Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

When Eddie got the text, he immediately rushed to him, not knowing what to expect, only that his best friend needed him.

They hadn’t really talked since—well, it didn’t matter. Buck needed him, and that was all that mattered. They could figure out the rest later.

He drove as quickly as traffic allowed, maybe breaking a few laws along the way; he had to get to him.

The parking lot was nearing on empty at the late hour, Eddie pulling into the closest spot available, throwing his beat-up truck into park. He walked through the glass doors, his head twisting every direction until it landed on a mop of blond. Eddie quickened his steps, walking right up to the other boy, stopping when he was just in front of him.

“Hey.”

Buck’s head flew up from where he’d been resting it down on one hand, his other arm hanging at an odd angle by his side. There was a decent sized gash on his forehead, his blues red rimmed and glistening with tears.

Eddie knelt down in front of him, placing his hands over Buck’s thighs, squeezing lightly in reassurance.

 “Ev, hey, what’s wrong? What happened?”

Buck’s voice was raspy, thick with distraught as tears fell down his cheeks.

“I’m-sorry Eds. I-I fucked up everything like always. I know-I know you’re mad at me.”

Eddie sighed dejectedly, leaning further into his best friend; he hated that Buck felt this way about himself, and that he thought others did too. He deserved to be loved, taken care of.

 “Hey, I’m not mad, ok?” Well, he was a little, just with Buck’s decisions, but not the boy himself. Eddie swallowed thickly.  “Tell me what happened…. are you hurt?”

It was obvious that Buck was, Eddie just needed to know how badly.

Buck winced in pain as he tried to move the arm that had been hanging limply at his side, his face scrunching up from the movement; it was definitely broken.

Eddie moved his fingers to the arm, brushing lightly over the skin there, watching as Buck visibly relaxed for his touch.

“How long have you been here?”

Buck shrugged, mumbling something unintelligible. Glancing over to the clock, Eddie gave Buck another once over before standing. Buck immediately panicked, eyes widening as his good hand tightened around Eddie’s.

“I’ll be right back, ok? Just gonna see how much longer.”

Eddie gave Buck’s hand another squeeze before Buck finally let him go, unwillingly, Eddie heading to the front desk to see what was going on. He was sure Buck had a concussion just from his appearance alone, Buck seeming in a dazed state of mind. There was also the fact that Buck could barely seem to keep his eyes open, those blues continuously fluttering closed as Eddie had sat in front of him.

The man up front said it would only be another fifteen minutes or so, assuring him that Buck was in fact on the list. Eddie didn’t quite buy it, and was thinking of causing more of a scene when he heard a retching sound behind him.

He quickly grabbed for the nearby trashcan, placing it in front of Buck just in time. Yep, definitely a concussion.

As Buck heaved again, Eddie rubbed a soothing hand over his back, whispering words of reassurance in between. It had been a while since they’d been this close, affectionate. Ever since Buck found out the news, well—it had created a distance between them, one Eddie wasn’t sure how to close.  Even so, Eddie couldn’t stop himself. Buck needed him, and Eddie wasn’t going to deny either of them the comfort.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a nurse appeared with a clipboard, calling out, “Evan Buckley?”

Eddie helped Buck stand, cautious of his bad arm as he went. Buck wavered as he stood, Eddie holding him up, keeping him close. When they reached the open door, Buck turned to him anxiously.

“Please—don’t—will, will you—come with me?”

He knew it was probably just Buck’s pain talking, that he didn’t really need Eddie, but still.

Eddie pulled in his bottom lip, glancing from Buck to the nurse. He really should go now that Buck was getting treated and in good hands; he really shouldn’t make things more complicated than they already were.

One look at his best friends pouty, yet adorable face, was all it took, Eddie simply following behind him, letting the nurse guide them back to a room. It wasn’t like he was needed anywhere else anyway; at least, that’s what he told himself.

He watched as Buck sat on the bed, the nurse taking a few of his vitals before asking him a series of questions, ones Eddie was interested in hearing the answers to himself.

“How did this happen son?”

Buck stammered out something unintelligible, rubbing at his head where the cut was, causing it to bleed more. Eddie absently reached out to grab his wrist, pulling it away, keeping their fingers linked together over Buck’s thigh afterwards.

 “Uh-I’m…I don’t-don’t really remember.”

The nurse nodded, marking something on the chart. It was obvious she didn’t believe him; Eddie didn’t either.

After a few more questions, one’s Buck mumbled his way through, the nurse left the room, leaving them alone. Eddie immediately got down to Buck’s level, looking straight into his bloodshot blues.

“Don’t bullshit me Evan. What the hell happened?”

Buck bit at his fingertips, looking anywhere but at Eddie, tears pooling in his eyes once more.

The doctor came in before Eddie could get any more out of him, but he didn’t move away from Buck, not even when the other boy squeezed his hand tightly as his anxiety set in.

 The doctor assessed Buck’s wounds, confirming that his arm was in fact broken, and that he had a slight concussion as well. Buck seemed even less surprised by the diagnoses than Eddie, which wasn’t the least bit reassuring.

 After Buck’s arm was casted and his head wound steri-stripped, the doctor told Buck how to take care of everything, handing off paperwork.

The doctor looked Buck over once more, glancing to Eddie before focusing back on Buck.

“Look kid, I patched you up, but legally I can’t release you given that you’re a minor. You’re gonna need to call your parents or legal guardian.”

While Eddie snorted Buck tensed up. He was no doubt hiding whatever had happened from his parents, not that they would give a shit anyway. Eddie knew that Maddie wasn’t around either, Buck essentially on his own.

“I’m eighteen.”

At Eddie’s announcement, the doctor looked him over.

“Listen son, I can’t—”

There was a knock on the door before a nurse was entering, asking for the doctor’s attention. The doctor held their finger up, signaling they’d be just a minute. They glanced between Buck and Eddie once more, a sigh falling past their lips.

“I need to go attend to this, but maybe if you two aren’t here when I return, I will pretend not to notice.”

With that, the doctor walked out, leaving the door ajar. It was all Eddie needed. He grabbed up Buck’s paperwork, doubting the other boy would read through them anyway.

“C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

Buck let Eddie take him by the good arm, Eddie maneuvering them through the hospital and out to his truck. Buck stayed close to his side, his casted arm hung in a sling; he looked adorably miserable.

Once they reached his truck, Eddie opened the passenger side, helping Buck get situated. As he reached across to buckle him in, Buck grabbed onto his forearm, stilling Eddie for just a second as he winced in pain; Eddie would do anything to take it away. Eddie waited for it to pass, smoothing out the seatbelt before stepping back and closing the door, rounding to his side.

They sat for a moment, neither saying a thing, Buck’s labored breathing filling the silence. Eddie started the truck, guiding them out of the hospital parking lot and onto the road.

They remained silent as Eddie drove. Eddie figured he wouldn’t get any more out of Buck for the night, so he was surprised when Buck let out a heavy sigh before confessing all of it.

“I wrecked my bike…uh-totaled it, actually.”

 Eddie sighed to himself; he knew that motorcycle had been a bad idea the moment he’d seen Buck ride up on it the week before—he did look damn good on it though.

Without asking, Eddie could easily guess what had caused Buck to be so reckless—something to do with his parents—Buck no doubt driving at some high speed as he’d went.

 “Your parents are assholes. I wish—I wish you would’ve called me instead.”

 I wish you would’ve called me instead of letting them get to you, instead of riding so reckless you’d hurt yourself. I wish we weren’t so distant so I would’ve known what was going on.

Eddie knew it was a shit thing that he’d settled on saying—not about Bucks parents, they were assholes—but it wasn’t fair for him to say that to Buck, not when he was—

 “You’re leaving.”

Yea, that.

Maddie had left the year prior to be with her boyfriend, and now Eddie was going too, leaving Buck infinitely alone with his shitty parents. It wasn’t what Eddie wanted; there just wasn’t another way. Eddie’s parents weren’t all that grand either.

He pulled his truck into Buck’s drive, cutting the engine, the two of them sitting there in silence.

“Are they home?”

Buck shook his head. “They left after—Dads got a conference or some shit.”

Eddie could infer for himself that Buck’s parents had taken off after whatever disagreement they’d had, not even bothering to check on Buck before leaving.

Eddie told himself he’d just walk Buck to the door, maybe help get him situated before leaving—he couldn’t stay, shouldn’t.

Buck led the way, using his good arm to open the door, instantly heading for the stairs, presumably to his room. Eddie went for the kitchen, grabbing out an ice-pack and a bottle of water, shaking a couple of pain meds into his hand before making his own way up the stairs. He found Buck struggling to undress himself, all but tripping over his own feet.

 “Sit.”

Buck narrowed his eyes, but did as Eddie said, sitting on the edge of his bed with a sigh of defeat.

 Eddie bent to unlace his signature white shoes first, Buck lifting his hips as Eddie reached for the waistband of his pants, sliding them down Buck’s body until they hit the floor. This wasn’t the first, or even third time, Eddie had undressed him—there were too many to count—but it still gave him chills, like they were entering that grey area they could never seem to escape.

Standing back up, Buck ducked his head as Eddie removed the sling from around his neck. With his arm freed, Eddie held it carefully while pulling Bucks good arm out of the shirt first. Eddie lifted it over Buck’s head, then slowly slid it off of Buck’s other arm and down to the floor.

Buck’s clothes were dirty and matted with blood, Eddie wondering once again exactly what had happened. He was sure he didn’t want to know. Eddie could barely handle seeing how Buck looked currently, let alone what he’d done to injure himself on his bike.

Pushing the dirtied clothes to the side, Eddie focused on Buck who was now just in a pair of boxers, his best friend somehow looking small even though he was over six feet tall.

There were scrapes, bruises, and dried blood coating Buck’s skin, Eddie gently pushing the other boy back to the bed while he made his way to the bathroom, reappearing with a wet washcloth. A shower would’ve been better, but Buck was bone tired, not to mention it would be difficult with his broken arm. This would just have to do.

Buck’s eyes had fallen closed, the boy startling a little for the wet cloth, though Eddie had made sure to use warm water, Buck quickly leaning into the touch.

Gently, Eddie wiped Buck’s wounds, apologizing every time Buck winced or hissed out in pain.

“It’s not your fault.”

Eddie moved the rag to Buck’s face, dabbing at some dried blood near his birthmark.

“Yea, well I don’t like seeing you in pain.”

Buck ducked away at that, Eddie placing two fingers to Buck’s chin to twist him back, rubbing off the rest of the blood there.

Eddie gave buck a once over, deciding it was as good as it was going to get. He took the cloth back to the bathroom and rinsed it out, washing his hands before returning to Buck, the boy now sat up on his bed. He looked small, cold, fragile.

Eddie only debated with himself a moment before shrugging his hoodie off and stepping back into Buck’s space. Wide blues met him once more, Eddie instructing Buck to duck his head before he slipped the material over it, careful of Buck’s arm once more. He knew a button up or no shirt at all would be easier; he also knew how much Buck loved hoodies, especially from Eddie. Buck had stolen his too many times to count, claiming they were somehow softer. Eddie guessed it was more from the comforting scent, Eddie having stolen Buck’s for the same reason. He never brought it up though, always too afraid to cross those invisible lines.

After putting Buck’s casted arm back into the sling, Eddie handed over the pills and water, Buck not even fighting him as he swallowed them down, crawling onto his bed after. Those blues closed almost instantly, the weight of Buck’s accident finally taking over. Eddie reached for the extra pillows, sliding one under Bucks casted arm to help prop it up. Buck reached aimlessly with his good hand, longing to find Eddie’s, grasping onto it tightly when they connected.

“Stay?”

It was a tiny plea, Eddie biting at his lip with hesitation. He didn’t know whether Buck meant now or in general; it was probably a little of both.

“Buck I—”

“You can’t leave m’alone with concussion.”

And well, he had a point. Eddie rolled his eyes with a fondness; he hated to admit that Buck was right.

 Eddie relented, bending to remove his own shoes and jeans before sliding onto the bed, Buck blindly reaching for him again, pouting when his hand collided with Eddie’s t-shirt.

“Mmm too many clothes for snuggling.”

Eddie knew that would seal the deal; once there weren’t as many barriers between them, Eddie wouldn’t be able to leave—he never could after that. It was almost impossible before, but after, well, Eddie usually ran out of reasons to say no.

Buck pulled on his shirt again, his blues opening to plead with Eddie.

“Evan.”

Buck didn’t say anything else, simply stared Eddie down with his baby blues until he got what he wanted, Eddie shrugging his shirt off before pulling him in close, rucking up his sweatshirt that Buck was wearing so they were pressed together, skin to skin.

“You’re such a brat.”

Buck only nuzzled closer, his breath ghosting over Eddie’s lips, begging Eddie to take that last step.

“Ev, please don’t make this harder than it already is.”

Buck’s lips were all but touching his, their noses pressed together. Buck was all around him, voice pleading.

“Just one Eds, please.”

That was the problem. It was never just one; once they dove into the world of each other, it was almost impossible to stop—they could never get enough. Not enough kisses, touches, or sweet sounds made between them would ever be enough; if there was one thing they never tired of, it was each other.

As Bucks lips pressed into his, Eddie knew he should move away, should’ve just dropped him and gone home, but he’d stayed, letting himself fall that much further.

Their lips crashed together as Eddie leaned in to meet him, hands wrapping around Buck’s neck to pull him in closer. Bucks casted arm came to rest over Eddies side, while his other one snaked beneath Eddie, pulling at his tufts of hair. Eddie didn’t let things go further, for multiple reasons, but mostly because Buck needed his rest.

He pressed a chaste kiss to the boys’ lips before pulling back a fraction.

“Sleep. I’ll be right here.”

Those piercing blues looked up to him, radiating in the dark of the night as he whispered out.

 “Promise?”

 Eddie did the thing he always did when words failed him, pressing into their matching marks, one’s they’d gotten together a few months back. Eddie rubbed his thumb over Buck’s softly, the other boy humming into his touch. The skin was still raised there, a reminder of what had happened. It wasn’t quite a promise, but it was something that tethered them to each other forever, no matter how far apart they were. Familiar lyrics came to mind, Eddie closing his eyes, losing himself to the memory for a moment.

‘When I lose my grip you pull me back, then I’ll gravitate toward your madness’

He tried not to think about how accurate the lyrics were to their current situation.

Buck’s breath fanned across his face as he mumbled something aloud, Eddie asking him to repeat what he’d said.

“M’need him.”

Eddie only questioned what Buck meant for a second before he blindly reached behind himself, hands touching the soft plushie he knew Buck desired. Placing it between them, Buck used his good arm to grip both the stuffy and Eddie, relaxing into them. It made Eddie’s heart swoon a little.

Of all the moments they’d shared together, this wouldn’t be the one Eddie would pick to stay in forever, but any night that ended with them together was better than the alternative.

He couldn’t stay, but he couldn’t leave; every right decision he made felt wrong. Sometimes, staying was harder than leaving, because staying meant that this was real, that they were real.

It wasn’t something that either of them was ready for; maybe they never would be. If Eddie didn’t go now, he knew he never would. The longer he stayed, wrapped up in Buck, their faces pressed closely together, the worse it would be—for both of them.

It was a shitty way to leave him, but if he caught sight of those dazzling blues, it would be over. There were few things in life Eddie didn’t have control over, his best friend being one of them.

As he slid out from the other boy, his arms instantly felt empty, a void that no one else could ever fill. He could pretend it wasn’t real, that what they had didn’t matter, didn’t exist. In the end, it was the only thing that’d ever made him feel alive, like he was fighting for something rather than against.

It took courage to stay; he felt weak for walking away.

~

Chapter Text

There was that time they went to the fair. It was their first date actually, the first of many.

They were stood at their lockers, Eddie watching as Buck crammed more papers inside, Eddie refraining from organizing them; he had no idea how Buck was ever able to find anything in that mess.

“So tomorrow, do you—do you wanna go to the fair with me?”

That wasn’t quite how he’d rehearsed it in his head, but he hoped Buck got the general idea.

Buck peered around his locker, looking to Eddie seriously.

“Just uh, just the two of us?”

Ok yes, he was catching on.

Eddie nodded his head. “Yea, just the two of us.”

Buck seemed to think it over for a few seconds, distracting Eddie as he pulled his lower lip between his teeth several times. “Um yea, that-that sounds cool.”

Buck fidgeted with the dial over his locker once he’d shut it, suddenly seeming nervous. He wouldn’t look at Eddie, eyes drawn down to his feet.

“So um, like ah, is this uh— is this like a uh—um a…—" Buck continued to stutter over his words, Eddie finally taking pity on him. Apparently, Buck was not catching on. Eddie was going to need to get a little more specific, maybe even spell it out point blank for his best friend.

“Yea Buck, like a date.”

Buck’s eyes shot up to him, those blues wider than Eddie ever remembered seeing them before. He ducked his head again with a shy little smile.

“Ok.” 

 Eddie stepped closer to Buck, inquiring.

“So, it’s a date then?”

Those blues looked up to him once more, Eddie ready to dive right in.

“Yea Eds, it’s um, it’s a date.”

~

Eddie wanted everything to be perfect, wanting to pick Buck up and all, but his best friend had insisted he would just meet him there. It wasn’t a battle Eddie wanted to fight, knowing Buck didn’t have the best relationship with his parents. In the year they’d been friends, Eddie had only met them in passing, neither of them appearing to be warm and loving, chastising Buck the entire time. Eddie got why Buck never wanted to talk about them.

He waited by the entrance, checking the time on his watch, noting that Buck was already ten minutes late; the kid had never been on time for anything in his life.

Still, Eddie knew he’d be there—well, he hoped. Eddie shuffled his feet around as he waited, pacing back and forth. He’d gone with a pair of his slim dark jeans, pairing it with one of his raglan shirts, green coloring the sleeves.

He was getting ready to call Buck when there were suddenly hands pressing to either side of his waist, Buck barreling right into him from behind.

“Hey,” he said a little breathless. “You waiting for someone?”

Eddie huffed out a laugh as he turned to meet Buck, taking the other boy in. Buck had gone with tight black jeans that had rips at the knees, his worn white converse over his feet, a white tee covering his toned frame, and a baseball cap twisted backward over his head, unruly curls sticking out from it. It was the last one that did Eddie in.

“Just you.”

Buck’s smile in turn was a mile wide, those blues almost sparkling under the golden sunlight.

“So,” Eddie said, looking all around. “Where should we start?”

It was late afternoon, the sun still having a few hours until it set. Eddie’s curfew was midnight, Buck not having one. ‘My parents would actually have to notice I was gone to give me one.’

“How about the rides?” Buck suggested, already bouncing on his feet next to him.

Eddie easily agreed, the two heading in the direction of the ticket booth, Eddie getting them each a wristband.

“Eddie,” Buck whined. “I can pay for my own. You already bought me a ticket.”

Eddie shook his head, pushing his money toward the attendant. “Nope, I invited you, so it’s my treat. If you wanna pay, then ask me out on a date.”

That seemed to shut him up real quick, Buck staring at him with wide-eyes.

Collecting the bands, Eddie put his on before reaching for Buck’s arm, the boy watching intently as Eddie wrapped it around his wrist, securely taping it into place. He reached for Buck’s hand after, Buck hesitating a moment before grabbing on.

They’d hung out several times before, too many to count in fact, but never like this. Eddie had always been too afraid to grasp for more, but now he could. Something about having Buck’s hand in his felt so right, their fingers perfectly slotting together, the hold effortless.

Eddie never tried to hide with Buck, but it felt more freeing at the fair where they were void of prying eyes like when they were at school. He was pretty sure his parents wouldn’t approve of him holding another boy’s hand.

“So, which one first?” Eddie asked, looking over to Buck.

The other boy seemed to think it over for a minute, eventually nodding his head in the direction of the swings, tugging Eddie along toward them. Eddie instantly hated the ride when it meant they had to drop hands, Buck looking a little saddened for it too.

Eddie took the one just in front of Buck, those long legs of his reaching out to poke Eddie, kicking up and under his seat. “Watch it Buckley.” Buck only laughed, not deterred in the slightest.

They were hoisted up in the air once everyone was securely in place, the machine spinning them all around, the two of them swinging in the air. When they were back on the ground and heading toward the exit, Eddie in front, Buck’s hand reached for his, Eddie smiling to himself as he tangled them together once more.

Their wristbands allowed them to go on ride after ride, the two running into each other on the bumper cars and spinning themselves until they were nearly sick on the tornado ride. They took a break to get some food after a while, getting a little of everything. They shared corndogs, churros, and nachos, devouring all of them.

With their stomachs full, the two having sat for a while to let themselves settle, Eddie looked around the park for their next ride, nudging his knee into Buck’s.

“How about the Ferris wheel?”

It was cliché he knew, Eddie hoping Buck wouldn’t quite catch on to his unsubtle suggestion.

Buck looked over to the ride, shaking his head.

“No way. People want you to think that’s one of the safest rides. But did you know, that like, one in nine-million could be seriously injured? They don’t even tell you about the other part.”

Eddie smiled to himself, tilting his head Buck’s direction.

“Oh yea, and what’s that?”

Ever since the day they’d met, Buck had been spouting off random facts, most of their classmates not quite appreciating it. Eddie had never really minded, especially once he found out why Buck knew all these things.

‘When I can’t sleep at night, when my parents are on me, I just—I watch videos and look up stuff on the internet.’

Buck turned to him, really getting into it now.

“Ok, like workers are always getting injured while trying to fix them, they’ve been known to fall off their axels and roll onto other Ferris wheels, and don’t get me started about people falling out of them.”

Buck visibly shivered, Eddie only smiling brighter.

“Buck, did you spend all last night looking up deadly rides at amusement parks?”

“Look Eds, I was just looking up how fairs are put together and then—”

“And then you were in too deep?”

Buck smiled sheepishly, Eddie huffing out a laugh.

“Ok fine, how about we play some games then?”

Buck easily agreed, the two of them walking hand in hand over to the game area. Night was starting to fall now, the warm summer air finally starting to give, a slight breeze blowing through the fairgrounds.

Before Eddie knew what was happening, Buck was suddenly pulling him up a set of stairs, tugging him through the ticket check, and into the fun house. It was creepy if you asked Eddie, his grip on Buck tightening. Buck didn’t seem to mind, smiling as they went. It wasn’t until toward the end when something popped out, Buck letting out a shrill of a scream before falling back to Eddie who wrapped his arms around him on instinct, giggling into the other boy’s ear.

Instead of teasing him, all Eddie said was, “I’ve got you,” Buck leaning back further into his hold. They eventually made it out to safety, Eddie taking the lead this time, dragging Buck into the house of mirrors, taking off ahead of him.

He heard a shouted, “asshole,” behind him, Eddie snickering as he moved further into the mirrors. A few other teens ran by, but none of them with blue eyes or golden curls and stupid backwards caps over them.

Eddie waited, moving around a few of the mirrors as he went. When he nearly tripped over his feet, he bent to tie his converse, standing again to be surrounded by Buck. The boy seemed to be everywhere, though Eddie couldn’t decipher which direction he actually was. Eddie raised his brows playfully, Buck doing the same in challenge, the two of them moving from side to side, mirroring each other—literally.

They swayed back and forth, teasing each other, Eddie eventually deciding on one direction, coming up empty, only to feel those muscled arms of Buck wrapping tightly around him, breathless voice whispering into his ear.

“Found you.”

“Yea, you did,” Eddie said to the reflection behind him.

“So,” Buck whispered, “what’s my prize?”

Eddie thought about it, then took his phone out of his pocket, handing it back to a perplexed Buck.

“Capturing the moment forever?”

Ok, so Eddie had gone with the sappy route; sue him. He wanted to capture every moment he could with Buck, afraid one day the memories would fade.

Buck’s face did something for a moment, his blues brighter than ever, almost glistening. He didn’t say anything, the two of them staying the way they were, smiling to each other as Buck snapped the picture.

Buck handed the phone back to Eddie a little shyly. “You um— can you send that one to me?”

Eddie easily agreed, taking Buck’s hand in his, the two staying linked until they made it out, finally making their way over to the game section.

The sky was dark above them now, the fair still full of life. Bright yellow and neon lights lit up the night sky, twinkling around them. Everything was loud and a buzz, Eddie holding on tightly to Buck as they zipped their way through the crowd.

The first game they picked was one where you had to throw darts at balloons, the loud ‘pop’ sound greeting them every time they connected with one. The goal was to hit so many in a row in order to win one of the prizes, the two of them falling just short. Moving on, they found another game where you had to hit the ball against the backboard and get it into the basket; it looked a lot easier than it actually was.

They found a bounce house in-between, Eddie watching fondly as Buck jumped high, the little kids giggling with joy, begging Buck to lift them higher. Eddie managed to get out of their first, Buck a few paces behind, breathing hard by the time he exited.

“That was fun.”

“Yea,” Eddie responded as he looked Buck over. Absently, Eddie lifted a hand to brush one of Buck’s stray curls back into place. Buck smiled softly before removing his hat and giving Eddie the full view of his golden curls. Eddie watched as Buck ran his hand through his hair before replacing that damn backwards cap.

Eddie spotted another game after that. He grasped onto Buck’s hand, leading them towards it.  The game ended up being a ring toss, glass bottles in the middle, tightly tucked next to one another. You had to earn five in a row to get a prize, Eddie feeling determined; he really hated losing.

Buck stood close by and watched, cheering Eddie on as he went. It might’ve taken him two or three—ok it was five—turns before he got them all in a row, Buck cheering loudly with him as they high-fived, Eddie refraining from using the grip to pull Buck in closer.

When the attendant asked what prize he wanted, Eddie was suddenly stumped. He’d been so focused on winning that he hadn’t even thought about it, only glancing up to see the stuffed plushies now. Buck seemed lost in thought, not looking to anything in particular, Eddie lost in those blues of his once more.

He turned back to the waiting attendant, selecting the first one that caught his eye. Once he had it in hand, Eddie nudged Buck, handing the stuffy out. Buck looked to him with those big blues, hesitating before finally reaching out and taking it. It was a blue Yoshi, one that perfectly accented those eyes of Buck’s.

“There’s your prize Ev.”

Buck pulled his lower lip in before ducking his head, looking back up to Eddie shyly.

“Thanks Eds. I um—this is pretty cool.”

Eddie nodded, acting like it was no big deal. He reached to take Buck’s hand in his then, the two continuing forward.

 They made it over to the dessert section, Buck managing to eat an entire funnel cake, plus a decadent shake that was piled high with whipped cream and Oreos. Eddie had no idea where Buck put it all, the boy all but shoveling every bite in, Eddie finding it both gross and endearing.

They sat there for a few minutes afterwards on opposite sides of the picnic table, legs tangled together beneath it. Eddie nudged his foot into Buck’s, the boy raising his brows. “Playing footsies with me Diaz?” Eddie didn’t deny it, capturing one of Buck’s feet between his own.

Buck smiled for it, letting out a groan simultaneously. “God I’m so full, I never wanna eat again.”

Eddie chuckled, nudging his foot into Buck’s once more.

“C’mon, I wanna get to where the fireworks are before they start.”

“And where is that?” Buck asked, using the Yoshi plushie to pillow underneath his head as he made to rest on the table.

Buck was not going to like his answer.

“It’s on the other side of the park.”

Buck groaned dramatically. “Go on without me Eds.”

His best friend could be so dramatic sometimes.

Eddie stood from the table and moved to the other side, Buck keeping his head where it laid. “Man, you gotta carry me or something. I don’t think I can make it.”

Eddie thought it over for a moment, knowing Buck wasn’t serious, but decided to offer himself up anyway.

“Ok, hop on.”

Buck lifted his head then, looking to Eddie like he was crazy as Eddie squatted at the knees, looking back to Buck expectantly.

“Well c’mon, the offer isn’t gonna stand all night.”

Buck thought it over for another moment, finally gathering himself and standing from the bench. It was cute to watch how timid Buck was, the boy first wrapping is arms around Eddie’s neck, Eddie taking it all in.

“Ready?” Eddie asked, twisting his head a little back towards Buck.

“Yea, I uh, I’m ready.”

Eddie reached his hands back to wrap around Buck’s lower thighs—which was harder than it looked with how fucking long his legs were—Buck using his hold on Eddie to give himself a lift. With his arms securely wrapped around Buck’s legs, the boy seeming content in his hold, head rested over Eddie’s shoulder, Eddie began to move forward.

“Wait!”

Eddie stopped in his tracks, looking up to Buck with raised brows. There was a pout over his face, voice earnest.

“We forgot Yoshi!”

Of course. Eddie stepped back toward the table, loosening one of his hands from Buck to reach out and grab the plushie, keeping it in his arms afterwards. What? Buck was tired, plus, Eddie was loving the feeling of Buck’s arms wrapped tightly around him, Eddie not looking to lose that closeness anytime soon.

With Buck on his back, Yoshi in hand, Eddie pressed on, walking them down the length of the fair. Buck seemed the most content, his face tucked closely by Eddie’s, mumbling every so often about the different rides and games they passed.

All too soon, they reached the other end of the park, Eddie slowly backing up to one of the picnic benches, Buck releasing his hold on Eddie a little reluctantly. Eddie handed back the blue Yoshi once Buck’s feet were on the ground. Buck took it in hand, their fingers brushing together. There was little twinkle in those blues of his, Eddie smiling softly.

 With Buck sat on the table part, Eddie took the bench, Buck quickly wrapping around him once more.

“Thanks for ah, for today, Eds. I didn’t know the fair was so cool.”

Eddie tipped his head so he could look up to the other boy, questioningly.

“You’ve never been to the fair before?”

Buck shook his head. “Nah, my parents hate this kind of shit. Mads always promised to take me one day….”

Buck trailed off, Eddie squeezing Buck’s calf where it was wrapped around him. He’d never met Maddie, Buck’s older sister, though for how much the guy talked about her, Eddie thought he had. Maddie had taken off with her boyfriend the year prior, during Buck’s sophomore year, Buck not having heard from her since.

Now, Buck was a junior, Eddie a senior, Eddie having moved here just after Maddie took off. It seemed like Maddie had always been the one to take care of him, Eddie feeling some sense of responsibility in taking over that part in her absence.

As the first boom in the sky hit, their attentions were adverted, both of the looking up as they sky lit up in various colors. One went off after the other, Buck leaning forward to rest his head on Eddie’s shoulder, Eddie leaning into the touch. Buck’s arms wrapped around his middle, the boy’s hold a little possessive; Eddie didn’t mind. He placed his hands over Buck’s, the four of them laid right over his heart.

They pointed out the different ones they liked, both of them cheering when the finale set in, one firework after the other set off, the entire night sky lit up.

“That’s how I feel when I’m with you.”

Eddie looked up at Buck’s voice, the boy’s face flushing a little red.

“I uh, never-neverminded, it’s stupid.” Buck shook his head, Eddie instantly hating anyone who’d ever turned him down.

Eddie twisted out of Buck’s hold then, moving until he had one leg over either side of the bench as he sat back down.

“It’s not stupid Ev, tell me.”

Buck got that little crinkle smile then, the one he got whenever Eddie used the nickname.

“I uh, I guess everything was sort of—dark before you showed up. And now, well now it’s… not.”

“So I’m like a firework that came and lit up the dark sky?”

“Yea.” Buck nodded. “You um, you make the days a little brighter.”

They didn’t say anything for a moment, too lost on the other. Hollers around them suddenly pulled them out of their bubble, thrusting them back into reality. That was Eddie’s moment he’d thought, the one he’d been waiting for all night. He turned back to Buck, willing the boy to submerge into their bubble once more. As Eddie leaned in, he looked up to those piercing blues, Buck blurting out, “can we get cotton candy?”

Eddie was so surprised by his words that he nearly fell off the bench; so much for his grand gesture and romantic moment of them being under the fireworks.

“Sure, I—yea, let’s go.”

Eddie didn’t bring up the fact that Buck had been complaining of a tummy ache not long ago, giving the boy the out he’d clearly been looking for.

Look, Eddie knew about Buck’s past, about all the people he’d kissed. Hell, he’d been witness to half a dozen of them, much to his dismay, so he wasn’t sure why Buck was shying away from it all of a sudden.

Buck picked up the Yoshi, cradling it close in his arms. When Buck didn’t reach for him, Eddie kept his own hands to himself. Instead, they walked side by side, bumping shoulders as they went. It was something, but not nearly what Eddie wanted.

When they reached the stand, Buck moved toward the window, pulling out his wallet before Eddie could protest, handing out his money in exchange for the cotton candy.

While keeping the plushie in the crook of his arm, Buck used the other to open the bag of cotton candy, finally looking over to Eddie. “You want some?”

Eddie shook his head; he wasn’t sure he could stomach anything at the moment.

Instead, he tortured himself by watching Buck eat the sticky substance, licking his fingers as he went, popping them back out of his mouth after. Eddie shook his head, adverting his attention elsewhere; get it together Diaz.

They made their way to the exit, Buck tossing the empty bag into the trash as they passed. Either Buck really liked cotton candy, or was trying to keep his hands and mouth busy. Eddie guessed it was probably a combination of the two, though he was leaning more towards the latter.

They kept their proximity close, though neither of them reached for the other, Eddie unsure of what had changed over the last several minutes.

When they got to Eddie’s truck, Eddie looked over to Buck, their eyes meeting for the first time in several minutes.

“You need a ride home or is the jeep here?”

Eddie knew all about the jeep, the one Maddie had handed over to him before taking off. Buck was almost never without it.

“I uh, I walked here.”

Of course he had. There was no doubt in Eddie’s mind that Buck had misplaced his keys…. again.

Eddie hitched his thumb toward his truck. “Get in. I’ll take you home.”

When Buck didn’t move, Eddie stayed put to, sighing out a little frustratedly.

“Buck.” Eddie paused, thinking his words over carefully. “Is there—did I do something wrong?”

Buck’s head whipped toward him, eyes wide.

“What? No.”

“Ok, then what gives? You’ve been acting off since the fireworks.”

Buck frowned, furrowing his brows together. “No, no I haven’t.”

Eddie let another sigh fall past his lips. “Fine. Whatever. Let’s just—let’s just go.”

Buck gave a sharp nod, silently following Eddie’s lead and getting into the truck, the two of them buckling up before Eddie put it into gear. He watched from the corner of his eye as Buck fidgeted in his seat, playing with the Yoshi that was now sat in his lap.

Eddie hated that Buck wouldn’t talk to him; hated the fact that he felt as though he’d done something to push Buck away instead of closer.

“I’m sorry.”

Buck’s voice came out as a whisper, Eddie barely hearing it with the wind blowing in from the open windows. Eddie stopped at the red light, the streets all but abandoned with the late hour, no one else in sight for miles.

“Buck, what’re—you don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

Buck shook his head, refusing to meet Eddie.

“I-I always mess things up. I—I don’t wanna do that with you, with um, with us.”

Eddie reached for Buck’s hand then, taking one of them from the plushie to tangle with his own.

“Buck, you’re not messing anything up.”

“But I am. You’re already mad at me.”

Buck tried to pull away then, Eddie only tightening his grip, ducking his head as he willed Buck to look his way.

“Hey, I’m not mad, ok? Maybe, maybe frustrated, but just at myself.”

Buck did look to him then, those brows of his furrowing together once more, Eddie refraining from reaching out to smooth them over.

“I’m sorry if I pushed when you weren’t ready Buck.”

“But I am ready. I—I’ve wanted to kiss you since the day your stupid face walked into school that first time.”

Eddie raised his brows, a slight smile crossing his lips. “You think my face is stupid?”

Buck huffed, mumbling out, “it’s stupidly pretty.”

Eddie couldn’t help but to chuckle, Buck looking all too unamused next to him.

“The light’s green. Has been for a while.”

Eddie had all but forgotten where they were, looking around at his surroundings. There was still no one around for miles, Eddie suddenly in no hurry to get home.

He put the truck in park, Buck looking over to him questioningly.

“What-what’re you doing?”

“Well, I thought if you wanted to kiss my stupid face, maybe I should kiss yours first.”

“You think my face is stupid?”

Eddie rolled his eyes, albeit fondly. “You’re ridiculous. C’mere.”

Eddie undid his seatbelt, Buck slowly doing the same, the two of them sliding across the bench seat until the only thing between them was that damn plushie, the thing getting squished as they leaned in close.

While Eddie’s hand moved to cup Buck’s face, Buck’s went to Eddie’s thigh, brown holding blue. Eddie rubbed his thumb over Buck’s cheek, watching as the boy leaned into his touch, shivering a little for it. Eddie didn’t have to push the stupidly attractable hat out of the way as it was backwards on Buck’s head, Eddie taking a moment more to admire it before pressing on.

“Is this ok?”

Buck nodded in his hold. “God Eddie if you don’t kiss—”

Eddie cut his words off with a bruising kiss, crashing their lips together. Buck melted right into him, pressing impossibly closer. The kiss started out heated, slowly turning tender, then back up a notch when Buck poked his tongue out, swiping it across Eddie’s lips. Eddie opened his mouth to let Buck in, their tongues tangling together, the kiss deepening still.

A horn honking had them breathlessly pulling apart, laughing as they did so. The car went around them, the two sat their slunk in their seats, both a little blissed out.

“Damn, I should’ve let you kiss me under the fireworks so it could’ve been all romantic and shit.”

Eddie looked around them, then back to Buck. “This isn’t romantic enough for you Buckley?”

There was that smile on Buck’s face again, the one that made the corners of his eyes crinkle, the boy ducking his head a smidge.

“So, you ready to go home?”

Buck shook his head. “Not really.”

Eddie wasn’t either.

They ended up making out for several more minutes that night, Buck pulled into Eddie’s lap by the end of it, the two of them breathless, Eddie’s head spinning a little for it.

When they finally got to Buck’s house, Eddie pulled his truck to a stop, Buck looking to his house a little sullenly before turning back to Eddie.

“I um, I had fun today.”

“Yea Buck, me too.”

Eddie’s hand found Buck’s face first, followed closely by his lips. Their kiss was softer this time, something a little sweeter that they’d both be able to savor; Eddie flushed a little for it. Buck got out of the truck then, standing outside the open window, the Yoshi hugged tightly in his arms.

“Keep him safe, yea?” Eddie said, nodding first to Yoshi, then up to Buck, those blues dazzling in the moonlight.

“I will Eds.”

When Buck was safely inside, Eddie took off, the touch of Buck lingering; he hoped it never faded.

That was their first date, the first of many, Eddie always holding the memory close, cherishing it still. It wasn’t their most memorable, but it was where their story began—well, sort of.

Chapter Text

There was that time they went to the movies. Sure, they’d been to the drive-ins plenty of times together, just not, well, together. Eddie wouldn’t ever forget what happened that night.

After that first kiss, they hadn’t been able to get enough. Like any teenagers, they were always finding excuses to be in each other’s presence, lingering touches or looks when they couldn’t be alone.

Eddie’s house was usually buzzing at any given moment with his parents and sisters, Buck never seeming to want to be at his, weather his parents were home at not. They could be alone most of the time there yes, but it almost felt too lonely. There was no love inside of that house.

And so, more often than not, they found themselves out and about, sometimes aimlessly walking or driving the streets, other times at the pizza parlor or local coffee shop, and on nights like tonight, out with their friends at the drive ins, the group of them starting in the arcade.

Albert and Buck were in a heated game of air hockey, Buck determined to take Albert down. Eddie noted he always hit a little too excitedly, and left his goal unguarded more often than not in anticipation of the puck. Apparently, Albert had picked up on this as well.

While they didn’t hide that they were—well more than friends, they didn’t exactly parade themselves around in front of everyone. Eddie didn’t want word to get back to his family, unsure of what they’d think; they already ridiculed him for not having his future sorted out.

Even so, Eddie found himself stepping up behind Buck and wrapping his arms around his middle. He placed his hands where Buck’s was over the puck, helping to guide him. Buck shivered a little for his touch, but didn’t pull away, his dopey smile turning to meet Eddie.

“No fair Buckley, you can’t have your boyfriend help you!” Albert shouted across to them, Eddie tensing a little for his word choice. While they didn’t flaunt what they were doing, they also hadn’t established anything either. Buck hadn’t ever brought it up, Eddie too afraid to do so. It would only make it that much more difficult to leave Buck when the time came.

If Buck minded, he didn’t say, Eddie moving their conjoined hands around a few more times, showing Buck some tips. He eventually pulled away, watching as Buck poked his tongue out, completely focused. Buck landed his next shot in Albert’s pocket, the boy whooping and hollering, Albert waving him off.

“Nice shot baby.”

Buck turned to him with a giddy smile, Eddie ducking his head, a little embarrassed for the endearing word that had so casually slipped out.

Eddie got the sense that Buck was about to come over and kiss him senseless, but then Josh walked up, announcing it was time for the movie.

A few of their other friends joined, Linda smiling over to him and Buck, the group of them heading out to their cars. Buck and Eddie ended up in the back of someone’s car, the two squeezing in together. Eddie placed his hand to the inside of Buck’s thigh, rubbing soothingly, or, at least that’d been his intention.

Buck pushed his hand away, Eddie looking up to him with a bit of hurt.

“You’re making it worse,” Buck said through gritted teeth.

Eddie didn’t understand, raising his brows in confusion.

“Making what worse?”

Buck quickly looked around, everyone else seeming to be engaged in conversation or focused on the screen where previews were now being played.

Eddie reached for Buck again, placing his hand in nearly the same spot as before, Buck flinching away. It wasn’t until a sharp gasp escaped his mouth that Eddie finally understood. Just to confirm, Eddie skated his hand up Buck, just under where his hoodie was covering his lap. Even through his jeans, there was an obvious bulge there, Eddie smiling a little cheeky for it.

Buck’s hand was suddenly on his, stilling him in place. Before Eddie could tease him further, Buck was yanking him out of the car, and dragging him off, Eddie haphazardly closing the door behind them. If any of their friends noticed, they didn’t say, the two of them disappearing into the night.

Eddie snickered a little as Buck pulled him throughout the other cars, not stopping until they reached Eddie’s truck. Buck was soon crowding him up against it, hot breath mouthing all along his neck.

“Buck,” Eddie sighed into the other boy, placing his hands to Buck’s hips as he tried to still him in place. “Everyone can see us,” Eddie grumbled. He’d never been big on PDA.

Buck pulled back with a pout, Eddie reaching up to thumb it away.

“You started this.”

“How so?” Eddie asked, looking up to Buck with an arched brow.

Buck looked to him as if the answer was obvious. “You-you pushed yourself up behind me, wrapped your arms around me, told me I did a good job, and the called me baby.”

Oh right. Eddie had done those things. Whoops.

He pushed in close again, one of Buck’s hands slipping behind him. Eddie wasn’t sure where Buck was going to place it until the door brushed his back as Buck pulled it open, all but dragging Eddie inside.

Buck sat in the passenger seat, pulling Eddie into his lap, Eddie landing on him with a bit of an umph.

“Jesus Buck, what’re you doing.”

Buck’s hands found his ass, squeezing suggestively.

“C’mon Eds, let’s have a little fun.”

As eager as Eddie could tell they both were, and as much as Eddie wanted Buck, they couldn’t, shouldn’t.

“Buck, we’re at the movies. Anyone could walk by and see.”

Buck shook his head with another pout to his lips.

“No one’s paying attention to us because they’re all doing the same thing.” Gross, Eddie thought. Buck waved him off. “Besides, you’re parked in the back where no one else can see anyway.”

Well, Buck did have a point. But still….they shouldn’t.

He looked down to Buck, brushing a finger underneath his chin.

“Baby, we shouldn’t.”

Buck shifted his hips at the same time he squeezed Eddie’s ass, the two groaning into one another. Buck’s breath was hot as he kissed along Eddie’s neck and over to his ear, whispering. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

Of course Eddie wanted this. Hell, he was a horny teenager, just like Buck. It was almost all he thought of. Still, they hadn’t ever done anything past a few heated make out sessions. Eddie could already tell this time was leading to more.

Eddie couldn’t help but to find Buck’s lips, kissing him soft and slow.

“Fine, but we have to be quiet.”

Buck agreed with a quick nod of his head, Eddie reaching below the seat to find the lever, reclining them back. He did so without warning, Buck all but grabbing onto him for dear life.

“Asshole.”

Eddie smiled cheeky before reattaching his lips to Buck’s, quieting the boy with one kiss.

They rutted together, the press of their jeans a little rough and not quite enough.

“Fuck, w-want you,” Buck breathed into him. Eddie pulled away to press their foreheads together.

“Yea, what do you want?”

A sharp gasp escaped from Buck, Eddie feeling his dick twitch between them.

“Wa-want you to touch me.”

Before Eddie could question where, Buck was grabbing for one of his hands, placing it over his crotch. Eddie applied a bit of pressure, Buck letting out a sigh of relief. Eddie kept the movement up for a few moments, Buck slowly relaxing back into the seat. He toyed with Buck’s zipper, looking to the other boy for permission. Buck nodded, moving Eddie’s hand closer.

Slowly, Eddie slid the zipper down, Buck watching in anticipation. With Buck’s jeans open, it gave Eddie more access. Buck lifted his hips up so Eddie could slide his jeans down, letting them fall to Buck’s ankles. Eddie got his first look then, the front of Buck’s boxers already wet. Eddie pressed a finger to the spot, feeling just how hard Buck was beneath his touch.

“God, yes.”

Buck threw his head back as Eddie continued to brush his fingers over Buck’s boxers, slowly getting a feel for what Buck liked. He wanted more, knowing Buck did too. As Eddie skated his hands across the hemline, darkened blues looked up to him, a silent permission granted.

Eddie dipped his hands beneath the fabric and took Buck in hand, Buck’s slick helping to ease the slide. For the moan Buck let out, Eddie was quickly stilling his movements, looking around to see if anyone had heard them. It was just as Buck had said, everyone seeming focused on…whatever they were doing, his truck too far away from the other vehicles to really see anything.

Frisky hands were suddenly on him, Buck now looking to Eddie for the same permission he’d granted Eddie only moments ago. Eddie gave a shaky nod, knowing there was no going back. It was what he’d been wanting, to completely let himself go with Buck. He just wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to have it.

Like Buck had, Eddie took the other boy’s hand and guided it to his crotch, giving a nod of his head. Buck fumbled a little more than Eddie had, something about it all too endearing. Buck was usually the cocky one, so it was nice for Eddie to see he was nervous too.

Eddie made to help him, willing Buck to look at him once his pants were undone.

“Hey, you ok?”

Buck gave one of his adorable confused looks.

“I’m fine Eds.”

“It’s ok if you’re not. I mean, if you’re nervous, that’s ok.”

Buck bit at his lower lip, pulling it between his teeth.

“Are-are you nervous?”

Eddie gave a simple nod of his head.

“Yea Buck, I am. I—” Eddie paused before letting himself be vulnerable. “I’ve never done this before. Not with…well not with a guy.”

While being honest with Buck, he was finally being honest with himself. Buck wasn’t quite his first, but it still felt like it was for Eddie.

Buck was silent for a moment, Eddie all but seeing the wheels spinning inside of him. Buck’s fingers snaked their way up under his shirt, fingers brushing softly against his sides.

“I’ve um, I’ve never done this either, not um…not with someone I really cared about.”

Oh.

“But I kind of like you,” Buck said, a little teasing, but still nervous. Eddie pressed himself back to Buck, kissing him softly. “Good. I sort of like you too.”

They didn’t do much talking after that.

At some point, they were both freed from the confines of their pants, both rubbing together or using their hands to help get them off. In the end, it didn’t take too long, both of them keyed up and a little (lot) desperate.

They sat there afterwards, Eddie slumped next to him, the two having the wherewithal to tuck themselves back in before completely collapsing. Eddie’s shirt was pulled up, Buck’s bare hand resting over it. Buck’s shirt had disappeared at some point, the two relocating it to clean themselves up before discarding it again.

 Eddie reached over to brush his hands across Buck’s stomach, lingering on the space just near his ribs. Buck sighed contently, the two sitting there like that for what felt like forever. It was a good forever, one Eddie didn’t mind staying in.

“Was uh, was that—good?”

It was the first words Buck had said since they’d finished, Eddie huffing out a laugh.

“Yea Buck, it was good.”

Buck took Eddie’s hand from his chest, bringing it up to his lips to press kisses over, Eddie shivering a little for it.

Their phones both buzzed, the two looking to each other with a bit of a smirk. It was time for them to get back before their friends started asking too many questions.

Buck made to get out first, Eddie sliding across with him. Sure, he could get out on the other side, but he wanted to remain close to him.

It wasn’t until they were stood outside the truck that Eddie realized the problem, Buck rubbing at his bare arms.

“Shit, you need a shirt.”

Eddie held up his finger before turning back to his truck. He leaned inside as he made to dig in the back.

A low whistle had him pausing and turning, Buck not at all shameless where his eyes were roaming over Eddie’s ass. Eddie gave a roll of his eyes before turning back around, finally locating what he’d been looking for. He tossed the hoodie at Buck without warning, Buck stumbling a little for it.

Once Buck had the hoodie on, Eddie couldn’t help but to pull him in close, placing his fingers beneath the fabric, brushing across Buck’s skin.

Buck groaned into him.

“Remember, this is how we got here in the first place.”

Right. With one squeeze to Buck’s sides, Eddie released him, grabbing for his hand instead, leading them back to where the rest of their friends were.

There were a few pointed looks shared between their friends, though no one asked, thankfully.

They cuddled in to watch the rest of the movie, Eddie keeping his hands to himself; for the most part.

By the time the movie was over and they finished hanging out with their friends it was late, Eddie driving Buck home.

“So uh, does this—make us boyfriends now?” Buck asked, twiddling his thumbs.

Eddie nearly slammed on the brakes for the question. He was grateful it was dark out, hoping Buck couldn’t see the panic in his eyes.

Eddie pulled into Buck’s driveway then, noting the only car there was Buck’s jeep. Buck fidgeted in the passenger seat, Eddie unsure of what to say. He didn’t want to make promises he couldn’t keep.

Eddie removed his hand from the gear shift and placed it to Buck’s knee, squeezing reassuringly.

“Hey, think I can come in for a bit?”

Buck’s frown quickly turned into a smile, one Eddie leaned over to kiss. Whether he noticed Eddie ignored the question or not, he didn’t say.

“Yea, I uh, don’t think my parents are home.”

With that settled, Eddie exited the truck along with Buck, the two following each other inside. They skipped right past the living room and the kitchen in favor of the stairs, heading straight for Buck’s room.

Eddie all but tackled Buck to the bed, crawling over him. He was welcomed right into Buck’s arms, the two a little less shy this time, making quick work to discard each other of their clothes.

Buck flipped them so he was on top, his tongue coming out to lick at his lips as he glanced over Eddie’s body. Eddie knew what was coming before Buck slithered down him, lining up his face with Eddie’s lower half. Eddie gave a short nod in answer, not trusting his voice.

Eddie closed his eyes in anticipation, though quickly opened them back up as Buck called out, “wait!”

“Buck, what the hell…” He trailed off, watching as Buck reached just above Eddie’s head, readjusting the Yoshi plushie. Eddie arched a brow over to him, Buck ducking his head a little shyly.

“I don’t want him to see us Eds. He’s too young!”

Eddie snorted before pulling Buck up to him and pressing their lips together.

“You’re ridiculous.”

“Yea but you like me.”

Eddie couldn’t deny that, reaching for Buck once more.

“Yea, Buck, I really do.”

That was the first time Eddie allowed himself to get close to Buck, to feel everything that had been building inside of him. He wanted Buck, wanted to be able to call his best friend his. If it were up to Eddie, he would’ve told Buck yes in a heartbeat. It wasn’t up to him though; nothing ever was.

~

Chapter Text

They went to the ocean once.

Eddie was done with his parents, done with the way Bucks were treating him.

He picked Buck up and just drove, drove until his best friends’ eyes matched the scenery around them, clear blue with the sunlight leaking trough. It didn’t matter to him where they went; seeing Buck’s face light up was enough for him.

The beach was—peaceful. No one was around to bother them.

They walked down along the beach, a little too close to the water, letting it lap over their feet before drifting back out. As a big wave crashed down, nearly taking them under, Eddie grabbed for Bucks’ hand, pulling him in tight until the water receded; he kept holding on after that.

The smile that spread across Bucks’ face that day made Eddie rue the days that showed him any less. Days like that were what Buck deserved, what they both did.

They plopped down onto the beach after a while, the cool sand surrounding them.  Eddie indulged Buck, letting the other boy sit in front of him, Eddie pulling Buck in close as he draped his arms around him. Buck threaded their fingers together at his front, before leaning back against Eddie. They could’ve sat like that for hours or minutes, the two watching the tide roll by.

Buck eventually turned in his hold, the waves continuing to crash in front of them as their lips found each other, the two making their own endless rhythm. Eddie tugged Bucks legs up, placing him over his lap, those thighs of his trapping Eddie in place. Eddie leaned his head back as Buck dethatched their lips, his tongue licking out across Eddie’s throat, biting at his pulse point. Eddie’s hands reached up for purchase, snaking under Buck’s shirt as they felt up his toned frame—at least all those football practices had been good for something.

A large wave came up towards the shore, crashing close to them, droplets of water spraying between them. Buck shifted, moving further into Eddie’s lap, both of them laughing as they fell back. Gently, Eddie pushed Buck from him as he stood. Eddie squinted against the sun as he reached a hand down to Buck, tugging the other boy up and to his level. “Come on, I have an idea.” Buck was happy to follow, his golden retriever demeanor in full effect today; god, he was adorable.

Eddie led them over to a swarm of rocks that cascaded over the water, the waves crashing into them before dropping back down. Eddie moved them around the corner and out of sight, putting them a safe distance from the water. He pinned Buck back against the rocks, molding their lips together once more. He took his time exploring the other boys’ mouth, licking his tongue in and out slowly, Buck panting as he went.

When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily, Bucks blues turned almost black with desire. As he went to dive back in, Buck gently pushed at his chest. “Nuh uh.” Eddie frowned; he was usually the one having to talk them out of seemingly ‘bad ideas.’

He followed Buck’s eyesight, looking behind them to see a small opening in one of the rocks; it appeared somewhat like a cave.

Turning back to Buck, Eddie watched as he waggled his brows playfully. It was ridiculous, Eddie submitting to it in an instant. Eddie grabbed for Buck’s hand and pulled him in the opposite direction, toward the cave like opening.

The gap was just wide enough for them to both fit through, the two sliding in and pressing closely to one another. It was darker in there, only a small amount of light coming in from the opening. Even so, Eddie took a moment to look Buck over, Buck appearing to do the same with him. They hadn’t been together long—well, doing whatever it was they’d been doing, Eddie never getting quite enough time just to bask in Buck’s presence.

Buck’s hands were soon wandering over to him, tugging at the hem of his shirt. Eddie easily obeyed, Buck wasting no time to do the same with his own. In an instant, they were both shirtless, Eddie unsure who leaned first, only that their bare chests were quickly pressed together. It helped to keep them warm as the cool ocean air swirled around them.

Eddie looked those extra couple of inches up to Buck before leaning in and kissing across his jaw and over his adams apple. Eddie roamed further down Buck, placing kisses over his collarbones, pressing a soft kiss right between the two. Buck let his head fall back against the rock as he willingly let Eddie explore. With Buck’s eyes closed, Eddie’s lips continued to wander. Bending a little at the knees, Eddie placed his hands to Buck’s upper thighs, swiftly moving up to cup Buck’s ass as he hoisted him up, Bucks arms quickly encircling his neck. Their lips connected then, Buck darting his tongue out to trace Eddie’s lips before pushing inside. Buck’s tongue swiped across Eddie’s teeth, almost as if the boy was trying to memorize him, Eddie finally letting him in, parting his lips. 

With their bodies pressed closely together, Eddie could feel how hard Buck was even through his jeans, Eddie not fairing much better. With Eddie’s hands holding Buck up, Buck used one of his to snake between them, the base of his palm pressing against Eddie’s bulge.  Eddie sighed into their next kiss, Buck whispering right into his ear. “Want you, please.”

Eddie knew his best friend was beyond being denied, Eddie close to falling off the edge himself. He wanted to give Buck what he wanted, what Eddie himself desired, but they couldn’t, shouldn’t—not there anyway.

 Kissing Buck with another slip of his tongue, Eddie squeezed Buck’s ass in warning before letting Buck drop from his hold. Buck wrinkled his nose all too adorably, his long giraffe legs wobbly as he tried to find his footing again. “Dick.”

Eddie shrugged, raising his brows playfully in retaliation. Buck took that as an invitation, crowding into Eddie’s space once more and flipping their positions, Eddie now pushed up against the cave walls.

Buck positioned himself just so, their hardened dicks rubbing together through the harsh fabric of their jeans. It was too much and not enough at the same time.

Eddie swiveled his own hips to meet Buck’s movements, the two rutting together, shielded from any other beachgoers in the confines of their makeshift cave.

Their breaths were becoming languid, their kisses sloppy as they humped each other like the horny teenagers they were. Bucks’ arms tightened around his waist suddenly, pulling him close and flipping their positions once more. Eddie knew Buck liked to be crowded in by him, had told Eddie it made him feel safe.

They dove right back into the other, Eddie stopping when Buck winced, sucking in a breath as he pulled away from Eddie.

“S’wrong?” Eddie managed to get out, Buck shaking his head before moving back into Eddie’s space, Buck taking Eddie’s lips with his own.

Eddie was ready to ride out their own wave, to not stop until they were crashing into each other and erupting back into the sea. Mother nature had other plans though, as it turned out.

 There was a crack of thunder in the sky, the sound ricocheting off the rock covered walls around them. Buck nearly whined as Eddie pulled away, shivering for the sound. Eddie knew Buck loved the rain but hated thunder; it made the storms all too real.

 Eddie tugged Buck as he leaned to look outside of their enclosure, Buck wrinkling his nose when the first drop of rain landed on his face. Eddie couldn’t help but to lean over and kiss it away, Buck smiling into him.

Stepping back inside, they grabbed for their shirts, shimming back into them back. Eddie reached for Buck then, interlocking their fingers. “Ready?” He asked, not giving Buck a chance to answer before dragging him forward and out into the storm. Rain poured down from the sky, the two hauling ass as they made their way back up the beach. Neither of them made it back to the truck unscathed.

They were completely soaked, laughing their asses off as they dove into the truck, shutting the doors securely behind them. As Buck lunged for him, all but trying to climb into Eddie’s lap, Eddie held him off, a gentle hand placed to Buck’s chest. He knew what Buck wanted, knew what he himself wanted—he wasn’t letting it happen in the confines of his shitty truck. “Not here.”  He gave a shake of his head, expecting an argument from Buck. Instead, he got Buck’s pouty lips, followed by the boy reaching behind himself, and into his back pocket. Buck sucked in a breath, seeming to be in pain once more, though paying it no mind. Eddie tracked the movement, his eyes catching on the hem of Buck’s t-shirt where he saw a trail of red mixing with the rainwater.

Eddie was reaching for him in and instant, hands rucking Bucks shirt up to see where the blood was coming from. A nice size cut appeared in front of him, Eddie’s fingers gently skimming over the area around it as he made a mental assessment.

“What happened?”

Buck only shrugged, not seeming worried in the slightest. “Fuckin rock was sharp.”

Eddie immediately felt guilty, knowing his movements had caused Buck this pain. He remembered Buck wincing out and then brushing it off; Eddie should’ve made more of an effort to check in.

“You’re hurt.”

Buck seemed to understand Eddie’s mental dilemma. Reaching for him, Buck brushed his fingers over Eddie’s. “It doesn’t hurt, really.”

“Buck,” Eddie pleaded. “You’re bleeding.”

Buck pushed Eddie’s hands away, refusing to let him clean it or tend to it in any way, going back to his previous mission. Buck brought his wallet out in front of him, slipping free one of his cards, Eddie recognizing it as his parent’s credit card, the one they often threw at Buck when they were done dealing with him for the time being.

“They’ll never know.” Buck shrugged, Eddie watching as he winced a little for the movement. Didn’t hurt his ass.

Eddie knew what Buck was suggesting, suddenly remembering why they’d taken the trip to begin with. It was something they’d done often, though Eddie couldn’t help but to think this time was different, more.

As he looked to Buck, the boy already had his phone out, not doubt looking for their next hideaway.

They used each other to hide away from their parents, their pain. Eddie had never had a friend like Buck before. Buck was always so eager and full of life, Eddie hating when anyone dimmed his natural glow.

Buck looked over to him then, smiling faintly as he reached out to grasp Eddie’s face, brushing a thumb just under his jawline. Eddie relaxed into the touch, letting a contend sigh loose.

“You have your sad eyes Eds.”

Buck had pointed out his sad face before, always doing something ridiculous to cheer him up. It put a smile on Eddie’s face each and every time.

“It’s not your fault I got hurt Eds.”

It wasn’t why Eddie was sad, though Buck probably knew that. They tried to avoid talking about their parents as much as possible.

Eddie pressed a kiss to Buck’s thumb before pulling away from his touch, putting his truck into gear.

Wide blues looked to him, Eddie tapping on Buck’s phone where he’d pulled up the map.

They could go through with Buck’s plan, but Eddie had one stipulation.

“Fine, but we’re stopping to get supplies for your cut first.”

~

Eddie looked out the window as he stood at the register, the cashier ringing up his supplies. He’d left Buck in the running truck, the wipers still going as the rain continued to pour out of the sky.

He tapped his foot anxiously, trying to seem calmer than he appeared. He’d told Buck to keep pressure on it, hoping his best friend had listened to him. While Buck hadn’t seemed concerned with his injury, Eddie was. He only hoped it wouldn’t require stiches.

Paying the cashier, Eddie took his supplies and headed back out into the rain, wishing not for the first time that day he’d thought to bring a sweatshirt or some extra clothes.

Back at the truck, Eddie pulled his door open and hopped in, shaking himself to rid some of the rain and help stifle the chill. Buck was sat shirtless, his shirt pressed over his wound, Buck holding onto it with one hand, scrolling through his phone on the other.

“Buck, your entire shirts gonna be covered in blood now.”

Buck didn’t see the problem. “There was already blood on it Eds.”

Eddie let out a sigh. “Yea, but you don’t have any extra clothes.”

“Oh.”

Yes, oh, Eddie thought to himself.

Eddie grabbed for some of the supplies, first opening the antiseptic and gauze. He reached for Buck, gently pushing his hand out of the way. The cut was still bleeding a bit, though it thankfully didn’t look too deep. It could probably use stitches, but Eddie could easily fix it another way. Having to grow up too fast and be the man of the house had its perks sometimes. Eddie was also positive Buck had used this same method in the past, not wanting to deal with his parents or the hospital.

Using some of the gauze, Eddie packed a few pieces on, telling Buck to apply pressure once more while he opened some more of the supplies. Buck watched him curiously, Eddie using some of the antiseptic to clean his own hands.

“You’re not gonna make me go to the hospital, are you?”

There was fear in his voice, Eddie quick to reassure him.

“No Ev, no doctors. I just wanna clean it up before sealing it off.”

That seemed to settle him, Buck leaning back a little more into his seat. Eddie had him lean it back so he had better access, Buck gritting his teeth as the motion jolted his injury.

Eddie applied pressure to the wound, only pulling away when he deemed the bleeding to be down. Pulling the soiled gauze away, Eddie grabbed another piece and poured some antiseptic on it, placing it over the cut. Buck hissed for it, trying to squirm away from him. Eddie put his free hand to Buck’s thigh, keeping him in place.

“Thought it didn’t hurt?”

Buck glowered at him. “Well it didn’t till you put that shit on there,” Buck grumbled, flinching a bit more before settling again.

Eddie rubbed the gauze around a little, making sure it got the entirety of the wound, Buck gritting his teeth for it.

“Relax baby, almost done.”

The pet name slipped right out. Eddie tried not to use it too often, or ever, knowing the effect it had on Buck, the boy already preening next to him. He wasn’t really Eddie’s to have, to keep. Eddie just couldn’t help himself.

With the wound cleaned, Eddie removed the padding before grabbing for the little bottle of super glue, uncapping it as he went. He made eye contact with Buck, willing the boy to listen.

“Stay still, ok?”

“Kay,” was all Buck got out, though he remained in place as Eddie leaned in close, using the glue to seal off the wound.

Eddie capped the glue before tossing it aside and leaning in close to Buck, pushing air past his lips, drying the glue. Goosebumps coated Buck’s skin, Eddie unable to keep from reaching a hand up to brush them away; all he did was create more.

“There, all better.”

Buck leaned in to capture his lips in a mostly chaste kiss, pulling away with a wink.

“Thanks doc.”

God he was ridiculous.

Eddie cleaned up some of the supplies, putting them back into the grocery bag. It was then he noticed Buck was still shirtless, shivering even with the heater on full blast, the rain still coming down in heavy waves.

Turning in his seat, Eddie began to dig around the back, smiling triumphantly when his hand landed on the soft material. He brought it up to the front, displaying it for Buck to see. Those blues of his lit up, a wide smile splaying across his face.

It was one of Eddie’s hoodies, one that Buck often stole, Eddie sure it was only back there because the boy had shucked it off during one of their many backseat make out sessions.

“You’re the best babe.”

Buck fit the hoodie over his arms, Eddie trying not to get too lost on how easily the endearment had slipped off Buck’s lips.

After the hoodie was securely wrapped around him, hood over his hair, golden curls spilling out, Buck held his phone out, directing Eddie where to go. Eddie gave a nod of his head and put his truck into gear. Buck reached for his free hand and tangled their fingers together, the touch settling them both.

By the time they pulled into the parking lot, the rain had fallen to a drizzle, the storm past them for the time being. Buck gave a squeeze to his hand before letting go.

“Be right back!”

He didn’t give Eddie anytime to argue, Buck racing to the office doors like he didn’t just get nearly stitched up twenty minutes ago. Eddie shook his head, watching as Buck worked his charm to get them a room for the night. He had no idea how Buck did it, only that he himself was the most unimmune to the boy’s charm. Eddie always found it difficult to tell those pleading blues no.

Buck was back in a flash, holding out a set of key cards, instructing Eddie where to go once more.

“One room complimentary of Philip and Margaret!”

Eddie watched as Buck winced at his own parent’s names. No one else would’ve seen for how brief it was, but Eddie had. He always saw all of Buck.

Once he found the room number, Eddie pulled up in front of it, Buck smirking over to him.

“What?” Eddie questioned, a little afraid of the answer.

“The guy told me all the had was singles.” Buck waggled his eyebrows. “Just one king bed for you and me to share.”

“Good, it’s big enough that you should be able to stay on your side.”

Buck pouted for that.

It wasn’t the first time they’d be sharing a bed by a long shot. Most times they just laid there, wrapped in the other, fooling off here and there, but never taking it too far. Something told Eddie it wouldn’t be that simple this time.

They didn’t have anything to grab so they hopped out, both grateful the rain had subsided for the time being.

Eddie used one of the cards to open the room, Buck following him inside. The room was nice, nothing too fancy, Eddie spotting the one bed automatically. Buck bypassed it for the back door, Eddie gazing to the bed once more before following Buck out onto the balcony.

They were right off the ocean, the waves rolling out ahead of them. Eddie stepped to Buck, wrapping his arms around his middle, pulling him in close. He didn’t miss the way Buck winced a little when the hold got too close to his injured rib, Eddie adjusting his grip, Buck relaxing back into him.

It was like they were back on the beach then, taking it all in.

They only broke apart when their stomachs rumbled. Moving back inside, Buck promptly raided the mini bar. Eddie wanted to argue that it costed extra money, but he knew Buck would only say it was on his parents as well.

The worst thing about Buck using his parents credit card was that they wouldn’t even care, probably grateful to be rid of him for the night.

Buck held out a half of a Twix bar to him, Eddie taking it, their fingers just grazing together.

“These were Mads favorite. She always gave me the left side because she said the right tasted better.”

Buck talked about his big sister on and off, his voice always fading into something sorrowful. Just from the stories alone, Eddie knew she was the only one in Buck’s family who’d ever really cared about him.

Eddie cheered their Twix together, Buck giving a dopey smile for it.

With his half of the candy bar finished, Buck laid back on the bed while Eddie sat near the end, looking him over. He lifted a hand to brush across Buck’s ankle that was exposed, the boy sighing into his touch.

“You tired?”

Buck lifted his head, a wide smile spreading across his face as he caught Eddie’s stare.

“Not really.” His voice was full of mischief, Eddie knowing exactly what was coming.

Buck beckoned him over, Eddie unable to resist from crawling into the other boy’s lap, hovering over him.

“What do you want?”

Buck raised a finger, poking Eddie in the stomach, an almost shy smile spreading across his face.

“You.”

Eddie raised his brows playfully, reaching down to lift Buck’s hoodie—well, his hoodie that Buck was still wearing. The wound hadn’t bled through the gauze at all, Eddie taking that as a good sign.

“I’m fine Eds, promise.”

Eddie wasn’t sure if he bought it, Buck known to be all too uncaring of his pain at times.

Placing his fingers over the wound, Eddie pressed them in a little, watching Buck’s face and muscles for sign of pain. There was a flash of something across Buck’s face, but nothing too much. It meant there was probably some pain, but not enough for it to make him uncomfortable.

Buck’s long legs were suddenly wrapping around him, bringing Eddie down so they were flush together, Buck’s eager lips finding his in an instant. Eddie could feel just how much Buck wanted him, even through their layers of jeans.

While Eddie trailed kisses along Buck’s jaw, Buck’s hands came up under his shirt, his cold hands rubbing at Eddie’s sides. Eddie shivered for it, pulling away a tinge.

“Jesus Buck, you’re freezing.”

Buck only smiled up to him with a wink.

“Guess you better warm me up then.”

Eddie decided he was going to do just that. After stripping down to his boxers, Eddie did the same with Buck, laying atop the other boy afterward, warming him wholly. Buck’s fingers ran through his hair, Eddie humming contently.

“You know what would make this even better?”

Eddie was sure he knew the answer, but he asked anyway.

“What’s that?”

Buck’s hips lifted off the bed then as he thrusted up into him, Eddie hating that it elicited a sinful moan from him straight away. Warm and frisky lips crept up to his ear, Buck whispering soft and slow. “It’d be better if you moved.”

“Is that so?” Eddie tried to lift himself off Buck then, the other boy instantly pouting for it. “Move with me babe, please?”

Eddie bent to kiss him then, soft and slow. He moved his body over Buck’s, grinding them together. They’d done this many times, too many to count, but Eddie could tell Buck wanted more. Eddie would be lying if he said he didn’t too.

Keeping his lips attached to Buck’s, Eddie snaked a hand between them, first palming Buck through his boxers, then cupping him afterwards. Buck tried to lift his hips up to meet him, Eddie gently pushing him back down. He let his fingers tip toe back up, running them through Buck’s happy trail before he slipped them inside, grasping Buck in hand. Buck gasped into their next kiss, Eddie swallowing it down.

Eddie stroked him lazily for a bit, knowing just what Buck liked, twisting on the upstroke and rubbing over his slit.

“M-more. Want-wanna be inside you.”

“Fuck.” Buck’s words had Eddie all but collapsing, his hand tightening over Buck a little too harshly.

Buck smiled into their next kiss, biting at Eddies’ bottom lip.

“That’s what I want.”

Eddie paused in his movements, looking Buck over. They’d never gone quite that far, never been inside the other. Sure, there’d been fingering and opening the other up, but they’d never gone further. Eddie knew if they crossed this line, there’d be no coming back. Buck was it for him; always had been.

“Do-do you have-ah condom?” Eddie rasped out, Buck’s blues darkening like Eddie had never seen before.

“Y-yea, in-in my wallet, somewhere.”

It wasn’t the classiest thing, and it momentarily reminded Eddie of Buck’s past…conquests, but Eddie was glad he’d been using protection all the same. Eddie knew Buck hadn’t had a random hookup in forever; he wasn’t sure he’d ever been tested either. That was something they could plan for next time. Next time. Eddie wasn’t sure whether that terrified or delighted him, maybe a little bit of both.

Buck was trying to strip out of his boxers by the time Eddie located the condom, Eddie moving to stop him so he could do it, dragging them down Buck slowly, watching as Buck looked to him with desire.

Once Buck was freed of his boxers, he threw his head back, placing his arm just over his eyes.

“Shit.”

Eddie moved to pull his arm away, frowning down to him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have any lube.”

Oh.

Without warning, Eddie grasped Buck in hand, gathering his precome to ease the slide.

“Good thing you have plenty of this then. You’re like a damn firehose or something.”

Buck laughed a little at that, his face flushing red as he leaned up for a kiss, one Eddie easily gave.

Eddie tried to take his time to open Buck up, using a mix of Buck’s slick and his own spit, Buck quickly begging, telling Eddie that he was ready.

“P-please. M’ready.”

Eddie added another finger just to be sure, not caring how crazy it drove Buck. He didn’t want to hurt him, plus, he wouldn’t mind seeing Buck come apart on his fingers.

When Eddie deemed him ready, he pulled his fingers out slowly, driving Buck a little madder for it.

Buck helped him roll the condom on then, taking Eddie in hand first, giving him a few good strokes.

Eddie brushed his fingers across Buck’s sides, the two looking into each other.

“You wanna be on your knees, or we could do it laying on our sides, or—”

Buck shook his head. “Wanna see you.”

Fuck. If Eddie thought this was a bad idea before, he certainly did now. It wasn’t that he was going to regret having sex with Buck, no, more like he was going to regret not waiting, waiting until they could really have this. He still hadn’t told Buck he was leaving.

“Yea, yea ok.”

He let Buck set the pace, not wanting to hurt him, Buck seeming to have forgotten all about his injury once Eddie was settled inside him, Buck even flipping their positions at one point, riding Eddie like his life depended on it.

When Eddie was close, he reached to take Buck in hand, stroking to match the pace Buck set. Buck swiveled his hips, Eddie careful to keep his hand away from the wound, though still holding on tight, pulling Buck close to him.  As Buck dropped back down to him, Eddie came with a loud moan, Buck riding out his own high as Eddie jerked him until they’d both come undone.

He didn’t have time or the care to push away, Buck all but collapsing on top of him, Eddie only able to wrap his arms around him.

They dozed for a little, Eddie finally nudging Buck off him, dragging them both into the shower and under the warm spray. He was careful to keep Buck’s wound out of the direct spray, not wanting it to become infected.

“You should be a doctor,” Buck mumbled into him, Eddie furrowing his brows in confusion. Buck pointed to his cut, then motioned to the water. “You took good care of me. Healed me up.”

Oh.

Eddie hadn’t ever really thought about what he wanted to. He only knew what he’d been told was a good and honest career. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind. Maybe one day he could revisit it.

After drying off, they half re-dressed in their discarded clothes, Buck dragging a blanket off the bed and out the door so he could stand on the balcony. Night had fallen, a slight mist in the air, the ocean waves crashing below.

Eddie wrapped him up from behind, nuzzling into him.

“Sometimes I wish I could be an ocean.”

Eddie kissed the back of Buck’s neck, pulling him in close.

“Why’s that?”

Buck was silent for a moment, Eddie not saying anything, simply listening to the ocean below.

“I could push out whatever I didn’t want, and then I could just-just float away. Be free.”

Yea, Eddie got that.

“And I could also see some bad ass fishes, oh, and the sharks too!”

Eddie chuckled into Buck. He lifted a hand to Buck’s chin, titling it toward him until their lips met, Buck sighing contently into him.

“Just don’t float too far, ok?”

Blue eyes looked right into him, Buck’s hands firmly grasping at his sides.

I’ll anchor myself to you so you never lose me.”

Eddie smiled softly to him. He brought Buck’s head down, placing his lips over his birthmark, Buck leaning into his touch.

If Eddie thought it’d be that easy, he’d have anchored himself to Buck a long time ago. They were already drifting apart. Soon, there’d be oceans between them.

~

Chapter Text

The first time they stepped into something more, Eddie knew there’d be no turning back. Somehow, three little words were a lot more permanent than the first markings of ink Eddie put on his body.

They were driving around late at night, windows down, music cranked up. Buck went between sticking his head out the open window, curls blowing wildly in the wind, to leaning into Eddie’s space, singing right into his ear. Their fingers were tightly interlocked in the space between them, Eddie content to stay like that forever.

Buck was completely tone deaf, the sound not bothering Eddie in the slightest. Just to see the way his face lit up, how dorky he was when he got into it, well, it made Eddie fall just a little harder.

Eddie focused on the lyrics as Buck belted them out. It was a song they’d taken to listening to quite often. They’d stumbled across it late one night while sharing headphones laid out on the football field. Their eyes had connected in the same moment, Eddie knowing Buck felt it too.

“This should be our song.”

The words were out of Eddie before he really understood the weight of them, Buck looking over to him curiously.

“Yea?”

Eddie nodded his head. He was pretty sure it’d always been their song, neither of them being brave enough to officially declare it so.

He lifted their conjoined hands to his lips, pressing kisses over Buck’s knuckles, the song continuing on around them.

‘When the light hits the sky, and that shimmer in your eye draws a shadow on your face. Took me a second just to capture it. I can’t help myself but to stop and stare.’

As the next set of lyrics came, they sang them to each other, Eddie first, Buck following right afterwards.

“When I lose focus, you still draw me in.”

“Cause I’m a rocket ship, you’re my planet.”

Their lips met in the middle, Eddie grateful they were at a red light so they could take their time, neither wanting to pull away from the other.

When the light turned green, they still weren’t ready to pull away, though Eddie reluctantly did so. He ended up pulling into some parking lot, Buck’s lips on his the moment he put the truck into park.

They began to make out, Buck quick to climb into Eddie’s lap, the boy never seeming to mind the odd angle it put his long ass legs at.

Eddie kept one hand behind Buck’s neck, the other snaking under his shirt to his favorite spot, right on the boy’s ribs. There was a scar there from their ocean adventure, one Eddie had staked a claim to. It had healed into sort of an ugly scar with the janky patch-up Eddie had had to preform, but it hadn’t gotten infected and had thankfully healed on its own. It had become a reminder of that day, of how they’d given themselves to the other. Eddie never missed the way Buck’s breathing stilled when Eddie’s fingers pressed into the mark, reminding them both.

Buck pulled away as Eddie did so, those blues looking right into him, dazzling as ever.

“You need one too.”

Eddie arched a brow. “You want me to get injured so I can have a matching scar?”

Buck shook his head. “No, I don’t want you to get hurt Eds! I just…well it’d be cool if we had matching marks.”

Eddie huffed out a laugh, Buck smiling for it. He glanced around to where they were, the place in front of him capturing his attention. He only mentioned it as a joke; he should’ve known Buck would instantly jump on the idea.

“You mean like a tattoo?”

Eddie nodded toward the building just behind Buck, the boy turning to look over his shoulder. Buck looked back to him so quickly he practically knocked their heads together, his eyes wide and full of mischief.

“I like the way you think Diaz.” Buck gave a waggle of his brows, Eddie squeezing his hips, Buck squirming in his lap. Next came the pouty lips, Eddie leaning forward to kiss it away.

“Buck, we can’t. Neither of us are 18 yet.” Buck still had several months, Eddie’s just right around the corner.

Buck shrugged. “So, that’s never stopped me before.”

Eddie didn’t even want to know all the illegal things Buck had done, knowing for sure some of them involved buying alcohol.

Buck looked down to him, those blue eyes full of wonder.

“C’mon Eds, no one can tell this face no.”

And well, Eddie couldn’t really argue with that.

He squeezed Buck’s hips so the boy knew to move from his lap. Eddie reached for his door handle, Buck already halfway out on the other side. He shook his head and let out a weighted sigh before following the other boy.

The door to the shop dinged as they walked in, the sound of buzzing and cool air hitting him in an instant. There was an antiseptic sort of smell, but one that was calming somehow. Buck walked up to the counter like he owned the place, no falter in his step. Eddie followed behind, trying to blend in, standing taller to somehow make him seem older than he actually was.

By some miricale, Buck managed to charm the person up front into giving them both waiver forms, Eddie taking one of the clipboards from Buck, the two slumping together onto the bench.

Eddied ended up helping Buck fill out most of his. Buck’s head was often a disorganized mess, Eddie always happy to help him sort things out. Before Eddie, Buck had his big sister Maddie. Eddie knew he could never take her place, but he was willing to be there for Buck in whatever way he could.

With their forms filled out, they handed them back. One of the artists approached them then, asking what they wanted to get. It suddenly occurred to Eddie that this had just been a silly idea moments ago, and now they were getting ready to tattoo their bodies…permanently.

He looked over to Buck, the other boy bouncing on his feet in anticipation.

“Uhh, got any ideas Buck?”

Buck shrugged. “I’m cool with whatever you wanna get Eds.”

Of course he was. Buck was always all in, usually no questions asked.

The artist took pity on them, handing over a book of designs they could choose from, or possibly be inspired by. Buck looked over his shoulder as Eddie flipped through the pages. None of them were terribly appealing to him, Buck humming as Eddie went along.

Eddie paused when he saw one of the sun. There was another of some stars, Eddie looking them both over longer than was necessary. Nothing about them stood out in particular, but they made him pause, gave him another idea entirely. He closed the book a little harshly, sliding it back across the counter top before turning to Buck. Eddie reached for the other boys’ hands, holding them loosely.

“Do you trust me?”

Buck smiled to him, soft as ever.

“You know I do.”

Eddie led Buck over to the bench before reapproaching the counter, whispering to the artist what he had in mind. The artist shook their head in agreement, wandering away to get started on the outline.

By the time they came back with the drawings, Eddie had almost talked himself out of the idea altogether, but then Buck was there, giving him a reassuring squeeze, reminding him of why they were there in the first place.

Eddie stepped forward, tugging Buck along with him. They made their way toward the back where a station had been all set up for them. Eddie took the chair first, Buck sitting on an empty stool next to him.

“Don’t look, ok? I want it to be a surprise.”

Buck promised that he wouldn’t, pulling up his phone, using his free hand to reach for Eddie’s. It was more out of habit than Eddie needing anything to hold onto, but he took it all the same, always loving having Buck close to him.

“Alright, where do you want it pretty boy?” The artist asked, Eddie blushing a little for their word choice before thinking it over. He glanced to Buck, the boy lost in his phone, no doubt lost on some new Wikipedia binge.

Eddie pointed out where he wanted it, lifting his shirt to give the artist better access. The first tip of the needle felt a little uncomfortable, but oddly soothing. There was some pain sure, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. The tattoo was smaller in size, so it didn’t take too long, the artist covering it over afterwards. Buck tried to sneak a peek, Eddie not letting him, wanting it to be a surprise.

Buck took the chair next, reaching for Eddie’s hand automatically. The artist asked where Buck was getting his, Eddie already having told the artist what to draw.

Buck looked over to Eddie expectantly. “Where am I getting this masterpiece Eds?”

Eddie snorted before reaching for Buck and pushing up his shirt, Buck eyeing him carefully. He placed his fingers to the spot just by Buck’s ribs, brushing them across the scar there.

“Here.”

Buck gave a sharp inhale, the artist nodding before setting up to get to work.

Blue eyes were on him as the artist put needle to his skin, Buck promising not to look until it was finished.

As the artist put the needle to his scar tissue, Buck’s grip on him tightened.

“Does it hurt?”

Buck shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut before blue shown again, Eddie giving a little chuckle.

“Liar.”

“Shut up, you didn’t have any cool scars to get tattooed over.”

Eddie brought their conjoined hands up to his lips, placing a few kisses there, Buck settling for it.

“No, but now we’ll have matching marks, just like you wanted.”

Buck smiled brightly, Eddie refraining from leaning in to kiss him, lest he mess the artist up.

Eddie leaned forward to look the tattoo over a few times, driving Buck crazy as he did so.

“That’s not fair, you’re cheating.”

“You said you trusted me, remember?”

Buck gave a roll of his eyes but didn’t disagree.

When the artist was finally finished, they bandaged Buck’s as well, going over the care routine to the both of them. Buck insisted on paying since it was his idea, Eddie quickly gathering his cash to leave a decent sized tip.

Their sides were a little sore as they wandered out of the shop, Eddie leading them back to the truck.

“C’mon Eds, I wanna see them!”

Eddie shook his head. “You heard what they said. We should wait at least until the morning to take the band aids off.

“Yea, but one little look won’t hurt.”

Eddie knew it wouldn’t be a little look. He also knew that if he left Buck alone, the boy would have his bandage off in a heartbeat.

“Guess you’re stuck with me until the morning then,” Eddie settled with.

Buck glanced over to him curiously. “My um, my parents are home.” Buck swallowed thickly, Eddie nodding in agreement. “Yea, mine too.”

They’d stayed at each other’s a few times, but usually when the others parents were out. Best friends slept over at each other’s all the time, but Eddie knew they were so much more.

“I can tell my parents I’m staying at yours.”

“What are we actually going to do?”

It was just past eleven at night. There were still several hours until daylight came again.

“Let’s go to the field,” Buck suggested, Eddie shifting his truck in that direction. It was their go to spot, a place they’d shared many memories. Eddie had gone to many of Buck’s games and practices there, the two lingering long after the crowds had cleared.

Once parked inconspicuously, they hopped out, the warm summer breeze hitting them.

They wandered around, Buck striding up and down the bleachers, holding his side to compensate for the pressure.

Eddie sat on one of the benches near the top, Buck soon coming up behind him, wrapping himself around Eddie. Eddie let himself fall back to Buck’s chest, the other boys’ arms coming around him. Buck leaned against the railing behind him, fully taking on Eddie’s weight.

Buck looked up to the night sky, Eddie following his gaze, stars littered all above them.

“Play our song babe?”

Buck’s words sent chills down Eddie’s arms; the good kind.

He reached for his phone wordlessly, pressing play on the song now deemed theirs.

They kept their eyes above them, humming along with the song as it went. Eddie had put on a playlist of some of their favorites, replaying their song a few times over, just because he could.

It was only about an hour in when Buck became restless.

“Eds,” Buck whined. “I can’t wait any longer.”

Eddie gave a laugh, finally taking pity on him. Well, one little look probably wouldn’t hurt.

He stood, Buck staying as he was, looking up to him. Eddie reached for his shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it down to the bench. Buck whistled, his blues raking up and down Eddie’s bare chest. Eddie gave a roll of his eyes, knowing he was blushing still.

Placing his hand to the tape, Eddie slowly peeled it back, taking the bandage with it. He stopped once the ink was exposed, Buck immediately leaning closer to get a better look. Buck was careful not to touch, as their new ink could get easily infected, though he did place one hand to Eddie’s opposite side, grounding them both.

“That looks so cool Eds.”

Eddie gave a little laugh. “Wanna see yours?”

Buck stood from the bench quickly, Eddie holding his sides to help keep him balanced. With Eddie’s hands already on him, Buck let Eddie do the honors of pulling his shirt up and over his head.

Once Buck was bare chested as well, Eddie skittered his fingers across his skin, watching as Buck reacted to his every touch. Eddie stopped at the tape, fitting his nail under it until he freed it. Carefully, Eddie pulled the bandage back. Even though he’d already seen it, it still took his breath away.

Since they didn’t have a mirror, Eddie beckoned Buck to come closer, positioning them so their sides where their tattoos laid were almost touching. Using his phone, Eddie turned the front camera on their chests, clicking a few pictures before handing it over for Buck to see.

While Buck looked them over, Eddie got to work re-bandaging their tattoos, not wanting them to be exposed for longer than was necessary.

Buck let out a little gasp of his own, Eddie leaning over to look at their tattoos together in one frame.

“Eddie I—” Buck seemed at a loss for words, pausing before getting them all out. “I can’t believe you did this.”

Eddie panicked for a moment, thinking he’d done something wrong.

“Buck, if you don’t—well, I’m sure we could always get them covered up or something.”

Buck immediately shot that idea down.

“Cover them up? Why the hell would I ever wanna do that? It’s perfect Eds.”

“Yea?”

Buck nodded with a bright smile, Eddie not refraining from reaching over to kiss it off him that time. He pushed so Buck’s back hit the railing, Eddie crowding into his space. He placed his hand to his favorite spot-on Buck, resting it there. A band-aid covered it for now, but one day, he could touch Buck again, could touch the matching mark to his own.

On Eddie’s side, he’d gotten a tattoo of a rocket ship, one that was angled outward, so that it matched up with Buck’s when put together. A line of constellation stars trailed off from it, also disappearing into Buck’s. As for Buck’s tattoo, Eddie had the artist do a similar line of constellations that would line up with his own. Instead of a rocket ship, Buck’s was a tattoo of a planet, his favorite one.

“I can’t believe you remembered my favorite planet.”

“You’ve only read me facts about it a million times.”

Buck blushed as he gave a roll of his eyes, unable to deny it.

“That’s because Jupiter’s the most badass planet Eds. Everyone knows that!”

Eddie hadn’t. Not until he met Buck at least.

“Yea well, I thought they were fitting for us.”

“It’s just like our song.”

Eddie smiled, soft and warm. Buck had caught on, just as Eddie hoped he would.

“Well, I’m a rocket ship,” Eddie said, leaning in close and brushing their noses together. “and you’re my planet.” They shared a breath before their lips connected, their breaths becoming one.

When they finally managed to pull apart, they stayed close, heads rested together.

“You’re my universe.”

Eddie stilled at Buck’s words. They were from their song he knew, but they still took him by surprise. Even so, Buck’s next words surprised him even more.

“I love you.”

Buck was kissing him before Eddie could properly respond, Eddie unable to do anything but kiss him back. The next time they broke apart, Buck reached for his shirt and slid it back over his head, tossing Eddie’s over to him. Eddie slipped back into it, the weight of Buck’s words still heavy in the air around them.

“You don’t have to say it back.”

Even though Buck sounded like he meant it, he hung his head low as he moved back down the bleachers, Eddie taking a moment before following behind him.

Neither of them said anything as they reached the bottom, making their way back toward Eddie’s truck. Now that they’d seen each other’s markings, the night was over. Eddie didn’t have any more excuses not to take Buck home.

They drove in silence, the radio playing lowly in the background. It wasn’t uncomfortable per say, but Eddie hated it all the same. He missed Buck’s offkey singing.

When he reached for Buck’s hand, the boy didn’t pull away, Eddie taking that as a good sign.

Their hands remained clasped together until Eddie pulled in front of his house, Buck taking his back to undo his seatbelt.

Eddie hesitated before leaning toward Buck, the other boy closing the distance between them. They kissed soft and slow, like they were savoring the other. Buck was the first to pull away, Eddie refraining from reeling him back in.

“Night Eds.”

Buck reached for the door, Eddie echoing back to him.

“Night Ev.”

Buck closed the door behind him, his fingers dancing along the open window before he pulled away, his back coming to meet Eddie.

“Hey.” Eddie called out to him, Buck stilling in place. He kept his back to Eddie.

“You know I do too. Love you, I mean. I—I love you Ev.”

Buck turned around then, those dazzling blues meeting Eddie.

“Yea Eds, I do.”

It was a little somber, though Buck smiled to him, the private one Eddie loved so much.

It wasn’t until Eddie drove away that he realized the weight of the words, how he’d gotten himself permanently marked before ever confessing his love. He’d known it always, really, but it took that for him to realize he’d do anything for Buck. They were marked now, forever.

Eddie only hoped that saying was true, that they’d be able to find their way back to each other, no matter how far away their galaxies drifted. Buck would always shine bright enough for Eddie to find him. Afterall, he was his planet.

Chapter Text

Like in any relationship, they did their fair share of bickering and arguing, usually over silly things. Then they had their first fight, one that wasn’t over anything silly at all.

They were laid out on the grass one night, after school hours, Buck tossing the football up above him, catching it expertly every time. He tossed it over to Eddie every now and again, the two content just to lay in each other’s presence sometimes. It was why Buck’s question surprised him, for multiple reasons.

“Are you seeing anyone else?”

Buck caught the ball, resting it by his side. Eddie sat up, looking over to Buck questioningly.

“What do you mean?”

As far as Eddie knew, they were exclusive. They’d been together for almost six months now.

Buck sighed, tossing the ball up and catching it before responding.

“Like are you with anyone else, you know…dating, fucking?”

Eddie wrinkled his nose.

“Buck, what are you talking about?”

When Buck didn’t say anything for too long, Eddie became worried himself.

“Are-are you seeing other people?”

Buck sat up then, immediately shaking his head and furrowing his brows.

“What, no? Why the hell would you think that?”

Eddie scoffed. “I don’t know, I was wondering the same thing about you.”

Buck looked away from him as he began to fiddle with the ball, clearly avoiding Eddie’s question. Eddie let out a sigh as he sat on his bottom and pulled his knees up, wrapping his arms around them.

“Talk to me Buck. Where’s all this coming from?”

Eddie only had a few weeks left until he was shipping out, a few weeks left with Buck. He didn’t want to spend them this way.

Buck spread his legs out in front of him, a weighted sigh escaping his lips.

“You never, we never….I dunno. Forget it.”

Buck was deflecting, Eddie unsure if he should push it or not.

Eddie let one of his legs loose, knocking his knee into Buck’s shoulder. Blue eyes looked over to him, Eddie willing the boy to speak, to say what was on his mind.

“You never asked me to be your boyfriend.”

Oh.

It was something Buck had brought up before, Eddie always brushing it off, distracting Buck in one way or the other, usually with his hands or mouth, sometimes both. It wasn’t that Eddie was or wanted to be seeing anyone else, it was just—well that title was so official. It would only make it that much more difficult when Eddie inevitably had to leave.

“I guess I just thought we were exclusive.”

Buck stood then, Eddie confused as he looked up to him.

“So you just don’t want to be my boyfriend. Got it.”

Buck started to wander off before Eddie could even stand, Eddie quickly rising to his feet and going after him.

“Buck, Buck, c’mon!”

Buck kept on, Eddie finally reaching him and grasping Buck at the arm, stopping him in place.

“Can we just talk about this, please?”

Buck turned to him, not saying anything for a moment.

“I get it. You don’t think I’m boyfriend material.” Another sigh fell past his lips. “You can just tell me that you don’t wanna be serious because of my past.”

“That’s not fair. You know I don’t think of you that way.”

Buck let his head fall, Eddie knowing he was right. It didn’t make things any easier.

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t wanna be with me either.”

And damn if those words didn’t just break Eddie’s heart.

Eddie knew there was nothing he could say without giving himself away. He wasn’t ready to lose Buck.

Using the grip on Buck, Eddie pulled the boy into his arms, wrapping him up tightly. Buck was a little reluctant at first, finally relaxing into Eddie’s hold. Eddie kept one hand on his back, lifting the other to brush through his curls.

Buck was the first one to pull away, those blues of his sad and reddened, laced with tears.

“I’m sorry. I’m um…you were right. That wasn’t fair. I know-I know you don’t think that.”

“But you think that about yourself?”

Buck pulled in his lower lip, nodding his head. Eddie wanted to reach out to him, to tell him everything was going to be ok, but it would be a lie. Eddie was already telling too many of those.

“I’ve um, I got that game tomorrow.”

Eddie gave a nod of his head, knowing that was the end of that conversation. For now, anyhow.

They walked silently to their cars, Buck tossing his ball and duffel haphazardly into his jeep before turning back to Eddie. Buck’s eyes wandered over him before he was moving in close, crowding into Eddie’s space.

Buck placed a kiss to the spot just under his eye, where his beauty mark laid.

“Night Eds.”

Eddie barely got to squeeze his hips before he was pulling away, a sad smiling lining his face.

“Night Buck.”

Eddie only wished that had been the end of their fight instead of the start.

~

They hadn’t talked much since the night before, both of them busy with class, Buck immediately having to head off to practice and his game afterwards.

Eddie went home to help out with his sisters before making his way to the stadium. He met up with their friends Josh, Linda, and Albert, the four of them mulling around just below the stadium while the team warmed up.

They all shuddered as their red headed classmate slithered up beside them, flaunting herself as she went.

“Guess your boy didn’t know you were leaving. Whoops.”

Eddie froze, the air all but leaving his lungs.

“Taylor, what did you do?”

She shrugged casually, flipping her fiery hair the opposite direction.

“I just asked if he had a date for homecoming next year since I knew you wouldn’t be around.”

How the hell could she possibly know that? Eddie hadn’t told anyone, not even their close friends.

His friends turned to give him a questioning look then, easily coming to his defense, Albert stepping up to her.

“You better start talking before I make you.”

Taylor waved him off, not flinching for a second.

“Fine. While I was organizing paperwork for tomorrow’s assignment, I might’ve stumbled upon a few classmates’ enlistment paperwork.”

Stumbled upon his ass.

Eddie glanced out onto the field, spotting Buck in an instant. He fumbled the ball, his coach blowing the whistle, Eddie guessing it hadn’t been the first time Buck had done so.

Once Buck was on the sidelines, helmet off his head, Eddie made his approach. It wasn’t unusual for him to do so, though he knew this wasn’t going to be a silly ‘hey, what’s up?’ conversation.

“Buck.” He said his best friends name tentatively, unsure of what all Taylor had told him.

Wide blues turned to meet him, Eddie reading his hurt in an instant.

“What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be packing to leave or something?”

Buck was pushing him away and he understood. Eddie should’ve been honest with him a long time ago.

“Look, that’s not—”

Buck waved him off. “Save it. I can’t do this right now.”

Eddie’s head fell back as he tried to stifle his tears. He quickly reminded himself of what his dad always told him, that he was a man, and needed to be strong.

“I’m sorry Buck. It wasn’t my choice, and I know that doesn’t help, but it’s not what I want.”

Since Eddie hadn’t a clue what he wanted to do with his life, his parents had decided for him, told him the army would teach him discipline, turn him into a man.

Buck licked at his lips before pulling the bottom one between his teeth. He gave a bit of a bitter laugh, one he usually reserved for his parents.

“That’s what you think I’m mad about?”

Eddie let out a sigh of frustration. “Look, I don’t know what Taylor told you, but—”

The whistle blew then, Buck adverting his attention before turning back to him.

“I guess this is why you never asked me to be your boyfriend.”

With that, Buck slid his helmet back over his head and took off, Eddie stood there frozen in place.

The game was a blur to him, Eddie only knowing more guilt each time Buck slipped up and made a bad move. Amazingly they still won, Buck getting all the praise as their star quarterback. Eddie wished he could join in.

He told their friends that he was going to wait for Buck, apologizing to them for not sharing his plans either. They’d all hugged him, assuring him everything would be ok. He wasn’t so sure.

Eddie waited outside the locker room for what felt like hours, everyone seeming to exit but Buck. He knew he could go in, that no one would say anything; hell, he’d done so several times. But he decided to give Buck some space. Maybe having this kind of conversation in front of all their classmates wasn’t the best idea anyhow.

He got halfway to his truck when his phone pinged, Eddie’s heart rate ticking up. He reached for his phone, letting out a breath before reading the message over. It was only from his mom, asking if he could pick some things up from the store on his way home.

Eddie sighed before responding that he would, continuing on to his truck.

Like the game, the rest of his evening was a blur. He helped his mom around the house, sending off a few texts to Buck throughout the night, all of them going unanswered.

It was after midnight, his parents and sisters fast asleep, Eddie lying wide awake in bed. He couldn’t leave it like that. Hated knowing that they weren’t talking.

Putting on his sweats and an old hoodie he was sure was Buck’s, Eddie snuck down the stairs and out the door. He was in his truck and backing out of the driveway in a flash, Eddie not wasting any time.

The drive to Buck’s was familiar, one he’d made too many times to count.

There were other cars in the driveway next to Buck’s jeep, Eddie guessing his parents must be home. He figured another text would go unanswered, Eddie just needing to see him, wanting to make sure Buck was ok, that they were ok.

He climbed the familiar path up to Buck’s room, Buck having shown him the way long ago. Buck used it to sneak out all the time, Eddie now using it for the exact opposite.

The window was open as Eddie approached, the tv light illuminating Buck. He was sitting on his bed wearing one of Eddie’s hoodies, the Yoshi plushie hugged tightly in his arms. It brought tears to Eddie’s eyes in an instant.

Eddie gathered himself before tapping on the open glass, blue eyes turning to greet him.

“Can I come in?”

Buck shrugged, though he didn’t say no, Eddie taking it as much of an answer as he was going to get.

Eddie paused once inside, unsure of what to do. Any other given time he’d be pouncing Buck, joining him on the bed, but this wasn’t that kind of casual visit.

He looked to the tv, some animal documentary on. They were Buck’s favorites, Eddie having sat through many of them with Buck at his side.

“I’m sorry.”

It was lame, but it was all he had. He didn’t want to re-upset Buck first thing.

“Because it wasn’t your choice. Yea, I know.”

Something about his wording was off, Eddie not quite understanding.

“Buck, you know I’ve never wanted to go into the military. But what choice do I have?”

“I don’t care about that!”

At Buck’s raised voice, they both looked to his door. Eddie was pretty sure Buck’s parents wouldn’t notice, but it was best not to find out.

Eddie dared to step closer, taking a seat at the foot of the bed.

“My parents said they weren’t going to waste money on college if I didn’t know what I wanted to do.”

Buck scoffed. “You don’t get it.”

No, Eddie really didn’t.

He shifted so his leg was on the bed, turning to face Buck.

“Look, I don’t know what Taylor told you, but it wasn’t my choice, and—”

“That’s not why I’m mad at you!” Buck tossed the plushie aside in frustration as he rose from his bed, pacing. It was a very bad time for Eddie to realize he’d only been wearing tight briefs on his bottom half.

Buck ran his hands through his loose curls, pulling at the ends.

“Were you ever going to tell me?”

Buck’s voice had turned from angry to hurt, Eddie finally understanding. He stood from the bed, moving toward Buck, stopping halfway.

“Of course I was gonna tell you. I just—I didn’t know how. And as more time passed, well, I just felt worse about not telling you.”

“Eddie, I had to hear about it from someone else, from Taylor. We’re supposed to be best friends.” Buck paused, his voice thick with sadness, tears threatening to spill out of him at any moment. “You-you said you loved me, and you were just-just gonna leave?”

Eddie took another step toward Buck, leaving just an inch of space between them. He lifted a hand, dropping it as Buck turned away, ducking out of sight.

“Hey, will-will you look at me, please?” He all but begged, those blues of Buck’s finally coming back into his line of sight. “I wasn’t going to leave without telling you. I wish you’d heard it from me, but I promise Ev, I wouldn’t have left without telling you.”

Buck sucked his lower lip into his mouth before releasing it again.

“But you thought about it…about leaving without-without saying anything.”

It wasn’t a question, Eddie adverting his attention anyway. He never wanted to intentionally hurt Buck, but he knew telling Buck about his leaving would have the same affect. By the crushed and saddened look spread across Buck’s face, Eddie knew he’d been right.

He decided to be as honest as he could.

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Buck sniffled, ducking his head away again.

“So much for that.”

Eddie’s heart nearly shattered in that moment. Before he could think of a reply, of some way to make things even the slightest bit better, Buck spoke again. “I hate that I still love you-that-that you’re the only person I want right now, and that—that I can’t have you.”

With those words, Eddie’s heart broke.

“C’mere.”

He beckoned for Buck, not wanting to push if it wasn’t what Buck desired. In the end, it didn’t take much, Buck all but barreling into him, Eddie catching him in his arms, holding onto him tightly. Buck nuzzled into the space between his neck and shoulder, Eddie rubbing over his back soothingly.

“You have me, ok? I’m yours Ev.”

“Promise?” Buck sniffled into him, Eddie squeezing reassuringly at the back of his neck as he whispered into him. “Promise baby.”

It wasn’t something he could promise, but he found himself doing so anyway. He wasn’t sure if it was more for himself or Buck, but probably a little of both.

Eddie wasn’t sure when or how, but they ended up on Buck’s bed, curled into one another, watching the documentary. Buck was in front of him, Eddie’s hands wrapped around Buck from behind, the Yoshi plushie securely in the crook of Buck’s arm, his other tangled with Eddie’s.

Eddie couldn’t help but to poke at the plushie, nuzzling further into Buck’s space.

“Why do you love that thing so much?”

Eddie didn’t care, found it adorable, he just didn’t know why Buck had kept it all this time. He’d won it at some silly carnival game on their first date, Buck never letting it out of his sight for long.

Buck snuggled it closer, brushing a finger over the Yoshi’s head.

“Because you gave it to.”

Eddie could tell there was more Buck wasn’t saying, so he waited him out. The Yoshi had a few questionable stains, some of which Eddie knew were chocolate and drool related, though he was pretty sure one of them was blood—what injury it was from was anyone’s guess. Yoshi had been through it; Buck refused to wash it.

“Sometimes I-I like to pretend it’s you, that I can hold you every night, and-and you won’t leave.”

As if to reassure both himself and Buck, Eddie pulled him impossibly closer, smushing them together.

“I do love you.”

Buck let out a sigh, his breath fanning across Eddies’ arms.

“But you still have to leave.”

Eddie nodded into him, no words needed to express what had already been said.

They burrowed into one another, eventually drifting off to sleep. Eddie had thought about slipping out once the sun rose, but then he remembered what Buck had said about his Yoshi.

So, Eddie stayed, waited until blue eyes greeted him, a dopey smile following.

Eddie was the one leaving, but somehow it ended up being Buck who disappeared. They didn’t talk much after that night, didn’t hold each other. Eddie was leaving and he understood; he’d just whished they’d had more time to say goodbye, more time for, well—everything.

He wouldn’t get to hold Buck again until it was too late, both of them already shattered, their broken pieces littered about. He wasn’t sure they’d ever be able to put them back together.

Chapter Text

After that last night, the night that Eddie had left, well, he didn’t see Buck anymore; not for a long time.

Eddie wrote him letters, some Buck responded to, others remaining unanswered. Eddie understood. He’d left Buck with only a kiss, one Buck hadn’t even been awake to remember. It was all Eddie had had to offer.

By the time he’d gotten home from training, Shannon was there, thrusting a baby into his arms. You see, before Buck—well before Buck became his, there was Shannon. She was nice, sweet. As it turned out, Eddie had only been with her because he couldn’t have Buck at the time, Eddie not realizing that until much later. Apparently, Shannon had picked up on that a lot sooner, things ending between them pretty quickly after that. And so, that had been it, for both of them. Eddie never thought sleeping with her one time would result in a lifetime worth of changes.

The baby was already a few months old when Eddie first met him, Shannon having kept the pregnancy from him, deciding afterwards that she wasn’t fit to be a mother after all. If Eddie hadn’t taken his son, Shannon would’ve given him away; it still haunts Eddie to think he might’ve never known about his kid in the first place.

By the time Eddie had gotten back, Buck was gone. It didn’t surprise Eddie, but it had taken him by surprise all the same. Being in that town without Buck just didn’t feel the same. Everything felt empty, or too full of memories, ones Eddie had no intentions of getting lost in.

The first few years had been the hardest, Eddie trying to juggle being a single dad while also working in the army, being deployed sometimes back-to-back. He’d had no choice but to leave Chris with his parents. It wasn’t until they’d filed to take custody of him that Eddie knew something had to change. He ended up working three different jobs, applying to the fire academy as a last resort; he’d made a damn good medic on the field, so, how hard could it be?

Buck had once told him that he should be a doctor; Eddie had apparently taken that to heart.

When Chris was six years old, Eddie officially started as a probationary firefighter.

He’d moved to L.A., needing the fresh start, and to get away from his parents. His tía and abuela lived out there, Eddie knowing he had their full support, unlike his parents.

Eddie hadn’t heard from Buck again. He still had all the letters Buck had sent, Eddie reading the last one over more times than he cared to admit. It wasn’t until Eddie had gotten home that he found the letter, Buck’s messy handwriting scattered across the ripped-out piece of notebook paper.

To this day, Eddie didn’t understand. He wasn’t sure he ever would.

‘Eds, i wish…well i wish you were here. you’re gone and idk how to fix this. us. if…well you left. i guess its my turn to do that. leave that is. i don’t think i’ll be around anymore eds, but you don’t need me anyway. you have everything you need now. sorry i was…well am i guess…such a fuckup. i can’t be here anymore, can’t…i just can’t do it. maybe i’ll find maddie, i dunno. anyway, you don’t have to worry about me, not…well not anymore. sorry i wasn’t what you needed.

--your planet, buck’

Eddie had worried; he’d never been able to stop. Not knowing where Buck was was almost worse than losing him altogether. At least he’d know Buck was safe, alive.

The truth was that Eddie needed Buck more than he’d ever been able to admit. It’d been almost six years, and Eddie still hadn’t forgot about him. Hadn’t forgotten the way Buck’s hands and lips felt with his, how Buck would nuzzle into him, never letting go, how he had a tattoo that fit perfectly with Buck’s matching one, how Buck tasted on his tongue…he hadn’t forgotten any of it. Evan Buckley was imprinted in his mind forever.

 There’d been others since, sure, but none of them had left a permanent mark like Buck had; Eddie never let any of them stay long enough to do so.

As the ground began to rumble beneath him, objects clattering to the floor, Eddie came back to the present, grabbing on to whatever he could to help stabilize himself.

“Earthquake!”

Chaos was suddenly all around, things flying everywhere, as well as his teammates. The shaking lasted less than a minute, but felt like an eternity, leaving much damage in its wake.

“You good Diaz?”

Eddie looked up to his teammate Bosko, giving a sharp nod of his head before taking her offered hand.

His thoughts immediately strayed to Chris, Eddie refraining from bolting out the door to go in search of him. He had a job to do.

Once everyone was deemed safe, they grabbed their gear and piled into the truck, several other sirens and rescue trucks already on the move. It was going to be a long day.

Eddie checked his phone relentlessly as they went, trying to get some sort of service. He just needed to know that Chris was ok. He caught Lena’s eye, the woman looking him over carefully. She knew he had a kid, her silent nod reassuring him just a little. He wouldn’t feel relaxed until Chris was safely tucked into his arms.

When they arrived on scene, they all hopped out, Eddie’s eyes widening a little as he looked around; it was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Debris fluttered all around them, the building in front of them all but collapsed on itself, safety personal scattered each and every direction.

He stood with his teammates as his captain muddled with the incident commander, as well as the other teams on site; they were working out where everyone would be needed most based on their strengths. Eddie tried his phone again, still to no avail.

Everyone gathered around, getting their assignments called off one by one. Eddie kept his focus on his phone, listening for his name to be called out.

He heard Bosko’s name first, the woman moving from his side, Eddie giving her a weak smile before returning his attention to his phone. He told himself that no news was good news…unless Chris was trapped somewhere and they couldn’t find him—or worse.

“Buckley, Diaz, need you two on the other side of the building.”

Eddie all but dropped his phone for the name called out before his. It couldn’t be.

Pushing through the herd of firefighters, Eddie’s heartrate ticked up for the second time that day. He’d been so worried about Chris, desperate to hear anything about him, that he hadn’t bothered to take in his surroundings, hadn’t seen the blue-eyed beauty that now stood in front of him, looking more breathtaking than Eddie remembered. He supposed six years could do that.

He was just as tall as Eddie remembered, those legs of his stretching on for miles. Buck’s birthmark was somehow even more beautiful than before, the blotchy spot perfectly complementing his face; Eddie longed to reach out and brush his fingers across it, to place his lips to it, lingering longer than was necessary. And then there was his eyes, the ones that were stark blue, always pleading with Eddie. They were why he’d had to leave without saying goodbye.

Eddie was also not blind to how much Buck had bulked up over the past years, the boy…no man, filling out the uniform quite nicely.

They stared at each other, both seeming in disbelief, while also cataloging how much the other had changed. Neither of them exchanged a single word, the incident commander pointing out a police officer to them, the officer directing them to follow her around the building and to the opposite side.

Eddie was instantly grateful when he saw that Lena was joining them, as well as another younger firefighter. As much as Eddie had waited for this moment since the day he’d left, he wasn’t ready to be alone with Buck. He’d never written Buck back after that last letter, had never gotten the chance to. Buck had disappeared with an ominous letter, not giving Eddie any forwarding addresses. Now that Buck was stood in front of him, well, Eddie wasn’t sure what to say.

The truth was, there would never be enough words. It’s why he’d kept them to himself all these years.

~

On the other side of the building was a man pressed against the window, several stories above. The glass looked seconds from cracking and shattering, especially if any aftershocks hit.

While everyone debated on what to do, Eddie took in the structure, how it had fallen, and what level the guy looked to be on.

“I say that’s about the eleventh floor.” Eddie voiced his thoughts aloud, everyone suddenly turning to him. “Would ya’ll agree?”

“I would.” Buck was the first to answer, Eddie trying not to read into what that meant. They’d always had each other’s backs, even from a young age.

Buck leaned a bit into Eddie’s space, speaking once more. “I bet we could take that ladder to the fourth floor; cut the distance in half.”

Eddie gave a nod of agreement, not trusting his voice to answer properly. The incident commander gave them the go ahead, instructing Lena and Ravi—the younger firefighter—to go with them.

They made small chat while they geared up, Eddie quickly inferring that Ravi was on Buck’s team, Buck instructing the guy on a few things before they got started.

Eddie took the lead with Buck right behind, Ravi in the middle, and Lena taking up the end. All he could hear as they climbed the ladder was the creaking of the metal beneath their boots, Eddie trying to focus all his attention on the task at hand, and not on the man behind him.

A series of memories kept flooding his mind, bringing him back. Back to when things were simpler, when they could just have fun and be with each other, to before Eddie had to leave…before Chris was brought into his life and everything had changed forever.

When they got to their destination, Eddie used his halligan bar to crack the glass, shattering his memories right along with it.

“The high rise is supposed to be the safest place be when an earthquake hits.”

Eddie paused at Buck’s words before finishing scraping away the last remnants of glass.

“Yea; what about the schools?”

The sarcastic remark came out before he could stop himself, Eddie still desperate to know if his son was ok, alive.

“After the last earthquake, FEMA spent $200 million retrofitting every school in the LAUSD.”

Of course Buck would know that. Eddie should’ve known, remembered.

“Ceiling tiles, lighting fixtures…it’s like the safe place for kids to be.”

Eddie turned to look at Buck then, their eyes catching for the first time, brown holding blue. It was almost as if Buck knew, but no—that was impossible. He fought to open up, to tell Buck how much he’d missed him, how sorry he was. They didn’t have time for that though, not right now. He wasn’t sure Buck would want to hear any of it even if they did.

“I thought you said that was the high rise?” Eddie said instead, giving a light smile along with it. Buck ducking his head away for the joke. Well, at least that was something.

They followed each other in, Eddie leading the way, his flashlight guiding them forward and into the darkness of the slanted building.

It was difficult to maneuver through all the debris, the shifting building making it challenging to walk ahead, gravity keeping them leaned one way or the other.

Eddie looked above them, counting the flights they had left; there was still six more to go.

As more of the building shifted, Eddie stabilized himself onto a railing, Buck crashing to the side, Lena and Ravi narrowly missing falling as well.

“You good Buck?” Eddie was quick to ask, extending his hand out to the man. Blue eyes looked up to him, Buck pulling in his bottom lip before hoisting himself up, ignoring Eddie’s hand. “I’m fine.”

It was said with finality, Eddie giving a nod of his head before focusing his attention ahead once more. He should’ve known sharing a couple smiles and fun facts wouldn’t erase everything that had happened between them.

Eddie continued up the levels, counting them as he went. All he could hear behind him were Buck’s heavy breaths as they climbed higher, Eddie desperately trying not to remember how he’d caused Buck to make those same sounds, on various occasions. Instead, he focused on the small chatter Lena and Ravi were making, the two obviously trying to keep their attention on something else as well.

When they finally reached the eleventh floor, Eddie pushed the door open, looking down the vacant hallway.

He dared to look back at Buck, then the other two, all of them nodding that they were ready. They pushed out into the hallway, each of them gathering their barring’s as they went. Listening for noise, they followed it down the hall, stopping at the door it was coming from. The door wouldn’t budge, Buck quick to grab the power saw and cut it open, Eddie stabilizing himself on one side, while using the other to swing his halligan forward, busting the door open.

“Hello? LAFD!”

Buck pushed into the room ahead of him, a woman screaming out for help, as well as the man plastered to the window. The woman spouted off some obscene things the window guy had said, all of them sharing a look before getting to work.

Once Buck was steady, Eddie tossed him the rope, Buck clipping it to himself, securing them together. Ravi and Lena made to do the same, entering the room just afterwards.

They fought against gravity as they went, Eddie and Buck moving toward the window while Lena and Ravi made their way toward the other side where a woman was hidden beneath a desk.

Eddie moved furniture out of the pathway as he went, Buck staying a little way behind.

The building began to shift, creaking noises coming from all around them.

“Don’t move!” Eddie shouted. “Don’t even breathe.”

Everyone held still, bracing for impact.

The guy called out that the glass was starting to crack, Eddie doubling his efforts to get to him. Eddie assured the guy he was going to tie some webbing to him to help keep the man secure and get him away from the glass. The chance to help him never came.

“Aftershock, aftershock!”

The already uneven ground began to shake beneath them, rattling the building and all its inhabitants once more. The guy tried to pull away from the glass, Eddie’s shouting doing no help as the window shattered, the man falling down and to his death. From what the woman had said about him, it wasn’t exactly undeserved, though Eddie felt like he’d failed all the same.

Before Eddie could even react to that, Ravi and Lena shouted out to them, their victim not securely tied in yet, the woman sliding down and out the window, Eddie just barely catching her in time. Behind him, Buck mustered up all his strength, still hooked in with Eddie, not letting him go.

By some miracle, Eddie managed to pull the woman back up, hoisting her into the room. Bosko reached out for her, the woman taking her hand, Ravi helping to secure her in.

Slowly, Buck pulled Eddie back to him, the two suddenly closer than they’d been in years. Eddie didn’t realize Buck’s hand was covering his until blue eyes looked right into him. “You’re shaking.” Eddie only gave himself a moment before pulling away. “I’m fine.” Eddie stood then, stopping in place. “Thanks.”

It was all he could offer, the four of them plus the woman working their way out of the room and back down the stairwell. They moved mostly in silence, only talking when necessary, each of them helping the rescued woman here and there. She was scared, rightfully so, chattering away as they went.

When they reached the stairwell, Eddie quickly realized a problem—it was gone.

He looked back to Buck, the two sharing a glance before their victim caught on, Bosko and Ravi quickly catching on as well.

“Now what?” The woman asked, Eddie giving the dejecting answer. “We go back up.”

Everyone groaned at that. They were going to have to go all the way back up what they’d just traveled, plus a few more flights before they would be able to get out.

“Ladder 118, respond. This is Captain Nash. I need a headcount.”

They all paused as Buck and Ravi’s radios called out, Buck answering accounting for the both of them.

“Hen, do you copy, Hen?” Captain Nash called out again, Buck’s eyes going a little wide for it. No one responded.

“A friend of yours?” The woman asked, Eddie looking to Buck once more.

“Let’s keep moving.”

Eddie wanted to offer comfort to Buck, but it wasn’t the right time; he wasn’t sure Buck would want his sympathy anyway.

They made their way back up, less chattering than before, all of them a little on edge with everything they’d been through so far.

The building had collapsed and shifted again, not leaving them with too many options. When they finally found a floor that was clear, Eddie stepped out onto it, assuring the woman there was a way out.

“What if it’s blocked too?”

There was always that potential, but they didn’t have many options. It was too risky to bring a ladder truck up with how much the building had shifted.

Buck was the one to reassure her, Eddie unsure how he felt about the man’s answer.

“We got this Abby. We’ll get you out of here.”

“Ali,” the woman answered, everyone’s heads turning their direction.

“Uh what?” Buck questioned, Eddie knitting his brows together in confusion.

“You called me Abby. My name’s Ali.”

“Uh yea, sorry.” Buck was quick to apologize. “Abby is—was” He shook his head. “Never mind. It’s complicated.”

There was a snort from Ravi before Buck gave him the death glare, Lena raising her eyes a little with a smile, though keeping her commentary to herself. Eddie had to refrain from asking who Abby was.

“I uh, I’m glad for the first time, that she’s not around I mean. Don’t uh, don’t have to worry about her.

Ali, not Abby, gave a sad sigh. “Having someone to worry about sounds nice. All I do is work.”

Buck’s eyes met Eddie’s in that instant, the last words from Buck’s letter ringing out in Eddie’s head.

‘You don’t have to worry about me, not…well not anymore.’

“I think it’s impossible not to worry about people, even when they’re not in your life anymore.” The words tumbled out of Eddie before he could stop himself, the other three sharing pointed looks while Buck quickly looked away from him.

Eddie was saved from having to answer when a voice called out. “Help, help! Is anyone there?”

They were all back on rescue mode then, Ravi and Bosko staying with Ali while Buck busted the door open, Eddie moving toward the patient to asses them. Eddie ran the tests, even though the injury was obvious to him.

Buck slid to the other side of the room, no doubt in search of something to help secure the man. Once Eddie had done his assessment, he slid over to Buck, crashing right into him. Buck held his breath a moment, Eddie feeling the exhale on his cheek just before he moved out of Buck’s space.

Buck cleared his throat, looking away from Eddie as he spoke.

“Numbness in his legs, and loss of bladder control.”

Eddie nodded his head in confirmation. “Spinal injury.”

They had to move him out. Now.

Each of them looked around for something to help stabilize him, Ali offering out an ironing board that they could use to secure him to.

Eddie shrugged, throwing his hand out. “Could work, but how are we gonna get him down the stairwell?”

He watched as Buck looked up, knowing an idea was coming to mind. It was the same look he’d had the night they ended up getting matching tattoos. Eddie rubbed at his side where the mark was subconsciously.

It was decided that Ravi and Lena would escort Ali out of the building through the stairwell, while Eddie would help Buck with the other victim, following Buck’s grand idea.

The idea ended up being the elevator shaft. While Eddie wanted nothing more than to get out of the building and away from the close confines of Buck, neither Lena nor Ravi looked too keen on the elevator shaft, Eddie taking pity on them.

Eddie pushed open the elevator shaft so they could get an idea of what they were looking at, his headlamp illuminating the area. It was clear going down. Eddie turned so he could lie on his back and look upwards, spotting the elevator rested several floors above. Buck came up next to him, looking down then up. “I like our chances.” He sounded all too excited, just like the daredevil Eddie had spent all that time with, Buck never shying away from danger.

With the guy on their makeshift gurney, they secured him to the ropes, Buck moving to harness Eddie in.

“What’re you doing?”

Buck paused his movements, looking right up to Eddie through his lashes. It should honestly be a crime how beautiful the man was.

“Uh, harnessing you in? Unless you were looking for more of a freefall type thing.” Buck said it with a bit of a smirk, Eddie rolling his eyes. For a moment, it was just like the old times. Eddie was quickly thrust back into reality.

“You go down with him, and I’ll stay up here, secure you two in.”

Buck shook his head. “No way man. I know what I’m doing.”

“I didn’t say you didn’t. I just—” want you to go first so I know you’re safe. Eddie kept his thoughts to himself, letting Buck infer the rest.

“Just go with him Eddie. I got this.”

“Ev, you don’t have to—”

“No, you don’t get—you don’t get to come back after all this time and say that.”

Eddie wasn’t sure if he was referring to the endearing nickname, or that fact that Eddie wanted to protect him. He figured it was probably a little bit of both.

Without any more arguing, Eddie let himself be fastened in by Buck; he tried not to get lost on how Buck’s hands felt on him, safe and familiar.

Buck pulled to make sure Eddie was secure, his hand lingering for longer than was necessary. Eddie looked up to him, Buck refusing to meet his stare, though he didn’t pull his hand away.

“Your kid’s gonna be fine Eds. The school is one of the safest places he could be. Promise.”

Eddie furrowed his brows, ducking his head until he caught Buck’s stare.

“How the hell do you know I have a kid?” He wasn’t mad, but rather confused. Eddie had never seen Buck after finding out he had a son, and he didn’t do social media, so there would’ve been no way for Buck to know that information.

It was Buck who looked confused then, his hand finally dropping off Eddie and back to his own lap.

“What…how-how do you mean how do I know?”

“Buck…you were gone before I got back, before I ever even knew I had a son…” Eddie trailed off, unsure of what else to say. There was no way Buck knew about Chris.

Buck swallowed thickly, Eddie watching the bob of his adams apple. He was quiet for too long, something like pain and rejection sliding across his face.

“She didn’t tell you, did she?”

Eddie shrugged his shoulders while lightly throwing his hands out in front of him.

“Who didn’t tell me what?”

“Shannon! God Eddie, how-how could you not know. I wrote it in the letter for fucks sake!”

Ok Eddie was really confused now. He shook his head as he furrowed his brows together. Eddie thought back to Buck’s last letter, the one he’d read too many times to count, all but memorizing it word for word.

‘But you don’t need me anyway. You have everything you need now.’

Buck had thought that…well how did he know about…

Eddie took in a deep breath, slowly letting it back out as he tried to gather his thoughts.

“I don’t understand. Shannon…she told you that she was—pregnant?”

Buck scoffed, clearly annoyed with Eddie’s confusion.

“She came to me a few months after you took off with a kid in her arms, told me it was yours. She was looking for you.”

Oh.

Suddenly a lot more things were making sense to Eddie.

“Buck I didn’t—”

Buck waved him off. “Whatever, it doesn’t matter now anyway.”

“Of course it matters Buck, how could you say that?”

Buck let out a weighted sigh, looking away from him once more. Eddie suddenly came to another realization.

“Wait, is that why—is that why you took off? Because Shannon had my kid?”

Buck bit at his lower lip, saying nothing to deny it.

“Buck,” Eddie called to him, willing the other man to look at him. When Buck did, it was like they were teenagers again, Buck looking so much younger in an instant, like that day they’d had their first fight, and the weeks right after when Eddie found him in the hospital after his motorcycle accident. He looked broken. Eddie wasn’t sure he’d ever been put back together.

“How-how could you think that I would cheat on you?”

Buck furrowed his brows, wrinkling his nose for Eddie’s accusation.

“Cheat? Jesus Eddie, I know math isn’t my best subject, but I could figure out how old the baby was from when we were—together.” He said the last word with such sadness, Eddie feeling even more defeated.

“Ok, well then, why did you take off? I don’t understand Buck.”

Buck looked down to the space between them, his voice laced with guilt.

“Because I thought—I know…knew you. I figured you’d make an honest woman out of her when you got back and marry her. You’re a good guy Eds. Plus, I knew you wouldn’t want to disappoint your parents.”

Eddie snorted at that. He’d disappointed his parents too many times to count since then.

“You were gonna have everything you needed. I had to go find my own family.”

Eddie hesitated a moment before reaching for Buck, placing his hand over his thigh, squeezing to secure the hold. Buck looked down to his hand placement but didn’t pull away.

“Buck, you were—are everything. I already had everything I needed.”

There’d never been anyone else. Never would be.

Buck put his hand over Eddie’s, fiddling with his fingers for a moment. His blues were clouded as he looked up to Eddie, his voice laced with sadness.

“Then why did you leave?”

Eddie opened his mouth to answer. No words came out.

A grunting to their right had them both turning, their victim groaning with pain. Right, they were on a call, in a building that could collapse at any given moment. They could deal with their personal issues later. After all, it’d already been six years.

Since Eddie was already harnessed in, he didn’t see the point in arguing further. They could figure out everything once they were safely back on the ground.

Eddie looked to Buck one last time, the man giving nothing away. Buck was back in work mode, Eddie knowing he needed to do the same.

Slowly, Eddie lowered himself down into the open shaft, Buck holding the slack. They shared another look before lowering the victim down, the three of them working as a unit, moving down the shaft inch by inch.

It was nerve wracking, for several reasons, Eddie grateful when he finally reached the next floor. Using his hand and then his foot, Eddie slid the doors open as he yelled up to Buck.

“Alright, get down here Buckley!”

Buck didn’t answer, Eddie watching as his long dangling legs disappeared out of sight. While Eddie focused on getting their patient down and through the door, he heard Buck above him, a little bit of relief flooding through him.

“Is the building vibrating?”

Everything happened all at once, Eddie barely registering the victims’ words until he heard an unholy screeching sound around them, the elevator above them rattling as it started to fall.

“Eddie! Kick that door open!”

Buck’s shouted words echoed in Eddie’s head as he hauled ass, all but shoving himself and the victim out into the hallway, praying to anyone that was listening that Buck would be right behind him.

“Let’s go Buck! Move your ass!”

Eddie tumbled into the hallway then, barely avoiding the debris that came his way as the second wave of aftershocks took over. He tried to shield the victim as best as possible while also keeping an eye out for Buck.

Just before he saw the elevator pass through the open doorway, Buck tumbled out into the hallway, the shaking ground throwing him against the wall and down the hallway, Buck landing with a thud near the demolished stairwell. Eddie only had a moment to let a breath out, his eyes widening in horror as the building began to settle, a concrete pillar breaking and crashing down, right onto one of Buck’s legs. In an instant, Eddie knew Buck’s scream of pain was the worst sound he’d ever hear. It would haunt him forever.

The last time Eddie had seen Buck, his arm had been broken, and now it was his leg. Eddie didn’t believe in the universe screaming or anything, but this sure was some coincidence.

Eddie already knew this time would be different though. He wasn’t going to leave Buck, wasn’t gonna let Buck leave him.

Six years was too long when Eddie was ready for forever.

~

Chapter Text

Eddie paced up and down the halls, his dirty boots thudding against the tiles as he did so. The smell of antiseptic was all too familiar, surrounding Eddie as he went.

He’d been at the hospital several times over the years, but he couldn’t help but to think of the last time he’d been in one with Buck. Then, Eddie had been by his side. Now, he wandered the halls, not quite knowing his place and unsure of what was going to happen.

Buck’s screams echoed in his head, Eddie unable to push the horrific sounds away. His mind kept replaying what had happened, Eddie wishing he could’ve done more, that he would’ve been the second one to go down.

He went to Buck in an instant, not caring if the ground beneath him hadn’t quite settled. Their patient was thankfully still safe and secure, Eddie only able to give him a quick glance before dashing for Buck.

Eddie hovered over Buck, trying to make an assessment, all while listening to him cry aloud.

“Hey, it’s ok. I’m here. You’re gonna be ok baby.”

The endearment slipped out before he could stop himself, Eddie easily falling back into old habits. Eddie was only grateful in that moment that Buck was probably in too much pain to process what he’d said.

Eddie licked at his lips, tutting his tongue as he looked around. He tried to push the boulder, but it was too heavy; he was never going to be able to move it by himself. The only saving grace was that the cement block had only landed on one of Buck’s legs, the other just missing being crushed.

Placing a comforting hand to Buck’s shoulder, Eddie radioed for help.

“This is firefighter Diaz. We have a firefighter down. I need help with extraction. Repeat, firefighter Buckley is down.”

With that taken care of, Eddie focused on what he could help with, assessing the rest of Buck.

He reached for Buck’s hand, placing it in his. “Can you squeeze my hand for me?” Buck grunted but did as asked, giving Eddie’s hand a good squeeze. He had a good hold, something Eddie could be grateful for. Buck wouldn’t let go afterwards, Eddie making no moves to remove his either. With one hand occupied, Eddie used his other to check over Buck’s face, pushing away some of the debris. He had a few cuts on his face, Eddie pressing his finger to one of the marks that was bleeding. Eddie left his finger there, applying pressure until it began to clot.

After checking over the rest of Buck, Eddie deemed him to be ok, minus his leg.

“Firefighter Diaz, this is Captain Bobby Nash. Do you copy?”

“I’m here Captain Nash.”

Eddie explained the situation best as he could while trying to keep both himself and Buck calm.

“We’ll get a rescue team together and send them up. For now, you need to get the victim down to safety; think you can do that?”

Eddie knew he could, he just didn’t want to. Not if it meant leaving Buck behind.

Apparently, took too long to answer, Captain Nash coming over the radio once more.

“Look kid, I get it—I wouldn’t want to leave him either, but we have a job to do, right?”

There was something in the man’s words, something that told Eddie Buck’s captain was more than just a captain to him.

“Right. Copy that Cap.”

Eddie put his radio down with a sigh, letting his eyes fall closed.

“You h-have to-to leave me.”

Eddie looked down to Buck, the man squeezing their still linked hands.

“I can’t Buck. I—I can’t leave you…again.”

Blurry blues looked up to him. “S’ok Eds. You don’t-don’t have to worry ‘bout me, member?”

Eddie hated himself as tears began to fall down his face. He used his free hand to cup Buck’s face, looking right into those baby blues. “You know I never stopped worrying about you, right?”

Buck only gave a nod, Eddie unable to keep from leaning down and pressing his lips to Buck’s birthmark. As he pulled away, he barely heard Buck’s whispered words. “Yea…yea I know.”

Eddie didn’t know what to do with that, only that he had to leave…again.

Eddie couldn’t get the awful images of Buck laid there unmoving out of his head. It had been more awful to leave him than it had been the first time. Of course, he’d gone right back in with the rest of them, Eddie doing nothing to help other than holding Buck’s hand as they’d slid him out, more cries of pain drowning his ears.

He’d had to go back to his own team after that and help out for a few more hours until his captain had taken pity on him, all of it a blur to Eddie. The hospital already felt like a prison and he hadn’t even been there an hour yet.

“Excuse me?”

Eddie turned at the voice of a woman, stopping to meet her.

“I just had to ask, if you were the one who saved my brother, Evan Buckley?”

Brother? That meant that she was…

“You’re Maddie.” He said it as a matter of fact, not even questioning it. Buck had shown him many pictures of his big sister, though Eddie never got to meet her. She looked similar to the girl Buck had shown him, but it was her soft and genuine smile that made him know for sure; the Buckley’s definitely had that in common.

Maddie eyed him carefully, her smile not fading.

“Yes, I’m Maddie. And you are?”

Eddie stuck his hand out, Maddie taking it in hers.

“I’m Eddie, Eddie Diaz. I’m a firefighter with the 136.”

“Eddie…” Maddie said, trailing off. A knowing smile touched her lips, Eddie instantly blushing for it.

“Well, I don’t know anything about ‘Eddie from the 136,’ but I know all about ‘Eddie from high school’.”

Eddi wasn’t sure what ‘all’ entailed, and he was too afraid for her to ask to clarify. Instead, he ducked his head like Buck often did. “Yep, one in the same.” She squeezed his hand before letting go, Eddie asking the question that had been burning inside of him since Buck had been loaded up in the ambulance.

“Is he—just tell me he’s gonna be ok?”

It was Maddie who looked away then, more somber than before.

“He’s still in surgery, so we won’t know anything until he’s out.”

Eddie nodded in answer. He was about to pick up his pacing again when Maddie reached for him, stilling him in place.

“The rest of his family’s sitting over there,” Maddie said with a nod of her head. “You should join us.”

Eddie bit at his lip as he looked around. He suddenly felt like he didn’t belong, like he was intruding on a life that was no longer his.

“I’m um, I’m not really family.”

Maddie waved him off. “Nonsense. ‘Eddie from high school’ is definitely family to my little brother.”

Eddie didn’t think he was going to be able to argue with her.

“You know, he um, he talked about you. All the time.” The words tumbled out of him, Maddie smiling a little sadly.

“I hate that I left him.”

Eddie gave a bitter grunt. “Yea, me too.”

“We’re here now though, right?” Maddie questioned, Eddie nodding in answer.

“Yea, we are.”

 He let Maddie all but drag him over to where the others were sitting then, Buck’s big sister not taking no for an answer. Must be another Buckley trait.

 She introduced him to Captain Nash—call me Bobby—as well as two of Buck’s teammates, Chimney and Hen. Eddie was grateful Hen was now accounted for after the previous radio call. Ravi was there as well, the two sharing a nod and a look of understanding before Eddie took a seat with them.

It was an agonizing wait, Eddie grateful for the company. He mostly listened, offering a laugh or a smile when appropriate. They didn’t push him for anything, though still kept his mind off whatever was happening behind the large closed doors.

“Family of Evan Buckley?”

Eddie and Maddie were the first two to stand, followed quickly by Bobby. Maddie gave the go ahead, the doctor laying it all out for them.

Surgery had gone well and as expected, Buck now in recovery. They’d put in a titanium rod and four cobalt-chromed screws. It was going to be a long recovery, but he was going to be ok. Eddie let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

Maddie was first to go in once Buck was set up in his room and visitors were allowed. She looked to Eddie, but he just shook his head. He wouldn’t feel right going ahead of all these people Buck now considered family.

He watched them all fade down the hallway and behind the doors one by one, Eddie brushing off all their offers to go next. When it was just him and Ravi left, the probie looked to him, then to the doors, willing Eddie to go next.

“It’s ok, I can wait.”

Ravi shook his head. “He doesn’t even like me. Not unless he’s holding a clipboard or a chainsaw.”

Hen and Chimney snickered, Eddie wanting an explanation, though not really needing one. It sounded very Buck, if Eddie did say so.

Ravi pushed him forward once more. “Seriously man, go ahead.”

With an encouraging nod from the others, Eddie finally let himself move towards the doors, pushing them open as he sucked in a breath, letting it out once he’d crossed through them.

Maddie was just exiting as he reached the door, smiling softly to him once more.

“He doesn’t know you’re here, but he’s asked about you. I wasn’t sure if you were going to stick around or not.”

Eddie knew she only meant it in the context of them not being that close these days, but he couldn’t help but to think back on how he’d left. Like Buck’s screams, that was going to haunt him forever.

She gave his arm a squeeze as she passed, Eddie slowly walking into the room, readying himself for what was to come.

Buck was laid on the bed with his eyes closed, white sheets covering one leg, the other, propped, wrapped, and supported from above. It looked miserable.

As Eddie approached the bed, Buck opened his eyes, those stark blues finding him in an instant. Eddie reached out to him, placing two fingers to Buck’s arm, tapping along it.

“Your arm’s ok.”

Eddie looked up as Buck huffed out a laugh, that soft crinkle smile he seemed to only reserve for Eddie spreading across his face.

“Thanks. Think I needed that.”

Eddie pulled his hand away and reached behind him for a chair, bringing it up to Buck’s bedside.

“Good. How’s the leg?”

Buck shrugged, his demeanor changing in an instant.

“Doc says I’ll walk again.”

“That’s good Buck.”

Buck scoffed. “Yea, he just said I might never be able to work again.”

Eddie sighed internally.

“Let’s not worry about that yet, yea? You’ve got plenty of time till any decisions like that need to be made.”

Buck grumbled, but let himself settle, Eddie taking it as a win.

He suddenly wondered if Buck remembered the last time they were alone in a room like this, Eddie being the one to settle him then too.

“You know my parents still don’t give a shit?”

It didn’t surprise Eddie. It infuriated him, just didn’t surprise him.

“Maddie told them I was here and they just told her to keep them updated.”

“Fuck ‘em.”

Eddie didn’t care how harsh his words were. Buck deserved so much better than his parents ever offered him.

“It’s fine. Everyone I need is here anyway.” Buck fiddled with his fingers, not looking his way. Eddie couldn’t help but to reach for him, taking Buck’s hand in his.

“I’m sorry for leaving.”

“Which time?”

Eddie winced and tried to pull away, Buck only gripping him tighter, sealing their hold.

“Sorry, that-that wasn’t fair. I’m just…I’m tired.”

Eddie let out a weighted sigh. “I know it doesn’t change anything, but I never wanted to leave.”

Buck only gave a nod of his head. A silence fell between them, Buck absently playing with Eddie’s fingers.

“I wanna go home.”

Without even looking at Buck, he knew those blues would be laced with tears. He was the boy Eddie had fallen in love with all those years ago, young and afraid.

Eddie placed his free hand to Buck’s head, brushing them through his curls.

“Shh, it’s ok. You’re safe.”

“D-don’t-don’t leave, ok?”

Eddie could only give a nod of his head, not trusting his words.

Buck leaned into his touch, Eddie holding him closely. Whether Buck liked it or not, Eddie wasn’t going anywhere.

~

Eddie stared at the name above his new locker, a longing settling deep within him. Instead of covering over ‘Buckley,’ Eddie put his piece of tape next to it, so that it essentially read: ‘Buckley-Diaz.’ He stepped away to look at it, reaching to smooth the names out. There, he could live with that.

In Buck’s absence, Eddie had volunteered to help out at the 118 when asked, his own team having plenty of firefighters in place already. Bobby seemed happy to have him, mentioning something about not being able to snag him away. Eddie could only imagine if he’d randomly started at the 118 one day and ran into Buck. He couldn’t even picture it.

Everyone at the 118 welcomed him with open arms, Eddie feeling like he was right at home. He’d always gotten along with his teammates at the 136, but this was different. It was obvious they were a family, just as Maddie had told him.

Buck had been out of the hospital for a few days now, Eddie deciding to give him some time before bombarding him.

His first shift with the 118 was almost over, Eddie joining them upstairs where they were all gathered around the couch, sans Bobby, playing an intense game of Mario Kart. Hen took the win just as he landed at the top, the woman whooping and hollering as the others took their defeat. Upon spotting Eddie, they called him over, Hen tossing out the free controller.

“Ever play Mario Kart Diaz?” Chimney asked, eyeing him carefully. Eddie shrugged. “A few times.”

He used to play with Buck all the time, but hadn’t played it for years. He was never big on tech things, Chris still a little too young to ask for a device.

Taking a seat between Hen and Chimney, Ravi sat up on the arm, Eddie gripped the controller in his hands, letting the familiar feeling take over.

“Alright Edmundo, pick your player.” Hen nudged him, Eddie shaking his head with a smile.

He searched through the characters, looking for the one he wanted. When he found it, Eddie smiled to himself before clicking onto it.

No one moved after that, the other three exchanging odd looks Eddie couldn’t decipher.

“Uh, did I do something wrong?”

Ravi looked away, Hen raising her brows to Chimney, the man sighing before answering Eddie.

“Look Eddie, it’s just uh…” Chimney paused and looked around to the others for help, but to no avail. “Well Buckaroo always plays the blue Yoshi. It’s sort of— his thing.”

Oh.

Eddie couldn’t tell them that that was the exact reason he’d picked it. They hadn’t asked Eddie how he knew Buck. He was sure it was obvious they’d met long before the earthquake, no one having questioned him yet. Eddie also knew Chimney was dating Maddie; he wasn’t sure how much she’d told him.

Clearing his throat, Eddie silently picked another character, urging them to start the game afterwards. No one mentioned it. He ended up winning the race, the rest of the team cheering him on.

After showering and changing back into his civies, Eddie drove to pick Chris up from school, hugging his son tightly once he was close enough.

“Hey buddy, how was school?” Eddie asked while he strapped him in, Chris smiling up to him.

“It was awesome!”

Eddie laughed with a smile, ruffling his sons’ curls before closing the door and rounding to the driver’s side.

He peered to his son in the rearview, debating how to word his next question.

“What do you think about going to visit an old friend of mine?”

Chris tilted his head in thought.

“Do I know them?”

Eddie shook his head. “You’ve never met them, but I think you’ve seen pictures.”

“Does he have the funny name?”

Eddie chuckled, remembering the first time Chris had seen a picture of Buck. Eddie had explained him as an old friend, one he missed very much.

“Yea buddy, him. His name is Buck.”

“How come we haven’t visited him before?”

That was a question Eddie didn’t have an answer for. Not one that was appropriate for a six-year-old at least.

“We um, we lost touch. But he got injured lately, so I thought it’d be nice to go see him.”

“We should bring him cookies.”

Eddie smiled back to his son. “Yea we should. I think he’d love that.”

Guiding his truck toward the store, Chris chattered on about his day, Eddie making comments at the appropriate times. He let Chris pick the cookies, his son grabbing the Paw Patrol ones because there were firetruck shaped ones; Eddie liked them because they had blue sprinkles.

With the cookies in tow, Eddie punched in Buck’s address that Maddie had given him, driving a little more nervously than before. He hadn’t seen or talked to him since the hospital, Eddie trying to give him his space while also letting Buck know he wasn’t going anywhere.

Eddie parked his truck before getting out to help Chris, handing off his crutches. Grabbing the cookies, Eddie led the way, stopping when they reached Buck’s door. He hesitated a moment before knocking, taking in a deep breath, exhaling it slowly.

He wasn’t sure when Chris had knocked for him, only that when he opened his eyes it was to blue, Buck looking to him with a bit of shock. Buck was leaned over a pair of crutches, his leg completely casted, a few cuts and bruises still lingering over his face.

“Uh, what’re you doing here?” It wasn’t said unkindly, just in shock.

“We match!” Chris declared, sticking one of his crutches out for emphasis.

Buck glanced to Eddie before looking down to Chris, that soft and private smile he only used with Eddie appearing for Chris. “Your right buddy, we do. I’m sure you’re much better with them though!” Chris giggled for that, the tension fading right out of Eddie.

Buck stepped back to let them in, Chris moving into the loft first, Eddie following and closing the door behind him.

“Sorry to just drop by. Maddie gave me the address.”

“He’s adorable.”

Eddie tracked Buck’s eyes to where Chris was in the living room, already making himself right at home on the couch. He smiled fondly over to his son. “Yea, he is.”

Their eyes met then, Eddie suddenly unsure of what to say.

“Did you bring me cookies?”

Eddie had forgotten all about the baked goods in his hands. He lifted them for Buck to see, watching as the man looked them over.

“It was Christopher’s idea.”

Buck looked up to him with a hint of a smirk.

“You can say it Eds. Paw Patrol is a badass show.”

Eddie tilted his head, giving a click of his tongue.

 “You caught me. I’m a big Chase fan.”

Buck smiled with a duck of his head. “Marshall’s my favorite.”

Their eyes met again, the two only looking away when Chris called out to them.

“Can we have cookies now?”

They shared a laugh, Buck nodding toward his kitchen before moving to sit with Chris. When Eddie came back with napkins and the open box of cookies, the two were deep in conversation, Eddie’s heart warming in and instant.

Buck sat leaned against one end with his bad leg propped up, Chris at the other end. After delivering the cookies to them, Eddie took the chair. He couldn’t help but to think Buck looked disappointed for it.

Since it was Friday night and Chris didn’t have school the next day, Eddie wasn’t worried about the time. Buck seemed content with them there, even offering to order pizza, Chris quickly agreeing to that.

Eddie had spent several nights in L.A. since moving there, though he couldn’t remember any being quite as memorable as he knew this one would end up being.

Chris tuckered out after pizza and the ice-crem he’d wormed out of Buck, puppy-dog eyeing Eddie for. Buck had given him the same eyes in turn, Eddie unable to say no; he should’ve known the two would be trouble together.

“You can take him upstairs and lie him on my bed if you want,” Buck offered, quickly adding, “unless you uh, need-need to go,” when Eddie didn’t respond fast enough.

Eddie looked to Chris sleeping on the couch and then up to Buck’s room.

“Sure, thanks Buck.”

Buck gave a simple nod as Eddie rose from the chair and moved toward Chris. As he bent to pick him up, he saw the way the Chris’ glasses were lopsided on his face.

“Shit. I need to run out and grab his glasses case or we’ll never find them again.” It had happened too many times for Eddie to count. Buck assured Eddie he would watch over Chris until he got back; of that, Eddie had no doubts.

At his truck, Eddie rifled through the back, digging for Chris’ backpack. It was too dark outside, Eddie having forgot his phone inside. He decided just to bring the entire backpack inside to make things easier for himself.

Buck and Chris were just as he’d left them. Eddie couldn’t help but to notice the fond way Buck watched over Chris, almost as if he were his own. Eddie had to quickly shake that thought away.

With the backpack over one shoulder, Eddie bent down on his other side to take Chris into his arms, the boy nestling right into him. He climbed the stairs carefully so as not to disturb Chris, placing him onto the middle of the bed. There was an extra blanket near the top, Eddie draping it over Chris before gently taking his glasses off. He brought the bag to the bathroom so he had some light, Eddie finally locating the case, tucking the glasses into it.

Setting the bag near Chris incase he woke and needed it, Eddie placed a kiss to his head before wandering back downstairs.

He noticed the way Buck was shifting uncomfortably, Eddie wishing he could somehow take his pain away.

“You need anything?”

Buck started to shake his head before Eddie gave him a pointed look.

“Fine. I uh, I guess I could use some ice. Maybe ah, some pain pills too.”

“Coming right up.”

Eddie wandered off into the kitchen, grabbing out some ice-packs before spotting Buck’s pain pills. He shook out the suggested amount, pouring Buck a glass of water before returning to the living room.

He handed them off to Buck with a smile. “There you go sir.”

Buck flushed a little at his words, quickly taking the pills and avoiding Eddie’s gaze.

“Thanks.”

Eddie made to go sit on the chair, Buck stopping him in his tracks.

“You uh, you should sit here. It’s um, easier for me to see you.”

While Buck was right, Eddie couldn’t help but to notice the want lingering in Buck’s voice.

Eddie carefully lifted Buck’s injured leg off the pillow to place an ice-pack there. Instead of replacing the pillow, Eddie tossed it to the floor, bringing Buck’s legs to rest over his lap instead.

“How’s that?”

Buck looked to where his legs were in Eddie’s lap, a shy smile spreading across his face.

“Good. Um, nice. Thanks Eds.”

Eddie couldn’t help but to brush his fingers across Buck’s legs, the man settling into his touch.

“How long did they give you?” Eddie asked, unsure of what to say.

“A few months, maybe longer.” It was obvious Buck didn’t want to talk about his injury.

“So tell me, how’d you become a firefighter anyhow?”

Buck smiled at that, meeting Eddie’s gaze once more.

“Well, I sort of just—drove town to town, took up a bunch of odd jobs. I was in Peru when I saw this movie about firefighters, followed some guys out here, and—well I guess the rest is history.”

It made Eddie both happy and sad that Buck had traveled around. On the one hand, he was grateful Buck had gotten to have so many experiences, but he couldn’t help but think why he’d felt like he’d had to leave in the first place.

Buck nudged him with his good leg. “What about you, firefighter Diaz?”

Eddie cleared his throat, smiling a little solemnly. His story wasn’t quite as eventful or interesting as Buck’s.

“Well after I found out about Chris, I knew I couldn’t really make a living off the army. I ended up working three different jobs at a time to save up, got into the academy based off my army history, and then I came out here to get the hell away from my parents.”

“Guess you finally stood up to them.”

Eddie tensed and Buck tried to pull his legs away; Eddie kept him in place.

“Sorry, that was a dick thing to say.” Buck laughed a little bitterly. “I mean, it’s not like I’ve ever stood up to mine.”

Eddie didn’t say anything for a minute. It suddenly felt tense, like when they were in the building that was about to collapse.

“I don’t know what you want me to say Buck.” It was the truth, the only answer Eddie had.

“Nothing. It-it doesn’t matter anyway.”

Eddie scoffed. “Is that what you really think?”

Buck looked away from him as he bit at his lip, and old habit Eddie recognized all too well.

“I dunno man. I’m just—I’m tired. My leg hurts.”

Eddie knew he was looking for an out.

“Yea, I should—I should get Chris home anyway.”

Slowly, Eddie raised off the couch, reaching for the pillow and placing it back under Buck’s legs. Wordlessly, he grabbed Christopher’s crutches and headed up the stairs, his son stirring as Eddie flipped on the light.

“Daddy?”

“Yea buddy. Time to go home, ok?”

Chris nodded, and Eddie handed over his glasses, instructing Chris to put the case back into his backpack.

“I’ll be back up in a few to get you, ok?”

Chris yawned as he put his glasses back on, shaking his head in acknowledgement.

Eddie took the steps back down two at a time. He cleaned up the kitchen, not wanting to leave a mess for Buck in his injured state. Once it was tidy again, he made to head back up the stairs, stopping on the first one when he heard Buck’s voice.

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was not biggie.”

He was suddenly unsure if they were still talking about the dishes. When Buck didn’t say anything else, Eddie headed back up the stairs, Christopher’s backpack zipped up, his crutches over his arms and ready to go.

Picking him up, Eddie carried Chris down the stairs before safely placing him onto the floor with his crutches. Chris walked over to Buck, leaning right into him. Buck opened up his arms, hugging him tightly.

“Night buddy. I’m glad I got to meet you.”

“You’re pretty cool even if you’re name’s funny.” Chris giggled as well as Buck, Eddie chastising his son a little for it.

“C’mon kid, we gotta get going.”

His eyes connected with Buck, a sadness lingering in his blues.

“Thanks for bringing him over Eds.”

Eddie nodded. “I’m glad you got to meet him.”

“Hey Eddie?” Buck called, Eddie turning to him, waiting.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

There were a million things they could both be sorry for.

“Uh everything, just—I always say the wrong thing.”

Eddie gave a sharp nod. He’d be lying if he said some of Buck’s words didn’t hurt, even if he understood the anger behind them.

Not knowing how to respond, Eddie found his eyes lingering over Buck’s frame, noting the ice-packs that had rolled off to the side.

“Ice goes on the leg bud.”

Buck gave a faint smile for that, reaching forward to put them back in place.

“Thanks. Um, night.”

“Night Buck.”

Eddie led Chris out the door and back to his truck then. Thankfully, Chris was too tired to ask any questions, Eddie getting to be alone with his thoughts.

He and Buck seemed to keep talking in circles, always coming back to the past. Eddie wasn’t sure they could move forward if Buck was still stuck there.

~

It was Monday morning, Eddie having dropped Chris off at school already. Since he had the day off, he decided to do some tidying up around the house. He could use the distraction.

He hadn’t talked to Buck since Friday, even though they’d exchanged numbers. That had been before things got too serious.

After rearranging the couch pillows and cleaning up the kitchen, Eddie decided to start a load of laundry. He gathered the dirty clothes from his room first, making his way into Christopher’s room afterwards.

Eddie went to the open closet where Chris hamper laid, picking up the basket and taking it with him to the laundry room. He poured in his clothes first, then Christophers. As Chris clothes began to fill the washer, Eddie saw something out of the corner of his eye that made him pause. Reaching into the washer, Eddie pulled out the item, gaping at it. It was something he never thought he’d see again, especially hiding in his son’s hamper. He was going to have to have a serious chat with his son when he picked him up from school.

Looking the object over, Eddie debated with himself. It wasn’t something he needed to take back right away, surely.

Eddie tapped his fingers against the washer, a million memories flooding back to mind.

“Dammit!”

Eddie quickly abandoned the laundry and the remainder of his chores as he found his boots and stomped his feet into them.

With one last look at the object, Eddie shook his head, huffing as he made his way out to his truck. He tossed the item to the seat next to him as he put his truck into gear. This was absolutely ridiculous—he wasn’t going to be able to rest until he returned it.

He took his time driving, convincing himself several times not to just turn around and go back home.

Once he pulled into Buck’s lot, Eddie debated with himself yet again. Eventually, he grabbed the object up, slamming his door once he was out.

This is stupid, Eddie thought to himself, reaching Buck’s door all too quickly. He kept the item behind his back, wanting a few moments to talk before getting on with it.

After knocking, he took in a breath, barely getting it out before the door was opening. It wasn’t the Buckley he was expecting on the other side of it.

“Maddie?”

She held up her finger, Eddie hearing Buck’s voice hollering out to her. Maddie left the door open as she wandered back into the loft, Eddie standing there not knowing what to do. He stepped just inside the door, listening as Buck’s voice continued to rise, Maddie yelling back to him.

“Well, I don’t know what you want me to do Evan!” Maddie sounded defeated, though Eddie wasn’t sure why.

“I need it Mads, please! Just go upstairs and—”

“Buck,” Maddie said a little gentler this time, trying to reason with him. “I already looked up there.”

Eddie hadn’t wandered past the door, not wanting to intrude more than he already was.

“I need to get to work. I can look again later, ok?”

“No, I-I can’t—I, please Mads!”

Buck was all but pleading, his voice between a yell and sob.

“Well, I already looked everywhere. I told you, I don’t see it.”

“Look again, please!”

Eddies throat tightened. He suddenly had a thought, but it couldn’t be. Could it?

“Evan, I have to get to work.”

“Please, just, just look again,” Buck begged.

“I have to go, I’m going to be late. Why is this so important to you anyway?”

There was silence a moment before Maddie asked again.

“Buck, if you can’t even tell me why this thing is so important to you then—”

“Because Eddie gave it to me, ok? It was the first thing he ever gave me, and I can’t sleep without it!”

Eddie let out the breath he’d been holding.

“Well maybe you can ask him to help you find it,” Maddie said as she rounded the corner and all but dragged Eddie out with her. With that, Maddie left, Eddie stood there awkwardly, Buck all but gaping at him from his spot on the couch.

Eddie cleared his throat nervously, pulling the item out from behind his back, holding it out to Buck.

“Is uh, is this what you were looking for?”

Buck’s eyes widened once more, Eddie moving closer to deposit the blue Yoshi plushie into his arms. Eddie watched as Buck looked it over, swallowing thickly.

“How—where-where did you find it?”

Eddie let out a heavy sigh.

“In Christopher’s laundry basket.”

Buck arched a brow in confusion, Eddie shrugging his shoulders.

“No idea, but if I had to guess he snagged it when he was upstairs. I’ll talk to him after I pick him up.”

“It’s my fault.” Buck sighed, placing the stuffy properly into his lap. “I-I had it on the couch the other night, when you came over. I forgot it was there until he picked it up. I uh, I threw it upstairs, told him he could play with it later.”

Eddie wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry over the fact that Buck had hid the Yoshi from him.

“I didn’t know you’d kept him all these years.”

Buck fiddled with the Yoshi, playing with its arms.

“I um, I didn’t really take a lot with me. Lost a lot of stuff along the way.”

“But not him,” Eddie stated, Buck nodding his head in answer.

Eddie moved toward the couch, hesitating a moment before lifting Buck’s legs and taking the pillows place, carefully resting Buck’s legs in his lap.

“I heard you stepped in for me.”

“Just until you get back.”

Buck didn’t say anything more, absently playing with the Yoshi in his lap.

“You know, I should’ve just thrown that thing in the wash before bringing it over.”

“Fuck you.” Buck laughed, Eddie cracking a smile as well. He reached out to tap the plushie, blues looking up to him. “Seriously, have you ever washed that thing?” Eddie remembered the questionable stains from when they’d been just teenagers.

Buck pulled in his lower lip, Eddie knowing the answer before he ever spoke.

“I didn’t want it to lose your scent, and then…well I didn’t want anything to happen to it.”

Eddie remembered spraying his cologne on the thing a time or two, his scent always comforting Buck.

“You know, I tried to play the blue Yoshi at work the other day…you would’ve thought I killed all your coworker’s puppy.”

Buck snorted at that. “Yea, that’s uh, that’s my character. I kind of—freaked out the first time we played and someone else took him.”

Eddie hummed, Buck speaking again before he could answer.

“Why did you pick him?”

“Huh?” Eddie questioned, a little lost in his head.

Buck pointed at the plushie, poking his good foot into Eddie’s rib.

“When you were playing at the station…why did you pick the Yoshi?”

Eddie rubbed at the back of his neck, feigning indifference.

“Guess blue’s just my favorite color.”

He dared to look over at Buck, the mans’ blues all but dazzling in the afternoon light brought in by the vast windows.

They sat there for several moments in silence, Eddie not wanting the moment to end, but knowing it had to. For once, he was hoping they could leave on a good note.

Brushing his fingers across Buck’s legs, Eddie stood from the couch, placing the pillow back beneath Buck’s injured leg.

“Well, I just—wanted to bring that back to you, but I should get back to it.”

There were still hours until he needed to pick Chris up from school, but he couldn’t spend them at Buck’s. There was still so much unsaid between them, Eddie not yet ready to face it.

“Thanks. I um…I can get rid of it if you want, or if um, if you think it’s weird or—”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Keep him safe, yea?”

Buck’s big blues looked up to him, Eddie smiling softly.

“I’ll check in on you later. Get some rest Buck.”

Eddie turned on his heel, stopping when Buck called out to him.

“Eddie?”

When Buck didn’t continue on, Eddie prompted him, though kept his back turned.

“Yea?”

He was met with more silence, about to turn around when Buck finally let it out.

“You called me baby.”

It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement. Buck shivered for his words all the same. He’d all but forgotten about that, had been hoping Buck was in too much pain to hear the slipped endearment fall off his lips.

“Yea, yea I did.”

There was no point in denying it. In the end, Eddie didn’t regret saying it, only that it couldn’t mean what he wanted it to.

“I wasn’t mad that you left…well, that-that wasn’t the main reason.”

Eddie turned his head to the side, intrigued, though still not quite meeting Buck.

“You didn’t say goodbye…” Buck’s words trailed off, Eddie hearing the sadness and rejection in them.

He turned to face Buck then, staying where he was, still closer to the door than Buck. In an instant, Eddie knew Buck was talking about the past, about the first time he left.

“I-I woke up, and-and you were gone. I couldn’t find you anywhere, and then I just got some letter from you weeks later.”

Eddie knew his eyes reflected Buck’s in that moment, both laced with tears.

“You just—you left, and-and you didn’t say goodbye. I thought—it doesn’t matter anymore; that was a long time ago.” Buck cleared his throat. “I guess I just—I wanted to be honest.” Buck closed his eyes as he took in a breath, opening them back up as he let it out. “I was hurt and-and I keep taking it out on you. I guess I just don’t know how to—move on, you know?”

Eddie tried to process all of Buck’s confession, his head spinning a little for it. He took a step forward then, debating a moment before sitting on the coffee table in front of him, willing Buck to meet his stare.

“It matters to me. You matter to me Buck. Always have.” Always will, Eddie thought silently to himself.

Baby blues looked up to him, Eddie refraining from reaching out and taking Buck’s hand in his.

“I thought that-that you didn’t want me, that you didn’t say goodbye because you thought I was too needy, or-or reckless. And then Shannon showed up on my doorstep, and I saw the baby, and-and I—”

“Panicked and thought that I’d moved on and never cared about you,” Eddie finished for him, Buck giving a small nod of his head in answer.

“Yea, it’s—stupid, I know. I’m an idiot.”

“You’re not stupid Buck.”

Eddie reached for him then, taking one of Buck’s hands in his, brushing over his knuckles. Buck sighed into his touch.

“I guess I thought the same. When I came back and you were gone, and didn’t respond to half my letters.”

Buck frowned at that. It was obvious neither of them had considered the others feelings, even if not purposefully.

“See? I am an idiot.” Buck hung his head low, Eddie reaching under his chin to lift it back up, turning Buck’s head his direction.

“Yea well, you’re my idiot.”

Buck gave his crinkle smile at that, Eddie brushing his fingers underneath his chin.

“Hey, do you—do you have that picture we took at the fair? You know the one where—”

“We were in the house of mirrors and you were wearing that stupidly hot backwards hat?” Eddie finished, Buck smiling bashfully to him.

“Yea uh, that one. I lost that phone…lost all our memories.”

Eddie understood even more why the Yoshi plushie was so important to Buck.

Unlocking his phone with his free hand, Eddie scrolled to a folder he’d saved to his phone years ago, lots of forgotten memories lying inside. When he located the picture, he leaned closer to Buck could see.

Buck smiled, Eddie watching as he became lost in the memory of their first date.

“That was a good day.”

“I don’t want you to move on,” Eddie blurted out.

“Uh, what?”

Eddie shook his head. “You said you didn’t know how to move on. Well then…don’t.”

Buck gasped for his words, neither of them saying anything right away.

Using the hand that wasn’t intertwined with Eddie’s, Buck reached for Eddie at the waist, silently looking up to him, asking Eddie for permission. Eddie gave a short nod in answer, watching with anticipation as Buck’s fingers slid beneath his shirt, pushing it up to expose his mark, one half of their matching tattoo.

Gentle fingers brushed over the marking, Eddie leaning into Buck’s touch.

“Damn,” Buck breathed out, Eddie looking to him with furrowed brows.

“What?”

Buck’s fingers brushed the marking again, pushing his shirt up a little higher.

“You’re ripped. Fuck.”

Eddie threw his head back in laughter, swatting Buck away when he pinched the skin there.

“What about you Buckley? What kind of muscles are you hiding under that hoodie these days?”

Buck raised his brows playfully. “Check for yourself Diaz.”

Releasing Buck’s hand, Eddie placed it to Buck’s upper thigh for balance, using his other hand to slip under Buck’s hoodie, brushing at his bare skin. Buck squirmed a little for the soft touch, Eddie refraining from full on tickling him given Buck’s broken leg.

Using both his hands then, Eddie pushed the hoodie up, getting his first look of Buck’s matching mark in years. Though significantly faded, Eddie could still make out the scar from where Buck had gotten caught on the rock all those years ago. His fingers gravitated to it in an instant, first tracing the raised skin, then outlining his tattoo. Buck’s chest flexed as he took in a breath, relaxing for Eddie’s touch.

“Well?” Buck prompted after a moment. “What do you think?”

Eddie pretended to look Buck over a moment, letting his hands trace the miles of bare skin now on display. Buck had gotten more tattoos over the years, Eddie knowing one day he would get his hands on all of them.

“Even more beautiful than I remember.”

There was a weighted sigh from Buck, Eddie peering up to him.

“What?”

Buck threw his head back, letting his eyes fall closed.

“I call you hot and you call me beautiful.”

Eddie chuckled, releasing Buck’s hoodie and fitting it back into place. He leaned closer into Buck’s space, brushing their noses together. Buck opened his eyes, blue looking right into him.

“Well, I think you’re beautifully hot.”

Buck groaned at that, Eddie not missing the flush of his cheeks.

“Say it again,” Buck whispered into the space between them, his warm breath fanning over Eddie.

“Say what?” Eddie echoed back, Buck’s sigh making Eddie smile right into him. Eddie skated his lips upwards, lingering by Buck’s ear, whispering soft and slow.

“Baby.”

He felt the way Buck flexed beneath him, Eddie catching his sigh with his lips that time. Buck kissed him back, their lips still familiar to the other, a world of memories crashing between them, just as the waves had done that day at the ocean.

“Stay?” Buck asked.

Eddie pressed a tender kiss to his lips, lingering there afterwards.

“I’m not leaving, promise.”

Buck’s arms wrapped around him, holding him tight, the ridiculous plushie stuffed between them.

“You’re my planet, you know?”

Buck hummed into him, his fingers sliding up and under Eddie’s shirt once more, rubbing over his marking there.

“Yea, I know Eds.”

Like the planets orbited the sun, they did the same, always lingering near the other, eventually falling back into place. No matter how long it took, they always gravitated back toward the other, back home. Eddie knew neither of them was ever leaving again.

~

Chapter Text

After the day on the couch, they took things slow, no need to rush—why would there be when they weren’t going anywhere?

Buck’s leg took time, but it finally healed, Eddie there throughout the journey, pushing Buck when he knew he needed it, lending a shoulder to cry on other times, knowing Buck needed that as well.

Chris and Buck got on a little too well if you asked Eddie; they were menaces—Eddie didn’t trust them alone together for a second.

When Eddie had finally managed to leave Buck’s after returning the Yoshi plushie, he’d picked Chris up from school, gently asking his son about it. Chris had said that Buck told him he could play with it, and something whispered about wanting to see Buck again and knowing they would have to if he took it home. Eddie would like to rest his case about his kid being a menace, thanks.

Today was Buck’s first day back, Bobby asking Eddie if he would stay on to help out just in case he was needed. Eddie had easily agreed, never turning down the opportunity to spend more time with Buck.

At their lockers, Buck looked from their side-by-side nametags, peering over to Eddie with a raised brow. Eddie shrugged his shoulder. “Didn’t want you to think you were being replaced.”

Buck blushed for that, reaching out to brush his name across them. “They look pretty good together like this, don’t you think?”

Eddie smiled to him wholly.

“Yea, it looks pretty perfect to me.”

They shared giddy smiles, not getting to press the conversation further as Bobby called their attention, wanting to go over the day’s agenda.

“Alright, first thing’s first. We have someone back on the team with us this morning.”

Buck postered a little, Eddie rolling his eyes before a fond smile spread across his face.

“Who’s that?” Chimney asked with a pop of his gum, looking around, pretending not to notice Buck who was now pouting for it. Bobby gave a smile, finally putting Buck out of his misery as he pointed to him.

“Firefighter Buckley is back with us today!”

They all pulled him in for a hug, Buck melting right into it. When they finally pulled away, Bobby got on with the next announcement.

“And with that comes some sadder news. Seeing as Buck is back, that means we’ll have to send Eddie back to the 136.”

Everyone fell silent at that, Eddie watching as Buck pouted out his lip once more. Eddie hated it, but there wasn’t anything he could do. He could try and ask for a transfer, but he wasn’t sure how anyone would take that. After all, he’d only been filling in until Buck returned.

“Well, I mean, unless…” Chim started, trailing off. Eddie looked to him skeptically, quickly turning his attention to Hen who spoke next. “He has been quite an asset to the team Cap.”

Ravi blew out a breath. “I could certainly do without being the probie anymore.”

Buck rubbed his hands together, tilting his head to the side. “I mean, it would be pretty badass to work with my best friend.”

Eddie smiled nervously, unsure of what the hell was going on.

Bobby tutted his tongue, pretending to look at his clipboard as he thought it over.

“Well, if you guys think he should stay, then I guess we can keep him.”

Keep him? What the hell was going on?

Everyone looked to him then, Eddie laughing a little awkwardly.

“Uh, I don’t—what is happening?”

There were smiles and chuckles all around him, Buck leaning in closer to him, whispering so only he could hear.

“Surprise babe.”

Bobby stepped toward him, placing a hand to his shoulder.

“I talked to your captain and the fire chief. If you want to stay here, everything’s all good to go.”

Eddie couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Stay at the 118, with Buck, and all of his new friends?

Placing his hands to his pockets, Eddie leaned from side to side, pretending to think it over.

“I mean, I guess I could stick around for a while. You guys could definitely use a hand or two.” Eddie gave a little flex for emphasis, everyone waving him off, laughter erupting around them.

Bobby went over a few more items, pulling Buck and Eddie aside at the end, something about them needing to fill out special paperwork. Bobby was on to them for sure.

They made their way up the stairs where everyone else was, smushing together on the couch and chairs, each picking up a controller. Buck was quick to select his blue Yoshi, giving Eddie a knowing smile.

The team had finally gotten it out of them a few weeks ago how they first met and some of the things that had transpired over the years. They didn’t tell their friends everything, leaving out the Yoshi part, wanting to save some special moments just for themselves.

They managed to make it through their first shift together, Eddie knowing he was right where he was supposed to be. As it turned out, the 118 really was a family, now one Eddie was a part of, forever.

Buck stood with one leg on the bench while Eddie finished dressing, those blues never leaving his frame.

“Hey Eds?” Buck asked a little shyly, Eddie turning to him with a raised brow.

“Yea Ev?”

Buck ducked his head with a flush, Eddie loving that after all these years, he could still make the man blush with just a single word.

“So tomorrow, do you—do you wanna go to the pier with me?”

Buck licked at his lips, Eddie quickly catching on.

“Just the two of us?” Eddie questioned, Buck smiling shyly over to him.

“Yea um, just-just the two of us.”

Eddie causally nodded. “Sounds cool.”

Eddie turned back around as he finished dressing, knowing Buck was sweating it out behind him, his eyes all but boring a hole into his back.

“Hey Buck?” Eddie called, not turning to face him.

“Y-yea?”

“I was just wondering, is this like—like a date?”

Eddie turned to face him then, Buck smiling brightly while flipping him off simultaneously.

“Fuck you, I was nervous back then.”

Eddie eyed him keenly. “And now you’re not?”

Buck flipped him off again, Eddie chuckling for it. He stepped into Buck’s space, placing his hand to Buck’s side where he knew his matching tattoo laid.

“Yea Buck, let’s go on a date.”

He held his hand out for Buck, the man easily taking it in his, the two walking away from their locker. Neither of them ever bothered to remove either of the tapes with their names on it, the two continuing to share from there on out. It was like Buck said, they did look good together.

~

The pier was bustling with noise and sweet smells, people littered all around. Buck swung their linked hands between them, Chris just ahead of them. Yes, Chris was with them, at Buck’s insistence. Eddie really did love the man.

Buck bought the wristbands, Eddie glaring to him for it.

“Buck,” Eddie whined. “I drove and you already paid for our tickets. You should’ve let me buy those.”

Buck shrugged his shoulders as he bent to wrap one of the bands around Christopher’s wrist. “I invited you, so it’s my treat. If you wanna pay, then ask me out on a date.” Eddie didn’t miss the smug smile that followed. The little shit, using his own words against him.

When he stood, Buck took Eddie’s wrist and wrapped the band around it, sealing it into place.

Just like their first date, Eddie reached for Buck’s hand after, tangling them together.

They took off through the pier, taking turns on the different rides with Chris. At the games, Buck won Chris his very own Yoshi, his son hugging Buck tightly as Buck lifted him into the air, swinging him around. It was all Eddie could’ve dreamed of, his heart beating with delight.

When they needed a break, they stood by the water, Chris up on a bench, looking out toward the water. Buck held onto his shirt as he and Eddie faced outward, standing side by side.

“Successful first date?” Buck asked, wagging his brows playfully.

“I don’t think anything will ever top our first date if I’m being honest.”

He didn’t mean that there weren’t any better memories, but that that was their first time just being them, together. Eddie would treasure it close to his heart forever.

Buck knocked into his shoulder, giving him a knowing smile.

“Yea, I know. That one was um—it was special.”

“Look at the water!” Chris squealed, the two turning to look out toward the ocean where Chris was pointing. The large wave crashed into another before settling once more and washing across the shore.

“Waves are cool,” Chris exclaimed, Eddie and Buck chuckling for it.

They spent the remainder of the day stuffing their faces, taking ridiculous pictures, and of course riding all the rides. By the time they piled back into the truck, Chris was passed out, Buck safely buckling him in, placing the Yoshi in his arms before taking the driver’s seat.

The backroads were quiet this time of night, Eddie loving the cool breeze that blew through the open windows.

They came to a red light, Buck stopping the jeep, Eddie frowning when he put it into park.

“Buck, what’re you doing?”

Buck leaned over the gearshift and into his space.

“Well, if we’re re-creating our first date, I should probably end it by kissing your stupid face.”

Eddie couldn’t help but to smile for that, the memory flooding back into his head.

“You said it was stupidly pretty.”

“That I did.”

Eddie met him half way, their lips crashing together, just like the wave they’d seen earlier on the pier. They settled back into their seats then, Eddie tangling his hand with Buck’s free one, keeping them linked until Buck pulled into his drive.

Eddie hopped out and opened the back door, grabbing for Chris and the stuffed animal, Buck walking up ahead of him, using the key Eddie had given him weeks ago to open the door.

Buck followed him down the hall and into Chris’ room, the two helping to get his shoes off and get him into pajamas before tucking him in with the Yoshi.

“Love you dad.”

Eddie brushed his curls back before placing a kiss to his sons’ forehead.

“Love you too kid.”

“Love you Buck.”

It wasn’t the first time Chris had uttered those words, but they always seemed to take Buck by surprise. Eddie hoped one day they wouldn’t, that Buck knew he was so loved by them all.

Buck bent to place a kiss to his forehead as well.

“Love you buddy. Sleep tight.”

They followed each other back down the hall and into Eddie’s room, Buck’s overnight duffel already in there from when he’d picked them up earlier.

Eddie couldn’t help but to tackle him to the bed, Buck smiling into their kiss.

“Whoa, whoa,” Buck spurted, pushing him back a tinge. “I don’t remember you jumping my bones on our first date.”

Eddie gave a fond roll of his eyes before pressing his lips to Buck again.

“Good thing we’re way past our first date then.”

Buck groaned as Eddie swiveled his hips above him, the two quickly getting lost in the other, their clothes slowly fading away as they took each other apart. Their bodies fit together differently than they had all those years ago, but Buck was still familiar, still perfectly attuned to Eddie. In any universe, at any time, they just fit, falling right into place.

They laid there afterwards, wrapped in the other. Buck’s fingers tiptoed between them, tracing his own tattoo before following it over to Eddie’s, connecting the two. Eddie sighed contently, relaxing for Buck’s touch.

After a while, Eddie twisted his arms toward Buck, wrapping his best friend in his arms. He placed a kiss to Buck’s birthmark, Buck sighing into him.

“You know I love you, right?” Eddie asked into the space between them.

Buck pushed further into his space, his finger tracing over Eddie’s mark once more.

“Yea, I know Eds. And I love you.”

Eddie couldn’t help but to place a kiss to his lips, feeling Buck’s smile pressed into him.

“Play our song babe?”

Eddie would be lying if he hand’t listened to their song on repeat over the years, Eddie knowing every lyric by heart at this point.

He reached for his phone and pulled it up, the soft melody surrounding them. Before he could take Buck back in his arms, the man was leaning over the side of the bed, Eddie listening as he unzipped something. When he came back, the blue Yoshi was in his hands, Eddie shaking his head with a ridiculous smile.

“You really brought him?”

Buck curled into the plushie as he backed toward Eddie.

“I told you—I can’t sleep without him.”

Even so, Eddie couldn’t resist pulling Buck into his arms, wrapping him up tight, stupid plushie and all. He placed his head close to Buck’s, settling in.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to be a trio then.”

“Why’s that?” Buck asked, turning a little towards him, Eddie placing a kiss to his forehead.

“Because I can’t sleep without you.”

Eddie traced over Buck’s mark that matched his, Buck reaching to thread their fingers together.

“I’m a rocket ship,” Eddie started, Buck easily finishing it. “I’m your planet.”

The universe had led them together, and brought them back to each other. Through all the madness, time apart, and obstacles put in their way, they managed to find each other.

They’d shared so many firsts, but they would always be each other’s last. First dates, first times, first I love you’s, first tattoos, first fights—first love. There were so many more firsts for them to experience, and they would do them altogether. Buck was Eddie’s first forever, and he would certainly be his last.