Touches

Acceptances

⚠️minor breakdown and smut⚠️

Eddie wanted to know when this emotion thing would wear off. Buck's math thing wore off after about a month, but Eddie could still feel Buck's emotions with every touch.

It'd been 4 months since the lightning strike, and Eddie was going insane. He could feel every emotion Buck was feeling at the moment whenever they touched, which he had never noticed was so often?

And yet, he still didn't know if Buck had any feelings for him. Sure, sometimes when they were in his living room and Buck had his feet under his leg, he'd be hit with happiness, contentment, adoration and shyness but what could that even mean?

Eddie was too damn close to just saying something. He'd had a few wine nights with Karen, and Karen only like before, and told her everything. About the strike, the emotions, the confusion, all of it. The amount of times Karen had said to just say something made him want to, but that worry was still there.

Buck and Eddie were hanging out for a rare alone night. Christopher had gone to Hen's and Karen's house to hang out with Denny overnight, since he was 12 now and didn't have sleepovers. The look Karen had given Eddie when both Buck and Eddie dropped Christopher off had him floundering.

They'd ordered dinner once they got home, just some burgers and fries from a local spot they both enjoyed, beers on the table beside them. A more adult action movie played on the TV, though Eddie hadn't been paying attention since Buck had flipped over like he usually did and stuck his feet under Eddie's thigh.

Eddie had his hand on Buck's ankle, absently rubbing his thumb over the joint sticking out. Buck laughed at something on the TV, Eddie smiling as amusement, joy, and contentment filled his chest.

Eddie chewed on his lip, thoughts running through his mind. He wanted to say something, anything, but what if Buck- didn't feel the same?

"Eddie, your thoughts are louder than the damn movie, what's up?" Buck asked, leaning forward to pause the movie.

Eddie jumped at his voice, glancing at him before looking away again. "Nothing man, I'm fine," he said, shoulders tensing.

"Nah, see, I know you better than that. You can talk to me, you know? It's just me, I won't judge," Buck said earnestly and Eddie smiled tightly at him.

"I- I know. It's- just- nothing, don't worry," Eddie sighed and Buck sat up, tilting his head at him. "I'm going to worry about you, Eddie. Kinda in the best friend handbook," Buck teased and Eddie laughed weakly.

"O-Okay, uh, shit. Only Karen knows, okay? And- I only sorta figured it out maybe a year ago? Still- working on it, on myself," Eddie said vaguely. He won't say anything about his feelings, but he also just realised he'd never told Buck he- wasn't exactly straight.

"If you're not ready to say, you don't have to tell me specifics, Eddie. I just want to know if you're okay," Buck said softly, giving Eddie an out.

Eddie wanted to take it, he knew Buck would understand. But- he wanted to know. Needed to know, how Buck would feel. And- this was for himself too. He needed to feel comfortable with himself and just say the words.

"I- I'm gay," he breathed, eyes squeezed shut. Shock, pride, joy and adoration slammed into his chest from where Buck's feet were still pressed against his leg, Eddie letting out a sharp breath.

"Oh Eddie," Buck breathed, reaching out and yanking him into a slightly awkward but very warm hug. Awkward only because they were leaning over the middle cushion, but it was still one of the best hugs Eddie had been given.