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Eddie likes to think he’s a pretty likable guy. Obviously, not everyone wants to be his best friend or anything but he’s got that position filled so he’s not worried about it.
Buck is easily one of the best people Eddie has ever met in his entire life. The man is filled with so much love and warmth, he’s like a beacon of sunshine for the whole family.
Eddie loves their family.
The family they all choose to have within each other is one of the most meaningful things in Eddie’s life. In all of their lives. It grows, and changes, and moves along with all events, but it always remains strong.
Eddie wouldn’t change a thing.
“Hey guys!” Daniel Buckley calls out as he enters Bobby and Athena’s backyard along with Maddie and Jee.
Maybe he would change one thing.
Daniel Buckley is a perfectly polite and charming guy. He loves his brother and sister fiercely and always shows up for the ones he cares for. He even gets along well with Christopher.
The thing is.
The man seems to hate Eddie’s guts.
Eddie doesn’t understand it one bit. He had been so eager to meet the man who had easily cut off the Buckley parents as an adult for the way they treated his younger brother.
Buck was a savior sibling. He had been born to heal Daniel, and in doing so, he earned his biggest fan. There was never something Buck felt passionate about that Daniel wasn’t always on his side for. That’s why they all have no contact with the parents who couldn’t seem to treat Buck as anything but Daniels' living donor. Buck deserved better.
If anyone knew anything about Daniel, it was that his little brother was the most important person in his world. Maddie, luckily, never felt anything other than fondness for this fact, so the three of them were best friends.
Which is why Daniel moved to LA shortly after his siblings decided to settle down there. Buck had been excited for weeks, and Eddie was delighted to see his best friend so happy.
Then, Daniel showed up and clicked with everyone so smoothly. Everyone but Eddie, of course. He seemed to slip out of rooms as soon as Eddie entered them and always had an excuse to slip away from any conversation Eddie entered.
Years had passed, and still nothing changed.
So Eddie decided he needed to know.
He waited til most of the day had passed and everyone was in a nice lull before it was time to turn in for the night before he took his chance.
“So I know Buck hated me when he first met me, Maddie always liked me, but Mr. Buckley also hates me,” Eddie says as he takes a seat next to Daniel. “Do Buckley men just hate me when they don't know me or something?”
“I think I know you plenty.” Daniel offers calmly.
“So you hate me because you know enough?” Eddie questions, leaving all defensiveness from his voice.
“I don’t hate you, Eddie.” The other man sighs.
“Coulda fooled me,” Eddie huffs.
“It’s just-” Daniel stops himself. “It’s nothing. You’re fine.”
“I’ve never known a Buckley to not speak their mind. That’s why I know your father doesn’t like me.” Eddie can’t resist the smile that turns up the corner of his lips. “Lay it on me.” Daniel studies him for a moment before he looks around to see if anyone notices them. When his eyes find Eddie again, Eddie can tell he’s picked the right moment.
“I don’t think my brother will ever get to be truly happy with you around,” Daniel says casually before he takes a long pull of the beer in his hands.
“W-what?” Eddie stutters. “I thought maybe you thought I was an asshole or too closed off or something. Being accused of making Buck unhappy is definitely not something I prepared for.”
“That’s the worst part of it all. That’s why I avoid you. So all of this doesn’t come spilling out,” Daniel shrugs before finishing his beer. “But you asked.”
“May I ask for clarification?”
“My brother loves you.” Daniel doesn’t hold back. “And your son, too.” Eddie’s eyes find Buck and his son sitting together, laughing at something on Chris’s tablet.
“He’s our Buck,” Eddie says mindlessly before he clears his throat and looks back at Daniel. “Our best friend.” Daniel slumps a little as a pained look crosses his face.
“Yeah, and that’s great and beautiful in some ways, it’s just-”
“Just what?” Eddie grumbles, feeling his defensiveness rise.
“I don’t think you even see it, and Maddie might think it’s best to just let Ev make his choice to stay in place like this, but he’s in love with you.” Eddie stiffens as his eyes go wide. “I don’t think he realizes he’s fallen for you the way he has, but it’s so obvious I can literally hear it in his voice when he talks about you.” Daniel watches Eddie for a moment before he pushes forward anyway, despite the obvious shock on Eddie’s face. “I hoped moving here might clarify for me that it wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it was worse.”
“What are you talking about?” Eddie’s voice comes out shaky.
“I thought Evan just fell for you because you two are close, and you and your son make him feel a part of a real family the way our parents never did. It’s more than that, though, because you invite it in.” Daniel’s voice doesn’t sound accusatory or anything. If anything, he sounds sad, and that makes Eddie feel sick.
“Excuse me?” Eddie doesn’t understand what this man is trying to say at all, but he knows he’s getting more and more frustrated as the conversation continues.
“You treat Evan like your partner with zero intention of actually having a relationship with him. You shoot him soft looks, you always find a reason to touch him, and you always do everything with him that you would do with a partner if you had one. I also happen to know that he’s your son’s guardian in your will.”
“And you think all of that makes Buck unhappy?” Eddie asks, his voice coming out a little broken.
“No, actually, I think he loves it. I just worry about what will happen to him when you find a woman you deem good enough to settle down with, into a life he won't have a part in at that point.”
“Buck will always have a part in our lives.” Eddie defends immediately. “He’s our Buck.”
“You may feel that way now, Eddie, but I can’t see a wife wanting your friend at family dinners, parent-teacher conferences, and Christmas mornings!”
“Buck is family!” Eddie argues. Daniels just sighs deeply and shakes his head.
“Look, I’m not saying you don’t believe all that, Eddie. I’m just saying, realistically, when you find someone and get on with that part of your life, my brother will be left to pick up the pieces of this life you two have built. Maybe he will find ways to fit some of those pieces into your new puzzle or something, but it won’t be like this. And he will never look for the real thing because he has this.”
“You two look way too serious for a family barbecue,” Buck says awkwardly as he takes a seat next to his brother. “Please don’t use your big brother act and scare off my best friend, Danny.”
“Hey, anyone I’ve ever scared out of your life didn’t deserve to be there.” Daniel scoffs.
“And nothing would scare me off from you, Buckley. Chris wouldn’t allow such a thing.” Eddie shoots his friend an easy smile even as his heart pangs. Buck beams.
“Yeah well, he does like me best, most days.” Buck boasts happily.
“Yeah yeah whatever. You make him pancakes and bake him goodies, I can’t compete with that.” Eddie rolls his eyes fondly.
“I know.” Buck snorts. “It’s perfect.” Eddie chuckles at his friend for a moment before his eyes trail to Daniel. Daniel is watching Buck sadly. It wipes the smile off Eddie’s face instantly and he stands.
“I’m gonna get a drink. Do you want anything?” Eddie asks Buck. Buck shakes his head and watches as his friend shuffles away quickly.
“Fucks sake, Danny, what did you do to him?”
“Why do you assume it was me?”
“I saw the look on his face.”
“His face looked fine to me.” Daniel shrugs.
“I know him best,” Buck says confidently. “I can see it when no one else can.” Daniel sighs and puts his empty bottle on the table in front of him.
“I didn’t mean to upset him.”
“So you DID say something!”
“I just expressed my concerns, Evan. I’m your big brother.”
“What possible concerns could you have about Eddie?” Buck looks at his brother with a pinched face.
“How about we talk about how you haven’t dated in what three years?” Daniel gives his brother an exasperated look.
“I have!”
“No actually, you haven’t.”
“I’m busy!”
“Mhhm, with what exactly?”
“Uhh, my job! I work long shifts!”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And what else is holding you back, Evan?” Buck’s eyes go wide.
“Is that what you told him!?” Buck raises his voice. “That he holds me back?”
“I just feel like if he doesn’t have the intention to actually build a life with you, then it’s rude of him to let you build your life with him, Evan.”
“Daniel, that’s not-”
“Please, I’m your big brother.” Daniel scoffs. “I see the look on your face when you look at him when you think no one is watching. I’m pretty sure everyone here tonight would agree with me if I asked them.” Buck slumps down.
“That subtle am I?” Buck sighs sadly.
“I just know you, Ev. And I can’t be like Mads and just not say anything.”
“I don’t wanna lose them,” Buck admits softly.
“Are they really even yours to lose?” Daniels knows it's harsh when it comes out, but it’s too late to take it back.
“That’s mean.”
“I’m not trying to be mean, Buck, I just worry. What if Eddie finds a woman he wants to marry and be Chris’ stepmother?” Buck stays silent. “I just don’t want you to build your whole life on unstable ground. You literally gave me my life, little brother. I won't watch you give yours away and end up hurt.”
When Eddie steps away from Buck and Daniel, he can feel his stomach starting to churn and his palms sweat. He makes sure to make it look like he’s just grabbing a drink before he takes his moment when no one is watching him to slip inside. He rushes to the bathroom and throws up in the sink because he couldn’t reach the toilet fast enough.
Eddie breathes through a few more waves of nausea before splashing some water on his face and looking up at the mirror.
Is Eddie holding Buck back?
Does Eddie depend on him too much?
Does he-
A knock pulls Eddie from his spiraling thoughts.
“Eddie?” Maddie’s voice comes through the door, and Eddie’s knees almost buckle.
Of course, she would be the one to come after him. Of course, she saw what everyone else missed.
“Be out in a minute,” Eddie says as calmly as he can.
“Eddie let me in,” Maddie says firmly.
Eddie doesn’t know why, but he opens the door without a fight. Maddie has always just been so kind to everyone that he can’t help but trust her even if their direct interactions aren’t very often.
“Sorry, I’m done.” Eddie tries to deflect.
“You know that’s not why I’m standing here.” Maddie watches him closely, and Eddie can feel his walls start to shake.
“What did he say?” Maddie asks.
Eddie’s lower lip trembles as he tries to keep it together, and quickly Maddie is shuffling them both back into the bathroom.
“Do I make Buck unhappy?” Eddie’s voice breaks when he looks at her. “Maddie, you have to tell me! I can’t- I can’t be responsible for Buck not being happy! I can’t! H-he deserves so much happiness, Maddie. He deserves everything!”
“Eddie, take a breath,” Maddie says calmly, but Eddie’s face just crumbles as his breathing starts to speed up. He puts his face in his hands and a shaky breath punches from his lips as he feels tears start to stream down his face, while his ears start to ring.
Eddie doesn’t know how much time passes, but when he comes too everything is still fuzzy.
“Eds, hey. That’s it, focus on my voice.” Eddie feels himself nod. “Good, good.”
“B-Buck,” Eddie stammers as his eyes focus better on what’s in front of him. Buck smiles softly at him.
“There you are.” Buck’s voice is warm and comforting.
“W-what happened?” Eddie asks after he catches his breath.
“I’m not sure. Maddie came and got me when she couldn’t calm you down. No one could pull you out of it.” Buck is holding both of Eddie’s hands in his.
“I only heard you,” Eddie admits absentmindedly. “I don’t even remember hearing their voices. Just you.”
“Do you want me to take you home? Hen said Chris could stay with them.” Buck’s voice is soft and comforting.
“Shit, did Chris see me?” Eddie’s voice is rough.
“No, no, the kids are still outside playing,” Buck assures him.
“Okay.”
“So home?” Eddie can suddenly feel his hands in Bucks as he rubs his hands with his thumbs. The feeling grounds him even more.
“Home.”
When Buck and Eddie pull up to Eddie’s house, Buck wastes no time getting around the jeep to help Eddie. Eddie insists he’s fine, but is easily quieted when Buck just tells him to accept his help. They shuffle into the house and into the kitchen, and Eddie takes a seat at the table while Buck gets him some lemonade.
“I made this last night before I went home,” Buck tells him. “I used those strawberries that needed to be used.”
Eddie stares at the strawberry lemonade as it sits in front of him. He thinks back to earlier in the weekend when he mentioned it being his favorite drink growing up.
“You made me fresh strawberry lemonade?” Eddie looks over at Buck, who’s taken the seat next to him with his own glass of lemonade.
“Uh yes?” Buck tilts his head. “You love strawberry lemonade.”
Buck made him lemonade.
Just because he knew Eddie loved it.
Buck cooks them dinner.
He helps Chris with homework.
He makes them pancakes.
They have a family movie night.
He makes Eddie feel lighter.
Loved.
Whole.
“Why haven’t you dated anyone?” Eddie blurts out before his brain can even process his words.
“What?” Buck's eyes are wide.
“You haven’t dated,” Eddie states flatly as he studies his best friend. His gorgeous best friend, who literally would make anyone the luckiest person.
“I just haven’t been interested in anything like that recently.” Buck offers lamely.
“Is it me?” Eddie asks him. “Do I hold you back from finding someone? By depending on you so much?”
“What? Eddie, no. You- You are Chris are- You’re the best part of my life.” Buck admits.
“Are you in love with me?” Eddie asks him.
“Is this about my brother? Eddie, I’m sorry if he-”
“Evan.” Eddie interrupts. Buck looks at him then, his shoulders slumping. “Tell me that you love me.”
“What?” Buck looks at him, confused.
“Tell me that you love me so I can feel brave enough to say it back.” Eddie’s eyes are glazed.
“Y-you want to-”
“Buck,” Eddie huffs out a laugh.
“I love you.” Buck blurts out quickly. Eddie beams at him.
“I love you too.”
“Yeah?” Buck grins down at Eddie.
“Yes.”
“Oh my god,” Buck says softly as he cups Eddie’s face. Eddie keeps smiling up at him before his eyes drop to Buck’s lips. He feels himself gravitate towards Buck unconsciously.
“Kiss me,” Eddie tells him. “Kiss me and let’s-” Eddie lets out a chuckle. “Let’s start the rest of our lives together.”
Buck kisses Eddie, and it feels like coming home for the first time in his life. Buck's warmth envelopes him as he melts into the man easily.
“My brother is going to be so smug about this.” Buck pants when he pulls away.
“I think he might have to be my best man at the wedding.” Eddie huffs out.
“Wedding?” Buck looks at him smugly.
“Oh um-” Eddie feels himself blushing.
“You wanna marry me, Diaz?” Buck’s voice drops, and Eddie feels a shiver run up his spine.
“You’re a menace.” Eddie scoffs.
“And yet you loveee me.” Buck sings, making Eddie laugh and shove him away.
“Yeah, yeah.” Eddie looks at Buck sheepishly. “I really do.” He pulls Buck into another quick kiss. “Sorry it took so long for me to see it.”
“I can be patient when I need to,” Buck says warmly. “Especially if the outcome is rewarding enough.”
“Oh, is that what I am? Some prize?” Eddie teases.
“More like a gift,” Buck offers before his eyes trail over Eddie. “One I would like to unwrap if you’d- um would be open to that?”
“Don’t shut away cocky Buck just yet, Cariño. I've heard too many stories of Buck 1.0 not to expect an inspiring performance.” Buck smirks at Eddie’s words.
“Oh, I can perform.”
“Prove it.”
When Buck slowly wakes up the next morning, the weight of Eddie against him instantly settles his worries that it was all just a dream. He shifts to drag Eddie into his arms, making the other man grumble until Buck starts to kiss along his neck.
“Our son will be home soon,” Eddie huffs out when Buck starts to shift his hips against him. Buck freezes at his words and pulls back to look at him.
“Did you just say our son?” Buck looks at him with wide eyes. Eddie blushes sheepishly before looking at him.
“Well, isn’t he?” Eddie asks him before chewing his bottom lip nervously.
“I love you so much,” Buck tells him with a bright smile.
“I love you too, but we need to shower before Chris gets here,” Eddie pecks Buck on the lips before slipping out of bed. Buck follows after him quickly, and when they finally get out, Eddie has two missed calls from Hen.
He quickly calls her back.
“Eddie!” Hen says happily when she picks up. “I was just about to give you another ring. How are you doing?” Eddie sighs dreamily.
“I’m good, Hen.” He says, his tone laced with honey.
“Oh my. Someone sounds better this morning.” Hen says warmly.
“Eds, do you know where my pants are?” Buck calls out from the other room. Hen snorts at that, obviously hearing him.
“I think they’re in the kitchen!” Eddie calls out, not caring one bit that Hen can hear him.
“Edmundo Diaz!” Hen gasps dramatically. “The kitchen!?”
“Shut up.” Eddie chuckles. “How’s our boy?”
“Oh, he’s great. Although he did tell my wife her pancakes were good, he still not as good as his dad's.” Hen’s tone is fond.
“I can’t make pancakes,” Eddie tells her.
“Oh no.. not you,” Hen tells him. “Apparently, Buck makes the best blueberry pancakes in the whole world.”
“He called Buck his dad?”
“Basically.” Eddie lets out a delighted chuckle.
“We’re gonna come get him now. I think Buck wants us to do something fun with the rest of the day.” Eddie tells her.
“You sure? We can bring him home later if you two want some more….private time.” Hen’s suggestive tone makes him flush. He lets out a nervous laugh.
“N-no we’re good. Some family time just the three of us sounds nice.”
“I’m glad you’ve figured it out, Eddie.”
“Thanks, Hen.”
When Chris slides into the back seat of Eddie’s truck he’s got a beaming smile on his face.
“Hi Dad! Hi Buck!” Chris says happily.
“Hey, Superman,” Buck turns to mess Christopher’s curls.
“Did you have fun, bud?” Eddie asks him.
“Of course!” Chris says earnestly. “I always have fun with Denny.”
“That’s great, kid,” Buck tells him. Eddie turns to look at Buck before turning more to look at his son.
“So family time just the three of us for the rest of the weekend. What do you wanna do?” Eddie notes how his sons face lights up when he calls them a family.
“Movie night and baking!” Chris says immediately. “Then tomorrow I want to go see Tia Pepa and Abuela.” Eddie’s eyes find Buck’s.
“How's that sound to you, Sweetheart?” Eddie asks him, loving the way Buck blushes under his gaze.
“S-sound perfect,” Buck says nervously, shooting a glance at Chris, who’s watching them both with big eyes.
“Are you guys going to love each other now?” Chris asks them with a mischievous grin.
“How would you feel about that, bud?” Eddie asks his son, already knowing his son will approve.
“Will we get to be a real family now?” Chris asks, a serious look taking over his face.
“We’ve always been a real family, Chris,” Eddie tells him. He can feel Buck’s eyes on him as he continues. “Sometimes grown-ups just take a little longer to catch on.”
“I’m glad you did,” Chris tells them.
They bake brownies to eat while they watch Finding Nemo and snuggle up on the couch. Eddie takes in every moment greedily and basks in the warmth between all of them as they huddle together. He will never miss out on another moment like this. He will never have to pretend it means something less than absolutely everything. Never again.
“You look like you’re thinking real hard over there, handsome,” Buck tells Eddie with a playful grin painted on his face.
“Just taking it all in.” Eddie smiles back at him before lacing their fingers together, Christoper wedged between them, already sleeping. “Appreciating it.” Buck’s eyes soften as he looks down at Chris and then back at Eddie.
“Yeah.” He sighs happily. “Me too”