Archive of Our Own

Eddie walked around the vast space looking at each of the tables, noting the tags on each one.

He hadn’t spotted his yet, though he’d seen most of his teammates, all littered around at various tables. It would’ve been nice to be with some people he knew, but that wasn’t how the event was ran.

It was the annual firefighter’s ball, each of the local stations invited to attend. In order for everyone to get to know the other crews better, they were all placed randomly at tables, not one person from the same station placed together.

Eddie had only been with his team for a little under a year, him and Chris making the move to LA, no turning back. It was a fresh start—for both of them.

The 136 had easily become his new life, Eddie easily fitting right in. He wasn’t too close with his teammates, though they all got along. Lena was probably the one he was closest with, her no-nonsense demeanor admirable. She was a tough worker, Eddie too. Even so, the 136 didn’t quite feel like home. He couldn’t explain why, but there was just—something missing.

Finally spotting his name, Eddie looked around at the otherwise empty table. Taking off his brown coat, Eddie placed it around the chair matched with his nametag, pulling it out to take a seat.

He didn’t recognize any of the other names listed, Eddie not having met many of the other local firefighters. With Chris, he didn’t exactly have time to go out after shift and fraternize. In fact, tonight was one of the first that he was going out in some time, his abuela easily agreeing to watch Chris for the evening. Sure, he’d been on a few dates, all of them ending before they’d really began. Eddie wasn’t quite the hookup type, but he wasn’t sure he was the marrying kind of guy either; not anymore at least.

A few others eventually came to join, filling up the table around him, one seat left empty. The place became crowded as firefighters from all over the city sauntered in, greeting each other as they went. Eddie made small talk with the men and women in front of him, letting himself relax. He’d never been big on parties, this event being a little out of his comfort zone, but he was determined to make a life for himself there, and that meant he needed to get out more. Hell, maybe he’d even make some friends tonight.

Right before the fire chief took over the podium up front, their last table member joined them, all but knocking into the table with their long ass legs. Eddie looked up to see a head of blond curls as the man ducked his head down shyly.

“Hey guys, what’s up?”

As the man took his seat, their gazes met in an instant, a pair of ocean blues barreling right into him. There was a bashful smile that followed, Eddie unable to do anything but smile right back.

Their attention was turned back to the chief as they gave the opening speech for the night, welcoming everyone, Eddie having a difficult time keeping himself focused. Long legs was all but shaking the table with his bouncing knee, Eddie just catching sight of him swiping the back of his thumb over a blotchy birthmark above his left eye.

Eddie cleared his throat, willing himself to focus. What the hell was wrong with him?

Once the speech was finished, the first table was dismissed to get their food, Eddie knowing they wouldn’t be called on for a while since they were towards the back.

The blond was instantly chattering, asking how everyone was and what station they were from. He had a certain charm to him, everyone opening right up. The others all introduced themselves, Eddie trying to keep his attention focused, not getting distracted on those irresistible blues.

When it came around to him, Eddie introduced himself, holding the blonds gaze for as long as the other man did.

“So, how about you? What station are you from?” Eddie nodded to the guy’s nametag, waiting with all but baited breath for the man to introduce himself.

“Only the best station in town, the 118!”

A few of the others rolled their eyes, seeming to know what station the guy was from. Eddie had heard of the 118 himself, the crew always on the news, seeming to get the most intense of calls. Eddie had also heard about the rookie kid who’d used the firetruck in the past for—well, not appropriate things for work, the guy continuously making reckless decisions on calls.

“So, should we call you by your nickname or the ones all your conquests have given you?” Eddie looked up at one of the other firefighters’ questions, eyeing the blond carefully. He gave a chuckle, answering with, “just Buck is fine.”

An Asian man came sauntering up to their table right about then, grabbing the blond at the shoulder. “Ah, c’mon Buckaroo. Don’t you wanna tell your new friends all about firehose?”

It all hit Eddie at once then. The news stories, the gossip—they were all about the firefighter from the 118. Only thing was, his name wasn’t Buck. No, the reporters always used a different name, but for the life of him, Eddie couldn’t remember it. Almost absently, Buck reached out for his name card, crumbling it into his fist. Well, guess he wouldn’t be figuring out the guy’s real name anytime soon.

By the time they had their plates full and were sitting again, Eddie still couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Buck, and not because of his looks. No, the guy was quite literally shoving spoonful’s of everything into his mouth, Eddie unsure if he was disgusted or turned on; probably somewhere in between.

“So, Eddie, you’re at the 136 huh? What’s that like?”

At Buck’s question, Eddie paused, looking up to meet those blues once more.

“It’s good. I’ve been there almost a year now.”

Buck nodded, speaking around his next bite.

“What station were you at before?”

Well lets, see, he’d been getting shot down in a helicopter and discharged with a silver medal, only to come home to a kid he’d hardly met, and a wife that was done with both of them.

“I was a medic in the army. Thought I could use my talents elsewhere.”

There, that wasn’t a total lie.

Buck seemed impressed, looking Eddie over before speaking again.

“Badass. I tried out for the seals once.”

Something told Eddie the kid wasn’t cut out for the seals, and not because he was weak. There was a softness to the guy, something that was just beneath his cocky demeanor.

“We’re not all made to be machines,” was what Eddie decided on, Buck fixing him with a look. Bingo.

“Yea uh, firefighting’s more my style anyways,” Buck said with a wink and a flex of his muscles. Eddie found himself giving a fond eyeroll. He was in trouble with this one, wasn’t he?

Once all their plates had been cleared, the chief took the stand once more, announcing that there was dessert off to the side, the dance floor upfront cleared and ready to go.

While the rest of the table excused themselves for dancing, Buck sat there, Eddie too. He’d expected the guy to jump at the chance to mingle, especially with all the ladies. He’d heard about the guys ‘conquests’ one too many times, both through the news and the gossip chain.

“So, which one are you picking Buck?”

Buck looked to him wholly, those blues all but shimmering over.

“I’m more of a dessert guy myself.”

There was something mischievous about the way the guy said it, raising his brows playfully over to Eddie.

Alright, Eddie could play along.

“Shall we then?” Eddie asked with a raised brow, tilting his head toward the dessert table.

Buck frowned a little, almost pouting his lip out, Eddie finding it way too adorable.

Even so, Buck stood as Eddie did, the two making their way over to the dessert table. Eddie looked everything over, grabbing up an assortment as he went, watching as Buck did the same. As they came to the end of the table, Buck suddenly reached around him, arm brushing just over his lower stomach, Eddie inhaling deeply. As Buck pulled back, he had an enormous size of cake, those blues raking over him once more.

“What can I say? Cakes my favorite.” With a wink and a look toward Eddie’s ass, Buck made his way back over to their table, Eddie all but frozen in place. He busied himself with grabbing a few more desserts he had no intentions of eating, trying to calm his racing thoughts. As he came to the bottles of whipped cream, Eddie stopped, suddenly remembering Buck’s other nickname, the one his teammate must’ve been referring to.

Firehose.

Eddie all but dropped his plate, somehow managing to catch it before it could slip from his grip. He shook his head, righting himself. Nope. He was not going to be a silly little conquest for Firehose. Buck was charming sure, but Eddie didn’t need that in his life. He had a son, and a stable career now. He couldn’t let himself wander off into those charming blue eyes—could he?

Making his way back over to the table, Buck was eating his dessert in much the same fashion as before, shoving each larger-than-life bit in, winking over to Eddie while doing so. Eddie ignored the guy best he could, focusing on his own plate. Maybe a change of topic would help.

“So Buck, how long have you been with the 118?”

That seemed to get Buck’s attention, the guy quickly chewing down his bite and swallowing, Eddie watching as his adams apple bobbed up and down.

“Couple years now. I was sort of—traveling all over before I found the 118. But they took me right in and, well they’re family to me now.”

Family. That definitely wasn’t how Eddie would describe his teammates. Maybe he needed to give it some more time?

“How about you?” Buck asked. “Are you close with your teammates?”

Was the guy in his head or something?

“Um, I guess I wouldn’t really describe it like a family or anything, but we get along ok.”

Buck hummed at that, seeming to mule something over before speaking again.

“Bobby, my captain, he’s sort of become the guy I look up to. He keeps me in check but is also always there for me.”

Eddie could imagine Buck was a tough one to look after sometimes. He always did like a good challenge.

“And the Hen’s like my big sister Maddie.” Buck huffed out a laugh then. “Well, my sisters actually dating Chimney, you know the one that came by our table earlier?” Eddie nodded, remembering the guy who threatened to reveal all of Buck’s nicknames.

“Yea well, I guess we all kind of have our role, ya know? I didn’t really know where I was going until I found the 118.”

Eddie nodded in understanding. He wasn’t sure he’d found that in the 136 yet, but hopefully in time he would. The way Buck lit up about his teammates was truly something. They definitely had a bond, one Eddie could only wish to find.

“So, how do you feel about dancing, Diaz?”

Eddie looked from Buck to the dancefloor, brows raised high.

“Not really my thing, but I’m guessing you could find just about anyone out there to dance with you.”

“Maybe I don’t want to dance with just anyone.”

Eddie’s browns locked on those blues, Buck unwavering.

Fuck it. Once dance couldn’t hurt, right?

~

They made their way to the dancefloor, Buck reaching for Eddie’s hand at one point, tugging him along. It was a simple hold, but Eddie felt himself pulling toward the other man, their hands fitting perfectly together.

Thankfully, the dancefloor was crowded with several other firefighters, the lights dimmed, Eddie feeling a little less nervous. Buck danced around him a bit, Eddie eyeing him carefully. When Buck eventually reached for his hand, Eddie took it, letting Buck pull him in close before Eddie was spun around, Buck dipping him down low. It was dizzying, and not for the fast movements.

It suddenly felt like they were the only two out there, Eddie completely entranced with every move Buck made, those blues of his never wavering too far.

At one point, Buck spun Eddie around before reeling him in close, the two all but sharing one breath, their faces mere inches apart. The song changed then, breaking the moment, the two of them slowly pulling apart. Eddie looked anywhere but Buck, spotting a set of stairs to the left, motioning over to them.

He didn’t say anything as he made his way toward the stairwell, not trusting his voice not to betray him; he wasn’t surprised when Buck followed behind him. He had to give it to the guy—he was nothing if not determined.

Eddie took a few steps up before stopping somewhere in the middle, Buck coming to a halt just below him, putting them at almost the same height. The party carried on below them, the music loud, dancefloor buzzing.

He couldn’t say when Buck had boxed him in, only that Eddie’s back was suddenly against the wall, the other man completely surrounding him, Eddie lost in a sea of blue.  

Eddie could push Buck away, could leave the party now and never see the guy again. It was what he should do, but he didn’t want to. One night of lingering looks and wandering hands couldn’t hurt, right?

Placing his hands on either side of Buck’s hips, Eddie pulled the man to him, closing the gap between them. Buck let out a sharp breath, Eddie knowing he’d caught the man off guard.

Those blues hovered right in front of him, Buck appearing nervous for the first time that night, licking at his lips, almost hesitating. Eddie couldn’t have that.

He surged forward, all but slamming his lips into Buck’s, the other man letting a moan slip right into Eddie’s waiting mouth. It was sinful, Eddie swallowing it right down, tangling his tongue with Bucks’.

Thankfully, it was darker up here, the stairwell off to the side, and not in the direct view of any of their fellow firefighters, Eddie taking his full of Buck, no longer denying the desire he’d been feeling all night.

Buck pushed a leg between his, Eddie feeling their hard-ons brushing together, groaning into Buck’s mouth for the sensation. They pushed and pulled at each other, Eddie not knowing where he began and Buck ended, the two all but tangled into the other. He found himself pulling away from those plump lips in favor of kissing across Buck’s jaw and over his neck. Buck tilted his head back to allow for more access, Eddie kissing a line up his throat and over his adams apple, sucking at the skin there.

Using the hand that wasn’t gripping Buck’s waist, Eddie placed his other hand behind Buck’s head, dragging the man back toward him. He crept his lips up to Buck’s ear, nibbling a little on the sensitive skin there, Buck reacting to his every touch. He lowered his voice to a whisper, pulling Buck’s ear down to his mouth.

“Take me to your bed right now.”

There was almost a choked off sound before Buck was answering, with a “fuck,” not wasting anytime as he grabbed up Eddie’s hand, practically dragging him down the stairwell and out the front doors, the others all but a blur as they passed.

The cool winter air hit his face as they stepped out, Eddie still lost on the heat of Buck pressed up against him. He heard the beeping of a car unlocking, looking to see Buck walking towards a jeep.

“Follow me?”

Eddie found himself nodding in an instant, pointing over toward his truck. He’d never buckled and started his engine so fast, Eddie right behind Buck as the man pulled out into traffic. Thankfully, Buck didn’t live too far from the event, Eddie following behind him into the apartment parking lot. He thought that maybe on the way over he’d talk himself out of going and just drive back home, but there was something about Buck. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye, let alone good night.

By the time Eddie parked and hopped out, Buck was already halfway up the stairs, Eddie eagerly jogging to catch up. Buck left the door open, Eddie stepping into what he now saw was a loft. Hands were on him in an instant, the door closing behind him as Buck pushed him up against it, pressing their bodies together once more. Hungry lips were all over him, Buck’s hands roaming. Eddie let the man have his way for a moment before placing a hand to Buck’s chest, pushing back a bit, stilling them both.

“I thought,” Eddie started, a little breathless. “I thought I said to take me to your bed.”

A bit of shock passed over Buck’s face before he got with the program, winking over to Eddie.

“As you wish Diaz.”

Eddie got absolutely no warning before Buck was hoisting him up and over his shoulders into the fireman’s carry, Eddie completely turned on for someone who held equal strength as him. Buck carried him all the way up the stairs, Eddie letting himself relax into the hold, Buck playfully throwing him onto the bed. He watched idly as Buck untucked his button up before sliding it down his arms, revealing a toned and muscular chest, one that was etched with multiple tattoos.

Eddie beckoned to him, Buck crawling over Eddie, those blue eyes looking right down to him, glowing in the light of the moon. It was dark in Buck’s place except for the light creeping through the vast glass windows, Eddie letting it set the mood.

Buck’s lips found his again, their clothed dicks rubbing together as Buck rutted against him. It was almost too much and yet not nearly enough at the same time, Eddie already mad with the way Buck wholly consumed him.

Grabbing Buck at the hips, he switched their positions so that he was hovering over him, looking down to those blues.

“What do you want?” Buck’s words were almost pleading, Eddie ready to answer with, everything.

“Well, let’s see what this firehose is all about.”

Buck’s face flushed so red that Eddie could see it even with their limited lighting. That was when Eddie knew he had the man. Buck was his. At least for the night.

Buck’s hands slid to the hem of his t-shirt, tugging at it, Eddie taking the hint and pulling it over his head. Hands were instantly on his muscles, Buck seeming mesmerized. Eddie wasn’t one to brag or anything, but he had worked hard on his body. It was nice to be admired every now and again.

Eddie crawled off Buck then, the man pouting out his lip. Unable to resist, Eddie bent to place a kiss to those pouty lips, willing Buck to be patient.

He trailed his fingers up Buck’s legs, brushing the back of one over where Buck was hardening in his pants, the man squirming beneath his touch. Sliding his hands up further, Eddie unbuckled Buck’s belt before popping his pants button open, slowly zipping him down. Those blues were honed in on his every movement, Eddie deliberately taking his time. He wanted this to last. It was a hookup sure, but Eddie was in no rush, and he could tell that Buck wasn’t either.

Buck lifted his hips as Eddie began to drag his pants down, leaving him in just his boxers. There was already a large wet spot on them, Eddie inhaling sharply. “Fuck, you’re already so wet.”

Buck raised his brows playfully. “They don’t call me firehose for nothing.”

Eddie’s own pants were becoming unbearably tight all of a sudden, Eddie making quick work of taking them off and throwing them to the side before rejoining Buck on the bed. Giving a roll of his hips, Eddie kissed Buck fervently, the two of them groaning into one another now that there were less barriers between them.

Their bare chests brushed together, relaxed muscles grazing one another. Eddie couldn’t help but to kiss back down Buck’s throat, moving across to his chest and sucking each of his nipples. He loved how responsive Buck was, the man pushing into his every touch, sighing with pleasure. His lips lingered over warm skin, tongue darting out over his happy trail, dipping just under his waistband. It had been a while since Eddie had been with anyone, and he’d never gotten very far with men before.

Almost as if sensing his hesitation, Buck sat up, ducking his head so he could meet Eddie’s gaze.

“Hey, we-we don’t have to do anything if you don’t—”

Eddie shook his head. “I want Buck. God, do I want you.”

He’d feared he’d revealed too much of himself, though Buck simply gave a shy smile, almost like he’d been wanting to say the same thing.

“C’mere.”

Buck pulled Eddie to him so he was sitting over Buck’s lap, the position favorable for several reasons. When Eddie became too distracted with Buck’s wandering lips, he was suddenly pushed down to the bed, Buck eyeing him carefully before reaching an arm out to his nightstand, grabbing out a bottle of lube, a condom thrown to the mattress.

It was enough to make Eddie squirm, anticipation settling in. Buck’s lips found his again before slowly making their way down his body, making sure to pay extra attention to every part of his exposed skin. When Buck’s hands slipped under his waistband, Eddie lifted his hips off the bed to help, sighing with relief once his cock was free.

“Damn Diaz. We’re gonna have to do this again.”

Buck already wanted to do this again and they hadn’t even gone all the way yet?

Before Eddie could question why, Buck’s lips were sucking him down, Eddie gasping for it. Buck’s tongue licked up his length before swirling over the head, Eddie becoming dizzy for it. Apparently, Buck was quite skilled in this department, taking Eddie all the way to the back of his throat without so much as a sound.

There was a sinful pop sound as Buck finally pulled off of him, Eddie all but spent.

“Next time, I want you inside me.”

“Think there’s gonna be a next time, huh?”

Something flashed across Buck’s face then, something like abandonment, Eddie reaching to him in an instant.

“Next time, I get to swallow you down.”

That got Buck’s attention, the man brought back to the present, grabbing the lube and slicking up his fingers. A pillow was placed under his back, Buck lifting one of his legs to place over his shoulder. Eddie let himself be spread wide, wincing a little for the first brush of Buck’s finger over his hole.

“Shh, I’ve got you.”

Buck was tender, gentle even, taking his time.

It was unlike any of the stories he’d heard of the man who liked it quick and rough. A real adrenaline junkie if you will. The Buck in front of him though, he was soft, looking like he’d revealed too much of himself in some moments before quickly righting himself. Eddie instantly hated whoever made the guy doubt himself. It was obvious he was a damn good firefighter, and he seemed to genuinely care about people, especially Eddie at the moment.

Buck had worked his way up to two fingers, scissoring them back and forth inside of him. Eddie felt completely overwhelmed in the best way, those frisky lips meeting his as Buck curled a finger right over his prostate, Eddie moaning into their next kiss. Buck flicked his sensitive nub a few more times before pushing in a third finger, stretching him wide.

“That feel good?”

Eddie nodded, gasping when Buck rubbed over his prostate a few times in succession.

“Too-too good. Keep doing that and I’m gonna—”

Buck rubbed over his prostate one last time before pulling out entirely, leaving Eddie feeling open and empty.

“As hot as it would be to make you come on my fingers, I think we had other ideas.” Buck winked down to him before crawling off the bed and pulling his boxers down, Eddie finally getting his first look at Mr. Firehose himself. Fuck. The rumors were true, if not a little downplayed.

Eddie was no slouch himself, but Buck was—well there was a lot of him.

Buck made his way back to Eddie’s lap, rubbing his dick over Eddie’s a few times, the sensation so good Eddie could’ve come from it alone. Eddie reached to take Buck’s hardening cock in hand, stroking him until he was fully filled out, Buck’s eyes locked on his movements.

They looked over to the condom at the same time, Buck a little breathless as he spoke, moving to reach for something besides the foil package.

A phone was suddenly in Buck’s hands, the guy looking nervous once more.

“I uh, I know this might be hard to believe, but I haven’t been with anyone for a while, and I’m clean and—here, I’ll just show you.”

The bright light was a little much with all the darkness they’d been submerged in, Eddie’s eyes taking a moment to adjust. On the screen was a picture of Buck’s health records, giving him the all clear. And—oh.

Eddie suddenly got with the program, pushing Buck’s phone out of his face.

“I’m clean too, but I don’t have a copy of them or anything, so we can—”

“I trust you.”

Eddie looked up to meet those blues, ones that were all but burning with passion, Eddie ready to dive right in.

“Ok, then give me the full firehose experience.”

That got Buck moving, the phone and condom tossed haphazardly somewhere.

Buck shuffled around a bit before scratching at the back of his head, suddenly seeming nervous.

“Uh, how-how do you want to do this?”

Eddie should say from behind. It was sometimes more comfortable at first, and facing each other was much more intimate, something that wasn’t really wanted for a simple hookup.

“I wanna see you.”

It wasn’t what he should’ve said, but it seemed to be the right answer, Buck’s face lighting up in an instant.

Removing the pillow from behind him, Buck slotted himself over Eddie once more. Eddie pulled his legs up, all but bending himself in half, nodding his head to Buck. Slowly, Buck inched toward him, stopping just before his entrance. Warm lips met his, Buck’s tongue slipping in and tangling with his. Eddie leaned his head off the bed to deepen the kiss, grabbing Buck at the hips.

The first press of Buck against his hole had him clenching, Buck’s thumbs rubbing soothingly over where they were pressed at his sides.

“Relax babe, I got you.”

The pet name seemed to slip out, though it did the trick, Eddie relaxing, Buck sliding inside of him. Buck took his time, pressing in one inch at a time, careful not to go too fast and hurt Eddie. When Buck was fully seated, they both breathed out a sigh of contempt, the two taking a moment before going any further.

Eddie dug his fingers in a little to Buck’s sides, those blues looking down to him.

“Buck.”

“Yea?”

He squeezed Buck’s hips this time, shifting himself in succession.

“Please move.”

“Uh yea, yea ok.”

Buck got with the program then, blanketing Eddie as he finally began to shift inside of him, achingly slow. Buck’s lips came over his, tongue slipping right in. Buck stirred his hips in large circles, licking into Eddie while doing so. Eddie lifted off the bed to meet his thrust, picking up the pace.

While he never wanted this to end, he’d been leaking and achingly hard for the last hour now, his dick all but throbbing on his stomach.

Buck’s hands came over his shoulders, fingers digging in as his thrusts became rougher. Buck pulled all the way out before slamming back in, leaving Eddie empty before filling him right back up.

Eddie was dripping pre-come over himself, his dick trapped between them.

“T-touch me,” Eddie all but pleaded, Buck finally taking pity on him.

Those thick fingers wrapped around his cock, Buck stroking up and down his length in time with their movements. Buck’s thumb swiped over his hole just as he angled himself to hit Eddie’s prostate, the sensation overwhelming Eddie, causing him to moan Buck’s name aloud. It only seemed to stir him on, Buck not stopping his relentless pace.

Buck threw his head back at one point, loosening his grip on Eddie.

“Fuck you feel so good. So tight and warm.”

Eddie reached to pull Buck in, suddenly needing him closer. Even though he was right there, inside of him, hands all over, Eddie couldn’t seem to get enough.

Their breathing was too erratic to actually kiss, but they stayed close like that, those blues all but piercing through him. Eddie’s dick caught friction between their chests, his orgasm skyrocketing through him as Buck hit his prostate over and over again, breathing chaotic.

Buck pushed up off him then, rubbing his hand over Eddie’s oversensitive dick, panting out.

“Look at me Buck. Wanna see you.”

As soon as those blues caught his browns, Buck spilled into him, Eddie finally understanding the firehose nickname. Buck pulsed inside of him, spilling out over and over, his come leaking out of Eddie’s hole even with the man still inside of him. He’d never felt so filled in his entire life, Eddie completely spent, Buck seeming unwilling to move either.

When Buck eventually softened and slipped out of him, the younger man all but whimpered, Eddie missing their close proximity as well. Buck reached for his shirt on the floor, first wiping up Eddie’s chest, then parting his legs to gently rub over his sensitive hole. Eddie didn’t think any amount of wiping was going to get all of Buck’s come off of him, and weirdly, he was ok with that. Buck filling him up had been a little overwhelming, sure, but Eddie wasn’t sure he would’ve survived it if Buck had been wearing a condom. To feel the man’s release slipping through him, filling him up so wholly that it seeped out of him. Eddie shivered for the thought, Buck taking that as him being cold, blanketing his body over him once more.

Buck molded into him, burying his head in the space between Eddie’s neck and shoulder, settling. Eddie couldn’t help but to let his hands run through Buck’s curls, the ones that were now sweaty, but free of the harsh gel.

Buck pushed into his touch, his breaths quickly evening out, Eddie letting himself drift off to his soft sleep sounds, loving the weight of the other man thrown over him.

The sex had been so good, unlike any Eddie had ever had. He certainly wouldn’t be forgetting it anytime soon, especially not the man who had taken him apart. When he woke hours later, he could still feel the rush, the high that Buck was, the man still pressed up against him, completely sated.

Eddie hated that he had to say goodbye, but he couldn’t stay. Buck wasn’t his to keep. As for all Eddie had heard around the station, Buck wasn’t anyone’s.

~

So, Eddie had done a stupid thing.

Instead of just leaving Buck sleeping all adorably, and committing the image to memory, Eddie found himself scrawling out a note. It was just a few numbers and his name, but he’d known what he was doing. He should’ve never lead Buck on, never let him think that he was ok with casual.

Even so, Eddie found himself showing up to Buck’s place a week later, after several flirty and borderline inappropriate texts, falling right into him. Just as they’d promised, Eddie opened Buck up, making sure to swallow him down at the same time, just so he could hear all those sweet sounds the man made just for him.

Once was ok, twice even—three times was a pattern.

Eddie knew what he was doing, knew how Buck made him feel. Still, he let himself want, take.

There was one time, after a few weeks in, that they took things a little slower, almost as if they were making love instead of just fuck buddies, Buck curling right up to him after, the two laying their running hands through each other’s hair, tracing delicate patterns over the others skin. Eddie had wanted to ask Buck to be his. Something along the lines of, ‘if I called you mine, would you call me yours?’

He couldn’t let himself say the words aloud though. No matter how well Buck fit into his arms, how their fingers perfectly slotted into place, or their eyes locked on the other, Eddie couldn’t let himself want.

“So, whata you do when you’re not working, or uh, doing me?” Buck added the last part with a sly wink, Eddie rolling his eyes fondly.

They were sprawled on Buck’s couch, never having made it to his bed this time around. They’d jerked each other off, finishing with a couple blow jobs, swallowing each other down so they didn’t have to deal with any cleanup.

How was Eddie to answer that? Besides his job, his life completely revolved around his son. Somehow telling Buck about that made things too real. They were already crossing some sort of invisible boundary; that Eddie was sure of.

“I should get going.”

It was late, Eddie knowing he had a shift early in the morning, wanting to make sure he saw Chris before he had to go in.

“Or, we could take things upstairs?”

Buck pulled in his lower lip, ducking his head away. It was something Eddie had seen him do whenever he felt like he was asking for something he couldn’t have, or revealing too much of himself. Eddie let his eyes wander up the stairs, then back down to the man in his arms, contemplating.

This was the problem, why he couldn’t have Buck. He shouldn’t be considering sleeping with a guy when his kid was at home, waiting for his dad to tuck him in, the only parent he had left.

Eddie lifted his head to place a kiss over Buck’s blotchy mark, the man leaning into his touch.

“Can’t tonight.”

Without even looking, Eddie could see the frown creasing Buck’s face, the man’s lower lip pouting out. Eddie had made a lot of difficult decisions in his life, some that haunted him even to this day. Leaving Buck there on the couch, alone, definitely made that list.

Eddie didn’t let himself look back as he went out the door; he knew he’d never leave again.

Instead, he’d trudged to his old truck, starting it up and driving away. When he left Buck’s that day, he never knew it’d be for the last time.

~

A few days passed, Eddie easily keeping up their conversation over text, Eddie all but inviting himself to Buck’s a few days later. He’d be off shift soon, his abuela insisting on keeping Chris the full day so that Eddie could get some rest. If his ‘rest’ included getting off with Buck buried deep inside him, well, that would just be for him to know.

Eddie texted to let Buck know he was going to be heading over soon, even throwing in a winky face. He got back an obscene amount of emojis in turn, several of them eggplants—whatever that meant. It did seem to be Buck’s favorite emoji, especially concerning Eddie, well that and the peach.

He stopped by his place long enough to shower, ready to head out his door when his phone rang. Seeing his tia Peppa’s name caused Eddie to frown. Not that he didn’t love talking to her, but it was odd for her to call so out of the blue.

When Eddie answered, he immediately knew something was wrong. Apparently, his abuela had taken a nasty fall when trying to call Chris in from outside, fracturing her hip. Eddie instantly felt guilty. He’d been on his way to Buck, his—well whatever Buck was, when instead he should’ve gone to pick up his son. His tia tutted over the phone, telling Eddie something about him needing to make different arrangements, and that his abuela really wasn’t up to taking care of Chris.

Yes, he knew this, but he didn’t exactly have many options. Any time he tried to apply for home healthcare he instantly became overwhelmed; they were worse than the V.A.

Eddie quickly changed his course of plan in his head, grabbing up his keys and taking off for the hospital. When he got there, he found his tia, the woman telling him that his abuela was resting. Chris was charming the nursing staff, Eddie going over to pull him into his arms, hugging his kid tightly.

They stayed until they could see his abuela, Eddie entertaining Chris with I-spy and snacks from the vending machine. His abuela was going to make a full recovery thankfully, but it was going to take some time. Eddie felt awful, apologizing to her repeatedly, the woman waving him off. He should’ve been there—Chris should’ve been with him. Instead, he’d been on his way to see—shit.

It'd been several hours since Eddie had told Buck he’d be over. He hadn’t checked his phone since, picking it up now to see a series of missed texts from Buck. The first few were more emojis and a waiting meme, the more recent seeming more worried, asking where he was. Eddie read the last one over, feeling guilty for the second time that day. Buck: just tell me you’re ok.

Eddie didn’t know how to deal with any of it, shoving his phone back into his pocket. He and Chris stayed for a while longer at the hospital until visiting hours were over, Chris fast asleep in his arms.

By the time they got home and he’d woken up Chris long enough to eat dinner and take a bath, Eddie was completely exhausted, picking his phone up, only to be haunted by Buck’s words once again.

Just tell me you’re ok.

Eddie knew what he had to say, what needed to be done. He just wasn’t sure he could bring himself to type out the words.

After typing out a million words, none of them doing just, Eddie finally settled on the simplest ones, the words that would let Buck down gently.

Eddie: ‘I’m ok. We just—I can’t do this anymore, Buck. Sorry’

It wasn’t much, and far from what Eddie actually wanted to say, but they would have to do. He had to let Buck go.

Pressing send, Eddie waited until they delivered before locking his phone, a call from Buck coming in right after. They’d never talked on the phone before, never crossed that invisible line. Eddie knew if he did so now, there’d be no going back. He sent Buck to voicemail, even going so far as to turn off his phone. He couldn’t risk answering one of Buck’s texts or calls; didn’t deserve to.

For about the next week, Buck tried on and off, Eddie ignoring each and every one of his attempts. Thankfully his Tia had agreed to watch Chris for the time being, the woman having some time off work, not minding hanging out with her great nephew. Eddie needed to find more permanent care; he just wasn’t sure how to. 

His captain approached him one morning, Eddie suddenly thinking of everything he’d ever done wrong in his life.

“Diaz, you’re names’ on the list for extra assignments. You still up for that?”

Eddie nodded his head. He could really use the money. It would help with whatever childcare he was no doubt going to have to put out for.

“Yes. What’d you have in mind Cap?”

“Well, one of the guys at station 118 is out of commission for a few weeks, so they need some coverage. I told Captain Nash we could lend you out for some overtime work. How does that sound?”

The 118? This had to be a joke, right?

Eddie scratched at his head, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

“Uh, who was injured? I mean, just out of curiosity,” Eddie quickly added, his captain thankfully not taking the question as odd.

“I believe it was Smith, Logan. Good guy.”

Eddie couldn’t help but to let a sigh of relief pass his lips. He was grateful Buck wasn’t injured in any way, though that meant he’d probably be seeing the man again after practically ghosting him. All Eddie could do was pray they didn’t have the same shift, though he was sure he wouldn’t get that lucky. Not that he believed in the universe being against him or anything, but that was just how things went for him. Every time he felt like he was a few steps up, something happened to remind him where he truly lied.

“Oh ok. Well, I’m happy to help wherever Cap.”

“Great. You can head over there now then since you’re shifts done here for the day. Captain Nash can direct you from there.”

With that, his captain walked away, leaving Eddie stood there, frozen in place. He wanted Eddie to go there now?

What would he even say to Buck if he saw the man?  Hey, remember how we used to casually hook up but then I got too attached and my abuela fell and broke her hip and then I felt guilty so I just cut you out of my life? Here hold this guy’s head so I can assess them.’

Yea, he didn’t think any of that was going to go over well.

Shaking his head out, Eddie made his way to his truck. He typed in the coordinates for the 118, pulling his truck out into traffic. His left knee bounced up and down with nervousness, the sight reminding him of the night he’d met Buck, the guy all but shaking the table down.

When he pulled up in front of the 118, Eddie exhaled, taking it all in. Whether Buck was on shift or not, Eddie had a job to do, one he was pretty damn good at if he did say so himself.

Stepping out and through the vast bay doors, Eddie felt a sense of belonging; he’d never felt that at the 136.

He looked around the station, the place looking much like his own, yet completely different at the same time.

“You must be Diaz.”

A salt and pepper man came to a halt in front of him, Eddie extending his hand in greeting.

“Eddie is fine. It’s good to officially meet you, Captain Nash. I’ve heard a lot about the 118.”

The Captain gave a little chuckle at that. “Yes, I can imagine. Call my Bobby by the way. Let me show you around the place son.”

In the two minutes he’d been inside the 118, he already felt more welcomed than he ever had at the 136. It wasn’t that Captain Cooper hadn’t been welcoming, but Bobby had this demeanor about him, one that was both loving and commanding, Eddie already hoping to be more like the man one day.

Bobby gave him a quick tour, showing off the engines, bunk room, and kitchen, taking him back downstairs to the lockers.

“Let me introduce you to the rest of the team.”

A woman with round glasses came walking up then, her smile lighting up the whole room.

“I’m Hen. Bobby tells us you have a silver star?”

Eddie ducked his head a little at that, not really liking to talk about those days.

When he looked back up, the guy from the party was there, the one that had threatened to expose Buck’s nicknames.

“Eddie, good to meet you. I’m Howard, but you can call me Chimney.”

That was an odd choice for a nickname, but then again so was Buck, so who was Eddie to judge?

“You were at the party that night. At Buck’s table, right?”

Eddie nodded his head, unable to find words to answer. Much to his delight, there’d been no mops of blond curls yet, Eddie breathing a sigh of relief.

Bobby led him toward the locker room then, showing him which one he could take, handing out a LAFD shirt with the 118 on it for him to change into.

With his back turned, Eddie hadn’t seen him approach, but the voice was unmistakable. He’d heard it late into the night, whispering into his ear, giggling just above him, becoming raspy after hours of moaning Eddie’s name aloud.

“What do we need him for?”

Buck’s tone was short, irritation laced within it. Eddie didn’t blame the guy, but it hurt all the same.

When he could no longer busy himself with straightening his uniform, Eddie finally turned around, those blues meeting his in an instant, looking icy and cold.

Eddie gave a clipped smile, Buck quickly turning away from him as he stepped toward the group.

“Eddie, this is the last of our crew, Buck.”

When Buck didn’t say anything or make any attempts to greet him, Eddie answered with, “yea, we uh, we met at the party.”

Thankfully, the bell sounded then, Buck darting off, Eddie following behind the others. When he hopped into the engine, the only available seat was next to Buck. Of course.

Buck tucked his long ass legs as far away from Eddie as he could, refusing to meet him. He made small talk with Hen and Chimney, the engine thankfully arriving on scene shortly after. The work kept him busy, Eddie thankful for the distraction. Buck only interacting with him when absolutely necessary, bristling past him otherwise.

Eddie could only imagine how long his week here was going to be, Buck ignoring him, Eddie not having the faintest idea how to fix it.

Whether it was the universe giving him a break or not, Eddie wasn’t sure, but they didn’t get any downtime between calls, moving on from one to the next. While it was exhausting, it also kept him from that awkward downtime that would inevitably lead to someone asking about him and Buck.

The engine pulled onto the dirt road in the middle of nowhere, Buck jumping out the door seconds after they’d stopped. Hen and Chim shared a look, though Buck’s behavior seemed otherwise normal to them. It probably had something to do with how reckless Eddie had heard he could be.

Bobby took over to assess the scene, going off what dispatch had told them. They made contact with the first victim, the girl clutching her arm, tears streaking her face. She was close to the cliffside, eyes trained down below, Hen and Chim making quick work to pull her away and coax her down. Apparently, her and her best friend had been taking selfies right near the edge, her friends foot slipping on the loose dirt. The girl had tried to grab her friend, but she’d fallen off, crashing to the ground below. Eddie’s heart sank; he could only imagine the terror she must be going through. Even so, he couldn’t believe how naive kids could be these days, risking their lives for a stupid photo.

Bobby took it all in, assigning Hen and Chim to check out the girl up top, his finger then pointing out between him and Buck.

“Buckley, Diaz, suit up. We’re gonna put you in the harness and have you scale down the cliffside with a backboard. We can’t be sure what condition the other victim is in, but either way, we need to get her back up here.”

Eddie nodded, looking out of the corner of his eye to see Buck give a sharp nod of his own.

Buck took off for the truck, Eddie following right behind. As they got the gear out, nothing was said, the two working methodically, almost no words needed between them. They worked so well in sync, the notion only another blow to Eddie.

Once they were both harnessed in, they looked to each other, blue catching brown, both of them knowing what they needed to do. Buck reached quickly to the harness, tugging on it to make sure it was securely in place, muttering out a simple, “good.”

Eddie moved to do the same, letting his hand linger there after, Buck refusing to meet him.

“Buck I,—”

“Save it. We have work to do.”

With that, Eddie let his hand drop, the two moving toward the edge of the cliff, Bobby and the other firefighters on site helping to securely attach them in, tying it off on a hefty tree.

They each grabbed onto the rope hooked to them, their feet just hanging off the edge.

“Ready?” Bobby asked, both him and Buck giving their nod of approval.

Eddie let his feet slip off the edge, watching as Buck did the same, the two maneuvering their bodies in sync to keep the ropes from wavering. Down the cliffside they went, lowering themselves inch by inch.

The cool air whipped around him, Eddie at least grateful there wasn’t complete silence between them.

They were about halfway down when it happened, Eddie jolting in place as his rope snagged. He tried to pull on it to free it from its confines, but it was no use; if he pulled to hard, he could fray the line.

Through their radios came Bobby’s voice.

“What’s going on? What’s the holdup guys?”

Eddie sighed into his radio. “Rope snagged on the rocks Cap. I’m stuck.”

Before any plans or further communication could be made, Eddie looked over in horror as Buck unclipped himself from his own line, using his longer than life legs to maneuver himself around the cliffside.

“Buck, what the hell are you doing?”

Buck ignored him, Eddie becoming impatient with worry.

“Buck I’m serious! I know you’re pissed at me, but you can’t do this. Please.”

Those blues looked down to him then, Eddie seeing the sadness behind the rage.

“Just because you wouldn’t do the same for me, doesn’t mean I’d leave you here to die.”

Ouch.

“Buck, you have to know that isn’t true. I know—I know I hurt you, but I still care about you.”

Buck huffed out a harsh laugh. “Funny way of showing it.”

“Buckley! Buckley!”

The name was shouted over and over into their radio, Eddie having no doubt this wasn’t the first time Buck had heard his name harshly thrown out over the coms.

“I’m sorry Buck. I never meant to hurt you. But please, you don’t have to do this.”

“I’m not leaving you here!”

Buck’s voice was suddenly desperate, pleading. He was hurting, Eddie too.

Finally, Buck’s hand inched forward, Eddie watching with baited breath as Buck’s fingers finally caught on his line, pulling it free from where it’d gotten trapped between a few of the rocks.

Slowly, Buck worked his way back over, Eddie holding his breath until the other man was securely hooked up again.

“See, I’m fine. Not that you care.”

Before Eddie could respond, Buck called out into the radio.

“All good Cap. Let’s keep going.”

There was some chastising heard from their speakers, both of them ignoring it in favor of moving back down the cliffside. It was like Buck said—they had work to do.

Thankfully, they made it down to the bottom without any more hiccups, the two of them unclipping themselves, Buck grabbing up the backboard, following behind Eddie.

When they reached the patient, there was blood coming from her leg, Eddie immediately using two fingers to check for her pulse.

“She’s alive.”

His eyes connected with those blues once more, Buck nodding in understanding. Buck cut her pants away so Eddie could get a better look. There were bones poking through the exposed flesh, Eddie checking it over, determining it was a clean break. He shook the girl to get her awake, calling out the name her friend up top had given them. Eventually she came to, Eddie making work to create a tourniquet, Buck handing things off wordlessly. At the sight of her leg, the girl began to panic, Eddie just knowing she was going to faint.

“Hey, hey, you’re gonna be ok. I once got my leg crushed by a ladder truck, and look at me now!”

Eddie eyed him keenly. This was not the kind of story he should be telling this moment. Even so, Buck kept rambling on, something about how a certain percentage of people who fell over cliffs were always rescued, and then more statistics about breaking legs in the wilderness. Eddie couldn’t help but to stare a little fondly; the guy was like a walking encyclopedia.

Once Eddie had the tourniquet ready to go, he gained Buck’s attention, Buck nodding.

“Ok Sarah, this is going to hurt, I won’t lie, but I promise my partner Eddie here is going to take good care of you.”

It was the way that Buck’s voice ticked up and octave at the word ‘partner’ that had Eddie stilling. With a count of three, Eddie pulled the device tight, the girl screaming out in pain, squeezing Buck’s hand like it was her lifeline. Eddie knew if he was in the same situation that he would feel the same. Something always seemed to pull him toward the other man.

“Ok, let’s get her on the backboard and send her back up.”

They worked together to get her all strapped in, each taking an end to carry her back over to where the harnesses were waiting.

A boom from the sky had them both pausing to look up, thunder rolling around them, lighting striking not far behind.

They shared a look, both of them knowing they had to double-time it.”

Hooking the girl up to their lines, they made sure it was secure, tugging for good measure. They gave Bobby the all clear, the two watching as they eased the girl into the air, and back up the cliffside.

“You two better hurry once we send this back down. Looks like the rain’s coming in.”

They both nodded toward the sky, Eddie wrinkling his nose as the first sprinkle fell onto him. He watched as Buck reached to brush a drop off his face, the water dripping down the man’s birthmark. Eddie yearned to reach and brush it away, hating that he couldn’t.

“I know you don’t want to hear anything I have to say, and I get it—I ghosted you. But I need you to know, that I never wanted to hurt you.”

“Yea, well you did.”

The sadness was back in those blues, more rain splattering down onto them.

“I’m sorry, really. I was just—there was a lot going on, and it wasn’t fair to bring you into all of it.”

“You could’ve asked me.”

And—that wasn’t what Eddie had expected him to say. He’d been anticipating more shouting, though Buck just stood there, calm other than his icy blues.

“I have a kid.”

The words were out before he could stop them, Eddie waiting for the other shoe to drop. It didn’t.

Something shifted on Buck’s face, Eddie watching as his entire demeanor changed.

“You have a kid? I uh, I love kids.”

“Yea, well I love this one. I’m all he’s got.”

Buck nodded, hanging his head solemnly once more.

The rain picked up then, now dumping onto them, pouring down from the sky.

“Buckley-Diaz, let’s go!”

With one last look to the other, they grabbed onto the harnesses that were passed down to them, Eddie pushing Buck’s hands away, insisting on strapping the other man in. Buck didn’t push him away, eyes focused on his every movement. Once he’d double and triple checked that Buck was secure, Eddie fastened himself in, smiling when Buck reached to check for himself.

They dug their boots into the cliffside as the started their journey back up, thunder booming across the sky as the clouds opened up, completely submerging them, making it hard to gain traction.

At the halfway point, Buck’s foot slid off one of the rocks, the man falling several feet down, jolting Eddie as well. He heard the sickening thwack as Buck’s body collided with the cliffside before he was thrown off once more. The wind had picked up, making it nearly impossible to see with the rain showering down around them.

“Buck!”

“Ed-die! I can-can’t get traction!”

Eddie reached a hand down to Buck, willing the other man to grab on.

“C’mon Buck, grab onto me.”

Buck tried to push himself up a few times, the wind fighting against him, rain slapping against his face. There were calls coming out from their radios, neither of them having the time for it.

“Eds, just—you have to leave me, ok? I’ll unclip and you can come back.”

Like hell he would.

“I’m not leaving you Buck!”

There was more grunting from the both of them as they tried to hold on, Buck hanging in mid-air, Eddie using all his strength to keep them both from sliding down the cliffside.

He stretched his arm as far as it would go, beckoning to Buck once more.

“Just grab onto me, you can do it!”

Buck shook his head, swinging himself once more, missing still.

Shit.

“Just go. I’ll be ok.”

He watched in horror as Buck reached to spin the carabiner hooking him in.

“Don’t you fucking dare!”

Those piercing blues looked up to him, Eddie able to make them out even in the thick of the rain.

“Why do you care anyway?”

“Because I love you, you idiot!”

Oh.

Well, that certainly hadn’t been what he’d planned on telling Buck their first day back together.

“C’mon, Buck, fight!”

Eddie stretched until he thought he was going to break, those blues locking with his, Buck finally heaving himself close, Eddie grabbing on with everything he had. Once he put Buck’s hand back onto the cliff, he made sure the man was secure in his foothold before letting go.

“You-you saved me.”

“I told you I wasn’t going to leave you.”

The rain finally decided to let up then, Eddie giving Buck a once over. He could see a little blood mixing with the rainwater, but he seemed ok overall.

“C’mon, let’s get the hell off this cliffside.”

That seemed to be all Buck needed, the two of them finally climbing to the top, their other teammates coming to help pull them back up.

Once they were free of their confines, Eddie immediately reached for Buck, brushing the wet curls off his face. Blood dripped from just above his birthmark, Eddie frowning as he looked it over. Buck’s hand came up to grip him at his wrist, those blues looking right into him.

“I’m ok. Promise.”

Eddie nodded, finally pulling away when he caught the others staring. He had no idea what they’d just looked like, though he was sure it was more than just, ‘two guys who met at a party once and were now working a shift together.’

Hen pulled Buck away to look him over, Bobby patting him on the shoulder.

“Good work out there today son. This might come as a surprise, but I think you’re a good match for him. You didn’t let him push you away.”

Eddie nodded, not wanting to admit that he’d been the one to push Buck away first.

“Thanks. This is a good team you have here Cap. Happy to be a part of it even if only for a day.”

He nodded his head as he saw Buck wandering back over to them. There was a couple steri-strips over Buck’s forehead, but other than that, he looked to be ok.

Eddie held out a closed fist, Buck looking down to it.

“You’re badass under pressure man. You can have my back any day.”

Buck’s face flushed before he ducked his head down in that adorable fashion.

“Me?”

Eddie nodded his head, huffing out a laugh.

“Yea, or, you-you could have mine.”

Eddie really had no idea what he was going to do with this one.

They began to pack it in then, the two victims escorted to the hospital, the rain thankfully having subsided all together now.

This time, when they loaded into the truck, Buck didn’t scootch away. No, if anything, the man only scooted closer, pressing his thigh firmly against Eddies.

When they got back to the station, a woman with long brown hair and a worried smile ran straight for Buck, pulling him in for a hug.

“Evan, I’m so glad you’re ok. I was just getting off shift when I heard the call.”

Evan?

Buck nodded to her, hugging her tightly.

“I’m ok Mads, promise.”

Before Eddie could even come to any speculation, Chimney swooped in, grabbing the woman by the waist, pecking her on the cheek. Buck’s sister.

Buck proceeded to introduce them then, Eddie noting how their smiles matched when he saw them side by side.

Eddie left them to it after a moment, heading for the showers, letting the warm water wash down all the days troubles. While he wanted, needed, to talk with Buck, he also longed to go home, to sleep for several uninterrupted hours.

As luck would have it, Buck was sitting in the locker rooms as he exited, freshly showered as well.

“Hey,” Buck said, greeting him shyly from his spot on the bench.

Eddie smiled softly down to him. “How’re you feeling?”

Buck shrugged his shoulders, reaching up to brush over his covered wound.

“I’ll be ok, thanks um, thanks to you.”

Eddie let his hand reach down, stopping to brush over where his birthmark wasn’t covered, Buck leaning into his touch, just like always.

“I’m not taking back what I said out there, but I’m sort of exhausted from today, and I’m sure you are too. But I want you to know, I’m not going anywhere this time. I—I understand if you need some time, or just want to be friends.”

And hand came up to grip him at the wrist like before, Eddie biting at his lip nervously.

“I want—I just want you. Come home with me?”

Buck’s voice was soft, almost a whisper, a plea slipping off his lips.

“Buck, I’m not sure if—”

“Just to sleep. I—I don’t wanna be alone right now.”

Well, Eddie couldn’t really say he did either. Chris was with his tia for the night, so there wasn’t really anywhere he needed to be.

“Ok. You lead, I’ll follow.”

A small smile fell from Buck’s lips, Eddie helping him off the bench, the two of them grabbing up their bags and heading out the large bay doors, parting with longing looks as they made for their respective cars.

Somewhere in the back of his head, Eddie hoped for a day where they never had to part again, that they could come and go together. But for now, he followed behind Buck, his mind racing a mile a minute.

He was pulling into the all too familiar lot within minutes, Eddie getting out, Buck waiting for him. They walked up the stairs in silence, Buck opening the door and shutting it behind them. After dropping their bags to the floor, they each took their boots off, standing there a little awkwardly afterwards. Eddie realized this was his fault; he’d been the one to push Buck away.

Reaching for Buck’s hand, Eddie led him up the stairs, as if it were his place instead of Buck’s.

At the top, Eddie tugged him along to the bed. Buck slipped his shirt off, Eddie watching as his hands reached for his belt.

“Sorry, just uh, kind of hard to sleep in all these clothes.”

Eddie shook his head; that hadn’t been what he was looking at.

Sticking a hand out, Eddie reached to brush across Buck’s side, the man wincing at his touch. There were red marks there, a few of them already purpling.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Buck shrugged. “I’m fine. Besides, I hate everyone fussing all over me.”

Eddie wanted to argue that Buck didn’t seem to mind Eddie’s touch on him, Buck already relaxing into him.

Eddie didn’t say anything else, finally dropping his hand down to pull off his own shirt, reaching to take his jeans off the same time Buck did. Buck crawled onto the bed, Eddie right behind him, the two climbing under the covers.

They laid there for a few moments, the only sound that of their breathing, Eddie longing to reach out. He knew that if he touched Buck, that would be it. There wouldn’t be any going back.

The sex had been too good to forget. It had little to do with orgasms, and everything to do with how it felt to have Buck inside him, completely surrounding him, the man’s touch scarring with an imprint that was yet to fade, Eddie desperately craving more.

They were just supposed to be sleeping, but Eddie already found himself wanting more, needing to be closer.

He rolled to his side so that he was facing Buck, letting his fingers skitter down Buck’s bare chest. Always so reactive, Buck inhaled for the touch, scooting closer automatically. Eddie let his fingers wander, drawing patterns all over Buck’s exposed skin.

Sliding a finger down Buck’s happy trail, Eddie stopped at just the hem of Buck’s boxers. Buck inhaled deeply, flexing underneath him.

“Eddie, please.”

Eddie looked up to those pleading blues. He leaned over Buck then, slotting their lips together, the man tasting like coming home after being gone on a long vacation, Buck’s lips familiar, fitting right to his.

He kissed Buck sweetly, tenderly, slipping a little tongue in at the same time he slipped his hand into Buck’s briefs, taking the man in hand. Buck moaned right into him, Eddie using his slick to easily slide his hand up and down, Buck always so wet for him.

They stayed like that, Eddie stroking Buck languidly, taking the man underneath him apart bit by bit, Buck’s breathing becoming more erratic with each upstroke.

Eventually it wasn’t enough, both of them craving more. He pulled Buck from his confines, the man lifting his hips off the bed to kick them off the rest of the way. Buck’s hands were on him in an instant, pulling Eddie’s throbbing cock out, sliding his boxers down to join Buck’s on the floor.

Eddie batted his hands away, using his own to pin Buck’s above his head, stirring his hips, rubbing their dicks together. The sounds Buck made were delicious, Eddie bending to take Buck’s lips with his, sucking each and every sound he could out of the man he loved. There that word was again.

“Evan. That’s, that’s your real name.”

It wasn’t a question, Buck going still beneath him. Something like sadness crossed his eyes before Buck brought them back to neutral.

“Uh yea. My-my sister’s really the only one who calls me that.”

Eddie nodded in understanding.

“Ok, I’ll just stick with Buck.” He sealed the deal with a smile and a kiss, though Buck pulled back, shaking his head.

“I like—it’s ok if you use it.”

Eddie understood in an instant that wasn’t something Buck easily gave away. He wasn’t going to break the man’s trust again.

Eddie picked up the pace, their dicks slick with pre-come, easily sliding together between them. When Buck reached down to take both of them in hand, Eddie didn’t stop him, keeping Buck’s other hand pinned above his head, linking their fingers together securely.

The friction between them was almost too much and not enough at the same time, Eddie yearning to be inside the man he loved, but knowing they were both too exhausted for that now. There would be time for that later.

He wasn’t sure who came first, his orgasm taking him by surprise, Buck trembling underneath him as his own hit. They laid there spent, Eddie unmoving for a few moments. He finally rolled off Buck, the man grumbling for their loss of contact, Eddie reaching out to him reassuringly.

He moved to get a warm washcloth, cleaning up in the bathroom before moving back out to do the same with Buck, careful of Buck’s oversensitive dick.

Throwing the towel to the floor with their discarded clothes, Eddie crawled back onto the bed, pulling Buck to him so that the man was half rested over him, Buck burying his face into the crook of his neck.

“You know, I think I’m in love with you too, idiot.”

Eddie huffed out laugh, pinching Buck teasingly on his ass.

“You think?”

Buck lifted his head a tinge, those blues looking darkened.

“Ask me again when you haven’t just fucked my brains out.”

Eddie gave a fond eyeroll, bending to press a kiss over Buck’s sweaty curls.

“I meant what I said out there. I love you.”

Buck kissed his shoulder, settling in further.

“And I love you.”

Their breaths evened out, Eddie falling asleep with the man he loved in his arms.

When he woke in the morning, Buck was still there, beautiful as ever.

He made soft touches all over Buck’s bare skin, the man eventually stirring, those precious blue eyes opening up to him.

“Morning love.”

Buck’s face flushed in the morning light.

“Mm-morning Eds.”

And yea, Eddie could definitely get used to falling asleep and waking up to this every morning.

“What’re you doing today?”

Buck shrugged with a yawn.

“Dunno. It’s my day off.”

“I want you to meet someone.”

Buck’s eyes lit up, smile crossing over his lips, one Eddie couldn’t help but to lean over and kiss.

They eventually pulled themselves out of bed and got dressed, climbing into Eddie’s truck.

Buck took Eddie’s hand in his, lacing their fingers together before resting them over his thigh, Eddie relaxing into the touch.

While Buck waited just outside the truck, Eddie went up to the door, thanking his tia before walking Christopher out, taking him to meet Buck.

“Chris, I want you to meet my partner and best friend, Buck.”

Buck bent to his son’s level, easily shaking Chris hand, the two laughing about how Buck was a silly name.

After five minutes of the two of them cracking jokes, Eddie smiled with adoration. He wasn’t sure why he’d ever been worried about them meeting. They got along just fine, better than Eddie could’ve ever imagined.

They spent the day together, the two of them eventually tucking Chris into bed before falling into Eddie’s, quietly taking each other apart before falling asleep in the other’s arms.

It was about two days later when Buck was introducing him to some miracle worker named Carla, the woman cutting right through all the red tape, quickly getting Eddie and Chris the help they’d been in desperate need of.

Eddie had no idea how to thank Buck, but he started by hugging the man tightly, taking him apart several times later that night, telling him just how much he loved an appreciated him.

After weeks helping out at the 118, Bobby decided to make his placement permanent, snagging him right up from the 136. They had to fill out some paperwork and agree not to get to handsy at work, both of them complying easily. No one had to know what they got up to in the late hours in dark corners of the firehouse.

His place became Buck’s, the man claiming it felt more like a home than any of the ones he’d ever lived in. Eddie explained the 118 felt the same to him, Eddie never feeling so whole. He had people who supported him, a kid who he adored, along with a man he loved, one who made each and every day a new adventure.

He could never seem to get close enough to Buck, whether he was near or far, always craving more. Bucks was his to keep now, Eddie holding on tight, even when the man tried to let go. Eddie was there to remind Buck of his worth, and that he wasn’t letting him go, not ever again.

Like that first night, Buck pushing him up against the stairwell, everything was a rush. Not in a hurried frenzied kind of way, but in a way that was exhilarating, Eddie never wanting it to end. Buck had stolen his heart with those ocean eyes, Eddie rushing right in.