Lost and Found || Buddie

Chapter 21

Buck was surprised when Eddie showed up in Kentucky, but his jaw about hit the floor when Shannon showed up as well. Tears welled in his eyes, he had his sister, and two of his closest friends as his support system. "Thanks for coming, I didn't realize it was a family affair." He jokes as he pulls all three of them into a group hug, hugging them tightly, holding them as if they were a lifeline. "But seriously, why are you two here? All I'm doing is picking them out of a line-up and that's it. It's nothing important." He says before he pulls away from the group.

Maddie started to speak before being interrupted by Shannon. "It doesn't matter that that's all you're doing. You're going to see the people that made your life hell for four years and we're all pretty sure that's going to bring some horrible memories, Buck. We're here to support you. We're all family. So, we're here, whether you like it or not mister." She folds her arms across her chest and looks at Buck pointedly, his sister nodding in agreement with the woman.

"She's right Buck. You're going to need someone afterwards and all three of us are here for you." Eddie spoke, patting the other man on the back, letting his hand linger a little longer, if anyone noticed nobody said a thing about it. "Also, I recruited Shannon so I should get credit for that." He smirks and laughs softly to himself.

The other three adults just roll their eyes at the man and laugh as well. "Alright, Buck's supposed to be at the station in about two and a half hours. It takes half an hour to get there from here, so we've got two hours to do whatever." Maddie says, looking down at her phone. "I vote we go grab something to eat." 

"I don't think I can eat right now Mads." Buck groans and the group heads out of the airport building and to the rental care that Maddie had rented. "I could use a drink to help with the nerves though." He says sheepishly.

Maddie just shrugs her shoulders. "Alright, I guess we're going somewhere that has food and booze." She unlocks the door and looks over at Shannon with a grin. "You're up front with me Shan, the boys can be in the back." She laughs. 

The two men get in the backseat as the women get in the front seat. "You sure you're okay?" Eddie almost whispers, reaching over to poke Buck in the side, making the other man glare at him. 

"Yeah, just nervous I guess." He mumbles, throwing his head back against the headrest. "It's just weird. Didn't think I'd ever have to see them ever again but in order for them to charge them for my case, I have to. I was so close to tell them I didn't want to press charges Eddie, that I wanted to take it back just so I didn't have to see them."

Eddie frowns and places his hand on Buck's knee, squeezing it gently. "I can't say I understand, because I really don't, but it'll okay. I've got you." He murmurs softly, giving him a small smile. 

Buck smiles back, placing his hand on top of Eddie's. The other man made him feel safe, he was glad he decided to come. He felt bad that he had to leave Christopher to come to his aid but he'd make it up to him somehow.

---

After the mental shit show, the four went back to their hotel, leaving in the morning to head back to where everyone needed to go. Maddie and Shannon in one room, Buck and Eddie in another, unfortunately the girls claimed the room with two beds, leaving the two men with the room with just a king size bed. 

"No funny business you two." Shannon teases as the two women into their room, making the men roll their eyes. 

Eddie opens the door with the key and lets Buck in first, trailing in behind him. "Of course they make us sleep in the same bed." He mumbles, kicking his shoes off and locking the door behind him. He looks over and Buck is already faceplanted into the mattress, long legs hanging off the edge, talking but it was muffled. The older man laughs, sitting on the mattress and shoves Buck playfully. "I didn't hear a word you said man."

Buck groans and rolls over onto his side, glaring at the other man. "Well, if you were listening to me, you would have heard me." He sasses, the older man rolling his eyes. "I think Shannon and Maddie have some hidden agenda. That is what I said." 

Furrowing his brows in confusion, Eddie laid back rubbing his eyes. "What do you mean?" He asks.

Maybe it was the fact that Buck was still a little drunk from having a few too many alcoholic beverages before their trip to the police station, he practically word vomits. "They're making us sleep in the same bed, they made us both sit in the back of the car together. They even had us sit next to each other at the bar when I could have sat with Maddie, and you could have sat with Shannon. I think they're trying to set us up." He shrugs and rolls onto his back, looking up at the ceiling.

Eddie chuckles in amusement and shakes his head. "Buck, I don't think that's what they're trying to do. Why would they try do that?" He asks, glancing over at the man. 

Buck is silent for a couple of minutes and Eddie thinks he falls asleep before he finally spoke again. "Because they both know that I love you, you fucking idiot." He mumbles up at the ceiling and Eddie's eyes widen, jaw dropping at the words that came out of his mouth. Did his best friend just say that? He's pretty sure he just did, but he's drunk, he didn't really mean it. He couldn't have meant it. 

"You're still drunk. You don't mean that." Eddie mutters and closes his eyes, taking in a breath before exhaling slowly, his heart was beating rapidly. 

Buck quickly sits up and grabs Eddie's hand, pulling until the other man sits up as well. "I might be a tad tipsy right now, but I'm mostly sober Eds. I meant it. I've got feelings for you, and I'm done trying to keep it in. It wasn't just an accident when I said I loved you that day. Please don't shut me out again though. I can shut up about it and move on if you want me to-"

"Stop." Eddie cuts him off, placing both of his hands on either of Buck's shoulders, looking into Buck's icy blue eyes. Man did he love those eyes. He takes in a deep breath, bracing himself. "I've got feelings for you too." He says softly, smirking when Buck's eyes widen. "I've just been trying to put them behind me because I didn't think you felt the same and I was ashamed of who I am. But fuck it, it's time to make myself happy again." He says and Buck lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. 

Buck wraps his arms around Eddie and pulls him into a hug, burying his face in the man's neck. Eddie rubs his back soothingly and they hold each other. "And I'm not going to pressure you into anything." Eddie starts off. "But I think maybe, just maybe I can see us being together and being a proper family with Chris. If it's something you'd want."

"I want everything with you Eddie. I haven't been with anyone but Tommy, but I can honestly say I think you're it for me. it just makes sense. It seems right." He pulls back from the hug and wipes his face, laughing softly when he realized he had been crying. 

"Good, because I think you're it for me too. Pretty sure Shannon thought so too. I'm starting to think that's why she left, so I could get my shit together." The older man laughs. "That's probably not it"

"I told her I was in love with you. Well, she kind of read it in my notebook but that's a whole different story. But she didn't have a problem with it and I kind of thought it was weird." Buck shrugs. "Anyways, I'm tired. Hold me while we sleep?" He asks and Eddie nods, reaching over and flicking the light off before laying down and pulling buck with him, wrapping his arms around him. "Night eds."

"Goodnight Buck." Eddie whispers, pressing a kiss to Bucks head before closing his eyes and letting sleep take him.