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INT. BUCK’S KITCHEN, EVENING
BUCK is wrapping up a loaf of some description, his back to the entrance.
EDDIE enters with grocery bags. He sets them down on the counter and picks up two tubs of ice cream.
EDDIE
Alright, we’ve got.. Honeycomb crunch and triple chocolate, so pick your poison.
BUCK doesn’t respond.
I thought we were gonna watch movies tonight?
BUCK places down the clingwrap roll loudly, his shoulders tensing.
Close shot on his face- he is conflicted, lips pursed. He continues facing away from EDDIE.
BUCK
I can’t.
EDDIE
Can’t what?
BUCK
Keep.. playing house with you.
He turns around. EDDIE is putting the groceries away.
EDDIE
(Lightheartedly)
Buck, if this is because I used your nice shampoo as facewash, I told you I’d replace it.
BUCK
Eddie.
EDDIE closes the cupboard he was stocking, now looking directly at BUCK, who is pressed against the opposite wall, shoulders slumped.
EDDIE
(Now concerned)
Buck, what’s going on?
BUCK
I can’t keep doing this, I..
He trails off, staring at the floor, searching for the right words. They don’t come. He shakes his head.
EDDIE
Did I … do something to upset you? I mean, we’ve lived together before, how’s this any different?
BUCK
(Guilty and quick to reassure)
No, it’s not like that, you didn't do anything. I promise.
EDDIE
(Puzzled)
Okay, so..
He raises open hands, questioning.
BUCK begins pacing.
BUCK
Look, we’ve lived together before, right? In like, a roommates kinda way. But this? I mean, we have a household chore chart. We merged our google calendars. I’m pretty sure we’re gonna get done for tax fraud, ‘cos this?
He gestures broadly
This isn’t roommates, Eddie. We’re playing house and I can’t keep doing it, okay?
EDDIE fights to maintain a neutral face, but an anxious bite of the lip gives him away. He exhales.
EDDIE
I know it’s a bit… unconventional, but I thought this was working well?
BUCK
We’re coparenting a kid, Eddie, I mean, you have to know how that looks, right? An-And what happens when you meet someone? Is she gonna move in too?
EDDIE drops his gaze to the floor, the last sentence unsettling him.
EDDIE
I don’t think that’s worth worrying about, Buck.
He looks back up.
You don’t need to freak out about my dating life. Or lack thereof. What’s this really about?
BUCK stops pacing.
BUCK
I .. I just can’t okay?
EDDIE
That’s not an answer.
BUCK
I can’t keep doing this because I know it means something different for me than it does for you, alright? And I’m sorry. Cos I can compartmentalise, I have compartmentalised.
He swallows.
But this? Family outings to the park, a-and movie nights, and sharing a bed?
He drops both hands to his side limply. Tears threaten to spill over.
Eddie, you’re gonna break my heart.
EDDIE
Compartmentalised… what?
BUCK places two hands on the counter, back to EDDIE. He looks up, as if to plead to a higher power, or to hold back tears. A bit of both.
BUCK
(Choked)
Eddie, please.
Medium shot on EDDIE’s face as he puts the pieces together.
EDDIE
Oh, Buck, look-
BUCK
I know, alright?
He sniffs.
I know you’re straight, and-and-and I know you told me it wouldn’t change anything between us, but I can’t keep doing this!
He punctuates the last three words with head bobs.
Having to be on guard all the time, to make sure I don’t cross a line or make you uncomfortable, cos that-
Eddie slowly walks over and stands at BUCK’s side.
EDDIE
Buck, you’ve never made me uncomfortable.
(attempting humour)
Well, I mean, physically, maybe, when you roll over in your sleep and I end up in some kinda pretzel, but..
He softens
Not like that.
BUCK sniffs again. At this proximity, EDDIE can see the tears streaking his cheeks. BUCK nods, turning slightly and locking eyes with EDDIE, who is searching BUCK’s face for… something.
BUCK
That’s good. I’m glad. But I’m trying, so hard, Eddie, and it’s exhausting. I-I can’t keep feeling like .. like some creep, sharing a bed with my straight best friend, knowing it means so much more to me than it does to you.
EDDIE sighs. He mirrors BUCK’s previous position, hands on the counter top, perpendicular to the other’s eyeline. He glances sideways, away from BUCK and shifts his weight between his feet uneasily. He drops his head, now staring very intently at the counter top.
EDDIE
You keep calling me…
He trails off and shakes his head.
Okay, I .. I need you to not be looking directly at me when I say this.
BUCK is puzzled, but complies, mirroring EDDIE’s posture. They both stare at the backsplash.
EDDIE
I’m gay.
A beat.
He lifts his head to see BUCK, mouth agape.
You keep calling me your straight best friend. I’m not.
BUCK is still silent.
And you seem to have it all figured out, what this..
He gestures between their torsos
..means to me. Buck, it was my idea for us to file for a foster license together. It was my idea to share a bed, ‘cos if we had to rotate nights on the couch I think one or both of us would end up dead.
He chuckles.
But movie night, and the park, I mean that's all you, man.
BUCK
O-okay, so, what exactly are you saying?
EDDIE
I’m saying, I moved in with you knowing there wasn’t some.. Hypothetical mystery woman I needed to factor in.
And I’m sorry, man, I really am, that you feel like you have to be so on guard in your own home, but… maybe you could chill out a bit?
BUCK
Why didn’t you tell me?
EDDIE considers for a moment. Turns around and sits on the countertop. Buck copies moments after.
EDDIE
Well, I didn’t know for a long time. And then you and Tommy… I figured it out not too long after that, but I think if I said it out loud we’d lose… whatever plausible deniability we have. I mean, a straight guy and a bi guy living together is one thing, but a... gay guy and a bi guy living together? I mean, I know how that looks. How we already look. I kept meaning to tell you, I really did, but it’s just been one thing after another, and then Theo… I just never wanted to put that kind of pressure on you.
EDDIE looks to BUCK, who appears deep in thought, chewing his lip.
BUCK
Those guys in the diner, in New Mexico, I’m sorry, Eddie. I mean, I thought you were just tryna.. Defend my honor or what not.
EDDIE hums
EDDIE
I was, in part, but… I knew exactly what he meant.. ‘Your kind’.
He spits the last words out.
It’s been a while, but I went to Catholic school. All-boy catholic school. Some things stick.
BUCK nods solemnly. Cautiously, he presents an open hand, palm-up, to EDDIE, who considers it for a brief moment before interlacing their fingers and squeezing tight.
BUCK
Is.. this okay?
EDDIE
It’s nice.
The two sit, silently, shoulders pressed together and hands clasped for a moment. The tension and frenetic energy of their conversation finally dissipating. BUCK becomes aware of the fridge’s hum.
EDDIE lets his head drop to the right, landing on BUCK’s shoulder.
EDDIE
You don’t make me uncomfortable, Buck. I think I’m probably more comfortable with you than anyone else. Myself included.
He takes a breath in and lifts his head back up, turning to face BUCK.
And you’re not some kind of creep.
BUCK offers a weak smile.
BUCK
So what does this all mean?
EDDIE
Hopefully, it means I don't have to start house-hunting,
He squeezes BUCK’s hand again.
And it means that, once again, we ended up in an argument because neither of us wanted to try the whole …open communication thing.
He rolls his eyes.
BUCK
We make quite a pair, don’t we.
EDDIE
That we do.
BUCK
What ice cream did you say you bought?
EDDIE smiles.
END SCENE
INT. BUCK AND EDDIE’s LIVING ROOM, NIGHT
The two sit on the couch, shoulders almost touching but not quite. Their ice cream tubs sit empty on the coffee table. EDDIE appears enthralled by the movie BUCK chose, though he will deny it if questioned. BUCK sneaks a glance to EDDIE. Another glance. Feigning a yawn, he stretches his arms upwards, arcing around, the left landing slung across EDDIE’s shoulders.
EDDIE
Buck.
BUCK
S-sorry, too much?
EDDIE
Did you seriously just do the fake yawn move?
BUCK
Oh, you know about the fake yawn move? I didn’t know they had that one in Texas.
EDDIE rolls his eyes affectionately, his right shoulder drifting towards BUCK’s.
What are you, thirteen?
He relaxes into the embrace.
EDDIE
(Quietly, but not shy)
I know other moves too.
EDDIE’s eyes are still locked on the TV. BUCK turns his head to face EDDIE.
BUCK
(Smirking)
Really?
EDDIE
(Lightly)
Mmmhmm.
EDDIE continues watching the TV intently.
BUCK nudges him with his left shoulder, setting EDDIE upright again.
BUCK
Well?
EDDIE finally tears his eyes away from the screen.
EDDIE
Well what?
BUCK
You said you know other moves, I wanna see them.
He dips his head as he speaks, his voice low.
EDDIE lets out a laugh.
EDDIE
You’re an idiot.
He closes the gap between them. Their teeth clash a little. It’s by no means smooth but neither of them could care less. BUCK kisses back immediately, a bit surprised by EDDIE’s forcefulness, but enjoying it nonetheless.
They break apart, a little breathless, pupils blown. EDDIE resumes his position nestled into BUCK’s side.
EDDIE
Can we watch the movie now?