Work Text:
It was a slow shift— the weekends were always busier, since more people were out and about, and the team came in after the subsequent Monday-morning rush. They had a few more minor calls, but by the time the sun rose on Tuesday, everyone was ready to leave, bouncing off the walls from boredom. But before their shift was over, Buck had to ask Ravi a question.
“Would you want to go with me to a concert this weekend?”
Ravi quirks his head and smiles. “Maybe? I didn’t think there were any good shows this weekend.” Buck pulls out his phone and shows the info page for the event. “This is in Nashville. Did you realize this was in Nashville?”
“Of course.” He took his phone back. “Wanna go?”
Ravi near-scoffs. With mild condescension in his voice, he asks, “How would we get there, Buck?”
“A plane,” Buck says simply.
“Who’s buying the plane tickets, Buck?” Again with the condescension! As if Buck hadn’t already planned this out.
He puts on a lighthearted tone, so as to not give anything away. “Me, obviously. I’m the one inviting you.”
“Aren’t they coming to LA in a few months, anyway? Why not just wait until then?”
“Because I’ve always wanted to go to Nashville. Seems neat.”
Ravi shakes his head in confusion. “Why wouldn’t you go with Eddie? Why are you inviting me?”
“Someone has to watch Christopher. Plus, he doesn’t even like them.” A lie, but one Ravi would certainly not feel the need to fact-check.
“So you’re offering me an all-expense-paid trip to go to a concert in Nashville.” Buck nods. He squints and his head lolls with fake-resignation. “Sure. Why not?”
Buck smiles widely. “Okay, after our shift on Friday, go home and pack a bag. I’ll pick you up at your place, and we’ll head over to the airport at 10. Sound good?”
“Sounds great. See you then.”
Buck walks away feeling something akin to elation. Sure, Ravi didn’t know the full story, but Buck knew once they were there, it would be easy to enlist his help. His weeks of research into government facilities and protocols could earn him an honorary degree. His time could not go to waste. Not with what’s at stake.
—
At the end of their shift, Eddie walks out relieved, excited to return to his loving bed before spending time with his loving son. While in the parking lot, he sees that Buck is very… smiley. Not completely abnormal, though it has become less common recently. “What’s got you all giddy?”
Buck schools his expression unsuccessfully. “Just excited for this weekend.”
“Oh, are you doing something?” his voice pitches up with surprise, which he tones down when he continues, “I was going to ask if you wanted to come to the zoo with me and Chris.”
“Oh man, I’d love to. But I’m seeing family.”
“You’re seeing family, and you have a smile on your face?” Buck shrugs. “Who are you, and what have you done with Buck?”
Buck laughs, and Eddie isn’t sure why— though he hasn’t interacted with them much personally, which may or may not be intentional, he hasn’t liked what he’s heard about Margaret and Phillip Buckley. Each time Buck interacts with them, he comes to Eddie to rant while punching something. The shift in attitude is concerning.
“It’s been a long time. Too long.” It’s all Buck says before moving to enter his car, and it takes all of Eddie’s self-control to not grab him by the shoulders and shake the crazy out of him.
He walks over to his own car, tossing his bag in the passenger seat. As he waits for the air conditioning to kick in, he looks over. He sees Buck’s window rolled down, and Ravi leaning on his truck, talking to him. They’re laughing and smiling and overall seem very happy. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Eddie knows that they became closer while he was gone. But he can’t help but feel a pit growing in his stomach.
—
Thursday turns into Friday, which turns into Buck waiting for his shift to end. The others notice, but Eddie or Ravi must have explained, because nobody asks him about it. He walks out of his shift, and, though he wants to sprint, walks to his car. He shouts across the parking lot, “See you later, Ravi!” Ravi gives him a thumbs up.
He slinks into his truck, already completely ready to go to the airport, bag already in the backseat. Now he just has to kill time. He drives home, only slightly faster than is officially legal, and tosses his workbag inside. He drives to the gas station closest to Ravi’s place, fills up his tank, and grabs himself breakfast.
When enough time has passed to feign nonchalance, he drives over to Ravi’s. He shifts into park, texts Ravi, and within a minute, the other man is piling his overnight bag into the cabin.
“You brought a duffel?” he asks as he gets into the passenger seat. “Aren’t we only going to be there one night?”
“I don’t have a smaller bag. It fits carry-on dimensions. Plus, I’m an over-packer, anyway.” Again, a lie that he won’t call him on.
“Didn’t you travel a lot in your twenties? How are you an over-packer?”
Buck huffs, trying to not show his annoyance at the interrogation. “I guess the pendulum swung the other way. Now that I’m able to bring more, I want to.”
Definitely not because he anticipates a third person on the trip back. Definitely not.
Ravi shrugs, accepting the answer. They arrive at the airport and park. Ravi has TSA Pre-check, allowing him to bypass most of the line, meeting Buck at the gate. They board their flight, having no issues. They land at 5pm local time, giving them enough time to rent a car, drive to their hotel and check in. They drop off their bags and drive to the concert.
They have a good time, the music at a volume that will definitely give them problems later. Escaping the venue is torturous, but they make it back to the car. On the drive back, Ravi is on his phone the whole time, very focused on whatever he’s doing. They get back to the hotel and crash into their beds.
—
Edmundo Diaz is not a stalker. But when he sees an overnight bag stashed in Buck’s truck, he’s confused. He’s supposed to be seeing family. It’s possible he’s going to visit family, but the Buckleys live in Pennsylvania, so the bag he had didn’t seem like it would be sufficient.
Eddie Diaz is not a stalker. But when he sees Buck and Ravi being extra chummy when leaving that morning, he decides to do a little sleuthing. He checks Ravi’s Instagram and turns on notifications. That’s the extent of his sleuthing. Which, considering how much he dislikes technology, is actually quite impressive.
He is not a stalker. But when his phone goes off at 10pm saying Ravi posted for the first time in a while, he does click the notification. It’s just pictures of a stage, and blurry pictures of the crowd that show him having the time of his life. Next to Buck.
Evan Buckley is standing next to Ravi, who is at a concert for an artist who, after a quick internet search, was performing in Nashville tonight. Buck and Ravi are in Nashville. Together. Going to a concert for one of Eddie’s favorite performers.
Buck lied to him. He wasn’t visiting family; he was out with Ravi. In Nashville.
The pit in his stomach grew three sizes. He went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and had to resist the urge to throw up. He must have made a commotion, because Christopher ambles in. “Dad, are you okay?”
It’s at this moment he realizes there are a few tears on his face. He’s about to say that he’s fine, before remembering his new commitment to telling the truth, even if it’s hard. He shakes his head, and Christopher sits down next to him. “What’s wrong?”
Even though he wants to tell the truth, he doesn’t want to disparage Buck to his son, especially not before Buck has the chance to explain. So he opts for a diplomatic answer, saying most of the truth while leaving out the fact that Buck lied to him. “I found out that Buck and Ravi are together, and it made me sad.”
“Buck having a new boyfriend made you sad?”
Eddie’s eyes go wide. “What? They’re not dating. At least I don’t think they are. They went to a concert.”
“And you’re upset they didn’t invite you?” Christopher asks with his eyebrows attempting to reach his hairline.
Attempting to sound nonchalant, he says, “I mean, I would have loved to go.”
“With them?”
Eddie sighs, almost laughs. “Yes, with them. I wouldn’t want to go by myself.”
“Well, do you want to go with them, or with Buck?”
“I’m not that close with Ravi. So if it was between him and Buck or just Buck, I’d go with just Buck.”
Christopher puts his face in his hands and laughs lightly. Eddie looks at him, waiting for him to explain himself. “I think you like Buck.”
Eddie’s jaw drops, eyes widening again. “That’s—” he cuts himself off. “Of course I like Buck. Why wouldn’t I like Buck!”
Christopher rolls his eyes. “Not— This started with you panicking about Buck hanging out with someone else. And when I said they might be dating, you panicked even harder. I think you may want to think about that reaction.” He pushed himself to stand and began walking back to his room.
Eddie’s eyes soften. Before he could fully leave, Eddie asks, “When’d you get so… emotionally intelligent? You don’t get it from me,” he laughs.
Christoper smiles. “A lot of therapy.”
Eddie’s smile falters. He wishes that weren’t the case. But, since it is, at least it seems to be working. He wrings his hands, and asks hesitantly, “If I— If I did like Buck, what— what would you think about that?”
“I’d say that anyone in the world is better than Kim.” Eddie laughs. “And, of the rest of the world, Buck’s a pretty good choice.”
Eddie nods to himself, and doesn’t notice Christopher leave. It takes him a moment to realize that he is now alone with his thoughts. Many of which are now utterly terrifying.
—
Buck wakes up early, vibrating in his skin. He gets out of bed, and does everything he possibly can to pass the time: he takes a shower and brushes his teeth, he packs his bag, then repacks it. They were only there for one night, so there was nothing to tidy up. He goes downstairs and gets breakfast. When he returns, Ravi is just beginning to stir.
They get breakfast together and check out soon after. They began walking aimlessly around, seeing where the city took them. They stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame, which felt necessary to do while in the area. Then, they walked to an acclaimed food truck to get barbecue, landing them near the East End.
Buck pulls out his phone for directions, and they start walking down Gallatin Avenue. They walk for a long time before Ravi says, “Are you sure this is the right way?”
“Definitely, we’re almost there.”
“Almost where?”
Right when he asks, they stop in front of an unsuspecting building with a brick facade.
“We’ve been walking for two hours just so you could go to an antique shop?” Buck shrugs. “Is that why you brought a duffel?” Buck doesn’t say anything. “Why would you not tell me? We could have driven here!”
“I like walking.”
“It’s ninety degrees, Buck!”
“We’re from LA!”
“I drive in LA, Buck!”
“We’re firefighters, why are you complaining? Are you losing your edge?” Buck teases, attempting to make him give up on fighting him. It works— Ravi puts his head in his hands, completely resigned to the absurdity of the situation, and waves for them to enter the warehouse-like shop.
They peruse the store, Buck pretending to be interested in the clothes in their selection, though more interested in the trinkets. They leave without buying anything, much to Ravi’s dismay.
“Why did we walk all the way over here just for you to not even buy something?”
“There’s one last place I want to go,” Buck declares.
“No. I don’t want to go,” he says as he obstinately plants his feet and crosses his arms.
“I promise, last thing. I think you’ll really like it.”
Ravi drops his head in preemptive regret, and sighs. “I don’t believe you at all, but you have paid for everything on this trip, so I will humor you.”
Buck cheers silently. They walk along a road definitely not intended for pedestrians, passing by many residential subdivisions. After about fifteen minutes, they turn and cut across a lawn as they approach a tall, brick-faced, brutalist building.
“Is this a mall?”
Buck looks at him, confusion and concern coloring his expression in equal amounts. “Yes, Ravi. The building with ‘Department of Health’ emblazoned on its front wall is, in fact, the mall.”
Ravi looks closer at the entrance, then asks, “Why are we at the Tennessee Department of Health?”
Buck grins. “I think you know.”
Ravi’s voice is high, “I most certainly do not!” He sits on a bench and says, “I do not want to be an accomplice. I will not enter that building.”
Buck shakes his head fondly as he walks into the building. He approaches a desk and talks to a receptionist. “Can I help you?”
Buck turns his charm up as much as he can, and says, “Yes, I’m looking for Robert Nash.”
They type the name into the computer, and concern flashes across their face. They school their expression, and say, “I’m sorry, there’s no employee by that name.”
“Oh, he’s not an employee. He was transferred here somewhat recently.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t help you.” They quickly drop their gaze to their computer.
He leans in, speaking more quietly, “Look, I know this whole ordeal isn’t your fault. I know what this facility is doing, and I have proof. So, while you may not be able to help me, I’d greatly appreciate if you could put me in contact with someone who could.”
The receptionist called someone, who called someone, until the end of the chain was reached. Buck had to explain the situation, including his own contingency plan, the likely repercussions, and the fact that it could easily be avoided. It took hours, but eventually Bobby— completely fine, though a bit pale— was relinquished into Buck’s care.
They walk out of the building, finding Ravi laying across the bench with his arms dangling off the sides, eyes closed. Buck looks at Bobby, smiles, and asks, “You’re still here?”
Keeping his eyes closed, he says, “I figured I shouldn’t leave until I at least saw a cop car. I guess you didn’t do anything illegal after all.”
Bobby says, “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Ravi’s eyes shoot open, and he sits up within a second. He sees Bobby and brings him into a bone-crushing hug. Bobby pats him on the back and says, “It’s good to see you, Ravi. It’s good to see both of you.”
Buck orders an Uber, which drives them back to their rented car. Buck climbs into the driver’s seat, Ravi in the passenger’s, and Bobby sprawls across the backseat. Ravi says, “We had a rental car, and we still took an Uber. How much has this trip cost you, Buck?”
“I would prefer not to say.”
He drives to a gas station, where they fill up the tank and buy snacks. “We can’t fly, since Bobby’s most up-to-date identification is a death certificate.”
“We’re driving back to LA? That’s like 2000 miles,” Ravi complains.
“Yup. We’ll be on the road for 28 hours.”
“Straight?”
“I’ve got hotels arranged, don’t worry.”
“You really planned all this out,” Bobby says, tears pricking at his eyes.
“Of course. I wasn’t going in without a foolproof plan.” Buck snaps. “That reminds me, we should call Chim to tell him we won’t be able to make our shift.”
“I’m shocked you didn’t already call him.”
“I asked around to make sure people could cover our shifts, but it isn’t believable to call in sick two days before our shift. Plus, I can’t call in on your behalf.” Ravi shrugs as if to say fair enough.
They start on their journey, driving to Little Rock, where Buck has a hotel reservation. They make the calls, making sure to space them out so Chimney doesn’t get too suspicious or concerned, and telling him who they arranged to cover for them.
They arrive at the hotel, check in, and go into their rooms. Buck lends Bobby a set of clothes and gives him a new toothbrush. He also gives Ravi a shirt, since he’d only packed for one night. “This is the real reason you brought the duffel?” Buck nods. “You’re crazy,” he huffs while taking the shirt gratefully.
—
Eddie is filled with excitement. There’s a pep in his step as he walks into the firehouse prepared for the most awkward, tense shift in his life, but he’s excited. Having spent more than enough time catastrophizing, he was now ready to face reality, where Buck would likely not outright hate him even if he didn’t feel the same way. And, based on some of their interactions, which he has now looked at from a different perspective, it’s not impossible to think he may feel the same way.
When he sees someone from B shift, he’s caught off guard, but he continues forward, running into another person from B shift. He changes course and walks to the captain’s office.
He throws his thumb over his shoulder, and, aiming for a joking tone, says, “Did the schedule change, and I not get the memo?”
“No,” Chimney scoffs while he scribbles something down, “Buck and Ravi both called in. He didn’t tell you?”
Eddie’s stomach drops, and he inhales sharply through his nose. “No. Did they say why?”
He looks up from his desk and gives Eddie a sympathetic look. “Nope, just said they couldn’t make it. Normally, I’d be upset that they called out so late, but they both had already found someone to cover them.” He laughs. “Can’t be too mad when they do my job for me.”
Eddie puts on a fake, appeasing smile. “They’re always good about that.”
Chimney raises an eyebrow. “Neither of them have missed a shift. Are you okay?”
“Fine. Just wanted to talk to Buck about something.”
“In person?” Chimney shoots an accusatory glance, and Eddie just shrugs. He lifts his chin in understanding, which unsettles Eddie. He doesn’t say anything else, and leaves the office.
He meanders about the station, lost in his thoughts: Buck and Ravi were in Nashville together, and now they’ve both called in sick? When Christopher suggested they were dating, it seemed far-fetched, but now? The idea had taken root in his mind, and would keep growing until he could confirm it one way or the other. Which, at this rate, could take days.
Eddie is no longer excited. He is now filled with a sense of dread.
—
Buck, Ravi, and Bobby all wake up early on Sunday, getting breakfast at the hotel and checking out by 8am. They fill up their gas tank and get to driving.
They drive non-stop for five hours, Buck’s driving stamina being marveled at, and serving to break up their conversations, which are chiefly asking Bobby about how he’s been and what he’s been through. They arrive in Oklahoma City, where they fuel up and stretch their legs. They buy more snacks and begin driving again, this time Ravi at the wheel. Bobby offered, but they both rejected on account of the lab incident and the fact that he did not have a valid license anymore. It was unlikely they would get pulled over, since they were only driving on the interstate, but knowing their luck, they shouldn’t risk it.
Ravi complains about driving more than Buck, to no one’s surprise. It takes about an hour before he starts sighing conspicuously during Buck and Bobby’s conversation about how Buck got him out. They make it to Amarillo, Texas as Buck had planned, though Ravi makes sure the other two are aware of how many snacks he is now owed. They both just smile as Buck takes his rightful place in the driver’s seat.
Again, Ravi comments on how impressive it is that Buck doesn’t even seem phased by driving for four hours. “I did it a lot in my twenties, you know this,” he laughs, “Only way this could be better is if I had my Jeep.”
“Your Jeep got 17 miles per gallon, Buck,” Bobby says, “We’d have to refuel twice as often.”
“But it’s a Jeep!” Buck exclaims.
They make it to Albuquerque, where they stay the night. They again wake up early, leaving for Flagstaff, and arriving a little past noon.
“I can’t believe it. I’m back,” Buck says wistfully.
“Do you want to go anywhere, see anything?” Bobby offers.
Buck replies, “A lot has changed in the past decade-and-a-half. I barely recognize it.”
“I’m sure you are barely recognizable. You’ve changed a lot— for the better— since I’ve known you. I can only imagine how different you were almost a decade before that.” Buck blushes and shies away from what he chooses to take as a compliment.
“Thanks, Bobby. I’m glad to have you back.”
—
When their shift ends, Hen can tell that Eddie is… not in a good place. She invites him to her place, and he reluctantly joins her.
“I just don’t get why he would lie,” he says, speech slow from sleep deprivation.
“What exactly did Buck tell you he was doing?” Hen asks.
Eddie drops his head and sighs, “He said he couldn’t go to the zoo with me and Chris because he was seeing family. But he’s actually been in Nashville with Ravi for days and they called out of work and they’re probably—”
“Whoa,” Hen cuts him off, “Calm down. Don’t work yourself up when Buck isn’t even here to defend himself. Maybe he was visiting family in Nashville, Ravi happened to be there, and they went to a concert.”
Eddie gives her a skeptical glance. She shrugs, acknowledging how implausible it sounds. “They were talking before Buck left.”
Hen smiles. “They are friends, Eddie.”
Eddie rolls his eyes with his whole body. “I know that. But— You didn’t see them. They were planning something. They were happy about their weekend getaway to Nashville,” he laments.
“And why does that bother you so much?”
Eddie hesitates and looks at his hands. When his eyes return to Hen, he’s met with a knowing look, not unlike Chimney’s. “I just don’t want Buck to get hurt.”
Hen laughs, “And you think Ravi is going to hurt him? The man has been terrified of him for most of the time they’ve known each other. Buck chased him with a chainsaw.”
“That doesn’t mean—”
“What’s the real reason, Eddie?”
He looks back at his hands and takes a deep breath. “Because what he’s doing with Buck… I want that. I want to go to a concert in Nashville, and skip work to be together, and be together.”
Hen nods slightly, a small smile on her face. “You know, I think that he might like the same thing.”
Eddie scoffs, “You say as he’s with another man.”
Hen sighs. “I think you two need to talk.”
“Yeah.” He squints his eyes in a way that would get him smacked upside the head if the conversation weren’t so vulnerable. “I’ll talk to him when he gets back. From spending a weekend with Ravi. Great idea. ‘Hey, I know you’re with someone else, but what about me?’”
“Eddie. Stop. You have to stop assuming the worst.” She tilts her head, pity evident in her eyes. “You have to trust Buck.”
Eddie looks at the ceiling. “It’s hard.”
“Because you’re making it hard. If you hadn’t been stalking Ravi’s Instagram, you wouldn’t even know about Nashville. You would have had your realization, thought he was sick, and told him when you saw him.” She continues, “You can still do that.”
Eddie purses his lips. “Okay. I’ll tell him when I see him.”
Whenever that is.
—
The trip from Flagstaff to LA was brutal. An extra two hours compared to any of the other legs of the trip. Right before the three men go insane, they arrive at their destination: Maddie and Chimney’s house.
They pull up to the house. While Ravi and Bobby linger behind, out of view, Buck walks up to knock on the door. After a moment, it swings open.
“Oh, thank god you’re back,” Chimney sighed out in relief. “I could not deal with another moment of Eddie’s separation anxiety. Come on in.”
He waves him in, but Buck hesitates. “I hope it’s okay, I brought some friends.” Chimney’s face contorts with confusion, before his eyes widen at the sight of Bobby.
He practically falls into Bobby’s arms to give him a hug, blubbering out variations of you’re alive, and you’re really here before Maddie comes to the door.
“What’s all the—” she cuts herself off when she sees the scene playing out in front of her, hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes dart between her husband and Buck, who’s positively beaming. “This is why you were unreachable all weekend?” Buck shrugs and Maddie pulls him into a hug. When Chimney finally calms down, Maddie brings Bobby into a hug— shorter than the one he had just received.
They all enter the home, piling into the living room. Chimney begins doting on Bobby, while Buck and Ravi just smile. They sit like that for a while as they swap stories and catch up. Maddie says, “I just need to make a call,” as she steps away.
—
Eddie stays at the Wilsons’ home for longer than he should. It just feels good to talk to someone about everything. As he was about to return to his own home, to Christopher, Hen got a call.
Keys in hand, he asks, “Who is it?”
“It’s Maddie,” she says, mild confusion on her face. She answers it and immediately clicks to enable speakerphone. “Hey, Maddie. What’s up?”
“Is there any chance Athena’s with you?” she asks, nervousness evident in her voice.
“No, but Eddie is.” She furrows her brows. “Why?”
“Damn. I was hoping to kill two birds with one stone, though I guess I still did. It’s hard to explain, just… get over here as soon as you can.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong. Just get here.” And then she hangs up.
“What was that about?” Eddie asks.
Hen shakes her head and says, “I have no idea.” She stands and asks, “Who’s driving?” Eddie dangles the keys he’s already holding, and she nods.
—
Within fifteen minutes of Maddie stepping away, the driveway of their home is full. It’s not hard to guess why: Maddie was cryptic, everyone’s concerned. Bobby’s timing could not be worse, though, since a moment before the first knock on the door, he steps into the bathroom.
Athena, Hen, and Eddie all walk into the home, asking what’s wrong. Buck can’t help but notice the scowl on Eddie’s face when he glances at Ravi.
“Nothing’s wrong, per se,” Maddie says, continuing her evasive streak.
Athena rolls her eyes. “What do you mean ‘per se’? Something either is wrong or isn’t.”
“In that case, I’d say it isn’t,” Bobby says, stepping into view of the new guests. Athena freezes for a moment before collapsing into Bobby’s arms. Eddie and Hen look like they want to do the same, though they refrain. Eddie, instead, looks at Buck.
“This is what you were doing this weekend?” Buck smiles, and does the smallest, self-satisfied shrug possible. Eddie narrows his eyes, his faux-anger not reaching the rest of his face. “You lied to me.”
Buck puts his hands up defensively. “I actually didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.”
“You said you were going to visit family.”
He slowly moves his hands forward, as if Eddie were a dog needing to be coaxed out of a log. “I think what I said was that I was going to see family, and that it had been a long time.”
Eddie drops his head, laughing to himself, then presses his tongue to his canine, clearly trying to— figuratively— bite his tongue. Finally he says, resignedly, “I guess I can’t argue with that.”
“No, you cannot,” Buck says mischievously.
Eddie turns toward Ravi, tilts his head, then turns back to Buck. “You brought him?” Ravi puts his hands up, deep offense clear on his face. “No offense, Ravi.”
“Offense taken!” he cries.
Buck laughs fondly, and says, “He didn’t have anything going on.”
“Why am I catching strays?”
Ignoring him, Eddie plows forward, “You could have asked me. I didn’t have anything, either.”
“You had Chris.”
“We could have brought him.”
Buck tilts and shakes his head, then steps forward, closing the distance between him and Eddie. “It would have been too much. I was only, like, ninety-eight percent sure I was right. That two percent… I couldn’t do that to him. Trust me, Eddie. There’s no one in this world I would have rather gone with than you.”
Buck could vaguely hear Ravi say I’m right here, though his ears were essentially useless, filling with static as Eddie pulled him into the most sincere hug he’s ever received.
When they finally separate, it feels simultaneously like no time passed and an eternity. Though probably closer to the latter, considering everyone else had rearranged themselves— Bobby standing with Athena under his arm, and Maddie resting her head on Chimney’s shoulder. All six were staring at the pair, expectant. Buck replies dumbly, “What?”
A second passes before Hen looks at Eddie, brows raised, and says, “Eddie. Spit it out.”
“What, here?”
“Yes!” Chimney and Hen both say, then look at each other and smile.
Eddie closes his eyes and turns to face Buck again. “Buck. While you were gone, I had a revelation. Which, if their faces are anything to go on, I was late to having,” he laughs. “I actually had a really good talk with Chris about it, too. So thank you for that. Or— I’m not thanking you, because I didn’t like thinking that you were on a weekend getaway-date-thing with Ravi.”
“You what?”
“Let me finish.” Eddie takes Buck’s hands. “While you were gone, I realized that I hate when you’re gone. I hate every night we don’t fall asleep on the couch together, and I hate every morning I wake up and you’re not there. I hate when you don’t let me know what’s going on with you and when I don’t see you for a few hours and can’t talk to you. I hate so many things because I’m not doing them with you,” he laughs, tears welling up in his eyes. “You’ve ruined my life, Buck. I hate everything, because—”
“I love you,” Buck says quickly.
Eddie smiles, and he says softly, “You stole my line.” Buck rushes forward, bringing him into a kiss. They lean out of it, intoxicated, and notice they still have an audience. An audience whose expressions are a mix of pride and fondness and a small amount of relief.
“I feel like I missed a lot,” Bobby says.
Chimney replies, “Weirdly, I don’t think you did.”