Chapter Text
The door to Buck’s apartment slammed shut behind him, but the silence inside was deafening. He stood there for a moment, his chest rising and falling unevenly, hands clenched at his sides. His body was still warm from the few beers he'd had at Eddie’s, after he had announced that he was probably moving to Texas.
Eddie was leaving.
The words had come so casually, like he was just letting Buck know he’d be taking Christopher to Disney for the weekend. Like he wasn’t about to rip a hole straight through Buck’s chest and walk away with a piece of him.
“It’s what’s best for Chris.”
Of course it was. Buck could never argue against that. Christopher deserved stability, happiness—things Eddie had always tried to give him. But why did it feel like Buck had just been sucker-punched? Like something inside him had cracked open, and he didn’t know how to fill the space left behind.
He ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. He needed a distraction.
Before he could think about it too much, he grabbed his phone from his pocket. For a moment his fingers hovered over the apps. Which one would promise the fastest distraction? He felt like a version of him he hadn’t been in years. He opened an app he hadn’t touched in months. Grindr.
His thumb hovered over the screen, scanning faces, profiles—empty words promising a good time, no strings attached. That’s all he needed. Just something to drown out the feeling clawing at his chest.
A message popped up almost instantly. “You hosting?”
Buck stared at it. The guy was attractive. Brown eyes, brown hair, probably latino. Strong jaw, toned chest in the blurry mirror selfie. He didn’t care about the details.
“Yeah. Come over.” He said as he shared his location.
Minutes later, Buck stood in front of his bathroom mirror, gripping the edges of the sink. His reflection looked back at him—wide-eyed, tense, like he was already regretting this. But regret was better than feeling nothing. Better than the ache in his chest every time he thought about Eddie packing up his life and leaving Buck behind like he was just - just some guy he worked with.
The knock at the door was sharp. Final.
Buck took a breath, shoved everything down, and went to let him in.
The guy, Nick? Nate, something with an N - was already pulling his shirt over his head the moment Buck shut the door.
"You're hot," the guy muttered, hands reaching for Buck's waist, fingers slipping beneath the hem of his hoodie. Buck barely registered the compliment. He was too busy focusing on the sensation of skin against skin, heat against cold - chasing something he wasn’t sure he’d find.
He let himself be kissed, lips pressing against his in a way that felt almost mechanical. Like they both knew the routine. Buck’s hands found the guy’s shoulders, firm muscle beneath smooth skin. It’s different from - No. He shoved the thought away, let himself be guided backward until his calves hit the couch.
Clothes fell away fast. The guy was experienced and knew exactly what he was doing, pushing Buck down, straddling his lap, grinding against him in a way that should have set his nerves on fire. But Buck just felt - there. His body reacted, sure, but his mind was somewhere else. A different touch, a different warmth, a different voice echoing in his head.
"You know I’ve always got your back, right?"
Eddie’s voice. Eddie’s hands, strong and steady, gripping his shoulder after a rough call. Eddie’s laughter, low and warm, washing over him like home.
Buck squeezed his eyes shut.
Before he knew it, he was on all fours, the guy working him open with rough fingers, barely any prep, barely any care. It burned. He clenched his jaw, let out a sharp breath through his nose. Is this what he wanted? He wasn’t sure anymore. But he didn’t stop it. Couldn’t stop it. Not when it meant silencing the ache for just a little longer.
Then he was being fucked, fast and hard, breath stolen from his lungs, hands gripping at skin, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t Eddie. The thought slammed into him like a truck, made his stomach twist. He gritted his teeth, let his head fall back against his neck, let the guy chase his own release while Buck tried to pretend this meant something.
It didn’t.
Minutes later, it was over. The guy pulled away, stood up, started gathering his clothes. "That was fun," he said, slipping his shirt back on. Buck didn’t answer. Just nodded, staring at the ceiling, feeling the sweat cooling on his skin.
The door clicked shut behind him.
And Buck was alone again.
The silence was unbearable. He rubbed a hand over his face, felt the wetness on his cheeks before he even realized he was crying. He wasn’t even sure why.
Because he felt empty? Because once again he felt like a useable object? Because Eddie was leaving? Because he’d just let someone he didn’t care about touch him in ways that didn’t matter?
Buck pulled the blanket off the couch, wrapped it around himself even though he wasn’t cold. He curled into himself, staring at the dark ceiling, and for the first time in a long time, he felt completely, utterly alone.
—
The city hummed softly beneath him. Car horns in the distance, the occasional siren wailing through the night, the steady buzz of L.A. even in the late hours. But up here, on his balcony, Buck felt like he was floating, adrift in a sea of concrete and neon, his bare feet cold against the metal railing as he leaned forward, forearms pressing into the steel.
The wind bit at his skin, cooling the sweat that still clung to his body. He exhaled, watching his breath curl into the night air.
He should feel better. That was the whole point of tonight, wasn’t it? A distraction. A release. Something to take his mind off him.
Eddie.
Buck swallowed hard. His hands curled into fists against the railing.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
It wasn’t supposed to be Eddie’s voice in his head, Eddie’s hands he wished had been touching him, Eddie’s name burning at the back of his throat when he should’ve been moaning someone else’s.
Fuck.
Maybe it was just because Eddie was leaving. Maybe that’s why it felt like his entire world was tilting on its axis, like something fundamental inside him was breaking apart. That had to be it, right? Losing Eddie meant losing one of the most important people in his life. Of course, it would mess with his head.
But…
His fingers loosened against the railing, a slow exhale slipping past his lips.
This wasn’t the first time.
Not the first time his eyes had lingered too long on Eddie’s smile.
Not the first time he’d felt something twist inside him watching Eddie be a father to Christopher, wishing - God, wishing - he was a part of that family in a way he had no right to want.
Not the first time he’d felt something, something deep and unnameable, when Eddie looked at him like he was the safest place in the world.
And tonight, when he should have been thinking about the man behind him, the man touching him, the man fucking him -
It was Eddie. Only Eddie.
Buck closed his eyes. His heartbeat felt too loud in his ears.
This wasn’t just loneliness.
It was something bigger. Something terrifying. Something real.
And for the first time, Buck wasn’t sure what the hell he was supposed to do with it.
—
Buck groaned as his phone buzzed next to his pillow. His head was pounding - not from drinking, but from lack of sleep. The city was already awake outside, golden light creeping through his window, but Buck had barely managed more than three hours of restless tossing and turning.
He grabbed his phone without opening his eyes. "Maddie, it’s early," he mumbled, voice rough.
"It’s almost ten," she shot back, her tone sharp but laced with sisterly concern. "I called you last night. You didn’t answer."
Buck sighed, rolling onto his back and rubbing a hand over his face. "Yeah. I was just… busy."
Maddie was quiet for a moment, then, "Eddie told you."
Buck blinked at the ceiling. "Told me what?"
"That he might be leaving, Buck."
His throat tightened. He swallowed hard. "Yeah."
"And how are you handling it?"
"I’m fine."
Maddie made a disbelieving noise. "You do not sound fine.“ He could hear Jee run around in the background.
Buck sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. "I mean, yeah, it sucks, obviously. He’s my best friend. Christopher’s like my second best friend. It’s just… weird to think about them not being here."
„So again, how are you handling it?“
Her voice was gentle, and it hit something raw inside him. He wanted to deny it, to brush it off, but his chest was already too tight.
"I just…" He exhaled. "I don’t know, Maddie. It’s like - like something’s being ripped out of me, and I don’t even know why it hurts this much."
Maddie didn’t answer right away. When she did, her voice was softer. "Maybe because Eddie’s not just your best friend."
Buck’s stomach twisted. He opened his mouth - to argue, to say something, anything - but nothing came out.
"Buck," she continued, "you don’t have to figure it all out right now. But don’t bury it, okay? Don’t pretend it doesn’t mean something."
Buck shut his eyes, pressing his fingers against his temple. "Yeah," he murmured. "Okay."
But he wasn’t sure what okay even meant anymore.
—
The moment Buck walked into the station, he knew something was up. The energy was different, quieter, more focused. People were exchanging looks, murmuring under their breath. At first, he figured Eddie probably had told everyone else his plans of leaving California for good.
And then he saw her.
Athena Grant stood near Bobby’s office, arms crossed, a serious expression on her face.
"Uh-oh," Chimney said beside him. "That’s the ‘something big is going down’ stance."
Before Buck could ask what was happening, Athena’s sharp gaze landed on him. "Buck. Eddie. A word."
Buck’s stomach flipped. He glanced at Eddie—who had just walked in, coffee cup in hand, looking just as confused.
Athena didn’t wait for a response. She turned, expecting them to follow.
Buck shot Eddie a look. What the hell did we do?
Eddie shrugged, but there was tension in his jaw. The curl on his forehead bumped up and down with every step that he was taking.
Inside Bobby’s office, Athena shut the door behind them. Bobby was already there, leaning against his desk, arms crossed.
"What’s going on?" Eddie asked, frowning.
Athena didn’t waste time. "You both know about the serial killer terrorizing the city."
Buck stiffened. The whole department had been briefed. A string of murders - all couples, all found in or near hotels along the coast with a radius of 100 miles north and south. L.A. was on edge.
"We have reason to believe the suspect is staying at the Ocean Pride Resort," Athena continued. "LAPD has been conducting surveillance, but we need someone on the inside."
Buck narrowed his eyes. "On the inside how?"
Athena’s lips twitched. "As guests."
Something cold ran down Buck’s spine. He looked at Eddie, who had gone rigid beside him. "You mean-„
"We need a couple," Athena confirmed. "A believable one. Two people who can pull this off under close watch without raising suspicion."
Buck’s mouth went dry.
Eddie blinked. "And… you want us?“ There was confusion and disbelief in his voice.
"You two are already close," Athena said. "Comfortable around each other. The best undercover agents blend in without effort, and let’s be honest - no one would bat an eye at the two of you sharing a hotel room."
Buck felt his brain short-circuit. The Ocean Pride Resort. Pride.
Bobby finally spoke, his voice calm. "Look, this is completely voluntary. But you two are some of the best we have, and this is a chance to stop a murderer before anyone else gets hurt."
Buck looked at Eddie. Their eyes met.
Eddie exhaled, then turned back to Athena. "What’s the cover story?"
Athena’s smile was all-knowing. "You’re a married couple on your honeymoon. And for the next few days, you’ll need to act like it’s real."
Buck swallowed. His mind was already spiralling.
Oh, shiiiiiit.
—
The station’s common room was buzzing with energy, but all Buck could hear was the blood rushing in his ears.
Men-only hotel.
Undercover husbands.
Act natural.
He sat stiffly in his chair, fingers gripping the edge of the table like it was the only thing keeping him grounded. Across from him, Eddie looked marginally more composed—shoulders tense, jaw tight, but at least he wasn’t on the verge of short-circuiting like Buck was.
Bobby sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Look, I know this is a lot, but it makes sense. LAPD can’t send officers because this isn’t just any hotel—it’s a members-only resort."
"A men’s only resort," Buck repeated, voice cracking slightly.
Athena nodded. "It’s marketed as a private getaway for gay men who want an exclusive, discreet vacation experience. A lot of the guests are wealthy, closeted, or just want privacy. If we send in cops, even undercover, they’ll stand out."
Hen raised an eyebrow. "But a couple of firefighters won’t?"
"Much more natural," Athena said. "You two will go in as a married couple on a romantic getaway. You fit the demographic. No one will suspect a thing."
Buck made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. "Fit the demographic?"
Chimney grinned. "I mean, let’s be real—you two do act like an old married couple already."
Buck turned to glare at him, but Hen nodded in agreement. "He’s not wrong. The bickering, the way you take care of each other, the ridiculous amount of eye contact- „
"- the fact that Buck practically co-parents Christopher," Chimney added.
Eddie groaned. "Can we not do this right now?"
Chimney smirked. "Sure, sure. Just saying, this cover won’t be hard to sell."
Buck’s face burned. He looked at Eddie, who was now very pointedly staring at the table like it might save him.
Bobby cleared his throat, bringing them back to focus. "The resort has private villas, so you’ll have your own space. You’ll check in, interact with other guests, and see if anyone fits the profile of our suspect."
Athena slid a folder across the table. "We have a working theory. The killer might be choosing victims based on how vulnerable they seem—new couples, men traveling alone, people who might not be immediately missed. You two will need to make it clear that you’re together—no hesitation, no awkwardness, just a happy, in-love couple enjoying their honeymoon phase."
Buck's mouth went dry. "Honeymoon phase?"
Athena smirked. "Public displays of affection are encouraged."
Hen and Chimney lost it. Chim was practically cackling, and Hen had to put her head down on the table to muffle her laughter.
Eddie exhaled through his nose, looking like he was mentally preparing to throw himself into a burning building. "So… we just go there, pretend to be married, act natural, and try not to get murdered?"
"Pretty much," Bobby said.
Buck swallowed. "Cool. Great. No big deal."
Athena stood. "You leave tomorrow morning. Get some rest, gentlemen."
She and Bobby walked out, leaving Buck and Eddie alone with Hen and Chimney—who were both still grinning like idiots.
"You guys are so screwed," Chim said gleefully.
"Just remember," Hen added, eyes sparkling with mischief, "honeymoon phase."
Buck groaned, dropping his head into his hands.
Just as Buck was praying an asteroid would hit hin, so he could go process his impending identity crisis in peace, Athena turned back with a knowing smirk.
"One more thing," she said, and Buck immediately regretted every life choice that had led him to this moment.
She placed another file on the table, sliding it toward them like a death sentence. "Since you two are going undercover as newlyweds, you’ll need to… look the part."
Eddie hesitated before opening it. His face remained neutral for exactly three seconds before his jaw visibly clenched.
Buck peeked over his shoulder—and immediately choked.
The page in front of them wasn’t a mission briefing. It was an event schedule.
Monday: Leather & Bondage Night
Tuesday: Jocks & Thongs Night
Wednesday: Pride Party & Newlyweds Game
Thursday: Sunset Beach Date Night
Friday: Masquerade Ball
Buck's brain shut down.
"Leather?" he squeaked.
Hen snorted. "Oh, this just keeps getting better."
Chim grabbed the paper and skimmed it, eyes lighting up. "Oh my god, bondage night? Can I come? Just to watch.“
Eddie snatched it back, glaring. "No, you cannot come."
Athena ignored the chaos. "You’ll also need rings. A convincing set. Since you’re newlyweds, people will ask about them."
Buck opened his mouth - then shut it. His heart was hammering.
Hen bit back a grin. "So, to summarize - Buck and Eddie need to go shopping for wedding bands, fake-honeymoon-worthy outfits, and… appropriate theme night attire."
Athena nodded. "That’s correct."
Hen clapped her hands together. "Oh, Chim. We have to go with them."
Eddie groaned. "I hate this."
"Too bad, husband," Buck muttered under his breath.
Eddie shot him a look so deadly that Hen and Chimney howled.
Athena smirked. "Have fun, boys." Then she turned on her heel and left them to their fate.
—
"Okay," Hen said, barely containing her glee as they walked into a small jeweller’s in West Hollywood. "What do we tackle first? The rings? The leather? The jockstraps?"
Buck and Eddie exchanged a look that said kill us now.
Chim hummed. "I say rings first. Ease them into it before we throw them into the deep end."
Buck sighed in relief. "Yes, let’s do that."
They headed toward a sleek jewellery counter. A polished-looking saleswoman approached with a warm smile. "Shopping for wedding bands?"
Eddie stiffened. "Uh."
"Yep! These two just tied the knot and need the perfect rings," Hen said smoothly before either of them could ruin it.
The saleswoman beamed. "Congratulations! That’s wonderful."
Buck blushed furiously.
Eddie looked deeply uncomfortable. Buck was still waiting for the moment that Eddie would look disgusted at the mention of him and Buck being married.
Hen and Chim however, looked like they were living for this.
The saleswoman pulled out a tray. "Do you have a style in mind? Something classic? Modern? Maybe matching bands?"
Chim leaned toward Buck and whispered, "You should get the biggest one. You know, to show commitment."
Buck kicked him.
Eddie exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. "Something simple. Basic. Normal.“
Buck glanced at the rings. "Maybe… these?" He pointed at a set of smooth, silver bands.
Eddie glanced at them, then nodded. "Yeah. Those are fine."
The saleswoman smiled. "Oh, those are perfect for you two! Let’s size them."
As she took their hands, Hen smirked. "You know, most grooms put the ring on each other."
Buck and Eddie turned to stone and Buck could swear that Hen was doing it on purpose.
The saleswoman brightened. "Oh, yes! Would you like to try them on properly?"
Eddie’s eye twitched.
Buck cleared his throat. "Uh. I - um. Sure?"
Hen and Chim silently lost their minds.
The saleswoman handed them the rings. Buck swallowed, glancing at Eddie, who was clearly questioning his life choices.
"Okay, let’s just -" Buck took Eddie’s hand, his fingers shockingly warm.
Their eyes met. Buck swore the world tilted and he was sliding towards Eddie.
His heart pounded as he slid the ring onto his fake husband’s finger.
Eddie inhaled sharply.
Then Eddie took Buck’s hand, jaw tight, and very stiffly pushed the ring onto his finger.
The saleswoman clapped. "Perfect! You two are adorable."
Hen wheezed. ”Aren’t they?“
Chim whispered, "I am having the time of my life."
Eddie’s eye twitched again. "Can we go now?"
"Oh no," Hen said, grinning. "We still have to get your outfits."
Buck groaned. Eddie suffered.
Chim was thriving.
This honeymoon was already a disaster - and they hadn’t even checked in yet.
—
"Alright, boys," Hen said, rubbing her hands together as they stepped into the specialty boutique. "Time to dress you two lovebirds for your honeymoon."
Buck and Eddie visibly winced.
Chim, who was videoing the whole thing, grinned. "This is the best day of my life."
The store was filled with everything from leather harnesses to sheer mesh shirts, rainbow accessories, and things Buck was afraid to name.
Eddie exhaled sharply and crossed his arms. "Let’s just grab something and go."
Hen gave him a look. "Oh no, Diaz. We’re making sure you two are fully prepared."
Buck was already dying inside. "Okay. Where do we start?"
Hen plucked a flyer from the counter. "Let’s see… Leather Night is first, so that means -"
"-a harness," Chim finished gleefully, turning to Eddie.
Eddie’s face darkened. "No."
Hen grinned. "Oh yes."
Before Eddie could bolt, Chim grabbed a thick, black leather harness off the rack. "Perfect."
Buck choked. "That’s a lot of straps."
Chim turned it in his hands. "I think it even has a collar—oh, Eddie, this is so you."
Eddie’s entire soul left his body. "I hate you."
"Try it on," Hen said, already pulling out her phone.
"I will not—"
"You will," she interrupted. "This is for the case, Eddie. We need to make sure it fits."
Eddie groaned but snatched the harness out of Chimney’s hands and stormed toward the dressing room.
Buck was dying.
Chim patted him on the shoulder. "Your turn, buddy. Jocks & Thongs Night."
Buck blinked. ”Wait, what?“
Hen hummed, perusing the options. "Something tasteful, but also something that will get compliments from other guests."
"Compliments?" Buck squeaked.
Hen pulled out a tiny scrap of fabric.
Buck stared. ”No.“ He was a self confident guy, sure, and even though he had seen porn with men wearing these, he had never even thought about buying one for himself.
Chim turned it over and grinned. "Oh, it even has the lace-up sides - how festive."
"Absolutely not," Buck insisted.
Hen shoved it into his hands. ”Absolutely yes. Dressing room. Now."
Buck groaned loudly but trudged after Eddie, who was already suffering behind another curtain.
Inside the cramped space, Buck reluctantly stripped down, trying very hard not to think about how exposed he was about to be.
This is for the job. This is for the job. This is for the job.
Then he looked in the mirror—and made a strangled noise.
The jockstrap left nothing to the imagination.
And the lace-up sides? A crime against humanity.
"Buck," Eddie groaned from the next stall, voice tight. "I hate this."
"Me too," Buck whispered aggressively.
Hen’s voice rang out. "Hurry up! We wanna see!"
"I swear to God," Eddie muttered.
Buck sighed, ran a hand down his face, and stepped out.
Hen immediately gasped and took a picture.
"NO!" Buck yelped, covering himself.
"OH MY GOD!" Chim cackled. "Buck, you look amazing.“ He could hear the sound of Chim taking more pictures.
"I look exposed," Buck snapped, ”and don’t you dare send them to Maddie!“
Then Eddie stepped out—and everyone stopped.
The harness was snug. Black leather against tan skin, highlighting his arms, his shoulders, the strong cut of his chest.
Buck’s mouth went dry.
Chim let out a low whistle. "Damn, Eddie."
Hen nodded approvingly. "Karen is going to love this."
Eddie’s eye twitched. "Hen."
Too late. She had already sent the picture.
Karen’s text came in immediately:
🔥🔥🔥 NICE. Are we sure Eddie is undercover??
Eddie groaned, rubbing his face. "I hate everything."
"Same," Buck muttered, still trying not to look at how insanely good Eddie looked in leather.
Hen grinned. "Alright, what’s next?"
Buck and Eddie both groaned. They were dying inside. But Hen and Chimney? They were thriving.
“Alright,” Hen said, scanning the event list again. “We still need outfits for Pride Night and the Masquerade Ball.”
Buck prayed that meant something normal.
Chim grinned. “Pride Night? Oh, Buck, I know exactly what you need.”
Buck’s stomach dropped. “No. Absolutely not.”
Chim reached over and pulled something off the rack.
A thong.
A rainbow thong.
With glitter.
Buck made an actual noise of distress. “NO.”
Hen howled with laughter. “Oh, this is it. This is the one.”
“Nope, no way, I refuse—”
Chim grabbed a second hanger. “Oh, and look! Matching thigh-high socks!”
Buck was going to die here. He was going to just die in this shop so no one would ever have to see him wear this.
But then - then Hen turned to Eddie.
“Alright, husband two,” she smirked. “If Buck is going all out, so are you.”
Eddie visibly tensed. “No.”
Hen ignored him and plucked something off another rack.
A sheer, flowy, skin-tight crop top.
“Perfect,” she said, handing it over.
Eddie looked at it like it had personally insulted his entire bloodline. “You want me to wear this?”
“It’s Pride Night,” Hen said innocently. “You have to be festive.”
“Festive?” Eddie repeated, dead inside.
Chim examined it. “Oh yeah, this plus some tight shorts? Amazing.”
Eddie groaned. Buck was too busy suffering over his own nightmare to enjoy it.
“You’re both trying them on,” Hen said cheerfully.
Buck and Eddie dragged themselves back to the fitting rooms.
Buck sighed deeply and stripped down, yet again, before stepping into the… situation.
The thong was small. Like. Very small.
The socks were way too tight.
And the glitter? Everywhere.
“This is my villain origin story,” Buck muttered.
Eddie groaned from the next stall. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“We’re definitely talking about it,” Buck shot back.
Then, before he could second-guess his entire life, he stepped out.
Hen immediately gasped. “OH. MY. GOD.”
Chim had to hold on to a clothes rag to not fall over laughing.
“Delete this from existence,” Buck begged as Hen took an entire photoshoot.
”I never knew you had such a nice butt,“ Hen commented, looking at how the thong lifted up Buck’s ass cheeks.
Karen’s text came in instantly:
🔥🔥🔥 BUCK YOU LOOK AMAZING OMG.
Buck wanted to melt into the floor.
Then Eddie stepped out and once again, Buck’s brain short-circuited.
The sheer crop top clung to him. It was loose in the sleeves, but the fabric over his torso? Practically painted on. The neckline dipped slightly, showing just enough chest.
And the short shorts? Illegal. Tight and very short - there was more thigh than short to be seen.
Buck’s mouth went dry.
Chim let out a low whistle. “Eddie, my guy… you’re serving.”
Hen cackled. “Oh, this is definitely another one for Karen.”
Eddie’s suffering was visible. “I hate all of you.”
Buck was still processing. His entire system rebooted.
Hen was delighted. “Alright, final category: The Masquerade Ball.”
Buck clung to hope. “Okay. Finally, something normal.”
Hen raised an eyebrow. “Who said normal?,“ and Buck immediately regretted everything.
"Okay," Hen said, flipping through options. "So, for a masquerade, we need something dramatic."
Buck frowned. “Like… tuxedos?”
Chim snorted. “Oh no, no, no. Tuxedos are for boring people.”
Hen held up an outfit. “This.”
Buck stared. “That’s a lace suit.”
“Exactly!” Hen beamed. “It’s elegant and sexy. You’ll look amazing.”
Buck exhaled slowly. “Okay. Fine. It could be worse.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Chim said. “It gets worse.”
He turned to Eddie.
Eddie was already suspicious. “What.”
Hen grinned. “Eddie, you’re gonna wear this.”
She held up a flowy, deep V-neck silk blouse, paired with fitted leather pants.
Eddie’s soul left his body.
“I despise you,” he muttered.
“Try it on,” Hen said sweetly.
“I refuse,” Eddie shot back.
Chim dragged him to the dressing room.
A few minutes later, Buck stepped out in his lace suit.
He looked dramatic. The black lace clung to him, but the design was actually nice.
“Okay,” Buck admitted. “This isn’t too bad.”
Then Eddie walked out.
And Buck. Died.
The silk shirt hung open, exposing just enough chest to be a problem. The leather pants fit so well that Buck forgot how breathing worked. He really needed to get his act together, or all the pictures Hen was taking would give away what he was feeling.
Hen whistled. “Damn, Eddie.”
Chim nodded in approval. “This is like… villain boyfriend material.”
Karen’s text came in:
🔥🔥🔥 BUCK, HOW ARE YOU STILL STANDING?
Buck wasn’t sure either.
Eddie groaned. “Can we please be done?”
Hen checked the list. “Yep! You’re all set for your fake honeymoon. Congratulations!”
While Buck and Eddie were suffering in silence, Hen and Chim were having the time of their lives.
Buck looked over at Eddie, who was still stuck in the deep V silk shirt disaster.
They locked eyes.
This was going to be a long week.
—
The next day came, of course, faster than any other day had ever come in Buck’s life. At four in the afternoon he put his suitcase in the boot of the rental car they had received, filled with things Buck hadn’t even imagined ever owning 48 hours ago.
The car ride to the hotel felt like a time loop of pain. The drive took almost two and a half hours. It was just the two of them, driving through the afternoon L.A. county traffic, neither of them speaking as the weight of the whole undercover mission settled in. The city hummed outside, but inside the car, it was just them - and the silence was almost unbearable.
Buck glanced at Eddie from the corner of his eye, trying to figure out what to say. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this whole thing was going to change something between them. It had to. They had spent hours trying on ridiculous outfits and now had to pretend to be married, pretending to be in love. But they weren’t really prepared for the emotional side of it.
Finally, Buck broke the silence, shifting nervously in his seat. “So, uh, about the whole ‘acting like a couple’ thing…”
Eddie raised an eyebrow, his hand, with the silver wedding ring, tightening briefly on the steering wheel. “What about it?”
Buck swallowed hard. “We’re gonna have to... act like we’re intimate, right? And I guess I’m just wondering what we’re comfortable with.”
Eddie’s fingers flexed. He gave a half-hearted laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not like we can just... pretend to be married and have zero physical closeness, right?”
Buck nodded, his heart starting to beat a little faster. “Exactly. So, like, how far do we take this? What’s okay, and what isn’t?”
Eddie’s voice was quieter now, the air between them thick with unspoken tension. “Well, we’re not... actually married, right? So I’m not going to be kissing you like we’re in some romantic movie.”
Buck felt his heart drop, but tried to keep his voice even. “I’m not asking you to do that, Eddie. I just mean - what do we have to do to sell it? Like, holding hands, maybe some light touching?”
Eddie was quiet for a moment, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror. “Yeah. I think we should stick to that. Nothing too... intense. Just enough to make it believable.”
Buck exhaled, but it wasn’t exactly a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure if he was disappointed or relieved. This wasn’t going to be easy. He had thought about how they’d need to act, but there was something intimate about this discussion - something personal that they hadn’t really touched on before. It wasn’t just about their bodies anymore. It was about their connection.
“Yeah. I’m okay with that,” Buck said softly. “Just… don’t want to make it weird.”
Eddie nodded. “It’s already weird,” he muttered under his breath.
Buck chuckled, the sound low and nervous. “Yeah. But we’ve done weird before.”
Eddie shot him a quick, half-amused glance. “True.”
They both fell into a quiet moment, as the world outside passed by in a blur. But the heaviness of the conversation lingered, even as they continued to pretend that everything was fine. Buck had a feeling things weren’t going to stay fine for long.
“Okay,” Eddie said, voice a little more serious now, as he took an exit towards the ocean. “We’ve got a job to do. And we need to look like we’re in a real relationship, but we don’t have to - ” He paused, looking over at Buck briefly. “- cross any lines we’re not ready to cross, you know?”
Buck nodded again, his mouth dry. “Yeah. Of course. I think I can handle that.”
But Buck wasn’t entirely sure. He didn’t even know what lines Eddie was talking about. He couldn’t shake the thought that maybe, just maybe, there was more between them than either of them were willing to admit right now. But he kept that thought buried deep. He didn’t want to deal with it. Not now. Not in the middle of an undercover mission.
“We’ll figure it out as we go,” Eddie added, his eyes returning to the road.
“Yeah,” Buck agreed, swallowing hard. “We’ll figure it out.”
They pulled up the drive way lot of the men-only resort, which in all honesty looked like something out of The White Lotus and Buck couldn’t help but feel that things were about to get a lot more complicated.