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Buck's sick.
But not just any sick.
He's sick sick.
Like really fucking sick.
Like, Buck feels like absolute garbage, but he's got a shift today and will not be missing it, so he's just gotta power through and temporarily live on all sorts of cold/sick medications that he had to order through DoorDash last night because he felt so bad he couldn't even go to the drugstore.
And he doesn't feel that much better this morning. Well, the headache has subsided a little. It's more bearable, so that's something at least.
But he felt so bad last night that he crashed on the couch downstairs, not able to go upstairs to sleep in his damn bed, he was so weak and his head was pounding horribly last night.
Buck figured out that he picked up something from Jee's daycare, because they had a virus going around that was not only affecting the kids, but the caretakers too, even the parents, and well, Uncle in his case.
He had to pick her up a few days ago because Maddie and Chimney were at work and he was off. He does it quite a lot and he loves it. He always loves spending extra time with his niece. His favorite niece.
So now Buck has to power through and get upstairs so he can change and get ready for shift.
Luckily, it's only a twenty-four, so it won't be too bad, he hopes.
And he'll make sure before he leaves the loft that he packs some meds in his duffel bag, so it'll help with his symptoms, so he can get through the shift.
Shift's been going on for an hour, and Buck's been feeling good. He took some meds right before leaving his loft, and he's been going strong.
His head still hurts just a little, and his stomach is feeling a little gross, but that's really it. And the best part about it, no one suspects a thing.
Buck can only hope the next twenty-three hours of shift go by smoothly with no issues and no one finding out about it.
Especially Eddie.
Buck doesn't want anyone worrying about him. He's fine. He doesn't need to be fretted over.
When Buck comes upstairs after their first call of shift, Eddie calls him over to the kitchen for some coffee.
"Thanks, Eds," Buck says gratefully, giving Eddie a soft, sweet, lovesick smile.
Yeah, he's completely head over heels in love with his straight best friend, and now that he's sick, he doesn't care to try and hold back and be normal with Eddie. He's too tired to care.
At least for right now. Maybe once the headache fully fades and his head no longer is pounding, he'll care. But that's a Future Buck problem, not a Current Buck problem.
So, Buck stares longingly and lovingly at his best friend/love of his life, as they sit next to each other on the loft sofa, thighs practically overlapping, as they sip their coffee and talk about anything and everything as they always do. Because it's them, and it's easy.
Buck has never figured out why he didn't notice it before. How couple-y they act.
Buck wants it forever. Even if it's not the way he wants it, he's just grateful to have Eddie and Chris in his life how he has them.
At hour ten, basically all of the meds have faded, and he's not at the firehouse, so he can’t take more. They're out on a call where two cars both ran a red light and hit each other practically head-on, and both drivers are knocked out in their driver's seats from the impact.
Eddie and Buck are helping out one of the drivers as Chim and Ravi handle the other, while Hen brings over med bags and a gurney.
"Buck, get the crowbar," Eddie demands.
"You got it." Buck runs over to the engine to grab what Eddie asked for, his head feeling dizzy as he runs back to his partner.
He has to take a second to breathe before rushing back over to Eddie. "Got it," Buck says proudly once he does get back to Eddie.
Eddie flashes Buck a small smile, then Buck goes to pry the door open, but he's too weak; he can't get it open.
"E-Eds...can you...my arms are still asleep," Buck tries to joke playfully, to cover up the reason why he can't pry the door open.
But Eddie clocks it. He can sense something is off, but he doesn't say anything as he takes the crowbar from Buck's hands and pries the door open himself.
And as soon as Eddie pops the door open, he has Buck quickly put a c-collar around the driver's neck just for a safety precaution.
And once Buck stands up after putting the mechanism around the victim's neck, his head and body feel so heavy. And since he hasn't had meds in hours, he falls to the ground, nearly fainting.
"Buck!" Eddie shouts, too loudly for Buck's fragile state, making the blonde wince.
Buck shakes his head, trying to snap himself out of his trance as he slowly rises to his feet, stumbling slightly, having to put his hands on the concrete to help him stand.
"Buck, hey," Eddie says, softer this time, having taken note of Buck's wince from before, squatting down in front of Buck as he waves Hen over to take care of the victim. "Are you okay?"
Buck nods. "Yeah. Just tumbled."
Eddie smiles softly. "Let me help you stand, okay?"
Buck nods, letting Eddie help him slowly rise to his feet, his head still heavy, his body just wanting to collapse.
Fuck, he needs some medication soon, or he's not going to be able to make it through the rest of the shift.
Once Buck is back up on his feet, Eddie places his hands on Buck's shoulders, looking into the blonde's dreary eyes. "You sure you're okay, Buck?"
Buck nods. "Just a little tired. I'll be okay, Eds."
And Eddie believes it. Or at least Buck thinks he does.
Because Eddie keeps watching Buck, with small glances here and there, making sure his best friend is okay. Making sure said best friend doesn't notice his staring.
Buck finally catches Eddie when they're heading back to the firehouse after the two victims got loaded into ambulances on gurneys.
"Eddie, I'm fine. I'm just a little tired," Buck snarks in the engine.
"You falling out of nowhere doesn't say that you're tired." Eddie bites back.
"I tripped, Eddie. People trip," Buck states as if it's an obvious answer. Because it is—in a way.
That's when they arrive back at the firehouse, Buck quickly climbing out of the firetruck so he can take more meds and get himself feeling better.
And he needs to do it fast. His stomach is gurgling, he's feeling nauseous, and his head is pounding so bad that he can practically feel it hitting his brain.
Buck slowly makes his way to the locker room, Eddie calling out his name, making Buck turn around to look at his best friend.
"Yeah, Eds?"
"Are you sure you're okay?" Eddie asks, searching Buck's eyes for something, anything that could be wrong.
Buck softens, seeing the worry in Eddie's eyes. "I'm okay, Eddie. I promise. Don't worry about me."
Eddie smiles, cocking his head slightly. "I always worry about you."
Buck chuckles, his heart skipping a beat, then he feels something rise up in his throat. He needs to go to the bathroom now. "I'll see you later, Eds."
"Okay, Buck. And, hey, don't hesitate to come to me for anything, alright?"
Buck nods, quickly making his way to the locker room. Not being stopped this time.
Thank God.
Eddie watches Buck make his way into the locker room, worry still flowing through him at how Buck has acted today.
"He's fine, Eddie," Hen says, her voice low and comforting. "He's probably just tired, as he said."
"It happens to all of us," Chim adds. "Especially me as of late since I've got a newborn."
Eddie chuckles. "Yeah, thanks, Chim."
With that, Chim smiles at the brunette and then walks off, but Hen still remains as Eddie looks longingly in the direction of the locker room.
"When are you going to tell him, Eddie?"
Eddie sighs, ducking his head down. "I dunno." He looks up at her now. "I want to. Believe me, I do. I want to tell him how much I love him and how much he means to me so badly." Eddie takes a deep breath before continuing. "God, every time I look at him, it's right there, on the tip of my tongue. But I get so scared that I'm going to ruin everything—ruin what we've created over these past seven years. Nearly eight now."
"But it's worth the risk, right? Worth knowing that it could be more?"
Eddie doesn't hesitate to nod.
"Just think about it, okay?"
"I will. Thanks, Hen."
She gives him a small smile and a soft pat to his shoulder, then walks towards the stairs where Chim went moments ago.
Eddie watches her walk away, and then he caves, now making his way towards the locker room.
To Buck.
When Eddie walks through the doorway of the locker room, he calls out Buck's name, but no answer. Instead, Eddie hears violent retching coming from the bathroom.
Eddie quickly springs into action and sprints in the direction of the sound, into the bathroom, where he spots Buck kneeling on the ground, in the farthest back stall, vomiting into the toilet.
"Buck, hey," Eddie says, making sure Buck knows that he's here, bending down to Buck, placing a hand on the other man's back. "I'm here."
Buck coughs, the last of it falling into the toilet, now sitting back, keeping his head down. "Hey," Buck croaks.
Eddie rubs his hand gently up and down Buck's back, flushing the toilet. "Buck, why didn't you call out if you knew you were sick?" Eddie asks delicately.
"Didn't think it was a big deal. Or this bad..."
Eddie's lip turns up into the smallest of smiles. God, Eddie loves him so fucking much. "Alright, bud, let's get you up and those teeth brushed."
Buck grunts in appreciation as Eddie slowly brings Buck back up to his feet, keeping his mouth closed so he doesn't breathe on Eddie.
Eddie helps brace Buck up against the vanity. "I'm going to get your toothbrush and toothpaste, okay?" Buck nods curtly with a quiet hum. "And if you feel sick, just do it right in the sink, okay?"
"Yeah, I will," Buck says, his voice slightly scratchy.
"I'll be right back, okay?"
Buck nods, hands clinging to the side of the countertop, it being his only support after Eddie goes into the locker room.
When Eddie returns, Buck is in the same spot as before, with no urge to barf anymore. Thank God.
"Here ya go, bud," Eddie hands Buck his toothbrush and toothpaste from his duffel bag.
"Thanks, Eds," Buck mumbles, taking them from Eddie's hands and getting the toothbrush wet, then applying toothpaste to the brush, now brushing his teeth, getting the disgusting taste of bile out of his mouth.
Eddie stays behind Buck, helping hold the other man up while Buck brushes his teeth, just watching and smiling at him.
God, Buck loves that man so fucking much.
"When did you start feeling bad, Buck?"
"Yesterday. But I'm fine. I'm not that sick."
"Let me be the judge of that," Eddie says, placing a hand to Buck's forehead. "Jesus!" Eddie winces, quickly yanking his hand back from Buck's forehead. "Sweetheart," the term of endearment slips out. "You're roasting. You've most definitely have a fever."
Buck whines, his head falling down, chin to his chest, heart still fluttering from the sweet pet name Eddie called him.
"Let me take you home, okay?"
Buck nods, letting Eddie guide him to the bench in the locker room.
When Eddie sits Buck down, he grabs their duffel bags from their shared locker and makes sure everything is loaded in them, putting Buck's toothbrush and toothpaste back into the blonde's bag.
Eddie sets the bags down on the bench next to Buck, now gently running a hand through Buck's damp and sweaty golden curls.
Buck hums softly at Eddie's actions.
"Does that feel good?"
Buck nods. "S'nice."
Eddie smiles. "I'm going to let Bobby know, okay? Then we'll get outta here and I can give you an ice bath."
"Sounds nice," Buck mutters.
Eddie plants a barely-there kiss on Buck's curls. "If you feel sick, run to the sink, it's closest, okay?"
Buck nods.
"I'll be right back, cariño," Eddie promises, making his way out of the locker room and up to the loft where the rest of the team is.
"Hey, Bobby," Eddie calls to his captain in the kitchen, who's making lunch.
"Yeah, Eddie? Everything okay?"
"N-not really. Buck's uh, a little under the weather. He was just throwing up in the bathroom. I'm going to take him home if that's alright."
Bobby's face softens, but his eyes are filled with worry for Buck. "Of course it is, Eddie. I'll call in for some fill-ins while you nurse Buck back to health."
Eddie smiles genuinely at the older man. "Thanks, Bobby. Buck and I will use our built-up Paid Time Off until he's all better."
"I'll take care of it."
"Thanks, Cap. You're the best,"
"What's going on with Buck?" Hen asks, walking over to Eddie.
Eddie turns to her. "He's pretty damn sick. He was just throwing up minutes ago."
"Damn, he's probably got what Jee passed onto me and Maddie that I had to call out last week for," Chim says.
"Probably," Eddie shrugs. "But I've got him."
"We know you do," Hen half-teases.
Eddie snorts, then he tells everyone bye, heading back to Buck, who's still sitting on the bench in the locker room, looking like he's about to pass out.
"Hey, you ready to head out of here?" Eddie asks, walking around the bench to look at Buck, reaching a hand out to run it through Buck's golden curls again.
"Yeah," Buck croaks, looking up to meet Eddie with half-lidded eyes.
Eddie moves his hand around Buck's head and pulls Buck to him, letting Buck lean on him while he massages Buck's scalp with his fingernails.
"Your hair is nasty, sweetheart. We gotta wash that when I give you an ice bath."
"Sounds good."
Eddie smiles. "Good. Now, come on, let's get you in the truck with some A/C, then I'll get our bags, and we'll get out of here."
"M'kay."
Eddie helps Buck stand after grabbing the keys to his truck, sticking them in his pocket, now leading Buck over to his truck in the lot. Then he gets Buck seated and buckled into the passenger seat of the truck, giving Buck's birthmark a gentle kiss before closing the door, walking over to the other side to start the truck, and blasting the air conditioning to help cool Buck off.
"Is that okay?"
Buck looks up and over at Eddie with a tired smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Eds. You take such good care of me."
"You deserve it, mi amor." Eddie reaches over and tucks the curls that fell in front of Buck's eyes back. "You always take such good care of me and Chris. So now it's your turn to be taken care of, okay?"
Buck giggles, his cheeks turning pink.
"I'll be right back, sweetheart."
"M'kay."
Eddie quickly runs back into the firehouse to grab their duffels when Chim walks over to him. "I called Maddie and she said that we can drop off whatever car you're leaving behind."
Eddie perks up at that. "Really?"
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm taking him in my truck." Eddie digs out Buck's Jeep keys in Buck's duffel and hands them to Chim. "Thank you, Chim."
"Anytime. And uh, where do we need to bring it?"
"I'm bringing him home." Chim's face remains blank. "Just drop it off at my house on the opposite side of the driveway from my truck so I can take Chris to school tomorrow."
"Will do!" Chimney chirps.
"Thanks, again, man."
"Anytime. Just go take care of our Buckaroo."
"Always." God, isn't that true? "But, I, uh, should get back to him. He's got a pretty high fever."
"Yeah, you go do what you gotta do, Eddie."
"Thanks again. See ya, Chim."
"See ya, Eddie."
"Bye, Eddie," Ravi says, waving to Eddie as the brunette walks to the exit.
"Bye, Rav," Eddie waves back.
And when Eddie climbs into the truck, after throwing the duffels in the backseats, he sees that Buck is practically asleep in the passenger seat.
"Comfy, sweetheart?" Eddie coos.
Buck nods with a quiet hum. "Not s'hot 'nymore."
"Good. Still giving you a cold bath, though."
"Whatever you think's best, Eds. Trust you," Buck mumbles, falling asleep.
God, I love you, Eddie wants to say, but he doesn't. All he does is place a comforting hand on Buck's thigh as he drives to Buck's loft, music softly playing in the background.
Eddie parks as close as he can to the main doors of the apartment building so they don't have to walk too far.
Eddie leaves the truck running as he grabs Buck's duffel from the backseat and throws it over his shoulder. Then he shuts the truck off, walks over to the passenger side, opens the door, and softly shakes Buck awake.
"Sweetheart, we're here."
"Hmm?" Buck hums, confused as he looks at his surroundings, opening his eyes. And when he finds Eddie, he can't help but smile goofily down at his best friend/love of his life. "Hi, Eds."
"Hey, cariño," Eddie greets, putting a hand on Buck's cheek. "C'mon, you can lean on me the whole way."
"Kay."
Eddie takes a step back and helps Buck get down and out of the truck. Eddie can also feel that Buck has cooled off a little since he's been in the truck with the A/C for a little while now.
"You seem to have cooled off a bit, huh? Do you feel any better?" Eddie asks after shutting the passenger door and locking the truck, both of them walking towards the main doors, to the elevators.
"Yeah. Thanks to you."
Eddie smiles, kissing Buck's forehead as they walk into the elevator. "I'll always be here for you," Eddie vows, knowing that he's never going to break that promise, no matter what happens. He's always going to be there to have Buck's back.
Eddie turns the key in the lock, opening the door, and Buck leans against his side as they walk through the door.
"Alright, bud, let's get you nice and cooled off."
"Hmm," Buck mumbles.
Eddie chuckles. "You don't have to do anything, just lean on me and I'll do all the work, okay, sweetheart?"
"M'kay. Thanks."
"No need to thank me. Just let me take care of you."
Buck hums softly with a nod as Eddie walks him to the downstairs bathroom, having Buck take a seat on the toilet lid.
"Okay, I'm going to get you a nice cold bath going, then we'll get you some meds and some food afterwards."
Buck nods.
Eddie gets the bath going for Buck, making the temperature the coldest it can go, letting the tub fill up enough so hopefully when Buck gets in, no water will splash out.
Eddie then gets some towels laid out on the floor, just in case, and then he sets a towel aside for Buck to dry off with.
"Alright, you ready to get the fever gone?"
"Yeah."
Eddie smiles. "Good. Can you get in all by yourself, or do you need me?"
"I—I—"
"I'll help you, then."
Eddie helps Buck remove his clothes, then he leads Buck over to the tub, telling the blonde to keep leaning on him.
"It's going to be really cold, sweetheart, but we've got to get that fever down, okay?"
Buck nods with a quiet hum. "M'kay."
Eddie aids Buck, getting his feet over the tub edge and into the water, Buck letting out a loud hiss at the coldness of the water, squeezing onto Eddie tighter.
"I know, honey. I know."
Buck groans in discomfort as Eddie guides Buck down to sit on the tub floor. "S'cold."
"I know, amor, I know," Eddie soothes. "But it's going to help you. We need to get that fever down."
"You know best, Eds."
Eddie smiles, softly kissing Buck's birthmark. "You relax, I'll be right back, okay?"
Buck doesn't respond, but Eddie thinks Buck heard him, so he speeds off into the kitchen to grab a bowl to use to help wash Buck's hair, a chair from the dining table to sit on so he doesn't get wet, and then runs upstairs to grab Buck's shampoo from the shower.
When Eddie returns to the downstairs bathroom with the stuff, Buck is mumbling something inaudible.
"Alright, cariño, let's get that hair washed."
Eddie sets the chair down next to the tub, pulls his shirt off so it doesn't get wet, grabs Buck's shampoo and the tupperware container, and then sits down in the chair, laying a towel in his lap to dry off Buck's hair once he's done.
"Where'd you go?" Buck mumbles, looking up to meet Eddie's with his own dreary ones.
"Oh, cariño," Eddie coos, setting the stuff down to run a hand through Buck's hair and one to rub a thumb on Buck's birthmark. "I just went to grab some stuff to wash your hair. I told you I was going to grab them, did you not hear me?"
Buck shakes his head with a deep frown.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. But I'm here now, okay? And I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon."
"Kay."
"Now, let's wash this nasty and sweaty hair, okay?"
Buck nods, grinning softly, leaning his shoulder against Eddie's leg.
"You gotta sit up for me, amor, so I can wash your hair, then you can lean on me all you want once we're on the couch, and you've got meds in you, okay?"
"M'kay. Make it quick."
Eddie chuckles. "I'll do what I can, cariño."
Eddie dips the container in the water, using it to wet Buck's hair before scrubbing shampoo into those perfect, golden curls he loves so much.
Within minutes, he's rinsing off Buck's hair, draining the tub, helping Buck out of the tub and onto the dining chair, drying out Buck's hair after draping a towel around Buck's broad shoulders.
"Feeling better?" Eddie asks, massaging a dry towel to Buck's hair, drying it.
"Mhm, much," Buck replies, feeling sleepy but more aware than before, feeling the fever fading. "Fever's fading."
Eddie places a hand on Buck's forehead. "Yeah, it is. Thank goodness. But let's get you some meds and food. I know you haven't had much to eat today." Eddie resumes his ministrations to Buck's hair.
"Wasn't hungry."
"I know, sweetheart." Eddie tosses the towel with the others on the floor, he'll take care of it later. "Let me get you some clothes, okay?"
"Okay." Buck flashes Eddie a small, tired smile before the brunette kisses Buck's clean hair.
"I'll be right back, mi vida."
"I'll be here."
Eddie speeds out of the bathroom and grabs Buck's duffel bag, grabbing the clothes Buck put in there. They were meant to be clothes to put on once shift was over at the station, but they'll work here too.
Eddie walks back into the bathroom with the clothes in his hand. "Arms up, honey."
Buck raises his arms up, Eddie sliding the shirt down the blonde's arms.
Eddie then kneels down in front of Buck, sliding on the blonde's boxers and then his sweats, having Buck raise his hips so Eddie could get them on.
Oh, and Eddie didn't look away from Buck's eyes once when doing this.
As much as he loves his best friend and how much he would like to get acquainted with Firehose, Buck's in a vulnerable state right now, and Eddie just wants to help Buck.
"Alright, do you wanna rest on the couch so I can get you meds and maybe some crackers and electrolytes?"
"Yeah. Sounds good."
Eddie helps Buck stand, letting the larger man lean on him as they walk out of the bathroom and to the couch under the stairs, Eddie guiding Buck down on the couch to sit and relax.
"Get comfy, I'll go grab you some meds and everything."
Eddie leaves Buck to head into the kitchen, grabbing a pack of crackers and a Gatorade, now bringing them back to Buck, setting them on the coffee table.
"Buck, where are the meds you need? They're not in your cabinet."
"Duffel bag. Just bought a bunch of new ones last night. Had them DoorDashed."
Eddie leans down to plant a peck on Buck's cheek. "Be right back."
"Not going anywhere."
"Neither am I, Buck."
After Buck takes the meds, he eats the crackers and drinks the Gatorade, with Eddie staying right by his side the whole time.
"M'tired," Buck mumbles.
Eddie opens his arms. "C'mere."
Buck stares.
"I'm not gonna bite, Buck. It's okay. Come here."
Buck slides closer to Eddie, slightly hesitating, but he does it anyway, craving to lie in those warm, welcoming arms.
Eddie guides Buck to rest his head in the crook of the brunette's neck, wrapping his arms around the blonde. "Rest," Eddie whispers into Buck's ear, reaching to grab a blanket and covering both of them with it. "I'll be here when you wake up, sweetheart. Just rest, okay?"
"Okay," Buck mutters. "Thanks, Eds. Best friend I have ever had."
Eddie snickers, kissing Buck's curls. "Same goes for you."
Buck smiles into the nape of Eddie's neck, falling asleep safe in sound in the love of his life's arms.
And Eddie does too, after a few minutes of watching Buck sleep, unable to keep his eyes open any longer, tired from shift, and because he's so goddamn comfortable in Buck's arms.
Eddie wakes an hour later, having to pee.
Sadly, and carefully, he peels himself out of Buck's tight grip, lying Buck down on the couch and re-covering him with the blanket, smiling admirably as he watches Buck sleep.
He makes himself move after a couple of minutes, going to the bathroom, and then he packs Buck a bag that will last Buck a few days over at home—Eddie's house.
He only brought Buck here to get a bag packed and give Buck an ice bath.
Once Eddie finishes packing the bag, he sets it by the front door, then he goes over to wake Buck.
Eddie hesitates, but he goes through with it.
"Hey, sweetheart, wake up."
"Hmmph?" Buck slowly blinks his eyes open. "Wha—"
"Come on, we're going home. Pepa will be dropping Chris off here soon from school."
"Home?"
"Yes, Buck, home."
Buck smiles sleepily. "Home."
"That's right, sweetheart. Let's go home."
"M'kay."
Eddie and Buck then make their way out of Buck's loft to the truck parked downstairs, Eddie helping Buck climb into the passenger side, then he hops into the driver's side, driving them home.
"Alright, bud, let's get you to bed," Eddie says as they walk past the front door to Eddie's—their, because it really is at this point—house.
"What about you? I don't wanna take your bed, Eds," Buck mumbles, he's tired, but he's felt more aware because the fever has dissipated and the meds have long kicked in.
The two walk past the door to his bedroom. "It's okay. We'll share."
Eddie sets the duffel bag at the foot of the bed, walking over to the side farthest from the door, pulls back the covers, and helps Buck lie down.
"S-share?" Buck stutters as Eddie covers him up.
"Yes, cariño, we'll share. You just rest, okay? I'm going to get some stuff done around the house before Pepa drops off Chris, okay?"
"Y-yeah. T-thanks, Eds."
Eddie smiles down at the blonde. "I always got your back, sweetheart. Just rest now." Eddie leans down and plants a sweet kiss on Buck's forehead. "I'll leave the door open, shout if you need me."
Buck smiles sleepily. "T'anks."
"Always."
Eddie's cooking some soup for Buck when the front door opens, and chatter from Chris and Pepa comes from the living room.
"Dad?" Chris calls.
"Kitchen, mijo!"
Seconds later, the kitchen door opens with a smiling Christopher and Tia Pepa following closely behind.
"Have a good day at school, mijo?"
"Mhm. We learned all sorts of neat stuff in class today. Buck's going to love it!"
Eddie chuckles. "Yeah, he definitely will. Did Pepa tell you why I'm home early?"
"Buck's sick," Chris says sadly.
"Yeah. He's feeling better, though. Maybe later, after he gets some rest, you can tell him all about the cool stuff you learned in class."
"Okay! I'm going to work on my math homework now. Maybe Buck will be awake when I'm done."
"Shout if you need anything, mijo," Eddie says as Chris walks away.
"Will do, Dad."
"How's our Evancito doing?" Pepa asks, walking over to stand next to Eddie at the stove to look down at the pot of soup he's cooking.
"Better. His fever is gone. Meds are still kicking in, and he's resting in the bedroom."
"Wonderful!" She cheers with a smile. "And why don't I finish the soup, huh? I'll make it just right for our Evancito."
"You don't trust me to make soup, Pepa?" Eddie jokes.
"Of course I do. But you should keep a close eye on him. And he always loves my soup."
Eddie chuckles. "Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Pepa. For this and for bringing Chris home."
"Always, Eddito. Now go check on your man."
Eddie blushes. "H-he's not my man, Pepa."
"Not yet," she winks.
"Pepa," He groans.
"What?"
"I haven't told him yet, and who says that he feels the same way?" Eddie reasons.
"Believe me, sobrino, he does. Even if he doesn't know it yet. Which I have faith that he does."
Eddie smiles softly. "Well, if you say so."
"I do, now go, take care of our Evancito."
"Always. And thanks again, Pepa."
"Anytime."
Eddie scurries off to his bedroom to find Buck sitting up against the headboard with Chris sitting next to Buck, on Buck's side of the bed, at the blonde's legs.
The two are chatting, pretty lively, too lively for Buck's current, weakened condition.
"Hey, Chris, you're supposed to be doing your homework," Eddie says, walking over to the bed, standing at his side of it.
Chris looks up at Eddie. "I'll do it later. It'll be easy. I wanted to talk to Buck."
Eddie smiles softly down at his son. "Just don't hang around too long. We don't want you to get sick, okay?"
"Okay, Dad. Five more minutes?" Chris asks, bringing out the puppy dog eyes.
"Yeah, Eds, five more minutes," Buck says, also bringing out his puppy dog eyes.
"Alright, alright, you win." Eddie surrenders. "Five more minutes. But that's it. Then you go work on your homework, Chris."
"Deal," Chris nods, looking back to Buck, and finishes telling the older man all about the new facts he learned today.
Eddie grins, watching how enthusiastic Chris is about it all and how Buck just watches Chris talk, butting in when needed.
Eddie climbs onto the bed, scooting close to Buck. "How's the head?" He whispers, doing his best not to interrupt Chris.
"Hurts, but I'm okay."
"Good. Sorry, Chris, continue."
Chris nods, starting back where he left off.
Eddie reaches a hand over to Buck, massaging the blonde's temple, hoping to help the headache go away, or at least lessen the pain.
Buck hums. "That feels nice."
"Good."
"Go ahead, Chris," Buck tells the teen.
"You look ridiculous," Chris laughs.
"Yeah, well, it helps," Eddie shrugs.
"What your Dad said."
Chris snorts. "Anyway...."
Chris continues his tangent again.
"That's pretty cool, buddy. We'll talk more about it later, okay? When my head's not hurting and maybe we can even dig a little deeper on it, how's that sound?"
Buck is so good with him. Eddie thinks, realizing he thinks this a lot, because they're family.
Chris beams. "Okay! Hope you feel better, Buck." Chris throws his arms around Buck's torso for a brief hug, then he hops up off the bed and makes his way out.
"Love you, Dad. Love you, Buck!"
"Love you too, mijo!"
"Love you too, Chris!"
Once Eddie hears Chris's door shut, he pulls his hand back and feels Buck's forehead, which feels normal.
"How's your stomach? No more urges to vomit?"
Buck shakes his head. "No. I'm good. Once the meds wear off, it might be a very different answer."
"Let me know as soon as you feel them fading, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I will."
"Good." Eddie gently runs his hand through Buck's curls. "You hungry? Think you could eat anything?"
"Uhm," Buck clears his throat. "Yeah, maybe. Depends on what it is."
And right on cue, Pepa knocks at the open door, a TV tray in her hands with a bowl of soup and a glass of water next to it.
"May I come in?" She asks.
Buck jerks his head over to the new voice. "Pepa?"
"Hola, Evancito," She greets, walking over to his side of the bed, setting the tray on the bed. "Hope this helps you feel better."
Buck flushes. "Thank you, Pepa."
"You're welcome, amorcito. And don't feel bad about not eating everything in the bowl. I made plenty."
Buck grins. "I'll remember that."
"Thank you, Tia Pepa," Eddie thanks.
"Anytime, mi sobrinos. Have a good day now. I'll get out of your hair."
"I'll walk you out," Eddie offers.
"No, no, no." She shakes her head. "I know where the door is. And I need to say goodbye to my, sobrino nieto." (Great nephew.)
"Alright, Pepa. Thank you, love you."
"Love you too, Eddito. And I love you, Evancito, feel better."
"Love you too, Pepa. Thanks for this, it's delicious."
Pepa walks out of Eddie's bedroom, closing the door behind her, then she gives Chris a hug and a kiss before heading back home.
Buck eats more than half the bowl Pepa brought him, not wanting to eat more to not push it.
"I'll put this away, you rest."
"Okay. Thanks, Eds." Buck slides down the bed, head back on his pillow, closing his eyes.
Eddie quickly tiptoes out of the room, taking the TV tray with him, putting what Buck left in a bowl in the fridge, putting away the dishes, then he checks on Chris, who's playing video games with his friends, keeping his voice down for Buck.
God, they really are a family, aren't they? Eddie thinks. Already knowing the answer is yes.
Eddie carefully closes Chris's door, then walks back down the hall to his bedroom, climbing into bed, Buck stirring.
"Eddie, that you?" Buck mumbles.
"Yeah, it's just me, bud." Eddie runs his fingers through those golden curls. "You can go back to sleep now."
"Hmm, okay. Will you...." Buck cuts himself off, averting his eyes from Eddie.
"Will I what, sweetheart? Tell me. It's okay."
Buck swallows, looking up at Eddie again. "Stay?" He whispers.
"Of course I will, Buck."
"Really?"
"Of course. C'mere." Eddie lies flat on his pillow, reaching his arms out for Buck to come closer.
Buck rolls over slowly, resting his head on Eddie's chest. "Hmm, this is nice."
Eddie wraps his arms around Buck, kissing those golden curls. "Yeah, it is."
"Night, Eds. Love you."
Eddie swallows thickly. "Night, amor. Love you too. And I promise I'll be here when you wake up."
"M'kay."
Buck then drifts off to sleep, snuggling closer to Eddie. And Eddie can't help but hold Buck tighter, never wanting to let Buck go again, ignoring the fact that Buck just said he loves Eddie.
Eddie doesn't know if it was platonic or romantic.
That's all Eddie thinks about before his eyes get tired and he falls asleep.
When Eddie wakes, he's alone.
"Buck?" Eddie croaks, voice cracking from sleep.
Eddie looks over at his nightstand, at the clock, which reads 6:30 pm.
Damn, he napped for a couple of hours.
But where's Buck?
Eddie throws the covers off and climbs out of the bed, and when he's out in the hall, he hears sounds coming from the kitchen, so he heads over there.
He sees Buck eating from the bowl Eddie put in the fridge hours earlier.
"Hungry, huh?"
Buck grins sheepishly. "Yeah. And Chris came in here a bit ago and heated himself a bowl of this. He's back in his room playing games now."
Fuck, Eddie thinks, I love this man so fucking much.
Eddie clears his throat, trying not to make it obvious how much he loves the man before him. "How long have you been up?"
"Fifteen minutes or so. Had to pee, then I was also hungry. And don't worry, I took meds too, right before heating this up."
"So you're feeling better?" Eddie walks closer.
"Yeah. Stomach isn't as bad, fever hasn't come back, but my head still hurts. It's more bearable now, but it still hurts like a bitch."
Eddie snorts. "Well, that's progress, I guess."
"Yeah. I don't think I got hit as hard as Chim, Maddie, and Jee did, but I still got whatever they had."
"Just a different variant of the virus."
"Yeah, most likely."
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. Gave me some scares back at work."
"Sorry." Buck gulps. “You know, I thought you'd be pissed at me."
"I-I was...I still kinda am. Because you know you shouldn't have come to work with you being this sick, but at the same time...I'm glad you came to work, because now I get to take care of you."
"What would I do without you?" Buck smiles.
"I don't know," Eddie shakes his head, stepping closer to Buck. "And I don't want to think about it because I don't know what I'd do without you."
Buck sets the dishes in the sink, the bowl practically licked clean, wipes off his mouth, then he surges forward, pulling Eddie into a hug.
Eddie doesn't hesitate to hug Buck back.
"I hope I don't make you sick," Buck says, pulling back from the embrace.
"I'll be okay. Plus, I don't really get sick much, and you already have a lesser variant than what the others got, so if I do, maybe it won't be too bad."
"I'll take care of you either way."
Eddie smiles up at Buck lovingly, the words flowing out of him without his permission, "I love you."
Buck's eyes go wide. "I—um...I love you too, Eds."
"Platonically?" Eddie can't help but ask. “I-I need to know if you love me like a friend o-or more..."
"Eddie...I'm head over heels in love with you. I thought I made that clear earlier, but I was also half asleep," Buck laughs nervously.
"Thank God," Eddie breathes. "I don't know what I'd do with myself if you said platonically."
"Eddie?"
"I'm so in love with you, too," Eddie can't help but say, closing the gap between them again, pulling Buck into his arms. "God, I love you so much. Watching you with Chris and Pepa. I can't believe I didn't realize it until recently how perfect you are for me." Eddie pulls back and looks Buck in the eyes. "I want you to know that you're it for me, Buck. You're the love of my life, Evan."
Buck smiles, happy tears building up in his eyes. "Y-you're the love of my life too, Eddie. And I seriously want to kiss you right now, but I'm sick and—"
Eddie cuts the blonde off by pulling Buck in for a kiss by his collar.
Buck makes a noise of surprise, quickly kissing Eddie back once the shock fades, wrapping his arms around the brunette, keeping him close.
"You're gonna get so sick," Buck pants into Eddie's mouth, both pulling back for a moment to breathe.
"I don't care. Just kiss me."
Who was Buck to not give Eddie what he asked for?
The two solidly make out for a least twenty minutes.
"That was amazing," Eddie breathes out in awe.
Buck chuckles, his arms staying wrapped around Eddie, his cheeks a pretty shade of pink. "Yeah, that really was."
"I'm so getting sick," Eddie laughs out.
"Well, I'll be here to take care of you. Always."
"And the same goes for me. C'mon, I think all of this calls for more cuddles."
"I can totally get down with that."
The two walk hand in hand back to Eddie's bedroom, climbing into the bed, falling asleep in each other's arms.
Right where they're meant to be.
They break the news to Chris over breakfast, Buck actually having the energy to make pancakes, making sure he doesn't breathe on them, making sure his hands are nice and clean before even touching anything in the kitchen.
Chris was overjoyed to say the least.
And so was Pepa.
She was relieved that her Eddito and Evancito are finally fully happy in their lives, and Abuela too.
She's also moving back to L.A. she wants to be closer to her boys, now that the two lovebirds are finally together.
Buck and Eddie both decided to wait a bit to tell the team; they prefer being in their own little bubble right now. Especially now that Eddie's got a little bit of what Buck had, not as bad to the point where he's vomiting, but he still feels shitty.
Luckily, Eddie's got a loving boyfriend to help nurse him back to health— like just Eddie did with Buck.
Eddie feels like the luckiest man alive, even though it feels like his headache is pounding into his very brain, he feels like the luckiest and loved man alive.
All thanks to the love of his life, Evan Buckley. One day to become Evan Buckley-Diaz.