Work Text:
Eddie
Standing in the airport, his ticket to Texas clutched in one hand and Buck’s shoulder under the other, Eddie suddenly has a realization.
He doesn’t know how to live without Evan Buckley.
“Okay, your flight is taking off from Terminal A2, which is near the good coffee shop. Make sure you grab a cup,” Buck begins, voice steady but tinged with an edge of nervous energy. “Your rental should be ready by the time your plane lands—they’ll email you the code about an hour before your check-in time. Call me if you have any trouble; I know how you are with technology. Do you have your work schedule yet? Send it to me so I can add it to the Google calendar, that way we can coordinate FaceTime calls and visits. I’m going to visit Texas so much, you won’t even have time to miss me.”
“Buck?”
The word is soft, cutting through Buck’s rapid-fire monologue. He stops talking and looks at Eddie.
“Yeah?”
Eddie doesn’t respond right away. Instead, he pulls Buck into a hug, burying his face in Buck’s shoulder. He breathes in the familiar scent of citrus and vanilla, committing it to memory. Buck hesitates for a fraction of a second before wrapping his arms tightly around him, holding on like Eddie might disappear if he lets go too soon.
“Hey,” Buck says after a beat, his voice cracking as he tries to keep it steady. “It’s going to be okay. It’s just a few months—until the school year is over. We’ve got this.”
Eddie nods against Buck’s shoulder, his throat tight. “Don’t terrorize my temp while I’m gone.”
“Only if he’s a super hot Army vet single dad nicknamed Six-Pack,” Buck jokes, his voice lighter now. Eddie chuckles, even as his chest tightens at the unspoken truth in Buck’s words.
He goes to pull away, but Buck tightens his grip. “Just…just a few more seconds, please?”
Eddie’s breath catches, and he decides to stay right where he is. He doesn’t let go until Buck does.
He isn’t sure if they stand there for thirty seconds or thirty minutes, but when Buck finally steps back, his eyes glassy with unshed tears, Eddie feels something inside him crack.
“I love you,” Buck says suddenly, the words tumbling out in a rush like he’s afraid they might choke him if he doesn’t say them.
“I’m gay,” Eddie blurts out, the admission raw and unfiltered.
For a moment, they just stare at each other, the weight of their words hanging heavily in the space between them. Neither of them knows what to say next.
“Flight 275A to El Paso will begin boarding in ten minutes,” the announcement rings out over the loudspeaker, cutting through the silence like a blade.
Buck takes a shaky step backward, his gaze locked on Eddie’s. Then he turns, walking away without another word.
Eddie watches him go, rooted to the spot, his heart pounding as the words I love you echo on a loop in his mind.
For the first time in a long time, Eddie feels utterly and completely alone.
Buck
“I told him I love him, Maddie,” Buck says, his voice rising over the hum of his Jeep’s Bluetooth. “I told Eddie that I loved him, and then I panicked, backed away, and basically sprinted out of the airport like a complete idiot.”
Maddie’s sharp intake of breath crackles through the speakers. “Okay, wait. Hold on. Did he… did he say anything back?”
“I don’t know!” Buck exclaims, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I couldn’t hear anything over the sound of my own heart pounding. I think he said something—his lips were moving—but I have no idea what he actually said. What if he said something, and I just left?”
“Alright, alright, you need to slow down,” Maddie says, her voice gentle but steady, the way she used to talk to him when he was a kid and fell off his skateboard. “Take a couple of deep breaths for me, Buck.”
“I can’t take deep breaths, Maddie,” he groans, exasperated. “I’ve got a shift in thirty minutes, and I’m supposed to just pretend everything’s normal? How am I supposed to do that when I just dropped a love confession and ran?”
“Okay, first of all, you didn’t ‘just run,’” Maddie corrects, trying to keep him from spiraling further. “You had a moment. A big moment, Buck, and those can be overwhelming. It doesn’t mean you ruined everything.”
Buck presses his head back against the seat at a red light, blowing out a shaky breath. “You weren’t there, Maddie. It was bad. Like, ‘oh no, he’s going to think I’ve completely lost it’ bad.”
“Buck,” Maddie says softly, “if there’s one person who won’t think you’ve lost it, it’s Eddie. This is Eddie we’re talking about. You know him better than anyone. He knows you better than anyone.”
The light turns green, but Buck hesitates, staring out at the road ahead. “What if I’ve screwed it up, though? What if I’ve just made things weird? I mean, what if he stays in Texas forever now? What if—”
“What if he loves you back?” Maddie interrupts, her voice calm but firm.
Buck blinks, stunned into silence.
“I’m serious,” Maddie continues. “What if you’re sitting here torturing yourself, assuming the worst, while he’s over there trying to figure out how to tell you that he feels the same way? Did you think about that?”
The thought lodges itself in Buck’s mind, warring with all the doubts he’s been nursing since the moment he blurted out the words. He swallows hard, his grip on the steering wheel loosening just slightly.
“What do I do, Maddie?” he asks, his voice quieter now.
“For now, you go to work,” she says, her tone both practical and encouraging. “Be yourself. Be honest. Eddie’s your best friend—call him later. You don’t have to figure everything out right this second, okay?”
Buck nods, even though she can’t see him. “Okay,” he says, though the word feels fragile in his mouth. “Okay, I’ll try.”
“That’s my little brother,” Maddie says warmly, the smile evident in her voice. “You’ve got this, Buck. Just take it one step at a time.”
As he pulls into the station parking lot, Buck takes a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever comes next. One step at a time. He can do that.
He cannot do this. It’s been three hours into his first shift without Eddie in what feels like forever, and everything is falling apart. Well, not outwardly—he’s doing his job, running calls, cracking jokes where he can, just like any other day. But inside? Inside, he’s unraveling.
Something is wrong, and it’s not just that Eddie isn’t there.
“Buck, look, I get it,” Bobby says, his tone patient but firm as they sit down for lunch. “You and Eddie have been a team for years. I know it’s tough, but you’ve got to pull yourself together. He’ll be back before you know it.”
Buck opens his mouth to respond, but instead of something logical or reassuring, he blurts, “I told him I’m in love with him.”
Dead silence.
Hen’s fork clatters onto her plate. Chim freezes mid-chew. Even Ravi, sitting awkwardly at the end of the table, looks like he’s just witnessed something cataclysmic.
“Oh,” Bobby says after a beat, his voice strangled. He clears his throat, though he hasn’t even taken a bite of his sandwich. “Well. Uh…”
“I told him,” Buck continues, because now that he’s started, he might as well get it all out. “I told him at the airport. I said I loved him, and then—I left. I didn’t even wait for him to say anything. I just… ran. I came straight here.”
No one speaks. The weight of the confession lingers, suffocating and inescapable.
“And Maddie told me to call him,” Buck adds, his voice rising with frustration, “but I can’t! I know his plane landed because I get airline updates, but I can’t call him!”
“Why not?” Hen finally asks, her initial shock giving way to curiosity.
“Because he’s dealing with his parents and Christopher, and now I’ve gone and dropped this on him too! What if he’s mad? What if he thinks I’ve ruined everything?”
Ravi, of all people, pipes up hesitantly. “The airport’s pretty loud, you know. Maybe… maybe he didn’t hear you?”
Buck glares at him. “Not. Helping.”
“Well, what’s stopping you from just texting him?” Bobby suggests. “You don’t have to make it a whole thing. Just check in, make sure he got there okay.”
Buck sighs and pulls his phone out, staring at the screen like it’s a ticking time bomb. His thumb hovers over the keyboard, but his mind blanks.
“Oh, give me that!” Chim says, snatching the phone out of Buck’s hands before he can protest. His fingers fly across the screen, and then he tosses the phone back to Buck.
Buck catches it and reads the message Chim sent aloud. “Hey, just checking in. Did you make it to your parents’ house?”
He looks up, torn between gratitude and panic. “What if he doesn’t reply?”
“Then you’ll deal with it,” Hen says firmly. “But for now, at least you’ve done something.”
Buck nods, swallowing hard. Now all he has to do is wait. And waiting, he realizes, might just be the hardest part.
Eddie: made it safely. Wish me luck
Buck let’s put a sigh and types back.
Buck: you’ve got this!
Eddie heart reacts the message and Buck’s heart flutters. Maybe this doesn’t ruin things at all.
Two weeks later
Buck is bored out of his mind. On his usual 48 hours off, he’d spend most of his time with Eddie or his boyfriend. But he doesn’t have a boyfriend anymore, and Eddie is 816 miles away. So, that’s out.
Instead, he’s been sinking into his uncomfortable couch for hours, watching strangers on TikTok make sourdough starters.
I might be losing it, Buck thinks.
He doesn’t know why he creates an account instead of just scrolling. Or why he gets up and wanders into the kitchen. And he definitely doesn’t know why he presses record.
BucktheMasterBaker: Uh, hi. I’m Buck. I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it’s my day off, and I don’t have anything else to do. So… I guess I’m making sourdough?
He pauses, scratching the back of his neck.
I recently got into baking after my boyfriend dumped me, but I’ve never tried this. So, uh, first time for everything, right?
Buck stops the recording to grab his notebook and supplies.
BucktheMasterBaker: Okay, I think I just need one cup of flour and one cup of room-temperature water in this jar, mix it, cover it, and leave it for 24 hours. So, that’s what I’m going to do.
Pouring flour and water into a jar for the camera feels ridiculous. But it’s a good kind of ridiculous, distracting enough to take his mind off everything else.
BucktheMasterBaker : It says to keep this in a dry, warm spot, so I’m going to set it on the counter and check back tomorrow. Uh, okay. Bye.
He stares at the video for thirty minutes, debating whether to post it.
No one will probably see it anyway, he tells himself.
He hits upload, then starts scrubbing his apartment from top to bottom, trying not to think about it.
Later, when he’s sitting down to eat his dinner, his phone dings.
Ravi: dude! You’re blowing up on TikTok
Buck: what?
Ravi: the video you posted earlier, it’s got like 100k views
Buck quickly exits out of messages and goes straight to tiktok, and Ravi wasn’t kidding. He’s got three thousand new followers, lots of views, and even more comments.
Comments (1,237):
FlourPower87: Welcome to the sourdough club! Can’t wait to see how your starter turns out!
BakingWithBecca: Omg, same! I started baking after a breakup too. It’s surprisingly therapeutic.
JarHead_Jess: Pro tip: Name your starter. It’s tradition.
YeastMode123: You’re making sourdough and you’re single? Asking for a friend…
SnackAttackSam: YOU got dumped??? Their loss. Clearly, you’re a catch AND a baker.
MixItUpMia: “Buck the Master Baker” is giving boyfriend material vibes.
BakeMeYours: How do I sign up for Buck’s Baking School and his DMs?
KneadMeNow: So… are you single single, or sourdough single?
RiseAndShine: This is oddly calming to watch. Can’t wait for Day 2!
MixingMichael: Buck, you’re officially my favorite TikToker now. Please don’t stop posting.
lonechronicles: sorry I was drowning in your eyes. Can you start over?
Name my starter? Buck thinks before getting up and grabbing a marker.
First, to draw a line where the start is for the night to see if there’s any difference and second to scribble the starter name on the side.
Eddie
Eddie is freaking out. Buck had said he loved him and then hightailed it out of the airport. Eddie has to spend the entire ride wondering if Buck had even heard him say that he was gay and wondering what he was going to do with the fact that he definitely loves Buck too, but didn’t get a chance to say it back.
Now, it’s been two weeks, and everytime he texts Buck it’s awkward and not anything of substance. How’s LA? Chris won his chess tournament. Maddie and Chim are having a boy. Chris wants to start back at his surfing lessons when we get back. Denny finally got his cast off after his last surgery.
Not one mention of what either of them had said in the airport.
“Come on! Get him down, what are you doing?” Eddie is pulled out of his thoughts by his sister yelling at the tv. He glances up and sees that she’s watching football.
“Soph, since when do you watch football?”
“Well, it started because my sorority sisters and I made a fantasy league and had to draft the hottest teams, but then I kind of got invested in it. Now it’s been two years and I watch football every week.”
“Drafting the hottest players?” Eddie rolls his eyes. “Not even by skill?”
“Well, I did my team this year by record and skill, but athletic guys in tight pants, most of them are bound to be hot, Edmundo.”
“Well, yeah.” Eddie shrugs. “But I’m not watching football just to watch hot guy toss each other around for a few hours.”
“No, that’s what you have MMA fights for, hmm?”
Eddie doesn’t have a response, because, yeah, maybe she has a point. There’s not a straight explanation for his wanting to watch half naked men pummel each other.
“Okay, come here.” She says, dragging Eddie closer to her on the couch so he could see her phone. “We’re playing smash or pass.”
“Uh, what?”
“I’m going to show you a hot guy and you tell me if you’d smash or pass.”
“Smash? Like-“
“Like hook up with.”
“Right.”
“Okay, starting off easy. Jalen Hurts.”
“Cute, but not my type.” Eddie raises an eyebrow at his sister. “This is what you do for fun now?”
Sophia grins. “Yes, and it’s a bonding experience. Don’t pretend you’re not entertained. Next one—Christian McCaffrey.”
Eddie glances at the picture on her phone. “Alright, yeah. Smash.”
“See? You’re getting the hang of it!” She swipes to the next player. “Jimmy Garoppolo?”
Eddie tilts his head. “I mean… maybe? He’s got the whole rugged thing going, but I’m not sold.”
Sophia gasps dramatically. “Not sold? You’re impossible to please.” She scrolls again. “Okay, what about this? Joe Burrow.”
Eddie doesn’t even hesitate. “Oh, smash. Definitely.”
Sophia lets out a laugh and nudges him with her shoulder. “Now we’re talking! You’ve got a type, Edmundo. Pretty boys with great hair.”
“Do not,” Eddie protests, even though the truth of her observation makes him shift uncomfortably.
Sophia arches an eyebrow. “Sure, keep telling yourself that. Alright, one more, and then it’s your turn to pick for me. Tua Tagovailoa.”
Eddie studies the photo and shrugs. “Pass. He’s not bad looking, but not really my vibe.”
“Fair enough.” Sophia locks her phone and leans back, grinning. “Your turn. Hit me with someone.”
Eddie looks at her, unimpressed. “What am I supposed to do? Google ‘hot football players’?”
“Sure, or think of someone off the top of your head. Could be anyone.”
Eddie frowns, considering her challenge, and before he can stop himself, the first name that comes to mind is Buck. His face heats up as the memory of Buck’s declaration at the airport resurfaces, unbidden and unwelcome.
Sophia notices his hesitation and narrows her eyes. “Oh, come on, Eddie. I can practically see the wheels turning. Who is it? Spill.”
“It’s no one,” Eddie says quickly, standing up to escape her scrutiny. “I’m getting water. You want anything?”
“Nice try, but you’re not getting out of this that easily,” she calls after him, but Eddie is already halfway to the kitchen.
He leans against the counter, gripping the edge tightly, and tries to steady his breathing. Two weeks, and the weight of Buck’s words hasn’t lessened. If anything, it’s grown heavier, compounded by his own feelings and the fact that he hasn’t been able to get out of his own way to say anything back.
He’s not sure how much longer he can keep avoiding it—or Buck.
Turns out, Eddie can’t avoid Buck for long. His sister—Adriana, this time—sends him a link to a TikTok with a text that reads, “Isn’t this your man?”
Eddie rolls his eyes and replies, “Not my man.”
But he clicks the link anyway.
The video starts playing, and Buck is front and center, wearing one of his many aprons, the kind that’s a little too snug around his shoulders.
BucktheMasterBaker: “Okay, so, change of scenery. I have a 24-hour shift, so I needed to bring my starter with me to work. This is day three, and I’ve been reading all of your comments and taking your suggestions.”
Eddie watches as Buck uncaps a jar of gooey, pale dough. He looks entirely too focused as he carefully pours half of it out.
BucktheMasterBaker: “Yes, I named my starter, but that’s kind of personal, so I don’t think I’m going to share it. Just know that he has a name, and it’s perfect. Just like him.”
There’s laughter off-camera, and Eddie catches Buck glancing past the lens, exasperation written all over his face. A measuring cup of flour dangles precariously from his hand.
BucktheMasterBaker: “I haven’t lost it, Ravi. You just don’t get it. Anyway, I’m mixing one cup of flour and one cup of water to—what’s it called? Oh, ‘feed’ the starter. Then I’ll give him a little mix and set him on the counter for the night. Okay, that’s all for today. Bye!”
Buck waves at the camera, his smile wide and boyish, and the video cuts out.
A second later, a text from Adriana pops up:
“You should check out the comments, since he’s ‘not your man’ 😂😂”
Eddie rolls his eyes again, but curiosity gets the better of him. He scrolls through the comment section.
Comments (4,567):
Lilpickle97: Why is he so attractive when he’s just talking about bread?
Ariariari: I don’t even care about sourdough, but I’ll watch this man bake anything.
Live-for-dough: Bet his starter’s name is something cute, like Bready Mercury or Doughminic Toretto.
Olineedsaman: The fact that he took this to work? Husband material.
Camcamdol: Does he need a sous chef? Asking for a friend (it’s me, I’m the friend).
lonechronicles: raw, next question
yeastofeden: need this man’s loaf in my oven 🥵🥖
itsumievee: i knead him
Eddie sighs and sets his phone down, but not before letting the tiniest smile creep onto his face.
Not my man, he tells himself again. But for some reason, that doesn’t make him feel any better.
Buck
“Okay, Probie!” Buck yells, his voice echoing through the firehouse, causing the new guy to practically jump out of his socks. “Inventory time. Pretty simple. I call out an item, and if we have it, you say ‘check.’ Got it?”
“Yes, sir!” Ortiz responds, his voice high-pitched with nervous energy.
Buck chuckles, already entertained by how jittery the Probie is. It reminds him of Ravi when he first started—not that long ago, but long enough for Buck to feel like a seasoned pro.
“Buck, be nice to Ortiz, or I’m messing with your sourdough starter,” Hen chimes in, leaning casually around the side of the ambulance. She wears a sly grin that spells trouble.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Buck fires back, narrowing his eyes.
“Oh, but I would,” Hen grins wider before disappearing to continue whatever she was doing.
Buck exhales dramatically, muttering something about how no one respects his baking projects. Then, turning his attention back to Ortiz, he adds, “Alright, let’s get this done.”
Buck goes through the inventory list like he would with anyone else, methodically checking items off without much flair. He’s tempted to tease the new guy more, but Hen’s threat looms in the back of his mind. By the time they finish, Ortiz seems slightly more at ease, though still a little awkward.
“So, uh…” Ortiz starts hesitantly as they wrap up for the day. “I watched your TikToks. And, uh, I’m sorry about your boyfriend. He doesn’t know what he’s missing.”
Buck freezes for half a second, caught off guard. “Oh.”
“And, well… we should grab a drink sometime,” Ortiz says, shifting awkwardly but with a small, encouraging smile.
“Oh, uh…” Buck rubs the back of his neck, suddenly unsure how to let the Probie down gently. “Look, you’re great and all, but—”
“Wait, wait,” Ortiz interrupts, holding up his hand with a laugh. He reaches into his pocket and slides a wedding ring onto his finger. “Happily married, actually. To my husband. But, I mean, if you’re ready to get back out there, you could join us for drinks. I have a couple of single friends.”
Buck blinks, then lets out a laugh. “Wow, you really had me there for a second.”
Ortiz grins. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. But seriously, the offer stands. No pressure.”
Buck hesitates, his smile fading into something softer. “Thanks, but… I’m kinda in love with my best friend. Like, he’s it for me. So, yeah, I’d love to hang out with you and your husband sometime, but please don’t try to set me up with anyone.”
Ortiz nods knowingly. “Best friend, huh? Does he know?”
Buck shrugs, his expression somewhere between wistful and resigned. “I told him when I dropped him off at the airport a few weeks ago, but we haven’t talked about it since.”
Ortiz pats him on the shoulder as they walk out of the bay. “Well, if you ever need backup, let me know. My husband’s great with pep talks. And matchmaking, but I’ll leave that part out.”
Buck laughs, feeling lighter than he has in a while. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
BucktheMasterBaker: Okay, according to the comments yesterday, Ed—uh, my starter is ready to be baked into something. So, I’m just going to start simple with a loaf. Now, I went to the store and bought the bread basket thing—uh, I’m not sure what you call it. And I’m just going to start measuring everything out.
Buck measures some of his starter and the other ingredients into a bowl and starts kneading them with his hands, flour dusting his counter as he works.
BucktheMasterBaker: Now, before anyone in the comments comes at me for not using gloves for this part, I’ve washed my hands twice, and it’s actually more sanitary this way. So, I’m just going to knead this a couple of times. Then I think I need to set it on the counter for a few hours for it to rise.
Buck covers the bowl with a clean towel and places it on the counter before turning the camera off for now. He tidies up the flour-covered counter, washes his hands thoroughly, and decides he’s earned some rest after the 24-hour shift he just worked. Heading for a shower, he eventually collapses onto his bed, his body finally surrendering to exhaustion.
When he wakes up hours later, sunlight streaming through the window, he stretches and glances at the clock. Bread time. He considers putting on a shirt and taming his wild, bedhead curls but shrugs it off with a grin. A little skin won’t hurt anyone—and if Eddie sees it, well, that’s just a bonus.
BucktheMasterBaker: Sorry if I look a little rough. I just took the best nap ever after getting off work, and now it looks like it’s time to shape and fold the bread to get it ready to bake.
He moves back to the counter, pulling the towel off the bowl to reveal the dough, now risen and pillowy. His fingers press lightly into it to test the texture, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Oh, this looks perfect! Okay, so I’ve watched a few videos on shaping the loaf—thank you, YouTube rabbit hole—and I think I can do this. If it turns out lopsided, well, we’ll call it “rustic.”
Buck begins shaping the dough with careful hands, talking through each step for his audience, sprinkling in some self-deprecating humor. He places the dough into the bread basket, dusts it with flour, and sets it aside to proof. He leans casually against the counter, addressing the camera with a crooked grin.
“Alright, it’s going to rest again for a bit before it goes in the oven. Cross your fingers, everyone. If this works out, I might just be unstoppable. Stay tuned for the grand reveal”
He winks at the camera before turning it off, already picturing Eddie’s reaction to the final result—whatever it may be.
Eddie
Buck’s newest video was posted a few hours again and Eddie has been staring at the comments every since.
Comments (3,466):
lonechronicles: I’m so excited to see how this turns out
Buckbakesreacts: wait pause, what was that name? Ed? Ed what?
WaywardTasha: is there a sign up list for the stretch and folds because I call next
Needs2GetBread: I just need him to knead my buns one good time
itsumievee: so, is it true you have to "feed it" and if so, WHAT?
yagirlket: never let your boyfriend stop you from finding your husband 😍
Beabread: looks great! (I’m not just talking about the bread)
Stackspod: Bet that yeast isn’t the only thing blooming 👀
glutenforpunishment: oh yeah I bet that really does rise. I can feel the rise already 🥵
yeetedhoe: raw, next question
—BucktheMasterBaker: I don’t recommend eating raw dough👍
——Lonechronicles: I don’t think she’s talking about the sourdough 😂
glutenfreemom65: Bread me, is the yeast you can do!!
Pansexual4Loaves: I’ve been waiting for this sweetie to make sourdough! I’ve also been waiting for these buns to be absolutely GLAZED. 😏🥵😩
FlourTortilla: with everyone in the comments so thirsty, we might need your firehose 🥵
“They’re thirsting over your man again on TikTok!” Adriana announces, bursting into Eddie’s rental kitchen uninvited. She’s grinning like she’s about to deliver the news of the century.
“What’s she talking about?” Chris asks, looking up from his math homework with a mix of curiosity and dread.
“Nothing!” Eddie says quickly, his voice a little too loud, while Adriana smirks.
“Your dad is jealous of all the people in the comments on Buck’s TikToks,” she teases, leaning against the counter like she owns the place.
“Wait—Buck makes TikToks?” Chris tilts his head, intrigued. “Of what? How not to ask your ugly boyfriend to move in with you?”
Eddie has to chuckle at that, even as he points a wooden spoon at Chris. “Watch it.”
“No,” Adriana answers dramatically, wagging her eyebrows. “He makes bread. Shirtless.”
Eddie sighs, defeated, and tosses a piece of shredded chicken at her, which she dodges with a laugh.
“Look,” Eddie says, exasperation creeping into his tone as he returns to seasoning the chicken. “He’s coming here this weekend. Please try to behave, for once.”
“Ooooh! Can I come with you when you pick him up?” Sophia chimes in, appearing out of nowhere and propping herself on the counter. “I live for the drama.”
“Where did you come from?” Eddie asks, already exhausted by his siblings.
“I’ve been here,” Sophia says matter-of-factly, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket. “I got in before you picked Chris up from school. Took a nap. Nice couch, by the way.” She takes a loud bite, grinning.
“Well, I hope you’re not planning to stay for dinner,” Eddie says flatly, stirring the rice. “I only made enough for two.”
“Relax. I already ordered a pizza,” Adriana chirps. “We just want to spend time with our favorite big brother.”
“Don’t you have a husband to bother?” Eddie mutters, making Chris chuckle from the table.
“Why bother mine when I can bother you about yours?” Adriana shoots back, the grin never leaving her face.
“Buck and I aren’t married!” Eddie all but yells, his cheeks heating up.
“Well, it’s not like you’ve given me the chance to ask yet.”
The voice doesn’t come from Adriana or Sophia. It comes from the doorway.
Eddie freezes, spoon still in hand, and slowly turns.
Buck stands there, looking a little sheepish but smug all the same, holding a duffle bag in one hand and a bouquet of sunflowers in the other.
“Buck!” Chris shouts, dropping his pencil and rushing over to throw his arms around him. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too, bud,” Buck says, leaning down to hug him tightly.
Sophia claps her hands together. “Well, Chris, why don’t we finish your homework outside? Let’s give these two lovebirds some privacy.” She gathers Chris’s books and herded him out of the kitchen, Adriana trailing behind her with a wink over her shoulder.
Eddie stares after them, blinking.
“You weren’t supposed to be here yet,” Eddie says once they’re alone, his arms crossed over his chest.
“I know,” Buck says, stepping further into the kitchen. “But some drunk guy crashed into the engine bay doors, and they had to shut the station down for repairs. Gave us a couple of days off, so I drove all night.”
“You drove all night?” Eddie asks, eyebrows lifting as Buck steps closer and hands him the bouquet.
Buck nods. “Yeah. Couldn’t find a flight, and I just… I just wanted to get here.” He scratches the back of his neck, suddenly looking nervous. “Plus, I couldn’t exactly take Edmundough through airport security.”
Eddie freezes mid-sniff of the sunflowers. “I’m sorry. What?”
Buck sets his duffle on the counter and pulls out a neatly wrapped loaf of bread and a jar.
“That’s for you,” he says, laying the loaf on the counter. “And this is Edmundough.”
Eddie stares at the jar, then at Buck. “You named your… gooey bread stuff after me?”
Buck shrugs, his hands sliding into his pockets. “Yeah. I, uh, missed you.”
Eddie swallows, trying not to smile. “So, are we going to talk about how you told me you loved me at the airport and then shoved me onto a plane before I could say it back? Or should we start with the shirtless baking for your fans?”
Buck blinks, then grins. “Why not both?”
Eddie narrows his eyes at Buck, but the corner of his mouth betrays him with the faintest twitch of amusement. He sets the bouquet down on the counter carefully, taking a moment to busy his hands before looking back at Buck.
“Seriously, Buck,” Eddie starts, crossing his arms again, though his stance has softened. “You told me you loved me in the middle of LAX, dropped that bombshell, and then disappeared before I could say anything. Do you know how much I’ve thought about that?”
Buck shifts his weight nervously, glancing down at his shoes. “I didn’t plan it, okay? It just came out. I’d been holding it in for so long, and then you were leaving, and—” He looks back up at Eddie, his blue eyes filled with sincerity. “I couldn’t let you go without saying it. I just… I didn’t think you’d want to hear it.”
Eddie’s eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. “Didn’t think I’d want to hear it? Buck, I—” He stops himself, exhaling heavily. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
Buck takes a step closer, closing the distance between them. “Maybe. But I’m also here now. And I brought bread. That’s got to count for something, right?”
Eddie shakes his head, a laugh slipping out despite himself. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously in love with you,” Buck says without missing a beat, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips.
Eddie’s heart stumbles in his chest, and for a moment, he forgets how to breathe. He stares at Buck, at the messy hair from the long drive, the nervous hands tucked in his pockets, the hopeful gleam in his eyes.
“I thought about it,” Eddie finally says, his voice quieter now.
Buck tilts his head. “About what?”
“About you. About what I wanted to say back at the airport.” Eddie swallows hard, his throat suddenly dry. “I wanted to say it too, but you were gone before I could even open my mouth. And all I could get out before you were running away was ‘I’m gay’ when I really wanted to say ‘I love you too. I’ve spent the last three weeks thinking I imagined it because you were gone so fast.”
Buck’s smile softens, and he steps even closer, until there’s barely a foot of space between them. “You didn’t imagine it,” he says, his voice equally soft.
Eddie searches his face, feeling the weight of the moment settle between them. His heart beats louder in his ears as he finally lets go of the wall he’s been holding up for months. “I love you, Buck.”
The words come out steady, and the relief in Buck’s expression is immediate. He reaches out slowly, hesitating just a moment before cupping Eddie’s face with his hands.
“Say it again,” Buck whispers, his thumb brushing against Eddie’s cheek.
Eddie lets out a shaky laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
“Eddie,” Buck presses, his forehead almost touching Eddie’s now.
“I love you,” Eddie repeats, his voice firmer this time. “And you better not pull another stunt like that again.”
“Deal,” Buck breathes out, grinning wide before pulling Eddie into a kiss. It’s warm and unhurried, and Eddie melts into it, his hands finding their way to Buck’s waist.
When they finally pull apart, Buck rests his forehead against Eddie’s, both of them catching their breath.
“You really drove all night?” Eddie asks, a smile playing on his lips.
“Of course,” Buck says. “I wasn’t about to wait another second to see you.”
Before Eddie can respond, the sound of the front door opening echoes through the house.
“Did you kiss yet?” Sophia’s voice calls out, followed by Chris yelling, “I told you not to interrupt them!”
Buck laughs, stepping back slightly but keeping one hand on Eddie’s waist.
“Your family’s relentless,” he says, grinning.
“You’ve got no idea,” Eddie replies, shaking his head. “But you signed up for it, so good luck.”
Buck squeezes his waist. “Worth it.”
Eddie leans in for another quick kiss, unable to stop himself from smiling. He can hear Sophia and Adriana bickering in the background, Chris attempting to shush them, and the distant smell of pizza drifting in.
For the first time in a long time, Eddie feels like everything is exactly where it’s supposed to be.
Buck
BucktheMasterBaker: Hey everyone, guess what? I’m in another new kitchen. Actually, I’m in a whole new state this time. Long story short, the bakery’s undergoing some much-needed repairs, and they gave me a paid two-week vacation. Not too shabby, right?
Buck glances up from his phone just as Eddie walks in, fresh off his shift and looking impossibly cozy. Eddie meets Buck’s stare and throws in a playful wink.
BucktheMasterBaker: Anyway, so yeah, I’m in Texas right now. But don’t worry, I brought Edmundough Jr. along with me! Oh wow, I just realized—this is the first time I’m actually saying his name out loud to y’all.
Eddie chuckles as he walks into frame, sliding in close beside Buck, who’s still mid-video.
“Look at you, eighteen hours in Texas, and you’re already picking up our slang,” Eddie teases, smirking. “Hi, I’m Edmundo Sr.”
Buck’s head whips toward Eddie, his glare not entirely convincing. It’s less “angry” and more “embarrassed and affectionate.” The look practically screams, “Don’t you dare.”
“Eddie,” Buck hisses under his breath, clearly flustered.
Eddie grins wider, undeterred. “What? They deserve to know the family tree.”
Buck groans dramatically, trying to shield Eddie from the camera, even though the damage is already done. The world doesn’t need to see Eddie’s post-shift adorableness—it’s strictly reserved for Buck.
“Okay, okay, back to the baking!” Buck announces, redirecting the video with a flustered laugh. But his gaze lingers on Eddie for just a moment longer before he turns back to the camera.
BucktheMasterBaker: So, like I was saying… new kitchen, new challenges, but the same love for all things dough. Let’s get started!
Behind him, Eddie leans against the counter, quietly smirking, knowing full well he’s just added a little extra sweetness to Buck’s broadcast.
BucktheMasterBaker : really, all I’m doing today is feeding Edmundough because we drove all through the night to get here yesterday and I kinda just wanna pass out and take a nap. But, I will be baking again tomorrow. I might even go live, who knows.
“Aaron Pierre, that’s Mufasa. Aaron Pierre, that’s Mufasa. Aaron Pierre, that’s Mufasa.”
Buck turns around to where Eddie is still perched against the counter, watching his own phone.
“Oh no!” Buck takes Eddie’s phone and sticks it in his pocket. “No Aaron Pierre for you mister, I already have to compete with ‘quarter of a billion dollar Burrow.”
Eddie chuckles and wraps his hands around Buck’s waist, placing a gentle kiss to his shoulder.
“It’s cute that you’re jealous.”
“I’m not,” Buck huffs, pouring half of his jar into the trash can and scooping new flour.
“okay, you know the drill. One cup of flour, one cup of water and then we mix. Eddie, Eds, you have to move so I can mix.”
“No.”
“Eddie! Seriously, let go of me” Buck giggles, trying to push Eddie off of him.
“Never!” Eddie giggles. Eddie Diaz giggles into Buck's neck and moves just enough to let Buck mix his starter.
“Okay! Check back again tomorrow to see what I bake with Junior.”
Comments (2,567):
itsumievee: the venom sourdoussy scares me, why it move like dat?
angbagel: does this hurt the sourdough?
seriousBaker: Stop being horny guys!!!! I’m trying to find out what he uses to score the bread!!!!!
DoughbiWanKenobi: can you knead me next? 🥵
callme_charlize: this man really using my dream necklace to kneed dough
MaddieBHan: so THIS is why you disappeared in the middle of the night???
Lonechronicles: ugh, literally so cute. I could squeeze them up.
AdriDiazMartinez: ahhh bro, I can see this. Stop being go cute
Roses: Oh no whats happening to me, suddenly im becoming sourdough 🧍♀️🧎♀️🍞
PanInPanikar: happy for you guys 🏳️🌈
TKlovesCarlos: I KNEW IT! I’m so happy for you guys. I can’t wait to hear everything! We’ll be in LA soon, we should get together!
Buck wipes his hands on a nearby towel, turning to find Eddie still leaning against the counter, arms crossed, watching him with that soft, crooked smile that always makes Buck’s heart stutter.
“What?” Buck asks, trying and failing to sound casual as he pours flour into the jar.
“Nothing,” Eddie says, but the warmth in his voice betrays him. He steps closer, slipping his arms around Buck’s waist again, resting his chin on Buck’s shoulder. “Just thinking how cute you are when you’re all flustered.”
“I’m not flustered,” Buck mutters, though the flush creeping up his neck gives him away.
Eddie hums in amusement, pressing a kiss to the corner of Buck’s jaw. “Sure you’re not.”
Buck tries to roll his eyes but ends up leaning into Eddie’s embrace, letting himself bask in the quiet comfort of the moment. “You’re impossible, you know that?”
“And yet, here you are.” Eddie’s grin is audible, his hold tightening just enough to make Buck smile despite himself.
“Yeah,” Buck sighs in contempt. “Here I am. And I never want to leave.”