Work Text:
Chapter 1: Love at First Sight
Los Angeles, August 2011
🍼🏈❤️🧸
Edmundo 'Eddie' Diaz has packed up his entire life and moved to Los Angeles, California.
He needed to break free from El Paso and from his shitty, overbearing parents, thinking he cannot successfully raise a son as a single father, especially now that he's realized his sexuality. Since he realized that he's gay.
Not that he told his parents that.
He doesn't care what they think. Not anymore.
He only cares for himself and his six-month-old son, Christopher. And he's going to make sure he gives his son the best life imaginable.
He's a single father at the age of nineteen. Christopher's mother, Shannon, passed away during childbirth because of the complications of giving birth to Chris, who doctors believe has cerebral palsy, also known as CP, from the complicated birth.
And that's okay. He can figure this out. He's got his Tia Pepa and Abuela to help him through everything, considering he's living with them in their guest room upstairs until he can get back on his feet.
He's so glad to have such support, hence why he moved out there to be with them. And they haven't seen Chris since he was born.
That kid deserves all the love in the world.
And Eddie is going to make sure Chris gets it every damn day.
Eddie is holding Chris in his arms when he knocks on Tia Pepa and Abuela's door.
"Eddito!" Pepa greets, arms open for a hug that Eddie doesn't hesitate to take.
"Hola, Pepa."
"Let me see mi sobrino nieto." (My great nephew.)
Eddie chuckles, handing over Christopher to her.
Chris babbles excitedly when she takes him.
"Hola, mi sobrino nieto."
Chris giggles adorably as she walks into the living room and sits down on the sofa with him.
Eddie brings in his suitcase for himself and then the multiple bags of things for Chris—Chris's room is already set up. Abuela and Pepa wanted to give that to him since they haven't been around. Since they're so far away. 800 miles.
Eddie loves them so much—and Chris does too. Even if he cannot say it because he can't speak actual words yet. He won't for a while since he's only six months old.
"Eddito!" Abuela yells, walking into the living room from the kitchen. "You're here!"
"Abuela," Eddie greets, walking over to her and hugging her. "Thanks again for all of this. It means so much to both of us."
"Of course, mi nieto. You two are always welcome. Now, are you hungry? I've got some tamales freshly cooked."
Eddie grins. "I'd never turn down your food, Abuela."
"Perfecto! Now you go wash up. Josephina and I have Christoper handled, dear."
"Thank you."
Dinner is absolutely wonderful. The food is absolutely fantastic. Eddie's missed Abuela's and Pepa's cooking.
Eddie can't wait for Chris to grow older and be able to enjoy their food as much as Eddie does.
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Eddie and Chris quickly settle into Pepa and Abuela's house over the next two weeks. Eddie moved all of their stuff that was crammed into his old sedan, which is on its last leg, before Eddie starts college at UCLA to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts.
He's always loved to draw.
No matter what Ramon said to him, he never listened. Drawing is not a girlish hobby to have. No matter what his shitty father said. It's an honorable hobby, and Eddie one day dreams of seeing his art on the walls of an art gallery.
And he's going to work for it, raising his son on the sidelines, and at some point, he'll get a job somewhere nearby. Maybe he'll get a campus job. They'll be able to work with his class schedule. And he'll be able to have weekends free so he can take care of his son. And he doesn't have any classes on Fridays, only Monday through Thursday.
His Abuelo—Abuela's late husband/who he's named after—passed away years ago, leaving Eddie and his sisters, Adriana and Sophia, each a good amount of money for them to get access to once they turn eighteen.
So much so that the money is going to get Eddie through four years of college. He even earned some scholarships, too. But he needs extra money so he can survive, one day have a place of his own, and be able to take care of his son.
Eddie smacks his alarm off and quickly gets dressed for school, gelling his floppy brown hair back, putting on a simple short-sleeved Henley, blue jeans, and a pair of brown boots.
It's a good enough look for his first day of college.
After Eddie is finished, he leaves his room to go to Chris's room across the hall, his boy already awake, making cute little baby noises as he waits for his Dad to come get him.
"Hey, mijo," Eddie greets with a smile, picking up his son. "Ready for breakfast?"
"Baaah, baggh, flpppppp!" Chris exclaims, shoving his tiny fist in his mouth. It does not fit because his mouth is so small. But it's adorable nonetheless.
Eddie takes the babbling as a yes and kisses Christopher's head.
After Eddie feeds Chris a bottle of formula, he gets himself a bowl of cereal and milk, with Chris watching with an adorable smile in his high chair.
While Eddie eats, he makes cute and goofy faces to make Chris laugh. Because Chris has the most adorable laugh.
That's when Josephina and Isabel walk in.
"Eddito! ¡Mi sobrino nieto!" Pepa shouts, clapping her hands.
"You are looking sharp, mi nieto," Abeula says to Eddie with a grin.
Eddie blushes, hiding his face in his hands.
"We must get a picture," Pepa cuts in. "I'll get Christopher in a matching outfit, and we can take your first day of college photo."
"¡Qué idea tan maravillosa!" (What a wonderful idea!) Isabel exclaims, throwing her arms around in excitement.
Eddie groans in embarrassment as Pepa grabs Christopher from his high chair and makes her way upstairs to get him in a cute outfit to match Eddie's.
"Come on, Eddito, let's find the best spot for the photo," Isabel encourages, grabbing his hand, pulling him up from his seat at the dining table.
"Abuelaaaa," Eddie complains, letting her tug him along to wherever she wants to go.
Isabel eventually decides on the perfect spot. The fireplace.
She has Eddie stand in the center of it, and that's when Josephina brings Christopher down.
And Chris is wearing the most adorable onesie that perfectly matches Eddie's Henley.
Pepa hands Chris over to Eddie.
"It's perfect, no?" She asks.
"It's perfect. Thanks, Pepa."
Eddie's never felt love like this from anyone other than them before, and Christopher, and it means the whole world to them.
He doesn't know how he'll ever repay them for everything they're doing for him and Chris.
But he'll figure something out someday.
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Once the photo is taken, Eddie finishes getting ready for school, grabs his backpack, and then he gives Chris a million kisses and a tight hug.
He doesn't want to leave his son. But to be able to give Chris the best life possible, he's going to have to work for it.
And right now, that includes college.
"I love you, mijo. I'll see you in a couple of hours, okay?"
"Bababa!" The infant babbles.
"Why don't we just drive you to school, Eddito?" Pepa offers. "Because parking can be a losing battle here in LA. We'll drive you and pick you up. And we will not take no as an answer."
Eddie grins. "Alright. Alright. I've done research. Parking gets better after the first couple of weeks. So I'll start driving myself then."
"Bien. Bien," Isabel says. "I'll watch over Christopher. He'll be with us when we pick you up, Edditio."
"Okay. Thank you, Pepa, Abuela."
"Always, sobrino."
Eddie gives Chris one last hug and kiss, passing him over to Abuela, giving Abuela a hug and kiss on her cheek, then he's out the door with Pepa right behind him.
He dropped off at school half an hour later, speeding off to his first class. He's ten minutes early, so it gives him time to get settled before it starts.
He never thought he would be here in college with an infant, but he is, and honestly, he wouldn't trade it for the world.
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He was right about parking, three weeks in, spots are open everywhere because by now people are dropping out or skipping classes.
So he drives himself to school now.
It gets a little easier every day to leave Chris, but it still hurts to leave Chris; he knows Chris is in excellent hands.
And then suddenly, Eddie's life takes a complete turn for the better.
All because he went to a football game for the school, because Pepa and Abuela made him go, so that maybe he could make a few friends.
He meets the love of his life in the process.
🍼🏈❤️🧸
Eddie's sitting on the bleachers watching the first official game of the UCLA football team.
There are people everywhere. It's kind of overwhelming, but Eddie's got this.
He's got Chris in his lap, with sound-blocking headphones. Chris has no clue what's happening, but he's having a good time, his eyes entertained by what's happening on the field, nibbling on his fist, which still doesn't fit in his mouth, no matter how hard he tries.
And people are entranced by Christopher, cooing and waving at him when something isn't happening on the field.
"He's cute," a young woman says, sitting next to him. "How old is he?"
"Six months. His name is Christopher."
"Well, he's absolutely adorable," She praises, with a smile.
"Thank you," Eddie grins. He likes her. She's very nice.
"My name's Karen. And the wonderful woman next to me is my girlfriend, Henrietta." Karen gestures to the black woman with glasses sitting next to her, holding her hand.
"Hen. Everyone calls me Hen."
Eddie reaches over and shakes Hen's hand, then Karen's.
"I'm Eddie. Nice to meet you guys."
"You new?" Karen asks.
"Yeah. Just started this semester. Fine Arts."
"Nice!" Karen beams. "I'm in aerospace engineering, and my wonderful, genius girlfriend here is working her ass off to earn her PHD so she can get into med school and all that fancy shit."
"Nice!" Eddie grins with a little laugh. "You two have to be one of the smartest couples out there, huh?"
Karen giggles, cheeks turning pink. "You could say that."
"Oh, no, he definitely can," Hen teases with a cackle.
"Bah!" Chris exclaims, throwing his hands up.
Eddie smiles down at his son, kissing his wild, dark blonde curls. Neither Shannon nor Eddie has blonde hair. They're both brunettes. He's got no clue where Chris got that from. But it's adorable. And it fits Chris so well, just like his blue eyes that neither Shannon nor him have.
"This kid is going to steal hearts all around campus. And maybe...if mom's not in the picture, you could find a girl who steals your heart," Karen grins.
"Oh, well, his mother passed in childbirth," Eddie says sadly.
Karen's and Hen's faces fall. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" Karen comforts, placing a hand on his arm. "That's awful."
"No. No. It's okay. It's taken a while, but I'm okay. She was my best friend and I loved her. We actually got married because we found out she was pregnant. But I was never in love with her. But I still loved her the best I could with what time we had." Eddie knows he always will. "I hate that Chris will never meet her, but that doesn't mean he won't know about her."
"That's beautiful, Eddie," Hen smiles.
"Thanks." He scratches the back of his neck nervously. "And I, um, I'm gay, so no women for me."
Hen and Karen bust out laughing.
"Good to know. We'll keep a lookout for some hot hunk for you," Karen chuckles, playfully nudging Eddie with her elbow.
Eddie blushes. "Thanks. I guess."
"Wanna come meet the team with us after the game? They're our best friends," Karen offers.
"Sure, that could be fun."
"You don't sound too excited," Hen teases.
"Yeah. Yeah. It could be fun," He says with a shrug. "I haven't really made any friends since I moved here. Shannon was my closest friend. My other friends are in El Paso. Where I grew up."
"Well, let's change that then," Karen smiles.
"I'd like that." He really, really would.
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UCLA wins the game. By a touchdown.
The crowd burst into applause and cheers once the clock reached zero.
Eddie stands with the crowd, Chris in his arms, his cheek pressed against Chris's cheek.
Once the cheering ceases, and people start leaving, Hen and Karen lead him down to the football field where their friends are.
"You'll love them, Eddie. They're really good people," Karen tells him.
"We've all known each other for a while; some of us even went to high school together," Hen says.
"I'm excited to meet them."
When the four of them get down to the football field, Eddie hears cheers and laughs and high-fives. Probably the players celebrating.
Karen and Hen jump in front of Eddie, joining in on the celebration, which turns out to be a small group of people. Football players, the coach, because Eddie can see a hat that says in bold: COACH. And is that a cheerleader?
"Everyone," Karen announces to the small group. "This is our new friend, Eddie, and his son, Christopher."
Eddie waves to everyone. "Heeey."
An Asian man, who's wearing a football jersey, comes over to him. "Hey, man, I'm Chimney."
They shake hands. "Chimney?"
"Nickname. My real name is Howard. But please, call me Chimney."
"Can do." He doesn't want to know what that nickname means. He did at first, but now he doesn't want to know. It's probably some sexual innuendo or some shit. Some things are better left unsaid.
"Hello, little man," Chimney coos at Chris, shaking his tiny hand.
"Hey, Howie," a beautiful brunette woman greets, wearing a cheerleader's outfit.
"Hey, Mads. Come meet Eddie and his kid Christopher."
"Oh my God! Hi there, little guy!" She says in a baby voice. "Nice to meet you, Christopher and Eddie."
"You too..." He leaves her an opening to say her name, and she takes it.
"Maddie. Maddie Buckley. Nice to meet you. I'm Chimney's girlfriend." They briefly shake hands.
"Nice to meet you, too." What turned out to be a day to make a couple of friends became an entire group of people. They're all really nice, so Eddie has high hopes.
"Hey, Mads," A young man's voice calls, cutting himself off because he spots Eddie. "Whoa. Hi," a young, muscular, beautiful blonde football player greets, with the most enchanting blue eyes, looking Eddie up and down.
Is he checking me out?
Eddie smiles at the new stranger, trying to get his brain to shut up. "Hi."
Eddie is rendered speechless because this man is the most beautiful person that Eddie has ever seen in his nineteen years of life.
"Bllgggggg," Chris babbles, reaching his arms out to the charming stranger.
The stranger looks down at Chris. "Well, hello, there, cutie."
"Christopher," Eddie says softly.
The stranger looks up at Eddie.
"His name's Christoper. Chris. Either one works."
The stranger smiles, and boy, it makes Eddie's heart race.
"Well, hi, Chris. My name's Buck."
Buck. What an interesting name.
"Buck?" Eddie asks out of curiosity.
"Well," Buck looks up at Eddie. "My real name is Evan Buckley." Buckley. He's Maddie's brother. Younger brother. He can see the difference in age in their faces. Speaking of Maddie, she's wandered off with Chimney, talking with Hen, Karen, and the coach. "But everyone calls me Buck. The nickname was given to me by my teammates. Because there was another Evan on my team in high school."
"Well, nice to meet you, Buck. I'm Eddie."
"Hi, Eddie." Buck smiles adoringly, making Eddie feel lightheaded.
God, what is this man doing to me? No one has ever made me feel this way before.
"Hi." Eddie reaches over with a free hand, trying to calm himself down so his hand doesn't start trembling. He shakes Buck's hand, the skin-on-skin contact making Eddie tingle everywhere, setting his entire body on fire.
The handshake lasts longer than any handshake Eddie's ever had, not wanting to let go, but eventually the handshake breaks.
"You new to UCLA? I can't say that I've seen you around before. Because I would definitely know if I did," Buck says with a cheeky smile.
Was that a flirtation? Is he making a move on me? God, what is this man doing to me?
"Yeah. Just started here." Eddie adjusts Chris in his arms, pulling the headphones off Chris's head, putting them around his own neck. "I moved to LA just two weeks before school."
"Where are you from?" Buck asks, his voice very flirtatious and oh, so charming.
Eddie can feel his heart racing. "El Paso, Texas."
"Oh, we got a cowboy on our hands, huh?"
Eddie snorts, feeling his cheeks heat up. "Sure. Whatever you need to tell yourself, bud."
Buck grins shyly, visibly blushing. Oh, and he's got a red blotch above his eye, looks like a birthmark. It's a pretty pink.
It matches the pinkness of Buck's lips.
Not that Eddie was thinking about or looking at Buck's lips....
Or those ocean eyes that Eddie knows he could easily get lost in.
"Alright, then," Buck flirts, clearly this time, hand on his belt buckle.
God, it's hot.
"Bababababa," Chris babbles, squirming in Eddie's arms, reaching for Buck again.
"Do you mind taking him for a minute?"
"Really?" Buck's eyes light up at the question.
"Yeah. He clearly wants you to hold him, and he will not stop squirming until he gets what he wants."
"Yeah, sure, I'll take him. I love kids!"
Good to know.
Buck holds his arms out, Eddie handing Chris over, Chris willingly letting Buck hold onto him.
"Hi, Chris. You're the cutest kid I've ever seen. But I'm sure you know that," Buck talks in the most adorable kiddie voice.
"Glllegb," Chris says, booping Buck's nose with one of his hands very unsophisticatedly.
Buck laughs, tickling Chris's tummy with a free hand, getting the infant to laugh loudly.
While Buck entertains Chris, Eddie puts Chris's headphones in the backpack from his back, and then he grabs a bottle.
Because it's dinner time.
"Ready for dinner, mijo?" Eddie asks, putting the backpack back on his back, moving closer to Buck, his heart racing more and more the closer he gets to Buck.
"Did you hear that, Superman? It's time for some yummy milk."
"Mmmmmmak!" Chris exclaims.
Buck and Eddie laugh, looking at each other, the world fading as they stare into each other's eyes, getting lost in it.
"Maaak!" That's what Chris calls milk, and that's what snaps the two men out of their trance.
"H-here. Let me hand him back to you," Buck stutters, extending his arms to hand Chris over, but Chris doesn't like that.
He starts to squirm and screams in protest, clinging his tiny fists to Buck's football jersey.
"Okay, seems he doesn't want me to feed him."
"What?"
"Here," Eddie hands Buck the bottle of formula.
Buck nervously takes the bottle, looking at Eddie uncertainly. "Are you sure? We just met."
"I know. But he wants you to feed him. It's okay, Buck. I trust you. He clearly does."
It's true. Eddie does trust Buck. There's just something about him. Something about his energy just shows Eddie that Buck can be trusted with Christopher.
And Christopher is the most important person in Eddie's life. And he can tell that Buck would never do anything to hurt Chris. He's got too big of a heart to do that. Eddie can see it.
Chris happily drinks up the whole bottle that Buck fed him.
"Wow! You're going to be such a big and strong kid one day, Chris. I just know it," Buck tells the infant.
"Abbbbababab," Chris babbles in response.
"That's right, buddy."
Eddie smiles adoringly at the interactions between the two.
"I'm going to hand you back to your Dad now, okay, Superman?"
Chris obviously doesn't respond; he just babbles more random nonsense as Buck hands Chris back over to Eddie, no protest this time because Chris's eyes are shutting. He's going to sleep.
"Wow, he's out," Buck says with a chuckle.
Eddie loves this man's laughter.
"Yeah. If he's sleepy enough, after he gets fed, he'll pass right out."
"Well, he's super cute and he's going to be one smart and strong kid someday."
"Thanks, Buck," Eddie beams. "Can you put the empty bottle in the bag, please?"
"Of course!" Buck says, keeping his voice quiet enough not to wake Christopher.
Buck steps behind Eddie, and Eddie's breath halts, unable to breathe as he feels the man, who's about two inches taller than him, stand right behind him, unzip the bag, put the bottle inside the bag, and then zip it back up, walking back around Eddie so they're looking at each other again.
Eddie can breathe again, but it's very ragged as Buck stares at him and Chris.
"Do you have to get home to his mom or...?"
"Oh, no. She passed in childbirth."
Buck's face grows sympathetic. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I miss her. But we weren't forever. She was my best friend and I loved her, but not like that. I miss her. She was a good friend."
"Well, that sucks. But you two made a very adorable kid."
Eddie snorts. "Thank you."
"So, single dad, huh?" Buck flirts again, making Eddie's heart race all over again.
What is he doing to me?
"Yup."
"I've got a thing for hot single dads, you know?"
Eddie goes into a fit of giggles. "Little old me does something for you?"
"Yeah. Yeah, you do," Buck says, his voice deep and sultry.
Eddie gulps. "Good to know," he plays off like his heart isn't racing and that his insides aren't on fire. "Maybe we can meet up sometime. I know Chris would love to see you. As would I."
Buck smiles.
It's the prettiest smile I've ever seen.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Let me give you my number."
Whoa! Where did that come from?
"Y-yeah. S-sure."
Oh, that made him nervous.
"You wanna type it or...?"
"I'll tell it to you."
Eddie does, then Buck texts Eddie, so they have each other's numbers now.
"When do you want to meet up again?" Buck asks, pocketing his phone.
"Well, I don't have any classes tomorrow since it's Friday. So we can meet up for lunch if you want to."
Okay, this is actually easier than I thought it would be.
Probably because talking to him is easy.
"I'd like that. Bring Chris too, if you want."
"Yeah. I will. What do you say to meeting up at 12:30 at the cafe across campus?"
"Sounds good to me," Buck breaks out into a wide smile, making Eddie's heart pound impossibly harder in his chest. "I can't wait, Eddie."
"Me neither, Buck."
"But, uh...." Buck stops for a second to think. "I was going to ask if you wanted to talk more tonight. But we're meeting tomorrow, so you probably don't..."
"I would love to, but I've got a little bit of schoolwork to do and I gotta put this little guy to bed."
"Okay. Yeah! See you tomorrow then."
"Wanna walk me to my car?" Eddie offers the words coming out of his mouth before his brain can even think of them.
The fuck did that come from?
"Yes!" Buck clears his throat. "Yes. That would be great. Lemme tell the gang real quick. Don't go anywhere."
"Promise."
Buck says goodbye really quickly to his friends, saying he'll be back in a few, then he jogs back to Eddie.
"Okay, lead the way."
Buck and Eddie walk side by side, talking quietly since Chris is still sleeping.
They're talking about hobbies.
"You like to draw, huh?" Buck asks.
"Yeah." Eddie nods. "It's something I've always been passionate about. I'm not the greatest with saying words out loud. They come more easily to me in drawings."
"Well, I'll have to see them sometime."
"Y-yeah. I, uh, don't show people my art. But I would love for you to be the first."
Buck blushes. God, it's adorable.
Oh my God! I can't believe I just said that!
"I'd like that. Do you, uh, do anything other than draw?"
"Well, I used to ballroom dance."
"No way, really?"
Eddie nods.
"What made you stop?"
"My parents sucked the fun out of it and made it all about the competition instead of the fun."
"Yikes. Well, you'll have to show me your moves sometime."
Eddie grins. "Sure. What do you do besides football?"
"Well, I really don't do too much hobby-wise. But I love reading and learning about just random things. I tend to go on 2 am rabbit holes a lot."
"Well, at least it's educational."
Buck chuckles softly. "Yeah."
"You'll have to tell me about some of the neat stuff you've learned sometime."
"Sure. But I'll warn you, I tend to talk a lot. So if you ever want me to shut up, just tell me."
"I like your voice. But noted." Eddie stops walking because they're at his car. "Well, this is me."
"Man," Buck pouts adorably. "Can we just walk a little bit longer?"
Eddie laughs quietly. "I'll see you tomorrow, Buck. But if you get bored, text me."
"I will definitely do that."
"Good," Eddie smiles.
"Want me to help you?"
"Uh, yeah, that actually would be great." Eddie digs his keys out of his pants pocket and hands them to Buck. "Can you get the door so I can put Chris in his car seat?"
"Sure!" Buck beams, unlocking the car, popping the door open, then he walks over to the driver's door, opens it, and turns the car on.
Eddie straps Chris into his seat, sets his backpack on the floorboards, shuts the door, and then walks around to the driver's seat of his car.
"Thank you, Buck."
"You're welcome, gorgeous." Eddie blushes at the name. "See you tomorrow at 12:30."
"Can't wait."
"Me neither."
Eddie hops into the car, shutting the door, waving goodbye to Buck, now putting the car in reverse, making his way out of his seat, then the parking lot, and then he's back at Pepa and Abuela's, a smile on his face the whole drive.
He's still wearing the happy, lovesick smile when he walks into the house, bag on his back, Chris in his arms.
Pepa and Abuela are on the sofa watching TV when he gets home, but he doesn't say anything other than he's going to put Chris down and take a shower.
"Tell us how it went afterwards then, sobrino," Pepa whispers to not wake her great nephew.
Eddie nods, striding up the stairs, changing Chris into his pajamas, and then he tucks Chris into bed.
"Night, mijo," He whispers. "Love you."
Eddie kisses Chris's forehead, then he leaves the room, quietly shutting the door behind him, making sure the baby monitor is on before he leaves the room.
He'll bathe Chris tomorrow before meeting up with Buck.
Eddie doesn't stop thinking about him as he takes his shower. Every time he closes his eyes, he pictures that smile, those ocean eyes, his laugh, how he looked at not only Eddie, but Chris too.
Eddie's falling already.
And he's not scared.
Okay, maybe a little.
But it feels right.
After he finishes with his shower, he goes downstairs to make himself something to eat, then he tells Pepa and Abuela about the people he met and how nice they were.
Then he tells them about Buck.
They clock his ass immediately.
"You like this...Buck, yes?" Pepa asks, a knowing smile already on her face.
Eddie nods, blushing. "He's so nice, Pepa. You should've seen the way he looked at Chris. We're actually meeting up tomorrow for lunch at the cafe across the street from campus."
"Is it a date?" Abuela asks excitedly.
"No...I, uh, don't know. We're just meeting up, hanging out, getting to know each other."
"Tell us everything afterwards, Eddito."
"Will do, Pepa, Abuela. I'm going to finish my schoolwork for the week, then crash. Te amo."
"Te amo."
"Te amo."
Eddie finishes all of his work in an hour, and Buck texts him shortly afterwards, when he's all ready for bed, planning to doomscroll until his eyes are too droopy to stay open, but this is better.
He reads Buck's message, his heart already racing.
Buck ❤️🏈: heeeeey. it's me.
Eddie texts back immediately.
Eddie: Hey, Buck.
Buck ❤️🏈: omg you text with grammar???
Eddie chuckles, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
Eddie: Yes, because it's normal.
Buck ❤️🏈: it's just like coach. omg stoooop.
Eddie laughs, sending Buck a couple of laughing emojis.
Eddie: I've always texted like this. Why is there a problem with it?
Buck ❤️🏈: bc it's weird. let loose gorgeous.
Eddie: I like that you call me that.
Oh my God. Did I seriously just send that????
Buck ❤️🏈: good. bc you are.
you're the most gorgeous person ive ever seen. with the cutest kid in the entire world.
Eddie blushes, unable to stifle his smile.
Buck ❤️🏈: omg i just realized that you have a kid
Eddie: Yes. And if I'm remembering correctly, you said he's the cutest in the entire world.
Buck ❤️🏈: well yes. but thats not the point.
Eddie: Okay. Care to enlighten me?
Buck ❤️🏈: you were with a woman. you literally got her pregnant. im a guy. and we've been flirting, right?
so what does that mean you're...?
Oh my God. He's making sure I'm not uncomfortable with this. Asking if I'm straight or something else. Good God. This man.
Eddie: Yes, I was with a woman. We actually were married. Because she got pregnant. But I'm not straight. If that's what you're somewhat asking.
I'm gay. To clear it up for you.
Buck ❤️🏈: THANK GOD!
i'm sorry she passed. but im so fucking glad that you're gay.
Eddie laughs, sending another laughing emoji.
Eddie: I am too. Because it feels right. It's who I am. It's always been.
Buck ❤️🏈: im so happy for you.
im bi
bisexual
btw
Eddie: Is that the one where you like both men and women?
Sorry, I'm new to the LGBTQ stuff...
Buck ❤️🏈: no its okay. you're cute when you're flustered
everything about you is cute
but yeah you got it
Eddie: How did you figure it out?
Buck ❤️🏈: it was something i always knew.
Eddie: You make it sound so easy.
Buck ❤️🏈: well it was for me. its different for everyone. but you got there. thats all that matters now.
have you like done anything with someone to know you were gay?
Eddie: Like kissing or sex?
Buck ❤️🏈: yeah.
Eddie: No. I knew. After Shannon, my wife, I just knew. Well, after a shitload of crying and grieving and taking care of Chris. And deal with my shitty, overbearing parents trying to take him away from me because they didn't think I could handle being a single father.
Fuck, that was a lot.
I hope that didn't scare him away.
Buck responds a minute and a half later.
Buck ❤️🏈: that's a lot. im sorry. that couldn't have been easy. but you did it. you're doing it. you're rasing him just fine without them. glad they're out of your life now.
Eddie: Thank you, Buck.
I really like talking to you.
Buck ❤️🏈: i like talking to you too
god ive got to fix your typing. the grammar hurts my eyes.
Eddie laughs, sending more laughing emojis.
Buck ❤️🏈: i don't want stop talking with you. but im tired from the game tonight.
Eddie: Rest. I'll see you tomorrow. 12:30.
Buck ❤️🏈: counting down the seconds
night, gorgeous.
Eddie: Night, Buck.
Eddie sets his alarm for tomorrow so he's up in enough time to feed Chris breakfast, bathe Chris, and get ready to meet Buck tomorrow for lunch.
He's out the second his face hits the pillow, dreaming of Buck, his smile, his laugh, his eyes, his birthmark, and what his hand felt like holding Eddie's during the handshake, how it made everything inside of him ignite.
What Eddie doesn't know is that Buck was dreaming of him, too. But it wasn't just Eddie. Buck dreamt of Chris, too.
Both of them have fallen.
Hard.
Beyond return.
🍼🏈❤️🧸