12 Chapter 12 Eddie POV
Eddie sat in the back of the Uber going over everything that had happened. It started off weird, but it ended so perfect. He knew he wanted to have Buck with him all the time, as his Uber pulled up, he jumped out and paid and headed in to quickly change and head to Abuela's. He had pick Christopher up at nine. He wished he had asked her to have him longer, simply just to spend more time with Buck. But he did not mind. He jumped in the truck and drove to hers, once he got there, he walked in all smiles.
"Edmundo, you're on time and what is with the smile?" she asks.
"I know I'm shocked too, but I had the best night last night." He says
"So, I'm guessing the date went well, then?" She asks
"Erm, you could say that." Eddie says with a big grin.
"Well, I only see that grin when I mention a certain fellow firefighter." Abuela says looking at Eddie, who shifted at the mention of said fellow firefighter.
"It might have been." Eddie says smiling.
"Edmundo Diaz, I am too old to be playing games spit it out" She says as she taps him on the shoulder.
"Ok" He says as he looks round seeing if Christopher was around "It was Buck, it's a long story. but were having another date later after I put Christopher to bed tonight." Eddie says smiling
"I'm so glad, but I didn't even know he liked men." She says
"Me either, anyway I best go get Christopher. I need go to the station, pick up my new phone and then head home lots to sort out." He chuckles.
He heads through the house and finds Christopher already to go.
"Ready?" he asks.
"Yeah." Christopher replies
Eddie picks him up and places him in the truck, he waves goodbye to Abuela as he drives off and heads to the fire station, he pulls up outside and sees Christopher pull his face in an annoyed look.
"I just need to pick something up and then we will go home, okay?" Eddie explains and Christopher nods.
Eddie gets out and helps Christopher out as they head into the station and towards his locker. He is thankful that both he and Buck have the combination to each other's locker locks, which makes it easier when they need leave things for Christopher or themselves. He opens the locker and sees the package and a bag of sweets with a note saying to Christopher enjoy these and I will see you later, Eddie's heart melts at how thoughtful Buck is. He heads back to his truck gets the phone out and sets it up and puts it on charge and hands Chris the sweets, before they drive off as he pulls up to a red light he quickly fires a text to Buck.
'9:55am I got my phone from the station thanks for putting it away safely, now I know who you really are, we can message properly, so still on for the date later? X'
Eddie smiles as he starts driving off and then his face turns sour as they hit traffic, he looks at his phone and no answer, after fifteen minutes of being stuck and no reply he was unhappy and he knew if Chris saw he would get called Mr Grumpy, the frown stayed until his phone started ringing and the biggest smile appeared.
"Well, hello there. I was getting worried when you didn't text me back." Eddie says
"It only been 15 minutes since you sent it and I just saw it not long ago as Maddie just left, I did try type but nothing I wrote sounded good so thought I'd call instead." Buck says
"Ah, yes Maddie. I'm guessing you told her." Eddie questioned knowing there was not anyway to avoid her knowing.
"Yeah, kind of hard not to you know" Buck chuckled
"Yeah, she can be scary when she wants to be." Eddie jokes.
"Yeah, 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 five pm and then we can get Christopher in bed for 8ish and then start are da" Buck starts but Eddie starts coughing fear of Christopher hearing as he was in the backseat.
"Yeah, we can sort out that problem with your jeep." Eddie quickly says.
"My jeep?" Buck questions and Eddie knows he most likely is confused and he turns to Christopher and nods so he can talk.
"Bucky, can we have pineapple on the pizza? Dad says we can't?" Christopher shouts and Eddie hopes Buck realises what he was on about.
"Oh, course Superman, we will have whatever toppings you want on your pizza. We will ignore your Dad." Buck laughs.
"Yay!" Christopher shouts.
"You two really need to stop ganging up on me." Eddie says, shaking his head trying not to laugh.
"Well, I'll think about it. Anyway, I'll leave you to it I'll see you both later." Buck says
"Bye, Bucky!" Christopher shouts.
"Bye, Superman, see ya later, Eddie." Buck says.
"See ya." Eddie says and hangs up
Eddie could not believe how close it was to everything coming out, not that he was ashamed of Buck he did not want to get Christopher's hopes up and then if it didn't work break his little heart. Also, he wanted 'this' to just be them for a while. Eddie sits in the traffic and hears his phone go off and looks and it is a message from Buck.
'10:25 – hey sorry, didn't realise you were with Christopher, hope I didn't drop us in it. Can't wait for later 😊 x'
He smiles at it and goes to send a reply, but the traffic starts moving so he puts it down and starts to drive again, just as he continues his other phone goes off he answers it and places it on the hands free system.
"So, how did the date with Buck go?" Ana says and Eddies heart stops and he looks in the rear-view mirror and can see Christopher smiling he had heard of course he did. He did not know what he was going do.
"Eddie, you there?" Ana asks
"Yeah, sorry. I'm in the truck with Christopher" He says almost pointedly.
"Oh." is all she says.
"Yeah, oh." Eddie chuckles
"Sorry, my bad." She says.
"It is okay you weren't to know, just means I have to chat to him when I get home, but it went good having another one later tonight." He explains.
"Oh, really?" She says
"Yeah, can I call you later when I have no little ears listening?" Eddie says chuckling.
"Of course, we'll talk later" Ana says as she hangs up
"Dad, you went on a date with Bucky? Does that mean your boyfriends and is he going live with us?" Christopher asks with the biggest smile on his face. Eddie loved the idea, but knew it was too soon for any kind of talk like that.
"Look Christopher, we will discuss this when we get home, but it's a secret okay? So, you can't tell anyone understand?" Eddie asks
"Why does it be a secret?" Christopher says with a big smile.
"I'll explain when we get home, but I need to pop to the shops to get some things for later okay?" Eddie says
Christopher smiles and nods, he drives to the shop and gets out and helps Christopher who also gets out, they wander into the shop. Once at the entrance, Eddie gets a basket and walks towards the flowers.
"Okay mijo, so which bunch shall I pick?" Eddie asks Christopher
Christopher looks over and spots the bunch of the brightest red of roses and points to them.
"Them." Christopher says.
"Good choice, buddy." Eddie says, and he also picks up a not so bright bunch.
"Why did you pick them, they aren't bright." Christopher questions
"Well, when we get back we are going pick the petals off so they're loose and I can scatter them." Eddie explains he did not know if Christopher understood but hopefully he would.
"Oh, like in the movies?" Christopher asks.
"Yeah, just like the movies." Eddie chuckles and they start walking round the shop, Eddie picking up some nibbles and snacks as well as a bottle of champagne.
He eventually ends up at the candle aisle and is looking at the candles confused what to pick and he looks down and Christopher shrugs, he was hoping Christopher could help, as they continue to hear a voice comes from behind.
"Can I help you there" The cashier asks
"My Dad's trying find candles for his date later." Christopher says with a smirk.
"Ah okay, so I'd say keep it simple, and go for the standard long candles and stand. She is a lucky lady and will love them and the roses too." The cashier says.
"It's not for a lady it's for his boyfriend." Christopher says giving her a stern look.
"Oh, sorry I didn't realise. either way they be the best ones go for." The cashier says and disappears
"Christopher what did I say?" Eddie says shaking his head.
"I know, but it's not like she knows who Buck is, is it?" Christopher says with a smirk.
"You've been hanging round with Buck too much. Maybe I need rethink this." Eddie chuckles.
Christopher pouts at him and Eddie just looks at him and thinks 'that's so a Buck pout.', Eddie picks the candles and some fairy lights and a table cloth and they head out once all paid and the truck is loaded and Christopher is strapped back in the seat, he feels his phone ringing he answers it.
"Hey TK." Eddie says.
"Hey, so how it go?" He asks.
"It went better than I first thought, got another one later tonight." Eddie chuckles.
"Don't slow down do you?" TK responds teasingly.
"Yeah. Well, now I know it is him. By the way, thanks for the heads up, we decided to do one we know each other would enjoy more the bar is not really for us." Eddie says
"Where would the fun in telling you who it was? I was just checking in as we're heading back, but I expect to be kept up to date." Tk says
"I will, we'll talk soon and thank you." Eddie says and hangs up.
He jumps in the truck and they start on their way home. He calls through a drive through to get some burgers for him and Christopher he knew he had to butter him up, ready for the talk later. As they pull into the driveway he looks at the clock. It was nearly 12:30pm where had the time gone? He got out the truck and helped Christopher out, who carried the burgers in, and Eddie carried the rest. He somehow manged open the front door without dropping a thing. He placed everything they brought on the kitchen bench and Christopher sat at the dining table unloading the burgers. Eddie took a deep breath and thought 'gee, this was going be fun.' but he knew Christopher loved Buck and Buck loved Christopher and if something bad did happen he knew Buck would be there. They sat and ate their burgers in silence. Eventually, they were done, Eddie decided to explain.
"So, Christopher, this date I had with Buck, are you okay with me and him going on a date?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah Dad, Buck loves you, you love Buck and you both love me." Christopher replies Eddie could not believe the response.
"Okay, you have to understand we don't want anyone knowing just yet. So, you must not say anything to anyone I know you will be excited but you have to let me and Buck do the telling, and don't say to Buck you know about it . I'll explain to him later understand?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah Dad, as long as I can help decorate." Christopher says with a grin.
"Of course, makes life easier, well first off here." Eddie says.
Eddie stands and gets the not so bright roses and places them and a bowl on the table.
"So, we are going peel the petals off like this…" and Eddie shows Christopher what to do, pulling the petals off the flowers.
"When they're off just place them in this bowl and put the stem to one side." Eddie explains "Be careful and watch out for any thorns. They may have missed some when they were cutting them off." He adds.
"Okay, Dad" Christopher says with a smile.
Eddie picks up the champagne and places it in the fridge at the back, so it is hidden and places some of the nibbles and snacks in bowls. He also puts them in the fridge. The rest that were left over were sealed and put away. he then started tidying the front room, vacuuming, and cleaning the room. He looked over and saw Christopher was sitting.
"You all done" Eddie says walking over.
"Yeah." Christopher says with a smile.
Eddie picked the bowl of flowers and placed it in the fridge to keep them fresh and binned the stems, he then got out the fairy lights.
"Well, looks like we need untangle these what do you say?" Eddie asks.
"Yeah." Christopher replies.
They spend some time working the tangles out every time Eddie managed get one out Christopher had placed another in it, in the end Eddie put Christopher on folding napkins, while he finished the lights. When he looked at the napkins, they were not folded neatly but he did not mind as he knew Buck wouldn't say a bad thing and if he did, he would say Christopher did them and Buck will be happy.
"Look at the time, its nearly two-thirty, I'm going quickly call Buck, so I need you to be quite okay?" Eddie says.
"Okay Dad." Christopher replies.
Eddie gets his phone and dials Buck.
"Hey, Eddie." Buck says.
"Hey, are you still on for five pm?" Eddie asks worried Buck might cancel.
"Yeah, going be the longest two and half hours ever, I've missed Christopher so much" Buck says
"Oh, you missed Christopher, but not me. I see how it is." Eddie chuckles jokingly.
"Well, I got to see you last night, I haven't seen Christopher yet. Anyway, what do I need to bring later?" Buck asks.
"Nothing. Just you, oh and a change of clothes." Eddie says with a grin.
"Why do I need a change of clothes?" Buck says and Eddie can hear laughter in the background and wonders where Buck is.
"Where are you?" Eddie asks curiously.
"I'm at Bobby's and Athena's. Athena just can't control herself." Buck explains and Eddie wonders if Buck has told them
"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
Eddie looks at his phone and smiles, he looks round he has a few bits to get sorted and ready for later. He walks back into the kitchen and picks up the lights.
"Okay Christopher, can you open the back door and you can help tell me where to hang these lights." Eddie smiles.
Christopher nods and heads down the hall to open the door for his Dad. As they entered the garden, Eddie looked around, trying to work out where he could put them and decided to put them around where the table was, directly above them. He could hang them from the roof to the tree, Christopher agreed and held one end while Eddie did the work, putting them up and making sure they stayed up. Once they had done that, he moved the table and chairs, so it looked okay and looked at Christopher.
"What do you think?" Eddie asks.
"It looks perfect to me." Christopher replies.
"Well, let's go get the tablecloth, napkins, candles and glasses and get them on the table ready for the night." Eddie says.
They walk down and Christopher picks up the mentioned materials and Eddie picked everything else up, and then when returned outside, they started arranging the table. It was ready after a few attempts because Christopher wasn't happy how Eddie kept putting it and instructed his Dad what to do until Christopher was happy with the final arrangement.
"Okay, let's go get the spare blankets and pillows?" Eddie says.
"Why, Dad?" Christopher quizzes, his face showing curiosity.
"Well, a few weeks ago Buck mentioned how he would like to go on a date up in the hills to look at the stars. Obviously, we can't do that tonight, but I thought he and I could sit in the garden and stargaze." Eddie explains
"Can I join?" Christopher asks
"Not this time, mijho. Remember it is our own date, with just the two of us. But, I tell you what. We will arrange a night and go into the hills together and do it as a surprise for Buck, what you say?" Eddie asks.
"Yes." Christopher says as he hugs his Dad. Eddie decides to sort the blankets out later.
"All right let us head back in, everything we can do out here is done, I need go and sort out a shower. It's getting later and he will be here soon." Eddie says, "When he comes here, you can't let on you know." Eddie adds
"I know Dad, I'll keep it secret, plus I can distract him for you." Christopher says.
"Good." Eddie replies.
They head in and Eddie puts Christopher in the living room to watch TV while he has a shower. He showers and makes sure he looks presentable and gets ready, once he is dressed he hears his phone ding, and looks at it. Of course, it was Buck.
'4:35pm I'm on my way see you soon x'
Eddie doubles checks himself in the mirror and hope he is looking okay. He grabs the blankets and pillows out the cupboard and places them on the side out of view. He walks down the hall, his hands all sweaty. He knows that his nerves are building. he sees Christopher on the sofa.
"How do I look?" Eddie asks nervously.
"Looking good Dad, but you didn't need dress up for Buck, he loves you as you are." Christopher says with a smile.
"Thanks, mijo." Eddie says smiling.
He starts pacing up and down. It is getting closer and closer and he knows Buck will arrive any time soon. He hears the familiar sound of the jeep pulling up and his nervousness increase. he does not know why, as it is just Buck. But he is not coming as a friend. He walks into the kitchen to grab a couple of beers and goes back to the table and places them down; he hears a knock and looks at Christopher.
"Go on, you can answer." Eddie says smiling and Christopher jumps up and heads to the door and opens it, Eddie takes a few deep breaths.
"Hey, buddy." Buck says with a grin.
"Buck, you came!" Christopher said and Eddie sees them hug, making him smile.
"Of course, I came. Why wouldn't I?" Buck asks
"I said he would do, didn't I?" Eddie says walking towards the door.
"I know Dad" Christopher said and gives his dad a wink.
Eddie could not believe how hot Buck looked all dressed up, he is really glad he had dressed up and showed Buck he was serious about this date.
"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.
Eddie walks down to his room, and places the bag on the side and moves some things round and grabs two pairs of pj shorts and places them in the bathroom ready, he then picks up the blankets and heads outside and sets them all up ready and smiles at the scene, he turns on the fairy lights and it looks magical so he takes a picture on his phone he wanted save this forever.
He walks back in the house and can hear Christopher and Buck talking he heads in his room, to sort things but also give them some time alone, he just hopes Christopher keeps quiet and doesn't say anything about the night, he eventually decides it time to head in and walks down the hall and is greeted by Buck and Christopher hugging.
"Am I interrupting?" Eddie asks as he walks into the front room
"Nope, just getting the gossip off Christopher. Hey Christopher, why don't you get some Legos from your room, so I can talk to your Dad?" Buck asks.
"Okay." Christopher 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 Eddie can see something is upsetting Buck and notices him clench his fists which was unlike Buck. "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 now concerned.
"Your god dam 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, there was 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 to tell you, as he knew you would be mad. But Eddie, I'm sorry you had to grow up like that around that kind of attitude." Buck said. Eddie could feel his anger building how dare they do that, especially after everything that was said. He really wanted to punch something; he doesn't see Buck get up. All he knows is he feels Buck grab his fists and then pulling him in to a hug and Eddie lets a sob out, realising his parents could have cost him Buck.
"I'm sorry, Buck." He says
"No. Don't be sorry, for its not your fault. The main thing is Christopher understands it's okay for two people who like each other to be together and to raise kids. He has seen it with Denny, but I do think a talk with you maybe tomorrow might be helpful." Buck says, he loved the fact Buck managed to explain it to Christopher, but he was still pissed with his parents.
"Thank you and you're right." Eddie says as they break the hug, hearing Christopher walk down the hall.
"What 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." Christopher says with a smile.
"You two sort that out and order the pizza I just need to make a phone call, okay?" Eddie says.
"That's fine take as long as you need. Just remember…" Buck says, and he sees Buck mouths keep calm.
Eddie nods and heads out to the back yard and fishes out his phone and dials his Mom,
"Edmundo, how unexpected is everything okay?" She asks
"No, not really." Eddie says, trying to restrain his anger.
"What's up?" She asks.
"Is Dad there too?" He asks, still angry.
"Yeah I'll put you on loudspeaker." She replies
"Hi son, is everything okay?" His dad asks
"Oh, drop the act that you care, Christopher told me about you pestering him if I have a girlfriend." Eddie says.
There's silence and then some rustling.
"We only wanted know what was going on, and you wouldn't give us straight answers" His Dad explains.
"I explained to you, but like normal you ignore me and pester my son, and what's this about saying two men raising a child is wrong?" Eddie snarls down the phone.
Again, there is silence down the phone.
"Yeah, you didn't realise he heard did you? You have no right no right at all to say that, I understand that is how you feel but I do not. I work with a woman who has a wife and two kids so how dare you say that, Buck had to explain to him that it's okay for either two men or two women to love each other and have kids." Eddie says raising his voice.
"It's unnatural and you know how we feel about it." His dad snarls down the phone.
"We just want what's best for you." His mother says.
"Well, here's some news for you. What is best for me is Buck, yes I love him, I went on a date with him yesterday and were having another tonight, so if you cannot except that. It's goodbye and don't call me until you can." Eddie snaps and hangs up.
He then started pacing round the yard trying to calm down, he could not believe the way his parents were he then heard his phone ring it was his mother, but he declined the call and again it rung.
"What?" Eddie snaps.
"We want to talk." His mother says.
"You have five minutes. I have a date to get to." Eddie says knowing if they want to start he will hang up straightaway.
"Edmundo Diaz, first off you shall show us respect we are your parents. We understand you maybe are having thoughts of you liking this man and it's because you're out there in that city, if you were here in Texas you wouldn't feel this way, we want you to come home, and if you won't we will seek legal action to get Christopher back here." His father says
That was it, Eddies anger hit all time high and he just hung up. He did not want to even speak; he turned his phone off and put it in his pocket. He wanted to enjoy his night; he would deal with what they said tomorrow. For now, he had a man he wanted to wine and dine, he spent a few minutes sorting himself out and once he knew he was calm he headed back in.
As he walks in, he catches the end of Buck and Christopher's conversation.
"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, it's nice to know you two are conspiring against me." Eddie says jokingly 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 Eddie enjoys the moment. It's always what he wanted; it is soon disturbed by the sound of the door. Eddie gets up and opens the door, he starts talking to the delivery guy he notices that the delivery guy is smiling and looking behind him so most likely at Buck. He says goodbye and the guy leaves. Eddie walks into the kitchen and places the pizza and sides down onto the bench and looks at how much there is.
"Pizzas up!" Eddie shouts.
"Yay!" Christopher says as he starts walking over and Eddie sees Buck pick him up.
As they approach Eddie shakes his head at Buck.
"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 lets a smile form.
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.
Eddie runs the bath and gets Christopher in he sits on the side as Christopher washes, trying give him as much independence that he can and if he needed him he was close by. Once he was all clean and dried and dressed in PJs they head to his room.
"Right, now I have a top-secret mission for you." Eddie says.
"What is it Dad?" Christopher asks
"I need you to distract Buck while I sort out the surprise you think you can do that" Eddie asks
"Of course, send the victim to me" Christopher says with an evil laugh
"We may need check what shows you're watching" Eddie says as he kisses Christopher on his forehead.
He walks down the hallway and sees Buck is cleaning up and smiles.
"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." Eddie laughs.
"Rude." Buck says as he playfully punches Eddies shoulder and he watches as he heads down the hall.
Eddie grabs a bucket from under the counter. He had borrowed it last year and forgot to take it back. He opened the freezer and took the bag of ice out and slowly filled it up, trying keep quiet. Once he was done, he got the bottle out and placed it in the bucket, he grabbed the bucket and then slowly crept past Christopher's room and to outside, where he set it all on the table. He then snuck back in and got the roses out the fridge and grabbed two pieces of paper which he writes a note on each one saying look down, and the other open when you are ready.
He grabs the petals, the note and the tape and grabs the bunch of roses he had hid and stopped outside Christopher's room and starts dropping the petals and tapes the note to the wall and he makes a loud sound he quickly runs down the hall.
"Everything okay?" Buck shouts.
"Yeah, it's all good. I took the rubbish out and it went everywhere." Eddie shouts back.
He walks back down and starts finishing throwing the petals to the backdoor. He tapes the note to the inside and starts walking through. Just as he hears Buck saying goodnight, he quickly closes the door and places the bowl on the ground to the side, presses play on the radio remote and quickly smartens himself up and holds the roses in his hand, he can feel the nerves as he sees Buck's shadow on the other side of the door and it's like time stands still until the door opens and he sees Bucks bright blue eyes.
"Hey." Eddie says
"Hey." Buck says knowing he is most likely red as the roses.
"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.
Eddie held his hand out and waits for Buck to take it, once he does, he pulls Buck and walks him round the garden hoping he had done enough, and that Buck liked what he had done. He watches Buck's smile. It now was so big, and he could see that he was having to hold back the tears, he then noticed Buck look at 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 and once Buck is under 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?" Buck asks as he takes a sip
"Earlier. I 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 dribbles the champagne in surprise.
"He does. He overheard me talking to Ana and I had made 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 he and I 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.
Eddie could not believe what he had just heard, had Buck never been shown any kind of love, Eddie swore he would show him affection and love.
"Well it's their loss, you deserve to be showered in love and affection. Evan, you give so much to everyone one 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 out.
Eddie gets up and heads to the door.
"Just getting the nibbles I'll be back." Eddie says.
"Okay terminator." Buck says smiling.
Eddie walks back into the house and heads to the fridge where he grabs the nibbles and as he walks past he checks on Christopher, who is out cold, and he smiles to himself.
He heads back outside and places the 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, Eddie didn't know what else to ask, since when did it get so hard to talk to his best friend now date?
"So, why did you never say you liked guys?" Buck questions.
"I could ask you the same, you know I'm not good with expressing myself." Eddie says, shaking his head.
"Yeah, it just never came up. If anyone had asked, I would have said so." 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 the two of us than 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 comfier." 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 get you." Eddie says smiling.
"Ermm… okay." Buck says totally confused.
Eddie watches as Buck heads in and stands in the garden looking round at the scene. He loves it and it seems to be going perfect. He moves the tables and chairs and moves the bucket and glasses next to the blankets he decides to head in as Buck has had enough time to get changed he walks up to his door and knocks.
"You can come in; you know you've seen a lot more of me in the showers you know." Buck jokes
"True, but this is more intimate than a locker room." Eddie laughs
Buck goes to stand, and Eddie holds his hand up signalling to stay put and walks into the bathroom picking his comfy clothes up as he heads in and changes and looks in the mirror trying keep the nerves down.
"Come on." Eddie says holding out his hand to Buck.
Buck takes the hand and allows himself to be led back to the yard, Eddie had to see his surprise that 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, giving an air of 'total innocence', but Eddie can see through it.
"You know full well what you said. 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.
As Eddie finishes, he is shocked when he see's Buck starting to cry and the panic of that he's ruined the whole night has set in.
"Buck, I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry." Eddie says as he pulls on Buck and 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." Buck says and he feels Bucks arm tighten around him.
"I wanted to show you how much I like you." Eddie replies.
"Well, you definitely did 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 are you are doing?" Eddie quizzes.
"Just taking a picture of this and sending it Maddie." Buck explains.
He watches as Buck takes a picture and he shakes his head.
"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 Eddie cannot help but smile, he didn't know how the date was going go today and was so nervous about it. But this was perfect, he hears Bucks phone go off and watches him picks it up and looks at the message and then he sees Buck scoot over and shows him the message.
'Maddie – 9:20pm – OMG that's beautiful, Chim better up his game if he got competition against that, tell Eddie he's done good, enjoy your night.'
"Impressing the sister, that's a good start." Buck laughs as and Eddie sees him lock the phone and place it down.
"Well 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 it was two, with Eddie listening to Buck explain the stars, Eddie was loving having Buck on his shoulder and just enjoying the whole thing of them been closer. He knew it was getting late, but he didn't want it to end, plus another side of him was worried for Buck in case he had a nightmare again. Eddie just wanted to keep him close so he had a thought.
"It's getting late I better head off." Buck says.
"Yeah, you need to sleep, but stay." Eddie says holding Buck not letting him move.
"Huh." is Bucks only response
"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 had not thought how that could sound to Buck.
"No, I was just saying to stay in my bed, so you aren't on the couch. I don't want action." Eddie says
"Oh, so you don't want to have some action with me." Buck says, Eddie knew he was messing with him, but still could not believe what Buck was saying.
"Yes, I do but not on the first night." Eddie says knowing he was going 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 too." Buck jokes.
"Oh my god, you pig!" Eddie says laughing.
"No need to shout, let's head back in." Buck says with a smirk.
Buck starts to pick the blankets up and watches as Eddie blew out the candles and carried the empty bottle and glasses and they head inside. Buck placed the blankets on the side and Eddie notices him head into the front room and heads in after him.
"What are you doing?" Eddie asks. Knowing they just agreed to Buck staying in his bed
"Getting ready for bed I thought you were joking about me sleeping in your bed." Buck replies.
"Oh, I thought maybe you would maybe want share my bed, not to have fun but maybe a cuddle." Eddie says he knows his cheeks are red but does not care.
"You know what yeah that'll 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 didn't want to move. I was enjoying the moment, but 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." 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.
Eddie was not planning on this happening tonight, but the moment feels right, and he wants to, he wraps his hands round Bucks waist and leans in. He feels Bucks lips press against his and he can feel the excitement and happiness taking over, he starts to feel like fireworks are going off in his mind. He is never felt like this before when he kissed someone it never felt like this with Shannon, he does not leave it too long and breaks the kiss.
"Wow." Buck lets out and knows he has gone red.
"Wow, indeed." Eddie says as he brushes his thumb over Bucks cheek.
Eddie holds his hand out for Buck to take hold of it, Buck lets his hand intertwine with Eddie's as Eddie pulls Buck towards his bedroom. He lets go of Buck's hand and heads in to the bathroom and starts getting ready. He had taken two pairs of PJ shorts in ready, he got undressed down to his boxers and slipped the PJs on and then brushed his teeth and headed out and noticed Buck staring and licking 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 says and Eddie catches the flush in his cheeks.
Eddie opens one of the windows to a ajar position as he knew it would get warm in the room. One of the downfalls of having good insulation. He then sits on the bed and makes sure his door is closed he wasn't sure which side Buck would want, but he knew Buck would understand him needing the side by the door, he waits for Buck to come out the bathroom he already knew Buck would be topless so it was payback time he thought to himself.
Eddie lets out a wolf whistle and Buck laughs.
"Now, who needs to calm down? Someone didn't leave me a shirt." Buck says sticking his tongue out.
He watches as Buck takes the right side and lays down and Eddie does the same on the other side.
"Well, hello there." Eddie says with a grin.
"Hello." Buck smiles back.
"So, what brings you here?" Eddie asks
"Well you know, met a guy on an app, blew him off.." Buck starts and is interrupted by Eddie's snickers and he rolls his eyes before continuing "Then asked for a second chance which he did give me, and you wouldn't believe who it was." Buck finishes, giving mock innocent eyes.
"No, who was it? you're lucky 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 and Eddie watches as Buck reaches up to stroke his cheek.
"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 tomorrow." Eddie says.
"We do." Buck smiles.
Eddie decides he needs to kiss Buck again, so he leans in and waits for Buck to meet him in the middle he didn't want to push Buck, but he's glad when he feels Bucks lip press against his again. It was not a long kiss, but it was perfect as they break he watches as Buck rolled over.
"Night, Eddie." Buck says with a smile.
"Night, Buck." Eddie responds, And Eddie runs his hand up and down Bucks arm.
He watches Buck for a while before he starts nodding off, knowing if Buck needed him he was close by and that he would not let anything bad happen to his boys.
