Archive of Our Own

Summary:

“Eddie, I’m in love with you,” he says, heart thrumming in his chest, in his throat, in his mouth. He feels hot and cold and dizzy by turns.

“What?” asks Eddie faintly, barely even a question.

“I’m in love with you,” Buck says again. “I didn’t know, I didn’t mean to, but I am. I am.”

“You– Right, okay,” says Eddie, so visibly buffering that it makes Buck’s heart clench a little in his chest. Of course he’s in love with Eddie. How could he possibly have let himself pretend otherwise. “Wasn’t expecting this, bud,” says Eddie, and he sounds so shocked that Buck can’t help a wry smile. Of course Eddie’s surprised. They must be the only two people in existence who didn’t already know. “I– Buck, man, you know that I care about you, but…”

“I know,” he says gently to Eddie, because he did know, but that doesn't make this moment hurt any less.

 

---

Post season 8, Buck confesses his feelings, Eddie lets him down as gently as he can, and they both try to figure out how to be just friends.