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The living room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the muted TV and the occasional rustle of fabric as Eddie shifted, tense and fidgeting on the couch beside Buck. The sunset bathed the room in deep golds and oranges, a kind of soft stillness that made everything feel slower, heavier.
Buck could feel something was off — not in a dangerous way, just... off. Eddie had been jumpy all day, avoiding eye contact, zoning out, overthinking. Buck didn’t press until now, gently turning toward them.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
Eddie hesitated. “Yeah. I mean... sort of. I’ve been... thinking.”
Buck nodded. “Thinking’s good.”
“About something I’ve needed to say. For a while.”
Buck’s expression softened. “Okay. You don’t have to say anything you’re not ready to—”
“I’m ready,” Eddie interrupted quickly, then flinched a little at his own urgency. “I just… don’t know how to say it right.”
Buck leaned in slightly, not pushing, just there. “However it comes out is okay. You’re safe.”
Eddie stared at their hands, then finally said, “I’m trans.”
The words hung there, thick and trembling. Eddie held their breath.
Buck’s heart didn’t skip; it steadied. “Okay,” he said, low and sure.
Eddie blinked. “Okay?”
Buck nodded, reaching over to cover their hand with his. “Yeah. Of course okay. Is… is that new? Or just new to me?”
Eddie let out a small breath. “Not new. Just not something I said before. Not out loud. I’ve known for a bit. I just didn’t... didn’t know how to bring it up.”
Buck squeezed their hand. “You did great.”
Eddie’s throat worked around something tight. “You’re not weirded out?”
“No,” Buck said, smiling. “I’m honored. That you told me.”
There was a long pause. Buck tilted his head a little.
“So… does that mean you use she/her now?” he asked gently, not wanting to assume. “Or something else?”
Eddie met his eyes, cheeks pink. “Not just she. I use all pronouns.”
Buck blinked. “All of them?”
Eddie nodded slowly. “Yeah. I mean, like, She, he, they... neopronouns too. Anything, really. I don’t want people to pick one and stick to it. I like when it changes. I like variety. I know it’s weird to some people, but-”
Buck cut in, eyes bright. “Hey, not weird. Kinda beautiful, actually.”
Eddie blinked, surprised. “You think so?”
“I know so,” Buck said, then shifted even closer, brushing a strand of hair back from Eddie’s face. “Can I... show you?”
Eddie blinked, confused. “Show me?”
Buck smiled. “Compliment you. Using different pronouns. All of them. Just... let me love on you a little.”
Eddie hesitated, then nodded, slowly. “Okay. Yeah.”
Buck leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Eddie’s temple.
“She is brave, brave enough to live her truth even when it’s scary, even when it’s hard.”
Eddie’s lips parted. “That’s… really nice.”
Buck kissed their cheek.
“He is strong, strong enough to carry so much and still be kind and steady through it all.”
Eddie smiled faintly. “Trying my best.”
Buck kissed the tip of their nose.
“They are smart, sharp and thoughtful, always seeing things from every angle before making a move.”
A quiet, “That means a lot,” slipped out.
Buck kissed their forehead.
“Xe is incredible, a spark of brilliance that makes the impossible seem possible, and the ordinary extraordinary.”
Eddie snorted softly. “Now you’re just making stuff up.”
“Only a little,” Buck teased, and kissed along their jawline.
“Fae is radiant, lighting up every room with warmth and light, even on the darkest days.”
Eddie’s cheeks flushed. “I like that one.”
Buck kissed their temple again.
“Ey is funny, quick-witted and hilarious, making me laugh when I need it most.”
Eddie grinned. “That one’s true.”
Buck kissed their cheek.
“It is beautiful, inside and out, with a soul that shines brighter than any star.”
Eddie blinked back something in their eyes. “God, Buck…”
Buck kissed their lips, sweet and sure.
“Bun is fearless, brave enough to face the world head-on, with nothing but courage and heart.”
Eddie let out a soft breath. “You really meant it. All pronouns.”
Buck smiled. “I meant all of it. Every word that means you.”
Eddie leaned in and kissed him back, deeper this time, grateful and steady.
“I love you,” they whispered.
Buck beamed. “I love you. No matter the name, no matter the pronoun. You’re mine.”
And with the last kiss pressed to their hair, Eddie felt more seen, more loved, than they ever had in their life.