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The florescent lights of the dive bar cast a dingy glow over Eddie as he weaved through the throng of bodies, two Budweisers clutched precariously in his hands. The air hung thick with the smell of stale beer and something vaguely like desperation. Eddie, however, was oblivious, his focus solely on getting back to his table where Buck, Hen, and Chim were impatiently waiting.
Just as he rounded a corner, a voice, slick with something stronger than beer, stopped him in his tracks. "Hey there, handsome. What are you drinking?"
Eddie glanced up, his brow furrowing as a heavily tattooed man with a receding hairline loomed over him. "Uh, actually, I'm just getting these to some friends."
The man leaned in, his breath reeking of whiskey and something Eddie couldn't quite place. "Friends, huh? Well, maybe your friends wouldn't mind if you made a new one." He winked, his gaze lingering a beat too long on Eddie's chest.
Eddie forced a smile, the unease prickling at his skin intensifying. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm good." He attempted to sidestep the man, but a meaty hand clamped onto his shoulder.
"Come on, don't be shy," the man slurred, his grip tightening. "Just one drink. Maybe we can get to know each other a little better."
Eddie's irritation simmered. He wasn't looking for company, especially not the kind this guy was offering. Just as he opened his mouth to deliver a more forceful rebuttal, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Hey there, everything alright?"
Eddie whipped around, relief flooding his features as he saw Buck approaching, a predatory glint in his eyes. Buck, ever the picture of California sunshine, looked anything but cheerful at that moment. His jaw was clenched tight, and his usually playful demeanor was replaced by a steely resolve.
"Yeah, everything's great," Eddie said, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance directed more at the unwelcome attention than Buck.
Buck didn't take his eyes off the man. "That's what I thought," he said, his voice a low rumble. He sauntered closer, his arm brushing suggestively against Eddie's back as he did so.
The unwelcome touch sent a jolt through Eddie, momentarily erasing the annoyance from his face. Instead, a blush crept up his neck, a blush he hoped the man wouldn't notice.
"Actually," the man interjected, oblivious to the silent exchange between Eddie and Buck, "we were just getting to know each other."
Buck scoffed, the sound sharp and dismissive. "Clearly," he drawled, his gaze flickering from the man back to Eddie. Then, in a move that surprised even Eddie, Buck wrapped his arm possessively around Eddie's waist, pulling him close.
"Isn't that right, baby?" Buck murmured, his voice husky and sending shivers down Eddie's spine. He leaned in further, his lips brushing against Eddie's ear. "We were just about to head back to our table." He finished the sentence with a lingering kiss on Eddie's neck, the heat of his breath sending a delicious tingle through Eddie.
The man, taken aback by Buck's sudden appearance and blatant possessiveness, stammered. "Uh, I, uh..."
Buck straightened, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, that's what I thought." He cast the man a withering look before turning back to Eddie.
Eddie, still reeling from Buck's unexpected closeness, could only manage a dazed nod. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and a strange, exhilarating excitement. What had just happened?
Buck's smirk softened into a genuine smile as he met Eddie's eyes. "Ready to get these back to the table?"
Eddie managed a weak chuckle. "Yeah, let's go."
They weaved their way back through the bar, the tension between them thicker than the smoky haze. Eddie stole a glance at Buck, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. Buck seemed completely unfazed, whistling nonchalantly as they neared their table.
Hen and Chim, who had witnessed the entire exchange, were grinning from ear to ear. "Well, well, well," Chim nudged Hen. "Looks like someone finally decided to make a move."
Eddie's cheeks burned as he met their knowing gazes. He deposited the beers on the table, avoiding Buck's eyes.
"So," Buck drawled, leaning back in his chair, "what do you say to a dance?" Buck finished, a playful challenge in his voice. The question hung in the air, momentarily distracting Eddie from his internal combustion.
"Dance?" Eddie echoed, surprised. The bar wasn't exactly known for its sophisticated waltzes, but the suggestion, combined with the heat radiating off Buck still close beside him, was undeniably appealing.
"Yeah," Buck said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "They've got a pretty good beat going on over there." He gestured towards the makeshift dance floor in the corner, a small section pulsating with flashing lights and bodies swaying to a thumping remix.
Eddie hesitated. He wasn't known for his dancing prowess, and the last thing he wanted was to make a fool of himself in front of everyone. But then he caught the mischievous twinkle in Buck's eyes, and a spark of competitiveness flared within him.
"Alright," he said, a grin tugging at his lips. "But you lead."
Buck let out a triumphant whoop, grabbing Eddie's hand before he could second-guess himself. As Eddie allowed himself to be pulled towards the dance floor, he couldn't help but feel a thrill course through him. This wasn't just about a dance; it was a silent challenge, a secret game they were playing only with each other.
The dance floor was a cacophony of movement and flashing lights. As the music pulsed around them, Buck turned Eddie to face him. His hands, warm and familiar, found Eddie's hips, pulling him close.
Eddie, surprised by Buck's boldness, felt a hitch in his breath. This wasn't the casual dancing he'd imagined. Buck's touch was heavy, possessive, and sent a jolt of electricity straight to his core.
Buck, ever the showman, moved with surprising fluidity, his body a smooth counterpoint to the rhythm. He dipped Eddie low, his hand trailing down Eddie's back, sending shivers down his spine. Eddie clung to Buck's shoulders, the sudden closeness both exhilarating and terrifying.
They danced in a world of their own, oblivious to the curious stares and amused glances from their colleagues. Their movements became bolder, mirroring the raw energy of the music. Buck's touch lingered a little too long, his gaze a little too intense. Eddie, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and the unexpected heat between them, began to mirror Buck's intensity. He leaned into Buck's touch, his body responding instinctively.
As the song reached its climax, Buck pulled Eddie even closer, their bodies pressed together in a way that left no room for misinterpretation. Eddie's breath hitched as Buck's face descended, their lips hovering tantalizingly close.
The air crackled with unspoken desire. Could this really be happening? After years of unspoken tension and stolen glances, were they finally about to cross that invisible line?
Just then, the DJ abruptly switched the song, replacing the pulsating beat with a slow, romantic ballad. The sudden shift in mood broke the spell. Both Eddie and Buck pulled back, a mix of disappointment and flustered embarrassment coloring their faces.
"Uh... that was..." Eddie stammered, unsure how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.
Buck chuckled, a sheepish grin on his face. "Yeah, that was..." He trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.
Their moment of near-confession hung heavy in the air, both of them unsure how to proceed. Just then, Hen's voice cut through the tension.
"Wow, Diaz, I didn't know you had those moves!" she said, a playful smile on her face.
Chim whistled. "Smooth, Buck. Real smooth."
Eddie swallowed, forcing a smile. "It's not that big of a deal," he mumbled.
Buck, however, seemed to have recovered his composure. He winked at Eddie. "Next time, we'll pick a song that doesn't get interrupted." The way he said it, with a suggestive tilt of his head, left no doubt about his intentions.
Eddie felt a blush creep up his neck. He had a feeling there would definitely be a next time. And maybe, just maybe, that next time they wouldn't be interrupted. As the song continued to play, Buck held out his hand to Eddie.
Eddie met his gaze, a silent question hanging in the air. Buck smiled, warm and inviting. Eddie, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm in his chest, took Buck's hand, and they swayed to the slow melody, a promise of something more hanging heavy in the air.