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Living in Eddie's house is much easier than Buck expected it to be. It is too quiet sometimes, and he turns his head to talk to someone that isn’t there. And yeah, that makes him so incredibly sad that he has to go lie down sometimes. But besides those things, that he knows for a fact won’t be going anywhere, it’s actually been really nice.
For one, Eddie didn’t really take as much as he figured he would. Yeah, the house was pretty empty but he really only cleaned out his room and the bathroom. Took pictures and other random things. But the couch was still there, and the coffee table. Basically everything in the kitchen stayed, of course Eddie wouldn’t take anything like that. Not that he really knows how to use it.
Buck brought his bed to replace Eddies, his tv and all of his bathroom supplies. And he may have replaced some of Eddie's pans with his own because he cannot use the pan left behind without it making him want to cry so his own stuff is better for everyone involved.
His clothes are where Eddies used to be and the space still doesn’t really feel like his own, but it’s enough to feel close to his best friend, even if he’s not actually here. He hangs pictures in replace of the ones taken down, with his friends and family filling up the space. Adding a couple to the fridge so he can look at a younger Christoper and a baby Jee whenever he wants.
It does help that he and Chris have been calling since a couple of weeks after he moved to Texas in the first place. Not that he really told Eddie that, it hasn't felt right. For him to tell Eddie when Chris wasn’t talking to him. But he would imagine that the man knows now. Even if he hasn’t even been gone long.
Buck hopes it’s working out for them. He can’t wait to talk to Eddie once he gets settled. Hopefully soon, Buck is almost settled here and he knows that once he no longer has things to organize, it’s going to become an issue. He’s self aware enough for that.
To keep himself occupied until then, he wants to fix this issue with the garden out front. One that was meant to be one but clearly isn’t. It’s so sad, and it could be so pretty. But Eddie certainly isn’t a gardener so Buck will have to revive all of this himself and replace the couple that just look sad.
So he goes to the store and grabs what he needs and some flowers, small ones that will hopefully grow and thrive as he gets more comfortable. Maybe he and the flowers can grow together. They’re all beautiful and delicate and well, he feels pretty damn delicate and if something doesn’t distract him it makes his heart beat out of his chest.
So gardening it is.
Replacing the soil helps him not think about the pain Maddie went through, digging it around and framing it in a way he likes helps him not think about Tommy, who he really doesn’t want to think about because now it kind of makes him angry. Digging the holes for the flowers keeps him from thinking about the dog, and the fact that he was left by a dog too. Inhaling deeply as the flowers go in, because being left he cannot think about.
Buck already thinks about Eddie enough as it is, he is already a constant thought in Buck's mind. Has been since the damn well, and Buck may have not known then but it’s no wonder he got teased so much. It was the most obvious thing in the world, his feelings for Eddie.
But either way he would’ve never said a word and he’s glad he didn’t. Because Eddie leaving hurt, even if it was for Chris. Which Buck does get, Chris comes first but still, moving to Texas is so stupid, Buck definitely moves soil around the flowers more aggressively than intended but it gets the job done.
Because Buck would’ve gone with him. And he imagines that on the other hand, if Eddie just told Chris he was going to come home he would’ve. But no, it’s all blown out of proportion and Buck couldn’t say anything because Eddie would’ve probably gotten upset with him again.
The last thing he wants is that. So if Eddie thinks the solution is moving back to the place that made him incredibly unhappy for literal years than who is Buck to stop him when his stubborn ass won’t listen to a word he says anyways.
At least the flowers look pretty.
“Hola.” A voice calls out and Buck jumps, standing from where he was kneeling on the ground and turning to make immediate eye contact with an older woman.
A smile breaks out on his face, he’s seen her before, “Hi!” He comes towards her and she looks amused, he can’t help but wonder why. “What can I do for you?”
Her hand waves, her bracelets gleaming off of what is left of their daylight. “Oh nothing guero.” But she leans a little looking at the flowers, “Just coming to see what you’ve done with those sad flores.”
Buck perks, “Oh! I know huh, Eddie really doesn’t have a green thumb so now that I live here, I wanted to try and give them some life back.”
She chuckles and then pats his shoulder, “Aren’t you a good esposo.”
Bucks mind blanks and he opens and closes his mouth a few times to correct her, to get the words out but he can’t even stutter around them even as she keeps talking, “Can’t believe he left you here, my Mateo and I were so surprised to see him go.”
“Oh um—“ Buck swallows, “Christopher,” and she nods like she knows exactly who he is, which okay, “He’s staying in Texas with his grandparents and Eddie went to stay with him.” Trying his hardest to say it without giving too much away to Eddies - his neighbor.
“Ah.” She pats his arm in a very grandmother-like way, “Well, a chico bonito like you shouldn’t be left alone. Eddito better come back soon.” She winks and holds out her hand when Buck cracks a smile at her because he has no idea what else to do, “Elena, if you need anything, you let I or Mateo know.”
He takes her hand, letting the smile that was forming grace his face again, even if he’s feeling confused, “It’s nice to meet you Elena, I will.”
She nods, “Good.” Sounding very sure and Buck smiles as she leaves, waving when he sees someone open the door for her, that must be Mateo. The man waves back and Buck feels a little lighter now and finally turns back to the flowers. Planted and already looking better than before.
He takes a picture and sends it to Chris, not Eddie. Not wanting to overstep.
But maybe the flowers will lead to good things.
-
The next time Buck meets one of the neighbors he’s actually on the phone with Eddie. Now that the man has gotten settled in, he called Buck. So Buck's phone was on speaker while he painted the fence on the side of the house.
“I still can’t believe you planted new flowers.” Eddie sounds flabbergasted. And Buck rolls his eyes as he paints.
“You killed them Eddie, I had to do something.” Buck replies with a hum, “How can I live here and see them everyday, wilting away.”
“Sure Buck, as if you’re not painting my fence right now.”
“Uh, my fence, thank you.” Buck teases so he doesn’t start wallowing where his new neighbors can see him.
“If anything it’s our fence.” Eddie quips and Buck feels the heat, not from the sun gather on his face and he has to sass or he’ll really say something stupid.
“Our fence, that looked like someone hit it with a bat.” Buck playfully states, “Paint chips bring the value down.” Not that they actually do, but why look at chips when he can make it look all nice again, for when Eddie comes back home. Because that’s what he holds onto everyday, that Eddie and Chris will eventually come back.
“Look at that guero! Much better!” He hears a voice and he turns around, eyebrow raising as a man stands there. Maybe about Chimneys age if Buck had to guess.
Buck recognizes him too.
“Oh Julian hello!” Buck smiles, sitting his paintbrush down in the container and stands up. The man grins, looking pleased at the fact that Buck knew his name and that makes Buck feel good. Glad that they don’t think he’s creepy for knowing who they are.
But he guesses that they know who he is so.
“Julian?” Eddie questions over the phone and the man laughs, jovel and Buck rolls his eyes playfully and it makes the man smile wider. His mustache hiding some of his teeth it’s such a playful expression.
“Eddie,” Buck exhales, “Julian lives like two houses down, how do I know that better than you?”
“Oh.” Eddie replies and the man shakes Buck's hand as Eddie decidedly does not elaborate on that.
“It’s good to meet you Buck, need any help with the fence?” Julian asks and Buck hums in thought, looking over at it. He probably will, it’ll take him a while if he continues to do this all by himself.
“You don’t mind?” Buck asks, wanting to really make sure he’s okay with it before saying yes. He doesn’t want to take out of this man’s day. To be a bother.
“no es un problema.” Julian waves him off and Buck grins. “Gabriela is at work until late, I’ve got time.”
“Great!” Buck grins and takes Eddie off speaker and holds the phone up to his ear, “Eddie you still there?”
“Yeah.” Eddie replies and Buck frowns a little at the change in tone, he sounds almost… upset?
“Are you okay?” Buck asks and Julian’s eyebrows furrow and Buck sends him a smile and turns around, “Eddie?” He asks when the man only exhales and doesn’t reply right away.
“I’m fine Buck, sorry I didn’t sleep great last night.” And Buck… Buck doesn’t believe him.
They’ve been on the phone this entire time and he hasn’t sounded like this. But— if Eddie doesn’t want to tell him, Buck won’t make him. It doesn’t seem to work out on his end anyways when he tries.
“Alright…” Buck drawls out, “Well I’ll call you later okay? Julian is going to help me finish the fence before his wife gets off work.”
“Send me a picture when it’s done?” Eddie asks after a few moments of silence.
“Of course! Can’t leave you out of seeing our fence all pretty.”
That makes Eddie chuckle and it’s the only reason he's smiling when he hangs up the phone.
And Julian is a great help, they get the fence all painted faster than Buck would’ve been able to himself, and it’s nice.
“When does Gabriela get off work?” Buck asks, simply curious as Julian puts the finishing touches on the post he’s currently working on.
“Around 10.” Julian hums and Buck nods, “She’s a nurse.” And it makes Buck grin at the reminder of Maddie. She’s getting better and it means Buck doesn’t feel like he’s going to break the entire fence down instead of fixing it anymore.
“My sister used to be a nurse, I hope she enjoys it.”
Julian laughs, “oh she does, but the stories guero. You’ll have to hear them sometimes.”
Buck continues to grin back at him, “Then could I make you guys dinner sometime? As a thank you for today.”
Julian looks at him with a smile, and he shakes his head, “Elena was right.” And Buck tilts his head, making the man huff a laugh, but he doesn’t elaborate and it only confuses Buck more, “Si, let’s plan dinner.”
When the dinner does happen, it goes really well. Buck spends the late evening flushed and happy because they’re both so nice. And they like his food, which makes Buck even happier, because he’d gotten the recipe from Abuela. Which he told them and they’d both smiled, complimenting it.
They even take leftovers home when they’re done and Gabriela needs to get some sleep. Something Buck understands greatly, and they find out he’s a firefighter. Even if the looks on their faces say that they knew that already. But Buck doesn’t think about it too hard, and they share stories back and forth.
Eddie is in a lot of his, he can’t help it but they don’t stop him. And it’s nice to talk about Eddie. Keeping him present in his life even if he’s gone.
“You tell Eddie that he’s lucky.” Gabriela states as they’re walking out the door, “Wish Julian could cook for me like that.”
Bucks face flames and she laughs while Julian grumbles goodnaturedly. The man isn’t upset at all and really, even if he’s embarrassed, he thinks he likes the both of them even more.
He tells Abuela about them loving her food over the phone the next morning and she sounds as pleased as he did when they said they liked it.
The flowers are getting bigger too, it sends happiness up his spine as he spends the morning on the back porch, talking to Abuela about cooking.
—
Elena is teaching him how to make Albondigas soup when Chris FaceTimes him. He answers the boy's call with the sheepish expression that the woman ignores completely as she keeps rolling the meatballs. The smell of the broth wafting across the kitchen. Mateo is watching some show on Bucks tv that he doesn’t quite understand yet. Even if the man has been teaching him.
“Buck!” Chris exclaims and he smiles at the camera, seeing the boys, the teenagers face come into view and just barely he can see Eddie in the background.
“Hey Chris, what’re you up too?” He asks, smiling because everytime he gets to see Chris’s face makes him happier than he ever feels. God, he misses the boy so much and wishes that he could hug him close and keep him there.
“I wanted to show you my final project for school before break, it’s awesome.” Chris states and Buck looks over to Elena and she waves him off.
“Go, I am perfectly capable of finishing up.” Sending him a smile and Buck huffs a laugh as he goes to sit at the table.
“Let’s see it then.” Buck grins and the boy grins right back and he notices Eddie looking now and he waves because he can and because he misses him and can’t help himself.
Eddie huffs a laugh and smiles back, and Buck looks at him every so often as he watches Chris talk about his project. It's a tornado display and the effects different ones can have on an area. Chris was right, it is awesome.
“That looks amazing, bud.” Buck smiles and he feels a presence behind him and doesn’t even need to turn to know it’s Elena.
Chris brightens, “Hi Elena!” And Buck blinks, so Chris knows who she is, that makes it all easier, the woman leans down, a smile on her face.
“Chris, you’ve grown so much.” Her voice sounds motherly, grandmotherly really, “Look just as dulce as Buck does.” And Chris laughs happily and Buck flushes.
“Elena.” Buck states, faux gasping from it and she shakes her head at him.
“Buck.” She grins playfully, “And he is, convertirse en un hombre.”
“See dad!” Chris turns around and Buck snorts a laugh at that, “Elena gets it.”
“You’re 14.” Buck hears Eddie's playful voice and Elena nudges him and he just blushes again. Geez, she still thinks they’re married and he hasn’t corrected her because he still can’t get the words out.
“Ah but if he’s as sweet as Buck he’ll be a good man.” Elena pats Buck's hair and he can’t even sink away from the frame when Eddie comes into view of the camera . “El chico blanco guapo es un buen marido.”
Buck blinks, missing some of that since she says it so swiftly and he huffs, “You know I miss it when you go too fast.” Almost whining it out when she just laughs at him. Raising a brow at Eddie in a way that Buck really doesn’t understand.
“You’ll get better Buck.” Elena says after staring at Eddie, and he purses his lips because what is even happening, “Soon you’ll be able to fire off Spanish if Mateo has a say in it.”
“That’s right!” Mateo says from the couch and Buck shakes his head with a laugh.
“Mateo keeps calling me a Tortuguita.” Buck says to Eddie and the man lets out a surprised laugh, coming out of whatever stupor he’s in. Buck will ask about that later, “It’s not my fault I talk slow, I only knew bar slang!”
“Not anymore mijo.” Elena says and she sounds proud and it makes Buck feel immediately better. He cannot wait to tell Athena and Abuela that she thinks his Spanish is getting better, “Isabel and I will get you right.” She finishes and Buck sends her a grateful smile.
“Julian and Gabriela might beat you to it.” Buck replies playfully and she just chuckles.
“Gabriela just wants to eat your food.” Elena teases back, “The making you speak Spanish while doing so is just a fun bonus.”
“A delicious bonus.” Buck quips and turns back to the screen and Eddie and Chris are both still there, watching and it’s Chris who speaks up.
“I miss your food Buck.” And Elena pats his head again before walking off, he could hug her for the gratefulness. Buck sends Chris a soft smile, meeting the boy's eyes from the side of his phone.
“I miss making you food Superman. I hope you’re still eating good though.” Because none of this is about him, even if he’d drive there right now and make Chris food, or he wishes Chris was sitting at this table again, eating right where Buck can see him.
“I am.” Chris sighs, “Abuela makes good food, but it doesn’t taste the same.” And he eyes his dad, “And dads is edible.”
Buck lets out a surprised laugh, quiet but still there, “I’m sure you’ll get to eat my food sometime Chris, maybe I can come there one day.” And the boy shakes his head, and Buck fights the urge to frown as Chris bites his lip.
“I don’t want you to come here.” Chris mumbles and Buck sharply inhales the same time as Eddie does but he can’t look at him, not right now.
“Oh, well that’s okay bud, I don’t have too.” Buck replies, no matter how hard it is.
“I want to come home…” Chris says, so softly that his phone doesn’t catch it. Bucks eyes widen at the news and with the way he sees Eddie have a physical reaction to it, this is news to him too. “I miss you..”
“Oh Chris.” Buck speaks when it’s obvious that Eddie is not going too, “I miss you too, but—“ he does glance at Eddie this time, “You should talk to your dad about this, he looks surprised.”
Chris huffs and looks at Eddie too, and the boy actually rolls his eyes, “It’s almost the end of the school year, I want to go back to LA while we’re on break.” As if it’s the most obvious thing in the world, “I thought that was the plan.” Finishing quietly when Eddie doesn’t reply.
But then he does, and he grabs Chris’s shoulders, it’s a light hold, Buck can tell from here. “You want to come home?”
Chris shrugs, “I want to see Buck, and— Texas kind of sucks dad.”
Eddie lets out a wet laugh and Buck has to tilt his head so neither of them see the tears in his eyes. Fuck, Chris wants to come home because he misses Buck. Of all reasons, besides Texas sucking. And yeah, Buck expected that. Eddie hated Texas.
“But Chris—“ Eddie starts, Buck watches him swallow, “I thought—“ and Buck can’t watch him do this to himself.
“Eddie.” Buck speaks and Eddie's head snaps towards him again and Buck is the one that has to swallow this time, “Come home.”
The man softens, Buck witnesses it happen and Chris leans into his side. He wishes that he could wrap his arms around Eddie too. But he can’t, not yet.
“Okay..” Eddie exhales and Buck straightens, his eyes widening, “Once school finishes, we’ll come home Evan.”
Buck cries immediately.
The tears welled up in his eyes faster than he could stop them. His breathing hitches and he hears Mateo’s exclaim something the moment he does it. His body says with it and he hears Eddie say his name, as the phone in his hand hits the table because he can’t hold onto it anymore.
“Buck, hey take a breath.” Elena’s voice comes in and she watches another hand take his phone and he hears Mateo talking to Eddie.
He calms down quickly as Elena wraps her arms around him. He feels a little like an idiot, especially when Mateo is hanging up his phone call with Chris and Eddie before coming over and putting a hand on Bucks shoulder.
“Why’re you crying son?” Mateo asks and it’s surprising to hear all of the English coming from the man.
“I’m just—“ Buck sniffs, inhaling as he gathers his bearings, “So happy, I didn’t think they’d come back.” No matter what he tried to convince himself of all of that time, in the back of his mind he really thought that he’d never see either of them in person again.
And now they’re moving back home, soon enough that Buck doesn’t know what to do. It’s so much sooner than he thought, maybe a month more before they’ll be here for good and Buck is so happy.
“Oh, chico tonto.” Mateo states and Buck huffs a wet laugh. “You’re familia, Ellos te aman.”
Buck knows that they love him, and being called family makes his heart race. Even if it’s not for the reason they’re thinking.
But he thinks he needs to call Eddie back. And he will, once they’re done eating the dinner Elena worked hard on, that Buck helped with.
He needs time to think first.
About being honest with the most important person in his life after Chris.
—
Before he calls Eddie though, Buck meets another neighbor. It’s not the most ideal way and the bruising on his jaw makes his face hurt but he’s just happy now as they sit in the living room that he was there at all.
Buck had been weeding the flowerbed as he waited for Eddie to text him back, it was early in the morning, the sun barely even up when he felt a presence behind his back. Immediately he sat straighter, coming up from the dirt and turning around. Eyes widening when he saw Tommy standing there.
“Tommy?” Buck asked, confusion grazing over his features because what?
“You haven’t been answering my texts.” Tommy replied and Buck raised an eyebrow, standing up and not worried about the fact that his pants were absolutely covered in dirt.
“And that makes you think I want to see you in person?” It’s mean, Buck knows that. But he can’t bring himself to care. He’s been doing better, feeling better without him. Buck feels like he’s better off alone now rather than with someone who makes him feel smaller.
He doesn’t want to be with someone who would out him on their first date, despite knowing that Buck wasn’t out. He doesn’t want to be with someone that leaves him with no ride home. Doesn’t want to be with someone that doesn’t listen when he talks, even if he learned a lot from him. In the bedroom at least.
Buck doesn’t want Tommy.
Not when he has Eddie. Even if Eddie may not feel the same way. Buck can live with that because Eddie doesn’t leave him places, he’s coming home. Buck gets to stay here and live with them. Eddie listens when Buck talks, he even looks like he’s listening and actually cares about what Buck says.
How could he want anyone but Eddie?
But there Tommy stood, barely 7 in the morning in his front yard. “I thought you were just being difficult.”
Buck scoffed, “No, I don’t want to see you.”
“Because you’re living with Eddie?” Tommy rolls his eyes and Buck puts his hands on his hips, offended at the notion even if there’s some truth in it.
“Eddie doesn’t live here and you know that.” Wanting him to leave, if he would leave his morning would go right back to what he’s doing and being excited that Eddie will be home soon, “Me living here, as a renter by the way, doesn’t have anything to do with you just showing up here.”
Tommy sighs as if Buck is an annoyance when he came to him, not the other way around. “Look.” He pinches his eyebrows together, “I just wanted to start over, a clean slate.”
“No.” Buck replies immediately. Not wanting anything to do with that. He’s done giving chance after chance to people who don’t deserve it. He has been working hard with Dr. Copeland lately and doesn’t want to ruin that with Tommy of all people.
“No?” Tommy blinks and steps forward, “No isn’t really what I was looking for.”
Buck shrugs, “That really isn’t my problem man, I’ve got no interest in being friends or whatever you’re here for.”
“Just let me try again, you’re being really stubborn right now.” Tommy replies and Buck echoes it, not able to help himself from it.
“I’m being stubborn because I don’t want to give the guy that left me at a restaurant another chance?”
If this was before, if he hadn’t been talking about things more, instead of keeping them inside. If he was looking for someone, but he has someone, he has someone he wants to share himself with fully. Buck refuses to lose that chance to Tommy of all people.
“Evan.”
Buck bristles, “It’s Buck.”
Tommy rolls his eyes once more and Buck wonders briefly if they’re ever going to get stuck like that.
“Sure, you’re holding onto shit that doesn’t matter Evan, just let me try again, stop arguing with me.” Tommy says and Buck thinks about just going inside but he really doubts Tommy will leave and more than anything, Buck wishes he could call Eddie.
Even if he can handle himself, it doesn’t mean that having Eddie here or close enough to be here wouldn’t help.
“I’m not arguing with you Tommy.” Buck sighs, “I’m telling you no.”
Tommy comes forward again and Buck stands his ground but he doesn’t expect it when Tommy grabs his face, fingers digging into his skin and he winces, immediately trying to pull away.
“One more chance.” Tommy says, stern in his voice as his hand grips against Bucks face, it’s hard enough to bruise there.
“Let go of me.” Buck glares at him, even if his hands shake by his sides.
“Give me a chance and I’ll let go.” Tommy says as if he’s going to get a yes and Buck opens his mouth to talk again but is interrupted by a new voice.
“He said let go, pendejo.”
Tommy turns without letting go of Buck but his grip loosens enough for Buck to yank himself away as the man, who looks like he was on a run this morning walks up. He’s a big guy, and he looks a little familiar but Buck can’t remember his name, especially not when his jaw aches the way it does.
Fuck, it’s going to bruise.
Tommy goes to grab him again, and Buck takes a step back, eyes going back to who he assumes is one of the neighbors.
“Yo no lo haría.” The man growls and he looks like he’s Bucks age, but the fact that Buck actually understands him makes a softness curl in his gut. Makes him feel proud around the fingertips of pain on his face.
“No one knows what you’re saying, speak English.” Tommy says and looks at Buck as if he’s going to agree with him and Buck just smirks, it’s a nasty expression, he can feel it.
“He said I wouldn’t, not his fault you’re a racist bastard, some growth huh.”
“I’m not—“ Tommy exclaims just as the man puts a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. Damn, the guy really is big.
“Leave old man.” The guy says, “no one has time for this so early in the morning.” And he shoves Tommy, “He told you to leave, do it.”
Tommy scoffs, “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
The guy shrugs, “Then I’ll call the police and report a hate crime, fine with me.” And he pulls out his phone while Tommy sputters and Buck has to hide a laugh under his cough, and eventually Tommy does leave, walking off back to his car with a huff, Buck isn’t listening, nor does he care about what he’s saying.
All that matters is that he’s gone.
“You good guero?” The man asks once they’re alone and he nods, because he is, but as his fingers go to his face, he winces again.
Yeah definitely going to bruise.
“Yeah, thanks.” Buck says and reaches his free hand out, one not covered in dirt still and the man takes it. “I’m Buck.”
A smile curls on the man’s face, “Oh I know.” And Buck blinks at him, “I’m Elena’s sobrino, I live down the street.” He points and Buck follows the movement with his eyes, “Daniel.”
Oh.
Buck smiles at him, “That was my brother's name, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here.” Daniel says, “You got ice for that? It’s going to bruise like a bitch.”
Buck sighs, “Yeah I think so.” And then remembers something, “Oh! I’ve got cookies for Elena, can you bring them to her?I’ve got a shift soon.”
“Sure.” Daniel shrugs and Buck grins,
“Great, cmon.” And leads the man into the house, going straight to the kitchen, Daniel following behind him, and as he’s getting the cookies into their container his phone rings and he fumbles with it, while holding cookies still and Eddie's caller ID pops up on his phone.
He presses answer, “Hey Eddie!” He smiles as he sits the phone down on the counter as he gets the rest of the cookies put up.
“Hola Buck.” Eddies voice comes through and he sounds happy, “What’re you doing? Thought you had a shift.”
Bucks eyes drift to Daniel, leaning on the doorway with a grin as he listens, “I do, it’s not for an hour, I’m getting Elena’s cookies ready for her, her nephew, Daniel, is going to take them over for me since I need to go soon.”
“Hola Eddie!” Daniel says and Buck snorts a laugh as the line goes silent for a moment, “Saved your boy from a puta this morning.” And Buck's gaze snaps back over to Daniel whose expression is of pure innocence.
He looks just like Elena, so he’s a liar for sure.
“What?” Eddie's voice calls through again, he sounds different, off.
“It’s nothing Eddie.” Buck murmurs as he hands Daniel the container, “Go now, shoo shoo.” Buck grins and Daniel rolls his eyes.
“Now this is rude Buck, I’m telling tía.” Daniel doesn’t look sorry at all, not even a little bit. They’re so alike Buck is almost annoyed.
“She’ll forgive me after a bite of the cookies.” And Daniel laughs all of the way out the door.
When it closes, he can hear Eddies breathing on the other side. It’s silent for a second, as Buck bites his lip and settles down on the couch instead of getting ready like he should be.
Then the phone call changed from just voice to FaceTime and Buck blanches, he didn’t even know Eddie knew how to do that. Dammit Chris.
Buck still answers and the moment they’re face to face Eddie inhales sharply and his expression looks thunderous, “It’s nothing huh?”
Buck continues to chew on his lip, looking away from the phone and surprisingly Eddie doesn’t push, but Buck says against the couch to tell him anyways, “Tommy showed up while I was pulling weeds this morning.”
Eddie gets closer to the phone and it would be funny if he didn’t look murderous. “What happened?”
Buck waves his hand, “Just being himself really.” He shrugs, letting his lip go, “He grabbed my jaw when I said I wouldn’t give him another chance.” Buck touches it again now that he can see himself in the camera, wincing again as his fingers drag across the spots, “He really isn’t a fan of the word no.”
“He put his hands on you?” Eddie seethes the words out and Buck blinks at him, the reaction isn’t exactly what he expected, even if he knew he was going to be upset.
“He did, but I guess Daniel was running home from Elena’s and saw it.” Buck snorts, even if Eddie looks like he’s about to come and get a felony charge, “He— he said some awful things but left when Daniel threatened to call in a hate crime.”
That gets a little smirk from Eddie, even if his eyes are still dilated, “I’ll buy that guy a drink when I get home.”
Home.
Buck smiles, unable to help himself, “I’m sure he’d say yes, everyone’s so nice around here.”
“Yeah, it seems you’re all buddy buddy with the neighbors.” Eddie says, still looking so intense. It makes Buck's heart race.
“Not my fault your neighbors are awesome.” Buck laughs and everyone at the station is going to be pissed when they see his face. But he’s not worried about it now, with Eddie looking at him.
“Put some ice on your face and go to work.” Eddie states and Buck laughs, nodding because he does need to do those things.
“Yes sir.” Buck laughs and sees a look he can’t describe on Eddie's face before he ends the call. He’s stopped saying goodbye because if he doesn’t say it, there is no goodbye.
—
Bucks on a run a week later, two weeks before Eddie and Chris are due to come home. It’s getting warm; even if it still is a little chilly. But it’s hot enough that he gets to run shirtless and not dirty another shirt. It’s bad enough that he has to shower again, he doesn’t want to add to his laundry on top of it.
He’s got Eddie in his ear, apparently the other man wanted some company while he started packing up the Airbnb he was staying in. And that was a surprise, a hell of a one actually. To find out that Eddie hadn’t actually bought any of the houses down there, that he was always planning on coming home.
But they’re talking back and forth about nothing while Buck runs. As Buck gives him advice on how to pack the most with the least amount of boxes, it seems to be working. Apparently he’s just trying to come back with his truck and not rent a U-Haul again.
Buck doesn’t plan on asking how he’s going to do that.
“I swear Buck this was easier the first time.” Eddie grumbles and Buck laughs, the wince significantly less now that the bruises are fading.
“Because I was there helping obviously.” Buck grins as his feet continue to hit the ground, pacing himself as the house comes into his vision.
“Yeah that’s it.” Eddie says and Buck swallows when there is a lack of teasing. He really needs to tell Eddie how he feels, he’s running out of time.
The days are counting down, it’s getting closer to seeing him again.
“Exactly.” Buck swallows, trying to not share how much this affects him when he sees Daniel and another man running towards him, looking like they’re on a morning run as well. “Oh Daniel’s running too.” He comments and Eddie hums in reply as Buck waves happily.
The man returns the favor and Buck slows to a stop in front of Daniel and the other guy.
“Good morning guys.” Buck smiles at them.
Daniel bends a little, exhaling but he smiles at Buck, “Buenos días Buck.” Daniel stretches and points to his friend, “this is Luca, mi primo.”
“Hola Luca.” Buck grins and reaches a hand out to shake it and the man smiles, taking his hand but instead of shaking it, he brings Bucks knuckles up to his mouth and kisses them. Buck blinks, “Oh.”
“Dios.” Daniel sighs just as Eddie's voice comes in his ear again, “Buck why’d you say that?”
Daniel takes Buck's hand away from Luca, “No se, Buck is Eddies.”
Buck hears Eddie's sharp inhale of breath, it almost echoes in his ear. It's so pointed. As if it’s a physical reaction that Eddie couldn’t control.
“Ah, my bad.” Luca says, rubbing the back of his neck and Buck huffs a laugh to hide how incredibly awkward he feels right now.
“It’s okay.” Buck shrugs, and steps back, trying to ignore Eddie's breathing in his ear, “I’ll take it as a compliment.”
Daniel laughs, and Luca follows, and Buck wishes he could run away or hang up on Eddie, “it was one.” Luca states, sure in his words as he looks directly at Bucks chest and Buck flushes, he can’t help it.
“Gracias then.” He states and takes a step back, “I’ll see you guys later.” He says, waving as he runs off, back to the house he goes, “Enjoy your run!” Exclaiming it as he heads back, Eddies still breathing in his ear. He hasn’t said a word though.
Buck goes into the house and shuts the door behind him and leans against the door, “Eds? You still there?” Even though he knows he is, he can hear his exhales so clearly it’s as if they’re right next to one another.
“Go shower and then call me back.” Eddie finally answers and he hangs up before Buck can even say anything else and Buck slumps. Shivering at the tone and maybe, just maybe this won’t go as badly as he thinks it will.
But it still doesn’t stop his hands from shaking as he gets in the shower. Washing himself off and getting rid of the sweat. Trying to make sure he’s clean but he wants to hear what Eddie has to say more than taking his time.
So it’s a quick and efficient shower, the waters still warm when he gets out. Deciding to let his hair dry, letting the curls free as he accepts them. Coming to love them, because Chris used to say they matched and what other reason could he need.
Buck throws on some comfortable clothes and lays on his bed, not wanting to walk all of the way back to the living room just to have this conversation. Basically throwing himself on the comforter face first with his phone in his hands.
Then he video calls Eddie.
Eddie picks up on the second ring. His eyes are intense again, in a way that Buck wants to understand, wants to learn this expression he keeps being on the receiving end of. But he still can’t stop himself from speaking.
“I’m really sorry if that made you uncomfortable, Daniel thinks we're together and — really so does everyone else and I don’t know how to correct them without making it weird. He definitely got it from Elena because I swear she’s told the entire neighborhood I’m your esposo — but I didn’t tell her that and I can, I’ll correct them all before you come home so it won’t be weird— Gabriela and Julian definitely do it too — and I —“
“Evan.” Eddie interrupts him and Bucks mouth closes so fast that he clicks his teeth together but he looks at Eddie with wide teary eyes because he didn’t mean to let it go on this long and now Eddie definitely hates— “Stop spiraling, I’m not mad.”
Buck blinks in confusion, “You’re not?”
Eddie shakes his head, “Why would I be mad about it?”
“Why would—! Eddie, everyone in your neighborhood thinks we’re married.” Buck exclaims and Eddie shrugs and Buck thinks he might have a stroke.
“Honestly that’s the best news I’ve heard all year, besides Chris coming home with me of course.” Eddie replies and Buck makes a sound he didn’t even know he could make.
“What?” Buck cannot believe he’s hearing this right now.
Buck's reaction just seems to make Eddie soften though, his entire body language is relaxed, “Buck, Evan, I’d marry you the moment I set foot in LA again if you said yes.”
“You’d— Eddie..” Buck exhales and he drops his face into the comforter just to breathe for a second, or stop himself from breathing, he hasn’t decided.
“Say the word and I’ll keep you forever.” And Buck lifts his head back up, staring into those hazel eyes to make sure he’s serious because Buck didn’t think this was even in the realm of possibilities. He was a wreck trying to work up the courage on telling Eddie he has feelings for him and Eddie— Buck is pretty certain he’s proposing.
“I love you.” Buck exhales out, watching as Eddie's expression brightens, he looks so sure. Buck doesn’t think he’s seen anyone more beautiful than Eddie is right now. With his confidence, in this moment.
“I love you too mi amor.”
And Buck makes another sound, one that is definitely the most embarrassing one, like a whine if he was also suffocating.
“Oh my god.” Buck lets out and Eddie is smiling at him, and Buck smiles back because what else could he even do right now.
“And when I get home, I’ll show you that you are mine.” Eddie states, his eyes darkening, “And then I’ll make what you let everyone think be the truth and you’ll be my esposo.”
Buck is flushed and smiling and he fucking can’t wait. “Looking forward to it, Edmundo.” And laughs when Eddie groans out loud.
The kiss he gets the moment Eddie and Chris step into the airport where Buck is picking them up makes him feel breathless.
Their lips moving together right there in the middle of the airport as Chris protests, calling them embarrassing. But not surprised at all about what’s happening. Eddie holds him by the waist, fingers digging in promise. And Buck cradles his face in return.
He can’t wait to tell Gabriela about this.