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Eddie sat in the truck parked outside Chris's school. It was a hot Wednesday afternoon. Eddie had the windows up and the AC on. Fingers tapping the steering wheel lightly along to the music playing on the radio.
As he listened to the words his mind wandered to Buck. He's best friend, also the person he was madly, utterly madly in love with. He sighed and ran his hands over his face. He's been chickening out the last few months, every time he thought he would finally tell Buck how he felt he changed the subject.
He thought back to his most recent attempt.
There was a lull in the shift and everyone was lounging around. Eddie decided to go up to the roof and watch the sunrise, he wasn't out there long before he heard the door click behind him. He turned around to find Buck with two cups in his hand.
"I got your usual boring coffee." He complained as he handed the cup to Eddie. "Just how you like it, dark and void of joy."
"Haha you're so funny." He said rolling his eyes but the smile stayed on his lips. "But thanks, for the coffee. And the company" he murmured that last part.
"What was that?" Buck asked as he sipped on his overly sweet coffee with almond milk, that he only bought from the store close to Eddie's house because it's family owned and he supports local businesses.
Eddie cleared his throat, scrambling to cover his slip-up. "I said, uh, ‘and the sunrise is nice,’" he muttered quickly, taking a sip of his coffee as if that would somehow mask his awkwardness.
Buck didn't seem to notice, too caught up in blowing on his coffee like it was molten lava even though Eddie knew he always let it sit long enough to be just right.
"Yeah, it is." He nudged Eddie’s arm with his elbow.
"I don’t know why we don’t do this more often. This is way better than sitting downstairs listening to Chimney argue with Bobby about why pineapple belongs on pizza."
Eddie chuckled. "It does belong on pizza."
"We're not having this conversation again Eddie." Buck gave him a deadpanned look, which made him chuckle again.
The conversation lapsed into a comfortable silence, which was normal between them. They didn't need to talk. Being in each other's company was enough.
The sky shifted from shades of deep blues to pinks and oranges, as the sun slowly rose casting a warm glow over the city. Eddie was very aware of the way the light caught on Buck’s face, making his eyes even brighter, his hair golden at the edges. He looked over, a smile already tugging at his lips before he could stop it.
Buck was scrolling through his phone now, muttering to himself as he searched for something.
"Oh! This thing I was reading last night--well, this morning, technically. Like, two a.m., when I fell into this rabbit hole about space and physics and somehow ended up on a blog about accessible theme parks--"
Eddie huffed out a laugh. "That’s a leap."
Buck shot him a quick grin before continuing.
"Yeah, I don’t know how I got there, but I found this park in Ohio that’s fully designed for kids with disabilities. Like, every ride, every part of it is accessible. And I just… Chris would love that, right?" His eyes were bright with excitement, his hands gesturing wildly as he talked. "We could totally plan a trip, take him there. I mean, you should see this place, Eddie, it’s–"
Eddie wasn’t listening. Well, he was. But not to the words. He was listening to the way Buck’s voice softened when he talked about Chris, the way he didn’t say you should take him, he said we. Like it was a given. Like it always would be.
And Eddie sat there like an idiot, grinning at him, his heart practically screaming at him –tell him you love him, you coward, just say it, it’s so easy, just open your mouth and–
The alarm blared through the quiet morning, cutting off whatever Eddie was about to say.
Buck groaned, already standing up. "Of course, it has to go off when there's like two hours left of this shift."
Eddie let out a slow breath, pushing himself up. "Yeah that sounds about right."
He followed Buck inside, his heart still pounding, another moment lost.
He was pulled from his thoughts to the sound of his phone vibrating. He picked it up and cursed himself for the way his heart skipped a beat when he saw Buck’s name flash across the screen.
He cleared his throat then answered on the fourth ring.
"He–" he was cut off immediately by Buck’s rambling.
"Eddie, where’s the cumin?"
He blinked. "What?"
"The cumin! The spice! The thing that makes food taste good? It’s supposed to be in the spice rack, but it’s not in the spice rack, and I swear if you rearrange your kitchen again–"
Eddie huffed out a laugh. "Buck, you’re the only one who rearranges my kitchen."
There was a pause, "…Oh. Right."
Eddie rolled his eyes, leaning back against the driver’s seat. "Did you check the cabinet above the stove?"
"Obviously."
"The one next to it?"
A beat. A shuffling sound, "…Found it."
"Shocking."
Buck ignored his sarcasm. "But now I’m almost out, and I need more. Can you grab some on your way back?"
Eddie frowned. "Why don’t you just go get some?"
"I can’t leave the stove, Eddie!" Buck exclaimed, as if that was the most ridiculous suggestion in the world. "I’m in the middle of cooking. You want your kitchen to burn down? Because I could just leave everything unattended–"
Eddie sighed, already resigning himself to his fate. "Fine. I’ll bring some back."
"Thank you." Buck’s voice was warm, grateful. "Okay, gotta go–stirring things. Bye!"
The line went dead.
Eddie stared at his phone for a second before letting his head fall back against the headrest with a groan. He dropped his phone onto the passenger seat.
Now he’s in my house. Cooking. For me and my kid. Making himself at home, like he always did. Like he belonged there.
Like Eddie wouldn’t have to fight for his life not to blurt out something stupid the second he walked through the door. Yeah he was completely and utterly fucked.
The school doors finally swung open, and students spilled out. Eddie spotted Chris immediately. He was taller now, carrying himself with more confidence, his backpack slung over one shoulder as he made his way through the sea of students.
Chris spotted Eddie’s truck, and made a beeline for it, slipping inside with a sigh. “It’s so hot.” He complained as he threw his backpack and his crutches in the back.
Eddie chuckled, cranking the AC up. “Tell me about it.”
Christopher pulled his seatbelt on, then turned to look at his dad with narrowed eyes. “What's wrong?”
Eddie scoffed. “Why do you assume something is wrong?”
Chris just stared at him.
He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “It’s Buck.”
Chris immediately perked up. “Oh? What did he do this time?”
Eddie started pulling out of the parking lot. “He called me five minutes ago, freaking out because he couldn’t find the cumin in the kitchen–”
Chris snorted. “But he's the one who keeps rearranging the kitchen.”
“Yes! Thank you.” Eddie shook his head. “And now I have to stop at the store to pick some up for him because he can’t leave the stove.”
Chris grinned, watching his dad carefully. “You know, you complain a lot, but you love it.”
Eddie scoffed. “I do not.”
Chris just gave him a knowing look. “Mmm-hmm.”
Eddie kept his eyes on the road. “Drop it.”
Chris turned to stare out the window. “Must be hard, being so in love with someone and not being able to do anything about it.”
Eddie groaned. “Chris–”
“Like, imagine spending years pining after your best friend, going on trips together, practically raising a kid together, and still not having the guts to say anything–”
“We're not doing this right now.”
Chris just grinned.
Eddie sighed. “I don’t see you running around confessing your feelings to people.”
Chris shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m 14. I have time.” He smirked. “You, on the other hand…”
Eddie shot him a look. “I think you should stop talking.”
Chris laughed, fully enjoying himself as Eddie pulled into the grocery store parking lot. They hopped out and headed inside. Eddie grabbed a basket, and Chris took one look at it before shaking his head. “Yeah, this isn’t gonna be just cumin.”
And, of course, he was right.
Fifteen minutes later, they were back in the truck with a bag full of groceries because Eddie figured if Buck was cooking, he might as well make sure there was enough groceries for the rest of the week and snacks for after.
As they pulled out of the lot, Chris spoke up again. “So, do you ever plan on telling him?”
Eddie sighed, “I don’t know, Chris.”
Chris shook his head. “Well, you better do it soon. Because if you don’t, I will.”
Eddie looked at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Chris just grinned. “Try me.”
Eddie groaned, muttering under his breath as they drove home. Because, honestly? He really wasn’t sure he could stop Chris even if he tried.
He pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine with a sigh. Chris, still grinning because of the teasing, grabbed his bag and his crutches while Eddie took the groceries.
When they stepped inside, the smell of something warm and familiar hit Eddie’s nose immediately making his stomach growl and he dumped the bags onto the counter.
"Alright, here’s your cumin," Eddie said, holding it up.
Buck turned, giving him a sheepish smile. "Oh. Yeah, I don’t need it anymore. Your neighbor gave me some."
Eddie blinked. "My neighbor?"
"Yeah, Mrs. Lopez."
"Mrs. Lopez?" Eddie repeated, incredulous. "My neighbor Mrs. Lopez?"
"Yeah," Buck said again, like this was totally normal. "I ran out to get the mail, and she was outside, I just asked and she gave me some."
Eddie squinted at him. "My neighbors don’t even like me."
"Well, they like me," Buck said with a shrug.
Chris, watching the exchange like it was the most entertaining thing he’d seen all day, bit back a laugh as Eddie ran a hand down his face.
This man is going to kill me.
Buck went back to stirring something on the stove. Eddie focused on putting the groceries away, trying not to think too hard about the fact that Buck was in his house, cooking and charming the neighbors that hated him, like this was just a normal Wednesday.
Chris came back from putting his bag away. “Hey, Buck.”
“Hey, buddy,” Buck said, flashing him a grin. “How was school?”
“It was g–” Chris stopped mid-sentence, his nose twitching as he sniffed the air. His eyes widened, lighting up in excitement. “Is that tamales?”
Buck ducked his head, looking a little bashful. “Uh, yeah. It is.”
Eddie whipped his head around so fast he's sure he gave himself whiplash. “You did not make tamales.”
Buck raised an eyebrow. “I did.”
Eddie pointed at him. “How do you know how to make tamales? Why do you know how to make tamales?” He turned to Chris. “Why does he know how to make tamales?”
Chris shrugged looking just as surprised.
Buck leaned against the counter, stirring the pot like this was a totally normal conversation. "Okay, so–I saw this recipe on TikTok at, like, one in the morning–"
Eddie groaned. "Of course you did."
Buck ignored him. "And I had to make it. But you can’t just half-ass tamales, Eddie. You gotta do it right. So, obviously, I fell down a rabbit hole."
"Obviously," Eddie echoed, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Like, deep dive," Buck continued. "I watched, like, six different videos, read blog posts, researched. I even called Pepa."
Eddie gaped at him. "You called my tia?"
"Yeah," Buck said, like it was so normal. "And she was very passionate about masa consistency, by the way."
Eddie could see the look on Chris's face without even having to turn around to look at him.
"And then I figured, who better to practice– I mean cook for than my favorite people?" Buck finished, flashing them both a grin before pushing off the counter. "Anyway, I’m gonna set the table."
Eddie’s brain short-circuited. He could feel Chris looking at him, waiting for a reaction, but he couldn’t give him one because what the hell was he supposed to say to that?
Buck grabbed some plates and left the kitchen. The second he was gone, Eddie groaned and let his forehead thump against the fridge.
Chris lost it.
“Oh my God,” he laughed. “You are down bad.”
Eddie turned, giving him a look. “Don’t you have homework to do?”
"Don’t you have feelings to confess?" Chris sassed back.
Eddie groaned and grabbed the nearest bag of shredded cheese to throw at him, then pointed towards his room. “Go.”
Chris held up his hands in surrender, “Just saying, Dad.”
Eddie let out a breath as Chris finally disappeared down the hall, still laughing to himself. He turned back to the counter, shaking his head as he finished putting away the groceries.
And then he was alone.
Alone with his thoughts.
Which was never a good thing.
Because now, standing in his kitchen, the smell of tamales filling the air, he couldn’t stop thinking about how much he loved Buck. How it wasn’t just affection or friendship anymore, it was something deeper, something that sat so heavy in his chest it was almost unbearable.
It was in the way Buck knew how he liked his coffee. The way he just fell into his life since day one and has been making it better. The way he looked out for Chris and never made him feel excluded from anything other kids his age were doing. The way he just knew what Eddie needed without him having to say anything.
It was in the way he belonged here.
And God, it physically hurt how much he loved him.
He sighed and moved to the sink, turning on the water to start washing the dishes Buck had dirtied. He focused on scrubbing, trying to keep his mind from spiraling, A moment later, Buck strolled back in, grabbing a dish towel without a word and immediately starting to dry.
They didn’t have to say anything.
They never did.
They just worked together, moving in sync like they had done this a thousand times before. Because they had.
Eddie felt the words building in his throat. Just say it. Just tell him. Right now.
Buck set a dry dish aside and said, “Dinner will be ready soon.”
Eddie nodded. “Cool.”
But inside, he was screaming at himself. Do it. Say it. Just tell him.
He rehearsed it in his head. Buck, I– No, too abrupt. Hey, I’ve been thinking– No, too vague. You mean everything to me and I love you and–
He took a breath.
Then opened his mouth.
“Hey, Buck?” Chris called from down the hall.
Buck immediately tossed the towel over his shoulder. “Yeah, buddy?”
Eddie watched as Buck disappeared down the hall.
He exhaled sharply, clenching his jaw. “This kid is unbelievable,” he grumbled under his breath.
He wiped off the counters, "You better tell him or I'll do it for you" Eddie mimicked Chris's earlier words, yes he was being childish but come on, he was so close.
Buck came to the kitchen a minute later. “You okay?” he asked.
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.” He cleared his throat. “What did Chris want?”
Buck shrugged as he picked up the last dish to dry. “He needed help with his math homework.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “You're not good at math anymore, your powers wore off.”
Buck shot him a playful glare. “Hey I can still get by.”
Eddie chuckled, leaning against the counter, feeling lighter just by the sound of Buck’s voice. “What are the chances of getting struck by lighting again? I had steak for weeks.”
“Don’t let the universe hear you say that” Buck tossed the dish towel in Eddie’s direction. “I’ll fill your freezer with steak the normal way.”
Eddie's brain short circuited at 'fill your' and he turned an embarrassing shade of red. God he was pathetic. He picked the dish towel up that he failed to catch and handed it back to Buck. "The universe does not scream."
“Keep telling yourself that,” Buck grinned, going back to drying the last dish, humming to himself.
Eddie couldn’t help it; he just watched him for a moment. It was moments like this, so domestic, so right that made him feel like screaming out how much he loved him.
“Okay!” Buck said, hanging the dish towel up. “Dinner time!”
Chris appeared at the end of the hallway, bouncing excitedly on his feet. “I’m starving!”
Buck smiled, “I hope it’s good.”
Eddie watched as Chris made his way over, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “I’m sure it’ll taste amazing.”
Buck carefully dishing out portions of tamales for everyone before settling into his chair. He didn’t take a bite himself, he just watched, waiting nervously, as Eddie and Chris lifted their forks.
Eddie and Chris locked eyes.
A silent agreement passed between them.
They took a bite and both of them pulled a face.
Eddie scrunched his nose, chewing like he was trying to figure out what went wrong. Chris hummed, tilting his head slightly. “It’s… yeah, it's something.”
Buck’s face immediately fell. “Oh,” he muttered, sitting up straighter. “Was it the masa? I knew I should’ve added more– wait, no, was it the filling? Maybe I didn’t season it enough, or oh God, did I overcook it? I thought I timed it right, but–"
Eddie instantly felt bad. He reached out, placing a hand on Buck’s wrist, stopping him mid-ramble.
“I’m kidding, okay?” Eddie said, shaking his head with a small laugh. “It tastes great, Buck. Almost as good as my abuela’s.”
Buck blinked, then looked down at where Eddie’s hand was still on his wrist. Eddie realized it at the same moment, quickly pulling back.
Chris of course not missing anything, wiggled his eyebrows at Eddie before turning and grinning at Buck. “It’s so good. You have to make this again.”
Buck’s whole face lit up, and Eddie felt that stupid warmth spread in his chest again.
“I will,” Buck promised, finally digging into his own plate. “And next time, I’ll make even more, so you guys have leftovers.”
"You should just move in and stay here forever, dad's cooking sucks." Chris says looking at Eddie with a smirk on his face.
Eddie choked on his bite, coughing as he reached for his water. Buck, completely unaware of the existential crisis happening beside him, just laughed.
“Chris,” Eddie warned, narrowing his eyes.
Chris looked completely unbothered. “What? I’m just saying. Buck already cooks for us half the time, he practically lives here, and let’s be real Dad, your cooking is mid.”
Eddie scoffed. “It is not.”
Chris turned to Buck. “Back me up here.”
Buck, traitor that he was, winced. “Uh… I mean, you’ve got, uh, you, uhm, strong, you put in the… effort?”
Eddie groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. “You know, I don’t see you offering to cook.”
“I’m 14,” Chris said, shrugging. “I have an excuse.”
Buck grinned. “What’s mine?”
“You’re an enabler.”
Chris grinned, clearly enjoying himself way too much. “Anyway, all I’m saying is, since Buck is already part of the family–”
Eddie coughed loudly to get Chris to stop talking.
Chris narrowed his eyes. “Rude.”
Eddie gave him a look, then turned to Buck, who was just happily eating, completely oblivious to what was happening in front of him.
Chris tried again. “I mean, he’s basically your–”
Eddie coughed again.
“Seriously?!” Chris huffed. “Fine, whatever.”
Buck looked between them, confused. “Are you guys okay?”
“Yes,” Eddie said quickly.
Chris muttered something under his breath but let it go.
They ate the rest of the meal in comfortable silence, the kind that felt easy, natural.
Eventually, Chris pushed his chair back and stood up. “I’m gonna go finish my homework.”
Eddie raised an eyebrow. “Are you?”
Chris grinned. “Yeah.”
Eddie narrowed his eyes.
Chris sighed. “Okay, okay. I’m probably gonna play some games first. But then I’ll do my homework.”
Eddie looked at him for a long while before agreeing. “Mmhmm, okay.”
Chris shot him a thumbs-up before heading to his room, leaving Eddie and Buck alone.
Buck stood, gathering the empty plates. “I got it,” he said before Eddie could move. “You washed dishes earlier. Go take a shower.”
Eddie felt his heart flutter, because Buck taking care of him? Dangerous territory.
Then Buck smirked. “Because you stink.”
Eddie flipped him off which only made Buck laugh.
Shaking his head, Eddie made his way down the hall, stopping by Chris’s room on the way and peeked in. He had his headphones on, books open on his desk. Not actually working yet, but he had the setup going. He trusted him to make good decisions and if he said he'll get his homework done then he would.
Eddie continued down the hall, heading to the bathroom. He let the hot water run over his shoulders, his eyes slipping shut. He hadn’t realized how tense he was until now. He let his head fall back against the tile, the warmth of the water seeping into his skin and relaxing his muscles as his got lost in his thoughts.
God, I'm so in love with him. It's embarrassing.
This wasn’t some fleeting thing, this wasn't just attraction or admiration. It was deep and settled, woven into him so tightly that he wasn’t sure who he’d be without it anymore.
Because how could he not love Buck?
The man who had walked into his life and immediately made it better. The man who knew him, really knew him, in ways even Eddie hadn’t figured out yet. The man who loved his son like he was his own, who made him laugh when the weight of the world was too much, who knew exactly when to push and when to just sit beside him in silence.
The man who made tamales from scratch because he saw a recipe at one in the morning and decided Eddie and Chris would love this.
What did he do to ever deserve someone like Buck? He runs into burning buildings but he can't say three simple words
Every time he got close, something stopped him. The fear of losing what they already had, the fear of losing the most important thing in his life.
Because what if Buck didn’t feel the same?
He ran a hand over his face, letting the water wash away the thought. He knew, deep down, that Buck loved him. He just didn’t know if it was the way he wanted.
And if it wasn’t…
He didn’t know what he’d do with that.
With a sigh, he shut off the water and stepped out, grabbing a towel. He took his time drying off, trying to shake off the thoughts circling his mind.
He got dressed and when he was done, he checked on Chris one more time before heading back out. The house was quiet. He stepped into the kitchen and found it spotless, every dish washed, every surface wiped down, everything packed away.
Buck had to be in the living room then.
Eddie stepped into the living room and immediately stopped in his tracks.
He was not expecting this.
Buck had somehow gotten into Eddie’s vinyl collection, and Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis was playing through the speakers. But that wasn’t the part that had Eddie frozen in place.
No, it was Buck.
Buck, who was singing along, trying his best to mimic Elvis’s voice and completely butchering it. Buck, who was also dancing– or, well, attempting to. His movements were all over the place, his hips swaying off-rhythm like he was performing for a packed audience instead of an empty living room.
And it was, without a doubt, the most ridiculous, adorable thing Eddie had ever seen.
So he leaned against the wall and just watched.
His heart full, his chest warm, his lips curling into a fond smile that he couldn’t fight if he tried. Because this was Buck. Completely unfiltered, unguarded, just being himself and Eddie loved him so much.
The song came to an end, and Buck spun around, only to freeze in horror when he saw Eddie watching him.
“Jesus, Eddie!” Buck clutched his chest. “How long have you been standing there?”
Eddie chuckled, pushing off the wall. “Long enough.”
Buck groaned, his cheeks already turning a bright shade of red as he ran a hand through his hair. “Oh my God, that was not–”
Eddie just grinned, stepping closer. He's so fucking adorable.
And then the universe decided to throw Eddie a bone for once, the next song started.
Love Me Tender.
Buck stopped rambling, eyes going wide as the music filled the room. Eddie swallowed, pulse thrumming under his skin, because this was it. This was the moment.
He took another step forward, reaching out his hand.
Buck stared at it like Eddie with big doe eyes, before hesitantly he placed his hand in Eddie’s.
Eddie pulled him in, settling a hand on Buck’s waist as they started to sway.
Slow. Easy. Just them and the music.
Buck let out a nervous chuckle. “This is, uh–”
Eddie tightened his hold just a little. “Just go with it.”
So Buck did.
They moved together, so in sync, like this was something they’d done a hundred times before. Eddie could feel Buck’s heart beating, could see the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed, the way his eyes flickered between Eddie’s lips and his eyes like he wasn’t sure where to look.
And then, before Eddie could overthink it, he started to sing along with the song.
Softly. Just for Buck.
Love me tender, love me true… all my dreams fulfilled…
Buck’s breath hitched. His cheeks darkened even further, lips parting as he gasped.
Eddie kept singing, his voice barely above a whisper, but steady.
It's like the words were meant for them.
For my darling, I love you, and I always will. Love me tender love me dear tell me you are mine.
Buck was staring at him like he had just knocked all the air out of his lungs.
They continued to sway and Eddie continued singing until the song came to an end, Eddie finally, finally let the words slip free.
“I love you. If that wasn't obvious."
Buck blinked. His lips parted, but no sound came out.
Eddie swallowed, forcing himself to hold his gaze. “I love you,” he repeated, firmer this time, like saying it twice would make it stick.
Buck still didn’t say anything, just stared at him, wide-eyed and stunned.
Eddie’s stomach twisted. “Buck–”
Before he could take it back, before he could panic–
Buck moved forward and kissed him.
Eddie froze.
For a split second, his brain completely short-circuited.
Because holy shit, Buck was kissing him.
The shock melted away, and Eddie was moving, his hands coming up to cup Buck’s cheeks, his thumbs brushing against warm skin as he kissed him back.
Buck let out a small, almost relieved sound, pressing in closer, his hands fisting in Eddie’s shirt like he was afraid Eddie might pull away.
Not a chance.
Eddie tilted his head, deepening the kiss, pouring everything he had into it. Every unspoken word, every stolen glance, every moment he’d spent loving Buck in silence.
And Buck kissed him back just as desperately, like he’d been waiting for this forever.
By the time they pulled away, both of them were breathless.
Eddie didn’t move far, still holding Buck’s face in his hands, his forehead resting against Buck’s, just taking him in. The soft flush on his cheeks, the way his lips were kiss-bruised and so inviting, the way his bright blue eyes were filled with something so raw and real that it almost knocked the breath out of him all over again.
He barely registered it when Buck whispered, “I love you too.”
And then, even softer, like a confession meant just for them–
“God, I’ve loved you for years.”
Eddie’s stomach flipped. His heart pounded against his ribs.
He pulled back just enough to look at Buck properly. “Wait, years?”
Buck huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “Yes, years, Eddie. How did you not notice?”
Eddie let out a breathless chuckle. “I don’t know, maybe because I was too busy being in love with you?”
“I know that now.” Buck grinned. “We’re idiots.”
"Oh yeah we definitely are. " Eddie agreed
Buck’s grin was so bright, so unbelievably Buck, and Eddie had to kiss him again.
So he did.
And Buck melted against him, hands sliding around Eddie’s waist, fitting against him like they belonged there.
Which yeah.
They really, really did.
Eddie didn’t know how long they stood there, tangled up in each other, breathing each other in. But eventually, Buck pulled back, his eyes flickering toward the kitchen before he smirked.
“So…” he said, still slightly breathless. “Does this mean my tamales are officially better than your abuela’s?”
Eddie groaned. “Buck. Can we not talk about my abuela right now?"
"No?" Buck answered awkwardly then laughed.
Eddie was so gone for him.
They still stood in the middle of the living room, Buck’s arms wrapped around Eddie’s waist, smiling like Eddie had just handed him the world, and maybe he had. That damn grin hadn’t left his face, and Eddie wasn’t sure he ever wanted it to.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Buck’s lips. Just because he could.
Buck hummed, tilting his head to chase after him when he pulled back, but Eddie only kissed the corner of his mouth this time, then his jaw, then just beneath his ear. Buck shivered in his arms.
“Eddie,” he murmured, the sound of it sending a thrill down Eddie’s spine.
“Hmm?” Eddie pressed another kiss just under Buck’s jaw, feeling so ridiculously happy he thought he might float away.
Buck huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “Is this real? I'm not dreaming, am I?”
Eddie smiled against his skin. “Do you want me to pinch you?”
“Maybe,” Buck whispered, then "Ow! What the hell?"
"You asked me to pinch you." Eddie laughed
"I didn't mean it literally." Buck complained
Still wrapped up in each other's arms, neither of them making a move to let go. And really, why would they? Eddie had everything he needed right here, wrapped up in his arms, looking at him like he hung the damn stars.
They were so wrapped up in each other that neither of them heard the footsteps until–
“Thank God.”
Eddie jumped, immediately stepping back from Buck like he’d been caught doing something illegal.
Chris stood there, arms crossed, looking entirely unimpressed. “It took you long enough.”
Eddie narrowed his eyes. “Hey!”
Chris just grinned, completely unbothered. He walked right past them into the kitchen, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water.
Buck, meanwhile, was laughing.
Eddie elbowed him. “Don’t encourage him.”
Chris, still drinking his water, ignored them both. He grabbed a bag of chips from the cupboard.
“Well, congratulations. When’s the wedding?”
Eddie choked on air.
Both Buck and Chris burst out laughing and Eddie wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
Chris disappeared into his room, leaving Eddie standing there, coughing, while Buck held onto his shoulders, laughing so hard he had to lean into him for support.
He ran his hand down his face, muttering, “I swear, that kid–”
Buck, finally catching his breath, was still grinning like an idiot. “So, when’s the wedding, Eddie?” he asked, his tone teasing and flirty as he tilted his head.
Eddie blushed. This stupid, unnecessarily adorable gorgeous man, he knew exactly what he was doing.
But two could play that game.
He flashed a flirty smile of his own, stepping in closer. “How about you focus on being my boyfriend first?”
Buck’s breath hitched, his teasing smirk faltering as he melted, his hands sliding up to rest against Eddie’s chest. “You asking me or telling me?”
Eddie huffed out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “I’m asking.” His hands found Buck’s waist, thumbs brushing against his skin beneath his shirt. “Will you be my boyfriend?”
Buck’s face split into the brightest, most stunning smile he had ever seen.
“Yeah, Eds,” he whispered, pressing their foreheads together. “I’ll be your boyfriend.”
Eddie exhaled, something warm and weightless spreading through his chest. He tightened his hold, bringing Buck in for another kiss– slow, sweet, something that felt like a promise.
When they pulled apart, Buck was still smiling, eyes filled with something so soft Eddie thought he might just float away.
“Good,” Eddie murmured, brushing his nose against Buck’s. “Because I plan on making you very happy.”
Buck hummed, swaying them gently. “You already do.”
Eddie kissed him again, because he could, because Buck was his, because life had finally, finally brought them here.
And damn if he wasn’t going to make the most of it.