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Today is just another ordinary day at Station 118. Everyone minds their own business. Since lunchtime is right around the corner, Bobby and Buck remain in the kitchen preparing food, Chimney enjoys a game of pool with the crew, Hen loses herself in a book, and Eddie works on a crossword puzzle.
That peacefulness vanishes the moment the alarm rings out—loud, sharp, and unmistakably urgent. Knowing a serious call has just come in, they instantly drop whatever they are doing, grab their turnout gear, and scramble up into the engine.
The dispatcher's voice echoes over the comms. Eddie listens, but the details blur together. The only thing he catches is the location: a research laboratory.
God, he hopes it isn't another virus.
When their engines pull up, the scene ahead is completely different from what he pictured. He expected to see decontamination tents already set up, but finds none. Maybe the situation isn't as bad as he feared.
At least Eddie doesn't have to worry about a virus, but the building is actively on fire. They need to do their jobs quickly.
"Um—Excuse me!" A women's voice call out urgently. "Hi, I'm Nancy—I'm the head of this lab."
"Hi, I'm Bobby Nash, Captain of Station 118," Bobby replies with calm authority. "What materials or hazards do we need to be careful of inside this building?"
"Uh—well, no. The lab is under renovation, so most of the hazardous chemicals have already been moved out... but—um—there is one room where nothing has been cleared yet."
Bobby's brow arches slightly. "Is it dangerous?"
"No! You just need to handle them carefully while moving them out. It's on the fifth floor, left side, Room 4. At the end of the hall way."
"Alright, we'll secure it," Bobby nods, his voice firm and commanding as he turns to delegate. "Eddie, Buck, clear that room. Hen, Chimney, handle patient care."
"Copy that, Cap," they reply automatically, switching into full professional mode.
Eddie double-checks his gear and does a quick check on Buck before they head into the burning building. They keep their masks firmly on just in case, unsure of how bad the conditions are inside, while the rest of the crew begins attacking the flames from the outside.
Buck stays right behind him—he is always like this, keeping Eddie’s back covered. Around them, the fire consumes room after room. They are racing against the clock.
And honestly, neither of them even knows what they are supposed to bring back out.
"Cap, we’re almost there," Buck radios in. "What are we retrieving?"
"Hi, Nancy here," the scientist’s hesitant voice returns over the radio. "Um—it’s chemical bottles. I believe they’re right on the big table in the middle of the room. I’m not entirely sure how many are left, but the one you need to be extremely careful with is the pink one. Whatever happens, do not let it break."
The deadly serious edge in her voice makes Eddie and Buck exchange a quick nod through their masks. They finally arrive at Room 4. Eddie reaches out and tests the handle—it’s locked tight. Before he can pull out a tool, Buck taps his shoulder, nudging him back a safe step to take control. With one explosive kick, Buck splinters the lock, sending the door flying open.
Just as Eddie is about to snap at him for recklessly putting his leg on the line, Buck simply turns and gives him the most innocent, blameless look through his visor before nonchalantly heading inside.
The room is completely packed with bottles. Most are Florence and volumetric flasks, stored neatly behind glass cabinets. Dead, browned plants sit scattered across the surfaces—abandoned, as if no one has cared for them in a long time.
And honestly, the room is an absolute mess. Eddie can't help but wonder why no one comes in here anymore. He knows the lab is under construction, but it feels as though this room was completely erased from their minds.
"Wow. Okay—" Buck mutters, completely stunned. And Eddie feels the exact same way.
But with time running out, they can't afford to linger. Eddie heads straight for the large table in the center of the room, scanning every bottle sitting on the surface.
"We need to be careful with the pink one, right?" Buck asks, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
"Yeah," Eddie nods, his eyes locking onto the center of the table. There it is—right in front of him. A large volumetric flask holds a strange, pink liquid that seems to faintly glow. As Eddie reaches out and carefully lifts the flask, the liquid inside sparkles beneath the dim light.
"It's beautiful," Buck says, his hands holding a wooden tray full of reagent bottles. Eddie silent agrees—it really is beautiful, almost like a magical potion from one of those dollhouse sets Jee-Yun loves showing them during playtime.
But they have no time to admire it. They need to move. Eddie gathers the rest of the bottles onto the nearest tray, making sure the gorgeous pink flask is securely nestled among them. Without wasting another second, they turn and rush out of the room toward the fire exit.
Approaching the exit, Eddie notices that this section of the hallway is fortunately free from the suffocating smoke consuming the rest of the building. Seeking immediate relief from the stifling heat, he slips his mask off, letting it rest against his chest to catch a long-awaited breath.
"What are you doing, Eddie! Put your mask back on!" Buck yells,
"It's okay, Buck. I just need some air—"
Then, right at the door, the glowing pink fluid in the flask starts violently bubbling.
"What—what’s going on? Eddie, mask on! Now!" Buck cries out, his voice dripping with pure panic. Before Eddie can react to his best friend's warning, tiny cracks branch violently across the glass surface.
"Fuck—!"
The blast itself isn't powerful, but the sudden pressure sends the warm pink liquid splashing all over Eddie’s exposed face and upper chest. A stinging pain shoots across his cheek, marking the exact spot where flying glass splinters have sliced into his skin.
Fortunately, the liquid isn't nearly as burning as Eddie expected. Better yet, none of the broken glass got into his eyes.
Feeling something slightly hot and wet on his lips, Eddie instinctively licks the moisture away. It’s sweet—insanely sweet, like pure sugar, but with an intoxicating aroma. It doesn't taste like dessert; it's more like fresh flowers or something intensely floral.
Oh, wait. He definitely shouldn't have done that.
He literally just licked a mysterious chemical—the exact one Nancy explicitly warned them to be careful with. Great. Maybe Eddie is going to die in two minutes.
But it tastes so sweet and delicious… maybe it'll be fine.
Right?
"Eddie!!"
Buck’s voice cracks with sudden horror, his grip slipping so badly he nearly dumps the entire tray of chemicals onto the floor. Eddie shakes his head firmly, trying to defuse the panic in his best friend's eyes. "It's fine, Buck. We have to move right now before the rest of these bottles blow up and kill us in here."
"But—"
"Buck. I'm fine."
Eddie stares into the bright blue eyes filled with sheer worry. He can clearly see the fear behind Buck’s mask. He knows Buck wants to argue, but the intense heat surging behind them and the crumbling structure of the building leave them no choice. So, they push forward.
The moment Eddie takes a step, he instantly senses something wrong with his body. Dizziness hits him. The floral scent suddenly overpowers his nose, and his saliva turns sweet. It’s no longer just the traces of the strange, beautiful liquid—it feels as if his mouth is generating sweetness on its own.
Still, it’s fine. At least he isn’t dead yet.
They finally stumble out of the burning building and reach the pavement outside five minutes later. Buck immediately rips off his mask the moment Eddie spots Nancy hurrying toward them. Her expression is initially relieved—until her eyes land on the strange pink residue smeared across Eddie's skin. Her smile vanishes in an instant.
"Shit—it… it broke?"
"Yep. Guess the heat got too high," Eddie replies.
"Please tell me it isn't dangerous," Buck growls, his voice sharp with anger and protective. Eddie quickly wraps a hand around Buck's forearm, holding him back before he bites her head off.
Nancy looks horrified. "Did you swallow any?"
"A little," Eddie admits calmly. "It splashed over my mouth during the burst."
"Oh."
"Oh?" Buck’s brow furrows in pure fury, forcing Eddie to tighten his grip to keep his best friend anchored. "What does 'Oh' mean?!"
"Okay—it sounds… um, like complete fantasy. But I promise you it's real," Nancy stutters nervously, her eyes darting between Buck and Eddie. "It’s a... a kissing potion. We were just experimenting with it for fun. And we haven't even conducted a proper test yet, so it might work, or it might be a total dud. We don't know for sure. But there are strict rules governing how it behaves."
A kissing potion?
Are they in some kind of wizard movie?
"What are the rules?" Buck asks immediately, his voice tight. "And—and if it actually works, how do we get rid of it?"
Naturally, Buck handles the practical questions, because Eddie's mind has gone completely blank. His brain is currently playing a scene straight out of Harry Potter, picturing himself stuck in Snape's Potions class.
"The rule is... you—um—the person who gets this potion has to kiss someone every ten minutes. Otherwise, they die."
"What!?"
Suddenly, Eddie's chest begins to ache. A sharp, crushing pain blooms inside him—it hurts like someone driving a bare fist into his ribs, just like his days back in the underground fight club.
"Eddie!?"
Fuck—he has to kiss someone? Where? On the lips? Do cheeks count? Wait... does that mean he has to kiss Buck? Buck is standing right in front of him, the only logical option around.
The overwhelming realization crashes over him. Kissing Buck? It’s too much. He can't kiss Buck—absolutely not!
"What is happen here?"
Oh, thank God!
"Sorry, Ravi!" Eddie blurts out.
Without giving anyone time to process, Eddie grabs Ravi's arm, yanks him close, and plants a quick, desperate kiss right on his cheek. The second his lips make contact, Eddie screws his eyes shut tightly, burning with intense embarrassment over his own wild action.
Surprisingly, the moment he pulls back, the crushing weight on his chest instantly lifts.
"It… it worked."
Eddie slowly blinks his eyes open. Ravi and Buck are staring at him in stunned silence, completely paralyzed. Beside them, Nancy whips out a tiny notepad, her pen flying across the page in excitement.
"I knew it!"
"So, how long until this wears off?" Eddie releases Ravi, who stands frozen, looking completely shell-shocked. Poor kid. Eddie will definitely buy him his favorite food after their shift ends.
"Um—we estimate it should be roughly twenty-four hours."
"Estimate?" Eddie echoes, his eyebrow twitching.
"Because we haven't actually tested it yet," she says. "It could be twenty-four hours, give or take a couple of hours."
Eddie feels his knees buckle—he is genuinely going to faint right here on the pavement. "So you're telling me I have to stay awake all night to keep my heart beating?"
"Uh… maybe? I honestly don't know if the potion's effect stays active while you're sleeping."
Oh God.
Eddie does the grim math in his head. Their shift isn't over until seven tomorrow morning, and the clock currently reads six in the evening. This means the twenty-four-hour cycle will force him to keep finding people to kiss long after he steps out of his uniform.
To make matters worse, Christopher is away at summer camp with Denny and won't be back until the day after tomorrow. That means Eddie can't even rely on his son for a sweet forehead kiss to survive the night at home. He literally has no safety net.
"Okay... uh—we’ll figure something out," Buck stammers, finally snapping back to reality. His voice trembles slightly as he sets everything down on a nearby table, carefully taking the tray from Eddie's hands. Without waiting another second, Buck drags him away, leaving Nancy and a thoroughly traumatized Ravi standing behind.
"Buck—where are we going?"
"You need to clean this stuff off your face, Eddie," Buck replies, not breaking stride.
"I know, but can you walk a little slower, please? I'm feeling dizzy."
At once, Buck softens his pace, slowing his quick steps to match Eddie's unsteady rhythm. Yet, his fingers remain securely anchored around Eddie's arm, refusing to release him.
The gentle consideration—and the warmth of Buck's hand—sends Eddie’s heart thumping violently against his chest like a desperate drumbeat.
There's a reason Eddie can't just kiss Buck. They’ve been best friends for almost eight years. They share everything—their homes, their dinners, their worst days and best moments. On paper, kissing Buck should be the most effortless, convenient solution to his problem. Yet, he finds it completely impossible.
Because Eddie is hopelessly, deeply in love with his best friend.
He can't bring his lips to Buck's when his intentions are anything but harmless. He simply can't kiss this man and pretend it's strictly platonic.
It sounds ridiculous, but he refuses to gamble with the most precious friendship of his life—not when he might accidentally blurt out a confession at any moment.
"Take off your turnouts and gear, then wash your hands and face, Eddie," Buck instructs.
Eddie complies naturally, unbuttoning his heavy turnout jacket and peeling off his turnout pants before turning to the sink to scrub his hands and face. Truth be told, Eddie takes an embarrassing amount of pleasure in following Buck's instructions.
Okay, that sounds like a kink. Is it a kink? He honestly has no idea. He just finds himself hopelessly fond of Buck taking control and bossing him around.
Oh God, this sounds so gay.
Then again, maybe that's the real reason he's the only person in the 118 who actually follows Clipboard Buck's order without complaining.
After Eddie finishes washing his face and rinsing his mouth, Buck hands him a small towel. The water doesn't really help—a sweet taste stays on his tongue, and the heavy floral scent is still stuck in his nose.
He exhales a tired sigh, accepting that he is completely controlled by this weird potion.
Then, Bobby walks into the room, calmly explaining how the fire are finally coming under control. Yet, just as he finishes his update and prepares to step away, a violent, crushing pain suddenly strikes Eddie's chest once more.
"Buck—"
"Shit—is it happening again!?" Buck swears wildly. "Has it been ten minutes already? Fuck—no, it's only been seven!"
"What is happening here—" Bobby starts to ask, concern etched across his face.
Unfortunately for their captain, he is the closest target available.
"I am so sorry, Bobby," Eddie groans. Without hesitation, he grabs Bobby's shoulders and kisses his right cheek. The moment his lips make contact, the suffocating pain in his lungs vanishes into immediate relief.
Bobby stands dead still, completely stunned. It is no surprise he’s in utter shock—they have never engaged in this kind of physical affection. The unspoken love language of the 118 usually revolves around bone-crushing hugs, caring check-ins, and shared meals. Definitely not kisses.
"Oh...?" Bobby blinks, completely lost for words.
"I am so, so sorry, Cap," Eddie rushes to explain, holding his hands up defensively. "I was exposed to a chemical—uh—a kissing potion from Nancy's lab. I need to kiss someone every ten minutes, or my heart literally shuts down."
Their captain seems... amazed? Bewildered? Either way, Bobby simply nods. Eddie has no idea if Bobby actually believes the absurd story or if he's just too shocked to process what just happened.
But what really catches Eddie off guard is Buck—whose expression has suddenly fallen into a full-blown pout.
And Eddie genuinely has no clue why this giant golden retriever of a man is sulking so hard all of a sudden.
Not long after that incident, the fire is completely extinguished, and they prepare to leave. Nancy quickly catches up to Eddie, slipping her contact card into his hand. "Please contact me if anything happens—or if you feel any side effects," she notes with scientific curiosity, clearly viewing Eddie as her primary test subject.
They pile into the fire engine. Ravi, Hen, and Chimney exchange baffled looks after Bobby breaks the news about Eddie's magical affliction. Eddie can only offer a weak, helpless smile in response. The entire situation is utterly absurd, yet he feels a wave of relief knowing the concoction won't kill him—for the moment, anyway.
As the engine rolls back toward the station, the familiar, crushing pressure in his chest suddenly flares up again. Left with no other choice, Eddie turns toward the person sitting right beside him: Hen.
"Hen—" Eddie starts, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
She lets out a soft laugh, leaning toward him with an understanding smile and letting him press a gentle kiss onto her cheek.
"That's actually pretty sweet," Hen remarks kindly.
Eddie can feel his face flushing slightly. Not gonna lie—he thinks it's sweet, too. Eddie isn't usually the type to display affection like this with his crew; he mostly reserves this kind of tenderness for Christopher. So, showing affection like this to his 118 family feels surprisingly comforting.
However, an uncanny silence hangs inside the fire engine. While Hen keeps up a light conversation with Chimney and Ravi, an unmistakable tension settles between the two sitting diagonally opposite each other. Something is definitely wrong.
Oh.
It's Buck.
Ever since they left the lab, Buck hasn't said a single word. His face is locked in a deep, moody scowl. Eddie isn't quite sure what's going through his mind. Is Buck mad because Eddie didn't listen to him inside the building—specifically, about keeping his mask on?
Eddie hates seeing him like this. He craves Buck's chatter, his bright smiles, and his silly, boyish energy. Anything but this suffocating silence.
Just as the engine parks inside the bay, the burning agony in Eddie's chest signals that another ten minutes have passed. Chimney happily steps in to save the day, howling with laughter the instant Eddie's lips brush his cheek. Naturally, Chimney wastes no time capturing evidence on his phone camera.
"Oh, Maddie is going to love this! A handsome young man giving me cheek kisses!" Chimney teases loudly. Hen rolls her eyes playfully, though she can't suppress her giggles. Eddie feels heat instantly rushing to his ears.
Yet, as the laughter settles, Eddie turns around to find Buck's reaction—only to be met with empty space. Buck has already vanished into the station without a word.
Eddie showers as fast as he can because the tightness in his chest is returning. This time, it's so severe he can barely breathe. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he rushes out into the locker room.
"Shit—Eddie! Oh God, not again?!"
Ravi, who is mid-way through stowing his belongings, instantly realizes the danger. He lunges forward, presenting his cheek to Eddie's face without a second thought. In their frantic collision, Eddie’s nose crashes painfully against Ravi’s cheekbone, leaving a sharp, burning ache behind.
"Fuck... thank you so much, Ravi," Eddie rasps, his chest heaving as he sucks in a massive breath of fresh air. Beside him, Ravi exhales a heavy, shuddering sigh, resting his hands on his knees.
"You're welcome. But honestly, man, you should have someone in the shower with you next time. It’s no joke if you pass out in there," Ravi says softly, wiping his own cheek.
"I know," Eddie exhales softly, his chest still aching slightly from the close call. He turns away and opens his locker, grabbing his clothes to change into his uniform.
After Eddie gets dressed, Bobby calls everyone for dinner. Today they have a special guest—Athena arrives with a warm smile. She is just setting down plates of food as Eddie approaches the table. Naturally, he takes his usual seat right between Buck and Athena.
The second Eddie sits down, the air turns icy. He feels Buck tense up beside him as Buck’s grin completely disappears. A pit forms in Eddie's stomach. He honestly has no idea why Buck is acting like this.
Maybe they need to have a private talk after this meal.
Interrupting his thoughts, Athena turns toward him, eyes twinkling with mischief. "So... how's your kissing curse holding up?"
Eddie blinks, caught off guard. "Wait—you know about that, too?"
Athena breaks into a rich laugh; clearly, Hen or one of the others didn't hesitate to share his embarrassing predicament. Eddie lets out a soft, exasperated smile and shakes his head in resignation.
"It hasn't worn off yet," Eddie admits, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Ravi just sacrificed his cheek in the locker room, though we collided so hard I thought my nose was broken."
"Hey! I literally saved your life, bro!" Ravi chimed in, making a dramatic gesture.
Everyone at the table giggles at the banter. Everyone except Buck, who... okay, fine, he laughs too, but Eddie can easily tell he's forcing it.
We need to clear the air. Right after—
"Fuck—" Eddie gasps, the crushing pain slamming back into his sternum.
"Already?" Chimney teases, his face splitting into a wide, delighted grin.
This time, Eddie is stuck choosing between Athena and Buck. It's a tough call, but he can't risk his heart collapsing right here at the dining table. He turns his gaze toward Bobby, who gives a subtle, encouraging nod. Athena nods as well, offering an understanding smile.
Closing his eyes, Eddie leans in and presses a soft kiss onto Athena's left cheek. Immediately, the excruciating tightness in his chest dissolves into warmth.
Athena gently places a hand on his shoulder and kisses him back on the temple—a sweet, motherly gesture that brings an instant sense of comfort.
A deep warmth fills Eddie's chest. Athena’s touch is so sweet and maternal, treating him with the gentle affection of a real son. Unlike the previous frantic kisses, this is the first kiss of the day that truly soothes his heart.
"Aw, this is so cute," Hen remarks with a smile. Bobby offers a soft, proud grin, while Chimney and Ravi hum in quiet approval.
However, the person who would normally be the first to gush over a moment like this is currently staring down at his dinner, pouting intensely into his plate.
Eddie frowns slightly. What is actually going on with Buck?
By the time bedtime rolls around, Eddie has ended up kissing literally every single member of the 118 crew.
Everyone embraces the routine with open arms, some teasingly pressing kisses back to his cheek in solidarity. He receives comforting affection from all of them—kissing Hen twice and Chimney trice.
Yet, Buck's count remains at zero.
Eddie lacks the courage to ask Buck for a kiss. He is utterly terrified of his own heart, knowing it might betray him the moment his lips touch Buck. And he certainly isn't eager to poke the bear while Buck is harboring such an ominous, moody aura.
They really need to talk once Buck finishes showering. Eddie knows he was being reckless earlier and that Buck was genuinely worried about him. They have to clear the air before heading to bed or wrapping up their shift.
Since everyone else is already in their bunks, it feels like the perfect chance to finally get some time alone with him.
"Eddie?" Buck asks, stepping out of the bathroom with a damp towel over his hair.
"Uh—Buck, I think we really need to talk," Eddie says gently.
He can see his best friend frown slightly, followed by a quiet sigh. "Can it wait until I get dressed?"
"Yeah, of course," Eddie nods, taking a seat on the bench. As usual, he finds himself yielding to whatever Buck asks of him.
It doesn't take long for Buck to finish getting dressed. He walks over and sits down right beside Eddie, letting out another heavy sigh.
That sound makes his heart throb with anxiety.
Is Buck genuinely angry with him, or is it something deeper?
"Buck—"
"Why didn't you kiss me?"
Oh…?
"What—"
"You—you kissed everyone, Eddie!" Buck's face scrunches up in pure frustration. "But you didn't kiss me! You—you even kissed Athena! And I was sitting right beside you, Eddie! Not just Athena, but literally everyone! The—the first time the potion hit, you chose Ravi over me! Why, Eds?! I was right in front of you!"
Eddie blinks, caught completely off guard. Before he can even attempt to defend himself, Buck cuts in again.
"Do you hate kissing me?" Buck's eyes brim with tears, making him look exactly like a kicked puppy abandoned in the rain.
Seeing him like that, Eddie's heart shatters into pieces, and the truth spills out before he can stop it.
"No! Buck, I could never hate you! Or kissing you! I—fuck! I avoided kissing you because I love you! I'm completely in love with you, Buck! And I was terrified my heart would explode—or that I'd lose my mind and confess everything right after touching you!"
A sharp sting of tears hits Eddie's eyes as pure panic consumes him. He sucks in a harsh, ragged breath, trembling all over. "Fuck... I shouldn't have said that out loud—"
Then his world immediately spins, and his lips are met with something soft.
It's Buck's lips.
Eddie freezes, every nerve ending in his body igniting as Buck’s mouth moves against his with a desperate, intoxicating hunger. The heat crawls from his chest up to his neck, burning hot everywhere Buck touches.
When Buck’s hand grips his waist and effortlessly lifts him onto his strong lap, Eddie's brain goes completely blank. For a fleeting second, he just surrenders—wrapping his arms instinctively around Buck's shoulders, melting into the warmth, and letting himself get lost in the impossible magic of Buck kissing him.
It feels so good it's terrifying.
But when Buck’s tongue lightly touches his lower lip, Eddie suddenly snaps back to reality. The sweet feeling fades, replaced by a wave of pure panic.
Wait... why is Buck kissing him like this?
The sudden shift from pure bliss to agonizing doubt hits Eddie like ice water.
Is it the potion? Does Buck think his chest pain is coming back? Is he only doing this out of medical duty to save him?
The thought that this dream-like moment might just be a reaction to the curse breaks something fundamental inside Eddie. The painful contrast between how desperately he hungers for Buck and how easily Buck might just be curing him is too much to bear.
Panicking under the crushing weight of his yearning, Eddie pulls his face back from the kiss, desperate to break the illusion. But he can’t pull his body away—Buck's hands grip his waist like a steel pliers, locking him firmly on the lap. Realizing he can’t escape the very warmth he craves, Eddie surrenders completely. He stops fighting and buries his face into Buck's shoulder, hiding away as quiet, trembling sniffles escape his lips.
"E—Eddie?" Buck whispers, his breath warm against Eddie's skin.
His best friend just kissed him on the mouth—seconds after Eddie poured his heart out. Now, Eddie is drowning in a spiral of insecurity. He didn't mean for his confession to ruin everything. He just loves Buck so deeply, so completely, that it hurts every cell in his body.
"Eddie—you have to get out of your head, baby. Can you look at me, please?"
Baby.
The word echoes in Eddie's ears. Why would Buck call him that?
Eddie slowly lifts his head, but fearing he looks like an absolute mess, he immediately brings both hands up to cover his face.
"Eds… hands down, please. Let me see your face."
"It's a mess." Eddie muffled behind his palms.
"It's beautiful."
"You can't say things like that."
"Why not?"
Everything remains pitch black behind his hands because Eddie is terrified of looking at Buck right now. He's about to spill his feelings all over again—to his best friend, his entire world.
"Because you make me want to be yours."
"…"
The deafening silence that follows hits Eddie like a freight truck. Overwhelmed by embarrassment, he tries to stand up from Buck's lap.
Fuck—this is so pathetic.
However, Buck's hands grip his waist even tighter, holding him firmly on those strong thighs like a vise.
"Buck—"
Eddie flinches as two soft, lingering kisses are pressed right against the back of his trembling hands.
"Eddie, I want to tell you this while I'm looking at you. While we're looking at each other," Buck whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "Can you put your hands down for me, please?"
Buck uses his softest voice—not the high, playful voice he uses with Jee, but something far more tender—a deep, feather-light whisper meant only for Eddie.
Who in the world could resist a voice like that? Certainly not him.
So, he slowly lowers his hands.
The first thing that greets him is the breathtaking sight of Buck's ocean-blue eyes. They are watery, but filled to the brim with pure happiness, sparkling like sunlight dancing over the sea. Then comes the grin, spreading wide across his face.
Buck's large hands slip from his waist, only to immediately drag Eddie into a fierce, deeply comforting embrace. His strong arms lock like iron around Eddie's torso, shielding him from the world and holding him so close, warm, and safe that Eddie can feel the heavy thrum of Buck's heart beating in sync with his own.
"I love you, too, Eddie. I'm so in love with you," Buck whispers against his skin.
Oh.
"And I didn't kiss you because of any potion—I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I wanted you to know that I love you, too. But I just made you spiral and overthink, didn't I?"
Yes... because Eddie lacks the self-esteem to ever believe his best friend could love him back. He has never dared to dream of it before. And as always, Buck knows him all too well.
"And I'm sorry for being such a dick all day," Buck mutters, burying his face in Eddie's neck. "I was—I was so jealous and confused when you kissed Ravi. I thought you were going to kiss me first, but you didn't. And then... everyone! You kissed literally everyone in this station! I just want to be the only person in this world you kiss, Eddie. Uh—except Christopher, your Pepa, and your Abuela, of course."
Every word of Buck's confession makes Eddie's heart flutter wildly again. It's filled with pure joy, with overflowing happiness. A familiar sting returns to Eddie's eyes as tears well up once more.
"So, um... kiss only me from now on, Eddie. Please. I'm a total jealous freak," Buck chuckles wetly, a single tear breaking free and tracing a path down his handsome face.
Eddie can't help himself. He leans in and presses his lips against the man in front of him. It's just a soft, gentle brush of their lips, but it sends a soothing wave of warmth straight through Eddie's entire body.
Buck slowly pulls back, a tender smile adorning his features. He plants a cute, soft smooch directly onto Eddie's nose, drawing a soft giggle from his throat. He then traces his face with lips, dropping sweet kisses onto both of his damp cheeks.
"I love you, too, Buck," Eddie lets out a sweet smile. He cups Buck's jaw with absolute adoration, his thumb gently wiping away a stray tear from Buck's cheek. "And I'll kiss only you. Freak."
"Does that include with tongue?" Buck murmurs, his eyes gleaming with hope.
"Definitely no tongue, you dummy," Eddie replies with a soft chuckle. "You might catch the potion's effect, too."
"Eddieeeee," Buck groans, dragging out his name in a needy, pathetic whine.
Oh God. Those glossy, teary puppy eyes make Eddie's heart melt instantly. But as much as he craves it, he can't let Buck take that risk with him.
"No," Eddie insists gently, pressing a light kiss to Buck's jaw instead.
Buck gives him a tragic, exaggerated pouting face in response.
They stay like this for nearly an hour, exchanging soft kisses every ten minutes, never tiring of each other's touch. They nuzzle and cuddle, refusing to let go, until the clock on the wall ticks past midnight. Eddie lets out a small yawn, and Buck follows suit right after. Quietly, they make their way into the bunk room.
Eddie ends up in Buck's narrow bunk. Now, whenever Eddie wants to kiss him, he can just lean in and touch Buck’s lips easily. Though the single bed isn't very big, it gives them the perfect excuse to squeeze close together, sleeping on their sides and facing each other in the dim light.
"Buck."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
The oceanic-blue eyes curve into sweet crescents as Buck smiles softly. He gives Eddie a gentle kiss on the nose, followed by a tender press of their lips.
"I love you, too, Eds."
"I wanna kiss you."
"We just kissed."
"With tongue."
"You literally just told me you were scared that fucking potion would affect me, baby," Buck murmurs teasingly, his thumb stroking Eddie's cheek.
Oh God. The pet name sends a sudden wave of heat rushing straight to Eddie's cheeks. But he adores it. He loves being Buck's baby—and truth be told, he wants to be Buck's entire universe.
"Eddie?" Buck's low voice breaks the quiet stillness of the bunk room.
"I'm going to kiss you the second this potion wears off," Eddie vows gently, his thumb stroking Buck's cheek. "A real, proper kiss."
Buck releases a soft, breathless laugh, his lips curving into a affectionate smirk.
"Of course you will, Eds," Buck murmurs, his arm tightening securely around Eddie's waist. "But right now, try to close your eyes. Maybe the potion's pauses while you sleep."
"Okay," Eddie sighs happily, resting his head beneath Buck's chin. "Goodnight, Buck."
"Goodnight, Eddie," Buck whispers against his hair, pulling him closer into the warm embrace.
Luckily, the potion isn't active while Eddie sleeps. He slumbers peacefully all through the night, though his mouth still tastes unnaturally sweet, as if he just ate a full spoonful of sugar. His nose still catches that familiar floral aroma, but this time, it carries a refreshing hint of mint.
"Mmmh…"
The irresistible softness against his nose prompts him to bury his face deeper into the fabric. It smells delightfully refreshing—
"Eds? Are you awake?" Buck's low, morning voice rumbles gently.
Oh fuck—it's Buck's chest.
Eddie jolts, snapping his face up in a flash. Intense heat surges up his neck straight into his cheeks. It is burning hot, and he knows without a doubt that his face is blushing furiously right now.
"Mornin', baby," Buck grins, wrapping his strong arms tightly around Eddie. The breathtaking sight of him makes Eddie want to kiss that stupidly handsome face all over.
So, Eddie does exactly what he wants.
He presses a soft kiss to Buck's chin, then moves up to his nose, followed by both of his cheeks. Knowing Eddie so well, Buck lowers his head slightly, allowing Eddie to easily reach up and plant a sweet kiss on his forehead.
"And…?" Buck asks, tilting his head with expectant eyes.
"And what?" Eddie replies, playing innocent.
"Eddie… what about my lips?"
"No, Buck. We are at work," Eddie chuckles softly. He presses two fingers against his own lips, then gently taps them onto Buck's mouth in a tease of a pseudo-kiss, before placing his hand firmly against Buck's chest to hold him back with a playful smirk.
"Yes, lovebirds. We are at work."
Chimney's voice rings out from the doorway, making both of them jump in surprise. But instead of letting go, Buck only hugs Eddie tighter, turning his head to hiss dramatically at Chimney like an overly protective dog. Buried against him, Eddie can now only see the dark navy fabric of Buck's station t-shirt.
"Chim!" Buck groans.
"What! We are at work, bro!" Chimney defends himself, a massive grin spreading across his face. "Oh, and Bobby has to know about this—"
"Fuck you, Chimney!" Buck calls out, throwing a pillow toward the door.
"Fuck you both, too!" Chimney laughs, ducking easily out of the way. "But congratulations, guys."
As Chimney's footsteps fade down the hallway, Eddie and Buck look at each other for a second before bursting into soft, shared laughter.
"Unbelievable," Eddie chuckles, shaking his head.
Buck lets out a quiet snort, running a soothing hand down Eddie's back. "He just ruined my moment."
"We're literally in the bunk room, Buck," Eddie teases, poking Buck's cheek gently. "What did you expect?"
Instead of answering, Buck buries his face into the crook of Eddie's neck, inhaling his scent deeply. They stay wrapped together like that for another five minutes, soaking in the quiet warmth and soft nuzzles, unwilling to let the moment end just yet.
Eventually, the faint sounds of the oncoming shift arriving downstairs remind them that time is up.
"Alright, loverboy," Eddie murmurs softly, pressing a quick, sweet kiss to Buck's temple. "We need to get changed and clock out."
Buck groans dramatically into Eddie's skin, burying his face more deeper, refusing to move out of the bed.
"Just five more minutes, baby... please?" Buck murmurs, lifting his head to gaze at Eddie with wide, pleading puppy eyes that turn Eddie's resolve into complete liquid.
He sighs, his heart completely helpless against that look. "Fine. Just five more minutes, Buck—"
Just as the words leave his mouth, a sharp, aching pressure suddenly flares up inside his chest—the potion triggering once more. Eddie winces, a quiet gasp escaping his lips as his hand instinctively reaches for his sternum.
Before he can even process the ache, he catches the sudden widen in Buck’s eyes. Without missing a beat, Buck cups Eddie's cheek and leans in, sealing their lips together. The comforting warmth immediately spreads through Eddie's chest, effortlessly dissolving the pain into complete nothingness.
"Better?" Buck whispers softly. Eddie feels the warm puff of Buck's breath against his skin as Buck lets out a long sigh of relief. A tender smile spreads across Buck's lips, his blue eyes shining with quiet, genuine concern.
"Better," Eddie murmurs, his voice barely above a breath as he reaches up to cup the back of Buck's neck, thumb brushing softly behind his ear. "Much better."
The lingering ache in his chest is entirely gone, replaced by a deep, radiant warmth that settles comfortably right behind his ribs. Looking at Buck's blue eyes—still filled with that endearing, quiet devotion—Eddie feels his own heart overflow with an emotion so immense it makes him dizzy.
Instead of pulling away, Eddie leans in and presses another kiss to Buck's lips, slow and tender, tasting the familiar warmth that feels like coming home. Buck lets out a soft, contented hum against his mouth, his arms tightening around Eddie's waist in an embrace so safe, so solid, that Eddie never wants to leave.
When they finally break the kiss, resting their foreheads together in the quiet morning space, Eddie lets out a soft chuckle, his fingers tangling gently into Buck's curls.
"Come on, big guy," Eddie whispers with a soft, affectionate smile, giving Buck's cheek a gentle pat. "Let's go home."
The kissing potion's effect fades around eight in the evening.
As it wears off, the sweetness inside Eddie's mouth and the strong floral scent disappear, leaving only a faint herbal aftertaste for about five minutes. And then, all of it vanishes completely.
Throughout those hours, Buck attends to his every need, their lips and hands entangled in an insatiable, hungry embrace.
Eddie contacts Nancy to let her know the results, and she nearly screams in excitement. She apologizes and thanks him endlessly, and before she hangs up, she mentions that her lab has plenty of other fun potions—all completely safe and already tested on humans. If Eddie ever wants to try something new, he can reach out anytime. Free of charge, of course.
Eddie lets out a soft laugh. Perhaps another time.
Right now, his sole priority is giving a certain blue-eyed puppy all the deep, breathless kisses he desires.