"We should have known they were up to something," Eddie said to Karen with a wry smile on his face as they watched Denny and Christopher running around outside to set up the yard for the 'adult' date they had planned. When Eddie thought about it, he remembered noticing that Christopher was going to his room to talk to his friends, rather than sitting in the living room or at the kitchen table like usual. He had chalked it up to Christopher getting older and wanting some privacy; everyone knows that the pandemic didn't allow for much alone time, and Christopher definitely missed hanging out with his friends.

Eddie looked out at Karen's backyard. The two boys had already laid out a couple nice, soft blankets on the ground, and placed large pillows all around them. Christopher had informed him this way would ensure that they had the proper cushioning, since the older they got, the harder time they had sitting on the ground. He had let out a bit of a chuckle about that, recalling the many times that he's told Christopher that he can't sit on his knees for a long period of time.

"I have to say Eddie, I'm a bit surprised at your comfort level right now," Karen said, interrupting Eddie from his observations. She was giving him an odd look that Eddie found himself returning, not really sure what she was talking about. "I don't mean to stereotype, but most men I know…" Karen paused, trying to ensure that she wasn't implying anything negative, but then found herself interrupted by the man she was going to ask about.

"Hey, Eddie, I think we should maybe pop out and assist," Buck said, poking his head into the living room, his arms full of all the fixings for s'mores. "Christopher just radioed me to let us know that they are ready to start the fire, and I don't think we should be letting them do that on their own." He shot a quick smile at Karen, a silent apology for interrupting their conversation.

Eddie took a quick glance out in the yard and ran to the door, hollering at the boys to wait for an adult to supervise. He then headed on out to help them with the last few steps, with Buck following closely behind to assist.

By that time Hen had also emerged from the kitchen, placing a large bowl of popcorn down on the coffee table and a couple of drinks for the boys to enjoy during their indoor movie time. Coming over to where Karen was watching, she placed her arm around her wife's waist. "Do you think this will help these two realize their feelings for each other?" Hen asked bluntly, not holding back on her words as they watched Buck placing his hand gently on Eddie's lower back as Eddie taught the boys how to safely start the fire.

"Who knows at this point," Karen said with a chuckle, grabbing Hen's hand and pulling her outside. It was time to relax and enjoy their 'adult' date.

XXXXX

With the exception of a few interruptions, one for changing the movie because Captain America is better than Iron Man, and for snack refills, the boys had mostly left the adults alone for the evening, allowing them to relax and take a break from the stresses of their jobs. They all ate way too many s'mores, and maybe had a few too many beers, while they chatted and caught up with one another around the cozy fire pit.

Buck always thought Karen was awesome, but as she relayed her stories about her work with NASA, he revised his opinion to her being an awesome genius. He couldn't help but ask her a gazillion questions, pausing at times to glance at Eddie, concerned that he was taking over the conversation. But then Eddie would send him that soft smile, that he only really saw Eddie give to him, and he would feel all warm inside, and comfortable to keep asking questions.

But it was getting late, and Hen and Karen had stretched back on their blanket, cuddling and watching the stars. Buck smiled, he was happy to have the two of them in his life, and that they were comfortable enough to show their relationship to them. Leaning back on the blanket he was sharing with Eddie, he let out a small chuckle.

"What?" Eddie asked him, looking at him in confusion, not understanding the source of his laughter. He had been laying down on one of the pillows previously, but now had himself propped up on his elbow, looking at Buck.

"I was just remembering a conversation that I had with Christopher awhile ago," Buck said with a grin. "I forget how the topic came up, but I said that stargazing was something you did with someone special...and I think that may have inspired this evening plan." Buck added, motioning up to the sky, now filled with glittering stars. Buck thought back to the rest of the evening, the boys had set it up like the ultimate date he wished it was. He glanced back at Eddie, watching his reaction closely as he reached out to take Eddie's hand in his, deciding to take the plunge. "And you're special to me," he said simply, caressing the back of Eddie's hand with his thumb, waiting anxiously for Eddie's response.

At the least he had expected some sort of acknowledgement, maybe a brotherly hug at the most. But all of a sudden his arms were full of Eddie, and Eddie's lips were against his and he felt like he was flying. He could feel Eddie's hands in his hair, tugging his curls gently as the kiss continued, Eddie pressing his body flush against Buck's. Eddie nipped at his bottom lip, and Buck let out a small gasp as Eddie continued to explore his mouth with his tongue, the two of them so caught up in each other that they didn't register the flying projectile until it made contact.

"What?!" Eddie exclaimed, pulling the offending pillow away from his head and glaring over at Hen, who had been the obvious thrower. Buck blushed at the sight of Hen and Karen staring at them, trying to pull away from Eddie, but Eddie was still on top of him and was refusing to move a muscle.

"Keep it PG you two," Karen added, her attempt at looking stern failing miserably as her excitement for the two of them started to show in a widening smile. "We'll go check on the kids, let you two cool down a tad," Hen added with a laugh, pulling Karen towards the house.

Buck took a quick glance at his watch, noticing that it was after midnight. "We should...we should probably go in and help get Christopher to bed," Buck commented, still distracted by the weight of Eddie on top of him.

Eddie groaned and shifted off Buck, not wanting to move an inch. But Buck was right, and so once he was able to get to his feet, he reached down and helped Buck to a standing position as well. Then, before Buck could escape into the house, he pulled Buck in for another kiss, a much gentler one this time but still full of passion.

"You're special to me too," Eddie said in response to Buck's previous declaration, mentally thanking his son for giving them both the courage and the opportunity to finally admit their feelings. As they walked back towards the house, their shoulders bumped as they always do, but this time, Eddie reached out and intertwined his fingers with Buck, sharing a soft smile as they entered the home together.