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Eddie didn't like to talk about his feelings. It made him feel too vulnerable, too exposed. But it had been three months since he stopped lying to himself about his feelings for Buck and simply accepted that he was in love with his best friend, and given that he was 97% sure that Buck had feelings for him too, he thought it was about time he said something.
The trick was to get Buck into a state of exposure or vulnerability at the same time, levelling the playing field so that Eddie would be more comfortable to speak his truth.
And that was why, after everyone else had already left and Buck was the only one still in the showers, he walked in fully clothed and stepped up to the edge of the spray.
"Buck."
Buck turned, slicking his wet hair back, and then yelped and covered himself comically with his hands when he saw Eddie standing there.
"Eddie!" he exclaimed, his face turning red. "I'm naked!"
"Obviously," Eddie replied.
"What are you doing?"
"The thing is," Eddie said calmly, rather enjoying the way Buck was squirming beneath his gaze. "I have to tell you something."
"Does it have to be right now?" Buck asked anxiously.
"Yes."
"Eddie," Buck said, his voice coming out slightly strangled. "Seriously, I'll be done in less than a minute."
"I'm not waiting." Eddie shook his head and took a step forward, to which Buck responded by taking a step back.
"Careful!" Buck added. "You'll get wet. What the hell is this important that it can't wait for me to at least get a towel around me?"
"Well … I'm in love with you," Eddie said, pushing the words out forcefully before he could chicken out again. A faint mist of shower water was hitting his face and he stared, not breathing, at his best friend's wide eyed expression.
"You... what?" Buck asked softly.
"You heard me," Eddie said.
Stunned, Buck's arms went limp, causing his hands to fall away from his crotch. Eddie looked down immediately, then forced his eyes back up and took a deep breath. He'd said the words, the universe hadn't imploded, and now they were both exposed.
"You're… in love with me?" Buck asked slowly.
"That is what I said," Eddie confirmed with a nod.
"Wow."
Buck continued to stare at him, water running over his back and shoulders.
Eddie was just beginning to wonder if maybe he'd made a mistake by doing it this way – had he misjudged Buck's feelings for him? – when Buck stepped forward and grabbed his face with his wet hands. Shocked, he stumbled forward and was drawn under the shower spray as Buck kissed him.
Oh. He definitely hadn't been expecting that. Taking Buck into his arms, Eddie didn't even think about the water now soaking him as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. He'd been right – Buck did love him!
Joyous laughter bubbled up from his chest as he realised he'd done it. He'd told Buck how he felt and Buck had proven his trust was not misplaced. Buck was his, perfectly and forever. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, Eddie pressed their foreheads together as he continued to chuckle.
"What's so funny?" Buck asked with a giggle, then glanced down and added, "I mean… aside from the obvious."
Eddie looked down between them as well, his fading chuckles suddenly starting up again as he took in their current state; Buck completely naked, Eddie with his clothes plastered to him from the water. Buck started properly laughing too, dropping his head onto Eddie's shoulder to help hold himself up.
Thankful for his earlier wisdom in ensuring the rest of the team had already left before he cornered Buck in the showers, Eddie just shook his head as their laughter echoed all throughout the tiled room. Sliding his hands up into Buck's hair, he ran his fingers through the wet strands and wondered if it was possible for his chest to burst from happiness.
"Eddie?" Buck said, finally picking his head back up as his giggles faded. "Do you have any idea how unhinged you are, sometimes?"
"Excuse me?" Eddie arched an eyebrow indignantly.
"Come on," Buck said with a snigger. "You just confessed your love to me while I was naked!"
"And that makes me unhinged?" Eddie asked.
"A little." Buck smirked.
"I'll show you unhinged."
Reaching past him, Eddie twisted the hot tap off and then darted away. Buck shrieked as the water turned icy cold, his limbs flailing as he spun around and desperately tried to turn off the cold tap while simultaneously dancing out of the way of the spray.
Laughing, Eddie shook water out of his hair and then snatched up Buck's towel, helpfully holding it up for him when he walked over with shoulders hunched against the cold.
"Cruel," Buck muttered as Eddie wrapped him in the towel and then hugged him against his chest.
"I know," Eddie said with a grin. "I'm a monster."
"Warm monster, though," Buck added, snuggling as close as he could get and pressing a kiss to Eddie's neck.
After a few minutes of just standing there hugging, they finally separated so that they could dry off properly. They kept smiling at each other, unable to keep their happiness hidden, and when they were ready to leave Eddie bravely took Buck's hand in his before heading outside.
"Hey," Buck said softly when they reached their cars. "Does this mean we're boyfriends, now?"
"Mm. At least."
Frowning sharply, Buck met Eddie's gaze.
"At least? What do you mean at lea–"
Smirking, Eddie silenced him with a kiss.