[19.5k words] [rated: mature] [season six era post-6x13 pining buck]
They’re sitting on the couch when it happens. Buck’s new couch - which frankly sits like it’s made out of cardboard and halligans, and yet every time Eddie comes over, he sits on it and doesn’t complain. Buck keeps layering blankets and pillows on it like it’s going to get better, but there’s really nothing to be done about how miserable it is to sit on.
Sitting on it actually makes it difficult sometimes for Buck to pay attention to conversations, which is why he only tunes in when Eddie says, “Are you busy on Saturday?”
Buck perks up a little. “Uh - no, why? Does Chris want to get started on that science project?”
Eddie flashes a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “No. Uh-” He switches his beer from one hand to the other, and stretches his newly free hand out. “It’s more that - I’m asking for me.”
It’s something about the way Eddie phrases it. Something about the combination of his words and the way he’s staring down at the floor, and the flush in his cheeks and the way he’s fidgeting. Buck thinks, abruptly, he’s going to ask me on a date.
He has no idea where the thought comes from, because - he’s never thought that Eddie would ever - but in that moment, he becomes certain, abruptly, that Eddie’s going to ask him to hang out, just the two of them, and it’s going to change everything. Just as quickly, Buck realizes, I’m going to say yes.
Aside from a passing attraction when they first met, Buck can’t remember the last time he had a romantic thought about Eddie and actually called it that in his head - but as soon as he realizes that Eddie wants to take him on a date, Buck wants to go so badly his palms start to ache with it. He sits up, and scoots a little closer, rubbing his fingers over his sternum, right over his own pounding heart.
“For - you?” Buck asks, nudging Eddie along, encouraging him to clarify.
“Well I - wanted to tell you first, and I need someone to watch Chris, anyways - I know he’s getting old enough now he doesn’t like feeling like he’s got a babysitter, so I was hoping - sorry. Not the point. Uh. I have a date on Saturday.”
Just as abruptly as his own hopes had come soaring up above the cloud cover of his own unawareness - they go crashing back down to the floor - to the basement, and into the mud. “A date?” Buck rasps out.