Work Text:
Buck has had Theo under his care for a few months now, and things have gone from chaotic to moderately good.
At first, he struggled to get used to the bursts of energy and tantrums, because Jee and Chris had always been very well-behaved kids, and having a chaotic kid around was definitely something new for him. In fact, Eddie had joked more than once that it was like watching a mini Buck running straight into danger, and he was absolutely right…
'Don't throw that, you'll cut yourself'
'Be careful, you're going to fall off the ladder'
'Those aren't toys, they're my tools'
'The neighbor's dog is not friendly'
'Get down from there, the vines are dangerous'
'YOU DON'T EAT THAT'
Buck finally understood his parents, and that was saying something. He must have been a real pain in the ass when he was little, damn.
But even with all that, Buck managed to see the good in it all. Theo had an immense curiosity, and Buck was the perfect person to satisfy it, mainly because he loved knowing everything. Buck could talk to Theo for hours, telling him everything he knew about anything and everything. They could go to the aquarium, the zoo, the museum, the beach, or even the amusement park, and he could tell him some random fact about whatever he came across along the way. Then Theo would look at him with those bright, eager eyes, and Buck would feel this strange sensation pierce his soul.
Being a father had its good points.
And yes, that was a phrase Buck never thought he would actually say -the truth is he was still getting used to being a father-.
However, getting along with Theo and knowing how to handle and treat him wasn't entirely his fault. Eddie played a big role in helping him get through it.
Him and Chris, actually.
And he had to be honest, at first Eddie made fun of him and his mess quite a bit…
'I've heard better bedtime stories, don't you know the one about Pin Pon?'.
'Are you sure you want to give him chocolate at this hour? Believe me, you'll regret your decision in a little while'.
'I told you'.
'You could buy a child's chair... and no, I'm not saying that because of Theo'.
'Are you sure you packed his favorite socks? I think you forgot his Spiderman t-shirt… the tantrum will be epic'.
'Ugh... I can't believe you said that in front of him'.
…but perhaps it was only because he wanted to see him be inexperienced at something for the first time…
Yes of course.
He just wanted an excuse to annoy him.
But despite all that, he had helped him and he had managed to get ahead….
Now he was mocking him, but the consequences were his too, ha.
Okay, seriously, things were going much better these days, so much so that Buck liked to think that Eddie was like a father to Theo, and Chris was like an older brother.
At least that's how he saw them, when Eddie would tuck him into bed and give him a goodnight kiss on the forehead, or when he would ruffle his curls after he said or did something good for the first time. Or when Chris would lend him his Lego sets, his prized collection, or when he would give him clothes that no longer fit him to wear…
Yeah…
Although thinking that way led him to believe that the four of them were like a family, and that he and Eddie could be, you know… but that was crossing several lines, so Buck only thought about it but didn't say or do anything about it, after all, he's his best friend .
But hey, there was no crime in thinking it, right?.
Sigh.
And he liked their family dynamics.
He liked to sing karaoke at night before they went to bed and have Eddie end up dancing with the kids in the living room to the rhythm of the song, he liked to play board games with them and argue about who had the best score or who had been the worst -usually it was Chris who won because he had a master's degree in games but oh well- and he liked to have their walks and recreational outings whenever they had days off with Eddie - in fact they made their days off coincide so they could all go out together, which made Buck's pulse quicken a little, but he wasn't going to think too much about that either.
He even liked doing the most domestic things with them -the kind of things nobody wants to do-.
And here he was talking about everything from cleaning with Chris's entire teenage playlist -which ranged from TikTok hits to artists completely unknown to Buck- to cleaning the bathrooms with the sound of Eddie's old music, which was much more familiar, but not particularly understood while unclogging the toilet.
Although he had to admit that the best thing was doing the laundry with Theo… Eddie struggled to separate the clothes to put them neatly in the washing machine, while the kid took them out again, mixed them up, and put them back in the laundry basket. It seemed like an endless task, and Buck couldn't help but laugh at Eddie's bewildered face when he pulled out the same pair of socks he'd taken out five minutes earlier.
Ha ha.
How cute.
The point was that Buck liked spending time with them, he liked that it felt so natural and logical to occupy each other's space to share like that, as a family.
And he was… happy and content with what he had now.
He was happy to have all of this, Chris, Theo…
Eddie…
The problem was that something had changed in the last few months….
“Wow, that haircut looks good on you” Chris said, watching his father enter the house, put his keys on the table, and take off his coat to hang it up.
“Do you think so?” Eddie inquired doubtfully “I asked the barber to do what would look best with my face shape…” he continued, touching the hairs on the back of his neck.
“You look handsome” Theo said, holding a bunch of Legos in one hand and pulling Buck’s shirt with the other to put them inside.
And well, objectively speaking, Buck knew he was staring at him, but the truth is he couldn't stop looking at him because damn, he looked good.
“Remember when I said we could sell it as sexy at the auction? Well, this doesn’t need anything else” Buck snorted, amused “It fits you perfectly” he continued.
He saw him shift his weight from one foot to the other, nervously, as he looked at himself in the mirror by the entrance and then back at Buck.
"Really? You're not just saying that for the sake of saying it?" he inquired uncertainly.
“I mean it, you look amazing” Buck insisted, looking at him sincerely. He saw his cheeks turn slightly red, which made his chest swell with pride, but he didn’t let it affect him.
“Well… at least I can still impress” he whispered. He looked at him, raising an eyebrow, curious, what had that been?.
“Of course” he replied, smiling. Eddie smiled back “We were impressed, weren’t we?” he continued, looking at the boys who nodded enthusiastically and then went back to playing.
Yes, that had been a little suspicious, but not enough to analyze it at that moment.
….
Until he started going to the barber more and more often to get the exact same haircut.
And yes, that wasn't strange enough yet either, because it could be that he liked it too much and wanted to continue with the same type of cut for a while.
But, one, Eddie had never been to the barber that often, and two, he certainly had never had the same haircut for more than two months, so Buck could classify it as unusual.
And that wasn't all…
“Dad, go smell Eddie” Theo said, coming into the kitchen while Buck was preparing dinner. Buck looked at him, raising an eyebrow in surprise, as he stopped stirring the pot.
“What are you saying, buddy?” he inquired curiously, surely he had misheard.
“You go smell Eddie… I think it’s similar to mint, but Chris says it’s more like a herbal smell or something, we can’t agree” he replied, shrugging his shoulders.
“I don’t think I understand what you mean yet… Was Eddie doing something and now he smells?” he questioned, what the heck?.
“No, he bought a new perfume” oh…
“Um… okay, let’s smell him” he replied, still a little puzzled, had Eddie changed his perfume? Had he ever worried about that before? Well, he always smelled good to him, so…
They walked together to the room where he and Chris seemed to be arguing about something.
“It says here that it’s like a forest” Chris read on the label.
“Well, the girl said it was, and I quote, 'aromatic fougère' and that it resembles bath lotions” Eddie said, looking at it.
“The term in French literally means fern, they usually recreate a green, fresh and woody aroma, so Chris has a point” Buck replied, approaching.
“See, I said it looked like that” Chris said to Theo, who sighed in defeat, looking away.
Eddie looked at him in surprise, but then smiled "Of course you know about this" he said, amused.
“I used to work in a perfume shop, didn’t I tell you?... let me see that” Buck replied curiously. Chris handed him the bottle, and he dabbed some on his wrist. “Lavender too… Hmm, definitely, pretty good if you ask me” he insisted, examining the bottle more closely, curious, this one is quite expensive, in fact. Why would he decide to buy expensive perfume now? I don’t think he’s gone back to underground fighting… or has he?.
“Do you like it?” Eddie inquired, raising an eyebrow. For some strange reason, his eyes looked a little brighter than usual, it must be the light, for sure… or maybe he’s excited because he’s fighting again. God, no.
“I think I’ll have to smell it on you to be sure, you know, the pH can change it” he continued, he could make him give up that way, he wouldn’t let him go back to underground fighting.
He took his hand and pulled it toward him, then sprayed a couple of times on Eddie's wrist. Then he brought his face closer.
God, that smelled good, even better than the perfume itself, damn.
No, he had to tell him that it was terrible.
He looked up, his brown eyes bright and hopeful, he simply couldn't say no to him.
Sigh.
“Yes, it smells very good” he whispered, looking away and biting his lip at the end.
“That’s what I told him!” Chris exclaimed.
“Me too, Eddie smells good” Theo said happily.
“But this brand is expensive… I’m sure there are some pretty similar imitations…” he said slowly, investigating.
“I can treat myself once in a while, I have savings, you know?” he replied, good, so it wasn’t for fights after all. He sighed in relief, although something still bothered him, why had Eddie changed his perfume? “…besides, it’s for a good cause” he whispered at the end, shrugging, what did that mean?.
“I want a perfume too” Theo replied, pouting.
“I can buy you one, buddy” Eddie replied, ruffling his curls. He looked back at him, smiling.
“I choose it” Chris said, smiling back.
They continued talking, but Buck remained lost in thought, analyzing.
'A good cause' what did that mean?.
In other words, it would always be a good thing if Eddie smelled good, if there was one thing Buck couldn't resist in life, it was a handsome guy with a nice perfume, but…
No, he wasn't going to think about that again, Eddie is his best friend. This family thing worked because they didn't cross a line, so he had to let things be.
Perhaps it was for some event he didn't remember…
The thing is, there was no event… and Eddie continued applying it every day.
At least Buck could smell him every time they met—which was practically every day-. And it was strange … as if he were imprinted on his nose, in his memory, and he couldn't erase him, as if Buck had to turn around every time he felt him pass by because he was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
And he didn't know if it was because he was Eddie, or because the perfume was really good... either way, it seemed like he wanted to attract attention.
He should have thought about that a little more, shouldn't he?.
You know, a gorgeous new perfume plus a sexy haircut?...
Buck should have done the math at that point.
But he didn't... what an idiot.
Hen and Karen had organized a party at their house for Mara's birthday, and obviously all the kids were invited. Theo was quite excited, if you asked him, it was the first birthday party he'd been to since moving in with him, so he was a little excited and nervous too. He hoped Theo would behave and, well, obviously enjoy the party and spending time with the other kids. At least he already knew Jee, Chris, and Denny, and they got along quite well, so he hoped everything would be the same.
He thought they would arrive together with Eddie and Chris, but he had been informed at the last minute that they would be a little late because they had been delayed getting ready, which had already seemed suspicious and strange to him at that moment. Why did they have to get so dressed up if it was a children's party and they all already knew each other? but anyway, Buck didn't give it much importance at that moment.
He arrived with Theo, holding his hand, and ringing the doorbell.
“Hey Buck, Hello Theo” Hen exclaimed, opening the door with a tray of sandwiches in her hand.
“Hello” Theo said quickly and entered the house as if he had lived there all his life.
“Hey, you can’t just come in and… Ugh, anyway, hi Hen, sorry he came in like that, you know how it is and-” Buck began, sighing and watching him walk away to play with the children.
“Oh, don’t worry, that’s how kids are. Besides, he’s been here enough times to feel at home” she huffed, amused, as she ushered him inside. Then she glanced down at the bag he was carrying “Did you bring the cakes?” she asked curiously.
“Yes, I made some chocolate muffins and some blueberry muffins, I hope you like them” he replied, embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck.
“Of course, you know Mara and Karen love them” Hen smiled, he raised his other arm which was carrying another bag.
“Theo also brought her a gift, he chose it himself, he looked very excited” he continued smiling, yes, that day he was very happy in the toy store… although Buck’s wallet wasn’t so happy, after Theo wanted to take more trucks for his collection.
“Oh, well, Karen is receiving the gifts, so you can give me that bag and go over there” she said.
"Okay, can I help you carry the sandwiches to the table?" he said, looking at the tray in his hand. She shook her head.
“No, don’t worry, I think Karen needs more help if you ask me” she sighed, looking at her wife from the other side, who was moving from one side to the other decorating what was missing and tidying up the things that the children were messing up, yes, they could be chaotic when they were together.
Buck nodded and walked over to her, greeted her and gave her the gift, then went over to congratulate Mara, while he saw Theo take her arm to lead her to some games they had prepared in the backyard, he smiled.
He helped Karen with a few things, and there he greeted Maddie and Chim too, who seemed busy bringing out trays of food for the children. Birthdays required a lot of work, he didn't want to imagine yet what Theo's birthday would be like when he had to organize it.
I would definitely ask Eddie for help …
Speaking of who was taking so long, he thought, but then shook his head and continued helping, surely they would arrive soon, perhaps they had stained their clothes and that's why they had to change, or perhaps they still didn't have the gift ready and getting ready was just an excuse. He sighed, better not to dwell on it.
When he finished, Buck paused to look at the children for a while as he took a sip of his drink from a small plastic cup.
They ran around laughing and grabbed some sandwiches from the table to continue playing, but now with their mouths full.
They seemed lively… at least Theo was behaving himself and apparently having a good time.
He smiled at him.
Then he took out his phone to take a picture, for the memory, and saw a notification from Eddie, ' Arriving in five' it said, he looked at the time and that had been ten minutes ago, five, yeah right, he sighed amusedly.
He took the picture and sent it to him, at least so he would see that he was there and that Theo was okay. Then he went over to the food table.
His sister had made her famous chicken and paprika canapés, which were exquisite, he couldn't pass them up, so he took out a couple, while watching Chimney approach as well.
“Maddie went above and beyond, she even brought you a little cup to take with you” he said happily, taking one out himself.
"She knows I love it, if she hadn't brought me I probably would have taken a tray of these" Buck snorted, amused.
“Oh no, Buckaroo, stealing the children’s birthday food? I didn’t think you were capable of that” he replied, feigning indignation, unable to hide the small smile that was beginning to appear at the corners of his mouth.
“Actually, it would be more like a swap, I brought muffins, for your information…” he continued, shrugging and eating what he had in his hand.
“It’s not an exchange if the muffins are already in the trays” he continued, pointing in front of him.
“I can do more” he said simply “Mara adores them, so I’m sure she’d be willing”.
“ Touché” Maddie snorted, amused, hugging her husband from behind. “Sorry, honey, Buck is right. Mara has taken out like five of those and has been telling everyone how much she loves them. My canapés can’t compete with that” she continued.
“Even so, Buck aside, the other kids really loved them…” he said, indignant that his wife wasn’t giving herself enough credit “Actually… I don’t think you would have had many canapés to take with you either, Buck,ñ” Chim analyzed, looking at the half-finished tray, while Jee ran over to get several more.
Suddenly many children arrived with her to get food, and then the doorbell rang and there was a loud crash.
Theo had knocked over a tray of cookies as he walked by without looking, so Buck had to bend down to clean up the mess. He'd been too quick to declare victory that the boy had behaved, he sighed.
“Oh, you look good” he heard Karen say from the entrance behind him.
“Yes, Chris helped me buy new clothes this morning and I was actually a little embarrassed to wear them now, but he insisted” he continued, sounding shy.
New clothes? Well, Eddie needed to change his pants and buy new socks; the ones from the last wash were practically falling apart, so it would make sense.
Buck couldn't help but smile as he picked up the last cookie and stood up to turn and look at him, maybe he could chide him a little for not going shopping with him and Theo, he thought.
But what he saw was something he didn't expect at all…
He was breathless, damn it, like all the air had been drained from the room… like he'd been slapped and left speechless, shit. His throat felt dry and he swallowed unconsciously, absorbed.
It was Eddie… looking absolutely gorgeous.
He was wearing a cream-colored knit polo shirt made of a fine, soft fabric, with short sleeves and a slightly open chest area, giving him a relaxed look. His trousers were also made of a soft, cream-colored fabric, with a clean, straight cut that fell gracefully down his legs almost to the ground… and Buck could kneel before that, damn.
“I think you can pick your jaw up off the floor now, Buck” Maddie whispered to his side. He unconsciously sat up straight, clearing his throat, was he being that obvious?... Of course he was.
“If I had known this was such a fancy party, I could have competed in a suit” Chimney said, approaching to greet him; he greeted him back.
“I have a son with excellent taste” Eddie replied, turning to Chris and hugging him from the side. Buck felt his heart clench against his ribs; damn, he could die right now, and he’d still be happy.
“I had help from the girl at the store, but oh well,” Chris replied, smiling and shrugging.
“Uncle Eddie looks handsome” Jee whispered next to him, and you can say that again, he thought unconsciously, without taking his eyes off him.
“Eddie always looks good,” Theo replied as if it were natural, well, that was his son, definitely.
“Yes, but now he dresses well too” Mara added, standing next to them.
Yes, Buck could live with this every day… maybe he should take him shopping, more often if it's possible… Could he spend his entire credit card limit on Eddie? God, he'd buy a ton of nice things and he'd definitely look spectacular in them…
At that moment Hen came out of the kitchen.
“Wow, look who decided to stop dressing like a divorced dad” she snorted, amused, he saw Eddie blush, divorced dad? Well, theoretically he was, but…
“Yes, Eddie, it’s best to leave that vibe behind… someone might be interested” Maddie said, smiling knowingly, someone?.
“Oh, so that could be the reason… tell me, who are you trying to impress?” Chimney inquired curiously. Eddie looked at him nervously and a little uncomfortable…
Wait…
'Stop dressing like a divorced dad'?.
'Who are you trying to impress?'...
'Someone'.
All of that sounded like…
“Yes, I mean, I… wanted to improve my appearance” he began a little shyly, looking away, his cheeks were cherry red.
“Wait, wait, I can help with that, I have some recommendations” Maddie said excitedly, approaching him. Hen and Karen did the same as they began to chat animatedly around him, and Buck remained static in his place, processing everything.
Wait, wait, wait…
Eddie was trying to improve his appearance…
And he hadn't denied that it was to impress someone.
That sounded like he wanted to start dating…
Going out with someone…
Who?.
Did Eddie like someone?.
Buck felt this… thing , running through his veins, and creeping up his spine.
Like a shiver.
He realized it too late, didn't he?.
I mean , the hair, the perfume, the clothes…
Damn, Eddie was getting ready to go out with someone.
It was so obvious that even Buck could laugh at his own stupidity.
“So? What do you think?” Eddie asked, startling him and pulling him from his thoughts. He watched him take one of the muffins from the tray diagonally across his face. He couldn't help but be distracted when he saw his shirt shift across his chest as he made the movement. Shit, focus, he thought, looking back into Eddie's eyes.
“What do I think about what?” he inquired back, about you preparing for someone? About it seeming like you’re going to start dating again? About all this being for… someone else?”
“You know… my… uh… clothes” he continued, shifting his weight to his other leg, a little self-conscious. “I know it’s… silly, coming to a kids’ party like this, but Chris said it was a good idea to get used to it” he went on, then took a bite of the muffin, savoring it “They turned out great, by the way” he remarked, after swallowing.
Buck couldn't help but follow with his eyes a crumb that fell from his mouth to a fold in his shirt, as if it were the only thing that could distract him from the fact that his best friend, with whom he has a family, is thinking about dating someone.
“Yeah… you look good, I guess…” he replied, a little uncomfortably, yes, he looked fucking good, but he couldn’t say that, it would encourage him to wear more beautiful things like that, and it would make him look even better to someone who wasn’t Buck, fuck.
He couldn't help but stare at the crumb, as if he were the one who wanted to cling to Eddie like that.
“ 'I guess'?... Oh… uh… I totally understand that you don't like it, yes, I also thought this was ridiculous, you're absolutely right, I look weird” Eddie sighed, his voice sounding a little hurt.
Buck looked up and shit, he'd messed up, hadn't he? He looked sad and ashamed, and he felt bad.
“No, I mean, I’m sorry, I… I got distracted, you look amazing, beautiful, it suits you so well” he insisted apologetically. He looked at him suspiciously “I mean it… I’d want to go out with you if you look like that, damn Eddie, you’re like… a dream, really” he insisted, as sincerely as he could— too sincerely, if you asked him . The other’s face seemed to light up immediately, and Buck felt relieved that he hadn’t hurt his feelings.
“Really?... thanks…” he continued, smiling brightly, and he honestly couldn’t look at his enthusiastic face anymore, he felt bad knowing this was for someone else. He looked back at the crumb that was still stuck there, like Buck, damn it, while Eddie seemed to keep talking…
He just couldn't stop thinking about him trying to impress someone.
Now, it wasn't that he needed to, Eddie could impress normally, but if he was going to all this trouble, it had to be someone he really wanted to attract… Who could it be? Was there someone hanging around Eddie lately? Or someone Eddie wanted to impress? He couldn't think of anyone in particular… someone new? Maybe they hadn't been talking for very long… He'd have to pay attention to the details, analyze, make a list or something…
And he really should have thought about it before, how had he missed the signs? He was an idiot… And what was going to happen to everything they had? Could he still go with Theo to the house? Could they still have these family moments? Could they still be a family the way Buck usually saw them? He kept staring at the crumb, intently, until he felt Eddie's hand touch his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze “…we could go out next week” he continued, what had he said?.
“Uh… sure” he replied automatically.
Perhaps he was talking about going out with the kids, they had been planning a trip for a while, the four of them, like a family …
A family.
A family that was about to break up, damn it.
He felt his heart squeeze in his ribcage.
“Well, it’s a done deal then” he replied smiling, he looked happy and even more flushed than before, shit, the red was already reaching his neck and Buck felt this ball of frustration going down his throat.
He looked down again at the damned crumb… this wasn't for him, it wasn't about him.
You damned lucky bastard, whoever you were.
He reached out to remove the crumb, slowly, brushing against the soft fabric, pressing his fingers lightly against Eddie's abs, feeling him shudder slightly at the touch.
“What…?” he began, nervously.
“You had it stuck to you” he whispered, taking the crumb between his fingers.
“Thank you” he heard him whisper back.
They stared at each other for a second, close together, with a palpable tension in the air.
“Eddie, will you help me explain the game from the other day to Mara?” Theo asked, grabbing him by the pants and gently pulling him to move. Buck was distracted, taking a small step back.
“Sure, buddy, do you remember more or less which one it was?” he asked back, friendly, familiar, as always, as it had to be… damn, he clenched his fist in his hand. The boy nodded and began to tell him. They both moved a little way away from Buck.
He had to investigate, he had to find out…
Who, how, when, and where.
Because he couldn't just walk up and confront him, he couldn't just walk up and ask… that would look bad, you know, like he was…
“Jealous?” Ravi inquired, taking chips out of a package.
“What?” Buck questioned back, losing the thread of the conversation.
“You’ve been watching Eddie talking to the coffee girl for at least half an hour. If you want to ask for her number, just go… although she seems pretty enthusiastic about Eddie. Ever since he’s been dressing like this, I think everyone’s staring at him everywhere… I don’t blame them, though” Ravi continued, shrugging and eating.
“I’m not…I-… uff forget it, and yes, I have noticed, I mean, the hair, the new perfume, the clothes…” he made a list with his fingers.
“Yes… it seems like he’s really trying, doesn’t it?” he inquired back, raising an eyebrow “I wonder why?” he continued whispering, that’s what I want to know too.
“Yeah, he doesn’t need to impress anyone…” Buck whispered back, pressing his fist into his hand and frowning. Ravi looked at him.
"You're absolutely right, he doesn't need it, I think he already has that effect normally" he snorted amusedly as he took another chip out of the bag.
I mean, yeah… Eddie could dress in a potato sack and smell like sweat and still look sexy, but damn… he was trying so hard and it was messing with his head.
So much…
That he could no longer stop showing it on his face.
“Buck is doing the eyebrow thing…” Chris whispered next to Theo.
“Yes… What does that mean?” he inquired, confused but curious.
“You know, he’s jealous” he whispered back, and yes, he was listening.
“Ah…” Theo replied thoughtfully.
“I’m not. Who is?” Buck said, frowning even more “Just… look at him. He’s been on his phone for three hours, and we’re waiting for him to play Jenga. I think it’s… disrespectful” he continued, doubting his own words. Chris raised an eyebrow, as if to emphasize his point.
“I’ve never seen you so enthusiastic about playing Jenga” he commented casually “You hate it when Theo leaves a mess with the pieces afterwards” he continued.
“I don’t hate it, it’s just that when we finish he starts jamming the pieces into the couch. The other day I had to use a hammer to get them out and I almost smashed it… if you ask me I prefer to play anything else” he insisted, still watching as Eddie seemed to be laughing and chatting animatedly from the other side of the room, who the hell was? He felt his blood boil.
“I just wanted to build a fort” Theo retorted, shrugging his shoulders, and Buck would have looked at him indignantly but didn’t want to take his eyes off Eddie on the phone because now he looked flushed, shit.
“Okay, I understand… but that proves my point even more. Why would you be so excited to play Jenga?” he continued insistently.
“I’m not, it’s just that…” he continued hesitantly, how could he possibly justify himself? Eddie’s laughter from the other side made him frown again. Chris sighed in defeat.
"It's probably Aunt Pepa, or maybe one of the guys from the station" the boy said dismissively.
But Eddie had never laughed and blushed like that with them.
He felt this thing creeping through his veins again.
The call seemed to have ended, so he watched him hurry over to them and sit down.
“Okay, yes, have you started yet?” he inquired gently from Buck’s side.
“No… we were waiting for you” he whispered through gritted teeth.
“Oh… how thoughtful… nice” he said.
Buck couldn't take it anymore.
Eddie had been looking after Theo with Chris at Buck's house, since he had been on duty that day.
“I’m here” Buck said to the air as he entered, leaving his keys on the table and hanging up his jacket while listening to the voices in the kitchen, they were probably preparing dinner, he thought.
“Welcome!” exclaimed Theo, running down the hall straight to his legs to hug him. Buck ruffled his hair and picked him up to greet him.
“Hey, buddy” he said, smiling. Chris was coming up behind him, so he greeted him too. They were both in pajamas, which caught his attention.
“Is it sleepover day? Are you staying in?” Buck asked Chris, a little excited. It had been an exhausting day, and honestly, there was nothing better for him than spending it with his family. He could make some popcorn, Eddie could put on Netflix, and they would all sit together in the living room watching movies. He would watch them fall asleep one by one. He and Eddie would then help them into their beds, and then they could snuggle up together in the king-size bed.
Buck could already feel his chest bubbling with excitement.
“Yes, although only me, Dad is going out” Chris said, shrugging. He felt his chest tighten and that unpleasant, uncomfortable feeling creeping back into his veins.
“He’s going out… where?” he questioned, the words sliding down his throat like knives. Chris didn’t get a chance to answer.
“Oh, you’re here, welcome” Eddie said, coming out of the kitchen. And damn, why was he so dressed up?.
“Do you have a date?” he whispered before his mouth could connect with his brain. Eddie blinked, a little puzzled.
“What?” he questioned.
“Nothing, forget it” he quickly replied, trying to fix the mistake.
“You said, ‘Do I have a date?’” he inquired again, doubtful.
“No, I didn’t say anything, I mean, Chris said you were going out and that I was going to take care of them now, you… go, no problem” he insisted, squeezing Theo tighter in his arms.
“Why do you think I have a date?” Eddie insisted back, Buck let out a dry laugh, like a hollow laugh, god.
“I must have gotten confused, just… forget it, Eddie, go” he insisted, his throat tight, damn it. Just then, Eddie’s phone rang, and he looked doubtful. “Relax, I’ll let you know how the kids are” he sighed, trying to concentrate, now his head was aching.
“Are you… sure? It’s not that-” he insisted, but Buck was already pushing him out of his house and closing the door.
Chris looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
And Buck felt bad, damn it.
He felt sick all damn night…
He actually felt bad all week, but he didn't want to admit it out loud, because that meant giving too much importance to someone who—God knows who, because he couldn't find out despite all his efforts—didn't deserve it.
So he just tried to act normal, like everything was fine, and wanted to look cool about all this, with Eddie… you know… hanging out …
…
Lie.
Who did he think he was fooling?.
Buck would never be capable of acting like that, especially not with Eddie. But he wanted to convince himself otherwise, for his own sanity -and to avoid seeing himself as a crazy, jealous maniac over his best friend-.
But no, Buck wasn't crazy, he wasn't imagining things, he wasn't creating fictional scenarios in his mind… Eddie was indeed weird with all this ‘fabulous look' stuff and going out every chance he got.
Although… lately he seemed nervous or restless about something.
And yes, maybe he couldn't find a way to tell him that restless he was dating someone and that this 'strange family relationship' they had had to end… damn it. But he didn't want to think that, because his soul contracted and his heart was squeezed against his ribs as if he were being roasted on a grill.
Shit.
Buck really hoped it wasn't any of that.
He had gone to Eddie's house with Theo, because they were supposed to have coordinated to go out that day they had off, -as he had mentioned at Mara's party, although he hadn't heard much about the plan itself because he was still anxious about all this Eddie stuff-.
He took the keys out of his pocket and opened the front door.
“Wow, what are you doing here so early?” Eddie asked, sounding doubtful and nervous, as he watched him come in. He pretended it hadn't hurt at all, yeah right.
“So… we were supposed to get together today? You know… hang out?” At least that’s what we agreed on, unless you have other plans and you’ve forgotten… which wouldn’t surprise me at this point. Buck could already feel his stomach twitching with rejection.
“It’s… yes, but it was later… I’m going out now because I have to—uh… but you can stay with Chris in the meantime, I’ll be back by four without fail” he replied, looking at him with those doe-like eyes staring into headlights, damn, was he seriously going to go out with someone else right before go out with them? “There’s food in the fridge and a tub of vanilla ice cream I bought last week that you and Chris both love so much, and there’s some chocolate for Theo too…” he continued, as if that made up for everything.
"Okay, yes" sure, why not? Why would it bother me? He pressed the keys he still held in his hand.
“Okay… take care… don’t let Theo eat too much chocolate, or Hen will kill us later” Eddie continued, taking his jacket from the hanger, removing his keys from the table, and leaving.
“Why, Hen?” Buck inquired, still staring at the door, with a mixture of anger, frustration, and indignation. Chris looked at him doubtfully.
“Because we’re staying with her, she’s supposed to take care of us while you go out. Didn’t he tell you that?” he questioned back.
“No” he whispered, weren’t they all supposed to go out together? Now he was going out alone with him…
Only with him…
Why? That didn't make sense.
He bit his lip in worry.
He couldn't help but think about the worst-case scenario.
Maybe…
Would he finally tell him that he was dating someone?.
Would he introduce him to him?.
Would he talk to him about how they can't continue with what they have? That they can't continue being a family?.
Of course, that's why the kids can't be present, that makes sense. They wouldn't be able to hear their family breaking up, that would be awful and…
Perhaps he and Theo were bothering him, getting in the way…
No, he loves Theo, it's obvious every time they're together…
So…
Maybe…
The problem is him.
Him and this strange relationship they have…
Would he tell Buck he was a burden?.
He felt a sharp pain run through him from head to toe, as if he were being squeezed from the inside, shit.
No, he wasn't, damn it... Eddie would never think that way about him, they had been best friends for almost a decade.
“Can we draw?” Theo inquired, pressing his hand, snapping him out of his stupor.
“Yes… uh… of course” he nodded, regaining his senses “Let’s go get the things” he continued, taking his hand.
He sighed, still feeling his heart tighten in his chest, all he could do was mentally prepare for the worst.
They spent the morning in the living room drawing and painting things.
But Buck felt anxious, and bad, damn it, he couldn't stop thinking, analyzing…
He ended up making two drawings painted entirely in black and two others with stripes in different directions that had absolutely no shape.
“A little dark, don’t you think?” Chris inquired, looking at him with concern.
“It’s abstract gothic art, right?” Buck replied, looking away.
“I’ve never heard of that” he replied.
“What did you do?” he questioned back.
“A giant robot” he said, showing it to him, it was great, that was a drawing.
“I can’t deny that it turned out really well” he sighed, resting his elbows on the table.
“Look, how did I do it?” Theo inquired from his side, handing him a piece of paper.
Buck felt even worse after seeing the drawing Theo had made of them.
Eddie, made of stick figures, was holding hands with Buck, also made of stick figures, as they watched Theo and Chris playing in a sort of playground with swings and slides. And how did he know it was them? Well, aside from the misspelled names he'd put on their heads, Eddie had brown-painted eyes, a lock of hair fell across his forehead, and his distinctive freckle was under his corresponding eye, while Buck had blue-painted eyes and light-colored, curly hair -just like Chris and Theo, as if that weren't proof enough that they were his sons-.
They looked like a family.
They were a family…
Fuck.
…
He felt his heart tighten again in his ribcage and his eyes cloud slightly as he pressed the drawing with his fingers, wrinkling the paper a little at the edges.
“He’s been staring at the drawing for like ten whole minutes, is it really that bad?” Theo asked Chris, worried.
"Um... I don't think it's because of that, he looks sad" he whispered back.
“I’m not sad” Buck replied.
“You’re using the ‘puppy kicked in the rain’ look, of course you are” Chris retorted as if it were obvious.
“Yes, puppy eyes” Theo pointed out, agreeing with him.
“What’s wrong?” Chris sighed, sitting down in the chair next to him.
“Nothing” he insisted, as if it wasn’t obvious anymore. Chris raised an eyebrow as if to say ‘Do you really want to play that game?’ he sighed. He looked too much like his father, which made him shrink in place.
“You think Dad has a boyfriend?” he finally said. Buck almost choked on his own saliva.
“What?... No, what makes you think that? Why would I think that…?” he replied quickly in a panic, but then he realized something “Wait, boyfriend?” he questioned even more intensely than before. That opened up a wider and more terrible range of possibilities for Buck, and it also meant that Chris knew something, a man? Was he serious? That meant there was another man in Eddie’s life, one who wasn’t him.
“He doesn’t have it, don’t panic” he quickly replied, trying to calm him down.
“But he does have it” Theo said, frowning, and Buck felt like he was going to faint, damn it.
“Does he have it?” he asked in a high-pitched voice.
“He doesn’t have it. What are you…?” Chris began to say, Theo looked at him emphatically “Wait, oh… you mean that?” he replied with realization.
What on earth did they mean? Buck thought, growing increasingly distressed.
“Relax Buck, it’s not what you think” Chris sighed.
“It’s you” Theo continued, pointing at him.
“What?” Buck inquired, trying to process in his head what he was trying to say.
“You are together” the kid continued simply, shrugging his shoulders.
“Wait… Did you think we were dating all this time?” Buck asked, confused.
“Of course, you spend all your time glued to him making eyes at him” Theo continued, he blushed.
“I don’t spend-” he began to reply.
“Yes you do” they both said at the same time, shit, had he been so obvious all this time? How embarrassing.
“We are best friends” he clarified, with a heavy heart.
“Just because you’re best friends doesn’t mean you can’t be something more…” Chris analyzed.
“We aren’t…” he asserted, “nor will we be, apparently” he whispered at the end, looking away, Eddie has someone else.
“Buck… Dad doesn’t have a boyfriend, or any partner, or anyone you’re imagining in your head” Chris insisted, how did he know? Because from the way Buck looked at that moment, it seemed that way “And everything he’s done is for you, you know?” he continued.
“What do you mean?” he asked, doubtful and a little confused.
“The haircut, the perfume, the clothes… Didn’t he ask your opinion on all those things?” he insisted, and he was left thinking…
For him? What?
Could Buck afford to have a glimmer of hope?.
It could be that…
He shook his head.
No.
That didn't make sense.
They were wrong, they had misunderstood.
“He can ask me about all those things because I’m his best friend… he wanted my… friendly opinion” he continued insistently. Chris and Theo sighed in defeat.
Eddie was getting ready for a date, and nothing and no one could dissuade him from that idea, because it was a fact. Besides, he'd gone out yesterday and again today… that alone was suspicious enough to make him think it wasn't him.
It wasn't him…
Fuck.
Eddie arrived at four o'clock looking like a damn wet dream… smelling amazing and with his hair neatly cut. He was wearing a white tank top with a black belt and wide-legged black trousers. A chain adorned his neck perfectly, adding style, and a silver watch graced his wrist. Buck noticed that his nails were painted a pastel nude color, he'd never seen him do that before. But what surprised him most was seeing, underneath it all, black heeled boots.
Buck felt like he couldn't breathe as he looked him up and down.
“I’m here, did you have fun?” Eddie asked, looking at the kids. They nodded and he smiled. That was like twenty thousand volts straight to his heart, he looked fucking gorgeous “Are you ready?” he inquired, looking at him. Buck shuddered at the attention.
To see you go out with someone else? the thought came so quickly that he couldn't stop it.
“Sure, shall we go to Hen’s?” he asked, swallowing hard, feeling his throat tighten again.
“Uh… yeah, I mean, we have to leave the boys” he continued, raising an eyebrow, and Buck didn’t want to get distracted by how handsome he looked but couldn’t help thinking about how damn lucky his fucking date was.
Shit.
“Fine…” he replied, looking away.
He went to get the boys' things and put them in the car.
He grabbed his jacket before getting out and sat in the driver's seat. He put on some music to distract himself -which Eddie happily began to hum- and they dropped the boys off at Hen's.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything… have fun” Hen said, winking at Eddie in the front doorway. All he could feel was his stomach clench, damn it.
And Buck spent the whole ride thinking about what this would be like, would they arrive somewhere and meet up with this person? Or would Eddie talk to him alone about how this had to end?... He couldn't help but grip the steering wheel harder than necessary thinking about it.
Because… let’s analyze it, what right did he have to demand anything? Was telling him they were raising children a sufficient excuse?… That he had to think about Chris? He had already told him hundreds of times that he couldn’t use that as an excuse not to go out… but Buck felt bad and was desperate…
Everything was so perfect before, everything was so good ... and this was going to complicate things.
How could he get home with Theo if there was someone else there? How could they continue being domestic and doing all the things they normally did if there was a third person occupying the space?.
“Stop here… I’ve been eyeing this restaurant for weeks and the menu looks pretty good” Eddie said, pulling him from his thoughts as he pointed to a place. Buck looked at him ashamed and he seemed to realize “Eh, though if you don’t want that one, that’s fine…” he continued, hesitant but understanding.
"That's fine, sorry, I was... distracted, it happens to me when we leave the kids somewhere else" he replied, lightly scratching the back of his neck and looking away.
“Relax, they’re in good hands” Eddie replied, placing his hand on Buck’s shoulder. It felt warm beneath all the frustration Buck was accumulating in the pit of his stomach. He sighed and nodded as he parked.
They got out of the car in silence, entered the restaurant, and took a seat.
“What would you like to order?” the waiter inquired after watching them look at the menu for a while. Eddie glanced sideways at Buck.
“One… uh, a beer and that Caesar salad, thanks” he replied curtly. Eddie raised an eyebrow and placed his order anyway. The waiter left.
“There were hundreds of things on the menu that you like and you chose a salad… Are you feeling okay?” Of course he would be able to read it right away.
“Yeah, I just don’t have much of an appetite right now” Buck sighed, looking away. Eddie looked at him with concern.
“Okay, now you’re really scaring me. Does your stomach hurt? Did you eat too much ice cream with the boys at home? They probably wanted to have another competition and—” he continued, but Buck interrupted him.
“No, nothing like that… I-… I just wanted to eat something lighter” he finally said. The truth is, he didn’t want to go through the embarrassment of vomiting after this, after finding out.
“Oh… well… yeah, I understand” Eddie said thoughtfully, then blushed slightly “Damn, you’re right, I should have asked for something more delicate, right? It’s just… I’m not used to this, sorry” he continued. Buck raised an eyebrow, confused.
Perhaps he meant because of the clothes? Or perhaps he didn't want to look bad in front of the other person?... He squeezed his knees together slightly under the table.
“It’s okay, you can eat whatever you want… it’s better if you’re yourself” Buck whispered, at least that’s how he would like it if this were a date with him. Eddie smiled, and he felt his chest tighten.
The meal was calm and pleasant, with general conversation on various topics, as usual. But Buck couldn't help but glance at the front door every now and then, anxiously waiting, wondering if anyone else would arrive.
Could it be that gentleman who just came in? Perhaps the young man in the suit? Or the one who had been staring at his table for a while? Or the one who seemed to be looking for someone from the corner by the restroom? Maybe the one who was talking to the receptionist? Or the one with the drink who was with the bartender?...
"...and I'm so sorry to bore you, you're not even listening to me" Eddie said, looking at him and pulling him out of his thoughts.
“Sorry, I was… distracted, the place is so elegant that I couldn’t help but get decorating ideas for the house. What were you saying?” Buck inquired, now paying attention, he snorted amusedly.
“Of course you’d notice that” he smiled warmly. Buck blushed a little, though he couldn’t have been further from the truth.
“Yes, well, you know how I am, I like designs” he replied, shrugging his shoulders “I fixed up your house, remember?”.
“Yes, you’re right, Chris was always complaining that we didn’t have any decorations on the center table” he snorted, amused, shaking his head.
“You’re reaffirming my point. Think about it, what would you do without me?” he inquired rhetorically, though he meant it, he didn’t want to be replaced. Eddie reached his hand across the table but stopped before touching his and cleared his throat, what had that been?.
“Yeah, uh…” Eddie began, perhaps he had made him uncomfortable, he pretended that it didn’t affect him and changed the subject.
“And… what were you saying before?” he asked “I mean before I got distracted by the curtains” he rephrased. He seemed to get a little anxious.
“I was saying that…” he paused for a second to look at him, more serious but with his cheeks slightly pink “I planned all this because I had something to tell you…” he continued, shit, he felt his nerves twitch with the feeling of running away “For a while now I’ve been thinking that, well, you and Theo are spending more and more time with us, I mean, with Chris and me, at home, and we at yours too, and uh- God, I think I started off on the wrong foot. I’m a little nervous because this isn’t easy for me to say, you know? I’m sorry, uh… I meant that we’re very…family-oriented, domestic…and the truth is that’s made me realize that-” he continued.
“No” Buck whispered, his voice trembling. Eddie raised an eyebrow, confused “You can’t do this, Eds” he insisted, now a little louder.
“What do you mea-?” Eddie began to ask, but Buck wouldn’t let him.
“You can’t just throw us away like that… especially not for someone we don’t even know. Tell me, what’s so great about him? I assure you I can do better, ten times better… no, a hundred times better… no, ten thousand times better” Buck continued.
“Wait, wait, better than who? What are you talking about, Buck?” Eddie questioned.
“Better than the other one, you know, you were going to tell me that you’re seeing someone and that Theo and I can no longer be part of the picture, which I think is very unfair, Eds. We’ve shared so much, we’ve been through so many things together… we’re a family now, you can’t just break it up. You have to think about the kids. Tell me, how would they feel after this? Would you be capable of breaking Theo’s heart like that?” he insisted. Eddie looked at him, puzzled.
“Buck… I think you’re going to have to be a little more illuminating here… Why do you think I’m going to date someone else?” he inquired slowly, damn, it’s so obvious.
“Please, just look at you… you look amazing, you’ve… prepared yourself, and you’ve been going out without telling us anything, with who knows who, and who knows where… I’d at least like to know who it is? Because he definitely doesn't deserve all this” he continued, he seemed unable to stop snorting amusedly “What’s so funny?” he frowned.
“I’m sorry… it’s just… I can’t believe you’re jealous of yourself right now” he replied with a sigh.
“Jealous? I’m not jealous. Who says I am? This is for the integrity of our family. We can’t destroy everything we’ve built, everything we have… me… jealous… jealous of… wait… jealous of myself… of me… of me?” he inquired, confused.
“Yes, of you, Buck…” he sighed heavily, perhaps deciding where to begin “I’ve been out with Maddie these past few days. Remember she told me she had recommendations? Although Hen and Karen have also contributed… they’ve been helping me… to look good and try… you know, to get your attention in that way” he continued, emphasizing the last part.
Oh.
Oh…
He really didn't know what to say.
“And I asked you out on a date, which I apparently did horribly because you didn’t understand it was a date” he continued, laughing softly “to try and tell you that… I want to be with you, Buck…” He caught his breath, impressed. “Everything feels good and familiar with you, it’s natural and refreshing, like a breeze, and… I like you…” he continued gently.
Buck stared at him in astonishment, unable to believe that he had misunderstood him all this time… that the children were right, he owed them an apology anyway.
“I feel so stupid right now…” Buck whispered, more to himself.
“You can say that again, Mr. 'a hundred times better'” he snorted, amused.
“There were ten thousand” he replied automatically.
“It’s good that you remember” he smiled. Buck couldn’t help but stare at him, a little embarrassed. “So, what do you say?” he whispered, leaning across the table, he looked so good, damn.
Buck really wanted to kiss him .
But definitely not here, where Eddie might feel intimidated.
“Let’s go” Buck said, looking at him and extending his hand. He looked back at him, raising an eyebrow, but getting the message.
He approached the checkout and paid.
“I thought I was inviting you” Eddie remarked as he was nearly pushed into the parking lot.
“Paying isn’t inviting, you organized all this…” he whispered close to his face. The car was behind them and he couldn’t let this go any longer.
Because shit, he had just said… all that, damn it, looking like that to him, and he felt like he was going to explode.
He pulled him towards himself.
His lips were soft and sweet, tasting of strawberries, and that's when Buck realized it was because he was wearing lip gloss. That somehow made his chest swell with excitement, he'd done everything for him, every single detail. He pressed his hands to either side of his hips, pulling him closer, while he felt his arms wrap around his neck and his fingers press against the back of his head, brushing and moving his curls in the process.
And it felt so good, he couldn't help but sigh into the kiss and change the angle of his head as he pressed his thumbs into his hip bones to deepen it.
He felt him open his mouth slightly, and he definitely didn't miss the opportunity to entangle his tongue with his and start a fight. Buck felt the blood rush to his ears, he could feel the heat of Eddie's body pressed against his as he gripped with his fingers, and his breath faltered every time he turned his head to get more entangled.
He was kissing Eddie.
Shit.
They separated slightly to breathe, their breaths mingling in the middle as they looked at each other with half-closed, cloudy eyes, trying to recover their voices.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this” Buck whispered, still giddy with the taste of strawberry in his mouth and Eddie’s delicious perfume in his nose “And outside a restaurant, no less…” he continued, swallowing hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down “I’d like to do this date again, if possible… I might even dress up, you know?” he snorted, amused, still trying to catch his breath.
“You could… but you’ll have to ask for it this time, Mr. ‘ten thousand times better’ …” he replied, narrowing his eyes and sighing against Buck’s lips, he was driving him crazy, damn it. He nodded.
“Yes, no problem, I can organize everything… you know, go somewhere nice, dress up…” he continued suggestively “We can do it now if you want, I have an outfit at home that would go perfectly with what you’re wearing now” he insisted, he wanted to do this right.
“Yeah… that all sounds great…” Eddie sighed “but for now we can… go home…” he continued, watching him lower his gaze to his lips. He couldn’t help but follow the movement as he felt a shiver run through him as his fingers danced on his neck “And do… other things… because we don’t have kids until ten” he whispered, placing a small kiss on his lips and finally pulling away.
“Yeah… you’re absolutely right, we can’t let that slip away, right? I think we should walk, you know, pick this up a bit, it’s like ten minutes to my house, yours is farther away and-” he continued, a little too excited for his own good, Eddie chuckled a bit.
“Alright, let’s go Buckley” he huffed playfully as he climbed into the passenger seat. Buckley nodded and got in to start the car.
“I’m really sorry about all this. I think I should have believed the kids when they told me there was no one else” he raised an eyebrow, confused “Yeah, I really felt awful this whole time. I thought our family was going to fall apart, and everything had been so good, I wanted to keep having… this, you know, and God, you looked so handsome, damn” he glanced at him for a second as he tried to focus on the road again so he wouldn’t crash “You look so handsome… and I thought, ‘Who’s the lucky bastard?’ You know… I never thought I’d be the lucky bastard, Jesus, I still can’t believe it, seriously…” He continued, his throat a little dry, at least they were almost there “I feel like I’m talking too much. Am I talking too much? I’m sorry, I’m a little nervous… anxious maybe and—” Eddie put a hand on his knee. Buck couldn’t help but jump a little, but he put his hand back on his while the other remained gripping the steering wheel.
“It’s okay, Buck… I’m nervous too, and I was really nervous… I thought I looked ridiculous doing all this, Chris tried to convince me otherwise, several times, actually” he snorted, amused “But Maddie and Hen also agreed that it was going to work because it was you, and I quote, according to them it was ‘impossible that Buck would reject me’ ” well, they were absolutely right, he thought “But still, a little voice kept telling me that I was afraid to do all this” he continued.
“We already raised children together, I think this couldn’t be any other way” Buck replied, looking at him warmly, as he stopped the car in front of his house.
“Yeah… and that went pretty well, didn’t it?” he inquired back, a little shy, a little nervous, which made him feel sparks rising up his spine. Buck couldn’t help but pull him in for a kiss.
“Of course” he whispered against his lips. “Now let’s go downstairs, before I end up doing something here in the car. I don’t think the neighbors would like it very much” he continued, looking into his bright eyes.
“Don’t you think so? It would be quite a sight” he replied, amused, but he could see his cheeks turning red.
“Would it sound too jealous if I said I want it to be a sight just for me?” he questioned.
“That’s fair, I suppose, I wouldn’t be able to do it with someone else watching either” Eddie analyzed.
"Does that mean I'm not the only possessive one?" For some reason, that made him feel a little hot inside.
“Oh darling, of course you’re not the only one” Eddie replied, smiling and kissing him a little more.
“Good…” he replied, smiling.
Eddie struggled a bit getting the keys out of his pocket, because they had gotten tangled up with his house keys, and finally opened the door.
Buck didn't hesitate to speed things up, slamming the door shut with his leg as he pressed Eddie against the nearest wall and began kissing him. His hands snaked up Eddie's sides, lifting his shirt and pulling his pants down slightly. Eddie tried to keep up, cupping Buck's face in his hands and deepening the kiss, his hips swaying gently against Buck.
“Bedroom” Buck whispered, then pulled him closer with a hand on his waist and began to move. He nodded.
They crashed into several structures in the hallway before finally arriving, one of the paintings had fallen and perhaps the vase had broken, but what did it matter? He didn't want to be separated from Eddie by even a inch.
He pressed him against the bedroom door after entering, making him gasp in the process.
“Okay… How do you want to do this? I’m fine with anything, but I have to ask before we continue” he insisted, looking at him.
“Can’t we just go with the flow?” Eddie whispered.
“Uh… yes, we can, but I don’t want to think that at some point I might force you into something that you might not want” he continued, because damn, he didn’t know if he would have enough self-control to stop.
“I’m fine with anything” he replied slowly, looking at him meaningfully… oh… Oh… well, he understood.
“Well… that’s perfect… I mean, good, super good, you know, like wow, that’s just what I was thinking and-” he continued, and Eddie stopped his rambling with a kiss.
“Less talk, more action, okay?” he whispered against his lips as he pushed him onto the bed to sit down. He pulled his t-shirt over his shoulders, which was quite a sight. He couldn't help but watch the movement, as his abs rippled and trembled under his gaze, and his nipples hardened with the change in temperature, damn.
He watched him reach for his belt and maneuver to unbuckle it, the click of the buckle snapped Buck out of his stupor, making him swallow hard. He slid one end free and placed his fingers against the top of his trousers.
He lowered his pants slowly as he bent over to pull one leg out, then the other. Buck couldn't help but notice his pert, firm ass, so damn round and perfect, bouncing slightly with the movement.
Shit, he needed to bite him, grab him and tear him apart if he could.
He looked a little lower, at his strong, well-worked thighs, Buck could be hanged with them, fuck, he bit his lips anxiously, and finally looked at his boots.
Eddie looked damn good in heels.
“Do you like what you see?” he inquired. Buck looked back into his eyes, which were almost black, his pupils so large. He nodded “You could undress a little too” he suggested with a sly smile. Buck couldn't help but quickly comply, though not with his elegance, ending up in his underwear sitting on the bed.
Eddie bit his lip and leaned closer, sitting on Buck, his thighs on either side of his hips. Unconsciously, he brought his hands to his hips as his gaze went straight to his lips.
This time Eddie began kissing him eagerly as he felt his fingers slowly tracing his chest, twisting his nipples, ah, cupping his breasts with his palms and pressing them together, fuck. Buck couldn't help but moan a little, his hands sliding back to Eddie's ass, pressing too, digging his fingers into his flesh as he pressed his hips forward, shit they were so soft yet firm, fuck, he massaged, taking the two round structures in his hands and pinching them.
“Shit!” Eddie exclaimed into the kiss, which made Buck feel an electric current run through his body and a warmth settle in his abdomen. God, he needed to do more… now.
He turned them over in bed, leaving Eddie on the bottom, and kissed him for a long time, stroking his thighs up and down in the meantime.
“Can you… uh… turn around?” Buck inquired, a little shyly.
“Sure… You mean like, face down?” he asked to be sure. Buck nodded, slightly blushing, still unable to believe he was doing this. He took a pillow and placed it under Eddie’s hips as he adjusted himself to face down. He saw Eddie turn his face to the side to glance at him slightly, out of the corner of his eye.
He couldn't help but pause for a moment at the sight, breathless, he felt like… fuck, he didn't even know how to describe it.
“I have to say it, Eddie… you’re like a fucking walking wet dream” he finally said, moving down to kiss his shoulders. He trailed his mouth down his spine, sticking out his tongue and tracing a straight line along it all the way down, feeling him arch and shudder at his touch.
Until he finally reached his damn treasure, he placed a couple of kisses on his lower back and reached out to take the elastic of his boxers, he slid it slightly to gradually expose his round ass, damn, it looked even better up close, he sighed over it and gave a couple of kisses over it, until he slightly exposed his teeth and bit, Eddie screamed without hesitation.
“I’m sorry” Buck whispered against his skin, and kissed him again “But if I didn’t, I was going to die, I swear” he continued, seeing Eddie look at him with a raised eyebrow, he snorted amusedly.
He took one of his buttocks in his hand and spread it slightly, admiring how his hole moved with him, tight. His member jumped in his boxers, intrigued.
He brought his mouth closer, sticking out his tongue, and began to lick the area lightly. Eddie quickly sat up, impressed.
“Buck, are you going to…?” he asked, swallowing hard.
“It would be a sin not to, darling” he said back, confidently. He brought his tongue close again, wetting it, and then slowly began to break through the pressure, moving in and out, trying to penetrate the ring of muscles that kept him from entering. With his hand, he began to massage the buttock, making it relax and loosen up a little more. He brought his face closer until his nose was almost buried in it, licking and slowly loosening it. He felt Eddie tremble against his fingers, holding back.
The little back-and-forth continued, lubricating and releasing it, god… it was still so tight. He could feel it throbbing from the inside, tightening every time Buck's slimy organ twisted within.
He reached out with his other hand and slowly inserted his index finger along with his tongue. He felt him tense up and then relax as he began to move it in and out.
It got a little easier each time with Buck's saliva helping.
He entered him slowly, following the same process, but now opening them like scissors inside him. He could feel him writhing against the sheets, and a heat rose through his body. Unconsciously, his hips swayed against the bedspread, excited.
He pulled back slightly, leaving his fingers inside, to look at Eddie.
He began a back-and-forth motion with his fingers, a little deeper, a little faster, until he felt himself pressing on the structure he was looking for.
“Holy shit, Jesus Christ!” Eddie exclaimed, arching his spine like a perfect S. Buck smiled and pressed down deeply again.
Good…
He bent down to get lubricant from his nightstand and applied a generous amount to his opening, he shivered from the cold. He withdrew his fingers to reinsert them with the liquid and resumed the back-and-forth motion, but without touching his prostate again. Eddie pressed his weight back to seek more friction, and Buck felt like he was in heaven.
He wanted Eddie to writhe with pleasure, to want to seek him out on his own, to want this… to beg for him, fuck.
He brought his other hand to his member to press it, fucking. He began moving his hand up and down, pressing and rotating his wrist as he thought about how good his fingers felt inside him and how good his own member would feel inside him. The movement of his fingers became a little more erratic as he added a third and a fourth finger.
Eddie writhed under his touch, pressing and releasing the sheets at his sides, while his hips moved equally against the bed, trying to find something to hold on to.
Buck couldn't take it anymore.
He brought his face between his shoulder blades to kiss him and lowered his member until it touched the wet opening, while taking out his fingers.
Eddie gasped.
“I’m going in” Buck whispered, leaning close to his ear. He nodded, slumped against the pillow.
He thrust his hips forward, entering him. Enveloping him and plunging deeper and deeper into the moisture, the heat, the tightness.
Shit.
His forehead pressed against the back of his neck, trying to hold back while his hand pressed hard on his waist, to create leverage.
He gasped against his skin, getting used to the rhythmic squeezing of his insides.
“God, Eddie… you feel… incredible” he whispered, kissing the back of his neck, pushing his weight even more on top of him as he slowly entered, until he was almost completely inside “Oh, fuck”.
He breathed heavily on his back and then raised his upper body so he could look at him.
“Eddie?” he inquired, his face buried in the sheets, so he gave him a second.
He saw him turn slightly, panting, his eyebrows were furrowed.
“ Buck?” he questioned, biting his lip.
“Are you okay? Should I back off a little?” he continued, worried.
“Don’t you dare stop now” he whispered in response.
That was enough to get Buck moving in and out, at a steady pace.
He had a close-up of his member going in and out of Eddie, and he couldn't stop watching it, fuck, it was hot, it was sexy, it was… it was Eddie for God's sake, Eddie's ass, which Buck had looked at so many times, even though he would never admit it.
But he didn't want to overdo it, he hadn't fully entered yet because he didn't know if Eddie would be able to handle it, so he continued to release him, making short movements to get him used to it.
“Wait” Eddie said breathlessly, holding his breath. Buck stopped abruptly, had he gone too far? It was his first time, of course he’d gone too far, fuck.
He saw him turn around, causing his member to come out, and he hissed a little.
“Do you want to stop? Because if that’s the case, it’s okay, I can-” he said quickly, nervously.
Eddie took his member in his hand and aligned it against himself, inserting the head, Buck gasped as he felt the pressure again.
“Come on, honey, fuck me good, okay?” he said and pressed his legs behind Buck, making him fall forward and causing his hips to meet Eddie’s ass, his testicles bouncing against it.
Shit, holy shit.
Now Buck felt like everything was pressing down on him.
“Eddie, you can’t… just come up and do that, what if I hurt you and—?” he started to say as he sat up, his arms on either side of his head. But then he saw his expression.
He seemed lost and hazy, as he swallowed, trying to get his words out.
His prostate.
Well… Eddie liked it deep and hard against his prostate.
He could do that.
He held his breath and went back out and pressed deeply.
This time Eddie screamed.
Fuck.
And it was like something broke inside Buck. He began to press his hips hard and straight against Eddie, his veins throbbing in his neck, the sizzle rising through his nerves, the sound of their skin slapping together against his ears, the sweat trickling down his neck, all of this was…
This was all fucking amazing.
He kissed Eddie deeply as the back and forth continued, in and out, fast, sure, precise.
He felt Eddie's member press against his abdomen, wet and hot. He lowered his hand to it, squeezing it and making room for it to move inside as his hips continued to thrust harder and harder, increasing the pace.
“Buck… fuck… so… ugh… so deep… it feels… god ” he said, pressing his head further into the pillow. Buck took the opportunity to kiss his chin and jawline. He looked beautiful “I… I like you… oh fuck… I like you so much” he continued, and that sent him into a frenzy, shit.
“I like you a lot too, Eddie” he whispered against his lips, and kissed him again, their tongues entangling together, savoring every inch of him, feeling him shudder, contract, and relax in waves.
Damn, he was close.
The pace increased even more.
He felt it spill between their abdomens, onto his hand that kept pressing to squeeze out every last drop. He pulled away for a second to look at him, his eyes seemed lost, his lips worn and red, sweat trickling down his temple to his neck and collarbone, his blush reaching his chest, and Buck had never seen anything so beautiful in his fucking life, and it was all his, damn it.
He pushed once, trying to go as deep as he could and came a lot inside him, he pushed his hips together a couple more times, unconsciously, finishing spreading the milky, sticky liquid, shit.
“God, that was too much, it feels… weird” Eddie sighed, loosening his body against the sheets. Buck gasped as he pulled out of him “I think you were serious about the possessiveness” he huffed, looking at him.
“You’re only mine, darling. Does that make sense to you?” he whispered over him, giving him a quick kiss on the lips and letting himself fall down next to him.
“Wow, that sounded really hot” he replied “Although you have to admit you were basically jealous of yourself” he continued, amused. He looked away, embarrassed.
“In my defense, you never said anything” he replied, blushing.
“Because I didn’t know… I thought it was obvious that I liked you, Chris, Maddie and Hen didn’t hesitate to emphasize that” he insisted, frowning.
"Were they all in on this?" he inquired curiously.
“Well, Chris helped me with the new clothes, Maddie told me which perfumes you liked, and Hen gave me the contact for the barber…” he analyzed “Oh, and Karen suggested the nails and shoes, although I saw that later with Maddie” he continued thoughtfully.
"Karen is the one who most deserves heaven, if you ask me" he snorted, amused, looking at him.
“I know” he replied, smiling. He couldn’t help but stare at him for a while longer “What?” he inquired curiously.
“I love you” the words had slipped easily and quickly from his lips “I like that we’re a family” Eddie softened his gaze.
“I love you too, we should live together or something” he said, bringing his face closer to hims.
“Are you proposing something to me, Mr. Diaz?” Buck inquired, his eyes narrowed, but without abandoning his smile.
“It could be, Mr. 'ten thousand times better' ” he whispered against his lips, he widened his smile as he took hold of the back of his neck and kissed him.
The End ❤️