covers.
Eddie got comfortable lying down facing Buck and started tracing mindless patterns over his skin. “You mean about me being gay? Surprise.”
“Not what I meant. Although thank god you’re not straight. I’m proud of you for figuring it out and being able to say it out loud like that. How long have you known?”
“I think I’ve always known, deep down. But I accepted it a few months ago. Chris has known for a couple of weeks.”
“Wait, you figured it out when I started dating Natalia?”
“Yeah. Had to figure out why it bothered me so much that you thought she understood you like no one else did. Turns out it’s because I’m in love with you and felt deeply offended you thought that about someone who isn’t me.”
“Which brings me to what we need to talk about. You asked Chris if he had any problems with you dating me.”
“Is that— That’s what you want, right? I don’t want to do casual. I can’t do that with you. We’re not— You’re—”
Buck cut him off with a gentle kiss. “That’s what I want. You’re who I’ve wanted for a long time. Just didn’t think you would want me, too.”
“How could I not ? You’re— You’re you .”
“Exactly why I wouldn’t expect you to want me back. People never want to stay with me once they have me. So I’m a little scared of us doing this.”
“That’s not going to happen this time, Buck. I’ve already had you in almost every way and all I want is more of you. Everyone else is so fucking stupid for not realizing how lucky they were to have you,” Eddie said, cupping Buck’s face in his hand and pressing their foreheads together. “I’m so lucky I get to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Buck said, sliding his hand up Eddie’s arm to hold onto the hand against his face. “I love you so much.”
The next day, and with Eddie’s permission, Buck posted the utterly revealing photos of the two of them from the party on his Instagram page and a selfie of them kissing with the caption “I guess Stucky is canon after all 😘🌈 #tiltheendoftheline” and turned off the comments. They’d deal with their phones blowing up later.