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Buck woke up early on a Sunday. Even by his standards, and he was a proud member of the 5am club. He shifted over, slipping out of the warm bed. As always, he'd laid out his clothes the night before, pulling everything on.
"Love you, Eds." Buck leaned down to kiss Eddie's head. There was a vague groan in acknowledgment. He chuckled, slipping out of the bedroom. The winter mornings were starting to bite more, for California standards. He'd packed most of the pastries the night before, some things running in the oven over night. He carried the bags out into their new car, carefully putting everything in. His phone buzzed, a message from Bobby.
Leaving my place now. I'll see you there? Buck's heart twisted in his chest. Bobby had said he was going to get up, but they'd had a long shift yesterday and Buck had assumed he would sleep in. He should know better than to doubt him.
Sounds amazing. Thank you Pops. It was a half joke, half all too real now. Every week he came to the market, he felt slightly less nervous. Slightly. There was still a twisty feeling he couldn't shake in his chest. As though this week would be the week no one came by. He was turning a good profit now, most of it being squirrelled away so he could take his boys on a holiday. He parked in his normal spot (how amazing is that, Buck has a spot now!) and climbed out, stretching in the cold air.
"Hey kid." Bobby smiled, appearing in the darkness. He stepped forward quickly, wrapping him in a song. "How are you?"
"I'm doing good." If they were ever up this early, Bobby was normally complain about not being in bed. Buck appreciated how he didn't mention it.
"Thank you again-"
"Don't mention it." The captain insisted. "Ok, what have we got back here?" They worked to unpack everything and get it all set up. He sort of had a system now, especially with Cathrine. She was still a guiding force in the area.
"Good morning." She greeted, as she wandered in. "Look at you here early!"
"I like to be ready." Buck blushed. She gave him a quick hug, before looking over towards Bobby.
"We've met before." She decided. "Bobby?"
"Cathrine." Bobby agreed, shaking her hand.
"Dad?" She asked as she looked between them.
"Yes." Bobby smiled, answering before Buck could stutter to whatever conclusion he was coming to. "Proud, proud Dad."
"Oh you should be. I'm sure you know how popular this little stall has become." She grinned.
"Do you need a hand with anything?" Buck offered. "Two strong firefighters here."
"We're ok, thank you darling." Cathrine smiled. The first people started wandering in just as Buck was finishing up the details of his table. He even recognised the first couple of people to come through.
"I have regulars now." Buck grinned over to Bobby.
"It's super impressive." Bobby agreed. "It makes sense. You worked damn hard for this. You still do." Buck blushed.
"Yeah well, wouldn't be anywhere near here without you." Bobby smiled over at him, before moving away.
"It's my absolute pleasure. Good morning, how are you?" He greeted. The sun rose well into the sky and they sat, cradling coffee cups in their hands, mostly for the warmth. Talking to Bobby had always been easy. He would always be grateful for that. Eddie had texted. He was properly awake now and he was going to come out.
"So, can I ask about you and Eddie?" Bobby prompted.
"Oh jeez." Buck laughed. "Bobby I have some shocking news." He leaned in comically. "I'm gay." Bobby laughed, rocking back in his chair.
"Don't you worry." He continued to laugh. "I gathered that. I was more talking about the ring that we picked out weeks ago that as far as I'm aware, is still sitting in your work locker."
"No moment is right." Buck sighed. "I was thinking about doing a big thing. But Eddie doesn't like big things. I was going to take him to a fancy restaurant, but no where is nice enough. I was thinking of just our living room, but what if he doesn't feel loved because I didn't try?"
"I don't think it's possible for Eddie to feel unloved." Bobby promised.
"Should Chris be involved? I mean, I have his blessing. But does he want Chris there? Should it be private? Should it be with the whole family?"
"I think... you're over thinking it." Bobby chuckled.
"Probably." Buck sighed. "I just want it to be perfect."
"Could you ask him subtlety- hi." He stood to greet the young couple who approached them.
"Hey Buck!"
"Sandy!" He greeted back. She was a new regular of his. She liked to go for her early morning runs and apparently Buck's muffins were the perfect finish. The guy with her wasn't someone he was familiar with. "Hi."
"Yeah." He guy wrinkled his nose a little as Sandy chatted with Bobby. "You're Buck?"
"That's me. The one and only." Buck laughed. The guy didn't laugh. An immature part of him wanted to hide behind Bobby.
"My girlfriend mentioned you." He continued.
"Oh?" Buck glanced over to where Bobby was packing up a muffin. "Well I'm honoured."
"Sure." Buck's gaze dropped down again. What was this guy's problem? "I don't really get the hype." He muttered. "What's that?" He pointed to Buck's banana bread. It was a good seller.
"Oh my god, Trent." Sandy cut in, grabbing his arm. "This banana bread is so good. Can we get a piece?"
"Of course." Buck's hand shook a little as he put it in a bag. Trent took the bag from his hand and reached in, ripping a piece off. He put it in his mouth, making really uncomfortable eye contact.
"What do you think?" Buck chuckled, trying to break the tension.
"I actually taught Buck to-" Trent dropped the bag. The bread hit the ground, still staring at Buck.
"Oh bugger!" Sandy knelt, picking it up. "Oh babe-"
"You taught him?" Trent demanded. Bobby's jaw was set now, arms crossed.
"Yes."
"You should be embarrassed." Oh. Oh no. Trent turned on his heel and walked away. Bobby should be embarrassed. He should be ashamed to stand next to Buck. He should leave. He should save himself. Sandy turned to them, a horrified expression on her face.
"Oh my god. I am so sorry." Sandy muttered. "I have never- what the hell was that?" The truth.
"It's fine." Buck managed.
"Not sure if he's the one." Bobby tried to cut the tension. "Would you excuse us?" Bobby grabbed Buck's arm, pulling him away from the walk way. He took a knee, gently pulling Buck down. "Buck."
"Bobby." He tried to pull him arm free, but ended up dropping his head onto Bobby's shoulder. "You can- you can leave." Buck managed, wheezing a little. "I- oh I am so sorry. I didn't mean to drag you out and I feel horrible I-"
"Buck." Bobby said harsher.
"I didn't-" tears were definitely rolling down his face. "I didn't mean to let you down."
"You could never." Bobby tried.
"It's what I do." Buck realised. "I embarrass people. I let them down. That's probably why Eddie doesn't want to marry me."
"Buck-"
"It's not your fault. Damaged good and all."
"Evan." Buck froze, air finally burning his lungs. "One jackass doesn't decide. He doesn't know anything about you." Buck didn't loose any tension. "I am so proud to be around you. I am so proud of you. I will always be proud. Always, always." Buck shook his head. "No really. Even when you were a kid and you tried to disappoint me. You never could. You have always been a beautiful human and I am honoured to be your Dad." Buck let out a wet laugh.
"Hey." Eddie's voice cut in. He ran straight over to them, dropping onto his knees on the concrete. "Carino, what's going on?" He looked desperately at Bobby.
"There was an incident with a rude customer." Bobby huffed. "Said I should be embarrassed to have taught him."
"Oh amor, that's not true. That's never been true." Eddie helped Buck sit down, pulling him into his arms. It was a little awkward. Eddie had nothing to lean against, but he would rather lie on the concrete ground than leave Buck like this.
"Buck, there are some customers. I'm gonna go help them, ok?" Bobby squeezed Buck's shoulder, making eye contact with Eddie. The silent conversation occurred.
"I'm sorry." Buck whispered.
"Hey." Eddie shifted enough so big blue eyes could look at him. "Don't do that. We love you too much for you to do that."
"Shouldn't." Buck muttered to the ground.
"You really shouldn't do that." Eddie leaned down to kiss him softly. "Come on, look at me." Buck did, before blinking away the tears.
"Failed." His eyes were glancing over to where Bobby was selling some cupcakes. They were half hidden in all the random boxes they had out there. If anyone was looking for them though, it would be pretty clear.
"You tapped out." Eddie insisted. "You can tap back in when you're ready."
"He was mean." Buck huffed.
"Sounds it." Eddie rolled his eyes. "Buck, anyone who spends more than a minute with you knows how beautiful you are."
"You have to say that."
"No, I don't." Eddie laughed. "I could tell you that you're ugly and that I don't love you. Would make it awkward when we go to bed tonight but-" Buck's laughter cut in. "But." Eddie made sure Buck was watching him. "I am too in love with you to lie." Eddie insisted. "My gorgeous, my love, my darling, my sweetheart, my pookie bear-"
"Ok." Buck laughed, wiping at his face. "Do I look like a mess?"
"A little." Eddie admitted. "Still beautiful. Drink some water, then we can decide what you want to do after."
"I wanna stay." Buck nodded, looking up at him. "Stay with me?"
"Every time." Eddie kissed him soft. He held Buck's jaw in his hand until they parted. "Always got your back. You know that."
"Yeah. I know that."
"Bobby's got your back too."
"Yeah." Buck blushed. "Ok, let's go." They came up to the table so Bobby could hug him again. They stayed until he sold everything, the pride swelling again.
"You want to pack everything into one car?" Bobby offered, knowing Eddie drove the truck in.
"Yeah, I'm making a stop on the way home." Buck answered.
"Will it take long?" Eddie raised an eyebrow. "Chris wanted to go to the museum today."
"I'll be home in half an hour. Just need to swing by the station." Bobby had a private, proud smile.
"What did you forget?" Eddie teased.
"He needs to drop my table back." Bobby lied, knowing Buck never really figured out how to lie to Eddie. "Don't you forget." Buck grinned.
"I won't." He hugged Bobby, kissed Eddie and took a moment to remember. Remember every beautiful part of this moment. "I love you both."
"Love you too, Carino." Eddie blew him a kiss.
"Love you kiddo."