Chapter Text
It had been three days since the wedding-that-wasn’t.
Three days since Buck left Tommy at the altar.
Three days since he kissed Eddie on the rooftop and everything finally made sense.
The world was quieter now — still messy, still complicated, but calmer. Like a storm had passed through and left behind fresh air.
Tommy had gone radio silent, understandably.
The press of well-meaning texts from coworkers and friends had slowed. Hen had stopped by with wine. Chim had sent a “you good?” meme. Bobby just gave Buck a long, meaningful hug and said, “Took you long enough.”
But Maddie…
Buck hadn’t faced her yet.
He knew he had to. Knew she deserved more than silence after everything she’d witnessed — especially after hearing Eddie’s confession firsthand.
So he drove to her place.
Christopher was already there, curled up on the couch with Jee, watching cartoons while Chim made popcorn in the kitchen. Eddie had dropped him off earlier, and Maddie had offered to keep him distracted for a few hours so the two of them could breathe.
Buck stood in the doorway to the living room, hands stuffed in his pockets.
Maddie looked up from where she sat beside the kids.
“Hey,” she said softly, standing.
“Hey,” he echoed.
She didn’t say anything else — just crossed the room and pulled him into a tight hug.
He closed his eyes, letting himself fold into her embrace.
After a long moment, she pulled back and gave him a look. That look.
“The rooftop?” she asked. “Really?”
Buck huffed out a laugh. “Where else would I go?”
Maddie raised a brow, then tilted her head. “So…?”
He met her eyes, hesitant. “So… Eddie and I kissed.”
Her face softened immediately. “Buck.”
“I know,” he said, voice quieter. “I know I hurt Tommy. I didn’t plan for any of this. But… it’s like everything just clicked into place the second I heard Eddie say he loved me. Like I’d been asleep for years and someone finally shook me awake.”
“You’ve always loved him,” she said gently.
“I didn’t know it,” Buck said. “Not until it was almost too late.”
Maddie nodded, then crossed her arms, studying him. “Are you happy?”
Buck smiled — small but real. “Yeah. I think I finally am.”
She nodded, then nudged him toward the couch. “Come sit. Tell me everything.”
An hour later, the popcorn was long forgotten, the kids were asleep, and Buck had poured his heart out.
The first time he saw Eddie smile.
The quiet nights after bad calls.
How Eddie always showed up, always stayed.
How he’d ignored the way his heart stopped every time Eddie touched him.
And how it all came rushing back to him the second he stood at that altar and realized he couldn’t speak his vows because they weren’t meant for Tommy.
Maddie listened, eyes glassy but proud.
“I always hoped,” she said softly. “But I never wanted to push. I just wanted you to be seen, Buck. To be loved like you deserved.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I didn’t see it. But Eddie always did.”
She smiled. “Then it sounds like you found the right person after all.”
Buck exhaled, the weight on his chest finally lifting.
“Yeah,” he whispered. “I think I really did.”