Work Text:
The day Eddie asked him to stay living in his house instead of moving into the new one he had been looking at had softened something inside of Buck. Simply because he didn't expect it to happen.
Especially since the house was back in Eddie’s name and really, there was no need for him to be there anymore.
But Eddie had asked him to stay anyway, and Buck was a weak weak man, so he stayed.
And really, nothing actually changed between them and the bills were so much easier with the two of them than it would've been on Buck’s own.
So he was feeling content.
Content enough to finally tell Eddie where his bed went, since he'd definitely thrown it out and casually moved his own in its place until he'd moved out and he would've bought Eddie a new bed.
He would've.
But now it seems like he doesn't have too, since Eddie has been totally calm and cool about the fact that they're sharing. Even though Buck could've just bought this other house that had more space and—
It doesn't matter.
Because the man had gotten all stormy and jittery after Buck told him that he and Tommy hooked up and so that's why the bed was gone.
If he were a braver man he'd say that Eddie looked jealous. But he's not sure, because Eddie’s always been protective of Buck. He'd have to be blind and stupid to not see how he doesn't like it when he's not treated right. No matter what anyone says, he absolutely has noticed that.
It's kind of hard not to since Eddie literally hates Taylor and stopped being friends with Tommy the moment they broke up after he found out what happened with all of that.
But the bed thing is different, telling Eddie the reason behind it was different.
That stormy gaze in those brown eyes was different.
Those eyes that focused on him so hard while they were talking, or Buck was talking and Eddie was staring at him as he referred to the man as competition, that was just so funny, but Eddie didn't laugh and—
His jaw had hardened when he'd said Tommy stormed out and left Buck to clean up a mess of food that he didn't even ask for and was cold and wasted by the time they were done arguing and Buck still didn't really get how he could break Tommy's heart if the man didn't respect he didn't want to come out to his best friend on their first date.
And the sex was fine.
Not that Buck went into detail about that but Eddie also didn't look too happy to find out that Buck wasn't exactly sober.
But Buck still wasn't brave enough to say anything.
So he'd moved on as Eddie’s eyes watched him sometimes.
Ever since then, sometimes Buck would catch him looking. Even when he was doing normal stuff like helping Chris with his homework. Or cooking dinner or just at the station.
And Buck didn't know what to do.
And he hadn't figured it out when flyers were handed out at stations all around LA about a boxing charity match that would include firefighters and police officers in the area.
They were pitted against one another and participating was completely voluntary but they did expect the best of the best or people with at least enough training for it to be a fun and good time all around.
15 matches total. 3 rounds for each fight. And whoever wins gets to take the belt and display it at their office or station for everyone to see until the next year rolled around.
Apparently they were going to do this every year now, that's good to know.
But it was one night, and all of the ticket proceeds and all other expenses would go to charities chosen by the winning fighter of each set of rounds.
It was cool.
Buck was excited, even if he didn't really enjoy fighting and would not be participating.
The fact that all of this was going to charity made Buck so incredibly happy that he hears Hen chuckle from where she's sitting next to him.
"Oh I don't like that look Buckaroo, please tell me you're not interested." She states, her voice full of mirth.
He chuckles, "Um no, but isn't that so exciting!" Smile still on his face, "That's 15 total charities that are going to get funding from this."
Then she starts talking about which ones she thinks will help if chosen and Buck gets into it just as much as she does.
Even when he looks over at Eddie who's looking at the flyer a little too close for his liking. It's the one time recently where their gazes don't meet right away.
But when they do, Buck knows exactly what Eddie wants to do.
So naturally he asks about it when they get home from shift, but with the way it comes out, it's definitely less of a question and more of a statement, "You're going to sign up aren't you."
Eddie shrugs but Buck knows better, "It's for a good cause."
Buck hums, grabbing a mug from the cabinet as he does so, "Much less embarrassing than street fighting, that's for sure."
He hears Eddie scoff playfully and he doesn't turn around so the man can't see him smile, "Oh you've got jokes now." He teases and Buck can hear the tiredness in his voice.
"I've been told I'm pretty funny." Buck says and he turns around just in time to see Eddie roll his eyes but the man's smiling so he'll take it as a win.
"Yeah, you're pretty something alright." Eddie huffs and when his coffee is done he actually hands it over to Eddie instead of drinking it because if he does, he'll either sleep for hours or be up all night and he doesn't want to take the risk of that toss up.
"You should." Buck states after Eddie takes the coffee with a raised eyebrow and he leans on the island, "Sign up I mean, I bet you'd do well."
"You think?"
Buck nods, "Yeah, and when you win you can have them donate to the CP Foundation."
Eddie’s eyes widen a little, as if he's surprised that Buck would think about that, as if it's not incredibly obvious, "That's exactly what I'd do."
Buck lets himself smile again, "I know Eds," Buck moves from where he's leaning on the island and walks around and pats the man's shoulder, "Sign up and then come to bed."
Then he's walking away to go shower before Eddie can respond, even if he feels the man's eyes on him the entire time he's headed towards their bedroom to shower in the bathroom attached so he doesn't risk waking Chris up.
He doesn't know why Eddie is surprised.
Christopher is obviously the most important person in Buck’s life.
Besides the man himself of course.
And Buck honestly forgot about the event a little since their lives were always so busy. On and off shift they usually had something going on. Whether it was a family barbecue now that Bobby is out of the hospital or back to back calls during their shifts where they barely had time to sit down.
And when they did, Buck usually fell asleep on the couch or in the bunks and didn't really think much about them.
Not until Chimney announced that Eddie had been chosen to participate and the person he would be up against would be notified soon and then all of the pairing would be posted on the internet by the end of the week.
That's when the event came back into Buck’s thoughts full of focus.
Out of everyone who signed up, Eddie was one of the 30 chosen to participate and it sent a dangerous heat through his gut at getting to watch Eddie fight for a good cause.
Because it wasn't his fault that Eddie was so attractive when he was all fired up. Buck knew that fact very well, even if he'd never admit to anyone and would continue lying to his sister about his feelings because they were never going to go anywhere anyways.
But he really couldn't help it.
Especially since the moment Eddie got the news, he started training. Differently than he apparently was from when Buck was doing the whole lawsuit thing. According to Hen anyways, it was different.
But watching him work out in the station gym still made him feel all fuzzy inside to where he couldn't even be in the room with the man while he worked out anymore.
Not after the first time when his fist hit the punching bag and he'd smirked at Buck and—
It was just really dangerous for his feelings right now.
It was even more dangerous when Buck loaded up the site and saw who Eddie was going to be up against. It made his chest feel tight and his breathing hitched the moment he read both of their names.
Edmundo Diaz (118) vs. Thomas Kinard (217)
And it didn't help when he saw Eddie find out too, across the station and his stomach flipped when the man grinned at his phone.
Not a normal grin, not a nice excited smile. No, no not at all. That's not what Buck saw on the man's face.
He looked dangerously delighted.
As if this was the best news of his life, the opportunity to fight Tommy was obviously something he was looking forward to. But it didn't feel friendly, it didn't feel like a nice fight between two people who were friends.
It felt like Eddie wanted to kick his ass.
And when their eyes met he could see it in Eddie’s eyes. The excited fire in them, the desire to win. His own eyes widened at the look on his face, especially when Eddie didn't soften at all.
It only turned more sure as they stared at one another.
And Buck wondered if he was allowed to feel desire through his entire body at the mere prospect of Eddie wanting to fight his ex.
Even if it was for charity.
Naturally, Chris brings it up before Buck could even find the words to do so while they're eating dinner that same night.
"So Dad is gonna fight your ex." Chris states as if it's as easy as breathing after he finishes chewing his food and for that at least, Buck is grateful.
"Mhmm," Buck swallows, not looking at the man sitting at the table with them, "Pretty funny that it's someone we know isn't it?" Trying for light hearted and Chris nods, "What are the odds for that?"
"I picked him out from the list actually." Eddie speaks and Buck whips his head from looking at Chris to Eddie the moment he says it.
"What? Wasn't it supposed to be random?" Bucks asks, feeling his heart rate pick up in his chest.
"Sure, technically." Eddie shrugs like it's no big deal when it is in fact a huge fucking deal, "But once we all got chosen we got to pick who'd we prefer based on height and weight and stuff." The man picks up his water and finally looks at Buck head on, "It's not guaranteed you're paired up, but I did pick Tommy."
Buck gapes at him for a second and Chris snorts but doesn't actually say anything, "What! Why?"
"Did you really think I'd let anyone else knock the lights out of the guy who made you sad all of the time?" Eddie smirks, looking so sure of himself, "For charity or not, I wasn't going to let anyone else take that opportunity away from me."
"Dad, at least pretend you're not so excited." Chris is laughing while looking into his lap, not looking at either of them while Buck just continues to gape at him because what in the world is he supposed to say to that.
Eddie is still smirking as his gaze goes back and forth between the two of them, "Can't hide the truth son. He's getting what's coming to him for making our Buck sad."
Buck shoves pasta in his mouth so he doesn't start drooling at the table.
Or do something else stupid like make Chris leave the room so he can show Eddie how much that is really doing it for him.
So Buck does absolutely nothing but internally combust at the fact that Eddie is so excited to beat the hell out of his ex for making Buck sad that he is actually losing sleep over it.
It's all he can think about.
He feels crazy even thinking about it but he can't stop. The mere idea of Eddie personally choosing Tommy because of what he did to Buck makes him feel like he's going to have a heart attack.
And it doesn't even compare to what he's been doing in their poor shower almost every single time he does shower because Eddie hasn't stopped training for this. Hasn't stopped looking so focused on winning for the past week that Buck is actually running out of excuses to not just kiss him everytime the man does a pull up.
He feels ridiculous.
And if he was normal, he'd just be normal but of course he isn't. It's Eddie, so obviously he's anything but normal about this and he can tell that his friends know. Their family knows and Buck wants to either bury himself or just call in for the rest of the week as they all keep sending him looks.
Hen keeps wiggling her eyebrows and Chimney has winked at him more times this week than he has in the last 8 years they've known each other and Ravi has asked on more than one occasion if Eddie is doing this for Buck’s honor as if they're a couple.
And Eddie doesn't seem to notice a damn thing because he’s stupid and looks fucking mouth watering while he lifts weights at work.
So yeah, Buck is going crazy.
It's really no wonder that he can't hold it in anymore.
He's never been good at hiding his emotions, but he didn't really mean to do it so soon. Not while they're at home by themselves because Chris is still at school.
He'll apologize later that it happened at 8:30 in the morning.
But Eddie is sweaty and gross and his hair is falling in his face as they walk in the door. Which is really unfair for Bucks mental health. No one should look that good this early in the morning when he hasn't properly slept in almost 24 hours.
"Is there a reason you're going so hard on this?" He asks the moment the door closes, and he knows this is out of nowhere, "Is it really that important to you? Winning the fight with Tommy?"
"What?" Eddie blinks at him when Buck leans against the wall across from where their shoes go, "What do you mean?"
Buck rolls his eyes, "You've done nothing but train for this, is it really that important to you that you beat him? Just because he made me sad? I said some really shitty things to him too."
Eddie looks at him for a second and Buck wants to fight his gaze, obviously this seems like it's coming out of nowhere.
The man huffs, "So that's what's been bothering you." And oh, it must not seem like it's coming out of nowhere. He didn't think the man even noticed that he was distracted because he seemed pretty distracted himself.
But of course he noticed.
Eddie always notices.
"I mean—" Buck swallows now that he's been caught out, "It just doesn't make sense to me, it's all just supposed to be for fun. For a good cause and you're all—" he vaguely waves his hand in Eddie’s direction and the man raises an eyebrow at him.
"I'm all?" Eddie drawls out and Buck huffs, feeling a little frustrated.
"You're all serious and sweaty like you're entering a MMA ring next week." Buck states, "Like I've seen you work out more lately than I've ever seen for this, and don't get me started on what everyone has been saying at work."
Eddie hums, "Maybe it's just that important to me."
"But why?" Buck can't help but ask, leaning his head against the wall, "You guys were friends, so what if he made me sad?"
Eddie’s gaze sharpens, "You think I'm doing all this just for making you sad?"
Buck stares at him for a second, "Um obviously? That's actually exactly what you said."
Eddie rolls his eyes and Buck makes a face at him because he can't help it, because he knows what he said, he was literally in the room While Chris was laughing at the dinner table.
"Right," The man huffs, "You're right." And Buck just raises a brow at him because that didn't actually solve a single thing as they stare at one another, and Buck doesn't look away, and he doesn't know how long they actually hold eye contact before Eddie is sighing, "Cmon, come sit and I'll explain better since you don't seem to get it."
But he doesn't actually wait for Buck to confirm before he's walking into the living room and Buck kind of feels incredibly offended right now but follows him anyway.
And when he gets into the room, Eddie pats the spot next to him on the couch and Buck huffs but does what he's silently asked anyways.
Then it's silence because Buck is going to wait until Eddie decides to clear this all up for him since he apparently doesn't get it.
It doesn't take long for the man to clear his throat.
"He took me to Vegas." Eddie starts and Buck glances over at him, "He flew me to Vegas in a helicopter actually, just because he wanted to, just because he could."
Buck knows that, he remembers the all consuming jealousy he felt when their friendship grew so quickly.
"And we were just friends."
Oh.
"We barely knew each other and he knew I wasn't interested and did it anyways because we both like watching fights."
Buck swallows but doesn't speak as he sucks his lip into his mouth.
"Then he left you on the side of the road when you weren't ready to come out to me after your first date after he kissed you first."
Oh no.
"Then he acted like it was a chore when he agreed to give you guys another chance and didn't say a fucking word when there was soot all over your face and none of our family knew you guys were even together. He outed you to everyone without your knowledge."
Buck squeezes his eyes shut when Eddie says it that way.
"Then he broke up with you again when you just wanted to live together. After all you guys did was hang out at the loft, he never fucking took you anywhere you liked. He got you Lakers tickets when he knows you don't like basketball."
"Eddie…" Buck exhales, his own voice feels wobbly.
"No." Eddie snaps, but it's not loud, it's not mean, he just rolls over when Buck starts to speak and then continues.
"Then he waited until after I moved to Texas, saw you at that bar and brought you back here when he knew you had been drinking and fucked you in my goddamn bed."
Bucks breathing hitches.
“And then he called me competition the next morning as if it didn't make me want to punch his teeth out of his mouth the moment you told me.” Eddie sneers, “And then left you there to clean up a mess he fucking made because he’s a coward.”
Buck feels the tears well up in his eyes. He can’t help it, not when it’s all compared that way.
“Do you get it now?” Eddie asks and Buck can hear the tone of his voice, hell, he can fucking feel it. “Do you finally understand why this is so important to me?”
Buck sniffles, and feels himself nod more than he does it.
“Look at me.” Eddie speaks and Buck does so, and the rage he sees there is nothing compared to any look he’s ever seen on the man’s face before. But it doesn’t scare him, because there’s something else there too. Something softer.
“It’s a big fucking deal Evan.” Eddie says, looking at him directly, so directly it feels like he’s staring into his very soul, “Because he’s capable of treating people good and he had his moments, I’ll admit that, but, I’ve experienced what he could’ve done and yet he chose to treat you like that and I won’t ever forgive him for it.”
“Okay...” Buck says softly, nodding once more. “I understand.”
“Good, because when I win, and I will win, maybe he’ll finally understand that there was never a competition when it came to me and him. Because we both know that he never stood a fucking chance.”
Buck inhales sharply at the admission. But it doesn’t stop the fluttering of his heart, because,
“He didn’t have one, you’re right.”
Eddie's gaze softens and it’s so clear that he understands what Buck is saying and he doesn’t feel the nervousness that he thought he would, even if his emotions are all over the place.
This is the one thing he is certain about.
“I know Buck.” Eddie murmurs and then there’s a hand on his knee, “Now c'mon, I’ve got a pillow with your name on it.”
Buck huffs a laugh, “Alright, I’m coming.”
And they sleep, there’s no huge moment right now as Buck lays there, cuddled against Eddie as they hold one another.
He knows that they need to talk about it, to clarify what that conversation meant, but for right now, the comfort and the closeness is enough for Buck. He’s always been a tactile person, especially around Eddie.
So this is perfect.
Then it was the day of the charity match and Buck felt like he could start vibrating with a weird type of excitement.
Because these last few days have been nice for Buck, even if he and Eddie still haven’t specifically talked about what’s been going on between them, they’re closer than before, things feel more settled.
Plus, he doesn’t feel like he needs to keep his staring a secret anymore while Eddie was still training. Less intense than before because honestly, if he kept going on like that eventually he would’ve just been aching the day of the fight.
So Buck got to observe and participate instead and now he sits in the stands, Chris next to him with the rest of their family while Eddie is somewhere waiting for his turn to go on.
And so far, the event has been a hit. He feels so pleased about it, there’s so many people here that the stands are all full and there’s people eating and drinking and hollering in excitement.
The first two matches have already come and gone and the first was two police officers and the second was a firefighter and an officer.
Watching Lena knock that other girl's lights out was kind of surprising but also not. Since she’s the one that got Eddie into that fighting thing anyways. And even if he’s not much of a fight watcher, he can understand why everyone around him is excited.
More so for the fact that each charity chosen is announced after the fights over. The winner raises a banner and it’s so enjoyable to see charities get some more funding from this.
It makes him so incredibly happy.
And round after round goes on, and Buck and Chris even miss one when the teenager decides he wants more food and Buck goes with him. For the obvious reason of there being random people everywhere and he doesn’t really trust them.
Not with his kid.
So they miss that fight but it’s alright, it’s not Eddie's fight so Buck doesn’t really care either way.
Though it’s still wonderful to know that the person who won that fight is donating to planned parenthood. He loves to hear it.
But there’s only two matches left when they sit back down and he wonders if Eddie and Tommy’s is going to be last but that assumption is quickly derailed when Chris hits his arm to get his attention and Eddie and Tommy’s faces are on the big screen.
He swallows at the sight of it and Chris uncharacteristically grabs his hand but he only holds onto the teenager as well while the men walk out and there’s cheering and his heart is in his throat.
He has no doubt about Eddie's capabilities and what he’s doing this for. Couldn’t be any clearer that he’s doing this for Buck.
But he still hates watching anyone get hurt, especially Eddie. And he knows Chris feels the same way, too cool for his dad or not. He knows the teenager better than that.
So they’re still holding hands when the announcement goes off and the first punch is being thrown.
They’re talking about both of the men’s abilities and their training. All kinds of information. Their station, what they do in the field.
Tommy’s hit to Eddie's face isn’t missed by him though. Buck doesn’t think he’s blinked since they started and there’s blood on the floor now when Eddie spits it out of his mouth.
“Holy fuck.” Chris mumbles next to him, looking kind of in awe when Buck glances over the moment Eddie grins at the man and Buck huffs a laugh. Not even correcting the teenagers' language because honestly he’s right.
Holy fuck indeed.
Because the best part about this is that Eddie looked like he was having a great time. Not entirely maliciously, even if he was definitely hitting harder. But fun to be a part of an event like this.
Watching the man huff in his breathing and see how shiny his chest got underneath bright lighting was also a nice bonus to seeing the grin and the sweaty hair hanging down in front of his face.
And even though it’s tough for him to admit it. The moment Eddie hit Tommy hard enough that he stumbled back in surprise sent a satisfaction like nothing he’s ever felt through his body.
Now there’s blood on Tommy’s face too. Leaking from his eyebrow as they box one another. The room is loud and people are carrying on but Buck couldn’t look away from Eddie if he wanted to.
Even if Eddie doesn’t look over at him, he really doesn’t expect him to. He’d rather the man be focused on the guy that knows Muay Thai rather than him. Thank you very much.
Though, it’s in the last round where everything seems to shift a little. Buck can feel it in the air, almost taste it as he watches the round start. Both of the men are breathing a little heavy from having to just fight until the timer runs out.
It looked to him like Eddie was over it. Over what? He’s not entirely certain, but he imagines it’s taking a toll on him.
But he looks tired, and though he looks tired. There’s a new determination written all over the man’s face and Buck feels more focused than before. Somehow even though he definitely hasn’t been distracted, that’s for sure.
Buck still doesn’t expect it when it happens.
30 seconds into their final round, Eddie swings and Buck hears the contact the glove makes to the man’s face and it’s like a movie watching Tommy. Watching the hit connect and then it’s as if time freezes for him and then comes back in full motion a moment later and Tommy falls to the ground.
It’s as if the entire venue felt that happen as well because it’s complete silence before the entire place exploded with cheering.
Excited hooting and hollering and their team is all around them screaming their heads off and Buck finally gets Eddie's eyes on him again as the ref lifts Eddie's arm in the air to show off his victory.
Bucks gaping, he knows that. He knows quite well that his mouth is wide open as he glances at where the other ref is smacking Tommy in the face and then shoves a packet under his nose and the man is waking up and so Buck doesn’t pay that any mind.
Not when Eddie's focus seems to be entirely on Buck when the CP Foundation is announced as the winner of the funds that round.
But Eddie's always full of surprises as the man purposely walks towards them all. And their eye contact doesn’t break, doesn’t strain. Even if he can hear Chris making fun of him for being googly eyed in public but he can’t bring himself to care when Eddie, who’s bloody and sweaty is now standing in front of him.
Buck barely blinks though as he’s yanked up from his seat and there’s whistles and more cheering as Eddie looks him in the eyes once more before kissing him right here in the venue in front of everyone.
More cheers explode and Buck feels his heart racing as their lips connect. Flowing together as if they were always meant to end up here like this. As if this is the prize Eddie wanted.
But Buck is one that feels wanted, as Eddie doesn’t hesitate to keep kissing him and pulls him close where there’s cameras and reporters here. People who know and don’t know them.
Eddie kisses him anyways and it makes him feel like the most important person on the planet.
Then they’re staring at one another and Chris is launching forward to hug his dad and Eddie laughs, he laughs and laughs and Buck can’t look away from him.
He’s perfect.