Buck: Do we know exactly how Bobby survived?
Chim: Yeah because we were infected at the same time, and he was fine for most of it?
Hen: His golden blood kept him safe. And even though it was a super strain, changing the way the disease spreads diminished its lethality.
Ravi: So it wasn't airborne after all?
Eddie: I was wondering about that. The regular CCHF spreads through insect bites or contact with fluids of another infected human.
Hen: Yeah, the super strain tried to change that and made it more unstable in the process.
Buck: Hence Cap's zombie routine.
Chim: Well, thank God for Cap's resurrection powers.
Eddie: I guess Cap has his Halloween costume locked in now.
i have no idea if they plan to keep bobby dead or if they will bring him back but i know this. eddie will not be going back to el paso after the funeral. sure he’ll go back to sell the house of smth but he’s going to move back. not because of buddie (though that will be a huge win) but because eddie doesnt want to miss anything else. eddie created a life and a family for himself in la. his son spent half his life there and his second dad is there too. eddie will not move back to el paso because bobby dying will remind him of that life he built and him not being there for bobby’s death will remind him that he doesnt want to miss his family anymore
“Can I ask you a question?” Buck blurts out as Eddie pours creamer into their coffee. It’s the algae creamer that Buck uses. Eddie picked it up when he was out grocery shopping last. Even though he was shopping for his house and not Buck’s. Even though he doesn’t use it. Eddie buys a different one for his. Some fancy caramel macchiato type stuff that he splurges on because Frank told him to treat himself and Eddie apparently can only do that with coffee creamer.
“Go for it.” Eddie hums in reply, clicking the tops shut and carrying the creamer bottles to the fridge. He’s wearing old sweats with a hole in the thigh. Bare toes peek out from the bottom. His shirt is old and loose, dipping at the collar. There’s an unknown stain on the chest. He’s got day old stubble growing on his jaw and his hair is sleep ruffled and soft. He looks beautiful.
“Wanna get married?”
Eddie fumbles the bottles, the fridge door open, and his head snaps over to Buck, mouth parted in surprise and eyes wide. He says nothing.
“Look, h-hear me out,” Buck steps forward, rubber spatula gripped tightly in both hands. The eggs he’d been about to cook for them for breakfast remain forgotten beside the stove. “We…we love each other. We basically live together. I’m pretty sure I’ve been helping you raise your son?” Buck releases a slightly manic laugh. “Eddie, I’ve never felt so comfortable or at home with someone. I’ve never known another home like I know yours. I’ve seen you at your absolute worst and your absolute best. The same applies for you with me. And…and we still love each other. We keep coming back to each other. And I…I do. You know? L-love you. As a best friend. As a work partner. As…as my person.”
Eddie is still staring. Mouth open. Eyes wide. Creamer bottles in hand.
“I have loved you since probably the moment I met you. And it’s only grown and blossomed into…” Buck gestures wildly around the room, “This! Eddie. We’re already married. Why don’t we make it official?”
Buck feels like he’s run a marathon when he finishes. His chest rises and falls rapidly. His heart is going crazy in his chest.
Eddie slowly turns, puts the creamers away, and shuts the door. Buck watches. Waits.
And then Eddie is walking towards him and Buck can’t read his expression. He always has known what Eddie is thinking. It’s one of the many things Buck loves about the man.
But right now? When Buck has bared it all out in front of them? He has no idea what Eddie is thinking.
“You…” Eddie trails off, shaking his head. “Buck.”
“I—“
“Am I allowed to at least take you on a single date before you propose?” Eddie cuts him off. And a beautiful smile is lighting up his face. It’s soft and sweet and all Buck’s.
“I…y-yeah. Of c-course.”
“Good.” Eddie sways forward, hand resting on Buck’s hip, and he brushes his mouth across Buck’s. A first kiss. Their first kiss. But it feels like one they’re exchanged thousands of times. “But for the record…yes. I’ll marry you.”
Buck grins back, looping his arms around Eddie’s neck and pulling him back in for another kiss. This one longer and deeper.
Eddie snorts when they pull apart, just enough to look at each other. “Proposing to me and we aren’t even together.”
“We’ve always been a little together.”
“Okay. That may be true.” Eddie grins, “Can you make breakfast now? I’m hungry.”