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Marrying Buck and feeling only happiness and affection run through his veins is something Eddie never thought he’d experience. He loved Shannon, he did, but their marriage didn’t happen naturally and it wasn’t easy. But he still did love her, his best friend from another life and he’s certain that she would’ve been proud of him, smiling in the crowd as he waited for Buck.
It was nothing compared to actually seeing him, walking with Bobby down the aisle towards him, towards their future, smiling so wide, Eddie thinks his cheeks must hurt. But today, just like every other day, the sun is competing with Evan Buckley and losing in Eddie's eyes.
He feels the tears on his face, rolling down his cheeks seeing him, emotions welling up as Maddie wipes a tear from her eyes as they make brief eye contact before his entire attention focuses back on Buck.
His hair is curling everywhere and he’s crying too, pretty, happy tears that only make Eddie want to cry more and he’s not even ashamed of it, to break down in tears at the vision in front of him in front of all of their family and friends.
Because Eddie gets this man, the man that dragged him under a fire truck, even when everyone knows the idea of it makes his heart race and panic seize his chest from being stuck under one. He still did it for Eddie, and that is the sole reason he’s even still here.
That day his vision narrowed to two people. His son and the person standing in front of him as Bobby hands him over with a teary smile of his own. His son, who was safe and not there with them during the sniper case. Not close to them and it had brought comfort through the agony that was thrumming through his veins and out of the wound in his shoulder.
His son who’s now standing next to him, his best son, the perfect gift he’s ever gotten. Safe and sound.
Eddie remembers that day in harsh snippets of memory. Mostly pain and fear, but what he remembers most is Buck. Blue eyes flash in his nightmares still, on random occasions so they don’t plague him. But still there, present because Buck was all Eddie could focus on. Seeing the blood all over him and being terrified that he was hurt.
Seeing the panic on his face, telling Eddie to hang on. But the only thing Eddie was worried about was Buck. The words “Are you hurt?” Still echoing in his head. Maybe because the moment he got a negative answer, Eddie closed his eyes.
Now they’re open, and shining as they look at Buck. As they say their vows and hold each other's hands with steadiness. His shoulder barely aches and he feels stronger than he has in years.
It’s the perfect day. The perfect kiss as their families cheer for them. The family they made all around them and a hug so tight from Christopher that he’s worried for a moment he can’t breathe but he welcomes it with open arms, holding him during the reception.
Dancing with his husband. With Evan Diaz.
And he recalls it every time he looks at the pictures on their wall. Showcasing the big moments, even if Eddie remembers every single detail.
Eddie looks at it every time he has to go on a shift without Buck. Or when Buck goes without him. A comfort settling in his chest that he’s allowed to have this happiness.
“Eddie? Do you know where Chris’s backpack is?” Bucks voice calls out from across the house and he shakes his head with a chuckle, taking his eyes away from their first dance.
“Is it not in his room?” Eddie calls back and decides to finally put his tennis shoes on. Today he’s going to play basketball with a friend he met and a couple of guys from different firehouses.
“He said it’s not!” Buck yells back and rolls his eyes fondly when Chris calls out a,
“Did I leave it in the jeep Buck?”
The conversation watches over him. It’s been four years since they got married. Their sons almost a teenager and they’ve all experienced so much together. A blackout, Ravi becoming a part of their family and even Eddie taking a step back from being a firefighter. And many more things that has made him into the man he is today, with Buck at his side.
But therapy and support brings him to now, watching as he drinks his coffee, eyebrow raised as Buck walks out from the back of the house with Christopher in tow, his backpack slung over his shoulders.
He’s staying with Hen on a school night, it’s rare but it’s happening,
“Where was it?” Eddie asks as he hands Buck his to go cup of coffee and Buck fondly rolls his eyes while Chris answers.
“In my room.” Mumbling it, sounding more and more everyday like the teenager he’s becoming. Eddie ruffles his hair in retaliation for not actually looking for it because he definitely didn’t.
“Just don’t leave it at Hens bud.” Eddie states, making Chris roll his eyes as Buck presses a kiss to his cheek so they can go.
“Have fun playing basketball babe.” Buck says as he pulls back, smile on his face that never fails to make his stomach roll with affection at just seeing it.
“Sure you don’t want to come?” Eddie teases and Buck huffs a laugh.
“No, I hate basketball, I’d just be in the way.”
Eddie hums, “Whatever you say sweetheart.” And Eddie relishes in the way Buck flushes.
It’s not a moment that lasts long as Chris yells out for Buck, who laughs fondly and kisses Eddie before following behind him, leaving to take him to Hens.
He doesn’t expect to come home with a sprained ankle that same night. Buck fluttering around with apologies and ice packs and pillows to keep his foot elevated. The drive home had been awkward and mostly Eddie is just confused, not understanding why his husband pushed him down.
Especially after Buck told him it wasn’t an accident. But that he never meant to hurt him, just wanted his attention. As if Buck doesn’t have every second of his attention at all times.
It all makes sense very quickly though.
Jealousy.
Clicking in his brain as he observes Buck from his place on the couch. His pretty face is pinched and worried and most of all ashamed. It’s so easy to see all of his husband's emotions, especially when he thinks that Eddie isn’t paying attention. Walking around with his heart on his sleeve as if Eddie didn’t want to keep it safe at all times.
“Baby.” Eddie murmurs as Buck comes over to adjust a pillow again. The man freezes and looks at Eddie with wide eyes, and Eddie softens even farther, “I’m not upset with you.”
Buck blinks at him, inhaling sharply as he replies, “You should be.” He murmurs before shaking his head and going to get up again, to do whatever else that isn’t important right now. Eddie has no interest watching him try and keep himself busy in his panic. So he grabs his husband's wrist before he can get too far away from him.
“I’m not sweetheart, you didn’t mean to hurt me.” Eddie states, hoping it gets through to him. It hurt when it happened, yes, but the reaction Buck had, the panic and snapping at Tommy when he tried to help. Bringing him back to Bucks jeep instead of Eddie’s truck so he could climb in easier.
Had taken him right to the hospital to get checked out and sagged when it was just a sprain, that it wasn’t broken and he’d just need to take it easy. Three weeks at most, it’s a mild sprain and Eddie doesn’t have anything to worry about while he’s healing.
“But I did!” Buck exclaims before curling again, clearly not wanting to yell. Or argue; he knows better than anyone that Buck hates arguing and loud voices and sounds. “And it was stupid and reckless and I shouldn’t have done it.”
Eddie can’t help but smile at him, making Buck scoff a little his cheeks pink, “No you shouldn’t have, but it’s fine, there’s no reason to be jealous of Tommy, he’s too old for me.” Finishing it off cheekily.
Bucks pout loosens and Eddie knows he’s got him, that he was right about the jealousy. “I know, he’s just—“ Buck huffs, “He makes me uncomfortable, I don’t know.”
Eddie raises a brow, “Why?”
His husband leans on him now and Eddie relishes in it, “I don’t know, there’s just something off about him. I mean he literally flew you to watch a fight babe, that’s insane.”
Now that he thinks about it, it is a little insane and not a lot of friendly implications are there and he winces, “Yeah, and I’ve already told him to back off and he did, he knows I’m married baby.” Stating the words as Buck turns his face into his neck. Eddie feels goosebumps from the cold of Buck's nose.
“Hmm, well he better remember it.” Buck states and it makes Eddie laugh, wrapping an arm around him to hold him close. His ankle may be sprained but he can still hold his silly jealous husband in his lap to make him feel better. After all, all Buck ever does is take care of Eddie. He’s happy to return the favor whenever Buck needs it.
—
When Buck opened the front door after Eddie went in for his shift that morning, the last person he expected to see was Tommy Kinard, the guy that his husband has been playing basketball with. He tried to fight a wince, reminded of his jealousy from a few weeks before. The only time he’s actually met Tommy, not the greatest first impression.
His husband had shown him exactly how much he loved Buck the moment he was able to properly move around again and he knows he’s still showing a hickey that he's going to have to figure out how to cover up soon.
But he smiled outwardly, through the confusion. Because he didn’t honestly know how Tommy even knew where they lived. He doesn’t recall Eddie saying anything about bringing him over, even when Tommy was decidedly overstepping his boundaries. But that stopped and now all he feels is confusion.
“Hey man, Eddies still on shift?” Tilting his head in question. They’re not really friends, and honestly Buck would rather not hang out with him. Especially knowing that whether Eddie believes it or not, Tommy had been flirting with him.
“Oh, I know, I’m here to talk to you.” Tommy stated with a smile that made him look even easier to draw. Buck blinked at him in confusion but still opened the door wider. Only because he knows Eddie will be home soon. Buck thinks of small blessings that he only had to work a 12.
“Sure?” Buck moved and watched with confused eyes as Tommy walked in and Buck led them to the kitchen, “If this is about Eddies ankle, he’s just fine, we took—“
Tommy grabs his jaw, right there in his and Eddie's kitchen and murmurs, “No actually, it’s not about Eddie at all, I’ve wanted to see you.”
Bucks eyes widen and he moves back out of Tommy’s grasp and awkwardly lets out a laugh, “Why?” He doesn’t know Tommy very well and the idea of him being here without Eddie is sending panic signals to his brain, wanting even more for Eddie to be home soon. Buck hopes that he didn’t end up going to the store.
Tommy rolls his eyes, as if Buck is the one missing something here, “Because to be honest—“ the man steps forward again, “I think we’ve got a connection between us.”
Huh?
“I don’t—“ Buck leans against the counter, watching the man, “Dude, I’m married.” And waves his hand around the house to explain himself.
Tommy shrugs, “And I was engaged once.”
Bucks face scrunches in offense, “Dude we’ve met once.”
“And I can’t stop thinking about you.” Tommy gazes at him and the look of offense doesn’t drop off of Bucks face, it doesn’t drop until Tommy moves again and the surprise of it makes him freeze when he places his hands on either side of Buck where he’s leaning on the counter, “You can’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about me.”
He can actually.
“I haven’t.” Buck looks him square in the eye and says it, and relishes in watching the look drop off of his face for the briefest moment. But Buck's satisfaction doesn’t last long as the smirk returns, just as strong as before.
“I’ll just have to change your mind then.” Tommy states and Buck opens his mouth to reply but Tommy leans in and kisses him before the words can get out. It’s the briefest press of Tommy’s mouth against his own before he’s forcefully pushing him away.
It’s that moment he finally hears footsteps and Buck pushes Tommy again; the words falling out of his mouth before he can stop them.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Buck exclaims, the panic seizing his chest, he’s heaving, “change my mind? Have you lost yours? I’m married, I don’t know how I could make that more clear!” Yelling the words as he wave hand around.
“Evan—“ Tommy starts and Bucks wild gaze meets his own.
“I knew you were the worst, but I was giving you the benefit of the doubt for Eddie.” Buck points a shaking finger at him, barely paying attention to anything around him, “You’re supposed to be his friend, what is wrong with you!”
“Look just—“ Bucks barely listening to Tommy as he tries to talk again
“Sweetheart.” Eddie's voice calls out and Buck whips around and sees him standing there, looking exhausted in clothes that definitely are from yesterday and his face crumples.
“Eddie.” Buck gasps out and pushes past Tommy even more harshly and goes to him. Shoving himself into Eddie's space even though he’s definitely bigger than him. Not that that’s ever stopped Eddie before. He’s got plenty of experience of Eddie being able to throw him around.
Eddies hand comes up his back, lets him be close and the panic settles a little, makes his heart beat slow down and he whimpers into Eddies neck, “I’m sorry—“ Buck gasps, “I didn’t know he was—“ and Eddie shhs him before he can keep talking.
“You didn’t do anything wrong mi sol.” Eddie gently says and rubs his back. There’s an edge in his voice and Buck knows he’s looking at Tommy. Tommy who’s still standing in their kitchen, watching this all unravel. If Buck cared to look, he’d likely see shock on Tommy’s stupid face, “Why don’t you go lay down?” Eddie asks and Buck tenses, “I want to talk to Tommy for a second.”
Buck doesn’t move immediately, not wanting to go but a squeeze to his waist gets him moving. Leaning back up from where he was hidden away and Eddie reaches up and runs his thumb over his face and then Buck gasps as he’s pulled into an immediately filthy kiss.
Eddie shoves his tongue into his mouth, exploring without shame. A soft sound exits Bucks mouth, he almost feels like he can’t breathe. Because the intenseness is over the moment it starts. Eddie pulls away and when Buck opens his eyes his husband is smirking at him, sure and cocky and his knees feel weak.
“Go,” Eddie murmurs and Buck nods, not even sparing Tommy a glance as he leaves the room.
But it doesn’t stop him from listening. Eddie has to know he’s going too.
Buck sits against the wall in the hallway, sliding to the ground and hugging himself. He feels better already, with Eddie kissing him and talking to Tommy for him now. The panic in his veins is dwindling now that they’re not alone.
But he blinks out of those thoughts when he hears Eddie's voice, “So you come into my house and decide you’re brave enough to kiss my husband after he told you no?”
“Look Eddie—“ Tommy says and it’s silent for a moment, “I didn’t know you guys were married.”
Buck hears Eddie scoff, angry, “He told you he was married, that should’ve been enough.”
Bucks breathing hitches, he was here then?
“And yet you made the mistake of kissing him anyway, of scaring him. You’re lucky I don’t send you to the ER.” Eddie seethes and it makes Bucks stomach flip because he’s not raising his voice at all. Not like Buck did, he’s not lashing out.
He’s truly angry.
“It’s really not that big of a deal man, I’ll just go.” Tommy says and Buck shrinks.
“Not that big of a deal?”
Buck hears the crack of bone on bone before he can react and he pushes himself up against the wall out of reflex before his brain comes back and he realizes what just happened.
He hears a shocked sound and then contact. The sound of a fist hitting someone in the face is unmistakable, then the groan of pain and Bucks scrambling to get off of the floor and rush back into the kitchen.
Where he pauses and sees Tommy crouched on the floor, seemingly in the middle of getting up and Eddie standing there, chest heaving and his eyes wild.
“Then that wasn’t a big deal either right?” Eddies leaning down, sneering at a man that is quite large and definitely knows how to defend himself. But he’s not, he’s looking at the floor and cradling his face, “Now you can get the fuck out of my house, and if I ever see you again, then it’ll be a big deal, sound good?”
Tommy nods mutely and stands, a groan falling from his mouth, he doesn’t say a word to them, he doesn’t look at them.
Just gets up and leaves their house.
The door doesn’t even shut hard, it’s a soft close, one that makes the silence settle instead of being deafening
“You punched him.” Buck comments, not letting the silence stay and Eddies gaze immediately goes to him, his eyes still look wild but he’s clearly calmer, just for him being gone.
“He violated you, I should’ve killed him.” Eddie replies just as quickly and Buck feels himself smile, just a quirk of his mouth because he probably should be more upset and he was. Is, but it’s better now. Now that they’re alone.
“And you fixed it, took it away.” Buck states and moves towards his husband, who’s still clenching his fists.
“You told me he made you uncomfortable and I kept hanging out with him, he seemed perfectly fine with me turning him down.” Eddie says, and Buck knows what he’s doing, trying to make sense of it all, how it got to this point.
But it’s neither of their faults that Tommy is delusional.
“It’s not your fault Ed’s.” Buck states as he closes in on him, grabbing his fists and just holding them, but not forcing him to let them loose if he’s not ready to let go of that feeling yet.
But to his surprise, the moment their hands touch, as Buck's hands curl around him, Eddie's fists loosen. And he wraps their hands together, still holding tightly as Buck would ever want him to let go.
“Want to shower and go to bed?” Buck asks quietly, leaning forward to softly press their lips together and smiles into the kiss when Eddie immediately returns the gesture.
“Come with me?” Eddie huffs a sad little laugh, “Don't think I want to let you out of my sight tonight.”
“Course, cmon baby.” Buck states with a small reassuring smile as he leads them away.
They shower and Eddies pressed against him, a solid protective presence as they clean themselves up. Eddie even washes him, which makes his eyes teary. Knowing that the man is doing it to wash off Tommy’s touch, even if they’re not saying anything about it right now.
It’s the reason he cuddles close when they’re in bed. Wrapped around one another, keeping each other close.
“I’m sorry I lost my cool.” Eddie whispers into the dark, his lips barely touching Bucks forehead. He can feel the heat of his words, the air from his lungs hitting Buck's skin.
“I’m glad you hit him.” Buck whispers right back and Eddie holds him tighter, “I’m glad you protected me, since I just froze.” Buck swallows and a hand comes up and pets his hair and he hums into it.
“It’s okay to freeze, it wasn’t your fault either.” Eddie states, softly but firmly, “I’ll always save you, even though I know you can handle yourself.”
Buck smiles a little to himself, even if he has a feeling that Eddie can feel it they’re so close pressed together. “Can’t believe he thought I was into him when I’ve got you in my bed.”
Eddie snorts a laugh, “Go to sleep Buck.” But he presses a kiss to his forehead so he knows Eddie appreciates it.
He already knows that the 118 is going to have a field day with this.