Work Text:
“Something's wrong,” Buck muttered as he stared up at Eddie who was getting ready to pull up the weight for the next challenge. “Something's not right.”
“Huh?” Ryan, a firefighter from the 113, said, concern lacing his tone.
While they may have been quite literally fighting half an hour ago, he could tell that Buck was worrying about something, and while he was probably only asking to get an edge, Buck didn't care, at least he was still a little concerned.
“Eddie,” Buck said as an answer, glancing at Ryan who just raised an eyebrow at him to continue. “He-he’s…distracted by something.”
“Oh,” Ryan said, seemingly thinking that that wasn't a cause for concern, clearly he doesn’t know Eddie. “Then, maybe your boyfriend needs to get his head in the game.”
Buck sputtered, turning to look at Ryan with wide eyes. “I-he’s not my boyfriend,” Buck squeaked, momentarily forgetting the whole reason he was talking with the man next to him in the first place as his cheeks flushed pink.
“Really?” Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow, which made him look even more intimidating since he already had his arms crossed. “Could've fooled me.”
“A-anyways,” Buck said, turning his attention back to Eddie. “Something's wrong, but I can't put my finger on what it is.”
“Well, do you think he'll be a danger to himself or others?” Ryan asked, a serious undertone to his voice. “‘Cause if he is, you might be better off pulling out of the challenge, and this isn't me trying to get you guys out or anything. Genuinely, if there's a chance someone could get hurt, it would be better to nip it in the bud.”
Buck sighed, nodding his head. “Yeah. He should be fine, but I'll pull him out as soon as I see something that's a cause for concern,” Buck said, still trying to decipher the look on Eddie's face.
Eddie was staring down at the weight like he couldn't actually see it. He looked like he was disassociating, but not because he was bored or anything of the sort. But because he was worried or reliving something.
What's happened to Eddie that could cause him to be triggered by having to pull up a weight? Buck was trying to recall every single traumatic moment that Eddie had–which was just about every shift.
Was there any times when he had trouble pulling up a weight or even a person? Buck couldn't remember. He was trying his damndest to remember, but it wasn't coming to him. Sure, there'd been times when Eddie struggled a little bit pulling someone out of water, but everyone who they'd saved like that survived.
Even with that said. It could still affect Eddie, but Buck knew how Eddie worked. He tried to separate his work life from his home life as much as he could, so he'd completely compartmentalize things, or traumas. He'd try to completely block out what had happened on shift–it never works, but he keeps trying anyways–and then he'd act like it hadn't affected him even if it resonated with his soul a little too much.
Buck was trying to think of any of those types of calls. Any that could've stuck with Eddie. They hadn't had anything too bad that could've resonated with Eddie. Well…there was Abigail, but that has nothing to do with the weight he has to pull. Eddie hadn't had to pull Abigail out of anything…or physically he hadn't. Mentally though…
“Firefighters. On your marks, get set, go!” Cammie yelled, and Eddie along with the other firefighters began pulling the weight.
Buck watched Eddie's eyes snap to attention. He grabbed the rope and immediately, the adrenaline in his veins was visible on his face. Eddie was running on fight or flight and the challenge had just started. What was affecting him?
A flash of light. Everything came rushing to the forefront of Buck's mind, and his heart dropped to his toes.
Shit.
The memories flooded forward, everything playing in a flash as if Buck turned the video feed to two times speed. Buck had watched a video clip of the lightning strike. His therapist had suggested it, for closure, so he could know that his team was there, that he was alive because they saved him.
Buck had watched as Eddie flew off of the ladder truck and upon getting up, immediately rushed up the ladder, yelling his name. The lightning had struck Buck, but the lightning had ricocheted through the truck and hit Eddie with a secondary strike. He'd been hurt, but all he'd focused on was helping Buck.
Buck who had been hanging off of the end of the ladder, his lifeless body dangling helplessly. Eddie had thrown out any regard for his safety and rushed up the ladder, almost slipping several times. Buck had been so scared when he watched that video, thinking he’d see Eddie fall down the ladder or something and not get caught because he didn’t have a tether.
Eddie had eventually made it to the top, apparently counting the entire time. He’d yelled his name as he tried to pull Buck up, even though the ladder was being lowered. Eddie had tried to use every last bit of his strength to pull Buck up, to get him to safety, to just feel a pulse, but he hadn’t been able to pull Buck up.
Now, Eddie was being asked to do the same thing without the rain, a ladder truck, and Buck at the other end. Buck could see the oncoming panic attack coming from a mile away. He should do something.
No.
He needed to do something.
Buck ran. The other firefighters around him were yelling at him, confused why he was breaking the rules. Buck couldn’t give a fuck about the rules, though. All he cared about was getting Eddie to safety–Bobby would understand, be proud even.
Buck heard Cammie come over the mic, barely able to make out what she was saying over the blood rushing in his ears. “Buckley! What are you doing? Get back to your post!” she yelled, confusion written all over her face, but Buck couldn’t take his eyes off of the stairs.
He needed to get to Eddie, but he also couldn’t get hurt in the process, Eddie would never forgive himself if he did. Buck looked down at the stairs, running up as fast as he could. Buck’s leg was sore, had been since they helped that guy, but he ignored it, straining his muscles as much as he could.
There were so many stairs. Buck thought his legs were going to give out before he got to the top to help Eddie, but it was right as that thought crossed his mind that he made it to the top. He saw the backs of all the firefighters pulling the weight, but he ignored them as his eyes locked on the back of Eddie.
Eddie’s arms were straining against his LAFD shirt, and Buck would’ve admired the sight if he didn’t know exactly why Eddie was being pumped full of adrenaline. Buck knew what was going through Eddie’s mind. All the man was thinking about was Buck. Saving him, pulling him up.
Buck rushed forward, wrapping his arms around Eddie’s waist, the man’s grip going lax out of surprise. Buck pulled him backwards, causing them both to fall on their asses. There was a loud thud as the weight Eddie’d been pulling hit the ground below them. It reminded Buck that they were in the middle of a challenge, but he couldn’t care less about that when Eddie was in such a state of disarray.
Buck pulled Eddie to his feet, steadying the man by keeping his arms wrapped around his waist. He could hear the quick and heavy breaths Eddie was taking, the first signs of his panic attack. Once Eddie was stable, Buck removed his hands from his waist and put them on his shoulders.
“Come on,” he said softly, gently pushing Eddie in front of him as he began to lead him down the stairs. Eddie went willingly, and Buck felt like he was conducting a marionette with how easily Eddie followed his every move.
They quickly made their way down the stairs, Eddie’s breathing only getting worse as they did, causing Buck to worry for his body’s systems, but he was especially worried that if he didn’t get Eddie’s breathing under control soon that it would cause him to pass out, or worse, cause temporary lack of oxygen to his brain.
They made it to the end of the stairs, and Buck began to steer Eddie away from the stairs, closer to the bleachers. Eddie was going to need to sit down, and it would be better if the cameras didn’t see him as much. Buck knew how much Eddie would hate a video of him being ‘weak’ going viral on the internet, so Buck tried to block him from the view of the camera as much as possible.
In doing so, Buck hadn’t realized Eddie’s sudden sluggish movements. Suddenly, Eddie’s knees buckled and Buck scrambled to catch him before he could hit the concrete floor. He caught Eddie by his armpits, slowly lowering him down to his knees before quickly moving to stand in front of him.
Eddie’s hyperventilating was way worse now, his breaths coming out in quick but short bursts before he inhaled again. Eddie’s head was hanging low, his eyes closed as he pressed a hand to his chest. “Hey. Hey,” Buck said, putting his hands on Eddie’s shoulders as he tried to move his head to meet Eddie’s eyes.
“I’m right here,” Buck said before pulling Eddie into a tight embrace, holding onto the back of Eddie’s head, stroking his hair lightly as he rested his chin on top of his head, Eddie’s hair tickling his nose. Eddie’s head was pressed against Buck’s chest, and Buck was able to feel every puff of air he let out, even through his turnout gear.
Buck knew he had to move Eddie, but he didn’t want to move an inch, especially if this position was helping Eddie even a smidge. Buck heard the gasping breaths, the choked off sobs, and he felt the unadulterated fear in the air that surrounded him.
Buck hated this. He hated that Eddie had to deal with these panic attacks. He hated that so many bad things had happened to cause Eddie to have these panic attacks. He hated that he couldn't do more to help his best friend.
Eddie was hurting, and Buck hated that he was the cause of it. Sure, he hadn’t done anything recently to cause Eddie’s panic attack, but Buck was the one to make Eddie pull the weight for this challenge when he could’ve easily done it, he was the one who died, he was the source of Eddie’s panic, the reason he had these attacks–at least the most recent ones.
“B-Buck?” Eddie asked through gasping breaths, pulling Buck from his thoughts.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m right here, Eddie. I’m right here,” Buck said, his voice loud to Eddie but quiet enough that no one would hear him but Eddie. The man’s grip on his turnouts tightened as he tried to make his mouth work. “Hey. Hey. You don’t need to talk, focus on breathing.”
Eddie didn’t listen, continuing in his effort to gain control over his vocal chords. “C-can we mo-move?” Eddie asked, and Buck felt like such a jerk.
He’d basically just told Eddie to shut up when all he was trying to do was ask him to move them. He hadn’t tried to move them at first because he was more worried about Eddie and his breathing than small things like the comfortability of their position. All he’d cared about was Eddie.
“Ye-yeah,” Buck said immediately. He moved his hands to rest just under Eddie’s armpits as he worked to pull Eddie up, and stand up himself, at the same time. Buck felt a twinge of pain shoot up his leg, he winced but ignored it in favor of getting Eddie to somewhere more comfortable.
“Y-your leg. I-it’s bo-bothering you,” Eddie concluded, still hyperventilating as Buck got him to his feet. “I-I’m sorry.”
“Hey. Hey,” Buck said, cradling Eddie’s face in his hands. There were tear stains running down his cheeks, more tears glistening in front of his sclera. His eyes were red and puffy, his cheeks flushed pink, and his breathing was shallow, but he met Buck’s eyes either way. “It’s not your fault. You can’t control this, and you definitely can’t control when my leg starts bothering me. I’ll be fine, focus on breathing.”
Eddie looked torn as he shook in Buck’s arms. Buck could tell that he wanted to help him, but he knew that Eddie would listen to him, knowing that he can’t help anyone else if he isn’t at his best. Eddie nodded eventually, and Buck smiled at him.
He took Eddie’s arm and wrapped it around his shoulders, holding Eddie’s right hand with his own, before wrapping his left arm around Eddie’s shoulders and pulling him into his side as they made their way towards the bleachers.
Buck could feel Eddie’s racing heart rate from where his arm was pressed against his neck. He also felt each breath Eddie let out. His breathing was slowing slightly but not enough–the extra movement didn’t help. Eddie was shaking like a leaf, like he was standing in a blizzard in a t-shirt and shorts. Buck knew he needed to get Eddie’s panic attack under control soon.
They made it to the bleachers in one piece–surprisingly, Buck had expected Eddie’s knees to buckle at least once. Buck sat Eddie down on the end of the bleachers, facing the racing firefighters who were still putting on their turnouts. Speaking of turnouts, maybe if he took his turnout coat off, Eddie would be able to hear his heartbeat better and calm down faster.
Buck quickly undid his turnout coat and shrugged it off, setting it on Eddie’s lap before he stood next to him, pulling Eddie’s head against his chest and holding it there. Eddie closed his eyes, focusing on Buck’s heart. He was still breathing fast, but it was starting to slow down the longer he listened to Buck’s heartbeat. Buck stroked Eddie’s hair, whispering reassurances into the man’s ear, hoping it would help.
Buck had his left hand on Eddie’s left shoulder while his other hand held Eddie’s head against his chest, stroking the strands with his thumb. He kept his eyes on Eddie while the crowd around them cheered for the firefighters still competing. Buck only felt a little bad for pulling them out of the race, but he felt better about it when he looked at Eddie’s face, all tear stained and splotchy red. He knew Eddie would thank him later.
“Excuse me?” a woman with wavy blonde hair, and a shirt that had the 113’s number on it, said, slowly approaching the duo before sitting on the level just behind Eddie. “How’s he doin’?”
Buck gave her a small smile as he looked back down at Eddie whose breathing was regulating. His tears were still falling, but he wasn’t shaking as bad, and there was only a stutter in his breathing every once in a while.
“He’s doing better,” Buck told her as he absentmindedly stroked Eddie’s hair and rubbed circles into his shoulder with his thumb. “Thanks for checkin’.”
“Of course,” the woman said, smiling softly as she looked from Buck to Eddie. Then, she extended her hand to Buck. “I’m Blythe, what’re your names?”
Buck briefly removed his hand from Eddie’s shoulder and shook her hand before returning it to its rightful place on Eddie’s shoulder. “I’m Buck, and this is Eddie,” Buck introduced as he started rocking back and forth on his heels. “It’s nice to meet you, Blythe.”
“It’s nice to meet you two as well,” she said, the smile of a concerned mother plastered on her lips.
“So,” Buck said, breaking the short bout of silence they’d settled into. “You’re here for the 113?”
She nodded, her smile becoming more fond. “Yes. Donnie’s my husband, and Ryan’s my son,” she said, happy to talk about her boys. Buck nodded.
“Sorry that I called your son a nepo baby,” he apologized, feeling slightly embarrassed at his earlier self for being so petty. “I drank too many energy drinks that I broke my brain to mouth filter, or that’s what Eddie thinks.”
Blythe chuckled. “Ah, it’s fine,” she consoled, a smile on her lips as she waved her hand as if she was waving away his concern. “Ry and Donnie are worse, trust me. And while I don’t like the squabble you all got into, it was honestly bound to happen at some point.”
Buck nodded, noticing the way Eddie had slumped against him, his breathing back to normal now. “So Blue’s also your son, yeah?” Buck asked, realizing she hadn’t mentioned the man.
Blythe shook her head. “Do I consider him my son? Sure, he’s a great boy, but I’m not his mama,” she said, smiling at Buck. “He and Ry are half-brothers.”
“Oh, I see,” Buck said, interested in this story. Maybe he could get Blythe’s number, and they could gossip over text sometime.
“Y’know,” Eddie suddenly said, voice rough from everything that had just happened. “I wasn’t gonna get involved in the squabble or whatever, but then Blue pushed you, and I felt this overwhelming urge to haul out and deck him.”
Buck’s heart skipped a beat at the admission. “Yeah?” he asked, taking a deep breath as he held back the tears of immense happiness that threatened to fall. He couldn’t cry now.
Eddie tilted his head back to meet Buck’s eyes, his ear still pressed to Buck’s chest. “Yeah,” Eddie said, a small smile creeping onto his face.
Buck wanted to say something, anything. But it was at that moment that Cammie came over the mic and announced, “And Kenosha wins their first event! Nashville coming in second!”
Buck turned his head to look at the course and saw Ryan helping Carl, a huge smile overtaking his face as he highfived the man.
Nashville may have won the games, but Buck felt like he’d won the lottery when Eddie tilted his head to look at him once again and grinned before saying, “Next year, that’ll be us.”
Buck was breathless as he grinned back before saying, “Duh.”
{ :) }
Don had invited them to the after party for the firefighter games, but Buck had turned down the invitation under the guise that Eddie needed to rest after everything that happened–he was also really tired and didn’t want to go out to a bar or anything. He compromised with Don by exchanging numbers with everyone from the 113 as well as those from the other houses, so that they could all hang out later if they wanted.
After that, Buck and Eddie had gone back to the hotel, a comfortable silence settled over them. They took turns taking showers, washing away the events of the day, before crawling into bed together.
Their hotel room only had one queen sized bed, which Buck had kind of freaked out about at first, but when he saw that Eddie wasn’t affected, he’d forced himself to calm down and deal with it. What he didn’t know was that Eddie had freaked out, he just chose not to show it.
Now, both men were laying in their shared bed, both staring at the ceiling as they thought over the day’s events. Buck honed in on Eddie’s breathing, the slow in and out of the sound, while Eddie did the same.
“Hey,” Eddie said, getting Buck’s attention as he broke the silence they’d settled into.
“Yeah?” Buck asked when Eddie didn’t immediately go on. He turned his head to find Eddie already looking at him.
“Thank you, for helping me today,” Eddie said, reaching out under the covers and wrapping his hand around Buck’s wrist, his pointer and middle finger finding his radial artery. “M’sorry we had to pull out of the challenge. We probably would’ve won.”
“Hey,” Buck said, rolling onto his side to face Eddie better without breaking his neck in the process. “You don’t have to apologize. You had a panic attack, a trauma response.”
“I know, b-but I still feel bad,” Eddie confessed, rolling onto his side as well so he could meet Buck’s gaze. “Hey, by the way, how’s your leg feeling?”
Buck sighed, scooting a little closer to Eddie. He understood where Eddie was coming from when he said he felt bad, Buck would probably feel the same way in his position even though it isn’t Eddie’s fault. He gave the man a small and tired smile.
“It doesn’t hurt as bad, but the muscles feel a little tight,” he responded before reaching his hand down to rub at his calf. “I’ll probably put a heating patch on in the morning since we have that long drive ahead of us.”
Eddie propped himself up on his elbow. “Have you taken anything for the pain?” he asked, ready to get out of the bed as soon as Buck answered.
“Eddie, I’m fine,” he tried to reassure as Eddie just got out of the bed and walked over to his backpack. Buck sat up, wincing as the movement jostled his leg.
“Mhm,” Eddie said, knowing that Buck was fibbing. He stood up with two tablets in his hand and a bottle of water. He walked over to Buck and handed it to him. “Sure, Buckley. Take these anyways.”
Buck rolled his eyes before taking the pills in hand and throwing them back, washing them down with a gulp of water. “You’re the worst,” he said, no real heat behind his words as he handed Eddie the bottle of water. Eddie just rolled his eyes as he took the bottle and set it on the nightstand.
“At least you’re taken care of,” he retorted, walking away from the bed and to the room's closet–the irony of Eddie walking into a closet almost made Buck laugh, not because it was Eddie, but because he walked into a closet just to come out. Buck let out a small giggle. “What’s got you giggling like a little school girl?” Eddie asked as he came out of the closet with pillows in hand–Buck lost it.
Eddie stared at him like he had three heads. He blinked a few times before giving up on trying to figure out Buck's brain. He walked over to the end of the bed and pulled the covers off of him, Buck just continued laughing, not caring about the loss of warmth from the covers being gone.
Eddie rolled his eyes as he gently lifted Buck’s leg up and placed the pillows beneath it. Buck barely noticed through the fog of laughter surrounding his every waking thought. It was only when Eddie–literally–slapped a heating patch onto his leg that he became aware of his surroundings again.
“Aye!” he yelled as he sat up a bit before throwing himself down again, finally noticing the pillows and heating patch. “Oh. Did you do that while I was laughing?”
“Yes, giggle shits,” Eddie said, rolling his eyes before walking back into the closet–Buck started to die laughing all over again. “Díos,” Eddie muttered before walking out of the closet with an extra blanket. “What could be that funny?”
“Y-you–,” Buck started before getting cut off by another bout of laughter. Eddie just stared at him as Buck folded in half, laughter bubbling up from his stomach and up his throat. “You came out of the closet,” Buck choked out before devolving into another fit of giggles.
Eddie froze before side eyeing Buck, no heat behind the stare. “Really, Buckley?” he said, deadpan as he rolled his eyes and rounded the bed. “Did you really have to steal my thunder?”
“Huh?” Buck asked through giggles as the bed dipped under Eddie’s weight. He flipped onto his side, keeping his leg elevated as he did. “What are you on about?”
“You just came out for me,” Eddie said, a small but fond smile on his lips. Buck’s eyebrows scrunched together, confusion taking over his entire being. Eddie sighed before scooching himself closer to Buck. “I'm gay, and you just made a closeted joke, so now I don't have to come out of the closet because you did it for me.”
Buck stopped laughing, frozen at the realization of what Eddie was telling him. Eddie was telling him that he's gay. Eddie was coming out to Buck, and he was just laughing like an absolute moron.
Eddie started to laugh, only making Buck’s inner turmoil grow like a fungus. “Eddie–,” Buck started before cutting himself off, unable to form the right words without knowing if he'd regret what tumbled out of his mouth or not.
Eddie rested his hand on Buck’s tricep and started rubbing soothing circles with his thumb. Eddie didn’t meet Buck’s eyes as he stared at where his hand was resting. “I know that it’s sudden, but I mean, I wasn’t planning on really hiding it from you. I was waiting for a good time, and I felt like this was it,” he said, eyes unfocusing as he rambled on.
Buck didn’t have enough time to stop himself as he reached forwards and cupped Eddie’s cheek, causing the man’s eyes to snap back into focus as he met Buck’s. “You don’t owe me an explanation,” Buck said, choked up at the thought of Eddie not wanting to hide something big from him–no one had ever done that, but then again, most of those were big things about others, not themselves.
“Hey,” Eddie said, using his free hand to cup Buck’s cheek, similar to how Buck was cupping Eddie’s, as he wiped a stray tear from Buck’s face–he hadn’t even realized he started crying. He was too emotional for this. “Buck, I want you to know, I trust you with every fiber of my being. You wouldn’t be in my will if I didn’t.”
Buck nodded, obviously he knew this, but there was a difference between a logical conclusion and a confirmation from the source. Buck was the type of person to come to a logical conclusion before second-guessing himself and needing confirmation from the source. Eddie understood this part of Buck, and he’s always more than willing to reassure him in any way possible.
“Thank you,” Buck choked out, closing his eyes as he leaned into Eddie’s touch and caressed his cheek with his thumb. Buck felt the bed dip even more around him as Eddie shifted closer to him. He didn’t realize just how close the man was until he felt a strong arm wrap around him and pull him close.
“Always,” Eddie said, burying his face in Buck’s curls, his hand still cradling Buck's cheek while his arm wrapped around his torso. Buck, being the selfish man he is, buried his face in Eddie's chest and let himself be held.
They stayed like that for God knows how long, a charged silence crackling between them like lightning readying itself to strike–they would know what that was like. At some point, Eddie had pulled the covers over them again, but Buck had barely registered it, with Eddie holding him and all.
He liked how things were, it was so peaceful he almost fell asleep. Almost. That was until Eddie asked, “Do you wanna know how I figured it out?” Buck let out some small noise that must've conveyed his confusion well enough since Eddie continued, “Do you wanna know how I figured out that I like men?”
Buck was suddenly wide awake, slowly lifting his chin, so he could see Eddie's face. The man was staring at him with nothing but adoration and fondness, not a single negative thought behind those beautiful brown eyes. It made Buck's heart stutter.
Then, Eddie started petting his curls, fingers moving in and out of his hair rhythmically. It's as if Eddie was trying to lull him to sleep. “It was after we finished putting everything in the Uhaul,” Eddie said, causing Buck to blink in surprise. “It was before we said goodbye, right after I closed the door to the thing. I realized how much I was gonna miss everything. LA, the 118, but especially you.”
Buck’s heart stopped–and trust, he knows what that feels like. What was Eddie trying to say? He let out a strangled sound, which must’ve clued Eddie into his confusion. And the man had the audacity to start chuckling.
“You idiot,” he addressed, still no heat behind the words, only fondness. “I'm trying to profess my love here.”
“That's a new word,” Buck said in an attempt to control the emotions bubbling up in his chest. Eddie laughed, a full on belly laugh that Buck felt rumble through the man's chest. It was a comforting feeling, grounding him. “I–shit. I’m doing this wrong,” Buck said, face going red when he realized what he said.
Buck started to pull away from Eddie–feeling like he was invading his space, but he also felt like he was gonna have a panic attack–but he wasn’t having that, tightening his arm around Buck’s waist to keep him close.
“Ah-ah,” Eddie said in a chiding tone. Buck looked up to meet his eyes again. “You’re not going anywhere now that I have you, Mister.” Buck saw the mischievous glint in his eyes as a wry smile made itself present on his lips.
“Eddie,” Buck said, his tone on the edge of pleading. He wanted this so bad, but he couldn’t tell if Eddie was playing with his heart strings or if he was being serious. “Please, tell me you’re not joking. Because if you are, this is a sick joke.”
Eddie rolled his eyes, his smile turning into something more annoyed. “Por el amor de Díos,” he said, a passion behind his words.
Buck was going to try and pull away again, but then, Eddie’s hand, that had been cradling his cheek, moved to cup his jaw, tilting his chin up to meet Eddie’s gaze. “Idiota,” was the only warning Buck got before Eddie pulled him closer and encapsulated his lips with his own.
The kiss was slow, sweet even. Buck was surprised by it though, not moving for a few seconds before realizing that this was really happening and kissing back. Eddie chuckled against his lips at his antics, which only caused Buck to pull him in closer–he needed to be as close to the man as possible. If he was allowed to finally do this, he was going to milk it for all he could get from it.
Buck clenched his fists in Eddie’s flimsy, cotton shirt before hooking his right leg over the man’s beefy calf–God damn, since when were Eddie’s legs this meaty? Buck ignored that fact, filing it away for later, in favor of using his newfound leverage to push Eddie onto his back and get on top of him.
Buck pulled away from the kiss for a moment for two reasons. 1) he needed more air after that move he made. 2) he wanted to admire Eddie in this position. Buck was sitting with one leg on either side of Eddie’s thighs with his butt sitting just on top of Eddie’s…well, y’know.
Eddie had his hands resting on either one of Buck’s hips, his hair all mussed as it lay splayed against the white pillow under his head. His cheeks were a rosy red, his eyes a beautiful golden brown, the light making it look like his eyes were sparkling. His lips were kiss-swollen, and Buck knew that his were the exact same.
Buck was about to lean down and kiss him again when Eddie said, “Eres mi pieza faltante. Me alegro de haber completado finalmente el rompecabezas.”
“In English?” Buck asked as he leaned down, so his mouth was only inches from Eddie’s.
“You’ll have to start watching more telanovelas,” Eddie muttered before removing one of his hands from Buck’s waist in favor of placing it on the back of his neck. “You’re my missing piece. I’m glad I finally found it.”
“Such a sap,” Buck teased as tears began to well in his eyes. Eddie removed his other hand from his waist and placed it on his cheek, wiping away the tears that fell.
“Te amo, por siempre y para siempre,” Eddie said, warmth filling his features as he stared at Buck, his eyes never leaving those baby blues. Eddie leaned Buck’s forehead against his own before saying, “Esto es para siempre, Evan.”
Buck smiled, and he looked like he was going to say something when the phone in their hotel room started ringing. Buck groaned as he threw himself off of Eddie and onto the bed. “Exagerado,” Eddie muttered, rolling his eyes as he pushed himself up and off the bed.
Eddie picked the phone up off of the little stand thing it was on before pressing a button to put it on speaker and putting it down again. “Hello?” he asked, unsure if what he’d just done had actually worked or not.
“Hi, this is…Eddie Diaz and Evan Buckley, yes?” the woman on the other line, who Buck was pretty sure was the receptionist down stairs, asked, her voice sounding tired.
“Yes, how can I help you?” Eddie asked, raising an eyebrow at Buck to see if he knew what was going on. Buck just shrugged as he propped himself up on his elbow.
“Well, I’m calling from the front desk, and before I go on, I would just like to apologize for not letting you know sooner. With the chaos of the firefighter games and all the guests arriving for that, it was just too busy,” the woman said, sounding apologetic and overworked–Buck’s gonna give her a tip later. “But your captain, or old captain–I’m sorry for your loss by the way–he left a note on the reservation for you two.”
Both men blinked at each other, confused. What message would Bobby leave with their reservation? Eddie cleared his throat before saying, “It’s fine, I get how crazy things can be. Uh, what did the note say?”
“All it says is ‘I hope you boys enjoy your pre-honeymoon vacation - Bobby Nash,’” the woman said.
Both of them froze, staring at each other in utter shock and disbelief. How had Bobby known before either of them? Eddie, ever the more present one, responded to the woman. “I see. Well, thank you for telling us about it. Uh, have a great rest of your day.”
“I’ll try,” the woman said, sighing tiredly. “You boys have fun with your pre-honeymoon or whatever your captain called it. But don’t have too much fun and cause your neighbors to start calling down here.”
Buck went beet red from his ears to his chest. Eddie also started blushing but his was more subtle. There was no goodbye or anything as a low beeping started, the woman having ended the call. Eddie pressed a button, supposedly to turn the phone off or acknowledge the fact that the call was over, before climbing back into bed.
There was silence for a moment before Eddie reached over, cupping Buck’s cheek again. “You heard the lady,” Eddie said, catching Buck off guard. “Not too much fun.” Buck flushed an even deeper red as Eddie absentmindedly rubbed at his birthmark.
Yeah, he could get used to this.
{ :) }
Maddie: Congratulations for finally pulling your heads out of your asses! 🥳🍹
Buck: huh?
what are you talking about?
Maddie: Christopher told us that you guys finally started dating
Buck: ?????
we haven’t even told him
HOW does he know 😰
Maddie: honestly, he’s probably psychic 🧠
Buck hearted ‘honestly, he’s probably psychic 🧠’
Buck: well guess the cat’s out of the bag
yes Eddie and I are tg now
and somehow Bobby knew we were in love with each other before we did???
Maddie: congratulations and….what?
Buck: I’ll explain later
Maddie: you better
now when did this happen?
Buck: last night…
Maddie: you both need to get your wine ready because once you get home, the three of us are having a wine night, and you’re gonna tell me what happened 🫵
Buck: to a point…🤐
Maddie: huh?
Buck: you won’t want to know what happens after a certain point…
Maddie: EW YEAH OBVIOUSLY
Jesus, Buck 🤮
Buck: 🙄
anyways gotta go
my BOYFRIEND is calling 😁
Maddie: and my HUSBAND is calling me 💍
Buck: SIGH you got me there…😒
Maddie: I love you, Buck 💖
And I’m happy for you
Buck: thanks Maddie 💖
I love you too 💖
{ :) }
Eddie: How did you know Buck and I were dating? 🤨
Christopher: wait…REALLY?
you’re not kidding right?
because if you are I’m going back to El Paso
Eddie: Buck said you told the others?
Christopher: I was starting a rumor so you guys WOULD ACTUALLY get tg 🥀
you’re actually tg? 🤨
Eddie: Yes, we are. Are you okay with that?
Christopher: okay with it? I’ve been WAITING for it
I knew you loved him after you first met but it was solidified after the tsunami
I’ve waited YEARS for this
yes I’m okay with it
I’m OVERJOYED
Eddie: I’m happy to hear that. 💖
We’ll see you in a few days.
Christopher: I can officially tell people I have two dads without actually lying
Eddie hearted ‘I can officially tell people I have two dads without actually lying’
Eddie: Buck’s crying because you called him Dad.
Christopher: good
tell him he’s gonna have to get used to it because you are now Papa and he’s Dad
Eddie: 🫡
Christopher: I love you Dad, Papa 💖
Eddie hearted ‘I love you Dad, Papa 💖’
Eddie: Te amo, mijo. 💖
From both of us.