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2025-03-09
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One Last Night

Notes:

It was something I had in mind after the end of 8A, but after what happened in 8x09, I just had to post it.

"A little moment after renting out Eddie’s house.... Buck comes up with the idea of a "farewell party" but he ends up spending the whole night outside, away from everyone...What’s going on with him?"

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

The night was warm, with a light breeze barely making the leaves outside rustle. Eddie’s house was lit up from the inside, laughter and voices spilling out through the open windows.

A farewell party. His last night in L.A. before moving to El Paso to be closer to Christopher.

The whole thing had been Buck’s idea.... He was the one who suggested the party though, but deep down, it was just an excuse to get everyone together and make the most of the time they had left.

But after a while, Buck started hating it. Every single conversation turned into talk about El Paso, about Eddie’s new life there.... and it was killing him. So, he just kept drinking the whole night…

Now he was sitting on the front steps, away from the noise, elbows resting on his knees, staring at...nothing in particular. He wasn’t sure what had made him step outside instead of staying inside with the others, but he’d felt off all night, this weird discomfort he couldn’t quite shake.

He should be happy for Eddie...he knew that. He knew this was the right thing for him, for his son.

Nothing mattered more than a father wanting to be there for his son. But still… something about all of this was eating him up inside, making him....what? Angry? Frustrated? Whatever it was, it was obvious. Chim had joked about his mood and Hen had given him those looks; the kind that made it clear she was trying to figure him out. Even Eddie had noticed. That’s why they’d argued a few hours ago.

The night air was cool, but Buck barely felt it. His mind was a mess, tangled up in thoughts he didn’t want to deal with. Lately, he’d been feeling… left behind. Isolated, even when surrounded by people. After his ex...
Well..that went wrong, but it keeps happening so... who cares know?

He still had Maddie, yeah, but with her pregnancy and work, they barely had time together anymore. And now Eddie was leaving, too....

He let out a sigh, running his hands over his face.
He didn’t want to think about any of this. He didn’t want to think anything at all....

But why did it bother him so much? He didn’t even understand his own frustration. He’d been acting off...irritated, short-tempered, for no real reason. Was it just that he was going to miss him?

He didn’t even hear the footsteps in the grass until Bobby appeared beside him, sitting down without a word. He didn’t speak right away, giving Buck space to breathe.

“You alright?” Bobby finally said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah…” Buck muttered, eyes still on the bottle in his hand. How many beers has he had already? He couldn’t remember.

“You wanna talk about what made you bolt out here?” Bobby asked, side-eyeing him, his voice always kind but firm.

“It’s nothing,” Buck said, though his voice cracked a little. He paused, then added, “It’s just… Eddie. He’s gonna be fine with Chris, I know that. That’s what matters, right?”

“It is,” Bobby nodded. “But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”

Buck leaned back against the column beside him, eyes drifting up to the sky. “It shouldn’t, though. I mean, he’s doing this for his son, for god’s sake. I’m being selfish.”

“Hey,” Bobby said gently. “It’s normal to feel this way. Eddie means a lot to you and us. He’s your best friend...”

Buck let out a bitter laugh, taking another swig of his beer. “I don’t know. I don’t even know…”

Bobby just smiled, watching him, waiting.

“I just want him to be happy, I want him to be with Chris… but deep down, I also want him to stay. And I can’t tell him that, because it wouldn’t be fair to him.” Before Bobby can say anything else, the back door swings open, and Eddie steps out onto the porch. He stops when he sees them, raising an eyebrow.

“What are you two doing out here?” he asks with a small smile, but his eyes confuse go straight to Buck.

Bobby stands up, patting Buck’s shoulder before locking eyes with Eddie. “Just reminding Buck that this isn’t the end of the world,” he says in his usual calm tone. “I’ll leave you guys to talk.”

Buck looks up, frowning, but Bobby’s already heading back inside, shutting the door behind him. Eddie takes a few steps closer, crossing his arms as he watches Buck with curiosity.

“You good?” he asks, his gaze flicking over his friend, who was very clearly a little too drunk. A few empty bottles sat beside him, proof enough.

Buck lets out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Why wouldn’t I be? I'm perfect” He takes another sip of his beer, barely even tasting it at this point. Eddie studies him for a long moment before sighing and sitting down next to him on the steps..

“Is this because we didn’t talk about the house?” he asks cautiously.

Buck exhales sharply, shaking his head. “No, it’s not that.”

Eddie leans in slightly, eyes narrowing. “Then what is it?”

Buck scoffs, looking away. “Why throw this party when we all know you’re not coming back?”

"Buck it was your idea..."

Eddie stays quiet for a moment, then answers softly, “Look I’ve been fighting this whole thing for too long, i need to do this...and I'm really happy that you suggest this... Because you guys are my family, Buck. I couldn’t just leave without this.”

Buck clenches his jaw. “I think that’s what pisses me off…” 

“What is?”

“That you’re so okay with it.”

Eddie blinks, frowning. “You think this is easy for me?”

Buck finally looks at him, meeting his eyes. “That’s what it seems like.”

Eddie exhales, shaking his head with a humorless smile. “Well, It’s not. But I have to do it, Buck. It’s my son.”

Buck pushes himself to his feet, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I know!” he says, frustrated. Few seconds in silent and then he breathes calming himself. “I know... better than anyone. And I hate that you’re leaving for a reason I can’t even argue with...because I get it. I really do.”

Eddie stands too, his frown deepening. “Then what’s the problem?”

Buck opens his mouth to answer...but nothing comes out. He doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t even fully understand why he feels this way.

“Whatever it is, Buck… just say it,” Eddie presses, stepping closer, his eyes searching his.

Buck swallows hard, looking away. “I...I don’t know,” he admits quietly.

Eddie sighs, his expression softening. “I’m gonna miss you, you know that, right?”

Buck tightens his fists in his pockets. “Yeah… me too.”

Eddie gives him a small smile and pats his shoulder. “Relax, man. I’ll keep in touch, I’ll keep calling you. You can come visit Chris and me sometime. This isn’t goodbye forever.”

Buck just nods. He’s not sure he believes that.

From the front door, Chim shouts, “Eddie! Get over here! We’ve got one last toast for you!”

Eddie grins. “You coming?”

Buck takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. “Yeah. Give me a minute.”

Eddie watches him for a moment longer, like he’s making sure he’s really okay. There’s something in his expression, something hesitant, like he’s about to say something else. But in the end, he just nods and heads back inside, leaving Buck alone on the steps.

Buck doesn’t move, except to shift his gaze to the window so he can see the party inside, the way everyone gathers for the toast. Then his eyes drift past them...all with a smile.

For a second, everything slows down....

The warm glow of the lights inside makes it all feel cozy, almost unreal. He can see Chim laughing with Hen as they walk out of the kitchen, a bottle of wine in hand. Maddie is standing with Athena and Bobby, one hand resting on her belly as she talks excitedly. Everyone is there, together, celebrating, saying goodbye.

And then… his eyes find Eddie.

He’s right in the center of the room, smiling easily as he talks to someone. Buck can’t hear what he’s saying, but he looks… at peace. Relaxed. Like this isn’t his last night here, like he’s not leaving behind everything he built in this city. Like this doesn’t hurt. Buck knows Eddie is doing what he thinks is right, putting Christopher first. He gets it. But seeing him there, in the middle of it all, acting like nothing is changing when everything is—it twists something deep in his chest.

Then Eddie turns his head slightly, and for just a second, their eyes meet...

It’s barely a moment, barely a breath...but Buck feels his throat tighten. Eddie doesn’t smile. He doesn’t say anything. He just looks at him with that intensity that always leaves Buck struggling for air.

Then someone calls his name, and Eddie looks away, slipping back into the conversation. And Buck just stays there, outside, watching through the window like he’s looking at something he’ll never get back. He doesn’t know what to do with everything he’s feeling.

But for now, all he can do is keep moving forward...


Notes:

If you notice anything weird, it's because english isn't my first language xD