Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

"So any plans for your first day off?" Buck asked Eddie, playfully elbowing him in the ribs as they headed toward the parking lot. "I mean besides probably trying to catch up on sleep. I remember when I first started. The moment I got my first day off I wanted to sleep for like a year."

Eddie huffed a laugh, using his elbow to push the blond aside out of retaliation before shrugging. "I'm used to having odd sleep schedules." 

Buck nodded in understanding. "Makes sense being in the Army and all."

That and working three jobs day and night to help provide for his kid. But Eddie didn't really feel like getting into all of that . 

It's not like he wanted to keep Christopher a secret or anything. His kid was his whole world after all. But Eddie Diaz was a private person and given the rocky road that led him and Chris to getting a fresh start in LA, he wanted to just give it a little more time with his new colleagues before talking about his son.

Although, Eddie was already loving his new team. Could already feel the commeradie with them that he missed having from back in his Army days. So he'd expect that he'd probably be gushing about how great his kid was a lot sooner than he'd initially thought. 

The oddest part about it though, was the fact he already found himself almost slipping a couple of times to Buck of all people - the one who at first seemed to hate his guts. 

But after they got over their rocky start and dismantled a bomb together, Eddie was surprised with just how close they got in such a short amount of time. 

Sure Eddie knew how to charm people he first met, it worked with everyone else in the 118, but when it came to creating lasting bonds, opening up, he wasn't the best. But so far he already seemed to create one with the team - to that which he was extremely grateful for. However, when it came to Buck...something was just…. different . 

And not just because the man was extremely easy on the eyes. 

Not like Eddie was looking or anything. He was just being objectively observant. 

But that wasn't the point.

What was his point again? 

Dammit, Diaz, get your shit together. 

Buck then stopped walking, causing Eddie to do so as well, breaking himself away from his thoughts. 

The blond then awkwardly played with his keys as he gave him what seemed to be a weird mix between a roguish grin and a shy smile. "You didn't answer my question."

Eddie just shrugged again. "Didn't really have much plans. Just maybe try to do some unpacking." 

Which was true. Since they got off work in the morning, Chris would already be at school so Eddie wouldn't get to see him until he picked him up. Which happened to be the biggest -and probably only- downside to working as a firefighter. But in just his first three days of work, Eddie already could tell that this was where he belonged. Even so though, if Chris didn't approve then Eddie would've had to find another career that gave him the same amount of purpose because his son came first. Good thing though that Chris absolutely adored the fact that his own dad was a firefighter. 

At the thought of having to be in their new house by himself all day without getting a chance to see his son yet, Eddie quirked a brow at his new friend. "Why? Did you want to do something?"

Buck's eyes widened as his cheeks turned a light shade of red, looking like a kid who was just caught red-handed. "I - um." He cleared his throat. "Well I figured that since you're new in town that you didn't really know anyone just yet."

Eddie couldn't help but smile and tease him. "What a good samaritan you are."

The blond rolled his eyes before playfully shoving him. 

Laughing, the older man shoved back. "What did you have in mind?"

Buck's smile widened. "Do you play video games?"

Eddie couldn't help but scoff. Playing video games together was one of his and Chris' favorite things to do as father and son. 

Stuffing his hands in his jean pockets, he leaned in closer until his face was only a mere inches away from Buck's. Relishing in the way the other man blushed yet again, he smirked before whispering. "Game on."

                                           **

This was a terrible idea. 

An absurdly idiotic terrible idea. 

Yet in retrospect, he really should've seen this coming. 

Working with the 118 in the past couple of days had awakened something in Eddie. Not like that . Okay, maybe a little like that. But what he meant was that it made him feel alive. Brought a certain kind of purpose that gave him such an adrenaline rush that made him feel like he was high on life. Or some sappy shit like that. 

He hadn't felt this happy that didn't come from Chris in a much longer time than he'd like to admit. In just these three days he had already felt reaffirmed that this was the right decision. That this was where he was supposed to be. These are the people that can trust him with their lives and he can trust theirs. 

And then add Buck to the mix.

The man who at first had beef with him but the second that Eddie praised him and told him that he could have his back any day, instantly became like a puppy toward him. 

A very attractive puppy who was very tactile with his touches. Okay no that metaphor just sounded wrong. 

The point was that Eddie blamed already being high with adrenaline of a great first week at work, becoming close to Buck in an amount of time that he'd never had with anyone else before, and Buck's objectively absolutely absurd attractiveness for leading his morning to this . 

In their defence, they did in fact play a few rounds of video games.

But as they played, both of them slowly scooted closer to each other on Buck's couch. Shoulders and legs rubbing against each other as they got more and more into the game, trying to beat the other. 

And then of course there had been the blatant flirting masked as competitive taunts. 

When Eddie had won the third round, winning their self-proclaimed tie-breaker, he exclaimed loudly in triumph. 

Buck had pouted and folded his arms with a huff. "You cheated." He accused as he had gotten closer toward the other man's face. 

Eddie leaned even further, feeling Buck's warm breath against his cheeks. "Prove it."

Then perfectly in sync like they had been when they jumped in that pool together, they both closed the small distance together, lips colliding in a rush. 

And that's how they ended up here: making out on Buck's couch as if they were two horny teenagers. 

"This," Eddie began to say in between kisses, "is a terrible idea." 

Buck, who was perfectly underneath him, nodded in agreement. "Oh, absolutely."  

He then lifted Eddie's shirt up so he could caress his hands up and down his lower torso. Eddie's entire body shivered at the touch. " Damn ." Buck muttered. "You really are called 8 Pack for a reason huh?"

Eddie laughed, leaning back slightly to catch his gaze before sliding his hands under the other man's shirt. Lifting the fabric up, he then leaned down to kiss Buck's torso before slowly kissing a trail down until his lips stopped at the hem of his jeans. He then top of black briefs that had popped out, and gave it a slight tug with his teeth. The blond's hips jerked in anticipation. 

Which made Eddie smirk. Gotcha . 

Without warning, he then leaned back up and moved until he was hovering over Buck's face again. 

Smirk perfectly evident on his face, he whispered against Buck's lips. "You're not so bad yourself."

This made the blond groan in frustration. "Way to tease a guy." 

He laughed before kissing him again. 

After coming up for air, Eddie bit Buck's lip ever so slightly before giving him a challenging look. "What are you going to do about it?"

Taking the bait, Buck's eyes dilated as he gave him a look that could only be described as pure and unadulterated want . 

Buck then placed his hands on either side of Eddie's hips, firmly grabbing them - which absolutely did not make Eddie gasp at the touch. And then, without warning, he flipped them over so Buck could now be on top of him. 

Eddie breathed heavily at the sudden change. "That was....impressive." 

Buck gave him a cocky grin but he could also see the genuine effect that the praise gave him. It reminded him when he had complimented Buck about being a badass under pressure and the absolute blinding smile in response. 

Someone seemed to have a praise kink. 

Oh Eddie was going to have a lot of fun with that. 

                                                   **

"That was...." Buck began to say, trying to catch his breath. 

"Yeah." Eddie finished for him, completely blissed out of his mind. 

The blond tilted his head to look at him. "Man do you really have to be great at everything ?"

Eddie laughed. He  didn't think that he'd laugh this much in such a short time that wasn't caused by something that Chris said or did in who knew how long. 

Buck seemed to have all kinds of effects on him and it was absolutely terrifying. 

"I didn't see you complaining a minute ago."

"I'm not complaining." He scrunched his face in concentration. "Okay maybe a little."

Eddie chuckled, shaking his head in exasperation. He then sat up straight in his seat before popping his neck and back with a wince. "Well, I’m complaining about that damn couch."

Buck mirrored his motions and nodded in agreement. "Yeah next time we're using the bed." 

His eyes then suddenly widened to saucers as he seemed to realize what he had just said. 

And just like that, reality had set in. 

"Uh..." The blond rubbed his neck. "I-I mean...."

Knowing that he was probably trying to retract his words and probably just say that it was a one-time thing, Eddie waved a nonchalant hand, ignoring the disappointed and uneasy feeling forming in the pit of his stomach. 

"It's fine. I know a one and done when I see one." He shrugged. 

"No!" Buck exclaimed in a rush before sighing. "I mean...that's not me anymore. I'm not just some ‘hit it and quit’ and ignore the person's feelings type of guy. Not anymore."

The words that Chimney had told him on his first day came flooding back in his mind, remembering how the man explained to him about why Buck had been acting like such a dick to him. Apparently he had been a real player and even had almost been fired because of it - or wait did he actually get fired? He couldn't remember. But what he did remember was that, according to Chimney, Buck started to change and apparently what really helped him make that change was when he "met a girl." 

Eddie couldn't help but feel that they had been giving this Abby way too much credit for someone else's personal growth. 

But what did he know? It's not like he was an expert on personal growth or anything. Quite the opposite actually. 

But he was changing, trying to be better for his son. So Eddie could sympathize with Buck not wanting to revert back to his old ways. But the blond was looking all forlorn and like he was internally beating himself for slipping back into his old habits. And Eddie couldn't help but feel like he was being way too hard on himself. 

"Look, you don't have to beat yourself up about it. We're both two consenting adults who just also happen to be coworkers and wanted to blow off some steam. We don't have to make a big deal out of this."

He said the words to try to reassure Buck, but he was also trying to convince himself as well. 

Starting anything with someone right now, especially a coworker, was far from what Eddie needed at the moment. No matter how great it felt and just plain easy it had been to fall into bed -or technically couch -  with the man who he had only known for a few days. 

Buck eyed him, trying to find something in Eddie's eyes. Whether he found what he was looking for, Eddie wasn't sure. But then the blond suddenly looked away and cleared his throat. 

"Yeah. I'm just not... ready to start anything with anyone right now." Buck began to explain, weirdly echoing Eddie's thoughts. "I'm still in a weird place with my girlfriend. Or ex-girlfriend. I don't even know what to call her anymore." He let out a groan in frustration, placing his hand over his face. "It's complicated."

Eddie huffed a laugh. "Believe me when I tell you that I get it."

And boy did he. 

He technically was still married to Shannon even though they hadn't spoken in two years. His parents would refer to her as " the ex " but most of the time it still didn't feel right to him to refer to her as such. 

Then it suddenly hit him that he hadn't thought about Shannon once the entire time that he had been hanging out with Buck. Or all of the other times that he was around his new friend. Especially, not while they were having sex on the other man's couch. 

But the strange thing about it though was that the couple of other times where his sisters had tried to get him back out there to date or at least just hook up with someone, his mind always immediately went to Shannon. Feeling like he was being unfaithful to her. Even though for all he knew she could've moved on and found someone new, or even slept with a bunch of other people. But he hadn't felt right about it himself. 

Then Buck came along. 

And falling into bed with him came so natural that he didn't think about his freaking wife once . 

What a terrifying and exhilarating thought. 

Eddie was completely petrified. 

But it was okay. He didn't have to be. Because, he and Buck both weren't ready to start something new with someone else who weren’t their current loves and they were going to be grown, mature adults about this. 

Buck, who had seemed to be studying him again, looked away and let out another sigh. "My sister told me that I should move on. That Abby clearly had since she's apparently "banging other dudes". Maddie's words, not mine." 

Unwarranted anger suddenly started to form within him. "So was this some sort of retaliation to get at this Abby person?"

Buck's eyes widened to giant saucers again. "What? No!" Was his quick reply but he continued in a slightly calmer voice. "Abby has nothing to do with what we did. And that's kinda the problem."

Eddie arched a brow. 

The blond sighed yet again as he scratched his head from nerves. "I haven't thought about her once all day while I've been with you."

And just wow . The man continued to echo Eddie's thoughts with his own personal dilemmas. Even though at first glance it would seem that they were both very different from the other, apparently they had a lot more in common than one would think. In deep personal ways that Eddie felt like no one could fully understand. But apparently Buck did. 

Instead of telling him any of that though, he just bit his lip and nodded in understanding. "I'm sensing there's a 'but'."

By the slight shock in Buck's eyes, he could tell that he hit the mark right on the target. 

" But ," Buck started to reply, fidgeting in his seat, "I'm not ready to let what we had go."

Thinking about Shannon and how he failed her and their marriage, failed in something that his parents had prepared and drilled in him his entire life to be great at, Eddie nodded in understanding once more. "Yeah, I know exactly how you feel."

Buck gave him a quizzical look, obviously wanting to know what he meant by that. But instead of pushing it, the blond gave him a small, timid smile. "Thanks for understanding." 

Eddie softly knocked his knee against Buck's. "No problem."

The blond mirrored his actions. 

But instead of retracting his leg back, he kept it against Eddie's. Without thinking, Eddie slowly rubbed his bare leg against Buck's, sliding back and forth. Chills went down his spine from the friction. 

Looking into Buck's ocean blue eyes, he watched as that want returned in them once more as they darkened. 

"How about..." Eddie started to draw out, moving closer toward him, "to make you feel better and not call it a one and done, we go for another round? You know, to keep your personal growth intact and all."

The blond's eyes dilated as he slowly moved closer as well, letting out a small laugh. "Obviously just for personal growth only."

"Obviously." He then leaned in until their lips were practically grazing each other’s. But before he could fully close the distance, he moved back just an inch or so. 

Buck groaned in frustration. "Again, with the teasing. Is this punishment for me being a dick to you?"

Eddie laughed. "No.” He then gave him a pointed look. “But before we get any further I just wanted to make it clear that we're not having sex on your damn couch again."

The blond grimaced slightly. "Well in that case you should also probably know something."

He gave him a confused look. 

"This place isn't technically mine. It's Abby's."

Eddie let out a weird snort/laugh combo of somewhat disbelief. Although, it really shouldn't have surprised him since the apartment's decor didn't really seem like Buck's style. 

"So you're telling me that while your girlfriend - non-girlfriend or whatever -  is busy travelling through Europe and banging other guys-"

"Allegedly." 

Eddie rolled his eyes. " Allegedly banging other guys. You're staying in her apartment and banging other guys as well?"

Damn. And he thought he had a complicated and messed up love life. 

" Guy . As in singular." Buck corrected, pointing his index finger in the air. "You're the only one and will stay the only one."

If the way he had phrased it made something warm tighten in Eddie's stomach then that was his business. 

Looking away, Buck looked like he was closing in on himself. "I totally understand if you'd be too weirded out to go for another round."

Eddie placed a firm hand on Buck's bare thigh, making him swiftly lift his head up to meet his gaze. 

"Is it weird that I'm actually a little more turned on at the idea of fucking you in her bed?"

Yeah he was aware of how messed up that was. And how it was even more messed up since he was adding his own personal issues with Shannon in the mix. 

But at that moment he absolutely did not care in the slightest. 

Buck's eyes blew wide in impressive lengths, pupils dilated once more. "Oh fuck it." He breathed out before grabbing Eddie and kissing him senseless. 

                                          **

"Wow." Buck breathed out as his body collapsed on the bed.

"Yeah." Was Eddie's response as he tried to catch his breath, closing his eyes and resting his head once against the way too comfortable pillow that hopefully didn’t take too much damage when he had gripped it for dear life just a few moments prior. 

"I mean..." Buck tried to say but didn't seem to have the energy in him. 

"I know." 

"Do we really have to stop doing this?"

Eddie snorted, opening one eye to look at the completely blissed out man beside him. "You're the one that brought it up first."

Buck shifted on his side so he could face him.

Not feeling like moving too much, he just tilted his head to the side so he could fully meet his gaze. 

The blond just stared at him for a moment, studying him again. But there also seemed to be something that he wanted to say but was afraid to. 

Eddie opened his mouth to try to coerce whatever it was that he wanted to say out of him. Unfortunately, he was interrupted by the sound of a door loudly opening from the front of the apartment.

"Oh shit!" Buck exclaimed, quickly getting out of bed and scrambling to get his clothes. 

Eddie did the same but halted in his stance when he realized that their clothes were still in the living room. 

Buck met his gaze, a horrified look on his face. " Shit ." He muttered before hurrying toward his dresser. 

"Evan!" Came a woman's voice. "I'm back."

Wait, that couldn't be Abby could it? 

As if reading his thoughts, Buck quickly grabbed a pair of sweats and threw them at him while mouthing " My sister. "

Ah . 

Still really awkward but he supposed that it probably wasn't as awkward as being caught in bed by the woman who owned it with her semi-boyfriend who she let stay there while she travelled Europe and slept with other guys herself. 

Yeah. A lot less awkward. 

Eddie already had a complicated enough love life, he didn't need to add all of that to it. 

Now sisters, sisters he could handle. Sure it probably would still be a little awkward meeting Buck’s sister while looking like they obviously just had sex. But that was the kind of awkward he could handle. After all, he had sisters of his own so he knew how to navigate these kinds of waters. 

"Evan! I know you're here. If you have a lady guest just like caw or something to let me know so I can just go and come back later."

Eddie couldn't help but let out a small laugh at Buck's sister as he finished putting his sweats on. Buck in turn rolled his eyes and threw a shirt at him. 

"Evan?" He questioned in a low voice as he put the shirt on. 

Buck shrugged. "You didn't think Buck was my real name did you, Edmundo ?" He whispered back.

"Seriously Evan, if you don't answer me I'm gonna barge in your room to make sure you're okay. I don't care how indecent you may be!"

Now fully clothed, Buck put out a hand toward him to tell him to stay there before quickly rushing out of the room. 

Eddie watched as the door quickly shut behind him. 

With the other man’s clothes on, he went to sit on the end of the bed and let out a long breath. 

How did the hell he get here? Hiding in his coworker’s current bedroom - which so happened to actually be his girlfriend’s/non-girlfriend’s bedroom - so that said coworker’s sister wouldn’t find them in post-coital bliss. 

What even was his life anymore?

“H-hey sis.” He heard Buck awkwardly announce himself. The walls were pretty thin so he could hear pretty well. “How did your job interview go?”

“Evan, seriously ?” 

“What?” 

“I wasn’t born yesterday. I know you have someone over. Wait. Is Abby here?”

“Uh...no.” The sadness was pretty evident in Buck’s - Evan’s - voice even through the walls. 

Eddie couldn’t help but feel a twinge deep in his gut at the fact that Buck would rather have Abby there instead of him. 

But he shouldn’t let it get to him. Wouldn’t he rather have Shannon, his wife, with him instead of his new friend and coworker who he’d only known a few days? 

At least he knew that he should . 

Of course he’d wish more than anything that she was back in their lives for Chris’ sake. There was no question about that. And he did miss her. But did he achingly wish that he was still with her - like in a romantic sense- instead of someone who was practically a stranger? 

The answer should be yes . 

Of course he should wish that he was still together with the mother of his child - his wife.  

But, and it completely terrified him to admit it to himself, he wasn’t really sure anymore. After all, he hadn’t seen her in a long time. But at the same time, he still loved her. Maybe even still a little bit in love with her. 

What was wrong with him? Why was he just so damn confused ?

And the worst part was that the person who he felt like he could really talk to about this already, who understood what he was dealing with, was Buck of all people. 

Eddie definitely couldn’t talk to his parents about it. Even though they hated Shannon now, irritatingly so, he knew that they would tell him that he should give it a try with her again for Christopher’s sake instead of a man he barely knew. Of course they would rather him find a nice latina girl - or maybe even a Swedish or Texas girl - instead. 

Suddenly, realizing that he had been lost in thought, he heard the voices getting louder. No, closer . 

“ Maddie. ” Came Buck’s urgent and panicked voice. 

Oh shit, was his sister heading to the bedroom? 

“ Evan. ” She mocked back. “I’m not going to let your date hide in your bedroom like some dirty little secret.” 

Well, that was nice of her. 

But did Buck really want him to meet his sister? Did Eddie? Would it be better if he just hid somewhere? Quickly looking around he realized that his only option was the closet. 

Oh the ironies of life.  

Wait, was Buck out to Maddie? Far as Eddie could tell, everyone seemed to just assume that Buck was straight.

Deciding that he didn’t want to risk outing Buck to his sister, he decided to just make a quick run across the room to hide in the closet. Ironies of life be damned. 

After making the quick trek and shoving himself into the small space, Eddie quickly closed the door and let out a long sigh in the darkness. 

This was completely and utterly ridiculous. What even was his life anymore?

He then heard a knock coming from the bedroom door. “Hello? This is your rude date’s sister who wants to free you from having to hide in his bedroom like some poor secret mistress. After all, we can all be adults about this."

“ Mads. ” He could hear Buck’s muffled voice hiss. 

Eddie bit his lip. Should he come out and meet the sister? Would Buck be upset if he did? 

He could then hear the bedroom door open before seeing shadows of feet moving through the small light that came through the bottom of the closet door. 

“See, Maddie? No one’s here.” He could tell that Buck was trying to sound nonchalant and casual but his new friend failed miserably at it. 

“Uh huh.”

Suddenly, he could see and hear the feet getting closer. 

Shit. What was he going to do? 

But then the thought occurred to him. 

You know what, he thought to himself, fuck it. 

It really seemed like Buck didn’t want him to meet his sister - understandably so. And Eddie did try to respect those wishes. But the jig was up. Might as well accept the defeat so he could at least leave with some of his dignity still intact. 

The closet door then flew open to reveal a woman with shoulder length brown hair and an amused expression that lit up her entire face.

“Well, this was what I call ironic.” Mirth filled her entire voice as she spoke. 

If she was surprised that Eddie was, well, a guy , then her poker face was extremely excellent. 

“Hi. I’m sorry that my brother forced you into a literal closet.” She gave him an easy and reassuring smile. “But were you planning on coming out anytime soon or do you prefer to stew in the dramatic symbolism some more?”

“Hey, I didn’t force him! He went into it on his own accord.” Buck defended himself, even though he still looked completely freaked out from the unexpectant turn of events. He then looked at Eddie and gave him a small smirk. “Seriously, though. You really should come out of the closet dude.”

Eddie rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him at the complete and utter ridiculousness of it all. He then left that wretched closet behind him as he stepped further into the room. 

“Well now that all of that is out of the way,” Maddie began to say before letting out her hand for him to shake, “I’m Maddie. And you are?”

Eddie looked between the siblings, then caught Buck’s eye, trying to see if he wanted him to answer or not. But his friend just looked like a sheepish deer caught in headlights. So he decided to just go with the casual approach. 

Deciding to put on the charm, he gave her an easy smile and let out his hand for her to shake. “Hi. I’m Eddie.”

Maddie seemed to appreciate the charm if her smile brightening was any indication. “It’s nice to meet you Eddie. Sorry my little brother has no manners and kept you hidden like that to the point that you felt like you had to hide in a closet.”

Buck groaned in absolute exasperation, placing a hand over his face. “I panicked, okay?”

“Evan, we’re all grown adults here. It’s not like I caught you sneaking him in your bedroom on a school night like that one time with that boy. What was his name -”

“Okay, okay, I get it.”

Eddie couldn’t help but laugh at the sibling’s antics. They reminded him of him and his sisters. 

Maddie then looked between the two men before landing her gaze back on her brother. “So, should I leave to give you two some privacy or....”

“No!” Buck quickly exclaimed. “I mean...we’re uh.. . finished...with... what we were doing.” He winced and Eddie had to bite his lip from laughing at the flustered disaster that Buck had turned into. 

“Oh. And what were you doing?” Maddie asked him, folding her arms, a teasing twinkle in her eye as she didn’t bother hiding her amused grin. 

Buck’s eyes widened even further, “Uh….” He then cleared his throat before continuing. “You know, video games and stuff.”

This time Eddie let out an amused snort. 

Meanwhile Maddie flat out laughed and Eddie watched as Buck’s flusteredness slowly melted away as he smiled at his sister. There was a certain emotion behind his eyes that Eddie couldn’t quite figure out, but he could’ve sworn there was a twinge of sadness in there. He wondered if it was because of what had the other man had told him earlier at work about him seeing his sister for the first time in a while. 

Eddie couldn’t help but wonder just how long ‘a while’ had been.

But just from the little interaction and how the blond had talked about his sister, he could tell that Buck deeply cared for her. Which, like everything else with Buck, was very endearing to Eddie. And it was yet another similarity between the two of them.

Yeesh, where did the commonalities end?

The older sibling then turned her attention back to Eddie, recognition brightening in her eyes. “Wait, are you 8-Pack Eddie from Evan’s work?”

Buck groaned, “Maddie!”

This time, Eddie did laugh as he gave the other man a shit-eating grin. “That’s your nickname for me?”

The blond rolled his eyes, face turning bright red. 

Deciding to give him a reprieve, Eddie answered Maddie, “If you mean that I’m Buck’s coworker, then yes. I just started this week.”

“And yet you’re the first coworker I’ve heard him talk about.” She cheekily told him. 

“Oh really?”

“ No. ” Buck clarified. “You were just the first one that I talked about face to face since you arrived just when she did. I’ve talked about Hen and Chimney and Bobby all in my postcard I sent her last Christmas.”

Maddie just let out a small chuckle, though Eddie couldn’t help but noticed how she ever so slightly flinched when he mentioned Christmas. Huh. He wondered what that was about. 

It wasn’t any of his business so he just stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave Buck a casual smile. “Well, at least you talk about me.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“So, Eddie.” Maddie began, giving him a polite smile but Eddie could see the deviousness behind her eyes. “Do you have plans or would like to have lunch with us? I’m forcing Evan to cook for me. He’s really good.”

“You cook?” He couldn’t help but ask his friend. He also searched in his expression to see if there was any hint of whether Buck would want him to stay or not. 

Seeming to know what Eddie was searching for, Buck gave him a reassuring smile and shrugged. “Bobby’s been teaching me for the past few months.”

“Okay, then I definitely have to try your food now.”

Eddie never thought that he’d have food that was just as good as his Abuela’s, but in just the past few days at working with the 118, he could quickly tell that his new cap’s cooking was right up there. 

And if Buck was even half as good a cook as Bobby, then Eddie had to see for himself. 

As they watched the younger man cook while sitting at the bar, they all talked. Or more like Maddie kept asking him questions while Buck kept telling her to stop grilling him. 

“He’s just a friend, Maddie. You don’t have to grill him like he’s some boyfriend that’s about to take me to Prom.”

 “‘ Friend .’” She scoffed. “Do you have sex with all of your friends, Evan? Or is this one special?”

Eddie slightly choked on his drink as Buck dropped a piece of food on the floor. 

“ Mads. ” Buck groaned in complete and utter exasperation picking up the sad piece of cheese before throwing it away, looking remorseful like he had to do such a thing. 

The older sibling looked between the two of them. “Or are you two together?” Her eyes then brightened happily. “Evan, did you officially break up with Abby like I advised you to?”

Even though he was still recovering, Eddie still took another slow sip of his water so neither would expect him to answer any of this awkward trainwreck. 

Buck let out a long, frustrated sigh. “ No. I did not break up with Abby. And Eddie and I are just friends.”

Eddie took another sip, glad that it hid the hard swallow at Buck’s words. He immediately pushed the small aching pang that formed in the bit of his stomach because of it. Since it was ridiculous to even feel as such. 

“Friends who fuck in your “girlfriends” apartment.” Maddie oh so helpfully supplied, using air quotes for the word girlfriend. "So are you guys like fuck buddies? Which I'm totally not judging by the way. Just curious."

Yeah, Eddie sure wished he was anywhere but here right now. 

“ Maddie. ” Buck pleaded. “Can we please talk about this later?”

She looked between the two of them again and sighed, “Fine.” She then grabbed her own glass and put her attention back on Eddie. “So, how long have you been in LA, Eddie?” Maddie asked as if she hadn’t just brought up a whole can of worms of awkwardness . 

But Eddie was great at avoiding things and pretending like they didn’t happen so he just shrugged and casually told her, “A few weeks. I attended the academy here first.”

And just like that, the conversation turned into more safer topics for the rest of the meal. He answered her questions with ease, even though he tried to be as vague as possible because he didn’t feel too comfortable talking about himself yet. Even though he found it a whole lot easier with the Buckley siblings than it normally was for him. 

After a very delicious lunch, Eddie realized that he probably had to at least get some unpacking done and straighten his place a bit before he had to pick up Chris from school. 

As he went to gather his wallet and keys from the living room, he realized that his and Buck’s clothes were still placed half-hazardly on and around the couch and quickly went to gather them all up in his arms. Eddie then turned to Buck who had followed him, before trying his best to give him a casual smile. “So, where’s your bathroom?”

Buck gave him a confused look which made Eddie lift his clothes up slightly as in answer. Realization dawning, the blond waved a nonchalant hand in the air. “You don’t have to change now.”

“But your clothes?” 

He just shrugged. “You can just give them back to me later.” 

Buck continued to look at him for a moment and Eddie could tell that he wanted to say more but probably didn’t want to while his sister was still sitting at the bar that was between the kitchen and the living room probably trying not to look like she was listening to their every word. 

The blond then awkwardly cleared his throat. “Hold on a sec.” He then hurried toward the bedroom before returning just a minute later. He then lifted an old black duffel back toward him. “Here.”

Eddie hesitantly took it before looking at the faded blue logo of a cowboy riding a horse and let out a small laugh. “Is this because I’m from Texas?”

Buck just shrugged again, a shy smile on his face. “That and I don’t really use it anymore. I got that a few years back when I worked at a dude ranch for a while.”

He blinked at him. “Really?” 

The image of Buck working at a dude ranch, probably wearing a cowboy hat no matter if anyone else did or not, should not have made him this turned on. But it did. 

Feeling his cheeks warm, Eddie looked back down at the bag and quickly placed his clothes there. 

“Uh, thanks. I’ll return this and your clothes on our next shift.”

Buck didn’t seem in a hurry to get his clothes back and just waved a casual hand. 

When Eddie was ready to go, at first he wanted to protest when Buck offered to walk him to his car, but from his friend’s pointed look he decided not to. 

Maddie hugged him goodbye and told him that when she found a place she’d definitely take him on his offer to help her move. 

“It was good to meet you Eddie.” She told him after letting go from the hug. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“I’ll try.” 

Buck then ushered him out of the apartment before Maddie could say anything else. 

They walked in silence out of the building until they reached Eddie’s rundown truck. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Buck rocked his feet back and forth, not meeting Eddie’s eyes. “I’m sorry about getting you roped into all of that. And...you know...the whole closet fiasco.” 

Eddie laughed. “Don’t be. Not only did I get to meet your sister, but I was able to get free food from the great Chef Buckley.”

Buck rolled his eyes but a small smile formed in his face and eyes as his cheeks turned slightly red. He was silent for a moment before biting his lip, still looking anywhere but at Eddie. “Look about the whole…” Buck waved a hand out, “ situation. ”

“It’s okay.” Eddie quickly told him before he could hear the rejection once more. Even though it wasn’t technically a rejection if both of them agreed to just be friends, right? “We already talked about this. We’re just friends who sometimes do non-friendly things.”

“Right.” The blond muttered. There was something in his eyes that he couldn’t quite decipher. Buck then finally looked back up at him and gave him a bright smile that though genuine, there was still something hidden behind it. “Anyways, congrats by the way.”

Eddie, who wanted to try to coerce whatever was bothering Buck out of him, blinked in surprise. “What?”

“You passed the Maddie test. You know how many people - friends and otherwise - have passed the Maddie test in my life? I can count them on one hand.”

Eddie couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and wonder if this Abby woman would’ve passed Maddie’s test. “Well, I’m glad to be one of the lucky few. Maddie seems really great.”

The blond's smile widened. “She really is. It’s great to have her back.”

He wanted to ask how long since the siblings had last seen each other but something told him to hold off, wait until Buck talked about it. So instead he pointed toward his truck. “I should probably get going.”

Buck nodded. “Uh yeah. Hey, Eddie?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad we’re friends.”

Eddie couldn’t help the giant smile that spread across his face. “Yeah. Me too.”

And it was the truth. Even if they made things a little complicated between the two that gave him a whirlwind of emotional confusion. 

Because, not only was Eddie happy that he found the 118, but also that he found Buck and the bond that they created so easily in a way that he never had with anyone else before, even with their rocky start. 

And that? That Eddie wouldn’t trade for anything. 

So, in order to keep their friendship intact, he was just going to have to bury whatever these feelings were that were stirring up inside him. Besides, he had only known the man for a few days. It was just a small infatuation. Those feelings would go away eventually. 

Right?