Work Text:
Everything is finally getting back to normal for the 118.
Bobby's back.
Ravi is now on A-shift.
Chimney and Maddie re-named their baby boy what they were going to name him in the first place: Kevin-Daniel Buckley-Han.
Karen and Hen have officially adopted Mara.
Eddie and Chris are permanently back in LA.
And Buck...well, Buck is living with Eddie and Chris.
It was supposed to be temporary, but it's been three months, and Buck has made no move to leave, nor has Eddie said anything about Buck leaving.
Because they all love it. Having each other so close all the time. Buck always makes breakfast and dinner because he's the cook of the house, and Chris sometimes is his sous chef. Eddie does all of the laundry and always cleans up the kitchen after the food has been eaten since Buck cooked it. The two tackle cleaning the rest of the house together with their own little system. They share the bed each night because they always fought over who would have the couch and the bed, so they just decided to share. It's easier to take Chris to school and pick him up if one is on shift and one isn't. Everything is just so much easier.
It's perfect. Eddie never wants Buck to leave. He can't imagine his life without Buck in close proximity all of the time.
It feels so right.
It's home.
Because Buck always belongs in that house. Because it's their house.
Eddie knows how it sounds. He knows.
He's gay and in love with his best friend and hasn't told Buck yet. He's still trying to find the perfect moment and the right words to say because Buck deserves romance.
It has to be perfect.
The 118 is currently out at a bar—the spouses are all at home with the kids—getting drunk because they fucking can and because it's a celebration celebrating Bobby officially back as captain and welcoming Ravi to A-shift.
And with Bobby back as captain, Chimney is teamed up with Hen again, and Eddie is teamed up with Buck again.
Everything is back to how it should be.
Until....
"So, Buck," Chimney starts, three shots in. "When are you gonna get out of Eddie's hair and get your own place?"
Buck shrugs. "I dunno yet. I've been doing some looking around, but no one has gotten back to me after I put in an application. My credit score still isn't great, so that's probably why. But I'm fixing it," Buck says, twiddling with the beer bottle in his hands.
"I can always help you out, man," Ravi offers. "I'm a landlord, remember?"
"I did forget." Buck chuckles. "But that would be great, Rav. Thanks!"
"Anytime," Ravi beams.
Eddie is dumbfounded, staring at Buck.
He didn't know that.
He told Buck he didn't need to rush to leave. He told Buck to stay.
But now he's leaving.
What the actual fuck?!
"What?" Eddie asks, aiming the question at Buck. "You didn't tell me this. How long have you been looking at apartments?"
"A few weeks." Buck shrugs it off like it's nothing and goes into conversation with everyone about the places he's looked at and things he wants in a new place.
Eddie is seething.
Weeks?
Buck's been looking for a new place for weeks.
No. Eddie won't stand for this. He's leaving. He can't stay and hear Buck talk about his dream place when it should be with Eddie and Chris on South Bedford Street.
Eddie chugs what's left in his bottle of beer, slams it on the table, then he stands from the booth, storming out the door.
He was at the end of the booth, so it was easy to get out without having the others get up and move so he could leave.
When Eddie gets out of the bar, he pulls his phone out and calls an Uber.
Buck usually drives them around everywhere, and he's trying to get away from Buck, so he's got to use another form of transportation to get home.
The Uber is two minutes away when he hears Buck's voice behind him.
"Eddie!" Buck screams, pushing past people on the sidewalk to get to the brunette.
Eddie turns around and looks at Buck with pure anger. "What are you doing out here?"
Buck finally gets to Eddie and takes a breath. "I'm here because my best friend just angrily stormed out of a bar, and I'm worried something is wrong. We all are."
"Well, I'm fine," Eddie snarls. "Go back inside and tell everyone I'm fine and I just wanted to go home, okay?"
"Eddie, you're not fine. I know you. You're angry. Something is wrong, and I'm just trying to help."
Eddie wants to fucking punch something. Not Buck. Never Buck. But he's about to swing at a random bystander if Buck doesn't leave right the fuck now.
"I don't want your help, Buck. I don't want you here. Go back to the team and leave me alone. I'm fine! I don't want you here!" Eddie's so fucking angry right now. "You wanna leave, then just leave! Okay! Just go!"
Why doesn't Buck understand that he doesn't want Buck to move out?
Why can't he see how much Eddie loves him?
How does he not see it?
Buck's mouth falls open, and he takes a step back from Eddie, his face looking like his heart just got broken.
It's a fucking knife to the heart for Eddie. He hates it when he hurts Buck. But Buck can't see that he hurt Eddie, too.
"Eddie?" Some stranger calls.
Buck and Eddie both turn to the voice.
It's Eddie's Uber.
"Yeah, that's me. Just one moment."
The driver nods.
Eddie turns his head and looks at Buck. "I don't even need you anyway."
Buck's heart shatters.
Eddie walks to his Uber. "Sorry about that. Sometimes people can't take the hint and realize they're unwanted." Eddie's looking at Buck through the open window when he says that, destroying all that was left of Buck's heart.
The male driver chuckles. "Been there way too many times."
Eddie's home twenty minutes later, tipping the Uber driver a gracious amount because of how quickly he got to Eddie, and well, he was a nice guy to talk to.
"Have a nice night, Eddie."
"You too, Paul."
Then he drives off, leaving Eddie alone, walking to an empty house because Chris is off with Pepa.
Eddie's glad. He doesn't want Chris to see him in this state.
This angry, pissed off state where he could just punch through a wall or a door.
Chris doesn't need to see that.
Once Eddie gets inside, he locks the door, kicks off his shoes, and then gets ready to take a shower to relax so he can sleep and just forget about how his heart is broken that Buck is leaving. And that Buck didn't even tell Eddie about moving out.
What kind of friend does that?
Eddie passes right out after he finishes his shower and brushes his teeth to get rid of the beer taste.
Buck's still in the same spot on the sidewalk ten minutes after Eddie leaves in the Uber, breaking Buck's entire fucking heart.
Why was Eddie so mad in the first place?
No one said anything angering all evening. It was just fun conversation filled with laughter, and then Buck talked about moving out.
Honestly, Buck thought Eddie would be overjoyed with the news. He's been in their hair for three months. He knows it's time to move on and get over his feelings for Eddie.
Because in the three months they've lived together, slept together in the same bed, Buck has fallen even harder for Eddie.
He doesn't know how he'll ever get over Eddie.
And those things Eddie said? Broke Buck.
Eddie is hurting, and he's projecting his anger on Buck.
Buck doesn't know what to do.
For now, he'll hang with his family before going home and crashing on the couch for the night, then he'll pack up his stuff and crash somewhere until he can get a new place.
Because Buck doesn't want to ever face Eddie again.
It'll hurt too much.
More than it already does because he can't have Eddie in the way he wants—craves.
Everyone leaves the bar at midnight. Buck is very drunk, so he Ubered home, making a note to have Maddie pick him up from Eddie's so he can pick up his Jeep, pack up his stuff, and leave.
Eddie wakes up feeling well rested with a massive pit in his stomach.
He's so sorry he said those words to Buck. But he's still so angry.
When Eddie leaves the bedroom, he finds a blanket and a pillow on the couch. Buck clearly slept there, and he hears clattering in the kitchen.
Eddie doesn't want to face Buck, but he needs coffee, so he'll just have to suck it up unless he wants to drive and get his own coffee.
Yeah, no. It's too early for that shit.
So Eddie walks into the kitchen, Buck's at the stove, making eggs and bacon.
They don't say good morning.
The only words exchanged are:
"Coffee's in the pot," Buck mumbles.
"Thanks," Eddie grumbles, filling up a cup, then he leaves the kitchen.
Eddie expected Buck to chase after him, but Buck didn't.
Eddie has mixed feelings towards that.
But in the end, he's glad. He doesn't want to face Buck now. He's too angry. He'll say more stuff he'll regret later.
When Chris is dropped off at lunch time, Eddie's still hiding in his room, and Buck has packed what isn't in their—Eddie's—bedroom, and is sitting on the couch, texting with Maddie, asking if it's okay if he crashes with them for a little bit.
She's fine with it.
He's pretty much got everything packed up anyway. Just his clothes are left.
He'll have to get his clothes when Eddie is either out of the house or just in a different room long enough for Buck to grab his stuff.
Chris instantly notices something is off.
"Buck? What are you doing on the couch?" Chris asks, hobbling over to it.
Pepa has a doctor's appointment, so she couldn't hang around; she just made sure Chris got to the door okay before leaving.
"Oh, just resting."
"Okay. Where's Dad?"
When Chris asks that, the teen can spot the downturn of Buck's lips.
"In his room, probably," Buck grumbles.
Chris doesn't say anything; he just makes his way down the hall, but he spots a bag in the hallway.
"Buck, what's the bag for?"
"That's for my stuff, buddy. I'm moving out today."
Chris turns to Buck. "You're leaving? Why?"
"It's time I give you and your dad some space," Buck replies with a shrug.
"Dad and I told you not to leave. I don't want you to leave." Chris sounds so devastated, and it's crushing Buck's soul. He never wants to hurt Chris or Eddie. "Are you and Dad fighting?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about, buddy. Me and your dad are fine." Lie! "But it's time I get my own place."
"Buck, don't leave," Chris pleads.
Buck gets up from the couch and hugs the teen. "I'm sorry, Chris. But I have to. But I'll still be able to see you as much as you want."
"I want you to stay here!" Chris pulls back from Buck's hold and stomps off to his room, slamming the door.
Buck flinches when the door slams, tears prickling in his eyes.
That's when Eddie comes out of his room. "Chris? That you?"
But when Eddie looks out into the hallway, he's met with just Buck and a duffel bag next to the doorway.
"Chris is in his room. I'm packing up my stuff and leaving."
Eddie looks up at Buck. "You're leaving today?"
"Yup. I can see that I'm unwanted, and I'm taking the hint."
"Good." No, not good. Eddie screams to himself. What have I done?
"Chris is upset, though. So you might want to fix that."
Buck is pissed. Eddie can hear it in Buck's tone.
"Right." Eddie walks out of the bedroom and walks over to Chris's door, knocking on it. "Chris, it's me."
"Come in."
Eddie walks into Chris's room, closing the door behind him.
"Buck told me you were upset. What's wrong, mijo?"
Chris spins around in his gaming chair and looks at Eddie. "Why is Buck leaving?"
Eddie's face falls. "I don't know...Well, I know why. Sort of."
"You guys are fighting, aren't you?"
Eddie tries to deny it, but he can't. Buck and he are kind of fighting. "Yeah. Because last night I just found out that he's been looking for a new place for weeks but didn't say anything."
"But why is he leaving today?"
"Because I yelled at him and told him to leave."
"Why?!"
"I don't know, Chris. I really don't. But he was set on his decision, even before I yelled at him. We can't change his mind. He wants to leave. So we have to let him go."
Eddie never wants to let him go.
"I don't want to let him go, Dad."
Eddie sighs, sitting on Chris's bed. "Me neither. But we have to."
Chris just turns around in his chair, puts his gaming headphones on, and goes back to his game.
Eddie can tell he's not wanted, so he gets up and leaves. Buck is still packing in the bedroom.
Eddie walks to the doorway, trying to figure out what to say, leaning against the doorframe.
"What do you want, Eddie?" Buck snarls, a handful of clothes in his hands, slamming the closet doors shut. "I'm leaving. Are you happy now?"
"No," Eddie growls, stepping away from the door, towards Buck. "Because you've been secretly looking for apartments for weeks. Telling the whole group like it's nothing. Like it doesn't matter to you that you're leaving. Were you ever planning on telling me that you're leaving?"
Buck angrily shoves his clothes into his bag, not bothering to fold them right now. "I was going to wait until I had a confirmed place. But you heard how that went."
"Yeah. I know. But why didn't you tell me? That's what I want to know!"
"I figured you'd be happy that I'm leaving. Considering everything you said to me last night."
"Because I was angry. And I still am. Why the hell did you keep it from me?"
"I don't know, Eddie. Because I don't want to leave. But I have to." He has to get over Eddie, and this is the only way he can. With space.
"Why? Did I ever make you feel like you had to leave?"
Buck shakes his head.
"Did Chris?"
Buck shakes his head again.
"Then why? Why do you have to leave? I know I said some really crappy stuff to you yesterday. But it's because I'm angry, Buck. I'm angry at you for feeling like you have to leave. I don't want you to leave. Chris doesn't want you to leave. So why are you leaving? If it's because of what I said last night, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Eddie weeps, stepping closer to the bed, on the opposite side of Buck. "I-I just got so angry. And I know I don't deserve forgiveness for it. But I really am sorry. I do need you. And I always want you around."
Buck swallows, tears forming in his eyes. "I-I believe you, Eddie. I forgive you. But I still have to leave. W-we're okay. But I have to leave."
"Why?"
"B-because I have to."
"N-no." Eddie runs around the bed to get to Buck. "Stay. Please. I can't let you go."
"Neither can I," Buck confesses, zipping up his duffel bag, tossing it over his shoulder, looking at Eddie with a solemn expression. "That's the problem. Goodbye, Eddie." Buck walks around his best friend and makes his way out of the bedroom, his arm getting yanked before he's even halfway out.
"No! I refuse to accept that. Just leaving because you have to. Well, you don't!"
"Yes, I do!"
"But why?" Eddie asks softly.
"Because I have to let you go."
Eddie swallows, tears falling from his eyes. "Why do you have to let me go? Tell me, please," Eddie begs.
"Because I can't have you in the way I want to. That I crave to. That's why." Buck attempts to turn around again, but Eddie grabs hold of his wrist again, spinning him right back around.
"How do you want me? B-because I want you too. In so many ways, Evan Buckley."
Buck gulps, nervously meeting Eddie's eyes. "In every way. B-b-because I love you. B-because I'm in love with you."
Eddie's heart races, and a smile creeps onto his face. "I'm in love with you, too, Buck. I'm sorry I didn't say it before. I didn't want to lose you, and I almost did. I'm sorry."
Buck's eyes go wide. "Y-you love me?"
Eddie cocks his head and a small grin on his face. "Of course, I love you. I've loved you for a long time, but only recently I finally admitted it to myself." Eddie grabs hold of both of Buck's hands. "You're it for me. You've always been it for me. I was just too repressed to let myself feel it."
Tears slip from Buck's eyes, and Eddie doesn't hesitate to wipe them away.
"You're it for me too, Eddie."
"Will you stay, please? I'll make up for what I said to you last night, I promise. I hate hurting you."
"I forgave you already."
"I haven't forgiven myself for it yet."
Buck chuckles wetly.
"Will you kiss me now?" Eddie asks, looking up at Buck through his ridiculously long eyelashes.
Buck grins, closing the gap between them, joining their lips for a short kiss.
"That's all?" Eddie teases.
Buck shakes his head, letting his bag fall from his shoulder, grabbing Eddie by his face, pulling him into a deeper, passionate kiss this time.
Eddie wraps his arms around Buck's neck, keeping the blonde close.
"I love you. I'm sorry for what I said," Eddie whispers into the kiss, the fallen tears on their cheeks mixing together.
"It's okay. I love you too."
The two kiss for God knows how long until they hear a throat clear behind them.
The two turn to see Chris standing by their bedroom door. "You guys done fighting now?"
Buck and Eddie laugh, hands falling back to their sides, lips swollen, cheeks flushed, and hair all messy from their hands running through them.
"Y-yeah, we're good, mijo."
"Will Buck stay forever now that you guys are together? You are together, right?"
Buck's mouth falls open.
"Yeah, he'll stay." Eddie looks up at Buck. "If he wants to."
Buck looks down at Eddie. "Yeah. I want to."
Eddie smiles. "And how does boyfriend sound to you?" Eddie asks.
"Sounds good to me," Buck beams.
"Good. Just no kissing in front of me. It's gross watching my dads kiss."
Eddie laughs, his cheeks getting redder, it spreading to his whole face.
"You got it, kid," Eddie tells Christopher.
But Buck, Buck's crying.
"Buck?" Eddie and Chris ask.
"Y-you ca-called me..." Buck can't even finish what he wants to say; he's still crying.
Chris rolls his eyes. "I've seen you as my other dad for a long time, Buck."
"Really?" Buck gasps.
Chris nods, walking over to hug Buck. "I love you, Buck."
Buck hugs him back, tears coming out harder. "I love you too, kiddo. So much."
Eddie smiles at the sight. "We can make it official when we get married."
Chris smiles, pulling away from Buck. "I'd like that."
Buck is shocked. "You want to marry me?"
Eddie laughs with an eye roll. "Yes, Evan. I want everything with you."
"I-I want everything with you, too, Eddie."
"Good. C'mere." Eddie opens his arms for an embrace that Buck doesn't hesitate to take. "Now let's put everything back where it belongs."
Buck chuckles wetly into the nape of Eddie's neck. "In a minute. Don't want to let go yet."
"Ugh, you guys are weird. I'll be in my room playing video games, shout when it's time for dinner." Chris works out, heading to the kitchen to get himself some lunch before going to play games in his room.
A bit after Chris leaves, Buck pulls back from the embrace.
"You okay, amor?" Eddie asks.
Buck nods, sniffling, wiping the tears away. "Yeah. I got a kid and a boyfriend all in one day."
"Chris has been your kid from the moment you two met. It's just more official now."
Buck smiles adoringly at his boyfriend. "I love you."
"Love you more." Eddie goes onto his tiptoes and pecks Buck's lips. "Want to put everything back now?"
Buck nods. "Let me text Ravi and tell him no need to look for places for me. And tell Maddie I'm not going to be crashing on the couch."
"Okay, sweetheart, don't take too long, I'll miss you."
"Eddie."
"Shut up. We're codependent. You'll miss me too."
"Yeah. I will. Love you."
"Love you, too."
They share one more sweet kiss before Buck goes into the living room to grab his phone to text Maddie and Ravi.
While Buck is doing that, Eddie unpacks Buck's duffel bag, putting everything back where it belongs.
He finds an oversized LAFD hoodie that says Buckley on the back in the process and slips it on over his current shirt.
It's a little big in the arms, and the hem extends well past his ass, but it's perfect. And smells like Buck.
Yeah, Eddie's keeping this. This is his now.
He could even surprise Buck one day when Buck comes home to a kid-less house, Eddie leaning against the archway, just wearing the hoodie, maybe with some lingerie under it.
Yeah. Genius idea.
He makes a note in his head to do that sometime.
"That looks good on you," Buck's voice sounds from behind Eddie as he hangs the last of Buck's shirts and cardigans in their closet.
Eddie spins around with a grin on his face. "Yeah?" Buck nods, looking Eddie up and down very intensely. "Good, because I'm keeping this. You're only wearing it to keep it smelling like you."
Buck chuckles, walking over to Eddie, putting his hands on Eddie's waist. "No complaints from me."
"Good." Eddie pecks Buck's lips. "Everything good with Maddie and Ravi?"
Buck nods. "Yup. All good." Buck can't help but admire Eddie in his hoodie. "It's dangerous with you wearing this."
"You like it, huh?" Eddie flirts.
Buck nods, biting his bottom lip. "Very much. Like to the point where I want you naked. Maybe only wearing this, with my name on your back."
"Ooh, someone's possessive."
Buck cocks a brow. "Just me? You wouldn't go feral in me wearing your LAFD Diaz hoodie?"
Eddie gulps, his pupils dilating.
"Guess we're both possessive."
"Guess so."
The two lean closer to each other, joining their lips together, making out for a solid half hour before they put the rest of Buck's stuff back in their home spots.
When they're in the bathroom, Eddie's in front of the sink, putting everything back on the vanity when Buck comes up behind him, hugging him to the blonde's chest.
Buck shoves his nose into Eddie's neck, watching Eddie through the mirror
"Hi," Eddie beams.
"Hey, baby."
"Promise you'll stay with us forever."
Buck squeezes Eddie tighter. "I promise. Just like I'll love you forever."
Eddie smiles wider at Buck through the mirror. "Good. Because I'll love you forever, too."
Buck grins, shoving his face back into Eddie's neck.
Eventually, they get everything put back, then dinner is made, but they're wrapped up in each other that it takes longer than usual, but Chris is glad he didn't have to watch them be all gross and in love. The past eight years were enough.
Buck keeps his promise and stays.
He doesn't stay in South Bedford forever, though.
Neither does Chris nor Eddie.
Because a year after they confessed their feelings, they got married and moved into a bigger house to hold themselves and the two adorable little girls they adopted a few years later.