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Eddie thought he was good at keeping secrets. Years in the Army and the firehouse had taught him how to keep his cool under pressure. But today, his poker face was failing him.
He wasn’t sure if it was the way Buck’s fingers tapped nervously against his knee during their last call or how he kept glancing Eddie’s way, but it felt like everyone in the firehouse could see right through him. Right through them.
They had been dating for a week now, a fact that still felt surreal to Eddie. They hadn’t told anyone yet, not because they were trying to hide it but because they were still navigating this new territory. Things between them had been kind of awkward, to say the least. After years of friendship, crossing that line felt both natural and nerve-wracking. They hadn’t even gone on a proper date yet, and Eddie had been hoping to break through the tension hanging between them.
Then, yesterday, Buck had asked him out. Eddie could still hear the slightly shaky way Buck had said, “Hey, uh, what are you doing after shift tomorrow? Because I was thinking… maybe we could go out. Like, out-out. You know, like a real date.”
Eddie had said yes before Buck could ramble himself into a panic, and then Buck had grinned and told him to dress nice. Now, here he was, sitting at the firehouse, trying not to overthink every glance and every word as he counted down the hours until their shift ended.
“Hey, Diaz, you good?” Chim asked during lunch, squinting at him.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Eddie said, forcing a shrug.
Chim tilted his head, clearly not buying it, Hen interrupted by dropping a plate of food in front of Chim, her focus shifting to Buck, who was trying and failing to look inconspicuous.
“Alright, spill it,” Hen said, pointing a finger at Buck. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been twitchy all day.”
Buck froze mid-bite, looking like a deer caught in headlights. He opened his mouth, then closed it, and Eddie felt a small pang of sympathy. He knew exactly how Buck was feeling.
“It’s nothing,” Buck mumbled, but Chim and Hen exchanged a look that screamed, We’re not letting this go.
“Buck,” Hen said in her 'big sister' voice, “you’re a terrible liar. Out with it.”
Buck sighed, looking down at his plate. “I, uh… I have a date tonight.”
Chim let out a low whistle, and Hen’s face lit up. “A date? With who?”
Eddie’s grip on his fork tightened, his heart pounding in his chest as he focused on his food, pretending not to listen.
“Just… someone,” Buck said, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
Hen wasn’t satisfied with the vague answer, but she softened at the sight of his flushed face, reaching over to pat Buck’s arm. “You’ll be fine. Just be yourself. You’ve got this.”
"Diaz, you know about this? That why you acting all jumpy?" Chim asked as he chewed his food.
Eddie choked on his food, caught off guard but quickly coughed and cleared his throat.
"Obviously he knows you idiot, it's Eddie. Like Buck wouldn't tell his best friend." Hen replied as she sat down next to Chim.
“Yeah duh,” Chim laughed. “Also you’re a catch, Buckaroo. Whoever this person is, they’re lucky and by lucky I mean they get a head start in running away from you.”
Hen hit the back of Chim's head. “Oww! What was that for?” He whined.
“Be nice.” She pointed a finger at him.
"You'll be fine Buck." Chim says with a genuine smile.
"So tell us about her or him." Hen asked
Buck’s awkward laugh made Eddie smile, but he quickly looked away when Buck’s eyes flickered in his direction.
"Well uhm he's very pretty." Buck says, shoving a fork full of spaghetti in his mouth as Eddie choked on his food again.
Chim hit his back as he coughed. "Again?! Take smaller bites Diaz!"
Buck glanced nervously between his plate and the team, clearly trying to figure out how much to say. “Uh, well… he’s got this great smile, you know? The kind that, uh, lights up a room.”
Hen arched an eyebrow, smirking as she rested her chin in her hand. “Sounds like you’ve got it bad, What else?”
“He’s, uh… really smart. Like, sometimes I don’t even know how he puts up with me,” Buck said, laughing awkwardly before stabbing at his spaghetti again.
Eddie felt his face heating up and tried to focus on his own food, but every word Buck said made his chest tighten and his heart race.
"Yeah, uh… he's got these amazing brown eyes," Buck mumbled, staring down at his plate. "The kind that just... you know, you can get lost in, the kind that makes you feel like you're the only person in the room when he looks at you."
Eddie swallowed hard, at this point his heart was pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it.
“Smart, pretty, and puts up with you? Definitely a saint,” Chim teased, earning another smack on the back of his head from Hen.
“Stop interrupting. Let him finish!” Hen scolded, but her eyes were sparkling with amusement. “Go on, Buck. What else?”
Buck hesitated for a second, his gaze flickering toward Eddie again before quickly looking back at Hen. “He’s just… really great. Like, he makes me feel like I can do anything, you know? Like I’m enough.”
Eddie’s grip on his fork tightened as his stomach did a flip. He swallowed hard and reached for his water, hoping no one noticed the way his hands were shaking.
“You okay there, Diaz?” Chim asked, leaning closer with a knowing smirk. “You’ve been jumpy all day."
“I’m fine,” Eddie said quickly, his voice a little too sharp. He cleared his throat and stood, grabbing his plate. “I’m done. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
Hen and Chim exchanged glances as Eddie practically fled the room, but Buck barely noticed, his attention locked on the plate in front of him.
Hen watched Eddie go, then turned back to Buck with a sly smile. “You know, for someone so good at putting out fires, your date seems to be having a hard time keeping his cool.”
Buck froze mid-bite, his eyes widening as he stared at Hen. “What are you--”
“Oh, come on,” Hen interrupted, “You think we don’t know? The two of you are about as subtle as a five-alarm fire.”
Chim nodded in agreement. “Seriously, you two are the worst at keeping secrets. You're worse than me and I'm the worst of the worst."
Buck’s face turned bright red as he set his fork down. “Uh… so you know?”
“Buck, everyone knows,” Hen said, patting his hand. “Well, except Bobby, but that’s just because he doesn’t pay attention to the gossip.”
Buck groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I thought we were being careful.”
“Careful?” Chim said with a snort. “Buck, Eddie’s been blushing every time you open your mouth. If that’s careful, I’d hate to see what obvious looks like.”
Buck glanced toward the kitchen, where Eddie was no doubt hiding, and let out a nervous laugh. “Great. So… you’re not mad?”
Hen rolled her eyes. “Mad? Buck, we’re happy for you. Just maybe work on the whole poker face thing.”
Chim grinned. “Yeah, and for the record? I'm happy for you.”
“Thanks, Chim,” Buck said with a smile.
Hen leaned back in her chair, still smiling. “Now, go check on your boy. He looked like he needed a breather.”
Buck hesitated, glancing at the kitchen again. “You think I should?”
Hen nodded. “Definitely. Go.”
With a deep breath, Buck stood and headed toward the kitchen, leaving Hen and Chim to exchange amused looks. He was almost out of earshot when he heard,
“Think he’ll survive the date?” Chim asked.
Hen smirked. “Only if Eddie doesn’t pass out from blushing first.”
"Also pay up I so called it." Chim said, holding out his hand, making Hen groan.
Buck found Eddie in the kitchen, leaning over the sink with a glass of water in one hand and his phone in the other. Eddie didn’t hear him at first, too lost in his thoughts and whatever was on his screen. Buck leaned against the fridge, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched Eddie's brows furrow.
“Thinking about calling it off?” Buck asked, his voice light but tinged with nervousness.
Eddie jumped, nearly dropping his glass. He spun around, his phone clutched tightly in his other hand. “What? No. I mean… no.”
Buck raised an eyebrow. “You sure? Because you looked pretty deep in thought just now.”
Eddie sighed, setting the glass down on the counter. “I was just… thinking about tonight.”
Buck stepped closer, his hands shoved into his pockets. “Yeah? Good thoughts or bad thoughts?”
Eddie shrugged, trying to act casual but failing miserably. “I don’t know. I guess I’m just… nervous.”
Buck’s smile softened, and he reached out to touch Eddie’s arm. “Hey, it’s just me. You don’t have to be nervous around me.”
Eddie let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “That’s the thing, Buck. It’s because it’s you.”
Buck frowned, tilting his head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean…” Eddie paused, searching for the right words. “I don’t want to mess it up.”
Buck’s hand slid down to Eddie’s wrist, his thumb brushing against the skin there. “You’re not gonna mess it up, Eds. We’re in this together, remember?”
Eddie looked down at where their hands touched, then back up at Buck. His chest felt tight, but not in a bad way. “Yeah, together.”
Before Buck could say anything else, the alarm blared through the station, making them both jump.
“Really?” Buck groaned, pulling his hand away and making his way downstairs.
Eddie followed his heart still pounding but for an entirely different reason now. “Let’s go."
By the time the shift ended, Eddie was practically vibrating with nerves again. The call had been routine–a minor car accident–but it had done nothing to calm his racing thoughts.
After his shower, Eddie changed into a black turtleneck and gray suit, the same outfit he’d worn to their poker game. “Was that even a date?” he mumbled to himself as he fixed his sleeves. “Yeah, I guess it was.”
His face flushed at the memory, and he cursed himself for blushing like an idiot when Buck wasn’t even there yet. He made his way to the kitchen for a glass of water, checking his phone every few seconds. A part of him wondered if he should call the whole thing off.
Just then, his phone buzzed in his hand. The screen lit up with a message from ‘TheAmazingBuck,’ and Eddie couldn’t help but smile. He remembered the day Buck had grabbed his phone and changed his contact name, complaining about how ‘Just Buck’ was too boring.
It buzzed again, pulling him from his thoughts.
Hey, I’m here. Should I come get you at the door like the gentleman we both know I am?
No need, Romeo. I’ll meet you outside.
Eddie rolled his eyes, his lips curving into a grin despite himself. Shoving his phone into his pocket after he replied, he grabbed his wallet and keys before stepping outside.
Buck was leaning casually against his Jeep, his damp curls catching the light. He wore a gray suit with an olive-green shirt that made his blue eyes seem even brighter.
Eddie stopped in his tracks, momentarily forgetting how to breathe. Buck smiled, his usual easy grin..
It's just Buck . He thought and somehow that thought made his heart race more than anything else.
He smiled, his heart beating a little faster as he looked Buck over. “You clean up nice.”
Buck’s grin widened as his eyes swept over Eddie. “Look who’s talking. You look… amazing.”
“Thanks,” Eddie said, his voice soft.
Buck laughed, pushing off the Jeep. “Ready?”
Eddie nodded, his nerves ebbing away as Buck opened the passenger door for him. “Let’s go.”
The drive started quietly, the hum of the engine filling the awkward space between them. Eddie didn't mean to be awkward, he was just nervous. Buck reached for the radio, fiddling with the buttons before settling on a soft acoustic station. A gentle guitar melody filtered through the speakers, though it only seemed to make the silence more noticeable.
Eddie shifted in his seat, tugging at the edges of his sleeves. His fingers played with the fabric, folding and unfolding the cuff absentmindedly. Next to him, Buck tapped his fingers against the steering wheel in time with the music, his gaze flickering between the road and Eddie.
“So…” Buck finally said, “How was your day?”
Eddie blinked, startled by the question. “Uh… you were there, Buck. Same as yours.”
“Oh. Right.” Buck let out a nervous laugh, drumming his fingers faster against the wheel. “I guess that was a dumb question.”
Eddie glanced over at him, the corner of his mouth twitching up despite his nerves. “It wasn’t dumb. Just… unnecessary.”
Buck snorted, shaking his head. “Great. Off to a solid start then.”
There was another stretch of silence before Eddie tried to keep the conversation going. “You, uh, listen to this a lot?”
Buck gave him a sideways look. “What, soft acoustic jams? No, not really.”
“Then why’d you pick it?”
Buck’s fingers stilled on the wheel, and he shrugged. “I don’t know. It felt... date-y?”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Date-y?”
“Yeah, you know.” Buck’s face flushed as he stumbled over his words. “Like, the kind of music you play when you’re on a date and don’t want things to be too quiet but also don’t want to play the music too loud. Then we can’t hear each other talk. Also, I don’t want it to seem like I’m trying too hard. But then it might seem like I’m not trying hard enough, and I really want you to see that I’m trying and making an effort for this, and I’m rambling. I’m going to stop talking now.”
Eddie stared at him for a moment before smiling and chuckling lightly.
“What?” Buck asked, his smile creeping back despite his embarrassment.
“Nothing,” Eddie said, shaking his head. “You’re just… adorable.”
Buck’s ears turned red, but he grinned as he turned his attention back to the road.
Eddie smiled, leaning his head back against the seat. The music played softly in the background as they fell into a more comfortable silence.
The nerves were still there, buzzing under his skin, but for a moment, as he watched Buck tap his fingers on the steering wheel and hum quietly along to the song, he thought to himself, Yeah, I’m completely gone for this idiot . He noticed the way Buck’s jaw tensed. The nerves were getting to him too.
“So…” Eddie started, trying to break the silence again. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere nice.” Buck smiled. “I kicked Maddie out so I could make it on time.” He scratched the back of his head.
Eddie chuckled softly, turning to look at him. “Does she know we’re on a date?”
“No, I lied to her,” Buck admitted, flashing Eddie a sheepish grin. “But I guess she knows now because Chim and Hen figured it out.”
“What’d you tell her?” Eddie asked, a smile tugging at his lips.
Buck shrugged, keeping his eyes on the road. “I didn’t mention any names, but I told her I had a pretty brunette waiting for me.”
Eddie felt his face turn red. Buck really just says things and expects him not to melt. “Pretty, huh?”
Buck chuckled, then looked over at Eddie, his eyes lingering on his face. “The prettiest.”
Eddie's heart skipped a beat and he quickly looked out the window, pretending to focus on the passing buildings.
Buck cleared his throat. “Do you… do you like fancy restaurants? I mean, I know you’re not big on the pretentious stuff.”
Eddie turned back to him, raising an eyebrow. “You’re the one who picked the place, Buck.”
“I know,” Buck said, laughing nervously. “But I figured… you deserve something nice, you know?”
Eddie felt his face heat up. “I would’ve been happy with tacos from the food truck down the street, but this is nice too. Anywhere is nice as long as I’m with you.” He mumbled the last part under his breath.
“What kind of food do you think they serve here? Besides steak, I mean,” Buck asked, glancing at Eddie.
“I don’t know,” Eddie replied, shrugging. “Probably something expensive and impossible to pronounce.”
Buck let out a nervous chuckle. “Right, like, uh… foie grass or whatever?”
Eddie raised an eyebrow and huffed out a laugh. “That’s not how you say it. Do you even know what foie gras is?”
“Not really,” Buck admitted, grinning sheepishly. “But it sounds fancy, doesn’t it?”
Eddie snorted, shaking his head. “It’s duck liver, Buck.”
Buck made a face, scrunching up his nose. “Seriously? People pay money for that?”
“Apparently.” Eddie tried not to laugh at Buck’s horrified expression.
“Well, I think I’ll stick to chicken or steak,” Buck said decisively. “Duck liver is definitely off the table.”
They both laughed, the tension between them loosening slightly. But Eddie’s hands still fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt.
Buck glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “Are you cold or something?”
“What?” Eddie looked up, confused.
“You keep messing with your sleeves,” Buck said, nodding toward Eddie’s hands.
“Oh.” Eddie quickly dropped his hands into his lap, feeling self-conscious. “No, just… habit, I guess.”
Buck nodded, biting his lip as he turned onto a dirt road.
Eddie looked out the window, then at Buck. “You’re not taking me out here to kill me, are you?”
Buck laughed. “Now, why would I do that?”
Eddie raised an eyebrow as he glanced around. “Is there a new restaurant in the middle of nowhere I don’t know about?”
Buck laughed, shaking his head. “Nah, I figured you could use a little break from crowded places. Thought this might be better.”
Buck turned off the engine as the Jeep rolled to a stop in an open clearing surrounded by tall trees. The area was bathed in soft moonlight, with stars scattered across the sky like glitter on a canvas. Eddie glanced around, his brow furrowed.
“This is it?” Eddie asked, watching as Buck climbed out of the car.
“Just wait,” Buck said with a smirk, grabbing a blanket and a bag from the back of the Jeep. Eddie stepped out, confused until he saw Buck pull out a bag of tacos, his face lighting up immediately.
“Why didn’t I smell those back there?” He asked as he followed Buck.
“Because I hid it under the blanket.” Buck answered while opening the blanket and setting it down on the grass.
“Did that really work?”
“If it didn't then there's something wrong with your senses, I think your age is catching up to you old man.”
“Shut up, we're the same age.”
“Yeah, but you’ve got ‘dad energy,’ and that adds, like, ten years.”
Eddie scoffed. “Dad energy? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You know,” Buck said, waving a hand in the air. “You’re responsible, always fixing things, and you make those grumpy noises when you sit down.”
Eddie’s eyes narrowed. “I do not make grumpy noises.”
Buck raised an eyebrow, mimicking Eddie’s voice. “Ugh, my back. Ugh, my knees.”
Eddie rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop a laugh from escaping. “You’re making that up.”
Buck grinned, nudging Eddie’s shoulder. “Admit it, old man. I’m not wrong.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Eddie muttered, shaking his head. “And for the record, I could still take you in a fight.”
Buck snorted. “Oh, please. You’d be out of breath halfway through.”
Eddie leaned closer, his eyes flashed with amusement as he smirked. “You wanna go for the title?”
Buck’s grin faltered for just a second and his breath hitched before he laughed nervously. “You just had to bring that up.”
Eddie took in the sight of Buck’s flushed face and smirked, “Ah so you were flirting with me then?”
Buck’s eyes widened for a split second before he quickly recovered, his grin returning but a little more sheepish. “Flirting?” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Eddie. That was just me being… competitive.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow, his smile soft but teasing. “Uh-huh, sure. So, you weren’t trying to get me all riled up back then?”
Buck let out a nervous laugh, looking anywhere but at Eddie for a moment. “Okay, fine. Maybe I was a little... flirty. But you were totally into it, so don’t act all innocent.”
Eddie’s lips twitched into a grin. “Maybe I was, maybe I wasn’t. Guess we’ll never know.”
Buck shook his head with a sigh. “You're unbelivable.”
Eddie laughed as he sat down on the blanket, deciding he had enough of teasing Buck for now he changed the subject. “So, what you’re saying is you brought me all the way out here for tacos? You know we could’ve done this at home, right?”
Buck grinned as he walked back to the Jeep to get something else. “Yeah, but then I wouldn’t get to see that look on your face when you saw the stars.”
Eddie paused, glancing up at the sky. The stars twinkled brightly above them, the kind of clarity that LA never allowed. He smiled softly, shaking his head. “You sap.”
Buck shrugged, walking back with another bag in his hand. “What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic.”
Eddie let out a laugh. “Hopeless is right.”
Buck turned to him. “Admit it, you’re impressed.”
Eddie pretended to think for a moment before nodding. “Okay, I’ll give you that. It’s… impressive.”
Buck stopped in front of him, smirking. “You see? I’m full of surprises.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing. “Just don’t let it go to your head.”
Buck laughed, his gaze lingering on Eddie for a moment, "Too late.”
“I just have one question.” Eddie said as he took his suit jacket off. “Why the hell did you tell me to wear my best suit?”
Buck laughed, his eyes sparkling as his eyes scanned over Eddie again. “Because I wanted to see you all dressed up. You look good, like reeeeally good.”
Eddie rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. “You have seen me all dressed up before.”
Buck grinned before handing Eddie the bag. “Yeah but I wanted to see it again. Here. I brought us sweats.”
Eddie took the bag and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and one of Buck’s comfortable hoodies, his eyebrows lifting. “You could've told me to just wear these in the first place.”
Buck shrugged, pulling his own hoodie over his head. “Where's the fun in that?”
Eddie laughed, shaking his head as he changed into the sweats. Once they were both settled, they unwrapped their tacos, the scent of warm tortillas and spices making Eddie’s stomach growl.
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Eddie spoke up again. “So, no hidden agenda with this date, huh? Just tacos and stargazing?”
Buck wiped his hands on a napkin, his grin softening. “Well… I might have an agenda.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
Buck leaned forward, his blue eyes glinting in the moonlight. “To make you fall even more in love with me.”
Eddie paused mid-bite, his cheeks warming. “Fall more in love with you? That’s bold of you to assume I even love you at all.”
Buck grinned, leaning back on his hands. “Oh, please. Don’t even try to deny it, I see the way you look at me.”
Eddie arched an eyebrow, setting his taco down. “And how exactly do I look at you, Buck?”
Buck sat up and fluttered his eyelashes. “Like I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you. Like you couldn’t imagine a world without me.”
Eddie snorted, shaking his head. “You’re so full of it.”
Buck smirked, inching closer. “Admit it. You’re crazy about me.”
Eddie rolled his eyes, though his lips twitched with a smile. “Crazy because of you, maybe.”
Buck chuckled, nudging Eddie’s shoulder with his. “See? I’m unforgettable.”
“More like impossible,” Eddie shot back, though his tone was teasing.
“Admit it, Eds,” Buck said, “You love me.” he sang.
Eddie glanced at him, his eyes softening. “Maybe. A little.”
Buck gasped, pressing a hand to his chest. “A little? Only a little?”
Eddie laughed, shoving him lightly. “You’re so dramatic.”
Buck grabbed his arm before he could pull away, holding onto him. “What do you mean by ‘a little’? I need specifics.”
Eddie tilted his head, pretending to think it over. “I mean… on a scale of one to ten? You’re probably a solid six.”
“A six?!” Buck gawked at him, eyes wide. “Eddie, that’s offensive. I’m at least a nine. Maybe even a ten on a good day.”
Eddie laughed harder, his stomach starting to ache from it. “A ten? Now who’s full of it?”
Buck grinned, leaning in closer. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
Eddie’s laughter softened, his eyes meeting Buck’s. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
For a moment, they just looked at each other. Buck’s smile softened as he reached out, brushing a stray curl from Eddie’s forehead.
“You know,” Buck said quietly, his voice dropping an octave. “If you keep smiling at me like that, I might actually start thinking I’m a ten.”
Eddie smirked, his cheeks warming under Buck’s gaze. “Well, you’re close enough.”
Buck chuckled, shaking his head. “See? You’re falling for me already.”
Eddie rolled his eyes, though his grin didn’t falter. “Maybe I am.”
Buck’s hand slid down to Eddie’s, lacing their fingers together. “Good. Because I’ve been gone for you for a long time, Eds.”
Eddie’s heart skipped a beat, and he gave Buck’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Yeah… me too.”
Buck pulled his hand back to continue eating and Eddie immediately missed his touch.
"So,” Buck said between bites, “did you get a babysitter for Chris?”
Eddie snorted, shaking his head. “He told me he’s too old for a babysitter. We had a whole argument about it, but I convinced him to go to a sleepover at his cousins’ house.”
Buck laughed. “That kid has a better social life than I did at his age.”
“Better than mine now,” Eddie added.
“I don’t think I ever had as many sleepovers as Chris does,” Buck said, taking another bite.
Eddie chuckled, “He told me not to embarrass myself when he left.”
Buck snorted. “Coming from the kid who trips over his own shoelaces?”
“Exactly.” Eddie shook his head. “Teenagers.”
Buck leaned forward, “So he knows about us?”
Eddie nodded. “Yeah, he knows.”
“And?” Buck pressed, his voice gentle but curious.
Eddie ran a hand over the blanket, his lips quirking into a small smile. “And he said—and I quote—‘It’s about time.’”
Buck’s laughter rang out, loud and infectious. Eddie found himself laughing too, unable to resist the warmth that filled the space between them.
“Smart kid,” Buck said when his laughter faded. “He’s not wrong.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Buck shrugged, his gaze never leaving Eddie’s. “Just that we’ve… taken our time getting here.”
Eddie’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked down at his hands. “Yeah, well… we had a lot going on.”
“And now?” Buck asked, his tone softer, more vulnerable.
Eddie glanced up, meeting Buck’s eyes. “Now we’re here. Exactly where we need to be.”
They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, finishing their food before lying back on the blanket to watch the stars. Eddie stared up at the sky, the expanse of twinkling lights stealing his breath.
“This is the clearest I’ve seen them since we moved here,” Eddie murmured, his voice filled with awe.
Buck turned his head, watching Eddie as he gazed up at the stars, his face soft in the moonlight. “It’s worth the drive, right?” Buck asked, his voice low.
Eddie didn’t look at him, but the corner of his lips lifted in a small smile. “Yeah, it is. You were right.”
Buck grinned, turning his gaze to the sky as well. “You should say that more often, you know. That I’m right.”
Eddie let out a soft laugh and finally looked at Buck. “Don’t push your luck.”
They fell into silence again. A soft breeze brushed over them, and Buck shifted slightly closer to Eddie, their arms brushing. Eddie noticed but didn’t pull away.
“I’ve been thinking about this,” Buck said after a while.
Eddie turned his head, his brow furrowing. “About what?”
Buck’s gaze flickered to him, his expression open and vulnerable. “This. Us. Taking the time to just be together. I guess… I’ve always wanted it to feel like this. Easy. Right.”
Eddie swallowed, the weight of Buck’s words settling in his chest. “Yeah,” he murmured, his voice soft. “Me too.”
Buck turned onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow so he could face Eddie fully. “I meant what I said earlier,” he said, his tone more serious now.
Eddie raised an eyebrow, “About being a ten?”
Buck let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “No. Well, yes, but I meant… about wanting you to fall more in love with me.”
Eddie’s breath caught, and he turned his body slightly to face Buck, his expression softening. “You don’t have to try so hard, you know.”
Buck tilted his head in question.
Eddie gaze locked on Buck’s, before he reached out and brushed his fingers against Buck’s cheek. “I mean I already love you more than you know… you’ve already got me. You always have and you always will.”
Buck’s lips parted, his eyes searching Eddie’s face for a long moment. “Eds…” he started, but his voice faltered.
Eddie leaned in, his forehead brushing against Buck’s. “You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured. “Just… shut up and kiss me.”
Buck didn’t need to be told twice. He closed the distance, his lips finding Eddie’s in a kiss that was both gentle and full of unspoken promises. Eddie responded instantly, his hand sliding to the back of Buck’s neck to pull him closer.
The kiss deepened and the world around them faded away. Buck’s hand found Eddie’s, their fingers intertwining as they leaned into one another.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads stayed pressed together, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
“Wow,” Buck said softly, a grin tugging at his lips.
Eddie let out a soft laugh, his thumb brushing over Buck’s cheek. “Yeah. Wow.”
Buck leaned back just enough to look into Eddie’s eyes. “So… does that bump me up to a ten?”
Eddie smirked, his voice teasing. “Nine and a half, maybe.”
Buck groaned, flopping back onto the blanket dramatically. “You’re horrible.”
Eddie laughed, lying back beside him. “And yet, here you are.”
Buck turned his head, his expression soft. “Yeah. Here I am.”
Eddie looked at him, his heart swelling with a warmth he hadn’t felt in a long time. He reached over, lacing their fingers together again. “And here we’ll stay.”
Buck squeezed his hand, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Always.”
They lay there under the stars, hand in hand with their hearts full in the quiet hum of the night. The world felt far away, leaving only the two of them in their own little universe.