Chapter Text
February 10th
Buddie Watch - Bobby, Athena, Chimney, Maddie, Hen, Karen, Ravi, May, Harry
Chim: I think it’s time to bring this chat back.
May: What happened this time?
Ravi: what didnt happen is a better question
Hen: Your complete lack of grammar never fails to astound me.
Ravi: thanks!
Chim: Back to the topic at hand.
Karen: Are we bringing the bet back?
Bobby: Is that really a good idea? -BN
Chim: Why wouldn’t it be?
Maddie: Last time they nearly found out.
And it was completely your fault honey.
Chim: That wasn’t even my fault.
Harry: what happened last time?
May: Oh you weren’t in the chat last time.
Boy you’re in for a wild ride.
Chim: It doesn’t matter what happened last time.
We need to revive the bet.
Maddie: Okay, but we need rules this time.
Hen: I think the only rule we need is not to meddle during your window.
And for those who don’t remember/weren’t here last time, here’s how it works.
We will randomly choose an order that we pick our windows.
Everyone picks a window of 5 days.
No one’s windows can overlap with each other.
Last time, we all put $50 in, so we have to decide how much we will all put in next time.
I think that’s all.
Any questions?
Ravi: you just pull that out your ass?
Chim: Last year was the first bet you were included in.
We’ve been doing this for a while.
Hen: Okay, I’ve got the order we are choosing in, randomly generated.
Athena, Harry, Karen, me, Chim, May, Maddie, Ravi, Bobby.
Ravi: thats not fair
Karen: Just cause you’re last doesn’t mean that my wife cheated.
Ravi: i didn’t say that?
Harry: he totally said that
Ravi: dude?!
May: Harry, don’t.
Hen: Okay, not touching that.
Athena, you’re up first.
Athena: I’m going to take the obvious choice.
June 25th-29th
Chim: NOOO!
Karen: WHY?!
May: That’s just cruel mother.
Harry: thats what I was going to do
Maddie: I think we are good.
June is still a while away.
Ravi: whats so important about that date?
Maddie: Their birthdays.
How did you not know that?
Ravi: am i supposed to know their birthdays?
Bobby: They are your co-workers, Ravi - BN
Ravi: and?
do they know my birthday?
Hen: Okay, we are getting off track.
Athena has chosen their birthdays.
Harry, you’re choice next.
Harry: im choosing july 3rd-7th
we havent had our 4th of july bbq for a couple of years so a shift is due to be off
Karen: That’s pretty smart.
Chim: That’s a few months away, though.
Do you think it’ll take that long?
Harry: has it not already been like 8 years?
Chim: Touché.
Hen: Karen, love of my life, you’re next.
Ravi: barf
Karen: Shut up, dude.
I’m obviously choosing June 11th-15th.
Maddie: Pride parade.
Good choice.
Hen: Yes, my wife is a genius.
Okay, in the spirit of gay love, I will be choosing June 1st-5th.
Chimney: Well, you’re all wrong.
They are going to get together between April 26th-30th.
Maddie: Babe, why?
Chimney: Idk.
All my top choices have been taken.
I just went with my gut.
I could feel the pull of the last days of April pulling me in.
Karen: Maddie, why did you marry him?
Chimney: 😦
Maddie: Yeah Idk Karen.
I really don’t.
Chimney: 😧
May: Moving on.
Its my turn.
Im choosing May 15th-19th.
Harry: let me guess
May cause its your name?
May: Yes.
You got a problem with that?
Harry: no its just dumb
Ravi: its not that dumb
Harry: ??
what is going on right now?
Ravi: nothing?
Harry: 🤨
Maddie: Just gonna interrupt before this goes any further.
May 2nd-6th
Bigger window = bigger chance to win.
Harry: I just realised that this isnt fair at all
there are three married couples here
they get a better chance of winning
Ravi: that seems like a you problem
Harry: it affects you too?
Ravi: not really
Hen: How would that not affect you Ravi?
May: Yeah Ravi.
How would it not affect you?
Ravi: oh i just mean
that im gonna win this thing so it doesnt even matter
Harry: 🤨
Ravi: oh look its my turn
im choosing the winning date of july 22nd-26th
you guys have too much faith in them
Karen: Call it a gay intuition, but I can feel it coming soon.
Ravi: believe what you wanna believe
im winning this thing
Maddie: Awfully cocky for someone who is going to lose.
Chimney: Watch out Ravioli, you’ve brought out competitive Maddie.
Hen: Once again descalating.
Bobby’s turn.
Bobby?
Athena: I’ll get him.
Bobby: Sorry, everyone. - BN
February 14th-18th - BN
Ravi: see guys?
Bobby doesnt even have faith in them
although thats practically a year away
Bobby: Who says I meant next year? - BN
Valentine's Day is perfect for them to get together. - BN
Chimney: You mean the valentines day that is coming in like 4 days?
Bobby: Yes, Chimney. Yes I do. - BN
Hen: Retirement is making you go crazy old man.
Karen: Athena I think you need to check in on your husband.
Ravi: retirement is really getting to him
Harry: oh Bobby.
you seemed fine yesterday
May: How could it have all gone wrong in such a short amount of time?
Maddie: Guys, we need to be easier on him.
He’s getting old.
Athena: Do I need to be worried, honey?
Bobby: Laugh all you want, I have faith in my boys. - BN
Karen: Awww my boys.
Hen: How much are we wanting/willing to each put in?
Harry: are we all doing the same amount?
Hen: We all put the same amount.
We each put in $50 last time.
Chimney: Wait
What’s the total at now?
Hen: After 5 bets over the years, we are at a grand total of…
$820
Harry: wow
Athena: If we all put in $131 then the total will be $1999.
Maddie: I’ll put $132 in just to make it even.
Hen: Okay it’s settled.
If Buck and Eddie get together within your window then you win $2000.
If Buck and Eddie get together in no one's window, then the person who had the closest window wins half the money, and the rest is distributed evenly between everyone else.
Ground rules are that you cannot meddle during your window.
Karen: What happens if they ask us for advice?
Maddie: That’s a good question.
Buck comes to me for advice about every little thing that happens with Eddie.
Hen: I think if this happens you just give them advice that you would usually give them.
Also we must all remember to respect their boundaries and respect their privacy.
As much as they annoy us with their antics, they are human beings and we don’t want to jeopardise their relationship.
Any breaking of these rules leads to immediate disqualification.
Does everyone understand?
(Ravi liked the message)
(Karen liked the message)
(Chimney liked the message)
(May liked the message)
(Athena liked the message)
(Harry liked the message)
(Maddie liked the message)
Hen: Bobby?
Bobby: How do I like the message? - BN
Athena: Give me a second?
(Bobby liked the message)
February 14th
Buddie Watch
Hen: Bobby, your window has officially begun.
If Buck and Eddie get together within the next 5 days, you will be $2000 richer.
Also, happy valentines day everyone.
May your days be filled with love ❤️
Bobby: A day full of love and new beginnings. I am feeling hopeful. - BN
Chimney: Get ready for those dreams to be crushed old man.
Maddie: Maybe tone it down a bit honey.
Remember to update us if anything happens at work.
Ravi: can confirm that chris is going on a date so they are going to be “having beers and watching movies”
Maddie: They do that every year.
Nothing special.
Bobby: Trust the love, Maddison. - BN
Maddie: What on earth is going on?
Athena: He’s in the spirit of competition, Maddison.
Maddie: Why is everyone calling me Maddison?
It’s not even my name.
Karen: It’s okay Maddison.
Chimney: Yeah Maddison, don’t cry.
Maddie: Howard Han, if you call me Maddison one more time you will be sleeping on the couch for a month.
Chimney: Sorry Maddie.
I’m so sorry for calling you that.
Harry: bro folded like a lawn chair.
Bobby: Harry, what does “folding like a lawn chair” mean? - BN
Chimney: It means that I love and respect my wife very much.
Ravi: it means he is a beta submitting to his alpha
Chimney: What the fuck does that mean?
Ravi: it means that you love and respect your wife
February 19th
Buck and Eddie [Private Messages]
Eddie: Buuuuckkkkkk
Where are you?
Buck: Im taking a piss?
Eddie: Come back to bed,
It’s cold.
Buck: Give me a minute
Eddie: I can’t wait that long.
Buck: I never thought you would be this clingy.
Eddie: Stop messaging me and get your cute ass back in bed with me.
Buck: You think my ass is cute? 🫦
Eddie: Did I not make that clear last night?
Buck: Mmmm I feel like it could be clearer 🙃
Eddie: 😏
Hurry up.
Buddie Watch
Hen: Bobby, your window is officially over.
How does it feel to be a loser?
Bobby: Just because they have not said that they are together, does not mean they are not together. - BN
Chimney: Those two would never be able to hide being in a relationship with each other.
Ravi: they wont tell us when they get together but there will be signs
Bobby: You all underestimate them too much. - BN
Maddie: If they get together Buck will definitely tell me.
Whether he means to or not.
May: Wait what does that mean?
Maddie: Don’t even get me started.
Buck would tell me everything about his ex.
Harry: Tommy?
Ravi: NO!
Hen: Oh god
Athena: Harry, don’t say that name.
Karen: 🤮
Harry: ok i’ll just go drive myself off a cliff.
May: Harry…
Ravi: do it
May: Ravi
Ravi: sorry May
Chimney: (replied to: Harry: bro folded like a lawn chair.) Ravioli.
Harry: 🤨
Ravi: 😁
April 20th
Buddie Watch
Chimney: I’m feeling pretty confident.
Ravi: pretty confident that youll lose?
Chimney: Ravi your date is so late. If you win I’ll give you an extra $100
Ravi: your on dude
Harry: you’re*
Ravi: fuck off
May: @hen did you make a list of everyone’s dates?
Hen: I did.
Would you like me to send it through?
May: Yes please
Hen: (sent an image)
{Bobby: February 14th-18th
Chimney: April 26th-30th
Maddie: May 2nd-6th
May: May 15th-19th
Hen: June 1st-5th
Karen: June 11th-15th
Athena: June 25th-29th
Harry: July 3rd-7th
Ravi: July 22nd-26th}
May: Thanks Hen!
Maddie: (replied to: Chimney: Ravi your date is so late, if you win I’ll give you an extra $100) Why are you giving away our money?
And get off your phone and hurry up and get ready for our date.
Is Buck there yet?
Chimney: Sorry honey. I’m getting ready now. Buck has got the kiddos. I will pick you up in about 15 mins. Love you xoxo
Buck has just got to the Han’s house, and he already has a baby sleeping on his chest and a five-year-old dressing him up with all the glitz and glamour she can find.
“Got everything you need, Buckley?” Chimney
Buck cranes his head to look at Chimney. “Yes, Chim. I babysit your kids all the time. I know what I’m doing.”
“Shit,” Chimney mutters under his breath, just loud enough for Buck to hear.
Chimney rushes into his room, so Buck gets up and puts Nash in his crib. He sits back down, ready to send a picture of himself all dressed up to his boyfriend, but he is interrupted by the incessant vibrating of a phone.
Buck follows the noise to the kitchen counter, where Chimney was just standing. He must have left it there when he rushed into his room.
He is about to go and give it to Chim, but he realises that it was left on.
He really doesn’t mean to peek, but he cannot help himself when he sees his and Eddie’s names on the screen. He scrolls through some of the messages before taking his own phone out and taking a picture.
“Uncle Buck, what are you doing?” Jee asks from her spot on the couch.
Buck quickly goes over to her and puts his finger to his lips. “Shhh, it’s a secret.”
She smiles as she grabs the plastic tea set on the table. “Okay, Uncle Buck!”
Buck and Eddie [Private Messages]
Buck: Edddieeeee
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie: What do you want?
Buck: 🥺
Eddie: Sorry baby.
Is everything okay? Aren’t you with the kids?
Buck: Oh everything is ok. The kids are both asleep
Well kind of.
Eddie: What’s up?
Buck: The roof.
Eddie: 😐
Buck: Were you aware that everyone has a gc without us?
Eddie: Must be real silent without you on there.
Is that really what you needed to talk to me about?
Buck: Eddie.
Its a gc where they talk about us.
Eddie: How did you find out about this?
Buck: …
Eddie: Buck Buckley.
Buck: Oh shit. Full name.
Eddie: How did you find out about it?
Buck: Chim left his phone out and it was just constantly going off so I went to give it to him but I saw our names on the screen so I took a closer look.
Eddie: … Wha did you see?
Buck: Well first of all, the gc was called “Buddie Watch”
Eddie: I don’t get it.
Buck: Buddie = Buck + Eddie
Eddie: Ohhhh
Buck: But get this.
They made a bet.
Eddie: Without us?
That’s just rude.
Buck: About us.
Eddie: About us?
Buck: About us.
Eddie: Okay, what about us?
Buck: About when we will get together.
Eddie: You serious?
Buck: Dead serious.
Eddie: Buck…
Buck: Sorry babe.
I meant alive serious.
Eddie: Better.
So they actually have a bet on when we will get together?
Buck: Apparently this is like the 5th one or something.
Eddie: Well that’s awkward.
Did you see how much the winner gets if it's been that long?
Buck: I’m pretty sure its at like $2000
Eddie: Woah. That’s a lot.
When was this bet created?
Buck: I think it was like a week before we actually got together.
Eddie: You remember everyone’s dates?
Buck: Well actually.
(sent an image)
Harry: you’re*
Ravi: fuck off
May: @hen did you make a list of everyone’s dates?
Hen: I did.
Would you like me to send it through?
May: Yes please
Hen: (sent an image)
{Bobby: February 14th-18th
Chimney: April 26th-30th
Maddie: May 2nd-6th
May: May 15th-19th
Hen: June 1st-5th
Karen: June 11th-15th
Athena: June 25th-29th
Harry: July 3rd-7th
Ravi: July 22nd-26th}May: Thanks Hen!
Maddie: (replied to: Chimney: Ravi your date is so late, if you win I’ll give you an extra $100) Why are you giving away our money?
Eddie: Wow. Bobby won.
Buck: IKR!
Eddie: It’s like he just knew.
Buck: Eds do you realise how much power we hold with this information?
Eddie: Thats so true
Actually, I have a great idea.
Buck: Go on…
Eddie: Gaslighting.
March 4th
Peepaw and Sons - Bobby, Buck, Eddie
Eddie: Hey Bobby?
Bobby: Yes, Eddie? And Buck too, I presume? - BN
Buck: Hello!
Bobby: Hi, Buck! - BN
Eddie: Is Athena working today?
Bobby: Yes, she is working till late tonight. Do you boys want to come for dinner? I would appreciate the company. - BN
Eddie: We were actually going to ask if we could just drop in, but dinner sounds great.
Buck: Yessssss.
I miss your cooking pops.
Bobby: Sounds good. I will see you both tonight. - BN
“You won.” It is the first thing Buck says when they sit down.
“I won?” Bobby says. “What did I win?”
“Two thousand dollars, apparently,” Eddie replies.
The only thing Bobby can think of is the bet. “You know?”
They both nod with smug smiles plastered on their faces.
“And you two got together when?”
“Eighteenth of February,” Buck says.
Bobby had chosen an early date this time, compared to all the other bets where he had chosen later dates. He’d just had a strong feeling that it was coming this time, and while everyone thought he was crazy, he was right.
“I’m assuming since you two are here, you need something from me?” Bobby says.
Buck looks slightly offended. “What if we just wanted to tell you about our undying love for each other?” he says as he scoots closer to Eddie and rests his hand on his thigh.
Bobby just raises his brows.
Eddie rolls his eyes at his boyfriend. “We are telling you because we thought you would like to know that you are the actual winner before we try to convince everyone that they actually won the bet.”
“Oh?”
Buck nods. “I found the bet dates on Chim’s phone, so we came up with an idea. Well, Eddie did.”
“My idea is that we are basically going to tell everyone that we are dating, but convince them that they are the only ones who know.”
“We are also going to convince them that they each won the bet,” Buck continues. “My boyfriend is an evil genius. I love him so much.”
Bobby chuckles. It really is nice seeing it.
For so long, he has always wondered what Buck and Eddie would be like as a couple. He did not originally intend for anything to happen when he brought Eddie in to be Buck’s partner, but he is not disappointed by the results.
“I’ve got to say, this sounds like it could be pretty funny.”