Work Text:
After Ryan left outfit trailer and now he was sitting getting make up applied. He felt his leg jumping up and down with nerves. The door opened and he looked at the person through the mirror. Ryan instantly felt a wave of relaxation seeing him.
”Oli.”
Oliver looked up from his phone hearing his nickname he only let one person call him. Smiling he walked over to him and the makeup artist brushed Ryan’s nose making him let out a laugh as it tickled.
”Hey Ry.”
Oliver walked over to Ryan and squeezed his hand before taking a seat next to him. The other makeup artist began applying makeup to Oliver.
”Today is the day huh?”
Ryan said out loud not like he looked everyday on his calendar for this day. Ryan turned his head to watch Oliver close his eyes as he was getting makeup on too.
”Yep. You sure you don’t want to just run off to London and say f k it?”
Ryan laughed as much as he loved that idea he doesn’t think his two kids, 12 and 10 would approve if their dad runs off. Ryan told himself even if he’s been divorced for five years from their mom he would never leave them.
”No way. We are doing this.”
Ryan looked back straight ahead so the makeup artist could apply the rest of the makeup.
“Bummer I want to take you to Big Ben again. Guess I’ll just have to wait for tonight.”
Ryan blushed but was thankful the makeup masked it. Ryan glanced at his British co worker, best friend and—
“We ready for Ryan Guzman and Oliver Stark on set.”
The assistant said at the door and they both got up when the make up artists closed their makeup kits.
“Let’s go Ry.”
”Coming.”
Now they both sat in big gray chairs with a little black table in front of them. They both had their own tea cup and cards with questions on them. If they didn’t want to answer they would drink the tea.
“Hi I’m Ryan Guzman.”
Oliver said in his best American accent making Ryan eyes wide that Oliver used his name. Ryan thought ‘two can play at that game.’
”And hi mate I’m Oliver Stark.”
Ryan said in a British accent looking over at Oliver making him laugh as he picked the tea to drink it. Ryan wasn’t the biggest tea drinking but almost eight years knowing Oliver he got use to them.
Oliver set his tea cup back on the table and picked up his stack of cards. Ryan picked up his card stack.
”You first.”
Ryan said and Oliver licked his lips with smile afterwards.
”Okay who would you pick out of the cast that would be the most trustworthy to save you in an emergency?”
They did play firefighters for almost eight years, for Ryan and almost nine years for Oliver.
“What? I can’t answer that Kenny and Aisha will never let me live it down.”
”Better drink up then.”
Ryan hummed as he looked at the tea and then to Oliver.
”Actually no I know for a fact you. I’d choose you.”
Ryan said pointing at Oliver with smile. Oliver smiled back at Ryan to continue.
”You truly are my best friend just like on the show. Like you been there for me through everything. You know how people say I felt like I’ve known you in any lifetime? Well yeah I have that with you. I feel like I’ve known you lot longer than we’ve known each other.”
Oliver smiled more and Ryan fake coughed to clear his throat as he looked down at his card to read his question.
”What advice would you give your character?”
Ryan looked back up to see what Oliver would say.
”Easy. Come out.”
Ryan picked up his drink and drank some as he forgot the rules of the game you only drink if you don’t want to answer the question.
”Like not to force or rush someone out but help him know it’s okay to be imperfect. No one is perfect and buddy looking at girls and guys is more than okay. You are bisexual.”
Ryan set his drink down smiling at Oliver and not focusing on the five different cameras and a lot of crew filming this live interview special.
“And I’m happy Buck finally says it next episode. Saying it and not queerbaiting our fans has always been my goal. I want it authentic and them being able to see themself. To know they aren’t alone and are supported and loved.”
”That’s awesome advice Oliver. Buck is lucky to have you.”
”And Eddie is lucky to have you.”
Ryan laughed and sat back in his chair and waved his hand at Oliver like he was joking. Since joining the show almost eight years ago now Ryan still doesn’t see much of the impact he does. He tries to be there and is thankful for the show but knows his cast mates have done better work at representing diversity.
”No I mean it Ry..an. You are amazing father like Eddie. You are incredible friend like Eddie. You share your roots and passion like Eddie. Honestly I can’t imagine anyone else bringing Eddie Diaz to life.”
Ryan blushed and rubbed his neck with his free hand as the other hand held the cards.
”Yeah yeah okay next question.”
Oliver went to comment more about how Ryan is the best Eddie. The only Eddie he would ever want to act with as Buck but saw a crew member wave hand to go next question. Right they are doing an interview for the final episode of season eight.
”Oh.”
Oliver laughs as he read the question before looking over at Ryan. Oliver lifted his left eyebrow the one with his birthmark.
”What love triangle is your favorite on the show?”
Ryan laughed and shook his head picking his drink up and did fake cheers. Oliver picked his up to and they cheered their tea cups together and drank it.
”Now that’s good tea.”
”Reminds me of the one we had in London.”
”Yeah it does? The tea bag is different though.”
Oliver said as he read the label and looked back at Ryan with smile. Ryan smiled back not caring he admitted he’s been to Oliver’s hometown. Oliver has been to Ryan’s hometown too. They do lots of trips together when the show is on hiatus.
“So next question..”
Ryan trailed off as he picked up the cards from his pile and smiled as a small blush appeared on his cheeks.
“Our fans have created a ship name for us, Buddie…”
“Well first remember we named them? Instead of Beddie? It was about the episode when we kept bumping shoulders right?”
“Yeah because you can’t walk in a straight line.”
Oliver laughed and put his card stack on his lap.
”Hey you can’t either I know we did at least three takes of that and you kept bumping into me too!”
Ryan laughed and raised his hand like a surrender making him drop his cards on his own lap.
”Yeah yeah if you say so. You started it…so why are fans so obsessed with Buck and Eddie’s relationship?”
They both laughed and Ryan put his hand over heart as he smiled at Oliver to answer the question.
”Oh right. Well oof.”
”That’s a hard hitting question right there. That’s a question everyone’s been wanting to know.”
Ryan said as he looked at Oliver to see if he would answer the question or drink the tea.
Oliver rubbed his neck as he small smiled and nodded as he knew fans been wanting to know about Buddie, since Ryan joined the show back in season two.
“I think… I think the characters been a really great relationship shown and they’ve been through a lot of things.”
Oliver says picking his hands up to point over at Ryan and Ryan nodded little at remembering from on screen and off screen of the things they been through in only seven almost eight years knowing each other.
”And they’ve kind of shown up for each other in different ways over the years.”
“That’s a good point.”
Ryan said as he pointed at Oliver and looked directly at him. To tell him without words he’s thankful for having him in his life too.
”And I think that speaks to what people want in their life, right? You want somebody that is going to be there for you when it’s good, but also when it’s tough.”
Ryan sits back in his chair again to listen to Oliver with a smile as he nods again. Agreeing to everything he’s saying.
”And you know our version of that is when the building collapses, are you going to run in, and save me?”
Ryan sits up in his chair again taking another sip of his tea. He knows without question he would run through a real fire building to save Oliver if that ever were to happen.
”But I think that’s a reflection of what people want in their own lives.”
”Yeah.”
”There’s something in…”
Oliver says pointing at himself and Ryan as he keeps talking.
”That connection between Buck and Eddie, that I think speaks to everybody. Um, and because of that it’s been a hot topic for conversation.”
Oliver smiles looking at Ryan and then down to his hands before looking back up seeing Ryan smile as he finishes his answer.
”For uh for uh not intentional. But it uh has and we’ve spoken as well, me and you know that?”
”Uh yeah true.”
Ryan nods and Oliver goes to pick his tea up.
”I know that like our own experience on the show is forever. I won’t say marred by it as a negative thing, but but impacted by it.”
Oliver drinks his tea and sets it down and they both smile at each other. Oliver picked up his card to read the next question.
“Ryan you got to dance on the show.”
”In my underwear.”
Oliver lifts his eyebrows smiling as he reads rest of the question.
”Who is a better dancer Eddie Diaz or Sean Asa or Ryan Guzman?”
Ryan laughs and Oliver smiles as he seats back in his chair looking directly at Ryan for his answer.
”One is a professional, one is a firefighter and one is neither of those?”
Ryan laughs and blushes and sits up to drink the tea.
”Aw come on you not going to answer? That is probably the easiest question here.”
Ryan stops his reach and looks at Oliver with his eyebrows lifted up.
”Oh yeah well you answer it then.”
”It’s not my question.”
Ryan leans over snatching the card from Oliver’s hand with a smile.
”So Oliver who is a better dancer? Eddie Diaz or Sean Asa or Ryan Guzman?”
Oliver’s blue eyes widen as he saw his co star, his best friend his —
“Well out with Stark this is hot tea.”
Oliver hums as he sits back in his chair and looks directly into Ryan’s brown eyes.
”Fine. Least favorite is Sean. Sure he’s professional but I feel like he be too uptight to hang out with other wise? Eddie as second only because.”
Ryan smiles as he leans little in his chair to listen closely to what Oliver would say.
”He shaves his mustache before doing his dance in his underwear.”
Oliver laughs and Ryan felt his whole body get warm as he started to blush. Without thinking he lightly touched his lips at the memory of that night. After the shaving off he saw Oliver in corner on the closed set, they hugged and Ryan cried. Happy tears but tears that he did feel the impact as it did feel like he was taking off a mask. Then when he did his dance he saw Oliver again taking pictures and watching too. That was their first night they —
“And last but not least Ryan Guzman. Like just look at him? What’s not to love? He’s amazing person inside and out and his dancing is just as amazing.”
Ryan forced himself to laugh as he rubbed his neck to hope the lighting on this live interview was just right you couldn’t see his blushing face and neck.
Few questions later Oliver had one card left and Ryan felt like he was going to throw up. Oliver looked over at Ryan and smiled. Oliver asked without words and with his eyes if he was okay. Ryan nodded and they both cleared their throat.
”Last question for you Ryan…”
”Hmm?”
”Is there anything you want to spill the tea with?”
”Spilling the tea? My truth?”
Being Oliver just answered same question with saying he was going to have a photography book out soon, of all his photos he’s taken with his film camera in the last years being on the tv show they were both on.
Oliver nodded and looked at Ryan with smile. Oliver would understand if Ryan wanted to back out and not answer. Ryan was ready he’s been ready. He’s been ready for the last two years of this. Yet now saying it out on a live interview he felt nervous.
”Yes so my truth. I’m..uh I’m Mexican American, father to two kids, oldest son, dancer..actor..and…”
Oliver smiled as he small nodded and Ryan closed his eyes before opening them looking directly at Oliver. Blocking out all the noise, all the lights and everything but Oliver in front of him.
”Gay…man loving man.”
Oliver moved up and felt Ryan touch his knee.
“Yeah?”
”Yes yeah. So much. I’m so gay. I’m ready for everyone to know. Like they say a closet? I did feel like I was stuck in there no way out. But with you being there for me through my high and lows I’m thankful I got to know you. No I’m thankful I get to know you.”
”I’m so proud of you Ry.”
Ryan stood up dropping his hand from Oliver’s knee. Oliver stood up looking at Ryan with a big smile. Ryan pulled Oliver into a hug. Oliver hugged back and the mics couldn’t pick up what they said to each other.
”Are you sure about the next step? This is live we can do it another time?”
”No Oli I’m ready but if you don’t want to—“
”I will want to only if you are ready for it?”
“I am.”
Ryan slowly moved away from the hug but still close to Oliver. Oliver looked down at Ryan as he was two inches shorter than him. Ryan and Oliver met in the middle and their lips touched. Ryan wrapped his arms around Oliver’s waist pulling him closer. Oliver moved his hand to hold onto Ryan’s face as they kissed.
They pulled apart when they heard a person yell cut. Ryan pulled away still close and Oliver saw up close Ryan whole face and neck was red. Oliver booped Ryan’s nose making him laugh as he put his head onto Oliver’s shoulder.
“No going away from that huh?”
”Nonfiction and fiction just blurred.”
Ryan lifted his head smiling.
”I can’t wait until the fans see tomorrow’s episode and see Buddie kiss after Eddie digs Buck out of the rubble.”
”Me too. It’ll be the perfect parallel to when Buck tried digging Eddie out of the well when it got buried in the rain.”
”Mmhm true funny Buddie has lot of rain moments but us..Ryliver have bunch of sunshine moments.”
”Don’t worry Buddie will have sunshine next season when they do bunch of dates and do the wedding with Bobby as the one who marries you.”
”Exactly! Especially when you direct their wedding on season nine episode eleven.”
After taking photos on the set they left together. They went home and hung up their jackets by the door. They already ate on their way home, In-N-Out Burger. Oliver ate the vegan burger and Ryan had the Animal Style burger. They shared a home together and got ready for bed.
Ryan sat on his side as he watched Oliver put on his pajama shirt. Ryan moved to edge of bed.
“Take that off.”
Oliver looked over at Ryan smiling.
”Oh yeah? And do what?”
”Join me on our bed love.”
He smiled saying love in Spanish. The seven almost eight years knowing each other he knew Oliver loved hearing it. Ryan even taught Oliver a lot of Spanish all these years later.
Oliver took off his shirt and through it at Ryan. Ryan caught it and put it on the floor and Oliver walked up to Ryan.
“Want these off too?”
Ryan was in only his pajama pants and he nodded at Oliver’s question. Oliver held onto Ryan’s shoulder, the one Eddie got shot in. Yet unlike Eddie it didn’t have a gun shot scar. Oliver held onto the shoulder as he took off his pajama pants.
“Hey only fair you take yours off too.”
Oliver let his hand move to Ryan’s chest and lightly pushed him making Ryan laugh as he fell on his back.
”I will. But hey those off too.”
”So bossy.”
Oliver teased as he took off his boxers and put them on the floor. Standing back up he licked his lips seeing Ryan naked on their bed. Ryan didn’t sleep in boxers so his tan skin on their bed made Oliver crawl on the bed to get on top of Ryan.
”Act like you don’t like it but I know you…and Buck love it.”
”Mhmm you got me we both do.”
Ryan sat up on his elbows and kissed Oliver. Oliver kissed back and let his hands explore Ryan’s chest again. Something in the two almost three years of secretly dating he loved doing. He loved everything he did with Ryan. This was his favorite the small moments no one saw.
“I’m.”
Oliver said kissing Ryan’s cheek.
”So.”
Oliver said kissing Ryan’s neck. Before taking a small bite knowing it’ll leave a mark. Yet they have five months off and won’t have makeup ‘mad’ joking with them as they cover up their love bites.
“Proud.”
Oliver said kissing down Ryan’s chest.
”Of.”
Oliver said kissing a tattoo they both got, matching couple tattoos that also tie in with their characters. Another makeup cover up but doesn’t need to be covered for five months.
”You.”
Oliver said kissing right where the boxer would start if Ryan was wearing any. Ryan gasped at each kiss and moaned at Oliver’s last kiss.
”It was …nothing.”
”Nothing? Ryan that was brave of you. I know you were scared but I mean it you did it. You did that. You spilled your truth and others now will know they aren’t alone.”
”Yeah I guess you are right. Growing up I didn’t know any Mexican American men growing up who were gay. That’s why I think for so long I buried it in a closet as I knew that was an option.”
Oliver smiled and lightly moved up kissing Ryan’s lips lightly.
”And it was all because of Stephen…”
Ryan said saying tWitch name out loud was always hard but each time he felt close to his best friend again.
“He would be so proud of you too.”
Ryan nodded at knowing Oliver was right. Stephen his best friend years ago the one he did the dance movies with, the one who took him and other dancers to a queer bar to watch the drag performers dance. To show the new dancers it’s more than okay to dance in front of people. Even if you mess up and get back up there and if you having fun that’s all that matters.
“Yeah I think you are right. Now uh can we not talk about that or I’ll start crying and I don’t want to right now. I want to kiss you.”
Oliver smiled and let Ryan kiss him. Oliver let Ryan move them to make him now lay on the bed. Oliver looked up at Ryan and let his hands explore Ryan’s back.
”Just kiss me?”
Oliver teased and Ryan now kissed down Oliver’s body. Oliver wrapped his legs around Ryan’s waist.
”No. I want more. You want more?”
Ryan asked as he lightly touched the body part Oliver wanted. Oliver moved body up to make their bodies closer together.
”Yes. Please Ry. Have me.”
”You will always have me…Oli.”
Ryan groaned as both their firehoses, as Oliver’s character, Buck, been known to call it and Ryan could see why. Just like almost three years ago when they first did this he could see it.
Oliver moved his hand up to Ryan’s neck and pulled him down to kiss. Ryan let his hands slide up Oliver’s sides and to his hair to lightly pull at the curly hair. Oliver moaned Ryan’s name. Ryan smiled and moved hands down away making Oliver groan. Ryan moved to their dresser grabbing what they needed and set them by each other.
”You ready?”
”Yeah so ready.”
”Well let’s go get ‘em cowboy.”
“Did you seriously just use Eddie’s line in our bed?”
Ryan laughed and opened the bottle and put some on as he blushed.
”What? Bad I won’t do that ag—“
”That’s very hot of you. You can have my back any day.”
Ryan rolled his eyes happily being Oliver said his line.
”Yeah or you know you can have mine.”
The next day they were trending online, on all forms of media. That night Buddie was trending too. They went Instagram Live to answer more questions.
“Who said I love you first?”
”Eddie.”
”Oliver.”
They said at the same time and laughed as they sat on their coach in their shared apartment, when they are on hiatus after filming they share. Just like on set they share a trailer so just works out to share a place even offset. Even has two other bedrooms for when Ryan’s kids come to visit.
Oliver’s two dogs, Bear and Jade in their dog beds lifted their heads up at them both speaking at the same time. Bear laid head back down as Jade stretched out of dog beds and laid back down going back to sleep like Bear.
”It was definitely Oliver yeah he’s right.”
”But I think you’ll just have to wait next season when they start going on dates. Because Ryan here dig good digging to save Buck right? So now they kissed and now we get to see them go on dates and we will see who says it first.”
Oliver got up when he heard it ding. Ryan watched Oliver walk into their kitchen and went back to his laptop to scroll to read a question. Bear opened eyes to watch Oliver walk by and looked over at Ryan before going back to sleep.
”What made you realize you were in love with your best friend with feelings instead of just friend feelings?”
Ryan said out loud when Oliver walked back with two tea cups. Ryan took his and they cheered their teas and drank some.
”Oh easy. I never wanted to be a part from you. Like before I’d just take my van worth my dogs and explore the states or sometimes fly home to London.. but I realized as I did that I missed you. Like a lot.”
They set their teas on the table that was next to the laptop. As they were in the frame as they cuddled on the couch.
“Yeah I know what you mean. Like when you came out what five years ago now?”
Oliver nodded at Ryan’s question.
”And when you came out to me it felt natural. Like I didn’t see anything wrong with it but I then got jealous is the word? When you would even just mention a guy flirted with you at a bar or at the gym if I didn’t go with you that day and I’d be like why am I? He’s my best friend.”
Oliver smiled and rested his head on Ryan’s shoulder as Ryan had his hands wrapped around Oliver’s waist.
”Yeah I felt that too. It was definitely something I never felt before with other friends.”
”Mmhm exactly. So yeah if you get like jealous your friend is getting flirted at that’s a good sign.”
”Or!”
Oliver said sitting up smiling looking at Ryan.
”Looking at a guys butt without a much thought.”
”You did that to me a lot at the gym.”
”And sorry lads.. lasses and gender queer la?”
Oliver said as he didn’t know the gender neutral for lad.
“I just told him I was his spotter. So it worked for a while.”
”Until you kissed me.”
”You kissed me remember?”
Ryan shook his head turning completely to look at Oliver with smile.
”Nope. You kissed me right here on this couch during one of our movie nights.”
”No you kissed me when I went to go get us beer re fills.”
Oliver looked back at the camera.
”We weren’t drunk we both consented. Because that is sexy. Consent is sexy.”
”Yes consent is very sexy agree.”
Ryan kissed Oliver’s cheek and Oliver laughed with a smile. Ryan heard door knock and he got up.
”Oh there is our vegan take out we got to go guys.”
”Yeah and we got Buzzfeed tomorrow.”
”Puppies and thirst Tweets.”
”So make sure you guys drink your water!”
Ryan said before jogging to the door. Oliver shook his head and put his hand on top of the lap top.
”I tried explaining thirst tweets to him and he still doesn’t get it guys.”
Oliver shook his head smiling as he heard Ryan open the front door.
”But we will see you all very soon. After those interviews we get to go to the First Responder Cons. So keep an eye out for that we might be in a city near you.”
Ryan walked back with the bag of food and set it down. Ryan sat next to Oliver making their legs touch as he sat closer this time.
”Yeah that’s going to be fun.”
”Night or morning everyone. Have a good day.”
”Or have a good night.”
Ryan said picking up his tea and Oliver picked his up too. They cheered their teas and took a sip. Ryan moved his away from his lips as he ended the live.
They set their teas cups down and Oliver kissed Ryan. Ryan kissed back smiling. Ryan was happy and Oliver was happy. They did a spilling the tea interview and now they were happily together in nonfiction just like their characters were now together in fiction.
THE END!!!