11 Chapter 11 Buck pov

"Maddie, what are you doing here?" Buck asks as he starts to climb out the bed.

"Well, I got a message from Bobby to come check on you, but then I got here and Eddie was here he has gone now. He needed go get Christopher, he said you had a nightmare again last night." she says looking at him.

"Yeah, it was a weird night. I need a coffee." Buck says with a smile.

He walks past his sister and heads down the stairs, he can hear Maddie closely following him down as he reaches the kitchen, he sees Eddie has gone but there is a note sat on the side explaining he had go get Christopher and he will see him later. He walks over to the kettle, picks it up and fills it and puts it on.

"So, how come Eddie was here? I thought he was back tomorrow?" Maddie asks.

"Oh, that's a long story" Buck says as he gets two cups out.

"That can wait. Explain the date what happened that you had call Bobby to calm you down." Maddie says looking at Buck.

Buck should have known Bobby would tell his sister on him, he smiled and shook his head as he filled the cups with coffee and water, he looked up at Maddie who was stood with her arms crossed and tapping her fingers on her arm.

"Okay, I still can't believe it happened to be honest, but my date-" Buck starts but stops as he rubs his hand on his neck in discomfort and nervousness.

"Yes, it happened, you had a date so what made you panic what did he do, he didn't hurt you did he?" She asks

"No, nothing like that." Buck sighs "My date left just as you got here." He says with a grin.

He watches as he can see Maddie working it out in her head and then he starts to grin more when he sees the smile appear on her face.

"NOOOOOOOOOOO?" is all that came out "It was Eddie?" she asks in shock.

"Yeah, he didn't say he was back as he had this date but turns out it was with me, he turned up with some people from Austin who had figured out we had been talking all along and made sure we met." Buck said with a chuckle.

"But isn't he with Ana, how did you know you weren't talking to each other?" Maddie quizzes.

"Well first Ana is a friend she has a girlfriend, which explains the other week when I tried meet him the first time but I saw Eddie and Ana there and bottled it up and made an excuse and didn't turn up but obviously, I didn't know it was Eddie. Luckily, I managed get a second date and he was there. It was super weird; I didn't know it was him as he was using an old phone and the same for me." Buck explains as he passes her the cup.

"Really? Oh my god, guessing it went well if he stayed the night?" She asks

"Not really, we left the bar went to the beach as I thought it be something he would enjoy more I know he hates loads of people, but I had an panic attack and he brought me home, he said he wasn't going leave me and he slept on the sofa. except when I woke up, it must have been early hours after having more nightmares and he was in my bed. I drifted off and woke up to you." Buck explained.

"I mean as first dates go it could have gone worse, but I still can't believe you two who have been talking to each other never noticed it's crazy." Maddie laughs.

"No, it's not crazy. It's Eddie and I not talking properly like you and everyone else has been saying all along." Buck laughs as he heads over to the sofa, he moves the duvet and sits, and Maddie follows.

"So, what happens now?" She asks.

"I don't know, I'm going round his place later as we arranged to have pizza, so Christopher is expecting me and I can't avoid him now, I kind of said we could make it a date once Christopher had gone bed and gives us time to talk, I just don't know… what if after seeing me break down from the memories he doesn't want to know me?" Buck says

"He wouldn't do that, you know that, but I think maybe we need get you to see someone to help you sleep properly, but one thing at a time." She says with a smile.

"Thanks, just I've wanted this for so long and now it's happening I don't know what do." He says drumming his fingers on the coffee cup.

"Take it as slow or as fast as your both comfortable with, just try hold out to becoming boyfriends until Christmas Day that's the day I picked in the pool." She laughs and then gives Buck an ooops look as she realised she slipped up.

"What do you mean a pool? Explain." Buck asks, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Well, everyone at the firehouse knew you two would eventually end up together. It was obvious, even though to you both it was not. So, we made a pool and I picked Christmas Day. I think Bobby had New Year's Day." Maddie chuckled.

"Really? You bet on my love life. Oh, please don't say anything to anyone not yet." Buck says starting to panic realising that it all will be out there even before he has had a proper chance to think about it properly.

"Yes, I did, and of course I won't say anything, at least you get what you want for Christmas, Eddie wrapped in a bow." Maddie lets out a huge laugh.

"Not funny at all." Buck says as he rolls his eyes at her.

"What time are you meant be going to his place later then?" She enquires.

"I don't actually know; I'll call him later when you're not around to make it more awkward." he jokes.

"I would never do that." Maddie says.

They both laugh and sit there for a bit. Eventually, Buck looks up at the clock its ten am and he wants to get himself sorted out and then figure out his plan of action for later. He gets up and folds the duvet up and looks at his sister and smiles.

"What?" She says curiously.

"I know your hanging round just to wait till I call him, but I won't till you go, so come on off you go." Buck jokes signalling to the door.

"How rude I'm your sister Evan." Maddie says as she gets up and heads into the kitchen.

She places the cup in the sink and picks up her things and heads to the door Buck following her, she turns round and gives him a hug.

"Tell him if he hurts you, I will beat him up." She jokes.

"I'm sure he will be scared; I'll call you later." He says rolling his eyes

"You better." she says punching him in the shoulder as she walks out the door and closes it behind her.

Buck shakes his head as he heads upstairs and places the duvet back in the cupboard and sits on his bed. He can see his phone flashing so he looks and it is a message from Eddies phone.

'9:55am got my phone from the station. Thanks for putting it somewhere safe, now since I know who you really are, we can message properly, so still on for the date later? X'

Buck smiles to himself. He could not believe it was happening, he stood round and attempted to send a text back but everything he typed he would delete and start again. Nothing seemed right to say so he placed the phone back down and saw his hook up phone.

'I don't need this anymore.' he thinks to himself.

He turns it off and chucks it back in the drawer and smiles, he then picks up his normal phone and dials Eddie.

"Well, hello there. I was getting worried when you didn't text me back." Eddie says.

"It only been fifteen minutes since you sent it and I just saw it not long ago as Maddie just left, I did try to text something, but nothing I wrote sounded good, so thought I call instead." Buck says.

"Ah yes, Maddie. I'm guessing you told her." Eddie questioned.

"Yeah, kind of hard not to you know." Buck chuckled.

"Yeah, she can be scary when she wants to be." Eddie jokes

"She said to tell you if you hurt me, she will beat you up." Buck says

"Oh, I bet she will, so what time you want come round later?" Eddie asks

"Well, I was thinking maybe I get there for 5pm and then we can get Christopher in bed for 8ish and then start our da" Buck starts but Eddie starts coughing.

"Yeah, we can sort out that problem with your jeep." Eddie quickly says.

"My jeep?" Buck questions confused

"Bucky, can we have pineapple on the pizza? Dad says we can't?" Christopher shouts and Buck realises why Eddie now said about sorting his jeep out.

"Oh, of course Superman, we will have whatever toppings you want on your pizza we will ignore your Dad." Buck laughs.

"Yay!" he hears Christopher cheer in the background.

"You two really need stop ganging up on me." Eddie says, laughingly.

"Well, I'll think about it, anyway I'll leave you to it. I'll see you both later." Buck says.

"Bye, Bucky!" Chris shouts.

"Bye Superman, see ya later, Eddie." Buck says.

"See ya." Eddie says and hangs up.

Buck couldn't believe he nearly dropped them in it with Christopher, he knew it be hard for Eddie and that he would want make sure everything was perfect before Christopher knew about anyone his dad was dating, he quickly sends a text to Eddie.

'10:25 – Hey sorry, I didn't realise you were with Christopher, hope I didn't drop us in it. can't wait for later 😊 x' he sends it to Eddie.

He gets up off the bed and heads into the bathroom to start getting washed he was going pop out to the shops to get a new shirt and then call round to Bobby to see him and thank him for last night. As he shaves and then showers he can feel the stress leaving him, all the stress of loving Eddie and not been able to tell him was washing away with the water, once he was showered and dressed he grabbed his phone and wallet and headed out and in to the town where he could do some shopping.

As he walked round the shops looking for the right shirt, he ended up buying several shirts and spending a few hours wandering he decided he would try them on at home then bring back which ever ones he didn't like, as he walked back to the jeep he popped in to the cake shop and got two boxes of cupcakes. He loaded everything into his car and headed to the Grant-Nash house, as he pulled up he looked at the time it was two pm so he knew they would have finished eating there Sunday lunch, he let a smile appear on his face he knew this would be weird for him, Bobby already knew he had been on a date with Eddie. But he wondered if Athena did know. He got out his jeep and got one of the boxes of cupcakes out and headed to the front door and knocked and waited as it opened.

"Buckaroo, what you doing here? Thought you be recovering from your date?" Athena asks

"Well, I decided I needed to pop round and see Bobby after I called him last night and Eddie left early but I'm seeing him later." Buck explains and Athena face let a big grin out and he notices Bobby walking to the door.

"Bobby, did you know it was Eddie he was on a date with?" Athena asks.

'Shit, she didn't know. I just dropped myself into it.' he thinks to himself.

"Well, I thought it be best if he told you and not me. Are they for us? Thanks Buck" Bobby says as Buck nodded, giving the answer that the cupcakes were for them he takes the cakes and goes leaving him and Athena at the door.

"So, you two finally went on a date? Oh, my god." Athena says as she pulls him in to a hug.

"Yeah, it was awkward as we didn't know it was with the one and another until we got to the bar. It's been a weird night and I'm still trying figure it all out." Buck chuckles as he breaks the hug.

Athena motions him in and he heads into the kitchen where Bobby is making drinks and Buck takes a seat.

"So, did it all go okay?" He asks.

"Oh, yeah better than I thought. Thanks for sending Maddie around to check on me even though I don't know if Eddie appreciated it." Buck says with a chuckle.

"Well I didn't know what was going happen and when I didn't hear from you, I thought it be safer send her. Oh right, I bet it was a shock for both of them." Bobby laughs.

"Sorry about that. After I spoke to you me and Eddie talked and ended up at the beach where I had an panic attack and I thought it would scare him, but he took me home stayed with me and left when Maddie came round in the morning." Buck explains

"He wouldn't have left you. Even if you two did not get together, your bond as friends is still there." Bobby says

"First of all it was just one date we are not officially together yet I don't know what we are" Buck says smiling he see's a look between Athena and Bobby most likely plotting who is going win the pot

"Hang on a minute, let me get this right you went on a date with Eddie, but you didn't know it was him you were meeting? I'm lost you need bring me up to speed." Athena says looking at Bobby and Buck.

Buck then spends the next half hour explaining everything to Athena from them talking on the app to texting on different phones, even when they were on days out, neither figured it out. Buck looks at Athena who sits there laughing at the stupid situation that both him and Eddie had gotten themselves in to. Once he was done explaining, he took a bite of the cupcake and his phone rang it was Eddie.

"Hey Eddie" Buck says and gets up from the table as Athena and Bobby pull faces.

"Hey, you still on for five pm?" Eddie asks

"Yeah, going be the longest two and half hours ever, I've missed Christopher so much." Buck says grinning as Athena pulls kissing faces.

"Oh, you missed Chris but not me I see how it is." Eddie chuckles.

"Well I got to see you last night, I haven't seen Christopher yet, anyway what I need bring later?" Buck asks

"Nothing just you, oh and a change of clothes." Eddie says.

"Why do I need a change of clothes?" Buck says and Athena bursts out laughing.

"Where are you?" Eddie asks curiously, as it was obvious that he heard the loud laughter.

"I'm at Bobby's and Athena's, Athena just can't control herself." Buck says pulling a face at Athena.

"Oh okay. Well, just make sure you bring something comfy to stay in please." Eddie asks.

"Okay, I will, I'll see you soon." Buck says.

"Bye." Eddie says.

"See ya." Buck says as he hangs up and smiles down at the screen.

"Well, someone certainly is very smitten." Athena says teasingly, walking over to give Buck a hug.

Bobby joins in on the hug and Buck feels loved. He knows they are not his real parents, but he loves them just as much as if they were. As they break the hug, Buck has a cheeky grin on his face and Bobby knows that look.

"What are you thinking, I know that look Buckley.." Bobby enquires.

"Well Mom and Dad do you think Eddie is a good choice of a boyfriend for me?" He says with a smirk.

Both Athena and Bobby look at each other then back to Buck.

"Buck, we know you and Eddie are made for each other and I approve of your choice of boyfriend that's if he agrees to be your boyfriend." Bobby says with a laugh.

"Boy, I may not be your mother, but I love you as my own and Eddie is a great choice but warn him that if he messes you around he will have me after him. Whether with badge or no badge." Athena laughs.

"If I tell him that, he may run for the hills. That's both you and Maddie who had given me warnings to pass on." Buck chuckles warmly.

"Well, you better leave so you can get ready, be safe and I'll see you both at work tomorrow." Bobby says

"Okay, will do and thank you." Buck says as he gives them a final hug and heads off.

As he drives back to his apartment, he cannot help but smile the whole way back not even when he gets delayed in traffic he still continues to smile. Once he finally gets to his apartment, he heads up stairs and starts trying on all the shirts. He got to try and pick the best looking one, he finally decides on a particular one after a half hour of switching back between a few choices. The one he settles on is a nice pale blue button shirt. He pairs it with his blue jeans and shoes, he lays it on his bed while he sorts out some comfortable 'lounge around' clothes which he puts in a duffle bag along with his trainers. He quickly jumps in the shower and gets ready. By the time, he is showered and relaxing in his fresh boxers. He glances at his phone and noticed that it was nearly four pm. He places it on charge, he knows that the drive is about thirty minutes with the way traffic is toward Eddie's, so he heads down stairs in his boxers and gets a quick cup of coffee whilst listening to music and dancing round.

After finishing his coffee, he heads up stairs and starts getting dressed and sprays his deodorant and slaps on aftershave which he also puts in his duffle bag and picks his phone up and places the charger in his bag too. He has one quick and final check in the mirror to make sure he looks good and heads out with his bag, he gets in his car and sends a quick text to Eddie.

'4:35pm: I'm on my way, see you soon x'

He starts driving he was feeling good but as he got closer he could feel the nerves creeping in, but he got there and pulled up outside the house and got out the jeep carrying his bag. He walks up the path and the butterflies are really creeping in and as he is about knock on the door, he decided knock instead of using his key. The door flung open and there stood Christopher all of a sudden the butterflies went away.

"Hey buddy." Buck says, with a big smile upon his face.

"Buck, you came!" Chris says as he grabs Buck in a hug.

"Of course, I came. Why wouldn't I?" He asks.

"I said he would come, didn't I?" Eddie says walking up to the door.

"I know Dad." Chris says, and Buck sees Christopher give his dad a wink.

Buck looked up and was taken back at how smart Eddie looked, he was wearing a green button up shirt and dark jeans. He looked smoking hot. Buck had to fight the urge to jump him there and then.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world, now I do believe someone wants pineapple on their pizza." Buck says smirking at Eddie.

"Yes, we do." Christopher says as they head in.

"Here, let me take that." Eddie says as he grabs the bag off Buck.

Buck hands it over and watches as Eddie walks down to his room, Buck follows Chris to the living room there's already beer and snacks on the table waiting.

"Looks like someone was ready for me turning up." Buck jokes and Chris laughs.

"Of course, we even got street fighter ready to play. Let us have a quick game while Dad sorts out stuff." Chris says

"What stuff is he sorting out? Does he need help?" Buck asks looking at Christopher.

"No, it's just the laundry." Chris says smiling

"Laundry?" Buck questions he can see the cheeky smirk on Chris's face

"Yeah, we had some leftover from the trip to Austin, I wish you had come, Buck. It would have been more fun." Chris says as he starts the match.

"You've been practicing and was it not fun." Buck quizzes.

"I played my cousins loads and they showed me moves, Nana and Pop both kept asking questions about if Dad had a new girlfriend when I said no, but I have my Buck so I don't need a new mom they didn't look impressed and Pop whispered to Nan thinking I wouldn't hear, but I heard it he said two men raising a child is wrong and that we should move back there, after that I just went to my room. I haven't told Dad yet and I don't want upset him, I know he will be mad he was mad when they said I shouldn't be around strangers and you and that it's not healthy for me." Christopher says.

Buck is shocked at what Christopher has told him; Eddie had said his parents were strict but Buck thought he was joking. But after hearing this, he understood why Eddie was so sceptical about going to Texas in the first place. He needs tell Eddie, but he first needs to talk to Christopher.

"Buddy, first you have been told about eves dropping but I'm glad you told me. Your dad has to know what they said to you and you know that, and you know that there is nothing wrong with two men or two women raising a child don't you?" Buck asks he did not know whether he was overstepping the mark.

"Yeah I know its okay. Denny has two moms and I love Hen and Karen; it's just Pop and Nan are not nice about it." Christopher says with a tear in his eye.

"I know buddy. Come here." Buck says as he pulls him in to a hug.

"Am I interrupting?" Eddie asks as he walks into the front room.

"Nope, just getting the gossip off Christopher Christopher, why don't you get some Lego from your room so I can talk to your Dad?" Buck says.

"Okay." Chris says as he wanders down the hall.

"I thought we were saving our talks till after he went bed?" Eddie says with a smirk.

"No, this is about-" Buck starts but he can feel his blood boil and he clenches his fist "I'm sorry, Eddie I didn't know. When you said they were strict, I didn't think they were that bad or that far against your happiness." Buck says

"What are you on about? You look pissed. Who are you on about?" Eddie asks

"Your goddam parents that's who, they were pestering Christopher asking him all these questions about you. Whether you have a girlfriend and when he said no and that he has me so doesn't need a new Mom their comment back, which they whispered to each other thinking Christopher wouldn't hear was two men raising a child is wrong, he did not want tell you as he knew you would be mad. But Eddie, I'm sorry you had to grow up like that." Buck says looking at Eddie, he could see Eddie had clenched his fists and was shaking.

Buck gets up and walks over to Eddie and grabs his fists and then pulls him in to a hug and he can feel Eddie sob a tiny bit.

"I'm sorry, Buck." He says.

"No. Don't be sorry, there is no need to be sorry it's not your fault. The main thing is Christopher understands it is okay for two people who like each other to be together and raise kids. He has seen it with Denny, but I do think a talk with you maybe tomorrow might be helpful." Buck says

"Thank you and your right." Eddie says as they break the hug, hearing Christopher walk down the hall.

"Which Legos did you pick then, buddy?" Buck asks.

"the train one, we can set the track and put food on it so it can deliver us food." Chris says with a smile.

"You two sort that and order the pizza. I just need to make a phone call okay?" Eddie says.

"That's fine, take as long as you need remember?" Buck says, and mouths keep calm so Chris does not hear.

Eddie nods and heads out and Buck returns his attention to Christopher he looks at his phone and its nearly 6pm he looks at Chris and opens up the pizza app to order pizza they pick the pizzas and sides and once it is ordered they start building the Lego masterpiece, as they build Buck keeps one ear out, trying make out what Eddie is saying he can hear him raising his voice. Thank god he took it to the back yard.

Eventually, they had the tracks and the train going and Buck watched as it went round and round till it crashed and Christopher laughed so loud, he turned to Chris and saw the smile he picked up the train and passed it to him, it had been twenty minutes and Eddie still hadn't come back in. Buck tried listening in, but no sounds can be heard so he stood up and started to walk out the room.

"Where are you going?" Chris asks curiously.

"Going check on your Dad okay buddy? I'll be a few minutes." Buck replies

"He will be fine, stay with me and help me fix the train plus pizza be here soon so you will need answer the door." Christopher says with a smirk.

Buck was confused to why Christopher would insist he stayed with him instead of checking on his dad but he couldn't say no to Christopher, he sits and helps fix the train as Christopher changes the TV to a random Christmas film.

"You excited for Christmas?" Christopher asks

"I am buddy, what about you?" Buck asks.

"I will be if I get what I want, but I need ask Santa when we go see him." Christopher says with a sad smile.

"Hey, no sad smiles what's up?" Buck asks

"Just last time I asked Santa, it didn't come true." Christopher says

"What did you ask for?" Buck asks

"Can't say it's a secret between me and Santa but I'll have words when I see him soon, you're coming again to aren't you." he asks.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, might have twist Mr Grumpy Gill's arm in to putting the decorations up soon. What do you say?" Buck chuckles.

"Well, nice to know you two are conspiring against me." Eddie says as he walks and take a seat.

"We wouldn't do such a thing would we Christopher?" Buck says with a smirk

"No, Dad we would never do that" Christopher says laughing.

"Really, you both have that same cheeky grin that gives you away you do know that right?" Eddie says mainly looking at Buck.

They all start laughing and Buck enjoys the moment it is soon disturbed by the sound of the door, Eddie gets up and opens the door, Buck enjoys watching Eddie as he walks to the door especially as he focuses on Eddies butt, watching it as he hears him talk to the delivery person. He eventually looks up as he hears Eddie saying goodbye and licks his lips as he catches the eye of the delivery guy who is smiling towards him and then Eddie, Buck quickly looks down and listens to the door being closed and Eddie heading towards the kitchen.

"Pizzas up!" Eddie shouts.

"Yay!" Christopher says as he starts walking over.

Buck stands up and picks Christopher as he catches him and carries him to the table where Eddie has placed the two boxes of pizza and the sides over and open it was like a mini feast, Buck looks at Eddie who is shaking his head.

"What?" Buck asks.

"This is way too much food for us" Eddie says

"Well some can be saved for later." Buck says with a wink and Eddie smiles

They spend the next thirty minutes eating and joking once they had eaten as much as they could it was time for Christopher to start getting ready for bed

"You go give him a bath and I'll tidy up in here." Buck says.

"Don't worry about it. Go sit and find a movie to watch." Eddie says as he picks up Christopher and heads down the hall.

Buck laughs and gets up and starts cleaning up putting what food was left in to one box and collapsing the others and putting the scrap food in the bin, before cleaning the dishes and table. Once he's done, he heads into the front room and tidies up, putting the Lego back in to the boxes and picking up the sweet wrappers and binning them. He eventually sat down and heard Eddie coming down the hall.

"He wants you read a story, so looks like I get pick the movie." Eddie says with a smirk

"Nothing too intense, something easy." Buck says

"Well, unless you're on there, it will be hard deciding what to pick." Eddie laughs.

"Rude!" Buck says as he playfully punches Eddies shoulder as he heads down the hall.

"So, Superman what are we reading?" Buck asks as he sees Christopher all tucked up in his bed.

"These." Christopher says holding up two books.

"Two of them? Okay then." Buck says as he moves into the room closing the door behind him.

Buck starts reading the first book making up the voices as he read different characters making Christopher laugh at them. as he got halfway through the book, he could hear sounds from outside the room.

"Everything okay?" Buck shouts.

"Yeah, it's all good. I took the rubbish out and it went everywhere." Eddie shouts back.

Buck turns back to the book and starts to read it again, picking up where he left off and he finally gets to the end. He looks at the clock and its eight pm he knows Christopher should be really going sleep.

"Tell you what, buddy. Let us leave the second one for tonight and you go sleep you have had a long week and you don't want be tired for school do you?" Buck says

"Okay, Bucky." Christopher says yawning.

"Okay,. Sleep well" Buck says as he ruffles Christopher's hair.

He heads to the door and opens it looking back at Christopher. He turns off the light and turns in to the hall where he is greeted by a sign on the wall in front of him that says look down, Buck looks down and the biggest smile forms and sees rose petals on the floor. He looks down the hall and the lead somewhere so he slowly follows them and they lead to the back door, there a sign on the door it says open when you are ready, Buck pauses a minute as he reaches the handle to the door and turns it, as it opens there's stands Eddie looking all smart and holding a bunch of red roses.

"Hey." Eddie says.

"Hey." Buck says, knowing he is most likely red as the roses themselves.

"So, I was wondering if you fancied that date." Eddie asks as he hands over the bouquet.

"Of course." Buck was trying not to sound too excited as he held onto the roses.

Eddie held his hand out and Buck took it with his free hand, as he followed Eddie. As they walked round to the garden, Buck was taken back the yard had been transformed. There were fairy lights hanging up, two chairs and a table which had three lit candles on it and a bucket with a bottle sticking out and two glasses, he could hear music playing softly in the back ground, Buck's smile was big now and he was having to hold back the tears, he then noticed the blankets and pillows laid on the ground.

"Eddie, this is perfect." Buck says

"Are you sure? I know it's not much, but I hope you like it." Eddie says.

Buck turns to Eddie and pulls him in for a hug, he feels Eddie holding him close and then they break the hug as they walk to the table where Eddie pulls out the chair for Buck to sit down in. Once he is sitting, Eddie picks up the bottle and pours a glass for Buck and himself, he passes Buck the glass and Buck looks at Eddie and smiles, Eddie sits down and faces him.

"When did you get this all sorted out?" Buck asks as he takes a sip, intuitively knowing it was champagne.

"Earlier, just finished the last touches while you were here, Christopher said he help distract you" Eddie says with a smile.

"He knows?" Buck blurts out as he accidentally dribbles some of the champagne.

"He does, he overheard me talking to Ana and I had make him promise not spoil the surprise, I knew we would have eaten, but I got some nibbles to eat if you get hungry." Eddie says

"Can't believe the sneaky kid, and you say me and him conspire." Buck chuckles.

"You know you both do, but I wouldn't have it any other way." Eddie explains

"I still can't believe you did this for me, no one has ever done anything like this" Buck says looking down at the admission.

Buck can feel the silence between him and starts to panic as Eddie has not replied to that statement.

"Well it's their loss, you deserve to be showered in love and affection. Evan you give so much to everyone, including me. It's about time you got some back." Eddie says looking at Buck.

"Thank you." Buck manages to get out trying to hold the sob of happiness that wants to get out.

Eddie gets up and heads to the door, all the while saying, "Just getting the nibbles, I'll be back." Eddie says.

"Okay. Terminator" Buck says smiling.

Buck could not believe the scene in front of him, he quickly jumps up and moves taking his phone out his pocket and quickly snaps a picture of the whole scene, the lights and table looked amazing in the photo. He quickly sat down and looked at the picture before he instantly sent it to Maddie with the caption 'The perfect date I've always wanted.' and smiles as he put his phone back in his pocket.

Eddie comes back and places some little bowls on the table filled with different nibbles and they smile at each other and spend the next hour talking about everything in life but avoiding the whole topic of them talking on the apps, Buck finally decides to ask.

"So, why didn't you say you actually liked guys?" Buck questions curiously.

"I could ask you the same, you know I'm not good with expressing myself." Eddie says

"Yeah, it just never came up if anyone had asked, I would have said." Buck chuckles.

"We are a pair aren't we?" Eddie laughs.

"That we are" Buck replies.

"So, how's the date living up to expectations? Again, I'm sorry it's not much." Eddie says

"Eddie, its perfect I'd rather have it like this, just us two right now than in a crowed restaurant or bar." Buck says smiling "But what's with the blankets and pillows?" Buck points to them.

"Ah, well you need change into something more comfortable." Eddie says

Buck looked at Eddie who had got up and moved over to Buck helping him up and ushering him towards the house.

"Your bag is in my room, so hurry up and wait in there until I come and get you." Eddie says smiling.

"Ermm… okay." Buck says totally confused.

He walks back in and heads to Eddie's room, he finds his bag on the bed he digs out his comfy clothes and changes. He then sits on the bed and waits, eventually there is a knock at the door.

"You can come in; you know you've seen a lot more of me in the locker room showers you know." Buck jokes.

"True, but this is more intimate than a locker room shower." Eddie laughs.

Buck goes to stand, and Eddie holds his hand up to signal to stay put and walks into the bathroom after about five minutes later, he walks out and is in his own comfy clothes.

"Come on." Eddie says holding out his hand to Buck

Buck takes the hand and allows himself to be led back to the yard, when they get there it had changed. The table, chair and candles had been moved, the bucket and glasses were now on the floor next to the blankets on the grass.

"What are we doing?" Buck asks curiously.

"Remember a few weeks back when we were talking at the firehouse and everyone was saying what they would like to do on a date?" Eddie asks

"Sort of." Buck says still he knew exactly what he said and how Hen, Chim and Bobby laughed and Eddie just smiled Buck had admitted he would love be on a date in the hills and sit looking up at the stars and explain to his date all the different constellations.

"You know full well what you said, but anyway I was thinking we could do part of what you want and then one night when I don't have Christopher we can take my truck to the hills and do it properly." Eddie says smiling

That was the last straw and Bucks will hold the tears in broke and he started crying.

"Buck, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry." Eddie says as he embraces him in a hug

"I'm not crying because I'm upset, I'm crying because I'm happy. Eddie this is perfect you didn't have to do it." Buck says holding him tight

"I wanted to show you how much I like you." Eddie replies.

"Well, you definitely done that." Buck says as he breaks the hug and wipes his tears away.

"Well let's lay down and you can explain the stars to me" Eddie says smiling

"One second." Buck says taking his phone out.

"What you are doing?" Eddie quizzes.

"Just taking a picture of this and sending it Maddie." Buck explains

Buck takes the picture and sends it to Maddie with the caption 'It just got amazing.'

"Really?" Eddie asks.

"Yes, really." Buck says grabbing Eddies hand as they lay down on the blankets looking up.

As they sit there looking up Buck can't help but smile, he didn't know how the date was going go but this was perfect, he hears his phone go off and picks it up and looks at the message and scoots over so he's closer to Eddie to show him the message.

'Maddie – 9:20pm – OMG that's beautiful, Chim best up his game if he got compete against that, tell Eddie he's done good, enjoy your night.'

"Impressing the sister that's a good start." Buck laughs as he screen locks the phone and sets it down.

", I know how close you two are, so I better to hadn't I?" Eddie smiles "So come on explain the stars to me." Eddie says as he moves so Buck can rest his head on Eddies shoulder.

They spend what seems like hours but only realistically two, Eddie listening to Buck explain the stars, Buck was enjoying himself. He loved feeling Eddie so close to him and the sound of his heartbeat in his ear. He soon realises this must come to an end, they have a shift tomorrow and Christopher has school.

"It's getting late I better head off." Buck says.

"Yeah, you do need sleep, but stay." Eddie says holding Buck in place.

"Huh." is Bucks only response his mouth could not form words

"It is late, and I rather you stay in case you have a bad dream, if you want you can share my bed." Eddie says.

"You want action on the first night Edmundo Diaz how rude" Buck jokes sitting up he watched as Eddie went bright red, he was messing with Eddie.

"No, I was just saying to stay in my bed so you aint on the couch I don't want action." Eddie says.

"Oh, so you don't want to have some action with me." Buck says loving how easy Eddie is to wind up.

"Yes, I do but not on the first night." Eddie says and Buck could see Eddie was flushed in the face.

"I'm messing with you, Eddie. I'd love stay, but nice to know you want to have some fun with me." Buck jokes. He must be joking about sharing the bed ill pull the couch out when I get in Buck thinks to himself

"Oh my god, you pig!" Eddie says laughingly.

"No need to shout. let us head in." Buck says with a smirk.

Buck starts to pick the blankets up and watches as Eddie blows out the candles and carries the empty bottle and glasses and they head inside, Buck places the blankets on the side and heads in to the front room and starts pulling at the couch to pull out the bed.

"What are you doing?" Eddie asks.

"Getting ready for bed. I thought you were joking about me sleeping in your bed" Buck replies

"Oh, I was not joking, I thought maybe you would maybe want share my bed, not to have fun but maybe a cuddle." Eddie says and Bucks see is the flush on his cheeks and smiles.

"You know what? yeah that be good, I do seem to sleep better when you're close to me don't I?" Buck says with a wink.

"What, hang on you were awake and didn't say anything?" Eddie quizzes

"Yeah, I woke up, but I didn't want to move. I was enjoying the moment, but it's nice to see you care about me so much." Buck says.

"I've always cared for you." Eddie says as he walks closer to Buck

"Same here, sorry it took us so long to actually get there." Buck says as he runs a hand up Eddies arm.

"Me too, but I think we have waited long enough for this." Eddie smiles as he leans in

Buck did not think this would happen. Maybe he is dreaming, but he feels the warmth of Eddie wrapping his hand round his waist and he leans in, their lips meet, and Buck feels the fireworks going off in his brain. He feels complete and knows Eddie is it for him, the kiss does not last long and as Eddie pulls away Buck feels a bit sad.

"Wow." Buck lets out and knows he has gone red.

"Wow indeed." Eddie says as he brushes his thumb over Buck's cheek.

Eddie holds his hand out for Buck to take hold of it, Buck lets his hand intertwine with Eddie's as he gets pulled to Eddie's bedroom. He smiles as he looks at the bed he is about to sleep in with the man he loves, he can't wait to do this forever, but he doesn't want to scare Eddie off, so keeps that bit to himself. He watches as Eddie heads into the bathroom and hears him getting ready for bed, he takes his phone out his pocket, he quickly unlocks it and sends a quick message to Maddie.

'It has been everything and more I'm so happy.'

He smiles as he turns his phone on to do not disturb and sets his alarm he knows they are both on the same shift tomorrow. So, it makes it easier on them to get up at the same time and he can cook breakfast. Eddie comes out the bathroom just in some PJ shorts, his upper body shirtless and Buck licks his lips.

"Calm down boy, this isn't for you. It is going get warm in here, I need fix the AC, it might be winter, but it still gets stuffy with just me in here. So, god knows how warm it will get with both of us in here." Eddie says with a grin.

"Oh right." Buck manages to say, hiding his redding cheeks as he slips into the bathroom.

He looks around and sees Eddie has got his spare toothbrush out ready for him and a pair of PJ shorts for him to wear out on the side, Buck smiles. He cannot believe this is happening he looks at himself in the mirror.

'how did I manage to get so lucky?' he thinks to himself.

After he brushes his teeth and changes into the PJ shorts noting there was not a shirt, so he walked out with one on

Eddie lets out a wolf whistle and Buck laughs.

"Now who need calm down? Someone didn't leave me a shirt." Buck says sticking his tongue out.

He looks up and notices the window is now open a bit and a nice cool breeze comes in he looks at Eddie who is sat on the left side of the bed which is also closest to the door, Buck uses this a hint and heads to the right side and climbs in and rests on his side facing the middle and watches as Eddie gets in too and faces him and smiles.

"Well, hello there." Eddie says with a grin

"Hello." Buck smiles back he knows this is cheesy, but Eddie is normally so hard break into a smile, so he goes with it.

"So, what brings you here?" Eddie asks mockingly.

"Well you know, I met a guy on a app, blew him off…" Buck starts and is interrupted by Eddie's snickers and he rolls his eyes before continuing "Then asks for a second chance which he does give me and you wouldn't believe who it was?" Buck finishes

"No, who was it? You are lucky that he gave you a second chance. I wouldn't have." Eddie said with a smirk.

"Well, it's a good thing that his friends talked him into it, but I got to say I'm happy how it all turned out." Buck says as he reaches up with his hand and strokes Eddie's face.

"Me too." Eddie says rubbing his fingers over Bucks cheek too.

"Well, as much as I would love spend the night gazing into those beautiful blue eyes we both have work." Eddie says.

"We do." Buck nods, smiling at the same time.

Eddie leans in closer and Buck can feel his heart stop at the thought of kissing Eddie again. He wills himself forward and the tension disappears as soon as their lips touch. It is not a long kiss, but it will do for now. Buck rolls over and closes his eyes.

"Night Eddie" Buck says with a smile.

"Night Buck." Eddie responds, and Buck feels Eddie rub his hand up and down Buck's arm.

He starts drifting off, finding it easier to sleep than normal knowing he was safe and next to the man he loved.